A/N: Is been a while since you hadn't read a lemon in this story, right? And I'm glad that most of you like it how the two chapters turned to. I was thinking that maybe I was writing so much…
And about Sasuke's scroll, you'll find out about it soon; maybe in this chapter…maybe not…who knows…
kenshinlover2002—I'm glad that you liked both chapters. I though twice about making Sasuke perform that technique, but I bet that even with that the 'clones' would look a LOT better than Naruto's.
lil-saturn-goddess—thanks a lot.
Eggnog—I'm glad that you liked the lemon. I wish that I could write faster, but I usually do when I have time and when I can use my computer for something that is not looking for work.
Subakukyuu—that quote is one of the greatest that I've ever heard, that's why I wanted to add it to the story.
Elladora—Itachi is a bastard, I know…but I love him anyway. And that lemon took me time to write it right. I wanted a good one, without extreme description, I don't want a report from the site.
Hinata Lovers—I hope that you can hold up until I update this. Is been a long way, and I don't want to mess the story. And I don't want Hinata to loose her way, that is the reason of this story and remember the title; "the thin line between love and hate".
queen46—everyone laughed at that picture…and I feel kind of bad for making it, nah!
Mizuki hikari—of course I'll do.
Kisa—Okay…I see that you liked the lemon
sesshoumarukagomeforever23—I'll do it
NanamiYatsumaki—thanks
Mightyminnie—I'll try to update more often…don't worry.
narakufan31712—Wow, thanks for those words, and I'll try to keep writing and keep the rhythm of the story. I don't want Hinata to loose her way, and I'll try to keep it like that until the end. And you sent me a PM through the site, but I didn't got the link that you've sent to me, I suggest to send it through e-mail or by my site (the address is on my profile, on 'homepage').
Disclaimer: I don't own it. I have mean spelling and evil grammar.
Chapter 49
The sun came through the window, as the signal of a new day, another life. The heat of the end of the summer is still strong as it was days ago, but still compared to the beach it was refreshing until autumn comes and starts to leave annoying brown leaves everywhere.
A raven haired young male was sleeping deeply on a king size bed, his waist barely covered by white silk bed sheets. His perfect built body can still be seen from afar, but the sun was all over his face and was troubling in his sleep.
Moving his hand over the bed, he was searching the source of his comfort. But when he didn't felt a thing, his eyes snap open.
Standing in front of one of the drawers of the bedroom, a dark haired woman was searching for clothes. She had already on her tight dark Capri pants, shuriken holster on her left leg and her 'military' boots. She was the only ninja that he ever met that wore boots instead of the common ninja sandals, and she looked good in them.
Looking up, he saw that her long dark blue hair was on a high ponytail…and she was topless. Finding the item she was looking for, she puts on the dark tank top. It meant that she wasn't wearing bra…again. In that moment he yawns and rubs his eyes, he looked like a cute little boy doing that.
Turning around to face him, she looks directly at him, "Oh, you're awake." She says with her normal tone while putting on her armor. Sasuke admitted that he was excited about what will happen the next morning, but never imagined that she'll react so…normal.
"I just folded your clothes, I was thinking of washing them, but it will take too much time so…" trailed of the captain, until Sasuke looks at the clock that was on the night table.
It says 6:15 am
"I see that you're a morning person." He finally says, and then he looks at the bed and sees his clothes perfectly folded, including his underwear.
"There are ANBU ninjas taking 24 hour positions, I have to check them and make sure that they leave to rest." Then he nodded along with an 'Hn'. He almost forgot that she is the ANBU captain, but she didn't have Saito and the others for that?
"Saito and the rest have their families, and I just like to be busy." With that she walks out of the bedroom and Sasuke without thinking follows her, completely naked. Then he sees that she puts a cup of hot and fresh tea on the kitchen table. "I have to go, I'm kind of late."
"You're late to be early?"
Then she looks at him, blinking twice, "Kind of."
"See you later?" he asks, while he touches her cheek. Then she moves up and gives him a peck on the lips. "Yeah…later…" And she turns to leave the apartment.
Sasuke was standing in the middle of the room, naked and touching his lips, did she just kiss him? With a smirk on the same lips he took the cup of tea and returned to the bedroom. He has to return to his apartment and take a bath anyway.
Hinata stepped out of the entrance of her apartment, and suddenly she touched her lips. Did she just kiss him? Not wanting to think twice, she left to continue with her daily routine.
"Where is Sasuke? Even Kakashi is here. Maybe I should have picked him up." Says Naruto, the rest was waiting at the bridge for Uchiha Sasuke.
"We agreed that we need to give him trust. He doesn't talk to us because he didn't trust in us, if we give him space; he'll be little by little back to us." Says Sakura, while inner Sakura was screaming to go and tear down his door.
"Let's give him five more minutes, if he doesn't appear, we'll look for him." orders Kakashi while he flips another page of his book. 'I come in time and now is Sasuke who comes late; I hope that he has a good excuse…'
Then the Uchiha walks a little rushed to the team, the copy ninja notices that he was carrying a bento bag. After getting there, he scratches the back of his head. "Sorry that I'm late, I was doing some stuff before coming and…"
Before he could say anything else, he was pinned against a tree. His meal almost made it to the ground, but he saved it on time. "What the…!?"
"WHAT THE HELL YOU DID TO SASUKE YOU…WHATEVER YOU ARE!" screams Naruto while pins him to the tree. Sasuke looks at him like he had grown two heads…and in the case of Sakura…like seven.
"What the fuck are you talking about idiot, I'm Sasuke." Responds the Uchiha, and he was pinned harder to the tree. "Don't fucking play with me! I know that teme very well and…"
"Will THIS proves you that I am the REAL Sasuke?" asks the raven haired ninja, this time his tone was low and dark, and his Sharingan showing. Then Naruto understood that he was indeed real and stepped away to give him space.
