A/N: HELLOOOO!!!!!!! -

To the reviews: WHATS WITH YOUR HIGH STANDARDS?!?!?!? TT.... erm... anyway.... coughs OOC means out of character. ALL HAIL HIGHER PURPOSES!!! ... hmm.... PORPOISES!!!! Is that a word? Porpoise, tortoise... turtle... uhh.... Never mind... just read the story, it makes more sense.. I think... uhh....

Sasuke slept peacefully, the pile of tissues by his futon growing with each passing hour that he was awake. However, he stayed impassive in his dreams.

Sitting down beside him, Itachi read his book. It was one of many from his father's library.

The slow, rhythmic breaths made Itachi tired. But as he stared at his bed, he was wide awake.

Sitting up straight, he continued reading the book. But his eyes passed through the books to the sleeping little boy on the mattress.

"You remind me of me," Itachi smiled, and then sneezed. Laughing, he stood and went to the kitchen to make soup. For both of them.

"Okass-" he stopped, remembering what he had done.

"Why did you do that?" He muttered, playing with his hands. A sick feeling embedded itself in his stomach.

Shaking his head, he thought, 'Sasuke needs me. Make soup. Enough for both of you.' Getting to work, he chopped up some fresh over grown greens from the gardens.

He found the meat easily, the rabbits probably didn't even know anyone lived there.

Skinning the rabbits, he listened for any sign that Sasuke was awake. Setting aside the pelt, he finished. {A/N: Should I save you the bloody details? Hmm... not all!} Throwing the two heads in the trash, he wiped off the blood from the counter. Chopping the red flesh into smaller bits, he got a pan and filled it half way with water.

As he impatiently waited for it to boil, he cleaned out the pelts, the blood had stained the sides slightly. But it wasn't like he couldn't fix that. Scrubbing them, they still smelled like blood, but it was okay.

They'd be good for warm pillow covers, or to sell.

As the water boiled, Itachi put in the meat first, because the vegetables would cook faster.

Stirring it boredly, he added salt and a little pepper.

Putting in the rice next, he stirred the thickening soup.

Throwing in the carrots and harder vegetables, he turned the fire lower and waited.

After a few minutes, he put the rest of the softer vegetables in, mixing it and tasting it.

Deciding it was good enough to eat, he took it off the stove and turned the fire off. Putting half into one bowl and half in another, he took two spoons and went back to Sasuke's room.

Setting Sasuke's formerly favorite bowl beside him, Itachi ate from his own favorite one. It was dark green with little swirls of blue on it. He had thought it extremely kawaii then and still found it very appealing. Sasuke's was black with little red swirls on it, because it was the only one closest to Itachi's. He smiled at that memory.

Practically drinking the soup, {A/N: Really, do you eat soup or drink it? What do you do with soup...} Itachi waited for Sasuke to wake up. The smell was delicious, and maybe familiar.

Okassan made it tons of times, Itachi thought, and the sick feeling came again.

Sighing, Itachi lost his appetite and picked his book up again, reading.

Hinata watched silently as Hanabi sparred with one of her friends. Turning away, she wondered where Gaara was.

And where did he sleep? {A/N: I have wondered that too.... Err... I mean.... cough in this story anyway...}

Beginning to worry, Hinata walked outside, passing the guards with no trouble. It was a different exit from the main one, smaller and less used by the Clan and more by servants.

Going out of the gates, one of the guards said, "I'm glad I just have to stay out here. I wouldn't want to live in there." He shuddered slightly, having heard and seen some of their white eyes.

The other nodded, grimacing. "Shut up now, before they hear you. Or worse, see you."

They stood silently, like statues, each in their own thoughts.

Hinata walked around the village, checking Inns and rental houses. They were all new, white and pearly. Some stood about four stories high, the others just one or two.

Tackling the arduous task, she asked and asked. Most of the people smiled and then as she asked for Gaara they frowned, looking at her with disappointment.

'Who are they to be disappointed and disapproving with me?' Hinata thought, growing irritated. For all they know, I could be wanting to kill him. Or tell him about a new meeting of our team...

