Disclaimer: Naruto ain't mine.

To be in Hell once more

Hinata watched the birds flutter in the clear blue sky. The scenery she was given was destroyed by two Hyuga guards standing outside her window. Since the event of the runaway from suicide attempt, Hiashi had locked her in her room with guards all around. She was trapped once more.

"You guys are lucky," she said to the birds.

The guards looked inside.

"How so?" one of them asked.

"Baka, I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to the birds!"

Once given an answer, the guards took back their positions. People who walked past wondered why the guards were up there. The guards didn't care of the people staring at them and wondering why they were there. It was their job.

One of the birds flew to the window sill and chirped as if it was proud of something. She soon found out. It flew to a nearby nest and showed their hatched birds chirping for food. Hinata smiled. A happy family, she would like that, to have a loving mother and father, a caring husband and kids. She sighed, her mother died a few days after she was born. She was told that her mother died during a war. After that, her father turned cold and cruel. At least Neji wad there for her.

It was midday and there wasn't anything to do. She had an entire shelf of books. All of them had been read. Most of them were of training, the rest was all teenage girl stuff that her father allowed her to keep.

Faint voices were heard from out side her room. A loud grunt was heard after. The door slid open. Hiashi stood at the opened door then walked in.

"Hinata, you are to visit Sasuke tomorrow afternoon," he said calmly.

"What ever."
Silence.

"What?" she asked in a bored tone.

Her father became irritated at her behaviour. He had hoped for something polite and less rude. He had also hoped that her punishment had settled her. "Hinata, I expect much better behaviour than you!"

"Why should I care? I'm not going to get the life I want," she admitted.

"You will be put into the Branch family!" her father threatened.

"Why?" she asked, not at all feeling threatened.

"Look at you! You have no manners of a proper lady, only the rudeness that Demon left behind!"

"He is not a Demon, father! He may be container of the Kyubi but it doesn't mean he is it himself!" Hinata argued.

She wanted to be strong and hide the tears that would come if the fight continued any more. She wanted to be as strong as Naruto and not hide her feelings. The strength to stand up for herself, it was one of the things she was wishing for. That wish was finally coming true.

"You will go see Sasuke whether you like it or not."

"Fine, but it's not like we're going to interact with each other. I hate him and you know I do!"

Hiashi was terribly upset but he walked away as calmly as he could. Hinata, still sitting in her seat was as frozen as a statue. The idea of meeting him brought shiver up her spine. If only she was able to kill her father without breaking the law…

The idea was ridiculous. It would've solved a few things but it wasn't the best choice. She would have no parents left; all of them would be dead. It wasn't going to happen.

She fell to her bed, ignoring the feeling of gravity pushing against her. Her eyes closed as she thought of things in the past.

'Every cloud has a silver lining.'

"Sakura," she whispered.

She had achieved her goal to stand up and not cry or run away. If it wasn't for Sakura, she would've still been with Sasuke, the one who made her cry and bleed. She was free though. A smile crept up her pale face as the warmth of her bed wrapped around her as she drifted off to sleep.

It was late at night and Naruto was still reading books with strained and tired eyes of legendary beats. None of the information was useful.

Gaara watched him read. He felt he did something good in a while, yet painful. Just watching him read seemed painful. He knew how it felt to be confused and determined. The time when he accidentally killed his uncle still haunted him. It was then he turned into a murderous man. Several shinobi from Konoha with great dreams has made him turn his leaf.

"Naruto, you should get some rest."

He didn't reply. He only took a sip of hot coffee and continued with his research.

All the books of Jinchuurikis were removed by Kankuro and other librarians.

"Naruto..."

"Shut up! I'm here to find out about myself."

Another sip was taken from the warm cup of coffee. Gaara watched him. Though Shukaku was extracted out of him, he still stayed up at night. He was used to it.

He saw Naruto's head tilt over. His heavy eyes started to close. He heard him whisper orders to stay up. Naruto got hold of his cup. His hand was shaking. Hot coffee spilt over the table he sat on. He released the cup; it fell and smashed to pieces. His head collapsed to the table and happily dozed off.

"Naruto," Gaara said shaking his head.

