Hello, I am back.

I know what you guys are thinking.

But hey at least I am here... after a year.

When I started writing this chapter I had a block and I realized I had no idea where this was going.

Until today, but I cant tell you anything else can I?

I dont own anything of Naruto.

Enjoy.

Neji woke up with a smile on his face, today was the day Lady Hinata had come back from her mission. She probably was still in bed after such a long trip.

He quickly leaped out of bed and ran to the kitchen; he was about to prepare breakfast for his dear cousin. Strangely, he heard noises from the kitchen already.

'Not even the maids are up this early,' he thought.

To his surprise he found Hanabi in the kitchen, making it an utter mess. She stopped abruptly at Neji's presence, and dropped the eggs she carried as she gave a surprised yell.

"What are you doing Hanabi?" Neji dropped formalities when no one was around.

"Oh, it's you," she sneered, "I thought it was someone more important."

He gave a tiny smirk as he understood what this was about. She was making breakfast for her older sister, who she now adores but is too prideful to say it aloud and be discovered.

Hanabi stood up irritated, her hair was covered by flour and you could see dark bags under her eyes. It seemed Perfect Hanabi lacked in the culinary skills Hinata and her mother excelled in.

Neji reached for her gave to clean a smudge, but she snapped at him, "Don't touch me."

'Great she is already irritated..."

"Hanabi, I can help you, you know?"

The youngest Hyuuga's eyes brightened, "Really? You will?"

"Of course, at this rate you could be charged by attempt of murder by poison," Hanabi was about to protest but was cut off, "can you tell me what this is?" Neji pointed and the black porridge looking thing that was already set on the plate.

"It's a pancake." She said with pride.

He raised his eyebrow at her, "I thought you didn't hate your sister anymore and here you are, trying to kill her. Let us start from scratch, besides she will wake up in an hour."

Neji shouldn't have said he would help her, in the end he made everything by himself while Hanabi ordered him around. There was a moment when she changed her route and asked, "Do you think she would be a good clan leader?"

Her cousin didn't turn to look at her, too focused with the pan, "Yes, I've seen her grow up through the years. You may think she is too weak hearted but she actually just gentle. It's a good quality if you pair it up with strength and determination she has. Besides you never wanted the title."

"How did you know that," Hanabi questioned.

"You always look at the kids Naruto trained with longing."

"Wha-! Excuse me? I can have Konohamaru's ass on the floor in a second."

He snorted, which was unlikely of him but then again he had never said it was Konohamaru he was talking about. Besides, never had he heard Hanabi be so... Unsophisticated, unlady like, unheiress like. But he guessed it would start happening more often; Hanabi's true personality was a feisty one. "I meant you wanted to be like them, without worries and responsibilities."

Hanabi made no comment, "Come on she is going to be up any moment." She took the plate, "If I get there first I'll tell her I made this." And she started running with the plate.

"Wait Hanabi...-sama! You are going to wake up everyone." He whispered loudly as he ran after her. She had already turned the corner as he lost sight of her and heard the door open. As got close he saw a shocked face Hanabi had. Neji ran faster with worry only to wear the same expression as his youngest cousin.

Hinata's room was empty, no furniture, no bed, no Hinata.

"What are you two doing that caused so much ruckus," asked a stern voice who belonged to no other than Hiashi Hyuga.

"Otou-sama, where is Onee-sama?" demanded Hanabi. Hiashi raised his eyebrow at the time of her voice but made no comment about it.

"She went to Kirigakure for three years in the Shinobi exchange."

A loud shatter was heard across the hallway as Hanabi dropped the plate, "WHAT?!" She yelled.

Neji was quiet but wanted to yell the same way. Hiashi looked at him expectantly. "Anything you want to say?" He waited, "No? Maybe in the studio is better to talk about this. Follow me." He walled off with long strides.

As he closed the door behind him and his nephew was ready to vent off. "Why did she leave?! Kirigakure is far! Better question, why did you let her leave? Why didn't you tell me? I could have convinced her to stay or made her. Kirigakure is far! She must be alone! You said she went on a mission for two weeks!...Hiashi-sama." Adding the suffix with hesitation.

