Disclaimer: still doesn't own Naruto...
Chapter four: The Uchiha's Keeper
Naruto entered the Hokage's quarters and saw Kakashi signing some paperworks. "Kakashi sensei..."
The copy ninja raised his head to looked at his former student. "Naruto... I have been looking for you."
"An Anbu told me to come here immediately." Naruto took a seat in front of Kakashi. He sensed that they are about to discuss something important. The Hokage barely summons him, and that is only to check on Sasuke's behavior.
"The Allied Shinobi force wants to renew the peace treaty to make the bonds between us stronger." The silver haired nin rested his chin on the back of his folded hands. His uncovered eye watched Naruto's expression.
As the present Hokage, he knows that someday, the responsibility of choosing his next replacement would fall on him. Naruto is one of the top choices for the position but Sasuke's announcement of wanting the position to himself stirred a few controversies.
"What would be my role on this Kakashi sensei?" Naruto asked.
Kakashi was glad when Naruto caught on quickly. He opened a drawer in his desk and pulled a small pocket sized book. Naruto's eyebrows raised when he saw some very interesting pictures on the cover.
"Ooopps...I pulled the wrong one." The Hokage smiled sheepishly and returned the book. Kakashi rummage again for a few seconds then pulled a white scroll. "Now here's the right one."
Naruto accepted the scroll when the copy nin handed it to him. The young Uzumaki became silent as he read the parchment's contents. "Emissaries for every hidden village."
"Konoha must send two emissaries to each village that is in the Allied forces. The others must do the same...In a few days, we are going to expect emissaries from the other villages as well."
The young jinchuriki nodded. "So I am going to be an emissary?"
"Yes...you can choose who to take with you. I will assign you to the hidden mist... Out of the allies...their elders are the one who doubts the nine tail's vessel. I think you will have the chance to change their minds about you. The elders believes that you are a very dangerouse asset of the leaf."
The blonde smiled. "Am I?"
"You will leave tomorrow with the rest who will also be assigned in this mission."
"I am going to take Sasuke with me."
Kakashi shook his head. "You have to look for another shinobi Naruto. Sasuke will be assigned to the village hidden in the sand. Even though Gaara san is a loyal friend of Konoha, he did not agree about Sasuke's return to the leaf. Remember the Kage's summit that Sasuke infiltrated in the past?"
Naruto nodded, understanding that every person Kakashi sends in this mission have it's purpose.
"Well the Kazekage haven't forgotten about it yet." Kakashi continued. "I will inform Sasuke about this matter after you help me looked for a partner for him."
"Why would you need my help sensei?"
"Sasuke is not as open as you are with your friends. I am afraid that if a wrong partner will be chosen for him, they might disagree on things... One small thing can led to something bigger."
A sudden grin appeared on Naruto's face. "He needs a partner who is calm and patient. Gentle and composed but can keep him in line."
"Do you have anyone in mind?"
"Yes Kakashi sensei... And I think the person I have in mind is the best choice for that dobe."
Hinata adjusted her Anbu mask as she silently leaped on rooftops to the direction of the Hokage's office. She have been summoned along with a few others by Hokage sama and was told that it was urgent.
She knocked on the door before entering, only to find the place crowded with fellow shinobis. She saw Neji and Shikamaru standing near the window and decided to join them. She saw Sakura on the opposite end of the room, talking to a fellow Kunoichi.
"Shikamaru kun...Neji nii.."
"Hinata sama.." Neji pulled her to his side. "You have been summoned too?"
"Hai...Do you know why nii san?"
Neji shook his head. "The Hokage is still on the other room with Sasuke and Naruto... They arrived here earlier than the rest."
As if on que, Kakashi, Uzumaki Naruto, and Uchiha Sasuke entered the room. Naruto gave everyone a grin that made Hinata's cheeks burn. She have to dropped her head, only to remember that her face is hidden behind a mask. She joined the other shinobis who bowed to their knees as Kakashi Hatake took a seat.
"No need for that." The Hokage gestured for them to stand up. Hinata glanced at Sasuke and knew that he was on a very bad mood. One look at the man's face and you can tell that he is thinking murder.
Involuntarily, her eyes landed on her wrists and recalled that day when Sasuke played his little trick. He used her as a puppet to ease his boredom.
Hatake Kakashi explained to the chosen shinobis why he have summoned them. He emphasized the importance of the mission they are going to take. "The continuation of peace between our alies and this village lies in the success of this mission."
