How do you live with yourself?
When your mind has been twisted,
With so many anxieties?
Not being able to handle the nagging and whining of his dog anymore, Hoshi kicked his front door open, letting the beast vanish outside. Stepping outside his door, he watched the stupid dog disappear into the forest around his home, barking as he ran freely.
It's going to rain tonight, Hoshi thought as he glanced up at the grey sky. That dog better not go toofar. He was not going to get caught up in the rain later searching for his ass.
Frowning at that thought, he itched his unshaven chin, spitting to his side. Turning, he moved to head back inside when he noticed a figure from the corner of his eye. Hoshi squinted his worn out eyes curiously toward the figure walking past his home. As the person drew near, he noticed that it was that boy who fixed up his dog's house and chopped all his wood the other day.
What was that boy doing here?
He better not think he was going to "train" in his land again. This time he would not show him mercy.
Limping to the other side of his porch to get a better look, Hoshi could sense the unwelcoming and dark aura that seemed to form around the boy all the way from where he stood. The boy had a dangerous, intimidating expression, his dark eyes planted at his feet as he walked, not noticing his presence. Whatever it is, he clearly didn't look like he was in the mood to train, Hoshi thought wryly.
Contemplating whether or not he should call out to him, he decided that he might as well find out what was up with him. "Hey, boy!" He called, his voice causing the boy to shoot his head up. Locating him, his face went grave.
Hoshi, for a second, thought the boy was going to ignore him, but the sulking boy changed his course and walked toward him. "What do you want, old man?" He questioned, bored.
Licking his tongue over his dry lips, Hoshi threw him a haughty look. "You look like you're in a foul mood." He only said. He noticed that the boy kept one arm placed behind his back.
"If you need someone to chat with, find someone else." Sasuke instigated, shoving his fists into the front pockets of his black jeans. It was only for an instant, but Hoshi caught a glance of the boy's hand that was placed behind him, it was bruised and creased with blood at the knuckles. The boy looked up at him, as if he was the one who needed someone to chat with. Assessing his expression, Hoshi assumed that something must have happened to him to cause him to look so pissed off and pitiful.
Hoshi cackled humorlessly, "You look like you just had your heart broken." He commented.
Sasuke scowled, taking out one hand from his pocket to rub the back of his neck. Hoshi noticed that he kept his injured hand inside the pocket. "Shut up."
"So you did get your heart broken." Hoshi burst, realizing that his words hit home. "Was it Hinata-chan? I don't blame her, why would a sweet, innocent girl want to be with a boy with that attitude of yours?" He grinned, not realizing that with every word he was uttering the boy was becoming increasingly murderous.
"I said shut it, old man." Sasuke glowered, narrowing his sharp eyes on him. He noticed that the boy didn't bother denying his question.
"Fine. Then stop looking so glum, goddammit." He joked. "Come in and let me take a look at the hand of yours." He added. The boy shifted. Did he think he did not notice? He may be old, but he wasn't stupid. He moved to open his front door, looking over his shoulder to see if that boy was following him.
The boy grit his teeth, loosening the fists at his side. He followed him in without a word.
...
She's alone. Should we go after her now?
No, there are people on the streets. We'll cause a commotion. Let's wait until she's alone.
...
The thing that made Hinata dread her mission and gave her nightmares at night the most was the thought that when she returns home, back to Konoha, that every thing would be different. She was afraid all her precious people she cherished in her life, would change and forget about her. She wanted to return home with everyone still the same of how she remembered them.
Hinata didn't realize that she was the one who was changing, not her friends. These past weeks she not once thought of her friends back home, or her family and clan either, not even daydream about her crush, Naruto-kun. She was so caught up with her current life here in the Grass and her mission, that she almost forgot what was most important to her.
