AN: When a bear is chasing a group of people, and you happen to be in that group of people, you need not run faster than the bear, but simply outrun the slowest person in the group. This illustrates for us a beautiful fact of human life: human nature is inherently selfish; if you try to beat the cycle of selfishness, you risk being left behind. In the same way, if a person attempts to help the slowest man, you risk being devoured by the bear.

After the Jump!

There is insufficient substantiation for much of the actions we commit to in life. For most of our lives, we allow ourselves to be lead by emotion. In essence, emotion is akin to an instinctual guiding force that we all possess, while at the opposite end of the spectrum we have indifference, where only observation and reaction based on factual evidence is given any merit.

Human beings are creatures of instinct, and by extension creatures of emotion. To give into emotion is like following one's instincts; instinctually, we commit to an action we feel is right, but have no way of proving it as definitely right.

Those in the past were ruled by superstition, something evolved from generations upon generations of instinctual evidence. When we commit to instinctual action and we succeed, we take it as evidence that aforementioned action is justified; after all, "the ends justify the means". Over time, a system is built from the ratification of such instinctual action by bodies and groups of people, and it quickly becomes seen as the norm. Anything deviating from the norm is seen as abnormal, and by definition "strange" and "unknown".

Human history has shown us the ultimate results of superstition: irrational hatred for those that do not conform, or are not perceived as conforming. In short, those that are seen as different are discriminated against.

Whatever the reasons for superstition, it becomes clear any object of superstition, even in a world that superstition seems proven by personal experience, would be hated by anyone inherently different. In the world of the ninja, there are several groups of people: those that show an affinity to chakra, and those that do not. Those have-nots will hate those that show proficiency in the ninja arts: that is inherent in all humans, and is the definitive social science of having flaws others do not show.

Naruto was the very epitome of "different" in his village, from his blond hair and blue eyes, to his strange whisker-like marks. But in a village filled with so many other distinctive ninja, he stands out not because of his outward appearance, but because of the destructive power he is perceived to have, a power far surpassing the combined might of all the village's tenants.

In this world of discrimination, only a certain type of people would dare associate with one such as Naruto: people who know him personally, and are privy to his most private of secrets, or people who find him fascinating to varying degrees, and so are willing to risk associating with the perceived stigma to satisfy their curiosity.

For a child as lonely and socially-starved as Naruto, anyone who even shows a spark of interest will immediately make a lasting impression. To Naruto, the only other person who had spoken to him, even if it should be brief in the extreme, without showing an ounce of prejudice, was Hinata Hyuga. His first action at meeting Hinata was to distance himself from her, because of his inability to deal with such a situation. But ever since she admitted that she had been watching him, she had stuck in Naruto's mind, unwilling to relinquish its grasp.

Alone and under the cover of darkness, he once again saw Hinata, but this time unconscious and at the mercy of her captors. This triggered a panic he never experienced before; whatever the reason, he knew then and there, instinctually, that he had to try to rescue Hinata from that pitiful state, regardless of what that entailed for his wellbeing.

If he did not clutch at the hope of being acknowledged, what, then, was the point of living?

-Two Hours Later-

Panting and shivering with exhaustion, Naruto collapsed onto the ground. Without a second thought, he had pumped every ounce of chakra he had into his muscles and hurtled in the general direction of his captors. At present, he was hopelessly lost, with absolutely no sign in the vicinity that anyone had passed through. It was the furthest he had ever gone from the village, and right now, after the combined strain put on his body from training and tailing obviously trained shinobi, he was close to unconsciousness.

Realizing he had no idea where he was, the feeling that he had committed to a futile course of action overtook him, and he promptly blacked out.

Far in the distance, the distinctive clash of swords and the screams of the maimed and dying could be heard.

-The Next Day-

"Honoured Council, news of the infiltration and kidnapping of the current and future Hyuga Heiress Hanabi Hyuga has been reported. This is definitely a blatant show of aggression by possible enemies, of which this member suspects one or more of the Hidden Villages be in collaboration in this issue. This is in no part the fault of the Uchiha Police Corps, seeing as adequate clan security should have been enforced in the Hyuga Compound at all times. Thus, this member places the onus for allowing this infiltration to succeed on honoured member of the Council Hiashi Hyuga. He has shown himself inadequate and inefficient in security matters, even with the legendary Byakugan at his disposal, pertaining to his own Clan, and so this member proposes the Clan Head immediately resign and appoint another more deserving of the title of Clan Head." Fugaku Uchiha declared smugly. "To this end, this member would gladly supply suggestions of possible candidates."

The Council had been called to an emergency meeting shortly after the disappearence of the Hyuga Heiress, and it was causing an uproar in clan politics. Support was shifting in favour of Fugaku Uchiha and Danzo Himura, and Hiashi's inability to prevent this kidnapping was condemned by most of the other Council members. The emergency meeting comprised delegates from the most prestigious clans of Konoha, including the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Uchiha, Hyuga and Sarutobi clans, with the Third Hokage being the main mediator in the course of the debate.

