Just a reminder, this is the last chapter of part one, there is still much I need to plan and figure out for part two, so I won't be posting in a while. Anyway here's chapter 10, knock yourselves out.

The barn was crowded with at least a hundred people all dressed in elaborate clothes, chatting, dancing and drinking.

A band that contained a violin, flute, tambourine, and a man who'd stomp to a repetitive beat, played near the back.

"Quite the turn out ay?" Said Tenten.

"It's amazing."

They shifted through the crowd, gradually making their way through the huge room. There was no furniture accept from a few tables towards the back full of food and drinks.

"Over there." Said Tenten, pointing to the back.

Hinata followed her finger to where Sasuke stood, leaning against the wall. He was dressed in a brown waistcoat with a long-sleeved shirt underneath. As usual, he had a bottle of some kind in one hand and would take occasional swigs. He looked fed up like a kid who had to be dragged to a party he didn't really want to go but had to go for the sake of his parents.

His eyes would linger from one area then shift when he grew bored of seeing the same old faces. Every now and then he'd stroke the rim of his hat but stopped when he saw Hinata.

"I'll leave you two to it then." Tenten said.

Hinata turned only to find the girl had already vanished. She wasn't a fan of crowds and right now was in the middle of one. But still, she was determined to see the night through and so made her way to the Sheriff.

"Glad you could make it." He said.

"Me too, this is pretty great."

"It's alright I guess. Gets pretty dull after your sixteenth time and this is my third having to organise it all."

"You've been sheriff that long?"

"Well who else was going to keep this place in order? Anyway, you look great."

"Thanks."

"Listen, there's something I've been meaning to ask-"

"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls! Welcome to the sixteenth annual Summer Solstice festival." Boomed a loud voice.

They both turned to find a man at the front, standing on a crate. Hinata instantly recognised the voice's as Jiraiya. By now everyone, including the band, had stopped what they were doing and turned to listen.

"I just wanted to start by thanking the Sheriff over there. Yeah I see you hiding away." He waved to Sasuke, who in return gave a half smile.

"This whole event wouldn't be possible if not the contributions he and of course his father made, bless his soul. He was a good man and gave these people hope, something to strive for."

Sasuke leaned towards Hinata and mumbled, "He's made the same speech every year since... Well you know."

"Tonight, we are going to celebrate their legacy as well at the longest day of the year so be merry, drink a lot, have fun and who knows, maybe even get lucky. So, without further or do, I now commence this festival... Started! Hit it boys!"

The band began to play once more, this time there were more members. Now a man with a harmonica and another with an accordion had joined. It started with the tapper thudding his foot against the wooden floor to create the beat, then the violinist joined in, matching the fast pace.

While the song was getting started, everyone began to move so the women were on the left of the barn and the men lined up against the right.

Once the violinist's introduction was over, the others joined in creating a spectacular burst of energy that was reflected in the dance.

In unison, the line of men stomped forwards then the women did the same. They passed each other so now the lines were on opposite sides.

They stomped back but this time, instead of passing, they curtsied/bowed and then clapped their hands to the beat of the stomper. While doing so, the line broke up into pairs consisting of one man and woman and they circled each other while continuing to clap. They walked back into their original lines and the moves were repeated again. Now, instead of circling, the pairs locked arms and spun.

The music hit its climax and the pairs broke up and regrouped so everyone was linking arms in one big circle. Everybody moved clockwise, starting off slow and then eventually got faster. The music also matched the speed, increasing until the circle was moving so fast that people were struggling to keep up.

The circle broke up once more into three smaller ones, each going at a different pace. From time to time, Hinata would catch glimpses of the Sheriff and would smile or wave before having to concentrate back to where she was moving.

Finally, the circles broke up so both sexes were back in their lines facing another. Sasuke was directly opposite Hinata and they both bowed/curtsied, panting from the intensity of the dance.

The band stopped and began playing a more relaxed song. People dispersed from their previous positions to wonder the venue.

"Where'd you learn to dance like that?" Sasuke said.

"It's a secret." She said, tapping her nose and then wondered off to the table at the back.

Sasuke followed after her.

"I'm famished." said Hinata.

She picked out a glass of water and gulped it down. Sasuke reached for another bottle but Hinata grabbed it before he could and replaced it with water.

"I think you've had enough of that."

"Since when did you control what I can and can't have?"

"Since now, besides water's better for thirst."

He sighed but drank the beverage anyway and smiled. Hinata did the same. When they had both taken a sip, they were still smiling and couldn't stop looking at the other.

