Konoha Village Hall is filled with the elders who are known to be the counsel, their faces etched with unusual concern. The Hokage, Minato, sits at the head of a long wooden table, his blue eyes weary and filled with sadness that he couldn't even hide. The one elder Danzo that even Minato couldn't stand, sat with his hands folded.

"Hokage Minato, we understand your grief and the loss you've suffered. We mourn with you for the passing of your beloved wife Kushina. But we must address a matter of great importance."

Minato nods as his adviser Shikaku sits by him, his gaze on Danzo "I appreciate your understanding, Danzo. But what I need to know is what is so important that I can't be with my child?.

The tone in his voice spoke volumes as the heated glare he aimed at all three of them sent chills down their spines. The elders exchanged glances, preparing themselves to deliver a difficult message.

Koharu, the elder who had been with Minato and Kushina passed and had helped deliver Naruto.

"Hokage Sama, if your daughter Naruto were to express her desire to join the Shinobi Organisation. We all agreed and had concerns about her suitability for such a dangerous role."

Both Minato and Shikaku looked surprised.

"Naruto? She's not even a week old yet and you're here deciding what's best for her future?!" Shikaku nodded as he placed a hand on Minato's shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze.

"I'm sure Naruto will be able to handle it even If she were to choose to be a shinobi, she would be determined, strong-willed, and highly skilled in combat. If she were anything like her mother, Why would you doubt her abilities?"

Homura Mitokado speaks with his hands and fingers linked together.

"It is precisely because of her skills that we are concerned, Hokage sama. Now that Naruto possesses the nine tails she will have incredible power, but with that power comes great risk. Not only was the nine-tail released but someone has already tried stealing it, we can't let that happen!"

"And if she starts to show a lack of control in her actions and putting herself and others in danger. We already lost so much in the village and if it wasn't for the third Hokage sacrificing himself then the Nine Tails would have still caused a ruckus."

Minato looked more agitated as pressed his fingers together in a tighter hold, his shoulders tensed up.

"I understand your concerns, but she's my daughter. If she wants to become a shinobi I cannot deny her dreams and aspirations. Losing my wife was unbearable, and I couldn't bear losing Naruto too."

Danzo nods his sole eye expressing deep concern.

"We understand your pain, Hokage sama. But we must prioritize the safety of the village. If Naruto were to lose control during a mission, it could have dire consequences for all of us."

Minato looks defeated as he briefly closes his eyes before opening them again.

"So, you're saying I should deny her this opportunity? Crush her dreams?"

Koharu nods her expression emotionless.

"We believe it is for the best, Hokage sama. We have seen the destruction that can be caused when power is not tempered with discipline. The village's safety must come first."

Hokage Minato takes a deep breath, his eyes filled with sadness and resignation as the Hokage sighs.

"I never thought I would have to make such a difficult decision. But I understand the weight of responsibility. I will speak to Naruto when the time comes and explain the situation to her."

The elders nod, acknowledging the Hokage's decision.

"We appreciate your understanding, Hokage Minato. It is not an easy choice, but it is necessary for the well-being of the village."

As the elders disperse, Hokage Minato remains seated at the table, his heart heavy with the burden of protecting his daughter and the village he loves.

Five years later

Cold

They were all they could feel both running until they ran out of breath only for them to keep running. Either didn't care about the consequences all they wanted was to run.

Harsh breaths came out of her little lungs as she clutched her stomach, making the goggles on her head fall onto her eyes.

It wasn't until she felt someone lift them that Naruto started to cry. Rin had finally found her and was here to take her back home.

"H-hey don't cry" Naruto looked up to see Lilac's colored eyes instead of the brown eyes she was so used to.

Naruto shook her head while wiping her tears, her red scarf moving with her.

"I'm not c-crying, what are you doing?" They were both in the middle of the street but Naruto was covered in the warmest blue coat with a white sleeve a red scarf and a fluffy jacket with snow pants.

But unlike Hinata who was only wearing a black kimono with sandals, Naruto's eyes widened as she began to realize, she immediately pulled Hinata into a hug.

"Did someone pass? I'm sorry for your loss!" Hinata's eyes began to water as she hugged the blonde stranger back. It was his Uncle's passing and Hinata couldn't stand the sad look his cousin Neji gave.

It was all his fault that his uncle died protecting him, Hinata held the blonde girl tighter as she hugged him. Hinata raised his head as snow began to fall on them, the cold weather made his toes turn red.

Looking down at her, Hinata wiped his tears as he grasped his hand. He didn't know who this girl was but there must be a reason why she was out here in the snow crying and he wasn't going to let anything happen to her.

Harsh breaths escaped Naruto's mouth as she ran with the boy "Hey!, where are we going?" she pulled on his wrist to stop him, her blue eyes met his Lilac ones.

"I'm taking you back to my home, we're going to freeze if we don't go somewhere warm" Naruto's bottom lip trembles her eyes watching him shiver.

"You're the one who is going to freeze if you don't put on a coat Dattebayo!" She says while taking off her scarf just a little to wrap it around Hinata in a few wraps. They were both huddled in it.

