Chapter 3

Sakura had asked Hinata to come to the gate a bit earlier than the intended time to leave. As she stood there in her shinobi attire, she could see Sakura approaching, though was surprised to see that she was alone. Hinata waited patiently as she watched her friend approach, seeing a mischievous expression on her face. As Sakura approached, she handed Hinata a brown bag, looking at her with excitement in her eyes. Hinata opened the back to see that there was red yarn inside, which surprised her.

"You've been working on that scarf, and I noticed you had run out of yarn, so I wanted to buy you some more. I figured during breaks on your mission you could finish it up." Sakura beamed at her own idea, watching Hinata's cheeks warm. "I know you've been working on it for him."

Hinata gasped, eyes widening at the revelation that Sakura knew about her feelings for Naruto. Though, she felt that perhaps there were times she had made that more known than she had intended to do. Noticing that Sakura was supporting and encouraging her to work her way up to confessing warmed Hinata's chest, feeling as though this would result in a wonderful friendship. Sakura had been on Naruto's team as genin, so they would always have a close bond, so to see Sakura giving Hinata her approval to gain Naruto's affections made her smile. Before realizing what, she was doing, she moved forward and wrapped her arms around Sakura, giving her a hug. Sakura returned it, then put her hands on Hinata's shoulders moving her back slightly to look at her.

"You can do it, Hinata-chan!" Sakura grinned, looking pleased.

"Thank you, Sakura-chan!"

After such a conversation, Hinata was now running alongside Sasuke, the sound of air being pushed each time a foot came in contact with a tree branch was the only sound. In such situations like that, Hinata had imagined perhaps meeting up with Naruto, eating ramen as she handed up the scarf and confessed her feelings. Not on a mission with the man Sakura was in love with, the silence between them was somehow pleasant as they made their way to the Land of Frost. Sasuke had mentioned the Bamboo village as being their next destination, where he had first come across the cloaked stranger. Hinata was curious who this person was and why they had come from the future. Though, from what Sasuke had said, he had come across the person killing a Konoha shinobi during the war, which had put her on her guard instantly.

They had made it near the border of Fire and Frost before calling it a night, making their way off the main path to find a clearing that they could use to set up camp for the night. Hinata pulled out her scrolls, releasing the items one by one, setting them up as she did so. Her tent was a bit bigger than needed, but once she realized that Sasuke was choosing to sleep in a tree, she realized she had made the right call. She had even grabbed a few extra items, such as an extra sleeping back and blanket, which she decided he could use. Hinata realized he was gone and saw him in the distance grabbing a log. Then she knew they would need food and got out two bento boxes and smiled to herself when she had written their names on each one, recalling that she remembered to add tomatoes to each one of his meals. When he came back with more than the log that she had seen him pick up, she watched him light a fire.

Now they were both sitting on their own rock, facing the fire, just a little over an arm's reach away from each other. He barely looked her way, which made her feel a bit awkward, so she cleared her throat and attempted to get out of her shell. She had learned that he was as quiet and distant as she could be, yet he could come across as being closed off. She recalled the conversation with Sakura in learning that Sasuke would probably struggle with communicating with her. It had been suggested that Hinata be the one to open up the line of communication to create some sort of comfort with Sasuke, as he wouldn't be the one to do that. So, he had caught on to her and was now looking her way as she held out the bento box, watching his eyebrows raise.

"I made some for our mission, as I figured you wouldn't have had the time to make yourself something. I still remembered that you liked tomatoes, so I made sure you had some in each one. I… hope that's okay."

She watched his eyes go from her face down to the bento box before he reached out, carefully taking the bento from her hand and setting it on his lap. He opened up the lid and grabbed the chopsticks she had inside, which she took to mean it was time to eat. They ate in silence, though she kept glancing at him to see that his shoulders had relaxed, and he seemed to be enjoying the meal that she cooked, though he didn't say anything about it. She was starting to figure him out, albeit very slowly, and the first thing was that he wasn't one to confess personal feelings, no matter how general or personal they were. Each feeling seemed to be held to the same standard in his mind, which meant that anything he said held weight and needed full attention. Especially someone like her that was not on the same level as Team 7, which meant that there was no comfort there to be personal, so what little he said to her was purely about the mission.

"Thank you."

She looked up, eyes wide to see that he was standing and walking toward a nearby stream, dipping the bento into it to clean it. However, she focused on the fact that he had said something to her, which was gratitude for dinner. She felt her cheeks heat up for whatever reason, feeling slightly embarrassed that he felt the need to do so. She would have accepted him merely finishing the dinner as gratitude enough. When he walked back, he then handed her the bento box and she realized he had even taken the time to dry it off. She gave him a hum of appreciation as she took the box and stuffed it into her bag, opting to put it into a scroll later before bed.