Clutching the top of her sweater, she looked down at her shoes as she stumbled down the streets. Her heart ached. Her head hurt from thinking too much. She could still feel the tingling in her palm where she slapped Sasuke. She surprised herself. Hinata couldn't believe that she actually slapped Sasuke Uchiha. And lived. Hinata wasn't really the fighting type, she preferred settling things quickly andpainlessly, without the unnecessary physical stuff. She did not mean to slap him. She couldn't think. She acted on impulse, and after realizing what happened and transpired between them, all could think was that she had to stop him and leave. Right away.
She knew that she was going to regret agreeing to the kiss. It was obviously a trick. And she foolishly fell for it.
Kaw!
Hinata looked up to see her bird fly down near her, flapping his wings rapidly.
Hikaru?
"Where did you fly off to?"Hinata said, miserably. Hikaru seemed to enjoy ditching her around the moments when she needed him most.
The bird landed on her shoulder, squawking once more. Hinata noticed a piece of paper attached to
his claws. She reached for it. So that's where he went...
"Hey, Hinata-chan! How have things been with you?" Hinata read the letter, recognizing Sakura-chan'shand writing. "I heard about the mission Tsunade-sama threw on you, I hope you're doing well. Two missions to tackle, I wish she'd let me come over there and help you, but you know...hospital duties."
Hinata smiled, sadly. As a previous worker of Konoha hospital, she knew how aggressive their working schedule was. "I just wanted to send you message to cheer you up and keep you up to date with things back home. Better than just getting messages of just orders, right? Anyways, I heard that your dad was trying to get Tsunade-sama someone else to retrieve Sasuke, but she knew how much this mission meant to you so she kicked him out." Hinata read the sentence, eyes shooting up. Her dadwanted her back? "Everyone misses you, even Naruto, but i'm sure he won't admit it, since he's so gloomy all the time. Did you know that he finally became jonin? He really is improving. Won't be long before he is on his way to become Hokage! Don't worry about us here Hinata, we all miss you and await your return. We know that you can bring Sasuke back, you were always so stubborn when it came to proving yourself. I'll try sending messages when I can. Sayonara for now!"
Hinata folded the piece of paper close, stopping in the middle of the road. Stuffing the paper into her pockets, she felt something wet slip down her cheeks. Reaching up to touch her cheek, she discovered that they were tears.
...
As soon as she's alone, activate your jutsu.
Did the leader want her captured alive or dead?
Alive, you dumbass.
I can't activate the jutsu if there isn't water around, remember? It still hasn't begun raining.
Tch. Fine, we'll wait it out and see what happens. We're not fucking screwing this up. I don't want to
know what Yoshi will do to us if we do...
...
"What the fuck man? I told you already that I checked here already." Tsumugu groaned, pushing up his headband that was sliding down his eyes. He eyed his boss who was rummaging in the cabinets full of papers.
"I told you to bring it to me first thing this morning and let me sign it. Where did you put it? "His boss
growled, bitterly. He slid his hand across the first shelf, throwing all the papers onto the floor. Tsumugu stared at the mess, his jaw dropping.
"Hey don't do that, man! It took me forever to fucking organize them yesterday." Tsumgu exclaimed, slapping his forehead in frustration. His boss was his personal living satan.
"Oh, don't worry." He barked, nastily. He stepped over the pile of papers. "You can just organize them again, it's not like you have anything more productive to do than freaking lose the police report Ineeded today." He left, slamming the door shut, possibly trying to search for the paper somewhere else.
Tsumgu glanced at the closed door, nervously. "Please tell me he isn't going in the file room. Please tell me. I don't want to stay here all day again."
Tsumugu stared at the mess on the floor, exasperated. If only he went on that date instead.
Sighing, he pulled back his sleeves of his uniform, and bent down.
Later...
After finally finding the police report, his boss, out of frustration, ended up kicking him out. He claimed that he did not want to see his "stupid" face today.
"Fuck him, it's not like I wanted to stick around anyway." Tsumugu murmured to himself. He crossed the street, putting distance between him and the police station, heading over to find a place to eat.
He was just about to think about Hinata-chan and maybe consider going to her place to ask her out on that date again, until he spotted her in the next block, magically appearing in front of him. She was standing in the middle of the road, her pretty head hanging low.
