AN: Hii :D Thank you to everyone who reviewed last chapter and let me know what they thought! There was a question about Hinata's and Kakashi's relationship status but I don't want to spoil anything so i'll make you all suffer and wait lol

Reminder:

Precipice ~ Hinata: 13, Kakashi: 23

Eclectic Love ~ Hinata: 18, Kakashi: 28

Eclectic Love — Chapter Eleven

The Fifth Hokage's fingers strummed against her desk in a continuous rhythm. An impatient sigh blew from her lips. Eyes on the door of her office she reached for the bottom drawer of her desk, inserting her chakra into a specific groove until she heard a telling click. Grabbing the file that hid beneath the false bottom she dragged her eyes away from the door to take a glance.

Name: —

Birthdate: —

Gender: —

Height: —

Weight: —

Chunin: Age 13

ANBU: Age 13

ANBU Captain: Age 14

Jōnin: Age 15

Current: ANBUApplicant - Head of ANBU Black Ops - Age 18

Tsunade grinned. 'That's my girl.'

As if on cue two presences made themselves known, materializing into the middle of the office.

"Hokage-sama," they both spoke in unison, bowing in respect.

Side by side they stood. A male on the left. A female on the right.

The man stood nearly half a foot taller than the woman. An ANBU wolf mask laid atop his face. Two red lines streaked from each direction and met at the protruding nose. Tiny triangular ears poked up at the top. Slits were cut for eyes, but all that could be seen through them was a shadowed black. Behind the mask nothing of his identity could be gathered. A ski mask clung tight, slicking back his voluminous hair, and tucking into his undershirt.

The woman's mask was that of a rabbit. With red as its base colour, white lines were drawn across the cheeks as whiskers and dotted as a button nose. The eye slits waved, starting down at the bridge of her nose and ending upwards. Once again, only deep black could be seen through the thin holes. This mask, however, ended just below her nose and followed the slice of her cheekbones. The ears, they rounded back, covering to the base of her neck with pointed tips.

The Wolf and the Rabbit.

Both matched in the traditional ANBU gear. Black pants tucked into knee high sandals. A grey vest protected them, covering a black sleeveless turtleneck. Elbow length gloves were covered by silver guards. The swirling ANBU tattoo laid proud on their left deltoids.

Tsunade clicked her tongue. With a few handsigns multiple barriers rose around the outside border of the office; one for sound, sight, and smell. "No formalities. How many times have I said this?"

Plump red lips lifted into a smile. She lifted the mask off of her face, revealing Byakugan eyes. "Tsunade-sensei."

The man let his mask rest on the top of his head before awkwardly scrunching the tight ski mask along his forehead. His left eye remained closed, conserving his chakra from the use of his Sharingan.

"Hinata. Hatake," Tsunade acknowledged. "I was taking a look at your file," her eyes went to Hinata. "After this past month I think I can get the council to agree to your promotion. You've done great work," she skimmed through the back pages, "Incredible success rate. Never been done before for ANBU."

Hinata nodded, her expression set straight. Her work called for it. Her success rate may have been high, but there would always be casualties. And those casualties deserved her utmost respect. The missions she organized were of high risk. Failure meant death. Perhaps not always for the ones completing the mission, but of civilians: innocents. Information in the wrong hands was deadly. Lack of information in the right hands was deadly.

"Successfully complete this mission and it'll be done," Tsunade finished. She grinned at Kakashi, "That means she'll be your superior, Hatake. Can you handle that?"

Kakashi glanced at Hinata.

She kept her eyes straight, missing his eye glimmering in pride.

"She already calls all the shots. It won't be any different," he shrugged.

Tsunade chuckled. "I'll cut to the chase: Uchiha Sasuke."

The Wolf's and Rabbit's ears perked in interest.

"You've probably heard the rumours. Apparently, he's been busy." Tsunade clenched her jaw, "I want to know if Orochimaru has been… eliminated."

The pair nodded.

"He's also supposedly been grouping together some of Orochimaru's experiments. I want that ended before they cause any havoc." She straightened, "Missing nin, Uchiha Sasuke, is to be brought back to the village where his fate will then be decided. Clear?"

