Sweet Dispositions

-Chapter 15-
The DCA

November 16th. Dawn.

HINATA SIGHED.

"Mitsuyo's second day of work... I miss her already," Hinata said, choosing a shirt to wear.

She found one.

"Eh. I'm fine," he shrugged.

"You remember when you said that 'The ones who have been ousted stick together... The misfits and the displaced end up meeting'?" she whispered. "I feel like that... An outcast..."

"To what?"

"My clan. All my life, I've felt trapped in my clan. My father said, 'The future of the Hyuuga clan is much more important than your temporary career,' He always says that I'm just a child with bright-eyed ideals."

"You love being a doctor," Sasuke frowned.

"He thinks that my job was temporary. That I was wasting my 'Kami-given gift' of the Byakugan on non-Hyuuga. He debilitated my role as a doctor. He wouldn't let me operate on any Hyuuga because he believed that I would mess up and hurt them..."

"He didn't let you operate on... Hyuuga or non-Hyuuga," Sasuke said. "Wow..."

Hinata sighed. "Yes. Until Tsunade-sama had a word with him. He didn't talk to me for weeks. To him, Hanabi- everyone... everything I did was wrong. I wasn't enough to please the council, the Hyuuga, or my father. He always said the Hyuuga clan is my first and only priority. I'm my own priority. You and our baby are my top priorities," she laughed. "I don't think I did anything wrong for leaving and that's what makes me an outcast."

"Hinata-"

"I miss them but I'm not good there. I was weak, troubled and stuttering. I felt restrained in my clan. I want to thank you for taking me out of Konoha," she said. "Just... thanks for letting me leave."

"You don't want to go back. That's a bad thing. I led you where you shouldn't go," he realized. "What the hell, Hyuuga?"

"I left that to be here with you and our kid for the domestic life. My Kami, Konoha's my home but they don't make it home. I do want to go back but I don't want to go back without you. I can't have it any other way."

"Hn. What's it to you?" he asked. "Me staying or going?"

"You're a good coping mechanism for the crazy. Please don't leave me and dry while my clan ignores me. Visit often or live with me."

"Che, I'll do it. What are friends for?" Sasuke said.

¤¤¤

"Why do you have all this stuff?" he asked, watching her use some cream. "Our bathroom smells like a meadow."

"I think we smell like the air in Konoha's springtime. Fresh," she said, smiling at him in the reflection of the mirror. "You smell like lightning. Coppery, silverness."

Sasuke shifted. What... an odd comment. "Why does it all take up so much space?"

"My use of counter space bothers you? Half of my wardrobe is on your bedroom floor." Hinata rolled her eyes.

"Those are clothes. I don't mind it. This stuff is quite useless and much. I only need three things; water, soap, and determination. I don't condone of hoarders. You're on the pathway there..."

"You won't impose your ascetic, minimalist ways on me," she giggled.

"This room is perfumed with the obsession of pampering," he clicked his tongue. "I think you look fine without that shiny shit. Now that I look, you have a certain glow to you..."

"Oh. That's not makeup," Hinata shifted awkwardly.

How... can it not be? Sasuke looked away quickly. "Oh..."

A silence fell upon them. Sasuke didn't know what to say and Hyuuga was busy prepping herself.

Hinata looked at their bathroom, wanting to dissolve the quiet. "At first, I didn't know that this room had its own bathroom."

"You didn't come in here when I was gone?" Sasuke cocked a brow.

"No. I didn't like knowing you were gone so I steered clear of this place. And the navy of this room reminds me of my old hairstyle..."

"Yeah. I liked it better when you were a bluenette," he said, watching her in the reflection of the mirror.

"A bluenette? Me too. I've got to blend in. This isn't too bad. I look like a completely different person and everyone thinks that I have brown eyes," she glanced at him. "My new identity is Natsukawa Momo."

Sasuke sighed then Hinata brightened up, for some dumb reason. "Hey Sasuke! Let's go for a walk."

"But it's raining-"

"Let's go anyway!"

Sasuke groaned.

¤¤¤

The early morning air was crisp and misty. The sun peeked from behind fluffy, gray clouds. Hinata liked the cold gusts of wind. The wind ran and passed but Hinata was pleased. She loved the forest. The aged trees were the castles of her life.

She adored the fallen twigs, berries, and nuts that carpeted the ground. She saw woodland creatures slinking away. The musty, humid air smelled thick and wet because it had just rained. It was always raining these days.

Binata didn't care because there was more green.

Under a paper umbrella, she stood in the calming silence, holding against Sasuke, watching everything interact with one another in perfect harmony.

She sighed, relaxing her head on his shoulder. "It's just like when we were traveling," she answered, squeezing his arm. "I liked when we were like that."

"You like traveling?" he asked, eyebrow arched. "We were independent of a place to live for around a month."

"I didn't know it either. I've never been able to but I quite like being the wanderer... I've had a quiet, dull life before this August," she said.

They were quiet, swimming in her words.

"Before you happened. I like it. It was an escape to a place where I don't need vacations... I have one question; why did you leave Konoha?" Hinata asked. "I thought you were able to stay..."

"Ah," Sasuke echoed, his hair dancing in the wet breeze. "Everyone says that I was banned, exiled from Konoha by our Hokage," he explained. "Kakashi would never do that. He wouldn't but everyone else wanted that. The council, its people, and Konoha shinobi wanted me gone. Despite how shitty I've been, Sakura and Naruto wanted me back..."

"But you didn't want to stay."

"I couldn't," he snapped. "I've ruined everything. And so I left on my own accord."

"Self-isolation," Hinata understood. "You self-exiled yourself..."

"I was driven to the brink of crazy. I needed time to regain a lot of the things I lost," Sasuke said. "The things that make me... Grudges occupied much of my psychic space. There's hardly room for a personality, let alone anything resembling joy. My quest for revenge... didn't end swiftly. It ended in the opposite way that I wanted. It made me... hate what I've become. A home wrecker."

