A/N: Hello all, back from my mini break and what do I have to show for it? This new shiny chapter that pushes 10k! I'm sure some of you are mad at me taking so long, I understand. But please try to understand that I've been building to this point for most of the story—I wanted to get it right the first time. So, hopefully, I did and this chapter leaves you on the edge of your seat demanding for more via threats in the form of reviews and PM's! Now the only problem is I'm stepping away from this story for the month of November. I'm in the NaNoWriMo competition and will be focusing on my original novel. However, I didn't just plan to leave you hanging. I have another chapter I will post a week or two after this one just to keep the flow going. I plan to have this as a three chapter mini arc, so without further adieu I give you the first chapter!
So Far…Naruto and Hinata finally did it!...sorta. Renge and Jihibiki reveal what really happened during the fall of Uzu. Madara was behind the attack and used the power of the Rinnegan to bring about the destruction of Whirlpool Country. Jihibiki then revealed how he actually died that day, and it was only because of Renge that he was there now. After revealing how he was still alive, Naruto left them to think about everything. During that time Hinata appeared and through talking to her, finally confessed that he loved her.
Chapter 37: Zero Hour
Her eyes opened before the alarm even sounded. Sliding a hand to the side she felt the warm empty space next to her, he hadn't gotten up too long ago. Reaching over, she turned the alarm off and lay there for a moment trying to calm her mind. It had been racing all night, and she barely got five hours of sleep. So much for getting plenty of rest before the big day.
Sakura rolled to a sitting position and stood, allowing the sheet to cascade off her naked body and settle onto the floor at her feet. Raising her arms above her head she stretched and then winced when a slight jolt of pain shot between her legs. Three times. She and Sasuke had made love three times last night before finally falling asleep. Not an animal fueled, hormonally driven hunger but a slow, passionate, savoring pace. It could very well be the last time the two would ever hold each other.
No, that wasn't right. It could be the last time she ever held him. She knew what she had to do when they returned; she just prayed she wouldn't have to watch the man she loved be cut down in the process.
Making her way to the bathroom, she saw the door was cracked open and the shower was running. Their typical morning routine. Sasuke would wake before her and take care of his bathroom needs since he took a shorter time. Impertinence, it was the one thing she couldn't break since she arrived a month ago but that was okay. It was reassuring to know that underneath the power before her was the boy she grown with and had come to love.
She stepped through the door and shut it behind her softly. The steam felt good on her skin and a wave of goose bumps rippled across her as the warmth spread. Looking through the steam she saw Sasuke with his back to her rinsing his hair out, the water glistening and accented by his muscles. Closing the distance between them, Sakura pressed herself against his body and kissed between his shoulders—holding and relishing in the warmth that spread through her. Breaking it off, she rested her head on against his back while he finished rinsing.
She was going home today, and whatever occurred afterwards depended solely on Sasuke. He could die if things went wrong. And if anyone would be at fault it would be her.
Her grip tightened around Sasuke and she bit her lip. How could she live with herself if he died? She would be responsible for the death of the one she loved. After finally achieving what she wanted for so long she could lose it all because she failed him. A fear reached up and wrapped around her heart that she hadn't felt since she was little—the fear of being alone.
Pulling away slightly, Sakura allowed Sasuke to turn around and look at her. A blush rose in her cheeks, she still felt a little awkward being naked in front of him but she loved how he always stopped what he was doing to drink her in.
"Have you decided what to do?" She asked softly.
Two days ago she had asked him to reconsider attacking Konoha. She hadn't asked him for an immediate response, she wanted him to think about it carefully. Last night when they had taken a break from their love making she had asked him again. His response was to look away. She could tell he was tormented by her request, but she had to know. Lives were depending on his answer.
Sasuke stared at her silently before stepping in and kissing her. "I don't know," he said when he finally broke away. He stared at her and allowed the hot water to beat across his skin. "I won't know until I see it again."
"I understand." Sakura said quietly.
"Do you still love me?" Sasuke asked in a whisper, his voice nearly drowned out by the running water.
"Always." Sakura said looking up at him, tears in her eyes.
They kissed and then made love one last time, not stopping until the hot water was nearly out.
Naruto glanced at the time and let out a nervous sigh.
It was time to go get her.
"You comin' Sai?" Naruto called from the door.
A moment later Sai appeared around the corner and gave a nod, and the two struck out. They made great time getting from the house to the village making their walk silent and uncomfortably short. Naruto wasn't sure if it was because they were actually close or if they were just nervous, but before he knew it his feet left the stone path and hit the packed dirt of the village road. Neither of the spoke—each consumed with their own thoughts and objectives of the inevitable night ahead of them.
Naruto looked over when he felt Sai bump his arm. "See you back at the house," Sai said and split off from the main towards the Embassy Hotel. Naruto watched him go silently for moment and then started to walk again.
The street vendors were in the process of setting up for the festival and threw the whole street into chaos. Realizing he was going to be late if he tried to weave his way through the crowds he took to the rooftops. The noise faded away and was replaced by the rushing of wind as Naruto jumped, hopped, and ran across the top of the village. He went faster, and the wind became a dull roar. He closed his eyes for a moment and remembered back to when he'd just made genin and first started to go by rooftop to get around the village. Life was simpler then, he didn't have these kinds of responsibilities he had now. Lives depended on his every command. What happened to the days where his biggest concern was getting a mission higher than a D rank?
"Naruto?"
Naruto's eyes snapped open and his feet shot forward. Planting them on the side of a water tower he shot back the way he came changing directions almost instantly. Landing gracefully a few rooftops away, Naruto found the owner of the voice to be Neji.
"Neji," Naruto said nodding towards the stunned Hyuuga. "On your way to pick up Karin-chan I take it?"
Neji recovered and gave a stiff nod. "On your way to pick up Hinata-sama," he guessed.
Naruto gave a smirk and a nod. "I'll see you back at the house then Neji," he said and turned to leave.
"Naruto a word of advice," Neji said stopping Naruto and causing the blonde to look at him confused. "Slow down."
