Read and Review please! Arigato!
-PA
Itachi Uchiha was afraid.
It had been days since Hinata's capture and they had no leads.
He sat under a tree and watched the light from the fire dance with the shadows it created. He sighed and looked at all the sleeping shinobi, glad he took watch.
He looked down at the bracelet that dangled off his wrist. The fire glinted off of the little stone crow. He clutched it in his hand and took in a deep breath.
'Please be safe... Kami, please be safe...' he thought.
"Brother?"
Itachi slowly looked up at the now awake Sasuke. The elder Uchiha simple stared at him. "You need to get some sleep, Sasuke." he stated.
Sasuke gazed down at the dirt. "Brother, I'm sorry... It's my fault Hinata was taken. I didn't protect her well enough."
Itachi looked back to the little bird on the bracelet. "Get some sleep." he said again.
The younger Uchiha sighed and laid back down in his spot next to Naruto and Neji.
Itachi leaned his head back against the tree, taking in deep breaths in attempt to calming his twisted chest.
'Please be safe...'
Hinata had stopped struggling against the clay and was now laying on it's back, feeling the warm air rush over her. Her eyes were sore and her ears ached. She sat up and watched the oncoming sunrise. A tickling on her hand caused her to look down.
A tiny clay spider was gently nudging her finger and looked up at her, a rolled up piece of paper in its mouth. She took the paper from the spider and unrolled it, her eyes setting on the beautiful handwriting.
Hinata,
I am sending you to a small village outside Amegakure. Inside of the bird you are on I have packed you a small pack that will sustain you until I am able to find you. There is enough money for you to stay in the village for three nights. Stay there. Be safe.
See you soon.
Deidara
Hinata almost fainted with relief.
He was alive!
But how was that possible?
What did it matter! He was alive!
The tiny spider crawled up her arm and snuggled in her hair, causing her to giggle.
She laid back down and pulled her hood up, keeping aware of the little spider, and closed her eyes.
She fell into the first restful sleep she had in days.
'Please be safe...'
Those three words caused Hinata to quickly sit up.
'Who was that?' she asked herself. 'It sounded so familiar... That voice...'
Her heart began to beat faster and her cheeks began to turn pink. She felt a light pressure on her lips, as if the wind was kissing her. She was suddenly staring into the eyes of the man from her dreams. His long black hair framed his face just perfectly, and his eyes were breathtaking.
'Who... Who are you?'
'Itachi.'
And then he was gone.
"Was that... A memory?"
Itachi snapped up from his rest.
He'd been dreaming of Hinata, of course. But this one was different.
He looked up to the sky, not sure what he was looking for.
'She's here.'
He kept watching the sky, his eyes straining for no reason.
'She has to be here! I feel her!'
Tears of frustration clouded his vision and he clutched his fists at his sides. He heard Akamaru begin to bark, looking up at the sky as well.
'I knew it!'
Akamaru hopped up from the ground and began barking louder at the sky. This aroused everyone else from their sleep.
Itachi saw a large birdlike figure cross the opening in the trees. He quirked an eyebrow.
"That would only belong to-"
"Hinata! Hinata is up there!" Kiba shouted, obviously just woken up because of his slightly slurred speech.
Itachi took off running as fast as he could. He could NOT lose sight of that bird! Hinata had to be up there!
But why was she on one of Deidara's birds?
That didn't matter now. Itachi willed his feet to travel faster, tripping over branches and roots, but still watching the flying object.
'I'm coming, Hinata! Stay there!'
Hinata gently slid off of the bird, letting her legs get used to the solid ground again. The bird poofed into a cloud of smoke, leaving nothing but a smaller version of itself and the little pack that Deidara had mentioned. The clay bird hopped into Hinata's hand and nestled on her shoulder with the tiny spider.
She giggled at the two and picked up her pack, slowly making her way into the small village.
Hinata cheerfully waved at each person that passed, trying her best to look like she knew where she was going.
She gently clutched Deidara's note in her hand, desperately looking around for an inn. The tiny clay bird flapped its wings and flew out in front of her, signaling for her to follow.
"H-Hey! Wait!" she called, following the small clay figure.
Itachi stopped at the small gates of a village. He knew the other shinobi were following him, but he just had to see her first! He knew the bird landed here somewhere!
He hunched over and placed his hands on his knees, catching his breath. He felt his heart beating in his head and smiled.
He was almost there.
He straightened himself up and blew his hair from his face. He saw an elderly woman and hurried over to her.
"Excuse me, ma'am, but have you seen a young girl with long dark hair?"
The old woman placed a finger to her lips. "Well, I do recall seeing a girl with long hair and strange eyes." she said.
"Strange as in how?"
"Well, she had eyes that made her look as if she was blind. They were almost as white as snow." the old lady said and smiled.
Itachi smiled in return. "Would you happen to tell me which way she went?" he asked, desperation in his voice.
The lady pointed north, telling Itachi she headed for the center of the little village. He thanked her and headed off in that direction.
Itachi could feel his heart beating louder and louder.
He was getting closer.
He could feel it.
He stopped in the center of town and looked around, searching for her everywhere.
Then he saw her.
She was standing in front of an inn, talking to the owner.
His feet began to move independently, taking him to her. He felt nervous and excited at the same time.
"Hina..." he whispered. His feet gained speed and his arm reached out to her. "Hinata..."
She began to walk inside. He felt the anxiety grow stronger.
Just before the door closed, he caught her sleeve and pulled her to him, embracing her with the intent to never let go.
At first the girl was shocked, but when she regained her senses, she quickly pulled away from him. Her pale opal eyes were wide with confusion and her cheeks were red with embarrassment.
Her first words almost broke Itachi's heart right in two.
"W-Who are you?"
Yay! Another chapter!
-PA