Hola chicas and chicos! I am back baby!!! I hope everyone had a great holiday! Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, Happy Hanakuh and all that stuff. (I celebrate christmas btw.) Well, heres the new chappie!

Aishiteru, Hinata-chan

Chapter 14

~*~*~*~

"Come on, Akamaru!" Kiba ran up front with Shino, right behind the large white canine. Sakura and Sasuke were in the middle, chatting idly, and Kakashi and I took up the rear.

"Kakashi," I called over Kiba's barking. (Ha-ha! No pun intended guys!)

"Hai? What's wrong, Kurenai?" His visible eye glazed over with anticipation.

"It's just… I'm worried about Hinata. This seems… out of character for her. I know she gets brave when Naruto is involved, but not like this. Something's happened. I have a bad feeling that the girl that poisoned Naruto has something to do with it."

The silver-haired jounin nodded. "My thoughts exactly. Should we just head toward the town? Look for some clues there?"

I nodded, my black hair swishing with the movement. "That sounds like the best bet we've got. Besides, it's been 4 days already. We're on a time schedule."

"Listen up, everybody!" As the words left his mouth, the chunin stopped on nearby branches. "Now, we are going to head to Damaiyo City. There we can loo-"

"What about Hinata?!" Kiba bellowed. I'm going to have to talk to that boy about manners one day.

"Can't you tell?" I asked, watching all attention turn my way. "This trail. It's the trail to Damaiyo City. Since the scent as leading us there, Hinata must already be there."

Realization dawned over everyone but Shino. Sasuke smacked his forehead, muttering something along the lines of 'how the hell could I have not noticed'. Sakura smiled and patted his shoulder.

"So it's settled," Kakashi interrupted. "We head straight for Damaiyo City."

~*~*~*~

"Hyuuga-sama, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

I hate to be formal, but this is Hinata's father. I may as well be polite.

"Uzumaki," he called, catching my attention. "You… I have a very serious question… involving my daughter."

This increased my interest, suspicion, and protectiveness of Hinata. "What about Hinata-chan?"

He pointed at me with a somewhat hard look in his silver eyes.

'Like Hinata-chan's,' I thought. 'Only less kind and dazzling.'

"That right there," he started. "Your 'Hinata-chan'", the Hyuuga clan Leader used air quotations. "Why do you… have so much faith in her?"

I blinked. Involuntarily, my blue eyes glazed over. My head turned and I was looking out the window. "I have faith because I trust her completely. You may not see it, but Hinata-chan had grown tremendously over the many years I've known her. She has grown stronger, smarter, and… more confident since I left 3 years ago. She may seem shy and incapable of many things, but she is very clever and resourceful."

My eyebrows drew together slightly and a small frown made it to my lips. "Why do you ask? Do you not have faith in you daughter?"

Hiashi looked slightly taken aback. But he shook his head and stared back at me. "I will admit that Hinata has improved. But, I would not trust her with my life. I would need someone more experienced and tal-"

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

I couldn't help exploding like that. He was acting like a complete and total asshole!

"I beg your pardon?!" He was completely taken aback this time.

"How in the hell could you not have faith in your own daughter? Your very talented daughter at that! That right there," I jabbed a finger in his direction, "is why she's so shy and self-conscious. You're always putting her down and breaking her self-esteem. What kind of father are you?!"

Silence.

The great Hiashi Hyuuga was shocked speechless. I decided to keep going.

"I never knew my Tou-san or Kaa-san, but I know you're not doing a very good job of it." My eyes softened very little. "Hinata-chan told me what happened to her mother. How you took it so bad you couldn't look at her without seeing her mother. Don't you think she had a hard time without her, too?"

"H-how did you-?"

"Gomen. It's written all over you face, Hyuuga-sama." I looked at him with a serious expression. "Hinata-chan doesn't deserve to be treated that way. Gomenosai, demo if you are going to continue to talk about her that way, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

How was that? I hope it was long enough to last you guys until the next one.

What will Hiashi do to Naruto?

Will the rest of teams Kakashi and Kurenai get to Damaiyo City in time?

Will Hina-chan and Ru-chan (Yall know that she's actually good right?) whoop Ru-chan's old man's butt? (I hope so!)

What will the rest of Rumiko's history reveal?

Okay that's enough qiestion for now.

Review please!

ja ne,

-Tsunei-chan

PS. Check out my poll on my profile! I need some help with this!

ja ne,

-Tsunei-chan