Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own Naruto yada yada.

Flashback

Dreams

'Thoughts'

Things never seemed to turn out as they plan, despite Hinata seeming to realize what needed to be done, her own doubts got the best of her and she refrained from making a move until she rested. IT also helped that she wounds still bothered her and Gaara couldn't risk opening them back up again just to make Hinata do what was needed. The red haired vampire snorted softly and all night tended to the fire, never leaving Hinata's side. She was having Naruto look after things, but knew that the boy would be asking questions if she stayed away too long. The other female turned her head, watching Hinata sleep and then closed her eyes. What was she going to do with her? How could she help this girl?

More questions came up than answers and Gaara growled softly, running a hand through her hair. What the hell was she doing?! She had her own Tribe to look after and provide for, she had no business getting this involved with another leader and her problems. And yet...Gaara couldn't turn herself away from Hinata. The Eclipse Tribe leader groaned softly before heaving a long sigh and shaking her head. She was thinking in circles, she needed to rest too. Taking another glance at Hinata, the sea green eyed vampire settled next to her, moving close to her side, facing her and closed her eyes to sleep.

xXBreakXx

Sasuke was watching over Neji as the older vampire recovered from his fight with Hinata. Hanabi was curled up by her cousin's side and though it probably wasn't good for her to be so close to her ailing cousin, Sasuke didn't have the heart to send her away. Sighing softly, the dark haired deputy looked around the house, Anko was nearby with Kurenai in case something happened to Neji and Kakashi he knew was out with Moegi and Konohamaru, trying to keep them distracted.

Sighing softly, Sasuke gingerly touched his wounded shoulder, still able to feel Hinata's claws ripping into him. What was he going to do? Anko said that she saw Hinata fleeing into the forest, what if she got captured by Eclipse warriors? Should he try to go out and look for her? No, not now, Anko and especially Kurenai won't let him leave their sight. Perhaps, after they had all gone to bed for the night, it'll be tricky, the young pups have all started to gravitate towards him from warmth and protection since they all arrived here. And Konohamaru used to be so independent too. Well, it couldn't be helped, he would figure something out later.

...However, when the time came to sneak out and once he was finally free from the puppy pile, Sasuke stopped dead in his tracks to see Anko prowling around outside the house. Damn it! How the hell did she get out here before him, last time he checked, she was snuggling with Kurenai on the other couch next to Neji.

He cursed under his breath as Anko turned to him and tilted her head before making her way over to him. He couldn't retreat, then he'd look suspicious. Yet luck seemed to be on his side as he noticed Anko shuffled as she walked and she tried in vain to stifle a yawn before giving him a half-hearted greeting.

"You shouldn't be out so late, not with your wound. You should be resting." she muttered to him softly, yawning again. Perhaps Sasuke could get away.

Shaking his head, the younger vampire looked up at her and smiled. "I can say the same for you, you look exhausted. I couldn't sleep, the pups tend to crowd around me as of late. I needed some space, though I'll go back to them soon enough."

Anko hummed at that, closing her eyes briefly before opening them again, giving Sasuke a certain look. "Same here, I'm...not used to having so many here with us. For the longest time, it's just been the three of us. I suppose, it's just hard for me to relax right now. I'll just have to get use to it, Kurenai's probably awake and wondering where I am, I should go to her. Goodnight, Sasuke."

The deputy watched her go, waiting until the door closed and her footsteps stopped before he made a move himself. "Goodnight, Anko. Rest well."

After that, Sasuke took off following Anko's trail back to the house where the battle happened. Even in the dark, Sasuke could see the blood not yet soaked into the earth and was quick to move on, finding Hinata's scent and hoping to not find her any worse than she already was.

Following her scent trail, Sasuke was only stopped when he came close to crossing the border into Eclipse Tribe's territory. Seeing this and looking around, Sasuke snorted and slashed at the ground with his claws, growling softly. "Why, Hinata? Of all the places you could have staggered to!" Still, he couldn't turn away, not after traveling this far. Steeling his nerves, Sasuke crossed the border.

He was maybe 20 minutes into crossing the border when he felt a weight on his back. Huffing crossly, the Dawn Tribe deputy was already done with getting pounced on. He was about to sling dirt into whoever this was eyes until his attacker leaned in closed and whispered in his ear. "Say thy name~"

"Naruto!" Sasuke twisted his head to look at the blonde warrior as best as he could before said warrior shifted his full weight onto him, resting his chin on the other's head. The action caused Sasuke to playfully tried to snap at him with his fangs. "C'mon, get off me, you great oaf!"

Naruto smirked but shook his head, not moving one inch. "Sorry, but I can't, I'm restraining a dangerous warrior." Sasuke huffed at that and with all of his strength, bucked the slighter older vampire off of him and when Naruto stumbled, he gently knocked the blonde's feet from under him and was the one pinning him to the ground with a cheeky grin. He straddled the other's boy's hips, chuckling softly as Naruto pouted up at him and leaned forward, giving the blue eyed warrior a loving kiss to take the sting out of his little prank.

When the kiss ended, Naruto was the first one to focus, though he didn't resist when Sasuke gave him a kiss on the neck, though he couldn't hold back a moan when the other gave him a little bite. "Sasuke...what are you doing here? Why did you cross the border...it's not the time for us to meet." he added in a whisper, giving the other a worried/stern look.

Sasuke turned his head slightly away at the disapproving look in the slightly older boy's eyes. "Hinata...our leader, she crossed the border. I have to find her, before something happens!" the raven haired deputy said in a rush, standing up and looking into the dark forest before him. "I have to make sure she not hurt...well more hurt than she already is!"

"She seems to enjoy doing that lately..." Naruto grumbled, rolling his eyes with a soft sigh. Sasuke shook his head and gave Naruto a disapproving look of his own.

"Don't be like that, we're no better. Constantly sneaking into each other's territory. We can't ridicule her for that." Sasuke sighed softly as Naruto reached up and put a hand on his cheek and Sasuke leaned in to the touch, sighing in gratitude.

"But it's different for us." the Eclipse deputy muttered, looking into the forest as well. "She has nothing and no one here, there's no reason for her to come here. As the deputy of Eclipse, I can't let this go on."

Sasuke looked down at Naruto and moved to hug him, burying his face into the crook of the blonde's neck. "Please...don't hurt her...We can't afford to lose Hinata, despite everything, she's still our leader. We need her."

Naruto looked up at the night sky and thought for a moment. What he was about to say might have dangerous consequences in store for him...but Sasuke asked him and he didn't want to upset the boy. Wrapping his arms around the dark haired vampire, Naruto gave his answer.

"I...I promise not to hurt her. If I find her, I'll escort her safely out of my territory. I swear to you."

Just as he said these words, however, Naruto noticed a scent getting closer and closer to them and from the looks of it, Sasuke noticed it too. The boys looked up together, just in time to see Hinata staring right back at them, eyes wide in shock.

Sasuke's mouth felt dry, his heart began to beat so loud he thought it would burst of his chest. He couldn't take his eyes off Hinata as the three of them continued to start at one another. "Hinata...I..."

A/N: Well, looks like Sasuke and Naruto have finally been caught. Wonder what our deputy is going to say to try a cover his ass. Find out, next time~