Ok it's been a while since I've written but I've got some ideas for later chapters. Let's see how this one turns out. So last time, things between Hidan and Hinata are getting steamy *fans face* and the Akatsuki have yet to find their target in the iron mask. Time for Day2 of the masquerade.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ANY OF THE CHARCTERS.
Chapter 6 – Masquerade Ball Day 2
It was midmorning when the Akatsuki finally left the hotel to explore Venice. While the main Masquerade ball was held during the evening, there were little events occurring around Venice during the day, such as performances, special offers in shops etc. The Akatsuki decided to look around the city today to see if they can find anything and to just blend in with the crowds.
Everyone divided into different pairs today. Pein with Kakuzu, Kisame (who was heavily hungover) with Sasori, Konan with Deidara, and Itachi and Hidan (much to Hidans joy) Tobi stayed in the hotel today as he pooped himself out the night before.
As for Hinata though, she volunteered to look around on her own. She was very insisting that she wanted to be by herself today.
It was noon and Hidan was sat by the main canal just watching the boats go by and the small waves hitting the steps that were by the waterside.
"You're awfully quiet Hidan" Itachi said; as he stood beside Hidan with an Italian ice cream.
Hidan: Do you really need to stuff your face at a time like this?
Itachi: It's hot out today, plus it makes us blend in with everyone.
Hidan: sigh
Itachi: You're not usually one to complain about eating.
Hidan said nothing.
Itachi: Right, what's going on with you lately Hidan? You weren't yourself during the ball last night and you lost your cool during the meeting last night in the hotel room.
Hidan stayed quiet and looked at the waves. Itachi continued eating his ice cream while waiting for an answer.
Itachi: I know you have feelings for Hinata.
Hidan didn't say a word, but flinched.
Itachi: It's understandable. Since you've spent a lot of time with her. I guess that also explains why you kept breaking your glasses last night. I bet you couldn't stand me being so close to her like that and…
Hidan stood up and grabbed Itachi by his collar, making him drop what was left of his ice cream. Remembering where they were, both tried not to make a scene.
Hidan: Just shut the fuck up. What the fuck is with you? Always looking deep into things and making it so fucking complicated. You just don't know when to fucking shut up do you. It pisses me off!
Itachi: But I'm right though, aren't I. That you have feelings for her.
Hidan: Loud whisper. I don't have feelings for her.
Itachi: But you clearly like her.
Hidan stayed quiet and loosened his grip on Itachi.
Itachi: We're on a mission here. And don't forget the reason she is with the Akatsuki in the first place. You know it's not going to end well for her. This'll just make this worse.
Hidan had let go of Itachi and pushed him away. He sat back down and looked at the waves.
Hidan: I know already. I'm not a complete idiot.
With Hinata…
Hinata walked through the small alleyways, occasionally going into shops to take a look. She had no destinations nor did she think about finding anymore intel. Her mind wondered about last night and her thoughts went back to her chat with Itachi during their dance.
Flashback…
Hinata had just switched to Itachi to dance. With Itachi she didn't feel as scared, perhaps because they're from the same village. Which made her think…
"Ummmmmm I-Itachi?" She quietly asked; still dancing. "You're from the leaf village too, so I-I was wondering if maybe y-you knew something I didn't about what's going on. C-could tell me why I'm here with you guys"
They almost stopped dancing in shock of her question, but Itachi lead her on; making sure not to draw any attention to them.
"What makes you think you're not a prisoner of ours?" He said calmly.
"W-well, I've noticed when people spoke about the topic people have used the words 'under the care of the Akatsuki' not 'kidnapping'. It only felt like a kidnapping in the beginning and that was it. Looking back, it was almost like that's how you wanted the world to see it. A kidnapping.
Itachi took a deep breath and carried on dancing with Hinata.
"You're very clever" He said "You'll make a good heir to the Hyuuga clan"
Hinata was surprised. It felt odd getting a compliment from Itachi Uchiha of all people.
"Are you sure you want to know?" He asked.
He could feel her hands tighten.
Yes" She answered as well as nodding. With that Itachi lowered his face beside hers to whisper in her ear.
"It was your father who ordered us to look after you until you were, as he said, 'ready to return'"
"M-M-My father?" She stuttered "But, but W-why?"
Itachi stood up straight again to face her during the last piece of the dance.
"I don't know, but we believe it has something to do with Naruto Uzumaki".
