Why Her?
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I'm going to attempt to introduce some drama into the plot in this chapter. ^^ So we'll see how that goes.
Chapter Ten
Hinata comes back and blinks. She wasn't sure what her father and Sasuke had discussed, but it seemed to have been important. The bluenette was sure that somehow it involved her though.
She supposed it was a good sign that they had managed to have a five minute conversation without attacking each other. It had been a worry of hers. She knew that her father and Sasuke were both very proud men. Proud men when they were left alone, tended to fight. Hinata was thankful that hadn't happened today.
"I've noticed that repairs seem to be going well." Hiashi offers, deciding it was probably best if Hinata didn't find out what they had been discussing before her return.
"Shadow clones definitely have their uses. I'm not Naruto, but I can manage to produce enough of them to speed the repair process along quite handily." He replies.
"What about wildlife? You were away for quite sometime. It's possible that animals might have moved into some of the buildings." The Hyuga Patriarch muses.
"I've seen a few stray cats, dogs, and foxes. Other than that, just your typical pests. It's not as if a bear moved in or one of those damn boars." Sasuke mutters.
"Damn it." Fugaku muttered.
"What's wrong, my love?" Mikoto asked when she saw her husband's growing frustration.
"That boar is back in the fields again. It's causing quite a ruckus for our fellow clansmen and clanswomen. I'll have to go out and kill it. We can't afford to lose more crops." He told her.
"Stay safe. Boars can be quite vicious." The brunette warned him in a voice filled with concern.
"I'll handle it, father." Itachi offers.
"Alright. I suppose you are a Jonin. You can handle a wild animal. Besides, I'm needed at the police station anyway." Fugaku replied and shoots his eldest son a grateful look.
Itachi nods. He headed off. The elder Uchiha brother wasn't aware that Sasuke had followed him, until it was too late. Even as a seven year old child, Sasuke could be quite sneaky when he wanted to be.
The boar had certainly noticed Sasuke, before Itachi. Sasuke let out a startled eep when he saw the boar come charging at them. Itachi looks down in horror, grabs Sasuke by the arm, and jumps them both up onto one of the roofs of the storage shed by the fields.
"Sasuke, you shouldn't have followed me! This is very dangerous." Itachi chided him.
"I want to help to!" The younger Uchiha protested.
"Alright. I'll show you how to work a bow." Itachi muttered and pulls out the bow and arrow.
"I can do it!" He said happily and fired off an arrow.
The first one, grazed its leg. Oh yeah, that could have gone better. That just pissed the enormous beast off. Sasuke nervously draws another arrow back and Itachi helps him aim.
"Aim for the heart." He instructed, as they let the arrow fly.
The arrow struck true. Sasuke was amazed at how one arrow could fell such a mighty beast. Itachi stopped Sasuke from jumping down to examine the boar. He told him that it might not actually be dead and it was best to wait a few minutes.
"Yes, we've had to deal with boars in the past. They are rather powerful animals. Dangerous, especially if they grow dependent on crops." Hiashi agrees and Sasuke nods.
Hinata blinks. It was so surreal. She was watching Sasuke Uchiha and her father discuss something so normal. The bluenette was as little relieved. At least they could hold a civilized conversation. That had to be a good sign right?
"How are you finding the village, since your return?" Hiashi continues to make idle conversation.
"Better than expected. Most are still wary of me. But I like that honestly. Less annoying that way." He answers in typical Sasuke fashion, extremely bluntly and honestly.
Hiashi shakes his head in amusement. Well if nothing else, Sasuke was honest. That was a good quality at least. It was something.
"Well he did go to the BBQ. So he's socializing a bit more." Hinata says with a smile.
Sasuke shrugs at this. He had only gone to make Hinata happy. He didn't want her to have to miss out on the "fun" because he stayed behind. Hinata was a good ninja. She wouldn't "abandon" her mission just for a party.
"I confess that I am not particularly inclined towards large gatherings either. I mostly attended them because my wife enjoyed them. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have bothered at all." Hiashi states.
"Oh father, please tell Hanabi to stop by again sometime. There's something I want to discuss with her." Hinata says because she was still planning on getting Hanabi back for that racy nightgown!
"Of course. Well I suppose I should be going. It's later than I thought." He observes and heads off.
"That went better than expected. Though I imagine if he knew about chakragasms, he might not have been so pleasant." Sasuke muses.
