Hinata and Karin are to face the Akatsuki.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto™

(Line Break)

Sasuke shifted on his feet as he crossed his arms over his chest. He stood in the back of the room with a look of discomfort on his face and tried to avoid eye contact with the man on the other side of the room. It was not his first mission to the Sand Village, but he would hope that it would be his last. He never liked going there, especially when they made him stand in his office. If Naruto wasn't such good friends with the Kazekage, Sasuke would have waited outside in the blistering sun. But the blonde forced him inside in hopes that the Uchiha could finally make more friends. Sasuke vowed to never be friends with Gaara no Sabaku, all they been through had ruined that chance. He finally let his eyes scan over to the red headed male, but Gaara was looking down at paperwork that Sakura had handed in. He noticed how much the male had grown. Sasuke still thought that the tattoo on his forehead was the dumbest thing ever. Sasuke smirked as he leaned back against the wall and thought to himself. The Sabaku was too busy signing papers and having meetings to even think about training. Sasuke knew who would have won in a fight.

"Uchiha-san," Sasuke opened his eyes and locked them with the eyes of the Kazekage. "I'm surprised to see you would come on such a mission." Gaara tried to hold back his need to smirk at the male. "You always seem so jumpy whenever you visit my village." Sasuke sneered as the Kazekage was trying to poke fun at him. "I hope that I still don't frighten you."

"Nothing frightens me Lord Kazekage," Sasuke retorted as he huffed and pouted. Naruto snickered at him, but was shut up with a famous Uchiha glare. Sasuke looked back to Gaara and scoffed. "I just hope that the great Kazekage is never too busy for a quick spar."

"Never." Gaara smirked back and soon the two were in a stare off that turned into glares and flashes of lightning between the two.

"Before you two begin to fight like genin," Kakashi stepped between them to block their views. He smirked under his mask at how childishly his students and even the Kazekage could act. He looked to Gaara and bowed. "Excuse my teammate; we came here as an escort so that Haruno can do her job at the hospital." He turned to face the Kazekage and smiled. "We are to be sure that she is safe. I know that the Sand village is a safe place, but due to recent events, the Hokage wants to be safer than before. This way if there is an attack, Sand Shinobi could be concerned with protecting its citizens first."

"Fair enough Hatake-san," Gaara said as he tucked away the papers into a folder and placed it in another pile on his desk. "I believe you know where our Hospital is Haruno-san," he glanced at her. Sakura nodded and bowed to him before leaving. "Will you all be staying until Haruno-san has completed her work?"

"Yeah Gaara," Naruto said with a bright smile. "We can totally hang out and even get back to those rematches you wanted."

"Dobe," Sasuke said as he looked to the blonde. "He's the Kazekage; he doesn't have time for any of those things."

"Oh," Gaara said as he stood up, "do not worry about me Uchiha-san," he smirked. "I will be sure to have plenty of free time. I wouldn't want to ignore such…guests as yourselves." Sasuke smirked and stood straighter as to show that he wasn't going to back down from any fight. Gaara only chuckled and walked over to a book case. "I suggest you three locate the nearest hotel." He tossed a scroll to Sai. "Give them this."

"What is it?" Naruto asked as he tried to look at the scroll over Sai's shoulder.

"A discount," Gaara said as he grabbed a book and looked through it. "You are all on a mission after all. No need to waste too much money on a room or two."

"Thank you Lord Kazekage." Sai said and the four bowed. Well, Sasuke more of just nodded his head to him and was the first one out of the room. Gaara smirked with the satisfaction that he was still the better fighter. He beat the Uchiha once –even though he was a murderous demon holder- and he could do it again –as a calmer demon holder-. He picked out another book that he had tried to look at every day. It was an old record book of Chunin exams that he had taken part in. He flipped to the most looked at page. He smiled lightly as he saw Hinata Hyuga's I.D. picture from when she was only twelve years old. Her stats were less than impressive, but he had seen the change. He put the book back and went to another that book that he had looked at since he had to update it whenever possible or when new information is connected to the book. It was his Bingo book. He opened up the warn pages and flipped through everyone known criminal from almost every country. He stopped on another familiar page since he looked at it the most. It was the page of Hinata Hyuga, but this one contained no picture. He could only imagine what she had grown up to look like. It made him blush every time he did. Her stats were better; a lot better. They almost peaked in all categories and her last known whereabouts.

The last place she was spotted was in the Wave village.

"Hinata…" he said as he put the book back. "Where are you?"

"Lord Kazekage," he spun around and saw a red haired woman sitting at his desk. She smirked at him. "I may happen to know the location of a certain someone you would like to see." She watched as his chakra seemed to shift and the dark matter inside of him began to rumble. Karin shot a glance at his gourd. "I wouldn't do that, Kazekage." She shot him a glare and waited for him to make his move. "Attack and I run out of here with the information you desire most."

