Note: This story is a continuation of The Uchiha's Bride, so if there are readers who haven't read it yet. I suggest that you do…because you won't understand half of this story if you don't. Anyways, to my old readers…enjoy!

-paragraphs that are written in italics are flashbacks or thoughts.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

-o-o-o-

Chapter One: Schemes

Hinata stared in horror as Neji's hand grabbed Sasuke by the neck. "Get off her." The Hyuuga genius growled, his Anbu masked still attached to his face. Hidden behind it, the heiress knew that his byakugan was activated. He flung Sasuke off her with such force that the Uchiha landed on the farthest corner of the room, breaking hard wood on the process.

Even before Sasuke could get up, Neji was already upon him. Hands blazing with deadly bluish chakra, he directed the hit of his fist into the Uchiha's chest.

Hinata screamed.

Sasuke vomited blood.

She knew Sasuke could defend himself even in the worst of conditions, and his senses are as accurate and deadly as he wants them to be, but why can't he even defend himself from Neji's attacks? She knew he could dodge it; he was good at these kinds of stuff. She saw him defend himself, outnumbered fifteen to one—why?

Then she realized it…

The Uchiha was not fighting back in purpose…he was letting Neji beat him into a pulp.

"Sasuke!" Hinata ran to where the Uchiha was kneeling, his hands on his midsection while blood was dripping from his mouth. He was still wounded from the mission—that alone made his body weak and in pain—now add a gentle fist from her strong cousin and Hinata could only fear for the worst.

Neji's hand stopped her from reaching the young Uchiha. Gripping it tightly, he removed his mask off his face and looked at her. "Hinata-sama…what the hell are you doing?"

Before she could answer, Team Taka materialized inside the room and in a flash, Jugo was already crouching in front of Sasuke defensively—face menacing and his killer intent boiling.

Suigetsu stepped up, placing his body in front of Neji, his sharp teeth showing into a malicious smirk. Behind him, Hinata could see Karin kneeling to where Sasuke was, taking him into her arms and wiping blood from his lips.

"Sasuke-"Hinata almost whimpered at the sight.

"Look what you did!" The Uzumaki redhead raised her voice, her blazing eyes directed at the heiress.

Coughing more blood, which was now dripping on his bare chest, Sasuke raised himself up shakily—the gentle fist messing with his heart pace which made it a little harder to breath—and raised a bloody hand up. "No Jugo…Suigetsu… Don't fight them."

"What?" The white haired Taka member scowled. "You would let it pass? We could handle this Hyuuga—"

"No." Sasuke's voice was firm. Looking up, he met the Hyuuga girl's white eyes. "I don't want any harm to come to Hinata."

-o-

Hyuuga Hanabi watched in shock and horror as she witnessed first time one of the things she never expected to see in her lifetime.

Neji and Hinata arguing.

"Hinata-sama…" Neji paced around the living room of the Hyuuga ancestral mansion. "Why?"

The Anbu has tears on her eyes, her head bowed down to the floor. "Nii-san…you did not have to hurt Sasuke-kun. He…he was not doing anything to harm me."

A smirked passed on the male's face. "Really? Watching him on top of—"Neji stopped and glance at Hanabi, who was wide eyed and frozen in a corner. "Hanabi-chan…why don't you go inside your room?"

The girl walked out of the room nervously, relief flooding through her as she doesn't have to make an excuse for her way out. The aura inside the living room was too much to bear for a fourteen year old.

"Nii-san…" Hinata tried to form out words but failed. Trying again, she took a step towards him, hands raised in a gesture to calm him down. "Sasuke…is...is...my boyfriend…and I may not be able to tell you because I am afraid that—"

Cringing, Hinata knew then that she has chosen the wrong words. Good heavens…she was not really good at using words for her defense since she was a kid.

"I'm going to kill him." The Hyuuga prodigy growled.

"Nii-san...you have already hurt him…and he was not fighting back. Sasuke-kun may not look like it but…but…he cares for me. I can feel it…please Neji-Nii… Don't act harsh…it may bring danger to both of you."

Rubbing his temples, Neji let his breathing ease down. The sudden knowledge of his innocent cousin having a boyfriend—not to mention that he has witnessed them making out—was a little too much for him. Maybe Hinata was more aware of these kinds of things than he expected her to be.

"Nii-san." She was giving him those wet eye looks he can never say no to. "Please…give Sasuke a chance…And don't go on a rampage or something…I am an Anbu. I am capable of taking care of myself…"

"But I thought you were being…raped or something."

"N-no."

"Well…that was what the redhead girl told me when I was passing by."

Hinata blinked. "Uzumaki Karin? The one with the spectacles?"

"Hmm." Neji removed is vest, threw it in a corner and dropped on the sofa. Feeling his energy drained from him, he rested his head back. "I…I'm just…I don't know what to say Hinata-sama." For it was true—he really doesn't know what to say, for he usually let his actions speak for him. And right now, all he wants was to strangle Uchiha Sasuke. "Maybe because… this is so not you?" He let his head lolled to the side in order to see the heiress. "Gomenasai Hinata-sama. I did not mean to raise my voice at you. I just want you to know that your safety is always my top priority—"

"I know Nii-san." The girl sighed. "And it also pains me to see you disappointed." Flopping next to him, Hinata looked at him pleadingly. "But please…trust me in this—"

"I don't want you getting hurt."

"Then I would face the results of my actions bravely." Taking a lock of Neji's hair in her fingers, she gave her cousin a faint smile. "Arigatou for being worried Neji-Nii…but I will take the reins from here."

