Happy Valentine's Day everybody and have a lovely day xxx

Chapter Twenty.

"Hinata?"

"Hanabi-Sama?" Hinata felt woozy as she tried to open her eyes. The room was fuzzy but the smell of it was familiar to her… it was her room. It smelt of lilac and lavender. She didn't know how long she had been there but she felt dry. . Her mind rang through a series of strange images… what a really strange dream.

She raised herself up slowly, the white covers of the bed easing away from her as she now sat up and face her leader and baby sister.

"Is everything okay, Hanabi-Sama?"

Hanabi smiled with a small tear coming down her left cheek.

"Yes. We were so worried about you when the Kiri Ninja came and saw the state you were in. she is now safely in our custody and Neji will be going with father to see the Hokage now. What they did means war…."

"What?" Said Hinata. It hadn't been a dream… and they've well and truly got the wrong idea. "Nina-Sama SAVED me, Hanabi-Sama. Now what would have happened if Shino and Nina-Sama were not there...?"

Hanabi quickly placed her hand on her sister's forehead to check for signs of fever but Hinata gently took hold of her sister's wrist.

"Hanabi-Chan… I'm not sick. I'm telling you the truth. The Mizukage's niece saved me."

"…" Hanabi didn't know what to say or do. She was dumb struck for a few seconds, trying to process what she had just been told.

"So Naruto tried to…" She tried to avoid the word rape and so used hand gestures to prompt Hinata in an answer.

"Shino managed to with strain him whilst Nina-Sama made sure I arrived somewhere safe."

Hanabi looked slightly relieved but still heavily burdened. "Your Nina-Sama is under guard by Kō in the guest room. I'm sorry I was so angry at her now and didn't believe her story. You were just so weak and knowing what happened to our aunt by a Kiri-nin… how could I not want to protect you and our family?"

Hinata smiled and her eyes were strong with conviction. "I know you and Neji-Sama would only do what you both felt was right and needed to be done. It is almost certain that if it wasn't for you both being in charge she would have died by father's hand and Konoha would be at war."

She always understands me… Hanabi smiled back and grabbed her sister's arm. "We need you to see Nina-Sama with the Elders. I'll send for Neji to come back quickly due to a change in the situation."

Hinata nodded and getting up to stand by her sister, went to the guest quarters whilst Hanabi went quickly to send the message before following Hinata to see Nina.

Kō was standing guard outside the guest room when Hinata came down the corridor. He was so happy he couldn't believe it… she had recovered and looked amazing.

"Hinata-Sama…" He went up to her and picking her up, spun her around before hugging. ".. It's good to see you are okay but you should not be here."

"Kō-Sama… you do not need to call me 'Sama'. I'm more like your sister any way. Especially since you and Hanabi are engaged. He smiled, laughing slightly.

"Well, I guess so… Hinata-Chan."

"Nina-Sama did not kidnap or hurt me Kō-Sama… she saved my life with Shino. There has been a bad misunderstanding that could mean a treaty is broken because of it. We are all going to have a meeting with the elders and Hanabi-Sama is bringing Neji back before a report is made. Can you help me make sure Nina-Sama is safe? Can I see her?"

Kō looked confused and shook his head. "I am sorry but I am under orders to keep Nina-Sama here until either of the Clan leaders say otherwise."

Hinata smiled and nodded. "I understand… I'll just wait here for Hanabi to come and when she gives her orders, we'll all go together."

Moments later, Hanabi walked briskly along the corridor to her fiancé and sister. "The message has been sent and Neji will be back very soon. We must all go together to meet the Elders with Nina-Sama." She looked at Kō with a sweet rosy blush around her cheek bones. Hinata was so happy when she heard how her bodyguard was in love with her sister. She remembered how he embarrassed he was because he was so much older than him but when Hinata thought about Kakashi and her, she didn't think it was a problem at all.

Hanabi had always had a crush on the strong man who was always defending and protecting her sister. She loved his care and concern… hoping he might even feel slightly some of those feeling for her too. When Kō confessed his feeling to her, it was not long before they were dating and when she became a Clan leader, he now protected them both.

Kō was nervous about proposing after 12 very happy months but Hinata was excited and in full support of her would-be brother-in-law. She advised him to go ahead but to first ask Neji and her father first. She even came with him to meet them and to their surprise the whole Hyuuga Clan attended the supposed intimate, private conversation. Many had objections but Hanabi was moved beyond words and as Kō showed his dedication, strength and resolve, the others eventually back down and gave their consent. .. they will be married in 2 months time.

Hanabi blush went ruby red as Kō smiled at her. "Very well, Hanabi-Sama."

Hinata entered the room with Kō and saw Nina sitting on the bed, looking out the window at the clouds in the sky. She saw Hinata standing in the doorway and ran over to her.

"You were so brave, Nina-Sama!" Hinata couldn't help but hug the future leader of Kirigakure. "You and Shino saved me from…"

"It's okay." Nina stopped here from having to go through saying the possible outcome of earlier "You're my friend… my 1st ever friend who is a girl! I should have realised how easy it may have been for a misunderstanding this could have presented for your family … I guess I just wanted you safe and this place was closest and safest."

