Tomorrow's Son
The Attack.
Naruto, Hinata and Jiraiya sat in Naruto's apartment discussing what to do next.
"I wander why she didn't just go ahead and attack us," said Jiraiya.
Naruto responded, "She may be a few noodles short of a bowl of ramen but she is still Sakura and she knows the two of us well enough to know she would have lost at that moment."
"Good point' said Jiraiya, "But she sounded like she had some thing else to do first."
"That's right," replayed Hinata, "She even said she would deal with us latter, that means she had something else to do first. How ever it also means she's still coming after us. We need a plan. First of all we need to choose the battle field not here."
"The place we had the picnic sounds like a good place to go," said Naruto.
"Good idea Naruto," responded Hinata, "It's a wide open space with few people around. I even know a way to let her know were we will be."
As the threesome headed towards the place they had had picnic they came across they younger Sakura and Hinata went up to her.
"So, Hinata," said Sakura, "I hear you and Naruto are dating now."
"Not quite," replied Hinata, "Though we do have a date in a couple lunch on Friday."
"Well congratulations," said Sakura, "You finally got Naruto to notice you. By the way who's the other guy, he kind of looks like Naruto."
"Well," responded Hinata, "He is related to Naruto, however Lady Tsunade, has us showing him around town. And by the way speaking of Tsunade if you see her tell I'll be in the open field next to the training area."
"Ok," answered Sakura, "It does look like spending so much time with Naruto has helped your shyness."
"Thanks," replied Hinata as she left.
When they got to field Hinata turned to Naruto, and Jiraiya and said, "You two stay out of site, She's here but she'll stay hidden if she sees the two of you,"
"But how do you know the older Sakura will be there," asked Jiraiya.
"Because I just told the younger Sakura that I would be there, "answered Hinata, "Without mentioning the two of you. I don't think she'll attack all three of us, she didn't earlier."
"I can't let, you do that," demanded Naruto.
"Me too," added Jiraiya.
"Look if you see that I'm in trouble," said Hinata, "Then go ahead and jump in but other than that she's mine."
After several trys, it was clear that Hinata was determined.
"OK," said Naruto, "We'll stand by and let you take her on by yourself, but if I think you're in trouble, we'll jump in."
"Don't worry," said Hinata "I can take her."
As Naruto and Jiraiya remained out of site as Hinata predicted the older Sakura showed up as if on cue.
"Dad," said Jiraiya, "I know that being with you cured ma of her natural shyness but I've never seen her this way before."
"I have once," said Naruto, "Hinata came to my aid while I fighting Pain nearly getting her self kill in the process. She also declared her love for me at that time. When it comes to protecting those she loves Hinata has shown here self to be brave and tenacious fighter. She knows what she's doing; besides we're here if she needs help."
"So it looks as though you were foolish enough too come here alone," said the older Sakura.
"I've beaten tougher than you," said Hinata.
"Are you sure," responded the older Sakura, throwing a powerful punch.
Hinata managed to dodge it, sticking her right leg in front of the older Sakura's left causing her to trip.
"Nice to know," commented Hinata, "That you still fall for that maneuver even after 25 years.
As the older Sakura recovered she managed to grab Hinata left leg and brought her down on of herself. What followed was regular cat fight including scratching and pulling hair. Naruto had to admit to himself that it was rather fun watching the fight; he also knew it would be suicide to try stop it.
As she fraught the older Sakura, Hinata had to admit to herself that part of her was actually enjoying it. This was because some times; though she never let it show; she got a little jealous of the attention the Naruto had paid to Sakura, attention which she always spurned except on occasion to manipulate him into doing something for him. Some time after the battle with Pain she had heard from Kiba that Sakura had falsely confessed her love to Naruto to get him to stop trying to find Sasuke. While she was glad to hear that even Naruto had seen through the lie, the fact that Sakura had tried to play with his emotions like that had angered her. Ever since part Hinata wanted to clobber Sakura to for it. Having the opportunity to actually do so repeatedly was to Hinata's surprise giving her a sense of satisfaction.
Finally the two girls separated, both panting with near exhaustion, just as Naruto, Hinata and Jiraiya started to think they would be able to capture her safely the older Sakura created a chakra sword and started swing it at Hinata who managed to block it with her own chakra, but she was tiring.
Concerned that the older Sakura would get a hit in as Hinata got tiered out Naruto and Jiraiya sprung into action. Naruto stood between Hinata and the older Sakura blocking the attacks. Hinata was great full and feeling a little romantic at Naruto protecting her.
Then suddenly the older Sakura got a wide eyed expression of pain on her face and then dropped dead with Jiraiya holding a Rasengan where she had been standing.
"Jiraiya," said Naruto, and Hinata unison.
"She could have killed either of you," said Jiraiya, "If that had happened not only would I never be born but all the good you will do in the future will be gone as well. I couldn't take the chance."
"Your right," said Naruto, "It's just that she was or is a friend."
"It wasn't easy for me," said Jiraiya, "Sakura was almost like an aunt to me when I was little, so I'm not without feelings."
"You mean knowing all this," said Hinata "We let her be close to you?"
"While she morns for Sasuke," replied Jiraiya, "She doesn't really go psycho for another 20 years, besides she its not as though you leaft her alone with any of us.
Naruto placed his jacket over the dead woman's face and they head for Tsunade office.
Next Chapter: The Funeral