Just a warning: I think I failed about the juicy lemon…it turned out to be a little "modest".
Chapter Fifteen: The Truth
Hinata stared blankly at Naruto. "He was brainwashed by Karin?" her mouth gaped as Naruto began his long winded story about the reason why Sasuke was acting weird. Everything…everything that she believed for the past weeks sounds so…so wrong now.
"He tried to follow you…but we forced him back. You won't believe how hard headed he was…we explained that his condition was bad after the antidote was injected in his system but he just won't let anyone stop him. Sakura-chan has to knock that idiot out a few time times." The blonde smiled wearily. "Hina-chan…Sasuke can be a jerk sometimes…but he changed so much for you…he cares for you."
"He…he wanted to come after me?"
"Yeah…but his body was still weak that time. He won't last long in rough travel so we did not let him."
"Is…is that the reason why you're here? The two of you?" She asked, clenching her hands together to keep her still. Hinata felt as if cold water was thrown upon her right now, her mind was frozen and she was having a hard time speaking her mind out.
Naruto gave her a nod. "Do you know that idiot has to threaten Kakashi-sensei just to let him go to Suna?"
Hinata's shoulders slumped. "He did?"
"Yeah." Naruto confirmed. "He really wanted to talk to you…It drives him crazy knowing that you hate him."
The heiress pressed her throbbing temple with a hand, trying to ease the pain there. What would she do now? The wounds Sasuke left, even though done unconsciously, was still deep. She's barely recovered from the incident yet and this new knowledge about this brainwashing thing was not making it easier for her.
It just made her a lot more confused.
"I…I don't know what to say Naruto."
"I understand…all of us back in Konoha have been worried about you two. You should have seen Ino, she has been crying her eyes out for almost a week."
"Why?"
"She was befriended by Karin…only to find out later that she has been used by that Taka member just to get information about her brainwashing jutsus or something. You know those Yamanaka mind techniques..."
"Oh…so they knew what happened? Everyone back in Konoha?"
"They do…and you won't believe how the people back there rooted for you two."Naruto gave her a reassuring smile, his hand reaching out to give her a squeeze. "This information might be a lot to take in…but I know you'll always end up doing the right thing. You always do."
"Naruto-kun…"
After her conversation with Naruto, Hinata almost ran as she tried to get back to her own quarters as fast as possible. She doesn't know what to do…but all she knew is that she'll need to get things straight with Sasuke. She needs to talk to him…just talk to him and see what decisions she might form by then.
"Hyuuga-san."
Hinata stopped on her tracks and wheeled around, finding the kazekage standing beside the road she was running on, hands behind his back and face ever so stoic. In her haste, she failed to notice him. "Gaara-san…O-ohayo." She greeted him.
The kage's eyes studied her appearance and noted that the Hyuuga was looking better than before. She was not that lifeless form he was talking to yesterday. It looks like the girl has a good night's sleep because her cheeks already has that pink dusting into it and her eyes were not so tired looking anymore. "Hyuuga-san…you're in a hurry."
The heiress gave a weary smile, not trusting herself to speak.
Gaara looked at her straight in the eyes and then landed on her messy hair that she was not able to fix before barging in to Naruto's room. "Hn." Walking towards her, the kage reached his hand out and took a lock of Hinata's blue hair. He tucked it behind her ear. "You looked…in a hurry." He noted.
Hinata cheeks heated at the gesture.
She was used to Gaara's 'coldness' that simple gestures like this were a surprise for her. Hinata bit her lip, wanting to go back inside her quarters but knew that as a representative kunoichi from Konoha, she should always be respectful for the leader of the village where she was destined.
"Ano…Gaara-san." The Hyuuga said wearily, taking a step back—she was afraid that if she stood so near, Gaara would notice how nervous and bewildered she was…and very, very, unfocused at the moment.
Unfortunately, Hinata failed to see the large slab of rock behind her. Her mind was running elsewhere so she was not so attentive of her surroundings—unlike the sand leader that was standing next to her—observing her every movement.
Her foot hit the said stone and she stumbled back.
And Gaara was fast on her rescue.
A blur of graceful movements and the heavily-lidded kage caught her with ease—though somewhere in Hinata's mind, she knew that even if she stumbled, she would still be able to balanced herself up—she was an Anbu after all.
