I DO NOT OWN NARUTO
Hinata waited for a week after Sakura has sent her letter, before carefully preparing a bento box with all of the special foods that Itachi remembered as Sasuke's favorites. Since their unspoken declaration of love, the two had grown closer. There was less tension between them, and they spend most of their time together talking and getting to know one another. They found that they shared many similar beliefs and values. They even enjoyed the same books and music. Certain subjects were avoided, such as politics, and anything to do with the Uchiha clan. Itachi gave her several training tips, and explained some of the mistakes she was making while performing one of the jutsu she was attempting to master for the exam. He even promised to help her train when he was healed and released. She felt both humbled and excited that someone of his caliber was willing to train her.
Tsunade had come to discuss the terms of his reentry into Kohona society. At first, he had not wanted to continue as a shin obi, but she asked him to wait until the Atkatski was defeated before he retired. He had agreed reluctantly after pointing out to her that he had transferred over half his more advanced techniques to Sasuke in their last fight. Tsunade insisted that since he had mastered the them once, he should be able to do so again with little difficulty. Though it irritated him, he felt that he could not in good conscious leave the village without the protection of what was left of a loyal Uchiha clan. It would have been a different matter if Sasuke had not landed himself in jail, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. After she left his room, satisfied to have gotten his agreement, Hinata entered and told him what was going on in his little brother's love life. He advised her to wait a few days before visiting, as he knew that Sasuke would not accept any visitors until he had time to brood a little.
They discussed the best approach to take, knowing that he would be both emotionally distant (aka rude as hell), and on the look out for any sign that he was being pitied. It was decided that Hinata would start visiting everyday before her shift with a bento box of his favorites, and if he asked why she was doing it, she would tell him that Itachi had asked her to. They were both sure that he would reject any gestures of friendship or sympathy. And so, Hinata found herself on the way to the jail to visit her love's brother.
The guards were surprised to see her at first, and then reluctant to allow her access to Sasuke. It took her assuming the cold demeanor and authority of the Hyuuga heiress, before they finally escorted her back to his cell. She entered and was appalled to find his laying on his stomach in the bed, his back a mass of infected wounds. Hinata whipped around to face the guards, and they were shocked by the rage that appeared on the gentle woman's face.
"Who is responsible for this?" She asked frigidly.
"Ibiki-san is in charge of the Uchiha's stay here." One of the guards told her reluctantly.
"You may inform him that I will be reporting the unacceptable treatment of the prisoner to the Hokage personally. I understand that prison is not supposed to be a pleasant place, but to leave a fellow human being in this shape is a violation of the law regarding the proper treatment of inmates." She told them in a voice dripping with anger and disgust.
"I will require clean bandages and several bowls of boiled water. I suggest that you cooperate or Ibiki's name will not be the only one mentioned in my complaint." She threatened. The guards left quickly to do her bidding. While Ibiki scared them, a furious Tsunade was scarier. Hinata turned back to Sasuke, and was surprised to see a small grin on his face.
"You are fierce when you go into protective mode, Princess." He told her weakly. Hinata blushed, and walked back over to his bedside, leaning down to inspect his wounds more closely.
"I don't care who you killed- you are a fellow human being and not an animal. They should show some basic human compassion." She huffed, slightly miffed as she felt that he was making fun of her. The grin left his face, and his onyx eyes took on a hard gleam.
"Most of the world is not as compassionate as you are, Princess." He told her quietly. The guards reentered the room with the items she requested and bowed their way out of the cell, locking it behind them. Hinata reached into her knapsack of supplies, glad that she had thought to bring it along, though she had not been expecting this amount of abuse. She emptied her homemade blend of herbal antiseptic into the bowl, and began to carefully clean out the wounds. Sasuke tensed up beneath her hands, but held still for her. She knew that she was hurting him; his forehead was breaking out with sweat and a fine trembling had set up in his muscles, but he did not make a noise.
"I'm almost done cleaning them. I have some ointment that will soothe the pain, plus I will do a healing session before I go." She told him softly.
"Why are you here?" He asked her suddenly in a hard voice.
