Author's Notes: HIIIIII Readers!! It has been a long wait for the next installation of this story. I want to thank every reviewer that reviewed this story! I am grateful for your patience. I hope you all enjoy this next chapter! Please read and review! I appreciate your time in reading this very much!!
Chapter 2: Price
I feel my soul drifting farther into the bottomless sea.
It was so easy to say "I love you." It was just three words meshed together to form a line that would capture all the girls' hearts that Sabaku Gaara had ever encountered. Whether it was out of boredom, enjoyment, or tease, Gaara loved the way women swooned over him. He knew he had it all: money, looks, and power. He had inherited a fortune from his late grandparents who had passed away three years ago. His father had left when he was an infant and his mother had passed away in his birth. His two older siblings, Temari and Kankurou, were living off their portion of the fortune by creating their own companies and profiting millions of dollars each year.
However, Gaara was different. He prided himself on women and luxury.
"Gaara, when will I get to see you in bed?" asked a woman in a short black skirt with a red halter shirt. She smiled at him and gracefully pulled back her brown hair away in front of Gaara. She was quite a beauty and four years older than Gaara, the eighteen year old. She slowly ran a hand up his bare chest (Gaara had allowed the woman earlier to unbutton his blue shirt). The techno music from the club added fervor to their situation.
Gaara smiled, took the woman's hand in his own and kissed it gently, his clear cerulean eyes never leaving the woman's face. The woman smiled widend into a devilish grin.
Oh, how Gaara loved to play with their minds and hearts. He stood up and led her away.
Hinata cried in pain as the nurses and Dr. Yuuhi ran into her room. Hinata curled up her body, her right hand grabbing her left shoulder.
The pain…was unbearable.
For some reason, it was sending a burning painful sensation to Hinata's left arm and she couldn't take it. She pressed the emergency button and in three minutes the nurses and Dr. Yuuhi came in.
"Hinata! What's wrong?" exclaimed Dr. Yuuhi, her ruby eyes gazing worriedly at Hinata's expression.
Sweat rolled down Hinata's face as she fought to control herself from screaming. She closed her eyes tightly and felt herself ready to explode. This…hadn't happened in the three days that she had been staying in the hospital. But now, it was different.
"Yamamoto-san, get the morphine!" spoke Dr. Yuuhi. She gently touched Hinata's forehead, moving strangs of her bangs away from her sweaty forehead, and spoke softly to Hinata. "Hyuuga-san, I'm issuing some morphine to alleviate your pain. It's going to be okay."
Hinata nodded and winced as the pain was growing more and more. Curling her body tighter, Hinata wished it would all just go away.
"Here, doctor!" cried the nurse, entering the room and handing the morphine bottle to Dr. Yuuhi.
Taking out the pills, Dr. Yuuhi spoke calmly to Hinata once again," Hyuuga-san, take these morphine pills. Don't chew them and only swallow okay? We have water for you." Hinata nodded as her eyes opened partly to look up at her doctor. Dr. Yuuhi Kurenai nodded, the sweat was all over Hinata's face and small strands of her hair stuck to her face. "Okay, nurses, let's sit her up." They helped Hinata sit up on the bed. Taking the pills from Dr. Yuuhi's hand, Hinata's hand shook to reach for them. She slowly brought the pills to her mouth, swallowed the morphine pills and drank the cup of water to gulf the pills down.
Slowly, Hinata's shivering stopped and she felt her body grow weak.
"You will be fine now," spoke Dr. Yuuhi calmly and relief spread all over the doctor's body. She and the nurse helped Hinata lay back in bed and Hinata stared at the people around her who where now all smiling. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to press the button again."
Hinata made a small smile and nodded," Thank…you." Her voice was a soft whisper and Dr. Yuuhi's eyes widened.
"You finally spoke, dear," Dr. Yuuhi answered proudly. Smiling, she patted Hinata's head," Now, rest."
Hinata nodded and closed her eyes. Her heartbeat was back to its regular beating on the heart monitor and everyone was glad the situation had been settled.
"Doctor, she spoke after three days," replied Yamamoto Mitsuki, entering out the door.
Dr. Yuuhi Kurenai nodded and smiled as she closed the door," Yes, it's a good improvement for the young child."
