- Pluck -

Part I

Chapter 3: Sea Salt and Lightning

Watery was the sigh that escaped Hinata as she pulled away from her bed.

"Lady Hinata."

Neji was about, as per usual. But he was different, somehow. In her youth, Hinata had always thought of her older cousin as a stern, tense sort of boy. When she and her sister would go play in the clouds, he would stay at home, reading books and anything her father would share with him - documents and such, definitely not things for someone his age to casually peruse. But that was reality. When she imagined him during her days of loneliness, he wasn't as much of that stern boy as he was . . . well . . . kind. Protective.

"The window's unlocked."

Worried.

And, somehow, she already knew. It was as if she and her house were the same; she knew every nook and cranny of it, every lock and key like it were her own fingers. The window in the den was unlocked, and fear shot through her system. Swimming to her jacket, she threw it on and whipped out her dagger, then eased towards her door. Her heart was racing, and her mouth felt dry.

But that's impossible. I'm in the middle of the ocean.

Either way, there was nowhere to go but out, and with a held breath, she cracked open her door and peeked out. Empty. Nothing but furniture and fluttering silicone-laminated curtains. Thank goodness. Swimming out, Hinata quickly locked the window, peeking outside and around to find any signs of forced entre or -

"Mornin', neighbor!"

All air left her in a tremendous gasp, and she whirled around, gripping her dagger. First, she saw Neji a bit ahead of her, arm out and palm facing her, signaling for her to stop, which she obeyed with hesitation. Then, in her kitchen, halfway in the pantry, was a figure. She only saw their legs, as they were hunched behind the shelf's door, but . . . she knew that voice.

"It only hurts some, but you learn to love it."

Finally, the door closed, and revealed, with a pack of pocky in his hand, was her neighbor. The one who hadn't been home in nearly two weeks. The one who helped her come to Ocean 11. The one who gave her gills. She could still feel the sharp pain etch its way down the sides of her neck, and she winced upon seeing those haunting, purple eyes that glittered with sea salt and devilry.

Sui . . . getsu . . . ?

"Long time, no see," he said, pushing off the limestone flooring to swim over to the den and plunk himself down on her sofa. He tore open the pack and chomped down on a stick of pocky, showing off his sharp, pointed teeth that made Hinata's hands reach for her gills. "Were you waitin' long? I saw you lookin' out at my house last night." His grin was crooked, but he didn't bother to fix it. "I know I'm a catch. You don't have to hide it from me."

She didn't know him well. Not really. She knew of his name and that he's lived all his life in the Ocean realm, but that was the most of it. He had helped her get settled in Ocean 11, stopped by every day or so to help re-carve her gills until they became a more permanent feature, and had even let her stay at his home for a night until her current home was ready for her. But after the first month, they hadn't spoken much to one another, and she only caught fleeting glances of him every now and then. But . . . still . . . somehow, she was happy to know he was . . . alive. Safe. Unharmed, from what she could see. And that was enough to calm her nerves and try to smile at him.

"W-Welcome back." Her chin turned towards the window. "How did you -"

"I have my ways," he answered, waving a nonchalant hand. "I had to get in, obviously, so I went through the window." Momentarily, he looked at her, must have seen some sort of expression on her face, and continued. "Didn't break anything, if that's what you're worried about."

Not . . . at all, actually.

Gaze straying on him, she moved to start her breakfast. Neji was a bit to the side, eying the silver-haired man lounging on her sofa with little care to hide his disdain. Her heart played hopscotch on her ribcage as she scoured through her fridge to find something quick and easy to fix up. Seeing that she had bananas, dolphin milk, and shark eggs, she pulled them out and grabbed a bottle of vanilla from the cupboard. The blender was off to the side, and as she pulled it over, she looked at the ingredients she had, wondering if she would have enough for two.

Probably not, but Suigetsu looked satisfied with his pocky.

Hinata added in the milk and vanilla, then sliced up the bananas and cracked the eggs on the side of her sink before mixing them in, as well. As she latched the lid to the blender, she peeked over at the sofa, noticed he was not moving to excuse himself, and decided to ask, "Um, can I help you with something, Suigetsu?"

He hummed, then anchored an arm over the back of the sofa to pull himself up, a piece of pocky still stuck between his lips. "Sure. Just make this easy for me, and we'll be smooth sailing."

"Pardon?"

"You still don't get it?" Somehow, that didn't sound much like a question, and he folded both arms on the back and perched his chin on them before saying, "They assigned me to you, is what I mean."

She started the blender, pondering his words. Oh, she realized a moment later, thinking back to a few nights ago, that's right. Naruto assigned me a new bodyguard. Smoothie blended evenly, she stopped the blender, poured the beverage into a water bottle, and took a sip while peering at him in the corner of her eye. I wonder . . . if he's anything like Sasuke.

"Hinata, right?" Suddenly, Suigetsu was standing right in front of her, towering. His grin reminded her of that of a shark's - No, she thought as he took her smoothie and downed half of it in one go, wiping his mouth on the back of his wrist. Cheshire cat. Definitely cheshire cat. "Looks like we'll be seein' a lot of each other, ne, Hi-na-ta?"

...

Just a mere three hour ago, Hinata had wondered if Suigetsu was anything like Sasuke.

"A-And . . . I just don't know. I need this job - I need the money, but it's so stressful, and I'm not sure how long I can keep up with it . . . ."

And already, Hinata found her answer.

"Just quit."

He's worse.

For while Sasuke was moody, violent, and bored out of his mind - he at least kept to himself and stayed quiet while Hinata did her work. He had stayed in his corner, grumbling, and the most she got from that were a few weird looks from the people seeking her out.

But Suigetsu . . . .

"Excuse me?"

The woman across the table from Hinata gave the man a stupified look, totally shocked by the gull he had as he sat between them, feet propped on the table as he picked his nails with - wait, was that - yes - he was using her dagger. How did he even get that? Hinata had already tried to ask him to practice basic manners and keep his feet under the table, but he must have had the memory of a goldfish, for it only took about thirty seconds for him to forget her pleads and go back to his relaxing. And now, he was eavesdropping - and not the lesser worse kind where he kept to himself as he did it. Somehow, she must have given him the impression to add in his two cents with every person that came by. Or . . . he just has a habit to invite himself to things.

