To cathyscloud: I'm sorry I haven't uploaded the one shot…I still wanted to add a few scenes.
-Let me remind you guys…that I am not following the whole manga or anime timeline and even if I am sticking to some important scenes like Akatsuki, and Asuma's death, I tend to add some few alterations (ex. Tsunade knowing that Itachi was just a spy for Konoha and not exactly a traitor and Sasuke being an Anbu.), so please do not be confused.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
-o-o-o-
Chapter Ten
"Are you sure you are all full dears?" The old woman asked, piling the used plates where they have eaten a few minutes ago. It was already night time and the rain was still raging outside the small house. There were a few times were Hinata wondered if the old house would collapsed anytime soon. The dim bulb above their heads was constantly flickering and they could hear creaking noises everywhere.
Itachi nodded and Hinata smiled wearily at the old woman.
"Good…and I will leave you two youngsters alone to rest." With a wrinkled smile, the old woman took off, such surprising speed for an old woman looking so frail and weak.
When they were alone, Hinata—now wearing her original clothing— glanced at the Uchiha who was sitting on the foot of the bed, arms crossed and face pensive. He has been true to his word, giving her clothes back as soon as she finished healing his chakra points.
She did not expect that from the Akatsuki.
Itachi caught her eyes with his own dark ones and she bowed her head in embarrassment. She should not be caught staring at her abductor.
No…It's just not right.
"What's your connection with Asuma-senpai?" Itachi suddenly asked, his eyes left her and landed on the partially-opened window. It was hot inside the room so it was opened earlier, but not too much because the rain was still pouring outside.
Hinata raised her eyebrows. Senpai…Itachi called Asuma-sensei senpai.
"H-he is one of my jounin teachers." Hinata felt some sort of pain on her chest and her left hand shot up to touch it. The knowledge of Asuma's death was still making her insides churn and head ache. Surely her Kurenai-sensei knew it by now and it pains Hinata very much. "And his…lover is my chunin instructor."
"Kurenai Yuhi…"
Hinata frowned. "How did you know?"
"They have been together even when I'm still Anbu of the leaf." The older Uchiha answered; face stoic and voice absent of any emotion that Hinata has no clue to what Itachi was thinking right now. "I could always see them together."
"And now they can never be together…"
The words were said with so much sadness that Itachi has to remove his eyes from the window and looked at the Hyuga. She has her head lowered and her bangs covering her eyes from view, shoulders quivering and her breathing a little raspy. For a brief moment, the Sharingan user wondered why instead of the heiress, he could see himself.
Right…he remembered. He has the same position as her that night when he killed their parents and filled his little brother's heart with hate. He has his head lowered and black hair covering his eyes—it was to hide the agony he was feeling inside…and he knew that the heiress too was trying to do the same.
"How's your neck?" He asked, wondering why he was even bothering to start a conversation.
Hinata looked up, surprised at the question. "T-the one you strangled?" she asked back, one hand shot up to touch the raw marks around her throat. "Sore…and how's your arm, Itachi-san?"
"Hn." Itachi was impressed. The girl was fighting back…verbal, but still fighting back. He knew he has to protect her secretly, but she needed her guts and fighting spirit if she was going to get out of her ordeal alive. As for now, the courage that she was showing was enough.
"I'll live."
-o-o-o-
Kiba grimaced as he pulled out a kunai that has embedded its way into his stomach. Coughing up blood, he looked at Akamaru who was on the ground, making noises that could only be triggered by pain. Just like him, his giant ninken was wounded.
"Shit!" The Inuzuka cursed as he looked around him. Shino was on the ground, blood pooling out of him and joining the puddle of rainwater.
It was a sudden attack. The Konohan unit was taking shelter under a giant tree, waiting for the rain to stop when a bunch of kunai and throwing stars were thrown upon them, taking him and Shino on the first blow. Kiba knew that they could deflect ordinary kunai and throwing stars with ease—for his senses was sensitive enough to know any attack—but the rain was too strong and the wind harsh. It was altering the scent of any intruders before it could reach his sensitive nose. The noise and thunder was not helping either.
Besides, the storm was too strong for them to suspect of any attack. It was dangerous for both sides, attackers and victims alike.
Kakashi's Sharingan eye activated just as the same time when Neji's Byakugan did. Kneeling beside Shino, the copy nin hoisted the bug wielder, revealing that the Aburame was wounded by three throwing stars, all embedded on his chest.
Shino was still breathing but his state was not good.
Neji gritted his teeth as he looked around. They really don't need any more trouble right now that could put any members of the retrieval unit in danger; they were already after a life that was in danger too. "There are eleven of them…hidden behind the bushes and tree trucks." Squinting as the veins in his eyes strained, Neji took Kiba's arm and help the Inuzuka up. "They all have Kiri insignia on their forehead protectors."
