AN: Third chapter, I'll try to update weekly I guess, and more often than that on weeks I don't have huge projects due the next day.
strangebloke: Yeah, I noticed as I reread them. It makes sense in my head, just need to get it across on paper I guess. Thanks for the advice, I'll try my hardest not to continue making the mistakes. As for the slow going, I'm glad you like it, because I'm dying to jump right into the main storyline but I don't want to make it go too quickly.
Shay Leighton: Thank you for your advice as well, I'll try to prevent as many of those as possible; and yes, other Bleach characters will be present, though not necessarily by name. And not all will be alive either. For example, I plan on using Matsumoto, but she'll be a shinigami already, just not a lieutenant. Just try to bare with it as I try to fit as many in without making it too strange.
Disclaimer:If it's in either mangas/animes, it's not mine.
The day was going to come eventually, but Hinata never thought it would be so soon. She met the prince, got engaged and was now leaving for his country; all in less than a week. She had yet to collect her thoughts about al this, and now she was leaving behind the people who could help. And then there was her fear of her fiancé to consider; nothing was done to provoke her fear since their first encounter and she was starting to wonder whether it had simply been a figment of her imagination.
"Hyuuga-sama," one of the Aurora shinobis called and Hinata turned to see him bowing before her. She wasn't new to such treatment, but it felt strange receiving it from men other than her cousins. "We'll be ready to depart in an hour."
"Thank you," the girl acknowledged, dismissing the man. If there was one thing they all had in common, it was how they all had long hair. She figured it was a small protection against the cold and was glad se took Ino's advice and grew out her hair.
A sigh left her lips as soon as she was sure she was alone. It was still too early for any of her friends to be up and Neji had spent the night at Shikamaru's, and though she accepted not being able to see any of them one last time, it still pained her. She had so much to say, so since she couldn't say it in person she wrote it down in her journal. She would leave it behind; someone would find it eventually, most likely Neji or Hanabi, and they would get their adieus. The only one who wouldn't get any would be her, but she wouldn't let that bother her. They had done enough for her…
"Hyuuga-sama," a shinobi called, almost an hour later. Hinata looked up from the journal before her to stare at the man. He bowed low enough that his forehead touched the floor, reminding her of the time Neji did so as he apologized after the chuunin exams. It was a memory she didn't enjoy reliving. "We'll be leaving in five minutes."
"I see," she sighed as she shut the book and stood, gracefully of course. She hadn't enough time to write everything she planned, but it would have to suffice. She gathered her last few things; a stuffed animal she received from her sister, a photograph of the original rookie nine (Sasuke included) and her kunoichi garb. She would probably never wear it again, but it would bring memories. That and she couldn't imagine going anywhere without it.
As she made her way to the carriage, she stopped by Hanabi's room. The younger sister was sound asleep and looked too content for Hinata to even dare waking her, no matter the circumstances. She peeked the girl on the forehead before leaving, whispering her goodbyes in her ear. It brought a smile to hear the younger girl whisper her name in return.
As soon as she left the compound, she was greeted by her fiancé. He smiled, closing his violet eyes as he did so, but not before she caught a glimpse of an emotion. Which emotion it was, she wasn't sure; it went by too quickly for her to register it, but it made her uneasy nonetheless.
"There's someone here to see you," he announced as he reopened his eyes. Only kindness could be seen in them now, but Hinata's unease wouldn't leave so soon. "I'll give you a few minutes, but try to keep it brief; Aurora's not as close as I would like."
She nodded and as she made her way to the visitor, her mind ran through the possibilities of who it might be. She figured it was either her father or one of the Elders coming to remind her how proud they were and to not "mess it up now".
"The books say I should be feeling happy for you," a voice called, proving her theory wrong as Hinata looked up to see Sai perched on a branch. Hiashi would be furious if he found out someone dared climb his tree, the one he and his brother planted together when they were just boys. "But instead of feeling happy, I'm upset that you're leaving. Maybe Naruto's right and I should stop reading those self help books, they're confusing."
Hinata didn't know what to do other than smile at the boy as he dropped down in front of her. She would've run up to him and hugged him had she not been the time to faint at the slightest touch. If there was one thing to love about Sai, it was his blunt honesty. She had had enough of the monotonous "I'm happy for you", all without a single "I'll miss you".
"Y-you didn't have to c-come," she said, unable to voice her thoughts clearly.
"Don't worry about it," he smiled, almost sincerely. That was one thing he still needed to work on. "I just happened to walk by your compound as I made my way to the Hokage tower and decided to stop by. You had nothing to do with my waking."
Okay, so maybe Sai's bluntness had a downside, but he was just trying to be nice. He just didn't know how…
"Hinata!" Isamu called as he came around the bend. "What's taking so long? We're all ready to leave."
"That's your fiancé?" Sai questioned as he examined the prince. "I guess he's attractive, but older than I would've expected."
Isamu gave him a strange look; that was probably the first time anyone had dared speak of him in his presence, and he didn't even look ashamed of doing so!
"I should get going anyways," Sai smiled. "Tsunade has a recon mission for me and I've dodged her long enough." He paused only to take out a scroll and place it in her hand. "Keep that and don't write anything on it."
"What did he give you?" Isamu asked curiously as he led Hinata back to the carriage, his hand on her waist. His touch sent shivers through her body; cold, fearful shivers.
"A-a b-blank scroll," she answered, having to force the words out of her mouth. It had always been hard for her to speak her thoughts aloud, but it seemed impossible around him.
"Strange kid," the prince muttered innocently enough as he took one last look where Sai once stood. "I think I might miss this place one day."
"W-what do you m-mean?" his fiancé questioned as she stepped into the carriage after him.
"Well, for now I have you to remind me," he smirked as he took her hand and lightly brushed the ring he gave her. "My very own Ice Princess."
It was something in the way he said it that made the term more fearful than sweet.
AN: Sorry if I didn't portray Sai as perfectly as I could, but I tried, and that's what counts, right?