Hey, hey!

So, as I stated last chapter. This chapter has a character death. It's a pretty angst type of chapter.

I labeled this chapter, 'Lesson One', because it's a hard reality check for Hinata and a bitter lesson she'll learn on politics. How she took it lightly and how she will move on from it.

I hope you enjoy the chapter!


Naruto was a bit grumpy. He could admit that.

It was a bit annoying to immediately go back on missions after just now reconnecting with his missing piece. The last few days have been needed for Sasuke, Hinata and himself. It was more than just the intimacy. They were opening up to each other. All three of them. They got to see each other as adults. Granted very young adults, but much older than 14 and 15 years old and their way of thinking was different now too.

Naruto felt like he could have stayed back in the village for a month. That would have been better than a few days and then a mission. A month of just being around the people he loved and get back to the basics of living a stationary life.

Yes. Naruto understood right now, in these times, there was no way for him to live stationary and relaxed, but being with his precious people made him feel like he was. Ugh, he just didn't want to do this right now, but he was a ninja and he would do what was needed to protect the village, it's people, and his people.

Another thing that plucked Naruto's nerves since being on this mission for two days. Was Anbu Hinata.

Did she really have to be distant from them and not talk to her teammates? Team seven came before Anbu, ya know. Did Hinata forget that?!

Hinata kept in the trees or just a big gap from them while traveling. If she did come near them, mainly at night, she wouldn't talk to them much. Just 100% Anbu mode. It wrecked Naruto's nerves. He wasn't used to Hinata like this. Giving him the cold shoulder.

Even though it wasn't the cold shoulder.

She was being professional.

He hated it.

Something clicked in Naruto over the past few days of being back. Something really clicked over the three years he's been gone.

Hinata was something that he fixated on. What she was doing. Where she was going. What she was thinking. If she was happy with him. Angry with him. It was insane how much he just thought about her. Even on missions. Something as serious as Orochimaru. Naruto would still think about Hinata.

Maybe he was repeating his puppy dog phase again, since he wasn't around her for so long. Or maybe he was losing it and becoming attached to Hinata in a way he shouldn't be. A very dependent way. In a way that he was honestly willing to do any and everything for her.

Sasuke watched Naruto walk in silence. Naruto would periodically look up in the tree line where he sensed Hinata to be at. Sasuke could tell Naruto berated himself mentally or told himself in his head to cut it out because he would quickly snap his head away from Hinata's location. Naruto looking in that location is like giving an enemy Hinata's exact location, plus give away that they had back up.

Naruto knew better then to be so unfocused. Sasuke knew Naruto was taking the mission seriously and that Naruto was being vigilant. Naruto was just, so stuck on Hinata is all. Over time, Sasuke had learned Naruto could multitask just fine, but maybe in the future Sasuke will advise Naruto to not do missions with Hinata anymore.

Reason why Sasuke would recommend this was because Sasuke was struggling just as hard. Just not as obvious as Naruto.

It amazed them. Did Hinata not feel as chaotic as they were feeling right now?

Kakashi came to a complete stop when he noticed the trees ruffle from above them. The same trees that Hinata was hiding in. "Hold fast."

Naruto and Sasuke noticed the trees ruffle a little and then become more chaotic. Kakashi held his hand up for Naruto and Sasuke to not move. He understood this was Hinata, but it was more important for them to not rush. It could be a trap.

The ruffling was the only sounds they heard and soon everything went still. Kakashi looked at the trees with furrowed brows. His concern getting the best of him. "Hey. What's going on up there?"

Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke watched as legs slowly dangled from the trees. The feet and legs exposed where not feminine. Bit by bit, Hinata was lowering the figure until they could see it was Kabuto's lifeless body.

With a kunai through his temple.

Hinata gently dropped the body to the ground. "Orochimaru is about a mile out. Stationary, he wants us to advance to him. His form seems weakened. Ino was right, the body he acquired was supposed to be temporary, because I can see it is fighting against him. Orochimaru is in a desperate state right now."

