As the sun goes down (2)
'' Hinata was tired of waiting. With her final gift she's sure to end her love. But things don't always go the way you want and when hell breaks loose, Naruto is up to safe the world and the girl he's about to fall in love with. ' I finally realized what I want to protect, please wait for me!' ''
''Talking''
''Thoughts''
''Loud voice/ Kyuubi/ Jutsu ''
This is my take on what is going to happen after chapter 699 and the Movie: Naruto The Last. I hope you'll like it!
Naruto stared at her not being sure what to say or to feel. The hands that were reaching out for the scarf dropped wordlessly to his side. He felt numb all of a sudden. Breathing became difficult and his chest tightened.
''Giving up on me..? I'm not sure I can follow...'' but the blonde knew that was a lie. There was no way not to understand what she was saying. If he was being honest with himself it was an attempt, a slight shimmer of hope that what she said wasn't true. That what ever just happened was a lie, a play with his mind, maybe even a joke. But deep down he already knew the answer.
Hinata held out her hand still clasping that scarf of hers.
'' I just decided it was time to let go. This is my first and last present for you Naruto-kun.'' He swallowed thickly as she smiled at him with those sad eyes. When did they start to look like that? So exhausted as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders?
''Please accept this.'' she held the scarf a little higher this time but he didn't reach out for it.
How could he? If he would accept this now, it clearly meant he was ok with this. With her decision.
But he wasn't.
Naruto knew he had no right to think like that and he didn't even understand why his heart was aching so much.
''I can't. I just can't accept this..'' He was to blame for this. The blonde knew it was wrong to not answer her confession and it wasn't because he didn't like her. Neither did he hate Hinata. So why didn't he answer her confession?
To be honest the mere thought of love scared and confused him. This was different from back then when he loved Sakura. Naruto realized now that he just cared for her as a sister and teammate, but Hinata on the other hand was different. He didn't know how he felt about her. It shocked him greatly when she confessed to him, ready to die.
All his life people shunned him, hated him for something he didn't even had a say in. He was nothing more than just a monster, a time bomb that was ready to explode. Besides the 3rd Hokage and Iruka there weren't any people who really gave him the attention he needed, craved for as a child. Hence why he always pranked others. How could he even imaging to experience love when he never had that?
But then out of nowhere came Hinata. Kind, gentle, the total opposite of those people that detested him.
Naruto found her weird, he remembers. But the blonde never had anything against her either. She even reassured him, when he felt down, that time he opened up to a person. And instead of being mocked she gave him the strength he needed and Naruto instantly felt encouraged.
He was happy to have a friend like her, but love?
All he ever thought about was being accepted. Love was never something he believed in would happen to his very being. The thought that someone would actually give him the time of day, accept him the way he is or actually have feelings for the Jinchuuriki scared him so much. Could anyone blame him for that, it was his only way to keep his heart guarded.
As he looked at her he bit his lip. Naruto was sure that Hinata had a special place deep down in his heart, but he was so confused by those feelings, that he didn't know what to think of them.
Did he love her or was it mere friendship? How was he able to tell those apart!
Hinata on the other hand was worried and started to panic.
''Why isn't Naruto-kun taking the scarf? Does he not like it? Is he.. angry with what I have said?'' But she shook her head at that, after all it didn't matter.
''No you made this decision, no turning back!'' Hinata thought determined.
''Hinata..I-'' he stared at the ground, his hand still motionless. As Naruto looked up, eyes filled with sadness, he opened his mouth to finish his sentence but he was cut short as an explosion went off in the far distance.
The Jinchuuriki whipped his head around. ''What was that?''
Hinata activated her kekkei genkai the Byakugan. Staring off to where the explosion came from, her eyes widened a fraction and she clasped her hands over her lips.
Naruto's eyes fixated on her with worry. ''Hinata what is happening?'' He questioned.
'' I-I I-I'm not quite sure. There are so many people in the village... but they do not have any chakra paths..'' She shifted her gaze somewhere else from where she could see smoke emit from a house. ''This can't be-!'' The stated shocked. '' The Hyuuga compound!''
Naruto's eyes widened and he turned around towards the building in the far distance. He had to squint his eyes to make out anything. He could see the smoke now.
''We have to check out the situation. Come on.'' He was about to grab her hand when she suddenly called out to him, panic lacing her voice.
''Naruto-kun!'' He whipped his head around as six figures jumped on their roof, interrupting their departure. The blonde avoided being stabbed. How did he miss them!
Hinata was about to shout out to him, but it was already too late.
As a second explosion went off and the ground shook, Hinata barely had time to avoid being burnt. Instead she was sent flying, falling down the tall building, still clasping the red scarf.
''Naruto-kun!''
The smoked started to fade as he turned around in a haste. ''HINATA!'' The figures moved, ready to attack him. The blonde cursed, clenching his fist and pulling out a kunai.