"Thank you, Nina-Sama." Hanabi then was seen over Hinata's shoulder and Nina nearly gawped as the Hyuuga Clan leader bowed to her.

"Hanabi-Sama, please… there is no need. Let's get this matter sorted out as quickly as we can… I can't be away from my Mizukage for too long."

Hanabi nodded and together, Nina and Hinata joined arms as they followed Hanabi and Kō along the other side of the corridor towards the meeting room. Just as they were about to enter, Hinata asked Hanabi a question.

"Are my other friends here too?"

"Oh yes!" Said Hanabi, almost saying it sarcastically. "They refused to leave you. Kakashi-Sama couldn't even bring himself to read a paper until he knew you had recovered. The ANBU member SS said that she had to stay her as per her orders. Shino, Akamaru and Kiba … well, how could I NOT let them stay?"

Hinata had to grin at that. Her team mates were not ones to be held back from anything … especially each other if there were in trouble. She patted Nina's arm and they entered the large room, almost filled to capacity with the Hyuuga Clan members.

"HE TRIED TO DO WHAT!" Both Kiba and Neji yelled together as the story was relayed to them by the group.

"How could you not know when the others did, dog breath?" Neji asked completely stupefied by his old classmate.

"HOWTHE HELL SHOULD I KNOW? When I arrived, Hinata was in the water; shivering and then Nina went to her and helped her get away. I saw Shino hugging Naruto and helping him onto the ground. It just didn't scream out sex attack to me … well, not between Naruto and Hinata at least…"

Shino smacked him hard around the back of his head, muttering "Baka" under his breath. Neji merely glared at him before looking sympathetically at his cousin. She waited for that knuckle-head for most of her life. She finally managed to take control of her life after giving him so many chances and then he tries to force her to be with him…

"Hinata," Kiba looked painfully at his friend. "You must have thought what an idiot I was too… I am so sorry..."

Hinata smiled at him. "You are NOT an idiot. You're my friend. Always there for each other, right?"

"Right!" Kiba said smiling but looked down as the family stared at him in complete amazement.

"It doesn't matter," Kakashi sighed out. The man couldn't help being innocent. When a man tries to claim a girl, kidnap her, take her to a place where he felt something sexual for her and tries to push himself on her… it does make it very difficult NOT to see how it could lead to rape but there was the exception, sitting right there. The guy with the dog's head in his lap whose head was about to explode in anger and frustration. "Thank Kami Hinata is alright and we have this misunderstanding now sorted out."

Hoheto Hyuuga than entered the room, his arms filled with numerous scrolls, maps and plans. Ever since he worked in the 'Surprise attack Unit' during the war, he had become Shikaku's right hand man when it came to organising military plans and strategies with Shikamaru looking over them and fine tuning them. He had thought the room was empty but felt he was not along.

"Byakugan." He activated his ability to use his eye to see through the numerous items he was holding to see the room filled with the entire family. "I'll just … put those down outside." He quickly left the room; a sound of numerous heavy objects landing on the floor with loud thuds was heard before the noise stopped. The light haired shinobi then re-entered the room and sat next to Kō.

"Looks like someone was left out of the loop." Joked Kō to his brother, before receiving an elbow in the ribs.

"Shut up and fill me in, idiot!"

Everyone looked at the two quietly bickering and Hinata just smiled.

"I missed you all so much." She meant it, she had forgotten how much being part of a big family meant to her… and then she was reminded of something. "… And I have some news to tell you… our relative who was killed in Kirigakure may have left a child there. Her child. I have met him and although we have not yet conducted a DNA test, there are certainly family traits he seems to have. He does NOT possess the Byakugan but VAST CHAKRA CONTROL. He is the last of the original 'Swordsman of the Village Hidden in the Mist'.

"Hinata, what exactly are you implying about your aunt, MY sister?" Hiashi spoke clearly, bluntly and seriously.

This is going to be so hard to explain to him… thought Hinata and just as she was formulating a reply, Nina spoke.

"Hyuuga-Sama," She bowed her head respectively, sparing her a glare from Hiashi who chose instead to adopt a semi-hard look on his face. "The man your daughter is describing is a Shinobi around our age who has become the bodyguard of my aunt, the Mizukage. He has exceptional talent, beyond all others of our generation. Of course, you will all need proof and that will be arranged according to how is best comfortable for you to accept its results. He was an orphan and was left at the gates of our village around a year before it was said Lady Hyuuga was killed. The man who knows perhaps more about this is the man Hinata-Sama has been helping recover and unobtrusively gained good information. I am confident she will be able to learn more. Your daughter's stay in Kirigakure has also not only shown how honorable her Clan is, but it was very evident to the Mizukage, Kakashi-Sama, Aburame-Sama, the Inuzuka-Samas and myself how alike her mannerisms, style, taste and behavior are to his."

Shino smiled at how great a speech that was. She really is amazing. In the future, Kirigakure will be able to have an amazing future. I just somehow I can be a part of it with her. Kiba noticed the soft expression on his friend's face and placed a hand on Shino's shoulder.

"Sorry for being an arse at times…" Kiba whispered to him.