"What do you want?" Gaara asked as he made sure the cork on his sand gourd was off.

"You are aware of the fact the Akatsuki are headed for you, correct?" She asked as she crossed her legs and fixed her glasses. He nodded and began to move closer to her. Karin only smirked. "I will be following you until then, once I get in contact with one of its members, I will give you information about the traitor Hinata Hyuga."

"I just want to know one thing," he said. Karin eyed him suspiciously. "Is she okay?" He asked with slight worry in his voice. Karin was taken by his sudden concern for her. She watched that his chakra seemed to calm but there was still the inner darkness that looked ready to burst out of him. She watched as another chakra signature suddenly grew brighter and warmer from such a question.

Karin tried to hide her kind smile, but it touched her deeply. "The last I saw of her…she was well."

(Line Break)

Hinata took in a deep breath as she meditated in a secluded part on a building's roof top. She was sure to keep away from the Leaf shinobi and from Gaara. All she had to do was to wait for Karin to come and get her so that she could get to the Akatsuki. There was no other way to get to their base alive; she just hoped that she wasn't going to have to fight off Team 7 another time. All her fighting was getting to be troublesome. She smirked when she caught herself talking like the lazy genius. If Hinata could have asked Itachi about the whole thing, but they were trying to capture her, so maybe they got the mission without anyone else knowing. Not that she was unable to but Hinata did not want to fight the Akatsuki again. She exhaled and tried to think back on what Karin had pointed out to her.

Any kind of demon that Hinata found was always a tailed demon. What Karin had asked her was causing more and more questions. Wolf had told her he was a demon, Orochimaru had even told her he was a demon, and he had done the most research on the subject. Hell, the jutsu she used to release him was meant for demons. So why was it that she could never find anything about him on her own? It would have been easier if Wolf could remember what had happened before her was captured by Orochimaru, which now seemed like a long time ago. She let herself fall into a state of conscience that led her deep into her mind and body. She opened her eyes again to find herself in the dark stone halls. Hinata followed the lights until she was at the mouth of a large room; she could never walk past it though.

There used to be a large cage that held Wolf from taking over her body, but now, there was just one single tag on the floor. When Hinata or Wolf got close to it, a dark energy would burst up and block them.

"Little one," Wolf looked up from his own meditation, "It is dangerous for you to be in here. You must keep focus so that you are not attacked by those around you."

"I'll be fine Wolf." She sat down before the invisible wall that kept them apart. "I just wanted to ask you more questions."

"I am part of you," he smirked. "I have told you everything I know and you even thought of it yourself. I cannot remember of my life beforehand."

"Wolf," Hinata almost seemed to please to him. "I know it has to be hard. But why can't you remember? Try and think really hard back to when you were first captured by Orochimaru. He must have said something to you."

Wolf sat there in deep thought. "I do recall something that I always deemed unimportant." Hinata nodded and focused on his words. "I would have to say, about a day before Orochimaru found me I was wondering through a forest. I was in the body of a bear, but it was having trouble adjusting to my power that it slowly suffocated because of me." Hinata could almost hear a sound of regret. "I was trying to transfer out of the body, but even in the bear's weak state, it would kill anything with a bite. I do remember not only feeling very weak, but like I was looking for someone." He closed his eyes again and sighed. "I just had this weird thought in my head of looking for some woman."

"Like a wife?" Hinata asked with confusion.

"I think I loved her, but in the way that I love you." He explained and rubbed his chin. "Something happened that we got separated and I had to get to her, fast."

"Then we need to go find her-"

"I do not think that we can." Wolf admitted sadly. "I get the feeling that she had died." Hinata saddened with him and they both sat there in silence. "Maybe…Maybe you can find out what happened to her."

"I can do that." Hinata said with a light smile. She stood back up and bowed to him. "Don't worry Wolf, I won't let you down. I'll find out where you came from, and I'll be sure you can finally be at true peace." With those words hanging in the air Hinata got to her feet and walked away from the Wolf. "I'm sure Zetsu will know something, and then we can move on from that."

"Do not forget little one!" Wolf called after her. "You must live a life as well! Live it before it is taken away."

Hinata opened her eyes once more to find herself laid out on the rooftop. She looked up to the sky and shielded her eyes from the blinding rays of the sun. She sat back up and tossed aside her traveling cloak. She suddenly regretted picking out such dark colors, but she never thought she would have to go to the Sand Village. Hinata pulled out one of Yoru's daggers and inspected the blade; it was still sharp, and had a few light pink stains. She smiled lightly and kissed the broad side of the blade and thought back to her group in the Leaf Village. She hoped that still had faith in her. Once she got her information, she will take a break to get them out.

