Patience Chapter 28: Capture

I plan to finish this story up so this is the second last chapter before everything wraps up!

Disclaimer: Nope.

"Good. Now throw another kick."

Hinata launched herself up and landed another kick on Kankuro, who blocked the impact. They sparred back and forth, exchanging blows. Hinata's new leg was fitted on her, and boosted her support. She fought like a seasoned ninja. Taking it up a notch, Hinata activated the small vessels of chakra inside her leg and pounded a blow at Kankuro. The impact knocked him off his feet and Kankuro backed up.

"Good, good! You've improved in such little time, Hinata-san!"

The said woman wiped off the sweat from her forehead and beamed. It had been a stressful day, but over the span of just 3 hours, she'd learned to perfect her new puppet leg.

" Shall I try to use the compartments now?"

"Go ahead, let's see how they work!"

Hinata continued to train with Kankuro as the day passed by. Naruto had his own training to do. While Hinata sparred, he improved his techniques efficiently.

"Well, Hinata-san you have successfully beaten me in Taijutsu. But that doesn't mean much. I'm not a strong sparring partner. I suggest you spar with Naruto for better results."

Hinata released her stance and bowed to Kankuro.

"Thank You Kankuro-san for helping me! I can't repay you enough."

Kankuro smiled at her. He'd met many Hyuga men and women in his life. He especially remembered that Neji brat, but he never thought there was anyone in that linage with such a pure image.

"Don't worry about it! When you go back to Konoha, be prepared, I've heard they're looking for you two. And say hello to that stuck up cousin of yours for me."

Hinata's smile faltered. She raised her head and laughed bitterly.

"Kankuro-san... Neji-nii-san passed away just a few days back."

The puppet master was struck with shock. He'd never heard of this.

"Really... Hinata-san, I'm sorry."

"It's alright. Though he isn't alive, he'll be in my heart."

Memories boggled Hinata's mind. She was reminded of all those times with Neji in the Hyuga household.

"Thank You for training me Kankuro-san. I'll make sure to enhance my training."

Kankuro bowed to Hinata and stepped closer. He awkwardly held out his bandaged hand. He was blushing slightly; Hinata could see that even from his dark makeup.

"Since... I've never had a student to train, I didn't really know what to get you. So I got you something unique, it was Temari's choice!"

With those words he rushed away, almost like an embarrassed lady. Hinata smiled as she watched him go. Opening her fist, she saw the beautiful object Kankuro had gifted her.

It was a statue made from Gaara's special sand. It was a red leaf with the carving of Konoha's symbol in the middle. Inside the carving, a small amethyst was embedded, giving the intricate carving a special effect. A small loop was moulded at the very top of the leaf for a string. Hinata brought out a piece of silver chain she'd purchased a few weeks back and looped the leaf with it. Wearing it like a necklace, Hinata stroked the tip of leaf, feeling as if it was a protective charm from the people of Sand.

"That's a pretty necklace Hinata."

The lavender haired kunoichi turned to see Naruto, glazed with sweat and panting, smiling at her.

"I just did some of my own training. Shall we spar?"

"O-okay Naruto-kun."

"Don't be nervous Hinata! If it's you, you'll beat me easily!"

They stood a few feet apart. Hinata began with her stance and motioned for Naruto to start. From here on, it was an actual battle. The air was filled with tension. Who would begin? Naruto started his first move. He rushed forward and threw a punch Hinata's way. The woman blocked it easily and went around to Naruto's neck. She pulled out her hand from behind her back and aimed a strike at Naruto's neck. But before she could, he kneed her in the stomach, forcing Hinata to back away. When she jumped back, he used that momentum to launch a clone her way. The clone aimed a punch straight at her face.

Crap, I gotta block this.

Hinata brought her hands to her face to block the punch just in time. The impact smacked her to the ground, but Hinata was ready, she twisted her body sideways just before she hit the ground and the clone was dirt in his face instead. Brushing herself off, Hinata got back into position.

"Naruto-kun, this is nothing. You're only throwing light punches at me! If you don't start picking up your pace, I'll be forced to use my skills."

Heeding her warning, Naruto increased his number of clones. They came at Hinata from every direction. She smiled almost with glee.

Now I can let loose.

There was an immediate change in Hinata's posture. She tensed up and sprung into the air. The clones followed, but they were no match for Hinata. Mid-air, she released chakra from her palms and struck each one, creating a ribbon of chakra around her.

