She bolted between trees away from her calm him clutching a scroll and a small package to her chest. She had been sent and urgent summoned to what Leader-sama had said might be Sasori's last battle if she didn't get there in time. She had been alone when a clone had appeared at her home with the gut wrenching information. She ran to toward Suna with pain in her chest, she didn't want to lose one of them. They were all she had left, all she could connect to. They had all grown on her, she had grown on them.

Sasori, though stubborn, rude, and having a superiority complex. Had been so thoughtful, he would bring her books and supplies when they passed through, even books of puppet chakra control so that she could better understand his body. He had trusted her to learn his body. He had trusted her.

She let tears fall down her face and run faster. When she got close to where he was to be she activated her Byakugan and felt her stomach drop, he was fading there were two people still there, one familiar though she couldn't place them. She stumbled inside to the shock of two people, she came to stance ready to fight for his life, but she too fell into near shock. Sakura.

The pinkett was staring at her with confusion. "Hinata-chan?"

Hinata felt the hair on the back of her neck raise. She went stiffly fell into stance and lowered her face into the Akatsuki robe up to her cheekbones.

"Get away from h-him!" She warned.

"Hinata, why are you wearing an Akatsuki uniform. What have you done." Sakura cried eyes wide trying to search the red-rimmed pale lavender orbs.

"Don't make me r-repeat myself." She stepped forward passing them with caution trying to focus on his wound hoping she hadn't been too late. "I will fight you, Sakura." She lifted her glowing hands between them. "He's important to me. D-don't make this mistake, you're bodies are b-barely functioning. One decent h-hit, I will shut your body d-down." She further warned darkly trying to keep the utter desperation out of her voice.

Sakura tugged the old lady she didn't recognize who resisted, but weakly moved.

Hinata took the chance to bolt the rest of the distance to him and forced one big chakra rush into his heart and pulled out the swords in one movement. He jolted and fell into her. She wrapped her arms around his bare chest and laid him down, taking note of Sakura getting close. She looked up at her hard. "Stay back!"

"You can't treat him, he's not human anymore, I wouldn't even be able to do it." Sakura doubted her. Hinata glared, it made the girl flinch.

"Th-that is not your concern! I-I will not let him die! I will f-fight you for a chance to keep him alive!" She pressed her fingers over his heart to quick seal the tube that held it and the cuts inside his heart. That would not be enough to save him chakra was erratic it would kill him if she didn't stabilize him and she was running out of time.

"Do you know who he is?!" Sakura shouted desperately.

"Do you?!" Hinata shot back harshly "Do you know wh-who I am? You s-seem to think you do."

"Hinata this isn't like you what have they done to you! Why are they holding you?" She tried to step forward again. Hinata raised a fiery blue hand and sharp eyes, making her stop.

"Do not th-think I am so useless I was c-captured, not that I th-think you deserve that information." She returned her hand and was trying to reconnect chakra to enough vital places to move him back to her home. She glanced over to the package grabbed as she rushed by her hip. She would make Deidara any food he could ask for if the bird inside got her home in time to save Sasori, hell she would kiss him.

"This isn't you." Sakura whimpered.

"How would you know, I don't remember us be close." Hinata didn't want to be mean but she didn't like being prodded she didn't have the time for real answers. Sasori head turned like he would cough, but he didn't have the lungs too. "Sasori-san, it's okay don't try to move, I'm here." She cooed at him.

"Child do you understand what you are doing by keeping him alive." The old woman scolded. Hinata reached for the package bring it closer to her.

"He's h-hurt and that what matters." She countered near in tears again.

"You too soft Hinata," Sakura muttered. Hinata shoved at building rage toward the tattered woman. The old lady took another step and Hinata rose into stance making sure Sasori was fully behind her.

"If I-I hit you will n-not make it home." Hinata warned. The lady glared.

"What would Gaara think of you now, young lady." Hinata stared in rage. It was none of her business what Gaara thought of her, he knew, he already decided what he thought, but she could weep about that later. She went back to doing rough patching and then stopped to begin to lift him. The older lady stepped in her way.

"You are i-in no condition to st-stop me. Let me p-pass or risk your life." Hinata warned Sakura tried to pull the woman out of the way, but she stayed put. Hinata had no time to be nice to the elderly she lunged forward.

"HINATA!" Sakura gasped

Taking a firm step and slamming the woman back to hit the nearest rock wall and gasp for breath. Hinata didn't stop but called over her shoulder to the now stiff in shock pinkette. "You should h-help her before her lungs collapse."

Hinata passed through the mess with a limp Sasori slung over her back. Hinata pulled the string on the package at the entrance to the cave a large clay bird puffed out and she set him on it's back. She hopped on and held him firmly.

Sakura ran out to see her tail as she flew away.

***TheUnstableLiz***

I appreciate CONSTRUCTIVE comments and reviews.

I can not answer questions of guests. I don't want this section a mile long and bloating the word count too much.

If you have a question please log in and PM me. I will answer any and all questions!

I will point out I am not sure of and will not be following the timeline of the show anything that seems out of place is a result of that.

I will also point out that anyone who is out of character by a lot is the fault of me not knowing the character well enough and I apologize for that.

I apologize for spelling and grammar, I am a computer scientist, not a writer.