Same drill guys.
Oh…to the one guest reader who mentioned it…yeah, the book cover was Gaara/hina/Sasuke/. Seems the right one for this story huh?
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
-o-o-o-
Chapter Eight: Deceived
(f) "Hi there." Karin smiled.
Ino looked around the library then pointed at herself. "Me?" She knew this girl, but they never talked before. The Yamanaka was looking at ancient scrolls dealing with ancient techniques that primarily deal with a person's mind when the redhead approached her.
"Yeah…I noticed you came here often." Karin placed her scrolls on the desk in front of Ino. "You see…I love to come here and read…I don't like being isolated inside the Uchiha district so…Here I am." Again, another smile passed on her lips. "I think you already know why…"
"Oh…yeah. I heard you were ordered to stay at the compound while you are staying here in Konoha am I right?" Ino asked, her fingers running on the wooden desk and a little impatient because she was being disturbed. "Uhm…Sasuke's house have a library…did you check it out?"
Karin rolled her eyes. "Urgh…books that mostly deals with sharingan and other dojustus….boring."
"You are the Uzumaki from Sasuke's past team right?"
"The one and only Uzumaki Karin from team Taka."
Ino smiled. The girl was an entertaining talker…Ino has to give her that.
"Besides…the stuff I wanted to read is mostly in here….well, actually that's one thing." Scratching her head in a shy gesture, the Uzumaki bit her lip. "The other thing was being able to talk to someone else…I haven't have a decent conversation for…for…weeks."
"Oh…"
"Yeah…"
Ino smiled faintly, feeling pity for Sasuke's friend. Being one of the loudmouths from Konoha eleven, Ino knew that she would go crazy if she won't be able to talk to someone for weeks. "Well…good thing you came her often. We could always share a nice little chat every now and then." (f)
-o-
Gaara let go of Hinata's arm and reached out to open the door that was made of light sand and wood. "I suggest you rest first. It's what the medics advised you."
Now without her blindfold, Hinata looked at the Kage's heavily lidded eyes. "Arigatou for the trouble…" Taking dainty steps, she smiled when her knees kept their stand. Holding on into the wooden door, she turned again to face Gaara, expecting to see him starting to walk away or even gone already.
But he was still there, standing stoically with his eyes on her.
Hinata's cheeks heated.
"Ano…Gaara-san…" She noticed that his eyes trailed on his scarf that was still tied around her, but was now on her neck, covering her forehead protector that was also tied there. "Oh…" She slowly understands…so he want the scarf back?. "Your scarf…" She started to untie it.
"Keep it."
Hinata looked puzzled. Wasn't he staring at it seconds ago?
Turning his back to her, Gaara then started to walked away. "You look good with it."
When the young sand kage left, Hinata closed the door and limped to the bed. She sighed when she felt the soft mattress and rested her head back, eyes closed and lips pressed tight. She was having such a bad month…it was like all her problems are piling up one after another.
"Breath Hinata." She heard the Uchiha's deep voice inside her mind.
She frowned, hating that it was Sasuke's voice she was hearing despite of all the cruel things he has done to her. Just because she was feeling angry and defiant, Hinata held her breath as long as she could, pressing her nostrils together with her fingers.
When she could take it no longer, and was quite sure that she was turning blue, Hinata accepted defeat and inhaled Suna's warm air.
"I hate you…" She whispered. "You broke all your promises Sasuke…"
-o-
(f) Hinata cannot sleep.
Why did Sasuke acted like he doesn't care earlier at the market place? Why did he look at Karin like she was his lover?
Did she offend him in some way? Did she do something to make Sasuke angry at her and triggered his silent treatment?
Raising herself up, Hinata realized that she won't get any answers if she won't ask her boyfriend herself. Sure they have fights before…but Sasuke was always the one to break the ice. He was always the one who confronts things and the one who demands answers if there are things that bothers him.
Now it was her turn.
Changing her night gown into a more suitable outside garb of purple jacket and matching pants, Hinata tied her hair into a high ponytail. She was going to use the trees as her path, and she doesn't want to get her long tresses get tangled by twigs and vines on the way.
Good thing Neji was out tonight. She won't have to explain things about going out.
The cold night air sent shivers on her skin and she involuntarily pulled the jacket around her tighter. Following the direction that would lead her to the Uchiha district, Hinata eased her chakra signature down. She doesn't want Neji to sense her chakra and come charging at Sasuke's house.
When she reached the mansion, Hinata wondered why she could feel no chakra.
Then she remembered, she saw Suigetsu and Jugo at Kakashi-Hokage-sama's office that same morning. Maybe they were given some task?
