Today sucks, was what Itachi thought.
Going to the field and waiting till dark for a certain Hyuuga to appear certainly wasn't pleasant, but for some reason he anticipated her absence.
She had seemed upset last night, though he didn't know why.
Was he really that bad with girls?
That was acceptable, then he came home hoping for some onigiris to munch on, only to find that there was only soup with no cabbage, stir fry, Kagami, Fugaku, and sake.
Wonderful.
Naturally, to find some amusement after a day of disappointments, he visits his little brother's room, only to have him slam the door at his face.
Something was terribly wrong.
Something, but he wasn't sure what.
Well, if Sasuke wasn't going to humour him, then to Icha-Icha it is!
He was being a prick, he knew.
So what? Was it so much to ask for to be left alone?
Seeing his brother would remind him of Hinata, and Hinata would remind bring up anger.
He really just hated women.
They were a species that should have never been created.
Some would die to even be touched by him, and she denied his kiss?
The nerve! That... that!
Why can't she just leave him be?
She is haunting his thoughts, his relationship with his family, him!
Itachi and Hinata should just run away together, to somewhere far away where he won't be reminded of either of them ever again.
Or maybe, he should do just that.
Wait, why should he leave?! It's their fault!
With a sigh, he plopped on to his bed and covered his eyes with his forearm.
Or maybe, he could just sleep and never wake up.
Damn that stupid girl.
Damn her to hell.
She was being childish, immature, selfish, weak.
But there was no other way that she could think of.
Running away, wasn't what the Hyuuga were known for.
They were known for their strength, valour and honour.
But that seemed to be the only thing she was good for.
She stopped in her tracks and looked back at the village.
Maybe this wasn't the greatest idea, but what could she do now? Go back and tell Tsunade that she didn't want to take the mission after requesting for it?
Besides, it wasn't like she was going away for years like Shisui, just a simple one week mission of escorting some noble woman from the Hidden Lock Village to the Land of Waves.
Just enough time to clear her mind, and hopefully by then Sasuke would have forgiven her.
Which was highly unlikely. But not impossible?
She sighed as she continued her journey, clasping on to the straps of her back pack.
Hopefully this noblewoman isn't like the ones she had dealt with before.
Or anything like the Hyuuga nobles.
Another highly unlikely possibility.
Miracles and oddities were starting to become a daily routine in this crack house of a village.
Naruto shivered as he remembered the horror of yesterday's incident.
Though he did feel sorry for poor old Hinata, being kissed by a scumbag like Sasuke the female repellent.
The shocking incident had affected his sleep, his dreams and now even his mornings were going to be tainted by the image of Sasuke attacking Hinata with his... lips.
Thankfully he didn't bump into Sakura-Chan or Kakashi-sensei, or the secret would have come out in a flash.
Naruto was a terrible liar, and he was worse at keeping things secret, with his loud and brash nature.
One small slip up and the entire village would be after Hinata and Sasuke.
He needed to speak with either one of them to get this out of his head.
The more he thought about it, the more ungodly thoughts came to mind.
Like about how Sasuke felt about Hinata or whether or not he had found his libido.
...Sasuke's libido was definitely not on his list of things I like to think about.
"You bastard... what did you get yourself into this time?"
If his friend did have feelings for the Hyuuga then, for sure the end of the world is approaching.
Hinata would be the one to suffer the most, if that was true.
Because having a guy like Sasuke is every girl's nightmare! (In Naruto's point of view.)
Hanabi pressed her ear against the thin sliding door as she heard voices.
A slight blush tinting her cheeks as she realized how inappropriate it was to be listening in on other people's conversations.
Even so, she kept her ear glued on to the door.
"Neji!" A squeaky girl voice called out, making Hanabi bite the inside of her cheek in anticipation.
The girl was here, so... if she was here that would mean...
"Neji! My eternal rival!"
He would be here.
Hanabi turned impossibly red as she thumped on to the floor and covered her face with her palms.
She quickly got up once again and crawled to the door, eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Tenten? Lee? I thought you were coming over later?"
"We were! But then Lee was so excited to come here,"
Excited? Why?
Hanabi's heart was beating rapidly against her breastplate, and her cheeks were getting warmer and warmer.
"Yes! Nothing excites me more than a good old spar with my lifelong rival!"
Lee jumped, performing a few martial arts techniques to let out his growing passion.
Hanabi frowned.
He is excited because of Nii-san...
With a loud bang, the sliding door opened.
Hanabi flipped her hair backwards and walked out of the training room, wiping her sweat with the small towel she had around her neck.
