I checked the story followers and I'm so happy! Believe me…I have been grinning stupidly the whole day…
Ps. Excuse the errors please. I am still having a hard time with past tense and present tense stuff…but I am studying about it…so hopefully, my second story would be better in grammar than this. (Visit the poll on my profile guys…so that I would know who my readers prefer to be paired with Hinata on the next story.)
Oh…by the way…there was one review asking if I am planning to write any lemon in the future chapters…and my answer is yes…if a lot of you wanted it…so please let me know.
Disclaimer: I own Naruto…lol…only in my dreams.
Chapter Fifteen: A Mission to Kirikagure no Sato (part two)
Hinata buried her face deep on the comfortable warmth beside her. The night was cold and she cannot help but cling and tightened her arm around the thing. Giving a soft sigh, the heiress inhaled the intoxicating scent that wrapped her sense of smell, which even in her sleep muddled brain was giving her a hint of masculinity.
Staring at the small tattoo on her wrist, Sasuke Uchiha unconsciously traced the small mark with his finger, not minding that the slender arm around his waist tightened. The Hyuuga princess has buried her face on his side like it was some sort of pillow. Kakashi did not mention anything about removing the cursed mark from the Hyuuga; it made the Uchiha wonder what his sensei's plans about it.
Would he remove it after Hinata was out of the hospital?
Or would he let the Hyuuga have the cursed mark that could disable him anytime she wants?
The hell with it. He thought, closing his eyes and resting his head back. Taking a deep breath, he let his mind rest. Trying to forget his bloody past and melancholic present even just for tonight. Instinctively, one of his arms tightened around the Hyuuga, pulling the girl close to him.
Deep inside, Sasuke knew that his past was so filled with hatred and blood lust that simple gestures like this was new to him. The feeling confuses him and for a moment, his mind drifted back to the night when the Hyuuga heiress witnessed his nightmare-filled sleep. She has wiped the blood from his eyes so gently that his breath caught on his throat.
It looks like he found his own little light...and he would do anything to keep it.
Hinata sighed in her sleep and her head lolled to the side, making Sasuke looked at her proud nose and soft lips. The Uchiha stared for a moment, his eyes lingering on the soft curve of her mouth. Recalling how soft they were…
Slowly, he lowered his head.
Naruto was an idiot to let this one pass…
The moment he pressed his lips on her, the sleeping heiress stirred and woke up. At first, her hands moved from his chest to touch his face, trying to decipher what was happening and why was she starting to feel pressure on her lips.
Her covered eyes widened as everything sank in.
Her hands moved to push him off, he caught them and pinned both of them above her head, not breaking the contact with her lips. Hinata was starting to move but he stopped her with his body weight.
Sasuke has just decided to clear one thing before he leaves for the Kirikagure mission.
And that is to let her know that he she was already in his keeping…and anyone who dared to come in between would see his own life end before his very eyes.
The startled girl whimpered beneath him as he deepened the kiss.
Good heavens…Hinata thought. Is this a dream? Was she still asleep? Who is the intruder?
Slowly, he released the delicious contact and pressed his forehead against bandage ones, though he still held her hands in case she go berserk again. Good thing her chakra wasn't stable yet. Who knows what she will do to him with those gentle palms of hers. "Hinata…"
"You?" her voice was shocked when she recognized who it was. He can feel her hands turned into knuckles as her surprised features became rigid. She was breathing heavily; the unexpected kiss has left her quite breathless for a few seconds.
"Yes."
"Why… did you…?"
"I can't help myself."
Hinata's mouth gaped open, her mind screaming about perverted ninjas and bloody murder. What does he think he was doing? Yes, he may be scary and dangerous compared to other ninjas but she just cannot let this one pass. Of all the times to lose her chakra…
"I…I can't believe you."
Sasuke's obsidian eyes turned serious. "It's not like the first time."
