Kakashi found Hinata sitting under a tree at the training field. She looked as though she'd been crying and he had a pretty good idea that it was because of Sasuke. He landed softly next to her but she did not move, flinch or anything. He was hoping to scare her a bit but it seemed that she was still unaware of his presence.

"Hinata?"

"Oh…hey sensei. I saw you with my Byakugan. I was scanning the area…kinda hoping that…but never mind. I am so confused right now," she said sadly. Kakashi sighed before sitting on the ground next to her.

"Why are you confused princess?"

"Well…not that you care but…"

"Hey, look at me." She turned and faced him slowly eyeing him sadly. "I may be your sensei but teaching you the way of the shinobi is not my only job. If you have a problem you should know that you are always welcome to come to me for help. We can't have major problems on the team. Otherwise it would jeopardize our team work."

"But this…has nothing to do with…it's more of a personal problem."

"I see. Well I didn't say that you had to tell me what it was but I was just making the offer." He smiled at her before staring up at the sky. There was a moment of awkward silence before Hinata spoke up again.

"Sensei?"

"Hmm?"

"Why is it that no one notices me?" Kakashi stared down at the curious young ninja and frowned. How could people not notice you? I notice you. In fact, I've been paying too much attention to you… Of course, he only smiled and shook his head.

"Well, you are quiet and you never do things to make yourself stand out like say, Sakura or Ino."

"But…I don't like having all the attention. It makes me terribly uncomfortable."

"And there's nothing wrong with being that way. In fact, I find that the best women are the silent ones," he said with a grin.

"I…thank you sensei. It's just…I'm glad you notice me because you are probably the only other person besides Neji who notices me. But…I feel like I've made a big mistake all these years keeping to myself."

"Why do you say that?"

"Everyone else has been on dates and has boyfriends but not me. Pretty soon daddy's going to be trying to marry me off and I'm really not ready for that right now. I've never even had a boyfriend so…so when it comes time for me to get engaged, I won't have anymore freedom of choice…to do what I want or date who I want." Hinata lowered her head and began to weep softly. Kakashi put an arm around her and she turned and snuggled up against him.

"It's okay princess. You are thinking too much. I don't think your father is going to marry you off just yet. You still have time to go on a date or two," he grinned.

"Hai…you're probably right. So…why were you looking for me?"

"Oh…well I was going to ask you about Sasuke but that's not important right now…"

"No, it's ok. I'll tell you. Um…well I guess you can say Sasuke and I were getting closer. He um…kissed me and Sakura walked up on us. I think she thinks that Sasuke and I are a couple but honestly we're not. I could never…because of my feelings for Naruto…"

"Don't worry about it. Sasuke has a tendency to overstep certain boundaries. The last time I checked, he and Sakura were not a pair so if you like him then by all means go for it."

"But I don't know how I feel about him. I think he's…cute but I still haven't completely gotten over Naruto. Sensei I am sorry for…"

"Shh," he whispered. "It's okay. I meant what I said. You can talk to me about anything you want alright?"

"Alright." She snuggled even closer to him, laying her head in his lap. He twirled his fingers in her hair and the soft touch from his fingers eventually put her to sleep. He looked up at the sky and saw that the sun was setting. I need to wake her up. I'd hate for Hiashi to come looking for her. It would not be a good thing for either of us.

"Princess?" he whispered. "It's time to get up." She stirred a little but remained put. "Oh gee…you're not making this easy are you?" he laughed. He was about to stand to his feet when Neji landed softly in front of him. "Great timing."

"Likewise. So she fell asleep. Tough day of training?"

"Actually I think it's more or less boy troubles but it's nothing too dramatic."

"Oh, well that's good then. She's going to receive quite the shock within the next couple of weeks or so."

"What do you mean?" Kakashi asked.

"Well uncle was kind enough to inform me that Hinata will be meeting a few potential suitors for her hand in marriage. I, of course, begged uncle to see things my way and let her choose for her own self but he has insisted that I stay out of it. He says it's for her own good since she's highly unlikely to look for a husband on her own."

