Hello! Sorry for the wait. My plans were to post a new chapter every Sunday, however, I was a bit... Lazy... :D... I'm trying to be more detailed in my stories, so if anyone spots any room for improvement or mistakes please don't be shy and let me know :D! Writing isn't my strongest but I also enjoy doing it so any help is appreciated! Also, I noticed, well at least I'm having trouble adding the "-" and multiples of them in my story they always seemed to erase o.o? So, I changed it to H's which also signify we're seeing things from Hinata's point of few or narrative point. So, now I really need to go back and clean up chapter 1 immensely cause everything looks so smushed together. Anyway, enough of my blabbering on to the story.

P.S If the H's don't show up to signal a break I'll rage :c. However, I'll change it up a lot to see what works because H's don't sit right with me either.

P.S.S I don't own Naruto.

P.S.S.S Thank you for all the people who reviewed, favorited, and alerted my story! Gives me hope and it's much appreciated!

Ch 2

H

Hinata stopped in her tracks and stared down at the little fox who stared back up at her. She blinked at it and tilted her head to the side, and when she did that it followed the same motion she did. She raised a brow at the fox and tilted her head the other way, and again the copycater followed her movement. Hinata was used to seeing animals in the forest here and there, however, this fox seemed a bit odd. It just stared up at her with no intent to flee or attack. Hinata stared into the fox's blue eyes and gave a sad smile.

"You have the same color shade as Naruto," Hinata whispered to the fox and knelt down to touch it. She pulled her hand back when the fox opened it's mouth up wide, Hinata tensed waiting for it to attack her, but instead, it made a soft animalistic voice and froze in place. The fox seemed to look down at its paws first before its tail got in the way. When the fox saw its tail it seemed to jump back from surprised then ran around in a circle possibly chasing it like a dog would. Hinata chuckled at the weird sight and stood up slowly on her tired legs. She let out a soft sigh as she saw the sun already began to rise.

"I should get going… If they wake up and see me gone…" Hinata trailed off before she could finish her sentence. She let out another sigh and crouched low enough so she could jump to the nearest tree, before she could attempt her jump she heard a whimper from under her and when she looked down the fox sitting next to her leg looking up at her with sad eyes.

"I.. I can't take you. Stay here I'm sure other foxes will be here soon." Hinata said to the fox and reached down to pet its head. Instead, the fox whimpered more and lowered its ears and head. Hinata bit her lip, unable to reject a creature whose eyes bore a hauntingly similar resembles to the man she's unable to let go.

"Fine." Hinata finally said in defeat after a few minutes of staring at the small fox. If Hinata wasn't mistaken she could have sworn the fox could understand her. It's ears pricked up and it immediately jumped up and ran around her feet. Hinata could feel her lips tug up and she bent down to pick up the fox in her arms.

"Hold on." She whispered in its ears before she jumped off.

HHHHHHHHH

When Hinata arrived back at the inn with the fox in her arms, the only person still sound asleep from her team was Haru, who was still snoring loudly from the couch with the blankets still tangled around him. Orumi was setting the small table up with some food she probably made, while Sakumi was sitting up in bed her usually straight long green hair puffed up wildly with tiredness still in her eyes.

"Sensei… Where'd you go?" Sakumi asked out loud that was quickly followed by a yawn. Orumi looked up at Hinata and seemed surprised to see her.

"S-sensei… I didn't k-know if you'd bring b-back food or not, so I just p-prepared some." Orumi stuttered out.

"It's okay Orumi, I just went out for a walk. I couldn't sleep and I forgot to bring food anyway." Hinata said. Sakumi nodded her head and laid back down trying to doze off again before she quickly sat back up.

"Is that a fox Hinata-sensei?" She asked and threw the covers from her legs. Orumi looked at the fox and smiled.

"It's a-adorable!" She exclaimed before walking over to play with its ears. The fox seemed to draw back deeper into Hinata's arms for a bit when Orumi approached but quickly went limp with pleasure when Orumi started rubbing its ears.

"I found it in the forest, and it seemed sad all on his own," Hinata explained as she extended the fox in her arms to Orumi who quickly gathered the fox in her arms. Sakumi walked over to Orumi and seemed to stare at the fox contemplating something, before she gave a yawned which the fox only copied in return.

"It's okay… But it smells kinda funky." Sakumi muttered, slightly scrunching her nose up in disgust. The fox growled in response to her insult, baring its tiny white teeth.

"It's like it understood y-you." Orumi laughed out and continued to play with the fox's ears which seemed to calm the fox down making it go limp once again but in Orumi's arms. Sakumi raised a brow at the fox before losing interest and turning her attention to the food on the table.

Hinata smiled at Orumi before turning her attention to Haru. She walked over to him and began to shake him awake while repeatedly call his name. Haru responded after the fifth or sixth shake and opened his eyes slowly.

"Are we leaving already?" Haru asked groggily, trying to push away Hinata's hand that was shaking him awake.

