Day 16

- I Missed You -

Deep in the woods of the Land of Fire, where beasts roam and robbers lurk, Hyuuga Hinata sits in her tree with a pile of notebook paper relaxing against her nap. Her byakugan activates every now and then, searching the surrounding area for any fool who might be brave enough to try and sneak up on her team while they set up camp to slumber. There is a camp of merchants about eight-hundred kilometers north, and they poke at their fire and set their sleeping bags around it, and that is all Hinata sees. Her byakugan falls, deactivated, and she then turns her attention to what is in her lap.

These are the notes shared between her in Uchiha Sasuke, whom she has left far back in Konoha to watch her house and water her plants. Despite his demeanor and the power that comes with such a name, Sasuke has rather sloppy handwriting, and it throws Hinata into a giggling fit if she thinks too much about it. His letters are slanted, sometimes too close together, and it's hard to distinguish m from n, f from t. Still, despite that look of it, Hinata reads over them between moments of scouting the area, and she remembers the giddiness she felt when coming home to find he wrote her. His warmth lingers in the ink on thin paper, and her thumbs press into it, feeling it, feeling him.

Hinata left him in Konoha, waiting.

She's sure he's found her hidden note she wrote for him the morning before leaving. Sasuke is observant and careful. He'd find it before she and her team could get much distance away from Konoha, she's sure.

And she had almost expected a repeat of their encounter all those months ago, where he'd spring forth from the gates and call to her, taking all her attention and muddying it up and making her feel blindsighted in the best way possible; only this time, maybe he'd run up to her, and maybe he'd kiss her, and maybe he'd drag her back home and not let her leave for the rest of the week. The guards, panicking because Uchiha Sasuke had managed to dupe them again, will pause and gawk when he returns, only with her in his arms. He'll pass through without hardly a glance at them, and they'll murmur to each other, wondering if this is something they'd really have to inform the Hokage about. He came back, after all.

Though she dreams, it does not become a reality, and so she holds these letters and thinks of him dearly as she scouts.

...

The mission is one specific for their team. With Kiba and Akamaru's senses, Shino's insects, and Hinata's byakugan, they're the best search-and-capture team Konoha has at present. From what Lord Gai had told them, there's a group of thieves currently attacking cargo and wagons holding goods traded between Konoha and Amegakure. Based on the area of focus for all these attacks and robberies, the thieves are expected to have a hideout somewhere in these woods, and Team 8 has been assigned to find, capture, and bring back the group to Konoha for interrogation.

With all their skills considered, the expected amount of time this mission should take is around a week; however, tracking missions aren't easy to pinpoint to a certain timeframe, and it could even take as long as a month depending on how hidden this hideout of thieves is.

Hinata cannot remember a time where she has missed Konoha more.

Or, perhaps, it's not exactly Konoha she misses, but someone there in particular.

...

She pretends she doesn't see the looks Kiba and Shino shoot her way.

They sit by their fire, finishing their dinner. Akamaru chews on a bone Kiba brought for him, his tail thumping happily. Sometimes, her team looks her way, and Kiba gets squirmy and awkward, rubbing the back of his neck, unsure.

"I dunno what to even say," he murmurs to Shino. "I ain't good at stuff like this."

Despite her head being turned in the opposite direction of them, Hinata can see Shino's smile with her byakugan.

"If she misses him this much," he muses, "then the Uchiha must be good to her."

"Damn better be."

"Should we sleep now and wake up early?" His voice rises up, indicating that he's speaking to both of them. "The sooner we move in, the sooner we can get you home, Hinata."

She grins down at him, and Kiba snorts before crawling into his tent, not complaining at all.

Razutshi Ren, for the love of Kami, is sick and fucking tired of the smell of body odor and stale bread. He's sick of the smell of great oaks and dirt, and he's tired of the smell that one gets when they feel like they've been abandoned.

He doesn't think he's been abandoned. Hell no. Razutshi is a patient motherfucker, enough so to wait years for his parents to get off their drunken thrones and see him as a son more than a waste of space (and he's STILL waiting on that). A few weeks out in the woods ain't nothing to him, but those other boys in the camp don't know the meaning of 'stay still and wait'. They're antsy things, jumping at the noise of elk snapping branches and someone taking a piss in the bushes. It's as if they're expectin' someone's after them, but Amegakure has shit for scouts, and Konoha's too dumb to even realize they have thieves grabbing things out from under their prissy little noses.