Soft murmurs can be heard among the hidden leaf's ninjas. This is the first important mission that they will handle after the war. The aura of excitement and eagerness filled the room.
Neji looked at the masked Anbu beside him. The Anbu captain felt proud that Hinata is chosen to be among those who will help to bring peace. He knows that no mission is more compatable for the blue haired girl.
Hiashi sama would be so proud. Neji thought. The Hyuuga clan can never find a more caring and gentle leader.
"All information about this mission is in those scrolls...but first, let me assign the pairing." The Hokage pulled out a piece of parchment from his vest. "Nara Shikamaru and Hyuuga Neji."
Neji smiled and Shikamaru grinned."Well, that's not troubesome..."
"Shibaru Hida and Seya Teno"
From somewhere in the group, two masked Anbus stood up and bowed to the Hokage.
"Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura."
Hinata's breathing stopped for a few seconds. She glanced at the only pink haired nin on the group then cursed herself for doing so. She could have spared herself for seeing the soft smile and understanding that passed between Naruto and Sakura chan.
The pairings are announced until there are only two people left inside the room that haven't been called. For a moment, the blue haired Anbu thought that she is on a different mission and won't be joining the group.
The looks that the others gave her and Uchiha Sasuke stated otherwise. Hinata's eyes widened as the knowledge dawned on her.
"No way..." Neji said between gritted teeth. "Hinata sama would be paired with..."
"Guess that left the two of you Sasuke, Hinata chan." Naruto grinned. "No pair can be more compatible right?"
An akward silenced filled the room. All of them who are present never expected to see them paired. They are just so...different.
Black and White.
Gentle and Rough.
Untainted and Stained.
The princess and the lone wolf.
Uchiha Sasuke eyed the mask anbu with the blue tresses. She did not move or voiced anything out. She just stood there and stared back at him, her white eyes the only visible part of her face. Kakashi informed him earlier about this mission, removing the cursed seal on the process, though his partner's name is left untouch.
Kakashi cleared his throat. "This mission is S class...I trust that you do your best to ensure that peace will continue between the villages."
After a few more announcements, everybody started to leave. When Hinata was about to follow the others, a hand is gently placed on her head.
"Hina chan... Can you come with me?" Hatake Kakashi smiled at the Anbu. "There is something I want to talk to you about."
"Hai."
It was already dark when Hinata arrived at the Hyuuga compound. She was greeted by two guards that are on patrol duty."Hinata sama..." Both lowered their heads when she passed by them.
The heiress removed her mask. "Where is Hanabi chan?"
"Hanabi sama haven't arrive yet. We saw her leave with a few teammates."
She thank the guards and entered the ancestral mansion that belongs to the branch family. She was glad that Hanabi is starting to socialize again. Her younger sister have been depressed when their father died. She was closer to otou sama than anyone else after all.
When she was about to close the door, a hand stopped her. "Don't close it Hina sama...I'm going out."
"N-Neji nii..."
"I am going to TenTen's place... I have to cancel our group dinner...due to the unexpected mission we both are in." The Anbu captain is still on his uniform. His mask dangling at the side of his waist.
"Say hi to Tenten chan for me nii san... "
Neji nodded and gave Hinata a hug. "Be careful on your way to the hidden sand Hinata sama...I am so proud of you."
The ivory eyed girl returned the hug with a smile. "You too nii san... I am glad Shikamaru kun is with you..."
"If only I could do anything about it... I would take you as my partner." Neji said, still not liking the idea of his cousin in the Uchiha's company.
"Oh nii san... Sasuke is a capable ninja... His name alone brings fear to others... I think I don't have anything to worry about if we encounter enemies on the way... And that itself is not likely to happen."
Neji looked at his cousin and realized that Hinata is still innocent on the ways of how male minds worked. "Hinata sama... I don't mean that way..."
Hinata looked at her cousin with a confused expression on her face. "What do you mean Neji nii?" It did not escaped her that his cheeks turned into a pale shade of red.
"Well... Uhm..Nevermind Hinata sama..." He took Hinata's hands on his own. "Just promise me that you will knock that Uchiha unconsious if he tries anything funny to you...or any other man...swear to me Hinata sama..."
"I s-swear?" The blue haired Anbu said, deciding that going along is better than asking more questions.
When her cousin left, Hinata locked herself in her room and began to look for fresh bandages for her pack. She then checked the kunais in her pouch and replaced the damaged ones. They might be the ambassadors of peace, but that doesn't mean they won't meet any rogue ninjas or bandits on their way.
