A/N- Thank you so much for reading this far. And thank you for the reviews! But it would be nice if those of you who find it funny to send me death threats would stop, please. And if you have any questions, I'll be answering them all at the button of the chapter. Thank you ^^

Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto series.

Enjoy chapter 10! :3

Chapter 10

Friend

"Y-Your w-wife?!"

"You can find another one to be her friend, otherwise." He looked at her with a cocky smirk.

Her lavender bangs covering most of her forehead made her face more innocent-looking. So far he knew that she had a huge crush on the dobe, she was shy and the obvious, she's a Hyuga. What could he make out of that? Her bloodline was strong but the rest he found pathetic.

Nana was lost in words. She didn't know how Hinata would accept such a favor, with her crush on Naruto she found it hard for Hinata to give up on the Uzumaki just because of a favor.

"Is she gonna live with you in the Uchiha household after she's been discharged?" The cocky smile disappeared from the Guardian's face.

He hadn't set a foot on the Uchiha ground for as long as he can remember. He only remembered moving into a small apartment. Feeling lonely everyday from the constant coldness in the air.

Having little company wouldn't hurt on his search for his brother. She was not a fangirl after all. And she wasn't as weak as many made her out to be. From her strength when she held her ground against Yoroi despite the serious injuries to the bravery from when she covered him from the fatal blow which would have put him in the same situation.

"S-Sasuke-kun?"

"Hm?"

"Will you allow her to live with you in the Uchiha household after she's discharged?"

He had forgotten about her question completely. Great, now she is starting to distract him from reality. Just what I needed.

"Wel-"

"I don't know," he knew she needed an answer, but couldn't she see that he was trying to make up a proper response, "I don't live in the Uchiha household any longer. I only got an apartment, but that'll be enough."

Sasuke could imagine that her title as a ninja would be set on a pause. But that still couldn't hold her sensei and teammates from visiting her in the hospital. Who knows for how long they would stay?

He pulled on a string behind of Hinata's bed. He heard the door slid open in no time.

"Did anything happen to her, again?" Sasuke shifted his attention to the nurse.

"Can we continue her treatment in my house?" The nurse seemed to be taken aback by that request. Sure, if she were in the condition of walking and siting straight without popping any stitches but she could barely breath. In her years of nursery, she found it hard to reject a request. Even if they weren't patients, she liked helping people.

"I... I'm sorry but I sadly can't. She's too fragile to be in a non-medical environment. And besides we can get her everything she needs in no time."

"That's why she got no cinnamon rolls this morning. You can visit her every other day to check up on her."

"But-!" She was left speechless as the Avenger carried the unconscious girl in a bridal style and walked towards the door.

"Would you care to help?" How could she do that? A part of her wanted to trust him and another told her that he wasn't talking to her as she saw the maiden stand from her seat and help Sasuke in sliding the door open so he could continue his walk.

"Follow me."

He flashed himself onto the roof and saw Nana right behind him, he began skipping his way back to his apartment.

"W-Why did you do that? Weren't you trying to become her friend?"

He carefully lay Hinata on his bed. "I wouldn't have gotten the chance to talk with her if her team were to find out about her conditions. Her sensei probably got the news of what happened to her. They just need to find a replacement for the time being."

"A replacement...?"

"Nanda? You want to send her on more missions in this condition?"

Nana couldn't doubt the Uchiha's words. He sounded trustworthy when he spoke, and Nana was alright with it. She wished that she could see Hinata from his eyes, so that she could see the Hinata in the future from his eyes.

The evening was gradually changing itself to midnight. Nana had to get home before the Hyugas would worry, if they knew how to. She gave her master a last glance before closing the door in front of Sasuke. Get well soon, Hinata...

Hearing the stillness in her breathing filled the empty household with warmness. Something he hadn't felt in a long time. He hadn't felt less alone as now, and the thought of her never having to leave because she no longer is a Hyuga sent a little wave of delight through him, for some strange reason.

He wished that her silky smooth expression could give him an answer. A soft mourn escaped her tender lips, the eyes of pureness fluttered open.

