Hinata knew that she had to do this. That she had to go to Swamp Bottom in order to stop the curse that was placed over Naruto. It was the only way to save him she didn't know though, how bad the curse was His skin was still cold to the touch, something that she never thought that she would feel from him. Staring at the fox spirit, Hinata frowned as tears started to pool in her eyes. The thought of losing him it hurt her deeply. Made her want to cry even more Taking a deep shaky breath, Hinata walked over to the drawer that had her clothes and shoes. At least this way, she would be able to wear her real clothes while out in the real world or in this case, the spirit world.

"You have to be careful Hinata the Toad Sage isn't well he sometimes well let's just say he's weird as hell." Sasuke muttered under his breath as he added another blanket over the sleeping blonde man. Hinata just nodded, she would have to keep a careful eye on those who came to close to her like that white haired man. He was just plain creepy.

"I learned how to defend myself as a child. Though, I never fought at all."

"You mean like protecting yourself from your boyfriend." Sasuke calmly said as he stared at the blue haired woman. He had known the whole time Hinata figured that being the fire spirit; he could also sense the burning rage that people feel if it's as hot as a burning flame.

"Yes… "

"Why did you let him beat you Hana…?"

"I… I don't know… I guess I thought that I could change him. That I could make him into a better person, but I couldn't. No matter what I did, he thought it wasn't good enough and, and he would." She couldn't finish, the memory was just so painful that it brought more tears to Hinata's lavender eyes.

"He would beat you…right?" Sasuke whispered in a gentle manner, guessing that Hinata had been through so much pain when she dated that Kiba fellow. Though, maybe she should know one last thing. "Hinata…"

Hinata stared at Sasuke in shock, didn't he think that that her name was Hana like everyone else? No one knew her name but Naruto and Orochimaru then how?

"Years ago, before Naruto lost his will he had left the spirit world to check on a human he had said he would protect"

Hinata just frowned in confusion, where was Sasuke going with this? What would Naruto's visit have anything to do with her? It didn't make any kind of sense at all to her but she kept listening anyway maybe there was more than she had thought

"He had told me many times that he was a protector of some kind that even though his home was gone he still would protect a girl from any harm"

A girl? Naruto he protected someone else before her? Why did that feel like she was being stabbed in the heart time and again? Looking at Naruto, staring at his peaceful face, Hinata had to wonder what he was dreaming about so many things had gone through her mind, such as was Naruto thinking about the girl that Sasuke was talking about?

Sasuke took a sip of water as he kept going, thinking that he should hurry and explain this story quick. Taking a deep breath, Sasuke continued. "He had watched her for quite some time since she was a child Even after she got herself a boyfriend Naruto kept watching out for her. Though, when Naruto's time in the human world was starting to end, he saw something that he hadn't expected at all"

"Wh-What would that be?" Hinata asked, almost afraid of the answer though, to her this story was starting to sound familiar as if she had lived it somehow

"The boyfriend had pushed the girl into the street, hoping that she would get hit by a coming truck"

Hinata gasped softly, thinking that the girl had died, but somehow deep in her heart she had a feeling that she was still alive that this girl still breathes today that someone had saved her was that why Sasuke wanted to tell her this? To tell her that even though Naruto had lost his home in the human world (where ever that was) that he still went there to protect someone?

"Seeing that, Naruto rushed in; even as his body was slowly fading back into the spirit world he grabbed the girl with his tails Pulling her to his chest and went to the other side of the street. Naruto didn't stay long after that for once the girl had been on the other side of the street, he had faded back into this world."

Hinata tried to think tried to think on where this story had taken place why it had sounded like like she had really lived it but nothing came to mind at the moment. Shaking her head, Hinata calmly said "what was the point in telling me this story Sasuke?"