She averted her eyes to Neji and company who seemed to be staring at her.
She purposely avoided meeting he green beast's eyes to prevent unwanted blushing.
She managed to school her features into a perfect mask of impassiveness.
"Hanabi-sama." Neji lowered his head.
"Yo." The tomboy raised her hand and grinned.
"Hanabi-Chan! I see you have been training to allow your beauty and strength to blossom-"
"Can it, Lee." Tenten glared.
Lee slumped his shoulders and looked away sullenly.
Tenten could be so mean sometimes.
Hanabi rolled her eyes and coolly walked in to the kitchen, not giving the gang a second glance.
"She sure is a pompous brat." Tenten huffed.
"Tenten..." Neji scolded.
"What?" She shrugged.
"Kids are supposed to be sweet, not proud."
Inside the kitchen, Hanabi grasped her cup firmly, thankfully it wasn't glass.
Losing her blush from Lee's outgoing greet, her face was now filled with dark emotions towards the weapon master.
She didn't need to hear about what she thought about her.
That tomboy was the one who needed a change with that weird hairstyle of hers.
"I think Hanabi-Chan is a nice kid! She sure is growing into a fine shinobi! As expected from your cousin, Neji!"
Tenten sighed.
"Well the kid does have some wicked potential."
"Can we just proceed to the training as planned?" Neji groaned.
His team mates could be a real pain sometimes.
"HAI!" Lee sprung.
... Hanabi should really start spending more time with Neji.
"I haven't seen Hinata anywhere. Is she out on a mission?" Tenten looked around.
Neji sighed and rubbed his temple with his hand.
Just the thought of his cousin got him confused and stressed out.
"Apparently, she is." He sighed.
"She personally requested a mission from Tsunade-sama. A solo mission."
"You don't seem to be too pleased about that." Lee furrowed his eyebrows.
"Shouldn't you be proud that Hinata-san is started to blossom on her own? It show how much pass – "
"I am just worried." Neji chewed on his fingernail.
"Why?" Tenten shook her head.
"She is a big girl Neji, she doesn't need you around all the time."
"I know, I know. It's just, she is not acting normally."
"What do you mean?"
"She didn't inform any of us about it, just Hiroki."
"I am sure she was just in a hurry or didn't want to disturb you."
Neji knew for a fact that wasn't the case. Tenten didn't know Hinata like he did. Something fishy is going on...
"Neji!"
The group turned to the gates, attentions caught by a familiar voice.
"Naruto?" Neji muttered to himself.
"Oi!" He waved.
"Naruto, what are you doing here?" Tenten called out.
"I am looking for Hinata, is she here?!"
Two, three, four... six in total.
When are they going to show themselves?
Hinata walked calmly, closing her eyes as though she were enjoying the wilderness.
Just a meter or two away from the door, they appeared, surrounding her in seconds.
Faster than that, one of them plunged towards her, holding out a kunai to stab her with.
Too direct.
With a slam on to his forehead and a jab into his stomach, he was out.
This time all five came at once, three probably planning to restrain her, the other two going for the kill.
She waited for them to get in range, with her stance ready.
"Eight divination signs, thirty – two palms,"
She inhaled, then she begun; thrusting her palms in unearthly speeds.
Neji would be proud of such results.
With the final blow, all five were down.
Hinata, being Hinata, didn't do any further damage. Immobilizing the enemy was enough.
Though one thing was strange...
"It seems the rumours of your clan were not lies after all."
Hinata turned.
"Your skills certainly do meet my expectations, young girl."
A woman around her sixties or so was by the door, smiling contently at the Hyuuga heiress.
She wasn't dressed quite extravagantly, though her features were haggard, Hinata could see some nobility in the woman.
"You must be Lady Kimoura." Hinata bowed while smiling lightly.
"Pleased to meet you, I am Hyuuga Hinata. I will be your escort to the Land of the Waves."
"Hinata, what a lovely name." The older lady smiled as she walked towards the girl with her hands clasped behind her back.
"I hope you did not do inflict terrible damage on my men."
Hinata's eyes widened a fraction, before she smiled sweetly once again.
"No ma'am. I just paralyzed them temporarily."
The older lady chuckled.
"I am sorry to have put you under such a test young lady, but had to make sure you are capable of escorting me alone."
"Alone?" Hinata furrowed her eyebrows.
"Why yes, you're escorting me there alone my child. I am afraid I just don't fancy those large entourages. I much prefer a smaller group. It is my good luck that they have sent me a lady to deal travel with. Now at least my journey won't be a bore. Though I wouldn't mind a hunky male escort." The older lady winked making Hinata giggle.
