Sleepless D: Here's another update, hopefully will have people liking it more. Peace out.

An hour passes and the party starts getting a little more active. Almost everyone is currently enjoying themselves and the refreshments, Choji enjoying the food more than the others. Kiba and Ino managed to sneak in alcohol and spike the punch, knowing that they'll liven things up, most knew what they were up to and many made sure Lee was nowhere near it. Some of the group were curious to actually knowing Hinata's 'proclaimed' teammates. Eri kept to herself nearly all the time, staying in the corner and avoiding as many questions as she can. Susumu on the other hand is showing the group his knife tricks and 'skills', but not really impressing anyone. They did however fail to notice that he was stealing things out of their pockets and putting them in someone else's.

Naruto is currently sitting by Sai, feeling a tad exhausted since he's had a rough day with Sai, mostly because he was with Sai most of the day. He still feels a tad tense since Sai is reading a book about 'celebrations'. "I really don't understand these…" Sai says, having never experienced anything of the sorts.

Naruto opens his mouth, but sighs and he doesn't know much about these sorts of things, seeing as he never has been to a party. "Then maybe stop reading and do what comes natural…" Naruto tells him, but sighs in annoyance as he starts taking out a roll of paper and starts drawing. "That's not what I meant…" Naruto says and Sai shows him, showing a caricature of Naruto. Naruto would've been impressed if Sai didn't draw him in a dress, soon taking the book off him and looking. Naruto sighs in annoyance and throws it back at Sai since the example was for a girl. "Don't do that." Naruto tells him.

A large amount of laughter soon came, nearly deafening the two and look, seeing Kiba looking at the paper. "Why not? I think it's hilarious!" Kiba laughs, taking the paper and showing people.

Naruto growls a little and gets ready to launch a Rasengan up Kiba's arse. Sai hands over a piece of paper, Naruto looks at it and almost pisses himself laughing. He sees a caricature of Kiba wearing a bikini and in an erotic pose. Naruto threw the paper at the others and quite a few started laughing harder and Kiba got annoyed.

Kiba is in a bit of a foul mood for some time, everyone got a caricature of themselves, dressed or as the opposite gender. Sai is pleased that he has brought humour to the group, even surprised on how much more popular he became by just doing something this simple. Some of the group have gotten drunk, and the few that weren't paid close attention to Lee. "Right!" Ino yells, holding up an empty bottle of wine that she refilled the punchbowl with, though at this point, it's more liquor than punch. "How's about a game of truth, dare, dirty dare! Kiss, command or promise!" Ino yells, making a few sweat a little.

"Isn't that a kid's game?" Sakura asks, a little confused. "And where did you think of that idea?" Sakura asks, but sweats a little when she sees Sai's book in Ino's back pocket.

"Who cares?! It's a fun game!" Ino yells, smirking a little and wonders over to Sakura and whispers into her ear, making Sakura confused, but nods all the same.

"Alright…but let's stick with just Truth or Dare." Sakura says, a little nervous as everyone reluctantly walks forward and Ino whines a little, but puts the wine bottle in the middle of a round table and made sure everyone was in a circle. Ino smiles and spins the bottle, having it land on Tenten.

Tenten smiles nervously. "Truth?" She says, a little nervous.

"Do you have a crush on someone?" Ino asks, smirking a little.

Tenten looks surprised, blushing a little. "Y-Yes." She says, trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

"Oh my god! Who!?" Ino yells, excited since Tenten admitted it.

"Hey!" Tenten yells, looking at her with squinting a little. "I answered my question." She tells her, grabbing the bottle and spins it.

The bottle plays out.

Choji was dared to eat a whole bowl of celery, he did do it and some people were shocked that he seemed to lose a lot of girth.