"And of the team members?" Hinata asked.

Tsunade paused in thought, "As you see fit."

The pair nodded.

"Leave in an hour. Head towards Gyan Village," she threw Kakashi a thin file that contained a single piece of paper. "It's where our latest tip came from. Dismissed."

The pair disappeared from the office, their current mission on their mind as they appeared inside Hinata's home.

Kakashi opened the file taking a glance at the man who sent in the tip. Hinata peeked at the picture, saving it in her mind.

She went to her bedroom, letting Kakashi dispose of the evidence. She felt him follow a second later. "Say it," she said as she walked to her dresser.

Kakashi sighed, leaning in the doorframe. "Are you sure you're gonna be alright with this mission?"

Hinata faced her partner. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

Kakashi broke eye contact. "I know you let him get away last time-"

"I was a child."

"It was three years ago. You were an ANBU captain. Almost Jōnin."

"Exactly," Hinata pointed out. "It was three years ago. I've changed. I don't have such luxuries anymore. Everything I do has a direct affect on the village." She began to rummage through her drawers. "I'll return Uchiha-san to the village where he will face prosecution."

Kakashi narrowed his eye. "You're not telling me something."

Hinata straightened, holding what she had been wearing earlier.

He sighed again at the telling silence. "Where are you going?" He changed the subject knowing he wouldn't get anywhere.

"I ran into Ayame-san earlier. She told me to come by. She'll ask questions if I don't."

"I see." Kakashi scratched at his chin. "Meet in forty-five?"

Hinata nodded. She began to strip as Kakashi turned away. She watched his body vanish, felt as his presence disappeared from within the barrier that surrounded her land.

The barrier followed her every whim. Unnoticeable unless she desired it to be noticed. Penetrable unless she desired it to be impenetrable. It hid her chakra signature to varying degrees. Showing a disfigured chakra network when she possessed that of an elite Jōnin. Inside the rounded barrier that reached to the sky was the only place in which she could train without worry of exposure.

It had originally been built by another, tweaked over time, leaving fellow shinobi unsuspicious to the complex design and chosen placement.

She slipped on the baggy clothing, relishing in the comfort before the upcoming mission.

Her eyes fell to the ground. 'Three years, Sasuke.'

With a full stomach Hinata landed in the desolate clearing. The smell of fresh cut grass wafted through the air. Her feet kicked the loose pieces as she walked. A light breeze blew through the strands of her ponytail.

The sun shone a spotlight on the memorial stone. The black granite glistened.

She stepped onto the red and pink tiles that surround the giant stone. How long would it take for every space to become filled? Engrained with the names of the lives lost too soon. Lives wrongfully taken all in the name of peace.

Peace cannot be gained through war. She knew this. Her partner knew this. Yet they still fought. Hypocrites to their own beliefs.

Hinata bowed, her eyes closing with the gesture. She righted before bending to place white lilies by the base. "You're ready?" No emotion snuck into her voice.

"Yeah." Kakashi awoke from his trance, staring at the all too familiar names on the stone.

They headed towards Gyan Village, through the forests of the Land of Fire that were cut into their brains like a map. Kakashi led, Hinata followed; watching their open backs for any approaching threats. As a blur they flew across the land. Their feet barely making contact against the bouncing branches. Decaying leaves fluttered to the ground at their intrusion.

Without a signal of warning the pair broke apart; Kakashi going left, Hinata taking a right. They circled round. Meeting once again, they gave an affirming nod. In the next instant two ordinary villagers stood in their place.

The man rolled his shoulders. Long legs knocked inwards, his thin muscles not enough to hold him straight. With his pale complexion the dark circles that lined his eyes contrasted like a drop of ink on a crumpled piece of paper. His thin black hair parted at the side, covering part of his face.

A woman with greying blonde hair pulled into a low bun stood with slouched shoulders. Her plump body teetered on wobbly legs. She licked her chapped red lips.

"Still adorable even in this form," Kakashi whispered while leaning forward.

Hinata's cheeks dusted pink. She looked away, trying to hide her amusement. "Don't get distracted," she ordered, making her way to the main trail.

