Laughing In the Silence

A/N: Naruto Universe = Property of Kishimoto

Chapter Six

Once we were out of the Hyuga Estate, I activated the Quadruple Effect Jutsu and bound after the distinct, sea-like scent of the Mist-Nin. I heard the soft sounds of moving hands, and knew that Hinata switched on her Byakugan. With out enhanced sight and scent combined, I knew we would catch the brat in no time.

Even then, I still felt as if he had the right to take revenge against Hanabi. But as a Leaf nin, I am under no obligation to feel sorry for him. Just like when Sasuke ran away with the Sound nins years ago, if I had any say in that matter, we'd send some Anbus after him and kill him for abandoning the village. But instead I ended up putting my life on the line for that guy…such was our code of honor as Leaf nins.

Suddenly, Hinata stopped at mid-leap, and slammed backwards with surprising force. I was completely taken by surprise, and only managed turn in the air so that I didn't land on my neck. As I climbed to my feet, Hinata dispatched a series of shurkiens at the space before us. I couldn't see her face with her back to me, but I saw her shoulders angle with tension.

"Impressive," Homizu's voice was all around us, wavering slightly, as if we were submerged. I spun around so that Hinata and I were back to back; Akamaru already took his position by my heel. I sometimes wondered what I'd do without that dog.

"Catching me will do you no good, unfortunately."

"We'll kill you and take the antidote!" My shout was loud, and echoed all around me. It certainly sounded more confident than I felt. If he didn't have the antidote on him, Hanabi is almost certainly doomed…or to be losing her arm at the very least.

Hinata looked up, "What have you done to her?"

The low chuckle Homizu emitted made my hair stand up on ends. It wasn't something a boy is capable of. Is he more than what's at the surface? I thought frantically, could it be…Orochimaru?

"I have released an army of invisible water worms into her arm, and it will continue to emit toxin no matter how much is soaked up by the doctors. It's the specialty of our clan, and a distant cousin to your Aburame clan's Destruction Bugs, I believe."

Hinata sighed, and turned around with a weary smile on her face. "Well now that we know what ails her, what need do we have for him? We'll ask the Mizukage to call out the worms, and all is well."

"Don't be stupid, father can't control the worms. It's a secret technique passed down through mother's side. And since I am the only member of my clan present, I'm you're best bet…and the worst as well."

Hinata launched herself upwards, propelled by a sudden outburst of chakra. She brandished two kunais from her pouch and ran up the trunk of a nearby tree. I started to follow, but tripped over when Akamaru seized my leg in his paws. His anxious whine said all, and I was more worried for Hinata than ever. But she was too far up for me to pull her back.

Before I had time to think up another plan, she was falling from up high with a shrill cry. It took a lot out of me to catched her falling form without falling myself. But before I could set her gently to her feet, she batted me away with wild arms, and scrabbled frantically at her shoulder. There were tears pouring down the sides of her face as she looked at me, wordless and horrified.

Forgetting all formalities, I yanked her hands out of the way and unzipped her jacket in a hurry. My hands fumbled as I tore the netting away to see a series of small red punctures on her skin, like messy acupuncture work.

I stared at her, "Did he…"

"Worms, Kiba…worms," she gasped.

I hoisted her up and ran for the Hyuga estate.

****

It was Aburame-sama that saved the day, arriving almost miraculously with Shino at his heels. He used his Destruction Bugs against the water worms, and successfully killed all the disgusting parasites with his own brand of toxin. Hinata and Hanabi both passed out cold after he administered antitoxin for the Destruction Bug toxin.

Though, things were looking grave for Hanabi, who had the worms in her system for too long. There were some that couldn't be destroyed, and remained in her system. I shuddered to think how disgusting it would be for the Hyugas to look at that girl, to see worms roving about in her arm.

Hinata was remarkably quiet about what happened. But the identity of Homizu bothered me since the day of the incident.

****

After one morning, after our exercise session, I stopped Hinata before she left the training ground.

"Hinata, I've been thinking about Homizu…I think there's more to him than what meets the eye." I winced a little as I said this, wishing I had began with some sort of preamble.

She gave me a quick glance before looking down, "I don't think so."

A little impatiently, I pressed on. "I thought he might've been Orochimaru's subordinate, remember…the ugly snake man?"

"Orochimaru?!" A loud, obnoxious voice cracked over my head. I didn't have to turn around to know what notorious village dirtball made his appearance behind me.

Hinata's cheeks exploded into redness, I crossed my arms, feeling annoyed.

"Na…Naruto-kun…" she murmured.

-----

tbc!

A/N: This is a pretty short update for a chapter that took about 3 month to write. Well, not too many people are anticipating this, so hopefully I didn't keep too many people waiting.