I already have a hundred and eighty plus followers for this story? Aww… thank you guys! It feels so good that a lot still loves SasuHina even though they never really talked in canon. I respect SasuSaku shippers but I just can't love the couple no matter what I do.
Long live SasuHina!
By the way, I am so sorry for the late updates. It was exam week and I have to study (I hate school urgh…) I will be updating my ShikaHina fic this week too (So for those that read my ShikaHina…I am sorry for not updating.)
-o-o-o-
Chapter Seven
Hinata watched Sasuke's dark cloak that was stained with blood. For a second, she just stared at him fearfully, brain cells denying to let her body work. Everything was too fast that even a trained kunoichi like her was stunned.
And it was Uchiha Sasuke for goodness sake. You can't just stab Uchiha Sasuke.
A few seconds more and the kunoichi side of Hinata took charge. She stood, disregarding her scrape elbow and aching head as she activated her bloodline limit. She scanned the area, trying to detect who it was that wanted to harm the last sharingan user.
And that was when she saw three fleeing nins, leaping as fast as they could away from the spot. To her disappointment, she recognized the suspects and they were all good ninjas of the Leaf, loyal to a fault and very skilled. It was such a shock that they would do so such a thing in broad daylight.
"Urgh."
There was a cough and Hinata instantly deactivated her Byakugan as her attention was diverted to the raven-haired man two meters away from her. She knew she should follow the fleeing nins, but it was also important to make sure that the last Sharingan bearer was alright. She could not imagine what the council would do to her once they found out that something happened to the last living Uchiha on her watch.
The bloodline of Sharingan after all, was a first priority for the Leaf.
Without thinking much, she ran to the Sasuke's side and was surprised that his face was not contorted into anything that shows pain. If anything, he was still looking amused—as if the attack was something to be worth being amused about. Without asking for permission, she stepped behind him and checked the sword that was still embedded on his body.
"We should be careful." She told him. "It is near your heart… a few blood vessels are already—"
Sasuke smirked and unceremoniously reached for the sword handle behind him. He pulled—earning him a fearful gasp from the Hyuga. He threw the bladed weapon on the ground and was annoyed that his leather gloves became soiled with his own blood.
The woman beside him hissed.
He spared her a glance as he felt the painful throb on his chest, followed by a small squirting of blood. It was a dangerous wound, that he knew of course—but he had much worse from his criminal days that he just considers wounds like this one as a scratch. He groaned a little, seating himself on the ground when he felt it was a little difficult to breath.
More blood dripped from the torn flesh.
Hinata wanted to be angry, to be afraid—good heavens—she doesn't know what to feel at such display of impassiveness. Sasuke was acting like the wound was nothing but the uneven flow of his chakra and whizzing breath was telling her the opposite. The guy saved her life and she was thankful… yet there was a part inside her that wanted to scold him for doing so.
It was a sword… and much bigger than a kunai that she caught in the air. She was very confident that she can handle it on her own. Besides, there was no reason for him to use his body as a human shield when he has the power of the great Sharingan.
It was not making sense at all.
Add that to the pile that those who did the damage were Kohoha nins— all three with good records and personality. There was also the fact that they did not bother to plan it all out smoothly. Because if they did, then why did she manage to spot them while they were fleeing?
It was not a very good execution if she says so herself.
"The medics will help you." She told Sasuke, kneeling beside him. She removed her light purple jacket and rolled it. "Here. Please press this on your wound."
"I don't need it." Was the reply.
"Sasuke-kun… you are losing blood."
Sasuke didn't mind the Hyuga but raised two fingers. It glowed with light blue chakra—a very different from his black colored one. He knew a few tricks when it comes to sealing wounds and fixing broken blood vessels because his life in the past required him to do so.
"I don't know the reason but… it was Konoha ninjas." Hinata almost whispered, watching Sasuke's glowing fingers pensively. "If Kakashi-sama knows of this… they will lose their ranks."
"I must have killed someone they knew."
