One reader mentioned that Sasuke is a little out of character on the last chapter. Yeah…maybe he is. Sorry, I did not have to time to reread what I have written and fix some errors or even grammar revising. I am not feeling well this week… But thank you for that reader (it's a guest reviewer so no name…) I really appreciate it and it kind of help me with Sasuke's characterization…A lot.
-Oh…please excuse the past tense and present tense errors on the story…I think that's one of my weakest points in writing. I am still improving my English so I may not promise an error free story. Please understand…
-thank you for the awesome reviews!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
-o-o-o-
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Back to the Leaf
"Hinata-sama" Neji squeezed Hinata into a bear hug, making the girl winced while smiling a large smile for the cousin who was so ecstatic in seeing her finished the mission. "I'm glad your back."
"Nii-san." Hinata said while her cheek was glued to his gray Anbu vest. "I can't breathe."
"Oh…right." The Anbu captain let her go, letting out a soft chuckle. "It's just that we have been worried because none has come back from the three S-class missions until now, I almost demanded some sort of back-up team a few days ago."
"Oh…All three teams are fine. We have the chance to spend a night with Naruto-kun and Sasuke's team…and we managed to see Tenten-chan and Sakura-chan's retrieval unit while they flew past us on Sai's giant bird." Dusting herself, Hinata then removed the muddy sandals she wore. "We did not have time to stop though, because Kiba-kun is still injured and we need to get back on the village as soon as we can."
"Good thing Kiba's fine…your sensei, Kurenai has been worried sick. "Neji said, watching Hinata grimaced at the condition of her dirty feet. "She said that all of her beloved student left on a mission all at once, and it drives her crazy."
"I'll go check on sensei this evening, and help her with her son." Hinata smiled, knowing that Kurenai would be ecstatic to see the team return. "Where is Hanabi Nii-san?"
"Hanabi is on a c-class mission…she won't be back until tomorrow."
Hinata smiled. "A peaceful rest for me then."
After her talk with Neji, who then hurriedly excused himself because of an order that he needed to finish, Hinata padded to the bathroom to have a nice, warm, bath. Running the water on the tub, the heiress strips her dirty clothes off and slips into the soapy water. Sighing as her aching muscles and rough skin were being soothed and cleansed, Hinata wondered how the other two mission units are doing right now.
She inwardly hopes that everyone was fine.
That no harm would come to her friends…
That Sasuke would come back alive and well.
The risks of being a Shinobi…Hinata bit the inside of her cheek as she dips half of her face on the water. Unexpected things would always happen…One's life would always be at the end of a knife.
Slowly, she eyes closed as she drifted into a light sleep.
"We need to get going." Yamato smiled at the Spy Unit. "Good luck with your mission….and may no harm comes to you all."
"Ah, captain…that I can never be sure." Naruto grinned and raised his hand into a thumbs-up. "But we will be fine."
"Temari…" Shikamaru scratched his head, a little awkward at being the one to speak first. "Goodbye?" Tilting his head to the side, he let his eyes drift to Sasuke, who suddenly turned stone cold on him since yesterday. The Uchiha was standing next to Hinata, body positioned protectively beside her.
The fan lady smirked. "This is not the last time you're going to see me Nara."
"Hm... I know…" He pocketed his hands, letting a lazy smile hover on his lips.
"Just don't go around getting married all of a sudden." Temari's eyes passed over Hinata, then back to him. "You hear?"
"Troublesome." The Nara really looked troubled, but the smile stayed. "Now stay safe."
Sasuke bumped his shoulder to Hinata's arm gently, gathering her attention. "Hey." Around them, peopled are saying their goodbyes and good lucks, wishing each other well in a mission so dangerous. Kiba was saying his gratitude to the medic nins who patched him up, while Shino and one Shinobi from Kumo, who was also interested in insect breeding are discussing something about meeting up after the missions are over.
"Sasuke…" Hinata bit her lip, eyes big and worried. She knew that the Spy mission has the hardest mission of all three. "Be sa-"
"I will." He answered before she could finish, eyes looking at her own with assurance. "Wait for me in Konoha." He added. "And no getting married…even fake ones."
