#he heard hiashi talk shit about hinata

[alybur635]

So I find the idea of somebody like Shino being banned from Hinata's house funny

[pinkhairedlily]

Chapter 7 - Student Council President Sakura

SCPS AO3 | PREVIOUS CHAPTER

Sakura went to her shift a little bit giddier than usual for a variety of reasons despite the busy holiday season; it was nearing Christmas after all. The first one – having finally tied with Sasuke in their recent exams, and the second – the approval of her personal project. There was also a third reason, but she was unresolved of what to feel.

Kakashi met with her alone after their monthly council meeting. It was the usual talk, the heavy administrative concerns they do not bother other council members with, reminders about problematic behaviors among the student body or personal problems that faculty or students were plagued with that needed intervention. He said an apology just as she reached the door.

“Sakura?” Kakashi asked, turning in his chair.

She looked back at him with a neutral expression. While she knew she wasn’t overtly passive aggressive in her actions, he might have noticed a change in her cheerful disposition towards him. Her clumped fingers anxiously fidgeted with the rubber band on her wrist, his rubber band that she didn’t use anymore to tie her hair. “Yes, sensei?”

“Were you offended with what I said during the school trip?” he asked, but his expression already seemed to know the answer.

Her eyes downcast, she turned the knob of the door, knowing that she was free to leave without replying, but as the door stayed ajar, she decided to come clean. “Yes.”

“I thought as much. I’m aware that I belittled you like a child. Your money is yours to spend however you want. Please know that I only have good intentions with what I’ve done,” her sensei told her. “But isn’t it also unfair for you to shoulder that much problem? I’m a paid employee and before that, I am your adviser. I have a responsibility just as much as you do. Next time you are presented with that, learn to ask for help.”

Sakura didn’t see the expression he had on his face. She was too flustered to compose a comeback and she can only settle for a meek nod before shooting out of the room like her tail was on fire.

“Girlie!” Her coworker’s voice brought her back to reality – a reality of a long queue of customers waiting for their to-go coffees, mini-cakes, and boxes of pastries to share with loved ones in this cold night while she’ll be likely stuck in shift well past beyond midnight, tolerating the café uniform, the itch of her black weave on her scalp, and the heavy makeup she wore for tonight. She flashed an apologetic (yet charming) smile to the other person, and they gave her a thumbs up.

The queue has thinned out by eleven, to be replaced soon by stragglers hoping to catch a last dose of caffeine pump. She stretched her neck and stifled a yawn, forgetting to say Welcome to a customer that walked through their doors.

“Your sweetest drink please and a half dozen of hazelnut cookies,” the customer said. “Thanks, Sakura.”

She almost broke her already strained neck when she raised it up quickly to meet the owner of the voice. No gel blonde hair Naruto with black circles under his eyes. Rookie MVP looked shit as hell.

She barely formed an excuse in her head when he waved his hand in front of her. “You can drop the act with me. I already knew the week you got discharged from the hospital. I just passed by after dinner with the team when I saw a girl manning the cashier with the same band-aid on her nose which I gave you a day before.” Naruto grinned at her in the off chance that it would reassure her.

“Will this be to-go?” Sakura asked as she busied herself with Naruto’s order, unsettled with her carelessness. At the back of her mind, she was yet to answer herself why she was adamant to use a disguise while working.

“For here. Apartment’s kinda bare during these times.”

As what she expected, Naruto was still seated when they were about to close, and ironically, he chose the corner table with no windows, contrary to what his other friend would have chosen. Like those usual nights with Sasuke, she slid in front of him, her disguise gone.

“Let’s go see the amusement park tomorrow?” It was as if she saw sadness being lifted from his shoulders the way they transitioned from slouching to an alert stance.

She found then that Naruto was always that person that found happiness at the simplest things.

--------------------------------

“A horror house!” Naruto pointed at the very moment they stepped inside the park. He somehow absorbed his captain’s fashion persona, undercut prominent with his baseball cap, loose plain black shirt, and gray cargo pants.

“All right. Treat me if we reach the other end with you clinging to my arm,” Sakura teased. She was dressed in a mauve smocked crop top with high rise flared jeans and platform white sneakers that allowed her to reach Naruto’s shoulders. She wondered if her getup was too much what with the number of heads that turned her way as she littered in the entrance earlier.

Sasuke begged off through their group chat, saying he was unavailable. He was yet to explain that group hug last time, but he was evasive every time Naruto brought it up while she simply cannot find the right timing.

She guessed she was still taken aback by how warm his hold felt like. If she was right, whatever defenses he had around them were toppled down by himself that day. But what triggered it – she’d probably never know.

Naruto placed a fist on his chest. “This is one bet I’ll never lose.”

And he lost – spectacularly. His baseball cap was long gone thanks to a zombie who panicked when he almost punched it. He was also hyperventilating and sweating out of his wits, his throat may have gone hoarse by now with all his screaming inside.

Sakura cannot get rid of the long string of laughter that bubbled. “Come on, let’s cool off for a while.”

To help calm Naruto down, they had to line up with all the other kids in the merry-go-round, then off to paddle a swan boat on a manmade lake. She went all out in the shooting range and won Naruto a frog plushie while he blitzed through the basketball hoops, sneering at the kids beside him who were waiting for their turns.

They capped off the afternoon with a ride on the ferris wheel. They sat opposite each other, and Sakura suddenly felt queasy. She remembered she was apparently acrophobic, and so she focused instead on Naruto who was still in awe of the scenery. The park had a busy crowd today – it was the holiday season after all and families, friends, and lovers were up and about. She just hoped Naruto didn’t catch on yet.

“So why are you stuck with me instead of your family, Sakura?”

Ah he caught on. “They’re busy,” she simply replied. “Besides I’ll see them later in the evening.”

Naruto smiled at her, a smile that knew she was hiding more but he chose not to prod further. Sakura silently conveyed her thanks.

“I don’t know how to thank you. I was really in a slump when we lost, but this day made me recharge my drive and gave me a newfound resolve. You, Pres, is the first to hear it!”

Sakura can only grin, urging him to go on.

“I will bring our school team to the nationals and we will win.”

Sakura clapped her hands and gave him a thumbs up. “Of course, you will. I know you’ll do it.”

“I just wish I told Captain Haru before he left town for vacation.” Naruto slid lower in his seat. “Apparently, he and Hinata broke up. You’re friends with both of them, right?”

Sakura shook her head, shock at the news. She had an inkling from her previous conversation with Haru, but she didn’t expect it would come this early. “I am, but I haven’t really heard from both parties lately.”

“Well, Hinata’s father offered an athletic scholarship to Cap, but he turned it down, saying he was undeserving, and it might just be because of Hinata’s prodding.”

If she recalled correctly, Hiashi Hyuuga was the chair of the Sports Council that spanned all districts of their state. She could see why Haru was angry and disappointed enough to break it off with Hinata. “But they were so good together. Did he ever tell you how they first met?”

Naruto rubbed his hands together and leaned forward. “Do tell please!”

“There was a student exchange of some sort and Hinata ended up in our class for a month. Of course, she was the takane no hana and this immediately gathered a bandwagon group of shallow admirers. Haru, oh Haru, he found pretty people depth-less, but he was the class representative that time – “

“And you were?”

“Of course, a student council president. But wait pay attention Naruto!”

“Okay I am paying attention! But you really are an overachiever!”

“Yeah and what about it!” Sakura almost chuckled in exasperation. “So anyway, he had to escort Hinata back and forth at the school gates because of the unreasonable crowd. He would ask her random things, but most especially on archery since he was so bad at it. And they found a common ground and the topics expanded beyond the arrow and bow. The guy had the nerve to cover it up from me at first, saying they’re fake dating and it was just an arrangement to keep creeps at bay.” She sighed, suddenly saddened by the breakup. “I thought it would last forever.”

“But Hinata never introduced him to her family, did she?” Naruto asked. “Because Cap also told me that when Hiashi called him up for the offer, he didn’t know he was the boyfriend, he was simply a person her friend referred.”

Oh Haru. You must have known what family you were entering when you loved her.

“Hey? Time to get down,” the operator said. Their turn was already finished.

As they walked to the gates, Naruto asked her. “Love is too scary. You’ll never know if you’ll end up hurt or happy despite everything. Besides, can you even say it’ll be worth fighting for?”

Sakura’s fingers immediately went to the rubber band on her wrist, “It’s always a mix of everything, all the good and the bad, and somehow it’s all convoluted into one hodgepodge of memories that will be a part of you forever. It’s your decision what you want to do with it, and in between all of those, you’ll know. Like one big realization in your head that lights up like fireworks and splayed in big capital letters.”

Her eyes met Naruto’s gaze and his eyes slightly widened at her response.

“I talk vague, don’t I?”

“Not at all,” he replied.

--------------------------------

January couldn’t come fast enough, and Itachi was out of the country just as quickly as he entered his apartment unannounced on Christmas Eve. A holiday break, he said, but if he wasn’t annoyingly checking up on him in the evenings, he was otherwise holed up in his hotel. The truth was, he had a conference and a simultaneous workshop with the state hospital. Sasuke was just a side trip, an obligation that his brother didn’t want to take care of.

He could have told him about Naruto and Sakura and how he now knew all the technicalities of baseball because of the former and that he can consider calling them as friends, but their brotherly bond was too frayed to bridge all of those thoughts.

It was a week before the start of the spring term, and he found himself re-reading Naruto’s texts over and over again.

Grumpy.

So how was your date?

AHHHHH SO IT WAS A DATE. I NOW FEEL SO SHY.

Idiot.

SHE LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL IN HER GETUP.

Yeah as if you two didn’t already spam the group chat with your pictures.

HEY AT LEAST WE EDITED YOU IN.

Why are you typing in all caps? Your phone broken?

GRUMPPPPPPYYYYY. Grumpy, I have something to tell you. I think I like Sakura – not the ‘like’ like others have for her. It just came to me, like fireworks in big capital letters. I LIKE HER.

Sasuke wasn’t able to reply. He didn’t know what to reply or what to feel, really. These recent nights, his mind only brought him to the first moment he saw her in the café, and there was an unfamiliar pang he couldn’t name.

Then, suddenly he was in front of her in the café itself, ordering an iced americano and bruschetta with tomato and basil. Her eyes lit up in recognition; today she wore her black hair in low pigtails and a light dab of tint on her cheeks and lips.

She sat across him when it was her break time, cheery and still in disguise, the winter cold making the blush even more prominent. “I’m gonna bounce some ideas to you.”

Sasuke kept mum, relishing the sacred combination of tomato and basil in his mouth, but let his stare level with hers.

“The school board approved my personal project. I proposed to set up a mental health committee since our infirmary – get this – and guidance office don’t actually have a psychiatrist. The school will be asking a medical professional to come in for monthly guidance counseling and will be an official partner for outpatient concerns.” With her face on her palm, she leaned forward, seemingly surveying Sasuke’s minute expressions.

“That’s tricky,” he remarked. “How will you encourage them though?”

“I think just the mere availability and accessibility of it is enough to encourage students.”

“Hmm.” He took a sip of his coffee.

“Aren’t you gonna ask me why I did it?”

Sasuke knew that he already broke his resolve to remain uninvolved in the remaining years of his life here in this town. He knew that sometime ago, the walls he built up since the accident broke down in the constant presence of her and the blonde idiot. But in spite of, he knew that there was another layer of wall that withstood the recent onslaught. Unfortunately, something has started to leak from its crevices. Something that made him understand the overwhelming emotions that raged behind such walls.

He missed having her all to himself, like a little secret, a safe abode he could always retreat to – her with her black hair and makeup, her with her bouts of vulnerabilities laid out in front of him in rare moments, her with her emerald eyes and tufts of rose hair that peak from the weave, her in this table in front of him and the world outside divided by a glass window.

If he could name it, it was a feeling of loss, a loss he stole and a loss he never had the privilege of feeling in the first place.

“Because you’re a good person and you always think of others,” Sasuke started, still holding her gaze. “And I think you want it because you might need it more.”

Sakura was the first to break off. She soon excused herself and resumed her shift. By the time Sasuke finished his coffee and bread, it was almost closing time. His words may have struck a chord so he decided not to wait for her. Maybe he’ll talk it through with her next time, if she allowed him to. He was almost out of the doors when the new pair of customers passed by.

