Title: What could've been
Author: Kurotsuki-Tenchi
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: NaruXHina,
Genre: Action, Romance and a little bit of comedy
Rated: M for Language, violence, and sexual content.

Disclaimer: All Naruto characters and stuff belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and therefore can only make make believe stories about them and dream about them being real. Sigh.

Authors Note: This takes place two and a half weeks after Naruto gets out of the hospital, meaning a week from last chapter. Yes I was too lazy to write out that week so this starts right in the middle of a fight, I really wanted to type it out. So go and enjoy!

Revised and Reviewed by: Uzumaki Ricky

They were screwed, totally, completely, and royally screwed. As Naruto stood beside Hinata and Shino, they all took up defensive stances. They were currently on their second C ranked mission, and they were in deep trouble.

Their sensei, who had been separated from them earlier that day, wasn't there to come save them and they were surrounded by three unknown ninja, all of them smirking. They seriously should just give up on Scroll delivering; it just kept ending with them screwed in the end.

The visitors didn't have any headbands, so they didn't know what village they hailed from. Nor did they know how powerful they were; they had no earthly idea what they were capable of. It was so not looking good for either of them, and it had only been two and a half weeks since Naruto got out of the hospital.

They had been told by Kurenai-sensei to wait in a large clearing until she scouted ahead, she had been feeling uneasy all day. As they set up camp and waited however an hour later these 3 unknown ninja mysteriously appeared.

"What are we going to do Shino?" Naruto asked, his quiet teammate didn't respond. To Naruto that wasn't very good news, Hinata felt the same way.

"You little maggots are just who we've been looking for!" The first of the group shouted, her voice slightly annoying. She was shorter than the others, her hair was a dark pink and spiked. Her eyes were icy blue, and they looked cruel. Her clothing was skimpy and bright, almost as if she was hoping to be seen. She reminded Naruto of Sakura and Ino... only combined into one person.

"Calm down Ritsu," The second commanded. "It only makes you make mistakes." He was tall, the tallest of them all. His hair was long and black, laying down his back. His eyes were a peculiar green, which slightly glowed. His clothing consisted of a standard ninja outfit with a large black cape over it.

"Give it up Misashi; there is no point in getting her to listen to you." The third said a slight sneer in his voice. He was large, not tall just bulky. His hair was short and white, his eyes brown. He almost seemed sadistic; his own clothing looked more like a samurai then an actual ninja. "We all know that Ritsu will never be able to be quiet."

"Shut up Chikara!" She shouted in response, turning her glare toward him. "I might not be quiet but at least I have brains!" Team eight idly wondered if they would attack each other, giving them a chance to escape.

"Both of you stop," Misashi spoke up. "One more word from either of you and I'll make sure you both suffer." He spoke again, his eyes seeking out his teammates.

They both backed down much to team eight's dismay; they both knew not to argue with the other. It also told them that he was obviously the stronger of the group, and the leader.

"Our mission is to eliminate the three genin, now let's do it before their sensei comes back." He said, making them tense in response. "Ritsu, you take the girl." She nodded with a feral grin, Hinata trembled slightly. "Chikara you take the blond." He smiled and Naruto glared back. "I'll take the quiet one, so let's do this and quickly."

"W-what are we going to do?" Hinata asked as the group stalked towards them, "I don't think we're strong enough to fight them."

"We'll have to try to hold them off until Kurenai-sensei gets here; she's the only one that can save us." Shino commented as both Hinata and Naruto looked nervous.

Naruto, though usually more keen to fight, found himself pulling back, those three gave him a bad feeling. "I don't like the feel of those guys; I don't think it's a good idea to fight them."

"We're not giving you kids a choice!" Ritsu said suddenly, jumping and hitting Hinata in the torso. She went flying off to the right, to the far side of the clearing.

"Hinata!" Naruto shouted, but was cut off when he got a right hook to the face. He went flying to the left, landing roughly on the other far side of the clearing. Chikara followed behind smiling, cracking his knuckles.

Shino moved to help them but was cut off when Misashi jumped down in front of him. Shino backed off, taking a defensive stance.

