Wew! I am so happy with the reviews I'm getting from the last chap…happy! Happy! Happy! Oh..and I am sorry if it was too fluffy for some readers… I just can't help myself…(I am a hopeless romantic)
To all that reviewed my work: Arigatou! You are very understanding and patient. Thanks for the helpful suggestions and encouraging words…to those who are guest reviewers, even if I can't message you privately… I wanted to let you guys know how thankful and touched I am that you take time to review.
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Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto… if I do, Hinata would be with Sasuke, and KAKASHI with…me!
Chapter Fourteen: A Mission to Kirikagure no Sato (part one)
Hinata raised her palms and flexed her fingers, feeling the tingling sensation on her hands and smiled knowingly at the familiar warmth that runs to her skin and deep down on her nerves. The young heiress knew that if she could only see at the moment, she would see the light bluish chakra that all Hyuuga's posses.
Even if she was not an expert medic like Sakura and Ino, she still has her own experience in the medicinal field, and she can tell that her chakra pathways are starting to return to their normal functions. If her progress continues, her Kekkei Genkai would be back like it used to be in no time.
How impatient she was to return to her Anbu duties and see her friends again.
With a more active energy, Hinata stood from her bed and slowly made her way to the farthest part of the room. She was feeling a little thirsty so she groped for the sink and the glass beside it. In the past days of her confinement, she always stumbles and hurts herself if she was moving inside the room, but because her chakra pathways are starting to get back to normal, her senses are starting to improve too.
As she was filling the glass with water, her mind wondered if her now usual visitor would show up tonight. Her cheeks flushed when she recalled the day when he wrapped his arms around her like she was some sort of cuddly stuff toy children hug when they are in bed. She admitted that at first, she thought that Sasuke Uchiha was some kind of pervert…but when he fell asleep beside her, she can't prevent herself from believing what he told her.
He was very tired...
Maybe it was the nightmares that he usually has at night? She has witnessed him writhing in agony and tossing around once…while dreaming about his brother.
As she was playing the said events again on her mind, a small sound located near the window pulled Hinata away from her thoughts and her head jerked instantly, trying to sense what it was. She heard another sound, followed by a soft landing on the wooden floor.
Her visitor has arrived…though his movements were not as catlike as before.
"Sas-"The heiress started to say, putting back the glass on the sink.
"Hinata-chan!" The voice was no more than a whisper but it was filled with jolliness and playful mischief that the Indigo haired girl cannot hide her bewilderment. This was not Sasuke's…
It Was Naruto's voice.
"Eh…you were really hard to reached, you know!" The young Uzumaki scratched his head while his usual whiskered grin was plastered on his face. He doesn't care if Hinata was blind…He would always grin at his old comrade. "I have to avoid from being seen…or else," The Kyuubi vessel shuddered, thinking of how Sakura would beat him to a pulp if he will get caught. Sasuke already promised him a beating and that was bad…add Sakura's wrath and he's dead.
"N-Naruto-kun?" Hinata tried to compose herself. "What are you doing here? Sakura-chan might get angry at you..."
"I know." Naruto answered sincerely. "But I already accepted the consequences before even reaching the hospital Hinata-chan." Naruto placed both of his hands on the startled Hyuuga's shoulders. "I wanted to see how you're doing."
Even with the cold night breeze, Hinata's cheeks began to feel hot. So this was another one of those unexpected visits…Leave it to Naruto to break the Hyuuga rules.
"So…You can't see a thing right now." Naruto placed his hand gently on her eye bandages, feeling it under his fingers. "It must be hard…but I know you can handle it…Dattebayo."
"Arigatou..Naruto-k-kun." She stammered. Usually, she always corrects herself if she stutters, but this time, she just could not mentally slap herself like she used to. She knew that Naruto would always be the only person to make her stutter by his mere presence, well… Sasuke makes her stutter too, but in a different sort of way. "But you might get in trouble because of this…Please go back."
"Do not worry about it Hinata-chan!" The Uzumaki jovially answered. "This future Hokage would not be easily caught." Naruto patted the Hyuuga's head. "So, are you feeling better Hinata?"
