My Endless Love

by Torian

A depressed and vengeful woman grieves over the assassination of her husband and searches to find his killer to avenge his death. However, what she doesn't know is the true murder is her husband's best friend with whom she has fallen in love with.

14. After All Is Said And Done

How you doin my pplz? lol. Sorry I'm so hype, I just can't wait till you guys read this chapter, my bad. From what I got last reviews some a ya'll literally put down that I was damn good. lol. Thank you, you guys are my inspiration and bring out the best in me. I'm so glad you guys enjoyed that last chapter. See? I told you chapter five when I was thinking about that chapter you'd like it, lol. Hey, I'm glad your enjoying, make sure though, if you guys can do me the favor that is, you talk to your other readers about this story also so I can get a little bit more reviews. I need advertisements, I know its good, you know it's good. Why not share the love no? lol. I luv you guys, really. So without further adue cuz I know ya'll hungry for it, I present the story ya'll have nothing but endless love for, "My Endless Love"- Chapter 14: "After All Is Said And Done."

---

Hinata was in the surgery room, her eyes closed, her condition no better than what it was, but worse. Inside the room with her were Tsunade, Heuri, Jiraiya, Eurotachi (the Kazekage of the lava village), and other surgeons as they all observed her carefully. Tsunade wore a worried look on her face as she sighed heavily, Jiraiya comfortingly putting her hand on her shoulder nodding. They all looked at one another as the surgeons nodded, walking over to Hinata they did some hand signs mumbling a jutsu as her body then glowed white.

Tsunade and the others disappointingly stepped outside. She sighed heavily and looked up confused with the others by her side to see both Shikamaru and Sasuke just outside the door. Sasuke was sitting on a bench thinking pensively and angrily, his body shuddering of fear and worry. Shikamaru remained leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his face worried, fear in his eyes. When Tsunade and the others walked out the surgery room they both quickly walked over to them in apprehension. Tsunade looked at both them and sighed.

"Follow me. Right now, this is not the place to talk," said Tsunade.

They nodded and walked down the hospital hallway. It was quiet the whole way down, no one said anything to anyone, and everyone avoided eye contact from everyone else.Every ones thoughts were left to themselves, apprehension filling the atmosphere among everyone. Everything just seemed to go in slow motion as doctors rushed with other patience to the emergency, other people talking. The only thing anyone could hear was a clock echoing in their ears, matching their heart rate. "Click clock, clock tick" they could hear the grandfather say. It was making everyone nervous.

Finally, after a while, Tsunade came unto a door which was a waiting room. She took out her keys and opened the door turning on the lights upon their entrance. When they entered the room, it was empty, weird, and even more depressing than where they were before. The room was painted pure white, and the emptiness was so drastic, that when you stepped inside you could hear the echo come from your footsteps. There were no windows inside the room, but lying in the middle of the room was a small oval table which was white also, with small white stools to match. Both Sasuke and Shikamaru walked over to the stools and sat down as Jiraiya, Heuri, Eurotachi, and finally Tsunade entered the room. As the large heavy door squeaked eerily before making a large close locking itself.

"She couldn't choose an even more depressing place to talk. Geese, this place is more creepy than a tomb in a catacomb," thought Shikamaru.

Tsunade turned around and sighed heavily as she then gave the boys her attention.

"It's not good is it," mumbled Sasuke putting his head down frustrated. Tsunade gasped and looked at him frowning. She turned her head away from him. Did she need to say anything. "It's never good when its with me dealing with Orochimaru is it? And it never will be, will it."

No one said anything. Hueri smiled walking over to him sadly, putting her arms around him comfortingly.

"It's not completely bad, the good new is that right now, she is still at least alive," said Heuri trying to cheer him up.

"Yeah but not for too long, or am I mistaken," said Sasuke bitterly. Heuri frowned, she knew that much was true as she turned from him. "I thought so. Tsunade. Keep it straight with us. What's going to happen to her from here. You can't bullshit me. I know it's bad. I can slowly feel Hinata's presence drifting away from me."

Jiraiya looked at him impressed. "I see. So the kid shares a connection with her. That's why he knows so much," thought Jiraiya.

"It's true," Tsunade began. "There isn't anything really good. But I will tell you what's going on and I promise to be straight with you. You'll only find out the truth anyway." Tsunade spoke with sadness looking sadly at her friends, there was no way she was going to be able to explain this alone without breaking down to tears herself. Her friends nodded as Tsunade took a deep breath beginning.

"Its like this. The poison that Hinata has is a snake poison, it's lethal true enough. Her life is in danger," said Tsunade. Sasuke and Shikamaru both gained a shocked look on their faces. Tsunade frowned, and that's when Jiraiya then took over.

"The poison should have killed her. But Hinata was definitely strong enough to hold her own," said Jiraiya.

"So what exactly are you trying to tell us," asked Shikamaru.

"Well," Hueri cut in. "We've been able to keep her stabalized. Alive if you will, just to help slow the poison down from spreading throughout her body."

"So what happens now?" asked Sasuke.

Tsunade sighed heavily. "Well, the good news is this. Hinata can live," she said.

Sasuke and Shikamaru both quickly stood up in shock, now paying even closer attention.

"What do we have to do!" said Sasuke quickly.

"With the poison inside of her the good news at least is this. There is an antidote. And for what we're doing, we can make her stay alive for 24 hours at the max," nodded Tsunade.

"24 hours? Where the hell is this antidote?" asked Shikamaru.

"Where else. Where Orochimaru told us it was," said the Eurotachi holding up the fake scroll Orochimaru sent to Hinata.

"The Land of the Dark Vines, but of course," grumbled Shikamaru crossing his arms frustrated.

"Everything always seems to be a game with Orochimaru. Sasuke, you're gonna have to go and retrieve the antidote, not like I have to ask cause even if I didn't you'd force your way to go anyway. All of this was planned, so the only thing I'm asking you Sasuke is this. On your way there and even upon arrival, just be careful," said Jiraiya.

"What do you mean Sasuke? I'm going with him too. He can't go alone!" argued Shikamaru.

"I'll be fine Shikamaru. Trust me," said Sasuke nodding.

Tsunade crossed her arms walking over to them.

"No arguments Shikamaru. You have to stay here and take care of the base. The mission was a success, and there still is much to be done around here," said Tsunade.

"We can't just hand Sasuke over to Orochimaru on a silver platter! We don't know what's gonna happen if he goes by himself" argued Shikamaru.

"I'd never go on his side, not at this point!" said Sasuke.

"I don't trust Orochimaru, I'm sorry. I should go with you!" retorted Shikamaru. "What would you do if Orochimaru tells you that he'd give Hinata an antidote if you give yourself to him. The way you are now, it seems like you'll do anything to save her life, what if that was a worse case scenario, what then?" Sasuke frowned and said nothing, turning his head away. He hadn't thought about that, and knowing Orochimaru from betraying the leaf village the first time to go with him, that situation was very possible. He knew Orochimaru enough to know that.

"Calm down the both of you!" said Tsunade breaking it up.

"Yeah, besides, who said anything about Sasuke going alone?" said Jiraiya.

Sasuke and Shikamaru looked at them confused.

"Wait, so you guys are coming with me?" asked Sasuke.

"No. We're needed here to keep Hinata stabilized," said Heuri.

"Then wait. I don't get it? How am I not going by myself then? You see how long it took you guys to get here. You can't send anyone from the leaf village down here to help me get this antidote from the Land of the Vines," said Sasuke.

"We won't need anyone from the village to help us out when you have comrades that's been traveling along side you the whole time to help escort you there," said Eurotachi.

The boys looked at him confused.

"What are you talking about? Other than Shiyaku, it has only been three of us traveling," said Shikamaru.

"No, five," corrected Jiraiya.

"No, three," said Sasuke.

Sasuke and Shikamaru looked at one another and looked back to the smiling Tsunade, Jiraiya, Heuri, and Eurotachi. "I don't get it," said Shikamaru.

"You of all people should have noticed this back when you were at the Village Hidden in the Sun," said Heuri.

"I still don't get it," said Sasuke.

"How come none of you guys ever asked about the stallions that Hinata had taken with her?" asked Heuri.

"Truthfully? With everything going on I didn't find them important at the time. But I did wonder how was it that Hinata was there and the stallions were gone. I figured they would have just ran away," said Shikamaru.

"I doubt it," said Sasuke. Shikamaru looked at him confused. "Those two stallions have gained a special liking to Hinata, a greater loyalty if you will. They'd die first before they let anything happen to her. Trust me, those stallions aren't normal, there's something special about them that's for sure."

"You're right. They are special. Considering that they aren't stallions at all," said Jiraiya. Sasuke and Shikamaru both looked confused and completely lost.

"What!" they said in unison.

"Those stallions are human shinobi. They used a jutsu to transform into stallions to stick with us. You see, those two stallions are really the last surviving shinobi from the village Hidden in the Wind that Orochimaru massacred," said Tsunade.

"I knew there was something off about those horses!" said Sasuke in realization.

"But wait, so where are they now?" asked Shikamaru.

"They have small injuries and should be out soon enough. But they will be accompanying you shortly. We'll ask their story when they get here, but in the mean time Sasuke you need to rest up. For very shortly you're going to be leaving," said Tsunade.

"So hold on a minute. I'm like Shikamaru now. What exactly happened back there? How do you guys know this?" asked Sasuke confused.

"Well, allow me to explain. We were too late to reach Hinata but..." said Heuri.

Heuri, and the other'sflashback: Hinata screamed as the sword from Orochimaru approached her, the stallions galloping towards Hinata in panic. Immediately, Hinata closed her eyes, and blocking the attack was another sword, and a small kunai knife.

"Who the hell are you?" said Orochimaru in shock. Hinata looked up to see two shadows in front of her. One holding a sword blocking Orochimaru's attack, as well as another shorter shadow holding a kunai knife doing the same thing.

"You're worse nightmare," said the taller shadow. The taller shadow's voice sounded more feminin, and determined.

"I thought I disposed of you already," said Orochimaru angrily.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, then it appears you thought wrong Orochimaru," said the shorter shadow.

"Ah, I don't believe it. Where, where did you two come from," asked Hinata in shock still paralyzed.

"Ha, Hinata, we were with you the whole time," said the taller one pushing Orochimaru off of them.

Orochimaru jumped back, grimacing at them.

"You'll pay for you're ignorance girl!" he barked. Quickly he did some hand signs, the taller shadow held her arms out and looked back at the smaller shadow.

"Get her out of the way!" said the taller shadow.

"Right!" nodded the smaller shadow. Quickly, it picked up Hinata moving her out of the way.

"I don't think so!" said Orochimaru. He quickly stretched out his tongue, the sword attached to it. Then quickly, it froze, glowing green. "What!"

"Sorry Orochimaru, not today," said a sassy voice. Everyone looked up into the sky to see Tsunade jump onto the scene with Heuri, Jiraiya, and Eurotachi.

"Tsunade, Hokage of the Village Hidden in the leaves, Jiraiya one of the greatest Sanins since the newer generation has taken over, and Eurotachi of the village Hidden in the Lava. It has been quiet a while hasn't it," smiled Orochimaru.

"Hinata!" cried Hueri.

"Help!" cried Hinata.

Tsunade looked at Hinata and held up her finger concentrating closing her eyes. She then opened them, a sound wave going through the area. "Release!"

A green aura surrounded Hinata and she was paralyzed no longer as she quickly stood up jumping over to them.

"Hinata are you okay!" said Heuri hugging her.