Hinata yelped when in the first time in her life. She was wrapped inside the strong, capable hands of the kazekage, landing straight into his chest as he tried to balance them together. Unknown to her, it was also Gaara's first time to ever hold a girl so close—and for a split second, he was stunned at his own action and was a little confused.
And that's all it takes to unbalance them both.
The two fell on the sandy ground in a panicked heap, confused Gaara over the surprised Hyuuga.
"Well…such a lovely greeting for a morning so early." It was Temari; she was standing a few meters away. No one noticed her before so Hinata assumed that she was just passing by. Gaara stood first, and then pulled her up with him.
Hinata's cheeks heated all the more because of the sister's comment.
"Gomenasai Hyuuga-san." Gaara was the first to apologize. "I…lost my grip."
Hinata bowed her head in response. "No…I'm clumsy. It's my fault Gaara-san. Gomenasai." When Hinata raised her head up, she saw that Temari was smiling but it did not reached her eyes. It was as if she was thinking something. "Ohayo…Temari-chan."
"Hinata…" Temari replied, giving her a nod instead of her usual warm smile. "So what am I looking at here exactly?"
"I…I lost my footing." Hinata explained. "The kazekage was kind enough to help me."
"Yes he is…" Temari agreed, giving her younger brother a look. "Too kind for his sake actually."
The heiress knew that she has wasted enough time, so she excused herself politely—somehow, it surprised her that she cannot look straight into the kazekage's eyes. "Ano…I still have to do something…I'll see you at the training field tonight, Temari-chan?"
"You bet."
"I'll excuse myself then." Looking at the kazekage, she gave him a nod. "Gaara-san…"
"Hn."
-o-o-o-
(f) The cup fell on the floor, its contents splashing on the wood and staining the clean carpet. Holding his head, Sasuke felt a stinging sensation running on his insides then up to his head where the pain was twice as powerful. "My head…"
Karin kneeled beside him, for the Uchiha's knees buckled beneath him and was kneeling on the floor with a painful yet stunned expression on his face. "Sasuke-kun…forgive me." The girl whispered, looking at him apologetically. "The pain is inevitable."
"W-what did you do Karin?" Sasuke hissed.
The redhead bit her lip, hands reaching out to touch his sweaty cheek. "I want you to love me."
The Uchiha's eyes widened as he realized that he was drugged. The crazy redhead was on one of her schemes again and this time, Sasuke knew that Karin have crossed the line. The pain was excruciating now, and it took him the best of his efforts not to cry out.
"Love me…" The girl whispered.
"You're not Hinata." Sasuke replied.
With that, Karin's eyes narrowed as she heard him mutter the Hyuuga's name. Her facial features suddenly turned hard and she shook her head. "That won't do."
With a sigh, Karin performed the newly learned hand seals that would help her change the Uchiha's mind. (f)
-o-o-o-
Sasuke opened his eyes when he felt her presence inside the room.
Hinata was looking at him, face unreadable and jaws set. Her eyes were hard and for the first time, she managed to look at him straight in the eyes without wavering. Did she come back just to tell him that she hates him like she did the other night? The moment she left, Sasuke thought that she would come back with a group of Shinobi with her, accusing him of intrusion.
But no, she came back alone. Her scared and confused expression before she left was now replaced with firm resolve and something that he failed to fathom.
"You came back." He said. His body was stiff and his messed up chakra pathways made him immobile. The only thing that he could do now was to speak.
He could feel her breathing was now becoming more ragged. It seems like the more she played strong, the more her body betrays her. She walked towards him, saying nothing.
Sasuke waited.
Hinata studied his face. Even in his state, his feature were still proud and screams superiority. "Why didn't you tell me the truth when you have the chance Sasuke?" She asked him, voice controlled in case it cracked. The Uchiha's face registered something of surprise.
"I'm going to strangle Naruto."
"You're going to strangle no one." Hinata said, sitting on the bed next to him. Kneading her chakra, her hands glowed as she started to fix the result of her own doing on the Uchiha's body. Her gentle hands hovered above his chest, fixing the broken chakra pathway there. "Can you explain why?"
Sasuke felt her soothing hands on his skin and his eyes closed as a shudder run through his spine. So she already knew the truth…"Do I need to?" He asked back.
