Hey, a quick question...why are clouds white or grey when water is clear?...then again, I suppose I could just as easily ask 'why is milk white when grass is green', so perhaps that question is one best left unanswered.

Erm, anyway. Hello! AProcrastinatingWriter here with yet another chapter of No Regrets this Time Around! And, finally, we reach the next day...and if things go as planned (Which they almost never do in my head), this day should only last two chapters, counting this one, though both should be moderately long ones. Also, the last person to remember what's going on will not do so tomorrow, this-story-time-wise. If that last butchering of words makes any sense.

Well, whether it does or doesn't, sit back, relax, and watch as our next contestant has perhaps the greatest difficulty yet in adjusting to his new surroundings. Here we go...

CHAPTER EIGHT

GETTING A LITTLE MORE COMFORTABLE

-OR-

HOW TO PROPERLY DISCIPLINE YOUR MAN

Sunlight. Early morning. Phenomenally bright. And every single beam of solar energy in the world seemed to strike Neji Hyuuga directly in the face. The boy slowly woke up, morning-person status not coming into play quite yet. Then again, considering how Neji usually acted, there wouldn't be that much difference even if it never did. Still, today would probably be an off day for him. Nights when he forgot to close the curtains generally led into bad days.

-What a strange dream,- Neji thought. He smiled a bitter smile. -Would that it were real.- And with this, he slowly sat up in bed. A few more seconds passed.

Neji suddenly blinked, wide awake now. -Wh-what?- he gasped out within his head, for he had just realized exactly where he was. He looked to the left, then to the right. Then downwards. Particularly at his now-existent left arm. -What?- he repeated mentally, still unable to really form coherent thoughts.

What his eyes were seeing (and the lower half of his body feeling, his old bed being rather hard, if only in comparison to the kind of bed Tenten liked) was simply impossible. Should not exist. Illogical. Troublesome, did not compute, freaky, any number of synonyms and similar words! Yet here he was. Awake and alive, as Neji had been only partially expecting after that blast. And back in his old house, which he most emphatically had not been expecting.

Several seconds passed.

"What?" Neji finally said aloud.

0-0-0-0

Neji walked around the estate in what most people would call a daze, though in reality his mind was racing at many upon many times the speed it would normally move. Neji whipped his head from one sight to the next, looking around at the various buildings and people there as if they were fifth-dimensional constructs in an alternate universe he had accidentally been transported into by eating a rice ball made of wood. Only more so.

"Excuse me, sir," Neji finally managed to calm down a little, and speak up to one of the nearby elders of the estate. Not disallowed, but not necessarily smiled upon, and something the normally-withdrawn Neji would never do. Or, rather, almost never.

The elder knew the boy would never do this, and thus was surprised enough to avoid being angry at having his morning walk interrupted. "Yes?" he asked, turning to what some might later call the head of the Branch Family.

Neji's frown deepened, as did the crevice formed by his brow. "Were..." he momentarily paused, aware that his next question would make him sound insane, and perhaps prove that he actually was. Still, he had to know: "Were...was the...was the Village attacked last night? At all?"

The elder blinked, slightly confused. "Not that I am aware of," he tilted his head, just the slightest bit. "Why do you ask?"

Neji was silent for a few seconds, mouth open perhaps a crack. He suddenly snapped out of it. "No reason, sir. Very sorry to bother you."He bowed. "I wish you a good day, my lord." And he turned, walking off, face set in its usual stoic features.

The elder stared after him. -That boy worries me sometimes,- he finally said, shaking his head before returning to his usual morning route. -I can never quite read him.-

Neji continued walking, headed towards approximately the center of the Hyuuga estate in his wanderings. -I don't understand,- he finally managed to think clearly. Though he had yet to straighten things out within him, so he still seemed confused. -Everything is different from it should be like. Everything is as it was...ten years ago!- He shook his head violently, still walking. -Think. There has to be an explanation.-

"Hiyah!"

"Guh!

Neji turned his head to the left. The training grounds. Hinata and Kiba were sparring. He raised an eyebrow. -If memory serves, and I'm not sure if it actually does, shouldn't they be practicing outside the mansion?-

Kiba rushed towards his opponent. "Fang Over Fang!" he shouted, spinning around wildly.

"Arr..." Akamaru, currently Man-Beast-Cloned, joined him, the master and pet twisting round and round each other. The ground underneath them was destroyed as they rushed forward. Of course, they'd slow their speed before hitting Hinata, so as to not hurt her, or at least not hurt her badly. Hinata, looking worn out but otherwise relatively unharmed, took a few deep breaths. She moved downward, then sprang up, flipping backwards. Kiba and Akamaru passed under her harmlessly.

Now both of Neji's eyebrows were raised. "My word," he softly said.

"Good morning, Neji," Shino said, sitting on the sidelines. "How are you doing today?"

Neji stared at the previously unnoticed hive-man for several seconds. "Fine," he eventually answered. He glanced back at Hinata, but just for a moment. "Somewhat confused, though."

