Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. This story is a work of fanfiction purely for entertainment purposes only.

Paraselene

Chapter Four

It was shortly after Shikamaru received help from Naruto to decipher the late Jiraiya's warning about Pain that all hell broke loose.

Their home was under attack.

There was fire and ash and smoke everywhere. He did not hesitate to take off in the direction of Kurenai's home.

Shikamaru arrived just in time to destroy a giant centipede too close to the woman's home for comfort. Once the creature was defeated he used his knowledge of the layout of the village to get the pregnant jounin to an underground passage so she would be out of harm's way. He jumped to a nearby roof to survey the damage and to try and decide what to do next.

Shikamaru had to think fast, he had to devise a plan to help his village. 'The real one is not among them.'

The words rang through the shadow user's mind as he rushed into the direction of the most chaos.

He had to find his father. He would know what to do. They would have to hold off the attackers until Naruto was ready.

Shikamaru knew Naruto was their only hope of coming out of this with a chance for survival.

He decided he was ready to do everything in his power so the hyperactive ninja could succeed.

Hinata knew something was wrong the minute the village came into view. This is not what she wanted to return from her mission to.

Something very serious was going on in her home and she had to stop it. She took off in a sprint, the clouds of smoke, clear signs of destruction, grew bigger and clearer. Shino and Kiba were not far behind. When the three of them reached the gates it became obvious that someone was attacking Konoha. Someone was destroying their home. Without a word passed between them Team 8 split into different directions.

Hinata made a mental checklist of the places that she would possibly be the most needed. Her first priority was the Hyuuga compound and she made her way there through the rocky streets. There were shinobi everywhere. Luckily there were not many villagers left on the streets, they must have been evacuated already and for this she was grateful.

Passing Kurenai's home she was glad the mother-to-be was nowhere to be seen. She continued her sprint to her home where Hyuugas were scattered everywhere. Her byakugan activated immediately. Enemies were on the roof of one of the branch families homes. A flare of familiar chakra made Hinata gasp. "Hanabi!"

Before Hinata realized what she was doing she was on the roof with her back to her younger sister. "Hina-neesan!" Hanabi cried out in surprise.

"What is happening, who is attacking us?!" Hinata yelled over the clang of kunai against kunai.

"All I know is that a ninja known as Pain has launched an attack against the village." Hanabi ducked and dodged her assailant. "He is looking for Naruto! It seems destruction is his main goal!" The sisters worked together with their gentle fist to take down their enemies while other fights continued around them. Hinata tried to catch her breath. Hanabi used her byakugan to survey the village as far as she could see.

"Hina! You should go and help the others! Father and I can protect the compound!" Hanabi turned to her sister, determination etched across her face.

Hinata stared in awe, no longer her baby sister but a shinobi filled with strength and honor. "I believe in you." She reached out her hand to her sister who grasped it in her own. Each gave a gentle squeeze before Hanabi disappeared into the Hyuuga grounds making sure that people were able to escape through the hidden passages. Hinata turned on her heels prepared to head for the center of the village when she was stopped by a familiar voice.

"Hinata-sama!" Hinata turned and faced her bodyguard who had landed beside her on the roof.

"Ko!"

The two Hyuugas looked each other over with the byakugan ensuring there were no serious injuries.

"Hinata-sama you must evacuate with the rest of the villagers, the Hyuuga compound is nearly secure. Please, let me take you to one of the shelters…"

Hinata immediately shook her head. "Absolutely not. I'm going out there to protect my village!"

Ko acknowledged the fierceness in her eyes and knew that trying to stop her would be pointless. His mouth turned up into a small smile. 'Hinata-sama…' He could not ignore the strength in her voice, in her eyes, and in her stance. She was no longer a timid little girl. He could not deny her resolve.

"Then I am going with you."

Hinata did not argue as the two Hyuugas began leaping across the roofs while scanning for injured and fighting ninja. Nearing the center of the village Hinata suddenly skidded to a halt near the edge of a building's roof.

"What is it Hinata-sama?" Ko stopped on the roof across from her and stared in her direction trying to determine what it was that she saw.