"Did you cook them?"

Hinata was once again surprised, this time that he was initiating conversation before she had the chance to do so. She knew her eyes were wide with wonder and her lips slightly parted in surprise, watching as he raised an eyebrow at her. She couldn't tell if that expression was that of confusion or amusement but had a feeling she'd soon learn his expressions during this mission. She set her chopsticks down, giving him a soft smile. "Yes! I enjoy cooking and baking when I can, though I suppose in my position it isn't necessary. It's a comfort for me and so many enjoy food that I can share it with others, whether to show my appreciation for having them as a friend or merely for a kind gesture and perhaps make a new friend."

He looked away from her toward the fire, his eyes staring at it for a moment. "It was good."

"Oh, thank you, Sasuke-san. I appreciate that." Hinata bowed her head slightly, cheeks warming once again, this time at feeling his attention on her in some way. "I'm sure that you'll have Sakura-chan making you all kinds of food when you stay in the village."

Sasuke's face softened at the mention of Sakura, "she did last night. She's been practicing and while she isn't sure about it, I enjoy the time and effort she puts into it."

"I'm sure she appreciates that very much." Hinata gave a thoughtful hum.

Silence followed and she looked over to see that he appeared lost in thought, and she had a feeling his thoughts were on the woman in question. Smiling to herself, she went to wash out her own bento box and went toward the tent, then paused to look back at him. He still seemed to be lost in thought and she wondered what he was thinking. For a moment, she thought about Naruto and felt a soft smile slide across her face once more. She then looked up, seeing that it looked like it was about to snow, very light and few flakes began to fall around them. Using her Byakugan, she took note that it didn't appear that anyone was around. Though, one would still have to be on watch anyways, as you never know what enemies will come around, especially as they had a fire.

"Go ahead. I'll take the first watch. I'll wake you up later."

His voice startled her, and she looked up towards him, seeing that he was still staring at the fire. "Oh, okay."

She went into the tent and got comfortable in her sleeping bag, looking over to see the extra one laying empty. She had a feeling she'd have to tell him she had one for him as he did not set up a tent at all. She frowned at the idea, realizing that he packed light and had a feeling he relied on his Rinnegan too much and why he didn't feel the need to pack. She knew that the reason they were taking the long way was to see if they came across the cloaked stranger, and he had told her he wanted to continue to see the world when he could. Hinata didn't mind as this was probably her only chance to do the very same. While they had not reached the snowy world they would soon enter, the world around them was cold, snow threatening to fall when she was outside last. Managing to fall asleep, she knew it had been several hours, but felt like no time and she heard Sasuke near the tent, calling her name.

"I'm awake!" She squeaked out, getting out of her sleeping bag and unzipping the tent. She came face-to-face with him and felt her cheeks heat up from the proximity, even though he was still a good distance from her, it suddenly felt too intimate.

"Let me know if you see anything." Sasuke said and started to walk away toward a tree before Hinata called out to him.

"Um, I brought an extra sleeping bag and it's in the tent." Hinata offered, watching him look at her as though she had lost her mind. "I had a feeling I should, and it seems I was right."

"You should have only worried about yourself, Hyuga."

"Perhaps, and while I know we are not friends, you are my comrade and I have to make sure you're okay, too."

"Hn." He grunted out, but she noticed that his features seemed to soften at her words, as though he was mentally accepting her kindness. He made his way into the tent, beginning to remove his cloak before he zipped it up. Smiling to herself, she found a tree to sit under, which she did, leaning her back up against the sturdy trunk. It was definitely a few hours before dawn, which meant he let her sleep later than he should have. I suppose I'm not the only considerate one here, she thought to herself. Taking a breath, watching the mist swirl in front of her face as she released a breath, she activated her Byakugan for a moment and focused on her mission.


Hiashi Hyuga stood in front of the Hokage's desk, eyes wide and mouth slightly open as he looked over the document in question. He noticed the signatures, which were that of his parents and what he assumed would be the clan head of the Uchiha prior to Fugaku and his wife. However, the additional names meant that these were updated after he had become clan head. He looked back over the document and noticed that per the terms, the Hokage was supposed to update with the names of those involved with the arranged marriage.

"The Fourth Hokage died before Hinata was born, so that means that the Third Hokage kept his word and updated the names, as I doubt Fugaku Uchiha had done such a thing." Hiashi muttered, tossing the documents back toward Kakashi.

"That would be my guess as well. Were you not aware that such a contract exists?" Kakashi asked, picking up the document and lazily looking it over.