"You have to."
"Because you're too forgiving…and I want you to see me suffer."
Hinata frowned as her hands ran to his hard abdomen. "Why?"
"Because you're suffering too."
"So you're thinking of a payback, is that it?" Hinata bit her quivering lip as she continued fixing his body back to normal. "Baka…" she said, almost a whisper but still loud enough for him to hear. "Baka Sasuke…You're killing us both you know…you're killing us both." No matter how much she tried to control herself, tears still started to fall. The heiress never knew that she has to let it out. If not, she was going to break or burst out.
"I'll still die first." He told her just as he felt his body regained its strength to move.
"No…we'll die both."
Sasuke reached for Hinata's face, touching it gently as her tears started to fall drop by drop on his cheek and forehead. "Don't cry." Pulling her down, he guided her face to his and he pressed his lips on hers. He kissed her gently, feeling her shudder at their first intimate contact for a long time.
Hinata felt his arms tightened around her, and even if it was hard to admit, she never felt so relieved. She was not the only one who was suffering…Sasuke was feeling the same pain too. She was hurting…but so was he.
"Am I forgiven?" He asked, never letting her lips go.
"Did something happen to you and Karin the night I caught you?" She asked back as another shudder run through her body.
"No. You were just in time." Sasuke wiped her tears with the back of his hand. "So stop crying Hinata...I did not follow you all the way here to just to be greeted by your tears."
Hinata smiled, and for the first time in weeks, that smile actually reached her eyes.
-o-o-o-
(Four days later…)
Temari performed the hand seals and slammed her hand on the ground, making the earth vibrate as she merged her powerful chakra into Suna's barrier roots in order to strengthen it. Beside her was Kankuro, he was observing her with a serious face.
The puppet user never saw his sister so enthusiastic in learning the jutsu so fast and with dedication. Even their temporary teacher, Hinata, looks a little stunned. The blue haired kunoichi was observing Temari's every movement too, silently nodding her head in approval.
Talking about their blue haired teacher, Kankuro noticed that she was different than from the past week that she has been staying here. The girl has more life now…and her cheeks were glowing. Every now and then, she would catch herself blushing and would cover her cheeks with both hands to hide it.
It was so cute to watch.
But if the Hyuuga's state was improving, Temari was becoming more…harsh?
The fan lady was snappy, and she acted like she was in a hurry. She would never take no for an answer every time Hinata wanted her to take some rest. Chakra-drained or not, it looks like Temari won't stop unless she learned the barrier strengthening jutsu in one shot.
"That's it." Hinata's voice broke the silence. "Temari-chan, that's it."
The Suna princess wiped her brow were large beads of sweat rested. "Really?"
The Hyuuga smiled. "Hai…It was perfect. Feel the barriers…you can feel that they are stronger than before. It's vibrating with your chakra."
Kankuro kneeled and touched the sandy ground, closing his eyes as he searched for the barrier roots. When he found one, he tried to feel it and his eyes snapped open. "She's right. I can feel it…"
There was a sudden warm breeze, and Hinata has to hold her long hair with both hands to prevent it from going into her eyes. As she was trying to ease her hair down, her eyes caught a glimpse of something—or more appropriately, someone— a few meters away from where they stood.
It was Gaara.
He was just standing there, looking at them. He was leaning on a reddish brown wall that matches the color of his clothes. In one glimpse, no one could really notice that he was there. It was because even his hair was the same color…reddish brick. There was also no hint of a chakra signature, since like every powerful Shinobi, he prefers in keeping it hidden.
As the Hyuuga noticed the Subaku leader, it seems that Temari has noticed a different observer. The fan woman tilted her head to the side. "Hinata-chan…It seems like you have a guard with you?"
Hinata frowned. "What guard?"
Sasuke landed in front of the three, his one knee kneeling on the sand.
Kankuro nodded his head. "Oh…that guard."
The Uchiha straightened himself up and gave everyone a nod of acknowledgement except for Hinata. His eyes lingered on her as she looked at him with surprise. "I saw that you're already done." He said, feeling the small charges from the newly formed barrier on his skin.
"Yeah…" Kankuro answered, massaging the back of his neck. "We're done…thankfully."
