Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any associated characters.


A/N: Welcome to the fourth chapter of Sister Lost.

NOTE: The previous chapter had been changed.

As per feedback (Much appreciated Balatros), I have updated the previous chapter (Ch 3), if you're not coming directly here from the previous chapter hop back and reread the bottom of the third last scene and the two new sections, a connecting section that originally was part of Chapter 4, and the recovered Academy Antics (I really wish I would remember to put comments on my commits, was a pain to browse through my subversion for the original chapter 3 from before the complete rewrite, but had to find it since it is referenced in this chapter).

You know the drill: I do not have any beta readers so spelling, characterization and such are all on me, feel free to point out any and all glaring errors. Especially since English isn't my first language. I will try to avoid all the regular pitfalls, but it will be unavoidable that things slip through; feedback will allow me to fix mistakes and prevent future ones. So tear my grammar and spelling a new one if you find errors.

Once more thanks to 1Waylander for the corrections. I am compiling a list to run through once I am done with the story arc, trying to get through the story arc and get into the next one before new years since things will slow down once I have to work again.

Prince of Madness 54 on Review of Chapter 2: The scene is meant to be rather abrupt. However if that is the feeling you are left with after reading it, perhaps it is a bit too abrupt. I'll have a look at it again after this story arc. :)

Thanks for the reviews so far, glad people are enjoying it.

This chapter took forever to write. Was attacked by plot bunnies that demanded my attention with details of the next few story arcs, which is distracting while you're trying to write something else by the way. Along with having to plot out power growth for all the rookie 9, during this first week, a month, 5 months later with the exam etc. to avoid anyone becoming overpowered.


Chapter 4: Day off

Naruto, 4:50 in the morning, apartment in the slums

Naruto sat up in his bed with a start, bathed in sweat and a slight tinge of iron in his mouth. For the last week, he had the same dream. Every time he saw more and more of what happened. Getting up and walking into his bathroom, he stuck out his tongue. It looked normal, he was sure he had tasted blood, did not look like he had bitten his tongue though.

Walking back into his living room he plopped down on his couch, feeling a bit worse for wear. A few minutes later, he was starting to feel more himself, refreshed even. Briefly wondering if his abundant energy actually meant he could go without sleep. It would make him avoid the nightmares. Remembering Hinata-chan had said that you needed sleep to grow, he quickly dismissed the thought; he was shorter than she was and didn't want it to keep being that way.

He got up and ready for the day, then headed out to their spot.

Several hours passed, it was almost noon and he was bored out of his mind. Where was she? Hinata-chan would usually be here by now. He hoped nothing had happened to her.


Hinata, 6:30, her room, main house - Hyūga compound

Hinata had not slept much during the night. She was looking up at the ceiling, unable to get up. Yesterday when she had gotten home, her father was been sitting in the common room waiting for her. He had told her, he wanted to test her progress today and quickly dismissed her.

She flinched at the memory of the last time she had been 'tested' having been walking with a limp for days afterwards.

She got up, might as well get it over with, thinking to herself that if she got tested now she may even be able to walk in time for their get together this evening.

Entering the common room, she found her father sitting in training garb instead of his normal clothes. "Otou-sama, I-I'm ready." Her father looked at her frowning. "Perhaps you should eat first."

They ate in silence, she was getting more and more nervous. Why had her father insisted on eating first? Still without saying a word, they went out to the dojo.

Taking their places in the middle of room, her father settled into the Jūken stance. Looking at her father with determination, she settled into her own stance. If it had surprised her father, he hadn't shown it.

Hiashi took a step forward, she almost hadn't been able to avoid the strike aimed for her shoulder. It had come seemingly out of nowhere, her father had been standing 3 yards away and was now suddenly in front of her attacking relentlessly. Dodging the lightning fast attacks, only blocking a few. He was holding back, she knew there were openings in her defense. Kakashi had shown her the difference between a genin and a jōnin by walking up to her during a spar and sending her crumbling to the ground with a single strike. Her father was at least as fast as their sensei, if not faster.

