I chose to be your friend, but falling in love with you was out of my control.
-Anonymous.
Cursing herself for her irresponsibility, Hinata gritted her teeth. Quickly, she turned towards her teammate.
"Naruto!"
Getting her message, he immediately went after the bandits who had kidnapped Kyoko, his shadow clones at his heel.
Focusing her attention on the remaining enemies that were coming at them, Hinata stood on one side of Kisuke, while Sakura stood on the other.
Meeting Sakura's eyes, Hinata nodded at her. Sakura's eyes lit up, finally having a chance to show her strength.
Too bad Naruto's not here.
Shaking her head, Sakura ran ahead as Hinata guarded Kisuke. Jumping in the dead center in enemy formation, she collecting Chakra into her hands before punching the ground.
The ground shook, as the forest floor cracked, creating a huge debt on the ground.
Holding an arm in front of her face time shield herself from the debris that went flying, Hinata couldn't help but watch in awe as all the bandits stumbled. Many fell to the ground, making it easier for Sakura to disable them.
Such strength-! Amazing!
Sakura panted as the last of the bandits fell, then returned to her spot next to Kisuke. Looking at Hinata, she furrowed her eyebrows.
"Naruto?"
Activating her Byakugan, Hinata noticed he was returning, Kyoko secured in his arms. However, he was being followed by a few other enemies, undoubtedly those who had kidnapped Kyoko.
He couldn't make the hand signs required for his shadow clones Jutsu, as he was carrying Kyoko. Not being able to set her to the ground, in case she got caught again, Naruto sped back this team, hoping that they had dealt with all the enemies there.
Hinata had an idea and stepped forward.
There was enough distance between Naruto and the bandits for this to work. Taking a deep breath, she gestured Kisuke and Sakura to get back.
Just as Naruto came until view, her hands sped into action, weaving hand signs she didn't even realize that she had remembered until now.
She took a deep breath just as Naruto landed behind her.
The enemy came into view, just as she finished the last hand sign.
Leaning her head back, Hinata inhaled deeply. A second later, a massive fireball erupted from her mouth, it's blaze giving an evening to the forest.
It crackled loudly, barely covering up the screams of its victims.
She had set the enemy on fire.
The bandits at the rear, realizing the predicament they were in, immediately retreated. Those at the front were not so lucky, as the fire caught their clothes and hair.
As the smoke receded, Hinata made out the men before her, some passed out, others coughing and groaning, all showcasing burns on various parts of their bodies.
Pursing her lips, Hinata turned to Sakura.
"Heal one of them. We need him for questioning."
Then she turned to Kisuke, bowing her head apologetically.
"Forgive us for the delay, Lord Kisuke, but it seems we will have to take a break. Do you have any objections?"
Kisuke waved his hand dismissively in response.
"It is of not problem to me, Hinata. If it is what you see fit, then it is what I shall do. I trust your judgement."
Hinata smiled, inclining her head in gratitude.
Kisuke followed Hinata, as she passed Naruto, Kyoko still in his arms.
Kisuke glanced at Naruto coldly, eyes narrowing slightly.
"You can let go of my sister now, Uzumaki."
Naruto furrowed his eyebrows slightly. Then his eyes widened when he realised that he was still holding on to Kyoko.
His face turned red in anger and embarrassment, matching Kyoko's who sputtered out incoherent sentences.
Sudden realising that she was still holding onto Naruto--quite tightly, it may be noted--her eyes ignited ignited as she furiously pushed the blonde away.
"Get away from me, you pervert!"
Naruto staggered back, not expecting to be pushed away so suddenly. Out of shock, he let go of Kyoko. Felling her support disappear, Kyoko felt herself falling, as she extended her hands to stop the motion. Instinctively, she grabbed onto Naruto again, who was already trying to gain his balance.
Feeling the additional weight suddenly fall on him, Naruto felt the breath being knocked out of his lungs, as he fell to the ground, Kyoko on top of him.
He groaned slightly, shifting his head. He soon realized that his breathing was being hindered when he took a deep breath. Not only that, but something soft and warm was cushioning his face. Something very soft and very warm.
Opening his eyes, Naruto's face turned red, suddenly realizing that the soft and warm thing was, in fact, Kyoko's generous bosom. His grip on her waist tightened, not knowing how to get out of this situation without being killed by either Kyoko, Kisuke or Sakura.
He stared helplessly, as the woman on top of him groaned, her jet black hair lose courtesy of the teal comb that had fallen in that confrontation with the bandits. The silky strands escaped the from elegant bun on the top of her head, and fell around Naruto's face.
Naruto gulped, counting down the seconds of his life as Kyoko slowly rubbed her head. An amber-colored eye opened.
For a long, long second, they just stared at each other, eyes wide, faces red.
Then, a sharp shriek cut through the silence, shortly followed by the sound of a resonating slap.
"You pervert!"
Shaking her head at the commotion, Sakura knitted her eyebrows together in concentration. The man in front of her was the least injured, telling her that it would be only take a few minutes for her to heal him.