"Yeah, so who are those guys?" asked Hinata. She looked around. "And where are the stallions?"

"Take a closer look Hinata. We are those stallions," smiled the shorter shadow.

"What?" said Tsunade in shock. She looked at their foreheads to gasp looking at their headbands showing an engraved wind sign. "You're from the wind village!"

"But wait, I thought Orochimaru wiped that whole village out?" said Jiraiya confused.

"Apparently not all of them, as you can see these villagers of the wind village are here in front of our face," said Eurotachi. "You're still a second class snake for pawns Orochimaru, contaminating countries and setting them at war. Bastard."

"And it was no wonder. Sasuke did say that those stallions weren't normal, so you two were special," said Heuri.

"Yeah, I wondered the same thing," said Tsunade.

"Enough! Hinata is mine!" cried Orochimaru busting out of Tsunade's paralysis jutsu. He charged towards her as a smaller fist from the smaller shadow punched him across the face, but even as he fell, he quickly did a hand signs."Water style: Tsunami's Wrath Jutsu!"

Water from the ground came up spinning as though wind was pushing it creating yellow energy heading towards Hinata.

"Fire style: Plate shift jutsu" cried Eurotachi. He held up his hands moving them up as the earth under them began to move, lava flowing from the ground blocking the attack. But coming out of the steam was Orochimaru laughing, everyone gasped as Orochimaru smiled then transformed into a log.

"It's a substitution jutsu!" cried Heuri. Hinata screamed as she did her utmost best to dodged the attack that was coming up behind her from the real Orochimaru..

The taller shadow then came in intervening, and grabbed his wrist as Orochimaru pulled out a kunai knife managing to pierce the shadow's shoulder. Not effecting the shadow, it turned around and kicked him across the face.

"It won't be that easy Orochimaru, with three highly trained ninjas, two Sanins, and Hinata. You don't stand a chance, it's over!" said the taller shadow.

"Yeah, so give it up! You're gonna pay Orochimaru. For not only what you've done by assassinating our whole village, but for making these people suffer for years! You killed Naruto!" said the shorter shadow.

Orochimaru smiled and began to chuckle.

"Ah, Naruto. If only you people really knew," said Orochimaru."But ignorance is no excuse."

Orochimaru'seyes turned gold as his eyes glared at everyone but Hinata, paralyzing everyone but Hinata.

"What the hell is this?" said Jiraiya angrily, trying to break free.

"It's a paralysis jutsu, one that snakes specialize in to put fear into their prey so that they may catch them," explained Tsunade.

"This was what got Hinata," said the taller shadow.

Quickly, Orochimaru teleported in front of the taller shadow and kicked her across the face, hitting trees in the forest, now knocked unconscious.

"Big sister!" cried the smaller shadow trying to move, but not getting anywhere.

"Orochimaru!" cried Hinata charging towards him.

"Hinata no, that's what he wants!" cried Eurotachi.

Orochimaru smiled as he too, charged at her, changing his target. Hinata dodged his attack kicking him across the face. She quickly landed on the ground doing quick hand signs, concentrating, as she then opened her eyes.

"Byakugan!" she cried. Her Byakugan quickly activated as she looked over at him getting in a battle stance.

"Tsunade what are we going to do?" panicked Heuri.

"Let us not forget that Hinata has powers of her own. Watching is the only thing we can do for right now. It's up to her to protect herself," replied Tsunade.

"You're right but Orochimaru's smiling, and anytime that happens, it's never too good," said Jiraiya.

"Is it ever," commented Tsunade in frustration. "But damn we don't have a choice."

Orochimaru charged at Hinata attacking her with his sword and tongue as Hinata dodged every last attack, blocking them.

"Ha haha, what's the matter Hinata. I've never seen you fight with such fire in your eyes," he teased.

"You bastard! You kill Naruto and then pull this off? What are you after, me or Sasuke?" she said in fury. Her hand then went across his stomach as he fell onto the ground from hitting one of his chakara points.

Orochimaru, not being affected by the mass amount of pain looked up at her weakly, shuddering smiling. "You have no idea, how much of a pawn that both you and Naruto were. From both me, and from Sasuke himself."

"You're a damn lie!" cried Hinata throwing a kunai knife at him. Quickly, Orochimaru took out one of his kunai knife, on it, it glowed green. Tsunade gasped.

"Hinata be careful! That kunai knife is completely covered with a deadly poison!" said Tsunade. She struggled trying to break free, but it was no use. "Shit!"

Orochimaru chuckled. "If every medical shinobi were like you lady Tsunade, then maybe perhaps it would have been a great idea of yours to have a medical ninja on each team," said Orochimaru.

"Don't mock me you bastard!" barked Tsunade.

"That's enough!" cried Hinata punching him across the face. Orochimaru fell onto the ground, as he threw the back of the kunai knife, hitting a tree right behind her.

"That was close!" said the small shadow.

"It's not over yet," warned the Eurotachi suspiciously.

Immediately, Orochimaru's tongue came out and attacked her other shoulder, placing a whole in it, blood coming out everywhere, as Hinata screamed out in pain.

"Hinata!" everyone cried in unison. Orochimaru's tongue slowly came out of her shoulder, licking the blood he then swallowed. Orochimaru smiled as Hinata's body shuddered from the attack as she fell to her knees.

"My Hinata, your blood sure is delicious. Too bad it will only last a short while. Now then," said Orochimaru weaklily standing up. "You tell me that I am lying, so if this is true. Then this last attack should not hit, but if I am telling the truth, it will. Chances, chances, oh what will they be."

"Enough with the games Orochimaru, just let her go!" said Jiraiya. Orochimaru lifted up his fingers as it glowed silver, and automatically, Hinata rose to her feet, but still unconscious from the last attack.

"You think," said Orochimaru moving his other hand that turned green moving the kunai knife on the tree behind her, taking aim. "After all of this planning, all the using, the only thing I've been waiting for since you fools have even went on this pathetic mission. And you think I'll stop and leave her alone now, just because you said so? This is a fucking joke. Now behold, for Naruto's fiance not long after, will follow him through death."

"No!" cried Tsunade.

"Hinata!" cried Heuri with tear filled eyes.

"Earth Style: Poison sting justu!" cried Orochimaru. The shrunken began shaking and pulled itself out of the trees, growing more spheres around it as it began to multiply into dozens. Orochimaru looked at Hinata who was still halfway unconscious. "It was nice playing with you Hinata. And now, you die."

Orochimaru threw her into the air, as all the spheres hit her stabbing her in the body unmercifully as Hinata screamed in agony until all 160 stab wounds hit her body. Everyone turned their heads not to behold the sight, crying, for they could do nothing. Her Byakugan unactivated as her eyes became cold and empty, smoke emitted from her body, as her lifeless body landed back on the ground. Motionless, her whole body turning green from the amount of poison that had entered her body, her lips turning more darkish purple.

"My work here is done," he smiled. He looked over at everyone's angry and tear filled faces. "And it was nice seeing all of you again. It's been a nice reunion, but I'm taking an early leave. Send my condolences to Sasuke." He turned over and walked off going into the forest. :Flashback Over.

The room was completely quiet, Sasuke filled with anger, Heuri filled with tears, Jiraiya and Eurotachi filled with regret as they turned their heads from them. For they could not face them.

"When," mumbled Shikamaru. Everyone then looked over at him. "When are we finally gonna beat this guy! Why is it he always gets away with shit like this?! He can't ever run into us without killing one innocent person!"

The room was even more silent, Tsunade frowned. "Look, I understand how you feel. And we're doing the best we can. You're right, this has to end. But right now, he seems pretty unbeatable, for either of us. There was a time where Jiraiya and I even had a chance to take him if we were working together or separately. Now, he's surpass us at this point." Jiraiya nodded.

"So then what? Your just gonna keep letting him do this to you and your village? What are you saying? That it's over?" asked Heuri passionately.

"No," mumbled Sasuke. Everyone turned over to Sasuke as he stood determined with confidence. "If there isn't one thing Naruto left behind for this village even though he didn't get a chance to feel the seat of being the Hokage. It was even in the mist of impossibility, there's hope and we can always win. The leaf village is not gonna give up without a fight. That is our ninja way or did you forget. It's not over, we're not gonna let him win. And we're not gonna let him take Hinata either."

Everyone looked at him impressed but smiled, their spirits feeling lifted as everyone nodded agreeing.

"You're right kid thanks. I almost forgot who I was for a minute," smiled Tsunade.

"Maybe, but at the same time we still have to be realistic," warned Jiraiya.

"Orochimaru, he is not impossible to destroy," said Sasuke. Everyone looked at him with interest, paying attention to every bit of information he had to offer. "I can take him down. I believe I'm the only one with a shot. The only one with the chance. He has to want me for a reason. I must be a threat of some kind. I just haven't figured out how yet."

Tsunade looked at the others sharply and they too gave her the same look and nodded as she looked back at him. "It is something that I have theorized," admitted Tsunade in a serious tone thinking pensively.

"It's risky but it's all we got left," said Eurotachi.

"True. Damn I hate being smally limited to options," mumbled Tsunade thinking frustrated.

"What happened to the shinobi of the wind village?" asked Shikamaru.

"Yeah that's right," added Sasuke. "We saw all of you but the two shinobi you spoke of from the village Orochimaru destroyed."

"The paramedics from Orion village picked them up first. I had them do so because we all sensed you were headed our way," said Heuri.

Then, there was a slight knock on the door. It was pure silence as everyone looked at the door in complete tension. The door then glowed white, and slowly, the door knob began to turn, as the lock magically unlocked. Everyone quickly got in a battle position. Then, appearing in the doorway stood two beautiful females. One, was tall, she had long white hair and hazel green eyes and floated on a small cloud. Her hair was in one full bun and her head band showed the wind symbol. Her outfit was a gray shinobi outfit, in the leaf village's same style. Next to her was a younger girl next to her who had long silver hair with the same hazel green eyes who looked like a younger version of the oldest girl in front of them. She appeared around Konahamaru's age rank, but she was still a little short. She had wore iron wrist bands and tape around her hands for fighting, and she to was floating into the air. Both of them had small bandages on them with small cuts, but other than that they appeared alright. Everyone then settled down and Tsunade smiled.

"Oh, it's you. It's nice to see you two again," said Tsunade.

The girls smiled and bowed.

"Lady Tsunade, it is good to see you. My sister and I are in deep regret about Hinata. We tried," she said shrugging sadly. Tsunade frowned.

"We all did," said Heuri. The girls then looked at both Sasuke and Shikamaru who blushed embarrassingly at them.

"This is awkward. We meet the people who's back's we've been riding all this time and your females," said Shikamaru scratching his head.

"It's of nothing to us, we have done it all the time back in our village," smiled the younger one.

"I know this is awkward but let's be real. Who are you? Seriously," asked Sasuke.

"I am Kodak," the oldest one began. "And this my younger sister Tsaswari."

"We don't have time to regroup and get everyonesname. Here's the situation," Jiraiya began. The girls turned to him. "Hinata has 24 hours to live. The antidote is in the Dark Vines village, which, we can thank our lucky stars, isn't too far from us now. You're to follow Sasuke there, that's where he'll get it from. And more than likely, when Orochimaru will show up once again."

"Oh, that's of no problem," said Kodak eyeing Sasuke sharply.

"Yes, we both know how moved Sasuke can be moved by sweet word passed to him," said Tsaswari.

"Silence you runt!" grumbled Sasuke crossed.