"It is!" She hissed, still conscious about passing medics. How could he say things like that? "Let go off me, Sasuke…and get off of me." Her heart was beating like crazy against her ribs. Even though she was angry, a part of her mind was observing the fact that Sasuke was holding her really close. It's not the first time that he made a contact like this, but being on top of her was different.
Way different.
"No…I kissed you before. You were hallucinating back then."
Hinata stopped struggling and her brows furrowed. "Why are you saying this now?" She can't believe this Uchiha. How could he just come bounding into her room and tell her things like that? She was grateful for the efforts during his past visits…but why?
"I am confused too Hinata." Sasuke admitted, his obsidian eyes serious. There was a sincere but deadly glint in them, that if Hinata could only see at the moment, she would surely get lost in the dark depths that were staring at her face. "I am asking myself too." Sasuke eased both of her hands to her sides, never removing his forehead that was resting on top of hers. "But there is one thing that I am sure about…and that is to keep you by my side..." And I would not hesitate to kill anyone who wanted to oppose me. He added mentally, smirking as the Aburame's face, Naruto, and the Kazekage flashed inside his mind.
"I can't understand you Sasuke." Her voice was shaking. Was it fear?
She heard the Uchiha smirked. "Then that makes two of us."
-o-o-o-
"Where is Lee?" Neji asked as he flopped down on the large sofa. At the moment, he was at Tenten's house, being relieved of his Anbu duties for the day left him for a day off. Usually, he preferred to stay at the Hyuuga mansion to relax but the silent place reminds him of Hinata…and it makes him worried for he haven't seen his gentle cousin for more than two weeks now. He even lost count on the exact number of days… "I thought I would find him here."
Tenten placed two canned drinks on the coffee table in front of the Anbu captain. "Oh he's out there somewhere…screaming about everlasting youth with Guy-sensei or something…why don't you use your Byakugan to search him out?"
Neji eyed the girl, rejecting the suggestion. "You know I can't do that…Well…I could…but the things I'm going to see…" He let his words sink in. "You do not want to know about it."
Konoha's weapon mistress laughed. "Oh I see…some private matters our citizens are up to?"
The Hyuuga raised an eyebrow. "And when did you start making jokes like that?"
Tenten smiled and sat next to her old teammate. "We are not kids anymore Neji…Of course I can make jokes like that so suck it up."
Neji shook his head, his brown hair whipping against the wind that came from the window behind them. "Sometimes…I just can't understand girls." He grabbed a canned drink and removes the lid, sniffing the fizzy liquid before taking a light swig.
"Really?...Oi, you are living with two girls all your life Neji."
"Hinata and Hanabi?" Neji frowned. "There are times that I cannot understand them too…"
"Talking about Hinata…the Kazekage and his sister really made a lot of effort to see her." Tenten said, opening the lid of her own canned drink. "Is it real that Gaara was asking for her hand in marriage?"
Neji's eyes almost became slits as he looked at the girl incredulously. "Who told you that?"
"Uhm…some local folks were talking about it. That's why I'm asking you…It confuses me too."
"No." Neji answered firmly. "It's just a rumor."
TenTen laughed. The male Hyuuga was sure touchy when talking about his gentle cousin. How sorry she was for the guy that would someday asked for Hinata's hand in marriage…The guy would surely experience the greatest hardship in his life. She was sure of it.
As the Anbu captain focused his attention on the container of his drink, the girl beside him stared quietly, recalling the day when he "died". How her mind turned blank back then, staring at his bloody body that was embalmed with wooden spikes from the Juubi. How ironic wasn't it? The girl that he once wanted to kill was the one whom he died protecting.
If the same event happened again, she was sure she was going to go insane. She can't lose Neji again…
"Hey Neji…" Tenten's said.
"Hm?"
"Did your scars from the war healed?" She asked, observing the Hyuuga's expression. She has never brought the topic before, knowing that it was still a heavy issue for all of Konoha eleven, but right now, she couldn't help herself.