Naruto frowned at this. "So, obviously he set a trap up for Sasuke." What the hell were Hinata and Sasuke even there for when it's proven Orochimaru could control either Sasuke's curse mark or Hinata's dark chakra.

Kakashi clicked his tongue against his teeth. "Sasuke's curse mark is controlled. Hinata's dark chakra not so much. Are you feeling any affects Hinata."

Hinata was silent for a moment before she slowly nodded her head. "My body burns. I'm in pain, but I can tolerate and control it at this level. Konoha needs Orochimaru back alive." She was down playing it. Honestly Hinata hasn't been in this much pain since she was first stabbed by Orochimaru with his dark chakra. That pain in the forest of death was rearing its ugly head back around.

Kakashi rolled his eyes at this. He knew Hinata. When she started talking like this, it meant she was gearing to make a self-sacrifice. He'd have to watch out for this. "I've made the decision that your life does not undermine Orochimaru's. If he tries to use your life as a negotiation tactic. We kill him. That's it. I do not care about what the intel squadron wants. I was in Anbu for a very long time Hinata. Trust me, you'll get tired of catering to the intel squadron. They wish for the impossible to happen sometimes."

Sasuke looked over at Kakashi and could notice something else was bothering him as well. Along with the rest of them. Something was just off. "Orochimaru is a mile down the forest and stationary. For what? We don't know. He sends Kabuto, who doesn't confront us, but Hinata. We all feel on edge going to battle an ill sannin. There is something wrong here."

Kakashi nodded his head in agreement. "Me and you were expected on this mission Hinata. Me, you and Neji. Not Naruto and Sasuke." Hinata groaned and took a knee. Her ailments getting worse by the second. Her skin started to turn red and the dark chakra started to grow against her wishes.

Naruto kneeled beside her and looked up at Kakashi. "What? Are you saying this was a trap for you and Hinata, internally? By who? It's been four days since Neji pulled himself from this mission. That's plenty of time if Orochimaru had a mole in Konoha to tell him the change in plans. Right?"

Hinata shook her head beside Naruto. Her head still lowered from the pain. Kakashi looked at her and shook his head as well. "Missions are classified information Naruto. If any mission intel leaks out then that is punishable by the Hokage. No one would know of any changes about this mission, or any mission until the day of."

Hinata started to take deep breaths and receded her Byakugan. "Me and Neji. We…do a briefing…with our elders, in our clan…every M-Monday. Neji didn't pull out of the mission until Tuesday. M-My clan wouldn't know about the changes until the next Monday." Hinata balled her fists and punched the ground as everything started to fall into place.

The pictures Ino gave her a few days ago of her grandfather and Hanabi out having lunch with Danzo was clear in her mind now.

Her sister betrayed her.

"Hanabi…she…betrayed me."

Sasuke frowned at this. This was her paranoia coming out. It had to be. There was no way this was actually happening. A betrayal so horrendous. "That can't be. Don't think like that."

Sasuke looked at Naruto, who had a look on his face that didn't agree with Sasuke. The worse part was, Kakashi had the same look on his face. This was bad. This was very bad. Hanabi was Hinata's world.

Hinata had her Anbu mask still on her face even though she was gasping for air. "I cannot focus. I've lost sight of Orochimaru." It became deathly quiet now as realization hit that this was all a trap. "Naruto…move-"

Hinata couldn't finish her sentence as a giant snake came from the bottom of the earth and launched Naruto and herself into the air. Sasuke and Kakashi were able to leap away and they looked up to see Naruto had quickly recovered and was on a nearby tree branch. Naruto looked at Hinata as she turned her body and looked at the serpent.

That wasn't any ordinary summoned snake from Orochimaru. Hinata's mask fell off once she was knocked airborne and her Byakugan activated as she looked at the odd creature. "My God."

That was Orochimaru. In his true form. He really was a monster.

"Who would have thought you'd be one of my greatest creations Hyuga!" Hinata frowned at this and she could feel her skin burn even more when Orochimaru hissed at her. As she felt her body start to descend Hinata quickly pulled her bow and arrow from her back satchel and wasted no time in aiming at Orochimaru.