Neji smirked and leapt away leaving Naruto standing on the rooftop confused. He didn't understand what Neji was getting at until he turned around and realized the Hyuuga complex was only one block over.
"Shit, I didn't even know I'd been moving that fast!" Naruto thought. "More importantly, how did I not run into anything?"
"Maybe someone's a little nervous for their date?" Kurama asked with a grin.
Naruto stood quietly for a moment and felt a sensation buildup in him. It started in his gut and quickly filled until it was at his neck and threatened to make it impossible to breathe. Shaking his head and tilting it up to the sun, he took a deep steady breath and allowed a cool breeze to caress his skin.
"I think we both know what I'm nervous about." Naruto said quietly.
Opening his eyes he shook out his body and jumped to the ground. The crowd had thinned out this far away from the main street so Naruto decided to finish the last block on foot. When he arrived he was greeted by the standard guards but this time the snapped a respectful bow.
"Uzumaki-dono," one of them greeted. "We've been expecting you."
"Guys how many times do I have to tell ya?" Naruto said giving a friendly smile and waving them off.
"Force of habit." The other one said with a smirk. "Hinata-sama is waiting for you at the main house."
Naruto nodded and moved through but was stopped when the first guard put a hand on his shoulder. Naruto had to scream at every muscle, telling them to stop from breaking the man's wrist and crushing his throat.
"A word of caution," the guard said lowly so only the three of them could hear.
"Slow down?" Naruto guessed only to receive a confused look. Chuckling to his own joke he motioned for the man to continue.
"Be mindful of Hiashi-sama. He seems a bit…tense today."
Naruto grinned and looked at the two men mischievously. "Wouldn't you be too if both your daughters were going on dates with the two biggest trouble makers in the village?"
The guards laughed and waved him on. "Consider yourself warned!"
"You have my thanks!" Naruto called out and continued on through the compound.
A breath of relief escaped Naruto as he put distance between himself and the guards. Rather, it would have escaped him if he hadn't just walked into the proverbial serpents nest. There was heaviness to the air, a tension that nearly bogged him down as he moved forward. And this time he knew he wasn't imagining it.
This was the powder keg that was set to blow tonight.
He felt like every person on the estate was watching him, and it probably wasn't too far of stretch to say it was true. He was stupid for coming alone, but this was part of the charade and he'd be damned if he blew the entire mission because he was feeling a little vulnerable.
"You need to get laid."
"What?" Naruto asked nearly tripping.
"The anticipation, it's suffocating! You're way too stressed out. This is why they tell shinobi to cut loose before big missions. If they don't then they end up like you—someone who'll take off a man's hand just for extending some friendly advice about an overprotective father."
"Seriously, now is not the time Kurama."
Any further conversation was cut short when the door to the main house opened before Naruto even reached the step. Walking out in his standard robes, Hiashi watched Naruto impassively as the blonde closed the last bit of distance.
"Hiashi." Naruto said with a stiff incline of the head. It was the closest he'd ever come to bowing to the man.
"Naruto." Hiashi said evenly. The two stared at each other silently for a long time, and just when Naruto was about to cave and speak Hiashi beat him to it. "I'm in no position to lecture you on being respectful to my daughter and to not try anything funny, so I won't." Hiashi said and then reached into the sleeve of his robe.
For half a second, Naruto entertained the idea of the man pulling out a kunai and holding it to his throat. Instead, he pulled out a slip of paper and handed it to Naruto wordlessly. Opening it, Naruto saw an outrageously large number written cleanly across it.
"What is this?" Naruto asked looking at Hiashi.
"The amount of money Hinata spent from the clan funds to prepare for this evening." Hiashi replied without the faintest trace of pain in his voice. "Hurt her, and you'll be paying it back."
Naruto paled and dread filled him as his eyes shot back down to the paper. That couldn't be possible, could it? There's no way anyone could spend that much money on just one night. The amount written on the paper had to be the price of one—maybe even two—S ranked missions!
"Hinata is busy preparing her sister for her date. I'll tell her you've arrived." Hiashi said—a ghost of a smirk on his face as he turned away and went inside. "Have a good evening."
Naruto's eyes returned to the tiny slip of paper that stared up at him mockingly. Finally, after several seconds of silence in which Naruto gauged whether he really loved Hinata as much as he thought he did, he folded the paper and put in his pocket.
"Well played, Hiashi," Naruto said as he walked into the mansion. "Well played."
Naruto didn't have to wait long. In fact, he'd just walked into the rather large and luxurious living room when Hinata appeared from a hallway. They made eye contact and Hinata looked down blushing. She wore a plain, green yukata with black pants and her hair was up in a pony tail. It bobbed back and forth as she closed the last bit of distance between them and wrapped her arms around him. When she looked up Naruto moved to kiss her and then stopped a few inches away from her—eyes going wide.
Was he allowed to openly kiss her now? God, he hadn't even thought about it. What if he was going too fast? Neji's words echoed in his mind and he felt his face quickly start to burn up.
Sensing his internal dilemma, Hinata gave him a chaste kiss and pulled away with a darker blush and a small smile. The amount of relief Naruto felt could probably sent him floating away if he hadn't been anchored down by Hinata's grip.
"What the hell?!" A voice cried out and Naruto's eyes nearly bugged out as he looked around Hinata to see Hanabi standing there with an angry pout in her face.
It was evident that these girls were definitely going all out. Her hair was done up in a bun like he'd seen Mito wear in her picture and she wore a red silk kimono with yellow borders. Her lips painted red in the center in the shape of a heart and a golden-red bronzer on her eyes left even Naruto slightly stunned. Konohamaru was in trouble.
Hanabi glared at her older sister and her cheeks puffed slightly. "You never told me about this!"
Hinata blushed and tried to shush her sister. "I-It just h-h-happened last n-night Hanabi, I swear!"
"Four hours together and it never came up once?" Hanabi countered.
"I was m-more focused on you." Hinata said.