"Look there's no time to be pointing fingers. Hinata's in trouble, and we only have 24 hours. There's no time to rest up or do anything, we have to save her," said Shikamaru.

No one said anything but everyone nodded agreeing with what had to be done.

"You know your mission. I don't have to tell you anything or explain to you any precautions. Don't make any rookie mistakes. Now get out of here!" cried out Tsunade. Both the girls and Sasuke nodded and quickly scampered out of the door and then before they knew it out of the hospital. They soon went into the woods, traveling the direction of the Dark Vine village.

"You think they'll make it on time," asked Eurotachi.

"We can always hope for something," said Tsuande. "We can always hope for something. Now then Shikamaru, don't you have other important things to do?"

Shikamaru looked at her confused and then remembered. "That's right, I nearly forgot, the base!" panicked Shikamaru.

"That's right now get to it. Future Hokage," smiled Tsunade. Shikamaru bowed and walked out the room heading towards the base.

In the dark depths of the surgery room, Hinata's glowing body lit up the whole area. As many things went through her self conscious. It was dark, and she laid even in her mind, on the dark floor, hearing echos surrounding her.

Hinata's Self Conscious:"Naruto!" she cried. "Sasuke!" The echos began to become louder and louder as tears formed in Hinata's eyes. "I--I--I'm sorry."

"Hinata!" called a soft masculine voice.

"What?" said Hinata in shock. "I know that voice. But no, it can't be!" Hinata looked up to see a flashing white light. She then closed her eyes, for she could not move her arms.

When she opened them, she saw that she was in a mystical and colorful garden, where beautiful neon lights swirled into the sky;they were peach. Hinata looked at the beauty that was behind her and blinked in confusion. Slowly and to her surprise, she was able to sit up, moving her body. Even though the cut wounds on her body was completely obvious.

"Hinata," said the same tone of voice. Hinata looked over and gasped. There, sitting under a tree eating a peach was Naruto. Tears formed in Hinata's eyes and she shuddered in shock. She could not believe it. Naruto stood up and gave her a thumbs up smiling. "Well what are you sitting there looking at me like that for? I thought you missed me?" he smiled.

"NARUTO!!" Hinata cried. She dashed towards him so fast that when she reached him, her speed and impact pushed them on the the patch of flowers as she cried. "Oh Naruto, I was so scared...I felt so lost with out you!!"

Naruto froze and smiled gently as he embraced his fiance' stroking through her hair. "Don't worry Hinata. I'm right here. I told you that I wouldn't let anything happen to you. For me to be here while you're unconscious, it's obvious you kept me right where I belonged. Inside of your heart."

"Oh Naruto!" Hinata cried out in despair. He then leaned his head over to her and kissed her passionately, as she then immediately began to calm down, it was almost like how it used to be, just before he died. He then parted from the kiss and leaned his head on hers, while she lay her head on his chest, and they looked at the beautiful sky.

"Hinata. You can't give up. You can't give up on your life," said Naruto.

"But, Naruto...my life was meaningless without you. Even being on the border line of death and of life, with you by my side. I feel so complete now. You are my soul mate Naruto. I just can't live without you. Let me die, let me come with you," begged Hinata.

"That would be selfish of me," mumbled Naruto sadly.

"I don't mind!" outburst Hinata. Naruto looked down at her shocked by her behavior and frowned as she blushed red turning her face away from him. He embraced her tighter.

"You have other things to live for Hinata. There are people back there who love you, who need you," said Naruto.

"What about when I loved you, what about when I needed you, and you still left me, I can do the same thing"

"If there's one thing I can promise Hinata, it's that I never left you," he smiled winking at her. "Not willingly anyways." When he spoke, it almost felt like a slight hatred tone that escaped his voice as he thought for a moment.

"I don't wanna go back, there's nothing there for me, nothing! It can just be me and you Naruto, and this place, this beautiful place for the rest of my life time," said Hinata.

"Yeah, it can be. But it cannot happen if you are dead, Hinata. That's not what I want, besides what about Orochimaru?" said Naruto.

"You see what he's done to me, just look where I am now. And, he killed you," said Hinata. Naruto's face then became cold.

"No. He didn't."

Hinata looked at him with confusion.

"What do you mean, he did take you out didn't he?" asked Hinata.

Naruto said nothing for a moment then spoke again.

"Ignorance got me where I am today Hinata. I'm like a phoenix. I burst into flames, and when I come back I come back ready to kick some ass. No, No, Orochimaru didn't get me. Ignorance and betrayal did. And what a worse way to do so, then to betray yourself," said Naruto.

Hinata still looked confused. "Why do you want me to go back," asked Hinata.

"You need to think up every reason for you to live and fight this stuff off of you. And here's one of them. Orochimaru does have a weakness. In order to stop him and every things he's got set up. You have to bite off the snake's head."

"What?"

"I can't explain that right now. But it's the only main clue you have now. Now you have to go back and tell our friends unless you wanna be responsible for anyone else's deaths caused by Orochimaru," said Naruto sitting up.

"But that advice doesn't even make sense," said Hinata.

"Do you trust me?" asked Naruto. Hinata gasped and looked at the seriousness in his face.

"With my life..." replied Hinata sadly.

"Then deliver the message, fight for that if anything else," he said, his body then began to disfigure, beginning to fade out.

"No! Naruto don't go, don't leave me yet, you can't go!" cried Hinata.

"You have to fight your own battles Hinata. And please, don't be sad. I'll find a way to make it up to you. Remember, it'll take some time but just know that as strong as we are, as our love is, you'll recognize our bond. And you'll know even by this evidence, I have never left you," said Naruto smiling.

"Naruto, you know I love you and I'll always carry you inside my heart but I don't want you to go," cried out Hinata. "You're hurting me."

"I never go back on my word Hinata, never. I promise you in the future, you'll never have to worry about being by yourself again, just give it some time. And I promise you, you'll see," he said fading off.

"No! Naruto wait please! Please come back don't go! Naruto! Naruto!" she cried. But it was too late, and he was gone. "Damn it no! I lost him again, I lost him again, no why! Why, why, why, why!"

Hinata cried out in despair. : Hinata's self conscious over.

Outside in the real world, tears began streaming from her eyes.

"What's going on, are we loosing her?" asked one of the paramedics.

"No. One of the things about the poison she has is that if forces her to hallucinate things in her self conscious. The Hokage has mentioned that her fiance' had died not too long ago," said another paramedic.

"So you think?" asked the third paramedic.

"That's right," he replied. "She's probably having visions and torturing memories about her fiance' and it's killing her."

"The poor thing, it's a shame. She's been through so much," said the first paramedic. "Sasuke must hurry. 24 hours will come by fast and already do we have 19 hours left. I just hope he can make it in time." Everyone nodded agreeing.

Yes they knew, and they knew that much was true.

Back to Sasuke and the others, they had already easily brushed through the forest. Becoming closer to their destinations they then began to slow down and began to walk so that they may build up their chakara and energy. Between them, it was quiet. Feeling most of the emotion and seeing everything themselves, the girls really didn't too much have a good perspective on Sasuke yet. They still blamed him for everything that had happened to Hinata, for his ignorance, for his lack of awareness. It was disappointing to see one of the famous Uchihas, one that was trained by a con as low as Orochimaru, could fall for such an easy bait.

"Are you ready to bark at me now?" said Sasuke coldly. The girls just looked at him sharply and said nothing. "I know you're on Hinata's side. I know you feel it's all my fault. Even as horses, you made that evident"

"Just remember that you said those words. Not us Sasuke," said Kodak. There was another ouched silence.

"Tell me and I'm curious," said Tsaswari.

"Watch it," warned Kodak chastening.

"I know I know, don't worry, I'll choose my words correctly and ask this question right. Sasuke, what made you not trust Hinata? We thought you liked her," said Tsaswari.

"It has nothing to do with liking anyone. I really care about her. I guess it's just--everything I've ever wanted and ever had. Has always been taking away from me. I grew so attached to Hinata, I didn't want her to be one of those things that were snatched. Any person that I've met whose made promises to me. They always failed. And it was to the point where I couldn't trust anyone anymore. And I knew that the only person I could really trust and count on was me and me alone. I've always been some one for myself because I knew I could only count on myself and trust me. Because at least then, I knew that I was someone that I could never fail to myself, someone who would never disappoint myself. And that I was someone that could get things done. I was so used to just me, me, and me. But Hinata...she showed me so many different things that just surprised me. That sent my world into a 369. She trusted me with everything..."

"And you only trusted her with 99 percent of you," said Kodak coldly. Sasuke flinched, knowing it was true and that's where he was going with it. But still, hearing it in actual words made it hurt more.

"Just ponder on this much, you, Hinata, and Orochimaru. Trust her. Don't have other people tell you what she can do, and limit and tell her what she can't. Hinata can do alot of things that'll surprise you. She's way past the level of being babied now. So what all does she mean to you? She knows the risk and is ready to risk it all, so are you?" said Tsaswari. Sasuke was completely speechless, he could not say anything. "Think about that instead." The girls then walked past him as Sasuke then thought for a moment.

"What is Hinata to me..." he thought pensively.

Orochimaru stood inside a dark room, vines surrounded him, his yellow eyes glowing. Coming from the corners of the other side of the room were Meliac and Shiyaku, who were both bowing.

Orochimaru came from his shadows. On him were scars and bruises, as well as cuts and scraps. Although he finished Hinata off, even he had to admit, that she gave him a close run for his money.

"The boy is here. But it seems that he has company," said Orochimaru. "And that poses a problem."

"You did say that they would come here for the antidote right?" asked Meliac. "I thought that this is what you wanted sir?"

"He wanted for Sasuke to come alone. Is that right my lord?" asked Shiyaku.

"I'm assuming that somehow after all the excitement, Tsunade must have somehow gotten him to calm down for him not to rush after me on his own. I need you two to get rid of those two leeches traveling close by Sasuke's side. They are more than likely if not both, then one of them, are part of the village Hidden in the Wind," said Orochimaru.

"Yes my Lord," both of them said in unison.

"You can count on it," said Shiyaku. "We'll make sure that Hinata dies and that Sasuke is in your grasp when you return sir," said Shiyaku. Meliac looked confused while Orochimaru gave her a skeptic look.

"Your not gonna follow us through with the rest of this mission?" asked Meliac. "Then how do you expect for Sasuke to come with us when it's not you?"

"It's possible, he did it before when he was 12, and even though his age isn't the same, his mind is still that of the child he was all those years back. Of course I would join you, but I have some business to take care of with Kabuto and the other leaders. Let us not forget we are trying to start a way here. Everything is almost complete. Just be patient Meliac don't you worry," smiled Orochimaru.

"Yes my lord," he bowed.

"And you," said Orochimaru warningly looking at Shiyaku. He walked over to her intimidating her even more, Meliac freezing also. "We're not gonna remind certain people how the first plan almost went to shams!"

"I assure my lord it'll never happen again. That's why I'm telling you, you can count Sasuke will be back here when you return."

Orochimaru looked at her and grimaced, he closed his eyes trying to remain patient and looked back at her in an ugly manner.

"Then I will go with your word. Mind you, I detest broken promises as much as I detest failure. And this time there will not be a request for extensions on your life. You will suffer, should you choose to fail me again. I will damage you and your pride horribly, and you shall be tortured unmercifully that you're gonna beg for death. Do you understand me..." warned Orochimaru. His long tongue slowly began to extend out touching her face, as though his tongue was trying to give her face it's wet caress as to further his intimidation. Shiyaku shook with fear closing her eyes so as to not show any signs of weakness and nodded in comprehension. He gave her an unsatisfied look and walked out of the room closing the door, leaving the room completely dark.

