Chapter 10: Of Betrayal

So today I was sitting here, just staring at this chapter and re-reading it, over and over. I was having this really bad panic attack over it, wondering God, how many people are going to try and figure out where I live so they can come and murder me for what I'm doing? Yes, I mean to say that many of you will probably hate me a little for what I'm doing to Kankuro and Hinata.

I just need to say this to get it of my chest: it's necessary. I don't want to do this- I was actually procrastinating over the writing of this chapter because I didn't want to do this, but I had to. After this chapter, they'll finally grow into the characters I need them to be. Of course, I hate myself a little bit now. All I can do is pray to God that none of you will stop reading after this, because they will end up together. Trust me.

To McKazekage: haha, thanks! I do really like Hiashi, but in Part 1 of Naruto all I could think was, This bastard needs to get punched really damn hard, so I finally let myself go ahead and do it. And to TheGirlWithNoIQ: I am really sorry. I know how excited you are that they finally got together, and then I went and did this... please don't hate me, I really enjoy reading your reviews on this... and thanks for telling me about the misspellings! I completely missed them.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Otherwise Hyuga Hiashi would've gotten punched in the face in the manga.

ON WITH THIS CHAPTER. Don't hate me.

The dark night was cold; a chill that went down into the bones, but Kabuto didn't notice nor care. He moved quietly and swiftly, bringing absolutely no attention to himself. Not that anyone would notice him, anyways; his appearance automatically told people that he was just some kid. Kabuto had to smirk at that: not only was he not just some kid, he was probably—no, definitely—stronger than most shinobi in the entire village of Konohagakure.

But he used it to his advantage. People tended to ignore those who looked weakest, which was probably some of the reason why Orochimaru had such an interest in the young spy.

Kabuto had no hard time getting into the hospital, despite supposed security measures; he simply had to slit the throat of a guard to the entrance. My, my, is Sasuke-kun in the hospital tonight? Kabuto wondered, reveling in the quick, easy kill as he slipped on this new ANBU mask. It doesn't matter if he is, anyways. He's not my concern tonight. It's that girl… that Hyūga…

He had wanted to take her earlier that day, when he found her on the brink of death at the finals of the Chūnin exams. Quickly, he did the thing he rarely did anymore for anyone other than Orochimaru: he saved her life, fixing all the damaged heart tissue that those medic nin morons couldn't. It would've been easy to take her at that moment, but the Inuzuka boy had been there. He'd barely had the time to put him to sleep before he found it was time to place the genjutsu. So, infuriatingly for him, he'd had to leave the precious girl behind.

But he was here for her now.

No one looked twice at the disguise he had, as the hospital workers were all accustomed to the sight of an ANBU operative walking amongst them. Some female nurses even smiled at him, as if wondering about the man underneath the mask. All he could do was snicker to himself and think, which mask? This one… or the one that makes people think I'm a weakling?

Indeed, that was the question. Kabuto wondered if it would always be the question, but it wasn't something he could ponder over right now. He had things to do, and he had to do them quickly. Get the Hyūga girl and get out. Be back in Otogakure by sunrise. Wait, I forgot one thing. I've got to slit that little bastard Kankurō's throat before I go. It was all he could think for the entire journey after he left Orochimaru. The idea of Kankurō's lifeblood dripping down his shirt front and spurting all over Kabuto's face was too enticing to resist. He wanted, no, needed to see his blood weep.

Hmm, maybe I'll do it in front of her, too.

Finding her was easy enough. Two ANBU were standing guard at the hallway, and two more by the room. Usually, he would've just killed them. But he felt like saving all his remaining animosity for that puppet-playing little shit head. So he simply put them to sleep, leaving them in a genjutsu that would last for five hours. More than enough time, he knew, but he also wanted to screw around with their careers a little before completely leaving them alone.

Kabuto moved silently, despite his knowledge that he was alone. The door opened easily. Maybe this hospital should invest in locks for its more high-profile patients, he thought, laying an eye on the blue-haired girl on the hospital bed. He grinned in glee. This is easy. He slipped inside the room, not bothering to close the door behind himself. He dared to touch the flesh of her cheek. She looks so innocent. I can't wait to ruin it.

"Who the hell are you?"

