Deserted At A Dungeon
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In the middle of her slumber, a gentle touch of a hand on her head helped her ease out of her dream. With furrowed brows, she subconsciously whispered a name, but reason quickly asserted as her brain reminded her that she was in the middle of traveling.
Slowly, Hinata opened her eyes and yawned, only to find Sasuke gazing down at her, as she was wrapped cozily in her sleeping bag. In the gentle morning light, his voice inquired if she was awake. The sunlight streaming through small cracks throughout the cave indicated that she had slept in. Her eyes widened with a start, wondering if she had held others back.
"Oh no!" What time is it?
"It's still early," Sasuke said while chuckling.
"And the others?"
"Sakura found an ancient shrine that she wants to explore, She's with Nenma nearby gathering some more food supplies to head out. She wanted me to ask you if you want to come." He said, his expression a curious blend of emotions that couldn't be easily described. The spark of amusement still followed when she pursed her lips.
"This is unbelievable," she protested. They weren't supposed to be wasting time.
"Agree, since our journey stems from that of the utmost noblest cause." He uttered with a shrug and a tinge of sarcasm.
"Sasuke, is something wrong?"
The corners of his mouth twitch ever so slightly, as if he's trying to suppress a frown. She didn't know that he was maybe caught between two worlds and unsure of how to react. His expression softened.
"Given that this whole time, our home village had been some sort of cage we had been unaware of, I see no harm in taking our time, savoring the things we often take for granted."
"Sorry... You're right…"
"Don't worry about it." A smirk crept across his face. "Although, your sleeping habits seem to prove my point. What's with those dark circles under your eyes?" With a lingering touch on her face, he managed to avert her gaze away.
"Please quit it."
"I will, once you tell me what you want for breakfast." The way he asked her, as though there were endless options. She finger-combed her hair out of the way. Tea and bread sounded good right about now. Bread, made from scratch. "Ya, you look silly when you're contemplating a whole menu. We don't have a lot of options here, you know,"
"Can you at least name the options?"
"Hard-boiled eggs, oats, and fruits it is. Why don't you go get ready?" he said with a dismissive nod.
She made a face. There was never any other option, was there? And the fact that he had even entertained the thought of surprising her with something different was kinda...mean. But Hinata couldn't help but feel at ease when Sasuke smiled at her, oblivious to the way his simple gesture was making her heart flutter.
After finishing up breakfast, and packing lightly for their Shrine adventure, Hinata glanced towards the exit when a voice yelled for her. Seconds later, Nenma was ushered in, leaning some of his weight on Sakura's shoulder, with a grimace of pain reflecting on his face. There was a deep, crimson cut on his chest, oozing with blood, which immediately raised concerned and Hinata found herself helping Sakura out to carry Nenma by the fire.
Sasuke remained unperturbed, unlike the others, who were hurriedly trying to help Nenma. His situation was basically self-inflicted and warranted no sympathy.
"Sakura! What happened?"
"He wasn't wearing a shirt. That's what happened." Sasuke deadpanned from his side.
"Fuck off." Nenma gritted as he laid on his back.
"Hinata, can you pass me my bag that's right next to you? Sasuke, please start boiling some water!" Sakura yelled with urgency. Hinata moved quickly, while Sasuke took his time, as if he was getting ready to meal prep something intricate.
"We haven't even gone to the Shrine yet, and we're already one man down," Sasuke said, as he was clearly enjoying this somewhat.
"Teme, don't write me off just yet," Nenma growled from the ground as Sakura took out various herbs and roots from her personal stash and set about concocting a powerful healing salve.
Hinata's eyes widened in awe as she watched Sakura effortlessly organize and prepare medical supplies. Her amazement grew with each precise movement and swift decision Sakura made. This must've been why Sasuke hadn't been worried, and knew Nenma was in good hands.
"Hinata, here, would you please clean his wound?" Sakura seemed to have anticipated every possible medical need, thoughtfully handing her antiseptics. And Hinata couldn't help but admire even further.
She turned to her friend and sighed, as she began to disinfect his wound.
