A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates! If you've been following this story from the very beginning, you'll realize this is not just a story about Gaara and Hinata, but there is an interesting relationship going on between Neji, Gaara, Hinata and Rin. So please bear with me if there isn't a lot of GaaraXHinata at the moment.

Chapter Ten: The arrival of the Sand Nins

He thought he heard soft voices murmuring his name.

Neji-kun…Neji-kun…

His eyes could not open, even though he wanted to. He wanted to see who was calling him.

A flash of spirited green eyes. White garb flew passed his face. He could almost smell the scent of the White Plumes, a type of flower that only grew during winter.

Neji-kun…?

The white shadows before him turned around. He tried desperately to reach for her, yet she was a few steps too far away and his legs would not move.

Neji-kun…can you hear me?

The white cape that previously hid her face fell apart, revealing luscious thick black hair that flowed down gently to her waist. Her pink lips moved, as if she was talking. She seemed to be saying something important to him because she looked serious.

Yet no voice came out of her mouth.

Neji-kun, wake up…

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Neji opened his eyes abruptly. The sudden brightness of the room blinded him momentarily. He saw that Tenten was hovering above him. She seemed both shocked and embarrassed at the same time.

"Oh Neji-kun! You're finally awake!" Tenten said, smiling happily. There were tears in her big brown eyes.

"What's wrong, Tenten?" he asked, almost dazedly.

She shook her head quickly. "No…it's nothing. I'm just glad you're well."

The Hyuuga nodded and his chest hurts when he tried to sit up. Tenten hurriedly helped him up. "You shouldn't move around too much. Hinata said…"

"Where is she?" he asked, glancing around, before Tenten had the chance to finish her sentence.

"…Hinata? She's with…"

"Rin."

The smile on Tenten's face disappeared. "She escaped. Kakashi-sensei appeared just in time when she tried to strike you."

"She…escaped?" He almost could not believe it.

"Yes. We brought you here to the inn, where Hinata treated your wounds."

Neji nodded absentmindedly. His mind was trying to piece together what had happened at that forest.

And the strange dream he had just a moment ago.

"What about the rest of the teams?" Neji asked. "Where's Lee?"

"He's having breakfast. I've brought up some porridge for you so if you're…"

"I'm not hungry." Neji interrupted. He felt ashamed that he was the only one that had fallen. He tried to climb back up to his feet.

"Wait! Hinata said you need to rest longer!" Tenten protested, her eyes widening.

"No." Neji clenched his teeth as a surge of pain cut through his chest. "There's no time to lose. We need to find…"

"Don't worry!" Tenten quickly said, "Gaara's team had already headed to the Hidden Village of Cloud."

"She's there?"

Tenten paused for a while, before saying, "Kakashi said it's a high probability. The Hidden village is only the next nearest stop."

Neji nodded and climbed up to his feet without warning.

"Hey!" Tenten was about to protest again.

"Tenten, I'm not a child." Neji said firmly and almost strictly that Tenten immediately kept quiet. "And my wounds are already much better."

"…Okay."

He started to move out of the room.

"Where are you going?" she asked, watching Neji's back. He seemed a lot more disturbed than usual. Tenten decided it must be due to the White Nin. Neji was probably still sore over his apparent "defeat".

"I'm going to the washroom. Grab a bite yourself, Tenten. We're heading out in ten minutes time."

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"He wants to move out now?" Lee gulped down the last bit of his drink.

"Neji's tough. Don't worry about him." Kakashi muttered.

"But…" Tenten sighed and sat down. "He's pretty stubborn about this, that's for sure."

"Tenten, you should get some rest while you can. You've been taking care of Neji all night." Lee said, glancing at her with concern.

The girl shook her head. "I'm fine, Lee. Don't worry."

There were approaching footsteps and everyone at the table quiet down. Neji appeared shortly, his expressions unreadable.

"Ohayou, Neji-san!" Lee greeted, waving at him.

Neji simply nodded. He made no intentions to sit down at the table. "Lee, Tenten, finish up your food and we'll be leaving."

"So soon?" Lee glanced up. "Are you ready to…"

"I'm fine!" Neji suddenly said, his tone definitely one of annoyance.

Kakashi nodded knowingly, as if he could tell what Neji was thinking. "Gaara's team left early this morning."

"Gaara sure is hardworking…" Lee muttered, taking another bite of his rice ball.

"Well," Kakashi muttered, standing up. "Then let us all go together."

"You're coming along with us?" Tenten asked, surprised.

Kakashi smiled. "Don't worry. We won't take the same routes."

"There are two different routes?" Lee asked, widening his eyes.

Tenten glared at her teammate and smacked him hard on the head. "Weren't you listening when Tsunade-sama was drawing up the routes?"

"Ouch!" Lee rubbed his head.

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"We've been looking everywhere for you, Rin-chan." Itachi was saying, his expressions blank. They were both wearing dark cloaks but Itachi had removed his straw hat to reveal his face.

"Really?" Rin muttered calmly, turning back to seep her wine slowly.

Think of something…fast.

The two Nins stood straight behind her, watching her silently as she brought her wineglass to her lips.

Mustn't let them know I'm wounded…

"So, what brings you here?" she asked, turning back to them as she crossed her legs and looked up at the two of them boredly.

"I believe you know the answer to that question."

"Hmm…? Do I?" Rin looked around. The fisherman and his son had just paid the bill and were leaving the inn. "Is that …uh, small business you told me about?"

Itachi didn't look like he wanted to play mind games. He scooped down low, to the level of her face and stared straight at her. "Rin-chan, will you come with us?"

She tried to tear her eyes away from those cold red Sharingans, but she couldn't. Already his gaze was pulling her deeper and deeper within.

Relax! Just don't look into his eyes.

"I'm on vacation." She said, gamely.

"Rin-chan."

"Yes?"

Itachi stood back up. "I don't think this is negotiable."

Get right down to the point, huh?

She started to stand up too. "Itachi-kun, I'll make this negotiable."

A small smile crept onto his cold, hard face. Something that is very rare on the Uchiha.

"You don't want to force us, Rin-chan."

Standing a little behind him, Kisame grinned and began to finger his weapon lustily.

She folded her arms. "Try me, Itachi-ku…" her words trailed off because a sudden hard jolt of pain seeped through her chest.

The pain was so sudden that it jolted her whole body forward and she began to lose her balance and fall…

Baka…no…

Strong arms grabbed her small waist and broke her fall. She looked up to see cold, unfeeling Sharingan eyes.

Damn!

His grip on her waist tightened. "You shouldn't over exert yourself, Rin-chan."

The White Nin paused, fearful of what was to come next. She was definitely no match for Itachi and Kisame now. But if she had been feeling hundred percent, it would be a different story.

Approaching footsteps made both Itachi and Rin turned around. Still in an awkward position in the Uchiha's arms, Rin thought she saw three shadows.

It was only when they entered the inn, that she recognized one of them.

Sabaku no Gaara had arrived.

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Sorry about the cliff hanger.