Hello again my friends! And son of a bitch the universe consipred against me as hard as it could to ensure I didn't have time to write. Believe me when I say I hate this took a week to release. Now I won't take much of your time before the chapter starts, (I always say that, never true.) but I do wish to address a recurring concern I've seen in reviews thus far, that being the interaction between Temari and Naruto. The general things I saw pointed out was A) Naruto let Temari hit him and B) She wasn't disqualified for it.

Now I must admit with some shame it is the result of my own inexperience and failures as an author that I didn't fully explain that scene and it was an important one. I may go back and edit it at some point, but for now I'll elaborate here so you know exactly why I wrote it the way I did. You see, Naruto had overcome his feelings of killing Gaara. Though, he had never thought about Gaara's team and possible family etc. So when Temari had confronted him, the idea that Gaara had someone who may have cared for him, then occurred to Naruto, especially considering this was his sister. He knew that she was needing to vent her anger and allowed her to hit him, and in some shape felt it to help make amends for taking away her family member, regardless of how evil Gaara had been.

As for why no one stepped in, only half the room would of cared enough about Naruto to do so, and they saw that Naruto was holding back his team and was allowing her to hit him when he had the full ability to stop her. I don't want to give the impression she had him on the ground and was just beating the snot out of him, this was a crying woman who was hitting a man standing straight up, willing to accept her hatred and rage.

And as far as disqualification goes, no one who could have done so witnessed her outburst, nor did anyone report her. Though had either of those occurred, make no mistake she would be arrested without fail.

Now don't take this as me disagreeing with the people who disliked that part of my story. On the contrary I'm rather glad that people were able to have such a strong reaction, be it good or bad towards any aspect of my story. I just wish to elaborate on the matter seeing as how I failed to do so; truly I have learned a lesson today. Much like how an artist can send out the wrong message about his painting by using a wrong color for an object, so too can a writer not give the full picture of his work by not using the correct words, or enough of them.

And on a final note before we jump in here, I want to thank you all for continuing to read and review my fanfiction. With all honesty, I am honored by it. You could be doing anything else that you fancy to do, but you take the time to read my story, and hopefully, be very entertained by it.

Let's begin.

(Sidenote: If certain things don't match up timeline wise with cannon I do apologize, I don't have the time to always double check them and I hope people will allow me wiggle room in the name of artistic license.)

XXXX

Inside the arena, the roaring of the crowd was brought to a low hum, allowing for a feeling of peace of mind for Hiashi. He'd never been one for large crowds, even more so when they were overly loud and obnoxious. Even with the quiet he was thankful for, Hiashi was still troubled, not from outside sources but from within.

The main source of his turmoil was his daughter and his own feelings towards her. She had been his little princess when she was still just a toddler. Every day had been to Hiashi as a dream. He had his beautiful family and with the war having finally ended, a seeming long peace found for the land, everything had been perfect.

But things were not to remain so, as soon the kidnapping attempt from Kumogakure had reminded him just how cruel the world could be. Not in just threatening to take his daughter from him, but the loss of his only brother who had taken his place to uphold the peace Hiashi so loved.

And before he had been able to fully recover from the kidnapping, his beloved passed away during childbirth, giving birth to his youngest, Hanabi. It had been a cold slap in the face to the Hyuuga Clan head. His perfect world had been shattered and torn out from underneath him. It had been all he could do to keep himself from falling into grief. With perfect clarity, he could still remember the day he had to explain to Hinata why her mother would not be able to read her a story before bedtime.

It had been then, as he stared into the innocent and confused eyes of his first born daughter, that he had to make a choice. He took her by the hand and told her about her mother. He comforted her for the final time and tucked her into bed after she had cried herself out and fell asleep.

The next day, he would adorn a cold hard mask. It was one created for his daughters, one that would help them turn into strong kunoichi, ready for the horrors this world had. No longer would he look upon his daughters with a smile or embrace them with the warmth of a father. He would fully assume the unflinching position of clan head. And so it went that the next day Hiashi began training his still grieving daughter fully in the art of Jyuken. He treated her as though she was a full grown adult and harshly criticized her for every small mistake she made, bringing her to tears.

Through clenched teeth and stifling of his own emotion he would demand she stop. That such displays were unfitting of a Hyuuga heir. That she needed to follow the strict tradition of her clan, the same traditions that had stolen his brother from him, yet would also protect her. And so he continued. Year after year, he only became harsher as bitterness and hatred began to foster within him, all directed at the mask, the forged persona which had begun to overwrite his own identity. All for the reason of wanting to protect his daughter and ensure she never could be hurt.