While fixing his clothes, Sasuke looks where the rest was looking at him. "Can you tell me why you did that?" then he saw that the rest looked at him with strange eyes, like it was HE the one with three heads.
"What?" he asked again, rather annoyed by their look.
"Sorry, is just…"trails of Naruto and got impatience from the Uchiha. "Just what?"
"You acted…nice." Responds finally Sakura, who spoke like it was sort of miracle. But when you talk about Uchiha Sasuke, the avenger, the heartthrob of the village…is a miracle indeed.
"Yeah, you even apologize for being late. That's why I though that you were a clone." Continues the blonde nin, while giving him one of his goofy smiles. But Sasuke decided to take it like he wanted to. "You always complained about my cold treatment and now you attack me for act nice? I can't believe this."
Then Kakashi takes his book down to look directly at him. Sasuke looks back at him, turning it into a glare contest. "Sasuke…"
Sasuke: "What now…"
Kakashi: "Did you just…?"
Sasuke: "…"
Kakashi: "…got laid?"
It was more than enough to say that the trio fell on theirs backs…hard.
But Sasuke couldn't deny it, and it was all told by the smirk that he was trying to hide from his face. It's hard to hide happiness when it comes from the inside.
Hinata gets into the office, followed by Team Zero. Saito puts two cups on her desk; one of black coffee and another of green tea. It seems that the captain is 'a little' addicted to caffeine…
Hiro carries a bunch of scrolls, placing them over her desk while she takes her seat, and Yuki?
He is already picking up the rest of the 'fan mail' that is piled at the door of the office and starts to sort them. Yes, Hinata reads and responds fan mail, but only the ones that made it into her hands. And most of them are of marriage proposals that she started to receive since she killed Orochimaru. Normally those things tend to scare people, not to make her look more appealing. And Yuki was very careful with those letters, those needed to be responded with a 'no' as soon as possible.
Not to mention some of them that came along with kinky underwear and 'stuff' with phrases like 'put it on and send it back' or 'come at home tonight to see if it I guess your size'. "How many times I have to tell you that you're my ANBU team, not my assistants." Says the captain while takes a scroll and reads. Thank Kami that she always liked to read…if not this job would have been hell for her.
"And how many times I have to answer that you take many responsibilities and that you need to give some chores to us. And since you don't do that, we decided to assist you in the office." Responds Yuki while he starts to open some of the gift boxes and takes out pastries. "And this fan club of yours seems that they hadn't investigated you enough. Don't they know that you don't like deserts?"
Hinata: "Let them be, maybe they hope that someday I start to like them."
"Like you'll ever do..." Laughs Saito, followed by the rest.
"A wise man told me once to live my life and stop acting like an old woman, maybe I should listen to him for once, don't you think?" in that moment the three men looked at her. Was Hinata serious? Then they focused on her, she was reading the scroll, but she was trying her best to hide her smile by licking her lips.
A smile that was coming out by itself…
None of them said anything at that moment. They'll have plenty of time for that later…
It was lunch time and Naruto insisted to eat at the ramen stand like they used to, but when Sasuke said that he wasn't coming with them, Kakashi smirked. When Naruto was about to complain, their sensei interrupted, "I think is fine, after all, you bring your own lunch."
Then the blonde nin and Sakura looked at Sasuke's hand, he had a bento bag, but it was too big for being for one person. "Oh, I see…" Then Naruto grinned, Sakura raised an eyebrow, but then both Kakashi and Naruto pulled her with them to the ramen stand, leaving the Uchiha alone.
He decided to no say a thing, because the stares that he was receiving from fan girls around him made him disappear…to his fans sadness.
"Are you sure that you don't want anything Hinata? We can bring sushi, or even ramen…" offers Hiro, while he and the others are leaving the office, it was lunch time after all. "You know that I don't like ramen…I never did. And I prefer to finish this paperwork now, is more important than lunch."
"Hinata, those papers are for next week." Responds Saito, then he saw how her eyes were still glued to the scroll. Weird, she is never so interested in paper work. "And if I want to get rid of Tsunade's blabbering for a week, I must finish today. And don't eat too much; we'll train after I'm done."
"Yeah yeah, I know." Says Hiro while closing the door, the captain was finally alone with her work and started to write the report.
Not like she'll be alone for a long time.
"You know, I still don't know how you enter at my apartment, so I won't ask how you got in here." says the captain, not stopping to write the report.
Sasuke was leaning against the wall, watching the details of the office. It was smaller than Tsuande's, but it seemed way better decorated. There were paintings and armors all around the room. Her obsession with learning was seen with all the book shelves filled with scrolls and books.
She was a book worm indeed.
"That's a ninja thing, to get into places without being noticed." Responds the Uchiha while he takes a random book and reads its cover.
"Greek and Roman Mythologies: what they didn't told you."
"And…the reason of your visit?" interrupts the captain, still writing the scroll. Then Sasuke puts the book back to its place and looks back at her. "Actually, I just came for this."
Then she looks back at him, only to be surprised.
Sasuke: "I didn't want to eat with the dope and the one eyed pervert, so I wanted a peaceful lunch, you know…"
A medium bento box was in front of her eyes. But what caught her attention was the old pink cloth that was around it. For some odd reason, she seemed to remember it.
That was weird indeed.
"Look…I'm not the best cook, but is guidable, and I survived eating it…so…" trailed of the Uchiha, part of him hoping that Hinata doesn't remember the pink cloth. After all, it was the same pink cloth that was wrapped her bento when he gave it to her back in the academy. But part of him wanted her to, so she can feel some kind of odd connection.
