It's already seventeen chapters and no one mentioned anything about my grammar. (Whew…I got a lot of grammar complains when I was writing my first story—since nobody mentioned about wrong spellings, stupid phrases, etc…I am hoping that I'm doing a little better in this one.) I'm relieved…lol. But corrections are greatly appreciated!
Oh…I think in the past chap… (In Sasuke and Sakura scene), it was supposed to be genjutsu and not dojutsu…thank you H. for the correction. : )
If you ever see the "(f)" mark at the beginning and end of every paragraph…it's a flashback. It would also be written in italics. You really need to remember this guys…I'll be flooding you with flashbacks for the coming chapters.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. This story is just a fan made fiction.
-o-o-o-
Chapter Eighteen
Hidan scowled. "Hatake Kakashi."
Of all the Konoha nins, Kakashi was one of the most irritatingly strong Shinobi that he knew…and he never liked the guy. Usually, he was glad that he could find some strong opponents to fight and crush them mercilessly.
But the Hatake was different.
He was an arrogant, silver haired man with borrowed sharingan abilities. Hell…that guy was not supposed to own a sharingan from the beginning. Hidan doubt that he would be as strong as he was today if not for that piece of that borrowed eye.
Cheating bastard.
"Hidan…Kakuzu." Kakashi acknowledge the Akatsuki pair with a sharp eye. He has engaged both of them in a fight before; It was when he was on an S-class mission. He was with Yamato that time and the encounter ended in a stalemate.
These rebels are very hard to kill…
Kakuzu was staring at him with those pale, green eyes. It made him uneasy…the guy was practically emitting greed, malice, and death it was almost unnatural. Hidan on the other hand, was holding his three-bladed scythe…eyebrows raised at the small unit behind him.
"Ah…Hatake…The popular copy ninja." It was Kakuzu, speaking with that raspy voice. "What made you run into these parts?"
Hatake faked a smile behind his mask as his visible eye wrinkled. "We are looking for something that you…Akatsuki… took from us. I am hoping that you two could help me with that?"
Neji grits his teeth and was about to open his mouth to say something effusive when Genma placed one hand on his shoulder. With a subtle shook of his head, the jounin gave the Hyuga a look of warning and leaped behind the team leader. Everyone knows this encounter would end with blood, one way or another…It's just a matter of style on how to start it.
Hidan chuckled. "Oh…The beautiful Hyuga…" His taunting eyes sought Neji. "Come on…Don't be greedy. You have a whole clan of them back in your village. Surely you could spare one?" If looks could kill, Hidan would have melted just by the intensity of glare he was receiving from the one who was riding a giant ninken. The young man has red markings on tattooed on his face, a feral snarl plastered on it—matching the same regressive aura his dog has. "Oh…a little intense aren't we?"
Neji has already activated his Byakugan and Shino's beetles were buzzing with excitement all around the small clearing. The insects formed and deformed like clouds, making Hidan's eyes flickered tensely for a second as he noticed that they were starting to form behind him.
The Hatake pocketed his hands, secretly gripping a kunai's handle. "Sorry…but our village values life more than anything else. Have you taken our heiress for money?" He looked at Kakuzu. "Assuming that you are very popular with those kinds of things…no offense."
"None taken." Kakuzu answered, feigning politeness. "Just a correction…we did not need the girl for money. We have a lot of…sources you see. We took jobs too you know."
Genma took the senbon from his lips. "You mean assassination jobs…how honorable."
The Akatsuki looked at Genma. "My…I heard the same words before, also from a Konohan nin in fact. Sarutobi Asuma. Yeah…I think that was his name. He said the same words to me…."
Hidan laughed. "Yeah…right before we killed him."
The senbon from Gema's hand dropped as his jaw slacked at the unexpected news. Beside him, Kakashi stood frozen, eyes wide and unblinking.
Asuma….dead?
There was a stunned silence from the Konohan unit. Disbelief and shock hung into the air on thick waves that it made the two Akatsuki smile. So this group wasn't informed about it yet? "Then what's next?" Hidan asked, clenching his weapon tighter as excitement starts to flood him.
Kakashi clenched his hands. "Hell."
-o-o-o-
Hinata can't sleep.
Shifting to her side, she realized that she was not the only one who can't close her eyes for rest. Beside the crackling fire— was Itachi—sitting crossed legged on the ground. Suna was still a day's travel so there was no choice but to make camp tonight. The older Uchiha was staring at nothingness, his eyes blank and shadowy as if he was in deep thought.
