-Okay…just a reminder. To those readers who hates my errors in grammar. You could just skip the story and move on. Come on…I already mentioned it since book one: I do not edit and even if I did, I am not sure that I could really change the mistakes. I have to learn English okay? I did not grow up in a country that speaks English. So please understand.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
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Chapter Eleven: To See Him Again (Part two)
(f) Hatake Kakashi sighed exasperatedly as Maito Gai came up to him with one of his rivalry games again. He was walking alone on a narrow street when the green beast ambushed him and demanded for another "duel". Kakashi knew that it would be smart of him to humor his friend, and so that he could get over him already. Not to mention that it was already late in the evening and Kakashi wanted a rest after all the paper works that were thrust upon him.
As much as he considers guy as one of his closest friends, the copy ninja can't deny that this "rivalry thing" between them gets old. Besides, if he was right on his count, they were already on their one thousand eight hundred fifty six rivalry games.
"Get on with it." Kakashi pocketed his orange book, crossed his arms and waited for another game that Gai will came up with. "Hey…" He sniffed. "Are you drunk? I could smell sake…"
"Just a little tipsy."
People around them or those who are walking on the street began to clear a path. The locals are already used to the Hokage and the Green beast's rivalry competition that they know better than to stick around and watch.
"Alright…" Guy gave him one of his sparkly smiles. "Let's race…"
Kakashi scratched his silver hair. "Don't you think race is bit old? We have done it a hundred times already…and race this late in the evening might disturb those who are already resting."
"Oh no my friend…this is new." Guy winked. "We have to round that forest path." The Shinobi pointed on a small dirth road that leads to the trees. "Following that trail, it would lead us to the—"The Green beast hiccupped.
"The Uchiha District…yeah, I know."
"That way…no one would be disturbed because we will be using the path that no one really uses."
"I thought this race has a new twist into it."
"There is… when the race starts, you just don't go and run like the wind like we used to…you have to be observant and alert of the people around you. If you pass by someone that matches something that you have said before the race…you have to stop and persuade him or her—"
"Persuade what? Who?"
"Example…I will say red lipstick or red shoes. Then if I pass by a girl, young woman, or even an old one that wears a red lipstick…I will have to carry her until I finish the race…Rock Lee suggested the twist…you have to rely on luck to win this one."
The Hokage scratched his chin. "Oh…now that's new."
"Green robe." Maito Guy winked. "Mine's a woman wearing a green robe. It would just be fitting for me, the green beast eh?"
"Hmm…then I would have to go with a girl with a mole on her forehead, and long curly hair, wearing a kimono with painted lilacs and a yellow bird." Kakashi declared.
Guy frowned. "Hey…that's unfair…too specific."
The Hokage only gave his rival a covered smile. "You did not said anything about being specific on the rules…shall we start now?"
"Hmm…so sly" Gai shook his head, but a smile was on his face. "But that only shows the fountain of youth inside you is boiling! I'm ready!"
Kakashi flexed his neck and then crouched. "Ready…Go!"
The two rivals shot into the night, leaving dirt and dust behind them. It would have been a very close race if only Guy did not stopped a few seconds just after the race officially started.
He has found the woman with the 'green robe'…now he has to persuade that person to carry her around until he finish the race.
The only problem was…It was Lady Tsunade.
The fifth Hokage stumbled upon their path, cheeks flushed, and drunk with sake. Probably just came out from one of her favorite pubs.
"Good luck with that." Kakashi chuckled as he weaved in and out of the giant trees, not really as fast when the race started. He knew that Guy would lose this one…Hell; it would have been a sight to see the great sannin being carried by Guy around the village…but he knew that was impossible.
As the Hokage sprinted deeper into the district and saw the Uchiha mansion, which made him remember Obito Uchiha and his happy memories with his deceased best friend—however, he was suddenly interrupted from his thoughts when something caught his sharp eye.
Something…or someone was sent flying out of the window.
Kakashi gathered his speed then leaped with a blur to catch the crumpled blue form before it hit the ground hard. He succeeded to grab the "thing" in mid-air and the Hokage landed on the moist ground on his knees.
Looking down on his arms, Kakashi's uncovered eye widened when he saw the pale, sobbing form. "Hinata-chan?"
