Hey everybody! All right, here we go – the project I've been promising you for months now is finally complete! Like I've said, I keep a few parallels to the canon story in the beginning, but things get off track after a bit. I think that's all I need to warn you about...well, I hope you enjoy the first chapter of Defining Innocence! ^_^

~BlackRoseDragon13

(Side note – I wanted to post at about noon every day my time [pacific] but...I had a TERRIBLE stomach bug last night that literally kept me up until about 9:30 this morning, when I managed to pass out for about four hours [I just got up, and it's a little after 1 in the afternoon now =_=''' And I think I slept MAYBE two hours somewhere between 2 am and 9 am...]. Still not feeling too hot, but...I guess you can see my priorities ;) So, hopefully from now on, you can see the updates closer to noon on Mondays and Fridays – sorry about the delay~ Hope you enjoy!)

*Disclaimer* I do not own, nor claim to own, any aspect of Naruto in any way, shape, or form. This is merely a fan work, and I receive no profit.

Chapter One

Ten years later, Hinata was walking down a main street in Konoha, a small basket of freshly-bought herbs cradled under her arm. Her long indigo hair tossed back and forth behind her back as she walked, a few strands caught in the occasional breeze. With her unoccupied hand, she tucked them back behind her ear. She breathed a deep breath of fresh summer air, smiling gently at the peace she felt.

She loved early morning markets, and often took time, when she wasn't on missions, to buy ingredients for her poultices and medical creams she took pride in making. It was her expertise in homegrown medicine she had learned from her late mother that had secured her a small, part-time apprenticeship under Tsunade to help expand her talents when she wasn't out preforming missions with her team or alone. At the moment, she was mission-free, and planned to prepare several ointments to give to her friends and teammates.

I wish Naruto kun were here, so I could give him some...I wonder when he'll return home from training with Jiraiya sama. The girl allowed herself to daydream of her crush's homecoming as she walked, making her way leisurely back to the Hyuuga compound, occasionally waving to people she knew. Before too long, she was back inside her clan's walls, making her way to her bedroom where she preferred to work.

After the night the intruder broke so easily into her room, which also fell on the night of the infamous Uchiha Massacre, Hinata's bedroom had been moved to the other side of the compound into a larger space, which was nearly twice the size of her previous bedchamber. As she grew older, she came to appreciate the extra room and made use of it. She had counters against one wall where she worked on arranging and pressing flowers, as well as making her medicinal concoctions. Every chance she got she indulged in her hobbies, even taking time in the clan's spacious kitchen to perfect her cinnamon bun making. But today it was medicine, and she wasted no time making her way to her room to begin.

The hallways were empty, the compound quiet. Though Hinata found it a bit odd, it wasn't too unusual. There was usually the occasional buzz of chatter from Branch members, hushed low as to not irritate the clan head, Hiashi, or the sound of chimes being blown in the wind. Even the ponds and streams in the clan gardens would make noise as they flowed and bubbled. But when the winds and people were quiet, an eerie silence overtook the compound.

Only slightly unnerved, as she was used to being mostly alone in the large house – her father spent much time out and about, and her sister took every spare minute to train – Hinata made it to her bedroom undisturbed, laying out the herbs on a counter and gathering the supplies she would need to start mixing them into creams and ointments. She hummed lightly to herself to help break the silence, melodies her mother used to sing when she was still alive. Despite the somber nature of the tune, Hinata was smiling as she worked, grinding an herb with bright purple flowers with her mortar and pestle.

Somewhere in the hallway, a door opened, then shut.

Pausing in her work, Hinata listened for footsteps. Perhaps her father had been in his study after all. But she didn't catch his heavy steps, or any marks of a presence at all for that matter. Frowning lightly, the Hyuuga heiress left her work to open her door, peering out into the hall.

There was no one there.

Hyuuga were naturally quiet, graceful people, as their inherited fighting style suggested. But despite that, Hinata was always able to hear any passing clan member in the hall. The floors were ancient, as old as the village itself, and often creaked when someone walked by. The Hyuuga had grown accustomed to the sound, and could place where someone was by the creaks of the floor. But she had heard neither approaching nor departing footsteps, and it bothered her. No one would bother sneaking about in the house unless they weren't supposed to be there.

Now on guard, Hinata began stimulating her chakra reserve, preparing several places just underneath the surface of her skin to expel the energy at a moment's notice. It was one of the many talents she'd developed during her more strenuous training with her cousin Neji after Naruto left. Any single point on her body that was synonymous with a chakra point could become a weapon, shooting out blasts of chakra to wound her enemy. Once that was ready, she also activated her Byakugan. Believing herself to be prepared, she moved silently out into the hallway.