Hiashi just stared, "I didn't tell you because she told me not too. She told me you would act the way you are acting right now."

"Are you sure you want to do this Hinata?"

"Hai, Otou-sama, I want to be able to take care of myself. Kon has always been by my side. It's time for me to get stronger."

"But you can get stronger here."

"Yes, that is true, but if I go to Kiri than I can forge bonds with them. It could be great for the Hyuuga complex and village if help is ever needed. I can also learn new techniques and not only rely on the Byakugan."

"Why Kirigakure?" He asked for the last time.

"While I was fighting is the war I was in close contact with the Mizukage. I also feel better if the Kage is a female. Tsunade-sama already told me that I would be with her most of the time since she took a liking to me."

Hiashi could feel that her daughter was hiding something but he said nothing. This was the first request Hinata ever made to him of such importance and every point she made was valid.

"Please don't tell Neji-niisan, he tends to be very overprotective of me. His first reaction would be to try and stop me. Please tell him, that I went on a mission and I will be back in two weeks which would give me enough time to be in Kiri, Otou-sama."

"You seem more determined than ever. The only thing I can do for you is to do as you wish, Daughter."

Neji stood quiet as Hiashi's-sama explained the events. He could hear Hinata's voice from the party, "I'll put that all past me." Did it that night have to do with what happen that night?

He stood up and apologized for his actions, he quickly strode towards Hinata's room trying to think about what had happen and what had she hidden. The warm feeling in her room was gone; he walked around slowly next to the walls. His agile eyes caught something near the fireplace. A paper that had survived the burning. He picked it up and realized it was part of her diary. He unraveled it quickly and read it. His scowling expression changed to one of anger. He had to find out, and he knew exactly were to go first.

"As for you, Hanabi, I knew you never wanted to be Clan Leader although I never mentioned anything because you kept on with the act. Something apparently you and your sister have acquired through the years. Your sister has shown she is capable even more by going to Kiri. You can take breaks now and have fewer responsibilities, but if something happens to your sister you have to step back up. Understand?"

The amount of information Hanabi took was already too much for the day, she only nodded. As she left the only thought in her mind was going to fight Konohamaru.

"Oh my God! Nami, you look so sexy in that miniskirt! You are totally going to seduce Naruto-sama with that!" Exclaimed the permed hair girl.

Nami rolled her eyes at the comment, she already knew she looked sexy, she always did. That moron didn't have to kiss her ass all of the time, but she loved it anyways, so she smiled sweetly and said, "Thanks, Misa."

The other girl, Naoko, made a new comment, "Yeah, you look way better than that Hyuuga bitch. I can't believe she confessed to Naruto and was forgotten about. Naruto-sama didn't even feel bad enough for her to give her an answer."

Obvious that someone else was in the room with them, and icy cold aura forced around them. "What did you guys just say?" Neji gritted.

The girls scared of the murderous voice the Byakugan user had, she stuttered just how Hinata did when she made fun of her. "W-w-why are you h-here? W-hat d-d-do you want?"

"Tell me what you said about Lady Hinata!"

The girl picked up more courage and smirked. "What? You don't know? I thought everybody knew- haha- don't feel bad, they probably hid it from you. It seems that the day that psycho attack the village, Hinata told her feelings to Naruto when she jumped into battle. But she is so pathetic that Naruto didn't even give her an answer-"

"Wha-" said Neji more astonished than ever, anger was building up inside him.

"Everybody in the village knows and pities her." She had talked to much. Neji raised his hand that was formed into a fist, he aimed at her. She closed her eyes before the strike and winced at the crumbling of the wall. Neji made a hole through it. Her legs gave out from fear and fell to the floor limp.

"I can not believe it. Did Lady Hinata really confess her feelings towards Naruto. I always thought of Naruto as a bit tactless, but to not answer her? It can't be."