Pursing her lips, Sakura frowned, deep in thought.
Just what do these bandits want? If they had wanted money, why kidnap Lady Kyoko?
Sakura bit her lip.
Ransom, then?
She was broken out of her thoughts when the person in front of her groaned.
Coming into consciousness, he opened his eyes. He looked around, disoriented. Then, his eyes fell on her and be froze. His eyes widened as he gave a yell, and attacked, realizing that he had been captured.
Narrowing her eyes, Sakura immediately grabbed the incoming fist and twisted it. Hearing the satisfying pop, she slammed it back onto the ground. The man screamed as his dislocated limb created a dent in the ground at impact.
"Don't move." Sakura threatened, her voice low, "Or I will have not choice but to break every bone in your body until you cooperate."
The man turned pale, smart enough not to test her patience.
Healing him, Sakura grabbed him by the collar and began dragging him to where others had set camp.
Pushing him forward, Sakura stood behind him, her arms crossed as she watched him sit down. Hinata was sitting in front of him, Kisuke at his side. Naruto and Kyoko were standing beside them, waiting for the questioning to begin.
"Identify yourself." Hinata demanded, her eye sharp as she scrutinized that man in front of her.
"J-Just a common bandit, miss! We were just looking for mone-"
"You are lying." Hinata calmly cut him off.
He gritted his teeth, sweat trailing down his forehead. When he said nothing, Hinata activated her Byakugan.
The atmosphere went cold, the veins making her look menacing as she looked straight the the man.
"Do not make me repeat myself."
Kyoko shuddered, eyes wide as she took a step back. She pushed her hair behind her ear, the hand travelling from its destination to her mouth. She exhaled slowly.
This is the woman I had tried to kill.
Watching Hinata, it suddenly occured that she hadn't stood a single chance. She had been a fool, using such a lousy, flimsy plan to defeat someone so strong.
There was no way in hell, she would ever succeed.
Her shoulders slumped at the thought, pushing some more hair behind her ear.
Guess I'll be a failure forever, then.
Turning her thoughts turned back to the scene at hand. She shivered again, at the the killer intent that filled the surrounding.
It did the trick, as the bandit leaned back, sputtering. Then, his form slumped, fists clenching at his knees.
"We are bandits from the nearby non-shinobi village of Heka. It's leader is Lord Kazuma, Father of the esteemed Lord Kisuke."
The man paused to gesture towards her client.
"Bandits, you say?" Hinata narrowed her eyes, "But, you can use Chakra? I saw some of you manipulating it when you took ahold of Lady Kyoko."
The man nodded.
"A shinobi leads our group, and has taught many of us the basic nature of Chakra, and how to use it."
Kisuke listened closely, then raised an eyebrow.
"You are a part of the rebellion that has been rising in our land, recently, are you not?"
The man hesitated for a second, before nodding.
"For the last few months, we have been trying to convince Lord Kazuma to allow us to make our homes in his land. However, he has refused us so far."
Kisuke's eyes widened. His father had not mentioned anything of the sort happening to him.
"You wish to settle down in our lands. Why not go somewhere, if my father refused?"
The man looked away bitter.
"We have families too, my Lord. We have travelled a long way to see the lands that have been praised so much for their peacefulness." He looked at his clenched fists, "We have no money, no resources left for another travel, as your lands are the only one close by."
Kisuke pressed his lips into a tight line, enraged at his father's actions.
"I see." He replied tonelessly, "But, why kidnap my sister?"
The man sighed, suddenly looking tired.
"We are needy people, my Lord. When your father refused our request, we had no choice but to resort to thieving. Soon, however, a man came to us, saying that he would help us."
A guilty look took over his face.
"Many of us refused at first, because the man seemed shady. However soon, we realized that there was only so much we could earn through small thieving.
When we agreed to serve him, he suggested that we kidnap Lady Kyoko for ransom. In return for her life, we would be given passage into the village."
He gulped, before turning to Kyoko. She, in turn, stiffened, taking a small step back. Naruto noticed, and stepped in front of her, tensing if the man planned to attack.
But the man merely bowed his head.
"Forgive us, my Lady. It was not our intention to bring you any harm. We simply wished to find the cure to the cries of our children. Please, forgive us."
Everyone was silent, as they listened to his story.
Kisuke had his hand inclined, ashamed that his father had known of the blight if these people, and still, had chosen to ignore it.
How much lower, Father? He much lower will you fall?
It was disgusting.
It was shameful.
Hinata silently watched him, knowing that he would eventually make the right decision.
As if on cue, Kisuke looked up.
"What are your demands?"
The man looked up, wary.
"We would like to entrance into the village and be given the right to earn our income. We would also like protection and security of our valuables, and be treated as the rest of your people."
Kisuke closed his eyes for a second.
"Is that all?"
The man nodded slowly.
"Done." Kisuke said.
Hinata smiled. Sakura's eyes widened, eyebrows furrowing.
The man looked up in shock, mouth opening and closing like a fish's.
"D-Done?" He echoed dumbly.
Kisuke sighed.
