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Nothing much to report. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Hinata watched as Naruto completed his match. He was victorious over their former classmate Kiba.

"Kiba had very good qualities in him. He was very athletic and his dynamic skills with his canine comrade was amazing." She smiled as she stood against the railing in the arena and watched the fight between Naruto and Kiba come to an end.

This was part of the third stage. They would all be paired between one another in a fight and who ever won that fight would go to the actual Chunin exams. It was very taxing all of this. All these trials just to make it to the actual exams. Hinata wondered if any other Chunin or Jonin had to do this for their Chunin exams.

If they had to experience what her team experienced.

Sasuke was sitting against the wall near Hinata. His arms crossed over his chest. He watched Hinata as she looked over the railing. Her appearance made him internally smile. She didn't look sickly anymore. However, her true illness was from whatever Orochimaru did to her. It was doormat right now, but this meant whatever he did to her now settled in her system and was there to stay.

Hinata looked more alert. Eager to have her turn even with her injury. She spoke passionately about the fights they watched, slightly making Sasuke a bit jealous because she spoke so kindly about the dog boy.

Yet, to Kakashi this caught his eye and made him slightly concerned. Hinata could fight, but she wasn't a fighter. Meaning she didn't like to. This wasn't like her to be so eager to see someone hurt.

"Stop sugar coating it Hinata. Naruto destroyed him." Hinata looked at Sasuke as he watched Naruto make his way back up to the second floor. Ignoring the grumpy face Sakura was throwing his way. "Did you see that teme?! Princess?!" Sasuke gave a grunt as a reply. Of course he saw him. Everyone still in the exams saw him.

"You did great Naruto-k…umm Naruto. I think you did amazing." Hinata smiled shyly at Naruto and adverted her gaze when he smiled brightly at her for almost calling out to him affectionately.

Naruto at this point didn't care to hide his affection. He almost freaking died a few days ago. Hinata was in a dark turmoil about herself. He knew she felt ugly and unworthy of affection, so Naruto wanted to give her all the praise and affection she desired. Who cares at this point if others saw.

Naruto knew Hinata was his weakness, if anyone wanted to challenge that. He'd fight them. If Naruto had no problem stepping up to someone like Orochimaru, he could care less about anyone in this exam.

"Oi! Hinata! Don't give him such a big head!" Sakura called out as she helped her teammate that lost up the stairs. She was bitter Naruto won. That meant only Shino was going to advance to the next round because her and Ino ended in a tie so neither of them advanced. This sucked.

Hinata played with her fingers as she nodded her head over to Sakura. "O-Okay!"

Sasuke frowned at Hinata. She listened to Sakura and Ino more than she listened to him and Naruto. Hinata could be such a doormat sometimes. "Don't listen to her."

She shouldn't listen to Sakura. Hinata had complimented that dog boy before she even congratulated Naruto. So, it wasn't like Hinata was being obnoxious. Said person brushed off Sakura's grumpiness and waved Sakura off. "Oi! Princess! Me and teme won our fights. All we need now is for you to knock it out the park!"

Sasuke now frowned at Naruto. He hated when Naruto yelled to show boat and he hated being called a bastard. After the exams, Sasuke was going to talk to Naruto about that. Seriously. He toned down his insults, so Naruto could do the same.

"She's right here." Naruto looked at Sasuke and gave a nervous laugh. Sasuke was basically telling Naruto to knock it off. Sometimes he needed reminding that he was being too hyper and he could always rely on Sasuke or Kakashi to correct him.

"Next in line is: Hyuga Hinata and Yakushi Kabuto."

Hinata looked at the proctor and her eyes lit up. That was…odd. She knew little to nothing about this person, other than the fact he was deceitful and that he was a potential threat. Kabuto did tell her he was a healer. He knew a lot about medicine.

Worse of all. Kabuto knew about her injury.

