A/N Okay, so I spent all yesterday working on this chapter, because it took a ridiculously long time. I had to add to it and make a whole lot better than it is now. But anyway, it took a long time, and I was so excited when I was finished that I could update it, and I was so happy, but then the site freaked out on me, and I couldn't update, it was the most annoying thing I swear. But anyway, now its all good, and I can upload the chapter, yay.

Also, there is one other thing I need to say. I'm going to change my pen name. I'm not sure to what yet, but I am going to change it. I'm just giving you guys a heads up. i really don't like the on I have now is all.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto or any of its charactors, or anything affliated with it. This is purely fan made.

okay, and so now, please enjoy...

Home meant something different for everyone I supposed. For Kiba it meant going back to a loud and boisterous family just like him; full of people that loved him. For Naruto it meant a small apartment with no one to greet him but the silence, and the comforting feel of his own house and place. Some people had big families to return to, some had small, and some had none at all. But no matter who awaited them there, it was always a warm prospect when you returned.

For me, my supposed 'home' was the Hyuuga compound, and it had never been a comforting place. It was where I grew up, where I slept, where I ate. But I was sure that it was not the home it was supposed to be. So I had been caught in an uncomfortable sort of limbo, between the Hyuuga compound being home, and having Konoha as a whole be my home. The people there, they were the ones I loved and longed to return to.

Before we had separated into squads I had been virtually friendless. My cousin and my sister hated me, the others in the class looked down on me, and though Shino was kind, he scared me. Once the teams were chosen though, I discovered Kiba. Kiba was like the dog I had never had; constantly and unwaveringly loyal. He was always there when I needed him. If I needed help I would go to Shino, because he was a genius, but when I needed affection, encouragement, or comfort, Kiba was who I ran too.

I remembered the first day I had truly met him well.

"Hinata," Sakura whined unhappily, tugging on my arm. She had just been rejected by Uchiha Sasuke once more, and she needed to pretend that it didn't bug her. The only way the twelve year old Sakura knew how to do that was to go shopping, and flirt with some other boy. Ino and she were fighting, so of course she wouldn't go with her, and ever since Sakura had been placed in the same squad as the class room heart throb, none of the other girls wanted to go with her either. That left only me "Come on, what's wrong with you? Why not?"

"Sakura-san, p-please. G-gomen N-nasai, b-but I don't w-want to," I stuttered back helplessly. The pink haired girl grabbed hold of my arm and started tugging me along with her. I was dragged along behind in a panic. I really did not want to go. It wasn't that I blamed Sakura for getting onto the same team as Naruto while I had not; it wasn't a jealousy thing at all. It was simply that I didn't like Sakura very much, and I really didn't like the mall.

"Hey, forehead girl, let her go. She doesn't want to go with a witch like you," demanded a rude voice as the smell of dog wafted over to us. I turned to see my new team mate striding towards us with his dog sticking out of his sweat shirt. I shrank back, he intimidated me.

"You shut up, dog boy," Sakura snapped back furiously. I could see small tears of frustration forming in her eyes. For a dramatic twelve year old girl she had quite a bit of stress at the moment I supposed. She had just been rejected by her long time crush once more, I was refusing to cooperate, and Kiba had just called her an insult usually only used by her ex best friend. I felt guilty though, as it all turned in my favor and she stomped away almost in tears. But I really didn't want to go to the mall.

"There's something wrong with that girl, no common sense," Kiba sniffed haughtily as he drew to my side. I turned towards him hurriedly and bowed my thanks.

"Aregato."

"Eh, it's no problem," Kiba replied with a grin and a shrug. He reached out to ruffle my hair and I blushed a bright red. "Come on, I'm hungry, let's get something to eat."

He had dragged me over to the ramen stand and treated me to bowl. We had seen Naruto there, and Kiba had noticed right away my affection for him. From then on, Kiba and I had 

grown closer and closer, with Shino too of course. I couldn't ask for a better friend than Kiba, or even Shino.

Of course, there were other friends that made Konoha my home. Once Sakura had matured a bit more and stopped hanging out with Ino, we had gotten fairly close. And when I had gotten over fainting whenever Naruto was near I had discovered a friend in him as well, though I had always longed for more. And Shikamaru was a good listener, mostly because he was too lazy to get up and leave when you spoke to him. Yes, there were lots of friends now. But was there a warm feeling at the prospect of going back?