"You can't sleep." Itachi stated.
Hinata blinked, a little surprised that he was aware even though she was not saying anything. Looking into the flickering tongues of the fire, she took a deep breath. "No one would be able to sleep if they're on my state…Itachi-san."
"Ah."
When they were traveling earlier, Hinata's head was full of thoughts and ideas on how to end this whole nightmare. Yes, she gave them her word…but she was still hoping that she can find cracks…even just small ones for her to use.
Unfortunately, she found none. As long as the Jutsu was within Sasuke, she was nothing but a pawn…some kind of puppet.One wrong decision from her and it could end the Uchiha's life...
She can't have that.
Itachi watched from the corner of his eye as the girl propped herself up into a sitting position. Her hair was messy so she haphazardly pushed it behind her, lips pressed together in a thin line. Unconsciously, her gallant act for saving his brother replayed inside his mind.
She was brave…he would give her that.
Now, if only he could save her too. He knew he could just let her go, leave her and pretend that she escaped—but everyone from the organization knew what he was capable of. It would be too obvious if a mere kunoichi could outwit him. It was just too unbelievable…
"Sometimes…I wonder if there's some deeper reason for all your actions." Hinata's soft voice brought him back to the present. Puzzled, his head snapped to her direction. "I wonder…she continued. "If….If you really are what you are…Itachi-san."
What brought this up? Itachi wondered, still looking at her in a puzzled way.
Hinata looked at Sasuke's older brother. She really doesn't know what she was talking about or why she was bothering to talk to him but she was doing it anyway. She knew it was weird, but when her head was a little clearer, she pondered about everything…And it made her realize one thing.
There would always be reasons…reasons that could trigger someone to do the most impossible and maddest of things. Take for example herself…she was pushed into this for her own reasons right? Because she wanted to save the people she cared for.
Reasons…
Now what could his reason be? From the start, there was something different about this Uchiha…his personality changes depending on the people around him. He was reserved and frightening if he was with his fellow rogues…but he was more human with her.
Yes…he killed his whole clan…but why left his brother? He mentioned that he left him alive for he was weak and doesn't even deserved a single second of his time—but still— A life was spared. He killed his own parents didn't he? Why not finish everything and kill your little brother too?
It just doesn't make sense.
"What made you say those words?" Itachi asked.
"I don't know…I'm thinking a lot of things today….deep things."
"Hn."
"Itachi-san, I have a question…" The girl suddenly turned pensive. "If I am to be an Akatsuki…If I cannot always do what everyone wants me to do…does that mean I'm going to have punishments?"
Now it was Itachi's turn to think. To be honest, he has no idea. No one has ever disobeyed Pein's orders before…even though some tend to curse and threaten their leader in the face—just like Hidan always does. "Maybe."
"Then I guess I'm going to have a lot of them coming…" Hinata folded her hands and stared at them. "Even though I'm going to be an Akatsuki…I won't kill innocent people just because the leader ordered me to."
Itachi's lips curled at the sides. This heiress—he was sure—was going to make his mission harder than he suspected it would be. She was not that bendable girl he was expecting. She was not a puppet…she's the one who pulls her own strings. Not to mention that she was firm on her ground and she was also smart. It's going to be a challenge on how he was going to protect her…he was starting to get sure of it.
Hell…
"You are going to start training with each member as soon as we get to Suna." Itachi decided to let go of the topic. "You won't be able to take orders or missions yet…for quite some time so you can worry about that later. Akatsuki won't show you off unpolished…they are going to train you hard."
"I see…Ano…Is there a chance that those hard trainings can end one's life?" She asked again, almost hoping.
"Don't get your hopes too high."
Silence engulfs them again as the two let the sounds of insects filled their ears. The forest was eerily quiet around them. In normal nights, being in unknown forest would be a frightening feat, but Hinata knew there was no scarier life around these parts compared to the man sitting opposite her.
"Ah." Itachi twitched, and his hand involuntarily shot up to the deep wound on his shoulder. Giving up a low hiss, he studied the inflamed skin. The torn muscles are starting to swell and the blood clots are turning black.
Sasuke's hit was sure spot on.
Hinata saw the painful expression that passed on his usually impassive face, her eyes landing on the deep wound. She knew she saw some medicinal plants around here when they settled for camp…but she was not going to say anything.
No she's not. She's going to stay quiet and let him suffer his pain in silence.
He deserves it.
