Authors Note: My apologies for the very, very, very, very late update. But I'm done with this story. I just need to do some quick editing on the chapters and I will be posting them as I finish editing them. Enjoy!

Rain

Part 7

The guard standing by the outpost saw the carriage as it slowly came closer to the main check point. The man squinted down at the carriage as he saw three cloaked figures that usually stood guard over Lady Izumi. The man's eyes narrowed and then he threw a kunai at the man sitting next to the driver. The ninja stood up as he effortlessly grabbed the kunai in mid air never having to reveal his face. But the thick and menacing voice shouted out.

"I don't mind fighting but if you want to make Lord Bariun wait then that's fine by me. That is if you want to deal with the consequences?"

Then the kunai was thrown back at much faster speed as it passed the guards face just inches away. The guard gasped and then looked back as he quickly looked at the ninja and decided to take heed and stood to attention as he shouted.

"No, you may pass."

The robed ninja nodded as the carriage passed the now open gates that went into the village. Just as it passed one of the other guards landed close by as it looked at the robbed ninja.

"My lord wants Lady Izumi to be taken to the main house. The servants and Lord Katsumi are expecting her right now."

Both of the robed ninjas paused and then nodded.

Izumi had heard everything as she saw that the guards where gone and she scooted towards the window.

"Something must be going on. It's rare that my father would want me in the main house."

Sakura looked annoyed as she looked at her attire. She was dressed in a simple but ugly dark brown kimono. She hated this plan but Naruto and Sasuke had agreed that this was the best way to get into Lord Anami Katumi's palace. It was easier to disguise themselves and help Lady Izumi. Sakura's blue eyes narrowed as she remembered how Izumi had stayed close by to Sasuke and was literally trying to flirt with him. The worst thing about all this was that she had to play the maid so that she could infiltrate the house. Sakura didn't mind doing this to help Hinata, especially after what they had found out. She shivered at the idea of being forced to marry someone else. It alarmed her more that Lord Bariun was such a ruthless man as to separate his daughter and son like this and to use his daughter as a tool to make sure his son would obey him.

"We're here."

Sasuke said as Sakura peeked from the carriage window with Izumi. Sakura's eyes widened at the large spacious garden they passed by and then as the carriage moved close, she got a better view of the huge mansion that stood before her. She quickly looked away as she saw other guards approaching. Izumi looked back at Sakura.

"Whatever you do, you must remember that you're a maid and that you must look down at all times until someone speaks to you."

Sakura gritted her teeth but nodded as she held on to the thought of poor Hinata even if it killed her!

Hinata heard the cries of the guards and she instantly felt her father unmistakable chakra coming from the front entrance of the house. Her maid had rushed into her room.

"Hinata-sama your father Lord Hyuuga is here!"

Hinata gave the maid a smile that did not reach her eyes.

"Yes I know. Please tell Lord Bariun that I will be down soon."

The maid nodded as she left. Hinata sighed and wondered how she was going to be able to stomach seeing her father again. Her eyes traveled back to the letter he had sent her. It still shocked her when she thought about what her father had written. Telling her that if she where to become pregnant with Naruto's child, that she would have to either kill it or secretly send it away. It was the only choice he had given to her. Hinata almost felt the rage consume her again but she was able to hold it down. She knew there was no point in loosing her energy to anger and hate. She touched her stomach briefly wondering if she was pregnant but she had not felt any symptoms. Hinata shook the thoughts away. Even if she had conceived wasn't it to early to tell? She paused as she wondered if she could use her Byakugan to sense a different Chakra from her own. Hinata took a deep breath and looked pointedly at her belly and whispered, "Byakugan." She saw nothing else except her own chakra and felt a bit sad at the thought but then shook it away.

She stood up as her yes cleared up and decided it was time to go down and try to stomach being in her fathers' presence. She had over heard the maids talking about Katsumi's sister who was also in the castle. Hopefully she would get a chance to meet her.

"Hiashi it's good to see you my friend." Lord Bariun said as he pulled up a comfortable chair for him.

"Glad to see you as well Bariun. I hope my daughter has not caused any problems."

Bariun smiled as he shook his head,

"None at all, she's been in her room or in the gardens"

Hiashis' eyes narrowed as he took a drink from his friend.