What Kisame had said didn't seem to be able to click in my mind. Konoha...? They were coming to get me; to take me home? The thought of it should fill me with something: cold, warmth, relief, excitement, dread, anything. Even maybe a sense of nothingness, but I didn't feel that either. I had been cold when I found I was leaving, but when I found it was Konoha, I didn't know what to feel. It just didn't want to fall into place in my mind.

"Hinata," Kisame murmured, as he came closer. I felt him wrap an arm around my waist and pull me against his chest. I leaned back on it and rested my hands and head on his arm and shoulder. "I know that you said that you didn't want to talk about it, but... do you want to go back?"

The question I had been avoiding for months: did I want to go home? I fingered and played with Kisame's sleeve as I wrestled with it, but I was at a definite disadvantage. I gave an agonized sigh and buried my face in Kisame's shoulder. How could I answer that question? He knew that I was obligated to go back, and that I missed my family and friends. Maybe not the horrible situation and marriage I would be returning to. Yet he knew that I couldn't leave him, and I couldn't bring myself to marry my cousin.

"It doesn't matter," I mumbled. That was the sword with which I fended off that question with before, and it was what I would use now. It wasn't my decision to make. I shouldn't have to choose something like that, I didn't want to have a say. I felt my stomach twisting now, making me sick. I no longer felt nothing.

"It does," Kisame insisted. His big hand cupped my face and turned it up towards him. I felt his calloused thumb wipe away a tear that I hadn't realized had slipped out. "If you want to go home, then... I would let you. They've already refused to pay us the ransom, so the logical thing now would be to kill you, and I'm not going to do that. It's your choice now."

"NO!"

I twisted suddenly in his arms and banged my fist on his chest. It wasn't an act of hostility; it was an act of frustration. I felt burning tears truly start to slide down my cheeks and I shook my head violently. I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms when he grabbed my wrists to stop me from hitting him anymore.

"No, no, no, no, no," I sobbed, trembling. Kisame drew me close and wrapped his arms around me. I burrowed into his chest, crying into it. "Please, don't make me choose, please don't." I felt my heart trying to rip itself out of my throat.

After so long crying into his chest, I felt the small stirrings of comfort as his arms tightened, and I clung to him. His soft lips and rough fingers fluttered over my cheeks as he kissed away my tears. He whispered soothing words in my ear, and my throat eased.

Slowly, slowly, I felt my composure return. That surge of emotions had come on suddenly, perhaps irrationally, but powerfully none the less. My trembling subsided and I breathed deep even breaths. I clutched Kisame's arm and rested my head on his shoulder. I felt the sick feeling in my stomach dissipate to be replaced by a nice feeling of release.

"I'm tired," I muttered coarsely. I trailed my fingers over his strong arms, exploring every valley and bulge of muscle. I felt protected in their grip and I didn't think that Neji's arms could ever have the same effect. I would always feel caged when he held me.

"It's getting dark," Kisame said finally in a quiet voice, as though he wanted to make sure that everything stayed serene and calm. I nodded in understanding and stood up off of him. Kisame stood up as well and put an arm around my waist. I leaned against his side as he gently lead me back into the building. I took one last deep breath of fresh air before going back into the base. Who knew when I would get to go outside again?

"Are you hungry," I asked as we made it to the kitchen. Kisame grunted in response, and I made my way to the counters. I had only refused to cook for them for a day. It was after my break down in the hallway, when I had holed up in Kisame's room avoiding everyone at all costs. Including Kisame himself. After that one day though, I had returned to my place at the kitchen, if only for the normalcy of it. Cooking offered me an odd sort of comfort.

I allowed my mind to wonder as I prepared the food. I was pretty adept at moving around the kitchen now and I needed to concentrate just enough to make an edible meal.

There was one place though, that I banned my mind from wondering to, and that was Konoha. I refused to think of friends there, family there, my horrible situation there, or that they were coming to get me. I focused on other things, like the sound of Kisame's breathing. It was such a level and soothing sound.

