This chapter is dedicated to RikuDark. Thank you for the support and encouragement!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
-o-o-o-
Chapter Seven
Hinata started twitching again and Kisame raised an eyebrow. "She's fighting your trance again." Looking at the Hyuga, he noted that the veins on the side of her temple were popping out. "Itachi…are you going easy on her? I have never seen anyone resist your Tsukuyumi like this."
Itachi tightened his grip on the Hyuga, knowing that one wrong footing and they might both fall. Currently, they are behind Deidara's giant bird, soaring high above the clouds. The wind was strong and his ponytailed hair was moving with it, his long bangs covering his eyes from view.
Deidara crossed his arms, his eyes too were on the Hyuga. "Artly form." He commented, his gaze landing on the girl's chest.
"I never knew you're a pervert." Kisame said dryly.
Deidara shrug, his blonde hair covering half of his face. "Doesn't come by a female often…and when I do, they are usually kunoichi, trying to get a kunai through my face."
"Sad faith." Kisame agreed, though there was no hint of sadness on his voice; instead, there was an evil leer. "That's why we have to kill them."
Deidara smiled slyly. "Yeah…kill them in the most gruesome way."
Itachi can feel Hinata tremble, her eyes flickering blankly as she tries to get away from the dream world he put her into. Even in unconsciousness, her Byakugan was activated—which only means that she was losing chakra by the second—and to think that her current state was still weak.
"Deidara." Itachi called, his eyes hidden behind his dark hair. "Put us down on the ground."
"Why?"
Kisame frowned. "Don't tell me you're going to ditch our ride Itachi. This is much faster than walking and convenient for avoiding nins and rebels alike."
"Hn."
"Itachi…it would take you two nights to reach our hideout on foot." Kisame reminded his partner. "And that's if you have no trouble on the way."
"I have to bring the Hyuga back to consciousness before she kills herself from draining her chakra." Itachi reasoned calmly. "And if I do it above this clay bird, she might jump or do something that could harm herself, thus making our mission a failure."
"Right…she's the prize here." Deidara agreed, licking his lips as he realized how much power those white eyes could give. "Oh what I would do if I can get my hands on those eyes…"
"Kisame, you go ahead of me. Try to clear the path for us while you're at it." Itachi did not wait for anyone to respond as he leaped into the air with the girl still hanging limply on his shoulder, twitching and shaking.
Kisame shook his head, his eyes following the Itachi's landing on the ground. "Damn Itachi…"
"The guy is reasonable but I still hate him." Deidara said, rubbing his palms together. "Too bad I'm still planning on killing his little brother for insulting my wonderful art." His face turned sly. "I'm still waiting for my chance against Uchiha Sasuke you know…"
"Itachi won't let you." Kisame said, bored. "He did not let him live and be fueled by hatred all these years so that you could kill the younger Uchiha. It's reserved for the older brother…besides, the Uchiha's are stronger than you so live with it."
Deidara smirked. "Well, Itachi better be careful before I haven't made any move yet."
Itachi landed on the ground with ease, his body crouched and his feet planted firmly on the soft dirt. Putting the bluenette on a bed of grass, he stared at her for a moment as the warm breeze plays with her hair. Hinata was twitching, her palms flickering with bluish chakra that would die then ignite again.
Kneeling next to her, his sharingan eye activated and he opened her eye with his thumb and forefinger. Hinata's eyes were blank—as expected for a person inside a tsukuyumi—but the white pupils are staring at nothingness in an intense kind of way, making the older sharingan user stare at it for a few seconds before he deactivated the power of his kekkei genkai on her.
Hinata gasped and swallowed large gulps of air, sitting right up as her senses came back and the illusions disappeared. Looking around, she saw Itachi looking at her intently.
"You know how to stand your ground in a sharingan trance." He told her, voice betraying nothing but the flat statement.