"Hey! You are not a homewrecker!" she exclaimed, jumping in front of him. "Listen to me. Be thunder, be lighting, be destructive. I'll drink it all up- the rain and I'll grow flowers and maybe we'll garden watermelons and tomatoes someday... Make a new life. You're allowed to be grieving. I won't hold that against you but you can't want Konoha to burn."

A twig broke.

Hinata turned around, finally getting annoyed. "Why is she following us?"

"So you've finally noticed me!" A voice shouted.

Someina charged at Sasuke with the crackling lightning rod, white-lit hands.

There was an angry look in her eye and she attempted to pounce on him from behind. Sasuke turned around, grabbed her wrists, twisted her to face him and made her look into his eyes.

"Gotcha," Sasuke smirked.

Someina paused as she watched Sasuke's sharingan swirl.

"Your jutsu. It's just like static electricity and it would have burned like rum." he whispered.

"You're an alcoholic. You can't feel the burn of anything."

"So, I'd feel nothing anyway," Sasuke said, releasing her.

Someina fell to the ground while panting. She held her body. "What the hell did you do to me?"

"Keep up. I drained your chakra. That's the equivalency of losing a pint of blood," he said, "so you wouldn't attack her..."

"I wouldn't ever. We made a promise yesterday over tea," Someina keened. "Fuck the side-effects."

"I was waiting for you to come out and attack me. You said you were a shinobi. Are you self-taught or lacking practice? Hinata requires a protector and I don't know if you're able to defend yourself," Sasuke said.

"Tell me what I did wrong," Someina sputtered.

"Your timing is behind and I could hear you from a mile away. You're rusty and your aim is off. Your chakra levels are inadequate and you haven't been training," Sasuke clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "Your balance is off and you gain all of your strength from rage. You're erring."

"Watch your step- I am more powerful than you think," Someina said, struggling to stand. She collapsed, knees wet and muddied.

"However, you can't kill me. You're not strong enough. You're below par. I can train you to defeat me or at least get away from being a nothing. You are sloppy. I'll be your favorite punching bag," he said.

Hinata gave him a suspicious side glance. What are you up to? She just tried to kill you, Sasuke. Hinata thought.

"And you're not anything less than what I want to kill," Someina said. "No offense Hinata- I really want to hit him."

"We've all been there a few times," Hinata said, stepping away from him and next to Someina.

"Sasuke... really? A pint?" Hinata winced.

Sasuke shrugged.

Hinata leaned in close to Someina's ear and said, "Despite that, I wish for you not to make any further attempts on Sasuke's life... If there are more incidents like this; I will surely get a new caretaker. Understand?"

Someina gulped. "Fine."

"Peachy," Hinata said and offered Someina the umbrella. "Here, you need to stay warm."

"Hinata- don't give the umbrella to her," Sasuke objected.

Hinata smiled, feeling the rain leave gobs of wetness on her forehead.

"Why are you being nice? You're still pregnant and it's raining," Sasuke demanded.

Hinata offered a smile. "She's under the same sky and I'm warm."

"You'll get cold-"

"No I won't- ah achoo!" Hinata sneezed.

Someina smiled. "Awww! Just like a kitten!"

Hinata recovered and gave a dazed look to Sasuke. "I'm fine! I want to see more birds-"

Sasuke shrugged off his poncho and offered it to Hinata. "Here," he dropped it into her hands.

"I don't need- Sasuke... Fine," she said, putting it on. She looked down then laughed. "It's a dress on me. Ridiculous."

"You're such a gentleman," Someina sneered, glaring at Sasuke.

"That's where you're wrong, Ikeda. I think you're a better one," Sasuke replied. "Come on. We have to get back to the house. You'll be even more cold."

¤¤¤

Sasuke gave Someina's chakra back. As soon as they entered the house, Someina went to the kitchen, saying that she was going to make breakfast for Hinata.

"Sasuke! I look ridiculous in your poncho," Hinata said. "Am I... I look too short or you're much too tall? I'm not a blueberry- I'm more of a shrimp."

Sasuke immediately tensed up. His chakra surged.

Hinata said, "Are you alright?"

Sasuke hesitated before talking but decided not to answer.

They entered the living room and Sasuke immediately pulled Hinata behind him.

"What are they doing here?" Sasuke asked.

There was a tall man with fiery orange hair in spikes atop of his head. He was mountainous. He wore a black cloak and looked serious. A man with white hair with blue ends stood in the middle of the living room. He was a lean-built young man of average height, straight white hair with a light-blue tint to it. He looked a lot more rugged than she expected.

"Hey, Sasuke. This place never changed a bit. 'Cept for the flowers," the man with pointed teeth said, clapping his hands together.

"There are such things as postcards. No need to drop in. In fact, I prefer letters." Sasuke growled.

"We're not prehistoric. We're the new generation," the man with purple eyes said. "And where's the old hag? Mitsuyo?"

"She's not an old hag," Hinata snapped.

"Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke... This is the woman you got pregnant?" asked the man, flicking his purple almond shaped eyes between Sasuke and Hinata.

"Karin is going to kill you!" he chuckled.

Hinata looked at the man, tilting her head to the side with a questioning look in her eye. "Who is Karin?"

The odd man continued to laugh. The ginger sighed and Sasuke continued to glare.

"Why are you in my living room?" Hinata demanded from the blue-haired one.

"Ya should've known by now, I'm Hōzuki Suigetsu. I'm one of the seven swordsmen, and also on Team Taka," Suigetsu said.

Seven swordsmen? Wow... He must be strong. Hinata stepped closer to Sasuke and regarded him warily. Those swordsmen are... violent and volatile. Suigetsu doesn't stray far from that description.

Suigetsu pointed at the orange haired man. "That's Jugo. We live in a den of thieves under the aegis of one of the sinning sannin."