. . . That sounded about right.

Hinata tried to meet his gaze and silently tell him to not say another word - the woman was already troubled enough with the situation she was in; adding more fuel to the fire would do no one good.

But Suigetsu did well in ignoring her signals - he probably mastered in it, she supposed - and regarded the woman with a detached glance.

"You heard me. Quit. Leave. Whatever you want to call it." He went back to his picking. "With your kind of attitude, I'd say you'd just be doin' your coworkers a favor."

What!?

Tearing up, the woman stood and marched away. Hinata didn't even have time to call out to her - she was gone in an instant, leaving her to fall back in her chair, flabbergasted.

That was . . . the fourth one that day.

How does . . . he do it?

Slowly, Hinata faced him. He didn't bother looking back, seemingly too caught up in his picking.

It was like . . . he didn't know what other people were, or how they functioned or felt. He simply spoke, without care or comfort, without thought. And it was so opposite of Hinata, so totally beyond her, that she couldn't even begin to understand how someone had the inability to just look and listen and understand. He didn't have her sight. She knew that. But it didn't take magic to sympathize with people.

Sasuke Uchiha cared about a few things: time, power, and doing his job properly.

Suigetsu, on the other thing, seemed to only care about one thing: himself.

And that arrogance was scaring off people - people that needed her help.

Taking in a deep, refreshing breath, Hinata consciously relaxed her shoulders. She knew his type, believe it or not. They came up often, from time to time, in the five months she's been doing this. They wanted a reaction, a sign that their nagging and picking was getting at her. He was testing her patience, she knew.

But little did Suigetsu know that she's been forced to build up her patience since the birth of her younger sister.

"Suigetsu."

"Hmm?" His eyes flickered to his arched legs, then to her. Ah. So his lack of memory really isn't the problem here.

"You're very handsome."

He snorted, eyes squinting. "You just realized that?"

Smiling, Hinata shook her head. "Not at all. I've noticed, only I've been meaning to keep it to myself." She purposefully trailed him with her gaze, slowly and precisely. "I want to say it's mostly in your face, but I suppose it's everywhere, isn't it? But that should be what's expected of a Guard, hm?"

"Not all of 'em," he said, scooting up in his chair, dropping his feet to straighten his back. "I'm a special case."

"I'm sure you are," Hinata said, keeping her smile as she folded her hands on the now free table. "And I think that's the problem here."

"Huh?" Purple eyes narrowed. "I'm not following."

"Why, you're so handsome. It's distracting. To me, and certainly to the girls who come here for my help. They can't say a word without fumbling, I'm sure you've noticed." Matching his gaze, she rolled a shoulder behind her, towards the bar. "So I think you should move your charm elsewhere. Where it is more -" Her right hand swept the table for any dirt it may have gathered, "appreciated."

His eyes widened, and she knew he figured out her meaning. She'd caught him in his arrogant ways and made it clear she would not stand for him to continue his reign of terror around her. His feet shifted on the floor, drilling it in for both of them that if she could get him to stop causing a mess, she could do it again, and with a sneer, he stood.

"Then I think we can agree on something." His words came out clear and confident, but the hand rubbing at his neck told her otherwise, and when he pulled the high collar of his shirt far enough to reveal his gills, she found lines of black stickers covering them.

And that was a surprise, though she supposed it shouldn't be. Everyone had stickers. Everyone.

But . . . Suigetsu, despite it all, did well in presenting himself as one not having them at all.

...

Five hours passed, and he hadn't left the bar. Hadn't even looked at her.

Out of spite? Maybe.

But Hinata . . . guessed it was something more. Something more ferocious. Because he was supposed to be her bodyguard, watching out for anyone who may come seeking her out for trouble. He should be at her side, protecting her.

Instead, he was at the bar, chatting with people of all sorts, twirling her dagger between his fingers under the bar. And Hinata had lived for five months without bodyguards and the like. She was used to a life without someone constantly looking out for her life. She didn't need one.

But after Tamaki, after those men about a week ago, Hinata was on alert, and Suigetsu was doing well in making her feel like she needed him more than anything else at the moment.

...

This was exhausting. Everything was, really. She couldn't relax - the tension was too stiff in the air, and her paranoid mind was on edge. And it was not like anything had severely changed. It was simply a weekend night. The bar was full, as per usual. People were right up against each other, and Hinata didn't feel like she had much room to breathe. But that was normal.

But . . . Suigetsu wasn't normal.

"Ehhh. Leavin' already? But the fun just started."

Well. Maybe that was just her stating the obvious.

Finally out of the crowd, Hinata's hands first pulled at her shawl, situating it around her face, then moved down the rub the wrinkles out of her pants. Suigetsu watched her to the side - sorta. More so, he eyed the crowd in an almost longing manner, looking ready to leave her side and join the rowdy drunks in a few rounds of whiskey. A part of Hinata expected him to do just that; he'd been ignoring his duties for most of the day, so why should he stop now? But he, even with his whining pout, stayed next to her, and she couldn't be totally sure if she was relieved or not.

Taking a fleeting glance at the bar, Hinata turned to make her way to the Ocean gate. He had followed her a good half the way there, then passed her swiftly and got to the dial before her.

"Allow me," he said, replacing his pout with a grin as he turned the dial.

How . . . chivalrous.

Her nerves burned in her ears, but Hinata held her tongue and watched the portal open. She couldn't believe this was his last-minute moment of kindness to apologize for his earlier actions. Guilt wasn't something he seemed to feel . . . ever, and especially not towards her at that moment. But no picking or prodding followed afterward, so Hinata decided to take it with open arms, shooting him a grateful smile that he met with his normal, toothy grin.

They entered the portal together, and when the twirling colors left them, they stepped out, into . . .

This . . . .

Replacing the miles of ocean along the horizon was a silver shore lit with campfires and lanterns. The water was less choppy, and white waves could be found along the sandy beach. This wasn't . . . Ocean 11 at all.

Hinata stopped, heels of her shoes sinking into the water's surface as she shot a nervous look Suigetsu's way. Which didn't affect him at all, really, as he held her elbow and pulled her towards the shore. Flashbacks of Tamaki filled her mind, freezing every molecule within her body, and her entire being began to shake. "Chill out," Suigetsu said, tightening his grip. "I'm just here to find someone. After that, well . . . ."