Neji's face became pensive for a moment. "No…It was fully healed but there are scars."
The Anbu captain took his teammate's hand, placing it on his chest. After a few seconds, he guided it to his hard abdomen. "There…can you feel it?"
The girl's eyes widened. "Yes…Does it hurt?"
Neji shook his head. "No…Obito's rennigan did not just brought me back to life…It brought me back good as new." Dropping Tenten's hand, the white eyed male took another swig and leaned his head back. "It's only on the outside."
Before Tenten could say anything in response, there was an energetic knock on the door and someone was saying something about glorious youth and some sort of rivalry thing.
Neji sighed, putting his hand on his unmarked forehead. "No day off for me then."
The weapon mistress was already running to the door, smiling wide. When she opened it, one greenish blur grabbed her waist and hoisted her right up. The kunoichi yelp as she suddenly found herself sitting on someone's neck.
"My dear student!" Guy smiled at the girl sitting on his neck. "I just lost to Lee during our training and I made a wager to carry you around the village fifty times!"
Lee smiled, raising his thumbs up. "You can do it, Guy-sensei!"
"Sensei…" Tenten whined. "This is embarrassing."
As Tenten tried her best to change her sensei's mind about his chosen self punishment, the two green clothed Shinobis were saying something about honor in the name of youth and rivalry. She saw Neji stood and walked to the door, crossing his arms as he watched the three with amusement.
"Neji… helped me out here please." Tenten begged the only person who was decent and rational enough to stop the two. She love Guy and Lee…but this sort of thing was embarrassing for an eighteen year old girl, may she be a deadly kunoichi or not.
Neji looked at the two, his face grim. "Lee…Sensei…"
Both men stopped from whatever they are saying and looked at the Hyuuga genius while Tenten sighed, relieved. She knew that rescue was on the way. She wouldn't have to endure being carried by her overzealous teacher around the village like some little kid.
"I know you can do it…in the name of youth." Neji said.
Tenten's jaw dropped while the rest cheered. She looked at the person who betrayed her. "I can't believe you." Oh, just wait till she get her hands on her weapon carrier scroll…all three would be sorry…Neji most of all.
Hyuuga Neji shrugged, giving his red faced teammate a smile.
"In the name of youth!" Maito Guy raised his fist as he ran with the embarrassed female on his neck, screaming about good old times and of course…the indestructible power of youth.
-o-o-o-
"What the hell Sasuke?" Naruto's hands turned into fists as he looked at his best friend with an angry face. "You choose Sakura to be your partner for the mission?" He has heard the order just a few hours ago while he was eating with Kiba in Ichiraku's ramen. The news scared the wits out of him especially when the loudmouth Inouzuka joked about Sakura's fan girl days when they were kids.
Tossing his extra pouch of sharp kunai inside his pack, Sasuke zipped the bag close. "A medic is needed Naruto."
"Then choose Ino." The blonde demanded.
"I already chose Sakura. She agreed didn't she?"
"Damnit Sasuke…why her?"
The dark haired Shinobi smirked. "Idiot."
"Aww…Sasuke!" Naruto raised his hands in exasperation. He continued to whine about dangerous journeys and winded out a long list of other medics that he thought was a good replacement for the pink haired medic.
Checking his sword for any damage, he returned it to the white sheath and placed it beside his pack. "Why don't you try to pester Gaara for once and leave me alone?" He glared at the blonde. Sasuke doesn't need any of this. For a moment, he regretted his decision. Maybe he should have chosen the Yamanaka instead. "He's still in Konoha was he not?"
He shook his head silently as Naruto whined. He did not pay any attention to his best friend for he was busy fixing and organizing his pack for the said journey that was going to start before sunrise. His head was thinking a lot of things, and Naruto's loud mouth did not help. The journey to Kiri was not an easy one, and Sakura was tough enough to go head to head in pace and endurance with him.
