Third chapter: A Face Unforgotten

Hinata had finished packing and was now creeping in the shadows to the main gates. She had made sure nobody had seen her and made little noise with her soft steps. Neji was already waiting for her, his back resting against the gates. He had only a small backpack and there wasn't probably anything in it but clothes for the colder weather.

Silently, Neji watched Hinata approach him. Her hood was cast down over her head, but he did not need to see her face to know that she was afraid. Her tightly clenched hands and trembling shoulders gave her away. Oddly, he did not feel disgusted at the sight of her anymore; instead of hate for her weakness, it was pity. She was forced to be the heir of the Hyuga clan, a position that has made her detest herself for her weakness and clumsiness.

Hinata lifted her head to meet his eyes. This time the mutual exchange of gazes wasn't unpleasant. In fact, their eyes mirrored each other, reflecting the vacant look in them.

There was a silence between the two. Neji kept his eyes on Hinata and Hinata found her sandals very interesting. She thought she should talk as little as possible because Neji always had an impatient and angry expression when she talked to him. Neji, on the other hand, didn't talk much and even when he talked he didn't waste his words on Hinata. She never seemed to have anything intelligent to say when she was with him. Sure, her thoughts were cunning and deep but she never got them out of her mouth around him.

"Umm… B-brother Neji?" Neji barely heard her, so quiet was her voice. He raised an eyebrow at this and didn't reply for a moment.

"Yes, Hinata-sama?" Neji was accustomed to call her 'sama', but Hinata, while she never said anything about her discomfort, stiffened at hearing it. To her, the honorific dripped with sarcasm, as if taunting her that their roles should have been reversed, and Hinata should be the one addressing him with the 'sama.'

"Uh, do you have any plans about where we are spending the night?" she asked softly. Maybe they were going to sleep under the stars. Hinata would prefer that to sleeping in an inn. She felt so free under the night sky, watching the moon and listening to nature's music.

"I think we should get farther away from the village before we start thinking about spending the night somewhere. We might not be able to sleep at night anyway, with all the possible spies from Cloud Village after us." Neji made a small gesture with his hand and they started walking, in the shadows and near the walls to get out of the Konoha Village before the moon would rise and give them away immediately.

In a while they reached the borders of the Hidden Leaf Village. The night was quiet and heavy, the grey clouds still hanging in the sky hiding the moon. They were grateful for that because they would be more difficult to see in the dark. When they entered a forest near the village Neji jumped to stand on a tree branch and looked down at Hinata so that she would get up too. She quickly followed and they started running in the forest. Being the ninjas they were, they jumped from branch to branch to get forward.

The midnight made its way over them. They were running very fast and after the time when the moon had reached its peak on the sky above them. Hinata was so exhausted she could hardly breathe. But because Neji was still running with full speed she had to keep up. Hinata ran with all she had but she still couldn't catch him. The only thing of him she saw was his back once in a while and she was getting farther and farther behind.

Hinata thought about yelling at Neji to wait for her but then, maybe there were others in the forest who could hear her. She had to catch up to Neji, otherwise he would look down at her even more. Hinata pulled out the last bit of her chakra and leapt towards Neji. Once she was on the same branch as him, she whispered a silent plea, "Wait…" before collapsing to the ground.

Neji heard her hushed voice and looked behind but found that he couldn't see Hinata anywhere. He came to a halt and took a closer look and noticed her, there she was, lying on the ground. Neji jumped to kneel beside her. He heard her breathes coming in short, heavy pants. Hinata's breathing slowed down but her eyes remained closed and she didn't move.

Neji didn't feel her chakra and he supposed she had used it all in that last, forceful jump. He had to remember to go easy on her since she was still only a Chuunin and he was already a Jounin. One of Leaf's best, he might add, without pride or arrogance attached to the fact.

We can't just stay here. He lifted Hinata on his back and jumped to the tree again. He ran some time before he saw a cave where they could sleep. He used Byakugan to check that it was a safe place; he sensed no danger. Neji carried Hinata into the cave but just when he was dropping her on the ground she opened her eyes. Her face turned immediately bright red and she started to stammer something Neji couldn't understand. He slid her off of his arms to the ground and sat down facing her.