Hinata noticed the familiar chakra of none other than Shikamaru Nara about a half mile east of her location. She frowned as she realized he was injured. "Shikamaru…" As she prepared to jump from the roof determined to make sure that he was okay something went wrong. There was a burst of immense chakra and then all of a sudden everything was crumbling around her. She cried out as she began tumbling down with the buildings.

"Hinata-sama!" She heard Ko call her name and then…nothing.

Hinata's whole world went black.

She decided that death must be so very peaceful…

"You… you idiot. Of course you need t-to come back. For your family and for Kurenai-sensei and…and the baby…"

As Hinata's own words rang in her head she tried to become aware of what was going on around her. Everything was so loud. Very much the opposite of the peaceful darkness that had almost consumed her. She heard the sound of yelling, rocks grinding together, barking…

Her eyes snapped open as she realized she was still home she was still alive.

"Hinata! Are you okay?" She looked up into the concerned eyes of Kiba with Akamaru at his side.

Hinata sat up slowly and looked over her own body, she had a few bumps and bruises and her head hurt but she was fine. She looked over Kiba's shoulder and saw Shino kneeling beside a body. "Kiba, Shino are you…"

Ko lay still on the ground, blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. In a flash she knelt down next to Shino and began looking over her bodyguard with byakugan eyes. She sighed with relief. "He's going to be o-okay." She mumbled, thankful to the gods that her team, her family, was safe.

"Kiba-kun, Shino-kun, I'm glad you're okay. Do you know w-what's happening?" Hinata asked, damning her stutter at a time like this.

Kiba knelt down beside his two teammates. "After we checked on our families Shino and I rushed back out to check on any others who might need our help. Suddenly there was a massive attack, buildings collapsed everywhere, the village is leveled…" He explained, his face serious, it was an unfitting look for him.

Hinata finally took in the destruction around her. Konoha was falling apart. "How did you find me in all-all of this?" She asked.

Kiba smiled. "It's all thanks to Akamaru here! After the attack ended he took off down the street and after a minute I caught your scent too. We had to dig you out a little but I'm glad you're okay!" Akamaru barked in agreement. Hinata reached out her hand to the giant canine and scratched his ears. She turned her attention to Shino, he did not seem worried, just serious as always.

"It would seem Ko did what he could to protect you from the rubble Hinata. You're both very lucky to have made it without serious injuries." Shino stated turning to his teammate. That was his way of saying 'I'm really glad you're safe.'Hinata gave him a small smile. She had never felt more grateful for her teammates and for Ko. Her bodyguard began to stir and she reached for his hand.

Suddenly a slug they recognized as Lady Tsunade's summons appeared. Katsuyu informed them that Naruto was fighting Pain and he asks that nobody interfere. He was going to protect them.

Hinata used her byakugan to find the orange-clad ninja and saw his unique chakra just a few miles north. 'Naruto-kun…'

There was a cough and Hinata turned her attention back to the other Hyuuga. "Hinata…sama…" He choked out.

"Ko-san, you have to rest, you're hurt."

He shook his head and coughed. "You know I'll be okay. And I…I know what you want to do…" White eyes stared into pale-lavender. "You mustn't…you'll only be a burden."

Hinata's lips turned up into a small smile. "No, Ko-san. Not anymore."

Before Ko could get another word out Hinata stood up. "Kiba-kun, Shino-kun." Her team was up in an instant. "If you could do me one more favor please take Ko-san somewhere safe."

"Huh what? Hinata where are you going?" Kiba asked. She ignored his question. "Please, all of you. Stay safe."

With that Hinata took off before anyone could stop her. "Dammit. Where is she going!" Kiba yelled as Ko continued to cough Shino knelt down beside him to listen to what he had to say.

"Hinata-sama…she…she is going to Naruto…" Ko whispered before falling back into unconsciousness.

Shino understood as he stared off into the distance after their teammate. She had something important to prove.

As Hinata ran through the streets of her village in shambles a singular thought rang through her head. It was him…

"I'm coming back for you."

She didn't want to wait anymore. Hinata was tired of waiting, she was tired of being protected. She knew there was something she could do. Hinata pushed chakra into her feet, she was so close now.

She decided that she was going to help protect everyone.

End of Chapter Four