Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto! I do not get any profit from this fiction. I only write for fun and to improve my creativity.

Chapter Six

Hell is empty,

And all the devils,

Are here.

William Shakespeare

...

Uchiha Sasuke wondered how did he get himself in this predicament. Ah yes, he had to keep that promise he silently made to his brother three years ago. It was Itachi's fault that he was now carrying an unconscious woman on his back, to a village he had not wanted to visit any time soon.

No, no it wasn't Itachi's fault, at least not entirely. It was the woman's fault for whatever deed she had done to betray the village. Because there was no way she hadn't betrayed the village. If she was innocent, she could have told him why she was heading to a village known to be visited by rogue ninjas. Had she not known that? If she was truly innocent, she could have explained why it looked like she was running away from someone, but she hadn't. Instead, she opted to attempt to take her life.

Now he was carrying the Hyūga over his back and heading back to the village of the Hidden Leaf. A place he detested. There were still many things he needed to make peace with first, before returning to Konoha. He only hoped that at his arrival he wouldn't have a problem with ANBU for bringing an unconscious heiress. The former Avenger didn't want to hurt her, nor did he want to place her under one of his powerful Genjutsu, but the Byakugan princess had tried to kill him when he was distracted. The woman refused to cooperate and he didn't have any other choice.

(Flashback)

"Stay here, Hyūga" He commanded her after placing her down on the floor. "I'm going to get bandages for those cuts."

He had turned around to collect his pack, and while he was rummaging for bandages among his few belongings, he felt the spike of chakra. As he turned around to face her, she tried locking the chakra points in his arm. If it wasn't because the Uchiha's speed is impossible to rival, she would have accomplished it. But she didn't give up there, she then aimed for his heart; however, Sasuke was able to jump away and she missed.

"What is your problem, Hyūga?" He hissed, Sharingan staring back at Byakugan.

"I can't go back to the village, Sasuke-san!" She said with desperation in her voice.

"Why not?" He frowned. She looked away, unable to make eye contact.

"I... I p-promise, I h-haven't done anything w-wrong!" She pleaded, but Sasuke wasn't believing a word she was saying.

Realizing he wasn't believing her, Hinata tried to attack him one more time, but he evaded her with ease.

"It doesn't seem that way, Hyūga." He said as he lunged toward her.

He kicked her in the stomach, sending her flying to the wall. She screamed in pain when she collided with the wall, the impact was so strong that she was forced to deactivate her Byakugan. Sasuke took the opportunity and lunged forward landing only a foot away from her. She glanced at him and as soon as her eyes had locked with his, he placed her under a strong Genjutsu she would be unable to break.

(End of Flashback)

Taking a glance at the Hyūga unconscious on his back, the former avenger continued toward the gates of Konoha. He could see them now. The mere sight of them upset him. There was a reason why he had wanted to leave the village in the first place. He couldn't bring himself to forgive this place and their rotten council. He couldn't forget the horrors his clan, his father, his mother, and his beloved brother had to suffer at the hands of the village that was supposed to be their home. No, he couldn't forgive Konoha. Much less could he bring himself to love the village that was responsible for his losses; for his pain.

"Oi!" The guard in front of the gates greeted him. "Is that lady Hinata?" He asked concerned.

"Hn"

"What happen-" At that moment, the guard was interrupted by the arrival of an ANBU.

"Uchiha-san"

The former Avenger merely nodded.

"Hokage-sama is expecting you and Lady Hinata." The ANBU said "Please, follow me."

The Uchiha didn't seem perturbed; his face never betrayed any emotions. However, he was most certainly surprised the Hokage knew of his arrival.

Did Kakashi know I would bring the Hyūga with me?

"Hn" He said as he followed the ANBU.

Did Hatake Kakashi think his plan would work? No, not really. He just hoped he knew his former student enough, and apparently, he did. The Sixth Hokage was proud of his little plan and how smoothly it had worked out. He wasn't called a prodigy for nothing.

He had sent an ANBU every single day after his conversation with Naruto, to check the perimeter outside of the village. They would stay on guard with the sole purpose of informing him when Sasuke came back with the former heiress. This morning, an ANBU had informed him that Uchiha Sasuke was on his way to the village, and it seemed that he brought an unconscious Hyūga Hinata with him. This had worried the Sixth Hokage. He desperately hoped his former student hadn't severely injured the former heiress. The copy-nin decided to wait until he saw them for himself before jumping into conclusions. He was not going to make a scene. So, he had told the ANBU to keep watch at the Konoha gates and lead them to his office once they arrived.

