Switched Situations
Author Note: Here I am again updating and stuff! Thank you all for the FAB reviews.
Chapter 12 – It's complicated
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Tsunade assigned them a mission. It was an easy assassination job and they finished it a day early. Naruto looked up at the peach colored sky that was quickly turning dark blue. Over the years, Naruto had started to notice things… he was proud of himself for it too.
So it wasn't hard to see something was going on with his teammates. Hinata was being submissive to everything Sasuke said and he… well, was more closed off than before. Sasuke was aggravated and very edgy. He snapped on them for no reason. If they didn't land on the branch the right way he was ready to cut limbs off.
"Are we setting up camp?" Naruto asked. Many people thought that Naruto hated the fact that Sasuke was captain, that wasn't true at all. Naruto was too playful to be a good captain and Sasuke needed to learn teamwork. Besides none of the other ANBU wanted to be partnered up with a deranged, ex-rouge traitor but 'fearless' Ino took the job.
Sasuke was looking ahead in the forest as night covered them. "Are they any nearby robbers?" He was asking Hinata but refused to look at her like he had the whole mission. She almost jumped out of her skin hearing it directed at her. "You should be careful this time." He snapped.
Her veins budged out of the sides of her eyes. She scanned the village and stuck with a: "Nun-un," She grunted out not wanting to talk to him. Hinata regretted telling him to let his emotions show. She didn't realize how emotional he was.
But right now all she could feel was anger and boy, did he show it well. She wanted to ask him why he was so angry but he was in his own world. He looked up in the sky. "We camp out." And that was it.
Naruto and Hinata shared a look before shrugging. They could make it back to Konoha by sunrise but nobody really wanted to upset the grumpy Uchiha anymore.
After they set up camp, Hinata stood. "I'll take first watch."
"No," Sasuke stuffed his hands in his pocket. "I will."
She watched him half glowing in the light of the fire. Normally, she would have fought him on the matter solely because with first watch, after her shift she could sleep without interruptions . She gave a curt nod before going inside the tent.
Naruto walked up to his friend. "Sasuke, what's your problem?"
Onyx eyes glanced over at the fire. "Nothing."
Naruto frowned but chose not to carry out the conversation anymore. "Whatever." He went into his separate tent, snoring almost instantly came out. Sasuke rested his elbows on his knees looking into the deep forest. He didn't want to think about anything but the mission.
He knew nobody was lurking in the forest and that they could have made it back home but he… he wanted to be around her even if they weren't speaking. He rubbed his forehead. This was the fucking golden rod's fault not his because before he didn't give her a second glance and now he had to fight himself to take his eyes off of her.
Before he knew it his shift was over and his thoughts were completely tainted with thoughts of the navy haired girl. He stood about to go to Naruto's tent before pausing. He held his chest and closed his eyes. Her heartbeat was out of control…again. He turned and quickly opened her tent.
She was thrashing in her sleep. "N-No…" She sobbed. He stood there with her heartbeat pounding against his ears. "Please…" She curled in a ball.
He walked over. "Hyuuga," She didn't respond. He sighed and crouched down. "Hinata!" Her body stiffened. "Wake up, now." He shook her. She jolted panting heavily. Lilac eyes landed on onyx ones then she covered her mouth. He frowned at her reaction. "Calm down."
She did the exactly opposite, Sasuke then realized she was having a panic attack. Truth be told, Sasuke had no idea what to do in this kind of situation with a sobbing girl other than to let her cry it out. Her chest was heaving quickly and breath was short. Her eyes were wide as tears flowed down. He grabbed her face. "Calm down!"
He read somewhere the best way to ease a panic attack was to hold your breath. "Hinata, hold your breath."
She shook her head. He winced at the irregular thumping in his head. He pulled her into a hug but it only seemed to worsen not to mention she was pushing him away. He took a deep breath and kissed her. She made a weird noise and gripped his shoulders trying to push him away.
He kept his spot. The panting went to huffing and finally evened out into breathing. He rested his forehead on hers. She moved her head away. Did she say thank you or… "G-go…away…" She managed to get out.
He saved her from hyperventilating and she was kicking him out! Okay, so he was being a douche but… "No." He frowned before crossing his legs. Her face was sprayed over her face, slightly sticking from sweat. Her face glowed from the moon light that peeped in through the crack that Sasuke left when he came in. Her sleeping bag was completely open revealing her shorts and plain t-shirt.