"I highly doubt that." Hanabi said crossing her arms. Then her eyes widened as an idea struck her. "Oh my god! You guys were drunk last night, did you do it?!"
"W-What?!" Naruto asked blushing intensely as memories of Hinata on top of him resurfaced. Rubbing the back of his head and looking away he said, "What's your sister's deal, Hinata?"
Hinata was so red it nearly matched her sister's outfit, but the glare she was leveling at Hanabi made it impossible to determine whether it was out of embarrassment or anger. "She does this to get a rise out of people." Hinata answered. Then pointing at Hanabi she said lowly, "If you don't want Father to find out about what you and Konohamaru were doing last night I suggest you drop the idea!"
It was Hanabi's turn to go red and with a yelp she turned and ran from the room. Taking a deep breath, Hinata turned and gave Naruto a smile that nearly made him forget about the dirty threat she'd just made to her sister.
"I'll j-just be a minute to g-gather my things together and ch-change Naruto-kun." Hinata said and, with a hesitant blush, gave him a peck on the cheek.
"What? What's wrong with what you're wearing?" Naruto asked in confusion. He liked what she was wearing; it was nice to see her wear something other than her typical ninja outfit.
"Oh N-Naruto-kun, you r-really don't know a-anything about women do you?" Hinata giggled and then turned and left, putting a little extra sway into her hips.
It wasn't until Hinata had left the room and was no longer distracting him with those tantalizing hips of hers that Naruto snapped out of his stupor. Suddenly feeling an intense weight on his side attempting to drag him down, Naruto's hand found its way back into his pocket where the slip of paper resided.
"I know one thing about women," Naruto said quietly and then shuddered. He thumbed the paper absentmindedly, "They're expensive."
"Shino-kun, why exactly are we going to Naruto-san's house to get ready?" Tamamushi asked as the pair walked at a slightly faster pace than what was usual for Shino.
"Because Naruto is a very dear friend of mine." Shino said as they walked hand in hand. It wasn't often that he showed such open displays of affection and Tamamushi was happily taking advantage of it.
"I know that," Tamamushi said grabbing his arm with her free arm, "I just don't understand why we're not getting ready here and then meeting at his place."
Because there's an important mission I have to brief for at his house. Because the potential fate of the world rests on my shoulders. Because in order to pull this plan off I have to risk you in a façade of normality. Because…
Shino stopped walking and Tamamushi looked up with a worried expression. She could tell he was tense—his hive had been humming all day in uncomfortable anticipation. Something was bothering him and like all Aburame men he was closed up tighter than the Konoha vault.
Reaching up slowly, Shino removed his sunglasses revealing faint pink eyes underneath. Tamamushi stared with her mouth slightly open, she'd never seen him remove his sun glasses as long as she could remember. And it was obvious why—he squinted uncomfortably even though the sun had started to set, his sensitive eyes barely putting up with the harsh sunlight. Nobody knew why, something to do with genetics, but only the men were born with it and the reason why all of them were forced to wear sunglasses of some kind.
But standing there staring at him, Tamamushi realized she had never seen more beautiful eyes. Her normally excited personality calmed and she felt a blush start to burn its way across her cheeks.
"Tama-chan…Hotaru," Shino said softly causing Tamamushi's blush to darken, "tonight is very important—not just to me but the comrades I've come to call brothers over this past month." Squeezing her hand firmly but gently he said even softer, "Please do not leave my side tonight."
"Sh-Shino-kun…" Tamamushi stared at Shino, unable to figure out where this side of him was coming from.
"Promise me." Shino said.
"I…I promise Shino-kun."
Slipping his sunglasses back, Shino turned and walked away with her hand still in his. "Let's hurry; it would be rude to arrive late."
Tamamushi followed along in shock, amazed at how the man could so easily switch personalities. Slowly her shock gave way to humor and a giggle escaped her lips as she held on to him a little closer.
It was okay if he wanted to act like that, so long as she was the only one who got to see that side of him.
Temari sighed as she walked down the hallway leading to Shikamaru's room. Knowing him the lazy slacker probably hadn't even rolled out of bed—let alone be changed and ready to go. He'd locked himself in his room all day and when she tried to force her way in earlier she'd gotten a very gruff response telling her to leave. Not the pleading slacker tone he normally used, but a busy annoyed tone that left no room for arguments she'd never heard before. She'd been so shocked she'd left without a word, but now she wasn't going to put up with it.
Arriving at his door she pounded on it harshly and yelled, "Shikamaru, you better be dressed and ready to go!"
To her shock, the door slid open when she tried to open it. Entering the room cautiously, Temari found it to be empty apart from the lingering smell of—was that vanilla? Giving another sniff, she followed the smell and realized it was actually coming from outside the room. Shikamaru's room was divided by a half wall, separating his sleeping area and his study/lounge area. Walking past the half wall, Temari saw the door leading to the veranda around the edge of the Nara's house was open and Shikamaru was sitting on the edge of the porch.
Hunched over with his elbows on his legs, a thin wisp of smoke curled up around his head and then wafted towards the open door Temari now stood in. There was a slight stink of tobacco, but something else too. It wasn't until she caught an actual puff of the smoke and she felt her head go slightly dizzy that she knew. Her eyes widened and then formed into a slight scowl.
"You better have a damn good excuse for why you're doing that before our date." Temari said folding her arms.
Shikamaru took a long drag of his pipe and said nothing, not even acknowledging that he heard her. Just as she was about to speak he breathed a large cloud out and watched it float away, slowly dissipating in the air.
"Are you disgusted now that you know?" Shikamaru asked quietly.
"W-What?" Temari asked momentarily forgetting her anger.
Shikamaru took another drag and blew a smoke ring. "We tried so hard to get Asuma-sensei to stop smoking. We told him it stunk and was terrible for his health. We hated it when he smoked."
"Then why do you?" Temari asked tentatively. She had a feeling this situation was actually more delicate than what it appeared. This wasn't Shikamaru. Not the one she knew.