Hinata bit her lip. She got a feeling that it was something like that too. As she pondered Sasuke's answer, images of murdered ninjas and locals alike filled her mind. In the middle of all the dead bodies she could picture out Sasuke Uchiha grinning sardonically as one hand rose to cover his bleeding sharingan eye.
She decided to change subject but not before a light shudder racked her spine. "Thank you for saving me. You did not have to."
"I am not trying to save you." Sasuke continued tending his wound, sealing the skin back together.
Hinata blinked. That was not the answer she was expecting to get. If Sasuke was not trying to save her life, then why did he…?
"Do not flatter yourself." Sasuke could sense the unease emitting from the blue haired Hyuga. She was still holding her rolled jacket near his chest—still offering— but her eyes were puzzled. What he said though was true. He was not trying to save anyone but himself. If she gets killed with him present, Hiashi will surely blame him for it.
Then they all would tell him that he should have used his eye-fucking-sharingan.
The problem was, a lot of people still don't know how sharingans work. If he make the weapon disappear into another dimension—for that was the only choice since there were no suspects present that he could chidori or amaterasu— Hyuga princess here would have been sucked inside the limbo too.
Unfortunately, he has to save her from being impaled by a katana while he was also defending his neck. It was also at that moment that she was summoning chakra to her eyes in order to activate the Byakugan—a few defenseless seconds for her.
Add the equation together and he gets impaled instead.
Hinata decided that whatever that was running inside the Uchiha's mind she could never fathom even if she tried. His reasoning and beliefs were different from her own so it was better if she just let him have his way as long as it was not harming anyone. She learned to be submissive when it comes to her father and it always worked best for her.
So maybe it was going to be the same with the Uchiha.
Taking a deep breath, she avoided his eyes and reached for his chest. She pressed the jacket on it even though he had said that he doesn't need it. "You still need a medic. Damage blood vessels are not something to be taken lightly."
Sasuke wanted to tell the Hyuga that she was starting to intrude on his personal space.
"But thank you… for taking the hit for me still." He heard her mutter so he closed his lips. As what he thought earlier, this woman was not the typical screaming female specie. She was different…so maybe he could let her put a toe inside his so called private space.
"Sasuke-kun…" Hinata clicked her tongue. "You really need to see a medic."
::
Naruto crossed his arms as he observed Sakura hovering over Sasuke like a mother hen, green hands glowing with her healing chakra as she tried her best to fix whatever that was torn or broken in Sasuke's body. Currently, they were inside one of the metal enclosed offices inside the Anbu Building—the team seven members plus Hinata—waiting for the Hokage to arrive since he was still being summoned.
He tilted his head to the side, observing the silent Hyuga princess who was standing by the metal door. Her gaze was on the wall opposite her and her expression blank. When they were young, Hinata has this shy look that was almost permanent on her innocent face. Now, she has the look of someone so gentle yet skilled enough to break your neck if she so chose.
Her eyes were still kind—like always—but there was something in the way she stares that tells she was not the same timid girl everyone thought she was.
Naruto let a trace of a smile pass over his lips. Shy little Hinata has grown up to be very beautiful…
"Sasuke-kun! You should let me check on your other bruises!" Sakura's voice penetrated his mind, cutting his thoughts. He turned his gaze back to his other teammates and sighed when he saw Sasuke's annoyed face. Sakura-chan was getting on Teme's nerves again.
"I am fine Sakura." Sasuke said with finality.
"Teme." Naruto walked towards the duo. "Those that did this to you are now in Anbu jurisdiction. They did not deny anything so…"
"I am not filing anything against them."
Sakura crossed her arms in a very irritated manner. "Sasuke-kun!" You should not let people harm you like—"
"I killed their families." Sasuke said simply. "They have the right to grab the chance of revenge."
"That is so not right! You're already a pledged citizen of Konoha." Sakura said indignantly. "You should—"
"Sakura-chan." Naruto smiled wearily and placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder. His female teammate has the tendency to get carried away when it comes to Sasuke. "Let us respect Teme's opinion on the matter… besides… Kakashi-sensei is not here yet."