"Hinata-san," Karin landed at her side. Hinata put the blade back and looked to the red head. "I had to check on you, your chakra signature suddenly dwindled."

"Thank you Karin," Hinata nodded to her with a smile. "How was your meeting with the Kazekage?"

"Well," she answered and fixed her glasses. "He is willing to cooperate, and the Leaf Shinobi was stationed in a hospital. Another team had walked off to a close hotel."

"Hm," Hinata thought for a moment. "Haruno looked to be more into the medical training. She must be the one in the hospital; and if you knew Sasuke, he and the rest of the team must be in the hotel." She crossed her arms and hunched forward a bit. "This has become quiet an issue. With all of them here, we must be able to leave with the Akatsuki rather quick."

"Should we aid them in capturing the Kazekage?" Karin asked, almost knowing the answer she was going to get from her captain.

Hinata thought it over for a moment, not sure what she should do. "No," no reason for Hinata to be hated more by her village. The Akatsuki can do as they pleased; she just needed a way into their base. Karin nodded, she expected as much from her. Karin stood back up and fixed her glasses, "Be sure that no one can sense you Karin, the last thing I need is you getting caught by the Uchiha."

"Not even a little fun with him?" Karin asked with a smirk.

Hinata smirked back, "How am I going to pay you back if you take your payment now?"

"You'll have to find something else then." Karin teased and then disappeared back into the village.

"Please Karin," Hinata shook her head and spoke under her breath. "Don't tease him too much."

(Line Break)

Sasuke sat in the hospital lobby with Tetzu around his torso and shoulders. The snake rather liked the hot and dry weather and Sasuke thought that he would treat his faithful friend to some heat. Not to mention that Tetzu kept a lot of women at bay; they feared the snake more than they thought Sasuke attractive. He was supposed to watch over Sakura as she worked, but she told him that he would tire from following her all around the hospital. He thought it more comfortable to sit in the lobby then wonder the halls on patrol; it wasn't like anyone was a threat. If the Akatsuki ever came, he would have sensed way before they got there. There was something more important plaguing his mind; he thought that he felt something giving off a rather unique chakra that he remembered feeling before. He was sure that the heat was getting to his head. He thought getting rid of his overcoat was enough to keep the heat at bay.

"Why hello there," Sasuke looked over to see a young Suna woman sitting beside him. She looked like every other woman there but a faint blush stained her tanned skin. "What brings you to the Sand Village?" he raised a brow at her and she only giggled and pointed to his head band. "You are from the Leaf Village, right?"

"Yes," he nodded. "I'm here on a mission."

"Must be some laid back mission," she giggled lightly and smiled at him. "I can keep you busy for a while." She said seductively. Sasuke only rolled his eyes and sneered. She pouted a bit, "Come on Uchiha-san-" she suddenly cut herself off as he set a sharp look at her and glared.

"How do you know my name?" He asked harshly.

"E-Everyone knows the famous Uchiha," she said nervously and stood up. "I must be on my way." She got up and quickly walked away in a hurry. Sasuke followed after her, but once he got outside, he couldn't see anyone. He looked around and tried to find any sort of chakra signature. The girl was gone though. Tetzu flicked his tongue out and tasted the air, but even he found nothing. Sasuke glared as he walked back into the hospital; the girl knew him before he had ever met her. It was not a good sign. He looked around and saw that Naruto was now sitting in the waiting room. He sat down across from the blonde, "Did you see another girl walk out of here?"

"Nope," Naruto said as he leaned back in his chair. "You actually find a girl you like? I always thought you swung for the other," Sasuke cut him off with a book to the face. Naruto glared, but also smirked. "I saw that coming."

"Then you should have not said anything." Sasuke said with a glare and Tetzu bared his fangs at the blonde.

"Sorry teme," he shrugged and looked around. "I'm just trying to lighten the mood. I've been a little restless."

"We're all on edge," Sasuke answered back. He looked up at the ceiling, "Some girl came in her, and she already knew my name." He glanced to Naruto, "How famous am I?"

"You are a rather well known asshole," Naruto said with a smile. "I mean, you also are the last Uchiha."

"Second to last," Sasuke said with a glare. "I still have to go after my brother."

"Do you plan on running away too," Naruto asked with slight joking and worry.

"I was thinking about it," he admitted. Sasuke looked to Naruto and smirked, "But then I remembered you still need a strong man on your team."

