Love at second sight.

A/N: -bows- sorry that it took so long!!! It was just, I was severely hesitating as to who I should use as the kidnapper of Hinata. I researched for a very long time, because I didn't think an OOC would be a good idea. Finally I have decided! –dramatic voice- Lol, just kidding. ) But I hope you think this is a fitting character… If not, I'll rewrite this chapter, and the following. But anyways, enjoy the chapter, and pleasepleaseplease review:3

Disclaimer: Don't own it!!!

Chapter fourteen.

"Are you scared?"

Another step.

Lips were moulded into an appalling sneer. Teeth sparkled in the faint evening light that was shining through the ragged curtains, sending shivers over her body.

Heavily breathing, Hinata tried to move away. Slowly putting a foot behind her other one, she inched away softly.

Once again a hand was outstretched, fingers closed themselves around her thin neck.

"Now now, don't leave yet…" The hand tightened its grasp, making it harder and harder to breathe.

Her heart was thumping so severely in her abused throat, that it almost felt as if it tried to force its way out of her. With her body numb from fear, Hinata found herself captivated in the dark eyes once again, barely noticeable in the darkness but still piercing. She couldn't tear herself away, no matter how much she wanted it.

This man…

…who was he?

What was he?

What did he want with her?

Why did he save her from another man's grasp, and subsequently kidnapped her, brought her to this ominous room? Although she didn't know this place, it held a sinister feeling, an obscure aura. It was almost as if Death itself lingered through the room, hanging around her and beckoning with a thin finger.

Suddenly her breathing stagnated.

While Hinata kept on staring into the eyes of the other, unable to look somewhere else, she realized it.

Those eyes….

…concealed Death.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Gaara glared at the person who was standing in the doorway, looking as calm as ever.

Damn.

What did they want now?

That family really didn't know when to stop barging in.

… Annoying.

But before he could even inform the Hyuuga about the dissatisfaction, the other spoke.

"Kazekage-sama… How are you feeling?" Speaking slowly, Neji took another step forwards.

It was clear to the redhead that the man was beating around the bush for some reason. Uncharacteristic.

"Cut the crap, Hyuuga… Where did you come for?"

Although Neji was a little taken aback by the other's sudden get-to-the-point-question, he didn't show it. Squinting his eyes slightly, he answered in the same demanding way.

"All right, I'll get to the point then…" He paused before speaking up again, now looking at Gaara in an almost accusing way.

"I don't know for what reason you are still in this hospital, but I am going to look for Hinata-sama right now. Join me, or stay here and wait like some sort of coward."

Gaara felt anger rising inside of him.

A… coward? The last person who had dared to accuse him of something he absolutely wasn't, hadn't made it till the end of the day.

Almost wanting to shut the white-eyed man up for once and for all, he still restrained himself while thinking deeply.

Those words weren't as foolish as one would think.

Why had he stayed here? The longer he sat here doing nothing, the more dangerous he got. Anger had almost consumed him entirely, gnawing at his normal stoic appearance. He felt his old longing for blood again, desperately trying to come out of its prison to tear the person who had taken her away into tiny pieces.

He wanted to kill the Uchiha, but he had still waited.

He longed for Hinata, to touch her again, but he had still waited.

He was ready to leave this place and to take after his prey, but he…

…had still waited.

Why?

He knew the answer himself, although he didn't want to acknowledge it in the slightest.

Sabaku no Gaara, the once-called monster, the murderer, the person who almost everyone was afraid for, was scared.

Scared that the only person who had truly loved him, didn't love him anymore.

It was strange, really.

But now that the Hyuuga was standing in front of him, in a certain way accusing him of being a coward, he suddenly realized it.

It didn't matter if Hinata loved him or not.

He still loved her, and you should protect the person who you cared for.

That was what he had learned over the years.

It was time to go.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Seething he stomped down the stairs, scaring a few bystanders out of their wits in the process.

Waltzing past Ikue, he ignored the strange look the old man was giving him and headed towards the exit.

Damn, he needed a drink or something.

Already putting his hand on the doorpost, he was suddenly stopped by a high-pitched voice.

"Mayumi-san! Mayumi-san! Pl-Please wait a minute!"

The Uchiha sighed very, very deeply.

'Please don't let it be that woman…'

He turned around slightly, glaring at whoever dared to stop him. A rather big-boned figure blocked his sight. He closed his eyes.

'All right, keep your composure…Keep your composure…'

With fast, raspy breaths, the woman stopped before him, panting as if she had run the marathon.

He almost wanted to snap at her that she should leave him alone for once, but before he could give the woman a piece of his mind, she spoke hastily.

