Hey, sorry it took so long to upload. I'm making my chapters longer. I'll probably redo the first seven, and I'm making it more in Itachi's perspective, as well. So I hope you enjoy this chapter, and thank you all that are reading and reviewing. Please, enjoy! ^^
Once again, a beautiful day in Konoha. Sunny and bright in the training field. Hinata watched all the kids from the academy in the distance, all training hard and determined to become great ninja someday.
The Hyuuga smiled at the old memories from the academy long ago that were now flooding her head. When she was one of them. It was bittersweet in a way. But she knew that she knew hardly anything about Itachi in those days…
She laid on her stomach by the side of a millpond, sunlight glinting off the water surface, along with her reflection. Every week, her eyes seemed to glow brighter, and her brain filled with more knowledge. She was getting good at concentrating her chakra, had learned her chakra type, and was now working on shaping it in the palm of her hand.
Her chakra was running out, so she stayed beside the pond as fish leaped gracefully out of the water and bullfrogs jumped from Lilly Pad to Lilly Pad.
Hinata sighed and waited another ten minutes before working on shaping her chakra again. She held out her hands and closed her eyes in fierce concentration. Chakra pulsed through her veins, all the way down to her hands with an enormous amount of effort.
Now, she could hear water droplets falling into the pond. She could feel them against her white palms. The water was attracted to them like a magnet. Hinata felt a rush of joy, but kept her concentration.
I get better and better every second I practice! Itachi is the best trainer there is. I couldn't do this without him…
"Hinata."
The kunoichi's eyes flew open in surprise at the familiar voice behind her. She dropped the perfect ball of water and it fell back into the millpond with a splash!
She didn't turn around when he spoke again. "Something is going on, and I know it."
Hinata flushed. "I… don't know what you're talking about, cousin."
"You're lying. I know that something is going on. And just because you're trusted by Lady Tsunade again doesn't mean that you can leave every Tuesday at 9:30 A.M."
Hinata drew in a jagged gasp. How did Neji know? "Very funny, Neji. You're the one who's lying. I really don't know what you're talking about.
"Jacket," Neji reminded her. Hinata looked down at her stiff hands that were nervously clutching her jacket. She sighed and rested them in her lap. "Besides, the last three Tuesdays, you've done your little jutsu wrong on me. Lucky for you, Hiashi hasn't seemed to notice yet."
Hinata hung her head and closed her eyes, sighing. "Neji…" she didn't know what else to say.
"What's going on, Hinata?" Neji was now seated beside her, looking into the water. He waited expectantly for an answer.
Hinata twisted her long dark hair in her hands. "I can't tell you."
Neji looked up angrily. "What? Hinata, I think I deserve to know."
"But, I really can't! You wouldn't understand. No one would." She looked up into the clouds. "I'm not doing anything bad. It would seem bad to you, but… that's why nobody would understand."
Neji calmed down as Hinata fell silent. "Hinata, you can tell me anything. I'm your cousin."
Hinata looked over at him and smiled reassuringly. "I know. But this is something that I have to keep to myself. There's no way I could ever make anyone understand. But, don't get me wrong, Neji. I trust you more than anyone."
Neji just glared at her and looked back into the water. "You're bound to get caught one of these days," he said quietly.
"Well, I won't let it happen. No one can ever find out." Her heart rate quickened at the thought of someone other than Neji finding out what has been going on.
What if he's right? What if I really do end up getting caught? Tsunade would kill me for sure. All of my friends would think I've betrayed them. And Kiba would think that… Neji can't be right. I just won't let it happen. Ever.
Hinata honestly didn't know how long this was going to go on. It was Monday, and for all she knew, Itachi would quit on her tomorrow. It could never end. But she didn't know, for there was no telling what would happen in the near future. Itachi could kill her that night.
But that obviously wasn't possible.
Itachi was… well, nice. Maybe he killed everyone he knew, maybe he didn't regret it, but he had grown into a caring young man that no one knew about. All she knew was that there had to be a better reason for the killing of his clan, as she had thought before, although there was no good reason to do such a thing in her mind. But he wasn't the dark, evil type. Of course, if you didn't know him, then he did seem dark and evil. But Hinata talked to him every Tuesday. This S-Ranked criminal was willing to make her an amazing ninja. And she knew that for a fact. He was not lying.
"Well, Hinata," said Neji, snapping her out of her trance, "I hope you're right. I hope you never get caught. I wouldn't want to see you in any form of trouble again. Just be careful." Neji stood up and ran away before Hinata could say anything else to him.
"Okay, I will," she answered Neji's request quietly to herself. It's true, he wouldn't understand. There was no way she could make him, and that went for everyone else. What if she was seen leaving town every Tuesday night? It would mean nothing but trouble.
