# Hello! What's up? :)

# The story takes place after the events of The Last, but the difference is that Naruto and Hinata have no involvement at all.

# Feedback is always very welcome, encourages me and helps me not want to give up. So I heartily ask you to tell me what you think of the story throughout it.

# English it's not my first language, I suck with grammar, forgive me in advance for the mistakes (I reviewed, but probably still there will be many).

# Good reading!

EMPTY HEART

Prologue

.

You say I make your nervous, a tragedy

I'm a beautiful disaster, a reckoning

You wonder how I got this way

You think I'm someone to be saved

.

It was not the first time that Hinata heard she was a burden and she doubted it would be the last. Constantly she was fighting against this, trying prove that her father was wrong, and this only increased with Neji's death. There was not a day when she didn't feel guilty about his death. She still felt that she needed to prove to Hiashi, that her kindness and sweetness were not signals of weakness.

However, like everything wasn't enough, Hanabi was kidnaped a while later and Hinata was unable to save her young sister with her own hands.

She was so tired.

Hinata wanted to improve, she knew that she could be better. The kunoichi wanted to make her clan proud and make Hiashi recognize her after so many years. The only problem was that she couldn't do it alone, she needed a mentor, someone to guide her to the right patch. If Neji was still alive, sure he would be that person, after all, there wasn't for nothing that he was considered the Hyuuga's clan prodigy.

But now, she didn't have Neji anymore.

Then, after thinking a bit more, Hinata went to one of the neighborhoods that were rebuilt after Pain's attack. It was where the previous Hokage, Senju Tsunade, was living after Kakashi took office.

As she walked the busy streets of Konoha, Hinata cleaned her sweat hands in her shorts. She had trained what to say in the front of the mirror more than a pair of times, because she wanted to appear as confident as possible when she was asking her desire. She got distracted with the amount of people in the market, laughing out loud, talking; there were children running around. More ahead, she noticed one small group of ninja's academy following their sensei.

Hinata smiled while observed them, because in a way, she still had good memories from that time. Even though things were more difficult in her home than now, it had been the time that she met Kiba and Shino, that Naruto inspired her to seek out her own ninja's way. And, mainly, that Neji let himself to look at her in another way and gave a chance to get closer to her.

She missed the time when she had only twelve years old. The time when Neji was alive.

Hinata shook her head to get rid of such thoughts, keep rolling around the past would not help her in anyway. So, she kept walking. She was already close when she recited the words she would say in a quiet voice. The kunoichi reached Tsunade's house minutes later, she stopped there and took a deep breath before knock the door.

She heard the sound of something being thrown away and after, a noise similar to someone stumbling followed by a curse word. The door was opened seconds later and Hinata stopped in a perfect erect pose. Tsunade showed up and she was not in her better look: there were bags under her amber eyes, her hair was loose and it went to several directions and she smelled like alcohol.

"Hinata?"

"Tsunade-sama", the Hyuuga bowed for a long time, only to return to the original position after longs seconds. "Sorry for came without warning, it's not my intention bother you."

The ex-Hokage narrowed her eyes and then closed them because of the excessive brightness. The hangover that she was feeling was pretty obvious.

"Let's go, come in, come in", she brought Hinata to inside without any suavity and closed the door with more strength that it was necessary. "Sit down...", she looked around the dimly lit room and it was all a mess "in somewhere. I will be back in a minute." She disappeared in one of the doors.

"Right", Hinata agreed without retort, although Tsunade already gone. She pushed some books and parchments away from one side of the sofa and after this, she set.

When Hinata was nervous, she had that habit to sit down more erect than normal, her legs united enough to her feel the sweat ran between them and made her uncomfortable. And sure, she kept moving her hands over her lap without stopping. The Senju's apartment smelled like alcohol and cleaning products, a strange combination, Hinata thought. She kept waiting patiently, when Tsunade came back, her hair was in the right place, although she still had bags under her beautiful eyes, she was not looking horrible like before. Tsunade was holding a cup of water and sipped it a few times before asking,

"You want something? Tea, water, coffee?"

"No, thank you", Hinata thanked. Tsunade threw some objects which were on the armchair and sat.

"Did something happen? I haven't see you in a while."

"Nothing happened", Hinata answered with her cheeks lightly burning, "I mean... I came here, because I wanted to ask you something. It's important."

"I am hearing." Tsunade crossed her legs and finished to drink her water cup in a one gulp and let out an "aahr".

"I would like Tsunade-sama training me, like you did with Sakura-chan", she felt proud of herself for not stuttering. "I want to be stronger."

Tsunade, who until that moment was sitting in one position a little uncomfortable, straightened her posture and uncrossed her legs. She leaned towards Hinata and with her amber eyes, studied the heiress Hyuuga clinically, as if she were thinking about something.

"I can't." A disappointed expression showed on Hinata's face, so Tsunade hurried to add, "I mean, it's not because I don't want, It's because the type of instruction that you need to became more stronger it's not based only in brutal strength. I could teach you, but you wouldn't go more than strengthen your body and gain a bit more of strength that you already have."

"I understand", Hinata murmured and looked to her own lap.