"Hokage-sama" The ANBU announced "Uchiha-san is here with lady Hinata."

"Thank you, let him come in"

With an unconscious Hinata on his back, Uchiha Sasuke entered the office of the Hokage. Kakashi noticed he looked slightly different. Sasuke's hair was longer and he wore a headband and a poncho. However, his face... held the same perpetual scowl he remembered.

"Kakashi" The Uchiha said without any formalities.

"Sasuke" The Hokage said nodding toward the unconscious heiress on his back. "I see you brought Hinata-chan."

"Hn"

"What happened to her?"

"I had to place her under a genjutsu"

Kakashi narrowed his eyes.

"Was it necessary? I trust that you didn't hurt her."

"I didn't hurt her." The former Avenger confirmed "But I think she should be seen by a medical-nin. She tried to take her life."

"What?" Kakashi looked back at the former Avenger incredulously. When Sasuke didn't elaborate the Hokage addressed the ANBU. "Take her to Sakura, and stay there until she gives you Hinata's complete evaluation. Also, bring with you another ANBU to keep an eye on her until I have informed Hiashi about her return."

"Hai"

"Before you do that" The Uchiha motioned to the ANBU "Let me break the genjutsu"

After placing the heiress carefully on the ANBU's arms, the Uchiha proceeded to remove her from the genjutsu.

"She will wake up in an hour." Sasuke informed.

"You can go now" Kakashi said dismissing the ANBU.

"Hai!" The ANBU said leaving the two of them alone.

"Sasuke, thank you for bringing Hinata-chan back to the village." Kakashi begins to say. "I am..."

"What did she do?" The Uchiha cut him.

"Pardon me?"

"She was desperate to get away from the village" Sasuke noted "So desperate that she tried to take her life. I think is only fair that you tell me what happened."

"Ah, I see" Kakashi said studying Sasuke's emotionless face. "Why do you care, Sasuke-kun?"

"I'm not in the mood for games, Kakashi." The Uchiha glowered.

"Alright" He said smiling underneath his mask. "I guess it's only fair. Very well then"

Taking a deep breath, Kakashi proceeded to tell the former Avenger about the last three years of Hinata's life. The Hokage told Sasuke how she became very emotionally affected after the death of her cousin, Neji, and that only two years later after his death, his father and the clan took away her right to be the heiress of the Clan.

"So, she betrayed her clan?" Sasuke frowned, concluding.

"Not precisely. The clan rejected her because they found her weak to be the heiress. However, she had accepted it and began supporting her sister as the new heiress." Kakashi said pausing for a moment "It appears that Hinata-chan lost everything that kept her rooted to this village."

"Hn" The Uchiha said not very convinced. What about the dobe? Didn't she like him?

"Where is Naruto?"

"I believe he is training."

"You knew I would bring her back." The Uchiha said looking displeased. "You knew I had requested information about her." Kakashi didn't say a word, and that only confirmed the Uchiha's suspicions.

The former Avenger only glared at the copy-nin, and without another word, he left the Hokage's office.

The Sixth Hokage expected this. It was very likely his former student was upset, and it was understandable. After all, Kakashi had toyed with both, Naruto and Sasuke.

"Sakura-san" The ANBU called after appearing in her office with an unconscious Hinata.

Emerald eyes widened in horror at the sight.

"What happened!?" Sakura rushed to aid the girl in the ANBU's arms.

"Hokage-sama asked me to bring Lady Hinata to you. He has requested an evaluation."

"Of course, follow me." She ordered.

The ANBU followed the medical-nin toward a diagnosis room. After instructing the ANBU to place the Hyūga on the bed, she proceeded to evaluate her.

"Please, wait outside, this won't take long." Sakura said and the ANBU left her alone with the unconscious girl.

She meticulously evaluated her profile, taking special attention to the wounds on her wrists.

It was evident that the former heiress had, either, tried to kill herself or she had been attacked by rouge nins. Whatever the case may be, she would not worry about it. The Hokage would take care of that. Instead, she occupied herself with healing her wounds. She proceeded to leave the room and give her evaluation to the ANBU waiting outside of the room.

"She is fine, I've healed her." She informed him as she wrote a note. "This is for the Hokage" She said handing the ANBU the note she had been writing. "The complete evaluation."

"Hai! Thank you, Sakura-san." The ANBU said bowing politely. Then, he gestured for the second ANBU to get close. "The Hokage ordered to keep an eye on her."

