IMPORTANT (maybe?):

For people who are new to this story and have just read the first few chapters before getting to this one, you can skip this (I mean, unless you really want to read it…).

However, anyone who has been following this story and is just going to read this chapter and not the ones before it, I ask you to please read the following:

Sorry for not updating in a while, but I do have a reason. I don't know if it would be considered a good reason, but…

Anyways, after going back and rereading my story, I decided I didn't like certain aspects of it, so I revised the prologue and the first four chapters. I personally think they are better the way they are now, and now it's up to you guys to decide if they are or not (if anyone even remembers what happened in the last chapters)...

For example, I changed some things about Hinata's mother and I changed how Hinata's life was like in the orphanage growing up.

I guess if you don't want to go back and reread the changes then you don't have too, but I strongly suggest you do so you don't get lost later on in the story.

Also, at the end of the Prologue (The Beginning) I added a character profile for Uzumaki Seiko, Hinata's mother. At the end of the first chapter (The Truth), I added character profiles for Nobuo Kuro and Dai Takeshi. And lastly, at the end of the fourth chapter (The Promise) is the profile for Manami Chie (the medic who healed and looked over Hinata after the attack).

From now on, I am going to make character profiles for any original characters I add to this story (if I believe they are important enough). I might even do it for some canon characters if I change things about their past (for example, I might do one for Kushina).

Anyways, I guess that's all I have to say for now.

Now you can continue on to the story!

.

.

.

ONE LAST NOTE: In this chapter, Hinata has already been living with Kakashi for about six months. Kakashi has taught her a few basic ninja skills, but not much.

.

.

.

How Things Change:
Chapter V- The Dream

Hinata stepped out into the yard—her yard—with a smile on her face. She finally had a place she could call home —her home—and a special person she could call family.

She was no longer alone.

Looking up to the sky, Hinata felt tears of happiness run down her face. No longer would she be locked and ignored in the prison she was once forced to call "home". She was free now. Free to do whatever she liked. And, most importantly, she no longer had to live in fear. Fear of being scolded, or being hit, or of being lonely. Kakashi had made sure of that. The time she spent with him was the best.

She finally felt loved.

It was the first time she had ever truly felt that way, and it made her happy. It felt nice.

Kakashi had made all of what she had gone through bearable. Without him she would have lost her way, she would have stayed broken. But now, her heart was mending. And it was all thanks to her big brother.

Hinata brought her hand to her eyes to rub away her tears. She was so happy to have a family. She was no longer a nobody, an orphan. She was a Hatake. She was the little sister of one of the strongest men in the village.

'Thank you, Kakashi-niisan!'

Hinata's hand paused in mid motion when she noticed some movement in front of her. For a moment, it frightened her. However, as soon as she got a good look at who it was, her fears disappeared completely.

"Kakashi-niisan!" she yelled out as she waved to him.

He was perched under the cherry blossom tree that stood in the middle of his personal training area, with his nose buried in his orange book. Hinata waited to see if he would join her; however, he instead waved his hand back to her.

Her smile widened when she realized that he was beckoning for her to join him.

Most times he would stop what he was doing and walk over to her but, every once in a while, he would ask her to join him. When he did, he would show her the basics of chakra control (though she had little talent for it), or help her throw a kunai toward a target.

One time he even started teaching her how to throw a punch.

Hinata wanted to learn as much as he could teach her, because she wanted to be strong. She wanted to be strong enough to protect the person she cared most about: him. However, when she told this to Kakashi, he just smiled and told her she shouldn't push herself too hard, that she should grow up a bit more beforehand, and that he would be the one to protect her. It disappointed her, but she tried not to take it too hard. After all, he promised her that if she ever wanted to start school at the ninja academy in a year, he would become her personal tutor. He would help her become strong.

Even though she didn't really want to join the academy—the thought of being in a class with other children terrified her as she never had much experience interacting with others—she'd do it if it meant training with Kakashi.

Shaking the thought from her head, she started to walk toward her brother. Before she made it two steps, however, a fox crossed her path. Momentarily she studied the retreating fox.

'It has…nine tails?'

