Chapter 14

Going Places

Well, at least this update wasn't as slow as last time! Sorry, but I can only update on the weekends. It's really hard during the week! I get very busy! Anyway, I want to ask you guys to please review! I actually did the math to find out, on average, how many reviews I get per chapter! I currently have 52 reviews with 13 chapters. That's an average of only FOUR reviews per chapter!!! Come on guys! You can't see it, but I'm on my knees, begging! And to those of you who DO review thank you for your support!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto!!!!!!

Preamble: Remember…it is still only the second day after Hinata's kidnapping!

-TenTen's Recap-

It wasn't long that TenTen realized that it wasn't the world, falling…it was her. She couldn't stand…all of a sudden her legs felt like they were paralyzed—standing was impossible right now. This was not her. TenTen's body collapsed to the floor, but not before she could think that being carried—by anyone—didn't seem like such a silly idea.

Not to her anyway.

-End TenTen's Recap-

TenTen was dreaming and she was aware of it. But it was one of those dreams where you didn't want to wake up. It seemed like everything was perfect, nothing out of place. It was TenTen's place of peace and serenity, where nothing could go wrong.

TenTen was as at Konoha beach, the clouds loomed overhead threatening to drop it's precipitation at the snap of your fingers, but TenTen didn't care. It was the kind of weather that made all of the kids, sun-tanners, and water-skiers stay home. But TenTen was a surfer. A hardcore, wave-rider who seemed to find bliss when she was at the peak of an up roaring surface wave. As a child, TenTen always questioned water. It was an interesting topic. How water could be so delicate, yet powerful was amazing. Water was as powerful as fire and when TenTen surfed on top of it, she felt like she could control the hydrogen in any which way she pleased.

TenTen grabbed her ruby-red and green surf board, and headed out to the sea. She lay, on her belly, atop of the board, paddling with her hands. Her surfboard was her life, the most important thing she owned. The board never let her down; she never let the board down. The relationship was beyond description.

Then, she saw it—a cerulean monster rising from the see, its mouth open, ready to swallow TenTen whole. It swooshed and splashed and roared as if it were looking for something. TenTen steadily readied herself in a standing position and began to sleigh the intruder. Riding atop his head, and through the tube, letting her hair get loose and wet. Her face was damp, but not because of the water. The defeating of the water dragon was doing a number on TenTen. But, nevertheless, she kept fighting until the demon slithered back into his cave. It wasn't the end though.

The battle was won, but the war was yet to be claimed.

TenTen awoke with a smile abroad her face as well as the sunlight through the crevices of the curtains. She stretched and rubbed her eyes—the previous events seemed to not matter. The only thing she remembered was the surfboard in her dream. Oh, how real it had looked! It felt like TenTen still had it in her arms. With its red and green features, and the Kunai symbol on the front, it was truly an art to treasure. Around the edges, the paint was chipped, but that was why it was special. It had been put to good use. Kunai blood had been spilt on it…TenTen's dear family.

"You seem to have slept well." Said a majestic voice from the doorway. TenTen quickly turned her head to find Luis (Neji) leaning against the door frame, with his arms crossed in front of him. He wore a white T-shirt and dark jeans with black and white Nikes. His hair was pulled back in his usual loose ponytail, and Luis' eyes were as mesmerizing as ever. Immediately, TenTen clutched her head in agony as if someone were beating a drum right next to her ear.

"Aah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" TenTen screamed as her eyes clenched shut. And her hands tangled her hair. "STOP IT!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!" Then, the pain went away just as suddenly as it had come.

'Why does she always do that when she's around me?' Neji thought as he remained in his current state with one eyebrow raised at TenTen.

'Whoa…WHAT WAS THAT??!! I felt like someone was trying to cut my head open. How come every time I'm near Luis, something like that happens? Wait…Luis! Why didn't he try to help me??!!' TenTen turned and glared at Luis as he remained against the wall.