That's what Tanta says, anyway, and Tanta knows Konoha. Razutshi would rather not. Too cold, and he hears they have a weird type of people with eyes that can see this way and backwards and deep into the earth. Crazy place, that village. Razutshi don't need that kind of shit. Sure, he's a thief and all, but that's all circumstances. Once Zaiaku comes to get them, he'll be paid big bucks, and then he can make a life for himself. Maybe he'll get his mom and pop into a place with no alcohol lining the walls. Maybe he'll get a place out in Suna, and he'll settle down with a gal and have a few kids. Something like that.

Soon, all this camping and hiding stuff will be over, and that's why Razutshi's a patient motherfucker.

He's out scouting parameter that evening. Like he said, there's no one smart enough out to get them, but it was Zaiaku's orders to send people out on lookout every so often, and Zaiaku ain't wrong about these things. The guy has the voice and cadence of a real public speaker. He could tell you to jump off a cliff, making sound like it will benefit you in some way or shape, and you'd say, 'Of course. Now?'

Not that he'd tell you to do such a thing. That guy's a good guy. He's got this calm voice and a pretty face. Razutshi doesn't swing that way, but if he did, Zaiaku would definitely be the apple of his eye.

He's done making his circles around camp, so after a scratch to his thigh and a gander at the pink sky above, Razutshi wanders back into camp. It's a decent place for a bunch of no-good-doers with too much free time on their hands. A semi-circle of stolen wagons makes up most of the camp, the horses tied to trees and fed apples that they find in the trees. The wagons are full of stolen goods, so most of his smelly and abandonment-issue-ridden compadres have to sleep on the ground. Maybe that's why they're itching to leave so bad. Razutshi doesn't mind a good sleep on the earth, however. Pops used to have him roll around in mud to become one with the world. He feels at home when he's sleeping in grass and dirt.

There's chatter in the camp when he returns. They're calling Tanta a two-faced bastard who has tricked them. They haven't heard from him in a while, the last message stating that he's in Konoha to gather info and that Zaiaku is on his way to rescue them — not that they need rescuing, you see. These boys just can't stand camping for all these weeks, and Razutshi can't help but agree a bit. It'd be nice to head out soon.

But he doesn't think Tanta left them for themselves. The guy's a slimy fella, but everything he's told them thus far has been true. Why would he start lying now?

Razutshi slams his back between the shoulderblades of one of the boys, informing him that it's his turn to make the rounds around camp. He snorts and lifts up from his log, spitting on the ground before going out to do his job.

The camp is getting wild.

They're food supplies are running low, and there's no nearby river to bathe in. They get their water from a creek barely big enough to fill bottles. The bugs are rowdy with the summer heat, beetles flying overhead and smacking into faces if people aren't careful. It's a hard life for a thief. That's why there's complaining. That's why there's talk of betrayal, of being abandoned.

"Hell with you lot," he grumbles, making about fifteen heads spin his way. "No one here got any faith left."

"Only idiots would put faith in Tanta," someone booms. "He'd backstab his own village for power."

"That's right," another says. "And why should we put any faith into Zaiaku? Tells us to cause trouble and steal this and that, then makes us wait out here like sitting ducks while he's off in Suna, shmoozing up to everyone."

"To hell with that guy!"

"What's he need with all this shit anyways?"

"I'm sick of bein' ordered around."

Razutshi rubs his temples, groaning with every annoying voice added to the cacophony. The only thing that gets them to stop is that scouting boy rushing into camp, panicked and pale and sweating.

"Shinobi!" he screeches. "Konoha. They got a Hyuuga with them!"

That sends the whole camp into a fury. Bodies rush around, scooping up food and merchandise, fighting over horses, which whinny and buck. Razutshi gets shoved into the foliage, left for rot as everyone fends for themselves. He catches sight of three Konoha nin and a massive dog jumping into the fray, and that's his cue to skedaddle. He runs through the forest, not looking back, bulldozing through brush and tall grass and anything in between. He doesn't stop no matter how his heart aches or his lungs burn. He doesn't stop until he finds a river, dives in to clean his stench off of him, and emerges on the other side.

He hides in the roots of a great tree far into the night, waiting, but no one comes. Not friend, not foe.

He escaped.