Not to mention that she will be going in this mission with a very dangerous man.
After packing provisions and a few vials of medicine and antidotes, she checked her sword if it needed any repairs. When she found no faults on it, she cleaned her Anbu mask to remove the dusts and stains.
While running a checklist of the things she needs to bring mentally, the Hyuuga heiress decided to Inform Hanabi about the mission when she arrives.
"You are really excited, aren't you?"
A cold chill ran to her spine as she activated her Byakugan. A man is sitting on her window, his dark hair covering his eyes which glows red.
"S-sasuke san?"
Hinata frowned. What is he doing in my room?
Hinata wondered why the guards are not alerted. The Hyuuga compound is one of the most secured places in Konoha, so why is this Uchiha in her room, sitting on her window like a welcomed visitor?
Her eyes scanned the chakra signature in case she is looking at an impostor. The dark bluish chakra confirms that this is really Sasuke Uchiha.
Sasuke smirked. " Did I not told you that if I wanted to do something, no one could stop me?"
"Why are you here Sasuke san? Our missions starts at sunrise... I suggest that you prepare yourself tonight for the task." Hinata said, composed but defensive.
Sasuke's glowing red eyes turned to stare at the white ones. "Kakashi have done a very good job in pretending that he erased the cursed mark on me...even Naruto actually believed.
Hinata frozed and her eyes lingered on a small mark in her wrist. Kakashi sensei placed it there after everyone have left during their meeting earlier. Hokage sama's words still clear in her mind.
"Hina chan...this mark in your wrist will let you control Sasuke the way your Hyuuga cursed mark works. It is most unlikely that Sasuke will do something bad... But the elders just wanted to be sure... They are still afraid of Sasuke's past you see."
No one knows that she and the Hokage sama have a discussion after the meeting... So how did Sasuke found out? She was privately brought to another room...
Hina chan...I entrust Sasuke to you.
Hai.
Sasuke's cold voice pulled Hinata out of her thoughts. "So you are now my personal keeper, huh Hyuuga?"
"Hokage sama cares for you very much...Sasuke san."
The Uchiha smiled dangerously. He landed on the wooden floor with catlike grace. Hinata took a few steps backward as he advanced on her. She don't want to engage Sasuke on a fight, especially if they have a very important mission at sunrise.
Hinata stopped backing up when she felt the wooden wall behind her. She understands that he is angry at being entrusted to her. A mighty Uchiha suddenly controlled by a female? Some may laugh at the thought.
"Kakashi sensei only cares for your well being." The white eyed Anbu tried to reason with the Sharingan user. She knows that she needs to calm him down. Pure anger and betrayal radiated from his very presence.
Sasuke never thought that Kakashi tried to tricked him. The Hokage did not erased the mark...he made it invisible. His old mark prevents him to leave Konoha, but now, he will be held like a puppet by this pampered little Hyuuga.
"Oh...you are used in this kinds of things...marking your own family with those cursed marks..." Sasuke growled.
He accidentally heard Kakashi and Hinata's converstion after the meeting. No one knows that he is sitting on the roof by himself near the office, his pure intention is to hide from Naruto when the latter suggested about eating ramen again.
Now he is just pissed.
"Sasuke san..." Hinata fought the urge to break free. If this is not her assigned partner, she would have already kicked him on his handsome face.
"What will you do Hyuuga? Why don't you use that cursed seal on me?" Sasuke taunted and growled in his cold voice. Both of hands braced themselves on the wall. Trapping the heiress in between.
Hinata felt that Sasuke's arms where like cages and she, the trapped animal. I have to stop this nonsense.
It alarmed her that his sharingan is activated. Some say that Byakugan is the only dojutsu that could rival the Sharingan, though Hinata doesn't want to test it out yet. Without warning, she focused her chakra on her fingers. She is going to block his chakra before he tries something rash.
She will talk sense in him later.
Sasuke did not see it coming. He was too engulf in his own anger that he failed to block the glowing fingers that touched his neck, chest, and shoulder blades.
The young Uchiha felt his muscles turned into mush as his head became fuzzy.
"Gomenasai Sasuke san..." He heard her say before turning limp into her arms and drifting into darkness.
So how is my fourth chapter?
I made Hinata more mature and Sasuke with temper issues... :) not to mention Neji an overprotective person... Haha...
Can anyone tell me how far is the sand village from Konoha? I have no idea...