Kakashi caught her with ease and wrapped an arm around her waist. "How can I not get distracted by my lovely wife?" He wiggled his ring hand in front of them.

Hinata glanced to the sky. "Of course." She changed her henge to add the silver band to her finger. "You're lucky to have a woman like me," she played into her character as they narrowed in on the village.

"I tell myself that everyday."

Hinata narrowed her eyes, glaring up at her 'husband'. His persona was awfully close to his actual personality.

"Hush now," she chastised. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Kakashi's cheeks twitch. She almost groaned knowing he'd be using that line against her later.

Breaking through the border of the village a few eyes landed on them. Known for their gambling rings, Gyan littered with security. Not police, not shinobi, but more eyes than the average village. Most that wandered the streets were unaware, distracted in their misguided content. They looked for their 'lucky' stall, where they were more than eager to throw away their life savings on the hope of more.

Greed: it infected worse than an airborne virus.

"Oh my, so lively," Hinata gasped.

"Reminds me of the good days," Kakashi reminisced.

"These days aren't good?"

"Now, don't put words into my mouth, woman."

Hinata huffed. "Let's go eat. You're already wasting away enough as it is."

Hand in hand they maneuvered the chaotic streets.

With the day descending into night, most stumbled along, their world spinning from the intoxicating liquid running through them. They bumped and grumbled. A few retching sounds poured out from alleyways as people heaved the contents of their stomach.

They ignored it all, heading for the single vegetable and fruit vendor in the village.

Hinata wore a bright smile as they approached. She leaned over the table lined with cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, kyoho, ume, and much more. They were beautifully organized, showcasing the array of colour offered.

"How can I help you two today?" The vendor asked once finishing with another customer. He scratched the velcro stubble that spotted his jaw.

Hinata kept her eyes on the fruit. She picked up a ripe tomato with a smile.

Kakashi smiled at the man. He moved the hair from his face for a mere moment.

The vendor paused, his mouth parting before returning to normal.

"You'll have to ask the wife here," Kakashi answered. "She calls all the shots."

The vendor chuckled. "Ah, of course. The same in my house." He looked to Hinata, "Anything I can get for you?"

Hinata hummed in thought. "I'll get a pound of ume and a bundle of the tomatoes."

"Of course." He went to work. Grabbing a brown paper bag, he measured the fruit, inspecting each piece before placing it in. "Here you are," he handed Hinata the bag.

She peeked in, double checking the contents with critical eyes.

"What's your type doin' in this town, anyways? Just passing through?"

Kakashi nodded, placing an arm around Hinata's shoulders. "Yeah. One last adventure before settling down."

Hinata scoffed at the use of 'adventure.' "He's still trying to live out his youth. Doesn't realize he's already an old man."

The vendor threw back his head as a laugh reverberated through his chest. "He's still young! You shouldn't knock us men down like that. We only pretend to be strong to impress you women."

"Exactly," Kakashi grinned. "We're sensitive."

"Only for our lady though," the vendor corrected.

Kakashi choked as his words from earlier twisted in his mind. He covered his mouth at his spewing cough.

Hinata rubbed his back. "I told you. He's an old man already." She bowed her head, "Thank you for your time."

The vendor waved her off, "No thanks necessary. You might want to stay in for the night. It gets awful cold this time of year."

"Thank you!" Hinata yelled as she pulled Kakashi away from the table.

Reaching the outskirt of the village, Kakashi didn't hesitate to pull Hinata into his chest.

Hinata relaxed against him. She breathed out before activating her Byakugan and completing a quick check of the area.

When she pulled away their henge released, revealing their true forms.

"Hush now?" Kakashi teased while burning the bag of food Hinata had passed to him.

Hinata knew he was raising a questioning brow behind those masks. "What did you find out?"

"Our contact saw our target yesterday night," Kakashi flipped back to work. "He was with a girl. A red head: loud, skinny, glasses. She was bickering with another lanky boy: white hair, pointed teeth, purple eyes. A large guy followed behind them: broad, muscular, orange hair and eyes." Kakashi thought through the vendors words from when he pulled him into a genjutsu. "Headed west."

Hinata nodded. Jumping into the nearest tree she taunted, "I knew there was a reason I keep you around."