And after a few years, Hiashi had forgotten. He had forgotten himself and the original purpose of why he had transformed himself. Soon, the bitterness had redirected itself toward his heir and soon he thought of her as weak and unfit to take on the harsh reality of assuming control of the Hyuuga clan. He could not stand how she would not even be able to defeat her own sister who was much younger than her. To him, she had become a pitiful and worthless excuse of a ninja. So much so that he had begun to have thoughts of removing her as heir and placed in the branch house, including placing the Caged Bird Seal on her, even though the risk was great at her age.

Then, his timid, insecure and weak daughter had begun to change. Soon, he would catch her training late at night by herself. Even though she would be exhausted from the harsh trials he would put her through, she would train herself even harder. It began to show in her sparring matches too. Hanabi soon could no longer defeat her older sister, and she even began to catch up and eventually match Neji.

Not just fighting prowess, but her attitude began to change too. She began to throw herself into her fights, giving everything she had. Even the most threatening attack would never make her flinch as she faced it head on. Her bolstered fighting spirit bled into her very demeanor and will, erasing the weak and timid girl that would cower before him with tears in her eyes. Now she stood proud with defiance in her eyes as he addressed her. His cold glare, which could once make her avert her gaze now, only met a steel-forged resolve, plain as day within the pale eyes that spoke of a fierce inferno of inner strength. But still, he could not find himself satisfied with her progress thus far. Even though she had proven leaps and bounds stronger than she had been mere months before, still he found fault.

And during the month between the preliminaries and finals, the unthinkable had happened. Hinata had not only had openly defied him, she denounced him and the ways of their clan, with no fear of the consequence or his own actions. And in his rage he struck her, and struck her with intent to injure. He had been blinded by the pure audacity of his unruly daughter. He had physically disciplined her before in the past, and even put her through training that would tantamount to abusing her. But never before had he struck her in sheer rage. But it had been that audacious defiance that would change everything for Hiashi.

After watching the branch servant carry his daughter out, and he was alone, a solemn tear had rolled from his cheek. He had felt beyond shocked, having not cried since his wife's death. It had been a tear sent from his true self, one which had been sealed away behind his persona. His daughter's strength had brought to him the feelings he had long since forgotten and shut away. The feelings that had reminded him that she was his beloved princess.

Even the next day, when he saw her again, the persona of anger still holding fast to him, he saw that she had grown even stronger in her convictions. It had been if that his own actions only further tempered her and proved she would never bend to any will that was not her own, that she would not budge from the path she chose.

He had heard a voice then, a quiet and weak one that was crying out in pride with a parched and neglected throat. As the rest of the month progressed and he continued to find himself in a silent war with his daughter, the voice grew louder, with force, and he began to doubt himself and his actions. The night before the finals he heard a question posed to himself. What if he had been the one to cause her weakness? If that he had done nothing but harm with his actions?

Then, during her match, he watched, almost entranced by his daughter. She had already began showing signs of becoming a beautiful woman, but her fighting spirit had exploded like a violent gale and blew away his expectations and fears. She had become more than beautiful, beyond anything that language could describe. And through her fearless fists, she had torn victory away from the Uchiha.

It had been the final seal removal upon himself, he felt his mask fight and try to remain, but was ultimately shattered and faded away into nothing. With as much composure as he could, he left to see his daughter, attempting to stay as the same Hiashi they all had known. But nothing could be farther from the truth. His daughter's spirit had freed him from his own hatred and bitterness which he had locked himself away with.

With a deep breath, Hiashi allowed himself a troubled smile. He had much to make up for, and would explain himself to his daughter, and one day he may yet be able to gain her forgiveness and trust in him again.

Turning on the corner that the large 'Medic' sign pointed towards, he was greeted by the sight of the young blond ninja that was participating with Hinata's team, Naruto if he remembered correctly, whom was far too friendly with his daughter. Though Hiashi began to wonder if this boy had anything to do with his daughter's change? Naruto was walking away from a blue steel door, no obvious markings for it to be the medical room, but it was the only door in the dead end hallway.

Naruto looked over towards Hiashi, not recognizing him but saw he was a Hyuuga. "Are you here to visit Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked, pointing behind him with his thumb. "They're not allowing anyone to see her until she's fully healed. They might make an exception for a clan member though." Naruto continued, not sounding fully pleased with getting kicked out.

Keeping up with appearances, Hiashi looked down at the boy with an even and neutral gaze. "I would imagine so, I am her father."

Naruto smiled then gave a bow, "I see, then this is the first time we've meet! The name's Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto spoke, holding out his hand. He wanted to make a good first impression.

Hiashi almost broke his mask of indifference, not believing how casual the boy was acting around him. With almost a smile, Hiashi replied. "I am Hiashi Hyuuga, the head of the Hyuuga Clan."

Naruto left his hand outstretched for a moment more, before getting the hint he wasn't going to take it. With an akward feeling, Naruto started to walk to the side of Hiashi. "Well. . . I gotta go then, Shino's up next I think." Naruto spoke, trying to figure out what Hinata's dad deal was.

