Sasuke and Neji had come up with a plan as to how to get their mission complete. They were to adopt the lifestyle of the locals such that they could blend in and easily ascertain the information they needed. Neji was stationed on the other side of the village, while Sasuke covered this side.
Sasuke leaned on the side of the building. He played with the senbon in his mouth as he watched idly as the men across from him engaged in a heated discussion. A tall thin man with a scar across the curvature of left cheek was glaring at a shorter younger man. The younger male was glaring back, a poked a finger into the chest of the other. Poking escalated into punching and finally to a fully blown-out brawl; the entire group of men was engaged in battle.
Approaching the belligerent group, Sauske turned to one of the men watching the scene.
"Hn, I wonder what that was all about."
An elderly man with half a head of white hair and an apron turned to address Sasuke.
"Who knows? There's a fight every night. Damn hooligans running amok in this town, it's no wonder that business is down. It's a wonder my store is able to survive." The man scowled as he returned to watching the brawl.
Sasuke eyed the man.
"Every night?"
"For the last few months, almost like clockwork." The man beckoned Sasuke to follow him into a small tea shop in front of where the fight was occurring.
The man got behind the counter and Sasuke took a seat on one of the bar stools.
"Oolong tea?" Sasuke nodded as the man poured him a cup.
"What's your name? Haven't seen you around here."
"Uchiha Sasuke. I just arrived a few days ago." Taking a sip of the tea, Sasuke nodded in appreciation.
"Hope you are not planning on staying long, there's nothing worth anything in this town."
"That may be just what I need. Escape from everything."
The elderly man curiously studied Sasuke, and then began chuckling.
"Problems at home son? We all have that…oh! Here I have been chatting and did not even introduce myself. I am Matsuya Ping, owner of Matsuya's Tea Shop."
"Seems like the shop is barely staying together. I'm your only customer."
Ping's forehead furrowed as he stared out the window.
"It's that blasted man, ever since he started his business if you can even call it that, everyone's been fighting." Ping's eyes glazed over as he continued watching the fighting from the window.
"Business? What man?"
Ping seemed shaken out of his monotone stupor and glanced back at Sasuke smiling.
"Don't worry about it son, it's nothing something for you to concern yourself with. But take this piece of advice, stay away from Kimichi Dayo. He's trouble."
Sasuke thanked Ping for the tea and exited the shop.
Sliding the senbon back into his mouth, Sasuke mused about the possible relation between the new "business" and possible mole. If someone was leaking intelligence about Konoha, it was valuable enough to cause fighting amongst those who wanted the information. There were countless enemies of Konoha, all just waiting for an opportunity to take it down.
Sasuke sighed as he realized that if war broke out he would have to fight. Man he just wanted to live a simple life- he had enough drama in the last few years to last him a lifetime. Hell, he had enough drama from the last few days, what with Neji breathing down his neck and wanting to fight him every time he saw him with that slip of a girl.
Sure she was cute, but there was nothing else special about her. He winced as he rotated his shoulder and popped it back into the socket. Damn prodigal ass had ripped out his arm during their last "fight" for the girl. Best stay clear of Yamamura Shina; let Neji have her he didn't care.
Sasuke noticed the younger man who was involved in the brawl limping away. He followed.
oooooooooOoooooooooOooooooooooOooooooooooooOooooooooooOooooooooOooooooooO
Neji walked into the bar exhausted. He had spent the entire day trying to find a lead and he turned up empty. He hoped the Uchiha fared better.
The Uchiha.
Neji's fist tightened as he remembered his sweet cousin being assaulted by that barbarian.
He laughed internally as he recalled the injuries the Uchiha has sustained in the past few days, all thanks to him. He was surprised and slightly insulted that the traitor didn't retaliate, but hey he was probably planning some backhanded means of revenge.
"What can I get for you?" A woman with a peasant top that bared her milky shoulders asked Neji from behind the bar.
Neji glanced at the woman, praying she wouldn't turn into a fangirl, he was freaking tired of all the women in this town throwing themselves at him.
"Sake," grunted Neji.
A saucer was placed in front him with a small pitcher of sake. Surprised at the lack of service, the woman didn't even pour the alcohol, with an eyebrow hitched Neji looked up inquiringly at her.
"What?" The woman stared back at him blankly. She looked to be around her early twenties and had soft moss green eyes that contrasted with her maroon hair.
Neji motioned to his empty saucer with his eyes.
"And?"
Neji sighed at the density of the woman.
"You are a barmaid- correct?"
"Yes..." She looked at him weirdly.
"Your job is to serve the customers- correct?"
"Yes…"
"Then you are supposed to SERVE the alcohol."
"….and that is what I did." The woman eyed him warily.
