I do not own Naruto.
PURGATORY
"You know, Sasuke, opposites do attract. Nobody is a stranger to that experience.
But it's what we do with the contrasting qualities that make all the difference.
Do we push that aside? Deal with it? Accept it?
Do we come to terms with ourselves first before going head-on?
How would you know the way towards resolve?
How would you know you needed resolve?
And most importantly, why do you need resolve?"
. . .
Nothing in the world he's living in could ever satisfy the emptiness within. He searched far and wide, and very so often, he was left disappointed. It was as if the universe never allowed him to fully experience the depth of joy… something everyone has the right to acquire. Well, not until he met Hinata.
And something within him, a brute force, pushed him to devour her to a degree he himself couldn't fathom. The way her scent caught his whole being as he passed him, and the way her eyes scattered elsewhere when he caught her gaze. He could tell that her whole being craved him too.
Knowing she was Hyūga, and him an Uchiha, left possibilities to experience a decline. There was no way they could ever be together, not when he was a rogue ninja. Every so often he would sneak into Konoha, just to see her sleep. It was fair to say that he got quite good coming in and out unnoticed. He had a way to alter his chakra to be able to go around and about with stealth… even through a Hyūga household. The journey started out that way, at least. Until Hinata realized his presence in her bedroom.
She wasn't reactive, to say the least. However, she wasn't welcoming either. She questioned him, interrogated him, and he stood dumbfounded. How he never felt the need to flee, to remain unseen, and how he never felt the urgency to wipe her memories or something, baffled him. He then came to realize that all he wanted was a connection with someone who would challenge him but accept him. And her demeanor at their first encounter was exactly that.
The next day after their fateful meeting, Sasuke had expected her to tell the Hokage about it. Much to his surprise, she did not. What a strange girl.
It was not like he had nothing to do in his life that he'd constantly follow her. The travels he had to go through along with his companions refrained him from seeking her. It took him 3 whole months to finally find a break from all the mess of his vengeful life, and he found himself longing to be in her presence. Even though he's the king of self-control, he managed to reason with himself to go see her again.
When they encountered each other yet again, in her bedroom, she held a softer expression. As if she took those 3 months of his mysterious absence as time of self-reflection. Nobody, who's controlled by fear, would wear that physiognomy when the presence of their stalker was standing right in front of them. And with hands clasped to each other, resting in front of her torso, she dropped her eyes to look elsewhere, as if she was too embarrassed to look at his dark orbs.
"T-Took you long enough to come back."
Sasuke remained silent, observing the lady.
"You've been following me, all this time. Why?"
He took several steps forward to narrow the distance between them. He missed this view; the sight of the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. Sasuke wasn't one to lose his senses over a woman. He was known to be the most determined vengeful ninja to have ever been alive. And in his 19 years of life, he'd never ever once wavered because of the physique of women. Until now.
Whatever she owned, it was enough to captivate him.
"I like looking at you." He answered simply.
Pale cheeks birthed a soft red color, indicating embarrassment on the Hyūga's face. But her brows furrowed as if her confusion took the rest of her dignity. Once again, her unique eyes met his toxic ones.
"I could report this to everyone."
"Which you haven't done."
"Yes, b-but I still could. Everyone is looking for you."
It didn't move the Uchiha. They could search for all he cares.
A smirk passed by Sasuke. "You'd need evidence. I can help with that."
Hinata took a step back, not knowing she had the back of her thighs pressed onto the edge of her bed. As a result she fell onto it, now in a sitting position with her head tilted up to keep her gaze on him. Her confused expression was still on display, but she did not flinch when his fingertips touched her cheek.
A sharp tingle invaded both their bodies as they made that small physical contact. Hinata's blushing cheeks grew a deeper red, her expression softened, and her breathing slightly quickened. And much to his surprise, she leaned into the touch by a little, as if wanting for more.
. . .
"Orochimaru-sama, could you explain to me why a person could be so drawn to someone?"
