Hi guys! Hope all is going well with you all. This chapter is the aftermath of the Pain Assault and does a brief description of the fight between Pain, Naruto and Hinata. I said it was going to be a little bit Angst in this chapter and the next one, but it should get a little spicy after the Angst as well. So, it will be worth it lol. So, I think I am going to give it a try after this school semester is over, to write a separate Vengeance with just the lemons in it. Of course I won't be doing that until I am finished with this baby right here. So all the chapters that pretty much involved lemons and I didn't write it here, will be in the other Rate: M Vengeance. Anyways, here is chapter 21!

He should be happy right now, Naruto thought to himself, he should be ecstatic. He was the hero of the village, people loved him, gave him recognition. He wasn't hated anymore, and he got to see his father! He got to learn about his family's legacy. Everything was coming together for him, Pain was defeated. There was indeed still a war coming, but with the help of his teammates and his other comrades he just knew they could do it! He was so positive about this! They had to just all come together and fight with all their might.

He should be happy, confident and feel energetic.

Instead he sat outside the prison where Hinata was locked up, looking like a droopy mutt. He didn't feel happy or confident, he practically almost lost Hinata…again. His teammate was there for Hinata though, Sakura healed Hinata when she was badly injured by Pain. He was forever grateful for Sakura; he didn't know what made the Kunoichi change her mind about Hinata, but he was forever grateful to her for healing Hinata. For making sure his Nata was okay.

Hinata battled Pain with all she had, blow for blow. He was mesmerized to actually see her in action. She was so strong. She kept telling him that she had no strong will, but that's not what he saw, she was so determined to give all the fight she had in her body so Pain wouldn't touch him. Her Naga transformation was a sight to see. He felt a dark twisted feeling to even admit that he found her beautiful even then. She almost succeeded in breaking Pains neck several times or slicing at a main artery, but only managed to snap his arm in half. Pain's arm dangled from his body, but he still managed to get the upper hand on Hinata, having his other paths able to assist him. Really, Naruto didn't think anyone could beat the man. In his mind the fight went on for hours, blow after blow the two assaulted each other. Hinata eventually having the least amount of chakra out of the three of them ended on her snake belly, holding herself up with her arms. Her bloodied face looked at him one last time with a grin.

"Naruto…do you care for me as much as I care for you?"

He could only stare at her in awe, "Of course, I love you with every fiber in my body."

"Then destroy him in my honor."

When he saw Pain struck her with one of his rods and the life drain from Hinata's eyes, he lost it. The nine tails, it got out. He wanted that man to die, he wanted to kill him so bad. He wanted to show him that he could inflict pain worse than him. In the end, his father had stopped him from being pushed over the edge. He was able to find out the truth about Pain as well, coming to terms that he was a man named Nagato. He heard the man's back story and why he did what he did. Honestly it didn't really stop Naruto from not liking the man, he could even say he borderline hated him. Naruto told him that he would not kill him, even though he was sure Hinata would have given him a grumpy face for the decision not to make a kill. He told Nagato he wanted to make the world a better place. Nagato sacrificed his life to revive everyone that he killed, and the rest is for the history books.

Once he came down from his adrenaline and the fact that he was now a well-known hero, he received the best news that Hinata was alive! Then he received the worse news that he felt like he ever received from Sasuke.

"Hinata tried to kill the Hokage. She beat her pretty bad, Lady Tsunade was put into a coma to recover. The guy Danzo is pushing for Hinata's execution, you know how I feel about that guy... He's up to something."

They won't let him see her and he found sneaking in the prison was way more complicated than the Hyuga estate. All he wanted to do was see her, to talk to her, to tell her no one hated her and that he would think of something.

God, what was he going to do?

"How in the hell are we going to get Hinata out of there with you sitting on the curb looking like a pathetic wet dog. Is this what you did when we were taken by Orochimaru? No wonder help never came our way, you all were too busy feeling sorry for yourself." Naruto slowly looked up at Ino and couldn't form words out his mouth. Finally, after the two hot-heads glared enough at one another, Naruto was able to form a sentence, "I'm not just sitting on the curb, I'm thinking."

"About?"

"How I'm going to get in there when night falls to see Hinata." Ino smirked at this and patted Naruto's back…rather hard. It was more like a brutal smack, "That's fucking like it! Well you look obvious as fuck Naruto, anyone could tell that you were planning on breaking in the prison the way you're just sitting here. Come to my place, Shikamaru is there with some others." Naruto looked shocked at this; other people were there to help too?

'See Nata! You're not alone!'

Naruto almost beat Ino to her home and the two walked inside. There he saw Sasuke, Sakura, Shikamaru, Kakashi, Asuma and surprisingly Neji. Actually, he wasn't really surprised to see him, the man was dedicated to Hinata. Neji would go through any obstacle to help Hinata, he was a strong ally and Naruto was happy to have the prodigy there. Shikamaru looked at Naruto bored before he spoke, "Took you long enough to get here, Ino had to drag your sappy ass all the way here from the prison, you're such a pain."

