Chapter 3
Sasuke stood silently with his teammates, feeling the cold weight of the Earth Scroll press securely against his chest. Around him, the air seemed to hum ominously, thick with tension. Towering trees loomed overhead, their dark branches twisting like skeletal fingers. The Forest of Death. It felt like a fitting name, Sasuke thought grimly. Danger hung heavy everywhere, lurking in shadowy corners, hidden beneath tangled roots.
Anko’s words still echoed clearly in his mind:
Find a Heaven Scroll within five days.
Simple enough instructions, but Sasuke knew better. Nothing about this place was simple. His senses heightened instinctively, eyes scanning the shadowed edges of the trees, every muscle in his body tense and ready. Naruto shifted impatiently beside him, his fingers drumming restlessly at his sides.
“Heaven Scroll, huh?” Naruto grumbled, an eager smirk tugging at his lips. “Easy! We'll have it by tonight.”
“Don’t underestimate this,” Sakura warned anxiously, her voice quiet and strained. “This forest…something doesn’t feel right.”
Sasuke glanced briefly at Sakura, noting the unease in her eyes. She wasn’t wrong. Something about this forest was dangerously off. Even the wind felt strange, brushing coldly against his skin, whispering unease into his thoughts. His gut twisted slightly in quiet apprehension, an instinctive warning to stay alert.
He took a steady breath, calming his restless nerves. “Let’s move,” he said firmly, voice quiet yet commanding. “We’ll only make ourselves targets standing around.”
Without waiting for agreement, Sasuke moved decisively forward, stepping through the ominous gate and crossing into the shadows of the forest. Naruto and Sakura quickly followed, their footsteps tense yet determined.
The moment Sasuke stepped inside, the forest seemed to swallow them whole, darkness stretching out endlessly in all directions. Sounds grew muted, distant rustles and animal cries blending into one another in a quiet, eerie symphony. He felt isolated, cut off entirely from the rest of the world. Yet despite his discomfort, his eyes sharpened, senses quickly adjusting. He refused to let unease cloud his judgment.
They moved cautiously, Sasuke instinctively taking the lead. He could hear Naruto’s faint breathing just behind him, louder than usual, evidence of the dobe’s nervous excitement. Sakura’s footsteps were almost silent, careful yet hesitant. They needed a strategy, Sasuke thought decisively. Find a team, retrieve the Heaven Scroll, and head to the tower. The quicker, the better.
He reached up briefly, fingertips brushing against the pouch where he’d secured the Earth Scroll. It was still there, safe and hidden. His mind quickly assessed possibilities, mapping out plans and tactics. Who had their target scroll? Which teams were the greatest threats? He had no answers yet, but soon enough he would.
As they pressed deeper into the forest’s heart, Sasuke’s senses sharpened further, analyzing every faint rustle, every shadow that flickered suspiciously. He could feel eyes watching them, predators hiding in the gloom, waiting patiently for their chance. He narrowed his gaze, jaw clenching slightly. Let them watch, he thought coldly. Let them try.
From somewhere up ahead, a sudden sharp rustling echoed, startling Naruto enough to halt mid-step.
“What was that?” Naruto whispered anxiously, fists already clenched, ready for confrontation.
Sasuke stood still, calmly analyzing the source of the sound. His heartbeat steadied into careful rhythm. He knew their first confrontation was inevitable. It was just a matter of when—and who.
He slid into a defensive stance, voice quiet yet authoritative. “Stay alert. It looks like we won’t have to wait long.”
And then he heard it clearly—the sound of a soft, sinister chuckle floating from somewhere in the darkness, echoing eerily around them.
He tightened his grip on his kunai, eyes narrowing dangerously.
Whoever it was… they were ready.
So was he.
Sasuke stood motionless, eyes narrowed, kunai gripped tightly as he strained to catch any glimpse of movement in the suffocating darkness. The sinister laughter faded, replaced by silence, a silence far more unsettling. He scanned the trees carefully, every muscle in his body coiled and tense. Naruto and Sakura stood close by, their breaths shallow, frightened.
Then, without warning, a sensation surged sharply through him, a familiar presence. Hinata’s chakra. It was unmistakable: gentle, yet now flaring violently with fear. Sasuke’s breath caught sharply, panic stabbing fiercely into his chest. His eyes darted in the direction of her chakra signature, heart thundering.
Hinata.
Without thinking, without even a word, Sasuke pivoted sharply, starting to move. He had to get to her—now.
"Sasuke-kun?!" Sakura called urgently, confused and startled by his sudden action.
But before he could even take another step, another chakra signature surged dangerously close, freezing him completely. This presence was unlike anything he’d ever felt, cold, sinister, suffocating. His heart jolted painfully, his stomach churning with sudden dread. It felt as though the shadows themselves had come alive around him.
