Hey guys I hope you are doing okay. No this isn't a message from beyond, I'm still very much alive. I just wanted to say I'm really sorry for the late update of this story, but like I've said before I'm not going to be giving up on this story. I've come too far to just stop now.

I also want to say my thanks to the people who have followed and Favorited this story so far. I mean, I'd never thought I get to 60 favorites and 57 followers for this, it has really blown my mind! I really do appreciate you guys and I hope that you will continue supporting this story until it's bitter end.

Anyway, on with the story shall we?

Like always, I apologize in advance for any grammar mistakes, repetitiveness and poor writing. And I also don't own Naruto or it's characters. I'm just using them for the story. And any OCs that you see in this story are mine.

Enjoy!

P.S. I wrote this in 1st person first, so if I left anything, I do apologize again. Also I want to put out that I used the Naruto Wiki for some descriptions so all thanks to that goes to them!

The ticking sound of the clock was all could be heard in the Hyūga resident's living room, the ravenette's eyes never leaving the sight of her precious person. Sakura was so still like a statue and if it wasn't for the fact that she saw her breathing Hinata would have thought she was dead. Whatever that man, Kabuto, did to her it only seemed have put her into a coma. Hinata had no idea why he simply didn't kill her, but however the reason shes glad he didn't. Suddenly, the sound of the front door being burst open made her turn her head.

It was Tenten as she entered the threshold of Hinata's living room, hands on her knees which meant she ran all the way here. The ravenette was curious as to why she was here; the Hyūga hadn't told her what happened. When she asked that, and she got her breath back, she told her, "Ino gave me a call and told me everything." She then walked up to Hinata, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder before turning her gaze onto the pinkette's form that was laid on the couch. They didn't bother putting Sakura upstairs in the bed so they just grabbed a pillow and blankets and placed her there instead.

"How is she?" Tenten asked, breaking the quiet.

"I don't know," Hinata answered truthfully, reaching out towards the pinkette's hand that was beneath the blanket, taking it out and interlacing their fingers. "Ino had a look at her and told me it had something to do with her chakra network. She's on the phone right now."

"I see," Tenten replied in understanding. A pause. But then out of nowhere her best friend's hand was replaced by arms wrapping around her neck and feeling the weight of Tenten on my back. "Everything is going to be alright, Hinata," she whispered in the white eyed girl's ear. "Sakura has been in rough patches before, so this isn't anything different. Besides, until you confess your damn feelings for her, and she accepts, there's no way in hell we're letting her off that easily."

Hinata smiled at that. Unfortunately, the moment between best friends was brought to an end when Ino came back into the room, cell phone in hand. "I've called for help from a friend," the blonde explained. "Hopefully she should be here soon. But before she does," Ino stopped and glared hard at the extra addition to their small group. Hinata turned her attention to the blonde huddled in the corner of the room, away from everyone. The whiskered faced girl had her knees up to her chin and wrapped her arms tightly around them, making herself as small as possible. Even smaller now that their gazes where on her, especially Ino's glare.

Speaking of the blonde, the Demon Hunter was making her way towards the girl in question, now standing in front of her, and clenching hands into fists. "Who the hell are you?" she all but growled out the question. But it only seemed to make her even more scared as the girl refused to look up. Annoyance grew on Ino's features, and before Hinata knew what was going on, petals began to fall from the blonde, her Masemune in hand and all but pointed the tip of the weapon at the blonde. Blue eyes widening, the girl pushed herself as far back as possible and he ravenette couldn't sit by anymore. "I asked who the fuck are you?!"

"That's enough Ino-chan!" Hinata cried out, rushing to the blonde's side and held her in her arms. The girl almost instantly clutched onto the Hyūga girl, like a child needing their mother to protect them. Ino's grip on her weapon tightened.

"Move out the way, Hinata," she ordered in a deadly tone. But the girl refused, giving her own glare back. When the blonde saw that she didn't do as she asked, she began to explain herself. "You don't know what she is. What I felt from her back at Saginomiya-san's house." The blonde's hand started to shake, making the weapon rattle in place, and it made Hinata's eyes soften.

