For those who like this story I am sorry for the long delay since the last chapter. Things have been a bit hectic for me recently. It is finally here though so I hope you enjoy.

Memorial stone that morning……..

Sasuke stands in the tree line behind Naruto observing silently. He was trying to decide how he wanted to approach him and what exactly he wanted to say. He had been watching Naruto for about thirty minutes now and he hasn't moved an inch. Sasuke was willing to bet he had been like that all night. Sasuke stood there for a few minutes longer and decided to walk out.

He walks up to Naruto in his normal manner with his arms crossed and his typical pissed at the world expression on is face. "Hey idiot. Everybody is waiting for you at the Hokages office. We have a mission."

Naruto continues to stare blankly at the stone either not registering Sasuke or just ignoring him completely. Sasuke steps up beside him and takes a good look at him. He sees an expression that he has never seen before on Naruto. The look of complete emptiness. Sasuke turns to look at the stone and scans through the names until he comes to the one Naruto is staring at. "You miss her don't you."

Naruto's gaze stays the same and his expression unchanging. He continues staring wordlessly. Sasuke turns to him again. "Naruto I know you miss her but you can't keep this up. This isn't what she would want." Naruto finally turns to look at him expression still unchanging. "Listen Naruto. Trust me I know what your going through. Remember I lost my entire family and not just me. Kakashi, Tsunade, Iruka and many others of lost people they cared for. It's a part of life especially in our work. You can't let this keep you down."

Naruto looks back to the stone briefly and then back to Sasuke. "I guess your right. It's just that I never had a chance to tell her how felt. It just buds me that now I'll never get that chance."

"In a way I kinda know how you feel. I would like to have had the chance to have let my mom know what she meant to me before she died. It bugged me for a while and it still does. But you can't let it keep you down. You have to keep going strong and honor there memory." Sasuke turns and starts to walk away. "Now come on. Everybody is waiting for us."

Naruto gives the name on the stone one last look and then heads off to catch Sasuke. He catches him he sets his pace even with him and stares straight ahead. "Thanks Sasuke. I needed that. I was really down. Man I wish I could see her just one more time." Sasuke stops walking. Naruto stops shortly after and turns to look at him confused slightly. "What's wrong Sasuke?"

Sasuke looks around the area briefly to make sure no one is there then turns back to Naruto. "I have something to tell you that I haven't told anyone else before. I don't know how they would react to this. Can you keep a secret?" Naruto nods his head. "A few years back while I was still with Orochimaru he received news from a base near the border. The had captured a young kunoichi and were holding her there. The description we received was a girl about twelve with short bluish black hair and pupil less lavender colored eyes."

Before he could say more Naruto had come rushed him, grabbed him by the shirt, lifted him up and pinned him to a nearby tree. "You mean you were holding her captive. What did they do to her? Is she still there?"

Sasuke struggled for a bit in Naruto's grip. "Naruto calm down and let me finish."

Naruto looked him in the for a moment. He was angry and Sasuke could tell from the look in his eyes. Shortly after Naruto put him down and backs away his eyes still locked with Sasukes in an angry glare. Sasuke brushes himself off a little bit. "That is exactly why I haven't told anybody about this. Let me finish this time before you get all pissed again. Like I was saying we had received word about here being held and Orochimaru had big plans for her. A few days after he received more news that she had managed to escape so there is a possibility that she is still out there some were. Does that make you feel any better?"

Naruto look a little surprised for a moment as the news sunk in then his expression dropped quickly as he thought about it. "No it doesn't make me feel better. If she was still alive she would have come back. Hinata would have never left us like you did."

Sasuke started walking again. "You may be right but there is always a chance that she may still be alive." Sasuke stopped again to turn and look at him. "Remember Naruto. Tell no one about this. I don't feel like having everyone trying to hurt me because they think I had something to do with it." This time when he turned he jumped into the nearest tree and started off to the Hokages tower. Naruto followed shortly after.

