Gift 4

[catriana_fiction]

Title: Gift
Series: Naruto
Rating: Unknown for now
Pairings: ItaHina(flashbacks), SasuHina, NejiGaa
Chapters: 4 (WIP)
Summary: Based off of 8. Innocence from the 100 Theme Challenge. After five years Uchiha Sasuke has finally been given his freedom. Shortly thereafter he learns of a shocking truth: his older brother had a child ten years ago. The mother? Hyuuga Hinata. How it happened he has no idea, but he's going to Suna to find out. It can also be read here.
Notes: This chapter is short because I have the plot written out and I wanted it to end at a certain point. I might go back through this later if I end up making it longer.

 

4

xxxxx

It was easier for her to get around now with the crutches and so she found herself exploring the little cave, eager to move around. Okojo wasn’t around as often as he normally was and while that was disappointing she also found herself a little relieved. When he was around he blindfolded her and now that she could see the cave she marveled at how beautiful it was.

No light was needed; the caves had their own natural lighting; blue and green with soft glows. The deep pool of water that she used to bathe in was beautiful and she found herself there often. She could not train as she was still very injured, but she was stubborn and determined to at least get around without depending on another. There was always food and drink for her so she knew her rescuer was at the very least coming back every now and then, even if he was avoiding her.

And he was; avoiding her. Hinata wasn’t entirely sure how or why she knew this, only a gut feeling. She wasn’t sure how to feel about it; her thoughts and feelings were a complicated mess with everything that had happened to her. She still had nightmares about her teammates being killed and around the time she had been given the crutches Uzumaki Naruto flickered back into her thoughts. She had thought about the blonde often but yet for some reason doing so felt wrong while she was in Okojo’s ‘home’.

She felt as if she were betraying him somehow and that made absolutely no sense. She loved and admired Naruto; his determination and strength had inspired her...but she had never felt an actual connection with him. With Okojo she found herself liking and admiring him as well, but she had interacted with him in their short time together more than she had with Naruto her entire life. Not that it changed her feelings for Naruto, not one bit, but there was something...growing there concerning Okojo.

 It was absurd, she didn’t even know what the man looked like, yet she had a feeling that he sensed it as well. The bond that was forming was a quiet but strong one, something that neither could explain, only feel.

Hinata sensed him when he entered the cave and she blindfolded herself, not wanting to put her host at an inconvenience. His steps were quiet as he descended to her level but he did not greet her; instead he walked into another room near the main cavern. With her being blindfolded most of the time and living in a dark cave, Hinata’s hearing was becoming sharper and she could hear muffled sounds of coughing and hard gasps. Her hands covered her mouth but she didn’t move from her pallet, didn’t dare. He had sought privacy for a reason and she wouldn’t begrudge him that.

Eventually, the coughing and hacking ceased and the silence was deafening. When he finally walked back into the main cavern something felt different. Instead of the warm and pleasant atmosphere they normally had, it was cold and tense. She could feel eyes on her, as if trying to bore a hole into her soul. She remained silent, pretending that she couldn’t sense him, her head facing opposite of his direction. After what seemed like forever she could hear his soft steps again as he neared her.

“Why did you become a shinobi?” his question is abrupt and curt, making Hinata start. There is something heavily guarded in his voice and it puts her on guard. Confusion fills her as the tension rises; he is waiting for her answer. How much should she tell him?

“I...” she bit her lip and tilted her head in his direction. Her fingers began to poke together “A p-part of it was that I didn’t...have a choice. I was born first so...” she trails off, not wanting to give up too much more.

Okojo didn’t respond for a while so she tries to explain herself a bit better. “T-that’s how it was at first...but then it became about me w-wanting to change myself. To prove t-that I wasn’t worthless. I wasn’t naturally gifted like my sister and c-cousin...I had to train three times as hard and I was slow to master things. N-now it’s...more complicated. I still want to keep changing myself but I also want t-to change my clan.”

“So, you will continue your path as a shinobi.” His voice is too flat for her to pick up on what he is feeling “Why? Just so you can change your clan? Do you think you’re even strong enough to do something of that magnitude?”