"What the hell are you doing here? Is there a body trail leading back to here?" Sasuke hissed.

"That's not very friendly. For a man you haven't seen in years, I'd expected something kinder," Suigetsu said, his pointed teeth glinting dangerously.

Sasuke scowled.

Suigetsu shrugged his shoulders. "You weren't one with manners an'way. We're not kids anymore. You can't act like you're still in charge of me."

They engaged in a glaring contest. Sparks could almost be seen but Jugo, the tall one, laughed awkwardly. He seemed to be the pacifist.

"Sasuke... We haven't seen you in three years," Jugo said mildly. He was less gruff in tone. Easier to please and get along with. "The least you could do is offer us a long overdue talk."

"Che. Fine," Sasuke's tone was softer. "Why did you come to Kumogakure? It's a risk to all of us."

"He wanted to come with me," Suigetsu said. "None of us has seen you. Makes you think that we're not Team Taka anymore."

Hinata looked at Sasuke again. "What is Team Taka? Why does he know about my pregnancy?"

"He hasn't told you everything. Huh. I expected that," Suigetsu gave Sasuke a side-glance. "He's Uchiha Sasuke after all."

Sasuke looked at Hinata then said, "Just let us have a few minutes then I'll discuss."

"And you and I haven't been introduced yet," Suigetsu said, stepping forward. "What is your name?"

Hinata reached into her sleeves and threw four senbons where his next step would have been.

"Not one step closer. I don't know you," Hinata said in a low voice, with senbons ready at hand.

Jugo and Suigetsu exchanged meaningful looks while Sasuke looked impressed.

"You missed them," Sasuke frowned into her ear.

"Oi, Sasuke! That isn't nice at all!" Suigetsu yelled out.

Hinata watched them carefully. "You breaking into my house was not kind either."

Suigetsu gave a little helpless look to Sasuke, who shrugged. "She returned the favour."

"I have one more question," Suigetsu said nervously. The ground where the senbon made impact bubbled a bit, releasing a foul smell. "Were those poisoned?"

"Maybe," Hinata hummed, a little angry.

"I broke into your house. I'm a guest I admit, I got a little too comfy." Suigetsu laughed.

"Very," Hinata said, still glaring at him.

¤¤¤

"Wait- who's Karin?" Hinata asked, being ushered upstairs by Sasuke. Sasuke took back his poncho but she still tripped over her steps.

Really unimpressed, Sasuke turned to look at her. "That's your first question?"

She nodded.

Sasuke drew a sigh. "She's someone I know. Frankly, I don't have time to deal with this."

He stanrted stomping, huffing through his nose with uneven breaths.

Hinata then caught his arm, pulling him back to face her. "Why are you so angry?"

"They weren't supposed to show up. It's a bad omen..."

"But weeks ago... You said that we would be meeting them," Hinata argued, hoping to get some information about them. "I'm supposed to be staying away from Jugo but he seemed much better than Suigetsu. Suigetsu's teeth were pointed and there was something off about the way he talked..."

"Jugo... is much more unstable than Suigetsu ever could be," Sasuke's dark eyes glossed over and he spat the words. "Suigetsu isn't stable either. They're the usual psychopaths without morals."

"Your friends are... peculiar," Hinata gulped, thinking about Suigetsu. "They're an odd bunch."

Sasuke nodded, all serious and brooding. She wanted the old Sasuke back. This one was too much in work mode to answer her questions.

"I worked with them for cases. That's it but that was in the past. I'm on my own. I didn't plan this. We set up meetings outside of Kumogakure, it's dangerous to all of us. The sooner they're gone- the better..."

Hinata turned. "I'm going to see it for myself."

Sasuke caught her wrist then yanked her back gently. "Nope. You will stay in here until this is dealt with."

Hinata paused. "What?"

Sasuke stopped her in front of their room door. "Just be safe, I can't have anything happen to you." he leaned down so their eyes were equal in level. "Don't do dumb shit."

Hinata sighed. "But... You do remember I am a shinobi too?"

Sasuke looked deep in her eyes. "You are also pregnant and  I can't have you or the baby getting involved. They are bad omens." 

Hinata sighed when he opened the door and pushed her inside with care. He never really told her anything when it came to work. He was also stubborn and protected her... But what was so bad about them?

What could be bad about them? They are ALL criminals. Suigetsu shed some blood to become a swordsman and his teeth are triangular. Why would he shape them like that? Jugo is large and imposing in size. More than six feet of raw and pure muscle.

Hinata couldn't deny how not calm Sasuke was.

Someina came into the room, standing at the door frame. "Are you stressed? Do you want some tea... something to calm you down?"

Hinata felt like her mind was a mess.

Hinata was pacing all over. "If I keep this up and I'll have real gray hairs. I should be graying- literally! Sasuke... is never worried," Hinata huffed. "He's... just impossibly apathetic."

"Just let him deal with it," Someina said. "You're the one who's carrying a baby, you have enough worries on your plate. You're under heavy stress coming from every side but you're the in control. Hey now, let's relax. Think about pacifying things, soothing things, okay? What relaxes you?"

"The instrument... The koto, music and the scent of burning leaves. And the incense that Mitsuyo burns every morning; pine trees.." Hinata said, relaxing in the bed. "It reminds me of when Sasuke and I would walk through the quiet, shady evergreen... forest. Slow strolls..."

"Ay. What would you guys do?"

"I would draw and he would be studying some jutsu... and on rainy days, we'd sit under the huge branches and listen to the rain under the needles of the pine trees," she replied. "Just... him and I."

Someina left the room for two moments.

Someina returned with a match, dried lemon sticks, four pine incense sticks and a large scalloped sea shell, two times bigger than her hand.

Someina lit the sticks and with a low hiss, they emitted a silky lane of smoke releasing into the atmosphere.

