Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. This is just a fan made story.

-o-o-o-

Chapter Eleven

Sasuke unsheathed his katana and his posture tensed. The rain has stopped so it was easier for him to detect any kind of movement or noise from the forest around him. Gesturing at Sakura to stop—the girl insisted on coming with him anyway—he took her by the arm and pulled her to him.

Looking up, the masked Anbu suddenly ducked with his teammate under the cover of a thick bush that was nearest to him. He removed his mask to have better view above and waited. He knew he heard something, and the sound was very, very familiar.

The sound of giant wings.

He has enough experience riding with his summoning hawk that he can detect the sound even from a few meters away.

The Haruno was looking at him with a puzzled expression on her face, she was about to open her mouth but he signaled for her to stop. Sasuke pointed at the sky above with his forefinger.

The pinkette looked up just as a giant bird flew past them. Sasuke growled and his hand gripped the katana tighter. "Akatsuki." He knew that kind of bird…Well; it's not a bird at all but white molding clay.

It was Deidara's molded arts.

"Sasuke…" Sakura said in a hushed voice. "A-Akatsuki? The one who kidnapped Hinata-chan?."

"I'm going to follow them."

"No!" Sakura's hand tightened around the Uchiha's arm. "You're alone and we still have a mission to finish! Sasuke-kun…please, do not act harshly enough to endanger both of our lives here."

The Sharingan user pulled his arm away. "But this is a chance to know where they took Hinata. We cannot just let them get away."

"And what then? Even if I allow you to abandon the mission and follow the Akatsuki, what would you do after you followed them to their hideout? Do you expect to win against a group of rogue nins?" Sakura bit her lip. "Sasuke…you are very strong...we all know that. But please remember that those guys are as strong as you…and what about your brother? Are you ready to face him?"

Sasuke shook his head. "I don't need this Sakura…"

"No…" Sakura touched Sasuke's chin gently. "No Sasuke…listen to me. You can't help Hinata if you're dead."

-o-o-o-

Hinata buried her face on her hands, trying to decipher what was the reality and what were the fake scenes inside her aching head. Inhaling a large gulp of air, the heiress muttered a silent prayer of safety for her teammates.

If anything happens to them…if anything…

The door creaked open and Hinata straightened herself up. Itachi was carrying a tray with a big clay cup—smoking hot and smelling of calming herbs.

The Uchiha was good in acting like a real concerned husband, she would give him that. Hinata wiped the sweat from her brow and tried to compose herself, she must not let this Akatsuki see how a simple nightmare could break her emotionally.

No…She won't give him that satisfaction.

"Drink this." The man commanded, bringing the tray in front of her. She gave Itachi a look and took the cup with trembling hands. Putting the tray on the small table beside the bed, the Uchiha watched silently as she took a sip.

"Arigatou."

Itachi fought the urge to shake his head. In his many years in the Akatsuki, no one of his victims, prisoners, or people he had abducted ever have the guts to thank him. He heard cursed words a lot, but gratitude? Never.

But the girl just broke that record…and to think that she was the victim here.

Hyuga's and their etiquettes. Itachi thought.

"Hn."

Hinata took another sip, grateful that the herbs have fast calming effects. She could feel her heartbeat returning back to its normal pace and her head was a little less fuzzy now. Stealing a glance at her abductor, Hinata wondered what would this man be…if he did not kill his clan and ran away to join a rebel group?

She guessed that he would be one of the most powerful Shinobi in Konoha…and one of the most popular by looks alone.

"We're going to leave at dawn." Itachi said, cutting through the silence. "The storm has ebbed…we can continue on our way."

"And that was supposed to make me feel better?" She asked him, head suddenly full of the bad things that might befall on her.

"It would make everything faster." He told her.

"Ah…right." Hinata smiled grimly. "It would make everything faster…" Shaking her head, the heiress reached for the table and placed the cup there.

