Hello, everybody! After beginning this story aeons ago, life (and death) got in the way, but since I began rewatching Naruto, I've decided it would be worth another shot. I am rewriting every chapter, in order to eliminate some grammar issues and to develop the story more, while also tying some loose ends, since one of the main issues in the reviews of the original story seemed to be the fast pace. I don't know if someone will be reading this, but, just in case you do, I would like to thank you for your time.

Without further ado, I humbly present you: "Time"

Disclaimer: Yeah right... I only own my drawings of Naruto... Nothing else...

It was a quiet August night. The air was as fresh as it could be in a late summer day, while the sun was still deciding on what to wear before making its first appearance. A thick blanket of darkness, silence and slumber covered the whole village of Konoha.

A tiny silhouette was quietly making its way through the empty streets. Hinata was walking towards the training grounds. She was already accustomed to be awake at 4 o'clock every day just to go training, in order to prove to herself that her father was not wrong in giving her another chance to lead the clan. She took the opportunity the darkness and loneliness the night gave her in order to reminisce. The war, Naruto's courage and… Neji's selfless spirit of sacrifice. She knew that if Tsunade hadn't been close, her cousin would have…

"No" she whispered to herself, breaking the absolute silence, while she shook her head; the mere thought of losing him was unbearable, so unbearable that she turned her thoughts back to the blond shinobi.

The butterflies in her stomach and the blush on her face had somewhat subsided in his presence and, if they ever did show up, they had a melancholically tune to them. Quite a stark contrast from the feelings that the other soul brought upon her. She remembered him throwing himself in front of her, taking all of the force of the attack, his body covering hers, in a desperate attempt to save her, to protect her, just as she was trying to protect Naruto. Seeing him almost lifeless, his blood spattered all over her, as a modest offering to the goddess she never thought of herself as, made it all make sense. For once in her life, the thin veil of the childhood crush had been lifted from her eyes and she could clearly see that he had always been by her side, protecting her, worrying about her, watching her every move, being her companion through thick and thin and, ultimately, willing to make the final sacrifice for her, just as she had been willing to make the final sacrifice for Naruto. It all came crushing down in an avalanche of desperation, in unison with his body that was crashing to the ground, pierced, maimed and mangled. She realized that, while it was true that she admired Naruto's ambition, his determination, his way of caring for others, this was not love. It was not love because love wouldn't make her feel unsure of herself, love wouldn't leave her guessing and doubting, love was... Peace. Selflessness. Love was the feeling of security, of trust; of mutual understanding, that one person and one person only had ever shown her.

For the next weeks, she never moved from his side, while growing more and more aware of the mature feeling that was blossoming inside her. She knew that, one day, she would gather the courage to tell him. One day… Not today, not tomorrow… But when she would feel worthy enough. Thus thought the Hyuuga heiress, continuing her quiet, but determined pace towards the training grounds, unaware that a pair of eyes was following her, as they did every morning. A pair of eyes that had the same shape and colour as hers. A pair of eyes that showed no particular emotion in the presence of others, but would brighten up as soon as she grazed them.

He remembered as well, seeing her offering herself as some kind of worthless sacrifice, just another stone upon which Naruto would build his strength and determination, just another pawn in a horrible game in which she didn't choose to play. His rage was uncontrollable, his rage at her for considering herself unworthy enough to continue living, his rage at Naruto, for unknowingly forcing her to put herself in that situation, his rage at himself for not telling her that not only she was good enough, but that she was better that anyone, that she was a goddess, his goddess, his princess, his entire reason for existing, for breathing, for waking up every morning. They may think whatever they please, but he didn't act on impulse. He placed himself in front of her tiny body as he knew that, ultimately, his destiny had always been dying for her. And then… Pain… And then… Darkness… And then… The bright lights on the hospital ceiling and a tiny weight on his left arm. She was sleeping peacefully, her long locks covering her pale face, while a light trail of tears still lingered on her cheeks, damping his bandages.

He resumed his task of protecting her and training her as soon as he was released from the hospital. He knew that she would never, could never, ask for an explanation that he wasn't willing to give. When Hiashi called him and asked him, with a hint of worry in his otherwise plain voice, if he would consider continuing with his duty of protecting his first-born, he just nodded, unable to bring himself to look his uncle in the eyes. If he would have, though, the Hyuuga genius would have seen it…

As she reached her favourite training ground, with him silently following her, she stopped, looking at a strange silhouette, which at first she thought was a pile of clutter. It turned out to be a girl, about 8 years old, who had the same hair colour and the same face features as hers. However, the little girl had her hair tied exactly the same way that Neji was wearing it. Hinata shrugged a little and tried to wake up the girl. Her guardian was closely watching from a tree. Finally, the girl moved and opened her eyes. Hinata stared in utter shock. The Byakuugan... The same eyes... And no seal... It was then when the girl smiled and hugged Hinata tightly, whispering only a few words that startled the heiress...

"Mommy! I missed you so much!"

It was then when Neji landed on the ground, startling both Hinata and the tiny creature that was hugging her. The little girl noticed him and ran towards him, while exclaiming in an excited voice

"Daddy! Daddy!"

Neji, however, didn't react as well as Hinata did. He took the girl by the collar of her way too large jacket and threw her on the ground.

"Who are you? What do you want from the heiress? We already know that you are not a Hyuuga. You don't have the cursed seal and this shade of hair belongs only to Hinata-sama! While your camouflage skill may be good, your spying strategies are horrible!"

"But, but, but... Daddy" said the little girl, stuttering and blushing, while her eyes were filling up with tears. "Don't you recognise me, daddy? I'm Kimiko, your... Your daughter..." she finished weakly, before starting crying desperately. "So it's true what they said! My parents never cared about me!"

An overwhelming feeling of sympathy swept over Hinata and she tried to approach the tiny form, but Neji jumped between them.

"Hinata-sama, you must not get near her... Who knows what ninja is behind this?"

"But... But... I'm you daughter! My name is Kimiko... Kimiko Hyuuga! I... I was born in May... I am... I really am your daughter..." she said sobbing.

Hinata gave Neji a "what-are-we-supposed-to-do-now" look... They both looked at the girl and Neji finally asked.

"How can I have a daughter if I am only 18 and I am not married?"

"Well… B-Because… Oh, Kami-sama, how can I say this and make you believe me? B-Because, daddy, I come from the future and, from where I come, I am 8, you are 28 and mommy is 27…"