Neji ran through the forest looking for answers. Only one person can answer him with the truth and that was:

"Tenten!" He gasped

"Neji, why were you ru-"

"Is it try Hinata-sans confessed her love Naruto while protecting him from pain?"

Tenten eyes widen a bit; Neji could see how uncomfortable she was under his glare, he didn't need for her to speak anymore.

"Did he ever give her an answer?!" He demanded

Tenten sighed as she knew she couldn't hide it anymore. "Yes she confessed, but she never got an answer. At first she understood because we were about to go into war but one day she saw Naruto ask out Sakura. She cried in my lap for an hour. She said she would keep on trying to be acknowledged."

He then realized what it was all about; Hinata fought to the brink of her death for Naruto so he could see her as an equal and acknowledge her, but he didn't. Just like Lady Hinata's father did not.

"After Pains attack he had so many chances, to at least thank her. How dare he just throw away those feelings? The party, that's what this is all about! Naruto is still fixed on Sakura, it can be the last straw for anyone. Now she's gone, that bastard hurt my precious cousin so he should take responsibility!" he snarled and left with speed.

"Wait! Where are going Neji? Neji!" She called but Neji had already begun his hunt for the fox.

"Do you realize that this is why we didn't tell you!?" Tenten called out behind him.

He didn't have to search far, he found him in his usual training ground. A vein popped as he saw Naruto laughing with Sakura.

"Look at the idiot, careless as he can be, not worried that Hinata is thousands of miles away from here."

He quickly gathered his breath and contained his anger, " Hey Naruto, what are you doing?"

Naruto turned at the voice of his friend and smiled, "just resting so I can beat Sasuke again."

Sasuke umphed like a child and turned away, while Sakura giggled and Sai chuckles. Neji would have been happy that Naruto has his family back, but Neji's family was incomplete now.

"I see. What if you let Sasuke rest and fight me?"

Naruto's face sparked at the new challenge.

"I've got him."He thought maliciously, he had always been in control of himself. He was in control when his father was killed and he thought it was Hiashi's fault but now he had lost every straight thought.

"Of course, Neji!"

Sasuke and Sai looked at each other, if they had something in common; it was knowing when someone was deceiving them.

"Kage Bunshiin No Jutsu!" Naruto yelled happily.

"Byakugan!" Neji got ready to seriously injure Naruto.

At first it was all a child's play, Naruto was sending clones at Neji and he just kept destroying them all. Until Neji punched Naruto in the face, "Heh," Naruto smirked, "I guess you are serious. Rasengan!"

He came at Neji while he deflected it with a Hakke Kuushou, sending his chakra out him palm. With his other hand he grabbed Naruto's arm and swing himself to kick his face.

Naruto didn't expect Neji to be taking this like a real fight; he could feel his intent with every hit. "Hakke Hyakunijuuhachishou," Naruto was in the circle and Neji stroke 2 times, 4 times, 8, 16, 32, 64. He started striking near the heart, making Naruto's chakra stop pumping everywhere in his body. He was about to strike directly in to the heart as Sasuke and Lee got up; they knew Naruto wouldn't give up but Neji was not fighting in friendly terms.

"Wait if she leaves she can forget about him. Maybe this is better, maybe she made the right decision."

Neji stopped at mid strike to Naruto heart, Sasuke had pushed Naruto out of the way and Lee was standing between them both looked at Neji, surprised at his killer behavior.

"Sorry Naruto," Neji said without looking at him, "I came here to get my anger out, I took it out on the wrong person," and with that he left Naruto there.

He could here Naruto whining, "Why did you stop me, I was about to win!"

"He was thrashing you, you idiot," Sakura yelled at him.

"Neji, wait?!" Tenten called out.

He turned around and said, "Don't tell him. Don't tell him why she left he would go after her. It is better this way."

Kirigakure

Hinata was arriving to Kiri; she smiled as she felt the ocean breeze. Then she giggled knowing that by now Neji would know where she really is. "He must be really mad but hopefully he doesn't do anything rash like come to get me. He'll understand."