This confused Hinata, that is, until the realization of what was really happening dawned on her.

She was only dreaming.

A frown found its place on Hinata's face as she realized this. She had had this same dream before and knew exactly what was going to happen in it. She was going to wake up right before she reached Kakashi. It made her sad, but at least it wasn't going to be a bad dream. She could live with it since she would see the real Kakashi when she awoke from her sleep.

Deciding to try and end it sooner rather than later, she stopped and closed her eyes, hoping that when she opened her eyes she would wake up in her bed. However, after opening her eyes, she realized that wasn't going to happen. This gave her hope.

Was she finally going to reach him in this dream?

Would she finally see how the dream ended?

"Kakashi-niisan!" she exclaimed happily once more, her smile widened as she raced forward to meet him.

After a moment, though, she realized something wasn't right. She couldn't figure it out at first…

'What's going on…?' Hinata thought.

Then it hit her. She wasn't getting any closer to him no matter how much she ran. It was as if she were walking in place, but never moving forward.

'No…that's not it…'

While it was true that she wasn't getting any closer to him, it wasn't because she wasn't moving forward. She was. The reason she wasn't getting closer to him was because Kakashi was moving away from her. His legs weren't moving, though, it was as if he were floating away from her.

Hinata quickened her pace as her smile began to fade.

Why was he drifting away from her?

Was he abandoning her like everyone else?

'Stop being stupid…it's just a dream…'

Closing her eyes, she pushed the thoughts of abandonment far from her mind. She wouldn't—no, couldn't— think that way. She would lose herself in the dream if she did. She needed to believe in her brother. None of it was really happening, after all. When she woke up, Kakashi would be there to greet her like he always was since she moved in with him. It was because of that thought that made her ready to continue.

When she reopened her eyes, she could just barely make out Kakashi in the distance. He was still waving for her to follow him. Resolve filled her eye.

She needed to catch up to him. She was going to see this dream to the end, no matter what!

'I can do this!' she thought to herself as she begun to run faster.

She paid no attention to where he was leading her, and only focused on running as fast as her small legs would carry her.

However, it was not fast enough. She was losing him. For every one step she moved forward, he was taking two back.

Tears began to roll down her face, as she watched him disappear from her sight. She assumed this meant she was going to wake up. She didn't want to, however. She had wanted to finish the dream.

Slowly her speed decreased until she was completely still. Falling to her knees, she buried her face into hands. Soon she would wake up, and then she would never know how it ended. She wasn't sure why she was taking the dream so hard, she just knew she couldn't help it. The feeling of failure rose in her chest, suffocating her.

Silently she cursed herself. She couldn't even succeed in a dream.

A minute had passed, then two. She had still not awoken. A smile tugged at her lips.

"I haven't failed yet!" she exclaimed under her breath.

Lifting her head up, she started to look around to see if she knew where she was at. It was dark in the dream now, so it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. When they finally did she wished they had not.

She was in the very spot Dai Takeshi had attacked her.

She inhaled sharply, but couldn't exhale. She was wrong; she didn't want to see how this ended. She needed to wake up! Forcing her eyes closed, she waited.

'I don't want to see this…I don't want to see this! Please wake up…PLEASE!' she pleaded to herself, 'Anything but this!'

She hadn't had a dream about that night in about a week now, and she wanted to keep it that way. It had taken a while, but she had just started sleeping peacefully at night.

Until now, that is.

A noise from behind her caused her to jump in freight. Whipping her head back and forth she tried to find the source of the noise. Everything was quiet, though—

Snap

The noise was coming from behind her.

'Please be Kakashi!' she thought as she slowly turned her head to see what had made the noise.

A figure was walking toward her, his shadow looming over her.

"K-k-kakashi-niisan…?" she stuttered, not able to make the man out.

He had come out of the shadows and it was still too dark for her to see.

The person remained quiet as they continued to get closer and closer to her. She was about to make a dash from the figure, when he finally stepped out into the moonlight. Relief soon spread throughout her body when she was able to make him out.

Kakashi.

Finally she was able to let out the breath that refused to leave her.

"I was so scared!" Hinata exclaimed as she moved over to him.