Sasuke looked over at Hinata's side. She kept the healing wound a secret and faked like she was fine very well. However, he did know that the Kabuto guy in the woods quickly pointed out Hinata's injury and he didn't even have to see it. As Hinata went to walk to the stairs to go down, Sasuke reached out and grabbed her hand to stop her for a moment.

Sasuke also clearly had thrown out the rule he created for the three of them. He didn't care if people saw him personally talk to someone he cared about. If they wanted to do something about it, they could talk to him.

Especially those sand ninjas.

He pulled her towards him and whispered in her ear. "Play defense until you figure him out. He knows you're hurt and he'll use that against you." With that Sasuke let go of Hinata and she gave a sharp nod as she turned back around to walk the stairs.

Ino watched the scene as she sat next to her teammates. She nudged Shikamaru to get his attention. The young Nara turned to look at Ino and could see her gossip sensors were kicking into high gear. "Ino. Please, no. This is such a drag."

Ino's smile split across her face and she was seeing wedding bells and future customers for floral arrangements. "This is so CUTE Shikamaru!"

Shikamaru looked at Ino weird. "What? I thought you liked the guy? Now you're rooting for Hinata to be with Uchiha? I thought you wanted Naruto to date her." Ino slowly turned to Shikamaru and was almost drooling from the mouth. Her eyes shined bright and she could barely contain herself. "What about a Naruto, Hinata and Sasuke sandwich?!"

Shikamaru just stared at Ino silently for a moment before shaking his head. A slight grin on his face. "What the hell woman." Well, it was good to see she was over her Uchiha obsession.

Naruto watched Hinata walk all the way to the floor and shouted his support. "You got this Princess! Wipe those glasses off his face!" Naruto heard a cough near him. Like someone was clearing their throat. He turned to his side and saw Shino staring at him. Along with Sakura and Kiba in complete annoyance. Naruto gave a nervous laugh at the three. "Sorry Shino. Your glasses are cool though!"

Shino made a grunt sound and looked away from Naruto, clearly offended.

"Jeez. I wasn't even talking to him." Naruto gave Shino a dull look before looking back at Hinata. Sasuke stared at Naruto and decided to just leave this one alone. Naruto was in his hyper mode right now and even he couldn't control Naruto when he was this hyper.

Maybe Naruto's hyper behavior stems from a good fight. That could be a good and a bad thing in the long run.

Hinata and Kabuto stood their distance from one another. Kabuto smiled at Hinata and gave a polite bow. "I hear you are a princess. It is truly an honor to be seeing one up close."

Naruto frowned at this. Did that bastard just call Hinata a princess. That nickname was solely for him and Sasuke. "Who the hell does this guy think he is?" Sasuke silently watched the exchange between Hinata and Kabuto. While he felt the same as Naruto, he wouldn't voice something like that.

Hinata stared at Kabuto and gave an equally respectful bow. "I am none of the sort. We are equal Yakushi-san." Kabuto smiled at Hinata. "Please. Call me Kabuto. I would love to be able to just call you Hinata." He closed his eyes as he gave Hinata a bright smile and all she did was return the smile politely.

"Why is she smiling at him? Don't smile at that creep." Naruto didn't yell this. He said this in a reserved tone, only other people that heard him was Sasuke and Kakashi because they were beside him. Kakashi looked over at Naruto, and Sasuke just continued to watch Hinata and Kabuto. Kakashi arched a brow and chose to not comment on the possessiveness.

Now he got it. Kakashi saw everything crystal clear now between his three students. He'd be talking to Hinata about this later.

"Let the match begin."

Hinata gravitated to her signature family fighting style and Kabuto only raised his hand. "I forfeit."

The room grew quiet. Hinata looked at Kabuto completely thrown off what just happened. "Excuse me?"

Kabuto smiled at Hinata's reply. "You even are confused cutely. I like you." He turned and looked at the proctor. "I am much too hurt to continue this exam. The forest of death has left me too banged up. No way I could win against this…beauty." His eyes stayed on Hinata as he tilted his head in fascination of her.