"Good to hear, but I do have a matter I must discuss with you. First I must ask that you strengthen the security around your home as soon as possible, especially before the wedding."

Bariun paused as he was about to pick up his own drink. "Why, do you believe that your daughter might cause problems?"

Hiashi nodded as he took a long zip of his drink.

"No, I believe you will have protests coming from the opposite direction. More accurately from her friends."

Hiashi paused as his hands tightened on the glass cup, "Especially from Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto sneezed covered his mouth quickly in hopes that no one had heard him. He had somehow been able to sneak into the garden area despite Sasukes' warnings not too. He and Sasuke had easily disguised themselves and were able to hide themselves within the ninjas working in the castle. Even though Sasuke had told him not to sneak into the castle grounds until the ball that would take place that night, Naruto couldn't hold himself back. He had to at least make sure Hinata was treated well. Although deep inside he knew he wanted to see her again. It had been almost 2 weeks and he knew he couldn't wait any longer. He quietly jumped from one tree branch to another as he got close to the castle he looked up and saw that he had his work cut out for him.

Hinata sat down on the marble bench across from the rose garden as she tried to block away the image of her father. He had looked no different to her but inside she was repulsed by him and was very glad that he took no notice of her. She felt at peace now being away from him and in the garden. Despite her cool behavior towards her father, Katsumi had been very pleasant and cooperative. A completely different persona had shown itself from the one she had gotten used too. She was impressed by his manners but at the same time it irritated her that he seemed to have accepted this betrothal. She wanted to ask why he had such a change of heart. But by the end of the disgusting display of friendship with her father, she could not stand anymore and had abruptly left.

"Hinata may I speak with you?" Katsumi said as he appeared before her. She quickly stood up in surprise but quickly recovered as she nodded.

"Yes, Katsumi-san"

Katsumi paused as he noticed the cool tone in her voice.

"Look I know what you're thinking while we were at dinner, but I realized something earlier today." He took a step closer to her. "I know this is very sudden but I've decided to agree to this betrothal."

Hinata took a step back as her eyes narrowed in response.

"Wh--Why do you want this marriage to happen? I thought you had decided to try and talk to your father in hopes he would end this." She paused as she turned away and looked up at the sun setting in the distance.

"I don't love you Katsumi-san and you don't love me."

Katsumi placed his hand on her arm and slowly brought her to face him. He's green eyes starring intently at her face.

"I don't know if I love you Hinata but…" He paused as he brought her face up to his.

Her eyes widened in shock as she saw his face change and she realized she was too late to stop him as he leaned down and kissed her. Katsumi had never been this close to another female before and as he brushed his lips over hers he felt something deep in heart.

Hinata was in shock at his actions to move and then both felt a strange dark chakra as they broke apart.

Katsumi put himself in front of Hinata and shouted towards the direction of were he had sensed a dark chakra.

"Who is there? Show yourself ninja"

Before anything happened the chakra vanished and as Katsumi was ready to investigate.

Hinata broke away from her shock and brought her hands to her lips.

"Wha--What are you doing Katsumi-san! Are you out of your mind?"

Katsumi starred down at her lips and then at her. He decided to investigate that chakra later and turned to face her.

"No I just wanted to tell you that I want you Hinata. You're different from other girls I've met. I can't let you go, even if you love someone else. We will have all the time in the world for you to learn to love me." He paused as he looked back at his home, "I also have my own reasons to go on with this marriage. I'm sorry Hinata."

Hinata took a few steps away from him as she wiped her lips and slowly moved around him to get away.

"That will never happen and I wish you hadn't done that. Stay away from me Katsumi."

She then ran away and as she did she could have sworn she felt a familiar chakra, but as she turned back to the source she saw nothing but the sway of the tree branches.

Naruto-kun, I wish I was back in Konoha with you, she thought as she went inside.

Unknown to them Sasuke held on to the unconscious form of Naruto. He used his Sharingan to escape before they were noticed. Sasuke had seen enough to realize what had made Naruto furious enough to let his Kiyubi chakra leak out. As they reached the woods and landed on the outskirts of the castle, Sakura had shown up to meet them.

"What happened?" She asked in surprise as she saw Naruto unconscious.