The girl nodded. "Hai. I can feel my chakra flow returning back to normal…though not enough for my Byakugan to function like it used to…maybe a few more days."
"Well…it's better than no improvement at all…"
The Hyuuga princess agreed, a smile tugging at her lips. She was really touched at how her friends are trying their best show that they care for her. Naruto-kun has to disobey a lot of orders just to be at her side at the moment.
If this happened a few years back, her heart would have been dancing with joy. Being visited by Naruto-kun against all odds was a dream come true for her. The effort alone would have made her swoon to the point of unconsciousness.
If only this happened a few years back.
She knew that she should feel grateful…but a small part of her heart was actually feeling sad. Whatever this young Jinchuriiki would do for her, he would always be the person that has stolen a large part of her heart. Yes, she already accepted defeat in terms of any romantic relationship with him and was starting to mend the wound it left on her inside…
But good heavens….she needed time before she can actually say to herself that she was over it…and Naruto-kun's gallant actions are not helping.
A sound from the outside made Hinata snapped her attention back to reality. Her head jerked to the direction of the door. Beside her, she could feel Naruto became still. She bet that he was listening for medic nins.
"Please keep your chakra signature in check." Hinata whispered.
"Already did." Naruto patted her hand in assurance. Unknown to him, the gesture made the heiress a little lightheaded. The Uzumaki looked at the window, checking if he could recognize the person outside of HIna's room.
He saw a greenish chakra signature and his eyes widened a bit. He knew that chakra anywhere. "It's Sakura." He whispered. A little bit of unease was apparent on his voice.
Hinata was about to smile, despite the swirl of emotions she was feeling at the moment. She just could not stop herself from being amused at how a very strong Shinobi like Naruto-kun be afraid by the mere chakra signature of his girlfriend.
But she guessed that if it was Sakura-chan, with her inhuman strength and ninja skills, anyone should be afraid.
"Naruto-kun…she might know you're here." Hinata whispered. "Arigatou but…you better get going."
"Hmm…are you about to go to bed?" The Uzumaki asked.
"Hai."
"Come here Hinata." Naruto grabbed her hand, pulling her to him and carried the startled girl in his arms. With just one step, Naruto traveled the distance from the sink to the soft bed. He placed her gently on the mattress and patted her head. "I'm going to tuck you in before I leave."
He placed a pillow on her head and pulled the sheets up to her neck. "Be back on our midst Hinata-chan. We miss you."
The girl nodded, making Naruto smile. With one last pat on the Hyuuga's head, he jumped and closed the distance between the bed and the window, taking one last look at the heiress before diving out of the room.
-o-o-o-
With a deadly throw, Sasuke managed to hit all the target logs of training ground three with his kunai. Pulling another glistening batch from his pouch, he aimed and the result was as flawless as the first time.
Satisfied, he lifted his hand and performed a few hand signs "Chidori."
There was a crackling sound and his right hand was enveloped with deadly coils of electricity. The Uchiha ran around the training ground, destroying each practice log that was on his way. After a few seconds, the whole training ground looked like it has been unmercifully thrashed.
Not far from the training grounds, perched silently on a tree branch and watching the last of the Uchiha show off his deadly skill was a long haired Anbu. His mask that was designed with red and brown markings hides his face from any emotion.
Hyuuga Neji was assigned by Kakashi to look for Sasuke and summoned him to the Hokage tower. As to why, the Hokage did not mentioned anything so it must be an important mission of some sort. The Hyuuga never really liked Sasuke since they were kids, and he got to admit, it's still the same way until now…though he heard others say that they have a lot of similarities.
He smirked as he made his way nearer to the training ground three. Oh no…he and Sasuke are never alike. Not if he has anything to say about it.
When he reached the open field, he landed firmly on the ground, just behind Sasuke. He knew that his former classmate knew he was there, but the latter chooses to act like he wasn't. The black haired Shinobi just continued on his training…or more like destroying the training ground. Neji let Sasuke do as he wishes; he just stood there while the sharingan user continued on his business.
