"I need to talk to you."
"Eh?" Did I hear that right?
"Follow me."
He brushed past her, pacing ahead of her. She stood still, blinking for awhile before noticing Sasuke turn turn back and glare at her as if he wanted her to catch on fire. She flinched slightly before jogging towards him.
"Oi! Bastard! Where you going?!" The boy ignored him and walked faster, making Hinata run a little.
Why all of a sudden? Since the Chunin exams she never remembered even passing by him!
Did he find out something? Did he possibly find out about her meeting his older brother?
How do you make an excuse for meeting with someone's older brother 'secretly'?
If he did find out... Itachi would be in big trouble.
The moment they reached a pathway surrounded by trees the boy came to a sudden stop, making the girl behind him crash in to his back.
He turned immediately, eyes practically piercing through her.
"Tch,"
"S-Sorry!" She apologized, stepping back while looking away, afraid to meet his gaze.
"Fight me."
"Huh?" What?
"I said fight me." Why!?
"Sasuke-san, I-I don't think I am an appropriate sparring p-partner – "
"I want to fight against the Byaakugan." He interrupted.
"Fight me."
"S-Sasuke-san, the mission i-is tomorrow... i-its best n-not to hurt ourselves... Maybe when we get b-back?"
The boy sighed as he ran a frustrated hand through his spikes.
"After the mission, right here on this spot; we fight." He said, before turning his back to her and walking away without so much as a "Goodbye" or "Thank you for your time". Even so, she let out a sigh of relief but started shivering again once she realized she has a mission tomorrow, with him in her team.
Uchiha Sasuke, scared her.
"S-Sasuke-san is totally different from y-you, Itachi-kun." Itachi sighed as he munched on her weird looking bun.
"I can't believe he just asked you to fight him out of the blue." Itachi munched.
"Hinata-Chan can I take some of these home?"
"S-Sure. I am g-glad you like it." Hinata smiled. She knew just how to make them now; not sweet, not too salty, and not too soft and fluffy. Though whenever she tried shaping them they'd just turn out looking bad, like the ones she brought today.
"I think he's just trying to test you,"
"Hn." Itachi agreed.
"Y-You really think so? M-maybe he thinks I-I am not good enough..." She looked down at her lap.
"Eh! I wouldn't worry too much though! Sasuke-Chan can be a real ass."
"Shisui," Itachi glared, even though he sort of agreed with him.
"B-but it's so sad. After my m-mission ends, y-you guys will be b-busy with m-missions. The ANBU m-must be pretty t-tough on you Shisui-Chan."
"Peh! It's all thanks to that wretched old sannin Tsunade!" Shisui scowled.
"She works us ANBU to the bone! Sandaime~ Come back!" Shisui cried.
"It's not her fault, the village is still recovering and she is doing the best she can. It's not like she wants you to suffer, Shisui."
"I think she is n-nice! Just... a l-little scary... "
"Ok, let's get this straight. We do not approach the Kuro Tsume on our own, never try and play hero here got it?"
Naruto rolled his eyes at Sasuke's attempt to sounding cool as the team captain, even though he wasn't actually trying.
"Our destination is the rainforests west of the border. We can reach there on foot within a day."
He held out a pack, showing it to the rest of them.
"These are our rations, we'll separate them and eat them accordingly. Overeat and you will have to skip a few meals, keep that in mind Naruto." The boy glanced over at Naruto who stuck out his tongue. His eyes shifted to Hinata as she giggled. The Hyuuga immediately stiffened when she caught his gaze. Turning away, the boy resumed.
"Any time you see or feel a presence, inform me. We rest at nightfall and continue at dawn. Now that that's taken care of, let's move."
"Yay! Let's go!" Naruto cheered
"My arms are itching for action! So are my legs! Let's show the Kuro Tsume the power of Youth, Naruto-kun!" Lee raised his fists.
"Yeah!"
Sasuke sighed at the sight of those two, wondering how he is going to live through it all. Then his eyes would wander off to the white-eyed girl trailing behind them, giggling. Then he would wonder why he would even bother look at her. This was going to be an infuriating couple of days.
I don't think I can last a couple of days.
The two over-eager beings walked ahead, while Sasuke stayed close to Hinata; commanding her to activate her Byaakugan during certain intervals.
He usually stayed away from girls, but she was tolerable company compared to the two ahead.
She kept quiet most of the time, heeding his orders and giggling once in awhile when he'd scold them for acting like idiots. She was a weird girl, he thought.