Naruto inwardly pouted at this; he wasn't sappy.

"Oi, I'm here. Where I was previously doesn't matter anymore. Now what in the hell is up with this prick Danzo? What the hell happened with Hinata the day of the assault against the village?"

Ino crossed her arms and had a look as if she was remembering something, "Hmm, well…she went fucking crazy Naruto. What else is there to tell. My theory is that Pain or whatever that guy's name was, was able to fuck with Hinata's curse mark that she was already having problems with. She hasn't been in a good place since the last time we left the village. Well actually she hasn't been in a good place since she received the curse mark, but it just got so fucking bad recently. That bat shit crazy Hinata, Tsunade went up against. That is what I usually have to talk down about twice a week. It like comes out of nowhere. It's easier for me to deal with because me and Hinata have a connection." Ino winked at Naruto after saying that, much to his annoyance.

"If I'm not there to calm her down evidently she gets worse and worse. She goes into chaos mode. On a serious note, honestly…she doesn't like Tsunade, but the Hinata I know wouldn't kill her and that is saying a lot because Hinata loves having a little 'slice and dice' fun. She wouldn't kill Tsunade though, for the pure fact that you, Naruto, are very connected with her. She wouldn't do that to you and I'm sure you know why. The psycho Hinata you all saw is what will be permanent if she can't fight this curse mark off. This Danzo dude I believe wants to use Hinata for more than he's letting on and I'll be damned if my Hime is a fucking pawn for anyone in this village."

Shikamaru agreed to his, "The guys a crook, but he knows how to cover his tracks."

Naruto listened to the two then looked over at Sakura, "I..I wanted to say thank you Sakura. I know we haven't been on the best of terms lately." The male blond scratched the back of his head and Sakura grinned at him, "Well it was mainly due to me being a bitch. You and Hinata didn't deserve me questioning you like that. Seeing Hinata basically admit that she was going on a suicide mission as long as it meant saving you, I guess I saw her in a different light. You were right about her Naruto… and I'm sorry." The blond smiled at this and finally felt like he could relax around Sakura again.

He then turned his attention to Ino, "I want to break into the prison to see Hinata."

The female blond grinned at this but you could hear a now tobacco free older jonin groan at the announcement, "Why did I come here? It would have been better if I just kept my head in the sand." Asuma rubbed his whole face, stressed with the fact that he now heard the village proclaimed hero speak about committing a crime.

"I believe what Asuma is trying to get at is the fact that this is, one illegal, and two a very bad idea. What do you hope to accomplish with seeing Hinata, what if she wants to leave the prison?" Kakashi proceeded to pat his comrade on the back, attempting to ease the mans upcoming stress.

He didn't like the look that crossed over Naruto's face and neither did the rest of team seven, "Dobe, let's think about this before you become a missing nin and lose everything you worked hard on." While Sasuke spoke, Sakura remained tight lip, she told herself when it came to Hinata she would no longer interfere with Naruto. "Teme! I just want to see her is all."

"Yes, we've established that, you would also break her out if she asked you too."

"What would you say I do then?! Let her sit in some cell and rot away, is that what you would do?"

Sasuke thinned his lips and remained silent and stared at the man he calls a brother, "I would break her out."

At this Asuma and Kakashi both groaned.

"I wouldn't worry too much about whether or not Naruto is going to defect and become some S-class missing nin because he broke out his murderous 'lover'." The group of people turned to Neji, "First because Hinata-sama wouldn't do that, she wouldn't let Naruto risk everything he worked hard for just for her sake. She has a habit, even now to put other people above herself. I spoke to Ino earlier and the way she described Hinata-sama's mental breakdown, she doesn't feel as if she even deserves to be alive right now. So, the last thing she would try to do is escape. Also, from what I was able to acquire about Danzo is that he likes to manipulate people and his goal is to manipulate you Naruto."

Naruto had a confused face, why would he want to get to him? Neji sent him a pointed look.

"He clearly sees that Hinata-sama has an effect on you. I'm pretty sure the whole village sees that Hinata has an effect on you. Your future fan girls better beware. My point being he's dangling Hinata in your face as bait to see if you or my uncle bites. Clearly Hinata-sama has …issues, but these issues are something to be treated by a psychological professional. Not through punishment, confinement is just worsening her mental state." Shikamaru nodded his head in approval of Neji's statement, "Basically Danzo wants you to try to break Hinata out, you are a strong Hokage candidate and would surly put a dent in all his operations. Plus, I'm sure he doesn't care too much for you considering your background. If you break her out than he wouldn't have to worry about you in any political seat ever again."

Naruto frowned at this, that fucking bastard. "I just want to see her; don't worry I won't do anything crazy."