Like she was going to remember that anyway, right?
"I guess the reason is that you have a strong stomach, but…" she says while grabs the bento. "There's only one way to criticize the food, right?" with that she opens the box, revealing rice, meat and cooked carrots. Wait a second…
No tomatoes?
Raising an eyebrow, Sasuke looks at her. "What is it?"
"Nothing," says the captain while taking the chopsticks, "is just that I was so tired to hear from the girls back at the academy that you liked tomatoes that are incredible to not see them here."
"And you believe in everything they say?" asks the Uchiha, it meant that Hinata was indeed listening about him, interesting.
"No. in fact, I don't believe in anything unless I see it. Call it…lack of faith if you want to give it a name."
"I agree," responds Sasuke while he sees the captain taking a bite of the food into her mouth and waited for her judgment.
With that she frowns and looks back at Sasuke. "Is not as bad as your tea, but I guess this is enough."
The Uchiha looked at her, blinking twice. She still remembers his bad tea? He couldn't believe it, until he saw the two cups that were on her desk, the smell of black no-sugar added coffee and the green tea confirmed her taste to the caffeine liquid.
Hinata: "And…thanks."
Sitting in one of the chairs nearby, "That's okay." he takes a seat and grabs a pair of chopsticks. "We'll deal with my 'tea problem' another day..."
Naruto and the rest were eating lunch at the ramen stand, while the blonde nin was stuffing his mouth with the famous plate, Kakashi was reading his book. Then the copy ninja looks at his pink haired student, who was moving the chopsticks on the ramen, looking lost at it.
"You knew that Sasuke was sleeping with someone Sakura, I don't see why you are suddenly sad about it." Mentions the teacher, which made Naruto almost choke with the noodles. "Don't day things like that Kakashi-sensei! Don't you see that it hurts Sakura-chan's feelings?!"
"She knows this already Naruto, but she doesn't seem to realize that she lost--"
"I hadn't lost yet." Says suddenly the pink haired ninja, and then looks back at the rest of the team. "Maybe Sasuke-kun went to that…woman because of the physical thing. Maybe is just that. Maybe I can still win his heart; after all this years I can't sit and see that someone that we don't know is taking him."
Then Kakashi sights, "If it was just that, he knows that you can do anything for him…and the rest of the fan girl population. And think about it," with that Sakura opened her eyes wide; she would never do such thing…maybe if he admits to have a relationship…maybe…
"If the one that Sasuke sleeps was a common fan, everyone would know who it was, but is still a secret. And he is usually a woman hater, and acting such way it means that he is indeed interested. He is right now on a lunch date Sakura, think about it! Whoever she is, she must be special for him, don't you think?"
With that Sakura couldn't take it anymore; stood up, paid the bill and left the ramen stand, and Naruto started to slurp up his ramen slowly. He had to admit that Kakashi was right…
For a 30 year old virgin, he was right.
The lunch came quite fast for the two, mostly because none of them say a thing and focused on the meal. And the fact that she seemed to like the meal pleased Sasuke a lot. Placing the bento to a side, Hinata resumed writing on the scroll, but when the Uchiha was walking close to her desk, she rolled it back.
"Don't worry, I won't see what you're reading." gestures Sasuke, who moved just to pick up her empty bento. Hinata immediately places the scroll on one of the drawers (sp?) of her desk.
"It doesn't matter, this one is not that important." Says the captain, like to end the conversation about the scroll. Sasuke frowned, but decided to let it go.
Then she looks at the door, "someone is supposed to come at this hour, you should leave--" but before she could say anything else, Sasuke already stood up.
"See you tonight." Then he disappears, with empty bento boxes at hand. She sights but when she looks at her desk, her breath stops suddenly.
On her desk was a beautiful white rose.
She couldn't believe her eyes, she was so used to get from fans and other people all kinds of flowers, but mostly of them were red. Sasuke giving her a white rose…her favorite rose…was more than weird.
It looked more like he knew about it.
He was trying to be a smart ass, but on her opinion he was starting to be a dumb ass. When the captain was about to go back to work, someone knocks the door. "Hinata-sama…"
It was Iruka…
But before the teacher could say something else, the door is abruptly opened. "Hinata, we got the evidence!" screams Hiro, who came in along with Saito and Yuki, and then they saw that someone else was there.
The captain stood up and looks back at Iruka. "I'm apologize Iruka, but something came." With that she looks back at her team running out. "I want all of them taken before they leave the village and assign team Lee to the work! And all those who are in any case related to them in custody!"
Saito, Yuki, Hiro: "Yes Sir!"
Sasuke was walking normally through the streets of Konoha, and he was glad that he left the office in time. He should stop reading Yuki's novels, because just at Hinata's office, he was thinking of 'things' that they can do in that desk. In fact, it reminded him on one of the scenes of the novel "The Secretary", Yuki's third book.
He sees Naruto and Kakashi, who were walking randomly towards him. But before they could say a thing, Tatsuha appears. "There you are!" says the monk while reaching to the trio.
"I was looking for you since yesterday Sasuke, I though that you wanted to train, ne?" asks the monk, while Naruto grins at him. "Well, he was having exercise indeed..." With that Sasuke gives the blonde nin a look that said; 'I don't like that joke so stop it'.
"If that's the case," grins the monk, "you should give me the details after we train and--" but he was cut off when they see that a ninja ran past them, followed by Chouji. Kakashi and the others decided to follow, only to see their comrade beat up the ninja, who is actually using a Konoha head plate. Then Lee and Sai appears, putting handcuff in his wrists.
Seconds later, appears Hiro looking at the team. "Hurry up and put him in custody, there are three more in the run!" screams the red haired ninja, then he jumps into one of the roofs. Sasuke and the rest was about to follow them when the red haired ninja stopped them. "This is an official ANBU situation! Mere jounins and even less gennins can come along!" with that they stop, Naruto looking angrily at Hiro while he is jumping away.