He quickly jolted from the arrow, but she still got him. Her arrow grazed his snakeskin, but Hinata knew that was enough.

"Your tricks will not work on me darling. I know all of your tricks." Orochimaru in a blink of the eye was beside Hinata midair and used his tail to swat at her, like she was nothing, into a tree. Watching as she made an indent in it. "Tell me. My precious creation. Does betrayal hurt as bad as you always feared? I know your fears. Your wants and desires. I can give you all of that. You need something from me anyways. Don't you Hi-na-ta."

Orochimaru paused when he felt a presence quickly approach him from behind and when he turned around he was hit with a massive Rasengan. "You talk too much!" Naruto blasted Orochimaru to the earth and followed him closely. "I dreamed of this moment for a long time you bastard!"

The last thing Orochimaru saw before being pummeled into the earth was a raging Uzumaki.

Debris and rubble filled the area. Kakashi and Sasuke covered their eyes as they waited for the area to clear. "Naruto!" Sasuke called out to him, but the only answer he got was a thundering roar. It was still hard to see, but Sasuke could make out Naruto as he had his foot on the giant serpents neck.

Kakashi and Sasuke looked at Naruto in awe. All of this without the nine tails chakra.

Kakashi looked at Naruto as he approached him. "Hinata's arrow. It was laced with something wasn't it?" It was like he summoned Hinata because they could hear her peel herself from the tree and look down at them. She was much too weak to just leap down or even climb down the tree branch that was high up from the ground.

When Hinata looked down at them her eyes were consumed in black. Her Byakugan was still active and the white rings in her eyes from her Byakugan where the only signs showing Hinata was still there. The dark chakra had reached every vein possible on her body and she looked at Orochimaru with utter hatred. "It's not a sedative. Danzo gave you the wrong information…it's poison."

Hinata gripped the tree tighter. "I have the antidote." She stopped talking and whimpered in pain when Orochimaru scowled at her and lifted his hand and balled his fists. Sasuke looked at Hinata after Orochimaru did this and saw that was his way of controlling her dark chakra.

Sasuke walked over and gripped Orochimaru's wrists and with all his might he applied so much pressure you could hear the bones in Orochimaru's wrist break.

The damage was already done. Hinata was in a substantial amount of pain. The dark chakra was consuming her mind frame. She slowly stood up and retracted her Byakugan. Not being able to operate it appropriately. "Hinata! Don't move."

Kakashi yelled this as he looked up at her, meanwhile Naruto broke wind as he rushed over to Hinata. At the same time watching her pass out and fall.

In the mix of everything. A massive raven came to her rescue and retrieved Hinata before she was even midair.

Sasuke's eyes widened as he saw Itachi on the summoned crow. Itachi immediately made eye contact with Sasuke and made his way to them. Sasuke always thought once he actually saw Itachi again. Rage would fill him. Anger and the urge to attack and battle Itachi, but over three years has passed. Times has changed and information was now different. How Sasuke viewed Itachi was different. Confusing, but different.

Plus. His brother just saved someone he loved.

The massive raven landed and Naruto rushed over to Itachi, who lowered Hinata to Naruto's arms. "Thank you." Itachi just nodded his head at Naruto before looking at Kakashi. "This was a set up. For you and the two Hyuga's."

Sasuke and Naruto were over at Hinata's side, trying to gently wake her up, as Kakashi stood near Orochimaru's immobile, dying body. The copy-nin sighed as he rubbed his neck. "I figured. Orochimaru didn't plan for Naruto or Sasuke to be here. He would have had more back up. He was definitely only prepared for Hinata, Neji and myself."

Itachi nodded his head at this. "Do you know who did this? I sent a messenger to both Hyuga's and received no confirmation that they received it. Finally yesterday, I decided to seek out her older brother Neji. He said he hasn't received any messages from me. Meaning someone has been intercepting them. Meaning someone knows about the Hyuga's plotting against Danzo. I do not understand who though."

