I still suck at past and present tense…
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
-o-o-o-
Chapter Twenty Three
Tsunade smirked, and then a sarcastic smile formed on her lips as she saw the temporary outburst from the teenager. "You want to ask me that? Fine. I'll give you the answer heiress…" She let the last word hover into the air just to make things a little more dramatic. She was a proud woman—and no fifteen year old would talk to her like shit….heiress or not. "For a sister, your words are not too strong for you…but for a kunoichi and one of the prodigies in your clan—I would say that your outburst is rather childish."
Hanabi frowned. This was not the answer she was expecting. "Childish?"
"Konoha is a Shinobi village…a military place where decisions are always based on how to keep and maintain the leaf's power and safety above all else. Hinata made a very mature decision Hanabi…compared to your childish whines." The sannin leaned back on her chair, glad that the girl was all ears. "Hinata acted as a true Kunoichi and a true heiress…she has pledge herself to protect the village above all else and that's what she did…surely you would understand because you are also a kunoichi. You know Sasuke Uchiha is the last sharingan bearer in Konoha…Yes, there's Kakashi, but it won't pass on his genes because he's not a dojutsu user by birth. If Sasuke dies…we will lost that incredible weapon…"
"But if Hinata dies…you still a clan full of Byakugan users." Hanabi finished, bitter bile rising on her throat. "Talking about value."
Tsunade knew that she may sound so evil or uncaring for the Hyuga girl, but there was no other choice. She has to slap her with a military leader's point of view in order to keep Hinata in the Hyuga clan. It was the least she could do for her sacrifice. "And by doing that, she protected one of Konoha's weapons…and thus, also protects you."
-o-o-o-
Deidara watched as Itachi placed the unconscious girl down on the hard, old bed. He was summoned by Zetsu to do some bounty work and decided to stop on one of their cave hideouts just for the night. The blonde would have love to rest in peace and quiet….unfortunately, he got some unexpected company.
And unexpected company he doesn't like. Especially the ones that he can't kill.
Kisame plopped on a chair, hands pressed on a bleeding wound. "Fucking wound…" He muttered with a bored tone. He knew the small cut would heal fast—he always heals fast—but the irritating itch it might bring once it started to heal is annoying.
That stupid bug Anbu...
"Oy…trouble on the way? Yeah?" The blonde asked, eyes still on the Hyuga. She was pretty—he would give her that. "And why is she unconscious?"
There was no reply from the two newly arrived men. Kisame was looking annoyed while Itachi was pensive as he hovered over the unconscious girl. Deidara crossed his arms and puffed some air, blowing his long bangs away from his face for a second. "Acting mysterious yeah?" He smirked. "And I thought you're on your way to the hideout where Tobi and Pein are staying for the meantime."
"We'll continue on our way tomorrow…" Kisame gritted his teeth as if he remembered something that irritates him. Glaring at Itachi, whose eyes were on the Hyuga. He muttered through clenched teeth. "If only those two idiots…
"Kisame." Itachi called, his tone a warning.
"I need fresh air." The tallest man removed Samehada off his back and placed it gently beside the bed where Hinata was. Patting the weird looking live weapon, he pointed at the men. "Bite the hands off these suckers if they touch Hinata in any way that's immodest."
The sword in response, shivered.
Itachi even in his impassiveness can't help himself but smirk. It seems like a reversal of roles. Kisame was now the one who was becoming a little more protective for the Hyuga girl.
"Heh. Nice words coming from the most perverted of the group. When Hidan died…you took the first place in the pervert department." Deidara jeered but it fell on deaf ears. Kisame was already out of the door, slamming it behind him with a flourish. Sensing something weird, the blonde focused his attention to the remaining man. "Hey…Kisame's quiet. What the hell is wrong with him?"
Itachi's eyes were still on the door where Kisame disappeared seconds ago. He knew what bothers the shark man. Their encounter with the Anbu nins brought his past issues in dealing with comrades against duty.
And what Hinata and those Anbu did—was like a living proof of his mistake.