The words stung more than she thought they would, because his tone implied that he didn’t think she could. She took in a deep breath and slowly let it out “Yes, I will continue my path...because giving up isn’t an option. To never give up, that is my nindo. I want to change my clan because it needs to be changed, the way it is now only oppresses and divides us.

“We should be united because we’re all equals. My cousin proved that our current system was flawed. A-and even if I can’t I...” she bit her lip “I know my sister will do what I cannot. She believes the same things I do and I’d believe in her. She’s strong, much stronger than I am.”

Stone cold silence. The air is so tense that she hugs herself, feeling miserable. Why is Okojo angry? He always seemed to calm and soothing before. There had been times when he had become slightly annoyed with her due to her stubborn nature but never had she sensed the outright hostility that is coming from him right at that moment.

“You...” one moment she had sensed him a respectable distance away and the next he was kneeling down, lightly grabbing her chin with his fingers “are an idealistic fool.” The words were hard, cold, and...

Not directed at her. He was referring to himself.

How she knew that was a mystery but as he stood up and left her there for another night, Hinata could only wonder as to what was on his mind and why her words seemed to make him so angry. Did he hate her now? For some reason the thought of that brought tears to her eyes and she was unable to stop them from falling. For the first time since she awakened, she felt very alone.

xxxxx

An irritated sigh left the older Uchiha as his brother’s son landed hard on the ground, kicking up dust. Lowering his leg, the twelve year old Sasuke disappeared in a puff of smoke, revealing the older male. He looked – and felt – highly annoyed. “Five minutes.” That was all Okojo could hold onto the Sharingan for. It pissed him off, because the boy could hold the Byakugan damn near indefinitely. “It’s been two weeks.” And that was just pathetic on any level.

Slowly, the boy struggled to stand; his body bruised and scratched up. He was panting and it was obvious that he was trying very hard to control his temper. Okojo was the sort of individual that prided himself on self-control and in keeping his emotions hidden; typical Hyuuga. He found himself wanting to get a reaction out of the boy, to anger him. The fact that he looked so much like Itachi yet was so much like a Hyuuga just wouldn’t roll past him.

The best part? Okojo knew he was doing it.

The records of him being a genius were not exaggerated; he knew that Sasuke was trying to goad him and he probably had a good idea as to why. It wasn’t the fact that Sasuke hated him, because that was something he could never do. He knew that Sasuke was frustrated with him because he shunned learning anything about his other bloodline limit – he had a feeling Okojo was doing that on purpose as well.

The boy never complained, he got back at Sasuke in other ways. Itachi’s son hated him – he had even admitted it – but at the same time he wanted Sasuke to validate him. Okojo didn’t want to be Itachi, he knew that was impossible, but having Sasuke accept him was as close as he was going to get to a real connection with him. He tried to pretend that his uncle’s blatant disappointment and displeasure didn’t bother him but they both knew it did. The ten year old wanted to be like his father but his uncle didn’t think it was possible. The only other person who had been close to his father saw him as a failure. It gnawed at him yet still he never rose to Sasuke’s bait.

Okojo was passive-aggressive and stubborn but Sasuke was older and really good at pissing people off. Eventually, he’d push the right buttons.

Both males turned as they sensed another presence; Sasuke’s Sharingan was already active and Okojo activated his Byakugan. They relaxed when they realized who it was.

White eyes blinked at the two and Hinata tilted her head slightly at the tension she could no doubt feel in the air. She raised a hand to her chin, looking thoughtful “Um...”

“We’re done for the day.” Sasuke snapped, turning towards his brother’s lover. Twelve years ago he wouldn’t have given Hyuuga Hinata the time of day, now he found himself growing increasingly intrigued by her. The more he thought about how Itachi had fallen in love with her the more he wanted to know about what had actually transpired – where before he hadn’t cared at all.

The young chunnin turned to Sasuke and bowed respectfully “Very well, sensei. The same time tomorrow?”

When the boy looked up at him, Sasuke grinned mockingly; showing that he knew what he was doing by addressing him as if he were a stranger. White eyes narrowed slightly, just a twitch, but the Uchiha counted it as a point for him. “Yeah.” Then he turned his focus to Hinata; an obvious dismissal.

More than eager to get away from his relative, Okojo was stopped from briskly walking away by his mother. His hard expression softened as he regarded the smiling woman.