Kakashi watched as Hinata slowly started to wake up. She groaned in pain and that meant Orochimaru still had a hold on her. "Danzo has his sights on Hinata now. After she confronted him. Actually he's always had his sights on Hinata since she's been tearing down the infrastructure he created within Konoha's council. Once he found out that Hinata knew about the Uchiha massacre and the Hyuga clan being suppressed. He deemed her a threat against the village. He deems me a threat because I stopped her from killing him that night, but I told him if he didn't leave her alone that I would expose all his secrets to the Hokage. So, here we are in this situation. He set us up."

Itachi nodded his head. "So, Orochimaru and Danzo worked together?" Kakashi nodded his head, "I believe they have probably been working together for a long time. How else would Orochimaru be able to do such evil things in the village for so long undetected."

Orochimaru sat up slightly and started to spit out blood. "The fucking serum you idiot!" Hinata looked at Orochimaru with now blood shot eyes as she struggled to get up. Her body working in overtime to combat against the dark chakra. This time. She didn't have it in her anymore. Her will was broken after finding out about her sister. She was in too much pain to walk, but she could crawl.

Naruto wanted to just pick her up and hold her, but Hinata had this determined look on her face and he didn't want to upset her by stopping what she set her mind to. He watched as Hinata crawled over to Orochimaru and pulled out a vile from her thigh pouch. "Remove the curse mark from Sasuke and I will give you this. If not, you'll die."

Orochimaru snarled at her. He was growing weaker by the moment and was much too ill to lash out at her. "I'll lower the intensity of your dark chakra for the vile. That's all I'll do for you, you moron. You'll lose control in the next day or so. You're worse off than Sasuke. Plus, you forget you need me. Did you forget that little detail darling? Don't you think I had a backup plan if that idiot Danzo's help was useless. I know Konoha needs what's in my head. I know you want to know what's in my head."

Hinata bared her teeth at Orochimaru. "I do not negotiate with the enemy. You remove his curse mark now. Or you die. I do not lie." To prove her point Hinata started to crack the small glass container in her hand. "A wise person once told me to never negotiate with enemies. I've never did it again."

Orochimaru leaned over again and more blood was coughed up and he could feel his lungs start to ache with massive pain. "Fine! Bring the damn Uchiha here then!"

Sasuke frowned at this. "Don't be stupid Hinata. You're in blinding pain. Let him lower the dark chakra."

Hinata shook her head and slowly started to sit up until she was finally on her knees. "He'll just increase it later. He's lying to me. We get him back to Konoha, with the right medical care, his chakra and power will be full again. He'll come for you Sasuke. He's playing games. Please…do this."

Follow me.

Sasuke stared at Hinata for a solid moment. He just couldn't take her looking like this. Stressed. In pain. Angry. She was scared about what was happening back in the village. What would have to happen when she got back. He could at least ease some of her worries. "Fine."

Hinata let out a sigh of content and everyone watched intensely as Orochimaru removed Sasuke's curse mark. It was quick the way he removed the mark and the dark chakra that came with it. The insanity that came with it. It left Sasuke weakened though. He'd need some time to recover, maybe a day or so.

Naruto let out a sigh of some relief, well that was over with. He watched Hinata crawl on her knees over Orochimaru's body. The fallen serpent glared at her as she straddled his waist. "What are you waiting for? A deal is a deal."

Hinata cracked the glass in her hand and attacked Orochimaru with her gentle fist. Hitting him in all his major chakra points and finally one to his temple to knock him out. "Hinata! What…the hell!"

Naruto went over to Hinata and quickly pulled her up from Orochimaru's immobilized, sleeping body. She was breathing hard with rage as she looked at him. Her dark chakra burning through her veins. She was in so much PAIN. She was just so ANGRY.

Soon her anger would turn to urges if she didn't calm down.

Hinata had just attacked Orochimaru so fast. No one could really think to stop her until he was knocked out. Hinata held Naruto's arms that were wrapped around her as her eyes stayed on Orochimaru. "I lied."