-o-o-o-

Tsunade scowled. "You wanted to send the whole Hyuga clan, Is that what you're trying to say Hiashi?"

The Hyuga clan head matched the Hokage's scowl with his own regal scowl. "It's my daughter's life. It's been days since she was abducted and now all I can hear is that Hatake Kakashi who was supposed to lead the retrieval mission for my heiress has been slacking a bit because of his wounded members?"

Tsunade took a deep breath, her ample chest rising up and down at the process. "They have been attacked…and the message from Kakashi was also informing us that they are on the right track. Come on Hyuga, who do you think…even in your clan, can match Kakashi's skill and experience in this kind of mission?"

There was a short pause from the Hyuga, then a gentle shake of the head. "No one, but that doesn't mean I can just sit and wait…not knowing if my daughter is alive or not."

"I understand you." Tsunade leaned back on her chair, mind engines working for any other questions the clan head might ask. She has been covering a lot about this issue, and that was because Itachi asked her to—just to mislead the konohan Shinobi a bit. "But as I said, let's leave the mission for those who were assigned for it."

When Hiashi left, Tsunade scowled again and grabbed the bottle of sake under her desk. She has been running out of reasons lately and she doesn't like being interrogated almost every day by the Hyuga clan. Pulling the cork unceremoniously, she took a large swig of alcohol.

The name Akatsuki was really starting to make a mark on the village. With Hinata's abduction and Asuma Sarutobi's death, everyone was now weary of the other things that might befall on the leaf if the rebel group can't be stop.

And to think that the village was still recovering from Jiraiya's unexpected death…

She need another swig…it would clear her head a bit. Raising the bottle up, Tsunade prepared her mouth to savor the bitter sweet taste of sake when she suddenly scowled in surprise.

Someone took the bottle from her hand without permission.

Glaring at her new visitor, the Hokage leaned back on her chair. "You may be a genius but you're a fool to come between me and that bottle."

Shikamaru smirked lazily. "Hokage-sama…it's too early for sake." Giving the bottle to Yamanaka Ino, the lazy Nara decided that it was better to be straight with the smart sanin. In his experience as a jounin, Shikamaru knew that the lady kage preferred frankness than sugar coating tactics. "We came here to ask something of you, lady Tsunade."

"Give me my sake back."

"After you hear what we have to say…" Ino's face was grim, and then as if remembering that she was talking to the most powerful Shinobi in Konoha, the Yamanaka lowered her gaze. "With all respects…Hokage-sama."

"It better be quick." Tsunade folded her hands together on top of her desk then rested her chin on it. She was not usually this patient to teenagers, but assuming that this was Shikaku's son and Inoichi's daughter, she figured that she could give them a few minutes of her time.

Shikamaru gave his female teammate a look. "We want to avenge the death of Asuma-sensei."

"Please….give us the permission to leave the village and pursue the Akatsuki who killed sensei!" Ino added, her face showing anger and weariness at the same time. Asuma died in her arms, and now Kurenai just told them that she was pregnant with her sensei's child…

Ino knew that she won't be getting a good night's sleep anytime soon.

Tsunade frowned. "The Hyuga heiress has been kidnapped…and her teammates, Kiba and Shino, along with the Hyuga prodigy were after her abductors…and now, you want to ask me for permission to let you go after the Akatsuki who killed Asuma?" The Hokage shook her head. "Do you want me to put Konoha eleven in danger one by one?"

-o-o-o-

Hinata continued to give the Uchiha suspicious looks as they leaped along the branches of the giant trees in the forest of heaven-knows-where. They left the old woman's house just as the day's light was starting to show on the cracks of the still dark sky. The man did not bother to thank the old woman, or even say a few curt goodbyes…he insisted that it was for the best.

Though she caught him leaving a generous amount of money at her door rug.

The guy was a few steps ahead of her, gracefully gliding into the air. He was wearing his Akatsuki cloak now—Hinata learned earlier that Itachi hid the dark clothing just outside the old woman's home, along with his forehead protector and weapon pouches.