Once he was out of view, he looks at the Uchiha and the copy ninja. "And since when he can give us orders?" says the blonde nin with a smirk.
Turning on one of the communicators, Hiro speaks: "Saito, Yuki; can you hear me?"
Saito: "Loud and clear Hiro."
Hiro: "One of them is actually in custody, what's the situation."
Saito: "Two of them already caught, and Hinata is after the last one. We hadn't seen her since then."
Hiro: "You what?!"
Yuki: "Is not like we want it to happen, okay?! My guess is that the leader tries to leave the village and---"
Hiro: "After the limits of the village, the risk is higher, I know."
Yuki: "Right, catch us at the south limits of the village. We don't know how many are already on their side."
Hiro: "Roger." And he hangs up.
Rushing through the tree branches of the woods, Hiro sees something and moves faster. The rest follows him almost instantly, to see that he catch up Saito and Yuki.
"You are slow like a damn old hag!" asks Saito while he sees with whom Hiro came.
"There's no time for this Saito. The trees say that there's a fight not so far from here. Let's go!" orders Yuki while Hiro looks back at Saito, who snorts and follows.
"The trees say what?" asks softly Sakura, which made the rest of team look back at her. When did she got there?!
"I'm still a Kinomoto, Sakura-san." Explains Yuki; still amazed that she was there with them, Hinata won't like this. "We can talk to nature's elements but most plants." With that they follow the rest of team zero silently (to Sakura's insistence of being there as medic nin), until they see the battle field.
The man they were following was standing on a safe distance, with kunai at hand. He was panting heavily, and his right arm was bleeding. On the other side was Hinata, having as her weapon shuriken on both of her hands.
She looked normal, not breaking sweat.
This fight was decided a long time ago.
"Normally I just kill scum like you," says Hinata, "but I'm obligated to arrest you and bring you into interrogation. So Nanatsuha Hess, you're under arrest for terrorism towards the Village of the Hidden Leaf--"
"You witch! Where is the Sound team that you trapped?!" Screams Hess, and that's something that you should never do; never show your feelings in battle, and less in front Hinata.
"So, you knew them after all," responds the captain, proving his impatience, "but I believe that you're more concerned about your girl, don't you?"
With that Sakura and the rest gasped, girl? "She was on the Sound squad that attacked the village not long ago; she was disguised as a guy and was the one that injured the Uchiha." Responds Saito at no one, he knows that they'll ask that.
"What is it Hess, don't you want to know where she is or," then the captain starts to play with the shuriken between her fingers,
"…or where I buried her?"
Then that responded everything, Hinata killed the Sound squad that was arrested. That's why there wasn't anything about it after the incident.
"Did any of you know about this?!" screams Hiro, but when he didn't received any response and saw his teammate Yuki with his hands turned into fists, it meant that no one knew about this.
Hinata hid that information.
"You dammed thing!" then Hess charges at her, but Hinata saw it coming, and started to respond his hits with equal force. A sudden kick sent the man away, but when he looked up saw that the captain was putting back the shuriken and crossed her arms.
"I thought at you wanted to kill me Hess, but I see that you are only talk and not action." With that she turns her back to him, with made the ninja's anger into a boil.
"ARGH!" but when Hess was about to made it; Hinata turns to face him and holds the left wrist that had the weapon. But as soon as that happened, something came wrong.
Hinata was forced to jump back in defense.
Suddenly she stepped back and raising a hand she stops a dagger that was for her. Because she was holding it tightly, the blade of the dagger made her hand bleed. Suddenly she turns around and sends the same dagger towards the new enemy, who caught it and licked the captain's blood from the weapon.
"Your blood even taste sweet and pure, I like it…"
Everyone suddenly prepared into a fight position, but Yuki was the first one to speak:
"It's a Ramjal."
"How do you know him?" asks immediately Hiro, which made Saito to look at the two immediately. "Did you know what is that thing?!" screams the elder of team zero, and in that moment Sakura was about to move.
"Don't." says Yuki while the pink haired ninja looks back at him, "You won't tell the Hokage about this. Ramjals are immortal, the Uchiha back in the mansion didn't kill him, just injured the demon. That's why it took him time to come back. And right now, Hinata is facing him"
Sakura: "But she couldn't do anything last time! And I wasn't going for Tsunade; I was going for Sasuke-kun--"
Yuki: "You won't…Hinata changed a lot…so don't get in the way."
Sakura: "How come? That just happened a week ago!"
"I don't care about that." Says Hiro, comes out of the bushes along with the rest of Team Zero. Sakura had on other choice than to do the same and appears as well. It was true and taking Kakashi or Naruto here won't help either.
The Rasengan was useless the first time after all.
Hinata knew all this time that they were hiding no so far away from the scene, but she was glad that none of the got in the way. "Why did you save him?"
" Ku ku ku…he made a deal with the Ramjals that's all." Responds the Ramjal, who was far different from the first one they fought at the mansion, his skin was blood red and his wings had now skin, just like bats. "And besides, he contacted me to kill you. So forget about him."
Then Yuki couldn't believe what he heard, "You sold your soul to the Ramjal, to kill Hinata?"
"Anything to make that witch gone!" Responds Hess, with a crazy smirk that made it official; Hess was lost.
"Then your soul has come to waste because you won't defeat me." Responds seriously the captain, now she had no other choice, she has to kill them both.
"I know what Itachi told me about you, and I think that it was enough."
"Last time the Uchiha got in the way playing the hero, this time I'll kill you for sure." States the captain and she takes out her kunai. The Ramjal laughs again and looks back at where the rest is watching.
