A/N Okay, so this chapter probably took longer to get out than it should have. I had the whole thing written out and everything, it was just the tedious work of typing it all up that sucked up all of the time. I think this is either my longest chapter or second longest, either way, it seemed very long when I was typing it and re reading it and blah. But so yeah, here it is. And thank you all so much for all your great reviews. We broke 200 yay! Oh yeah, and my dad says he'll take me out to dinner if we get 10,000 hits. yay.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its charactors, blah blah blah. You know the deal.
"No."
I forced myself to remain calm as Kisame finally gave me his solemn answer. I had worried that Itachi would not wake up; it had been my biggest fear when I had asked Kisame how he was doing. It my mind it had been a worst case scenario. Now I found that it was true indeed and I forced myself to be positive. Being panicked would not help anything.
"I have to go and see him then," I demanded in a low and taut voice. Kisame gave a grunt of agreement and gently grabbed my hand. He tugged me softly and I walked forward to fall into step beside him. "Give me details please."
"He's not done much," Kisame began. I nodded for him to continue as my bare feet padded across the hard wood floor. "He's moved around in his sleep and muttered incoherently. It's odd for him," Kisame said in a most obviously worried voice. He was trying to hide it, because he was a cruel and heartless Akatsuki that didn't care for his partner. I nibbled at my lip uncertainly. He did not need to prove that. I knew he was a cruel and heartless killer, but did that mean that he had to be a cruel and heartless man?
"What do you mean it's odd for him," I asked when Kisame did not elaborate. There was a pause as I was sure Kisame was trying to figure out how to reply. I looked up at him expectantly. I did not like to demand answers like this, it wasn't in my nature to interrogate, but I dearly needed to know every little detail concerning Itachi's condition.
"Itachi does not move around in his sleep," Kisame finally replied, a bit uneasily. "And he most certainly does not mutter. When Itachi sleeps, you would think that he was dead if you didn't know any better. He always wakes up in the exact position that he fell asleep."
"Nightmares, maybe," I suggested curiously. It didn't seem right that Uchiha Itachi would be plagued my nightmares. It did not fit his emotionless personality, but then again, everyone had fears. And whoever had fears could be exploited by and turned into nightmares.
"Perhaps," Kisame said doubtfully. "I just don't understand why he's still asleep." Kisame sounded so frustrated. Were I not so worried myself, I probably would have thought that it was sweet that he cared so much for his younger partner. "He doesn't have an infection, he's not sick, and I've been changing his bandages every twenty four hours. What's wrong with him? What am I doing wrong?"
"You're not doing anything wrong, Kisame," I assured him gently as I lay my hand on top of his softly. This all puzzled me too though. According to Kisame's information, Itachi should be perfectly fine: clean bandages, no infection, not sick. There were just those dreams, for I was sure that was what was what was throwing his normal sleep habits out of wack, that didn't fit. It didn't seem like his dreams should be that influencing as to keep him asleep, though. Maybe it had something to do with his Sharingan…?
"Here we are," Kisame said as we came to a halt, jerking me out of my wonderings. I nodded my thanks and carefully found the handle of the door. I creaked it open and walked in carefully. I hoped to bump into the bed along the way. I had been so panicked about Itachi the last time I had been here that I had not bothered to try and remember the position of the bed. Luckily though, as I walked forward, I felt my hip clip the side of the bed. So I turned and pulled myself up to perch on the edge of the bed. I moved to sit next to the unconscious Uchiha.
He was obviously not having a very restful sleep. He was tossing and turning and muttering in his sleep. I leaned down close to try and catch what he was saying. But his voice was too low, and speech too jumbled to make out any words. I sucked on my upper lip and chewed on my lower one as I debated furiously with myself over what to do with him. I didn't want to do the wrong thing!
"We should try and wake him up," I decided finally. I had been reluctant to wake him up, because Tsunade had always said that you should let your patients sleep it off. But there was nothing for Itachi to sleep off. And I wanted to get him away from his disturbing dreams. I didn't want him to have to suffer emotionally as well as physically. So I made the decision that he must be woken up.
"Of course," Kisame agreed somberly. I moved over to the side as I felt Kisame come up beside me. "Guess I'll just wake him up, then," he said uncertainly. In any other situation I would have laughed at Kisame's uncomfortable doubtfulness. I nodded encouragingly though, with all those thoughts far from my mind. I gasped suddenly as I felt the bed shake beneath me as Kisame grabbed Itachi's shoulders and shook them semi-gently. "Itachi! Wake up!" I winced.
"Please be careful with him, Kisame," I yelped out worriedly. I clasped my hands in the sheets in front of me tightly as I tried to stay on the bed. I loosened my grip a bit though as the quaking stopped. "We don't want to irritate his wound." Kisame grunted in agreement, and understanding, and drew away. I nodded and bit my lip as I thought of another way to try and awake Itachi. All the shaking had done was make his tossing and turning more violent. He was breathing hard too, and his heart rate was racing. It seemed like it had triggered a horrible nightmare.
"Water."
"Huh," I murmured dumbly as Kisame spoke suddenly. He had spoken so swiftly that my busy mind had not been able to process what he had said. As I played it back in my head thought the sounds fell into place to form the word. I turned to Kisame with a grin. "Perfect." I couldn't believe that I hadn't thought of that myself. The water would hopefully wake Itachi up, but would also be gentle enough to keep his injuries unharmed. "Can you go get some?"
"Won't be a problem," Kisame told me with a smirk in his voice. He grabbed my arm gently and pulled me back away from the bed. I slipped off of it gracefully and scurried away hurriedly. I had no desire to get wet. I was confused and curious though. Won't be a problem? I didn't think too much of it, except that it was an interesting thing to say and wondering what he was going to do. I would find out anyway.
My curiosity was especially piqued though as I heard Kisame clearly muttering seals and heard just the slightest ruffling of his cloak as he made the hand signs. He was speaking quietly and quickly though, so matter how hard I strained my ears, I couldn't make out exactly what he was saying. I fought the urge to creep forward for fear of getting wet.
