The Art of Love

Chapter Ten: The Hunt

Rated M for sexual contact, violence, and language

By: Midnight-Runaway

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Light colored eyes stared at the body lying on the ground. The body slumped against the concert wall, blood dripping from the fatal wound around the neck. The body's lifeless eyes still open, staring at the ground, with dried blood on its forehead. "Get him to the autopsy," the woman commanded. The men nodded. Turning away the female moved out the room and looked at the dead guards. "Have the Hokage notified of the situation," she commanded to a chunnin. The young man nodded and rushed out of the narrow hall.

The scent of death was overwhelming, causing her mouth to frown. Making her way out of the hall, she pushed past the double doors. Coming into the large lobby, she looked at the men and women. Some people were standing around having conversations others moving past trying to get to their destination. The tension was evident. Everyone seemed on edge, they were on high alert.

The village hasn't been directly attacked since, the beginning of the fourth shinobi war. The events caused fear. Their home front was attacked. Under their noise their best Intel agency was attacked, leaving ten of their men and one important prisoner killed. They weren't just worried about safety but public distrust. Fear was a horrible thing, it caused panic. It caused doubt which leads to rash decisions. In times of fear the evil thrived.

"Hinata," someone called out to her. Her eyes found Kakashi. His face was stern, his body language tense. "Hokage had requested everyone that was working on the case to report to him." Nodding she, dispersed and reappeared in the Hokage's office. Staring at the man, no older than her, she waited for orders. Studying the room, she saw Ibiki, Nara, Kakashi, and Ino. "Give me a brief summary," he commanded not looking up from the file in his hand.

There was a short period of silence. Nara was the lead analyst; Ibiki and Ino were in charge of the interrogation, Kakashi special ops coordinator, leaving Hinata as Intel caption. Feeling everyone's eyes on her, she knew she had unknowingly become the leader.

"Two months ago team five was sent on a classified S rank mission. They were supposed to get intel on the whereabouts of Yuu. The mission went south, causing the loss of two men on the team. The rest of the team reported back, with little information. They had only gotten the name Akifumi. Upon investigating it further, a connection between Yuu's organization and a suspect was made. Two weeks ago we received intel, that our package was hiding in the Sunagakure. Mission was assigned twelve days ago, a classified S rank mission, with the objective to retrieve the package. Our team brought him back alive," Hinata stopped.

Naruto looked up. Hinata studied his face slightly. In the last twenty-four hours, he hadn't felt his office. His eyes had bags underneath them, his hair slightly messy. "The file says you lead the initial searched for Akifumi," Naruto questioned Hinata. Nodding, she paused. It was true she pushed for the search because she had let her emotions get the best of her. Things had gotten personal for her. It was a need to avenge that drove her to push.

"Last year, before the initial series of missions dedicated to Yuu, my team had been sent on a mission to the small town outside the mist. Upon arriving there, we came in contact with underground resistance. Upon further investigation, we uncovered a larger resistance group ran by Yuu," she paused taking a deep breath she started again, "before the discovery we didn't know that Yuu even existed. The small attacks and ambushes were linked to small disorganized patches of resistance. The picture in the file is the only known picture of Yuu we have. It cost us, five men," she paused again but, this time didn't continue. The summary was in the case file, her reports, team's reports, and even medical examinations were in the file.

"Nara and I have discussed a plan of action," Naruto started. Looking at her with an authoritative look, he handed her a file. "The enemy has attacked our home. Public distrust will grow and panic will cause chaos. I can't have that. People were killed, innocent children just slaughtered. I can't have that," he paused. "I need to find the mole. I also need to find Yuu. Crimes were committed us, and the debt has to be paid. Ino I need you the lead the investigation for the mole. Hinata you are going to be assigned a team, your only objective is to find Yuu." Hinata nodded clenching the file. "Your files hold mission reports. Your team was hand-picked by me. Remember this is classified. You are dismissed," Naruto said turning back to his paperwork.