He trailed off as their feet met the sand, which sunk under their weight. The bonfires littering the place weren't close to them at all, but Hinata still felt like she was melting. She began to recognize this place. Ocean 4, if she remembered correctly. It was one of the many districts that included a shoreline of some sort, but the significance of this place didn't really lie in that aspect, but rather that of its people.

They were tough folk, she's heard. Rowdy. Loud.

"Shark-ish," Neji commented, glaring at a small group of people who stared at her. "Fits the style of our bodyguard, now doesn't it?"

An entire place full of Suigetsus . . .

Hinata tilted her head back, finding the portal gate, wondering if she could run back and leave without anyone noticing. But that hand was still on her elbow, leading her deeper into the den of sharks that looked at her with hungry eyes and shining teeth.

But as soon as it came, it left. Suigetsu slid his hand down her arm before releasing her, opting to cross them behind his head as he left her for the huts in the back. "Stay here," he said. "I'll be back."

He was gone, and Hinata was alone. They wouldn't stop staring. Was she really going to heed Suigetsu's requests and stand there like bait? Even Neji seemed to ponder the idea of running away, but just as she began to turn -

"You're from Moon, ain't ya, Guppy?"

Obviously, they were talking to her. But she couldn't help but blanch at the name.

"Oi," another voice called, this one sounding closer than the other. "Look at us when we's speak to ya." Wanting to avoid irritating them, she did so without reluctance. There was a group of four men a few yards away, the one who had just spoken being the closest. They had grins like Suigetsu; eyes like him, too. The mischievous, daunting kind. "We've got a word for your kind, if ya don't mind listenin'."

"Not that it really matters," another said. "We're gonna speak our minds whether or not you wanna hear it."

"Charming," Neji muttered, hovering close to her as they surrounded them. "Keep your guard up. Don't show them you're scared. When you see an opening, take it and run."

Nodding, Hinata relaxed her arched shoulders and linked her hands in front of her. "How can I help you?" she asked kindly. A few grimaced at her tone, and she made a note to keep her pleasantries to herself when dealing with them.

A burly man stepped in front of her, close enough for her to smell the booze on his breath. She met his gaze, stilling her jaw, pursing her lips in a line. He smirked, like he would to a puppy who had just learned to bark. Is that really all that I am to them? Some dog?

"We know who you are." Her knuckles went white as they circled closer. "You're some Sky trash who decided to come to our oceans to pollute it. I know your type. You look down from your cloudy throne with your nose in ya fuckin' ass, lookin' down at us, treatin' us like we're the lowlives in this situation. But then your kind comes down here, in our waters, like ya fuckin' own the place."

Hinata tried to follow - she knew of the tension between Sky and the other two universes. Not just anyone could reach Sky. You needed wings. And though the same went for Ocean - one needed gills to live there fully - they were somehow made to be the bottom of the barrel when compared to the luxurious life found in Sky. She hadn't been raised to think that way. Sure, she wasn't a fan of living in Ocean, but that was all circumstantial. The people here were still people, but -

"I-I'm sorry. I don't -"

"What the hell?" A familiar voice piped up, and they all turned to find Suigestu, lounging on a log by one of the fires with tired, hooded eyes. "Are you tryin' to bore me to death? I've been here for, like, years." Stretching his arms over his head, popping his shoulders, he relaxed further into his spot. "Let me know when you guys start to actually do something."

The small amount of relief she felt when he had spoken sunk into her stomach, and her face went white. One of the men surrounding her clicked his tongue, eyes rolling.

"Stay out of this, Suigestu. We know all about it." He looked down his nose at her, grinning. "You're protectin' her, aren't ya?"

A snort. "Not just that. We're neighbors."

The man's eyes widened and snapped to Suigetsu. With a hiss from Neji, Hinata saw her moment and took it. Curling close to the sandy ground, she slipped between two of the men and sprinted off for the ocean. The gate was far. She knew when - if - she reached it, she'd only have a few seconds to start the portal before they would catch up with her. Not enough time. She'd have to figure something else. But -

Something wrapped around her left ankle, yanking it back, sending her into the water. She yelled and kicked, trying to get free, but it only pulled her back - back to the shore - back to them.

Her hands fished through her jackets, searching, desperate fingers flying this way and that to find -

Wait.

Turning on her back, she managed to get a glance at Suigetsu, who was casually playing with her dagger. Like he owned it

He still -

"I knew it." Something hard landed on her stomach, and air shot out of her mouth, leaving her breathless and dizzy. "You are like 'em. Cowards - the whole fuckin' lot of ya."

Above her, spinning around, were glinting eyes and hungry grins.

"Where are your wings, lil birdy?"

Her back was stinging. As were her lungs, her eyes.

"Did ya trade 'em for your gills, Guppy?"

They were going to kill her.

Her. Dead. Hinata Hyuuga. The Moon Witch. And she'd never see her family again, never hold them close and whisper that she loved them - and they may never know she was killed - because it was only them, and her, and -

"S-S-Suigestu . . . !"

Nothing. Not even breathing. Had he left?

Something sharp met her neck, and she remembered that night. Her first night in Ocean 11. It was dark and freezing, and she was downing and he was watching. He had told her he would help her, and she had believed him. Naively. Like a child. And she was sinking and thrashing, trying to swim, to get back to the surface, but she couldn't. It was too heavy. She was sinking. And he had that grin he always had, and she was sure that would have been the last thing she'd ever see -

But then he sunk his teeth into the side of her neck, ripping them down her skin, and through the blood and pain came gills, and air, once again, filled her lungs. After that, he had taken her to his home and lent her some waterproof clothes. He had helped her. He had saved her.

Why wasn't he -

"S-Suigetsu, please!"

. . . doing it now?

The sharpness at her neck pulled away, and light came to her world as she opened her eyes, not totally aware she had closed them to begin with. Hovering over her was one of the men with a knife in his grasp. The others held her down, preventing her from moving or fighting. There was nothing stopping him from just killing her -

Or . . . wait . . . .

