CHAPTER SIX

Terrifying Things

S,

I don't know what happened, but I need you here buddy. I didn't want to send a bird before, because of the risk, but we're running out of time. A noble heir is missing, and now Hinata is too. She went rogue with her team to find them. There have been rumors about them. We didn't end on the best terms and I'm worried. I love her.

I hate to put this on you. I know it's not your problem, but if you could find Hinata and bring her and her team with you on your way here, you'd be doing me a huge favor.

Hurry back. I'll be waiting for your response.

N

Sasuke buried his head in his hands. He was scum.

He got caught up in the moment. The salty taste of Hinata's skin and the sweet satisfaction of revenge was its own aphrodisiac. A glaring moment of lucidity brought Naruto's words to the surface and he ended their entanglement.

The engagement of the Leaf Kage was no secret. The day of the announcement is generally referred to as the "Great Devastation." A term coined by Naruto's massive fan club to mark the moment he was officially spoken for, and hearts broke across the lands.

He just didn't realize it was her when she'd held him hostage and set a fire in him. It blazed slow and heavy until she became an obsession for which there was no cure. He hardly ever returned to the village, and she looked completely different from her academy days. How could he have known? It wasn't until recently, when he'd overheard one of her teammates, the Inuzuka, calling her name that he put two-and-two together.

Knowing what he knew now did change things, but it was too late now. He'd reached the point of no return.

Never in a million years would he have thought he would be pining after Naruto's girl, let alone a Hyuuga brat. Yet here he was. Stalking, kidnapping and plotting the many ways he could make her scream in pleasure.

Did he regret his actions? No.

Did he feel bad about it? Maybe, a little.

Did it make him a bad friend? Probably.

Yet, he refused to be the villain in this story. She came after him first. It's her fault and he is simply serving justice as he always has. If anything, he is doing Naruto a favor by revealing this cunning temptress's true colors before they could tie the knot. There's no way Naruto would want to be with someone who covertly seduces other men. She put on a good façade of playing the sweet and innocent damsel. Fooled him too, but he would fall victim to her tricks no more.

Resolute in his justification, he set fire to Naruto's message. He would not be returning to the village with Hinata any time soon. For what he planned, he needed her all to himself without interference.

.

.

.

Releasing the breath she held, Hinata pulled the door open just far enough to poke her head out. There was a long hallway, covered end-to-end in deep red carpeting, with swirling beige-gold patterns. Sconces lit the walkway at regular intervals along eggshell-colored walls. Large crystal chandeliers hung from the twenty-foot vaulted ceiling, illuminating the space brightly. The interior was contrary to the dark gothic theme she was expecting. Surreptitiously, she looked right and then left, catching Koji's departing form as he turned a corner.

Running back into the room, she hurriedly grabbed her fur lined cloak and stuffed what small items she could fit in the inner pockets. Items for grooming, a pencil and some paper, the wooden chopsticks and a few valuable looking antiques from the bookshelf she could trade for other necessary supplies. She ignored the rumbling in her stomach, regretful that she could not bring the bento box Koji brought for her. She could worry about food later.

She slipped through the doorway, ensuring she shut the door fully as she left. With swift steps, she followed Koji's path; assuming he was headed towards some general area that could lead her to an exit. Massive cloth murals and gilded paintings brought life to the otherwise stark corridor.

The sun was quickly descending behind the thick blanket of clouds, which worked in her favor. Escape would be easier under the cover of darkness. It was chilly outside, but there was no precipitation which was ideal.

Reaching the corner where she'd lost sight of the bubbly teen, she came upon a grand staircase. She hid behind the corner until she could no longer hear his footfall. Peeking from her hiding spot, she saw that same red carpeting ran the length of the rich mahogany steps, ending at the bottom. Black iron railing twisted and curled along either side of wide stairwell.

To Hinata's utter delight, a few feet in front of the steps was the main entrance. The grand entryway flooring was endless slabs of white marble flooring with light grey veining. The Amberwood double entry doors were ornate and uncomplicated. Upon entering, visitors would be greeted by the largest crystal drop chandelier in the home, bouncing light off every cut edge.

It was breathtaking.

And it would leave her too exposed if anyone were to pass by.

A pang of remorse hit her as she turned away from the gateway that taunted her with freedom. Tempting as it was, the risk wasn't worth it. She continued down the long hall of the third floor, searching for another way out. The solution to her problem was at the very end. A nondescript white door leading to a servant's stairwell. The flight of steps held access to the three floors, and was a straight shot to the main level.

Listening for any activity, Hinata's feet jerked forward when the silence sufficiently assured her. She ran down the steps as quietly as possible. Reaching the base of the steps, she once again fixed her ear against the door and waited. After a moment she entered, deciding it was clear.

The door protested against its hinges to reveal a dark kitchen. The dim outdoor light splashed across the countertops, drawing her attention. That's when she noticed a side door leading to an outdoor garden immediately to her right. Before slipping away like a specter at dusk, she pilfered a couple of knives and secured them to the weapons holsters sewed into either side of her boots.

A biting gust of wind blasted Hinata's face as she stepped out into an open-air garden. Hard dirt plots and raised beds were left barren from the harsh winter. She pulled her cloak closer to her body, acclimating to the change in temperature.

There were three exits to the half acre garden, marked by weathered archways overgrown with ivy. They led to the front, back and towards a hedge maze. Already familiar with the gated courtyard, Hinata decided to go right- towards the back. The back was not fenced off. It was dark and opened up to a heavily wooded area with large trees she could use for shelter and concealment. It was perfect.

