Hii :) I hope you all enjoy chapter 10!
Also just in case it has been confusing, italicized words represent the character's thoughts unless there is an italicized word in a quote, then it is to just call attention to it :D :D
Chapter 10
Hinata stood in a clearing just outside the Akatsuki base. The forest surrounded her in every which way, even when she activated her Byakugan all she could see was bleak bush land. Hinata pulled herself from her curious looks as she brought her attention to the immediate threat before her. Hidan stood on the opposite end of the clearing yelling obscenities to the members who were interested in the spar that was about to go down.
All of the other members were watching up in the trees except for Pein and Konan who had left after the meeting, however, Hinata had a feeling that their eyes were still on her.
Hidan drew his silver and red scythe from its place behind his back and showed his teeth in a menacing smile, "Come on, let's fucking start this thing already!"
Hinata didn't react to Hidan's words, much to his chagrin, she was analyzing her opponent and his choice in weapon. It was triple bladed, with the blades decreasing in size as they moved down. It was attached to a long cord that would greatly increase his mobility and reach. However, based on his scratched out headband, it appeared that he was originally from the Land of Steam; Hinata did not know of any jutsu from that village that relied heavily on the use of a large weapon such as this scythe which piqued her curiosity. Another thing to catch Hinata's eye was a necklace that dangled over his bare chest that was in the form of a triangle; this symbol looked eerily familiar to Hinata, though she could not yet place it. She was pulled from her thoughts when Hidan decided to speak once again.
"I know this is probably the first time you've seen the sight of a real man," Hidan bellowed in amusement, "but, you shouldn't gawk so openly. The other guys are bound to get jealous."
It was at that moment that Hinata did what she thought she never would do in the Akatsuki base, let alone in front of all their members… blush furiously. A pinkish tint spread its way up her neck before dusting itself on her cheeks.
This garnered quiet a few questionable looks and more than a few mischievously calculating chuckles.
Before Hinata could lose any more of her credibility - something that was increasingly important when dealing with lawless individuals - she pulled on her rabbit ANBU mask that was still hanging around her neck and placed it over her face, turning off all of her emotions in the process. She became the woman she was now known for… the Red Moon.
All the men felt the atmosphere shift, there was still no killer intent surrounding the intriguing female, but their trained instincts kicked in, warning of danger.
Unfazed, Hidan readied his stance. Unfortunately, for him, Hinata stood completely still which irritated the impatient male.
Hidan charged forwards with his lopsided battle grin before swinging his scythe carelessly at Hinata. She ducked with ease before side stepping another blow that was aimed to her opposite side. Hinata continued to dodge his attacks with ease, trying to get a feel for his style of combat. Another swift movement caught her slightly off guard, almost slicing her cheek, before she jumped out of the way.
Once she was a good distance away she saw his smile had a new sense of excitement, one that warned her not to risk getting cut by his weapon.
Realizing this, Hinata summoned her own weapons, her sword and giant shuriken (1), before she activated her Byakugan. Not letting Hidan retort with any of his crude comments, Hinata threw her shuriken in a curved motion, blatantly missing the target, before hopping forward and meeting blade for blade with Hidan.
Surprising her opponent, Hinata sent her chakra into her sword, covering it in a magnificent blue. However, taking it one step further, Hinata incorporated her elemental chakra into the mix. The sword crackled with new power as lightening danced on the blade.
Hidan felt a small electric shock as this happened, the pain was laughable, but Hidan new what it was actually for. A warning. Hidan smiled lopsidedly. "You're going to have to do better than that!"
On cue Hinata's shuriken darted back only to be narrowly avoided by Hidan.
Hinata retreated backwards to catch her flying weapon; her sword piercing through its open centre stopping it mid flight. As this happened, the lightening charka that was surrounding her blade flowed onto the shuriken. Almost casually Hinata started swinging her blade in a vertical circle in front of her face, carrying the shuriken with it.
Hidan darted forwards, but it was too late.
Hinata used her free hand to flash though consecutive hand signs that were only familiar to lone Uchiha watching curiously: snake, ram, monkey, boar, horse, tiger. The Uchiha Clan's signature fireball jutsu. Hinata blew the inferno through the hole of the rotating shuriken creating loops of flame that looked like a deadly version of a slinky.