Squinting, blinking, she saw something around that hand with the knife. Something clear, liquidy.

Water.

And when she followed it, she saw Suigetsu a few feet away, standing, left arm outstretched towards them. The muscles in his shoulders flexed, but everything past his elbow was just . . . water. Stretched out, stopping the man from sinking that blade into her throat.

And it was clear she wasn't the only one surprised, for the man had shock flaring in his gaze as he glared at Suigetsu.

"The fuck? What -"

"Sorry to stop you short," Suigestu said, pushing his arm to the side, yanking the man off of her and sending him into the sand a bit away. The others gaped, and their grips automatically loosened on her. Snapping away, Hinata tried to get back on her feet and run, but it was as if her own legs were made of water, and she only fell back onto the sand, trembling and wheezing. Suigetsu stepped closer, peering down at her. "I'm in a predicament. Help me with it, will you?"

Four, burly, clearly irritated men were sounding them. Why did he -

"We all know I'm ruggedly handsome." His hand swiped at his chin as he smiled. "Too handsome to deal with petty drunks. Why, if something happened to my face, how would I possibly be able to show myself at the bar?" He bent down to her level, knees pointing to the starry sky. "You'd be stuck with me, again. At your side. The entire day. Now, that would be awful, wouldn't it?"

His words sunk deeper than his teeth ever could, and her eyes stung with frustration and shame.

His grin dropped, and she'd never seen him look more serious.

"Beg."

Her heart lept onto her tongue, buzzing and racing. Neji sneered, but kept to himself, and she knew why. He was a prideful man. He'd rather get beaten into the ground than beg. But that was him, and she was her, and . . . .

"P-Please, Suigetsu." Hinata wanted to live. Badly. She needed to see her family again. And the only one who could help her get away from this alive was him. So she swallowed hard, met his gaze, and did just that. "I'm sorry. I-I'm so sorry. Please help me. Please."

A sneaking, wide grin simpered its way on his lips, and he looked totally pleased with himself, like he had just cracked the code to something.

"Well, since you asked so nicely -"

His left arm, still in its watery form, snapped in an angle, and there was a loud pop from the man's arm as he yelped and spat. "You fucker! You broke my -"

Suigetsu's right hand skimmed the surface of the water, dipped into the foam waves, and pulled out a sword from its depths. Clear and liquid, like his arm. But then Hinata saw it slice into that very arm Suigetsu had just broken, cutting it off from its shoulder completely, leaving it to fall and wriggle in the sand, and she knew the blade of that sword was anything but water.

"Catch," Suigetsu called to her over the pained wailing before them. Her dagger fell into her lap, blade clean and glowing in the moonlight. "See if you can make yourself useful here."

Somehow, seeing their friend delimbed wasn't enough to scare the other men, and they came in charging. Two went for Suigetsu while the last aimed to wring her neck, but she slipped under him, caught his leg with her own, and tripped him. He fell akin to how she had before, and when he tried to get up, she sunk her blade into the back of his left knee.

He cursed, and his right leg shot out and nailed her in the abdomen, sending her back. For a moment, she was lightheaded; but when she came to, she saw him limping towards her, a mass of stickers covering his eyes and his bleeding leg. He grabbed her and pulled her to him and tore at anything he could get his hands on. She heard the rip of her shawl and tried to gasp, but it was blocked by a meaty hand smothering her mouth as the other one strangled her neck. Dark dots danced across her eyes. All she could see of his face at this point with his nasty grin - which, in a way, was a blessing, she supposed.

For when she plunged her dagger into the black mass covering his eyes, she was glad she wasn't able to see the damage he'd done.

The man yelled and toppled off of her, and she got to her feet, ready to sprint away from him -

But he was still. Breathing, but unconscious.

And when she looked over, Suigetsu had already taken care of the other two. One had lost his legs, and the other . . . his head.

They were dead.

And him, smiling over them with a bit of red smeared along his cheek, seemed perfectly happy with that.

"That was fun." He went over to her with a hop in his stride. "We should come visit more often." Wind rushed past them, and with her shawl torn to shreds, nothing kept her long, dark hair from falling into her face. Suigetsu's gaze glittered. "Didn't know Ms. Hinata Hyuuga could fight. Surprising, for a Moon Witch."

She felt disgusting and nauseous. The smell of salt and blood made her stomach twist into knots. The sight of her dagger covered in blood made her feel faint; and she knew if Neji - the real one - were here, he'd remind her that "she should get used to the sight" because that was its "intended purpose". But her figment stayed quiet, watching her closely, concern shining like the moon in his gaze.

I need to go home. But her legs wouldn't move. She was stuck.

A hand found her arm, and she jerked away. Suigetsu didn't seem to care, however. "Well, are we leavin' or what?"

Her gaze found the man she had fought. Still breathing. Would it be merciful to leave him alive, or kill him? She didn't want to think about it, didn't want to be the one to make that choice. "What about -"

"Leave them." He stepped onto the ocean's surface, the blood that was stuck to his shoes soaking into the water, leaving a red circle to form around him. His gaze was over her shoulder. "They'll deal with them."

Her legs were numb, but she forced them to follow him to the gate. He smiled over his shoulder at her, and it never left as color encased them, bringing them to the familiar, choppy waters of Ocean 11. He was pleased with himself.

So damn pleased.

"See you tomorrow, Guppy."

"I don't know what to do about this."

And, by some miracle, Neji agreed with her. A sway of his head was all she needed to know they were both stumped. It made sense. It was going on three in the morning, and despite how tired and sore she was, Hinata could not sleep. Not even a wink. Just the mere closing of her eyes was enough to transport her back to that sandy shoreline where sharks roamed, circling, sneaking in to get a bite of her. It was impossible to calm herself. Her entire system was still in fight or flight mode. No sleep would come to her easily, and thus here she was, sat at the low table in her kitchen, eyeing the den's window from across the way as she pondered.

Suigetsu Hozuki had successfully gotten under her skin.

More than that, actually. He was fully in her bloodstream, and his voice, taunting and coy, buzzed in her ears along with her nerves.

She had almost died. Hinata was sure they would have killed her if he hadn't stepped in - and even so, she had to beg for her life (to HIM) in order for him to lift a finger. Him. Her bodyguard.