''I have to save her, before she hits the ground.'' The thought repeated in his mind, but the zombie like figures already attacked and he had to dodge. '' Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!'' There were 3 of him now. He attacked with a rasengan, blowing them off the roof. ''Take that!'' Naruto jumped backwards, down the building only to find Hinata safe and sound. He let out a sigh, happy that nothing has happened to her.
''You're safe, thank kami.''
''That's fine and all but we have other problems now.'' Someone cut in. As Naruto turned around only to see Shikamaru staring behind him.
''How troublesome.'' The lazy genius sighed in annoyance.
The figures were about to enclose them again. This time it were around 50 and it didn't look too good for them.
Hinata wasn't happy and kept staring off into the distance. Her hands held in front of her in an attempt to calm her nerves.
''Go Hinata.'' Naruto said, pulling her out of her thoughts.
''But-'' He gave her a knowing look and she only nodded, whispering a ' Thank you'', before she started to run as fast as she could towards her compound, Naruto and Shikamaru stopping their enemies.
''Jeez what are those!? It's like the white Zetsu's all over again.''
He groaned and Shikamaru only grinned at that.
''Guess the break is over, huh? Back to hero duty I would say.''
Naruto smirked. '' Seems like it, eh?'' He took a fighting stance, standing back to back with his friend.
It didn't take them long to defeat them. But there was something off with those zombie like creatures, he knew that for sure. It made him feel restless and his inner voice was telling him to stay cautious. After they finished them, Naruto and Shikamaru parted ways to go help the others.
The blonde was already heading towards Hinata's compound without even realizing it.
As Hinata made her way to the gates she felt like doubling over.
Everything was a mess. The main house was nearly destroyed, guards were lying on the ground in their own puddles of blood and it reeked of burnt wood. Her legs felt like pudding and she started shaking, tears falling down her pale face.
As she made her way through piles of ashes and trash, she tried to find her father. Activating her Byakugan she saw him buried under some wood barrens.
Hinata ran as fast as she could, getting there in seconds and heaving the wood from him.
''Tou-san! Are you alright? What happened here?'' Her father, thankfully conscious, stared at her trying to catch his breath.
''They took her... no he took her.'' Hiashi said in between breaths as he was holding his side. ''We couldn't take him down and before we knew it he already had her.''
Hiashi gritted his teeth either in pain or because of what has happened, Hinata wasn't too sure.
''Who is 'he' and whom did he take Tou-san?'' She asked, worry lacing her voice as she helped him stand up.
''He took Hanabi... He said he needed the heir of this clan..'' Hinata gasped. ''Hanabi-chan..''
She craned her neck, searching for the medics in this household but all she could see was destruction and wounded people.
Being too caught up in her own thoughts, she barely missed what her father said next.
'' I'm sorry.. I'I wasn't strong enough to protect her.. everything happened too fast. I'm not su-ure wh-why the guards did not notice him nor why I didn't..'' There was a pause as he tried to fill his lungs with air once more. '' He's most probably after our doujutsu..''
Hinata frowned at that. ''Then why didn't he just take any other Hyuuga from the main branch?''
''Why ask for the heiress when you can have anyone else?'' Her father though didn't answer as he doubled over in pain. ''Tou-san!'' Her grip tightened and tears filled the corners of her eyes. She was thankful that a team full with medics came rushing to her side before anything worse could happen.
As Shikamaru left, Naruto made his way through the deserted streets, people already having been evacuated, heading towards the Hyuuga compound. His nose scrunched at the smell of burnt wood and smoke that he just knew all too well. All of this zombie stuff just didn't make sense to him.
They attacked Konoha, even though those 'things' were no match at all! It probably was a well-developed plot to hide the true meaning of what has unfold. The blonde grumbled at that.
All of a sudden something caught his eyes and he stopped in his tracks. Looking around, scanning the area, he wondered if he was being paranoid. But then out of nowhere was he getting surrounded by them. Naruto turned his head around in a flurry and gritted his teeth.
''Dammit.''
Pulling out a kunai he was ready to fight. ''I don't have time for you!'' Of course talking was not an option.
He had to jump upwards to avoid the one on the right. While in mid-air he threw some needles at them which did, to be honest, nothing.
Naruto landed a few meters away on the cold concrete. Summoning a shadow clone he prepared a rasengan. He flinched, after all it was still hard for him to do excessive combat with his new arm.
Konoha's hero changed his stance to feel more at ease before he attacked them.
Half of them fell on the floor like lifeless rag dolls. His cerulean eyes stared at those that were left.
The grip on his kunai hardened and a second later he threw it into the mass of zombies.
Attached was an explosive tag that went off just as it reached them.
He grinned at that, thought his triumph was cut short seconds after, as there were still some left.
''Jeez! What are you made of!?''
They didn't answer of course, only ran towards him in an attempt to attack the blonde. This was time wasting and Naruto knew that. But then again he couldn't just let them roam through the village. He jumped at them, Naruto-style, using a combo he hadn't for a while.
