It has been few days since seal has been placed on her. It has been few days since she was told to protect hideout where Naruto was kept prisoned, until she's strong enough to perform the ceremony to pull out the Kyuubi without killing his jailer . To fight against her allies , otherwise he would be killed. Yet Hinata didn't felt anything, no shame, regret or hesitation even once didn't attacked her heart, which confused her at first. But then she realized that it didn't mattered. All was mattered was Naruto. She couldn't failed him, she couldn't allowed him to die, to fade into the emptiness of the void. So Hinata fought , killing shinobi of the alliance. Few tried to surrender, at least that's what she's assumed , since for some reason she couldn't understand anything what they were saying, or even recognize their faces . Another strange thing. Each time she tried to understand them or recognize them, her seal on her neck would glow, sending waves of pain, reminding about her task. Still she would let them go if not Obito telling her, about not letting anyone, if she want to see her beloved again.

Standing on the branch of tree, she watched for enemies. Her akatsuki robe waving , carried by the wind. She was given this robe by Zetsu who left short before Obito placed his seal. She was patrolling the area near the hideout, and forest provide great opportunities to ambush. Byuagdan providing great edge on attacking shinobi before they realize what was going on. Still fighting against few enemies, sometimes even jounin , would be too much for her, if not for the seal. She felt more powerful than ever, jutsu once unavailable to her, now she could perform them without a problem. Her reflex and strength increased as well.

Activating her Kekkei Genkai ,he scan the area around her, hoping to not found anyone. Unfortunately, fortune didn't smiled to her. She spotted few shinobi coming towards hideout. She tried to guess their strength basing on theirs looks, how they walk, thinking about the best way to approach them. Her gaze focused on one of the shinobi who didn't look around like others, he seemed familiar. He's white eyes told her, he was a hyuuga like she. That explained why he just stared forward. But that's not what made her curious. He's brown long hair, a white shirt with loose sleeves, tan and black drawstring bag hanged on his shoulder. Hinata was sure she knew this person, but she couldn't put finger on it.

Suddenly mysterious Hyuuga turned his head to Hinata. Shock and disbelief written clearly on his face. She gazed deeply in return, trying to recognize him, however before she could do that, agonizing pain shot throughout her body. "Naruto….. Naruto" echoed in her head.

"No… It don't matter who he is, I Can't Failed Naruto-kun!" Hinata thought as her eyes narrowed, getting ready to leap forward, attacking her friends once more. Seeing her reaction, his disbelief deepened, muttering one word, which like always she couldn't understand. His comrades noticed his discomposure, looking confused as they saw his expression. Before they followed his gaze, big explosion echoed throughout the forest.


Few days earlier

Naruto walked between tents , not noticing people around who greet him. He didn't cared about them right now, as he was deep in his thoughts. Feeling sad, anger but most of all fear. Sad because he was not there to prevent this. Anger because baachan ordered him to stay in the main base. Fear because she can be long since dead. Despite his feelings Tsunade didn't allowed him to leave, saying he was more needed here. But that was about to change right now! He was sick of waiting here, and now doing nothing while his friend was in danger.

He stopped at entrance of big tent where Tsunade was giving orders . He frowned as he looked at the sky, taking deep breath. It was raining, for few hours rain didn't stopped, another thing which irritated him. Taking deep breath, he entered the tent, two guards allowed him to walk in, without a word. Warmth hit him as he walked inside, giving him hope. He saw Tsunade siting behind the desk, reading paper, which he assumed where reports. Shizune walking here and there, collecting papers which were thrown all over the tent.

"Baachan!" Naruto said loudly as he walked to Tsunade. She rose her head looking at him. She didn't know which was worse, never ending papers, or Naruto. Sighing she asked, hoping to not having to explain guards about flying jinchuriki, like last time.

"What do you want Naruto?" – Tsunad said, slightly irritated.

" You know what I want! I want to go and search for.."

"NO!" Tsunade yelled, as she slammed her hand on already lightly broken desk. Shizune gave out a small sigh, expecting another fight.

"I already told you! You are staying here, and wait"

"Wait for what?!" Naruto burst out, feeling anger rising inside him. "I'm just sitting here, doing nothing, while Hinata is in trouble! I can't wait here, I have to look for her!"

Seeing her unbroken expression, Naruto calmed down and continued with pleading voice.

"Please baachan, I can't leave Hinata like that, I have to help her…"

Despite Tsunade's stone expression, she struggled inside. Normally she would punch him right now…. But what for? He wanted only to see his friends save and sound, could she punish him for that? Restraining herself, she sat back on her chair.

"Naruto I know you are worried, but we can't do anything about it right now." She rose her hand indicating him to be quiet, as she realized he was about to interrupt.

" We don't know where she is. I have sent scouting teams, one of those teams is led by Neji, but they didn't send a word since. But there is high possibility that Hinata is kidnaped instead of being killed" Tsunade reassured him, as he frowned.

