Hello.
"To doubt everything, or, to believe everything, are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection."
Sasuke had returned in the middle of the night and dismissed Hinata and the rest of Team 8 from guarding Itsuki, bidding them to rest for the last step of the journey. At a first glance, he seemed to be in a foul mood. As expected, Shino followed the order without complaint or delay, but to Hinata's surprise, so did Kiba. She was thinking or maybe even hoping that her hot-tempered friend would start asking Sasuke questions about why he had left like that or where he had gone – questions, she now realized, to which she also really wanted to hear the answers for. When that did not happen, and she was left alone with their team leader on the porch of the lodge, all she could muster her body to achieve was a small bow, before turning and walking away.
Only a few minutes later, she heard him enter Itsuki's room, and immediately her mind conjured up the memory of the Daimyo's son gasping for air under Sasuke's grip. She trusted Sasuke, and it was clear that he was intending to wake their escort from the genjutsu he had trapped him in… but what if Itsuki, in a moment of bitterness at his state, would mention the fate of the Uchiha clan again? Would Sasuke react the same way he did but a night ago? Hinata felt the need to be in that room, if for no other reason than to step in if it came to that.
The moment her Byakugan activated, she felt shame – after all, if Kurenai had been the one leading the team, she would never use her ability to spy on her. As the colors of the world faded, then took on the monochromatic hue of her augmented sight, the walls of her room became as glass and she immediately noticed that Itsuki was already awake and flailing his arms at Sasuke. The Uchiha did not seem phased in the slightest, however and Itsuki's agitated state subsided after Sasuke opened his mouth to reply. Some of the Hyuga clan members had mastered the ability to read lips, in order to complement their ability to see through obstacles with their Byakugan, and right now, Hinata was wishing she had invested more time in that branch of her training. For a single moment, in the middle of his conversation with Itsuki, Sasuke turned his head and stared straight at her, as if he knew she was watching. In a fit of sudden panic, Hinata cut off the chakra flow to her eyes, causing her vision to return to normal. An avalanche of thoughts came rushing into her mind. Was he really looking at her? There was no mention of either the Sharingan or Rinnegan having such capabilities. Could he be that attuned to chakra for him to have sensed her technique's activation? If so, then he would have looked the moment her Byakugan became active. Perhaps it was just coincidence and she was overthinking the moment – that would be the most logical conclusion. With renewed conviction, the veins near her eyes pulsed and a mere second later the walls became glass once more. By this time, however, Sasuke was already back on the porch, and Itsuki was pacing back and forth in his room, looking none too pleased – but still alive.
[…]
Awkward. That was the only word Hinata could think of to properly describe the current mood hanging over their little traveling group. Sasuke was leading them, with Itsuki immediately in tow, occasionally pulling the reigns to direct his mare back onto the path whenever the animal became tempted by a particularly green patch of grass. After him, Kiba and Shino followed, parallel to each other – one looking bored out of his skull, and the other… well… being Shino. She was the last on the path, by Sasuke's orders. During the first part of the day, Hinata had been plagued by the thought that perhaps Sasuke had seen her attempt to watch his interaction with Itsuki and had chosen her position in the escort furthest away from him due to being upset with her. This was also fueled by the fact that since his departure in the forest, he never spoke with her, unless he was addressing the entire group with instructions.
The sun was at its peak when the gates of the capital came into view. The main road had become more and more crowded with people going about their business as they drew closer to the city. This had been Hinata's cue to put aside personal worries and focus on her duty. Despite the light fabric of the shinobi travel cloaks, in the warm, humid air of the Land of Waves, the hood she pulled over her head was uncomfortable, but necessary to hide the use of her doujutsu. With the increased perception she noticed telltale signs of readiness in her team mates as well. Kiba's hair was standing on end, similar to Akamaru's before baring his teeth and getting ready to attack. Shino's kikaichu were swarming inside his coat, waiting to be unleashed at a moment's notice on whoever their master deigned a threat. On the surface though, everyone did a perfect job of maintaining composure.
"Hold." A man dressed in the capital guard's uniform held up a hand when they reached the gates. "You're not regulars around here. What's yer business in the capital?"
Sasuke dismounted between loud grunts, feinting strain from the action. The others followed his example, but said nothing, having received their instructions that he was to be the one speaking, if they encounter a checkpoint.
"I am a merchant from the Land of Stone. I've come to sell my goods to the people of this fair city." Hinata wasn't sure if it was a trick of the light or if she actually saw him crack a smile as he talked.
"Another merchant, eh? We got a lot of those filling up the capital in recent times. But all I see are a lot of idle hands. Where are your wares, then?" Two more sentinels were within earshot of the question and closed in, intrigued by the commotion.
"My guards… They are necessary to compensate for my disadvantage." Sasuke opened up his cloak to reveal his left arm ending in a stump. "The roads always hold dangers for honest folk trying to make a living. As for my wares…" Using his right hand, he rummaged through one of his vest's pockets, pulling out a small, brown leather bag. "… if you would be so kind as to hold out your hand."
The man looked in turn at his colleagues, then did as bid, pushed by his own curiosity. With a quick shake, three dazzling gemstones found their way into his palm, each cut in a perfect geometrical shape.
