Prologue


-Naruto

It was never a good day from the life of a ninja to lose a comrade in battle; but this one was different. It was raining outside as people were walking with umbrellas to prevent them from getting wet. But there was one who was getting drenched. His name was Naruto Uzumaki and he was getting out of the hospital with a cast on his arm. He was wearing only black shirt with an orange swirl and his orange pants. His jacket was ripped and got it thrown away. Naruto was different now: he was once his sad and depressed self when he was a kid. This was a heartbroken emotion when he came back after trying to bring back Sasuke. But in the aftermath, they fought against each other and he failed to bring him back.

And when he left, the nurse at the front desk felt bad for him. He was always the main person ending up in the hospital and filled with critical injuries. She didn't even care if he was a demon; he was only human with something in him. And what hurt her the most was one of his friends came by and told him something that hurt him.

-Flashback-

The nurse, named Lily, did her daily routines as she carried a tray of food to Naruto's room. Instead of hospital food, it was just a cup of instant ramen that could satisfy the patient a little bit. She always helped him out ever since he was a little boy after all the others barely helping him. She was on her way to his room until she heard something inside the room she was about to reach.

"S-Sakura!"

Lily recognized that voice before and decided to head close to it. It was none other than Naruto who didn't expected any guests, except one of his friends and teachers who came to welcome him for recovering from his deadliest battle with him and Sasuke. She thought he would be happy for him, but there was a change of tone as she decided to take a peek through the door. She only saw an old man with white hair, Naruto, and his friend with pink hair with a sad look.

"Are you okay?" Naruto asked calmly as he sees Sakura in a sad mood. He soon realized how Sasuke meant to her and failed to keep his promise to her. "Sakura... I'm sorry. I tried to bring him back, but he... tried to kill me and-and he lost it! I had to fight back! P-Please, Sakura! J-Just forgive me..."

Once again, Sakura stood by the window and started to have a small tear coming down her face and thought about how she lost the only person that meant something to her and that broke her. But the worst part was that she had to put Naruto in that situation. She just saw him with a cast on his arm and some cuts patched up. She felt like she was a weak member of the team and didn't want any of this to happened. Why couldn't she be stronger? Why couldn't she be a little nicer to Naruto instead of hitting him? And why couldn't she had the chance to confess her heart to Sasuke?

She then faced Naruto and spoke, "Naruto... I think... we should not talk for a while... Goodbye..." And with that, she ran out the door with tears coming down faster and a broken heart. Lily witnessed this and stood back and saw the poor girl running away and decided to look back at Naruto, who was shocked in fear to what Sakura said to him.

Naruto's heart shattered into pieces and couldn't believe it. He suddenly had tears coming down to his eyes as Naruto then lost everything: Sasuke, his promise, and now Sakura. He never knew how much this meant to him as he felt that Team 7 was broken apart. 'Why? Why do I have to be an idiot? Why does this always happen to me ever since I tried to make it better? I don't deserve to be the next Hokage because of this! How can I be so stupid?' Naruto thought painfully as he felt like dying inside like when the time villagers called him a 'demon' and a 'fox brat'. Through all that, he still have those memories plagued in his mind.

Naruto cried more when tears came down more. He was still feeling sadness to not notice a touch by the Toad Sage. Jaraiya never expected this from him to feel so down like this and felt hurt about what he's been through to try and get Sasuke back. He then thought of something. "Hey, Naruto." Naruto soon gained some composure and looked directly into Jaraiya as he still had some tears going. "I know it's not much, but it's time I take you out to do some three year secret training. The Akatsuki are planning to move in and try to kill you if you're not strong enough. Also, I'll help you manage to control the Kyuubi's power if you ever lose yourself again.

Naruto soon wiped his tears away and asked, "When do I leave?"

"We will leave in one week. I decided to let you do some things here before we go. Say farewell to some friends, have fun, and live a little. I need you to try and get motivated before we go." Jaraiya soon head to the window and opened it up. "I'll see you later, Naruto. And be ready..."

The Toad Sage left and have Naruto thinking about what to do in one week. Naruto started to think he'd be better off leaving the village than doing anything to relax him. But for Lily, she had tears on her face as she couldn't take any of the pain Naruto was in. He deserved better than anything like it. But right now, she had a job to do and a patient to serve.