"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted sharply, snapping Sasuke’s attention back as the blond lunged forward, immediately shielding Sakura. His blue eyes blazed fiercely into the darkness ahead. "Watch out—someone’s here!"
The rustling grew louder, faster, before abruptly stopping again. And then, slowly, deliberately, a figure stepped from the shadows. A Grass-nin emerged, standing calmly before them, eyes glittering maliciously beneath a wide-brimmed straw hat. Every instinct screamed danger, every nerve urged Sasuke to run, yet he remained frozen, captivated and paralyzed by the man’s overwhelming killing intent.
Sasuke stared in shock, breath ragged, chest tightening painfully. The aura radiating from this man was crushing, absolute. His mind raced desperately, searching for solutions, escape routes—anything. For the first time since he could remember, he felt true, paralyzing terror.
The enemy smiled cruelly, stepping closer. "You seem afraid, Sasuke Uchiha," the stranger purred, voice low and venomous. "I wonder if you truly are worthy of that name?"
Sasuke flinched inwardly, heart hammering in shame and fear. He needed to move, to fight, but his limbs refused to obey. His trembling hand reached impulsively for the pouch containing their Earth Scroll. If he handed it over, maybe this enemy would leave them alive. Survival instinct drove him now, overriding pride.
He opened his mouth, voice tight and strained. "Here. Take the scroll—just leave us alone."
"Sasuke, you coward!" Naruto’s voice roared angrily, cutting through Sasuke’s fear like a blade. Naruto stepped in front of him, fists clenched, eyes burning defiantly. "Don’t you dare hand that scroll over! Have some faith, teme! We can beat this guy!"
Naruto’s bold words pierced Sasuke’s paralysis, igniting shameful anger deep within him. He knew Naruto was right. What had he been thinking? Fear had clouded his judgment, he had almost betrayed everything he believed in. Jaw clenched fiercely, Sasuke slowly withdrew his hand from the scroll, a bitter determination replacing fear.
"You’re right," Sasuke whispered, his voice rough with humiliation but resolute. "I won’t surrender to you."
The enemy chuckled softly, amused, gaze now shifting lazily toward Naruto. "Such fascinating bravado. I wonder how long it will last?"
Naruto didn’t wait for the taunt to finish, charging forward recklessly, yelling fiercely as he attacked head-on. Sasuke stared in shock as Naruto’s fists swung wildly yet powerfully, his chakra blazing suddenly—overwhelmingly fierce and intense. Sasuke’s eyes widened, stunned confusion flooding through him. He had never felt chakra like this coming from Naruto before. It was raw, violent power, almost frighteningly strong.
What… what is this? Where did he get this strength?
Naruto’s movements were frenzied, uncontrolled, yet undeniably powerful. But the enemy effortlessly dodged each strike, toying cruelly with him. Sasuke’s heart thudded heavily, watching helplessly as Naruto poured every ounce of strength into the battle, yet was clearly outmatched.
"Naruto!" Sakura cried fearfully, hands pressed desperately to her chest.
Suddenly, the Grass-nin’s hand shot forward, fingers glowing dangerously violet as they struck Naruto’s stomach. Naruto gasped sharply, eyes widening before he collapsed instantly, unconscious.
"Naruto!" Sasuke shouted in shock, dread flooding him once more.
The enemy smiled coldly, stepping casually over Naruto’s limp body. "Now then," he murmured calmly, eyes fixated eagerly on Sasuke, "shall we continue?"
Sasuke forced himself into a defensive stance, pulse racing fiercely. He had to fight, there was no other choice. His Sharingan activated immediately, crimson eyes flashing as he prepared himself.
"Come," Sasuke growled, teeth bared fiercely, heart thudding in a desperate rhythm. He knew he stood little chance, yet pride and determination surged stubbornly through his veins. "I'm ready."
The enemy lunged forward with terrifying speed, eyes wild with excitement. Sasuke twisted sharply, barely dodging the strike, fear now fully replaced by instinct and adrenaline. He could barely follow the enemy’s movements, even with his Sharingan fully activated, it was nearly impossible.
As he dodged again, Sasuke's thoughts briefly flashed back to Hinata, her frightened chakra flaring desperately in the distance. His heart wrenched painfully, torn between fighting for his team and rushing to protect his best friend. He gritted his teeth furiously, he couldn’t abandon Naruto and Sakura now. Hinata was strong. He had to trust her to survive.
He had no other choice but to survive this himself, no matter what it took.