The day has come for her to meet Sasuke once again. The dreaded day. Why couldn't her father allow her make her own choice? It wasn't like she was going to make the wrong, he was.

She was told to wear a ceremonial kimono. From the top, it was light blue turning dark at the bottom. White flowers were imprinted on the kimono. It fell to her ankles and was pretty easy to move in. It seemed as if she wore the sea, from light blue to dark. The kimono she wore was beautiful but too beautiful for Sasuke to see.

Her hair was tied up in a neat bun. Hair pins stuck in her hair. A white rose was placed in between her left ear. She felt as if she was going to a wedding.

Naruto had only seen her once in the kimono. It was only for ceremonies and special meetings. She blushed as she remembered the time when he first saw her in it.

"Hinata-chan, you're so beautiful I'm speechless!"

Neji knocked on the door before he spoke. "Hinata-sama, we are to leave now."

She sighed. "I'm coming."

She slipped her wooden slippers on (those traditional Japanese wooden slippers). They clicked against the wooden floor beneath her. She slid the door open and left.

A carriage was waiting for her outside. Her father and Neji were sitting inside. Other family members stood beside it. The horse had a shiny white coat. It seemed to be a royal horse but wasn't. It was grand and looked like it wouldn't turn back on a challenge. Like Naruto.

Hinata sadly made her way to the steps of the carriage. Her kimono drooped on the steps. It seemed to change with her mood like mood rings. From nice and neat to sloppy and dirty. She sat on the seat next to her father. She didn't dare look at him in the eyes so she stared outside the window and enjoyed the softness of the red cushion she sat on.

The ride was short. The carriage had been noticed by many people on the streets. Young children stared at it. The girls pointed at the white stallion. It had been the horse of their dreams. Their hands were slapped back down to their sides by their parents. It was rude to point, especially to a strong clan.

No-one had spoken through the journey, except for the driver. He announced the arrival of the destination and opened the carriage door. The time had come. There was nothing that could change it. She had to meet up with him, with Sasuke. She knew the reunion would be hell.

Hiashi walked in front of his daughter while Neji supervised the back. Hinata followed with her hands clasped together in front of her. She prayed for her farewell wish to have been granted. She wanted the greedy, blood-lust boy to be turned back into kind one he once was.

They entered Sasuke's room. It immediately gave Hinata the chills, the memories of that horrible night. The room was still decorated red like it was the years before. Sasuke sat in his bed. His eyes looked lazily on the sheets. She could see a small smirk creeping up on his face. She felt to be in hell already. Her body shivered as the most hated memories flooded back into her mind. The memories she attempted to forget (which worked sometimes) were back. Her face was turning pale and was losing its colour. Neji noticed it and started to worry.

Neji tapped her shoulder and leaned over. "Hinata-sama, are you alright?"

She turned her head around stiffly, "I'm alright, it's only memories of when we were together." She forced a weak smile to assure her cousin.

They stood in front of his bed. Hinata bowed first then the rest followed her lead.

"Welcome back, Hinata," Sasuke said, just above a whisper.

It was barely heard but Hinata had caught his cold words. It brushed against her skin like the cold icy, winter wind.

"I see you have brought your family too."

Itachi, Sasuke's older brother stood next to him. He was like a servant of Sasuke's. Hinata didn't know why though.

"I was told that I will be the heir of this clan," he started. "Of course, I needed to be married. My father had told me that he had arranged a marriage for us since the day you were born. He said it would be perfect for both clans." He paused. "Don't you think?"

Hinata was on her knees with her head still down. She couldn't lift her head up. Hiashi and Neji were looking straight at him. She didn't want to see his evil eyes once more but it was rude not to. Her fears took the better of her.

"No need to bow," Sasuke said.

She still couldn't move. She knew it made Sasuke angry and upset.

"Stand up," he said, trying to keep his cool.

Hinata finally lifted her head. It felt like her head was filled with tonnes of rocks. Her eyes were closed, still not wanting to see his eyes. She heard him sigh to release his anger.

"Hinata, open your eyes and look around you. Because of you, I want to change my ways. Mother told me those last words you wanted to tell me. Over the years, I have tried to stop myself but without you, I couldn't."