“Your...” her eyes flickered up to Sasuke briefly “Neji says he would like to see you today about something before dinner.”

He made it a point not to look at Sasuke as he nodded “I’ll go to father right away.”

Sasuke had to admit, the boy was really good at pretending to keep calm when he was obviously angry and somewhat bitter. Okojo probably wouldn’t admit it but he was more of an Uchiha than he believed. Of course, his uncle wouldn’t admit it either.

As Hinata closed the distance between them he looked down at her blankly. After a moment he shrugged “It’s going to take a while. Your son isn’t into this so he’s not grasping the concepts of controlling the Sharingan. He reverts to the Byakugan often which is fine for dealing with genjutsu...”

She frowned “But...doesn’t the Sharingan -?”

Sasuke shrugged again “Our bloodline limit makes our strengths lie in ninjutsu and genjutsu, the Byakugan is excellent for countering most genjutsu but your strength lies in taijutsu and ninjutsu, specifically ninjutsu based on the Juuken.” He smirked “Your son hates me, I doubt that helps.”

“You are a difficult person to like...” she gasped, her hands slapping over her mouth “I-I am so sorry I...”

But the Uchiha just stared at her, blinked a few times and then burst out laughing. Well, at least she was honest. “It really doesn’t matter if he likes me or not if you honestly want me to continue this training.”

Realizing that she truly had not offended him she relaxed and nodded “I know Okojo doesn’t want to now but...” she looked up at him “He needs to at least learn so he can teach it to others... I –“

“Why do you care?” he frowned thoughtfully at her “I know what my brother wanted but how do you honestly think he’ll be able to restore the Uchiha on his own when he hates everything about it?” Why are you so adamant about this when I don’t even know if I want to restore my clan or not?

“He doesn’t.” she insisted “Okojo loves his father and he’s proud to be an Uchiha...but I can’t give him what he needs to know.” She smiled “He’s only resisting because you two aren’t getting along. And I care because...” the smile turned sad “Because I loved him; and he wouldn’t have given me Okojo if he had thought I wouldn’t want to fulfill his true dream. I’m not an Uchiha but...it was important to him, so it’s important to me. I want to honor his memory.”

There was something about her smile that made him highly uncomfortable but he wasn’t sure why. She looked up at him with those beautiful pearl colored eyes...

Wait. Beautiful? Hadn’t he thought they were freaky before?

No. Hell no. Whatever that feeling was that had just tried to climb up needed to stay down where it belonged. He didn’t even know how such an emotion, however fleeting, could even exist for him. This woman had ended up having his brother’s child; as far as he was concerned, Hyuuga Hinata was ‘Itachi’s woman’ and that was how she was going to stay.

“Alright. Give me some time to figure out how I want to do this then, and we’ll go from there.” He needed to put some distance between them and quickly.

She flashed him another smile, one that seemed to be full of acceptance and understanding. She seemed like the type of person you could give all of your secrets to and she would never tell a soul. Hinata would treasure it and the person, because that was who she was.

Sasuke now fully understood why his brother had fallen for her...and he refused to fall into the same trap. It would be all too easy and he wasn’t going to lose himself in some woman he barely knew.

“Alright, Uchiha-san.” She bowed politely and turned to leave but he grabbed her arm.

Why did I do that? “Sasuke.” It felt as if he had blurted it out “You don’t have to be formal with me.” Since we’re practically family.

A small nod “Thank you, Sasuke-san. Please let me know what you decide later.”

“Yeah. See ya.” With a small wave he shoved his hands in his pockets; feeling all out of sorts.

xxxxx

“You are unhappy with the situation,” the Kazekage began as he slid a rather thick book back at its place on the bookshelf “Because you are overprotective of him and you both equally despise Uchiha.”

Neji, who was leaning against the redhead’s desk, watching him, bristled “I am not...overprotective of Okojo.” The Hyuuga said, sounding defensive. He didn’t bother to argue the other point.

“I did not say you coddled him.” Turning, he began to walk back over to his desk that was piled with paperwork. It was late evening so unless it was an emergency, they wouldn’t be bothered. “I said you were overprotective, which you are. There is nothing wrong with it, he is your son, but I do feel that it is clouding your judgment. If Hinata feels that Uchiha is best fit to train him, you should trust her judgment as you always do.”