Lee is dared to arm wrestle with Sakura, he lost and Lee challenged two out of three. He proclaims that if he wins the nest two times, his strength would make Sakura fall for him. Sakura was a little sick and nervous, this time, Lee won because he unleashed inner gates. Sakura realises the danger and the third time, the two went all out. Lee unleashes his inner gates and Sakura's going all Tsunade. Chakra emitting from the two, the entire building shakes and the group were choking from the power being emitted. Ino is nervous that the two would destroy her house. Some of the braver ones were cheering the two on, Susumu and Kiba were making bets, Ino is now cheering Sakura while Tenten was yelling at Lee to win since he was her teammate. Naruto thought of a way to get Saukra to win and walks behind her, trying his best to ignore the power coming from her. He whispers in her ear, soon making Sakura tense and her arm flashes, a second later, Lee is embedded in the ground and the table is nothing but splinters. Ino did ask what Naruto said to Sakura, and he told her that he said that Lee would kiss her if he won.

Lee dared Kiba to attempt to match his challenge, but that failed after half an hour and Kiba wouldn't make it and was close to passing out. Ino had to take his turn for him.

Susumu is questioned how he got Kakuzu to dance and sing. Susumu informed them that he has his chakra invade physically and controls the Will of the human being. He gave the example on Kiba who was no longer tired and followed Lee's training regimen. He kept a string on him and everyone is surprised and keep him at it for a few minutes before stopping since Kiba looked to be in pain.

Susumu got Sakura, smirking as she asked for the truth. He asked if she enjoyed herself when he last came. She blushes and responds that she doesn't know, though she now is feeling a little suspicious towards Susumu.

Sakura spun the bottle and it lands on Naruto. Sakura opens her mouth, but a quick whispering came from Ino and Sakura nods, feeling a little nervous. "Naruto…" She says, seeing him think for a second.

"Truth-" Naruto began, but Ino interrupts him.

"Come on Naruto! Don't be a pussy!" She says, making Naruto cross his arms in annoyance and sighs.

"Dare then." Naruto says and Ino smiles mischievously, making Naruto nervous now, almost like he just signed an execution for his own head.

Sakura looks round and looks at Naruto. "I dare you…to kiss Hinata." She says and watches him.

Naruto's eyes widen in surprise, shock being obvious in his eyes. Everyone in the living room look in surprise and the silence is deafening. Neji goes to protest, but Tenten made sure he doesn't interrupt. Naruto looks at his teammate, his shock going into confusion and looks at Hinata. "Say what now?" Naruto asks, unsure if he's heard her correctly, hoping that he did.

"Kiss Hinata." Ino says, smiling mischievously at her blonde friend.

Naruto's eyebrows knit together, a little confused as he looks at the two, trying to figure out if they were joking. The tension in the room rises and everyone is looking between Naruto and Sakura/Ino. "…Seriously?" Naruto asks, still not taking it serious.

The two nod; Naruto is nervous and goes to protest. Something grabs the collar of his jacket and pulls it hard. His neck clicks from the sudden pull and he believes he's got whiplash for a second. His face is met by Hinata's and his nose brushes hers before meeting the cheek. His lips lightly brushing hers and firmly pressed now, his mind sparking from shock, surprise and some fear; the fear coming from his view into Hinata's eyes. They are cold, unmoving and seem to stare past him for a second; the kiss is similar, they seem to be cold and wet at the same time. After a second, things change; something twinkles in her eyes and warmth comes for a second, her lips moving a little before Hinata broke the kiss and stepped back, standing next to Eri and just stares at the bottle.

Naruto just stands there, his mind becoming overcharged and just stares at Hinata. Everyone looks at the two and the tension is even more severe, they all felt the cold presence of that, but only Naruto noticed the slightest of change. He swallows and steps away, soon walking away and leaves the room.

Moments pass and they hear the front door open and slightly slam from it closing. Everyone stays there for a moment. Shikamaru and Choji soon leave to catch him; Kiba stands up to follow, but his body gives out from the dare and he's unconscious on the floor. Sai looks round, even feeling the tension in the air and looks at Sakura. "What happened?"