"You genin do not stand a chance against us," Misashi said taking an offensive stance. He reached onto his back, taking off a short sword. It looked normal except when he closed his eyes, it suddenly started to glow black.

He held it out, his eyes still closed. "Prepare to die by my family's secret technique." He stated emotionlessly, jumping at Shino.

Shino dodged to the right, avoiding the blade. He didn't know what would happen if he got hit by it and he didn't want to find out.

Letting out a string of bugs he dodged another swipe, sending the bugs after the boy. Misashi dodged to the right, swiping at the bugs. To Shino's horror the bugs dissolved, everywhere the black energy hit dissolved into nothing.

"That won't work on me," He said standing straight. His eyes were still closed; they hadn't opened once during the fight. "It's why I was chosen to oppose you," He said surprising Shino.

"Who sent you after us?" Shino asked, taking another defensive stance as the boy prepared to attack again. He jumped back as a hit went past; he felt wind brush past his face.

"I cannot discern that information," He stated jumping at Shino again. Shino dodged to the right, the sword catching his jacket sleeve. It sliced through it like butter, dissolving it away. Shino ripped the sleeve off before it could continue to dissolve his entire jacket.

"I see you've figured out what my ability is," Misashi stated holding his sword before him. "Everything my chakra charged sword hits dissolves; it will slowly dissolve what it hit until it's gone." He said pointing the sword at him, "That even means humans."

Shino gritted his teeth, this was bad. If he got hit by that sword, even a tiny nick, he will die. Taking a quick peek to the right and left he gauged his teammates' condition. Hinata looked slightly worse for wear, her form already beaten up. While Naruto looked as though he was struggling with his opponent as well, a few bruises here and there.

Shino's eyes widened when the sword swiped past his face, he had moved just enough to dodge the blade. "Don't get distracted, or this fight will be over faster than it should be."

This was bad, Shino thought glumly. If they didn't get away they were going to die. There wasn't much he could do against his opponent, and he knew it was the same for Naruto and Hinata. Their enemies were chunin level at least, which made them more than a match for him and his team.

Shino dodged the left again, watching the sword as it passed his face. The boy then attacked again, Shino noticed that he was getting faster in his attacks.

Shino was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't see the kick coming until it was too late, the leg connected with his gut with brutal force. He went flying backwards, impacting the ground roughly. As he rolled to a stop he coughed in pain, he didn't know that that was going to happen.

"I don't only use my sword in my offence," Misashi said suddenly. "If you had been paying attention you would've seen that coming."

Shino didn't answer as he climbed to his feet while letting some bugs take flight, letting them fly around him. He directed them away from the sword, letting them swarm around himself.

"Bringing your bugs into this again? Didn't you learn what I can do to them already?" He said slashing his sword forward, "They only die."

Shino didn't comment, motioning his hand forward. As the sword bore down on the cloud of bugs they curved around the blade. That surprised Misashi and the bugs caught him straight in the face, forcing him to stop and back off.

"That was a new tactic," Misashi commented as he gained his footing. The bugs swarmed back to Shino, flying around the ninja's figure. They were almost like a blanket, one that shifted and changed.

Shino didn't say anything yet again, only sending his bugs at Misashi. Said boy jumped backwards, slashing his sword towards the bugs. He walked right into Shino's trap, just like he wanted him too.

Shino smirked as a large net formed behind Misashi, catching him surprised. Misashi's green eyes snapped open in shock, his sword going back to its normal gray color.

He found himself wrapped completely with bugs, his arms constricted. Not even using his ability allowed himself to be freed, he couldn't get the sword anywhere near the bugs.

"Just as I figured," Shino spoke calmly and analytically. "I've finally figured you out," He continued much to Misashi's confusion.

"Figured out what?" Misashi asked. He hadn't expected such a smart opponent.

"You're families ability only works with your eyes closed, meaning that you can't sense things coming at your back." Shino started, listing the things he observed. "You are very taijutsu based relying completely on your leg strength to propel you towards your enemy." He continued his voice completely emotionless. "You're rather quick and are able to sense things in front of you by the displacement of air."

