Chapter Sixteen:

A year ago,

You did not know today.

You did not know,

How'd you make it here.

But you made it here.

By grace, you made it here.

Morgan Harper Nichols

...

This was bad.

Not only was the future Hokage involved in this mess, but the Uchiha too. Sasuke, the traitor of the village.

The one crazy enough to threaten the Village to destroy it. The one who refused to live in Konoha because he hated the village's council and the way how things were mostly run by them was involved in the disappearance of the former heiress of the Hyūga clan.

Kakashi wasn't particularly upset by his negativity of living in Konoha. He couldn't blame him for not wanting to live here. But this... This was a problem.

If information of how Hinata managed to escape the compound were known to the clan or the village's council, the Uchiha would be in deep trouble. The Hyūga clan would move mountains if it meant they would finally see the last Uchiha executed for treason. Not to mention, it would be reason enough to make the council give the order for execution.

Moreover, the village people, council, and the Hyūga Clan would lose trust in Naruto.

No, nobody could know about this.

For the first time, perhaps since Kakashi knew them, he sincerely wanted to beat some sense into those two.

What the hell were they thinking? He wondered.

Flopping into his bed like a dead man, Kakashi closed his eyes and concentrated in finding a way to protect his former students from the Hyūga clan and the council. He had to be very careful. His plan had to be perfect. There was no room for error, he had to do everything in his power to make sure no one found out how Hinata was able to escape the watchful eyes of her clan.

The Sixth Hokage realized it wasn't just Naruto and Sasuke he would have to protect. Kurenai was in this as well. Her daughter, no doubt, would be another victim to suffer the consequences. Then there was the former heiress. Hinata was just as a victim as anyone else.

The weight on Hatake Kakashi's shoulder was a heavy one.

Then there was the second problem he faced. He had a team in mind, he would send the two people that knew Hinata the most. Kiba and Shino would go with Naruto, but he had forgotten he promised the Aburame's clan leader that he would grant him time off from missions. Shino had asked time off so he could work out important clan matters. Kakashi couldn't tell Shino to help with a search that would last six months and pretend the Aburame forget completely about his duties as clan leader.

So who would he send as the third member of their party?

There was no one else he could send with Naruto and Kiba. Shikamaru was undergoing important training under his watchful eyes, so he was out of commission. Sakura was out of the question, the woman had been in love with Sasuke since she was a child. The Haruno's love for him blinded her and made her clumsy, reckless, and at times irrational. Kakashi knew Sakura was an excellent kunoichi, the best Konoha had without a doubt, but her love for Sasuke incapacitated her good judgment. He had seen it for himself.

So, who could he send?

In the back of his mind, a little voice reminded him of the conversation he had with the young heiress of the Hyūga clan.

The fact that she had seen through his façade during the meeting with Hiashi and the elders had both scared and impressed him. If the youngest Hyūga had seen through him that easily, had the elders and Hiashi seen through his act too? If that was the case, they never showed it.

However, the more he thought about it, the more it seemed that Hanabi knew what he was planning.

He had told her he had no intentions of helping her deceive her clan, and that he was only helping in the search because Konoha's council had asked him to do it. She seemed to understand, and after exchanging a few words she relented.

Hanabi had been disappointed, but he couldn't have her join the team and ruin his plan. Yet, now that he needed a third person for the search team, he found himself considering the possibility of having her being part of it.

With a sigh, Kakashi decided he would worry about it in the morning. Dragging his tired body to the bathroom, the Sixth Hokage took a quick shower, and after dressing in a shirt and boxers he flopped back into his bed not thinking of anything else.

He fell asleep almost instantly.

This would be their last night camping. The Uchiha had told her that tomorrow at noon they would finally arrive at their destination.

Hinata was nervous. He hadn't told her where they were going exactly, and she wasn't sure she wanted to find out.

She had no choice but to trust him. After all, Naruto trusted the Uchiha.

Naruto-kun…

The Uzumaki had been so generous to her. He had run the extra mile for her by assuring himself that she was safe. Such an act of kindness couldn't go unrewarded. Hinata made a promise to herself that she somehow and in some way would repay Naruto for everything he had done for her.

Naruto was no doubt her guarding angel. He was her light and hope…

"Are you listening, Hyūga?"