Shikamaru shrugged and then turned his pipe upside down and stamped it twice before wiping the debris into the grass. Putting the pipe in a plain wooden box, Shikamaru then sat back with his arms behind him and looked up at the clouds.
"I blame him really," Shikamaru said. "Ironic how I tried to get him to stop, but in the end he drove me to start."
"But…" Temari hesitated, struggling to word the rest of her question.
"Why the opium?" Shikamaru finished for her. Despite having his back to her she nodded. "The answer to that question can be summed up in one number: 60,000."
"60,000?" Temari asked. Maybe Shikamaru had really lost it.
"It's the number of thoughts an average person has per day." Shikamaru explained.
"That's exhausting just thinking about it," Temari admitted.
"Really? Because it sounds like heaven to me." Shikamaru said.
"What do you mean?"
"An average person has 60,000 thoughts a day. While I loathe admitting it, I have an I.Q. over 200." Temari's eyes widened at the confession. Loosening a board next to him, he slid the box in and then stood up, stretched, and then spit a wad of juice from his mouth which sizzled away when it hit the ground. Turning to her, he said with a surprisingly sober face, "I'll tell you right now, the number doesn't double for me—it increases exponentially. My father is the same way, and if you were to search his room you'd find a similar box too."
"Why are you telling me this?" Temari asked.
"Because my mom would kill my dad if she found out about him smoking the stuff. In fact, before she had me she nearly did when she caught him once." Shrugging his shoulders he gave a sigh. "I love my mom and she's a brilliant woman, but she doesn't really understand what my dad and I deal with on a daily basis. I guess I'd just want my wife to know if…when I was married. That it's because it's the only way I find some sort of relief."
Temari felt her cheeks burn at Shikamaru's innuendo. Before she could give any snappy retort though, he snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her in for a searing kiss. He didn't stink like she thought he would. She figured he'd smell of tobacco and taste like an ashtray, but instead there was only the faintest hint of vanilla and his kiss almost tasted sweet. When the kiss ended he wrapped her in a strong hug and held as close as he could.
"Just for tonight," Shikamaru murmured into her ear, his breath tickling her neck. "Please don't be troublesome. Do this for me and I promise I'll never ask anything of you again."
Finally pulling away Shikamaru gazed at her with what she could only describe as pure adoration. Room spinning and head tingling, Temari stared back completely enamored by the man in front of her.
"Let's get going," Shikamaru said grabbing a scroll and stuffing it into his pocket, "don't want to be late."
When Sai arrived at Samui's hotel room he expected many things. He expected the suspicious looks from the ninja of the visiting villages. He expected her teammates to be upset—pissed even about her being escorted by a long time enemy. What he didn't expect, however, was for the situation that was taking place now.
So there he stood, frozen in front of Samui's door, arm raised to knock, and listening very intently to the conversation going on in the room.
"Look all we're saying is that you should be more careful. These guys were our enemies a little over a month ago."
The red headed teammate said that. Karui wasn't it?
"Not to mention political mess that could happen if you fall in love with him." Samui's other teammate, the white haired male, Omoi. "What if you fall in love, but our villages forbid it? Then you two will be forced to keep your affair a secret, visiting each other during extended missions. The pressure to keep it a secret gets to both of you and you slip up and then you get pregnant. When the villages find out there'll be bloodshed over who gets the child and—"
A loud crash signaled the possible end of Omoi's existence.
"I just met him and you're already spouting out nonsense about me sleeping with him?!" Samui said.
"You talk in your sleep," Karui replied dryly, "we've heard some things. Not to mention you didn't get back until early this morning covered in smoke and soot. God only knows what you've been up to!"
"Sh-Shut up!" Samui said and Sai could swear he could feel the heat from her blush even from out in the hallway. Or maybe it was his? Him blushing over a woman? Now that was definitely something new.
"It's cute to see my student gettin' worked up over a man. Even if this love is something that would normally be ban!"
Sai's face screwed up as if he'd just eaten the sourest lemon ever. Was that on purpose? Surely it couldn't have been. He may be lacking in some areas but even he could tell it was a complete butchery of the language.
"But the thing is our villages are now a team, so it doesn't matter which milk man she goes to get her cream!"
"Oh my god this is for real…" Sai thought horrified.
"S-S-Sensei!" Samui screamed as Karui and Omoi broke into laughter.
Karui spoke when they finally managed to stop laughing, "But sensei, don't you think you're being a little too willing to let go of everything that's happened between the villages?"
There was silence for a beat before the voice sang, "It's that kind of thinking that continues this circle of hate. Instead of lookin' down on this alliance you should learn to appreciate. Fools, ya fools."
"Seriously though sensei, the odds of this alliance lasting are slim to none. It would be foolish to put so much trust in these other villages," said Omoi.
Silence again, but this time Sai could tell the pause had a more disappointed edge to it.
"Have ya learned nothin' under me? This hatred and mistrust is a cycle ya see? War is an experience ya haven't endured. That makes ya lucky, that's for sure! The grudges between the villages are from scars of old. Ya've seen none of that to make ya act so cold. This unease ya've been feelin' is a learned trait. Ya've got no reason to retaliate. It'd be foolish not to see the opportunity at hand, to forge a lasting alliance between Mist, Cloud, Fire, Stone, and Sand. Fools, ya fools!"
Sai felt his eyebrows climb. Here was a man who had definitely seen war between their countries, and yet he was readily telling his students to let go of the past. A past they had no part in but he had. This was a man who shared similar beliefs to his brother, men the world needed more of. And here he was, about to gamble the life the man's student in a mission that balanced precariously on the edge of kunai.
Sai's stomach churned and a coldness began to crawl across his skin slowly consuming him. This was too much. The repercussions of failure were too great. This man could turn against them; threaten the delicate alliance their world needed so desperately if it was too survive the coming war. Not to mention he liked Samui, it felt wrong to use someone he felt attracted to.
Before Sai even realized what he was doing his hand found its way to the tattoo in his arm and sent a message to Naruto.