They look at Hinata, seeing that she doesn't seem to react and just wonders away and leans against the nearby wall. Eri walks over and does the same thing, keeping her company while Shino does the same. Team Gai weren't sure what to do and just go and sit down, watching the scene progress. Ino and Sakura seem more surprised than anyone. They did half expect something like this to happen on some sense, but rolls reversed. Naruto leaving in a hurry and Hinata staying back, though minus the confusion.

"Well this party went downhill." Susumu notes and starts jumping a little to the song playing. "Time for some drinking, drinking, drinking. Time for some drinking, and get rid of wishful thinking." Susumu sings with some entertainment. His hands moving and swapping items round and secretly taking some.

Ino looks a little sad, upset that things didn't go as planned at all. "Hinata…are you okay?" She asks with some concern.

Hinata just stands there, motionless and looks at Ino. "I gave my younger self what she wanted. But I've grown up and my goals changed. I apologise if you were hoping for something more." Hinata tells them, surprising them all. She looks at Eri and the two start walking and leave as well, leaving Susumu as he enjoys the atmosphere, even if it's a negative one. He sits down and uses Kiba's unconscious body as a seat, chuckling as he looks round at the remaining group.

"Tis the life of a sinner can a saint truly raise."

Ino and everyone looks at him in confusion. "What?"

Susumu chuckles and justs sits there, drinking a little as he looks at them. "You'll see." He simply tells them as he sits there, waiting as he enjoys himself.

Xxxxx

Shikamaru and Choji were following after Naruto; they find him in a park, sitting on a bench and looking at the ground; his head resting on his hands. The two slowly walk up to him, feeling worried and soon stop near him. They watch and sit next to him, watching carefully. "You okay?" Choji asks, wondering what made Naruto leave like that.

Naruto doesn't say anything, concern now comes from Shikamaru and Choji and the two wait, wondering if he's just lost in his thought or doesn't want to talk. "Naruto?" Shikamaru calls to his friend, hoping to get his attention.

"She…changed…" Naruto whispers, only just being heard from the two.

"What do you mean?" Choji asks, leaning down to try and catch Naruto's eyes.

"…I…I remember her as a gloomy, timid, always terrified and just very weird." Naruto says, making Choji and Shikamaru sigh, hoping that he never actually told Hinata that. "But…I really did like her."

Choji nods and smiles a little. "Well she really is a good friend…back then." Choji says and thinks on how Hinata was. "But no-"

"No…I liked like her." Naruto corrects him, making the two look at him with shocked eyes.

"What's that now?" Choji asks, surprised by his choice words.

"You know…as a guy likes a girl." He tells them, looking at them as in they're the idiots.

Shikamaru now opens his mouth. "You liked her as in you liked her as you did Sakura?"

Naruto looks at him, looking down and thinks. "Yeah…but…I liked Hinata first…And still like her; even now…" Naruto tells them, resting his head on his hands.

The two look at each other and then back at Naruto. "Then why did you spend years chasing after Sakura if you liked Hinata?"

Naruto sighs a little, his eyes out of view by his hands and seems to find it hard to breathe. "I tried to save her…someone else did, and they told her to stay away from me. Everyone that I know that was told that…they just stopped coming near me." Shikamaru and Choji once again look at each other, confused, but they did know he had the Nine Tails. They were never told not to hang out with him, but they could understand why others did. Naruto just sighs as he keeps looking down. "I went after Sakura because only her parents actually said 'Hi' to me. That's what made me confident enough to try and get Sakura's attention."

"Right, so why did you leave when…Hinata…you know?" Choji asks his friend, curious since Naruto's opening up.

"…She changed…it didn't feel right." Naruto tells them, making them more confused. "It felt cold…at first."

Choji looks at Shikamaru, seeing him mouth 'What the…' and the two look at him. "At first?" Shikamaru asks the blonde.

"Well…it felt wrong at first…but then it warmed up and into…something. She wasn't the Hinata I know…but then I saw her and it vanished again." Naruto tells them.

"…So how do you feel about now?"

