Wish For Something

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A/N: I am a penguin. This is my quickest update yet! Enjoy! ^^ :D


CHAPTER NINE

Written by 10ShizukaYuukiMistress10


There was a searing pain at her neck as Hinata regained consciousness. When her eyes fluttered open her vision was hazy. She didn't have half the mind to remotely understand what had happened to her.

The pain was so intense and overwhelming, it was all she could do to stay conscious... and not go insane.

Crying quietly, confused, in pain and lost, Hinata slowly closed her eyes once again.

-:-

The seventh time Hinata managed to fight her way out of unconsciousness, she felt stronger. Strong enough to open her eyes again. She caught glimpses of two hazy figures. Someone else was there!

...Is there still hope?

Before Hinata could gain any relief or comfort from the thought, mercilessly, like the pain of a thousand snake's bites, a white-hot fire rippled its course throughout her body and this time she didn't hold back the cry of distress that escaped her lips.

-:-

No longer spiky, Sasuke's ebony locks clung to his face. He set his mouth in a firm straight line and his deep blood-red eyes with the twirling tomoe faded obsidian. His mission was finally over.

It was raining. Sasuke hated it.

He hated the world.

He had long since learnt that about himself after the massacre of his Clan. There was nothing worth living for after he killed Itachi.

But rather unexpectedly, Hinata's delicate, mesmerising face flashed in Sasuke's mind.

He wouldn't deny it. Knowing that Hinata would be there, waiting for him, made returning to the base nicer to return to. Her presence had brought something more than burdening to him... it had bought him calmness, warmth and a strong feeling of... possessiveness. He noticed that a lot when he was around her. Sometimes the pent up hate which he kept locked up in his soul couldn't help but acknowledge Hinata's presence and leave Sasuke's mind in peace.

That was why he came to the base quicker, and in time to save her.

As he surveyed the air he knew immediately that something wasn't right.

XXX

Two hours later

Sasuke's obsidian eyes slid over the scene, taking everything in. Then, he held Orochimaru's gaze steadily.

"Ssssasuke..."

Orochimaru's words were punctuated by a shrill cry as Hinata's Curse Seal matured. It now left a series of deathly black tattoos along her collar bone all the way up to one side of her sweat-stricken face. It made a striking, if not worrying contrast with her ghostly skin.

Sasuke shifted his eyes away from Hinata's form. They landed on Orochimaru, full of hostility and the promising of unbearable pain.

"Let me make this perfectly clear to you,"

Orochimaru smiled softly. "Now, Sasuke—"

"I am an avenger. If you hurt anyone I care enough about... You die."

Sasuke's dark words didn't seem to have much of an effect on the older ex-Sanin.

Orochimaru just chuckled.

"Do not underestimate me like that Hyuuga girl did. I have powerful Senjutsu chakra. Do you want me to give you another Curse Seal?" Orochimaru's lips rose. "I'm quite sure it could kill you after the first few hours."

This only angered him more.

"I'm done talking." Sasuke announced in a low growl. And without waiting another semi-second he thrust a kunai at Orochimaru's heart. The ex-Sanin just smiled and caught it in his hand.

"Sssssasuke... I don't expect to be played with. I know you can do more than that."

"I know." Sasuke said, his face hostile, Sharingan activated and an arrogant smirk in place. He pierced Orochimaru with an unblinking stare.

"… I was just preparing my genjutsu."

The raven-black tomoe spun.

The room suddenly filled with silence. Then, a bark of laughter left the Snake Sanin's thin lips.

"I am long since immune to any kinds of genjutsu." Orochimaru chided condemningly. "Have you forgotten? Have you not learnt anything from me, my pupil?"

Sasuke didn't give him a response. My main problem isn't taking down Orochimaru. I've trained hard enough and I'm more than sure of myself. Sasuke thought, nonchalantly allowing his arm to ignite with formidable lightening, his gaze still fixated on Orochimaru.

I'm worried... that Hinata...

Reading Sasuke's mind instantly, Orochimaru spoke.

