My laptop's slowly dying. Lol.
-o-o-o-
Chapter Eight
Hinata could not believe her ears. Her gentle and ever so polite Ko just said something that could melt almost anyone with just the tone of his voice. Well, almost anyone…for Sasuke Uchiha just turned his head to the older Hyuga and smirked.
Hinata figured it was better if she placate Ko before Sasuke could say anything that might enrage her Nii-san. She could smell the testosterone in the air and both males presented auras that could be compared to that of wild animals trying to dominate the other.
"Ko-niisan." Hinata placed herself between the two males. "This is a mission…so you do not need to worry."
"Lady Hinata. You are too trusting." Ko said, looking away from the big white eyes of the girl whom he had cared for since she was a mere child of five. He had witnessed her die once during the Akatsuki leader's attack and just thinking of her getting hurt was making his insides churn.
There was no way he was going to let one crazy Uchiha harm her.
He was Hinata's original protector after all. Hyuga Neji was just the second for it took the prodigy years before realizing that Lady Hinata was not something to be looked down and beaten, but something to be protected and loved.
Sasuke looked at the Hyuga male with an impassive glare. The man has brown short hair so he knew that the Hyuga was not someone from the main branch family. Hyuga main branch members always wear their hair long.
But the way Mr. killer intent talked showed that he has high stature. Sasuke guessed that he was some kind of captain inside the Hyuga clan ninjas.
Or maybe, he was the Hyuga woman's lover.
Heh. Guess not. Hiashi is too proud to let his daughter be in a relationship with a marked Hyuga.
It is unlikely for Hiashi to permit his daughters to have relationships with those who are not from the main branch. Hiashi Hyuga was the epitome of a real clan head. Politics and clans comes first, emotions later.
He gave Ko—because that was the name he heard Hinata say— another smirk before turning his back on both Hyugas. The hell with them, he was not some kind of nobody that they could just treat like some crazy jerk. Maybe they were right about the jerk part…or the crazy… but whatever, he doesn't give the slightest damn.
He has some D-class missions to mess with and he won't waste his time listening to threats being thrown at him by some Hyuga.
"Sasuke-kun." Hinata's soft but firm voice interrupted his thoughts and he stopped walking, slightly turning his head. "I'm sorry. Ko-niisan is my guardian since childhood. He is just concerned." She explained, one hand resting on Ko's chest, gently pushing him back a step.
Hinata gave Ko a reassuring smile. "Nii-san. I'm going to be fine."
"My lady, I don't trust the the avenger." Ko told the lady Hyuga with a low growl. It was not in his place to intrude with a Hokage-given mission but it was just not in his conscience to leave Hinata in the company of the Uchiha. Wasn't it just a few days ago that she was caught in the middle of a revenge plan formed by those who have been harmed in the past by Uchiha?
The sharingan user has many enemies, in and out of the village.
"I'm going to be fine." Hinata assured Ko with a small. "You taught me well."
"I am free today. I can go with you."
"No!" Hinata blinked. If Ko plans to go with them, then she's the chaperone that was also being chaperoned. " Nii-san…please."
Ko gritted his teeth. "His genes may be an asset for Konoha… or even the Hyuga clan's temporary guest, but if he tries to touch you with a finger…or even be impolite in your presence, he is going to pay the price highly."
"Are you still coming Hyuga?" Sasuke asked, impatient. He doesn't have time to wait for chitchat.
"Yes." Hinata answered as she gave Ko one last look of warning. It was still done with fondness, but the authority in her stare was enough to make the older man lower his head. She loves Ko but she was not the same helpless child he used to watch over. She may not be the greatest ninja out there but she was proud to admit that she was now strong enough to at least defend herself and the others around her.
She improved…a lot.
Hinata heard Ko sighed before giving her one last nod and walked away, not sparing Sasuke even a glance. At that moment, she realized that every time Sasuke and Ko are going to be inside the same compound, she must be on her guard and try to make them be as far as possible from each other.