"Probably not." She says with a giggle.
Sasuke smiles. He normally found giggling annoying, but not when Hinata did it. When she did it, it was endearing.
"So where were we?" He asks.
"Right about here." She says with a smile and kisses him.
Meanwhile back in Kakashi's office, he sighs. Damn it. This wouldn't be good at all. He probably should have seen it coming though. Of course the economic and political elites of the Fire Country would want to see Sasuke after his return to the Leaf Village.
"Sending him to their castles though, is just asking for trouble. He has never been the most patient or polite individual. If I say no though, they will assume it is because he is untrustworthy." He mutters.
The silver haired ninja only had one option. He had to send Sasuke there. But he would send Hinata with him. Perhaps she would be able to perform a miracle. Maybe she would be able to keep Sasuke from killing some of the pampered nobles.
It was doubtful though. When it came down to it, Sasuke was still in some ways the same boy he had met all those years ago. Kakashi remembered the day that he was assigned Team Seven.
"How do I say this? My first impression of you is that you are idiots." He said when the erasers landed on his head.
It didn't take a genius to realize who had done the prank. The blonde was snickering. The girl's eyes had gone wide with disbelief and perhaps a little terror at what his reaction might be. And Sasuke, he blinked as if he couldn't believe that Kakashi had actually fell for it.
"Why don't you tell me about yourselves?" He asked and shook his head at Sasuke's response.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I dislike a lot of things. I don't particularly like anything. I don't want to call it a dream exactly, because I will make it a reality. I'm going to kill a certain someone and restore my clan." He told him.
"That's about what I expected." The CopyCat Ninja had muttered to himself and a short while later, he explained their challenge.
"Your task is very simple. You have to get one of these bells before the Sun goes down." He told them.
Perhaps predictably, they had all tried to attack on their own. He remembered being shocked by Sasuke using a fire jutsu. Genin couldn't use fire attacks, it took too much shock. Then again the boy was an Uchiha. He probably should have expected this.
"Sasuke's head is talking!" He heard Sakura cry out not long after, having buried Sasuke into the ground, with his head sticking out. (He wasn't cruel enough to suffocate the boy to death.)
"…" Sasuke was speechless when his teammate fainted.
The next day, Naruto was tied up. His stomach was growling. Kakashi saw Sasuke and Sakura feeding him, it looked like Sasuke had been the one to start it.
"The three of you are one?! Alright, you pass. Those that break the rules are scum. But those that won't help their friends are worse than scum." He stated.
He remembered Naruto jumping around joyously. Sakura looked confused. Sasuke gave a small amused sound and that might have been a smile. He wasn't sure.
In general, Sasuke Uchiha was not a social person. But he did have a good heart, he just usually showed it when no one was looking. Or if they were, he would find an excuse to explain his behavior. For example, Naruto being weaker if he wasn't fed.
"Hinata might be a good influence on him." He muses as he ponders the potential consequences of sending them both to the castle.
Hinata had the opposite problem. She was a little too kind in public. More than once, Kakashi had seen the bluenette's kindness taken advantage of. They might end up balancing each other out, he mused.
Meanwhile in Summonland, Aoda looks at Rio and shakes his head in disbelief. Honestly, he couldn't believe the little garden snake had said that. Subtly was important. He had no idea how they'd ever help Sasuke find a mate, if Rio went and said stuff like that!
"You suggested belly rubs?" He asks.
"Well yeah! Everyone loves belly rubs. I was just trying to help. Besides, what we've been doing so far hasn't really worked. Maybe a more direct approach will help." He offers cheerfully.
"She appears to be quite the shy female. I don't think telling her to use her mouth or hands on him, is going to be very helpful." Aoda says and sighs, wondering what he was going to do with the friendly, though mischievous little snake.
"It's the thought that counts." Kara says with a smile and nuzzles Aoda in a comforting fashion.
Kara smiles at the larger serpent. She knew that Aoda took his duties as a Summon very seriously. Rio, well he meant well…but he was still rather young. Sometimes his antics didn't produce the results he was expecting. That was all. She knew in a few years he'd grow out of his…"goofy stage."
"I suppose so. But honestly, a little common sense would go a long way. We want to help Master Sasuke have hatchlings. Making the only female he has expressed any interest in faint, is not a good way to help." He mutters.
"I'm sure we will come up with something. Things would be so much easier if humans had a mating season." She observes.