I suddenly blushed as I thought of the little incident after I had pinned Kisame. I turned away and let my hair fall over my face to hide it. That had been the most intimate I had ever been with Kisame. He, as always, had been gentle and tender, a little more forward and demanding maybe, but loving all the same. It was myself that I was in still shock from. I had never felt such desire. I had been filled with a guilty pleasure at his affections, and I had been actively searching for more.

But how I had wanted him…

I slowly felt my face beginning to cool, and my stomach begin to heat up as I placed the plate of food in front of Kisame. My embarrassment seemed to be ebbing, to be replaced by a sort of assent. Yes, I wanted Kisame. Yes, I loved the feel of his hands, his lips, and his muscular body so near to mine. That was human nature, and it was fact. I had grown up in my own naïve, innocent little world, without any experience in any of this. Yet it didn't matter.

Kisame tugged me gently onto his lap, and I sat down readily. He held me against his chest and ate in silence. I couldn't help but notice, with a sinking heart, that he was more physical and affectionate than usual. It was because I was leaving, I was sure. Was he reluctant to let me go? I chewed my lip and set my head on his shoulder. I didn't want him to have to.

We ate quietly, barely saying a word. I picked off his plate and smiled at the taste of the meal. I was getting better. I nestled into his chest with a tiny curve to my lips. It wasn't an awkward silence. It was quiet nice actually.

When we were done, I picked up the dishes and began to wash them. Kisame came over to stand behind me silently and take each dish out of my hand and dry it off. I was quietly surprised; he usually didn't help with out being asked.

I stifled a yawn as Kisame took the last dish from my grip. I fuzzy feeling warmed my insides as he then took my hand and began to lead me out of the kitchen, holding me close.

"It's late," he said pulling me down the hallway with him. I boldly intertwined our fingers as I followed him. I gave a sad little smile at his loving touch and held the hand with the ring on it close to my chest. I twisted the engraving to the inside and brushed Kisame's name with my thumb. I was glad that this was no longer my engagement ring.

When we got to our rooms, I quickly slipped into the bathroom to take a shower. I was coated in dirt and sweat from the spar and was feeling grimy. The hot shower was just what I needed. It started a new, fresh feel that helped me to disregard all the unpleasant things swirling around me. Within thirty minutes, our bed time régime was completed and I crawled onto the bed beside Kisame. I frowned. I could feel how upset he was, something was bothering him, and I was pretty sure I knew what it was.

I sat down and tucked my legs under myself.

"When are they coming," I asked quietly. I was sure to make it sound as though I was not eager, because…I wasn't. There was no trickery involved. There was nothing about leaving Kisame that I could look forward too. I didn't have to clarify who I was referring to either, we both knew. I heard Kisame sigh and waited in silence for his answer.

"We're not sure," Kisame finally replied. I nodded in understanding. "Soon though." Without warning, I gave a little cry of distress and launched myself to him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest. How could this be happening? I couldn't say anything. I just held onto him and closed my eyes.

"Kisame," I choked out, trying to calm my ragged breathing. Tears were flowing freely down my face once more and I pushed myself as close to Kisame's warmth as I could. "I- I don't… I don't think I want to go. Kisame, I just don't know any more. To- to… leave you? It would… hurt."

It was the first time I had ever admitted the pain I would have to endure if I left Kisame. It had always been just a threat in the back of my head, something that was always possible, but seemed so improbable. Now that I voiced it, it just seemed too agonizing. I let out a single wrenching sob and clung to him,

"Shh, you don't have to think about that right now. You're not going anywhere, not yet," Kisame murmured into my hair. He wrapped his arms tightly around me, and lay us down. I felt him roll onto his side and lean over me. His big hand cupped the side of my neck and he kissed my lips softly. There was nothing erotic or suggestive in his touches right now. It was only relaxing love. His hand stroked my side, gently caressing me. He eased away all my tension.

We didn't say anymore. There was nothing more that we could say. I just felt myself lulled into something near sleep by his soothing touches. Finally he lay down at my side and wrapped an arm around my waist pulling me against his chest. He wrapped one of his legs around mine, completely enveloping me with in him. I didn't even need the blanket, his warmth was enough.