Hidan spun his scythe also in a vertical circle in an attempt at vanishing the flames. His impressive speed protected him from the brunt of the attack, but his hands received nasty third degree burns. However, the attack didn't stop there, following in path of the chain of fire was the electrified shuriken. With his reflexes slightly slowed, for an unknown reason to him, the shuriken deeply sliced his midsection.
The shuriken eventually hit the ground behind him; Hinata's previous attack required too much chakra and control to maintain a shadow possession on the deathly star.
Hinata stood in a ready stance for Hidan's counter attack as she breathed deeply.
The only move Hidan made was to throw his head back as he gave a sadistic cackle. It was at this time that Hinata finally recognized that frightening crest that adorned Hidan's necklace. In blur Hidan was in front of her. He swung his scythe barely slicing Hinata's arm, but it was enough, because now Hinata's blood was in his possession.
Hinata dropped her weapon by her feet and quickly jumped over Hidan to where he had been standing just seconds ago.
Even though no emotion crossed the Red Moon's face, Hinata knew that her situation was not good.
Hidan licked the blade of his scythe while drawing a symbol identical to his necklace on the ground, confirming Hinata's suspicions. It was a circle with a triangle in its centre; the symbol of Jashin.
"Hehehe" Hidan chuckled excitedly, "It seems you've lost girly. But, I gather Pein-sama won't be too mad if I have a little fun, as long as I don't kill his precious prize." His once pale skin was now a terrifying black and white.
Hidan, to prove his point, grabbed a dagger he had kept in his pocket to lightly slice a vertical line across his forearm. An identical slice appeared on Hinata's, causing Hidan to chuckle again.
Hinata knew enough about this jutsu and religion to not attack recklessly; she let him have his fun as she waited for the right moment to counter.
Hidan sliced his same arm once again, begging to get any sort of reaction from his opponent. "Come on beautiful, I want ya to scream for me! Hehehehe."
With still no response Hidan stepped it up a notch and forcefully plunged his dagger into his lower abdomen.
An ear piercing scream erupted from Hinata's lush lips as she crouched down to protectively shield her new wound.
"Ahh, ya, that's the stuff" Hidan moaned in a masochist manner as he dropped his arms to the side and tilted his head back in pleasure.
Using this single second of distraction, Hinata placed her hand on her shuriken. She hurriedly used a transportation jutsu that brought her to the location of her sword that was brilliantly placed right by Hidan.
With a speed that would make the Yellow Flash proud, Hinata appeared beside her sword and not wasting a moment kicked Hidan out of his circle. Once his hold on her was gone - because Hinata knew his jutsu only worked while inside the drawn crest - she dropped down into a familiar position. It was the signature Hyūga stance, if I can't kill him, then I'll paralyze him.
"Two palms. Four palms. Eight palms. Sixteen palms. Thirty-two palms. Sixty-four palms." Hinata took a breath and slid her foot forwards to complete her jutsu, "One-hundred-twenty-eight palms!"
Hidan flew backwards and crashed painfully into one of the many trees before collapsing on the ground.
Hinata knew that no matter how prevalent his healing ability it would take much time for his chakra to recover fully. She had won.
Hinata removed her mask and let it hang by her neck again. She looked down after feeling something wet and sticky on her abdomen. Finally reregistering her injury, her hands glowed a healing green as she hovered them over her belly. The pain receded as the gash closed preventing anymore blood loss. She then turned to her sliced arm, and with much more ease, traced one of her medicinal fingers along it, leaving nothing but dried blood behind. No scars had yet to mark her body since she had learned medical ninjutsu.
Hinata ignored the stares from the other Akatsuki and walked casually up to a swearing Hidan. She ignored his curses of protest and anger and plopped down beside him.
"What the fuck do you want bitch" Hidan spat venomously.
Hinata disregarded his words and encased her hands in a healing chakra before placing them over top of Hidan's wounds. Hinata started with the gash on his side.
Hidan rolled his eyes, "You don't need to do that bitch, I'll fuckin heal in no time."
