Chapter Seven

-One year later-

Naruto peered out over the now developed village of the Land of Waves. Streets were lined on either side with houses and businesses. Since forming the population had increased to over seventy members. Not long after that bonfire night did everyone elect Naruto as the official leader.

Things were still continuing to develop, one of them including the academy. The building plans and floor plans had already been drawn out and the builders already had the materials necessary. The only level that would be located on the surface would be the homerooms, guest bathrooms, general cubbies, and the front office. Right beneath the school, hidden by a door that can be opened only with the village crest found on the inside palm of each villager.

And that is how the majority of the village is made up of. The surface contained the community buildings like housing and businesses along with parks. There were two hospitals, one for ninjas and one for visitors and everyone else. By separating certain things to private and ninja related categories, this kept select information from being leaked out. This is not only a defensive against possible intruders but also a safety precaution for those who weren't directly involved in the affairs of the gruesome shinobi world. Even the headquarters was separated into surface and below surface sections. However it was made sure that if visitors ever did come, the surface would hold the facade of having all the village secrets present.

Hitoshi and his wife welcomed to the world their first daughter only four months ago, everyone celebrated the occasion for the first actual generation of the village had been born. Every birth had been treated special, each child warmly welcomed into the new world.

Kioshi celebrated his seventh birthday. And being one of the oldest boys in the village, he looked forward to the completion if the school because his goal was to be as strong as Naruto and Nobuo. When the two of them heard this from Suzume, they couldn't help but look forward to that day very much.
-

Naruto stood around a large round dark wooden table with Naobu, Suzume, Hitoshi, and another new member named Fumio. He has read many scrolls and books pertaining to the subjects of each nation, clan, bloodlines, and jutsus. Fumio contains not only that but a vast knowledge of histories.

Looking at the faces present, all joking was set aside for this important meeting. "We are here to discuss some more things. I'm sorry for taking you away from some other important things but this comes first for now. First off, it's almost that time to renew our treaty with the Sand village. Second, I apparently need an outfit that reflects my current status which I disagree with."

Suzume crossed her arms, acting like the mother she was inside, scolded Naruto. "Oh, no you don't! You aren't getting out of this one. Here in the village people may know who you are and what you symbolize but outside of this island, no one sees you the way we do. So, no, you aren't allowed to not show your power. That's final so no weaseling out of this." Done with her rant, she dared Naruto to come with a comeback with eyes piercing imaginary shuriken into him.

Hanging his head down, he only agreed. When Suzume got like this no one could stop her or object to her. "Thirdly, we need to make the final touches on the school. We need it done as soon as possible. There are already a small handful of children at the proper age to be trained. And I don't think the parents want to wait any longer to get then educated." His eyes met for a second with Hitoshi before going around the table.

Nabuo chose to address the first problem. "I think the first objective will be easy to accomplish. We successfully completed last time and now that we actually know what we are doing, this time will be faster and easier."

Fumio added in, "And the village is safe enough and more capable of protecting ourselves. We made sure to make this place run smoothly even with your short absence, Naruto-sama." His round glasses were pushed up. He held a great amount of respect for the young leader after having witnessed firsthand his strength and kind heart.

"Please, no more of that sama from you Fumio. It's hard enough getting the villagers to stop calling me that after everything we've all been through together."

Fumio shook his head. "I mean no disrespect to that request but I am afraid I cannot bring myself to follow that order. I respect you far too much to call you anything else but Naruto-sama."

Giving up with a sigh, Naruto gestured to Hitoshi to take his turn to speak.

"The third request is nearly complete. All we have to finish completing the sparring room. With that we can official open our doors."

Nabuo thought of a relevant question concerning the school. "Wait, who will be the teachers. We can't just supply only one for the kids. That won't be enough for them to actually learn enough to become Tide ninjas. "

Suzume nodded. "Nabuo is right. The only teacher we have so far is Maiko."

Seeing the dilemma, Naruto was stuck worrying with no possible solution. "Alright, Fumio, I want you to find at least one more proper teacher while Suzume, Nabuo, and I are away. And Hitoshi," The two stared at each other, "I want you to continue overseeing the development of the school building but if they finish before I return, hold off on the opening ceremony."

"Hai." The two men understood their tasks.

"Good. Then I should go get prepared for the travel. You too, Suzume, Nabuo. We leave in an hour for the Sand village." With that final order, Naruto turned and walked out the large steel double doors, opening them with a push of both hands.
-

On the road once again, the threesome walked and walked, stopping for nothing. They had changed their usual attire slightly to something more suited to the occasion. Naruto wore a black jumper with the Uzumaki symbol adorned on the back and something to cover his blonde hair with. He wore the signature white haori though it didn't have any writing or design present to pub point it as being a haori.