"Mitsuyo said you could have these. I mean, you've been wrecking your teeth with the candy Sasuke snuck in for you, so here..." Someina smiled.

Hinata took the bag of candied lemon peels and some dried apricot slices. She ate in silence.

"I get that you're having your baby and that's definitely stressful so... let's take it easy," Someina smiled.

A random thought popped into her head. "What do you love most about Kumo?"

"I was born here but I came back when I was around fourteen years old. I wasn't raised here. It's cliché but I love the thunderstorms. The lightning dance. But hey, enough about me. For a moment, imagine wandering through a quiet, shady evergreen forest."

Soon, Hinata was asleep.

¤¤¤

Afternoon. 2 o'clock.

They were in the living room and Suigetsu said, "Orochimaru has a deal for the both of you."

"What does he want?" Sasuke asked Jugo but Suigetsu cut him off.

Suigetsu looked pained by Sasuke's innocent question. "He, as usual, wants you. This time, the woman you knocked up is included in that request."

Sasuke's eyebrows shot up. "How did he know?" Sasuke demanded.

Jugo looked at Suigetsu with a deep scowl.

Suigetsu fiddled for a little. "He found out from me but it's mostly Bashimon's fault. He's offering her protection and the kid," Suigetsu said. "That's why we're here as a favor. Please don't kill me."

Bashimon? That stupid servant of Orochimaru who came in his pants when he saw Karin?

And Suigetsu... will not get an easy death. That fucking pig.

"Why are you cashing in favors for him? You are terrified of the man," Sasuke asked Suigetsu.

"No, I'm not," Suigetsu protested.

Jugo stifled a laugh.

"Orochimaru wants to offer protection?" Sasuke shook his head, scowling a bit, narrowing his eyes at the two.

Suigetsu shifted in his spot, looking a bit nervous. "Fine. I'll give it up. We're just the errand boys," Suigetsu sighed, a crossed expression on his face. "I hate Orochimaru yet he has my murky loyalty. Orochimaru has my sword while simultaneously killing my will to live. I'll cut him up into pieces. I just want my sword back," he ranted, took a deep breath and curled his hands into fists.

Sasuke grimaced. "You got us into a mess. You put a pregnant woman's life in danger because of a sword."

"It isn't my mess. It's Orochimaru punishing me," Suigetsu claimed.

"What did you do?" Sasuke asked, getting extra unimpressed.

"I did one thing wrong that led to the second worst year of my life. I accidentally killed Orochimaru's only companion. She was his right-hand man. Shigeko was the perfect killer and a mindless goat after surviving Orochimaru's initiation. Orochimaru loved Shigeko,

"Shigeko did important work for Orochimaru. I killed her in a fit of rage- she found my hiding spot and brought me to Orochimaru so, I sliced her up. I didn't know he treasured her. She did research on finding you, Sasuke and other sharingan users,

"Orochimaru wasn't happy, Bashimon was mad I killed his adopted sister and Karin was her best friend. I got tortured for two days by Shigeko's 'family' Yuji. I woke up, taken to a deserted land, without water until Orochimaru gave me water to pledge my for his allegiance,

"Then as I got to Konoha, Orochimaru and I walked back to a hideout. He listed all those I had to eliminate- Shigeko was in charge of that but she was dead. I had to pick up the slack and I've become the perfect assassin,

"Bashimon and Yuji took my sword and hid it. They're looking for her remains- which I didn't hide. The body was gone from the place I left it at. I heard my sword was with Zabuza's cousin in Taigakure. We dueled but he won and lost the sword.

"I came back to Konoha, looking for his next kill. For old time's sake- I walked into a Dojo owned by a girl I knew- Tenten. I heard details about a sword that was being imported to Konoha and getting sealed away as an artifact,

"I tried to intercept the delivery but I was met with imprisonment for a month. Torture. I got out and here I am. The sword was in Nami no Kuni and Bashimon hid it or broke it. I went back to their hideout and raged over Orochimaru,

"If I killed a man named Osamu, Orochimaru would let me go of his damn killer's job and Bashimon gets my sword. When I heard of your whereabouts and your companion, I figured that she was pregnant. It wasn't me who told, Bashimon heard my eureka moment. Bashimon told Orochimaru and Karin. Karin complained enough about your baby's safety,

"Then I did some research about sharingan kids and what exactly he did to these experiments I figured out that Orochimaru was concerned about getting another sharingan kid's eyes. Not only that he wanted your kid's sharingan eyes, he also wanted other adult sharingan users,

"I came straight to you, Sasuke. After a month of research, I found rumors of another sharingan user. He's getting somewhere... not only with research but the hunt for sharingan users. Here's the catch- you help me get my sword back, we find a way to find all these damn sharingan users and then- we kill Orochimaru!"

Sasuke paused and turned to the dining room hallway.

"Someina, come out. If you tell her any of this- I will personally kill you," Sasuke said coldly, making Suigetsu and Jugo shiver from the cold tone.

"I wouldn't put her in danger for any of the likes of you," Someina snapped.

The first thing she did was offer a fake smile before setting down tea for all of them. "What did you say about Osamu?"

In a split second, she pulled a knife on Suigetsu's throat. Jugo stood.

Someina pressed the knife closer to Suigetsu's neck. "Tell me where Osamu is."

"So... You come across a lot of vendettas," Sasuke commented. Huh.

"If you have any word on Osamu- I want to know," Someina pleaded.

"Who is Osamu to you?" Sasuke questioned.

"Let him answer my questions first." Someina said. The knife against Suigetsu's neck almost drew blood.

"Threatening him won't help your cause, get off of him." Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"Osamu's real name is Soejima Arata. He works with the bastard that killed my sister," Someina said, pushing away from Suigetsu and storing her knife.

"I took an 'Osamu' into Konoha's custody... right before I came here," Sasuke said. "They finally pinned him down in Tanima no Kuni..."