Kakashi looked at the small broken vile and then back at Hinata. "You had no antidote. Did you?" Hinata shook her head. "No. It's a slow poison though. From the Nara's deer farm. Shikamaru gave it to me, just in case. It's slow, so with his networks closed it won't travel through his body as fast. We have to get back to the village within 12 hours or he will die."

Hinata finally looked up at Kakashi and he could see complete fear in her eyes. "Hinata. Don't worry." Hinata shook her head as tears started to cascade from her, "No. I have to get back. My family isn't safe!"

Itachi nodded over to his summons. "You can all fit on my summons. I can get you back to the village in time. Close, but not in the village. I am still a wanted criminal as you all know."

Sasuke looked up from his kneeling position to Itachi. He didn't know when, but they had to talk. They had much to talk about.


Just as Itachi promised they were delivered about five minutes from the gates with Orochimaru still passed out on a carrier. He was in bad shape. His skin was clammy and pale. He was taking short, quick breaths, but Orochimaru was still alive and he would make it. The team quickly made it to the hospital and upon early notification that they were successful with their mission, Tsunade was waiting at the hospital with them. Along with Jiraiya.

They had to see their old friend. They couldn't believe he was actually caught.

Upon seeing Hinata though Tsunade quickly handed Orochimaru off to another medic. "Sakura! Get her into a sterile room!" Naruto refused to put Hinata down and Sakura directed him where to take her. Hinata couldn't stand or walk on her own. Her skin was burning and Naruto could feel her body radiating the heat. She felt like fire.

Sakura pulled the rails up on the hospital bed so Hinata couldn't roll off. "Put her down here Naruto." He did as he was told. Him and Sasuke stayed in the room as they watched Hinata convulse and thrash from the pain.

Hinata felt like she couldn't breathe. She couldn't concentrate on anything but the dark chakra gnawing away at her senses. Why was this thing so hard to control now? She couldn't get the power or pain to go away. She couldn't focus.

Hinata sat up and hugged herself. She shook her head and openly cried. "I can't do this. I can't take this pain. I cannot do pain, Sakura."

Sakura turned around and her hands glowed as she looked at Hinata. "I can't address your injuries with you moving around Hinata. What can I do to get you to hold still? Can I touch you? Can I hold you down? If you don't hold still we'll have to give you some medication so we can get a good look at you."

Hinata squeezed her eyes shut. "It's not good medication for me is it?"

Sakura let out a sigh, "In your situation…I highly recommend you endure Hinata. It'll drag you down that path again."

Hinata let out a whimper. She wanted to so BADLY say she'll take the sedation. "Okay. Okay, I'll hold still. No medication please…Thank you so much Sakura."

Sakura smiled at Hinata and walked up to her. Her hands glowed over Hinata's skin and Sakura hushed Hinata when she felt her take a sharp breath. Sakura looked at Naruto and Sasuke after watching Hinata slowly loosen her arms from hugging herself. "Can you close the door Sasuke? Naruto, can you start to undress her. I need a full body exam."

Sasuke did as Sakura asked. Whatever feelings he had towards her was put on the back burner for this situation right now. Naruto gently started to remove Hinata's uniform from her body. Whispering sorry every time Hinata whimpered or hissed in pain.

This was horrible. Utter torture to his mental.

Once Hinata was fully undressed Sasuke gave Naruto a hospital gown to put on Hinata. Sakura finally got to take a look at Hinata's body. From head to toe the total effects of the dark chakra Orochimaru infected her with. "This isn't good. Did Orochimaru do anything to make it get triggered this bad?"

Hinata kept her eyes shut as she thought back. "I don't understand how he does it, but since he's inflicted me with dark chakra. When he's near he can control it. Put it in a maddening state. It feels like it's destroying me from the inside out. Especially at this level."

Sakura's hand went in the hospital robe and her hands continued to glow and sooth Hinata. To the point that she could open her eyes and look tranquil. "You're emotional right now. So that is a major key player to this. You need rest. That will help with a lot of this Hinata. You can meditate and focus better after much needed-"

"Sakura. I feel like you know something."

Hinata slowly turned and looked at Sakura. "What happened to my family? Please tell me. Is Neji and Tenten okay? Hanabi? Who is it Sakura?"