Even though she knew it was a dream, she couldn't help it. It was feeling more and more real every second.

Was it really a dream?

If so, then why was it starting to feel so real?

'It doesn't matter, Kakashi-niisan is here—'

Her sense of relief was short lived, however. As soon as she closed in on him, she realized something...something horrible.

Kakashi was hurt…no that didn't even describe what Hinata saw. He was mangled; it looked as if a beast had torn him apart.

Blood gushed from his wounds making pools form around his feet, and his skin was as pale as snow.

Hinata stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes widening.

Tentatively she reached a hand out toward him.

"K-kakashi-niisan…?" she whispered; tears spilled from her eyes as she got near.

Before she could even touch him, however, he toppled over and his body was completely still. Even though it was a dream the sight of Kakashi's shredded, unmoving body caused Hinata to panic. Rushing forward, she fell to her knees by his side.

Up close it was even worse… he was deathly pale, almost translucent. It wasn't like snow at all. It was whiter than snow.

She could see every gash, every speck of blood, and the smell of death filled her nose.

Hinata just stared at his body, hypnotized by the sight of it. Her mind couldn't process what she saw before her.

She was in shock.

'Kakashi-nii is dead…?'

'…no, that can't be right…'

'But it is.'

'He's lying right in front of me!'

"Kakashi-niisan?" Hinata whimpered. "I d-don't like this g-game…p-p-please stop it."

His lack of an answer forced the shock away, and Hinata felt her world crumple around her. He wasn't playing.

He was dead.

Dead.

Dead.

DEAD!

She yelled as she violently shook him, hoping it would make him wake up. "KAKASHI-NIISAN! KAKASHI-NIISAN! PLEASE ANSWER ME!"

However, no matter how loud she yelled, or how roughly she shook him, he just wouldn't answer, wouldn't move.

He was gone.

Forever.

She was alone once more.

A hiccup escaped her throat as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Why was this happening?

If this was a dream like she had first thought, it would have ended by now.

Wouldn't it have?

Hinata's mind was in shambles. She wasn't sure if this was a dream anymore, it felt too real.

If it was, why hadn't she awoken already?

Why was she stuck in this nightmare?

"The reason is simple," a voice from behind her hissed in her mind, as if they heard her very thoughts, "you haven't reached the end, yet."

Jumping up in fright, Hinata turned toward the source of the noise but she saw no one.

No one at first, anyway.

Out of the same shadows that Kakashi appeared from, came the sound of rustling bushes. The noise of someone walking grew louder with every step they took.

A scream began to form in her throat when the person finally appeared in front of her.

Standing mere feet from her was Dai Takeshi.

Her eyes widened in fright as she fell back away from him.

"Miss me?" he jeered.

That's when she noticed it. She was too frightened to before, but now that she could see him thoroughly, she knew.

The person in front of her was not really Dai Takeshi. It looked like him, and sounded like him, but Hinata knew it wasn't him.

But…who, no, what was that thing in front of her?

This being in front of her wasn't human, Hinata soon realized.

Hinata could feel the malicious intent roll off of it in demonic waves.

"W-what are y-you?" she sputtered, terrified.

The monster smiled sinisterly, and shifted forms.

"So you did realize…"

Hinata gasped when the creature finished transforming. Now, it had taken the shape of her…except, it wasn't her. The Hinata she was staring into the eyes of was a monster, a demon. Her eyes were crimson, her pupils were thin slits, her fangs were visible under her sinister grin, and her fingernails had grown into claws.

"I'm you."

Hinata felt as if her heart had stopped when she heard the monster talk. Its voice sent shivers down her spine and she couldn't bring herself to do anything except shake her head.

That couldn't be right…that couldn't be her.

'I'm…not a monster…'

"Wrong," the other Hinata corrected as she took a step forward, "you are me and I am you. We are one in the same."

Hinata's eyes widened when the demon vanished without a trace. Hinata had no time to move, however, for a moment later and the demon reappeared inches from her face. She could smell the decay on its breath as it whispered to her.

"And you know this. Deep inside, you do."

Hinata quavered under the stare of those blood red eyes.

