hey guys, I know I haven't written anything in forever, but that's actually not true I just haven't published anything because my stupid computer keeps crashing.

anyway, this story is based after Naruto has left to train with killer bee and it is basically taking a look at what was happening to Hinata during that time.

I can't stress this enough there are MAJOR SPOILERS within this fic if you are NOT up to date with the manga or haven't at least read up to chapter 559 then DO NOT read the epilogue. the story it self has miminal spoilers but the epilogue does -so you've been warned-

I don't own Naruto or anything to do with it really. it's all Kishimoto's. (enjoy my story ^^)


Towards the sun

The wind swayed his long brown hair back and forth as he braced himself in a fighting position. His cold chilling violet orbs locked on his opponent as he kept his head held high in dominance. "Come" his voice demanded in a single tone as his opponent raced forward without a moment's hesitation.

He ducked under a powerful strike as he knocked her back with an attack of his own and charged forward with his next attack, not allowing the young konnochi to regain herself.

She skilfully dodged his attacks as she dropped to the ground swinging her legs back around to knock him down. Neji's eyes flickered briefly as he was slightly taken aback from the attack but managed to regain himself quickly as he spun around to face his cousin panting heavily as she built a steady stream of chakra in her hand.

"Eight trigrams: Vacuum wall palm!" she cried out as she thrust her palm forward causing the air around her hand to ripple slightly as her chakra bolted forward. Neji grimaced as he raised his arms above his face to shield himself from the blow. He smirked against the pressure as he raised his gaze, watching as his cousin pulled her arm back for another attack.

Her teeth clenched against the strain of chakra that continued to pound against her palms. "Ha!" she cried out as she pumped her other hand forward. Her chakra swirled around her hand as the air rippled against its force. Hinata groaned through her teeth as she tried to focus her chakra but just as all the other times she tried to actively use this technique the chakra around her palm disbursed forcing her to her knees as she lost control…again.

Neji's eyes softened as he lowered his stance and gazed over his cousin barrelled over with her bangs hiding her face from his view.

Hinata's chest rose and fell harshly as she tried to gain control of her laboured breathing. Sweat raced off her forehead as she stared down at her hands clutching the small crisp grass between her fingers. 'Why? Why can't I do it?' she screamed inside her head squeezing her eyes tightly together.

"Hinata-sama, that's enough for now" She gasped quietly as her cousin's voice reached her ears. She lifted her head to meet his as she forcefully pushed herself to her feet shaking her head.

"B-but Neji-nii san I can still keep going" as if to prove herself she stood back in a fighting position and tried to build whatever remaining chakra she could to her balled fists.

Neji's hand grasped her fist snapping her from her determined state as he shook his head. "No Hinata-sama. You've already reached your limit there's no point in pushing yourself further" His eyes locked with hers as she slowly lowered her hands pulling away from his hold.

Her pure lilac tinted eyes gazed down at the ground as she slightly nodded her head. Neji sighed he could read his cousin like an open book. He knew she wanted to get stronger and would therefore push herself immensely during their training sessions to the point where she was near collapsing. He knew that Hinata was strong and too hard on herself at times but he still couldn't fathom the idea as to why she was suddenly trying so hard to get stronger.

"Besides…" he continued catching the young girl's attention. Neji smiled as his cousin caught his gaze "I could use a break too" he offered as he walked over to their belongings that rested idly on an over turned tree log that had been left after the destruction of Konoha. Hinata returned the favour as she realised her cousin's subtle praise; she smiled over at him as she nodded her head in agreement and sat down on the log gazing over the training field.

It had been over four months since the destruction of her village, four months since she selfishly jumped in front of the Akatsuki leader Pain and her long time love Naruto. She smiled sweetly at the thought of the flamboyant blonde. Not a day—no, a minute went by that she didn't catch herself thinking about the sun kissed jinchuriki. Some days she'd regret it as it often lead her into a state of mild depression as she knew she wouldn't be able to see him for a while or ever again if something were to happen during the upcoming war.

She quickly shook her head of the thought as she looked up at the crystal blue skies and white fluffy clouds listing lazily in the atmosphere. 'I can't doubt myself. I need to get stronger so I won't be a burden on everyone…and…' she faintly blushed at the thought, old habits die hard she mused herself 'and so I can return and see Naruto-kun again'

"Hinata-sama?" Neji questioned whilst looking at her slightly rosy cheeks. Hinata smiled as she turned her attention to her cousin, her bangs blowing against her face slightly as the wind encased the two sending a pleasant feeling over them since their bodies were still warm from all the training.

Uncharacteristically Neji blushed slightly as he looked out over the landscape catching glimpses of bits of debris still left to be cleaned after so long ago. "Would you mind If we ate the lunch you packed now?" he finished not daring to look at her face as he was embarrassed to admit that he was hungry and waiting for her to offer him some, but seeing as how she was spacing out and not even looking at him or the food he had no choice but to interject her daydream so he didn't die of starvation.

