Hello. I wrote this fic long ago and posted it but I was hit (as usual) with something commonly called "writer's block" and deleted the fic, unfortunately. It's now back online, with a few modifications. I hope to hear comments from readers soon :D

Stand by me

Chapter 1

In the most utter silence of the night, fireworks exploded into brightening coloured stars and the crowd immediately erupted into gasps of admiration, whistles and laughter. The first fireworks were majestic and those that followed lacked of surprise but the people enjoyed them anyway, happy to be out in the night in groups to attend one of the most promising festival of the year, Konoha's festival. It was an occasion to celebrate their hometown village and its kage, and a lot of strangers came to assist to the festivities, tourists seeking for a night of pleasure and freedom in such a protected city. Kids ran around with cotton candy while the parents watched after them lazily, letting the children having fun for once without them around.

Hinata also did the same, though she reached an age that she could go around without being scolded. She walked past the stands, looking with envy people participate into games of fishing or ring throwing but the large numbers of strangers slowed her curiosity and she contented herself to observe their euphoria. The pale lavender kimono suited her elegantly but behind her father's back, she had grabbed her eternal coat and as soon as she was out of his sight, she had put it on. As always, she hated revealing her feminine forms to anyone, even to Kiba and Shino who were her partners since four years.

She was now sixteen and passed the Chunin exam barely one month ago, after the third attempt. She had hoped that her Father would be pleased but deep inside, she knew what to expect. Hanabi also passed the exam at the same time and succeeded on the first try, as expected. He congratulated them both, even hugging them like a parent would do with his children. Yet, while he took Hanabi in his arm with such obvious joy, he gave his older daughter a simple hug, barely pressing his arms under her shoulders. He still hasn't removed his title of heiress of the Hyuga Clan but if she had failed one more time the exam, he wouldn't have hesitated to do so and she knew it.

The young girl continued her path, avoiding bumping into people. It was a hard task, as it seemed that the whole village have gathered together as one tonight. Even the ninjas that were out on missions hurried to finish their jobs to enjoy the festivities. She herself just arrived from one three days ago, along with Kiba and Sakura. She also heard that Naruto came back one day before her.

She still held a crush toward the Kyubi-host but the strong feelings that she nourished for him has faded over time, leaving only the admiration that she always had for the way he lived his life, not to mention the physical attraction that the teenager had on her. At twelve years old, she never really considered his physical appearance as an aspect to look at but four years later, he became quite handsome and she always perked in his direction, her heart pounding ever so strongly when he smiled. He had trained so much that his body also changed nicely, minor the normal process of becoming an adult, leaving some girls not indifferent to him. Despite all that, she couldn't help but think that it was hopeless to think of him as her possible boyfriend. Even if she confesses her feelings for him, he would just think that she loved him as a friend. Yes, he was that dense.

She reached what seemed the limit to the installations of the festival when she noticed that less and less people hanged around that area. Before her, the forest extended on miles and she merely hesitated an instant before entering in the woods. Hinata really didn't want to stay around any longer than she already did, their presence making her feel uncomfortable when her two friends didn't accompany her.

The night had fallen since a while and she had a hard time advancing but she soon recognized the training grounds and moved forwards with a little more confidence. There was no need to be scared by the dark shadows of trees. Ninjas were trained in many ways, including moving silently in the shadows after all.

Her favourite spot appeared in her view and she took off her sandals, leaving them on the grass. The fresh grass under her bare feet made her shiver and she sighed in relief. It has been such a long time since she hasn't done that. Back when she was a kid, she loved running in the yard without her shoes on and her father often reprimanded her. Of course, he disliked seeing her doing something else than training but she was a child after all and she could enjoy a little of free time. She liked feeling healthy grass and sand between her toes or the texture of a rock when she climbed on one.

Hinata finally settle down on the ground, her arms behind her body to support her weight and she stared at the sky. The sound of fireworks had diminished but she could see them up there. Here was one that had the shape of a heart; that was certainly cute. And this one looked like the symbol of ninja's headband, the symbol of Konoha. This last one sparked off a horde of happy shouts. Everyone was proud of their village, including her.

Absorbed in her activity, Hinata failed to hear the footsteps that were coming in her direction until it was too late. She turned around and gasped and a strong hand stopped her from saying a word, pressing a clothe while the other one pushed her on the ground roughly. As soon as the person that assaulted her removed his hand, she let out a high-pitched scream but was quickly slapped in the face.

Dazed by the blow, she didn't register what was happening but she felt the cold metal of her headband pressing against her mouth. She noticed how sluggish her body suddenly responded. Her mind made the connection with the clothe; it must have been damped with gas, but it was too late. Meanwhile, the person moved on top of her and she was stuck there, unable to wiggle her way out. Her eyes wandered to her aggressor; the person was wearing a hood and strangely, sunglasses too. She figured by the shape of the body that it was a man but her thoughts were interrupted when her kimono was pulled up her waist and her underwear slipped down her thighs.

Horrified, she struggled against her fate despite the gas confusing her senses. His touches repulsed her to the core of her being. His gentle kisses to calm her down only did the opposite. The man whispered affectionate words to her ears while pressing his body against her and she responded by using her head to knock him off her. Visibly tired of the little game, he took his own pants off and went ahead with his desires, hurting her when he dug his nails into her pale skin.

