They stood in a vacant room within the Hokage Tower, Sasuke shifting the device on his lone arm as he gazed at it curiously. It had been tested numerous times, but the idea of being stuck in a different time gave him pause. Taking a breath, he let it out as slowly as he could to avoid anyone hearing his anxiety. It was rare when he felt such an emotion, but he allowed himself that moment as he gazed over at Hinata. She was also looking it over, touching parts of it here and there and her focus remained on it. Her hands seemed to know to only apply slight pressure, as if it was delicate and any sudden movement or shift in pressure would destroy such a device.
"So, change of plans, you will be returning here 5 minutes after you leave." Kakashi's voice stated from behind them, pointing to the clock across from them. "I have a feeling that we were being monitored in my office, so I have given a false timeframe of your return to make sure that whoever it is comes back to a time and place you do not."
Hinata glanced over at everyone in the room and realized how aside from herself and Masaru, she was viewing the original Team 7 that had been formed when her own Team 8 had been. While each time had their own specialties, she was in awe of the group who saved everyone and had overcome various obstacles to be as strong as they are. While she was thankful for the training she had been receiving from Sasuke, it would be a while longer before she could even remotely consider herself within the same radius that these four were in. The familiarity between the other three young adults and the Hokage showcased the strength they had through the bonds that were formed. Sasuke had shared small bits and knew that he found himself feeling slightly on the outskirts when around his old team. Yet, watching him give a slight smirk as they interacted made her believe that maybe he was overthinking it more than he cared to admit.
"Alright everyone, keep an eye on the clock. Masaru, can you show everyone the code to put in for your time? They are aware of the way to come back." Kakashi stood to the side, hands in his pockets as he eyed the group.
Masaru held his left arm out, right hand moving over the numbers slowly, showing what they needed to put in before showing the button to press to activate the portal. Once they had all mimicked him, they turned their back on each other and pressed the button. Four pairs of eyes moved to the clock as the portals formed and they each jumped in. Hinata felt as if something gripped something right behind her belly button, tugging her through a whirl of colors as as she felt her body no longer being tethered to the ground, but to some invisible force. She didn't recall feeling this when going through a portal with Sasuke, but knowing that this was time travel, she could only assume it was real. Just as she tried to allow her thoughts to disappear, her feet hit the ground and somehow she managed to stay upright.
The world around her was a shock that tore through her, the shock circulating through her as she took in the sight before her. The world was burning, smoke billowing from various areas, screams could be heard from various distances, yet even she couldn't pinpoint exactly where. It took her a moment to realize that the others were also in a circle, taking in their surroundings. It was when she looked up that she realized the Hokage Monument, the faces of each Hokage seeming to have blown apart in some way, leaving just traces of what used to be there. She could instantly make out the mask on Kakashi's face, but his face was half gone. To his right sat someone with whiskers, but only two of them remained along with his mouth, the left and upper side of the face she realized to be Naruto was gone.
"What happened here?" She heard Naruto ask, each person taking in the buildings blown apart or on fire.
"Fear." Masaru responded. "Everyone fears what is to come once this plague takes over us. We have to go. Follow me."
He led them towards the gates, all four following as fast as they could as screams continued to echo around them, yells and even laughing could be heard when the screams calmed. Outside of the gate, trees were blown away, many burning and creating an eerie glow into the night sky as they continued on. What grass used to be there was now charred or barren, leaving scraggly tufts of grass across the dirt covered ground. Trees uprooted, though many seemed to be standing tall, not being touched by angry shinobi or by the flames that threatened to consume the world. The smoke that billowed above them caused the air they breathed in to cause them to cough at various times. Even someone with fire release wouldn't be able to take in the smoke for such a long period of time.
For hours they ran, Masaru focused on his goal as they followed, none of them letting up as the screams followed them through the barren earth. Soon they came across what looked like a large rock and Hinata watched Masaru use hand signs at such a high rate of speed before his hand was placed upon it. It opened up to reveal a set of stairs that led down, which he began and they followed. Even being underground, it didn't feel humid or even moldy, but the air was cleaner and she sucked it in greedily to release the ash that she could feel. It was then she felt a hand on her own, fingers intertwining with her own and she looked up to see Sasuke looking down at her with worry. She tightened her grip slightly to convey to him she was fine without voicing it and his eyes looked away, but his grip on her hand stayed.
Soon they came to a hallway and Masaru made his way through various hallways until a set of double doors stood before them and he led them inside. Two bodies were strapped to gurneys, neither of which moved, but the machines attached to them confirmed that they were alive. Hinata noticed that they seemed to have spots on their skin, though the colors varied to make them look like bruises. She felt her insides twist and looked to see Sasuke also looking at them, mismatched eyes taking in their form with a look of curiosity and disgust.