She definitely isn't your average noble woman.
It's been three days and neither of them had seen Hinata.
Sasuke thanked his lucky stars, Itachi cursed his luck and Naruto is desperately on the hunt for his best friend.
There is only so much patience one could have when tracking down an Uchiha.
The three of them aren't aware of what awaits them this fateful day.
Sasuke stared at the panting blonde before him with disinterest.
"Move you – "
"You bastard!" The blonde coughed.
"I finally found you!"
"What?"
"Pretty please Itachi?"
"Mother..." Itachi sighed. This is getting too much.
"For the last time, Sasuke isn't a small child anymore. He can take care of himself."
"But he has been so irritated and angry these past few days! Throwing tantrums and all that all the time! Can't you do this for your worried mother?! Can't you?!"
Itachi lowered the newspaper and glared daggers at his mother.
Unfortunately for him, his mother was immune to it.
"Itachi, I am begging."
"For what? For me to spy on him? Mother, you can't seriously think that I have worked to rise in the ranks, so I can use my skills to spy on my little brother?"
Mikoto raised a brow. Okay, so maybe he did spy on his little brother once or twice... but that doesn't mean he has to sacrifice his alone time to track his brother down!
He is too busy moping about Hinata!
"Itachi please, I'd do anything!"
"No."
"I'll style your hair for you!"
"No."
"I'll never knock on your room door again!"
"No."
"I'll cook cabbage soup and onigiris!"
Mikoto looked hopeful.
"When?"
"Today."
Itachi sighed and flung the papers down the couch.
He got up and straightened out his outfit before giving his mother a tired look.
"You are truly the master of manipulation, mother."
"Hey, don't think you got all your talent from your dad only! Now go on! Tell me what has been bugging my little boy!"
"What if I run into him and a girl?"
"Then I'll give you double the amount of onigiris!" She grinned.
Itachi smiled and shook his head at his mother's antics.
"I'll be back."
With a few hand seals, he was gone in a puff of smoke.
"You are always thinking about something, Hinata."
"Eh?" Hinata broke out of her reverie, and the woman laughed at her blurry expression.
"Just what are you thinking about in that pretty little head of yours?" The old lady waggled her eyebrows.
Hinata blushed profusely and averted her eyes immediately.
Itachi.
She thought to herself as she hugged her knees.
Over the few days they had spent together, they've learned a lot about each other.
The woman was actually married into a noble family, and lived in the segregated forest that she had fetched her from on the first day to get away from the town life.
She wanted to visit the Land of Waves to see her son, but they were thugs who wanted her head for certain projects she had been involved in the Hidden Lock Village.
She wasn't much of a target for them, but she still wanted to be safe. That's what brought them both here in the first place.
Her modesty, her humbleness is all due to her background before she got married into the Nakamura family.
The lady was kind, sporting, and fun to travel with. Hinata was glad that she was assigned to her instead of some other snob royalty or noblemen.
But getting close to people just made her all the more easier to read.
"Ah, I remember my younger days," Kimoura sighed.
"When all I used to think about was clothes,"
No reaction.
"money,"
No reaction.
"and boys."
The girl flinched and squeaked silently, pressing her face on to her knees.
Ah so that's it.
The woman smiled wryly.
"So, who is the lucky guy?"
Hinata squeaked again.
"Must be a real hunk for you to dwell on him almost all the time."
"I-I do not!"
The older lady smiled, and Hinata's blush deepened.
Hinata looked down in defeat and sighed exasperatedly.
"Oh dear," She scooted closer to the Hyuuga girl.
"It's nice to finally get some drama back in my life."
Hinata smiled at Kimoura. She was a joy to be around.
"So, tell me about this lover boy."
"Not a lover boy, just a friend." She said almost whisperingly at the end.
"Oh!" The lady snapped her fingers.
"A case of forbidden love I see!"
Hinata bit her lower lip.
"Is it not mutual?"
Hinata sighed again.
"I-I-I am not sure about... anything right now."
The older woman frowned slightly.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"I... don't know what to feel... or how I feel for that matter. And he... is just... a mystery."
Why is she telling her this again?
"I see." The woman nodded.
"I- I don't think we should be talking about this..."
"OH please!" The woman waved off her worries.
"After a few days from now, you won't see this fussy old lady ever again,"
"Lady Kimoura, don't say that!"
"It's the truth! That is our case; so knowing that we part ways soon, can't you at least give me something to remember you by?"
"My b-b-boy problems?"
"Indeed."
Hinata giggled.