"Hinata has been practicing very hard lately," Shino responded, misunderstanding exactly what Neji was confused over. "Her fighting technique has improved exponentially." He looked up to Neji, or at least, Neji thought he did. It was hard to be certain with those sunglasses. "Especially since the last time we sparred," he said, hinting.

Neji picked up on the hint, as both ninjas did not flinch, as a stray Fang passed very near them. "Byakugan!" he cried, activating his family's special power. He examined Shino for several moments. "Several of your chakra points have been blocked off."

"Mostly inconsequential," Shino said, turning away again. "Merely a little tiring, for me and for my insects, who require my chakra to live. Don't worry," he said, as if Neji actually was. "They can survive until my chakra points reopen. Technically, they could survive even if the ones that have been sealed off never opened again."

"I see," Neji said, hearing every word but not really caring all that much. He watched as Hinata practically danced around Kiba and Akamaru's attacks, iron determination across her features.

"It would simply be harder for us than usual," Shino finished. Then, jumping straight into the next part of the conversation (he seemed almost as confused as Neji was): "Did something happen to Hinata last night? She has been more determined lately, but today..."

"Huh?" Kiba shouted, loudly, as he and Akamaru stopped in their tracks. They looked to each side, behind them, and in every other direction they could think of. "Where did she go?"

"Umm..." Hinata's voice came from all the way behind him, at the other side of the training area. Kiba had obviously overlooked her when looking around the first time. "I-I'm over here..."

Neji blinked, hard. Admittedly, Kiba had forgotten to smell for Hinata, but still, she was standing directly in front of Kiba and Akamaru and the Inuzuka pair had managed to somehow lose track of her movements. "...today she is performing exceptionally well," Shino finished, sounding a little startled himself.

"I can see that," Neji said quietly. He continued watching the scene before him, still wrapping his mind around the situation. -This is absolutely bizarre. It's almost as if...- His eyes narrowed. -Is that even possible?-

Now knowing where his target was, Kiba grinned. "Alright then, if you're going to be that slippery, I guess me and Akamaru have no choice but to surround you!" He turned to his double. "Right, boy?" Akamaru growled his agreement, and almost instantly afterward, the two slapped their hands together, then moved into a crouching position, very low to the ground. "Fang Over Fang!" Kiba called yet again as each of them formed into a whirling tornado of teeth and claws.

Hinata's eyes narrowed, now. "Byakugan!" and with these words, before the power even activated, she leapt up off the ground, twisting her body around and into the air. Kiba passed below her and Akamaru passed above her as her x-ray vision activated, her hands lashing out at whatever chakra points she saw as she completed her front flip.

"Oof!" Kiba cried, landing on the ground at the same time as Hinata, but not nearly as gracefully and stopping his spin much more quickly.

"Arf!" cried Akamaru, turning back to normal as he fell down, too.

Hinata looked regretful and worried as soon as she landed. "I-I'm sorry!" she cried, turning her head back and forth between her two injured friends. "I-I didn't mean to! It w-was an accident!"

Neji's eyes widened even further than they already had. -That was an accident?-

"She's been like that all day. On edge," Shino explained while Hinata continued apologizing to the slowly standing Akamaru and Kiba. "She's supposed to just be improving her reflexes, not using them to fight back." His eyebrows slanted downwards now. "To be honest, I don't think her reflexes need improving one bit. They're already quite deadly."

Neji looked back at his bug-bound friend, while Kiba grumbled. -She made all those injuries without even thinking about it?- He blinked again. He shook his head, his headaches from last night coming back as more and more memories began to slowly pile up and contradict each other in his mind. -Urgh...I need to get alone somewhere. I have to sort things out in my head before I talk to anyone else.-

Before Neji could leave, though, a guard rushed past him, panting heavily. "Lady Hinata!" he cried, obtaining the attention of everyone in the general vicinity.

Hinata breathed in slightly. This was obviously the news she had been waiting for. "Wh-what is it?" she asked, barely loud enough to hear. Kiba looked at her oddly, smelling the apprehensiveness wafting off her like perfume. Somewhat bad-smelling perfume.

"It's Naruto!" the guard cried. "He's waking up!"

"OUT OF THE WAY!" Hinata loudly shouted, suddenly rushing past the poor guard, Shino, and Neji, who she pushed over onto the ground, through a nearby window, and into a wall respectively. It was very out of character for her.

Neji peeled himself from the wall, rubbing his now doubly-sore head. "Well, then," he grumbled, a little angry but trying to be understanding. "That was unpleasant."

Shino climbed back into the scene, looking disheveled. "Did you say 'waking up'?" he asked the guard, who was getting up, in mild surprise.

Kiba stopped next to the guard (for he had been walking over, musing over how unexpected this turn of events was) when he heard Shino's question. "Wait," he slowly said, his face gradually turning to one of horror, surprise, and disgust, as the pieces came together in his mind. "That means...that twerp spent the night here...with Hinata!"

