Sasuke was annoyed by Sakura's actions, if Hinata died his planning would go to the trash. Fortunately she was locked up and wouldn't be able to get out so early. 'Must keep my guns polished.' Then he saw his fellow hunter Neji. 'Gee, he looks like a corpse.'

Neji struggled to hold his house up, his cousin was torn because of her sister, becoming apathetic, and his uncle had buried himself even further in work like an alcoholic did with their vices. 'Please Hinata, return to us, you're what kept us spirited...' He would stay by her side whenever he could, hoping that she would get better and leave that damn bed. Then he heard knocking and went to see who was, who'd go out during a storm? "Miss Kurenai, why are you out in this weather?" The red eyed woman had come to check on Hinata.

Kurenai was worrying for the girl, as she had become like a daughter in her heart. "That Sakura should have received the death penalty!" She knew that Minato was lenient because of his son's affection towards the girl, but it wasn't nothing more than a blatant show of favoritism. "I agree, what she did was unforgivable!" Then they began making small talk, mostly her getting info on Hinata's situation and him hearing what was going on in the village.

In the meanwhile, Minato was trying to advance in his paperwork. "Hiashi, can you give me the report on the food stock?" A pile of paper was slammed in front of him, startling him. "Here." He stared at his assistant. "Why are you this angry?" The man shot a dark look at the blond. "If someone had killed Naruto... which sentence would you give to the killer?" Minato was stunned. "Death penalty of course!" He just received a dry chuckle. "Yet you didn't let me get this satisfaction." Hiashi got up. "What makes her different?" He saw his friend frown. "My son loves her." He struggled to not hit him on the face, lest he got locked up. "Stop with your damn favoritism!" Then he turned around and stormed off.

Minato crumbled on his chair, scratching his head. "Dang... I just pissed off my best assistant, and he's right... why do I keep shielding Naruto?" He knew the answer, after his wife had died due to a rogue pack of wolves, he had decided that he'd protect their child, but it seemed to have backfired, as the youth had a hard head and was fond of hard options. 'Kushina... what should I do?'

Hinata had been in a meadow for an indistinct amount of time, just appreciating the scenery and peace. In this dream, she had ran away and went to a new place, away from that stressing life. Here, she was free from obligations, she didn't own explanations to no one and could do whatever she wanted.

She felt a familiar presence behind her and smiled brightly, getting up to hug the fox she knew over time. "It's good to see you, even if it is just a dream." The feel of his fur and his arms around her were all recreated from her memories, but it was better than nothing. "I wish we could be together, without fear." She felt the hug get tighter from his end, which brought up a smile. "I'm glad that I met you, dream or not. I hope that you can return soon."

She looked up at his face to try and read his expression. 'Oh yeah, it's a dream...' Then he pushed her away as a sudden whirlwind picked up and snow began covering the area in moments. She got confused, in the midst of the snowstorm she saw glimpses of leather and fur clothes, what was happening to him? Then it died down and she lowered her arms, seeing a man in the place of the fox. But she knew those eyes, even if they were covered by that red hair, they were as fierce as ever. He was facing the Uchiha and Uzumaki with a scowl, shielding her. Was this some sort of omen? "Kurama..."

Kurama had rushed as much as he could, but he was still a living being and fell prey to fatigue, falling on the snow and passing out, but it was right at the village. "Gh-! Hinata..."

Well, one more chapter, stay tuned and review your opinions.