Broken Promise Chapter 3

SEVEN DAYS LATER

"Ano-sa, Shikamaru! What's the next mission on the list?" Naruto flashed his foxy grin while he walked. His two teammates shifted their attention to their jounin captain in anticipation of his answer. This was their eighth day of training, and they walked slowly through the village.

Surprisingly their last week of training had gone smoothly.- Hinata thought as she looked at her immobilizer and moved her hand a little. -The missions that the Hokage was assigning were easy B, C, and D ranked missions, so the training hadn't been much of a problem for them. Maybe the Hokage was waiting until the end to assign the difficult missions?- She guessed as she watched Naruto try to take a peek at Shikamaru's papers.

" Iie… No peeking Naruto." The jounin captain placed his index finger on Naruto's forehead, without even looking at the blonde kid. Hinata giggled; although, this had been a routine for the past seven days. She watched as Naruto looked away angrily and Gaara crossed his arms. All of them awaited "eagerly" for their jounin captain's orders…

"Oi…. The cat's gone missing again." Shikamaru said as his right hand reached his forehead.

All four sighed. They had repeated this mission at least three times this week. Hinata watched Gaara and smiled, he looked so funny when he sighed. Meanwhile, Naruto was pouting over the mission and it looked as if all his energy had been drained at that moment. She could understand them. Even Gaara, was actually tired of having to look for the cat in Konoha. Hinata blushed a little when the Sand Nin looked back at her. Then, Naruto looked at them both curiously.

"How troublesome!" Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Boring too… ne? Let's get this over fast." He said as he walked faster.

"Ano-sa! Gaara, Hinata, Shikamaru! Let's go then!" Naruto said loudly pointing at someplace in the distance. The two boys heaved a loud sigh and decided to ignore Naruto's obnoxious behavior for now. However, Hinata was really another matter…

"Hai." She replied and blushed as he tagged besides Naruto.

Gaara narrowed his eyes at her as the white eyed girl who began to follow Naruto. Then, he watched as Shikamaru yawned and began to walk in his usual slow pace… and thus, having no choice he decided to follow them too.

OOo

Two Hours Later

"Has any of you found anything yet?" Shikamaru asked Gaara and Hinata. They had agreed to separate and search around the village in order to find the cat faster. But, unfortunately for Shikamaru, only Gaara and Hinata were there.

"I-ie." Hinata said. Gaara shook his head.

"How troublesome. Where's Naruto?" Shikamaru asked and looked around.

"Slacking off." Gaara replied coldly as he crossed his arms. His eyes shifted to a nearby corner.

"I-ie! Gaara I wasn't slacking off! I was just talking to Sakura-chan!" Naruto interrupted his teammate while shouting loudly and blushing a little.

Gaara scoffed at the late shinobi. "You big slacker."

"Ano-sa Shikamaru! I was asking Sakura-chan if she had seen the cat. I wasn't slacking off." He explained nervously and blushed again.

Hinata stared at the ground. But her temporary unhappiness was cut off by Shikamaru's voice. She looked up to hear what her dear captain had to say.

Shikamaru sighed. "We'll have to check the outskirts of the village to find the cat this time. That troublesome cat…-sigh- "I'll go that way." He pointed to the north. "Gaara, take the east." He pointed to his right. "Hinata take the west." He pointed to his left. Finally, Naruto, you take the south. And, Naruto -he paused- no slacking off this time."

The three chuunins nodded at him and quickly parted ways.

OoO

Hinata looked at her watch; she had been searching for 20 minutes now. However, she had already reached the border of the village… She wouldn't be allowed to go farther without a special permit, not that she intended to go there-anyways.- She sat down resting her head against a nearby tree and sighed. As much as she tried to forget it, the image kept coming back. Why would Naruto blush every time he said Sakura-chan? Why did Naruto like Sakura? -She heaved a deep sigh- Who was she fooling? Who wouldn't like Sakura? She was smart, pretty and confident too.

That's why Naruto likes Sakura, and he would only like me as a friend. Hinata realized as she raised her hand to her chest. It hurt to admit the truth, but she would do it from time to time. She cried a little, as she always felt much better when she had shed her tears.

