Chapter Twenty Eight

The work of time

Knowing Naruto had everything in control, aside from his seal breaking, she confided in him. Hinata made a quick bee line to Sasuke's body and crouched beside him. There was nothing to worry about, he would survive like he always did. This time it was not going to be the same. Something was wrong and Hinata could feel it, she placed her fingers below his throat and waited for a pulse. Nothing. What? After activating her Byakugan she let out a gasp, his chakra pathways were frozen and dissipating rapidly. "S...Sasuke, wake up." Hinata shook his shoulder, no response. Visibly shaken, Hinata stared wide eyed, a millions thoughts crossing her mind. Taking a peek around her she felt a sense of dread fill her, something bad was about to happen. Just as she thought that, the whole world shook at her thoughts. Almost instantly everything moved in slow motion, and that moment she remembered something very important. If Sasuke was dead, who in the future sent her back in time. Eyes widening she looked down at herself after feeling a tingle run down her body. Just barely her hand became translucent, she was disappearing, it wasn't a good sign.

The earth shook, her body moving in unison, all around her was essentially nothing. The waves stopped forming, the water the sound of people...just ceased. Above her a cloud formed, the air picked up and it surrounded Sasuke and herself. The timeline got damaged and the only way to repair itself was too destroy the earth and ultimately the timeline- her timeline. The chance of stopping it was zero to none. Thinking rapidly, and acting only on instinct, Hinata activated once again her bloodline and began working. Her fingers closed up very specific pathways in Sasuke's system and then infused her hands and fingers with her own chakra. In about three minutes, the cloud forming around her would turn into a black hole and then start dismantling everything from below and devouring it. Satisfied that the pathways around Sasuke's heart were closed off she sent waves of chakra to his heart, by closing the points it would keep her chakra in place and help his heart restart.

Sasuke's body convulsed but his heart remained the same, for just a moment his lips moved but it was brief. With that in mind, the Hyuga continued and not stopping even after feeling her own life escape her. Once or twice her hand would blink in and out of existence.

"Sasuke." Another wave sent.

"Please, w-wake. Up!" Tears formed and freely fell down her cheeks and down her chin until splashing onto Sasuke's shirt. Eyes blurry and breath labored, she kept her concentration, pouring everything she had into him. Three minutes later, the corners of her eyes caught movement and she looked up. although everything was in slow motion, she could tell it wouldn't take long before there was nothing left, she didn't even feel how part of the bridge split and rose up into the hole. Her eyes moved down and took in Sasuke's peaceful expression, so calm and so different from his frown and look of desperation. He looked happy, something she never actually noticed before. I should let it happen, with his death….there could be another beginning, a restart. Hinata would not have to worry about anything, about the future, she could easily join all of her friends in another world- another time. "It wouldn't be wise for you to give up." Startled, Hinata jerked her head up and there standing was someone she never thought she would see. Toneri, with his eyes shut and looking worn out and tired. "Why? Its for the best, this timeline would be gone and nothing like this ever happened."

"An easy way out, I would expect it from someone else but from you, never."

"Why are you here?"

"To see what you did to cause," His hand waved at his surroundings, "All of this disaster."

Confusion was written all over the Hyuga's face, Toneri would have taken that opportunity to take what he wanted but instead he moved closer to her and crouched beside her. He didn't miss how she jerked away at his proximity, he placed his hand on top of hers but she moved away. "Wha-"

"Shh, only trying to help." He continued when Hinata raised her eyebrow in question. "Unlike you, I'm not about to let this timeline go to waste. This will not be my last breath." The Hyuga eyed him skeptically unsure of what his ulterior motives were. Could she give up? Let things flow the way they should or would she stop it? On one side she could have peace but could she live with the guilt of not trying hard enough to save something? "I would hurry with that decision."