He saw the fading marks of the bruises he left on her porcelain skin. "Go!" She hissed. She pulled her bare legs to her chest. "J-Just leave."
He ran a hand through his hair. "I said no."
She looked over at him like he was the crazy one. "Why?" He shrugged. She frowned and pushing him…feebly. "Just go!" She tried pushing him again but he didn't move an inch. "Sasuke!"
"What?" He said monotonous as if she was pushing him.
Her eyes widened. "Leave me alone."
"No."
She pushed him harder but he wasn't fazed. "I… just go away." She swallowed a sob. "I d-don't want you here." He watched her move out of her sitting position and on her knees trying to push him out.
"I'm not leaving, you are just going to have to drag me out." He responded calmly. She growled and pulled her arms back and pushed him with all her remaining force. This time he fell on purpose and with the force she added she fell on his chest.
She groaned. "Sasuke…" She looked down to see her foot tangled in the sleeping bag. "Why? Why don't you just go?"
"I can't."
She frowned. "Why?"
He huffed. "You're on me."
She tried sitting up only to be straddling him in the process. She moved back to unwrap her leg. "There," She muttered. He tried sitting up with her in his lap. "Sas-" He grabbed her hips.
"Shut up." He hissed.
She grabbed his shoulders trying to move off. "Let me go…"
"I can't." He said once more.
She looked down on him trying to ignore the very obvious hardened limb pressed against her. She blushed before shaking her head. "W-Why?"
His hands moved down her hips. "I don't want to."
"I want you to." She whispered.
He smirked leaning up. "Really? I don't believe you." His voice came out a lot huskier than she remembered. His fingers ran through her hair. "Prove it."
She watched him bit his lip. "I…" The grip on his shoulders loosened. "We-" He moved her so she was evenly sitting on his lap. She put her head in the crook of his shoulder. "I'm tired." She whispered. "And Naruto…"
"What about him?"
She pulled back. "He would hear us."
The Uchiha smirked. "And what would we be doing?"
She blushed. "I…" She pulled away. "Could you just go?" She ran her hands from his hair to his neck down back to his shoulders. He sighed and laid down. She looked down at him. "What are you doing?"
"I took first watch so I'm tired." He closed his eyes.
"Sasuke," She shook him. "Sasuke!"
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Naruto tossed in his tent. "Rameeeen…" He sat up. He rubbed his eyes. "I slept a long time…" He crawled to the zipper of the tent. He peeped out and the fire was low and untreated. "What?" He yawned. Nobody bothered to tell him it was his turn how was he supposed to know? He went to Sasuke's tent to give him a piece of his mind.
He unzipped it and it was empty. He looked around. "I bet having super eyes would be useful right now." He sighed. "Hina-chan is probably waiting too," He shrugged. "Maybe he had to pee." He walked to her tent and unzipped it.
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The walk home was a very awkward one. Hinata kept her head down, Naruto couldn't look at either without blushing and Sasuke… well, that jackass had a smirk on his face. Hinata kept trying to tell Naruto that nothing happened but he would just blush and mutter something before walking away.
To his defense, if anyone had walked in on two people who were straddling each other and one was yelling the others name… well that third person had the right to think whatever they wanted. The blond stuck to walking in the front away from the two.
Hinata sighed. She really hoped that Naruto didn't slip up and say anything to Sakura… hopefully she didn't already know. The girl almost jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked over into ebony eyes.
He gave a smirk. "He acts like we were actually doing something."
She just nodded at him and looked back down. If Sasuke knew exactly what happened between the two maybe he would understand why Naruto was acting the way he was. She sighed and kept walking.
Once they got home everyone went their separate ways with Sasuke taking Tsunade the report. Naruto looked at Hinata before walking off. "Naruto!" She called.
He paused. "Huh?"
She gave a weak smile. "Hey…"
He nodded. "Hey…"
"Naruto, nothing happened really."
He stuffed a hand in his pockets. "Why do you keep trying to explain yourself to me, Hinata?" Her eyes widened at the tone of his voice, it was soft but firm but mostly…hurt? "You don't owe me any explanation."
