Not a lot of dialogue in this one. I had a little trouble writing it but here it is. Chapter without two main characters because I needed a break from them 😅


A lot has changed in the village during the time they were gone. It was almost completely renovated and expanding. People from the small villages in the city started to move into Konoha in search for jobs and safety. Streets were once again busy and full of life.

When it came to their friends some things were different. There was a new Hokage - Kakashi Hatake and Naruto was training under him to become the next one, to fulfill his lifelong dream. Sakura took over the hospital and was working almost non stop. She still thought a lot about her former teammate. Their relationship seemed to be unfinished to her. Ino was running family business and she was in a relationship with Sai. It was something odd to the others but they seemed to be good together and happy. Sai even proposed to her few weeks before and she, of course, accepted. Shikamaru was troublesomely busy with work and missions. He and Temari were starting to call themselves a couple which was grand but she still lived in Suna. Choji was now a different man. He had a lot more confidence in himself and it shown. Shino was now working in academy. He never expected to like this job as much as he did. He and Kiba were still maintaining close relationship but Kiba was spending a lot of time with family dogs and on missions. Tenten was now a worldwide famous weapon master, maker and seller. She ran the business and had a lot on her mind. She still was devastated by what'd happened in the war. She had a deep crush on Neji and his death has left her heartbroken. Rock Lee was devastated as well but he never lost his spirit and kept on raining and doing missions. He was now proudly, and sadly, saying that he will never defeat his rival. So the life was slowly coming back to the village and the people were healing.

When Kiba woke up one morning he was given the envelope by his mother. It was strange because he wasn't the one to get mail a lot but once he saw his name he knew who wrote it. Hinata. It was definitely hers handwriting. She was okay or at least alive. He was glad, really glad. In the envelope there was a paper folded in three. To Kiba and Shino. He was suddenly irritated that he couldn't read it now, he had to go to Shino. It was 7 am so he would be going to the academy to teach the kids. Kiba had to hurry and try caching him before his lesson starts.

„Let's go Akamaru!" He screamed and run out the doors.

Shino was just about to enter the academy when he sensed Kiba and Akamaru approaching. It was unlike them to be out this early so he waited for them to see what has happened. They were close. They have gotten even closer after Hinata disappeared. Before her departure they had always considered themselves close friends but after that they've realized that it was Hinata who connected them and made them all this close. It's taken a lot of work from both of them to get to know each other without her.

„Shino! Hinata!" Was she back? But he couldn't sense her. When Kiba stopped right before him he added „She wrote to us" he was breathing deeply after running here. He gave the letter to Shino who opened it up.

Dear Kiba and Shino,

I'm not sure if writing this letter will change anything and if it is even a good idea.

I'm so truly sorry for not saying goodbye. It was the only way I could be sure that I would actually leave. And I needed to do it. I know you are probably worried and angry with me but I assure you that I am safe and if there was any other option for me I would have taken it gladly.

I hope you will forgive me someday.

I know you have a million questions to ask and I promise I'll answer them one day. For now I can't say when I'm coming back. There is still a lot to see, a lot to do. I'm not going to tell you where I am or where I'm going because I know you would try to find me and talk to me and I'm not ready for it. Well, we have almost met a few days ago when you two were on your way in the Land of Earth. But I couldn't fight the urge to just flee. Something I'll regret until I see both of you again.

You must know that I miss and think about you daily. I sometimes wish that you two were here with me. I've seen so many new places! You would have loved some of them.

So know that I am okay and thinking of you and the village.

Please pet Akamaru for me and say that I'm sorry to Kurenai-sensei and the others.

Love,

Hinata

That was it. It was short and wasn't telling them anything. It was strange knowing that she was so close to them of a little while. And why didn't they realize that then? They both were tracking ninjas so not sensing their best friend was nearly impossible.

„I'm going to class" Shino gave Kiba the letter back and went into the building. He tried not to be pissed at her. He was understanding from the first minute Hokage has told them what she had done but now he was on a verge. He was thankful that he had a whole day with the kids and wouldn't have time to think about it.