Kakashi grinned, quickly following and catching up to his place in front.

The sun sunk lower on the horizon allowing for the beauty of the hidden stars to become seen.

Hinata slowed to a stop. She exhaled, her breath clouding in the freezing air. The thick veins of her Byakugan thinned along her face before disappearing into unblemished skin. Her tangled hair pulled at her scalp as her ponytail waved.

"They're up ahead," Hinata informed. "10 kilometres."

Kakashi stood on the nearest branch in front of her, hands stuffed in his pockets. "Asleep?"

Hinata recalled the flow of their chakra networks, "The smallest one, more than likely the girl, is asleep. The others are resting, but somewhat alert."

Kakashi nodded. "You going in or me?"

"You," Hinata responded after a moment of thought.

Kakashi nodded. "Be safe."

Hinata took off in the opposite direction. As she moved, a feline through her playground, she disappeared to all but sight. Her sweet floral smell, before only a pinch of sugar in the salty ocean, vanished completely. The sound of her feet, before only the cling of a cymbal against the deep thrum of a guitar, mellowed to silence. Even a kiss on her lips would be like tasting the wind.

Her speed allowed her to arrive first. Despite her barricaded mind her mouth tipped into a smile when she laid eyes on the scene.

Uchiha Sasuke. It had been three years. Three years since she let him walk away despite knowing the consequences. It was not for love nor longing, but understanding. She knew he would never grow past the shadow of his brother while caged in the village walls.

Now, he laid propped up against the trunk of a tree. His mouth pressed together, his brows furrowed: refusing to relax in even the realm of sleep. Chiseled jaw and strong cheeks, he appeared a man compared to the boy that left her. With his arm draped across his stomach, his leg bent up, ready to defend, she almost didn't want to disrupt him.

But, like every other time, she did what was needed.

Her back straightened, the muscles adjusting beneath her skin, as Kakashi allowed for his chakra to become noticed a kilometre away.

Sasuke's eyes opened.

Hinata's smile reappeared at the sight of his Sharingan, three tamoe spinning proud.

"Wake up," Sasuke ordered, his deepened voice strumming through the air.

The boy with white hair scowled from his strewn position across the ground but shuffled up to a sitting position.

The orange haired man's eyes were open the moment the words left Sasuke's mouth.

Sasuke rolled his shoulders, readjusting his loose kimono that had parted exposing his pale muscled chest. He reached for the katana that slung across his back. "Suigetsu, wake up Karin."

The white haired man looked as if he were about to complain, but with a warning glare from Sasuke he again complied.

Suigetsu stretched as he stood. He shuffled over to the sleeping girl. "Wake up!" He barked, nudging the girl's ribs with his foot.

"Ugh," she groaned. "What's going on?" She wiped the dried drool off the corner of her mouth and put on her rectangular framed glasses. Her dopey face contorted in irritation as her wits returned only to see Suigetsu leering over her. "What the hell?! What do you want, idiot?"

"Karin."

Sasuke's voice put the chilled air to shame.

"Yes, Sasuke-kun?" Karin cooed. She seemed to miss—or ignore—Sasuke's frigid tone.

"Who's approaching?"

"Huh? Oh," Karin switched to serious as she focused. "Man. Jōnin level... I think."

Sasuke stared imploringly.

Karin's face scrunched. "I don't know. He's suppressing it... I think."

"Think?" Suigetsu mocked. "What's the point of keeping you around if you can't even tell? That's your whole job."

"I know he's suppressing it, idiot!" Karin pursed her lips with blown out cheeks, "It just feels different."

Sasuke turned in the direction of the incoming threat.

Hinata stepped out from the shadows. Perched on the branch above them, she watched them wait for the incoming threat, unaware of the threat directly above them.

"He's here," Karin pointed out a second before Kakashi hopped off the branch and into sight.

With the short space between trees, Kakashi stood only a few feet away.

"ANBU?" Suigetsu sniggered. "I guess that means he's here for you then, Sasuke."

Karin gasped. "No way are they taking my Sasuke-kun! I'll-"

"Karin..."

"Yes, Sasuke-kun?"

"Be quiet."