"Close your eyes." The calmness in his tone made the Hyuga close her eyes as told. She wondered why she would comply so easily, she wasn't even sure if the voice she heard was the one she thought it was.

"C-can I t-talk?" The voice paused for a second when it was about to answer, whoever it was either wanted complete silence in times of twilight or wouldn't know what to talk about.

"You need rest."

"I-I c-can still r-r-rest while t-talking t-to you," she huffed. Sasuke sighed from her stubbornness. When did she grow into acting like Naruto?

...

...

...

Great Kami...

"C-can we t-talk to-tomorrow?"

"Depends on how you recover."

"A-arigato, S-Sasuke-kun?" The voice didn't reply. She heard him stand from what sounded like chair and walk towards the bed stand, she felt herself being moved further inside. "S-Sasuke-kun...?"

"Sleep. I won't do anything."

"H-Hai."

Sasuke felt a sweet essence fluster through his nose. Cinnamon? When did she eat cinnamon? Sasuke thought that the nurse was too distracted by his looks, as they always were, to bring her the cinnamon rolls. He noticed the lavender beaming object respond with a brighter beat.

"Hm." Sasuke covered them both with a blanket. He closed the eyes of obsidian.

Being on guard on such a beautiful night made Kakashi sigh. It had been a long time since he had taken a peaceful stroll on a night like this.

He looked over at his long-time rival, Gai, who hadn't spoken a single word since they arrived at their assigned scroll: The Fire scroll. It's citrus brilliance was still as comfortably warm as ever in the midst of the Konoha forests. It amazed Kakashi how a guy like Orochimaru hadn't spotted it yet. Guess the hidden seal is effective.

"Ne, Gai?"

"Hm?"

"I'm planning on showing my Guardians their scrolls tomorrow. I had actually planned on showing them when they got back from their mission, but that didn't work out so well."

Gai almost choked in his saliva from that crazy thought. "Are you insane?!"

"What? They won't have to stand before it or anything, they will just know of the location."

"Kakashi, you got Naruto on your team, right?" Kakashi nodded. "And then you still want to show them?!"

Kakashi looked above and had a thoughtful expression. "Oh, yeah."

"You've lost it, honestly."

"That wasn't actually the reason I told you. Gai, are you alright?" Gai let his shoulders fall from that question. Kakashi could be annoying, but also a good friend, too.

"Kakashi, I don't think I can keep it from them any longer." He said, resting his eyes on the ground with his arms folded before his chest.

"You haven't been on any missions, yet?" Gai shook his head as he sighed and looked at him.

"The Hokage haven't found any suitable one. Neji has been suspicious for a while now, Tenten is starting to find this whole situation weird. And Lee, well he got his doubts too."

"Well, knowing Neji it doesn't surprise me. But, Tenten and Lee, are they progressing?" Gai nodded proudly.

"Kakashi, I don't want history to repeat itself. If we don't keep Orochimaru away, he will find out about each Guardian and their crystals capabilities. And..."

The next targets are the Guardians who are bound by hate.

"The Guardians bound by hate, no, the cursed Guardians, their crystals are getting stronger. And so are their masters."

Kakashi knew how hard it was for Gai to think back to that day and remember all the sacrifices made when the 12 Guardians were assembled. It was all a trap. They thought that the poison was removed from the 2 cursed crystals, as stated by the bearers themselves. But it wasn't. Even when they all escaped, they died. His two teammates died. Ever since that day, they discovered about the bounds. And what it meant for their safety. But it was too late.

"Don't be stupid. How can you be so sure about that, Gai?!"

"Kakashi...! I was a cursed Guardian! I can still feel it to this day how the poison is growing in those crystals, even if they are miles apart. The more they are activated, the stronger they grow. And I can't stop it in any way."

"Gai..."

"I know Neji can handle it on his own, but if anything happens to Lee and Tenten. Then, changing history would be late."

"Don't be stupid... You think the rest of us didn't suffer as much as you and Kaia did on that day...?!"

Gai felt his hand rubbing wet substance off of his face. Something he hadn't been conscious off. They had a moment of silence until Kakashi asked a question which led to another stillness in the air.

"Her birthday is in 7 days, right?" Gai nodded.