Requesting permission to abort secondary objective.
Sai couldn't believe he'd sent it. Here he was giving up because he didn't want to put the girl he liked in harm's way when his teammates were doing the exact same thing. Naruto had begged him to complete his mission; the very livelihood of the woman Naruto loved depended on him completing it!The pressure wasn't just on him and yet he'd caved at the first obstacle. Him! The one who was supposedly trained to feel nothing!
If Sai's weakness had shocked himself then Naruto's response damn near floored him.
Reason?
Reason? Not outright denial, but a reason for why Sai thought he couldn't go through with this. The man trusted and respected him enough to make the right call and here he was asking all because of his insecurities.
Sai?
The guilt tangled around him like a net and ripped him down, trying to drown him in the recesses of his heart. Didn't everyone else have a lot riding on this as well? He wasn't special; they had people they cared about in harm's way too.
Sai, report!
Shino was the heir to his clan, what would happen if he failed? Shino had no siblings. If something were to happen to him then his clan's hierarchy would be thrown into chaos. Shikamaru was the same way, except his escort was an emissary from Suna—the Kazekage's sister no less. And then there was Naruto. The woman he loved was at the very center of the conflict—a target in the planned coup and he was supposed to just parade her through the streets! No, he wasn't alone. They were all in this together.
Sai took a deep breath and centered himself.
Disregard previous request.
…Are you sure?
Sai paused, his hand still resting on the tattoo. If his brother and teammates could do it then so could he.
Affirmative.
Understood. See you at rendezvous.
Sai returned his focus to the door in time to catch the Samui's sensei say, "This conversation is at its' end. Especially since behind the door is Samui's boyfriend!"
A pall silence hung in the air before there was a curse and hurried movement. The door swung open quickly revealing a blushing Samui as well as Karui and Omoi craning to see over her shoulders. Sai didn't really care he got caught eavesdropping, but that didn't stop the small amount of guilt from making its way onto his face. Samui recognized the look and her blush darkened even further.
"S-Sai-kun, I'm so sorry—"
"It's quite alright Samui-san." Sai said and noted the brief look of hurt when he didn't use –chan. "May I come in for a moment?"
Samui blinked at him and then gave a silent nod standing aside. Entering the room, he ignored Karui and Omoi and surveyed the room quickly until he found her sensei. Sitting on the end of one of the beds, the man's hulking dark-skinned figured watched him from behind a pair of sunglasses.
Giving a short bow, Sai said, "It is an honor to meet the legendary Killer B of Cloud. I've read multiple reports on your fights and I must admit I'm very impressed."
Killer B watched him for a moment before turning to Samui. "Who could have possibly knew? Your boyfriend is as pale as you!"
"Sensei!" Samui hissed shooting Sai an apologetic look.
Sai simply gave her a smile, "Yes I am, as my brother has reminded me of my complexion on multiple occasions." Turning to Killer B he dropped his smile. "My name is Sai, and while this is my first time meeting you I must admit I find your outlook on this world very admirable. I think you and my brother would get along quite well, especially considering your…condition."
Killer B frowned and tilted his head. "What makes you think I have a condition? My friend inside has more strength than a coalition, fool ya fool!"
"Perhaps the term 'status' would be better then?" Sai suggested with a smirk. "I'm sure it's been awhile since your friend has talked to any of his family."
Killer B's eyebrow quirked up. "You tellin' me, that your brother is a jinchuriki?"
Sai nodded, "Number nine to be exact." Glancing at the surprised look of Samui he gave her a smile. "Do you have everything together? We need to leave so we aren't late."
Samui waved her scroll around and then stuck it in her pocket. "I'm ready when you are."
Sai gave Killer B one last bow and said, "I will keep your student safe. You have my word as an Uzumaki, and an Uzumaki never goes back on their word. Please enjoy the festival tonight."
Offering up his arm, Samui took it and the left the room leaving her teammates to gape after them.
After a minute Killer B let out a laugh and stood up. "This night just got a whole lot more interesting! I think it's time I go out and start sampling!"
"Uh…sensei?" Karui asked pointing out the door. "What about Samui?"
"Samui is in the hands of a Konoha elite. Being able to take him down would be no small feat!"
"That pasty guy is Anbu?" Omoi asked shocked.
"Nah, Anbu is nothing compared to what I see. That boy is member of the legendary Uzumaki! Fools, ya fools!"
"I don't understand." Karui said in confusion.
"When do we ever?" Omoi asked with a defeated sigh as their sensei began to rap about his plans for the night.
Samui couldn't get her blush to go away. It had been bad enough getting teased and lectured from her team, but when she'd found out Sai had been there the whole time she'd been mortified. Glancing at him for the umpteenth time in the past minute, her blush darkened even further. How did he have this effect on her? What was it about him that caused her to act so girly? She loathed when kunoichi acted like that, it gave them a bad reputation as a whole. Yet whenever his passive gaze fell on her and he smiled she couldn't help but feel her chest flutter and her breath catch. It was frustrating but at the same time enrapturing.
"Is something on your mind, Samui-chan?" Sai asked.
"Ah!" Samui looked away, her ears starting to burn as well. "I'm sorry about what my team said. I tried to explain you could be trusted but they wouldn't have it."
"It's nothing to worry over." Sai said as their feet turned off the village road and returned to the stone pathway leading up to the Uzumaki estate. "To be perfectly honest, I don't blame them either."
"Really?" Samui asked turning back to him quickly.
"Of course," Sai said with a smile, "It only makes sense to hold suspicions towards allies who were only recently your enemy. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, but what happens when that mutual enemy disappears? It's only natural for people of such different backgrounds to mistrust one another when a common enemy forces them to work together, and that mistrust isn't something that can so easily be replaced."
Samui frowned. "Are you saying you don't believe this alliance will last?"
"No," Sai said shaking his head. "As long as there are people out there like my brother and your sensei, people who come from different walks of lives and have endured different hardships, then there is hope that one day our world will achieve a lasting peace."