"Seriously, Nenma… Why would you travel without wearing a shirt?" Hinata finally asked, shaking her head. "The forest is filled with sharp branches and poisonous plants. You must protect yourself."
"Oi, you're just speaking after the facts," Nenma shot back while wincing in pain, as Sakura mashed a few ingredients around in a mortar and pestle. Hinata's eyes noticed the tint, almost red appearance of Sakura's lips. Wait, had she also tried sucking out some of the poison from Nenma's wound!?
She gritted her teeth and growled his name.
"You've just inconvenienced someone you met!"
Sakura laughed. "It's okay. Any friend of Sasuke is a friend of mine." With gentle hands, Sakura applied the salve to Nenma's wound, easing his discomfort and slowing the bleeding. As Sasuke watched in silence, Hinata continued to chide Nenma for his recklessness.
"Sakura, where did you learn how to do all of that?" Nenma asked. "I thought you were just a merchant's daughter."
Ouch, what the hell was that supposed to mean? "Unlike you guys, I can't travel by jumping from tree to tree. So I picked up a few helpful things along the way. The forest can be vicious sometimes. Nenma, I think I understand your love and thrill of the wild, but there are dangers in the forest that even you can't avoid. A simple precaution like wearing a shirt could make all the difference in preventing serious injury or illness."
Nenma's smile widened as he agreed. "You're absolutely correct."
That's exactly what I've been saying!
Sasuke stifled a laugh by turning away and coughing. Hinata, who had been asserting the same thing, finally regained her composure and playfully smacked him on the head when he seemed to be stood up from the rock and stretched. "Guess exploration is now out of the question, sorry Sakura. I know how much you love it, but maybe next time."
Nenma slowly stood up, as if he wasn't in pain or burning up with a fever. "Says who? I'm ready to go."
Digging through his bag, Sasuke tossed him a shirt. "Just don't inconvenience Sakura this way again or I'll poison you myself."
"Eh?" Sakura tossed Nenma a worried look. So they were really going?
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Half an hour later, the four stood before a destroyed shrine that seemed to have been a place of worship. Time and neglect had taken a toll on the structures, leaving behind a melancholic beauty that captivated Sakura's soul. Having a fascination for such forgotten places, Sakura eagerly led everyone to a hidden opening.
"I also found some kind of entrance."
"Alright. No problem. I'll guide us all the way. Byaku!-" She was cut off by a hand hovering over her lips, but never touching her, as Sasuke gave her a look of disapproval.
"Where's the fun of exploring if you can quickly map it out with your eyes?"
"He's right, Hinata. When was the last time you ever felt a sense of wonder? If you always use your eyes, then there's no real adventure or exploration happening, right?"
Her last sense of wonder, hmm… It likely happened when she had helped Sasuke put on a Kimono when they had teamed up at the Sunflower Village.
Still, they have got to be joking. Sakura would surely be on her side because who would want to get lost?
One look at Sakura's eyes, and she knew she had lost her vote by majority. She sighed.
Sakura smiled. "I agree. But if we do get in a bit of a bind, maybe then you can use it."
They were being completely unreasonable! Where was the fun in not knowing, when it's more fun to know all the intricate passages? There was more fun in shortcuts, and efficiency rather than just wasting time!
"Fine. But this place has been explored before," Hinata noted, from the deserted campfires they had passed on their way there.
"I'll climb down first, and those inflicted or wounded should go last." Sasuke said as he leaped down into the crypt, landing on stable ground. He lit up a flame to illuminate the darkness, as he waited for the rest of the team to land.
"Oi! The last part was unnecessary! I'll have you know my fever is going down!" Nenma replied as he waited for Hinata to go in next.
Sakura's eyes widened. "You have a fever?"
"Sakura, he'll be fine." Sasuke insisted as he stepped back to make space for Hinata to land.
Hinata pushed the hem of her skirt down, her kimono fluttering as she gracefully descended the six-meter drop, landing right next to Sasuke.
"Alright, if you say so." With moist soil and dirt under her hand, Sakura carefully climbed down and held onto the overgrown vines as some kind of ladder.