Hinata-chan? What was she...
Suddenly worried, he trotted toward where she stood frozen.
"Hey..."He began, slowly, so he wouldn't startle her.
At his soft voice, she looked up at him. Tsumugu taken aback, stopped in his tracks, inches away.
She was crying.
Unable to formulate something to talk to her, he stared at her wordlessly. She was crying and he didn't know what to do. This was the first time he saw a girl crying in front of him, and it made him unbearably uncomfortable.
Talk to her dammit. Give her hug or something!
Oh wait, I can't do that. She has a boyfriend.
...Or maybe she's crying because of him?
"Uh...are you okay?" He spoke and wish he didn't. Of course she isn't, you fucking dumbass.
Sniffing, she wiped away her tears, not saying anything. He stood silently, staring at her awkwardly. Now what? Gazing at her, he noticed that her eyes were puffy, her expression full of sadness and...loneliness.
It made her look somehow more beautiful. Tsumugu frowned inwardly at his thoughts, the chick is depressed and you're checking her out?
"Hinata-chan, you want to go grab something to eat?" He offered, kindly. "I don't know what happened to you, and I won't ask since it's none of my business, but you look like need some friendly company..."He trailed off, he really sucked at cheering people up. Food always made him feel better, how could someone resist being taken out to eat? It was best thing he could think of.
She looked like she wanted to say no at first, until he saw her exhale slowly as if she was trying to real hard to take some weight off her shoulders. Finally, she nodded, giving him a smile. "Sure, I'd love to." She replied, meeting his eyes.
Her smile is fake...
...
Who's that guy with her?
How the fuck I know? He's not important, if he gets in the way, we'll kill him.
Is he the guy Takumo got his ass handed to him by?
If he is, let's not provoke him. We'll have to wait until they separate.
...
Hinata followed Tsumugu into a familiar cafe. Peering around, she recalled it was the same cafe she first entered coming to this village. It was also the place where Akihito and his men first tried to attack after she left out. Until, of course, she was rescued by Sasuke-san.
Sasuke-san...
Shaking his name from her hand, she focused on Tsumugu-san who was busy kicking out two customers at the table near the window, claiming that he always sat there and it was "his" spot. Watching from afar, she saw the customers finally reaching their limit, giving up the table and earning a sly grin from Tsumugu.
Motioning her to come over, Hinata sat across from him. The place was still packed with hairy, old workers that seemed to come here after their long day of work.
"This place has the best food around,"He mused, picking up the menu that was placed in the middle of
the table, flipping though. "I come here all the time after work."
"I came to eat here before." Hinata declared, even though it was only once.
Tsumugu glanced at her above the tip of the menu, "Yeah? What did you think of the food? Pretty good, huh?" He spoke, conversationally.
"It was okay." She admitted. "I ended up getting attacked on my out though." She recalled, grimacing.
He placed the menu on the table, interested. "Whoa, really? What happened?"
"Nothing, it was just two men." Hinata didn't really want to explain to him that she was basically almost molested by two perverted men. "They followed me out, I was about to fight them off until...Sasuke-san stopped them." She cringed, she really did not want to talk about him at the moment.
Watching her carefully, Tsumugu dropped the subject, not pressing her. Changing the subject, he started telling her about his day and how his boss was a pain in the ass.
Hinata listened, relieved to find someone to distract her from her grueling thoughts.
After they finished eating, Tsumugu-san insisted on paying, despite Hinata's complains. They walked out of the cafe, full and content.
"I can't believe Kenshin just ups and leaves like that? I heard a rumor that he had an affair with the Daiymo, but I didn't think he'd end up ditching her and just leave. What's up with that?" Tsumugu walked beside her, frowning at his feet. Hinata wanted to tell him what really happened, so he wouldn't look so down, but decided that it's best not to tell him. Besides, she can't reveal her mission to him no matter what.
Her mission...
Groaning inwardly, she just realized that she still had to face Sasuke-san eventually. Maybe she could just finish the mission by herself, she didn't really need him.