"There now we can go," She said with a bright smile and Hinata nodded. He wasn't one to talk if anything he was more shy but talking to the girl with blonde hair made his heart pound as he gained the confidence to even talk to her.

After walking for what seemed like minutes, they arrived at the Hyuga's main house meaning the clan head, Naruto audibly gasped at the site.

That meant this boy's father knew her father, Hinata looked at her before bringing her into his house despite her protests. Several maids were bowling at his side before fussing over the both of them.

The Hyuga heir explained that he found her in the snow and he didn't want her to freeze, he said confidently and all the maids waited on him and Naruto being both of them warm blankets with the fire on and Hot cocoa at their sides.

"What's your name?" Naruto asked first her blue eyes focusing on the fire giving her a sun-kissed glow, Hinata looked at her before speaking softly.

"Hinata, what's yours?" Those large blue eyes that were on the fire were now looking at him as her shiny white teeth showed her bright smile.

"Naruto Dattebayo but you can call me Naru for Short" Naruto says with a giggle as she stared into the dancing flames, the warmth embracing her Naruto turned to Hinata and watched as he did the same, his eyes reflecting the flickering firelight.

"Why were you running?" Hinata finally asked, his voice small and filled with curiosity sparking the dimly lit room. They were only five yet Hinata understood death and the hard life of a shinobi while Naruto was being hidden from it.

It was no secret that being a shinobi was hard, a lot happens during the life of a shinobi and most lose their life as soon as they turn twelve. But the people who are forced or have to join the Shinobi force are trained as soon as they walk. Hinata was one of those people and he has it even harder that he's the heir of the clan where he holds responsibility.

Naruto sighed, her breath visible in the chilled air. "My dad says I can't become a shinobi," she confessed. "He said it was too dangerous."

Hinata nodded, understanding the weight of parental expectations. Feeling the weight on his shoulders become less heavy. Naruto closes her eyes as she recalls what happened before she came running out in a snowstorm

~~

"Naruto Chan, meet your new stepmother, Emiko, and Your brother Tadashi," Minato announced, a hint of awkwardness in his voice.

While leaning down to pat her head, Rin had taken the day off with her father and Naruto was sitting in the living room playing with her toys before her father came in with strangers. To Naruto's five-year-old mind, she wanted to start crying.

Naruto's big blue eyes widened in disbelief as her lips began to tremble. "Stepmother? Papa, you're never home because you said your job was important, and now you bring them here?"

Emiko attempted to reassure Naruto, but the tension hung in the air. "Your father and I believe this is the best for our family Now you have a big brother to Protect you when he becomes a Ninja, he starts in the spring."

Emiko was all smiles as she tried to hug Naruto but she didn't realize her mistake Until felt a hand hit her face. If it wasn't for Minato picking her up Naruto would have it more. This was her first time doing this but could you blame her? She was only a kid.

Naruto couldn't fathom the sudden changes in her life. She started to throw a tantrum as she yelled at her father.

"That's not fair! Papa, you lied!, why does he get to be a ninja and I don't!" Minato's eyes softened before they hardened with anger, he placed Naruto down and gave her a stern look.

"That's enough Naruto! I already explained why you are never going to be a ninja. Now go to your room! and you grounded!" By the time Naruto ran to her room crying, Minato rubbed his forehead and turned towards both of them.

"She; 'll get over it, Are you okay?" He says while rubbing Emiko's cheek she nods as she snuggles into his hold, he looks down and picks up his son Tadashi and kisses his forehead.

"It's going to be okay I promise you too" Emikto smiled and kissed his cheek while Tadashi snuggled into his father's hold. All while this was happening Naruto was putting on her coat and shoes as she caught them, she felt rage and Jealousy as she left through the window in the cold night.

~~~

"And that's what happened" Hinata looked down as he turned towards Naruto with a small smile.

"You know I have a little sister, she's not here yet but all I know is that I'm going to protect her. It might not be so bad having an older brother." Naruto looked at Hinata before smiling. She took off her scarf and gave it to him.

"I'm more sad that I can't become a ninja but you can give this to your sister until then you keep it," Naruto says in a cute voice before curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

"Why were you running?" she inquired, her voice soft amidst the gentle pops of burning wood.

Hinata sighed, the weight of responsibility evident in his gaze. "I'm the heir to my clan. I must protect it, and that means I have to become a ninja."

Naruto studied him, recognizing the burden he carried. "But why run?"

Hinata's eyes reflected the dance of flames as he spoke. "I needed time to myself, away from the expectations and pressures. Becoming a ninja is not just about skill; it's about embracing a destiny laid out for me."

Naruto nodded, sensing the conflict within him. "That sounds like a lot."

"It is," Hinata admitted. "But it's what my family expects, what the clan demands. I can't escape it." As the fire cast shadows on the walls, a shared understanding developed between them. Naruto, though not burdened by the same legacy, felt a connection to Hinata's struggle. In the quiet of the room, the flames became witnesses to the silence.

Imagine living a life the other wanted.

This is the Alternate universe Of Hinata Hyuga and Naruto Uzumaki.