"What is it to you? And where's Naruto?" It was Temari, eyeing the sharingan user with a stern look on her face. She was actually starting to like the guy…for he has proven it to her during their past mission together that he was different from being the revenge-driven man he was a few years back, but unfortunately, he might be the reason why her youngest brother might experience another heartache…and talking about heartaches, Gaara has enough of it from his childhood to last a lifetime. It was the reason why Temari has decided to prevent it before Gaara's "comrade concern" for Hinata developed into something more—and judging by the way he acts around the heiress; it was already starting to take root.
But no root is hard to pull out once it's still young. Temari told herself.
"It's about to get dark…" Sasuke answered and his face stoic. "I'm going to bring Hinata back to her quarters… Naruto is with the Shinobi unit who are doing rounds for the night. He decided to help keep watch."
Temari raised an eyebrow and her eyes landed on the heiress who was looking a little embarrassed. Hinata was looking down on the sand, her cheeks flushed. "Oh I see…" Finally giving a faint smile, Temari decided to cut the two Konohans some slack. She knew that something was going on between them anyway. She has witnessed how Sasuke reacted when Shikamaru and Hinata pretended to be married that one time on a mission. She was almost sure that he's going to strangle Shikamaru back then. "Sure…Hinata-chan needs her rest anyway…I have been keeping her with me the whole day."
"You have been keeping us the whole day." Kankuro corrected his sister, his painted face smiling too. It was a rare sight to see Kankuro smiling, but unknown to many—he was in love—and it seems like being in love helps improve one's personality a great deal.
Thwak!
Sasuke blinked while the three stared in amazement as the Uchiha's right hand shot to the back of his head. He looked stunned for a moment but his face soon regained its stoic form.
"What's wrong?" Hinata was the first one to ask.
Temari eyed the small rock that fell on the sandy ground behind Sasuke just a few seconds after he touched his head. "I guess he have been…hit by a rock on the head." The fan lady looked around. Somehow, she suspects that she know who the culprit was.
Hinata looked around too, wondering why the rock throwing spree was starting again, only to notice that Gaara was nowhere to be found on the spot where she saw him standing just minutes ago.
-o-
Hinata removed the forehead protector from her neck and placed it gently on the desk. She was inside her room now, and Sasuke insisted on coming with her. He was sitting on the side of the bed, observing her every move with that midnight dark eyes of his.
Ever since they settled the misunderstanding between them, The Uchiha has been following her around the village nonstop. Sometimes, he pretended not to, but Hinata could sense that he was still following her, and there were times that he would suddenly appear if someone—especially if it was a male—was trying to engage her in a friendly conversation.
If there was one thing that the Hyuuga learned from the miserable experience from the past weeks, it was that being away from each other was a pain for them both. Not just for her but Sasuke too…it may be a slow process but they both have proven it that it was slowly but surely...killing them from the inside.
When she asked about Karin, he told her that she was banned from going back to the leaf village from now on. Hinata knew that she was supposed to be angry at the Uzumaki, but in truth, she was actually feeling pity for the girl. There was nothing wrong in loving a person…but that doesn't mean that you have to mess with his brain.
Just like Sasuke, Hinata chose to forgive Karin of her actions. Though in a small corner of her mind, she promised that if she ever saw Karin again…She might not only break her nose, but send her flying with the help of a gentle fist technique to the Grass country.
"It's the kazekage." He suddenly muttered, breaking away from her thoughts. "He is the one who threw the stone at me…"
Hinata frowned, reaching for the window and pushed it close. Sometimes, Suna's cold night air was just too much. "Gaara-san is mature enough not to do that Sasuke."
"It's him."
"How would you know?" She asked him, removing her sandals as and tossing them into a corner.
"Because I also threw—"Sasuke stopped, realizing that he just slipped on his own words. Hinata looked at him then her mouth dropped to the floor. "Hn…"
"You're the one who threw those stones at him!" She gasped. "Sasuke…Gaara-san's head did bleed you know…And why did you do that?"
Sasuke stood up and walked towards her, shaking his head. "I told you I get jealous easily…"
"Then imagine what I felt when I saw you with Karin…and you two were nake—"
Sasuke covered her mouth with his hand. "Do you really have to remind me about that Hinata?"
"Oh…I did not mean—Gomen…" was her muffled apology.