"He told me that he still wanted to protect her even if she came to this world even if his mind couldn't remember her but his heart did. And still does Hinata I'm sure you'll figure this out on who I'm talking about. Now, you should get that Gaara fellow out of here before he destroys the place"

Hinata just nodded, knowing that he was right it was her fault that Gaara was in here and now, she was going to get him out of here even if she had to fight him. Though, she couldn't fight him in the clothes she had unless she went to her purse that thing was big enough to carry two sets of clothing Grinning, Hinata went over to her purse and pulled out some clothes that she had never thought that she would ever have to wear

Pulling out a sleeveless top that reached a little past her hips, where the shirt split off leaving longer pieces of the shirt to drape just a little past her knees. The top was a light purple with the Yin-Yang symbol the marking of her clan. Looking over at Sasuke, making sure that he wasn't peeping, Hinata grinned to see that he wasn't.

Getting rid of her work clothes, Hinata pulled the top on over her head, and watched as the top clung to her like a second skin. Then, she reached into her purse and pulled out some black pants that wrapped around her ankles once she had put that on. Finally, there were the shoes light and soft around her feet. Making it much easier to fight in, grabbing a red silk ribbon, Hinata pulled her hair back into a ponytail and got ready to fight

"It's safe to look Sasuke." Hinata said with a smile, seeing the fire spirit turn around he let out a sigh of relief. Which made Hinata think that he really did have feelings for Sakura and didn't want to hurt her by looking at another woman when she was changing which only made Hinata smile all the more, walking over to the black haired man, Hinata calmly said "and one last thing Sasuke, give Sakura a chance okay? She really does love you. Maybe, you should just try it out after all it's not like you'll burn her right?"

Sasuke just blushed and looked away as if he was embarrassed. Which only made Hinata smile more and more, with that, she walked over to Naruto and knelt next to him. Frowning as tears started to fill her eyes once more; she whispered "don't worry Naruto I'll be okay I'm going to ask the Toad Sage to lift the curse and and you'll be okay you can be with the one you love"

"Come back when you've dealt with Gaara, I've got a ticket you'll need to get to Swamp Bottom" Said Sasuke with a calm tone of voice Hinata nodded when she had turned to stare at Sasuke, turning back to Naruto she gave a soft and gentle smile, with that, she kissed Naruto's cheek and walked out of the boiler room and went to go confront Gaara.

As Hinata walked up the stairs, it made her wonder how she would be able to take on a spirit. After all, Gaara had been human once, like her but he had many more years of experience then she had if he's as old as she thought he was.

But, she had to at least try right? Had to try to get him out of this bath house Even if she had to use all the training that she was given when she was a small child all of it

Once she had arrived to the source of the yelling and screams of fear. Hinata looked around and saw everyone glaring at her. Whispering that it was her fault for letting that man in here, which it was it was her fault that this was all happening. Narrowing her lavender eyes Hinata kept on walking forward until she was at the door where Gaara was Sliding the door open, she said "time to leave Gaara. You don't belong here."

"Oh Hana why do you wish for me to leave after all you invited me here. And I won't leave until I have you." Said Gaara with a wicked gleam in his eyes, which made Hinata just narrowed her eyes at him, crouching down a bit holding her left hand out, palm facing him. As was her right hand but held further back. "Oh, you wish to fight me Hana why would you do that? You don't believe in fighting remember."

"Stop acting like you know me. I fight for what I feel is right. I may not have fought in the past but I will fight so I can save the one that I care for I won't hesitate to fight back Gaara." Hinata said with a serious tone. Her words filled with devotion, she was going to fight fight in order to save the one that she loves.

Gaara sighed softly, knowing that Hinata meant what she said. Soon, he charged at the blue haired woman, who had only just ducked down from his punch and shoved her left palm against his stomach. Gaara stumbled back a few steps in shock. Grunting, he said "so you learned the Hyuuga's way of fighting who would have thought that was still around."

"That is because I am a Hyuuga. My name is Hinata Hyuuga, one of the remaining noble ninja clans. And I shall not lose to the likes of you." With that, she ran at such a speed that everyone that was watching had blinked, and saw her just vanish.