A glint of silver hair.

“Oh, hello there Sakura.”

And a brunette on his arm.

Sasuke never saw color drain as quickly as the blush did from Sakura’s face.

AO3 LINK | NEXT CHAPTER | CHAPTER 8

[erumai-maadu]

@rock-n-roll-lee here’s the nejiten oneshot you bullied out of me (jk ily and I wanted to write this for you hope you like it)

Modern AU, established relationship, fluffiest shit I’ve ever written.

word count: 1351

warnings: none

---

“Tenten? Hey, Tenten, wake up. We’re at your apartment.”

The sound of Lee’s voice pulled Tenten out of the haze of sleep. The chill of the window against her cheek reminded her that this, unfortunately, was the real world, which meant she had to get up to get back home. Opening her eyes, the harsh glare of a street lamp immediately assaulted her vision, making her squint.

She let out a little groan as she slowly sat up, her body aching. “Sorry about that,” Tenten mumbled, bending down and rummaging around for her bag. “Didn’t mean to fall asleep.” Not finding it, she reached into the back of Lee’s truck, feeling around blindly in the dark.

“No problem. After all, anyone would be tired after what you did today. You were so awesome, Tenten!”

“Aww, thanks Lee. You did really well too!” Finally finding the strap of her bag, Tenten hauled it into her lap, wincing as her muscles protested the exertion. “Kami, I’m gonna be so sore tomorrow. I’m gonna have to skip out on our daily run.”

“I do not blame you. I think I’ll do the same, honestly.”

“Yeah, I get that.” She smirked at him. “Gives you an excuse to spend some quality time with Gaara in the morning.”

Lee flushed bright red at her implication and sputtered a bit before regaining control of himself. “Speaking of significant others, Neji comes back from his trip in a month, right?”

Tenten sighed, mood immediately soured. “Yeah, but he hasn’t texted in days.”

“What?” Lee demanded. “He hasn’t texted? That is very unlike him! You should call him and inquire what the matter is.”

“Tried that. Went straight to voicemail.”

“Seriously?” When she nodded, Lee yanked his phone out. “I’ll call him right now. If he picks up, he’s in for it.”

“Don’t bother.” Tenten waved her hand dismissively. “I’m too tired for this shit. I’ll try Hinata’s phone tomorrow.”

Lee’s eyes were filled with concern. “Are you sure, Tenten?”

“Yeah. It’s okay, Lee.” She smiled at him. “We know Neji. He’s probably just busy with some job that Hiashi-san gave him. Honestly, I’m pretty sure he’s trying to work Neji to death so he doesn’t have to hand the company over to him.”

Lee nodded, concern still etched into his expression. “I suppose. Let me know if you need anything at all, Tenten.”

“Thanks, Lee.” She opened the van door and stepped out, shielding her eyes from the brightness of the streetlamp. “Have a good night.” The door slammed shut, the noise echoing through the empty street in the dead of night.

“You too, Tenten. Don’t forget to stretch and get a good night’s rest. You earned it.” Lee shot her his signature Nice Guy Grin. “Congratulations on winning gold.”

They waved goodbye and Lee drove away as Tenten scanned her key card to get into the apartment complex. She painstakingly made her way up three flights of stairs and finally reached her door after what seemed like ten years. Fumbling with her keys, it took her three attempts before she managed to unlock her door and step inside. 

In a haze of exhaustion, she removed her shoes and dumped her bag somewhere on the ground, the medal inside making a loud clank as it hit the ground. Shuffling into her bedroom, she flopped down on her bed and let out a sigh of contentment, already half-asleep.

“Tenten.” A deep male voice came from behind her, startling her awake. Who the hell was in her apartment? Shooting up, she looked for the source of the voice and found her gaze locking with a pair of lavender eyes. The breath rushed out of her.

“Neji,” she breathed, not daring to believe this was real. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you in America? You’re not supposed to be back for another month.”

“I asked Hiashi-sama for early leave. I missed you so much.” He smiled, stepping closer. “I also wanted to watch your tournament, but my flight was delayed. I got here about ten minutes before you did.”

“Is that why you haven’t texted for the past few days?”

He nodded. “It was a hassle, trying to get Hiashi-sama to approve my absence, and then he tried to shove as much work as he could at me before I left. I’m sorry about that.”

“Don’t be. I totally get it.”

“I’m going to take a shower.” He took another step forward and slipped his hand into hers, squeezing once. “Join me?”

“Neji I don’t have the energy for—”

“Not like that. We’re both too tired for that.” He let out a warm little laugh and squeezed her hand again. “Just getting clean. Then we sleep.”

“Okay.” She allowed him to pull her up and out of bed.

A short shower later, they dressed and dried their hair, Neji gently removing the tangles from the rat’s nest she called hair in a way only he could do.

(“Don’t call it that!” he admonished. “Your hair is beautiful, just like the rest of you.” He pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her neck.)

Neji’s hair, of course, was smooth and silky with minimal tangles, even after two days of airplane travel because the universe was unfair like that.

“Frickin’ Hyuuga and their magical hair.”

“Magical hair?” Neji asked, his voice full of amusement.

“Two days of airplane travel and like three minor tangles? That’s the definition of magical hair.” She ran the comb through, marveling at the easy slide. “You’re like Rapunzel or something.”

“Does that make you my prince then?”

“Obviously. I’ll ride in looking all dashing and handsome and save you from the tower and take you on a wild adventure.” She yawned, exhaustion crashing like a wave over her. “Well, maybe we can go on a wild adventure tomorrow. For now, I need to sleep.” She stood up with a sigh and took a step in the direction of the bedroom, but Neji hadn’t moved an inch. Turning back to him, she frowned. “Neji?”

“In a way,” he started slowly, “I suppose you did save me from a tower.”

She stared at him for a moment. When his meaning finally became clear, she let out a soft huff of laughter. “Huh. Well, I suppose I did.” She walked over to him and pulled him up, planting a small kiss on his mouth that was more smile than kiss, in all honesty. “You’re such a dork, Neji.”

Neji laughed and stood up, gently tugging her in the direction of their bedroom. She gladly followed him, throwing herself on the bed and snuggling under the covers as quickly as she could. Neji switched off the lights and slipped in next to her, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her to him once again.

“I’m glad you’re back.” She shifted even closer to him, letting her forehead rest on his neck. He smelled like lavender, from her soap. The scent reminded her of the color of his eyes, which was part of the reason she preferred that soap in the first place.

(She’d been using lavender-scented soap since middle school, but he didn’t need to know that.)

“It’s good to be home. I heard you won gold in the competition?”

“Yeah, I did. It was super hard, though. Remember Karui? The girl from Kumo? I fought her in the finals. I just barely won.” She was probably slurring her words, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.

“Ah. No wonder you were so tired when you got home. Lee dropped you off, didn’t he? I saw his truck outside.”

“Yeah. That green hunk of junk is hard to miss,” she grumbled.

He laughed, the pleasant vibration of his chest lulling Tenten further to sleep. “It certainly suits him, I suppose. It matches his jumpsuit too.”

“Mmh. It does.”

Neji let out another soft laugh and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “Ah, sorry for talking so much. Go to sleep, my love. We will talk more in the morning.”

“G’night. Love you.”

“I love you too, Tenten.”

[theshitthatidoishere]

Answering asks post part 2 uwu

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@mysteriousjewely2 said: Maybe Neji did what he did in ep 389 (yea I know what happened watched it before; somebody call the CPA) so he didn’t need to be around the main house members? Regardless what he’d pay to do so. C’mon he’s already seen how it works but can’t really blame him either. Who tf would want to be surrounded by people who see them as slaves?! It’s just a thought.

I think that it was just a anger attack, we all know that neji was very emotional at that time abt the Hyuga issues (like in his fight with hinata in the chunin exams)

Anon said: Neji during the chunin exams be like: FUCK YOU HIASHI GET REKT

Agree jahsjahhshahahah

Anon said: what do you think of naruhina? also whats ur otp after nejiten

I like the ship but the Kishimoto’s methods to bring them together are shit, and i abt the other otp...kakagai is canon and no one can change my mind

Anon said: we've all heard of coffeeshop aus, but what about nejiten barbershop au???

Emmmm idk? I can’t really imagine it but maybe is a good idea

Anon said: Ten ten was abducting neji in th last picture XD

Yes

Anon said: Why didn’t the hyuuga do anything after neji v naru? Like he literally spilled clan secrets in front of hundreds of people from other nations in what I can only assume was a plea for suicide-by-the authorities while doing as much damage as possible like they jus gonna let that slide???

At that time konoha was in Hiruzen’s hands, i can’t expect nothing with that old man in the power, and dude we’re talking abt hiashi, another old man who doesn’t give a shit abt changing the clan >:(

Anon said: How interested you in drawing🍟

When i was 10-11 years i had problems with some friends and they ignored me for an entire year, sp i used the drawing to vent of that, that and the fact that i’m otaku af xddd

@spaneji-roll : Really like the new look Fae. We all simp for Neji here

Thank you! 💙 And yes agree we’re all neji simps

Anon said: Have you seen the glitter Neji picture yet? Is cute

This one??

Cute as hell

Anon said: Purpurina quedé

Purpurina

Anon said: Shit-sama do you sleep???

I have to take 4 pills at day to sleep and the answer is still no xdd

Anon said: Do you still watch bnha?

Last year i was obsessed with bnha, I watched the 3 seasons like 5 times lmao, i advanced a little with the manga but then i got bored of it :(, but i watched the 4 season and 👌👌👌👌, waiting for the five season but not as exited as the last year

[forthereaderinserts]

Since we're all talking about the writing in Naruto I thought I could throw in my two cents. I won't be talking about shipping since I don't care enough about it to voice my opinion on any ship. Ship/don't ship whatever you want, just don't harass people over it.

Of course we all know that the war arc is really flawed. It's way too long, has too many characters in it and has so many plot holes and asspulls that it's rediculous. That said, I wouldn't call this arc one of the worst arcs in anime. There's a lot of great stuff in it and I like what Kishimoto was trying to do with it. There's a great arc buried underneath all those flaws. Somewhere. I think... Geez that's a lot of problems.

So... Neji's death. Hoo boy. I'll get right to the point: this death was pretty pointless and also shat on Neji's etire character arc. I'm not just saying this because I'm salty that "a pretty animoo husbando boy got killed." Remember how in the chuunin exams Neji had this whole philosophy about how people can never change their positions and Naruto basically told him to make his own path? Remember how Neji was mad butthurt because he was born into the branch family and was treated like shit and was expected to live and die for the main branch? Yeah he died protecting Hinata, the heiress of the main branch. 

How would I have handled it? I think it would have been good to have Hiashi (Hinata's dad) sacrifice himself to save Neji instead. You know, the spike would be flying towards Hinata, Neji tries to protect her and Hiashi jumps in front of Neji and takes the hit. It would show that the war arc actually has consequences and people can actually die (since you know, this is a war). And it would show that he does care about Neji and the rest of his clan even after he treated them like shit.

And while we're on the topic of Neji's philosophy let's talk about the worst mistake Kishimoto ever made while writing Naruto. No, it's not the plo tholes or ass pulls, not the handling of his cast other than the main two characters, not Kaguya coming in and killing Madara (totally not salty that my favourite character got done dirty), not even the fact that Obito somehow completed the ten tails without Kurama or Gyuki despite the fact that the entire point of the war was to capture them. It's none of that.

The worst thing about this is the fact that he made Naruto and Sasuke the reincarnations of Indra and Asura. It literally said "fuck you" to the entire message of the story. Naruto's message is that whoever you are, no matter what obsicles you face in life, you can become great. And it showed it great in the first few arcs. But now Naruto is literally the reincarnation of a demigod with so many gifts that were given to him. He's one of the most priviliged characters in the entire show right next to Sasuke. And it totally proves Neji's old philosophy rigth.

I know what you're going to say: "he had Kurama and that helped him win every battle he was in." First off, Naruto doesn't use Kurama's help as much as some people think. Secondly, every time Kurama "helped" Naruto was to weaken the seal so he could take over Naruto's body and become free. He only started liking Naruto when he started to befriend him in the war arc. So I don't think Naruto having the nine tails was what made him op and ruined the story.