"Please," Naruto smiled. "You just know that you're going to miss me." Sasuke just smirked as he rolled his eyes. There was no way Sasuke would admit to missing his friends; Anko would never let him live it down. Sasuke also couldn't bear with the thought that he might run into Hinata while on his own journey. He wasn't going to run from his village like his brother did; he was nothing like his brother and that was the best thing he could do. Hinata, she was destroying her family. Sasuke had seen Hanabi at the small dock staring down into the water. He saw himself in that girl; she glared into the water as he did so long ago. He wasn't going to let another older sibling ruin the younger one.

(Line Break)

Hinata sneered as she looked out into the deserts that covered the land. She was waiting too damn long for some Akatsuki to come. She was about to die in the heat and had stripped down to her backless shirt, black shorts, and sandals. She undid the wrapping around her hands and calves and was about two more minutes away from just cutting off all her hair. She officially hated the Sand Village; once she got out of here she would never go back. Hinata tried to hide in the small shade that was on the top of the building. Hinata was sure that it was closer than it was before. She fanned herself and activated her Byakugan to see if a pair was coming towards the village. She groaned when she spotted nothing and was left to wait longer. Hinata stood and looked around for her cover point; she was cautious so that no one spotted her. She looked out onto the village streets that were perfectly covered in shade and with the villagers dressed better for the weather. Everything looked rather calm, like they had no idea who was headed this way and what was going to happen. She frowned when she figured half of them will be injured, and some of them would be eating their last meal today.

Hinata wiped the sweat from her brow and began to re-wrap her calved and palms. She was going to move location to somewhere less hot and with less people to worry about. She would be sure to take her fighting outside of the village's boarders. These Akatsuki were going to give her trouble, she might as well not pull anyone else into it. Hinata fixed Yoru's daggers belt on her hips before putting her thin jacket back on and tying it closed. She put the black wrist bands back on along with the blue forearm covers. Hinata checked herself over to be sure that she didn't look like a mess again; if she was going to see Gaara again, she wanted to look good.

It would probably be the last time they would see one another.

Hinata pushed the thought out of her head. It was not her problem to deal with. If the Akatsuki got him then they did; Hinata had to worry about whom Wolf was and then her own team's asses. She jumped down into an alley and sighed with bliss as she was in the cooling shade of the shadows. She looked out and watched as children with parents walked passed. Hinata put her cloak over her shoulders and pulled up to her hood so the shadow hid her face. She walked out and easily blended in behind a traveling cart. She walked right beside the wood cart that held a small family and what she assumed were clay pots. Her nose twitched a bit; she glanced over and watched as a mother held a baby close to her. Hinata could almost hear the baby's harsh breathing from the dry air. Hinata quickly searched her person for something that would be of use. All she found were a couple paper bills. She glanced around and found a vendor. Hinata sighed as she was again too soft for her own good.

"Water," Hinata said as she placed the money on the table. The man looked at her and then back down at the bills. "Water…now."

"I don't have anything small enough for how much you're giving me," he said as he waved her away. "I don't know where you come from, but water is hard to come by here-" he was cut off when she grabbed his collar and pulled him over his counter so they were eye to eye. "What the-!"

"I have a baby near death from the heat of your village." Her Sharigan began to spin and she seethed. Her eyes were starting to hurt. "So you give me the smallest thing you have or I kill you in place of that baby. Got it?"

"H-Here," he quickly scrambled when she let him go; he placed the bottle on the counter. Hinata took it and walked back over to the cart. She was paranoid when people were now giving her second glances and whispering. Once she caught up with the cart again she held the bottle to the woman.

"Take this," Hinata said only glancing to the woman. She was middle aged, and looked about ready to pass out from heat.

"Bless you," the woman whispered and was quick to open the bottle and give some to her baby and two kids. Hinata just walked along until she found someplace better to hid. "Have you always been traveling with us?" Hinata ignored the woman and once she found a cleared alley way, Hinata took her leave. The woman only smiled and went back to caring for her kids. One good deed for another; she would keep quiet about this person.

Hinata climbed up the side of building and when she stood on the roof-top, she got a good view of the Kazekage building that was just so close. Hinata took cover in some shade and watched the building like she would see the Kage. She licked her dry lips and activated her Byakugan to get a better look. She could tell it was him walking up to an empty office. There was dark chakra buzzing about his body that looked ready to burst. Hinata gasped when a hand was placed on her shoulder; she spun around and gripped the persons arm and bent in a way to almost break.

"C-Captain!" Hinata went wide eyed and saw that she had Karin's arm in her grip. Hinata let go and watched as the girl held her hurting arm. "What is the matter with you?" Karin glared at her but it quickly went away when she saw that Hinata was back at looking at the Kage building. "Do you even care that you almost broke my arm?"

"You know better than to sneak up on me Karin," Hinata shot her a steely look. "I'm paranoid enough as it is." She went back to looking at the building and Karin crouched beside her. "Did you have your fun?"