She was definitely different from all the girls he knew in Konoha, but he wouldn't exactly call her normal. She probably is the first girl who has been able to intrigue him.
Maybe it was because she had put up such a good fight in the preliminaries. Any other girl would have just thrown the match. Plus she had the Byaakugan.
"Oi Sasuke!" The blonde idiot bawled, breaking him out of his thoughts.
"What?" He grunted, irritated.
"Will you stop staring at Hinata and tell us where to go already!? There is a division over here!"
The Uchiha boy felt his cheeks heat up as the girl stumbled.
Why the hell did he have to say that?!
"I said west of the border idiot! That means take the left road!"
"Okay! You don't have to shout!"
That dobe...
He glanced over at Hinata, watching her blush furiously before turning away; intending to avoid ANY kind of contact with her for a long time.
Maybe I should explain? Nah. I don't care. I don't care. I really don't.
He sighed inwardly.
Shit, that was really embarrassing.
He plastered on his neutral expression and pretended like nothing happened. He was Uchiha Sasuke, nothing bothers him.
Nothing at all.
"We camp out here."
She literally felt her heart clench. She looked around, blinking.
Is this a dream?
Memories, flashing before her; it was this place the exact same place...
Tears collected, just waiting to pour out. A smile, one of pure joy etched on her face.
This was where she met him. This was where she fell in love, with Ken.
It all seemed like a dream. For a moment, she felt like she didn't want to catch the Kuro Tsume. Then she could stay here, reliving those moments in her head.
But of course, her shinobi conscience kicked in.
"This place is so awesome! It's like the trees are protecting us ya know!"
"It's a great place to train as well! Naruto-kun! Let us spar in the heat of – "
"There will be no sparring from you two." Sasuke glowered.
"Hey you bastard, what's up your ass?!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes and caught glimpse of a very shaken Hyuuga; staring into the trees, wide eyed.
"Hyuuga," The boy interrupted her thoughts while the other two idiots continued their babbling. She blinked for awhile, then lightly shook her head before facing the boy with a wavering smile.
"Did you see anything?"
"N-No, no, I was just..."
"You were just what?" He raised an eyebrow.
Wait, why do I even care?
"J-just thinking of something."
Say something about the mission, she's going to get the wrong idea.
"I don't want you slacking off or daydreaming, we're on a mission here. Focus, Hyuuga."
The girl nodded solemnly, her gaze never met his.
Sasuke was never the type who wanted people to think he gave a shit about anything or anyone.
People take that as a weakness, and when people see weakness they'll exploit it.
He can think of more ways than one to exploit a girl like Hinata.
From just looking at her he can guess, she is easily manipulated; too delicate, too shy. People like that are like, Shikamaru always says, 'troublesome'.
Not like I care... he thought.
"Lee and Naruto, since you're so bent on moving around why don't you two go find some firewood?"
"Yes sir!" Naruto mock saluted but Lee seemed to be taking it a tad too seriously.
"Naruto-kun! I challenge you to a firewood collecting contest! If I lose, I shall do ten thousand push –ups! That's a promise!" Lee flashed his nice guy pose.
" Oh yeah?! Well then prepare to stay up the whole night then!"
With that, the two leaped off in to the trees, vanishing in to the shadows... just like when he needed to go find food. She was a little sullen, but she didn't want to show it to Sasuke. She was obviously doing a poor job of hiding her feelings since Sasuke noticed the sadness in her eyes immediately without even looking straight at her.
He never talked to girls, and doesn't intend to. But she is his team mate? Should he pretend to care? He'd just make it worse, so better just stay out of it.
The two sat in silence after setting up the tents, but neither tried to break it. She seemed to be in her own world, and he seemed to be content just watching.
He couldn't figure her out, what kind of person is she?
She seemed so delicate and timid that it gave off the impression that she was weak. But, she is not.
And for Uchiha Sasuke to admit that, well hats off to you.
Why is it that she is so twisted up? It was like she was fire and ice at the same time. Can a person really be like that?
It seemed like the perfect opportunity to find out just exactly what the hell she is. Because she sure as hell wasn't normal and he honestly doubted that she was human (Like older brother, like younger brother?) but he didn't want her to think of him in a weird way.
Maybe some other time. He thought. After a few more minutes of silence, footsteps were heard the two were obviously eager to find out who had won the challenge.
"6,7..."
"You guys really didn't have to –" Sasuke stopped and sighed, knowing that trying to change or stop the two was a futile act. And there it is. That smile again. That smile she'd flash whenever she was amused.
