Hello everyone, and once again, happy Friday! I hope you all had a good week – this one seemed to go fast in my world, and I hope it did for you as well ^_^ So, the plot thickens a bit in this chapter – Hinata is getting closer to finding Sasuke! I hope you enjoy the fifth chapter!

Oh! And I have one shout out, to an anonymous reviewer: Yes, it's true that I make Hinata rather trusting. But I believe that her character would be rather trusting, and because she has practically no leads, she needs to start somewhere. It's true that being open about being a Hyuuga isn't particularly wise, but I do actually address that in this chapter. If you happen to read this, I hope that some of those concerns will be addressed and answered. Thanks for bringing it up – it's a good point, and I thank you for mentioning it! ^_^

~BlackRoseDragon13

*Disclaimer* I do not own, nor claim to own, any aspect of Naruto in any way, shape, or form. This is merely a fan work, and I receive no profit.

Chapter Five

Yoko's visit to the rebel group yielded little good news. As Hinata had feared, they were wary of outsiders, especially of shinobi. But they had much faith and trust in the redheaded woman, and agreed that if Hinata spent a period of time with her and earned her backing, they would meet with the two of them together and see what they could offer one another.

This gave the Hyuuga girl mixed feelings. She was happy that she had a lead, and was on her way to following it. But it was going to take time, and she wasn't sure how patient Itachi was going to be. Hinata didn't want him to do anything rash if her search wasn't going at a pace he approved of. She had a feeling, however, that the Uchiha would give her the time she needed.

She debated sending him word of her current position with the scroll he had given her. But again, doubt plagued her. Was it important enough to bother him with? Would he appreciate the update, or would he consider it trivial and unworthy of his time? So, she decided to wait until after she met with the rebel group, and forward whatever information they gave her.

So, Hinata began working for Yoko. The woman had her help around the onsen with cleaning, cooking, maintaining the pools and even dealing with guests. The redhead seemed to watch her closely, and Hinata did her best to show that she was hard worker, honest, and willing to do what she had to do in order to prove herself.

"The pools have been skimmed," she reported about ten days later. "The occupied rooms are cleaned, and the dining hall is too. I was j-just about to start dinner."

Yoko, who was atop a ladder dusting some of the carved beams in the sitting room, looked down at Hinata with a smile. "Thank you dear, that's wonderful."

Hinata paused, waiting to hear if something new had come up, but the other woman simply turned back to her dusting, and Hinata's shoulders slumped as she sighed lightly. Nearly two weeks had gone by, and Yoko had yet to tell her anything else. The girl was beginning to wonder if Yoko just liked having the help.

The kitchen was completely familiar to Hinata now. Yoko had taken a liking to her cooking, and it had become another one of her duties. The morning and evening meals were her responsibility, and she began retrieving pots to start the guests' supper. She was nearly finished when the redhead appeared in the doorway.

"I just wanted to let you know, Hinata, that we'll have a talk tomorrow morning." Glancing over her shoulder, she added, "The man who has been here the last few days is one of the higher-up grunts in the snake man's circle. I don't want to risk him overhearing anything, and he claims he'll be leaving in the morning."

"Oh!" Hinata was taken slightly aback. "I see. A-all right then."

"I'm sorry things have been slow, but it's been difficult to get back to the base with that man watching. I think he's here to poke around and see what he can find. The rebels have been extra cautious the last few days, but I plan on heading over after he leaves and give them my final word."

Hinata felt her spirits rise, but only just. Yoko said things were coming to a close, but she didn't say exactly what her verdict was. Though she doubted the answer was no, it still made the Hyuuga girl nervous.

Dinner was served not long after, and Hinata heaved a sigh. The day had been long, and she was tired. Hopefully she'd be able to stay awake long enough for the guests to retire, and then she could take a long soak in the pools. It had been one of the pluses she had during her stay – as soon as the lights were out, she had the pools all to herself.

She stoked the fires one last time before the guests made their way up to their rooms, and Hinata sat on her bed until all the noise ceased. Grabbing a towel, she tiptoed down the stairs to the baths.