This is unfair, is all Sakura could think to herself as Nenma slowly levitated downward, his long trench coat swishing behind him. From this angle, he looked truly menacing as he glanced down, as though he was the final boss of a cryptic dungeon. She didn't realize that he was merely hovering nearby in case she needed assistance. Once she made it down, Sakura hummed happily and beamed with excitement.
As the group casually navigated through the spacious halls, their footsteps echoed all the way. It would've been eerie if it had been silent. At the time, Sakura had been wearing typical adventure clothes which traveling merchants normally opt for. It consisted of a pair of sturdy brown boots, khaki shorts, and a long-sleeved, dark green shirt with a hood. Her hair was tied back in a long ponytail, and she carried a large backpack on her back, which was filled with supplies for her journey.
Hinata looked away, slightly bothered by the fact that she looked cute in just about everything.
"So you're into this stuff?" Nenma observed.
"Doesn't the air smell so nice?" She pointed out.
"I guess it does."
With a frown, Hinata reached out her hand, tracing the cold, rough surface of the stone walls. She could feel the small essence of chakra that had belonged to some souls of centuries ago. The countless souls who had walked within these walls. How was it back then? As they progressed, the air grew colder, and a sense of dread crept into her mind. She glanced towards the faint drip of water seeping through cracks in the ancient stone walls.
"Amazing... Look, It's the Konoha leaf symbol." Hinata pointed out. Nenma paused by her side, his eyes taking it all in, but then trailing towards the 6th torch they had passed thus far.
"Sasuke," He called out. "If our ancestors are behind building this place, then it's safe to say those torches aren't just for decoration. I can still sense the chakra in them."
"Ah." With a swift motion, Sasuke waved an arm, and a gust of wind swept through the passageway, lighting up the remaining torches.
"My Byakugan is not allowed, and yet lighting the passageway is..." Hinata mumbled while pouting as she looked back at the passageway they had traversed, which was now illuminated by the glow of his fire technique.
When Sasuke walked past her, her vision was brieftly obstructed by her own fringes as he patted her hair with the intention of frizzing it. He pulled his hand away before he got swatted by her. She lifted her gaze and caught him smiling. She looked away.
Hold on... Something is missing. Sasuke's attention snapped to look back to where Sakura had been standing seconds ago, her outline suddenly missing. Then Sakura's laughter echoed behind a wall, and moments after she reappeared from a trap door. Sasuke didn't find amusement at all, as he had been worried about a moment.
Nenma grinned.
"Nice find! Can you show me how you did that?"
"Nenma, don't mess around too much. You just proved this place might be rigged with traps." Sasuke warned him.
"I'll keep her safe~"
Sasuke made a face at the tone Nenma used. If Sakura had been his younger sister, he would've probably grabbed her hand and pulled her away, packed their bags, and go. However, his best friend was a grown woman, and Nenma was likely not her type.
"There are traps?" Hinata repeated, drawing Sasuke's attention her way. Hinata tried her best to bury her excitement from showing. She cleared her throat. "I can always use my Byakugan to find them all."
"No!"
"No thanks,"
"Pass."
Hinata crossed her arm and pouting again as she was met with protest.
"So Nenma," Sakura began after some time passed. "Look, here's another hidden trap door. I'm sure if you put your hand here, then step on this floor tile-"
When Nenma followed her instruction, the door trap activated, and in a blink of an eye, both were gone.
Sasuke's brow twitched. Those two. Like two peas in a pot.
"Oi! Sakura!" Sasuke called out as he started touching stones on the wall, hoping to get them out, but nothing occurred.
"Sasuke! For some reason, the trap won't budge! It won't let us go back out!" She yelled back, as Nenma was heard snickering.
"Don't worry about Hinata! Just go on without us!" Nenma called out. "If you don't find us in a few hours, just use your Byakugan!"
Sasuke had stepped back and given up on getting the two back. He turned back to Hinata and sighed.
"Well, you heard them. Let's go."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." Sasuke swears he could hear Sakura's giggles as they walked away. Nevertheless, as they continued their own path, he quickly realized Hinata was more interested in finding out if there were some rigged traps hidden about.