Kabuto's head snapped up, looking at the doorway. A medical nin stood there, his mouth agape. He had low chakra levels, low enough for him to never be a problem for Kabuto.

"Are you taking her?" asked the ninja, not moving a muscle.

"Yes." No point in lying to the man. It's not like he'd live very long.

He then surprised Kabuto. He waved his hand carelessly. "Take her. Do whatever the hell it is you want to do with her. She's damaged goods, anyways, and I personally think Konoha will be better off without her." Kabuto raised an eyebrow at the man. Why would he feel that way? It didn't take him more than a second to figure out the answer. Kankurō. Kankurō was a sand shinobi, a village who had just attacked Konoha, and not only that he was brother to the boy who was going to destroy the village AND son to the Fourth Kazekage.

Still. Kabuto moved quickly as not to cause any real disruption. He ran to the medic and snapped his neck, grabbing his body before it fell. He leaned it against the wall inside the hospital room, once again turning his attentions back to the matter at hand. He pulled two long-length cable ties out of his back pouch, quickly binding together the girl's wrists and ankles. I can't have her fighting me, he thought as she began to come to.

Hinata had been dreaming pleasantly, thinking of how happy she was, when she felt sudden and sharp pain on her ankles and wrists. She awoke to find a man wearing an ANBU mask binding them together, to keep her from kicking or swinging. She began to fidget, unsure of what else to do. I don't even think there's a puppet in this room… where is Kankurō? Hinata wondered, her eyes widening in the realization of what was going on.

For the second time in her life, she was being kidnapped.

"Ooh, Hinata-chan is awake," said the ANBU, his voice filled with obvious enjoyment. "Do hold still, girl. I don't want you to fall off of the bed. I'd prefer it if no one was hurt, actually… save for your moronic bastard of a boyfriend that you have." Hinata noticed the overtones of hate that consumed his voice, and the worse part for her was… she recognized it.

"You're the one Kiba called Kabuto," she said, eyes widening in shock. She hadn't expected to see him ever again, especially not in this capacity. She hadn't thought herself to be particularly interesting. Of course, she should've remembered from life experience that with her Byakugan, she would always be considered interesting by power-hungry maniacs.

"Oh, so he told you it was me?" he asked gleefully, delighted at her familiarity with him. "That's good; I don't have to introduce myself to you then! Not that I was going to anyways." He pulled tape out of his pouch and pulled off a piece. "Now hold still, Hinata, and don't scream."

"NO!" she screeched; thrashing and falling off of the bed in a tangled mess of hospital linens. She groaned in pain upon impact before squirming again, trying to move forwards. She felt someone sit on her back, forcing her to lie down painfully. He grabbed her by her hair and pulled back harshly, causing her to wince.

"Now, what did I say? Hold still, and don't scream. And you did both. That's bad, Hinata. You need to learn how to take orders. Good thing for you that I'm willing to let this one go!" he hissed venomously into her ear before flipping her onto her back, grabbing her throat and closing his hand around it. She gasped out, which only caused him to restrict more. He's… he's crazy, isn't he! Hinata finally realized, her eyes widening in fear. "Now stop fidgeting and stop trying to escape, or I'll really make you regret it!"

"Hinata!"

Hinata had never been more thankful to hear Shino's voice before in her life. Kabuto growled and jumped off of her, leaving her to cough as she took in fresh breaths of air. "How did you know I was here?" he growled at the bug-wielding teammate of hers.

Shino pointed at the body of the medical ninja. "I put one of my bugs on him to inform me of any changes in Hinata's condition… I didn't expect to find out that you were trying to kidnap her, of course," he replied as Kiba butted past him, crouching down besides the gasping Hyūga.

"Hmm, that's a good plan," said Kabuto, pulling off the mask. They all knew it was needless now. "Where's lover boy, I wonder? I did have two agendas for the night, after all."

The lover boy in question was standing behind the door, seething with anger. Shino had suspected something more brewing, especially after what Kankurō had told him about the protection he'd gotten for Hinata from Kabuto. It killed Kankurō to know that his fears were all confirmed. The contact, Kabuto; fully intended to take his Hinata-chan, to take her from her home and to use her. He wanted to break his neck, but Shino had figured that Kabuto might have a vendetta against Kankurō for some reason and decided it would be best that he stayed out of it.