Hinata showered quickly, eager to get into the warm waters. But when she emerged from the shower stalls with her towel around herself, she saw a light on over the unisex pool. Hesitating, she frowned heavily. Yoko was always too tired to bathe at night, doing so in the morning before Hinata or the guests woke. The intruder, therefor, was most likely a guest. She debated simply going back to her room, but the bath seemed to be calling her. She would see who it was, she thought, and then make a decision. There was always the female-only pool as well, though it wasn't quite as nice.

Her bare feet padded silently against the wooden floor as she approached the pool's edge, the screens shielding her from view. Slowly, she peeked her head around the gap.

From what she could see, the other person was male. Brown hair hung down into his eyes, which were closed as he leaned back against the pool's edge. He looked young, not much older than herself, though a large scar on his chest suggested he had seen much more than she had.

Hinata stared for a moment, and then made up her mind. She would make use of the female pool for a little while, and then head to bed. But as she turned, a voice called to her.

"Hello?"

Freezing, Hinata felt her eyes go wide. He had seen her!

"Is someone there? I don't mean to scare you off."

Just walk away, Hinata told herself. Just go back to your room and forget the whole thing.

Water sloshed behind her, and she instinctively turned. The man had waded across the pool, resting his arms on the side as he looked at her. His eyes were a pale blue, a grin on his face. "Hey! You're the owner's assistant, aren't you?"

Hinata just stared. What should I do? What should I do?

"I didn't mean to intrude on you – I'm sure after hours is when you use the baths," he continued. "I just wanted to get in here one last time before I left tomorrow."

That clicked something in Hinata's brain. Oh no...he's Orochimaru's man!

"Say...you look...familiar..." The man's face turned serious, his gaze locked into Hinata's. "That's...the Byakugan..."

Cover blown, Hinata panicked. "N-no, it's um...it's a defect," she stumbled out. "I'm not a shinobi."

The man's gaze hardened. "Do you really think I'm that stupid? You're a shinobi from the Leaf...a Hyuuga."

Thoughts raced rapidly through Hinata's brain. Now what was she supposed to do? If he blew her cover, negotiations with the rebels might crumble, not to mention she might be captured or killed. Her mind flew to her weapons pouch, which was tucked into her clothes in her room. But short of killing or capturing the man, Hinata had no idea how to keep him from revealing her identity.

Obviously pleased at his discovery, and of Hinata's apparent fear, the man rose from the water and began walking toward her. Despite the danger of the situation, Hinata couldn't help but color darkly at the man's nudity.

"Orochimaru would be pleased to have a Hyuuga to add to his collection," he purred. "Both the Byakugan and the Sharingan...what a pair."

"Where is Sasuke?" The demand flew from Hinata's mouth before she realized what she was saying, the words strong and unwavering despite her terror.

"I could take you to him. I'm sure my master would be overjoyed to have you visit."

Hinata backed away slightly, slipping into a battle stance, her towel doing little to cover her any longer. "Tell me where he is, a-and I won't kill you."

Laughter erupted from the man. "Oh please. I can taste your fear. A kunoichi like you couldn't begin to hope to defeat me. I'm one of Orochimaru's elite shinobi – I won't go down that easily." He grinned at her, his gaze open at her barely-clad body.

Wait...that might give me an opening. Hinata hadn't been very successful at the seduction part of her kunoichi training, but it looked to be the only opening she had left. Trying her best to slip into a character to separate herself from the situation, she let her stance fall into one of defeat. "Y-you're right..." she murmured. "I'm not...strong enough."

Seeing an opening, the man walked forward until he was only inches from her. Keeping up her defenseless guise, Hinata flinched as he grabbed a piece of her hair. "That may be...but I'm sure your Kekke Genkai would still be of great use...you'd be well-treated for your cooperation."

"I...I..." Hinata bowed her head, having gathered enough energy in her palms. "I...WON'T!" As fast as she could, she launched both hands forward, pressing them to the man's bare chest. He flew through the air, landing in the pool with a splash. Knowing she couldn't waste any time, Hinata leapt after him, landing on him as she pushed him under the surface. All of her training with the water element was about to pay off.