''U-'' An upward kick sending them flying into the air.
''ZU-'' Another one from his shadow clone.
''MA-'' He turned around in mid-air, just being half the way over them.
''KI!'' The last one was a kick on their heads.
''NARUTO RENDAN!' And he send them tumbling down into the ground.
Thankfully it was over now, at least for the time being.
Of course the situation at the Hyuuga compound didn't go unnoticed and soon the whole village knew about what has happened. Hinata on the other hand didn't care about what everyone said, everything she wanted to do right now was to go save her sister. As she sat on the cold hard floor she could hear some rustling and the sounds of wood falling to the floor. She craned her neck around, staring at the enemy.
Her eyes widened a bit. It was non other than Naruto Uzumaki standing in the midst of burnt wood and ashes. ''Naruto..-kun..?'' She whispered.
He took in his surroundings, scanning the place with his blue eyes. The blonde frowned and his gaze hardened. His eyes trailed off to her and he stared into her eyes. She looked exhausted and as he was about to say something she interrupted him.
''They took her...'' Hinata said, her voice so quiet that he had to concentrate to really understand what she just said.
''Her?'' There was a sickening feeling in his stomach as he already knew the answer.
''Hanabi. They took her.. or well 'he' took her.'' She bit out as tears started too fall from her eyes. Hinata broke their eye contact as she stared at the ground. The girl looked so fragile then, like a vase ready to fall down and break into a million pieces. Sheltered from the world, as if she was the one to bury all the sadness, fear and guilt on her own little shoulders.
Naruto made his way through the ashes and trash that were lying about and knelt down to her,pulling her in an embrace and trying to give her the warmth she needed right now. The conversation from before long forgotten as there were more important things at the moment. The boy could hear her sniffling, trying her hardest not to. His head was resting on hers, his hand rubbing her shaking back softly as he tried to soothe and calm her down. His facial expression changed from a caring into a determined one and his grip on her tightened.
''It's alright.'' He said, his voice strong and confident. ''We'll get her back.''
And all Hinata could do was nod at that.
The sixth Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, was staring down the Hokage mansion's window, observing the situation. Of course was he already told what has happened at the Hyuuga compound, but what worried him more than that, was the fact that their enemy was being able to infiltrate the village without anyone noticing.
He turned around looking at several Anbus. '' Bring me Naruto and the others.''
They disappeared in an instant.
After at least 15 minutes of waiting the Konoha 11 was fully assembled. ''You most probably know why I called you here. I have a mission for you guys.''
They nodded.
'' I'd like to sent Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru and Hinata on a mission to capture the enemy and bring back Hyuuga Hanabi. While in the mean time Ino, Chouji and Kiba will go protect the east gates and Sai, Shino, Rock Lee and Tenten will go to the west gates. Furthermore if you find any clues about what their main goal is come to me immediately.'' He finished and Hinata frowned.
''Isn't his main goal clear? He's after our kekkei genkai.''
The current Hokage pursed his lips at that.
''Do you know that for sure? Of course it seems like that right now and you are most definitely right too, but we cannot be cautious enough for this mission.'' He stared at her. '' Besides the fact that they came with so many lifeless enemies is a warning for something greater than just an attempt to get the Hyuuga's kekkei genkai. I believe our enemy is more threatening then we yet know.''
''Then let's go, we can't lose time!'' Naruto spoke up, his eyes holding a fire that was ready to burst.
But Kakashi only shook his head. ''No. Preparations have to be made. Your team will start tomorrow morning at dawn.'' Then he stared at the west and east gate teams. '' Same goes for you. Get some rest and start at dawn.''
Naruto grumbled at that, not being happy with the decision. Why wait for so long when they could just go now! He stared at Hinata from the corner of his eyes, but he couldn't make out anything from her expression as she was staring off outside the window. He bit his lip at that. It must take a whole lot restrain to not just bust out here and go safe her sister. He would, being the reckless knucklehead he was.
Kakashi spoke up again, gaining their attention.
'' Mission: Save Hyuuga Hanabi and the village or something even greater than that starts now!''
Ino and Sakura stared at the sixth Hokage with a disgusted face. Sai only smiled, just like Chouji. While Kiba and Naruto pointed at him. '' That's way too long for a mission name!''
Kakashi only waved his hand at them dismissively. ''Yeah, yeah.''
Though his face hardened again and he stared at them with all seriousness. '' I wish all teams good luck. Come back in one piece.''
And with that he dismissed them.
Dunn dun dunn ! Finished the second chapter! I hope you like it. I'm sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes.. I don't have a beta reader.. soo if anyone's interested.. I'd really like to have one! PM me please !:D
A/N I suck at fighting scenes.. but I will try my best whenever they engage in combat !
I hope that I made Naruto's feelings clear and understandable when he thought about 'love'. I was listening to some really sad music while writing this and I kinda got emotional XD anyways off I go! See yer next time!