Just as I promised, two days and another update! My school was celebrating a sports fest, which means I have lots of time to write another installment.

Btw. Those readers who comments about Shikamaru and Hinata's chemistry from the last chapter…yeah, I love Shikamaru too! But this is a SasuHina fan …

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters…just those of my own creation.

-o-o-o-

Chapter Twenty-Five: Three Separate Missions (Part three)

"Who are the Shinobi among you four?" The masked man holding Hinata asked, eyeing the four Konohans with malice-filled eyes. Hinata could feel his breath on her face; the stinky exhalation from the man was enough to make her gag.

Good thing she has wore her shirt with the sleeves, it hides her Anbu insignia. They would not have a clue that they were messing with an Anbu.

Shikamaru and Yamato exchange quick glances, it was swift, but enough to convey a message. The captain straightens up and looked at the man who was asking. "Me. They hired me to be their guard on for safety purposes while they travel."

"On the way to where?"

"To a place where my me and my wife could leave in peace…" Shikamaru answered, diverting the masked man's attention from Yamato to him with his personal concocted story. The Nara has a busted lip already; blood was dripping from his lips. "We are running away from the Hyuuga clan see…" He gestured at Hinata. "The clan doesn't agree with our…marriage." Even from the poorly lightened room, Hinata could feel Shikamaru flinched at the word marriage. Obviously, he has never thought of things like wife and marriage in real life.

"Wife you say?" The masked man snorted. "Well, hate to tell you this but I understand the lady's clan. Women with face and body like hers should only be reserved for…very special men." As if to prove his point, he pressed the Hyuuga to the wall with his body, sniffing her neck down to her collar bone. "Hell…smells nice too."

Hinata's face contorted between disgust and anger. She doesn't like how this man touches her. The fact that this man might have also hurt Kiba was making her shake with the urge to kick him in the stomach and sent him flying out of the window.

"Leave her alone." A voice said. It was angry, full of threat and was stone cold.

Hinata's head snapped to where Shikamaru was, thinking that he was acting like any good husband would do when they see their wives being harassed, but when she looked at the Nara, he was not looking at her, instead, he was looking at the direction of the bug wielder.

It was Shino.

His veins were popping from his neck, and his brows were strained. Behind the glasses, Hinata could feel his eyes on her. She looked into the dark glasses, mouthing the word "no." She then gave a subtle shook of her head, giving the Aburame a warning.

The man looked puzzled for a bit, and then evil glinted in his eyes. "Oh…interesting."

-o-

(Mission two: Sasuke's team)

Naruto gagged and dropped to the ground. He was holding his throat and was muttering something in a guttural language that he alone could understand. "Bhu…ugg…"

"What the hell is the matter with Naruto?" Temari asked, stopping on the branch she just landed. It was already sunrise, and the team has not stopped since then. Beside her, Kankuro looked down on the Jinchuriiki who was coughing and holding his throat dramatically, his face turning freakishly blue.

Without a word, Sasuke dropped to the ground. He kneeled beside Naruto. "Dobe."

"Insect…my…mouth." More coughing and gagging. "I swallowed…an insect…this big." He raised his thumb to Sasuke's face."This big."

Rolling his eyes, Sasuke gave the blonde a quick shove on the head, causing the other nins to stare wide-eyed. The great and powerful Jinchuuriki of Konoha, who looks so fierce and cool during the war, has just been head bumped by Sasuke Uchiha like a child.

Hoisting Naruto up by the collar, Sasuke signaled the group to continue. The sun is already up and they needed the cover of the trees for their own protection. Ahead of the corps were nins from Hidden mist, their specially trained senses were perfect for detecting traps on their way. So far, they have succeeded in evading any unknown traps.

Sasuke was unnecessarily calm, keeping his head on the mission and what he was going to do when they reached the said mountain town. He knows that it won't be a smooth run…if anything, everyone was expecting it to be bloody.

"Teme." Naruto glided next to him, his face now turning on its normal tanned color.

"If you tell me you swallowed another bug I am going to kill you." He warned.