"Must you over due the kiss up. Now you know for sure that you will have to succeed. He's destroyed you before, and as I recall it was not very pleasant," said Meliac.

"SHUT UP!!" she screamed in more fear than retort. "He said that if I succeeded in my missions and I planned on having him restore my family then I have to show him more respect."

"Perhaps. But this is not a regular mission, it was hard when we first handled them and it will be again, there is no guarantee Sasuke will follow us, you realize this yes?" he asked.

"He will. My ass is on the line too. I'll make sure that he will," said Shiyaku nervously.

"I don't know," chuckled Meliac. "Perhaps you may succeed after all..."

Meliac walked over to her and whispered seductively into her ear. "For some reason you always seem to respond quicker when you have the right amount of pressure put to you."

Shiyaku quickly turned around and slapped him. "Do not mock me you bastard. I can't wait until you fail a mission and take the torture I have to if they fail."

"Fortunately most of your torture is because of have a pussy not a dick. I mean of course there are other ways even though I'm a guy, but even the example lord Orochimaru placed on you, was enough of a note to remind you what would happen. So if I were you Shiyaku...I wouldn't fail this mission."

"I don't need your incompetence to remind me of that. I know what's on the line, I assure you it won't be a failure."

Meliac laughed and walked out of the room, as tears filled her face, her body shuddering as she did some hand signs placing them together.

"Transformation jutsu!" she cried. Puff of smoke formed around her, then, when the smoke diminished, there, stood an Orochimaru look alike. She took out the antidote spinning it in her hands. "I will not be made a mockery of again. I will not."

Back in Orion village, the ninja were moving logs back and forth from the fire base. Shikamaru was over the operation, Tsunade and the others not too far from watching.

"Shikamaru sir. Where do you want us to put this?" asked one of the men. He held up the satellite that he, Hinata, Sasuke, and Shiyaku retrieved from battle.

"Oh yeah, this thing," said Shikamaru scratching his head. "Let me hang on to this for now. I'll have to ask Lady Tsunade."

The man nodded and went back off to work. Shikamaru sighed heavily and turned around to look up at the window to see Lady Tsunade watching him from the window. He lifted up the satellite and she beckoned him to come to her. He nodded and looked down at the satellite.

"For all the trouble this stupid thing was worth it better be something," he mumbled.

Shikamaru walked inside the hospital and waited for Tsunade inside a green waiting room. He sat on the couch with the satellite next to him. Then, opening the door came Tsunade.

"Has there been any slight bit of change?" asked Shikamaru. Tsuande sighed heavily closing her eyes and shook her head.

"Since you're the only important one here, you'd be the first one I'd tell. Heuri, Eurotachi, and Jiraiya are in the surgery room with Hinata now. They're trying to help her," said Tsunade.

"So it really is all on Sasuke," said Shikamaru worriedly.

"Worried?" asked Tsunade nonchalantly.

"Yeah. This mission with Hinata has been a roller coaster ride. I only saw her as being Naruto'sfiance'. This time. Going on the mission I saw Hinata for who she was. She's become a friend than just someone who was there," said Shikamaru.

Tsunade laughed.

"You sound like you've fell in love with her," teased Tsunade. Shikamaru laughed also.

"No it didn't go that far. Ino's still the beat of my heart. But it's just amazing how much a person's perspective of someone changes once they get a chance to know them."

Tsunade thought on it for a moment and then took the satellite that was next to him.

"So tell me about the satellite, what is it supposed to do?" said Shikamaru.

Tsunade looked over at him.

"The whole plan has been set to motion Shikamaru. You have no idea how important you and the others succeeding at this mission means," said Tsunade.

"Will it still be affective? After all, Orochimaru said that he knew where the base and everything was. Will it really make alot more difference," asked Shikamaru.

"Of course it will, don't be such a pessimist. Besides, I already thought about the chances of Orochimaru knowing about the base. Don't worry, I have a back up plan. But what's important right now is this satellite. Come with me, this can't just go anywhere you know," said Tsunade walking off. Shikamaru nodded and followed close behind her.

Back to Orochimaru, he had just made it back to the wind village. Leaning on a half destroyed house was Kabuto. He had looked up to notice his master's return.

"Welcome back lord Orochimaru," said Kabuto.

"The others haven't been waiting long enough to be suspicious have they," asked Orochimaru.

"On the contrary my lord," smiled Kabuto. "Everyone just arrived about half an hour ago and ready for their report. You are alright."

"Orochimaru," said a soft voice. Both of them turned around to see Celestial sitting on the roof.

"Why hello my dear. Long time no see," said Orochimaru. "Are you ready to report?"

"I am," said Celestial (mist village Hokage) coldy and skeptically.

"Celestial where are Aqua(Rain village Kazekage), Fele' (Metal village Kazekage), Xiolin (Earth village Hokage), and Cheri (Hokage of the light village)" asked Kabuto.

"They are waiting. Just like the rest," said Celestial nonchalantly. She still did not trust them, and what they didn't know was that she heard part of their conversation. Why on earth did he need to be there on time enough not to seem suspicious? There was something funny about him and he did not like it. "Where were you?"

"You dare question your leader?!" outburst Kabuto.

"I am a leader of my own, the only thing I provide is assistance frog! Don't forget, you are nothing but a mere aide, know your place when you are placed in front of me!" commanded Celestial. Kabuto quickly shat up and sat back. Orochimaru smiled raising his hand to reverence silence.

"Now, now, calm down. I was doing something for our war effort. I too had a mission to complete. Now then, if you shall allow, let us join the others and I will explain everything when we get inside," he said. They both nodded and headed inside the Hokage of the wind village head quarters where everyone awaited, conversing about their plans and their missions. Theories and hypothesis going across the table. When Orochimaru and Celestial entered the room, everyone became silent and stood, bowing to him.

"Lord Orochimaru, it has been a while, about three weeks it seems like hasn't it," said Xiolin.

"I've missed all of you also. I hope things didn't get too out of hand for you in my absence?" said Orochimaru.

"No not at all, everything was handled fine," said Cheri sternly.

"Report," commanded Orochimaru.

"I'll begin," said Aqua standing up. Everyone looked at her for attention while Orochimaru sat himself down at the far end of the table listening intently. "While you were out the Hokage of the Land of the Heavens came to see you."

Orochimaru looked up at her with interest cocking up his eyebrow while putting his cuffed hands in front of his face. Aqua nodded and continued as she stood up pacing around the table. It was almost as though they were in a business meeting.

"Orochimaru, you are well aware that all of us are allies and are definitely behind you 100 to take out Konaha. But we too also have allies, and they too have joined us," she explained.

"So please explain Aqua I'm not understanding where you're going with this?" asked Orochimaru.

"What Aqua is saying," said Fele. "Is that after one village gets involved in one war so will their allies drawing even more enemies to the village. They are well aware of what's happening."

"I see," mumbled Orochimaru.

"We have to consider everything well, if the enemy sees we're getting too many people involved then they two will gather up more countries to help them so as to balance the playing field," said Celestial.

"And what's wrong with that. This is something serious here," said Kabuto.

"We're making this a war against Konaha, not a Civil war within the whole country you fool," replied Celestial hotly. "More lives are at stake here, we cannot just do as we please."

"I am beginning to see you're point Celestial and you are absolutely right. Tell me Aqua, what business did the leader of the land of the Heavens have with me in particular, do you know?" asked Orochimaru.

Aqua nodded and sat on the table continuing. "He too wants to help out in the war effort against Konoha, he says he already has allies that will help work with us. Everyone here does too, also of course."

"While you were gone," Xiolin interrupted. "We have all been leaders carrying on missions with our allies about what all they can do to help with the war effort. Many of them as such are very dependent on this meeting so that they know how to handle things and what to do."

"Indeed," commented Orochimaru. "That is of great importance, but only for one moment will we hold off on this matter. It's not one to be left untouched for a long time so we'll come back to it. At first I would like to know this much. How have you all fared in the missions I've left from you. I need all of you to report."

"I'll begin since it was my village that was attacked first after the wind village sir," said Fele' nodding standing up.

"Go on then," nodded Orochimaru.

"Stopping at my village we have found about 50 survivors. All, whom are boiling in hatred and are assisting to fighting this war in revenge against the hidden leaf village," said Fele'.

Orochimaru nodded and then beckoned Xiolin to report next, he nodded and continued.

"I have found that many more people from the earth village had escaped more than what I thought even though we have suffered a great loss. We have about 200 shinobi in training now, they are fine and are awaiting orders," said Xiolin.

"Excellent," nodded Orochimaru. "We cannot let the leaf village get away with this. And speaking of training, the rest of you. No all of you, what are your training mechanisms you're giving to your shinobi."

"I cannot mention that Orochimaru for it is a village secret, as long as the wind village has remained hidden with their kekegenkai and other powers I'm sure you can understand that. But I assure you, it is one that will prove affective," said Aqua.

"And the light village?" asked Kabuto looking over at Cheri while he was taking notes on his clip board. Cheri crossed her arms and nodded leaning back in her chair.

"My people will fight when necessary don't you worry I'll assure you. This is a war, so there training will definitely be rigorous," replied Cheri. Orochimaru sighed and closed his eyes leaning on the table thinking. Then, without opening his eyes, he spoke again.

"And what about you Celestial," said Orochimaru. Celestial jumped shocked and looked at him untrusted, as Orochimaru then opened his eyes glaring at her contrastingly. "You still have yet to bring anything to the table for your input. Don't tell me you're having cold feet on us now, when we're so near brink to war."

Celestial looked at him half feared, as the others quickly shot her a look in question, making her even more nervous.

"I did as you asked if that's what you're asking me," she said strongly.

"Hm, so then tell us then, what is it that you did. In order to do something so high standing as a war, we need to know where everyone stands so we know what all we have to work with don't we? So then, what is it that we can count on you for...Celestial," Orochimaru said more strongly.

Celestial gave Orochimaru a stabbing look, as the room became quiet, the air becomming much more thicker to breath in.

Sasuke, Kodak, and Tsaswari had entered the village, it almost look like a jungle village. But it was dark at night time, and shadows were everywhere as well as poisonous hung on vines. The vines were black and so were the leaves, the village almost looked empty.

"Damn, you'd think Orochimaru took over this village as well. It completely looks unwelcoming," said Sasuke.

"I'll say, I'm almost scared," said Tsaswari half whining.

"Need a bear," teased Sasuke smiling.

"I said almost, not was, ya jerk!" she snapped back.

"Enough with both of your foolishness. Let us not forget the mission at hand, Hinata is counting on us," said Kodak.

"But I don't understand," said Tsaswari. "I know this is a mission but is the antidote here? Like the actual ingredients? Or are we assuming that Orochimaru has it and we're gonna fight him for it."

Kodak and Sasuke looked at one another confused. They had not thought about it, and they knew she was right. A vision of Orochimaru flashed into his mind. He was a dark shadow, his eyes flashed gold, his smile reflecting through the darkness.

Sasuke snapped out of it and the girls looked at him confused.

"Sasuke are you alright?" asked Kodak.

"What's wrong?" asked Tsaswari.

Sasuke put his head down darkly and depressed saying nothing for a moment, a vision of Hinata suffering going past his mind. He then looked at the girls and walked past them looking into the sky. An ominous wind blowing.

