Chapter 27: A Familiar Touch

"We are not people who touch each other carelessly; every point of contact between us feels important, a rush of energy and relief."

― Veronica Roth, Allegiant


Hiashi

"It's good to finally sit down with you all." Tsunade begins.

Her smile is shaky though, doesn't fully meet her amber orbs and Hiashi recognizes from her fingers slight twitch as she takes a sip of her tea that she wishes she could trade the oolong drinks before them for a large cup of sake or whisky.

Part of him feels the same.

None of them wanted to start their morning out this way he imagines, gray sky outside matching his souring mood.

It's nearing Konoha's monsoon season, afternoons soon to be filled with long hours of thunder and rain, air sticky and humid into nightfall.

The promise of rain later at least means the attendants won't need to water the gardens and he won't need to hear their continued whispers of wondering what type of punishment he is set to receive, if Lady Hinata will ever return back to the compound or remain living with Naruto...

"I've seen them walking around the village, doing little errands like getting groceries for the week or just enjoying the park on a sunny day. It seems Lady Hinata has truly eloped!" Hikari giggles.

Hamari shushes her quickly, leading her through twisting vines of wisteria and lily out of his view.

But not out of hearing range.

"Hush, Master Hiashi will walk by here any moment to make sure all the weeds and bushes have been cut and trimmed appropriately! Besides, is it really eloping if Lady Hinata is just living with her red thread? There's nothing really scandalous about that."

Hikari shakes her head in clear disagreement, snickering at the younger's aide's blush.

"Of course there is! You saw how much effort Master Hiashi went into trying to prevent their bond! Jinchurikis rarely get thread matches in the first place and even then he couldn't stop them! Pretty soon he may have grandkids on his hands!"

It's true, everyone in the clan and across the village knows of his failure...

Hiashi straightens himself pushing the memory from his mind, it isn't like Lady Tsunade gave him much choice in the matter of coming here, ready to get this meeting over and done with by sending out a pair of ANBU guards to greet him at the Hyuga entrance right at the changing of the night guards to day.

Homura and Koharu flank her on both her right and left reminding him of his own guards back at the manor, maybe to keep her from going off track or ensure this meeting finally comes to fruition.

"Let me just begin by saying that this meeting wouldn't even be happening if it was just a few short years ago." Hiashi mentions tightly.

Homura coughs awkwardly while Koharu's pale cheeks flush with pink looking away from his glare.

Even though Naruto's status in Konoha has changed for the better, if it were up to Homura or Koharu he'd probably still be locked away.

"We're quite aware Hiashi that things have...changed since Pain's attack the on village. We were indeed wrong to treat Naruto merely as Konoha's weapon instead of a growing boy with actual emotions and feelings. Knowing who his parents are makes how we treated him even worse." Koharu pipes up.

"We've apologized and let me him know how thankful we are for his aid in Pain's defeat." Homura brings up as well.

Hiashi scoffs, opalescent eyes turning hard.

"Right. And I'm sure you both would've been so pleased if Naruto ended up being the match of one of your family members? For example Homura, I'm sure for your little granddaughter Ikuko you would pull some strings literally with a Heartbreaker Woman to destroy such a match. Koharu, would you have been okay with your grandniece Norika being Naruto's red thread?"

Homura bristles. "That's different and you know it! You went as far as sealing their threads right before Konoha's biggest crisis since-"

Tsunade slams a hand down against the table, tea cups cracking as a fissure rips the oakwood in two.

"Enough. All of you. I alone have final say on a punishment fitting for Hiashi's actions!"

Koharu settles back, anger brewing in her dark eyes.

"Fine. But I first propose we reduce the tax layoffs the Hyuga clan has been receiving. Their clan members should be restricted from A or S-ranked missions for the time being as well. In addition, I believe it's reasonable that Hiashi be at least on 6 weeks of probation limiting his interactions outside Konoha and freezing all business deals the Hyuga clan has been having with our smaller neighboring regions."

Hiashi clicks his teeth at Homura's quick nod of agreement to her plan.

"The only change I would add to that is to make it 8 weeks; a full two months." He remarks.

Hiashi raises a hand. "It's unfair to punish my entire clan for the mistakes I made. Lady Tsunade, please allow both main and branch members to still take higher ranked missions and conduct in business deals that were already in the works or ongoing on my behalf."

