AN: Note that I do not own Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, or any of the characters from either Anime. This work is a fanfiction written out of my love for the series and not in any attempt to make a profit.

Proofread by: Author and Kyluxia

First of all, if you're someone who's stumbled upon this story by accident, I suggest you go back and check out the prequel to this story under the name "Inner, the Kekkei Genkai", otherwise some of the changes from canon won't make much sense here, and the appeal of this story might be lost on you. Just a fair warning, since I can't force you to do so.

And so, the first chapter of the sequel to "Inner, the Kekkei Genkai" is finally out. I should inform everyone here that despite what I said in the last chapter of the previous story about it being finished, I realized in hindsight that there were some loose ends I forgot to take care of, therefore, there should now be an additional chapter there, as well as a new first chapter, and the note about this story being uploaded, so enjoy all that I suppose. Sadly, I never got around to cleaning the previous story out, but I still have plans for it, and I have made changes in my planning to allow for it. So, hopefully, things will shape up nicely in the future. Otherwise, welcome back and enjoy.

Chapter 1: Confessions and plans for the future

Sakura and Heikō found it a bit surreal to leave Konohagakure behind, knowing that they wouldn't see their home village for years to come. Practically everything they knew was to be found back in the village they had grown up in. They were essentially leaving their entire life behind to go on this training trip with Naruto and Jiraiya.

Sure, they had already known that when they made their decision, but having rationally accepted this outcome, and felt the change take place was different. They had been surprised by how many people had actually shown up to see them all off, but it did make sense, considering how long they planned to be gone for.

Kizashi and Mebuki Haruno, Maito Gai, Rock Lee, Tenten, Neji Hyūga, Kakashi Hatake, Sasuke Uchiha, Karin Uzumaki, Asuma Sarutobi, Ino Yamanaka, Chōji Akimichi, Shikamaru Nara, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Konohamaru Sarutobi, Kurenai Yūhi, Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyūga, Kiba Inuzuka, Akamaru and Shizune had all shown up to see them off. Tsunade had unfortunately been unable to attend as well, due to her responsibilities as the Hokage. Even so, there were a lot more people than what Sakura, or Heikō, had expected. Surprisingly, Shizune had then informed Naruto that Iruka Umino had also wished to see them off. The academy instructor had been too busy to do so and had requested Shizune to tell him to write if possible, which Naruto agreed that he would.

To Sakura's surprise, Jiraiya had asked Karin if she was certain she didn't want to come with them as well, only for Karin to deny the offer. She intended to focus on her career as a medic for the time being and held little interest in seals. "If I ever find myself in need of making seals, I'm certain Naruto or Sakura will be willing to help me out in the future, so teach them well." She had told Jiraiya with a smile. Jiraiya had seemed a bit disappointed but accepted her reasoning all the same.

As it turned out, most of the people were there to see Naruto off, while the Jōnin were present mostly to supervise their teams, as they were about to head out on missions themselves shortly, or about to train together, but even they gave Naruto and Sakura (and by extension Heikō) their goodbyes and well wishes. Those who were there exclusively because of Sakura and Heikō were, in the end, their parents and Ino, while Sasuke, Kakashi, Shizune, Hinata, and Karin were there for both of them. The rest were there either because of Naruto exclusively or because of someone else in the group.

Sakura promised Ino that she would write, and shared a hug with her, offering Karin one as well. Their parents took the longest to say goodbye too, as they hugged them for as long as possible, insisting they did so with both Sakura and Heikō in control for at least five minutes each. Something the Haruno siblings had agreed to, despite the embarrassment of it all happening in front of their friends. After all, they would be gone for so long, it only made sense that their parents wanted to hug them long enough for it to last them all that time.

What surprised Sakura and Heikō, however, was when Hinata had stepped up and asked to speak with them in private. Hinata, in the end, had changed immensely since the second part of the Chūnin exams. She no longer gave off the aura of a shy and meek girl, and her wardrobe had changed from the baggy and conservative clothes she used to wear, to a more form-fitting training uniform. It also seemed that the armbands on her wrists and ankles were weighted. Sakura and Heikō both had a bit of a bad feeling about Hinata's request, as they had never interacted much with the girl, and didn't think that Hinata had the best image of them either. Most of what Hinata would know of them would be from their time in the Academy, which in hindsight, wasn't a very favorable depiction of how Sakura and Heikō wanted to be seen now.

Their shared apprehension turned out not to be entirely unfounded when Hinata pinned them with a slight glare. "Sakura Haruno… I heard you're no longer interested in Sasuke." Hinata stated, confusing them, both with the apprehensive, slightly hostile look and tone of Hinata's voice, but decided to nod in confirmation.

"True, I'm no longer hopelessly chasing my first crush. I'm ashamed to look back at how I acted back then." Sakura admitted, hoping that it would put her in a more favorable light with Hinata. She had seen just how devastating the Hyūga clan's fighting style could be and hoped to remove any reason for any Hyūga to even consider using it against them. Even if it was possible that their doubled count of tenketsu might throw their fighting style off, it would still hurt just as much, if not more.

"I'm glad to hear you've become more sensible since the academy," Hinata responded, actually smiling slightly, only to adopt a stoic expression a moment later. "Still, I wonder, what was it that led to such a change? Is it perhaps because of Naruto?" She inquired, making Sakura raise an eyebrow, trying to figure out what it was Hinata was implying, only for Heikō to do so first, and burst out laughing in their mindscape, before explaining.

"She's worried we've seen whatever it is she sees in Naruto, and that we're now a threat, especially since we're going to be spending years away from the village with him, during which we're both likely to hit puberty, a prime time to hook up!" Heikō explained.