Samui was glad they had to stop at the gate, because Sai's comment made her halt regardless. Watching him with a sense of awe as he placed his hand on the seal of the gate and unlocked it, she stepped through slowly as he held it open for her. Sai—no this entire family—was unusual. How could these people have such an optimistic view of the future, especially with the war against the seemingly immortal Uchiha Madara?
"Are you okay?" Sai asked when he noticed Samui's vacant face.
Of course she wasn't. The things Sai was saying were too altruistic for any one person to actually believe in! This had to be some kind of front, a scheme to somehow infiltrate the Cloud's ranks. Maybe Karui had been right? Maybe Sai was trying to seduce her, even flip her. It hurt to think that way, especially after spending time with Sai and his "family" and seeing how they interacted.
"You're not real." Samui whispered as Sai led her down the path.
"I don't follow," Sai said watching her closely.
"Nobody is this perfect!" Samui said taking her arm away from Sai and looking at him with hurt suspicion. "What are you trying to gain from me?"
Sai turned to face her, they had just made it into the trees that surrounded the estate so their conversation was as private as it could possibly get. He watched her carefully and saw the distress; her inner turmoil bubbled out and displayed itself perfectly on her otherwise normally calm exterior. Sai glanced over his shoulder towards the house to make sure they were indeed alone and when he looked back his face slipped into his normal blank expression. The change was enough to put Samui on edge and he could see her shift ever so slightly into a better defensive position.
Staring at her for a moment longer Sai finally said, "It's understandable that you find it hard to believe this persona about me. In fact, I was wondering when you would eventually catch on and realize it was fake."
Samui stiffed and her position shifted even more. "Who are you?"
"My name is my own, Uzumaki Sai. But the person you have spent the past few times with, I'm afraid, is someone who isn't entirely real."
"Explain."
"Hmm, how to put this?" Sai said tapping his chin. "I lack emotion…or rather most emotions."
"That doesn't make any sense. I've seen you smile and laugh and show all sorts of emotions!" Samui said her mind spinning. "Nobody is emotionless."
"That's not necessarily true, Samui-chan." Sai said shaking his head slowly. "See where I was raised, the other children and I were brought up to have no emotions. We were to be mindless drones carrying out our master's word regardless of what it cost us."
"What kind of monster would do that to children?" Samui asked quietly.
"The organization is very infamous, I'm sure you've heard of us." Sai said approaching her slowly. "We were particularly effective in the Second Ninja War. Does Root ring a bell?"
Samui gasped and jumped back, instinctively reaching for her kunai and realizing she was unarmed. Tightening up her defensive stance she spat out, "What does Root want with me? I'll end my own life before I betray my village!"
Samui expected many reactions, but for Sai to look away and leave him so open to attack was not one of them. It caught so off guard she failed to even capitalize on the chance. "Root wants nothing to do with you, considering it was disbanded after the death of our leader."
"Then why are you telling me this?" Samui asked. She didn't know what to expect anymore, this whole day was just spiraling deeper and deeper into an ocean of confusion.
Sai looked up at her and a small smile spread across his lips despite his down cast expression. "Because I like you a lot, Samui-chan. I think you're beautiful and smart and fun to be around."
Samui's eyebrows knitted together and finally she put a hand to her head. "Sai…what are you trying to say?"
"I'm anything but perfect." Sai said taking a hesitant step towards her. "I don't really understand emotions that well, I miss innuendos all the time, and I'm still trying to grasp the concept of this 'sarcasm' everyone likes to use." Seeing she wasn't backing up Sai took a few more steps. "My new family is special. They're crazy, loud, and destructive, but at the same time they're honest, open, and forgiving. I'm still learning—from them, about them, and who I am really. My family is the only ones who can get any kind of reaction out of me. But if there was one other person out there, someone who could make me to blush, give a rush every time they touched me, make me worry about their wellbeing, then it would most certainly be you Samui-chan."
Samui's eyes narrowed as she looked at Sai, torn between believing him and calling it a bluff. If it was, then it was the most elaborate one to date. Then again if what Sai said about himself was true then it probably wasn't out of the realm of possibilities for a Root operative. She flinched hard when she felt him lightly touch his finger against hers, hesitating long enough for her to pull away if she wanted to before gently enclosing his hand around hers. This was a bad idea and she knew it. She shouldn't be getting so involved with another ninja from a different village. Then again, neither should he.
"Even if what you say is true," Samui said looking at Sai, "there are countless reasons for me not to trust you now." Her hands inadvertently squeezed his, her voice betrayed her sounding more like a plea than a demand and she hated herself for appearing so vulnerable. "Why should I trust you?"
"Trust is about give and take right?" Sai said matching the volume of her voice. "You were one of the first people to step foot onto the Uzumaki clan's grounds in nearly 17 years. You know the layout of our house. You know about my past and my connection to my brother who is now the clan head. You have a plethora of knowledge that could be used against us and the village. But I trust you…and because I do so does my family."
"So what?" Samui asked slowly. "You expect me to give away some secrets about my village too? Too give away some dark tidbit or layouts to vital buildings?"
"Nope!" Sai said with a surprisingly bright smile. "I expect you to accompany me on this date to the festival and have a good time!"
"I knew it! I'll—wha?!" Samui looked at him like he'd grown a second head.
Sai looked at Samui and his expression grew serious. "The man who gave me a second chance at life dreams of changing the world for the better. I will do everything within my power to support and help him achieve that goal. Even if that means leaving us vulnerable to someone we can't trust entirely just yet—if it's what it takes then so be it."
"Sai…" Did he realize what he was suggesting? It was effectively treason! Even with good intentions it didn't change what the consequences would be if he were caught.
"I know," Sai said seemingly reading her thoughts and giving her a sad smile. "I've been told that to be honest means to open up and allow yourself to be vulnerable. I want to be honest with you Samui-chan. I want you to trust me and I want to trust you." Giving her hand a squeeze and beginning to walk down the path he said, "So let's forget about villages, alliances, wars, and just have fun for tonight, okay?"