"That was a big bug idiot. I almost suffocated." Naruto grumbled. "And it's not about a bug."

"Then what is it?" Sasuke asked gruffly, leaping on a tree branch and landing on one foot, then kicking down to leap on another, Naruto following closely behind.

"It's about you."

"What about me?"

"I don't need to see your chakra signature to see how you are worried about something. Wow, that's rare Teme." Naruto has lowered his voice, though Sasuke doubts that it would help conceal their conversation from the other nins. "And on a mission too."

A guttural growl escaped from the Uchiha as he realized that he may not hide these things to the person next to him. Naruto knows him better than he thought he does. Leave it to the most oblivious one of the pack to point out his emotional excess.

"Hn." Was all he could answer the blonde.

-o-

Hinata winced as her hair tangled on a twig. She could not do anything about it for her hands were tied behind her on a strong rope. The others are on the same condition. They have been dragged to come with the masked group and Yamato's temporarily made house was burned to the ground. Apparently, the mask nins bought their little story, for they did not found anything with them that could give them away. Good thing they have hidden their weapons under the floor boards.

It was later revealed that the masked rogues have different orders, so for now, they would just take them prisoners and deal with them after the said task.

Out of the four of them, Yamato was the one that was heavily guarded, prior to his revelation that he was a Shinobi of the leaf.

"Ah." She yelped when the man who was in charge of guarding her yank the tangled tresses unceremoniously. Trying to forget her own discomfort and pain at the moment, her eyes trailed to Shino, who was being dragged by two of their captors. His face was bruised and matted blood decorated his high collared shirt. They have beaten him last night, when he stood up for her, it was when one of the masked men began to touch her in a very troubling way.

Do not act like a Shinobi…do not act like a Shinobi. She chanted mentally. She needs to stick to the plan and trust Shikamaru's tactical prowess.

Looking at the sun above their heads, Hinata wondered how many hours have passed since they were captured by the people who were obviously running with the same crowd that ambushed her and Sasuke on their way back on the peace missions a few months ago.

"Should we inform them?" She heard one masked man whispered from behind.

"Nah. This lot we keep to ourselves." Answered another in the same hushed voice like the first one who has spoken. "It's too long to get back to our mountain and inform the lords. I say, we keep them hidden on our temporary hideout and come back for them later…after we kill the Uchiha. Imagine what those Hyuuga eyes will cost…nins greedy with power would be groveling at our feet just to get those pair of white eyes."

"But this Sasuke… quite made a name for himself…being one of the most dangerous men alive. It's a dangerous one were having…"

"That's why we have the power of surprise. We are skilled trap makers and our drugs are hellishly effective. Imagine how much lot we could get from the leaf village after our sneaky attack." A snicker, then a grunt."Though I hate the idea of removing the eyes out of that pretty girl."

Hinata involuntarily closed her eyes, thankful that these masked rogues have no idea that the Villages of Shinobi alliance has already made a move to prevent their evil schemes once and for all. Tilting her head to the side, she saw Shikamaru looking at her with carefully concealed expression.

"You alright?" Shikamaru asked the Hyuuga girl. His eyes conveying the secret message: just keep the little play a little longer.

She gave him a nod and a reassuring soft smile. "Hai."

The man holding Shikamaru's ropes jerked it back, making the Nara squint as his arms were almost snapped back by force. "Enough." The man growled, his eyes darting back and forth from the Hyuuga and the Nara. "She won't be your pretty little wife any longer." He added with a grim chuckle. "You lucky bastard."

A few more hours passed, and the heiress could feel the sting of scratches and bruises on her arms. She left her jacket back at the spring, so her arms were unprotected from thorns, twigs, and ragged vines. They were forced to pass by bushes and thick brambles many times that it was impossible to know which they were heading.

Just as she thought she was going to endure more hours of walking torture, they stopped.

It was in front of a cave, hidden so craftily behind thick trees and thorny bushes that no one in their right minds would go or even pass by.

Except for the dangerous ones. Hinata thought morosely.

