Note: I don't own Naruto Shonen Jump does.

Ok, this has nothing to do with my original fics, this is based off the anime as it exists. I just saw 166 and thought I should write how things should go after Naruto comes back to the village from the battle with Pein. Seeing how it is they add some different stuff in the anime from the manga I figure why not. Trying to do the story as if I were pitching it to the studio. I'm trying to think like the studios and follow the original story-line, the difference bing Hinata were to get more screentime, because I think she got barely any in the manga after the Pain battle. This fic is not intended to be long, and one thing I might have planned for it, I know for a fact they wouldn't put even in the anime. I'm just brain-storming so bare with me.

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Hinata stood against a tree in the forest outside the ruins of Konohagakure. Tears fell from her eyes as she thought back to the battle with Pein.

((((((Flashback))))))))

" Why does someone weak like you try to resist?" Pein said.

(((((End Flashback)))))

Thinking back those words dug deep into her heart. She had trained harder than anyone in her clan in the past few years, even Neji. But in a real situation against a real opponent, she felt she was as weak as ever.

" Naruto-kun..." Hinata said. The one time he needed real help and she could not deliver it.

" He's going to be Hokage one day, I just know it. He wouldn't want to associate with weak women at that point." Hinata cringed.

" Hinata-sama!" Neji yelled coming across.

" Nii-san." Hinata said, wiping the tears from her face.

" Hinata-sama...the elders, they wish to speak to you." Neji said.

Later, Hinata arrived at a tent set up for the Hyuuga until construction was completed.

" Hinata-sama, shall I go in with you?" Neji said.

Hinata smiled rubbing Neji's hand. " I can handle this Nii-san."

As she walked in the Hyuuga elders were already waiting for her. Ko was to the side taking a kneeled position. Hinata came in and calmly sat before the Hyuuga counsil. At the head of the elders, was a man in his early 70's. His hair was white and receded at the front. This man was noneother than Hyuuga Akihiro. He pulled out a long wooden pipe, lighting a match he placed it within the hole of the pipe.

" So..." He said taking a puff. " You believe what you did was heroic?"

Hinata did not respond right away. " No sir, I just wanted to help my comrade."

" Hinata...we had numerous Hyuuga shinobi observing the battle. They claim you said something to Uzumaki."

Hinata's heart skipped a beat.

" Am I correct to assume you told Uzumaki that you are in love with him?"

"..."

" Hinata, I asked you a question." The elder said.

" Hai, I am in love with Uzumaki Naruto. It was my belief that I was going to die and I wanted him to know before I did."

There was a silence among the elders.

" Hinata-sama..." Ko thought.

" Hinata...if this is some sort of joke, it's a bad one." The Hyuuga elder said. " Why would you shame our clan like this? First you practically announce that you love a jinchurikki to the world, then you put on that pathetic display of Gentle fist for the whole village to see."

Ko's eyes lit up. How dare they speak that way. Hinata had a mastery of Gentle fist. Very few people in the clan are capable of performing the " Twin Lion fist."

" Regardless of your accomplishments in the past few years, as far as I am concerned, your position as clan head is anything but secure. With these recent offenses to add to your already long list, you make choosing you as the head less and less appealing."

" I understand."

" Good, of course we are going to inform your father of this little love declaration upon his return."

" Of course." Hinata said.

" Good, you may leave." The Hyuuga elder said.

" Hai." Hinata said bowing.

Hinata left the tent walking with her head hung low. Not because of what the elders said, but because the thoughts about Naruto and her weakness still weighed heavily on her mind.

" Hinata-sama!"

Hinata turned to see Ko coming up to her.

" Hinata-sama, the elders don't know what they're talking about. The rest of the clan knows how strong you are."

Hinata kept her gaze at the ground. " I'm not strong Ko-kun." she put bluntly.

Ko was shocked. " Hinata-sama...how can you say that?"

Hinata breathed deeply. " The elders are right about me. I couldn't do anything against Pein. I-I just...I couldn't even protect one person."

Ko hated to see Hinata like this, especially when she was in the midst of regaining her self-esteem. Long ago did being her bodyguard stop being a royal duty and start feeling more instinctive. He had even come to think of Hinata as somewhat a younger sister. And it was heartbreaking to see the little girl who once loved to smile to over the years be widdled down to a quiet, timid girl who could barely hold eye-contact with another person.