Even before the Anbu showed himself, Sasuke already knew that there was someone on the tree branch. The masked ninja did not bother to hide his chakra signature like the other Anbu or any Shinobi who doesn't want to give away their location.
Even though he did not take heed of the intruder, he watched and observed the lean anbu with the side of his eyes. By his fair completion and regal aura, he knew that this one was a Hyuuga.
Neji Hyuuga
Finally decided to give his attention to Hinata's cousin, he looked at the white eyes that are staring at him behind the mask. Come to think about it, since they were kids, he and Neji never talked much. Just the occasional nod and the usual passing glance. But even so, he remembered that there was always an air of competition around them when they are in the same place. Not the Naruto kind of competition…it's more like prodigy vs. prodigy thing.
"What do you want?" He was the first one to speak.
"You're presence is needed at the Hokage tower right now. The Hokage asks for you to see him."
Sasuke snorted. "Ask? Ordered more likely."
"You are under team Kakashi for years. You should know yourself if there was anything wrong on his request." The male Hyuuga replied. "For now, my mission is to see to it that the Hokage's orders are followed…Sasuke."
A few seconds passed and the two geniuses just stared into each other, estimating each others will and thoughts.
Without warning, Sasuke leaped to a tree branch, leaving air and dust behind. Neji followed and was glad that the direction the Uchiha took was the one that leads to the Hokage's tower. Who knows where it might lead if he refuses to follow orders.
At the Hokage's Tower…
Hatake Kakashi placed the Suna scroll gently on his desk. "Here is the scroll…Gaara-san. Even wounded, Hyuuga Hinata and Uchiha Sasuke managed to protect this. According to their reports. They have been ambushed…it happened just outside Suna's boarders. A two day's travel from here."
The Suna's Kazekage and sand princess both nodded thoughfully. Temari's face showed signs of worry while Gaara's was composed.
"How are they Kakashi-san?" The fan lady asked.
"They are both fine now…Sasuke was already fully recovered, though Hinata was the one who suffered the severe injuries. She has been drugged and her dojutso was disabled. She cannot see anything right now and was still on the process of healing at the hospital."
"Blinded?" Temari's voice was shocked. "We only discovered the Ambush sight after the estimated four days when it happened…We did not expect for her injuries to be so severe."
"Oh…just for the meantime. The medic nins assured us that the Hyuuga princess would be as good as new after a few days…just until her chakra flow returns back to normal." The copy nin assured the woman in front of her. He raised his eyebrows when he caught Gaara's worried expression. It was just brief but it can never escape his sharingan eye. "After all…Konaha has the greatest medic in the whole Shinobi world."
"Tsunade-san." Temari nodded knowingly. "Even the proud Raikage looked up to her."
The Kazekage's visit was unexpected, and they arrived just as he has ordered Captain Neji of team Anbu Ro to look for Sasuke. There was a mission that he wanted the young Uchiha to take…its S-class and he knew that Sasuke was the one for the job.
But right now, the silver haired nin focused his attention to his two powerful visitors. "Arigatou for your concern…and I apologize for the trouble you have to take just to see the well being of Konoha's Shinobi."
"Kakashi-san." Gaara said. "I wanted to see the Hyuuga."
Kakashi blinked. If the Kazekage wanted to visit the Hyuuga heiress, he has to talk to the elders of the clan first for they ordered that no visitors are allowed while Hinata was healing. Kakashi was silent for a moment, thinking for the right action to be done.
Finally, he agreed. He knew that the elders would understand if he permitted Gaara to see their future clan head. It's the Kazekage after all…they would even consider it an honor. He knew the Hyuuga council would not turn down a visiting leader of a powerful Shinobi village. "Yes Gaara-san. I will escort you and lady Temari-"
Gaara waved away the Hokage's offer. "Konoha is like a second home to me. I can manage on my own."
The Hokage nodded. Glad that Gaara considers his village his home. He looked at the sand princess. "And you lady Temari?"
"I can manage on my own too…and I will see Hinata after my brother does…I also have my own personal business to attend to." Temari answered, referring to her personal relationship with the late Shukaku Nara's only son and the future Hokage adviser.
