A Possible Future by Jason Corley

Chapter Twenty Seven

Sasuke tensed when he felt a pain in his right arm then he felt in his left leg. Sasuke opened his eyes but they weren't in focus. After a moment he focused his eyes and saw he was in a tent. He let his eye search the tent while he struggled to keep his eyes focused. He sat up only to feel a pain shoot through him and he grabbed at his right shoulder as he tried to keep from making any noise. He opened his eyes when he got use to the pain and tried to control his breathing. Sasuke considered crawling out but he could feel the pain in his leg. He didn't think he would be able to stand on it.

"Sso, you are awake." Hebi hissed.

Sasuke turned his head to look at the snake slithering into the tent. Sasuke turned away and said "I take it they're dead?"

Hebi hissed "Of coursse Masster. After all, you did ssummon thosse two." When Hebi saw Sasuke grimace he laughed "Sss sss sss."

Sasuke didn't think it was funny. He knew what was going to happen after he summoned those two. He knew they enjoyed eating their kills. And if you didn't have anything for them to kill or eat then you had better be able to fight them off. Sasuke felt a little sorry for the stone ninja. Him being there meant that they had died. Sasuke hoped they were all dead before the snakes began eating them.

"Master!" Raion cried as she lunched forward to attach herself to Sasuke. Sasuke inhaled at the sudden pain. Raion let go and said "I'm sorry Master. I'm Sorry. I'm...just so glad...that you're alive." The last part Raion said between tears. Sasuke used his good arm to pat her on the head.

Hebi hissed "What'ss your plan Masster?"

Sasuke smirked "We'll see how much I learned from Kabuto and Sakura."

Hebi only flicked his tongue before slithering out of the tent. Hebi stuck his head back in and hissed "Let'ss go. Masster needss hiss conssentration." Raion looked from Hebi to Sasuke then finally got up to follow Hebi outside.

Once outside Raion sat down on the ground next to the camp fire. "Will master be ok?" Raion asked Hebi.

Hebi hissed in reply "He sshould be. He'ss very sstrong. When he finisshess he will need ssusstinacce. You sshould fixx him ssome ssupper."

Raion nodded her head and stood up suddenly when she heard Sasuke scream.

"Do not fear." Hebi hissed at Raion. Another scream was heard coming from Sasuke. Raion looked down at Hebi with obvious worry in her features. "He'ss healing himsself." Hebi hissed to answer the question Raion didn't ask. After a longer interval a shorter scream could be heard from Sasuke. Raion covered her ears and crouched down in a ball. When Raion opened her eyes she saw Hebi right in front of her. She wondered what he was doing so when all of a sudden Hebi exposed his fangs and snapped at her. She jumped back and screamed. Hebi hissed in command "He will need food. Get sstarted on his ssupper." With this Raion quickly set to work preparing dinner for Sasuke. As she cooked she did her best to drown out the screams coming from Sasuke's tent.

Eventually Hebi hissed "You sshould sserve Masster hiss ssupper now." Raion jumped up overjoyed that she would be able to help Sasuke. When Raion entered the tent he joy quickly changed to fear. Seeing the blood splatter all over the tent and Sasuke scared her greatly.

She shook Sasuke's good shoulder and said quietly "Master. I brought you something to eat." Sasuke opened his eyes and focused them on Raion. He didn't speak though. He closed his eyes and Raion said "Hebi says you need to eat." When Sasuke didn't answer she begged "Please Master. You haven't had anything to eat for two days. And Hebi said that after what you were doing you would need food. So please Master. Please eat." Sasuke opened his eyes and struggled to focus on Raion. When he didn't answer Raion said "If you just open your mouth I can feed you." Sasuke was too tired to argue, so he opened his mouth to let Raion spoon some rice and cooked vegetables into him.

When the bowl was empty Raion quietly said "I'm going to get another bowl for you." When Raion was gone, Hebi slithered in and coiled himself at Sasuke's feet.

"You did a deccent job." Hissed Hebi.

Sasuke weakly replied "I didn't hurt this much when Sakura or even Kabuto used the techniques on me."

