Leaping from tree to tree nonstop in the fastest pace possible was a minor inconvenience for him but Sasuke could see that his companion isn't feeling quite the same. The Hyuga was starting to sweat a little and he could already hear her hard breathing. But not once did she voice her complaint. I thought being a pampered Hyuga heiress would make her start demanding at me for a well-needed rest. He might not know it yet, but the Uchiha has been unconsciously getting a little curious at this weird, pale-eyed Hyuga.
"I think we should take a short rest for now," seeing the Hyuga starting to slow down a few minutes ago and he could already hear her huffing loudly every time she takes a huge leap, he decided to take pity on her. Just this once. We're quite far away from the base anyway so it should be safe.
He jumped down from the tree they were currently in and sensing no one else on the forest apart from them, he sat down behind the tree's huge trunk.
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"Hai, Sasuke-kun," she told him breathlessly. Taking a huge gulp of air, she followed the Uchiha and joined him at the bottom of the tree. It's too quiet in here. It would have been nice if I could have taken a look at those beautiful wild flowers we passed just a few minutes ago. But I guess that would not happen seeing I'm with Sasuke-kun. Had it been Naruto-kun though… Eyeing her unexpected companion on this journey, she decided it's time to start healing him so she could meet her team once more and possibly bring Sasuke-kun along with her. While she was more than prepared for this mission, she didn't really expect at this sudden turn of events. But she couldn't wait to see Naruto-kun and Sakura-chan's happy expressions once she shows up with their missing teammate.
"Ne, Sasuke-kun, can I start healing you now? I noticed that your c-chakra has been fluctuating since we started traveling and I'm a-afraid it will only get worse if I won't heal you sooner." Approaching him warily, she noticed his relaxed form and was cautious not to intrude on his personal space.
"If you say so," was his short reply. Sasuke opened his eyes and looked at her with an unreadable expression.
She walked towards him and was now directly in front of Sasuke. "U-um," appearing a little flustered, she stood awkwardly. Anyone looking at her would say she's having an internal battle with herself. She seems to struggle forming words.
"What is it?"
She didn't know how to say it but deciding it's too late to turn back now, she blushed as she kneeled in front of the Uchiha and adjusted her body so she's leaning a little bit to him without actually touching him. Activating her kekkei genkai, she started locating for his chakra pathways carefully.
Fidgeting a little at she was about to do, she told him uncomfortably, "Uh, y-you see, I may n-need to… touch some of your damaged t-tenketsu points, i-if that's alright with you." Grimacing a little at her stuttering, she looked at him through her dark lashes. I can't believe I'm feeling like a 12-year old genin again. Get a grip, Hinata! This isn't Naruto-kun. But she couldn't really help it, this man is intimidating and it's not like they were friends when they were children. Had he been anyone else, aside from Naruto-kun that is, she wouldn't hesitate to start healing him right away.
"Hn," he nodded a little at her.
Seeing him starting to relax while closing his eyes, Hinata took that as her cue to start with the process of checking the damaged tenketsu points and apply her own method of healing them. It's not like this is the first time I have done this. I healed so many patients through this method and they all healed nicely… Tsunade-sama made sure that I'm ready for this a long time ago. But why do I feel so tense? She inhaled deeply and feeling less conscious now that he's not looking at her anymore, she eased her body comfortably near his. Lost in the trance of locating the tenketsu points and checking the difference with the damaged ones from those that need not healing, Hinata wasn't able to notice her patient's expression.
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Sasuke shivered slightly at the sudden gentle and unhurried touches he received from the kunoichi. He didn't really expect this kind of feeling. Somehow, her touches were soothing. He had already prepared himself to feel intruded once she stated that she heal him. Her touches were different from what he's been encountering these last few years. Usually, they hurt as he underwent training with Orochimaru and even when he was only an academy student and a genin, hers was gentler and better compared to how he was pinched, dragged and among other things by his fan girls, mainly, Sakura and Ino. He bit back a satisfied sigh. He's never felt this relaxed in years. Somehow, this felt like home. He felt like wanting to take a blissful sleep. He didn't notice his body leaning a little more towards the Hyuga heiress.
With closed eyes, his arms unconsciously settled on each side of the girl's waist and pulled her a little to his body. He would have settled into a more comfortable pose had he not heard the Hyuga heiress giving a surprised gasp. Opening his eyes, he finally saw the awkward position they were in. Hyuga Hinata's back was ramrod straight, pale eyes widening and a pair of feminine arms clutching his as if her life depended on it.
"E-Eto, Sa-Sasuke-kun," her mumbled and incoherent reply returned him to reality.
Not letting her know just how affected he is, Sasuke didn't respond and simply took off his arms from her waist and settled them on his sides instead. He waited for her to continue and sensing her hesitance, he told her, "You should get on it now. It's starting to get dark."
