The Heir and The Heiress

Hinata

Hinata laughed merrily as she spun around holding on tightly to the small child in her arms. Hearing her little joyous giggles made Hinata's heart soar. Coming to a halt, her head was still spinning. Whether it was from her twirling, or the small amount of the sweet honeysuckle wine the Innkeeper's wife, Shindi, had shared with her, she wasn't sure. Catching her breath and finally coming to her senses, her head whipped around as she suddenly sensed a familiar presence a couple yards away. Sasuke. His dark cloaked form stood out in strong contrast to all of the brightly colored festival goers around him. Her stomach fluttered as she locked eyes with his and he gave her a small smile. That was the first emotion she had seen on his face since the first night they arrived here. Flushing deeply in embarrassment, she wondered how long he had been watching her. What time was it?! Looking out into the setting sun far off in the distance, she must have been as red as a tomato once she realized how late it had gotten. She completely forgot about their nightly rendezvous in their room. Giving the small child, Minki, who was pulling on her hand a tight hug, she returned her safely to her mother before glancing back shyly at Sasuke.

"You look beautiful child." Shindi, told her as she gave Hinata's hand a reassuring squeeze. "The way he has been looking at you, you can tell he admires you greatly." Hinata blushed furiously as the plump woman shook her head. "It is a wonder as to why he has left you on your own so much then. I guess I will never understand young love nowadays. Now go to your husband my dear, but make sure to say farewell before you leave tomorrow."

"Thank you Shindi." Bending down to give the little girl at her feet a tender pat on her mousy head, she turned to slowly make her way through the crowd until she reached Sasuke. She kept her eyes low as she approached his dark form. Shindi's words bounced around in her head. He admires me? That's unlikely. He is Sasuke Uchiha. What would he admire about someone as unimpressive as herself? Stopping once she stood in from him, she slowly raised her gaze to meet his once more. The look she saw reflected in them made her lower belly clench. It was similar to the look he had given her back in their room the night they bumped into each other after her shower, but it wasn't as intense and intimidating as it was then. But it still had that unfamiliar warm feeling coursing through her body that made her rub her thighs together nervously.

"Hi..." The warm tone of his voice washed over her flushed body, causing her to resist the urge to close her eyes and let it sink in. It had to be the wine that was causing her to feel this way.

"Looked like you were having a good time out there, sorry to have interrupted it." Amusement sparkled in his dark liquid eye as he watched her fidget uncomfortably.

"I am so sorry Sasuke. I let time get away from me. Shindi insisted that I come join in on the festivities with them since it was the last night. And she said she hated seeing me by myself, I couldn't think of a good argument, and little Minki practically begged me. I just couldn't say no." As she rambled on nervously, she could see the amusement slowly fade from his dark gaze and was replaced with something more serious, and maybe a little sad. "I really didn't plan on being out so long, I am very sorry. I know that it was unprofessional of me." Hinata was sure that he was upset with her when he turned to leave.

"Follow me." He called over his shoulder.

Her shoulders slumped as she followed his dark form quietly back through the village towards their Inn. She felt so stupid for letting herself get caught up in the festival while she was suppose to be patrolling for the mission. Caught up in her angry thoughts towards herself, she almost missed the fact that they had passed their Inn and was heading towards the northern entrance of the village that lead out into the forest. Her curiosity shot up as she continued to follow him past the trees into the thickening wilderness. She wondered if he wanted to be far enough away from the village that no one would be able to hear him scolding her for her unprofessional-ism, or maybe he had found something about the possible individuals that they were looking for any proof of existing. Her anxiety and curiosity got the best of her, so she activated her Byakugan and quickly swept the immediate area. She didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but when her gaze swept over Sasuke she could see that his heart rate was slowly climbing, and his aura was giving off feelings of nervousness and uncertainty. What the heck was going on?