"Itachi sent me. He hasn't been released from the hospital yet, and he asked me to come check on you as a favor to him. It's a good thing I did." She said angrily.
"I don't believe I feel comfortable with the fact that you keep rescuing me." Sasuke said as he gritted his teeth against the pain. Though he tried to project a bit of humor into his voice, he was truly upset that she was the one to see him in his most vulnerable state repeatedly. For some strange reason, he wanted her to see him a strong person. It hurt his pride to have to be rescued over and over by the weakest member of the Rookie Nine. Not exactly weak really, I think that she has proven that to me. Her body may not be that strong, but she has an inner strength that is incredible. Uneasy with the feelings of admiration that were rising up for the young woman, he decided to force her to show a weakness.
"So- how is your relationship with my brother going? Have you kissed yet?" He asked her slyly. Hinata fumbled the cleaning rag and gave a squeak of embarrassment. Sasuke turned his head to see that she had turned a deep red. He chuckled and then regretted it immediately when she brought the cloth down on his back almost a slap. He moaned in pain, and Hinata apologized profusely. She was ashamed that his teasing had made her lose her temper enough to hurt him without thinking about it. After several minutes of listening to her, Sasuke interrupted.
"It's alright Princess. I forgive you, just be more gentle." He said impatiently.
"Hai." She said, blinking back tears. She quickly finished cleaning his wounds, including the ones on his ribcage, and applied the ointment to them. She followed this with bandages, and lastly, ran chakra filled hands over his torso. Hinata felt a deep sense of satisfaction when his stiff expression evened out, and she knew that his pain had eased. She helped him sit up on the bunk and then retrieved the forgot bento from her knapsack. He looked at her impassively, making no move to take the food.
"Isn't this overkill? I don't want your pity, Princess." He told her coldly.
"Since when does food equal pity?" She asked him with a small smirk on her face. They starred into each other's eyes, both challenging the other to look away first. Just as Hinata was about to lose, Sasuke let out an a sigh of exasperation and snatched the bento box out of her hands. He opened it up and was astonished to see all off his favorites. She smiled smugly as he dug into the food.
"Thanks, Princess. Room service here sucks." he told her between bites. She giggled, and he looked up, momentarily stunned by the beautiful sound. Shaking it off, he went back to eating. I wonder if she cooked this herself-it is delicious. If she did, I am definitely inviting myself over to eat with them after they are married and I am out of this hell hole.
"Hey Princess-did you cook this?" He asked.
"Yes. Why? Doesn't it taste good? Itachi said that they were all your favorites…" She said worriedly. He smirked to himself, and decided to tease her a little more.
"My future sister-in-law is an excellent cook. I'll have to make sure that my brother issues a standing invitation to supper." He told her with a straight face.
"SASUKE!" She screeched as her face turned beet-red.
"What, Princess?" He asked innocently, as he enjoyed her embarrassment. It was cute how she blushed so easily. It made him want to embarrass her more often. He watched as she attempted to calm herself down. He smirked at her, and then had to work hard not to laugh at her look of indignation. Several minutes passed and neither spoke. Hinata out of annoyance, and Sasuke because he was savoring her truly superior cooking. Hinata cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Why do you keep calling me princess?" She asked him curiously.
"Because you remind me of one of those fairytales. You are beautiful, kind, a bit naïve, and too good to be true." He told her matter of factly, before taking the last bit. Hinata sat there in a state of shock. She didn't know how to respond. He didn't sound like he was flirting, just like he was stating facts. Is that how he really sees me? She frowned down at her lap, unsettled by flutter in her stomach his words had caused. Hinata jumped as the empty box was shoved into her hands. She rose to her feet quickly and placed it back into her knapsack.
"I'll be back tomorrow, same time." She told him as turned to leave.
"Wait- how is he doing?" Sasuke asked her.
"He is almost healed, another week or so in the hospital, and I think that he will be released." She told him happily.
"Will you ask him to come see me? There are things we need to talk about." He inquired thoughtfully. Hinata nodded and then knocked on the cell door. A few seconds later, it opened and she slipped through with a quick backwards wave.