A/N: I know I said I wouldn't post another chapter for a while. But I couldn't resist. I have a few days alone at home, so I can write a lot more. So here's another chapter for you all. This one is the end result of everything that happened in the last few chapters. So let's get to it!

Chapter Forty-Nine: The Kazekage Returns

Naruto and Hinata arrived in Sunagakure by mid afternoon. Gamabunta had left them just outside the city gates. Naruto and Hinata were welcomed at the city gates by Temari and Kankuro. They welcomed their friends with open arms and the four of them quickly made for the Kazekage residence. The guards at the door to Gaara's tower swung the doors open instantly upon seeing Naruto. Naruto was famous here in Sunagakure because he had helped to rescue Gaara from Akatsuki two years prior. Temari grinned.

"If it weren't for you two, Gaara wouldn't even be here anymore. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you. You do have the ring right?"

Naruto nodded and he felt the ring's weight in his coat pocket. It was a small band with three diamonds in a triangular pattern. Naruto and the company reached the door to Gaara's office. Temari opened the door. What Naruto seen made him laugh so hard he double over. Gaara and Matsuri were locked in a deep kiss. Gaara immediately scowled at his siblings.

"How many times do I have to tell you Temari! Knock on that damn door first!"

Temari laughed and Gaara's expression softened as he saw Naruto and Hinata.

"Naruto! Hinata! Welcome back to Sunagakure! I trust you have the… package I requested?"

Naruto nodded. Gaara slid out of his seat and he walked to Naruto, hand extended. Naruto took his friend's hand and he passed the ring to Gaara during their handshake. Gaara smiled a rare smile on his usually stoic face. Hinata then spoke.

"Gaara, do you know where my sister is? Is she ok? We heard she was facing possible Sound Shinobi in her first mission."

Gaara looked at Hinata and he closed his eyes, folding his hands.

"She's performing her mission with relative ease. She's definitely the strongest Shinobi in her squad. Neji's taken an interest in training her. But I know not her whereabouts at the moment Hinata. I wish I could help you more, but I'm certain she is ok."

Hinata swallowed hard and she nodded.

"Alright. But if you hear anything, can you send word to me back to Konoha?"

Gaara merely nodded and he turned his head to Matsuri.

"Can you leave us alone for a while? There is something I must discuss with Matsuri. And Hinata, she's scheduled to return from her mission tonight. If you wait here, you can all go back to Konoha together."

Hinata bowed gratefully and they all left the room, leaving Gaara alone with Matsuri. Once the door was closed, Gaara took Matsuri's hand and he led her to the window that overlooked the village square. He got down on one knee and he held up the ring.

"Matsuri, we've been together for almost two years now. You've been by my side since I was revived. Will you marry me?"

Matsuri bent down to kiss him and she nodded.

"Of course I will Gaara."

Gaara stood up and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. Matsuri brought her arms around Gaara and they embraced for a long time.

Night fell on Sunagakure. The hours passed and still Hanabi and her team did not return. Hinata was growing both impatient and angry. Naruto did what he could to calm her, but to no avail. Eventually, midnight fell and the two Shinobi had waited long enough. Hinata rose to her feet and she started towards the door.

"I'm going to look for her. I have a feeling something bad happened."

Naruto rose to his feet and he followed her.

"I'm coming with you."

Hinata closed her eyes and when she reopened them, she had her Byakugan activated. She had greatly improved the distance she could see through sheer training. She could see for miles now. She searched for a long time before she could pinpoint her sister's location. She gasped.

"They're under attack! Naruto, we have to go help them!"

Naruto nodded and he summoned Gamabunta once they were outside the city walls. Hinata had seen them high in the mountains, where they had been to rescue Gaara two years ago. Naruto spurred on Gamabunta and he swallowed hard, remembering what Tsunade had said to him before they left. Don't interfere in Hanabi's battles. She needs to learn what it means to be a Shinobi. Naruto then turned to Hinata.

"Tsunade said for us not to interfere in their mission. She'll never learn to be strong if we keep helping her."

Hinata opened her mouth to protest, but she nodded. She remembered how she had been during her Genin years. Shino and Kiba had always saved her when she gave up. It was because of Naruto that she applied herself more and more on missions. She smiled back at her husband and she closed her eyes.

"Very well. But I do want to see how strong she's become due to Neji's training."

Naruto nodded and they began their traveling to Hanabi's location.

High in the mountains, Neji was locked in a titanic battle with a Sound Jounin. Neji's ears were bleeding and he was staggering. Hanabi was holding her own against a Sound Chuunin, but her teammates had been incapacitated. Hanabi cast a look over at Neji. He was preparing a strike but he staggered again. Hanabi didn't see his opponent make a move against her cousin. Just then Hanabi felt a sharp pain in her leg. She looked down and she saw a senbon needle sticking out of her leg. She spun in fury and she assumed her battle stance. She rushed at her opponent and she delivered a brutal strike to his stomach. The Chuunin opponent doubled over and she coughed up blood.

"What the hell ARE you?"

Hanabi then dropped low and she spread her arms wide.

"I'm a member of the Hyuga Clan of Konoha! And I'm your worst nightmare at the moment."

The Sound Chuunin flashed a grin.

"Is that so? I let you hit me to see what the Gentle Fist was all about. You're too weak to beat me, Hyuga."

The Chuunin brought her hands up to her face and she started to weave seals as fast as she could; so fast that Hanabi couldn't catch the seals with her eyes.

"Secret Art: Rain of Needles!"

The two needles in the Chuunin's hands flew into the air and split into what seemed to be thousands of needles. Hanabi's brain registered this as a Shadow Clone technique and she squatted low into the ground. She closed her eyes and she focused. Just as the senbon were about to hit, she spun quickly.

"Rotation!"

Hanabi had used the signature technique of the Hyuga Clan for the first time. She then used the Flash Step Technique to increase her speed momentarily. Before the Chuunin female could guess what happened, Hanabi had sunk her palm into her opponent's chest, a strike aimed directly at the heart. Hanabi stood back as her opponent collapsed to the ground. Hanabi then dropped to her knees and she fainted from the exertion of the battle.

"Hanabi!"

Neji called to his cousin and student, seeing that she had passed out. Neji had regained his balance and he rushed to Hanabi's side. He felt her neck and he sighed with relief. She's just tired… Thank God. Neji then stood up and he activated his Byakugan once more and he faced his opponent.

"This is the end for you."

TO BE CONTINUED…