Sasuke glanced at his phone, frustration etching lines on his forehead as it went to voicemail. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, laden with a mix of annoyance and concern. "Hinata, I swear if this is some stupid joke..." he muttered angrily to himself, his voice tinged with irritation. Without wasting a moment, he tried calling her again, only to be met with the same result — her voicemail.

In a fit of annoyance, he flung his phone to the other side of the bed, the anger dissipating as he sank back onto the mattress. Memories from their high school days resurfaced, reminding him of the late-night conversations they used to share. Hinata would call him just to "talk," seeking solace in their connection. The weight of nostalgia settled upon Sasuke, mixing with his growing curiosity about Hinata's sudden attempt to reach out. Turning his gaze towards the silent phone resting on the other side of the bed, he couldn't help but wonder what had prompted Hinata to reach out this time.

Curiosity gnawed at Sasuke's mind, leaving him unable to ignore the unanswered calls. What did Hinata want? Why had she reached out? As much as he tried to push the thoughts away, a part of him longed for a glimpse of that familiar connection they once shared. With a mix of trepidation and anticipation, he finally retrieved the phone and unlocked it.

Silence enveloped the room as Sasuke stared at the screen, contemplating whether to give it another try. He knew Hinata had a habit of calling at unexpected times, but this time it felt different — more urgent. Swallowing his pride, he pressed the call button once more, hoping for a response. Deep down, he yearned to hear her voice, to unravel the mysteries behind her attempts to contact him.

The phone once again, bypassed the ringing and went straight to voicemail. Sasuke's irritation grew, the anger fueling his thoughts. "Is she mad at me for not answering in the first place?" He muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing in confusion. He couldn't understand why she would call him only to remain elusive.

In his state of aggravation, Sasuke made a decision. He tossed the phone aside, realizing that dwelling on the unanswered calls would only cause him to overthink and get angry over nothing. Perhaps it was best to let the matter rest for now and try to find solace in slumber.

With a resigned sigh, Sasuke settled back onto the bed, his mind filled with a tangle of emotions. As he closed his eyes, he tried to push away the lingering thoughts of Hinata and the unanswered calls. Sleep beckoned, offering a temporary escape from the uncertainties that plagued his mind.

"Sasuke!" A young Hinata twirled around in her dress, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Let's play a game!"

Sasuke looked at her with a hint of boredom. "What game?" He asked, not fully invested in her playful suggestion.

Hinata's smile widened. "Hide and seek!" Without waiting for his agreement, she dashed off, her laughter filling the air.

"Hinata!" Sasuke called out halfheartedly, feigning disinterest as he began his search.

Her giggles echoed through the surroundings, and despite her being in plain sight, Sasuke decided to play along, pretending not to see her. He approached the bush where her voice seemed to be coming from, only to find it empty. Confusion creased his brow as he looked around once more, searching for any sign of her.

Now a teenager, Hinata hid behind a building, her voice beckoning Sasuke to find her. "Sasuke! Come on, slowpoke." She urged, the mischievousness evident in her laughter.

Smirking, Sasuke circled the building, expecting to catch her in the act. However, once again, she eluded his grasp. When he walked out from behind the building and scanned the area, she seemed to have vanished, leaving him slightly perplexed.

"Sasuke, come find me!" Now, as an adult, Hinata's voice called out from behind a tree.

Sasuke approached cautiously, determined not to let her escape this time. Yet, as he got closer, she disappeared right before his eyes. The air was filled with an eerie silence, and Sasuke's senses heightened.

"Sasuke!" Hinata's terrified scream pierced his ears.

Amidst the ringing in his ears, he groaned in frustration "What the fuck..." he muttered, trying to gather his thoughts. His attention shifted to the phone that had interrupted his rest. The caller ID displayed Hiashi's name, a name he had barely seen appear on his phone before. Curiosity mixed with discontent, Sasuke reluctantly answered the call. "Hn. What is it?" He grumbled.

"Is Hinata with you?" Hiashi's concerned voice cut through the air, instantly capturing Sasuke's attention.

A wave of realization washed over him, replacing his grogginess with a surge of alertness. His hand tightened around the phone, anxiety coiling within him. "No, why?" Sasuke questioned, his voice tinged with worry he couldn't suppress.

"She's not at home, nor with her boyfriend. She's not answering her phone...I'm worried," Hiashi explained, his voice betraying his own apprehension.

Sasuke's eyes widened, the weight of the situation sinking in. "Fuck," he whispered, the word escaping his lips in a hushed breath.


Hinata groaned, her eyes struggling to adjust to the darkness enveloping her. She attempted to look around, but her movements were restricted, her mouth unable to form coherent words. Frustrated, she emitted loud muffled sounds in a desperate attempt to make some noise. Her body writhed against the restraints that held her firmly in place, causing her wrists to scrape against the unforgiving material, leaving painful cuts.

Tears streamed down Hinata's face, a combination of fear and pain welling up inside her. Her mind raced with questions and uncertainties, but all she could do was offer muffled cries, her voice stifled. Suddenly, a burst of blinding light engulfed her vision, causing her to turn away and blink rapidly to adjust to the sudden brightness. As her eyes focused, she found herself face to face with a strange man who loomed over her.