It took time for Hinata to answer, for her head was still giddy and her eyes blurry from being pulled out of the dream world so unceremoniously. Being inside the sharingan's tsukuyumi could really drain a body of its strength in a short span of time.
"I see you're very well acquainted with my brother." Itachi stated again, this time, garnering Hinata's full attention. Her head snapped to him with a surprise expression on her face. "He was the one who taught you how to fight the sharingan…am I right?"
"Sasuke-kun…your brother…" Hinata stated the obvious, a little stunned because she actually forgot that fact. Being with the older Uchiha brother was different compared to being with Sasuke and it unnerves her that the same blood flows into their veins.
Sasuke was pulling her into his world little by little, making her know light and darkness at the same time while the older one was driving her into some dark abyss that she has no idea where it would lead her, giving her a glimpse on how the real Shinobi world works.
Uchiha's…they are going to drive her into madness one way or another.
Shakily, Hinata managed to stand up. She has no idea where they were at the moment, for she was still on the Akatsuki's cave-like hideout before Itachi used his sharingan eyes on her.
"If you are planning on some kind of escape, be warned that it is futile."
"I won't…I know my limits…and right now, I'm not in my best shape." Hinata admitted and took a deep breath, her knees are shaky and she doesn't trust them to keep her up for long. Taking one experimental step, she yelped when Itachi's hand caught her arm and pulled her down to sit beside him on the soft grass. She involuntarily recoiled at his touch, Asuma's death by the hands of Akatsuki still fresh inside her mind.
"Sit and rest." Was the command, it was neither gruff nor angry—his voice was just lacking of emotion and it made her wonder if he was born with the skill for concealing his emotions or if he learned the craft through the years of being a rogue nin.
"Y-you are too caring for an abductor." Hinata pointed out, wanting to be sarcastic just for the sake of giving this proud Uchiha a hard time. Looking at his breathtakingly handsome face, she tried to plaster a defiant look.
How could a man so beautiful have so much darkness inside?
"You are too confident for a hostage." Itachi replied, his eyes staring at her own without a waiver. The heiress dropped her own gaze on the ground, afraid that he could read what was inside her mind if she doesn't break the connection first.
Hinata took a deep breath, not knowing what to say or what to do. Heavens…she doesn't even know what to think anymore. She was abducted for reasons that concerns her eyes…then she was almost traumatized after being with some frightening Akatsuki members, and currently—she was sitting beside a Konohan rogue nin who demands that she rest her chakra-drained body.
Her world was turning upside down.
Stealing a glimpse at the older male, Hinata wondered how Uchiha Itachi could carry himself like a human and a monster at the same time. It was like he was wearing two masks, one was for his 'Akatsuki status' and the other was for moments like…
Moments like this…where he looks more of a human than a monster that craves for disaster and blood.
"How is my brother?"
"W-what?" Hinata snapped out of her thoughts, blinking as she realized Itachi was talking to her.
"You know how to fight your way out of the sharingan…you must be close to Sasuke for him to teach you that technique." Itachi stated, his eyes staring at nothingness. The wind was playing with his hair and Hinata stared at it.
"But I did not manage to break from your sharingan."
"No one can ever break free from my sharingan. But what you did was a good try."
Hinata bit her lip as her thoughts drifts back to Sasuke. "You took his chance for a happy life with his family…with you…and you would ask me how your brother is doing back home?"
There was silence.
Hinata wondered if she crossed the line with her bold words. She waited for him to snapped at her, or even strangle her neck for what she said, but the raven haired man beside her just stared at nothing as if his thoughts were also drifting elsewhere.
Then Itachi faced her and Hinata gulped back the fear rising inside her throat.
"You did not stutter." He pointed out, and for the first time, Hinata heard amusement on his voice.
-o-o-o-
Genma Shiranui turned to Kakashi as his hands began to perform hand seals. Looking at the mask nin, he gave him a small tilt of his neck, an enough sign that could alert the Hatake. They just found a cave-like hide out, and Kiba assured them that Hinata's scent was still fresh.