"Of course, he can be inside, just try not to disturb her." She smiled at the second ANBU "Also, a nurse will be coming to start an IV on her."

"Hai" said the second ANBU as he went inside of the room.

"Before you go" Sakura addressed the first ANBU "Could you tell me what happened to her?"

"I cannot give you that information" The ANBU said. "All I can say is that she came from a solo mission."

"I see" Sakura was a little disappointed. "Could you at least tell me how did they find her?"

"Uchiha-san found her."

Emerald eyes widened a second time, but this time it wasn't in horror.

"Sasuke-kun" She whispered. "Is he here?"

"Yes, he is with the Hokage." The ANBU said "Now if you excuse me Sakura-san, I must go."

"Of course, go" She said dismissively, not really paying any attention.

All she cared about right now was that he was in the village. Perhaps, this time they could finally be together.

Sasuke-kun…

Uchiha Sasuke felt stupid and used. He had opted to leave the Hokage's office before he killed the man before him. How dare Kakashi use him to bring back the Hyūga? Didn't Konoha have tracking and search teams that could do that? Were they that incompetent? Or was this an excuse to bring him back? If they thought he was going to stay in the village, they were wrong. He was going to leave as soon as he found Naruto and beat the crap out of him for putting him in this situation.

What really angered him is that The Hyūga hadn't done anything. She never betrayed the village, nor did she betray her clan. He should have known that, the kunoichi had always being loyal to Konoha. She had fought bravely for this stupid village during the war. She was not a threat. The village was never in danger.

Yes, he felt very stupid. The former heiress had only wanted to get away from everything that caused her pain. In other words, Hyūga Hinata had lost everything that ever meant something to her and didn't have anything else to live for in this rotten village. Hadn't he done the same thing? Isn't that why he had left the village before and would be leaving again? Because it hurt him to be here? Because he had lost everything that ever mattered to him? And yet, here he was, forcing a woman to come back to a village that had only caused her pain. He was no better than Konoha.

I'm gonna kill you, Naruto!

If it hadn't been for that stupid note, that honestly didn't have any substantial information about the former heiress, he wouldn't be in Konoha and the Hyūga would be miles away from the village. Oh yes, Naruto was going to pay for this.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading, following, and reviewing my story. It truly means a lot to me! Reviews always make me happy.

I will be updating this fic on Friday at 12am. I changed the date because I feel like it is a lot easier for me and more convenient for you guys. Now, you get something to read during the weekend!

Answer to Reviews:

Viralvera: Wow! I loved your review and how passionate you feel about this story. I feel honored! Thank you so much! I can't give anything away, but all I can say is that you'll like this story. I hope I don't disappoint! Also, I'm glad you liked how I brought up Sasuke and Sakura's relationship. I mean, from what I've seen in canon, it always felt one sided. I don't want to shit on Sakura cause I really think she cared for Sasuke genuinely, but that doesn't mean her love for him wasn't borderline obsessive. As for Sasuke, well he was never affectionate to her, but I think he cares for her as a friend, and that's what I wanna bring. I hope I don't upset anyone, because it is not my intention.

DAngel7: Oh no I was so afraid for a second that you'd be mad at me, but I'm glad you're not and that you still like the fic. To be honest, Hinata is infuriating, but I promise her character will get better. Just try to see things from her perspective. Sasuke is being an ass, but he is realizing he made a mistake or at least that he was being stupid. I am trying to keep the characters as close to their personalities in canon as I can. So, I hope that helps understand why things are happening this way.

Psycho-schlemiel: First things first, I'm really happy you like how I'm portraying Sasuke! That means I'm doing a good job. Furthermore, I truly appreciate your sincerity! I wasn't gonna add that scene, but I forgot I had mentioned her suicidal attempt on the prologue, so I added it. I see now that it wasn't as great as I thought, as some of you have mentioned, but it's good to know. Now, I know to be a bit more careful with the scenes I decide to add, so they are more logical. So thank you for your review!

Guest - Cheshire Cat: Wow! thank you so much for your kind words! I always get a little nervous when I see long reviews, because I don't know what to expect, but it was so nice and I'm so glad you're liking my work so far. I won't say much about the story because I don't want to spoil it for you, but I think that what I have in store for this story will be of your liking. I certainly hope so. Furthermore, I'm so glad the characters are on point. But if you ever think they are a little ooc, please do tell me. So I can work on it, and I don't make the same mistake. As for everything else, the next couple of chapters will be more exciting. Thank you for reading!

See you guys next Friday!