Tsunade huffs, nodding. "I'm fine with restricting the tax layoffs alone for 6 weeks and instead of cutting off the Hyuga's international trade, I want you to do a week of community service Hiashi. Nothing major or strenuous, but I would like you to help clean up the litter around Konoha's parks and market areas."

Hiashi feels himself start to retort that isn't necessary, though his retort dies on his lips seeing her hazel orbs growing icy with impatience.

"You're being far too lenient Tsunade! You're forgetting what he did to the jinchuriki-" Koharu sits forward to argue only for Tsunade to hold up a hand.

"Quiet. I don't need to hear anymore of you and Homura's opinions right now when Hiashi's earlier words hold truth to them! Neither of you would want Naruto to be the thread match of one of your family members! And all of you lack too much trust in the younger generations, believe Naruto should be restricted to Konoha when clearly such a thing won't matter to the Akatsuki. Homura, Koharu. You two can blame me all you want for Konoha's destruction under Pain, however stop treating Naruto like he has no thoughts or feelings. That's his name; start using it."

Tsunade grits her teeth, pair shuffling at their feet nervously.

"We didn't mean to offend." Koharu mumbles.

Tsunade rolls her eyes, wonders how her grandfather and granduncle dealt with these two in their younger years.

Old age has only seemed to harden their overzealous ideals of how Konoha should be.

Her gaze turns to Hiashi.

"Apologize. To both him and Hinata for your actions sincerely and then move forward together."

Hiashi nods, anger receding back like a wave taking in the remnants of the center table, sunlight rippling along now jagged wood and dripping tea.

'It's a new day; move forward.'

Homura sighs as he moves to stand, Tsunade observing him carefully as the tension slowly dissipates from the room. "Alright, alright. It's obvious you're just going to do what you want."

He helps Koharu to stand, each reluctantly giving the pair one final look that there's no other matters to discuss before taking their leave.

Tsunade blows out a breath once she's sure they're alone, removes an indented piece of floorboard at her feet. Hiashi observes as she pulls out a crystal decanter of rice sake, glass cups shimmering as she fills her cup to the top.

"Want one?" She suggests at his staring.

Hiashi nearly shakes his head before giving in with a nod.

"One for the road." He agrees as they clink their cups.

A light drizzle has started by the time he leaves the Hokage's office, puddles the colors of muddy browns to ink black swelling along the streets. He pauses seeing a flutter of violet and blonde hair heading out from the markets, a splash of color amid the gray.

Naruto and Hinata.

A smile plays at his eldest daughter's lips despite the rain, Naruto grabbing her bag of groceries from her hands.

"We can make it before the downpour truly starts, y'know!" Naruto laughs while Hinata opens up a frog umbrella.

"It's fine, we didn't buy anything that will melt!" Hinata mentions, leaning close to him as they carry on up the cobblestone streets.

He blinks in surprise at Naruto's ease of putting a protective hand to her back as they pass a group of men who stare at them for a beat too long, Hinata's boldness curling against him not caring what they may say later about them.

Hiashi watches as they go, neither seeming to have noticed him.


Sakura

'She didn't answer my messenger wasp.'

And she's ignored all her attempts to have a meeting.

Sakura purses her lips, deciding now that it's been a week after the disastrous Five Kage Summit that she needs to speak to Lady Tsunade directly.

She knows from Shizune she's been booked most mornings with meetings for rebuilding Konoha, checking in on the hospital's most critical cases, and dealing with the lingering tension of the fallout in leadership with Danzo's death.

Her concerns regarding Sasuke are at the bottom of the totem pole really.

But she needs to let her know the plan she has in mind, can't continue to keep secrets from her on what she's up to.

'It's fine. Lady Tsunade taught you everything outside of the Aburame clan's training. She'll understand why you need to go this far.' Sakura reminds herself.

She draws in a slow breath as she approaches her office, pauses hearing Shizune's voice by the door.

"Is Sakura going to be joining you for lunch?"

Sakura stills, draws out a hornet from her sleeves to be her eyes and ears for this.

The black and yellow wasp crawls to the door's corner out of the pair's sight, Sakura crouching low hopefully far enough away for either to sense her.

"She should be. She's finishing rounding with the nephrology and infectious disease specialists in the intensive care units. There's been a difficult sepsis case she's been attending to." Tsunade grunts.

Shizune nods, smile playing at her lips.

