Hey all,

First attempt at a fanfic, be mean if you like but for the love of god please send me feedback. I already have the plan for the entire story, but who knows, if you're convincing I might just change it.

It's going to start kind of slow at first. Many events will seem similar in the beginning, but that's because everything starts small but can eventual grow something massive.

At the moment I'm writing for about an hour a day, so hopefully I can keep it up. If not, I apologise in advance.

This story begins just after Sakura heads out with Shikamaru's team to find Naruto. Bear with me a bit, it might seem confusing. That is, however, completely intentional. Without further ado…

Disclaimer – I do not own Naruto.


Threads

Ch I

Destiny is the bridge you build to the one you love.

Her lungs burned in her chest, but she had no time for that. Each breath was agony, but her mind wouldn't let the pain stop. Not now, maybe not ever. Her legs pumped, arms moving synchronously as the ground vanished underneath. She had never moved this fast before.

Every muscle ached, strained, even tore, but she had to keep going. Her feet, numb; her head, pounding; but this was more important.

When he'd left, panic seized her. Panic that, for once, gave her focus. It was all she could register, not time nor pain. She knew she hurt, but couldn't feel it. Couldn't feel anything else but cold fear until she knew.

So she ran.


She wasn't sure what time it was, what day even, or how long she had been running, but as she stumbled into a massive copse of trees she suddenly focused on a reassuring orange; a warm orange; a beautiful orange. Unable to stop, barely able to breath, she slammed into him.

'NARUTO!'

A blur collided with Naruto, and the two figures smashed into the ground. Both Kakashi and Yamato were caught completely unaware, but it took only a momentary glance for them to realize when they needed to vacate. And vacate they did, quickly, quietly, and promptly.

'Hinata!'

' What are you doing here!' Naruto shouted, as soon as he recaptured his breath. He could barely believe his eyes, trapped as he was underneath this girl on the verge of collapse.

'How could you—h-how could…nht… y-you leave now... of all times!' She managed to squeeze out. 'How?! ... hng… nnnh…' Hinata finally managed to regain control of her protesting body, enough to clamber off of a very quiet Naruto and fold backward in front of him. Through tear filled eyes she managed a heart rending gaze at the one most precious to her.

'Why?!'

Time seemed to stand still, in the small opening within the copse of trees. Hinata had finally collapsed, after her final question, leaving Naruto frozen. He hurt, in a way he hadn't felt for a very long time. As if his stomach had been ripped out, flipped, inverted, and shoved back in. His breath came shallow, and his heart beat slow. He had an answer. But the answer hurt as much as not having one.

Time came crashing back like crystal on tile, and Naruto quickly scrambled over to the prone Hinata. He lifted her as much as he could onto his kneeling lap. He knew she couldn't hear him, but he tried to say something anyway. Maybe, somehow, it'll ease the pain; hers and mine.

"Because- well, I…I'm… not quite sure any more…'


'Is she awake?'

'I don't think so…'

'Will she be all right?'

'Think so. Pulled muscles, likely; malnourished, probably; exhausted? Oh, definitely.'

'…When do you think she'll wake up..?'

'I don't know. Could be five minutes. Could be five days."

Hinata slowly opened her eyes, letting them adjust to the light. Where am I? She tried to turn her head, but a wave of nausea stopped her. Weakness sapped at her, and she started to drift back into the blackness…

'Naruto!'

Hinata bolted upright, and the nausea turned to agony. She almost collapsed backward but strong hands gripped her.

'Might be a little early for that, Hinata-san.' Kakashi's masked visage hovered over her, and he gently lay her head back down on the makeshift bed. It was just some thin blankets and rolled up sleeping bags, but it was the best that they could muster considering their circumstances.

'I can imagine why you're here, and it's commendable, but the strain you put on your body will take more than just a little rest to heal.' Hinata's eyes were wide, and she would not relinquish yet.

'Kakashi-sama! Where is Naruto-kun?!' Kakashi quietly laughed, shaking his head.

'Take a look to your left. That baka hasn't left your side since you blacked out.' Sure enough, Naruto was huddled against a tree a few feet away, head in his arms. Snoring loudly.

Hinata blushed a little, but then she felt a familiar icy sensation grasp her heart. Kakashi noticed.

'Hinata-san… please try to rest. There's a lot at stake here, and as loathe as I am to say it, your business is going to have to wait a bit anyway.' Kakashi turned to leave the small "tent", little more than a tarp tied between trees. He paused, and turned his head slightly.

'But, I promise you this… what you have to say will be heard."

Hinata tried vainly to shut her feelings away for now. But she may as well have been trying to hold back the ocean with a pail. All she could think as she slid into unconsciousness was focused on the orange shape resting nearby. How could he leave me… again… after all that's happened?

Hinata managed to stumble out of the tent to see the three ninja, Kakashi, Yamato, and Naruto sitting around a small fire, eating. Naruto instantly jumped up, spilling his food onto the ground.

'Hinata-chan…' Hinata took a few uneasy steps toward them, but stumbled and fell. Thankfully Naruto caught her halfway down.

'Naruto-kun… why did you leave?'

'I –'

'Let me take her,' Yamato interjected. As soon as he started to lift her away from Naruto, he could feel Hinata struggling feebly to break free. Kakashi took the opening to get Naruto away, dragging him away from their temporary camp.

'Hinata-san, listen to me. There's a few important events about to take place, and we need Naruto right now. Or, more appropriately, Naruto needs Naruto right now.'

'I d-don't understand…'

'Let me explain a little… You know Sasuke-kun was Naruto's former teammate, but it's a little more complex than that. In his mind, and in his heart, Sasuke is a brother to him. It nearly broke him when Sasuke abandoned the village and became a missing-nin. It tears at him every day, and it just adds to the burden of all we've come to depend on him for. And now, of all times, we find out that Raikage-sama has placed a large bounty on Sasuke's head. Naruto couldn't sit by and watch his brother get killed. That's why we're here, and Naruto can't afford any distractions right now. Our arrival at the Kage summit is paramount. We owe Naruto that much.'

'But… why did h-he leave… without telling me? T-telling anyone?' Yamato closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

'I can't answer that for him. But you will have to wait. I'm sorry. If something were to go wrong right now, Naruto would never forgive himself. And that's exactly what he'll do. Blame himself.' Hinata blinked slowly, drooping her head. Her eyes widened.

'T-then let m-me come with you!' She stammered, looking up.

'Hinata-san, we can't. We'll spare you whatever supplies you need to return to Konoha but we – '

'…please…' Silence settled uneasily.

'…alright.'


Kakashi returned, alone, to the camp, a little surprised to see Yamato, and Hinata, repacking everything for travel. Yamato pulled Kakashi aside before he could say anything.

'I'm sorry sempai, but I couldn't turn her down. I agreed to let her tag along, but she knows what's expected of her.' Kakashi turned silent, and for the briefest moment Yamato thought he might actually turn angry. But then Kakashi turned, and the feeling left.

'I understand. I wouldn't have the heart to do it either. I just hope she can keep her side of the bargain.' Yamato started to turn back to the task at hand, but stopped.

'Kakashi-sempai, where is Naruto-kun?'

'Oh! Right, I left Naruto to a little solitude to gather himself. Figured it might do him some good.'