"I'm sorry, I promise I won't run away again. I… I don't know what came over me." Hinata stood in Lady Tsunade's office with all nine rookies and team Gai, which made up her little search party. Tsunade tore her gaze away from the window to glare furiously at the young Hyuuga.

"If this ever happens again," she yelled, "then I'll make you an official missing nin. You got that?"

"Um, yes ma'am. I'm sorry." Hinata bowed before the Hokage. Tsunade's face softened.

"Alright. Just from now on, stay in Konoha."

"Hai!" she said. Of course, she knew that she was lying. For she had plans every Tuesday night to train with a dangerous S-Ranked criminal, which they had decided right that day before Hinata returned to her home town.

"Everyone is dismissed. Hinata, talk to me tomorrow."

"Hai!" the ninja said in unison. Kiba walked up to Hinata and kissed her on the cheek. They walked outside beneath the beautiful sunlit sky, Hinata resting her head on his shoulder as Shino and Akamaru walked beside them. Abruptly, Kiba stopped. He grabbed both of her shoulders and firmly, yet gently, turned Hinata to face him. He looked dead serious, which he usually wasn't.

"Promise you won't ever run away again. I was so worried." Hinata felt rather ashamed, even though it wasn't actually her fault. She looked him straight in the eyes.

"I promise I will never run away. Ever."

Kiba smiled a little. "Good. Just remember that I'll always love you." He took her face between his hands and gave her a soft, romantic kiss. When he pulled away, he looked like he usually did, as if he thought that life was just a big joke, with his perfect smile and fiery eyes. Hinata smiled, glad that he had forgiven her so easily. That's one thing that she absolutely loved about him. He also cared for her so much, wasn't too clingy, and an all-around perfect boyfriend that anyone would wish for. And he was a great kisser, too.

Hinata slipped her fingers into Kiba's and they walked down the path to the Hyuuga residence in silence, while in the distance, Shino was getting playfully attacked by Akamaru.

"Get off! You'll upset my poor bugs!" they faintly heard Shino yell as Akamaru tackled him to the ground with a happy bark. His big tongue lolled out of his mouth and he dog-kissed Shino on every inch of his well-covered face. Kiba didn't do anything about his dog. Just laughed.

"Running away doesn't solve anything, daughter. It doesn't make you stronger, just more of a burden on the others." Hinata was home, getting yet another lecture about what a real ninja is. He was looking out the window, so Hinata promply made a gun with her hand, held it to her head, stuck out her tongue, and pulled the "trigger." Neji laughed silently.

"I saw that." Hiashi turned around, Byaakugan turned on. Hinata blushed.

"Um, sorry."

"Go to your room," said her father. Hinata walked toward the door, then stopped, remembering that she had lost track of the days.

"Um, father?" He turned around. "Um, what… day is it today?"

"Saturday." Hiashi looked back out his window.

"Okay." Hinata left the room, and then walked up to the top of her house where her room was. She flopped down on her bed, her mind buzzing with what happened that day before she came back to Konoha. Itachi had rescued her. Itachi, of all people, had rescued HER. Why did he do it? Hinata wondered. Why would he bother helping me? In fact, a part of her wished that he had just let her die. She wouldn't have to hear any more crap from her father. But she would miss all her friends, especially Neji and Kiba.

Just as she thought this, she heard a soft knock on her door. She got up and opened it up to see her cousin.

"Neji," she said. She stood aside to let him in. When he was in, she shut the door. "What is it?"

"Hinata," said Neji. "Did you really run away?"

Shoot, he knows. "Uh, no…"

"Don't lie to me, cousin." Neji, as usual, was rather serious. "What really happened?"

"I told you, I ran away—"

"Hinata, I know you too well. I can tell when you're lying." He looked down at her hands, which were nervously tugging at her jacket. "You tug on your jacket whenever you lie."

"Oh…" Hinata let her hands drop to her side. "Neji, will you promise not to tell anyone? And I mean, don't say a WORD about this. Promise?"

"I promise."

Hinata looked down. "I was attacked… by Sasuke."

Neji stiffened. "That idiot Uchiha that's obsessed with revenge? That Sasuke?"

"Well, I guess you could put it that way… He was planning to assault the village. I guess he tried to kill me so I couldn't run and tell the Hokage, or something."

"What happened after that?"

Hinata looked away from her cousin. "I don't know… I can't remember…"

"Jacket," Neji reminded her.

Hinata sighed. "That's all I can tell you. Sorry, but… I can hardly believe it myself."

"What happened?"

"I told you. I can't tell you anything more."

Neji looked a bit suspicious, but he gave in. "Very well. I'll leave you alone now." He brushed past his nervous cousin. She heard the door open behind her, then Neji's voice. "Hinata. Please don't do anything reckless."

Hinata side glanced at him. "I won't."

Neji looked like he believed her. Then he shut the door behind him. After all, she wasn't tugging at her jacket. Her hands were casually to her side when she promised him not to do anything reckless.

But Hinata didn't exactly know if what she was doing was reckless. Itachi seemed willing to train her. And he HAD rescued her from his own brother. Hinata had to admit- he was a very trustworthy person. Howeverm she had no idea what would happen as time wore on.

No idea at all.

Hey readers. Thank you for the reviews I've recieved so far. I swear, it makes my day. I hope you continue to find interest. I'm planning on making this story kind of long. But I don't know how long, exactly. Anyways. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the rest! ^^