She smiled at him. "Hai."
-o-
"I think we are gathering a lot of attention teme." Naruto whispered at the side of his mouth, hands inside his pockets. They have now reached the village and are now walking on a small path which was in between small houses made of stones and wood. People around them are doing what normal people would do, hanging laundry, selling bread and meat, children running around while shrieking in glee, and young girls huddled together in early gossip at the sight of two handsome young men in weird tattoos walking along with a pretty but fierce looking girl.
Sasuke smirk. "Look at your face then ask yourself why idiot."
"They are …normal people." Temari remarked, mostly to herself. She was surprised at the sight that welcomed her. The people inside the mountain town are no different than her people in Suna. "How come the missing rogues and Bingo wanted nins lives here?"
The Uchiha tightened the mask around his face. "You don't know how criminals play their act." Mentally recalling the many bloody and evil things that he has done in the past, he smirked behind his mask.
Temari raise an eyebrow. "Then I would take your word for it, assuming that you have a lot of…experience in these kinds of things." The Suna princess then pointed at a small eating booth a few meters away from them. "Travelers are usually tired right? Why don't we eat first and act like it? That way, we could ask questions that might gain us some useful information."
"Oh! We have travelers here." An elderly woman greeted them as they stepped inside the booth. "We have a delicious soup and tempura that can satisfy hungry stomachs." She smiled at them and her wrinkled face lightened up when each took a seat. "Do you want to try some? My daughter made them herself…and it's wonderful."
"We'll take the soup Baa-chan." Naruto smiled back. "And a few of those nice and doughy things…" He pointed at the counter.
"This place smells weird." Temari wrinkled her nose, hating the sweet scent that wraps the air.
The woman nodded, and then hurried into the counter to prepare the ordered meal. Watching her serve with a motherly gesture, Naruto scratched his chin. "Now I am getting confused."
Temari's eyes subtly studied the place; years of experience enabled her to notice even the tiniest detail by just one sweep of her eagle-like eyes. The people who are also customers are eating their meals and minding their own business, each has a smile on their faces. Lastly, her eyes landed on the beautiful flower that adorned their table. It was placed there to look like a decoration, the pretty blue petals a sight to look at. "Shit." She whispered, wrinkling her nose more.
"Something's not right." Sasuke murmured, staring at the people's fake smiles and unfocused eyes.
"Why?" Naruto plastered a fake smile at the old woman when she gave him a wave of her hand, raising a piece of tempura, a sign that it was a free gift. "Thanks Baa-chan!" he called back, gathering a few chuckles from the people around them.
"Not here." Temari eyed them both and her voice was just above a whisper. Her hand grabbed the flower from their table and she tossed in on the ground. "No talk…" By the way her eyes shifted back and forth around the place and the people in it, Sasuke knew that the fan lady has the same suspicion as him. She began to pinch her cheek and Naruto raise an eyebrow.
"What are you doing?"
Temari did not answer, but pinch Naruto's colorful, painted cheek.
"Ow!" His hand shot up to rub the stinging part of his face. "What was that fo—Teme?" He stopped when he saw Sasuke doing the same. The Uchiha was pinching the sensitive skin on the side of his neck, drawing a few drops of blood that tinted his fingers.
-o-
"Now that we are well rested, I suggest we head back to the leaf." Tenten stretched herself and raise her slender arms up in the air. Glancing at Karin, who was weirdly quite since they have found her missing teammate by accident, the weapon's mistress smiled at the redhead. "You're quite."
"And it's a good change." Sakura muttered as she ran her hands through her messy pink hair. She focused her attention to Sai and began to discuss the route that they are going to take. The ex-Anbu suggested that they ride his ink birds, which could not be good in terms of stealth, but would make their journey back easier and faster.
Karin gave a soft smile at the brown haired kunoichi. She actually likes Tenten, for she was nice and considerate of her. The girl was talking to her like an old friend compared to Sakura's reserved and cool attitude. Feeling the small vial inside her pocket with her shaking fingers, she bit her lip. "I…I am just thinking about something."
"Well…what is it about?"