The room went deafly silent at that declaration, Ino even laughed at him.

Hinata sat in the cold, wet prison cell with chakra cuffs firmly on her hands and wrist. Nothing she hasn't experienced before. Her eyes have been covered and she was sure made somehow so she could not use her Byakugan. If she was counting she would say she hasn't eaten in over 24 hours, it was fine she wasn't very hungry anyways. She didn't trust the water they were trying to give her either, it smelled like vinegar. So, she didn't drink anything. She has been locked up for two days and it was insanely quiet where she was. Everyone left her alone, aside from the guards and their snide comments every now and then. How she was scum, a traitor and how they couldn't wait for her to get sentenced to death.

She did not let this get to her; she's heard worse from people. She has endured worse. Besides, she belonged there. Sitting on the ground with the other vermin-like things, talked to like she was a piece of shit. She deserved every bit of it, she tried to kill Tsunade and she would have if Ino didn't stop her.

How could she do such a thing to Naruto, that lady was like a grandmother to him. He loved her. The more she thought about everything the more she was sick of herself. She was angry and put so much blame on Tsunade, why?

Because she gave a mission out to Kurenai? A capable Jonin.

Because Kurenai volunteered for her to come with her on the mission?

Because she had to do her fucking job as a ninja.

Why was she upset with them so much? She was the one who wanted to sacrifice herself so Naruto could have his teammate back, so Kurenai could be with Asuma. She made that sacrifice and while it came back and bit her in the ass so fucking hard, it was her decision.

The curse mark on her was only one man's fault, but she tried to make it everyone's fault. It was like after she defeated Orochimaru it wasn't enough for her. She had to have a reason to still be angry, to still lash out and hurt people. She didn't want to sit back and analyze that she was letting the curse mark consume her by doing all this. She turned into a vengeful monster and she didn't even try to stop herself.

Thinking like this made her sick, because she realized she brought Ino down with her. Ino was her best friend, the most important woman in her life and she encouraged her to lose control just as much as her. To gain the addiction to bloodlust. It was like they were two drug addicts, enabling one another.

She had been spending every second of every minute in this place thinking of nothing but this, nothing but how much of a fucked-up person she was. She was sure she was so far gone now that she couldn't be introduced into the general population ever again. So Orochimaru was right, she wasn't able to survive without him.

"So how long are you going to sit there and feel sorry for yourself Nata."

The young Hyuga turned her head to the direction of Naruto, she was very weak from not getting nutrition in and not taking care of herself, she didn't have the strength to notice Naruto coming. She figured he concealed himself anyways to get in, "You shouldn't be here Naruto."

"Do you want me to leave than?" He received no response and to him that was the best response for his question. "Look at you, not taking care of yourself." He looked over at the dirty water that was left for her and was sure that she wasn't drinking or eating anything. He walked over and kneeled in front of her pulling out food and water that he personally brought for her just in case, "Here." Hinata refused the gestures and turned her head, "You shouldn't be doing this Naruto, I almost took away a person very precious to you. I do not deserve your love."

She drew in a sharp breath when she felt him grabbed her chin in a rather rough manner and forced her to face his direction the whimper she gave him in return gave him light goosebumps. "Look at you. What is this Hinata? She's pathetic, sitting here feeling sorry for herself and letting life just shit on her. What happened to the Hinata with all those dreams and goals? What, are you going to let Kabuto get the best of you?"

He watched as her lips thinned in anger and her chakra flared slightly, he grinned at this, good she still had fight in her. "You came down here to excite me Naruto knowing that I can't leave and do anything about it." Naruto gave a dark chuckle at this and Hinata felt the most alive then she has in the past two days. "I came down here because I want you to know we'll get you out of here soon. You're not alone Hinata, you have more people than you know that has your back. I want you to get your head back in the game. There is a war coming and I need you to be ready."

"You want me to be better just for the war?" He smiled at this, she was starting to tease again, "That and for other reasons…you're not leaving my side again Nata. You brought this side of me out, now you have to deal with it." He ran his hands through her hair until it settled to the back of her mane. He pulled her in close so his lip was near her ear, he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to badly, but he had to have some control, this was not the place to play.

She wished she could touch him; she was itching to run her tongue across his bright warm skin. He was so warm and once again found a way to relax her and bring her energy back. "How are you going to get me out? So, you can properly care for me hmm?" While Naruto was preparing to feed Hinata a quick meal he chuckled that dark laugh again and she got chills.

"You're not the only person that runs by vengeance, Sasuke is going to handle Danzo so don't you worry."

Sasuke is an okay guy in my book, the older he got, I liked him more. Same with Sakura. So I like for Team Seven to be getting along. Well that is the end for this chapter, I'll see you all next chapter! I almost forgot to say thank you to my faithful readers! You guys come through at all times of the day to read my story and it really makes me happy that you guys are enjoying this! Until next chapter :)