"Come eat breakfast. I'll wash up first while everyone eats." Hinata said as she began to gather her jonin outfit and gear before heading off to the bathroom. When Hinata shut the door behind her she could hear Haru shout out in surprise about the fox, before hearing Sakumi give him a curt reply to lower his voice. She smiled and rolled her eyes at the start of their ritual bickering, before turning to the mirror to glance at herself. She frowned as she saw her tangled and knotted hair with little spots of mud on her cheek and on her clothes. She wondered why Orumi and Sakumi didn't ask her anything about her dirty appearance but instead gave thanks to the new little distraction that probably interfered with them noticing.

She began to slowly strip off her clothes, and her frowned deepened when she found little dried up mud even beneath her clothes and on her skin. She sighed and turned on the shower hoping to clean herself off as quick as possible.

HHHHHHH

After everyone was washed up and well fed, Hinata fulfilled her promise to train the team she had. She knew they were most likely still exhausted from their constant non-stop running yesterday by how they all seemed to move a slight bit more sluggish than usual. Still feeling guilty for pushing them too hard she decided that would be their stamina and endurance training and decided to do something less tedious. Instead, she decided to refine their survival skills they most likely learned in the beginning stages of the academy.

For a couple of hours, she made them gather edible wild berries and plants, then made them build fires from scratch. She taught them how to identify traps as well as to disarm them, and taught them how to signal for help if they ever got separated and were in danger. At first Haru, Sakumi, and even Orumi seemed disinterested about relearning the basics, but Hinata was happy when they eventually seemed to get into relearning them again. All the while the fox seemed to stick to Hinata's side, staying quiet throughout most of her teachings.

Hinata was surprised at how well-behaved and tamed the fox seemed to be, almost human like in Hinata's opinion. It was almost like it enjoyed learning these things as well.

"Okay, pack up we're going to start heading back to Konoha," Hinata called out to her team as she noticed the sun was beginning to set. Orumi and Haru who were petting the fox looked up at Hinata, even the fox looked up at her.

"A-are we taking the fox t-too?" Orumi asked as she looked down at the new friend she made. The fox's ears pricked up and he glanced from Orumi to Hinata. Hinata looked back at the fox wondering what to do with the little creature.

"I guess… We could." Hinata sighed out in defeat after a few minutes of staring into the sad eyes of her team, most notably Orumi and Haru.

"Speaking of which…" Haru mumbled and lifted the fox up above his head. After a few minutes, he nodded to himself and set the fox back down. Hinata and Sakumi raised a questioning brow at him.

"I've just been wondering if it's a girl or boy. Hoping I wouldn't be the only guy on this team anymore. So, I'm proud to present the second boy member of this team." Haru said happily while Sakumi rolled her eyes at him.

"Us men have to stick together." Haru cooed at the fox as he ruffled his fur. The fox swished its tail in response earning a giggle from Orumi. After that everyone gathered their belongings and headed back to the leaf village.

HHHHHH

When they arrived the sun had already set and the moon was shining brightly over the village, even though they didn't push themselves to get back before it was midnight they still got back surprisingly earlier than Hinata would have guessed. When they walked through the gates Orumi who was holding on to the fox the whole way back suddenly let out a gasp in surprise when the fox wriggled out of her arms and shot down an alleyway of Konoha.

"I-I-I'm sorry! I'll go catch him." Orumi stammered out embarrassingly. She gave a small bow to Hinata and her teammates and stuttering out a small goodnight before she chased after the fox.

"We'll go help too," Haru called out to Orumi as he grabbed Sakumi's wrist and tugged it forward as he chased after Orumi. Sakumi was surprisingly quiet as she was tugged away by Haru, running behind him with his fingers still wrapped around her slim wrists. Hinata assumed she was just tired and waved them all a goodbye.

Even though Hinata was forced into caring for a team, Hinata couldn't help enjoying from time to time the little distractions they gave her, and the joy she felt in reminiscing some of her past memories of when she was a genin. She began walking towards her home as she rethought of everything that's happened since then. She chuckled to herself as she remembered the missions her teams use to go on and how comfortable she was with Kiba and Shino. They were like her brothers and saw her as she was instead of a shy stupid stuttering girl when she first started out. Just like Kurenai-sensei who saw her as she was and was the closest thing to a mother Hinata ever had.

Hinata smiled brightly as she thought about Kurenai who was the first adult to show her affection or interest other than the reason being that she was a Hyuuga. Hinata then started to ponder about Kurenai's daughter Mirai and wondered how she was fairing. Hinata paused in her steps as she remembered Kurenai's sadness in losing Asuma. Hinata used to wonder from time to time if the only reason Kurenai's ability to move on was because of her daughter Mirai until Kurenai confirmed one day that it was a big part of the reason she was able to go on the next day.

Hinata looked up at the moon as she remembered when she first received the news about Naruto, Kurenai was the one there for her the most and the one more understanding of how she felt. Hinata gave out a small sigh at the sad memory and saw her breath pass through her lips.