The only thing that bothers her was the confidence that he was showing. Yes, she may be weak compared to him…but how could he be so confident as to let her lag behind?

She was a captive wasn't' she? And all captives would always take the chance of escape whenever they could find one.

Was it because all he can see was a weak heiress? A good for nothing jounin who can't even protect herself from being kidnapped because of her kekkei genkai? Eyes narrowing, Hinata clenched her jaw as her father's insults and frank statements about her "incompetent" skills were starting to run inside her mind.

The heiress decided to stop, trying to see if Itachi would notice.

Itachi stopped too.

Oh…he was paying attention. Hinata thought as she saw him wheeled around, mouth and chin hidden behind the tall collar of his cloak.

Hinata gasped in surprise as the Uchiha who was a few meters away suddenly materialized in front of her. He was so fast all she could see was a black blur…

He took her arm with a firm grip of his strong calloused hand and began to continue his pace—which was too fast for her—making her stumble a few times and making her face slam on his back whenever he make unexpected turns.

Hinata knew that if she could see her face in a mirror right now, there would be a big, red circle on her forehead.

"You are looking for an escape route." Itachi coolly stated.

"All captives do…I-Itachi-san." Hinata replied, feet stumbling as she tried to match Itachi's graceful glide.

"Hn." Itachi observed the girl by the side of his eye. He was actually willing to let her be on her own, knowing that even if she tried for an escape attempt, it would only be futile. It was only because they are now passing on unknown grounds that the Uchiha wanted to keep the girl close.

She may not know it…but it was his job to keep her safe.

The Akatsuki maybe the strongest and famous rebel group right now, but that doesn't mean there are no rebels and other rogue nins that are not as crazy and blood thirsty as them. In fact, there are a lot of them,…just waiting for the right time to strike.

The two continued their pace, one leading with cold silence while the other was a reluctant follower. As the minutes turned into hours, and the blue haired kunoichi was almost sure that her tired feet can't continue with Itachi's fast pace, she felt her captor's fingers around her shoulder slackened.

At first, Hinata thought that he was already tired of holding her arm in a death grip, or if he was just going to hold her neck for a change…

Well…you could never tell with an Akatsuki. If there was one thing about them that she was sure of, it was that their minds are working in a very complicated and messy way. You can never tell what they are thinking and what they want to do next…

And she was right. What Itachi did next surprised her…

His hand left her shoulder, making it tingle a bit as her blood circulation returned back to normal. Then, without any warning, his arm encircled around her waist—pulling her close to his side.

She unconsciously squeaked.

"I'm supporting your weight." Itachi told the Hyuga. He noticed that she was stumbling a lot and she was just dragging her feet like it was the heaviest thing in the world right now.

A sign that she was tired.

Because he was now carrying both his weight and the Hyuga, Itachi leaped from tree to tree a little more careful than before. Every time he was about to jump, he could feel her gasp as she was being carried into the air and then it would be replaced with grunts as her breath was knocked from her every time they make a landing.

Itachi suddenly has a feeling that he was holding on to something that was very fragile.

Unconsciously, his arm tightened around the blue haired girl.

-o-o-o-

Naruto looked around the class of chunins that he was now taking over. Tsunada-Baachan assigned him to be the temporary replacement for the section that Hinata was handling. The children looked at him expectantly, as the future Hokage in training and a nine tails' vessel; they were a little "dazzled" by his presence.

Everyone was quite and all eyes are on him.

If the class did not remind him of Hinata, Naruto would have been very enthusiastic at meeting the new batch of great Shinobi and kunoichi in the making. He would have been grinning his signature grin and telling everyone how great it was to meet them.

"Hi." The Uzumaki managed a smile and he noticed some of the girls are elbowing each other and smiling fan girl smiles. Mentally grimacing, he continued. "Uhm…so I am going to be your replacement teacher until…until your Hinata-sensei returns. I am Uzumaki Naruto. You can call me sensei or Naruto-Niisan."