"Don't tell me you have feelings for that weak girl, Sasuke." Lifting up a bony hand, Orochimaru flicked back his dark hair and narrowed his hollow-yellow eyes.

"It is probable that she will die by the end of our fight."

Sasuke, not once flinching, let his glare intensify.

"Hinata is not going to die."

Lightening increased. Thrasssh! Sizzle! Thrasssh!

"What makes you think that, I wonder?" Orochimaru asked, amused. His voice barely broke over the loudness of Sasuke's Chidori. Orochimaru also didn't seem to notice the monstrosity that it was becoming.

"She is stronger than you think."

Then without further ado, Sasuke charged forward, and they were fighting.

Somewhere amongst the heated battle, Hinata stirred in her fitful slumber but only for a few seconds. She didn't even notice what was going on around her or the amount of energy and hate that Sasuke was putting in to protect her—for her.

As they fought, Orochimaru took a sudden step back and raised his arm.

"Wait. I have something to tell you if you might listen to me one last time."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes darkly.

"What?"

Orochimaru chuckled quietly. "As you know Sssasuke, I lost both my arms due to a Shinigami in my fight against the Fourth Hokage at the climax of the Chunin exams. I now wish to have power greater than that of a Shinigami, and you letting me have a look at you could help me."

Sasuke assessed Orochimaru quietly for a fraction of a second.

"What makes you think I care now?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "Oh, Sasuke." He murmured, looking up at his student with fond, predatory eyes.

Sasuke knew that Orochimaru only intended to trick him into letting his guard down so that he could take over his body, after the long wait. Then he'd be able to access Sasuke's wish...

I won't let that happen even if it's the last thing I do.

"You're calculating. I've always liked that about the Uchiha's. Never trust anything to begin with."

"Is that what you wanted to tell me?" Sasuke asked impatiently, raising a sceptical eyebrow.

Orochimaru's smile contorted into a slight frown but still remained menacing.

"No. I just wanted you to know that with great power comes great responsibility, Sasuke. Surely you can't kindle such great power on your own."

"Tch." Sasuke began lifting his blade. I have no time for this...

"And in all honesty, I had hoped to bargain back my arms so that I may once again use them to their full extent. The wishes, both of the Hyuuga and yourself, are of otherworldly, rare value."

"—Whatever." Sasuke cut in, sharp and plain. He glared fiercely.

Then, at the thought, Sasuke glanced over at Hinata's still form.

He hasn't managed to get her wish yet. I can still see the Seal on her arm through my Sharingan. That's a good sign.

Stepping forward conversationally, Sasuke looked straight at Orochimaru with his haunting eyes.

"I was ready to give you my body if it meant I could attain my goal of revenge."

Raising an arm, Sasuke swiftly blast the lightening that he'd kept charged at his hand since the beginning of their battle when he'd struck the genjutsu.

BLAAAASSSSST!

Amongst the silence, the smoke, and the flaky darkness, there was a serpentine shift.

"You've shown your true form. Hn."

Sasuke smirked.

XXX

The battle was over. Sasuke had beaten Orochimaru. Pressing a hand at his neck to suppress his Heaven Curse Seal, Sasuke returned to his normal appearance.

His gaze slid over to the still, fragile body lying in the corner of the room. He went over to her and carried her in his safe, warm arms.

"Hinata." He murmured, her name rolling off his lips quietly. Was that concern in his voice?

She stirred, squinting up at him weakly.

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A/N: Since I skipped the acknowledgments in last chapter, I will be combing those of chapter seven with the acknowledgments of last chapter! A massive thank you as always for your feedback! ^^ :D Also, I would like to gratify those quiet ones who follow and favourite my story. ^^ :D

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS GO TO: ultima-owner, YouMeAndEternity, YamiHinata, RoseBunse, Senbonzakura22, Aoi Kitsune12, suicune4ever, AnimeRocks793, iAyu, Michiyo-chama3, mariawalker112 and Saki-Hime!

Ja ne!