Suigetsu said, "I tortured Osamu for days before he died. Had the tattoo: K:P:P:F. All the experiments had the tattoo: K:P:P:F. Probably Orochimaru's doing."

"You didn't kill Soejime Arata, you probably killed a lackey who wouldn't mind dying in his spot," Someina said. "They don't believe in politics yet they had a leader who laughed at the battles between all of Orochimaru's... experiments. They're like your idiot leader Orochimaru but they were in charge of recruiting new users. They weren't in charge. Not really. They raided through villages, burnt them first and took all the unwilling survivors to Orochimaru. At first, I thought it was because of the money... but I realized that they enjoyed it and that they took 'participants' to Orochimaru without pay."

Sasuke scowled. "If you ended up in their grips- what the hell happened? Why weren't you kidnapped by-"

"Shigeko did find me and my father but- I was Soejime's favorite. Favorite how you may ask?" she sighed, getting more than angry. "Favorite toy until I got too old. After I turned eleven, I was to fight all the newcomers. The ones who won would have to go to Orochimaru's 'experiments' and the ones who lost got killed or they became 'pawns' like me and they would fight...

"I escaped but as a punishment, Soejime Arata burned down the building where all the pawns slept... However, a certain Natsukawa saved me. Mitsuyo's son, Ryouta- who was also taken by him."

Mitsuyo had two sons? I thought she only had one. Someina is wrong. Like always, Sasuke thought.

Someina sighed. "Enough about that, after Orochimaru abandoned enough of his lost cases and Soejime took them all in. The Death Chess Association, I called it. Soejime runs a small village on the outskirts of Otogakure. Probably not anymore but-"

"Who's the boss of the DCA?" Sasuke asked.

"I don't know. I would have killed him by now but no one knows who he is. Orochimaru wasn't afraid of him yet everyone in the DCA feared him. Ryouta... was taken by the boss and I've never seen him again. We just called him 'Akuma-oo-sama,' for respect."

"The Demon King," Sasuke said. "You're a liability. Why the hell is Mitsuyo helping you? Why are you working around children?"

"It's simple. Mitsuyo wants to look for Ryouta and I want to look for my sister's killer which is Akuma-oo-sama," she said. "I heard that the Igarashi family... Had ties with Akuma. A sister in law of some sort. But just with Soejime's vendetta, he burned the house down..."

"From what I can tell, you let go of tracking him down," Sasuke said.

"I was rejoined with my family- who cared about Soejime when I had my mom and my sister? Then your precious Akatsuki- all of you caused the war and I lost everything again," she said. "I should kill all of you guys. I don't know who I hate more- you all or Orochimaru, Arata or... or Akuma-oo-sama."

"Sasuke- you still haven't told me about your decision," Jugo said suddenly. "Are you going to help Suigetsu... find the other sharingan users or you're going to the hideout?"

"You all think that there are other Uchiha out there?" Someina laughed. "They were all murdered by his brother. They're dead and Itachi spent years traveling around- probably finding other sharingan users who were lucky."

"I have reason to believe that there are other Uchiha. I don't have to explain myself to you," Sasuke said. Sasuke looked at Suigetsu. "Why should I help you kill Orochimaru? You killed the woman he loved and I am risking Hinata!"

"But at least help me find my damn sword," Suigetsu beseeched.

"It's just a sword," Sasuke dismissed.

Suigetsu lunged for Sasuke. "You bitch!"

Someina slid in front of Sasuke. "If someone kills him- It'll be me so back off," Someina growled.

Someina didn't seem to catch the look exchanged between Jugo and Sasuke.

"Suigetsu... you killed all those people," Sasuke said, stepping in front of Someina. "Are you sure that this isn't bigger than us? We should go to Kakashi. Orochimaru needs to explain what's going on and who better to question him is Kakashi?"

"If you go, golden boy, we'll all end up in jail," Suigetsu grimaced. "And that way, I won't get to slice Orochimaru up."

Someina blinked her golden eyes. "Slice? You don't have a sword," Someina pointed out.

"I still have teeth. I don't need my sword to kill people- besides, I am a prodigy of murder," Suigetsu smiled.

Sasuke sighed. "The same damn usual psychopaths," he muttered under his breath.

Someina wasn't having any of it. She looked appalled as she gaped at Suigetsu. "Why Orochimaru is allowed to be a free man? That's why I hate Konoha's justice system-not adding to the 'cycle of hate'... That's no excuse for letting a mass murderer running around on the loose," she freaked out. "Why are any of you allowed to walk as free men?"

"Get off your high horse, you probably killed more people than we ever have before you were fourteen," Sasuke hissed. "You act like I'm the bad guy but you're a serpent hiding under the flower. You were the one who served innocent people to Orochimaru on a silver platter."

"I had to do what I had to survive," Someina snapped.

"What makes you think that we aren't? Sasuke's right, stop pretending you're better than any of us," Suigetsu replied, just as disgusted.

"Sasuke, what do we do?" Jugo asked.

"Yeah, what's your plan, Sasuke?" Suigetsu echoed.

Sasuke sighed. "First course of action is we have to talk Orochimaru, find out why he wants this man gone and why is he killing all the experiments," he looked at Suigetsu. "If we are able to gain a sufficient amount of evidence, then we'll be able to send him to Kakashi where they'll find information about his old experiments for the human trials."

"He won't say anything," Suigetsu protested.

"Exactly," he said. "The lack of his cooperation is key to our success. It's enough time to search the hideouts and get information from the experiments you have to kill," he said. "Suigetsu and I will be in charge of finding the research about the 'sharingan users'. Jugo and I will interview the users and find something interesting about the Osamu man. Then we'll visit Nami no Kuni."

"What about my sword? What are we going to do then?" Suigetsu frowned.

"We'll pay a visit to Zabuza's cousin to... chat," Sasuke said. "You cannot kill him, Suigetsu. We can't get arrested, especially not in the water country."