Despite how depressing the mood might be, as I cuddled into Kisame's bare chest, I couldn't help but smile lightly. This was where I loved to be, where I was supposed to be. My heart told me that there was no way I could ever leave it.

"Hinata."

I stirred tiredly as Kisame's voice penetrated into my sleep. The shaking hand on my shoulder finally made me open my sightless eyes and sit up some what. Kisame was hurrying around the room, and I heard Samehada scrape against the ground as he picked it up. My foggy mind was slowly waking up into a world of disarray. "Get up, quickly."

Within seconds, I had jumped from our bed. I could sense the urgency and distress in Kisame's voice, and the presence of Samehada worried me. The only reason he would pick up his beloved sword, was if there was going to be a fight. I rushed to the wardrobe instinctively and pulled my hair up out of my face with a rubber band.

Kisame, what's going in," I asked tremulously as I ran to him at the door. My eyes widened in surprise as I felt him suddenly wrap his arms around me tightly, and hold me close against his chest. I returned his embrace and wrapped my arms around his waist. I burrowed my face into his fully clothed chest as I held onto him. I knew what was happening. "Konoha's here."

Kisame grunted in response, and I felt my throat clench. I had no idea it would be so soon. He had said it would be, but I hadn't thought it would be that night. I wasn't ready for this. But there was no time for that. Kisame grabbed my hand and placed a kunai in it. The cold metal bit into my warm skin, even though I was holding the handle. I set my jaw and I held it firmly as he took my other hand and lead me out the door.

I somehow hadn't realized it before, but the noise was deafening. Konoha was leading a full scale attack on the lair. As we ran down the hallway, the floor shook beneath my bare feet, always nearly unbalancing me. My ears were clogged with the noises of people yelling and screaming, and especially explosions. Though none of them were in the hallway we were running down.

"What are those explosions," I yelled in question over the racket. I tightened my grip on Kisame's hand; it felt like it was the only thing that was keeping me from getting swept away by the sudden chaos.

"Deidara," Kisame yelled back. I frowned in confusion. I remembered the mouths on Deidara's hand, and how he had said it helped with his Jutsu. I had difficulty making the connection between explosions and mouths on hands though. I was broken out of my thoughts with a scream as the wall to our left shattered with a crash.

Kisame pulled me in front of him and crouched over me. The splinters and planks of wood showered down on us, though Kisame's back bore the brunt of the debris. Within seconds, however, we swung around a corner again. We raced down the new hallway, until suddenly Kisame pulled me back with a jerk as we skidded to a halt. I heard a yell from directly in front of us, as a man ordered Kisame to give me up. There was no time to consider, or catch my breath though, because Kisame pulled me up into his arms. I felt us fly through the air and gasped in shock as Kisame purposely shattered a wall with his back. He ran through this newly created doorway and set me down on my feet. I hit the ground running, and we kept going. Abruptly though, there was no where to go.

"Hand over the heiress, Hoshigaki," demanded a voice. Time slowed as my breath caught in my throat. Here they were. Here was someone to take me back to Konoha. After all this time, all I needed to do was run to him, and he would sweep me up and take me back home away from this band of murdering criminals.

I took a tentative step forward, and I let my hand slide from Kisame's grip. I heard a stifled, but pained gasp from behind me, as though I had physically hit Kisame when I pulled away. I was barely aware of what was happening; it was like my body was moving on autopilot of what it had been trained to do for its whole life. I walked slowly towards the safety of the Konoha Nin.

I gasped and jerked away abruptly as the cold feel of the man's hand touched my skin. What was I doing, I screamed mentally. I stumbled back hurriedly, and felt myself fall against the security of Kisame's body. I had finally realized that there was only one choice I could make.

I wasn't leaving.

I couldn't; not like this. Kisame looped an arm around my waist, gripping me tightly. I clutched his arm as my breathing and my whole being shook. "No. I'm not going," I muttered breathlessly just above silently. Kisame heard me though. He pulled me back behind him, and shielded me from the other ninja with his body. I let go of his hand and backed up quickly, afraid to get caught up in a fight,

"Try and take her then," Kisame snarled viciously as I heard the scraping of Samehada. There was a clash as Kisame charged and the other Nin parried the blow. My heart raced erratically as I tightened my grip on my kunai until I was sure my knuckles were white.