I sound conceited, she thought glumly, head dropping. We went over this, Hinata. You've lived fine without a bodyguard for months. Why the sudden dependence?

It was true. She'd always been safe and able to take care of herself before. Why had she fallen into the role of a damsel in distress so quickly? Was she getting weak? Greedy? Pompous?

"Not at all." Not a creak came to her home as Neji sat himself down opposite of the table. He relaxed his elbow on the table and tipped his chin in his open palm, gaze never straying from her face. "You've done good in hiding in the past, Lady Hinata, but now they're actively seeking you out. That's why His Grace has sent you help. Protectors." A frown crossed his face. "Only this one is . . . lax at his job."

Hinata pinched her lips together. "I should have ran as soon as he took me there. I knew it was dangerous, but I -"

"He shouldn't have taken you there in the first place."

That was . . . also true. Hinata knew what she was trying to tell herself, only she didn't know if it were out of pity, or reassurance.

Meeting her cousin's eye, she asked, "What should I do?" It was exhausting being with Suigestsu. Draining. And she was already busy and stressed as it were. But she was also aware she couldn't just get a new bodyguard. Guards had better business to do than sit around a bar all day, watching her back. She was lucky enough that Naruto had given her two.

Neji was quiet for a moment, thinking. His eyes shifted with the water, and then he clenched his jaw. "Figure something out."

"Hm?"

"I've known you all your life, Lady Hinata. You can find the humanity in anyone, whether it be a cold brute like Sasuke Uchiha or a bloodlust killer like Suigetsu. If anyone can make him act more human, it's you."

Her mind went back to the stickers she had seen on his gills. Though his face wasn't completely covered as Sasuke's had been, he still had problems. And, maybe, if she helped him through them, he'd be less . . . callous.

She smiled at her figment, showing both him and herself that she'd try, and he nodded and sighed into his palm.

"It won't be easy," he mused, eyes slightly hooded. "I'd much prefer the other one."

And, strangely, when she thought back to those days of tension as Sasuke Uchiha huddled in the shadows, that once present spark of fear did not resurface, and she had to agree with him.

...

"I can see why Sasuke was so ready to leave."

Honestly speaking, Hinata wasn't sure what kind of atmosphere would be between her and Suigetsu the following morning. She knew how she felt about him, but vice versa was a completely different topic. Did he hate her? Was she nothing but a toy for his amusement? Or . . . maybe he felt nothing for her at all.

Either way, she had come to that familiar spot in the bar fully prepared for whatever mood he may be in, whether it be anger, boredom -

"It's boring here. All we do is sit 'nd talk 'nd sit some more - and maybe, maybe you'll get the stink eye from some geezer. But that's only when the fun skyrockets up to ten, and I can't beat someone up for givin' you the stink eye."

Or talkative.

Stirring her little spoon in her coffee to make sure the cream was properly mixed, Hinata let the steam wash over her face before she took a glance at her bodyguard. He was in the same, laid-back, feet-on-table position he was in yesterday, only today, he ventured for the table next to her, giving her room to enjoy her beverage in peace. Not that she expected her to get through much of it before he stole the rest of it - and nor did she really believe in that final sentence just then. Beat someone up? After how he had humiliated her into begging for her life, she could hardly believe he would beat someone up on her behalf alone. But . . . maybe for his behalf, he'll do it.

"Or, well, I can, but then more word will go to the Guard, and they'll come and ask me 'Now Suigetsu, why did you up and slice the dick off this poor man?' - and I'll have to tell them it's cuz I was so damn bored here that if they were in my shoes, they'd cut his dick off, too, to get away from the - the . . . ." He trailed off, voice falling to a soft pause that didn't suit him at all. He squinted her way, and asked, "Wait. What do you do, again?"

Hinata wasn't naive enough to assume he actually cared. She knew he didn't. But her mind hooked onto Neji's suggestion earlier, and she decided to answer.

"I help people work through their problems," she whispered, "basically."

"Uh-huh. So you're some sorta therapist." She wasn't given the time to answer, nor did she expect it. "We have them at the Guard. Lovely people. Great at listening and the sort." He snorted, sat up a bit in his chair, and folded his arms, biceps flexing. "I fuckin' hate them. They're all the same - do nothin' but blow smoke up my ass."

"I'm sorry." Hinata wasn't sure what else to say.

"Good. You're like them, too, I'm sure."

"Not exactly."

His eyes flashed her way, and the arm that had been reaching for her mug stopped. "Huh?"

She sat and waited, but he said nothing else. Had Suigestu just . . . gone speechless?

"Though I-I'm sure they and I share the same goal, our approaches may be . . . different." Scooting her mug closer to her, she waved Tsunade over and asked for another one - same cream, same sugar, same milk. Afterward, she faced Suigetsu, took a sip of her coffee, and tapped her index gently under her eye. "My eyes - I see things with them. Hidden things. Worries, anxieties. They're all over people, stuck tight to them. Like stickers." Her eyes found his neck, and she attempted a smile. "I try to help get them off."

"No shit?" he asked, causing her smile to widen. "I don't believe you." Only for it to simmer down once more.

"You don't have to," Hinata said, bringing to mug to her lips to let the steam relax the muscles in her face. "I know it's hard to believe."

Suigetsu watched her for a moment, then a heavy sigh escaped him. He sat completely in his chair, turned it completely towards her, and said, "You're doing it wrong. When someone says 'I don't believe you', you're supposed to try 'nd convince them." She blinked. He wants to be . . . convinced? She couldn't tell. All she knew was that the grin he was shooting her was nothing short of sly. "So you see things. What? Do they, like, spell out what they are worryin' about? Do I have 'I'm too damn great for my own good' slathered on my face?"

A laugh, airy and light, escaped her lips before she could even try to stop it. His grin shifted immediately. It was . . . the first, genuine one she's seen from him.

"Not at all. They don't tell me anything. I have to find that out on my own."

"Yeah? How?"

Tsunade returned with the extra coffee, and Hinata slid it over to Suigetsu, who instantly went at it. As he did so, she eyed the room, found a woman and man a few tables away, and gestured to them with a sway of her hand.