"Naruto?" Lily was gaining a little composure to show him she wasn't crying. Naruto just stood silent and didn't feel like speaking. "Well... If you want your lunch, it's on the table if you need it."

Lily hopes that Naruto would go crazy about his favorite food but no avail. She sighed and decided to look at the patient one more time. And before she knew it, Lily gave him a little kiss on the cheek.

Naruto was stunned a little and turned around to see the dark-haired woman smiling a bit.

"No matter what, you're still a hero." She left and had Naruto thinking about what the nurse did for him. Maybe he had something to cheer him up a bit and noticed something. Lily almost reminded him of a certain shy girl he met before.

"H-Hinata?"

-End Flashback-

Today, he left the hospital. Lily hope that Naruto will feel better and get out of his depression. And through his tough time, he don't nothing bad happening to him.

"Get well soon, Naruto..."

Right now, Naruto said it to his apartment and got out the rain. He was drenched in so much water and felt sleeping. He quickly got out of his wet clothes, though managing to ease the pain from his arm, and switch to his bed clothes. He didn't bother eating anything, he barely got a chance to grab something before the incident at the hospital.

Naruto was never going to find happiness after what happened. He just headed to his bedroom and try to get some sleep. Naruto didn't deserve this: his life was already was filled with hate, depression, and cruelty. He wished that there will be one person, only one special person, to care for him for what he does and be will be there for him. As Naruto got inside his bed, he pulled the sheets on him as he looked at the rain outside his window. To Naruto's thoughts...

He hopes tomorrow will be a better day.

-Hinata-

Hinata, the shy kunoichi of the Leaf Village, was having tears coming down her face as he life felt like it was over. There was something different to where she was living at. She was not in her bedroom; it was more like on someone's couch. Hinata was sleeping in her sensei's home. For that reason: Hinata was kicked out of her own clan and her true home she once lived in. She was sad to why she deserved this and how could her own father do this to her. It was too much for her and she felt alone before her mother died.

-Flashback-

It was just a cloudy day as Hinata was done sparring with her sister, Hanabi Hyuuga. And after many losses, Hinata picked up the win and Hanabi went down, very surprised and amazed.

"Wow, sis! You beat me! You actually beat ME!" shouted Hanabi.

Hinata just smiled a little after admitting it was true. "Yeah, but I was worried if I might have been rough a little."

Hanabi giggled. "It's alright, big sis! Man, I thought you would never beat me! Wanna try it again sometimes?"

"Okay, we will." Hinata nodded as she picked her sister up. Both the Hyuuga sisters were always like family to each other after their mother died. Hinata always feel a little jealous that her sister gets the attention than her, but Hanabi just like to give her sister a little credit. The only thing that was making Hinata nervous and scared was getting the approval from her father: Hiashi Hyuuga.

"Hinata Hyuuga! Your father wishes to see you." One of the guards called out to the shy girl as Hinata was wondering what her father wants. "Don't worry, sis! I'll be with you!" Hanabi said gracefully as Hinata shook her head.

"It's okay, Hanabi. Let me do this. I just don't want you involved in this that may affect us differently." Hinata said with concern for Hanabi, but the little one understood. They gave each other a hug and they went their separate ways.

Hinata felt a little bored since Neji came back with Naruto and the others since they tried to bring back Sasuke on a dangerous mission. Neji had some bruises, but he'll be okay. The only thing that made Hinata worried was Naruto. She fears the worst to what may happen to him and couldn't tell how he may be doing. But lately, one of the rookies said he will be alright.

Thankfully, Hinata just peacefully and wished to have Naruto up to full recovery. Everytime Hinata thinks about him, her cheeks began to blush bright red and her heart starts to jump. She only wish she could see him once again to even talk and check on him. But right now, she has to handle her father.

Hinata reached to the front door and knocked. She suddenly heard a voice through the other side, sternly speaking, "Enter." Her father seems a little tense as she enters inside. Hiashi was just finishing reading his book and took a sip of his tea. He then noticed Hinata was standing there with a nervous look. "Come here, Hinata."

Hinata came closer until she was halted to stand almost a yard away. "Yes, f-father?" she stammered.

"Hinata, I have seen you fight some tough battles in your life. In every effort, you try your very best to correct the mistakes you've made to improve yourself. But now, enough is enough!" His voice turned angry and it scared Hinata a lot. "After the Chuunin Exams, you failed to make something out of yourself but fail until you just back away and cower like a scared little girl! And what's worse is that you can't even defeat your own sister through many sparring matches without a single win. One is great, but can you replace the 36 matches you failed to make up?"