Suzume wore the same outfit design but it was a black dress instead of purple. Nabuo kept the same black pants and black short sleeves but he chose to add in black gloves with the fingers cut to the middle of each finger. The only real difference this time is the black face masks that resembled something like what Kakashi would wear. This was not an officially set outfit but it would do for now.

"How much longer do you think it'll be? I'm guessing we are almost there, right?" Nabuo felt that the trek was taking a lot less time but still felt long. Suzume, knowing that he would continue to ask the same question until they arrive felt compelled to transform and scout ahead.

"You don't have to ask again now, Nabuo. Suzume is going to check ahead and estimate the amount of time left for us. So instead of giving me that bored look, move faster."

Suzume was correct when she came back informing them that the village was only a few minutes away as long as they continued at the current speed. The familiar tall walls of the village's entrance loomed closer and closer. The usual number of guards stood waiting for their arrival.

Stopping in front of them, one guard bowed and beckoned for them to follow him to the Kazekage. That they did, walking past the curious and suspicious stares of the locals. None of them felt the least bit uncomfortable under the constant stares.

When the door was opened to the office, Gaara stood up to meet Naruto halfway across the room. As usual, the only people present in the office were the three Sand siblings. Kankuro stood against the wall without his usual black clad clothing behind the sofa where Temari sat with arms crossed.

Suzume and Temari made eye contact and a spark of electricity appeared before them. They gave each other meaningful glares before looking away.

Kankuro and Nabuo saw the exchange between the two females, sensing the potential cat fight that could break out at any minute. Seeing the possibility of something like this actually happening, Nabuo positioned himself between the two. Suzume angrily flipped her brown ponytail over her right shoulder and chose to glare at the floor.

While the mini war continued, Gaara and Naruto chose to discuss the details of the treaty. They had decided that the best option would be to renew the treaty yearly, revising any details. Once that was completed, they would copy the agreements onto two scrolls which both would sign and keep one each. This enabled them to keep tabs on the other and make any necessary changes for the benefit of their respective villages.

There the two sat for hours sitting on either side of Gaara's desk, papers scattered over the surface while the two whispered to the other. No one dared to break the concentration. Nabuo, finding that Suzume would not be speaking to the Sand nin, told the two siblings that they would be receiving occasional messages from their village informing them of improtant news that needed to be known immediately.

Temari refused to allow such access but Kankuro managed to step in, telling Nabuo to excuse his sister and that such a thing was allowed. But the bird had to wear the emblem of the village at all times when making the deliveries. This was a simple rule that Nabuo found he was able to follow.

It had taken nearly till dusk for the treaty to end but both leaders looked highly satisfied with the outcome. There had been moments when one or both sides refused some sort of content being put in; however, everything went smoothly in between those few seconds. Suzume was extremely happy when Naruto announced their departure.

Naruto had assumed that it would be a strong rivalry between Nabuo and Kankuro, not the two calm kunoichi who would be the ones to go at each other's necks. Even Nabuo thought the same. How ironic that the one who cares the most about others being the one after a fellow allies head.

With handshakes and hugs, the party headed for home. The trip back was just as uneventful as the trip there. They had passed the borders of the Fore Country but encountered no patrols. It seemed quiet and as cliche as it may sound, but it was too quiet.

"Stay alert." Naruto whispered low. Something was off.

Nabuo's eyes darted from side to side, assessing what he could from the growing shadows of the trees. "I don't see anything so far."

"Idiot, you can't just use your eyes to find attackers." Suzume couldn't help but smack him in the back of his head for such stupidity as that. "Listen and smell too."

There was a faint but still audible crunch of leaves, as if someone was sitting on the ground and leaned too far to one side. Pin pointing the location, Naruto jerked his head for Suzume to bring out whoever was watching them.

With a series of hand signals, a female scream was followed by a body being forced into sight. It was Hinata with long dark hair and pale white eyes getting to her feet. She stood ready to defend herself.

"So you're of the members of the Hyuuga clan, huh?" Nabuo asked to confirm what his were looking at. "Doesn't look like your anything too special."

Naruto lowered his voice into a warning, "Don't underestimate the power of the Hyuuga clan members, no matter what they may look like. If this girl managed to learn the Gentle Fist, you may have some trouble like last time but on a completely different level."
-

Hinata's POV

Only the boy with the blue hair attacked me. The other two made no move but I could sense that they were waiting for the others to appear. My team and I were only patrolling here by chance when Akamaru caught the scent of someone unknown or in this case, three unknown people. Shino helped to locate these intruders faster by using his bugs. Though others think his abilities are gross, I find them really great. He has an ability to be proud of despite what the thinking of others may be.