Hinata finally graced him with a reply, "I didn't think you would be such a sore loser."
Hinata voiced her observation so calmly, so matter-of-factly, that it took a moment for it to register with the religion fanatic. When he was about to retort Hinata continued with a small smile now lighting up her face, "And I am healing you because, regardless of your healing ability, I would not find it right to leave a comrade injured from wounds I personally inflicted." Even if it is a forced comrade.
At that comment the other members decided to join in.
"That kind of perspective will get you killed in our world" Kisame piped up as he landed beside the pair.
With her hands now moving to Hidan's broken ribs, Hinata turned her head to look at Kisame. "We choose what kind of world we live in. Well, people like us do anyway… people with power. We get to make the rules."
Hidan responded next with his usual malice, "Hehe, but breaking the rules is so much more fun."
Hinata's smile deepened as her eyes glazed over in remembrance, "It depends what rules you're breaking." She took small breath, tired from her large use of chakra, "My last teammate used to be a stickler for the rules when he was younger, at least that's what he told me. Then one of his teammates gave him a good verbal lashing and now he follows his own set of rules. Regardless of the situation I know he will always have my back."
"Hatake Kakashi" a deep voice confirmed with a barely noticeable distaste.
Hinata turned to see that it was the fun and energetic Tobi that held the voice that aired such authority. She removed her hands from Hidan, everything was healed except for his chakra points, so she focused intently on her new partner.
"Careful Tobi… your mask is slipping." Hinata joked though her eyes remained serious. They both held a strange eye contact before Tobi returned to his normal persona. He jumped up playfully while covering his face with his hands, running and screaming about how his swirling orange mask had accidentally fallen off and now the 'sexy mystery' he always maintained was ruined.
Hinata removed her attention from Tobi, but not before making a mental note of this part of his personality that she had been fortunate enough to see today. I wonder what set him off. It was a small slip, but from the looks in the eyes of most of the Akatsuki members here, they have never seen that side of him before either.
Hinata tried distracting everyone from their internal questioning with her next words, "I should have known that you guys would have done research on not only myself, but my partner as well."
Hidan chortled, "Ya, Pein-sama got us to learn everythin about your life and mission history. I'll tell you what I learned about your partner. That Kakashi bastard is pretty fuckin lucky, because we had orders to kill him, no exceptions, if he was with you when we came to get you."
Hinata tensed as the light in her eyes turned to one of anger. She vaguely heard the murmurs of 'idiot' and 'moron' and the much more crude 'fucktard' from the fellow Akastsuki members.
Hinata narrowed her eyes at the still paralyzed Hidan. Hinata lowered herself a little closer so he could hear her menacing whisper, "I'm sure you know that the move I used on you was the Hyūga one-hundred-twenty-eight trigram palms. However, there is a level beyond this. I barely ever use it, I find it too cruel." Hinata brought one of her hands in front of her face before shooting chakra outwards forming the shape of a kunai. "If I do that same jutsu with both of my hands like this it will actually disconnect - slice through - every single chakra point. Nobody can heal this. Not me. Not your Lord Jashin."
"Hey! Don't fuckin talk down about the all powerful Lord Jashin! He can fucking do any fucking thing he fucking wants to!" Hidan spewed.
"My apologies" Hinata stated blandly. With a swift motion Hinata activated her Byakugan before she drew her hand back and darted it forwards, slicing a chakra point in Hidan's arm. "Now, I'm going to give you a warning, if that chakra point heals then feel free to ignore my words later," Hinata's face grew dark, "if you ever hurt a friend of mine I will sever every single chakra point in your body. You may not be able to die, but for a ninja, that's a fate worse than death am I right?"
Every ninja that heard those words agreed with them. Their entire purpose was to be a ninja, and they all had goals that could not be accomplished without their strength. They wouldn't know what to do if that was taken away from them.
Knowing that she got her point across Hinata removed the threatening chakra from her hands before unblocking all of Hidan's chakra points that she had blocked during their spar. "You should be able to move in a couple minutes, maybe sooner with your healing rate." Hinata plastered a fake smile on her face, "that was a great match we should do it again sometime."