Hiashi nodded, walking past the boy. As he got to the door however, he stopped and felt an annoying nagging in the back of his head that wouldn't vanish. "Uzumaki-san." Hiashi called out, not turning to look towards the boy.

"Yeah?" Naruto asked, having almost turned the corner.

"Thank you for looking after my daughter." He managed to get out, then continuing with a warning "But I would suggest you not allow yourself to be so free with my daughter as you were today. Do I make myself clear?"

Naruto grimaced, feeling the heat from Hiashi's voice. "I,uh . . . you got it Hiashi-san." Naruto quickly ran off afterwords, dealing with her dad scared the hell out of him for some reason.

XXXX

Hinata was on cloud nine, barely even registering the feeling of the medic-nin who was healing her cut. She had defeated Sasuke in the hardest fight she'd ever fought before, not to mention she finally saw just how far her training had brought her. She had been scared beyond belief during the fight, even though she did her best not to let it affect her. The thought of Naruto watching her and hearing him root for her had been more than enough to allow her to act through the fight. Even when Sasuke had those weird markings grow over his body and charged straight at her with what was obviously meant to be a killing blow, she had been able to keep her wits about her because of her love for Naruto.

Holding her left hand close to her heart, she blushed thinking of how the boy had carried her all the way to the medic station. Even though she still felt like passing out from embarrassment every time he so brazenly held her like that, she wanted to feel him more.

A slow perverted grin formed on the girls lips as she her thoughts took her farther into a daydream when the sound of the door opening up tore her from her pleasant thoughts and alerted her and the medic-nin to another presence entering the room.

Hinata felt her previous joy leave her as she saw it was none other than her stoic father, who stared down at her with his usual look of indifference.

The Medic-nin looked up towards Hiashi with a bit of displeasure at his entry without knocking. "Hiashi-sama, have a seat." As much as he wished to tell off the Hyuuga Head, he would rather not risk it.

Hinata followed her father as he moved to the side of the bed opposite of the Medic and sat on a small stool, remaining silent. As the Medic-nin worked for the next few minutes, no words were exchanged and the tension was thick in the air.

Then, with a relieved sigh the Medic-nin stood up from the side of the bed where he had been kneeling as he worked on healing Hinata's leg. "Right then, gonna take a small break before we continue healing your leg. That kunai did a real number to your knee, reattaching each muscle is real pain -but don't worry, I'll get you back in shape." The medic spoke, giving Hinata a smile and thumbs up.

"Could you allow us use of this room for a moment, I wish to speak to my daughter in private." Hiashi spoke, his request sounding more like a demand.

The Medic-nin shrugged, turning to walk out of the room. "Sure, why not. Time for lunch anyways."

Hiashi waited until the Medic left, until turning back towards Hinata who was looking at her father with a determined face. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he began to speak, "Hinata, I -"

"Augh!" A loud yell pierced the quiet air from outside, followed by the a thump of something hitting the ground.

Both Hinata and Hiashi both snapped their attention to the door.

XXXX

Sasuke felt his consciousness return to him slowly, his brain firing up and already informing him of the reports it was receiving from the body of all the healed tenketsu that currently were in agony and pain. With a groan, he tried to move, but felt resistance. Opening his eyes, he looked down to be greeted by the sight of strong leather straps holding his body and limbs secure.

Before he could begin to struggle and thrash, a voice called his attention. "You're awake, I see."

Sasuke looked over, seeing his sensei, Hatake Kakashi reading his infamous book series Icha Icha Paradise! With something akin to a wounded dog's growl, Sasuke spoke, "What is this Kakashi-sensei?! Let me out of this!" He moved around to define what he wanted.

Kakashi, not moving his gaze from his book, turned the page. "That won't be happening."

Sasuke felt his jaw slack, then clenched his teeth. "What?! Why not?! You can't just-"

"You used the curse mark." Kakashi cut him off, his voice calm but with a form of authority that made the Uchiha stop in his tracks.

Sasuke stared at Kakashi, not believing exactly what he was hearing. "You mean you're restraining me because I used the power -"

"Sasuke." Kakashi now had lost his calm tone, it was now rigid and sure. He closed his book with an audible snap and turned his head towards his student, his visible eye clearly expressing his disappointment and borderline anger.

"I told you. I warned you." Kakashi spoke again, emphasizing his words, "The curse mark is not something you can use. I told you to avoid allowing it to activate, and you even went so far as to call upon it!?"

Sasuke looked on at his teacher in silent shock, having never heard him take such a tone with him.

Kakashi sighed, feeling the edge of anger start to dull. "Listen to me Sasuke. I don't want to do this, but you need to understand just how horrible this mark is. The chakra and power it gifts you with is not without a catch and is beyond dark and evil. With whatever will it was that Orochimaru used to impart this mark onto you, it was not one that intended something benevolent."