But then the enemy appeared directly before him, face mere inches away, smile twisted cruelly. "Your eyes truly are fascinating," the man whispered softly, hand suddenly gripping Sasuke’s throat, squeezing tightly.
Pain surged through Sasuke, vision darkening. Desperately, he struggled, chakra flaring violently, but the enemy only tightened his grip further, amusement glittering coldly in his eyes.
"I’ll give you a gift," the stranger whispered sinisterly, voice eager, excited. "Power beyond your imagination, if you can survive."
Suddenly, sharp teeth sank deep into Sasuke’s neck, pain exploding violently through his body. He screamed, body spasming uncontrollably, vision blurring white-hot. Fire surged through his veins, agonizing and consuming. His screams echoed through the darkened forest, agony and terror drowning every other sensation.
The last thing Sasuke heard, as consciousness slipped mercifully away, was Sakura’s desperate, terrified scream, and the distant, gentle whisper of Hinata’s chakra fading quietly into the darkness.
Then, everything went black.
x-x-x-x-x-x
Hinata crouched silently behind dense foliage, her body rigid with fear. Her breathing shallow, heart hammering against her ribcage like a frantic bird trapped inside a cage. Beside her, Kiba and Shino stayed frozen in horror, neither daring to even blink. Through the gaps between branches, Hinata stared with wide, trembling eyes at the scene unfolding in front of her, a terrifying figure with crimson hair stood eerily still amid a storm of sand and blood, calmly watching as the lifeless body of another shinobi fell to the forest floor.
"Wh-what is this guy?" Kiba whispered shakily, his voice barely audible. "He didn't even move!"
Shino's voice remained composed, but even he sounded disturbed. "We need to leave quietly, now."
Hinata opened her mouth to agree, but suddenly, the red-haired shinobi shifted slightly, turning directly toward their hiding spot. A chill surged down her spine, freezing her blood in place. His cold, lifeless eyes locked directly onto her own, as though he could clearly see through every leaf and branch separating them.
"C-Can he see us?" Hinata whispered in panic, her voice thin and fragile.
Then, his voice rang out coldly, like steel scraping ice. "Come out. Or I'll drag you out myself."
Hinata's heart seized painfully, dread crawling heavily into her chest. No one moved. No one even breathed. Every nerve in her body screamed at her to run, to escape. But her limbs were numb, frozen by fear.
Suddenly, sand surged forward, impossibly fast, slicing through the brush. Hinata barely had time to scream as the gritty tendrils wrapped harshly around her throat, yanking her violently from her hiding spot. Her feet left the ground, dangling helplessly as she was dragged toward him.
"Hinata!" Kiba shouted desperately, lunging forward with Shino right beside him.
She tried to cry out, but the sand tightened sharply, choking the breath from her lungs. Panic surged through her, blurring her vision, heart pounding violently as she struggled against the grip of sand. Her hands clawed desperately at her throat, gasping weakly for air. Fear surged inside her chest, cold and all-consuming, spreading through her body like ice. She was utterly helpless, dangling in the air, powerless against the terrifying shinobi holding her in his murderous gaze.
Nearby, a boy in dark clothing, his face painted and features twisted with annoyance, spoke sharply. "Quit messing around. Just finish her off already, then take out the other two."
The crimson-haired boy ignored him entirely, his intense eyes never leaving Hinata's. His expression held no anger, no excitement, only cold, empty curiosity. Hinata struggled again, vision swimming, spots beginning to bloom in her vision as the sand continued tightening. Desperation clawed at her thoughts.
She thought of Naruto, of his loud voice, unwavering courage, and the stubborn way he never surrendered. He always fought, even when everything seemed hopeless. She saw Kiba and Shino racing toward her, their terrified faces urging her to fight, to survive. And then Sasuke's image flashed vividly in her mind, his intense dark eyes staring back at her, filled with quiet confidence. He had always protected her, believed in her strength.
"No…" she gasped weakly, determination flaring desperately in her chest. "I—I won't die here!"
She focused, channeling her chakra into her fingertips, surging it outward. With the last of her strength, she thrust her palms downward against the crushing sand around her neck, releasing a sharp burst of chakra. The sand faltered slightly, just enough for her to twist free and collapse heavily onto the ground, gasping violently for air.
The crimson-haired shinobi stared down at her, mild surprise flickering briefly through his eyes. Hinata, breathing raggedly, pushed herself up shakily, quickly dropping into a Gentle Fist stance. Ignoring her trembling limbs, she lunged forward in desperation, aiming for his chakra points.
But instantly, the sand surged protectively around him, easily blocking every strike. Hinata stumbled back weakly, frustration burning in her throat as she faced him, hands shaking violently. The shinobi tilted his head slightly, considering her carefully.
