It was difficult not to fall in love with this place. There weren't much locations that were interesting for tourists but Hinata and Sasuke weren't typical tourists themselves and didn't mind that. They visited local shops and some food stands which were actually just homes. The owners just had their windows open and sold food from their kitchens. Although it was the capital city of the Land of Rivers, Village Hidden in Valleys was a small one. There weren't many shinobis on the streets and the ones they saw were just doing normal citizens work. They were painting hoses, fixing rooftops and bridges. They even met some people in one of the shops. The couple they spoke to lived there their whole lives and were from families of farmers that had their fields around the village. Both of them were pretty tanned and had dark brown hair. The girl was short and looked exactly as Hinata imagined a young mother to look like. Her face was bright and always happy. Her husband was considerably taller and thinner. He was also very likable and open.

„What exactly brought you two to our village? I imagine there are better places to choose from" the woman asked. Her name was Ichika.

„We've been traveling for some time now and decided to stop here simply to see this place" Hinata answered the question and smiled. „But this village is one of the most beautiful I've seen so far"

„You should come back when the waters are up. Right now it looks weird with all this platforms but in the spring… well it's hundred times better" Hinata could imagine how stunning the village would look like when the water level was high. She even almost saw the glimmer of it.

„I'll remember to visit it then"

„How long are you planning on staying here?" Haruo asked. His question was directed mainly towards Sasuke who was quiet for the most part of the conversation. But when he heard the question he turned to the man and answered.

„No idea. But we were hoping to see the seaside as well so maybe for two, three more days." When he answered Hinata realized how different they were from the married couple. It was shocking. Warmth of their voices was in such contrast to Sasukes detached one and the quiet one she had.

„Oh I can recommend you a lovely place to see by the sea." She laughed, probably at the blent of the words she just used. „It's beautiful. We were there on our honeymoon and it was splendid." For the next ten minutes the villagers were saying where the place was and what was so splendid about it. Their way of describing it made Hinata want to go there.

„You should come to our house for a dinner tomorrow. I'd love to hear some stories of your trip" Haruo nodded with a wide smile. Hinata looked at Sasuke to see if he had anything against it and then agreed.

„Their mood is contagious" she said after they parted ways.

„Could be tiering after a while" Sasuke smiled. To him people who were constantly cheerful were odd. She laughed at his comment.

„Different than we are, huh?"

„Very much so" he said and smiled „I prefer us" he nudged her teasingly. He liked how they didn't have to be overly open and talkative if they didn't want to be. He liked that they fitted so well together despite their differences. And he loved these differences. At first they made him hesitant but now he grew to like and respect them. There was no way he would have ever fallen for somebody exactly like him, after all he wasn't very fond of himself. Yet as always there had to be a but to these all thoughts. She seemed to want this all. A home, friends. The life he long forgotten to care about. Still he wanted to give her everything she deserved and that meant everything. She saw a change in his face and knew there was something that bothered him.

„You don't want to go there?"

„Sure I do. No worries Hinata" he pushed these thoughts away and smiled one of these smiles that made her knees weak.

For the rest of the day they were simply strolling through the village.


„He sent scouts after her?" Kiba couldn't believe these words. Hanabi was worried enough to say that to Shino when they crossed paths in the town. It wasn't that they haven't been expecting some action from the head of the Hyūga Clan but sending two members to bring her even by force seemed a bit extreme. They'd expected that when she'd first left but right now it seemed strange. There was a part of him that wanted it to work though. He wanted her to come back and he wanted to know what was going on with her and Uchicha.

„Are you surprised?" Shino asked. „Hinata still is a heiress and the rumor about her relationship with the only Uchicha surely caused some commotion." That was true and Kiba understood that but it was commonly known that Hyūgas were seriously considering or even have already made a decision to replace Hinata with Hanabi on that position. Hanabi was definitely more Hyūga-like than their teammate's ever been.

„You're probably right" he didn't want to discuss it any longer with Shino but there was one other person in Konoha who would love to know about this.