Why does she smile so much?
"CURSES!" Naruto cried as Lee folded his arms nodding.
"Looks, like I have won Naruto-kun!"
"I-I didn't promise anything! I am not doing ten thousand push ups! I need my sleep ya know!"
"It's alright, not everyone can handle it."
Naruto's lips twitched. "What are you trying to say?! I can do ten thousand push ups in just under an hour ya know!" Lee gave him a look, as if daring him to prove it. Before Naruto could counter with words, his stomach beat him to it. His face flushed slightly, and he rubbed the back of his head.
"Eheh, maybe after some food..." He looked at Sasuke with hopeful eyes.
"Hn. Just don't overeat." Sasuke reminded.
"Yeah, yeah! I didn't overeat for lunch right?" Naruto grinned as he sucked back his drool.
Sasuke smirked before handing over the food. The extra which wood was placed on one side, Lee made them his stool. While Sasuke was lighting up the campfire, Naruto sat with Hinata and started babbling non-stop and acting stupid. Or maybe that was him just being him. But Hinata didn't mind,
she actually seemed like she was enjoying his company.
What a weird girl...
A lot of things were sad about this mission; one he was surrounded by idiots.
Two, he had to lead those inscrutable idiots.
Three, he had to sleep with those snoring idiots. Though, when nature called he realized that one was missing. He highly doubted that someone had kidnapped her.
The petite figure sitting with her back facing the campfire outside the tent confirmed it.
He sighed and ruffled his hair slightly. "What are you doing?" The girl flinched.
She gets scared so easily and she calls herself a kunoichi?
"S-Sasuke-san." She smiled. Sasuke raised a brow.
"I-I couldn't sleep so..."
"Well, it's not exactly peaceful and quiet so I understand why you can't fall asleep." He tilted his head in the direction of the tent. Then she giggled, making him oddly uncomfortable for some reason. Ignoring the weird feeling, he headed towards the trees.
"W-Where are you going, S-Sasuke-san?"
Does she have to ask?
Feeling even more uncomfortable he decided to pretend he didn't hear her.
"S-Sasuke-san?" She sounded concerned.
He sighed before turning back to face her.
"Do I have to ask permission to take a leak?"
She blushed furiously and quickly shot away. She clenched her fists at her chin and her eyes started darting around; searching for something to look at.
The boy felt a little embarrassed as well, but thank god his embarrassment wasn't nearly as visible as hers. Without so much as a glance back, he left making sure he went a little farther in to the trees for two reasons.
One, so that she doesn't hear the awkward 'running water' noise,
two so that she doesn't "accidently" catch a glimpse of him in the act.
The last one was highly unlikely he thought but considering the effect he had on girls, still possible.
Once he thought he was far enough from the camp he let loose, and sighed of relief.
He stiffened immediately, hearing some weird noises echoing. It was faint, but there was something there. Probably one of the little animals around here...
Still, maybe a little investigating won't hurt. He'd gone very deep in to the forest at this point. He wandered around there for ten minutes already. It's going to take awhile to find his way back to the campsite. But he was certain the sounds were getting louder... Eating? Breathing?... Snoring!
Something was snoring, he was sure of it. It definitely wasn't small, that was for sure.
Louder, louder, and as expected it was there in front of his very eyes; sprawled out in deep slumber just a few meters from their campsite, how dangerous. Then again if it had come Hinata would've spotted it and informed them.
The Kuro Tsume was huge, almost as big as an adult Onbaa. It had the body of a bear and features of a dog, and of course the signature black claws. There's no mistaking it. Just as the thought of capturing it came to mind, he was reminded of his own orders.
"Ok, let's get this straight. We do not approach the Kuro Tsume on our own, never try and play hero here got it?"
Then he thought of how pissed off Naruto would be if he caught the Kuro Tsume by himself.
I was never good at obeying orders anyways... Even his own?
He readied his stance, this was going to be easy.
He approached the sleeping beast, which seemed to be a little disturbed. It probably sensed hostility. The moment Sasuke leapt for the attack, the beast woke only to be kicked in the face by an Uchiha. In just a moment, the beast caught the boy with one of its hands and threw the boy in to one of the trees. With a twist, his feet landed on the tree for a moment before he pushed his body forward again, one hand reaching his back trying to find his weapon pouch when he realized, it wasn't with him! He had no tranquilizers.
Not a big deal, he can easily immobilize the beast on his own. A few kicks on the head ought to knock it unconscious.
"S-Sasuke-san!"
Shit...