"I know what she is," the girl said softly. "I saw it with my own eyes. But she hadn't had been there for me, Kabuto would have killed me. She saved my life, Ino-chan." There was only silence at that point. The blonde's sky blue eyes looked from the girl in Hinata's arms to the raven haired girl before returning to their original place. Masemune was still pointing at them, but when Tenten came to Ino's side, the brunette placed her hand on the hand holding the weapon.

"That's enough, Ino," said Tenten, her grey eyes never leaving the blonde's. When Ino finally moved her eyes from the hand on her own to it's owner, staring into grey, pleading orbs that shattered the last of Ino's stubbornness. Her hold on Masemune slackened, and quickly dispersed into cherry blossoms. What surprised Hinata the most was when the demon slayer was gone, Ino instantly placed herself on top of Tenten, her face resting in the crook of the tomboy's neck, little sobs escaping the Demon Hunter's lips. Her eyes widening with surprise, and looking lost, Tenten wrapped her arms around the blonde and stroked the Demon Hunter's back up and down, and in smoothing circles.

Hinata couldn't help the smile that came. She doesn't know what had happened to them over the summer, but whatever it was, brought them closer together. After a long moment, Ino, lightly, pushed herself off Tenten, but the tomboy still had her hands on the hunter's waist. Wiping at her eyes, she mumbled, "I'm alright now."

Tenten dipped her head to look into blue orbs. "Are you sure?" she asked, a hint of concern in grey eyes.

When Ino looked up and stared into grey depths, a blush coated her cheeks upon realizing how close the two were. Turning her head to the side, Ino gave a small nod to tell the brunette that she was and with that Tenten finally let go. But Hinata saw the look of loss in Ino's body language, obviously already missing the contact, but she saw the confusion in her features, wondering why she suddenly felt that way.

Hinata couldn't help the warmth that spread through her breast at the display.

The sound of heavy rain hitting the windows of the house awoke her from her sleep. Hinata didn't remember falling asleep, but after what happened today, it was no wonder she was tired. Coming back to her senses, the girl realized that her body ached on her right side and when she turned to look, all her white orbs saw was blonde locks. Kyūbi had also fallen asleep, leaning her body on the Hyūga's but both her arms had wrapped around her left one. Hinata smiled and continued to observe around her surroundings. Sakura was still on the couch, and hadn't moved since they brought her back. Tenten and Ino where sitting in front of the pinkette and in the same position as she was with the blonde. They really look cute like that I thought.

Save for the rain and the light snoring of everyone else in the room, everything was quiet. And because it was silent, Hinata had time to go over the things that had happened today. But besides watching Sakura getting impaled, there was another moment during the fight that engraved itself into her mind. Something that wouldn't leave her thoughts. That something was the words that man, Kabuto, had said to her.

"And out of those people I've listed, you are the most interesting person," he said, making Hinata confused. Why would she be the most interesting out of Ino and Sakura. the two incredible people that she had met? He smiled, wickedly, seeing the confusion that was written on her face. "You have a secret, don't you? Something in your past that you've never told anyone. "

Just hearing those words in her head made the girl feel a chill go down her spine again. And it also made the memories that she'd pushed far back into her mind tear itself to the surface.

A little girl lays on the floor badly batter and bruised. Her right arm is broken, twisted in a way that it shouldn't be able to and blood is seeping through her mouth and nose. Tears fall from her eyes, hitting the floor beneath her, as she tries her best not to let the soft sobs become louder. Her body suddenly jumps and stiffens, and her eyes grow wide as she hears the roar coming from before her.

"Again!"

Using her one arm that his now aching with use, she manages to lift her head up. A man with long, black hair that reached to his shoulders blades gave the girl a cold look with his more distinct white eyes that were once featureless. The veins near his temples bulge out as he gives the little girl a glare for not getting up fast enough. Try as she might to stop them, tears continue to fall but more rapidly.

"Please..." the girl pleaded. "I can't..."

Silently, the man walked up to broken body and without a sound raised his leg and kicked the girl, the little one rolling a good distance away. Rolling onto her back, her head moving sideways, she watched with hazy vision the man walking away. "We will continue this tomorrow," he said, his voice holding no emotion for the actions he has done. And with that he left, leaving the poor, broken girl by herself.

