The Light Within the Darkness

Part 3

Disclaimer: I don't own the show or any of the original characters.

Tsunade stood on a balcony overlooking Konohagakure and sighed. It had been a really hard time for her lately. Every day it was always something going either kind of good or really shitty. Reports of her best falling on the battlefield came in a lot more than she wanted. It seemed everyday she lots more and more shinobi to this quickly rising Akatsuki group.

It had all started a few months ago, when she received word of two men in black cloaks with red clouds on them, wandering around the Leaf Village border. So she assumed the worst and dispatched ten of her top Anbu Black Ops to deal with the problem. It had turned out that even her best were no match for the awesome might of the Akatsuki. Only one of the ten returned. A young Black Ops who was new to the job had reported one of the men had red eyes, and the other had blue skin and wielded a wicked looking sword.

She sighed again; nothing was simple anymore. She knew that as soon as word that Akatsuki were on her doorstep. And the Village Hidden in the Sand was not fairing much better. The Akatsuki were after the Kazekage and so they couldn't help out much. It seemed everyone had his or her own problems to deal with nowadays.

'Well, it's obvious they want Naruto, but he's not here. And why him? Hasn't he been through enough shit in his life? Why does it always seem like everyone is out to get him? WHAT THE HELL DID HE DO TO ANYONE!?' She clenched her fists in frustration and bit her lower lip so hard it drew blood.

"I swear to whoever is listening, if anyone tries to lay a hand on that boy, I will personally see to it that they die by my hands!"

She was so angry that she didn't even notice the figure walking up behind her.

"Well well, I didn't know that you could be so caring Tsunade," there was a hint of amusement in the stranger's voice. She was so startled by this new presence that she quickly spun around and wiped the blood from her lower lip. Looking this figure up and down, she could help but let a little hint of a smirk cross her ageless face.

"Jiraiya, I should've known. Who else can sneak up on women like that?"

Jiraiya just laughed and returned her gaze.

"You've got me there. Tsunade, you're just as I remembered, not a day older than you were since I left." His smile slowly died away and a sympathetic sorrow filler his eyes. "But you have aged, though not in appearance. I can see it in your eyes. I see someone who has been living through some really rough times lately. And I see someone who hasn't gotten a good nights sleep in a long time." Tsunade just rolled here eyes.

"You haven't changed a bit though Jiraiya. You think that pointing out my problems is going to make me want to date you. Sorry to tell you old friend, it won't work. You really want to help me? Think up some solutions to my problems, not just point them out."

Jiraiya just shook his head. These were two old teammates and friends who knew much about each other. Jiraiya just wished that he didn't have to go through this every single time she had a broken nail (metaphorically speaking).

"Ok, well maybe if I knew what said problems were, I might be able to help. Until then I guess I'll just sit here saying 'My Tsunade, what big jugs you have' until you crack." Tsunade scowled at him and her voice held more than a hint of anger.

"You will do nothing of the sort. And since you are SO interested in my troubles, here they are!" She walked over to her desk, picked up a four-foot stack of papers and dropped them at his feet. "I'm losing more and more shinobi everyday, and these reports of casualties in the field show no signs of slowing down. The Akatsuki are more active than ever, and worst of all, Itachi and Kisame are still the ones after Naruto." She let out a frustrated sigh and sat down in her chair to try and relax. This wasn't an easy thing for her to talk about and not get worked up. Jiraiya almost felt sorry for asking.

"I know it's hard for you to talk about, but I need this information if I'm to continue my search for their leader. Please Tsunade, I need this." Tsunade looked up with sorrowful eyes and nodded. It was times like this they were both happy of the understanding they had with one another.

"Ok, I'll tell you what I can. I think all the cells of the Akatsuki are starting to mobilize. From what our intelligence has gathered more and more pairs of Akatsuki groups are appearing, far beyond your original group of nine. We think here in the next few months they'll take one fell swoop to gain control over all the Jinchuriki (tailed-beasts). Though we have yet to figure out why. What have you gathered in your time?"