Hinata had been away from Konoha for two weeks and she was already missing her friends, even her father's nagging and Hanabi. This is a new start; she would have to tell herself repeatedly. The excuses she told her father weren't really excuses, she was also going to be making friends in the name of the Hyuga clan but her main reason to start over was to experience a world without Naruto. She still loved him, she knew that, but falling in love with someone who doesn't look at you is a waste of time. She had seen it twice already; loving people and caring for them sometimes didn't work out, they'd take it or granted and make the one doing all the loving and caring get hurt and seem weak. Without the effect of alcohol or watching her father's face of disappointment, she had come to the same realization.

She sighed as she walked out of the port with her luggage in hand, suddenly realizing she had no idea where to go until she heard someone call her name. It was a stern, proud looking man with an eye patch. Ao, she remembered his name, also remembering the reason why he had the eye patch. She approached to him warily. "Good day Hinata-sama, I am here to escort you to the Mizukage, Terumi Mei."

She thanked him and walked with towards the highest tower in the village. Everything was the same as it was in Konoha, people selling, people buying, laughing and having fun, others late to work etc. The only difference was the sky. Here it was grey and thundering, in Konoha it was sunny bright.

Ao started showing her where everything was and giving her a bit of a back ground history. They walked up the stairs and opened the door. In the room a beautiful red-headed woman sat gracefully on the desk's chair. She smiled and the sight of Hinata and quickly stood up to hug her, pushing Ao aside, "Oh, Hinata it's so great to see you! I was happy to see your application to the in the system, I didn't think you would like to participate but here you are."

"H-hai! Thank you for choosing me. I am happy to you again, Mei-sama," she said respectfully.

"Oh just call me Mei! I hope we can become friends along the process. You must be tired, I know it's been a long ride and you must be missing an actually bed. Your roommate still doesn't get back from a mission but your roommate still doesn't get back from a mission, by tomorrow you can go move in. Meanwhile we booked a room for you at a hotel, tomorrow you are to go in the gym and meet a man called Chojouro. You've met him before, he and Ao will explain the process." The Mizukage said goodbye to her, knowing Hinata was tired and itching to go to sleep.

The Hyuga heiress walked into her hotel room and as soon as she touched the bed she started dreaming.

Hinata was walking towards the gym, where Ao said she would meet a man called Chojouro. She remembered him quite well, after all his pants looked like cow prints. She smiled for the first time she arrived. She had to admit she was nervous, all the sassiness gone; she was like she was before. The poor girl was in a new place with different people and different attitudes. The rain didn't help either, Konoha was always sunny, but Kirigakure felt as if it was drowning.

"Hinata-sama," someone called and was forced to break away from her thoughts. It was a man with blue hair, round face with glasses, blue high-neck sweater, and ah- cow printed pants. "Chojouro-san," she said quietly, "Nice to meet you!" she said this time more loudly.

Taken aback by her greeting he blushed and greeted her even more loudly, they stared at each other and then burst out laughing at the event just occurred.

"P- please call me Hinata, ma-may I call you Chojouro?" damned stutter, she had to get rid of it!

"Uh, su-sure!," the blue haired boy smiled at her. The heiresses that he had taken care off in the past were always mean and demanding. He became a servant instead of the guardian because they were afraid of breaking the nails, he sighed in content knowing she was not like that.

"Oi, what are you waiting for?! Stop waiting time and get over here!" Ao walked towards them with a stern face. Both youngsters dashed into the gym to meet.

"My apologies Ao-san, I am ready to learn. May I ask what we are learning, hard techniques of ninjustu, genjutsu, or taijutsu. I need to learn more on my Water Release though." Hinata tried to appear confident but she wasn't feeling so. She had no idea what to expect from another village.

"None of those," he chuckled at Hinata's confused face, "the gym is to learn another form of fighting without using chakra. There have been many instances where the ninja carrying out the mission has to battle and plenty of times ran out of chakra. To avoid that, it is sometimes better to have weapons at your disposal. The kunai is often use but we like to implement our knowledge in weaponry.