But as soon as Hinata landed, she was assaulted by the original Naruto. He was waiting for her to come down and as soon as she did, he landed a kick right to her gut. Hinata created a wall of chakra to block it but the impact backed her up. Anticipating this, Naruto advanced forward, kicking and punching at a quick speed. They engaged in combat for a few rough minutes, neither backing down. Eventually, Naruto found an opening in Hinata's guard. He went for her right thigh, but this was bait. Hinata took the chance at the lowered Naruto, brought her hands down in a fist and smacked his back. Naruto slammed into the ground with a loud bang. Hinata backed up and panted heavily. As the smoke cleared, there was nothing there. Hinata's eyes widened. She failed to turn around as Naruto launched himself from above and pounced on her. She fell with Naruto on top of her. He'd pinned her arms above her head and put his legs on either side of her waist. Their bodies were pressed tightly against each other. Naruto lowered himself and whispered hotly in Hinata's ear.

"I win Hinata-chan. Now, a loving kiss."

He closed his eyes, bent down and took her upper lip and sucked on it. It felt odd. Naruto opened his eyes to find himself kissing a slimy upper lip of a frog.

"Bleeh?!"

He stumbled away from utter shock only to land at the original Hinata's feet. She was clutching her stomach and laughing.

"I-if you can pull off a joke, so can I!"

Flustered, Naruto laughed along with her. The two sat down and drank water while discussing their next plans.

"What do you want to do now Hinata? We've completed your training. We can head back to Konoha, or we can stay in Sand, It's your call."

Hinata took a deep breath before answering.

"We will go back. No one can stop us from living in Konoha. I'm not the Hyuga Estate's property. I'm a person. This way is not right. We'll go back and face them. Besides Naruto-kun, you can't get caught in this, it's my mess to deal with, and I'll tackle it head on."

Naruto was fully impressed. He didn't expect Hinata to come up with such a resolve. He observed her posture. She was confident, determined. Hinata sat in a graceful manner. Her face looked different too, almost serene. Her doe eyes were filled with resolve. Naruto felt attracted to her at that moment. He leaned down to kiss Hinata. She noticed Naruto moving forward and all her confidence melted at the sight of him. Hinata reddened but moved forward and received his kiss. Naruto brought his hand up and held Hinata from behind. At the same time, her hands moved along with him. Their kiss deepened and soon, Hinata was panting for breath. Naruto released her for just a moment to say,

"I'm glad you don't taste like a frog."


The trees moved quickly along them. Naruto and Hinata had been traveling for 2 days now. Konoha was near, but they still had a day's worth of traveling to do. As the scenery changed around them, a sudden movement caught Hinata's eyes.

"Naruto-kun."

The two dispersed accordingly to distract their followers. Hinata took a detour while Naruto ploughed straight ahead. There were two shinobi following both of them. Each one carried a sword. Hinata ran into one of them before she could continue. She stepped into her stance and engaged the enemy in combat. He certainly wasn't expecting it, Hinata could tell. His movements were awkward and Hinata won quickly. She overtook his pace and captured him instantly. Killing him wasn't as necessary as investigating why he came here.

"You certainly attacked us for a reason. We aren't normal travellers anyways. So, who are you and why did you?"

The man refused to talk, instead struggled to get away. Irritated, Hinata yanked his collar and looked at the man straight in the eyes.

"Why. Did. You. Chase. Us."

Her words left an impression on the man, but no answer. Instead he opened his mouth and blew poisoned gas in Hinata's face. Before she could react, he slipped away from her grasp. All she collected was a piece of clothing.

I should meet up with Naruto-kun...

Hinata regrouped with her partner. The same thing had happened with Naruto, the man had gotten away.

"Naruto-kun, let's get going. If they come again, we'll be prepared."

Naruto nodded to her, but looked confused.

"They looked somewhat familiar, Hinata. Any idea as to who they could've been?"

Long black hair, a yukata even in this chilly weather, samurai swords when they clearly had no proper skill in taijutsu...

"Not sure. They could be. For now let's return. Konoha is close."

"Nervous?" Naruto asked with a smile of his face.

"No, merely anticipating."

The two shinobi arrived at the gates of Konoha. For some reason, a chill was placed in the air. No one was on guard duty, which bothered Naruto.

They easily walked into the village, down its quiet lanes. Just Naruto and Hinata headed towards the Hyuga compounds, a blast resounded their way. Following the commotion, the usual guard duties rushed by them pursuing an enemy. Upon closer look, Hinata noticed the enemies looked similar to the ones that attacked Hinata and Naruto.

