Chapter 4: Of Encounters

Hinata

"Wake up." Hinata repeats, nudging Naruto's shoulder with a bit more force than necessary until his eyes finally open for her. He yawns and stretches before lazily letting his head rest back against the curve of her neck bringing another wave of warm shivers down her back. Sometime in the night he had tangled himself against her when she's sure he had been on the opposite side of the tent right before they had gone to sleep.

"5 more minutes." Naruto slurs out.

"No!" Hinata hisses, squirming out of his hold before she feels her face grow any hotter.

They've already slept an hour too long, even if the sun isn't quite up yet.

Dew and frost line the sides of their tent when she zips it open, far enough away now from Konoha that the nights are no longer warm. They should reach Kumo by tomorrow afternoon or evening at the pace they're currently going.

"Is Yamato-sensei still behind us?" Naruto questions behind her sounding more awake and Hinata takes a glance to the trees to see the familiar outline of his figure still there amongst the darkness. Pretty soon these forests will give way to the familiar rock formations and mountains that touch the clouds that she's seen in books describing Kumo's landscape.

"Yes; in the trees just a couple of feet away for right now." Hinata answers.

There's a strange tentative agreement between the two for now, that he wouldn't disturb them on this journey unless absolutely necessary remaining out of sight for the most part. If Naruto's plans don't work, then he must consider Yamato-sensei's ideas and plans as a second option.

Even if said second options are the complete opposite of what he wants.

Naruto sits up properly and she can feel his steady gaze on her back, maybe wondering if he said anything embarrassing or weird in his sleep (he hadn't). She can still feel the heat on her face though knowing he rolled over to her to get extra warmth and neither can really find anything to immediately say.

"We should eat a quick breakfast then head out." He finally murmurs.

His cobalt eyes shimmer with specks of gold lit by the coming sunrise and Hinata feels herself smile because despite these tiny bumps in the road so far they've made progress.

Naruto is determined as ever to reach his goals and she too will use this journey to discover her own personal strengths.

It's right as they reach along the border of Kumo's territory though does she sense they're being watched from the shadows. Naruto must gain the same feeling as well, stopping in place.

"We're not here to cause trouble." He announces.

"Ugh, I told you we weren't being stealthy enough!" The first voice hisses, rattling the shrub of leaves they've hidden in.

"You're the one who delayed us getting on the road yesterday! We could already be halfway to Konoha by now if it weren't for you being so damn cautious all the time on things we don't even need to worry about for this trip!" The second voice snaps in return.

Naruto and Hinata blink, observing carefully as the one of the pair hops down from the trees to them.

The first voice, a guy peers them up and down, whistling aloud when he takes note of their headbands. He calls out to his partner then, gesturing for her to come get a better look too. "Hey Karui, these are shinobi from Konoha. A guy and a bustier girl than you!"

"Duly noted Omoi." Karui replies dryly, amber eyes narrowing onto Naruto as she leaps down beside him. Naruto himself frowns at Omoi for his comment, stepping just a bit closer to Hinata to block her view of him and vice versa.

An awkward silence falls over them, the crackling of leaves and the gravel below filling the void until Naruto clears his throat.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki and beside me is-"

"We know who you are." Karui cuts him off, golden orbs stormy and annoyed that nothing is apparently going as they originally planned.

"I suppose it's good in a way that we've crossed paths. We're looking for one of your men: Sasuke Uchiha." Omoi points out.

Hinata feels Naruto stiffen beside her, enough for Karui to smirk and Omoi to arch a brow. The name Uchiha is synonymous with negativity as of late and she braces herself for whatever news they have.

"...Sasuke isn't within the village at the moment. What do you need to see him for?" Naruto questions after a moment.

Before Omoi can speak again though Karui snorts, stepping forward. "Don't play dumb with us. Defending a murderer, huh? Just because he's one of your own doesn't mean he can be absolved of this crime. Omoi and I intend to get our revenge for our fallen master!"

Her words drip with pure venom and malice, sending a shockwave through the air.

"Looks like your so called friend has fallen deep into the abyss!" Kurama chortles, egging him on.