I abruptly gasped in surprise and took a quick step back as there was suddenly the sound of rushing water and a splash as it hit Itachi. The rush of water was brief, but I stepped back again hurriedly as I felt freezing water meet my toes and pool around my feet. I curled my toes against the iciness, and looked up inquiringly at Kisame with two questions on my mind. What was that? Did it work?
"Technique," Kisame said simply. I could hear the self satisfied smirk though; he seemed rather proud of himself. I nodded my head in understanding, but made a note to get Kisame to tell me more about his fighting style some other time. So far I knew that he had a huge and beloved sword by the name of Samehada, and that he used water based jutsu. Yet there was a lot else that I didn't know, and would like to. But now was not the time for that.
I set my jaw as I stepped forward and braved the frigid water. The liquid seemed to swallow up the bottom of my feet, brushing up against my warm skin and rising goose bumps on it. I shivered. The last thing I enjoyed after just waking up was to step into cool water. I shook it off though and moved to stand beside the sodden and soaking wet bed. "Itachi….?"
"Kisame, you're an ass."
I wanted to break out into laughter and tears both of mirth and relief. It had apparently worked as Itachi was definitely awake. That meant that he was okay, that he would be alright. He would be alive and moving around in no time.
But his voice, oh his voice! I had never heard him so pissed, furious, and fuming in my life. I almost wanted to stand protectively in front of Kisame and shield him from Itachi's wrath…almost. However, there was no way that I could brave Itachi's fury. He was so often cold, cool, calm and calculating. Hearing him spit out an insult like that had been somewhat refreshing.
"And you're a bastard," Kisame snapped back coolly. Maybe I was fooling myself, but I could swear that I heard relief in the older man's voice. It made me smile; now I was sure that he cared for Itachi, and I was sure that he was glad that he was alright. I knew I was. Even after what he had done, even after what he had done to me I was glad that he was going to be okay.
"How are you feeling, Itachi," I asked gently in a mothering voice. I don't know what kind of response I was expecting: a groan of pain perhaps, a grunt of no particular positive or negative value? With a horrible shock though, I heard the ruffling of blankets, as Itachi tried to get up. I yelped and reached out to grab his shoulder. "Itachi, stop!"
"I am fine, Hinata. I would like to get out of my bed," Itachi said in slight impatience. His voice was back to its former cold and emotionless state. I pursed my lips and shook me head in determination. True, Itachi could scare me. Even in the state that he was in now. But I wasn't going to let him strain his bandages and hurt himself.
"Itachi, you're badly injured, please don't move," I insisted as I pressed against his shoulders to try and make him lie back down. It was like pushing against a wall though, because he didn't budge. I pressed my lips into a thin line and tried to nudge him forcefully back down.
"Don't try to control me, Hinata," Itachi said seriously as he sat up against my hands. I shot them back hurriedly as I thought about the extra pressure that I was applying to him. That meant that it was harder for him to sit up and I was just making it worse. I made a small sound of disappointment and frustration.
"Kisame," I finally called. It was the only thing left I could think of. Itachi was powerful, probably more so than Kisame, but Kisame was big and strong, perhaps he could restrain him. I moved to the side as Kisame advanced on the younger Uchiha. I smiled when I heard a grunt of disapproval and rustling as Itachi was pushed back onto the bed. I even heard the slither of rope as Kisame tied him down. I couldn't repress the giggle. Perhaps the roping had gone a bit too far, but if it kept him down, I wasn't going to complain.
"Sorry Itachi, Doctor's orders," Kisame apologized, though he didn't sound like he meant it. I was actually inclined to think that he was enjoying himself. Perhaps he liked being able to finally control his partner instead of the other way around. I think it also helped that this meant Itachi couldn't hurt himself. Most likely, he had been dying to do it himself the whole time. "Besides, Hinata saved your life, you should be thanking her."
"You don't have to," I said quickly as I bowed my head. I wasn't looking for praise, and I didn't want Itachi to think that I was. I didn't want him to look down at me like that. As if all I wanted was to be the best, like I wanted the attention. Then it would take the meaning out of what I did. I hadn't done it to be noticed, I had done it because I cared about Itachi and I didn't like 'seeing' him hurt. So I quickly changed the subject and went back into medic mode. "How are you feeling, Itachi?"
"Perfectly fine," Itachi replied patiently in the voice one would use when dealing with mentally slow idiots. I pursed my lips indignantly and in annoyance. I didn't want praise, but I would appreciate it if he could at least notice what I had done for him. He wasn't making my life any easier, and I didn't see why he had to be so difficult. I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt though, and passed it off as him just being angry about being restrained.
"Are you hungry?"
"No. Now please, let me out of my own bed."
"I can't do that, Itachi," I sighed impatiently. Why, again, did he have to be so stubborn and difficult? "You have to stay there until I'm satisfied that you're healed." I told him adamantly. I wasn't going to budge on this matter, no matter how much he glared at me. Oh, I knew he was glaring at me, with all he had; at least when he wasn't giving Kisame the evil eye. But that didn't bother me, because I couldn't see the glares anyway. "Do you want me to check your bandages?"
"No. Don't you dare to touch me."
"Fine," I snapped back as he plucked my last straw. I turned on my heel and made for the door. I had gotten used to remembering the placements of things if I concentrated on them just once, so I was confident that I would make it to the door without incident. As my hand met the door frame, I turned and called over my shoulder. "If you need anything, call me." Then I strode purposely out of the door. I was rather proud of myself for my show of strength.
"I changed his bandages this morning, by the way," Kisame muttered reassuringly to me as we walked down the hallways. That did ease my mind a bit. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to tend to Itachi now that he was awake, but now I could wait to tackle that problem until tomorrow. I smiled and nodded my thanks to him.
