Author's Note: And still I do not own Naruto, I think that has been established. Anyway once again thank you all for the reviews. These past days have been really rough on me and I hope that it isn't reflected too much in my writing. I tried though. Things should be getting better now I hope. Anyway this chapter was as most of you expected... predictable but I hope it works. I also am not a car geek. I don't really know that much about them but I do find racing and such interesting. And yes the Ducati is my favorite bike as you can see from this chapter. Anyway hope you enjoy and once again thank you for reading and reviewing. (Sorry i am not more enthusiastic at the moment as I said long day)


The sirens blared in Hinata's ears just above the steady, high-pitched whine of the motorcycles engine. The sounds drowned out everything including the pounding of Hinata's heart in her chest as she clung to the mysterious motorcycle driver and his bike. Her hair trailed out behind her whipping wildly into the air as the wind stung her face making her eyes water. She wasn't about to close them though as she watched her surroundings fly past her at a speed that blurred them all together.

Now for sure she was in trouble if they were caught. Running from the police certainly wasn't something that resulted in a simple warning or slap on the wrist. Maybe she should have stayed but she had been scared. Now she was not only scared about what might happen if she was caught but at the same time she was a bit scared for her life. Though to say that was the only thing she was feeling would be a vast understatement. The danger and subsequent exhilaration was almost making her enjoy herself. She felt as alive as she did when she was racing and that was a feeling that she always cherished. One that she would trade anything for.

The bike swung to the left slightly as the driver avoided a deep pot hole in the road. Hinata chanced lifting her head from his back to glance back over her shoulder. The cop car was still right behind them and to her dismay another one had joined in the pursuit. She wondered how in the world they were going to get in the way.

She nearly let out a shocked squeal as the bike dipped dangerously low to the right as the driver took a corner rather fast, the bike's weight shifting them so that they were closer to the ground. The bike straightened back up as the driver accelerated straight ahead, the whine of the bike not loud enough to drown out the squeal of the tires behind them as the cop cars made the same turn. She knew that on a bike they had an advantage. They could go places a car couldn't but it didn't stop her from worrying. She didn't even know how good a driver this guy was.

The bike swung to the right as they passed a car in the road, the opposite lane deserted and making it easy to maneuver. The cop cars followed suit and to Hinata's dismay they pressed forward, closing the gap between them and the bike. Hinata turned her head forward again to see a third cop car streaking out of the side street just ahead of them. She wasn't sure but she swore she heard the driver curse loudly as he jerked the bike to the left an gunned the engine as they came over the crest of a small hill.

For a moment the tires left the ground and they were suspended in air. And as soon as it happened it was over as both tires hit the street once again with a screech. The driver fought with the bike for a moment to regain control of the back wheel which was threatening to slid out and cause them to wreck. For a moment Hinata's breath caught in her throat as she imagined them both spilling to the pavement but quickly the driver was able to get the bike path on a straight path as the cop cars came flying over the hill behind them.

"Hang on tight I am going to lose them." Hinata tightened her grip around the driver with his announcement and nodded her head against his back. She wondered how exactly he planned on doing that but she didn't voice that question. It was next to impossible to hear anything over all the noise. She was surprised she heard him.



As the tore down the road on the back of the bike she wondered exactly how he planned on losing the cops. Her thoughts though were interrupted by the sound of a blaring car horn. She lifted her head from his back and looked in time to see that the driver had swung them onto a street that was always busy even at this time of night. The driver who had laid on his horn had also slammed on his brakes in order to avoid hitting them as they had pulled out right in front of him. The smell of burning rubber filled the air as they left the car behind them in a blur and shot down the road weaving in and out of cars like it was nothing.

More horns followed that first one and there were a few times where Hinata would have been able to reach out and touched the cars that they passed. Yet slowly they managed to put distance between themselves and the cops. And slowly, Hinata was coming closer to enjoying herself. Every part of her felt alive her whole body umming just like the bike as the adrenaline raced through her veins. She resisted the urge to let out a whoop of excitement as they hit and open stretch in one of the lanes and the driver pushed the bike faster.

It happened fast, almost too fast. A car pulled out in front of them as it switched lanes. The bike's driver jerked the bike to the right and nearly sideswiped another car. He pulled the bike back to the left as another car came at them from the opposite lane. The air rushed out of Hinata's lungs at the same instant a rush of air whipped past her on either side as the bike sped through the narrow gap between the two cars. There was no time to scream, no time to close her eyes as it was all over in a matter of a heartbeat.