The proctor eyed Kabuto and rolled his eyes. This was a waste of time. "Whatever man. Yakushi Kabuto has forfeited. Hyuga Hinata wins by default and will advance."

Kabuto walked up to Hinata and she looked up at him. Confusion evident on her face. Kabuto had his hands in his pockets and smiled at Hinata. "I never had anyone call my bluffs and reject my help when they were in utter pain like you were."

Kabuto leaned close and whispered in Hinata's ear. "Especially being in pain from Lord Orochimaru. You were smart not to trust me. I would have done my best to make it worse for you."

Hinata eyes widened and she could feel her body grow warm all over. Slight pain coming from the wound from Orochimaru. "Now, now. Calm down or everyone will see those ugly veins. Then you'll really be a beautiful freak." Kabuto leaned back and looked at Hinata as he walked away. "I'll see you around Princess. I think this is the start of something great."

Kabuto descended down the dark hall and disappeared from site. Hinata automatically turned around and silently walked up the stairs. She blinked a few times to get herself back together. Hearing the name Orochimaru, having Kabuto around her made her feel as if she was losing control of herself again. It brought her pain. There was a connection between the two that she had to know.

She ignored the stares from the other competitors and stood next to Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi again. Finally she let out a heavy breath. "He works with Orochimaru." Hinata slowly turned her head to look at them and Naruto looked utterly furious. "Well, let's go smash his body in the ground and stick a kunai in his ribs to see how he fucking likes it."

Kakashi stopped Naruto before he even had a chance to pursue Kabuto. "Yeah. No. You let the Jonin handle anything Orochimaru related. You need to keep your cool and continue the exams." Hinata nodded her head and looked at Sasuke and Naruto, almost pleading with the two to calm down. Even though Sasuke wasn't as vocal as Naruto, he definitely would have followed Naruto to pursue Kabuto.

"Next is Gaara of Sunagakure versus Tsurugi Misumi."

Naruto sat on the floor followed by Hinata and Sasuke to watch the fight. He was in the middle and he looked over to Hinata to see she was almost sulking for some reason. She looked so disappointed. "You actually wanted to fight in your condition?"

Hinata looked at Naruto and was borderline pouting. "I did."

Naruto smiled at this. He chewed the inside of his bottom lip while he stared at Hinata. "You're adorable. Ya know that?" He whispered this into Hinata's ear and watched her blush. Not caring how other competitors saw this.

Hinata looked at him with doe eyes and blushed at the statement. "I-I am s-serious Naruto!"

Naruto slung an arm around Hinata and pulled her closer to him. "I know. You're so feisty now Princess. Trust me. You'll fight again. You'll show everyone what you're made of."

Sasuke silently watched Gaara. How animalistic he seemed. Something was up with this guy? "He's unstable." Sasuke said this and looked at Kakashi. Waiting for Kakashi's opinion. Kakashi shrugged his shoulders as he looked at Gaara, "A lot of ninja's are unstable. Especially the ones from sand village."

Sasuke shook his head. "No. He reminds me of Naruto, when he starts to change. Naruto's eyes…they get unstable like that. Like they are craving for something." Kakashi looked at Sasuke and then to Naruto. Sasuke must have seen more of the nine tails since the exams have started. "It's called blood lust."

Sasuke looked confused at Kakashi, wanting him to explain further what he meant. Kakashi looked at Naruto then back to Gaara. "If what you are hinting at Sasuke about Gaara, is what I think. The tailed beasts can make the jailer have blood lust. Crave to kill someone. A person. Has to be a human. The blood lust becomes so maddening, they go berserk over it. They cannot help but give into it. Just so the maddening state settles."

Sasuke slowly nodded his head in understanding. That's exactly what it seemed like was happening to Naruto. That's why Naruto kept pushing Sasuke away. He was having those blood lust cravings and didn't want to hurt Sasuke, even though he was tempted to.