Jiraiya sat down in a chair in front of her desk and leaned back in it, as if forcing himself to relax. "I know the names of all the members of the original nine with the exception of two. First off are Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki. Obviously I don't need to tell you anything about them. Then there is the team of Hidan and Kakuzu. Hidan is part of the Jashin cult that demands a lot of bloodshed for worshiping rituals. He wields a three bladed scythe and is supposedly immortal. His partner Kakuzu is in it for money and wants nothing more than to enlarge his bank account. There is an odd ball Tobi, who seems to be relatively new. I know very little of him due to his short time with them. Next we have Sasori of the Red Sands and Deidara-"

"WAIT ONE MINUTE! You mean to tell me that Sasori, the puppet master, is in the Akatsuki?"

Jiraiya regarded her with a stern face.

"Yes. He has been with them for some time now, I assume." Tsunade forced some laughter that sounded more nervous than she intended.

"That's just great. This is making my day better and better."

"I never said I had good news, nor did you ask for any." They both stared at one another for a while.

"Your right. I just…I don't know what to do anymore. I could go into the field myself, but that runs the risk of my death. I personally don't think the village could do without me right now. I know what I need, and that's shinobi. Good ones too, not just some fresh recruits who have never seen a real battle before. They require time to train that we don't have. The clock is ticking, and we don't seem to be getting any breaks soon. I'm out of options." Tsunade started to shake again, but for different reasons.

Jiraiya looked up into her face and noticed that they were filled with tears. He should have guessed this would happen while he was away. He knew he had to help her somehow, but nothing came to mind. He could go looking for some old friends to help, but who?

Finally…he knew who to go to.

"There is only two guys I can think of that will be of assistance in this. But getting one requires that you tell Naruto who his real parents are." Tsunade looked up at Jiraiya with a stunned expression.
"You can't be serious! First off, I don't know if Naruto is ready for the truth yet. Second, I really don't need that kind of shit to deal with right now in case you didn't notice. Third, I'm not stupid Jiraiya, I know exactly of whom you speak. Naruto doesn't need that kind of shit right now either and-"

"WHO ARE YOU TO TELL HIM WHAT HE IS AND IS NOT READY FOR?"

"THE HOKAGE, THAT'S WHO! LAST TIME I CHECKED HE IS STILL UNDER MY COMMAND!"

There was a long pause between Tsunade and Jiraiya after this.

…

Still no one spoke.

…

Finally Tsunade spoke up.

"Fine, if you think that he can handle this then you go right ahead. But I will not be the one to break the news to that poor kid. You can do that if you want that man so much. So go ahead, but you need to be back within two weeks, ok? For a reason that I'm not really allowed to tell at this point. Just know that things won't be good if you aren't back in two weeks." Jiraiya cast her a suspicious glance. He wasn't stupid either, and he knew she had something up her sleeve. He decided to let this one slip.

"O…K. I'll take your word on that. But I'm not going to tell Naruto either, I'll just let him do that. " He smiled and stood up. Tsunade did likewise.

"Jiraiya, you still never told me who the other guy i. Last time I checked two men, not even if they were as strong as you could tip this war" Jiraiya looked at her and smiled.

"It's ok Tsunade, the second guy has that covered. You don't need to know his name, not yet at least. Besides, I don't really think I'm in a position to tell you anyway." He turned around and started to walk out the door.

"Wait!" Jiraiya turned around.

"Sorry, but, be careful. I can't afford to lose you most of all, I'm going to need your help in the months to come." Jiraiya just smiled at her.

"Don't worry Tsunade, I think I'm old enough to take care of myself. As for Naruto, he should be in later today. But I really think you should be nicer to his cousin when he gets here. He was never one to put up with other people's shit. He should be here in about three days."

"HE'S ALREADY ON HIS WAY HERE?"

But it was too late, Jiraiya had already poofed out of sight. Tsunade just stood there standing over her desk, shaking with rage. She turned around and slammed her fist into the wall, knocking a good chunk of it clean out.

'I hope he has every shinobi that's ever walked the earth behind him when he gets back. Because that's what it's going to take to keep me from kicking that shit out of him!'