"He's been active lately in the gym, hasn't he?" muttered Mitarashi Anko to her colleague, Akiyama Shizune; Shizune nodded inherently, both of their eyes glued to Sasuke. The two colleagues were gathered together with their other assassin colleagues in a corner of the gym as they watched Uchiha Sasuke pump his arms with the weights. Their "assassin buddies" were all women as they continued to marvel at Sasuke's good looks and muscles. Their faces were blushing with fanaticism as his muscles flexed at each movement of his arms.
"This is getting out of hand, ladies, leave Sasuke alone!" cried Karin. She walked into the gym dressed in black slacks and a purple tank top. Her hair was down and she pulled up her glasses above her nose. She crinkled it at the sight of the ladies, deploring their behavior. "Look, I appreciate, Sasuke as a handsome individual, but I don't gather in groups like you all and look like ravaging animals! Hmph!" Walking towards a line of treadmills, Karin got on one and began a light jog.
Anko rolled her eyes, flexing her hands into a fist," What a bitch."
Shizune nodded, eyeing Karin's back," I can't stand her sometimes."
The two assassins couldn't believe that a rookie assassin had such a cocky attitude. The group of female assassins soon dispersed and went back to their work-outs.
"Hey, don't take to heart what she said, Karin's just a newbie and we've all had that same trait before," spoke Haruno Sakura, coming behind the two colleagues. Ever since she's been a part of this assassin world, she and the many ladies of this area, had all made nasty comments to each other regarding any intimacy or affections toward Sasuke.
"Ai, Sakura, it's you!" exclaimed Anko, with a smile. "Were you with us "ravaging animals", too?"
Shizune laughed," Yes, were you?"
Sakura chuckled," No, I just got here, but I heard everything Karin said." Sakura placed her duffel bag on the ground near her two colleagues as she took off her white sweater. Revealing a pink tank top and blue shorts, Sakura began to tie her hair into a ponytail.
"You know, Karin has nothing to bad to say to you because you're probably the only one who doesn't act like a fanatic toward Sasuke," muttered Anko, sneering at Karin's back. She was stretching her legs and Shizune, too.
"And you're even Sasuke's partner," added Shizune with a nod. "Karin looks up to you for that, I bet."
Sakura chuckled," Maybe so, but she's probably glad that I don't act like I have a crush on Sasuke."
"Really?" exclaimed Anko in surprise. "So…you've gotten over him?"
Sakura shrugged," I don't know. It's just…lately…I've been seeing him like a partner and a friend." At the mention of the word "friend" Sakura made a crinkled expression. "Yea…friend…I guess."
Anko and Shizune laughed and nodded," Okay, go to your partner; he's giving you a weird look."
Sakura looked up and saw Sasuke already staring at her. Blushing a bit, Sakura ran over to him," Hey, Sasuke!"
Sasuke nodded," I was wondering if you wanted to spar...I feel that we're lacking a bit on our tactful abilities lately."
Sakura nodded thoughtfully," Okay, sure. Let's head on out and onto the mats, shall we?"
Sasuke nodded and as the two partners followed out the gym, the ladies in the room eyed them.
"If only they weren't assassins, they'd look like a couple."
Karin snorted at the comment and turned her head around to all the ladies before her," Look, Sakura and Sasuke are just partners, okay? Get that manifested into that small brain of yours!"
"You're such a pain, Gaara!" exclaimed Kankurou, scratching the back of his head. "Just when I thought I could trust you staying late out at night, you almost did it with a lady that's four years older than you!" Kankurou was shocked when he came home and found his brother on a sofa with a woman on top of him.
Gaara sighed, running a hand over his red hair," Look, she was hot, okay?" He was still a hormonal teenage boy, wasn't that a good excuse enough? "Besides, you bring home women every once in a while."
Kankurou was outraged," That's because they're my girlfriends, you idiot! Unlike you, I stay committed in relationships, not try to sleep with every woman I meet." He shook his head," Look, you need to stop wasting your money on women and focus more on a career. Haven't you had a discussion with the Hyuugas yet? They've been expecting you to reply back to them about an engagement with their daughter, Hanabi. She's still five years younger, but if you make that deal, you'll be able to run one of the leading companies in Japan."
Kankurou knew his younger brother was a genius. He was already taking high-level college courses and exceeding expectations set by Temari (the tough one). Somehow, Gaara was just too prone to having fun in his excessive free time instead of tending to responsibilities.