Hokages office…….

Sasuke walks into the Hokages office followed by Naruto. Tsunade watches Naruto as he walks up and stands next to his team. "She takes a moment to study him. Naruto still retains a somewhat empty look in his eyes but apparently Sasuke got through to him a little. After a few minutes Tsunade finally speaks up. "It's good you are finally here Naruto. I have an important mission for you and your team. Do you think you are ready for this Naruto?"

Naruto rubs the back of his head and forces one of his patented carefree smiles. "Of course granny Tsunade. I'll be fine. I promise." Naruto continues to grin wide as a vein bulges in Tsunades forehead from the granny comment.

Sakura looks over to him with a look of concern. "Naruto if you need some time off we would understand. We can handle ourselves with out you for one mission."

"I said I'll be fine Sakura. Like Sasuke told me I can't let things keep me down. This mission might help me get my mind off of things."

Kakashi finally puts away his book away and decides to speak up. "Well if you really want to go I think we should let The Hokage explain our mission to us."

Finally calming down about Naruto's earlier comment Tsunade returns

Her attention to team seven. "Well as Kakashi and Sakura know while Sasuke was retrieving Naruto I received an urgent message from Suna. It appears the Gara has been captured by the Akatsuki and are requesting aid." Naruto's expression hardens at the mention of the Akatsuki. "Being an ally of ours and there Kazekage being abducted we need to responded quickly so I need your team to leave immediately Kakashi."

Naruto's face went from angry at the mention of the Akatsuki to confused at the mention of the Kazekage's abduction. "Hold on a second. What do you mean they took the Kazekage? I thought you said they took Gara."

Tsunade smiles a little at Naruto's obvious confusion and inability to put two and two together. "That's because Gara is the Kazekage Naruto. "

Naruto's eyes widen in shock. "What? Gara is Kazekage. He can't be Kazekage already. Man I'm not even chunin yet and he is a Kage. How did this happen?"

Tsunade raises her hand to silence Naruto before he can go on. "Enough Naruto. You can ask questions later. Right now you all need to head out this is an emergency."

Kakashi turns and starts for the door. "Ok guys. Go get ready. Meet me at the gate in thirty minutes." Kakashi exit's the room followed shortly by the rest of his team.

Two days later about ten miles south of Konoha…….

Hinata walks up to a small cave about tem miles south of Konoha covered in a dark cloak. She had the hood over her head hiding her face. Anyone who looked at her wouldn't be able to tell anything about her. It helped that it was night and the dark helped hide her face even better.

As she approached the cave she could see a faint light coming from inside. "Arrogant bastards. I guess they don't care if they get caught." Hinata frowned about having to meet with theses people. She didn't like them but it was necessary. They would help her achieve her goal. Hinata entered the cave and a little ways in torches lined the walls directing her in the right way. There were other paths that branched out here and there. Others might get lost but with here Byakugan she could navigate these caves with ease.

As she entered a small room she sees a small table set up in the middle of the room. On the other side of the table two cloaked figures are seated. The torches in the cave are positioned just right as not to cast any light under there hoods. Hinata notices a third and empty seat on the right side of the table next to one of the cloaked figures. Hinata walks up to the chair meant for her and stands behind it. "You know there is no point in trying to be mysterious. I already know who you are and besides. Those hood can't fool my eyes." Hinata pulls off her hood puts a finger up to the veins in her forehead pointing out that she has her Byakugan active. She then turns around to a figure entering the room behind her. "It's about time you got here. Your late."

The figure walks around Hinata to the other side of the table and takes a seat. "Don't be so rude Hinata. I was only a couple of minutes behind you. As for our cloaks. We are just being precautious in case of unexpected visitors arrive. Now sit down please and lets talk business." The voice is masculine and obviously from a person with many decades under his belt.

Hinata crosses her arms in front of her apparently refusing to be seated. "I would rather stand. I don't plan on being here long enough to get comfortable. Now this summons had better be important as I was in the middle of a hunt."