We specialize in different arts, but the most prominent are swordsmanship, the twin Sai, and the senbon. For you, a Byakugan user, close range combat is at your peak. If I may suggest the senbon, the Byakugan will allow you to see the Chakra points in the enemy allowing you to block them. You can also learn to heal with them. The senbon allow far range combat but I am positive you will be able to use them well with your abilities.

Learning to use a sword is the hardest and most disciplined art of all. You will need to learn its history, stance, and positions. The Sai is hard as well but I am sure it will not be difficult for you since you are flexible. Take your pick."

Hinata was impressed by the students who were working hard. She was even stricken by the whole weaponry idea but then again what they did say made sense. She looked at every type of art being thought at the gym, she couldn't know what to pick. The senbon would be beneficial and the Sai looked easy but fun. Learning to fight with a sword did look hard and heavy, but it would be something nice to learn. The Hinata thought, "Why do I even have to make a choice, it is not like I am friends with anyone here. I can become an expert in all of them. I am sure my Father would be pleased and I have to put a good name for Konoha."

"All of them." She said with a wide smile.

"I am sorry?" Ao though he had heard wrong.

"I want to learn the three of them. It will be fun."

"I am glad to have gotten such a good, hard-working student."

Ao told her that she had the rest of the day to look around Kiri and gave the directions of her roommate. The real training would start tomorrow, since she had chosen the three types she would have to be there at six am and get out at 8 pm. She looked up at the sky, knowing it was for the best, it would help her not think of him or her father. The only down side is that she won't go on missions until she finishes the training.

Hyuga heiress got to not too shabby, brick red apartments and walked up to the 3rd floor. She knocked five times and waited for someone to answer. A lot of thumping and objects were heard from the other side until a blonde girl with toast in her mouth opened.

"Hem mo, you muff bee ma woomate," She spat out the crumbs at Hinata who giggled.

The girl ate her toast, "Well come in, they brought your stuff earlier so I place them in the corner. My name is Minamoto Himawarii."

As Hinata entered her face showed complete horror as she the mess of a house upon her. Clothes, clean and dirty on the floor, disposable plates in the dishwasher, and opened instant ramen cups everywhere. There was also a weird smell coming from somewhere, "I know it's a bit of a mess but I never have time to clean up and I've never had a roommate so there was no need too." She laughed sheepishly.

"Oh, its okay Minamoto-san-"

"Please call me Himawarii, Hyuga-san." She interrupted.

"O-okay…Himawarii. You can call me Hinata and I can help you clean up if you'd like." Himawarii scrunched her face at the thought of cleaning up but complied.

After an hour bags full of trash started piling in front of the door and Hinata's part of the dormitory was visible. Himawarii's definition of picking up the room meant pushing everything to her side of the room and hiding in under the bed, couch, and pillows, underneath and behind the drawer, and inside the closet.

"May I come in?," the messy girl asked, "I was given this day free to show you around and introduce you to people. I am learning to play with the Senbon by the way, what have you chosen?"

"All three of them."

"What?! You must like a bit of a challenge then. What are your favorite pass times? Pet peeves? Any boyfriends? Ex-boyfriends?" She bombarded Hinata with questions, "I know you're from Konoha because of your clan name."

"I like to read and press flowers to conserve them."

"You read? Oh Kami, you are perfect. Look, "she opened a small door located in the middle of her drawer. It was the neatest place Hinata had seen within the apartment; it contained stacks of paper, "I write novels, eroctica novels to be exact. Can you pretty please revise them?"

Hinata blushing at the word "erotica" stuttered, "b-but I know nothing of E- er- ero- of that subject."

"Then you can learn. Come on! You're from Konoha, the greatest Erotica author was from there. Ever heard of Jirayia- sensei?" Hinata fliched at the name, Jirayia-sensei led thoughts of another person. She was about to respond but was interrupted.

"He was the best. I always loved reading books but then, one day I stumbled upon the Icha Icha paragraph was filled with emotion, passion, and thrills. And he wasn't only the best writer; he also trained the savior of the whole Shinobi world. You know who he is, everybody does: Naruto," bile rose up Hinata's throat.