"I know, I know," spoke Gaara, his cool and collective voice displaying a hint of exasperation," I've already given them a call and I'm going to have dinner with them next week." He looked away as if agitated and Kankurou noticed it immediately.
"You're agitated, aren't you?" questioned Kankurou curiously, his eyes staring interestingly at his younger brother. "I wouldn't expect the heartless playboy, Gaara, to be agitated at the mention of the Hyuugas." The Hyuugas had been a huge ally to the Sabakus. They were the ones who helped bring Kankurou and Temari into recognized status of the business worlds. They owed a huge debt to the Hyuugas for their grateful deeds. A huge grin ran over Kankurou's face.
Gaara rolled his tongue in his mouth to one side," If I knew I was going to get engaged to a kid just for yours and Temari's sake, I would never have taken the fortune granted to me."
Kankurou laughed out loud heartily. Gaara's agitation was growing ever more slightly. "Gaara, my brother, you astound me. This only makes me realize how weak you are towards relationships. I say, this is a good lesson for you. Look, she won't be a kid after five or seven years. So for now, you can still be yourself…just…don't act like an idiot and sleep with any other woman." Kankurou was serious at the end and he hoped Gaara would understand that point.
Marriage was like a business for the rich, and to maintain that high nobility, these marriages were necessary to preserve the standing of the high class.
Gaara couldn't help but smirk at the last comment," So…let's say if I miraculously fall in love with another woman, I still can't get out of the situation?"
Kankurou gave a smile," Let's just say, falling in love with another woman is out of the question."
"How is she, doctor?" asked the young thirteen year old, Hanabi. She looked at Dr. Yuuhi with worried eyes, both persons standing outside of Hinata's room.
Dr. Yuuhi gave a smile," Don't worry, she's fine. You can go in and visit her. Your father allowed only family members to enter."
Hanabi nodded graciously," Thank you, doctor, for taking care of her. I don't know what else I would do if she were dead."
Dr. Yuuhi cringed a bit at the blunt comment, but nodded anyways. "You're welcome, Hyuuga-san." She opened the door and Hanabi went inside.
"Onee-san!" exclaimed Hanabi with relief at seeing her sister sit up on the hospital bed. She ran over to her elder sister and hugged Hinata tightly.
Hinata gave a small smile to her little sister," Hanabi…" Her voice was getting better and she had able to communicate to others for the past four days. The pain on her shoulder was less now and healing. As she embraced Hanabi, Hinata took in the scent of her sister's strawberry scent. "Mmm...I've missed you."
Hanabi smiled but as she turned to look at Hinata in the face, a small frown appeared on her face," Father says not to shower you with any flowers or gifts. He said you did something wrong…did you, onee-san?" Hanabi looked into the eyes of Hinata and tried to configure any answer. However, Hanabi sensed a deep pain hidden in her sister's white eyes.
"Yes, I did," spoke Hinata forlornly, reaching out to touch Hanabi's brown strands of hair. "You're hair is growing longer, I see."
Hanabi smiled, not noticing the intended change in subject," Yes, and the boys at school have been blushing ever since Father allowed me to attend a private school instead of tutoring!"
Hinata chuckled softly," I see. That's good. But be careful with the boys…they can break a girl's heart easily." It was so good to see a family member who didn't know the circumstances of her situation. Hanabi would be the only one who would not look at Hinata with hateful eyes when she returned home after the recovery.
Hanabi giggled, covering her mouth in the process," Yea, probably! But Neji-niisan told me a secret about boys that will make them follow after me like servants!" Hanabi giggled some more.
At the mention of Neji, Hinata's body stiffened and she found it difficult to hold her smile. Already, her eyes were burning and Hinata controlled her tears from rushing out. "…really, what did he say?"
Hanabi smiled," He said that a girl's genuine smile can melt a boy's heart into liquid."
Hinata held her breath and immediately covered her mouth. She turned the other way, as the tears flooded out like waterworks. "Oh God, I'm so sorry, Hanabi," was Hinata's reply as she rushed to wipe her tears away. The tears came out unexepectedly.
"Onee-san, what's wrong?" wondered Hanabi astonishingly as she stared at Hinata's form. "Why are you crying? I thought you would laugh." Hanabi reached an arm to pat Hinata's shoulder, but it still did not good. Her older sister was still crying and the muffled sounds from her covered mouth made Hanabi sad.