"Listen, Hinata. There's something I think you should know."

"Yeah?" She said, putting her drink down.

"Well, I mean we've been living together for a while now..."

"Wait, are you kicking me out? I've been a burden, haven't I? It's fine I understand I-"

"No. That's not it. Look, seeing as you've helped me out and everything I think it's only fair that you stay with me. If you want to that is, I mean I could always help you out if you want to get your own place."

"You've already given me so much. If you really don't mind my company then I'd love to but please let me at least pay you rent or something."

"Sorry but that's not happening, besides you're broke enough as it is."

They both chuckled and there was a pause after, although it wasn't awkward at all, if anything it was comforting.

"Why are you doing this, helping me I mean?"

"well..." He said tucking a strand of hair behind his ear, "I've never been any good at these kinds of things..."

He looked to the floor but remained smiling then returned his gaze to Hinata.

"These past few days have been pretty good, better than usual. And even though you yelled at me when we first met, you gave me a bit of a wakeup call. You showed me that not everyone here is scared of the Akatsuki and that there's more we can do. Please tell me if I'm boring you."

"No, of course not."

"Well the truth is… I think I'm in l-"

Bang!

Shockwaves blasted those nearest to the door away. All the candles were extinguished in a single gust. Sasuke was caught by its grasp and was thrown into Hinata, knocking her down.

"Hinata. Are you ok?" The voice was drowned out by the ringing in her ears.

The girl looked up to see a pair of black eyes inches from her own. She instinctively froze while her body seemed to grow hot. Sasuke got onto his elbows in an attempt to get up but winced as he did so.

"I'm ok." Was all she could say.

Then a splotch of red dropped onto her cheek and another. She reached out her hand and brushed the side of his cheek to where more liquid trickled.

"You're bleeding."

Sasuke sat up now straddling her and placed a hand to where she had held her own and brought it back only to see more red.

"It's nothing."

He stood up and pulled Hinata up too. His attention was turned to his hat where it had fell some meters away. He walked towards it and reached only for it to be swept up by another's hand. He looked up only to see the one man he despised. His brother.

"I thought we agreed on the next moon."

"Yes, but now the circumstances have changed. A reliable source tells me you were planning on attacking us so we're simply returning the favour. I knew you were foolish Sasuke but this is simply ridiculous. Did you actually think you'd win?"

"You're not taking my town."

"Oh really?" He chuckled, slotting the hat on.

"It worked! I told you TNT was great!" Said a man, rushing in.

"Deidara." Itachi said.

"What?" The blond looked to him and then Sasuke, "Oh." And he stepped aside.

"I think it's time someone showed you what happens when you go against the Akatsuki."

Wispy figures appeared from the smoke and stepped through its foggy cloud. First was a woman with short blue hair and an eye patch followed by Hidan, a young boy with red hair, a man with skin so pale that it appeared blue, on his cheeks were black tattoos that resembled gills, and finally came another man with a balaclava to hide his face but not his emerald eyes, the parts of his skin that were visible were smothered in horrific scars and stitches.

Each member lined up behind their leader, but then there was another strange shape emerging from the dust, it shifted around a bit then jumped out."

"I'm not late again am I? Oh, gee sorry guys." Said the man, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Tobi!"

"Yes, Mr Deidara sir?"

"Get your ass over here, now!"

"All right, I'm coming, I'm coming, sorry everybody. Excuse me, pardon me, thank you."

"What have I told you about coming in late?"

"Would you two just shut up." Said Kakuzu, "Time is money, remember."

Deidara took a step towards the stitched man, but Itachi gave him another one of his death glares silencing him for good this time.

"As I was saying, it seems I have been too lenient towards you and this place. Perhaps your recklessness is my own fault… so I'm putting an end to this mutual peace of ours."

"And what exactly do you that mean by that?" Sasuke said.

"It means I'm taking this town whether you like it or not and if you get in my way, there will be blood."

"I'm not taking this crap from you shit heads any longer." Said an old man stepping out, "I say let's take 'em! Who's with me!"

He turned to the crowd and raised his fist in the air. Everyone went wild and cheered but that was suddenly interrupted by a single gunshot. The man looked to his stomach only to see blood spreading fast. He looked to Hidan, who's gun was now smoking and collapsed.

"Anyone else?" Hidan said, waving the gun around.