"He's coming to us," said Sasuke lowly. "I think...somehow my bond with Orochimaru hasn't completely broken and...I think...he's coming to us." Sasuke held his head for a moment and sat down on the ground, he was beginning to have extreme painful headaches, although something inside his brain was coming alive. And the trends were getting worse and worse, what was this, an aneurysm? The girls then looked at one another concerned and nodded as they walked over to him cautiously.

"Let's take you someplace to rest," said Tsaswari.

"It's fine. I'll be fine. I just need a minute. But we gotta get out of here. We're being watched can you tell," whispered Sasuke looking at them gravely.

Kodak looked around the area with the side of her eye to see shadows hidden and moving around their surrounding.

"Yeah, I noticed that when we first took step here. Orochimaru already has this place taken over, it's no use. Let's get out of here, no use to worry our selves with the small fry," said Kodak. They all a nodded and walked out of the area. Then, a small vision of Hinata's smile pierced through his brain. Sasuke then stopped abruptly in shock as he held onto his head again. The girls stopped to see Sasuke was absent once again and they turned around to look at him.

"Hinata," he mumbled worriedly. The girls frowned.

"Sasuke, I don't know what's wrong with you but whatever it is, you have to fight it. Do it for Hinata's sake if no one else's. She needs this," said Kodak.

"Yeah, we have to get Orochimaru and punch the antidote out of him," said Tsaswari. She pulled back her watch, it said 16 hours on it. "Damn it and we don't have much time."

Sasuke then snapped out of it and they both walked calmly to another direction so as to not attract too much attention. They later found a canal and the girls decided to go by the stream. Sasuke stayed behind and decided to remain uphill to keep watch of any enemy movements. If they were gonna be hit then he'd at least be somewhat prepared ahead of time. So instead, of going down there to join them he remained behind. Sasuke then went over by a tree to watch over ground, he then looked up at the stars, thinking only of Hinata. The sun was about to break over the horizon to be the next day, and he knew they were running out of time. Yet somehow he began to nod off, until somehow finally, he fell asleep.

Shikamaru yawned. He and Tsunade had been up at the computers inside the base for hours. When he looked at the screen to see the sun line over the horizon he knew that morning was soon on its way.

"Man, this is a drag Lady Tsunade. Whatever it is can't it wait until like--I don't know we go to sleep," complained Shikamaru.

"Quiet you!" snapped Tsunade. "This peace of work is very delicate and complex. And given what we're having to work on, it's not easy."

"Okay yeah, I understand that like um, I don't know. Four hours ago! I mean you still have yet to tell me what this thing is supposed to do anyway. What underhand thing does this satellite have to take out Orochimaru," asked Shikamaru.

"What this thing has is to our advantage Shikamaru is that it is not only a tracker but this is a special kind of satellite," said Tsunade.

Shikamaru sighed heavily annoyed leaning his head back to his chair breathing. He then sat back up and looked at Tsunade, trying to keep his patience as he scratched his head annoyed.

"I mean come on Lady Tsunade how amazing can a satellite be anyway. What's the big secret about it?" asked Shikamaru.

"I'll tell you when I break these cryptic codes first," said Tsunade.

"Yeah, um. You do that. In the mean time," said Shikamaru standing up stretching and yawning. "I'm gonna get me some shut eye."

Shikamaru made his way towards the door, until all of a sudden a huge table flew to the doorway blocking his way out. Shikamaru quickly froze in a panic and half fear.

"What the hell is that for?!" said Shikamaru.

"I don't know what the fuck you think this is. But you're not going anywhere. This is extremely important, something that you need to be here for," argued Tsunade.

"I understand that but damn, do I gotta loose sleep over this. I've been doing nothing but watching you all day. I haven't been helping you do anything that's why I don't understand why I even have to be here," shot back Shikamaru.

"Look, it's called taking responsibility. You're gonna be the next Hokage you know!"

"I know, I know, so I've heard about one thousand times I got the message and so what?!"

Tsunade quickly got frustrated and grabbed his color, her eyes burning fire red.

"You listen to me you ungrateful runt. This is a very dangerous situation here. You need to pay attention to everything I do. This very village is at hand so you need to be taking me to your advantage while you still can you little ignorant fool," she screamed throwing him to the ground. Shikamaru hit the ground rubbing his head.

"Awe man this was totally not in my job description when I took up this job. Note to self Shikamaru, women are always right, especially the ones whose rage is like lightening," said Shikamaru.

"It's not about that. You're lazy and you should take things more seriously than what you are don't you get it? Soon and very soon, maybe sooner than even what you think. I won't be here. I'm getting old and my time on earth now is limited, and it's a real cut and half especially since we're talking about going to war here. And our enemy is Orochimaru as well," said Tsunade roughly.

She looked down at him and frowned. "I'm giving everything I have to offer as much as I can. If, I don't make it through this and I do die. Then I want to do so peacefully. Knowing that the people of this village has a great leader to protect them. I am the knowledgeable one who knows what they're doing and isn't just thinking about the well being of the people inside the village, but as everyone else as well. Things take time and well strategist thinking. Everything cannot be rushed because you have way too many people's lives at risk here. You should always remember that."

Shikamaru said nothing and turned his head away from her ashamed. It was true and he knew it was. The whole time, even though he had to admit, he was somewhat lazy. It seemed like lately he's been learning new things more quickly and unexpectedly. First by Hinata and Sasuke, then by Lady Tsunade. It was then he came to wonder. Did he really isolate himself from the village that much not to try to get to know anyone? What ever the answer was it was too late to know and figure out now. He nodded with understanding and walked over to her watching and studying what she was doing.

Green water dripped onto Hinata's motionless body, her arms were crossed with IVs attached to her heart and mind screen. She floated into the air glowing white as Jiraiya, Eurotachi, and Eurotachi took over to try to keep her stable, both of them sweating out of exhaustion. Jiraiya looked over at the clock sternly and then back at Hinata frustrated as he watched the sun set to the horizon.

"Hurry up Sasuke..." thought Jiraiya worriedly.

All eyes were on Celestial as everyone was awaiting an answer to Orochimaru's question.

"Well, I'm waiting Celestial. What is it that we can count on you for?" said Orochimaru.

"On whatever you need done, done," she replied solemnly.

"I'm sorry. Not to start question, but I somehow question Celestial's loyalty to us," said Fele' slyly thinking. Everyone cocked up their eye brows.

"Don't be a fool. My men are outside these grounds awaiting orders for Orochimaru to attack the leaf village right this minute, and you dare question my loyalty," said Celestial insulted.

"Really," said Orochimaru suspiciously, rubbing his chin closing his eyes thinking. He opened them and smiled. "Fine."

"Lord Orochimaru," said Aqua. He looked over her as she looked outside. "The sun is set, if we are going to do something then we need a plan now. I believe everything is accounted for here, what about the other lands."

"Yes, people are beginning to worry and they too wish to help in the effort," said Fele'.

"We'll need as much help as we can get, the next meeting will be for battle, and I want everyone here so I know what exactly I have to work with," smiled Orochimaru.

"You sure," asked Cheri. Everyone looked at her. "Whoa whoa whoa, don't get me wrong, I want to take out this threat as much as everyone else in the room but--"

"She's right," said Xiolin stepping in. "Don't you think with so many countries at our disposal we're taking this way out of hand perhaps even just a little. It just seems, I don't know, a little out of hand. This could go out of control, let's think about this rationally."

"He's right you know, it can very easily go out of hand. Don't forget, most of the countries we're dealing with are very hard headed and hotheaded opponents," said Fele. Celestial look at Cheri, she looked back at her with a serious face, and as Celestial read it, Cheri winked at her beckoning to say something. Cheri smiled nodding, so there was someone on her side who didn't trust Orochimaru as well.

"Yeah, you wouldn't want to start an out of control war. If their enemies join up with the leaf village promising to take out their enemy, then talk of taking over land is in order and it'll become a mess, we're trying to get rid of them, not each other, isn't that right, lord Orochimaru, or did you have other plans," said Celestial.

"Are you trying to inquire something you--" said Kabuto, but Orochimaru quickly placed his hand up to silence him as he looked at her intently.

"No, that is not my intention. I have not considered that other countries would want to get involved with a matter that is not that of their own," said Orochimaru quickly standing up. "But we need to take all we've got. You're right, it is dangerous, that's why we needn't give the village a chance to ally themselves with the opposite side to start such a thing." Orochimaru turning around.

"What are you talking about! You're still going to go on with this!" cried out Celestial outraged. Cheri quickly grabbed her arm looking at her sternly, and shook her head. Orochimaru turned back around and looked at her sharper than a sword then turned back around, and began walking off.

"If you use a fly swatter to destroy something a small as a fly then it stands a chance to escape because of the size of the fly swatter and the fact that you can't go as high as the fly. But use a fly spray, it can kill a fly at any length of meters, and no matter how far it tries to go that poison catches up to and destroys it. In other words, if we leave something small left undone are take too lightly to think we've taken care of something, it can escape because like the fly swatter we can reach the enemy. No, we must be the spray, kill it, before it can escape. Rather it seems unheard of or not."

Orochimaru and Kabuto then walked out of the room closing the door behind him. The room fell silent, and everyone looked at one another. Cheri grabbed Celestial's shaken hand and walked out of the room, Xiolin following close behind them. Aqua and Fele' the only ones left in the room.

"That was strange," said Fele'.

"Yeah I agree, there was something about that that seemed so off," nodded Aqua. "At first I disregarded Celestial'stheory about us fighting on the wrong side, and that perhaps Orochimaru is just using us. But now, after hearing how hasty he's becoming, I'm beginning to reconsider."

"You're not serious," said Fele' shocked.

"I am. Think about it, the leader of the legendary wind village, they're a peaceful village, and they would never go this far with anything then to try to completely annihilate an enemy. He hates them, and he cannot hate a village that he shouldn't know about if the village has been hidden that long, now you explain that one to me," said Aqua.

Fele' said nothing and nodded, beginning to understand.

"I suppose, you're right."

"Look chika, do yourself a favor. If you want to go on ahead and trust them then fine. But if Orochimaru wasn't right about one thing it's this. People don't normally get involved with a matter they know nothing about. I'd do some research on both are supposed ally and enemy. Trust him, it's fine with me, but be cautious with them also, we may be fighting on the wrong side. So you and your shinobi be prepared to fight either or side, that's a word of advice," said Aqua walking out of the door.

Fele' thought for a moment, and sighed walking out the empty room as well. But in the mist of the darkness, was Orochimaru's boaconstrictor who 's eyes pierced through the darkness glowing yellow, as it disappeared into the corner.

An apple bounced and fell on Sasuke's head waking him up as the sun rose. He scratched his head looking at the sun. What time was it.

"I dreamed," he said lightly. Hinata's face then appeared in his mind. "I dreamed of...Hinata." "It's all my fault. If only I had told her how I felt, this would have never happened. The problem never would have never began."

Sasuke then looked up, the wind was blowing, it was then that he finally took notice. It was quiet. Too quiet. Where on earth were Kodak and Tsaswari? He then heard a small laughter coming from nowhere, a familiar laughter where once heard, you could never forget it. Sasuke growled angrily and turned around.

"Come out, Orochimaru," called Sasuke.

"Sasuke my dear boy, it's about time you noticed I was here," said Orochimaru chuckling floating over to him.

"How long were you here," asked Sasuke annoyed.