"Hey Naruto…" Sasuke eyed the blonde. "Have you seen Aburame Shino?"
"Why do you ask?" Naruto answered, irritated and annoyed. He was still angry at Sasuke for choosing Sakura. He made mental calculations to learn a few medical techniques so that someday, when events like this happened again, he would be able to accompany the pink haired kunoichi in medical missions. Damn Kakashi-sensei for choosing Sasuke instead of him. He would be more than happy to take the mission.
"I need to talk to him."
"What for?"
"It's none of your business Naruto. Have you seen him?"
If the idea of Sasuke looking for the bug wielder can raise curiosity, Naruto did not pound on it more than he should. He was more concerned with his girlfriend going on a two month mission with the young man she so desperately loves in the past. "I saw him in training ground six." He answered grudgingly.
"Hm."
Sasuke tightened the purple rope around his waist. He has changed his high collared black shirt and pants with his usual get up when he was still a rogue Shinobi. The white upper clothing was open at the center, revealing his chest area. Naruto looked at it disapprovingly.
The Jinchuriiki mumbled something about seductive plans and vulgar clothes that the sharingan user finally lost his patience. With a blur of Sasuke's hand, Naruto soon found himself on the floor, holding his head in the area which his best friend has pounded.
"Sasuke!"
Sasuke only shook his head. Naruto may be stronger and smarter than before, but sometimes, he was just not using his head. "I said no harm will come to Sakura." He scolded the whiskered blonde that was glaring daggers at him.
After a few more exchange of words and hard fists, the two finally manage to make up a deal. Naruto agreed that no more disagreement would come from him as long as Sasuke stays a good one meter away from the kunoichi for the rest of the mission. Being the level headed one, Sasuke agreed. Not really paying attention but as long as Naruto would shut his mouth, the better.
-o-o-o-
"What?" Kakashi almost fell from his chair at the proposal that was from the Hyuuga elder in front of him. "I…don't know what to say."
He was actually waiting for Sasuke for more instructions with his S-class mission when one Hyuuga elder demanded to talk to him about a certain "proposal". He said he was a spokesperson for the elders of the Hyuuga clan. When they were starting the conversation, out of coincidence, Gaara entered the office.
It was then that things started to get out of hand.
When the sand kage excused himself, the elder actually pulled him inside. Insisting that his proposal includes the Kage, in which Kakashi raised an eyebrow. After listening to the Hyuuga elder's proposal, both village leaders were quite surprised.
"You are proposing for an arranged marriage." Kakashi said the words like he was talking to a child. A few seconds later and the copy ninja realized that he was talking with a respected council member. "And you are asking for Gaara-san to be the groom?"
"Hai." The male elder clarified. He looked at the young kazekage, observing his emotionless face. "If the Kazekage agrees…it would be a win and win situation for both sides. Not only for the clan but Konoha will benefit with the union."
"And who is the bride exactly? " Kakashi asked, though he has already one person in mind.
"Our future heiress….lady Hinata. Kazekage-sama's visit to our future clan matriarch has not escaped us…and that's when the council elders thought that they are a good match. After all, we cannot let the Nara clan have the advantage of future connections with the sand." The elder's white eyes glinted with slyness. "Everyone knows that Shikaku's son has some mutual relationship with the sand princess…"
The copy ninja looked at Gaara's face apologetically. "Gaara-san's visit is for pure village matter only. He wanted to check on the emissaries that were ordered to take the peace scroll back to Konoha…And did Hinata-chan know about this said proposal?"
The elder shook his head. "No, everything about this is confidential. Only the elders know about the matter…but if it is for the village and her clan, Hiashi's elder daughter would have to agree."
Kakashi closed his eyes for a moment as headache was about to start. Dealing with clans and their political laws sometimes just get the best out of him. "I don't know what to say."
"Well…If the Kazekage agrees…there would be no problem "The elder Hyuuga gave Gaara a sideway glance. "Do you agree?" He asked, pointedly at the silent leader beside him. For the whole meeting, Gaara has been silent, his face never betraying a single emotion.
