SORRY FOR BEING SOOOOO LATE. PLEEASE ENJOY AND REVIEW!!!! MAJOR THANKS TO ALL REVIEWERS!!!
With all eyes finally on her. She retracted her chakra that held her up right. She land lightly on her feet below, only to sidestep the oncoming orange and black blur that sped towards her. "Sakura " Naruto shouted.
Naruto had thrown himself violently into the tree, and fell to the ground unconscious.
"So this is the broad. And here I thought they told me you were dead." came Sai's drawled voice. Who was suspicious of the new comer.
Sakura clicked her tongue through her teeth, taking in Sai's appearance. "Sai right."
Sai gave a curt nod giving conformation of his identity.
"I suggest you cease, your uh... less than intimidating insults, before, you write a check your ass can't cash." she snapped sharply.
"I beg to differ." Sai said pulling his katana from its sheath. "From what I've heard you were a insignificant loss to the village, so what's changed." he taunted her.
Sakura pulled her own weapon, which were coincidently sais. "Why don't you come and find out."
"Enough " Kakashi demanding, but calm voice grabbed their attention. Kakashi now stood straight from his usual slouched position, taking in the young woman who stood before him. For all he knew it could be a clone, or some other jutsu.
"No matter how I want to believe, at this point. You'll have to be taken into custody. Kakashi said trying not to let his personal feelings get in the way, of what most be done. "It really shouldn't be a problem if you are who you say, you are."
"I have already been interrogated, by the sadist. Sakura said remembering the smile on Ibiki's face, at her pain. "Also I have a licence, just to identify me until everyone recognizes me as a citizen again."
Kakashi took the I.D. and inspected it for the necessary signatures. "So it really is you." He answered solemnly.
To everyone around it looked like Kakashi was unfazed by her coming back, but Kakashi insides were working over. 'I have a lot to make up for.' Kakashi thought. 'I finally have the chance to make things the way they should have been.'
Naruto who couldn't stay down long, bounced up, and charged Sakura again into a bone crunching hug. "Sakura " Naruto said holding her close. "I never gave up on you, never." he said through unshed tears.
Sakura started to get angry, but she herself had to admit she missed Naruto. So she returned his hug, for the first time ever. "I know Naruto, and I appreciate someone didn't give up on me."
Sasuke still stood like a statue drinking in Sakura's form. Her rose colored hair had grown past her shoulder blades. Her tight red middrift top with sheer netting, clearly showed she wasn't thirteen anymore. Her black pants hung off her hipbones, as if they were made just for her.
Sai who noticed the other man's silence. Looking back to the young woman who he referred to as ugly. It was the farthest description from the truth actually. She was uncharacteristically exotic. Yes she was a rare beauty, just how many pink haired, green eyed woman would you come by in a lifetime.
Sai continued his inspection of Sakura then turned back to Sasuke who was glaring as if his elder brother stood there. "What's the matter Uchiha. Surely you have no, claim on the girl, you're engaged, or has that slipped your memory. He whispered.
Sasuke glared and walked over to greet Sakura. Sai stood back watching Sasuke greet her, with impure thoughts on his mind, while she greeted him as a friend and only a friend not like the boy crazy girl everyone told him about.
'Yes things are starting to look up around her for me' Sai thought.
Hinata stood in front of the members of the main and branch family, dressed in traditional kimono, with an elegant bun tied in her hair. She had an air of confident that surrounded her. At first sign of weakness the elders would attack, like vultures. She knew this all to well, what that was like.
She confidently relayed her story to them, leaving out parts they'd frown upon. She also told them that she was ready and determined to take up the position, as leader of the clan.
"Hinata as good as it to have a missing family member back, the role of leader was decided, years after your absence. Hinata heard the false sincerity in the elders voice.
