Jealousy
.
.
It was a clear day under the azure skies, when Sasuke was sitting perched on top of an unnamed statue of the past, his gaze fixated on the distant horizon.
Kyuubi joined him moments later, as he had agreed to talk to him at the outer barrier away from the gates of the village. Sasuke's words echoed through the air, carrying the weight of his concern for his people.
"Kurama, should your memories be fully restored, I implore you to refrain from inflicting punishment upon this village and its people."
The enigmatic and shackled entity listened intently, his ancient gaze reflecting no emotions whatsoever. But it understood Sasuke's trepidation and saw the depth of his concerns.
"Kid, I hear your plea. But I can't agree to your terms," Kyuubi replied. "I will never be able to forgive the one responsible. My past was erased by someone who could not bear to face the consequences. I can't give you my word that I shall honor your request and refrain from punishing those in the village whose ancestors may have wronged me in the past. What I will do in the meantime is wait for the return of your party, and when the time comes, let's just hope you can protect everyone." Its patience had its limit. Its wrath would be swift and unforgiven.
Sasuke frowned as his memories of his earlier visions surfaced. He believed Kyuubi had done this before as Sasuke had dreams where it was betrayed and hurt.
"Kurama, what will you do if you come to find out that these memories were sealed upon your request?"
"If that is the case, I trust you'd know what to do if there's no reasoning with me." Kurama replied, both aware of the potential consequences and the retribution that might follow.
But instead of succumbing to Kyuubi's threats and warning, Sasuke chose to confront it head-on.
"Then if you hurt anyone, I'd have no choice but to end you."
.
.
"Are you certain that such threats were necessary, little brother?" Itachi inquired, his voice laced with concern as they were sitting around, in the heart of the mansion, having dinner. "Promising to end Kyuubi's existence should it lose control seems like a perilous path to tread."
Sasuke's eyes flashed a few emotions, amongst them, a little annoyance. "It was crucial to establish clear boundaries and demonstrate our resolve. We cannot afford to show Kyuubi that we're scared of it."
Shisui shifted slightly on the floor pillow. "I understand your reasoning, Sasuke," he said, "but I worry that your actions just escalated the situation and further strain our relationship with the guardian." Itachi internally agreed with this and let that be known.
.
After dinner, Sasuke excused himself to retire to his room. Shisui and Itachi lingered behind, their conversation continuing the same serious tone. They discussed the ongoing tensions between the Hokage and The village's guardian, and the potential consequences of the brewing conflict. Itachi, torn between his love for his clan and his loyalty to the village, confided in Shisui his deepest fears and concerns. Shisui listened patiently, offering words of comfort and encouragement. Together, they explored possible solutions and strategies to navigate the treacherous path ahead.
"I love my little brother." He said somberly. "But his careless admission for disrupting the peace, I can't turn a blind eye as an advisor. If things keep going at this rate, he might get replaced."
Shisui frowned. "He'd probably hate you."
"I'm willing to live with that as long as he and our clan stay safe and alive. I'll bring these concerns to light once he's gone."
"If you bring these concerns to the council, they'd likely choose Neji."
"Hyuga or not, he's marrying an Uchiha. We'll still be able to influence decisions if we have our cousin suggest that Neji picks one of us as his advisor."
Shisui's dark hair moved when he laid on his side, his sharp eyes turning towards the sliding door Sasuke had left open. They could see into the night.
"Are you sure you don't want me to just use Tsukuyomi? Then Sasuke can play nice."
"Not yet. We can't waste a skill so valuable when I don't have all the information at play."
.
.
Hinata's heart fluttered with anticipation as she patted Kyuubi's fluffy head. The adorable fox-like creature glared at her from Neji's shoulder.
With a gentle smile, Hinata turned to her cousin. Their eyes met, and in that silent exchange, a bond of understanding and support was reaffirmed.
"I'll be back soon," Hinata promised, her voice soft yet resolute.
Neji nodded slightly, his expression a mix of pride and concern. "Stay safe, Hinata. The journey to the Moon village is not without its perils if Nenma comes along." There was no comment she could offer to dismiss this.