"I blew it before I could get to that point," she said with a sigh. Hinata only shook her head and activated her Byakugan again and watched as Gaara sat at his desk. "He hasn't left that building since your meeting with him." Hinata looked around to other areas of the village and saw that Karin was looking at her. "If I say 'sorry' will you let it go?"

"It's not that Hinata-san," she spoke lightly and let herself relax. "I just want to be sure that you won't do anything to cause trouble."

"My mother is dead Karin," Hinata looked at her with her eyes blazing and veins bulging. "I do not need you to replace her."

"I can even say with confidence that this is the last way your mother would want to see you." Karin struck a chord with that one. She cringed when she heard Hinata's teeth grinned together. Karin held her ground as she watched her captain's chakra turn darker. "It would be best to wait at some place not so close to the people after our heads."

"You are starting to push me Karin," Hinata threatened as she deactivated her Byakugan and glared at the red haired girl. "We may be friends, but I am your leader. I am your leader first." She looked back to the building. "You have a job to do; you make sure that no one interferes when I go for the Akatsuki." Hinata stood as the sun began to set and Karin stood up and still stood close to her leader. Karin was frightened at the coldness of Hinata, but there was still the beautiful feeling and light that she had. Karin didn't want to lose that just yet. She put her hand on Hinata's shoulder. The girl smirked, "I thought I told you that you had a job."

"I can sense two new chakra figures coming this way," she spoke lightly as Hinata activated her Byakugan and looked in the direction the two were coming in. "I promised the Kazekage that I would give him information on you once I got to one of the Akatsuki." She moved her hand off of her and removed her cloak. Hinata did the same as their shadows grew longer and the wind began to pick up. "What do I tell him?"

"Don't worry about it," Hinata said as she pulled her hair out of its ponytail and let it fall. She took in a deep breath as the cold air pierced her skin. "You be sure that the Akatsuki don't cause too much damage."

"What will you be doing," she kept her eyes in the direction of the two men. Hinata began to walk away.

"I'll give the Kage some info on me."

(Line Break)

Gaara received word of two suspicious men coming towards the village. He was quick to have citizens evacuate to underground holding. He watched as his shinobi scrambled to get ready for anything. Gaara stood in his office in his regular shinobi gear. He placed his cloak and hat away to keep from ruining. He thought back to the red head that had confronted him earlier; all he could think of is protecting his village and finding out about what happened to Hinata. He teleported to the rooftop and looked into the distance; the cold wind ruffled his hair. The Leaf shinobi were positioned around the hospital to protect the injured that could not be moved. He was nervous, his demon was roaring inside his head for him to do something, and his eyes searched for the other red head that promised him information. She wanted him to be sure she could get to the Akatsuki, but she was nowhere to be seen. Gaara felt the sand that thrashed around in his gourd as two jonin landed beside him.

"It has been confirmed," Baki spoke up first as the two stood on his sides. "The Akatsuki are headed this way."

"Is everyone safe," he asked lightly as he glanced around once again. He could feel it, someone was approaching him and his jonin were here.

"Yes Lord Kazekage," the other man answered.

"Take your positions." Gaara ordered.

"I was told to stand by you-"

"They are after Shukaku, who resides inside of me. If they are ready to take on a demon holder they must be strong or suicidal." He looked to the two. "I will handle this; I live and serve to protect my citizens." The two nodded and then disappeared. With another gust of wind, Gaara felt the presence of someone else. Gaara took in a deep breath, "Where is the Hyuga?"

"I'm right here," she said lightly as she saw on one of the elevated ledge at the other end. Hinata watched as he spun around fairly quick and looked at her with shock in his eyes. Hinata felt a smile pull at her lips as she looked him over. He really grew up…a lot better than she would have thought. His eyes didn't change though; they still starred deep into hers. The wind blew again and she was getting a little cold. Only her adrenalin was keeping her from shivering. She really hoped that Karin could get what they wanted before trouble started. "Lord Kazekage…it has been a long time."

"Hinata…" he was almost in disbelief at the sight of her. Was she even real? Was he just so desperate to see her that he was making her up? Maybe he was already dead; like the Akatsuki got him when he blinked and he was just dreaming.

"It's the little wench all right," Shukaku growled out. "I can smell that worthless Wolf. It has to be her."

"I came to pay the deal that you had made. You would like information about me?" She asked lightly as she crossed her legs and looked off past him. She activated her Byakugan and watched as Karin got closer to the two, which were making their way here faster than before. "Please be quick about it," she looked back to him as she deactivated her dojutsu.

"Where have you been? Why are you even here?" He had other questions to ask her, but those had to wait for a better time. A time when his life wasn't in danger.