"At least, I won't forget this time."

Tenten gave herself a thumbs up at her reflection as she was ready for yet another training session. She opened the drawer and was welcomed with a red illumination from her mini 10-edged shuriken, at first she thought it was a snowflake because of it's sharp similarities.

She felt relaxed from the blue skies above her. I wonder what we'll be doing today. Gai always had a surprise exercise up his sleeves, but knowing that a certain shinobi would master it with perfection made her cheeks warm up. She wasn't a fangirl of his in particular. She just found him a little cool, just a little.

"Have you heard of what happened to the future Hyuga Heiress?"

"Huh?"

Tenten saw two elderly women chit chatting about the Hyugas. And from the sound of it, it wasn't anything good. Tenten would normally ignore these gossips, but knowing that Neji was from the Hyuga made her a bit curious. At least now she would have something to keep him talking.

"I heard that she was stripped off her title as a Heiress and she was disowned. All on the same day, at the same time."

"No way. That's so mean! Where is she now?"

"The nurse said that she is taking care of by a guy, who also saved her from a terrible fight."

Wow, I know that the Hyugas were strict, but shouldn't they act as a family too?

At least she's in the right hands. Hopefully, she'll find acceptance and happiness there. If this was how Neji was brought up, then it's no wonder why he never opens up compared to Lee, who could tell you his whole life story within an hour.

It wasn't soon after that she arrived at their meeting spot where she, luckily enough, saw Neji. All alone. Sitting against a tree. She shook the nervousness off her shoulders and hoped that her pounding chest couldn't be heard. Here goes nothing.

"Hey Neji, you're early as always." He exposed his pure eyes which made her heart pump even faster.

"Morning."

Okay, he said something. Should I jump right to it or build it u- "I heard about the thing with your cousin." na-! Where did that come from?! And I didn't even sound sympathetic at all!

His eyes were still set on her, what he was thinking or feeling was beyond Tenten. Tenten's body and mind would at times clash whenever she was around Neji. She didn't want to sound too nonintellectual for him, but at the same time she wanted to sound like herself.

"E-Er, I-I mean... I didn't mean to... No wait... I'm... Er... Ah...!" The eyes of pureness dug deeper into hers, they were mysterious yet filled with inexplicable feelings which they are longing to express. A part of her told her to calm down, while the other told her to start all over.

Tenten took a huge breather before gathering her thoughts again. "Are you... alright about it?" This time her voice sounded more calm, not as emotional as she wanted it to be, but better than before.

"What happened to that girl, happened in the Main House. I'm from the Branch House, which means, I couldn't care less of what happens there."

"O-Oh... I-I never knew that you were divided."

"Well, it's a long story." He saw her getting closer to him and moved a little to give her some space to lean against the tree, it was quite comforting.

"One day," she brought her knees to her chest and hugged them close, "would you mind telling me?"

He turned his eyes to hers. Tenten's cheeks couldn't hide the shade of red it had taken, his eyes were more... clearer up-close.

"If you're still interested till that day."

Tenten giggled. This was what she liked about Neji, despite his seriousness then there was a little humor as well. He was also comforting to speak with, at least for her, it was hard finding a person this calm and... handsome..

No! No. No. No. No. No. NO!

"Mooo! Baka! Baka! Baka!"

She felt his eyes on her again, this time with a raised brow. "Is something wrong?"

It was first there she realized her redden palm and a semi pain on her forehead. She needed lessons in controlling her body when her mind was playing with her. She was relived to hear Lee and Gai's loud greeting for once.

Saved...

"I'm sorry for cancelling our night session, something came up!"

Lee, as curious as he always was, questioned him in the same tone. "What came up, Gai-sensei?"

Gai gave him a pat on his shoulder and smiled. "Nothing you have to worry about for now." And hopefully won't in the future.

"If you say so, Gai-sensei!"

Gai nodded to Lee and introduced the schedule for today. It's funny how, since they became Guardians, they haven't been on any missions so far. Gai kept saying that all the C-rank missions had either already been assigned to another team or completed.

Team Gai already were capable of fully maintaining their Armor compared to the other Guardians according to Gai. But whether he said that to cheer them up about not being sent out on any missions, or because it was the truth was beyond Tenten.