Humans could mate year round. They didn't really have a specific time of year when females went into heat, like most other species. Kara still to this day couldn't understand the human reproductive cycle.
It made little sense to her. But then again, she seldom understood humans. They were a most curious species.
They could breed year round and their pregnancy lasted for nine months. From what she could gather, it was an extremely difficult delivery. And their hatchlings were so vulnerable for years at a time. It was a wonder that their species hadn't gone extinct yet. Honestly, laying eggs was much easier.
"Yes, yes that would be helpful. Oh well. Hmm I might have an idea. Do you think you could acquire one of those orange books?" He asks.
"I think so, why?" Kara asks in confusion, she wasn't sure where Aoda was going with this.
"You'll see." He answers with a sly smile.
Rio tilts his head. He wasn't sure what Aoda had in mind. It must have been good though. He had only seen that look on the giant serpent's face once or twice before. And the results were always…AWESOME!
"What did you have in mind boss?" Rio asks curiously.
Aoda just shakes his head. He wasn't going to give away his master plan just yet. No. He knew exactly what he was going to do. Master Sasuke could thank him later.
The next day, Sasuke and Hinata were surprised when Kakashi summoned them. The youngest Uchiha had always trusted his instincts. His instincts told him that this wasn't good.
"Sasuke, Hinata it's good to see you both. I have a mission of sorts for you two. I know that this is unorthodox, but I think it's better if we humor them." He begins.
"Who is them?" Sasuke asks his former Sensei in a tone that was laced with suspicion.
"Well the Nobles. They are eager to see if you have been reformed or not. I know it sounds crude, but they see you as an investment. They want to make sure it's a wise one." The silver haired ninja answers honestly.
"In other words, they want to make sure that I'm being a good boy. If I'm not, they'll probably try to have the loser off me. They really don't know the idiot though. He'd never go through with it and he's the only one who would stand a chance against me in a real fight." Sasuke says with a smirk.
"Precisely. Though it would make my life much easier if you took them up on their "generous" offer and visited their castle for a few days at least." He continues.
"And you want me to go with him?" Hinata asks shyly.
"I think that would be for the best. Your mission is still ongoing and perhaps you can keep Sasuke from strangling them." The masked ninja says in a cheerful voice.
Hinata smiles. It was nice to be recognized by the Sixth Hokage in such a way. It was even nicer to know that what he said was likely accurate. Sasuke might actually listen to her and who knows, she might end up saving someone's life on the trip.
"When would we have to leave?" Sasuke asks.
"The invitation is open. You can arrive at any time." He tells Kakashi.
"Guess we better get back to the District and start packing. Keeping them waiting is probably only going to make this worse. They expect the world to be at their beck and call." Hinata's boyfriend says.
"Alright. Thank you, Lord Hokage for trusting us." Hinata says with a smile and heads off with Sasuke.
A few minutes later, Sasuke watches Hinata scurry about with great amusement. She was tossing in clothes and other necessities into their suitcases. It was like watching a bee buzz around in a hive, except this bee had a very nice backside. Sasuke was enjoying the view.
"Sasuke, aren't you going to help me?" Hinata pouts.
"I think you've got it covered. But alright." He says and joins her in packing.
"I wish I had gone shopping with Hanabi before this missing. My kimonos are really out of season." She mumbles.
"Hinata, I highly doubt anyone is going to care how old your kimonos are. They'll be looking at you, not your clothes." Sasuke informs her and shakes his head in amusement at her concerns.
Hinata blushes. The last Uchiha smirks. It was fun to make her blush. He takes her hand and they head off. If they wanted to get to the castle before nightfall, they'd have to leave now, he decided.
Meanwhile at the castle, the Daimyo was speaking with his son. He had extended the "invitation" Sasuke and by extension Hinata. He knew that Sasuke being back in the Leaf would either turn out to be an excellent boon to them or their worst nightmare. The Fire Daimyo had decided to make it his mission to find out which it would be.
"Father, are you certain this is wise? Sasuke Uchiha is a ticking time bomb." His son asks.
"I'm not certain it is entirely wise. But no fortune was ever gained by being timid. Besides, if Kakashi is willing to send him, he must be reasonably safe. Otherwise the Sixth would express safety concerns." He assures him.
Kono shakes his head. Personally, he thought his father was playing with fire on this one. As far as he was concerned, Sasuke Uchiha might as well be an actual demon. Inviting him into their home was just courting disaster.