I could ramble on for longer, but I'll leave it here. There many videos, threads, fanfics, etc that voice their own thoughts on the series and I know you've heard them all before. I might come back to this kind of topic someday, but I think I got most of it out for now.

——————

Yo you came for their fuckin soul my guy

[therealeagal]

Boruto - Episode 138

Oh snap! It's the return of the episode recaps! Well, I missed like fifty gajillion episodes and nobody got time to catch up, so I'm just skipping ahead to 138. No promises on whether I will start doing recaps again. Probably not, but maybe.

Anyway, let's begin.

So we start out with Hinata and her sister, Hanabi. They're talking about planning something for their father's upcoming birthday. Apparently he's been feeling blue since he hasn't seen his sweet grandchildren in a while.

Cut to the Uzumaki house where Naruto (who for once is actually deigning to spend time with his family) offers to take the day off to attend.

Let's pause a minute here and repeat that. Naruto is unwilling to take time off of work to celebrate the birthdays of his two children but he is willing to take time off to celebrate the birthday of his father-in-law, who it must be said, was an abusive prick back in Naruto (the series).

Naruto is a shitty father example #999,999,999,999,999.

Then Boruto says that he had forgotten that Hiashi's birthday was coming up and Naruto scolds him for forgetting, only for Hinata to say that Naruto forgot too. Well, Naruto being a hypocrite and scolding Boruto for things he himself has done is nothing new. Naruto is a shitty father example #1,000,000,000,000,000.

The Boruto complains because Hiashi is a very doting grandparent to him and Himawari and Naruto says that he's really scary when angry.

Then Hinata says that Boruto and Himawari need to get Hiashi a present and Boruto wonders what kind of present would make Hiashi happy.

Then catchy opening song.

Then cut to that burger place that everyone's always hanging out at and Boruto has just finished asking for tips from Sarada and Mitsuki.

Sarada says that he should come up with idea for himself but he says he can't think of anything and that's why he's asking her and Mitsuki.

Then Mitsuki is all like "Are the Hyugas badass?"

And then Boruto and Sarada talk a bit about how badass the Hyugas are and then Boruto and Mitsuki go to sneak into the Hyuga house but they get caught by Hanabi.

Turns out Hanabi doesn't know what kind of present Hiashi would like either.

Then Mitsuki asks why Boruto calls Hanabi "big sis" even though she's actually his aunt. Probably something to do with her not wanting to be thought of as old.

We never get an answer either way.

Anyway, then Hanabi offers to ask Hiashi for Boruto but Boruto says no because if Hiashi finds out he's there he'll be all mushy and Hanabi makes fun of him because it would be embarrassing if that happened in front of his friends.

Then all of a sudden some rando shows up and wants to pick a fight with Hiashi.

Mitsuki asks if Hiashi is a badass and Boruto says he is and then Hiashi walks past the door and tells Hanabi to take care of the rando because he can't be bothered.

Then Hanabi talks the guy into leaving instead of kicking his ass like she should have.

Boruto asks why she didn't kick his ass and she says that randos are always turning up looking for a fight and she sends them away the same way instead of kicking their asses.

Mitsuki suggests that Hiashi is actually weak but Boruto insists he's actually even more badass than Hanabi.

Then Boruto and Mitsuki leave and Hanabi says that Boruto is still too young to understand.

Then Hanabi goes to talk to Hiashi and he talks about how the Hyugas being the strongest has nothing to do with their badassery and then he's looking at an old photo of himself when he was younger plus a couple of other people but that's a whole thing involving backstory so I won't go into it.

Anyway, I mentioned before that he used to be a giant prick but now he’s cool. Now that he's old he knows the difference between strength and badassery.

Then cut back to Boruto and Mitsuki and Boruto is complaining about how his grandpa should have just kicked the shit out of the rando from before.

Then they talk a bit about how Hiashi used to act and how he acts now and Mitsuki says Boruto should figure out what caused the change because that might give a hint about what present to get him.

Then that rando from before shows up in the burger place and starts causing trouble.

Then the rando starts talking shit about Hiashi so Boruto gets up to give him what for.

Then Boruto offers to fight the rando in Hiashi's place.

Then Boruto kicks his ass.

Then Hiashi shows up and stops the fight.

Then he offers to fight the rando now but the rando runs away like a punk.

Then Hiashi talks to Boruto about how he shouldn't use power and fear to rule.

Boruto doesn't understand why Hiashi lets people talk shit about him even when he's super badass and Hiashi says he's in no position to be arrogantly lecturing Boruto since it would be hypocritical of him, which is something that shows Hiashi has a level of insight not possessed by a certain Hokage that shall remain unnamed *coughNARUTO UZUMAKIcoughcough*

He talks a bit about how he used to be prick until backstory happened and how Boruto will understand one day too then he leaves.

Boruto is still confused about how Hiashi doesn't like to show his power despite how badass he is.

Then Mirai shows up and asks Boruto what's going on, because she heard there were shinobi fighting in the area and she suspects Boruto was pulling one of his usual pranks.

She says that Hinata often talks to Kurenai (Mirai's mom) about how Boruto's always getting into trouble.

Then Mitsuki suggests going to talk to Kurenai about Hiashi since she used to be in charge of Hinata's team back in the day.

So they go and talk to Kurenai who says she's got some ideas but says maybe she shouldn't say anything since it involves internal family affairs so Mirai and Mitsuki leave the room so she can Boruto can talk in private.

Then Kurenai uses Backstory no Jutsu to explain about Hiashi's past.

Then Mirai and Mitsuki come back and they decide mission accomplished, but then Boruto realizes he still doesn't know what gift to get Hiashi for his birthday.

Kurenai suggests that maybe he just considers spending time with his grandchildren to be precious enough.

Then cut to the birthday party. Naruto is in attendance, once again affirming that he doesn't care about his children since he never attends their birthday parties, even when he promises that he will. Naruto is a shitty father example #1,000,000,000,000,001.

ANYWAY Himawari got him an orange scarf that totally clashes with his wardrobe but he wears it anyway because unlike Naruto he actually cares about Himawari's happiness.

Boruto's gift idea is to take a family picture, even though he doesn't usually like to take pictures with Hiashi, and he says they should take one every year from now on. I'm not crying. I've just got something in my eye. D'=

Then cut to later that night and Hiashi asks Naruto if he gave Boruto the idea to take a family photo and Naruto says he didn't do anything. On account of how he has no involvement in the lives of his children whatsoever. On account of what a shitty father he is.

Then Hiashi uses Backstory no Jutsu. Turns out Naruto is the one responsible for changing Hiashi from being a prick to being a nice guy.

Cut to the next day and Boruto is talking to Sarada and Mitsuki about how much Hiashi liked the present and then they turn a corner and Hiashi ambushes them and starts hugging Boruto and talking about spending time with him while Boruto complains about how he's embarrassing him and the end.

That was a cute episode. I liked it quite a lot. Cheers!

P.S. You wanna talk about irony, I actually posted this ON Hiashi’s actual birthday, January 8th! I honestly, had no idea. It’s nice when things work out like that.

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Three Hundred Thirty-Three: The Phone is Ringing ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Hyūga Hiashi, Haruno Sakura, Hyūga Hanabi, Hyūga Neji ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Best Years of Your Life ] [ AO3 Link ]

It takes exactly eight rings before the answering machine picks up.

When it does, a honey-sweet voice speaks.

“Hello! You’ve reached Hinata Hyūga. I can’t make it to the phone right now, but leave your name and your number, and I’ll c-call you back as soon as I can!”

She’s always hated how she stutters in it. After a dozen tries and every single one having at least one hiccup, she just gave up and took the last one. In part, she wonders if it’s played any roles in certain calls simply hanging up rather than leaving a message.

The machine is on a little table in the entryway of her apartment, the volume soft as not to be too terribly overheard by anyone walking by. Beside it is a little bowl where she typically keeps her keys, and a hook for her coat and purse. Today, all three are missing.

When the phone rings, it proceeds all the way to voicemail.

“Hinata, this is your father. This is the fourth time I’ve tried calling you the past two days, and you’ve still returned none of my messages. This is hardly becoming behavior, young lady. Something we’ll have to discuss once you finally get back to me. Your sister tells me you’ve been ignoring her texts. You can’t avoid us, Hinata. We’re family, no matter how disdainful you might find that to be.”

There’s the subtle sound of a landline being set back in its cradle, and then the apartment goes quiet again. A bright red 5 blinks along the screen, eager for attention.

No one gives it.

A few hours later, rain begins to pour. Carried by the wind, it impacts rather noisily against the windows that face the north, droplets exploding and slithering down the glass. The view from the fifth story blurs. Downtown is drenched in grey as the storm settles over, headlights a soft yellow as they struggle to cut through the gloom. Neon signs of downtown flicker and warp in the view through the water.

Just as the sun starts to go down, the phone begins to ring again. After eight tones with no answer, the machine picks up.

“Hey Hina! It’s Sakura. Just thought I’d check in on you - it’s been a while! Haven’t heard from you in a hot minute, and uh...figured I’d see if maybe you’d be down to hang for a while! I’m back in town next week for a conference, and I’d love to see you. I know you’re pretty busy, but hey, if you’ve got a spare hour or two while I’m around, let me know! Bye.”

There’s a few muffled background noises before the message cuts off completely. The 5 changes to a 6.

Night falls, and still the table remains empty save for the machine. Light creeps in around the main door, and a light on a timer in the kitchen flares to life. Otherwise, the apartment remains dark, and just as silent.

And so it goes until morning.

At seven am sharp, the phone is ringing once again. Once, twice, all the way to eight times.

“Hello Miss Hyūga. This is your supervisor Kurenai Yūhi. It was brought to my attention that you failed to appear at work yesterday with no prior notice. I know that you mentioned, in passing, that you had some...personal issues going on. But work policy mandates that, outside of an emergency, you give at least eight hours notice before a missed shift. If this happens again, I’ll have no choice but to write you up and place you on temporary suspension. You’ve been an exemplary employee during your three years with us, but I can’t make exceptions. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.”

The line goes quiet.

The table is empty.

The 6 becomes a 7.

Midafternoon, the ringing tone of the phone shrilly sounds five times...and then silence. On the phone’s caller ID, an obvious spam number displays. It leaves no message.

It’s nearly five o’clock when it rings again. And again. And again, until her pre-recorded message greets the silent apartment.

“...hey, ‘nata. It’s me, Hanabi. Look, uh...I’m seriously starting to get a little freaked out? You’ve never ignored me this long. Not even when I broke that old rabbit figurine Mom gave you. Please, just...let me know you’re okay? I dunno what I did to make you mad, or...maybe it’s not me you’re mad at. But I’m your sister. We might not always get along, but like...we’re sisters. Talk to me, ‘nata. If Dad’s being an asshole, just ignore him. But please...don’t shut me out. Okay? Love you…”

There’s a small, audible sigh...and then silence. The 7 blinks, and is reborn as an 8.

The rest of the evening passes quietly. The only interruption is a rowdy group of young men stumbling drunkenly past the door, the sober among them shushing for silence only to be ignored. They enter the apartment next door, where music begins to play and raucous laughter easily bleeds through the thin walls. But despite all of the rowdiness that carries well into the night, there’s no one home to complain.

The next morning, it’s foggy with a light misting of rain. Kurenai calls again and informs Hinata that her formal suspension is now in place. Should she miss one more day of work, she’ll be forced to terminate her employment.

The 8 becomes a 9.

A random number calls around ten, proclaiming that a recent fraud case in her town may have affected her identity, and to immediately call this number to confirm. Yet another clear case of spam.

9 makes way for the double digits of 10.

And then, in the early afternoon, another call.

“Hinata. This is your cousin Neji. Your father is furious that you have yet to return his calls, and is in the process of filing a missing person’s report. I implore you - if you are simply being obstinate - to drop this charade immediately before the police are forced to intervene. You know we can’t have a scandal like this in the family over a petty disagreement. Whatever Hiashi has done...surely it isn’t worth things becoming this complicated. Whatever has happened, you know I’m here for you. But this has carried on long enough. I only hope that...drama is all this is, and you aren’t in any trouble, cousin. Please call me as soon as you hear this message.”

