I do not own Naruto

Age: 16

Hinata bowed to her father as he spoke to her. This was not one of the normal rants she was so used to hearing. This one was actually him telling her how proud he was of her. When she was younger, she would run to Katsuyu falls and cry after fighting with her family, them continuously calling her weak. They no longer did that, which she was grateful for. She supposed they knew now that Tsunade would not stand for it either anymore.

As soon as her father was done speaking to her, she took off once more toward her usual hideout. Along the way she bumped into Kiba and Shino. She grinned at her friends who were just as happy to see her. "Hey Hinata-chan! Would you wanna get something to eat with us in a little while?" Kiba asked and she nodded at him. "Of course!" she was happy she had friends outside of Katsuyu falls, if she hadn't had them, she wouldn't know what to do if she didn't have them.

"I… Um… yeah, sure… I just have to go do something first." She said and Kiba grinned at her, slinging an arm over her shoulder. Shino just watched them in silence. "Oi… Hinata-chan… are you going to see that secret boyfriend of yours again?" he asked and a blush crossed over her cheeks at this. "He's not my boyfriend!" she snapped and he just laughed. "But you want him to be though!" he laughed loudly and she glared at him, the blush deepening over her cheeks. "That's besides the point!" she snapped and he blinked at her.

"No shit… you actually admitted it." he seemed caught off by this, which was honestly to be expected. "I have no reason to deny it…" she sighed and Kiba just watched her in awe. He placed his hand on her forehead, as if feeling for a fever. "Whoa… Hinata are you sure you're ok? I mean you've denied it every other time we've asked… did something happen?" he asked and she shook her head softly. She only sighed and forced the blush back from the depths it came from.

"No, nothing different has happened… I just know that even if I want to be with him the most we can be is friends. No use denying it if it'll never honestly come to be…" she sighed and he frowned at her, reaching over to ruffle her hair. "Well I'm sorry it's like that Hinata-chan. Just know we are always here for you." He said and she nodded at them. "Of course, and I will always be here for you guys as well." She said as she turned away to make her way towards the cave behind the waterfall once more.

She rushed through and grinned when she saw him sitting there. She couldn't help but wonder sometimes if he stayed here most of the time. They had never discussed the reason he was always here before she was, but that was ok. She knew everything that was going on at home with him. She knew all about his struggles with everything in his life and she supported him best she could. She had more often than not come in and seen him lying against that boulder, tears streaming down his face.

She had always sat with him as he cried, telling her all about how he wanted nothing more than his family to love him. She had also sat and cried with him as well, she knew how that felt… the feeling of never being good enough. Her heart sank as she approached him, seeing as today was yet again another one of those days. She rushed to sit next to him and pulled him closer to her. She brushed his hair out of his face and touched the bruise on his cheek ever so gently. She wanted nothing more than to make his life better, but outside of here there was nothing she could do. That thought alone killed her inside.

She looked down at him as he wrapped his arms around her waist and hid his face in her stomach. She leaned down and pressed her cheek against the top of his head, running her fingers through his hair gently. when he had finally regained his composure, he looked up at her. His swollen eye making his heart ache. She placed her hand over it and her chakra flowed over it to reduce the swelling. He reached up and touched it gently. She watched the relief fill his features as he opened the eye and he could see once more.

They were both getting older, so neither of them were as childish about the situation between them anymore. They both knew that despite the fact they could never meet outside of here, they had feelings for one another. She knew this was breaking both of their hearts, the fact that no matter how much they cared for one another, they could never be anything more than what they were in this cave. So, they had agreed that they would be everything they needed the other to be while they were here. Outside the cave, they still knew the other existed, but they also knew eventually they would each move on and find someone outside of here.

That didn't stop the feelings they shared. This revelation in their relationship had only come to them in the last three weeks, when they had been training and he had pinned her to the ground, only for him to have made the first move. He had been looking down at her and had suddenly kissed her. He had jumped back and apologized immediately, but she had pulled him back down to kiss her once more. She had been craving that just as much as he had been it seemed.