Raising her head up, she saw Sasuke's window was wide open. Leaping from the ground, she easily grabbed on to the window and hoisted herself up.
After landing on the wooden floor, she gasped.
On Sasuke's bed, were two naked forms…one on top of the other.
It was Karin and Sasuke.
They were kissing, and the Uzumaki's hands were wrapped around Sasuke while soft moans were vibrating on the girl's throat. Sasuke was on top of her, caressing the girl with his hands like it was the most fragile thing in the world.
The two stopped their little intimate exercise and their heads tilted to the side to look at her.
Hinata's eyes went wide, white orbs flickering as her hands covered her own mouth. She was shaking and even inside the dark room, she was very, very pale.
She was half wishing that her eyes were just deceiving her. Good heavens… it would be much better if she was actually inside a tsukuyumi.
"Hinata…" It was Karin. The Uzumaki pushed the Uchiha away from her so that she could wrap herself with the blanket. Standing up, Karin plastered a very sorry face; her spectacles hanging on a loop sided way on the bridge of her nose and face flushed because of sexual excitement.
But Hinata did not saw her, her eyes were fixed on the Uchiha.
"Sasuke…" A whimper escaped from her lips.
The sharingan user did not say anything; instead, he was looking grim like he was the one that was offended or disturbed.
Never in her life had the heiress felt so degraded...so betrayed…
"Hinata…" The redhead took a few steps towards her, one arm extended while the other was holding the blanket around her firmly. "You know…Uhm…this may look bad and all…but you know—"
"Don't say anything Karin…" Hinata's voice cracked, but she was an Anbu. She was trained to be logical even in the most surprising and unexpected of times. Taking a steadying breath, Hinata dropped her hands and clenched them into fists.
So that's why he was acting strange…there's something going on between him and Karin.
"Hinata…" Karin tried again. "You—"
Hinata punched the Uzumaki woman straight in the face. (f)
-o-
Letting the water run on his body, Sasuke let the cold water ease the weariness that he was feeling inside. He was allowed by Tsunade to leave the hospital yesterday. The old crone warned him not to do anything that could strain him too much. The drug that Karin has inserted into his system was still messing him up a bit, and the process of getting him back to his normal self was harder.
Closing his eyes, he let the mental image of a very hurt and angry Hinata form inside his mind.
It would have been better if getting back to his normal self would also mean that he could forget the things he has done when he was still drugged…
But he was not that lucky.
All the things that he has done with Karin, all the words that he has said to the heiress, all came surging back to him the moment he was cleared out of the chemical. It was like a cloudy memory…but it came back to him nonetheless.
And it drives him crazy knowing that Hinata left thinking that he has toyed with her.
"Shit." He muttered as he let his fingers ran through his wet hair. Reaching out for the small lever, he pulled it to stop the shower, then shook his dark hair and grabbed the large white towel he has placed on a peg before taking a bath. Wrapping the thick cloth around him, Sasuke opened the bathroom door.
Suigetsu was sitting by the window, white hair being played by the soft breeze. When he saw Sasuke emerged from the bathroom, the usually comic Taka member has a serious look on his face.
"Where's Jugo?" Sasuke asked.
"On the training field…"
Sasuke began to rummage his drawers and threw a few set of clothes on the bed. Suigetsu raised an eyebrow, still unmoving from his spot. "Going somewhere?"
"You know the answers to your questions Suigetsu."
"How about Karin?"
"What about her?"
The Taka member bared his sharp teeth. "What do you mean what about her? Sasuke…you cannot leave her on the hands of the Anbu interrogation team…they're going to drive her to madness…"
The Uchiha pulled out a few sharpened kunai from a box and put them inside a small leather pouch. Tossing it into the bed, he faced the angry swordsman. "I talked to Ino…they are not going to do anything. They are just keeping her for the moment."
"Anbus lie Sasuke. That's what they do." Suigetsu shook his head. "Do you know that it was Karin who persuaded me and Jugo to come warn you of your past doom? We are willing to leave you alone on your life…but she won't listen. She cares for you enough to risk her life on the line…We could be on a different nation now you know…away from Shinobi madness…away from our bloody past…away from village territories who bids a prize for our heads…hell Sasuke…"
Sasuke did not stopped whatever he was doing, but began to study his katana.
That made the Taka member grits his teeth and dropped on the wooden floor. "Are you even listening to me? Is that all that you've become now Sasuke? All you can ever think of was your blue haired lover? How about Karin? The one who stood behind you in every insane decision your twisted mind can—"
With a swift move, Sasuke pushed his old teammate back into the wall, the unsheathe blade of his katana pressed on Suigetsu's neck. "I care for Karin." He hissed. "And whatever sacrifices you've all made for me will be forever etched inside me…but I can't have the one thing that's most precious to me be taken away."