The four Konohans were pushed inside the cave, discovering themselves that the inside was vast and there were already signs that it was used as a shelter or as a house. The inside was also divided into parts, but was still too dark for anyone to see everything.

Hinata fought the urge to use her kekkei genkei.

"Put the Shinobi into that cell." One masked man ordered, pointing at Yamato. "Then that gutsy one." He pointed at Shino. "Double their guards for they might cause us trouble."

A light was lit, giving the cave an illuminated glow. The inside was surprisingly big for an entrance so small. If Hinata's suspicions were correct, the cave has been renovated to make the inside bigger with plenty of maze-like corridors and divided cells.

Hinata jerked her head to look back at her bruised Aburame teammate and their eyes met. One pair of white eyes and the other hidden behind dark glasses, showing no hint of emotion. She studied his face and Hinata was so furious that she has to bit her lip hard to prevent her from creating any outburst.

How dare they hurt Shino!

"How about them?" One gloved hand pointing at the "couple". "Shall I throw them into the same cell?"

"No." One from the masked group answered and a sly glint was in his eyes. "Separate the lady from her husband. I would be easier to visit her without her husband meddling. Let her stay with the other prisoner."

A chorus of laughter echoed around the cave, creating a hollow sound that was repeated many times, one fainter than the other.

Shikamaru gritted his teeth. His plans were working alright, but the idea of letting a female teammate be alone in the mercy of these good for nothing bastards won't put him at ease. Next to him, he could feel the Aburame feeling the same. Shino's captor has to hold him by the neck and jerk back his binding ropes because he was starting to struggle again.

"No….let me stay with my wife." Shikamaru tried a more calm approach. "She needs-"

"I'll be fine." Hinata answered back, much to Shikamaru's surprise. She met his eyes and there was firm determination and assurance in it. "Honey…I'll be fine." She used the endearment he has devised earlier, lips forming into a reassuring smile. Her gaze lingered for a few seconds, trying to hold his own to make the assurance stronger. Then she did the same with Shino and Tenzou Yamato, letting them see that she was fine and she can handle herself.

For the first time in his life, Shikamaru Nara acknowledges Hinata as one of the strongest kunoichi he has ever known.

-o-

"What the hell happened in here?" Temari looked around the clearing. There were piles of burned wood everywhere. "This looks like a house burned to the ground." They have been traveling for two days now and still on their way when some sort of unusual scene made their group stop.

"I wonder if Captain Yamato's team passed by this place." Naruto wondered out loud, unknown to him, Sasuke was wondering the same thing. Kicking the pile of wood in front of him, Naruto let out a grimace. "I hope they have found Kiba by now."

"Naruto!" It was Kankuro who landed next to him in a swift dive. The puppet user gestured for him to move away from the spot where he was standing.

"What?" Naruto asked, puzzled.

"Look." Kankuro pointed at the spot where Naruto has kicked some wood moments ago. When he looked at it closely, a shiny thing glinted from the ground and ashes. The puppet user kneeled, while the other nins looked curiously from behind to see what was happening. He kneeled, digging into the debris with his violet tattooed hands.

When he straightened himself up, there was a dirty katana on his hand, a few burned pouches of kunai, and small shuriken.

"A konoha standard katana…" Naruto's eyes widened. "For Anbu."

Out of nowhere, Sasuke landed between Naruto and Kankuro. He grabbed the katana and studied it with tense eyes. His dark orbs were starting to glint in a freaky way that some of the Shinobi took a step back, afraid that he suddenly turned deranged. "Hinata." A murmur left his lips.

"Uh-oh." Suigetsu backed away from the Uchiha. "Crazed eyes…I know that anywhere."

"Look what we found!" Two nins from Kumo announced, landing from a tree branch in a synchronized way. They volunteered to look around the place the moment the unit decided to stop on the clearing. "There was a spring a few meters away from here." One of them brandished a purple jacket, which Naruto and Sasuke knew too well. "We found this!"

"Shit!" Naruto cursed, his eyes looking at the purple jacket then back at Sasuke. "Then this house was made by captain Yamato!"