Bowing Hinata left the office. She felt exhausted; all she wanted to do is go home to her husband. She wanted to hold him, tell him how much she loved him, sighing she started making her way home. There was a lack of people on the streets. No sounds of children, workers, or women gossiping. The ban had been lifted but people were reluctant to leave their homes. Opening her door, she looked to see her husband sitting on the couch taking off his gear. He looked tired. His hair was disheveled.

Scanning over him, she let out a breath, he wasn't injured. Sasuke wasn't in the village at the time of the attack; he was on an S rank mission. She had been worried, she knew he was capable but he was her husband and her his wife. The truth was they both worried when the other was gone.

She felt his eyes on her. Her feet moved towards him, stopping when she was a foot in front of him. She studied his features, he was truly beautiful. She loved the way his eyes stared at her with a loving gaze. Hinata loved the way his muscles, pressed against his black shirt, causing a definite outline of what lay underneath.

Removing his shirt, he stood up. His body was beautiful. He moved closer. Towering over her, he stared down at her. Her frame moved closer, leaving a few inches between them. He didn't touch her. His lips didn't press against hers. He just stood there taking in her features.

Sasuke liked to watch his wife. Hours he would spend sitting on the couch, just watching her do chores or paperwork. She was an addiction. Like a drug, he could never get enough of her.

Without a word, he kissed her. It wasn't sweet or gentle it was passionate, rough, and needy. Roughly he pulled her closer to him, his hands gripped her hips. Her arms found their way up to his neck. Her fingers played with his hair. They made their way to the couch.

An hour later she rested head on his chest, his arms around her waist he kissed her head. "I love you," he whispered. She hugged him.

She tried to close her eyes, and enjoy the few rare moments she got with her husband, but her mind had come off its high and began to wonder. It wanted to complete its mission. Hinata sat up, climbing off her husband; she pulled on her panties and his shirt. Sitting on the floor, with her back the couch she held the file. "Hinata," Sasuke asked. She looked up at his tired form and gave him a weak smile. "Mission," was all she had to say. He nodded and laid back. His eyes still open stared at the ceiling. Occasionally he stole some glances at Hinata.

She was reading her file. He knew better to ask. There were many things that even they didn't share with one another. It didn't have to do with trust, but rather the duty. Hinata and Sasuke were bound to duty and then as husband and wife. It was their chosen path and had long ago learned better than to fight it.

Sasuke could hear her faint breathing. He wanted nothing more than to sleep, but he never got a good night's rest without Hinata by his side. The feeling of her warm body took away the horrors of the professions. They were all haunted by memories, every single one of them. The killing was killing. Yes, it had gotten easier. It wasn't as haunting but it still stayed with them. Each soul they took left a mark on their heart. Hinata senses her husband's distress and stood up. Holding her hand out to him he grabbed it. Standing up, he led her to the room. Laying him down she smiled at him. "I love you," she whispered into his ears.

He watched her, taking in her ever detail. She looked mature now. Her long indigo hair was a bit shorter now just badly past her shoulder, her bangs grew out framing her face, her farcical features matured and her body fitter yet curvy. She was more beautiful than the day he fell in love with her. He loved how his black shirt clung to her breast and flared out. The shirt reached her mid-thigh. Her hair was still messy from sex. God, he loved her. He stood up and roughly picked her up. Placing her on the bed he looked down at her with hunger. She was the thirst, that no matter how much he drank he could never quench it.

His eyes traveled up his exposed legs. They were creamy and so soft. Hinata gave him a sheepish smile causing Sasuke smiled slightly. Her laughs and smiles were what he lived for. After a long day of work when he came home to her smiling face her day became complete.

She turned to face him and kissed him. "I missed you," she whispered to him. Her head leaning against his chest, she ran circles on his skin. "Naruto assigned me a classified mission," she paused as he looked down at her. He was surprised she was telling him this. "It's Yuu," she said feeling him tense.

Yuu's group had killed one of her team's members. She considered the girl to be her pupil, and for weeks, Hinata fought for a manhunt. She kissed whatever ass to finally get the go-ahead to start the series of missions that's all he knew. The details to him were beyond classified, only need to know members.