Sasuke frowned, looking away from his sensei and for the first time noticing that he was at Konoha Hospital. It was then he remembered that he had lost. Gritting his teeth and feeling his rage build, he clenched his fists. How could he of lost to that weakling?! She had always been so quiet and pathetic in the academy, always making those disgusting eyes towards Naruto and smiling to herself. She was a freaking weirdo who was nothing more than a mediocre ninja at best. So how was it that she beat him, a member of the legendary Uchiha and top of his class?! It was beyond infuriating!

"I swear, I'm going to kill her!" Sasuke finally roared out, fighting his restraints all the fiercer. How was it that he had lost to so many pathetic and weak ninja?! First Naruto Uzumaki, then Rock Lee, both dead last losers who had no bloodline limit! It was beyond any concept of reality that he could comprehend.

Kakashi could only watch in despair as he saw his student that so reminded him of himself fell into an abyss of rage that Sasuke had created for himself. How could Kakashi show him that his problems were of his own design? All he had to do was let go of his hatred and he could be so much happier.

A knock coming from the hospital room brought Kakashi back from his own thoughts as he turned to look at the opening door.

"Yo, Sensei! I was wondering where you took Sasuke! Probably better than leaving him somewhere those crazy chicks could follow him, eh?" Kiba called out, his usual toothy grin plastered onto his face.

Kakashi allowed himself a smile, glad to see his cheery student who was able to bring a needed joy in the room. "I hope you weren't followed? I snuck out the back with him for a reason."

Kiba laughed, crossing his arms. "C'mon Sensei! Who are you talking about here? Me an' Akamaru ain't gonna be the best trackers in Konoha for nothing you know! That involves being sneaky as hell!" Akamaru barked loudly from on top of the Inazuka's head. Looking down, Kiba lost his smirk as he saw Sasuke brooding with an intense glare directed at Kakashi, one that didn't even acknowledge Kiba's existence.

"Hey, what's up with Sasuke?" Kiba asked, his voice grim, seeing the restraints holding his teammate back.

Kakashi sighed, wondering how he should explain this to Kiba, before loud sounds cut his thoughts short and drew his attention elsewhere.

XXXX

Back at the arena, Shino and Dosu squared off against one another. Shino stood confidently with his arms crossed and a ghost of smile upon his lips as he stared off against his opponent. Dosu, his face unreadable due to the cloth wrappings that covered his head, stared with an unnerving gaze towards his opponent. He held himself as he usually did, with his back slightly hunched, and his arms hanging at his sides.

"I would recommend that you give up now. I will do my best to leave you alive, but I cannot ensure that it will be a painless defeat." Shino spoke, not a trace of mockery held with his statement. He meant it and was confident victory was his.

"Interesting." Dosu replied with a small laugh. "Is that how Konoha shinobi are taught? Mercy for ones opponent?"

"For an opponent in a match of friendly competition, certainly." Shino replied.

Dosu began to laugh, the sound muffled by his bandages, but the outlines of his mouth visible. His laughter began to grow louder as his opponent's reply began to fully process in his brain, and he found it far too amusing.

The audience had grown quiet, and Hayate stared at the Oto-nin who was beside himself. All were paying attention to the ninja who clearly found their ninja's practices to be out of place.

"How very interesting, indeed!" Dosu was able to say, his laughter beginning to fade. With a grim smile he kept hidden under his mask, he began to pull back the sleeves that hid his sound generating gauntlets. "How it is that you think to call yourself shinobi after adopting such weakness as mercy to opponents is beyond me." His voice became dangerous and dark as he set himself into a fighting stance. "You'll find out all too soon just how weak Konoha is."

Shino slowly unfolded his arms, letting out a low hmph as he did so. "You think that our ways are weak? That kindness is something to be mocked?" He asked rhetorically, bringing a hand up to his glasses. His mind conjured forth images of his Hyuuga teammate whom he regarded as a sister, a sister who was the kindest person he had ever met who helped him come to accept himself. Images of Naruto, who might be loud, brazen, and witholding more secrets than he could understand, was one of the dearest people to him; one who would throw away his life for even a moment of safety for his friends.

Grasping his glasses, Shino continued, "If you think us weak," with a rough motion he tore off his glasses and threw them behind him with a sweeping motion, revealing his grey eyes that were full of rage. "Then let me show you how wrong you are!"

His hive began to come alive with a loud buzz as they could sense their host's rage, and began to surface through the pores in his arms, creeping forth in a grey mist that covered Shino's forearms and they flew around his back forming a black sheen of movement behind him.

Hayate took a step back and raised his arm, feeling the energy in the air was about to explode, "Ready, fight!"

XXXX

Up in the Hokage stands, Sarutobi allowed himself a smile in his tense state, watching the young Aburame defend the virtue of his beliefs with such intensity. Team Eight had truly matured in ways he could not of foreseen.