"I hope that you have a nice place to bury her, since I'm here to take her soul too." With that it looks back at her with a smirk. "Make it worth to get it, Hinata."
"You want my soul? I'm so flattered." Responds with sarcasm Hinata and attacks at the same time the Ramjal does.
Then the Ramjal's dagger and Hinata's kunai encountered each other, in a fight that was so fast that almost none of them could see the movements. Only the sound of the weapons colliding was the proof that they were still alive.
Just like when Hinata and Sasuke fought the first time.
Suddenly it stops and Hinata founds herself alone on the clearing. The Ramjal was hidden.
Closing her eyes, winds started to move around her, and then she opens her eyes and sends a series of shuriken at one of the trees. Seeing the movement, Saito screams.
"Everyone get down!"
After that, a huge explosion surrounded the training grounds. Everyone was send away due to the force of the explosion, but still no one was injured and could stand up.
While Sakura was looking if the rest was injured or something, she sees a group of little kids walking towards her. "Are you hurt?" asks one of the kids.
"What are you doing here?! Get out!" screams the pink-haired ninja. But the children hadn't move an inch. And thinking about it, is rare to see kids with dirty clothes on Konoha, and these looked like street kids.
"Don't you hear me?! Get out of here!" screams again Sakura, then Hiro runs at her and sees the kids too. "Kids…here?!"
"We can't leave yet, we have a mission." Says one of the kids, Hiro and Sakura looked at them with wide eyes.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Says Hiro, then when they look at the children again, they started to smile…
But instead of a normal smile, they showed fangs, large sharp fangs.
And red eyes…
Suddenly, Yuki and Saito stepped in front of them. "Don't be fooled, they are not alive!" screams the blonde ANBU, then they looked again at the kids.
Sakura: "But--"
"They are Vortions! They may be little, but if you are careless they'll eat you alive!" then the kids' hair turned white and they're skin darker. Suddenly they transformed into chibi version of Ramjals, but without the wings.
Yuki: "Hiro, Saito! Protect Sakura-san! They'll come for her."
Sakura: "WHAT?!"
"You heard me damn it!" responds the blonde ANBU, and then they suddenly hear again the fight with weapons on their back.
Hiro: "Shit, Hinata is still fighting."
"Hinata? You mean Hinata princess? Mama?" asks suddenly one of the Vortions. Then the rest of the little demons start to laugh. With that Yuki's concerns were coming true.
"They are distracting us to get Hinata!"
"Come on, don't tell me that this is the best that you can do." Thinks the captain while hides between trees. The Ramjal was stronger than before, and for some odd reason she can thank that to Sasuke.
Normally she would have got rind of him long time ago, but since this was a demon and not a human being, she doesn't know what kind of tricks can do.
Damn…
But she has to act fast, she already sensed more chakras coming into this place and she doesn't know yet if they are allies or enemies. And she was concerned that she hadn't heard anything from team zero who was hidden.
Damn…
Leaving her hiding place, she steps again into the clearing, closing her eyes and trying to find the demon. Nothing…
"Like I said," says the Ramjal while puts the edge of his blade on her back, "Itachi told me everything about you, princess."
Princess?
Hinata expected to be hit on the back by the blade, but the demon moved with his speed and kicked her on her stomach in a fast motion and sent her to the lake that was like 500 meters from her spot. Landing on the water, the demon laughs and sees her getting into the surface.
"Right now the Vortions are killing your teammates, the mortals. This would be easier for everyone if you decide to come with me. I don't want to kill you and you know it."
Hinata was standing on the water and passes the back of her hand over her mouth…
Blood…her blood.
Suddenly, she remembers what she promised at the Nakano River when she fought Shisui with the water element: (chapter 37)
"I swear right now on this legendary river, that I'll do everything possible to stop being someone's shadow. I'll reach my own limit by myself. No Uchiha Itachi or Hyuuga's shadow. No Sannin or Kage's shadow. I'll reach my limit and I'll create my own destiny, I'll be a legend. And today is the last time that I'll let a man trying to bring me down! I'll live for fighting or die trying it!"
She remembered that promise, and then she realized that at the moment that she looses a battle, she'll fail to her own promise. At the moment that she lets someone else fight for her, she will becomes weaker. No one will defeat her, not now.
But she came into reality when she heard different voices with a famous jutsus:
'Rasengan!'
"Chidori!"
"Chidori!"
The hit was visible through the distance, which means that maybe someone is still alive…
Sasuke and the rest appeared into the scene when they saw Team zero fighting the Vortions, but still the fight was tough, especially when they have to protect Sakura from them.
And every time you hit them they respond the attack two times stronger.
Tatsuha explained that the Vortions normally takes women on their reproductive years as their 'temporal' mothers and that as soon as they get bored with them they kill them.
No sensing anymore chakra, Saito and the rest of team zero was looking for the captain since they left her alone to save Sakura. But then they found themselves face-to-face with the Ramjal.
The Ramjal was still standing, where is Hinata!
Hiro was clenching his fists, his anger rising every second. Normally Saito and Yuki would stop him, but the feeling was mutual. Hinata would never loose to something like this, she must be somewhere.
"Ah, It seems that this will be interesting, I always wanted to see the power of a full blooded Nakano--" but he was cut when a dagger was directed at him and he tried to dodge it.
But the weapon hit on his shoulder. The demon groaned with pain, but that groan was so loud that stopped the fight between team seven and the Vortions as well. Sensing the danger of the high class demon, the Vortions ran towards their leader was, making Naruto and the other do the same.
When they got into the clearing, they saw the one who sent the dagger…
It was Hinata…
She was still standing over the water, looking directly to the demon. Yuki looked her closely, but then he stepped back. Saito noticed it and moved to look at their captain as well. When he saw it, he looks back at Hiro.