"No," the guard said, finally making his way to his feet (he would have been up sooner, but he was tired. Up all night on guard duty and called to action at least twice and all.). "Naruto fell unconscious, and Lord Hiashi ordered for him to be allowed to rest in our finest bed, and under our finest care-"

"What?" Kiba interrupted as Neji slowly blinked, stirring up the patterns of his consciousness. "Naruto's...well, what the heck happened?"

"I must say," said Shino, looking oddly at Neji, "I am curious as well." For more reasons than he let on.

"Well," began the guard, giving exposition as Neji walked off (watched by Shino), intending to leave the estate and take a stroll. Clear his mind and all that jazz. "You see, yesterday, Naruto and Hiashi met to determine whether or not the boy should be allowed to court Hinata or not..."

0-0-0-0

-Hrrm.- growled a certain creature of destruction and evil,. -I sense an unfamiliar presence.- The Nine-Tailed Fox opened its eyes, gazing out into the mindscape of his host. "Show yourself," the fox growled. "Though I may not like it, this brat's body is still my home, and any intruders are unwelcome here."

"Heh, a brat, am I?" chuckled a very familiar, yet not familiar at all, voice.

"What?" the Fox gasped.

The voice chuckled again as footsteps were heard. "As you wish, O great Nine-Tailed Beast! I shall show myself." That mocking edge to the voice, though, that was definitely familiar. And with that familiar voice came a familiar visage as Naruto Uzumaki, the demon container, stepped out into the light, sending ripples and waves across the ankle-deep pool of water that was constantly there within his mind.

The great Beast was silent for several moments. "This is impossible," He glared at the figure. "You are not Naruto Uzumaki?" And though what the creature said was a statement, his tone of voice made it sound more like a question.

"Oh, but I am," said the figure. Once again, the mocking nature of his voice was Naruto's and he looked and sounded like Naruto, but not perfectly. The main difference was that this Naruto looked older...wiser...better dressed. "What's the matter, demon? Are you scared of me and my newfound inner power?"

The Kyuubi stepped back in his cage. He hated to admit it, but this imposter's words were correct. He was an imposter, wasn't he? He had to be. This man emanated an aura of undeniable courage, and of strength even greater than a Tailed Beast. Much greater, grander, and more mature than the twelve year old rookie he had toyed with by giving him some small amount of power. "I refuse to believe it...you cannot be..."

"Well, I am and I'm not," Naruto said, crossing his arms. "I am Naruto, but not the one you knew and know." He shrugged. "I traveled back in time accidentally. So, though I'm twelve years old again physically, I'm more like twenty-two mentally." He grinned that grin the Fox hated. "So from now on, Foxy, you're gonna be my new pet!"

The demon's eyes narrowed dangerously. Even if this new Naruto was more powerful than he, a Tailed Beast had his pride. "You believe I would ever serve you?" And he threw back his head and laughed, mocking. He stopped as a great windstorm, powerful enough to push him back several feet, blew through the hallways of Naruto's subconscious. "GAAAH!" The wind cut into the Fox, dealing him the first pain he'd felt in many years.

Then, gradually, the wind subsided. Naruto looked, almost contemplatively, at the ground. Finally, he looked up again. "Not really," he smiled. Not grinned. Not smirked. Smiled. "At least not yet." The young man turned away from the cage. "I'm not certain, but I think it might be time for me to wake up now." He looked back. "See you again soon."

And in less than the blink of an eye (for the Fox was staring unblinkingly at the boy)he was gone, leaving another trail of ripples in his wake. The Nine-Tailed Fox stared after Naruto for several minutes, shaken by this turn of events. "Impossible," he repeated. Over and over again.

0-0-0-0

"Naruto?"

"He really is waking up!"

"Back up, guys. Give him some room."

Naruto blinked his eyes open slowly, still feeling tired despite his little nap. It was a nice bed he was lying on. Soft, but not so soft it felt like there was nothing there supporting him. He slowly turned his head to the left as a medical ninja walked over to the Genin and began to take his pulse. "Hey, guys," Naruto said a little weakly to the three figures in the room he actually recognized, who appeared to be uncertain if they could believe what their senses were telling them or not. "Did I miss anything?".

"Naruto!" Sakura shouted happily, the first to snap out of shock (which had been brought about by the tension and anxiety in the room leaving so very suddenly). Then, without the smile leaving her face: "You idiot! Do you have any idea how worried we were about you?"

"So this was your big plan, Naruto?" asked Sasuke, smirking, for he had no doubts Naruto would be just fine. Just, perhaps, not quite this soon. "Why am I not surprised?"

"I have to say, young man," said Kakashi, who was obviously done with his mission, "That was one of the stupidest things you've ever done." He closed his eyes, and his smile was visible even behind his mask. "You have no idea how very proud I am of you."

Naruto grinned. "Well, what else would you expect from me? When I go, I go all out!"