He had been surprised to learn that the Hyuga Heiress would be traveling with him. From what little he knew of her, she was thought to be very kind and shy. Certainly not someone that you would ever put next to someone like Sasuke. Many believed that he would be the second coming of Madara and Kono couldn't help but agree with those that held that view.
"Yes, father. As always I defer to your wise judgment." He says and offers a polite bow to the older man.
"They could be here as early as nightfall. Please instruct the staff to prepare them two rooms." He adds as an afterthought.
"Of course." Kono says and he heads off to do exactly that.
Sasuke and Hinata arrive later that day. He placed his hand on Hinata's back. The last Uchiha could see that Hinata was feeling more than a little intimidated by the grand castle.
He couldn't entirely blame her. The building was massive. It might actually be bigger than all of the Leaf Village. People were going in and out of it, usually dressed in rather fine clothes.
"I can see what you mean about the kimonos now." He mutters and Hinata nods.
"I doubt they'll be looking at your clothes either." She says with a reassuring smile and Sasuke returns it with one of his own as they head inside the castle.
"Welcome." The Daimyo greets them.
"Thank you for inviting us to your beautiful home." Hinata says and curtsies politely.
Sasuke didn't bother with a verbal response. He bows lightly as a gesture of respect. But he knew that he wasn't as good as Hinata with pleasantries. It was probably best if he said as little as he could get away with, without seeming rude.
"Come inside. You must be exhausted from your journey and dinner is ready. I do hope that you like seafood." He says.
"I do." Sasuke says and Hinata nods her head in agreement as they follow the Fire Daimyo to the Grand Hall to eat dinner.
They sit down. Hinata felt rather nervous when she noticed it was only them, the Daimyo, his wife, and presumably his son. Sasuke squeezes her hand reassuringly underneath the table in a gesture of comfort.
"I trust you had a safe trip." The Daimyo's wife begins.
"Yes, it was." Hinata replies.
"How are you finding the Leaf?" Kono asks.
"Better than when I left it." Sasuke replies simply and bites into his meal once he sees the Daimyo family was doing the same.
The Fire Daimyo nods and sips his wine. He noticed that Hinata and Sasuke were sitting closer than he would presume was normal. He was not certain if that was because of the nature of her mission or if something was going on between the two of them.
Hmm. Did he favor such a match? Certainly the merger of bloodlines could be intriguing. He supposed that was one way to tame the wild stallion, with a pretty little mare.
"It is good that the War is over." The Fire Daimyo offers.
"Very." Sasuke agrees and wasn't sure what more would be required of him.
He felt like he was being sized up. He got the impression that this was some sort of test. Sasuke wasn't entirely certain if he was passing it or not. The ninja was glad Hinata was with him, otherwise he wasn't sure if he would have kept his composure.
"This is very good." Sasuke comments on the food.
"I'm glad you like it. It was just caught this morning. Fish tastes best when it is fresh." The middle aged woman says.
Sasuke nods. He couldn't disagree with that. He rarely indulged in seafood. But the few times he had, the fresher it was, the better.
"My apologies, My Lord. But the journey was rather long. Would you mind if I retired early?" Hinata asks.
"Oh not at all my dear. Sasuke, did you wish to be shown to your room as well?" He asks.
"Yes, I have to agree with Hinata. It was a long journey." Sasuke says.
"Very well. Roko, please show them to their rooms." The Daimyo says as a male servant heads over to them.
Hinata and Sasuke follow him. Sasuke had always prided himself on his sense of direction. But even he was sure he would have gotten lost in this maze, if it wasn't for their guide. This place was truly massive.
"They really like to show off their wealth. Even the torches are made of gold." Hinata whispers to him and Sasuke nods.
He hated nobles. A pampered class that relied on ninjas for protection. Despite the fact that most of them couldn't even throw a kunai, they had a smug sense of superiority about them. Still he generally put them in the Ignore Category.
Sasuke put people in three categories. Threat, Ignore, and Useful were the categories. Hinata though, was quickly was gaining her own category. He wasn't sure what he was going to call it. But he knew that she deserved her own category.
"Good night, Sasuke." She says, once the servant left.
"Good night, Hinata." He says and caresses her cheek before heading into his room.
Sasuke decided that it would be too forward to ask her to share his room right now. They had only just officially started their relationship. He sighs. He'd just have to wait a bit to find out more about chakragasms.