...10 becomes 11.

The day continues to wane. The rain continues to fall. The machine continues to flash, seemingly desperate to be seen as the bright red numerical digits only get brighter as the ambient light fades.

...and then the door opens.

Heavy-footed, a figure steps in, exhaustion clear in their posture, but otherwise seemingly fine. A bag is tossed under the table, keys barely flung into the bowl. Coat still worn, she pauses as she spies the machine.

“...oh, s-shoot…”

A dainty finger presses the play button. The first message is a telemarketer, which she promptly deletes. The next four are from her father, and Hinata’s lips press into a thin, irritated line. Each message becomes more and more agitated, and a small part of her can’t help but feel satisfaction.

After all, he brought this all on himself.

Her gut twinges in guilt at Sakura’s message - she’ll have to call her back later. Kurenai’s earn a grimace. She has her mobile number...why didn’t she try there? Hanabi also makes her shoulders wilt guiltily. As soon as she’s done, she’ll shoot her a text. She just...hasn’t been in the headspace.

Neji’s, however, makes her swear. Sure, it probably looked bad, but...really? Really? What an idiot her father is...she’ll call Neji and let him know Hiashi can call off the stupid missing person’s case. And let him know that any drama isn’t her fault. That lies solely on her father’s stubborn shoulders!

But before she gets to any of that, she takes out her cell and scrolls through her contacts, finding the appropriate name before calling. It rings once, twice, three times.

“Hello?”

“Hey...I’m home.”

“Oh, good. Glad you made it okay. So, uh…?”

“I’ll talk to my landlord tomorrow. It’s g-going to take some doing. I don’t have much, but some should probably go into storage…”

“That’s fine. I think there’s units near my place, so we can just put what you don’t want in there.”

“All right. Um...I think I might have gotten fired…”

“Oh shit, really?”

“I’ll call Kurenai here in a minute, but...for some reason she never bothered with my mobile. And I was just so out of it…”

“Well, hopefully she’ll understand. Anyone else?”

“Family, mostly...my father being r-ridiculous. Hanabi was worried, and Neji. But I’ll talk to them, too. They aren’t going to be happy…”

“Sometimes you have to think about your own happiness, Hinata. This is what you want, right…?”

“It is.”

“...I don’t want you to feel pressured.”

“I don’t. I told you they’d react like this. I knew they would...it’s my fault for being so quiet about it, but...I just didn’t want to deal with it after telling him. I needed a few days. Seems even that was enough for them to go ballistic…”

“All the more reason to stick to your decision.”

“I know...thank you, Sasuke.”

“We’ll make this work, with or without them. I love you.”

“...I love you too. I better go, though...I’ve got a l-lot of phone calls to make before I can call it a night.”

“All right. You need anything, just let me know. We’ll get you moved in and settled down. And if the job thing fell through, we’ll find you something new. Maybe even something closer.”

“Yeah...I just really like this job...I feel d-dumb for not calling in, I just…”

“Well, talk to Kurenai. Maybe she can pull some strings for you.”

“Maybe…”

“Hey, it’s gonna be fine. I’ll talk to you in the morning, okay? Get things straightened out, and call me when you’re done. We can plan from there.”

“I will. Goodnight.”

“Night.”

Hearing the line go quiet, Hinata ends the call and sighs. Just the first of many...it’s going to be a long night. Glancing to the 0 on her message machine, she makes her way in to her sitting room and dials the next number.

Here we go...

                                                            .oOo.

     This is really random, and uh...I really dunno what it is xD The suspense concept kinda just hit me, and I rolled with it as best I could given how day tired and burnt out I am, lol      But in case it isn't clear: Hinata told her father she's planning on moving in with Sasuke because they're dating. Mister Uptight Jerkface decided to throw a huge tantrum because traditionalism and being a controlling father. Hinata thus just...disappeared for a few days at Sasuke's place, hence missing all the calls (and ignoring texts because she just...did NOT want to deal with that).      I dunno if I really managed to make it as suspenseful as I wanted, with the question of whether or not something had REALLY happened to her. But I tried - I don't write this sort of thing very often xD      Buuut anyway, it's late, and I have yet another looong day ahead of me tomorrow. So just a warning: I might not post tomorrow. I know I'm abysmally behind, but this whole situation is VERY draining, and I'd rather be late than post garbo for these entries.      That said, I'll do my best. But no promises. For now though, I need to get some sleep! Thank you for reading~

[caveadministration]

Gladius

Chapter 7: Bread and Circuses

Shikamaru sighed in boredom and disappointment as his friend cheered along with the roaring crowd. Down below, two minor gladiators started off the show. They had skill, all of the fighters did, but they didn't have any talent. There was no strategy, just the equivalent of two boys whacking sticks together, except these sticks were pointed and busy causing significant injury. Not so deep down, Shikamaru knew that he enjoyed the fights, especially if there was strategy. It was fun to predict the outcome and thrilling if he was wrong.

Shikamaru also knew that it was all a distraction; a way to appease the crowds and draw their attention away from the crumbling social and economic structure that the Emperor had built. He had thought about talking to his friends about it but had stopped himself before he could. It was slightly treasonous, and he was intelligent enough not to take the risk and, if he was being honest, they would probably disagree with him as most families in Rome were brainwashed to agree with The Emperor’s ideals.

Ino hadn't shown up today which was odd for her blatant love of violence, and Choji, Shino, and Hinata had joined their families in their boxes. Considering their status, it was a wonder that they ever joined Shikamaru in the stands. Yes, all of Shikamaru’s friends were clan children, but the Akimichi, Aburame, and Hyuuga were noble clans and they didn't, under principle, frequently consort with the lesser patricians. It was only the clan names that kept their parents from driving them apart. Shikamaru turned to look at the noble clans’ boxes. If he squinted just right, he could see Hinata next to her cousin and her sister, her father behind them.

Next to the Hyuuga box, the Akimichi and Aburame flanked it either side. Shino sat stoically next to his father while Shikamaru could see Choji laughing with his parents. Out of the bunch, the Akimichi were the least stuck up. Above them, the Emperor’s throne was surrounded by Uchihas. As the opening match staggered to an end, his esteemed holiness entered the box and reclined on the throne. Ah, so that was why the royal families kept their children close. They wanted to please the Emperor.

The announcer boomed from his place in the stand, his voice magnified to be heard over the crowd. “All rise for His Imperial Majesty, Emperor of Rome, and Lord of the known World: Madara Uchiha, the first of his name.” The people in the stands rose to their feet and roared their approval. Shikamaru did the same but with much less enthusiasm; it was best to keep up appearances.

It wasn’t unheard of for the Emperor to visit the arena and its gladiators, in fact he came quite often, but not to a small-scale event such as this. The roster did not hold much appeal with none of the heavy-hitters present, only fodder until the main event later in the afternoon. Shikamaru narrowed his eyes. Either it was a random appearance - unlikely - or there was an announcement to come, one important or personal enough for him to appear in public himself rather than simply send out a missive.

“People of Rome.” The Emperor’s voice echoed throughout the stadium. “I have grand news for the arena. Soon we will house another champion, the likes of which has never been seen in a gladiator fight before. Next week, the tournament will host Rome's first gladiatrix, a female gladiator!”

Once again, noise exploded from the spectators, but this time confusion and disapproval dominated the applause. Shikamaru could hear people talking around him about how a female gladiator in the arena was a disgrace to the sport, that a woman wouldn't last long in such a violent environment.

But between the outrage, Shikamaru could hear whispers of intrigue. He did have to agree, it was a new element - and therefore more interesting - but it could also be unpredictable. For this idea to succeed… this gladiatrix would not only have to defeat her competitors, but also make a spectacle, otherwise she would never be recognised.

And if she did fail, it certainly wouldn���t make the Emperor any more popular.

Beside him, Kiba nudged him in the ribs. “A chick, huh? Well I can’t wait to tell Ino, I’m sure she’ll be a fan.”

Shikamaru nodded in agreement and threw a quick glance up at the royal families. “Ino might be a fan, but I can’t say the same for the Hyuugas.”

Hiashi Hyuuga, Hinata’s father, wasn’t sneering, but he certainly looked displeased. Hinata was sharing excited words with her sister, but one look from her father sealed their lips. The Hyuuga had a history of misogyny, and it was delightfully ironic that both the heirs were female, but clearly that wasn’t enough to convince Hiashi on how proficient a woman would be in the arena.

“Yeah, but they’re stuck up,” said Kiba. “Besides, Choji, Shino, and their families seem plenty excited.” Or as excited as the Aburame could get considering their covered faces, but the Akimichi family were just as enthusiastic about the news as they were about everything else.

Shikamaru nudged him back. “And we don’t even have to wait until next week to know more.”

Kiba grinned. “We just have to ask Lee and Tenten.”

Sakura did not sleep well that night. A hay mattress on a stone slab might not be the most uncomfortable surface, but it was every noise that startled her awake, and each shadow that passed between her cell bars that sent her heart racing. She may have won the fight, but it was clear that some gladiators were more… vexed by her than impressed, and she couldn't rule out Hidan. If he decided to take revenge, then being in the same barracks wouldn't exactly be in her favour. Secure walls and doors lay between them, but Sakura had lived through enough to know those wouldn’t stop revenge.

Her injuries didn’t help either. Between those still healing since the attack on Suna, the brand smarting on her hand, and the stab wound in her leg, every movement was wrought with pain. Yes, Moegi had once again bandaged her up, but that wasn’t enough to dull the… discomfort of being impaled.

She was happy to have missed dinner. She was too tired to deal with the other gladiators and the meal she had with Moegi was sufficient enough, but would they see this as a sign of weakness?

Yet, there was nothing to be afraid of. No spectre came in the night to assassinate her and the most she heard of other people were the midnight murmurings of her cell-mates. When morning drew close and the witching hour had long since passed, Sakura finally closed her eyes and stole a little sleep before a bell clanged throughout the compound. A guard strolled into the barracks, rapping on the cell doors, others following him in.

“Rise and shine. You don’t get paid to laze around in bed all day.”

Wincing slightly as she rose from her bed, Sakura quickly pulled on a clean tunic and her sandals. She stood near the door and stretched her joints before the guard came into view.

“Out you get,” he said, opening the door. Sakura walked out to join the other gladiators who had been released from their cells. Her leg still throbbed in pain, but she wouldn’t give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her limp.

She passed Itachi and Kisame, eyeing the blindfolded Uchiha. Sakura still couldn't quite comprehend how he could be such a dangerous opponent, but even as the thought crossed her mind, Itachi’s face turned in her direction. Sakura felt a chill crawl up her spine and quickly looked the other way; it was almost as if he knew exactly where her eyes were.

The other two gladiators from Kiri stood silently near Kisame, and Sakura joined them with the other guards. Kisame gave her a wide, toothy grin, but otherwise she was completely ignored. Fair enough. She could understand wanting to keep to yourself.

Kakuzu followed her as he was let out of his cell, but the calm morning was disturbed as Hidan joined them.

“God fucking dammit. My neck hurt like a bitch last night and now I get this shit ass wake up call. What a great start to a great fucking day!”

“Shut up, Hidan. Nobody wants to listen to your whining,” Kakuzu growled.

“Fuck you, Kaku-fucker. You're not my fucking boss. And you!” At this Hidan turned towards Sakura and she tensed at his tone. Another fight was not what she was looking forward to towards before breakfast.

“You've got some big ass balls if you think I've forgotten about yesterday. And,” at this Hidan’s gaze turned less vengeful and more sleazy. “If you wanna go again, I'm not saying no, but the outcome is gonna be a lot different.”

Was he serious? Sakura still couldn’t comprehend how he could still be so horny, especially after she cut off his actual gods-damned head.

Sure, there were some in the world who took pleasure from pain, but there was a difference between a sharp, searing tug of the hair and decapitation. And although it was rare to see a man understanding of a loss handed to him by a woman, this wasn’t exactly the outcome she had anticipated.

“Yeah?” Said the guard. “Well I think it's time for you to shut your traps and head off to breakfast. And if you don’t, then it's only fair for you to go hungry. That clear?”

Hidan grumbled in discontent but it was obvious that he knew when to shut up when it counted.