"I've been everywhere and I am here for reasons I assume you already now." She let her lids lower in boredom; she wanted to be done with this before she did something she would regret. "Anything else?" She said as she got to her feet and walked up closer to where he stood. She could feel something dark in him grow angrier as she neared. "Is Shukaku still upset?" She glanced to him as she stopped and stood next to him. Hinata looked back out into the horizon when she got no answer; the moon was full and a growing pain grew in the pit of her stomach. "If you have nothing else to say, I must be on my way." She stopped when she felt his hand grip her own. It kept her in place.

It must have been an odd sight. Two people standing on a rooftop, one facing one direction and the other the opposite direction. Both were hand in hand as the wind blew past them; it was fairly odd to her. She didn't try to leave his grip, but she wasn't comfortable with it either. "Please, don't run off again. Just for one night, I want to know where you are."

"This is your one night." She replied back as she watched a giant white bird fly towards them with two Akatsuki and Karin. "I'll be here, and then with the Akatsuki." She leaned up to him and whispered in his ear. "Let go of your regrets Gaara; forgive all and beg for your forgiveness for all you have done wrong. And let me go. I am not Hinata Hyuga, Hyuga, or even the Hinata you once knew. She died long ago." Hinata felt his grip tighten enough to break her hand. "I'm sorry…" she brushed her lips against his cheek and left the lightest of kisses. "Don't die." She said before leaving him there without a hand in his. She stood beside Karin that had been dropped off on another building top as the bird went straight for the Kazekage. "They're going to kill him, aren't they?"

"I believe that will be the end result." Karin said as she fixed her glasses and crossed her arms over her chest. She shivered as it got colder. "They said to follow back and not to be slow. Payment will be discussed at a later date." She glanced to her captain and saw that tears were spilling out of her eyes, but she lacked the emotion on her face.

"I'll miss him," Hinata admitted. "He was the first person to ever love me."

"Your family?"

"I'd like to tell myself they did deep down." She turned her head and watched as Sand jonin ran at them. "You're a medic, right?"

"Yes Hinata-san."

"Good."

(Line Break)

"Sakura's gone!" Naruto yelled as he helped another patient out of the hospital. The building was being evacuated since shinobi had lost track of the fight.

"Dobe!" Sasuke glared at him. "You were supposed to be sure that she was okay!"

"Look, one minute she's helping Kankuro with poison and quickly trying to make more, and the next, she's gone!" his explanation when unexcused as the two began to argue over what was going on. Sai avoided the two as he handed off another sleeping child to a nurse. Kakashi shook his head and quickly broke up the fighting. "We have to go find her!"

"We have to move these people-" Kakashi started but was cut off.

"H-Hey!" They looked over to see Kankuro limping out with Temari at his side. "Go after the girl, we can handle it here."

"You can barely walk," Sasuke said but this time Temari spoke.

"Sakura made these," she tossed the bag to Kakashi. "It's poison to fight off Sasori Akasuna's attacks. You have to go after Haruno; Chiyo was the one that took her." They all looked at her and tried to make sense of it. "Chiyo is Sasori's grandmother; she took off and Sakura wouldn't let her go alone. Your mission was to protect her anyway, we will finish."

"Thanks Temari," Naruto smiled and ran out. The others quickly followed after him, but he stopped in his tracks. "Hinata?" He pointed to the figure that jumped from rooftop to rooftop. He knew that she had heard him; she stopped and looked down at him. Naruto was taken back at her. What was she doing there?"

"Why am I not surprised?" Sasuke glared as he looked to her. No one moved and Hinata had yet to say anything to them. She looked back in one direction and looked to be thinking something over. She then took off and the team was quick to follow. Sasuke had the gut feeling that even if they were following Hinata, she would end up taking them right to the Akatsuki.

Karin sighed as she felt the extras when Hinata caught back up to her. "You really need to pick a side." She said with a smirk as Hinata didn't react to it. "Are you good, or are you evil?"

"I'm…" Hinata thought for a moment, "Chaotically Good." She glanced to Karin and smiled, "If they kill the Akatsuki, really no need for us to fight are way in."

"I worry about you Hinata-san," Karin shook her head.

"Call me Captain," Hinata said as she ran a bit faster when she saw the forest coming into view. "I liked that a lot better."

Karin blushed and rolled her eyes, "Whatever…Captain."

(Line Break)

Hinata stopped as she landed beside the bland haired Akatsuki male as they landed outside the base. She nearly wanted to scoff at how he had reminded her of Ino Yamanaka. She was amazed at how well this base was hidden from her; no wonder no one could find it. She was quick to follow behind him as Karin tried to keep up with their strides. Hinata would try to keep her eyes ahead of her, but she would catch Gaara's red hair in her line of sight. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "What will you do…exactly?" She acted suddenly.