Within the deepest part of the bath, she began spinning through the water, launching Jyuuken strikes at her enemy. Her body, accustomed to moving through water after her training, glided through the liquid faster than her opponent could react, locking up chakra points. When she was satisfied he could no longer put up a fight, she once more gathered chakra into her palms, striking out against his heart with all the force she could muster.

Air rushed from the man's lungs, bubbles floating up to the surface, some followed by a few wobbling orbs of blood.

Out of breath, Hinata surfaced with a gasp. Not long after, the man's body breached the surface as well. She dragged him to the edge, lifting him out onto the wooden floor.

He wasn't breathing.

The Jyuuken strikes had damaged his heart, but not enough to kill him. Gathering her chakra once more, Hinata pounded the man's chest.

With a cough, water burst from his mouth, his body automatically taking rushing gulps of air. He was unconscious, but alive. For now.

What was she going do to with him?

Making a decision, Hinata grabbed her fallen towel and left him there, running for Yoko's room. Hopefully the older woman would know what to do. After pounding on her door, Hinata finally saw her open it, looking alert with a robe wrapped around her form.

"What's wrong?"

Hinata explained in a rush, leading Yoko back to the pools where the man was lying. The woman just stared as Hinata finished her tale, going back and forth from the man to the Hyuuga.

"I think I know a good use for him. Can you stabilize him?"

"U-um...I think so."

"Good. Get him patched up, and keep him restrained. He'll make a good token of favor when we visit the rebels tomorrow. I'm sure they can get a lot of use out of him." Yoko grinned wickedly.

Hinata grimaced, but knew it was a good plan. The man was evil, serving the snake sannin, and anything the rebels could get out of him would surely help her in her quest as well. And as Yoko said, giving the rebels someone so close to Orochimaru would certainly work in her favor.

They dragged him into an empty room, dressing him in a plain shirt and pants. Hinata grabbed some of her poultices, giving him a sedative before beginning to treat his more serious wounds – namely his heart. She worked well into the night, but managed to get him stable enough to move and interrogate. Just in case, she locked up all of his chakra points, binding his hands and feet. Yoko agreed to keep watch over him, letting the girl get a few hours of sleep before they headed out in the morning.

Her sleep wasn't completely restful, plagued with dreams of being captured by the man, his hands smothering her. When she woke she felt drained, but knew she had to take this opportunity quickly.

She repacked her things, slipping her weapons pouch onto her leg and tucking Itachi's scroll into her jacket. Hopefully things would progress swiftly, and she could finally report something to the Uchiha.

Yoko helped the Hyuuga girl pack the unconscious man into a small covered cart she had for hauling supplies to the rebel group, some of which were packed to give to them that day. Hitching her horse to it, the older woman had Hinata sit beside her as they drove it outside town toward the base of the mountain range.

"It takes a while to make the trip," Yoko explained. "But we should be able to make it by noon."

The ride was quiet, the pair following a worn road. But when the sun was close to peaking in the sky, Yoko turned the cart to the right, passing through brush and large stones. Looking back, Hinata saw that the path they were now on was practically invisible from the road. It took them for several more miles along a cliff side until the cart finally pulled to a stop.

"Wait here." Hopping down to the ground, the redhead approached the rocky face, searching for something. When she found what she was looking for, she pounded a series of knocks against the stone, and then waited.

The stone before her then rippled, dissolving. Hinata's eyes widened. Genjutsu! But that means...

Yoko climbed back onto the cart, pulling her steed around into the tunnel. Torches were lit along the wall, enabling them to see the way forward. After several yards, outside light filtered into the other end.

Once outside again, Hinata say that they were inside a deep chasm. Looking up, she could barely see a strip of sky above them. Her gaze shifted again when the cart stopped, taking in the sight before her.

Another opening was in the wall to their right, and Yoko was heading inside. "Come on, this way."