"The woman," she began, voice low to keep anyone from eavesdropping, "wants to break up with him, but is too scared." Suigetsu's mouth twisted in wonder, and that was enough to make Hinata continue. "She won't look him in the eye. Barely listening to him." Squinting, she was able to make out silver along the man's neck. "He's wearing a necklace that's meant to have a sister piece. She's not wearing it. Actually -" Her gaze dropped, to the woman's fist under the table, "she's holding it. I suppose she wants to give it to him after they break up."

Not a noise came, and she turned, half-expecting him to be asleep or gone. But he was there, gaping, and she blushed and realized what she had just done.

"Wow," was all he had said for a while. Then, "You got all that with no hints?"

"I -"

"OI!" Suigetsu cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled at the couple across the room. "Just break it off already! Give the poor guy some peace!"

Hinata quickly whipped around, pulling her new shawl closer to her face. There was grumbling and shuffling, but she didn't hear them approach her. SIghing, Hinata calmed her racing heart as Suigetsu snickered.

"Suig -"

"What about her?"

He nodded to someone that was outside of Hinata's line of sight. She didn't try to follow his gaze. She already felt bad enough with what she had spilled about the other two.

"I-I don't think -"

"She's walking to us." Huh? What? "Hurry and look."

Now more curious than anything, Hinata did just that. She turned back in her seat just in time to find a tall, well-dressed woman march towards them, her black heels clicking hollowly along the carpet floor. Her hair was long and red, sweeping behind her like a cape. And around her eyes, beneath her specks, were ovals of black weeds.

Gulping, Hinata hunched her back further into the chair, and whispered, "She's . . . dealing with a lot of stress, it seems."

...

Suigetsu had the largest, shit-eating grin Hinata has ever seen . . . ever. And she had an inkling as to why. For across the table they sat at (he had scooted his chair next to hers just moments ago) was the red-headed woman with the tall heels and stickers around her eyes, and a noticeably irritated purse came to her lips as she readjusted her specks. She had a confident posture - square shoulders, straight back, set jaw; all the good stuff. No hints of waver or hesitation were anywhere about her, instead replaced by a tick in her brow as she let loose a heavy sigh.

Then, sharp eyes of crimson glowered at the man next to Hinata, and that look may as well have been directed at her, for icy fingers raced up her spine at the sight of it.

"I heard what happened." Her tone was what revealed her to be a part of the Guard. Level. Cold. They all had that tone. Even Suigetsu, beyond his talkative facade. "Beg," he had said to Hinata. He had been so guarded at that time, and now, so was this woman. "At Ocean 4. A Guard saw the whole thing happen - told me in detail about how you stood there for five minutes while she was being harassed." A crisp sheet of paper was slammed on the table, and the woman cleared her throat, more so to calm herself than anything else. "Didn't even lift a finger, he told me, until you had her begging. Begging, Suigetsu. Are you mad?"

He was quiet for the next passing moments, but Hinata caught a glance of his simper and knew he was getting an absolute kick out of this whole ordeal.

"Sorry, Karin, but it ain't my job to babysit guppies like her."

He didn't even have the gall to look her in the eye when he said that. Babysit? Is that what all of this was to him?

Hinata couldn't find the proper words, but thankfully, the woman - Karin - knew exactly what to say.

"You're right. It's your job to protect her. To bodyguard her." An angry gleam came to the glass of her specks as she sneered. "And it wouldn't hurt to be a bit less apathetic, either."

Silver hair fell back as he barked in laughter, teeth gleaming in the orange lighting. "See - that's where we differ, you hag." Karin's face nearly matched the tone of her hair, but he stopped her before she could spit at him. "I don't like to call it apathy. I see it more as having strict priorities." Webbed fingers ruffled her hair, and Hinata's shoulders curled around her neck. "And sadly for lil, Miss Moon Witch, I happen to prioritize my amusement over her safety."

Karin stood, towering over them both, palms flat on the table, with shook along with her anger. "That safety you speak of so carelessly is what's giving you a job, you incompetent ass."

"Which I did - perfectly, might I add." That playful grin of his fell for a moment as he crossed his arms. "Look at her. She's alive, ain't she? Isn't that what Sasuke always says?" Karin's lips, shimmering with gloss, relaxed from her sneer, and her courageous gaze flickered to the side. Suigetsu's brow rose, and he smirked. "Leave me alone and let me do my job my way."

And Karin - she looked ready to reach over and rip his tongue out of his mouth. But her eyes met Hinata, and she sighed once more and cooled her face. Flipping the paper, she pushed it towards him before standing straight. "You can read, can't you, asshat?" She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose before placing a hand on her hip. "It's a warning. From the Guard. If I hear one more bad thing about you while you're on duty - hell, if I hear you took a shit incorrectly - I'm going to make sure your ass is kicked off this team. Do you understand me, Suigetsu, or do I need to speak slower for you?"

His grin returned, and he curled his arms behind his head. "Loud and clear." Karin nodded and began to strut away, but Suigetsu seemed bent on getting in more before she left. "Not that I'm worried. Try all you can, but we both know there ain't enough Ocean Guards for them to just throw me out."

She was gone, fire practically left in her wake, and when Hinata finally had enough courage to look, she found him back at his table, drinking the last of his coffee with that same, egotistical smirk he's always had.

She had to physically hold back a groan, and Neji did nothing to hide the daggers he was sinking into the man's head.

Respect was a very important thing for Karin. Her job was hard. Her job as a woman was hard. She's spent enough years with people who thought they could degrade her and talk down to her simply because she was a woman, and now that she finally got the job she wanted, that she deserved, she wasn't about to let some man with an ego complex tell her what she could and could not do.

Damn that Suigetsu!

She knew everything about him. She has records upon records on him. With one slip of the tongue, and she could have him fired on the spot. The spot. And he knew she could, so why did he feel like he was still the top dog here? He wasn't. She was. Her. And she'd be damned if she'd ever let him think he could get past her.

"Bastard!" she hissed, slamming the door behind her as she entered her office. It was a grand place - a bit too small for her liking, but still grand. Still fit for someone of her status. The walls were made of shelves, filled with records and files and documents of Guard members and past missions. She knew the place like the back of her hands - no, better. And it was all hers. Not Suigetsu's. Marching over to her mahogany desk, she pressed a button on the side, and a glowing, white orb appeared before her. "Get me Sasuke Uchiha. Immediately."