Suddenly, the wall to my right and a little in front of me collapsed. I squeezed my blind eyes shut and covered my head as the wood rained down on me. I felt myself get pelted with splinters and chunks. I growled in pain as bruises and gashes formed. Some of the narrow pieces had even embedded themselves in my skin. I could only imagine what Kisame's back must be like right now. I jumped to my feet when I heard yelling and shouting. People were coming through the hole, and towards me.

"Hinata! Leave! Run, now," Kisame yelled as I heard a sickening squelch. Had he just killed the ninja? Without thinking about it any more, I turned and ran. I could hear shouting from behind me, and foot steps following after. I sped up to a full tilt sprint, maybe even faster than I had managed when running from Itachi.

I swung around corners, never stopping to think about running into something. I was mentally mapping out all I knew of this Akatsuki base, every hallway and every room. Once again, I thanked Itachi's thoroughness in his training. I hoped that my knowledge of the layout, limited as it may be, would give me an advantage.

I screamed in surprise as I charged around a corner and felt my wrist snagged and I was pulled back. I spun around and slashed with my kunai. I gasped in surprise as I felt it make contact and warm blood spurt onto my hands. I hadn't been expecting to hit someone. The man cried out and I turned to continue running. There was absolutely no point in trying to finish him off.

"Hinata, wait!" I skidded to a halt in shock. I spun around with my sightless eyes wide. That voice, it sent my insides careening. How long had it been since I heard it. But it wasn't possible. Unless he really had come to save me.

"Naruto…"

Everything else faded into the background as I heard Naruto running towards me, yelled for me. Everything sounded dimmed. Through my surprise and fog, I heard the wall directly to my right explode, and then a sharp pain on the back of my head. I winced, and my eyes rolled into the back of my head. I fell to the ground and lost consciousness with Naruto's voice ringing in my ears.

I groaned.

It was the only thing I could manage to do. My throat was dry and grimy, and my muscles ached horribly. The pain on the back of my head easily discouraged me from any sort of movement, other than to open my eyes. I moaned again at the familiar sight: black. Nothing to see at all. It never ceased to frustrate me.

"Careful there, you took one heck of a blow to the head. We had to carry you all the way back here, troublesome," said a voice. The sentence was just a jumble of incoherent sound to my dazed mind. Was that supposed to make sense? It was awhile before I miraculously came to understand. I sensed the presence of someone moving to my side and leaning over me. I gave a small smile of relief and closed my eyes at the feel of a cool, wet cloth laid on my forehead.

Now that I thought about it, that voice sounded so familiar...

"Shikamaru," I asked groggily in amazement. It had to be. It was that same lazy drawl with the customary complaining 'troublesome' when he spoke of any sort of labor. But could it really be Shikamaru there. Was he really back to help me? It just seemed like that would be too good to be true.

"Of course, who else? You should know too. You gave me a nice gash across the face with that kunai of yours, troublesome," he responded in mock annoyance. I felt a broad grin slowly spread across my face at the presence of an old friend, though I felt guilty for slashing him. It had been as accident though. I carefully propped myself up on my elbows and sat up slowly. "It's good to see you, Hinata," he continued on a soft, friendly voice.

"And you, Shikamaru. It's been a long time," I replied. My head was still in pain, but the thrill and joy of seeing a good friend, dulled it. Or at least put in the back of my mind to be dealt with later. "I had thought that I heard Naruto-" We were abruptly interrupted.

"Hinata- chan," yelled a loud voice. I felt myself suddenly swept off the ground and delivered into a crushing embrace. I gasped for breath just as I was let down to the ground. I faced up at the owner of the loud voice in shock. "I knew you'd be okay. Dattebayo!"

"Naruto- kun," I exclaimed happily in recognition, giving him a hug. I giggled as he ruffled my hair. I stepped back with my face beaming. It was amazing that I was actually standing here with him; I never thought it would happen again. Never when I was with the Akatsuki had I thought that this would happen again. "I missed you."

"We missed you too, Hinata-chan," Naruto yelled. I winced a little at the high volume. It was hurting my head, which was already injured. I was right in front of him; I could hear him just fine. It was just what Naruto did when he was excited I supposed. .

