The air was brisk that morning as Naruto opened his eyes and sat up in his sleeping bag. It was a three-day journey to the Cloud village; two if the really pushed themselves. He reached down into his bag and grabbed his head protector and stared at it. 'So much has happened to me, am I still able to continue on wearing this symbol.' He thought to himself. He put the head protector back in the bag and then thought about Vidina's newly acquired status. Naruto got out of the sleeping bag and walked over to the damp campfire pit. He started up another fire and began to make breakfast. He looked over to Sasuke how was still sleeping. Naruto thought this unusual of him to be sleeping in this late, maybe his injuries were worse than he led on or maybe not. Then again, the two hadn't spoken in six years. A lot could happen in six years. He himself knew that better than anyone. He unconsciously held his stomach at that thought. He shook the feeling off and returned his attention to the food he held over the fire.

Konoha

The hospital waiting room was cold that morning. The room was empty as Hinata sat there in the chair by the reception desk. She had not moved the entire night as she waited to hear about Shino. So many things were on her mind at that moment. Mostly seeing Naruto again after so long. There was a time when she realized that she would never see him again and now he is back. The doctor came into the room in his large white coat. Hinata quickly stood up and met him half way. "How is he?" She asked.

"The patient has several injuries, including a broken leg and fractured arm. You may see him now but the meds are going to keep him asleep for a good twelve hours so you might want to come back then when he wakes up. You should go home." The doctor nodded and went back to his duties. Hinata thanked the man and decided to take his advice.

She walked to the entrance and waited for the doors to slide open. At least she had one less thing to be worried about. "Naruto..."

Flashback

Hinata lay on a grassy hill watching the clouds move across the sky. She could feel the wind brush past her and when she was just about to doze off into a peaceful slumber her face felt colder. She opened her eyes to see a blonde looking down on her. His head blocking the sun, Hinata could not help but smile. "Hello." She said looking up at him. He took a seat next to her. She readjusted herself to face him. "I thought you weren't supposed to be back for another three days?"

"I was?" He looked at her with a smile. "No, I planned on coming home today." She gave him an odd look and sat up.

"Then why'd you tell me differently?" She asked completely confused and somewhat puzzled.

"Oh...that's simple. If I told you I was coming home today then I wouldn't be able to surprise you." He grinned.

Hinata just shook her head and pushed him down the hill. "Dork." She said to herself as she watched him tumbling down the hill.

End flashback

The sky was cloudy that day as she walked up the street to her small town house. As she approached her door she saw a letter posted there. She did not think much of it until she saw the signature. Hanabi. She closed her eyes as she took the envelope off the door and went inside. She put the letter on the table and went strait to the bedroom. The room was not very big. A full-size bed lay in the middle, off to the side was a dresser and a full-body mirror. The walls and ceiling were white. She took her pants off and unzipped her flatjacket and threw it on the chair and sat down on the bed facing the mirror. She reached back and pulled her black hair tie out of her hair and threw it on the dresser letting her hair fall down past her shoulders. Some blue strands fell infront of her eyes. She looked up at the mirror and then closed her eyes for a moment. She then stood up and pushed her hair out of her eyes and behind her ears. She pulled her shirt over her head as she walked into the bathroom.

She turned the water on in the shower and got in. She stood there for a while letting the water her naked body. She moved her head around stretching her neck, relieving so tension. She held her neck for a moment tracing a small scar along the base. She could still remember the cold touch of the blade.

Flashback

Hinata tried her best to break free but Morien's grip was too strong. He held both her arms behind her back and with his other hand he placed a kunai at her throat. Naruto and Neji stood fast. "Try something and she is dead." He shouted.

Naruto looked over to Neji and then at Hinata. Her eyes softened a bit in before shouting. "Don't worry about me!"

End flashback

Hinata stopped the water and pushed the sliding door open. She stepped out and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around her body. She walked out to the living room and opened the envelope.

Hinata,

Father is home.

-Hanabi

She put the letter down and headed back to the bedroom and quickly changed. She came out wearing a plain white dress. It had spaghetti straps and traveled the length of her body down to her ankles. Her hair was back up in her ponytail. As she walked out the door she noticed the sky was clear and the clouds had moved on. As she walked the streets she couldn't help but notice that they were mostly empty. Reconstruction around where she lived was nearly complete so most of the civilians had moved onto other parts of the village. The rubble was almost completely cleared from all sections of the village. Areas around the main gate were the only ones still under heavy construction.