"I know she's been frustrating you in relation to Sasuke, but you know he's her red thread."

Tsunade scoffs, glaring up at her.

"That's not an excuse!"

She shuffles at her papers before rubbing her head.

"I know emotions can get in the way, but Sakura isn't thinking reasonably that Sasuke will return back to the village. It's bad when even Naruto is trying to talk her down from believing Sasuke can still be rehabilitated so easily."

Sakura tastes blood on her tongue, digs her nails harder into her thighs not to yell out to refute them.

"Well, let's look at it this way. Sakura hasn't exactly helped Sasuke in his revenge. Her presence wasn't sensed anywhere near Danzo's corpse and she's done so much good in implementing new techniques and policies for our wound care and post-op patients." Shizune vouches.

Tsunade's expression relaxes, nodding.

"True, but all of that isn't enough knowing she keeps walking such a thin line. Dr. Mizunaga has warned me more than once he no longer wants Sakura operating or following up on any of his patients knowing her connection to Sasuke."

Sakura blows out a light scoff.

Dr. Mizunaga is the same man who cruelly mocks their elderly patients behind their backs when they ask for a stronger pain medicine or ask for help in getting up. He creates ugly false rumors about what nurses and doctors get up to away from their red threads at work and during long shifts, amusing himself in the tears and anger that follow. He would've already retired if not for the lavish 'bonus' Danzo gave him to ensure her hours got reduced when she threatened to go to Lady Tsunade with all she's heard and seen about him.

"I'm worried about Sakura; I feel she's on the cusp of getting into a deadly game she won't be able to get herself out of. She should by know though she can always come to me if she needs advice, just wants to talk, spar, and if worse comes to worse...break her red thread bond to Sasuke." Tsunade sighs.

And then her hazel eyes go directly to her hornet, knew from the beginning that she's been listening in on them.

Sakura blinks, wipes at coming tears before they can fall.

The realization slams at her chest, orders her wasp hurriedly to come back to her.

Alone.

She'll have to deal with Sasuke alone.


Naruto & Hinata

'Did one of us leave the light on?'

Hinata sits up slowly, eyes adjusting to the dark to see milky yellow light coming from the living room.

She patters quietly over, sleep falling away as she takes in the dozens of scrolls and books open to various pages along the floor.

'How to break your thread's seal in 10 easy steps! Secrets of fūinjutsu. Rebuilding your red thread for beginners!' Hinata reads.

When did Naruto check out all these books?

Her eyes move towards the very center of the room where Naruto is half-awake, books and scrolls having become his pillows.

Hinata smiles, carefully settles beside him poking at his cheek.

"You don't want to wake up with a cramp in your neck, do you?" She whispers in his ear.

Naruto instantly jolts. "I'm awake Pervy-Sage!"

He blinks owlishly, reddening when it's just Hinata giggling at him and not Jiraiya ready to put him through a round of '7 pits of pain' training.

'If Pervy-Sage were here I'm sure he would know a way for me to speed up undoing this stupid seal y'know!' Naruto sighs.

Hinata looks over his notes, he'd filled up two pages worth of bullet points on how to remove the remainder of their thread's seal via practice with a clone it seems.

"It's nearing 2:00 am Naruto. When did you get back up?" She questions.

Naruto yawns.

"Hmm, maybe around 12:00, 12:30?"

Hinata shakes her head with a huff, Naruto accepting her help to stand.

A map falls from his lap making both gaze down, in deep red ink Naruto's circled a location far to the East.

Kumogakure.

"Choji. Do you remember how he said the other day at the markets that's where his red thread is from? It's where the Eight Tails jinchuriki resides too." Naruto mentions.

Hinata nods, recalling their short conversation just before that rainstorm began.

"It's the Land of Lightning. They probably see storms like these ones we get in the springs and summers on a near daily basis." Choji begins taking in the coming drizzle with a grin.

Naruto merely nods along, one moment they were talking about the latest fruit and herbs on sale and now they're talking about Kumo.

He pauses looking down at Choji's hands as a sudden realization hits.

Choji hasn't taken one bite of his freshly bought barbecue chips since this conversation began!

'Weird! Is he feeling sick?!' Naruto considers.

Shikamaru would've mentioned it though at their last interaction yesterday and Choji looks as robust and big as ever even if he probably wouldn't want to hear that.

He nearly wants to nudge Hinata to see if she's noticed this strange behavior too until he picks up on her next question.