"N-n-no—"

"YES!" the other Hinata barked. "Deny it all you want, but it will not make it any less true."

It wasn't true, she wasn't a monster. Kakashi had reassured her of that fact when she asked why Takeshi had called her one.

Hinata covered her ears and shut her eyes and tried to back away from her doppelgänger. However, before she could even take a single step back, her throat was grabbed and she was pulled closer. Hinata could feel herself being consumed by the demon's raw power. It burned more than anything she had ever experienced.

"Y…you a…are a demon!" Hinata gasped out; she couldn't breathe because of the pressure.

"Yes, and so are you!" the demon snarled in her ear with a bloodthirsty grin.

Hinata tried to shake her head, but couldn't. The hand that grabbed her was holding her too tightly.

"I am you, and you are me," the monster repeated. "And we're the reason that man, the one you call brother, will die; the reason why the entire village that stood against you, will burn to the ground!"

"N-n-no…"

The monster forced Hinata to her knees, making her look at her reflection in the pool of red that formed around Kakashi's unmoving body.

As her eyes made contact with her reflection, Hinata felt as if her breath had been kicked out of her. Staring back at her were the same eyes that the demon possessed.

She was a monster.

Hinata closed her eyes and shook her head vigorously, terrified. She didn't want to believe that. Kakashi promised she wasn't a monster. Promised her. She had to believe him.

Closing her eyes, she waited for someone—anyone— to wake her up. It wasn't true. She wasn't a demon. This wasn't real, she tried to reassure herself. It was all a dream; a terrible, terrible nightmare.

"Just accept it; you will be much happier if you do. Accept that we were born only to kill, to maim, and to destroy!" the creature hissed. "Accept it and soon you'll finally be free, truly free, of all of those human emotions that hold you back from your true potential! You'll never amount to anything if you don't. You'll forever be tied down and weak!"

"N…no…Kakashi-niisan p…promised he'd m…make me strong!" Hinata gasped out between her sobs.

"He lied, don't you see that? Why else would he refuse to train you?! His reasoning was just an excuse, and you believed him! He wants you to stay weak, just like everyone else does! He is afraid of you, just like everyone else is! He would rather you died than ever reach your full potential!" the demon roared. "He hates you…with every part of his being, he does. EVERYONE HATES YOU!"

Tears rolled down Hinata's face as she listened to the demon talk.

'Kakashi-niisan…help me…'

She couldn't believe he hated her. She refused. He had shown her kindness like no other in the last six months she lived with him.

He wasn't faking.

HE WASN'T!

The monster pulled Hinata back up to her feet when it realized she didn't believe it.

"Nothing and nobody will save you!" the demon growled. "You wanted to see this to the end, remember? And now you will. You should have given up earlier, but you did not. You fought through, and succeeded, and now I have you. You are MINE. We will finally be one. And, when you do wake up, no one will be safe from our wrath. NO ONE!"

The demon chuckled, the screeching sound sent shivers down Hinata's spine; it was unlike anything she had ever heard before.

"And that pathetic excuse of a human, the one that you call brother, will be the first to die! He's the reason I couldn't get out sooner. I was so close to being free when that man, the one who I wish I could thank, attacked you. You had almost given in to me, to your inner demon, but then he came. He came, and ruined everything!"

"I w…won't l…let y…you" Hinata wheezed out, trying to fight back.

She couldn't breathe. Even if it was a dream, everything that was happening felt real.

"That's the thing, you don't have a choice!" the monster retorted.

The thought of Kakashi being hurt filled her with confidence. She refused to believe this demon. She couldn't let this demon beat her. She couldn't. Kakashi's life rested in her hands.

"There's always a choice. ALWAYS!" she shouted, as she pulled herself from the demon's clutches.

Hinata could feel a strength she didn't know she possessed, fill her; it started as a tickle in her stomach, but soon the warmth of it spread throughout her entire body. She would not let this demon control her. She was her own person and would make her own choices.

She would not succumb to the demon even if the only person who would ever truly love her was Kakashi. She would protect him—her precious person—and the village he loved so dearly, no matter what.

That was a promise.

And she would never break that promise.