"He's off notifying the real ANBU about your location and agenda," said Shino calmly as Kiba picked Hinata up, taking her out of the room. "I might suggest you run while you still have the chance."

Kabuto laughed. "I know he's not doing that. That's not Kankurō. He's too possessive of her to completely entrust her safety to anyone else, especially since he's the cause of this entire thing!" Hinata's eyes widened, and Shino cursed internally. "Oh, she didn't know that he came on his knees to me, begging me to protect his precious Hinata during the attack? Did she know about his level of involvement with it? Did she know that his part in the attack was to make sure that the demon in Gaara was released at the proper time to ensure the pure demolition of Konoha? Did she know that her little boyfriend is a traitor in the eyes of all of Konoha?"

"Kiba, get her out of here," said Shino, eyes trained on Kabuto. He took a kunai out of his weapons pouch, prepared to fight Orochimaru's best spy. Kabuto laughed at his naivety.

"I may not have Hinata-chan tonight, but trust me, I will," said Kabuto gleefully, enjoying this too much in Shino's opinion. Shino could only watch as he grabbed shuriken out of his thigh holster and threw them at the window of Hinata's hospital room, effectively breaking it. He threw himself out of the hospital room, his laughter resounding ominously in the night air.

Kankurō sat across from Hinata, staring at her with a worried expression on his face. Her skin was whiter than usual, her lips set into a tight frown as she stared down at her bare feet; only dressed in flimsy hospital pajamas. Kankurō didn't attempt to speak or try to reason, finding it best that she work through things herself. Besides, she would only refuse to listen, speak, look, or even touch him anyways, just as she had an hour ago when he'd tried.

She was so furious.

She was furious at him.

He couldn't blame her. What he'd done to keep her safe had gone completely against what had known she would want. Besides, the fact that he'd been a part of the plot in the first place would be painful enough. And he'd also lied to her…. Every wrong he'd done to her was hitting him now, full-forced.

I deserve her anger.

Kiba frowned, the silence overwhelming to him. He hated seeing this, because to him Hinata was just not this type of person. She was a forgiving sort of girl, always had been. But the way she looked right now told him that forgiveness was definitely the last thing on her mind. It worried him, quite frankly, due to the fact that Hinata was never this kind of person. She'd never been one for outright fury towards anyone.

She was always so kind.

Kiba looked at Kankurō, his newest friend. His jaw was tight with worry of his own, but he knew that some of it was anguish over the decisions he made to keep Hinata safe. He wanted to be mad and Kankurō for Hinata, but he couldn't. If I had been in his position, I probably would've done the same thing, thought Kiba sadly, looking down at his knees. He would do anything to keep Hinata safe, even selling his soul to the devil if that guaranteed she'd be alright. What Kankurō had done, although it didn't agree with Hinata, made Kiba give him more respect.

This… reminds me of my parents, he thought, looking between the two. They'll ask me to choose, and I won't be able to. I can't. They're both my friends. Kiba bit his lip ad looked down at Akamaru, who whined and licked his chin, trying to console his master. But it didn't help his mood any. I don't want to choose between them…

Shino watched the two lovers behind his sunglasses, ignoring the anxiety of the Inuzuka and his dog. His bugs thought what Kankurō had done was gushy and romantic, their opinions irritating him. In more than one ways, his bugs were more human than he, and this was one of those times that they annoyed him with their feelings. I'm only annoyed because I'm conflicted between two different feelings, he thought to himself, because while I know Hinata's justified in her anger and I should take her side, I also know that what Kankurō's done was only for her protection and I want to take his side, too. Shino wanted to sigh, but he was slightly afraid that if he broke the silence than everything would fall through.

He didn't want Hinata to do what he knew she would. This was the first time that Shino had seen Hinata truly happy, and it was because of Kankurō. He had broken her shell and allowed her to grow, and he was glad that Hinata was so at peace.

They were in love.

There's a stark difference from feeling love and actually being in love. His parents' marriage had been the exact example: his mother had thought she loved his father. She had felt that way. But it disappeared, leaving both of his parents miserable until they divorced. Now, his mother was happy… but his father was destroyed. The love had been completely one sided.