The only thing on her mind, at that point was her mother, who had suddenly disappeared from her life. How she wished she could see her again and be embraced by her comforting arms, listening to her sweet soothing voice.

For the little girl, reality was a cruel thing.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Hinata's recollected memory was thankfully interrupted by the sound of the front door being heavily knocked. The noise caused everyone to wake up, and when the knock came again, this time louder and much more heavier, all eyes where trained onto the source. Slowly Hinata stood up, Ino and Tenten doing the same thing and white eyes turned to look at the blonde. "Stay here," the Hyūga told her, getting a mute nod in response. Nodding along, she moved. Once she was near the door, her two friends close behind her, the banging had all of the sudden ceased. But just as Hinata was about to open the door, it nearly hit her in the face. The barrier between them and outside shot open, with enough force to make the door hang on by it's hinges, causing the ravenette to fall back on the floor.

Looking up, the girl was met with the sight of someone standing in front of her wearing a black cloak with a hood surrounding their features, and thanks to the darkness it was hard to make out who this person was. Water droplets fell from this unknown person, and Hinata started to wonder if this person was like Kabuto and Kimimaro, sent here to come and collect the blonde girl. She didn't get to wonder long, as a shout came from behind her, turning just in time to see Tenten come charging.

"Wait, Tenten!" cried Ino who had been next to the brunette. "That's...!"

But she wouldn't listen, swinging her fist at the intruder, which was easily batted away by the stranger with their left hand, and using their right to flick their middle finger at the tomboy's forehead. Hinata was surprised to see the girl was flung back with ease, landing next Ino's feet.

"Really, that's the sort of welcome I get?" asked a feminine voice that Hinata had never heard before. Said voice had come from the cloaked figure and when she turned to look from her flying best friend, the woman behind the hood pulled it down. From within came straight, shoulder-length hair which were tied into two loose ponytails and brown eyes that stared into her white orbs. Hinata noticed that the woman had a violet, diamond shape marking on her forehead, but her eyes never looked at it for long. "Realistically, I should just turn and leave," she continued, but after a beat, the blonde woman let out a sigh, turned and grabbed the almost broken door.

Closing it, she muttered something under her breath and the ravenette's eyes widened in amazement, watching the door hinges going back into place. Slapping her hands together, the older woman turned back to the people in front of her. When her brown orbs landed on Hinata again, she raised an eyebrow and a sly smirk came to her lips. "Are you ever going to get up, or is the floor too comfortable for you?" A blush assaulted Hinata's face of realizing that she was still on the floor, and she immediately stood up, brushing off her skirt in the process.

Behind her, Ino had helped the brunette get up, not before calling her an idiot, and once she knew that Tenten was all right, though a little dazed, she made her way beside Hinata. "Good evening, Tsunade-sama," greeted the Demon Hunter, bowing to the woman in respect. The woman known as Tsunade, shifted her gaze from the Hyūga girl to the other blonde, a look of surprise playing in her eyes.

"Yamanaka?" she said. "When Shizune received the call, she failed to mention it was from you. You know that your family is worried about you back home."

The younger blonde looked at the ground, her features taking on the look of guilt. "I know," she said, "but I can't go back just yet. There are still things that I need to do here."

Seeing the girl's forlorn look, Tsunade reached out and clasped Ino's shoulder, making the younger blonde look up. "I wouldn't worry about it. When I go back I'll let them know that your okay," she replied earning a nod and smile from the young Demon Hunter. "But for now, why don't you introduce me to your friends and then we can begin."

"Of course," saying that, Ino turned to the girls behind her. She first pointed to Hinata. "This is Hyūga Hinata and this is her home." Said girl gave a bow in greeting, giving her own good evening to the woman. "And this-" she indicated to the brunette who was still rubbing her forehead, "-is Hiramatsu Tenten. An idiot who acts before thinking," she added, glaring hard at the tomboy, making said girl squirm under her gaze, blushing and scratching the side of her nose in embarrassment.

"Sorry..." Tenten mutter weakly, and Hinata shouldn't have but she couldn't help giggle at her friends expense. Tsunade chuckled under her own breath.

"Now then," Tsunade began, her features becoming serious. "Since these two are here, and look completely fine, I take it that the person I'm here to see is further inside?"

