Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the associated characters, locations, jutsu, etc. The only thing I own is the plot of the story. If there is any plagiarism of any form it was completely unintentional.

"To deny people their human rights is challenging their very humanity."

Nelson Mandela

The sun was slowly setting over the village as the daily commotion was beginning to settle down to give way for the peace and calm of the night. The many stores and restaurants were all closing one by one as the people were retreating back to the comfort of their own homes, all but one.

"Gomen, Hinata, but we have to close now."

"Huh? Oh, okay, sorry, Ayame-san." Hinata said in a soft voice as she slid off her seat and slowly walked away, leaving behind an empty bowl of noodles that had now gone cold. Usually she would have gone home by now, but the thought of having to see her father kept her from even considering it. She walked around the village for what felt like hours, but were actually no more than five minutes until she arrived at the main park. She slowly made her way over to the swings and sat down as the old memories of this place flooded her mind.

"Who are you?"

"I-I-I.."

"Why aren't you running? Aren't you afraid of me?"

"W-w-w...why?"

"Because most people are."

"I-I'm not."

"You're not? Then... W-Would you be my friend?"

"H-hai!"

...

"Naruto-kun?"

"Huh?"

"Happy Birthday!"

"Oh Hinata, you remembered!"

"How could I forget? I got you a gift!"

"Arigatō!"

"Come on, open it!"

...

"Hinata, are you al right?"

"Y-yes, Naruto-kun, I-I'm fine."

"Then why are you crying?"

"I-I just, I-I had to-"

"You don't have to lie to me, you know. It hurts when I see you cry, and even more when you lie and say you're fine."

"Naruto-kun, I-"

"You don't need to tell me everything, but you also don't need to pretend in front of me. I know you better than anyone, Hinata. If you need to cry, then cry, I'll always be here to wipe your tears away."

"Liar..." She whispered as the tears slowly started to flow out of her eyes.

"Hinata?" She heard her name being called out. Startled, her gaze sprang up to meet a pair of jade green eyes.

"Oh, S-Sakura, w-why are you here?"

"I would ask you the same question, but I already know the answer."

"Sakura, I-I... I was with him in Suna. I spent two days with him and not once did I try to do something to bring him back..."

"I know you miss him, and deep down I miss him too. He was an idiot and was, and still is, always causing trouble everywhere he goes. But he was still my teammate as well as my friend. Regardless of what everyone else thinks deep down he is a good man, and most importantly you know that as well."

"W-what do you mean?"

"Why do you think he left that message for you instead of Kakashi or me? Why do you think he took you to his hideout to talk in person? Why do you think that out of all of us you were the only person he allowed to approach him? He trusts you, Hinata, he really does, and in the position he is in now he needs you more than ever. Look, I know you don't want to go back home, but it's really late now, so you can come with me." Sakura said as she extended her hand out to Hinata.

"I-I don't want to b-be a bother." She responded while slightly raising her own hand.

"Just come on, it's getting really cold out here." Sakura said while reaching for her hand and pulling her to her feet.

"A-arigatō, Sakura." Hinata said as they were walking along the empty streets.

"No need to thank me, I know you're feeling."

"Do you really? H-how?"

"Let's just say that I have my own Naruto to worry about."

"NARUTO! FOR THE LAST TIME WE WON'T STOP FOR RAMEN!"

"But I'm hungry!"

"Then maybe you shouldn't have eaten all of your supplies in one day, BAKA!"

"Who are you calling a baka, teme!"

"Who are you calling a teme, baka!"

" Both of you, stop it, shouting will get you nowhere."

"Brotha, don't even try. I've only seen one person who could stop their rambles flat."

"Would it be Naruto's old teammate?"

"Yeah, that scary pink haired chick with the large forehead that could shout you to death."

"Achoo!"

"Sakura, are you ok?"

"Yeah, I think I might be getting sick from this cold. Let's just hurry up and get home."

"H-hai, I think it's going to rain tonight."

"Huh, tonight of all nights."

"W-what do you mean?"

"Don't you remember what happened today, 5 years ago?"

"Oh... yeah, I-I remember now. Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha. A-and the first time the leaf faced two bijuus at once since the death of the Shodai*... I-it was also the night in which Naruto-kun left Konoha for good."

"And it was that day in which the Sandaime* gave his life to save us."

"...N-Naruto-kun was very fond of him, I-I can only imagine how h-he must have felt.""

"Probably how we all felt, just ten times worse."

"H-he used to say that... T-the Sandaime was like family to him. E-even if he always made him mad, he would've done anything for him."

"Those bastards from the sand, it was all because of them. We should've known something was off when the Kazekage sent an representative instead of coming here himself. Orochimaru, one day you'll pay for what you did." And Sasuke, next time I get my hands on you I'll break every single bone in your body, one by one.

*Shodai: First (Hokage)

*Sandaime: Third (Hokage)