Sakura kept her eyes on Hinata and slowly shook her head. "You don't need to think about that Hinata."

Hinata looked exhausted and really appreciated the cooling sensation Sakura was giving her, but she had to know. "Please Sakura. Please." Sakura let out a sigh. "Lady Tsunade will have my head for this, but I can't just tell you no."

Sakura bit her lip as she continued to move over all major vein outlets on Hinata's body. "Neji is fine. Tenten is fine and so is Hanabi. There was an attack at the Hyuga compound last night. However, your father was able to control the situation until Neji arrived. The enemies were eliminated by Neji. ROOT-nin. However, your father is in very bad condition Hinata. Critical."

Hinata slowly nodded her head at this. She looked at Naruto and Sasuke and they could see her slowly falling apart. Her eyes glazed over and she looked to be in a daze, "I see. Thank you Sakura. I appreciate everything you've done for me."

Sakura looked at Hinata solemnly. She finished healing and soothing Hinata and gave her friend a saddened smile. Sakura herself looking as if she was going to cry. "I'm sorry Hinata. I feel like every time I see you, I hurt you in some way."

Hinata looked at Sakura and shook her head, "No. You're my friend. I appreciate you Sakura. I really do."

Sakura nodded her head at this and went to the door to leave out the room. "You'll be here for the night Hinata. I have you hooked up to routinely check your vitals and you have an IV for fluids. Please rest and we'll send a nurse to check up on you."

Hinata nodded her head as Sakura left the room and lowered her eyes to look at her lap. She felt numb now. The pain went from a 10 to a solid 6 and that was good enough for Hinata.

Sasuke looked at Hinata from across the bed. His arms were crossed over his chest and he just couldn't bring himself to say anything to her. What could he say? At this moment if it was him, he wouldn't want anyone to say anything to him right now. He watched as Naruto pulled up a chair near the bed and sat down near Hinata.

Sasuke let out a sigh and decided he'd go get another chair and some food for them. "I'll get something to eat. I'll be back." Hinata nodded her head and looked at Sasuke. She wanted to give him some type of assurance that she was okay, but she just couldn't even attempt to smile right now.

When Sasuke left, Naruto looked at Hinata's idle hands in her lap. "Can I hold your hand? Or does it hurt?"

Hinata turned her head towards Naruto and still stared blankly at nothing. "Hold my hand please." Naruto looked at Hinata and slowly slid his hand in hers. Her skin was still hot. She was still in pain, but not unbearable like before. Still, she was in constant pain and he hated this for her. "Naruto?"

Naruto kissed her hand that he was holding. "Yes?"

Hinata choked out a sob and used her free hand to cover her mouth. "Please don't leave me. Please be here when I wake up. Please be here forever." Naruto gritted his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut. This was horrible. Hinata wasn't supposed to still be suffering. "I'm not going anywhere Hinata. I promise you that. I'll be here forever for you."

Hinata nodded her head and laid down. Naruto watched as she curled herself in a ball and covered her face with her hands. He just wanted her to smile for him. He'd do anything for her to smile. "Are you hot? Your skin is hot but I know you could be sweating and still be cold Hinata."

Hinata didn't move from her position, but she mumbled that she was cold. Naruto went to the small closet and pulled out two blankets and gently placed them both on Hinata. Getting her comfortable. Nothing else needed to be said. He just watched Hinata until her breathing evened out and he could tell she was sleeping.

Not long after Sasuke came back with food from outside the hospital and a chair. He saw that Hinata was finally sleeping and Naruto was beside her in the chair still. Obviously he moved around because Hinata was now under blankets and looked comfortable with a pillow. Well, as comfortable as you can get under the circumstances.

Sasuke had placed a box of hot cinnamon rolls on the standing tray near Hinata. He on a normal situation would never step foot in a bakery or buy Hinata anything like this, but he wanted to see her eat. Smile and function normal, even if it was for a short moment.

