The saddest thing about Betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.
-Anonymous.
Pulling on her backpack, Hinata straightened up, turning to her teammates.
Sakura had her eyebrows furrowed in concern, as she took a step forward.
"Are you sure about this? We just got attacked. Are you sure you should be going alone?"
Hinata double-checked everything before smiling.
"I wil be fine, Sakura."
Beside her, Naruto had his hands folded behind his head, grinning.
"You know, if you worry so much, you'll get wrinkles, Sakura."
Sakura's face did a one-eighty, as all her concern disappeared. Instead, her lips curled into a snarl, fist raised warningly.
"Naruto..." She drawled out, the threat clear in her tone.
Naruto's eyes widened at her enraged face, as he took a step back. He held his hands up in surrender.
"Okay, okay, geez. I was kidding."
His hands returned to rest behind his head.
"Besides, you don't need to worry anyway. Hinata's strong, right?"
He widened his stance slightly, before punching the air. Hinata's eyes widened.
"Did you see how she beat up those men before?! Then, that fire ball Jutsu! And the cool thing with the doves..."
As he went on, Hinata felt her face burn at the compliments.
How many years had it been since she had started fantasizing about Naruto noticing her strength? For years, it had been her only dream, the only think that had kept her going.
And now, he had finally done it.
She should be over the moon, mentally jumping around because finally, finally, he had acknowledged her.
Then, why did she keep on comparing the amazement in Naruto's blue eyes to the pride in Itachi's black ones?
As she looked at Naruto, the feeling she had once held for him felt childish. Immature.
In contrast, the wild--intense--storm of foreign emotions that Itachi had brought along with him were a Tsunami, pulling her into its very depths, giving her no room to think before she acted.
What she had once felt for Naruto, could never compare.
However, in the end, it didn't seem to matter. She had made a decision and she was going to stick to it.
She did not know what to do with the sudden sadness and longing that pulled at her heart, as she realized that she would never be are to act on her emotions.
And that, Hinata realized, was the main problem. She'd didn't know what to do.
She didn't know what to do when she thought of running her hands all over his skin, or laying kisses along his throat, or fisting her hands in his hair.
She didn't know what to do when she imagined pressing her body flush against his, watching as he panted and groaned hanging on the very edge of his self-control by barely a thread.
There was something thrilling and terrifying about the knowledge that she-- as far as she knew( Is there someone else he looks at the way he looks at me? Is there another woman in his life? She didn't know what to do with the jealously that resulted either.)-- was the only woman to see him this vulnerable, the only woman that could make his hiss in pleasure with barely a touch.
(Is there someone else who touches him the way I do? Is there someone else who has the same effect on him as I do?)
The only woman who could make him look at her with such a burning intensity, that she could almost feel him peeling off the layers of her clothing behind those eyes.
(Is there someone else who keeps him company on cold nights? Someone who he can be with without the threats of villages and laws and choices? Would he find someone like that after I refuse him?)
The only woman who could make him look like he wanted to make her arch and scream, before devouring her completely.
The mental image sent a shiver up Hinata's spine, her knees suddenly feeling weak.
What made it all worse was that, Hinata wanted it all. God, she wanted it so, so badly.
Wanted him to run his hands all over her body, and lay kisses upon every inch on her skin.
She wanted him to...She wanted...She wanted-
SMACK!
Sakura jumped when Hinata suddenly slammed both her hands on either of her cheeks. The force of the blow left behind red imprints on her pale skin.
What the..?
After Naruto had began his rant, the blunette had gone into her own world, skin turning red by the second.
Just when she had decided to call her friend or of her thoughts, Hinata had smacked herself.
Sakura stared wide-eyed, as Hinata took a deep breath and straightened up
"Are you okay?" The pinkette asked slowly, biting her lower lip in worry.
Hinata nodded briskly, voice shaky when she spoke.
"I-It's nothing. Just lost in...t-thought."
As if on cue, Hinata's face flushed again, thought not as brightly as before.
Shaking her head again, Hinata turned to her friends.
"Like I said, I would be fine. I doubt Lady Hokage would send a return message if it wasn't urgent."
Sakura nodded in response, before straightening up, and smiling.
"Very well then. Take care of yourself."
Hinata nodded, returning her smile.
"I will. You both too. Be careful."
And with those words, Hinata turned toward the direction of Konoha and shot into the forest.
As she made her way back, she wondered what could possibly have come up.
It must be important, if she pulled me out of my current mission.
Though something like this was uncommon, it was not unheard of. Shinobi were sometimes pulled out from a mission, if they were needed for something more important.
Hinata silently wondered what it could be.
Though the pace at which she had been travelling was moderate, Hinata soon began to tire. She had not slept properly the night before either, and had spent the whole morning being on edge. To add to it, the fighting and questioning had taken a toll on her too.
And now, she was feeling the end result of it all.
She was exhausted.
Pausing for a minute, she contemplated. Konoha was still far away, and if the Hokage really needed her for something important, then it would be of no use if she reached Konoha dead-tired, barely able to keep her eyes open.