They don't know me.

Scowling darkly, Hinata set off to the woods, quietly walking through the brush and trying to avoid trees.

They never approve of me.

They never appreciate me.

Tears blurred her vision.

They never even tried at all.

"They don't understand me. Not a bit. No acceptance of who I am. No negotiations. They want me to be what they want me to be. But I want to be me. They don't know who I am."

Hinata stopped, sitting down, leaning on a tree.

"And they've killed me. Who am I? What am I? I am not them, one of us, but I'm me, one of we?" Hinata asked the curious little rabbit. It made sense until she said it aloud. It's tiny, pink nose twitched, the whiskers small and short, a sign that it was young. It was pure black, with long white tipped ears and with little yellow eyes.

"... Am I one to coo and gush over a little rabbit, then take you home and kill you? Or am I one to just kill you outright?" She asked, tears staining her cheeks.

"Will I let you go or keep you for a pet in my prison?" She laughed softly, standing up and walking away. The little rabbit followed.

"You should go," Hinata whispered softly, gently rubbing its little head... the long ears making it look so adorable. Picking the rabbit up, Hinata stroked the soft fur. Well, it wouldn't hurt to keep her for a while...

"I think I'll name you Chinoumi." Kissing him or her on the head, Hinata kept looking, Chinoumi's tiny pink nose constantly twitching. {A/N: For those who don't know, Chinoumi means sea of blood. Sorry, but really.... It's imperative to the story. nod nod nod lol... if you haven't noticed the title.}

"Come on. Let's go back. Maybe Gaara's training," she said, clicking her tongue. Chinoumi followed, in little bounds.

"Want to race?" She asked, smiling.

"Ready, set, Go!" Hinata bolted, and she saw Chinoumi a few feet ahead of her. Quickening her pace, Hinata laughed, but didn't talk. She would not waste her breath on a rabbit who wouldn't answer back.

As they raced through the forest, avoiding fallen trees and rocks like a ghost, Hinata nearly floated through. Chinoumi was matched with her, ears folded back.

Smiling, Hinata watched Chinoumi enter the village only two feet ahead.

Sighing, Hinata breathed heavily, walking back to her house. Chinoumi followed loyally behind her. Picking Chinoumi up, Hinata ducked people and horses, petting her new rabbit.

As she neared the house, she slowed down, hoping to find a way to hide her new friend.

The same two guards stared.

She glanced around, then whispered to them, "If... if someone were to ask, I was never outside, right?" she looked hopefully at them.

They nodded, and Hinata smiled.

"Arigato." They nodded again, and Hinata went to her left, jumping over the fence and landing in the garden, picking some lettuce and carrots to feed Chinoumi. The guards said nothing, but stared in slight disbelief as she entered her window.

"Well." One of them said, blinking.

Sighing, they leaned against the doors, pondering upon what other wonders they might come across on this unusual day.

Hinata sat on her bed, setting Chinoumi on her bed. Going to the kitchen and washing Chinoumi's snack, Hinata hoped no one would notice. Of course, they would.

But Hinata planned to keep it secret for as long as she could.

Walking back, Hinata entered her room.

Only to find Hanabi cuddling with Chinoumi. She sat on her bed, petting her rabbit.

"That's my rabbit," Hinata said softly, trying not to tremble. If this went before their father, Hanabi would keep it. She could not allow that.

Smirking, Hanabi said, "No. It's mine now."

"No. Chinoumi," Hinata said, clicking her tongue. Chinoumi jumped out of Hanabi's arms, nuzzling Hinata before licking her cheek.

"Get out of my room," Hinata said, mentally relieved at the stutter less voice. Her voice was so confident, for the first time since.... Well, ever.

"What? You can't do that." Hanabi said stubbornly. "I'm going to get outassan." She said, sticking her nose up.

"Fine," Hinata said, holding Chinoumi to her chest protectively.

Stomping out, Hanabi left Hinata to panic.

That was not a smart move, Hinata thought glumly, feeding a piece of lettuce to Chinoumi.