Liar, you do.
She was able to subdue one of her targets by herself.
You got lucky.
And she was able to receive information about her targets easily.
You need his physical strength too.
She had always been on her own anyway.
And you need him to stay in the village. What are you thinking? What if he gets mad at you and slips from your reach? Is that what you want? Do you want to be apart from your home that much, that you'd risk everything for one lousy kiss you had with him?
"Shut up!" She clamped her hands against the sides of her head, pushing the nagging thoughts away.
Tsumugu who was still mumbling about Kenshin's disappearance, stopped mid-sentence and stared at her in shock.
Realizing that she just screamed that out loud, Hinata blushed in embarrassment. "Ah..."
"Whoa, if you don't want me to keep running my mouth, you can have just told me."He raised his eyebrows, eyeing her.
"N-no no! I didn't mean...I didn't say that to you! I just.."She quickly tried to apologize, failing miserably.
Tsumugu only laughed at her, amused. Hinata calmed down instantly, realizing that he was joking and here she was trying to explaining herself.
"Actually, you should shut up." She pouted, not liking the idea of him poking fun at her.
"Ohhhh someone is mad." Tsumugu teased, poking her shoulder as they walked. They stopped in front of Hinata's inn, standing under the roof of the entrance. It had begun to drizzle, she could hear the sky rumble faintly. "Well at least you're not depressed anymore." He gave her a soft glance.
Hinata held her hands tightly together in front of her, looking down. She had hoped he would not have said anything about seeing her cry like a baby in front of him earlier.
"Y-Yeah." She agreed. "Thank you...Tsumugu-san."
"It's no problem." He shoved his hand into his spiky, blond hair, Hinata noticing his cheeks turning red slightly. "If that bastard ever makes you cry again, let me know and I'll kick his ass for you." He promised.
Knowing what "bastard" he was talking about, Hinata reddened. "He didn't make me cry!" She cried out in denial, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. "I was only-"
"I know, but if he does, let me know." He interrupted her, eyes determined.
Feeling for some reason grateful, that he was on her side, Hinata gave him a genuine smile. Maybe befriending him wasn't a bad idea, she needed someone like him who chose her side (even though he didn't really know what was going with her, but still). "Okay." She was about to move and go inside, when he reached out to grab her arm.
"Uh, I almost forgot." His eyes lit up. "Sorry, I canceled the date, even though I bet you were glad since I kinda forced you on it." He laughed, shortly. "Anyways, wanna reschedule?"
Hinata glanced at him at him, debating. She really needed to resume with her mission, she could not afford wasting another day.
Seeing her wavering, Tsumugu released his hand. "Oh, sorry. We don't have to if you don't want." He took a step back, trying not to look upset.
For some reason, Hinata felt horrible at that moment. It didn't help that she had only interacted with him before because she was using him. And he only has been trying to help her and even cheered her up a bit today, distracting her from her brooding thoughts.
"No, you're right, I did agree to the date. It's just I don't feel like going out and..." Hinata tried to explain, hating to see him looking like that.
Tsumugu smiled. "Yeah, I get it. Don't worry about it. I guess I'll see you around then?" He looked at her, hopefully.
Hinata nodded, gratefully. Maybe having a friend around isn't so bad.
...
He's leaving!
Calm down, idiot. Focus on the girl.
Let's abduct her in her room.
Fine, which window leads to her room?
I think it's the one that that just lit up. I think that's her in that room. Dude, what if we see her changing her clothes?
You fucking sicko, I told you focus on our task. You want Yoshi to kill us? Let's just get this over with.
...
Hinata closed the door to her apartment, exhaling. Taking off her sweater, she hung it on her coat hanger, noticing Hikaru's missing presence. It was raining heavily outside, he better not stay out too long. Even though he was a bird and probably shouldn't worry about him, sometimes she found herself treating him as if he were a human friend. She knew her fondness for the bird made her an overprotective owner.
Making sure the window was cracked a tiny inch, Hinata walked into her bathroom, stripping as she went.