"But she has plenty of time and I highly doubt that Hiashi will be leaving this world anytime soon."

"All the same it has been decided. I'll take her home now." Neji leaned over and scooped Hinata into his arms. Kakashi noticed that Neji's eyes lingered a lot longer than they should have at her body before he disappeared. When Neji finally left, Kakashi leaned back against the tree and sighed. Every time he thought that he was making a little progress with Hinata, things always seemed to get worse. He didn't have long to dwell on his thoughts for he heard voices coming his way.

"Naruto listen to me. I know that you want to go on a mission but it's just too dangerous."

"But the Akatsuki hasn't made a move in almost a year. I'm tired of doing D-Rank missions. I'm Chunin now. At least give me a good C-Rank," he whined.

"No. You are not allowed outside the village without an escort…"

"So let Sasuke…"

"You know why Sasuke can't go with you. Both of you together would be the Akatsuki's dream come true. Itachi could finish off Sasuke and grab you all in one go. We can't have that."

"You can't protect me forever pervy sage! I'm an adult now…"

"And you're still only a Chunin. We have Sasuke back and Sakura's safe. Why can't you be satisfied?"

"I am…I just…what's the point of being a shinobi if I'm always cooped up in this damn village? I can't even go and visit Gaara. I'm tired of being cooped up in this village and I am tried of living my life in fear of the Akatsuki! I want to go after them and finish them off!"

"NO!"

"YES! I'M GOING TO ASK GRANDMA TSUNADE AND YOU CAN'T STOP ME!"

"Naruto, wait a second. Will you…?"

"Either let me go out of the village or I'm going after the Akatsuki myself. I'll do like Sasuke and leave the village and…"

"And I will tie you to the hospital bed and surround you with ANBU Black Ops. Don't test me on this Naruto," Jiraiya said softly. Naruto cursed loudly before taking off into the night. "Kakashi, I know you're back there."

"Yeah well I thought it best that I stay out of it. He is after all, your pupil."

"Yeah well the Kyuubi is starting to get restless and I don't know what to do about it. The fact that Naruto is itching for a fight can only be because the Kyuubi is growing restless. As you know, the seal has already weakened dramatically so of course Naruto and the Kyuubi are going to feel as one."

"I see. So the fact that he hasn't been in any decent fights…"

"The chakra has too long been suppressed. I could fight him one on one and make him use some of that chakra but because Naruto angers so easily, I'll be risking my life fighting him."

"Yeah well we can't just let that chakra keep building up. Until we find a way to tighten the seal we have to let him out of the village. Otherwise…"

"The slightest change in his emotions can trigger the Kyuubi spirit. About a week ago you told him to train with Hinata."

"Right and I heard from them both that it went well."

"Oh yeah, it went well but…things got a little hot and heavy."

"Really now?"

"Oh yes, and it was a good thing I was um…researching at the time. When Hinata wrapped her arms around Naruto, the chakra started seeping through his body and his eyes turned red. I don't know, but it seemed as if Hinata was unaffected but that chakra is dangerous. You remember how Sakura was poisoned by it?"

"Yeah that is…odd. At any rate we're going to have to do something before the Kyuubi gets out of control."

"Well what do you suggest?"

"I'll take him out on a mission…"

"But Kakashi…"

"He'll be alright. Besides, I need to take the new team out to see how well we'll work together. We haven't been on a mission since the princess has joined the team."

"Princess?" Jiraiya asked a wry smirk crossing his face.

"I mean, the girl…Hinata," he said quickly.

"Uh…huh…yeah so is there something you need to tell me?"

"Nope."

"I see. Well then, let me know how the mission goes. When are you planning to take them out?"

"Maybe tomorrow depending on what Lady Hokage has lined up. I'll keep you informed so that you can come after us if we're gone too long."

"Alright. Now go get some sleep. You looked stressed."

"You have no idea."