Naruto was training chakra control which was still his weakest point when he was not in a Sage Mode and he wanted to change that. He even sensed Kiba coming towards him long before he showed. Kiba and Naruto were good friends but the fact that their temperaments were so alike made this friendship hard. They fought a lot but also had some amazing time when both were in a good mood. Judging from the expression on the face of his friend Naruto knew it wasn't going to be a fun meeting.

„What's up?" He asked.

„Hiashi Hyūga's sent someone after Hinata" Kiba said straight out.

„So? Isn't she his daughter? She's been away for a while and maybe he got tired of it." Kiba rolled his eyes. Naruto was as always clueless and needed to be told exactly what everything meant.

„Yeah. But why after he got to know about her and Sasuke?" Naruto was the only person in whose presence Kiba used this name. Usually he referred to the raven haired ninja by his last name alone. „He wants to bring her even if she won't go on her own will" he added. It was a funny sight. Naruto first was still clueless as to why Kiba bothered him with this information, then he understood and shortly after that his face turned to more stern one.

„So he wants to bring her by force?" Kiba just nodded. And Naruto was thinking for the next couple of minutes. For one he was getting more and more angry at the thought of Hinata being almost kidnapped. But after that he remembered the conversation he had with Kakashi in his office a few days ago.


„I'd never have guessed that Sasuke could like Hinata" Naruto said after they've been talking about Sakura and her emotional state.

„I don't think like is the best word here" Kakashi remarked. „He likes you, he somewhat likes Sakura and he doesn't want you around much. And now he spends his time with Hinata."

„What do you mean by that?"

„Naruto. You have intense emotions towards everybody. So does Sasuke" Kakashi looked at the blonde to check if he gets anything but his face was still showing no hint of understanding. He sighed. „If Sasuke chose to spend this much time with somebody it might not be about liking her. He might love the girl"

„So?"

„Uchichas love and hate extremely. The things you do for your friends, even if you've just met them. They do them for selected people from their lives." That's when Naruto understood what his sensei meant.


„They will have to go through Sasuke first" Naruto said quietly. He looked Kiba straight in the eyes. „Let's go!" And he ran. Kiba was stunned at the reaction and had to speed to catch on.

„Where are we going?!" He yelled but Naruto didn't answer. It didn't matter since they were going in the direction of the Hokage Tower. But why did he want to go there now? Did he knew something more?

Kakashi was not alone in the office. There was Sakura with him given a report on the matters regarding the hospital. When the door burst open both of them turned their heads knowing who they were going to see. Naruto was standing at the door breathing quickly. Few seconds later Kiba bumped into him almost causing Naruto to fall.

„Hi Sakura" Naruto said. He didn't want to say anything about Sasuke and Hinata until she was out of the door but there was probably no time to spare. „I need to talk to you, Kakashi-sensei" he said hoping the man would excuse his teammate.

„When will you learn how to knock?" Sakura asked now angry at his behavior.

„What is it about Naruto?" Kakashi asked and Naruto got nervous. Sakura was still not okay with the whole thing and he didn't want to cause her more pain.

„Can we talk to you alone?" Kiba asked. He got the reaction of Naruto and wanted to help him out. Even if he didn't know why they even came here in the first place. Kakashi looked at both of them and nodded.

„See you next week Sakura" he smiled with his eye. Sakura was hesitant to leave but obliged. When she was out of the room Naruto came closer to the desk.

„Hiashi has sent for Hinata" he said. „Kiba knows more" Kakashi looked at Naruto. Somehow he understood why they were here. He turned to Kiba.

„What do you know about it?" He asked.

„Well Hanabi told Sino that her father sent out two members of the clan to go and bring Hinata home. Willingly or not. They left few days ago and that's basically all I know. Oh! And it is probably because of what they heard about her and Sasuke" he answered. „But why are we this much alarmed bout it?"

„Naruto will explain it to you later. Go get Shino and follow them" Kakashi wasn't as nervous about it as Naruto was but there could be trouble if things went bad. „Do not act rashly and don't fight Hyūgas unless they attack first" Kiba before he could ask anything more and they were on their way to Shino in the Academy.

When they all met at the gates hour later both Shino and Kiba had no idea why they had to go this fast.


The two Hyūgas were already approaching the Suna. They wanted to check if Hinata really has left the village and if she has than they had to find out in which direction she has gone.