"I'm s-sorry?" She said breaking from her thoughts to look at the Uchiha. "W-what were you saying?"

"Pay attention, I hate repeating myself." He said dryly. "Go to sleep, I'll wake you up when it's your turn to keep watch."

"I'm sorry… I w-was thinking." She said apologetically.

"Hn"

"Ano... I'm n-not really tired, Sasuke-san. Would it be o-okay if I take the first w-watch?"

"No"

"Why not?" She asked confused.

Why couldn't she keep the first watch? She didn't understand. Perhaps he liked to keep the first one?

She was sure the Uchiha needed rest. The bags under his eyes were becoming more prominent with every passing day. It was obvious he was exhausted.

"I'm not explaining myself." He said curtly. "Go to sleep."

It occurred to her that maybe... there was another reason why he'd decline her offer.

"You…" She hesitated. "You are a-afraid."

He looked at her with an intensity that made her almost falter in her words.

"Afraid of what?" He spat narrowing his eyes.

"A-afraid of… d-dreaming." When he didn't say anything, she continued. "It's o-okay to be a-afraid, Sasuke-san."

She looked down to her feet to avoid his piercing mismatched eyes that looked so intently at her.

Hinata waited for his reaction, perhaps he would be angered by her words, or maybe he would choose to ignore her. Whatever it was she had expected was not what he did next.

Uchiha Sasuke began to laugh. It wasn't a joyful laugh, nor was it bitter. He sounded… crazy. Yes, Hinata decided that's what it was. He was laughing maniacally. She took a glance at the man before her, and the moment their eyes met he stopped laughing. She flinched.

"You think I'm afraid of dreaming?" He was glaring at her.

Hinata was positive he was livid, yet for reasons unknown to her, that was not enough to frighten her.

Instead of answering his question directly, she took a different approach.

"I am afraid of my d-dreams too." She said tentatively. When Sasuke didn't say anything, she continued. "P-particularly the ones where I see my c-comrades die…" She paused for a second to take a shaky breath. "But the ones I f-fear the most are the o-ones where I see Neji die… It always h-hurts so much… to see him d-die over and over again. To be unable to save him…"

She couldn't finish the sentences before tears started running down her face, so she stopped in fear that she'd start sobbing if she said another word. She was embarrassed. Out of all people she could have cried in front of, she had to cry in front of the heartless Uchiha. She only hoped her display didn't annoy him.

After quickly drying her tears, she took a tentative glance at her companion, she had expected a crimson and purple-gray eye staring back at her, but when she looked up, she noticed he wasn't looking at her. His face was facing the other side, avoiding her eyes.

"Fine," He said calmly. "Take the first watch."

She nodded and accepted his decision a bit surprised.

Without another word, Sasuke took his place on the floor. Only then did Hinata walked out of the cave and sat by the entrance to take the first watch.

She looked toward where he lied and observed him for a while until she was certain he wouldn't change his mind. Something about the way he had avoided her eyes tugged at her heart. He had looked so lost and helpless. There was no doubt that Uchiha Sasuke hurt deeply, perhaps even more than many.

Uchiha Sasuke closed his eyes in complete annoyance and defeat. He didn't know what it was about this woman that made him feel like he had to prove himself. He never cared what others thought of him, much less what an insignificant woman thought of him. However, for reasons unknown to him, he cared. She had the ability to get under his skin. Funny enough, both Naruto and Sakura had a similar effect. They got under his skin quite often, but not the way this woman was able to. It was something about the way she could read him. It was maddening.

The way she seemed to understand his feelings scared him more than his nightmares. No one, not even his friend Naruto, was able to read him so well, yet she could. Perhaps those eyes could see more than his chakra points.

Her quiet demeanor unnerved him. He knew she was observing everything around her, including himself.

Then she had gone and talked about dreams and her dead cousin. Seeing her cried had angered him. He wasn't sure why, but he couldn't stand it. Perhaps because he could relate to her pain in some way.

He had lost his brother Itachi, someone he looked up to. It seemed the fallen Hyūga was some Hinata looked up to as well.

He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep that night, but he made an effort to rest his eyes and pretend he was asleep. Yet, between closing his eyes and pretending to sleep, the Uchiha had done exactly that.