Only a few minutes later, Hanabi came back, smirking triumphantly, Hiashi following behind with a slightly irked look on his face at being interrupted with his studies. Hinata fought the urge to tremble.

"Outassan, Hinata stole my rabbit," Hanabi declared.

With a sigh, their father said, "Hinata, give Hanabi back her rabbit."

"No. Chinoumi is my rabbit," Hinata said, frowning. "She was training. I was outside. How could she have found a rabbit?"

"Give. Hanabi. Back. Her. Rabbit."

"No. It is my rabbit. She can't take it." Hinata held the rabbit closer to her, glaring.

"Give it to Hanabi now!" Hiashi snapped, irritated they couldn't solve this on their own.

"No. It isn't her rabbit."

"GIVE IT TO ME!" Hanabi howled, reaching out for the rabbit. Hinata did the worst possible thing. Reaching forward, Hinata's hand smacked against Hababi's cheek, making a loud sound. Gasping, Hanabi howled in fury and rage.
"Tell her you are sorry," their father demanded.

"No. She deserved it," Hinata said, and Hanabi screamed and wailed.

"Goodbye," Hinata said, leaping out of the window.

Frowning, Hiashi sighed. What could he do? Besides, they were better off without her.

He'd better send out at least one team of ANBU to find her. He wouldn't let her ruin his reputation as a good father. And plus, anyone could use her Byakugan. She was weak.

Petting Hanabi, he sighed. "What do you want?"

"I WANT THE RABBIT!!" Hanabi shrieked, furiously kicking Hinata's futon.

"Okay, shh... don't worry..." Hiashi said, practically dragging Hanabi out of the room.

Outside, Hinata jumped over the fence again.

Walking out of the gates, the guards could only stare. Hinata had no clue where she was going.

Hiashi stalked out, an irked look on his face, a few Clan members following.

"Which way did she go?" He demanded, and the guards both shrugged.This was probably the most exciting day they had ever had. They watched, amused inwardly, at the search party.

Snarling, they split up, searching.

"She can't have gone far," Hiashi shouted, and they asked questions and looked around.

Neji sighed. He saw this coming... walking around, he felt semi useless and saw Hanabi scowling a few feet away.

'Oh no, the lack of attention must be getting to her,' Neji thought sarcastically.

Hinata made so many turns, she had no idea where she was. But at least they wouldn't, either. She was still in the forest, but the trees were different.

Snarled and twisted from lack of light, they were all dead. Toadstools grew deformed and sickly.

Carefully keeping Chinoumi away from the poisonous plants, Hinata decided it wasn't the best place to stay.

Spotting a patch of light in the distance, Hinata jumped, carrying Chinoumi in her arms.

'What about Gaara? What if he starts wondering where you are?' Hinata thought, starting to worry.

As she neared the patch of light, Hinata scratched Chinoumi behind the ears.

The patch of light was actually a clearing. With a little camping spot to her right, Hinata walked towards the first sign of life she'd seen for a while. There were three tents, all in camouflage. In the center of the triangle shape there was a fire, dead. Ashes still stirred in the wind.

Relief and fair anxiousness welled up inside her.

"Excuse me," Hinata said, looking for any signs of human or otherwise humanoid life.

"Hinata?" Gaara asked, in disbelief. Turning around, Hinata's face broke out in relief.

Hugging the baffled red head, Hinata sighed. Chinoumi was at her shoulder, sniffing Gaara.

"What are you doing here?" Gaara asked, confused.

"Well, it's a bit long." Sitting down, Hinata sighed. "... This is Chinoumi, I found her when I was looking for you in the forest. I went back, and Hanabi wanted her. So I left," Hinata said, a little more sheepish now that she thought about her immature actions.

Shrugging, Gaara said, "You could stay with me, Temari and Kankuro. They're getting firewood and food."

As if on cue, Kankuro came with a bundle of dead wood. As he spotted Chinoumi, he declared, "Food! Good."

"No, this is Chinoumi," Hinata said, and the little rabbit leapt into her lap.

Kankuro sighed, dumping the pile of wood by the remnants of the fire. "Now rabbits are pets... where has all the food and sense gone?" he wondered aloud glumly.