"His vitals appear to be stable," said the medical ninja, withdrawing the IV Naruto hadn't realized was even attached to him and placing tape upon the bandage Naruto hadn't even realized was in his arm. "Now all he requires is bedrest, and a lot of it." The medical ninja turned to the non-medically-trained occupants of the room. "Hopefully Lord Hiashi and his daughter shall soon receive the good news."

"I hope so," Sakura agreed.

"Mm-hmm," Kakashi nodded.

"Me too...I suppose," Sasuke said, cool as ever.

"At any rate, I need to talk with Lord Hiashi personally," the man said. He looked back at Naruto. "I will return shortly. Do not leave this bed. Understood?"

Naruto giggled softly. A hand raised, thumb up. "Crystal clear."

A two-second pause. "Somehow I doubt that," the man said a little wearily as he walked away, the four other people within what could now be considered a guest room watching him as he took his leave.

Naruto breathed out a sigh. "Man, oh man," he shook his head, not sure exactly why he was so relieved that doctor had left. Perhaps simply because he wanted to be with his friends. Speaking of his friends: "Gah!" Naruto cried as the Copy-nin and the pink-nin were suddenly right next to his bed. The shadow-nin stayed back, of course.

"So how are you feeling?" asked Kakashi.

"Can I get you anything? Some ramen, maybe?" Sakura offered.

"Think you'll be up for training again tomorrow?" Kakashi wished to know.

"Oh, I'm gonna have to buy a ton of flowers with both you and Lee in the hospital today!" exclaimed Sakura, still smiling.

"So what are you planning to do next," asked Sasuke sarcastically, "Cliff-diving, perhaps? Or maybe try some venomous blowfish?"

"Anyway, Naruto, if you're not feeling up to things-" began Kakashi.

"Hey, now, come on," interrupted Sakura, having heard her sensei just fine and not caring, "There's no way he should be training now, don't give him ideas-"

"No, no, you're right," Kakashi said.

"But anyway, Naruto," Sakura continue-

"Well, on second thought..." Kakashi relented to himsel-

"Now wait a second, Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura slightly growle-.

"So if I understand this correctly," Sasuke interjec-

"Hey, hey hey!" Naruto finally shouted, waving his hands around for attention. He managed to get it, too, being Naruto and all. "I'm okay, everybody! Really! Cross my heart and hope to die!" He sighed again, slumping slightly, smile looking very weary on his face. "I just need a little bit of space right now, is all."

"Right," said everyone, a little embarrassed, backing up several steps.

Then, before anything else could happen: "NARUTO!" Everyone turned to the door to the room. The one who had shouted was there, looking absolutely pleased as punch. Hinata, of course, panting slightly and sweating. It was a moderate run to Naruto's temporary room, and she'd run it much faster than she usually might.

Sakura smiled again, always a sucker for romance and sweethearts. "Hinata! You've heard the good news?" Sakura asked.

Hinata didn't bother answering her. "Naruto...I'm so happy you're alright!" And she stepped into the room, then began to dash forward.

Sasuke was suddenly between Hinata and Naruto, a very serious look on his face. Everyone started a little. "Sasuke...what are you doing?" Naruto asked, confused.

"Sorry, Hinata," Sasuke deadpanned as he shrugged, "But Naruto has requested that everybody give him lots of space." He smirked as his voice became extra-mocking, "I'm afraid you're going to have to leave."

BONK!

"SASUKE, YOU IDIOT!" Sakura yelled, fist clenched. The same fist that had just impacted Sasuke's head, sending him crouching down in agony, bump rapidly forming atop his cranium. Hinata looked on, feeling awkward, while Kakashi blinked at (once again) how everything had gotten turned around and mixed up as of late. Naruto, of course, was laughing like crazy. Sakura's mood flipped, perhaps the only thing unchanged about everything happening today. "It's okay, Hinata. I'm sure Naruto would love to see his girlfriend right now."

Hinata absolutely grinned as she didn't even wait for Sakura to move aside, rushing past her and to her love. "Naruto!" she cried once more as she practically glomped the blond. The three onlookers cheered in friendly jest as Hinata, uncaring, pressed her head into Naruto's chest.

"Hey, Hinata," Naruto smiled, hugging her back. He was actually a little tender and thus Hinata's overenthusiastic hug hurt a little, but he didn't care in the slightest. "How's it going?"

"I'm so happy you're alright, Naruto," whispered Hinata, loosing the grip of her hug and moving up to look him in the eye. She smiled at him for a few seconds, blushing a bright red, then slowly leaned in, closing her eyes, and pressed her lips against his.

-She kissed me,- Naruto thought happily. Not necessarily at the kiss itself, though that was very nice, but rather what that meant for Hinata.

A second passed, and the lavender-eyed girl brought her lips back, resting her forehead against Naruto's own and letting herself get lost in his big, beautiful, blue eyes. "I love you, too," she said softly, tightening her grip again, but just a little bit.

"Hee, hee," Naruto chuckled. He tightened his grip a little as well, staring her in the eyes and grinning like a loon. "I'm glad to hear that, Hinata."