"Speaking of which, Naruto," Shikamaru began in an impatient voice. I suppressed a little giggle at the sound of his patronizing voice. They hadn't changed very much. Then again, I really had only been gone for about two months, but it felt like years. Two months really didn't sound long, but yet the relationships and bond I forged felt so strong, and the changes within myself so drastic and permanent. "Don't you have something to give her before you forget?"

"Oh yeah," Naruto said loudly, as he remembered whatever task had been set before him. Shikamaru must have known he would forget, judging by the way he wanted to make sure it was taken care of so early. It was no matter to me. I heard Naruto dig around in his jacket, and I waited patiently. "Here! It's from Sakura!" I reached out tentatively and was pleased to find that the object was directly in front of me; so no embarrassing groping around in the air to try to locate it.

It was the letter.

My heart twisted funnily. I didn't bother to open it up, besides the fact that I couldn't read it, I already knew what it said. Deidara had recited this letter word for word for me after his espionage mission to Konoha. I faced down at the letter with a small frown. I had been touched then, now I was curiously apathetic.

I knew in my head that Sakura had meant every word that she wrote, but in my heart, her letter felt empty. I tried to look back on the day Deidara had sat me down and told me about my friends. I tried to recall exactly what had brought on the emotional tears. I had been missing my friends and comrades, but I had been happy to have discovered a new one as well.

Deidara.

He had gone through so much trouble just to give me a few words of truthful comfort. He had stayed out much longer than he had needed to, in enemy territory. He had tracked down all the people he had known that I cared about, and had worked to try and make sure that I knew what each one of them was doing. He had known so much. But this letter? It meant so little to me.

"Go on," Naruto prodded a little impatiently. "Read it. Sakura worked really hard to get it just right." I'm sure she did, I thought wryly, then I frowned in confusion at myself. When did I become so harsh? But then something else distracted me, something more important than my irritation. I faced up at the two young men. I didn't want to read the letter, but that was beside the point. I simply couldn't read it.

"I can't..."

"What do you mean," Naruto asked with a hint of a whine. Why was he acting like that? He was seventeen years old; surely he could stop acting like he was still twelve. Was it just me, or had he suddenly become perhaps...annoying. I had hated when people called him that before, but it was really the only word I could think of at the moment that described him. Maybe after so much time with the more sensible and sober men of Akatsuki, Naruto's flippancy, and Shikamaru's laziness were oddly off putting.

"I can't read the letter," I explained more thoroughly. What was so hard to understand about that? A blind girl couldn't read something. I couldn't see it, it was obviously impossible to read. Was he, like Zetsu had been, ignorant of my handy cap? "I'm blind."

The reaction, or rather the lack there of, to my simple statement surprised me. I had only said it as a precaution for them in case they didn't realize, perhaps they really hadn't. They were both silent, I could only presume they were unmoving as well. I sighed softly, sadly, and handed the letter back. I held it out until one of them finally recovered from their paralysis, and took it from me.

"We're sorry," Shikamaru finally managed to get out. "It's your Hyuuga eyes; you don't realize they're clouded unless you look really closely," he explained. I nodded with a small shrug, and gave him a reassuring smile.

"It's alright," I assured him. I could honestly forgive him. I was just about used to my blindness by now, so it didn't hurt to be reminded so brusquely. Naruto though, was not as somber or understanding as Shikamaru.

"Which bastard did this to you, Hinata," he demanded furiously. I gasped in surprise as I felt his hands grasp my shoulders and force me to face him. I could feel his hot breath on my skin as his breathing got harder. Two months earlier I would have thought that he was scary, but I had seen truly terrifying people, and he was not one of them. Not even as angry as he was now. "I'll kill them for you! Which one was it!?"

I grimaced, and twisted out of his grip. I had had more than my fill of testosterone filled protectiveness. Not that I wasn't happy to see Naruto, and glad that he cared about me, but it really was no longer flattering. I reached out to take his trembling fists and gently unclenched them.