Deidara looked at her with a smirk, "What do you think, un? We're going to rip the demon out of him, un."

"I see," she said more to herself. There was no way she could stop this…but she was going to be sure that he wasn't left here to rot. "Where is your partner? I saw two Akatsuki."

"He's dealing with that old bat and bitch, un." Deidara said with a smile. "Sasori-dana will soon rejoin us, un." Hinata nodded and glanced back to Karin. Karin saw the look in her eyes and could read her like an open book. She had to make sure that the team didn't fully follow them in. Hinata went back to looking ahead and Karin made her way to where they came from; she had to be quick since they were fairly close. Deidara looked to her, "What are you two planning, un?"

"Nothing," she said dully as she began to feel something rather dark ahead of her. "I'm here to talk to someone and you have business, no?" she glanced to him.

He scoffed. "If you find Zetsu make it a quick talk un." Hinata nodded and when he went towards the dark aura, Hinata walked on ahead. She kept her eyes peeled for any sign of life and to be sure that no one got the jump on her. She suddenly shivered as she walked past a door that was stained with blood. She finally found another door that was left opened; she looked in and saw that the plant man was sitting there. Hinata shivered when she could smell the blood and saw a human arm at his side.

She lightly knocked on the door, "Zetsu." She gulped when he looked back at her with blood smeared on his lips. "I need to have a quick word with you." She said with her best voice. He looked her over and got to his feet. He made sure that he faced her. He didn't make any attempt to move, so Hinata took it as a sign to continue. "You have been on this world fairly long, no?" he still didn't react to her. Hinata cleared her throat, "I'm willing to pay for information out of you." Hinata watched as he remained still; it was beginning to piss her off. "Answer me."

"Go fuck yourself."

Hinata was taken back at the response. "What?" She glared at him, "All I need is information. I'm not asking you to do anything more than just remember and talk!"

"I won't have any part in this," he said in a different voice. "I have other business to attend to-"

"All I need to know is the names of the other demons not part of the Tailed-Beats!" She took a foreword to be sure that he didn't leave through the doorway.

He smirked, "You stupid bitch, those are the only demons." He walked up to her and pushed her out of his way. "They ruled hell and came to claim the earth; they are the greatest power known to mankind."

Hinata was left there…her doubts came back to her. No book was about the demon Wolf, no one said there are other demons then the nine, and now, she was left with nothing. She felt her eyes widened at the thought that something was very wrong; if Wolf wasn't a demon, what the hell was he?

"If you really want to find out," Zetsu spoke up as he walked. "There is one man that has been on the earth far longer than I." Hinata looked to him as he walked away. "I'm sure he'd happily answer all of your questions." Hinata took in a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves.

"What's his name?"

Zetsu chuckled darkly, "The fucker goes by Tobi these days."

~W/ Karin~

Karin groaned as she watched these morons fight off something that wasn't real. She was surprised that even her strong hero, Sasuke, was fooled by the body double. It just showed how desperate he was to defeat his brother. She kept hidden and tried to be sure that this little double created enough of a huff to keep them occupied; it raised a question though, what was Itachi really doing? He must have known his brother would be coming. Maybe it was Uchiha's way of keeping the back as they ripped Shukaku right out of the young Kazekage. It was a brilliant idea; none of them would pass without fighting the Akatsuki. She just watched with boredom. Sure, the Uchiha was good looking, the blonde had such memorizing chakra, the teacher wasn't too bad on the eyes, but other than that…it was nothing that interested her. If anything, she wanted her captain to come in and truly entertain her.

Karin blushed at her own thought.

And she thought she was just an Uchiha fan-girl.

Karin focused back on the fight and watched as chakra clashed with other chakras. It was like looking at a painting with a blind man as the artist. Some chakras went well and then there were others that clashed far too much. Her eyes flickered back and forth between each fighter; it was hard to focus on one. Karin finally felt her interest peeked when the familiar chakra of her captain came close to her. She smiled and left the group to waste time. "Captain," she stopped before the blue haired girl. Her chakra was darker.

"We need to talk to another member," she growled under his breath, "but I have no idea who he is."

"What's his name?" Karin asked lightly as they stood under a tree.

"Some guy named Tobi," she said with a wave of her hand. Hinata leaned back and looked up, "I figured that guy has to be here, but I rather not intrude."

"Well," Karin crossed her arms over her chest. "The others are here and I think it would be best if we left."

"No."

"Excuse me?" Karin looked at her. "I thought we came for information. We got none. So we'll come back when this Tobi is no busy so we can get our information."

"You can go on and meet with the others," Hinata waved her off and stood up straight. "I have one last thing to do."