"So you're giving me silent treatment yeah?" Deidara crossed his arms, glaring at the sharingan user. Hell, he always hated this Uchiha. His high and mighty ways were so annoying he just wants to blow him to pieces.
Yeah…Blow him to bits and make him his wonderful art.
"I need you to leave us."
The blonde blink. "What the hell did you just say?"
"I need you to leave." Itachi repeated. His voice cold yet it has authority in it. "There are other rooms in this cave. You can use any of them."
"Who are you to order me?"
"She's Akatsuki…she needs her own privacy and rest. I'm going to follow you out just as soon as I tend to her eyes. Pein won't be happy if something happens to the Byakugan." Itachi answered, face revealing nothing but apathy.
Mentioning Pein's name and the Byakugan seems an enough excuse to persuade the blonde. Rising from his chair grumpily, he gave Itachi one last glare before stalking out of the room, all the while muttering vile curses under his breath. When Deidara was gone, Itachi bent his head down and stared at the Hyuga's face—wanting to see if some veins on her temples were damaged. Earlier, she used her maximum chakra in one surge it was a little alarming to think what it might do to her body. When he found none, he decided it was better to leave her and let her rest until she regains her strength.
He was about to straighten up but something caught his attention—making him pause and stare.
On the side of Hinata's closed eyes…were tears.
"…gomenasai…" A soft whimper came out of her mouth and startled him for a second. Maybe the girl was dreaming on her unconscious state. "Gomenasai…" She whispered again. This time, it made Itachi stare at her unconsciously. Her brows were quite furrowed, giving her the impression that she was on a mental strain.
Then the most unanticipated thing happened.
Hinata's hand shot up and grabbed him by his cloak's collar. The gesture was so unexpected even his reflexes were not good enough to avoid her grasp. With a surprised grunt, he fell on top of the girl and was more surprised when she buried her face on his chest.
"Gomensai Neji-Niisan!" Hinata sobbed. Her voice was muffled on Itachi's chest and her grip on her collar tightened. Itachi looked stunned. "Gomenasai!"
(f) "No freaking way." Kisame looked taken aback as he looked at Itachi. "You're going to have all the fun again? Be fair Itachi. We are a pair after all."
Hinata's heart was pounding like crazy and her mind was temporary blank as she watches the two masked nins descend from a tree and land on the soft soil with a tense posture. One took away his mask, only to reveal that he was as wide eyed and shocked as her.
It was Neji. He was staring straight into her eyes, Byakugan activated. "H-Hinata-sama…"
"Another Hyuga?" Kisame muttered as he looked at her trembling form. "You know them Hinata-chan?" The girl was pale…paler than she normally was. He put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle shove. "Hey…say something."
Shino was the first one to recover from the unexpected surprise. "Our mission is the scroll…" He said, trying to sound in control. In truth, it takes all of his willpower not to run to where Hinata was. He was not able to see her in a year…and seeing her right now, alive and breathing floods him with too much emotion.
But he got to remind himself that she was with two Akatsuki members.
Damn...
He really, really, wanted to hold her…very , very, bad.
"I…I can't let her go again." Neji answered slowly, eyes glued on the blue haired girl. "Go with the scroll Shino. I'll stay and do what I can to take her back."
"You know we don't stand a chance…let alone you." The bug wielder adjusted the thin strap of his mask. "Neji…It could endanger Sasuke's life too. Our mission is about the scroll—and as long as they don't do anything against us first…we have no reason to attack." Shino doesn't want to sound like a jerk—his and Neji's feelings at seeing Hinata are the same—but one harsh decision might put not just three but four lives on the line.
Hinata, Neji, Him, and Sasuke.
Itachi can feel the distress vibrating from the girl. When he turned his head to take a glance, he saw that her eyes were starting to turn teary. She was looking at the two Anbu nins like she was on grave pain. Kisame felt it too, but his hand was still gripping the handle of Samehada—although he was not as enthusiastic as before.
"She won't go with us as long as she knew Sasuke's life is on the line Neji." Shino reminded the Hyuga.
"I know."