But . . . now what? He can't wait anymore like Tanta said.

. . . Ah, to hell with that man. Fuck waiting! If Zaiaku's in Suna, then that's exactly where he'll be going, too.

With sixteen thieves in toll, Team 8 returns to Konoha eight days later, tired and a little dirty, but glowing with pride and satisfaction. They hand over the thieves to authorities before reporting to Lord Gai, informing him of the location of camp and the little information they managed to squeeze out of the thieves. They mark where the stolen goods were left so that another team of ninja may go back to retrieve it, and then they're dismissed with a jolly "WOOOOP!" from their Hokage and an excited grin from his advisor.

"Drinks on me," Hinata tells her them once they step out into the cool, summer evening air.

Kiba sucks on the backs of his teeth, smirking, and drags her into a half-hug with his arm around her shoulders. "Tomorrow," he says. "Someone's waiting for you, and it'd be a shame to keep him."

Her heart teeters, and her face grows hot, and she smacks his shoulder and laughs with him before sprinting off to her home.

Thankfully, it's a quick jog.

...

She knows Sasuke's inside. She doesn't need to use her byakugan or sense his chakra. She knows when someone is in her home — when that someone is him — and she doesn't even bother to bring out her key.

It's unlocked.

And the second she's steps in, a hand reaches out to slam the door shut behind her, and suddenly, her back is against the wall, and a very needy and very familiar mouth is on hers. Hinata hums, as if to greet him, and he just molds his mouth to hers, prompting her lips to part so he may taste her thoroughly. She's sure to oblige, hungry for him as much as he is for her, and sinks her hands into his hair to pull him as close to her as possible.

He leaves no room for her to leave (not that she wants to) as he keeps her pinned to the front door. It creaks just slightly when his hips press to hers, making her whole body jitter.

His mouth lifts, bites her bottom lip, and then she finds her dazed, foggy gaze.

"I missed you."

Oh, she can tell. "So did I."

His palm slides down her jaw, capturing her chin. "I found your note."

Hinata grins. "I was hoping you would."

"Cheeky thing." He kisses her again, long and deep, before rubbing his thumb over her red upper lip. "Next time, tell me with this."

"Sasuke." Maybe it's because she's been away from him for so long, or maybe it's all the adrenaline from returning home after a mission, or maybe it's the thrill of a mission well done still coursing through her body, but Hinata wants nothing more than those hips of his to ground her into the door until she's a mess. "Tell me what to say, and I'll say it."

His sigh is hot and full of yearn, and he kisses her, tongue searching for hers, and rubs her hip with his hand. Their chests press together. Hinata hooks one of her ankles behind his.

"Are you tired?" he murmurs, mouth exploring her neck.

"No," she moans into the air above. "But I need to shower."

This makes his head lift so he may give her a pointed, almost desperate look. "You're going to make me wait more?"

"Five minutes," she tells him.

He considers this for a moment. "Three."

"Four." She pecks his lips. "I won't even put on a robe."

His eyes flare with the image she gives him, and he dives back into nipping and kissing her for another minute or three before finally allowing her to leave for the bathroom.

...

In the shower, with hot water dripping down her body, cleaning her of grime, Hinata's desires cool for a second, and she realizes the situation.

Oh.

Hinata's not a naive twelve-year-old or an anxious eighteen-year-old.

She knows what's happening.

But . . . even so, this hasn't happened before, and she feels wildly wanted and desired, but she also feels nervous, and she feels unsure.

She tries not to think too much about it.

Sasuke's sweet, and he's patient, and he's always aware of her.

She can trust him.

She can.

...

Her bedsheets feel nice against her skin, cool from the lack of body heat warming them up every night for the past eight days. They stick to her back, to the bits of water clinging to her spine. Her hair is damp, but Sasuke doesn't seem to care. He brushes her bangs out of her face, and she smiles at how sweet he is.

How did she get so lucky?

The years of heartache almost seem worth it, because he's here, and he's looking at her like she's a goddess, and she feels like she's one, too.

He kisses her, and his mouth hardly ever leaves her. It's as if he's scared she'll forget how much he loves her if he stops, so he keeps his mouth against hers, and she lets him. When they breathe, it's against warm lips, his nose against her cheek, her hands on his chest, tracing shapes.