Then Yuki smirks and looks at the Ramjal, "She is awakening…you're finished demon."
When the Ramjal took the dagger out, the weapon suddenly turned into water, which surprised Tatsuha. "No, this is impossible. Did she really got this far?"
Sasuke: "What do you mean? She did that back at the mansion--"
But before the Uchiha could continue, Hinata makes a fast move hitting the demon on his face and sending him in the air. When he finally lands on the ground, Sasuke and the others finally made it to the scene. When Sasuke looked at Hinata's eyes, he didn't need anyone to tell him what was going on.
The coldness in her eyes was like the ones she showed to him every time they fought. But this time…they were worst. The eyes turned a shade darker, making them look like they were completely false.
Walking slowly towards the demon, she was immediately surrounded by the Vortions. In that moment Naruto was about to run towards them when Kakashi stopped them.
"Naruto, you know what happened back there!" screams the copy ninja, making the blonde nin remember that they almost destroyed part of the whole group. The only way to destroy them is with finishing moves. And making it so many times can drain their chakra too fast.
And that is too risky in the middle of battle.
Seeing the group of little demons surround her, Hinata puts her hands on her back pockets. Seeing what she was going to do, Saito curses.
"Damn not that again!" with that he steps back and looks at Yuki, who understood the order. "Tatsuha come on!" screams the blonde ANBU.
Brother beside brother, they make hand seals at the same time. In front of Sakura and the rest appears a line of huge and strong trees, making some sort of a wall. Seconds after the wall was made, the whole area starts to tremble by the impact of the explosions.
"We can't be here all the time! We have to support Hinata!" screams Hiro while he looks around a way to get through the trees, but he can't see any.
"There's no need for that, Hinata will defeat him for sure." Says calmly Yuki, but then Saito grabs him by his collar and lifts him up. "And what about after she finishes him, huh?! Or did you forgot about that little detail?!"
With that Yuki looks to a side frowning. "She is an A-1 class ninja, or did you forgot about it Saito?"
Saito: "Did you give up on her?! That's what you're telling me?!"
Yuki: "I'm prepared to do what it has to do…are you ready for that Saito?"
"Listen to me you two!" screams Hiro, getting their attention. "Hinata is there fighting a fucking demon who tries to take her soul and you're here talking like she is leaving with who knows!"
"That's the problem." Mutters Yuki to shut up Hiro for a second.
"What…?"
Yuki: "The first time that the Ramjal appeared…he offered Hinata to be together with Itachi…"
With that Hiro walks to where the other Team Zero members were standing. And with intense blue eyes, he looked at Yuki. "Put that damn wall down…now."
When they trees started to move away, they could see the destruction of the whole place. Pieces of the bodies of the Vortions were everywhere, fresh blood all over the floor. But the amazing thing was seeing Hinata fight the Ramjal.
Hinata was making hand seals, while the Ramjal was taking out a sword. Then she makes a move, like she was holding a big weapon, but she had nothing in her hands. Making a swing she throws 'it' at him, but then the demon jumps to a side. When he looks back he sees Hinata and she kicks him on the side to send it few meters away.
"Damn you!" screams the demon, while Hess looks at the scene in awe.
"I can't believe that I'm offering my soul to him!"
Then he feels someone's breathe on his back, and Hess knew who it was. "I guess that you won't let me go to hell. After all, I'm still one of your ANBU ninjas. Right, captain?" But before he could continue, Hinata places her index fingers on his neck, making him mute.
"Hinata…"says Naruto while he sees what she was doing. The calculated moves, the coldness of her actions…this was like the Hinata they met the day that Itachi and Orochimaru were killed. This is the true Hinata. The murder, the killing machine.
But before she makes another move the demon strikes again, but the captain defends and after jumping away, she makes more hand seals. The ground around her starts to move up and surround her, making some kind of sphere around Hinata. It looked like the absolute defense that Gaara used to make with sand. But using the dirt of the forest was kind of different, for not saying a copy technique.
"But…how?" asks Sakura, then Naruto who is standing next to her responds. "SHE used some jutsus like Gaara used when we were on Suna. Somehow she managed to recreate them, just like Shino's bugs."
"No, is not that." Responds Hiro, "Hinata's mind works constantly, she doesn't copy jutsu like the Sharingan, and she adapts what get her attention and uses in her own version."
Suddenly they turned to see the Ramjal, who smirked by her action and starts to make hand seals, "Too bad, I was having fun. But now…"
Suddenly, red chakra was surrounding Hinata's ball. "I'll dig you in your own grave!"
Then Sasuke realizes what it was, is not red chakra…it was lava. But before he could say anything, the lava moves up and covers the dirt ball completely, with Hinata inside.
Everyone started to scream, this can't be happening.
"HINATA!" screams team zero along with Tatsuha, Naruto and Kakashi. In that moment Sakura was nowhere been seen and Sasuke was seeing the scene desperately. He doesn't know what to do, what to say.
Damn…
Then the ball that was currently covered with red live lava, started to turn darker. The Ramjal was laughing seeing that she was dying when he saw the lava drying itself slowly.
Then, through the cracks of the now dried ball, small amounts of water started to escape from it. That was until a mass of water exploded from it and hit the demon with it, surrounding him.
Looking back where the ball was, there was a smaller amount of water standing there, slowly changing it's form. And it changed back to Hinata.
Sasuke felt his breath return to his lungs when he saw her standing there completely safe. He has to trust in her abilities, she didn't kill Orochimaru for nothing.
Making the water ball explode to it's sides, the demon get free from it and sees the captain. "How--?" asks Naruto.