Bringing himself back to the matter of the Kazekage however, Sarutobi saw that he was still as unreadable as ever. "Tell me Kazekage-sama, would you agree with the Oto-nin, Dosu, that Konoha is a weak country due to our more peaceful ways? Or, as peaceful as a ninja village could be?" he asked with a jovial tone.

The Kazekage didn't turn to answer the Hokage, having clearly heard the way he spoke his title. "I can see where he would have some issue, but it would just be his opinion."

"Oh come now, Kazekage-san." A new voice called out, one that made the Kazekage freeze in spot. A hand covered by a kote clapped down onto his shoulders, one that squeezed with a friendly familiarity. "Surely you don't need to hide your true opinion now, would you?"

The Kazekage turned, looking up towards the source of the voice. Behind him stood a tall man, in his later years, but not looking any less stronger for it. He wore a traditional green outfit with a blazing red haori. He had waist long spiky white hair, pulled back into a ponytail, with bangs that framed his face. A large forehead protector was shining brightly upon his forehead with the symbol for 'Oil' emblazoned upon it.

The Kazekage let loose a single breath. "Jiraiya."

Jiraiya grinned, looking down at his old friend. "Orochimaru. It's been some time."

Sarutobi stood, turning towards the 'Kazekage' with a triumphant smile. "I believe it's time you discard that flimsy disguise of yours."

A low chuckling began to emit from the now identified Orochimaru, a voice that was completely different from the one he had used to impersonate the Kazekage, his true voice. "I'm not quite certain how you knew that it was me, but I will certainly give credit where it's due." He spoke, still held in place by Jiraiya's hand.

"Oh come off it you old bastard," Jiraiya spoke, emphasizing the fact Orochimaru hated most. "Did you really think you were careful enough to hide yourself from even I, the Gallant Jiraiya?" He lost his jovial tone as he leaned down towards his old teammate. "I know you better than you think, you snake."

"Flattery will get you nowhere." Orochimaru laughed, waving his left hand. Then, before either the Hokage or Jiraiya could act the four cloaked ANBU who had been standing by darted off in four separate directions. The distraction had been enough, and Jiraiya felt the shoulder he had been holding onto disappear and the Kage robes fell in a clump of unused clothing.

"The roof!" Sarutobi yelled, leaping up with Jiraiya close behind. He had felt a chakra signature pass underneath him and above. He grimaced as he tore off his Hokage robes mid-air in a flash, sporting his old battle armor underneath. Nothing good could come of Orochimaru's deception, there would be far more to this than a simple ruse.

Landing on the roof above, both master and student scanned the rooftop, looking around for the rogue ninja, and saw the four ANBU who had disappeared, re-appear at four corners of the rooftop and tear off their costumes, revealing four young ninja with Oto headbands displayed on their person in various areas. As they digested this new information, the four began quickly forming hand seals, and shouted in unison, "Four Violet Flames Formation!"

In an instant, four pillars of violet fire shot up from triangular barriers that surrounded the four Oto ninja. The flame pillars soared across the sky to form a three dimensional rectangular cube that formed a solid wall of violet fire.

"Kukuku," an evil laugh echoed within the formed barrier, alerting the two ninja to another presence forming itself from the tiles to appear more than ten feet away. "I do believe that it goes both ways my dear old friend." Orochimaru spoke, now standing before them in his real body, a cocky grin on his face. "You clearly have underestimated me."

"Orochimaru." Sarutobi called out, staring at his fallen student. "What are you up to?"

Orochimaru gave a slow disturbing smile, and from behind him several large explosions illuminated the village below and behind him. Fire rained down from the sky in the wake of the explosions and Konoha began to burn.

"The destruction of Konoha, and all that inhabit it."

XXXX

On the arena floor below, the fight had been going in earnest, with the Oto ninja having been placed on the complete defensive. Dosu had found that Shino had rendered his gauntlets completely useless, commanding his insects to stuff themselves into his gauntlets, there by causing them to become completely useless as they required the movement of air through them to trigger the mechanism that allowed him to release the harsh sound waves to destroy his opponent's equilibrium.

He would try and move in on the Aburame, but every time he did anything other than dodge, he found himself almost falling victim to large swarms of insects that threatened to overtake him. As he began to sweat, knowing he was at a complete and utter disadvantage, the explosions he had been waiting to hear rang out.

Shino dropped dead in his tracks as the explosions caused widespread panic in the stands, and now noticed the large barrier that had been erected atop the stadium above the Hokage's seats. Sounds of death and fighting already began to cry out as he looked around and saw numerous shinobi dressed in outfits of the Oto and Suna killing anything they came into contact with indiscriminately.