-o-

Hinata was pushed inside a cold, dank, cell with rusty metal bars. There was a small piece of parchment attached to the metal door that has the markings of a binding jutsu. There was no guard to watch her cell, unlike Yamato's and Shino.

But she won't still be able to get out of the cell easily. One touch on that binding paper and she might lose an arm off.

She cursed inwardly, letting her eyes adjust with the help of the faint light from a single torch. It was attached into a cave wall in a far corner. Good thing those rogues have decided to remove her binds, her hands were already stiff and aching from the ropes earlier. She heard one of them mutter that she looks like a weakling anyway, so no good wasting time guarding her.

There was a sudden moan and she jumped, eyes flickering to see where the sound came from.

In the farthest corner of the cell, was a crumpled form, back resting into the hard stone. Hinata took a few steps closer and squinted as she tried to see, trying not to use her byakugan in case she will be suspected as a kunoichi.

It was a young man; head lowered to rest on his chest, eyes half closed but pupils flickering back and forth as if he was on a trance. The red markings on his face were matted with blood. There was also a cloying smell of infected wound and rotting flesh.

It was Kiba.

Hinata gasped, and then kneeled to his side, disregarding the sharp cave rocks that scraped her knees. The first thing she did was to hold his matted face in her shaking hands. "Kiba-kun!"

No response, though she could feel his chest heaving up and down. Did they torture him? Starve him? The heiress cannot help but to feel extreme hatred at the masked men who did this to her teammate…her closest friend…her brother.

Giving the Inouzuka a kiss on the forehead, Hinata began to check his wounds. "Kiba-kun…I am going to get you out of here…I promise." Hinata's breath stuck to her throat and she tried her best not to shake.

Kiba's back was lacerated, and the wounds have not been cleaned, hence the rotting smell of flesh. There were also deep wounds on his arms, the result of kunais and throwing stars. Tearing the lower part of her black shirt, she dipped it into the bowl of water she has found near Kiba's feet and began cleaning the matted blood off his face then on his back.

She recoiled in horror when she found out that some of the small throwing stars were still embedded on the Inouzuka's back. Patting the pocket of her pants, she gave a sigh of relief when she found three small vials of her homemade antiseptic and healing medicine.

If I use my chakra to heal Kiba…they might suspect. It might cause trouble. Hinata contemplated. I better not take any chances. Shikamaru-kun was right…those rogues has lead us personally to Kiba-kun.

Pressing his cheeks so that his mouth would open, Hinata poured the contents of one vial into Kiba's mouth. When he showed no signs of swallowing, she pressed his nose, making him unconsciously breath with his mouth, at the same time letting the medicine enter his system.

Kiba was alive…and that was all that matters at the moment.

As the heiress was tending to the Inouzuka's wounds, a small beetle found its way inside the cell and to her hair. The buzzing sound was familiar enough for her, she know it was one of Shino's bugs without looking. "I found Kiba…he is alive." She whispered. "He is unconscious though…let me fix him up a bit first."

The bug continued to buzz for a few more seconds, then opened its scaly wings and flew out of the cell, where Hinata knew it would come back on Shino and Yamato, wherever they have been locked up.

Closing her eyes, she tried to relax her muddled brain for a second.

"Hinata…" Sasuke let his fingers ran into her hair as he held her with one hand. "If anything goes wrong on your mission…"

"I have three jounins with me." She pointed out. "And I am an Anbu."

"I know…but still…I want you to promise me one thing."

She frowned. "What is it?"

"If you're in danger and there's no way out. I want you to activate the curse mark and use it on me."

Her jaw dropped and she looked at him like he has just said the most absurd thing. Well, in fact he just did. "What? No…"

"I want you to." His gentle hold turned firm. "Promise me."

"But why? I don't see-"

"Then I would know that you are in danger…that's the closest thing that I have as a communication with you."

She shook her head defiantly. "It would hurt you."

"I don't care."

"I do."