The demon's eyes widened in shock as it felt Hinata push its hand away. It was not expecting it. However, after the shock wore off, it charged forward ready to attack.

"We'll see about that!" it hissed.

Hinata jumped back, and as she did, the veins around her eyes began to protrude and her vision increased dramatically. She stood still in awe.

She could see everything.

In all directions she could see.

She could even see through the demon that was attacking her.

This vision, whatever it was, made her feel in control. When she was able to see like this, she couldn't help but feel powerful, confident, and ready.

She would win!

"I WILL NEVER LET YOU HURT KAKASHI-NIISAN! NOT NOW, NOT EVER!" she shouted, her voice was filled with confidence.

As the demon closed in, its claws ready to tear into flesh, Hinata formed a fist with her own hand. And just like Kakashi had showed her before, she ducked under her attacker's hand and let loose an attack of her own. Hinata's punch collided with the demon's stomach, and as it did, she felt the power that had built up earlier release from her hand. With her increased vision, she watched the brilliant, blue energy flow from her hand and into the demon.

The demon let out a mangled cry as it flew backward; it crashed heavily to the ground a few feet away. It wasn't moving.

Her lips turned upward into a smile.

'I did it…I won.'

Hinata felt her newfound energy leave her as her vision went back to normal and soon she too fell to the ground, helpless.

'This had to have been a dream…' Hinata thought to herself as she closed her eyes. 'I'll wake up any minute now—'

The sound of malicious laughter filled Hinata's head. Dread filled her chest as her eyes snapped opened. She could barely move let alone fight back.

She was done.

Tears filled her eyes. She had failed.

'No…' she denied.

"YES!" the demon snarled as it pounced on top of her.

The claws of the demon pierced her flesh, causing Hinata to cry out in pain.

"You're nothing but a weak human… did you really think that would beat me, the Kyūbi no Yōko?!"

Hinata's eyes widened. That couldn't be right, the fox was dead. This couldn't be the demon that had attacked the village on the day of her birth. Even she had heard the story of the demon's fate that day.

"That's where you are wrong! I couldn't be killed, so they had me imprisoned. First it was into Uzumaki Mito, then into your mother and now you! They all lied to you. EVERYONE LIED TO YOU! Can't you see that?" the Kyūbi sneered. "Now do you believe me when I say you are a demon?!"

'This can't be right…'

'But it is…'

'No…'

'Yes…'

'No…'

'YES!'

The demon smiled when he noticed the internal battle she was having with herself. He almost had her…just a little more…

Hinata screamed out when she felt the red, demonic chakra fill her. It burned her to her very core as it had before, and made it so she couldn't breathe once more. Her chest felt weighed down from the thick, evil energy that surrounded her. It filled her lungs, heart, everything. No part of her was safe from that red, vile chakra. Hinata couldn't move, and all she could feel was the anger build within her heart.

Anger at everyone, everything…

She needed to kill!

She needed to destroy!

She needed her revenge!

"I'VE GOT YOU!" the demon roared triumphantly, having finally gained control.

.

.

.

Kakashi's eyes snapped opened, and out of instinct he flew from his bed and into a battle ready stance. From under his pillow, he had fluidly grabbed his emergency kunai, and waited. There was only one thing that ever caused Kakashi to awaken from his sleep abruptly, and that was when he felt endangered. He had trained his body to fall asleep and awaken at will, any well trained shinobi could. It was a skill they had to perfect. They wouldn't survive if they couldn't do this one, simple action. Sleep was very important, after all, and sometimes a shinobi had to sleep in unsafe territories.

A quick sweep of his room told him that whatever danger there was, it was not in the room with him.

'Strange, I've never been wrong before…'

And that's when he remembered he wasn't alone anymore. It had been six months and he still woke up thinking he was sometimes.

"Hinata!"

Wasting no time, he rushed to Hinata's room. It was then that he realized the thickness in the air was the same as eight years ago, although not as strong.

'The Kyūbi?!'

As he slammed opened the door, he noticed the vile, red chakra of the demon seeping from Hinata's small frame. Rushing forward, he tried to hold the trembling girl down, but it was to no avail. Her eyes rolled back into her head as seizures coursed through her. The seal wasn't going to be able to hold the demon back much longer if it kept up.