She stood up slowly, after this she'd go see Neji. Her cousin was the only person who could probably cheer her up right now. He always made her feel better, even if he was really harsh at times. Hinata knew that he only did it for her own good. "Much better!" she smiled, remembering her dear cousin. She'd better stop wasting time, if she wanted to arrive in time.

Hinata began to stride, but was interrupted by a soft purr. She looked up to the place where the sound had come from… the cat! She jumped a bit happily. She had found the troublesome feline! But, she sighed as she looked at the tall tree… There was no way she could reach the cat by jumping or performing any jutsu. She couldn't gather any chakra in her feet either, because she could barely move her wrist.

Hinata pulled her jacket sleeves up, and looked at the tall tree. The only way she could think of recovering the cat right now was climbing the tree. She looked at the tall tree determined. She'd climb this tree for Neji and Kurenai-sensei, those that truly cared for her. She'd prove the rest of the world and Naruto that she was strong. She began to walk towards the tree, while the cat above looked at her curiously.

"Baka! You'll hurt yourself even more." A voice behind her hissed.

" Eh?" Hinata looked back to see him. "A-a-ah, G-gomen, Go-men, Sasuke-san." She bowed her head nervously. Had he been watching her all this time? She shuddered at the thought.

"Che." He scoffed. "You shouldn't apologize for everything." The Uchiha looked at the cat above and in a blink of an eye, brought it down in his arms.

"Here." He shoved the cat in her arms. She took the cat nervously and smiled a little.

oOo

He glared at her for a while. Kuso! Her smile…Why was she the only one that could make him feel this way? He even felt guilty; he looked at Hinata's wrist immobilizer, which was now visible. Even, if he hated to admit it… He had liked Hinata from the day that he first saw her. He still hated himself for being so weak and letting some foolish emotions rule his life. But why had he hurt her then? Was it because he had always been jealous that she paid more attention to Itachi? Or was it because he had hated her? He paused his thoughts for a moment and clenched his fists.

He had been mad at her, mad at her for liking Itachi, even if he was no longer part of this village; he had been mad at her for believing in Itachi, even though for doing that he considered her foolish; and he had been mad at her for wearing his family's treasured hair pin. However…

Did he hate her?- He asked himself again. Iie, he could never hate her… Even as much as he wanted to… Even as much as these feelings disgusted him to no end… he couldn't. He looked at her again and began to walk away.

OoO

"Ari-Arigatou, Sasuke-san." She said as she watched her leave. She looked at him, still surprised that he had actually helped her.

Sasuke had helped her, after… Well, after that incident. Maybe he wasn't mad at her? She inwardly sighed, relieved. Or maybe he had helped her because he felt guilty for hurting her? The silent Hyuuga felt a strange happy sensation on her chest as she watched him go. She desperately wanted to believe that her childhood best friend hadn't changed.

OoO

"Gaara-san! Shikamaru-san!" Hinata waved at the two men standing at Ichiraku Ramen. She ran towards her companions. "I found the cat." She proudly declared.

"Oi, Hinata! Why so happy?" Shikamaru looked at her curiously.

"W-well, I- Um…" She blushed, why was she so happy, anyways?

"It doesn't matter. You've found the cat. Let's go deliver it to Old Lady Inoue." Shikamaru grinned.

"Demo, Naruto-kun…" Hinata looked around for Naruto.

"He's late as always." Gaara replied as he began to follow Shikamaru.

"Ok." She bit her lip and followed them.

OoO

"My Cat!" An old chubby woman hugged –choked- her cat violently.

"Arigatou! Here's your pay." She handed Shikamaru a sealed envelope. As soon as the envelope was in his hands Shikamaru hastily left with Gaara tagging along. Hinata, who considered it rude not to thank her benefactor, bowed and stuttered an Arigatou before leaving.

"I think, I feel sorry for the poor thing." Gaara commented when they were far from Old Lady Inoue's sight.

Shikamaru and Hinata looked at each other surprised. They smiled a bit.

