This is another one those "bridge" chapters. (I'm sorry for updating late. End of my semestral break and my boring classes starts again…Don't worry, I will still update as fast as I can. I'm playing with so many ideas I am so excited to write the next chapter…)
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
-o-o-o-
Chapter Twenty Six
(f)Itachi took her right arm firmly and hoisted her up from ground. Hinata's face felt hot and even if the night breeze was cold, she was hyperventilating. Maybe it was the fact that Itachi just confirmed that he was acting like some sort of spy for Konoha…
And that he just kissed her moments ago, demanding that she act like his lover from now on.
Good heavens…
There are a lot of questions running around her mind right now, and she knew that she won't be able to stop herself until she get the answers out of him…truthful answers. Though she figured that these questions can wait –for she needs to focus her attention on the blue-skinned Akatsuki storming out of the house like a madman—Samehada on his grip and a frightening scowl on his shark-like face.
"Itachi you bastard." Kisame growled.
Hinata raised her hands up, wanting to stop any argument before it could start. Even though she was awfully confused right now, she could still think clearly enough to know that if things heated up and turn into a fight—it would really be serious a trouble. "Kisame-Nii—"She started, wanting to calm the man down. "I can—Oh!"
She was not able to finish her words though, for she felt Itachi's left arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Hinata squeaked, afraid that it would make Kisame angrier—and to think that he already looks like he could eat Itachi in just one bite.
The shark-like man looks really scary..
Behind Kisame, Deidara giggled—clearly enjoying the live amusement unfolding before his eye. "I told you he was a pervert. Yeah?" The blonde said, glancing at Hinata with a wink "His charms getting into you Hinata-chan?"
"Itachi…" It was KIsame. "She's an Akatsuki…treat her as such. You can't just drag her out and do whatever you like. She's not a prisoner anymore."
"Ano…Nii-san…" Hinata tried to speak again, disregarding the pain on her head and eyes. The sudden use of her kekkei genkai must have triggered the pain to increase. "Itachi-san and—"
"I treat her as such." Itachi answered coolly, cutting the Hyuga's words like the first time she was trying to get the, out."And I have to say that starting tonight, I have to treat her more than that."
"What do you mean?" Kisame asked—or growled, his blue fish-like eyes landed on Hinata. When the ex-Kiri Shinobi catches her eyes, she can't help but drop her head low. Hinata was feeling like a kid who has done something terrible.
Itachi smirked. "She's my lover." (f)
Hinatachewed the inside of her cheek as she gently knocked on Kisame's room. They just arrived on their new hideout and after a short meeting with Pein—who was very supportive of her and Itachi's so called "relationship"—were dismissed to their respective rooms.
Deidara was not around anymore. He parted from them hours ago before they could reach the hideout. He said that he has some bounty hunting to do on a small town near the boundaries of Sunagakure and he doesn't. Mentally, Hinata was a little relieved that the art loving tattletale won't stay on the same hideout as them—Deidara always finds things to mess up.
She heard a snort inside the room.
"Nii-san. Can you open up please?" She tapped on the wooden door again, this time a little harder. "Kisame Nii…"
"What?" She heard him ask but the door remained closed. Sighing, Hinata turned her back on the old wood and lean on it. It seems that Kisame won't let her in—maybe he was still angry at her about last night?
"Nii-san…stop sulking." She said and her voice low. She was trying to hide the amusement from her tone but the older man was acting like a sulky big brother—and it's actually cute. It reminds her of Neji and her male teammates, Kiba and Shino. "Kisame-Nii...I know your angry with me but—"
"Why should I be angry with you?" He called back. "And I'm not sulking."
"Come on Kisame-Nii…I know—Oh!" With a startled gasp, Hinata found herself falling backwards. The door behind her opened suddenly and she was not expecting it.
But before she could hit the dusty old floor, Kisame grabbed her arm and pulled her right back up. "Hey…" He glared at her. "Be careful…or do you want to kiss the floor?"