"…I still like her…but I'm worried…" He says, making the two feel worried two.

"She's been through a lot." Shikamaru tries to reassure Naruto, putting his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "She just got back, I'm sure she'd come back to her old self. Now that she's back, maybe you can…get her back to her old self." Shikamaru tells him, knowing that Hinata liked Naruto, and he probably has the best bet. "You had the most influence with her years ago."

Naruto takes a breath and sits up a little, looking at Shikamaru, surprising him a little since Naruto's eyes are a little red. "…I know…she told me that much…" Naruto tells them, chuckling a little as he remembers talking with Hinata before doing the final stage of the Chunin exams. "But I have…the Akatsuki after me. But I…I don't know if she'd want to talk with me."

"Of course she'd want to. She had the hugest crush on…you." Choji says, soon gaining a slightly annoyed glare from Shikamaru, soon realising his fumble.

Naruto looks at Choji, a little surprised and eyes a little wide. "What?" Naruto questions, wanting to confirm what he just heard.

Choji closes his mouth and just looks at Shikamaru; Naruto follows the gaze and looks at Shikamaru, waiting for an answer. "…It's not my place to say…but yes, you heard right." Shikamaru informs Naruto, feeling a tad annoyed with Choji. "I would ask that you don't bring the subject up again."

Choji nods as well. "I don't know if things changed. It has been two years since she left, but she liked you longer than that." Gaining another glare from Shikamaru. "Sorry, just thought I'd mention."

Naruto looks down, nodding as his brain burns a little. "Okay…" Naruto tells them, standing up and leaves.

"…Do you think he'll be okay?" Choji asks with some concern.

"He should be." Shikamaru says and stands up, looking at Naruto's direction. "If not, he's got friends that'll help him out."

Xxxxx

Hinata sits in her room, staring out of the window while Eri is sitting in the corner, meditating. A figure arrives at the window. Hinata sees the figure, seeing an elderly Hyuga, her hair long and grey and tied back. She wears normal, Hyuga robes and she climbs through the window. Hinata just stares through her, not really reacting as Eri looks towards the figure. "Greetings Kim Sensei."

The Hyuga's body turns silver, shifting and soon shrinks down and soon has Kim standing before them. "I see you arrived safely." She notes and sits against the windowsill.

"Yes, we already removed an Akatsuki member." Eri informs her Sensei, gaining a nod from her.

"I see, well I'm to inform you that Neko is still searching for his target. Strife has informed me that there's going to be a mission that you should involve yourselves in."

Hinata looks at her now, eyes widening slightly as if she just noticed Kim and sits straight. "What is the mission?"

"There's a job that's going to search one of Orochimaru's bases. A few of Orochimaru's pawns will be there and Neko's group will follow one of them. Strife has seen this and my job will be easy and simple."

Hinata nods and looks at Eri. "So when will the mission begin?"

"In about a week. It'll be Team Kurenai, so you better include Eri and Susumu." Kim tells Hinata, gaining a nod from her. Kim scans outside and looks back at Hinata. "Your mission is still ago. You'll know when it's time." Kim tells her, soon having her body shift and shimmer in silver before she looks like the elderly Hyuga, sliding out of the window and leaves Hinata and Eri alone.

"Did you know Kim could turn into other people?" A voice comes from the window, soon having Susumu walk into view and looks at Hinata. "Did I miss anything?"

"Nothing important." Hinata tells her teammate, looking at Susumu. "Where were you?" She asks him, not really showing any concern.

"Talked with some of your teammates; they're really unusual." Susumu tells her and leans against her windowsill.

"Compared to you?" Eri asks, a hint of bemusement coming from her.

Susumu chuckles a little. "Fair enough, though they seem to hold onto the old Hinata very well. Though through minor guesses, I take it you use to have a crush on the blonde?" Susumu asks with a smirk. "And I so wish it was the girl blonde."

Hinata nods, looking down and loses interest. "Yeah, but you obviously didn't know Naruto in the early days. He had this Jutsu…it was very inappropriate."