Suigetsu revealed a triumphant smile and Jugo nodded.

"And Someina- you're staying here. If you fought Orochimaru's experiments, you know how to defend. Not a word of this to Hinata. And we'll discuss your sleeping arrangements," Sasuke got serious.

"Who died and put you in charge?" Someina asked.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at Someina.

"What about Bashimon?" Jugo asked. "He'll catch up to us and he'll know that Suigetsu is doing,"

"What's the worst he could do?" Sasuke mocked.

"For every person Suigetsu doesn't kill, Bashimon kills three," Jugo explained. "Orochimaru doesn't know of Bashimon's methods. As long as they're exterminated, Orochimaru couldn't care less..."

"You mean Bat-shit-crazy-mon?" Suigetsu said. "He's following me. Not now, he's too busy kissing up to Karin's ass!"

"Bashimon and Karin. Them?" Sasuke asked and shared a grimace with Jugo.

Jugo nodded and Sasuke felt queasy.

"He's too busy making her shrine to notice that I snuck off. Karin promised to 'distract' him enough for us to get the message through to you. She really just wants you to visit us again," Suigetsu nodded.

"I've been busy," Sasuke dismissed.

"For three years?" Suigetsu asked.

Sasuke looked at him for a moment before looking away. "We're off topic. We'll be gone this nightfall. The more time you spend here, the more dangerous it is for Hinata. We're going to find out the ties between the DCA and the experiments. More importantly, what is going on between Orochimaru and the DCA. And what this all means for Konoha."

Suigetsu nodded and Jugo nodded. "It's good to have you back, Sasuke," Jugo said.

Sasuke shook his head. "Eh."

¤¤¤

6 o'clock. Evening.

He went upstairs and shut the door. Hinata gazed at him, drowsily from the bed. She was sleeping before he entered.

In this room, he couldn't hear Jugo sighing or Suigetsu bickering with Someina. He didn't have to plan or scheme. He didn't even have to put on a calm front.

He could be calm.

She reached out to him. An offer.

He let out a breath he's been holding onto all day.

"Join me?" asked Hinata.

He shook his head. He'd probably never get back up...

She yawned, sitting up. Her eyes swam in the apprehension.

"Can you tell me what's going on now? What is Team Taka?" Hinata rubbed her eyes.

Sasuke sighed. He kept his distance, staying by the closed door. If she touched him, he'd probably give in and stay.

"It's a group I founded. I was their leader. I needed to use them to locate Itachi. They just stuck around. After I found out the truth about Itachi, I didn't need them anymore. Orochimaru stole Suigetsu's sword. Orochimaru has something to do with... a criminal organization which is ending in some macabre deaths..."

"You have your shinobi business... I have mine. I'm disappointed but not surprised. Orochimaru has always been diabolical. Will you slap him for me? Or hit him for a long while... because I can't-do it myself. He needs someone to slap him around with knives. Tell him to mind his own beeswax," she noticed him looking at her differently. "What?"

"I've never thought I'd see the day when Hyuuga Hinata wants violence," he snickered. "You've turned into quite the villain."

Hinata distracted herself by shuffling cards. "I'm just bringing the thunder. Despite not liking violence... conflict, there are times when we need it. And Karin," she said, waiting for the ball to drop. "You haven't told me about that... other woman."

Sasuke sighed, reeling. "You're still on that?"

Hinata gave him an impassive stare.

"Uzumaki Karin, a redhead girl on Team Taka, was infatuated with me." Sasuke admitted.

Hinata narrowed her eyes. "What?"

"Che, I never requited these feelings and got over it. Long time no hear from her. Why do you care?" Sasuke asked harshly.

"No reason," she shrugged, humming lightly.

Suddenly happy, eh Hyuuga?

"Really? No reason at all," Sasuke parroted, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes... Am I supposed to have one?" she questioned innocently.

She's wondering if we got a history. Karin just rubbed on me a lot. That dumb shit, Sasuke sighed.

"No," he shook his head.

"Then- really. There's no reason," she replied, stifling a simper.

Sasuke glanced away, feeling licentious. "To find out what Orochimaru's inevitably planning... I'm leaving again."

"What... You- you just came back?" Hinata threw a third of the cards in the air. "And you haven't fully healed. I don't know why you've collapsed like that! And come on. I really only just got you back. Again."

"You're getting selfish with me," he answered, being stiff. "The rest of the world needs me."

"And we need you," Hinata challenged, gesticulating to their baby. "Come on- I'm serious- I do. It gets really boring without you and I have no one to play cards with."

"Someina will keep you safe," Sasuke nodded.

"I'd trade her in for you any day... Stay- one more day," Hinata pleaded lightly.

"Hinata, I have a duty to do. The rinnegan and sharingan aren't taken lightly. Although I bad mouth Konoha incessantly and mercilessly, I still am loyal to your home village. I've to protect you and the kid from afar..."

"I liked it better when you were near," she pouted.

He snuck a look at her. "You know I will make plans for you, even in the apocalypse."

"Still makes me sad."

"Tis the life of a shinobi," Sasuke admitted, "and their partners."

"Yeah..." Hinata smiled sadly. "I'll miss our little talks. Before you go, I need at least one game of cards..."

That look alone almost made him stay. He hid that, burned that thought.

"Che. We're not in the woods anymore. Cards games are just a mindless game of chance and we don't need that type of entertainment," Sasuke scoffed, getting up to go.

"You don't like it because you lose. All the time," she giggled, still hollow.

"I stand by my claims of you cheating."

Hinata just smiled, like she does all the time and he... he couldn't help but feel bad. This was her pregnancy and he's been gone for more than the equivalent of two months... If it like this now, what will he miss when the baby is here?

He never had someone counting down the days before his returns. Well, except for Sakura. It just felt worse because he had a child with Hinata.

Hinata stood and reached for his poncho, pulling him back to the side of the bed. He obliged. They sat abreast to each other. 