Everything…just by Hanabi's last comment…brought out all the memories Hinata ever shared with Neji. Memories that were wonderful, bad, sad, and happy…they were all memories of the two of them together. And now, realizing that Neji was not going to come back and create new memories with her pulled Hinata into a world of despair. This feeling of doubt, pain, and love overrode all of Hinata's hopes of moving on. She was still stuck in the past and it was too beautiful of a memory of Neji for Hinata to forget him.
Hinata knew she was weak.
His touches, his smiles, his voice, and his face…they were all still evident in Hinata's mind. Could she move on? As Hinata spilled more tears, she felt herself falling into a deeper abyss of loss. Her heart was already starting to wrench all over again. This wasn't what she wanted...she wanted to be strong for Neji...for their love.
Neij, is loving you able to make me capable of living? She pondered, as her heart ached for his presence right now.
Hanabi was confused by her sister's actions. "Onee-san, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry." She reached to pat Hinata again.
Hinata covered her face and shook her head," No, it's not your fault, Hanabi. It's me…It's my entire fault."
Sakura sighed in frustration as she was plummeted onto the blue cushioned mat for the tenth time! Looking up into the eyes of her partner, Sasuke, Sakura snarled at him. "Jerk."
Sasuke smirked and held a hand out. Sakura took it and the two partners went back into a sparring position again. "Practice makes perfect, Sakura."
"Tch, this coming from a genius?" remarked Sakura bitterly. She attacked first with a punch, but Sasuke blocked it. Next, there was a jumping turn roundhouse kick, but Sasuke blocked it again. Sakura, charged with emotion, yelled out during each of her attacks, but again was blocked "Dammit, Sasuke, you are the only person in the world who can block my attacks three times in a row! Ugh!" Sakura sighed again as her back touched the cushioned mat, but now out of anger, "Aarrrrgh!"
Sasuke chuckled," C'mon, Sakura." He helped her up again and now was instructing her on her attacks. "You're too forward and your emotions convey your attacks. Just by looking at the direction of your eyes, you seem to hit me with more force than precision. In most of the spars I've seen you fight, your strength has been your winning trait. Precision on the other hand is maybe not as much."
Sakura scoffed at the comment," Okay, than what do I have to do to win?"
Sasuke walked behind Sakura and held out her hands. He spoke clearly to her ears, sending a tingly sensation down Sakura's spine. Sakura gulped and couldn't help the beating of her heart race faster than usual. "Breathe, calm your senses, and study your opponent more." He then walked away from Sakura and reached for his duffel bag and slung it around his shoulders. "I think you'll do fine on your own now."
Sasuke gathered up his towel and water bottle and headed for the door.
"Wait."
Sasuke stopped and turned around. He had been sweating and the ebony strands of hair clung to his pale-colored face. His high cheekbones brought out the contours of his face.
Sakura bit her lip as she stared at his handsome features," Do you…do you ever think that you'll…"
Sasuke was staring at her with his usual cold expression as he waited patiently for her question.
Sakura felt more uneasy and couldn't help but shuffle her feet, but continued," Do you…think that you'll ever fall in love again, Sasuke?"
Sasuke wasn't taken aback by the question. He stared at Sakura and wondered what she was implying, but stated honestly,"I don't know. For me, love and my job have never liked each other."
Sakura nodded, showing that she understood. She knew that Sasuke's past with Haruko had changed his life. He was more reserved, cold, and a better assassin after Haruko's death. But it never stopped Sakura. It was only in these moments of personal questions and answers, did she find herself secretly loving him more and more.
Until he's mended his heart, I will confess to him, she thought to herself as Sasuke left the sparring room without a good-bye.
--
"You've broken her well," spoke Hiashi.
"Yes, Hyuuga-san," answered Sasuke. Tonight, he was called in to speak with his recent client. Sasuke was dressed all in black from his dark leather jacket to his black sole shoes.
They were in the Hyuuga Corporation building located on the top floor of the building. All doors and windows here were shut and security cameras were not allowed in Hyuuga Hiashi's office.
"You know, my daughter will be returning home in a few days and we'll be having an important dinner on the day of her return," spoke Hiashi in his deep, cold voice.
"I see," spoke Sasuke, his eyes respectfully not making eye contact. The price of killing Hyuuga Neji was twenty million yen. It was the biggest price Sasuke was ever given. The money was now resting peacefully in his bank account. "And what else do you need my presence for?"