Shino's jaw almost dropped open, before he managed to get a hold of his senses and snapped his attention back to Dosu who watched him with a grin that was even visible under the bandages. The cryptic words Dosu had spoken at the beginning of the match had now made perfect sense to him. Seeing the smug look his opponent showed even under wraps, Shino clenched his fists as the realization of what exactly was transpiring became absolutely clear.

"It seems as though the exams have come to a premature end." Dosu noted, his tone still smug, knowing one of his fellow villagers would kill his current opponent soon enough, removing him from danger.

Shino slowly unclenched his fist, his rage still burning hot and continuing to intensify as he could make out the dying bloody screams of unfortunate villagers echo out. Glaring into his opponent's eyes with completely focused anger, he spoke, "I told you earlier that we ninja of Konoha display mercy to those we fight in friendly competitions. And it was true."

Dosu felt a small trickle of fear run down his spine as he saw just how intense the Aburame stared into him with his grey eyes, causing the Oto ninja to shrink. He darted his gaze around nervously, his backup would arrive any second.

"However," Shino spoke, his ice cold tone seeming to mute the carnage around them. "That only applies to friendly competitions. You are now my enemy." Putting his hand into a two finger seal in front of his face Shino spoke once more. "Aburame Secret Jutsu: Inferno Swarm."

Dosu felt his stomach drop as the insects which had been forming a dome over him to prevent his escape were all replaced by what he could instantly recognize as exploding tags.

"Die." Shino spoke.

A massive explosion erupted in the center of the ring, and Shino watched with unblinking fury as a single metal gauntlet whistled by him and slammed into the earth behind him, rolling away.

XXXX

"Augh!"

Hiashi stood, already activating his Byakugan. He almost let out a gasp as he watched the medic whom had just left the room falling to his knees, a katana held by a ninja in strange garb embedded in his chest. The medic grasped at the sword feebly before his killer pushed him off with his foot letting the dying medic expire on the floor.

Memories of a time long gone began to fly through Hiashi's mind, and his instincts told him that something very horrible had happened.

"Father, what -?" Hinata asked, staring ahead with her activated Byakugan.

With a grimace and curse Hiashi spoke. "Hinata. You must remain within this room, do I make myself clear?"

"But -" Hinata started, worry etched on her face as she looked between the twelve men she saw outside, all advancing towards the room, and her father's back.

"Hinata." Hiashi spoke, interrupting her. As he turned towards her, she felt her heart ache as she saw the look of utter love and sadness that Hiashi projected forth. "Please, Hina-chan. You're in no shape to fight, leave this one your father."

Hinata felt her breath catch in her throat as she recognized the old nickname her father would call her when her mother was still alive. She could only stare at him in shock as the warm smile on his face lingered a moment longer before he turned away and headed towards the door. Her voice failed her as she watched his retreating back open the door and exit the room.

She could only watch as her father turned to face the shinobi outside the room, all whom readied their weapons. She then felt her chakra reserves running dangerously low, as they had already been taxed heavily from her fight with Sasuke and her use of the Trigram attack. Her vision began to falter and return to normal, and she could only stay transfixed upon her father's face of determination, as he squared off against the ninja. No trace of her father's previous self was seen.

XXXX

Outside, Hiashi stared beyond his outstretched palm with a calm and unnerving gaze. There were twelve men in all, each full grown shinobi with forehead protectors with the sound symbol on them. Hiashi let out a long breath, watching each men in turn as they all did the same.

"I don't know why you have come. But you shall not take a single step beyond me. Turn back now."

"We've come for the famous dojutsu, and we require the Hyuuga heiress, her eyes shall make a fine gift to Lord Orochimaru. Move or die." One spoke. As if on command, they all hoisted their various weapons up, all pointed towards Hiashi.

Hiashi narrowed his eyes, preparing himself. Before another moment passed, the first one charged.

XXXX

Hinata fell to the ground with a loud yell. She had tried to stand, but her leg gave out under her. The adrenaline from her fight had completely left her, and though the medic had closed the wound and repaired the damage for the most part, her leg felt like it wouldn't move as she commanded. She could hear the sounds of fighting clearly though the door. Yelling could be heard, along with the familiar sound of chakra enhanced strikes from the Jyuken. The occasional scream pierced through the room, none had yet to come from her father.

Grabbing onto her bed, she was able to hoist herself up with no small amount of effort, and attempted to steady herself. The sounds became louder, and with a piercing shout, a massive vibration shook the walls and rattled the door, accompanied by a single yell from her father. She felt her heart stop for a moment, but then heard the sound of a large Jyuken strike and a death cry.

Again, she made herself stand upon two feet and began to walk. There was simply no way she was going to leave her father alone. She could feel with every step she took that her leg shook at the wound and screamed in agony at her. She made it two feet before she made a small misstep and collapsed again, this time falling into a metal equipment stand the doctor had nearby and knocked it over. She cursed as she fell onto the now upturned stand and one of the metal legs was forced into her back. Rolling off the blunt leg, she held her back, a terrible sting pulsating from the area of impact.