He doesn't wait for Naruto's response, whatever explanation he can provide for Sasuke killing someone isn't going to sway him.

"I wouldn't mind watching an Uchiha die." He adds on, continued rumble of laughter singeing through his ears.

"Shut up!" Naruto finally roars, looking back at him. If he actually listened to Kurama he would be locked up or on house arrest, unable to leave the village and faced to deal with civilian and shinobi alike gazing at him in fear, keeping their distance...

But Kurama only grins, crimson eyes shining with mirth.

"Ah, there's your anger! Your fury."

"What? All I say is the truth! Our master Killer B's death won't be in vain so tell us where you're hiding him already!" Karui asserts seeing his balled up hands.

Naruto swallows, chest tight between Kurama's remarks and hearing this sudden news. The man he was supposed to train with is apparently already dead.

By Sasuke.

"I...I know what it's like to lose a master; really I do. I just lost my sensei Jiraiya to the same man who destroyed our village just recently; we can't even retrieve his body for a proper funeral. And as much I felt like you both wanting to avenge and kill his murderer; I didn't." Naruto finds his voice.

Still his body feels hot with frustration knowing they aren't going to listen to him fully despite their slight surprise at hearing how decimated Konoha currently is. Kurama is right in the sense that Sasuke is indeed in a seemingly bottomless chasm.

And there is nothing he can do about it for now, orders will be made to kill him...

Karui crackles her fists, clicking her tongue. "If you don't want to give us answers, we can just beat them out of you. It would be great to blow off a bit of steam before going for the main event."

Hinata side steps her before her fist can connect to Naruto, twisting her arm and jabbing all the way up to her shoulder until all the chakra networks are shutdown.

Perhaps it's a good thing Naruto never got to say her name aloud, but her eyes giveaway the clan she belongs to.

Regions far and away already know what the Hyuga, what the Gentle Fist can do in close range.

'That will at least keep her from using her dominant hand against us.' Hinata notes, deactivating her byakugan.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't intend to just stand by and let you attack Naruto. You stayed so focused on him that you seemed to forget for a moment my presence as well." Hinata notes at Karui's hissed curse for her.

'I didn't know Hinata could move so fast.' Naruto considers in awe at her skill.

And without hesitating she had moved in to protect him while quickly ensuring she wouldn't get the brunt force of her fist either. There's much about Hinata's training and process he doesn't know, breaking his stare from her at seeing her partner now scowling.

Omoi grits his teeth, glint of his sword being drawn hitting the sun.

"Tell me something, did you see your Master's body fall with your very own eyes? Did someone who was directly there to witness his supposed death report it back to you?" Hinata asks before any more fighting can ensue.

Omoi pauses, glancing to Karui who in turn looks to Samui who has been silently watching them all from a few feet away.

"No, none of us saw it for our own eyes. It is based upon pieces of info we heard and the lack of any updates from our Master Killer B to the Raikage as of late. Truth be told, our reason for heading to Konoha was to let your Hokage know we intend to take it upon ourselves to get rid of Sasuke and the Akatsuki in general." Omoi eventually says.

Samui holds up her hand before Omoi can say anything else, too much for strangers to hear.

Konoha is still over a day's journey away, they'll finish that discussion with Konoha's leader and advisors.

"We're heading out now. I'm not sure what you two will find in Kumo, but Killer B won't be there." Samui states before gesturing for Karui and Omoi to follow her.

The pair give them long stares before doing as she asks, disappearing back into the forestry and sloping mountain ranges.

Hinata looks back to Naruto as soon as she no longer senses their chakra, squeezing at his hands before he can hide them back in his pockets.

"Relax, Kurama."

-X-

Naruto

"How does she know my name?" Kurama repeats.

It's the first time he's hearing Kurama sound perplexed, surprised even.

He would like to know as well though he imagines she heard him mumble it in his sleep. Either way, it isn't important right now.

"We learned a lot more than we expected from those two, not enough though." Hinata notes.

"Don't worry, I covered that front using some tracking seeds they just stepped on. We'll find out exactly where they're heading after Konoha." Yamato adds in suddenly, appearing out of the tree's branches. He can't be sure if Samui knew he was there, but she didn't mention him.