"So where are you going," Kisame asked curiously after awhile as he followed me down the hallway. I could sense his presence at my left shoulder. I smiled up at him for no particular reason at all. I was just feeling so light and carefree. It was a nice and refreshing feeling.
"To make Itachi something to eat," I told him simply. Kisame made a small grunt of confusion and I giggled at him. I was feeling so silly. It was sort of embarrassing to be so suddenly hit with this flippant feeling, but I hadn't been so cheery and blithe since before my marriage had been announced. It was nice to feel so happy again. Besides, surely Kisame wouldn't hold it against me.
"But he said he wasn't hungry," Kisame retorted. I nodded and shrugged,
"Yes, but that's because he's a stubborn male," I said as I paddled down the hallway and towards the kitchen. I shook my head in amusement and exasperation. A stubborn and prideful male, I mentally corrected myself. "But he's been asleep for two days straight. If my experience is anything to go on, he's actually ravenous."
"Ah."
I smiled again as I heard Kisame's sound of understanding. He used to just nod, forgetting that I couldn't see him. He was the strong silent type, I thought with a small giggle; I was still in a silly mood. It had been the cause of much awkwardness, confusion, and miscommunication when he forgot about my blindness.
I giggled again as I remembered some of them. They had been simple little things that were blown way out of proportion when we couldn't converse properly. I had never realized how much people used nonverbal cues to get the message across. It was really hard to talk when you couldn't see. Now though, Kisame was always sure to use some sort of sound to alert me.
I eventually made it into the kitchen, and went straight to the counters, cabinets, oven, and fridge. Firstly, I had to identify exactly where each appliance was so that I wouldn't get lost in the small kitchen. After that, I made sure to know where everything in each cabinet and the fridge was. Itachi had made sure that everything had its own place and that I memorized that place; just another thing to thank Itachi for.
When you seriously thought about it, Itachi took good care of me. Sure, he was cruel and cold. When one didn't think deeply about it, he just seemed like a mean guy that never did anything nice. He could seem like an arrogant, selfish, emotionless ice cube. But I knew that that wasn't true, not entirely. Sure I think that is what he wanted people to think, but I knew better. There were things he did that were kind and caring. Such as training me and organizing the kitchen. He spent hours out of his day just to help me to make my way around their domain, and other little things. I stood by what I thought originally. He was using me to try and fix where he had gone wrong with Sasuke.
"Hinata." Kisame's voice and gentle touch to my shoulder nudged me out of my concentration. I tilted my chin upward to face him and show that I was listening. I, unlike them, could use nonverbal cues to my hearts content. "I've got to leave and go train. Otherwise, my muscles will go soft."
I couldn't help but giggle at the thought. Kisame's muscles go soft? Impossible, I scoffed in my head. His muscles were rock hard. As I had once thought before, they were the hardcore muscles of a man, not the showy muscles of a boy. But I knew ninja's had to train daily, and I didn't want to keep Kisame from his. So I smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'll see you later."
"Aa."
And then Kisame was gone. I couldn't help but smile as the thought of the man. There were times when he seemed so….adorable to me. It wasn't a word that seemed to apply itself naturally to him, not with his love of violence and enigmatic appearance, but some how I could make it fit. I giggled. I was so goofy right now.
Like Iruka-sensei! Iruka-sensei had always been goofy and lovable. I had always been comfortable around him….
I shook my head with a snort. Why was I thinking about Iruka-sensei? It didn't matter, I should focus. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to create anything edible for poor Itachi. So I pushed out all my other random thoughts and focused on what I was doing.
It was over an hour later that I heard someone drag themselves into the kitchen and collapse on one of the benches with a groan. I made an amused face, but didn't show it to the new comer. I was almost done with my meal, and I was hoping whoever had just come in would taste test it for me.
"Kisame's an ass, yeah," Deidara groaned again, this time coherently. The second person in only a little over an hour to proclaim their distaste for the older man, I thought, slightly unhappily. I made a face and dipped up some of the pork casserole I had made. I picked up the plate and utensils and ever so carefully moved to set it down in front of Deidara.
"Why's that?"
"I hate sparring with him, yeah," Deidara continued, still in a contemptuous and annoyed voice. I could tell that Deidara wanted to rant about it. He had that tone in his voice. But there was nothing for him to complain about without sounding weak and pathetic.
Deidara and Kisame sparred often, but Kisame was exceedingly rough with the slightly younger man. Deidara always came back beaten, ripped up, and sometimes half drowned. I didn't understand exactly how he got most of his injuries. I just knew that it was from Kisame. It was the brutal side of him.
"Where does it hurt," I asked patiently. Deidara came around to ask for healing, after Kisame had thrashed him, a lot. On some level I felt bad for him. Itachi and Kisame were closer, and Deidara was treated less than cordially sometimes. I knew he hated Itachi, and though he got along with Kisame, they weren't exactly friends. From what I had heard from Deidara, his partner Tobi looked up to him, but Deidara also said that he was incredibly annoying.
"Everywhere, yeah," Deidara said just this side of a whine. I moved to sit next to him and help him out. I didn't want to use a lot of chakra on him, since I never knew if Itachi may take a turn for the worse. But I wasn't going to just make Deidara suffer. I was saved from the decision though as Deidara asked suddenly, "Can I eat that?" I was completely taken aback and confused. Then I realized he was talking about the food I had set in front of him. I nodded vigorously.
"Of course, that's why I put it there," I told him. I stood up then. I had decided that if he was more interested in the food than getting healed then so be it. I went back over to the counters and leaned against them as I turned back around to face him. "Would you like anything to drink with it?"