The bike swung back into the lane leaving Hinata breathless and at the same moment, the adrenaline that had shot through her veins had left her feeling as though she was on top of the world. Such a close brush with danger and possible death had left her exhilarated. At the same time her relief was so complete that she suddenly began to laugh. The sweet sound of her laughter left her lips and was torn back into the wind, lost in the whine of the engine and the sound of the traffic they tore past. And as the laughter died on her lips she realized just where they were and an idea entered her head. Perhaps it would work but it was worth a shot so that they didn't have to keep running.

"Make a left up here," she shouted over the noise. For a moment she wondered if the mysterious driver had heard her but she then saw his slight nod, barely registered by her. He swung the bike to the left, moving them closer to the ground as they turned in front of a car. The driver slammed on the brakes and the car skidded to a stop as they whipped around the corner.

"The park is up here. We can probably lose them there," Hinata called over the noise once again. The mysterious driver nodded once again before making a sharp turn into the park. They flew down the deserted park road and jumped the curb up onto the grass. The wheels of the bike tore up the grass as the driver swung the bike back around and turned up a dirt path that ran straight into the park.

Hinata glanced back over her shoulder to see the cop cars coming down the road into the park. She heard them hit their brakes, the flashing red and blue lights coming to a stand still as they hit the point where they could no longer follow. Their cars were simply too wide for the path that they were now on. She smirked and turned back around, resting her cheek against the back of her rescuer as he put more distance between them and the cops.

He didn't stay on the path long either. As soon as he got the chance he turned off and made a new path along the edge of the river that ran through the park. Staying on it would have been foolish since they had no way of knowing whether or not the cops were going to be waiting for them. They followed the river straight out of the park and straight to the outside of town, where the streetlights were gone and the steady hum of traffic was nonexistent. It was silent out here except for the whine of the motorcycle and the occasional car that passed by on the road.

Finally the driver of the bike slowed and finally came to a stop. He killed the engine and leaned to his right, the weight of the bike being supported by his right foot. Hinata let go of him for the first time since this whole mess had began and slid off the back of the bike. Stepping back she ran a hand through her tangled and wind blown hair as she watched the driver step off the bike and put down the kickstand.

For the first time she got a good look at the driver and the bike. The driver still wore his helmet but there was something oddly familiar about him and she had a hunch just who it might be however she was more distracted by the bike. She stepped forward again, her eyes assessing the bike as she ran her hand over the smooth and shining surface.

"This is the Ducati 1098. It was the bike of the year in the sport bike category. Hmm, yours is an S right," she questioned eagerly. She heard a chuckle behind her and she turned around to see Sasuke pulling off his helmet.

"You don't seem surprised," he said when she said nothing in return. Hinata shook her head.

"I figured as much. It would be my luck that you had to be the one to come along and get me out of there," she said with a smirk before turning back to the bike. "You still haven't answered my question though."

"Yeah it is the 1098S. I just got it a few months ago," he said walking up beside her and placing the helmet on the seat of the bike. "And on top of the racing you are a bike chick too?" It was Hinata's turn to laugh this time.

"No its just that Kakashi has a Ducati and let me drive it once. I've been hooked ever since. His is a R though," she added with a smirk.

"Yeah well there is a slight issue of money so I'll take what I can get. I bet it's a nice bike though," Sasuke said looping his fingers through the belt loops of his jeans.

"Oh it is a nice bike. And speaking of money how exactly does someone like you afford a bike like this. I mean you are probably making a decent amount racing but so am I am I doubt I would be able to afford a payment like this," Hinata asked as she glanced at him. For an instant she swore she saw him tense. What sort of issue had her question touched on, but in an instant the stiffness that had come over him melted away and he shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.



"I've been saving." It was all he said and Hinata dropped the subject. She moved away from the bike and sunk down in the cool grass, listening to the sound of the water as it slowly moved by, a steady flow and a calming sound. She placed her hands behind her and leaned back slightly, her pale features tilted towards the cloudless night sky. She noted the moon was maybe three quarters full casting its silvery glow down on the land. A handful of stars dotted the black sky as well drawing Hinata's eyes to them as a cool breeze caressed her face and stirred her still tangled hair. Sasuke sat down in the grass beside her though he leaned back even further so that he was laying back propped up by his elbows.

