First off, I want to thank any of my readers that I still have. I will be going through soon and revising the entire fic. Probably. I have finished my first year of college and I want to get back into this story. I want to say that all the reviews really helped me get inspired to finish this chapter. I love you all

Last Time,

Thus the two groups went to get their scrolls and line up at the gates. Team 8 was sent to gate 34 while Naruto, Haku, and Kuniko went to gate 45. Half an hour later the horns began blowing, letting people enter the dangerous forest, one team at a time. Team eight stood still for the third sets of blows, and then the gate opened. The only thing Hinata could think of was, "Let the games begin."


A shrill, blood clenching scream echoed through the dense trees of the forest. The first of many that day. Each agonizing voice filled Hinata to the brim of her mind. She blinked back as her Byuakugan faltered, changing the soft blue of the forest's natural chakra back into a dark horror. Hinata stumbled from the tree she had been running through, and promptly plopped down on the dirt ground of the forest.

The darkness felt overwhelming to her soft, lilac colored eyes. Something felt off about the way the afternoon light looked as it pierced through the trees. A hand touched her shoulder.

"AH!" She gasped, hands clamping at her open mouth. She felt the hand stiffen as she turned- Kiba did not look happy.

"The hell 'nata?!" He grunted loudly at her. His eyes flickered to the trees, and his nose twitched.

She was barely able to give him a stuttering, "Sorry."

A sigh came from in front of them as Shino creeped silently towards them. "Could you two quiet down? I would rather not have to fight extra genin if I can avoid it. Our priority is finding Naruto's team. Not screaming like children, and acting the buffoon."

"Yeah, Shino. Of course." Kiba nervously patted Akamaru, who was nestled deep against his chest. Hinata could see the slight hesitation in his gaze. Almost as if he were not sure of himself.

She cleared her throat to gain their attention, "Um, perhaps we should go find Naruto and the others? We only have another hour of daylight."

Hinata closed her eyes, and bowed her head in triumph as the two boys gave their agreement. She nodded, and began to search the area for Naruto's chakra signature. It would have been easier if she wasn't afraid, shaking slightly from the odd feeling.

"He isn't around here." She whispered. Her heart sank slightly. "I'm sorry."

Shino knelt beside her, trying to give her a comforting smile. "It's okay Hinata. My bugs cannot sense their chakra either. They're acting funny, anyways. We should move to safer ground and wait until morning. It won't be safe if we keep running around in the dark."

Hinata saw his shoot Kiba a look, almost asking for his disagreement. There was none. She stood up, and took a deep breath, reactivating her bloodline to find somewhere relatively safe.

"There's a small divot in the rock facing twenty meters north of here. There are no ninja in the area, nor are there any trails that signal a group has passed through the area."

"Lead the way, Hinata."

Team eight made their way along a rocky cliff side, and found a small opening that led deeper into the rock. The entrance was hidden by small shrubbery that would most likely hide them from any other team. Hinata felt a wave of relaxation as they settled in. The strange feeling had diminished but it still felt wrong to her. Something was going to happen, but she wasn't sure what.

Hinata shook the thought out of her head and stared to make their campsite. Before the test even began they had decided to make no fire, so it was relatively easy to set up three sleeping bags, and set a few traps around the entrance of the cave. Hinata was sitting near the entrance as Kiba and Shino set a small perimeter. Her bloodline was active, and she noticed herself getting a headache from the strain of using it all day. It would have to be dealt with later, because she was currently watching for any movements or foreign chakra signatures.

"We're finished." Shino prodded Hinata out of her concentration, bloodline slipping as her attention fell elsewhere. "I assume there are still no other teams in the vicinity?"

"Yes, Shino." Hinata nodded, crawling back into the small cave. "Though, there is a team on the edges of my vision, it looks they have also set camp for the evening. I cannot tell you how many, or if I know the signature. They are too far away."

The darker boy nodded, and propped his sleeping back up against a wall near the entrance. "I will have first watch, then. Since you have used the most chakra today. Kiba, are you fine taking watch in a few hours?"

"Sure. Akamaru and I will make sure no one gets through." Kiba stated, smile wide and gleaming in the low light. He pulled the pup close in the sleeping bag and Hinata thought he was snoring before his head even hit the ground.