"It's more than revenge, they attacked our home." He nodded it was both duty and revenge but he wasn't going to argue with her. Sasuke was aware of the effects of revenge did to a person. It changed a person. He was just going to protect her. "I need you to help me," she said looking at him. "I need this to stay between us, I need more brains." He nodded and kissed her head. She hugged him closer and kissed him again. "Sleep," she finally commanded. He did as told and closed his eyes, falling into a light slumber.

Leaning against the table, her lilac eyes scanned the various papers. Her eyes slightly hurt, and her body felt stuff. Looking at her notes, she frowned. Five days of revisiting every case file, every attack reported, every known visible link, and yet she came out empty handed. Averting her eyes away from the notes, she looked at the clock it was five thirty, she was to meet the Hokage in less than thirty minutes. She was rather disappointed in herself. "Hinata," voice called out to her. She didn't turn to acknowledge the voice. "Shino," she said giving him a go ahead. Her team was four of the best minds of the leaf Shino, Nara, Kakashi, and Anko. "We looked at the random attacks no real links were made besides there were no civilian groups attacked just shinobi." Nodding she rubbed her head, "I already sent the rest home. Go home rest you worked hard these five days. We need to rest then regroup. There has to be something here." She heard an okay and sensed his chakra leave her apartment.

Standing in front of the Hokage's office she took a deep breath. Opening it she entered. Naruto was sitting and talking to Sasuke, smiling at the two she waiting for her orders. "News," he asked. "Nothing. The autopsy from Akifumi comes in today. The intel team sent to the send is to arrive today. We have nothing yet," she sighed. Naruto sighed and nodded. Hinata watched him relax. "Sakura is being a pain," he said rubbing his head. "Pregnancy symptoms are awful. She is stressed and tired and I can't even be home to help her." Hinata met Sasuke eyes. Would she have a child one day? People had told her she would make an amazing mother; she was a gentle and loving woman. She loved children but Hinata had yet to have a successful pregnancy.

"If you like I could keep an eye one her," she offered. "You live across the street."

Naruto looked up and noticed Sasuke and Hinata looking at each other. "That would be nice," he said feeling a bit awkward. She broke her gaze from her husband and smiled at Naruto. Hinata held her emotions together but felt her heart heavy. "I'll see you both later. Dinner tonight at the baroque place?" They both nodded and she hurried out the office. Naruto leaned back in his chair and started at Sasuke.

Every time Naruto had brought up a baby Hinata would be physically upset. He heard Sasuke sigh. "You're going to have to tell me theme." Sasuke looked past Naruto and at the window. "Remember when Hinata was on that leave for four months." Naruto nodded. "She was pregnant," he paused. He hadn't said those words out loud yet. It wasn't something Hinata and he talked to people about. They were very private people. "What," Naruto exclaimed. His best friend and his wife were expecting and he hadn't known. Sasuke nodded. "She was so happy. Heck, I was so happy. We want children. She lost the child," he said blandly. He remembered how broken she was. Hinata felt like she was too weak she couldn't protect her unborn child. Hinata had felt like a disappointment. He remembered holding for hours as she cried. He remembers finding her at the park watching the little children. "Did you guys try again," Naruto asked. Sasuke felt his heart become heavy. "The doctor said she may never be able to have a child."

The room went silent for a few seconds. "Bringing up Sakura's pregnancy makes her sad," Naruto stated. "Why didn't you tell earlier?" "Idiot she would see Sakura and would find out herself. It's not something you can hide. Also, Hinata wouldn't like people acting that way around her. We chose to keep it to ourselves for a reason Naruto," he looked the blonde in the eyes; "my wife is a strong woman. I know deep down she will have a child and if she can't then we have more than enough love to share, we can adopt. Blood doesn't make a family. I learned that from you stupid," he said sighing, Naruto smiled. "You're the idiot," he said smiling.

Naruto looked at Sasuke. In the years since Hinata came into his life, Sasuke was different. There was no need for revenge but rather a protection. He dedicated his life to protecting. Naruto remembers the day Sasuke came at his house at one in the morning. He told him he was getting married in a week and he was the best man then left. Naruto was shocked, to say the least. Who would have thought the famous killer would fall in love, and get married? Hinata brought happiness into Sasuke's life. For that he thanked god.