"But I can get you two to talk…just for a few seconds. It's a short time but it's better than nothing." Shino suddenly suggested and raise his hands. Beetles suddenly came out of his vest, collar, and any hole on his clothing. Shino knew it was dangerous for his physical body to empty all of his beetles all at once, but they won't let Hinata leave their sight without a few words with her.
Thousands of beetles formed a dark cloud above them and thousands more were still pouring out from the Aburame's body. For a moment, Neji was stunned at Shino's proposal—but realized that time was ticking. "Arigatou, Shino." The Hyuga began to perform a stance for a gentle fist technique. He knew what Shino was thinking…
"Tell Hinata I… that I…"
"I know." Neji answered, giving Shino a nod. "Here I go."
Hinata saw a dark cloud of beetles swooped down on them in large numbers. It was too fast but she was able to see Neji do a rotation of continues gentle fist technique—and he was spinning nearer and nearer to them. Kisame cursed as he brandished his sword. A small group of beetles landed on his arm and he swatted them like flies.
They were not really threats. They were just annoying.
"Take Hinata away." Itachi commanded, his hands locked together as he performed hand signs.
Beetles began to form a small circle around the Hyuga girl. Kisame tried many times to grab her but the bloody beetles kept on coming. They were not really attacking him—well, they still bite—but it seems they are planning on separating the girl from them.
Hinata gasped when she saw Neji's rotation just a foot away. In a swift motion, Neji stopped and pulled Hinata's hand, just as Shino's beetles made a cocoon around them. It was actually Shino's plan, to sacrifice his insects and create a diversion while Hinata and Neji talked…and it all depends on how long his bugs could hold the two Akatsuki members back.
Itachi pressed two fingers on his lips then blew. Fire came out of his mouth, incinerating hundreds of beetles in just one blow. Kisame on the other hand was gritting his teeth as he looked at the Anbu that controls these damn insects.
It seems like before he could get to him, he needs to kill all of these bloody bugs first. The beetles were trying to block him every time he makes a move of going to where the bug wielder was.
"Fine." The shark man gritted his teeth. "I'll kill all of your fucking bugs first then I'll mutilate you."
Inside the cocoon, Hinata's eyes widened as she was locked into her cousin's tight embrace. "Hinata-sama."
"Neji-Niisan!" Tears where pooling out of her eyes now. Her hands wrapped around her cousin in response. "Nii-san…You should get away while you can." Hinata tried to break the contact in order to talk some sense into him but her cousin's arms did not loosen around her. Instead, they only tightened.
"We just have seconds Hinata-sama. I prefer to hold you this way while I can." Neji whispered, gritting his teeth at the pain of leaving her in the hands of these criminals again. "I know you won't go with me even if I plead."
"Nii-san." Hinata buried her face on the male's chest. "Gomenasai…"
"Shino misses you a lot too. We all do."
Hinata bit her lip hard. "Gomenasai...as much as I want to come with you. I can't go…Sasuke's life…"
"I know Hinata-sama…but tell me, are the hurting you?"
The girl shook her head. "I'm a member...not a prisoner anymore."
There was an explosion, and the cocoon of beetles around them thinned alarmingly. Neji has to break contact and began to perform his stance again. It looks like their time is up. It was painfully fast but it was better than nothing. "Hinata-sama…I'll find you again. I promise."
"Neji-Niisan…"
"Take care of yourself…and please…don't die."
With those words, Neji pushed her out of the cocoon and leaped as fast as he could away from the Akatsuki members while Shino's beetles were still plenty enough to give him cover.
Itachi saw the girl tumble out of the "shield". In truth, he was moving quite slow and his attacks were just minimal. If he so choose, he knew he could break into the "cocoon" easily…but the cocoon was unmoving, and the bug wielder was not even attacking them—it looks like he was just trying to buy those people inside a few seconds of time. Kisame on the other hand was pissed big time. Dropping his sword on the ground, he kneeled and performed a hand seal. No one was getting away from an Akatsuki…No one.
Hinata saw Kisame perform the hand signs and the attack was no doubt directed to Neji. Even with the bugs as his shield, she knew it won't stand a chance against the shark man's unbelievable strength. Kisame's chakra was comparable to the tailed beasts…and every attack he makes will always be life-threatening.