Naruto winces at abrupt presence, particularly at his ghoulish flat look peering between them. "Must you do that?!"

"Yes, if it will get you to listen to me." Yamato replies easily.

He points then in the direction of Kumo's main entrance just faintly visible over the rolling fog and clouds. "I see no reason for us turn back around to Konoha now. We can stay within Kumo for a day or two lying low collecting a bit of intel here and there until my tracking seeds give an accurate pinpoint of the direction those three are heading in."

"We'll need some disguises then or more so I at least need to blend in better than how I currently look." Hinata emphasizes, gesturing to her eyes.

These are the very eyes this village nearly kidnapped her over so many years ago, the same event that Father rarely talks about...

This is unfamiliar territory for them all.

'Do I need to put on some cloak or mask as well?' Naruto wonders as he watches Hinata do the hand seals for the transformation jutsu. When the smoke clears her familiar violet hair is a plain copper-brown, eyes a light shade of hazel to match them. Her clothes match that of a regular Kumo civilian, a woman who looks just a bit older and wiser than the teenager she truly is.

A total stranger.

"Naruto, you may need to use the transformation jutsu as well. While news of Konoha hasn't fully reached here yet, most anybody can recognize what you look like from past excursions you've gone on." Yamato advises.

He grunts, but does as he asks. The last thing any of them needs is to be hounded with questions or feel the sense of being watched around every corner.

Their story is they're returning from visiting family in the mountain ranges, members of the Yotsuki clan. They look the part well enough, from their appearances to the fabricated paperwork Yamato already has on hand for them to use as I.D.'s knowing ahead of time they would possibly need aliases.

So for now he and Hinata are simply Nobu and Himari, just faces in the crowd.

The streets are cluttered with a variety of shinobi and officers, bits of conversation picked up the further they move among the droves. From what they can tell, news is just reaching here of Pain's assault at least among the regular citizens. There is talk as well of Killer B's possible death and the Raikage's plans moving forward.

"I heard it's the size of a crater, no way Konoha can recover from this attack!" One man mutters with barely concealed glee.

The uniformed man beside him shrugs, but there's the unmistakable undercurrent of amusement in his tone as well. "Konoha has always been a powerhouse, I don't doubt they'll eventually come back from this if the news is true. However, this is a perfect chance to ensure Kumo gets a bit of that piece of that fallen power while we still can."

"You could go make them regret saying any of that. They've forgotten about the jinchuriki Konoha holds..." Kurama trails off.

An older gentleman appears before he can move, glare instantly silencing the duo for him.

"You two, stop gossiping like a pair of old ladies and get back to work! Or have you forgotten the Raikage's orders?" He snaps.

The pair flush at the wave of snickers that surround them, hurrying back in the direction of a tower to the north.

Hinata or 'Himari' bumps their shoulders lightly, following in the direction the two are rushing off towards. "That's the Raikage's office they're heading for, right?"

Naruto nods, tempted for them to trek behind them when they suddenly get the signal from Yamato: The seeds he gave them are sprouting.

It's time to retire for the day.

-X-

Sunsets in Kumo aren't the same as home, sky a light shade of orange and scarlets covered by the lingering clouds by the time they've all gathered back at the main market square. It is thriving and packed as if it's still the early afternoon, alive as the night stalls open and lightning performances kick off. Yamato passes them both two keys, voice casual to match the easygoing atmosphere.

"For the hotel on the 4th block." He explains at their questioning looks.

Pink instantly spreads across Hinata's cheeks like flames, Naruto shifting uncomfortably feeling his own face grow hot.

Why a hotel?

Yamato arches a brow at their behavior, aren't they a couple? Things like this shouldn't bother them...

Unless Kakashi was lying to him.

"I'll...I'll go get us checked in properly!" Hinata stumbles out, pushing past them before her face grows any more heated.

"Good, you'll finally be alone. You can ask her all that she knows about me." Kurama mentions.

"Or take her to bed, whatever gets answers out of her faster." He adds in when he doesn't immediately respond.

