Hi, everyone. Thank you so much for reading this story. I didn't think I'd even continue this far. I thought it would be done after 3 chapters. But here we are in chapter 4.
This would be my 3rd sasuhina fanfiction. And to be completely honest, I haven't been quite satisfied with my writing. I'm learning a whole lot just by making 2 idiots fall in love in every way. I have also been trying to write something I'm horrible at: romance.
I'm no stranger to love, but I am alien to using alphabets for it. It was midnight when the idea sprang forth. Lo and behold, this fic birthed, with no clear future and ending.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is, please be aware of dark twisty turns. I'm not exactly trying to write fluffy feelings here, I guess. If I don't even know the ending, then I won't know when the mood changes either. Without decreasing your rights to like or dislike, just expect depressing stuff to be safe.
But if you're into that shit,
Welcome to my mind.
TEMPTATION
With the determined focus and concentration, her closed eyes would come to an open, as unique veins popped on the sides of her oculars, making her vision clearer than what's at face value…
Byakugan!
She could see the chakra flow of her mentor, Kurenai. As she scanned thoroughly, she began to lose focus within seconds caused by a sharp pain in her head. Her migraine was back and she began to wobble, her hand finding the tree bark near her for support, as her other free hand claimed its landing on her head.
Not again… Not now…
Kurenai frowned, "How long has it been bothering you?" After years of progress, Hinata had been declining fast, all because of a migraine, which could worry anybody, and Kurenai was kind enough not to report it to anyone. Yet.
"A-Approximately six… months."
"Hm, well I sense a depleted chakra, and not just that," Kurenai walked towards Hinata to help support the young lady, "it might be the reason for your migraines. We need to get you to a medic."
Hinata was never a fan of the hospital visits. They remind her of when her mother died; how she had to run through the hallways just to see a lifeless body she never got to say goodbye to. And hospitals always embodied a timeless space—hours and hours of waiting, with the bigger possibility of results no one wants to hear.
The doctor finally concluded what Hinata had known for a while now. She knew full well why her chakra was attacking her body, but she refused to agree with it. But who knows how long until she gives in…
"You need to stop your missions and training for a while, Ms. Hyūga."
"For how long?" A concerned look on her face.
"That depends on how well your chakra will increase through resting." The doctor would say while signing papers for his patient.
Kurenai had her arms crossed, and she looked as if she was thinking hard. Something in Hinata felt like her mentor might know something Hinata would prefer she didn't.
"We need to do further testing, just to ensure there's no blockages in your brain. Shall I schedule you for a CT Scan tomorrow?"
"Yes." Hinata replied.
"And how confident are you that a CT Scan will show results? What if it doesn't?" Asked Kurenai.
"Well," the doctor let out a sigh, taking off his glasses before pinching the bridge of his nose. It was quite clear that he'd been quite tired because of a large number of patients that day. Hinata wouldn't blame him after waiting for hours.
"If the CT Scan shows no blockages, then I find no reason to do more testing and would rely on chakra healing. She's been taking prescribed painkillers that are for post-op patients and even that has no effect. I suspect that maybe her chakra is attacking her body, instead. Of course, this hypothesis can only be fully embraced after our CT Scan."
Hinata was early to get her testing done. Going into that big machine wasn't exactly a thrilling experience, especially knowing full well that no results will show. But she dared to hope, so she had more reason not to meet the Uchiha. Her whole being missed him so bad, she could barely stand being another day away from him.
Her mind was going insane and loud, on par with the machine making awful sounds to scan her brain. She was too frustrated because she hated how much her body needed the Uchiha. How could the fates be so cruel? Why did it have to be Sasuke and not someone else?
Once the scanning was over, Hinata had to wait for a few days to receive her results. And as predicted, nothing was wrong with her brain.
"I'm afraid our medical aid is done here. I suggest going to a chakra treatment program. Good luck."
Well, hell, she had to, especially after Kurenai learned about her results. She had booked an appointment somewhere on the outskirts of Konoha. She had heard of the treatment center and it was a good one. Many would go there specifically for unlocking seals and whatnot. Hinata wondered what they'd say about her. Maybe this time, well, hopefully, they could get her out of this mess.
"All logic ceases when a soul has found its partner."
"Once locked, it demands a united chakra."
Remembering those lines was enough to trigger a mild headache. Oh gods, please give her a way out. If not… she wouldn't know what else to do.
Upon entering the clinic, she was directly guided to her consultation room, according to her reservation. The place was adorned with calmness and positive energy. Anyone could walk in here angry and find rest. Once she found her seat, she saw a name on the desk's plate and she figured it would be her therapist's name.
Taiyou Iyasu.
Before looking around the room. The lady came into the room, with her nametag, exactly the same name as the one on her desk.
"Good afternoon, Hyūga Hinata, correct?" Iyasu would say, taking a seat in front of the heiress.
Hinata nodded. "Yes. Good afternoon."
"So, the hospital sent over a report and your CT Scan results. They said that you might have issues with your chakra, instead." She would say, opening the filed documents, scanning through its contents.