"I know but-"
He patted her shoulder. "You don't have to check in with me if you have another interest."
"I'm not interested in Sasuke!" She defended herself… again.
He chuckled before rubbing his neck. "But you're not interested in me either." It wasn't a question. He was telling her. They both knew it. "I know… I know I was your first…" He rubbed his face. "Your first love and that's okay, I think but it's totally fine if you moved on to Sasuke or anyone."
"Naruto, I…" She kicked a random rock. "Will it always be this awkward between us?"
He smiled. "I don't know, I hope not… we just have to accept that it did happen."
She nodded looked passed him. "I think I could try to accept it."
He put his hands behind his head. "I mean just don't ever openly compare me and that teme out loud… to anyone… ever."
She blushed. "I won't!"
He nodded and looked around her seeing the empty streets of Konoha. "I should walk you home, it's still pretty early –late… you know?"
"I'm an ANBU I'm sure I'll make it home okay."
He scoffed. "You're never too strong to be walked home." She nodded as they started their walk home. It was quiet but not awkward. They finally made it to Hinata's place. She went to the door but Naruto grabbed her wrist. "Hey Hinata…"
She looked back with a smile. "Yeah?"
He let go slowly. "I think it would be a lot safer if we never tell Sasuke…or Sakura."
"Goodness yes!" She nodded quickly.
He let out a sigh of relief. "They would kill us!"
She laughed. "They would!"
He looked both ways. "I should go now." She blinked as he stepped up to her.
"Na-" He hugged her. She smiled and hugged him back. "See you later?"
He nodded. "Totally, we're on the same team!" He ran down the steps before waving then disappeared. She walked inside and closed the door. One door had officially been closed and she just wanted to stay inside… no more doors, no more boys.
No more! She was tired of thinking about HIM and so she was going to bed.
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She woke up the next morning feeling good. She went into the kitchen and made a list of everything she needed for the place. She put her hands on her lips. "I should do some cleaning." It wasn't a mess but between missions and training things were getting a bit dusty. She went in the back room and put on some causal clothes.
A plain t-shirt and black pants, she tied her headband around her finally clear neck and slipped on her shoes. Today was strictly for cleaning not talking to anyone for too long. Maybe afterwards she would train with Kiba and Shino.
Not Sasuke.
Matter of fact, she didn't know how she was going to deal with this Sasuke thing but she needed to find out. She couldn't spend her life forever tied to this man. She didn't want to become sick whenever he wasn't nearby or have an animalistic need to 'be in the same bed' as him.
She groaned inwardly as she made her way down the street. What if the man she was supposed to be with was out there somewhere wanting for her to walk by? He would be standing outside of her favorite coffee shop trying to drink the hot liquid without burning his lip. She would laugh at him and he'll notice and say something to her and BOOM they'll fall in love.
Speaking of coffee, she could use a cup of it. She paused seeing Sasuke standing outside cursing. "Too sweet!" He growled. Hinata smirked at him. "I thought I said all bl-"
"Talking to yourself?" She giggled.
He looked up and huffed. "I asked for black coffee," He started. "Tell me, what is this?" He shoved the cup in her hands. She opened the lid revealing a soft brown color liquid with the hint of cinnamon.
"It's my usual order." She giggled.
He frowned more. "I should set this place on fire for its poor service." He raised his hands. She grabbed the moving limbs.
"No! I love their coffee," She sighed. "I'll buy yours and I'll just take this one."
He shrugged. "Fine."
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After getting coffee Hinata smiled at the satisfied Uchiha. She sighed. "I'll be going."
He didn't pay her any mind instead he was indulging in the scent of his beverage. She shrugged and walked away. She was on her own mission was going to stick to it. She glanced back to see if he was following but he still drinking his beverage.
She looked forward continuing her little mission.
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"Are you sure?" She wrung her hands. "I mean… there's has to be some way to… reverse it."
"I've told you," The blonde read over a scroll. "Maybe you should accept your new life."
"What if we get seriously hurt or die?"
She looked up. "You die of heartbreak." She rubbed her forehead. "Instead of fighting the connection just accept it. The more you reject your body the worst it's going to get."
She ran a hand through her hair. "But I…"
The older woman leaned up. "In the many years I've been here and I've noticed that you were the only girl that didn't kiss at the man's feet. Now, you have him where every woman wants him and you don't even want it."