Everyone watched this scene in silence, now, taking it in. It was an important moment, after all.

Sakura suddenly started, then looked at her hands, confused. -Wait...did I just punch Sasuke?- Her face fell. -Oh, nice job, Sakura! You REALLY ARE the queen of screw-ups, you know that?-

And here I was calling Sasuke an idiot...I feel like such a heel! her inner lamented.

0-0-0-0

-Alright, then,- Neji began going over things in his head as he came upon the eventually-realized goal of his walk through town: the Village hospital. And, mentally, to finally sorting out all his memories into their proper places. -All the evidence would seem to suggest that after Madara was defeated, we were all sent back in time somehow.- He looked up at the sky for a moment. -Today is the day after Lee was supposed to have surgery performed on his spine and leg. However, thanks to our mucking about in the past, events have already changed slightly, for better or for worse.-

A thought suddenly struck him, and Neji chuckled a little, genuinely smiling. -Well, I suppose I can safely say that even if Fate exists, its decision-making process can be influenced.- Neji was serious again as he looked back at the hospital. As far as he could tell from his recently-rearranged memories, his teammates would all be in there, and one would be under the influence of anesthesia in just a few minutes or so. Surgery. -I wonder...I hope...will Lee survive this time around? Are his chances just as good now, or will something go wrong?- His face caved inwards. -And Tenten. What about Tenten?-

He paused.

-What do I do?-

Another pause, and he clutched at his left arm. It was a very strange sensation to be able to move it. Just a night or so ago it had been removed, violently. It was back again.

-Just like Tenten.- Neji thought absently, continuing to stare at his upraised arm, elbow bent inwards as he walked towards the relatively large building. -She is just as much a part of me as this arm is.- He flexed his fingers. -Certainly, even if everything else goes just as wrong this time, I can dodge one attack? Prevent one attack?- He dropped the arm and all pretext of caring about it, looking straight forward at the doors of the building where his destiny and hers would collide once more. -Surely I can stop her from dying?- Neji's weakness, though no one would ever guess it, had always been second-guessing himself. -Can't I?-

He thought for a moment, pausing before opening the swinging doors. -What would Naruto do in a situation like this, I wonder?-

He stepped inside the hospital with barely another thought. -He'd save her, of course. No questions asked.- So he stopped asking questions.

0-0-0-0

It had been several minutes since Hinata had burst in the room and, of course, she hadn't let go of Naruto yet. Quite the opposite in fact.

While Naruto talked with his two best friends and sensei, Hinata laid her head back within the comfortable crook of Naruto's neck, smiling softly in absolute bliss as Naruto gently pulled her body in close with one arm, then gently stroked the back of her head and neck with the other. She wrapped her arms around him once more as he continued talking to his team like nothing at all had changed about his or her position.

"So, yeah, every good ninja needs to know how to sneak around, right?" Naruto asked everyone in general. Sasuke looked back from paying attention to his friend as he heard a soft thumping behind him. "Oh, that reminds me! Kakashi-sensei, later on I'd like to stop at that one shop down on Gild Street..."

Sakura was not paying attention either, instead preferring to stand with her back turned to Naruto and his stories and punch herself repeatedly in the head. This was what was causing the soft thumping. "Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!" she murmured, emphasizing each and every individual whack.

Sasuke stared for a few seconds before sighing. -I'm probably going to regret this,- he thought as he walked over to his...erm...acquaintance. "Sakura?" he asked, trying to sound genuinely concerned. He was genuinely concerned, but he always had had trouble expressing it.

"Oh, hey, Sasuke!" Sakura said, faking nonchalant cheerfulness as she turned rapidly to face him. "How's it going?"

Sasuke blinked once, then sighed. "Sakura, you..." he shook his head. "Honestly."

Sakura chuckled nervously. "Yeah, I guess I am pretty silly, huh?"

"A little, yeah," Sasuke grumbled.

Sakura sighed. "So, um, anyway..." she blushed a little. "About last night-"

"What is up with you anyway?" Sasuke interrupted, blushing a little. "First you kiss me, then you punch me? Why would you do that?"

"Oh, well, uh...I don't know, okay? I just...I just..." She twiddled her fingers, because everything they were both saying was awkward and more than likely not the best thing they could say. "I just really wanted to kiss you, is all..." she finally murmured.

Sasuke started. "What?" he softly asked. He knew that already, sure, but he wasn't expecting Sakura to outright admit that fact.

"I know, you weren't ready for it," Sakura said regretfully, "And I knew that even before I kissed you, but I just..." she paused, then bit her lip. "I let my emotions get carried away with me sometimes."

"Sometimes?" Sasuke smirked.

"All the time," Sakura admitted. "I fawn over you every time I see you, and I just can't stop myself from socking Naruto one whenever he says something stupid," she scratched behind her head, "Or you too, apparently." She looked up at her...there wasn't quite a perfect word to describe her and Sasuke's current relationship. "Can you forgive me?"

