Chapter 13

He had snuck out her room two hours later, staying longer had already impeded on his next mission. Suna despite its harshness in the day was a very beautiful village at night. A scurry outside the village walls caught his attention. Three ninjas began to take off in the direction of the Amegakure. At closer inspection he realized they had a bundle in their arms, curiosity piqued, he had a raven follow in pursuit. The bundle came into focus as he realized it was a person, his frown lines deepened as the raven slowly descended for better view. Navy locks swaying caught his attention and upon closer inspection he recognized her as a Hyuga.

Temari's sister in law? Now more intrigued, he followed at a closer pace but still distant enough to not be located. Suddenly. All three ninjas came to a halt just at the border of Suna and Ame. A young woman with brown locs defected and returned in the direction of Suna, her headband catching his attention. He had his clone trail her a bit to verify that she was indeed a Sunagakure kunoichi, affirming his suspicion of an inside job. The full moon's beam fell upon her as she retreated and the cold breeze across his skin alerted him of his mission that would commence soon.

The temptation to ignore this kidnap was trampled by a picture of Temari hunched and in tears from the night before. Sighing reluctantly, he began to scout the expansive desert for someone to alert of the incident. He came up empty on every turn as the clock kept ticking, about to give up hope and apologize to Temari on a later time he found smoke rising from the border between Suna and Konoha. Upon closer inspection he realized it was a three man ninja team and not just any but Sasuke's.

Interested but running out of time he examined them a bit. The Jinchuriki lay sprawled over the ground and the pink haired kunoichi had her head soundly on Sasuke's laps. His brother had a lost in thought look in his eyes as he stared into space.

Little Sasuke has a girlfriend. Thought he'd do better but he seems pretty whipped. He chuckled as he examined his disturbed brother allowing a girl to touch him. Pushing the odd reunion for another time he sent his raven towards took a bit but Sasuke looked it in the eye and that was all he needed. The sharingan activated on his crow as he relayed his message,

"The Kazekage's wife is in danger," he showed her limp body and the direction in which she was being carried. "Please save her." and with that he dissipated, leaving a shocked and attentive Sasuke.

~.~.~

Gaara,

I am sending Team Seven over to Suna as of now. It is a risk considering we are still not sure about the Akatsuki's plans towards Konoha. As allies to Suna, I think it is best we send our best to solve the issues with Amegakure. Konoha can hold its own for a bit if the need rises. At least that is what we hope.

How is Hinata? I hope you are both getting along well. I know the Hyuga were happy to rid themselves of her but from what I heard from those that returned from the wedding, she is more than happy in Suna. Jiraiya says the Akatsuki are out now, officially beginning their hunts for the tailed beasts. Be careful.

Godaime Tsunade.

Gaara rolled his eyes at the woman's wordings but heaved a sigh of relief at the news. If he calculated when the letter was received, misplaced and answered, Naruto and his teammates should arrive soon. He was sure Hinata would enjoy the news. Even though they were not there on peaceful terms and she couldn't fight alongside them, she'd be happy to see her friends.

Smiling to himself, he picked up his things and headed for their room. She had been so open after he had explained the Akatsuki. Her reaction still stunned him till today, she still stayed by him no matter what. He was slowly hating how late he had met her in life, his days were numbered at this point, yet, he couldn't swallow not being there for her. The push for an heir became even more desperate from the council and he couldn't even blame them. A child inheriting the byakugan and possibly his powers leading Suna, what a tool. He growled but pushed his thoughts for later as he stood in front of their room door. First Amegakure, then an heir can be considered.

The thought of an heir continued to eat him from within. What if the Akatsuki got to him before it was born? What would happen to Hinata and his heir? What if she died in birth like his mother? Pushing aside the troublesome thoughts he opened the brown door leading to their room but was met with a vacant bed.

"Hinata," he knocked on the bathroom door, but it opened as soon as he touched it, showing vacant as well. Panic began to set off within him.

"Hinata?"

He stepped out the window and saw no footprints or persons. Stepping back into the room, now with the sanity of a madman, he pulled the rumpled sheets. That was when he saw it, tiny glass shatters, and semi dry liquid. His heart stopped.

~.~.~

"What do you want, Teme?" Naruto grumbled half asleep

"Hinata is in trouble." The words seemed to register in Naruto's mind as he shot up.

"Sasuke-kun are you sure?" Sakura's eyebrows creased, hating being disturbed off her favorite cuddle partner. "How do you even know this? We haven't moved."

He didn't answer and lept off in the direction he knew she had been taken. Stopping midway, he looked at his teammates who trailed him skeptically. "Sakura go to Suna, tell the Kazekage where we are headed."

"Wouldn't Gaara know if Hinata is missing?"

"He thinks we are coming to Suna. Meet us after you meet him." she nodded, sighing sadly before disappearing. Sasuke never cared for anyone. Why Hinata?

Sasuke's mind ran a thousand miles an hour. That had definitely been Itachi's bird. How were he and the Hyuga acquainted? And how important was it? Not enough to save her himself? He knew it was fruitless. But once he got her, he would get an answer and once he did, it would lead him to his brother...and he would end him.