"So? You figured out how I fight, but you didn't learn everything." Misashi said jerking his arms out suddenly, chakra exploded from the limbs knocking the bugs off. He closed his eyes, reading himself.

Shino quickly called his bugs back, away from the glowing black sword. "You see, much like a Hyuuga I'm able to send out sharp blasts of chakra throughout my chakra points. Only those with the most controlled chakra are able to do it, and I'm among the best."

Shino didn't comment, falling into a stance. He hadn't expected that, and he had a feeling that this Misashi held so much more up his sleeve.

Misashi jumped at him again. His sword held high above his head. Shino jumped out of the way, looking quickly to gauge his options. Unfortunately it was not what he needed to do in a middle of a battle.

Misashi had gotten too close with his sword causing Shino to dodge right, but his opponent was expecting that. He didn't catch the roundhouse kick until it hit him in the torso, causing him to hit the ground hard.

"What did I say about getting distracted?" Misashi chided as he watched Shino stumble to his feet again. His eyes opened for half a second before falling closed once again.

Shino mentally chided himself as he gained his footing, his back literally screaming in pain. He had let himself get distracted for half a second and got hit pretty hard, he has to concentrate. Because if he didn't he could end up dead.

o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o

Hinata wasn't doing too well in her battle either, and the girl was only toying with her. Hinata stumbled back as she took another hit, trying to keep herself from falling.

"What's wrong little girl?" Ritsu asked snidely, a smile painted on her features. She would've been considered pretty if she wasn't so malicious. "Can't keep standing?"

Hinata braced herself, running forward with her hands raised in the usual Hyuuga style. The girl merely danced out of her striking range, Hinata tried to keep up but the other girl was just too fast.

"This is boring," Ritsu said after a second of dodging. She moved quickly, bringing her leg up to kick Hinata in the torso. Hinata grunted at the impact, her body flying towards the trees. She rolled to a stop, her back resting against a large tree.

Hinata stood back up, weakly walking back out into the clearing. She couldn't give up; she only had to wait until Kurenai-sensei got there.

"Why was I called out just to fight you?" She said snidely, walking towards Hinata slowly. "I think even our weakest member can kill you," She said angrily. "You're that weak."

Hinata flinched at the girl's words, her expression downcast. Yes she knew she was a burden, but she couldn't worry about that right now.

Taking off running again Hinata jumped at the girl, her hands aimed at her arms. Ritsu only sighed at the obvious attack, spinning quickly she kicked Hinata straight in the gut.

Hinata fell down again, her arm hitting the ground roughly. She cried out lightly at the burning sensation running up her arm, spikes of pain racing up her arm. She knew immediately that she was hurt badly, her arm was screaming in pain.

"I think when I'm done finishing you off I'll go play with that blond." Ritsu said examining her nails; Hinata froze at the girl's words. "We could have some fun before I'll be forced to kill him, men like him are so easy to dupe."

Ritsu looked back over at the Hyuuga in confusion as she felt the girl's chakra spike, the shy girl stood with her face downcast. Her bangs casting her face in shadow, it slightly frightened Ritsu.

Hinata will not let anyone hurt Naruto-Kun; he had to live to realize his dream. Even if she died to make that happen then she would, she would support him as much as she could.

"Byakugan!" Her soft voice emerged, looking up she heard Ritsu gasp. She took the Hyuuga's technique stance, even using her hurt arm even though it burned.

Ritsu knew it was serious as she saw the Hyuuga eyes come into play, she smiled. "Finally, and all I had to do was threaten your little crush." She said with a sneer.

Hinata didn't comment. She shot forward faster than the other could follow. Ritsu stumbled back as a hand raced past her face, she had moved just in time to avoid a direct hit.

She jumped backwards her cheek tingling from the expulsion of chakra; the little mouse was getting deadly. Hinata stood before her, braced and ready.

"Finally time to get serious," Ritsu said while reaching into her pockets. Pulling out two yoyo-like objects, she attacked the metal strings to each of her middle fingers. Each one was wickedly deadly; they were two round blades on each one that curved in different directions. She spun them down before pulling them back up, never physically touching them.