"I don't think I want you to remember me that way,"
"I do." She smiled.
"And your case does remind me a lot of my younger days actually."
Hinata's ears perked and she stared at the lady quizzically, with her chin resting on her knees.
"When I was around your age, I had my eyes on a really sweet boy. He was kind, caring, he was always there for me when I needed him. He wasn't anything special, not handsome, not rich, no special talents. But I always wanted him nearby."
The woman smiled as memories of her past came flowing back.
"I always liked him, but I never knew how he felt for me." She sighed.
"What happened?" Hinata asked, instinctively; though she didn't want to seem like she was prying it came out on its own.
The older woman turned and smiled at her.
Hinata wondered if that boy was her current husband.
"What happened? Well, I got engaged to Nakamura Kenshi that's what! As you can see," She laughed, a little bitterly.
"But I still regret, not telling him how I felt about him."
She put a hand on Hinata's shoulder and looked her in the eye.
"Don't make my mistake, Hinata. You're still young that is true, but you live the life of a shinobi, there is never knowing what will happen and when."
Her wrinkled calloused hands when to her collar, absently stroking the necklace she wore.
It was a turquoise coloured crystal ball that looked a little tribal but to Hinata it was simple yet pretty.
"Did he give that to you?"
"Oh heavens no! He couldn't afford such a necklace. Despite its simplicity, it's actually quite expensive. This kind of crystal is a rare find!"
She held the crystal in her hand and observed it with lidded eyes.
"I was planning to give it to him, on his birthday."
"You didn't give it to him?"
"I couldn't." The old lady looked in to the trees beyond, seemingly thinking deeply.
"He died during one of his missions. Right after me and Kenshi got married."
It was then, in the dark night illuminated by the milky streaks of the full moon Hinata realized just how fragile life can be.
"Don't forget what I tell you Hinata," The lady yawned, as she snuggled into her sleeping bag.
"Life especially for shinobis such as yourself, is about taking risks. Before... it's too... late..."
Hinata watched as the older lady drifted off into the realm of slumber.
"I'll remember, Lady Kimoura."
"Get lost in three seconds, or I'll kill you."
"Sasuke, I didn't mean to listen in I was just there ya know!"
"One."
"Sasuke, this is no time for games!"
"Two."
"Sasuke!"
"Three,"
Sasuke raised his arms to perform a seal when Naruto's words totally caught him off guard.
"Do you have feelings for Hinata?"
The raven haired boy froze.
"Or did you just do it to hurt her for some twisted reason?"
No reply.
"Answer me, Sasuke!"
His hands dropped back to his sides before he shoved them back into his pockets with a sigh.
"You know what Naruto? Go fu – "
"I know you Sasuke, you're not as much of a bastard as you want other people to think. And I know for a fact that you wouldn't go around disturbing girls like Hinata."
"Why not? She seems to want to be in my life so much. I figured that was what she wanted." He lied.
"What?"
"That idiot, she keeps running after me bugging me, then she pushes me. Hey, guess what I don't give a shit."
"Then what was all that crap about her and Itachi? Why were you jealous of her and him?"
"Naruto..." He gritted his teeth.
"Tell me Sasuke." He searched for some emotion in those dark abysses for eyes.
"Did you kiss her just because or do you love her?"
He wanted to scoff, he wanted to throw his sandal at the blonde's face.
He wanted to walk away laughing and ask him to get a life or a girlfriend. Preferably Sakura so she would stop fantasizing about him.
But he didn't.
His lips parted in an effort to make some kind of useless excuse, even though his silence had already answered Naruto's question.
"Sasuke."
That was not Naruto's voice.
Shit.
Naruto gave Sasuke a panicked look, one Sasuke returned with a warning stare.
Naruto, as though he had communicated with Sasuke through telepathy, leaped away without a second glance at Itachi's direction.
Sasuke stood still, staring at the empty space where Naruto was before he tried to continue on his way.
"Sasuke," Itachi called out again.
This time, his little brother turned with quite a nasty glare directed to him.
"Is it true?"
"No."
"Sasuke." Itachi sounded demanding.
"If you know it's true, why ask?"
"It's not something I feel is possible."
"Oh, but you hugging the Hyuuga heiress in front of almost the entire Konoha population is something that I feel is possible of course,"
"Sasuke – "
"And you hanging out with Hinata every other day of the week without fail unless a mission is in the way is also possible. But obviously with me everything is just impossible."
Sasuke shook his head, a feeling of disgust churned in his gut.
Itachi didn't believe it, didn't want to believe it and hoped it was all just a weird prank they were playing on him.