Kiba was bewildered by Shinos reaction. It was a huge deal. They haven't heard from her in so long and now they actually knew she was alright. He was about to jump in joy. He had to tell everybody starting with Kurenai. She will be so glad. They were all worried sick.

Kurenai was crying. There were some moments she had really bad feelings and they were proven to be wrong. She hugged Kiba so hard his bones nearly crushed. This was the reaction he hoped for. She even wasn't angry that Hinata hasn't written to her but to them. She understood. He spent two hours at his senseis house. Akamaru was playing with her daughter who was walking and talking now. He wanted Hinata to see her, she loved children. What really made him happy about this letter was that she almost said that she was eventually coming back, coming home.

Since she'd left Naruto's felt something odd. He was convinced that it was his fault she needed to go. Not only he hadn't been strong enough to save her cousin but he'd left her hanging on that confession. It wasn't that he didn't want to answer her, there was just never the right time. Immediately after, all of them had been preparing for something big, the war had come and then all he'd wanted to do was to save everybody. But in his lowest it had been her that saved him. For the second time she had been there even if it would have meant the end for her and he'd hated this. Sure he knew they were friends but they were never close and after the war ended he'd wanted nothing else than to get to know her and be close. He wasn't in love with her but there was a chance he could be if he got to know her. But when he'd wanted to talk to her she had always been busy with her clan business and then she's left. He hadn't expect her to come and say goodbye but it still had been a hard one. He's felt responsible. Ever since that day Kiba told them he's felt that he let her down. So when Kiba came to tell him that Hinata's sent a letter he was overjoyed. She was okay somewhere out there. And apparently might come back one day. He felt better with this knowledge.

When Shino was going back home he went back to thinking about Hinatas letter. It made him so angry. He thought it to be extremely selfish of her. She wouldn't have sent it if it weren't for them almost meeting. And she's ran away from them. They were all worried sick about her for so long and she hasn't thought to just send them a letter at the beginning. He understood it was hard for her but she had to have some consideration for other peoples feelings. There was a coincidence hard to miss there as well. They've met Sasuke Uchicha on their way back in the Land of Rock. And she's ran from them there. Could it be coincidence or has she been with him then? Uchicha has seemed off. Could this be possible? He almost smiled at the idea. Uchicha Sasuke traveling with Hyūga Hinata. They were worth each other to be honest. Both of them took an easy way out and left. It was harder to stay and face difficulties of the life. He instantly hated himself for thinking that. He just needed to relax and cool down. Deep down he knew he couldn't stay angry with Hinata for long and when he would see her he would be just happy for her to be back.

Kiba wandered if he should tell Hinatas family about the mail he's gotten. He didn't see them often and wasn't close to anybody there but she figured they would've liked to know. There was no way he was going to talk to Hiashi Hyūga on his own so he went and asked for Hanabi. She was still angry at her sister. She needed her here, in Konoha, and Hinata was just gone.

„What is it?" She asked when she say Kiba outside of the Hyūga Compound.

„Hinata's written a letter to me and Shino" he said.

„Most people would first let their family know they were alive, but I suppose Hinata isn't most people" she said. Her voice had something resembling her fathers and it scared him. „Thanks for informing me. Tell me if she comes back please" she was furious and went back into the compound. This anger was coming from the fact that she simply felt left alone. She and Hinata weren't particularly close growing up but they were sisters and that had to mean something. She just wanted her sister to be here. She's lost one close family member already and it felt as if she has lost her as well.

Hanabi was now considered the only option to be the next Hyūga Clan head. This has been her dream for a long time but now she wanted nothing to do with is. She didn't feel right for the position. Being the head of the entire clan meant a lot of work, not a lot of action. It was mostly about diplomacy and paperwork. She's always been better than Hinata in combat but she has no patience and would be bored after one week of ruling the clan. She desperately wanted Hinata to come back, to take her place as the heiress and free her from the stress and expectations. Their father was getting frustrated with Hanabis lack of motivation to learn. He has changed since the war and there have been a lot of changes in the clan itself as well. People seemed to be a little less tight. She's heard one day her father talking with one of the elders about Hinata. He's defended her decision to leave and in his voice was a hint of pride. Their father was proud of the way Hinata has grown. If only her sister knew that.