Kakashi looked back at Naruto. "So. You got over your first wave of temptation from the nine tails Naruto. So you know. There will be more. They will start to affect you and how you think if you don't get it under control. You're strong Naruto. You have a strong will, but that demon in you is a lot stronger. It has taken many lives. Don't think you can fix this on your own."

Naruto let out a sigh in defeat. "I know. I umm…saw my God father. He told me about leaving after the Chunin exams." Kakashi nodded his head, "Good. I'm glad you're starting to mature up and see the bigger picture."

Team seven continued to watch Gaara's battle. It ended just as soon as it started. The proctor actually had to intervene because Gaara aimed to kill his opponent. Hinata looked from Gaara to Naruto. She saw this look on Naruto's face that seemed like he was curious about Gaara. Not really jealous, but more so pondering about the sand-nin. "What is it Naruto-kun?"

He looked at her and gave a soft smile. "I wonder why I'm not like him. If he's a jailer like me. Why am I nothing like him. He's ruthless. Cold blooded. Fucking nuts and people fear him. How did that not happen to me."

Sasuke looked at Naruto before looking at the person that was being carted off the floor from Gaara. "You're a stronger person. People came in your life at the right time. Your seal might be stronger. There is a lot to think about…unless the real you is Gaara."

Naruto looked at Sasuke who was staring right back at Naruto now. "Maybe that's why you're so engulfed with this Gaara guy."

Naruto didn't object. He just gave a 'hmm' sound and nodded his head.

Maybe he was more like Gaara than he thought. Or maybe he was fighting off the urges of the nine tails subconsciously for years and never knew. Could be that his seal was just that good, but if this nine tails was so damn strong it should be able to seep through here and there. Yet, it started when he started missions.

What's the difference between being 13 years old and 7? Why did it wait so long to act up?

Better question. Why was he fighting it? For so long he wanted to be the good, nice guy. That 'nice guy' act got him nothing but table scraps. Name calling. Being beat to a pulp. Naruto wanted to know when was the last time Gaara got table scraps. Had to go winters without heat. Had to be demoralized.

Naruto shook his head. Dark thoughts never ended well for him. Lately they were coming frequently. This whole Chunin exam has been testing who Naruto was as a person. Who he was going to grow to be.

A leader. Naruto still wanted to be Hokage. He wanted to lead, be successful, be in love, he wanted Hinata and Sasuke. All these seemed so far from achieving, but this is the bright future Naruto wanted. Now how the hell was he going to do it with all these obstacles?

Stage three ended. Everyone that passed was told to be at the arena for the actual Chunin exams.

Sasuke would be fighting Temari.

Naruto would be fighting Gaara and Hinata would fight Kankuro.

Kakashi heard the pairing for the next stage and let out a sigh. Well, this should be interesting enough. Very interesting. It was good that this was set a month later. Perfect for recuperating. Hinata could heal. Sasuke could train under him and Naruto could get the proper attention and training under Lord Jiraiya.

It was a quiet walk back to Kakashi's home. Tomorrow he was letting everyone off to recover and they would start fresh the next day after. Surely Hinata's father wanted Hinata to work with him for the finals.

Well shit.

Now the difficult part. Hinata had these black veins that popped up every time she over exhausted herself or grew too flustered. Kakashi had no clue what it was that, that bastard Orochimaru did to her. He barely understood Sasuke's curse seal. He just knew it had to be contained as much as possible.

Kakashi was an experienced Jonin, but as far as sensei goes. Team seven was his first go around. Would he say he was failing? Well, Kakashi wouldn't say he was excelling and was going to be sensei of the year like Kurenai or Guy probably was going to be. Kakashi was learning and growing with this team.

Taking on the emotional baggage from Naruto, Sasuke and Hinata was taxing. Especially in Hinata's situation.

Kakashi saw it this way. He should have been there for Naruto. He should have done more for Naruto. He should have been there for Sasuke's brother more. Steered him away from that evil man. However, Kakashi wasn't there. For any of the two boys.