I heard he was a fine piece of meat but I think he is that pink haired chick… or was he with that blue haired boy? I don't know, but Naruto was sexy when he won the battle who ever has him will be a lucky,

but hated girl. I wonder where I can get myself a boy like that." Hinata felt a bit of jealousy hearing her speak of Naruto like that but didn't say anything.

"Do you know him?" the blonde asked the blue haired.

Hinata turned away, "A little," she said in a tiny, strained voice.

"Oh kami! Is he an ass, you know how people get when they are famous. I bet girls just throw themselves to him and he just takes them all in. I bet-"

"N- no he doesn't! Naruto-kun is nothing like that. He is humble and a great person. He had all of this power in his hands and even when the whole village hated him he never threatened to use it on us. He is a loving and caring friend, when you are with him it feels like you just want to follow him until the end. To trust him and to be with him… forever," the words were said before she could even stop herself. She immediately regretted it.

Himawarii raised her eyebrows, "I thought you only knew him a little bit."

"I do," she squeaked but looked at her defiantly.

"Okay, okay. Hey, are you going to wear those types of clothes here?"

"Y-yes, why? Is something wrong with them?" Hinata looked at herself in the mirror.

"No, but it always rain here, if you haven't noticed. It's annoying to carry an umbrella everywhere you go and they are sometimes useless. You have to wear shorts and tanks that dry easily. Let's get out of here and go shopping! What do you say?"

"Eto, I don't know." She said quite unsure.

"Besides changing images might help you heal from a broken heart!"

"Naruto-kun didn't break my heart!"

Himawarii smirked, "I never said it was Naruto."

Hinata gave up, "Fine, let's go."

They grabbed their bags and went out the door as friends.

"Is he the reason you're here?" she asked curiously.

"I am here to heal, forget, and grow," Hinata responded automatically.

"How come is didn't work out between you guys?"

"He just never noticed me. I doubt even knows I am gone."

Konohagakure

Kiba and Shino where having an important conversation underneath a tree shade. Kiba, agitated said, "You knew she left and you didn't tell me why?! Since when did you know she was planning on leaving?!"

Shino just let Kiba yell and growl until he was finished whining, "I knew since she told Tsunade-sama, I always have a bug following her in case she is in trouble."

"And you didn't stop her because!?"

"Because Hinata is a grown-up and is capable of making her own decisions."

"Grown up my ass! Tenten told me why she left. Hinata left because of that clueless idiot!"

"I am aware of that."

"Then!? I am going to tell Naruto what his idiocy has done right now," Kiba turned around but Shino grabbed him by the elbow.

"You are not telling Naruto," he said in a stern voice.

"Why?! It's his fault! He should bring her back!"

"It is his fault but its better is he doesn't go for her?"

"Why?"

"In the beginning I thought that the love Hinata had for Naruto would make her stronger, and it did for a while. Now she is weak, she feels like she in nothing. She wants to change and if she needs to go to Kiri to change and get over Naruto then let her. So don't tell him, Sakura, or Sai. He will go because he feels guilty and because he is Naruto, not because he loves her. We don't need her to get her hopes high." Kiba huffed at Shino's reasoning, just as he was about to argue more someone came from behind.

"Hey guys, have you seen Hinata?" It was Naruto who was doing his morning jog, "I haven't seen her in almost three weeks. Is she okay?"

Kiba was about to say something but Shino stepped in, "She came back the day before yesterday but she went in another mission today. This mission is even longer than the other one."

"Ohh, I see. Well I guess that's good. See you guys later." He waived as he ran.

"Stupid. Idiot. Clueless. Dumbass." Kiba muttered.

"I wish I could have at least say goodbye." thought one of the three.

So there you have it.

I hope I am not out of touch.

I hope you guys like it, after all its my longest chapter yet.

5,000 words, can you believe it?

I know this chapter was calm but the future chapters as something to look forward too.

So comment so I don't start freaking out about if you guyst liked it or not.

I wish there was a like button here or something.

See you guys later!

-Isa