She pressed the button again, and the orb vanished. Opening a drawer, she pulled out a thin hair tie and began to twist her hair into a high ponytail. Her heels clicked away from her desk - she didn't add any carpet, as she enjoyed the sound of her heels on tile. It made her sound loud. Powerful.

"You want to know what he said to me? He said he wasn't apathetic." To anyone who may have just entered the room, they would have assumed she was speaking to herself. But up on the second level of her office, sat in a corner with files set on his knee, was Juugo. He looked up from his reading to find her eye as she tightened her ponytail. "He said it was because he had priorities. Tch. Talking out of his ass, as per usual."

His shoulders shook with a quiet laugh as he gauged her from his spot above. "He's not totally apathetic. He cares. About you, about me. His teammates." His chin jutted towards the door as nearly silent footfalls approached it. "About him."

Gasping, Karin quickly looked at herself in the mirror on her desk, saw how absolutely dreadful her hair looked, and quickly pulled it down and fanned it out before the door could creak open. Perfecting her smile, she turned just as Sasuke stepped inside, his normal frown adorning his lips. Godly. Gorgeous.

"I hope this isn't about Suigetsu."

Before she could even say a word, Juugo called out. "Of course it's about him."

Frown tightening, he glared at Karin. "You're wasting my time, then."

He made a move to grab the door handle, but she stopped him, arm reaching out. "Wait, wait!" He did, but did not turn back to her. "Yes - I admit, it's about Suigetsu. But this is serious -"

"I picked him for a reason, Karin."

"I know. He's Ocean and all that." She waved her fingers in the air. "We don't have much of them, I'm aware."

"He's also skilled, capable, alert -"

"Overly violent, narcissistic, stupid as hell." Sliding past him, she placed a hand on the door and closed it before stepping in between him and his only exit. "I know all that, Sasuke. I know why you picked him."

His gaze bore into her. Deliciously.

"Then why am I here?"

Sighing, she nodded him to her desk, and he followed her to it. Picking up the document she had just retrieved that morning, she handed it to him before leaning against the mahogany, arms crossed. His eyes narrowed slightly as he read, and she smiled.

"She almost died," she said, "and he almost let her."

"Hn."

"At least talk to him." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I tried, but you know he won't listen to me." Her gaze fell to his hip, to the sword at his side, before returning to his face. "He doesn't listen to many."

Sasuke finished the read, then dropped it on her desk. "I know," he muttered, gaze shifting to the side. "Quite frankly, I figured I'd have to do it sooner or later. I'm more confounded by the fact that it took him longer than normal."

Over her shoulder, Karin heard Juugo laugh gruffly. "There's gotta be something special with this one. I should have taken your offer when I had the chance and seen her for myself."

Her head whipped back and forth between the two. "Offer?"

Sasuke was already halfway out the door. "I'm on it. Don't call for me again."

"Bu -"

The door was closed, leaving Karin with her mouth open and ready to spew any excuse to keep him even a second longer. Men. Sighing, she found her tie and redid her ponytail, glaring at the document laying haphazardly on her desk.

"He really should just get his act together," she said with a click of her tongue. "He shouldn't need to have Sasuke come every time he has an ego trip. Bastard. Selfish bastard. I don't do anything to cause trouble for him, and yet Suigetsu is the one who - URGH!"

She slammed her fist on her desk, the wood crying out in protest. There was a shift from above, and her eyes lit up she turned to Juugo.

"Did it work? Angry enough?"

A pause. Then, "No. Sorry."

"Shit."

He peeked over at her, a sheepish smile lighting up his face. "He's totally apathetic. 100% apathetic. He doesn't even know what other people are."

She waited for the anger to rise up in her, but nothing but a flicker of irritation lit up, and she collapsed in her chair. "As expected. The dumbass actually has to be here for it to work."

Despite his previous announcements, Sasuke found himself back. Back at the bar, back in that shitty stool at five in the morning. And the look on Kakashi's face alone was enough to make him regret everything.

"I never took you as a white liar, Sasuke."

"I won't be here for long," he muttered, clenching his fists along his cloak. "I only came by to warn you."

At that, Kakashi pulled his nose away from his book to meet his serious gaze. "Ah." Closing his novel, he placed it a bit away on the bartop and gave Sasuke his full attention - a thing Sasuke knew was hard to obtain. "If I had to guess, I'd wager you were planning on doing another intervention." His dour gaze slid along the room. "And in the bar, no less."

"Hence the warning."

Kakashi rolled his eyes and massaged his temples. "Is it really necessary?" Their eyes met, and Sasuke didn't blink. "Here, I mean. Haven't you made a show enough times in the past week? Must you make another one?"

"Does the Moon Witch go anywhere else?" Silence. The answer to that one was obvious. Sasuke settled back in the stool, glancing over at the corner where she would be residing in a few hours. "I plan to do it around nine, when fewer people are here. Be sure to pass the word to Tsunade and the old man."

"Jiraiya. And they'll both have my head if I allow this."

Sasuke smirked and stood. "You needed a new one, anyways."

He made a move to leave, but Kakashi stopped him.

"And what about Hinata?" Slowly, Sasuke turned back, head tilted slightly. "Shall I warn her as well, or do you get off on leaving her in the dark?"

"Her reaction needs to be genuine."

Kakashi frowned. "I don't recall her fucking you over, Sasuke."

He matched him with a grimace as he turned away, cloak twisting behind him. "She's a big girl. She can handle it."

Day #3.

Yes, Hinata was counting the days. She had done it when Sasuke was around, too, but unlike that time, she was also counting the hours.

Day #3, Hour #5 since Suigetsu had come to her as her bodyguard and . . . it was still rough. And irritating. He still did things to spite her, tease her, turn her upside down and backwards - for entertainment, of course. He had made it clear that was his main goal. His priority. And she tried not to dwell on it, but still, it stung.

Painfully so.

It's okay, Hinata, she tried to tell herself, eyes locking onto the stickers on Suigetsu's neck. Just get them off, and hopefully, things will get better. Focus on that, and you can get through this.

But . . . what if it didn't work.