"Please calm down, Naruto-kun," I said softly. His name rolled off my tongue, just as it used to, but the after taste that it left behind felt different. My mind turned away from the problem I was facing and dropped Naruto's hands absentmindedly. I put my hands together as I stared down at the ground thoughtfully. I fiddled with my fingers as my mind strayed to a different man than the one in front of me.

"Kisame," I murmured to myself. I brushed the ring on my hand with my fingertip. I could feel the engraving of his name there. "Kisame," I whispered, once more thoughtfully. There was something about the way that his name tasted in my mouth. It was so different from Naruto's-

"What did you say," interrupted Naruto's loud voice. I blinked in surprise and faced back up at him. I had barely been in tuned to the world around me. I had been so caught up in my own delusional world. Maybe I had been hit on the back of the head harder than I thought. It was still throbbing. "Who was it?"

"Itachi," I finally replied automatically. It wasn't like I was going to lie about it. There was no reason for that. "Uchiha Itachi." My brother, I thought to myself. I remembered all those patient hours with him, when he would teach me the lay out of each of the rooms. When he would let me talk to him, and he would help me. Itachi-nii, that's what he was to me now, strange as it was. My older brother...

"That son of a bitch! I'll-"

"Do nothing," Shikamaru finished for him smoothly, in a cutting tone of voice. I jumped in surprise. He had been so quiet for so long. And besides that, I had never heard him be so firm, or take such command before. I suddenly remembered the rumors I had heard about him.

"Shikamaru, are you ANBU," I asked curiously.

"Yeah, troublesome," he muttered in response. He brushed it off, but I was impressed. How could he downplay being part of something so powerful? The only other ANBU I knew was Neji-nii-san. I gave Shikamaru a broad grin. He was so smart, it was no wonder he had gotten so far. I was proud of him.

"We had better get moving, the Akatsuki are probably on our trail by now," Shikamaru was saying. I heard them beginning to move around and gather whatever possessions they had. I resisted the urge to give a small frown. I was finally being taken away, and I wasn't sure how I felt about it.

"Where are the others," I asked suddenly. I felt a little awkward just standing there. I would have helped them if I could. "It seemed like there were so many of you." It was true. It was like an army had attacked the base, but here there was only Shikamaru and Naruto.

"We're meeting them somewhere else a little later," Shikamaru explained as Naruto muttered darkly about one Uchiha Itachi. I nodded in understanding and he continued, in an angrier and graver voice. "Of course, less survived than we originally counted on..."

"How many dead," I asked quietly. That was what I hated the most about missions, especially large scale ones. So many people died. I grabbed hold of Shikamaru's arm as we gradually began to make out way out of the clearing. It was weak of a ninja like me, but I hated death, and feared it.

"A lot," Shikamaru spat furiously. I could sense his distress and rage at the deaths of his teammates. "That monster Hoshigaki Kisame probably killed over half trying to get to you..."

"That thing's not even a man," Naruto added in a mutter. He had sensed the opportunity to insult someone, and in his hostile mood he had taken it. I gritted my teeth, and just barely managed to restrain my fists from clenching.

"He's not a monster," I growled to myself silently. I didn't dare say it out loud. Even if he had killed many of Konoha Nin, he had been trying to get to me. I had wanted him to; I had wanted to stay with him. And besides, that was what Shinobi did, killed. They were trying to kill him as well.

My friend's references to Kisame's lack of humanity disturbed me greatly, as was usual though. I couldn't count how many times I had heard people call him a beast, or a monster, and yet it got me no where. It was like there were two Kisames and we couldn't possible know the same one.

"Whoa, easy there, Hinata," Shikamaru exclaimed. I blinked in surprise as I realized that I had been digging my nails into Shikamaru's arm in my frustration. I was quick to loosen my grip with a hurried apology.

"Guys, we gotta hurry," Naruto said suddenly. I yelped in surprise as the ground vanished from under my feet and I was swept up into Naruto's muscular arms. I grabbed his jacket as I felt myself swinging precariously. Wind rushed past my skin, pushing my hair away from my face and I realized that he had begun tree hopping.

"Troublesome," I heard Shikamaru mutter as he caught up with us. "Naruto, what's the hurry? Hinata can't possibly be in any condition to be traveling so roughly. She's probably exhausted."