"Very well then…" Kakashi was saying as the door of the office creaked open. All three heads turned to see the intruder.
Sasuke came before Neji, only to stop when his eyes met the one with the heavy black lids. He then looked questioningly at the silver haired nin who has a sheepish look on his uncovered eye. "You summoned for me." He said coldly, disregarding the political visitors.
Neji stopped behind the Uchiha, a little surprised at the Kazekage's presence. If he knew there was a visitor, he would have thought twice before entering the office…. but the Hokage never informed him about it.
"Oh…Good that both of you are here." Kakashi gestured for the two to come nearer. "Neji…I need you to do something for me…I want you to inform your clan council that the Kazekage wishes to visit lady Hinata. Also, inform Naruto that Gaara-san is here."
If he was wearing no mask, everyone would have seen the surprised look on the Hyuuga's face. For a moment, he was speechless, then cleared his throat and bowed. "Hai. I will see to it right away." Neji turned his back on them and leaped out of the open window, still bewildered.
If the Hyuuga was lucky that his Anbu mask concealed his face from view, the Uchiha was not. When he heard what Kakashi said, his eyes turned hard and his jaw clenched. So no brows came here just to check on Hinata?
"As for you Sasuke…" The copy ninja continued. "I have a mission and it is for you if you want. Here." He tossed Sasuke a scroll. "Read it first and inform me of your decisions within two days. It's a two man job."
Sasuke stared at the scroll in his hand, his mind still running wild. His eyes snapped on the Kazekage when he stood up and gestured for his sister to do the same. "If all is well…then I should get going to the Hospital." Gaara looked at his older sister. "You will be fine on your own?"
Temari smiled. "I have been to Konoha many times before…and I have Shikamaru to help me around so no worries."
Gaara gave the silver haired Kakashi a nod and started to walk to where the door is… but not before a very disdainful Uchiha blocked his way, putting his body between him and the door handle.
Green eyes versus pure black, both deadly Shinobi sized each other up while Temari and Kakashi glanced at one other. Both were wondering what this entire male ego display was all about. Kakashi cleared his throat and the fan lady pushed her brother gently to continue.
"We need to get going Gaara." Temari reminded the brick haired Kage.
"And Sasuke…will you please let Gaara-san and lady Temari pass?" Kakashi added. "Forgive us…the door is too small…I would make changes to it right away…oh, and Sasuke…I have something to discuss…Now."
-o-o-o-
"Here we are." A konoha medic pointed at the door where a small sign was attached at the handle. It was some sort of symbol and Gaara guessed that it was the Hyuuga clan insignia. "Would you like me to inform the patient, Kazekage-sama?"
"No. I'll let myself in."
"Very well then…" The medic gave a respectful bow as he backed away, leaving the young sand leader to stare at the door with his stoic green eyes. Finally, Gaara lifted his hand and knocked.
"You may come in." A familiar voice answered from inside.
Gaara opened the door and took a few steps in. His eyes focused on the pale figure who was sitting on the bed, her back to the wall. Her eyes were wrapped with bandages and a few bruises were transparent on her arms. Beside her was the jar filled with Suna's priceless golden sand, to this, Gaara's eyes softened.
"Ohayo…" Hinata greeted, thinking that it was a medic.
"How are you Hinata-san?"
The voice made her frown. It was familiar but she cannot fathom who it was. None of the medic sounded like him. "I'm…fine." She hesitated before answering. "Gomenasia for asking…but do I know you?" She tried her best to sound polite. "You see…most of the medics who comes here are female….but your voice sounds familiar…I'm confused."
"I'm Gaara."
Hinata's mouth formed into a thin line. "You have the same name as the Kage of the sand."
Gaara's lips moved a bit on the sides, if anyone could have seen him at the moment, they would have thought that the cold faced Kage was about to smile. "It is because I am the Kage of the sand."
For a moment, Hinata did not move. The revelation was quite surreal. What was the Kazekage doing here inside her room and talking like it was an ordinary day?