Kakashi was growing himself during those times. Battling his own demons. He couldn't be there for others until he could get himself together. By the time Kakashi was stable enough for himself, time had gotten away from him. Naruto and Sasuke had grown.

Now, seeing Hinata in her situation. Kakashi decided to do something. He wanted to be there for her. He guessed it was him making up for his past negligence when he was lost in a dark place.

When team seven arrived to Kakashi's apartment everyone was quiet. Tired, battered, in need of a shower. Kakashi flopped himself on his couch and looked at the three. "Go ahead. Change. Shower." He saw that Naruto was about to turn to Hinata to tell her to go first, but Kakashi interrupted. "Gentlemen first. Matter of fact. I'd like a word with lady Hinata on the balcony."

Sasuke looked at Kakashi hesitant for a moment before he opted to go pick out his lounging clothes that him and Naruto left over here for the many times they've spent the night. Kakashi felt like at this point, Naruto and Sasuke were wasting their apartment space because they spent so much time at his home.

Kakashi guided Hinata outside on the balcony and shut the sliding door behind him. It was a nice warm night, good night to spend some time outside. Time outside and not stuck indoors was tranquil for Kakashi so he'd like to think maybe it would be the same for Hinata. "So. Let's talk."

Hinata looked over at Kakashi and blushed. "A-About what?" Kakashi looked over at Hinata with an arched brow.

He leaned over and rested his elbows on the balcony rails. He made sure to give Hinata 100% of his attention because anything less than eye contact would make her feel as if he didn't care. Kakashi noticed Hinata's father rarely gave her eye contact, unless he was aiming to degrade her. "Everything. About everything Hinata."

Hinata looked over the balcony and saw how high they were. She never paid much attention to how many flights high up Kakashi's apartment was. He was on the eighth floor and had a beautiful view of the village. The light from the moon or sun could easily reach his apartment. Hinata loved his balcony. "Well…umm you know about the forest of death."

Kakashi nodded his head. "Yes. Orochimaru ambushing you all. His target was Sasuke, but it's in his nature to torture everyone he comes across. Let's talk about him stabbing you for a moment shall we. I'm going to be honest with you. I have no clue what those dark veins are. Your guess is dark charka. It could be. It could be a mixture of that and poison that you might not be able to detect. It's linked in with your emotional state, just like Sasuke. Yet you're not drawn to Orochimaru from it, but he has some type of control over your dark chakra. That being said. Just go on and say it Hinata."

Hinata already knew what Kakashi meant. She bit her bottom lip and looked back at him. "I…should be returning to my father after the Chunin exams. If t-that is okay with you sensei." Kakashi slowly nodded his head as he continued to look at Hinata. "You think he would be able to help you? How?"

Hinata really hated to admit something like this. "By controlling it. Keeping it subdued. My father may not love me, but he refuses for me to make him look bad. He will help me."

Kakashi let out a sigh. "So. He'll help you with this dark charka problem, but he'll push you to relapse because it's too soon to be around him again. You've done it in the forest of death already. While you had your 'reasoning' behind it. You relapsed. Plain and simple Hinata. You're back at ground zero. Whether you threw it up or not."

He saw the utter shame on Hinata's face and how she struggled to keep her eye contact with him. "Why not try finding a medical ninja that could help you. Lord Jiraiya told me about a former colleague of his that is an excellent medic-nin and sannin. A legend in her own right. I am almost confident she could help you better than your father."

Kakashi placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder as he gave her a look that said he had faith in her. "You see Hinata. Your father is your weakness. When you get scared and lost, even though you know he isn't the right choice, he's the safest choice for you. So, you always go back to your safe zone. Your safe zone is killing you though Hinata. So do me a favor. Every time you think the only way to get over something difficult is to go to your father. I want you to immediately think of an alternative. Understand?"

Hinata nodded her head and looked at Kakashi curiously. "H-How will this medic-nin help me? W-Where is she?"