"I watched you sleep the whole way up until now, mumbling about Hinata. You love sick fool, you really do care about her, oh my," teased Orochimaru.

"Ah enough with this nonsense already!" cried out Sasuke angrily. He pulled out his kunai knife charging towards him in fury. "You bastard!"

Orochimaru smiled flipping out of the way landing on the other side, dodging all of Sasuke's weak straight on attacks. Sasuke lifted up his fist going towards him but Orochimaru quickly took out his hand blocking it and punched him in the stomach, knocking him straight into a tree.

"Oh my Sasuke, what is it that I've always told you. Fighting when you're mad only makes you weaker. I see you've forgotten that. Not only is your speed drastically reduced where in my eyes you appear as though you're moving in slow motion. But you're attacks are easily predictable."

"Fuck you, we're not training Orochimaru," spat out Sasuke slowly standing up, holding on to a tree to keep him steady. "Why, why if all this time you saw me asleep did you not take me out then."

"It's simple Sasuke. You're like a son to me. Don't you see, you and I, we are just alike. My purpose isn't to kill you, I need you. You are my successor remember," smiled Orochimaru.

"Find someone else. I left that dream a long time ago. I'm not shit like you, you're not my father," said Sasuke.

"The only one you've had since yours left you so unsettled," he shot back.

"Shut the hell up!" snapped back Sasuke.

"Don't be angry at me, you set yourself up for that, not me. But my what do we have here you found me," said Orochimaru walking towards him. "But let's get to the chase. It's obvious you loathe me, with great reasons that I care not of but. You have something that I want and I--" Orochimaru pulls out the small yellow potion inside a container. "Have something that you want."

"The antidote!" exclaimed Sasuke. "Name your price."

"It's simple. I only want you Sasuke. Come back with me, be my successor, be my next vessel," said Orochimaru. Sasuke leaned his head down hopelessly. But then, a smile appeared on his face as he looked up at Orochimaru who still grinned as well.

"Why would I want to do that. I'd rather just kick your ass and take it. Espeaciallyknowing you aren't even Orochimaru. So, who are you, show yourself," said Sasuke. Orochimaru smiled as his skin melted of falling onto the ground, until there appeared Shiyaku.

"I thought as much," said Sasuke.

"How long have you known," she asked smiling.

"You had me going for the longest time until only a few moments with your last lines. Orochimaru never tells me to be his vessel. He shoots on about how weak the leaf village is and how to brain wash me. You were bullshitting too long. Orochimaru's a bastard and you're a bitch. And I could tell by the way you acting bitch was emitting off of you, not being a bastard," said Sasuke.

"You think you're funny don't you. Well, it won't be once you're girl friend and the the grim reaper have a cook out. It's noon now. You have 8 hours to save her. She's going to die. And there's nothing you can do about it. Unless you come to our side."

"You can tell Orochimaru if this is his idea of a sick joke then he has to go another angle, I've already betrayedHinata long enough, I won't let her live to see I've done something such as this. I'm no fool, if she does live by you making her so, there's a price I have to pay, I just know it."

"I never said there wasn't. Sasuke just come with us. You know that you belong here, not with those goody two shoes leaf village. You need to be taught properly your strength, your heritage, and expand your strength and abilities, not have something as weak as that village fill your head with lies and friendship, putting a boundary on your powers. Because they fear, because they do not understand. But don't worry Sasuke, I understand, and you know lord Orochimaru's understood. He's always helped you understand. He picked you up when you were all alone, when you wanted to be strong. Don't you miss that kind of power? Hm?"

Sasuke said nothing and dropped his head thinking, tears streaming from his eyes as small separate flashbacks streamed into his head of him first meeting Naruto when they were kids, through all they're battles, even when he came back and they celebrated him becoming Hokage. And then, then there was Hinata.

---

SASUKE'S FLASHBACK:

"Hinata no!" cried Sakura.

"Hinata, what are you doing!" panicked Neji.

"It's not worth it," mumbled Hinata as she stood up holding the kunai knife shuddering. Everyone gasped.

"Hinata don't!" cried Ino in panic. Hinata cried and took the knife and began to cut her hair off into the same style she had when she was twelve, the way Naruto had met her. Everyone gasped as Hinata fell down to her knees smiling faintly holding the kunai knife as she began carving signs into her arm, blood spilling everywhere as whatever the sign was became engraved completely in her skin. Smiling faintly, she dropped the kunai knife on the floor as it rattled echoing in the chapel. Everyone looked at her speechless unable to say anything as her tears rolled out of her eyes.

"Now, it is complete. This mark, is a sign, this sign means life, so that it will always remind me why I must live. Why I'm here, and a reason why I should fight," said Hinata as she began to cry. Sakura walked up to her with a handkerchief as she began to wipe the blood from her arms sadly. Konahomaru hesitantly walked up kneeling down to her, Hinata looked up to him to see a flower in her face. Konahamaru smiled uneasily.

"Let's go home Hinata, I believe that it's still worth it," said Konahamaru. Hinata gasped looking at Konahamaru as she went into his arms hugging him crying as Konahamaru pat her back in comfort. Sasuke looked at the scene turning his head, a tear rolling off his face as he walked out the chapel. Kakashi watched as he left and Tsunade came over to Kakashi staring at him, Kakashi nodded as they looked back at Hinata crying giving her a sad sympathetic look shaking their heads sadly, leaving also. Her friends staying, to comfort her.

---

"No Naruto don't leave me, you can't die on me now no! you made me promise!," Hinata cried panicking. "YOU MADE ME PROMISE TO ALWAYS BE BY YOUR SIDE AND I KEPT IT!" (Sasuke talking through his flashbacks: "No Shiyaku, you're wrong. You're right, I was alone. But there was someone...someone who was way worse off than me...)

---

"Hinata, believe me when I say that I was not responsible for Naruto's

death," mumbled Sasuke solemnly as Sakura gasped. "He was my best friend, you think I'm not hurting too?"

"Bullshit!" cried out Hinata as she slapped him across his face grabbing him by his collar. "You're a liar."

"Hinata, Sasuke's telling you the truth. I was with him when we found Naruto, the room appeared to be in a great struggle but he was definitely killed by Orochimaru," said Sakura calmly. Tenten and Ino tried to pull Hinata off Sasuke but she stayed put still not moving an inch as she looked at Sasuke coldly kneeling down to him. She looked at the mark on his neck and grimaced at him.

"You and that damn curse mark, I don't care what anyone says, you're a killer, and I'll avenge Naruto

myself. You've just created a new enemy Sasuke. Seeing your face makes me sick you know that? And as far as I'm concerned that mark represents Orochimaru. You're just like him as far as I'm concerned, heartless and always playing games. You're no different from him at all, you don't deserve to walk the same ground as man," said Hinata bitterly as she harshly let him go pushing him to the wall of his bed. She looked down at him coldly and walked off, as Sasuke stood there in shock speechless. ("She loved so completely. She reached a point in loneliness, and sorrow that I myself has never reached. And she had no one. She was someone who needed to be understood. She had no one...)

---

"Life," mumbled Hinata. "It can be a gift or a curse. But rewarded to the person in debt, can grant them immortality. It was my sign to Naruto. I promised him I'd live." Sasuke looked at her blankly confused saying nothing.

"I'm sorry Sasuke, in other words," said Hinata. Sasuke looked at her shocked and became speechless.

"And I can see you're life was spared," she added. "I was trapped in my own twisted mind of anger, hate...and mistrust. I admit that I was too blind to see that you seen that in me, and that you were only trying to help. And I can see winning the trial, and even now. Why Naruto chose you as his best friend, or at least why you are the best. Congratulations on winning your trial Sasuke. Not to far from here is a fancy restaurant that I paid for personally for us all to go to," explained Hinata. ("She was one that was left in darkness. Fed off it, when you looked into her eyes, you seen the darkness warped inside of her. I was never alone. She too was alone, and I was alone, but you know something, we were alone together and in the end..."

---

Hinata looked at Sasuke uncertain as he reassured her with a smile standing up taking his hand out. "So do you wanna start over? Can we...start over?" asked Sasuke. Hinata looked at him shocked not sure rather to take his hand or not. "Trust yourself Hinata, it's up to you."

Hinata rubbed some of the tears from her eyes and nodded as she accepted his hand and pulled her up into a strong hug. Hinata tears slowly began to slow down feeling the warm gentle comfort from her newest companion by her side, Sasuke. The horses looked at each other nodding watching the scene in awe.

"You know Hinata, you didn't just sing today, but you did something that touched everyone's soul. Including mine, and no onesever made it that far. That's what makes you so important to me. It's like through your song you gave me a new hope and gave me faith. A faith I'd never thought I'd have, a faith I thought I'd never see the end of to experience. That's what makes you quite amazing to me Hinata." Hinata felt like she was going to faint, and that someone was straddling her heart pressing hard on it. Sasuke began to very slowly draw nearer to her face and she froze panic-stricken. Then...

Hinata gasped to see the full moon above them to see the many flowers that had surrounded them. Many fireflies were flying around, Sasuke's hands still tangled in Hinata's. They looked at one another and smiled running through the flowers as more fireflies lifted into the air as they laughed happily. Both of them landed in the ground next to one another laughing as many fireflies flew past them surrounding them. Sasuke and Hinata sat up looking at the fireflies and looked at one another blankly. Hinata played with her fingers and Sasuke bashfully scratched his head averting eye contact with her. ("We were always together...") :SASUKE'S FLASHBACKS OVER.

Sasuke shook himself out of it. "I love Hinata too much to go back, I'd never betray her. I'll admit, you're good at persuasion. Orochimaru taught you well. You almost convinced me I won't lie." Shiyaku stood there angry and embittered. "But if I need a reason not to go back with you, then it's because I have someone I have to live for. You tell Orochimaru that!" Sasuke quickly began doing hand signs.

"Oh please, save the eulogy when she dies!" spat out Shiyaku.

"Bitch. Fire style: Dragon Wind justsu!" cried out Sasuke. Shiyaku screamed as a large fire dragon formed going towards her receiving the full blast of the attack. She was laid out on the ground.

"Sasuke!" cried out a voice. Sasuke quickly turned around to see a scratched up Kodak and Tsaswari. They both were in battle, their clothes and face were evidence of that.

"Are you guys alright?" asked Sasuke.

"Yeah. We were jumped by Meliac," responded Kodak.

"Yeah, I got hit up with Shiyaku," said Sasuke.

"And you didn't betray us?? You're still here in one peace," said Tsaswari shocked. Kodak quickly punched her in the head. "What?"

"No, it's quiet alright. I deserved that. If I was her I would have been worried too. Perhaps not the exact choice of words but worried nonetheless. I will it admit, she almost got me. Orochimaru trained her well to be an illusionist with words," admitted Sasuke.

"So then, if that was the case then, what made you stay," asked Tsaswari. Sasuke put his head down sadly, thinking. Hinata's face going across his mind.

"I guess I just decided that there are just some things that are more important than power," said Sasuke. Kodak smiled and put her hand on his shoulder out of comfort smiling.

"Finally he understands," thought Kodak. "I think I know what you mean," said Kodak.

Tsaswari smiled, she understood too. "I couldn't do it, I couldn't just sit there and betray Hinata again. She's too important to me, I don't want to loose her. I can't loose her. I could never go back to Orochimaru at this point. Not ever. Kodak looked at him in shock, she could tell by his still face that he had meant every word of of it. She has yet to see Sasuke so vulnerable as he was now, it was then that they both snapped out of it and turned around to see that Shiyaku was gone. The antidote on the ground, with trails of blood coming from it.