Above him, he heard the window closed with a slam. (f)
-o-
Sasuke stopped when he saw the one thing he has been dying to see since he has recovered from his 'brainwashed' self. Hinata was standing a few meters away from him, frozen on the spot next to Temari. Her eyes locked on his dark orbs and her face pale.
"Hinata…"
He and Naruto just arrived outside Suna's enormous sand gates when some of the guards offered to escort them inside. Everyone knows that Naruto was a close friend of the kazekage, and it seems that guards have been told that if the Uzumaki pays a visit—unexpected or not— he would be brought to the kage immediately.
"Hinata-chan!" Naruto yelled, waving his arms up frantically when he too, saw the real reason of their visit.
Hinata however, looks like she won't be moving any time soon—for all her bad experiences with the Uchiha came surging back to her like sharp katana blades piercing her from the inside.
And the pain was excruciating.
Temari smiled and ran to where the Uzumaki was. "What are you doing here?" She asked, quite surprised because she received no notice or any warning that the famous Jinchuriiki would visit Suna…and the famous ex-rebel too. Though after the last mission, the Suna princess has somehow acknowledge Sasuke as a comrade.
Well, he saved her life once…
Naruto's eyes darted between the Uchiha and Hyuuga. Finally, the blonde decided that he would leave the two on their own business. Let them settle their problems on their own. Besides, he believes that Sasuke would be able to explain himself and clear any misunderstanding between them. Focusing his attention to the fan lady, Naruto smiled. "Oh…Kakashi-sensei gave us permission to be Hinata-chan's escorts back to Konoha."
Temari frowned. "But we are not finish on the barrier techniques…there's still a lot to learn and try."
"We know…we're just going to wait until everything is done…uhm, you would let us stay right?"
The fan lady gave Naruto a teasing grin. "Sure…at least Suna would have a loudmouth for a few days."
"Hinata." Sasuke called as he separated himself from the group. He was about to walk to where Hinata was when she started to back away, her eyes narrowed and hands clenched into fists.
Damn…she looks very, very, angry.
And Sasuke just wanted to trap her in his arms…
"You are in no place to call me by my name…Uchiha-san." Her voice was low and restrained, but Sasuke could feel the pain and anger radiating in it. Yeah…he remembered. He told her the same words a few weeks ago.
'You are in no place to hurt Karin.'
The Hyuuga then turned and started to leave, suddenly leaping away from the small group as fast as her legs would carry her. Sasuke crouched, intending to follow—but was interrupted with a Shinobi gestured for him to stop. "Uchiha-san…we need to see the Kazekage-sama first."
(Meeting with the Kage…)
"Here." Naruto handed the already crumpled parchment to Gaara. "That's the Hokage's order…We're going to wait upon the Hyuuga heiress until her mission is finished."
The young Kage nodded thoughtfully, green eyes moving back and forth as the scribbled notes on the parchment were being read. He was glad that his 'first' friend would stay here in Sunagakure, but for the Uchiha…he was honestly having second thoughts. "But Hyuuga-san has managed to travel alone when she came here…"
Naruto nodded. "It's uhm…actually a sudden decision."
Sasuke crossed his arms and lean on the sand made wall, his face grim and taunt. He saw Hinata alright…but she ran away from him like he was some kind of a dangerous—Well, he was dangerous— but he would never harm her…not as long as he was not brainwashed or something that was beyond his control.
Gaara folded the parchment in half and placed it on his desk. In the corner of his eye, he observed as the Uchiha crossed his arms and looked troubled, and then his gaze shifted from the wall to him.
Sasuke raised his eyebrow at the cold faced sand manipulator and remembered how he noticed his simple yet fond approaches to his girlfriend in the past. So Hinata has been staying here for weeks already…surely this kage did not show any kind of advances?
Hell…
"I would let you both rest for now." Gaara stood up from his chair. "Rooms have been prepared—"
"I wanted to know which room the Hyuuga is staying." The Uchiha suddenly demanded.
Gaara frowned. "Why?"
"Why do you need to ask? I need to talk to her."
Naruto elbowed the Uchiha hard on the ribs. Damn Sasuke…even though both of them are guests here in Suna, that doesn't mean Gaara won't throw them out if he became pissed of his rude behavior.
"Hyuuga-san should be the one that you should ask…not me. " Gaara answered coolly.