Hinata heard him hiss again and she turned his back on him, pretending not to notice. He deserves it. She kept telling herself as she began to pat the cold ground around her. When she settled herself, she stared at the dark sky and wondered if Sakura and Sasuke managed to return safely to the leaf.
Was her sacrifice worth it?
Just as she was about to close her eyes again, a black cloak found its way on her face and she sat up—startled— eyes looking at the man who was still holding his wounded arm.
"It's cold and that's thick." He told her, gesturing at the cloak. "It would serve as a good blanket."
Hinata glared at the dark cloth, wondering why the man's personality was so confusing it might just drive her mad. Sometimes, she can't help but notice the similarity of his attitude with his younger brother. They are just so…painstakingly unpredictable.
With a defeated sigh, the heiress stood up from her make-shift bed of dry leaves and soft grass. "I found some herbal plants that could help with the pain." She pointed at his arm. "I'll go get some…don't worry…I have no plans of escaping from you."
"I am not worried."
Hinata almost rolled her eyes. Now that's a second similarity…conceitedness.
Wondering why she was helping the same guy who abducted her in the first place, she figured that maybe, deep inside, she knew that Uchiha Itachi could make it worse for her. He could treat her with violence, or with spite.
But he did not… and besides, evil or good, a rebel or a friend…she can't stop herself from helping people…
She just can't.
The sharingan watched as Hinata's blue hair—now bluish black because of the night—started to fade away from his sight. Somehow, Hinata's presence was like a breath of fresh air for him.
Taking a soft breath, he shook his head.
She was going to bring something new in the Akatsuki…he was sure of that.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A year has passed.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Aburame Shino, the next clan head of the well-known bug wielder clan, was sitting alone on an empty training ground that in the past has served team eight as their unofficial training place. Kiba used to make a lot of practice dummies and Hinata would always bring ointments that—
Shino's jaw clenched at the thought.
Hinata…
The blue haired ex-heiress of the Hyuga clan entered his head. It's been a year since he last saw her but he could still hear her voice…gentle and sweet.
"Shino-kun…" The voice kept playing inside his head. "Shino-kun…Gomenasai…Shino-kun! I found a new bug species for you…Ano, d-do you wanna see? Shino-kun…Please take care I want y-you to be safe alright?"
How he missed her.
Hinata being the new member of the Akatsuki spread on the village like wildfire. Everyone was just plain shocked and the months that followed were the hardest for all. It was actually Sasuke and Sakura who brought the news, explaining that Hinata did it to save both of their lives.
It was considered a very brave thing to do…putting her friends' lives before her. Everyone considered the girl a hero…a real Shinobi of the leaf. Unfortunately, the firm stand that Hinata made for her friends just sacrificed her Shinobi life.
And the Hokage has no choice but to brand her as a rogue and placed her on the bingo book. It was the village law that made Tsunade do it. It was against everyone's will but it was just plain absolute law. Anyone who was going to be with the Akatsuki and call herself a member—even by unjust circumstances—would still be considered as a threat to any Shinobi village out there.
Tsunade explained that they could go after Hinata and bring her back as soon as the jutsu inside Sasuke could be removed. For one wrong move won't only endanger the Hyuga's life, but also Sasuke...so right now…they all need to accept the fact the Hinata won't be returning to them anytime soon.
It was actually a two-man trapped for the Uchiha and the Hyuga.
But damn….those times when he and Kiba tried to go after Hinata without permission from the Kage. They would leave the leaf in secret, both knowing what the risk was…but they just don't care. Even Neji was doing his own secret missions too…
And every time, they would come back feeling more disappointed and angry.
Shino heard a bark and it made his head wheel around, removing him from his pensiveness. Spotting Kiba who was racing against Akamaru, he gave his teammate a nod. "I did not know you were coming."
Kiba grinned. "Nah. I told you I'm free today."
Akamaru whined and plopped next to the Aburame. The giant ninken rested his giant head on the man's lap, waiting for a delicious scratch or two. When he received what he wanted, his tail wagged happily in the air, making his owner laugh.
"You little baby." Kiba taunted the dog.
"Arf!"
Looking up and glad that the weather was looking good, Kiba stretched his hands into the air and yawned. "Won't you go to the Hyuga compound? Your clan would be there."
"All of Konoha's clans would be there." Shino corrected.
"And as the Aburame heir, I suggest you clean up and show yourself." Kiba told him, one sharp tooth sticking out of his lip. "It would be impolite to decline the Hyuga clan's invitation."