"Wanna promise something else to me?" she said, shuffling cards. "Do you still do promises?"

"Hn," he said and tilted his head to look at her better. "Perhaps. Hyuuga, what does the promise entail. Is it simple? Daunting? Or just plain stupid?"

"I believe it's... quite simple. And... that promise is; come back to me and our child," she said.

He sighed.

"Always. I know you don't take life very seriously. You think everything is temporary and nothing is yours..."

"If you keep losing everything you have. It's a basic understanding that dawns on you,"

"You can come back to me. We'll be your safe place," Hinata's lip trembled. Despite her easy tone and gentle actions, she felt this just as hard as he did.

"I can't promise that," he said.

"Sasuke..." she whispered. "Please."

"I can't assure you of happy endings or that I'll wake up tomorrow morning or come back whole. I'm bound to meet trouble and injury. Death. I'm not chained by the thought of death for it matters not. Where there is life, there is death and I don't like making empty promises," Sasuke sighed. "Tis the life of a shinobi."

"What matters is not what is said... but is done," she shrugged. "Do it anyway."

"You're stubborn," Sasuke sighed.

"Said the kettle to the pot," she laughed but they both regarded the other with uncertainty and sadness. "Please..."

"I can promise now," he said. "That's all I can give you."

"The now?" Hinata asked, struggling with herself. "I... I can settle for that. Can you promise a game of cards?"

"Yeah," he said. "That's reasonable."

She offered a petite smile but he knew she was dissatisfied. Very much so. "Would you be alright with, say, leaving Kumo?" he asked.

"Never. Why?"

He sighed. "Traveling is on the table..."

¤¤¤

8 o'clock. Late evening.

Sasuke left her upstairs and Hinata went downstairs, with a medical kit. She found Suigetsu at the low coffee table while Someina, Jugo, and Sasuke were out of sight. 

The senbon she held glinted in the light. He shuddered. "You won't attack me, right?"

Hinata smiled sweetly and leaned in. "That depends on you, mister. Maybe the senbon haven't been used in a long time." 

Suigetsu gulped. "Ah. That's me... Dependable." 

Hinata scanned the living room. "Where is Sasuke?" 

"If you're looking for him, he's stopping Jugo from cleaning out the house from food," Suigetsu said, sighing.

"Anyway, I'm actually looking for you," she said. 

She set down her medical kit at the table and settling down, equal to him.

"That's new. Any company from you is welcomed," he said, chocolate voice molten sweet.

She ignored it. "Sasuke said for me to heal you or at least check you out?"

"You can do that anytime. Under close observation with the lights off," he said and winked. "After you have your baby, I'm available."

"What do you take me for?"

He scanned her body, leering and his gaze settling on her chest. "Do you want me to answer honestly?" 

Hinata smacked the side of his head. "Whatever you're imagining- I will do no such things!" 

Suigetsu laughed. "You probably should consider me being your psychopathic crush. You hooked up with Sasuke. By now, I believe I'm not too far out of your league. If you have a thing for bad boys with swords, call me."

"Sasuke is Sasuke! And you-you're- ugh!"

"Do say more, I love your voice..." he smirked. 

"I might hurt you more than heal you," Hinata hissed. 

Suigetsu wasn't fazed. He just laughed. 

"If you do any funny business, I will absolutely do something menacing and sinister," she warned. "You will consort to Sasuke and he's especially grumpy today because of you all!"

"If he had both his arms, I'd imagine he'd cross 'em and scowl at me," Suigetsu said.  

Hinata frowned at the comment and crossed her own. 

"Or you could do it for him," Suigetsu shrugged. 

She ignored the inquisitive, priying side-glances and got her items ready.

Suigetsu watched her. "I must say, I wasn't expecting Sasuke to settle down in the middle of the woods for some five-foot-something girl with manicured nails and gray hair," he said. 

Hinata smiled. "Me neither..." 

Suiegtsu leaned in. "I waited for Sasuke to give into the hate."

Hinata perked up. "How so?"  

"How so? With child's play; dominate the world or at least get revenge on Konoha..." Suigetsu nodded with a resigned sadness. 

"Sasuke's better than that," Hinata vindicated for Sasuke. "He's different and better than you."

"All I hear is that I have competition," Suigetsu winked. 

"He'd win."

Suigetsu leaned back, shaking his head.  "So you're 'nother fangirl of his? He calls the women who adore him fruitlessly, fangirls. Don't shine like that, it's viewed in a negative light."

She sighed. "I'm not 'another fangirl'. We happen to mutually respect each other and agree on most things."

"What do you really know 'bout him?" he asked.

"The fundamentals. That's all that's important," Hinata looked away. 

"The fundamentals, eh? He made true wrongs and no rights 'till now. You should have seen him before. He was entitled and motivated by self-interest. He doesn't own me but he acts like he's better than everyone..."

"He is," Hinata shrugged. "Compared to a lot of us..." 

"Not by a long shot."

Hinata thought about Sasuke and tilted her head. "He is far from average, that's for sure."

Suigetsu laughed. "I hoped to make you flustered. Well, whatever. We're just criminals with bad amours and tainted hearts, so really- I'd expected the man to be worse..."

"Let's just finish the check-up," Hinata said. "Enough about Sasuke. Waiting is wasting for people like us. Let's carry on with the inspection, Suigetsu."

"Anytime Miss Hinata. Anytime," he said. 

Hinata rolled her eyes. "Stop with that." 

"What? I'm just a sucker with swords," Suigetsu smiled. 

She sighed.

¤¤¤

Hinata was done with the inspection, Someina offered her Hinata's dinner. Hinata ate some food while lying on the couch with Someina.

"I thought everyone made a communal effort to dislike him," Someina leaned over, her natural scent of lily-pads following her. "I didn't know he had friends other than you."

"There are lots of things you don't know about him," Hinata commented, chewing. 