Shooting her hand forward one headed towards Hinata at top speed, the Hyuuga spun to dodge. She then moved forward, dodging the two bladed toys.

Ritsu spun them around herself, almost as if it was a show. She'd shoot one out while keeping the other near herself, using them both as an offense as well as a defense.

Hinata with her Byakugan saw through the technique, she might not be able to see and know where they would go like the Sharingan but she could still predict the deadly weapon's path.

Taking a quick right, the blade swung right by her face. She quickly swerved again, going under the weapon Ritsu was using as a defense. Hinata managed to get in a quick jab to the girls side before she was forced to back off, the blade moving toward her at an amazing rate.

"Point for you then," Ritsu said snidely as she felt her side go numb. She rearranged her stance, causing the blades to move faster. "But I have much more up my sleeve." Hinata watched this new action, the blades moved faster yes but their paths were much simpler. Whereas the slower form had much more complicated patterns that the blades took.

Hinata attacked again, going for the girl with another palm strike. It however was a ploy; the bladed toy she dodged wasn't more than a decoy. The second came flying towards her, and caught her own side.

She cried out as the spinning blades cut into her side, sending her flying with the force alone. "You're not the only one who's able to hit flesh."

Hinata stood up, her hand grasping her side. Blood poured from the wound, it wasn't fatal but it hurt. Hinata quickly hit a few pressure points in her side; the bleeding slowly came to a stop.

"I see you have a few healing techniques as well, but it won't matter." She said viciously spinning them faster and faster, "You can't heal yourself if you have no hands!" She shot forward, moving for the first time while using her technique.

Hinata jumped back, dancing in and out of the girl's attack. She swiftly ran from side to side, jumping and ducking to avoid the blades. When she finally found an opening she shot forward, her gentle fist hitting the girl's right shoulder. Ritsu retaliated by kicking out, catching Hinata in the face and sending her flying.

Ristu stood with one arm limp, her other arm still spinning that deadly weapon around her body. "You little brat!" She shouted, moving her right arm tentatively. "You'll pay for that!"

Hinata stood back up from where she landed, looking pretty beat up. Her jacket was torn badly, bruises dotting her visible skin, and her right arm hurt badly from her fall. Her hair was messy and she had blood staining her side. All and all she didn't look to well; she had been hurt pretty badly before she even got serious.

Hinata fell back into her stance, still watching Ritsu carefully. She was panting, much like Ritsu. Though Ritsu was panting mostly from the exertion it took to continuously spinning those weapons around her body.

Taking a quick look at her teammates she was shocked at what she saw, Shino looked to be a little worse for wear with a sleeve missing. While Naruto looked like he got hit around like a ping pong ball, she needed to hurry so she could help him.

"Not so fast little girl!" Hinata jumped back as the two bladed yoyos rocketed toward her. They imbedded a foot into the ground, before being ripped viciously from their place.

Hinata faced her current opponent; she needed to pay attention to the enemy. If she didn't she might not make it out of this alive, and she wouldn't be useful to Naruto if she was dead.

o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o

Naruto mentally cursed, this was not going well at all. No matter how many times he attacked the so called Chikara he was rebuffed. The worst part? He was gaining more damage than he was dishing out!

The large samurai looking ninja attacked again, forcing Naruto to jump out of the way. It was a fake out however and he got punched in the gut.

As Naruto went flying he hit a tree, breaking it in half with the force of the impact alone. The top half of the tree fell down, landing with a loud crash.

It took a few seconds but Naruto finally gathered his breath so he could move to stand, weakly obtaining his footing. As he gained his bearings he took off running towards the ninja with a shout.

"No matter how many times I hit you, you just get right back up." Chikara said with a tone of disbelief, "What will it take to make sure you don't get up anymore?"

Naruto ignored him, forming a hand sign while he ran. "Kage Bunshin!" Three more Narutos appeared beside him, Chikara just rolled his eyes.

"This trick again?" He asked, "Can you do something else? This is getting boring." He punched the ground, large portions of rock became unearthed and he punched them towards the oncoming orange blurs.