She was starting to panic, if she didn't do something soon her father would grow tired of her weakness and attack for real. Then suddenly the attack stopped. Hiashi took a step back and settled back into the stance, just looking at her as if inviting her to attack him.

Her mind was screaming at her, this was it; he had grown weary of her. She hoped he wouldn't hurt her too badly, she had been looking forward to seeing the others from her former class, it had been more than a week since she had seen everyone. While she didn't say much in the presence of everyone. She enjoyed being around people that wasn't looking at her in contempt.

Her father was still just standing in front of her waiting. She attacked quickly striking at his right shoulder with her right hand. He blocked her by slamming the back of his hand into her wrist, ducking down to the right as she twisted her arm around in a circular motion under the blocking arm. Her father's reach was greater than hers and the block had meant she had moved back a few inches. The attack didn't connect stopping just short of his shoulder.

She tried again on the left, with the same result, but this time he attacked her right side, she barely managed to twist out of the way of the attack that would have hit her waist.

This continued for a few minutes she would try to attack, get blocked twist around it and then receive a counter attack at her exposed side. Hiashi took a step back holding up his hand. "That is quite enough child. Thank you." He turned and was about to leave. "An-ano" Hiashi turned. "Yes?" Hinata looked at her father. "You-you're not mad at me?" Hiashi turned back towards the door and as he left. "No, daughter, I am not mad."

Hinata was distressed, what had that meant? Had her father finally completely given up on her? He had been attacking so slowly compared to what he could. Perhaps he didn't think her worth any more effort than that.

She returned to her room and threw herself on the bed, burrowing her face in the pillow. A few minutes later, she had fallen asleep, it had been early and she was tired from what had just happened.

She awoke a few hours later, feeling hungry. It was almost noon. Shrugging out of her training garb she quickly put on her regular clothes. Heading out towards a certain ramen stand. She was sure to find her ball of energy there at this time of day. Spending time with him was sure to lighten her mood.


Shikamaru, 11 in the morning, field close to his house

Shikamaru let out a yawn. It was nice being able to just watch the clouds. The last seven days seemed to have been dragging on forever. He was sore in places he didn't even know existed.

Asuma was a good teacher. They had split their time between chakra exercises and physical training. The sensei had obviously been talking with their parents. He had run exercises where he attacked and they had to defend Ino, taking advantage of the experience of their parents.

Ino was damn hard to move when laughing hard from their clumsy attempts at moving her when she was playing defenseless. Eventually Ino would be able to do jutsus that didn't leave body vulnerable while it was in effect. However, most of the Yamanaka clan jutsu required a very high level of control. One his teammate didn't have yet, so they would have to support her.

Asuma had been drilling them in evasion, dodging and some taijutsu to shore up their abilities. Both he and Ino were on the weak side for fighting. Their techniques relied on subterfuge, but relying on Chōji to do all their fighting was a bad strategy. They needed to be holding their own until it was tactically sound to use their clan techniques.

Chōji was already a very strong fighter, so outside of the team exercises he had been spending all his time on Chakra exercises. The Akimichi fought by converting calories into Chakra, by having a greater control he would be able to do so more efficiently, able to use his jutsu to greater effect.

Ino and Chōji had both stopped training at two in the afternoon every day, going home to train with their families. Shikamaru's father was on a long mission and wouldn't be back for the week. He would spend the afternoon with Asuma, playing Shogi and discussing tactics. Asuma had been impressed that the lazy boy had taken an interest in traps. It would mesh well with both the Nara and the Yamanaka jutsu.

Shikamaru closed his eyes; perhaps he would take a nap or two before they were going to dinner. It was nice to finally relax. He had spent many days in this particular park, skipping classes together with Kiba, Chōji and occasionally Naruto and Hinata, when they managed to convince the latter. Naruto wouldn't skip classes without her.


Sakura, 9 in the morning, in her room

Sakura was humming a little tune while getting ready for the day. It had been a great week. Her new Jōnin-sensei was a very accomplished kunoichi. Still it was nice with a day off; she had not had the time to read all week and was looking forward to a day in the library.

She had been spending more of her free time with Ino, without Sasuke to fight over they were slowly becoming friends again. She had been teaching Ino about some of the stuff specific for kunoichi that Kurenai-sensei had taught her.

