A/N: I think I'll end this soon but I'm not sure so let me know ok?
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Chapter: 20
The desert world was silent as the longest night in the young Kazekage's life dragged on and on. He watched, the world muted around him as the doctors operated desperately on Hinata. Red, a color he used to yearn for. Blood, a thing he used to crave. However now seeing Hinata's blood on the sharp doctor tools and his own clothes made him want to vomit. A hand fell onto his shoulder lightly, and his sharp aqua eyes darted towards his brother before shifting back to the young woman in intensive care.
"We're in big trouble," Kankurou said, breaking the silence, even though Gaara barely paid him any attention. "Temari is trying to buy you time but it won't last forever."
Flashback
Kankurou sat in his brother's chair, back facing the door as one of the elders spoke to him.
"The Hyuuga girl is probably dead Kazekage-sama and we as the council refuse to take the blame!" the old man said.
He kept his mouth shut even though he wanted to lash back out in Gaara's defense. But I single word would blow their cover.
"Here is all you need to do Kazekage-sama," the elder continued. "Make a formal apology and sign a marriage treaty with Konoha."
Kankurou eyes widened and he fell out of the chair in shock, in turn making it hit the desk. The elder leapt back and responded in a high pitched squeak of fear.
"Hn," Kankurou grunted, hoping to fool the old bag.
"What does that mean Gaara-sama!" the elder cried. "That's how you have responded to all of our opinions on marriage since the Hyuuga came here!"
Kankurou grinned evilly, a delicate plan forming in his head. He remained silent to see what the elder would say.
"Gaara-sama, are you in love with Hinata Hyuuga?" the elder asked.
The grin grew on Kankurou's face and he stood a little hunched with his back turned to the elder. He was about to nod his head slowly and contemplative. That was until a shriek echoed from down stairs. Kankurou turned in surprise and the elder caught a look at his face. Unfortunately for Kankurou it wasn't one of the blindest old men in the council and he was immediately recognized.
"What is the meaning of this!" the elder roared in outrage.
The office door sprang open and Temari ran in, a distressed look covering her usual features. She grabbed Kankurou by the collar.
"What's going on? Did you see come back?" Temari asked.
Kankurou was about to shake his head when they were both interrupted by the angry shout of the elder.
"You were both in on it!?" he continued. "I would have expected it from Kankurou but Temari? I thought you were more responsible than that!"
Both siblings were about to retort when they heard the door slam open again. All three pairs of eyes widened at the Kazekage standing before them with the bloody body of Hinata held against him. He fixed them with a stare that hid no emotions from the world, the eyes of a child.
"Temari…Kankurou…help," he said, his voice quivering.
End Flashback
Kankurou soon became angry, was Gaara even paying attention to him?
"Are you even listening to me!?" Kankurou snapped grabbing his younger sibling by the collar. "Temari is in there getting into trouble, possibly even getting demoted because of you!"
Gaara tugged his brother's hand off of him and he silently nodded. Kankurou realized what he had done and flushed in embarrassment. Gaara's pale hand pressed against the glass and he kept it there for a moment, before letting it slide down and hit his side. Kankurou watched in silence as Gaara mounted the stairs and headed toward the meeting room where Temari was being interrogated.
"WHAT!?" Tsunade shouted into the cold Konoha air as the Suna Jounin coward before her.
She was just on her way out for a drink when she had received the message. She read it over once more before rushing back into the Hokage tower. She slammed open the door to her office startling poor Shizune who thought she would tidy up her bosses office.
"We have an emergency!" Tsunade said stepping over her assistant and scrawling something on a piece of paper. "Shizune!"
"Hai Tsunade-sama!" The young woman said jumping to her feet.
"I need you to collect, Kurenai, Kakashi, Shino, Sakura, and Neji," Tsunade said, handing travel packs to Shizune. "Oh and by the way, be careful being Hokage, I don't know how long this will take."
"H-hai," Shizune said, paling before disappearing.
