Summary: Naruto, along with many others, die in the Fourth Shinobi War. The Sage of Six Paths still needs someone to host the nine-tails and be the meeting place for all the tailed-beasts. Hinata steps up and offers herself, saying she will hold to Naruto's beliefs and would like to do what he was unable to. However, things to not go as expected, when does it ever. See full summary inside.
Hinata, due to her unhappiness and inability to save/help her friends, is taken back into the past during the end of the Third Shinobi War. It is Hinata's chance to change the lives of everyone she loves and lost. Can Hinata get the entire Shinobi world to end their war and work together? Or is she going to fail, causing more problems than she solved? And what goes wrong…because something always, ALWAYS goes wrong.
Find out, with a Fox that enjoys running commentary, an Eight-tailed Ox that rhymes, a flying Beetle that sings nonstop, a Slug who's only spoken language is sarcasm, a Horse with too much energy, an Ape with anger issues, a Turtle that blows raspberries, a Cat that only ever sleeps, and a Raccoon that always has to one-up the Fox.
Warning: mentioned character deaths (in the beginning), canon characters may seem a bit out of character (Circumstances and I'm not perfect), absence of prominent Shippuden characters (for now), Naruto does not remain out of the story permanently…I repeat: Naruto's lack of appearance isn't permanent.
Chapter 1 Heavy Hearts and Hated Beauty
Quote 1: Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live. -Norman Cousins
Time Rule 1: Once the Traveler has gone back in time, they will live in that time forever.
(Once a Traveler has traveled once, it is impossible to travel again. The stress of the Universe having to reWeave the Traveler's existence, is too great to repeat. The Traveler would die due to the stress of being reWoven, again.)
Hinata sighed in content, a smile on her face, her eyes closed. She lay on the cool grass in the park, the sun bathing her in warmth. It was nice to not be fighting, worrying about friends, or having the troubles of being the daughter of a Clan Head.
The day would be perfect. Keyword: would. So many lives had been lost, during the war. More than ever expected and yet…the ones lost were the ones that were the most likely to survive.
Neji…Ino…Kiba…Naruto…None of the Konoha rookie teams had their original three members. Their jonin-sensei's…Gai-sensei was damaged beyond compare, Asuma-sensei was gone, Kurenai-sensei just had her baby, the only one left in fighting order was Kakashi-sensei, he was Hokage now.
You know, Kit, you shouldn't think about the past. The smooth deep voice of Kurama echoed in the back of her mind. There's nothing you can do about it.
Hinata sighed, allowing herself to sink deep into her mindscape, until she came to the enormous cell that held the Nine-tailed Fox Beast. Based off his comments, it looked a great deal like the one Naruto had held him in, except that nearly the entire time Kurama had been in Naruto, the cell had been sealed. Kurama was not sealed in Hinata, but was there by choice, thus the golden gates were wide open.
The Fox was lounging on the floor, his head in his arms, his eyes closed.
"I know that, Kurama-sama, but it's hard not to think about them. It hurts so much." The young Hyuga argued, sitting down in front of him, with her legs crossed.
One great golden eye opened, to regard her for a moment, before it closed again. "Sorry to break it to you, Kit, but the pain never goes away, and things are always changing, whether we want them to or not."
Hinata sighed, looked down, never noticing when the Fox opened both eyes, to study her. "I know that as well. It doesn't change my feelings. I know the pain won't go away, but maybe, eventually, it will dull. I'm hoping, eventually I can think past them, stop seeing them everywhere I go. But for now, I just need to get used to the fact that they will never come home."
Hinata didn't mean too, but tears began to pour from her pearly eyes. "I-i-it's…so str-str-strange, not to have Neji-nii-san to practice with. I'll ne-never see Kiba-k-kun, again, and Ak-Akamaru." She sighed. "Ino-Ino, Naruto…"
She stopped, burying her face in her hands. "I'll never see Naruto-kun's smile again."
The Fox was silent, but there was no need, for a different voice spoke up, this one rough and deep, like a rockslide. "I may not like that dumb Fox very much, but I do understand one thing, Squirrel. Life is pain, ain't nothing going to change that, but that doesn't mean you give up. You just find something that helps you forget the pain…even if it is for a little while."
Hinata looked up at the small but fierce form of Shukaku that now sat just in front of her. "Hello, Shukaku-sama. I am sorry if I bothered you with my tears, again."
"Don't pay him any mind, Chickadee." Matatabi purred in her soft alto, her beautiful fiery form sauntering out of the darkness. "He's always been indelicate when it comes to the feelings of others."
Hinata stifled a giggle as the sand Raccoon growled. She accepted the glowing blue form of the Cat as she crawled into Hinata's lap and allowed the young girl to pet her. Her purrs warmed Hinata, though she couldn't tell if it was on purpose or not.
"Thank you, Matatabi-sama. I believe what Shukaku-sama said made sense." The Cat purred a little louder but didn't say anything. Shukaku growled again, but Hinata stopped him by reaching out with her free hand and began to pet him as well. "Do not be angry with Matatabi-sama, Shukaku-sama. Everyone had their own opinions, it is your right as intelligent creatures to have one and voice it. You don't have to agree, either."
"Kukukukuku!" Hinata jumped slightly, looking up at the Fox as he burst into malicious laughter. "You are something different, Kit. Reminds me a lot of the brat."