To Naruto's surprise, Sakura awkwardly nodded and bit her lower lip. She was not staring back at him as if she was shy about something. He actually was expecting her to snap back or try to land a punch on his face like she always does.
Something in Sakura's behavior was odd.
Sakura was never shy when it comes to him. Never.w
The metal door next to Hinata creaked and then swung open, revealing one Hatake Kakashi wearing the Hokage garb. Hinata awkwardly lowered her head in respect, but the others did not follow. Sakura just stared and Naruto just stood.
There was also no indication that Sasuke was aware that Kakashi stepped into the room since he was staring blankly on his lap.
Team seven's actions were actually not a surprise to Hinata. They were Kakashi's students and everyone knew that they were more of a family than a team…so politeness was not actually a requirement for the members.
It was the same with her team anyway so she understood their ways.
"Sasuke… in trouble again." Kakashi gave Hinata a gentle shoulder pat before passing by her and stopped in front of the Uchiha—who by the way was now looking annoyed. "And you still have to start your D-class missions."
Sakura huffed. "Kaka-sensei. It's not Sasuke's fault. He was attacked."
"But it will still brew another subject for the council to discuss." Kakashi said. "It will not hide the fact that even if the higher officials have accepted Sasuke-kun's return, a few people are willing to take risk in order to get his head."
Naruto frowned. "But nonetheless sensei, Sasuke is a part of Konoha now and he was accepted by the higher officials."
"Of course. Higher officials have their own reasons…" Kakashi let his now sharinganless eyes roam over Sasuke's stained shirt. He knew it was blood. "Mostly wanting to get a hold of his genes." He sighed. "Those nins who attacked him and Hinata-chan are good people. I know them for years for they have trained under me in the Anbu division.
Hinata blinked. Anbu division… that explains why those three are skilled enough to wound the almost indestructible Uchiha.
"And when I talked to them, I found out that two of the three wanted to avenge their sibling's death that Sasuke killed a few years back. The other one was trying to avenge his daughter… whom Orochimaru took in order to perform his inhumane experiments. Sasuke has nothing to do with it but since he was once Orochimaru's comrade…well you get the picture." Kakashi removed the standard Hokage hat from his head. "I am saddened by this occurrence."
Sakura fisted her hands into fists. "Sensei… let me help Sasuke with the D-class missions. He may be strong and very capable but he still needs someone who can watch his back. Naruto can't do it because he is pretty busy with all the needed Hokage training… while I—"
"You are running almost half of the hospital Sakura." Kakashi reminded the Haruno. "It is a good suggestion though."
"I can do things on my own." Sasuke finally decided to speak since the others have this annoying habit of talking for him. He also hated the fact that they sounded like he needed to be watched over. Have they forgotten that he was almost successful in destroying this very village in which they live? Hell… he almost destroyed all the great Shinobi nations and would have if he didn't change his mind years back. What happened earlier was not something to base their decisions on because he was not actually even trying. If he did, those nins who attacked him should be dead by now.
It was just he was trying not to makes things harder for him since his relationship to Konoha is in a delicate stage right now. Any act of violence by him would surely fuel fire.
He doesn't want that. He still has to reproduce… so that he could once again restore the Uchiha clan.
Kakashi looked thoughtful, as if considering what Sasuke was saying. Sasuke though, knew that Kakashi has excellent acting skills and doesn't believe the Hokage was actually being considerate. Kakashi was one of those few that he really could trust. Unfortunately, he was also one of those that really pissed him off sometimes.
Especially now that he was Hokage.
Kakashi in the past loves to poke his head in businesses not his own. And now that he was Hokage, he has more reason to do so.
"Of course." Kakashi nodded, hand reaching to touch his covered chin. "I understand Sasuke."
"Hn."
"But…"
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
Kakashi smiled behind the mask. "But it's still better that you have someone to watch your back for you. You are strong… stronger than me even, but your impassive approach in this matter is going to be your downfall. You don't find these things dangerous and so your guard is always lowered. Of course with skill like yours it is normal to be confident… but even you Sasuke-kun, is still made of flesh."