She wasn't too fond of her team. Shino was nice enough, but those bugs were creepy. Kiba was loud, brash, and kept making comments about everything no matter how inane.

Yesterday they had gotten into a huge fight, Kiba had claimed that she reeked of flowers and that it was giving her a headache. Kurenai had stopped her as she was trying to hit Kiba. Agreeing with him. Smelling like that was dangerous. Kurenai could smell her from several yards away. Someone like Kiba could probably smell her from several hundred. Giving away your location like that could be lethal. She had recommended some soaps and perfumes that were more suitable. One should stick to perfumes that were suited for the season, and only applying very little of it, even when in the village, one could never know if there was a emergency mission around the corner.

During their training she had seen Shino attack Kiba in a spar, it had scared the crap out of her and she refused to spar against Shino after that. The thought of all those bugs crawling on her, sent an involuntary shiver through her.
Dog boy was downright dangerous; they had sparred on the second day. He had turned into a spinning thing of doom, she had barely dodged causing him to hit the tree near her, and he had drilled several inches into it. She immediately surrendered after that not wanting to be hit by that.

Afterwards she had understood why, Kurenai-sensei had her see Shino fight and try to fight Kiba. Rather bluntly pointing out how weak Sakura was in an actual fight. She had gotten through the Academy based solely on her excellent grades in everything but taijutsu.

During the Academy she had mastered all three stages of the leaf exercises, on the first day with their new sensei she had both mastered tree and water walking. Kurenai had started teaching her genjutsu. It was her area of expertise after all. Genjutsu requires high control to influence others with chakra.

After she had gotten some of the basics down, Kurenai had complimented her on being a natural. Genjutsu required intelligence and imagination. The explanation of gotten a snide comment from Kiba. "Oh Sakura has the best imagination in the world. How else would she be able to picture Sasuke ever giving her the time of day." Kiba had recieved a heavy beating for that; Kurenai hadn't intervened since that comment had been inappropriate enough to warrant a deterrent.

Kurenai wasn't the strongest at taijutsu but she was still a Jōnin and you didn't come to be a real Jōnin without an all-round set of skills besides having an expertise. There were people that attained Jōnin with a singular skill, but most never made it past special Jōnin. Kurenai was giving her extra training outside of the regular training hours for taijutsu. She had a lot of catching up to do, to avoid dragging the others down.

Besides genjutsu training for Sakura, Kurenai had spend time working with Kiba working on his control. Shino had mostly been sitting meditating during their training sessions. He had received another, more aggressive, colony since he had graduated. It had been taking most of his chakra and focus to get them under control until they could coexist with his other colonies without aggression between them. Shino had still shown up to all the sessions, stating that it was logical to be present for team exercises even if he couldn't participate.

Sakura finished getting ready, heading out the door to the library.

Kurenai-sensei had recommended her a beginner level book about the application of genjutsu for her to study. It didn't contain any actual genjutsus but it covered the various methods one could trap someone in them. After she had found the book she headed out to the long table in the middle where you could study. At the end of the table at the far wall he sat.

He was at the library! She rushed down other side of the table, then reminding herself it was the library and she should be quiet. She sat down across the table from Sasuke. A look of horror across her features when she saw Sasuke's face. "Who did this to you?" She hissed out barely avoiding shouting in the library.

Sasuke had been completely engrossed in his book at hadn't noticed her before she said anything. He cursed to himself, now he was stuck with her. Almost letting out an indifferent 'hn' is reply; he stopped himself and narrowed his eyes at her. Sakura was the second most intelligent person in their old class, only beaten by Shikamaru. The difference between the two was that Sakura read a ton of books. He could use that in his quest for answers.

He looked up at her and muttered. "Naruto, Naruto did this." Sakura went wide-eyed. Naruto had done this to her Sasuke-kun? Surely that couldn't be possible that the failure could even touch him. Sasuke continued. "We were sparring, I told him to not hold back and he took me out in one hit. It's why I'm here." Sasuke lifted the book he was reading. Clans of Konohagakure, a History. "He has been holding back in the Academy. Along with another thing I've come to the conclusion that he has a bloodline or comes from a clan." Sakura looked at the black haired youth. She had never seen him take interest in anything like that before. A thought shot through her mind, maybe he liked boys and that was why he was so interested in Naruto. She quickly squashed the thought again; she liked yaoi as much as the next girl, but she'd rather want Sasuke for herself.