Naruto's glare halts him from saying anything else, cold and sharp without him even trying to take over. Naruto has never been really afraid of him he knows, uncomfortable at times yes, but he's never trembled before him.

And yet somehow he is making him just the bit uneasy, reminding him that someday soon he will make use of his power without losing himself in the process.

"Don't talk about Hinata that way ever again." He warns, anger enough for Kurama to actually not find anything to retort back.

Yamato places a hand on his shoulder, twisting him back around before he can follow Hinata.

"Hinata is a Lady." He states simply as if he somehow just heard his internal argument with Kurama.

Naruto snorts, shrugging off his hand. "Yes. And water is wet, grass is green, the sky is-"

"Don't be a smartass with me! I'm leaving you two alone for the night on the pretense it will look more suspicious if I come along like a third wheel. We haven't completely escaped not being watched by an officer or two. I trust I don't have worry about you behaving like an adult, right?" Yamato cuts him off.

He isn't pleased by his goofy smile that everything will be fine, honestly Yamato-sensei worries too much!

'Room 112.' Naruto reads, numbers imprinted in neat lettering along the side of the key.

He hears the shower running as he slips in through the door, well Pervy-Sage would roll in his grave if he knew he passed up on a chance to peek!

'But this is Hinata.' And he hurriedly pushes the idea down before he somehow tries to rationalize going to attempt looking at her. Hinata is pretty, he knows it in the way she smiles, how her violet hair flows easily in the wind, and the way her eyes shine whenever she is particularly excited or happy. Gone are the days when she could only stutter and turn completely beet red around him, assured enough in herself now to even attack on his behalf going by what he saw earlier...

'I love many things about you Naruto. From your easygoing nature, to your friendliness, but I especially love your confidence. You've never let anyone say 'No' or 'Give up' to you and just accepted it; you push through.' Her voice echoes back into his thoughts, recalling when he had abruptly asked her what made him worth being loved on the way here.

But Kurama is now picking up more and more on his thoughts, this mess of feelings he has for Hinata.

Great.

The shower clicks off sometime between him burying his face into the pillows of the bed and listening to his heartbeat finally slow to an even tempo, faintly hearing Hinata's light squeak minutes later when she opens the bathroom door and sees him.

"You're here." She notes with a pleasant hum, taking the side of the bed opposite him.

And the knots in his stomach increase tenfold, hoping his more perverted thoughts have somehow sunken into the sheets; away and out of sight.

"I'm here." Naruto repeats back, wincing at the hoarseness of his voice.

-X-

Sakura

Ino waiting for her outside the hospital when her shift ends can only mean two things: She's taking a break from running the flower shop letting her Mom or Dad handle the final orders of the day or she has gossip that can't wait.

She isn't one to bet like Lady Tsunade, but she's sure it has to be a latter if this was a wager.

Azure eyes light up as soon as she comes into view, practically hopping up and down. "About time Forehead! Come on, were going to Yakiniku Q for there all you can eat barbecue night! And none of this 'I'm too tired' or 'I have a shift tomorrow'. Lady Shizune told me you have the rest of the week off!" She emphasizes.

Sakura only blinks, though allows her to drag her off as she loops their arms together. This is the first she's hearing that she's getting a mini break from the hospital.

Not that she should complain, her muscles seem to shout in relief at the news.

The restaurant is quickly growing crowded by the time they get seated and she curls her fingers against her stomach hearing it faintly growl. Between the sizzle of beefs and seafood are the rich smells of garlics, spices, and sauces that are a staple of the establishment.

When was the last time she ate? A quick snack somewhere close to noon maybe, or even earlier than that?

Ino eyes her carefully as she feels the beginnings of a blush stain her cheeks, she always could tell when she hasn't been taking the best care of herself.

As soon as the waitress brings their drink orders and gets their meat selections, she's down to business.

"So, this actually isn't so much exactly burning gossip I have to tell you about." Ino relates, voice softening as she looks around ensuring nobody happens to be looking their way or listening in on them.

Sakura frowns, dull thrum of a headache pulsing at the back of her head.

"Well, that sounds ominous." Sakura jokes, trying to keep her tone light despite her stomach's churn.