Each impacted a Naruto, but all four ended up dissolving into smoke. "Oh?" Chikara said as he looked at the Naruto-less clearing, "It seems like Blondie learned a new trick." He chuckled, reaching into his pockets. Pulling out two metal-like knuckle covers, each of them had dull spikes. He put them on before sending his fist backwards, catching the blond unaware.

Naruto was hit right in the jaw as he attempted a sneak attack, the blow sending him flying backwards. He landed on the ground with a hard thud, his back cracking from the impact.

"Tsk tsk tsk," He said turning towards the blond. "Such a simple trick will not defeat me." He watched Naruto stumble back to his feet, chuckling slightly.

Naruto watched the enemy, still panting slightly. He hurt... everywhere. He was still a little sore from his last C ranked mission that went to Hell. Even worse was that he couldn't even go help his teammates, every time he even tried to go to their aid he was stopped by his current menace.

"Listen little boy," Chikara started. "Let me kill you now and get this all over with, it'll be much easier trust me." Naruto glared at that.

"I will not give up!" Naruto shouted, "I will protect my teammates no matter what!" Chikara just rolled his eyes, he sighed after that.

"You asked for it," The guy said before disappearing. Naruto jerked back in surprise, looking around him for the missing enemy.

"Come out!" The blond shouted, but no one answered him. He looked around but to no avail he didn't see his enemy, suddenly his eyes widened and he looked down.

A fist bore from the ground, catching him in the face. As he was struck his teeth clashed together roughly and he was sent flying.

As Naruto landed on the ground he groaned, moving to stand. As he rose to his feet he pitched forward, he rearranged his footing to stay standing. Not only did his body hurt but his teeth did too, it felt like he got hit with a sledgehammer point blank in the face.

"As you probably felt, these little beauties..." He said holding his hands up. "Vibrate with my chakra, making the impact much more painful. You can say it's my special ability, though it's not so unheard of."

Naruto gritted his teeth, though the action hurt he continued. He had to find a way to defeat him, had to go help his teammates. Last time he checked Shino had been missing a sleeve and limping slightly; Hinata had a large gash in her side and was favoring her right arm.

If the battles keep progressing like this, they were all going to die. Naruto jumped back as Chikara attacked him, twisting his body away from those painful additions to his opponent. He didn't want to be hit with those again, especially not in the face.

Naruto didn't know how long he could stand against this opponent, no matter how many times he attacked him he just knocked him right back down.

Forming a hand sign again Naruto created four more Kage Bunshins, running at the enemy once again. His mind tried to come up with a way to defeat the ninja that doesn't seem to be affected by anything thrown at him.

"Kid, you really need to come up with a better strategy." Chikara shouted, readying his fists. Naruto didn't comment, too intent on his goal to pay him no mind.

Just as the five Naruto's came within range however they split up, much to the enemy's amusement. "Trying something new?" He asked insultingly, "You should know by now you don't stand a chance."

He pulled his arm back, letting it fly at the orange blur. As his fist would've hit Naruto however he was surprised that his fist didn't make contact with anything solid.

Instead the boy had latched onto his arm, holding as tightly as possible. "Let go!" Chikara shouted, moving his left fist to punch the unwanted attachment.

He was surprised however to see another Naruto grab that arm, holding him tightly. Two more latched onto his legs, keeping him slightly immobile. He fought them, trying to dislodge their grip. They held on stubbornly however.

"Hyyaaahh!" A voice shouted and he looked up, just in time to see the normal Naruto deliver an uppercut.

The blow sent him flying and the other Narutos all disappeared, he lay on the ground stunned. The kid got him, that little punk!

Getting up he rubbed his sore chin, a sneer painted on his face. "So you got me kid huh?" Naruto didn't comment, still standing at the ready. "But now the gloves are off, and I'm not going easy on you anymore."

Naruto braced himself at the enemy's words, preparing for the worst. Chikara disappeared again, Naruto already knowing this trick jumped backwards.

Unfortunately instead of jumping to safety he jumped right into a trap, Chikara came up right behind him. Letting his fist fly Chikara hit the orange ninja as hard as he could in the back of the head, sending Naruto flying forward.