"What about -"

"I'll send someone out to get him in a minute. Come on!"

Hinata followed, feeling small as she entered the tunnel. More torches lit their way, but the space still felt terribly cramped.

Eventually, they made their way into a large cavern. In the middle was a large mesa of rock, just the right height to be used as a table. Maps, diagrams, texts and candles littered the surface. Shelves carved into the outer wall were crammed with objects as well. But there was no one in sight.

"It's me, you fools," Yoko said with a sigh. "And Hinata san can be trusted. Come on out."

A door, concealed perfectly into the rock, suddenly opened. A man stepped out, looking to be several years older than Hinata, but not quite Yoko's age. Dirty blonde hair was cut short, emerald green eyes distrustful and wary. "It's good to see you, Yoko san. It's been a while."

"I had a snake in my midst," Yoko growled. "And my friend just so happened to catch it for you. Maybe you can find a use for it."

At that, the man grinned. "I see. So she brought us a little gift, did she? Good on you, missy." The man extended a hand. "My name's Iwao. I'm the leader of our little band of misfits."

Hinata shook Iwao's hand. "I'm Hinata. It's a p-pleasure."

The man's grin widened. "Good to see you've got manners. So, Yoko san tells me you're in need of our help?"

Folding her hands before her, Hinata replied, "Yes, if you'd oblige. I'm l-looking for a comrade of mine who was taken by Orochimaru. My friends have tried finding him, but...it hasn't gone so well."

"Hm, I see. Well, you've come to the right place. If there's information floating around about that snake, you can be sure we've heard it." Iwao gestured to the table. "Everything we have, we do our best to verify. It can be safely said that we're the most knowledgeable about Orochimaru outside his little coven of followers. However," he added, holding up a single finger. "It doesn't come for free."

"Have one of your men bring in the prisoner," Yoko cut in. "And there's some supplies out there too. You can take my word that Hinata san is trustworthy. She has my full support."

"I see. Well, let's bring in the snake you caught and see how big a bite it has. All right you lot, come on out. It's safe."

At his word, Iwao's allies suddenly filed out the door. Most were men, but there were a few women thrown into the mix. Even without using her Byakugan, Hinata knew none of them were shinobi.

Then where did that genjutsu outside come from?

"Kenji, go fetch our new friend from Yoko's cart."

"Yes sir." A large man with black and red hair left the cavern, looking more than capable of hauling the man inside.

"Any idea who this man is?" Iwao asked.

"From what I'd gathered, he's fairly high up in the snake man's circle of friends," Yoko replied, crossing her arms. "No idea who he actually is, however. He told me his name is Goro, but I highly doubt it was his real one."

"Well, we'll have to ask him." Iwao said with another grin, which Yoko mirrored.

Hinata did her best not to tremble.

Kenji returned not long after, the smaller man slung over his shoulder and shouting obscenities. With a grunt, the giant dropped Orochimaru's spy into a chair, ignoring his insults.

"What the hell is going on?" he demanded, teeth gnashing in anger. "Who are you? How dare you imprison me!"

"Shut up," Iwao growled. From a sheath on his hip he drew a knife. Pressing it to his captive's throat, he demanded, "Who are you?"

"None of your business," was all that was said, spit flying from his mouth into Iwao's cheek.

Wiping his face, Iwao considered the man for a moment before slugging him in the face. "Wrong answer. Now...who. Are. You?" The knife returned, slicing the man's neck slightly as he jerked, blood dribbling down to his shirt.

"Ah! M-my name...is Shigeru. I work for Orochimaru. Looking for your little hornet nest, as a matter of fact."

Iwao chuckled. "Well...you found us, friend. Tell me...now what do you plan to do?"

All around them, the rest of the rebels laughed along with him. Shigeru squirmed, fear in his eyes.

"Hinata san," Iwao said, not taking his eyes from his prisoner. "Go ahead and look over whatever you want. Your little gift has earned it."

Perking up, she replied, "Thank you! I will!"

"Take him into the back room," Iwao muttered to Kenji. "I don't want to bother the little miss while she's working."