But, Hinata refused to let that happen.
That afternoon went by rather quietly for a while. Hinata ended up spending the majority of the day all alone in a peaceful and happy Konoha. The kids were out of class from the academy and were running around happily. Naruto was with Jiraiya, and they were arguing as usual.
"How many times must I tell you? Do NOT call me Pervy Sage!"
"Well, it's TRUE, Pervy Sage!"
"AUGH! Naruto!"
As they walked by, Hinata laughed to herself. Naruto and Jiraiya were so much alike, and two Narutos… well, that's how it was with them.
Hinata sat on a bench by the academy looking at all the trees in front of her and the busy townsfolk walking by on the cobblestone path, Naruto and Jiraiya's angry argument fading in the distance. She drew in a deep breath and closed her eyes. Everyone walking by her had a companion with them. But Hinata preferred to be alone a lot of the time. She felt oddly pleased as she sat alone, letting her mind wander wherever she wanted it to. And it felt good to be alone after all this time of having someone with her at all times.
The sunset was falling upon the horizon. The sky was a lovely mix of purple, pink, and orange. It was about time to go home.
As she stood up and began walking down the path, she heard a familiar, kind voice calling her.
"Hinata!"
Hinata turned around to see a girl with long pink hair and emerald eyes running to catch up to her. Hinata stopped in her tracks to let Sakura get to her.
"Hey," said Sakura, out of breath. "What's up?"
"Oh, hey, Sakura," said Hinata nicely. "Um, I'm just about to head home. What about you?"
"I have to go to the hospital and work the night shift," said Sakura. "Can I walk you home, though?"
Hinata was slightly shocked by Sakura's invitation. "Um, sure."
Sakura smiled at Hinata and they began walking down the path together. "So where had Kiba and Shino been? I haven't seen them in a while."
"Oh, they're on a mission. They've been gone for a while."
"I see." Sakura adjusted her headband. "Why aren't you with them?"
Hinata shrugged. "I'm not sure, Lady Hokage just wanted Shikamaru with them. He is really smart. Besides, I'm… not up for a mission."
"Oh yeah? Why's that?"
Hinata sighed, wishing that Sakura wouldn't ask so much. As much Hinata liked her, she didn't want to say anything that might portray what she and Itachi were doing every Tuesday night. "Well, I'm just… not feeling very well… I… have a cold." That's when she remembered that Sakura was a medic.
"Ah, I have some great medicine for a cold." Sakura pulled out a package of pills. "Here, these work like a charm."
Hinata took the pills from the medical kunoichi. "Thank you, Sakura. This should help." She smiled and put the package in her pocket.
Soon they arrived at Hinata's house. "Well, Hinata, I guess I'll see you tomorrow, hopefully. Visit me at the hospital sometime."
Hinata smiled at Sakura. "Thank you, Sakura. I will." With that, she ran inside her home.
Sakura kept her smile on until Hinata closed the door. Her expression changed from happy and polite to worried. I wonder what's going on. She seems a little off today. Ever since I overheard that conversation that she and Neji had today, I can't stop worrying. And now I know that she tugs on her jacket every time she lies. And she lied to me about having a cold. She was about to say something that she'd regret. I can tell. She was about to let loose where she goes every Tuesday night. I wonder… Well, I guess I better keep my eye on her. Sakura began her walk to the hospital. I guess it won't be easy to see where she goes. Ever since I started the night shift, things have been really twisted. But no one in Konoha will let their comrade down. Or go missing. I won't let what happened to Sasuke happen to Hinata or anyone else. I simply won't let it…
Hidan and Deidara's loud laughter could be heard all the way downstairs. It was maddening as usual. But it was something that everyone had to deal with if they were a member of the Akatsuki. Besides, they needed their skill.
It was Tuesday night, almost time to see Hinata. As Itachi slipped on his shoes and was about ready to leave, Kisame burst into his room, unexpectedly as usual.
He looked around and saw Itachi. "There you are," he said. He was wearing dark blue pajamas and shark slippers. He looked at a dressed up and ready-to-go Itachi. "Going somewhere?"
Itachi nodded. "Just for a walk."
Kisame smiled. "You and your walks. So, no movie tonight?"
"Perhaps another time, Kisame." Itachi walked past the tall, blue man and out his door. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Kisame nodded. "Tomorrow? You and your walks…" he said again.
Itachi smirked at Kisame, the only one he ever even smiled at, then began walking down the dark hallway and out the door.
"Wait, Itachi."
Itachi stopped in his tracks and turned to look at his best friend, who looked very concerned.
When Itachi said nothing, Kisame said to Itachi: "I know that it wasn't your choice to kill your clan, but… I'm still worried about you. I can't begin to imagine how hard it is to live with that."