He wasn't sure how long he had been sleeping for when he felt small cold hands pat his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he saw the Hyūga looking from above him. Her eyes looked much prettier up closely. Not that he cared, of course, it was only a mere observation.

"Sasuke-san." She called softly. "It's your turn to keep watch."

"Hn" He grumbled.

Lifting his head up abruptly, he felt his forehead collide with something hard, and he heard an "ow."

"What the hell Hyūga!?" He said furrowing his eyebrows as he nursed the bump on his head with his hand.

The collision had hurt more than he'd think possible.

"I'm s-sorry!" She said rushing to take a look at his forehead.

"I'm fine!" He yelled pushing her away when.

"O-okay…" She said nervously.

Taking his poncho, he made to leave the cave for his watch, but he soon came to a halt when he heard the woman giggling. What was so funny? He looked at her with narrowed eyes. She avoided his eyes and Sasuke grew curious.

"What's so funny?" He asked gruffly.

"I'm sorry, S-Sasuke-san." She said calming her giggles. "I'm so c-clumsy sometimes." She said smiling at him.

Was she laughing at him? The nerve of this woman!

"I didn't think it that funny."

"It r-really wasn't", She said blushing. "And I am n-not laughing at y-you. I was laughing at my c-clumsiness." She amended quickly.

She was strange. If it had been any other girl, they would be mortified at their clumsiness, not laughing at it. Sakura would have apologized profusely and insisted in healing his forehead, not before she'd feel humiliated. However, here was the strange Hyūga laughing at herself.

"Hn" He grunted and left the cave to sit at the entrance.

He thought of what had happened moments ago with the woman, and a part of him had to admit that it had been a little bit funny.

Fighting the tug of a smile, Uchiha Sasuke concentrated in the job at hand.

Uzumaki Naruto was waiting outside for the Hokage to finish an important meeting.

By the time the Sixth Hokage had called him inside, he was dozing off, but after hearing his name for the second time (or so he thought, he would learn later it had been the sixth time his sensei had called for him) he proceeded to go inside of the Hokage's office.

Upon his arrival at the office, he froze. Standing in front of the Hokage's desk were Kiba Inuzuka and Hanabi Hyūga. He had forgotten he had to speak with the Inuzuka, and cursed himself internally for his forgetfulness.

"Ah, Naruto-kun" His sensei smiled. "Come in."

Naruto stepped inside, wary of the two shinobis before him.

Kiba looked at him hard and menacing, and Hanabi just pretended to ignore his existence.

Not once did they acknowledging him.

"What did you want to talk about, sensei?" Naruto asked Kakashi a bit awkwardly.

"Naruto, this is the rest of the team," Kakashi said formally. "You'll be the leader, so try to get along well." He said as he glanced back at the Inuzuka.

"Hokage-sama" Naruto heard Hanabi called. "I don't understand why you made him part of the team, much less the leader."

"Naruto is Hinata's friend and one of the best shinobis in Konoha," Kakashi said.

Kiba snorted.

"He is the reason why Hinata left the village." Kiba said looking straight at Naruto.

Ouch... The Uzumaki furrowed his brows.

"Perhaps," Kakashi said. "However, he is very important to this mission."

"I don't see how," Kiba said.

Naruto was about to retort when his sensei raised a hand up.

"All in time, Kiba-kun." Kakashi smiled at the Inuzuka. "First we'll go over the plan and the instructions."

Naruto listened as his former sensei explained his plan.

The plan was to deceive the Hyūgas from finding Hinata. He never mentioned Sasuke's name and for that he was grateful. He knew the Uchiha wouldn't appreciate it if people found out he had been helping the former heiress. That's without mentioning how Kiba or Hanabi would take it.

After Kakashi had given the instructions of what they were to do. He looked at them with the utmost seriousness only a Hokage could pull off.

"This is absolutely confidential." He said sternly. "If you fail to keep this mission a secret, there will be grave consequences for you."

He didn't need to say what kind of consequences. Naruto knew exactly what he was talking about.

Of course, the warning was unnecessary in his case. Naruto would never betray Sasuke or Hinata, but perhaps Kakashi wasn't sure about the others.

Kakashi went back to taking some notes and reading a scroll Naruto suspected would soon be in his hands. After a minute or two, he addressed them once more, and handed Naruto the scroll.