"Indeed, this is a most pressing issue... Playing the blame game will solve nothing, and as Third Hokage I stand for the immediate investigation of the issue. Punitive actions will be taken for negligence, and steps will be taken to ensure the social and internal security of Konoha after we have determined the main perpetrators of the act. Until then, with the power and authority vested in my position as Hokage, I hereby postpone this meeting for seven days. Until then, regardless of whether the Heiress is retrieved or otherwise, Hiashi will remain as Clan Head." Sarutobi finished. Frowning, he sat back as the Council room emptied; last to leave was Hiashi, who stole a glance at the old Hokage, facial expression as calm as ever. It seemed as though the enemies of Konoha were moving fast; already, word of the incident had spread throughout the village and beyond, shaking the villagers' faith in the protection of the Konoha Ninja Corps. Measures must be put in place to prevent the instability from worsening... It is as i have feared; unity is already dissolving, dissension is now the main focal point for Council decisions.

Feeling vexed, Sarutobi made his way back to his office. The coming weeks would be crucial to Konohagakure's survival; Naruto was going to have to practice his ninjutsu alone and without his guidance.

The soft scraping of metal and a wet rotting smell greeted Naruto as he opened his eyes. The morning was cold; a soft, gentle light filtered through the canopy, giving the surroundings an ethereal, otherworldly feel. I can't have been asleep for more than six hours…

Groaning as he sat up, Naruto rubbed his aching muscles, only to be startled by a stranger's voice.

"So, you are awake. It is strange to find a child as young as you wandering around these parts… Might I inquire as to where your destination lies?"

"Woah! Who who the hell are you!" Naruto blurted out, turning in the direction the voice was coming from. What greeted his eyes left him speechless. The entire area was smeared with blood, with mutilated bodies and limbs strewn about in a grotesque manner. It looked as though a massacre had taken place.

Standing at the centre of the scene of carnage was a man dressed in a white hakama; not a spot of red marred his appearance. Scars criss-crossed his face, giving him a fearsome and terrifying visage; at his side he held a single, gleaming katana, which he was sharpening meticulously.

"W-what the hell h-happened here!" Naruto stuttered, trying his best to keep from retching at the horrific sight.

"These ninja ambushed me last night; that is all. I would have been done sooner, if not for the fact that so many of them were sent to kill me. Now as I have answered your question, so I beseech you to answer mine." The scarred man said, his expression a mask of stoicism and indifference.

"I-I am trying to rescue a girl! Some ninja took her away last night, but I lost them…" Naruto said, trepidation apparent from his tone.

"Don't be daft, boy. A mere child like you against trained ninja? Still, I sense no attempt at deceit. I am Yagyu Muneyoshi, a samurai; perhaps I can be of help to save your female acquaintance. From which village do you hail?" the samurai inquired.

"I'm from Konoha…" the blond answered, still unsure at the turn of events. With a sudden flurry of movement however, the samurai's katana touched his neck, drawing a drop of blood, testifying to the sharpness of the blade.

"The hidden ninja village? You will come with me to see the shogun, or I will cut off your limbs and take you to him." the samurai stated. Stunned at Muneyoshi's sudden change of heart, Naruto's heart began palpitating wildly, fear evident in his expression.

"B-but you said… Please! We have to save Hinata first! I can't die yet…" Naruto pleaded. To his surprise, the samurai sighed and sheathed his sword, "I did offer my help did I? Well, I am a samurai. We would defend honour to the end. Now tell me about these ninja, I will help you track them down."

"They were ninja… and… uh… they had a different hitai-ate… like those there!" Naruto pointed at the headbands that adorned the head of the fallen ninja.

"Kumogakure ninja… interesting. Let us leave; time is of the essence."

-Back In Konoha-

The Hyuga were well known for their diplomatic prowess and legendary doujutsu, as well as for their eternally calm and stoic countenance. The clan was well known even before the Hokage established the village, and no matter what tragedy befell the clan, it was always taken in stride. The clan never wavered, never faltered a step, not even when their enemies clamoured for their deaths at the gates of the old Hyuga Fortress.

Today, Hiashi Hyuga sat in his room, sipping chrysanthemum tea as usual; if one were to observe him, he would never guess anything out of the ordinary had happened the day before. He would be wrong.

The fiasco the kidnapping of the Heiress had raised threatened the political position of Hiashi, and he risked being stripped of his status of Clan Head. But this was not the cause of his worry.