Susumu chuckles and smirks. "I like him already. So what's the plan?"

Eri speaks up now. "We're to hold out till a mission is available. Neko's group is having a hard time pinning down Orochimaru's location."

"Ha! They're a bunch of twats. They couldn't find sand in a desert."

Hinata speaks up. "Only twenty percent of deserts actually have sand." Hinata tells Susumu as a matter of factly.

Susumu lazily glares at Hinata. "You kill the fun like you killed the mood for the party. I was just about to get laid!"

Hinata doesn't answer, turning slightly so she can lean against her headboard and her knees meet her chest. She looks at her knees as her hand brushes the scar on her lower abdomen. Susumu rolls his eyes and walks off. Eri just sits there, going back to meditating. "What is our main objective, Hinata?" Eri asks, curiosity getting to her.

Hinata just sits there, her finger tips brushing against the scar before she removes them from her shirt. "It's something I have to do." Hinata simply tells her, her eyes becoming unfocused as her hand goes to her face; her bare thumb brushing against the scar from the corner of her eye and goes down it. She does this three times before her thumb trails to her lips and brushes them twice. "It's something I have to do." She repeats herself, closing her eyes and brushes her thumb on her lips once more before going into a little trance.

Xxxxx

Norio stands in the middle of the Death Fist Temple. There's hardly any light being emitted in the temple and he feels a warm, congealed liquid on his feet. He scans the large room, his eyesight seeing a few bodies on the stone floor; most of them being monks of the order, some being his students. He sighs and sits down, feeling blood on the floor he's sitting on and reaches for his side, soon feeling something that feels similar to a spine. He grips it and simply waits, looking at the floor and soon hears wet footsteps coming from behind him.

"Right Master Norio. No other Monks remain and we collected the items and blood." The newcomers inform Norio.

"Place them in the empty sockets on the wall and be sure to place the blood within the sockets before you put the items in it." Norio informs them, gaining nods and sees half a dozen students/Sensei from his academy hurry along and did as he asked. Once they did, an echo could be heard, almost as if something is moving below them. Norio stands back up and pulls the spine like item which turns out to be a scythe designed like a spine in his hand. He wonders towards the centre, where the blood has taken up the most volume, almost like a puddle. He flicks his wrist, making the scythe's blade point inwards and stabs the ground with it.

Something cracks and smoke arises from round the room, forming a perfect circle and the floor sinks a few feet and stops. "Master…I have awaited your return." A voice comes, spreading across the room and everyone looks round, trying to pinpoint the noise.

Blades are soon felt pressed against their necks and fear comes from within their souls as something manifests from the shadows. It takes shape behind Norio, bowed down before him with one knee to their chest and their left hand and knee pressed against the wet, stone floor. One of the students looks to their side, seeing a black figure standing there, a retractable blade pressed against her neck and the figure's face hidden with a black gasmask that reveals nothing on their face or even gender.

"Sorry for making you wait. We've had delays and I'm getting the keys to the lock." Norio informs the figure, looking back and stares at the bowed figure. "But right now, we need Juubi fragments to open it up." He informs the figure.

"I understand. I shall obtain what I can." The figure tells Norio.

"And sorry for leaving you here for so long."

"I am Solitude for a reason, Master. And guarding against War is more important that disobeying orders." The figure says, soon vanishing in shadows, along with the other figures that kept a blade against Norio's people.

After a minute, they all look nervous and horrified. "What the fuck was that?!" One of them asks in slight fear.

"Your predecessor of Sin." Norio tells them, waiting as they all make their way to him. He presses the scythe further into the ground and they suddenly vanish, descending into complete darkness as the floor sinks further into the ground.

Sleepless D: Right, sorry for the late update, hopefully this has got people interested and a reviewer has suggested someone else's writing that believes it'll improve. I don't know about that since they mentioned the person uses past tenses and I got a lot of flamers because of that. Well enjoy and review. Peace out.