"Naruto-Nii." One student squeaked.

Naruto scratched his head, chuckling nervously.

One kid raised his hand. He was a scrawny looking boy with glasses and he blinked his eyes more than normal people does. Naruto suddenly recognize him as one of the "lacking of confidence kids"…and these kinds of kids were not so always popular in class.

"Wh-what happened t-to Hina-sensei?" The young boy asked, his eyes lowered.

Naruto wondered why the boy was shaking.

"Uhm…she's…" The Uzumaki was thinking of the right words to say.

"Is it true that she's in danger because she was abducted by the Akatsuki?" The boy suddenly snapped and his glasses now lopsided on his face. "Is it true that they are going to gauge her eyes out?"

That stunned Naruto. "H-hey…you know kid…"

The excited silence of the class earlier turned into a grave one.

"Then why didn't you go after her?" The young boy suddenly yelled, his eyes and tears are starting to fall. "You are very strong right? You are the nine tails Jinchuriki! I mean…you are the future hokage!" Wiping his wet eyes, the boy turned to leave. "I want my Hinata-sensei back!"

He ran outside, never looking back even when Naruto called for him to stop.

One of the chunin stood up. "It's okay Naruto-sensei…Akamichi is just like that. Hinata-sensei was like a mother figure to him…he was an orphan see…and Hinata-sensei was uhm…close to him."

"An orphan?" Naruto blinked.

The chunin nodded. "His parents were killed when they were on a mission…and he was now living alone. Hinata-sensei was very kind and nice to us all see…but she was really, really concerned about Akamichi and she always encourages him even if he was the lowest ranking chunin in class."

"Yeah." Another chunin piped in. "Hinata-sensei once said that she knew someone who was always the lowest in her class during her chunin years…but now, he was one of the greatest Shinobi in the world…and she really, really looked up to him…and Hina-sensei said that sometimes, looking at Akamichi-kun reminds her of that Shinobi."

Another one stood up. "Uhm…do you know who that guy is…Naruto-Niisan?"

Naruto's stunned expression turned into a soft smile. Pocketing his hands, he gestured for everyone to return to their seats because some of them are already crowding his table. "I want you to behave while I go and get your classmate Akamichi-kun…I'll be back shorty."

There was a disappointed sigh from the class as the students scrambled to their rightful places. Naruto folded the papers on top of his desk and put a paperweight into it, just in case the wind will blew it all away when he leaves. Hinata-chan…always the light for people with darkness. The Uzumaki thought. Even now…your light never failed to reach me. Kami…please let her come back to us safely. We still need our light.

Before leaving the room, Naruto turned his head back and gave the class a smile. "The boy that was always the low rank on Hinata's class…was me."

-o-o-o-

(f) "Hinata. You're stance is good but your hits are weak." Hiashi folded his hands across his chest as he glared at his eldest—the soon to be clan head of the powerful Hyuga clan. He was watching her practice with his twin brother's son, Neji, and he can't help but be annoyed at how weak his daughter was—though he was suspecting that Hinata was not really giving off hard attacks…It was like she was just being careful not to hit her cousin.

Looking at Neji, the clan head can tell that the prodigy was also slacking off. He was able to see some of his trainings and Hiashi knew that Neji was not showing off his real strength.

"Neji." Hiashi looked at the boy, a part of him thinking how lucky his brother was to have a strong son like this one. He would make a good clan head…if only he was not from the lower branch family. "Be harder on your attacks. Don't go easy on Hinata."

Neji looked stunned. "Hiashi-sama…"

"Do it." Hiashi commanded.

It was not as if he doesn't love his daughter…It was just he wanted her to be strong…be prepared for the burden that she was going to take on her shoulders the moment he was gone. There would always be clan feuds…calamities…wars and fights.

And a weak clan leader won't do any good.