He was talking to her that was a start. "Here let me show you something." Sasuke took a small wooden block he had next to him. He started channeling as much chakra into it as he could muster. Looking a little pale afterwards, he showed her the wood. In the middle, there was a crack about half an inch deep. "Naruto can make trees explode doing that, without looking like he spent any significant amount of energy on it. He has to be from a clan or something, that is not something just anyone can do."

They spend the rest of the morning trying to dig for information, after two hours they still hadn't have any luck, all they knew was his last name which wasn't referenced anywhere at all, which in itself was suspicious. Digging through records Sakura had found references to her own family. Which wasn't a clan and her parents weren't even shinobi. For a distinct last name like Uzumaki not being mentioned anywhere was odd to say the least. They also knew that both his parents had died during the Kyuubi attack 12 years ago but it had been next to impossible to find anything about the attack at all.

Feeling defeated they had decided to call off the search for information for now. Sakura had managed to get Sasuke to agree to continue the search another day. It wasn't much, but she'd take what she could get. Sasuke hadn't said more than four words at any one time to her before.

Sakura smiled to herself as she headed back home with her book checked out. She hadn't had time to read anything in it, but spending time with Sasuke had more than made up for that.


Two boys, 17:45, in front of a Barbeque restaurant

A boy hidden away in a large jacket and a boy with a dog on his head was leaning against the wall of the restaurant.

Today was the official day off for the rookie 9. They had all agreed to meet at the restaurant to celebrate the first week as shinobi. Kiba had been thrown out early by his mom, walking to the restaurant, finding Shino already there.

Kiba sniffed in the air, and turned calling out of Sakura as she was approaching. "Decided to not roll in a pile of flowers this morning, eh?" Sakura looked a little embarrassed

Kiba looked around catching a scent."Flower shop, Ino is on her way." Turning to the other two.

Sakura would have to talk to Ino about that later. She didn't want her friend killed because the enemy found her on a mission. Sakura narrowed her eyes and looked at Dog-boy. "Hey Kiba, that scent thing, is that why all the kids would never allow you to play ninja with us back when we were younger?" Kiba let out a small sigh at being reminded. "Yeah, me and Naruto weren't allowed to play because we could find the others too easily." Sakura looked at him. She hadn't been aware of them excluding the both of them when they were younger, and were feeling more than a little guilty about it. "Naruto was excluded as well." Kiba shrugged. "Yea, his nose is almost as good as mine, but I think there were other reasons why he wasn't included. We spend time horsing around instead, just the two of us."

Sakura was feeling even worse now. Thinking about what Kurenai-sensei had told her when she had hit Kiba for laughing at her when she fell off a tree. "You shouldn't alienate your teammates Sakura. If you drive everyone away, who will watch your back?" It had run through her mind repeatedly. Were she alienating people? She only really had one friend. She had lashed out at people back when she was younger because of them teasing her about her forehead. Now she had been told she had participated in excluding people from their games. Maybe she wasn't really all that nice of a person?
Ino came up to them snapping her out of her reverie.

"Hey Ino-chan" Ino boggled, she wasn't used to Sakura not calling her pig. Maybe they were become good friends again after being rivals for so long. Sakura was her only female friend, and it hurt her how bitter and spiteful they had become around each other.

Kiba sniffed in the air again. "Ramen-boy and Lavender-girl on their way." Ino picked up on that right away. "Lavender-girl?" She asked with a grin plastered on her face. "You like Hinata?" Kiba blushed a little. Then Sakura cut in. "Kiba you better not try anything with her, Naruto would kill you." Kiba scoffed. "It's not like the dead last in our taijutsu classes could hurt me." Sakura just shook her head. "Perhaps you should ask Sasuke-kun once he gets here."