"The dope was about to blow our cover and I had to put him out of his misery." Sasuke snapped as he dropped Naruto on the floor.

Sakura sighed as he checked Naruto. She was about ask Sasuke for details but was stopped as he said, "Don't ask, I'm sure the dope will tell you himself once his up." He paused as he sat down on the ground.

"What have you found out?"

Sakura stood up and sat next to him.

"Hinata is staying on the second level of that castle. She doesn't see anyone and has stayed to herself. Tonight they will hold a ball to honor the betrothal between the two families. Preparations are being made as the wedding will take place two days from now."

Sasuke nodded as he thought about what he had found out. "From what I just heard the son wants this wedding to happen."

Sakura's eyes widened. "But why would he want this, there are rumors that he doesn't want this marriage to take place, besides they had never met until recently."

Sasuke looked back at Naruto as he grimaced. "It seems his had a change of heart. There has also been a doubling of the ninja guards. I think Lord Hyuuga knows we are here."

Sakura sighed as she brought her hands to her aching neck. "Well I hope we can finish this soon." She paused as her eyes narrowed in anger at being a maid to Lady Izumi. The girl was working her to death.

She didn't bother mentioning how many questions Izumi had asked about Sasuke.

Narutos' groan broke Sakura's thoughts as she looked back to see him sitting up and rubbing his head.

"Sasuke you bastard, why the hell did you knock me out! You had no right to interfere."

Sasuke grunted as he looked angrily back at him.

"You idiot, had you shown yourself right now all our plans would have been ruined, and our lives in danger."

He stood up as he turned away from him and began to put on the ninja disguise.

"In order to go further with our plans Ill need you to sneak into the courtyard and get close enough to Hinata to find out what's going on." Sasuke didn't wait for a reply and disappeared as he left for guard duty.

Naruto was about to go after Sasuke but Sakura stopped him.

"Oh no you don't, we don't have time for this Naruto. Besides if it's true what Sasuke was saying then I'm glad he knocked you out."

Naruto looked away as he nodded but he was determined to see Hinata again. The image of Hinata being kissed by someone else made him see red again as he growled and slammed his fist on the ground.

Sakura gasped as she saw the dent and chakra that had seeped out. She was glad it was just the normal blue chakra since she didn't have skill to suppress the Kiyubis' chakra.

"What happened Naruto?" Sakura asked as she took a step towards him.

Naruto shook his head as she blocked the image from his mind. "It's nothing, that jerks right though, I will wait until tonight to see her." Naruto paused as he rubbed his hand.

"Hinata-chan" he murmured as he looked sadly back at the castle.

Hinata put the final touches on her hair up in loose bun that was held by a golden hair comb that held it up. She stepped towards the long mirror as she looked at herself and for a second didn't believe it was her starring back. Her dark blue dress was a perfect contrast to her white skin almost making it glow. The dress had belonged to her mother and her younger sister had sent it to her for this occasion. The top of the dress exposed her shoulders and club to her shoulders and revealed a bit too much for Hinatas' liking but she would find something to cover it. The bottom-half of the dress flowed nicely over her hips and down to her feet. As she turned herself around she saw how the dress clung to her and made her feel as though she were a princess.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Yes" she replied as she saw that her maid had come in with a small silver box.

"Hinata-sama this was sent to you from Lord Katsumi with a note."

Hinata grimaced as she looked at the box and graciously accepted it. As the maid left she looked back at the box and opened it. She gasped as she saw a gold necklace, it was a bit thick with an aqua colored stone shining brightly. She picked up the note to read it.

'Dear Hinata, I can understand why you might not want to see me after what happened earlier today. My deepest apologies on my actions, I could not help myself when I saw you in the garden. I meant what I told you this afternoon and I will wait for you to change your mind. I have another reason to go through with this and I hope you will hear me out when I see you tonight. This necklace belonged to my mother and it's a peace offering from me to you. I hope to see you wear it and if you can please give me a chance to explain further and talk with you tonight. Your friend, Katsumi Anami'

Hinata sighed as she looked at the necklace. She did not want to wear it and was considering sending it back but decided to wait and hear Katsumi out. She slowly took the necklace and put it on her neck. It was best to accept this peace offering, in hopes that she could convince Katsumi to end this betrothal before it was too late.