"It...It isn't good Sakura. At least what I managed to overhear from what Shikamaru was discussing with his Dad." Ino begins.

She leans closer to her then, eyes growing somber and resolute.

"They have reason to believe Sasuke is a wanted criminal now for the murder/kidnapping of Killer B from Kumo and that he is working with the Akatsuki. In the next few days or so Shikamaru will get permission from you and Naruto to...to kill him if any of us come into contact with him." She states slowly.

And just like that her appetite is gone, world beginning to spin.

"...Is that the only option?" She whispers out when she feels her voice return.

Ino nods, scooting back allowing their server to begin laying down the spreads of beef across their table.

"They briefly mentioned arresting him and putting him in confinement, but it seems the Raikage wants blood, that Sasuke is too dangerous to be kept alive." Ino finishes when they're alone again.

Sakura swallows, mouth too dry to find anything else to say. Naruto and Hinata are already in Kumo by now she imagines, they may or may not already know this...

"I figured you should get the heads up Sakura, you know how Shikamaru can be very...blunt about topics like this." Ino sighs.

Sakura nods, forcing herself to begin grilling at the meats, distracting her mind.

The gears turn quickly in her head, the next steps she must do to prevent this from happening. Sleep is pushed to the back of her mind, going over what clothes, weapons, and medicines she must pack now when she gets home.

'I'll need Kakashi-sensei's help to track any and all leads from Kumo. Intercept Sasuke somehow before they get to him...' She decides.

None of it will be easy.

Everything tastes sour and burnt, chewing and swallowing each bite down anyways.

She'll need all the energy she can spare for this plan.

"Thank you for telling me Ino." Sakura mentions looking up from the grill, tacking on a weak smile.

Ino pats at her hand before squeezing at it. "Promise me you won't do anything stupid Sakura! Sasuke is no longer the same boy from our Academy days."

'I know, that's why I must put a stop to this.' She thinks, though doesn't say aloud.

Maybe if she's lucky Naruto won't interfere.

Sakura squeezes it back, the lie flowing out easier than she expects. "I won't Ino; I promise."

But her mind is already made up and Ino must sense this on some level. She squeezes at her hand again, silently telling her best friend she's leaving Konoha tonight.

This new vacation time has just given her an opportunity.

-X-

Kakashi

Sakura comes to visit him at 1:03 AM, posture staying relaxed despite his immediate sense that she is bringing him a painful topic that couldn't wait until sunrise.

Jade orbs shine in the silver of the half moon, pink hair tied up as she adjusts her backpack to her opposite shoulder. If he looks carefully enough, he can see the redness and puffiness layered underneath her eyes.

"I didn't know you sleep with that mask on as well." She scoffs lightly.

Kakashi merely shrugs, eye crinkling. "It stops certain nosy individuals from trying to see my face no matter the time of day. Plus you know already I always have a second mask at ready."

Sakura rolls her eyes then, smile slipping from her face. "Sasuke is apparently with the Akatsuki now and I can't confirm it yet, but he might've killed Kumo's jinchuriki."

She says this all in one breathe, blinking back anymore tears before they can fall against her cheeks.

This isn't all completely news to him, one of Yamato's wood clones had filled him in partially on what he, Naruto, and Hinata had uncovered so far in Kumo. Team Samui as well should be within Konoha in the next day or so to confirm this all.

Where they go next though is what still remains a mystery.

So, I can assume going by your gear on hand you want to track down Sasuke first, correct? Then what?" Kakashi asks.

Sakura straightens, grip on her bag tightening. "If worse comes to worse, I don't want it to be a stranger that kills him..."

Kakashi's eye narrows, a silence falling over them.

He mulls over his next words carefully, wondering how Sakura will take them.

"You and I both know you still love Sasuke, attempting to kill him just puts you at risk for him killing you. If he's fallen down the path of darkness and hate this much and has enough power and skill to take out a jinchuriki, we're going to need to be prepared with other options."

"Like?" Sakura questions, curious and eager for him to go on.