"In such green forest and just a lake no so far away, it was obvious that there's a river underground." Says Sasuke, and made sense to the rest.
"You are indeed a good piece. It was fair for Itachi to have you for him. Managing the water in such short time is incredible."
Hinata didn't responded, just started to make more hand seals. In that moment, Sasuke could recognize them; she used them when they fought back at the tournament.
And the Ramjal was surrounded by black fire. The demon looks around then at Hinata smirking. "This is something unexpected for someone who is not an Uchiha, but still…"
While holding with one hand the chakra for the jutsu, the used the other to make more hand seals. This was something no so common, but talented people like Kakashi rarely used it for the great concentration and chakra that it needs to make it.
She was mixing two jutsus at the same time.
Wind started to surround Hinata, like a little tornado, and it flew towards the Ramjal, entrapping him on a black fire tornado.
"Ha ha ha…it doesn't matter how intense the fire is! Remember that I come from hell and you're doing nothing but helping me! Ha ha ha…!"
Yuki looked back at Hinata, it was true. Fire can make demons stronger, especially when that fire is made from chakra. But his eyes went wider when he saw her body trembling; she was going to do something that she shouldn't.
Light blue chakra started to surround her body, and it was slowly going to her left arm. It meant that she was concentrating all her energy in a hit, what the heck she is thinking?
But before she can make it, she sensed someone behind her. But if she turned to face her enemy she 'll have to let go of the Ramjal. This wasn't good.
And things got more difficult when the enemy was no other than another Vortion.
"Argh!"
It was Saito's scream of battle.
The sound of his sword cutting flesh was the indicator that Saito was managing the little demons.
'Rasengan!'
'Chidori!'
'Chidori!'
And…HE was there too, along with her teammates of team zero.
Finishing concentrating the blue chakra on her left hand, she made a fast hand seal before the strength of the black fire tornado started to fade.
"Dante's hell!"
Her fist colliding with the wall of the black fire tornado made something that no one expected.
Everyone though that it was going to explode or trespass the demon with it, but no…
She turned the whole mass into ice.
And at the same time that happened, the Vortions turned into ice as well. It seemed that they were related to the Ramjal since the beginning.
Then the ice barrier collapsed, showing a frozen demon, which was more like a statute.
Not waiting much time, Hinata runs at the frozen Ramjal and kicks it, breaking it into pieces.
The same happened to the Vortions, and their pieces turned into dust.
Tatsuha and Yuki were cheering that everything ended, until a dark cloud came from the remaining of the Ramjal. But before it can reach Hinata, Sasuke stood there between them with his sword out and Sharingan activated.
The red eyes on the cloud confirmed that it was the Ramjal.
"Remember Hinata…if you want to join again with Itachi, look for me...Ku ku ku ku…" and the demonic cloud disappears.
When Yuki was about to react of what the demon said, Hinata walks away from them, going towards Hess. Seeing that she was getting closer, he takes out a kunai.
"I won't give you the pleasure to kill me! I'll kill myself first!" and he stabs himself on his chest, falling back dead.
In that moment Tsunade appears with a handful of ninjas and Sakura beside her. So she went to seek for the Hokage after all. She saw the moment that Hess stabbed himself, and saw how Hinata was looking at the scene with no care.
"So, it seems that the famous Team Zero failed in a simple mission." Says the Hokage while walks towards Hinata. Saito was about to move when Hiro stops him, this wasn't the time. Then they remembered that Hinata wasn't on her senses and hurried towards the scene.
Hinata ignored the Hokage, while she looks towards one of the trees, and to be more precise, it was the only one who hadn't received damage during the fight. Walking towards it, she uses a kunai to cut something…
A paper seal.
When the paper was broken, a tied up and scared to death Hess was tied to the tree. Pressing her fingertips to his neck, he recovered his voice. "I'm alive…why I'm alive…I just killed myself! This is impossible! You are the real devil!" screamed over and over again Hess while the other ANBU untied him and took him away.
Then Sasuke and the rest looked at the body that laid 'death', and saw how it turned into water. She made a water clone to make it look like Hess? When?
Tsunade was impressed; Hinata used the same technique that made Sakura think that Naruto killed her to make think Hess that he killed himself. She was getting stronger by a day and that wasn't good.
No good at all.
"Ahem…since it seems that you succeeded in your mission, let me congratulate you." But Hinata didn't respond her, and that worried Saito. She was acting weird since this morning.
Hinata suddenly looks back at Sakura, getting her out of guard. Looking directly at her eyes, Sakura started to panic and scream. The memories of what happened at the tournament started to run on her mind again.
Shizune runs to aid the pink-haired ninja, while Tsunade looks at the captain angry.
"Just tell Sakura to stay away from Hinata, unless she wants to really fight her." Defends Saito, he normally never says a thing when it comes to Tsunade and Hinata. Both women have lots of professional and personal issues, especially when it comes to the Sannin and the Third Hokage.
Strong issues if you ask.
Hinata was about to leave with her team, but stopped when she heard Naruto calling Sasuke to help Sakura. She looks this time at the Uchiha, who looked back at her without fear, more like a challenge.
Suddenly both ninja put their weapons out, but Kakashi got in the way. "The real enemy is dead now. How can you still be into this nonsense!" with that Saito shakes the captain's shoulder, and she looks back at him. Her eyes turned into her normal pale ones and nods in understanding.
There's always another day, another battle.
Hinata decides to stay there with team zero, and waited for the rest to leave. And Sasuke looks for Tatsuha and leaves with him too, leaving alone Sakura and the rest.
After what he saw today, he needs to starts the true training with the monk…now.
The sun is setting down and the news about what happened with the ANBU traitors spread all over the village. Everyone wants the traitors to receive the highest of the punishments; death. But by surprise to everyone at the council, the captain of the ANBU suggested to have all of them in prison for life. After all, that death sometimes is a gift, no a punishment.
