10. A Moment of Peace
Sasuke could feel it coming back now, his mind's sanity slowly returning to him in his semi-unconscious state. His steady breathing assured Hinata of his well being and she sighed in relief. The sun was just beginning to rise, and the both of them had been leaning on each other against a large tree that Hinata chose for them.
After a brief scan with her Byakugan, she convinced herself it was safe, and finally dozed off peacefully against Sasuke's shoulder.
5 long hours passed as they both slept peacefully, with not a care in the world. Sasuke opened his eyes slowly, the bright red Sharingan still on standby. He looked around, there was a nearby stream, he was up against a tree set on a grassy patch that made him comfortable where he was, it was and the sun was reasonably high up in the sky, indicating it to be around 9:00 a.m. at least.
Last night's events came back to him in a flash, and only then was he aware of the faint aching all around his body. The usual aftermath of a curse seal activation. 'This time though… It tried to take me!' Sasuke scowled and tried to stand, realizing it was not possible in his weakened state, he looked over at the weight that was dragging his left side down. Hinata was cuddled up against him, sleeping peacefully. 'So, she saved me then.' he quickly ran his Sharingan over her to examine any visible injuries but found none. 'Good, she's not hurt…' He smiled slightly as his eyes darkened to their normal state.
Sasuke tried to leave to wash his face at the stream, but there was one small problem. Hinata was clinging to him, refusing to let go of his arm no matter how he tried to get her to let go. He smirked and decided he could wait. For awhile, he couldn't help but reflect on his dream over and over again, Hinata and himself during the first day, of their second week of training. 'Why did that come up now, of all times?' he smiled as he recalled showing her the many different Katon techniques, she seemed really happy at the time, to learn so much so fast, and although he was slow to admit it to himself, he was too. He winced as his bodily ache spiked for a moment and then settled itself to its usual amount. It would've been nice to stay like this if he didn't hurt every second that went by. Another hour passed, and he sighed with relief as the last of the pain finally subsided and left him in peace. 'I don't think I'm going to use the seal again anytime soon…'
He turned his head as Hinata finally stirred by his side. Her steady breathing quickened slightly as she slowly opened her lavender eyes. "Yo" a dark, masculine voice breached her ears and she smiled. 'I know that voice.' it took Hinata awhile to notice she was leaning on Sasuke, clinging to his arm actually. She blushed slightly as she realized this, but instead of jumping back like she would have done to anyone else, she raised her eyes to meet his and smiled. "How long have I been asleep…?" she asked as she reluctantly let go of him. "What felt like a long time to me, you wouldn't let me go even in your sleep." he smirked at her and got up to go towards the stream. The red tint in her cheeks increased a little and she twiddled her fingers slightly as she watched him go. "Well… Someone had to keep you in place…" she whispered to herself, smiling more broadly than usual, she ran after him.
Sasuke drew Samui Kaji and ran a check on the blade. The runes were dead, but upon establishing a firm grip, the symbols along its side slowly came to life with a sapphire blue light. The red symbol of Fire was the first to light up completely, and Sasuke smirked. Sheathing the blade and checking to make sure he didn't drop any of its extensions, he turned his head to watch as Hinata washed her face with the crystal clear water. It was then he noticed just how filthy she was, actually, they both were. 'Damn… I really need to wash up.' he thought as he scratched a pat of dried dirt off of his elbow. His stomach suddenly rumbled… 'Maybe after I find something to eat…' Hinata turned at the sound and giggled as Sasuke closed his eyes, looked towards the ground and frowned as he covered his stomach with one hand, signaling the reason of the noise. "I'm going to go out and look for some rations, you should wash up." he said as he picked up his kunai pouch off of the ground and secured it behind his back once more. Hinata blushed at his words "U-U-Um, a-alright." she watched as he jumped up into the foliage and disappeared, leaving her alone at the stream.
Sasuke dropped down next to a small tree in a clearing not far from where they were settled. Reaching out with one of his hands, he plucked a ripe red apple, and after turning it around for a quick observation, bit into it hungrily. He finished the apple and started on another one. 'Well, she should be done by now.' Sasuke threw the second apple core to the ground and, taking an armful of fruit, bounded back to their chosen location.
Hinata had just finished zipping up her coat when Sasuke landed in front of her, smiling at him, she rushed over to help him with the fruit he was carrying. Sasuke stared, mouth slightly open in awe, 'Beautiful…' his reaction escaped Hinata's notice and, taking half of his load, she carried it back to the trunk of their tree humming to herself. She turned when she realized he wasn't following her, and blushed heavily under his intense gaze. "S-Sas-s-suke-kun?"
Sasuke mentally shook himself out of his daze and forced a harsh reply from his throat "I-Its nothing…"
Hinata glanced at him quizzically and proceeded to continue walking. 'The way he was looking at me.. Its almost as if-' she shook her head. Now wasn't the time to be thinking about this. 'Still…' she smiled to herself gleefully trying with all her might not to jump for joy. 'What if he does…?'
Sasuke was now shoulder deep in the fresh water, surprisingly there was no fish. He sighed and stared straight up into the sky, pondering his newest mental discovery. 'Crap… I think I like her…'
A/N : Okay, that's it for now, R&R people! Sorry if it seems short, but I wanted this chapter to be as the title says, a moment of peace from all that's been going on for them, heh.