Kenji did as asked, taking the man back behind the door.

"The rest of you, help Hinata san. Do whatever she asks of you, you hear?" With that, Iwao moved to join his giant friend, shutting the door with an ominous boom.

All eyes shifted to Hinata, and she squirmed slightly. "U-um..." she mumbled. "Does...a-anyone know where Orochimaru is now?"

A girl with long brown hair in a style similar to Ino's stepped forward. "We have all of his bases mapped out," she offered. "I can show you the pattern we've figured out so far."

"Oh! Good!" Hinata followed the woman to the table, others shuffling papers to help.

"Who did you lose?" a man asked, offering a list of known captives thought to be still alive.

"A fellow shinobi," Hinata replied. "He was...tricked into going with him. He even has a cursed seal."

Several people's eyes widened. "He survived the curse seal?" the man asked. "That's impressive! Few have lived through it."

"What's his name?" the brunette girl asked.

"Um..." Hinata hesitated. She knew that Sasuke had been doing a lot of things in service to the snake sannin. Would his bad reputation hinder her search?

"Uchiha...Sasuke."

The room stilled. "Sasuke?" the girl whispered. "He's...one of Orochimaru's favorites..."

"I-I know!" Hinata replied quickly. "But...Orochimaru offered him the means to get revenge on his brother...who k-killed their clan. I know that I can get him to leave if I can get to him!"

"Are you his lover or something?" the girl asked. "Because Sasuke is dug in pretty deep. There isn't much that will tear him away."

Hinata blushed deeply. "N-no! I'm just...a comrade. But I have something he wants. I just need to talk to him."

The group eyed her suspiciously. "All right then," the man muttered. "If you want to find Sasuke, you're going to have to find Orochimaru. The man never lets him out of his sight."

"This is the last place they were spotted," the girl continued, showing Hinata a point on the map not far from their current position. "Because of that, I have a feeling they're in this base here. You could probably be there by nightfall. And they haven't been there long, so the odds of them leaving are pretty slim."

"Is there anything you know about the inside?" Hinata asked.

"I'm afraid not."

"I see..." Hinata considered this. "I think I'll...go tomorrow. So I'm not quite so rushed."

"That all right," the girl replied. "You can stay the night here, and head out whenever you want. Though I'd recommend midday, so you arrive at night. It's less likely you'll be spotted that way."

Hinata nodded. "Thank you."

The group gave her all of the other information they could, showing her charts and bios of currently known followers of the snake sannin that she may encounter, paths in and out of the area, and what they knew about Sasuke himself.

"As far as we know, he's been doing little more than training," the man from before explained. "But I guess now that we know he's after revenge, it makes sense."

"Though he does occasionally do Orochimaru's dirty work," the female muttered.

Hinata flinched. It was quite obvious the group wasn't fond of the Uchiha, but she was thankful for their help.

They dined together that evening, Iwao and Kenji still absent. The thought of a man being tortured in the other room made Hinata uneasy, but she knew it was for the best. She was awkward throughout the meal, however, and the group seemed to know why.

They gave her a bunk in their sleeping quarters, having a few extra for any new members they may pick up. Thanking them again, Hinata put her pack at the end of the bed, but then decided to do one last thing before trying to sleep. No one questioned her as she made her way back out into the ravine, taking a seat on a large rock a good distance from the entrance of the rebel base. Paranoid, she made sure no one had followed her with a sweep of her Kekke Genkai before settling down cross-legged and digging into her jacket. After a few moments of searching, she pulled Itachi's scroll from its hiding place. Biting her lip, she undid the seal, unraveling the paper to see just what Itachi had hidden inside.

What will be in the scroll Hinata received from Itachi? Will he find her report to be good news? Only time will tell, until the sixth chapter on Monday! Dun dun dun X3 I hope to see you all then, and if you could take a moment to review, I'd truly appreciate it my lovelies~ Hope you all have a glorious weekend! I get to go work cattle...yay ^_^;

~BlackRoseDragon13