It only lasted ten minutes but she hated every one of them, crying silently through this hell. Once he was done, she was past struggling and shedding tears. Her head on the side, she watched him leave with empty eyes, emptier than the Hyuga's.

Shikamaru did nothing to suppress the yawn that was coming in great force. Instead, he opened his mouth widely, exhaling the air out of his lungs. He put his behind his head and stared at the blue and white sky, looking vainly for something worth his interest. He was growing annoyed with the whispering behind his back, but every time he turned around to see what was going on, the two girls immediately stopped and looked at him innocently. Then he would go back in front and after a minute, the whispering would start again. Women…

He was paired up with Tenten and Hinata for this mission and when he asked Tsunade-sama about why she would put together such different people, she had shrugged, saying that there was no particular reason to this. It just happened that their files were on the top of her stuff and she decided to give it a try. He really didn't understand women. What had become of strategy? He wasn't fit to work along the Hyuga heiress and that loud mouth Tenten. He wasn't even fit to work with two girls!

In terms of abilities, the three of them had totally different fighting style. While Tenten always resorted to weapons of all sorts, Hinata used her Gentle Fist jutsu taught to Hyugas from generated and he inherited the shadow imitation technique from his father. They have never worked together before so the chances of problems rising up increased much more than if Ino and Choji backed him up. However, he wasn't called a genius for nothing and would make any formation work.

Moreover, he couldn't stand all the attention and details that women often brought along with them. The first night they spent together, Tenten not-so gently forced him to sleep far away from the camp and he had been happy to comply, though the warmth of the fire tended to make him approach the camp discreetly. Also like now, they were having, again, their little personal chatting. Walking with them was such a drag.

While Shikamaru rummaged on this, Tenten pulled on Hinata's sleeve of her coat pleadingly. Hinata asked herself if her friend would ever stop nagging her. She was getting tired of this. "Hinata, you know that you shouldn't be on this mission. If something happens, you might lose your-"

"Don't say it, please. Shikamaru might hear us."

"Don't worry, he's not even interested in our conversation. Come on, let that lazy bum and I do the work and then we can go talk to the Hokage." Tenten was determined to win over this argument, but somehow Hinata knew how to hold her ground when something was very important to her.

The Hyuga heiress shook her head violently, bringing her small hands to her chin. "No, there is no way that the Hokage learns about this. As soon as I get rid of the child, I'll be able to take other missions so there is no sense in alerting her. Alright?" This was the unfortunate truth; she has been raped on the night of Konoha's festival.

After her aggressor left, she had remained in the same position that she had been forced to but after a while, she managed to crawl all the way back to the village, still disoriented by the drug. The fear that someone could discover her in that state motivated her more than anything. She quickly adjusted her kimono and fled back home when her forces came back and slid under her blankets with her clothes still on. She had heard of raping at school, as it was a common fear among girls. Informed by nurses, Hinata had learned that it was normal to feel the way she felt; dirty, shameful, alone. It wasn't her fault, she kept repeating herself, and it really wasn't. Yet, she felt like vomiting all the time, wanting to reject His presence inside her. That was until she really started vomiting.

It had begun three weeks after the event, one peaceful morning. She woke up at five and literally ran to the bathroom, leaving over the sink to throw up. After the third morning, she decided to keep it a secret. It never crossed her mind before now she could be pregnant. However now, the possibility seemed so real that it would give make her head spin. It was one of those days when the desperation had grasped her heart and that she had fell on the ground while walking that Tenten found her.

Her cousin's sparring partner had brought her under a tree and poured water down her throat. Worried, Tenten had insisted to know what was going on and helpless, Hinata had revealed what happened to her and her fears.

Ten weeks after the incident, there was no mistaking it; she was definitely pregnant. The breasts suddenly taking more size, the fatigue and mostly, the lack of period proved without a doubt the presence of a stranger inside her body. As much as she always wished to be a mother, she wanted nothing to do with this child that came from her rapist. She would get rid of it in a well fought battle and continue her life as if nothing happened.

"Noooo this is bad!" The female kunoichi contested violently. Her higher tone of voice drew unwanted attention on them and she threw Shikamaru a mean look. As soon as he turned his head around, annoyed by all of this, she resumed what she has been saying. "Hinata, you can't make yourself abort! This is your child, after all!"

"Well you aren't the one in this situation, are you? I will do whatever I think is best for me!" Hinata snapped at her. Infuriated, she speeded her pace and joined up with Shikamaru, who said nothing. Tenten stayed back for a while, looking at her cousin's friend. She has never been really close with Hinata but from what she knew about the girl, she was gentle and shy, always making sure that she bothered no one. Yet, as her pregnancy progressed, she changed drastically, losing patience with people and feeling often angry. Deep inside though, Tenten believed that Hinata had a hard time coping with everything at the same time and since she was the only one that knew about her secret, she was also the only one that could help her.

Shikamaru glanced towards Hinata and frowned. The Hyuga girl was steaming! He would never have thought to see the day that she would get angry. He always saw her as a passive person that let the others order her around. Her character didn't fit with the job's description at all. Noticing that the young man was looking at her, she glared at him and he quickly turned his gaze back to the road. Yup, this was going to be troublesome indeed.

It's hard to work on an old fic. The story is good, but it's the way that it is written that doesn't please me. It just means a lot of work to do!