Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or make any money off of my stories. Here are some signs to look for in case I ever buy the rights:

Events involving Sasuke and Naruto from this story would become a reality

The evil pink bitch will DIE without mercy! *laughs evilly*

Shino will be more involved!

Please read and review!


Someday in the Future

Chapter 7: Neji's Dream

The sun was disappearing on the horizon with Kakashi jumped from the trees and landed on the ground. signaling the others to stop and drop as well.

"We will camp here tonight. I will take first watch; Hinata will be next, Neji then Naruto." The elder jonin assigned the night watches. Sakura would be the only not taking a watch, because she was a medic and it was imperative that she received as much rest as possible. They all were quiet as they laid out their bedrolls and set up camp for the night.

Neji crawled into his bedroll. Hinata crawled into hers an arm's length away. Since they were on a mission with other males she had to sleep next to him not that either minded, they were growing more comfortable with the other's constant presence.

"Kakashi-sensei, may I talk to you in private?"

"Sure" the pair walked out of earshot of the near sleeping group, "What's on your mind, Naruto?"

"Next time we see Team Hawk, I don't want anyone to engage them unless they attack first. Kaka-sensei, may I ask a favor?"

"What is it?"

"The next time we see Sasuke…" Naruto broke off and took a deep breath, "The battle is between me and him. If he kills me I ask that you let him and his group go…."

"What if you kill him?" Kakashi asked raising an eyebrow, internally dreading the direction this conversation was headed

"I want you to kill me."

"What about Sakura? How would she handle losing the men she loves? Don't you love her enough to live for her?"

Naruto looked him in the eyes, his normal twinkling blue orbs looked forlorn and tired, "She can live without me and Sasuke. I can't live without him. Sure, I can get along in my day to day with him away from the village but I know he is out there. I can't live without him, or with the guilt of killing him."

"Naruto…I cannot promise that. Tsunade and 'Rucka would have my head" Kakashi tried to joke.

"If I kill him, I will not be able to keep Kyuubi from surfacing for long. Karuma may hate Sasuke, but even the thought of something happen to him puts the fluff ball on edge. It will be what's best for everyone"

Kakashi let out a long breath, his former student reminded him so much of his late sensei, always looking out for the greater good. At times like this the lone Hatake realizes just how much the blonde had grown, "Okay"

The pair returned to the camp drawing Neji from his light nap. He listened as Kakashi pulled out his book and Naruto climbed into his bedroll.

Neji looked over at the woman beside him, she was already sleeping lightly and did not make any signs she was roused when the males of Team 7 returned. With a small smile he drifted back off to sleep too.


~*~Neji's Dream~*~

A little girl with long chocolate hair cascading down the back of her pale lavender kimono, grazing the snow white obi, stood staring of into the distance on top of a hill. Neji could not see her face, all he could tell was the quality of the silk in her clothing was of the finest quality, only a few families in Konohagakure could afford it, the Uchiha's, Hatake Kakashi was left wealthy with his father's death, the Aburame and the Main Branch of the Hyuuga.

The little girl spread her arms wide as a gust of wind whistled past her, ruffling the hanging sleeves and her chestnut locks. A laugh of pure joy escaped her throat.

Neji's heart soared at the sound; he wanted to make this girl laugh for the rest of his life.

He watched as she ran down the hill half of the way, not giving any indication that she noticed him as she opened her arms and began to spin in circles, something similar to the Kaiten, it was clear she was only playing, but the move seemed so instinctual, as if it was a part of her very being.

'She must be a Hyūga from the main branch.' He thought as he watched her, mesmerized, she was nearly old enough to begin enter the academy, but to be that advanced so young, he knew she was a fellow prodigy; however he didn't know why he had never seen her before.

She laughed aloud again as she stopped her rotation, she stood facing him. Neji felt his mouth go dry. She looked like him when he was four years old. She had his strong widow's peak, chubby cheeks, straight nose and a soft jaw line. The only true differences were her clan eyes didn't have his trade mark blue tint, nor did they have the silver tint of the general Hyūga, her eyes had a hint of lavender, just like Hinata's.

'Is she mine and Hinata's?' the warm feelings of comfort and joy came over him, shocking the prodigy.

At that moment, the girl broke into a wide grin. 'She smiles too much, she must be Naruto's and Hinata's' what he initially said as a scoff comment to himself, disturbed him on a greater level than he ever anticipated.

He realized though, even if he wasn't this little girl's sire he would love her. She was unmistakably Hinata's daughter, when she smiled her eyes sparked the same way Hinata's did on the day they met, the day he fell in love with her. It was not uncommon for children of the clan to resemble cousins, her father could be any man in the village, she just took after the Hyuuga clan.

Before Neji could dwell on the confession of love he just admitted to himself the little girl drew his attention again.

