The journey from the Uchiha mansion to the Hyuuga compound progresses effortlessly at first, courtesy of Sasuke's indoor garage and underground pathways of unbelieving darkness. However, once No.6 steers the vehicle into my residence and parks in the nonexistent parking lot, the situation becomes a bit problematic. The sun simply won't set, though given the due time, so we choose to sit and wait patiently in the car until it does.
Fortunately, No.10—with her arms tied behind her back in rough rope for safety measures and her body wrapped in black strips of protective cloth—seems to doze off. Unfortunately, however, No.5 informs us of his urgent need to pay the restroom a visit. No.6 panics, as composed as one possibly can, and orders No.5 to not by any means release any form of liquid in their master's car.
"But I really need to go," the blonde notifies as a trace of emotion overcomes his features for the first time. "Really."
No.6 closes her green eyes, and thinks. After engaging in a mental conversation with her insightful inner self, she opens the pair of emeralds. "Hyuuga-san, how far are we from the nearest restroom?"
I calculate for a split second before replying, "A four-minute walk, approximately."
No.6 faces No.5. "Can you hold it?" The two engage in a silent exchange of thoughts and soon, they both turn to me. "I am sorry for the inconvenience, Hyuuga-san," No.6 speaks with apologetic respect. "but we must operate as quickly as possible."
I say with an understanding blink, "That's unfortunate."
"Hyuuga-san, please carry Number Ten into your estate. Number Five will hold the umbrella according to your trajectory." No.6 gently slides black, impenetrable glasses onto the sleeping face of No.10. They hide her eyes well.
I can't swallow the need to oppose. "I'm certain she is capable of moving on her own." I extend a hand toward the girl, intending to end her slumber.
No.5's hand stops mine. "Don't. There's a possibility that she will try to escape once she gains consciousness."
"And how high is the possibility of her succeeding?" The rope around the girl's arms emphasizes my point.
"…Not very, I suppose."
I arch an eyebrow with dense defiance. "Then there's no need in carrying her." I proceed to awaken No.10 and alight near her shoulder gently.
"Wait." A hand intercepts again.
Annoyance builds within me. "What?"
But I catch something in his eyes. Something I certainly didn't expect the Uchiha's most prized male asset to hold. Something that indeed contradicts the way the man was able to handle No.10 audaciously in Sasuke's meeting room earlier.
Fear.
"Transporting her instead of allowing Number Ten to walk herself would take less time," he tries to explain. "And my bladder—"
"Alright. I understand." I'm not very eager to hear about his excretion predicament. "…I'll carry her."
Almost immediately, No.5's blue eyes burst with glee. I just hope his urination didn't do the same.
"Ready?" No.6 asks patiently and faces us from the front passenger seat. I search for any signs of fright in her eyes as well. There aren't any, it seemed. At least, not yet.
Five passes her a courageous nod and wraps his left fist around the umbrella's handle, almost as a soldier entering a battle of life and death normally would. I pass her the same gesture, except with less glory.
Given that, No.6 presses the power door lock affirmatively. "Let's move."
Although I prefer not to admit it, the precautions we're required to undergo for the sake of guarding No.10 from the sun were exhausting. The umbrella has to be navigated at a precise angle, one sixteen degrees, to the girl's face, which is the only portion of her body that's not covered in shadowy clothing.
I carry her in my arms—my right arm under her legs and my left supporting the small of her back—the way a groom would affectionately hold his bride. Except in this case, I'm not her groom, she isn't my bride, and affectionate would be the last word any sane person would use to describe No.10 and I.
Though her sleeping body is relatively light, I begin to tire and perspire under the sun's glaring beams of radiation. My shirt now clings unpleasantly to my moist skin as the proximity of No.10's head from my chest adds to the irksome hotness. The harsh rope that bounds around her body scrapes against my skin as well, which made the walk even more vexing.
My eyes shifts downwards for a split second to peer at the motionless girl. I look back up shortly.
The four-minute walk feels a hundred minutes too long, but it comes to an end. Three sets of footsteps, plus the dormant baggage in my arms, shuffle into the official Hyuuga compound.
I key the entrance gate, enter my residence and impatiently make my way into the living room. After unhanding No.10 onto a white wooden settee, I breath with a tint of repose.
Then, I turn to No.5. "The restroom's this way."
"Thank you, Hyuuga-san. Uchiha-san appreciates your cooperation," Six orates and bows generously. "He hopes you'll achieve satisfying results and looks forward to meeting with you again soon."
No.5 follows suit. "Thank you for granting me permission to use your bathroom."
No.6 without delay gives the blonde a well-hidden pinch on his arm.
"Oh, I mean— for, uh, carrying Number Ten," he corrects.
I explore his eyes for any remaining trace of fear, but discover nothing. "Good evening," I say.
"Wait." No.5 hands me the umbrella. "Just in case." I have no idea what he's implying but I extend my hand to accept the object. "Good evening, Hyuuga-san."
And without further adieu, they step out into the long-awaited sunset. I let my eyes follow the two as their figures wend toward their master's awaiting vehicle. Only until their bodily silhouettes minimize to shadows the size of ants do I settle to shut the door.
"They're gone," I say to the ghastly walls as I re-enter the living room. The relaxed form of No.10 lies on its side atop the couch I had previously placed her, inhaling and exhaling at odd interludes. I shift toward her and kneel down beside the furniture, paralleling my face to hers. Now that the sun is no longer interfering, I lean closer to remove the pair of spectacles from her face. "Enough pretending."
An utter stop of phantom quietness follows, a silence so thick that the only sounds produced are the conversations between the walls and No.10's anxious breaths.
But it a small moment, with a powerful lunge and clumsy shuffles of fabric, two unbounded hands outstretch themselves forcibly at me. Considering the similar tackle not even an afternoon long ago, this is not completely unexpected. I look up at No.10 with impassive, disliking eyes as I allow her arms to drive me down. A heavy thud echoes against the ceiling as our bodies roughly descend to the marmoreal floor.
"How did you know I was awake?"