She has to save Shino and Neji…she must help them flee.
The Hyuga ran and activated her Byakugan. She stopped in front of the Akatsuki and at the same time, has summoned all of her chakra into her palms. A small part of her mind tells her it's dangerous to extract her chakra so fast in such big quantity…but a bigger part of her heart tells her to so do.
With a scream—and her Kekkei genkai at its highest peak—Hinata wheeled herself around in a rotation for a gentle fist. She was not going to hurt Kisame-Niisan, she was just going to block his attack.
Kisame's marble-like eyes widened in surprise as the girl positioned herself on the way. He was already on the stage of heaving a powerful water release technique on the fleeing Anbu nins and even though he wanted to stop—he can't do anything for it was a second too late to pull his arms back.
He knew he was going to hit the Hyuga—until Itachi appeared next to him and grabbed his hand. The Uchiha pulled his arm back, diverting the release technique in a different direction. It landed on a thick group of trees behind a few meters behind them with a loud splashing sound.
For a second, everyone was quiet. Hinata stopped rotating when she realized that Itachi interfered with Kisame's attack…when she was sure that Neji and Shino were already gone.
Kisame stood frozen while staring at the Hyuga.
Itachi was just plain impassive.
"What the fuck are you doing Hinata?" The shark man growled when he regained his composure. "You trying to die or something?"
"G-Gomenasai."
"Fuck!" Kisame swore as he clenches his fists. "You are an Akatsuki! But you helped those jerks to get away! Fuck!" It was unbelievable. He was so pissed he could just strangle her—just enough to teach her a lesson.
Hinata looked at the angry shark-man. "Kisame-Niisan…" Tears were pooling out of her eyes and she was starting to get dizzy—the result of too much chakra use. "G-Gomenasai…I can't let anything happen to my comrades. They just want to talk."
"Bullshit!"
"One of them is my cousin…the other one my best friend." Hinata held her ground. "You could punish me. I will accept that. But I want you to know that I will always protect my comrades above all else. Kisame-Nii…I want you to know that I also treat you as one…and I won't hesitate to give my life if you are in danger too."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes…Because that's what comrades do." Hinata muttered just at the same time for her knees to shake. With a sharp intake of breath, she collapsed—and fell into Kisame's arms.
"You treat me as your comrade…" Kisame said, his voice not as angry as she thought it would be.
"And a friend…" The Hyuga muttered before she succumbed into the darkness that was starting to engulf her. Neji and Shino was safe…that's all that matters for now. (f)
-o-o-o-
Sasuke removed his mask and threw it on the bed. He did not bother to turn on the lights. He preferred his room to be dark. Silently, he started to remove his gear that was starting to smell of blood, sweat, and dirt. His hands felt sticky and he grimaced when he remembered that it was matted with blood too.
Hell…he needed a bath.
Stripping off his clothes, the Uchiha tossed them into a hamper and walked to the bathroom where he turned on the shower. Stepping into the sprinkling water, he was glad that it was cold and somehow, the coldness stings his skin, making him numb. Washing off the grime and blood was easy…but trying to wash off the feeling of blood lust was another thing.
After a few minutes, he was out of the bathroom fresh and clean—a towel was wrapped around his waist and another was placed on top of his head. Tossing the towel that was on top of his head into a rack, he smirked. "I know you're there. I'm not an idiot."
In the darkest part of the room, Haruno Sakura emerged. "Sasuke…"
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Here ends the chappie! I want to update today because it's my last update for the week. I'm going on a five day hiatus…lol. I'm going to spend a few days with my grandparents in a farm full of chickens, dogs, and water buffalos…yippie! (Don't worry…maybe I'll update sooner if I get a little persuasion *wiggles eyebrows* If you know what I mean.)
Tamani: Thank you for the correction! You are soo nice…and I really have fun reading your reviews. Hugs*
My shout outs this time is for the guest reviewers who review my work every now and then.
See you next chap!
-crazygurl12