'So that's how it is.' she thought. "Forgive me, honorable grandfather, but for centuries the role of leader has always been handed down to the oldest heir of the main branch. As it has been done for centuries, or does tradition account for less since my absence"
Lord Hiashi was floored by Hinata's blatant disrespect to the elders. In the past it wouldn't have never happened. 'In the past. Hiashi thought. 'Clearly this isn't the same young woman, who could scarcely look him in the eye in her youth.'
The elders looked at Hinata with their hidden disdain in their white orbs. "Hinata, your absence away, has clearly stripped you of your manners." Hinata's misty eyes clashed with the elderly Byakugan user.
"While we still honor tradition, Hinata, you'll do well to remember your place." he scolded her. The elders hard word, failed to accomplish the desired effect he wished for. Hinata hadn't backed down, or even batted a lash.
"Hinata." the female elder stated with false tenderness. "We do not question you birthright. What we do question is your ability. You have been away for along time, and Hanabi has been adequately groomed for the role."
"I am quite aware of all rules, regulations, and responsibility that comes to being leader. However, if you don't find me equip to keep the luster of our clan..." Hinata bowed her head and drew her hands around her back fidgeting.
Hanabi smirked. 'That facade didn't last long, what a loser.' The elders to were happy of Hinata's apparent withdrawal, but Neji saw through her charade.
He was one of the few who really knew Hinata. After his defeat to Naruto, he began to notice Hinata's pain caused by the clan. No. Hinata wasn't treated special as he had originally thought. She was ridiculed, and she was scorned by her father. Now he saw a person who was similar to himself years ago. 'I wonder how the head family is going to respond to this, when its one of their own, questioning their power.'
"Then-" came the Hinata's squeaky voice of old. She paused then stood straight with cold eyes, and smirked. "I propose a match." she said with power of authority behind her voice.
The well reserved Hyuuga's kept their posture, at Hinata's proposal.
"I know its not my grooming and etiquette, the you question. You question my power, or lack of power to rule with a hardened heart like yours."
The branch family of the Hyuuga clan could hardly believe the open disrespect Hinata was displaying. It was unheard of, suddenly the branch family was pro Hinata.
"You all doubt, but let me ease your doubting minds."
"What do you have in mind Hinata?" her father asked between clenched teeth.
"A match, between Hanabi and I. It would be no different then a chunnin bout."
Hanabi glared at Hinata's challenge to her.
"Honorable elders I ask you to sanction, this match. So when Hanabi loses, the true heir to the clan will be undisputed."
"Lose?" Hanabi asked her older sister. "I'd kill you within five minutes." Hanabi said swaggering up to Hinata.
"Well then, you accept my challenge then" Hinata smirked goading her sister.
Sizing up Hinata. "You bet, I do." she told her.
"Good , now tell them." Hinata replied.
Hanabi turned to the elders. "If it appeases your will elders, I will do what I must."
Hiashi thought back to the many times, Hanabi beat Hinata, and the fighter Hanabi was now. She wasn't as good at Neji, but good enough. 'Sorry Hinata, but I must do what is best for the clan.'
Hiashi nodded to the other elders. "Very well you will have your match. Its scheduled to take place a week from today." Hinata nodded curtly to her father, which her father returned.
"If their isn't any other business, to discuss."
"Wait." Hanabi interrupted her father. "We haven't discussed all the stipulations of the match."
"It simple if Hinta wins she becomes leader, if not you are still leader."
Hanabi eyes glittered with mischief. "I'd like to add a stipulation."
'What are you up to Hanabi?' Neji asked himself.
"If I win, and I will. Hinata is to be removed from the head family to the branch family."
"Fine." Hinata answered hurriedly showing everyone she wasn't worried. "But the same goes for you little sister."
Hanabi lost her smugness, for a moment to debate her response. Finally she faced Hinata. "Agreed."
'You're going to wish you never agreed to this match." both girls thought.
Well it was short yes I know, but I really wanted to give you guys a chapter, before I have to go back to school. REVIEW PLEASE!!!!