"Gomen…"
"What do you want?"
"Nii-san…" She stepped into the room, noticing that some of Kisame's packs were haphazardly tossed onto the floor. Without permission, she began to pick the clothes and other things he messily threw around the room. As she did, she noticed that the shark man seated himself on the floor –he was not looking at her.
This guy is worse than her Neji-Nii when he was sulking…
After picking up the rest of his things, she began to neatly return them inside his packs in a more organized way. She then placed the packs under the bed. "There…" She gave him a faint smile.
"Tell your lover he's a bastard." The older man suddenly stated, crossing his arms on top of his muscled chest. "A perverted bastard."
Hinata sighed. "Nii-san…"
"If something's going on between the two of you from the start, at least you could have told me…" There's that sulky voice again. Still smiling, Hinata seated herself beside her fellow Akatsuki. "I'm sorry…everything was quite unexpected Nii-san."
"Unexpected my ass."
"I-I can make it up to you…" She offered. "Just don't stay angry at me alright?"
"No thanks."
"I'll cook your favorite." She wiggled her eyebrows playfully at her "big brother". "Itachi brought a lot of food from the last town that we passed by…I can cook you a vegetable stew. It's your favorite right Nii-san?"
Kisame scoffed then glared at her, wondering how she could wrap him up on her little finger. "Be sure to add a lot of cabbage…" He answered gruffly— then as if he remembered something important—the shark-man wiggled his forefinger in front of Hinata's face. "And don't give Itachi the vegetable stew. Just cook for me."
-o-o-o-
(f) Sasuke stood motionless after hearing Kiba's report on his latest mission with his team. The Uchiha just finished reporting to the Hokage about his own mission when the Inuzuka barged into the office—looking in haste and anxious. Silently, Sasuke retreated in a corner when Kiba began to give his account.
Sasuke would have left already, since it was not really in his place to mind other shinobi's business—but when Kiba mentioned something about an encounter with Kumo's Shinobi—He decided to listen. Besides, Hinata was on this mission too.
And when Kiba said something about Hinata being wounded, and that she was still unconscious when they brought her back, Sasuke's jaw clamped behind the mask and his body suddenly taunt like a string.
"It's a head injury…Hokage-sama."
Tsunade's lips pressed into a thin line, face grim. "Where is she now?" She asked Kiba.
"We brought her to the hospital. Ino-chan and Sakura chan are tending to her right now." Kiba answered, his face contorted with worry. "Hokage-sama…I know I am in no place to ask this of you…but can you go and check on Hinata-chan? I…I mean we—would all be at ease if you could see her condition yourself."
Tsunade nodded, rising from her chair. She has a lot of paper works waiting for her but she knew she needs to see the heiress. Paper works could wait…A life can't. "Very well…I'll go and see her right now. Kiba, I need an official report from you tomorrow morning. It should be on my desk no later than noon." The lady sannin then gestured at the motionless Anbu. "You can go now. I'll summon you later…"
"Hai." Kiba sighed with relief—matching the same relief sound that came from the Anbu. "Arigatou Tsunade-sama."
When the two left, Sasuke jumped out of the large terrace-like window of the Hokage tower, landing on a roof and began running to where the Konoha's hospital is located. When he reached the place, he saw that there are a lot of people clustering outside the center. There are Hyugas—a few were looking worried while others where just plain curious. He saw Neji—the most worried looking Hyuuga of all, talking to Tenten who looks like she was trying to ease his nerves.
Shino Aburame was leaning on a tree not far from the hospital. His coat still filthy and muddy—a sign that he was not able to change after coming back from his mission. There were also blood stains. Sasuke figured that he was the one who rushed Hinata to the Hospital while Kiba was reporting to the Kage.
Shino tilted his head to the side—and their eyes met.