"Umm…" Hinata muttered and crossed her legs to sit more comfortably. The moment in Neji's arms had been so warm but now her shoulders gave a slight shudder from cold. She blushed at her thoughts even more. "Did I… Did you… How did we… Was I much of a burden?" She finally got a clear sentence formed.

Neji looked at her and shook his head. "And as for your information, you collapsed a little while ago and I carried you here." Neji mentioned towards the cave with his hand. "You should have said you were tired before you fainted.  Now it will take more time for you to recover."

"I- I think I can continue right when you are ready…" Hinata said softly but she was likely to be lying. Neji raised an eyebrow at this. Hinata's weak expression gave her away.

"Since we already are in here we could get some sleep but we have to set watches. I'll take the first turn." Hinata nodded at this and was thankful for Neji for being so kind to her.

"Thank you, Brother Neji."

"It's my duty, Hinata-sama. I'm not doing this out of kindness."

Hinata just nodded again and rested down turning her face to the cave's wall, showing her back to Neji. I have to get used to this. Why should he be kind to her? Hinata was the only reason that had dragged him to this journey. She had no right to complain.

Neji heard Hinata's clothes rustle as she turned to face him. Neji looked at her and she blushed, as usual. What did she want now? He didn't know what was annoying him -his patience had just been so short for the past few days. It couldn't be about their journey, could it? The trip had only begun this evening! And it wasn't likely that it was Hinata who got him so annoyed for he had started to live with the fact that he was supposed to be her guardian. Now and for the rest of his life -the slave of the Main Family.

"U-umm…" Hinata played with her fingers on her lap. "Shouldn't we eat something?" She wasn't hungry but food would help her -or them- to recover. "Th- there is many plants and roots in the forest

"I don't think we need to eat before tomorrow morning. Or are you hungry?" Neji replied. He wasn't going to go to dig plants and roots in the middle of the night when it was pitch-black.

"N-no, I'm not hungry… But I- I could make some medicine for later use… I think I can find some useful herbs."

"Alright, go find the herbs. I'll be here." Since when did Hinata know how to make medicines? He should ask her sometime.

Hinata was getting up to walk out of the cave when Neji gestured her to wait. "If you find any trouble, give me a signal", he said.

"A signal?"

"Yes, whistle like a bird or something. Send a chakra message, for example. You have chakra left to do that."

Hinata nodded and left the cave. When she got outside she smelled her surroundings. The scent was wonderful even though she sensed something strange in it. It was the odor of cherry blossoms. But there weren't any cherries in this forest! There were only pines and spruces and the evergreen trees that surrounded her from everywhere she looked at.

Now the dark storm clouds had vanished and the sky was clear so she could see the moon. It was full, as if an eye staring at her. She suddenly felt very insecure and uncomfortable. She pushed her hands into her pockets to warm them.

She tried to track the herbs and sensed that they weren't very far. Using her sharp nose to get near them she walked a small way through woods. Hinata came to a clearing and her lips parted in surprise.

She was surrounded by dozens of different flowers and herbs. They were glistening in the moon light, creating a blue aura around them. Hinata walked to them and kneeled down. The flowers gave a sweet aroma and somehow Hinata felt refreshed after taking a deep breath of the scent.

Some of the flowers were deep purplish but most of them were dark- or light blue. There were even few black flowers. Hinata picked up a few purple and blue ones. Taking a closer look at the black flowers she couldn't recognize them so she decided to leave them be. They could spread some illness or poison so she didn't get too close. The young woman picked up a few of green herbs' leaves, for they would prevent inflammations and scars.