"You're not afraid of death," he stated quietly, voice hollow yet oddly fascinated. "You're afraid of failing others."
Hinata’s lips trembled slightly, eyes wide and terrified yet stubbornly defiant. She refused to look away, forcing herself to maintain his gaze. "I—I won't let my team down," she whispered, voice barely audible but steady.
A girl with blonde hair tied into four ponytails spoke impatiently behind him. "We're wasting time. If you're going to kill them, do it now. Otherwise, let’s just move on."
The red-haired boy remained perfectly still, his eyes fixed firmly on Hinata. She felt paralyzed by his gaze, terror twisting painfully in her stomach, but forced herself not to yield, not to surrender. Her teammates stood tense behind her, ready to fight, yet she silently willed them to stay back.
Finally, after a long, heavy silence, the sand shinobi turned away dismissively, as if she were no longer worth his attention.
"You interest me," he murmured coldly, stepping calmly past her. "Don't cross me again."
Hinata stood rooted in place, heart hammering violently as he disappeared into the darkened forest with his teammates. Only when their chakra completely faded away did her knees buckle weakly, collapsing onto the forest floor. Her breath came in ragged gasps, heart still thudding painfully against her ribs.
Kiba quickly knelt beside her, eyes wide with panic and concern. "Hinata! Are you okay?"
Shino approached quietly, voice tense. "You survived. We need to get away quickly."
Hinata managed a shaky nod, tears blurring her vision as she silently thanked whatever strength had allowed her to survive. Her hand pressed lightly against her aching throat, still raw from the sand's merciless grip. She thought of Naruto again, her friends, and finally Sasuke. Warmth flooded her trembling body, determination flickering gently through the lingering fear.
She stood carefully, forcing her shaky legs to support her weight. She wouldn't give up. She couldn't let fear control her—not again.
"I'm alright," she whispered softly, lifting her chin stubbornly, refusing to let her voice waver. "Let's keep moving."
Hinata quietly moved forward, her footsteps careful yet unsteady, the lingering tremble still coursing through her limbs. The forest seemed colder now, darker somehow, as if the encounter with that terrifying shinobi had drained away whatever courage she'd managed to gather. She pressed a hand gently to her throat, still feeling the rough imprint of sand against her skin, a painful reminder of how close she'd come to death.
Kiba stayed close beside her, Akamaru whining softly from his jacket, his warm brown eyes darting anxiously toward her every few steps. Shino trailed slightly ahead, silent but alert, his stance rigid with quiet caution. None of them spoke, but Hinata could sense their tension, the fear that had taken root inside each of them.
She swallowed hard, her throat raw, chest tight with anxiety. She knew Kiba wanted to ask if she was really alright, if they should stop to rest, but she didn't want to give him that chance. She couldn't allow herself to be weak right now, couldn't afford to let her teammates down again. She'd already caused enough trouble.
"Hinata…" Kiba finally murmured hesitantly, his voice barely audible. "Maybe we should—"
"I'm okay," she whispered softly but firmly, gently cutting him off. "Let's just keep going."
Kiba frowned slightly, clearly unconvinced, but he respected her choice and remained quiet. Hinata silently thanked him, grateful that he understood.
As they moved deeper into the forest, shadows thickened around them, branches stretching overhead like skeletal hands, blocking out what little sunlight had pierced through earlier. Hinata felt dread tighten further in her stomach with every step. She couldn't stop replaying the encounter, the red-haired shinobi's cold, empty eyes, the suffocating sand, the sheer power and ruthlessness he'd displayed.
She pressed her trembling hands together, trying to quiet the fear clawing inside her chest. She thought of Naruto, his unwavering bravery, his fierce determination. Naruto wouldn't let fear control him like this. He would keep moving forward, no matter how frightening things became. And Sasuke…Sasuke would face this danger head-on, calm and unyielding. He never let fear stop him.
Hinata drew a shaky breath, forcing herself to mimic their courage. She had to be strong like them. She had survived; she couldn't waste the second chance she'd been given.
"Hinata," Shino said suddenly, his quiet voice breaking her thoughts. "We should stop briefly to reassess our situation."
Hinata paused, looking toward him gratefully. "O-okay, Shino-kun."
They halted near a cluster of dense trees, Kiba immediately sliding down onto a fallen log, running his hand nervously through Akamaru's fur. Hinata knelt carefully, closing her eyes for a moment to gather herself.
Shino remained standing, his tone calm yet cautious. "We're at a disadvantage. That shinobi we just encountered was beyond our level. If we meet him again, we likely won’t survive."
Kiba scowled, frustrated but understanding. "Yeah, that guy, his chakra was something else. I've never seen anything like it."