The figure in the middle speaks up. "Well if you insist on standing that's fine now as for our business. First off we would like a status report on your progress so far." The voice of this figure was that of an older woman."

Hinata looks at her with obvious displeasure in her eyes. "I have eliminated Sasori and severally wounded Deidra although I let him go to deliver a message. My men have managed to eliminate Kakuza and neutralize Hidan. I would probably have done more if I didn't have to waist my time here."

The woman shift a little uncomfortably in her chair from the stern piercing glare from Hinata. Apparently she gained more quality's from her father than she would like to admit. "I see. Tell me though. Why did you release him. What message could be important enough to let him go? He will warn the others and they will be ready for you next time."

Hinata smiles wide. To the others this smiles seems eerie coming from a girl they know to be a powerful and aggressive killer. "Exactly! That is my plan. As you know a couple of there members are spies for me. They are working to pressure the others into grouping together instead of going out in teams of two. Next time my team and I fight we will be able to eliminate the rest in one blow."

The figure on the left speaks up for the first time for this meeting. "Do you believe that is a wise idea? We know you are strong but the Akatsuki are quiet powerful as well. They may be to much for you and you men to handle." This figure was obviously another aged male.

A scowls spreads across Hinatas face at his statement. "Don't question my abilities. I am far stronger than you know and I am aware of the abilities of the Akatsuki. I am confident that I can handle them."

"Still! We would feel more comfortable if you had more help. I think we will have a word with Tsunade and pressure her to send out ninja to hunt them as well." This coming from the man on the right.

"I don't care who you send but if they get in my way I promise you that they will not return to Konoha." Hinata replies with venom in her tone. "Now answer me this. Why are you so determined to eliminate the Akatsuki? How does this fit into your plans for Konoha?"

The same man replies. "It is very important that you eliminate them. As you know Konoha posses the container for the nine tail fox. He is the key to everything once we eliminate our opposition. We can not let the Akatsuki get there hands on him."

"I still say he will never go along with you. After you make your move you will be lucky if he does not kill you himself." Hinata smiles again at her last comment affectively shaking up the other three.

The woman shakes it off a replies with confidence. "We have taken this into consideration and trust me. We have plans to control the demon brat. He will have no choice but to go along with us."

Hinata smirks at them doubtfully. "If you say so. Apparently you don't know him as well as you think you do. Oh well. Now tell me how your other plans are going."

The man on the left replies to this. "Things are going well. We have many men in anbu that are loyal to our cause. Also with the extra help from the new Otokage that you promised we will have no problems. We will be ready to make our move soon. Speaking of that are you sure he will help us."

Hinata turns her back to the three preparing to leave. "I assure you he will help us. He is an old friend of mine. Well! Some what I guess. Lets just say we knew of each other. Besides I have made an offer to him that he can not refuse. This will benefit him greatly." When she finishes Hinata makes her exit. The others wait momentarily before they exit themselves and head for Konoha.

The next morning in Suna……

Team seven approached the gates of Suna at a fast pace. They had been held up unavoidably on the way there and were hoping that they were not to late. On the first knight away from Konoha they been attacked by a group of bandits. They leader was pretty tough customer. He was obviously a trained ninja. Saskura had gotten hurt and knocked out. Being there only medic they had to wait for her to come to and treat the wounds of Sasuke and Kakashi.

As they approach the gates the are stopped by the guards and asked to see there papers. Kakashi pulls there mission papers and hands them to the guard. "Lady Tsunade sent us as soon as she received the message. I apologize for the late arrival. We were ambushed on the way here. "

The guard looks over the papers then turns to the other guard. "Take these men to the Kazekage's tower." The guard then turns back to Team seven. "Please follow him. He will take you to the tower. There is a lot to discus."