Suigetsu glared back.
"If you are truly my comrades…you would not do anything to break the small thread of light that I can hang on to…"
Sasuke dropped the sword.
Suigetsu dropped his head on his hands. "I just want Karin to be alright…Sasuke."
-o-o-o-
(f) Hinata was pushed back and she yelped when the impact sent a small jolt of electricity on her rib.
"Your stance should be firm." Sasuke commanded, showing her the right position. He was being easy on her, but the girl fights like she was distracted. Her eyes would always flicker somewhere and she could not anticipate his attacks. Controlling his chidori in the most minimum level, he stares at his lover with an irritated look.
"Sasuke..." Hinata grimaced. "I don't think there's any point in this sparring…even with my Anbu rank, everyone knows that I am leagues behind you in skills."
"That's not the point." Sasuke dropped his hands. "You are not concentrating."
Hinata bit her lip. How can she explain this to him? Every time they were close and engaging in taijutsu, she would always freak out, and even if he encourages her to put strength in her blows, she just could not.
"You are not going to hurt me." He assured her.
Hinata smiled desperately. "Whatever side I look at it…I can't find any assurance in your words." With a soft chuckle, Hinata shook her head. "It's not fair."
Turning her back on Sasuke, Hinata disregarded his glare and began to walk away. There was really no point in this training…he would always beat her anyway. And what's worse, he doesn't even fight her seriously…unlike Kiba and Shino.
"You're hardheaded today." He told her.
She smiled again. "You are a good teacher."
Then Hinata stopped walking.
In a fracture of a second, Sasuke has materialized behind her. His head resting on her shoulders, just below her ears. Arms that have been wrapped earlier with electricity now surround her like she was the cuddliest thing. "I just want you to improve more…so that you could protect yourself when I am not with you."
"Y-you know I could protect myself." Sighing, Hinata ruffled his dark hair. Every time he was near her, she just loses focus…she was even stuttering
"Hn."
"Sasuke…" Her eyes looked around the training grounds in case someone might be looking. "Uhmm…someone might see us."
"I don't care."
"You're hardheaded." She told him.
His lips curled at the sides. "I have a good teacher." (f)
-o-
Hinata woke up with a start.
Scratching her head, she wondered why even in sleep, her mind kept on replaying her good times with the Uchiha. It was so ironic…the things that she wanted to forget, are those that her mind refuses to let go.
Sighing, she stood up and put on her favorite purple jacket and wrapped the white scarf that the kage has given to her. During her stay here in Suna for the first time during that peace treaty mission, she remembered that the nights here are very cold. That mission was also the time that Sasuke has been paired with her—it was the starting point of their complicated relationship.
Wondering what time it was, Hinata padded out of her room into the dark sand made corridors that were only lightened with small reddish electric lamps. Based on memory, she remembered that if she walked straight on, she would end up on a big terrace that views almost half of Suna.
When she reached her destination, her face lightened up when she saw Temari.
The Suna princess was sitting on the railing, head to the side and eyes looking far away. When the woman noticed her presence, Temari smiled and gestured for her to disturb her "alone time."
"How are you feeling?" Both asked in unison.
The two women giggled, shaking both their heads.
Hinata leaned on the sand made post. "Why are you out here Temari-chan? It's late isn't it?"
The older woman pointed at the direction in front of them.
"That's the way to Konoha." Hinata remarked.
"I left something there…" Temari said with a sad smile.
Hinata understood. Temari was talking about her relationship with the Nara. Sometimes, the heiress would wonder how the two maintained their relationship when they were miles away and seldom see each other. "Well…"resting her chin on the back of her hands, Hinata let the cold air play with her hair. "I wanted to get away from there."
"I know."
Hinata looked at the fan lady with question on her eyes. "How?"
"I just know…you are always so distant and it looks like you were struggling from the inside."
"Oh…"
Temari was about to say something when her eyes landed on the white scarf that Hinata was wearing. "I know that scarf…"
Hinata trailed her fingers on the soft cloth. "Oh…yes. It belongs to the Gaara-san…he was generous enough to give it to me."
"Did he?" Temari raised an eyebrow, and then she smiled. "Hinata…do you know who was the real owner of that scarf?"
"Uhm…No.?"
"It belonged to our mother."
-o-o-o-
Here ends the chapter!
Thank you for the awesome reviews guys! And please give me more…
-crazygurl12