As Naruto went flying he hit face first right into a tree, breaking it in half. As Naruto pulled his head out of the tree he groaned in pain. That had hurt a lot, and he felt the effects of face planting straight into a tree.

He had to survive this; if he didn't then his friends didn't stand a chance. He had to go help them, though at the rate his fight was going he himself might need saving.

o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o.0.o

Kurenai shot through the trees, quickly moving from branch to branch. Her red eyes scanned the surrounding forest, trying to pick up on what could've caught her attention.

She had picked up an odd chakra signature earlier, deep into the forest. It had made her shiver, all the while making her nervous.

Not wanting a repeat of last time, Kurenai had told her students to set up camp and wait while she scouted ahead. Yes it was a risky move but she didn't want to drag them into any more fights. She still remembered finding Naruto beaten and barely standing as he was about to get attacked again.

She never wanted to see that again, it made her heart lurch into her throat. Though she knew it was inevitable, he was a ninja after all. They didn't have very long life expectancies, especially with all the things they are forced to do.

She continued on her path, watching for anything odd. All was quiet, only normal animal life going on in the silent forest. Though for some reason she was antsy, an odd feeling tingling though her body. She felt like she had missed something, something very important.

As she jumped forward again she yelped, her body suddenly becoming immobile. She struggled, trying to dislodge whatever held her. She looked down to see what had her tangled, and was shocked to see very thin strings. They almost looked like... Hair?

"It's useless to struggle," A voice came and she looked up. There was a man standing before her, and he looked deadly. "That cannot be cut by normal means."

With a mask covering the lower half of his face and spiked green hair, she knew immediately that this was not one to trifle with. His chakra level was through the roof, and his control was nearly as sharp as a blade. He didn't wear a headband, and she felt her panic spike.

"What do you want?" She demanded, struggling a little harder to escape. But it was useless; whatever was holding her held on tight.

"It's Diamond-hair," He replied to her thoughts, completely ignoring her first question. "Made from the hair of our clan's women, they create weapons for us to use with them." He then held up a sword that looked like it was made of the hair. Though it was smooth and sharp, not even a chip in the blade. "Nothing but another Diamond-hair weapon can cut through it."

"Why are you doing this?" She demanded, glaring at him with red eyes. "Why are you attacking me?"

"It's nothing personal," He replied with a smooth tone. "Just business, isn't that what being a ninja is about? Doing what you are hired to do and protect your comrades?"

She understood what he was saying, but that didn't mean she had to like it. "If you want the stupid scroll then take it," She said with a glare.

"Oh you misunderstand," He said with an even tone. "The mission is not to obtain the scroll; it's to eliminate certain parties that can become a hassle for my boss."

She froze at the familiar words, that mist rouge Ame had said something along the same lines. "Did you send anyone after my team?" She demanded, her eye practically burning in anger.

"My own team should be finishing with them soon," He answered calmly. Not in the least bit intimidated by her glare. "But I will be going to make sure the job is finished, my team isn't exactly big on teamwork."

"You leave them alone!" She shouted in anger, fighting as hard as she could against the bonds that held her. "If you so much as touch them I'll rip you apart!"

"Worry not; if they are not dead by the time I get there I will make their death as quick as possible." He said as he turned, "I do not approve of excessive violence."

"Don't touch them!" Kurenai shouted, but he merely continued to walk. Eventually she calmed down, before taking a deep breath. "If it's your mission to kill us, why are you not killing me?"

"I had not been ordered to kill you," He replied with a look over his shoulder. "I do not believe in killing for the sheer pleasure of it, so I will leave you alive. After I eliminate the children a chakra wave from me will make the Diamond-hair loosen and you will be free to go." With that he turned and continued to walk.

"Stop!" She shouted out after him. "Please leave them be!" She was practically wailing at this point. "Don't kill them, don't kill them!" Tears were streaming down her face freely now, she didn't care if it was pathetic. She couldn't let them die.

The man ignored her and continued into the forest, his body being eaten up by the shadows. She hung uselessly, a stab of pain in her heart.

She then looked up in determination; her genin team wouldn't give up. So neither will she! With the grit of her teeth she proceeded to work, fighting more fiercely then before. She would not let them die!

END CHAPTER