Hinata and Naruto rounded the corner heading towards them. Hinata was eating something, enjoying it entirely too much. "Phew thought we were going to be late, Hinata-chan insisted on me buying her a cinnamon roll on the way here."

Both Ino and Sakura looked at the lithe girl in disbelief. "Hinata-chan, you are aware we're going here to eat, right?" Hinata wolfed down the last bite. "Of course." She beamed back. Naruto grinned. "She is with cinnamon rolls like Chōji is with everything edible."

"Oi Naruto, that wasn't very nice." Naruto started a little. The pineapple had managed to sneak up on him. "I don't mind" Chōji added walking up behinds them with a mouth full of chips. "Troublesome. Why did we have to meet here anyways?"

The final member of the group finally arrived 5 minutes later. Ino almost fainted when she saw him. "What happened to your face?" The scowling youth let out a small 'hn', as the group headed into the restaurant to find a seat.

Naruto and Hinata were the first to take a seat in the booth. There were three benches two supporting three people at both sides and a bench against the wall seating four. Hinata had taken the outer place in one of the sides. Naruto sitting next to her in the middle. Sasuke moved quickly and snagged up the third seat of the bench, lest he be seated next to the fan girls. He wasn't completely saved as Ino scrambled around and took the seat on the wall bench next to his. Still it was better than to sit directly next to her, avoiding her trying to scoot up against him. As the rest of the group filled in, Shikamaru had naturally taken the seat opposite Hinata as the outer seat was the least troublesome to get to.

The Uchiha heir spoke up, with a rare smile on his face. "So dobe, I take it Hinata won your spar today." Naruto scowled. "Teme." Sasuke continued while gesturing with his hand at Hinata. "Because she has clearly just tried to inhale a cinnamon roll a short while ago." Hinata blushed furiously while her inner Hyūga was screaming at her for being seen so undignified, as she quickly removed the crumbs from her face.

"Wasn't much a spar, dumb tree exploded and she hit me while I was flying." Naruto muttered. Sasuke shook his head. He had mastered tree walking and had moved onto water walking while Naruto was still exploding trees left and right. It was better, Naruto had spent most of the week on the leaf exercise and he could now walk up trees with only a 50% chance of splinter rain.

"What's this with exploding trees Naruto?" In a rare showing of interest Shikamaru had stopped slumping in his seat and was now studying Naruto. "You know that tree walking exercise? They keep exploding when I walk up with them." Shikamaru was taken aback by the blonde's words. They had been practicing tree walking as well. The prospect of exploding the tree outright was a little frightening. Confirming his suspicion about something being off about the boy. To him, Naruto was a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in an incredibly troublesome personality. He had spend many afternoons together with him and the blue haired girl discussing traps, trying to focus the blonde's short attention span long enough to teach him Shogi. He had studied the two who had come to be considered good friends of his. The way the two moved, how Hinata sort of glided with a natural grace and how Naruto moved like he was a predator, like a wolf or another member of the Canidae family. They obviously hid their abilities in the Academy. His curiosity got the best of him. "So Sasuke, how did you come by that shiner?"

Sasuke sighed, and related the story hoping they would lay off him. After he was done Ino as giving Naruto a venomous glare and the other was looking at him with a shocked expression. "I thought he would dodge it. It is what you'd normally do. Like this." As he said it, he shot his right arm back, which had been over the table, elbow towards Hinata's face.

Like it was the most natural thing in the world Hinata tilted her head ever so slightly so the elbow flew past. Snapping her head back as soon as it had gone past. She turned her head and flashed Naruto a mischievous grin. She had hit him in the shoulder earlier, making him unable to lift his arm over shoulder height. Naruto's arm was now trapped behind Hinata, he would have shrugged if his shoulder had enabled him to. Instead just putting his arm down on the backrest and letting his hand drop over her shoulder.

They talked into the evening. Relating stories arguing about who had gotten the better sensei. The other teams were glad they hadn't gotten Kakashi as their Jōnin.