Naruto sat under a tree in his old training grounds. He laid Hinata's head on his lap, waiting for her to wake up.

'Maybe I went about this all wrong. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything to her. It doesn't surprise me that I failed at this too, I do at everything else. I have to work my ass off just to get anything going for me. Even then it usually fails sooner or later. Yep, this is just another failure to write off in my life story. I'll try and make it up to her when she comes around.'

After a good half-hour had passed Hinata started to regain consciousness. She opened her eyes and looked up and saw Naruto right above her. Once again, she had to fight of the darkness that started to come over her again.

'No, I can't pass out again! I've got to keep calm and collected. I can't show any sign of weakness in front of him. I've got to show him how much stronger I've gotten since he's been gone.'

"Hi Naruto," Hinata said in a soft voice that was almost a whisper. This got the young man's attention.

"Oh, hi Hinata. I'm glad to see you're awake. How are you feeling?"

"G-good, thank you. How long have I been like this?"

"I'd say about an hour and a half. But it's ok, I really didn't mind watching over you. In fact I kind of liked it." He grinned at her and she blushed deeply. He just looked at her for a long time without any words being said. Until Hinata realized that her head was still on his lap. She sat up quickly and looked away from him.

'We've never just really talked before. Then again, he's never just held me like that before. This could be my chance to tell him how I really feel. But how do I say it? Maybe….no….that won't do….I could…no…not that either….But I need to say something!'

"I-I'm sorry."

'Stupid!' Hinata scolded herself silently.

"Don't be sorry, I really didn't mind." He smiled and scratched the back of his head. She returned his smile and sat down next to him.

"So Hinata, what've you been up to since I left."

"Nothing much, training mostly. I've learned a few new jutsu and so have the others. We get a few missions here and there but Lady Hokage doesn't want to send many of us younger shinobi out into the field nowadays. We've been losing a lot of troops lately, so I've herd. She's been getting really protective of her troops. It's like she at war with herself most of all."

Naruto was stunned by the news. He hadn't heard anything about dying troops or anything even close to that. The village seemed well enough when he first got here. He didn't think she was lying, but this was something he was definitely going to have to bring up with Tsunade later.

"Wow, I had no idea. I guess times are getting tough for all of us. I didn't hear any word from the village since I left with Jiraiya. I've been training non-stop, day in and day out. So I guess I shouldn't be shocked I didn't know. But enough about that, how have things been between you and your family?" Hinata's expression did not improve, much to Naruto's displeasure.

"Not much better, I'm afraid. There still fighting between the cadet branch and main branch of the households. My father is being nicer to me, but only when I do what he wants me to do. Neji has gotten a lot nicer to me though. He's been helping me train in our Hyuuga fighting style and things like that."

Naruto grumbled at the mention of Neji, he had been on a mission or two with him but he still didn't care for him very much.

"Neji eh? You know, I never cared for him very much to tell you the truth. Not after what he did to you at the Chunin exams. That never sat well with me."

Hinata was shocked in a good sort of way at his sudden defensiveness of her. Maybe he did have feelings for her after all! However, she forgave Neji, and now she thought that he should too.

"Yeah b-but, it's ok now. He apologized and everything to me. He said it wasn't me he was mad at. Just the whole situation with our family in general. He's not really that bad of a guy."

Naruto looked at her and smiled. Then he looked at her and started to sweat slightly as he slid closer to her and wrapped his arms around her.

'He's…he's…holding me out of his own volition? But….but…I'm not that lucky…am I?' She was thinking so many things and trying to stay conscious at the same time that she didn't even hear Naruto talking.

"Still, I don't think he should have taken it that far, you know? There is a certain point you just don't cross no matter how angry you are. Hinata, you ok?"

Hinata was once again on the verge of passing out. But Naruto had no intention of letting that happen. He pulled her head up and tapped her cheek slightly. This helped her to fight it off this time. Naruto had to ask what was up.

"Hinata, are you sure you're ok?"

'I have to think of something to tell him quick, I can't let him know yet can I?'

"I-I'm f-fine, thank you." But Naruto was not buying it at all. Something was up.