Judging by the sound of the door, it had indeed been her father's study that had either been entered or exited. Keeping her back to the wall, she inched closer and closer to the wooden frame. It was latched, and no light spilled out from underneath. She was willing to wager that whoever had been there had been on their way out. She couldn't see anyone within with her bloodline limit, but that didn't mean someone wasn't hiding, shielding their chakra from view. Neji nii san said that with all my training, I should be able to see anyone save for the best when it comes to masking their energy, she thought. Either the room is empty...or I'm dealing with someone out of my league.

But the thought of an intruder being in her home disturbed Hinata, and she wanted to make sure she really was alone. Grasping the handle, she turned it slowly until it would turn no more.

With a rush of motion, she opened the portal and stood braced for conflict in the doorway, hands up to land a lightning-fast Jyuuken strike. Straining her eyes to take in the entire room as quickly as possible, she gasped.

It was empty.

Breathing hard from adrenaline and nerves, she slowly relaxed her posture, putting one hand to her chest as she sighed. Whew...all worked up for nothing. But her body was still on high alert, the chemical fight or flight still tingling her nerves. Feeling as though she were about to burst, Hinata decided to walk off the sensation, shutting the door to her father's study and making her way down the hall.

She didn't see the eyes staring in the window at her.

Taking the shortest route to the outdoors, Hinata stepped into the largest of the Hyuuga gardens. Flowers, trees, ponds and decorations were immaculately kept and arranged, exuding a feeling of peace and balance. Immediately feeling much better, Hinata took a small tour of the garden her mother used to personally keep.

The Hyuuga matriarch had been quiet, kind, and caring, loving her clan as much as her precious garden. Though the Branch members helped her in the upkeep, there was no denying it was her place, and that it only bloomed so well because of her care. Hinata had a few memories of helping her mother here before losing her to Hanabi's birth. They were pleasant memories, and she often went over them as she gazed at the flowering plants and gurgling brooks.

Oh Mother...I miss you. Resting for a moment on a stone bench, Hinata's fingers traced lovingly over her and her mother's names engraved in the weathered rock. She gave the garden as much attention as her busy schedule would allow, but she always felt it wasn't enough. She felt guilt at not paying enough mind to her mother's most sacred place, and always vowed to try harder to spend more time there.

She tensed a moment too late, feeling a blade held to her neck.

"Don't move," a low voice commanded, her shoulder taken in the stranger's free hand. "I don't want to hurt you."

Eyes widening in shock, she tried to look over her shoulder without moving her head to see just who was holding her, but she couldn't quite see the shadow.

"Now, I'm going to give you some instructions. If you follow them correctly and do just what I say, no one will have to get hurt. Is that understood?"

Unable to nod with the blade already tight against her skin, Hinata said quietly, "Yes, I understand."

"Good. There is a clearing not far from the village gate, due southwest approximately three miles. Come alone, and come unarmed. If you do this without attracting any attention, everything will be just fine...Hinata."

The way the man – for it was undoubtedly a man – said her name, made Hinata tremor slightly. It was foreign, yet familiar...and she couldn't help but feel that he was meant to say it. "Very well."

"You have one hour. I'll be waiting."

And with that, the blade was gone.

Spinning as fast as she could, Hinata tried to see her assailant, but to no avail – he was already long gone. Mystified, Hinata stared off for several moments, thinking. Who was the man? What did he want with her? Why was her mind so insistent that she'd spoken to him before? And why, why was her heart beating madly, her face flushed red?

Shaking her head violently, Hinata shoved all these thoughts aside. He was obviously highly skilled, being able to sneak up on a sense-oriented shinobi so easily, so she had no doubts that he would be able to do what he had to do get what he wanted, including hurting anyone who got in his way. Immediately worried for everyone she knew, Hinata made the decision not to tell anyone what she had just experienced. She would handle this on her own.

What could he want with me, though? If he wanted to kidnap me, he should have just knocked me out and taken me. And if he wanted to hurt or kill me, that would have been easy enough to do here. So what does he want? To talk? About what?

Making up her mind, the Hyuuga heiress stood and walked a bit shakily to the door, eventually finding her way back to her room. Changing into her usual shinobi gear, she left the house and began walking toward the front gate. Hopefully, no one would ask her where she was going.

It didn't take long to reach the village's main entrance. Nodding politely to the guards with a smile, she continued on as though she had a purpose for leaving. Which she did, but not for a reason anyone would really support. I can't put anyone else in danger by challenging this man.