The screams continued from outside, though they began to sound fewer in number. She could also now make out the pained grunts of her father, as if fighting with a wound. It only served to spur her on further as she began to crawl and pull herself towards the wall by the door. She could watch the dancing shadows that were peeking in from the crack under the steel door.

Father, hold on, I'm coming! Hinata cried out in her mind as she pushed through the pain to move further ahead. She was exhausted. Between the wound and almost being depleted of chakra, it was hard to move. She almost wanted to cry in frustration at the feeling of being utterly useless, not even being able to accomplish something as simple as standing.

But the sight of her father's kind face wouldn't allow her to stop. She finally saw the face and heard the voice of a man she thought had disappeared so many years ago. Then, she felt her blood run cold as she heard her father yell out in pain and heard a loud thud from outside.

Hinata's lip trembled as she stared with horror at the blue steel door and could only remain fixed in terror. Slow footsteps could be heard from outside, it was dead silent otherwise.

Then, with a loud sound of chakra being sent through the air, a blood encased cough could be heard and a body fell. Hinata felt a new surge of energy as she felt every ounce of her scream to get out of the room, her father would have to be okay! Allowing herself a pained cry, she pushed with both legs towards the wall. Reaching the wall, she used the wall to help brace herself as she began to stand, feeling her leg shake violently, rejecting her attempts to put weight on it. With a cry of frustration, Hinata took a step forward, screaming internally at her leg to shut the hell up. She had to get out the door! Fixating fully on the handle, she almost leaped forward and grabbed hold of the handle and used it to balance as she hopped over. Summoning up her inner fortitude, she turned the handle.

Her mind froze as the steel door creaked open slowly, and she saw her father lying on his back with a large bleeding gash across his stomach, his intestines visible. Multiple smaller wounds covered his body and blood coated his clothing. His gaze was unfocused, he stared up towards the ceiling and straight at the fluorescent light above. He was still breathing, but it was ragged and uneven. Hinata couldn't hold a coherent thought, as she slowly hobbled forward, completely ignoring the blood and dead shinobi that littered the rest of the hallway. Not a single one had passed her father, not even a speck of their blood.

Falling to her knees on the hard, cold tile, Hinata reached out with an unsteady hand towards her father's face. With a slow movement, Hiashi rolled his head to his left, where he could just make out Hinata's pained face.

"Hina. . ta." He managed to breathe out, the blood filling his lungs making it hard to talk.

Hinata grasped Hiashi's upper body and gently lifted him up, cradling his head. She blinked, and felt tears form at her eyes. "F-Father." she managed to reply, still not able to process what it was that she saw.

Hiashi managed a smile, his teeth stained red with blood. "My. . .precious daughter." He spoke again, reaching up slowly with his left hand to touch her arm that was cradling his head. He could feel his life slipping away from him as blood continued to pour from his grievous wound that he had received from the final shinobi. The shinobi had used his friend as a decoy and slashed open his stomach as Hiashi landed a killing blow on the decoy.

"I don't have much time." Hiashi choked out. He coughed twice, blood spraying forth from his mouth, as his dying body tried desperately to stop the inevitable, causing Hiashi's breathing became harsh. "I.. . I have been less than a father to you, Hinata." Hiashi admitted, staring into his daughter's eyes.

"F-Father, that isn't -" Hinata spoke, her heart feeling like it was going to give out from grief as tears flowed forth from her eyes, obscuring her vision.

"Shh. . ." Hiashi whispered, feeling more of his strength leave him, "Listen to me, please. I . . . I just need to tell you that all that I did, was to see you become a strong shinobi. I-I didn't want you to. . ." Hiashi started, as he felt his own tears mingle with blood that had coated his mouth and chin as they escaped his eyes. "I didn't want you to . . . I thought that. . . that if I had been strict with you . . . you would have become strong." Hiashi felt his mind begin to slip away, his thoughts becoming jumbled and unfocused.

"You were my . . . little girl, my princess." Hiashi breathed out, his voice just above a whisper now. "I . . .I couldn't have been more wrong a-about you becoming weak. You have become. . . so strong. I-I could never be. . . anymore proud than I am. If. . .If only I hadn't wasted the only precious time I had with you and your sister."

Hinata felt herself shake as she gripped her father tighter, seeing his life slowly fade away. With a trembling voice, she called out, "D-Daddy, please. . .you can't-" she whispered, putting her forehead against Hiashi's head, her tears falling onto him as she sobbed, interrupting her voice.

Hiashi smiled as he heard her call him 'Daddy'. He hadn't heard that since before he adopted his false persona.

Then, Hiashi could barely make out one of the ninja who he had thought dead begin to groan and writhe on the floor in front of them. Even in his dying mind, he could understand what it meant. He tried to say something, but a violent coughing fit robbed him of his voice and strength as his lungs violently ejected the pooling blood gathering in them.