Hinata opened her eyes slowly, gaze fixed softly on the forest floor. Her voice trembled faintly as she finally spoke, "H-He wasn't afraid of anything. He didn't hesitate at all."
She felt Kiba's concerned gaze on her again, but she didn't look up. Shino quietly continued, "We need to avoid any unnecessary confrontations. Find a scroll, reach the tower, that's our priority."
Hinata nodded gently, fingers pressing nervously together. She was grateful Shino's voice remained steady, composed, even if she herself felt anything but.
"What should we do if…if we run into him again?" Kiba asked hesitantly, unable to hide the dread in his voice.
Shino hesitated only briefly. "We run. Immediately. Survival is more important than pride."
Hinata felt shame burn faintly in her cheeks, but she knew Shino was right. Running wasn't cowardly, not in this forest. Staying alive meant everything right now.
"Understood," she whispered quietly, finally lifting her gaze to meet theirs. "We'll be careful. We…we won't take unnecessary risks."
Kiba gave her a gentle, reassuring smile, Akamaru softly barking in agreement. "Right. We'll get through this, Hinata."
She managed a faint smile, comforted by Kiba's optimism despite everything they'd seen. Even Shino’s quiet nod seemed warmer somehow, supportive in his own reserved way.
They stood carefully, tension still lingering but resolve renewed. Hinata straightened her shoulders gently, steadying her trembling breaths. She wouldn't give up, not after coming so close to losing everything.
Hinata moved quietly alongside her teammates, tension lingering stubbornly in her muscles, yet a newfound determination strengthened her footsteps. Her throat still ached slightly from the earlier attack, but she'd chosen to ignore it. She couldn't let fear or pain hold her back now, not when her team was counting on her.
They traveled swiftly through the dense shadows of the forest, alert and cautious. Yet even as she moved carefully, Hinata found herself growing stronger, more confident with every step. Her recent brush with death had ignited something fierce within her, a burning need to prove herself capable, both to her teammates and to herself.
Suddenly, Shino halted sharply, raising his hand in silent warning.
"Enemies approaching," he murmured calmly, beetles quietly emerging from his sleeves.
Kiba dropped into a defensive crouch, Akamaru growling softly. Hinata activated her Byakugan instantly, veins pulsing sharply around her eyes. She saw three shinobi rapidly approaching, hostile and ready to strike.
"They’re coming from ahead," Hinata said steadily, voice stronger than she'd expected. "Be ready."
Within moments, the enemy shinobi appeared, leaping from the shadows, weapons drawn. Without hesitation, Hinata lunged forward first, moving swiftly, chakra flaring sharply in her fingertips as she struck with precision. She quickly landed several Gentle Fist blows, instantly disabling the first attacker’s chakra points, sending him sprawling unconscious to the forest floor.
Before the second shinobi could react, Hinata spun gracefully, ducking low to avoid his attack. She jabbed upward fiercely, landing two sharp chakra-infused strikes directly into his abdomen. He gasped weakly, crumpling forward, defeated instantly.
Behind her, Kiba stared in stunned admiration, eyes wide. "Hinata! You're amazing!"
Hinata immediately blushed, lowering her eyes shyly. "N-no, it's nothing. I just reacted."
"Nothing?!" Kiba laughed incredulously. "You took two of them down before Shino and I even moved!"
Shino gave her a quiet nod, speaking calmly but with clear respect. "Your skills are improving greatly, Hinata."
She flushed deeper, pressing her fingers together bashfully. "Thank you, but we should keep moving."
As they pressed forward again, Kiba kept praising her excitedly, making Hinata’s cheeks grow warmer. Despite her embarrassment, his encouragement strengthened her resolve.
Eventually, distant shouting and sounds of battle reached their ears. Team Eight exchanged quick, tense glances, nodding silently in agreement before racing toward the disturbance.
As they burst through the trees, Hinata froze, heart plummeting in shock. She saw Sakura kneeling exhausted and beaten, her once long hair now roughly cut short. Rock Lee was sprawled unconscious nearby, badly injured. And worst of all, Naruto and Sasuke lay motionless, their chakra dangerously weak.
Hinata's heart raced painfully, fear surging violently within her as she rushed instantly to their side, disregarding the presence of unfamiliar enemy shinobi.
"Hinata, wait!" Kiba called anxiously. But she ignored him, dropping quickly to Sasuke’s side first, her shaking fingers hovering worriedly above his pale, unconscious face.
"Sasuke-kun…Naruto-kun," she whispered softly, fear trembling through her voice. "Please, be okay."
Shikamaru approached grimly, his usual bored demeanor replaced with wary seriousness. "They attacked Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke. These Sound ninja are dangerous…don’t be reckless."