"Oh my. A face I have not seen in such a very, very long time."
They all turned and Hinata gasped at the face she found herself looking into. Orochimaru looked back at them, nothing having changed but that his hair was up in twin buns that reminded her of Tenten. His face looked the same as it had during her own time and she wondered how he managed to continue living, but knew she truly didn't want to know. Sasuke stiffened at her side, taking in the look of the person he defected Konoha for, his eyes were wide and it seemed he couldn't reign in those emotions like he usually did. Though, for something like this, she had a feeling that no one could truly do so.
"Orochimaru." Sasuke finally said, lips parted. "You finally did it."
"Oh, Sasuke, you always knew what my goal was in life. You are right, I accomplished it and I feel fantastic. Though, your death hit deep, so to see you so young and so very much alive is such a comforting feeling. It brings me back to the old days. And I see you brought your wife." Orochimaru gazed over towards Sakura. "You didn't bring her around as much, but she and Sarada were always welcome."
"So, about that. I may have messed up their timeline." Masaru chuckled.
"What do you mean?" Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, the yellow color darkening slightly.
"Sasuke is married to a Hyuga."
Orochimaru looked back at Sasuke and then towards Hinata, eyes glancing between the two and his eyebrows raised in interest. Then his eyes moved over toward both Naruto and Sakura, understanding etched on his features that still looked the same as they always had. He watched Orochimaru turn toward Masaru, his snake-like gaze looking directly into pale eyes. Masaru ignored him, reaching out to place what looked like the red ginseng on the counter before placing his hand next to them.
"I got what we needed. We need to focus on the antidote." Masaru said, gazing back to the four who had joined him before turning away from them.
"It will take a few weeks, Masaru." Orochimaru responded, look of curiosity on his face.
"Fine." Masaru said before turning to them. "You'll stay within this hideout until we have confirmed the antidote works. Once we have established that it has, we will travel back in time to give it to the group who got sick before they can spread it to everyone else. Any questions?"
"What if it doesn't work? I can take a look and see if I notice anything." Sakura offered, looking between the two men before glancing at the two on the gurneys.
"Unfortunately for you, your granddaughter had surpassed your own skill and she was killed doing that exact thing." Orochimaru said, turning to his computer. "I suggest you leave this to us and worry about helping when we need the antidote given."
"Can you tell us what we are dealing with?" Hinata asked, stepping away from Sasuke, but remaining at his side. "I'm aware it isn't something we would know about from our time, but knowing what we are up against will help us be more effective."
"There is a parasite that enters the body of any individual person and attaches itself to their chakra network. Over time, their chakra is drained with no way to counter it, and thus after so long, the host dies. What we have noticed is that there are some out there who the parasite is not compatible with. For whatever reason, the parasite is unable to attach itself to drain chakra and thus dies. Those that are able to live are being hunted down to be tested in an attempt to find a cure. What Masaru and I have come to understand is that those who live have a certain nature release, but that release is very rare and has only recently been discovered." Orochimaru took the files and slid them across the counter. "Fire, wind, water, lightning, and earth were the ones that we have always known about for centuries, but in the last decade we have come across a new one: moon."
"Moon?" Sasuke asked, raising his brows. "Would that have to do with Toneri Otsutsuki?"
"You were always intuitive, Sasuke." Orochimaru praised, a smile on his face. "Yes, it would actually, but we feel it has been around since your time, but many associated it with other nature releases. As a matter of fact, it's based around healing and is more associated with water or earth release."
"Which means that those with moon release can utilize the earth to heal." Hinata remarked, causing Orochimaru and Masaru to glance her way curiously.
"Well, it appears that you married someone just as intuitive as you, Sasuke." Orochimar grinned further. "You would be correct. Which means that anyone affected is possibly healing themselves without realizing their body is able to realize the parasite and protect itself. However, those who have it and don't train to utilize it or simply don't have it die. There is a desperation with those still alive who don't understand that there must be a secondary option and decide that testing on those with moon release is the only way. Therefore, many have died because they drain their chakra to critical levels."
"Because they are taking it from organs." Sakura added, looking between Orochimaru and Masaru. "I take it that even healers are unable to realize what they are doing?"
"They don't care. They see those who die as a failure and continue on to the next one. Those of us able to survive are hunted, however we were able to get here because Orochimaru gave me a device that hides our chakra for a period of time." Masaru said, pale hands on the counter as he stared down at it. "Many have died for the sake of science, yet no one is sane enough to realize that they are creating more issues. Too much fear to think rationally and so this is the result."