Sasuke frowned for a moment, pretending to consider. But in the end. "Yeah, sure." Of course he could. He'd done far worse in the past; how could he start judging Sakura now?

Sakura smiled. "Thank you, Sasuke," she blushed. Then, happily: "You're the best boyfriend a girl could ask for."

"WOAH THERE!" Sasuke cried, forgetting everything important that was going on in his haste to clarify exactly what Sakura was to him. "I never said anything about b-being your boyfriend!" Sasuke really hated it when he stuttered.

Sakura giggled. "Well, when you're ready to start being one, I can definitely kiss all the hurt away, if you'd like," she flirted to mess with him.

"Oh no you don't!" Sasuke resisted, stepping backwards. "You're not going to seduce me again!"

A long, long silence. From everyone in the room. Hinata actually lifted up her head from Naruto's neck., and Kakashi actually managed to look more startled than Sasuke did, which was a feat in and of itself. "Wait..." Naruto was at a loss for words. That alone was an indication of how awkward the situation was. "Did..." He scrunched up his face. "Did you say 'seduce'?"

"And 'again'?" Kakashi squeaked, all too aware he was going to have to explain to several angry parents and ninja and Lady Tsunade and Shizune how he allowed this to happen under his care.

Hinata frowned, confused. "Umm..." she began softly, but did not get very far before Sasuke piped up.

"Wait, that came out wrong!" he shouted, turning. And blushing, of course. Even harder than Hinata usually blushed. "Very wrong!" -Come on, man, where's that usual calm and cool demeanor of yours?-

"There was a right way for that to come out?" Naruto shouted, finding his voice again.

"Alright, you two," Kakashi, in his sternest voice, placed his hands on his hips, "What exactly were you both doing while I was gone yesterday?"

Sakura was blushing as well, and very concerned that her maidenly purity not be tainted by any unfounded rumors. She also felt like pounding Sasuke in the head again. "It's really not what it sounds like!" she desperately claimed. "All we did was...Sasuke was practicing with his kunai-"

-Is that what the kids are calling it nowadays?- Kakashi asked himself, worry pounding against the corners of his mind as very very wrong and even more unwanted mental images began filling up his imagination.

Thankfully, before any other easily-misconstrued statements that supported Sasuke's slip of the tongue could be uttered, the door opened, revealing a stern-looking figure, and a large one at that. He raised his eyebrow at the goings-on in the room, getting the feeling he was missing something. "Is there something going on here I am not aware of?" Hiashi asked, just a hint of confusion in his voice.

There was a silence. Hinata, still not having had 'The Talk' with her dad, and therefore not knowing the full extent and meaning of the word 'seduce', and therefore not being nearly as stunned as the rest of the room's populous, spoke up first. "Father!" she cried joyously. "Naruto is awake!" It was an obvious statement, but Hinata was too deliriously happy to notice.

Hiashi nodded slightly. "I can see that, and I am glad," he said, "For I wish to speak with the boy. Alone."

Another moment or two of silence. Kakashi turned to the room's other residents. "Alright, you heard the head of the household." His eyes narrowed. "And speaking of personal talks...Sasuke? Sakura?"

"Right," responded the pink and blue ninja in unison, shuffling out to the hall and followed closely behind by their sensei. Hinata was even more reluctant to leave than Sakura and Sasuke were (though just barely, considering the sheer amount of awkward following the 'lovebirds' out the door in the form of Kakahsi), but eventually she tore herself away from Naruto and headed towards the door.

"Hinata," Hiashi stopped her with a word, "I have just remembered something." She turned back to her father, for she had made it out into the hallway before he began talking to her. "I recently brought some clothes I would like you to try on. They are currently hanging up in your room."

Hinata blinked, wondering about her father and what suddenly brought this on. Then she shook her head out of it. The order may have been an implied one, after all, but it was an order nonetheless. "Yes, father," the girl said, bowing, before walking off in the direction of her room.

Hiashi looked at the spot his daughter had been standing in for a moment before closing the door. He faced Naruto, who was now lying back, though not all the way, upon the cushy bed he had been given. "Hey, old man," he said, grinning. "Thanks for letting me stay in this bed. It's really soft!" Hiashi did not respond, merely walked over to the Infiltrator of Estates. "Hey," Naruto said worriedly after a few more moments, for Hiashi looked...off. "Is something the matter?"

"Naruto," Hiashi breathed out. "I'm so sorry."

The no-longer-orange-clad (for it is not very comfortable to sleep in a bed with your jacket on) ninja boisterously smiled. "I know," Naruto said, as if Hiashi had already said this to him a hundred times before (which he basically had), "I heard you."

Hiashi smiled a small smile.

0-0-0-0

Neji was always good at thinking speedily, and had learned over the course of several years how to start thinking ahead.