"Wait, you're afraid I've come to like Naruto instead?" Sakura asked, looking at Hinata wide-eyed, and blushing slightly. This in turn prompted Hinata to blush as well, while looking surprised that Sakura had seen through her so easily.

"W-well, yes. I was- j-just tell me, is it so?" Hinata asked, her facade breaking as she looked at Sakura with hopeful, sad eyes that caused Sakura to envelop Hinata in a comforting hug.

"You don't have to worry, Hinata. I'm not after Naruto. Just because I'm no longer hopelessly pining after Sasuke, doesn't mean I've rebounded onto my other teammate. I haven't even reached puberty yet. I'm merely going on this trip to learn Fūinjutsu from Jiraiya, and get away from doing missions, so I can focus on my training, nothing else." Sakura assured the Hyūga teen, who no longer looked imposing or threatening. Smiling at her as she pulled away, Sakura felt Heikō take over, feeling very mirthful.

"We know you're after him after all, but I can provide you with pictures and updates if you wish, should give you a good chance once we get back I imagine." Heikō teased with a wink that renewed Hinata's blush, as she was caught off-guard by the suggestion.

"What do you mean?" She asked, flustered and hoping Heikō would elaborate.

"What I mean, is that while it is obvious to the rest of us, Naruto is rather dense, and hasn't realized just how lucky he is. I see that you're not quite as shy as before, but I imagine that you still haven't confessed to him and that unless you do so, he won't realize your feelings for him. Confessing, regardless of how shy you are, takes a lot of courage when you aren't certain if he'd return those feelings. It's easier to make assumptions and jump to conclusions when there's competition like it was for me and the other girls chasing Sasuke, but building something out of nothing isn't easy, and so, I'm offering to write to you about Naruto. I'll already be writing to Ino and Karin whenever I can, and with how cute I imagine you and Naruto would be together, I can't help but offer to help you." Heikō explained her reasoning, baffling both Hinata and Sakura, although Sakura did find that she agreed with her sister and didn't object. Besides, it seemed like a rather promising way to get Heikō to lay off teasing Sakura about the potential of them getting together with the blond.

"I… I don't…" Hinata tried to speak, seemingly speechless about the offer for a few moments before nodding stiffly, making Heikō smile.

"Well then, it's settled. Although, if I can point something out? This would be a great time to confess to Naruto." Heikō told her bluntly, making Hinata freeze up, blush before shaking her head widely.

"I-I can't!" She protested, flustered.

"Why not?" Heikō wondered, "If you don't tell him now, you might never be able to. I might not be pining for him, but we're going to be traveling for up to three years, and unlike here in Konohagakure, Naruto won't have the stigma that follows him to keep him from catching a girl's eyes. While I doubt that Naruto will realize it himself, some bold girl might come along and point out how great she thinks he looks. I can try and keep him free for you, but even Naruto might catch on, and then what? I'd have to tell him about you, and I think you'd prefer to do so yourself, no? Besides, if you tell him now, you'll give him time to think about it, and likely keep him from pursuing any other relationships out of respect for you if he decides he does like you." Heikō reasoned, leaving Hinata looking both crushed, amazed, and conflicted.

"You really think so? That now is the best time?" Hinata asked, sounding sad and afraid.

"I don't know if Naruto will be able to give you a definite answer right away. It will most likely be awkward, but if you tell him now, I'll talk with him about it. He isn't the kind of guy who'd want to hurt you, so he won't embarrass you in front of the others, or even in private. Just tell him you like him and want to go out with him once he's back. You wouldn't be putting him on the spot like that, and the knowledge that despite how everyone else treats him, the fact that someone else can love him, I think it'd make him feel great." Heikō tried to assure Hinata.

Seeing Hinata's conflicted expression and furrowed brows, as she tried to decide on what to do, Sakura took back control over the body as Heikō let go. They stepped back, leaving Hinata to figure things out on her own.

For a moment, Sakura felt relieved over Heikō having such a conversation with Hinata, as it meant she wouldn't tease Sakura about Naruto anymore. Unfortunately, she almost immediately learned that her assumption had been false.

"You know, the same can be said for you. If you find that Naruto is pretty hot anyway, I'm sure Hinata would understand in the end. We could definitely snatch him up from her regardless of whether she confesses or not. He's been asking us out for years, after all, a confession from Hinata is only going to give her a fighting chance, and a little competition makes it more interesting." Heikō told Sakura teasingly, having an idea of what Sakura had been thinking.

Sakura nearly fell over in surprise and embarrassment at Heikō's suggestion, before raging at her in her mind.

It turned out that Hinata had taken Heikō's suggestion to heart, and done so in a much bolder way than anyone had expected of her, as she had managed to kiss Naruto in front of everyone.

Jiraiya had a field day with teasing Naruto the remainder of their exit from the village while Naruto had occasionally cast glances back in the direction of the village gate, before putting a hand to his lips as if questioning if it had really happened. Afterward, he continued to cast occasional glances towards Sakura, who didn't want to think about the conversation she had promised to have with Naruto. Not since she realized that she would have to confront Naruto about his attraction towards her and Heikō while keeping the nosy pervert known as Jiraiya out of their relationships.

She agreed with Heikō and was glad for Hinata, but in the end, between her mother's teasing, Jiraiya's perverted tendencies, and the promise of puberty on top of the situation Hinata had left them in, Sakura was no longer looking forward to this trip as much as she had before.

AN: Woohoo! Way to go Hinata! Right? Deep inside, she is still that shy little girl we all know and love, but with a bit more kick-ass and maturity on top. I imagine this might have you all more curious about what exactly happened to Hinata, but that is something you will have to speculate on I am afraid. Now then, with this new year and all, I look forward to seeing your reviews and opinions on this sequel from here on out.