PART 8
Sasuke and Hinata stayed at an inn for about 3 days, and continued their journey. They asked around for information on the people with black kimonos and white masks. But nobody knew of them.
The two sat on a large boulder near a smooth stream, and unwrapped their lunch. As they ate, Sasuke groaned, "At this rate, we won't find those people."
Hinata as silently for a while, then spoke forlornly, "Do you think there's a chance that there's a different reason for why they're after us? Besides the fact that we're the last of the Uchiha and Hyuuga clan?"
Sasuke watched her doubtfully, "What might they be after then? What do we have in common that's so important they want it?"
The girl had no answer to this, because suddenly there was a rustle in some bushes behind them.
In less than a second, Sasuke and Hinata threw 2 kunai at the bushes, and they met their mark.
A man with a mask and black kimono jumped out with kunai in his upper arm. But he couldn't escape in time for Hinata brought him down in an armlock. Sasuke unsheathed his katana and placed it at the man's neck.
"You will give us some answers," Sasuke ordered. The man gulped, which surprised Hinata. She had thought that they weren't really people for they disintegrate when they were killed.
The man finally submitted, and removed his mask. Hinata gasped and Sasuke was at loss of words. The man had black and golden eyes, and his face seemed like it was infested with a disease. Half of it was white the other was normal skin. But the white side of his face seemed to droop.
"Uchiha Sasuke and Hinata. I will answer your questions. And just to settle your distraughts, Hinata-san, my kind has life although we turn to ashes when we die." His voice was deep and melancholy.
"Tell us of your past," Hinata ordered gently.
"My name is Ken, and I was once a human. That is until I along with the other ninja in my small village were kidnapped as experiments. This is the result." He waved a hand at his body, and continued, "We were then had no place to go to, for our village would not take us back for we were monsters. So we went to the people who had changed us and we begged them to revert us back. Their deal: they would find a cure but in return, we had to work for them. After long time, we were ordered to capture you. I was supposed to spy on you, but that has failed now."
Sasuke said nothing, but Hinata urged him to answer a few more questions.
"Our organization is secret so few people know of it, but unfortunately, Konoha was starting to investigate us. My kind are known as the No Faces."
Sasuke asked, "What do they want with us?"
"I don't really know, but it is said that you two posses a special healing ability. I've also heard that nobody has ever met our leader except for that Hyuuga boy."
Hinata sharpened and demanded, "Neji-nii! How is he alive? Why is he with the No Faces?"
Fear drifted in Ken's eyes and he answered shakily, "I-I don't know. I'm sorry."
Hinata's face fell and Sasuke placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. He then turned to the No Face and spoke, "They want the white snake's healing ability, don't they? But do they need both of us?"
Ken shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Again, they don't really tell us anything. All the other No Faces are all in the palm of their hands, and they're so pathetic."
He then got down on his knees before Sasuke and Hinata. "Please take my life. I have caused pain in other lives and I have had enough of my own. Please take my life."
There was silence except for the rustle of leaves in the wind. Sasuke spoke curtly, "No."
Ken looked up in surprise. Hinata spoke gently, "Ken-san, if you feel that there is no purpose in your life, make one. If you feel guilty for causing pain on others, atone by helping people. If you take your life, what will that do? Others will cause pain, but you, if dead, can do nothing."
Ken glanced at Sasuke who gave a simple nod. Ken stared into Sasuke's eyes and Hinata's. They had seen so much pain, more than him.
He bowed his head and tears formed at the corner of his eyes. "Thank you. Thank you for letting me realize that I still have a purpose," he sobbed, "Please let me lead you to the organization's hide out."
Hinata smiled softly and Sasuke nodded his head in acknowledgement.
Ken wiped the tears from his eyes, and stood tall and straight. "Let us begin the journey, for it is in the Village of Suna."
Sasuke and Hinata held their breathes for a second. Gaara. What if Konoha alerts him of our absence and Gaara find us?
They traveled for about half of the day and stopped to rest. Ken, who had begun to feel comfortable around them, asked, "You two are a married couple?"
Sasuke said a simple, "Yes." Hinata had gone to fill their bottles with water.
"Hinata-san must be very special to change you. I've heard that you used to be heartless and cold. Well, I've heard that of her, too."
"Hinata…she's been through a lot. Maybe even more than me. She got stronger in less time than I did. But she was close to dying. I asked the white snake to heal her, but there were consequences."
The white-eyed girl suddenly appeared with full water bottles and handed one to Sasuke and Ken. She asked casually, "Ken-san, did you have a family?"
He shook his head and said, "I've had to take care of myself ever since I was little."
Sasuke, curious, asked, "If you and your fellow No Faces haven't met your leader, who gives you orders?"
Ken stared at him blankly, "Why, Hyuuga Neji does."
Hinata blurted, "What is Neji-nii like now? Please tell me."
Ken thought carefully then answered, "He's strict and tough, always follows the rules, but he seems really cold and cruel. Some of the No Faces hate him."
Disbelief smacked Hinata hard. To her, Neji seemed the same, yet different. The way he had smirked so cruelly, it was so new to her.
Desiring to change the subject, Sasuke asked why the organization was in Suna. Ken just shrugged his shoulders, not knowing the answer.
They traveled for about the rest of the day, and finally reached Suna.
"We should find a place to stay, although we don't want Sand nin finding us." Sasuke murmured quietly.
They found a small inn, and stayed for the night. The next day, Ken led them to the organization's hideout. He brought them to a clearing with sandy hills.
For a sudden moment, Sasuke and Hinata thought they were tricked because there didn't seem to be hideouts and such. But Ken suddenly spoke strange words, probably in another language.
A pillar of sand sunk into the ground, revealing a narrow passage. With Ken leading, the group traveled inside. Torches were lighted on the side of the walls.
They then reached a chamber, and an army of No Faces awaited them. Neji stood before the army with a cold smirk.
"I thought you'd come, according to our spies. I'm disappointed in you, No Face, betraying your people." He spoke while gazing at the three of them.
Hinata steopped forward, "Neji-nii, how can you be like this? Where is the cousin I knew?"
He regarded her coldly, and replied, "Where is the cousin I knew? Tell me, why did he die? And when he was revived, tell me, why did he find his entire clan dead? It was all because of you."
The girl clenched her fists tightly and he continued, "Our Leader revived me, but the price was his body. The only way to restore it is the white snake's healing power. Which you two happen to possess, although I only need one of you."
With fury, Hinata threw a kunai, but Neji caught it and signaled for the No Faces to attack. It was the begnning of a big battle.