Thank you so much RedClyde for reviewing my story, it's been a while since someone did. I'm glad to know someone is still reading... and thanks to whomever else reading my story. Here's the next chapter...

"What are you thinking Mitsuko-chan!" Naruto asks, outraged.

"It was the only way, we have to catch up with Sasuke and we don't have much more time to waste." Mitsuko answers.

"But… that was Hinata-chan we left behind…" Ino says apprehensively.

Mitsuko remains silent. :Hang in there Hinata… and Tenten too…:

('o')

"How brave of you to stay behind for your team." Jiroubou says in a mocking tone. "You know you won't last, and you know that team of yours isn't going get your little friend back."

"That is not true!" The trembling Hinata shouts, deep down inside she's scared out of her wits, she cannot believe she's actually facing such a powerful opponent by herself. Although she has fully recovered from her physical injuries from the fight with her cousin Hyuuga Neji, she hasn't fully recovered from the tragic memories of her defeat. :What if Neji niisan was right? What if my abilities are only so limited? Should I even have came to this mission:

"What's wrong? Are you scared? Well it's too late for that now!" Jiroubou shouts as he picks up a large piece of rock and hurls it at Hinata.

Hinata's thoughts were interrupted as she jumps back to dodge the rock. :This is no time to think about stupid stuff, I must defend my team: Hinata hops into a tree and activate her Byakugan, while hiding she plans her attack.

"Hiding is useless! Come out here and fight!" Jiroubou rushes towards the tree that Hinata is hiding in and knocks the tree over.

Hinata immediately jumps off the falling tree, landing herself being the recovering Jiroubou. "Take this!" Hinata initiates a series of Jyuuken punches to Jiroubou's back, finishing off with a slamming palm thrust that sends him flying forward into the ground.

Jiroubou push himself up and turns around. "Nice massage you gave me" Jiroubou says sarcastically, suddenly he felt a sharp pain inside his body which causes him to wince. Holding his chest he glares at Hinata. :So I guess this girl's attacks cause direct internal damage… I guess I have to take her a bit more seriously:

"I'm not finished!" Hinata shouts as she charges at Jiroubou, preparing to strike. "Haa!" Hinata yells as she sends a punch to Jiroubou's stomach, to her dismay, Jiroubou catches her arm just in time and hurls her into the air.

"Eat this!" Jiroubou shouts as he tackles the falling Hinata in mid-air, slamming her into a tree.

"Egh…" Hinata struggles to pull herself up, staring straight at her enemy, she starts to ponder how she's going to deal with her opponent.

"I don't have a lot of time play with you." Jiroubou says as the patterns of his curse seal begin to crawl across his face. "I'll just have to finish you off quickly."

"I'm not going to lose to you!" Hinata yells as she dashes towards Jiroubou. Taking her stance she attacks Jiroubou in a series of punches and kicks, all which Jiroubou has no trouble avoiding. :Why aren't my attacks hitting him!" Hinata starts to panic as she continues to miss, her thoughts overwhelms her and she fails to see Jiroubou's attack. Jiroubou sends a hook punch and knocks Hinata to the ground.

"Baka, kono te doka?" Jiroubou says to Hinata while walking towards her.

"Am I… really this weak…?" Hinata mutters to herself.

Flashback

Hinata is seen training with her father Hyuuga Hiashi in an empty field. Hinata, who is running out of breath, runs towards her father in an attempt to strike him but gets knocked down.

"Is that all you're capable of!" Hiashi shouts at her daughter.

Hinata pants as she tries to get up. "I…"

"Disgraceful! Even your little sister Hanabi is stronger than you! How can you defend your reputation as being a child of the head family!" Hiashi says angrily and leaves her behind.

"Odosan…" Hinata gets up, disappointed at herself. :Am I really that weak? I know I can never be as strong as Neji-niisan… but…:

It starts to rain heavily, but Hinata refuses to go home, fearing that her father will continue to lecture. Sitting on a bench outside, she hugs her knees to keep herself warm. After a while, Naruto walks pass and stops as he saw Hinata.

"Hinata-chan? What are you doing out here in the rain?" Naruto asks.

"Naruto-kun…" Hinata says shyly.

"Is something wrong?" Naruto asks as he sits himself next to Hinata.

Hinata explains to Naruto her situation, Naruto looks confused as he listens.

"Hinata-chan… you worry too much." Naruto says. "Who cares about your father comparing you to other people? As long as you try your best, that is what matters!"

"Umm… I guess…" Hinata says in response, not sounding very convinced.

"Oh come on! Cheer up! You're so much cuter when you're happy." Naruto says. Hinata's face turns beet-red after hearing those words. "Oh no! I completely forgot that I was suppose to meet Iruka-sensei! I gotta run now! See ya!" Naruto says and runs off in a hurry.

Hinata tears up with her head down. :Arigato Naruto-kun…:

Back to reality

:I will be strong for everyone, Naruto-kun: Hinata pushes her up and regain her fighting stance. "It's not over yet!" Hinata says to Jiroubou.

"We'll just see about that." Jiroubou says.