Sasuke let his hands fall, then as if he was buried in some serious thought, he pulled her towards him until she was literally facing his chest. "If it bothers you that much…why don't you do it with me?" His voice was low and his eyes serious.
Hinata's eyes widened. "Sasuke-kun!"
"I'm serious."
"But….Sasuke, I don't think I …" She was stuttering and the Uchiha knew that she was racking her brains out for a good alibi, seizing his chance while she was still bewildered enough to complain and retreat, he gave her lips a big fat kiss.
"Weeks without you drove me to the brink of madness Hinata…"He murmured, loving the way she froze on his every touch. Sasuke suddenly felt his body turned hot, and Hinata's light, soft and feathery touches were just too perfect… to right. "And hell…" growling, he deepened the kiss and was satisfied when he heard her soft gasp and her hands shot between them, trying to pry him gently.
But damn he was determined.
"Are y-you serious?"
"What do you think?" The Uchiha let his hand crept under her purple jacket and into her spine, running it up and down, lowering his head, he pressed his body to her and nibbled on her lower lip.
Trying not to break the kiss, he swoop her up and carried her to the bed in one stride. When he dropped her on the mattress, her eyes were wide and cheeks as red as they could get. She was starting to have that trance like look on her face again, and the Uchiha knew that he was going to get what he was dying to have tonight.
Hinata felt his lips touched her ears, as he gently pushed her down on the soft sheets. Good heavens, her head was turning fuzzy and she doesn't know what to do and think. His lips trailed down on the hollow of her neck and Hinata can't help but close her eyes.
Oh boy…
Sasuke was already on top of her and he leveled his face so that he could see her closed eyes. "Trust me." He told her and his hand touched her cheek as the other one was staring to unzip her jacket. "I want you to trust me."
Hinata opened her eyes when she felt his lips hovered just above her cleavage, while his hands were touching her sides in a soothing way. She was about to speak when his lips captured hers again—almost hungrily—and her words died inside her throat. She was dimly aware that she already lost her jacket, and her bra was now the only thing that covers her upper body.
Sasuke could feel Hinata's heart beating wildly so he decided to calm her first. He made the kiss gentler, trying to ease down his own desires. Her skin was silky and soft beneath him and it was driving him nuts.
Hinata's breathes were turning into ragged gasps because of Sasuke's gentle exploration using the help of his sinful lips. The heiress knew that she have just fallen into his trap…and there was no escape. Shivers ran through her when he parted her lips with his tongue, trying to drown her into his dark magic all the more.
Sasuke broke the contact when he felt her stop inhaling air.
"Breath." He told her.
"Sasuke…" Her eyes looked into his and he kissed her forehead in assurance. "I'm...scared."
"Don't you trust me?"
Hinata bit her lip. "I do…but…this is my first…a-and—"
"Just trust me…" He murmured, bringing his head down as he kissed the hollow of her neck and inhaled the lavender scent there. Wanting to feel her skin, he unbuttoned his own shirt with ease and tossed it on the floor. The soft reddish light from the lamp above them sharpened his features, giving Hinata a clear view of his chiseled body. The shadow the hides hide half of his face made him look like a hunter, eyes dark and sly knowing that he already captured his prey.
Hinata gasped as she felt his heated skin against her own, his hard abdomen pressing against her stomach as something hard was also pressed against her thigh. Hinata knew that she was going to faint anytime soon if he won't stop this lustful act. Good heavens…her stomach felt as if butterflies lives there and she can't do anything about it.
He kissed her hungrily and with need, lowering his head to make trails down her collar bone until he reached the soft skin on top of her chest. Hinata whimpered as he gave her a small bite.
He was driving her crazy.
She felt one of his hand cupped her breast and the other on the zipper of her pants, slowly tugging it down. In her entranced state, Hinata was still able to process things clearly—and she knows what was going to happen next.
That's when she started to panic.
Raising her head up, Hinata pulled his hand off her pants and her scared eyes searched his, throat rising up and down as she tried to swallow whatever invisible blockage she has inside her wind pipes. Sasuke stopped whatever he was doing and waited for whatever she has to say.
"Sasuke…" She looked at her black pants, cheeks emitting heat. "I don't think I…" She hesitated then bit her lip. How could she explain this to him anyway?
"What? You have to remove it sooner or later Hinata."