After a long, much needed warm bath, Hinata sank into her bed, dressed in pajamas. Staring at the ceiling, she could hear sound of thunder rumble outside.
Now that she was alone, all her pushed away thoughts came rushing at her.
She kissed Sasuke. She let me him touch her. Her first kiss was not with the boy she always dreamed to kiss, but with Sasuke Uchiha.
He was right, she is gullible. He has always been right.
Hinata didn't know what he gained from making her kiss him in exchange for his help, he was always like that. Acting all disinterested and when something sparks him, he never fails to have what he wanted. It was what basically made her wary of him, her mother used to warn her of his type.
Her changing relationship with Sasuke confused her. They were enemies, but they had been acting
like friends lately. And today...
Groaning, she rolled on her stomach.
I wanna go back home.
"Stupid, Sasuke..."
The wind outside howled, almost swallowing the sound of something scraping her windows. However, Hinata heard the screeching the sound clearly. Shooting up from her bed, Hinata tensed. Immediately she turned on her byakugan. Some was out there.
Searching, she was unable to find a chakra source. There was no one? Creeping closer to her window, she reached for the edge of the window, cracking it open. Droplets of rain smacked against her cheeks as she looked out the window. It was dark, the forest outside showed no signs of life, except the fluttering of the leaves on the branches.
Turning on her byakugan once more, she peered around. Who..?
"Grab her."
Hinata startled, jumped away before whoever behind made contact. In the dark, she could see two grown men in her room about to pounce on her. She could see the see her bathroom door open. They must have came in from the window from there. Stumbling she tried to reach for the kunai at her dresser, when one of them darted toward, stopping her. He grabbed both her arms tightly behind her.
"Where you think you're going, little girl?" He growled in her ear, his stink breath in her face. He squeezed her arms tighter.
Hinata clenched her teeth, refusing to let them enjoy seeing in her pain. Instead,she glared at them. "Who are you two? And what do you want from me?"She asked, bravely.
The other one gave her a sarcastic grin. "That's none of your concern. Our master just wants to have a chat with you, so be a good girl and try not to give us a hard time, eh?"
Their master wanted her? " I don't even know him. What does he want from me?" She asked, her trapped arms starting to hurt her.
"You may not know him," The man holding on to her spoke, "But i'm sure you know his brother, Takumo."He snarled.
"Tatsuya, shut the fuck up." The other man snapped, scolding him into silence.
It was too late, Hinata figured out what was going on. So this is what Takumo Ryo warned her about
before she knocked him out. They had finally found her. Even the two men were not her targets, she needed to get rid of them. They'll just make things more difficult for her. The last thing she wanted was to be delayed from completing her mission because she has her own enemies on her tail.
Sighing, Hinata calmed down.
The man holding her, saw her relax, her face now serious. "Don't even think about-"
Hinata tugged hard, twisting her palms just enough to make contact with one of his legs. She shut off the chakra points at one of his knee swiftly, causing him, to fall sideways from confusion. His grip on her relaxed slightly, just enough for her escape from his hold. Turning on her blue chakra around her fists, Hinata stood prepared for the other man's attack, who dashed toward her. The man pulled out a kunai, running wind chakra around its edges. Avoiding his jabs, Hinata moved around the room, sounds of her dresser and supplies crashing. She needed to finish this quickly without alerting anyone living with her at the inn.
Not knowing where to go, she jumped out the window, drawing her attackers outside, away from the innocent people.
She did not see the knowing grin the two men shared, before jumping out into the rain after her.
Landing on the wet grass, her pajamas already drenched, Hinata dashed into the forest. She could feel the twigs and rocks beneath her bare feet. After running a considerable distance into the forest, away from the village, she turned toward her attackers.
One of them halted, the other finally catching up as he limped, one of his legs disabled. She could see the man in the front say something to the man behind him before walking toward her.
"This is your last chance, girl. Come with us...or we don't have to resort to "other" measures." He raised one hand, watching her carefully.