"Why didn't you answer Naruto's question?"
"You know Naruto, you should know he asks irrelevant questions."
"Do you, love Hinata?"
Sasuke glared at his brother.
"Do you?"
"What does it matter?"
Sasuke growled.
"What does it matter what I want or what I like or love for that fact?"
"Sasuke you're my little brother,"
"So automatically that gives you the right to take everything I want? Everything I should have?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Everything I have ever wanted ever since I was a child, became yours; the fame, the ranks, the respect! After all you are the older one! You are entitled to everything aren't you?"
He was angry, and he had been for a long time.
All Itachi could do was stand still and watch like a dead doll.
"You always got anything and everything first. So why stop now?"
Sasuke exhaled.
"Nothing I wanted, ever belonged to me anyways."
With that he stomped away, leaving an awestruck Itachi blinking and lost in the clearing staring at his brother's back that for some odd reason looked much broader and larger than he remembered.
For a moment, he remembered the little brother he had years ago. The one he poked on the forehead. The one he used to play around with whenever he had the time because he didn't shut up.
The one who just loved him unconditionally. The one he'd give everything up for.
That boy was still inside his brother, and he knew it.
Sometimes things happen for weird reasons.
Sometimes people are brought into your life, just so you can push them away.
Apparently, this is one of those times.
Sasuke, deserved to be happy, and Itachi didn't want to be the one to take away his happiness, ever.
Four days later...
"Hinata?" Tenten looked out the store window.
"What?" Lee poked around behind the girl's shoulder.
"Hinata, you idiot! She is back."
"Ah, I see!"
"Why is she running out there in the rain?"
"Maybe it's a form of endurance training!"
"Lee..."
She could have sworn it was just drizzling awhile ago.
It didn't matter, shelter could wait for now.
She needed to see Itachi, right now.
Before, it's too late.
She smiled as she remembered the crystal hidden underneath her jacket.
The one Kimoura had given to her before they parted ways.
"Don't forget me, and don't forget what I said." She winked.
"But Lady Kimoura, I can't – "
"Nonsense," The older lady reached out to cup her cheek.
"That necklace will remind you, never to hold back in life child. I hope to see you again someday."
Her smile grew wider as she spotted the Uchiha compound. Without second thoughts or regard to how the Uchiha people will react to her presence, she ran passed the gates glancing at the lit street lights by the roads.
Is it that late already?
She hadn't really realized.
Her mind was too preoccupied.
A ninja wasn't supposed to be so engrossed in her thoughts, a ninja wasn't supposed to be into fairytale stories or love.
But she was, and she wasn't ashamed.
She was a ninja, and that meant she would never know when she would go.
How her life will be like, or what will happen. All she did know is, she didn't want to regret anything.
She breathed shallowly as she got to the end house.
She wrung her soaking hair as she got under the shade in front of the house door.
Many were staring, giving her looks. Especially since she was right in front of the head's house, but it didn't matter.
She knew what she was getting into.
She reached out and rang the door bell, her heart racing as she contemplated who would be before her as the door cracked open.
Would it be the head himself? Mikoto? God forbid Sasuke? Or... will he be there?
Her heart skipped as her eyes spotted slender fingers around the door knob as the door opened. Familiar fingers, very familiar.
Her lips curved into a bright smile as she looked up at him, a little relieved and happy to see him staring wide eyed at her.
He obviously didn't expect to see her here.
"Hinata..." He murmured.
"Itachi-kun," She panted.
Her hands were rested on her bent knees and her chest was moving rapidly thanks to the loss of air after all that running in the rain.
"What are you doing here?" The man shook his head.
"I-I need to – "
"Itachi-kun?" A voice chipped in and Hinata's brows dipped.
Her eyes widened and her heart and excessive panting had stopped as a figure stood right next to the man before her.
"Who is it?" The girl raised her head over his shoulder and placed her hands on both.
"A friend." He said bluntly.
"Oh geez! She's soaking wet!" The girl gasped.
"Should I go get her a towel?"
Hinata stared at the girl quizzically for a moment or two.
Her eyes turned to Itachi's and once again, like she had for many times before she searched them.
Itachi nodded to the girl and waited till she had gone back inside before she looked down at the Hyuuga once again.
Hinata, seemed to have forgot the reason she came.
"W-Who was that?" She gulped.
"Y-Your cousin?"
"Amane." He answered.
Hinata stared at him blankly for a moment.
"She's my girlfriend."
Sorry for the long delay guys, things have been pretty hectic, but I managed to get the next chapter up! Hope you guys like it~