White Lace
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews guys. The poll results were kinda hard to read. Some of them looked like people weren't entirely sure if they wanted Hinata to have a crush or not. So I tried to put them into the yes or no camp. I came up with 3-2. Two people wanted Hinata to have feelings for Naruto. Three didn't or were on the fence enough that I counted it as a no. So no crush on Naruto in this one. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. ^^
Torrapu: Trick in Japanese.
Itazura: Mischief in Japanese
Chapter Two
"Wait so you're telling me that Sasuke came to get rid of a Cobra Summon and he saw you in your nightgown?" Sakura asks.
"Yes. That's when his Sharingan activated. Nothing happened. My father walked in on us." Hinata tells her.
"Walked on you? That sounds like something happened." The pinkette says in an almost accusing tone.
"Well he did walk in at a rather awkward moment. But nothing im-proper happened." Hinata stammers.
"What was the awkward moment?" Sakura demanded.
"He was helping me get off the bed. I had jumped onto it, to avoid the cobra. Father walked in when Sasuke was offering me help to get off it and I lost my footing. I think father thought we were embracing. It wasn't like that though. It was innocent!" She protests.
"If it was innocent, his Sharingan wouldn't have activated. Do you know how many girls have tried Operation Wildfire on him? They go all out Hinata. I think a couple of them might have even tried flashing him at one point." The green eyed medic points out.
"He was only fifteen. It doesn't take much to get a response out of a man that age." Hinata rationalizes.
"Usually no. But this is Sasuke Uchiha. He's like untouchable. So if his Sharingan activated, it meant something." She continues.
"If it meant something, I think he would have made that clear. He's not…shy." The bluenette says.
"Maybe he was just embarrassed by it." Sakura offers.
"Maybe. Anyway, thanks for the tour." Hinata says with a smile.
"Anytime." Sakura replies.
Meanwhile, Sasuke was in his own personal Hell. Shisui just had to go and drag him to see the Leaf's number one pervert. Jirayia was all too eager to "help." Unfortunately, Jirayia's version of helping was offering advice on what type of women preferred different sexual positions. Very DETAILED advice.
"Now Hinata is a very sweet and shy girl." Jirayia observes.
"Yeah. I'd advise you to stop right there. I'm not going to put up with you talking about her THAT way, you damn old pervert." Sasuke growls.
"Now as I was saying, it's likely she would respond well to a traditional romantic gestures. I would recommend roses or perhaps lilies. But when it comes to actual intimacy, I expect that she'd like someone who is more…assertive than her. My advice would be to take her against the wall. I call it legger. The woman wraps her legs around the man's waist and he takes her against the wall. You can't go wrong with a classic like that." Jirayia continues giving his helpful advice and completely ignores Sasuke's warning.
"Jirayia." He growls.
"And with woman who possesses such a fine bosom like your Hinata, it also has the lovely benefit of allowing you to watch her breasts bounce." He adds.
"OH THAT'S IT!" Sasuke snarls and lunges at the pervert!
"I must admire my brother's confidence. He's attacking a Sanin." Itachi murmurs.
"He's going to get his ass handed to him, if Jirayia takes it seriously." Shisui states.
"My foolish little brother is filled with a righteous fury. I don't think that even Jirayia is a match for a man in love with his temper." The other Uchiha muses.
"Oh really? Wanna make a bet on that?" His cousin asks.
"A weeks pay that Sasuke ends up kicking Jirayia in the nuts and Jirayia just takes it." Itachi states.
"You are so on. This is going to be the easiest money, I've ever made." Shisui says with a smile.
A few minutes later, a cry of pain is heard. Itachi smirks. Ah his foolish little brother never let him down.
"KID YOU DON'T KICK SOMEONE THERE. JEEZ. WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?!" Jirayia calls out.
"I warned you not to talk about her like that. Twice. You didn't listen. You deserved the kick in the nuts. Maybe that will teach you not to stare at her like a pervert." Sasuke says with a scowl.
"You can give me the money when we get home." Itachi tells Shisui smugly.
"Damn. You won that bet." The other Uchiha replies.
"Of course I did. I know my brother." The medic in training states.
Sasuke comes out. He looks at Jirayia in a positively murderous fashion, before bounding over to his clansmen. Damn pervert.