"Sake, yeah," Deidara replied. I pursed my lips but obliged. I didn't like sake. As I saw it, it just turned perfectly respectable men into scary jerks. I should probably get rid of that discrimination though. After all, all three of them drank sake, and I had never seen them drunk. Then again, they had only drunk in moderation. Perhaps it was just the men, and women, that didn't know when enough was enough. It had only been a month that I was staying with them though; they may get drunk at some other time…
I sighed and gave a small shrug, not that it mattered right now anyway. So I shifted through the refrigerator and got out the cold sake. I poured him a small cup and then put the bottle back into the fridge. Just because I wasn't going to openly oppose it, didn't mean that I was going to support it. One small cup for him.
I carefully set the cup down in front of Deidara and sat across from him. I preferred to sit across from people at a tale, I found. It took more work and hurt toes to get there, but I felt more relaxed having them in front of me than in my blind spot, if I could forgive my pun.
"So where is Kisame," I asked as we both settled down. This time I was more than happy to see that it took awhile for Deidara to reply. I could hear the clinks and swipes of the fork on the plate as he eagerly gobbled the food I had given him.
"He's on some sort of butchery mission, yeah," Deidara said flippantly. I felt my face fall. I guess it was the immediate reaction to the thought and mention of Kisame's taste for cruelty. Sometimes I was in denial about it I supposed. "He's gonna go get rid of a pathetic little gang that's trying to rival us, yeah."
"I don't like thinking about that," I admitted quietly as Deidara continued. I bowed my head and sighed. I wanted to tell someone how I felt about this. I rubbed my arm and sucked on the corner of my upper lip. I wanted to trust Deidara with this, he was a friend here. "It makes me sick to think of Kisame hurting people."
"Really, yeah," Deidara snorted. He tried not to, I could tell. But he apparently couldn't help but let out that small little laugh. I looked down; I knew it was a stupid thought; it was just how I felt though. "Well what about when he hurts me, yeah?" He gave a sigh, and I giggled. That didn't really bother me so much. It was just training, albeit violent training. But Deidara continued. "Well give the ass some credit, he didn't kill or mutilate for a whole two days while he was taking care of you and Itachi." The hatred was still evident when he said Itachi's name, and I felt the tip of my mouth quirk down in a frown. "He was practically dying of blood lust."
I sucked on the corner of my upper lip as I contemplated what Deidara had said. Blood lust. Just the thought of the phrase made me shiver, and the vision of Kisame ripping people to shreds with his Samehada with a cruel, sadistic sneer on his face, made me want to cry. I didn't know how I could 'envision' him as I had never seen him, but it still made me want to cry.
But then Deidara had said that Kisame had taken care of us. He had fought his blood lust, and been gentle and caring. I could still feel his touch and lingering lips if I concentrated just barely. So how could I think that he was cruel? I just went round and round in a circle as I wondered which one Kisame truly was: cruel and vicious murderer, or kind and caring man?
It was then that guilt came into play. I had no right to judge Kisame. I had no right to want him to change. Kisame was kind to me, he was gentle and tender. He was caring, and made me feel good about myself. I shouldn't hold what he had not shown me against him. Just like his appearance, I could not condemn him for it.
"Oh, don't get all depressed again, yeah," Deidara said, pinching my chin affectionately. I gave him a half hearted pout, but then smiled at him. I had made my decision. I would not judge Kisame by anything other than how he treated me. I stood up again then, and went to get Itachi's plate ready. Deidara seemed satisfied that I was cheery again, because there was a contented pause before he spoke again. "I just got back from a mission as well, yeah."
I nodded in slight confusion as I dipped up some of the casserole into a plate for Itachi. Deidara didn't usually speak of his missions with me. Sure he would tell me he was leaving, or that he had just got back, and sometimes he would ask for healing and then tell me how he got his injury, as I had become somewhat of their medic nin. This time though, he seemed like he was going to go on. I waited in silent curiosity.
"I went to Konoha, yeah," Deidara continued. That hit a mark. I gasped, and the spatula I was holding clattered to the ground. The plate I was meticulously putting together lay forgotten as I whirled around to face Deidara breathlessly. My sightless eyes were wide as I faced him, waiting for him, begging him to continue. He didn't.
"Deidara," I pressed in a gasp. My mouth had been gaping open for a time, and it was a struggle to get his name out. I stepped forward and sat down next to him. For over a month, I had no contact with the people of Konoha. I had no idea what they were doing, and literally, I was in the dark. I didn't know what my friends and family were doing. Or anything!
"It was a quick little espionage mission," Deidara began. I nibbled at my lip as I listened intently to his story.
Deidara leapt through the trees gracefully on the night of February the 15th. His long blonde hair blew back from his face and stayed out of his clear blue eye, and his scope. He had flown most of the way from the lair in Lightening country to here on his bird, but when he had gotten closer to the Village Hidden in the Leaves he had had to proceed on foot. So he had sent his bird over some poor, unsuspecting farm and blown it to smithereens. Watching the civilians run screaming and terrified from their home had done wonders for his mood.
So here he was now, slowly approaching the gates of Konoha, dodging ANBU patrols on the way. He didn't understand why they had waited over a month to see how their fake scroll had turned out. It wouldn't have taken that long for pandemonium to break out.
First stop was the Hokage's office he mentally ticked off in his head. All the info should be in there. He couldn't help but allow himself a small smile as he thought about how brilliant the plan had actually been, even if it had been the blasted Uchiha's. The scroll that Hinata had been delivering had been a peace treaty to a small village in the lightening country. The village was small, but had a very powerful and large military, and their pride was just as big, if not bigger. What the Akatsuki had done was deliver instead, and insulting declaration of war.
Now the hokage should be furiously trying to patch up relations with the misunderstanding enemy, protect her village, as well as find the Hyuuga heiress, all at the same time. There was no way that she could do it all, so Hinata had been pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. Even the Hyuugas themselves were too busy to find her.
The chaos had served its purpose though, to allow the Akatsuki to escape Konoha's grasp once again. Konoha had been on them again, they were being hunted, and this time they had been very, very close to being caught. Now though, Konoha was distracted, and had subsequently lost their scent. As Deidara stealthily and quietly riffled through the Hokage's ridiculously messy paperwork, he had to smirk again at the thought of how perfectly it had worked.