"Aren't you the Inuzuka heir Kiba? Then you should be there too instead of telling me what to do." Shino answered in a gruff voice, black eye glasses glinting from the sun's light. "It's Hanabi's official proclamation of clan headship and you need to go there."
Suddenly, Kiba stomped his foot on the ground. "Idiot! You keep telling me to go there but you yourself are not going! How fair is that?"
"Well…your mom is scarier than mine. So I figured if our parents get angry…you're going to get the most of it not me."
The Inuzuka pondered at Shino's words, upon realizing that he has a point, Kiba collapsed on the grass beside Akamaru with a defeated sigh. "This is bullshit."
"Hn."
"Well…I still won't go." Kiba declared.
"Why?"
"You know very well why…and I know that we have the same reason for not going to the Hyuga's official proclamation today…" Kiba took a deep breath and covered his eyes with an arm—trying to block the blinding light of day. "Everything about the Hyuga's place would always remind us of Hinata-chan…and I doubt that one of Konoha eleven will be there…even if it was a year ago…some of us still can't accept the fact that no one could go after her."
"Neji would be there."
"Nah…I doubt that. Neji took Hinata's sacrifice the hardest. Remember how six Anbu's were needed just to stop him from going after her? You know…after he recovered from our encounter with Hidan and Kakuzu…"
"Of course. I was there."
-o-o-o-
(f) Naruto placed his hand firmly on the Uchiha's shoulder and pushed him down back to his chair. "Damn it Teme! Would you at least listen to Tsunade Baa-chan first before going into a rampage?"
Sasuke gritted his teeth. "I'm fine now…I just need to go after them. Hokage-sama…their trail is still fresh. I can track it down with ease."
"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura interrupted, fingers emitting greenish chakra. "You need to calm down…Here…" She placed her glowing hands on Sasuke's back. "It will help you relax."
Tsunade's face was stoic as she studied the three faces in front of her. "And do you want to get yourself killed Sasuke? You said so yourself…one wrong move from both of you and it might endanger your life."
"I know…but—"
Tsunade shook her head. " I won't allow it. Hinata is brave to take the burden on her shoulders and I praise her for that. But I can't allow another one of my best nins to put his life on the line too."
"Shinobi always put their lives on the line…Hokage-sama."
"Yes…but it's also my job to look after the safety of my Shinobi." The Hokage smirked. "I know you Uchiha. If you put your mind into it… You won't hesitate to leave all the rules out. You are my Anbu captain…remember that. You have responsibilities here."
Naruto can feel Sasuke's shoulders tremble. He was like a teapot full of hot water and he looks like he might explode any minute. "Tsunade-Baachan…can't we do anything about this? We just can't leave Hinata-chan with the Akatsuki."
The female sannin diverted her gaze from the Uchiha to the Uzumaki. "If I would send Sasuke out…he's going to die. His brother inserted some kind of jutsu induced chakra in his system and one move from him will surely end his life. Now tell me Naruto…would you want me to send Sasuke and officially end his life? It's going to be a suicidal mission and there is no guarantee that he could bring the heiress back."
Naruto's lips formed into a thin line. "I can go. I'll go rescue Hinata-chan myself."
"Then what made you think they won't kill Sasuke if you're the one to go after her?" Tsunade asked. "It's a trap Naruto…there's no way out.
Naruto growled, defeated. The Hokage has a point and the truth behind her words was solid enough to make him think in a rational way. "But I can't let Hinata-chan stay with those rogue nins! What about the Hyuga clan? They won't allow this…there would be coup d'état if they knew you gave an order to pull back the retrieval mission. It's going to be like what happened with Sasuke's clan all over again."
"Hyuga Hiashi is different compared to Fugaku Uchiha. No offense Sasuke, but your father's goal was putting his own class first, though I won't say that it's a bad thing…for its not." Tsunade gave Sasuke a look. "The Hyuga head would always put village ahead of everything…including the safety of his own daughter. Hyugas…it runs in their blood and sacrifice is not a rare thing for them. His twin, Hisashi Hyuga…has sacrificed himself for the village in the past too."
"Neji's dad."
"Right. Neji's father."
"So you are expecting that the Hyuga head would sacrifice his daughter just like that Baa-chan?" Naruto raised his hands in disbelief. "So it's just like that?"
"No…but I am expecting him to understand that right now…his daughter's retrieval is impossible."
Haruno Sakura looked at Sasuke. "But we can try removing whatever Itachi inserted into you Sasuke-kun…I can promise we can try…"
"Yes." Tsunade agreed, clicking her hot red fingernails on the wooden desk. "I'll try to remove it myself…though jutsus like that are very complicated."