"Is she from Kumo? Your red thread that is?'"

A telltale pink lights his cheeks, nodding eagerly.

"We didn't talk much about you know...being red thread matches and all. I don't even know what she thinks of me!" Choji bemoans.

Naruto chuckles. "Don't say that; she came all the way here I'm sure just as curious! I bet she was all sweet and gentle with you, right?!"

Choji shakes his head happily. "No, she punched me for apparently embarrassing her in front her teammate and sensei when I offered her my favorite sour cream chips as a gift! She said chips are too salty and bad for my health!"

Oh.

Naruto fumbles for an answer, if that's a good or bad greeting.

"It's okay though! She went for my gut which didn't even hurt! Kumo's cooking is so much different from ours, they use a lot more underground cooking for their meats and stews!" Choji goes on giddily remembering the recipes this mystery woman spoke of at Naruto's frown.

His attention goes back to Hinata, answering her earlier question.

"Anyways, it's that obvious, huh? I guess Ino's right that my face gives me away! For the first time since my red thread showed up it got shorter so I knew she was here in the village! Her name is Karui and it turns out she and her team are in the area looking for Sasuke, investigating into him possibly going after her Master." He explains.

Naruto arches a brow.

"Master?" He repeats.

Choji nods, rubbing his chin trying to recall the rest of the conversation.

"Yes, I think she said his name was B or Killer B. Actually, maybe he can be of used to you Naruto in helping you connect with your Tailed Beast. The Eight Tails resides within him."

Kumo.

It wouldn't hurt for both of them to train there, he for his jinchuriki training and Hinata to master and blend unique lightning techniques with the Hyuga clan's abilities.

But first they need to learn a bit more about this Killer B person.

The next morning they find Choji at the training grounds with Karui, Naruto wincing taking in the scorch marks along the trees and grass all blackened to ash. Karui's brows furrow suspiciously as they approach until Choji gives them a friendly wave.

'I thought he said no one visits here at this time of day?' She huffs, gazing turning skyward taking in the dusts of pinks and reds on the horizon. Omoi wouldn't let up with his teasing or let her hear get off lightly that her red thread is a little on the...chubby side, though at least Choji got him to shut up with a single look when he nearly called him fat.

'He made it so easy.' Karui sighs, hiding a smile.

If only her punches could have the same effect on her teammate.

"Morning you two! Getting some one on one sessions in as well?" Choji beams.

Naruto manages a nod, skirts Karui's narrowing golden orbs as she quickly connects the dots on his identity.

"Ah, we actually had a question for you both! I'm glad we caught you guys before you left y'know!"

Karui snorts, crossing her arms. "Me as well? Hold on, you're Konoha's resident jinchuriki, aren't you? The reason your village is currently in such shambles?"

Naruto hides his scowl too late and Karui smirks in bemusement.

"Guess that answers the questions I had."

"We're not here to pick fights; we wanted to know more about B." Hinata mentions before Karui can throw out another taunting remark.

Karui features relax for a second before frowning. "Why? There's no reason for outsiders to know anything about him!"

Choji pats at her shoulders, her gaze briefly flickering back to him. "Sure thing! This about the training I mentioned to you before, huh? And Karui, no reason to be mean to my friends! They understand your reasons for going after Sasuke."

Karui shrugs out of Choji's hold after a moment. She didn't spend days traveling through rocky terrain, thick marshes of mud and grass up to her ankles, and ice-capped rivers of the various regions to be stopped no matter what anybody said.

"Huh, that's funny because from the stories I got from both civilian and shinobi is that Sasuke Uchiha is your friend, your former teammate even." She sneers out the implication.

Naruto sighs. "He is my friend...or was really. I'm sure we can go back to being friends down the road once sense is talked or beaten into him."

Karui rolls her eyes, his optimism silly. "Whether he's an old comrade or not, you'll need to be fine with me killing him. He's associated himself with the Akatsuki and went after our Raikage and the other Kage at the summit."

Naruto straightens, Hinata squeezing at his hand as he considers his next words.

"You can't be the one to kill him. That alone would be done by either Sakura or me."


Sasuke & Sakura

"Her fever still hasn't broken." Sasuke regards.

'Yes, no thanks to you shooting through her!' Sakura hides her scowl.

She assesses Karin's injury once more, changes her soaked gauzes and force feeds her a tea mixture of yarrow and echinacea despite her glare.