The Haruno family always prided themselves on the fact that they were extremely stubborn and sought out challenges, always calm and in control. Sakura stared at the ceiling of her room as her thoughts raced. She closed her eyes, a flash of red and a pale handsome face filled her mind and Sakura quickly opened her eyes again. Gaara, Kazekage of Suna. She didn't know what had begun her obsession with the Kazekage, but all she knew was it was here and here to stay. She grabbed a pillow and shoved it over her face. Why did she always have to go for the jaded guys? Her musings were interrupted by someone jumping through her window. She sat up holding a kunai against the perpetrators stomach.
"Sakura-san, could you shift that just a bit?" Shizune asked.
"Shizune!?" Sakura hissed. "What are you doing here, and why didn't you use the front door.
"Gomen, but your mother is very uh…obvious about her opinions." Shizune stated, before tossing one of the travel bags at her.
"A mission this late? What for?" Sakura asked standing and packing her bags.
"I don't know but I think it has something to do with Hinata Hyuuga," Shizune said as Sakura walked into the bathroom to change and collect her tooth brush and tooth paste.
Sakura's heart skipped a beat. If they were going to investigate Hinata that would mean they were going to Suna. She rushed through her packing and headed to the northern gate as Shizune instructed. However as she was running she realized she hadn't changed from her pajamas. Yes, there was definitely something wrong with Sakura's mentality.
Kakashi Hatake regretted many things in his life. Standing in front of the memorial stone on this cool night he believed was the only way to come to face his biggest regret. During these moments he enjoyed being alone, and Shizune was reluctant to break his solitude.
"Ano, Kakashi-san?" Shizune particularly whispered.
"Hai, Shizune?" Kakashi asked, not even turning to face her.
"Hokage-sama needs you for a mission," Shizune said.
Kakashi stayed silent, a sign for her to elaborate and in a moment she did.
"I believe it has something to do with Hinata Hyuuga," Shizune said.
Kakashi remembered the day that the young Hyuuga heiress had heart failure for the second time, Kurenai hadn't eaten for a week and Sakura had cried every two minutes. He turned and faced Shizune only to be met with a travel pack.
"Tsunade-sama wants you by the northern gate as soon as possible." Shizune said.
Kakashi nodded and Shizune disappeared. He looked at the pack once more before turning back to the memorial stone and making a vow. This time he wouldn't fail.
Yuuhi Kurenai had never had a child. It wasn't like she didn't want one the right guy hadn't came along yet. That was until Asuma. She had found herself head over heels for the older Jounin and they had been dating since then. They had even made a plan to settle down, that was until Hinata went missing. Hinata was like Kurenai's only child, she was always kind and strong. Since the day she had disappeared from Suna, Kurenai had been thinking irrationally. Even to the point where she was suspended. Every night she had cried herself to sleep, if she even got sleep at all. Her crushed spirit even led to the semi-break up of her team. And now she stumbled along the streets. Wishing she could cry but all of her tears had run out.
"Kurenai!" Shizune said, running behind the older woman.
Kurenai turned and glared at the Hokage lapdog. It was all Tsunade's fault for letting Hinata go, out of Kurenai's reach.
"What do you want?" Kurenai tried to reply with venom, but only sounding weak instead.
"New mission," Shizune said tossing her a travel pack.
"I'm off probation?" Kurenai asked skeptical.
"Yes," Shizune said tossing Kurenai a soldier pill which the older woman caught and ate. "Be at the northern gate as soon as possible. Oh and I think this new mission is about Hinata." Without another word Shizune was gone.
Kurenai stood shell shocked for a minute before breaking out into a run towards the apartment her and Asuma shared. She would get her baby back.
Shino Aburame had always considered himself different. Yes he had his Kekai bugs but different in the sense of his personality. And he was right; no one quite had the same personality as the Aburame's. It was also very hard for an Aburame to find friends, but Shino had found not only one but two. However since Hinata disappeared he had gone from two to none. Kiba had gone off with his mother and sister for special training. When he was younger he had grown accustomed to not having friends, but now that he had them and lost them he came to realize he was lonely.