Her eyes lit up the moment she glanced up. Up ahead was obviously a hidden layout of spikes on the ceiling, waiting to go down on her if she were to fumble through the wrong tile.
She was really enjoying this...
"Sasuke, is it okay if I spring this trap?" She asked as she pointed up ahead.
He sighed. "Go ahead."
When she took a step, the sound of a click went off. And with a sinister hiss, the heavy stone slab with spikes descended from the ceiling, aiming to crush her and Sasuke with its excessive weight. The two had made it across before it could do any damage. Sasuke coughed as the dust and debris settled, and Hinata dusted her light Kimono.
She tossed her hair behind her. "Boring. Five out of ten."
Sasuke chuckled. "You finally seem to be having fun."
"Maybe I am."
And just like that, they continue to explore around. Jogging away from boulders that were more annoying than menacing, to triggering dozens of deadly arrows their way. Hinata purposely continued to trigger one ancient mechanism to another, until one finally piqued her interest.
Click.
A loud rumble reverberated through the chamber.
The walls, adorned with eerie glyphs showing the Konoha symbol, began to constrict at a slow-motion speed.
With every passing moment, the space they occupied diminished.
"Sussano-"
"Wait! Are you planning to destroy the integrity of something ancient?" When she withdrew her hand, he clicked his tongue.
Then a portal would have to do. Sasuke reached out to a space, but she touched him lightly to lower his arm.
"Sasuke, are you going to give up so easily? Whoever built this should've been able to also build a way to stop it," She pointed it out as she backed away in the middle, to sit down and think.
"Look at you, just hours before, you were rushing to leave," Sasuke commented. He scoured the walls for any hidden latch or lever that could potentially halt the constriction.
"People change their minds all the time." Her laugh, which he had missed, filled the air, as the walls inched relentlessly closer to them.
He made his way back to her and joined her on the floor, and sat down, facing the opposite way. They were on a countdown to figure it out.
"You know, this kind of reminds me of the escape room back home, where you go with a group of friends." Sasuke commented.
She suddenly went quiet, as she realized those escape rooms back home were popular date spots. But glancing around the menacing space which kept on shrinking, she was easily reminded this was nothing like those rooms.
The gravity of the situation hit her all the same...
This was also her chance to get to know more about him...
"What should we have for dinner tonight?" He asked from behind her. And one by one, torches began going out as the walls continued to close in.
She glanced at him slightly. "Don't ask me something like that again if there aren't any real options,"
"Do you have to take things so seriously? Or is something bothering you?"
They had encountered various none threatening obstacles, including traps, hidden doors, and shadowy creatures that were shaped like snakes lurking in the background, and yet, she was suddenly unsure how to carry on a conversation. It was unlike any scenarios Anko sensei had taught her, seeing that the end goal doesn't lead to completing an S-rank mission.
She sighed at herself.
Say something.
"Sasuke, what was the first thing you learned to cook?"
"Ah. My brother taught me how to make riceballs because he said it does the trick. It's easy to make them savory."
"But do you enjoy cooking? I noticed you always take on that task."
"Do I? Hmm. I have an endless library of recipes I've never tried. That's why. What about you? Any favorite foods?"
"I guess I love pastries more than anything, and I have a sweet tooth. But when it comes to food, I prefer curry."
"Suna makes some good curry. Different from the way we do. We should go together." He replied, not minding the fact that now they seemed to be running out of time. This was confirmed by the way Hinata began to panic.
"Ah!" Hinata pointed towards her side of the wall as it was no longer constricting slowly. The pace had picked up dramatically. "The walls are getting much closer!"
"Hmm. Say the word and I'll teleport us-"
She frowned. "No! If you think about it…the only kind of people who aren't able to escape this place…would be genins. A shrine, with the symbol of the leaf, with traps aimed towards the weak, just what the hell happened in the past?" Hinata mumbled.
"Oi, there's no time to think about something like that. But then again, this is giving the vibe that whoever built it didn't want something to be found." Sasuke said as he stood up.
"If that's the case, there might not be a lever, right?" Hinata joined him on her feet, sensing that Sasuke would break them out at any time.