"Outright killing him should be the last resort; it's not an option you, me, or Naruto would want. Talking sense into him isn't going to help either, really I'd say Naruto is the only one right now who could challenge him on a physical level. Thinking off the top of my head though is a scenario in which Naruto wears him out and then we incapacitate him before he can escape." Kakashi reasons.

But this idea relies too much on luck, on Sasuke not having his own backup to support him.

'And really, I assume Sakura doesn't want Naruto to know about any of this. Not yet.' Kakashi muses.

Sakura is quiet, contemplating his idea. "There's too many factors that would involve us assuming Sasuke wouldn't have help or wouldn't have enough chakra left to make a grand exit."

Kakashi nods having had the very same thought, gaze moving beyond Sakura to the forestry and mountains split between the darkness of night and the light of the moon.

It reminds him of Sasuke in a sense, that the parts he buried deep within him the light maybe able to reach still with enough effort. The memories of his days on Team 7, of before the cycle of hate that seems to follow any Uchiha generation after generation struck him...

"Yamato will give us a proper update in the late morning on where Team Samui is heading next. In the meantime, it isn't good to make any decisions in haste. Rest for a few more hours tonight, then we'll head out."

Sakura purses her lips, prepared to argue she's fine to leave now before she nods in resigned agreement. They'll need multiple plans anyways and right now her mind is coming up with little to nothing that is substantial.

"Okay. Between 8:00-10:00 am, no later than noon. We can meet at the old training grounds; just us two. This is something I feel we alone should handle without dragging anyone else in, especially Naruto if we can help it. Naruto doesn't need anymore stress and grief in his life right now." Sakura decides before twisting around, heading in the direction of her home.

Kakashi watches her carefully to make sure she indeed is heading for her house before slipping back inside his room. That old photo of Team 7 on his desk seems like decades ago instead of just a few years.

In another time he could've done so much more as their sensei, trained Sakura and Naruto more instead of neglecting/assuming they would be fine on their own and pushing them off to other teachers respectively. He could've told Naruto more about his family history, of how much his Father meant to him beyond just being his teacher.

And even though he spent time with Sasuke training and advising him not to let revenge and power burn at his every thought, he should've told him about Obito. He would've told him the real reason why he's always late to arrive in the mornings in that he visits the memorial stone daily thinking of him and Rin, of the eye he gifted him with, of these nightmares that maybe he isn't truly dead.

It might not have changed anything, though maybe it would've...

Because now things have come to this.

-X-

Naruto

'I wish I could be as relaxed as her.' He sighs.

Hinata doesn't shift from his gentle poke at her cheeks, the twirl of his finger through her dark locks. The day's exhaustion truly has caught up her and none of his light touches make her stir.

He stiffens as she rolls over on her side abruptly closer to him, breathing out a low sigh of relief when her eyes remain closed. She wouldn't get mad he hopes if she had indeed awoken, that he likes being able to give her this affection he isn't even sure he's doing right.

Yamato's update won't come for a few more hours and sleep has evaded him for the last hour or so.

He's about to shut his eyes again to focus on rest when he hears it, the faintest tapping at the window.

'Am I hearing things?' Naruto frowns, eyes circling the room.

It comes again though in quick series of 5 more taps a minute later, sitting up to see the outline of a figure there now on the window ledge. Whoever this is cracks the window open enough, bringing in the cool air.

And slowly he reaches for a kunai tucked beneath the pillows, freezing when he sees that distinct orange mask; the Akatsuki attire.

Madara.

His face shifts from Naruto to Hinata still maybe asleep despite this new commotion and he grits his teeth feeling rage instantly starting to bubble up. Kurama for once is gleeful to aid him in power, to exact revenge and draw blood.

He's the first to break the silence, gesturing to her.

"Didn't know you brought your lover along for this journey Naruto."

-x-

I'm trying to not rehash canon, I'm sure nobody wants that! At this point in time how psychotic and off the deep end do you guys think Sasuke is? He's a broken person right now and I'm debating with myself how 'dark' or 'evil' he should be.

Really my friend is indifferent to him and she doesn't care too much how I go about portraying him lol. Anyways, let me know your thoughts and ideas/suggestions as always! You know I love reviews; I mean, who doesn't?!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!