Hinata shook her head. "I don't wa-"
"You know," Tsunade smiled. "Just because a deer looks in the mirror repeating it's a fish won't make it one."
"What are you trying to say?" She mumbled.
"You'll figure it out. Now go away I have important shit to do." She pointed at the stack of scrolls on her desk. Hinata inwardly sighed before obeying her. There was no point since when did Tsunade go from being the Hokage to some kind of riddler? Hinata opened the door and froze in her spot.
Sasuke was leaning against the wall with his head down and right leg over the left. In one hand was the report that was due yesterday and the other down was holding his forehead. She watched his raised his head to look at her. His tomoes revolved slowly. "Is it that bad?"
She took a subconscious step back. "W-What are you talking about?"
He closed his eyes while pushing his bangs out of his face. His eyes were back to those unforgiving onyx ones. "Nothing," He walked pass her.
"Sasuke!" He ignored her walking into Tsunade's office. She bit her lip before storming out. How dare he!? How dare he look at way and…and feel… it was like her heart was being pulled down. She frowned and started running. How? How! How? She gritted her teeth moving faster almost flying down the hallways and into the streets.
He was being difficult! He acted as if he wanted to be stuck this way.
Oh yeah, so he could keep her on a tight lease. She sped up leaving nothing but blurs of color in her vision. She jumped up on the roves continuing her inner rant. He had no right to her and she wasn't property for anyone. She didn't belong to him.
In the fact he belonged to her, something she didn't want. He was just THERE! She stopped in the training grounds. "I hate him!" She punched a hole right through the closest tree. She pulled her bruised fist out. She brought the trembling limb to her mouth. "I…" She slid down the tree and brought her knees to her chest.
"You're must be angry?" She looked up seeing spinning tomoes. Did he even realize that he had it on? They traveled to her bloodied fist. "What did the tree do?"
She brought her head back to her knees. Why could he just leave? She heard footsteps and wanted to shrink underground away from him. Honestly, she had no idea why he was so repulsive in her eyes. She just… "I want you to go a-away."
She winced feeling her bruised hand being moved. She looked up seeing him sit in front of her. He pulled some bandages out of his pouch. "As a Hyuuga I am sure you'll want to wrap this up," He didn't bother looking at her. "Since hands are important your life." He continued to wrapping.
She glanced up at him. "W-why are you being nice?"
He scoffed. "This is being nice?"
She looked away into the forest. "I can do it myself."
"Aa." He tied it into a small knot.
"You don't owe me anything."
He caught her eyes. "I know, you owe me." He sighed. "I won't hold it over your head."
Her face soured. As if he could? "Were you following me?"
"Yes." He admitted. "As you know, it just happens."
She felt tears in her eyes. "This doesn't bother you?"
He blinked. "Sitting in dirt? Yes it does."
She frowned running her good hand through her tangled hair. "I mean being," She motioned her hand back and forth. "Being…connected."
He smirked. "No," He stood up. "I've accepted it in more ways than one." Before she had the chance to pull herself up he had did it for her.
"How can you accept it? What if you want to be with someone else?"
He sighed. "I don't. I'm not the most social person, Hinata." She mentally flinched at her name. It was true. If he didn't have to speak then he wouldn't.
"What if I want to be with someone?"
He shrugged. "Tough shit," He reached over to untangle her hair. "You're stuck with me." He stepped up to her. She pressed her back to the broken tree. He rested his forehead on hers. "And I'm okay with that."
"You're…" She whispered feeling him move closer.
He stepped away. "You should stop punching trees." With that he disappeared leaving her standing alone in the forest. She took a deep breath thinking over what just happened. She wasn't REALLY slow and she could put things together.
"…does he…" She touched her throat feeling sudden dryness. "He wants to be with me…" She whispered. And then she had the sudden urge to punch another tree.
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Author Note: Finished! This story has a few more chapters because frankly… I am itching to upload a new story! Sneak Peek, the title is called The Aphrodite Curse… I am trying to stick out finishing up this and Playing For Keeps.
Oh, P.S. …I am officially putting 'Lost Voices and Silent Cries' on hiatus. I'll finish it when the actually point of the story comes back to me. Anyway, too-taa-loo!