"Momma" she exclaimed as she ran passed him, causing Neji to turn and follow her.

The little girl wrapped her arms around her mother's silk kimono clad legs.

"Hello, Hitomi" Hinata chuckled as she returned the little girls embrace.

"I stayed clean momma, just like you told me to!" Hitomi exclaimed as she looked up to see her mother's face.

"I'm proud of you" she chuckled again as she hugged the girl tighter, "Guess who is back from his mission and is coming to see you named heiress?"

"Hey Kiddo" a voice called behind the embracing pair. Neji hadn't noticed Uchiha Sasuke approach; he was too caught up in the sight of the two most beautiful females he had ever seen embracing.

The one called Hitomi screamed in happiness and ran into Sasuke's waiting arms. Neji had never seen the Uchiha readily talk to anyone with emotion, save Naruto, let alone embrace anyone like this. Did this mean Hitomi was an Uchiha, a failure of one since she clearly does not have the sharingan, but an Uchiha none the less? Anger filled Neji when he thought about anyone calling her a failure.

"And what am I? Chopped liver?!" Hitomi and Neji looked in the direction of the voice. The little girl squirmed until she was free of Sasuke's arms and jumped up at the man in the Hokage robes, who lifted her into a tight hug as he kissed her cheek. Neji's heart tightened, it was clear the pair where close, he could feel the love flowing between them. 'Is she Naruto's?' He wondered to himself as he watched the Hokage and little Hyuuga.

To say that Neji was confused was an understatement. All he knew what it hurt to think of Hinata in the arms of any man, but him. It hurt to think of her baring any other a child from their union. His realization stunned him.

Before he could think too long on the realization, movement on the side drew his attention.

Sasuke had moved to next to Hinata and kissed her chastely on the cheek, "Ready for your baby girl to grow up, Hime?" he placed a supporting arm around her shoulder.

"It seems like only yesterday she was born. She looks more like her daddy every day."

The Uchiha nodded, "There is no denying she looks like Neji, but she has your heart. She will be a great leader someday for your clan, just as you are" his eyes turning back to the blond Hokage and the little Hyūga, who were now chasing one another. Neji watched the scene somewhat jealous of Sasuke as he stayed by Hinata's side. Hinata looked off in the distance, her chakra fluctuated a little as her thoughts changed which drew the attention of her daughter, without a doubt she is a true prodigy and would be a terrific ninja.

Hitomi grabbed Naruto by the hand and lead him over the others. Hitomi hugged her mother once more, offering her comfort. Naruto and Sasuke looked on, the blonde looked at the raven with an emotion that could be called longing. Sasuke slipped his arm around the Hokage and whispered something in his ear that Neji couldn't quite hear, but it made Naruto smile.

Hinata took a deep breath and replaced her smile, "Hitomi, it's time to go" The little girl jumped up and wedged herself between the two males, who both hugged her between them.

"Uncle Naruto, Uncle Sasuke will you hold my hands back to the compound?" The males grabbed her offered hands and smirked at one another before they headed down the hill.

Hinata hung back a little, her smile faltered once more.

"Hinata" Neji said quietly, Hinata looked up in his direction with a small tear glistening in her eye.

"I love you, Neji" she whispered. Neji's heart grew light, she loved him, but the sadness in her confession bothered him.

"Momma! Come on!" Hinata looked at her daughter and smiled; She turned and walked toward her child and friends. The four walked into the sunset.

~*~End Neji's Dream~*~


Neji woke with a start, his heart racing. 'It was just a dream' he repeated trying to calm himself. He ran his callused hands over his face.

"Neji? Are you alright?" Hinata asked from the bedroll next to his. She was the present guard.

"Hinata" his voice held a note of begging. He leaned over to her.

"Is everything alright?" She asked again noting the slight shake of his hands. Neji reached out and pulled her into a hug. He took several deep breaths, allowing her scent and chakra pattern to calm him.

Hinata wrapped her arms around him, knowing he wasn't going to answer her. She figured it was a bad dream and waited until he relaxed before speaking again.

"It's your turn for watch now; I will stay up with you if you want" he pulled back from her and shook his head.

Hinata sank herself down into her bedroll, Neji still holding her hand, refusing to let go. She let him hold it then smiled at him and she settled herself further into her blanket, "Good night, Neji"

He replied goodnight. He couldn't bring himself to let her go, not yet and she didn't force him too. After a half hour Neji activated his Byakugan. His gaze swept over the area, after deeming there wasn't anything out of the normal in the area. He pulled himself into a meditative state, allowing himself to revel in his in dream revelations of loving the woman beside him. The woman who forgave him of his transgressions, tried to make his life better, comforted him when he was unable to center himself… He knew now he gave away his heart, and the heiress held it in her hands.