Kakashi inspected the area, ignoring the odd feeling that stirred in his stomach from standing on the opposing end of his old student.

Noticing Hinata, his mouth tipped into a hidden smile.

"Uchiha Sasuke," his humour didn't leak into his voice. "By order of the Fifth Hokage you are to return to Konoha."

The orange haired man stepped in front of Sasuke, blocking Kakashi's view.

"Jugo, step back," Sasuke spoke while standing. He pulled the katana from it's sheath, the blade scraped against its sheath, stinging the silence.

"Are you sure, Sasuke?" Jugo questioned.

Sasuke gave a single confirming nod.

Hinata watched as Sasuke took a step forward. Her body hummed in excitement. Another step and she acted.

Taking a deep breath, her lungs expanded. Her lips pursed as a stream of purple smoke blew out. The thick smoke dispersed, sinking to the ground and crawling between the trees.

"The fuck-" Suigetsu's curse got cut off. His hand flew to his mouth as a gruff cough retched from his throat. His chest shook, pain pressing against his sternum as he wheezed.

Sasuke grabbed Karin, pulling her with him while he jumped above the mist.

Landing in the trees, Sasuke met Hinata's eyes.

"Karin, get off of me." His eyes didn't stray from Hinata's. They narrowed as her lips tilted into a smirk.

"Hey, bitch! Don't you dare stare at my Sasuke-kun!"

Hinata ignored the girl.

"Hey! I'm talking to you! I will-"

"Karin." Sasuke's eyes stayed straight.

"Yes, Sasuke-kun," Karin cooed.

"Leave."

"Bu-Bu-But-"

"Go," Sasuke repeated.

Hinata's smirk deepened.

Karin, sending a final glare at Hinata, took off, sure to stay a distance away from the other ANBU.

Hinata jumped off her perch, into the cloud of smoke that had yet to dissipate. She crouched over the now unconscious Suigetsu to check his pulse. A black scroll with silver lining appeared in her hand.

It unraveled with a single pull, draping over the unconscious boy.

Hinata didn't flinch when she felt Sasuke bounded forward, his katana pointed at her head.

He was met with the sharp edge of a kunai.

Kakashi readjusted his blade, giving leeway before forcing Sasuke away with a flex of his muscles.

Hinata placed her hand in the centre of the body and on top of the scroll. With a single hand she completed the signs for the jutsu, her chakra pushing through her network in a well engrained pattern. The scroll vanished, the body along with it.

She fell forward onto her stretched hand. Bending her leg in, she kicked it back in a near perfect split, unhinging the jaw of the towering man behind her.

As she turned her eyes drew up and down the shaking man.

She watched as thick black lines slithered outwards along his body. The entire left half of his face darkened to a sickly grey. His arm on the same side matched in colour as it began to morph into an unknown form. Spikes protruded from his shoulder.

'It's similar to the Curse Seal,' Hinata noticed. 'That could be useful.'

Hinata leaned to the side, letting Jugo's fist fly past. 'All he has is blind strength,' Hinata observed while transferring her wait to administer another swift kick to his open back. She felt the snap of his ribs.

Jugo fell forward, his front scrapping against the ground before thumping against the base of a tree.

"I'm disappointed, Sasuke," Hinata looked away from the stumbling man trying to rise. She caught Sasuke's now widened eyes. "This was the strongest team you could produce?"

Hinata suddenly appeared in front of Jugo, a couple feet off the ground, her movement invisible to the eye. She lifted her hand. And, with a flick of her finger against his forehead, his head snapped back.

His body crumbled, unconscious. The burly man formed a puddle on the ground.

Another scroll materialized in her hand. She unravelled it in a single pull and dropped it across his body. She added her chakra and the man vanished, the same as the first.

Hinata turned her attention back to Sasuke.

"Hinata...?" The whispered name left Sasuke's gapping mouth.

Hinata gave Kakashi a telling look.

Kakashi hesitated. With a barely noticeable exhale he followed after the fleeing red head.

"Hinata? I thought you..."

"Like I said," Hinata continued. "I'm disappointed."

Hope you liked it! Let me know what you thought :D And have a good long weekend to those fellow Canadians :P