With a wave of her hand, Hinata bid farewell to Neji and made her way out of the village. Her steps were light and purposeful as she headed towards the village's gate, where Sasuke and Nenma awaited her. The three of them had been planning this journey for weeks, and Hinata couldn't wait to embark on this adventure if it meant aiding her village, and spending more time with Sasuke.
As Hinata approached the gate, she spotted Sasuke and Nenma standing side by side. Sasuke's stoic demeanor and unwavering gaze did not betray his apprehension as the group believed that the conversation with Kyuubi had gone well.
"Ready to go, Hinata?" Nenma asked, his voice deep and steady.
Hinata nodded eagerly. "Yes,"
With excitement for the journey, Nenma cracked a devilish smile, and turned, ready to lead ahead.
"Hold on. I'm still waiting on someone." Sasuke said. Then at a distance, a familiar silhouette got closer and closer, as Sakura Haruno ran up to them, backpack at ready, sunglasses, and a ranger hat of some sort shielding her from the sun. Hinata's smile immediately fell.
Nenma looked her up and down, as if recognizing her based on description alone.
"Heh, so I finally get to meet you, Sakura," Nenma said with a grin.
She removed her sunglasses and smiled in his way. "Likewise. Hi Hinata!"
"Hello." She said politely.
It was Hinata's understanding that Sakura was just a civilian. A merchant's daughter. So why-
"Sakura submitted an escort mission request that falls close to our destination. We'll be dropping her off at the Sand Village." Sasuke replied.
She thought they were in a rush to save the village, so then why this random side mission?
"Are we going to be walking then?" Hinata asked.
"It'll be faster if I just carry her," Sasuke replied.
"Hold on, I didn't agree to this, so don't even! I hate high velocity!"
"Sakura, I said we were kind of in a rush. Just make sure to hold onto your hat." As he approached her, the pink-haired woman merely backed away a few steps, accidentally bumping into Nenma instead. An infectious smile reached Menma's lips when Sakura glanced up. He then walked past her and raised his hands, ready to help Hinata who was probably fighting off any way to protest this.
"Yo Sasuke, why don't you stop being rude to the weak and helpless? I don't have a problem with walking instead. We can have Hinata look for shelter along the way."
With a piercing gaze, Sakura fixed her eyes on Nenma. "Don't try me. I have a kunai that has pepper spray."
.
Three hours in, and Sakura found herself yelling at the top of her lungs, as the four free fall off a cliff, with Nenma catching her right before she reached the ground. Sasuke and Hinata landed gracefully and waited around for Nenma to release Sakura on her feet. They had agreed to take shelter in the same cave Hinata had previously found.
"Hinata, how long until we get there?" Sakura asked as she caught up.
"At this pace, just a few more hours." Hinata turned away and flipped her hair behind her as she continued to lead the path.
"Hey Sasuke, your friend, she seems to be kind of serious and mysterious. Nothing like you had described her to be." Sakura commented with a worried frown. Was her best friend, Sasuke, going to be okay? Sasuke hummed a disinterested sound and began to follow.
Nenma immediately cracked a face. What in the world was up with those two? He couldn't understand Hinata's childish behavior, as she walked about, hiding a pout, while Sasuke had his own stick up his ass. What the hell happened to his fun, lighthearted party?
.
So it wasn't just inside her mind, Hinata mused internally. It seemed like Sasuke seemed to be avoiding her. And the nagging feeling that something was amiss persisted. It wasn't just her imagination playing tricks on her; Sasuke's behavior had noticeably shifted after their dance at her cousin's engagement party. The once laid-back and calm man who had stolen her interest now seemed distant and aloof.
Every time they had spoken since, Sasuke maintained a strictly professional demeanor. Their conversations, once filled with laughter and comfortable energy, were now limited to monotonous discussions solely related to their journey and quest. It was as if he had erected an invisible barrier between them, effectively stifling the blossoming connection they had shared just a short while ago.
She tensed on the last step she took, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of Sasuke's sudden change in attitude. Had she unknowingly said or done something to offend him?
The uncertainty gnawed at her, casting a shadow over her spirit. She longed for the friend's warmth and the connection they had shared, but it seemed as if Sasuke had retreated into himself, leaving her feeling lost. Though she yearned for it, she knew that forcing the issue would not do any good right now. She tossed a glance behind her shoulder. At least those two seemed to be getting along just fine.
