Hinata

I stumbled along, not really listening to what Tenten was saying. I stared ahead of me, wondering if I had made the right choice. He had looked...so hurt. Was I making the right choices? What if I had just lost something...

"Sis?" I turned to look into Hanabi's wide eyes. "Ya know, if I had to choose between Konohamaru and my family, I would choose him." I bit my lip, staring at her. She turned confidently towards Tenten. "Would you choose Neji, Tenten?"

"I would choose Neji." Tenten said hesitantly, sadness in her eyes. "I would be filled with regret if I compromised something precious." Neji glared at her, his eyes turning to me.

"Hinata, you should come back with us." Neji said as I turned my eyes upwards to meet his.

"Would you choose Tenten?" I asked, more confidant than I had been for a long time. For a moment he paused, staring at me.

"I...Hinata, it isn't the same. She isn't a demon!" Neji said as I took a step back. I shook my head at him.

"What am I still doing here, then?" I said before turning around, running off into the forest.

"It's dangerous alone!" Neji's voice trailed after me, but I paid him no attention. What had I been thinking? If I could have something with Naruto, I had to give us more time. I had to give us a chance. Minato's words echoed through my head, about how Naruto could be the nine tail's first causality. I imagined his large, crystal-clear eyes, open and honest. His wide grin stretching across his tan face, comforting and daring at the same time. As I ran along I looked for any sign of him. Was it just me, or was my vision seriously becoming more apt? I could practically see through that tree...I ignored that thought, continuing my search for Naruto.

"Naruto!?" I yelled as I sprinted, my eyes scouring the forest. Had he left? I turned my head back and forth, wincing as I realized that I was lost. Just great. "NAAAARUTO!" I yelled, putting everything into my yell. When I received nothing but a few birds taking off into the sky I collapsed to the ground. Maybe I should've continued to the village...I stood up slowly, turning around to continue when I felt someone grab me. Before I could cry out something covered my mouth. The person inhaled deeply in my hair.

"Mmmmm...Cinnamon rolls." I jerked free, spinning around to see Naruto smirking at me.

"Na-Naruto?" I asked, my shyness suddenly returning. I pressed my fingers together, peering up at him. "Sorry..." He laughed, a huge smile on his face.

"It doesn't matter, all that's important is that yo-" He was suddenly interrupted when he bent over, his eyes widened in pain. He grunted loudly, his eyes bulging as he fell to the ground.

"Na-Naruto?" I asked as he began to glow vermillion, coughing up splatters of blood. He suddenly screamed, throwing his head back as he did so. I was knocked to the ground by the wave of power that came off of him, and when I sat back up his eyes were crimson, fangs evident in his mouth. A crimson wave of energy surrounded him, forming the shape of the fox. I stared into his eyes, realizing quickly that he wasn't Naruto. His gaze held no recollection, his eyes hungry.

"Who are you?" I asked, quickly leaping to my feet and stepping away. He grinned, looking me up and down. His tongue licked his lips hungrily and a wave of fear washed over me.

"Call me Kurama, wench." He smiled, charging at me at an alarming rate. Just as his claw was about to meet my head I was scooped up bridal-style. I yelped as I landed in a tree, looking up to recognize Itachi as he set me down. I peered over to see Naruto, or Kurama, viscously attacking Sasuke and Kisame.

"Where are-" I began, only to be quickly interrupted by Itachi.

"Namida and Ami are at home watching the children. Now be careful, don't get involved." He handed me a kunai, gave me a nod, and then leapt into the battle to help Kisame and Sasuke. I watched as Kurama easily dodged Sasuke's chidori and blocked Kisame's sword with his tails at the same time. Kurama quickly ripped his tails from Kisame's sword, roaring at him. Suddenly, a dark ball began to form in his mouth, aimed at Kisame. At that moment, Itachi's sharingan turned to the more deadly form. If the legends were correct, which they have been so far, than it was the mangekyo.

"Tsukuynomi!" Kurama suddenly froze in place, a wild expression on his face. My eyes were pulled from Kurama when someone landed next to me. I turned to see Karin, her eyes studying me.

"You're not hurt, correct?" I nodded, turning my eyes back to the battle as loud coughing ensued.

"Itachi!" Kisame took a step towards his fallen comrade as he coughed up blood in hearty amounts.

"Crap!" Karin hissed, leaping from the tree just as Kurama became unfrozen. It roared, turning to attack Itachi as Karin and Kisame stood protectively in front of him. Then its eyes turned towards a less protected target. Kurama lunged at Sasuke before anyone could help protect him. Sasuke blocked part of Kurama's attack, but that didn't stop Kurama's claws from ripping into Sasuke's arm. Sasuke sprung away, unable to hold his sword as he clutched his arm. The beast lunged again, aiming for the kill. Suddenly, Itachi leapt in front of Sasuke, picking up his sword and blocking Kurama again. Karin, meanwhile, circled behind both Itachi and Kurama and pulled Sasuke away from the battle. As Kurama mercilessly attacked Itachi, Kisame swung his sword down. As Kurama's attention turned to Kisame, Itachi fell to the ground, coughing once more. Kisame fended off Kurama until Itachi could stand again, quickly rejoining the fight. A few moments later Sasuke rejoined the fight, attacking Kurama from behind once more. I gulped as I watched, wishing I could do something to help their efforts. Karin landed beside me again, taking a defensive stance. She threw a few kunai, but Kurama either dodged or blocked with his tails. Another tidal wave of power burst from Naruto, nearly knocking me from the tree. Karin caught me, pushing me in a sitting position.

"Be careful, Hinata, he won't recognize you." Karin gave me a piteous look that made my cheeks warm up. I didn't like being treated as though I was weak. I sighed, turning nervously back to the battle.

"He's getting more powerful." I whispered, earning a tentative nod from Karin.

"I need to help. We need to distract him long enough for Itachi to use his Tsukuynomi," She said, readying herself to leap into the battle.

"Wait!" I said, grabbing the back of her kimono. "Can I help?"

...

Whew! I bet no one expected this! Anyways, the main reason Itachi is coughing so excessively is that he didn't take his medicine (will be revealed in next chapter) and the fact that he hasn't fought for a long time. I wanted to bring attention to the fact that he is a pacifist. Which is sorta unexpected...Anyways, this chapter is supposed to show that Naruto does NOT love Hinata. Yet. Otherwise he wouldn't be possessed by Kurama. I know, this chapter is sad...I was gonna make it happier, but then this would have been the last halter and I wanna add some more. Anyways, please review! Thanks to everyone who did review!