"Fine…but you better come back soon." Karin threatened and took off into the forest.

Hinata sighed and let the frown settle on her lips. She was left at another dead end, with only a sliver of a chance that she could get to the right path. There was no demon in her…was there? Wolf wasn't a demon…he had to be something else. She couldn't figure it out and the only person that could tell her is a man she had never heard of. Hinata was about to walk off, but a sudden pain in her chest caused her to waiver and stumble. She clutched her chest and she heard Wolf growl and roar.

Death upon a man that did nothing but try to repay and please his country

Hinata felt the tears pour down her face, but she showed no sign of emotion. It took her some times that the crying wasn't from her…it was from Wolf. She stood back up and listed as he sobbed. "I assume that they were successful," she said not bothering to wipe away the tears. She made her way back to the cave. It didn't take her long to find where this was all taking place; she walked in with her steps echoing loudly off the walls. She became the center of attention when the members looked at her. She didn't look up at them; her feet took her straight to the body that lied on the cold floor. She looked up to see what held this demon. She could hear Shukaku try to break free, but it was useless.

"Who's the little bitch?"

"The Hyuga traitor," a woman said. "Just like you," she said to another member.

"Yes," the voice was smooth, "what brings her here?"

"I'm taking Lord Kazekage," she said as she bent down and picked up the male so that he was again her. She could almost smell the death on him.

"Why would you want that?"

"Why would you want a body here?" She asked back as she walked to the exit. "I'll be leaving, but I will be back."

"We'll be waiting." Hinata nodded and made her way out the door and back into the woods. She summoned a wolf and placed Gaara on its back.

A laugh came from the crowd of members. "Tobi knows why Hyuga is coming back." He sang out happily even with an evil glint in his one visible eye.

(Line Break)

Hinata huffed as she walked through the deserts once again; the sun beat down on her with no regret and little mercy. It must have been her punishment for bringing so much pain into the lives of her country. Hinata looked to her wolf that was panting from the heat and she slowly brought out a pouch and poured it into the Wolf's mouth; she could live a little bit longer. She looked to Gaara and hoped that he wasn't decomposing too fast. He didn't look dead, but she knew he was. Everything about him was gone and she was left with the husk of a man she saw one last time since her retreat. Hinata came up to the city and watched as jonin glared and while one sent for back up, another held out his katana. Hinata picked up the Kazekage and the wolf disappeared in a cloud of smoke. She lightly shifted her foot to one side and hit the jonin with a large wave of sand. He was knocked out cold.

Hinata came up closer, but saw that Anbu, two elders, his siblings, and Konohagakure shinobi were already waiting for her. Hinata stooped before she could get any closer and placed the Kazekage on the ground.

"Oh no," Temari covered her mouth as tears formed in her eyes. She embraced her other brother and he just let her hold him; his eyes were glued to his brother. Hinata looked to the others as they tried to hide their mourning, but one glared right at her.

"Why did you let them take him?!" Naruto glared at her. "You could have saved him!"

Hinata just looked to him and then back down at Gaara. She kneeled beside him and moved the hair from his face. She should have run off before someone spoke to her, but she owed Gaara a little more than that. She bent down and whispered in his ear. "I know you can't hear me," someone was yelling at her, "but I'm sorry."

"The Akatsuki are after people like us-"

"Like us…" Hinata smirked as she looked up at Naruto with a smirk. "Like…us!?" She stood up with an evil smirk and glared. "I am nothing like you both. You two know what you are! The Akatsuki want my precious eyes! If I was anything like you two I wouldn't be where I am today." She laughed as they looked at her with shock. Why was she so messed up? Was all her training with Orochimaru really change her? Was it all her pent up anger from her clan and village? What did she care though? She was nothing to her village but a threat and a failure to her clan. "Keep my team safe Naruto-baka," she turned around and walked out through the gates, "I'll be back to get them soon enough."

Hinata felt better; she was tired of worrying over her old peers. They hated her; they wanted nothing to do with her. She did her last and final good deed when she brought Gaara back, but that was the last straw. She wasn't going to spare them anymore. Hinata wasn't going to allow one of them to come and find her again without a fight to the death. She had her own life and it had nothing to do with her village anymore.

She was going to find out who Wolf was.

Find out who the mystery woman was.

Get her team back.

And that would be the last anyone heard of Hinata Hyuga.

(End)

Okay guys, I'm trying to pick up but I have not read shippuden. I know all the spoilers, but from now on, the story will be completely made up since I have no idea what happens. It will mostly follow Hinata and what she's doing since I'm about to reveal the big secret with what the hell is going on with Wolf. I hope that you all are still enjoying the ride since I want to finish up this story fairly soon. Happy Reading.