Once Ko showed hatred to someone, it usually last, and Hinata guessed that Sasuke was that same kind of person too.
Of all the people to get on the wrong foot…
"I'm sorry." She apologized to Sasuke for the third time of the day as they made their way out of the compound. Sasuke's cloak was being blown by the wind, especially his sleeve where his left arm should have been in. The sleeve brushed her arm and she slowed her pace just a little. She doesn't want him to think that she was trying to be physically close. She can sense that Sasuke was sensitive when it comes to personal space.
She will respect that.
"He is just protective."
"You surround yourself with walls."
Hinata was surprised that Sasuke just talked. She was expecting for him to ignore her completely out of impassiveness or annoyance. "I just have over protective friends and relatives." She said with a smile and trying her best to be nonchalant. Now that she pondered about it, Sasuke was like a wild animal, the more you try to get closer, the more he wanted to get away. "I know you understand because you have team seven and Kakashi-sama."
"Hn."
"And walls are good. They protect you."
-o-
Sakura tapped her fingers on the thin clipboard on top of her desk as she crossed her thin but firm legs, her white cloak parting over her lap like a curtain. She was inside her office at the moment and was thinking hard.
Very, very hard.
Well, thinking hard about two men in particular, one with a cheeky, whiskered grin while the other a serious face with pitch black eyes that could turn into the beautiful blood red color when he so choose.
Sakura sighed. She was trying her best to focus on her work at hand as the head medic but Naruto and Sasuke keeps on bothering her mind. If she was only thinking about Sasuke, it should have been normal because she always do since she was still a genin that it was considered a habit… but weirdly, Naruto keeps in getting inside the picture.
And it messes with her mind big time.
I still love Sasuke…that's for sure. But if Naruto pursues his feelings for me then there might be a chance that I might fall for him since he is becoming so…so attractive and…well, that damn idiot is not the same stupid boy…and—
"Yo!"
Sakura abruptly stood and jumped back, knocking her chair in the process. She looked around wildly, only to hear a familiar bubbly laugh. A laugh that a few times annoyed her but also gave her hope and confidence every time she was feeling so lost and down.
It was Naruto, and he was sitting on the window a few feet away from where she stood, one hand raised to form a peace sign.
"Naruto, you stupid idiot!" Sakura yelled, annoyed that she wasn't able to feel him—something that proves he was so out her league right now—and also embarrassed that a few seconds ago, she was thinking about him in a not so friendly way…
Naruto chuckled and landed on the concrete floor without a sound. "Sorry. I can't help myself. You looked so cute while thinking hard Sakura-chan."
"And who are you imitating anyway, Kakashi?" Sakura crossed her arms. "Saying that 'yo' thing as a greeting… it doesn't suit you at all."
Naruto smile widened, already used to Sakura's strong words. "I thought it's cool."
"No it's not."
"It's cool."
"No."
"Come on, its Kakashi sensei's signature word."
Sakura rolled her eyes, picked the chair up again and adjusted it on its original spot. With a huff, she plopped on the chair again as Naruto settled himself on the sofa near her right side. The soft and fluffy sofa was Ino's idea—which was a good idea if Sakura says so herself—and it serves as a makeshift bed if she or Ino pig wanted to take a noontime nap or break.
Sometimes, it serves as Naruto's lounging spot.
"Those words are only befitting for people like Kakashi or Shikamaru. They have flair okay? It's inborn." Sakura pretended to read something on her clipboard while subtly observing Naruto. "You have to do your own thing if you don't want to be labeled as a copycat."
"You got a point."
"Of course."
Naruto leaned back on the sofa and grinned. "You are extra talkative today. You just explained something nonsensical to me."
Sakura blinked. The stupid idiot was right. "So what? There's nothing wrong with it."
"And extra grumpy too."