That desire to meet his lips hadn't faded in the slightest in all the times that they had kissed since then, in reality the desire only got stronger as time went on. His gaze met hers and she smiled at him as his lips pressed against hers roughly. They only became physical like this when they knew Katsuyu was in the Shikkotsu forest. They figured it wouldn't be polite to be even remotely intimate with the slug queen watching. They had never had sex, that one was off the table and they both knew this. It didn't stop them from enjoying the touch of one another though.

They had been caught by Hashirama more than they would like to admit, but that was his own issue honestly. He shouldn't invade on their make out sessions either way. Her fingers tangled themselves in his hair and he released a small grunt as she did so, which made him nip at her lower lip roughly. She gasped against his lips and his tongue darted in to dance with hers. There was no doubt that he was the dominant one, even with her change of personality, she still allowed him to take control. Her face flushed red the moment his fingers brushed over her stomach, he knew she was ticklish and yet he still felt the need to touch her stomach.

He forced them backwards onto the ground where she lay flat on her back. She looked up at him and he only smirked down at her before their lips met once more. He always knew his limit on how far he would go before he would be crossing a line and she trusted him every single time. The trust they had in one another was their strongest bond, he knew how far she would let him go and he respected that. He also knew he wasn't allowed to leave any kind of mark that would only get questions asked of her. He captured her lips in a kiss once more, only for panic to flood her being. She could feel something was wrong, but she didn't know what.

He released her and she jumped to her feet. "Are you alright?" he asked and she looked around, trying to figure out why she suddenly had such an unsettling feeling. "If you need to go, feel free. I will be right here waiting for you." He said and she nodded. He captured her lips in a softer kiss this time, only to let her go. "I'll come back to you, I promise." She said and he nodded to her as she left the cave. She rushed back into the city limits, only to see large plumes of smoke appearing all over the place. It wasn't long before summons began making themselves known.

She met up with Kiba and his mother as they worked to help civilians caught in the devastation. Tsume kept watching Hinata with a curious gaze as they rushed around helping anyone they could find. They all took cover as the shockwave hit the village, burying them between rubble. Hinata began pushing rubble away from her and Tsume, only for the woman to take a deep sniff, catching Hinata off guard. "You reek, kid. And not of the normal smells you Hyuuga have." Tsume said and she blushed darkly. "Mom! I wasn't gonna say anything!" Kiba whined and Hinata looked from Tsume to Kiba. "What the heck are you smelling?" she asked, irritation in her tone.

"You reek of a man." Tsume said and Hinata blushed darkly as she turned away from them. "I forget you guys have such a sensitive smell sometimes." She managed as she slammed her fist into the rocks above them, making them fly away and creating an opening for them to get through. "Let's just focus on the task at hand." She grumbled as she made her way to a rooftop, Kiba smirking at her from behind her. She saw it with her Byakugan, smug bastard. A slug attached itself to her shoulder and she stared at the small Katsuyu in slight shame as she ran. 'Hinata-chan, you need to make your way over there… Naruto is in trouble. He wanted everyone to stay away, but I know you and Sakura can help him.' She said and Hinata nodded as she looked off in the direction Katsuyu had mentioned.

'I appreciate your candor in not sullying my home.' She commented after a while and a deep blush covered her cheeks once more. "I'm trying to be serious here, Katsuyu-sama…" she whined softly and the slug made a small noise in response. "Can everyone sense his chakra on me or something?" she sighed and Katsuyu huffed lightly. 'His mark is still on your back where he placed the flying thunder god seal.' Katsuyu said simply and Hinata's brow twitched. 'What an annoying asshole.' She thought as she took in the sight before her. Sakura rushing to catch up to her, only to open her mouth to speak. No doubt to comment on the seal on her back.

"Not now, Sakura-chan. I will explain later…" She whined and Sakura nodded as they dropped down on Pain, causing him to jump back away from Naruto, who he had pinned to the ground. "Sakura… Hinata… I told everyone to stay back!" he yelled and they only smiled at him over their shoulders. "Someone has to keep you out of trouble sometimes." Hinata mused as she turned back to the man before her. "You both need to get out of here! I'm not playing it's too dangerous!" he yelled, but Hinata ignored him as she pulled her arms up before her in the signature stance of the Gentle fist. Hinata rushed at Pain, only to be sent flying backwards. Sakura managed to rip out two of the offending chakra rods before she was sent flying back as well.