Gaara just stared in confusion, looking around hoping to find the blue haired woman. But only yelped when he felt something hit his spine. Causing him to fall over and turn around before only seeing a shimmer of blue hair. Standing shakily on his feet, Gaara looked around once more, only to catch the shimmer of blue hair once more. Smirking, he reached out and grabbed Hinata's arm as she ran past him.

Her eyes wide with shock, only to narrow again, this was not how she had planned to get close to him. Not at all

"Once I kiss you Hinata you'll be mine at last for a spirit, whoever steals a girl's first kiss shall be the only one to be with the girl" He leaned in close, getting closer and closer to Hinata's lips. The blue haired woman was about to punch him, but Gaara had grabbed her other hand before it was even inches from his head.

Just as he was mere centimetres from her lips, a powerful force had pushed Gaara away from Hinata, causing him to hit the wall hard. Groaning, he narrowed his eyes saying "no! Not again! How is it that that you're taken by another spirit!" His eyes flashed red with rage, though, what he had just said it confused Hinata Her first kiss had been taken by Kiba did he mean her first spirit kiss? But who who would have kissed her?

Shaking her head, Hinata narrowed her eyes saying "I belong to no one! I will only be with the man I love the only one that will love me for me not for my title not for my appearance... but for me! And you will never have me Gaara!" Her voice had grown in volume as she spoke, showing the power that she had within her body. Whoever had given her, her first spirit kiss had given her some of their power and with that, the outline of her body glowed in a reddish orange light. Giving her more power, more strength and more speed, which she used to quickly grab Gaara by his shirt, making her, narrow her eyes on him one last time.

"Your time here is up Gaara time to make a payment and leave!" With that, Hinata twirled Gaara as she spun around before throwing him through the wall and toward the ocean. Everyone though, was shocked to see that Hinata had just taken on a spirit in less time than it did for anyone to beat someone as old as Gaara. Turning back to face the other spirits, Hinata walked past them to check on Naruto once more. And, to get those tickets that Sasuke said that he would give her.

Time to give the golden scroll back to the toad sage and to save Naruto

Everyone that she had passed, they all clapped and cheered for her. As if she had just done a great deed. In a way, she did saving the bath house from some crazy man that wanted her cause she looked like a past lover that didn't even love him back it made her sick just thinking about it though, Hinata did have to admit, Gaara did look familiar to her not in a good way though. Looking around, Hinata wondered where Sakura had gone too. The more she thought about it, the more worried that she had gotten since she hadn't seen Sakura since last night Sighing softly, Hinata walked down to the elevator, saw Choji and bowed to him. He just smiled at her and waved her off. As if he knew what she had to do.

She couldn't help but smile in return, Choji was one of the few spirits that didn't hate her cause she was a human. He treated her as if she was just like everyone else. Taking a deep breath, Hinata got onto the platform and started to go down into the boiler room. Hoping that Sasuke had any tickets Since, from what she could tell the only way to Swamp Bottom, was to take the train... that is if she wanted to get to the Toad Sage and break the curse in time to save Naruto.

But what she had saw, was something that she had hoped to happen just not what she had hoped to see For right now, on the desk was Sasuke and Sakura making out Had she been gone that long or something? Really couldn't they have waited till she had left to save the fox spirit? Taking a deep breath, she cleared her throat to announce her presents to the making out couple.

Only for them to stare at her with red faces and moving away from each other, looks like they were a couple but still not used to it yet why else would they be acting like love struck teenagers? "Um, Sasuke can I have those tickets you were telling me about so I can get to Swamp Bottom?"

Letting out a cough, Sasuke walked over to his desk and started to look around for the ticket. Sakura walked over to Hinata staring at her with concern. "Sasuke told me that you went to deal with Gaara did did you?" Hinata knew that Sakura had been concerned, that much was easy to see. But, she knew that she couldn't lie at all Hinata had to tell her the truth

"I did but I did fine I I had this weird strength that I never knew I had Even those weights I trained with didn't make me this strong or fast before. And Gaara told me something something about a 'Spirit's Kiss'?"