"Well... LET'S GO!"

"Haaaiiiii, Gai-sensei!"

Sasuke felt the days passing by like flies. It had already been 2 days since the incident with the extractor.

He hadn't informed Kakashi of his finding of his crystal. He wondered what they were doing without him. Knowing the dobe, he would probably be showing a new skill off. Sakura would be drooling over his missing presence. Hm, now he's curious about the progress of Team 7 without him.

He looked at the fragile figure beside him. He noticed dried tear marks running down her cheeks, it left a wet mini pool on his pillow which he hadn't felt while sleeping. Why was she crying?

As Sasuke found his way up, he felt a tuck at the hem of his boxers. "Hm?"

"A-are y-you lea-ving?" Sasuke side-eyed the Hyuga, her eyes seemed closer to lavender this time, but her chest was already exhausted from those few words. He gently removed her tiny fingers and turned to face her completely.

"I'm going to bring some breakfast." He heard a crack from his bed and quickly warned her not to move. "I won't be gone for long."

He knew she was fond of cinnamon rolls and he clearly remembered the times where he would be astounded by the amounts of rolls she could consume within few minutes. He made some caramel tea and took them to his room.

The heiress knew that her nostrils weren't mistaken when she caught the smell of cinnamon from a distance, it wasn't long before she heard the door crack open and the scent grew stronger.

"C-C-Cinnamon rolls? H-H-H-ow d-did you k-n-now I l-liked them?"

The Uchiha replaced the gems on his desk with the breakfast, he put the crystals on the window sill instead. Now that, that was aside, he knew that she couldn't eat like that. A red shade formed around the petite girl's cheek as he slipped his arm between her back and the mattress, he slowly pulled her upwards with his other hand close to her chest.

"A-arigato..."

"Does it hurt?" She shyly shook her head to his low voice.

He set the plate with cinnamon rolls on her laps, hopefully they weren't too hot for her liking. He saw her pale hand try and reach out for the cup of tea, with him being quicker he took it and gave it to her. He carefully guided her to take slow and small bits of the hot substance.

"A-arigato..."

Hinata never expected herself to enjoy Sasuke's company this much. She had heard that he was cold and distant, but he was very welcoming even baking her cinnamon rolls. He still hadn't told her how he knew it was her favorite. She looked at the Uchiha who had picked a book while she was munching on her breakfast, he would occasionally have a quick glance at the 2 luminous crystals.

"A-ano," her heart skipped a quicker beat from the mysterious eyes that stared right into hers, "h-how d-d-id y-you-"

"I smelled a little cinnamon on your crystal." That made Hinata's cheek bloom with velvet, she knew she would have to cut down on the rolls sooner or later. Or just later.

"I-is t-this y-your h-house?" Sasuke nodded.

"A-a-aren't you g-going t-to eat?" She said while taking another bite of the last roll on the late.

"I'll eat later."

"S-Sasuke-kun?"

"Call me Sasuke." Even though Mitsu used honorifics on him too, he found the 'kun' too fangirl for Hinata to use on him. He wasn't trying to distance himself from her after all.

"S-Sask-ke-k-u-"

"If you call me Sasuke-kun I won't answer you." That's where the obscure face gave his book the attention. It actually surprised Hinata, his girl supporters would usually call him that, but if that'll make her staying less unbearable, then it was fine.

"H-Hai."

Hinata heard a loud exhale that seemed to have given up, she was curious as to ask what had happened. Her soft lips were mid-open by the time she saw Sasuke slam the pages together. "It's no use."

"W-what is?" He directed his head at the crystals. "W-what about them?"

"I can't find anything about those crystals."

The Hyuga had totally forgotten about the crystals. It quickly brought her to the battle between, Sasuke, her and Yoroi. The last thing she remembered was covering for Sasuke and that's it.

She hadn't actually payed attention to anything else when she thought about it. She remembered being in the hospital and the doctors telling her that her recovery would take a long time, but finding herself here was... strange.

"S-S-Sasuke-ku- S-Sasuke, w-won't I-I have to go t-to t-the ho-hospital?"