Hinata stood and dusted herself off which reminded her that her clothes were still covered in dry blood. I'll have to clean those later. Especially because I only have one set now. Maybe when I'm sent out on a… mission… I can pick up some new training attire. Through her reverie Hinata had changed her clothes back into the ones she normally wore when she was in the Leaf village as a civilian: her long violet skirt and thin faded sweater.
"Huhuhuhu, you really got your ass handed to you," Hinata heard Kakuzu tease Hidan.
"Shut the fuck up ya bastard" Hidan grumbled.
Hinata mentally brought herself back before interjecting, "Hidan should have won." Everyone's attention focused on Hinata. Hinata explained further, "I was fortunate because I had heard of the Jashin Religion before, it was talked about in a few S-Ranked scrolls in the ANBU library."
Hidan tiredly pushed himself up on his forearms and scowled at Kakuzu, "See it's not my fucking fault."
A light laugh from Deidara caused Hidan's scowl to deepen.
"What the hell you laughing at?" Hidan bit with irritation.
"Hahaha, she's just trying to be you feel better, un. She still beat your ass fair and square." Deidara curled over with laughter at the expense of his friend. "Your… haha… like a fuckin kid… hahaha… that needs his mommy to make him feel better! Hahahahahaha!"
"Why you little…" Hidan jumped up, his chakra now back to normal, and started chasing after the hysterical Deidara. "Come back here ya fuckin coward and say that to my face!" Hidan yelled while swing his scythe like a mad man.
Hinata stared at the scene before shaking her head in amusement. "Are all of you like that?" She jerked her thumb towards the frolicking duo.
"No." Kakuzu and Sasori deadpanned simultaneously.
A small smile twitched its way onto Hinata's face.
Hinata looked around to realize that the Uchiha of the Akatsuki was nowhere in sight. With the rest enveloped in the dispute between Hidan and Deidara, Hinata made her way to her bedroom which was where she assumed him to be.
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An eerie silence had surrounded the group since they had arrived at their destination, the location where Hinata was ambushed by the Akatsuki, and found not even a slight trace of where the Akatsuki could have been heading. There was a trail before it vanished into nothingness leading the Leaf nin to believe they had teleported to their base.
Kakashi and Sasuke were at the front of the pack, heading towards the nearest town to listen in on villagers in an attempt to get a lead. Both were at break neck speeds and both were trying to surpass the other. They both made it seem so natural that Jiraiya was the only one to truly notice the competitive edge and irritation between the two. It was beginning to grate on his nerves which were already irritated.
Jiraiya sent a burst of chakra to his feet as he jumped upwards and over the testosterone induced males in front of him.
"Okay" Jiraiya chided as he landed on a stable branch, "what the hell's going on?"
Kakashi had to crouch and grip onto the branch below him in order to remain in balance after stopping from such high speeds. Sasuke instead flipped and landed on the ground with a scowl that would do any Uchiha proud.
Jiraiya jumped down to join Sasuke while motioning for Kakashi to join him.
"Why are we stopping?" Sasuke snapped.
With a flick of his wrist Jiraiya pointed in the direction they came from to see team Hebi in the far distance trying to catch up.
"We need to wait for them, so while we're doing that are you guys going to tell me what's going on?" Jiraiya queried irritatedly. I would have expect this from Sasuke, but not from Kakashi. "You two have been at each other's throats for weeks now."
Sasuke and Kakashi turned to glare at one another.
"We just had a dispute a while back and haven't yet made up" Kakashi explained minimally.
Jiraiya sighed, I could have figured that much out on my own. "What was it about?"
It was Sasuke who interjected next his glare harsh and hands stuck in his pockets. "That old pervert just needs to back off Hinata, or I'll make him back off."
Kakashi chuckled sarcastically, "Sasuke, you have a few more years before you can actually back up words like those."
Sasuke remained silent as his Sharingan flared into action. It was the Uchiha way to use actions instead of words, and Sasuke felt he had be talking a little too much lately.