Sasuke didn't know how, but he made to his place. The training with Tatsuha was far from nice, the damn monk was right when he said that he won't hold back when it comes to training. And since he saw what Hinata can do and has this 'friendly' competition with his brother Yuki, he is pushing Sasuke beyond the limit.
And Sasuke never complained about it.
And in fact, it helps him too to gather information that he wants (or needs) to know. Like why they decided to stay at the fighting place. He remembered about what he talked with Ryuichi and asked why when they passed where they fought the place looked like nothing happened there.
Tatsuha explained that there's a special technique that he heard about from the Kinomoto clan called 'restoration', which is using your own chakra to restore the damage to the nature. He never saw anyone perform such technique, but there was a big possibility that Yuki knows how to do it…maybe Ryuichi.
He didn't mentioned Hinata because is said that only the ones who can communicate with nature or are related to nature can do such a thing…
Who knows…
Getting inside of his apartment, he went directly to the bathroom, he'll make dinner later. Several minutes later, he leaves the shower with a towel around his waist and was received with the smell of fresh tea.
Entering the kitchen, he sees no other than Hinata pouring some of the liquid on one cup. Raising an eyebrow, he decides to approach her and see what was going on. She notices his presence and moves to another chair, so she can be facing him now.
The last Uchiha takes the cup and drinks it. This was the kind of tea that he was used to when Hinata prepares it. Maybe is the one who prepares it, not the ingredients. Then he saw the pot beside him, which means that she brought the tea from her place.
She is a tea maniac, that's official.
Looking up at her, he sees that she is looking at him with a neutral expression. Not like she always looks at him angered or smiling; even when he saw her smile like two times and the rest she looks at him angered…like today.
"Why the white rose?" asks suddenly the captain, which made him almost choke on his own tea. Did she come here to ask that?
"What about it?" asks back the Uchiha, he usually never gives a reason of his actions, but decided to see what this was lead to.
"From all the colors and flowers that you could give you gave me a white rose, why?"
"You ask that because I didn't give you a red rose like other would have done." with that Hinata looked at him impressed, it was official; he was playing the smart ass thing.
"And besides," continues the avenger, "that's your favorite flower, Hinata." Then Hinata was tense, how did he knows that?
"How--?"
"Can you explain me why you called that technique 'Dante's Hell'?" cut off Sasuke, she knew that he wants to change the subject and she'll let him…for now.
"It's from a very old story called 'The divine comedy', by Dante. He talks about the seven sins and he describes one part of hell as very cold place, like the snow country. So I decided to name it like that." Explains Hinata while she sees a smirk from Sasuke's lips, like it was some kind of joke.
"What else can I expect from a book worm?"
"if being someone cult and smart is being a book worm, then I'm a book worm. Anything is better than a porno literature fan." With that the Uchiha frowns at her. "I only read Yuki's novels because Tatsuha told me to do so." Defends Sasuke, made Hinata raises an eyebrow.
Hinata: "Even Tatsuha knows his limits, and I wasn't talking about you. I was referring to Uzumaki, but since you mention it…"
"And being Yuki the author of those books doesn't mean that you don't read them." With that Hinata frowns at him, looking a little offended. "I never said that I didn't read them. He gives me the first print signed."
Sasuke: "Great, a porno literature collector…" responds with humor Sasuke
Hinata: "It's not porn, is called 'erotic novel'. Is not pure porn like Jiraya's. Yuki's books don't have pictures and calls the organs 'stick' and 'cherry'. "
Sasuke: "For someone who defends them with passion, I believe that they are better than porn."
Hinata: "You tell me."
With that Sasuke looks away, finishing the tea cup, making the captain smirk. It was the first time that he sees her doing it without fighting. A little mental challenge sometimes was good at this time of night.
Hinata was about to pick up the canteen to leave when Sasuke puts an arm around her waist and pulls her towards him, taking her of guard. With her hands over his chest to stop him, she saw the Uchiha's lips getting dangerously closer to hers.
She closed her eyes and waited to feel them on her lips, when she felt his slow hot breath on her neck and his arms pulling her tight against his body.
"Stay with me tonight."
She didn't say a thing, just jumped and wrapped her legs around his waist and cling on him while he carried her to his bedroom.
Hinata didn't left the bedroom until next morning.
A/N: Just in case, I don't have a writer's block or a sudden case of laziness. Right now I'm on the search of have my independent life by finding a job and/or moving to Ohio. And since I have to try everything at hand, and to the fact that the internet connection at home is the worst dial-up ever (I miss college's wireless). But I'm still writing and editing my chapters, I even have ideas for other SasuHina stories, but I promised myself that I won't do any until I finish this, I don't want to loose my focus on it.
The AMV is close to be finished, I want to make it good and worth to post it on my website and youtube, so I'm editing it and making all those favorable changes to make it a good SasuHina AMV and my comeback to the AMVs since my last one.
Here is some kind of information about the demons presented in this chapter.
Ramjal— High class demon, name based on the name of one of the archangels of the Bible, but its characteristics are created by me. It feeds from deals with mortals in exchange of their souls. But he never betrays, he fulfill the deals completely. Is rumored that he is the result of the souls of the strongest ninja warriors that ever existed, but that never regretted their sins. The purer/stronger the soul he feed, the stronger it gets, surpassed only by Lucifer the Lord of the underworld. Now is after Hinata's soul with no explained reason.
Vortions—another demon creature created by me. They are like the cherubim of Hell. They are souls of unborn or aborted children that died without seeing the world, making them unworthy to go to heaven. They feed from human flesh, but they survive taking women in their reproductive years and force them to be their 'mothers'.