"They're onto us, I can feel them gaining," Naruto screamed back over the rushing wind. "If they catch us, where will she be then!? With Itachi? I won't lose another precious person to them; not like I lost Gaara."

Naruto's proclamation was met with silence on Shikamaru's part. I felt familiar warmth in my chest, though it wasn't the same as with Kisame, and it wasn't even in the same place. It was because there was the determination and strength in Naruto that I had so long admired. I lay my head on Naruto's firm chest as I felt my eye lids begin to droop.

"May I go to sleep," I murmured tiredly. I wasn't sure of the reason for my exhaustion. Perhaps it was the emotional strain, or perhaps it was the throbbing bump on my head. Whatever the cause, I just wanted sleep.

"Of course," Naruto said softly. "I got you. You're going to be safe now." My last thought before I drifted off to sleep was: Did I want to be safe in Konoha? Or safe in Naruto's arms? Was that the safe I wanted?

I mumbled a little in discomfort as a chill breeze blew over my toes. I curled them up and cuddled against Kisame's warm body. Where was our blanket? It didn't matter, I supposed, Kisame was warm enough for the both of us. Though he didn't seem as heated as he usually was. I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest.

Why didn't this feel right? Slowly, more slowly than usual, my senses started to become aware of the world around me. That cool breeze was persistent, and my blanket was no where to be found. What I had originally thought was my bed had morphed into two strong arms; one behind my knees, the other around my shoulders. I was being jostled around gently, and the man I was clinging to did not feel the same at all.

With a start, the memories of the previous night came sprinting back. I yelped as I realized I was not holding on to Kisame, but Naruto. I pushed on his chest with a gasp, squirming out of his grip and falling to the ground with a grunt. I scrambled to my feet, blushing madly. I wasn't sure what had come over me, but it just hadn't felt right cuddling up to Naruto like that. Especially when I had confused him for Kisame.

"Hey! Hinata," Naruto yelped in surprise. I gave him a sheepish smile as I steadied myself, and brushed the dirt and pebbles off. I was lucky we had been walking on the ground instead of leaping through trees when i had foolishly made my grand escape.

"Steady there," Shikamaru said as I felt him grab my arm. I nodded and let him lead me gently along the curiously level ground. I guessed that it was a road.

"I'm sorry. I was just surprised," I apologized quietly. My face was just now beginning to cool down as I carefully set my feet down on the road one after the other. I stumbled suddenly as Naruto forced himself in between me and Shikamaru.

"It's all good, Hinata," Naruto assured me. I readily grabbed onto his arm to hold myself upright. Naruto let me hang onto him and carefully made sure I was balanced. As we picked our way along the road, I could practically feel Naruto vibrating with excitement. "We're almost there, Hinata. You're almost home."

"Everyone should be waiting for us; the others went ahead and informed them of our arrival," Shikamaru told me. His usual lazy drawl had been replaced by a more sincere one. He sounded almost as excited as Naruto to get me home. I couldn't help but feel as if I were out of place. I was not excited at all, and that knowledge upset me. I should be ecstatic to come back, but I most certainly wasn't. I had left Kisame for this…I opened my mouth to ask a question emotionlessly.

"How close?"

"The gates are directly in front of us."

I swallowed and nodded. So close. Konoha, my home, it was so close. But yet my stomach was churning with sickening indecision. Not very long ago, just last night, I had made my decision. I had resolved to stay with Kisame. But apparently it hadn't been my choice.

Home though of course was still a tantalizing prospect. I found Naruto's happiness contagious. I faced up to the large gates that I could see so clearly in my mind's eye, and shuddered. All my controversies and emotions seemed to fill up that one shudder, and they left me with it.

I gasped a little as I heard the creaking of the big gate as it opened up. Despite myself, I felt a bubbly feeling growing in my stomach. I clutched Naruto's arm with a grin creeping over my face. I was ready. "Let's go."

We stepped into Konoha arm in arm.

The End.

Nah, just kidding, not even close to the end.

A/N, okay, so another heads up. The next few chapters may be a bit depressing and unhappy, but rest assured that things won't always be like that. I just want you guys to know. And so yeah, I think that's really all I have top say, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

So, bye bye, and please please please review. Until next time!