Hinata glanced again at Sakura’s bruised face, the deep determination etched into her exhausted expression. She felt an overwhelming urge to protect her friends, to repay their strength with her own courage.
Slowly, Hinata stood, fists clenched tightly at her sides, determination flaring fiercely inside her chest. "We won't let them hurt anyone else."
Kiba and Shino quickly joined her, standing protectively around their fallen comrades.
The enemy shinobi, a fierce trio from the Sound Village, smirked mockingly at the newcomers. Their leader stepped forward confidently, eyeing Hinata disdainfully. "You really think you’ll fare better than your friends? Pathetic."
Hinata didn't flinch, her gaze steady, voice quietly defiant. "We'll defeat you."
With a sneer, the enemy charged forward, moving with violent speed. Hinata quickly activated her Byakugan again, eyes sharp, movements precise. Her team scattered swiftly into action, Kiba and Shino engaging the other two attackers.
The enemy leader immediately targeted Hinata, his attacks aggressive, relentless. Hinata moved quickly, calmly, blocking and evading with practiced grace. Her heart pounded fiercely, adrenaline sharpening her senses. Their strikes were swift and brutal, chakra flaring sharply between blows. Hinata ducked low, landing a decisive chakra strike into his shoulder, making him stumble backward angrily.
"You little brat!" he hissed furiously, lunging forward again.
She tried to dodge, but he was suddenly faster, too fast. Hinata gasped sharply as she felt his kunai slice deeply into her arm, hot blood immediately soaking through her sleeve, pain erupting violently through her senses.
"Hinata!" Kiba and Sakura cried simultaneously, fear evident in their desperate voices.
"Hinata, don't be stupid! Back down!" Shikamaru shouted urgently.
But Hinata refused, stubborn determination forcing her trembling legs to remain steady. She gripped her injured arm tightly, blood dripping between her fingers. She wouldn't surrender, couldn't surrender.
"No," she whispered fiercely, eyes blazing with quiet defiance. "I won't back down."
She glanced briefly toward Sasuke and Naruto, still unconscious, helpless, and Sakura, beaten yet courageous. Her heart swelled fiercely with courage. She had to protect them. No matter what.
She faced the enemy again, ignoring the burning pain, channeling chakra desperately into her fingertips. She would fight. She would survive. She would never let them hurt anyone else she loved again.
Hinata stood frozen in place, her heart pounding painfully in her chest as the cold, sharp blade pressed tighter against her throat. Her breathing trembled softly, shallow and quick. She knew if she moved, even the smallest twitch, he wouldn’t hesitate to end her life. Her body quivered slightly, fear chilling her blood as her wide eyes met those of her worried teammates.
"Hinata!" Kiba shouted desperately, his voice strained with helplessness.
"Don’t move!" the enemy shinobi growled roughly, tightening his grip. "One step and this girl dies."
Hinata's breath hitched, heart racing frantically as panic surged violently within her. Then, without warning, an intense wave of chakra suddenly pulsed through the clearing, sharp and violent, dark and unsettling. It was powerful, frighteningly powerful.
Her eyes immediately sought the source of that chakra.
"S-Sasuke-kun?" she gasped softly, eyes widening as she saw him standing upright, awake but utterly changed. Dark, swirling marks twisted menacingly across his skin, and his usually calm, composed face was now hard, cruel, filled with cold rage. Something inside him had shifted horribly, and fear clawed painfully at Hinata’s chest at the sight.
Sasuke’s gaze quickly scanned around everyone, briefly pausing on Sakura. His brows furrowed dangerously as he took in her injuries, his voice cold and sharp. "Who did this to you, Sakura?"
The man holding Hinata chuckled smugly, clearly enjoying this confrontation. "It was me. Everything here is my handiwork."
Instantly, Sasuke's attention shifted to Hinata—his eyes widening with furious realization as he noticed the kunai blade against her neck, the blood staining her arm. His features twisted darkly with anger, chakra flaring wildly around him, activating his Sharingan.
"S-Sasuke-kun…?" Sakura whispered fearfully, stepping forward. “T-This isn’t you.” Sakura stands, attempting to approach him.
Sasuke hesitated for a fraction of a second, as if her words had nearly reached him, but the enemy pressed his blade more forcefully against Hinata’s skin, growling darkly, "Move one more inch and I'll slit her throat!"
Hinata gasped softly, a small, fearful sound escaping her lips, and that tiny cry immediately shattered whatever restraint Sasuke still had. His chakra surged dangerously, a cold, deadly rage filling his eyes. In the blink of an eye, Sasuke appeared beside them, violently yanking the enemy away from her, freeing Hinata instantly.