"I'm not going anywhere with you."Hinata only said, uncaring. Pushing her wet hair back, she let them surround her. She only had to use her trigams and knock them both out in one move. They were nothing but thugs. Content with her plan, she let them draw near. As soon as they were an appropriate distance away, she activated her 64 trigams. The two men yelped out in surprise at her move, Hinata causing them to fly away five feet away. Hinata saw one of them fly toward a nearby tree, grimacing as she heard him slam into the tree trunk and crashing back down.
The sky flashed, thunder followed. Thinking that these lowly thugs might finally leave her alone, she started walking back toward her apartment. Her toes sank into the wet mud as she walked. Hoping she won't end up sick tomorrow morning, especially now that she was soaking wet after a taking shower, she hurried back.
Walking past the two men, she found one of them still conscious. It was the one who she disabled his leg.
Coughing, he pushed his back against the tree, trying to sit up. He stared at her with a deathly glare. "You, bitch. You're going back to Yoshi-sama whether you like it or not." He flamed. Hinata tensed,
seeing him pulling up his hands and started forming hand signs.
Before Hinata could react or think, she felt air rush around her. She felt the rain speed up, stinging her cheeks, the speed of the water increasing as it circled around her. Hinata stumbled, realizing that she was trapped, water rushing around her and forming a water barrier. Just as she was about to activate her own lightening jutsu, discovering that he was a water user and therefore inferior to her nature, the water formed a cover, trapping her. The water begin filling in rapidly, already reaching her chin until she was fully submerged.
Her vision blurry, Hinata began losing her breath.
Why did that old man make him do shit for him every time he ran into him? Sasuke thought, wryly. Who gives a shit if his stupid ass dog gets lost?
He removed the wet strands of hair that were flying into his face, peering around. The forest was silent, except for the sounds of the rain droplets and distant thunder. Sasuke had already checked this side of the forest, realizing that there was no dog in sight, he turned toward the opposite direction. After a long agonizing time have passed, Sasuke was about to give up when he realized that he wasn't too far from the Hyuuga's place.
Maybe he should go ask her to use her byakugan and find the damn dog.
Yeah, because she is soo eager to see him after today, right? He thought, angrily. Dismissing that idea,he was about to head back and tell the old man that his dog died or some shit, until he sensed chakra presence not too far where from he was. It was the girl's.
What was she doing outside?
No. There were others with her. Two.
Sasuke was about to leave, knowing her business is not his, but his curiosity got the better of him. Besides, there was no reason for her, at least to what he knows, for her to be out this late in the rain. The situation feeling fishy for some reason, Sasuke contemplated his next move. Ruffling his wet hair, he gave up and decided to see what was going on.
Drawing near, he located her chakra immediately. He walked up to a clearing, finding couple of fallen
trees. It looked like a fight was conducted out here...
Picking up his pace, he could see a couple of meters away something swirling in the middle of a clearing. A glob...of water?
Sasuke darkened. Feeling the girl's chakra inside, he dashed toward it. A couple of feet away, he spotted two men beside the glob. One who was unconscious and the other awake. Sasuke noticed that the man whose eyes were planted at the Hyuuga in his jutsu, did not notice him.
Swiftly, he drew his katana below his soaked cloak, running around the clearing. The man who activated the water jutsu did not sense Sasuke as he loomed behind him, silently.
Quickly and cleanly, Sasuke swept his katana across the man's neck. Blood gushed from the dislodged head, splattering against his cloak and face.
Emotionless, he walked toward the girl who landed onto the grass floor, the jutsu undone. He slid his katana back into its sheath. Sasuke bent and began applying what aid he knew from watching Sakura. Administering CPR, he pushed against the girl's chest, as he pumped air into her, his lips on her blue ones. It seemed almost hope was lost, Sasuke starting to panic, when she suddenly she began coughing harshly. Relieved, he leaned back. After her coughing fit, the girl sank back into the ground, passing out.
Bending, Sasuke slipped his hands beneath her, picking her up. He sheltered her in his arms, bringing her against his chest. Wordlessly, he headed back to his place.