"I arrived with Temari a few hours ago. We wanted to see how you are after the said ambush." Gaara said, breaking the silence that wrapped the room when the girl hesitated to speak. He looked at the Anbu who has stopped moving, her half covered face facing him blindly with confusion. "She would visit you later. Kankuro would have been glad to see you again…but there are matters in Suna that needed his attention so he sends his regards."
"Arigatou." Hinata bowed her head low. If her elders could see her now, they would have been aghast for how low she bent her head. "Gomenasai for the trouble…Please do not worry, I finished the mission and the scroll was safe."
Gaara watched as the girl hunged her head, the thick curtain of blue hair covering the side of her face. "No, Hyuuga-san. No apologies." He took a few steps and stood beside her. His eyes darting to the present he gave her when she was in Sunakagure. "I see my present survived along with the scroll."
-o-o-o-
"The mission is to go to Kiri." Sasuke eyed the scroll, recalling the lady Kage of the mist. Even though his eyes were darting at Konoha's hospital roof, which can be seen in the Hokage's tower, he tried his best to focus on the said mission.
"The village hidden in the mist was having a hard time for medicines…the humid weather can't help with the medicinal plants there. So Konoha needs to send a few supplies. You have two days to decide if you wanted to take this up." Kakashi placed another scroll on the table. "This is a package carrier scroll. All the supplies are inside…you can just summon them out when you get to the destination."
Sasuke crossed his arms. "Why do I need to stay at Kiri for two months?"
"Because you need to help with the medical program that was going to start once you arrive." Kakashi pulled out a messy folder and give it to Sasuke. "Here are the list of medical nins who are available…You can pick one of your choice. A medic nin is essential in this mission."
Sasuke scanned the papers inside. He found Sakura and Ino on the list of the available nins and he can't help but smirk. If he chose Haruno, Naruto would pester him until he changes his mind, though he can do it just to get back on the Uzumaki for sneaking into Hinata's room. Hmm…not bad.
Yamanaka Ino would be a good choice too. But the girl was no doubt a blabbermouth. If she caught him whimpering in his sleep and calling out his brother's name, he knew that everybody in Konoha would know of his stupid nightmares.
"So…I expect for an answer within two days Sasuke-kun." Kakashi smiled at his former student behind his mask.
The Uchiha grunted. "I'll think about it…until tomorrow."
-o-o-o-
Later that night, Sasuke found himself climbing on Konoha Hospital's window. The scrolls and files still on his pocket as he made his way silently inside Hinata's room. It was already late and he was extra careful in case passing Anbus and Shinobi watch guards notice him.
The arrival of no brows and his sister made quite a stir. The Hyuuga elders were ecstatic with the visit that was intended for their heiress. He even heard a few murmured conversations about rumored weddings and some secret relationship between the Hyuuga princess and the Suna's kage. Even Shikamaru did not escape from gossips when he was found hanging out with Temari in a grilled resto.
Leave it to the locals to make things up.
Pulling himself up gracefully, he leaped and landed on the wooden floor without a sound. The lights were already out so he has to blink a few times to make his eyes adjust to the darkness. After his vision has improved, he saw Hinata on her bed, sleeping soundly.
He gritted his teeth when he saw the offensive jar on her side. He took a few steps nearer and noticed that beside the offensive object was another one of those bugs that the Aburame controls. With a smirk on his face, He took the jar on his right hand and the bug on the other.
Careful that no noise could be heard, he threw the bug outside the window and placed the jar on the sink. With a satisfied grunt, he returned beside the sleeping Hyuuga and sat on the soft mattress.
Letting his senses be engulfed by the smell of lavenders, he tried to ease his mind. He actually came here just to think and relax a bit. He knew it was weird but the Hyuuga's presence was soothing, her calming aura contagious. It helps clear his mind and think properly.
Would I take the mission? He asked himself, placing both of his hands beside his head.
Beside him, Hinata stirred and wrapped an arm around his waist, still deep in her sleep.
-o-o-o-
I wanted to write longer than this but I still wanted to think about the plot carefully…I am a little bit busy with exams so I am sorry if the chapter was not good enough for your liking…but still, reviews are appreciated.
-crazygurl12