Hinata cried harder, grasping onto her father with all her strength as she refused to accept the unavoidable fact she was facing. She buried her face into his hair, blinding her to the threat that began to slowly stand.

Hiashi tried to make his voice appear, and did his best to move, but his body lost almost all ability to move as he watched the enraged ninja grasp onto a discarded katana by one of his dead comrades. With a face contorted with anger as he silently moved forward, he raised the sword high, aiming to finish off the Hyuuga head.

Hiashi watched in horror as the sword was brought high, but a loud swoosh cut through the air and a massive blade slammed into the tile beside the Oto ninja. Blood sprayed forth from the wound and splattered onto Hiashi and Hinata, causing the girl to look up in surprise through eyes still swimming in tears.

The Oto-nin lost conciosuness before the top half of his body slid off from the diagonal cut that had been delivered from shoulder to waist, his internal organs spilling out to the ground below in a gushing flow of blood.

Hiashi strained his failing vision and could just make out Naruto staring at him with an expression he couldn't quite make out. Naruto stepped forward over the corpse of the Oto ninja, moving towards Hiashi and Hinata.

Naruto had returned outside to the field after leaving the Medical room, only to be greeted by the booming explosions and massacre that began inside the stadium. He had immediately turned around and ran back, knowing he had to return to Hinata to make sure she would be okay.

But as Naruto knelt next to Hinata, he knew he had been too late.

"Naruto-kun. . ." Hinata whispered out through her tears, meeting his sad gaze, his visible blue eye clouded over with sorrow and regret.

Hiashi coughed again, but it was weak, his body no longer able to summon the strength to keep going. The world around Hiashi was beginning to go black, and he knew death was upon him. "Naruto-san. I have a request." He spoke, trying to look the boy in his eye.

Naruto nodded solemnly, not able to find his voice, as he leaned forward.

"Please. . . I know that . . . my daughter means much to you, yes?" Hiashi asked, his voice fading out.

"More than anything else in the world." Naruto answered, his tone conveying just how serious he was.

Hiashi reached forward with a weak hand, and Naruto grabbed it with his. "Then I . . would ask. . please take care of my . . . prin. . cess." Hiashi managed to just whisper out. He stared into the blue eyes of the boy he entrusted his daughter to and with his final breath, he looked towards Hinata with a smile that he imbued with all the hope he could, the hope that the blond ninja would make good on his oath.

"Hinata. . . I love you, my little girl."

Hiashi's hand went limp, and his eyes closed for the final time.

"F-Father?" Hinata asked, her voice trembling, her sobs suspended as true terror began to seep into her.

Naruto slowly put Hiashi's hand back across his chest, knowing that the Hyuuga Clan head had passed on. He placed his arm around Hinata, who didn't seem to acknowledge his touch.

"Father, please. . . answer me." Hinata pleaded as she very gently shook his shoulder, her eyes wide.

Naruto frowned, as sorrow shook him at seeing the girl he cared about going through the pain of loosing her father. Memories of seeing his own team dead and scattered around him began to surface, memories he quelled immediately as he grasped onto Hinata's shoulders. "Hinata-chan. . . we have to go." Naruto whispered out.

Hinata shook her head violently, as she grasped onto her father's robe with all her strength. "No! We can't leave him like this!" She yelled out as she let out a terrible cry and embraced her father's corpse. "We need to get him to a medic! They can save him, they have to!"

Naruto bit back his tears and clenched his fist as he felt the girl's maddening grief emanating like a palpable aura. He had wished beyond everything in the world he could of saved her from this pain. Grabbing onto her, he began to gently pull her away.

"No!" Hinata cried out as she fought him. "Please Naruto-kun, leave me with my father and get help!"

Summoning all the courage he could, Naruto bit his lip and grapsed onto the girl as she tried to fight him off with a scream. Naruto tried to hold her tight against him as he usually carried her but she wouldn't allow him. With a grim set face, he re-adjusted her flailing form over his shoulder as her agonizing screams of grief echoed through the halls. Naruto began to run as fast as he could, wanting to leave the area as soon as he could.

Hinata, with all her sorrow, cried out one final time with an outstretched arm, looking back towards her father that she knew full well was beyond her reach, but couldn't accept it. "Daddy!"

Naruto kept running at full speed as he clenched his teeth and the darkest rage he had ever felt engulfed him like a fire. Whoever it had been that started all this, and those that were causing all this grief, he would kill them all.

XXXX

Not gonna say much at the end here, other than I apologize if the scenes jumping gets confusing. This is a pivotal moment in my story and many things are occurring at once.

The next chapter is on it's way already, antcipate it's arrival, Konoha is no where near out of hot water yet.

Shinobi no Ryu