He scanned the room as everyone went quiet, then looked to Hinata and gave her a little smile. Sasuke saw this and pushed her behind him and stared right back at the Jashinist.

Hidan scowled and marched forwards. Hinata's grip on the Sheriff's waistcoat only tightened the closer he got closer. Before he could reach the pair, a second gunshot was fired.

"Fuck!" Hidan cursed, gripping his arm, "Who shot that?!"

The end of a shotgun emerged from the darkness and was illuminated by the feint moonlight. The man behind the gun also came into view and, still aiming the weapon, paused next to Sasuke and Hinata.

"You both need to leave. I'm going to try distract them for as long as I can. When I give the signal make a run for the back." Jiraiya whispered.

"But what about the tow-"

"Forget the town. This place is going to Hell whether you're here to stop it or not, so just do as I say and you might live."

Jiraiya turned to the crowd behind him and gave a nod, a few people returned the gesture and readied their own guns.

He then returned his attention to the bandits, "You know what I hate about you Akatsuki? You got no class. You'll shoot anybody even if they're defenceless. What do ya say you run along now before things get messy?"

"Ha! You're kidding right?! Look around you. One guy's dead already and the rest of you are scared shitless. But you're still gonna stand there and-"

Bang!

Jiriya was blasted backwards, blood spread through his lside and began to spill onto the wooden floor.

"Hey! I was supposed to kill him!"

"You were taking too long." Said Konan, rifle still held to her eye.

"Go!" Jiraiya yelled, blood spluttering in the mix.

A chorus of gunshots followed. At first, they were from the festival-goers but then the Akatsuki retaliated. Through the mayhem, Hinata grabbed Sasuke's arm and pulled him away.

"We have to go."

He pulled free and began walking back, "I can't just let this happen. Those are my people dying out there."

"And you'll be one of them if we don't go now. You heard what he said, do you really want to waste the chance he gave us?"

He stopped, watching the death toll increase then turned back to Hinata. Sasuke fed his fingers through his hair while looking back at the bloodshed then to the girl.

"Fine! come on then."

Hinata picked up her dress and followed him through the chaos. Why did she choose today of all days to wear heals? She tripped a little on the fabric but regained her balance and kept running.

They pushed a barn door towards the back open and squeezed through its gap. The moonlight was so strong that it might as well have been a sign saying, 'escapers here.'

"Mr. Deidara! Look, look!"

"Tobi, I'm kind of in the middle of something here, what could be so important- Oh. Shit."

Tobi ran after them and Deidara joined him. To the side, Hidan was having his arm bandaged by Sasorie when he also caught sight of this.

"The Hell do they think they're doing?"

"Just stay still. You want me to do this right or not? You're lucky only the side was grazed." Said Sasorie.

Hidan watched where they were going and caught sight of Hinata's dark blue hair as it sprang out of sight. He instinctively shot up and ran after them, bandage flapping as he did so.

"Complete waste of my time." Sasorie muttered.

Meanwhile, Sasuke and Hinata ran down the now deserted streets, pushing over caritas and barrels to try shake off their accomplices.

"Oh come on is that really the best you can do?!" said Hidan, jumping over a barrel.

Tobi was all over the place tripping and falling but was somehow able to catch up to his partner. Deidara was close behind and threw a small bomb. Almost an entire house exploded, sending shrapnel everywhere. Beams fell apart and collapsed, blocking the escapist's path.

"This way!" Said Sasuke, taking a sharp turn into one of the alleyways.

"There's a farm up ahead. We can take the horses." Sasuke said.

He was the first out and Hinata was about to join him when she suddenly stopped. She looked down and saw her dress was on something. Hinata grabbed the fabric, trying her best to prise it away from a nail but it wouldn't budge. She looked behind her only to see both Tobi and Hidan closing in.

Hidan's arm throbbed terribly, but he still reached out and yanked her dress like it was nothing. Before he could pull, she ripped the fabric free and made a dash for the opening.

"Damn it!"

She was now far behind Sasuke, who was almost at the top of the road, nearing the farm's gates. Deidara brought out another bomb but Hidan snatched his wrist before he could throw it.

"We need them alive, not in pieces you idiot!"

"But Itachi said we only needed Sasuke. Who cares about some chick?"

Hidan's grip harshly tightened as the blond winced, then he threw him to the ground and continued his pursuit.

"The Hell was that for?!"

"Come on Tobi, why don't you bring out your specialty?"

"Yes sir!"

"Hey!" said Deidara, still on the ground.