Shino could tell that they didn't just feel love for one another. They were in it, completely and unreservedly in love.

He didn't want Hinata to break it. If what his father had gone through was any indication, with the love they shared it'd rip them apart and leave them to be almost like human vegetables. He didn't want that for either of his friends, to go through what his father had. It had been him who'd had to pick up the pieces, him who'd had to put his father back together, him who'd had to be there when absolutely no one else had the guts to.

He wasn't sure if he could handle it if they did break up.

Hanabi sat next to her sister on the couch, hands on her thighs. She watched her sister intently; scared by the emotional range she was feeling. Hinata-neechan… she thought sadly, watching her sister. She knew she was so angry; so pissed at Kankurō. While Hanabi did think that he was a little bit of a moron for what he'd done, she was glad that he'd done it. If he hadn't… there's a chance that she might've died, she thought, biting her lip and looking down at her knees. I want to hate him for Hinata, but I can't… he makes her so happy. I don't want her to push him away.

"Kankurō?" The sound of a girl's voice interrupted the five shinobi's inner thoughts. He turned around to see Temari, standing in the entrance to the hallway. The five of them had relocated Hinata to a nearby sitting area, deciding it best to protect her in the middle of an open space; though they all doubted that Kabuto would return tonight. Kankurō looked at a nearby clock and nearly cursed, realizing it was three AM.

"I'm sorry, Temari," he muttered, getting up. He didn't truly feel sorry, but he felt that it would be the path of least resistance. "I was supposed to relieve you on your watch on Gaara, I know. I've just been busy…"

"It's… fine," said Temari slowly, noticing the anguish on her brother's face. I've only seen him this miserable, this angry, this depressed once… when I found him in that closet, she thought, looking at Kankurō. Oh, how he'd changed, and oh, how horrible did she feel about herself after it had happened. She had only realized then what a royal bitch she'd been to him, kicking him like a dog only because she felt that their mother and uncle gave him more love than she'd ever get. She had lived to see him beat, to see him suffer… she wasn't that little girl anymore, but she had to live with having been that person.

And over the last month, she noticed a change in him. It'd been subtle at first, but she noticed he wasn't tossing and turning in his sleep, overcome by the intensity of his nightmares. He didn't view everything only as weak or strong anymore. And then, the final thing: he'd smiled. Oh so softly, Kankurō had smiled sincerely down at the sight of a little boy with their mother and father, all of them laughing as if life was so good. Then the nightmares had stopped, being replaced instead with pleasant dreams with sighs of happiness. Of course, his same temper stayed, but it seemed to have changed purposes.

He was finally happy.

Temari would be damned if she saw this Kankurō disappear.

"I'll leave you," whispered Temari softly, turning around only to find Gaara directly behind her. She bumped into the sand wall that had rushed up automatically to defend him. He stared at his two siblings, no emotions shown in his eyes.

Kankurō stared at him. "What're you doing out of bed, Gaara?" he asked softly.

"Temari left, and when she was gone for more than five minutes I grew anxious," said Gaara, his eyes traveling all over his brother's face. "What is wrong with you?"

Kankurō sighed weakly. "It's nothing you can worry about." He flicked a glance back at Hinata, who hadn't changed positions. Seeing her so distraught was ripping him apart on the inside. He wanted to kiss it away, but he knew he couldn't. No, he knew exactly what was coming to him. He didn't want it, but he had sure as hell earned it. "It's something I have to deal with on my own. Please, go back to your room and rest, Gaara. You need to build up your strength…"

"Is that Hinata?" Kankurō's eyes snapped up to Gaara's face, stunned that he would even know that. "You dream about her sometimes, I think, because you say her name in your sleep. I got curious once and followed you, when you said you were going to look for information on Saturday. I saw you two go for lunch… and then later I saw you kiss her in that back alley." Gaara didn't feel the need to lie to him. "You love her, don't you?" he asked softly, so the people sitting in the sitting area would not hear him.

"I do," admitted Kankurō, giving his brother a wobbly smile.

"And she is mad at you?"

"She is."

"Why haven't you fixed it yet?"

