Note: To the disgruntled fan, please calm down. I have a life and a very busy one. I won't go into details because that's my business. Anyway I hope everyone else enjoys this chapter.

Rain

Chapter 6

Naruto began to pace as he tried to wait patiently for Sakura to come back from reconnaissance of the area but his patience was growing thin.

"Idiot, if you don't stop pacing Ill stop you myself." Sasuke growled as he was growing tired of looking at him. Naruto's eyes narrowed as he stepped closer towards him.

"And what are you gonna do about it snake boy"

Before Naruto could react Sasuke had quickly punched Naruto in the face sending him flying backwards and slamming on a tree.

"That's what I've been wanting to do."

Naruto wiped away the blood from his mouth. "Ok let's go!" Naruto growled.

"HELP!"

A strong shout from a girl rang out, not far away as both of them jumped to attention.

"It's coming from that way." Sasuke said as he ran towards the main road not far away. But he abruptly stopped as he sensed chakra coming from the same direction.

Naruto jumped up a tree and saw a girl about his age running at his general direction, with three ninja closing in at her heels. He quickly dashed down the tree and ran past the girl as he leaped up and kicked one ninja and brought his arm out to punch the other that was right behind him. Sasuke shook his head at Naruto's rash decision but had no choice but to cover him. As he took care of the third ninja and powered up enough chakra into his fist to knock the third unconscious. The young girl who had stood by and seen the two ninja boys come to her rescue was too shocked to speak, until the handsome dark haired ninja had walked up to her.

"Are you alright?"

The girl nodded as she tried to find her voice. "I'm fine, thank you so much for your help." Sasuke nodded and he began to turn to Naruto so they could meet Sakura back at the pond.

"Wait."

The girl pleaded as she grabbed his arm. "Please I need to ask for your help." Sasuke shook his arm free.

"Sorry but my friends and I are busy at the moment. We have our own mission to accomplish."

Naruto walked over to them as he looked at the girl curiously. "Why where the ninja of Mist after you?"

The girl bowed and then looked up to smile at them.

"Hello, my name is Izumi Anami and those men where after me because I escaped."

"Anami!" Naruto and Sasuke said as they looked at her in shock.

"Hinata-sama, a message has come from the village of Konoha." One of the maids said as they gave Hinata the message.

Hinata was just about to walk in the gardens to try and relax after being fitted for her wedding gown. She had never thought that she would cringe at such an idea until this ridiculous betrothal had been set up by her father. Her spirits soared as she heard of the message.

Her hand shook as she saw it was from her father. Part of her wanted to throw away the letter but she decided to open it and read it. Her clear eyes widened and then for the first time in her life, she fainted.

Katsumi had just finished his daily training and heard the cry of the servants in the main hall. He quickly ran to find out what had happened and saw Hinata's body lying on the floor. "What happened?" He demanded as he checked her pulse. The servant girl that stood to his right began to explain.

"I don't know my lord. I gave this letter to Lady Hyuuga from her father and then she fainted."

Katsumi quickly picked Hinata up and the maid picked up the letter and followed him up the steps. Once in Hinata's room he gently put her down the bed. "Make sure that Lady Hyuuga is not to be disturbed. If anyone disobeys my order there will be hell to pay. Understood?"

The maid nodded as she quickly put the letter down and left them alone.

He checked head to see if she had a fever but found that she seemed fine.

Katsumi paused as he looked at her sleeping form. It was a welcome relief to the silent angry stares she had given him these past 3 days. In a way it was a welcome relief to the fawning he usually received. Katsumi smirked as he realized that she would not be happy if she awoke to find him in her room. Despite the calm demeanor Hinata Hyuuga had a temper that even rivaled his own younger sister. He paused in between his own thoughts as he saw Hinata move her head towards his direction. A stray tendril of dark hair covered the side of her face. He slowly brought his hand out to push it away and could feel her smooth skin rubbing against his knuckles. He knew he should pull away but for some reason he couldn't. The need to feel her skin outweighed any reason in his mind. Hinata sighed and then whispered,

"Naruto….kun."

Katsumi's eyes narrowed and he quickly stood up. He stomped over to the door and opened it as he ordered the maid to stay by her side and quickly left.

He had a strong urge to go back and train but instead he turned to his room. He needed a bath and time to relax. The heat must be what was getting to him. Or else why did he have a strong urge to hit someone. He shook the emotion away as he quickly took off his clothes and jumped into the warm water awaiting him. It relaxed his tense muscles as he leaned back and turned up his head to look at the ceiling. His eyes looking thoughtful as an image of Hinata's face appeared before him.

"Idiot."

He quickly finished bathing and got dressed. Despite the long bath he still felt agitated, "Damn it." Katsumi snapped as he walked past his desk and bumped the picture frame that stood there. It felt to the floor as the glass broke into pieces.

He picked up the frame and paused as he stared at the picture of a woman with long brown hair and dark green eyes. She had her arms around a young boy who looked just like Katsumi and a little girl who also had the same coloring. He sighed as he looked pointedly at the little girl.

"Don't worry mother I will protect Izumi."

He paused and his eyes narrowed. He saw a shiny object hidden behind the picture. He took out the picture and saw it was a ring. There was an insignia on it and he gasped as he realized he had scene this same insignia before. He turned the ring around to examine it further as he look on the back of it and saw the initials, U.I.

A knock on the door interrupted his confused thoughts. He quickly stuffed the ring in his pocket as his father came in.

"You know it's impolite to come in without my say so father." Katsumi snapped as he placed the picture face down and stepped towards him.

"Just wanted to remind you of the ball tomorrow. Don't try to get out of this event because the girl's father has decided to come as well. I want you to be on your best behavior and to show the image of a loving fiancé." Katsumi's eyes narrowed but he merely nodded.

"As you wish. I will be on my best behavior on one condition."

Bariun turned his eyes sharply back at his son.

"What is it?"

"I want my sister to be there. If I am to marry Hinata then you can at least grant me that much."

He hated to ask this man anything but in this case it felt important to tell his sister of the ring. Bariun paused and shook his head in agreement.

"I will allow it, but no tricks boy. If I so much as feel you acting suspicious in any way you will not see your sister for another year. Understood?"

Katsumi looked coldly back at him. "Yes."

As Bariun left Katsumi looked back at the ring and decided that this engagement may be a chance to keep his father occupied with the preparations while he found out the mystery of the owner of the ring. Besides he was not in the mood to deal with the strange emotions that clear eyed girl had invoked from him.