"Any questions?" Kakashi asked.

"We are here" The Uchiha announced.

They were standing in front of a cave, that to the normal eye looked impossible to access. However, as Hinata would find out later, the cave did indeed have an entrance. It was carefully hidden, and if you didn't know it was there, you would have missed it.

The first thing she noticed about her hiding place it's that it wasn't only dark, but also was cold and humid. She wondered who on earth could live in these conditions, and she found herself dreading staying in this place. If the Uchiha thought she'd stay here for more than a week he was crazy.

After walking further into the cave, Sasuke came to a halt making Hinata bump into his back. She hurriedly apologized and she heard him grumble. It was only natural that something like that would happen, the cave was dark and Hinata wasn't using her byakugan to see for fear of finding any horrors that the place might be hiding.

A moment later, brightness from the opposite side blinded her.

She felt the pull of a hand, guiding her somewhere. Minutes later, she stood in what she thought was a room.

It took her some time to adapt to the light, but once her eyes were accustomed, she looked around and found herself in a laboratory.

Something about this place gave her goosebumps.

"Sasuke-kun,"

Hinata heard the voice of a woman. Turning her head toward where she heard the voice, she found a red-haired woman with glasses.

She looked familiar, but she couldn't remember from where.

"Karin" was all the Uchiha said.

"You've finally arrived." She smiled. "And I see you were able to bring her."

Her? Did this woman know about her? How much planning did the Uchiha make before he had brought her here?

"Hello, I'm Karin" The red-haired woman addressed Hinata with a smile. "And you must be the Hyūga girl we were expecting."

We?

Just as Hinata started to wonder who did she refer to as "we," two men came into the room from another door.

One of them was tall and strong with orange hair, the shorter one was a bit strange. He was pale and had… light blue hair? Hinata wasn't sure.

Yet, all three looked familiar, but from where? Hinata couldn't remember.

"Sasuke-kun!" The short man shouted delighted. "Long time no see. I see you brought a pet."

The way he said the word pet made Hinata shrink and hide behind the Uchiha. Was he really leaving her here with these people?

She would rather handle Sasuke's strange moods any day than stay here another second.

"Suigetsu" Sasuke said. "As boisterous as ever."

The larger man only nodded prompting Sasuke to nod back at him.

"This is Hyūga Hinata," The Uchiha said stepping aside so she was now visible to the group. "She will be staying here with you for a while."

"Alright, you will leave tomorrow morning before dawn." The Hokage instructed "Please, try to get along. This is an important mission."

The three shinobis nodded to his instructions.

"One more thing, report every two months. I don't care how you do it, just make sure the report gets to me and only me."

They nodded once more.

"Oh and, Hanabi-chan," He smiled at the young heiress. "May I have a word with you?"

She looked at him mildly confused. Kiba and Naruto weren't sure if they were allowed to leave or if they should stay, so they fidgeted a little until Kakashi dismissed them. Once the Sixth Hokage was alone with the young heiress, he spoke.

"I'll be honest with you, Hanabi." He said looking at her sternly. "I am trusting you with this mission, but if you do anything to betray my trust. If you reveal any information about this mission to the Hyūgas," He paused for a moment to study the young girl. "There will be consequences, and you surely will be punished."

She stiffened.

"I understand that Hokage-sama." She said firmly. "My intentions are good. I only want to protect my sister."

"And those involved in her escape." He added. It wasn't a question.

"Yes, Hokage-sama." She said.

He studied her for a minute longer, before waving his hand dismissively.

"For her own good," He muttered once she was gone. "She better be telling the truth."

Author's Note: Aaah! Guys ya'll make me blush with your reviews! Oh God! Thank you all so much for your support! You're all wonderful.

I apologize profusely for the delay, but real life is kicking my butt right now. I had to run to the ER (Once again) with horrible stomach flu that had me admitted into the hospital for almost a whole week due to dehydration. It was awful guys! Now, I'm recuperating at home.

I hope you like this chapter, and please forgive me if there are grammar and other types of mistakes. I still wasn't feeling quite well. This chapter has a tiny bit of fluff, so I hope ya'll like it.

*Due to my slow recovery, I have decided not to include the Answer Review section to this chapter. I'm sorry! I just don't have the energy to reply as of right now.

See you next chapter guys!