Finally, Deidara and Sasori joined them, arguing quietly amongst themselves, and the guards escorted them towards the dining hall.

The hall was mostly empty when they arrived, only a few other barracks had woken up earlier and although she drew a few stares, Sakura was ignored in favour of enjoying breakfast. Perhaps her addition was not as much of an upset as she had previously thought?

She joined the rest of her barrack at their table, sitting as far away as possible from Hidan who took the opportunity of their guards leaving to once again run his mouth.

Sakura listened half-heartedly as he droned on and on about how unfair life was before she tuned out completely. Slowly chewing her breakfast, Sakura could hear more men enter the hall; gladiators claiming tables and guards taking their places along the wall, light murmuring following them.

She tensed a little every time someone walked behind her but slowly began to relax. That was until a group of men talking loudly at another table got up and strode towards her. Or to be more precise, Hidan.

“Well Hidan, who knew you’re such a shitty fighter. I mean I knew you were bad, but not enough to get absolutely fucked up by a girl.”

Slowly, the entire table turned to face the speaker.

Two men now stood in front of the table, followed by others behind them. They were similar enough in features that they were most likely brothers. Both with wild black hair, sharp eyes, and strange masks covering their mouths.

“Or was it all a show to get Pinky here a bit of a rep. What’d she pay you for it? Something worthwhile I hope.”

Sakura grimaced. As if the innuendo was bad enough, he couldn’t even think of an original nickname. From the corner of her eye she could see Hidan’s face as a grin started to stretch across it. Ah, this might not end peacefully.

“Now, now,” said Kisame. “You don’t have to start a fight, Meizu. In fact, why don’t you and your brother just turn around and finish breakfast.”

Hidan stood up. “Oh no no no, if they wanna fight, I’m more than happy to give it to them. Let’s see if the so-called ‘Demon Brothers’ hold up to their name.”

Meizu laughed. “But Hidan, you don’t understand. Gozu and I don’t want to fight you. We want to fight her.”

“Ohhhhhhhh, rejected.”

“Shut up Deidara,” Hidan sneered. “What? Too pussy-footed to fight me?” He began to step over the bench. “Well why don’t we just-”

Sakura stood up. Hidan stopped talking. She walked around the table and faced the two men. Gozu opened his mouth to speak. Before he could, Sakura punched him in the face.

Yes, a slap would have been more effective, but a punch sent through a bit more of a message, and a broken nose. Gozu doubled over in pain while his brother - Meizu was it? - snarled and rose his own fist, ready to swing.

Quickly, Sakura dropped into a crouch and whipped her leg around to catch his at it moved forward. She winced as her thigh smarted at the sudden movement, but now was not the time to stop moving.

“You fucking bitch!”

As Meizu tripped and fell, crashing into a nearby table, Gozu retaliated, blood streaming down his face and she used the moment of her sweep to rise into a high-kick and smack her foot into the side of his face. He went down again. Sakura took the opportunity to slam her heel into the small of his back and then spun back around to face Meizu who was coming at her with what seemed like a knife.

Sakura raised her elbow and blocked his attack before thrusting her fist into his stomach. He let out a gasping breath and fell to the ground. By now, the rest of their lackeys were cheering them on, but to her surprise not engaging in the fight. A previously arranged agreement? Or maybe not confident enough. As her attention drifted, she almost missed the blade moving to stab her leg. It nicked her calf as she moved to stomp down on Meizu’s face and he motionless, passed out.

Movement behind her and she ducked under Gozu’s arm and landed a cupped hand on his ear. He screeched and collapsed in front of her and suddenly everything was still. Sakura dusted off her hands and wiped a streak of blood off her cheek before walking back to her table to finish her breakfast. Nobody spoke as she sat down until Hidan let out a crowing cheer.

“How was that fuckers? And if you want round two I’m available to kick your asses too!”

As Sakura spooned more grain into her mouth, Deidara nudged her with his shoulder.

“Nice one, yeah. Maybe later we can go one-on-one.”

“Unfortunately, you won’t be training with the others today,” Genma said as he stood before the table. “You have appointments for your weapons and armour. And good work by the way, it was a good show to watch. Very clean and efficient and it’s nice to see those two get put in their place.”

“What a pity,” said Kisame, still grinning despite the early hour. “I was looking forward to crossing swords with you this afternoon. Maybe we can give that a shot tomorrow.”

Sakura looked at the men around the table, more interest in their eyes than yesterday, and by the sounds of the rest of the gladiators in the hall with their cheers for her and jeers for the brothers, more respect.

“Yes, maybe later.”

Sakura washed her breakfast down with a gulp of water and walked behind Genma out the building with faint calls of praise following her. She might have a better chance here than she thought.

“You know, Lee, I thought that you’d have better things to do than hang around in the forge all day.”

“But Tenten! It is the springtime of our youths! And! You have not left here to experience it!”

A hammer fell onto the blade, hot and malleable as each strike shaped a dangerous edge. Tenten set down the hammer and lifted the blade eyeing it before placing it back down and continuing with her strikes. “But I have a very important order to finish and as much as I’d like to leave I can’t. Also, I just don’t want to.”

Lee’s eyes trembled as they filled up with tears and Tenten braced herself for the onslaught.

“Tenten! You cannot mean what you say! You must be passionate about y\Youth and embrace it!” Lee sobbed it all out, as water and snot poured down.

Tenten sighed. This time as she lifted up the blade, she plunged it into water; it hissed as the water evaporated into the air. This time she was satisfied with its shape. “Maybe later Lee, but not now.” She walked towards the grinder and set to work sharpening the would-be sword as Lee remained blubbering on the floor. “And I have an appointment soon, so either you should leave or make yourself useful. There’s a cloth on the bench, hand it to me if you could, and there’s another one there for you to blow your nose.”

Lee did as she asked and soon the blade was sharp and polished, almost ready for the rest of the engravings, handle, and pommel. But first, she glanced at the clock, her appointment. As she put away her tools a knock sounded at the entrance and a guard poked his head around the frame. It was Genma.

“Ah, Tenten. I’ve brought you your new fitting.”

He walked in and behind him followed a girl, no a woman. Tenten had heard the news but it was still strange to see. However, it was clear that Lee hadn’t heard anything for as soon as he set eyes on her he froze. If Tenten didn’t know any better, she’d think he was petrified, perhaps in fear, but no. It was simply the calm before the… Lee.

Lee jumped into motion. “To see such a beautiful blossom in such a place is a miracle! I declare my love for you!” He ran towards her, but just before contact the woman dodged and Lee went straight into the wall.

There was silence as they all stared at Lee, at one with the stone.

“Apologies,” said the woman. “He startled me.”

Tenten smiled. “No worries, he’s like that. Why don’t you tell me what armour you prefer and then I can get to work.”

Not really anything to add at the end of this one, it was mostly just a bit of a fun filler chapter. There is the fact that gladiators generally slept on a stone slab and a straw mattress and as they fought in the Colosseum, they could buy better decorations/furniture for their rooms.

Hmu if I’ve missed something, and maybe, if we’re lucky, there’ll be a new chapter out in the near future.

I have edited all the chapters up to this one as of 2/2/19. Nothing major to the plot but it might be worth re-reading.

[kimmibers]

Pirate Gold (AU) - chapter 1

Hi so this is for SasuHina revolution week I've decided as my fanfics are always too long to just do one prompt a day so I'm just gonna concentrate on this one and upload a chapter every day (If I'm able to with work). I've been working a lot on my writing recently and hope this story shows improvement compared to previous uploads. So I hope you like it :) pls leave notes/review

LONG LIVE SASUHINA :D

Kim xxx

Lady Hinata awoke from her dreams, just like any normal day. Today was no ordinary day, it being her 18th birthday.

Throughout childhood, her father Hiashi Hyuga and herself had been at logger heads many times. Her safety paramount, as she grew in to a teen her father's will had felt overwhelmingly claustrophobic.

If her mother were alive, Hinata believed her confined childhood would never have come about. She had been told by the servants that her mother had dies in an accident when Hinata was 4 years old. Hinata remembered very little of her mother, loosing her at such a young age, she did however retain the memories of her mother's stories. Every night Hinata would beg and harass her mother for said stories and each night her mother complied. Her stories created enchanting dreams that would be filled with far off lands, maundering pirates and adventures most magical.

The Hyuga mansion stood tall and proud, sat on a cliff looking over the village and beach below. Konoha was just like any other port village; its docks welcoming ships with their hulls laden with cargo. From the beach a simple path lead up to the village a tavern open greeting sailors and regulars bringing talk of their time on sea. The market, busy with gossip, always filled with wares from all the 7 seas.

As a child Hinata would sneak from her father's side and escape down to the docks, drawn by the siren call of the sea. With her over protective father she had never had the opportunity to sail as the song enticed, and with every failed attempt Hinata had grown into despair and eventually gave up.

Once dressed for the day ahead Hinata made her way to the dining room, where her father sat patiently at the table.

"My beautiful girl," Hiashi stood at her entrance, "Happy birthday my moon child." He called her her childhood nickname given to her as she was born under a full moon.

"father." Hinata smiled sweetly and allowed her father to give her a hug. Once

sat down Hinata noticed a small red box to one side of her father.

"Before I give you this," Hiashi caught her glance at the box, "There is something you must know." As he spoke he gripped the red box with its perfectly wrapped bow. "But I'm afraid of your reaction."

"Father?" Hinata questioned, "I'm not use to seeing you like this."

"What I'm about to say relates to your mother," At the mention of her Hinata's attention could be drawn no where else. "Your mother, God rest her soul, was no ordinary woman. You remind me so much of her." He added. Hinata knew she held much of a resemblance to her mother, it had been a rather sore point growing up between her father and herself in the early years after her death. Hinata held Hiashi's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"It's been 14 years since her death and everything you've been told is wrong. My dear moon child, this going to come as quite a shock but keep in mind I didn't tell you for your own good."

"It's ok father, I understand my safety was always and will always be your concern."

"Thank you moon child," Hiashi gave her a small smile, "On your 4th birthday the 3 of us wanted to have are own private party on our vessel. Your dear loved the sea, almost as much as you," Hiashi smiled in recollection, "Her own father was on his way to visit you, he hadn't had the opportunity to meet you yet and we were all so looking forward to our family being back together." Hiashi's face darkened so Hinata gave his hand another squeeze. "Before his imminent arrival our ship was spotted by 'the death ship'. My dear child you've never seen such a ship in your life, its was black as the plague the black sails seemed to eat up the skies and all happiness you've ever felt seems to sucked out of you. All you feel is your death coming straight towards you. The crew of the 'death ship' are lead by no other than Captain Madara, I've heard it said that the last thing you see before your death is yourself reflected in his eyes." Hinata gasped at the name, the whole world knew of Captain Madara. He was the most ruthless pirate of all and would even kill other pirates, a heresy against the pirate code, doing this to only improve his power. But Hinata had thought him to be only a folks tale, she only knew of him from her mother's stories.

"He is the most evil of pirates," Hiashi continued, "With only the 3 of us on board we were grossly outnumbered. Your mother urged me to keep you safe and to hide you from Madara. We knew he was there for her, he'd been chasing your mother all there adult lives-"

"Why?" Hinata interrupted.

"When they were children they were promised to one another, an arranged marriage. But your mother heard of his murderous ways and would have nothing to do with marrying such a man. She ran away in the hopes of escaping him and for a while it worked. Our biggest fear had come true, Madara had found her, but he knew nothing of you. While I hid in the hold with you – the biggest shame in my life – you mother fought with Madara. I took a peak through the metal crate, your mother was an excellent swords woman, she had met her match with captain Madara though, you've never seen 2 blades dance like that. Your mother fought with all her might, but ultimately the duel would take her life." Hiashi paused, his voice breaking, "Madara left her on the deck to bleed, she knew she didn't have long – Her dying wish – Was I keep you safe – And on your 18th birthday, you have this." Hiashi slid the red box towards her.

Hinata looked from the box then to her father with tears gliding down her face. Hinata's chair screeched with her sudden movement.

"Papa," She hugged him from behind and gave his own tear stained cheek a peck, "You kept her promise, I am safe." She assured him.