"O-Of course, Sasuke-kun," was her trembling reply.
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More than an hour had passed and Hinata could see that she's almost done with fixing his chakra pathways. She wiped her brows for the fifth time since she started as sweat began to form once again. I never knew until now just how messed up his chakra pathways have become. I wonder what kind of training he did with the snake sannin. Dark thoughts formed in her head and she couldn't help the slight shiver that ran through her body as thoughts of intense training the Uchiha underwent. He must have been tortured or worse, experimented knowing the kind of teacher he had these past few years. She frowned at this. She couldn't really understand his way of thinking. He was loved by the villagers of Konoha yet he decided to leave a village that wanted what seems to be the best for him. He had a number of admirers and a loyal set of friends who would do anything for him… Unlike Naruto-kun who was once detested and it's only after he returned that some villagers started accepting him.
Her brows furrowed as more thoughts formed in her head concerning her current patient. Hmm, I really shouldn't think about him in such a negative light. The Uchiha massacre that happened when he was only a child must have changed him so much. No one really knows the amount of pain he suffered after that. Pausing to gather more chakra at her fingertips, she leaned back further from Sasuke for a bit and concentrated on getting the right amount of chakra on every tip of her fingers. Making sure she's ready to start with the final process of healing his chakra pathways, she leaned in once more to continue.
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Her serious demeanor was silent and all through the time that she mended his chakra system, never once had she uttered a single word. Except for the slight swish of her long hair and fingers brushing at her brows once in a while, he marveled at her concentration. The more she healed him, the more he felt better and he truly appreciated that. He'd never felt this calm before. He inhaled deeply as he had to force his mouth from releasing a pleasured groan. For once, he wasn't feeling tensed or disgusted when around a person. This was a nice change.
His thoughts then turned into grave matters as he contemplated about the days ahead. He was already planning on looking for the members who would help him locate his brother. There's Hozuki Suigetsu who was once experimented by Orochimaru in a base located just some miles away from here. Then there's Karin. An annoying girl but has the skills he needs for this mission. He knew from Kabuto that she was based near Kirigakure. And lastly, there's Juugo. But what to do with her? He eyed his temporary medic thoughtfully. Just before she started healing him, he already planned on leaving her here so her teammates could find her in a day or so. He doesn't really want to involve her with his future plans, nor any other Konoha nin for that matter. Just before this whole unexpected situation happened, his mind was already adamant on the course of actions he would take until such a time that he would defeat Itachi. But slight changes have happened. Hn, she's a capable healer but how strong is she as a kunoichi? While her Byakugan is a good addition for his team, her loyalty to him is questionable. He remembered that this girl had been head over heels with his idiot of a teammate and it seems that even until now that hasn't changed. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he continued staring at the person who's been giving him a dilemma twice that day already.
"I-It's done Sasuke-kun," her small voice broke the silence in the forest. She shakily leaned away from him and brushed her stray hair away from her face.
"Hn," he stood up and scanned his surroundings. Night has already fallen, the moon illuminating the forest brightly. She looked back at her and noticing her tired figure, he suggested, "You did well. I think we should settle here for the night. You seem exhausted." He really should have left her here but seeing her becoming exhausted after healing him made him reconsider that thought. Well, she did a great job at fixing me right back up so this is the least I could do. Tomorrow, we part ways. He finally decided.
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"R-Really?! I'm glad Sasuke-kun," Hinata smiled brightly at him, pale lavender eyes widened in surprise. She didn't really expect to receive such praise from him, knowing the kind of person she assumed he was. Huh, who would have thought. While he didn't show his declaration of thanks like what she would often receive from her patients back at Konoha, she was quite surprised that at least he acknowledged her.
Thinking about the night ahead, her grateful expression turned into something that might resemble a grimace had she been another person. Anyone looking at her now would see an expression like that of a child who seemed lost. This has become even more complicated. Mentally, she started pulling on her hair.
"Are you s-sure about staying the night here? What if..." she asked him, her brows furrowing and eyes shifting warily around the forest.
He glared at her and probably seeing it was an innocent question from her, the Uchiha turned emotionless once more. "Yes, seeing as we're both tired from the journey and you're almost out of chakra, this is the best we could do."
Knowing he was right and left without any other choice, she finally nodded at him. "Alright Sasuke-kun." She fidgeted awkwardly which received a confused glance from him. Hinata noticed this so she simply smiled at him indicating it as an assurance that she's fine. She wanted to give him a thumbs-up sign but vanished the idea as it would only look weird on her. At last, she settled to sit down and rest for a while.
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Your thoughts?
And I apologize in advance if you notice any grammar mistakes. English isn't really my first language.
Thanks rachelm12 for your review!