"Gaara-san, I feel sorry for the poor thing too." She giggled and looked at Shikamaru. She bit her lip as a she thought a little; she was planning on spending the evening with her cousin. But, since her teammates had the rest of the evening left, she mustered her courage; maybe she could ask them instead. "U-um…Gaara-san, Shikamaru-san…Why don't we drink some tea at ? My treat, of course." She swallowed nervously.

Shikamaru smiled at her approvingly, but before he could say something he was cut off by Gaara's voice.

"Why?" The Sand Nin asked calmly.

"Well, you two seem to be helping me a lot." She blushed and looked at the ground. "So it's my way of saying thank you." She silently awaited their answer.

"You blush a lot." He commented with no apparent interest in his voice. Hinata took his strange reply as a yes.

"Oi, Gaara don't be so rude!" Shikamaru pat Gaara's back casually. The Sand Shinobi glared at him furiously.

OoO

The two shinobis and the shy Hyuuga sat in a table close in the corner of the tea shop. They has already asked for their tea. Shikamaru had settled for some green tea, while Gaara and Hinata had settled for some jasmine tea. Mmm… She smelled her cup of tea.

Her favorite, and Itachi's favorite too… Demo, Sasuke really loathed tea and anything sweet. She could clearly remember Sasuke's face every time he saw tea. Sasuke really hated dumplings too, she recalled. A slight blush colored her pale face. How had she gone from being sad into happy? She sighed inwardly; she hadn't been much of herself lately, anyways. She watched her companions as they drank their tea and enjoyed the silence. The place was empty, aside from their table.

"Oi, how troublesome." Shikamaru groaned. "I have to find Naruto, before we file in these papers for the Hokage." The jounin stood up. "Arigatou Hinata, I'll be back in a few minutes, you two wait for me while I go get him. I think I might have an idea where he might be."

"Hai, Shikamaru-san." She said and looked up.

Gaara glared at his captain in his usual stoic stance. Shikamaru left the place sighing, and muttering some comment about Naruto. Hinata bit her lip, now she was completely alone with Gaara? "U-um, do you like Jasmine Tea Sabaku-san?" She tried to interrupt the awkward silence.

"I-ie…" He replied calmly.

"Eh? Demo? Why did you ask for it?" She asked a little curious, then realizing it wasn't the best thing to do.

"I felt like it. " He shrugged.

"Ah... Gomen…. Forgive my impertinence. Sabaku-san." She bowed.

"You also apologize too much." He remarked.

" Ah…." She laughed sheepishly. "It seems to be one of my older habits."

"Hn."

OoO

Ino inwardly sighed. Kuso! Why did she have to get this jounin captain, even Maito Gai would have been much, much better. Temari didn't even allow breaks, and she would make them run for miles, at times. Even Asuma-sensei wouldn't be that cruel! Shannaro! She hated her! She passed by her favorite tea shop and caught a glimpse of a familiar person.

"Hey, baka!" Ino pulled Temari back. "Isn't that your brother over there?"

"Don't be stupid." She scoffed. "Gaara loathes tea."

"Really?" Ino smiled widely while she pointed. "Then, who's that?"

"G-gaara?" Temari stuttered and stood there for a while.

"Demo. You just said he hated tea?" Ino inwardly laughed at Temari. "Um… Shino isn't that Hinata over there?"

"Hai." He looked at his former teammate. "I'm going to go greet her." Shino said as he walked away.

Ino raised her eyebrow. -What was Hinata doing with Gaara? Boy, Hinata had a weird taste, when it came to guys. She looked at Temari and her other teammate, Kentaro, who really, really looked surprised.

"Temari! Kentaro!" Kankurou approached his sister. "Whatcha looking at?"

"Baka. Look at that." Temari pointed towards a specific table.

"N-nani? Is that Gaara?" Kankurou sweatdropped.

"Who else does he look like, baka!" Temari hit his brother's head.

Ino scoffed. –That Temari, hadn't she mistaken him as well? Shannaro!-

Temari shot one of her own death glares at Ino.

"Kankurou-sama, Temari-sama." Kentaro interrupted. "Why don't we leave before Gaara sees us?" He asked politely.