"Mayumi-san… T-There is so-something you need t-to know…"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fearful pale eyes stared into perilous dark ones.

The hand had left her neck long ago, for she wouldn't escape. Not even when she wanted to. She had tried, though.

Yes, she had tried it many times.

But when she wanted to move a leg, extending a shivering hand, those death orbs had stopped her, silently threatening her with a horrible nightmare that would come to life.

Chapped lips quivered before parting. The question that had floated in her mind for a long time was finally asked, in an almost inaudible tone.

"Wh-Who are y-y-you?"

A chuckle was heard through the obscure darkness.

"You want to know who I am…?" Once again a hand was extended, caressing her cheek. She resisted the urge to move away from his dreadful touch as she tried to look him in the eye without a single trace of fear. Needless to say that it faltered as soon as he looked back at her with that predacious gleam.

The rough fingers rested on her cheek. "Are you sure you want to find out, Hinata-chan?"

Emphasizing the last word very slow and clear, he made it known to the frightened girl in front of him that he exactly knew who she was, mocking her with the suffix.

But even with this knowledge, Hinata still nodded. Although it was dark, she knew for a fact that the …man, if he even was a human being, in front of her saw it.

Another chuckle.

"I will tell you…. If you tell me when your boyfriend and husband will arrive."

Hinata gasped in utter horror. What more did this man know? Scratch that, what did he not know?

In her shock she didn't realize that the other leaned in, warm breath tickling her ear. "More specifically…. When Uchiha Sasuke will arrive…"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Kazekage-sama? Kazekage-sama?"

When there was no reaction, the nurse sighed tiredly. That man really was impossible. She didn't know how her colleagues had made it without pulling out their hair or asking for an early retirement. But it was long past visiting hours, so she had to let him and his visitor know that the latter would have to leave now. What was it with those white-eyed people anyway? They always came late in the evening, barging in like they had every right to.

Getting impatient, the nurse turned the doorknob. For now she didn't care about being impolite, she had enough. Opening the door, she came to meet with an empty room.

Gasping, the nurse waltzed through the entire space, looking for a sign that the Kazekage hadn't just disappeared in thin air.

After looking under the bed, into the kitchen, and even taking a peek into the bathroom, she really didn't know anymore if she should be happy that the man had left, or that she should be screaming in despair.

After she noticed the open window, she decided it would be the latter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sasuke stared at the woman in front of him, a glance of disbelief in his eyes.

"I don't think I heard that clearly…"

Yuriko took a deep breath, before repeating herself. "There has been found a body in an alley, Mayumi-san… It has been told that he assaulted a young woman before another person came, killed him, and took the girl." She shivered a bit, as if she had seen it with her own eyes, before continuing. "Mayumi-san, the description they gave of the girl, resembles your… wife…"

The Uchiha had regained his composure. With a look that didn't gave his concern away, he spoke up. "Do you know what the person who took her away looked like?"

Yuriko nodded slowly, as if she doubted the information was truthfully. "Yes… It was said that he… had eyes that contained Hell itself."

The Uchiha slightly sneered. Yeah right. As if… Well, he was too old for fairy-tales like that.

He glanced back at the woman in front of him. "Would you be so kind to take me to the place it happened?"

She nodded again. "I'll go and get Ikue-san… He knows the place better than I do. Please wait here, Mayumi-san." Getting back into her role as friendly hostess, Yuriko hastily walked away to find her husband.

Sasuke waited seemingly calm for the older man. He had learned many years ago that you should stay calm, no matter what the situation was. But no matter how much he tried, inwardly his emotions almost took the best of him, anger boiling within, concern eating his stoic ness away, guilt cutting right through his very soul.

Hinata…

If it had been her, he was… wrong in his assumptions.

Goddamn it.

He was capable to kill himself right then and there. His beloved flower had been taken away…

…once again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

She just stared at the wall in front of her, not able to move a single muscle.

'Sasuke…'

What did this guy want with him? How did he know him?

She shuddered as his breath tickled her ear once again.

"You want to know… Hinata?" She could hear his demented grin.

"Since you're so eager to know… I'll tell you."

He pulled back and looked at her, black colliding with opal once again.

"I am Gen'yumaru… arisen from Hell itself."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

End of chapter fourteen

A/N: Well, that was it. Hope you liked it. Personally I think it kinda sucked, but... well, it's like I can't write it otherwise. What do you think of Gen'yumaru as the kidnapper? For those who do not know who it is, his body is currently owned by Orochimaru. I won't tell too much, otherwise I would spoil the following chapters:) At first I thought of Itachi, but that wouldn't be very original. And Sai didn't seem like the fitting character. So I hope this is OK with you all! Please review! –pleading look-