Hinata started to make her return when she heard a rustling sound behind her. Her head immediately shot up and her body tensed. Should she call for Neji? The rustling sound came again, now accompanied with a few leaves floating down. Hinata looked at the tees and took a step backwards, just in time to dodge a flying kunai. The kunai hit a tree behind her. She couldn't see anyone but it was there, waiting for the next chance to assault. Hinata whistled clearly but quietly. The one in the tree would hear it but think it was just a bird farther away but Neji heard the small sound.

Neji was there, next to Hinata in a few seconds. He looked at her questioningly and Hinata pointed at the tree. So the problem is there. Neji looked as if he was about to ask something but decided it was better not to talk too much. But Hinata, however, understood him and pointed out one finger, as if saying 'one opponent'. Neji nodded but looked a bit surprised. When had such a connection created between them?

The one in the tree could clearly see them. Neji and Hinata stood side by side, neither breathing nor moving. Neji moved to press his back against Hinata's so there wouldn't be any openings. Their eyes met, both were concentrated and merciless. Once again, they guessed each other's thoughts. If the one in the tree would give any sign of his position, he would be dead.

The strange thing was that Neji or Hinata couldn't sense the person's chakra. Either he was not a human or he was as good as a ninja that he could hide it. The first possibility proved immediately wrong. If the one in the tree wasn't human, how could he have thrown the kunai? So the assaulter was human, but what were his reasons to attack Hinata?

"Whoever you are, come down. Now", Hinata heard herself saying. The moon shone brightly and lit her face giving her a solemn expression. It was one of the moments she looked like the respected heiress of the Hyuga clan she should have been. Shocked, she turned her head to look at Neji. Even he was astounded by the change in her voice -it was clear and steady. Hinata didn't stutter or whisper like she usually did.

Maybe that wasn't such a good idea, Hinata thought. The person in the tree almost snorted but held back at the last moment.

"And why should I?" the one in the tree was actually quite amused. What petty beings, being frightened so easily at the sight of one kunai.

But the person couldn't have been more wrong; Neji and Hinata weren't the least bit scared. They were only determined to find out who the person in the tree was and why he had attacked.

Neji fingered his kunai in his weapon pouch. Should they attack or wait? The first kunai that had been thrown from the tree was obviously just a test. The one in the tree could have killed Hinata right away if he had wanted to. If he was good enough to hide his chakra from both of them, he could kill them before they even knew he was behind them.

What was that man? Hiding his chakra and even talking –well, whispering- to them. Neji formed the ordinary hand seal quickly and used Byakugan to see the person.

Nothing.

"That's futile. You won't be able to find out my position unless I tell you", the one in the tree said. His voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. It echoed it the trees and rocks eerily.

Just then Hinata took in the same aroma she had smelled when she walked out of the cave -cherry blossoms. Was that odor connected to the person in the tree somehow?

Wait a minute.

That black hair. Those white eyes. That tall form.

It couldn't be--!

The person in the tree let out a loud laughter. It was rough and it sounded like the person's throat was parched. Neji and Hinata tensed but felt weird at the same time. What was he laughing? It wasn't a mocking laughter or an insane one. It was the laughter of pure relief and happiness.

They looked around but didn't let their defense down. What was with the atmosphere? A second ago it had been so thick and dark it could've been touched. Now it was easy to breathe and they didn't feel any danger.

"Who is it? If you come down now we won't kill you", Neji commanded. He was beginning to have his doubts again. Was this some kind of jutsu cast on them?

"Ah. But what gives you the impression that I won't kill you?" the person whispered questioningly. "And besides, you couldn't kill me even if I had my eyes shut and hands tied. At least you couldn't, Hinata. Of you, Neji, I'm not sure."

It was getting more suspicious again. How did he know their names? And why was he joking around at a time like this?

"Alright. We won't harm you and you won't harm us. Is it a deal?" This is annoying. Being mocked -that's how he felt- by a person who didn't even name himself and who had just attacked them out of nowhere. It wasn't likely he was a Cloud Country spy -if he was, he would have kidnapped Hinata the first moment he saw her. She hardly had any chakra left so she couldn't have resisted.