Team seven follows the guard as they walk trough Suna to the Kazekage's tower. Naruto looks around in amazement. This being the first time that he had ever been to Suna everything was new to him. Suna was way different from Konoha. They reached the tower and were lead up to the Kazekage's office. Inside there were several Sand nin around the desk. Temari was standing against the wall to the right of the desk and Kankuro was seated behind the desk.

Kankuro looked up at the group entering the room and quickly dismissed the sand nin. Team seven walk up to him. "Welcome. I am filling in for Gara while he recuperates. Now we have plenty to discus."

Kakashi bows respectfully to Kankuro. "You say that Gara is resting. That is good to hear. We were told of his abduction and feared the worst. I am glad you have gotten him back safely. May I ask who was powerful enough to take Gara."

"It was the Akatsuki. One of them literally flew in defeated him and took off before anyone really knew what was going on. We were caught off guard."

Naruto scowls at the mention of Akatsuki. "Man I new they were strong but to beat Gara that quickly is crazy."

Kakashi nods in agreement. "That is disturbing. It also says a lot for you and your men that you can defeat someone that bested Gara."

Kankuro's gaze lowers to the table. As he thinks of the events a few days ago. "It wasn't us who defeated them. That is the other thing we need to discuss." Team seven looks at him a little puzzled waiting for him to go on. "Some one else reached them before we did. This person managed to defeat both Akatsuki members with ease. She was really powerful. She destroyed Sasori in only a matter of minutes."

Sakura had many question going trough her head and from Kankuro's expression and tone she didn't think she was going to like the answers. "This woman. Do you know her? Is she some one we might know?"

Kankuro was beginning to look a little nervous. He remembered Hinata's warning well and believed that she would follow through with her threat if he divulged to much information. "I can't really tell you to much. All I really know is that she is a Konoha missing nin."

"A Konoha missing nin. Are you sure. Did you get a good look at her." This coming from Kakashi. Even with most of his face covered you could still tell that this had caught his interest.

"I am sure but that is not the most troubling news. The guards that knight had admitted her into the village. They said that she had official papers from Konoha. Her mission was to eliminate the Akatsuki members" Kankuro paused to let this sink in. "I doubt any of you would know why the Hokage would have dealings with a missing nin and have knowledge of an upcoming attack against the Kazekage without warning us."

Team seven thought about this for a moment before Naruto spoke up. "I don't get it. Why would Granny Tsunade send us here if she had already sent some one else? And why would she be dealing with some traitor?"

Sakura replied to this. "I don't believe Lady Tsunade had anything to do with this. I know her well. This doesn't sound like something she would do."

Kakashi nods in agreement. "Your right. That doesn't sound like something Tsunade would do. I believe that it was either a fake our some one else issued it. Unfortunately it is hard to say who may be responsible."

"Well I don't know who it could be. Hey Kankuro. You said Gara is ok. Can we see him." Naruto was eager to change the subject. Think wasn't his best quality and head was beginning to hurt.

"He is doing better and is awake. I guess you can see him. Temari please take them to Gara's room." Kankuro motions Temari over. She had been quiet the entire time which was unlike her. Team seven had forgotten she was there.

Temari motioned for them to follow wordlessly. She was a bit upset that she nearly lost her brother and hasn't said much to anyone lately. Since Gara's defeat by Naruto she had become a lot closer to Gara. The exited the office and walked down the hall. A few rooms down Temari entered. Gara was setting on the edge of his bed. His normal emotionless expression was plastered on his face. "Gara. You have some visitors."

Gara looks up to see Team seven standing in the room. His gaze locks onto Naruto. His face turns from expressionless to shocked. It had been awhile since he had seen Naruto and he had changed a lot. Naruto walks to him and slaps him on the shoulders. "Hey Gara! How have you been?"

Gara looks up to the young blonde. "Naruto. It's been awhile." Gara gaze then goes back to the floor. "Things haven't been well. I got beat again."

Naruto frowns a bit. "Don't let this get you down Gara. Everyone gets beat. Everyone here has been beat a few times or another."