Hinata dares not look at him for too long. He is so much skin and muscle and tempting angles. He's carved of marble and beautiful, shoulders strong, arms corded — sometimes, she feels him rub against her, his bare head massaging her clit, and she gasps and moans, and he takes the opportunity to deepen the kiss, to steal even more of her air.

Maybe he's teasing her. He rubs himself against that spot, and the way his breath fans over her face sends heat and desire into her gut. She meets the swing of his hips with her own. His fingers curl into her pillow.

"Hinata."

Just her name, but that sends her into reality.

Her eyes open wide, and she sits up a bit, forcing him to move back.

"Sasuke," she whispers, "I don't have any . . ."

As if understanding, he blinks, then looks almost sheepish. He leans to the side, opens the drawer of her side table, and pulls out a box of condoms.

She did not buy those.

"I got them." He refuses to meet her eye. "Just in case."

So — does that mean he was hoping this would happen?

Hinata doesn't think she could be any more turned on. She kisses his jaw, teeth catching a bit of skin.

"Put it on," she whispers.

Sasuke doesn't think twice. He bites his canine into the wrapper, but instead of ripping, it sort of squeaks and twists up, and they both look at the mess of shiny blue in his hand.

"Oh."

Hinata doesn't think she could get anymore warm, but that startled and puzzled look on his face makes her stomach flip and her skin flush and her legs clamp together.

"Um —" She holds out her hand. "I can . . ."

He sits a little further back on his legs, and her eyes turn to the ceiling to avoid that exposed part of him, eager and waiting, standing at full attention. The condom is eventually dropped in her hand, and she fits it between her thumbs and works at it. Like before, it just squeaks and crinkles. Hinata frowns, her frustration overcoming her timidity for a moment, and she glares down through the dark to rip some more at it.

It doesn't budge.

She twists her fingers and digs her nail into the corner, but nothing happens.

"New one!" she says.

"It's impossible," Sasuke concludes.

She tosses it onto her carpet, and with nothing to distract them, they look at each other, and they melt and shift, and Hinata drops her head onto his shoulder to laugh. "We're silly."

His hand plays in her hair, and she realizes again that his bare flesh is against her, and she trembles and — pools.

"I'm a little embarrassed," she admits, "but I'm . . . not turned off."

Sasuke exhales, body sloping to the side to drag another condom out of the box. This one opens with startling ease, and he immediately dives in to kiss her again, pushing her skull deep into the pillow with the ways of his mouth. She has no way to leave, and she thinks she likes that, so her arms wrap around his neck to keep him in place.

"Hinata," he whispers against her teeth, "I need to put it on."

His only hand is keeping him from crushing her, so Hinata releases him and adjusts a bit. She opens her legs so he can settle between them, on his knees, like he's ready to beg her for anything she's willing to give. He's clumsy and fast, trying to hurry and put it on so he can jump right back into her hold. Hinata can't say he's the only one missing that collection of warmth between two bodies and the summer night.

Leaning forward, she pecks him, then leans her head against his, moaning as her chest presses against his. He trails her jaw with kisses. His hand finally works on the condom.

"Sasuke," she says, "I love you."

A strangled gasp breaks the air, and he pushes against her, all the way, until her back is against the mattress and he's over her, curling, then loosening, panting the whole journey between the two.

Sweat rolls down his face, and Sasuke's sharingan glazes through the night, sparking, turning, then dilating with realization. "Oh — shit."

Did something happen?

Hinata looks down, surpised to see the pink end of the condom is drooping, looking full of something.

Wait.

Did he —

"Sasuke . . . ."

"Fuck," is all he can say, face as red as hers.

Look at that. Uchiha Sasuke — finished before he could even start.

...

She should . . . comfort him, right?

He doesn't look pleased. Actually, he looks ashamed and like he wants to crawl in a hole and die.

Oh dear.

"I, um —" How can she tell him that she doesn't think it's that big of a deal without it sounding like pity? "I think this is normal for the first time."

That doesn't help. Now he looks like he's on the brink of death!

She touches his shoulder, and he has the decency to not jump away from her touch.

"I'm glad, um, that just my words can make you feel good."

"Hinata," he groans, "not helping."

Not able to fight the smile, she kisses his cheek before reaching her her robe, stating that she's hungry, wondering if he'd like to eat with her. When he doesn't reply with the obvious "I'd like to eat you", she knows something in her poor Uchiha broke.