Sakura just stared at Hinata and stayed silent for a few moments. Trying to process what Hinata had just asked "Where did you hear that?" Sakura stared at Hinata with a fear that it made Hinata almost not want to speak at all that she was too frightened to say where she had heard it from

"Gaara"

"Did he kiss you?"

Shaking her head, Hinata explained that when he tried too, that he had been repelled back by some kind of strange force that she had already been kissed by a spirit before but didn't remember who it was or when she had been kissed by a spirit it didn't make any kind of sense to her at all

Sakura sat down for a few minutes. Trying to figure out who could have kissed Hinata without her knowing it could have been Naruto, but he was never in their room but that one night and he didn't kiss her from what Hinata had told her of what had happened Frowning in confusion, Sakura looked back up and stared at Hinata who was now at Naruto's side, checking if he was okay

"Hinata maybe you were kissed by a spirit once before"

"Not that I can think of I've only been kissed by Kiba and he's very much a human"

Sakura groaned, she couldn't think of who else could have done it at all the only other time a 'Spirit's Kiss' could be in effect is when the connection had been so strong, that it would remain in the soul into the next reincarnation and the next But, Naruto never mentioned ever kissing anyone before Much less a human unless, it was because it was part of the memories that were blocked away from him thanks to Orochimaru Sighing in frustration, Sakura leaned back and tried to think of other reasons on how Hinata could have been kissed by a spirit if she had no memory

"Found it!" Screamed Sasuke with a smirk, walking over to Hinata he dropped a small strip of paper into her palm. Blinking at it in confusion, Hinata had never seen a train ticket before, but highly doubted that the tickets in the human world were anything like this. Looking up at Sasuke, he started to explain which stop that she had to get off at. And, that she would have to find another way back for the train only goes in one direction now.

Nodding in understanding, she stared at Naruto and said "don't worry Naruto I'll stay safe just just get better" She smiled a bit; a few stray tears fell as the blue haired woman started to walk away from the boiler room and out to the train. This, was something that she had to do alone to prove that she had gotten braver and to do the things that she had to do on her own without any kind of help at all as of right now, she was on her own

Walking out of the bath house, Hinata looked around, wondering where she had to go for the train. Looking down at the water, she took the ladder that had been nearby and started to climb down toward the water. Thinking that this was her only way down there, better than jumping right now Yes, Hinata had a small fear of heights, but her resolve the resolve to save Naruto was stronger than her fear. And that was what was giving her the courage to do this Once she had reached the bottom, she felt water soaking through her shoes. Which only made her sigh in frustration for; she didn't think this through at all

Pulling her shoes off, Hinata started to walk through the water and following the tracks. Thinking that it was at least a start, she was one step closer to saving Naruto! One step closer to saving her man- "wait he isn't my man he he doesn't feel the same" She whispered softly, not sure why or even how she got feelings for the blonde fox spirit. Thinking back at his sleeping face, Hinata wondered why the form he had been in seemed so familiar to her

The sadness that she would sometimes see on his face that had also looked so familiar to her as well. Though, the more she thought about it, the more she was confused on it. So many things had happened since she had gotten here The dream Naruto's other form the whole 'Spirit Kiss' thing It was all so confusing and yet, it made her wonder who was the spirit that had kissed her?

Once she had gotten onto the platform, Hinata looked up and saw the train coming. Which made her smile thinking that this was step two, though it made her a little nervous for when she got to Swamp Bottom for, when Sasuke had said that the Toad Sage was weird, what did he mean by that?

Shaking her head, Hinata stepped onto the train and handed the ticket to the tall man that stood before her, telling him where she had wanted to go so that way she was sure that they would come to get her fearing that if she didn't count properly that she would be stuck on the train... She couldn't see his face, but it made her think if he even had a face for, all of the passengers only had shadows for faces.