Sakura raised her eyebrows and looked at the future hokage straight in the face. Naruto was wearing his usual black long sleeved coat with orange stripes today. It fits him perfectly, outlining his tall frame more and helps emphasize his guns. "Why are you here anyway?" she asked her teammate who puberty gave too much credit. "And don't say because you miss me."
"Well, that's half the reason." Naruto admitted.
"And the other half…?"
"I need your help."
"What help?"
"I want to ask somebody out." Naruto smiled nervously. "A date."
Sakura's mouth gaped a little, big enough to emphasize her surprise while small enough not to make her look like an idiot. She knew where this conversation was going, she had heard it a lot of times from boys who tried asking her out.
Oh yes, she has suitors too. Not as much as Hinata's or Ino's…but still.
"Uhm… Sakura-chan…" Naruto threw his goofy grin away and became serious, his electric blue eyes more intense now that he was not grinning. "Please—"
"Uh Naruto… I don't think I can go out with you on a date." She doesn't want to bring Naruto's offer down, but while she was still confused for her real feelings for him in the romance department; she won't take any chances. "We can go out as…friends."
To her surprise, Naruto frowned and his face became a picture of confusion. "Sakura-chan…what do you mean?"
"I don't want to go on a date with you."
"Oh…" Naruto's mouth formed into an awkward smile. "I see…Uhm…Sakura-chan, I'm sorry but you misunderstand."
"Huh?"
"N-nothing. Forget it okay?"
Sakura gritted her teeth. "Naruto… you are not leaving this room until you make things clear."
Naruto sighed. "What I'm trying to say is… I want you to help me ask Hinata-chan out."
-o-
Hinata cringed for the seventh time of the day as she watched Sasuke try to plow a muddy field. The poor cow that was carrying the metal plow looks like it was on the verge of fainting. The animal's eyes were wide with fright, sensing that the man behind it was now made purely of destructive killer intent.
Hinata really pitied the poor cow.
Sasuke was working hard, that she could tell. She knew he wanted to work fast and sure, so that he could move on the next D-class mission on his list for today. The problem was, the animal that was helping him flow seems to slow for his liking.
Hinata lanced at the old farmer standing a feet away from her. The man was as old as her clan elders, wrinkled and frail-looking—only without the pride and grace all Hyuga elders posses. The farmer, just like his cow, was holding his breath and doing his best not to look too frightened at the sight of the Uchiha working on his fields.
"Jii-san." Hinata smiled. "It's okay. Please do not be worried. Uchiha-san there is doing his best to finish the work so that you could…uhm… go on with the planting much faster."
The old man smiled weakly, his eyes hiding under the folds of brown skin as he did. "Lady Hyuga… t-thank you for the work….but I pity the cow. Lun-lun is an old animal…and could not handle much…uh…strength."
Hinata nodded, understandingly. "I'll talk to Uchiha-san."
"Thank you my lady…please do. Lun-lun is not just an animal for me…she is a companion."
Hinata sighed and made her way to the middle of the field where Uchiha Sasuke was moving like the earth was his enemy. She had rolled her pants up to her knees since the mud was knee deep and her sandals left under a tree, right beside Sasuke's.
When she approached him, he did not stop so she has to keep up. "Sasuke-kun."
"Hn."
"Please stop for a second."
Sasuke let out an annoyed breath as he let go of the ropes and stopped beside the Hyuga. He faced her, her white skin too out of place in a muddy field such as this one. Her pants were rolled up but still haven't escaped the dirt, making her look like a much younger...carefree. "What?"
He was annoyed though, since he was in a hurry.
Hinata glanced at the cow before facing the Uchiha again. Sasuke was full of mud, some even staining his face. His one hand holding the metal handle of the plow with strength and for a second there, Hinata blinked when she actually saw a spark.
An electrical spark.
"Sasuke-kun…please go easy on the cow."
"You are here to watch me work Hyuga. Nothing else."
"I know but…"
Sasuke smirked and held the ropes again. He was about to continue when suddenly, the Hyuga beside him took the ropes from his hand and let the cow free without even a warning. The cow, wanting to seize her freedom, ran as fast as she could to the grinning old farmer by the tree.