"Oh! These will surely fetch you a high price on our markets."
"That is precisely why I traveled all this way. It is my hope to earn a hefty profit for my efforts."
"I see, I see… Unfortunately, the roads around the capital are not the only dangerous areas. Many traders found their goods ransacked even within the city limits…" The gleam of greed flashed in the eyes of the guard. "While your companions seem capable, it would be best to operate under the watchful eye of the city guard at all times with such precious goods. Alas, we guards are so few, and cannot possibly keep an eye out for everybody at once. Perhaps we could be persuaded to offer you special treatment, as an honored guest of the capital."
"Clearly, that would be in my best interest." Sasuke did not skip a beat to answer. "As a matter of fact, I deal only with pristine gems, and while you were holding those three, I noticed some few imperfections in them. It would do my reputation harm if I ended up trading goods that were flawed. You would do me a favor if you held onto them."
The sentinel grinned at his comrades, clearly satisfied with the hefty bribe.
"Of course, of course… reputation is key in your business, or so we've heard."
"It is always gladdening to see that the capital's guards are above corruption." A gruff voice sounded off from behind them.
The newcomer passed through the three sentinels, rubbing shoulders with the one who had accepted the gems. At his belt a worn-out headband hung loose, imprinted with four oblique lines, marking him as a shinobi of Kirigakure. Hinata's Byakugan picked up the presence of five more shinobi - despite their impressive speed, their numbers and direction of approach was relayed to her team mates with a few subtle gestures. Only a couple of seconds later, they appeared by the gates, as if coalescing from the air itself, all wearing the same symbol, but having their faces covered by wooden masks. Hinata tensed up, but didn't move a muscle – instead, keeping her sight trained on Sasuke for a sign on how to proceed.
"There is no need for any of that." The man spoke again, noticing the tension surrounding the Team 8 members. "We are here to make the exchange."
"I did not expect Genkei to send his personal guard." Sasuke's friendly façade instantly vanished.
"You left… quite the impression on my Lord. He simply wishes to ensure the safety of Lord Itsuki."
"I see. Am I to assume that from this point on we are to relieve the VIP into your care?"
"That is correct. To my understanding, Lord Genkei would prefer to skip another meeting with you… although he bid me reassure you that he intends on keeping his word."
"Most wise of him." Sasuke turned to Itsuki who had been the only one of the group still mounted. "This is where we part ways."
The young lord nudged his horse without a word and moved behind the new group without as much as a look towards his previous escorts. At this point, Hinata's eyes were wide as saucers. Kiba and Shino seemed to relax, but she was there, that night when Sasuke warned Itsuki that his attackers were Kirigakure shinobi and not a stray group of bandits, preying on travelers. Had something changed in the meantime or was he simply following the orders received from Konoha to the letter? The leader of the Mist shinobi had mentioned the name Genkei and a meeting between him and Sasuke.
"What of the city guards?" Sasuke's voice broke her train of thought.
"They will be taken care of. This conversation will have never happened."
"In that case…" Sasuke stepped forward and plucked the three gems from the still open palm of the sentinel who remained stunned with fear ever since the Daimyo's personal guard appeared. "…I will be taking these back." The poor man before him whimpered silently at the gesture, then watched as the one-handed merchant climbed back into his saddle without the slightest effort.
Just like that, their mission was over. Hinata watched the leader of the Mist shinobi grab the reigns of Itsuki's horse and pull the young lord after him. The rest of his men vanished in the same manner that they appeared by the time Sasuke nudged his own horse to turn and gave the rest of Team 8 the signal to move out.
[…]
"Are you ok with this?" Hinata pushed herself against a thick branch in order to catch up with Kiba. With no further need for the horses, their return trip to the port town was proceeding much quicker.
"Ok with what?"
"The way we just handed Itsuki over like that…"
"That was our mission, right? Escort him to the Land of Waves' capital – nothing more nothing less."
"Yes but those were Kirigakure shinobi, just like-" She caught herself before revealing the identity of their previous attackers.
"What of it? It's supposed to be a marriage between the land of Fire and land of Waves. I'd have been surprised if Lord Genkei had not sent them."
"Lord Genkei…" Hinata repeated the name to herself. "Their leader mentioned that Sasuke and him had met. Do you think that is where Sasuke disappeared to last night?"
"Could be… Maybe he asked the Daimyo to take Itsuki off our hands as soon as we get to the capital. Can't say I blame him. Itsuki was giving me all types of bad feelings."
Kiba was lacking critical information – mainly that the ambushers which they had to fight off several days prior were sent by the Water Daimyo, as per Sasuke's words. It was that very information which kept Hinata's mind racing at trying to fit together all the pieces of their mission.
"I don't know…and I don't really care, to be honest. Our mission is done and we can finally return to Konoha." Kiba gave her a satisfied grin, then increased his speed, as if carried by the very desire to reach home.
He had the right of it, in many ways. She had done her duty, as was required of her, and despite a close call, the mission had been completed successfully. There was no denying Kiba's simple logic, and yet, a feeling of unease hung over her.
Have a good day.
P.S. Looking for a beta reader. Please PM me if you are interested.