Unfortunately, Jiraiya intervened and put a warning hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "I don't know what started this jealousy thing between you two, but it needs to be put on hold for now. Our main priority is getting her back. Besides, she can take care of herself! She can make decisions for herself! You're both treating her how the Hyūga used to, like she is weak and defenceless. She's not." Me and Tsunade trained her ourselves so she better not be. Damn, if Tsunade heard these two she would probably beat them into oblivion.
Kakashi's face softened at Jiraiya's honest words.
Sasuke just turned away and continued on their previous path.
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Flashback - to the night of the kiss
Hinata snuck her way undetected through the village due to her perfectly masked chakra and impressive stealth skills. Using the key she knew to be under the mat, Hinata silently opened the door and entered before closing it behind her.
On shaky feet Hinata tiptoed her way through the lightly lit hallway only to be slammed against the wall seconds later. On impact Hinata raised her arms, palms outwards, to show she didn't mean any harm.
"Hinata? You should have spiked your chakra so I knew it was you" Kakashi mumbled groggily.
Hinata smiled weakly, "Sorry Kashi. I should have known better." She dropped her arms down beside her.
Kakashi lightened his hold on Hinata, but kept his close proximity. "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing. I was just hoping to sleep on your couch tonight. Is that alright?" Hinata whispered.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes, she's stuttering. "Did Sasuke do something?"
Hinata forced a laugh and pushed herself away from Kakashi, her long locks tousled behind her. "After all these years Kashi, do you still think that I can't handle myself?"
Hinata was stopped with a hand snaking around her waist.
"K-kashi?" Hinata stammered.
Kakashi pulled Hinata closer as he used his free hand to brush her navy blue hair behind her ear and away from her neck.
"Kashi?" Hinata tried again to get his attention.
She felt Kakashi's calloused fingers run down to just below her her jaw before it stopped.
"W-what are…" Hinata began to question her partners actions before it finally registered to her what Kakashi was actually doing. She quickly manoeuvred out of his arm and turned to face him now an arms length away. Hinata exhaled as she took in Kakashi's appearance. His normally crisp hair was sagging slightly covering his scarred eye and his face was fully visible with his mask scrunched on his neck. He looked exhausted.
"Kashi don't worry, just go back to bed. I'm sorry for waking you" Hinata worried.
Kakashi stepped closer grabbing Hinata's chin before tilting her head up and to the side, revealing the newly formed bright pink hickey.
"Did… did Sasuke do this?" Kakashi stumbled over his words in an attempt to stay calm.
"It's fine Kashi." Hinata put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"It's obviously not fine" Kakashi snapped, "if you felt like you needed to escape and come here." Kakashi turned around and pulled up his mask so that it was now covering the lower half of his face. He hastily tried to exit through the front door only to be stopped by a lightening quick Hinata blocking his way.
"Kashi… please" Hinata begged with pleading eyes. "I just wanted to clear my head and I knew that I could do that if I came and saw you. I… I was just… confused by Sasuke."
Kakashi huffed and relaxed his shoulders before pulling Hinata into a bone crushing hug. After a minute he released her, turned her around, then pushed her towards the living room.
Hinata plopped down on the cushiony couch by the far armrest and Kakashi joined her by sitting at the opposite end. As if falling into routine Hinata laid on her back and relaxed her head on the couch before tucking her cold toes under Kakashi's leg.
Kakashi chuckled as he wiped the sleep from his eyes, "You got out of there so fast that you forgot your shoes?"
Hinata covered her mouth as a fit of giggles escaped her lips, "I wonder what people would say if they found out that the Red Moon is so ditzy that she forgets how to dress herself sometimes?"
Kakashi continued to laugh, "You would continue to strike fear in feet everywhere."
Hinata couldn't hold back as her head tilted into the couch as another set of giggles consumed her. She calmed down, but still had a large grin, "See I was right, you can always distract me."
Kakashi sighed and relaxed his head against the backrest of the couch, "Sorry I got so pro…"
"Kakashi" Hinata interrupted sternly. She sat up and rested her forehead on his shoulder, she softly added, "I get it." Hinata grabbed his hand with her own for her next words, "They would all be so proud of you: Minato, Obito, Rin." She felt his hand clench underneath her own. "Y-you represent everything your team strived for, never apologize for that."