Deidara reached over to dig through another drawer, but froze as he heard footsteps, and the angry voice of the Hokage storming towards the door. He immediately leapt up and dashed through the open window. He glanced back and glimpsed the furious Hokage yelling at a coolly composed Hatake Kakashi about their small and unintended war. He smirked yet again, then leapt and dashed onto a safer roof.
Deidara stood solemnly on a rooftop gazing at the full and silver moon. His hair fluttered lazily in the slight breeze, and his cloak rustled soothingly. He was debating silently with himself about what to do next.
He had the information they needed. It had just been a small little mission. He could go home now if he wanted to, well as home as an Akatsuki lair could be. Which after a time actually did become somewhat homey to him, even if in no way had he intended it to be.
But yet, here he was, in Hinata's home town. Would it be cruel to leave here and bring her nothing to remind her of her family and friends, no news, nothing? Of course it would be! But he was a criminal through a through, and was supposed to be mean and heartless. He should rub it in her little china doll face that he had been where she most likely was dying to be.
And so, he bounded off of the roof. He was headed straight to the Hyuuga compound. He was supposed to be mean; it was somewhat of a rule. But he had never liked to follow rules anyway. So here he was, bringing up a mental list of all the people that Hinata had mentioned caring about. There was her younger sister, Hanabi and various friends: Sakura, Naruto, Kiba, Shino, and then there were others that he couldn't remember, but those were the ones she spoke of the most.
And then there was her cousin/ fiancé, Hyuuga Neji. He had almost retched when she had accidentally let slip that she was to be forced into an arranged marriage with her own beloved cousin. His first thought was that that was gross, and the second one was the Kisame would be pissed. Over all though, he found it disgusting, unfair, and just plain wrong. He personally thought that Hinata should hate this Neji, but she had told him very firmly that that was in no way the case. Hinata still cared for and loved her older cousin, and felt just as bad for him as she did for herself.
Deidara slowed as he sighted the large Hyuuga compound. His sharp eyes picked out the skilled guards protecting the compound from people just like him. He really didn't mean any harm this time though. In truth, he had never actually done anything to the Hyuugas. He didn't have any personal grudge against them, and he had never been assigned a mission that had anything to do with them. And this time he certainly meant no harm, he was just here for Hinata.
"Neji," called a deep voice. Deidara froze immediately in shock, and turned slowly. He cursed his own stupidity, vehemently. How could he not have seen that boy standing there? There was a long haired youth, about a year older than Hinata standing stoically in a flower garden. At the sound of his name, the young man turned back to the building and walked in, shutting the door noiselessly behind him.
Well think of the devil, yeah, Deidara thought. That was the famous Neji, hmm. He didn't look at all how Deidara had been expecting him to. For some reason, Deidara had been picturing him ugly and cruel. Like the kind of guy that would take advantage of pretty, little, innocent Hinata. Well the man that he had just seen was by no means ugly, and had looked even, sad…perhaps. Deidara crept towards the house to listen in on the conversation between Neji and who was presumably Hinata's father.
Deidara then spent the better part of three hours hunting down all of Hinata's loved ones and snooping about for information on them to tell Hinata. Most of what he found was ridiculously heart warming and made him want to puke, or blow them all up. Luckily, not all of it was too adorable. And the thought of being able to tell Hinata how they felt about her though really did warm his heart.
As far as the Hyuugas were concerned: her fiancé/ cousin was murderous. He demanded that they find her "before those filthy Akatsuki defiled her." Deidara couldn't help but snort at the thought of them planning to hurt Hinata. They had gotten attached to the girl. Her younger sister, Hanabi, seemed just as homicidal, though he knew for a fact that she had been crying over it that night.
He couldn't help but wonder why Hinata didn't seem to miss them as much as they missed her. He supposed it was possible that she cried behind closed doors, but still… She seemed rather cheery now days. Sure she had seemed very depressed when she had gotten to the lair, but she seemed happy now. So he had passed it off as simply being kidnapped by the Akatsuki blues. Now though, he was beginning to see that her depression may have run deeper than that.
As for the war that was distracting the village from Hinata in the first place, the Hyuugas were deeply involved in it. Neji was heading an ANBU squad that was preparing to infiltrate the small village to find out what had gone wrong; while Hanabi was a young jounin that scoured the woods and walls for bomb tags and the like. Hinata's father, Hiashi, was trying to maintain order in his clan, but Deidara could tell how stressed and worried he was over his daughter.
After deciding that he had more than adequate information on the Hyuugas to make Hinata happy, he slipped away from the compound and headed through the quiet and peaceful night to find her two team mates. Deidara found them both awake sitting beside a pond and decided right away that they were an odd pair of friends.
The boy he found to be Shino was quiet and stoic and kept his sunglasses on even though it was dark. He also had bugs coming out of his body every once in awhile. This successfully caused Deidara to shiver in disgust as his mind tricked him into feeling millions of bugs crawl across his smooth skin. He clamped the mouths on his hand shut tightly, as though he were afraid bugs would crawl into them if they weren't.
The boy Kiba struck him with that word exactly. Boy. He was immature and hyperactive. He had juvenile views and interpretations of things that made Deidara scoff. Just to add to Deidara's already low opinion of him, he could smell the body odor and dog smell on him, even at a distance; though that could also be due to the huge canine that lay by his side.
Deidara was in luck with these two, though. They began talking about Hinata just as he located them, almost as if it was planned. They, too, obviously loved Hinata and were deathly worried about her. They were furious with the Hyuugas for not paying the ransom for her immediately. Deidara smirked as he listened to the barrage of insults directed mostly at Neji, though a good deal at Hiashi as well. It wasn't long though before Shino was called away to deal with some aspect of the Akatsuki induced chaos. Kiba left soon afterward.