"Sasuke…" Karin answered truthfully. The moment she got her hands on the vial, all she could think of was the Uchiha. "I…I'm just thinking about him."
"Alriiighhtty…" Tenten answered back, a little puzzled why she was suddenly feeling uneasy by just looking at Karin's pensive face. There was some shadow in her eyes that the girl cannot fathom the reason what. "Alright." She said again, this time with a grin. "Well…you will see Sasuke when he gets back after the mission."
"Yeah…" Karin nodded. "I guess I will see him after his mission…And I hope, things will change between us."
Jugo, who was silent the whole time, was seated on the grass. He was still childish looking for he hasn't regained his strength yet. Karin's binding chains are powerful enough to leave him weak and powerless, but even so, he was actually glad about it. Too much power awakens his other personality- the one that was always seeking death and blood.
"Karin…" He called in a low voice.
The red head looked up from the ground, which she was staring at the moment, and diverted her gaze to the taka member. "Yes?"
"Where are we going?"
"Well…we need to get back to Konoha and wait for Suigetsu…he is with Sasuke." Karin answered, picking a blade of green grass. "Don't worry…no one would hurt us there. Sasuke and the Hokage would make sure of that."
"I would make sure of that too!" Tenten chimed in, raising her hand playfully.
"See? There's no need for you to worry." Karin assured Jugo. "We have comrades there…We can stay at Sasuke's house while were there."
-o-
"This room would do…thank you Baa-chan." Naruto thanked the old woman and took money out of his pocket. When they were in the food booth earlier, Temari decided to ask the old woman if there was a spare room that they could occupy for the night. The elderly was delighted, letting them know that they also offer "inn services."
The old lady smiled and bends her already curved back for a departing bow. When she left, Naruto closed the door and locked it. He breathed a sigh of relief and then glared at the two, his cheek already swollen because of Temari's pinching spree. "Could you tell me what the hell was that all about?" He lowered his voice but the veins in his neck are visible. "We are here to spy aren't we? Not to pinch each other to death."
"Didn't the Kyuubi tell you?" Temari asked, her voice too was lowered. Looking around the shabby room, she kneeled down and performs a few hand signs. "There…that would help keep unwanted ears away."
"Kuruma?" Naruto rubbed his red cheek. "No. He really doesn't speak to me if I don't talk to him first, maybe except in battle or something…he doesn't want to disturb my life you know."
Temari looked at Sasuke, who was already pinching his neck again. Small drops of blood already stain the collar of his borrowed shirt. The fan lady followed, wincing as she pinched the skin of her cheek.
Naruto just looked horror-stricken.
"Come on guys! What is this pinching stuff all of a sudden?" The blonde almost squealed, upset that he was kind of left out. "Hey teme!"
"For pain." Temari was the one who answered his question. "I can't explain it to you outside because we cannot be sure if we are being watched or not."
"For pain? Why?"
"Naruto haven't you noticed something different or weird?" The fan lady asked, removing her headdress and rubbing the paint off her face.
"Nothing. People here are all happy."
"Exactly." Sasuke cut in, removing his mask and flopped himself on a dusty chair. "People here are all happy…if you look around; they are wearing the same smile on their faces…happy, no sadness. All are the same."
"Naruto…"Temari said. "Everyone in this place is happy because they are under some kind of living trance… they are being controlled. This place is not a sanctuary… this is a prison hole." The Suna princess gestured at Sasuke's bleeding neck. "And this place reeks with the odor of the illusion giving plant. In order to counter it, you must feel the opposite of what the drug wants you to feel."
"And pain counters happiness." Naruto finished, getting the answer to his first question. "But what plant are you talking about?"
"The flower on our table at the food booth…Suna's medics used it as a calming medicine. The scent alone could calm a person's mind…but too much would also mean excess calm and intense feeling of relief. Take for example the people outside…they are all happy. No matter what you do to them, they would just smile at you and let you be."
"A perfect place for missing nins to hide." Naruto muttered grimly, his finger starting to glow with an orange chakra. Raising his wrist, he used the chakra-wrapped finger to cut a small area of soft skin. "Damn…Let's deal with these rogue nins once and for all."