"Alright." With a nod of her head, Toneri moved behind her and she reacted. " You need my help to save him. I promise not to do anything." Taking a deep breath, Hinata prepared for the closeness and decided to just stare at Sasuke. Toneri crouched behind her, encircled his arms around her and placed his hands on top of hers, his breath an inch away from her neck, she shuddered. "We'll send out chakra at the same time, one...two-three." Simultaneously waves of chakra shot forth and hit the Uchihas heart, his chest rose up various times before it stopped. With the Byakugan still on she saw as Sasuke's heart bumped once then a few more times, it was working. Toneri easily moved away and watched the scene unfold.

With quick fingers, the Hyuga opened up Sasuke's chakra pathways right after making sure that his body was producing his own. Happiness settled within her but kept it at bay, not wanting to get her hopes up. With a big breath, the Uchiha bolted straight up, his lungs expanding for air, without missing a beat, Hinata wrapped her arms around Sasuke's body and squeezed with all her might, sobs escaping her lips. All she could do was hold him, she could faintly feel how everything fixed itself, feel the tingle leave her. She glanced up, the cloud was gone and everything was moving in real time. All back to normal.

Zabuza felt something inside him die the moment he saw Haku stand in front of him and take his hit. The kid would do anything for him and his dream and finally he wound up dying. The demon of the mist would have kept all his feelings to himself, tell himself that Haku was nothing but a piece in his overall plan to conquer. Naruto's words had hit him, made him realize his true feelings. Now, he was an empty shell, nothing to really live for, from here on out he would die alone. There was still on last fight in him, in a series of movements his bandages came off his mouth and placed the kunai Naruto sent him between his sharpened teeth. In his final breath, Zabuza became what he always was, the demon of the mist, he killed the man that hired him and the man who had the audacity to kick Haku right in front of him. Gato would never be able to ruin any lives anymore, all of his goons departed at his demise. The bridge would be completed.

"Take me to him." Kakashi scooped Zabuza into his arms after he had taken off all the blades from his back. Gently the jounin laid Zabuza next to Haku, and walked back to Naruto.

"Haku, you were pure right from the beginning. You will be in a place you deserve." Zabuza hand reached up and cupped Haku's cold cheek and kept it there, "I just wish I could follow you there." He smiled one last time as snow fell from the heavens, his eyes laid open staring at the last image of his loved one.

Blinking, Sasuke shook away the images and felt a body pressed closed to his,"Hinata?" The body backed away, it was Hinata. "I'm...alive." A smile appeared on her face, her arms moved away and found themselves on Sasuke's face. Their foreheads touched, they each let out a sigh and stayed in that moment until they heard footsteps approaching them.

"Sasuke?" A voice interrupted them, the two teens looked up at their friend, Naruto rubbed his eyes and plastered a smile. He launched himself at his friends and embraced them, Kakashi stood off to the side watching the exchange. The sounds of villagers cheering filled the air, but to team seven it was only them.

The burial was fast and easy, no one really responded in a negative or positive way to where both Zabuza and Haku would be laid to rest. It was on top of a hill, where in a way they could see everything and protect their land. It was just the perfect place for them, side by side.

"What do we do now?" Asked Naruto, he looked up and took in his sensei.

"Home." Replied Kakashi. Giving one last look at the town and the land, team seven headed back to their own home awaiting to hear what the other teams had been up to.

One month later

It was odd, especially coming from Sakura. Odd indeed. After team seven had arrived, Hinata was summoned to the Hokage tower to speak about what team she was destined to be. To her surprise, Sakura had decided she wanted to stay with team Eight, Hinata wondered what had transpired between her old teammates and Sakura. Jealousy had taken place in her heart but she reminded herself that there was no reason to feel that way, they would always be her friends either way.

Author's Note; Hello lovely readers! I would like to take the time to appreciate some reviews from; LilyVampire, Natsuko,TL and a Guest- Thank you the support and standing up for me, You guys are Amazing. Thank you once again. This chapter is a bit rushed...still liked the way it turned out. On to a new arc, things will get interesting-I hope. Anyways, have a nice monday and till next update. Adios.