"Thank you, moon child." Hiashi patted her arm. He handed her the box and gestured her to sit once more, Hinata obliged.

"This was your mother's most prised possession, other than you," Hiashi informed her. As he spoke Hinata began to carefully open the ribbon, "For generations it has been handed down, a symbol of her families lineage, and now to you."

Hinata lifted the lid on the box with bated breath.

"A gold coin?" She looked to her father in confusion.

"Not everything is as simple as it seems."

Hinata lifted the box to inspect the coin closer. The coin looked to be made of solid gold and was covered in a tribal like pattern. Hinata picked up the coin from it's box and turned it over to inspect the other side. The moment the coin now 'heads up' Hinata felt powerful jolt emitting from her hand, the sound of her heart beat sent ripples from the coin that echoed all around Konoha cove.

"Drop it!" Hiashi shouted his voice shaking. With shaking fingers Hinata quickly placed the coin back in it's box.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Quick we must pack," Hiashi stood from his chair, "We don't have time. Pack only essentials, we leave by night fall. There is much to prepare." That said Hiashi left the room.

"What in the world just happened?" Hinata asked herself. She looked down at the coin. The skull and crossbones even with no eyes seemingly looking at her and laughing.

"What are you?"

Hinata sank in to the couch, with a bag of her clothes and personal effects at her side. What a miserable birthday, she thought to herself. She'd seen nothing of her father. Since morning he's been locked away in his study while the servants buzzed a hive of activity packing the houses belongings, most for transport some for market.

Hinata still had no clue what was happening. The gold coin, still in it's box, had been taken from her by 1 of the servants, claiming her father needed it. The day had been none stop, a chaotic hurricane of packing and emotions.

The weather had shifted from the beautiful sunny morning to the dark clouds heavy with storms.

Hinata watched through the window as the clouds drew closer turning midday in to twilight. If she hadn't been observing the horizon she might have missed the moment a black top sail broke the horizon. Hinata had never seen the ship before but something about it exuded animal menace, causing goosebumps to appear on her arms. Winks of muzzle-flash glittered the horizon and the muffled booms of cannon came a second later. A split second later and another top sail, this time red, peaked over the horizon.

"Shit!" Hiashi hastily entered the room, "They're here. We must go now." Hiashi grabbed Hinata's hand pulling her away from the window.

"No!" Hinata shouted authoritatively, "What is happening? You can't just keep hiding things from me."

"Please Hinata, now is not the time to be fucking awkward." At such rare language used from her father Hinata fell silent. "I'm sorry my moon child," He bowed his head, "I know you have questions, when we have time I shall answer them." Hinata nodded her head, the fight in her silenced not wanting to add to his stress. "What I'm about to tell you, you won't like, but hear my words well and do not disobey. You are to flee from here, use the passage ways from the mansion and hide at the rocks below. Hide there until I find you -"

"But -"

"Shush Hinata, you must do as I ask, your safety is of up most importance. You have to survive." He urged, "If for some reason you are captured by 1 of these ships use the word 'Parley' and do not tell anyone your name," Next he showed her a plain cheap looking gold locket. "Inside here is the coin. Whatever you do do not the coin again. Keep it hidden, keep it safe." He implored.

By now the 2 ships had come closer to their cove and with them Hiashi's mood sombre.

"Why do I get the feeling you're saying goodbye?" Hinata asked.

Hiashi said nothing in return, tentatively he placed the locket around her neck. He had tears in his eyes refusing to let them fall.

"You must go."

Hinata fled, just as her father instructed. She hid at the base of the cliffs a finger tip from the sea crashing against the rocks. Even that sound couldn't conceal the screams of lives being lost. The cannons from the ships taking over her once peaceful cove.

She watched, silently crying, as the black ship took aimed it's cannons and with there full force reduced her home and childhood memories to a pile of rubble.

What felt like hours later the black ominous ship sailed by her under the cover of darkness. Hinata could only see it as it floated by unbelievably close. Coming from it the noise of celebration, their job complete.

The cove now echoed with the wale's of newly made widows and orphans. The sea stained red as the bodies of the nameless bobbed in the currant and washed up on the shore.

"Who are you?" A male's voice bellowed as he pointed his piston towards her.

"P-Parley." She stammered.

"What did she say?" Another male's voice asked the first male.

"She said parley-"

"- Or what!? Can't we just pretend she never said anything?"

"We can't," The first male lowered his weapon, distracted by his companion, "If the cap'in found out we didn't follow the code he'd..." with a finger the man traced a line across his neck.

"You have no idea what you're getting yourself in for, girl." The second man spoke, "Now get up and come with us!"

[moonlitonyxandopal]

Relationships and Heartbreaks

An: AND I AM BACK. Happy new year to all. :D 

Sorry for the errors, thank you and Enjoy!

He exited a pastry shop, holding a newly bought box of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, her favorite. "I'll be able to make it..." He hummed.

::

Hinata stood beside telephone booths, infront of Konoha Train Station, waiting for him. She looked at her watch and said, "He said he's not gonna be late..."

::

"Oi, Sasuke-kun!!"

He turned back and saw bouncing pink bubblegum hair. "Sakura..."

"What are you doing here?" She flirted.

"None of your business..."

"Oh you have a date with Hinata-chan?!"

He nodded. And there was awkward silence.

'Should I make a move?' Sakura thought. She lowered her head then bit her lip. 'Should I? But Hinata's my friend...'

Without even saying goodbye, Sasuke stepped forward, with an intention of leaving her there since he has a special day with his girl.

"Sasuke wait!" Sakura shouted. She was was brave and straight forward. "Actually, it's my birthday..." She lied.

Sasuke stopped, annoyed, then faced her. "Happy birthday then..."

"Where's my gift? That's how friends work right?"

He rolled his eyes then looked at his watch. A minute or two won't hurt. "Be quick, she's waiting for me."

::

"Ow Sasuke! I like this ring!" Sakura marveled. "Buy this one for me! It's my birthday isn't it?"

Sasuke raised a brow. They were not even a couple so why would he buy her a ring? But time was running and he doesn't want Hinata to wait for him any longer. He sighed. Without any proper thinking, he actually bought the ring Sakura requested.

She was so happy. "I'll treasure this forever!" She slid the ring on her finger and when she was about to thank him, she turned her head to him then frowned. Sasuke was nowhere to be found.

::

Sasuke hurried to the Konoha Train Station. He noticed that a crowd of people were circling a... A what? Accident? His eyes widened as he remembered where Hinata and him agreed to meet. It was where the people are standing. He frantically shouted her name, a lot of times.

Hinata?! Hinata... But there was no answer.

He looked everywhere then found himself joining the circled crowd. He pushed himself to be in front and this shocked him even more.

Broken glass scattered everywhere. Telephone booths were unrecognizable. Blood stains splattered on the concrete pavement. And a lavender ribbon was... It was what he had given Hinata on there first anniversary. He was in shock and... "No... That can't be!"

Then he heard a police officer, talking to his radio. He reported, "..Ah, a college student in Konoha University... 19 years old.."

Sasuke's eyes kept on widening as he heard the words.

"The victim's name is Hyuga... Hinata..."

His heart skipped a beat. A tear fell and the box of cinnamon rolls dropped as his vision darkened.

::

Sakura and Naruto rushed into the hospital. She saw how broken Sasuke was. She noticed that Hanabi, blankly staring and crying infront of the hospital door, and Hiashi, controlling his tears and fear, was there also. She saw Neji walking towards them, controlling all of his emotions and grief.

Sasuke glared at Sakura as if reminding her that if she didn't wasted his time on buying her a stupid ring then he would be right on time and Hinata would not be in a car accident and in a comatose state.

Sakura nervously gulped. Guilty.

"This is your fault, Uchiha... I trusted you to be with-" Neji stressed.

Sasuke faced Neji. "Shut the hell up!" He growled. The two exchange nasty phrases and shit.

"Stop Onii-chan and Neji-san! Just stop, please.. For the sake of nee-chan..." Hanabi cried.

Sasuke went down on his knees and shouted as loud as he can. His fists kept on pounding the hospital floor, facing reality that he can't bring back time anymore... Without Hinata in his life, he can't...

::

Three years have passed after Hinata's accident, Sasuke found himself living with Sakura and his conscience was consuming him.

How did Hinata and Sasuke became a couple? What made Sasuke fall for Sakura? What happened in those 3 years? Will Hinata wake up in her comatose state?

Would you even want to know?

Chapter 2

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Three Hundred Nine: Quick Exit ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uzumaki Naruto ] [ SasuHina, blood, vulgarity, smoking ] [ Verse: Oil and Blood ] [ AO3 Link ]

In the middle of the morning, Hinata snaps awake, eyes wide and breath curt with a gasp. She was having the strangest dream about an old warehouse, and a gunfight, and -

...oh. Right. That was just her day yesterday bleeding into her dreams.

In spite of herself, Hinata goes slack atop her bed. What a day it was. In fact, what a few weeks it’s been, now. Saving a member of a yakuza, having to dodge his attempts to repay her, and then the firefight yesterday when a rival faction mistook her as someone actually important, and kidnapped her in hopes of getting information on their enemies.

Meanwhile Hinata was completely clueless, dragged into a turf war she had no real business in.

And now, well...she has no idea what’s going to happen to her.

She got the day off from work, thank the gods. And Sasuke is likely still downstairs guarding her apartment from any unwanted Senju guests. Now he owes her even more than he did for saving her life, getting her mixed up in all of this.

In all honesty, Hinata would be fine with them just...leaving her alone! But she knows it won’t be that simple, now. Though the Uchiha saved her the only way they could - by storming the hideout - that likely only solidified her status as some kind of target. Even if the Senju assume they only came for the doctor dragged in with her...Hinata knows there’s little escaping them.

Especially since their leader Tobirama now knows who she is. Or rather...who her father is. She’s not the important factor. If he still believes her worth something to attempt to blackmail Hiashi, she might not be safe, regardless.

Of course...she highly doubts Hiashi would cooperate, anyway. He disowned her years ago for her defiance against his business dealings. She’s likely worthless to him. He might still have some feelings for her as his daughter - some semblance of loyalty or parental love. But given that he basically dumped her on the street for questioning him...she won’t hold her breath.

So...where to go from here? She has no idea. All she does know is that - as of yesterday - there’s little chance of getting her old life back. Not that it was much of a life, working a base-pay job that both stressed her out and collided with her morals. And otherwise lurking at home when not working behind her company’s back.

...maybe Suigin-san could hire her if she gets fired. She doesn’t know much about the medical in practice, but...maybe the doc needs a receptionist. It’s not like she’s not familiar with how the insurance works.

Sighing, she brings an arm up over her eyes. The little bit of leftover takeout she gobbled the night before is already digested, if her stomach’s pining for food is any clue. But she doesn’t have much in the way of supplies...she’ll have to make a grocery run. But is that safe…?

Bringing a hand to her comm mod, she dictates a text for Sasuke.

I need to run errands. Am I free to leave?

In the interim, she abandons the clothes she simply fell asleep in, having lacked the motivation or energy to change the night before. Tugging on her pants, she receives a reply.

I’ll go with you.

That gets her to blanche. Don’t you need a break?

Took one last night - someone covered me overnight. Came back this morning, I’m fine.

Hinata hesitates. Does she really want to be seen in public with him…?

...of course, she’s already pretty much a known associate by the people who are the biggest threat, so...what else does she have to lose?

...okay. I’ll be quick. Sorry for the inconvenience.

It’s either this, or sit here and do nothing while the others figure out what to do with you.

...oh. She hadn’t considered that.

Putting on a jacket and making her way down to the ground level, she finds him leaning idly against her building nearby the door and smoking a cigarette. He does indeed look rested, and his outfit has changed. Which...is good, given there’d been some blood on what he’d been wearing before. Makes sense, given his...activities. “...ready to go?”

“Where we headed?”

“I usually just go to a place down the street…”

“You don’t do delivery?”

“Some things I like doing the old fashioned way,” is her reply, which to her surprise earns a chuckle. “...what?”

“Nothing. You’re just...weird.”

Her cheeks puff a hair in a pout. “What’s so weird about that?”

“Just not what most people do. Hell, even I typically have things dropped off. Feels like a waste of time, otherwise.”