Hebi laughed "Sss sss sss. With what Kabuto did, he could have made it next to painlessss for you. He's a bit cruel. He'll let you feel as much pain as possssible without it caussing you to sstruggel. SSakura wass doing her besst to not let you feel any pain."

Sasuke responded weakly "I guess that is where the skill of being a medicnin comes into play."

Hebi laughed "Sss sss sss. That, and they don't make a messss like thiss. Sss sss sss."

Sasuke didn't answer and before any other words could be exchanged Raion entered the tent to continue feeding Sasuke. She smiled at the fact that she got to feed Sasuke. It made her feel useful.

"I'm heading there now." Sakura said as she left Tsunade's office. Before Tsunade could reply Sakura closed the door. She said under her breath "Slave driver." Sakura looked up to see Hinata standing there and she paled a bit thinking she had been heard.

"Good morning Sakura." Hinata greeted.

Sakura smiled and replied "Good morning. Are you here to see the 5th?" Hinata nodded but didn't say anything so Sakura continued "You might want to be careful. She seems in a bad mood today." Hinata's spirit seemed to darken some at hearing this. Sakura walked past Hinata and said just before heading around a corner "Good luck." Hinata stared at the door before her thinking about what to do. She decided that she had to go in since she already had an appointment and if she ran away from this how would she be able to handle what was to come. Hinata knocked on the door.

Tsunade's voice came from within "Come in." Hinata opened the door and entered. Once inside she closed the door behind her. Hinata walked across the room and stood in front of Tsunade. Tsunaded looked up and said "Ah yes. Hinata. We have a couple things to discuss. I understand you have passed all the tests required to be a teacher at the academy and now all you need is my authorization." Hinata nodded so Tsunade continued "Then we shall get to that but first we have another matter to discuss. I have been informed by the head of the Hyuuga clan himself that you are no longer a member of the Hyuuga clan." Hinata confirmed this by nodding. Tsunade continued "Because of this situation I can not allow you to be a teacher. It would be best if you were part of a clan. It..."

Hinata interrupted her by saying "I am."

"Huh?" Tsunade questioned.

Hinata said "I am part of a clan."

Tsunade said "I know you feel you are part of the Hyuuga clan but since Hiashi himself signed the paper work, I can't make an exception."

Hinata shook her head and said "No. Not the Hyuuga clan."

Tsunade asked "Then what clan do you think you're with?"

Hinata said "I'm part of the Uchiha clan."

Tsunade squinted her eyes slightly at hearing this. "Just because you are staying with the Uchiha, you think you are one of them? I don't remember you getting married."

Hinata said quietly "I'm not. But Sasuke said I'd always be welcome with the Uchiha."

Tsunade propped her chin on her clasped hands and said "But that doesn't make you one of them. And without a clan, I can't let you be a teacher at the academy."

Hinata looked stunned "But...but I worked so hard."

Tsunade replied "I'm sorry but if I let you become a teacher it will send the wrong message to the children you would be teaching."

Hinata started breathing a lot faster.

Tsunaded continued "There are plenty of things that you can do but I'm afraid teaching isn't one of them until you are excepted into a clan." When Hinata didn't say anything for several moments Tsunade said "If there is nothing more, then I need to get back to work."

Hinata turned and walked to the door. When she opened it she asked "Have you heard anything from Sasuke?"

Tsunade replied "No."

Hinata walked out of Tsunade's office and closed the door behind her. Hinata didn't know what to do and found herself walking home in a daze.

Sakura finished writing on a clipboard and looked out the window. She saw Naruto lying in the grass behind the hospital. Sakura shook her head and walked down the hall.

A couple minutes later she was walking out the back doors of the hospital to approach a seemingly exhausted Naruto. She asked "I know you haven't been training out here. You can cut the act."

Naruto opened his eyes and said loudly "I'm not acting. I'm just taking a short break."

Sakura smiled down at him and said "I'm sure. But do you have to take a break here? You are distracting the hospital staff."

Naruto argued "I'm not bothering anyone. You're the only one that's said anything."

Sakura replied "Like I said. You are distracting the hospital staff."

Naruto glared at Sakura through closed eyes then jumped to his feet with his back to her. "I guess I'll be leaving then."