"Byakugan." I said, readying myself. When the blue boy charged at me it felt like he was going in slow motion. Spinning to dodge him, I pushed one of his chakra openings.

With a grunt of pain, he rolled onto the ground before back flipping onto his feet with amusement in his eyes. "So this is the power, huh? Doesn't really live up to my expectations but then again, maybe you're just weak." I felt a twinge inside. Even he sees me as weak.

I remembered those days, sparring with my father in the main house, the pain and bruises. But no matter how many times I got back and no matter how hard I tried to fight back, those eyes of disappointment stared down at me. And those were the eyes that followed me everywhere I went. Shaking off the feelings of the past, I charged forward.

Nimbly avoiding his fist by centimeters, I closed more of his chakra openings. This was going to be easy. No, this shouldn't be easy. These three were capable of taking out a whole group of criminals and hunter ninjas too, so how is it that I am able to fight equally with one of them? But as my mind starting to question this phenomenon a punch hit my stomach and I sent flying back, leaving me dazed and a rib fractured.

"Well that was fun, having my chakra openings messed with and all that. Still unimpressive though. Where's that other guy I fought before." Meeting the eyes of my opponent I was shocked. His dark blue eyes held no disappointment despite what he had said about me. A smile was what I saw and a hand reach out to me. "Sorry about that punch and sorry for what I'm going to be doing after this."

With a serious face, he grabbed me by the neck and I felt my body lift off the ground. Looking down at him, the trace of the smile had dissolved from his face and all that I saw was a face devoid of anything. It was not only him though; the other two went to stand beside him. Killing intent slowly seeped off them, drowning me in it to the point that I could care less about breathing and more on escaping. I managed to choke out a help before blacking out.

"Great, look what you did, moron. She's out cold because you were holding her too tight." A female voice reprimanded from somewhere in the darkness. "Now what? We can't take her back with us and we certainly can't go skipping into their village and manage to get out unscathed at the least." The girl breathed out roughly.

That's when I heard the most familiar voice speak out to me, so nostalgic. The voice of Naruto. "I'm sorry Hinata that my friend here got a little too careless but we just can't afford to get caught right now. There are some people out there counting on us to come back." It felt so real, the voice, the smell, almost as if he was actually right there beside me. But it couldn't be possible. Naruto disappeared over a year ago. "Take her to the borders. I'm sure Kiba and Shino will find her in no time if they track her scent."

A pair of strong arms carried me up and through the air; wind stinging at my face and the near silent steps on tree branches lulled me further into the darkness.

Someone started to shake me awake, shaking my shoulders. "Oi! Hinata! Wake up!" Kiba's voice brought me out of sleep. Opening my eyes, I was met with the familiar faces of Kiba, Shino, Akamaru, and Kurenai-sensei. "Thank god we found you. We've been looking everywhere for you. I knew it wasn't a good idea to separate from each other."

"But it was your idea in the first place, Kiba." Shino opposed.

"It doesn't matter whose fault it is right now. What matters is how Hinata ended up here of all places and unconscious. No one just disappears out of nowhere and ends up safe somewhere else further away than where we left them." Kurenai-sensei was right. Someone had to have carried me back. Then I realized who.

"Those people…"

"What do you mean, Hinata? Who are 'those people' you're talking about?" Kurenai-sensei asked me urgently. I knew she was worried about me but I needed a second to think it over.

Sitting up slowly with the help of Akamaru, I looked at the faces of my team. Curiosity and worry mixed themselves into each of their faces. "There were three ninja I found while patrolling outside our camp site. I thought they were planning to raid us so I decided to observe them for a bit. Somehow one of them managed to hear me and draw me out." Kiba opened his mouth to ask for more information but Shino managed to stop him from speaking out. "There were two boys and one girl. I couldn't see what they really looked like except they wore black face masks and black outfits. The girl had long brown hair and the boy had dark blue hair and ark blue eyes."

"What about the second boy?"

I shook my head, side to side. "All I know is that he has blue eyes too, but a lot lighter. That's all."

Kurenai-sensei bent her head down a little with a hand on her hip. She was thinking of something. "We need to head back to the village and inform the Elders of this. It's bad enough that Lady Tsunade hasn't awoken yet but now this. Those three are getting closer to the borders of our country and it could pose a problem later." She turned towards the direction of the village with a new determination around her. "Let's go!"

"Yes!"