With a curt nod for the bug welder, Sasuke leaped back on a tree—choosing to be hidden from view. He has no idea if Shino knew that it was him, but it's better not to get any more attention to himself. Looking down and trying to figure what to do next—he saw the cluster of people breaking apart when the lady Kage arrived. All heads bowed in respect as Tsunade made her way into the medical center.
Guess he has to wait…
Sasuke doesn't know how many hours have passed, but he just waited. He was worried about Hinata's condition but knew he can't do anything to help—Medics are those people who are really needed right now. Looking down again, he saw Neji come out of the building's exit door, looking relieved. Tenten was following behind him. She was smiling wide. She then raised her hands into the air with a deep breath. "I'm glad Hinata's okay."
"Hai." Neji smiled back. "Good thing the damage was not bad… the only setbacks are a few forgotten memories. Tsunade-sama said that it was because of the impact on her head…Nothing too serious…though it would come back in time."
"Well…She's just going to forget a few things…" Tenten said happily. "A few memories are nothing. We could always make new ones for her to remember…and we can always tell her the things she might forget. It's better than not remembering us at all. "
"You're right." (f)
"And of all the things to forget…she forgets most of our time together." Sasuke murmured to himself as he returned back to painful reality. He knew he was getting her to like him back…he could feel it—but after that incident, he has to start again from scratch…
He has to gain her trust and affections again—and even though he was willing—it was not an easy thing to do, especially when no one knew of his affections aside from Hinata…no one can help him make her remember the things that happened when they were together.
And before he could return everything back into place, his bastard of a brother kidnapped Hinata and forced her into joining the Akatsuki.
Talking about right timing...
"Ohayo…Sasuke-San."
Sasuke tensed, and then swiftly rose from the soft grass that he was lying on. He was so engrossed with his thoughts that he failed to keep his guard up. Looking around—at the same time sensing light chakra—he stared into big, white eyes.
White eyes that reminds him painfully of Hinata.
"Hyuga Hanabi…"
"Ohayo Sasuke-san…thinking about Hinata-Nee this early aren't we?" The girl smiled.
"Wha—"
"I heard you speak her name…"
(f) He saw her lying on the hospital bed. Her eyes were closed and her breathing painfully raspy.
Hinata was asleep.
Landing on the polished hospital floor, Sasuke closed the window and stood next to her bed, his eyes on the white strip of cloth that was wrapped around her forehead. Gently, he touched her cheek. He could see a lot of bruises on her arms and there's one evil looking gash on the side of her neck.
Hinata opened her eyes.
Sasuke smiled. "Hina."
"Sasuke-kun?" She called, blinking her ivory orbs and looking like she was confused.
Very, very confused.
Sasuke's smile vanished. She called him Sasuke-kun…No, that doesn't sound right. They have stopped with honorifics weeks ago…Hinata now calls her Sasu—It's kind of a nickname she made up for him. "Are you alright?" He touched her left cheek, wanting to see if she's hot. Maybe it's just the fever…
Hinata seems embarrassed at the contact. "Ano…I'm alright now Sasuke-kun…Arigatou."
"Why do you call me that?"
"Wh-what?"
"Sasuke-kun…Call me Sasu."
Hinata frowned. "I have always called you Sasuke-kun…It w-would be disrespectful if I—"
The Uchiha suddenly took one of her hands and encased it with his own. "Hinata…what's the last thing you remembered between us? Can you tell me?" He saw her think, eyes lowered in concentration.
"Ano…lady Tsunade told me I might forget some things…the wound on my head—"
"I know." Sasuke said softly. "Just...Just tell me."
"Our mission together…I remember that." Hinata started, chewing her lower lip. "T-that time in the alley" Hinata blushes a deep shade of red. "W-when you helped me a few times during training….When you took me with you in your apartment—"
Sasuke frowned."Is that all? Do you remember anything about…about the night after the Moon festival?"