"Then why do you seem to pass out every time I get close to you? Do you not like me or something?"

"No! That's not the reason at all!" Hinata said in a pleading voice while reaching back out to him.

"Then why do you do it?"

'OH NO! IS THIS MY CHANCE? WHAT SHOULD I SAY, I CAN'T DO IT, NOT YET!'

"HEY NARUTO, LONG TIME NO SEE!"

Naruto and Hinata both sat up and looked at the two figures approaching. It was none other than Rock Lee and Sakura. Hinata sighed gently in relief. This bought her time to think of an answer later. More time than she knew, because Naruto attention was now on Rock Lee and his old teammate Sakura.

"Hey guys! What's going on?"
Rock Lee and Sakura just smiled.

"Oh nothing much," said Sakura in a nonchalant tone. "Just passing through on my way to go find Kakashi. And Rock Lee here is getting ready to train some more today." Rock Lee grinned from ear to ear and gave a thumbs up.

"That is right, I'm still always training to become the best shinobi I can be. That requires rigorous training every day. Isn't that right Naruto?"

Naruto copied his exact movements. "Damn straight Bushy Brow! You won't catch me slacken off any time soon."

"That is what I like to hear. Oh, hi Hinata. I'm glad I've found you. Neji wanted me to tell you that your father is looked for you back at your manor. That was about an hour or so ago."

Hinata quickly scrambled to her feet and started to walk off in that direction.

"Thank you Lee, I'll see you all later."

Naruto wanted to make sure of that though.

"Hey Hinata wait!" She turned around and looked at him nervously.

"What is it Naruto?"

He scratched the back of his head.

'What should I say? I want to see her later. How should I go about this??? I've got it!'

"I just wanted to see if you wanted to come over to my place tonight. You know, hang out maybe?"

Hinata just blankly stared at him. This was like her most wondrous dream coming true.

"Umm sure Naruto, I'll be there. Does seven sound ok?"

"Sure"

It was all going perfect, or so they both thought. Until Rock Lee spoke up.

"Yeah Naruto! We could all get together at your place tonight. You know, Shikamaru, Sakura, Tenten, Shino, the whole gang. We could throw a little welcome home party tonight. I'm so glad I thought of it. See you guys then!"

And before anyone could speak up, Rock Lee sped off into the distance. Leave it to him to make plans and leave before an objection could be made. Sakura just laughed while Naruto and Hinata both stood there, mouths hanging wide open.

"Well you two, I have to go find Kakashi. I think that I'll help Rock Lee sped the word. Since it's obviously too late for anyone to tell him no. Oh by the way Naruto, Lady Tsunade wanted me to tell you to see her right away. In case you didn't already know. Well, sorry to be in such a rush but I really do have to go. I'll see you two later tonight."

Now it was Sakura's turn to walk off towards town. She knew that they weren't going to say anything. Besides, they both had places to be as well. After she was out of seeing distance, Naruto and Hinata just looked at each other.

"Well Hinata, I guess I'll see you tonight," said Naruto who was kind of embarrassed about the whole situation.

"Yeah, s-see you tonight." To Hinata, these words were had to say, considering she had never said them to a boy before, let alone the boy of her dreams.

Now the pair walked off. Each heading in their own direction. Unknown to the other, they were both thinking the same thing.

'How am I going to be able to be alone with him?'

'How am I going to be able to be alone with her?'

TO BE CONTINUED…

Authors notes: Well here is the new update. Don't worry about the whole 'Naruto's cousin' thing, I promise not to have too many original characters. I'd like to keep it simple so it's not too hard to follow. Hope you all enjoy it bunch of freeloading sons of- sorry, it's just that I have a LOT of hits and only three reviews… something's up. You know what, I know what I'll do. I'll put a curse on all of you who read and don't review. Here it goes…In some point of your life, may your crotch be infested with the crabs of a thousand whores and your arms made too short to scratch. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE, OR WHATEVER HOLIDAY YOU CELEBRATE THIS TIME OF YEAR!

Next time…THE PARTY, THERE WILL BE NUDITY, OH YES, THERE WILL BE NUDITY!