"What'd he say?" Itachi asks with amusement.
"That pervert was giving advice on what sexual positions would be best for someone like Hinata." He scoffs.
"Oh really? What'd he recommend?" Shisui asks.
"Against a wall." Sasuke replies.
"Hmm really? I might have to try that one." Shisui says thoughtfully.
"I don't know. She seems like someone that would prefer to be treated more tenderly." Itach offers.
"…Now he's got you of all people thinking like a pervert." Sasuke mutters in disgust.
"I'm your big brother. It is my job to help counsel you on such things. Shisui, while I respect Jirayia's prowess of as a ninja I'm not sure it's a good idea to seek relationship advice from a lifelong bachelor." Itachi muses.
"Well that much I agree with." Sasuke concedes.
"My love, I got us our masks for the ANBU Ball." Mikoto says cheerfully back in the Uchiha District.
"Mikoto, must we really participate in this silly tradition?" Fugaku asks.
"Yes. Yes. We must. Now tell me what you think? I believe a wolf mask favors you quite well." She states, obviously pleased with herself.
"That mask is well done. I still think this is a stupid tradition." Fugaku scoffs.
"I'm glad you like it." She says, smiling.
"Who came up with this silliness?" The Uchiha Patriarch muses.
"No idea. But everyone dresses up like an ANBU for it. I think the whole keeping your identity a secret is exciting. It's good fun. Plus I do love dancing with you, my love." She says.
"If you find the secrecy exciting, why are you telling me what mask you are wearing?" Fugaku points out.
"Well…if I danced with the wrong man, you would kill him. I don't think my fun is worth someone's life." She answers.
"That is true." He agrees.
"My son remove that stick that is lodged up your ass and have indulge your wife." Kenji says.
Kenji was Fugaku's father. At the ripe old age of 75, he was remarkably long lived for a ninja. He was also in good health, minus occasionally leaning on a cane for some support. He didn't mind the cane though. If people annoyed him, it made a good whacking stick. No one would hit an old man back.
"I do not have a stick up my ass!" Fugaku scowls.
"Yes, yes my son you do. I love you but it is alright to have some fun. You aren't an old fuddy duddy yet." He teases.
Aiya descends the stairs. She was Kenji's wife. At the age of 80, she retained her grace. Her name meant beautiful silk and she lived up to it. Now that she was retired from combat duty, she loved to wear silk kimonos. She adored playing dress up for her husband.
"Are they bickering again, my dear?" She asks Mikoto.
"Mhm." Her Daughter-in-Law replies.
"Some things never change." She mutters with a smile.
"Ah there is my beautiful swan," Kenji strides over to his wife and kisses her hand.
"And my handsome peacock." She chuckles.
"Swan? Peacock? Did I miss something?" Fugaku asks.
The old married couple hold up their masks. Fugaku smacks his forehead with his hand. Honestly, was he the only one in this family with some sense of dignity?
Sasuke, Itachi, and Shisui bound inside. Sasuke immediately noted his father's face palming. That could mean only one thing. His grandparents were there.
"Ah there are my grandsons!" Aiya calls out and opens her arms for her customary hug.
"You look beautiful, grandmother." Sasuke says and hugs her.
"Awe such a sweet boy." She says smiling, all proud.
"A swan mask suits you well." Itachi says and gives her his hug as well.
"Such sweet grandsons I have. Soon enough I will have great grandchildren to spoil." She beams.
"My love, let's not embarrass the boys." Kenji chuckles.
"Of course." She says and hugs Shisui before retreating to her customary position of being in her husband's arms.
"Did I ever tell you boys the story of how we got together?" Aiya asks.
"I don't believe so grandmother." Itachi answers.
"Mikoto, I think we should go find something to wear for the Ball." Fugaku says, not wanting to get roped into "story time."
"Mmm I knew you would see things my way." Mikoto says with a smile and heads upstairs with Fugaku.
Sasuke, Itachi, and Shisui sit by the fire. Aiya and Kenji sit in the chair. Kenji holding his wife in his lap. Their marriage was widely considered to be the Gold Standard by many in their clan. Rarely did you see one without the other. The pains of old age didn't seem to effect them at all. Most of the time they carried on like teenagers.