"Shino-san?" Shizune questioned.
Shino turned and nodded at the Hokage's apprentice, noticing the bag clutched in her hand.
"You're needed for a mission," Shizune said quickly handing him the bag and avoiding all physical contact. "I believe it's about Hinata. Meet at the northern gate as soon as possible."
Shizune was gone in another second. Shino looked down at the bag replaying Shizune's uneasiness and made up his mind. He decided then that he would find Hinata, or die trying.
The Hyuuga compound was silent and dark. The night had been like every other night lights out for children at 9:00 and 11:00 for adults, the only exception being the Hyuuga head. Hiashi sat in his office when he first noticed the intruder on the premises. He stood up and strode to his office door and waited until the unknown person stopped outside his door. He slid it opened grabbed Shizune and slid it shut behind her in mere seconds. Releasing her he took a seat back behind his desk before looking up at the young girl who seemed a little surprised at what just happened.
"Is there any news on my daughter?" Hiashi asked.
"Not that I know of, Hyuuga-sama," Shizune said bowing. "However I'm here to tell your nephew about his knew mission."
"If this mission has nothing to do with my daughter you may leave now," Hiashi said angrily, calling a maid from sleep to escort Shizune.
"Wait Hiashi-sama!" Shizune said, ignoring the maids quiet urges to follow her. "I believe it does have something to do with your daughter, I just wasn't told exactly what!"
Hiashi gave Shizune a skeptical look before glancing at the maid.
"Take Shizune-san to Neji's room," He stated.
"Hai," the maid answered immediately.
Shizune smiled at Hiashi before bowing and followed the maid out failing to notice his activated Byakugan.
Neji knew something was immediately wrong when he felt his uncle activate his Byakugan. He quickly approached his small closet and pulled on a mesh t-shirt just as he heard a soft knock. Approaching the door he held a kunai close to his side just in case, and slowly he opened the door. He tucked the Kunai at the two familiar faces in front of him. The maids bowed before leaving the two ninja alone.
"Is there any news on Hinata-sama?" Neji asked.
"No, but there is a mission that Tsunade wishes for you to partake in, I believe it has something to do with your cousin." Shizune said holding out the pack for him.
"Where?" he asked already packing a few more things.
"Northern gate," Shizune said.
"My Uncle knows?" Neji asked, confirming his suspicions with Shizune's nod.
He took the pack form Shizune who disappeared a moment later. Jumping out the window he got a head start cutting across the garden, focused only on his cousin. Hiashi watched this with pride. Then he did something he had only done once before since becoming a father. He placed his head in his hands and cried.
Tsunade watched in pleasure as her team formed in less than an hour. She would have enjoyed a job well done toast with Shizune but there were too many questions.
"SHUT UP!" Tsunade cried, silencing them all. "We are heading to Suna." She began seeing half of the group look up in hope. "HOWEVER, we will discuss the other details when we GET there, understand?"
"Hai, Tsunade-sama," they all chorused.
Tsunade smiled before signaling the opening of the gates. Silently she prayed that Hinata would be found soon, for everyone's sake.
Sasuke had never been an optimist, but as he lay on the ground staring up at the stars he couldn't help but think that things could have been a lot worse. After the Akatsuki had given up on following Hinata they came back and decided to have fun with him. Half his ribs broken five slashes and three broken bones later Itachi had finally called off the beating and with that they abandoned him there.
"Look who we have here," a smug voice said.
Sasuke grimaced recognizing the voice immediately as Kabuto's. Orochimaru's personal medical ninja kneeled next to Sasuke and slowly began to heal the young Uchiha's wounds.
"Oh and we've found the bodies, I have to say you do some messy work Sasuke." Kabuto added, sending a sharp pain through Sasuke's body.
And although Sasuke knew it could have been a lot worse as he looked up he couldn't help but thinking it did.
A/N: I know pointless chapter. But I have a little writers block and things like this always clear it. The next chapter will be up soon hopefully! R and R!