"Shiyaku! Where'd she go?!" said Sasuke.

"It would appear that while we were preoccupied in conversation that Meliac must have come and saved her. It's the only way she couldn't have possibly escaped at least halfway alive anyways," said Kodak.

"What? But I thought we kicked Meliac's butt, we gave him a run for his money, he shouldn't be able to sit up the way we clobbered him!" said Tsaswari.

"Well we obvisously didn't seeing that the enemy has escaped now have we," snapped Kodak. Tsaswari pouted saying nothing as they looked down at the antidote.

"It's just sitting there," said Tsaswari.

"Do you think it's a trap," said Sasuke cautiously.

"I don't think so," said Kodak walking up to the bottle picking it up. "Look at that trail of blood. He was definitely in a rush to get her some help. I don't think they left this on purpose. It's not a trap."

"Is it the real stuff? We're not trying to make her sicker you know, we're trying to make her better," said Tsaswari.

Sasuke walked up to it and examined it. "I know Orochimaru, if he expected me to go with him and he had that much confidence then it has to be the real thing. I'm sure of it," said Sasuke. The girls looked at one another in concern, then back at him nodding, they trusted him.

"We have to hurry," said Sasuke looking at his clock. "Shit!"

"How long do we have," said Kodak.

"Just six hours, we'd better hurry," replied Sasuke. They both nodded running off. On they're way out, they ran into a large group of assins of shinobi from the sound and sand village.

"No, not now!" cried Tsaswari.

"Get out of our way!" cried out Sasuke charging towards them taking out his kunai knife. The ninjas charged towards them also, the girls doing the same.

It was back at the hospital now. Shikamaru and Tsunade walked into the surgery room where Heuri, Eurotachi, and Jiraiya were.

"They still have yet to return?" said Tsunade shocked.

"I'm afraid not," said Eurotachi. Shikamaru looked at the clock.

"They have to hurry, they only have six hours left," said Shikamaru.

"What's her status now," asked Tsunade.

"I'm afraid it's not good," said Heuri. They all looked at the heart machine. "You can tell that the poison is beginning to work. Her heart pulses stretching to longer waiting lengths. Her heart monitor shows up and beats every 20 seconds, then when it goes down to a straight line that's when it decides to beat again and the same process. We're loosing her I'm afraid. Slowly, but surely yes."

"This isn't good," mumbled Tsunade. She looked over at Jiraiya and the others. "Are you guys alright? You've taken over more hours than many, time for me to take over."

"No, it's fine. I'll be alright," said Jiraiya.

"Yeah, me too," nodded Eurotachi and Heuri in unison.

"All of you look exhausted. Move, let me try. That's an order," said Tsunade. All of them did what they were told as Tsunade walked over to her and put her hands over Hinata again. She lifted into the air glowing again.

"You think she'll make it," asked Eurotachi. "She's taken alot, but never anything like this."

"She'll be alright!" snapped Heuri. Everyone looked at her in shock, she then frowned saddened. "I mean, she has to make it. She just has to."

"The poor thing. Those two had better hurry up," mumbled Tsunade.

Hinata's self conscious:

Hinata continued floating in a shadow of darkness that consumed her. She was all alone, she felt like she was hanging on to something. Like an invisible robe or something. But she did not know what it meant. The only thing she knew was that she was slowly slipping away from it and didn't know how much longer she could hang on to it.

"Oh no, what am I going to do. I feel so weak and I feel like I'm not going to make it. And I feel so much pain from the poison and bruises that Orochimaru inflicted on me. It hurts so bad and I feel so tired. I slowly feel my hand slipping. Oh no. Naruto, what would you do in this situation...I wish you could just save me," said Hinata. She felt her self slipping again and screamed trying to keep her grip. "I don't know how long I've been through this but it's been a whole world of trouble."

Hinata looked around and screamed as the black hole continued to swallow her. The air leaving, the atomosphere growing thinner. Hinata screamed, her hand slipping again.

"Oh no. I can hardly breath. It hurts so much. Oh no..." said Hinata. Tears then filled her eyes as her body began to shudder, she looked down at the endless pit to see what seemed to be the nothingness of forever for her. "I don't believe it..." she said in shock in a daze.

"All of my life. Most of it anyways...I was always alone. This place is scary, but it does not look unfamiliar to me. I recognize it so easily. It's the darkness I'm entrapped in. The darkness entrapped within my self. I shouldn't be shocked that I'm alone. No one could love me enough. No one but Naruto and he's gone. He can't protect me. In yet, somehow, I dreamed this to be my fate of death. So it should only be proper. Even Naruto's death. Perhaps it was just a sign, that Naruto shouldn't have been with someone so weak and fragile minded. This feeling of coldness, and bitterness. Yes, I recognize it now. I knew it was not truly gone. I'm meant to be this way...I'm meant to die. Sit here...and wait to die. To just suffer. I suffer while I was alive, and even in my peaceful sleep and wait upon death, I am still not at peace. This thickness, this darkness and poison, all of it is emotion that I have for myself. I hate myself so terribly, how sad." Hinata screamed flinching as she felt pain raging through her body, she beginning to loose oxygen. And she didn't know what all she was hanging on to, but she knew, that she was about to loose grip of it very soon.

"This is it...I just can't do it anymore. I was born and darkness, and now this is how I leave, alone. Consumed, and self hatred, because I was never happy unless with Naruto. I wish I had a friend with me right now. To tell me, to tell me that I can make it. Cause me telling myself that isn't working anymore. Not if I don't believe in the words anymore." Tears began to fill her eyes as she began crying.

"Crying, I've done this so often. I have cried one thousand tears, and after all the tears that I have cried and cried. I just seem like even at this sorry end, it still has yet to end. This is what I am, I can't. I feel so sad. So depressed and so consumed now. And so much pain. No more, no more. I JUST WANNA DIE. TAKE ME NOW, I WANNA DIE, I WANNA DIE!!" : Hinata's conscious over.

Sasuke, Kodak, and Tsaswari had just entered the village running at top speed. They were bruised and cut from the rough battle thy had on their way out. And they were tired from running a speed record of time from the Black Vine village back to Orion village. But their well being was not their concern. Now, it was all about Hinata. They had to make it to her. They were in the village, but they were still so far away from the hospital. They had no idea what they were gonna do.

"How much time do we have left," asked Sasuke.

"Judging from that sunset, I'd say about ten minutes, a few minutes more, or a few minutes less I can't tell," admitted Kodak.

"Shit! Hinata!" cried out Sasuke. "You have to hang on. Just a little bit longer. We're almost there. You can do it Hinata!"

Back at the hospital, minutes had passed as there was a long dead silence. Shikamaru stood leaned to the wall thinking and biting his lip apprehensively.

"There has to be something we can do, I can do at least. We have to do something!" said Shikamaru.

"Calm down Shikamaru. There's nothing you can do. You're just as helpless to save her as me and everyone else in this room. The best thing we can do is count on the others to make it here on time," said Tsunade sternly.

"That's the problem! There's only three minutes left, and after that that's gonna be it!" said Shikamaru passionately.

"The only thing we can do is hope that they come in on time with a miracle, because we're gonna need it," said Eurotachi. Everyone in the room nodded.

"Come on, hurry up you guys," mumbled Tsunade frustrated.

Sasuke and the girls quickly burst through the front hospital door running past everyone to get to Hinata's surgery room. Running past the clock, Sasuke picked up more speed.

"Hinata! Hinata!" he cried. There was now only one more minute left.

It was then, that they finally found the room and Sasuke burst into the room. Everyone inside the room turned to see Sasuke, and gasped in shock. They couldn't believe that he had made it just in time. Sasuke quickly threw the antidote over to Tsunade who then caught it and quickly opened her mouth and put it inside of her. She then put her hand on Hinata's heart, her hand then grew to glow gold, using her chakra to speed up the antidote process so that it can spread throughout her body. Everyone watched in apprehension, the mood of the room thickening as Tsunade was doing all that she could to restore her. Shikamaru looked up to see the clock hand move again. The minute was up. Now they were going to see what had happened.

Hinata's self conscious:

"Just take me, and let me die in my pettiness," said Hinata darkly. Her hand began slipping more. She had wondered if she was hanging on to some type of invisible rope of life or something. But before she could find out. Her hand completely slipped, and she had freely let go. The darkness began to slowly and quickly consume her. As she fell backwards into the dark empty space. She closed her eyes, tears fleeing from the. "And now, now I am finally free. I don't have to fight anymore. No more tears, pain or suffering. The pain and everything is gone. I feel so relaxed now. Finally...it's over." said Hinata. : Hinata's self conscious over.

Everyone gasped shocked. They couldn't believe it. Sasuke fell on his knees. He was dazed out, everyone was in a state of shock. Her heart monitor had went straight line, and stayed straight line as a loud long beeping noise came on. They had lost her, and she-- was now dead.

Tears formed in Tsunade's eyes, as everyone then burst into tears crying. Shikamaru walked over to the wall hitting the wall crying.

"Hinata!" cried Heuri.

"Hinata!"cried out Shikamaru passionately.

"I'm--I'm sorry," mumbled Tsunade sadly. Heuri fell to the floor crying as Eurotachi went to her holding her in comfort, and Jiraiya did the same with Tsunade.

"No. It can't be true," mumbled Sasuke. Every waking moment, of every waking memory passed through his mind. Hinata smiling at him flashed through his mind. He then snapped out of it and ran over to her dead body sitting her up putting his hand on her stomach continuing the antidote in her body speeding up the process with his chakra.

"Hinata! No, Hinata!" cried out Sasuke, his tears falling on her face.

"Should I--" asked Jiraiya but Tsunade already had cut him off.

"Leave the boy be, he is going to be more effected of this than we are. Leave him be," said Tsunade. Jiraiya nodded as he continued the process.

"Hinata! You can leave me no. Come back, Hinata!" he cried out. "HINATA!"

Hinata's self conscious:

Hinata was falling peacefully into the dark warp of her mind. She then her a sound, a voice that echoed the whole voice. "HINATA!" the voice cried. Hinata, quickly woke up recognizing the voice immediately. "Sasuke...?" thought Hinata again. That's when she heard the voice again. "It is Sasuke. Could this be... be what Naruto was talking to me about earlier?" she wondered.

MINI FLASHBACK:

"You have other things to live for Hinata. There are people back there who love you, who need you," said Naruto. "You need to think up every reason for you to live and fight this stuff off of you." MINI FLASHBACK OVER.

"The reason to live. Why shouldbe worth living. I understand now. There are people, people who love me. Sasuke?? Love me...Sasuke," said Hinata stretching out her arm. But how? How is it that so far in the depth of darkness, that she can hear his voice so far into darkness, so near death.:Hinata's self conscious over.

"Hinata! Hinata come back to me. DAMN IT WOMAN I'M NOT GONNA LET YOU GO! COME ON, FIGHT, YOU CAN DO IT! I'M NOT GONNA LET YOU GO FROM ME, YOU HEAR ME WOMAN, I'M NOT GONNA LET YOU GO!!" cried out Sasuke desperately.

Hinata's self conscious:

Hinata gasped at the words she was hearing. She couldn't believe it. Hinata quickly sat up trying to float toward the opposite way. "Sasuke! No, don't let me go, I changed my mind, I wanna live! Sasuke, Sasuke no! I don't wanna let you go either, Sasuke!" cried Hinata. : Hinata's self conscious over.