"It's not as simple as you may think, Gaara," said Kankurō, understanding Gaara's misunderstanding of the situation. "When the woman you love is made at you… you, of all people in the world she could possibly be miffed at… it's impossible to be able to think of a way to fix it, because almost always, it's your fault. And right now, it's definitely my fault." Kankurō's eyes fell. "I wish love was as simple as you think it to be… but it's not." He put a hand on his brother's shoulder, surprising them both when the sand shield did not come up to protect Gaara. Kankurō smiled softly, despite his sadness, when he remembered the first time he'd met Gaara, how quickly that shield had fell upon realizing Kankurō was no threat. All this time, those threats were empty.

Temari grabbed Kankurō's hand, surprising him. Temari's eyes watched him softly. "We're not leaving you alone when you need us," she said softly, blushing softly. Kankurō looked at her, really looking at her for the first time in his entire life. For the first time, he felt familial love for the girl.

He wasn't facing the possibility of losing Hinata alone.

His family was there.

Hinata had been slightly watching Kankurō's final and complete reconciliation with his two siblings, and while she was completely infuriated by him, she was happy for him. Though he's never said it, I know he's wanted to become close with his family. After all, what person doesn't? Hinata thought, thinking of her own cousin. And I'm glad for him… but that still doesn't change anything.

She wasn't mad because he'd gone to Kabuto, because she had the feeling that since Kabuto had known about her abilities he would have come after her regardless of Kankurō's pleading. She wasn't mad because Kankurō had been involved in the attack on the Leaf, though she knew that as a kunoichi of the village she should've been.

She was mad because after all that she'd done to prove herself, he doubted that she could take care of herself. She considered them to be equal, and she thought that if she had enough faith to think he could take care of himself, well; then he would have the same faith in her. But he didn't, instead going behind her back to plead with a man who wanted her Wood affinity, and probably her Byakugan too, for her safety during the coup. He told me often that he had to work when sparring with me, that I was stronger than I ever realized. How can I prove that to myself if he tries to keep me from danger?

The answer was that she couldn't.

Not while they were together. The evidence was so clear. She needed to learn how to use her abilities, how to bring them into fruition. While she had saved his life while thinking quickly; she needed to be quicker… and cleaner with it. And there's so much more I can do, but after this how do I know that he won't try to conceal me from it again?

The only logical answer kept coming out to be that she needed to break up with him. It was the only way. Despite what she felt for him, she needed to prove to herself—and to him—that she could handle herself. Her fists clenched. She didn't like it; the idea of pushing him away was hurting her immensely. But what choice did she have? She needed him to see how equal they were, and it seemed that he never would if things stayed the way they were now.

A tear dripped out of her eye.

"Kankurō," she said finally, fifteen minutes after Gaara and Temari had taken their place beside their brother. She didn't look up from her fists, and he didn't look up from the bowl of fake fruit. He knew what she was going to say, and it wouldn't change even if he begged. "I… I don't trust you." Logical. He'd done everything to rip it to shreds. "It's not because of what you might think the reason to be, it's completely different… but it's making this so much more painful, you can't even begin to understand." Oh, I think I can, he thought, touching his fingers to his chest. Was his heart even beating right now? "I… I can't do this anymore, with you. I…"

"Don't apologize, please, and don't speak anymore," whispered Kankurō, interrupting whatever she was going to say. "I can't hear this. I thought I could, but I can't. I know what you're saying and I understand why you're saying it, but I just can't hear it anymore." His words were choked up with the emotions he was feeling. "Please, if you have any care for me still in your body… you'll stop speaking. Please, Hina… please stop speaking."

Kiba, Akamaru, Shino, and Hanabi stared at Hinata, completely shocked and saddened by what she had just done. I knew she would, but still to hear it… thought Hanabi, her eyes flicking to Kankurō's shaking frame. Change your mind, she mentally pleaded with Hinata, don't do this to yourself, Hinata… you will regret it in the long run. Don't let this come between you.

Kankurō stood up, unable to speak to or even look at her. It would cause too much pain. "Temari, I'm going back to the hotel. I'm going to pack, and then I am setting off for Suna. I will act as representative along with Baki to tell the council about the coup. I hope that you heal quickly, Gaara…" he said, trailing off as he walked away, his back to the entire group.

Only when Kankurō couldn't be seen by her Byakugan did Hinata allow herself to break down and cry.

Words cannot express...