I owe Thorn. Seriously. Thanks to her, and dedications and glomps as well.
Shipping NOT permitted.
Thinky chapter with bloooood. Everyone wins!

Disclaimer-Still don't own Naruto. What a shame, right? You know it'd be fun.
Also, worship to Onileo. :D

Red Dawn Six-Changes

"Well, I don't know… Hinata-chan just seems weird… she's changed so much. She hardly ever stammers, and it's weird how she's kind of bloodthirsty now… and she can't sleep calmly. She's always tossing and turning… and sometimes she gets a faraway look in her eyes, like she's talking. I bet she is, to that Shukaku. But I don't know how I could have missed how she felt… she's really nice to me and always has been…"
"And do you like her?"
"Well, yeah. She's always nice, and she's pretty too… I guess I do like her.."
"So what's bothering you?"
"I don't know… it's just, she used to be really kind, and really quiet, and she isn't quiet anymore…"
"So? Isn't that a good thing?"
"I guess,,, thanks, you've really helped."
"No problem. Just one question…"
"What?"
"Why ask me?" exclaimed Kisame.

Naruto grinned bashfully.
"Well, you just seem friendliest out of them all…"

* * *

"Well… it's just that he's changed… he used to rush around messing everything up, and never thinking… but now he does. He used to smile all the time, but sometimes I catch him deep in thought… And he finally realised how I felt, and… it's just weird."
"And does he like you?"
"I… I think so…"
"Well then, it's good. Why do you miss him doing stupid things? Isn't it good that he's maturing?"
"I suppose…"
"So what's really bothering you?"
"He's… not the same. On our last mission, he had to kill the enemy ninja, and he just did it. He's… different. He trains all the time. Literally, all the time."
"And do you still love him?"
"…yes. Completely."
"Then does it matter?"
"…no. Thank you, senpai."
"My pleasure, Hinata-chan." said Konan.

* * *

"As our ambassadors, not to mention the only ones who aren't missing-nin," said Konan. "We need you to go to Kumo. They have two Jinchuriki and, one way or another, we need them here. Bring them here. Preferably by choice." she finished.

"Just us?" asked Naruto.
"You'll have Kisame and Itachi as backup." she added.

Naruto nodded.
"When do we leave?" he asked.
"Now." said Konan. "Good luck."

"Yes, Konan-sama." said Naruto, with a bow.
Hinata stood, and bowed also.

They both left.

Naruto… you're so quiet… what's happening to you?

* * *

"Wassup, little fish?" asked Kisame as they walked.
"Nothing." said Naruto shortly.

It wasn't true.

Kisame had started calling Naruto little fish as soon as they'd been working together. He was acting almost like a big brother, affectionate and friendly.
Hinata hadn't escaped either.

"How are you, hummingbird?" he said. Apparently the name was for how light and how fast she was.
"Ok, Kisame-san." she murmured.

That was a lie as well.

Kisame sighed.
"No-one wants to talk… Itachi-san, how are you?"

"Fine. Be that way."

* * *

"We're stopping here for the night." said Naruto abruptly.
Hinata and Itachi nodded.

Kisame nodded too, and started to speak, before seemingly giving it up as pointless.

They sat in silence around a small fire, Kisame on one side, Itachi on another, and Naruto and Hinata on a third.

There was silence, other than the crackling of the flames.

"Noises." said Itachi abruptly. "Someone's coming."
He was right, as seconds later, a cloud of kunai flashed towards them.
Itachi blocked all the ones coming for him with a single kunai and incredible speed.
Kisame blocked his with a single sweep of Samehada.

Hinata stopped the rest with a sudden wave of sand.

A group of three ninja appeared from the shadows, wearing Iwa headbands and brandishing weapons.

"What do you want?" asked Naruto.
"Akatsuki must be defeated," said one of them, trembling slightly. "For everyones sake you must die."
"I'm sure we can resolve this peacefully." said Naruto calmly.

"Sabaku Kyu." said Hinata.
A wave of sand engulfed the three ninja before they had time to scream.
"Sabaku Soso." she said.

The sand imploded. Blood sprayed everywhere, more sand catching it in the air before it reached Naruto and Hinata.

Hinata sat down and fetched some food from the bags.

She ignored everyone staring at her, even Itachi and Kisame looking slightly surprised, in the latter's case unnerved.

Hinata… you're so violent… what's happened to you?

* * *

Sabaku Kyu-Desert Coffin/Sand Waterfall Coffin
Sabaku Soso-Desert Funeral/Sand Waterfall Funeral

* * *

I liked it. Short, I know…