He hated it that Gaara was pretty much correct. It was rare that the Kazekage reacted to situations based on his emotions unless it was okay to do so – like relaxing around family or being with him. Knowing the other man for a decade had taught him that if Gaara said you were being a certain way, you were.

“I do trust Hinata-sama’s judgment.” He understood that he was beginning to sound rather childish but Neji really wanted the traitor to leave. He didn’t like the Uchiha, he didn’t like how he treated Okojo and he didn’t like his attitude in general.

Since he was now sitting, Gaara looked up at his lover from his desk “Neji, Okojo will not become less of a Hyuuga if he is taught by Uchiha.” He regarded his paperwork once more “I personally agree with Hinata; he needs to learn what it means to be an Uchiha if he truly wishes to be like his late father. Also, he needs to not be so dependent on you emotionally.”

This had the Hyuuga frowning “I do not think he depends on me emotionally.”

Leaning back, Gaara regarded him coolly “He goes to you for validation of his existence and progress as a shinobi. It is not something he has ever had to work for, because you love him unconditionally. However, this is not the case with Uchiha. He wants to be validated and Uchiha refuses to give that to him. Okojo is not used to that and is becoming openly defiant because of it. You taking his side is not helping matters.”

He had no idea why, but that actually stung a bit and he turned away. “You feel that I am wrong.”

“No, I feel that you are being a father.” He waited until Neji looked at him to continue “Your concerns are valid. Uchiha Sasuke was an international criminal, a murderer, at one point psychotic, and his current attitude leaves little to be desired. You do not trust him, which you should not, meaning that you are highly uncomfortable with Okojo spending any time alone with him.

“The issue here is that who Okojo wants validation from, at the moment, is Uchiha. He is not getting it, so he is overcompensating by relying on you. He wishes to embrace both sides of his heritage but he is used to you giving him encouragement and being kind but firm. Uchiha is abrasive, offers no encouragement and is somewhat ruthless. It is the complete opposite of what he has received and he is not taking it well and – from what I have observed – he’s not entirely sure how to deal with it. By supporting him; he will feel that he shouldn’t have to work at getting Uchiha to acknowledge him because he doesn’t have to do that with you. It’s counterproductive.”

“I –“ the protest died on his lips as he forced himself to stop thinking with his emotions. He had observed the training between his son and the Uchiha and what Gaara was saying was correct. Even Hinata could see it; he just didn’t want to admit it. Since the redhead was right he looked away again, having nothing to say but feeling very unhappy.

Neji saw when the Kazekage got up and walked around the desk to him but made no move to acknowledge it. He continued to do this when hands slid up his shoulders and around his neck. When those warm hands framed his face and tilted so that their gazes met he took in the emotion that was always shining in sea green eyes.

“Okojo won’t become any less of a Hyuuga.” Came the reassuring words “And he will not love you any less because of it either.” Neji’s eyes widened and Gaara smiled thinly.

“All of us have things we are desperate to protect and when those things are compromised we do not always act rationally.” The smile spread just a bit “Those three weeks when you had been captured...that had been my breaking point. I did not act rationally for quite some time. So no, you are not wrong, that was not what I was implying.”

He was pulled down and Neji placed his hands on his lover’s hips as their lips connected. The Hyuuga sighed when they parted “Forgive me; I suppose I have been acting rather emotional. You are, as always, correct. I will support Hinata-sama’s decision. I truly do not believe Uchiha will hurt Okojo – at least not seriously.

Gaara nodded “You want the best for your son, there is nothing wrong in that and it is your right.” He pulled back, seemingly satisfied that Neji was no longer upset “It does not mean ignore him; but if he wishes to walk the line between clans, he will have to embrace both sides regardless. Continue to support him in his other endeavors. Oh.” Blinking, he tilted his head slightly as if trying to remember something “Ah, Temari is coming, she should be here today. Kanako is with her.”

“Oh?” The Hyuuga gave him a genuine smile “He won’t admit it, but Okojo will be happy to see her. It has been a while. I hear she just entered the academy, didn’t she?”

“Yes. They will not be staying long because of it. It is a casual visit.”