Kakashi saw Genma's movement and he too alerted the other Shinobi with a look of his uncovered eye. If Hinata's scent could be found here, that means that this is one of the Akatsuki's lairs…and if there was a lair, something dark must be lurking inside.
Shino's bugs began to buzz around them excitedly, while Neji has activated his kekkei genkai and was looking around the place to check for any signs for an Akatsuki.
He found none.
"Hinata-sama…" The Hyuga male gritted his teeth as his brows furrowed in concentration. "If they laid even a finger on her…they are going to pay for it dearly." Even if it would cost me my life…
"I'll go first." Kakashi pointed at the cave entrance. "Neji and Kiba, you go with me…Genma, Shino…you stand guard in case something goes wrong."
The cave was dark and the passageways cold. There were doors and a few things like tables and chairs that they saw—a sign that it was especially created for shelter and not for comfort. Kiba sniffed and his Ninken, Akamaru barked behind him. He was leading the way, for he was following the scent of the heiress to where it was the strongest.
It led them into a room.
Neji dropped on his knees when he saw Hinata's forehead protector and tattered jounin vest. "This belongs to Hinata-sama."
Kiba growled. "Shit! I thought we finally found her."
Kakashi looked around, his sharingan eye activating behind the cover of his mask. "Neji, check the vest for signs of blood…the vest is torn, if it was because Hinata was wounded…we need to be sure."
Even in the darkness of the place, Neji's face blanched and Kiba growled again.
The Hyuga's hands failed to move so the Inuzuka decided to take the job for himself. Pulling the vest from Neji's quivering hands, he began to sniff the tattered body protector.
No…No blood.
Kiba sighed, a little relieved that at least, he knew that Hinata was not wounded before she took off the vest. That would only mean that when they abducted her, they did not stab her or something. "No scent of blood Kaka-sensei."
But the feeling of relief was short-lived when Kakashi spoke again. "But who took the vest from Hina-chan?...and her forehead protector…a nin would never remove it unless it was against her will."
"Shit." Kiba cursed again, worry for his teammate eating at him from the inside. If anything happens to Hinata… "Shit."
Akamaru wined, the giant dog feeling his master's distress.
"Let's move…" Kakashi told his unit, stepping out of the room first. "We must continue…If we found the hideout where they stayed…that means we are slowly gaining on them…we are on the right track."
-o-o-o-
It started to rain.
Hinata unconsciously covered her head with her hands, feeling the cold drops of rain on her dry and dusty skin. The sky was getting darker—a sign that the rain won't go away but would only get stronger. The jounin looked at the man beside her, who has tilted his chin up in order to catch the cool water droplets on his face.
His eyes were closed and she could see the slant lines near his nose. The rain water started to drip on his forehead down to his chin, and to his neck, where it would slide down to wet his black cloak. Hinata caught herself staring and she lowered her eyes down, afraid that he would catch her gaze.
Sighing, Hinata's thoughts drifted back to the people back home. Did Kurenai already found the news about Asuma's death by the hands of an Akatsuki pair? And Hanabi…will she be crying her eyes out because her older sister's been kidnapped by rebel nins? And Neji? How about her father? Will he be worried that his heir was gone? Or was he happy that there will be no more weaklings in his family?
And what would Sasuke do if he found out that his brother was the one who kidnapped her?
"H-hey!" HInata yelped when she felt herself suddenly hoisted up, a black cloak on her face.
"The rain is getting stronger." Itachi tossed the girl behind him with ease and adjusted her position so that Hinata was riding him piggyback style. Pulling her arms around his neck, he straightened up.
Hinata's eyes widened as she realized what was happening. She must have been too engrossed with her thoughts that she failed to notice when Itachi has taken his cloak off—a cloak that was now wrapped around her to prevent rain from soaking her body.
Now he was carrying her behind his back…like a little kid.