Her heart skipped a beat as she attempted to lean back, away from the unsettling presence. But to her horror, the man moved closer, invading her personal space. His piercing gaze locked onto hers, causing a shiver to run down her spine. Hinata's eyes widened as she took in his features; an unnaturally pale complexion that seemed almost white, contrasting starkly with his long, black hair that cascaded like a dark void. But it was his eyes that filled her with an indescribable dread — they resembled the slitted eyes of a snake.

"Ah, you are right," the man commented, his voice carrying a chilling tone. "She does have very unique Hyūga eyes."

Hinata's breath caught in her throat as she realized the man's unsettling interest in her family's distinctive feature. Her gaze darted towards another person in the room, and her eyes widened in recognition — it was the same man she had encountered at the bakery.


"Please, can I come?" Hanabi pleaded, her eyes filled with determination. She gazed at the older man, hoping to convince him.

Sasuke let out a scoff, dismissing her request. "Hanabi, stay. It's better if you're at home in case Hinata returns. Let the adults handle this matter."

Hanabi's glare intensified. "Just because I'm fifteen doesn't mean I don't understand what's going on," she retorted, her voice laced with frustration.

Naruto, sensing the tension, interjected, trying to find a solution. "You know, Hanabi, I think your role is actually the most important one here," he said, looking at her earnestly.

Hanabi crossed her arms, intrigued. "Oh, really? And what exactly would that be?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Naruto scratched the back of his neck, hoping to find the right words of persuasion. "Well, if Hinata were to come home, you would be the one to call us and let us know that she's safe," he explained.

Hanabi pondered the idea, considering her sister's boyfriend's proposal. After a moment of contemplation, she relented. "Fine, I'll stay home," she finally agreed.

Naruto beamed with satisfaction. "Good! That's settled then." He then turned his attention to Hiashi. "Mr. Hyuga, maybe it would be best if you stayed home as well?"

Hiashi crossed his arms, a stern expression on his face. "I appreciate your concern, Naruto, but I cannot sit idly at home while my daughter is missing. I will accompany you in the search," he firmly stated.

Giving up instantly, he nodded in agreement and led the two other men to his car.

Naruto parked the car on the side of the road, and he was the first to step out, followed by Sasuke and Hinata's father. Naruto attempted to address Hiashi respectfully, expressing his opinion about the situation. "I still think, Mr. Hyuga, that you should have stayed home. Sasuke and I could have handled it ourselves." Naruto's words were filled with a genuine concern for Hinata's father's well-being.

Hiashi scoffed, dismissing Naruto's suggestion. "Boy, I have told you before, and I will tell you again. This is my daughter we are talking about. Her safety is my utmost priority. You will understand the depth of a parent's concern when you have children of your own." Hiashi's voice softened as he whispered the last part, "hopefully not with Hinata."

Naruto let out a sigh, his frustration evident. "I'm just saying, sir-"

Naruto's words were abruptly cut off as Hiashi interrupted him, signaling the end of the discussion. "I am done talking about it. Hanabi is at home in case Hinata returns." Hiashi's tone brooked no further argument, leaving Naruto with a resigned expression on his face.

Sasuke, walking alongside Naruto, couldn't help but voice his frustration. "Why didn't you just take her home, dumbass?" He asked, his irritation evident. They continued walking down the path, scanning their surroundings for any sign of Hinata.

Naruto let out a groan, trying to explain. "I tried, but she insisted on leaving her here," he replied, his tone tinged with concern.

Sasuke's gaze remained fixed on the path as Naruto began calling out Hinata's name, hoping for any response.

"Hinata!" Naruto's voice echoed through the surroundings. Frustration seeped into Sasuke's expression as he rubbed his temples. "I can't be the only one yelling," Naruto urged, but Sasuke let out a weary sigh, looking down at the ground.

"If she heard you, she would have said something, idiot," he retorted, his voice tinged with worry.

As Naruto continued yelling and Hiashi followed him, Sasuke's attention was drawn to something lying in the grass. He walked over, picking up a familiar item—a heel, Hinata's favorite. They were the ones she had begged him for as a birthday gift. Sasuke clenched them tightly in his hand, his heart pounding with concern. He searched the area further, ignoring Naruto's impatient calls.

Naruto, noticing Sasuke's distraction, turned back and shouted, "come on, asshole! This is not the time to be playing in the mud!"

Sasuke disregarded Naruto's words, his focus unwavering. He glanced down the path, scanning for any signs of people they might have passed. Spotting an older man pushing a cart, Sasuke raised his voice, demanding the man's attention. "Hey!"

The man paused, slipping something into his pocket, and looked at Sasuke with a mixture of surprise and discomfort. "Ah...Yes?," he stammered.

Maintaining a distance from the man, as his unpleasant odor reached Sasuke's senses, he inquired further. "Have you seen anything unusual in this area?" Sasuke's tone was firm but composed.

The man appeared confused for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I haven't, sir," he responded.

Sasuke hummed, clenching the heel tightly in his fist. "Thanks," he said curtly, making his way back to the group.

Sasuke held up the shoe, showing his findings to Naruto and Hiashi. His voice carried a sense of urgency. "We need to call the police," he stated, his eyes filled with determination. The gravity of the situation was sinking in, and they needed to take swift action to find Hinata.