Naruto was in front of her, a grin lighting up his rugged features. He put his hand on her swollen belly and a little kick pushed at his hand. His happy laughter rang in her ears.
In a moment he was gone, the space he'd previously occupied just black as if that entire part of her world had gone with him. Frantically she searched for him. Much to her dismay, she only found the entire world going dark with him.
Trapped alone in the darkness, Hinata cried. Then her father was there, telling her to work harder. Then scolding her for letting her little sister surpass her. Then young Naruto was there, urging her to stand. Then holding her hand to face their mutual foe.
The warmth and strength in the hand holding hers touched her soul. She wouldn't let him go. She would fight with him. She would fight for him. She would die for him.
Hinata woke up with determination in her gut. As she got dressed, she eyed the pictures on her shelves. She pulled down the frame with the picture of her in training and removed the picture from the frame, revealing the picture hidden behind it.
Bright blue eyes stared at her from the frame. With his prosthetic hand on the back of his neck and a broad smile in place, Naruto was her motivation. She would face certain death for what she was about to do. To kill four men with no proof of their wrongdoings?
She sighed and ran her thumb over his handsome face. He would hate her for endangering his village. He probably already hated her for what she was supposed to be doing. She placed the picture back where it belonged and dressed silently.
After she snuck out of her window, she waited silently in the shadows for the four man squad to leave the compound. She followed a safe distance behind, making sure to not let her presence be known. A short distance from her closest friend's home, the group paused.
She halted with them as they planned their approach. She took a deep breath before she began silently stalking toward them. She took two Kunai out of her pouch and sent a silent prayer to the heavens.
The world began moving in slow motion for the kunoichi. She leapt from her hiding place with one specific target. The man, unaware of her presence, sat with his back to her, an easy target. She noted, briefly, that they were sitting around a floor plan of Sakura's home.
Inches away from the man's throat, her arm was grabbed and she was tossed to the side. The four man team was immediately on their feet, preparing to face their intruder. When the four of them each came face to face with a Naruto, their arms were immediately lowered.
"Smart choice." His signature grin was in place, confusing Hinata immensely.
"Naruto-kun?" Relief at seeing him washed over her in waves.
He dispelled his jutsu and, when only one Naruto was left, he looked at her. His blue orbs glowed with triumph that lifted her soul. She couldn't help but smile back at him, the only man she would ever love.
"Hey, Nata. I need a favor. Call a meeting of your elders for me? I have to talk to Sasuke and then I'll be there. Oh, and make sure these four don't cause any trouble. You can handle it." And with a wink, he was gone.
The five of them stood around, completely and utterly dumbfounded. The four man cell, ignoring her presence, went back to the compound to make the elders aware of what had transpired. When Sakura happened upon a confused Hinata on the forest floor, suffice it to say she was concerned.
"Hinata! Are you hurt?! What's wrong?" When all Hinata could do was burst into uproarious laughter, Sakura looked at her like she'd lost her mind.
Hinata burst to her feet and grabbed Sakura by the hand, pulling her toward the Hyuuga compound. She wasn't sure what but Naruto had done something. Somehow, while she was resorting to violence, he was solving everything the way only Naruto can.
"Hinata, what's going on?" She made no effort to not be dragged along.
"I have no idea, Sakura-chan." Hinata smiled at her then, and laughed when she made what could only be described as the Sasuke face.
As they raced towards her home, Hinata humored the notion that maybe, just maybe she could have her love. Even while she was crying and breaking down, he never gave up on her. No matter the outcome of what was about to transpire, she would never give up on her Naruto again.
Hey guys. I know things are just starting to get good, huh? I know the chapters are short but they serve my purposes adequately. Anyway, enjoy and please leave feedback so I can know in which areas I need to improve. Thank you all so much for bearing with me and I look forward to the next chapter.Lycantora out.