It was getting late. Hinata had been worn out from the day. Falling asleep with her head on Naruto's shoulder. It was all Ino could do to let out a squeal at the scene. Naruto noticed the sleeping girl on his shoulder. With a quick ram seal on the hand, he had over her shoulder, two Kage Bunshin popped into existence. They gingerly lifted the sleeping girl out of the booth. Naruto stood up and in a low voice. "I'm gonna get her home. Take care." The clones gently placed Hinata in his arms and he went out of the door.

Ino couldn't contain her excitement. She had let out a small 'awww', when Naruto had taken her in her arms. As soon as the two had disappeared from sight, she turned to Sasuke. "Have you caught them doing anything yet?" Sasuke let out a small 'hn.' He could not understand the gossip's fascination with his two teammates. "Oh come on, you have to tell us all about it." Seeing as the she would not let up. Sasuke stood up and walked out through the door into the night.


Hyūga Hiashi, main house, Hyūga compound

Hiashi was sitting in his office. In his hand was a photo of a woman with long blue hair, holding a baby in her arms, Hiashi standing next to her and a little girl with the same blue hair standing between them.

Tears were falling down on the table in front of him. He brushed his fingers over the image of his late wife. "I'm sorry, I-I can't, I-I don't. She is so much like you." He was lost he had failed her. He hadn't been taking proper care of their daughter. When their little family had been torn apart, Hiashi had been broken. He didn't know how to comfort his daughter, so she had grown distant. He had eventually stopped training with her. It hadn't become easier the last few years, she was looking more like his wife every day. He didn't know how to fix it.

The scene from earlier today burned into his mind. "You-you're not mad at me?" His daughter had looked afraid of him.

He regretted what had happened when he had been testing her, a year and a half ago. She had shown progress, he had overestimated how much it was and a strike he had assumed would be blocked got through, striking her hip with a tremendous force. He had barely used any chakra but a little would still be excruciating to a little girl.

There was a knock on his door; he quickly straightened his clothes, putting the picture back into the pocket inside his garb over his heart, where it belonged.

Outside was a branch member holding a sleeping Hinata in his arms. Hiashi looked at the man. "What is the meaning of this?" The man took a step back at the anger in the normally stoic Clan Head's voice. "The demonbrat came with her like this. Don't worry, we ran him off." Hiashi was furious. "YOU WHAT?" He took the sleeping form of his daughter out of the arms of the man. "The young man brings my sleeping daughter home safe, and you dare do SOMETHING LIKE THAT." Hinata had awoken when her father had taken her. She didn't open her eyes. Hiashi turned and stalked off towards his daughter's room. It had taken all his strength to not strike down the man that had chased off the person that had protected his daughter.

Laying her down on her bed, he brushed the hair away from her face, tracing a finger along her cheek. "Good night, Musume, I am sorry." he whispered as he went out of the room.

Hinata looked out in her dark room. She wasn't sure what had happened. Just staring into the dark until sleep overtook her again.


A/N:

The Academy Antics for this chapter seemed tacky after the final scene, so moved the Academy Antics: Shogi? To the next chapter instead.

We open with a returning issue relating to the title of Chapter 2. Utilizing giant entities of rage and killing intent has consequences.

We take a short break from the training and enjoy a day off. This chapter mostly serves to bring some of the character changes to light. The rookie 9 won't all be seen again for a while as we go into the next story line after "Training" is done. This serves to flesh them out a bit so the changes aren't quite so jarring when we finally see them all again.

For abilities, I'm trying to keep the overall level while keeping the rookie 9 balanced against each other. Team Kakashi will be stronger than the others, there is no way around that. But the other teams will not be all that far behind. I hate how godlike Sasuke and Naruto become towards the war arc in the cannon compared to everyone else. It is not as the others did not train in those years that pass.

I'm rounding out a few characters, Ino and Sakura were basically useless, we can't have that, they would be killed on the very first mission past D rank if they were like in the cannon.

As for personalities, I am tweaking a few, hopefully keeping their personalities somewhat in line while giving them a bit more depth.

It took a while to get this chapter done, but now that I've plotted stuff out power wise I no longer have anything to slow me down, so (hopefully) a chapter a day for the next 4 days.

Musume = Daughter.

Canidae family = Wolves, dogs, foxes *cough*