"Hm? Are you telling me, Sasuke, that you've found a soul you've locked with?"
A deep chuckle came about and surrounded the room. Sasuke hated when the man knew more than he did.
"Our chakras long to lock with another, that's just how it's meant to be. Once you've locked with someone, you are stronger."
"Then wouldn't it be best that I pursue that one person I've locked with?"
"Depends, Sasuke. Because I've seen too much go wrong when that happens."
. . .
Somehow both their chakras heightened when they touched. The curiosity he had made him cup her cheek, allowing more skin contact. And not only did she react in a rather relaxed way, both him and Hinata seemed to feel a deep sense of longing to feel more of each other.
It was as if he could be forgiven of his sins for just a little while. And he knew full well the time he spent away from her was purgatory.
… Sins?
What sins?
His goal was a noble one. Taking down Konoha was the way to really resolve the hatred within him, and one touch with a Hyūga made him feel like his endeavors were sinful?
Who was this girl? And how dare she? How dare she make him want more?
The moment her relaxed eyes gathered its strength to seek him, he felt anger surge within him. Sasuke moved his hand to grab a fistful of her silky hair, making her head tilt up, aligned with his gaze. She didn't look like she hated it. In fact, her face showed desire unlike anything he's ever seen. But of course, with a hint of fear.
Pure desire, and thrill. This girl had suppressed something that's deep within, something only Sasuke could bring to the surface.
"You… make me sick."
His other hand cupped her other cheek, with his thumb caressing her lips. A sigh escaped her. Even after his remark, she remained in need of more of him. And he… wanted more of her.
Her hand managed to touch his right arm, her fingers gently wrapped around it, as if wanting him to come closer. He did so, bending down to move his face closer to hers. He wanted to have a good look at her face, and he wanted to kiss her. Before he decided to place his lips on hers, he darted away from her, completely releasing her from his grip.
"Why–" she gasped, as if she's lost air. Hinata found herself standing from her bed, sad he had let her go.
"Because!" He cut her off with a sharp tone, his back facing her. "I'm determined to destroy your home. You and your people, and everyone in Konoha. All you sorry assholes, make me sick."
And just like that, he disappeared from her room.
It took him another 3 months to recover from his last meeting. He had traveled further than the last time just to ensure he wouldn't be wanting to see her again. All those days killing, walking, sleeping, and he couldn't get her out of his head.
"It is said that when a fated partner crosses your path, your chakras align with each other, and you will forever want to be one with that person."
For fuck's sake, what a myth. Orochimaru had knowledge he appreciated but that particular one was a waste of Sasuke's time. He had done his research and another way of saying fated partner was "soulmate". All he knew to be obvious was that she was head over heels with Naruto. And Sasuke wasn't in the business of ever settling down. Soulmates are myths.
And yet there was no one else in his mind. He had let his guard down too many times during life-threatening battles. Luckily he never received serious injuries, but if he wasn't alert enough, he would have been killed. All that killing didn't satisfy his desire to see her. Each passing day made him crave for more of her scent and the sight of her.
After having to fight such desires, he decided to head towards Konoha. Was he going to sneak up into her room again? He figured he needed more rest to regain his chakra back for a task so demanding. He then stopped his movement 10 kilometers before the village to rethink his decisions. The closer he got to Konoha, the more he felt her presence. How was it possible? It was too tangible to ignore. It was something bigger than just... anything he's ever learned.
He turned his head toward a direction he knew to be familiar. And as he made his way to his destination, he arrived to a waterfall. The place was too magical because it never made such a heavy sound most waterfalls would. And the river would always reflect the sky above. He knew of this place because Hinata would meditate here, and he knew that in about a few seconds...
"Sasuke-san?"
He heard footsteps approaching him and yet he didn't need to let his guard up, because he knew who it was. A figure emerged from the darkness and into the moonlight. Her raven-colored hair and pale eyes stared at him with anticipation.
"How did you know I would be here?" She asked him.
"Wild guess."