Someina stared, questioning. 

"Why they stayed with him is a mystery. He doesn't like... people or society in general," Hinata shrugged. 

"He likes your company," Someina said.

"But I'm different. An exception," Hinata commented, remembering their afternoon on the bed.

"So, he's a mild misanthrope with exceptions for people like you. Mitsuyo said he was a drunken misanthropist loner," Someina explained.

"That... sums it up in an offensive yet decisive way. Do you want to know him better?" Hinata asked.

"I- no. Just making observations. Hoping that he walks-the-line."

Hinata raised an eyebrow. "Walks the line-"

They walked in, Suigetsu winked at Hinata and Hinata narrowed her eyes. Jugo approached. Someina looked at Sasuke. She proceeded in moving in front of Hinata as soon as she spotted Jugo. 

Hinata noticed the brief look Sasuke offered Someina. It was the look he gave to others when they follow his orders. He does order people around, she remembers. He does quite like it.

"Are... are you all leaving soon?" Hinata asked, mostly looking at Sasuke. 

Sasuke and Hinata rested in the moment, for two seconds, and he nodded. 

She sighed.

"I'd stay for you, Miss Hinata," Suigetsu stated. "Just say the word."

Sasuke glared at Suiegtsu. 

"Miss Hinata?" Someina scoffed. "Thought you were coyer than this."

"Jealous?" Suigetsu kidded.

"Jealous... hardly. Disgusted- very," Someina crossed her arms. "You have to leave..." 

Suigetsu tilted his head. "Leave the room or Kumogakure?"

"Both," Someina said. "You all have a mission to do and people to save. You know, heroes leave on time," she then left to the kitchen. 

"I'm a hero, hear that, Hinata?" Suigetsu asked, winking. "Ready to save you any time."

Mhm. Flattery. It works better when Sasuke does it. Hinata crossed her arms. 

"I don't need saving. I am already someone else's responsibility and I have a protector," Hinata countered.

"If he underperforms, I'm one sword fight away," Suigetsu smirked.

Hinata opened her mouth to answer but Sasuke barked, "We have a mission, Suigetsu focus!"

"You can't keep telling me what to do, golden boy," Suigetsu said.

"Don't call me golden boy," Sasuke snapped.

Suigetsu and Sasuke had a mini staring contest before Jugo broke it. 

"Suigetsu- let's. Let's leave them in peace and wait outside." said Jugo.  

Suigetsu paused then smiled at Hinata. "We still have that meeting, right?"

Hinata tilted her head. "What meeting?"

Sasuke followed her gaze and scowled. 

Jugo then proceeded in pulling Suigetsu out the door. 

It was only them.  He was near the door and Hinata went over. Hinata cleared her throat, standing close. Her breath tickled his chin. 

Hinata smiled. "Mitsuyo washed your flak jacket, I got you new shoes that I picked out. And uh, I cleaned your sword... And I packed you some sharpened swords and I snuck some caramel into your-"

"You're stalling, Hyuuga..."

She smiled sadly. "I want to so you could stay longer. How long will you be gone?"

"I dunno. Three weeks and that's pushing it on the best case scenario."

"Best case scenario is that you come back to me, safe and sound," she said, keeping a small distance between them. "I think you should... be here when we think of baby names."

"Baby names," he asked in wonder. "We're that far along in the pregnancy. You're at fifteen weeks. Sixteen weeks. Forty weeks... is the magic number."

"Kick Orochimaru's and Suigetsu's butt for me. Yes..." she leaned in and focused on the strips of his poncho. "The worst he did was hit on me. Said I had a thing for guys with swords. Ridiculous, isn't it?"

"Yeah," he said, a steely look in his eyes. "Ridiculous."

"Hey now... come back to me, alright," she smoothed out the folds on his poncho. "We still haven't finished our card games."

"You still cheat."

"Reminder; I wouldn't," she said. "Sasuke- despite what they say, you don't oblige by the devil's law or... I don't know? Have true wrongs and no rights. You're... better than what they say and I... believe in you and what you do."

"Hn. If it's a boy... or girl... I don't mind," he said. "I'd teach him how to hunt and sword fighting. Teach her how to fish and clan jutsus. Maybe I'd even take either of them to see the waves."

"Not knowing... it's enough to make you go crazy," she says, smiling. "And you- don't make me crazy."

"I keep you sane?" he asked. "I won't play the hero card."

"That's good. I like your lust for living," she said. "Wait here."

"You're still stalling-"

"Hush..." She left and came back. "Here! I didn't know... if it's snowing and I know you hate snow! Wherever you are, you can keep warm with some tea, you know? Here are some different homemade tea bags."

"Any other gifts?" he asked.

"The other ones aren't finished," she smiled. "or born."

He gave her the ghost of a smile. A small, almost non-existent but definitely almost there. He nodded to her and she sighed until they were just standing there, and he said. "Let go, Hinata."

"Sasuke..."

"Get off."

"Yeah... so- not sorry," she let go of the folds of his poncho.

"Hn," he said. "And I'm off."

He left and went outside. Hinata rushed to the window that let her watch them leave.

Someina watched her looking out of the window. "You know he's coming back. You're the one who's dancing in his storms. The Natsukawa clan are always waiting for someone to come back."

She sighed. "He never leaves anything behind. He's always, constantly gone without a trace. It's like I have no evidence that we're here, at home, domesticated..."

"Maybe he doesn't find this place to be home but it's probably with you, your baby or he lives in his heart," she said.

Uchiha Sasuke... living in his heart. Neat. 

She heard their laughs. Suigetsu was loud. "What did she give you, Sasuke? Condoms?"

"Classy," Jugo said.

"You idiot, they're home-made tea bags," Sasuke said. 

"Tea bags?" Suigetsu laughed loudly. "You're whipped."

And they were gone for the night.

¤¤¤

-End Chapter-