Sitting down on one of the many benches, Hinata looked out the window as she waited to see everything pass by her Her shoes were still wet, but at least the conductor didn't make her put her shoes back on Soon enough, Hinata had fallen into a light sleep

It was a beautiful day in the country, nothing could ruin it for Hinata that is, except her boyfriend Kiba After they had started dating, Kiba had turned into a huge ass to her Beating her, cutting her once in a while it all just got on her nerves but she did nothing to stop it for, she feared that if she did try to stop him that it would only get worse

Sighing softly, Hinata walked out of the house for Kiba had come by to pick her up for school like he always did. But as they walked out of the house, Hinata couldn't help but wonder why she felt like someone was watching her. It was something that she thought that she had felt once before when she was a child. But never made any remarks on it, thinking that if she told anyone that they would think that she was crazy, though that wouldn't make much difference for a few people already thought that she was crazy when she had told them that she was saved by some sort of man that had tails

Taking a deep breath Hinata walked down the street with Kiba, trying to think on what she should do after high school attend college? Get a good paying job? At the moment, she couldn't really think on what she could do where Kiba didn't control her and her life. Sighing, she stopped at the crossing light with Kiba who was talking to some random guy. Looking over at them, Hinata said "Kiba, what do you plan to do for college?"

He just narrowed his eyes at her saying "I'm going to be a dog trainer you stupid bitch. And for you, well you're just going to stay at home to cook my meals and clean my house and watch the kids. Nothing more you understand? Woman don't deserve to have a job, they are meant to stay home bare foot and pregnant."

Hinata frowned as she said "but I have dreams too you know. I wanted to open my own restaurant and cook for other people" Though, as soon as she had said that Hinata regretted her words. For Kiba had an angry look so menacing that she thought that she saw fire burning behind his dark eyes. Gulping, she said "I I'm sorry Kiba"

"No you're not sorry you stupid bitch." Kiba growled out before pushing her hard into the street. Hinata screamed as she saw a truck coming toward her. Coming at such a speed that she wouldn't have enough time to get up to move out of the way in time. She thought thought that this was it. That she was done for.

Closing her eyes, Hinata waited for it all to end.

But felt nothing except the feeling of warm arms wrapping themselves around her. "Hold on Hinata" Whispered a voice, it was so warm so soft kind gentle Hinata didn't know whose voice that was, nor did she care. She felt like she could get lost in that voice forever and ever But, how did the source of this voice know her name? That didn't make sense Kiba always made sure that men stayed away from her That she was his and his alone

Once she felt the ground under her, Hinata knew that she was no longer in danger. She opened her eyes for a moment; his face was blurred from having her eyes closed for so long. Though, what she could make out were beautiful ocean blue eyes "Hey, glad you opened your eyes Hinata" Said the man with a goofy grin, he leaned in closer to her whispering "I need you to stay safe Hinata the one that had been after you once before he will do everything in his power to make you his I won't I won't allow that You won't remember this or my protection through more than your necklace I'm sorry"

Finally, the man leaned in closer, placing his lips over Hinata's. Erasing the memory of almost being killed, of being saved by him of the kiss

When Hinata's vision cleared, she saw that she was alone Getting up on her feet, Hinata looked around only to see that many people had gathered around her in worry. Asking her questions of how she got to the other side of the street with a blinding speed she only answered with "I'm not sure"

Blinking slowly, Hinata looked up and wondered how long she had been asleep for Looking up, she saw that she had only been asleep for a few stops. So, there was still hers to go she hadn't missed it The blue haired woman was thankful for that Running a hand through her hair, she wondered why she had that dream was it because of the story that Sasuke had told her? If so then why did she dreamed that she had seen the man's face when when Sasuke had told her that the girl in the story never saw it in the first place?

Unless the spirit really did erase her memory of that to protect her from even a greater danger maybe as if "He didn't want me to fear spirits for the rest of my life" Shaking her head, Hinata looked out the window, her face filled with worry and concern for Naruto Thinking if he was okay she hoped that it wasn't too late to save him right now hoping that the curse had been lifted from him as soon as she went to the Toad Sage

Meanwhile, Naruto had slowly started to open his eyes