It was very dark, and cold. Moving seemed difficult.
“Is this the girl?” asked a deep, cool voice.
“She’s as Orochimaru-sama described. It was quite easy capturing her.” Replied another.
“Hmph. She doesn’t look like much.” The cool voice sounded closer.
“It’s the same with Naruto-kun, is it not?” said the other voice. It wasn’t as deep as the first.
    Hinata struggled to lift her heavy eyelids. She gasped as she realized where she was. Her back was laid down flat against a long, bed-like rock. She noticed nothing   was wrapped around her. Why is it that she couldn’t move?
“Oh look, she’s awake.”
Hinata turned to the direction of this voice, to her right side. Her eyes widened in shock. This figure didn’t look human. His eyes were like beads. Under them were slits that looked like gills.  His smile contained sharp teeth. And to make things more unusual, the figure’s skin was light blue. Like the ocean. The girl started to hyperventilate. Her heart raised, and beat hard against her chest. She could almost   hear it.
    The figure sat on the stump of a rock, grinning like a nightmare. “I think she’s scared of me.”
“With that look on your face, I wonder who wouldn’t be.” Stated the cool voice.
Hinata turned to its direction on her left. This figure looked more human. Although the bottom half of his face hid behind the large collar of his black cloak, she could see appealing features. But his eyes. They were what struck her the most. They looked down on her with no emotion at all. And they were red… she couldn’t help but think that this person, this man, looked familiar.
“He looks just like his brother doesn’t he?” said the shark-figure to Hinata’s right.
She turned to him as a response. A questionable look on her face. She couldn’t speak. Her body was almost completely paralyzed.
A name was trying to find its way into her head. The name of this blue man looking at her. Seemingly guarding her. Ki… Ki… it started with a Ki. That’s all she remembered.
    “Itachi, why did Orochimaru-sama want this girl again?” asked the blue man.
Hinata struggled to look at the man to her left called Itachi.
Itachi… he sounded familiar.
“Something about her being a threat. He had an unusual dream.” He said in such a relaxed way.
If she could, Hinata would gasp in surprise. A dream? Like the one she had?
“If she’s a threat, shouldn’t we kill her, here and now?” Hinata looked to her right in shock. She saw the shark-man lift a large object slowly into the air. It looked too thick to be a sword.
This girl was sure her heart could be heard by these men now. It beat rapidly.
“Don’t tease, Kisame. Orochimaru needs her.” Commanded Itachi.
Kisame, that’s his name. Thought Hinata. She looked at Itachi. Her face was puzzled. “And I myself am curious as to what this girl is capable of.” He continued.
Kisame lowered his weapon down. He looked disappointed.
“Why don’t you call him Orochimaru-sama like all of us do?”
Itachi was quiet for a moment. Then he looked away.
    “No one is my master.” Was his reply. Kisame seemed to sigh.
Taking the opportunity, Hinata twisted her head around to observe her surroundings. It was a large cave, lit brightly by some light powered by what seemed like chakra hanging from the high ceiling. A hideout? Thought the girl.
She heard wet footsteps coming towards her. Her head couldn’t turn to its direction. So she stayed still, and let sweat form on her already wet skin.
“Orochimaru-sama.” Said Kisame as he stood and bowed. Itachi did the same.
“We’ve caught what you’ve asked for.”
Hinata could feel Orochimaru grin. She heard him walk even closer towards her, and finally, saw him hover over her, getting a good look at her cold face. A lump formed in her throat. Her chest started to hurt. Her mind seemed to scramble.
“Hinata-san, I didn’t expect that you’d be useful for something.” Said Orochimaru casually. He walked to her left side, and took Itachi’s rock seat.
“I’m sure you’ve had an unusual dream as I did. About a green stone with immense power.” Hinata responded by looking away. She would shiver if she could.
“The only reason you and your group would be traveling alone is because of this green stone.”
    Hinata’s eyes widened in shock. How would Orochimaru know?
“From a source, I know you’re looking for this stone to stop me. To give power to the strongest ninja, and fight me for the sake of your pathetic village.”
Hinata closed her eyes. She wanted all this to be over.
“I don’t want you to find it for Konoha.” Continued Orochimaru with his cold voice.
“I want you to find it for me.”
With disbelief on her face, Hinata opened her eyes and looked at the snake-man to her side.
    “I know you won’t do this willingly, but I have my ways. If you don’t do this for me, you and your friends will suffer horribly. Go through different calamities. Die slowly.”
The girl’s eyes widened in shock. Could Orochimaru really do that?
“On this island, I am God. I’ve gained control over anything, and everyone. This is my territory, and soon, the larger islands will be, too.” His voice made Hinata sick. She wanted to spit. And anger for her was unnatural to feel.
“Your friends are here. I’ll give you until tomorrow morning to decide. And that is in about…” he seemed to look outside. Then back at her. “… five hours. Choose wisely.” With a horrible smile, he walked out of the cave.
“Why were his feet wet?” asked Kisame.
“He was at the beach making sure you were dong your job. He was quite pleased.” Replied Itachi coolly.
    Kisame sighed. “Orochimaru-sama doesn’t trust me enough yet. I guess it’s our fault for almost killing him. At least he’s agreed to spare us and share with us his power when he’s gained enough.”
It was silent before Itachi replied.
“Do you really believe that’s the truth…? He’s killed all the Akatsuki members except for us… It’s suspicious.” Itachi sounded almost angry as he said this.
Kisame didn’t respond. He merely sat back down on his stump, and looked at the cold stone floor.
    Hinata closed her eyes in agony and confusion. Why me? Why do I have to choose? Her choice would be Hell either way. And she only had five hours to decide. She could feel tears sting her eyes. Her heart felt heavy, and ached.
Help me… Sasuke-kun… Naruto-kun….