"You owe me a lot, since I saved you."

"O-owe?"

"The crystal you found was mine."

It must have been through a lot for it to have landed in a closed area. "Oh, w-what h-h-had h-happened t-to it?"

...

...

...

"I lost it."

A day like this shouldn't be used on planning drastic decisions, rather on a nice stroll around Konoha. Hiruzen could only enjoy so much of the view over the village from his office. He brought his pipe to his mouth, and unfolded the scroll his received earlier this morning.

What did you say?!

Yes, the kidnapping was a set up for the Guardians. His plans were to retrieve the Yin and Yang user. But according to him, the Yin user had an outburst and was taken control of by her crystal, which resulted in his defeat.

The list contained different names categorized under different villages, his eyes fell onto Otogakure. The Hokage took a moment from the list and thought back to the spy, who was sent to eliminate the Yin Guardian. His mind immediately brought him to the meeting he had with the elders a few days before the Guardians were announced.

His main objective must be the scrolls and the 10 pure crystals.

He sent a message to his two assistants and asked them to summon the council of Konoha, for him he meant Homura and Koharu, his former teammates. As he was waiting, he finished skimming the list.

And now that the Chunnin Exams are right around the corner.

They are serious, this time. We have got to bring the Guardians in safety!

Hiruzen rested his forehead on his hand, strewing his fingertips through his sweaty hair. The Chunnin Exams are in 7 days, huh?...

... It's a perfect timing.

A knock on his door sent another wave of pressure through his body. "Come in."

He lay the scroll aside as Homura and Koharu walked in. Homura, as straightforward as he had always been, demanded an explanation for his hasty meeting.

"This," he showed them the entry list for the Chunnin Exams.

"What about this? It's just the list of teams participating."

"We were informed that Otogakure sent a spy to eliminate the Yin Guardian," he brought the extractions crystal at sight, "and this is our proof. The Yin Guardian bore onto the Yang crystal as well."

"Are all the Guardians determined?" Koharu asked.

Hiruzen nodded. "The Uchiha is this generations Yang Guardian. Our Yin Guardian is a Hyuga."

"A Hyuga?! It's impossible, the Uchihas and Hyugas are enemies. There's no way that they would protect themselves from the cursed Guardians, if we are set up like all the other times!"

"That's not our biggest concern! Orochimaru is here. And he is serious this time!-"

"What do you mean it's not our biggest concern?! There's no way the Uchiha and Hyuga will ever be bound, they need love for that. Something they can never share." Hiruzen clutched his hands, stood from his seat and faced the blue skies. It was too true to ignore.

"If anything happens to the other Guardians, it won't be soon before the cursed and the pure Guardians will search for their team. If they find each other in their Armor form... Hiruzen, they won't stand a chance against the poison."

"Homura, take it ea-"

The former member of team Tobirama slammed his fist onto Hiruzen's desk.

"Homura..."

Homura knew that he was right, and he knew that Hiruzen wouldn't listen nonetheless, but they weren't kids anymore. This could cause the safety for the current generation.

"I can't let anything happen to the scrolls while the Chunnin Exams are being held." Hiruzen directed his front to the former Team Tobirama.

"Hiruzen, you can't be serious..."

"I have to. Kotetsu, Izumo." The door opened in an instant.

"Yes Hokage-sama?"

"Tell this to the former Guardians. In 7 days from now, their team will be sent to their respective scrolls. And make sure that they are ready!"

"Ha!" As they were gone, Hiruzen took a sit and inhaled the comforting smoke from his pipe.

"Why are you doing this? You know that they aren't ready for this. They aren't strong enough for the scrolls!"

"I know. But, the Guardians," he held his left hand fall, "or the scrolls," he repeated the same act with his right, "risks are meant to be taken."

"Even if death was a high possibility?"

Thank you for reading! I'm sorry if the chapter was too long. I hope I didn't drag anything too much ^^

OriSweatshirt - I really like this story and the originality of it. I'm just a little confused about the ages of everyone. Is this still before the chunin exams?

I'm really glad that you like the story. And yes, this is still before the chunin exams. So they're all 12 years old at this time.