Chapter #2

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, It all belongs to Masashi Kishimoto!

"Sometimes, staying away from people is the only protection that you have for your heart."

-Anonymous

"What are you doing here?"

She didn't have to turn, it was Gaara.

"Don't want to go to class,"

"Bruised again." He stated without hesitation as he sat beside her. Gaara was the only person in all Yuki to pass as a friend - and that was pushing it.

"I heard Naruto tried to help." his voice, quiet and monotonous carried away with the wind, the sound of a lighter crackling then poofing a flame. Having been dropped here from Sunagakure as punishment, he had taken on smoking as a coping mechanism.

"You say his name with such ease." she put a hand out, taking a slow drag of the rolled heat. The burn in her throat distracting her temporarily; she had learnt to cope through him.

"Hm." Silence settled in between them. "Don't close up with him." he mumbled after a bit

"You dictate my life now?" she teased, returning the cigarette, curious at the relationship between the two.

"Hn." a small smirk lined his lips as he grinded the butt on the stone roof. "He seems genuine."

"That's what was said about Taisho." she grumbled as she followed him away from the roof.

"I told you he was an ass." he matched her tone, passing the spritz that musked the smokey scent that danced around them

"Touche." she giggled, accepting his gift

"Give life a chance." he mumbled, walking out the door off the roof, leaving her behind, hesitating.

Hinata had dated Taisho Rumasaki her sophomore year. She had been elated to be noticed, not just by anyone but the hottest guy in their year group. He asked her to homecoming at the end of the first semester and she had thought it'd be forever. She'd finally found her person. Turns out he had been fulfilling a dare; one he was glad to rid himself off after their three month anniversary.

She would not utter this out loud but Gaara's opinion really mattered to her. Having been her "friend" the last seven years since his relocation made her fond of him. He was a hot head, unstable and incorrigible but he was loyal, and to her, that meant more than life.

Still reluctant to go to class she returned to the railing but moved away to lie on the floor. The cool feel of the stone contrasted the heat from the sun's rays. Hinata closed her eyes, ears listening for the sound of the closing bell. A small creak alerted her to company but she kept still, ignoring their presence.

"Hey. It's you."

She knew that voice

"How's your face?"

She was beginning to dislike that voice.

Ignoring his questions, she closed her legs a bit, sitting up to maintain a bit of dignity. He didn't move either but watched her closely, the slight fidget in her fingers, the sudden tension in her shoulders, the scowl forming on her face.

"Shut the door Uzumaki." she spat

"Wha-

She could feel the air churn with restlessness, "SHUT THE DOOR!" she jumped, shutting the heavy metal frame with a thud. Then it rang. And she heard them, loud voices chattering high, all heading home, speaking of after school engagements….and she slid down the frame. Waiting for each voice to pass, trickle away...patiently.

"Did they send you?" she muttered quietly, eyes still red from exhaustion, fear, and the remnants of cigarette

"What do you mean?" Naruto cokced his head, confused

"To torment me. To weed me out of my hiding hole?" her voice turned cold

"What? No." his eyes looked hurt and for a second, she felt bad. For a second

"And you expect me to believe you?" she sneered

"What is your problem? I didn't even know you were up here." he sighed, ruffling his soft curls

"Were you dared to sleep with the loser of Yuki? Is that it?" she laughed sadistically, sending a chill down his spine. And as the words left her mouth she regretted them

"Is that what you think?" his features fell, slowly comprehending

"He seems genuine," Gaara had said

"Isn't that what boys want? To make a fool of us...of me?" her voice wavered, losing her temporary boldness she pushed off the door, hands on the knob. Eyes downcast, pushing down tears that threatened to spill

"You don't know me."

"Maybe, I don't want to…" If so, why did her heart ache

Silence reigned for a moment, then he walked her way, passing her to open the door. Her heart skipped then beat profusely as his fingers brushed hers to open the door and leave.

"Way to go Hinata." she sighed as she slid down the rusty metal door onto the ground

~.~.~.~.~

To say he was frustrated was an understatement in itself. Who was she to question his integrity just because he was a guy. Naruto kicked the pebble before him, an aggravated sigh escaping him. All he wanted to do was help...when had that been so wrong?

"Are you alright young man?" a shaky voice asked

Turning he was met by a bright smile on a wrinkled canvas, sparkling gray eyes met his cerulean blues,

"Oh your highness," the gray haired woman bowed, her kimono brushing the sprouting grass.

Bowing respectfully, he stood with his dazzling smile. "Chouko baa-sama!"

"It's been a long time, Naruto. How is the family?"

"All well, thanks. How've you been?"

"It's getting warmer now, one can't complain." she smiled as she led him in her tiny home, "Are his highnesses with you?"

"Itachi arrives this week, Sasuke later on."

"Hmm, they are coming you know. Soon, they'll start their attacks again,"

Naruto watched her move, to and fro, closing windows, locking doors, before boiling a pot of tea, her words sinking in as he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket,

It read:

We are closing in on the war of restoration that the sages and prophets prophesied upon Yukigakure. The casted genjutsu of repression was foreshadowed to be broken by a rightful heir to the throne. When ready, the spirits of the sages will be awoken. We must find the heir - and kill them.

Naruto paused, before folding up the sheet, any other information irrelevant. Chouko stared at the tea in her hand, its steam rising in waves. Blowing on it, she took a sip, long and quiet and silence, like weights fell upon them, then she grimaced,

"There's an orphanage across the street. A young girl lives there, your age, she sits beneath the willow tree at the park,"

"Why do you tell me this?" he asked, perplexed

"I'm sure you know why." she nodded at the paper, now away in his pocket.

"Anyway," she got up, the tip of her fingers glowing purple, then vanishing. She returned to her smile, wide and happy as she moved around the kitchen, "Please give her these cinnamon rolls, she loves them."

"Hai…" he stood, the prophecy spoke of a male, right? The rightful heir was Itachi or Sasuke, right? That's why they were at Konoha, for protection. He had many questions, but Chouko had signaled the conversation over.

Deep in thought, he was curious about the orphan. Chouko was old, yes, senile? No. Was she insinuating this orphan, the heir? As he placed the basket behind the tree, he heard tiny rustlings but stood still, peeking slightly around the stem. There she was, hugging her knees, staring into the lake, and a glow of purple energy burning beneath her.

"Arigato, baa-chan," her soft voice turned, oblivious to the atmosphere building around her, white eyes turned his way, as he hid in time.

It couldn't be…

Of all people?

No, Chouko had to be bluffing.