"I…I can walk…Itachi-san." She mumbled, a little scared that she could feel his body a little too close. With her legs and arms wrapped around him, she could tell that the cloak has been hiding a very well toned body. "I may be chakra-drained but I can walk."
"Your pace is too slow." He told her calmly, kicking his legs into the now wet ground. "And you might try to escape from me."
"I know I have no chance of escape at my current state." Hinata admitted. "Especially from an Akatsuki."
"Ah."
Hinata gasped when Itachi leaped and landed on a large branch, strong enough to carry both their weights. The rain was stronger now, and thunders could be heard with an angry echo which would always be followed by a strike of lightning. The cold was biting Hinata's skin, and for a split second, she was a little thankful that the Uchiha's body heat was keeping her warm.
And she caught herself again, making her frown at the thoughts inside her head—making her want to slap her face.
"Hold on tight." Itachi told the girl as his speed accelerated, making them a black blur on the tree tops.
Hinata has no choice but to obey.
-o-
(f) Hinata looked longingly at Naruto, who was busy hovering over Sakura. The Haruno medic was kneeling on the ground, her hands placed gently on top of Kiba's bruised knee. Team seven and eight met by chance on training ground thirteen and decided to do a little training together.
It was their day off…and every one of each teams were present.
Kiba and Naruto decided to do a little sparring, while Sakura and Shino agreed on working together with their shuriken throwing skills. At first, Sakura wanted to be paired with Sasuke—but the Uchiha insisted on sitting this one out. He said he just came from a mission outside the village and he was tired.
That left Hinata without a partner so she decided to sit this one out too, a part of her mind tells her that this was a good opportunity to observe Naruto and how awesome his skills were on taijutsu.
Though all of them later found out that Kiba and Naruto should not be paired during training sessions—both are hotheads and hotshots—and when one hotshot is paired with a hothead, things might get a little out of hand.
"Ow." Kiba's hand shot to his knee.
"Kiba! I'm sorry…I miscalculated." Naruto apologized, running to his friend who has bared his sharp teeth at him. "I thought you're going to dodge."
"If you managed to break my knee…I'm going to break your neck." The Inuzuka threatened just as Sakura kneeled beside him, her medical training kicking in.
Looking back at Hinata who was looking worried, Sakura waved a hand dismissively. "He's fine Hinata-chan. Just a slight bruise."
Naruto looked at Sakura with admiration in his eyes. "Wow…you really are good at this Sakura-chan."
But Sakura was not paying attention to Naruto's words, for her eyes were stealing looks at Sasuke, trying to see if he was watching her display of skill in healing. She was the disciple of lady Tsunade, and her skills were something to be proud of.
How disappointed she was, when the Uchiha was not even paying attention—for his eyes were fixed on Hinata's blue hair.
"Uhm Naruto…" Sakura said, not looking at the smitten Uzumaki. "You need to rest first…why don't you go to Hinata and Sasuke…get a shade for a few minutes. Kiba can join you after I'm finish with him."
Naruto lightened up, Loving the way the Haruno was being concern about him, unknown to Naruto, Sakura knew that if he goes to where Hinata was…the girl would be distracted enough not to pay any attention to Sasuke.
Hinata straightened up when Naruto came running towards them. She then looked around, trying to think of what to do and what to say. Every time Naruto was near her, she would always be too distracted and too embarrassed to say the right words.
All she can do was looked down, blush, and play with her fingers.
Sasuke noticed the change, the girl was nervous no doubt. Rolling his eyes, he diverted his attention to the sky above them. "Here comes the ugly cat." He muttered but knew Hinata could hear. He gave a satisfied smirk when the heiress squeaked and gave him a panicked look.
"Sasuke-kun…" She said his name and it was almost like a plea. She was still afraid that Naruto would find out about her little face doodles.
"Hn."
"Hinata-chan…" Naruto grinned, his face bruised from his training with Kiba. "Oy…teme, you should join in the fun." He looked at Sasuke and plopped on the bed of grass, lying in his back while his arms propped his head up.