He left for like what? Twenty minutes and she went off to search for him? Well, peeing for twenty minutes was kind of suspicious. But still! She's going to ruin his plans! Or maybe...
She was a Hyuuga, she could help him immobilize the beast. But for now he had to focus on wearing it down first.
The beast was quite fast for his size, but Sasuke was much faster. It didn't exactly give him much of an advantage since the beast had so much area coverage.
But finally, after minutes of running around the beast, he managed to tumble it. As it landed on it's back, Sasuke turned back at the Hyuuga, whose eyes were wide open filled with worry and concern.
"Hyuuga! Help me paralyze it!"
She flinched slightly, before heading over wanting to help.
"Quickly!" Sasuke voiced out. Suddenly, Hinata's eyes went as wide as saucers. With her hand held out, she squealed.
"Sasuke-san!" He turned to her, before looking back only to find himself staring a huge furry thing.
"A tail?" Sasuke braced himself, then ended up being pushed on to the ground by something small.
Hyuuga?!
He turned up, looking straight at the beast struggling to get on its feet. Then he turned to the side, where Hinata's small body lay. She winced, obviously the impact wasn't that great but she might have fractured something.
Why did she do that!? I could have taken that!
Without a moment's hesitation, he rushed towards the girl. He held her by the shoulders and lifted her up, shaking her gently.
"Hyuuga! Get a hold of yourself! Hyuuga!"
All she did was wince in his arms and shut her eyes tight.
He sighed, frustrated by this whole situation and put her arm around his shoulder, lifting her up and supporting her to hide.
If we run off now and it gets up and follows us, we're going to be in big trouble.
The two back at the camp would probably be slightly disorientated, and with her almost out of it would be quite a dangerous situation. Not willing to risk the success of the mission, Sasuke hid behind a big enough tree and summoned two kage bushins; one used the transformation jutsu to take on the appearance of Hinata before running off to the opposite side, distracting the beast. He waited behind the tree, gripping on to the Hyuuga tightly until the beast's stomps were no longer heard.
He sighed of relief before facing the petite figure in his arms.
"Tch," He slid his arm underneath her knees and carried her up, her hands hung down, while her head rested on his shoulder.
"Idiot. Why would you do something so stupid?"
He muttered angrily. It took him a while to reach the campsite. He put her down next to the now dim campfire, before silently entering the tent. He rummaged through his bag as quietly as he could to avoid any unnecessary fights between the other two, and took out some ointment and a roll of bandages just in case.
He sat down next to her, scrutinizing. He wasn't as irritated with her as he thought he'd be. He folded her sleeves, checking for bruises, cuts. He didn't go as far as to check beyond the legs and hands. There was no bleeding, the bruises didn't seem to be because of any fractures. She might have just been knocked out because of how suddenly it all happened.
Uchiha Sasuke, applying ointment on some weird Hyuuga girl. Who would have thought.
She'd just be a burden if she isn't well enough to fight... That's why I am doing this.
He nodded to himself
He closed the container then stared at her face for awhile, narrowing his eyes.
"Reckless people like you, only get hurt most of the time. It's like you want to die young."
He sighed. He turned away and kneeled, wanting to stand up when a cold tiny hand grabbed his.
He turned back to give her a menacing glare for daring to touch him, when he realized she wasn't really conscious. Before he could pull away, she whispered.
"Don't go." His eyes widened slightly at the almost inaudible words; he wasn't sure he heard that right especially since the snores were blocking off any other sort of sound.
"Please, don't go." Her voice was shaky, and her hand seemed to be shivering as she tried to tighten her grip.
Move.
His legs didn't respond.
Move, damn it!
Instead of standing up, he sat down biting back a sigh as he looked at her face. Eyebrows slightly furrowed, mouth curved slightly forming a small frown. Then he glanced at his hand, still connected to hers. He reached out his other hand, wanting to gently tug away her hand. But he didn't leave. He sat there, eyes fixated on her face as he leaned back on to the grass.
His gaze still locked as he laid next to her, wondering why he wasn't already in the tent. Wondering why he wanted to stay here.
It's further away from the tent. Further away from the two snoring idiots. That's why I am here... That's the only reason why.
Phew, chapter 9 is finally done Hope you enjoyed it! :D Chapter 10 is going to be the final chapter before the plot really starts to kick off. Don't get me wrong, these chapters are very important as well.
I hope you guys are patient and please don't forget to leave a review for me to read :) I love reading reviews and hearing all your thoughts. Thanks for reading! :D