What if she plucked them all off, and he was the same, apathetic killer he was before? How would she deal with it all then?

Don't think about it.

So she pushed the thoughts in the back of her mind, locking them up, hoping to never have to think of them again. Suigetsu was sipping on his coffee, stuck in a rare moment of silence. She wasn't about to let this moment pass, and with a clear throat, she began to ask him if he would let her -

"Oh, good Posideon and glory." Was that a . . . wishful sigh she just heard? She had to look and check and - yes - there was something in his gaze. A sort of softness. A heat. Fire, almost. A smile fell on his lips, the kind she's never seen on him before. "There's the love of my life." Huh? Her head snapped forward, following his gaze. "Shit. I love that sword so fucking much."

And what she saw, first, was exactly what he saw. A katana with a blade made of pure, white lightning. After that, however, she saw the rest of it. The black cloak, the covered face, the dark eye that felt like it would swallow you whole if you looked at it for too long.

Sasuke Uchiha was back.

Why?

She stood to greet him, smile ready to come to her lips, but then the table before her was thrown to the side as that infamous blade of electricity was pointed at her face, and Hinata had an inkling as to why he had come.

...

"Oh. This again, huh?"

That was the first words Suigetsu mused, stoic tone cutting through the tense air. Maybe Hinata shouldn't be as surprised. With how she had seen him act, she should have guessed this would be his reaction.

"Karin send you again? Tch. She's always on my ass. Can't leave me alone even when I'm on duty."

But Hinata - she was terrified. Still. Frozen, really. Why was this happening? What had she done to make him act this way? He wanted to leave, to get away from this place - so why was he back? Why was he looking ready to kill her right there?

Her startled eyes flew over his shoulder, watching Tsunade and Jiraiya escort frightened people out of the bar. What about me?! She wanted to scream. Help me, please!

But they didn't come, and Suigetsu was still lounging in his chair.

"I get it," he said, not even trying to stop Sasuke as he backed her against the wall.

She remembered that blade going into Tamaki's chest. It was quick. The smell was horrible, but she died quickly. Was that going to be her? Was he going to throw her body around, too, once he killed her?

"Sasuke."

That word made that one, black eye narrow, and he pulled his blade back and thrusted it at her.

"No, don't!" she yelled, trying to duck, to escape and get away from him. But she was cornered. He cornered her, and he was going to kill her -

But it didn't come, and she found that water was around his hand, keeping him from reaching her. Suigetsu was standing now, frowning. "Sasuke. I said I -"

Sasuke snapped his arm back, breaking free immediately, and thrusted at her once again. Her head knocked against the wall and she wailed and watched it come at her, but she managed to put enough space between her and the katana for the blade to sink into the wall, instead. Lightning cracked by her left ear, and for a while, she could only hear that. The smell of burnt fabric filled her nose, and she was sure her shawl was ruined. Again.

"Sasuke - FUCK!"

Suigetsu shoved him away from her, and she only got a glance of his pale face before her vision blurred. Everything was on fire. The buzzing wouldn't stop. There was ruckus about, but all she could hear was that damn lightning and her own heart racing and -

"Hinata."

Neji was in front of her, imagined hands on her shoulders, genuine fear in his eyes. She felt like she was looking at a mirror. It was only then did she realize she was on the floor, sagged against the wall, barely breathing. Her lungs sucked in a gallon of sizzling air, and she looked past him to see that the place was in ruins. Toppled tables, broken chairs . . . .

"Hinata."

She looked at him, and his arms surrounded her, covering her in a shield of his nonexistent protection.

"You're okay."

She was lying to herself again.

"It's okay."

She was tired of listening to herself talk.

...

Suigetsu, brilliantly, found himself pinned against the wall with that gorgeous blade of lightning at his neck - and all he could do was smile.

"I'd love to have this thing slice me into bits. It would be my dying wish."

"And it will never happen if you keep this up, Suigetsu." And as soon as it was out, it was sheathed once again in Sasuke's scabbard. Dark eyes, however, still had him pinned. "Do your job."

Like magic, that smile morphed into a smirk. "I was. And a helluva lot better than you ever did." He pushed off the wall, and Sasuke moved to the side to give him room to move. Rubbing his neck, gills flinching, he trailed his eyes over the room, blinking at the mess before him. "But I didn't know it was that important." He shot a sly look Sasuke's way. "What's a Moon Witch doing at the top of the Thor's priority list."

And, of course, not a centimeter of emotion came to his stony face.

"She's at the top of the Sun King's list, Suigetsu. And if she ends up dead, he'll have you dehydrating in Sun 1. Slowly. Painfully."

Shivering, Suigetsu rubbed the back of his neck and took a fleeting glance at the katana. "I get it," he muttered. "I guess I can try. Just a bit." A thought came to him as silence followed his acceptance of his defeat, and he hummed, lips twitching with mischief. "But how will your merciful Apollo react when he hears you tried to kill her."

And Sasuke's eyes widened a fraction with realization.

Finally, a reaction!

"I didn't - he won't -" He frowned and turned to look at Hinata. "Moon Witch -"

Only to stop himself in his tracks.

She was struggling to get on her feet, hands flat against the wall as she slowly pushed herself off the floor. Her shawl was burnt and falling off her head, revealing most of her face, including her glistening cheeks and petrified eyes. Upon seeing them looking at her, she curled away, fumbling, trying to get as much distance between them as possible.

"D-Don't!"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and Suigetsu's grin faltered and shrunk.

Seeing that they weren't moving, she began to make her way towards the exit.

"I-I don't want any more bodyguards. P-Please leave me alone." And though it was subtle, they both caught a glance of the dagger in her hand, ready to be used if they so much as took a step closer. "Don't send any more. I don't need anyone. E-Especially not you two."

She slipped into the Hall, fleeing for the Ocean gate. Sasuke gave a heavy sigh as Suigetsu kicked at a piece of broken chair near his feet.

"Follow her," Sasuke told him.

"What? No way! Have you seen her use that dagger? She'll blind me within seconds!"

"You're still on duty."

Suigetsu frowned, then huffed and stepped over the mess they had made. "Fine. But for the record - we both screwed up on this one."

…

Right.

He knew.

Chapter 3 - End