"How kind of you. But fine, it's a deal." Even if his reply was a whisper the sarcasm couldn't be missed. He shifted to jump down from the tree but apparently the branch he was standing on was too thin and it snapped. There was a loud crash and he fell down in front of them. It took a while for the dust to move away so Neji and Hinata couldn't see the figure very clearly.

"Ouch. That hurt", the person said. Hinata's and Neji's eyes widened, it appeared that he was a she. The figure stood up and wiped the dust off of her clothes. She walked to them slowly, as if meeting with long lost friends for the first time in many years.

Ironic, but true.

In front of them stood a pink-haired woman, wearing a short purplish dress and tight dark green pants that went just below her knees. Her hair was short and unevenly cut and she had cuts and bruises all over her body. Her legs were delicate yet muscular and long. There was a wide grin on her face.

The woman looked familiar, too familiar. But somehow it felt like something they'd known had changed vastly. She was familiar but also very strange.

"You don't remember me? I could be disappointed… But that doesn't matter", she said coming even closer. Neji stared at her as if trying to remember her.

"I night as well tell you." She was slightly shorter than Hinata, who was a few inches shorter than Neji. "The name's Haruno Sakura."

"…"

"…"

Neji and Hinata just stared at her. "Oh, what's the problem?! You guys know me, don't you?" Despite the situation, Sakura seemed exuberant this late at night. "Although, I do admit that I've changed… Quite a bit, actually…"

"Ha- Haruno-san…" Hinata finally stuttered. Why are you here? Why did you attack me? Where have you been for the past few years? What have you been doing? Many questions were spinning in her mind but she finally asked, "Are- Are you okay?"

"Me? Okay? I'm always okay!" Sakura replied. "And I'm never okay… But drop the formalities. It annoys me to be called Haruno-san, like I'm some old geezer! But that doesn't matter. Neji, didn't you recognize me?" Sakura turned to Neji who stood next to Hinata.

"I was just… surprised, that is. I never thought I'd meet you here." The shock from seeing her was beginning to resign and he felt a little calmer.

"Why, yes, I was stunned at first, too. Then you used Byakugan and I felt like I knew you. But what amazes me is that you two are here, in this forest, together!"

"Well… More about that later. I want to know why we weren't able to see or sense your chakra when you were right in front of us." Was Sakura that good nowadays? It was impossible. Judging from what he knew about her she was even a worse ninja than Hinata. Sure, she was intelligent but she was never that strong of a fighter.

Hinata had been watching this in silence and now opened her mouth. "U-umm… I don't mean to interrupt but I- I think we should go into the cave; we could talk more freely and comfortably…"

"Yes. What a good idea." Sakura nodded. "Where is this cave you're talking about? You two are going to sleep in there, I assume?"

"It's not far. Come, we'll show you the way", Hinata answered. She looked at Neji who nodded and they began to walk towards the cave. But Sakura didn't move.

"Come on, what is it?" Hinata looked at Sakura. Sakura's eyes were full of happiness and sorrow at the same time.

Suddenly her expression changed rapidly. Her eyes gave them a doubtful look. "You don't think I'm lying? Not that I am, but still… It is pretty rare to meet friends in a place and at a time like this."

"What reasons do we have to not believe you? If you are a spy from somewhere it's two against one. I don't think Hinata and I could be overpowered." Neji glanced behind his shoulder at the pink haired kunoichi.

Sakura gave them a crooked smile. "Like I said, you couldn't overpower me so easily."

"Is that so? Well then, do you prefer killing us to coming with us as a friend?"

Sakura held her arms before her defensively. "H- Hold on a minute! I'm not saying I'm going to kill you! I'm just hinting that you shouldn't be so trusting!"

It was Neji's turn give her a slight smirk. "Who said we'd trust you? We're just letting you to come with us. Let's go. I want to sleep at least a bit during this night."

Once again they turned to walk towards the cave, Sakura following a little behind. The hard words had hit Sakura but she was pleased to see that her old intelligent and sharp friend -if you could call him a friend- hadn't turned to a softie.