Ino looked at her teammate.- Jeez, were all Sand Nins this scared of that guy? She looked at Kentaro; he was like twice Gaara's age. Baka Sand Nins, she narrowed her eyes. She then saw Neji, Sasuke and Kakashi approach. "Sasuke-kun!" She waved.

"Crap. They're already here. So much for a rest." Kankurou sighed.

"Oi, Kankurou why did you stop?" Hatake Kakashi said as he walked pass the group without glancing at them. He walked slowly while reading his book. "You still have ten laps to go, Kankurou." Kakashi said uninterested as he flipped a page.

"Eh... Sensei… I was just talking to my sister, ne?" Kankurou rubbed the back of his head as he explained.

"Oh, Eh… Hai, he was just talking to me, is that alright?" Temari grinned forcefully.

"Hai, Hai, Hai." Kakashi shrugged and continued to walk and read his book.

"Jeez, Kankurou!" Temari whispered noticing the cover of the book. "Doesn't your sensei ever get bored of reading the same stuff?"

Kankurou frowned a little. Meanwhile, Neji and Sasuke stopped a little before following their sensei. "Ano-sa, why don't we rest a little before continuing our training?" Kankurou suggested at his two companions.

Sasuke scoffed and Neji glared.

"Sasuke-kun! Kawaii!" Ino smiled dreamily.

"Baka!" Temari turned back and glared at her subordinate.

"Why you!" Ino reached for Temari's neck. "Sasuke-kun, where are you going?" Ino sweat dropped as she watched him ignore her and casually enter the tea shop.

OoO

"Hinata." The Hyuuga felt a light tap on her shoulder. She looked back.

"Shino-kun!" Hinata smiled, Shino was like an older brother for her. "Anou, where are your teammates Shino-kun? Are you here alone?"

"Iie." He pointed to a group of people outside.

"I see. So… you wouldn't mind if I asked you to join us?" Hinata asked.

"Iie. They'll probably be there for a long time too." He said as he took a seat besides Hinata.

"Um…Gaara-san, this is my former teammate Aburame, Shino. " Hinata said as she noticed Gaara's I Don't Trust You glare.

Both boys glowered at each other for a while, until Hyuuga Hinata cleared her throat.

"Um… Shino so have you seen Kiba and Akamaru, yet?"

"Iie."

"I see."

"Um… Shino so how's your team?" Hinata asked curiously, hoping that she would break the tension between those two.

"Hinata-sama?" Neji asked as he recognized his cousin's voice.

"Neji-nii-san?" She looked back and saw her nii-san and Sasuke. Sasuke glared at her angrily. She swallowed hard as she muttered a few words. "Um, Neji-nii-san? S-Sasuke-san, if you would like to join us too…"

"Iie…" Sasuke declined her offer in an offensive tone and walked away.

"Hinata-sama, Forgive me." Neji clenched his fist and looked at her for a while. He, then, followed his partner.

"Sasuke-kun? Oi, where are you going?" Ino asked curiously.

Sasuke ignored her and glared at her rudely. "Stop annoying me."

Ino blinked once, twice, before her eyes got teary. Temari suddenly felt very sorry for the poor girl.

"Ino, Temari?" Shikamaru approached the two blonde females. "Temari? What happened to Ino?" Shikamaru asked concerned.

"It's nothing Shikamaru." Ino wiped her tears with her sleeves. Ino tried to deny her sadness.

"If you say so, Ino." He walked towards the tea shop and lifted the curtains and peeked in. "Hinata, Gaara. We're leaving." The two teammates looked back at their leader.

"Shikamaru-san, Where's Naruto-kun?" Hinata looked at Shikamaru concerned.

"He's fine…" Shikamaru grinned. "Gaara, Hinata…" He sighed. "Koi."

"Um… Hai." Hinata stood up. "Shino-kun, gomen, for leaving you alone." She bowed at Shino. He nodded approvingly. Gaara scoffed and stood up.

Shikamaru looked at his two subordinates as they walked towards an unknown destination. "As you know, the jounin exam is three weeks away. All we've been doing so far is practicing the essentials. Most of the other teams are already practicing their special jutsus. We're a bit behind the others." The rookie jounin stated seriously.