It was midnight by this time, and all Deidara wanted to do was go back. But there were two more people that he wanted to tell Hinata about: her friends Naruto and Sakura. Deidara remembered Sakura; she was the one that had first killed Sasori-danna. From then on, Deidara had kept a deep rooted hatred for the rosette. He had always been one to keep a grudge.
Deidara was highly annoyed with the current state of things by now though. He sat down on the roof of the building with an irritated huff. He had pushed his long blond hair back over his shoulder as he pouted. By this time the two people left would be asleep in their homes. If he was to find anything about how they felt about Hinata he would have to snoop around their rooms and hopefully get very, very lucky.
But he would do it to see Hinata so happy. So he forced himself back onto his feet and brushed off his cloak. He bounded off in search of Hinata's two friends. It took every second of half and hour to hunt down the pink haired medic. Deidara's eyes narrowed as he saw the girl sleeping peacefully and innocently in her bed. His hand itched to move to his kunai pouch, to grab a knife, and to slice the offending girl's throat. But Hinata wouldn't like that, so he turned and faced himself to pretend that she wasn't there.
Deidara scanned the room angrily. Where the heck was he supposed to start? Her desk, he decided. He dug around the meticulously organized desk, taking pleasure in turning it into a pig sty, and not even sure what he was searching for. Finally though, he found it. It was a letter, curiously addressed to both the Hokage and Hinata.
Tsunade- shishou,
I know that you have not yet found Hinata because of this scroll mix up that's kept us all busy at the hospital. But I am sure that eventually a party will be sent out to find her. I know that you would not just leave her out there. So I would greatly appreciate it of you would please send this letter with them to give to her.
Please Shishou
Sakura
This smallish letter was stuffed into an envelope with another one. This one wasn't much longer, but it looked like she had gone through a lot of drafts to get it just right, and it was written on studier paper. It was addressed to Hinata.
Dear Hinata,
I hope you're okay. If you are reading this than that means that they found you and that if you're not okay, than you will be. You will be okay.
I miss you Hinata. You're my best friend. We're really different, but it's you that I feel the most comfortable with. You're the one I can confide in. It's not right walking around the village with you not accompanying me, or running into you at least. It's depressing.
But I'm not going to bore you with how much we all miss you, because you're going to be back, soon. But Hinata we do, we really do.
Love
Sakura
Deidara's first instinct was to pocket the letter and give it to Hinata when he finally got back. Then with a sinking heart he remembered that Hinata would not be able to read it, so he memorized it and put it back. With one last hate filled glance at the sleeping girl, he crept back out the window.
It took another half hour to hunt down the blonde Kyuubi and by this time Deidara was wishing that he had killed Sakura. He was in a foul mood, and he could use something to lift his spirits. It was with a relived sigh that Deidara swung gracefully into the snoring boy's room.
Deidara set out immediately to search the atrociously messy room. He had no want to dawdle. This time though, Deidara was in great luck, because it would appear that Naruto's snores were punctured by sleep talking, and Deidara could have sworn that he heard Hinata's name.
Deidara quit his searching instantly and crept over to listen to the other blonde's mutterings. He smirked in satisfaction and triumph. This was turning out to be rather easy.
"Don't worry, Hinata," the Kyuubi muttered, just barely coherently. The determination in his voice was evident though. Deidara didn't know whether to admire his resolution, or pass it off as stupidity. He opted for the latter. "I'll save you from those Akatsuki bastards. Dattebayo!" Deidara wrinkled his noise in disgust at the bit of drool that was pooling on the pillow. He shook his head with distaste for the younger ninja and his sleeping habits, but was satisfied with what he had gathered none the less.
So with weary and impatient muscles, he quickly and gratefully made his way to the gates of Konoha. He was eager to give Hinata news on her friends and family, to revel in her expressions of gratefulness and awe, and the rest of her wide range of emotions.
And of course, he couldn't wait to see his beloved Hitomi.
Deidara dashed out of Konoha, but not before picking two beautiful flowers from Hinata's garden, for the two beautiful he girls he was soon to see.
I could feel the tears streaming down my face as I stroked and fingered the flower that Deidara had give me. My emotions were running high and I made no move to wipe the liquid from my cheeks. I opened my mouth to thank Deidara for doing all of that for me, but I couldn't get out any words. I could only barely sort out my powerful emotions.
Part of me was so sad. I missed them all; I loved them all. I wanted to go and run and tell them all that. I wanted them to know that I wasn't ignoring them or anything of the type. I wanted them to know that I was fine, no, I was even better. I actually enjoyed it here. And I was guilty. If I had been a more competent ninja they wouldn't even have this problem. I would never have gotten kidnapped, and they wouldn't be in this misunderstood predicament.
But I was happy, too. I was so happy to realize how much my friends cared about me. How worried they were about me touched my heart, and I was glad to know what was happening in Konoha. I had been so cut off from them all. But now I realized what was going on. I understood why they hadn't tried to rescue me yet. It wasn't at all that they had forgotten me. Now I could be happy and patient.
"Thank you, Deidara," I finally managed softly. I lifted the bloom of the flower to my face and breathed in the pleasant and comforting aromas. It was from my garden, and was such a wonderful and perfect reminder of them all. I let my tears slide onto the petals and I smiled gently. "Thank you so much."
"Eh, don't mention it, Hinata, yeah," Deidara told me as he affectionately ruffled my hair. I sighed happily and wiped my remaining tears away with a sweet and genuine smile. "There we go," Deidara said in a satisfied tone of voice. "Now, I've got to get going, yeah."
"Where," I asked curiously as I stood up and went to the cabinets. I set my flower down as I went in search of a vase. I had thought that Deidara would want to stay and eat and rest up after a mission that had lasted long into the night. There was a pause before Deidara replied. I gave him an encouraging smirk to get him to continue.
"I'm gonna go see a girl, yeah," Deidara told me. I couldn't help but giggle just a little. He tried to sound so cocky and nonchalance, but my fine tuned ears caught his embarrassment and shyness. I thought it was adorable, and a slightly teasing smile spread across my face.