"However... I have someone in mind that is perfect to help you." When the ex-Hokage said that, the look of Hyuuga became brighter again, full of hope.

"Who?", she asked, a little euphoric.

"Hmm... It can be a bit complicated", Tsunade murmured to herself before to pay attention to Hinata again. "I will introduce him to you... In three days? I think. If my counts are right."

Hinata was suspicious of the mysterious. Who could it be to Tsunade didn't want to say the name right away? She was surprised, but she didn't say nothing. Hinata only nodded. She really didn't care about who would be her mentor after all, since that person would help her, she was truly happy.

"Meet me at the hospital in about three days, around four in the afternoon. I will be waiting for you."

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama. Again, I'm sorry for the inconvenience." She got up from the sofa and bowed goodbye.

"You don't need that, girl." She made a sign of disdain with her hand, dispensing with all the formality of young Hyuuga. "It's good to see that you want to get even stronger than you are. I'm sure your mom would be proud of you and Hiashi should be too."

A small smile returned to Hinata's lips with such words, while Tsunade guided her towards the exit. She bowed again and departed for the Hyuuga clan conglomerate.

.

But you keep trying to get too close

Saved myself by turning into stone

So save your judgment 'cause

You just don't know

But somethings never change

.

The strong steps were already known by the people who worked in Tower of the Hokage. There were those who said that it would be impossible not to recognize their owner, along with her explosive personality, Tsunade was not the type of person who went unnoticed — quite the opposite. There was a reason why she was there; someone named Hyuuga Hinata.

The fact that the heiress of one of the most traditional and powerful clans in Konoha asked her for help in getting stronger, had caught her completely off guard. She would have no problem training her, she knew that Hinata was exceptional, and she also knew that it would not be with her that Hinata would reach her maximum potential. So, she was very quick to think of someone who would be perfect: Uchiha Sasuke.

The ex-Hokage almost laughed at the irony of fate when she realized that the two were more alike than one could imagine. In addition to the affinity of elements and having very strong lineages; Sasuke and Hinata also shared the pain of a broken clan — each in their own way —, of a nii-san who shared hate and love and who died taking much of the two away. And while Hinata was a kunoichi full of kindness and love, Sasuke could be the personification of hatred and chaos.

With that in mind, Tsunade was sure that she was making a risky choice, but that it had everything to work out. Seeing the heirs of the two biggest Konoha clans live together, challenge each other and push the other to the limit — whether it be in regular ninja training or something deeper, like feelings — to know how far they could go, she couldn't deny that it was a tempting sight.

The problem was that she needed a way to convince Sasuke to train Hinata, he wouldn't accept it without good reason, especially when he stayed on journeys away from Leaf Village in order to let the resentment dissipate enough that he wouldn't explode Konoha or cause another war.

She didn't have to think too hard to come to the conclusion that she would need Kakashi's help if she wanted her plans to work. Although he was not the best at showing feelings besides anger and hatred, Sasuke's deep respect and consideration for his ex-sensei was almost general knowledge. And if there was anyone other than Naruto that Sasuke might hear, it would be Kakashi.

Tsunade didn't need to be announced before entering the Hokage's room, just knocked on the door once to let him know she was coming in and opened it the next second.

"Good morning, Tsunade-san", Kakashi greeted respectfully, settling in the chair. "To what do I owe the visit so early?"

"Hello, Kakashi, it's also good to see you." She took the chair opposite from the Hokage and settled down. "I came here, because I need you to do me a favor."

"Sure, if I can help." He put both hands together, resting his elbows on the table, while leaning forward slightly, interested in the ex-Hokage's request.

"Hinata asked me to train her", That was enough for a slight surprise to cross Hatake's face "and I would be delighted, but she is not like Sakura. She needs a mentor who can take advantage of all the potential that her kekkei genkai can achieve. That's why I thought there is no one better than..."

"Sasuke". Kakashi completed, already understanding where she was going. "You're right. But he will never accept to do this without good reason."

"And that's why I'm here. I want you to help me convince him to do that. I know that trying to blackmail him using the prosthesis is not going to work. I need something else."

Kakashi watched her for a brief moment, thoughtful. Knowing Sasuke, he would only help if he was going to get something he really wanted in return. Deep down, he knew that his ex-pupil just wanted to stay away from Konoha for as long as possible, he still wasn't ready to take life inside the village — and he really didn't judge him for that — but at one time or another, Sasuke would have to face his demons and stand firm, rebuild the clan...

"I think I already know how". the Hokage finally said and Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

"Come on, I'm curious!" She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"The Uchiha conglomerate has been closed since the massacre and has been abandoned for many years. No one is allowed to go in there and rebuild it, and now, not even Sasuke. But I'm sure that if I move a few sticks, I can free the place for renovations. I think that will interest him."

"Hm, smart. Maybe that will be enough", Tsunade agreed, hoping that it would actually be enough, because she did not want to let young Hyuuga down. Not to mention, that she was already getting tired of Naruto whining about how Sasuke didn't stop quiet in the village. "Does he arrive in two days or am I wrong?"

"Garuda showed up earlier today, he'll be here until tomorrow. How would you prefer us to do that? " he asked.