"O…Okay." Samui said softly. Her face was burning again but inside she could feel her heart tearing itself apart between wanting to believe him and guarding herself.
The rest of their walk was made in silence. While Samui tried to process everything she'd been told Sai was in the middle of his own internal war. He'd been honest with her, but he hadn't been completely honest. She still didn't know about tonight. How could he ask her to trust him when he couldn't even tell her about a situation which potentially put her in harm's way?
Sai ground his teeth and glanced at Samui. She was oblivious, completely captured in her own thoughts to notice his conflicted staring. She needed to know. But how could he tell her without jeopardizing the mission? A frustrated sigh escaped his lips and he ran a hand through his hair, Naruto was definitely rubbing off on him.
"Samui-chan, about tonight." Sai said knocking her out of her thoughts. "At some point…I'm going to have to leave you. When I do, I need you to leave as quickly as possible."
"Why?" Samui asked, her eyes narrowing. "What's happening?"
Sai shook his head. "Something big. I can't tell you what, but I can tell you that before it happens you need to get somewhere safe."
"Sai, you can't expect me to just—"
"But I am!" Sai said turning suddenly towards her and putting his hands on her shoulders. "I asking—begging—that you get somewhere safe when I leave, Samui-chan. I don't want anything to happen to you!"
"S-Sai…" Samui stuttered, blushing at the sudden genuine care. "Where should I go?"
Sai was quiet for a moment before saying, "Go to the Hokage. If anyone tries to stop you tell them it was a direct order from me—that should get you through. In fact, it would probably be best if you gathered your team up and all went together."
"My entire team?!" Samui asked.
Sai nodded, "I don't think anything will happen, but I want you to just as a precautionary."
It was a lie and it tasted terrible coming out of his mouth. Of course she was at risk, he wasn't stupid. What better way to shatter the alliance than by having some of the Hyuuga attack the Cloud shinobi? They might be able to explain how Madara was secretly behind it all, but if the attack were to happen then the brittle trust between the two villages would be shattered easily. Old wounds that never healed were such a bitch to take care of.
"I guess I really am in your care tonight, huh?" Samui said with a smirk as they continued their way to the house.
"Aw, why'd you have to make it sound like it's such a bad thing, Samui-chan?" Sai asked in a mock hurt tone earning a giggle for his antics.
Naruto muttered an apology for the fifth time since leaving Hinata's house and let go of the citizen he nearly strangled and tried to dust them off. These crowded streets where completely destroying his nerves. Oh how he desperately wished he could use the Hirashin to get them back to his house instead of navigating the masses. He was going to need a long soak in the hot springs with a case of sake after this was all over. Glancing over at Hinata and seeing her eyebrows knitted together, he quickly placed a hand on her back and steered her quickly through the last bit of crowd.
As soon as his feet hit the stone pathway Naruto nearly collapsed in exhaustion, but did his best to hide the weariness he was already feeling. If things were bad now then how the hell was he supposed to survive tonight? A tightness started to constrict his chest and creep up his throat again, threatening to choke him if he didn't calm down. Forcing himself to breathe, he looked at Hinata he could tell she was extremely worried about his current state.
Offering up his arm, she took it and said calmly, "Naruto-kun, are you alright? You seem a bit…tense."
Naruto blinked. He wasn't sure if he was more surprised at how easily she read him or the fact that she didn't stutter. The last time she did that she…
"You're not gonna faint on me are you?" Naruto asked with a grin.
"N-Naruto-kun I'm serious." Hinata said as her cheeks turned a faint pink. Naruto was silent as he led her up the path and the village noise slowly faded away behind them. When it became apparent that she wasn't going to answer him she looked down. "A-Are you u-upset w-w-with me?"
"What?" Naruto asked looking down at her bewildered.
"You're b-being very d-distant a-and q-q-quiet." Hinata said looking down. "D-Did I d-d-do something?"
Naruto glanced around him and then tugged on Hinata's arm gently causing her to bump into him. "Hey," he said as he shifted his grip and interlocked his hand with hers, "you haven't done anything wrong. I've just got a lot on my mind is all."
Hinata blushed darker from the close contact and looked at him, her lavender eyes carrying all the concern and worry she felt for him but never spoke. "Promise?"
"Promise," Naruto said with a smile.
Turning to his gate, he unlocked the seal and quickly ushered her inside. Grabbing her hand and pulling her down the path, Hinata didn't have a chance to say anything else. When they broke into the trees Naruto suddenly whirled around to face her with a serious expression, startling her so much she actually let out an 'eep.'
Allowing a quick smirk at how cute she sounded, it disappeared instantly when he spoke. "Before we go any further, there's something I need to tell you."
Hinata didn't know why but for some reason those words were like a cold stone in her stomach, forcing it to drop what felt like miles into an empty abyss.
"I love you Hinata-chan, I really do." Naruto said looking down for a split second with a blush. It still felt new to his tongue though he'd dreamt night after night of telling her those exact words. He wondered if it'd ever get easier, but before he could get lost in his musings he shook his head. "Getting involved with me now is a huge mistake though…for both of us."
"W-What do you mean?" Hinata said slowly. She couldn't hide the fear in her voice, and Naruto knew it wasn't because she was afraid of what he was warning her about.
"Madara and the remnants of the Akatsuki are after me, Hinata. They'll use whatever means they can to get to me…" Naruto looked away for a moment. "It makes you as much of a target as it does me."
"A-Are y-you s-s-saying we sh-should be t-together?"
There was no denying the hurt in her voice. And Naruto didn't even have to look to know there would be tears brimming in those lavender eyes.
It was a mistake to look at her; he knew that before he shifted his gaze. But when he actually met hers it nearly took the breath from him. Something as delicate and pure as her had no business looking so wounded and vulnerable. Yet there she stood, holding herself and trying to brace for the inevitable blow she thought was coming. What she didn't know was the blow was already being dealt to Naruto's own heart—and the longer she stood there hurt the deeper the wound went for him.