She collapsed onto the forest floor, breathing heavily, heart hammering as she watched Sasuke brutally slam the shinobi into the ground, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. He grabbed the man's arms, effortlessly twisting them backward with sickening force. The enemy shinobi screamed in agony as bones cracked loudly beneath Sasuke’s ruthless grip.
Hinata trembled, eyes wide with shock, unable to comprehend what she was seeing. Sasuke, her best friend, her gentle, protective Sasuke, was gone. The boy in front of her was ruthless, cold, and violent. She'd never seen him like this, and terror gripped her heart fiercely.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried desperately, tears in her eyes. "Stop, please! This isn't you!"
But Sasuke’s expression remained dark, almost possessed. He twisted harder, rage driving every movement.
Desperate, Hinata pushed herself up despite her trembling legs and ran toward Sasuke. Without hesitation, she threw herself in front of him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face deeply into his chest.
"Sasuke-kun, please stop!" she begged tearfully, voice muffled against him. "This isn't you! Please!"
She felt the chakra around him stinging her skin like scorching fire, but she clung desperately, refusing to let go. Slowly, she felt his body stiffen, his movements halt. She held tighter, trembling as tears slid down her cheeks.
"Hinata…" His voice finally softened slightly, confusion and pain lacing each syllable.
She felt him shift gently in her arms, his tense muscles relaxing slightly as he placed a shaking hand carefully on her head. "Are…are you okay?"
Slowly, she nodded, pulling back just enough to look up into his familiar dark eyes, relieved to see the frightening markings had faded away. "Y-Yes, I'm fine now."
His gaze softened further, genuine relief filling his expression. But then his eyes sharpened abruptly as he gently yet protectively pushed her behind him, turning to glare fiercely at the wounded shinobi. "If you ever touch her again," he growled darkly, "I’ll finish what I started."
The enemy shinobi’s eyes widened in fear, quickly realizing the danger and urgency. Without hesitation, his team quickly gathered him, retreating swiftly into the forest.
The clearing fell into tense silence. Hinata shifted nervously, suddenly aware of all eyes fixed on her and Sasuke. She blushed deeply, embarrassment flooding her as Kiba, Shino, Sakura, and Team Ten stared in shocked curiosity. Quickly, she tried hiding behind Sasuke’s back, cheeks burning hotly, though Sasuke himself appeared completely unbothered.
"Huh…what's going on?" Lee’s confused voice suddenly broke the awkward silence.
"Ow, my head…" Naruto groaned loudly, sitting up slowly, rubbing his temple. "What happened?"
Immediately, Hinata snapped out of her embarrassment and rushed toward him, kneeling anxiously beside him. "N-Naruto-kun, are you okay?"
But Naruto didn't seem to notice her concern, his eyes quickly finding Sakura instead. "Whoa, Sakura-chan! What happened to your hair?"
Sakura's face instantly flushed angrily, but Lee smiled softly, quickly intervening. "I think it looks quite lovely, Sakura-chan."
Hinata felt her heart sink slightly, sadness tugging softly at her chest. Naruto hadn’t even acknowledged her presence, despite her obvious concern. She lowered her gaze, shoulders sagging slightly in disappointment.
Suddenly, Sasuke knelt quietly beside her again, his expression gentle, eyes warm with worry. "Hey," he murmured softly, drawing her attention back. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Hinata blinked, heart fluttering softly at the genuine concern in Sasuke's voice. Slowly, she smiled, nodding reassuringly. "I'm fine, Sasuke-kun."
He smiled faintly, clearly relieved. "Good. I'm glad."
Kiba suddenly stepped closer, glancing suspiciously between them. "Huh, I’ve never seen you look concerned for anyone but yourself, Sasuke. What's the big deal between you and Hinata?"
Chouji and Shikamaru nodded curiously. "Yeah, we're kinda wondering the same thing," Shikamaru added, lazily scratching his head.
Hinata’s cheeks flushed darkly, her mouth opening but no words came out.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow coolly. "If you haven't noticed, we were just attacked by shinobi who nearly killed all of us. Maybe now isn’t the best time to be worrying about gossip."
Kiba blinked, instantly looking sheepish. "Oh…right. You have a point."
Chouji nodded quickly, embarrassed. "Yeah, maybe we should focus on getting out of here first."
Shikamaru sighed, rolling his eyes slightly. "Troublesome, but he's right. Let's move."
Hinata then overheard Sakura whispering softly to Ino, jealousy clear in their voices. "I can't believe Hinata actually hugged Sasuke-kun…I never realized they were that close."
Hinata quickly looked away, flustered, cheeks burning hotter. They’d misunderstood; she and Sasuke were just friends. Best friends.