"If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would it be," he asked breaking the enchanting silence with his low tone catching her off guard and causing something strange in her to stir though she shook it off as something else and quickly focused on his question.

"I'm not sure. Certainly not here though. I guess what it comes down to is that I want to go somewhere where no one knows me. Where I can start over and be myself," she said with a slight sigh at the end, a sigh that held a certain wistful tone to it. "Then again I would miss the few friends I have."

"Like me," he said with a smirk as he reached up and lightly tugged a strand of her hair. Hinata swatted his hand away and laughed slightly.

"Sure like you," she said though her tone wasn't nearly as sarcastic as it usually was.

"So why do you need to start somewhere new? Why can't you just be yourself now? Isn't that what you are doing with me right now," Sasuke asked, his dark eyes searching for the answers in her pale features.

"Sure right now I am being myself, but right now I have this," she said reaching up and touching her mask lightly. "Without it, well… it just isn't so easy. There are certain things expected of me and to break free of those expectations would require a lot more confidence and courage than I have," she said softly. "What it comes down to is that I am scared. I know it and I want to change it but I can't seem to do it." She stopped suddenly and shook her head. "Okay just forget I said all that. It really is more than you wanted to hear." She couldn't believe she had actually just spilled all of that and part of her wondered why she had. Another part of her actually liked that she had talked to someone. Either way though she had no more intention of sharing her personal secrets.

"I don't mind listening. Everyone needs someone to listen," he said with a reassuring grin before looking back towards the sky. It was true everyone had their secrets. At least she had the luxury of talking about hers. If only they were all so lucky.

"So Sasuke where would you want to go," Hinata asked glancing back over at him not even realizing that it was the first time she had called him by his first name alone. And while she may not have noticed, it was not missed by the dark-haired boy at her side. He didn't press the matter though. He simply smiled to himself and thought about her question.

"Everywhere, or at least I want to see a lot of the world at some point. I definitely want to travel if I ever get the chance," he said leaning back the rest of the way and folding his hands 

behind his head. Hinata looked over at him and followed his lead, leaning back in the grass and looking up at the sky.

"You should travel then. Take my advice and don't be like me. Just don't wish for something to happen. Take the initiative and do something about it," she said tilting her head to the side to look at him. She studied the side view she had of his profile, the strong features and the strong arms that supported his head and then she shook her head and let her gaze drifted back up to the sky.

"Violet…" She heard him murmur her name softly, or at least the only name he knew. For a moment she almost didn't turn to look at him because she had felt so much like herself at that moment. She finally did however turn and when she did his dark eyes caught and held hers. He had pushed himself back up onto his elbows and was gazing down at her. She had about to ask him what he wanted but the look he was giving her made all her words die on her lips. She felt the urge to shudder and as much as it bothered her to admit it, it wasn't because of the cool breeze. She swore his face had moved closer to her, and she felt her heart hammer in her chest as she finally used her will to yank herself from the trace of his gaze and look up towards the sky.

"It's late," she said before she finally dared to glance back at him. He had turned his gaze back to sky and her words caused him to nod his head.

"You're right. I should get you back." He seemed to realize his own words and smirked. "Where should I drop you off?"

"If you think I am that stupid you have another thing coming to you Uchiha," she said switching back to his last name. "You can drop me off at Shikamaru's place. He will take me home," she said her voice teasing towards the end. She actually wouldn't make Shikamaru take her home. She could walk home from his house but she wasn't about to let Sasuke know that. She had no intention of ever letting him find out who she was.

"Damn," he muttered though it was followed by a chuckle as he stood up and offered a hand. She hesitated a brief moment before allowing him to help her up to her feet. They walked over to the bike and this time Sasuke handed the helmet to her.

"Any chance I could drive," Hinata asked as she pulled the helmet over her head.

"Tell me your real name and you can drive it for as long as you like," he said raising his eyebrow slightly as he awaited her answer. Hinata folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.

"Not fair," she spat at him. He shook his head and climbed onto the bike and Hinata climbed on behind him once again wrapping her arms around him. "You suck Uchiha," she muttered. She heard him laugh as he started the bike and kicked up the kickstand to take her to Shikamaru's.