Sakura and Hinata stood and gave each other a look before both of them rushed forward. They rushed at Pain, only to feign to the left and each take out another of the chakra rods. The only one was the one holding down his hands, they needed to break that one to set Naruto free. Another look was exchanged between the two before Sakura fell back and made a lunge for the one holding his hands. She was sent flying, but before she could hit the wall someone managed to catch her and they took her off to safety.

Sakura called out to her but she only offered her a smile as she turned back to the man before her. He was waiting on her move now, so she was going to take it. she lunged for him, and he pushed her away once more. She rushed back for him again as he had stood in front of Naruto this time, as if to keep her from getting to him. She smirked as she ran towards him, her hands clasping in front of her as she jumped. She came down at him and slammed her hands down before her, the ground rippling and cracking all the way towards him. He jumped up out of the way, but she had reached her target. The ground crumbled beneath Naruto and he was no longer pinned there.

"Hinata get out of here!" Naruto yelled once more but she twisted in midair to try and steady herself, but Pain held up a single hand towards her. Her eyes went wide as he pulled her towards him and she couldn't really move. She managed to twist herself in midair to try and get her feet down towards the ground, but he grabbed her by the throat and slammed her down into the ground. She grimaced as she made contact, only to try and pull herself back to her hands and knees. She looked over to Naruto, confused as to why he wasn't moving, only to see she hadn't fully freed him of the bar through his hands. She cursed to herself and tried once more to reach for the bar, but a foot slammed down on her back knocking the wind out of her.

"Why do you keep trying to fight, you know you are weak." The man sighed down at her and she swung her leg up at him, only for him to press harder into her back. She felt the spike as if pierced her through her chest and she cried out in pain. She looked over at Naruto, only to see the rage swelling up in his eyes. 'It's up to you, my friend… I… did my best…' she thought to herself as everything went dark on her.

:-:-:-:

Tobirama could feel her chakra, even after she left the cave. The seal he placed on her back was like a resonating crystal, giving him a link to her home while he remained within the Katsuyu falls. He could also feel Katsuyu's chakra, which made sense as to why she wasn't here. He just sat there and felt everything that was going on around her, it seemed she was fighting with the way her chakra was flaring and dulling. He knew this link to her home would only be temporary, as if the coat she was wearing were destroyed so too would the link.

He wondered if she even knew he had placed it. He didn't understand why he hadn't thought of this sooner, it could have given him some prospect as to what she did when she left here. He supposed it would be considered something creepy, honestly. He wanted to make sure she was safe though, especially with the way she had left. His eyes went wide after a while, as her chakra had dimmed considerably. He felt the rage bubble up his throat and he couldn't hold it in as he screamed. His fists slammed against the floor of the cave as soon as he felt her chakra vanish completely.

'Had she died?'

That was all he could think as he slammed his fists against the ground once more. He felt the all too familiar tears pooling in his eyes and he tried his best to choke them back, but he couldn't. his shoulders shook as he tried his best to fight back everything he was feeling. She was the only one allowed to see him this way… she was the only one who didn't judge him for being open and emotional. He looked up at the barrier and rushed for it, he had a plan to try and get to her, to make sure she was ok.

He whipped his hand up into a hand sign and rushed for the barrier at full speed. He squeezed his eyes shut as he attempted to use the seal to take him to her. He flickered from sight, only to smack into the barrier and it shocked him. He hit the ground and shuddered as the feeling left his being. He crumpled to the ground and did his best to breathe through his pain. He reached up and tried to touch the barrier once more, but this time it didn't shock him like it had when he had tried to go to her.

A divine chakra burned at his senses and he cried out as he tried to tone down his senses to it. The gentle strumming of a lute is the only thing that signified the person's presence now, as they had hidden their presence as if to preserve him any more pain. The sound of the lute stopped and he felt a gentle touch lift him off the ground. "Sleep young one, all will be well… I promise you…" her voice echoed in the cavern, drowning out the sound of the rushing waterfall outside.