Gara looks back at him a little anger showing. "You don't understand Naruto. I'm the Kazekage now. If one man can come in here and beat me so easily. What kind of image does that portray to other about me and my ninja. Other villages may think we are weak. It could cause trouble for us."

"Gara you can bounce back from this. Train harder and get stronger. The guys you fought were no pushovers. Your lucky you are still alive. Just don't let this bother you to much. Worrying won't change things." Naruto turns and leaves letting the others visit a bit.

Hyuga compound that day…..

It had been Three years since Hinata's apparent death and few others had been hit as hard as Hanabi. She had a lot of regrets. She had never been there for Hinata. She knew that Hinata had a lot of problems especially with there father. Unfortunately she didn't know how bad things were. After Hinata's death Hanabi fell into a short depression but it didn't last long. She remembered her promise that she made at the funeral and set out to keep her word.

Matter of fact that is what she was doing now. She was in the middle of a sparring match with Neji. Her father had been to busy lately to attend to her training so she ask for Neji's help. This was the first time that they had ever sparred each other. They had already been going at for an hour and both were looking a little winded.

Neji dashes forward and delivers several rapid strikes to Hanabi's midsection. He was aiming for her Chakra points. Hanabi blocked the strikes perfectly waiting for an opening. This went on a few minutes more before she saw what she was looking for. Neji threw a strike out a little wide. Hanabi parried it to the side and countered with a hard palm strike to the stomach. Neji dropped to his knees holding his gut. Hanabi had knocked his wind out.

Hanabi decided to put some distance and give Neji time to regain himself. Slowly Neji got back to his feet breathing heavily. He looks over to Hanabi standing confidently in her gentle fist stance. "I see you have gotten a lot better Hanabi."

Hanabi smiles widely at the complement. "Maybe your just getting sloppy Neji. Our your just holding back."

Neji resumed his stance readying himself for another attack. "I kinda wish that was the case but I assure you I haven't been holding back. I have paid attention to your training sessions with Hiashi. It's true Hanabi. You have come along ways." As he says this he dashes forward to attack. He aims his strike for her abdomen.

Hanabi quickly side steps Neji Spins around and jabs a chakra charged strike to his left leg. Neji drops to one knee then has to dodge quickly as Hanabi sends a strike to the back of his head. He rolls away and attempts to stand but his leg buckles were her strike connected. Before he can defend himself Hanabi rushes forward and delivers a kick to his chest. Neji falls back a few feet and skids across the ground.

Hanabi stands back again waiting for Neji to get his footing. Slowly he gets to his feet and glares over at her. Neji new that Hanabi had gotten stronger but this was ridiculous. He was beginning to think that she was the one that had been holding back. From the look of things she may have been holding back against Hiashi as well and it was beginning to get on his nerves. "Hanabi. I can see you are holding back. No more. Show me what you can do.

Hanabi resumes her stance. 'Very well Neji. If you insist." In a blur Hanabi vanishes and appears behind Neji again. She strikes him hard in the back and before he can even react she dashed around to his front and attacked with a flurry of blows. Neji couldn't even defend himself. She ended it with a hard strike to the side of his head. Neji fell to the ground hard in a daze.

This time it took him several minutes to regain his footing. Even then he was a bit dazed. Many people had said that he was the genius of the Hyuga clan but now it appeared that they spoke to soon. Hanabi was stronger than him and to make things worse she is a lot younger than him. Neji shook his head to clear the fog. "I think we are done for today." Without a word he turned and left. The whole time he was think to himself about his life. He has a lot of work to do if he fell this far behind.

Hanabi walked over to the edge of the training area and takes a seat to rest. She stretches her legs out and rolls are head around a few times to stretch her neck muscles. She was a little disappointed in the sparing match with Neji. She really expected more from him. Unfortunately she hasn't had a good match in awhile. She had trained hard and it was showing.