"I was not. Which I assume is why it was here in the Hokage Tower. I would need to discuss this with the elders. It seems that they fleshed out possibilities as it did state that any future clan heads would not be able to terminate this."

"It appears so. My hunch is that they knew by the time this would come to light, that you and Fugaku could easily terminate the contract. So, they made sure that only those who signed this document could. Which would mean that you would need to discuss this with the Hyuga elders, as they would be the only ones able to do so." Kakashi frowned. "The question is why they had this planned."

"I'll find out soon." Hiashi nodded and left quickly

An hour later Hiashi felt completely pissed off. The elders had taken the time to listen to his side and that of his parents, his father being the previous clan head. However, it was his mother, Mio Hyuga, who seemed to be the one most passionate about the agreement going forward. She had stood up in front of the clan, her words echoing around the room as she spoke, Hiashi watching as many nodded their heads in approval of what they were hearing. He listened to every word, realizing that something more was going on than he realized, but even with that knowledge, it appeared that he was outnumbered by the clan as all eyes turned to him. He stood at this point, watching his mother's eyes look at him with the most detached expression in them.

"We had desired a closer bond with other clans before your time, my son. It would be fitting if we can fulfill the desires of those who lead us before you and to those who had their lives taken too soon." Mio said, clasped hands before her, giving her a regal look.

"So, you wish for your granddaughter to marry the brother of a shinobi whose face graced our bingo books for years? To someone who followed in his brother's footsteps and appeared in the same book just a few years later?"

"No, a war hero. We understand that what had happened was merely in response to what happened to his clan. However, we cannot overlook the fact that he helped Naruto Uzumaki in winning the war. And he was pardoned by the council. Are we to merely overlook this over what appears to be your personal bias." Mio replied sternly, many elders mumbling in agreement. "This is the perfect opportunity to create a bond with the Uchiha and thereby solidify a future for all of us."

"We must agree with our dear Mio that by doing this, we would be helping to better our clan." One other elder chimed in, a few around him agreeing.

"We have never allowed those of our clan to marry into other clans, especially those with a dojutsu. We should be considering the idea of who was once the heir to the Hyuga clan to have children of both Byakugan and Sharingan. That is not even considering what could happen with the fact that he now carries the Rinnegan." Hiashi argued back, feeling his face heat with pent up rage.

"We have decided that this marriage will go forward. As the Hyuga clan head, your job is to follow majority rule. We have allowed for the idea of our branch members to no longer be sealed by you and Hanabi, I feel that at this time, you should return the favor by allowing us this wish." Mio said, her voice still soft, but holding no emotion behind it.

"You do realize that your granddaughter has held feelings for the war hero, Naruto Uzumaki. Do you wish to take that choice away from her?" Hiashi asked, hoping that anything he said would take hold, but he saw that nothing changed on her face.

"As I am aware, there has been no talk of reciprocated feelings. And at this time, Hinata is no longer the heir to the clan, therefore our decision stands. She is to marry Sasuke Uchiha and by doing so, we will generate a long-lasting relationship with a clan I have no doubt will come back just as strong as they were before." Mio gave him a smile, one that didn't reach her eyes. "I am aware she is my granddaughter, but her role in this clan was removed by your choice, was it not? You made the decision to have her battle Hanabi when it was her birthright to take over this clan as the eldest. Just as we had done with you and your brother. That choice was removed from her as well, so don't think that just because you grew a heart now that you can suddenly allow her choices. I raised you better than to show such weakness as the leader of this clan."

"Then so be it. I will notify the Hokage immediately." Hiashi said, his voice as flat as ever. "However, I must ask when you planned to inform me of this?"

"Good. We want this as soon as possible. We had planned to do so when Hinata had returned from her mission. Though, it appears that this was meant to find its way here much sooner than that." Mio said just as flat, her eyes fixed on him sternly. "You will come to see that our decision is best for this clan."

"I hope you know what you have done." Hiashi turned and left the room. The others followed, leaving Mio in the room alone, a sneer appearing on her face.

"Oh, but I do. I know exactly what I'm doing."


A cloak was tossed onto a bare, old table, dust billowing up around it. A figure hidden by the shadows stood near the entrance of the home, looking around the room he stood in. While he knew that this house was occupied, he wondered why it was left as though a mere ghost lived here. Though, by the standards of such an idea, he did not belong here either, thus would live just as the others did. Brown eyes scanned the room before they turned black, veins popping in around his eyes as he scanned the home. Two figures sat in the back, one of a younger man and one of a much older woman. His eyes turned brown once more as he walked towards the room, opening the door in a hurry and watching the two figures jump, startled.