Hiashi scratched his chin, leaning back on his chair," You're work is efficient, Uchiha. I am amazed you found the two of them so quickly. Therefore, I want to employ you."
Sasuke shook his head," I don't work for anyone besides my boss and myself."
Hiashi nodded, taking Sasuke's comment into thoughtful consideration," True enough, but this work requires more of a longer term."
Sasuke's eyes rose," What do you mean, Hyuuga-san?"
Hiashi grinned," I need you to take down this list of people." He handed the sheet of white paper to Sasuke. Taking it from Hiashi's hand, Sasuke looked down at the list. "When?" he asked cooly.
Hiashi liked how Sasuke never questioned his authority," I don't really care. But I do know that they're not the ordinary people I've dealt with. Two of them are highly respected and not easily swayed. I've had a hard time trying to get them under my control and I've realized they're better off dead since they're so problematic. The third one is just out of convenience. Therefore, I need you, Sasuke, to go undercover so that they'll never suspect it was you who would seal away their fates."
Sasuke was perturbed by the harm in his voice; just the way he spoke was like he was enjoying himself as he prided on smashing them under his feet, with them going unnoticed as to who would take their lives. Looking down at the list, he contemplated the situation.
"How much?"
"Twenty million yen for each person."
Staring at the list, Sasuke contemplated again. Two of the names on the list were powerful and well-known people. If Sasuke wasn't careful, he could be killed. But wasn't this the reason he decided to do such underground activities…? There was a certain thrill that Sasuke felt when he was risking his life and going against the law. In his life, he had never felt that he could do a better job than this and still be unknown to society. It was his way of life and Sasuke chose it out of his own free will.
It was these kinds of people like Hiashi that Sasuke killed for that would someday be defied…those who ordered others to kill another human being for the sake of money or power. Sasuke knew that Hiashi's fate would somehow end up the same as the targets. Did Sasuke really care?
No.
"I'll take it," answered Sasuke, eyeing Hiashi this time.
Hiashi grinned," Good. Then you will be needing a change of name-"
"Don't change my name," ordered Sasuke.
Hiashi looked up in surprise; so much for not defying Hiash's authority. "Do you really think that taking this big of a deal will leave you careless to your protection?" Hiashi asked incredulously.
However, Sasuke was stern and answered bluntly again," I take these risks and I've never changed my name just for the sake of protection. Leave it. Just tell me what is my undercover job."
Hiashi was shocked, but couldn't help but gain a new respect and fear for this assassin. "A bodyguard…for my daughter."
Sasuke's raised an eyebrow," Which one?"
"My youngest daughter, Hanabi, of course," spoke Hiashi obviously. "My eldest, Hinata, is now a disgrace to me. I don't care what happens to her, really. I just can't get rid of her, that's all."
Sasuke made no reaction to the cold-bloodedness in Hiashi's character.
"So, remember the names on the list. I don't care when they die. In all, I get my youngest daughter's guaranteed safety, while at the same time the pending deaths of those people. You, also benefit. You'll be receiving a good wage for your services to Hyuugas and also any time that you wish to eliminate those people. I say, Uchiha, this deal may be too good to be true, isn't it?" spoke Hiashi with a hint of cynicism in his voice.
Sasuke was still holding an unmoved facial expression in their conversation and it added more to the mystery surrounding Sasuke for Hiashi.
"You don't need to worry," spoke Sasuke," if you're thinking I'm going to betray you. You have my trust."
Hiashi smiled wryly and it was starting to annoy Sasuke to a very high degree as his face stayed in its usual emotionless state. People who smiled too much was a pet peeve of Sasuke's.
"Good. You may leave."
Sasuke stood up, bowed, and left the office. As he walked outside in the dark Tokyo night, his eyes trained again on the list of the three names. This deal was actually a really good one. Looking at the list, Sasuke was already wondering how his position could make himself unsuspecting to the three names. After all, he had never met these people or knew their relations to the Hyuugas.
1) Sabaku Temari
2) Sabaku Kankurou
3) Hachimiya Narumi
Author's Notes: Hey readers! So...how was it? hehe. I hoped you enjoyed this chapter! Stay tuned for the next update! PLEASE REVIEW! I would really appreciate it!