"But…Sasuke-kun…I'm…" She was embarrassed for heaven's sake! No one has ever seen her without decent body covering and right now, it took her the greatest of her effort not to pull the sheets and cover herself.
Sasuke smirked as he propped himself up again, this time, an annoyed expression decorated his handsome face. Looking at her, his hand removed his black belt first.
Then his pants followed.
Good Lord. He was doing the total opposite of what she wanted him to do.
Hinata doesn't know if she was going to run or faint. But before she could do anything, he captured her again in his embrace and drowned her with his kisses while his hand started to roam around her body like he owned it. With a swift and a little forceful move, he brought her pants down.
Sasuke heard her squeaked, but he was in no time to mind it right now. The feeling of her breast against his hard chest was…sensational, and his mind was becoming a little clouded too. Hinata was turning into mush beneath him and her breath was hot, fast and damp against his cheek.
It was the first time that he saw her naked, and she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her body was flawless, which made him wonder for a bit how an Anbu could have such perfect physique. The knowledge of being the first one to see her this way somehow triggered his possessive side to break lose.
If anyone would dare touch her aside from him…that person just have a death wish.
"The sheets…" She told him between lungful of air, hoping that he would understand. "Sasuke-kun, the sheets!"
He raised an eyebrow at her sudden request then shook his head as he finally understood. "Ever the modest." He muttered as he paused a bit and pulled the thick material over them. In truth, he did not know that Hinata wanted to cover herself…not both of them.
With a smirk, Sasuke then continued his passionate approach.
The room was starting to be filled with soft moans and startled gasps as the heiress was being caressed and embraced by Sasuke's hands—a sign that she was giving in finally. Slowly, her own arms unconsciously crept to circle the Uchiha's neck.
Somehow, her bra has gotten itself unhooked and was on the floor, joining Sasuke's own clothes. Skin against heated skin, both felt as if they were going to burst into flames any time soon.
Hinata opened her eyes when she felt the Uchiha stopped his kisses and found out that he was staring at her own flushed face. He shifted lightly and Hinata felt something warm was prodding her inner thigh. Slowly, Sasuke parted her legs. Obsidian eyes never breaking the contact with her white orbs.
"Your final decision…" he said, voice low and husky.
"Do you…really care for me Sasuke?" It was a whispered question, and Hinata can feel his body perfectly molded with hers.
"More than my own life."
Hinata's eyes softened at his declaration. Giving him a faint smile, Hinata nodded and her hands circled his neck as his muscles tense. He was straining for control and it took him much effort just to act slow and gentle. This woman was turning him into a wild animal—which might hurt her if he gave in on his own lustful cravings.
She felt him shift a bit, trying to ease his way down on her. Sasuke pressed against her and Hinata winced in anticipation as heard him hiss his breath. "Sasuke, this is my first time…" She told him.
"I know…and I would be the first and the last…understood?"
Hinata failed to answer for there was a sudden sharp stab of pain and the heiress felt the sharingan user pushed his way inside her.
"Hinata…are you alright?" He asked and his breath hard and raspy. Hinata could feel him inside her and his body was trembling with the desire to go in further. She whimpered a reply and he started to move in slow strokes, muscles straining to have some control and avoid hurting the girl more.
It hurts…and Hinata has to hold on to him for dear life, her nails making claw marks on his back as she felt his hard body pound against her. She has to bit her lip very hard just to avoid from crying out—though small moans still managed to escape from her throat. He was moving faster now, and his elbows sunk on the soft mattress as he tried to steady himself.
It hurts…but she doesn't want him to stop.
"Hinata…"
"I'm alright…" She whispered back.
Different sensations…different emotions...both of them knew that somehow, they have sealed the deal and there was no turning back. They are one now…in any sense of the word, and as the two of them reached the brink of ecstasy, it made their resolve stronger.
They are one.
"The moment we return, I'm going to marry you…Hyuuga Hinata."
-o-o-o-
Good news: I am going to start my second story this week… (Title: Kidnapped by the Akatsuki)
Sad news: I am planning to end this story this week too.
Oh please review…I would love it…. (puppy eyes)oh…some might ask why I was not that descriptive with the lemony scene…sorry. I can't bring myself to write super steamy ones…I tried, really. (But I ended up covering my face with embarrassment.)
-crazygurl12