The lack of sunlight in the backyard left the dry grass frosty. They crunched under her careful steps as she walked. She could feel her heart speed up the closer she got to the tree line. Her head swiveled anxiously on her neck, watchful of unwanted company.

Finally, she entered the forest. The thick canopy overhead drowned out the remaining light. Hinata stood still a moment as her eyes adjusted. Even without the byakugan, Hyuuga naturally had keener eyesight. She gave silent thanks for her genetics, and proceeded to walk into the depths of this unknown territory.

Her nerves were shot. She startled after hearing the hoots of a nearby owl. A draft rustled the leaves of the trees and underbrush. Every now and then sounds of scampering would hit her ears sending sharp tremors under her skin.

A shifting, slithering noise to her left caught her attention and she froze. Then it was on her right, and also behind her. Something, some very large creature, was stalking her.

Quickly, she reached into her boot and pulled out one of the kitchen knives she stole. Her head tilted, sensing for movement. Wishing she could access her chakra for use of her bloodline trait. She gave it a try anyway, and hissed when instantaneous pain flared between her temples. With a grimace, she shut her eyes tightly and gave a single shake of her head.

Another slinking sound came from directly in front of her and appeared much closer now. Her eyes snapped open and she held up the knife, butt towards the pad of her thumb, tip angled away from her ulna, ready to attack.

Her right leg shifted back. She settled into a defensive stance and secured her footing. Not having her full range of optical abilities was agitating, but she would manage. She had to.

Her heart pounded and grew with the sounds of an encroaching predator.

Waiting.

Listening.

Readying to strike.

The ground crunched from behind her. She whirled around, stabbing into the air.

A penetrating strike incapacitated her wrist and she felt her grip loosen, her weapon forced from her hand and plunging onto the dark floor of the forest. She was then caught by the arresting stare of two smoldering embers set in the pale face of her own personal demon.

"Shhhh," he softly spoke. "There are terrifying things lurking in the forest."

Her blood pressure spiked as anguish pummeled any hope she'd held. She was so close to escaping from this twisted version of limbo and one step closer to achieving her goals. If she was going back to that room, then she was going to deliver him back to hell first.

Using her free arm, she struck upwards with the heel of her hand to his nose, quickly followed by her now knifeless hand landing a palm strike to his solar plexus. To her surprise, both attacks landed.

A wet cough escaped Sasuke's lungs as he stumbled backwards. In the dim light she could faintly see him swiping a gloved hand across a bloodied nostril. Dark red blood trickled from the side of his mouth. A twinge of concern and regret scratched at the seams of her conscience, but she shoved those feelings deep down, reminding herself that she would stop at nothing to protect her people.

Intending to finish the job she ran at him. She did not need her byakugan to use the gentle fist and she would use her years of training and experience to sixty-four palm this obstacle into next year.

But then he vanished.

Were the shadows playing tricks on her? If he could move so quickly, why didn't he use his speed to dodge her assault?

Her focus was redirected when she heard Hanabi's voice call out to her from somewhere deep within the trees. "Hinataaa!"

"Hanabi?" A resurgence of hope bubbled in her chest. She's here? Did Sasuke save her?

"Hinataaa! Where are you?"

"Hanabi! I'm here, Hanabi! I'm here!" she screamed. Her feet carried her forward, uncaring of Sasuke or the unidentified slithering beast.

Just went she thought she was going in the right direction, from her far left she heard the familiar voice again. The cries becoming more desperate, "Hinata! Why aren't you here yet?"

Her gut twisted and she altered her route. Swatting at the low-lying branches that tore at her skin. Enduring the sting of the freezing air.

Now to her far right, another distressed plea. A heartbreaking croak on the verge of giving up. "Hinata… I've waited for you for so long. Why haven't you come?"

Hinata fell to her knees. Tears tumbled freely, wetting her clothes. Harsh logic sunk in. That wasn't Hanabi. It was some cruel imitation, and she lacked the emotional capacity to comprehend it.

Before she could say anything else, the ground began to quake. Her hands dropped to the ground for balance. Mammoth ice crystals sprung up in a circle around her one at a time, caging her in so fast, she had no chance of escape.

She stood; confusion reflected back in the icy images that stared back at her from every angle. Pressing a hand against the cold flat surface, the Hinata in front of her did not follow. A sense of dread washing over her, she gripped the hair at her scalp and took a step back. The reflections of herself all smiled and spoke in a choir of unison.

"Poor Hinata. You tried so hard to save your sister. However, your pride and ignorance have left a trail of shit in its path. Your sister is gone. Your teammates are gone. You have nothing now and the Kanedama are all too aware."

Her hands pressed to her ears. Every word of truth spoken like a spear to her heart. "Stop it!"

"Your bridges are burning and you lit that match yourself!" The half dozen images accused with a judgmental glow of their byakugan.

She slammed her eyes shut. "STOP IT!"

Then it was quiet, save for her deep panting. Hesitantly, she lifted her lids, her hands lowering to her sides.

Her reflections were gone. The ice crystals vanished, as if they were never there.

She was in a clearing in the middle of the forest, a playful breeze sweeping its chilled fingers across the skirt of her cloak. Clouds parted to reveal a full moon that spilled its silvery glow onto the snow dusted field below.

Sasuke stood a few feet in front of her, completely unharmed and a pretentious stare set on his glorious face that she was beginning to hate. "How about we make a deal… Hina?"

A/N: Any thoughts on what Sasuke might be planning?

Please be patient with me as I flesh out the plot. It'll be a few more chapters before we get to more SasuHina smexiness.

Favorite, follow and review if you're enjoying this story! And I appreciate all of you who already have. It keeps me motivated. Thank you!

XOXO

LEA