"Naruto-kun!"

Meeting each other's eyes the two came to a conclusion. Naruto followed the pursuers while Hinata headed in the direction of the noise.

Upon arriving, Hinata marvelled at the wreck. The Hyuga compound was diminished. Cracks appeared in the walls and the front entrance was torn. Many Branch members and some head members lay flat on the ground in pain. Medics rushed around saving anyone they could. Hinata noticed Sakura being one of the people helping.

"Sakura-san? What happened here?"

"Hinata!"

Sakura finished bandaging a man and rushed towards her friend.

"Many things. After you guys left, the Hyuga personally went to Tsunade-sama and requested an immediate search for you. They stated that you were no longer part of the Hyuga clan and that a search was to be held for you and Naruto. But Tsunade-sama refused, saying she could do nothing for clan matters and that any Shinobi was allowed to come and go in Konoha as they pleased. That left them very angry and the search for you guys ended. But Hanabi... She is captured."

If took a while for Sakura's words to settle in Hinata's stomach.

"Captured, what do you mean?"

"Lately, because of stress, she'd been running away more and more. Today was the limit for her. She rushed out of the compound at the wrong time and these people, they got her. They're being pursued right now."

Fear welled up in Hinata's throat.

Not Hanabi too...

She thanked Sakura and rushed out, going after the pursuers. Because of her new leg, it was easier to run. Hinata fastened her speed and caught up with the rest of the chasers. Upon arriving, she noticed Naruto had already taken care of things. The man was tied up and almost strangled, while Naruto listened to the details from Izumo and Kotetsu. After meeting up, Hinata and Naruto nodded to each other. A mission was to be set in motion.

They picked through the wreckage and brought along the captured man. Getting him to talk was simple, they dropped him off to Ibiki and he spoke with in moments of looking at his face. He sputtered something about his leader and how he was ordered to capture Hyuga Hanabi.

"Who is your leader?" Ibiki asked.

He didn't answer. Without waiting for his response, Hinata grabbed his neck roughly.

"I'm minutes away from ripping your body apart from your head. Where is your leader?"

After many threats, he gave a location to Hinata. With the new information, she left for the Hokage's mansion with Naruto.


"Hokage-sama, I have a request."

The blonde woman was in the middle of attending the Hyuga mess when the said "failure" entered her room with Naruto.

So they've come back. She noticed immediate changes in them. Naruto, his usually loud self was quietly standing guard by the door while the Hyuga heiress spoke to Tsunade. She looked...different. Almost more radiant, Tsunade thought. There was an air of confidence in her.

"Welcome back, first of all. I'm very aware of the reason as to why you are here. I've heard of Hanabi's capture and a search team will be I'm effect immediately. In fact, they should be arriving anytime."

"I understand Tsunade-sama but I have information on this matter. Earlier me and Naruto-kun ran into 2 men on our way to Konoha. I managed to get a piece of his shirt. And Naruto-kun captured a man who was involved in this problem. He is at Ibiki's headquarters and already gave us the whereabouts of his leader. I would like to join this team you've put together."

She bowed formally to Tsunade, who sighed.

"Well, what do you say Kakashi. Care to take her along?"

Hinata turned to see that while she'd talked, Naruto had led in Kakashi, Sakura and Sai.

"Sure, why not? It involves Hinata heavily."

Kakashi's accepting remark was enough for Hinata. She bowed to both Tsunade and Kakashi before taking her position beside Sakura.

"Team Kakashi plus Hinata, currently, you'll be given an emergency assassination hunt to bring back Hanabi Hyuga safe and sound while at the same time, find out the cause of this and kill, if not capture the ones who have her. Dismissed!"

Deep within a forest, a small village was nestled. A ninja stumble into the village and found his way to his master. He bowed at his feet and put down his sword in respect.

"We weren't able to get her. She was faster than we expected. I thought you said she was handicapped?"

Ignoring his servant's words, the man smiled slyly.

"So my Hime has learned to get past her obstacle? Even better for me. Bring over her sibling, this'll be fun!"

Okay, Now just one chapter remaining which will conclude the end on this story, but there will be an extra chapter 30 as an epilogue. Also, this story should finish up in a week or two. Look forward to it! Review please peeps! The chapter will come sooner than! ;)

~TheJollyHyuga