She watched Shino for a few seconds, wondering what he thought of everything. "Good night, Shino."

"Night Hinata."

She swallowed and closed her eyes, pulling the sleeping back up past her shoulders and curling slightly against the wall. The night had already began to turn colder, and Hinata was glad she wasn't on watch until early morning.

She didn't dream.

"Hinata, wake up." Kiba's clear voice brought her out of the fuzzy confines of rest. "We're leaving in ten minutes."

"What about my watch?" Hinata managed to say through a yawn. It was already bright out, leaving the dingy cave illuminated.

Kiba smiled. "I didn't wake you. Shino took a bit longer than usual, and I just let you rest. You're our biggest asset."

"Really, Kiba," Hinata started. "I could have taken my post just fine."

Hinata slid out of the bag, and already began rolling it when Kiba replied.

"I knew how tired you were. Take it as a favor." He stood above his backpack, Akamaru at his feet.

"Kiba." Hinata furrowed her brow.

Shino interrupted her. "It's too early for you two to start bickering. Breakfast is ready," He gave them each a bar of dried food. "And we need to leave. The quicker we get the next scroll the better. If we don't meet Naruto's team today we should go on our own."

As much as Hinata wanted to protest, she couldn't see fault in his plans. They very well couldn't just run around with the hopes of running into Naruto. It wouldn't work. They would not get a scroll before the time limit. "I agree."

Team eight left the small campsite soon after, heading in the direction of the tower. It seemed to be the best line of action. Hinata tried to concentrate on the woodland around them, but her mind wouldn't let her go to anything besides Naruto's team. She hoped Haku and Kuniko were alright, as well.

But every time she thought of the other two girls her mind went to what her father had told her. She was engaged to Naruto. Actually, there was a vague day set for the wedding already. That just made her want to scream into her pillow. She had always dreamed that she would marry him, but it felt bitter sweet because of the fact that Naruto had to marry other girls as well. It was something she could live with, she supposed. At least she would be his first, meaning she would have more rights and privileges.

This was what she had been raised for after all. One day she might inherit the Hyuga clan, and be expected to have heirs, and she was glad that the children would be part Uzumaki. They would have a lot of siblings too. She had always wanted a bigger family. And if something ever happened to her, her children would have other women to take the place. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing-

Suddenly she was tumbling down, and her knees skidded on the ground, no doubt leaving jagged cuts through her skin. Hinata flushed, and looked up at Shino and Kiba. "Ah, Sorry. I lost my train of thought for a moment."

"Are you okay to stand up?"

"I should be." Hinata began to stand but was unable to keep the grimace off of her face as the pain spiked through her. "Or perhaps not."
Kiba helped her stand, and she beckoned to a low hanging branch. "Help me there and I'll get the medicine from my pouch."

Soon after, her knee was bandaged up and the group began their movement again. Hinata activated her Byuakugan, searching the areas around them. She paused for a brief moment, almost causing Shino to run into her.

"South thirty meters. Team of three, looks like Sound ninja." She deactivated her bloodline, and Kiba turned on the spot to move in that direction. "The scroll is on the female."

"Maneuver three." Shino stated, just before he disappeared to the right side of the forest.

Hinata watched as Kiba went left, leaving her to face the three as bait. It was the first time trying this on a real battle, and Hinata prayed it worked.

"Excuse me." She stepped into the clearing, and locked her gaze with three ninja, each taller than her. There was a girl, and two males. The girl had short blue hair, wore her Hitai-ate at her waist. Hinata already knew that she would be the most dangerous. "I lost my team."

The sound ninja smiled at each other, as if happy for the easy prey. Hinata felt a wave rip down her spine. Fear. Damn it. Where were her teammates?

"Come here girly." She wasn't sure which male said it, but Hinata took a few steps towards the group.

"Oh, let her be, Zane." The other one said. He seemed to be the nicer one.

As soon as she was within arms distance, a cry broke through the air, and two spinning forms rammed into the two boys. She could see the bugs already landing on all three, and then her bloodline activated, her gaze on the girl.

"Eight Trigrams! Thirty-two Palms!"