Hinata smiled as she approached the gates of the Hyuuga clan. She placed her hand on the wooden frame. Although she shared very few fond memories inside the house, she always liked the gate for some reason. "Hinata?...it is you, Hinata-sama." An old man in his early seventies said as he came out to greet her. Hinata smiled and the two shared a deep hug. The old man broke the embrace and gave her a serious look. "Its good that you are here. Your father suffered a stroke, this is his third in the last year. It does not look good." He quickly led her inside.

As they were walking down the old halls, Hinata shook her head. "Not much has changed huh?" She noticed the practice room as they passed by it.

"I'm afraid not. Hanabi keeps insisting to move the furniture around so your father has an easier time getting around but Hiashi-sama refuses to change anything saying if he isn't strong enough to walk in his house then he should stay in bed." He said in his old tired voice.

"Sounds like him." She replied. They stopped in front of a large sliding door. The old man bowed and went on his way knowing that both of them would prefer to talk along. Hinata slowly and quietly slide the door open and entered.

The room was fairly simple. Her father was lying on his bed in the middle of the room, closets to the left along with a bathroom. "I see you finally decided to visit." He said with out opening his eyes. "How is my daughter?" He said in a stern voice.

"I am well father." She kneeled by his side and took his hand. He opened his eyes and looked at her. The face he gave her worried her. From the time she was little, he has never shown emotion in front of her. Always speaking in an authorities voice, full of honor and dignity. His face a stone mask. For the first time she saw emotion in his eyes.

"Do not look at me like that my daughter." Hinata put her head down but Hiashi brought his hand up to her chin and raised her head. "I know we have never had a good relationship but I am glad you have come. There is much to discuss. The Hyuuga clan will require a new leader soon. I would like you, my daughter to take my place." Hiashi's words shocked Hinata. She couldn't believe what he was saying.

"Father I cannot. You deamed me unworthy. That is why I left the clan. What about Hanabi?" She began to explain the situation when he cut her off.

"Hanabi is the second child, you are the first!" He closed his eyes and paused. "I was angry then at you and at myself. More myself than you. Hinata you have always made me proud. You have become a strong woman. I hope you will understand my actions when you have children of your own someday." Hinata didn't know what to say. There was a moment a silence between them. Hiashi coughed a bit before continuing. "It is your choice to take the position. I have spoken with the others and they are ready to accept you when the time comes if you choose to lead our clan."

Hinata would have kept talking but the old man returned. "Hinata I'm sorry but Hiashi-sama needs his rest. Come I have prepared lunch would you come and join me?"

Hinata closed her eyes and relunctantly got up. "We will continure this when you have recovered." She stated. He only nodded and closed his eyes once more. They walked into the dinning room and Hinata saw a familiar face across the table. A woman a few years younger than herself with long dark hair. She was sitting down eating but when she saw Hinata she put the bowl and chopsticks down. "Hanabi. It is good to see you again."

Hanabi nodded as Hinata joined her at the table. The old man was no where to be found. She smiled at his actions. "Hinata so you decided to come after all. To be honest I wasn't expecting you to come." There was resentment in her voice.

"Well you did leave the note on my door, how could I not miss it." Hinata picked up a bowl and began eating.

"I left it there three days ago." Was her only reply. Hinata took in a mouth full and swollowed.

"I was on a mission. I came as soon as I could." Hinata answered. The two continued to eat in silence.

Flashback

Hinata stood at the gates of the Hyuuga clan holding two bags. She turned to look at the house one last time before she left. Hanabi ran out to meet her. "Sister where are you going? Father was not serious about what he said. You don't have to leave. Sister." Hanabi pleaded.

Her hair is getting longer Hinata thought and smiled. "You are wrong little sister. I have to go. He is right, look at me. I have to know if I can make it on my own. That is why I am leaving. Take care of father."

"But sister..." Hanabi just stood by and watched her older sister leave.

Flashback

Hanabi eventrually finished her dinner and got up and left without a word. She never forgave Hinata for leaving that day. Hinata put down her empty bowl and sat there lost in thought. So much has happened in the last month and here she was sitting at the dinning table home again. "What is going on?"

A/n: eh I felt like taking a break from the story so yeah. The last line is more or less what I said after I finished writing this chapter. This was also an experimental chapter. I know the other one didn't go so well, the one where its inside Saitou's head but heres a character we all know. What do you guys think? REVIEW! Lol ;p

Thanks Hikaru Tsukiyono for the correction. I totally blanked out on the names and got them mixed up. Lol. won't happen again until the next time that is. ;p