"Hai." Hinata agreed.

"I think the battles with other teams will be easy. However, there is one team that bothers me." Shikamaru continued.

"Team One." Gaara interrupted.

"Hai, Team one consists of two of the village's strongest geniuses and a very powerful Sand Nin. However, I have been watching a few of their practices and their teamwork skills won't be able to match ours. They're all accustomed to fight alone." He paused. "That is their weakness, and we must take advantage of it."

"B-but, how?" Hinata stuttered and played a little with her fingers. "I'm not sure that I can be of any use..." She looked down briefly.

"Iie!" Shikamaru smiled. "Hinata you'll be our trump card!"

"Trump Card?" Hinata looked at Shikamaru disbelievingly. No one had ever said that she was a trump card.

"What's your Plan?" Gaara asked as he looked at Shikamaru curiously.

"Well, Hinata might not have as much skill using tai jutsus..."

Hinata frowned.

"And it's a fact that she's no genius either."

Hinata looked down at his comment.

"However." He smirked. "She's one of the most talented medical-nin in the village, and her Byakugan will come in handy."

She smiled shyly.

Gaara looked at Shikamaru. "What do you mean?"

"Gaara, I don't think you will have a hard time against Kankurou. Since Neruto will be occupied with Sasuke, you will have to fight against Neji. However, Neji Hyuuga won't be an easy opponent, since he can demolish anything that is formed by Chakra. If he gets too close to you… Your sand defense will be useless." He stated seriously.

Gaara scoffed at this.

"That's where Hinata comes in. I want Hinata to help you train. Since both Neji and Hinata use the same kind of technique, it'll be easy for you to see the advantages and disadvantages you have against Neji. Try to train as much as possible."

"Hn…"

"Hinata." Shikamaru looked at her.

"I understand." Hinata nodded at her captain.

"Shikamaru!" Naruto waved at them from the Famous Ichiraku Ramen.

OoO

The angry Uchiha sat in his room, and an unopened dusty old box lay in front of him. Sasuke took the box, hesitantly, and ripped the protective tape that sealed it. He examined its contents for a while before finding an old photo album. He looked at the cover curiously. This used to be his; it was probably filled with some of his pictures. He opened the album and examined two particular pictures in the first page. The first photo was a picture of his family, the second, of his childhood friend at the academy. He took the latter and carefully removed it from the album, before closing it. He watched it silently.

They were children back then. The young Hinata and Sasuke sat by each other happily in the picture. Hinata smiled shyly and a small blush could be seen in her cheeks. He, on the other hand, reminded himself of Naruto; he had a wide smile and his left arm was on Hinata's shoulder.

But…-he smirked evilly as he walked and hid the picture in his drawer. Then, Sasuke returned to search the contents of the box…- that wasn't exactly what he was looking for…

OWARI! Review Please!

mUcHaChAnGiStAriRaY: Thanks for your review! I really can't decide who I like better for Hinata either… I love pairing Hinata with them all.

Magy: Another Itachi fan! Yay! Thanks for your review. Itachi will appear later.

DeityofRoses: Thanks!

Xoni Newcomer: Thanks for your review! It's just that Gaar is so hard too write. I may do his point of view later on.

Newblue: Thanks for your review! Yeah Sasuke's such a meanie, poor Hinata.

AnimeBeauty: Thanks for your review!

windwhisprer: Thanks for your review, too!

ayumi-dono: Thanks. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Shanice Miharu: I understand what you mean. I hate when Sakura or Ino fight about Sasuke. :( Thanks for your review!

BAKAmew: Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

shikaruTo: Thanks! I love Shikamaru too. Um… yes I really don't want to spoil chapter four, but I can tell you it will have a lot of Sasuhina moments.

Kazezero: I love your review, it's so long... If you're an Itahina fan I'd like to recommend a good fanfic. It's written in French, but an online translator will do the trick. It's called Une Pacte avec Diable.

Kyuubi PandoraChan: Thanks for your review! Sighs. It's true there's so few Gaahinas out there. I love your story and your page too!