Naruto started to leave but stopped with Sakura spoke "Naruto. Why don't you come by tonight. I'll make dinner for us."

Naruto turned around speechless with his mouth hanging open.

Sakura turned sideways and said "Of course if you don't want to then that's fine."

Naruto shook his head really fast and tried to convince her "No no no. No no no. That's not it. I'd love to have dinner with you. I'll definitely come."

Sakura turned to walk away as she said "Good. Now get out of here. The hospital staff doesn't need you distracting them. There is enough going on."

When Sakura was out of sight Naruto started laughing to himself and he walked off with his hands behind his head. Naruto continued to chuckle to himself every so often as he walked and the grin on his face wouldn't go away.

Hinata was a little surprised when she started seeing street lights coming on. She looked around and realized that it was starting to get late. And she was on the opposite end of Konoha. Hinata wondered how she had ended up way over here instead of back home where she had intended to go. She started walking home again only to see Shikamaru approaching. She stopped and waited for him. She could see that he was staggering along. She watched as he climbed the stairs to his apartment before he opened the door. Once he was out of sight she continued walking. Hinata didn't walk that much further before she saw Naruto and Sakura walking along holding hands. She kept her distance from them and couldn't quite make out what they were saying. She didn't realize she used a sound jutsu even after she was able to hear the conversation between them.

Naruto boasted "I'm going to win the Chuunin exam this time."

Sakura sighed then replied "You always say that. Do you really think you are going to win. You'll have to do better than you have. You can't just rush in."

Naruto said "I am going to win on the Chuunin exam and even if I don't, I'm still gonna make Chuunin."

When Sakura looked at him, he had a huge grin on his face. Sakura shook her head at Naruto's attitude before she said "We're here." The two of them walked up the flight of stairs and Sakura opened the door for them. "Come on inside. Oh, don't forget to lock the door behind you."

Once the door was closed Hinata stared at the door for a moment. She decided to keep walking. She didn't care what Naruto did.

Hinata looked up at the night sky and wondered when Sasuke would return home. She was startled when she ran into Shino. He caught her before she could fall and just looked at her. Or she thought he was looking at her. She couldn't really tell because he always wore sunglasses, even at night. Hinata wanted to tell her old teammate about what had been going on but she never felt that she could really talk with Shino. The only person she really felt comfortable with now was Sasuke and he wasn't around. Shino didn't say anything, he just looked at her through his sunglasses. He eventually said "Will you walk with me?" Hinata nodded and fell in step with Shino.

The two of them walked in silence through the streets. Hinata continued to think about her problems and even though they didn't speak she still felt better having someone around. Hinata asked quietly, "Shino? What do you want to do as a Chuunin?"

Shino didn't answer right away but he eventually said "I just want to keep the village safe." When Hinata didn't say anything Shino asked "What do you want to do as a Chuunin?"

Like Shino, Hinata didn't answer right away but when she did she said "I wanted to teach at the academy."

Shino asked "But not now?"

Hinata shook her head and replied "No...It's not that." She paused a moment before continuing, "I can't be a teacher since I don't...have a clan."

Shino didn't say anything since he didn't have anything to say. The two of them continued in silence but when Hinata suddenly stopped, Shino looked back at her. He could see a slight look of fear on her face, so he turned to see why she was staring so intently. He didn't see anything dangerous. All Shino saw was Kiba walking his dog. Shino suddenly looked back at Hinata then back to Kiba. He couldn't believe that Hinata was afraid of Kiba. Kiba slowly walked towards them. When he was only a few yards away Hinata took a step back. This was all that it took to confirm Shino's suspension. He stepped between them not knowing what had caused this but he wasn't going to let it continue. Both Hinata and Kiba looked up to Shino who had moved between them. Kiba was only phased for a moment before he stepped to the side only to find Shino stepped to keep himself between Kiba and Hinata.

