Hey all! Sorry for the wait. Thanks for reviewing! I really appreciated it! I don't own Naruto too. Without further ado, let the chapter begin…..

After a hard 6-hour training session with Sasori, Hinata could finally create chakra strings that were up to his standards. She cleaned up and went to her room. Then, just as she collapsed onto the bed, Konan came in.

" Hello. " Konan greeted.

" Good evening, Konan-sama. "

Konan waved a stack of colour paper while smiling. " Are you ready to learn origami? "

Hinata nodded eagerly.

Over the next 2 hours, Konan taught Hinata to fold paper cranes, flowers and even kunai.

By the time they finished, the entire bed was filled with origami. Hinata giggled as she put them on the table provided for her.

" Well, it's time to sleep and I need to go somewhere. Goodnight Hinata. " Konan said and disappeared through the door.

Hinata just fell onto the pillow and slept, too tired to do anything else.

Konan went to the main hall. Pein was already waiting for her.

" I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Pein. " Konan apologized.

" How is the girl? " Pein asked.

" She is getting better in fighting. Trusting us more. Are you still sure ab- "

" You know we have to Konan. She is the key to stop this impending doom that's coming. " Pein answered sharply, making Konan flinch slightly.

Konan lowered her eyes. " Very well. "

Back in Konoha...

After Hinata's disppearence, Team 8, which consisted of Kiba, Shino, and Kurenai, recieved Hanabi as a new member. They all tried to comfort her but deep inside, they held heavy hearts. Naruto had finally gotten over this incident and started training with Sasuke and Sakura for the Chuunin Exams. They had passed the written exams already.

" Naruto? Do you want to go for ramen tonight? " Sakura asked.

" I'll pay this time. " Kakashi said cheerfully.

" Um...No thanks. " came the sad answer.

Even Sasuke was surprised. Naruto never ever says no to ramen!

" Come on, dobe. We don't have all day. " Sasuke tried to convince his rival.

" Fine, teme. "

They walked on with Naruto dragging his feet.

Three months passed after Hinata was kidnapped. She had trained with almost every member of the Akatsuki except for Pein whose identity was always a mystery.

" Deidara-sama, look at this! I made a clay puppy! " Hinata exclaimed.

" Hinata! You're not supposed to play around! " Deidara groaned.

" Aww, you're no fun at all. " Hinata pouted as she expertly exploded the clay figure.

" Not bad but- "

" You still can improve. " Hinata mocked.

" You come here! " Deidara said as he chased her around the main hall.

All the Akatsuki members were getting fond of her, except Pein. Itachi was still emotionless as ever but he took an interest in her well being. Kisame's term for her, 'squirt' was used as a nickname now. Hinata had improved greatly in all her ninja skills. She could now control puppets freely, use origami and explosive clay as weapons, and use water jutsu.

I have yet to train with Itachi-sama, Hidan-sama, Kazuku-sama, and Zetsu-sama...She thought with a shudder.

Hinata was always rather nervous around them, considering their monotonous voices and the amount of killing intent she could feel from them. These months had also changed her attitude. She was now more vicious and often spoke her mind.

" I hear you're training with me tomorrow. "

Hinata whirled around.

" Hai, Itachi-sama. " Hinata replied softly and lowered her eyes.

" I want you here by dawn, otherwise you will undergo punishment. " Itachi spoke, his voice sounded serious.

Hinata nodded as he disappeared leaving only smoke to see.

That night she was visited by Konan again.

" Hinata, I want you to learn some healing techniques. This will prove highly useful whenever you need them. Here are some scrolls. " Konan said while giving her a huge bag.

" Uh...okay. But why so many? " Hinata frowned in confusion.

" The more you learn the better. Goodnight. "

Hinata lay down onto the bed. After a few tosses and turns, she decided she couldn't sleep and went to the main hall. There she found Sasori and Deidara bickering about art. Again.

" I tell you it's only things that ar- Oh Hinata, what are you doing here? " Deidara asked.

" I couldn't sleep and decided to take a walk. " She replied.

" Perhaps some training might help. " Sasori suggested.

" Sure. I still need to learn how to control the puppets with a finger. " Hinata said eagerly.

They trained until dawn. By then, Hinata was so tired out she couldn't even stand. As Sasori and Deidara retired, Itachi appeared in front of her.

" Early. "

Hinata looked up and nodded.

" I have studied the uses of Byakugan before. Do you know what they are? " Iatachi questioned.

" They are for searching, tracking and identifying targets. " Hinata said.

Itachi gave a slight nod indicating that she was correct.

" Do you know what is the meaning of Genjutsu? "

" Genjutsu are techniques that use the chakra in the victim's nervous system to create illusions. "

" Correct. I shall teach the basics of Genjutsu today and give you an example. Are you ready? " Itachi narrowed his red eyes.

" Yes, Itachi-sama. "

However, things in Konoha were not going so well...Sasuke left Konoha after fighting an intense battle with Naruto to become more powerful in order to kill Itachi and avenge his clan. Naruto was badly injured and deeply saddened because he couldn't protect both Hinata and Sasuke. Sakura didn't know what to do but comfort poor Naruto. Rumor also had it that the Akatsuki were hunting for Naruto though he didn't know it himself.

" Sakura? I'm going to train with Ero-sennin for a while. " Naruto said as he got up from the hospital bed finally recovering from all his injuries.

" When? " Sakura asked.

" In a week or so. I need to be stronger. To protect the ones that... " His voice trailed off.

" Oh, well I'm training with Tsunade-sama already. Good luck. " Sakura said cheerfully.

Naruto nodded and went off. Probably to find his teacher.

Far, far away, in a forest near the Akatsuki's hideout, a bloodcurdling scream was heard...and then, nothing...

Well, that's it! I hope you enjoyed it! This story for now is during the first season of Naruto. So, I think from the 5th chapter onwards I will be setting it in the Naruto Shippuden timing where everyone is about 2 years older than now. See you all soon!