Hinata tried to smile but couldn't. Tears filled her eyes, again. "Good. Naruto is someone everyone should strive to equal." She leaned over and nuzzled Matatabi's head, too lost in her memories to notice as the two small Tailed-beasts beside her glared up at the Fox.
"Way to go, Moron." Shukaku hissed. "We cheer her up a little and you bring her back down." Matatabi gave a small agreeing hiss.
The Fox smiled at them maliciously, baring all his sharp pearly teeth. "We all know, the kid wasn't her soulmate."
Matatabi threw him a deadpan expression. "So, that doesn't mean you throw his name all over the place. Soulmates or not, she still loved him, and it still hurts that she lost him."
The Fox shook his head. "You, two, are hopeless. I'll talk about it later, if you're interested, but for now, someone's coming."
Seeming to sense it too, Hinata sat up straight, looking over her shoulder. "I have to go. Thank you for the comfort, Kurama-sama, Shukaku-sama, Matatabi-sama."
She stood and bowed respectfully to all, before emerging from the mindscape she'd dubbed the Kurama's Place. She blinked at the brightness of the sun, surprised at the place of it. It had been early morning when she laid down, but it was already late afternoon.
With a sigh, Hinata stood, brushing herself off, just as her sister appeared at the edge of the park. "Hinata-nee, Otou-san wishes to speak with you."
Hinata nodded. "Thank you, Hanabi-chan." All she got was an infuriated huff in return.
Hinata sighed again. That was another problem. Due to her being the Meeting Place for the Tailed-beasts, Hinata was now revered as a war hero, right up there with Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto. For reasons beyond comprehension, Hanabi was angry with Hinata, at this.
Hinata didn't want to be the hero, she just wanted to be useful. She was never strong enough to protect those she cared for, never strong enough to stand at Naruto's side, never strong enough to save him, when he died.
So, when given the chance, she stepped up and agreed to be what Naruto couldn't. Perhaps with all the Tailed-beasts communing inside her, she could be of use. She could help, fight, and be better, where before she wasn't. Hinata only wished she could have done so, before so many had died in the war.
Hinata withheld a sigh as she listened to her father drone on and on about whatever it was he was talking about. He'd been speaking for nearly ten minutes and just like everyone else, she'd tuned him out.
It was late, she was tired, and all she really wanted, was to sleep.
They had held the Memorial for the Fallen, today. The entire time, it had been sunny and bright and beautiful, though the ground had been thoroughly watered with the tears of the survivors. Hinata had overheard, and agreed with, the many people that muttered their hatred toward the beautiful day. The day deserved to be dark, thunderous, ominous, it deserved to reflect their hearts, heavy and full of new painful scars.
"The day had been heavy, but tomorrow we rebuild." Hinata jerked out of her revere at her father's words. "Go now and sleep, for tomorrow starts a new era, an era of peace."
Hinata didn't know about their new gained peace being permanent, but sleep sounded good. She rose, with everyone else, and headed for the door. Whatever gods that existed hated her, because before she reached the door, her father called her back.
"Hinata."
"Otou-san." She bowed respectfully.
"You are a hero of war, Hinata, yet you would bow to me?" The way he asked it, indicated an ulterior motive.
Hinata was aware of this. "You are my father and Clan Head, Otou-san, I will always bow to you."
He nodded with satisfaction. "Very well. There is a meeting of the Elders tomorrow morning. You will be there."
Hinata resisted the urge to sigh. "Yes, Otou-san. Good night."
"Sleep well, my daughter."
Hinata nodded, before leaving, making a beeline for her room. She avoided everyone she could and purposefully ignored the rest. Sleep is all I want. She thought, a little to Kurama, or any other Tailed-beast present, but mostly to herself.
You know, with just one of us present, you don't need sleep? Kurama informed her as she dressed for bed.
Yes, Kurama-sama, I do know. However, I'm not aiming to rest my body, I want to rest my mind. Hinata sighed. I'm so tired of everything. I need something to do, and not something menial. I need…I need another war. I know that sounds bad, but now with all of you, I can fight and be helpful. I don't want another war, but I want to do something, be strong, and use all my new power, for the better. I want to do something, anything.
Kurama was silent for a moment. Rest up, Kit. I can't promise my solution is the best, but I do have an idea in mind.
Hinata's interest was peaked and she began to burn with curiosity, but Kurama had withdrawn, going down deep into her mind, where all nine of the Beasts meet in the mindscape Hinata had named the Tailed-Place. Hinata could have followed, of course, but she figured, if he was going to tell her, he would have. Now, it would simply be best to do what he said and wait for him to tell her his idea.
Hinata laid down in bed, smiling slightly at the gentle murmur in the back of her mind. The last thing she thought before going to sleep was, how lucky am I? I will never be alone. They, all the Beasts, may be a little rough around the edges, but they are strong, mature (when necessary), and thoughtful. I am glad to have such companions that will never leave me and never die.
She didn't realize her thoughts were heard and heeded.
She didn't realize, though they had all met and been impressed by Naruto's loud goodness, they were even more impressed by Hinata's shy strength.
She's taking us places. Kurama murmured to his siblings, and they agreed. This soft warrior was taking them higher than they could have with Naruto. Naruto was a hero and a savior…
Hinata…Hinata was an angel and with her, the Beasts were going to Heaven.