.
"I've always admired the rich history our village has, far older than other places and countries. The stories of gods and goddesses, the concept of reincarnation, and the emphasis on karma is so intriguing. A village that's as old as ours, is almost unheard of! I wonder what made the founders so special. Like what did they do to set us up to be this successful?"
"I think your curiosity is pretty cool," Nenma came to find out that she doesn't just travel for trade, but also likes to explore beliefs and practices.
"Not really. My dad always had this craving to seek an understanding of the universe and the guardian's place in it, and I just happen to like it too. For example, in Suna, the idea of the guardian being their salvation is amazing. The person who hosts the one-tail guardian contests feeling eternal comfort. It's really surreal."
Meanwhile, Kyuubi seeks liberation from the cycle, hoping to obtain freedom. His eyes widened. Hold on, was their guardian just on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment? If that's the case, then that is somehow so relatable.
"Nenma?"
"I was just thinking that placing that kind of personal responsibility on the guardians must've left him with a heavy burden on all of them. The notion that we aren't responsible for our actions and need them to fight for our wrongs and rights…how the hell did our ancestors decide something like that…?"
Sakura acknowledged Nenma's point. "I don't know. But every deed, good or bad, has its consequences, shaping our world. Maybe they're there to offer a balance."
As they delved deeper into the conversation, Nenma and Sakura discovered both similarities and differences in their beliefs.
"Sakura, I'm grateful for this conversation," Nenma expressed. "It has given me a newfound perspective."
She laughed. "I didn't say anything that you didn't already know." She paused to glance a few feet ahead where Sasuke and Hinata were. The two had kept quiet and to themselves.
Sasuke paused sent a glance over their way, and waved.
"Oi, Nenma, keep your attention on your surroundings. We're reaching our first checkpoint."
Nenma raised a hand and gave him a thumbs up in return. "I'm already ahead. I sent a few clones to search any areas Hinata eyes can't reach."
Noticing Sasuke had stopped, Hinata also waited for the two to catch up.
"Let's delegate like we did last time."
"Ah. Then I'll get started with the hunt." Nenma replied.
Sakura grinned. "Can I come along too? I love fishing."
Nenma shot Sasuke a furtive look to gauge his reaction. Sasuke's attention, however, seemed to be elsewhere. He simply nodded in acknowledgment, then turned and walked away. Sakura sighed, and Nenma suspected she knew what was troubling him.
.
Amidst the glistening ripples of the crystal-clear lake, Nenma maneuvered through the water with little effort as Sakura watched. His strong limbs propelled him forward as he pursued his aquatic prey with an unmatched agility. With a deft flick of his wrist, he would snatch a fish out of the water.
Sakura sighed, returning her gaze back to her fishing rod. Her attentive gaze followed the gentle bobbing of the cork.
"You know, I only came along because I thought It'd be fun to go on a trip with one of my best friend. But if you weren't here, I would probably be dying from all the tension he's creating."
Nenma tossed out his last catch inside a bucket filled with ice that had been on standby. He had already caught five fish but the two were in no rush to head back and meet with those who had been sulking.
"So then, do you know who pissed him off?"
Sakura wished Nenma hadn't asked the question.
"It has something to do with you, actually," she replied reluctantly.
"Huh? What the hell did I ever do?" Nenma asked in bewilderment.
"To be more precise, it's related to your past with Hinata," Sakura explained, her voice carefully measured.
Wait, so Sasuke had told Sakura about that? Talk about uncool. His brows furrowed, before they widened. He remembered in his late teens boasting to his Anbu captain about his experiences with…
"Why on earth does he care about that now? It was never even like that."
"Well, whether you intended to or not, you painted things a certain way."
Sorry, Hina, for my big mouth. But this also has nothing to do with me. I can't control or force someone to accept your past…
"Damn. So he's out here being butt-hurt when Hinata never even saw me that way."
"He isn't mad at you." Her green eyes then rested on this bountiful catch. "We should head back."
"Naw. Let's give those two a little more time. I know Hinata, and she isn't going to just sit there and let the situation get worse."
.