They got to the cave and walked inside. There Hinata looked at Sakura and Neji who were both deep in their thoughts. They sat down facing each other. Neji paid attention to his surroundings but Sakura was still in her dreamland. Hinata coughed a little to get her attention and Sakura snapped back to the present world.

"We came here to talk", Hinata said, quietly but firmly.

"Uhum… Right. We're here to talk." Sakura was clearly distracted by something. Neji didn't miss this. What was she thinking? She looked as if she was worrying about something.

That's not my concern. Her businesses are her own.

"So. What do you want to know?" Sakura looked at the both of them and heaved a sigh.

"First, about your chakra, remember? We couldn't sense you back there", Neji reminded her.

"Well, that is… Err… I- I just… I'm so good of a ninja now! You don't have to look so suspicious. I know I was a total weakling back at the ninja academy but I've gotten stronger!" Sakura said in a rush.

"Is that all? You've gotten better?" Neji raised an eyebrow at this.

"Yes. That's all."

"For the second question, what are you doing here?" Hinata asked. She didn't like the doubting look on Neji face so she decided to change the subject.

"I'm fulfilling my responsibilities. Any more information about the mission is classified, I'm sorry." Sakura seemed to be extremely calm.

Too calm, Neji thought.

"Classified by whom?" Neji asked. "Or are you forbidden to tell even that?"

"By my… master. Yes, I suppose I could call him my master."

"Fine, I- I think that people don't go around talking about their missions…" Hinata said. "I'd like to know why you attacked me. I didn't do anything to harm you." Hinata twitched her fingers. Not that she had been scared -well, a little- she was just curious.

"I didn't attack you! I was just bored and there was this annoying fly and I tried to kill it with that kunai but just then you got in the way and I was so shocked of seeing someone in this forest that it just kind of… Umm… Slipped out of my hand. He he he… No big deal! You didn't get hurt!" Sakura wasn't too comfortable about the subject; she couldn't believe she had almost hurt her by being so careless.

"Now, where have you been for the past years?" Neji was observing Sakura's expressions with great amusement -how she could change so rapidly, from cheery to nervous all the time.

"I-" She fell silent. Her head dropped and her eyes almost closed. Neji and Hinata exchanged glances but when Hinata blushed they quickly broke off. There was a long silence between them.

"I was getting my revenge", Sakura finally whispered. She didn't want to remember the times when she had been alone, full of anger and fury, searching for the revenge. She didn't even know if she had got it. It was all because of that bastard.

…That Uchiha bastard.

"Did you get your revenge?" Sakura's voice had been so sorrowful it hurt Hinata to not be able to help her. Maybe she didn't even want to be comforted.

"I… I don't know. I really don't know. Maybe I did, maybe not, I'm not sure. But what matters most, I've been happy more than I was sad", Sakura gave her confusing answer.

Both Neji and Hinata nodded their approval. They shouldn't dig into businesses that weren't theirs. They respected her decision not to tell them more. She could tell them what she wanted and leave off everything she didn't want them to know, as long as she didn't lie. And Sakura had always been a bad liar; everybody could always tell when she was lying.

"One more question", Neji continued after a pause. "What have you been doing during the time we didn't see you? Nobody in the village knew anything about you." Sakura flinched at the word 'village'. Neji furrowed his brow at this. What was that?

"Uh oh… How should I say this? Nobody really knew anything about me? Or maybe they didn't want to tell you", Sakura replied. Neji gave her a skeptical look.

Hinata's eyes widened a bit. "Now that you mention it, I did feel like they wanted to avoid the whole subject. What is it that made you so full of secrets?"

"I don't know! I honestly don't know!" Sakura said. However, her green eyes were slightly darker than usual.

"That's weird…" Hinata muttered. She was starting to get sleepy and her brain wasn't in its brightest moment at the time. She couldn't think clearly.