Her fingers caressed his cheek and he briefly felt himself being dipped into the healing waters before his eyes fluttered shut. Was that what this felt like? The touch of a loving mother? Her fingers gingerly pushed his hair out of his face and traced the markings on his cheeks. "Oh, sweet child, I know you love her… you should rest… stressing is no good right now." Her gentle voice washed over him as he leaned into her touch, this was something he had craved from his own mother…

"Will she be ok? I didn't lose her, did I?" he managed and he could hear the smile in her tone as she cradled him in her lap and rocked back and forth ever so gently. "No, young one… she is not lost…I promise you this… now sleep." She whispered, only for her to start singing to him. In all his years, he was now getting everything he craved. A mother's love, and the love of a woman who meant the world to him. He listened to her humming for a few more moments before he drifted off to sleep as she had asked.

He later awoke to Hashirama shaking him softly. He jolted up and looked around in confusion. "Where did the lady go?" he asked and Hashirama looked at him oddly. "What lady? There was no one else here… Where did you get this?" Hashirama asked and Tobirama jolted to look at the object in his brothers grasp. He furrowed his brows as he took it from him and looked it over. It was a small blue crystal in the shape of a serpent. His eyes went wide as he realized what this talisman was…

"A gift from goddess Benzaiten…" he managed and Hashirama stared at him wide eyed looking from him to the small pendent in his grasp. They both knew that the messenger of the Goddess was a snake, as their grandmother had told them all the stories. "What does this mean, Tobi?" Hashirama asked and he shook his head, he had no idea what this was supposed to mean… he blinked as he looked down at the intricate snake. Had she been the one to sit and comfort him?

Why would a Goddess comfort him like he was her child?

:-:-:-:-:

Hinata had spent long enough in the hospital ward listening to Tsunade berate both her and Sakura for their actions when fighting Pain. She knew the woman was worried about them, so she didn't blame her. She could have lost not one, but both of her students that day. Hinata looked around her to take in her surroundings, they were already in progress of rebuilding the village. She smiled softly and rushed to make her way to the waterfall, she couldn't wait to see him once more.

She pushed through the waterfall, but rather than smiling and pushing on through, a scream ripped from her throat. Her shaky fingers touched the boulders blocking her path and she bit her lip, biting back the sob that threatened to escape her. She slammed her fists into the surface of the rocks until her knuckles bled, leaving streaks of red as she slid down to her knees. Her tears broke free and she couldn't help it as her shoulders shook. She looked up and grit her teeth as she focused her chakra to her fist and destroyed the first blockage in her way. It crumbled and fell away, so she tried to do the same to the next, but she fell to her knees once more.

Pain wracked her form and she clutched her chest. She still hadn't fully recovered from taking on Pain and it showed in her inability to pool the chakra for another hit. She placed the palm of her hand on the next boulder and bit back another sob. She felt a hand place itself on her shoulder and she turned to see Sakura and Tsunade standing there. "Hinata-chan… why are you so intent on returning to Katsuyu falls? You cant train in the state you're in…" Sakura scolded softly but Hinata looked back towards the boulder once more.

"She doesn't want to train, Sakura… she met someone within the falls who she wants to see again…" Tsunade said and Hinata turned to face her once more, the tears shining in her eyes once more. Sakura seemed confused, but didn't ask anymore questions. "I told you… Hinata… one day you would have to say goodbye…" Tsunade whispered and Hinata felt the tears trailing over her cheeks. "And before you go thinking I did this to keep you away from him, I didn't… this most likely happened when Pain destroyed the village." Tsunade said and Hinata touched the boulder before her once more.

"We can come back later, when we all have more strength, but for now… come rest." Tsunade said and Hinata nodded as she let her fingers fall away from the boulder. "I promised him… I promised I would always come back…" she whispered and Tsunade frowned and patted her on the head softly. "I know… I know you did… and one day you might be able to… that day is just not today, ok?" she asked and Hinata nodded as Sakura followed them back to the village. When they returned to the hospital, Sakura and Tsunade stood outside her room as she stared out the window.