As soon as she cleared the treeline and was no longer visible to the guards, she leapt into a tree and began jumping from branch to branch, heading southwest, Byakugan blazing. Even if the stranger was the sort to be unseen by her Kekke Genkai, she wanted to be as prepared as she could make herself.

With a grunt that was still very feminine, she landed in a clearing that she estimated to be the right place. She let her stance be non-aggressive, but far from defenseless. Still scanning with her Byakugan, she strained her sense of hearing as well.

"There's no need for that."

Spinning around, she launched a Jyuuken attack, aimed for where she had heard the voice. But her chakra-infused hand whistled through nothing but air, the extra momentum making her momentarily lose her footing.

"I'm not going to attack you, Hinata san, so there's no need for you to attack me."

Again the smooth tone tickled something in her memory. The view from her old bedroom window flickered in her mind's eye for a moment, and she shook her head to clear her thoughts. Trying her best to act confident, she demanded, "Who are you, and what do you w-want?" Still, despite her Byakugan, she could see or sense no one.

"Who I am is obvious, and what I want is simple. Now, stand down, and then we'll talk."

Wanting to do anything but leave herself defenseless, Hinata wavered for a moment between continuing to remain poised in her family's trademark stance, and relaxing into a plain standing position. But slowly her muscles unwound, and her posture straightened to an attentive upright. The veins of chakra around her eyes receded, and her vision faded back into color. Slowly, she took deep calming breaths through her nose.

"Good."

From across the clearing, no more than twenty yards, a figure slowly approached from the shadows of the large trees. Narrowing her eyes to see, Hinata blinked several times before realizing she didn't recognize the man before her. But why was her subconscious trying to tell her otherwise?

"It's been a long time...Hyuuga Hinata."

Shifting her weight from one foot to the other, Hinata replied, "I'm sorry, but...I don't know who you are."

The stranger was now a mere ten feet away. Adorned in a long black cloak with a broad collar, stood a man looking to be a few years her senior. A few red clouds dotted the dark fabric, outlined in white. His face was pale, with deep lines cutting across his cheeks, making him look tired. Dark eyes stared out from under a regal brow, partially hidden by long raven bangs that escaped the tie behind his head, the rest caught in a ponytail. There was something maddeningly familiar about him, but Hinata just couldn't quite place it. But what stood out the most was the hitai-ate across his forehead, where a cracked Konoha symbol was carved into the metal.

He's from Konoha? But...that mark...he's a missing nin, isn't he?

"It has been almost eight years, so I can't help but be unsurprised at your lack of memory of me. After all...you were only eight when I snuck into your bedroom to try and kill you."

A small gasp was heard from the girl, her eyes widening slightly. Kill me?

The fuzzy memory of the intruder from so long ago suddenly sharpened in her mind's eye. It had been a boy, perhaps twelve or thirteen, covered in blood and kneeling at her bedside. She had heard someone crying, and woken to see him sobbing quietly beside her. Confused, she didn't cry out simply because she somehow knew he meant her no harm. They had spoken a little, a conversation she still couldn't quite remember, and then he had left after she had screamed. The clan had been so worried, sure that he had been there to hurt her. But even with all their fuss she still knew he wouldn't have laid a hand on her.

"It's you...but..."

"After I had killed my clan, it was my plan to bring chaos to the Hyuuga by killing their heiress. But you screamed and brought about your clan before I could act."

Head spinning, something struck a chord in the Hyuuga girl. But...

"And now, I've returned to you...after eight years."

Looking up into the man's eyes, she saw that they had turned a bloody red. The pattern in them looked familiar, and then the last piece fell into place. Uchiha, Sasuke, Massacre, Sharingan...this was...

"Uchiha...Itachi."

He nodded. "Yes."

"But...I -"

"Though I hate to do this, I must ask something of you, Hyuuga san. In order to put my plan into motion, I need someone inside Konoha's walls. And after doing a bit of research, I've determined you to be the one most suited to the task."

Hinata's brow tightened as she frowned. "Why would I help you?"

"You owe me, Hinata san. I have held your life in my hands more than once. And now, I could easily kill you. But I will spare your life, and many others, if you assist me in my plans."

Hinata stared at Itachi for several moments, her usually soft lilac eyes hardened with both thought and suspicion. "You're going to h-hurt someone, aren't you?"

"There is the possibility of people getting hurt, but it is not my intention."

The missing-nin's apparent concern for life bothered Hinata. Shouldn't a hardened criminal be willing to toss lives aside without a thought? Hadn't he slaughtered his entire clan on a whim?