Hiashi knew his daughter was strong. He can sense it even when she was still a child. The only problem was, Hinata always extinguished her potentials even before it was even lightened. The girl prefers to be the "gentle one" just like her deceased mother.

Hinata was too merciful…too kind…

"Otou-sama…" he heard his daughter's voice.

"Train!"

"H-hai." Hinata crouched, her Byakugan activating. It won't do any good disobeying her father, for he would only be harsher if she won't. The only problem was her Neji-Niisan…

Hinata knew he doesn't want to use his brute strength on her.

Neji scowled. The clan head was being so unreasonable when it comes to Hinata and he was inwardly seething at how his uncle was treating his cousin. Raising his palms up, Neji decided the best way to end the training…It was against him but knowing his uncle, it would be better if he could just knock Hina out.

That way, Hiashi can't command any more damage for the heiress.

With a fast leap, he was the first one to attack Hinata. The girl was surprised but inwardly, Neji knew she could duck his attacks if she wants to…She was fast enough.

The thing was…it looks like she was also thinking the same thing as he.

Hinata did not even try to avoid his glowing palms, so when it made contact on her nerve points all she did was collapsed on the ground, knees buckling at the sudden stopped chakra flow.

Hiashi smirked.

Neji kneeled beside the blue haired girl. She was still conscious, though he knew she won't be able to move one of her arms and her legs for a few hours. "Hinata-sama…please forgive me." He whispered.

Hinata smiled at him. "I'm fine Nii-san. Don't worry."

"Neji." Hiashi called. "Come with me."

"Hai Hiashi-sama…I just need to get Hinata-sama to her chambers first."

Hiashi shook his head. "No. Leave her be…"

"But…"

"I said leave her be! She's weak. You don't need to help her get weaker."

Hinata gently touched Neji's hand with the one that was not paralyzed. "I'm fine Nii-san. Go."

"I'm so sorry." Neji touched her cheek. "I'll go check on you the moment your father can give me leave…alright?"

The heiress nodded weakly.

When her father and cousin left, Hinata was left alone on the private Hyuga training ground. She winced when she tried to sit up, half of her body almost paralyzed and tingling with pain. She knew no one could help her right now; she has to wait here for a few hours until her chakra returns back to normal. The Hyuga training grounds always restricts servants and other lower rank members to enter when occupied.

"Well…that was some familial love."

Hinata's eyes widened as a shadow was cast upon her face, looking up, she blinked when she realized that she was looking at the stoic face of Uchiha Sasuke.

"Sasuke-kun…"

He was not wearing his usual get up of an Anbu uniform, but was wearing a black shirt with a tall collar, a white knee length shorts, and arm guards.

She guessed it was his day off.

Sasuke smirked. "Is that all you can do?" He asked her, he has been observing the training since it started. "Seems to me like you are holding back."

Hinata frowned, paralysis temporary forgotten. Why was the Uchiha watching her train? "Well…I am not as strong as you Sasuke-kun."

With a shake of his head, Sasuke kneeled beside her. "Though I got to say that Neji has gone easy on you too." He stated, observing the unmoving hand and legs.

"Ano…Sasuke-kun. What are you doing here? D-do you need something?" Hinata asked.

The Uchiha did not answer; instead, he hoisted her up…

Bridal style.

"Sasuke-kun! Wh-what are you doing?"

"You won't be moving much for hours…and the sun is already up. You're going to get grilled if I left you here by yourself."

Hinata's cheeks burn. She could feel Sasuke's strong arms and she was practically leaning on his—dared she mentioned it—hard chest. "Ano…y-you could leave me under a shady tree or something."

"No." Sasuke answered coolly. "We're going to my apartment." (f)

-o-

Here ends the chapter. Please let me know what you think! Just one week more and it's our school's semestral break! Finally! I could rest from my engineering class for two weeks…two weeks!

That means I could write a lot of updates!

-crazygurl12