A figure watched as her as she swung on the swing set, her feet kicking out every so often to gain momentum. Her indigo locks floated in the air as she swung higher and higher. Oh how liberating it was, she hadn't felt like this in a long time- too long.

He stared at her, marveling at her carefree nature. He'd been around many people, but no one has looked as open and kind as the woman he observed. She was a subtle beauty, it had taken him a long time to realize that, by then it was too late. He shook his head; he shouldn't be thinking such things.

"It's time to go."

The woman paused from swinging, firmly planting her feet into the ground below her. She came to an abrupt stop. The placid expression on her face was lost, now replaced with quiet curiosity. Her brows furrowed as she turned to the figure that addressed her.

"The event shall commence in two hours. It's time to get ready."

She stared at the man who spoke to her. She had known him for years, yet not really. She knew very little about him personally, he kept to himself and was considered by many to be brilliant.

She nodded in acknowledgement and silently followed behind him.

They passed many trees on their way back. The wind rustled the leaves and branching, causing them to dance with every gust. Orange leaves trickled down, landing on her shoulders as she made her way to the Compound. How she relished autumn, it brought a soothing sense of calm with the wilting of the flowers. It was as if things were slowing down- allowing her to catch her breath.

She paused, looking up at the cloudy sky. Her face extended out towards the heavens as she breathed in the fresh scent of rich soil and leaves.

"Hinata? We must hurry." The man watched as she savored the beauty of nature. His breath caught as he saw the smooth expanse of her neck extended back to bask in sight before her.

She leaned back forward and offered him another tentative smile. He wanted more, but knew it was not for him to have.

She turned around and walked right ahead of him. He watched her intensively as he followed. Not taking note of the woodland before him, his ankle caught on a wayward tree root and he fell onto her.

His front slammed into her back, causing them both to fall heavily to the ground. He could feel her soft skin and fragile bones beneath him. She was so soft. He breathed in her heavenly scent, waves of jasmine and lavender invaded his senses. He was in bliss.

He could feel her trying to get up, but his weight was too much for her to bear. He didn't want to move- he wanted her to remain in his grasp.

"Oye! Hurry up- it's almost time to start, the final preparations need to be made" a voice from across the distance was heard. He was shaken out of his stupor and removed himself off of her. He extended a hand out to help her get up. She took it graciously and brushed out her clothes as she stood. Her cheeks were flushed crimson red and her hair was tangled with leaves, Kami she was beautiful. She offered him another small smile and then ran through the woods.

He was left staring after her, watching her move further away from his life. Shaking his head, he resumed following her, this time from a safe distance.

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Naruto studied his dark-haired friend as they sat in at the ramen bar awaiting their food. He had mellowed a lot since the incident a few years ago. Naruto knew better than to expect a complete turnaround in behavior, with all things considered, and so he found the ability for his pseudo-brother to relax to be comforting. It showed change; he was healing.

"Ne Sasuke, what time is do you start your ANBU guard station?" Sasuke looked up at his best friend- no his brother, the only brother he considered himself to have. Itachi was nothing. He was just someone who occupied a small part of his life a long ling time ago. He didn't consider him to be family; he was an acquaintance, an enemy, a betrayer.

"Nine. Kakashi wants me to take over Chouji's shift." Times had changed; Kakashi had become Hokage a few years ago. The Three Sanins of the Leaf had met their demise within the same year; Orochimaru being killed by him, Pein killing Jiraiya and Tsunade died along with the Akatsuki Leader during their fight. Everyone had thought that Sasuke would become the new Hokage of the Sound, but he declined. He didn't want to be in control of anyone or any village; he didn't even have control over his own thoughts. His nights were plagued with memories of the past- haunting him, never letting him forget.

Sasuke shook his ahead, no point in lamenting on the past and his problems. Looking to the blonde on his left, he smirked as he watched Naruto slurp up his noodles. He was still a kid at heart, he was happy for him- Naruto had kept onto whatever innocence he could, enabling him to enjoy life.

"Stop staring at my gorgeous face teme- as much as I like you, I don't feel the same. I prefer the softer, curvier, FEMALE gender myself." Naruto quirked as he glanced at Sasuke, he had wanted to lighten the atmosphere as he felt a deep shadow cast over Sasuke's mood.