A wound like this isn't one most people can survive.

But then again, Karin's body has been manipulated so much by Orochimaru that it's no longer normal. In the 5 days since Sasuke shot his chidori through her, Karin's stubbornly clung to life. Her teeth stay mostly clenched, sweat coating her from head to toe.

Sakura holds in her questions, absently wonders what Jugo and Suigetsu packed her wound with.

Sasuke hovers beside her. "I figured she would've died by now."

'How can he say such a remark so casually?' Sakura resists a shiver.

Isn't this his teammate? He has to have cared a little bit about her; right?

'He cared enough to let me heal her, but that doesn't mean any of them trust me.' She knows, feels the weight of 3 sets of eyes upon carefully watching her every move. They assume the worst of her she imagines, a vapid girl only concerned with Sasuke's looks and nothing of the pain he's been through. It isn't like they could really turn her away with how injured they all are though Jugo and Suigetsu patched up their injuries halfheartedly most likely just waiting for their bodies to heal on their own.

Tobi is the only one unscathed.

Why he holds back is the most puzzling of all, except for his one tiny utter upon watching her start to heal.

'Like Rin.'

'Who is Rin?' Sakura thinks, sure she saw that name before during her initial look into Tobi's true identity.

She only has a few minutes to put her plan truly into action before one of them decides to attack her.

"I'm fine. Just leave me to die like Sasuke wanted." Karin spits out suddenly, viciously twisting from Sakura's hands despite the searing heat of pain that ripples out from moving too fast.

"Stop it, I'm trying to make you feel better; not worse!" Sakura orders, restarting her medical ninjutsu despite her protests.

'This is her; his red thread.' Karin's thoughts bemoan, heart thumping loud in her ears. For months she could just pretend Sasuke's red thread wasn't real; a girl he clearly didn't care about considering his defection from Konoha...

Only he started going out later and later in the night, came back with the scent of balms, lilies, and even strawberry lightly coating his skin.

And eventually scents turned to hair, a distinct cherry blossom pink strand found on his garments that matches Sakura's own.

Jealously claws at her as their voices drop a fraction, Karin biting her cheek hating that she strains to hear them. Part of her wonders if the two are planning to kill each other, their stances not one of lovers.

Is this how they flirt with each other maybe? Suigetsu said she sometimes saw scratch marks on Sasuke's arms and back after his late night rendezvous, but she always smacked him before he could give out anymore details.

It's painful enough she thought she meant a little more to him than just the Team's healer, how wrong she was...

"Did Tsunade order you to kill me? Is that why you went looking for me again?" Sasuke questions.

Sakura lets out a light snort, verdant eyes twisting between him and her.

"Can't you just let me do my work without trying to murder me?"

Sasuke scowls, leans closer to her instead getting right into her personal space. "You're avoiding answering my questions."

Sakura rolls her eyes, pushes him away non too gently.

"No Sasuke; she didn't. Though poisoning you crossed my mind. You've pushed your eyes to the brink coming out of your fight with Danzo. I assessed the scene via my wasps and overhearing discussions from the other Kage in regards to the summit incident. Any further use of your eyes and I'm sure you'll become permanently blind."

Sasuke watches her for a moment and Karin hears the distinct buzz of wasps, a shield forming up.

They swarm his approaching kunai, Sakura up and on her opposite side in a flash.

"Go ahead Sasuke, go blind and make it easier for me to strike you." Sakura smiles.

"You can't bring yourself to kill me, it would hurt you too considering our thread bond." Sasuke volleys back.

Sakura's eyes darken. "I'm the only bond you haven't truly broken. You could've had Orochimaru truly screw our red thread up, but you never did."

Sasuke crackles up sparks into his hands, Sakura dodging the streak of lightning, stomping her foot down making the ground rise and quake.

'Okay, I guess they are going to kill each other.' Karin tries to scoot away, Suigetsu and Jugo casually watching.

She catches Suigetsu's eye and he waves, perfectly happy that she may get caught in the crossfire!

"Damn it, can you not do this?!" Karin hisses, neither hearing her.

"You always come to see me the same as when I tracked you down to that sleazy bar. So why are you here really Sakura?" Sasuke scowls.

There's no other reason for Sakura to come all this way if not for him, if not driven by the pull of their red thread to wonder what he's up to and why.