"It's getting colder…" Hinata muttered to no one but herself as she felt her skin react to the cold air. She shivered and rubbed her hands up and down her arms a bit before continuing on her way. However, once the memories of Naruto started they could never stop and before she knew it her feet lead her and stopped at an all too familiar place.

'Naruto's old apartment.' Hinata thought to herself as she looked up at the old worn down building. For a while when more and more people started to think Naruto's disappearance was permanent the question of what happened to his belongings and apartment was thrown out there. Hinata was relieved, however, when Kakashi-sensei first warned her about the talk. She immediately rented it out as soon as it was placed open for the taking. She demanded that it be left how it was with all Naruto's belonging unharmed and unmoved. The people usually in charge for taking cleaning and repairing the apartments for new tenants had no problem listening to her request and now Hinata was the proud owner of the apartment of which she had to keep a secret. She visited it every now and then, but never too often for fear that her father would catch wind and force her to let go of a small rundown apartment that would in some way or form tint the Hyuuga name.

Hinata's thoughts were abruptly interrupted when she saw a shadow move quickly from one end to the other in Naruto's apartment through the window. Hinata could feel hope swell inside her and her legs began to weaken and her knees shook. She could feel the words she wanted to shout out caught in her throat, while millions of thoughts ran through her hand.

'No one has come here… No one has gone in there… The only person who would enter that apartment is the old owner himself.' Hinata thoughts were rapidly jumping around and she stayed still for a moment just in case her eyes were playing tricks on her. That was when she heard something crash, and before Hinata knew it she was leaping towards the window.

HHHHHH

If her legs weren't trembling so much making them a bit weak in the jump Hinata was sure she would have crashed through the window, but luckily she was able to stop in front of it just in time, and she threw it open jumping into the dark room. When she entered she almost tripped over a lamp that laid broken on the floor and Hinata guessed that's the crashing sound she heard. She looked around desperately throughout the room, but the room was too dark to see clearly in. She found herself fumbling throughout the room with her hands stretched out in front of her hoping to bump into a body at least.

"N-naruto," Hinata called out shyly as she made her way to the light switch. When she heard no response Hinata felt a chill go down her spine and she wondered if someone looter just broke in. when her fingers felt the familiar switch she flicked it on and closed her eyes at the assault the lights gave to her eyes. She opened them slowly to adjust to the bright light and turned her body to search the room. What she found was an empty room with clothes and things scattered across the floor. Hinata could feel her heart sink to the pit of her stomach as she sunk to her knees in defeat. She didn't know what she was hoping for if all of the great nations couldn't even find him why did she think she would? Better yet why would she assume he would appear here after all this time. Hinata could feel tears start to form and she wiped them away furiously refusing to cry for her stupidity. She was an adult now, a Hyuga and she should act like one. Hinata froze when she heard a light sigh and forced her trembling legs to stand upright. That's when she noticed the bedsheets were scrunched up and were moving slowly. Hinata took small steps, and when she reached the bed she yanked the sheets that were hiding something under it.

At first, all Hinata saw were light blue eyes that stared up at her, and it took her a moment to realize that it was the fox she found who was staring up at her. Hinata and the fox seemed to stare at each other for a long while before Hinata clenched her fingers tightly around sheets and swallowed a bit of spit that was gathering in her mouth.

"W-what are you doing here?" Hinata asked in disbelief and looked around the room. The fox didn't make any fast movements other than laying its head down on its paws its ears seemed to droop against its head. Hinata threw the sheets she had still in her hands on the ground as she felt anger start to rise boil inside her.

"What are you doing here!" She repeated at the fox in a louder voice. The fox quickly stood up and stared up at Hinata with weary eyes as he noticed her sudden anger.

"I thought… You made me think… How was I so stupid!" Hinata cried out and kicked the bed sheets away from her. The fox jumped back at the sudden movement still keeping a sharp eye on Hinata whose anger still seemed to be boiling.

"I had so much hope! But it was just a stupid fox! How stupid can I be!" Hinata shouted out towards the ceiling as she felt tears start to swell up in her eyes again she sank to her knees and gave one last defeated cry burying her face into the bed.

"I just want to see Naruto one last time…" She managed to get out.

"I thought… I hoped you were him." She said and looked up at the fox with tears streaming down her face. The fox seemed to pause for a moment as they stared at each other unmovingly. After that pause, however, the fox crept slowly towards Hinata and nuzzled his wet nose against her forehead gaining a surprising snort from Hinata.

"Are you comforting me right now fox?" Hinata asked him as she stared into its blue eyes. The fox swished its tail slowly in response before resting its head on her shoulder. Hinata wrapped her arms around the small fox and was surprised at how much warmth illuminated from its body. The fox began to nuzzle it's nose into the crook of her neck while Hinata hugged the fox close. They seemed to have stayed that way forever and before Hinata knew it she fell asleep holding on to the little red fox.