“I don’t know, I just...like to look around.”

“Mhm...like you said, old fashioned.”

A bit ruffled, Hinata stuffs her hands in her pockets, leading the way as Sasuke falls into step a bit behind her. “...so, um...have you heard anything about w-what happened yesterday?”

“Bits and pieces. We dealt a decent blow, and Tobirama’s scrambling. Apparently he’s pretty pissed he’s failed at killing me twice now in so many weeks.” At her curious glance, he expounds, “My father leads the Uchiha...sort of. His father, Madara, is still around and calls shots...but Fugaku’s still de facto leader. Madara and Tobirama - and Tobi’s brother Hashirama - have some pretty bad personal blood between them.”

“...I see.”

“As for what’s going to happen to you,” he goes on, knowing that’s what she’s really curious about, “we’re still talking. See, Suigin’s an asset. She directly benefits the gang, and she gets paid. But everything with you is less...official. You saved a member��s life, but you’re not a member, nor are you on the gang payroll like she is. So figuring out what you’re supposedly allowed in terms of protection and all that is a bit...up in the air.”

“...oh…”

“But either way,” Sasuke continues, pausing for another drag, “I’m going to take care of it.”

“But -?”

“But nothing. You saved my ass, and I repaid you by almost getting you killed. Least I can do is keep you from getting killed for a while, whether my father wants me to or not. Yakuza might do some shitty things, but we still have honor in some regards. And debt is one of them. Until we’re square, you’re stuck with me.”

Hinata gives a quiet sigh. “...I guess there’s no c-changing your mind…”

“Nope. I know this is all gonna affect your life and livelihood, so...we’ll have to hash out the details. Obviously your job might be at risk if people start noticing me hanging around...but at the same time, that’s the only way to keep Senju off your ass.”

“Yeah, I was...w-wondering about that.”

“...guess if it comes down to it, I’ll find you a new job.”

“Wh-?!”

“Cuz that’ll be my fault, too. And I’ve got connections.”

Hinata bristles. “This is getting r-ridiculous!”

“Well, it’s that or we could have you moved, your identity changed...the whole shebang. Up to you,” he offers, giving her a glance and drawing from his cig again. “...being yakuza tied is tough business. Guess I should have warned you, but...well, I don’t think either of us imagined it ending up quite like this, huh?”

“...no.”

They reach the store, Hinata stepping through the automatic doors with Sasuke behind her. Activating a cart, it glides alongside her as she starts quickly stocking up on the essentials. Because apparently...she might be on house arrest for longer than she imagined.

All the while, Sasuke stands casually behind her, hands in his pockets and the butt of his cigarette between his lips.

“...want anything?”

“Huh?”

“You’re here, you might as well get something,” Hinata explains, setting several instant ramen cups into her cart.

That earns a snort. “I’m fine.”

“Want a...candy bar or something?”

“I don’t like sweets.”

“What?!”

Eyes narrowing, Sasuke then tugs her back around the end of the aisle, her cart following like a puppy. “...hold up.”

Oh for goodness’ sake, now what?!

Stock still, Hinata listens as a few more customers walk through the door. It’s a rowdy group of young men their age, Hinata curiously leaning out to peek.

“Don’t do that.”

“But we can’t -?” Turning to look at him, she sees Sasuke staring out oddly...and then it clicks.

Right. Rinnegan model. Instantly bypasses just about any surveillance security and grants access to nearby cameras. He doesn’t have to look...the store’s doing that for him.

“...damn it.”

“What? Senju?”

“Sort of...long story. I know the blond. He’s a pain in my ass.”

“Is...is he dangerous?”

“...no. But I don’t need him seeing me. It’ll just stir up more trouble. I need to make a quick exit…” He then glances to her, Rinnegan turned in its socket. “...think you can handle checkout? I can meet you outside.”

“...yeah, I’ll be fine.”

“Just buzz me if something goes down.”

“Okay…” Watching him slink around the back, Hinata takes a moment to breathe before heading to the front of the shop.

The group of men is still there, browsing the cheap tablets bearing various news and articles...among other entertainments. Eyeing them warily, she starts running things through the machine to tally up her total and remove the security on the items.

“Whoa, hold up…”

Tensing, she keeps going, avoiding eye contact as one approaches.

“...Hinata-chan?”

Jolting, she looks up, finding a nostalgic pair of blue eyes. “...Naruto-kun…?”

Wait...blond...is this the one Sasuke was…?

“Holy crap! It’s been ages! You, like...totally vanished after school!” the Uzumaki goes on, grinning widely and clearly excited to see her. “You look...kinda different. Where have you been?”

“Oh, just...w-working. You know...boring life stuff…”

“Dude, I’d love to catch up sometime! You live local?”

“Er...well…”

“Oi.”

The pair both turn to see Sasuke standing nearby. Naruto stiffens, Hinata just looking warily between them. “...Sasuke…?”

“Leave her alone. She’s clearly trying to get her shit done and leave. You’re holding her up.”

“Wh-? This long since you’ve seen me, and that’s how you say hello?”

“Who says I want to say hello? You’re holding her up.”

“What do you care?”

“Because I’m waiting for her, dumbass.”

Blond brows furrow. “...you know her?”

“In a manner of speaking. We’ve got places to be, so save your sap for some other time.”

“Good to see you’re still an asshole,” Naruto mutters, stuffing hands into his jacket pockets.

“Like I give a shit what you think.”

“Look, guys...p-please,” Hinata cuts in, lifting placating hands. “It...it’s fine! Naruto-kun, um...here, I’ll...give you my contact info. We’ll talk later, o-okay? Really. It’s okay. But I...I really should be going.”

Still glowering at the Uchiha, Naruto replies, “...yeah, sure…”

Transferring the proper data, she gives him a strained smiled. “...it...it really was nice seeing you again.”

“...just take care of yourself, Hinata-chan,” he offers, eyes still trained on Sasuke. “Don’t want you getting mixed up in the wrong crowd.”

“...I...I’ll bear that in mind. Have - have a good day!” Things bought and bagged, she gives a nervous grin before fleeing, Sasuke on her heels. “...what the hell was that?”

“Long story,” Sasuke mutters. “...but he’s got Senju ties.”

“...is he…?”

“He’s not yakuza, but he benefits from them. Vague family ties...like I said, long story. As you can imagine...that doesn’t make us best friends anymore.”

Her ears perk at that. ...anymore…?

“Anyway...let’s get you home. Sorry for butting in, but...I wasn’t sure if he’d have heard about you.”

“...that’s okay. Um...I hope that wasn’t too...inconvenient…?”

“I’ll get over it. Mostly it’s just a stroke to my temper. Good news is he seemed clueless...but he might not stay that way, so...keep your guard up with him, okay?”

Hinata gives Sasuke a glance. He has a point, but… “...okay. I will.”

“Good.”

                                                           .oOo.

     (This is a sequel to days 250, 254, 269, 300, and 303!)       More cyberpunk! I am so falling in love with both this little series and this genre, it's just so cool xD      And now we have a new player on the field: Naruto! And given his ties to the Senju...this might get rather...interesting. How? I...don't know yet, but we'll figure it out as we go, as we always do with these, lol      Buuut yeah, I'm...uber tired as usual so I'll call it there - irl is a WEE BIT stressful today and will be for...a while :'D So I'll sign off for now. Thanks for reading!

[kimmibers]

SasuHina - His Beauty and Her Beast - Chapter 6

Sasuke flinched as the cloth made contact with his shirtless back again. Hinata had helped him back to the mansion and was currently tending to his wounds. He was currently lay shirtless on his stomach on the bed with his head in his arms. He kept his gaze on her however, carefully watching her. Waiting for her to show any emotion about the attempted abduction, she had yet to talk since they'd sent a note via his hawk to the Hokage tower (both their phones had been damaged beyond recognition in the blast).

“Sorry.” He heard Hinata mutter as he involuntary flinched again. “I need to clean your back before I can heal your wounds.”

“It's ok, keep going.” He groaned out as she yet again swept the cloth over his back after she'd cleaned it off in a bowl beside her. He knew this needed to be done so there was no point in prolonging the process. Squeezing the blankets in to his hands he tried to attempt to hide his discomfort from Hinata, she felt guilty enough without hearing his pain.

Hearing her tell him she'd finished cleaning his back Sasuke breathed out a sigh of relief and loosed his grip on her sheets.

“Hinata,” He held her wrist pulling her up the bed so he could see her face more clearly, “Tell me honestly, are you ok?” Hinata's gaze looked away from his immediately at his question and she removed her arm away from his grasp.

“It's not my first abduction attempt I've been through, Sasuke. These eyes and my birthright are a curse as much as a privilege.” Hinata stepped away from the bed, “I-I wish I could be like you and fear nothing.”

“That's ridiculous,” He bluntly protested, “everyone fears something, we wouldn't be human if we didn't.”

“But you don't act like you fear anything. Back there you...you saved me without thinking of yourself. What if...What if she'd hit one of your vital organs? What if she'd-”

“Hinata stop! You're thinking irrationally.” Sasuke sat up on his knees wanting to see her face more clearly, “You can't live your life by 'what if'. You think I don't get scared? You're wrong!” Hinata gave him a look of 'yeah right', “ok. I'm shit scared I'm gonna get these votes and what then? I bring back my clan? What if history only repeats itself? What if the Uchiha are destined to be Konoha's destruction again and again?”

“That won't happen!” Hinata sat on the bed next to Sasuke, placing her hand on his face she pried his gaze to look in hers.

“How can you know that? I'm not like Naruto, what if- what if I'm the next Madara?” Hinata sat perfectly still choosing her words deliberately.

“I'm glad.” She told him finally breaking the silence between them, “I'm glad you're not like Naruto.” Now it was his turn to give her the look of 'yeah right', “If someone would of told me a year ago I would consider you one of my closest friends I would of laughed, but I do. I really do, Sasuke. You're not like Naruto, you're right and that's what makes you the perfect clan leader. You have so much to teach the next generation, not just jutsu but life lessons too. You've been down a difficult path and yet you've still found your way home. You're not a saint, Kami knows,” They both smiled, “And yet you're surrounded by people who care for you no matter what. Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and myself will always be here for you.”

“Ok ok. Enough of the pep talk.” Sasuke chuckled awkwardly and lay back down on the bed. Sasuke looked over his shoulder gazing at Hinata as she began healing his back. At least now she had a slight smile on her face that he could see thanks to the green glow illuminating her skin and created shadows on her face. For a while they stayed silent so Hinata could concentrate.  

“So...What's your fear?” Sasuke asked her after some time.

“My fear?” Hinata peaked at Sasuke's gaze then back to the remaining wound on his back, “My fear

is loosing someone else I love because I did nothing.”

“That's easy to rectify.”

“How so?”

“That's all in the mind, training could easily remedy that. I'll help you if you like.”

“You don't suggest isolating myself?” Hinata questioned.

“No.” He stated frankly, “You say I'm surrounded by people who care for me yes? Well you are even more so. Your team, my team, hell all the rookies, your clan, your sister...Me.” He added shyly. “Isolating yourself accomplishes nothing but loneliness. I...I couldn't allow you to go through that.” Hinata's eyes widened at his words and a slight blush coated her cheeks. He cared for Hinata as a friend, he told himself, and he was just doing what Naruto had done for him right. Right?  

Hearing the door to the bedroom opening Sasuke jumped off the bed, paying no heed to the fact he'd just opened the last remaining wound on his back, his main priority was to protect Hinata. The dark shadow from the hallway stepped into the light seeping from the room to reveal Sakura.

“Oh? I'm sorry...Am I interrupting? I knocked but no one was answering and I-” Sakura bumbled her words and her face grew flushed.

“No, no Sakura. We was just- I-I was just healing Sasuke's back.” Hinata had cleared the room by the time she'd finished her sentence and guiding Sakura in to the room, “Y-You should take over. You have better skills than me.” Sasuke could sense there was some unspoken words between them, some 'girl code' that he had no hope of deciphering.

Suddenly being shirtless in front of Sakura felt far too revealing. Strange that in front of Hinata he'd felt comfortable? Maybe because he knew Hinata wouldn't ogle his body like Sakura was currently doing.

“I-Is that ok with you Sasuke?” Hinata asked.