Hinata chose to remain quiet, tired of having to repeat things over and over again.
Once Iyasu closed the folder, she had directed Hinata to lay on a chaise lounge in the room. Hinata did as she was told, and Iyasu sat on a chair across from her, extending her arm to feel Hinata's chakra at a distance.
"On the count of three, inhale deeply and then exhale. And I will proceed."
Hinata did as commanded, and Iyasu's hand had a blue glow around it, a symbolic sign that she was performing her in-depth chakra reading. The heiress noticed that her therapist had a frown formed on her forehead suddenly, and ended the reading faster than Hinata had expected.
Iyasu placed her hand back on her lap and she remained quiet as she studied Hinata.
The heiress sat up, confused with the situation. "W-What is it?"
A heavy sigh was released by the therapist. "I'm sorry to say this, but your chakra is eating you up from the inside."
"Yeah, I know," Hinata said, clearly disappointed by a fact she had hoped won't be confirmed.
"You know? And you still went ahead and did a CT Scan, for what?"
"I wanted to be wrong."
Surprisingly, Iyasu didn't have a judgmental expression on her face. "I can understand that. Luckily, you aren't my first patient with a Locked Soul curse on you."
Hinata's eyes widened, "Really? Then there's a way out?"
Iyasu shook her head, and Hinata's disappointment creeped back in.
"If you are this adamant to run away from this curse, then you're most likely locked with someone who's dangerous. I can sense his chakra in you and all over you."
Iyasu stood from her chair to open a cabinet of pills. She took one bottle and handed it over to Hinata.
"This will not cure, but it will suppress the migraines. However,"
Hinata stopped reading the inscription when Iyasu paused her speech, and she looked at her therapist with worried eyes.
"Once you drink a pill, you'll have to double your dose the next time. Suppressants are not healing properties. They're coping mechanisms. The more you cope, the more it's difficult to break out of your cycle. So take your first pill when you are sure you feel like you can't handle the pain anymore."
"B-But," Hinata sighed, "I want to be healed from this."
Iyasu sat back down on her chair across from the heiress. "I'm not even going to give you an elaborate speech on why you have to pursue this chakra unison process. Because you know that already. But I'll say this: your life's on the line."
"I don't want to because he is dangerous."
The therapist couldn't even show Hinata a smile to make her feel better.
"Come back when you're done with your first unison completion. And I will examine your chakra growth."
"Wait, what? First? Is there supposed to be more?"
"Why, of course. There are 7 cycles. Each will come with symptoms that are worse if not treated carefully."
She could suddenly hear his voice as if he was in the room.
"Your body knows what it wants."
And it was stressing the Hyūga girl.
"The more you stay away, the more it will eat you from the inside."
She could feel the left side of her head throbbing now.
"Don't you think it would be sad if you died too early, too fast?"
Right side, now.
"I'm the only one who can help you."
Her ears could only hear a high pitched ringing tone.
"You… need me."
Hinata had her eyes shut, trying to control her own mind. Iyasu noticed, and sighed.
"His voices, weren't they?" Iyasu asked as if it wasn't the weirdest thing she's ever seen.
"They'll get worse, and I know this is sad, even for me, but you've got to go through with it until the curse is broken off you. You will lose all memories of the agony. Come back after your first unison cycle, we'll do a few treatments to get you ready for the next one."
Hinata nodded, hands uncovering her ears as if her mind's touching earth again. "N-Noted. Thank you."
When Hinata finally reached the door after completing her payment, Iyasu called out, saying, "Take care of yourself, and be careful."
"Chakra unison can only be done through sex."
"The ultimate union of locked souls."
Well, Hinata was bold enough to leave her home, her village, in pursuit of the Uchiha. He didn't exactly tell her when he'd see her, and her migraines were giving her hell. She tried everything under the sun and nothing worked, except for one fact that she's been avoiding.
She had very carefully calculated what she'll do, in order to stop the Uchiha from destroying Konoha. After a sleepless night of careful scheming, she was ready to put herself and Konoha out of this misery.
However…
… she wouldn't expect to find him that fast. And to be put a collar around her neck, and a chain hooked onto it, in a basement of his hideout.
After a day of searching, she could sense his chakra, and could find him. Hinata was surprised that he wasn't alone and that he had built a team. And she did not come in to attack either, rather, she surrendered. Maybe it was naivety that brought her to her knees this fast. She had no idea Sasuke had plans too.
"Don't you think a collar and a leash is too… much?" Asked Suigetsu, someone Hinata has never seen before.
Sasuke, sitting on a chair, his back leaning against it, with the leash curled around his hand, was amused to see his Locked partner willingly kneeling for him.
"Give us a moment." Sasuke would say to his sidekick.
"Sure, but you gotta tell me how it went down. I wanna write a report." He said as he left the two alone.
Hinata, still kneeling, frowned at Sasuke. Her hands were cuffed in front of her, and the collar got tighter the more he tugged on the leash.
"I never thought you'd go to this extent."
"Fear not, princess. You're in for a wild ride." He'd say, a slight psychotic smirk visible on his face.