-o-o-o-
(The return of Taka Retrieval Team)
"I will grant you amnesty while you are inside my village, that's the least I could do for the sacrifice the other two of your friends have done just by being here." Kakashi pointed at Jugo. "To the other alliance, I am not sure what they will do if you have the fortune to enter in their territory…so I suggest you stay here for a while." Scribbling on a piece of parchment, the copy nin smiled at the other four. "A job well done."
"You can stay here, you know." Tenten offered genuinely. "Isn't that right Kaka-sensei?"
"It won't be easy…" Kakashi admitted. "But I could talk to the council…"
Karin shook her head, spiky red hair whipping back and forth. "Arigatou….but after the Spy Unit returns, we will go on our way." Looking outside the window and finally landing her eyes upon the majestic carved faces of the Kages, the Uzumaki let out a sigh. "Who knows…maybe Sasuke-kun would go with us."
Sakura's eyes widened, the statement from the redhead has unexpectedly struck a chord inside her. "Che. In your dreams…Sasuke has decided to stay…and everyone knows that his mind is fixed."
"Now, now, Sakura-chan…" Kakashi started to say.
"He might change his mind." Karin's face suddenly looked defiant.
"No he won't" Sakura crossed her arms, a vein popping out of her forehead.
"How could you be so sure?" Karin answered back, eyebrows raised for a challenge. "A mind can change Sakura…"
Kakashi gave Tenten a look that pleads for her intervention. He may be the Hokage and the famous copy ninja, but when it comes to women and catfights, he got to admit that he was no expert. He may even found himself cowardly in these kinds of things for he would rather be in a dangerous mission that to face ladies who are bickering and wants to be on each other's throats.
Well, women are pretty scary.
"Hey!" Tenten whipped up a false grin. "Look at us! We are very filthy." Pulling the pink haired kunoichi's clenched hand; she began to pull her to the exit. "Why don't we treat ourselves in the public bathhouse? Let's also get Ino and Hina-chan! See you later everyone!"
The Haruno decided let Tenten pull her out from the office, but not before she has said her last words. "Karin…Sasuke would not leave Konoha… We would not allow it." Giving the bespectacled girl a glare from, she turned to the Hokage and bowed her leave.
"What was that all about?" Tenten asked as they walked their way out of the Hokage tower. Releasing Sakura's hand, the brown haired kunoichi frowned. "You really don't like Karin."
"Do you?"
"I'm trying Sakura." The mocha-eyed girl shrug. "Besides…they came here to warn us about danger didn't they? I think they deserve some…friendliness."
"The way she talks, it's like….ahh, never mind." Shaking her head, she threw the suspicions out of her head. "Come…let's look for the girls and get cleaned up."
-o-o-o-
"Why are you not affected?" Temari asked the white haired Taka member. The way back outside was just as simple as the way in. Sasuke has to use his sharingan to control the minds of the tunnel guards, which she suspects are those who are not controlled by the "medicinal plant."
"What do you mean?" Suigetsu frowned. "Affected by what?"
"This." The Sunarian tossed the beautiful flower on the Taka member's face.
Kankuro picked the flower on one hand and pinched his nose on the other. "This flower is used by Suna medics… for calming and anesthetic purposes." He studied it for a moment then dropped it on the ground again, kicking soft soil to cover the plant up.
"Oh that?" Suigetsu looked confused. "Am I supposed to be affected by that? Come on lady, I am a man…I don't like flowers. Do you expect me to squeal like a girl every time I saw one?"
"Maybe it's because of Orochimaru has messed up with their system." Sasuke suggested, crossing his arms. "That snake has once experimented with them…team Taka. Their bodies cannot be compared to that of the locals." Flexing his strained neck, the Uchiha can feel his body relax upon breathing fresh air again, the one that was not tainted with toxin.
Naruto seated himself on the ground, tilting his head up to catch the moon's faint light on his face. He wondered if Sakura has made it back to the leaf safely. Have they found the missing Taka member? How about Yamato's team? Have they got no trouble on the way? "Guess we better inform the Kages."