Hinata shook her head. "Gomenasai…I remember nothing about that. Ano…was it supposed to be important?" She asked him, white eyes worried. "Now that I think about it…its one of the few things I can't recall Sasuke-kun…everything seems alright."
The Uchiha let go of Hinata's hand and touched a throbbing nerve on his forehead. "It's important for me…" (f)
-o-o-o-
Hinata was glad that even if the hideout was almost very old, the kitchen was clean and has the necessary utensils for cooking. Maybe Konan was the one who cleaned the place up? As the water on the pan began to boil, the blue haired Hyuga began to chop the cabbages she found on the cupboard. She was glad to see that they have a lot of stash of food. It's a good change compared to the last hideout…all they could eat was gruel.
Itachi managed to buy them food and vegetables on a town near Kiri. Thanks to him they now have a week's supply of vegetables, salted meat, and some preserves.
Itachi…
Hinata took a deep breath, trying to shake off the memory about the Uchiha—memory that involves ground tackling and a short kiss…
I still can't believe that Sasuke's older brother kissed me. Hinata thought grimly.
Itachi is a cunning person, he knew what he was doing and would always be ahead of everything. The man makes plans ahead of plans…and that's what makes him reliable. If he plans on something…it tends to turn out right.
And that fact also makes him frightening.
But somehow, she could not fathom why he killed his clan…his parents…and left his brother, just so he could be a spy amidst the group of rebels? For hours, she would find herself trying to get answers, trying to find the loophole or just anything that could give her clues…
She could find no answers.
No…it must be something deeper than that….and that's what I need to know. Hinata thought, hands working on the food while her head was elsewhere. Deeper reasons…darker ones.
"Oh! You're cooking!" Someone hollered from the door, making Hinata stop whatever she was doing and stared at the newcomer. "T-Tobi-san…" She greeted when she saw a masked man poking his head inside the kitchen. He was one of the Akatsuki members that Hinata was not able to spend a lot of time with. It seems like Tobi has a lot of work that includes going to different places.
He always wears an orange mask with only one hole where the eyes should be—making Hinata wonder if he has only one good eye. He never took the mask off—as far as she knew—and she even doubted if anyone in the Akatsuki knew what his face looks like.
"What are you cooking?" The masked man asked, stepping inside the kitchen as he tilted his head up—Hinata guessed that he was sniffing the air. Now that she pondered upon it, Tobi always acts like a bubbly kind of guy. He was loud and sometimes…well, stupid and funny. But something about this masked man just unnerves her, Hinata doesn't know exactly the reason why, but she has a feeling that inside of that bubbly attitude—something far darker is lurking.
"Smells good too…" She heard him say.
"Ano…its vegetable stew." For Kisame-Niisan. Hinata added mentally.
"Really? Wow! I love vegetable stew." The male exclaimed happily. Without further ado, Tobi seated himself on one of the chairs facing the counter, and like a kid that's excited for food; he grabbed himself a bowl and waited expectantly.
Kisame Nii's going to sulk again…he said he wants the stew for himself. Hinata thought miserably as she tasted the boiling pot of stew. When it was good enough for her taste, she poured some into Tobi's bowl. "H-here…" She managed a smile—wondering how the man could eat with a mask on.
"Gomen…" Tobi apologized as his hands formed a few simple hand seals. "But I need to cast some illusion on my face when I eat…I love being mysterious. It's good with the ladies."
Hinata's mouth formed into a perfect round 'O'. "Oh…I see…" For a moment, she was amused. So that's how Kakashi-sensei eats when he is in public. "I have a teacher who eats with his mask on…" She added unconsciously. "He never takes off his mas—"
"Who?"
Hinata blink. "What?"
"Your teacher who eats with a mask on…what's his name?"
"Hatake Kakashi."
The masked man nodded. "Oh…the great copy ninja…Hatake Kakashi." The way he said the name puzzled the Hyuga. It was said with a hint of disgust. For a moment, the bubbly façade disappeared—making her feel a very strong killing intent.
