PART 8
Tsunade had started giving Sasuke missions, but they were all within the village limits.
As Sasuke walked home from a simple mission, it began to rain. He quickened his pace and happened to pass by the training grounds. He sensed Hinata's presence, and saw her training.
Kicking and punching the air, she twisted her body and spun through the air like a butterfly. She landed slowly on her feet and froze.
"Uchiha-san, could you please come out?" She spoke in a low voice.
Sasuke stepped out from the shadows and smirked. "You train even though it rains?"
"Yes, I must prove my power to be a strong heir." She continued a Hyuuga form, throwing a backhand in to the ground.
"May I spar with you?" Sasuke wanted to see how strong this girl was.
Hinata was a little surprised by the sudden request, but she accepted.
She got ready into a stance, but Sasuke had already disappeared. She sensed a kick aimed at her head, so she ducked to her feet. Sasuke flew over her.
When he landed his eyes widened and he thought, Nobody has ever been able to catch me at that speed.
Hinata was beside him and kicked him in the stomach, but he grabbed her ankle and swung her threw the air.
She gasped and used placed her hands on the ground to recover her balance. She was panting with exhaustion. With her Sense (her telepathic ability) she could just barely make out where Sasuke was.
Sasuke smirked. He was going to kick it up a notch. He moved with stunning speed, and this time, Hinata couldn't follow at all.
His face was before hers in a blink of an eye, she gasped, and her foot slipped on a wet puddle. She closed her eyes as she fell.
She expected to hit the ground but she felt strong arms support her. Hinata opened her eyes, and found that Sasuke had caught her from behind.
"A-ah, gomen!" She immediately stepped back on her feet.
Sasuke had an expressionless face. "Be careful next time." He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his black jacket, and walked away in the rain.
XXXXXXX
Hinata sighed and plopped herself on her bed. She was drenched from the rain, but she didn't care.
She thought about the man she had sparred. She had lost, but she wasn't thinking about that. The Uchiha seemed so familiar, and the way he moved…it was like she knew.
But what was most strange was that she hardly knew him, yet she felt so comfortable around him. It was like she could tell him everything: what she feared, what she suffered, and…everything.
Hinata sighed another sigh. This is stupid. I just met Sasuke and now I'm thinking about impossible things.
XXXXXXXX
Sasuke thought about the woman he had sparred. He had won, but he wasn't thinking about that. The Hyuuga seemed so familiar, and the way she moved…it was like he knew.
But what was most strange was that he hardly knew her, yet he felt so comfortable around her. It was like he could tell her everything: what he feared, what he suffered, and…everything.
Sasuke sighed. This is stupid. I just met Hinata and now I'm thinking about impossible things.
XXXXXXXX
"Oi, Hinata!! Tsunade wants us in her office!! Come on." Naruto tugged her hand, and dragged her to the Hokage.
They walked into the office, and Hinata immediately bowed with respect. When she lifted her head, she saw Sasuke standing beside the desk, with Sakura fawning over him. Tsunade had her arms folded.
"All four of you are here for a mission. This is a B-Rank mission. There are suspicions that a feudal lord in the Lightning Country is plotting against the ruler of the country."
"What do you want us to do?" Sakura asked.
"You will be disguised as a noble couple traveling. So-"
"Wait, wait, just one couple?" Naruto interrupted.
Tsunade was already getting angry. "Yes, Hinata and Sasuke will be the couple. Naruto, you and Sakura-"
"What??!! Why can't I be with Hinata? She's my girlfriend!!"
Hinata blushed, and Tsunade, struggling with patience, continued, "You will be Sasuke's 'servant' and Sakura will be Hinata's 'servant'. This is just for cover. Get as close-"
"You didn't answer, obaa-chan!!"
Tsunade slid her chair back roughly and slammed her fist on the desk, causing it to shatter.
"Naruto, SHUT UP!! Hinata knows how to act as a noble, being a Hyuuga, and Sasuke knows how to act as a noble, being an Uchiha. Understand? Get as close to the feudal lord as possible."
"When are we leaving?" Hinata inquired.
"Tomorrow. Go get packed now. I'll send a letter to the feudal lord about a place to stay."
XXXXXXXX
Sasuke and Hinata waited at the gate. There was a comfortable silence between them as they waited for Naruto and Sakura who were late.
"Ano…Uchiha-san, are you ready for the mission?" Hinata said timidly.
Sasuke had his eyes closed, for he was tired of waiting for his teammates. "Hn? Yeah, I guess." His voice hinted boredom and Hinata thought she heard him mumble something.