He felt the kidnapping of his daughters personally. He fervently wished for them to come back, even Hinata. Now, faced with the possibility of losing both of them, he felt crushed, emotionally and spiritually. He, who had not shed a tear when his wife passed into the afterlife, was on the verge of crying. Sighing, he wondered if these tumultuous times would ever become peaceful again.

Hiashi could hold it no longer. A single tear rolled down his cheeks… and was promptly wiped away. It would not do to show weakness.

-One Week Later-

"Damn it Kali! We were supposed to reach the Kumo border two days ago!" Jiburo muttered. The Hyuga Heiress and the Branch member were gagged and firmly tied to the tree while the group of three ninja went over their route.

"Well, that's what happens when you let Kali navigate… Forget it, let me do the navigating. Damn Kali, you don't even know how to read a map do you? See, we are here at grid 2942 and we have to move northwest…" Hanzo said, explaining to his companions the correct route to take.

Whilst their attention was diverted, Hanabi was desperately trying to get out of the ropes that bound both she and her sister to the tree. For the past week, both had been extremely well-behaved, luring their captors into a false sense of security. Now that they had their chance, they were going to make their escape. With bated breath, they kept their attention on their captors, willing them not to notice Hanabi cutting through the ropes with one of her hidden knives. Finally, the ropes gave way, pooling at their feet. They were free!

With quiet steps, they crept away from their oblivious abductors. When they were out of sight, they broke into an adrenalin-fuelled run. Pumping every bit of chakra into their legs, they hurtled through the forest, when they heard cries of anger emanate from behind them

"They f-found us! W-we have to get a-away!" Hinata stuttered, fear taking over her olfactory senses. Hanabi kept her expression firm, gradually increasing her speed. At this point in time, Hinata was feeling rather fatigued, her chakra reserves being much less than Hanabi in the first place.

With a cry, Hinata stumbled, twisting her ankle and falling to the ground. Hanabi stopped for a moment, and at that instant her stoic facade cracked, revealing the fear she harboured inside her heart. She frantically scrambled toward Hinata, shouting, "Get up sister! They're coming!"

"I can't! M-my ankle's s-sprained!" Hinata cried.

The duo could make out their furious pursuers catching up to them. At that moment, Hanabi could take it no more.

"Sister, we part ways here. If they do not kill you, rest assured I will try to rescue you." With that, Hanabi sprinted away, leaving a fearful, crying Hinata to the mercy of their enemies.

A few moments later, Kenzo Jiburo and his accomplices burst through the foliage, setting their eyes onto Hinata. "Damn! The Heiress is getting away! Quick, after her!" Jiburo ordered.

"She's too far away right now. Her speed equals ours, and she could very well have allies in the immediate vicinity. We have lost too much time already, no thanks to Kali. At least we have the Clan Heirs from the other Hidden Villages. Going after her now might jeopardize the Raikage's plan." Hanzo intervened. "Let's kill the Branch member and get going. We could always try again another day."

"This mission be damned! We've lost a precious week for nothing!" Jiburo fumed. Turning to Hinata, he scowled, "Kill her, and let's get going!"

"You guys go on first. I'll have some fun with her then dispose of her." Kali said. It was well-known to his comrades that he was a paedophile and a rapist. He was also a member of the Kumogakure Torture and Interrogation division. Not a good combination.

"I swear Kali if we weren't short on manpower right now I would personally execute you. Have your fun, you deviant, but do not take too long; I am not in a good mood right now." Jiburo snorted in disgust. With that, Kali's two companions bounded out of the area.

Kali turned lecherous eyes to the cowering Hinata, reaching out and tearing her clothes from her. "Sorry, girl, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do."

Hinata was lost in a haze of fear. Her mind was clouded and all she could do was whimper weakly. The terrified girl inched away from the clutches of her abductor, wishing with all her might something, or someone would save her.

"Don't make this hard for me. I swear I'll be quick…" Kali muttered. Hinata was naked, her body bared to the world, and kali could no longer take the pressure building up within him. Ebony eyes wide with lust, the ninja pounced onto Hinata… only to be hit in the head by the flailing girl.

"Dammit! I'll make you wish you never did that! I'm going to make you beg for me to take you!" an enraged Kali yelled. Taking the rope slung over his shoulder, he violently grabbed the nude Hinata by her flowing indigo hair, slamming her to a nearby tree and binding her to it. "I'm going to flog you until you recognize me as your master!"

Taking out a wicked-looking Cat o' nine tails, Kali proceeded to beat Hinata mercilessly. "I'm not a master at interrogation for nothing! Wait till we get to the cutting… Won't it be fun?"

"Maybe I'll torture you to death first, then fuck and consume you!" Kali smiled, revealing rows of sharpened teeth.

Hinata's little heart beat so hard she thought it would explode. Never before in her life had she come so close to death.

Perhaps sanity is for the weak…

AN: That's the entry for today! Read and review, and tell me if you like it!