"Yes, done. Your requests are accepted. You may move in whenever you like. Before you do so, however, make sure to pay me a visit to formalize this agreement."
The man was still gaping. Then, suddenly, he snapped out of his shock.
"Yes! Wait, why-I mean, yes! I agree!"
Then, he bowed his head so low that his forehead touched the ground, as tears filled his eyes.
"Thank you, my Lord! Thank you! I do not know how we shall even be able to repay you, but thank you!"
Kisuke held up his hand.
"There is no need to bow before me. I am not deserving of it."
Standing up, Hinata surveyed the surroundings, taking in the bandits that were now waking up.
"So, it's settled then."
She turned to Sakura.
"How much time till the both of us can heal them enough, that they can manage back?"
Sakura hesitated, wanting to ask the question that was at the tip of her tongue. However, she thought better of it and instead, surveyed the area.
"A few hours, I would say. Until evening at the very most."
Hinata nodded.
"We will make camp here until all of them are healed. After that, we will continue with our mission."
Then, she turned to Naruto.
"In the mean time, you will guard Lord Kisuke and Lady Kyoko."
Naruto nodded seriously.
Gesturing towards Sakura, Hinata began the healing.
As the hours passed, the sky dimmed, as the sun sank into the horizon.
Watching at Kyoko approached her tent, Naruto stopped her.
She was surprised when he handed her an elegant teal comb. Her comb, which had fallen in the previous confrontation.
Her eyes widened, as she cautiously took it. Her eyebrows furrowed.
"How did you find it?"
Naruto shrugged.
"Just sent a bunch of shadow clones around the place."
Kyoko cradled the comb, still staring at it.
"Why?" She blurted out, "Why look for it?"
He placed his hands behind his head, before turning away. Before doing so, he gave her a strange look.
"Your hair was bothering you, wasn't it?"
Her mouth fell open.
He had noticed? Not only that, but he had then searched for it for her sake?
She immediately looked away, her face suspiciously burning.
"I-I...Thank you." Her voice didn't come as harsh as she wanted it to.
Naruto grinned. Kyoko sudden felt the urge to cover her eyes from how bright it was.
Then, throwing her a thumbs up, Naruto left, saying he was going to check up on Hinata, who had gone to survey the parameter.
Across the camp, near the fire, Kisuke narrowed his eyes at the pair, watching the interaction.
Looks like I will, once again, have to lower myself to inquire about his intentions with my sister.
He was broken out of his thoughts.
"You shouldn't worry about him, you know."
He turned to meet the emerald eyes of Sakura Haruno.
Taking in his raised eyebrow as a request of explanation, she continued.
"He likes Hinata." She said, matter-of-factly.
Kisuke hummed in response.
"But, Hinata does not like him."
Sakura blinked.
"No, Hinata likes him too."
Kisuke raised another eyebrow.
"She does not. She said so herself."
Sakura's eyes widened, mouth slightly falling open.
Huh?! Since when?!
Though her mind was filled with questions, she simply looked at the water canteen in her hands.
"I see."
Then, she turned back to Kisuke, thinking back to the question she had wanted to ask him. However, she was hesitant, not wanting to give the wrong impression.
"If you have something to say, Miss Haruno, then you may say it."
Sakura jumped at the voice. She looked to to meet the eyes of the person she had been thinking about. He was silently watching her, guessing that she was something to say.
She hesitated for a second.
"That bandit, earlier." She began slowly, "He said that their group was led by a rouge-nin."
She leaned forward at Kisuke's nod.
"While it may be true that many people that followed him were helpless, I'm sure there were some who served him just for the sake of disrupting the peace of your land."
Kisuke simply listened.
"Surely you are aware of that. But, you still allowed them the access to the village. Why?"
Kisuke was silent for a moment.
"I would rather gain the support of those who are willing to give me support, than oppose everyone and incur the wrath of all."
He paused.
"While those who joined out of their ill-intentions will cause harm, the damage will abe considerably less if compared to the damage all of them could collectively cause.
If I had denied them entrance into the village, I would have gained nothing but more enemies. Today, my sister was the one present in harm's way. Had I not listened to them, it would have been more of my people tomorrow."
He looked at her.
"Not only are there less risks this way, but I have also gained several advantages by making a deal with them."
Sakura cocked her head, thinking.
"Allies." She said at last, eyes wide, "But, that's not just it. You will be able to use them to your advantage of you keep them close, and suss out those who wish to harm the village."
Kisuke smirked slightly, before nodding.
"That's right, Miss Haruno."
Sakura nodded, satisfied with his answer.
There was silence. Suddenly, Hinata and Naruto landed in front of them, the former clutching a her in her hands.
"A message came from the Hokage." She began breathlessly, "She wants me to return to Konoha as soon as possible."
Heads up for the today's update!!!
How was it?? Did you like it??
And what do you think that Hokage wants with Hinata?? Do you think Hinata will go?
Be sure to tell me what you think!!
Things are about to go down in the next few chapters!!
Until then, ENJOY!!
-Your grinning author.
