A/N: Ok well this is another, unfortunately, craptastic and a bit shorter chapter but I tried. This is dedicated to Murasaki Shikibu. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!

Disclaimer: I don't own…sadly

Chapter: 43

The moon had finally risen and Hinata's eyes were glued to the night sky. Around her she could hear the soft snores and deep breathing of her companions. Coupling with the chirping of the crickets, it made a midnight serenade that had Hinata yawning.

'Tired?' her demon asked.

"Yes," Hinata answered aloud.

'Then why not rest?' it asked again.

"I'm too worried about Gaara-kun." She answered closing her eyes and grasping her hands together in frustration.

'I understand.' The demon assured. 'But in order for us to stand even a chance against the Akatsuki you must rest and gather your strength. Having me is a clear advantage but we have only been together for a little over half a year, you still have yet to know any of my abilities.'

Hinata sighed and was about to speak again, to give her another reason not to sleep but her demon beat her to it.

'Gaara would want you to you know." The demon said quickly, breaking Hinata's already flimsy resolve.

"Mmm hmmm," Hinata mumbled, but still she did not lie down.

'Is it your dreams that still haunt you?'

She nodded and laid down now staring comfortably at the stars, wishing on every single one that they would be able to find Gaara in time.

'Will a story help lull you to sleep?'



"Thank you." Hinata said smiling. "But I don't think so, no offense but a story told by a demon might not be the best thing to chase away nightmares."

'A song then?' the demon inquired.

"Maybe." Hinata mused. "Do you know any?"

'Only one." It answered. 'My old container would sit alone in the dark and sing it every night.'

"Why?" Hinata asked.

'I suppose it's because she was lonely.' It answered. 'She wanted someone, anyone to help her. Too bad she died before she could meet you.'

"Why didn't you talk to her and make friends kind of like what you're doing with me?" Hinata asked sitting up.

'Now now child don't fret, rest, these questions are not important. I'll even sing the song for you.'

(A/N: Even though I'm not a huge fan of Lord of the Rings I think this song is beautiful. It's called May it be by Enya.)

'May it be an evening star, shines down upon you. May it be when darkness falls, your heart will be true, you walk a lonely road. Oh, how far you are from home

Mornië utúlië. Believe and you will find your way. Mornië alantië. A promise lives within you now.'

Hinata fell back and felt her eyes grow heavy as the demons urethral voice swept her into her own dreams.

'May it be the shadows call, will fly away. May it be your journey on, to light the day.
When the night is overcome. You may rise to find the sun
Mornië utúlië, Believe and you will find your way
Mornië alantië, A promise lives within you now
A promise lives within you now'

A few hours later she was shaken awake by Sasuke.

"Good morning." Hinata said softly while stretching.



" 'Morning." Sasuke answered before tossing an apple at Hinata that he got from his bag.

"Hey guys!" Jugo hissed just as Hinata was about to take a bite of her breakfast.

"What?" Sasuke replied a little irked.

"Look at that!" he said pointing towards the end of the bird.

Hinata looked in the direction he was pointing in and had to swallow a giggle. Suigetsu had his arms wrapped around Karin who was lying on his chest. Almost like clockwork the young woman's eyes slowly started to open.

"Sasuke-kun." She gasped in euphoric bliss, snuggling closer to Suigetsu who she thought was Sasuke.

Blearily she looked into the face of the man she was lying on. It took her another minute to realize that it wasn't Sasuke and a whole other minute to realize exactly who it was.

"EWWW GET OFF ME!" she cried smacking him hard and waking up the poor young man.

"Karin YOU BITCH!" Suigetsu cried rubbing his reddening face.

Jugo began to laugh as the argument commenced. Hinata even noticed the small smile on Sasuke's face.

"Alright enough you two." He said returning to his stoic demeanor.

The two ninja's glared at each other one last time before turning their attention back to the Uchiha.

"Alright here's the plan," Sasuke began. "Suigetsu and I will be dropped off at the sound village to find any supplies while Karin, Jugo, and Hinata will search Thunder village for any sign of the Akatsuki."

Suigetsu made a face but nodded along with everyone else.

"If you encounter the Akatsuki DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT fight them. Come to the sound village as fast as you can and get us. Then we can fight." Sasuke said.



Another nod. Sasuke looked up at the sky.

"In a few minutes, Suigetsu and I will be leaving so you three should reach thunder village by this afternoon, tonight at the latest. Keep yourselves hidden and keep yourselves safe."

Soon enough the two boys were dropped off at sound and the other three were on their way to Thunder.

"Hinata?" Karin asked.

"Yes Karin-san?" Hinata asked.

"You love this Gaara guy don't you?" Karin asked.

Hinata's heart skipped a beat as the Kazekage's name was mentioned. The butterflies began and Hinata smiled deciding to finally be honest with herself.

"Yes…I do." Hinata admitted, relief washing over her.

"Good." Karin said sitting in front of her, Jugo following close behind. "Because I would be pissed if I found out that I would teach one of my prized techniques to someone who is not willing to risk it all."

--Page break--

"Got it!" Sakura cried jumping up from the desk she was researching at and sprinting out the door.