“Hm. Will you try to take a personal day?”

The Kazekage tensed “I will try...but if I cannot even take time to be there for your birthday –“

A hand delved into his wild hair as he was pulled flush against the taller male, lips moving over his almost possessively. He flared out his chakra and, confirming that no one was around, closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around the Hyuuga’s neck. He made a soft noise when Neji encouraged him to part his lips, arms tightening.

Even now, eight years after their relationship had turned romantic kissing Neji made him feel so many different things at once. Before the Hyuuga, everyone had kept their distance. It wasn’t so much out of fear after a while as it seemed that he gave off an aura that made people feel as if he would dislike having his personal space invaded. At least, that was what Temari had told him.

So when he had gone from barely any contact to full on intimacy he had been a little overwhelmed at first by all the feelings and sensations. Warm hands and lips moving over every inch of skin. That and so much more he couldn’t have even imagined how it would have felt until he had experienced it. He had fallen in love with the Hyuuga prior to that but actually becoming physically close had sealed the deal for him.

“I had been afraid of becoming the ‘lover on the side’; feeling that we would have to hide our relationship. I wanted to mean something to the person I finally decided to be with.”

“Is something wrong?” the brunette pulled back, concern etched in his angular features “You became very tense and now you are avoiding looking at me.”

He tended to forget how observant Neji was at times “No, I was...merely thinking about something.”

Gaara did not elaborate and Neji did not question; that was their way. If something needed to be said between them it would be said. “I see.” His arms dropped to the other’s disappointment “Actually, that reminds me; there was something you had wanted to tell me a while ago and it completely slipped my mind. Do you remember what it was?”

He hesitated “No. I...” it was a lie and he felt himself becoming highly uncomfortable. He never lied; made it a point not to and now he was lying to his most precious person.

Neji frowned. “If you wish not to tell me, Gaara, simply say so.”

That wasn’t it and yet when he tried to summon the words they refused to emerge and he didn’t quite understand why. Lowering his gaze, the Kazekage shook his head “Forgive me, it is not that. I am not sure if I can properly explain it.”

Warm hands slid underneath his plain black shirt and he let out a low sound, closing bright green eyes. Something in his mind told him that he really needed to stop Neji because he did have paperwork to do and it wasn’t going to work itself. He couldn’t afford to be distracted; no matter how pleasurable it would be.

Apparently, his lover had different ideas; for hands moved up and he felt fingers begin to unfasten the clasps at his neck. Parting the fabric, Neji began to trail his lips along his skin as another hand slid back underneath his shirt.

“N-Neji...” he gasped when teeth lightly nipped at him. “I...I don’t think we...”

“Whatever it is you wish to tell me,” the Hyuuga came in “I will wait until you are ready, because I can see that it is important to you.”

A smile ghosted along his lips when slender fingers began undoing the straps to his vest. “Thank you. Ah, but this is...?”

“Me trying to seduce you as there is absolutely no one in the vicinity and I have desired you for the past week. I know you will not leave your office...” his tongue trailed up sensitive pale skin “I promise we’ll avoid your desk this time.”

He would have protested again but then the hand slid from his chest to underneath his pants and it all died on his lips.

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Comments

[windrider1.livejournal.com]

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

[catriana-chan.livejournal.com]

LOL you goober ILU.

[whiterose11.livejournal.com]

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥:)!!

[catriana-chan.livejournal.com]

Thank you! ♥

[onlylunag.livejournal.com]

i think i'll try some yaoi now since it looks interesting to read.

[catriana-chan.livejournal.com]

It can be! I'm a HUGE SasuNeji fan :) My long yaoi series is Anchor.

[(Anonymous)]

Love it! Wondering why it's not on fanfiction?

[catriana-chan.livejournal.com]

Because I'm kind of struggling with it ATM. Once I find my groove I'll upload it there.

[(Anonymous)]

pleaaaasssseeee finish and put on fan fiction

great!!!

[yukinoai.livejournal.com]

I hope you update soon this story is awesome literary!

[azi-sunshine.livejournal.com]

I've finally catched up with your next story. Good work! I liked the ItaHina parts the most, not that I don't want to see NejiGaa in the next part though ♡.