"I was granted my own squad of Genin quite young. I was only 17 at the time. But in those days, conflict spanned across the Five Great Nations and even the Island Nations. So if you had the ability, you were promoted quickly." Aiya begins.
"I was made an ANBU Captain at 13." Itachi agrees.
"I was assigned to her squad. Fresh out of the Academy. I was young. But I knew what I wanted. I took one look at her and just knew she was the one. She…wasn't as convinced." Kenji chuckles.
"He actually looked at me and told me in no uncertain terms that he was going to marry me one day. At the time he was only 12. Barely out of the Academy. I had thought it was just a childhood crush. Such things happen sometimes. I thought he'd grow out of it. It was flattering, though rather awkward at times. " Aiya laughs.
"The key to a happy life is simple. There is no great mystery. One simply has to know what they want and not be afraid to pursue it." Kenji nods.
"He was relentless. At first it was simple things, flowers and sweets. Innocent really." She says with a smile.
"When that didn't work, I decided I just needed to get stronger to impress her." He continues.
"So what'd you do?" Shisui asks.
"I raced up the Hokage Mountain everyday with weights on my arms, legs, and back. Heavy weights. I trained with whatever Jonins would take pity on me." He answers.
"Do you know how awkward it is to see a twelve year old with a six pack and biceps the size of a grown man's?" Aiya chuckles.
"That's…mildly disturbing." Sasuke agrees.
"It did make me popular with the girls my own age though. But I didn't care. I only had eyes for your grandmother." He says.
"Well at some point you won her over." Itachi comments.
"It was during a mission. There was an ambush. They were interested in taking hostages. I shoved her out of the way and got captured on purpose. I was oh about Sasuke's age at that point." He says.
"It was at that point I realized that he actually loved me and it wasn't just the longest crush in the history of the world." Aiya rubs the back of her head sheepishly.
"It was not a pleasant two weeks. The techniques that they used on enemy ninjas in those days, were…horrific." Kenji says.
"But we were able to retrieve him. I nursed him back to health and then we courted. The official courtship was short. Long enough so people wouldn't assume we were only marrying because I had gotten pregnant and then that was that." She says.
"It was worth it though." Kenji says smiling.
"Well I could live without the whole getting tortured by enemy ninjas for two weeks thing, but other than that…that's a nice story." Shisui says.
"Oh Itachi, I recommend the weasel mask for you and for Sasuke the lion. For your woman, you want something that is…quirky enough to get her attention. For Sasuke's you want something that reinforces the notion that you are bold enough to take what you want." He muses.
"…." Both Uchiha brothers are stunned.
"I'm not stupid. I know when my grandsons have been stung by Cupid's Arrow." He states.
"Mmm now who is embarrassing the boys?" Aiya laughs.
"I couldn't help it. I'm an old man. I got to get my licks in while it's good." He chuckles and heads off arm and arm with his wife.
A few days later, the Uchihas head to ANBU Ball. They all entered separately, otherwise that would defeat the purpose of the masks. Sasuke had followed his grandfather's advice and gone with a lion. The guy had been married for over half a century. He had be doing something right.
It looked like Itachi was of a similar opinion. He'd made a weasel mask. Only Itachi could make a weasel look dignified. He made it himself. His brother was surprisingly artistic when he wanted to be. It just wasn't a skill had a chance to showcase often.
Sasuke looks around the room. He smiles when he sees Hinata. She'd gone with a cat mask. He'd recognize that blue hair anywhere, mask or not. So they matched in a way.
He frowns. She was already dancing with someone else. He didn't consider that someone a threat though. Well a threat to Hinata's toes maybe. My God for a ninja that guy had zero grace.
"The key to a happy life is simple. There is no great mystery. One simply has to know what they want and not be afraid to pursue it." His grandfather's words ring in his head.
"Mind if I cut in for the sake of her feet?" Sasuke asks.
"My God Sasuke, do you always have to be such a bastard?" Naruto asks.
"Loser, you aren't supposed to say my name! That defeats the whole point of the masks." Sasuke smacks his forehead.
"Whatever. Not like people can't guess by your voice anyway. Sorry, Hinata. Dancing's not really my thing. Let's see if the jackass can do any better." Naruto huffs.
"It's okay, Naruto." She smiles and shyly wraps her arms around Sasuke's neck.