The girl was down, unable to use chakra before she had a chance to begin to use a jutsu. Shino extracted the scroll, a wide grin showing over his collar. "We have both scrolls now."

She knew she should feel happy, but there was something that still did not feel right with the entire situation. The scroll was theirs, and Hinata wanted nothing more than to go find Naruto, Haku and Kumiko. She just hoped the three stayed safe.

MTEMTEMTEMTE

Three days later, Team eight found themselves up in the cozy confines of the tower with injuries taken care of, and an overall happy demeanor. There had only been four teams in the tower. Today would be the last day for anyone to come, though Naruto's team had still not shown up.

Hinata found herself sitting, and waiting worriedly at the hallways that led newly finished teams into the tower. They still had four hours, she told herself. Sadly, Hinata didn't even believe herself really. But that didn't stop her from waiting.

Finally. Only an hour before the end, Naruto's spikey blond hair came into view, alongside Kumiko and Haku. A loud sigh of relief left her, pale eyes wide with clashing emotions. Hinata visibly relaxed, but only momentarily.

She paused again when she looked at the group. Kumi looked fine. A few scratches riddled her body, along with a searing on her robes but otherwise she looked okay. Haku was being helped walk by Iruka sense, her ankle seemed to be either rolled or broken, and her hair was a mess. It took all Hinata's will to look at Naruto. He looked the worst physically but he walked with the most power. His smile was bright, too.

He looked terrible otherwise. Scorch marks covered several inches of his skin, and his pants and jacket were shredded and covered with deep crimson. The blood had obviously dried and then been re-bloodied. She couldn't help but cringe.

That didn't stop her from following the three into the infirmary. The first thing she recognized was the bitter shock of the rubbing alcohol. It reminded her of some forgotten memory. Hinata could never put a finger on what exactly, though.

She followed silently behind Ikura, and paused just outside the area he had left them in. A nurse passed her with a strange look, but Hinata didn't care. Her eyes were on the back of the blonde's head, worry passing her brow.

"Hinata, are you going to stand there all day?" Kumiko ushered her in as the Nurse looked over Haku's injuries.

Hinata followed limply without responding. She barely seemed to register the other girl.

A hand popped in front of her eyes. "Earth to Hinata."

"Sorry, Kumiko." Hinata hastily bowed in apology. "I seem to be distracted today."

Kumiko started laughed, more so bellowing than anything. "Of course you are. I forget how young you are, honestly. We are all fine. Ran into some trouble early on, but everything is fine now. I take it your team passed?"

Hinata nodded. "Yes, Kiba and Shino and I passed. We got the second scroll very early on, and when we weren't able to locate your team we made the decision to move to the tower."

"Smart girl." She grinned, almost wearily. "Why don't you go talk to Haku while the nurse looks over Naruto and me?"

"Okay." Hinata slid over to where Haku sat and plopped down beside her. "I'm glad your well, Haku."

"Thanks! I'm glad too!" Haku smiled. "I'm happy that you came to see our team."

"Oh, it was really no problem. I was worried about you. You guys cut it really close you know."

"What did Naruto say in the Wave village?" Haku mused to herself. "The Hero always comes in the time of need? Or something like that?"

Hinata giggled. "Well, it's good that you are all in good health."

MTEMTEMTEMTE

"The rest of the Chunin Exams will be postponed until further notice." Lord Hokage took a drag off his tobacco pipe, looking down at the students. "There has been Intel on a security breach and once it is rectified we will hold the third round.

"Konoha would like to apologize to each student who has made it this far in the exam. This will be your last chance to forfeit the exams. The last round is not a team effort. It is individual. If anyone would like to forfeit come see the man beside me before you leave."

"Oh no!" Naruto huffed from beside Hinata. She glanced at him, noticing the bandages around his ribs and splint around his right hand.

There was a tense to the air, which made her feel like there was more to the situation than the Hokage would tell them. Hinata wondered if something happened during the second exam. It was the only plausible reason that the Hokage would put off the last round. They had time to rest now, instead of just jumping right into the battling. That was all well and fine for Hinata.

"Dismissed."

She was being dragged along before the word even made sense in her head. Hinata looked up at the person dragging her, smile playing on her lips as she realized it was Naruto, flanked by Kumi and Haku. "Naruto."