"Once we have the antidote, you will make another change in time and from there, we won't have to worry about this anymore." Orochimaru said. "However, this will take time and you'll need to remain patient."
For the first time, they would be sharing a room and Sasuke found himself slightly nervous. One bed, though the room was large and that didn't surprise him. Given the time that Orochimaru obviously had been on this earth, he wasn't shocked to see so much time and energy put into a hideout near Otogakure. Hinata looked a little unsure as neither of them had gotten this close, even though they were heading in that direction. Now they had to bide their time, unable to leave the hideout in fear of coming across the parasite or being hunted with the assumption they were not affected by it. And as they were not supposed to be in this time, it would be an even bigger issue if they were caught and figured out. So, here they were, stuck in a hideout waiting for something to happen so they could finish their mission.
"Well, it could be worse." Hinata said, offering a soft smile as she took the right side of the bed. "Hopefully it won't take too long."
"Yeah." Sasuke didn't have much to add, so he chose not to, other than to acknowledge he heard her.
"Is it okay to be nervous about this?" Hinata finally asked for a long silence, her eyes focused on the floor.
"It's fine. Just don't worry about it too much or you'll psych yourself out." Sasuke responded, glancing over at her.
"I just worry I'll fail." Hinata gasped out and Sasuke watched her grab the red blanket that covered their bed.
"You won't fail." Sasuke scoffed, frowning in her direction. "Stop thinking like that."
"Trying to tell me thinking like that is annoying?" Hinata gave a slight chuckle, her eyes brimming with tears.
"No, I'm telling you you're being ridiculous." Sasuke remarked, a few lines visible between his brows.
"You're right. I suppose I'm being too hard on myself." Hinata gave a watery smile.
Sasuke couldn't say what came over him at that moment and perhaps it was because they both had already shared a kiss, even if they had not been able to have one while she was sober. Making his way around the bed, he grasped her by her beige jacket, pulling her towards him. He heard her gasp, her lips parted as she looked up at him with shock in her eyes. Perhaps it was because he wanted to distract her from negative thoughts, though that's what he'd tell himself that night. Deep down, he knew it was because he wanted to see her sober reaction and so he held his lips near her own, allowing her time to separate from him. She didn't and instead he felt her hands on his chest, her fingers gripping his poncho slightly as she lowered her lids in preparation. It brought him back to their home, to the moment they were about to have before her sister ruined it.
"Sasuke…" Hinata whispered, her lips moving and he felt every movement against his own.
Leaning in, he kissed her, his hand letting go of her jacket and bringing it up to cup her cheek. Her own hands moved around his shoulders, wrapping around his neck to bring him closer. To feel her acceptance of this new chapter in their relationship was something he would internally appreciate. He had been so focused on Sakura and then the mission at hand that he didn't allow himself to see the woman he was pushed to be with. To see that below that shy exterior, she was someone that he could appreciate and learn to have a romantic relationship with. She wasn't someone he had seen himself with over time, knowing he needed someone that would challenge him. Sakura had been that person, but now he couldn't see himself with anyone else.
Knowing that in this life, years ago, he had been married to Sakura, he knew at that moment it wasn't the life he wanted to lead. He'd allow the Sasuke who lived in this reality that time, that moment, while he took on a new path that he didn't want to change. The woman in front of him had managed to worm her way in without realizing it. Now he wanted to spend his time protecting her and everyone in the village. She worked hard every time he trained her in order to be the best partner he could have. Her determination and drive was something he admired and it reminded him of a young Naruto. And it was during those times he understood why she looked up to him, wanting to be someone that pushed forward when everyone else told her not to.
Taking the risk, he moved his lips from hers and kissed the side of her mouth and made a path down to her jaw and below. Her fingers dug into his shoulders but she didn't stop him, didn't budge, so he took the opportunity to see what she'd think about something new. He left open mouthed kisses on her skin, nipping skin and hearing her gasp before using his tongue to soothe the area. The idea of leaving a mark on her pale skin was enticing, so he wrapped his lips around skin that settled between her neck and shoulder. Her moan reached right down to his crotch and he moved his hand down to grasp the other side of her neck as he worked to leave a mark, her skin tasting salty on his tongue. When he moved away, he saw the mark he left easily contrasted with her skin tone and grinned.