Hinata burst into tears and fell to her knees to beg him for forgiveness. "F-Father-"

"Don't you DARE call me by that name! I would never be the father of a weak daughter! I don't even think that you will be placed of the Hyuuga Curse Seal because of the pitiful attempt to become the new Heiress of the Hyuuga Clan. Hinata, you have about ten minutes to pack your stuff and leave this clan forever. From this day forth: You are no longer a Hyuuga member... And you are no longer my daughter!"

Hinata then got up and burst through the doors with tears coming down her face. Her heart just shattered and never felt so put down by anyone who called her the weakest Hyuuga of her clan. She made it to her room and closed the door as she just grabbed everything she could get for her time to leave. Tears were falling faster and she didn't even care to who it may be at the door. But to her surprise, Hinata heard a familiar voice.

"Sister?"

Hanabi was by the door and wanted to know what was wrong. Hinata then had more tears coming down as she just came to Hanabi and hugged her. Hanabi was confused to what was going on, but Hinata gained a little composure to explain what happened.

Soon, Hanabi was shocked and angry: Her own father kicking her sister out of the family, and the comment he made about Hinata. Hanabi was mad with only tears in her eyes to why Hiashi would do such a thing. Instead, she felt like yelling at her dad. But Hinata stopped her.

"It's alright, Hanabi. I-I d-don't want you to end up like me." Hinata said sadly as she let go of Hanabi's hand.

"Where are you going to stay?" Hanabi asked as she cleans her sister's face off with her hand.

"I don't know; I probably might find someone that could help me for tonight." Hinata replied. "Look, Hanabi, don't argue with father. I just don't want you to suffer like this. I promise, even vow to Kami, I will see you again. Okay?"

Hanabi just bring tears out of her eyes and hugged her sister again. Hinata hated this, but she cares for Hanabi too much to let anything happen to her. So, her little sister helped her packed and they exited the room with sad looks. Hinata was now at the front entrance gates and remembered that it was raining. Her father took her jacket and threw it away with half of her stuff as she only wore a black V-neck shirt and blue capri pants.

And before Hinata began to head off, she took one last look at her sister. The rain was pouring down and Hinata was getting drenched. The two sisters waved goodbye and tears were falling down on their cheeks. Hinata then quickly left, until she was gone.

Hanabi started to cry and felt hurt that her sister is gone. Suddenly, she felt a familiar chakra. It was her dad, Hiashi, standing beside her and laying his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Hanabi. But it has to be done: for the sake of the Hyuuga Clan and its people." His voice was stern and full of authority that Hanabi moved his hand away.

"Father..." Hanabi spoke to get her father's attention. "...Stay away from me! I HATE YOU!" Hanabi then ran away from him with tears in her eyes and close her room to never let him in.

But to Hiashi... He felt nothing.

-End Flashback-

Out from another room, Kurenai, Hinata's sensei, came to check on the poor girl. Two hours ago, Kurenai was coming out of the showers and heard a knock on the door. She was thinking it may be an ANBU ninja sending her an important message. Instead, she found a shocking surprise when she opens the door; only to see a soaked-up Hinata. Kurenai quickly got her inside and got her something to dry into.

The female Shinobi then asked her what happened and soon had Hinata in tears. The shy girl told Kurenai everything about her family and exile from her clan. She was devastated for the girl and knew that Hiashi went too far. Why would anyone kick their own flesh and blood out into the rain and forbid them from coming back home?

Kurenai grabbed a stool chair and placed it in front of the couch Hinata's sleeping in. She sat down and looked at Hinata, who then turned her head to face her. "You okay, dear?" Kurenai spoke in a caring tone.

Hinata slightly nodded as she said nothing.

"Good. I'm glad that nothing worse happened." Kurenai then see tears coming down her face and picked out a cloth from the desk. She wiped the tears away and hugged Hinata. "Don't worry. You can stay here as long as you want. We'll figure something out with the Hokage about this incident. You need anything else?"

Hinata shook her head and went to sleep. Kurenai felt bad for her and wished for something to bring one smile to her face. She places the cover on Hinata's body and left her alone for a while until the morning.

Hopefully, maybe one person can change all that...