"For those who have the Byakugan, I am surprised I could have startled you." The man stated as he stood in the doorway.

"You're the one who saved me!" The younger man said. "During the war, you killed that shinobi!"

The man merely nodded, stepping into the room and allowing the light from the candle to illuminate his face. He brought out a small, compact case and removed contacts from his eyes, looking up at the two of them. Pupiless, pale eyes were the most prominent feature he had, a straight nose and full lips showcased a handsome, but tired face. The two were surprised, this man was not sealed, so did this mean that he was part of the main branch of the Hyuga clan? Though, they knew even then that the only two were daughters, so who was this man and how did he manage to leave the compound without being branded? The older woman stood, her own seal visible between her bangs.

"You are not sealed." She whispered. "How is this possible?"

"I am not from here, Sachie Hyuga. I am from what you would consider your distant future. Kei Hyuga is needed in order to save the future of the world." The man stated, looking between the two. "You need to not worry about who I am, as your memories will be wiped when I leave this home."

"Why would you do that? What do you want from us?" Sachie asked, her lips trembling.

"I need Kei's antidote." The man turned to the younger one, smirking. "I believe you just recently finalized it?"

"Oh, um, yes." Kei said, his voice soft and low, but he made no move. "I'm not going to just hand it to you."

"Well, my intentions were to simply get this and be on my way, but my orders have changed."

Blood spilled throughout the room, two bodies collapsed on the floor, their eyes no longer holding any light as they faded into nothingness. The man took a piece of ripped fabric and cleaned his kunai, watching as the seals did their job. He hummed an odd tune, Byakugan turning on and finding what he needed. With a grin, he put the vial in his pocket and left the house, dropping the candle as he did so. He had been waiting patiently for nearly a year, working day and night to complete a lab that would take this antidote and give him the ingredients he needed to create a bigger, better batch.

He had learned during his time here that he had created an alternate universe, similar to that of this world moving off the path it was originally supposed to take. He had realized it would not affect his future, but the future of this world. Death was never something he enjoyed, but this needed to be done for the sake of this world. This world held someone who needed their deaths to go forward, paying him a hefty amount of money that would take that clan years to find. By then, no one who knew about it would be around. He smirked to himself, grasping the vial and holding it up in front of his face, shaking it slightly and watching the white liquid slosh around inside. He hummed once more, his anxiety getting the better of him as he pocketed the vial once more and set off away from the burning home. And he knew that several nations away, a child had been born from Kei Hyuga, the child who would eventually create the Hyuga line that would give himself life.

"You better hold up your part of the bargain." He snarled into the night before he hummed once again, allowing the sound to soothe him.


A/N: I'm glad that several of you are enjoying this story! Thank you for the favorites, follows, and reviews! I have appreciated them all! And to admit, it's going to break my heart to separate the canon pairing after I've made them all adorable together, but I promise to make it worth it for them all.

Guest: I'm thrilled you feel it's realistic! And same, I love the non-canon pairing and couldn't resist getting back into them.

Guest: That means a lot. And I don't like to make any of the characters out to be bad, as it doesn't fit their canon personalities at all. I hope I can continue giving that vibe out while thrusting them into this new scenario. I know I still have many who side eye it and see my changing the pairings as a bash of sorts, but for this story and my last one, I prefer going with how I did things and making it more realistic. So, the arranged marriage thing was a request, but it will definitely tie into the plot I have planned for this. I promise it will make sense and the developments will be just as fun. I'm hoping the plot is something you enjoy, too!

Yessirbaka: Thank you so much! And I do have a pretty solid idea for these two lovelies!

And do hope you enjoy my other story!

Azkipi: I'm the very same way. I actually enjoy seeing characters in other scenarios because obviously some aspects of them have to change to fit the new narrative, but just how much changes? Or how little? I enjoy that part of it. And yes! All of that! I could really see it as well, even if in canon the clans tend to keep to themselves so that their secrets are not exposed. However, there is always going to be those who want to watch the world burn, so…. And yeah, with the SasuSaku bit, it does feel that at this point (in canon) that there is already something (I haven't finished Sasuke Shinden and hope to get into the manga adaption of Sasuke Retsuden when it comes out. I have read the Sasuke Star Pupil book, though, however that doesn't really involve SasuSaku whereas I know Retsuden does, and I still want to read that). So, I wanted to make that real as in the last chapter, the canon-esque thing is still being followed. This current chapter is when we begin to see the changes happening to push them into a new reality. As for Toneri, all I'm going to say is that I watched The Last a few days ago to refresh myself. ;)

I-Love-Trunks1: Welcome back! I'm glad so many things stuck out to you! I hope that this chapter did the very same. Thank you so much.