"It's already done." The Kiri nin pointed at the hawk soaring above their heads.
Temari also dropped to the ground, her body feeling the same way as Sasuke's. "If there are rogue nins inside….I wonder how did we managed to get in and out easily. I expected something…more guarded?"
"Or some traps…" Naruto added. "I never even saw one mask ma—" Naruto was not able to finish his words, for a glinting object up above Temari's head caught his attention.
"Temari-chan!" The blonde yelled as he scrambled to his feet. Up above Temari's head— was a glinting kunai— falling down on a very heart-wrenching speed.
Naruto was about to pull Temari out of the kunai's way when Sasuke has beaten him to it. The Uchiha grabbed Temari's arms and pulled her up in a blinding speed. Kicking his feet on the ground, he leaped out of the way-
But not before the weapon embedded itself on his back.
"Un." Sasuke grunted as he felt the bite of the deadly steel. Dropping the girl to her feet, he yanked the weapon from his back.
"Arigatou…"Temari looked at Sasuke with surprise, of all the shinobi around to save her, she did not expect it to be him. "You're hurt."
"I'm fine."
The whole unit was now alert for an attack, the Kiri nins began to perform hand signs while those who are from kumo pulled out their katanas, eyes wide with the excitement of a fight.
"Oh that's why there are no traps…" Suigetsu muttered. "For they are actually spying on us."
"Here comes more." Temari pointed at the glinting objects in the sky, her other hand already holding the giant fan she was so famous of. "I'll take care of that." With one powerful swipe of her weapon, all the kunais that has been thrown for them scattered away by a powerful blast of wind.
"Everyone…cover your noses. These people are using chemicals that could weaken our body and mess with the chakra flow." Kankuro called out, his hands already pulling out the strings that would control his puppets.
"Are you alright teme?" Naruto eyed the blood pooling out of Sasuke's back.
"I'll live." The Uchiha's sharingan activated. The red color of his eyes were accentuated more because of the darkness, making him looked like more like a demon than that of a Shinobi. Flexing his fingers on both hands, he let his chakra build on them.
This is going to be a fun night…
A smile appeared on Naruto's face, the Kyuubi's chakra starting to build around his whole body, giving him an orange glow. "So I guess this won't be a spying mission anymore huh?"
-o-o-o-
(Sasuke's Return)
Inside the Ancestral mansion of the Uchiha District, Karin Uzumaki was staring blankly at the window, chewing her bottom lip as she let her thoughts drift away on other things.
Much more…important things.
Unconsciously, her hand crawled inside her pocket to touch the small vial there. It felt hot on her fingers, and for a moment, she thought that it was burning her skin.
She doesn't know what she was planning; all she knew was that whatever was inside the vial would help insure her relationship with Sasuke.
It has been five days since she's been staying inside the Uchiha district with Jugo, waiting everyday for Sasuke's return. Some nights, she would just cry herself to sleep, knowing that someone already holds the Uchiha's heart.
Someone who does not deserved it.
She was feeling left out, like everything was unfair for her. She was the one who stood with him in the most dangerous moments wasn't she? she was the one who takes care of him when he was still a rogue nin, she was the one who has accepted him even though he was deranged and hungry for blood, and she was the one who has loved him unconditionally all those years…
But why can't he see that?
And now he has fallen in love with a girl he just laid his eyes upon returning back to the village he once despised?
"Unfair…" Karin muttered as she buried her face on her hands, letting her mind rest from her emotional torture that never really gores away. Closing her eyes, she focused her mind on the good things that would happen once everything is fixed. "Everything is going to be fine…it will all work out." She murmured.
Suddenly, she raised her head up, eyes wide behind the glasses.
She felt it. It was unmistakable…
She just felt Sasuke's chakra signature.
Jerking herself up from her seat, she ran downstairs.
Sure enough, the young Uchiha was standing beside the door with Suigetsu, both looking bruised and filthy. By the time she reached him, Jugo was already on his side, helping both newly arrived men with their packs.
"Jugo!" Suigetsu laughed, patting the now grown man on the back. "What happened to you? And why did you separate with us in the first place?"