Getting back to the task at hand, Hinata piped up, leading the older woman further into the threshold of the house. When she walked past Tenten, though, she stopped, smiled and removed the cloak that she had been wearing, tossing it to the brunette. Without the black material around her, Hinata got to see what she had worn underneath. A grass-green haori, with the word 'Gamble' in kanji on the back inside a red circle, a grey, kimono style blouse which was held closely by a broad, dark bluish-grey obi that matched her pants. For a second, the girl couldn't take her eyes off of the woman's sizable cleavage which had been thanks to the blouse being closed quite low. Hinata shook her head mentally, cursing herself for staring.

"Be a dear and hang on to that for me," she said to the brunette, no doubt getting back at the tomboy for attacking her. Tenten grumbled but still took the item, pulling a face when the rain water on it started to soak her clothes. When everyone entered back into the living room, Hinata noticed that Kyūbi had moved and was now sitting next to the sleeping form of Sakura. As soon as she noticed us coming in, with a new addition, her eyes widened and suddenly she was by the ravenette's side, hiding behind her. Tsunade eyed the blonde for a moment but ultimately turned her attention to the punk haired girl laying down.

Tsunade walked up to the unconscious pinkette. "Let's see what we've got here." Reaching out her hand, she placed her palm on Sakura's stomach, and closed her eyes. There was a pregnant pause as she worked. "Her chakra network is a mess, unstable to be precise," she commented after a few seconds of silence.

"Yes," Ino answered. "When I noticed it, I tried to set it back. Unfortunately, I still lack the training to do so," she added painfully.

"I see," was all Tsunade said, moving her hand away from Sakura and then proceeded to do hand signs. To Hinata her hands became a blur with each sign she made, and once finished, placed her hand back to where it was. This time it glowed a bright blue, reminding the Hyūga of that white haired man's that had pierced through the demon girl's chest. Seeing it made her body stiff, but she had to relax. She's helping Sakura, not trying to kill her she reminded herself, making herself calm down. Suddenly, the glow disappeared from the older blonde's hand, instead surrounding itself around the pink haired girl for a second before it instantly vanished.

Brown eyes finally opened. "There, it's done," Tsunade announced, relief flooding Hinata completely. If it wasn't for Kyūbi standing next to her, she would have fallen down from weak legs. "With a couple days rest, she should be awake. Just to be safe..." The older woman reached into her haori's inside pocket and produced a torch. Bending down, she opened Sakura's right eye, revealing green emerald behind the lid. Shining the light on the orb, the pinkette's iris went small, and when she took it away, it went big. She did that twice more before she was satisfied and closed it again. When she went to the other eye that housed the girl's yellow orb, with the distinctive tomoe markings, Tsunade suddenly froze.

And for some reason Hinata had a bad feeling that she couldn't explain. Furrowing her brows, Tsuande closed the eye lid, and then turned her gaze to gauze wrapping on Sakura's left arm. Lifting it in her left hand, she raised her index finger, which was wrapped in a blue glow and ran it down the bandage. The white material was easily cut. The raven haired girl started to notice that guilt look again from Ino as the older woman stopped at the pinkette's uniformed sleeve. She eyed Sakura's dark-red arm coldly, and the bad feeling was getting worse, a chill going down her spine for the third or so time today. Finished with the appendage, she placed it down and then reached out, this time placing two fingers on the girl's forehead and once again closed her eyes.

It felt like an eternity, but couldn't have been only a minute or so, when Tsuande's eyes flew open, her fingers flying away from Sakura's forehead like she had been shocked and fell back to her side. Her hand suddenly becoming a closed fist. "Yamanka," the blonde finally spoke, her voice also growing cold like her eyes. "Is this girl what I think she is?"

A pregnant pause.

"...Yes," Ino replied silently.

Then another.

"Is that so."

And another.

Then, the bad feeling that had plagued Hinata quickly soon became reality. In a matter of seconds, Tsuande's hand suddenly burst blue, raising it high above her head, and went for Sakura's chest... with the intent to kill.

Well things turned out for the worse fast didn't it :(

Thank you so very much for reading as always and please leave a review and tell me anything that can help improve the story or my writing. Also constructive criticism is also very appreciated.

See ya next chapter!