She froze. But luckily the music and dance had ended, and while everyone turned to applause, she fled to the gardens.
End of Flashback…
Hinata walked over a bridge and watched the gondolas filled with happy couples. She felt confused and hurt. She didn't know what to do. For so many years she's been in love with Naruto. He was all she could think about during her first few weeks with the Akatsuki, hoping he would show up and rescue her.
And yet she's done things with another man. With Hidan of the Akatsuki.
She felt disgusted with herself.
What is wrong with me? I like Naruto! But Hidan is…
She walked off into the alleyways and courtyards that the walk paths she was on led her to until eventually she was as far south of Venice as she could go. She was at the entrance for a Military base, so she went no farther and went a different way. She could hear her mic and phone go off, but she switched both of them off and continued walking; not caring where it led her.
A few hours later…
It was mid-afternoon and it was time to start heading back to the hotel to get ready for the evening ball.
As everyone headed to their hotel rooms, there were letters and packages waiting for them. The letters entailed what was in the packages i.e. their evening attire. The letter also informed everyone that masks must be worn at all times once again and that tonight's ball will hold some "events".
It didn't specify what kind.
Hidan went to his room, expecting to see Hinata as no one had seen or heard from her since morning. The was only one package and her mask was gone meaning she must have come in earlier.
At least that was what Hidan was hoping.
He looked around seeing if there was anything out of place. It didn't look like the room was broken into. He tried to call her but he couldn't get through.
Where the fuck is she?
Itachi, Kisame, Kakuzu, Deidara, Tobi, Sasori and Hidan were all waiting in the hotel lobby. Everyone was dressed up once again, but this time the men's attire were Tuxedos with bow ties. Different colours for each of them:
Itachi's was black, Kisame's was blue, Sasori's was red, Deidara's was green (not yellow), Hidan's was dark purple, Kakuzu's was grey and Tobi's was, well rainbow colour with a button that makes it spin. Pein's was orange.
Itachi: So no one has seen Hinata nor heard from her all day?
Sasori: No, but don't you think she was behaving strangely this morning?
Itachi: Hmmmmm I have a bad feeling about this. Zetsu!
Zetsu appeared behind Deidara; looking like one of the many tropical plants in the lobby.
Zetsu: She's fine. She's been wondering around the city all day, looking very melancholy.
Deidara: hmmm? So where is she now?
Zetsu: She's already at the ball. I'll let her know you guys are on your way.
Hidan: Wait! Why-?
And with that Zetsu disappeared into the plant. Kisame was the first to speak up.
Kisame: See? She's fine, no worries. Hmmmm? Itachi?
He noticed Itachi's sharingan was activated. Itachi just closed his eyes and opened them. His eyes were to their normal colour.
Itachi: It's nothing.
A few minutes later Pein came down the stairs alone, Adjusting his bow tie.
Pein: Konans isn't feeling well so she'll be staying behind. She said if we need backup she'll provide it, although I told her that wouldn't be necessary.
Tobi: First Hinata goes off to the ball on her own, and now Konan's sick... women am I right?
Everyone starred daggers at Tobi. When it came to the women of the Akatsuki, the men are very aware how strong they are, but when in need, the men know when to be a gentleman to them.
An hour later…
The Akatsuki were once again in the grand hall with everyone else. There seemed to be more people than last time. Everyone went separate ways to look around and blend with the crowd; keeping a look out for both the man with the Iron mask and Hinata.
Kisame: Any sign of them?
Deidara: Nope, and I can't shake this uneasiness I have about this so called "event".
Sasori: I feel the same. The atmosphere seems different tonight.
Hidan: Yeah. It's like everyone's here not just for serious business anymore. Like they're more here for fun.
Kakuzu: Seems like none have you have noticed yet.
Deidara: Huh? Noticed what? Un?
Itachi: I have. This makes things more uneasy.
Tobi: What? What? What is it? what?
Pein: There are a lot more men around and a lot less women.
Everyone looked around and it dawned on them. Pein was right, there were hardly any women around, a few yes, but not a lot. Which turned their minds to both Hinata and Konan.
Itachi: Sir, what exactly is wrong with Konan?
Pein:…Ummmmm Sheeeeee didn't seem like herself. Her face was red and she was all over the place. She just told me to just go and leave her alone and yeah…
Yeah?
It was very unlike Pein to struggle with his words.
Sasori: You didn't do something to piss her off did you?