He knows she felt all the repercussions of him taking out Danzo, is probably still feeling exhausted now despite no injuries to her skin.

Sakura's grin widens, peers down to Karin.

"I'm kidnapping your healer; I don't think she'll want to stay as a member of your team after you nearly murdered her!"

'What?!' Karin panics.

Sakura snaps her fingers and a darkness envelops her before she can let out a scream.

Her gaze looks past Sasuke to Tobi still casually observing, leaping back just as he moves to try to ensnare her.

"That's quite the disappearing act you've got going on!" He marvels with a clap of his hands as Karin's figure vanishes from the bed, wasps left in her wake.

Sasuke rubs his fingers to his head, mix of emotions running through him. He releases a chidori only for Sakura to burst into wasps as well, hornets and yellowjackets swelling across the room.

Her voice whispers in his ear, sensation of her fingers crawling against his cheeks.

"You know I love you Sasuke so I can't kill you, won't even attempt to kill you when I still don't even want to break our thread bond."

Sasuke grunts lowly, he can't even see her and yet she's still invading his senses like this.

"The way I see it Sakura; there's only two options that will eventually be left for us: you either kill me or die by my hand."

Sakura laughs sadly and his chest clenches at her sorrowful murmur.

"How about neither? Death doesn't always need to be the end goal Sasuke..."

Her lips feel like they brush his own before her presence fades from the room.

"Someday I'll make sure you finally realize that."

Tobi is beside him in an instant before he can dwell on her remark, burns the remaining wasps to a crisp watching as they fall in a rain of ash.

"Come. You're going to need Itachi's eyes if you're going to complete your revenge."


Hinata

A knock comes to Naruto's door right as midday comes.

Odd.

As far as she's aware, Naruto didn't say he was going to have visitors.

'He didn't forget his key; did he?' She wonders, activating her byakugan.

Ah, it isn't a stranger, but an unexpected guest all the same.

"Father." Hinata sighs, moving to stand.

It's clear he isn't going to leave unless they finally have a proper talk.

She opens the door a crack, Hiashi surprising her further by bowing low.

"Before you slam the door on me, can we please talk? Father to daughter?"

Hinata blinks. Her toes coil, fingers itching to slowly shut him away...

"Naruto. Naruto isn't here. He's visiting with Sakura and Kakashi-sensei over an urgent capture." She murmurs as she opens the door a bit wider.

Hiashi settles opposite of her, nodding.

"I heard through the grapevine. Apparently it's in regards to a woman tied to Sasuke."

Hinata hums, pushes forward before things become awkward.

"Shall I get some tea started or-"

Hiashi shakes his head. "Water is fine, even ramen. I've had enough tea and sake to last me the rest of this week I feel."

'Sake? What has Father been up to be drinking so early?'

She fetches glasses of water for them both, leaning back against Naruto's sofa.

The overhead clock ticks on, loud in the silence. Hinata takes a small sip, lets the cold engulf her before pushing on.

"What brings you by Father?" She decides to ask directly.

Hiashi bows low again, enough for Hinata to squirm.

"I know you may think it's just an act, but I came to do two things. One, I wanted you to sincerely know I deeply regret hurting both you and Naruto. I know my intentions went too far, that I was only thinking from my perspective. Two, I came to bring you something you left at home." He begins, sitting up again to retrieve a box from his bag.

He opens it to reveal a lavender handkerchief, her favorite water lily comb.

Gifts passed down from her Mother to her.

"I figured eventually you'd notice these missing and maybe want to return for them. Ah, but take all the time you need in returning back home!" Hiashi hurriedly explains.

Hinata gingerly accepts the gifts, feels a smile pull at her lips.

"Thank you Father; I appreciate it."

Hiashi smiles back. "Just so you're aware, you may see me over the next week or so helping clean up around the village. It's part of my punishment from the Hokage for my actions."

Hinata's grin instantly evaporates. "Huh?! But you really shouldn't be punished that far Father when Hizono was the one who started this all!"

Hiashi shrugs. "I'm an adult, I accepted the terms. Besides, it's only for one week, I can handle that I feel. Granted, I hope the younger kids who frequent the parks don't make it any worse than need be."

Hinata pats at his hands.

"Well, I'm sure one your infamous stares will scare them off!"

Before either can say more the front door clicks open, Naruto walking in expression stormy before realizing the scene he's walked in on.