Kissing his way back up to her mouth, she kissed him back with much more determination behind the movement. Moving his hand from her neck, he brought his hand up to her zipper, lowering the metal and hearing the low sound as it made it's way down, her jacket opening up slowly as he did so. Once the fabric fully parted, he removed it from her shoulder and heard the thump as it hit the floor at their feet. While he had no plans of doing anything more than making out with her, the idea of feeling her curves under his hand was appealing. So he placed his hand on her waist, feeling it curve inward, her hourglass figure something he wanted to explore. Moving his hand up, he avoided her breast, the curve was right on the edge of his thumb as he moved his hand up to her shoulder to cup the back of her neck.
Soon he turned her so her back was to the bed and lowered her down until she was laying on it. She broke apart from him in order to move back until she was fully on the bed and after he took off his poncho, he joined her. Using his arm to hold himself up so as not to lay directly on her, their lips met again, the kiss filled with much more desperation than before. Lowering himself slightly, he used his forearm to hold himself up in order to cup her cheek as her own arms moved around his neck once again. He felt her chest against his, giving slightly under his weight and he could still feel the softness linger on his palm. As they continued, her lips parted so that his tongue could delve inside, tasting a sweetness that could only come from her, that was all he needed. He parted from her, both breathing heavily as they looked at each other.
"I'm not going to take this any further for now." Sasuke said, watching her eyes soften.
"I appreciate that." Hinata was blushing furiously. "I want to take things slow, though I suppose this isn't slow."
"I think we passed slow when we got married." Sasuke smirked as she giggled.
"Good point." Hinata's teeth grasped her bottom lip. "Thank you for being patient with me. I've never done this before."
"Beyond this point, it will be a first for me, too." Sasuke admitted, watching her eyes widen. "It was something we planned to wait on."
To know that he would have firsts with her seemed to ease them both as he watched that information continue to settle. Sasuke leaned down and pecked her lips, which she responded with before he lifted himself away from her and sat on bed, glancing over at her and watching as she straightened herself, her cheeks still painted red. Part of him was curious about how much further that blush went and the idea of being able to see it was interesting. While he had been waiting to be married before engaging in intercourse, he was already married and all that was stopping them was establishing a strong relationship with his wife. Hinata had sat up, straightening her hair and shirt and he watched her curiously, her blush slowly melting away.
"I'm glad I'll have another first with you aside from marriage." Hinata admitted, her blush back.
While he had initiated it in order to distract her from her own thoughts, it had been an enjoyable experience that he'd like to repeat in the future. Given that at the moment they were in a position of having to wait for their mission to continue, he didn't have that as a distraction to not think about his life. Missions had always been a welcome distraction that kept him focused on getting stronger and allowing for the circumstances of his life to take a backseat. To be in a position where he had to wait was different for him as he hardly allowed himself more than a day or two between missions. That was until he had gotten married, but he had been so upset at the time that it didn't matter, though that frustration was no longer present. Placing his sword on a table in the room, he glanced over at Hinata and watched as she was pulling her own weapons out of her pack, looking them over carefully.
He watched as she carefully ran her thumb over the kunai in her hand, testing to see how sharp the weapon was. Her teeth caught her bottom lip as she looked it over and set it to the side as she pulled out a few more, giving them the same attention. It reminded him of Itachi when he was younger and would focus on sharpening his own weapons. Itachi had always been someone who was methodical and several steps ahead of his own opponent. The Sharingan merely heightened the strategic way that he fought on the battlefield. Sasuke had never truly admitted it at the time, but he knew if Itachi had not been sick, that fight would have gone differently. As he came back from his own thoughts, he frowned at the idea that Hinata reminded him of his brother in any capacity.
A/N: Yes, making up a new nature release and basing it on research I found, so I'm well aware that it probably is incorrect or would match up to something a healer would be able to do normally. However, for this story, I've decided to make this its own nature release.
This is my birthday month (I'm one day away from sharing a birthday with Kakashi!) so I may have time to focus on getting to write a bit more. ^^
I-Love-Trunks1: I'm glad you've been enjoying it and yes! This story needed Hanabi.
LaCrazyWriter: Agreed. Sometimes it bothers me, but other times that tension is needed and I'm like "okay, fine, I accept". Haha.
Been trying to read the novels so I can get a bit closer to OC than this story allows. I know they will have OOC moments, but I am trying to keep it as OC as I can. Having seen Sasuke tease Sakura in the manga/anime, I felt it was very fitting. Hanabi was definitely needed as she definitely felt like that voice in The Last as it was.
I'm still doing what I can to get chapters out. Not as well as my first story, but plan to finish it, even if I'm a bit slower about it this time around.