Sasuke had gotten him and Naruto ramen. Naruto took the container and looked at Sasuke for a second to thank him before looking back at Hinata. "She's still in pain. She's tossing and turning. Can barely sleep from the pain. Her vitals fluctuate from it. There's no way she can stay sane and sober with this constant pain. Anyone would ask for some type of relief at this point."

Sasuke slowly shook his head. He was mute at this point. The day couldn't get any worse. For any of them. Soon night fell. Hinata had woken up and went back to sleep a total of 12 times in a short span of six hours. It was midnight now.

She's woken up. Taken a shower. Eaten cinnamon rolls and it's settled her down for maybe an hour in between. Hinata wasn't complaining or whining. She was just fidgety. Kept moving and her face screamed she was tired, but she just couldn't fall into a deep sleep. How long could she go through this?

Hinata had just dozed off to a slumber again when Naruto turned around and looked at the hospital window. The person didn't knock on the window, they just crouched on the window sill and waited for Naruto or Sasuke to see them.

Sasuke stood up and opened the window and in came Neji in his Anbu gear. When he walked in he took his mask off and looked at Hinata. "I heard what happened by Kakashi. Has he informed you about what happened at the compound?" Sasuke shook his head at him, "No, but Sakura did."

Neji continued to look at Hinata before shaking his head. "This is it. She didn't even get a pass down. She's leader now. I'm taking the acting role until she gets out. I haven't told the clan about Hinata being hospitalized because she'll appear weak, but she needs to pull herself together."

Naruto frowned at him, "You came here to tell her to man the fuck up after everything you know she's dealing with right now? Are you being serious Neji?"

That was Naruto being very nice and warning Neji as nicely as he could to watch himself.

Neji shook his head and glared at Naruto. "No you idiot. I came here to tell her to go see her father a few floors above. I'll take her myself to him if she still can't walk. He's dying. He doesn't have long."

Neji pinched the bridge of his nose as he attempted to hold himself together. "She'll fall into a deeper depression if she misses her father before he passes Naruto. It's going to be bad for a while. I have Hanabi, my grandfather and another Hyuga elder locked up in the compound. Guarded to make sure they don't leave. They are expecting Hinata to be geared and ready to take over the clan and handle those three. I don't know what Hinata is going to do. I BARELY know what to do myself. I…need her right now okay."

Sasuke closed his eyes and let out a sigh. He got it. He understood. "Naruto." Said person looked at Sasuke and shook his head. "This is so fucking messed up on multiple levels, and you know it Sasuke." That was all Naruto said before he leaned over and lightly shook Hinata as he whispered in her ear asking her to wake up.

Hinata immediately woke up. Almost jolted awake. Her eyes were wide and alert and Naruto could tell she had finally went into a deep sleep. "I'm really sorry Hinata. We have to take you to see your dad. Okay?"

Hinata took in the fact it was still dark outside and looked confused a little before she processed what Naruto said and nodded her head in understanding. "Okay."

Naruto lifted Hinata out the hospital bed and she wrapped her arms around his neck for extra security. Naruto looked at Neji to lead the way and the four of them went out the window and walked two stories above Hinata's room. Neji had opened the window to the room, it was guarded of course by Hyuga guards.

After making their way in the room, Hinata flinched as Naruto put her down to walk. Her feet were now swollen. Felt like she was walking on pins. "Can you walk by yourself?" Neji looked at Hinata and she looked back at him. Giving him a firm head nod. "I…do not want my father's last memory of me to be in pain and misery. He has to know that everything is going to be okay. That I will make sure everything is okay for our family."

Neji's jaw clenched as he looked at her. "It's okay to cry Hinata. You're around family and people that care about you. You can be yourself. Your father will understand."

Hinata turned to look at her father's bed. "No. It's not okay to cry Neji. In this moment, it is not okay to be weak. This moment, will be a moment we shall never forget."

Hinata held in a sob as she walked towards her father. She held in the pain and she held in the sorrow. When she approached Hiashi's bed, Hinata looked at him and touched his cheek to see if he would wake up. Hiashi cracked open one eye weakly before he opened both of them and smiled at Hinata. "What are you doing here? I expected Hanabi to be here. To see her father pass on to the afterlife."