A vein on Sasuke's forehead throbbed.
Hinata held her hands together as Sasuke's head slowly turned towards her, his eyes still emotionless but still gave her a hint that she was on trouble. So before he could say anything else, she gave him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry."
"Why did you let it go?"
"That animal is a companion to the old farmer who owns this field Sasuke-kun. I know him… and he has no family of his own. His wife died a few years after they married and now he lives alone. I don't want anything to happen to the cow."
"I am on a mission." Sasuke gritted his teeth, patience evaporating fast. This woman was messing with his work and it was ticking him off big time. Had she forgotten that most of the people that had the guts to mess with him were now dead or maimed?
Only a few survived with all their body parts intact to tell the tale.
"I will help you as best as I could…but please let's just forget the cow."
"No." Sasuke replied sternly. Who was she kidding? She was the Hyuga princess with slaves back home. She doesn't know anything about working hard like a man. She may be good at combat—or so he heard from Naruto—but combat and field work are not the same.
Even his skills are not applicable in this field.
"I can help Sasuke-kun."
"I said no."
Hinata bit her lower lip. Uchiha was angry and she was the one who made her feel that way. She was supposed to make him feel better and let him trust the village again. Now all she did was ticked him off. But then again, she was glad that she was able to help the old farmer's worries.
"Uhm…" Hinata took one rope from Sasuke's hand and began to pull. It was hard but she tried her best not to show it. The plow started moving but it was very slow. "See? W-we can do this…that is if we help each other."
"It's easier with the cow."
Hinata managed a smile. "I know. But this is easier for old Jii-san. We can handle the burden…but he can't."
"Hn."
"You are proving your loyalty to the village once again right?" Hinata asked. "And helping Jii-san in this way is a nice start don't you think?"
Sasuke closed his eyes for a second, taking in a lungful of air. This one was really Hiashi Hyuga's daughter.
Manipulators.
"Fine." He said at last. It was no use arguing anyway. If she was a loudmouth and bolder like Sakura, it was easy to argue and yell. But she looks gives off an aura like his mother… calm and quiet and kind and nice.
"Thank you."
"But we have to switch places. I don't want any Hyuga to see you in the cow's place." He told her and took the rope from her hands again. Hiashi's pride was shinier than his hair, and knowing that his eldest daughter was plowing the fields with an Uchiha and not just watching as she was instructed, might give the clan head another chance to do something to make Sasuke's life a little harder.
Hinata smiled. There was still some light left in Sasuke's heart after all.
::
Kiba growled and his giant dog next to him whined.
Ino rolled her eyes as she lazily crossed her legs and then yawned, feeling a little sleepy as the cool morning air bathed her face in a gentle way. Currently, she and the Inuzuka where inside the Yamanaka's flower field, a place that was a half a kilometer away from the shop. This is where her family grows the beautiful flowers and plants that they sell. The smell around this place was intoxicating, filled with the scent of the sweet nectars from the blooms.
"Give it up Kiba…" Ino said, patting the grass beside where she was seated. "You may get some of Hinata-chan's scent and Sasuke's… but they are too far for your ears to hear whatever they are doing. Besides, what made you think that hiding in my family's garden will make it all easier?" She remembered being dragged by the crazy Inuzuka like a rag doll when she passed by him a few minutes ago, demanding that what he was doing was between life and death and that he needed her help.
Again, she rolled her eyes.
"Well, why don't you try reading what's inside Sasuke's mind? He is near your jutsu range right?" Kiba asked.
"Are you crazy? Sasuke is going to fry my brain if I try reading what's inside his mind Kiba."
Kiba sighed. "I wish I have Neji's Byakugan or something."
Ino's expression changed from annoyed to pensive upon hearing Hyuga Neji's name.