A Hyuga servant came into the training grounds and over to Hanabi. She bowed to Hanabi before speaking. "Lady Hanabi you have visitors out front."

Hanabi thanked her then got up and headed for the front gate of the compound. When she walked out saw Kiba, Shino, and Akamaru waiting for her. Shino nodded to her and Kiba walked over to her. "Hey Hanabi. Today is your fist day of training with us so we figured we would come over here so we can show you were our normal training grounds"

Hanabi bowed in greeting to each of them and pet Akamaru when came up to her and nudged her leg. She then turned her attention to the others. "Thank you guys. I'm ready. We can go now."

In the three years since Hinata's death Hanabi had advanced pretty quickly. She had graduated early from the academy about eight months ago. Six months later she was entered into the chunin exams. At the end of the second exam they had to have preliminary matches because to many teams had gotten through the forest of death. She was the only one from her team that passed the preliminaries. A month later she participated in the finals were she went to the finals and beat a rock nin that had been pegged to win the whole thing. She was promoted to chunin after her performance. She spent a month working with her old team before the Hokage decided to place her on a team with other chunin. She figured she could make better use of her talents if the had her on a team the could perform harder missions.

Since Hinata and Kurenai's deaths team eight had been through many fill-ins. Some team members were just temporary but others left with more unfortunate reasons. They had two team members and a sensei that died on missions. They had a few that quit there ninja career from stress and injuries. Team eight had seen some rough times over the years.

They walked up to team eights training ground. Over near the training posts a woman was standing there. They walked over to her and Hanabi bowed low. "My name is Hanabi Hyuga. I'm your new team member."

The woman walks around her ginning a little. She inspected her closely. "I remember you. Your team was the first through the forest of death at the chunin exams. I saw your fights at the finals to. I think you will work out fine here." She stopped in front of her. Well we have a little time before we have to meet the Hokage so I guess a little test is in order." She thought for a moment. "Lets see your how well you fight against another Chunin. Kiba get ready."

Kiba and Akamaru jumped to the ready. "Ready Akamaru. Lets show her what we got." Kiba was ready and exited at the chance to fight some one new. Unfortunately for him he wasn't there for her match with Neji. This wasn't going to end well for him. It just depended if she was in the mood to finish it quickly or draw it out. Either way. He was in for a world of hurt.

She assumed her gentle fist stance and waited for Kiba to attack. She could tell she wouldn't have to wait long. He seemed hot headed and would surely attack first. Kiba flipped a food pill over to Akamaru. He ate it and his fur turned red. Kiba bent down and Akamaru jumped on his back. Kiba made a few hand signs. "Man beast clone.: Akamaru turned into a carbon copy of Kiba. He jumped of his back and they both stated running towards Hanabi. Kiba then yelled out. "Fang over fang." They both started spinning rapidly heading straight for her.

When they got close Hanabi started spinning rapidly emitting chakra from her chakra points. "Rotation." A wall of Chakra surrounded her. Unable to stop Kiba and Akamaru slammed into her defenses and were thrown back forcefully. Akamaru hit the ground hard and turned back to himself. Kiba skidded across the ground not to far away. Before he could even breath Hanabi was over him with a kunai to his neck.

Kiba looked up at her amazed. He got beat and quick. This was embarrassing. He had been a chunin for a while and she had just been promoted recently. He should have been able to do better. "Your good Hanabi. I haven't been beat that quick ever."

Anko walks over to them. "That was good Hanabi. Kiba you need a lot of work. Now I guess we can go see the Hokage now I think she has a mission for us." Hanabi helps Kiba up. He dusts himself off then all start off toward the Hokages tower.

This chapter wasn't my best one. I didn't really know what to do with this chapter so it was a little hard for me. I don't know when I can get up another. I have a surgery coming up soon and work keeps me busy but don't worry I don't plan on abandoning this story. Please review and tell me what you think. Try not to be to mean.