Gently, Kiba helped her to her feet, giving her an approving grin. "You really did great out there, Hinata."
She smiled gratefully as Shino nodded quietly in agreement. "Thank you, both of you."
When she glanced toward Sasuke again, relief filled her chest as she saw him already bickering with Naruto, back to his usual self. She smiled softly, though worry lingered stubbornly in her heart. Sasuke’s chakra had felt different—dark and dangerous—and she feared what it might mean for him.
But for now, seeing him safe, smiling, and normal was enough to soothe her fears, at least for the moment.
Hinata stood quietly to the side, heart slowly calming as everyone began to recover from the intense battle. Sakura stepped toward them, exhaustion evident on her face, but genuine gratitude shining through her eyes.
"Thank you for showing up when you did," Sakura said softly, her voice gentle and sincere as she met Hinata's gaze. "Hinata, Shino, and Kiba—you protected us all. I don't know what would've happened if your team hadn't arrived."
Hinata blushed deeply, her eyes darting downward as embarrassment and pride swirled warmly in her chest. She pressed her fingertips together nervously. "N-No, Sakura-san… I-I didn't do much at all."
Kiba grinned widely, puffing out his chest confidently as Akamaru barked proudly beside him. "Aw, Sakura, no need to thank us! Team Eight is always ready to save the day, especially me! Right, Akamaru?"
Hinata felt her cheeks flush even deeper, slightly embarrassed by Kiba’s exaggerated confidence. Shino quietly shook his head beside them, clearly used to Kiba’s boasting. Sakura gave a tired but amused smile, nodding along politely.
"Of course, Kiba," Sakura replied softly, glancing warmly at Hinata, who shyly returned the smile.
But Naruto suddenly jumped forward, eyes wide with surprise as he looked at Hinata properly for the first time. "Wait, Hinata, you protected them? Seriously?"
She felt her heart leap nervously at Naruto finally noticing her, heat rising quickly in her cheeks as she managed a shy nod. "Y-Yes, but it really wasn't—"
"Why do you sound so surprised?" Sasuke interjected coolly, his gaze sharp and serious as he stood beside her, arms crossed over his chest. "Hinata is strong—stronger than you realize. You shouldn't underestimate her."
Naruto blinked, mouth falling open in shock. "W-Wait, really?"
Hinata’s face burned brighter, embarrassment and confusion mingling inside her as she glanced hesitantly toward Sasuke. She knew what he was trying to do, even if it embarrassed her.
"That's incredible, Hinata!" Naruto shouted, smiling broadly. "You're way stronger than I thought!"
"T-Thank you, Naruto-kun," Hinata whispered softly, trying desperately not to faint as her cheeks flushed deeply.
Rock Lee nodded enthusiastically, a bright smile stretching across his bruised face. "Of course! Such strength is to be expected from a member of the Hyuga clan. My own teammate and rival, Neji, is very powerful as well."
Hinata immediately flinched, her cousin’s name sending a cold chill down her spine. She quickly looked away, shame washing quietly through her chest. Even now, she couldn’t escape the pressure and comparison she felt whenever Neji was mentioned.
As everyone slowly prepared to move again, Hinata silently noticed Sasuke lingering close to her side. His expression remained calm, yet she could feel his quiet, persistent worry. A faint pang of guilt tugged at her heart as she remembered how confidently she'd told him earlier that she didn't need his protection—that she'd be the one to protect him instead.
Yet here she stood, painfully aware that she'd nearly lost her life twice already—first to that terrifying red-haired shinobi, and then just moments ago. She pressed her trembling hands together, lowering her eyes. Despite Sasuke’s support, she still felt so weak.
Shikamaru sighed heavily, stretching lazily as he glanced around. "We should all get moving again. This forest isn't exactly the safest place to linger."
"Right," Sakura agreed, carefully brushing dirt from her clothes. "We need to get to the tower soon."
Naruto quickly jumped forward, grinning widely again. "Alright! Let's hurry up and finish this!"
Hinata glanced up quietly as everyone began regrouping, taking careful steps forward. She felt Sasuke’s presence still hovering quietly nearby, and though part of her felt comforted, another part worried deeply. His chakra earlier had felt dark, frightening, and entirely unlike him.
As they all moved slowly forward, preparing to part ways, Hinata's gaze drifted silently toward Sasuke. He moved calmly, his eyes now carefully composed, but she noticed the way his jaw tightened subtly every time he thought no one was watching.
Quietly, she vowed she would grow stronger, not only for herself, but also for Sasuke, who had always protected her. She refused to keep relying on him, to keep burdening him.
Next time, she silently promised herself, she would protect him in return.