Hyuga Neji, the genius who had given his life for the sake of the person that he loved. Ino wondered why nobody suspects that Neji's love for Hinata was not just familial love…no, it was more than that. Ino knew it the moment Neji vowed to always put Hinata first in everything.
Some would call it loyalty because of their ranks and blood relation but Yamanaka Ino knew better.
It was true love...well, for Neji's part.
Some would consider it incest...but then, clans inside Konoha and other villages won't have pure bloodlines if they considered cousins to be only cousins.
It was hard to admit but Ino even felt a little jealous about it. She wanted someone to love her the way Neji loved Hinata. She wanted someone to love her not just because of her pretty face and talents but loves her with all her weaknesses and failures.
And because of that, she guessed, she had wanted Hyuga Neji.
It was a quiet admiration at first and she never told a single soul about it, not even her pink haired best friend and two team brothers—which was unusual of her since she was considered a loudmouth. For her, it was just a little crush she felt for the long haired genius...until it grew into so much more.
But then he died.
Died for the only woman he loved.
With a sad smile, Ino raised her chin and looked at the clear blue sky. She was almost sure that Neji was watching Hinata from up there so there was no need for Kiba to worry. "Say Kiba..." She found herself saying. "What do you say to a few sticks of dango? I'm hungry..."
"Can't you see I'm busy here?" Kiba replied, sniffing the air above him.
"Urgh. Hina's a big girl."
"Sasuke's a big jerk."
Ino laughed and stretched her arms. "Come on... you can't be Hinata's personal guard forever. She won't like it you know. It shows that you don't trust her skill."
"I do...It's Sasuke I don't trust."
"Whatever. You can't make me stay here. You already messed my schedule by dragging me with you." Ino said and stood up. She dusted her behind and gave the Inuzuka a look. "Either you go with me, or I'll posses your body and make you dance naked on the street. You pick your choice dog boy."
"I'm not a boy, I'm a man." Kiba grunted. "Know the difference Ino."
"Oh yeah. Then prove it by buying me a few dango sticks."
It took a few more persuasive attempts on Ino's part to make the Inuzuka go with her. Kiba was hard to break when he already made his decisions but Ino was more determined. Kiba should let Hinata be on her own and get a hobby.
It was okay to be the protective brotherly figure, but sometimes, it was annoying too. Ino could relate Hinata's position with hers since she too was surrounded with protective men, specifically one genius of a Nara and one powerful Akamichi.
When they reached the dango shop, Ino was surprised to see Haruno Sakura munching grumpily on one sweet dango in a corner. Their eyes met and Sakura hastily turned away with a frown. Ino then knew that something was wrong.
Letting go of Kiba's collar for she has to half-drag him all the way to the shop, Ino marched to where Sakura was. "Hey."
"Hey." Sakura answered half-heartedly.
"What happened? You looked... I don't know ...off?"
Sakura threw the stick she was holding on the ground and stomped on it. "I don't know Ino... right now I just want to punch someone."
::
Hinata wiped the sweat the was on her forehead and upper lip. Half of the field was already done and with the estimated time of three more hours, they could proceed on the next D-class mission. As she opened a water bottle she has with her, she glanced at Sasuke.
Uchiha Sasuke was muddy all over, just like her. The only difference, he was not breaking a sweat and still looked good despite the dirt and sun. She however, looks like she could be one of the Leaf farmers right now.
With a small smile, Hinata mentally asked who it was that wanted the cow to go. "Sasuke-kun... do you want some water?" She offered him the small water-filled container. "It's cool."
Sasuke's eyes trailed to the water bottle and then to her. His dark stare made her shift uncomfortably on her muddy spot but she tried her best to look natural. When Sasuke's hand slowly let go of the plow's rope, she mentally smiled.
At first, she thought that he was going to reach for the container that she was offering but a few seconds later, she knew Sasuke was reaching for a different thing.
Her eyes widened when she felt his muddy fingers around her neck.
-o-o-o-
Here ends the chap!
Please review! Gives me motivation!
-crazychan