"Oh Hey Hiashi or err Mr. Hyuga! Didn't know you would be stopping by! I would've picked up more takeout if I'd known y'know!" He smiles.

'When did we become so familiar for him to use my first name so casually?!' Hiashi muses.

Even with his quick self-correction he doubts it will stick.

Hiashi nods to him respectfully.

"Thank you for caring for Hinata, for each other despite my prior actions. I apologize for causing such distress and-"

"Whoa, no need for a formal apology! I know you were just looking out for Hinata!" Naruto exclaims, cutting him off.

He gestures for him to follow him and Hinata to the kitchen.

"Why don't you stay for lunch?! I can show you how great I am at the lessons Hinata gave me!" Naruto offers.

Hiashi chuckles at that, shaking his head with a glance to the clock.

"This was just a quick visit, though I hope to see you both again soon. Be careful, the Akatsuki is still at large and I've heard plan to declare war."

"So we've heard too." Naruto dryly comments.

They should head out for Kumo before the month ends.

Hinata nods, gives him a light hug goodbye.

Naruto waits until he senses he's gone, pulls out the set of photos Sakura gave him from earlier.

True Sakura shouldn't have snooped or kept this from them for so long (among the hundreds of other things she may or may not have done with Sasuke), but even Kakashi-sensei's calm façade began to crack the more he reviewed her various points and reviewed over her previous encounters with the man.

"Look, I know you said he's dead, but you didn't actually recover his body!" Sakura mentions tightly.

"Because it was buried under rocks! Whatever you and Sasuke might've investigated is a dead end." Kakashi argues back.

"I may not have been able to get much out of Karin, however I know she gotten strange to creepy vibes from Tobi whenever he was close by. His personality could swing between jovial and silly to bitter and cruel in an instant." Sakura pursues.

Naruto meanwhile peers back and forth between Obito's class photos to the man named Tobi.

"Wait Kakashi-sensei! See where these lines are on these Tobi guy's face; the ones a little beneath his mask.? Isn't that the same side Obito's face got crushed on?!" He points.

Kakashi looks closer, but shrugs still clearly unconvinced.

"If this is truly Obito then why didn't he return back to the village to so he wasn't killed? Why hide over all these years?"

Sakura huffs.

"Well he mentioned under his breath a girl named Rin at one point. He wouldn't know her unless he grew up in this village and went to the Academy at the same time as you Kakashi-sensei. Though it's a semi-common name, there was a Rin in your graduating class."

As she expects, Kakashi freezes up and Naruto frowns at his growing paleness.

"Um, is that name supposed to ring a bell?"

Sakura nods impatiently, nearly chucks her notes at him. Yes Naruto, it should! It seems Tobi and Obito have a lot in common; even his name is just an anagram!"

Rin was Kakashi's second teammate who died during that time; a student of his Dad's confirmed via scouring back over Jiraiya's old journal entries from his traveling days. Killed by Kakashi to prevent being turned into a weapon...

'Yikes, I can't let that happen to me!' Naruto shudders.

Though even as he thinks that he hears the deep laugh of the fox's voice in the back of his mind.

"Was Rin Obito's red thread?" Hinata questions as Naruto finishes his spiel. His motives could've been darkened not knowing the full story perhaps.

He shakes his head, hugging Hinata close wondering what ran through his mind that day if he was truly still alive.

"No, but she was still the girl he loved."

-x-


Question: I'm thinking of making a Pa tre on! I just wanted to get some suggestions on if that's something readers would join or be interested in. The plan for it would be to do more polls, spicier NaruHina stuff, bonus content, early chapter access, ideas that never made into my stories here, and post original content. Just getting some thoughts on the matter so please let me know! I'll keep you all posted!

Anyways, I danced back and forth with Sakura and Sasuke trying to kill each other like they did around this time in canon, but Sakura couldn't do it then and Sakura here knows she can't find in herself to make a true attempt. This is around the parts of her infamous love confession too. Instead of that, I hope I made her less hate worthy by instead capturing Karin by herself! It probably is a bit unrealistic how easily she escaped, but I thought this was better than needing rescue via Kakashi or Naruto.

Now I need to think of how Naruto and Hinata's Kumo training will go. Writing Killer B's raps is honestly very difficult lol. I almost feel like making him not talk as much because all he does is talk in raps/rhyming.

As always, thoughts and suggestions are appreciated!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!