Kakashi released the breath he didn't know he was holding along with his hand that was in a tight fist. He intertwined his fingers with Hinata's as he whispered, "Thanks Hina."
Hinata smiled slightly, "Just go to sleep, Kashi. Your hair clearly already has."
Hinata expected a sarcastic reply to her attempt at lightening the mood, but Kakashi was already asleep. Hinata smiled as she nuzzled closer to her overprotective partner.
End Flashback
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Hinata creaked open the door to her new bedroom, her long skirt flowing with every step. Unsurprisingly as she entered she saw the missing Uchiha sitting casually with his right knee up and right arm resting on top of it. The Uchiha's eyes once closed rolled open to stare at the woman in front of him.
While keeping her eyes on Itachi, Hinata made her way over to her bed that was directly across from him. She sat down on the end and pulled her hair out of its confining ponytail and ruffled her bangs through her fingers.
The two stared intently into one another's unique eyes. Both didn't know what to think of the person before them, after all both had been high ranking ninja long enough to know to not trust a supposed ally right away.
Jumping straight to the point Itachi in his usually cold and distant voice began where they had left off before they were interrupted, "Who else knows about the mission I was assigned?"
Hinata took a deep breath as she crossed her legs under her skirt. "As I said before my original intention was to keep your mission to myself, however, a promise I made to your brother made me rethink my plan. I promised Sasuke that when I came for him - to retrieve him from Orochimaru - there would be a place for him in the village. My hopes were that he would be accepted and not placed in prison."
While Hinata spoke she tried read the Uchiha's facial expressions, but nothing was coming across. She continued, "It was about two months before the day that I was assigned to capture Sasuke and return him that I finally had a talk with the Hokage about Sasuke-san's placement when he returned." Hinata looked down at her hands before catching herself and making eye contact once again. "Hokage-sama was much more adamant about a harsh punishment for Sasuke-san than I had originally anticipated. He had hurt people very close to her. I knew that I would have to make a very tempting deal for her to change her view. That's when I thought of you."
Itachi had been following Hinata's story intently and he decided he didn't like where it was heading. "What was the deal you made?" Itachi inquired though there was no inflection in his tone.
Hinata's eyes became hard, "After I explained to her the information I gathered about you and your mission from Danzo's files I made a deal that in return for amity with Sasuke, I must return you as well."
"And if you cannot get me to return to the Leaf that mean Sasuke's freedom will be revoked?" Itachi questioned.
"No," Hinata stated determinedly.
Itachi narrowed his eyes skeptically, "What will happen if you fail?"
Hinata explained numbly, "My position and status will be revoked; I would be removed from ANBU and placed as a regular shinobi. However, due to the secrecy of my identity it will be more likely that I am removed from active duty all together." Though we will see how secret it will be now that Naruto and Sakura know about me.
Itachi brushed his raven hair off of his face as he absorbed everything that was just told to him. Why would she tell me all of this? It would make more sense for her to use Sasuke a form of blackmail to get me to return…
"I'm telling you all of this," Hinata further explained her reasoning, "because I respect you enough to allow you to make the right decision on your own after presented with all of the facts. You have given your life for our village, it would be wrong of me to not give you the choice." I am sure there are things that I do not yet know. I am sure that his decision will be based on what is best for the village. So even if I do not understand his decision I will follow it. Hinata's brow crinkled in determination with her thoughts.
"I thank you for your trust" Itachi stated blandly, "but how do you know I will not betray you. How can you put the villages fate in a traitors hands?"
Hinata's face relaxed and a small smile adorned her porcelain features, "Because you are not a traitor."
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Author's Notes
1 - in chapter 5 Hinata used this when she fought to capture Sasuke and return him to the Leaf
Hii :) I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. I don't want to rush along Hinata's and Itachi's relationship… but it's like torture right now :P
I have so many ideas for the two of them, but I have to calm myself… try to calm myself ;)
Thank you so so so so so much to everyone who has reviewed, favourited, followed, and even just read my story. Please review so I can know what you think of everything so far, all of your opinions matter to me :) :) :) and let me know if anything isn't making sense… sometimes I do this thing where I think something but don't actually write it :P
Anyways,
Until next time
EK