'Shit, I won't be able to hold her down much longer!' Kakashi thought, as he grimaced in pain; the red chakra flowing from her was burning his hands.

After another minute passed by Kakashi couldn't help but release her. The pain in his hands had become unbearable, and when he looked at his hands he realized the chakra had easily left second degree burns.

"Dammit!" Kakashi cursed.

The pain in his hands was excruciating. He, as most ninja had, had suffered burns before, but what he felt in his hands was one of the worst pains he had ever experienced. The chakra was poisoning them, causing the pain to be ten times worse than it would have been originally.

'Not good!' Kakashi thought, as he examined them more closely;hishands were useless as they were.

He could barely move them, let alone seal with them. And, if he didn't do something soon, he and the rest of village were going to be in deep shit.

The sound of Hinata shouting brought Kakashi from his thoughts.

"I WILL NEVER LET YOU HURT KAKASHI-NIISAN! NOT NOW, NOT EVER!"

Kakashi had to shield his eyes from the brilliant colored chakra that burst from her body. When his eyes finally adjusted, he noticed something amazing: Hinata had awakened her Byakugan.

She hadn't really had any formal training and she was able to unseal it?

Kushina, the best seal master he knew, designed it and yet Hinata was able to break it?

'And that's not it!' Kakashi thought excitedly when he noticed that the Kyūbi's crimson chakra was being pushed back.

Hinata was fighting back the demon, and surprisingly, she was winning!

"You can do it Hinata!" Kakashi exclaimed in awe.

And, almost as soon as it started, it ended. Hinata's body fell still once more. She lied peacefully in her bed, as if nothing had ever happened.

Kakashi moved closer and slowly lowered his head. 'She's still breathing, that's a relief. Heartbeat seems normal, pulse is regular—'

His thought was cut short when he noticed Hinata's eyes snap open. The veins around her eyes had flared once more, and her irises were now completely red. Kakashi had no time to move as twice as much of the blood colored chakra poured out from her. Instead he took the full impact of the chakra, and flew back.

The pain he was feeling made his hands look like child's play. His whole body burned, from his head to his toes. He couldn't breathe, and he couldn't shake the feeling; no part of him had come unscathed from the chakra.

He was dying from chakra poisoning.

Hinata was shrouded in a crimson cloak of chakra, with three tails flowing behind her, violently. A fourth was beginning to take shape.

'Shit!' was the only thing he was capable of thinking.

Backing up, he tried to crawl out of the room. He needed to get help, if he didn't he was going to die. However, he was unable to move fast enough.

Almost faster than his eyes could follow, Hinata sprang forward with her clawed hand.

"I'VE GOT YOU!" the possessed Hinata roared in triumph, in a voice that was not her own.

Hinata's now clawed hand easily puncture Kakashi in the abdomen as she threw him like a rag doll across the room.

A groan escaped his lips as he slammed against the wall—hard—his head taking the majority of the impact.

Kakashi could feel his eyes losing focus, his head spinning.

'Damnit…!'

Hinata's red, anger-filled eyes turned toward Kakashi as the corners of her lips turned upward into an ominous grin.

"HINATA!" He yelled out, hoping it would bring her to her senses.

And, for a moment, it did. Her eyes flashed from blood red to light lavender. She was still fighting for control. She was still in there!

He absolutely needed to bring her back.

"Please come back to me, Hinata! Fight the demon! Fight it!" he said. "I know you're in there Hinata, so please…please come back!"

His words fell on deaf ears, however.

Kakashi closed his eyes as she rushed forward as he knew that he wouldn't be able to evade in his condition. The sinister chakra was draining him of energy, not to mention he was bleeding quite a bit from the puncture wound in his side and his head was still spinning from the impact it had taken before.

"K…Kakashi-niisan…"

Hinata's soft voice caused Kakashi's eyes to snap open.

Hinata was crouched mere inches in front of him; her clawed hand was shaking violently over his chest. Her once red eyes were flashing lavender as tears fell down her face.

"I'm s…sorry…" she whimpered.