Suddenly, she coughed. The meaning of her words dawned on her a second too late. She avoided his gaze and bit her lip, praying that he would not mind what she just said.

Peering at him, she realized that she was wrong.

"Come here." He pulled her close again. "I won't allow you to go if you won't promise me…Kakashi can't stop me you know…so promise me…And I trust that you always stand by what you say." He murmured in her ear.

Kiba coughed, and Hinata opened her eyes again to find herself inside the cell, her mind drifting out for a moment to remember Uchiha Sasuke.

"Sasuke…" she whispered the name.

-o-o-o-

"Hinata."

The heiress opened her eyes, squinting at the darkness. There was a gentle nudge on her ribcage that was repeated a few more times. "Hinata…"

"Kiba-kun?" She bolted upright, the sleep that was brought by fatigue left her in an instant. Kiba was sitting next to her, one hand on her shoulder and the other was on his stomach. He's breathing was heavy and his movements limited.

"What the hell are you doing in this place?" Kiba asked, his eyes were heavy with dark circles. When he opened his eyes, how shocked he was to see Hinata of all people sleeping next to him. At first, he thought that he was dreaming, but when he saw her bruised form and the smell of lavenders…he knew it was her.

His shock was suddenly replaced with horror.

"Y-you're awake now." She touched his arm.

"Yes." There was a hiss on his voice that Hinata did not expect. "Damnit. You should not be here." He clutched at his midsection like there was pain there; it looks like he was having trouble breathing. "I don't want you to be in danger HIna-chan."

"I am with Shino and Shikamaru-kun…captain Yamato is with us too. You don't have to worry." Hinata explained and her voice low. "We are on a mission to look for you. But…we encountered the rogues by pure chance…and here we are." She tried to study his face. "What did they do to you Kiba-kun? When I saw you here, you are in a very bad condition…"

"Did they give you food?" He asked her, disregarding the question as his arms suddenly wrapped around the girl just to make sure that it was not some sort of hallucination. "Did they?"

Hinata nodded. "Gruel."

"Good…at least they did not starve you." He rubbed his head, where he felt sore. "You cleaned me up?" He asked her, noticing for the first time that he was blood-free. His wounds were also bandaged, which he would have asked her where she got the cloth if he did not saw her tattered shirt. "How long have you been here?" He groaned as he tried to propped himself with his elbows. The pain was like thousand of needles piercing through every muscle of his body.

"I don't know…the cave is dark and there are no windows. I cannot tell exactly."

"Guess."

"A day and a half…or two."

As they were talking in hushed tones, a buzzing noise made them stop. A beetle landed on Hinata's shoulder and she took it in her hands, letting Kiba see the bluish insect. "He is awake." She said, as if she was talking to the beetle.

"Shino." Kiba muttered under his breath.

As if on cue, the insect flew from Hinata's hand to land on the small parchment attached on the cell door. The two looked closely as the beetle began to gnaw the paper with the scribbled seals.

"Back away from the door." Hinata dragged the wounded Inouzuka as she realized what was coming next. Shino has sent the beetle to detach the seal to help them out, and that would only lead to one thing…

The cell door blew up.

-o-

"You heard that?" Naruto asked as their unit stopped again. He looked at Sasuke, who was next to him with those crazed eyes of his. When they found Yamato's destroyed wood release building, the team decided to look around the place in case they could find anything else.

Fortunately, one Kiri nin found strands of blue hair tangled on some bush. They marked the place as their radius and began to search the diameter around it. They have lost a day and their group just runs around in circles. Naruto could feel Sasuke loosing it. The Uchiha was tense and his sharingan was being activated and deactivated plenty of times. That unnerved some of the Shinobi with them, for they warily keep their distance from the Uchiha who looks like he was fighting demons inside him.

All of them knew that wasting one day was the limit. They would have to continue on their missions soon, even though they won't be able to figure out what happened to their comrades. They also have a mission on their hands…which won't be disregarded easily for it not only concerns Konoha, but the whole Shinobi alliance.