Hinata's cheeks fired up. Naruto's head was almost touching her lap.
"Y-your face is bruised Naruto-kun…" Hinata noted, bending a little to see the blue and greenish skin. "D-do you want me to heal them? I…I got some salve with me. I made them…"
Naruto shook his head. "It's alright Hina-chan…Sakura can do it." Naruto said his refusal in a friendly way but never knew how it hurt the blue haired jounin's feelings. "I wanted her to heal me."
Sasuke saw the girl lowered her head, bangs hiding the hurt in her eyes. Sometimes…Naruto can such be an idiot. "Where's the salve?" He suddenly said, making Hinata look at him in surprise. Naruto even straightened up and looked at him incredulously.
Sasuke never talks unless he was asked…
Hinata just stared at him. "I said where's the salve?" He asked again, irritated.
"Here…" She opened her pack and brought out a small jar with bluish gel in it. "D-do you want some?"
"Put it on me." Sasuke said, sitting up straight, then with a swift move, took off his black shirt—revealing to everyone his well toned chest and stomach. There were bruises on his skin though, for he has acquired them after his latest mission.
Hinata froze.
Naruto's eyes widened.
Sakura stopped healing Kiba and she stared at what was happening with mouth hanging open. Her look of surprise also matches Kiba's…though his mouth was a few inches wider.
Shino just stared…stoic yet obviously interested.
"Are you just going to look at me?" Sasuke asked again, this time, a snapped on his voice. "I want you to heal my bruises."
The heiress blinked as if she just regained her senses, then mustering her courage, she removed the lid from the jar and put a generous amount on her fingers. Gingerly, she applied it on the bruises on his chest, making sure that she just let her fingers hover with the lightest of touches in case she hurts him. The bruises are fresh and swollen…she doesn't want to add to his discomfort.
While Hinata was focused on applying her salve on Sasuke's skin, the Uchiha's eyes were on her. He was observing her every move, the light blush on her cheeks, and how she narrowed her eyes in concentration at what she was doing.
Hinata's soft fingers began to move on his hard stomach, which garnered a gulp from Naruto and a whimper from Kiba. Sakura on the other hand was now looking away, hands clenched into fists.
Unknown to them, another set of eyes were looking down on them and observing the scene with raised eyebrows, high above the trees and concealed by thick leaves.
Hatake Kakashi was sitting on his favorite reading spot and he snapped the Icha-Icha volume forty eight pocket book the moment he saw something more interesting below on the training grounds.
The Hyuga heiress and the Uchiha survivor.
"Well…what do you know?" The copy ninja mumbled lazily as he leaned back on the branch. "Our little Sasuke is smooth when it comes to the ladies…" (f)
-o-
Itachi can feel the girl behind him shudder. The rain has evolved into a storm and the forest was not safe for both of them to stay. He needs to find shelter for them and he needs to do it quick. They are both drenched to the bones and he doesn't want the girl to be sick.
She's going to face a lot on the days to come and she needs to do it strong…not weak.
In truth, Itachi really intended for both of them to be separated from the small unit. It was because the more time the Hyuga spent with the other Akatsuki members, the more prone she was on danger…and danger for her means he has to protect her—as his promise to the lady kage that he won't let anything happen to her.
And if he was protecting her…he might blow his cover as a Konohan spy.
At least now, they won't be suspicious. They are just going to think that he was doing his job, trying to maintain the quality of their stolen goods.
In their case, Hinata's byakugan.
The kunoichi sneezed and she unconsciously buried her face on his back. Itachi lolled his head back, trying to see if she was alright. "Raise the cloak and cover your face." He commanded, a little stern now because the rain was too loud.
The Uchiha continued to bound through the forest until he spotted a group of lights from afar.
A shelter.
-o-o-o-
Here ends the chapter. Please review.
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-until next chap!
-crazygurl12