Silence followed, making Hinata feel a little awkward.
"You remind me of someone…" Tobi started, staring at her behind the mask. "That gentle smile…" Shaking his covered head, he began to eat the stew. Unknown to the Hyuga girl, Tobi's mind was recalling an image of a brown haired girl with blue colored stripes on her face—and she was smiling sweetly. "Do you know how much some people would be willing to go in order to see smiles like that?"
Hinata's face flushed.
"Some would even destroy worlds…" Tobi told her, but it sounded like he was telling it more to himself. "Destroy the pathetic world that wiped that kind of smiles…"
"Destroying worlds would be too much…" Hinata said nervously. It's the first time they shared a conversation this long, and the blue haired Akatsuki was not at all comfortable.
"Never too much…" Tobi answered back. "Now tell me, is it true? Your smile belongs to Uchiha Itachi now?" He asked her— his voice now excited, hinting that his bubbly personality was back. "I heard it from Konan—"
"Yes. It's true." Itachi answered for the Hyuga.
"I-Itachi…" Hinata wheeled her head to the side and saw the tall form standing by the kitchen door. He was looking at her, and she can't help but avoid his eyes. She was distracted by Tobi's bipolar aura that she was not able to detect his presence.
"Itachi-san!" Tobi squealed, delighted.
"Hinata…" It was Itachi. "Pein wants you to share my room on your stay here… since this hideout is smaller compared to our last one. It's upstairs, first door to the right. "
"Oooh…" Tobi chuckled. "Somebody's impatient…"
-o-
Sakura plastered a smile on her face as Naruto hovered over her, inquiring about the small wound on her bruised lip. "Eh?...y-you mean this?" She pointed a finger on it.
Naruto frowned. "Yeah…what happened to that?"
"I…bumped?" Her answer came out more like a question so the Uzumaki crossed his arms and advanced a few steps towards her. He stared at her green eyes and she suddenly looked down, afraid that the young man might figure out that she's lying.
"I'm not buying it."
"Naruto baka…" Sakura pushed the Uzumaki away. "What do you want anyway? You're up early…and to think that you have to come here in the medical office. I thought you have training with Tsunade-sama today?"
"Tsunade Baa-chan is meeting with the council today." The Uzumaki scratched his head and grinned at her. "And I haven't seen you for almost three days…I just want to ask if you want to eat ramen with me for lunch? We can get Sasuke too…Tsunade-Baachan said that Teme received no missions this week. She's giving him a break."
"Ano…" The pinkette lowered her head and made an act of checking the folder with medical files that Shizune asked her to check. She has checked it twice already, but figured it could use another scan. "I'm a little busy Naruto."
"Sakura-chan…" Naruto started to whine.
"Y-you can ask Sasuke to go with you though…"
"But it's different if your there…Come on Sakura-chan…"
"Naruto I said I—" Sakura's eyes widened when the Uzumaki grabbed her waist and pulled her to him, enclosing her into his warm embrace. With a sigh, the pinkette sagged against him. She was so drained from thinking what happened between her and Sasuke she did not realized how tired she was. "Naruto…"
"It's alright…you can stay. I'll bring you lunch after I eat with Sasuke." Naruto heaved a sign then gave her a pat on the head. "And hey…don't drown yourself with work. I know being a disciple of a legendary sannin is pressuring you to do well in everything you do…but come on. You have to unwind a little."
"Naruto…"
The Uzumaki grinned again. "It's alright…I understand you Sakura-chan."
-o-o-o-
Here ends the chapter. I'm sleepy…(zzzzzz) I have a long and tiring day…
(Have no time to edit this chapter…if there are errors, feel free to tell me. : ) …oh….and I can't write any shout out because I'm too tired and too sleepy…I promise I'll write one next chapter okay?)
H.M. Akhlys: The farm is in Negros… have you been there?
-crazygurl12