Itachi looked away from Kisame. "I'm glad that you're concerned, Kisame, but I'm fine. That was the past."
Kisame frowned. "Well, just don't do anything wreckless…"
"Don't worry about me, Kisame. I won't do anything too wreckless."
"Too wreckless?"
Itachi, annoyed, said to Kisame, "At least I don't have a shark for a girlfriend."
Kisame glared at Itachi before running back toward his room, yelling, "Kaito! Itachi never means ANYTHING he says about you!" The door slammed behind him.
Itachi couldn't help but laugh a little before using his teleporting jutsu to get to his and Hinata's waterfall. As usual, he was the first one there before the beautiful Hyuuga girl. He sat down beside the stream and looked into the reflecting water. Hinata's improving fast. I've only been training her for three months… There is something very special about this one…
Just in the midst of this thought, he saw a rustle in the trees. Out jumped a pale girl with long dark hair. She looked ready to train, as usual. Itachi stood up and jumped over the river to greet Hinata.
"Good evening," he said politely.
"Um, good evening to you too, sensei," Hinata said shyly.
A moment of silence passed as the Uchiha looked at the girl in front of him. She was special. Very special. He could tell from the moment he saw her. He didn't have good vision, thanks to his Mangekyou Sharingan, but for some reason, he could see her very clearly. It was like she was the red rose in all the white ones.
"Let's see how you've improved." Itachi quickly snapped himself out of his trance.
"Oh, right," said Hinata, who also seemed to have been zoned out. "Um, okay…"
Itachi watched her hop across the water and sit down cross-legged beside the river. She closed her pure white eyes and sat completely still, not moving a muscle.
The water current was slowing down, as if she was pausing time, almost. It became slower and slower until everything stopped. The waterfall had frozen, and the entire river had stopped as well.
Hinata heard the water current slowly come to a hault. She held it frozen for a minute or two, then let all her concentration drop, and she opened her eyes. The water continued trickling down the river.
As she stared down at the water, a smug smile spread across her face.
"Impressive," Itachi's voice broke the satisfied silence. "You just get better every time I see you."
Hinata looked up at him from the other side of the current. He looked emotionless as usual, and his voice was as well. But he had meant what he said. He hopped across the water and sat beside her.
"You definitely have what it takes to be a great kunoichi someday. Anyone can tell. In fact, you're probably ready to create your own jutsu"
Her heart beat with delight. Her own jutsu? She really was making a lot of progress.
"Well, um, it's all thanks to you," she said, blushing. "I… really couldn't have done it without you."
"Actually, you could've," said Itachi back. "Everyone in Konoha cares about their comrades more than other villages I've seen… Even their Jinchuuriki. Naruto…"
"You're right," said Hinata. "But, I guess… I guess that they don't have time to set aside for me. Besides, it seems like everyone's been assigned a mission but me." After all, the Hokage still didn't quite trust her. "Besides, not everyone can tell that I've improved. My father, for one… He just thinks I'm a worthless, weak burden on the whole town."
Itachi let a sigh escape his lips. "You're not the only one. Many parents don't see the goodness in their children. They only seem to care whether they're an excellent shinobi or not. All those with loving, unselfish parents these days… well, they're lucky. Really lucky."
A moment of silence passed. Hinata was beginning to wonder what Itachi's life had been like before he became a missing-nin. All she knew was that he was the pride of the Uchiha clan, and that everyone looked up to and respected him. Hinata, as a young child, had also known about him. Her family respected him, as well.
But Hinata didn't know he had it so hard. So, was his father just like hers?
Maybe she would find out another time.
"Anyways, let's begin," said Itachi in the midst of Hinata's pondering.
"Um, right. Let's start."
Training went well. When it was time to leave, Hinata had become stronger, as she always was when she left the next Tuesday.
"Hinata," said Itachi before she disappeared into the trees.
"Yes, sensei?"
Very seriously, Itachi said; "Don't listen to anything your father says. You're a great ninja, and you shouldn't let him put you down all the time. Someday, he'll see your greatness."
Hinata felt her cheeks flush. "Th-thank you, Itachi."
"Well, goodnight, Hinata. I shall see you next time?"
"Yes, see you then, sensei."
And with that, he disappeared.
Hinata began her detour through the trees back to Konoha. Is it true? Does Itachi really CARE about me? I had no idea he was so kind and caring. Well, I've learned a lot about him in the past months, but I still have so much to learn about him. He makes me feel so… so…
Hinata stopped on a tree branch to think for a minute.
I… might as well admit it to myself. I can't just pretend anymore. Itachi Uchiha, the man that killed his clan, the most feared missing-nin of all. I just can't deny this feeling anymore.
I am in love with Itachi Uchiha.