"Dobe." Sasuke lightly smacked Naruto behind the head, and then turned to his miso soup.

The pair began eating their ramen in silence, quite a rare treat, especially with Naruto around.

"Ne Sasuke, have you spoken to Sakura-chan yet?" Naruto asked quietly as he swirled his chopsticks in the noodle soup.

Sasuke looked up from eating slowly. He knew something had transpired between his two teammates, but wasn't sure what. They had just been avoiding each other for the past few days. He hated when people intruded on his life, so just left them to their own devices.

"I spoke to her yesterday."

"Oh." Naruto rubbed the back of his head, as if thinking about what to say. He then rested his crossed arms on the table, "What did she say?"

"…"

Naruto laughed uncomfortably, "I just wanted to know how she was."

"Ask her yourself."

"C'mon Sasuke don't be a hardass, you saw her, how was she? Mad?"

Sasuke looked at Naruto directly in the eye, causing the blonde to feel uncomfortable with the piercing gaze, "My shift is going to start. You want to know about her- then you talk to her. I am not playing this game." Sasuke got up and grabbed his ANBU gear and mask. Putting on the darkly painted mask, he swiftly made his exit.

Naruto stared at the location Sasuke had inhabited just moments before. Leaving some bills on the table by his half-eaten ramen, he exited the bar. He needed time to think. He didn't know what to do, but then when did he ever?

Walking down the dirt road, he kept his eyes lowered. He couldn't face the world; he was scared of their judgment. Pairs of feet danced moved to an unknown tune and he walked on aimlessly. Lost in thoughts, he failed to see a figure stepping out of the Yamanaka's Flower Shop.

They collided. A bouquet of carnations erupted, cascading flowers all around.

"Ano…sorry Naruto-kun." Hinata apologized as she scampered to collect the fallen flowers. Naruto aided her in picking them up.

"Sorry Hinata-chan. I wasn't looking," Naruto said embarrassed as he handed Hinata the ones he collected.

Hinata offered him a small smile and then turned around to continue on her destination.

"Ne, is today the day?" Naruto had just remembered the importance of the day to Hinata, making him feel more like a jerk than he already did for crashing into her.

"Hai…" Hinata turned around and faced him with glassy lavender eyes. She had gained confidence over the past year, much with the help of Neji and Lee. She had lost her stutter and was no longer obsessed over Naruto; she had grown up.

"Gomen…"

Hinata approached Naruto and rested her arm lightly on his forearm, giving it a slight squeeze she then took her leave.

Naruto was left staring off after her. Looking up at the overcast clouds, rubbed his forehead, "Kami-sama, I'm such a baka."

Thunder clapped and lightening flashed and thick droplets of water fell from the sky.

Naruto was left in the middle of the street, looking up, letting the anger cries of the skies drown out his thoughts.

Sasuke stood at his station, allowing the cold water to douse his skin and senses.

Hinata squatted at the Hyuuga Cemetery, as the showers beat on her back.

"Gomen Otou-sama…I will try my best. Please bless me." Placing the water beaten flowers at the headstone, she bowed and made her way to the Hall. It was time for her to take and accept the seat as the new Hyuuga Head.

It was the one year anniversary of her father's death and the day of her inauguration.

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"Natsume, come I will show you the next lesson." She grabbed a fish from a bucket and placed it on the operation table.

"Fish can survive outside water for a short period of time. This one has been out for a little while; try to revive using what I taught yesterday."

"Hai sensei."

The pink-haired woman stared out the window, she suddenly starting hyperventilating as she noticed the blonde ANBU standing out in the rain. She felt as out of breathe as a fish out of water. Tears silently ran down her face; her heart cried with the heavens as she recalled the sequence of events that had transpired.

"Sakura-sensei?" Sakura hastily wiped her eyes and faced the genin before her.

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A/N: They are all in their earlier 20's between 21-23 years old. This is my trial at a more developed, somewhat dark fanfiction, good or bad? Constructive criticism greatly appreciated.

Will update in a few weeks.