"He will come here first, so tell him what he will win and leave the rest of the details to me. "She got up from the chair and stopped there. "It's great to be able to count on you, Kakashi."

Kakashi bowed respectfully and Tsunade left. He still stood there, thinking what was going on in her head to want to join Sasuke with Hinata, two people so different ...

.

I stopped asking for forgiveness

'Cause you should know

Only fools tread

Where the angels fear to go

.

Sasuke had to take a long, deep breath to calm himself. One of the things he detested most every time he returned to Konoha after his long pilgrimage, it was having to listen to the evil comments of the inhabitants of the beloved Leaf Village. Comments that were made, just because they thought that Sasuke was not listening, because once the Uchiha deigned to turn his eyes to them, the residents shrugged and lost their skin color, and then ran away like a puppy with the tail between the legs.

"He has no heart, I heard that he tried to kill Naruto-kun when the war ended."

Yeah, he did. Who had never made stupid and wrong decisions in life that would throw the first stone. But apparently, nobody had a glass ceiling, only him.

"How can they allow a nunekin to live with us? What if one day he freaks out and wants to do with us what Itachi did with the Uchiha clan? He could if he wanted to."

Really, he was tempted every time he set foot in that place.

"All he knows is hatred and revenge, it is only a matter of time before he does something terrible that will end peace in the Land of Fire."

Bingo! This was also true. But they were wrong to think that Konoha was really safe and at peace. As he walked around the world, he already knew that it would be a matter of time before another conflict broke out, because that was how the ninja world worked and that had nothing to do with the fact that he no longer knew what love and affection was. Of course, he had his team... Only it was strange how he still preferred to stay away, because it didn't seem right.

Sasuke wanted to stay in Konoha because of all the sacrifices his brother had made to protect that place, but at the same time, he felt like an intruder, he was unwanted; this was not his home. So, he continued to travel the world, because it brought some peace — very contrary to what happened when he was in the village. Sometimes he wondered if the day would come when he was ready to stay there, with Naruto, Kakashi and... Sakura.

"Uchiha Sasuke has nothing on his heart. He owns a completely empty heart."

Maybe they were right.

.

They say I should feel guilty

And change my ways

Leaving crumpled bodies in my wake

Swear I didn't mean to make them break

But they're so delicate and so mundane

.

Three days. Three long days that had seemed like an eternity. It took a lot of effort for Hinata not to let anxiety consume her. Because curiosity about who would train her was killing her little by little.

And now that the day had come and the time was right, she had the impression that her legs kept shaking — and they weren't shaking, just to begin with. But she was so nervous, she could have sworn she looked like a tightrope.

She arrived at the hospital ten minutes earlier and told that she was there looking for the ex-Hokage. They asked her to wait, that they let she know when it was time for Senju to receive her. Since the end of the war, Tsunade had been working with prostheses at the Konoha hospital — they were not as efficient as Naruto's or Sasuke's, since their had been made from Hashirama's cells —, serving those who had lost limbs. It was something new and it seemed to work well.

Sitting in the waiting room, the Hyuuga counted the minutes to find out who the mysterious person was. Biting her bottom lip, she looked up when Shizune appeared in front of her out of nowhere.

"Hinata, Tsunade-sama is waiting for you in her office. Do you know where it is?"

"I know, thank you, Shizune-san."

She jumped up from her chair and walked towards a long corridor, which was where the doctors' offices were for other types of care. With each step, she felt her heart beat faster and her breath run out. When she stopped in front of Tsunade's door, she felt a very intense chakra. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door, she only opened it when she heard an audible "come in" in the ninja doctor's low tone.

As soon as she entered and raised her pearly eyes, Hinata felt her whole body stiffen and she held her breath. Uchiha Sasuke was there, standing next to Tsunade's table, with a frown of few friends. He looked at her with his different eyes — one side pure onyx, the other with Rinnegan — and she could have sworn he made a sound close to a grunt.

"Hinata, Sasuke will take care of your training", Tsunade announced with a suspicious smile. "But he has some conditions." Silence. The Hyuuga was still holding her breath, her clear eyes fixed on Sasuke. "Talk soon, brat, I don't have all day!"

"Tsc." The Uchiha clicked his tongue, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. "It's just two very simple things, Hyuuga. One: I will not be staying in Konoha, if you want training, you will have to come with me. Two: don't be a bloody burden. I hate weak people, if you get in my way, I won't hesitate to leave you behind."

Tsunade rolled her eyes dramatically. Why did the youth of that generation have to be so complicated?

"Hinata?" she asked the kunoichi who remained standing at the doorframe.

Hyuuga released her breath and frowned. Her milky eyes hardened and she felt the blood buzz in her ear because of the adrenaline rushing through her small body. She already had enough contempt for her own father, she didn't need Sasuke's either. If he thought she would back away from his cold tone and threatening posture, ah! He was very wrong!

It was then, in a firm tone of voice and without hesitation that she said:

"When do we leave?"

.

You'll break your back

To make me feel again

Suffocate to make me breathe again

Lose your mind from endless praying

Somethings never change, never change

Redemption never came

.

(Redemption — Besomorph)