-The goal,- he said to himself as the receptionist walked down the corridor, that would lead to Lee's room, -Is to let the timeline remain relatively unchanged, if at all possible. You were able to woo Tenten and repay Hinata and your team for your crimes once before, but to do so twice when you have no idea exactly how you did it the first time...- He breathed out through his nose. -At any rate, it shall be difficult, acting near-precisely as you did the first time.- He smirked in lament. -It will be especially difficult acting precisely around Tenten considering the fact that you have already been intimate with her and that she doesn't remember.- Now he couldn't even fake bravado as the next thought burst into his head: -And that you'll be going through puberty yet again. We can't forget that.-

"He should be right in here," the nurse said, Neji following directly behind her.

"Thank you very much," Neji bowed. Prim and proper and unshakable, that was him, and he was glad for it. He entered the door, going over his battle plan one last time within his head. -Here we go.-

"Neji? Man, you're late," Shikamaru said.

Neji stopped and blinked. Well, this hadn't happened the first time. "What are you doing here?" he asked Shikamaru. And also Shikamaru's teammates.

"We were concerned," Shikamaru shrugged.

"Concerned?" Neji repeated, just ever so slightly behind.

"We're here to see how Lee's doing!" Ino shouted. "Why haven't you been here?"

"Seriously," Choji said. "I admit I didn't know how badly the guy had it until Shikamaru told me, but even so I managed to get here before it was ten minutes until time for surgery!"

Neji almost took a step backwards. Almost. "Lee is not..." he reflected for a moment on how to best phrase his answer. "What I mean to say..."

"It is alright," came a voice from a hospital bed. "Neji is here on time to support his teammate, and that is all that matters."

Shikamaru and his friends stepped aside, and Neji's breath caught in his throat. "Though I still think you're cutting it just a little close," Tsunade, the surgeon and pre-operation counselor glared down at Neji from next to the bed.

Neji wasn't really listening, or even paying attention to his Hokage. Because, there was Might Guy. Looked like he hadn't aged a day in ten years. "Neji, I would have thought you more responsible than this," Guy said. He fought back manly tears. "When Lee is...when you get up each morning, bright and early, to train your body to the fullest, and Lee is just waiting for you to come support him in his hour of need!"

"Please forgive him, Guy-sensei," Lee was there too. Lying in bed. Not like him. Not like him at all to ever take a rest. He had already surpassed 'Guy-sensei' in stamina by this point. The possibilities were endless as to where he could go in the future. "Everyone has their off days, after all. And if he has truly done wrong, cannot he make it up later?" He thought for a moment. "I know! Neji Hyuuga, once I am better, you will join me for 500 laps around the Village!"

"You know, Lee," Oh, heaven, "Not everyone has your demonic stamina." Tenten. Flashes of memories. About half were extremely good, but the other half? Neji was struggling to not lose balance, or to break down then and there. Alive. She was alive and real and there and he knew this was going to happen so why was he panicking and oh gosh he was panicking-

"Hey, Neji, are you okay?" Ino asked, suddenly not angry with him because she noticed Neji was, well: "You're kind of alternating between normal looking and really pale."

"Yeah," Choji said, furrowing his brow, "And you're kind of...staring."

Everyone was looking at Neji now. "He looks kind of feverish." Tenten slowly said. "Neji, are you sick?"

"And that's why you were so late getting here!" Might Guy underwent a revelation. More tears were subsequently fought back. "And yet, despite your extreme infirmity, you were willing to drag yourself from bed and hide your ailment in order to come here and provide much-needed moral support for your teammate!" With a great gasp, Might Guy began bursting out in sobs, tears flowing down his cheeks.

As did Rock Lee. "I am truly touched by your devotion to me, Neji! I am sorry for ever doubting you!"

"Relax," said Tsunade, who had crossed over to Neji and placed her hand on his forehead. "He has a fever, but it's a very mild one. He's perfectly fine."

"Fine...yes...of course..." Neji murmured, grabbing Tsunade's hand and shoving her lightly aside. This was surprising, to say the least. After all, it was Neji Hyuuga. Unflinching mass of stone Neji Hyuuga, who always respected his elders. Pushing aside Lady Hokage rather distractedly. Lady Tsunade herself and Shikamaru were just as surprised as everyone else, but for different reasons.

Neji slowly walked over to his team. Very slowly, with an astounded look on his face. "Um, Neji? What's up?" Tenten was usually able to take things in stride when they got strange. In this case, she recovered first.

Neji actually walked past her, surprising himself. He looked down at the hospital bed, onto a confused Lee. Five minutes till surgery, now. "Lee," Neji finally said. "Lee, you're...you have to get better." His voice was cracking with emotion as he said this, shaking his head. "I can't stand to..." Then, as everyone gaped, he turned to his teacher and Team's leader. "Guy-sensei..." he laughed. "Always willing to bet we'll go the extra mile...always going the extra mile for us...I just don't want you to..." then, finally, he turned to his future wife.