However, time continued to stretch and warp as the walls closed in, leaving them with a dwindling margin to move. Hinata turned to him, as the walls began to push them closer together. She physically did everything to force some space between them. If they don't act fast, it would feel worse than being trapped inside a wooden box.
Sasuke finally pushed back against the wall, when Hinata's hair began to tickle and brush his chin.
"Um Sasuke,"
"Hmm?"
"Don't "hmm" me, and do something!"
So be it. With his sharingan active, Sasuke glanced up and saw what appeared to be a hidden lever, as the ceiling also began to cave in on them.
"I found it. It's right up there." Sasuke pointed out. With the small amount of space that was left, he slightly bent down and offered out his hand to lift her. Hinata followed his cue and wasted no time as she immediately placed her hand on his shoulder, and pushed herself up, pulling the lever on time. There was a click, as the trap began to slowly reset itself back in place, as though it had never happened.
When Hinata climbed down, he briefly held her steady by her waist. Traps, he mused, could be kind of fun. He kept an unapologetic blank expression as Hinata started to blush.
"Did you look?" She asked accusingly, from a safe distance.
"Hn. It was kinda too dark to see." He rubbed the back of his neck as she turned to walk ahead. "Hey, why are you suddenly getting embarrassed? Don't you remember that time at the cave?"
"I don't remember something like that. I must've been drunk." She blurted out, even though it was far from the truth. The truth was, she had been out of touch and out of her mind.
"Seriously?" Sasuke said in disbelief, as he remembered her coordination being anything less than clumsy.
"Yes." Hinata pressed her lips together. She wanted the whole dungeon along with all of its traps to swallow her whole.
"Alright. If you say so," Sasuke said knowingly, not convinced, because for someone who just claimed to not remember, she didn't seem curious in wanting to know. He let it go. "Let's go find Sakura and Nenma."
"I'm already on it. Byaku-"
"Hey guys! You called for us?" Nenma said casually as he approached them with Sakura, from behind.
"Nenma!" Her eyes almost watered in relief and salvation. Hinata spun around, but her smile fell at what she saw.
Coiled around Nenma, was a cobra that was holding onto him like it was planning to make Nenma its next dinner.
"Please don't tell me you picked up a pet."
"I picked up our next dinner."
Sasuke's eyes lit up, as there was a recipe he had yet to try.
"S-Sakura, um, are you okay with this?" Sorry if he grosses you out, her eyes seemed to say, as if internally apologizing for being associated with Nenma in any way.
"I don't mind. Snake soup is a delicacy in some countries I've been to." She replied while petting the snake around his neck. "Should we call it a day?" Sakura asked, hiding the fact that she had already explored this place multiple times before.
"Are you sure?" Sasuke asked.
"Yeah. I'm kind of tired."
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The cave, which had initially been a shelter from any external threat, now resonated with lively chatter as Nenma and Sakura shared their experience, while Sasuke cooked up the dinner.
Hinata moved about, passing Sasuke ingredients as she listened in.
"So, Sasuke, did you two have fun?" Sakura asked. Sasuke didn't think anything of the question as he reached out, and Hinata immediately passed him a spoon for the soup, which he used to stir.
"Ah. I was telling Hinata about that curry place in Suna."
Nenma blinked at his answer, or rather, possible progress.
"Hinata, do you like curry?" Sakura asked.
"I do."
Sasuke tried not to react or comment on the knowing glances exchanged between Nenma and Sakura, since Hinata seemed to be doing her best not to blush.
"Hehhh, then you should take her there." Sakura suggested.
"I already asked her," He said, with a smugness that almost told Sakura that he was certain he didn't need her help, not realizing he had their help all along.
Was it really okay to have fun like this? He was a Hokage, putting off so many responsibilities that could lead to perils. What would his brother think of him right now, when the fate of their village rests on his shoulder? Those thoughts were quickly quieted when Hinata scolded Nenma over showing sympathy at this stage, for a creature they were about to consume. He had placed a few stones, as if making a small memorial for a snake he had named Manda.
When Sakura stifled a giggle, Sasuke let himself smile.
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