She could hear them discussing Katsuyu falls. Tsunade was explaining to her the properties of the hidden place, mainly the fact that it transcended the laws of time and could allow people from differing times to meet. Sakura seemed interested in this, but not so much for seeing it herself. Sakura knew she had someone in this time to love. She felt them watching her at this point, but she was grateful for the fact that Tsunade had not disclosed who she had been meeting within the cave.

She wanted to keep that as her little secret for as long as she could.

:-:-:-:

He rushed into the cave, excited to tell her about the new jutsu he had learned, but when he got in there she was nowhere to be found. So, he sat and waited. He had been there for hours before Hashirama and Itama came and asked him if he wanted to go home. He shook his head, but they frowned at him. "It is late, Tobirama. We should head home." Hashirama said and he frowned back at them. He left the cave and saw that the moon was at the highest point in the sky. Hashirama patted him on the shoulder as he followed him out. He supposed they should go home.

He looked back inside the cave once more, hoping to see her there but she wasn't.

"Tobirama, if that is the only place you are able to see her, perhaps you should move on and find someone else." Itama said and Tobirama turned to glare at his younger brother. He looked to his older brother who he could tell was thinking the same thing, but he wasn't going to verbalize it. He scoffed at the two of them and pushed ahead. They could think whatever they wanted of his relationship with Hinata, he knew what he was doing, even if they didn't understand it.

He continued to return to the cave day after day, but still she never showed. He would spend most of his days sitting in the soft blue glow of the mushrooms lining the walls, just waiting for her. His brothers had stopped coming after him after days turned to weeks and weeks seemed to turn to months. She had promised… why had she not returned to him yet? Had she found someone new? This thought made the jealousy rile up within him and he wanted nothing more than to go find her, but he knew he couldn't.

He knew he wouldn't hurt her, because that wasn't who he was… He wasn't an abusive asshole like his father, nor was he a passive aggressive jerk like his mother. He was being his absolute best for her, he wanted to be different than how his parents treated him. He wasn't the monster his parents seemed to be trying to make him into. He sat and couldn't help but think about her, those captivating eyes of hers… her silky hair that he loved running his fingers through… her smooth skin that despite all the fighting she did, that stayed soft to the touch.

He loved every aspect of her… and the moment she came back through, he was going to tell her that. He was completely and utterly in love with her, that smirk she would give him when she managed to pin him down, that smile she would send his way when she would come through. He would give anything and everything just to be able to see her again and tell her that he loved her. He knew he had liked her, knew he was attracted to her, but dammit all if she didn't make him feel things he had never felt before.

All of him… every inch of him… all of him loved every bit of her… and one day… he would show her if it was the last thing he did.

He continued to return, despite Katsuyu telling him that her side was blocked and she couldn't make it through, and probably wouldn't be able to for a while. She had told him that despite the boulders being removed in her time, something was still keeping her out of the cave. He knew the day for her to return would be sooner than he thought, but he wasn't sure exactly when it would be. That was why he continued to come back every single day at the same time they had always met. The time of afternoon when no one from her time would be looking for her.

He had fallen asleep one day and was woken to a familiar chakra signature burning at his senses. He jumped up and looked all over for her, but she wasn't in the cave with him. He made his way over to the barrier and he placed his hand on it. The moment his palm touched the barrier, her presence engulfed his senses. She was here, but she still couldn't get in. He sighed and was about to remove his hand from the barrier, but her voice stopped him from doing so. He closed his eyes and just listened to her speak.

"Tobi… if you're in there… I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry I haven't been able to come back… so many things have happened since that day… We are leaving to go to war tomorrow… so I thought I would come back and try to see you one more time. I don't know if I will make it back to you, so I don't want you to think that I abandoned you. If you aren't in there… You can always ask Katsuyu about me, I know you know this…" her voice was warbled through the barrier, but he could still understand her.

"I would usually promise you that I would come back to you, but I don't think I can keep that promise this time… I'm sorry Tobirama… Please forgive me if I cant."