Hinata gasped slightly as she looked down at the lunch she had packed and mumbled a soft apology (to the food) as she had completely forgotten about it. "y-yes of course" she smiled as she opened up her pack and pulled out a large bento box. She opened the lid to reveal a variety of mouth-watering foods she had prepared earlier that morning. She pushed the box closer to Neji slightly catching the excitement that flickered through his eyes before he masked it over with a small 'thankyou' as he reached for a large onigiri.

"NEJI!" he froze in place, the onigiri inches from his mouth as he recognised the voice immediately. 'Damn it' he cursed in his head as a large dust cloud obstructed his line of vision. When the smoke cleared the first thing the Hyugas noticed were plain, green spandex and a shiny bowl cut of black hair, there were only two people in the whole village who dared to show themselves in public looking like that.

"G-Good morning Lee-kun" Hinata greeted as she bowed her head slightly to her cousin's teammate and slowly growing friend; Lee smiled down at her giving her his best 'good guy' pose as his teeth gleamed against the sunlight.

"Good morning Hinata-Chan! How are you this fine youthful morning?" he responded a lot louder than the purple Hyuga heiress.

"G…Give it…a rest...would you...Lee…" the trio turned their attention to a heavily panting TenTen as she struggled to gain control of her breathing. Lee grinned down at her as she rested her hands on her knees struggling to remain on her two feet.

"Ahh TenTen you tire to easily running five laps around Konoha should be an easy warm up to start the day" he tossed his head back slightly as he let out a proud chuckle at his statement. Somehow he knew if Guy-sensei was here he'd be proud of him for continuing with his intense training and 'can do anything' attitude.

TenTen clenched her teeth as a vein popped at the side of her head. She had hoped with Guy-sensei gone she could relax and train in a much more relaxed and easy way, but it seems her hopes and dreams were shattered before her eyes when Lee made sure neither her nor Neji slacked off during the time that Guy-sensei was away.

Hinata giggled nervously as she looked over team Guy with slight disbelief and relief. Thanking whatever lucky stars she had that she wasn't on their team. The laughter was silenced as Neji's stomach made a desperate cry for the onigiri still clutched in his hands, catching the attention of everyone around. Neji blushed slightly as his eyebrow twitched in frustration not daring to look at anyone as he silently obliged its wish and bit into the onigiri.

As if realising Hinata bolted up right with a small blush on her cheeks as she held the bento box out towards Lee and TenTen "…Here would you like something to eat?" she offered with a small smile. TenTen beamed as she stepped forward and looked at all the delicious food whilst licking her lips.

"Thank you Hinata-Chan! I'm starving!" she cheered loudly as she took some of the food and sat next to Neji and ate away. Hinata smiled glad that everyone enjoyed her cooking; a faint blush dusted her cheeks as she wondered how Naruto would react to her food.

"Mmm…Hinata-Chan you're cooking's amazing! You're a great cook!" Naruto grinned as he continued to eat her food. Hinata blushed cupping her face within her hands, embarrassed by the compliment.

"T-thank you Naruto-kun" Naruto smiled sincerely, his warm loving smile that always made her heart melt as he shuffled closer leaning in close to her face.

"Hinata-Chan… from now on will you cook all my meals for me?" he asked sounding out her name slowly as his strong tanned hand grasped her own small delicate one. Her eyes locked with his electric cobalt orbs catching her in a slight trance as she nodded her head causing the blonde's smile to widen. "…Good…" he sounded leaning even closer, so his lips were mere centimetres away from hers "I'm glad…"

Hinata squeaked loudly as her hands cupped her burning red face as she shook her head from side to side with a blissful smile on her face.

Neji, Lee and TenTen watched on with confused faces as the young Hyuga heiress continued to blush at her day dream, completely oblivious to the trio beside her. Suddenly Hinata leapt to her feet as her blush softened against her smooth pale skin. She looked back over her shoulder at the three with an apologetic smile as she waved down at them. "I-I'm sorry…I just r-remembered I'm supposed to be helping Sakura-Chan with the medical supplies today. I-I'll see you later" she waved over her shoulder as she raced away from the trio still slightly confused about what just happened.

TenTen arched an eyebrow as the young Hyuga vanished from sight "do you think it had something to do with Naruto?" she questioned slowly going back to the heavenly food Hinata had made. Lee and Neji nodded simultaneously without taking their eyes off the food before them.

"Naruto-kun's been gone for a while now, Hinata-Chan probably misses him" Lee voiced his thoughts aloud whilst taking a small bite of the dango in his hand.

TenTen's eyes lowered as she thought back to the purple Kunoichi's obsession over the blonde and nodded slowly feeling slightly sorry for the girl as she knew how hard it would be on her to be separated from either Lee or Neji for that long.


A/N: well there's the first part. don't worry this is a one-shot, but because I got keyboard happy I thought it be too long to have it all as one chapter so I spilt it up into 3 chapters and an epilogue.

well that's all from me tell me what you think (but be gentle I bruise easily) ^^