"You are not immortal Sasuke." Naruto reminded his best friend. "And you are not Orochimaru that can do weird experiments on his body to keep it from dying."
"I could try." Sasuke said darkly, annoyed that his life decision were made by the people around him, even by those he considers family.
Hinata shifted uncomfortably on her spot. She has a feeling that she should not be hearing conversations like this one. It makes her feel like she was intruding on some kind of private family business. Team Seven was not talking like it was village matters; they made it sound like it was just for their circle.
She even got a feeling that her presence was forgotten.
"So I am assigning…Hyuga Hinata." Kakashi said happily. "To watch after you Sasuke."
That got Hinata's attention and she snapped her head to the trio and saw different sets of eyes staring back at her with different expressions. The blue colored ones were surprised and the green ones were angry with disbelief.
The cold, mismatched ones—one black like coal while the other purple— was impassive, like their owner was expecting that something like this was going to happen.
Kakashi clasped his hands together, weirdly looking excited. "Hinata is a quiet person and that is something that I bet you prefer. It is easier too since you both live in the same compound."
"No." Sasuke said and stood up. Sakura instantly stepped behind him.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry…but who's the Hokage again?"
-o-o-o-
Hinata rubbed a throbbing temple as she made her way inside the Hyuga Main branch mansion. It was already late afternoon and the sky outside was a beautiful color of orange and yellow—strangely reminding her of Naruto. The colors are like those that the Uzumaki loves to use. In the past, a simple thought of Naruto would have sent her head reeling like a wheel.
Now, she just smiles at it.
Hinata walked straight to their large kitchen and stopped in front of the giant refrigerator. As she rummage what's inside, a young Hyuga servant girl saw what she was doing and stopped next to her to inquire. "Lady Hinata… is there anything you need? Dinner is still being cooked and Hiashi-sama is currently inside the meeting room with a few elders."
Hinata pulled a large plate with meatballs. It was frozen but still ready to eat. All it need is a little heating and sauce. "Can you do a favor for me?"
The servant girl nodded. "Anything."
"Please bring this to Kurenai Yuhi's house. And please tell her that I am the one who sent it." Hinata said and handed the frozen plate to the young girl who took it with a smile. Hinata would have chosen to bring the food to her mentor personally but then, Kurenai would surely invite her to stay much longer. She loves to chat with her sensei… but she still has someone to accompany the next day.
Someone who has to go around the village doing D-class missions.
Hinata sighed. She knew why Kakashi had chosen her to watch Sasuke's back— it was because she was the one whom he had asked to befriend Sasuke and help him warm up to the village that he had despised for years. Kakashi wanted someone to make the Uchiha trust people again.
People that are not Naruto and Sakura.
She understood the Hokage's concern—especially after the incident earlier that resulted on the vacancy of three Jounin ranks and a dangerous wound on the sharingan user's body—though the wound was now fully healed, thanks to Sakura Haruno's medical expertise.
But still…it was Uchiha Sasuke they were talking about. It was already hard just trying to be acquainted with him. He even refused the tea invitation she offered. Now imagine how much harder it was now that she was tasked to follow him around the village as he do his D-class requirements?
And Sasuke had made it clear back in the Anbu building that he was not happy with Kakashi's decision. He even called it "baby-sitting", something that was both degrading for both of them.
Well… that was what he said.
When she left the kitchen, she decided to leave her worries too. She will face it all with a strong heart tomorrow but right now, she really needs to relax her head from all the tasks and worries. She could worry about the Uchiha later…since it was unavoidable and would surely give her a lot of headaches.
She was not being negative… but after everything that she has been through, she had learned how to be realistic.
Being realistic is good. It keeps people from disappointments.
"Hey." Hanabi passed by her with a wave.
"Hi Hanabi-chan."
"Nee-chan. Kiba-Nii is outside the gates. He wants to see you."