"Are you not the Kazekage?" Sasuke asked, sarcastic in his tone. "She knew that this is important…"
"Then why did she flee the moment you arrived?" The Kazekage asked in the same tone as Sasuke, and Naruto wondered why he was suddenly feeling so out of place. What was he looking at here anyway?
Two of the most mature individualS that he knew…were actually acting like kids….Bickering like rivals…
Rivals… Naruto played the word inside his mind. Oh…
Sasuke's eyes narrowed and Gaara smirked. "I was looking at my window…"
-o-
Hinata slammed the door shut then leaned back on it, wide-eyed and sweating cold.
What were Naruto and Sasuke doing here in Sunagakure?
Good heavens… He was the reason why she left Konoha in the first place…
Breathing heavily, Hinata shakily withdrew from the door and stumbled to her bed. Sasuke called her name…and he did so with longing…but why? He was the one who drove her away wasn't he? He was the one who betrayed her and lied about his relationship with Karin.
Sasuke broke her to pieces and she could not just forget that…
"He is messing up with my head…" Hinata whispered as she buried her face on a pillow. "Sasuke always messes with my head."
-o-
Sasuke frowned as Naruto hugged him in his sleep, making him a makeshift pillow. They shared the same bed and it takes a great deal of control not to kick the Uzumaki off it.
Well, he kicked him anyway.
Naruto fell, suddenly waking up from his sleep as he landed on the hard sand floor. At first, the blonde looked puzzled and then scratched his behind with a yawn. After a few more seconds, he stood up and glared at the Uchiha. "We have to share the same bed you know."
But Sasuke was already on his feet. "I'm going out."
"Teme…A few more hours and its morning. Can't it wait?" Returning back on his bed, Naruto pulled the covers up to his waist. "I know it's important that you see Hinata-chan…but come on, we have been traveling for three days nonstop. We deserve a good sleep."
"She…avoided me." Sasuke turned his back from his best friend, looking around for his sandals.
"Well…you really did a number on Hina-chan when you were brainwashed you know? ...And you're her first lover Teme." Naruto shifted to his side, eyes thoughtful. "Do you want me to talk to her? She won't run away from me."
"No."
"Alright…I won't interfere…just don't go berserk on Gaara or something."
Sasuke frowned." Why would I?"
"Heh…" The blonde's lips curved upwards. "I remember that marriage proposal from the Hyuuga clan that you have the guts to intervene. I am not stupid Sasuke…I know what you think."
"Hn."
When he was out of the room, Sasuke focused his attention on looking for Hinata's chakra. Disregarding the curious and suspicious looks the Suna guards were giving him, he proceeded on his way. Some even asked why he was up in this untimely hour, he just told them he can't sleep and needed some fresh air.
They knew he was lying, but they let him be. Sasuke knew that they trust Naruto enough to keep him at bay. Besides, they are Konoha's emissaries and the Suna guards are smart enough not to offend him.
She's hiding her chakra. Sasuke thought with gritted teeth as he drifts in and out on the shadows. If only he has the Byakugan…it would have been a lot easier.
An hour passed and he finally found her.
It was weird, because Sasuke never relied on his gut feeling before, but somehow, when he passed by a door with the intention of returning back to his and Naruto's room in defeat, he suddenly felt her presence.
It was a very calming aura…and very familiar.
The door was locked, so the Uchiha has to leaped out of the building again and use the window outside. He leaped and silently grabbed the sand made entrance in order to hoist himself up. His landing was flawless, for sand made floors make no sounds. Sasuke looked around and saw the messy blue hair on the bed.
He was right.
Hinata was curled into a ball, eyes closed and dried tears stained her pale face. Walking towards her, Sasuke wondered why she was not moving and showed no signs that she knew an intruder entered her quarters. He knew Hinata was an Anbu, and you could hardly sneak upon one even if they were asleep.
Kneeling beside the Hyuuga, Sasuke touched her cold face and noticed how shaky she was every time she inhales. Frowning, he shook her lightly.
Nothing.
She fainted. Sasuke thought as he cleared her face from her long bangs and studied her facial features. There were dark circles under her eyes and Hinata's lips were pale. The past week must have taken its toll on her—the emotional strain that he arrived here in Suna did not help either.
"I came for you." Sasuke murmured as he leaned to give her lips a gentle kiss. "And I'm going to win you back."
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Just a quick update