"What's her name?"
"Hitomi," Deidara replied sheepishly. I grinned then. Deidara had struck me as somewhat of a womanizer. But he sounded just like a teenage boy with a serious crush right now. I giggled. So Deidara had found himself a lady friend. I wrapped up Itachi's food as I smiled.
"Well you had better hurry," I urged good naturedly. "You don't want to keep her waiting!" I picked up my tray for Itachi and walked over to the door. "I've got to run, because this was supposed to be Itachi's breakfast, and its past lunch time!" I couldn't help but chuckle as I found myself back into my former childish state.
"Alright, see you, yeah," Deidara said with a grin in his voice as he left. He sounded grateful for my understanding. I thought it was sweet. So with a happy smile I hurried down the hallway. I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to find Itachi's room again, but I shouldn't have been.
It took a little while, but after a few wrong turns, I managed to make it to the room. The only reason I even knew that it was the room was because Itachi made a small, and rather dignified, grunt of greeting as I entered. I smiled at him as I came in. My cheeks itched to grin, just because there was nothing not to grin about, but I didn't take Itachi as the sort to take kindly to grinning when he was, no doubt, in pain.
"I brought you some food, Itachi," I said kindly as I walked to his bed side. I couldn't help but smile as I didn't hear him protest as I placed the tray of food on his lap. I hoped that that meant that he was going to eat it. I knew he must be hungry, and I didn't like how he was trying to hide it.
"And how am I to eat this," Itachi asked coldly. I winced at this. Not because of his harshness, because I knew he was just miffed about being bed ridden. I winced, because his voice was so scratchy, for Itachi that was. His throat was so dry it made me want to make him drink the water I had brought him. But I couldn't force Itachi; I had to get him to do it himself.
"You have two choices," I began in answer to his question. I spoke patiently to him, but cautiously, as though speaking to a lion cub. I almost laughed at the thought of comparing Itachi to an adorable baby lion, but I was sure that in some respects it really did fit. "I could hand feed you," I continued. "Or if you've decided to do what I said and stay in bed I could untie you."
"Untie me," Itachi demanded instantly. He had seen a tiny opening and he was trying to seize it. I sighed in frustration. I didn't want to argue with Itachi. I didn't like to argue or fight or debate or any of that. Apparently though, I would have no choice with Itachi.
"Itachi, I can't untie you unless you promise to stay put," I said seriously. There was a pleading in my voice though as I tried to get through to Itachi. I needed him to see things my way. Why didn't he understand that he could still die? He put on a tough act, and if I didn't know any better, I would think that he just had a cut or something. But I did know better. Itachi was still easily within death's grasp.
"Untie me, Hinata," Itachi ordered in a deadly hiss. I winced again at the sound of his parched throat. Why did he force himself to suffer like this? He had to be all tough and cold, but I knew he was only human. Would it hurt his pride really all that much to just stay put?
"No," I yelled back furiously. Leave it to an injured Uchiha to practically reduce me to tears in a matter of seconds. I sniffed a bit and bit my lip angrily. I chewed on it as I searched for a compromise. At this rate Itachi would never get fed. I couldn't hand feed him; he would probably try and bite my hand off, or stab me with the fork I was holding or something. Finally I came to the only conclusion.
"I'll loosen your ropes, and then you can feed yourself, but can't get up."
Itachi's opinion of my suggestion was revealed in the form of a low growl. It sounded none too pleased. I cocked my head curiously though at the sound. I didn't think that I had ever heard Itachi growl. He was too dignified for that I had thought. I sighed none the less though, and decided to do it anyway. He really didn't have a say in the matter, I held all the power for once.
I worked carefully around Itachi, to loosen his restraints just enough to feed himself, but not enough to escape. I was very careful to prevent that.
"I'll be back probably tomorrow then, Itachi," I told him quietly as I finally slipped off of the bed. There was no reply except for a rustling of fabric as he moved around and presumable enjoyed his new found freedom. I turned and padded noiselessly to the door. It could easily have been my imagination, but I thought that as I went into the hall I heard Itachi call softly after me.
"Thank you."
I smiled tenderly and made my slow way back to the kitchen. Everything seemed too peaceful, I thought as I began to scrub the few dishes that were in the sink. I liked this. I liked taking care of Itachi when he was hurt, and feeding Deidara right before his date. I liked knowing that whenever I was miserable or sad Kisame could hold me and tell me everything was alright. I didn't look at it as a traitorous thought anymore: I liked living here.
"Itachi seems to be doing well," Kisame's deep voice rumbled as I felt his strong arms wrap around my waist. I gasped and jolted in shock as he made his presence so suddenly known. I was also a bit surprised at Kisame's open show of affection as he kept his arms around me as I finished the dishes. But yet, as odd and unexpected as it was, it was just another thing to add to the lists of things that I liked…a lot.
"I think he is," I finally agreed as I reorganized my thoughts. Kisame had managed to scramble them in a split second. I reached over to place the last dish into the drying rack. My nose brushed his shoulder as I turned and I cocked my head. "You smell nice." My eyes shot wide and my face burst into color as I realized just what I had said. It had just slipped out. He had obviously just gotten out of the shower, because he was still a little damp and every once in awhile a drop of water from his hair would hit my nose. And his scent! It was so fresh, clean, and masculine. I loved it! But I hadn't meant to say it out loud!
"Thank you," Kisame chuckled. I hid my face in my utter and crushing embarrassment. I couldn't remember the last time that my face had burned so hot. I could feel the slight vibrations from his chest against my back as he laughed. I blushed even harder, though I didn't think that was possible, as I felt Kisame press his lips gently to the top of my head. "Is there anything to eat," he asked to change the subject, but his grumbling stomach proved the next sentence to be true all the same. "I'm hungry."