"I don't agree." A cold and deadly voice answered. The room was suddenly filled with undeniable killing aura that even Kakashi and Gaara has to be on their guard.
Both three men stopped and looked at the person that was standing behind them. They are so engulfed with the conversation that all three did not notice the two shinobis who was standing near the door.
"Sasuke…Naruto." Kakashi said, his eyes darting to Gaara who has risen from his chair to looked at the two. Sasuke's eyes were deadly cold. For a moment, The Hokage thought that he saw his eyes turned red.
Naruto's face was hard as he looked at the elder Hyuuga. "A proposal that Hinata-chan doesn't know?"
"T-this was supposed to be a private matter."
Naruto eyed the elder meaningfully. "Gomenasai for intruding into your clan's private matter Hyuuga-san…but Hinata-chan is my friend…and Gaara too. I don't want them to be forced into anything they don't want."
The elder looked scared when his eyes stared into Sasuke's dark orbs. There are no words that escaped from his mouth, but the aura that surrounds the Uchiha was so deadly it almost made him breathless. Inhaling a large gulp of air, he faced Naruto. "We are not forcing them into anything…it is just a proposal. If Gaara-sama agrees…then everything is settled."
"I still don't agree." Sasuke's eyes were ice cold. "And I won't permit it."
Kakashi stood up and decided to interrupt in case the argument would turn into a more violent one. "Hey now…" The copy nin plastered a smile on his face, though he was feeling otherwise. "Let's talk about this in a proper way. So before anything else,let's asked Gaara-san first about his opinion."
All eyes turned on the sand leader, waiting for an answer.
-o-o-oo-oo—o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Two months later…
Hinata threw her shuriken with grace and precision that Kiba has to clap his hands in awe. Beside him, Akamaru yelped happily, joining his master's enthusiasm in watching his teammate practice. It's been more than a month when the heiress was permitted to return back to her normal kunoichi life. She has regained her normal chakra flow and kekkei genkai a few days after Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno left for a mission in Kirikagure.
Beside Kiba, Shino Aburame crossed his arms and nodded encouragingly when Hinata looked in his direction for approval. The smile on her face was so refreshing that the usually cold Aburame's lips twitched behind his high collar.
It has been great to see her back in their midst. Everyone was so ecstatic when she was released from the hospital. The moment Hinata stepped out of the building; she was bombarded with warm embrace and smiles from the people who knows her best. He remembered Neji looking the happiest he has seen him in years and Naruto was grinning the whole day. Kiba has shed a few tears and embraced Hinata the longest.
In these happy thoughts, one memory flashed inside Shino's mind. Nobody was in it, except for him and Sasuke Uchiha the night before he left with Sakura. He never mentioned it to anyone and he intended to keep the memory to himself.
" Watch over Hinata." The Uchiha demanded.
"You don't have to tell me." Shino answered dryly.
"Watch over her while I am gone, Aburame…I will take back the responsibility when I return."
Another yelp from Akamaru relieved Shino from his thoughts. He watched as another shuriken star landed with a soft thud on one of the practice logs.
"Good job Hinata…no wonder your already back on the Anbu." Kiba grinned.
"Arigatou Kiba-kun." Hinata answered with a gentle smile. "I am hungry…why don't we eat something?"
"What do you have in mind?" Kiba asked.
"Uhmm…I made tempura and sushi. If you want, we could get some in the house."
Kiba raised his fist in the air. Hinata's cooking was one of the best he has tasted all his life. "Now you're talking!"
-o-o-o-
Here ends the chapter…some who hates me for skipping a few scenes…please bear with me. All will be revealed in the next chapter…including Gaara-kun's answer with the wedding proposal.
Sorry if the chapter was not good enough. I have a feeling it's not as exciting…I still have projects so I am a little busy…Gomenasai.