Everyone looked at Sasuke like he was crazy, no one had ever seen him like this before.

"Sasuke, I'm sorry but it's over. She's gone. Tsunade did everything she could to save her. You have to let her go, this isn't good for you," said Jiraiya.

"Leave him be Jiraiya," said Tsunade sternly still crying.

"Don't say that," growled Sasuke angrily. "If you wanna give up on her then that's fine with me. I'm not gonna be so quick to give up on her! Hinata! Hinata wake up. Come back to me!"

"Man, he is taking this hard," mumbled Jiraiya.

"Of course he is. He was in love with her, and now he'll have a guilt trip that most of it was his fault. This is terrible. Let him cry it out," whispered Tsunade.

Tears streamed from his face like Niagara falls, everyone shook their heads sadly still crying. Sasuke put his head against hers, his hand still glowing on her stomach. "Hinata you can't leave me! You have to live. Come back to me! Hinata don't leave me here in this world alone. I was blind before you showed me the light! You can't just up and leave me like this! The world wouldn't be right without you! I wouldn't be right with you gone. You're my whole world, and with you gone from it, it's totally incomplete! Don't go, don't go Hinata because... because, because Hinata I LOVE YOU! HINATA HYUUGA I LOVE YOU, YOU HAVE TO LIVE!! FIGHT, DON'T SEND ME BACK INTO THAT HORRIBLE DARKNESS AGAIN BECAUSE YOU'RE MY ONLY LIGHT GUIDING ME THE RIGHT WAY RIGHT NOW!!" he cried out. Everyone stood there shocked. They couldn't believe that he just did that. It made everything more harder. He leaned his head on her head still crying, his hand glowed brighter as it slowly began to dig into her stomach. His head on her head, as he was knocked unconscious.

Hinata's self conscious:

Hinata stood there, tears filling her eyes. She had heard the whole thing loud and clear. He did love her, and she loved him just as dear. "Sasuke..." she mumbled in disbelief. She turned around trying to swim her way back. "No, no Sasuke! I love you!! I do, I really really do! I choose life, I will fight life and slay death with my bare hands for you. No! It can't be too late! It can't be too late!" cried out Hinata filled with tears.

A large wind then began to pull on her. Hinata screamed as suddenly she grabbed something. It was an invisible string.

"Yes!" cheered Hinata. The darkness began to form into a large warping hole. as she screamed. Already, she was beginning to slip away from the string, until she completely lost grip of it. She screamed as she fell backwards going towards the dark warp. Then, something else happened. From out of nowhere. Something else had grabbed her, stopping her fall. When Hinata looked up she saw a hand had grabbed her wrist. The hand then let her go, Hinata screamed as the hand then grabbed her hands, entangling it's hands with hers, like hand cuffs. Now they were locked. Hinata watched in shock as she looked up to see who the hand was, but it was so dark, she could not see.

A large light then appeared,and emerging from the darkness, attached to the hand, was Sasuke. Hinata gasped, shocked.

"Sasuke!" she cried.

"I'm not gonna give you up without a fight! Hinata!" he cried passionately. She gasped.

"But, but how, I'm so far in the darkness, how, how could you reach me here, and reach me here so deep in it, where death almost touches me," said Hinata.

"Because I've never given up on you. It's our connection. It is beyond so many people's level that they too cannot comprehend it. It is so strong, it reaches the level of super natural where I won't even let death separate you from me," said Sasuke.

"Sasuke, this is really dangerous you could..." said Hinata worriedly.

"Don't you know that I'll do anything for you. It won't even take an instant thought to risk my life for a you. For something that's valuable as you, you are my most prized possession. I promise you Hinata," said Sasuke.

"Oh Sasuke," cooed Hinata. Sasuke pulled her to him as the warp began to pull them down and embraced her tightly

"Hinata. The only thing I want to do, the only place I want to be, is wherever you are. I knew you were here because I too was at this point. In eternal darkness. I was alone just like you. And now we're both in darkness, alone. But if you have to be trapped in this hell hole alone, then we can be trapped in this hole alone, together. I wouldn't want it any other way..."

The vortex then stopped spinning, the air had stopped moving them towards it as they were now just floating into darkness holding one another. Then, suddenly, white sparkles began to fall around them as they slowly began spinning. Hinata and Sasuke looked around . They had no idea what was going on, but all of a sudden, the environment was changing.

They seen that beach palm trees were beginning to from all around them. They then landed on the tan sand as an ocean began to form right before their eyes. They stood there in shock, amazed. They couldn't believe what was happening around them, what was going on, or for even that matter, why?

An ocean had then formed in front of them as more beach palm trees had began to appear as they watched everything around them transform. They both then looked up into the air to see a sky forming a dark blue night sky, with stars decorating it, sparkling like pearls. Hinata turned around and then gasped pointing.

"Oh my goodness, Sasuke look at that!" exclaimed Hinata in shock. Sasuke turned around and gasped. Before their very eyes, instead of seeeing a nice normal moon in the sky. They saw a large up close green planet that resembled Saturn, only it had green in light blue rings around it.

"This place," said Sasuke. "It's unbelievable."

"Are we in heaven or something?" asked Hinata.

"I understand what you mean but I don't think so," replied Sasuke looking around. He then looked at her and smiled, his eyes tender and soft.

"Sasuke, you could have been killed and it may not be over now," said Hinata.

"I don't care," he quickly responded. Hinata looked at him shocked, she couldn't believe he just said that.

"Sasuke..."

"Hinata, you mean that much to me I can live without you. Don't you know that by now," said Sasuke. "You're all that matter now."

"I mean you lived without me before, this is unexceptional," said Hinata turning from him pouting childishly blushing. Sasuke smiled and Hinata gasped as he took his arms and put them around her pushing her closer to him.

"Yeah, and now I'm spoiled. You in my life showed me how much you mattered, how much it mattered. Because now that I've found you and that I'm here with you, I never want to leave you again Hinata, ever..." he said turning her around to embrace her passionately. Tears flowed from Hinata's eyes. She loved him more than anything, she hadn't felt this way about any one person in a while, since Naruto had died. It was incredible for her. She loved him so much that the tears flowing from her eyes were that of only proof. Sasuke looked down her in a serious tone.

"Hinata, I know I put you through hell. But it doesnt' have to be the reason you give up and decide to end your life. I was an ass and I except that, I don't expect you to forgive me, what I did was uncalled for, and even I wouldn't forgive me. But you have to fight. You have to fight, you're strong enough to do it. Find your reason to live. If not me than think about the others. There are other people up there crying and worried about you because up there you're dead. Don't forget, there are so many people up in the living world who don't wanna see you go yet. You may die one day true, but you're not gonna die today. You just can't. You can't call it quits yet. There are so many people who love you and who would be really hurt if you died. Including me as one of them. Think about our god child? Deseir, and Tenten, and Shino, and...me. You do wanna live don't you...?"

Hinata said nothing and closed her eyes nodding, tears forming again. "I'd choose life to being with you than death of being without you, any day," said Hinata. Sasuke smiled passionately at her and took his hand out and she accepted them.

"Then let's go home. Together," smiled Sasuke. They both closed their eyes, Sasuke glowed blue, while she glowed purple as they raised into the sky slowly spinning, ascending past time going through the warp, leaving the new environment. :Hinata's self conscious over.

Back in the living world, about two hours had passed. Shikamaru had came in with tissue from the waiting room for him and his friends to see Sasuke still laying on Hinata's emotionless body.

"Should we wake him?" asked Eurotachi.

"Yes, the body must leave, we have to get it ready," said Tsunade. Sasuke's hand slowly began to move out of Hinata's stomach, they looked and noticed it.

"What the hell is that!?" asked Heuri startled in fear.

"I'm just wondering if he's still asleep," asked Shikamaru.

"No, can you not see his hand inside her stomach and him laying on her head, he isn't sleep," said Tsaswari. Everyone looked at her in shock impressed.

"She's right. He's in deep meditation. I don't know what kind, but it's meditation," said Kodak. The heart machine then began make loud inverse noise and lines of up and down began to appear at a very high and fast beat. Her pulses were returning.

"What the hell is going on!" said Jiraiya in shock.

"I'm not sure, her heart rate is going off the chart!" said Tsunade. It was then at that very moment, Hinata flopped up screaming sitting up breathing hard, sweat on her face, her breathing fast and hard trying to take all the air that had surrounded her. It was then and immediately, her heart rate had then returned to normal. Sasuke quickly pulled the rest of his hand out as he too woke up screaming, sweating and breathing just as hard as Hinata first was.

Everyone stood there in silence as Hinata and Sasuke looked at one another smiling in triumph. She nodded and then quickly fell back unconscious.

"Hinata!" cried Sasuke in panic. "Hinata are you alright?"

"Don't worry, she's fine," said Heuri. "Look at the heart rate machine, her heart paces are normal. She's not going anywhere. From the way you guys look I can see you had to struggle, so I know she's tired anyway ," said Heuri.

"Good job Sasuke, my main man," said Shikamaru putting his thumb up nodding his head.

"Yeah Sasuke, you did good today," said Kodak. Sasuke chuckled exhaustively moving side to side.

"Hinata's alright. Thank god," he mumbled. He then fainted to the side.

"Sasuke!" cried Jiraiya. He ran over to him and picked him up placing him in a bed. Tsunade walked over to Hinata.

"It would appear that the antidote worked," said Tsunade.

"But that's impossible my Lady, you said it was too late," said Eurotachi.

"It was," said Tsunade sternly. She then put her hand overHinata's body, a blue aura appearing around it, as she x-ray-ed her. "Yeah, the antidote has completely and successfully spread throughout the rest of her body curing her. No damage or anything done, she's fine. Just really tired."

"And why shouldn't she? She wad dead for like two hours, rigormortus probably tried to spread to her body and now she's alive now, she's gonna pay for that when she wakes up," smiled Shikamaru.

Tsunade stood up and finally breathed sighing heavily of relief. Everyone laughed.

"There you go Tsunade, breathe, let it all out. It's all finally over," said Jiraiya.

"I'll say, I need a break. A completed mission and everyone's alive with two new friends, and allies, yeah I'm happy. I must say, this kid is something else. I don't know how, but somehow, he got her to come back to life," said Tsunade with her fists on her hips thinking.

"It has to do with the bond that they have. While we thought he was sleeping, he was in her self conscious trying to pull her out, and it appears he succeeded. Good guy," said Kodak.

"It was a nice work indeed, and do you know something," said Heuri. Everyone looked at her for attention as they all worked towards the door to leave them alone with one another. "He loves her sooo much. " They all then walked out and Eurotachi looked at both of them laying in separate beds in a deep sleep.

He smiled. "Yes. He surely does." He said closing the door.

---

Next Time on My Endless Love: Orochimaru prepares to attack the leaf village, he tortures Shiyaku (warning, a little lemon lime next chapty). And Sasuke is gone, where could he possibly be, Hinata's quiet, what's going on?. Next time, on My Endless love: Chapter 15: Once Upon A Broken Heart

---

Hey everyone, I know I've been slacking. I've been in a play, viruses, A.P exams to do and stuff for, just life in general, but it's no excuse to leave you guys hanging though, so I hope you liked this cute chapter, it's been a blast writing it. I was gonna have an Orochimaru ending but I'll leave that for the beginning of the next chapter, didn't want to ruin the mood of everything, so yeah that's what' what. It's five in the morning, I have a bad cough, and I'm sick, so I luv u guys for your patience, you're all great. This is Torian, sighing off..