In the blink of an eye, Hinata once again lost consciousness and her clawed hand pierced through his chest, missing his heart by millimeters. His left lung was not so lucky, however.

A cough erupted from his throat, and blood followed soon afterward.

He was going to die.

He knew this.

The one he had come to think of as family was going to kill him.

'I guess this is what I deserve.' Kakashi thought, sadly. 'Wouldn't you agree, Rin, Obito…?'

Dying was different than he had ever imagined it. He always thought he'd either die in excruciating pain, or it would be so quick that he wouldn't have time to realize what had happened. That wasn't the case, though. There was no pain anymore as his body was numb, and he was aware of the fact that he was dying.

His eyes started to close; he was exhausted. His mind was now calm.

'So this is what dying is like? It's not so bad …'

.

.

.

Hinata's body felt light, it was almost like she was floating.

'Where am I?'

'Why is it so dark?'

'I'm so tired…'

'Then sleep…'

'Who is that?'

'What is that?'

"Does it really matter?"

'…no?'

"Then Sleep..."

"…sleep."

The voice continued to echo in her ear, lulling her into a deeper slumber.

Sleep…it sounded so nice to her.

She was so tired…

So very, very tired.

'I want to sleep…'

'…I should just sleep.'

"Yes…all of your problems will be gone if you just sleep—"

The voice that was whispering to her was cut of abruptly.

"HINATA!"

'K…Kakashi-niisan…?'

Why was Kakashi yelling her name?

Didn't he realize all she wanted to do was sleep?

But it did sound important…

Maybe she should open her eyes?

"Ignore him…and sleep," the voice started up again.

And once again Hinata could feel her mind becoming heavier and heavier. The more the voice whispered, the more exhausted she felt.

"Sleep..."

"…sleep."

"…sleep."

'I want to sleep, Kakashi-niisan. Let me sleep. Come back later…'

However, no matter how much she willed it, Kakashi's voice just wouldn't let up.

"Please come back to me, Hinata! Fight the demon! Fight it!"

Demon?

What demon?

There was no demon.

There was only her.

She was alone.

'Kakashi-niisan, there is no demon…'

"I know you're in there Hinata, so please…please come back!" she heard him yell frantically.

'But I'm tired Kakashi…I just want to sleep. I'm fine…'

However, as she thought this, a feeling of unease filled her.

Kakashi was now quiet.

Something didn't feel right.

His silence bothered her.

'K…Kakashi-niisan…?'

A sense of foreboding filled her.

Something was wrong.

Something terrible had happened.

She needed to wake up, her brother needed her.

Kakashi needed help.

.

.

.

After what felt like an eternity, Hinata's eyes fluttered opened. She had ignored the voice that lulled her to sleep, and was fighting to wake up.

It was hard.

Something was wrong with Kakashi and he needed her.

She needed to help him after all he had done for her.

She needed to help her brother.

"K-kakashi-niisan…?" She whispered, not sure what was happening.

Her voice was hoarse, and no part of her felt fine. The pain she was in was unbearable, but she had to force herself through it for Kakashi's sake.

Hinata's head felt clouded. She couldn't think straight.

Why was everything so dark still?

Why did the room feel as if it were spinning?

Why was she in so much pain?

Before her mind cleared, Hinata heard the voice of the person whom she was trying to see.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't save you, Hinata. I don't blame you…for this." Kakashi whispered.

What was he talking about?

He wasn't making sense…

What didn't he blame her for?

Did she do something wrong?

His voice pulled her out of her haze, and her senses returned to her, though at that moment, she wished it had not.

Hinata's eyes opened wide at what she saw.

Her bare hand was sticking through Kakashi's chest; she was drenched in his blood.

"I d…don't blame y…you. It's n…not y…your fault." Kakashi coughed once more before he lost consciousness.

The dream from earlier came rushing back to her at that moment.

No.

This couldn't be happening.

No.

This was a dream, too.

No.

It had to be a dream.

No.

Kakashi wasn't dying, she hadn't killed him.

No.

Hinata watched in horror as his eyes closed, his body was no longer moving.

No.

He was gone.

No.