Her eyes opened. The walls were as red as it was before. Though it was only walls, she felt it had something to do with the people who were killed for the sake of it.

"The walls are painted with human blood. Blood of my servants and several assassins. Don't you see? If you marry me, I will change the whole house for you."

Tears were already flooding her beautiful eyes. They slid down her cheek and fell onto her kimono. She felt sorry for the killed servants. If she wasn't as beautiful and didn't fulfil her duties, she would've have been just like them.

"Why did you kill those innocent people?" she suddenly asked in a frightened voice.

Sasuke was puzzled with the unfamiliar question. He then slowly smiled once he thought of an answer. "They were useless."

She stood up to fight. "You don't have the right! Hokage-sama should've sent you to jail!"

"What is it you want?" he asked, trying to stay calm once again.

"I…I just want to be with Naruto again!"

Neji got ready to fight if he was needed. He sensed that a battle might take place. Hiashi was angered himself. After every explanation, she still had feelings for him, the Demon.

The heir was angered but his "love" for her was still the same. He was annoyed of her behaviour but he didn't care much. Even still, he activated his Sharingan in case it was needed. Lucky enough, he thought of what would happen if he did attack Hinata.

"Please leave before I do anything stupid. Hinata must not be harmed before the wedding."

Hinata felt weak like she was when she was younger. She was exhausted and fell back into Neji's arms. It was the end… for now.

-

It was the day before the marriage. She had to stop it. Naruto was not yet back from Suna and if he didn't come, she would be forced to marry to man he hated.

She ran to Sasuke's father. He seemed many metres away from her but she tried. Her bare feet ached from the stony ground she ran on. She didn't seem much closer than she was earlier.

"Fugaku-san!"

The man heard her and turned around to face her. She finally reached him.

"What?" he asked harshly.

"Please, please stop the wedding!" she begged.

She fell to her feet and begged from there.

"Please!"

"I'm sorry but the marriage will go on as planned."

He smirked evilly, like Sasuke's. Her surroundings swirled into Sasuke's face. His father melted away and transformed into Sasuke.

"I know you want this," he whispered.

"No."

She screamed as loud as she could. It was like hell all over again.

-

"Hinata-sama, wake up."

Her eyes shot open from the horrid dream she had. Everything was going wrong. She wasn't supposed to be with Sasuke. Her mind was panicking from all the stress.

"Every cloud has a silver lining."

"To get the good, you must get to bad," she said to herself.

The saying she had learned from her friend, Sakura, had calmed her down a great deal.

She looked around her. She was on the carriage again. Her head was placed on Neji's lap, not her father's. He brushed his hand against her hair like how Naruto did. It was comforting.

"Does it remind you of Naruto?" Neji asked.

"Very much, thank you."

"Hinata, due to the meeting with Sasuke, his father and I shall talk of when the wedding shall take place."

Hinata lifted herself from her cousin's lap. Her father's words brought the panic in her mind again. Will they marriage happen before the two weeks Naruto was given?

"Why?" she asked.

"Because of what Sasuke did. His behaviour was more than what I was expecting. You could learn from him someday."

Her jaw dropped open. Learn from that bastard? Something had to be done. If it wasn't done, what would she do?

Naruto continued to read the books. He was starting to lose hope in all that he did. Gaara kept on watching him. Kakashi walked to him.

"Are all of the books gone?" he asked.

"According to Kankuro, yes," Gaara answered.

The Konoha Jounin left them to do their thing. Naruto only ignored their small conversation.

'Was this the right choice?' he asked himself. 'I feel Hinata needs me.'

He closed the book he was reading. Gaara noticed his actions.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm planning to leave as soon as possible. I can't find any information and I'm certain Hinata needs me."

The Kazekage didn't argue with his decision. The Hokage did want Naruto to forget about everything and live on with his usual life. Naruto got up and left the room.

Chapter ten is done! Sorry about the long wait. I had this assignment to do and poems to write for school. This was supposed to be out tomorrow but I felt sorry for you guys so here it is!

Hey, have anyone seen what they've done to the Naruto: Shippuden episode 24's opening and ending? Now I just can't wait to see that movie. If anyone knows when it might be released on the internet, please tell me. Please review!