Kiba sounded a little annoyed when he addressed Shino but Shino didn't falter. "And what are you doing?" When Shino didn't answer, Kiba continued "You're acting like I'm trying to hurt Hinata?" Shino didn't answer but he also didn't move. Kiba tried once more to get around him but once again Shino moved with him. Kiba's annoyance was showing when he said "Would you just get out of the way. I need to talk to Hinata." Akamaru started growling upon hearing the tone in Kiba's voice. Shino took one step toward Kiba which was enough to make Kiba take a step back. Once Kiba did he looked down and said in a defeated tone, "Come on Akamaru. Let's go home." Akamaru looked up to Kiba but followed him nonetheless. Both Hinata and Shino watched as Kiba walked away from them. When he was out of sight, Shino turned around and looked at Hinata who looked relieved.

Hinata looked to Shino and said "Thank you."

Shino nodded and continued to stare at Hinata. "I'll walk you home." Hinata nodded and fell in step with Shino. For some reason Hinata took note that Shino wore his Chuunin vest under his trench coat. She smiled and thought that it suited him.

When they got to the entrance to the Uchiha manor Hinata said "Thank you. Have a nice night." Shino nodded and walked off. Hinata turned around and walked down the main street of the Uchiha manor. When she got home she found Tora lying on the sofa in the living room. Tora immediately sat up when Hinata came in and said "I'll get dinner started."

Hinata held up her hand before Tora could stand up though and said "I don't feel hungry tonight." Tora watched as Hinata continued down the hall to the bathroom. Tora got up and went to the kitchen anyway.

Several minutes later Hinata came out of the bathroom in a blue Kimono. She walked into the living room and found that Tora had prepared dinner anyway. Hinata smiled to Tora and sat down at the table. Hinata said "Thanks for the food." Followed by picking up her bowl to eat dinner. Tora smiled and started eating her dinner.

Naruto patted his now full stomach and said "That was good. I wish I could eat a dinner like this every night."

Sakura blushed as she was picking up the dishes and said "You'd get fat."

Naruto looked down at his stomach and asked "Do you think so?"

Sakura turned around sending her dress swaying around her a bit. As she walked to the sink she said "Yes, I think so."

Naruto looked up and grinned. He chuckled a few times and waited for Sakura to turn around. Sakura had been cleaning the dishes and she was starting to get annoyed that Naruto was laughing at something because she wanted to know what it was. She eventually turned around to see a very fat Naruto sitting at the table. Naruto asked "Is this what you were talking about?"

Sakura slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. She composed herself and said with a strait face "Yes. You will look just like that if I cooked dinner for you every night."

Naruto grinned and said "I could live with that if I got to eat your cooking every night."

Sakura replied quickly "Well, I wouldn't be able to." When she turned around to continue doing the dishes Naruto dispelled his jutsu and returned to his normal appearance.

Once Sakura finished the dishes she turned around and said to Naruto in a strict voice "Alright. Time for you to leave."

Naruto said in shock, "What? But it's still early."

Sakura said "I don't care. I need to study some hard scrolls tonight. Now out."

As Sakura pushed him along Naruto said "Ok, ok, I'm going."

As soon as Naruto was out the door Sakura closed and locked it. Naruto said to himself "What's her problem?" Naruto made 5 clones of himself and said "Ok! The first one home is the winner!" With this declaration the 5 clones jumped down to the street and took off running towards his apartment. Naruto cried out "I didn't say go!" When he realized they weren't coming back, he too jumped down and took off after his clones.

Sasuke looked around at the tent. It was clean thanks to Raion. She was now resting her head on his chest. Sasuke stroked her hair and ran his fingers along her braid. Sasuke thought to himself "I'll have to make sure something like this doesn't happen again." Raion lifted her head up and looked at Sasuke. He smiled to her and she smiled back. Sasuke didn't resist when Raion leaned forward to kiss him. She then laid back down on him and promptly fell asleep. Sasuke said "She sleeps so peacefully."

Hebi laughed "Sss sss sss. Unlike you masster."

They were silent for a bit but then Sasuke said "Will you teach me the techniques you know?"

Hebi laughed again "Sss sss sss. I thought you ssaid you didn't want to learn thosse techniquess?"

Sasuke was silent a moment before answering "I need to know them now."

Hebi hissed "If I'd sshown you earlier thiss wouldn't have happened. Sss sss sss."

Sasuke said "We'll talk more in the morning."

Hebi hissed "Yess masster."