Hinata followed Hanabi with her eyes as the younger Hyuga continued to walk. It was such an improper act for an heiress—walking away while in a conversation— but no one seems to mind. Everyone was used to Hanabi-chan's ways. It was not a big deal really… though Hinata wondered why she was always the one to be scolded when she does impolite things.
She remembered when she was young and she was punished by an elder for spilling soup from her plate. It was just a tiny drop on the white table cloth…almost invisible.
But everyone had looked at her like she just killed someone.
No…actually, she got a feeling that killing someone was more acceptable than spilling soup.
Hinata took a deep breath and shrugged the thoughts away. She should not be thinking things about her sister like the treatment of the clan between them was unfair.
She loves Hanabi and nothing…even the clan's sometimes harsh and unfair ways, could change that.
For the second time of the day, Hinata walked out of the house. When she opened the giant gates, she saw Kiba's fury jacket and she smiled instantly. "You did not say anything about a visit."
Kiba scratched his head. "I heard what happed in the Uchiha district. I want to make sure you're alright."
"I am." Hinata answered truthfully, giving Kiba's arm a gentle squeeze. Kiba was observing her with sharp eyes, trying to see if she was telling the truth. It was a habit of her in the past to hide her injuries or act like it was noting in an attempt not to make them worry. Apparently, those kinds of actions made her teammate more suspicious. "Really." She tried assuring him again.
"Why are you with Sasuke anyway?" Kiba crossed his muscled arms.
"Coincidence."
Inside the Uchiha compound?"
"Uh…yes."
Kiba bite the inside of his left check, pondering the answer. He never heard Hinata visiting the old abandoned district before. He was even sure that Hiashi won't like the idea . "Shino is going to have a fit when he comes back."
Oh yeah. Kiba could just imagine the look on Shino's face the moment he hears about what happened. It was no biggie when you really think about it. They were ninjas for Kami's sake and being attacked by lunatics are common—it was like that since they were genins.
It makes everything more complicated since it was a proof that not all were glad the Uchiha was back. Some would surely try to avenge the lives that were lost.
"Kiba-kun… I need to tell you something." Hinata looked down, not wanting to see Kiba's reaction for what she was about to say. Since the Inuzuka was a little—no, actually scratch the little— peeved with the incident, she decided that it was better if she just tell him the important news before he hears it from someone else.
"Hm?"
"I'm going to accompany Uchiha Sasuke…with his D-class missions…starting tomorrow."
Kiba smiled but shook his head. "I never knew you know how to make sick jokes Hina."
Hinata peered at Kiba under her long, dark lashes. "Kiba-kun…I'm…not joking."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Fuck!"
-o-o-o-
The news about what happened inside the Uchiha district spread inside the village like it has wings and lips of its own. By the time it finished circulating around the Leaf and everyone was aware, the story has a lot different version than the real one.
Actually, the other versions were very creative.
What made Hinata cringe the most was the slightly weird version that she and the Uchiha survivor were having a wanton time inside the compound because the Hyuga clan had agreed that she be the one to bear the Uchiha's children—which was so not true—and that they were caught in the act by the three Leaf nins who decided to settle some unfinished business with Sasuke.
When she heard the version from Kiba, Hinata nervously asked where it came from so that she could stop it. Kiba though, said everything was fine since the one who said the altered story was now resting inside the Konoha hospital and under Ino's care. He was now sporting a broken shoulder blade and busted lip.
Who did the damage, Hinata knew it was too obvious to ask.
Aside from the weird stories, there were also the different reactions from the rest of the people around her. The others she doesn't mind, but for those who are very close to her, it was an entirely different story.
Kiba for one was still angry, which resulted for him to go to the Hokage and demand that he be her replacement for the job. Kakashi was not too keen about it, saying that he can't put two hardheaded guys together for safety precautions. It was just going to be a battle of testosterone.
Hinata agreed with Kakashi on that one, a hundred and ten percent.
Oh, and there was also Sakura Haruno, who was obviously just as displeased as Kiba. Hinata caught the Haruno giving her the cold stare from behind. Oh yes, from behind… since she was a Hyuga and can see even when her eyes are closed.