Sakura didn't keep her tiredness hidden -she yawned widely and loudly so that nobody would miss it. "I'm tired! Can I sleep with you guys tonight? I'm really in no mood to be looking for a place to sleep right now…"

"Sure, if that's what you want…" Neji looked at Hinata to see if she was tired too. Hinata's eyelids were fluttering closed but she refused to give in to sleep.

"Go to sleep, Hinata-sama, I'll take the first watch", Neji whispered harshly into her ear.

Hinata cast a look at him. "Alright, but please remember to wake me when a few hours have passed, you have to sleep too, Brother Neji."

Neji looked at Hinata and Sakura who were preparing to get some sleep. It was easy to tell that both of them were very tired. But what had Sakura been doing in that tree? And why didn't she tell them the whole truth? The mysterious woman muttered a good night for them before drifting off to sleep.

The night was cold and Neji was getting sleepy too. Three hours had already passed but he hadn't woken Hinata up. She was lying on her stomach, and her body was spread relaxed on the cold ground. She shivered slightly from the coldness. Neji surprised himself thinking that he could get behind her and wrap his arms around her; that would keep them from getting cold in the night breeze.

He shook his head -what was he thinking?! I have to wake her up… Otherwise it'll be me who slows us down tomorrow, not Hinata-sama.

Neji stood up and walked quietly to Hinata. He tapped her shoulder softly.

"I don't think so…" He heard a silent voice behind him. Then he felt something sting against his neck and he collapsed.

His body didn't move and he couldn't see.

He heard a slight noise. They were very soft steps coming from behind him. Apparently Hinata was still sleeping because he heard her steady breathing. His mind failed him, he was feeling faint.

No… Neji struggled against unconsciousness. I can't-- I have to-- protect-- Hina--

And then darkness surrounded him.

Hinata woke up to hear the birds singing and sat up. She looked around and saw Neji sleeping beside her. Her eyes searched Sakura but she was nowhere to be found. That's strange. Maybe she's up already?

Then she turned to Neji who was very close to her. Why he didn't wake me up? Well, maybe Sakura took the turn.

Hinata found her hand brushing several strands of hair away from Neji's forehead. Neji's eyes shot open and he cast a murderous glance at Hinata who snatched her hand away immediately. "I- I'm sorry! I don't know what came on to me!" A deep crimson rose to her face.

Neji turned his head away and murmured, "…Whatever." He looked around to see that Sakura was gone. "Where's Sakura?"

"I don't know, I think she's already up and outside." Hinata fingered the hem of her shirt. "Umm… Brother Neji? Why didn't you wake me up last night? Did Sakura take my turn?"

"What? No, she didn't…" Neji looked around absently. Then he remembered something. All absence was cleared away from him. "Oh no… Oh no! Where is she?! We have to find her quickly! She might be in danger!"

"Why? What happened?" Hinata asked.

"In the night, someone attacked me… Well, it wasn't much of a fight actually, the person just hit me with a needle to my neck. It didn't hurt but after that I couldn't move or see anything. That person might have captured her!" It wasn't normal for Neji to panic about things. That startled Hinata and made her worry.

"We better look for her outside before we decide anything drastic. Are you okay? I mean, that attack…" Hinata responded softly.

"I'm alright. Don't worry about me." He stood up and walked out of the cave leaving Hinata behind.

"Hinata-sama, I think you should come here", Neji called from outside after a moment. Hinata walked out to Neji and saw what he was looking at. There was a message written on a piece of paper. Hinata took a closer look and read it.

I'm sorry for all the fuss I caused. Take care of Neji, Hinata. And the other way around. I didn't intend to hurt him but that may have happened. 

Bye!

Sakura

"I can't believe it… What's this supposed to mean?" Hinata was surprised. "Why did she leave?" Neji just stared at the letter.

"So… It was her who attacked me in the night, that's for sure. Of the rest, I'm not so certain. But I think she didn't mean to be with us in the first place so she decided to leave us in secret, otherwise we would've asked her about too many things."

"Well, if that is what she wanted…" Hinata took a last look at the paper, "Take care, Sakura."

They turned to gather their provisions and continue their long journey to the Cloud Village.