Author's Notes: Okay hey everybody. This is my first fanfic, so be nice! This story takes place in the future where everybody is around 19 years old. And now without further ado, enjoy.­­­­­­­­­­­­

"Today. Today is the day I tell him," whispered the lavender-eyed kunoichi to herself.

Hyuuga Hinata had been dreaming about this day forever, the day she would tell her one and only crush how she truly felt about him.

Seven years before today, it would have been impossible for Hinata to profess her love. However, with the coming of adulthood, Hinata had lost much of what made her, in her mind, weak. She stopped stuttering (much to the approval of her father, Hiashi) and she stopped tenting her fingers in her own, awkward manner. Hopefully, these would make her more noticeable and less embarrassing to be around

Losing her awkwardness was not the only change that Hinata faced. She had also grown her deep violet hair down to her shoulders, even threatening to reach her lower back.

Haruno Sakura, her new best friend, had also taught her how to apply make-up. Although Hinata would've liked to have believed this was done simply out of friendship, Sakura felt Hinata was, "a pale, boring girl that no one would give a second glance to," those being her exact words.

Even though they stung the young Hyuuga's ears, in her mind she knew it was true. Time and time again, Hinata had thought herself to be nothing, tumbleweed in the wind if you will.

Her wardrobe had also undergone a few changes, although not as drastically as her personality had. She still wore her trademark Hyuuga coat, and it was unlikely she would ever give it up. Beneath the coat, however, Hinata wore more (ahem) "womanly" clothes to show off her new features, again in an effort to get Naruto to notice her.

"Today is the day I make Naruto-kun mine."

Meanwhile, on the other side of Konoha, Uzumaki Naruto was getting ready for his big day. Today he was officially going to become a jonin. After training with the toad sage Jiraiya for two and a half years, it had become clear he was ready to advance to at least a chunin. Since he came back, his skills increased exponentially.

Grinning to himself, Naruto said aloud, "Heh. Once I'm a jonin, becoming Hokage will be a piece of cake! Dattebayo!" Just then Naruto's stomach growled violently. Sighing inwardly, Naruto knew he couldn't take his test on an empty stomach.

At least his seemingly infinite hunger hadn't changed. This once idiotic genin had also undergone some drastic changes. First and foremost, his clothes had changed the most. Due to Jiraiya's harsh training, Naruto was forced to lose his usual get-up.

FLASHBACK

"Naruto, you really should find a new uniform," sighed Jiraiya gently. Thinking to himself, 'it really is a wonder this kid has never been injured in battle.'

"Nani? No way Ero-Sennin!"

Jiraiya's eyes twitched at his new apprentice's nickname for him. "You are changing your clothes or I am not training you!"

At this Naruto quieted down. 'I have to do this. It's Sasuke's only hope.'

Noticing Naruto's faraway glance, Jiraiya knew he had to try a different tactic. "It's not that I don't like them, it's just that you're basically telling the enemy where you and your team are. I'm sure Orochimaru would see you from a mile away."

The mere mention of Orochimaru's name sealed the deal. "Hai Jiraiya-sensei!" said Naruto clearly. Then, to himself, "anything that will get Sasuke back."

"Well, we are going to need something darker, preferably black, but grey is fine too…"

"I have one request Ero-Sennin. I will wear new clothes, but there has to be a little orange in I," Naruto said, grinning sheepishly.

Jiraiya sighed. "Fine. At least it's a start."

END FLASHBACK.

Instead, he now wore a black suit similar to his previous one, only it was now primarily black instead of orange with orange stripes running down his sides. Not only that, but the suit itself was about five inches bigger than his previous one, only to fit his now growing masculine frame.

Besides his clothes, Naruto's personality had changed quite a bit. He was no longer the Number One Hyperactive Knuckled-headed Ninja that his former sensei, Hatake Kakashi once dubbed him. He was now a mature young man, perhaps even on the verge of responsible.

It was there the differences ended. Besides growing a few inches, cutting his whiskers down to a respectable size, and letting the blonde spikes that he called hair grow out a bit, Naruto was basically the same person he was before he left Konoha seven years earlier.

"Oh well. Becoming a jonin can wait," said Naruto, grinning stupidly. "Off to Ichiraku Ramen!"­­­­­­­­

Even outside of Konoha, the spirits were high. Unfortunately, they remained high for a different reason. Deep in the forests well outside the village, ancient foes of Konoha were waking up, desperate for revenge.

"Aiken. Report."

A small but wiry man winced. It had been nineteen years since he had seen his master, so is was only natural to receive a warm welcome. Unfortunately, this was his master's way. Being called a dog was one of the nicest things ever done for him.

Personal names (Aiken's was Izanagi) had long lost their purpose in this gang; they were easily tracked and next to useless.

"W-well B-b-byakko-sama (A/N white tiger), the targets h-have grown substantially. Many even p-p-possess unique kekkei genkais."

At this, Byakko's ears perked up. "Kekkei genkai? Why was I not informed sooner? At the very least stop stuttering Aiken. I have plenty of subordinates to take your place, so killing you would be quite simple."

"H-hai Byakko-sama!" Aiken knew this was not a hollow threat. At least five other men were killed before he reached his position. "Unfortunately, the Jinchuriki that we are after possesses no such trait, but he is a quick study. From what I have seen, he mastered the Rasengan in less than a week."

"Well well Aiken, it seems as though you aren't completely useless after all." Aiken's eyes filled themselves with hope. "However, due to my… other sources… it seems you have been seen and put on the radar."

"B-but Byakko-sama this is impossible! I have been framed I swe-swear!"

Byakko smiled. "I know. Can I trust I will never here this again?"

Aiken couldn't believe his luck. His master's mercy resembled that of Orochimaru's, if not less. "Hai! I will not give any reason to fail you again!"

"I know. Now get out of my sight. I have other things to tend to."

After bowing down to his master one last time, Aiken got up to leave. However something was wrong. He seemed to be completely paralyzed, totally unable to move his body at all.

"B-byakko-sama…?"

"Don't worry. It will be over soon."

Aiken was not even able to draw another breath. Before he was able to blink, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down on his normally scar-free body, he noticed something completely different: his master's sword protruding from where his heart was located.

The only movement Aiken was able to do was to cough up his blood. Clutching his sides, he tried to remove the sword; however, it seemed as though it had a life of its own. The sword refused to let go, grabbing his organs which soon begin to burst in succession.

"Even in death you will serve me," whispered Byakko. "I know you won't fail me there."

Aiken was beginning to loose consciousness. Glancing up at his former master one last time, Aiken closed his eyes and was finally laid to rest.

"This will make an interesting welcoming present to my, ah… former… village." Byakko never laughed. He never cried. He simply got up from his seat, taking his late subordinate with him. As with personal names, emotions had also lost their purpose.

"Soon you will all be mine… ninja of Konoha…"

Yay first chapter done! Constructive criticism is much appreciated.