“Hn.” He sat himself on her bed and covered his chest with a spare blanket. “Wait! Where are you going?” Sasuke asked. He didn't want to be alone in the room with Sakura and the thought of something happening to Hinata while he couldn't keep an eye on her brought with it an overwhelming fear.

“Hinata's just going for a shower Sasuke.” Sakura looked at Sasuke as if she was seeing him in a totally different light.

Silently Sasuke nodded his head and tried to look nonchalant. Hearing the door close behind Hinata he shut his eyes trying to suppress the sense of dread at being left alone in a room with Sakura. He flinched when he felt her weight behind him, why did this feel so wrong? Sakura was his friend but he also knew she wanted more from him and he couldn't give her that. He'd tried to tell her so many times through out the years, he just didn't and couldn't see her in that way, he'd tried! When they got back from the war, he'd convinced himself she'd deserved his love, proven herself worthy of it by standing up for him through everything but he soon came to realise he was hurting her more. He just couldn't love her, no matter how hard he tried, he'd confessed as much to Naruto. Naruto had been the one to tell him you couldn't force yourself to love someone, that's not love and if that's how he felt he should leave Sakura be and let her move on. That's why he'd left on his '3 year redemption mission', he'd wanted to give Sakura the time to find love, someone she deserved and yet here she was still pining for him.

“Sakura.” His voice came out gruff with emotion. This was going to be hard he knew, but he had to tell Sakura the truth. She deserved as much.

“It's ok Sasuke, I know.” She whispered. He didn't know when she'd started to heal him but he could feel her chakra entering his system, stitching his muscles back together.

“What do you mean, you know?” Sasuke asked confused by her words.

“I've watched you for most my life, despite what you think I can read you like a book. You don't have to say it Sasuke, I know there's nothing between us.”

“That's not true. You'll always be my friend Sakura...I hope.” Sasuke looked over his shoulder to judge her expression. Sakura gave him a small smile and nodded her head.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Isn't that what friends do? Pry in to each others lives.” Sasuke smirked at Sakura's half hearted chuckle.

“How do you feel about Hinata?”

“Hinata?” He sat up straight at her name alone.

“It's just...I've noticed you act differently around her, she calms you I think. Now I think about it you're so similar it's easy to see how you've become-”

“Friends.” Sasuke felt he needed to clarify that point and fast.

“Friends then. But as one friend to another let me give you a little advice,” She told him gently, “Don't be an idiot like Naruto. If you feel something more for her, act on it, don't let her slip through your finger's. Hinata is...one in a million.”

“And you wouldn't mind that? Seeing me and Hinata...” Sasuke trailed off, he couldn't bring himself to say more.

“I...Hinata is one of my dearest friends and with you I see her happy again. Since the war she's been distant with everyone and yet you've brought her out of her shell again.” Sakura began to laugh at how unbelievable that was, “Who knew Sasuke Uchiha and Hinata Hyuga could be such close friends? Not me that's for sure.”

“We are an unlikely duo.” He agreed smirking at the image in his head of the two of them.

“She makes you happy, you make her happy and as both your friends that's all I want. I would never stand in the way of your happiness Sasuke.” Sakura gave his hand a squeeze. Sasuke looked down at their joined hands and smiled. He was lucky to have a friend such as Sakura, he knew before now but this moment made it all the more clear.

“Thank you Sakura.” In that moment he did something he never thought he'd do; he hugged her. It wasn't a romantic hug in any sense but it was enough to convey his thanks, he hoped. As he pulled away he saw the blush on Sakura's face and felt her hand on his bare chest pushing him back.

“Yes...Well.” She coughed, “I..I should go to my room.” She stood up off the bed and walked in a trance like state to the door, “Oh. I forgot, Naruto and Kakashi will be here in the morning. They're having a meeting with Hiashi Hyuga, he heard what happened here. Actually he saw the smoke coming from the building and well he's not happy, he wants the best protection for his daughter. I was told to give you this also.” Sakura handed him a note and saying her goodnight left the room.

Sasuke looked down at note in the scruffiest writing he'd ever seen.

“Naruto.” He mumbled to himself and rolled his eyes. His best friend really needed to work on his penmanship for when he became Hokage. The note didn't have a specific name to who it was addressed to but Sakura had said it was for him. Opening the note he began to read:

Teme!

We're puling an all nighter to try and figure out more details of why someone would come after Hinata! Hiashi has a rod up his arse saying we're not taking this threat seriously! So as of now you're Hinata's protection detail! Got it! She goes nowhere without you! Or else I'm dead!!!

Hiashi is scarier than you!!!

Kakashi has organised for some guys to come check out the house to make sure it's safe and to start fixing it in the morning. We'll be there too in the morning, tell Hinata to make pancakes I need food!! So hungry!!!

Sasuke shook his head at Naruto's letter, so typical of his friend to be thinking of his stomach at such a time. He glanced at Hinata's bedside clock and noted it was now 3am. Hinata had still yet to return from her shower, what did he do? Knock on the door? Wait for her?

Looking down at himself he decided first thing first was definitely changing out of his dirty clothes and grabbing a shirt. Walking down the hallway to his room he passed the bathroom he could hear the shower still on, pausing for a moment to listen for anything suspicious, instead he heard the muffled singing of Hinata. He didn't want to embarrass her by alerting her to his presence so carried on walking to his own room.

Quickly throwing away his ruined clothes, he clothed himself in some of his more baggier clothes. Before putting on his new t-shirt he inspected his back in the mirror, 3 more scars to add to the collection he thought to himself. At least these ones he could be proud of, he imagined kids from his clan asking him 'how'd you get that one?' what could he say? That one was from when I killed my brother Itachi. Oh and this one is from when I'd tried to kill uncle Naruto. He growled at himself in his mind and hastily put on his t-shirt.

Walking out his bedroom he noticed the door to the bathroom was slightly a jar and the light turned off.

“Hinata?” He knocked on her door quietly in case Sakura was already sleeping.

“Just a sec.” He heard the panic in her voice followed by something falling to the floor.

“Are you ok?” He called through the door, his hand on the handle ready to go in.

“Y-Yes! J-Just stubbed my toe on the bed. C-Come in.”

Sasuke slowly opened the door to see Hinata sat in the end of the bed she was wearing some baggy trousers, much like his own and a vest top. She had her head in such a way to be able to have her hair over one shoulder while she tried to dry it with a small towel.

“Sorry to interrupt but Sakura gave me this, I thought you might want to see it as it's to do with you.” He handed her over the note off Naruto.

He watched her carefully reading each word; the way she smiled so easily at Naruto's words had his stomach twisting in an odd sensation.

“O-Ok. How's your back?” She asked him, handing him back the note.

“Better. Thanks.” Why was this so awkward? He asked himself.

“I'm not really tired are you?”

“Not really.” He admitted.

“D-do you think you could stay with me?”

“Er-”

“I mean...Not with me,” She blushed, realising the implication of her words, “I just mean, I d-don't want to be alone r-right now. May-Maybe we could watch a movie downstairs or-?”

“Sure. But not-”

“Love stories. I know.” She smiled. “I was thinking something we both like, how about Lord of the Rings?”

“Now you tell me! They made movies of the books? Do you know how long those books are?” He pretended to be annoyed and rolled his eyes making her chuckle.

“They've made lots of movies while you were...away.” Sasuke couldn't help but laugh.

“Alright I'll grab snacks and drinks, meet you downstairs in a minute.” He told her while leaving her room.

“Hey Sasuke?”

“Yeah?” He looked back.

“Thank you.”

“Hey guys!-”

“Shhh.” Sakura peaked her head around the kitchen door frame, “They're sleeping.” She pointed in the front room.

“Who's sleeping?” Naruto asked puzzled.

“Who do you think Baka?” Sakura responded like Naruto had asked the dumbest question in the world.

As Naruto walked stealthily passed the lounge they couldn't help but look in with its door open it was just too tempting. They were able to see the two dark haired figures of Sasuke and Hinata on the couch. Hinata's head leant on Sasuke's shoulder and Sasuke's head leaning on hers.

Naruto paused at the door momentarily shocked, Sakura grabbed hold of his jacket sleeve and pulled him in to the kitchen.  

“What? When?” Naruto asked urgently.

“Are you really that surprised? We both saw how different he's been since Hinata moved in.”

“Yes but he's-they're..” Naruto interlocked his hands hoping what he couldn't convey in words he could with gestures. “And you're ok with this?”

“Why wouldn't I be?” Sakura challenged. “Sasuke said they're just friends when we spoke last night anyway.”

“Teme spoke about feelings?”

“I do have them you know.”

The two friends turned to see Sasuke who was currently leant on the door frame.

“You're awake?”

“You wish me to answer that ridiculous question?” Sasuke sighed and walked over to Sakura so she could hand him a coffee.

“How's Hinata?” She enquired.

“Sleeping.” He answered simply. They each sat at the table, each with their own drinks. “So what's the plan? I assume Kakashi has one?”

“Er yeah. He's called back any Hyuga from their missions in case who ever tried to abduct Hinata were after her Byakugan.”

“The way the puppet was talking I highly doubt that.” Sasuke spoke over his drink.

“Either way Hanabi is still on her mission and Hiashi wants her back.” Naruto told them.

“Hinata will be happy about that.” Sakura spoke.

“Kakashi and Hiashi want Hinata to stay here still-”

“She wasn't going anywhere else Dobe.”

Naruto glanced over to Sakura to judge her reaction to what Sasuke had said but saw her nodding in agreement with him instead of hurt expressions he'd expected to see.

“Hinata mentioned something last night, she said this wasn't the first abduction attempt on her, how many has there been?” Sasuke looked over at Naruto expectantly.

“I can't tell you that, it's classified. Need to know only.”

“Well I need to know Naruto.”

“But I can't-”

“Naruto!” Sasuke slammed his hand on the table. The three of them sat still for a moment to see if Sasuke's sudden outburst had awoken Hinata. Sasuke sighed in exasperation and looked over at his best friend. “Look Naruto,” He began again, this time in a calm manner, “I need to know this, Hinata is under my protection, under my roof, if something were to happen to her it's on me. I won't let that happen. I need to know if this is just another attempt or if something more sinister is at work, you understand?”

Naruto nodded his head and began to tell Sasuke and Sakura officially everyone knew of only one abduction attempt know as 'The Hyuga Affair'. He explained how Hinata had been turning 3 at the time; Konoha and Kumogakure were to sigh a peace treaty, but that had been a cover up. The head ninja of the Kumogakure attempted to abduct Hinata in order to obtain the secrets of the Byakugan. However Hiashi Hyuga dispatched of the shinobi, saving Hinata himself. In the aftermath,  Kumogakure denied any accusations of abduction and in retaliation demanded the body of Hiashi for compensation. Hiashi's younger brother and identical twin Hizashi decided to go in his brother's place despite Hiashi's protests. Hizashi knew Kumogakure would be fooled and his curse seal would safe guard the secrets of the Byakugan and would not only save his brother's life but also prevent a war between the two nations.

Sasuke was piecing together a lot about Hinata's past and character. Her word's from last night repeated themselves in his mind; ' My fear is loosing someone else I love because I did nothing'. He realised then Hinata blamed herself for not only Neji's death, but her uncle's too. How could he show her how wrong she was?

Sakura was right, Hinata and himself had many similarities regarding their childhoods; They'd lost their older brothers, both of whom had sacrificed themselves for them. They'd each grown up in a powerful clan, bringing with it not only family but as Hinata had said a birthright that was also a curse; the notion they could be stronger and better than the rest by their genes alone. Neither of them had been able to meet their fathers high expectations growing up, from what little news Sasuke had gathered it seemed Hinata had earned her father's respect since the war though.

“Wait you said officially.” Sakura interrupted his train of thought, “What's the unofficial number?”

“8, well 9 after last night.” Hinata answered alerting her presence to them.

“Come on.” Sasuke strode over to her and took hold of her hand, leading her out the kitchen.

“Where we going? I've not had any breakfast yet.” She protested.

“It's time to train.” Sasuke answered her in a monotone voice.

Sakura and Naruto glanced at each other for a second before their chairs squeaked along the floor with their sudden burst of moment, both following after Hinata and Sasuke.