"Hey," Naruto said reaching up quickly and cupping her cheek. "Don't make such a sad face when I haven't finished talking."
"H-How can I n-not?" Hinata whispered as she closed her eyes and a tear slipped down her cheek. She leaned into his hand and then into him. "I u-understand w-what you're saying. I j-just don't w-want to go b-back to before…"
"Neither do I." Naruto said as he wrapped her in a hug. "I admit this is a mistake. We're putting the entire world at risk if we stay together…" A chuckle escaped his lips and he shook his head. "How romantic."
Hinata let out a mix between a giggle and a cough and pushed away from him wiping her eyes and sniffling. "I-I like r-romances…"
Naruto smiled but then slowly faded away, "Even tragic ones?"
Hinata bit her lip and looked away. She was torn between what she wanted and what was right. How long had she dreamed of Naruto finally acknowledging her, of walking side by side with him and calling him hers? Now he was suggesting they should act like nothing happened. For what? To keep her safe? To keep her from becoming a target so he wouldn't have to worry about her as much? Was he underestimating her?
"I've gotten stronger." Hinata said lowly, but her tone carried enough heat to give Naruto ample warning.
"I know," Naruto said softly as he lifted her chin and met her hurt eyes. "Which is why I'm saying if you're a mistake, then you're the one mistake I can't live without."
Hinata's eyes widened before they were forced shut from her smile and she threw her arms around his neck. Letting out a chuckle and pulling her closer, Naruto buried his nose in her hair and took in a steady breath of her scent.
"This will be hard," Naruto whispered in her ears.
"…I know," she said into his chest.
"Are you sure about this then?"
Hinata lifted her head and looked at him with dangerous determination. "Don't ever ask me that again!" She said, then reached up and claimed his lips with hers.
When she finally pulled away she was panting, from what Naruto wasn't sure, but if he had to guess it was probably the rush she felt since he was panting as well. Blushing crimson, she looked down and shifted back and forth still unused to being so bold with her actions. It was so cute Naruto nearly forgot about the last thing he needed to say.
"Before you kiss me again and make me completely forget," Naruto said with a blushing grin which caused Hinata to turn a shade darker. "I-I…I got—w-well 'made' would be more…um…more a-accurate I guess…" Fumbling around in his pocket, he pulled out something and placed it in her hand. "H-Here, this is for you."
Hinata stared at the object in her hand confused. Her face was glowing red but for once it wasn't because she was flustered or embarrassed. The reason was due to the glistening ruby in her hand that was actually glowing in the evening light. At first she thought it was a tomoe, but after carefully looking she noticed a small faint blue diamond set towards one end making it look like the Yin symbol. The gems were smooth as a river stone, yet they exploded with such a fiery brilliance it was as if they had hundreds of facets cut into them.
"N-N-Naruto th-this is…." Expensive! That's what it was; Hinata just couldn't find the words to finish it. Where did he get the money for something like this? How was it even possible to cut and polish a stone in such a way? Whoever did it must be a… "Y-You made this?!"
Hinata's head snapped up so fast Naruto thought it might break for a second. Scratching the back of his neck blushing he looked away. "D-Do you not like it? I tried almost a hundred times and it was the b-best I could manage w-with my chakra."
"Ch-Chakra?" Hinata asked looking back at the priceless stone in her hand.
"Y-Yeah," Naruto said looking back and pointing at the ruby. "It's a forbidden technique known only in the Uzumaki clan. We use our very life force and chakra to make a nearly indestructible diamond."
"Th-This is diamond?" Hinata asked wide-eyed. "Why's it red?"
"Kurama's chakra causes it to be red." Naruto said. "It actually reacts to me, kinda like a resonance beacon."
"Huh?"
"Watch," Naruto said disappearing. Hinata would have been more shocked at how fast he moved if the stone in her hand hadn't dimmed from a sunset red to a soft ember glow. "The closer I am, the brighter the red." Naruto said reappearing and once again the stone burst alive with color.
"Th-This is amazing, Naruto-kun." Hinata barely managed to say. But then her eyebrows knitted together at the one question she couldn't answer. "Wh-Why the Yin?"
Naruto grinned shyly and reached into his shirt, pulling out a Yang of bright sky blue diamond with a fiery red inset. "I-I siphoned off a little of your chakra when you were unconscious at my apartment. I trapped it in this piece so it glows a bright blue whenever it's close to you…"
Naruto trailed off when he saw the vacant expression on Hinata's face. In a sudden surge of panic Naruto started to wave his hands and shouted, "I-I'm sorry if that was going too far! It seemed like a good idea at the time I swear! It was all for this, nothing else—"
"Kiss me."
"What?" Naruto asked, this time it was his neck that nearly snapped.
"Kiss me." Hinata said again softly looking up at him. "If you don't, I'm going to faint."
And he did, his lips met hers in way he'd never imagined possible. The passion and love the woman in his arms managed to convey through such a simple gesture sent him reeling. Her tender yet barely contained desire ignited a fire in his veins and he pulled her closer, her body melding perfectly into his as their kiss deepened. Their tongues whirled in the briefest of dances and Naruto burned every aspect of her, every detail, into his memory. Relishing in the moment they shared, when they finally broke apart Naruto caressed her cheek slowly and allowed his eyes to drink in her beauty radiated by the setting sun.
"Don't ever leave me," Naruto murmured as he placed his head against hers.
"Never," Hinata said resting her hands on his chest and closing her eyes. "I promise."
Taking a small step back, Hinata turned and lifted up her hair allowing Naruto to attach the clasp of the black silk necklace. It nestled comfortably at the top of her cleavage and when she turned around Naruto smiled and picked it up delicately his fingers.
"Let's try and keep this a secret okay?" Naruto said with that small smile of his as he gently tucked it beneath her shirt. "Just until things clear up."
Hinata smiled and nodded before taking the arm offered to her. Resting her head on his shoulder, they resumed their journey his house.
She wasn't giving him up, no matter what it cost.