Pein: No!…at least I don't think I did.
Kisame: Hehehe wow! Even our mighty leader is a novice when it comes to the opposite sex hahahaha.
Pein: Enough! Keep a look out for Hinata. It shouldn't be hard to find her.
Suddenly, the lights went out, apart from two spotlights pointing to Lorenza who was on the stage.
"Hello everyone!" She yelled!
Why do I feel uneasy when she's around? Everyone thought.
"Welcome to day 2 of the masquerade ball! I hope you all enjoyed your day today and didn't spend too much money! I hope you've got your wallets ready because it is time for an auction!"
The crowd cheered. The Akatsuki just stood quietly and watched.
"Now for our first item…"
The auction was running along smoothly. To the Akatsuki the items that was on sale were very unusual to them. From secret scrolls detailing politician house security to Kimonos that belonged to a feudal lords daughter…very strange. It did nothing but make the Akatsuki more anxious.
Itachi decided now was the time to use his sharingan.
He switched on his mic to Pein.
"Sir!"
"And now for our next item!" Lorenza yelled.
"The next Item is…!"
Everyone looked up…
It was Hinata.
She was dressed up in a ball gown like the other women and wearing her mask. But her eyes were covered and her neck and wrists were cuffed.
Hidan was livid.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!" he yelled; charging toward the stage. "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE FUCKING DO -?" just as he jumped onto the stage he was pushed back by the security who was holding the chains to Hinata.
"I'm sorry sir, no one is allowed on this stage unless you are claiming what you bought" Lorenza said with enthusiasm and not a care in the world what the "item" was.
Hidan was about to charge again before being stopped by Kakuzu.
"What did I tell you about making a scene?" He argued.
Hidan: Are you fucking kidding me Kakuzu?
Pein: Calm down Hidan.
Hidan: How am I meant to ca -?
Kisame: Just shut up and listen to Itachi.
Oh yeah it's always about Itachi! Make way to Prince Fucking Uchiha!
Itachi: Somethings wrong with Hinata's chakra.
Hidan: What?
Itachi: I don't know, I-it's not a genjutsu but somethings definitely off about her. She didn't even react to Hidan's yelling.
He was right. Hinata didn't even flinch when Hidan yelled. Usually she would of curl herself into a ball, but no, nothing.
Lorenza: Now let's start the bid at 100,000 euros!
Deidara: What now? At this rate she's gonna be sold like a slave! Un!
Sasori: Guess we'll have to take part in their little game.
Pein was about to raise his hand until.
"200,000!"
Lorenza: Our first bidder!
Everyone looked at the random man; drinking his wine and clearly drooling over Hinatas 'beauty'.
Deidara: Bastard!
Pein: 500,000 euros!
Lorenza: And we have another bidder! Things are heating up now!
The man wasn't going to back down without a fight.
"800,000!"
Tobi: Sasori what's 800,000 euros in yen?
Sasori: It's around 96,000,000 yen.
Tobi: WHAAAAAA?!
Pein: 1,000,000 euros!
Kakuzu: Pein, that better not be my money you're using.
Pein: It's the 'organizations', don't call it your money. Any money we lose tonight I expect you to get back double by the end of this mission.
Kakuzu now only had 3 hearts working now. 2 heart attacks at once.
The man was sweating like a pig.
"10,000,000!"
The crowd gasped
Hidan: FUCK!
Everyone looked at Pein, who was now feeling the pressure.
12 billion yen! There was no way the Akatsuki had that much money. But they had to get Hinata back at all costs.
"100,000,000 euros!"
A voice was heard. Lorenza looked around to find where the voice was coming from. "Who was that? Can you -?" She immeditaly froze, and turned to the guard to uncuff Hinata.
"This auction is over!" She yelled in fear and coward in the dark corner of the stage.
Hidan took the chance and ran to Hinata, but then bumped into someone. He looked up at the surprisingly tall man. He had a smile on his face and his mask made iron.
"Oh Sorry, I was Just going to claim my prize" He said.
OHHHHHHHHHHH! WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NOW?! THE IRON MASK MAN HAS SHOWN HIMSELF!
I know in Naruto they have Ryo not yen but since they're sort of in our world their currency is yen outside the Shinobi world. Hope things weren't too confusing. Please let me know what you guys thought! There was a lot going on in this chapter. No Hidan x Hinata moments this time but there will be next chapter *wink*