The seconds ticked by in excruciating slowness, and the atmosphere in the cave grew even more oppressive as Hinata waited around inside the cave, for Nenma and Sakura to return from hunting. The silence was suffocating, broken only by the occasional crackle of the campfire and the soft rustling of leaves outside. Hinata, unable to bear the awkwardness any longer, turned to Sasuke and asked,
"Are you alright?"
Her question was met with a cold stare from the person she addressed. It was clear that he was upset, and he wasn't making any attempt to hide it. Hinata's heart sank as she realized the extent of his displeasure. She had hoped to break the ice with a simple question, but it seemed to have backfired spectacularly.
"Nenma and Sakura are sure taking their sweet time, aren't they? Why don't we try to pass the time by telling stories?" he suggested, with a chilling coldness in his gaze. "'might help take our minds off of waiting."
Story telling? She struggled to think of something else to say, but nothing came to mind.
"What kind of story do you have in mind?"
"The kind that has to do with why you actually wanted to come on this journey with me,"
The suggestion was met with a mixed reaction of confusion and shyness as she remembered her proclamation of wanting to get to know him better. She averted her gaze, unable to meet his piercing eyes as he inspected her. An uncomfortable silence hung in the air, suffocating her. Her heart pounded in her chest, a frantic rhythm that echoed in her ears.
"It's because of Nenma, isn't it?" His had this look of displeasure as he leaned his cheek on a fist as his eyes somehow turned even darker. Hinata tossed a glance towards the opening of the cave. She then realized escaping this conversation would be futile when his eyes were red.
"You said you wanted to get to know me. But I think it goes both ways. You might want to start explaining yourself away. I've known about Nenma."
He was something else when he smiled that way while being angry with her. His anger steamed from her denial. She had concealed the truth, fearing Sasuke's negative perception of her if he knew about it. She was apprehensive about the potential judgment or disapproval, leading her to adamantly deny that aspect of her past. But why would this be a big deal?
As Sasuke continued to muse about these things internally, Hinata intervened, silencing his inner thoughts.
"I just didn't want you to judge me or to form a bad opinion of me. There are things I wish I had never done, and that is one of them. I thought that if you knew something like that would ruin our friendship. I'm sorry Sasuke."
Why did Hinata care so much about what he thinks? Did she think him so misogynistic that he'd care about anything she did in her past? Anything she did does not compare to what he almost did to her at the Rain Village.
Sasuke dropped his hand from his chin. "I happen to be a very generous person from time to time, so I'll forgive you this time. You don't have to lie, for me to like you."
"Please don't say it that way, it sounds like you're misinterpreting my words..."
Even if that might've been the case, Sasuke didn't want her to misinterpret anything.
He rose from his spot. And before she knew it, he had already cut around the fire. She froze up when he crouched down to her level. Hinata stopped fidgeting with the fabric beneath her fingers and her blush intensified when Sasuke patted her head.
He sensed that on some level, she wanted him to like her. She had said so herself, but maybe he might've blended her words in a much clearer form that made sense to him. He smirked when she looked away.
"So then…you're not mad at me anymore?" She half-whispered.
"If I still am, will you make it up to me?"
His eyes exuded an air of quiet intensity as his hand left her hair to touch her chin so she could look back his way. The distinct pattern of three comma-shaped tomoe, created an allure that was both chilling and captivating. Her fingers closed around his hand at the further invasion of her personal space. It was just too much and yet not enough.
"Just kidding." He said with a smirk, chuckling at her for pinching his skin in an attempt to get him to move away.
The worst part about liking someone was probably not having something ready to say, as she just stared at his retrieving form, which had probably let her go because Nenma and Sakura were approaching. She had just been so focused on him that she hadn't noticed their steps.
"Sasuke! Look! I caught five big ones!" Sakura beamed as she showed off the bounty of sea life.
"Huh? Did you offer Nenma to let you take the credit?"
She was wistfully whistling as she denied it.
"Oi, Hinata, 'you alright?" Nenma asked, though he wasn't really worried because Sasuke was way more expressive when he wasn't mad.
She tried so hard to sound calm, collected and dignified since part of her wasn't sure if any of what had happened was real, or if she had just been under Sasuke's influence.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thank you for reading~
.