"What?" Luis asked.

"What?? What do you mean 'what?' You saw me in pain, and you did nothing!? A normal person would have at least asked 'what's wrong?'!"

"I'm not a normal person."

"Well apparently not!" TenTen noted as she sighed and got out of bed. She readjusted her buns and walked over to Neji—she now had millions of questions to ask him.

"So, what gives? Why am I here?"

Luis continued to stare at TenTen while TenTen stared back, wonder in her eyes. Luis shook his head and grabbed her wrist. And began walking, with TenTen stumbling clumsily behind.

"H-hey! What do you think you're doing?! Where are you taking me?!" TenTen yelled as she tried to break away from Luis' strong grasp, but it was no use without chakra (which TenTen was too tired to try to perform)

Luis, who was getting annoyed by TenTen's constant complaints and questions finally decided to speak up. "The sooner you stop resisting, the sooner all of your questions will be answered! So quit your blubbering and come on!"

"Don't tell me what to do!" TenTen huffed, but she cooperated with Luis, following him through the maze of hallways. Even if she did manage to escape, she would never find her way out of the mansion. They continued for a couple of minutes in silence turning this way and that until finally, they came across a pair of ancient-looking double doors. Neji and TenTen walked through the doors, and into a room so beautiful, so unique that TenTen had to take more than one intake of breath. The room was a long dining hall with many tables settled around—a banquet room rather than a dining room. The ceiling was vaulted so high, and it was also arched. The walls were of a brownish-brick and so was the floor and ceiling. A huge crystal chandelier hung aloft in the center of the room. But what caught TenTen's attention the most was a rectangle shaped table, that seated ten, with an elegant white tablecloth over it, and many refreshments on the table. Breadsticks, tea, coffee, water, sushi, shrimp, avocado dip, fruit baskets, cheese—all of the refreshments you could imagine! TenTen followed Luis to the table and sat down next to him. She felt like an ant compared to the size of the large room. Then, a low ring was heard, and Neji quickly took out his Blackberry Storm out of his pocket and put it to his ear.

"What...Yeah we're here…you WHAT?! So much for staying low…look Uchi- I mean Sai…don't screw this up, or you're going to have me to deal with!" Luis hung up and stuffed the phone back into his pocket. He resumed his position next to TenTen ignoring the confused look she was giving him.

"So…now what do we do?" Ten asked as she slouched down into her chair.

"Now," Neji began ",we wait."

-Hinata's Recap-

""Miss Yamanaka, (pant) Hiashi-san" The nurse gestured at the two figures who looked up with curiosity. She continued as soon as she could breathe again. "I know you guys are visiting someone else, but her parents are away on a business trip, and you guys are the closest family she has here in Konoha.

Ino put down her magazine and stared intently at the nurse. Hinata was grateful that the attention was focused elsewhere, but she was just as curious as anyone else in the room. Ino stood up and walked over to the nurse. "Whose parent's are away? Why does it matter?" she questioned.

Hinata figured out the puzzle quickly. She could only think of one person whose parents were always away on "business." "Don't tell me it's—" Hinata began, but couldn't bear to finish the sentence. She turned to Ino, and they exchanged worrisome expressions.

"No." Ino began before rushing out of the room.

-End Hinata's Recap-

"Is everything alright, nurse? Hiashi asked, still not able to figure out who was the one hurt.

"Well," the young, brunette nurse began ", It seems that Haruno, Sakura was just checked into a room recently. She was in pretty bad shape, nearly passed out, when I helped rush her to her room. Stabbed in the stomach with some kind of foreign poison, but we were able to eject it before it spread to far. Funny lady she was with, though. Said she found Ms. Haruno passed out under a pine tree. Wonder why she was walking in the forest of death anyway. I'm tellin' you Hiashi-san…something just isn't right around Konoha anymore." And with that, the nurse walked swiftly out of the room looking at her clipboard and mumbling under her breath. Hiashi turned to his daughter who was staring at the ceiling eyes wide with worry, and her body trembling slightly.