His teammates continued without him. Sasuke was about to jump the gate when he realised Hinata wasn't there. For a moment, he panicked, his eyes darted around the place. When he saw here little comfort came. There were two Akatsuki members close on her tail.

"Come on!" he yelled, hand reached out.

Hinata continued to run, just hoping she wouldn't trip. Following close, Tobi took out a long piece of rope from under his shirt, held it in the air and began to swing it. As it rotated, a clear circle formed in the rope.

They got closer to the girl, all the while the lasso spun faster. She was close now, and could almost reach Sasuke's hand, but as their fingers brushed, something tight squeezed her stomach and yanked her back, knocking the wind out of her chest.

Everything was a blur when she tried to open her eyes. Everything hurt, her stomach especially. Her breaths were sharp and her vision distorted, but she could still hear.

"Come on Sheriff, we've got your little princes so if you don't want to see her heart I suggest you come with us."

"Does this mean we'll get a reward Mr. Hidan?"

"Yes Tobi."

"But, what's gonna happen to him."

"That's for the new sheriff to decide."

"New sheriff?" Said Sasuke.

"Oh yeah, Itachi runs this place now, if you're lucky he might have mercy on you and keep you in jail."

"Just let her go and I'll do whatever you people want."

"'Let her go?' I'm sorry bud' but I don't take orders from you. I can do whatever the Hell I want with her."

Colours started to form as well as strange shapes. After a minute, she could finally see what had transpired while she was unconscious. In front of her was the masked man but he was below her. The ground was also far away. Then she realised that whatever she was lying on was warm and… breathed?

She tried her best to look at whatever it was she was on and stared in horror at the silvery head of hair. She had been picked her up and tossed her over Hidan's shoulder.

"You having fun there?" He said, his voice so loud now that she was this close.

Hinata strained but found the lasso still bound her.

"Hinata!"

She recognised this voice as Sasuke and instantly felt terrible. Once again, she had failed, now she was a prisoner to the Akatsuki. No. It wasn't going to end here, it couldn't. There had to be something she could do, anything.

And then she had an idea. Although there was no guarantee it would work, she had to at least try. Hinata concentrated hard and closed her eyes. Her body went completely still.

"Um, Mr Hidan, sir, do you think I might have overdone it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, uh, she's stopped moving."

Hidan looked to her and gave her a little jolt, but still nothing happened. He tried again with the same result. Then he moved her completely so he held her in both of his arms. He cringed as more blood oozed from his wound.

"Oh shit, your right."

Tobi moved so he was next to them and brushed her hair out of her face then went to check her pulse.

Sasuke stepped forwards, "What did you do to her?!"

Hidan looked back at him, just as concerned. Tobi's fingers didn't leave her neck.

"Well?" Said Hidan.

The other member remained silent, but leaned closer.

Her eyes shot open but were now a bright white and veins grew around them. A blue flame engulfed her fists, disintegrating the rope. In a panic, Hidan's arms loosened, allowing her to break free. She jumped back into her fighting stance with knees bent and arms shielding her.

"Eight trigrams sixty-four palms!"

The seal containing the yin-yang symbol appeared, glowing a bright green. The radius expanded trapping all three of them inside. The two Akatsuki members remained still, unable to move and stared as she lunged forwards to press various parts of their muscles. To her surprise they had chakra points, although they were extremely weak.

She continued her strikes until all sixty-four points had been pressed then the circles disappeared. Both members collapsed, panting heavily. Deidara arrived just as this happened and he pulled out another load of TNT. When Hinata turned to him, he couldn't throw it. He remained there staring at his collapsed teammates then back to her.

Hinata then jumped the fence and joined Sasuke.

"What just happened?" He said

"I'll explain later, but right now we have to go."

He stared at her, now seeing the woman in a completely different light. Had she always been so strong? Sasuke looked back to the Akatsuki and stared at Deidara before the blond ran back the way he came.

"There's only one horse." She said.

"It doesn't matter, come on before he comes back with more."

"Right."

Sasuke jumped on first then Hinata followed suit, sitting at the back. Grabbing the reins, he guided the horse out of the pen then stopped to look at the town one last time before riding off into the darkness.

so what do you guys think so far? I haven't made any definite plans for part two so any suggestions for improvements would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone for sticking with the story so far. I understand this is not exactly a mainstream genre but I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and try something new. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it and Ill see you again in part two once I've finished finalising things. I won't be likely to post for a while but please feel free to see any of my previous works. ok shows over, bye. :)