That successfully, and finally, yanked me out of my humiliation. I slipped out of his arms as he let go and sat at the table. I opened the fridge and took out the remaining plate of casserole. I was surprised how long it had lasted. It had fed all three of them. This was the last of it though.
I began to heat it, and then went back to the fridge again to get something to drink for Kisame. I debated with myself about whether to give him sake or not. I knew him well enough to know that that was probably what he wanted right now, but I didn't like sake… I took the half full bottle and small glass for him anyway. Hot sake it was. I heated it up as I heated the casserole.
Kisame remained silent the whole time. It was a nice, warm, and filling silence as I worked methodically. I was so proud of myself for being able to move around so easily. As well as in Kisame's room even. Once satisfied with the temperature of the food and drink, I placed the food and the hot sake in front of him.
Unlike with Deidara and Itachi, I decided to sit beside Kisame. I didn't know why exactly. Actually, perhaps that wasn't true. Deep down I was sure I did know why. It was the same portion of me as the one that told me that I was in denial about my feelings, and the one that told me that I wanted to stay with the Akatsuki.
I wasn't in denial though, as I chose to look at it. I just wasn't assuming. I wasn't going to see something that wasn't there. But perhaps I could admit this, just to myself. I liked sitting next to Kisame when it was just him and I, because he would sometimes pull me onto his lap and I could bits off his plate and we would just…bond, I suppose. Like now, I thought as I sat comfortably with him.
"Deidara went to Konoha," I began as I took a small bite that Kisame offered me. I smiled as I tasted my own cooking. I wasn't half bad, I decided. Even if Deidara and Kisame said that I was great.
"I know," Kisame prompted me to continue. I couldn't contain the huge grin that split my face as I recalled what Deidara had told me to Kisame. I was so excited and happy to share it all, and to relive it all. I told him everything. I told him what Neji, Hanabi, Kiba, and Shino had said. I told him who they were, describing all of my friends. I told him what Sakura's letter had said, and that Naruto was determined to save me. I couldn't help but blush a bit at that. My long term crush was having dreams about saving me.
Had I been thinking properly, I probably would not have brought up Naruto, and I wouldn't have blushed when mentioning him. Kisame didn't take kindly to the Kyuubi, and I didn't like thinking about the two at the same time, it was emotionally confusing. Yet my euphoria was so high as I spoke about my family and friends that I was not thinking properly. I felt Kisame stiffen beneath me.
"You were close to…Naruto," he asked. He tried to make it sound like an innocent and nonchalant question, but I could hear that there was more than that to his inquiry. His voice was almost taut and his body was tense. He had paused in his eating and drinking. It was like he was holding his breath for my answer.
"Not really," I answered honestly, with a small shrug. My voice was quiet and tiny. I was wishing that I had never even mentioned Naruto now, not with the way that Kisame was taking it. I couldn't place exactly how he was taking it, but it seemed negative. "He never really noticed me…"
"But you wanted him to," Kisame finished for me in a somewhat melancholy voice. He had dropped the fake nonchalant attitude. He sounded almost sad. His body had slackened, and it was like he was sagging, defeated. I chewed on my lower lip in worry and displeasure. I didn't want Kisame to be unhappy.
"Kisame," I exclaimed softly. I buried my face in his chest as I wrapped my arms around him. I held him tightly as I searched for the words that would reassure him. Words that would reassert the warmth and comfort that usually accompanied his presence. "I did, past tense. I don't care about him like that anymore." I wet my lips. I wanted to tell him that I cared about him like that now, not Naruto, him. But I didn't even think that I could admit that to myself. To admit, that I had fallen for him. I couldn't admit that to myself, and certainly not to him. So I just tightened my grip on him and hoped that it would be enough.
"Hinata," Kisame murmured. I sucked on my lip. I felt him hook his finger under my chin and tilt my head to face up to him. "It's okay, alright?" I parted my lips slightly as I faced up to him. I was a bit surprised to feel him press his lips to mine for a split second, and my eyes closed instantly. I sighed and rested my head on his strong shoulder as the sudden euphoria of his abrupt and gentle kiss wore off. His body had relaxed again and I could hear him continue eating and drinking. I smiled gently and happily as I popped a small morsel of food into my mouth.
"Thirsty," Kisame asked after out short silence. I felt him offer some warm sake. I wrinkled my nose and turned my head away. True I had never tried it before, and true, and I didn't particularly dislike the smell. But it was alcohol!
"I don't like sake."
"Have you tried it," Kisame asked in amusement. He chuckled and I felt the tremors through his chest. I blushed a bit and looked down sheepishly. I shook my head. "Then a small taste won't do any harm." I sucked on the corner of my upper lip, and then sighed in defeat.
"I guess not," I replied. I looked back up and felt him press the smooth, heated glass to my lips. I parted them and took a sip of the warm liquid. It was kind of bitter, but other than that it really wasn't that bad. I found myself licking my lips for any remnant drops. I blushed as Kisame chuckled at my reaction. "It's not that bad…" I admitted.
"Giving the hostage wench alcohol shark-man, seems like a stupid idea," sneered a voice. I jumped and gasped in surprise at the new and evil sounding voice. It sounded cruel and malevolent. I didn't like it, and it wasn't the only one I disliked. "I'm sure Kisame has a reason for his actions," the second voice replied almost courteously.
I could tell from the voices alone that these people were bad, but Kisame's actions tipped it off to me as well. His arms tightened protectively around me and he pulled me against his chest. He turned a bit so that he was partially shielding me with his body. I bit my lip as our pleasant mood and atmosphere was shattered. I clutched his shirt as I whispered softly. "Kisame, who is it?"
"Zetsu."
A/N So there it was. (Have you noticed that my begining A/Ns always start with okay, and the ends ones always start with so?) I hope you guys enjoyed it. It was kinda fluffy, so I want you all to think of this chapter and the one after this as the calm before the storm, or rather the happiness before the deppression. ; )
But anyway, please please please review, and I'll see to you all next time!