"Are you two…a thing?" Sasuke asks.
"Oh N-aruto and me? No. He's in love with S-akura." She answers.
"Good to know. Maybe he'll man up and she'll stop chasing me." He says and twirls Hinata under his arm.
"You don't like her that way?" She asks and blushes when she feels her back against his. (She was really grateful for these masks now. No one had to know when she was blushing.)
"No. I'm not into pink and…loud." He answers.
"What are you into?" She surprises herself by asking.
You. He wanted to say. But he couldn't bring himself to actually say it. Quick! He needed something smooth and vague! Fast.
"Beautiful and innocent." He answers.
Itachi smiles, noticing his foolish little brother had apparently found his kitten. He still had to find Kurenai though. He wasn't exactly sure what type of mask she would go for. This might prove to be a challenge.
Ah ha! He found her. A snowy owl? Interesting choice. He heads over. Itachi wasn't entirely certain what he'd do when he got there. He figured instincts would kick in though. (If his foolish little brother could do it, he certainly could.)
He wondered if she would recognize his voice, if he spoke to her. Well he decided to go with body language just to be on the safe side. He approaches her and bows, gesturing towards the dance floor.
She smiles and nods her head. Itachi takes her hand and leads her to the dance floor. Success. He really had to remember to thank his grandfather at some point.
Both Uchiha brothers were on cloud nine. In hindsight, it had all been just a little too easy. Just a little too perfect. Yes, fate had to fuck with them as it always did with their clan.
That's when the bomb went off. The explosion was powerful knocking most people back at least ten feet.. Clearly it was designed to startle everyone and cause panic. It worked like a charm.
"HINATA!" Sasuke calls out and looks around for her desperately.
"KURENAI!" Itachi cries out looking around trying to see through the smoke.
Torrapu smirks. Ah this would be easier than she thought it would. She does a jutsu assuming the form of Kurenai. Her younger sister, Itazura likewise transforms into Hinata.
"Are you ok-ay, Sasuke?" She asks.
"Yeah, I think so. You?" Sasuke asks and follows "Hinata's voice."
"Yes. Let's get out of here. We have to figure out who attacked the ball." She tells him.
"You're right." He agrees and takes Hinata's hand, trying to locate the exit. (Little did Sasuke know the real Hinata had been knocked unconscious by the force of the blast and sent back about ten feet. Neither was Itachi aware of a similar fate befalling Kurenai.)
"Itachi?" Kurenai calls out.
"There you are. Are you injured?" He says and rushes over to her.
"I don't' think so. But we have to get out of here. I doubt that will be the only attack." "Kurenai" informs him.
"Yes and find my family." Itachi says.
"Of course." She agrees and they head off supposedly looking for Itachi's family.
"It's cute, yet pathetic." Kurenai says.
"Sorry what are you referring to?" Itachi asks.
"ANBU Captain at 13. But when it comes to the woman you love, you are so easily conned. One would think you were a Genin." She says and strikes him in the back of the head, knocking him unconscious.
"Hinata. Where are we going? The others are back there." Sasuke asks.
"You'll see." She says.
"See what?" The Uchiha asks in confusion.
"That things are better this way." She says, gets behind him, and knocks him out.
"Sister, are you there?" She calls out.
"Yeah. I got my target. What about you?" She asks.
"Target acquired. We should neutralize their chakra before they wake and get them back to the village." She states.
"Of course." The other woman replies and gets out two very special needles filled with a serum that made it impossible to use your chakra for 48 hours.
"I felt a little guilty about hitting such a handsome face." She mutters and injects Sasuke's neck with the serum.
"As did I. But that will just make the operation easier. Our village will grow strong with the addition of bloodlines. Do you think the others were successful?" She questions and does the same to Itachi.
"I hope so. The more ninjas they can grab, the better for genetic diversity." She replies.
"Exactly." Her elder sister says.
When Sasuke and Itachi woke the next morning, they were in a dungeon of sorts. Both were chained and they were not alone. Sasuke recognized at least twenty other Leaf ninjas in the room. Most were men, but some were women.
"What the?" He asks.
"I believe we were just taken hostage." Itachi states.
"Dammit!" Sasuke growls.
"You can say that again, foolish little brother." Itachi says with a sigh.