-o-o-o-

"Now...would you still refuse my offer?" Karin asked as she rolled up the sleeve of her shirt, revealing bite marks that has been mostly made by Sasuke in the past. "If you won't...your heart is going to stop Sasuke. I can feel it weakening by the second."

"Ay..." Suigetsu rubbed his forehead. "And what was that Anbu doing here all of a sudden?" Looking at Karin, he raised his eyebrow. "Karin…I saw you outside a minute before that Hyuuga suddenly appeared. Have you noticed him?"

The Uzumaki lowered her gaze, avoiding anyone's eyes as she continued to shove her arm in front Sasuke's face. "No….I did not see any Anbu…I…I'm just getting fresh air, since we cannot leave the compound without Anbus following our trail."

"Shit." Sasuke hissed as felt the muscles around his chest area tighten. Coughing more blood, he wiped it with the back of his arm. The Hyuuga prodigy was good in hiding his chakra; he never felt that he was near the mansion. He was usually alert at all times, but his focus was solely on Hinata before that Hyuuga attacked. That may be the reason why did not take heed of anything that was happening around him.

Feeling the needle-like pain on his vital organ, Sasuke has no choice but to grabbed Karin's hand and bit it, hearing the girl gasped in pain and surprise. The moment his teeth contacted the skin, he could feel his heart rate returning back to normal and his other injuries instantly healed.

Rubbing the bite mark that was starting to turn reddish, Karin smiled. "See…your all better now."

"Hn."

Suigetsu snorted as he watched Karin tend to her arm lovingly. He knew Karin usually acts like an idiot every time Sasuke is around, like stealing his toothbrush or something, but sometimes, he cannot help but wonder how weird the girl was. "Jeez…Karin."

"What?" The girl snapped.

"You looked freakishly happy...It's scary." He pointed out. "There's something in that smile of yours that unnerves me."

A smile appeared on Karin's face. "Well, I am happy."

"You're happy that Sasuke bit you?" Suigetsu shuddered. "Damn lady…you're weird."

-o-

Hinata was not able to see the young Uchiha again for the rest of the day. Even though she was worried about his condition, she trusts his Taka member friends to take good care of him. Even if she wants to go check on him, she has assumed that it was not the right time yet—the Taka members looked pissed when she left.

I'll see him when everything cools a bit. She told herself, mentally easing her worries that were starting to eat her up.

Though her resolve broke later that night.

Thinking about Sasuke's condition was driving her crazy. She just can't help think about him—the scene where he coughed blood was just running in and out of her mind, making her blanched and uneasy. Finally making her mind about seeing him tonight, she grabbed her jacket and fumble around the ties of her Kimono, wanting to be swift but her clumsy fingers just making it harder. "Damnit."

"I never heard you cursed before…"

She froze.

Wheeling around, her eyes widened when she saw the person she was worried about sitting by the window. Eyes staring at her with that kind intensity that she was beginning to get used to as they spend more time together. "Sasuke…" She studied him, noticing that he was looking much better when she left that morning. "You sneaked in…again."

"Your sister helped divert the guard's attention…she likes me." Softly landing on the wooden floor, Sasuke pocketed his hands. "So…where are you—"

Hinata did not let him finish, but tackled him into a bear hug.

"I'm worried…" She admitted, burying her face into his chest.

-o-

"We're leaving as soon as Kankuro gets his wounds healed." Temari informed the Hokage as she leaned on the metal bed post. She and the rest of the other injured nins where staying at Konohagakure's hospital for the meantime, letting the famous medic, Tsunade Senju fix them up.

Kakashi nodded. "You don't have to worry. Our medics are very competent and skilled."

The Sunarian shook her head. "Not a single doubt Hokage. Our village are allies and close friends after all…there is no need for doubts between us." Looking outside the window, she let the fresh breeze dampen her face. This was one of the things that she like about Konoha—the sweet, fresh air. The air in Suna was gritty because of the sand, and hot because of the intense heat. "I just wanted to go back as soon as I can…I am Gaara's advisor in arms…and my presence is always needed there."

"I understand." The copy ninja smiled at her beneath the mask. "Though, some things could make your stay here worthwhile. Gesturing at the door, Kakashi took a step back to let her see.

"Yo…" Shikamaru raised his hand up in greeting, the other in its usual place inside his pants pocket.

-o-

"How did you heal so quickly?" Hinata asked, eyeing his face which was now wound and bruised free. She was still inside the circle of his arms, which he would not let go the moment she was trapped into it. Feeling the movement of his chest as he breath, she cannot help but be aware of her heated face. "Nii-san's technique is very powerful. Weak nins could be dead in seconds after impact."

"I did not survive years ago just to die in a gentle fist technique." He told her, loving the way the Hyuuga princess looked in her white velvety kimono. It was the first time that he was seeing her like that aside from her usual jacket get-up and Anbu attire.

"Neji-Nii will have a fit if he knows you're here. You should have let me come to you instead…"

"Hm."

"I…I was about to come, but you beat me into it." Hinata admitted, eyes darting at the unlocked door. "How did you…manage?"

"Karin."

"Oh…" She nodded weakly, lips pressed into a thin line. Karin—the one who blew it all. "Oh…I see…"

-o-o-o-

Reviews! That's all I ask of you dear readers…lol…most of my reviews from the last are mostly panic messages! I have so much fun reading them. (Some readers thought that the whole story is over when I mark the Uchiha's Bride "completed")…nah…I'm just getting started.

Oh…if you want to check some scenes from this story, just visit my deviantart account. (crazygurlterra12)

Don't worry guys, you know I write fast.

-crazygurl12