He understood Hiashi's responsibilities as head of the clan. He even understood that Hiashi wanted to pass over Hinata and make Hanabi heir, but to ignore and neglect your child for years because she isn't the way you want her to be? No child should be denied love from their parents. No wonder that when Hinata does something great like she just did, all she can do is point out what she did wrong. He saw Hiashi's relationship with his eldest get better within the past few years after he saw Hinata's true strength, but as far as Ko was concerned, a few encouraging words here and there and the occassional sparring does not make up for years of neglect. Then to say that you don't care if your own daughter lives or dies on a mission, well even though they spent time together now and got along, with all that happened beforehand there was still that sense of awkwardness, unlike with his younger daughter.

Despite Hinata showing to have skill practically comparable to Neji's (not quite as skilled though.), despite her rapid improvement in the past few years, despite practically revolutionizing the way Hyuuga's fight with her new techniques(From The Bichoku Arc), the fact remained that Hiashi, after spending so much time to help her develop her skill over the years, loved Hanabi. It was true that where Hiashi would not be particularly thrilled if Hinata were banished to the Branch house, he would be completely devastated if Hanabi were to suffer such a fate. It was no secret to Hinata who Hiashi's favorite was, in fact the reason Hiashi and Hanabi were not in the village was because they are away training at this very moment, clearly Hinata was not invited.

" Hinata-sama, that Pein was just inhuman. I doubt the entire clan itself would be able to defeat him."

Hinata looked up at the sky. " Ko-kun, I think you're right."

Ko looked at Hinata oddly.

" Maybe...maybe I have been looking at my training the wrong way."

" What do you mean?" Ko asked.

" I..it's nothing, nevermind." Hinata said smiling.

" Hinata-chan!" Kiba said as he Akamaru and Shino came up.

" Kiba-kun, Shino-kun, what is it?" Hinata asked.

" Did you hear? A new Hokage's been selected."

Ko and Hinata stood stunned.

" New Hokage? But...what happened to Tsunade-sama?" Hinata asked.

" From what we understand she's in a coma." Shino said.

Hinata gasped. " S-so who is the new Hokage?"

" Someone named Danzo."

A drop of sweat dropped down Ko's chin.

" Kiba...are you sure?" Ko asked.

Team 8 looked at Ko oddly.

" Ko, you know him?" Kiba asked.

" Are you sure!" Ko insisted.

"Uhh well yeah, pretty sure." Kiba said.

Ko turned around. " I have to speak with the elders."

" Ko-kun, what's wrong?" Hinata asked.

Ko looked over to Hinata with a reassuring smile. " It is nothing Hinata-sama, no need for you to worry."

" Oh...Ok." Hinata said. 16 years old and Ko still treats her like she's 5.

As Ko left, Team 8 strolled down a path to get back to helping the villagers.

" Maybe this Danzo is bad news. Did you see the way Ko reacted?" Hinata said.

" I haven't even really heard much about him. But he has to be strong if they elected him Hokage." Kiba said.

" I personally would have thought Kakashi-sensei would have been a good choice." Shino sad.

" Hai." Hinata said smiling.

" Or maybe Naruto riiiight Hinata-chan?" Kiba teased.

" Kiba-kun please don't..."

" Tell us everything you know about Sasuke! Since he seems to be a friend of yours!" Team 8 heard an unfamiliar voice yell. " His abilities, his weaknesses, everything!"

Team 8 looked across to see Naruto, Sakura and Sai being confronted by 2 unfamiliar dark-skinned shinobi.

" Naruto-kun..." Hinata said.

" Who the hell are these guys and why are they asking about Sasuke?" Kiba said.

Upon further notice, Hinata saw that the ninja bared headbands of Kumogakure.

" Ne?" Hinata said.

" You see something Hinata-chan?" Shino asked.

" They..they are from Kumogakure." Hinata stated.

Suddenly a quick skirmish arose between the shinobi.

" We have to help!" Hinata said ready to jump into the fight.

Until Shino grabbed her arm." Naruto and the others can take care of themselves. Let's hang back a minute and see what they want."

" I said I want to know everything about Sasuke!"

" What's it to you!" Sakura yelled.

" Everything! Sasuke attacked our village!" One of the Kumo nin shouted.

" Attacked?" Hinata said.

" Nani?" Naruto said bewildered.

" Wh...why would Sasuke do that!" Sakura shouted.

" How the hell should I know why Akatsuki does anything?"

The Konoha nin remained silent.

" What the hell are you talking about?" Naruto demanded.

" Are you serious? That Uchiha is part of Akatsuki!" The male Kumo nin said.

Hinata's eyes widened. " Akatsuki?...it can't be."

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Another chp done, more to come soon, please Read and Review!