Surprisingly, the person who handled the news well was Hiashi, He just nodded thoughtfully when Hinata informed him about the Hokage's request and how she ended up inside the Uchiha district when Sasuke was attacked. He even looked…amused.
It was strange…
"You look nervous." Hanabi commented, crossing her legs on top of Hinata's bed sheet. "And why do you stare at the mirror like that?"
Hinata stared at her reflection, wearing a light pink sweat shirt and long skirt. It was not very modern but also not very traditional. Everyone was slowly adapting to the improving culture but she chose to just be in between. Modern is good… but tradition should still be kept.
"I am going to—"
"Yeah. I know…going to accompany Uchiha Sasuke with his…whatever. Everyone knows Nee-chan. "
"So at least I have to look presentable."
"But you're nervous."
Hinata sighed and let her eyes dropped. "I am." She admitted, knowing that it was obvious anyway. It was an easy task really, but the person that it was centered to was just different from the others. "It is Uchiha Sasuke you know."
"I think Uchiha Sasuke is going to be the least of your worries." Hanabi answered with a mischievous smile. She could picture out her older sister being shy and cute when she accompanies the Uchiha while Sasuke being cold but respectful enough since Hinata was not one of the girls who usually fawn over him. "You have to worry about the fan girls."
Hinata's eyes widened just a bit as she pondered what Hanabi just said. Her little sister has a point. "Uh… do you really think they're going to take this in a negative way?"
Sakura had already taken it in a negative way.
"Maybe…I dunno." Hanabi shrugged. "But if anyone tries anything to harm you, Gentle fist their butts into oblivion okay?"
Hinata laughed at her sister's remark. Hanabi-chan could be so adorable sometimes if she so chose. She really like this Hanabi compared to the sometimes proud one. "Thank you for the suggestion… but I don't think I can do that. Admiring someone is not a crime Hanabi-chan." She feels for all the fan girls, really—for she has been a fan girl once too.
Just a silent one.
Or maybe she was more of a stalker…
"It's not a crime. It's just annoying."
"Liking someone is annoying?"
"No. Acting weird because you like someone is annoying." Hanabi crossed her arms and looked sideways. "I mean… It's love sure. But why do people have to go and act all crazy?"
"I don't know…" Hinata admitted. "Maybe you'll tell me the answer someday when you find your own love."
"No. I think you'll be the one to tell me that."
"Why?" Hinata raised an eyebrow.
"You are pretty and likeable. Men are always after you."
Hinata shook her head but smiled. "I don't really know what to say to that."
After the slight chat with Hanabi, Hinata left the room and proceed to the living room. There, she found Uchiha Sasuke in his usual long cloak and leather sling bag. He was leaning on the wall beside the door, looking stoic as always.
They're eyes met and for half of a second, Hinata was almost sure that he smirked at her. "G-good morning." She winced when she heard her own stutter. She was passed the stuttering thing but it tends to return once she's nervous.
"Hn." Sasuke's eyes trailed to the door.
"Ah…Let's go?" Hinata asked. "I'm sorry for making you wait."
"You didn't. I'm just early."
"Okay…" She managed and followed him out of the house. As they walked, Hinata could sense many eyes boring on their backs. She knew that Sasuke felt it too, for his back was extra stiff and his face slightly contorted into a picture of irritation.
There was no Hyuga in sight, except for the two who were standing by the gates. But even so, Hinata knew that both of them were being observed by eyes that could see passed walls and stone. Sasuke was a hot subject for gossips right now so his every movement was quite a show.
And now she was sharing his spotlight.
"Uchiha Sasuke. Try anything with Lady Hinata and I'll kill you."
Hinata wanted to gasp but she ended swallowing her own saliva. In the end, she coughed and pounded her chest with a hand. The statement spoken from behind hung in the air like a thick cloud, so menacing and true.
She recognized the voice. It was the voice that had guided her since she was young.
It was her other older brother.
Her other guardian.
It was Hyuga Ko, and he was emitting killer intent that was fully directed at the Uchiha.
-o-o-o-
-crazychan