Rushing to Sasuke's side, she studied his wounds and large gashes. "What happened to the spy mission?"
"Done…and over with."
-o-
Hinata stiffened at the news.
"Yeah…the spy team just returned. I saw Naruto and some of the nins giving reports to Kakashi-sensei. Unfortunately, It looks like their cover was blown and they did not have the chance to avoid a fight." Neji removed the Anbu mask from his face and picked a sushi using his fingers. "Good thing this whole mountain town thing is over with."
Hinata was on a cooking spree when he returned from his rounds, bathing the whole mansion with mouth-watering aroma.
"Did they capture the missing nins?
Neji smirked. "Killed them more likely."
"Nii-san, is anyone hurt?"
"Some are wounded, some drugged…but they will be fine. Lady Tsunade has been summoned to tend to those who are injured seriously." Plopping the food into his mouth, the Hyuuga prodigy leaned on the kitchen counter. "To be honest, I am not really worried about Naruto's team. Their unit is a strong one…"
The heiress agreed. "Yes, they are all strong."
An hour later, Hinata found herself walking along the dusty road that leads to the Uchiha district. There's no one around for the path was seldom used. Being far from the main roads, locals tend to use the other way, while Shinobi just used the roofs.
Looking down on the basket she was holding, she inwardly hoped that Sasuke would not mind her uncalled visit. She doesn't know why, for she knew that if he was able, he would come see her anyway…
But something was pushing her forward, pulling her to take the step on seeing her…
She blushed at the thought.
Boyfriend.
Neji would surely have a heart attack if he knew…and Hinata can't help but cringe at the thought of her over protective cousin knowing about Sasuke's sudden relationship with her.
It's going to be a disaster.
And let's not forget Shino and Kiba.
Upon reaching the mansion, Hinata could hear voices talking inside the house. There would be some sort of bickering, a growl, and then hushing noises like children that has been scolded by a parent. Hinata guessed that it was the Uzumaki and the white haired one, she has witnessed them argue before, and it never stops.
It was quite new for her, hearing loud voices and activity going on inside the usually ghostly house; it's actually good and somehow lively, destroying the depressing aura that engulfs the place.
Slowly climbing the stairs that leads to the porch, Hinata wondered if she was going to knock or call out. Her hand reached for the door, ready to tap it when it suddenly opened with a loud creak, startling Hinata for a second. She took a step back, basket raised like a make-shift shield.
It was Sasuke.
"I sense your chakra." He said, leaning on the door frame.
"Sasuke-kun…" She studied his whole appearance, eyes darting back and forth over his wounds. There was a gash on his cheek, making his handsome face looked more ragged, his arms were decorated with wounds only blades of kunai or shuriken could create, and a bandage wraps his neck.
And heaven knows what kinds of damage are beneath those clothes.
"I…I heard from Neji-Nii that your squadron have returned." She bit the inside of her cheek, feeling weirdly awkward. "So I wanted to check on you."
"I'm fine."
"Yeah…I could see that." Her eyes dropped to the floor, a little loss for words to say. "I'm just glad that-Oh!"
Then his arms were around him, pulling her in a strong embrace. She unexpectedly dropped the basket between them as her hands dropped to the sides, heart hammering wildly against her chest. He could feel him burying his face on the hollow of her neck, his breath hot on her skin.
"Sasuke…"
Inside the house, Jugo raised his eyebrows and looked surprise. Never seeing Sasuke act so touchy before, the newly found Taka member wondered how much the young man has changed from the last time he was with him.
Suigetsu on the other hand looked sly and a foxy grin appeared on his face. "You two…get a room."
Only Karin was looking grim, bandage and ointments forgotten on her hands. She was tending Sasuke's wounds when the girl arrived. It's too bad that Sasuke dumped her offer of letting him bite her arm for instant healing, and now he left her just like that? "I'm going inside my room." She seethed.
That girl is going to get it. Karin promised, tossing the bandages to the floor as she stumped her way to her room.
Minutes later, Hinata was dragged by Sasuke into the privacy of his own room. Suigetsu's naughty remarks were getting more out of hand and Hinata knew that if she stayed longer near him, her cheeks were going to burn themselves.