Hinata shook her head and continued to use her thumb to cradle his bruised face. They did this to his face. Root-nin. Danzo. The council. Konoha did this to her family. "No. It's just me father. Why wouldn't I come?"

Hiashi leaned into her touch and Hinata further sunk into darkness. "Because I was awful to you. The worse a father could be to his daughter. Your mother will be furious with me when she sees me soon."

Hinata squared her jaw and looked at Hiashi. "Don't talk like that. The past three years have been some of the best years of our lives father. You've helped me become a better person. When I needed you the most, you helped me. It's because of you I'm sober. It's because of you I'm stronger. It's because of you the Hyuga clan's future will be brighter."

She felt her hand become wet as Hiashi let one loose tear come down his face. "Thank you Hinata. I always wanted the best for you, after your mom passed away and I lost my brother, I suppose I lost my way. Seeing another man take the responsibilities that was specifically meant for me really made this old man see what he was losing. It made me want…your forgiveness. For everything I've done to you and allowed to happen to you. I wasn't your protector. For you or Neji."

It was quiet for a moment. Hinata was thankful because it allowed her a chance to get a bearing. It was becoming too much for her. "You were always my sunshine Hinata. Always brought some light in that dim compound. Please go back home. Please fix the damage before our clan falls." Hinata nodded her head as she looked at her father. "Of course I will."

Hiashi nodded his head and smiled at his. Hinata didn't look at the monitors that tracked Hiashi's vitals because she could hear them all plummeting. "Remember when you were five Hinata? Before your mother passed. I know it was a long time, but do you remember what she used to call you because you were always hiding behind me."

Hiashi closed his eyes and Hinata took that time to bite down into the curve of her hand where her thumb and pointing finger connected. She rather feel burning pain right now than this. She did it quickly. Before her father opened his eyes again to hear her answer. "She called me daddy's little girl because I never ran to her…but I need you both…no never mind."

Hinata swallowed the burning feeling in her throat. Hiashi smiled at Hinata and reached up to touch her cheek. "I could always be the one to make you crack Hinata. It's fine, it shows that you do love me. I hope you know that I love you, I always have Hinata. You…you give them hell Hinata. Finish what we started."

It went silent again, but this time it was permanent. Hinata backed away as the nurses flooded the room. It was too late. He was gone. She was all her family had now. She had to be strong. She had to be a leader.

Hinata slowly walked to Naruto and Sasuke. This time Sasuke took Hinata in his arms and the three of them left the room. Neji opting to stay behind. When they arrived back in Hinata's hospital room, Sasuke gently laid her back on the bed and placed the blankets back on her.

Hinata was still in a daze. She shook her head to stop herself, but she couldn't this time. She cried. She curled in a ball and used the pillow to scream. Her hands balled into fists and Hinata pounded the rails on the bed. Breaking them. She thrashed in the bed. Kicking and screaming, still in the pillow to muffle her sorrow.

Sasuke wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him. Shushing her. Pleading for her to stop. Naruto grabbed her legs and stopped her from thrashing around and the two held Hinata until she had no more fight left in her.

Hinata had just lost her first real political battle. In the worse possible way. She lost her father, but she wouldn't lose the war. This wouldn't deter her. She wasn't going to stop, she was going to finish off the list.

She was going to make them all beg for mercy.


End of chapter!

So, one of Hinata's father's died and it wasn't Kakashi! Some were really nervous for that.

Again, Hiashi hinted some of Hinata's and Neji's past and that will be brought to light down the line.

So, Hanabi. Did she really betray Hinata? You'll find out. Punishment is coming for some.

Itachi is back! He's alive in this story. Now not going anywhere.

Naruto and Sasuke are supportive, they are awesome. They are going to have a VERY challenging time next chapter. That may be a trigger chapter for some because it will heavily show the ugly side of addiction. Something Hinata has been trying to hide from them. So stay tuned for that. As I said. The next few chapters won't be pretty. Tough times ahead as Hinata takes the role as clan leader.

See you Saturday!