"I'll consider it...if you tell me w-what you intend to do."

Itachi blinked, remaining silent for a time. It was obvious he was giving much thought to how much he wanted to tell her, and how. "For the time being, I cannot tell you everything. But I will reveal what I can.

"As you know, my little brother Sasuke abandoned this village three years ago. He wishes to kill me in payment for the slaughter of our clan."

Hinata couldn't help but flinch. While her sixth sense told her one thing – that he didn't wish to harm her – her ears and eyes told her another: this man was used to killing, and felt no emotion about killing his family. The conflicting messages toyed with her, making her unsure which signal to believe.

"However...my plan for him did not entail him leaving Konohagakure...I wished for him to remain here. This...divergence from the path I had planned for him complicates things. So, I need you to ensure he returns."

The brow of the Hyuuga heiress drew together in a frown. What was so important about Sasuke being in Konoha? "I'm sorry, but...there is already someone t-trying to get Sasuke san to return. Naruto kun wants Sasuke san to come back. In fact, he's been trying to get him back ever since Sasuke san left, and he still hasn't succeeded. What makes you think I could do any b-better?"

"Naruto is sloppy. He is strong, yes, but his methods aren't what is needed. Sasuke rebels against people telling him directly what to do. He has his mind set on finding me, and won't be easily swayed. Naruto's attempts to bring my brother back through brute force are the exact opposite of what needs to be done. So, you will use a different strategy to bait him home."

"And that is?"

"Tell him that I've approached you, and offered him a chance at fighting me, but only if he returns."

Hinata considered this a moment before asking, "And if he think I'm lying, w-what do I have to prove it?"

In a flash of movement, Itachi was right before her. Before she could gasp in surprise, he grabbed her right wrist in a painful grip. "Show him...this."

The Hyuuga withdrew her arm, her other hand cradling the injured skin delicately. After giving Itachi a hard look, she spared another at her wrist. There, burned into the flesh, was an Uchiha crest – she recognized it from the haunted empty compound within the village walls. Beneath it, in tiny characters, was Itachi's name.

"You...you b-branded me?" Hinata sounded both surprised, and angry. "How dare you! What will anyone else who sees this think? How can I hide this?"

Itachi just stared at her, blank-faced. "No one but you or Sasuke can see it. He will know it by sight. If anyone else looks, they won't see anything but skin, so don't worry. And if you like, when this is over, I can remove it. But only this will prove that you speak the truth."

Still upset at being marked by a criminal, Hinata fumed for a few moments before calming down. "Fine. But h-how am I supposed to find him?"

"That will mostly be your task. If you find Orochimaru, you will find my brother. I trust a tracker nin can find one shinobi. Besides, I've done my share of research before contacting you. You have the largest Byakugan range in your clan, and your success percentage with your team is high. I trust that even alone, you can do this."

Hinata knew she was backed into a corner. If she refused, people she cared for might get hurt. Something still nagged at her, though, that something was amiss with this man. Was her mind playing tricks on her, or had she really seen him cry? He claimed he had tried to kill her and failed, but...her memories told her that was a lie.

"Okay...I'll do it. Just g-give me a few days to get things worked out, and then I'll go. Just...please don't hurt anyone."

"As long as you don't give me a reason, I won't. Just do as you're told, Hinata san."

With that, he disappeared.

After blinking a few times, Hinata realized she was actually alone. Quaking slightly at her pent-up nerves, she crashed to her knees and allowed herself a weak moment. What was she thinking? She couldn't find Sasuke on her own, much less bring him back to Konoha! She was the failure of the Hyuuga clan – her father made sure to remind her as often as he could. But she also knew that she had no choice. If anyone were to get hurt because of her...she'd never forgive herself.

Drying the few tears she'd shed, she shakily stood and turned about, deciding to walk back to Konoha, not trusting her legs to leap into the trees.

What have I gotten myself into?

So, things are about to change for Hinata! If you enjoyed, please take a moment to leave a review – even just little tidbits make me smile, and I always reply to thank you! The next chapter will be posted on Friday, and every week will follow a "Monday and Friday" posting schedule. So, be on the lookout for that! The easiest way to keep track of new chapters is to add this story to your Story Alert, so you can be contacted each time I upload a new piece! Hope to see you all on Friday!

And if you ever see any typos, please let me know – I scan these things over and over, and I've got a friend helping me, but...it seems like I can never get them all XD I'll update it as I find any grammar or misspellings. Thank you!

Anyway, thanks so much for reading, my lovelies!

~BlackRoseDragon13