"Huh? Is something wrong?" He stopped, and her face flushed.

"Uh. No… no… Sorry. Where are we going?"

Kumi jumped into the conversation. "To the house. There's something we need to tell you."

Hinata nodded and allowed herself to be dragged back to the Namikaze estate. The building never ceased to amaze her. It was big, yet homie. They made their way into the sitting room, and Hinata took note that Kushina wasn't home.

"Sit down, Hinata." Naruto instructed, pointing towards a seat across from him. "I haven't been completely honest to you."

"Naruto… You don't have-"

"I really do." He grimaced. "You know about what happened with Kumi and my Mom. That isn't the whole story. I know that we fed the council a story about my Dad, but that was only part of it. Kami… You've heard of the Sage of Sixth Path?"

"Of course."

"Good, good. Okay. So he passed down a dojutsu to his son, the Rinnegan. The Uzumaki clan was the descendants of the son. Eventually the dojutsu was lost to most of our clan, and it became a rite of passage of sorts. Either you unlocked it or you didn't. Then, they locked it away within the clan scroll. Sorry if this is strange, I don't even really understand it," He ran a hand through his hair. "Anyways, when all the seal stuff happened I unlocked that scroll. It contained jutsu, and seals and… and a letter. The letter was written to me, as the last of my clan. It forced a seal upon me, and well, I unlocked the Rinnegan. I can activate it when I try but it's really hard to do without the training. I've been working on it with Mom.

"Apparently I'm the center of some prophecy now. I don't mind that much. Also, that why the C.R.A. is so important for me. Without the Uzumaki clan, the Sage is lost to the world. But that isn't really what we're talking about, is it?"

"Naruto." Hinata touched his hand, wanting to give him her heart if that would make his not looked as stressed.

"Just listen. Please. We were maybe an hour into the second exam when we were attacked. I can't remember who it was but they knew about the Rinnegan. We haven't told anyone. The only people who should know are my mom, and us three. That's what was so strange. "

Naruto stood up, and looked at the ceiling. "Someone knows. There was also an attack on Anko Mitarashi. I overheard that from Ikura. That's not all. I heard Sasuke was attacked as well, that why Kakashi pulled him away so fast after the Hokage talked to us. Someone is trying to hurt the village and take our power, I think. I'm sorry for keeping this from you Hinata, but I don't want to leave you in the dark. Especially with the whole betrothed thing."

Hinata sat back, pressing against the cushion on the couch as she thought. "Wait a moment. You said Anko was also attacked?"

"Yes, I don't see why that matters so much." Kumi butted in.

"It matters a lot!" Hinata lit up. "I think I know who attacked you. It has to be. When Anko was a child she was given the cursed seal by Orochimaru!"

"Who's that?"

"You don't know? Naruto, really you should have listened more in the academy! Orochimaru is one of the three legendary Sanin. The other two are Tsunade and Jiraiya but they aren't important right now. He was an evil man, and Anko fell for it when she was young. I bet he's trying to kill Hokage-sama!"

"That would make a lot of sense." Haku nodded. "The Hokage was his instructor, I believe. He could be on a mission to test his powers. And he might have marked Sasuke. It adds up. He wants Sasuke to join him!"

"What?" Naruto looked dumbfounded. "Sasuke is an idiot but he wouldn't do that would he?"

"He is pretty stuck on revenge." Hinata whispered. "I wouldn't put it past him."

Kumi nodded at that. "The little bastard always seemed like evil scum to me. He didn't even really try to protect Naruto during that mission."

"And he was very cold to Tanzuna." Haku stretched, hiding a yawn. "I can see him wanting to get more power and falling for Orochimaru's idiotic plans."

"But why would he want Sasuke?!" Naruto huffed.

"The Sharingan." Hinata managed to say. "He wants the Sharingan!"

"Damn it." Naruto cursed. "Crap! Hinata I forgot to tell you another thing I learned about the whole prophecy thing."

"What's that?"

Naruto grinned grimly. "Well, I have an affinity for all of the elements.


And There you have it! Go vote on my poll for this story if you'd like quicker updates, or drop a review. Remember, Stay Golden.