"I see. I f-followed you here."
"And how would you be able to do that?" Considering he's skilled in suppressing his chakra to go unnoticed.
He could see faintly under the moonlight how her cheeks turned a shade slightly red.
"I could feel you."
How amusing.
"I have been away for 3 months."
"I'm aware. I don't know how, but out of the blue, I knew you were here." She explained.
It had been approximately a year since he followed her, watched her, and basically stalked her. He knew her schedule, her room, her face when she was asleep. The worst part of this was, he needed to know more. And he wondered if she grew accustomed to his presence in the days when she would look over her shoulder, to see if she really was being followed.
. . .
"Once a soulmate finds their partner, all logic would cease.
It's sad, really. You never know who you lock souls with.
I've seen many fall for the most dangerous people ever, and not end on a good note.
And yet, I've seen people lock souls with good people, and they're purified of their darkness."
. . .
"I should leave." Sasuke responded, turning around to walk away.
"Please don't!" She called out. And he swore he'd hate every single truth of this soulmate bullshit if he responded to her plea.
And yet, he did. He stopped walking away from her. Even though there was a gap between them, he turned around, and opened himself to a conversation.
Hinata fidgeted, realizing what she asked for. "I-I have been tirelessly helping Naruto-kun. We all have been."
"And?"
"A-And... I'm not going to tell them that you're here." She concluded. "I never did, and never will."
"You can tell them for all I care."
Hinata shook her head. This girl is something else.
"I don't know why I n-never mustered up the courage to talk to you, Sasuke-kun. There were moments where I wished I did."
"Everyone knows you had eyes for that idiot."
As much as Hinata hated how everyone, including Sasuke, assumed that her life was all about Naruto, she chose to remain calm. Sasuke noticed this and he admired it.
"That's what everyone thinks. But I've observed you, too."
"There's not much to see, princess." Sasuke immediately responded, not wanting to see where this conversation would go.
"Wrong." Hinata responded.
. . .
"And what happens when a locked soul tries to break the tie?" Sasuke asked.
"Well. They obviously go into despair, and they will never find each other again. The locking of souls would be as though they've never existed."
"Why is it that easy?"
"It is not.
This isn't something they choose.
It's fate.
And it serves a higher purpose.
When the higher purpose has been served, they will lose every memory and attraction of each other."
. . .
Sasuke kept his gaze on the woman in front of him as he remembered Orochimaru's explanation. What purpose could it possibly serve? He never noticed her for all the years he was faithful to Konoha. Why now?
Hinata took a few steps closer to the Uchiha, afraid to touch him. Afraid of what it would do to her.
"Everyone knows you're a traitor, a rogue ninja, vengeful..." she began, and Sasuke had to use every ounce of strength not to be swept with anger.
"But the fact that you are here right now, a stronger ninja than I'll ever be, and that you c-can kill me faster than the speed of light, and yet you aren't doing so," she said, her being absolutely afraid of the angry Uchiha, who surprisingly had a side only Hinata could see, "shows me that there's more than what meets the eye."
"I'm not looking to be cleansed off of my sins, princess."
"I know."
She never once left his gaze.
"I just want to get to know you before you decide to destroy Konoha."
Her statement made Sasuke feel like he was nailed to the ground. He wasn't a stranger to female affection. But to have someone who took on the quest to befriend a traitor knowing he will wipe them out, was a move of compassion he never would be able to understand.
What was the reason of their locked souls? The angel and the devil? The devoted and the sinner? Life and death when combined, what would it look like?
Sasuke shook his head out of his thoughts. The soulmate theory is a myth.
It has been and always will be...
a myth.
I wrote this at midnight, and when I published it, it's exactly 02:35 AM.
This is what they call fruits from a brain fart. And therefore it needed major editing.
I would say this is the completed work of this chapter. I am not an expert in fanfictions.
But I do hope you guys enjoy this one. I hope I will complete it instead of deleting it.
Positive feedback is greatly appreciated.