Closing the door behind, Sasuke dropped Hinata's basket on the floor and sat on the side of the bed. "What's inside?" He pointed at the basket. Leaning on the soft mattress, he groaned as his injuries began to throb.
"Oh…I brought a bento." The girl removed the white clothe and pulled out a beautifully carved lacquered box. "Do you want to...uhm…eat?"
"You made it?"
"Hai."
Patting the side next to him, he gestured for her to sit. Silently, Sasuke was glad that the usually shy heiress was not acting so timid around him anymore. Sure she has her moments, but he liked them all the same.
Hinata opened the lid and pulled out a pair of chopsticks. She picked one sushi and waited for him to open his mouth. When he did, she blushed, and then blinked as if that would help her compose herself. Watching him slowly chew, Hinata waited for a critic.
"How does it taste?"
"Your lip tastes better…but I can manage." He told her, a naughty glint on his obsidian eyes. He watched as her face turned berry red, and her white eyes suddenly avoiding his. "What?" He asked when she shot him a look the way mothers do whenever their children says naughty things. "It's not like it is— Umn."
Hinata forced another sushi on his mouth, stopping him from saying anything further.
Sasuke raise his eyebrows, mouth chewing the food she just shoved in. Swallowing, he plastered a surprised face. "Are you planning on choking me Hinata?"
Hinata smiled. "As if that would kill you."
The Uchiha was about to say something when he winced, his hand clutching the middle of his abdominal area. Hissing, he took deep breathes and closed his eyes.
Hinata looked alarmed and her hands shot up to brace him by the shoulders. "Sasuke-kun…" She let him lean on her as she set the bento box aside. "I think you need to go to the hospital…let Sakura-chan have a look…"
"I'm fine." He hissed the words out, gritting his teeth as the pain pierced him like needles.
Pushing him back gently, she made him rest his back on the bed board, careful that she won't touch any of his wounds on the process. Helping him remove his shirt, she gasped when she saw how bruised his body was and how the deep gashes on his chest area were starting to swell and inflame. "This is serious."
"It's not."
"It is."
"You're worried?"
"What kind of question is that?" She snapped at him. "Of course I am!"
Sasuke smirked, and then grabbed her by the hand. He pulled her close until their noses touch, taking in his favorite lavender scent. "Your presence is enough." He murmured, brushing the tip of her nose with his lips to ease the wrinkles there. Disregarding his body pains, he leaned forward, wrapping an arm around her as he found her soft lips.
"Sasuke…" She whispered, unknown to her that she's making his body tingle with life. "I still need to…patch…you…up…" Her words were almost slurred as his hands roamed her sides, then hovering at the sensitive skin of her back. "Sasuke-kun…"
"The hell with my wounds." He murmured back, loving the feeling of her body on his bare skin. Running his hand up to the nape of her neck, he firmly held her in place as he started to ravage her lips with such hunger that it surprised even him.
After days of rough traveling, this was a luxury he cannot afford to pass.
Releasing her for a moment, he studied Hinata's flushed face. She was starting to have that unfocused look again, as if she was on a trance or something. Shifting his weight with a grunt, he leaned forward until he was directly on top of the heiress.
Oh what he won't give just to have her right now…
Hinata's eyes widened as she was pushed back by the Uchiha until she was practically lying on the bed. A whimper escaped her lips as he began to place light feathery touches using his lips all over her face, then on her neck, until he has reached her collar bone.
Good heavens…she willed herself to move but every fiber of her body refuses to follow. Sasuke was working his dark magic on her again, and she can't help but be drawn to him all the more.
Suddenly, there was a soft creak by the window, followed by the sound of Shinobi sandals on wood.
"Hinata-sama…"
It was Neji's voice.
-o-o-o-
Here ends the chapter and I'm going to mark this story as completed…
Don't freak out. I am not going to stop the story in mid-air. I am just going to continue it on The Uchiha's Bride 2. (So take a deep breath…this story is not over yet…I just realized that there are too many chapters for just one "book")
Next Update would be next week. Please review… I
-see you on the next one!
Crazygurl12