Hinata smiled.

"This is Hinata," Gaara said, and Kankuro nodded.

"Do you have any food you'd like to share?" He asked, glaring at the rabbit.

Hinata smiled, a little amused. "No."

"Too bad," Kankuro said with another little sigh. Temari walked in sight, carrying some carrots, lettuce, and roots. Chinoumi's nose twitched uncontrollably.

"This is Hinata," Gaara said to Temari. She nodded, looking at the rabbit.

"Chinoumi isn't food," Kankuro said glumly. Temari looked a little confused, and asked, "I thought her name was Hinata."

"It is. Chinoumi is her rabbit," Kankuro said with a sigh. Laughing, Temari nodded.

Despite the disturbing looks Kankuro and Temari gave Chinoumi from time to time, they seemed rational enough.

"Can I stay with you?" Hinata asked timidly. They shrugged.

"Did Gaara say it was okay?" Kankuro asked, looking over at Gaara who was eating his food mechanically.

"Yeah."

"Then I guess you can," Temari said, smiling.

"Thank you," Hinata said, smiling as she took her food. As they ate in silence, Hinata felt extremely content. It was like a smaller version of her family with people rooted out.

A flock of doves flew across the sky, cooing loudly.

Gaara simply narrowed his eyes. Doves in the afternoon sun? It was fairly warm for them... doves usually came out in the morning...

"Come on, I think the team of ANBU is here," Gaara said quietly, his faithful sand sneaking around his arms. He kept eating, lifting the food up and placing it in his mouth calmly. Chewing thoughtfully, he glanced up again.

Hinata looked worried. Was violence against them really necessary?

"Here they come," Gaara said simply, not bothering to scoop the sand out from his food. He was used to it.

The sand ground between his teeth, making a sick sound while gradually destroying his teeth.

The wind blew softly, and Hinata looked up, at the doves.

Gaara nodded at her, and Hinata swallowed.

They landed between Gaara and Hinata's logs that they sat on, and transformed. Looking at the masks, Gaara smirked slightly.

"Gaara of the Desert, you are under arrest for assisting in the hiding of the missing-nin Hyuuga Hinata. Kankuro and Temari, you also." The man sounded almost reluctant, but turned to Hinata.

"Miss Hyuuga, you will have to come with me."

"I don't think so," Gaara said, smiling.

The ANBU readied themselves. "We do."

"Desert coffin!"

His sand overcame them like a rip tide on the north shore of the Pacific. {A/N: The only place I ever went this summer... -.- colder than if hell froze over.}

It crushed against them, enfolding them tightly, sweeping them up into the sky.

Enveloping the struggling ANBU, Gaara, Hinata, and Kankuro went into a tent. Gaara's head and hands were outside of the tent, as he looked up at the struggling ANBU.

'Mm... blood,' Shukaku laughed inwardly, not escaping Gaara's level head.

"Desert funeral," Gaara commanded. He disappeared into the tent as blood flickered everywhere. The blood mixed with sand splattered against the tent, making the sound of harsh raindrops. As the sounds ceased, they walked out.

"... s-should we stop doing that?" Hinata asked quietly. "They're going to find us... it.. it's just a matter of time..." Hinata said, looking down at her feet, feeling terrible for being selfish. Here, these people, two of which had only known her for about ten minutes, gave her a place to stay and food to eat. Without killing her rabbit.

Sighing, Hinata blushed. "...gomen for being a nuisance..." she muttered, shrinking down.

Temari smiled at the girl. "Oh, come on," She said cheerfully. "It's nothing. We better get a move on, find a better spot."

Nodding, she helped them pack up everything, stomping out the fire and carrying a tent. Temari carried the tools and things, knives, rice, chopsticks, and the sleeping bags while Gaara and Kankuro carried the other tents.

Barely leaving any trace besides blood and a few ashes, the four left quietly.

A/N: See?! I'm getting better with the cliffies... right....?

Everyone: Well, you could-

Kage: RIGHT?

Everyone: err.. okay....

Now that you're done with reading and I'm done... writing...? You can review!

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