"Sweetheart…I'm so sorry. But I'm sure your friend will be fine. Sakura is an exceptional ninja and she knows what she's doing. She'll heal faster than you know it." Hiashi comforted.

A single tear rolled down Hinata's face. "B-but…what if she d-doesn't make it this time?" Hinata fretted unable to imagine Sakura hurt. Her mind went in so many directions at once, trying to identify what situation were the most important. Was it Sakura's pain, or the disappearance of her mysterious savior, or the fact that this was all her fault?! And where was TenTen?? Hinata's brain racked for information that she did not have. So many questions were so unanswered, and Hinata was so out of tune that she didn't realize that her father had started talking to her.

"Hinata, did you hear me?" Hiashi questioned noticing Hinata's blank stare.

"Oh, g-gomen father…I-I was thinking." Hinata replied.

"I wouldn't blame you…you certainly have a lot to think about! But I was saying that I'm sure Sakura will be just fine. You heard the nurse, she said they got the poison out."

Hinata cringed at the word poison as if it were a cuss word. The sudden jerk of movement made Hinata's body ache, but she tried to ignore the pain until it subsided. Deep inside her, a pain was going through her that was far worse than any of the injuries she had been exposed to during the battle.

Her own family, her own blood, her own cousin, kidnapped her to fight her! That was unbelievable! How could someone be so…mad at just one person? Hinata hadn't even done anything to deserve the emotional and physical damage that she got. But things like that always make their way back to Hinata Hyuuga.

"Hinata…you look tired." Hiashi began as he lifted his daughters chin so that he could see her weathered and tired face. "I should leave now, and let you get some rest." Hiashi stood up, out of the small rolling chair and gave Hinata a reassuring smile…but Hinata didn't feel any better.

Hiashi smiled at his offspring and shook his head. "Hinata…you worry too much! Your friends are going to be fine…you're going to be fine…Everything's going to be fine!" Hiashi bowed his head and turned on his heel leaving Hinata to her thoughts.

Five minutes later, Doctor Hatake walked into Hinata's room with an old-fashioned black clipboard in his hands. He looked just like he had looked earlier. A white doctor's coat, reflector wore around his head, and a serious yet humble look abroad his face.

"Ah, Hinata!" Dr. Hatake greeted, finally looking up from the clipboard. "I'm here to continue our little test from earlier. I hope you had a nice time with your father and friend. They were quite worried about you! Though, when your at the Fallen Leaf Hospital, they should have no doubts!" Kakashi stated as he proudly straightened out his coat and brushed imaginary dust off of his sleeves. Kakashi set the board aside and took his place on the rolling-chair. "Now, Hinata on a scale from one to ten, one being the lowes—" But Kakashi was interrupted (again) by the ring of his phone…it was nice for Hinata to hear that the ring tone had been changed to one of the ones that the phone comes with.

"Yes? Ah…Luis…You're ready. Well, we'll be right down!" Kakashi stated before hanging the phone up. Kakashi sighed and looked back at Hinata.

"A-another emergency?" Hinata asked, trying to hide the hope in her voice.

"Yes." Kakashi replied "But that doesn't mean that we're done here!"

Hinata's spirits fell to the earth with a ground breaking THUD!

"Instead…the test is going to be…slightly…changed." Kakashi continued. Then, out of the corner of her eye, Hinata saw her doctor's hand move into his pocket, and pull out something sleek, silver, and shiny with a red light shining on the top. "Now, Hinata…this is a very special instrument. It is very crucial that you don't blink, and don't move!"

"W-what is it doctor?" Hinata blurted out trying to understand what the device was. It seemed like something you'd test your vision with, but Hinata didn't know where her vision played a role in her injuries. Sure, her Byakugan used a crucial bit of chakra from her head, but…had it been affected.