She ran into Kankurou's hospital room and was met with many glares. Ignoring them she went over to his bed and began her jutsu. It took only a few moments before she was able to find the poison and isolate it. Using the greatest of care and as much time as she could allow she extracted the poison from Kankurou. Everyone's heart raced and no one breathed as all eyes were glued to the heart monitor. Soon enough it stabilized, but still no one dared to move or make a sound until laughter rang out through the room. All eyes flew to the blonde young woman who was hysterically laughing as tears fell from her eyes.

"Thank you Sakura!" She said between relieved bursts of laughter, but as she looked everyone could see that she was serious.

"Don't thank me yet Temari-san." Sakura said. "We have one last brother to save, right Naruto? Kakashi-sensei?"

Both men nodded before exiting the room to gather their belongings and get ready to leave.

"Good luck on your journey." Matsuri said to the pink haired girl.

"Onegai return my brother to me." Temari said bowing.

"Of course." Sakura said, bowing before turning towards the door.

"Haruno-san." Chiyo said stepping forward.

"Hai Chiyo-san?" Sakura asked.

"I wish to come with you." The old woman stated.

"Demo its dangerous!" Sakura said. "I'm sorry but I can't let you."



"I'll go whether you allow me to or not. It would just be safer if ninja's were protecting me." She shot back.

"I still won't let you." Sakura said.

"I am the only one who can defeat my grandson!" Chiyo cried, scaring the younger girl. "Let me go and I can save you from certain death."

"Alright." Sakura gave in. "But you must hurry."

--Page Break--

"Alright once more Hinata-san." Karin sighed. "Hold still Jugo!"

The sound ninja nodded and held out his arm while biting his finger and getting ready for the pain that was sure to come. With one swift motion Karin snapped his arm and the young man barely even gasped as his arm fell limply to his side. At this part Hinata activated her Byakugan as Karin went slowly through the seals of the healing jutsu that would quickly heal the arm. Placing her glowing green hands in Jugo's arm she healed it quickly and gave it and experimental poke, but it was once again back to normal.



"Ok I think I have it this time," Hinata said, going through the hand signs and holding out her hands that glowed pale green.

Karin touched one and smiled.

"Finally! It's not completely right but you got it good enough." She said just as a rain drop splattered on her glasses. "Dammit it's raining!"

"Well at least it's warm." Hinata said pulling the hood of her jacket over her head.

"Welcome ladies." Jugo said sliding off the now stationary bird. "To thunder village."

The young man offered his hand up to Hinata who took it and slid down gently, while Karin jumped down herself.

"Alright we have to get rid of our headbands so that no one will recognize us." Karin said pulling off her new Konoha one, Jugo doing the same easily.

Hinata stared at the headband that she held in her hand but couldn't bring herself to let it go.

"What's wrong Hinata-san?" Karin asked. "Go ahead and take it off."

"I can't." Hinata said softly. "I cannot betray my village."

"It's not betrayal." Jugo said. "You just…temporarily disown it."

"I can't do it." Hinata said final.

"Then what are we going to do!?" Karin cried exasperated.

Silence fell over the group of three ninja; suddenly Hinata smiled and tied the headband, metal part against her face around her eyes before activating her Byakugan.

"There, is this ok?" Hinata asked.

Jugo shrugged while Karin sighed before nodding slowly. Hinata smiled before leading her other two teammates into the village.

"We'll meet back up in an hour, right in this spot." Karin said. "If something happens throw one of these." She continued handing them each a smoke bomb. "Ready go!"

They scoured the village high and low in yet there was no sign of the Akatsuki. Before Hinata knew the hour had ticked by and the rain had stopped. She pulled her hood down and began to sprint towards the meeting spot. By the time she got there Jugo and Karin were waiting for her.

"Any luck?" she asked slightly breathless.

Both ninja's shook their heads slightly ashamed at letting their Hyuuga friend down. The white eyed woman yanked off her headband and threw it on the ground in anger. He eyes closed to hide her regretful tears, when a familiar voice sounded behind her.

"Hey guys! It's Hinata Hyuuga!"

--Page Break--

"Good work Deidara and Sasori." The leader complimented the shadows cast from the dim lamps in their lair still hiding his face.

"Yeah for two sissy men." Hidan scoffed.

"Hidan-san, that's not very nice!" Tobi exclaimed.

"Shut up Tobi!" Hidan, Kakuzu, Deidara, and Kisame yelled at the same time.

The man in the orange mask whimpered as if he had been beaten.

"Don't mind them Tobi." Zetsu said.

The black haired young man was about to speak again when the leader interrupted.

"Alright everyone we will now begin the extraction process."

All the Akatsuki began forming hand seals and when they were all completed they touched their hands to the ground. Two large hands of stone sprouted from the ground, looking as if they were offering something up to God. One by one they took their places on their assigned finger. When the leader had made sure no one was left on the ground he made the final seal. The unconscious Kazekage spasmed violently for a minute before lying still.



"It will take three days and three nights to complete the extraction." The leader said.

"What will we do with him when it's over?" Kisame asked.

"Nothing." The leader said shifting his gaze to the shark man. "He'll be dead when it's over. Then he'll just be food for Zetsu."

"Yum." Zetsu's black side said grinning maliciously.

A/N: Please review or I'll cry!