And it was all her fault.

No.

She killed him just as the demon said she would.

No.

She was a monster.

"NO!"

Her eyes turned crimson once more.

She couldn't keep the demon back.

Not anymore.

It had won.

"FINALLY!" the Kyūbi roared.

Hinata had a stronger will than it had first thought, but none of that mattered now!

It was finally free!

Free to take revenge on the village!

No one would be spared!

However, before the demon could so much as move a muscle, golden chains of chakra wrapped around it, keeping it in place.

The chains were familiar…

When the demon figured it out, however, it was already too late.

No matter how much the demon fought, it couldn't break them. These were the same kind of chains that kept him sealed long ago, but not as strong. However, the demon was nowhere near full strength and the chains had no problem keeping the demon at bay.

The Kyūbi was too busy trying to break free that it never even noticed the woman with red hair approach.

"Five Elements Seal!" Kushina shouted as her chakra laced palm slammed into Hinata's belly, sealing the demonic chakra away almost instantly.

It was only a temporary seal, as an odd numbered seal over an even one would be too unbalanced. She would come up with a more permanent solution later. However, it worked fine for what she needed it for, and that was what mattered.

Hinata's eyes returned to soft lavender, revealing to Kushina that her Byakugan was unsealed, before her body slumped forward in unconsciousness.

As soon as Kushina realized she was no longer a threat, she turned and rushed to Kakashi's side.

"KAKASHI!"

.

.

.

"H….ta…"

A noise filled Hinata's dream. She couldn't quite make out what it was, however.

"Hi….a….t…"

A voice, that's what it was.

Someone was talking to her, now she just needed to figure out what the person trying to say.

Slowly she began to fight against the sleep that was clouding her mind.

She wanted to hear who was talking to her.

It was hard, though.

It was hard to wake up.

Her mind felt so foggy, and heavy.

"Hi…hi…na…ta"

Her name.

That's what the voice was trying to say.

But who could it be?

And why were they calling for her?

Did she do something wrong?

"Hin…ata…"

The voice was clearer now, but she still couldn't quite make it out.

'I need to wake up now…' Hinata thought tiredly, trying to pull her mind from the deep slumber it was currently stuck.

"Hinata….Hinata. Can you hear me?"

Yes.

She could finally hear.

Responding was another thing, though.

She needed to open her eyes.

She needed to let whoever it was talking know that she heard.

Hinata groaned as her eyes fluttered opened. The light was blinding.

It only took a moment more for her eyes to adjust to the light, however.

"Wh…where a…am I?" Hinata muttered when she noticed it wasn't her room she was in.

She was in the hospital. But what was she doing there? The last thing she remembered was falling asleep in her bed, so why was her body so sore?

"Hinata-chan!" a woman exclaimed, while wrapping her arms around Hinata.

Hinata knew that voice; it was Kushina.

Hinata stiffened. While her anger towards Kushina had started to diminish over the months, she still hadn't forgiven her yet. Not fully, anyway. The hug was too much for her.

Kushina, realizing her mistake, quickly let go.

"W-why a-am I here?" Hinata asked quietly, her eyes downcast.

"There was…" Hinata missed Kushina pause while she shared a look with her husband. "…an accident."

"A-accident?" she asked, confused.

That's when she noticed it…

Kakashi was nowhere to be found.

Her eyes widened in fear.

"W-where's K-kakashi-niisan?"

Kushina sighed as her shoulders slumped forward which did not go unnoticed by Hinata.

The dejected look in Kushina's teary eyes answered the question before her sobs were able to.

"H..he's been h…hurt, Hinata-chan…"

End.

.

.

.

This was originally going to be a part of a larger chapter, but I decided this would be a good place to end it. The chapter just didn't flow right if I didn't end it here. Next chapter will be out soon, though, since it's almost done (just got to finish it up and edit it)! It won't take me months to update this time.

I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter. I'm kind of in the middle of liking it and not liking it. Might go back and revise it at some point, but for now I'll just keep it as it is. I've been working on it too long now…

Anyways, the next chapter will be the last one before Hinata enters the Academy.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and if not, that's fine too!

Until next time…