On the other hand, if she stopped to rest, then she might be late to Konoha. However, she would be in better condition and ready to carry out any mission the Hokage might have for her.
Sighing, Hinata decided to cover a little more distance before resting.
After about an hour, she stopped, when she could no longer trust herself to not walk into a tree.
As she gracefully landed on the ground, she rubbed her temple where a headache had began to form.
She activated her Byakugan, intending to so a sweep of the area before she rested.
Her eyebrows shot up when she spotted a few Chakra Signatures at a distance.
She hadn't sensed them at all, most likely due to the black Chakra-cloaking cloaks they were donning.
She tensed, deciding whether she should confront them or try to sneak past.
However, as she went for a closer look, her eyebrows furrowed.
They had strange masks on their faces.
As she focused more, she noticed something else.
They were wearing Konoha Headbands.
She relaxed.
ANBU.
She stepped into the open, catching their attention.
"Hyuga Hinata, correct?" One of them, most likely their Squad Captain, spoke.
Hinata straightened, fighting the urge to correct them.
"Yes." She said instead, a grimace on her face.
"Has the Hokage sent you?" She inquired.
They didn't reply. Instead, the Captain stepped forward.
"Hyuga Hinata." He began, his voice stone, "I regret to inform you that we, with immediate effect to, have been ordered to bring about your death."
Hinata's blood ran cold.
What?
She hardly registered the words that followed, her head spinning. The sounds around her seemed to be muffled, making her feel as if she were under water.
She couldn't breath.
"Rest assured, for we will ensure a quick and painless demise."
Hinata simply stated, slowly registering the words. Her heart rate gradually increased, as she felt her eyes slowly widen.
The Hokage...was having her...killed?
When the Hokage had a suspicion regarding someone, she or her enlisted the help of ANBU. The ANBU Black Ops was an organisation which had people with exceptional talents, under the control of the Hokage. She had heard rumours of the kind of missions the members did.
Assassinations was one of them.
But, her? What had she done incur the Hokage's wrath? Or rather, her suspicion.
Then, it hit her.
Itachi.
Did the Hokage somehow find out about them?
The thought made her heart sink, trembling at what was to come. She was terrified. But, more was the ache in her chest, that the Hokage wouldn't even listen to her side of the story.
And, Itachi...
Her heart ached more.
Was their previous meeting truly supposed to be their last?
Had she know that, she would have at least kissed him, finally feel those lips she had been fantasizing about against hers. So that, he would know just how much he meant to her.
As the thought of never seeing him again settled, Hinata felt tears burn behind her eyes.
It seemed that she cared about him more than she had initially thought.
It was ironic that she got this realization right as she was about to die.
But, before that...
She swallowed the lump in her throat, wanting to know exactly what her Hokage thought of her.
"With what crimes have I been charged with?"
The Captain stepped forward.
"You misunderstand, Miss Hyuga." He said, voice devoid of any emotion, "There are no crimes. You are simply a loose end that should have been taken care of a long time ago."
Hinata's eyebrows furrowed, her confusion overshadowing her relief.
So, they don't know.
The man's words were cryptic, not giving away anything.
Loose end? Long time ago? J-Just how long has Lady Hokage been planning this?
Registering the horror on her face, the man spoke again. He seemed impassive, as if they were discussing something as trivial as the weather.
"But, there is no need to worry. We will correct that now."
Hinata's head was bowed, her while body trembling, though for a whole different reason this time.
How could the Hokage do this!? Have her killed without a second thought?!
Hinata felt a unknown emotion, red hot, bubbling up her chest as she suddenly had the urge to hit something. Preferably the man in front of her.
She had felt fragments of this before, but now, it consumed her completely, only the thought of causing damage was on her mind.
It was anger.
She decided there and then, that she would ask the Hokage for an explanation herself.
She pursued her lips.
"I refuse." She replied tonelessly.
Then, she looked up.
"I refuse to comply. Not until I have heard that reasoning behind the Hokage's orders."
Hinata activated her Byakugan, watching as the other shifted uncomfortably. The Captain, however, remained in one spot, watching her coldly.
"I am afraid that cannot be arranged."
Hinata narrowed her eyes, going into her stance.
"Then, I am afraid I have to choice but to fight back."
There was silence.
"Very will, then." The Captain said smoothly.
Then, without a warning, they all attacked.
HEY LOSERS, LONG TIME NO SEE!!
Yeah, hey, it had been a while. I'm sooo sorry for missing the last update. I just had a lot of assignments due the same week, so I had absolutely no time to update.
So, really sorry about that. heh.
Anyway, now I am back!!! And will be updating regularly, as I do. Provided, of course, nothing else comes up that keeps me busy.
Anyhow, how was the chapter?? Did you like it? What do you think of Hokage sending those ANBU? Was the Hokage really the one who sent them? Are they even ANBUs at all??
Be sure to tell me what you think of it all!!
Until the next update, ENJOY!!
-Your sorry author.