Shino kept the smile on his face and replied. "If it weren't for you … I may not be able to have understood the things I was and am feeling for that beautiful woman… I owe you, Inuzuka-Sama."

"You owe me nothing. Always there for there each other, right?"

"Right."

The Elders were still deliberating on Nina's speech and what they should do next.

"Terumī-Sama," Hiashi began. "This is a very … unexpected piece of news that you and Hinata have given us. It is very strange for Lady Hyuuga to be seen capable as having a child without her family's blessing or knowledge. We knew her extremely well for diligence, hard work, love for her family and sometimes rock hard determination. I cannot think of any evidence to help support this… suggestion."

It was then the eldest living Hyuuga took his turn to speak in the conversation. "There may be some truth in what is being said."

Hiashi looked stunned as his father continued to speak. "It was actually around the time that your wife had first conceived with Hinata that I noticed a few … similarities. Her behavior was unusually iritic and bossy; she craved pears continually and seemed to keep away from home as much as she could. She had a few months prior to that travelled to Kirigakure but returned so happy I didn't think there were any problems. When she asked to go back there to help progress her medical studies and with Lady Tsunande's consent, I of course gave mine. She was young, seemed agitated and wanted to go so much I gave in. She was my daughter, I loved her."

"Forgive me, Hyuuga-Sama. Did you say pears?" Nina asked and the elderly man nodded his head. "The man's name is* Chōjūrō."

The Hyuuga Elder smiled at the news. "That would make sense." He remembered his daughters fascination with the Konoha Orchard and how would spend most of her childhood sitting in a fruit tree of some kind. He remembered her at the age of eight, wearing a white dress and her blue-black hair was tied back with a white lace ribbon. It was the day the family went to see the peach blossom. She looked ethereal – a fairy sitting on the branch, eating an apple whilst smiling. She saw him and beamed. "Daddy!"

Hiashi saw the moo behind his father's eyes change from happy to grieving. He changed the topic.

"With the Clan Leader's permission, Hinata will escort Terumī-Sama back to Kirigakure and stay there to gather DNA results and try to find out what really happened to Lady Hyuuga."

Neji and Hanabi looked at each other and nodded.

"Hinata will be best away from here … from HIM…" Neji emphasised his hatred for the Hokage.

"I still am in shock. Hinata must be protected. I cannot thank you all for saving her." She looked at the newly found group of people sitting with her family. "Some of you I have known nearly all of my life and some only just now. You have my gratitude always. Terumī-Sama, please accept my apologies for my harshness towards you."

Nina shrugged gracefully, smiling. "When I was a child, I was beaten for hours with bricks and glass until my aunt found me amongst the bodies of my dead parents. After that, I and her endured much worse than the words you gave me. You love your sister… I understand. Please call me Nina-Chan and forget what happened."

They shook hands and everyone felt something good had just happened. It was a start for future friendship and understanding.

"We should go as soon as possible… my Mizukage will worry we have been gone so long."

"I made you miss the Festival…" Hinata said.

"There will be another next season. When you live in the Land of Water … "Great Rain" isn't a problem. Nina winked and she giggled.

"I want to thank you all for coming… it seems everything has been sorted." Neji said and at that, the meeting ended. And it had ended well.

Kakashi appeared in Hinata's room. She was packing a few additional items and storing them in some scrolls. He noticed immediately she had changed into a white dress, just covering her knees and white sandals. Her hair was up and seemed to have small pearl drops in them… she looked incredible.

He wanted to run up to her and kiss her but didn't want her hurt or affected by him after what had just happened. She turned to face him, glowing in the sunlight that bathed the room and he was shocked when he felt her arms around him, her head reaching up and her lips against his.

His face was a picture of shock… pure shock. He did not expect this.

"I have been waiting to do that in such a long time…"

He held her gently in return and holding her head gently against his chest, wanted to make sure she was okay. She listened to the booming heartbeat in his chest and snuggled into him. His chest was tight and hard but found a spot she was comfortably able to bury her face into. He wanted to murmur… to moan but fearing it might scare her held it in.

"I love you." He said it so tenderly, so lovingly. He felt her smile against his skin and he gently knelt down, so he could look up at her. She shone like an angel is believed to or a super nova. More than human. She then went onto her knees and took his hands in both or hers, locking her fingers with his.

"And I love you… Kakashi. You alone are in my heart and I want you to be with me always." It was always surprising to them both how easy this was. The feelings, the caring, the loving… "Be my bodyguard for me…"

He felt his tongue was going to pop out and he would start panting like Akamaru after a marathon. "I will need to do a few things to make that happen and I PROMISE I WILL MAKE THAT HAPPEN, SOON."

"Are you proposing, Kakashi-Sensei?" She smiled wickedly and he felt his heart melt.

"Only if you are accepting, Hinata-Sama."

"Depends on how you next answer." She moved closer to his face, her smile and expression not shifting, only her cheeks getting redder.

"Interesting…" He thought.

"Be with me now…" She rubbed her nose gently against his and then kissed him, more than innocently, with more love than passion, with more feeling than any words.

"Yes…"

*A/N - Chōjūrō means 'Pear' in Japanese.