"Neji, what's wrong?" Tenten asked him, stepping forward a little

The young man with the eyes beyond compare was breathing very deeply."Tenten..." Neji managed to say, lip quivering just slightly. He slowly reached out, gently placing his hands on her cheeks. "Oh, gosh, Tenten..." he choked out. Tears, true and genuine tears, began spilling from his eyes, leaving a trail of sadness down his cheeks. And yet, despite this, Neji smiled. Widely. "I..." he paused to gulp and compose himself, yet as he kept talking... "I had...I'm so glad to see you...I had..." his face collapsed as he slowly pulled Tenten into a desperate hug, sobbing into her shoulder. "The most horrible dream..."

"Oh, Neji," Tenten said motherly-like as she gently stroked his hair, hugging him back. She seemed genuinely worried, and calm, and comforting. Everyone else was shocked at this turn of events, as Neji continued his heartfelt sobbing. "It's okay. It was only a dream. Shh, shh, don't worry. It's all going to be okay."

Shikamaru and Tsunade shared a conspiratory look as Neji laid his feelings bare for all to see.

0-0-0-0

"You know, you really do look beautiful in that dress," Naruto said, wearing his orange jacket again. He'd have changed clothes himself if he'd had the option.

"Y-you really think so?" Hinata asked, grasping his hand. She was wearing a modest but very pretty blue dress, and a sunflower in her hair. Speaking of flowers, to the right of the strolling lovebirds, a certain patch of pink, orange, and purple flowers was being replanted.

"Yeah. Your dad has really good tastes, Hinata," Naruto smiled. "It's kind of surprising, actually."

Hinata giggled. "W-well, it's a little m-more revealing than I'm u-used to," Hinata stuttered, for it really was revealing if one were to judge by the standards of her usual attire, "B-but if you like it, N-Naruto, I'll t-try and wear it more often."

"What's with the stuttering, anyway, Hinata?" Naruto asked playfully, knowing the answer. "I mean, you seemed just fine back there when you were cuddling me..."

"Naruto!" Hinata cried, blushing, as she giggled.

"I mean," Naruto continued as their voices faded into the distance, for they were getting further and further away from the estate. Hiashi was watching their progress from out the window, and a ninja's hearing is better than most's. Still, Naruto's voice was getting quieter, as said before. "You stutter when you hold my hand, right? So you should stutter more if you try and snuggle with me right?"

They were out of hearing range now, but not out of sight. Especially not sight of the Byakugan. Hiashi smiled as he watched them go. Memories floated down the stream of his consciousness, unearthing old emotions from the river's bed. It was surprising how many parallels could actually be drawn between the young Hokage-aspirant and the elder of the Hyuuga clan's younger days.

"Lord Hiashi!" came a voice from the door. A voice of a medical ninja Hiashi recognized very much.

The not-so-stern man turned. "Yes?" he asked, as if he didn't already know what was coming.

The guard paused for a moment. "Lord Hiashi," he repeated, "How could you let that boy be up and around in his condition? Sir, I specifically told you-"

"You are aware of how Naruto received his injuries, correct?" Hiashi asked, stopping the good doctor's rant in its tracks. Hiashi smiled a little wider. "Then what makes you think I could have possibly stopped him?"

"A-are you serious?" asked the medical-nin. He was lucky; a less progressive leader than Hiashi might have had him punished for questioning his superior's word.

"Relax," Hiashi suggested. "He seemed fine to me." The robed man looked back out of the window. Naruto and his daughter were out of sight, and Hiashi had no desire to chase their progress with his Byakugan. "That boy is something else."

The medical ninja shook his head. "This is not a good idea, my lord," he advised desperately. On more accounts than one.

Hiashi caught the hidden meaning. "When Naruto comes back, see to it he is treated as if he were my own son." He looked back to the incredulous servant, a look of (he could hardly believe it himself) pride upon his face. "He just might actually be my son someday."

A few moments of stunned silence. "As you wish, Lord Hiashi," the medically trained ninja bowed, sensing that there was no more room here for argument. He left, marching down the hallway.

"And tell Lady Tsunade not to worry about those chakra-stoppers," Hiashi called after him. "I'll see that they're paid for." And with this semi-order, semi-parting shot, Hiashi looked back out the open window, letting the smell of the flowers beneath the window wind gently up to his nose.

He felt happy for the first time in a while. A bit startling, that.

Well, that a real flip-flopping emotionfest, wasn't it? I was just all over the emotional spectrum in my writing today!

Well, anyway, I suppose some of you have noticed that the guard was called, yes, twice to action last night. Well...yes he was. That's not an error on my part. That's simply how it was. Whether or not I determine what happened is important to this fic at all or whether this plot thread goes nowhere, we'll see.

In the meantime, it's November as I post this, and only the second day. I hope all had a safe, sane, and scary Halloween, and that only the first two of those adjectives apply to your Thanksgiving. Though, considering most family reunions, that might be a bit much to ask for. Oh well, at least I tried.

Have a good day and God Bless! And please let me know if there's any way at all in which you think my writing could improve. Thanks.