Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Naruto

Flashbacks are NOT in Italics This is all a flashback

Chapter 10

Full Circle

Sasuke noticed how she acted differently. He felt he shouldn't have been surprised. He watched her play shy with the Kazekage's advisors, but when she was alone with him, everything seemed to change. He saw how her tension lessened.

He watched them walk away with little fascination now. He no longer felt the need. He paid for his uneaten meal, and left. He would complete the mission, and make his way home, all without her knowing he was ever there at all.

"Hey, did you see Hinata-chan? Do you know when she's getting back?" Naruto asked as he saw Sasuke enter through the village gates. Jumping away from the guard booth he expected only to see all smiles, or at least smirk from Sasuke.

Sasuke stared at him indifferently. "Did you do something?"

Naruto pursed his lips, "Hey, I didn't do anything! Tsunade just assigned me guard duty because she has trust in my abilities!" Naruto declared. Sasuke rolled his eyes. It was always so easy to distract him.

The next few weeks flew by and Hinata was just about ready to leave. Everything was packed and she felt that she was ready to go. The Kazekage needed her no longer. She strapped her pack onto her leg and took hold of her messenger bag before closing her bedroom door.

She made her way down the hall and stopped when she saw the Kazekage's office door. Slightly ajar, she took a peek into the room. Like always he sat facing the window. Before she could knock, he turned to greet her with that all-knowing look. Surprisingly he had a manila folder in his hands. She smiled to herself noticing his sudden interest in paperwork.

"You'll be offending the Kazekage if you're impressed." Gaara stated blandly, noticing her smile. Hinata looked down, embarrassed. "Sorry," she apologized meekly. "Did you ever find the replacement?" Gaara looked at her then, "No. There is no replacement." He explained a matter-of-factly.

Hinata looked away, and saw that her desk was in fact gone. Her heart sank. "Well –um" She paused for a moment, "So you will be doing all of the paperwork?" She was confused. He put the folder down, while pushing a stack of untouched papers aside. In the open space of the desk, he placed his arms, leaning forward slightly. Near the quaint stack, she noticed him select a rather diminutive looking scroll. He played with its rough material as he stared at her with unforgiving eyes. "Make sure to notify Tamari before you join Kankuro. He will lead you to the border of our country, and from there you will continue alone." Lifting the scroll with his thumb and forefinger, he motioned for her to collect it.

Once Hinata had it in hand he began speaking again, "I'd like you to deliver this to your Kage. No one else is to read its contents." He stressed the last sentence, and Hinata felt the sudden weight of pressure, clutching the tiny document. She nodded, and quietly said her goodbye.

"I'm gonna miss you, my little clam!" Tamari had a good grip on Hinata's aching shoulder. "I'm so happy you came. You set up one hell of a system for us." Tamari harshly padded Hinata's shoulder, "I hope you'll find your way back to Suna after you've left." Her grip suddenly softened, and Hinata smiled.

"I'll be sure to v-visit." Hinata said truthfully, and finally there was a suffocating hug.

Hinata was amazed at how slow Kankuro was going. "Sorry about all the blubbering, it was a long day." He explained, exasperated. "There were a lot of preparations with the council and all. And they're always fun to talk to. 'You can't do this – that – or this,'" He said sarcastically.

"It's no problem." Hinata assured, but all talk about the council made her curious. Although she felt out of line for asking, it took her attention off the time consuming trip. "Why would you have to meet with the council?"

Kankuro groaned, "It's all about the scroll. Actually…," he paused looking at her with a look so mischievous. "I'm not supposed to say. And you especially –" He looked away, smiling. "Come on Hinata! Don't you want to get home?"

Hinata sped up, almost tripping from the abrupt increase of speed.

It was hours after the sun went down when they made it to the outskirts. "I can't believe how late it is. It's crazy!" Shuffling through his pockets he found a few tablets. Taking a canteen from his bag he handed it over to Hinata. "When you were last traveling how did the climate treat you?" Hinata shook her head, tired. He laughed in response, "Here, take these. It will help you adjust. It's an herb, so it's completely natural." He handed her the canteen, "Take a gulp of this, and you'll be all set by the time you hit the trees."

Straightening herself, she placed the two tablets on her tongue before uncapping the canteen and swallowing. Surprised she made the sourest face. "Ugh…" Hinata moaned, feeling dizzy.

Kankuro's smile widened and an eruption of laughter alleviated the trip's consequential exhaustion. "Suna's sake is the best! It'll wear off before you know it. And I wasn't lying about the pills. That was Gaara's gift to you. The drink, however," Kankuro's smile never wavering, "…was mine, and Tamari's."

Hinata shook away the feeling once she saw Kankuro get closer to giver her a large pat on the back. "Make sure to deliver that damn scroll." He said, making his way back. "And don't forget us!" He yelled as he disappeared.

It was early the next morning when Hinata made it back to Konoha. And even with her inevitable fatigue, and her incomplete mission, she felt she needed to see Sasuke first. "The scroll could wait." She thought, as she entered through Konoha's gates.

She took her time as she walked to his apartment. She wasn't sure if he would be awake or not. It's been so long since she ever had to refer to his schedule.

Standing in front of his door now she felt a sense of completeness. She knew she could be normal here. She wouldn't need to mind herself, and it was just right. She took a deep breath before knocking. Nerves were tingling her from the inside out. She was excited to see him.

Sasuke opened the door and she froze. "Hey…"

Hinata was confused, "Are –are you sick?" She placed her hand on his cheek, caressing the side of his face so lovingly. Sasuke took her hand from his face and he looked away. He held onto her wrist, his fingers absently getting a feel of her pulse. She felt her mouth go dry, "What's wrong?" She asked, staring at his hand.

He tugged her inside the apartment, the door shutting abruptly behind them. She was happy to feel his arms around her, but it felt different. She knew there was something wrong, and her growing anxiety was proof. He stayed quiet for a moment longer before letting her go. His eyes, not once leaving her puzzled face. Her shoulders drooped down as her arms hung loosely with little support from her hands that stayed fastened to his sides. "What's wrong?" She asked again, this time assertive. She didn't like this.

"It's not going to work out." Sasuke said plainly, detaching himself from her tightening grip, creating distance between him and Hinata. She gaped at him, rendered speechless. "W-what – What did I do?" She thought quickly, as if time was running out, "Was it the mission? Everything will go back to normal. I'm not going back, I'm not…I am not leaving!" She declared, stepping towards him. He clenched his jaw, feeling his heart squeeze. "It's not like that, Hinata. You know it."

Hinata looked away, avoiding his intent gaze. "Why would you do this?" she asked after a moment.

"You must know me better than anyone. You should have thought ahead." He affirmed, trying to make it clear. "Everyone comes into this world alone, and everyone leaves it alone." He stated bitterly. "It was fun while it lasted, but you know it's pointless to continue." He was going for a clean break. He wanted it done quickly.

Hinata tugged at the hem of her sweater. She was tired, and feeling nauseous. On top of it all, her head was hammering from his sudden revelation. "Why would you court me? Why did you do this?" She asked again, not accepting his answer. She felt like screaming, anger and the insistent knot of sadness clawing at her throat, trying to make its way out.

"Hinata," He began, staring her down. She felt weak and he knew it. She was crumbling and he was the cause. "I don't need you."

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