"No time for questions!" Kakashi pressed a few buttons on the back of the machine, and held it up to Hinata's face. "Look right at the red light, don't blink, don't move!" A small series of beeping was heard and a flash went out of the device, like the flash of a digital camera.

Hinata fell limp and unconscious on her pillow.

-Ino's Recap-

The worried blonde ran to the end of a hall and stopped before the last room. She was going to search every unit until she found her best friend. Ino karate-kicked the door, and it came crashing down in front of her. She stepped into the room, but was surprised to see that not only was the person inside not Sakura Haruno, but he was also a cloud-watching, troublesome-saying, lazy idiot.

Ino's boomerang had come back.

-End Ino's Recap-

"WTH ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Ino yelled as she jabbed a finger at Shikamaru (Hulio) who was sitting on his bed head in his hand and mumbling the word 'troublesome' under his breath. Shikamaru looked different than when Ino had seen him earlier. His shirt was of a deep red and his pants were black with red stitching. His hair was in the same retarded hairstyle, but he was still as breathtaking as ever.

"Hmm…Blondie…I knew you couldn't resist staying away from me!" Hulio teased as he lied on his bed, facing the ceiling, throwing a baseball in the air, and catching it.

Ino's face went pink with anger, and invisible smoke erupted out of her ears. She took one step forward and shook her fist. "You're kidding yourself if you think that I'm stalking you! What are you even doing here??!! You're not sick…oh wait…maybe you are a little sick in the head!!"

Hulio stopped throwing the baseball and turned to look at Ino, still standing in the doorway. "Haha, very funny. But you agreed, I'm sick…so are you my visitor?" Hulio smiled as he threw the ball at Ino. It was fun toying with Ino…she was so gullible.

Ino on the other hand, had to act quickly in order to catch the ball. "No I am not your visitor! I'm trying to find my B.F.F.L. and you are holding me up!" Ino yelled as she threw the ball with all her strength at Hulio head. Hulio caught it with ease with his right hand.

"How am I holding you up? You're the one who literally kicked my door open." Shika threw the ball back at Ino again, and she caught it…again.

"Ugh, I don't have time for your silly little mind games!" The ball was thrown back at Hulio.

"If that's girl talk for 'You won I give up' I'll gladly except" Hulio answered, as he began playing catch with himself again.

Ino's face was tomato red by now, and she was fuming with anger. Who did this guy think he was. Some hot guy who emerged from the heavens? Well, he kind of was, but that's besides the point. "How is this for girl talk: STHU AND STOP FOLLOWING ME!" Ino yelled as she turned on her heel.

Hulio noticed that he had hit a wrong button, and he jumped off of his bed and after Ino. He grabbed the blondes arm and turned her around so that she was now looking at him face-to-face.

"What part of 'Stop following me' did you not get?" Ino asked as she folded her hands in front of her chest waiting for some smart allec remark from Einstein.

"Look…what if I told you I knew where your friend was?" Shikamaru asked.

"Oh, please yeah right! You don't even know Sakura!?"

"Pink hair, pale skin, five in a half feet tall, and green eyes. Yeah, she certainly blends in with everyone!"

"How would you, of all people, know where she is and I don't? Are you stalking both of us?! Dude, what is your problem?! Get a steady girlfriend and get on with your life!!!"

"Ay, you troublesome women always sit around asking questions! Look, she's in good hands…she's with my friend."

"With your friend! You have a whole stalking incorporation! Are you the same people who kidnapped Hinata? WTH man! You better give me some answers right now or else I'll…I'll…scream really loud!"

Hulio sighed and grabbed Ino's hand. He led her out of the hospital and into the parking lot. They began walking across the highway, and into the forest which wasn't to far from the hospital.

Ino stopped dead in her tracks before the green scenery, and her eyes looked doubtful. "I'm not going in there! It's dirty and scary and that's where the bad things live!"