"I know, but this waiting is killing me." He replied as Tsunade walked to him and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Naruto, I promise that you will be one of the first people, who will be told, when I will know something." She promised him, giving a small smile.

He lowered his head, as he whispered only for Tsunade to hear. " I still didn't gave her my answer…..". He felt his shoulder being squeeze, looking back at hokage, who answer with a whisper as well.

"I know you will. By the way, do you know, what are your's feelings for her?" She asked, receiving shake of the head in response." I know you will sort it out, but right now don't think about it. You will have a plenty of time , when she will be back with us." Naruto nodded, turning back heading towards exit.

"thanks" He said simply, as he walked out of the tent.

Tsunade's gaze remained on spot where Naruto walked out of tent, before returning to her seat behind the desk. Her thoughts lingered around Dan and Nawaki, hoping that Naruto won't have to go through the same thing with Hinata, as she did with them.

" Do you think we will find her?" Shizune asked, earning heavy sigh from her sensei.

" I really hope so, not only for Naruto's sake, but also because of the Hyuuga's. It may sound brutal, but in some cases, death is the better option…."


Naruto wandered throughout the camp, with lowered head and hands hidden deep in his pockets. Rain poured on the land wetting him completely. Some tried to hide from never ending wave of water, others had to endure it, as they guard theirs posts, others simply didn't cared, waiting for the night to end.

Most didn't noticed a blonde teenager passing by, as he was nothing like Naruto they all know. Once loud, happy and cheerful boy, now was a pathetic shell of his former self. Only those who know war, can truly understand it's effect on people. Uncertainty, fear, anger and sadness never leaves. It's always linger in peoples mind, affecting them more or less. There are individuals who are called fearless, never showing even a small portion of fear, hesitation… a true heroes. But those emotions are always there, hidden deeply behind the mask of perfection.

Naruto had been warned about war, how it looks like, how it works, by the one who knows it the best… Kyuubi. Yet this warning was pushed aside. Confidence, positive attitude, and hope for ending the cycle of hatred, overtook the young jinchuriki, to eventually being crushed by the true nature of the war.

Yet not all seemed lost, as he was not alone.

Friends, comrades, are the ones who helped him to survive this nightmare, giving him the hand when he felt, encourage him when doubted. Giving him the purpose to press on, to keep fighting even when all seemed lost, just to keep his precious friends save from harm. He knew that they always were there when he needed them, ready to help him. And that thought lead him before medical tent, where he hoped to find his old teammate Sakura.

Naruto walked in, searching for pink haired kunoichi .Like always medical tents are filled with wounded during war, however there wasn't any screams as most of them were already asleep…. Or dead. He hated that place, as every wounded shinobi, everyone who died, reminded him that this war was caused because people like him jinchuriki, who were hunted because of the power they hold.

Quickly he spotted kunoichi he was looking for, who was bandaging shinobi from Cloud.

"Hey Sakura-chan." Naruto said cheerfully trying to dispel present mood.

"Naruto!" Sakura replied, being grateful for seeing old teammate.

"How's going?"

Pink haired girl looked around at lying wounded. "it's getting better, we have less casualties each passing day. It looks like it will be over soon." She answered as she focused back at him.

"I told you, it will be over soon!" Naruto said giving her, his foxy smile, hiding his emotions. " Did you heard anything about others?"

"Not so much, Ino, Shikamaru and Choji are like always together fighting in the front, and Kiba with Shino are still stuck with scouting assignments." Sakura answered, avoiding the last member of team 8.

"Have you heard anything about Hinata?" Naruto asked quietly. Heavy sigh escaped Sakura's mouth. "Nothing, but I'm sure we will find her." She added, seeing him frowning.

"After all we didn't found her body" Naruto saddened even more after hearing the last sentence, saying short "yea".

" Alright Naruto, that's enough! She isn't dead nor she will be anytime soon! Instead of worrying about her, you could help me here instead." Sakura said sternly.

"If he's worrying so much about a friend, how much he would worry about some he love? I hope this madness will end soon" She thought as she watched Naruto quietly helping people around.


Naruto was laying on bed in his tent. It has been few days since he listened to Sakura advice. Helping people, especially in medical tent helped him to not think about Hinata's fate. Sadly it was only a temporary solution as despite being busy, he's mind wandered to young hyuuga heiress more often each passing day. Thinking not only about what is going with her, is she dead or not but also questioning his own feelings about her, it was maddening.

"NARUTO!" Someone shouted outside of his tent, and soon head of Tsunade's massager appeared. " Hokage wantsto see you right away! Neji team returned!"


Here it is, next chapter! It is the first one in this story, where Naruto appears. And now special thanks to Pokedude1992 (deviantart account) who answered my question from the previous chapter. Like always any comments will be greatly appreciated!