"It's not far from here. It sounds like an explosion." Temari was the one to speak. If Sasuke was acting crazy, the fan lady of the sand was acting very calm. Unknown to others, she and the Uchiha were feeling exactly the same at the moment.

She knows Shikamaru was with the group for the rescue mission.

"Hey teme…shall we check it out?" Naruto looked at the place where Sasuke was standing a few seconds ago. "Maybe we could-hey…where did he go?"

Uchiha Sasuke was already gone.

-o-

"Come Kiba-kun…" Hinata hoisted Kiba by the waist and slung his arm on her shoulder. What was left of their cell door where rocks and soil, almost trapping them in. Both managed to squeeze out, only to be showered with kunai and shuriken from four masked men who witnessed the scene.

Closing her eyes, she knew that it would be too late to perform hand seals or gentle fist, so she readied herself to cover the Inouzuka. Then she heard a crackling sound of wood, followed by screams. When the heiress opened her eyes, a wooden wall has encircled around her and Kiba, protecting them from the blades.

"Captain Yamato."

"Are you alright Hina-chan?" Shino asked as he materialized behind them. The bug wielder then looked at his male teammate, giving him a pat on the back. "Kiba." Nodding at Hinata, he took Kiba from her and supported his weight."They are unorganized at the moment."

"Let's get out of here…more would come for us." Shikamaru straightened himself up from behind Yamato. "And try not to inhale much air…they have drugs that can disable the senses."

The four konohans managed to get themselves out of the cave, having the advantage of surprise on their side, they fought their way out. Yamato with his wood release technique was enough to prevent kunai and any throwable weapons from harming them severely.

Just like Shikamaru predicted, the masked rogues may be skilled in traps and chemicals, but their movements are not as fluent and swift as those of well trained Shinobi.

Without their drugs and traps…they are just strong brutes with violence issues.

The Konohans weaved in and out of the trees, though a little slower on speed because of Kiba's wounds. They are being followed by the masked men now, their element of surprise already washed off.

"They would gain on us." Yamato hissed, removing one kunai that has found its way on his leg. "Let's change tactics. Shino, you and Kiba separate from us by using the path with thicker trees to cover you. Your bugs could protect you even without the use of hand seals." He pointed at the thick foliage ahead. "Hinata-chan…with your byakugan you could help us clear traps… go straight ahead so that we won't get into trouble on our way, then meet Shino and Kiba the near the spring where I created that house." The captain looked at Shikamaru who was bounding next to him. "Shikamaru, you stay with me. We will try to buy them time. It is important to get Kiba out of here first."

"How about you two?" The heiress asked, veins popping at the side of her eyes.

"We will see you near the spring." The Nara answered and his hands moving rapidly as he was doing hand signs. Even with that lazy look on his face, he managed a smile. "Come on now…you are not worried about your fake husband." He winked at her, sensing her unease about separating with the group. "They are not Shinobi…we can handle them."

Moments later, Hinata found herself leaping alone on the branches while straining her byakugan. The air from the cave was obviously giving her the effects now. She was starting to feel her chakra drain by the effort of using her kekkei genkei. She tried to look for traps ahead, all the while being on her guard. She cannot see very far now, for her byakugan was starting to get affected by the drug.

For a quick moment, she winced; a hammering pain suddenly erupted from her head. That second of distraction resulted into something more than just pain. It made her lose control of her chakra, and her feet suddenly did not glue themselves on the branch.

She suddenly found herself falling.

Hinata closed her eyes as she braced herself for impact, anticipating for new pains to follow. It was not a short fall, for the tree she was on was way taller than the other trees around.

"Oof." Her breath was knocked out from her lungs when something swiped her from mid-air. Hinata opened her eyes in stunned surprise, expecting that she has been caught by one of the masked men.

Only it was not a masked man.

Her eyes widened and her heart started to pound much faster than before as she met her rescuer's obsidian gaze. "Sasuke…"

-o-o-o-

Here ends the chapter

Please review… (Puppy eyes) I love reading them, especially if funny ones. Lol. It makes my day.

(I can't wait to finish this story and start a new one!)

-crazygurl12