Genma took out a senbon and wiped the rain water from his eyes. "Damn…we really don't need any more trouble. Shinobi from the mist…what are they doing here?"
Kakashi pulled out a kunai form his pouch. "They must be passing by…and found something they knew that could be worth their while." The silver haired Hatake glanced at Neji. "Neji's byakugan."
"What is it with Shinobi and Byakugan these days?" The prodigy asked angrily.
"Power." Kakashi answered simply. "Weapons could be bought, skills could be trained…but biological weapons are hard to come by."
"Here comes another!" Neji warned and he leaped back, carrying the wounded Kiba with him. The others followed, wanting to avoid the sharp kunai blades.
"Akamaru!" Kiba yelled.
There were hissing sounds as the weapons were released into the air, glinting evilly and with deadly precision. In the last second, Genma leaped back and deflected the weapons with his own, shielding Akamaru from the death bite of the weapons.
Akamaru whined gratefully, his white fur already matted with mud and blood.
Kiba breathed a sigh of relief.
"Kakashi-sensei..." Neji called, waiting for the captain's command. Dropping on the ground with a hurt Kiba, he kneeled and pressed his pale hands on his comrade's wound, trying to stop the blood that was flowing out.
Kakashi dropped Shino beside Kiba, his tomoe spinning and contracting. "You just deflect any weapons they might throw and watch over Kiba and Shino. Genma and I can take care of the Kiri nins."
"Two against eleven?"
Kakashi smirked behind the mask, pissed that precious time was wasted and two of his students hurt. "Believe me, they won't stand a chance."
-o-o-o-
Hinata was screaming like hell.
Suddenly, strong hands shook her awake and the heiress opened her eyes in horror. When her vision refocused—for her eyes were blurry from sleep—she saw Itachi looking down on her, his eyes studying her face.
She gasped and looked around, realizing that she was having a nightmare and by the looks of it, was saying it out loud too. Hinata can feel her heart racing and cold drops of sweat was forming on the top of her nose and brow. It was just a dream…a stupid dream.
But why does it look so real?
She saw Shino and Kiba…bloody and in pain. She screamed their names out loud and was trying hard to reach them. She wanted to protect her brothers and it drives her crazy that she can't do anything.
Then she remembered screaming someone's name…trying to ask for help.
"A dream…" Hinata blinked as she tried to compose herself. "A dream…"
Before the sharingan user and the Hyuga heiress could say anything else, the wooden door slammed open and the old woman entered, carrying a small candle and her walking stick. There was concern and fear on the woman's eyes. "I heard a scream…what's wrong?"
Itachi straightened himself and removed his hands from Hinata's shoulders. "My wife had a bad dream Baa-san…We are sorry for disturbing your rest."
"Oh…"The woman nodded understandingly, her eyes taking in the girl's frightened expression. She looked at Itachi and gestured for him to follow. "I see… young man, I have calming herbs at the cupboard in the kitchen, why don't you take some for your wife? It would help her feel better. Come, I will point those to you."
Itachi looked at Hinata and followed the bent woman outside the room, leaving the Hyuga to ponder upon her nightmares alone. "I'll be back shortly." He called back.
Itachi watched silently as the woman scurried around the kitchen. She poured boiling water into a large cup and dropped a few grinded herbs into it. The Uchiha can smell chamomile and mint.
"Youre…uhm…friend seems disturbed." The woman said as she mixed the herbs with a spoon.
Itachi's eyes narrowed a bit. "You mean my wife?"
The lady smiled, not looking at the tall young man next to her. "Son…I maybe an old woman but trust me, wisdom is brought by years…and talking about years, they passed by me in quick seasons." Shaking her head, she dropped the spoon on the sink and tried to get a small tray just above her head. Itachi pulled the tray out himself and gave it to the old woman.
She smiled. "Thank you."
"You knew."
She nodded. "I do…Don't worry I won't pry. I know there are things far greater outside my small home, and I am not planning on stepping out of my line."
"You have stepped out of the line once." Itachi told the elderly. "I saw an Anbu insignia on your shoulder Baa-san. A A Sunagakure insignia."
"Ah yes…those years when I was still young and reckless. I have chosen a life of peace now…I left my village because I realized that I have so much blood on my hands, even death itself cannot make up to it."
"We all have different fates." Itachi stated pensively.
Giving the Uchiha the tray, the old woman sighed. "I know…and we all have our choices on how to atone for the things we've done." Giving the man a smile, the old lady patted his arm. "Take care of the girl, I like her."
Itachi gave a curt nod. "I will…Arigatou, Baa-san."
-o-
Here ends the chapter. (
-crazygurl12