Neji was not in a good mood. He was exhausted and did not want to serve himself, if he did then what was the point in going to a bar, might as well just have bought something at a liquor store and gone to his room to drink it.
"No- what you did was give me the bottle to serve myself. You are supposed to POUR the alcohol INTO the SAUCER. Understand?"
Neji watched as the woman's face contorted with the series of emotions that ran through it. Confusion. Realization. Insulted. Anger. Really Angry. Yeah angry seemed to pretty predominate so far.
He sighed. Angry woman were not logical.
"Look never mind. I will serve myself." Neji reached for the pitcher only to find it being pulled out of his reach.
Neji followed the hand that gripped the pitcher up to its owner. He met with a fierce gaze of green.
"So you want me to serve you?" The woman spoke with words seething with venom.
Neji sighed again. She finally understood.
"Yes."
"Then allow me."
Neji watched as she poured the sake into the saucer. He observed her keenly, waiting for her to retaliate at him in some asinine childish manner; namely pouring the alcohol on him.
But nothing happened. She just turned around and attended to the other customers.
Shaking his head at her disappearing back, he sipped his sake and began surveying the room.
A man was sitting in the corner table. He was surrounded by men, but they were not attacking him. No, instead it seemed as though he was giving a sermon. Everyone was gathered around listening to him. Activating his Byakugan, Neji noticed that the man was sending out an enormous burst of chakra to his head.
Why?
There were a few reasons why someone would do that- but only one stuck out in Neji's mind. The man was not who he appeared to be. In fact, he most likely looked nothing like he appeared. The man was using a henge- but one that only changed one's face thus requiring a greater focal chakra distribution.
Neji rose from his stool and began approaching the flock but was stopped with a hand on his shoulder. Glancing back he saw an older gruff gentleman glaring at him.
"Yes?"
"Is this is the guy, Inoue?" The gruff man addressed the question to a figure behind him. As Neji turned his head, he made out the figure to be that obtuse woman from before.
"Hai nii-san." Neji paled. Shit. This was the chit's brother.
"I apologize for any misunderstandings. But I must speak to the gentleman there." Neji decided diplomacy was the best way to avoid an unnecessary fight.
"Not until I serve you. A full body service."
Neji grimaced as he activated his Byakugan and began fighting.
He was too tired for this crap. God he hated this mission.
oooooooooOoooooooooOooooooooooOooooooooooooOooooooooooOooooooooOooooooooO
"Itai! Gentle Hinata!" Neji scowled as Hinata pressed a moist napkin on his forehead.
"Shina niisan" Hinata was unrolling the gauze and began wrapping his forehead.
"Neji, Shina" Neji corrected her back.
"Ano, how did this happen Neji?"
"Mission."
"Oh."
Neji was not about to tell his cousin that he got jumped by who knows how many guys just because he told someone how to do their job properly. No, he was too prideful. Anyways, he was the victor of the fight, so what did a few bruises matter.
Hinata chuckled as she surveyed her work.
"What?" He couldn't see what she could possibly find amusing.
"It looks the same as when you hide the seal. Least this time you actually need it." Hinata smiled at him cutely
Neji scowled but a small smile appeared at the edge of his mouth.
"Lovely. Playing house are we?" Sasuke said as he watched from the doorway.
Hinata jumped, startled at his sudden presence. She then blushed and lowered her gaze to her hands resting on her lap.
Neji's scowl only intensified.
"What do you want Uchiha?" Neji gingerly touched the bandage on his forehead.
"We need to talk about the mission- or did you forget about that? We are not here so you can pick up random ordinary woman."
Hinata looked up, surprised at his response. She wasn't sure whether she should be embarrassed or offended.
"I am doing no such thing. Get to the point, what did you find out?"
"I guess you're more smitten with Shina than it seems, since you want to discuss the mission with her here. How'd you get hurt, tried to go further than she wanted? You're a tough fighter Shina-chan."
It took all of Neji's self control not to lunge and beat the crap out of him. What the hell was he insinuating?!
Hinata looked at Sasuke in shock. She slowly got up and bowed to both males and hastily made her exit.
Sasuke only smirked as he watched her retreating back. She was so fun to tease.
"Uchiha- I assume you found something? Otherwise all that garbage you just spouted out is going to go back in the other way," warned Neji as he eyed Sasuke eyeing his cousin.
"Hai."
The men began discussing their newfound information.
oooooooooOoooooooooOooooooooooOooooooooooooOooooooooooOooooooooOooooooooO
A/N: Hey all yeah I know its not much Sasuke x Hinata action but there is a reason- I'm laying the groundwork for future moments so bear with me. Also, the plot does need to progress past fluff, otherwise it gets boring fast.
Thanks for reading! Review please.
Perhaps if you tell me what you want I can try to incorporate it into the story, assuming it flows with the plot that is.
Till next time- bye!