"The bad things?" Shikamaru repeated raising an eyebrow. "Come on Blondie, nothing in here will hurt me. As long as you're with me…you'll be protected. Trust me; I know my way through and throughout this palace of leaves." Shikamaru held out his hand which Ino hesitantly took. She was putting all of her trust into a guy she thought was a stalker. Hulio smiled. "Don't worry I'll keep you safe Blond…I mean Ino."

-Sakura's Recap-

"Hang on." The man suggested as he backed 10 feet away from the window.

"What are you do-" Sakura began, but was cut-off as Sasuke ran full-speed ahead, kicking the window open, and jumping out.

Sakura was falling into nothingness.

-End Sakura's Recap-

"Oh my Kami…I'm gonna' die…I'm gonna' die… I'm gonna DIE!" Sakura yelled as she closed her eyes and waited for her to splat into the ground below. The last thing on her mind was who was carrying her to her death. Flashbacks of her life began to flash in Sakura's memory. Even those that were not so great and happy. But her friends memory, and her parents were the ones that made Sakura want to cry. She couldn't believe that this was how it would end. Sakura always thought that she would either die peacefully in her sleep, or quickly and painlessly… but NO!!! Being carried out of a window of a hospital just had to be the way Sakura Haruno died! It was stupid…it was ridicule… it was beyond retard—

THUMP. Sakura's carrier landed on his feet perfectly, and the fall had seemed so short. Sakura opened her eyes, and looked around at the dirty parking lot that was polluted with soda cans and food wrappers. "Is this heaven?!" Sakura asked in a disgusted voice, still unaware that she was clinging on to Itachi's little brother. "If so…I've been ripped off! Heaven is not supposed to look like Hell!"

"You're not dead, so you can get off of me." The velvet voice of Itachi's little brother sounded out.

"Oh right." Sakura replied jumping out of Sasuke's (Sai's) grasp. "Well…thanks for the ride, but I think I'm gonna' go back up to my hospital room. Call me crazy, but I think people might start to wonder where I am and why the window is wide open."

"Hn." Sasuke replied, but he grabbed Sakura's wrist and dragged her over to an ebony-painted motorcycle. He grabbed the extra helmet and handed it towards Sakura who only looked at it like it was an alien creature.

"I know you're not expecting me to put this helmet on and go for a ride with a guy who watched me almost die, do you?"

"Hn, so you can pass A-ranked missions with flying colors if you wanted to, but you can't ride on a motorcycle?" Sasuke asked bluntly.

This made Sakura mad. "I can ride on a motorcycle…in fact I could probably drive one! But it's the 'driving with a guy who watched me almost die' part that gets me! And how do you know I can pass A-ranked missions? Even Ino doesn't know I'm that strong! Who are you?!" Sakura yelled.

"How annoying. Look are you coming or not?!"

Sakura glanced once at the helmet still held in front of her and then back at hospital. She could see that there were nurses and doctors and even a few security guards beginning to rush out of the automatic sliding doors. She glared at Sasuke and grabbed the helmet. "I'll show you I can ride on two wheels." And with that, Sakura climbed on, and clinged on to Sasuke. The Harley roared to life, sounding like a lion getting ready to pounce on its prey. Together, Sasuke and Sakura rode into the forest of death.

Author's Box :D!

Yay! The chapter is over! I can finally let my fingers rest! Well, I tried to put more of the couples in this chapter because; I need to start getting to the plot. Anyway, the next chapter is going to be REALLY good! It'll probably answer many unanswered questions you guys may have! I can hardly wait to write it! Just to let you guys know, I have postponed my other two stories so that I can focus on this one more without having those breathing down my neck! I can't believe I actually thought I could do 3 stories at once! Anyway, please remember to review and please vote in my poll! I beg of you!

And just to remind you, here are the names and fake names of the guys in case you forgot. Sasuke (Sai), Naruto (Keke), Shikamaru (Hulio), Neji (Luis)

Thank you!

With muchos koi,

MomoUchiha