"Pardon?"
"I said, 'Call me Sasuke.' Uchiha-san makes me feel like my father." His eyes were still closed.
Hinata lightly smiled. But it disappeared when she felt arms wrap around her. She turned her head and was met with the beaming face of Uzumaki Naruto.
"Yosh!! Let's go!!"
He was about to run off when he stopped. He turned and looked at Sasuke and Hinata curiously.
"Ne, ne, why aren't you guys wearing your regular ninja outfits?"
Sasuke was dressed in a formal black kimono, and so was Hinata in a simple midnight blue one. "Tch, dobe. We have to act like nobles."
Naruto still looked at them stupidly. Hinata hurriedly added, "It's alright, we have hidden weapons."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. How did she know that he-
Hinata caught his expression and continued, "In case we are attacked."
This girl thinks like me, it's kinda creepy.
Sasuke pulled off his sack from his back and threw it at Naruto.
"Hey! What the-"
"You're my servant, right? Act like one."
Hinata and Sakura had to hold Naruto down from attacking Sasuke.
When they got him under control, Sakura turned to Hinata, "Would you like me to take your things?"
Hinata protested, "Ah, no, no. It's alright."
But Sakura had grasped the backpack and said, "It's alright. I want to do this mission right. Without screw ups," she added with a glance at Naruto.
They set off immediately. During the whole 6 days journey, Sasuke watched Hinata. He noted how she seemed to set off at night when everyone was asleep. How she would find a waterfall or river to train at.
Strangely, she would always know that he was there. She would ask him if he would train with her. And of course he would accept. It became a regular routine.
Hinata found that her Sense was strengthening as she trained with Sasuke. She found it extremely strange though.
Finally they reached the mansion of their target. They were greeted by the feudal lord, Zurui.
"Ah, welcome, welcome to my home. Please make yourselves comfortable. The Hokage asked a favor of me to provide hospitable…means to you."
"Thank you very much," Hinata spoke with ease.
"Follow my servant to your rooms, and would you care to join us for dinner?"
"Yes, thank you." Naruto almost gaped at Sasuke acting with manners.
Once they had settled their belongings, which wasn't much, they were led to a large elegant dining room. Naruto and Sakura were astounded by the grandness, while Hinata and Sasuke on the other hand were used to it, being from noble families.
They had a strange dinner, however. Zurui recognizing their surprise, said, "I always have my cooks prepare western food. It's different from the everyday rice."
They politely ate, and Sasuke tried to choke down the sweetness of the sauce.
When they awaited dessert, Hinata politely said, "Thank you for treating our servants with such equal treatment."
Zurui smiled and answered, "Oh, no not at all. I am familiar with some of the customs of the Fire Country. I happen to know that they treat their subjects very well.
"Tell me, you two are a married couple, aren't you?"
Hinata and Sasuke were caught off guard by the sudden question, and Naruto and Sakura practically choked on the pudding they were eating.
"Yes, we are," Sasuke said with a strained voice after recovering.
Zurui leaned in closer. "Forgive me for prying, but was it an arranged marriage or-"
"No, it was a…true marriage," Sasuke said smoothly. He quickly grasped Hinata's hand, making her blush lightly.
"Ah, I see. Well, I must leave now, so sleep well." Zurui stood up and walked away.
Once he was clearly gone, and nobody else was sensed around, Naruto shot Sasuke a glare and asked, "A true marriage? Why did you have to say that?"
"If I said arranged, don't you think it will give him another reason to suspect our true means of being here? He's already suspecting us."
Naruto was still angry, and was about to lunge at Sasuke when Hinata interrupted, "Naruto-kun, Sasuke-san is right. Zurui-san doesn't seem to be trusted."
Naruto relaxed. Sakura sighed in relief, and yawned. "I'm tired. Let's go to sleep."
It was awkard for they were given two rooms only: one for the noble couple, and one for the servants.
They all gulped as they realized what this meant. Naruto threatened, "Sasuke-teme, if you lay a single finger on Hinata, I-"
"Tch. What makes you think I will do that? I'm not like you." Sasuke walked into his bedroom, and Hinata turned to Naruto.
"Gomen, Naruto-kun. I hope this won't have to last long."
Naruto smiled at her though. "Don't worry, Hinata! Sasuke's a grump, but he won't do anything to you!"
He planted a kiss on her cheek, and let her walk into the bedroom she shared with Sasuke.
Wait…that means…I have to sleep with-
Sakura was eyeing him strangely, and he sighed. "I'll take the floor, don't worry."