Sasuke stared at the wise sannin's eyes. There were sharp and cautious. Somehow, he suspects that something much, much deeper was going on. Tsunade never acts so idle…it was just not like her. "You have endured far more threats and dangerous situations in the past…Hokage-sama…and as a shinobi of the leaf, I trust you as my Hokage. But if something goes wrong…I would take it on account that you're the one who made this decision."
"All of this is already so wrong…" Naruto mumbled, shaking his head with disagreement. (f)
Tsunade closed the door of her office and stared at the shadows. It was already night time and Konaha's winds are starting to get colder. Adjusting the binds of her green robe, she stood from her desk and walked to the open terrace. "How is she?"
From the shadows, emerged a man, his black cloak blending perfectly with the night. If one would look closely, it could be seen that he was kneeling, head bowed in respect. " She's fine Hokage-sama. The Hyuga is doing well…the Akatsuki leader has ordered that she stayed with each member for a few months and do training. She's not assigned on any missions so far so the bigger problems are not yet to be faced."
"Hn." The blonde crossed her arms over her ample chest. "I assumed that you have been watching closely..?"
"I do. " The cold voice replied. "I always have…though mostly from afar. I cannot interfere if she's being trained with the other members, for they gave me missions of my own. I watched her usually with my other eyes."
"The crows…" Tsunade clarified. "Has the girl turned sides? It's been a year…"
"No. Her heart is still loyal…it was only the knowledge of getting my younger brother killed that she's keeping with us for these past months…"
"How could you tell?"
"I can see it…in her eyes."
The Hokage nodded, staring back into the shadows, she studied the man's handsome face. "Itachi…how long do you think we could keep this up? When I branded the girl as a rogue…hell really broke lose here in Konoha. Not to mention that I have to pretend that I can't heal Sasuke. It's a blow on my abilities as a medical nin…well, there's nothing to heal really…for the jutsu you performed was actually a healing jutsu." The sannin gave a low chuckle. "You really look after your brother…but all your brother ever want was to kill you."
"It's the best thing to do at that time…Hokage-sama. Though I need to ask you to let my brother out of our way as long as you could…" Uchiha Itachi raised himself upright. "As for the Hyuga, I'll bring her back as soon as I know the real plans."
"I trust you in this Itachi, but I want you to do one thing…"
"Anything Hokage-sama…"
"Don't let the girl fall too deep into the darkness."
"She won't…she's our light." With a bow, Itachi Uchiha—Konoha's well known rogue nin—materialized into a pack of crows and flew into the night.
-o-o-o-
Perched on the highest tree branch with a covered face and a brown straw hat, a lean figure wearing a black Akatsuki cloak was observing the small clearing around with sharp, white eyes. The forest winds suddenly blew a little stronger and lift the hat off…
Revealing long, blue hair.
"I see you!" Kisame growled from behind, sword in hand and his posture in mid-swing.
The blue-haired figure leaped off the branch easily, landing on the ground with a graceful thud. Crouching, she pulled out a pair of kunai and leaped back, hands twirling the bladed weapons playfully before throwing them at the attacker—who deflected it with his sword rather heavy-handedly.
"Missed." Kisame called out, lips curled into a smile.
"Wrong." His opponent answered back, pointing above him just in time for him to hear a cracking sound. When he looked up, he saw a glinting kunai on one of the branches—to be specific, the branch that was about to fall over him.
It did…and it hit him squarely on the face.
"Holy shit!" The shark-like man rubbed his face while he squatted on the ground, throwing his sword on the grass. "Ow."
Removing her mask, Hinata gave a low smile. "Kisame-Niisan…that's twice in a row."
"Yeah…Yeah…you're getting good. Happy now?" The older man shook his head. "Damnit woman…Why do I still train you anyway? you should go and train with someone else…"
"Well…there's only one remaining Akatsuki that I haven't' train with…considering that Pein-san is off limits and Zetsu is not really instructor-worthy." Hinata helped the guy up. "It's Itachi-san…and I haven't seen him in four months."
"Well…he's on a job. He should be returning anytime soon."
-o-o-o-
Here ends the chapter.
I know…I know…a lot of questions in the air. I'll try to cope with all that in the following chapters okay? : ) oh…and I would be happy if you could give me reviews and suggestions. I think I'm going to have a writer's block.
For those requesting for ItaHina and SasuHIna interactions…just wait for the next chap.
-crazygurl12