Kakashi stood up and placed his hands on his hips. "Well lucky for you this legendary ninja respects the third Hokage a lot more than she respects Lord Jiraiya. While he sent a letter requesting for her to come back to the village, she denied it. The third Hokage sent a letter requesting her and she accepted. So, she will be in the village in about a week or two to take a look at you. Sounds good?"

Hinata's face brightened and she looked like weights were lifted from her shoulders. She was genuinely so HAPPY. Kakashi returned the smile before looking up in thought. "Let's see. We talked about the forest of death. The drinking. Training and getting medical attention. Hmm, oh yes. The boys."

Kakashi watched Hinata's cheeks turn a rose color and he had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. She got embarrassed so easily. A very reserved person she was. "Well. They will be traveling with Naruto's God father as you know. From what I'm gathering, you do not wish to go. So, hypothetically speaking. You pass the Chunin exams your first go round, and you make Jonin in the time slot your father has planned. I can't protect you forever Hinata. What are your plans?"

Hinata turned and looked back into the apartment. She was happy to see Naruto and Sasuke weren't sitting on the couch watching the conversation. They probably passed out sleep in Kakashi's bed. Kicking their sensei out to sleep on the couch. "I-I…I don't know. I need to figure out how to make sure my sister is okay, but I want my title back sensei. I want my clan to accept me even with this curse Orochimaru gave me."

Kakashi looked shocked by this. Hinata made it seem like she was willing to give it all to Hanabi as long as Hanabi remained unsealed. "So, are you saying you do not want to be sealed? You want to lead your clan?"

Hinata looked at him and slowly nodded her head. "This is truly what I wish for. I wish to change a lot of generational curses in my family. I need to be a leader for that. I need to show that I am strong and worthy. I just don't know how to begin."

Kakashi let out an amused breath, he could help with this while Naruto and Sasuke was away. "Okay. Well…if you allow me. I can help you with that goal. This is the first time I have heard an actual goal from you Hinata. A genuine one."

Kakashi let out a series of chuckles. Completely amused. "All because I brought up Naruto and Sasuke too." Hinata turned completely red and started to sputter a series of rambles and incoherent stutters, trying explain herself. Kakashi held a hand up to silence her, still laughing internally of his student behavior.

"I won't go into too much detail about…whatever you three have going on. I'll just say I know you guys will work it all out in the end. You three won't have to pick and choose if you stick with what you want. Okay?"

Hinata bit her bottom lip and looked off to the side. No longer able to keep the conversation going. "O-Okay." Kakashi was about to open the balcony door to let Hinata inside, but he just couldn't help but to pick at her. She gets so flustered easily. "So, before we go in to Naruto and Sasuke. Hinata, have you been introduced to the story of the bird and the bees?"

"SENSEI!"

Gosh was her reactions priceless.

Naruto opened one eye when he heard the bedroom door open. He watched Hinata silently walk into the room and saw that she was fresh from a shower and in a pair of cozy pajamas. "Thank goodness. I thought you were Kakashi. About to kick us out to sleep on the floor or couch."

Hinata giggled at Naruto. He was under the covers and all you could see was his head poked out as he looked at Hinata creep in. Hinata saw another blob that was under the covers as well scoot over to leave space in the middle for Hinata. She had to contain having a fit of giggles at watching Sasuke because all she could see was his hair moving.

They were tired she could tell. They cleaned up, got in their lounging clothes and immediately hogged Kakashi's room to sleep in. Hinata smiled at the two. Naruto and Sasuke were a breath of fresh air to her. Even though they all had their burdens, they still brought joy to one another. A sense of peace when they were around each other.

Sasuke looked over at Hinata with an annoyed look. Like it was obvious they were waiting for her. Hinata blushed and walked over to the bed and crawled in the center. Before she could get under the blankets, Naruto stopped her. "How are you healing?" He sat up and grabbed the bottom of Hinata's shirt. He lifted it up so naturally and looked at the healing scar.

It was in the stage of needing to be air dried now, so Hinata didn't have a bandage over it anymore. It was so clean and sewed together like a medical professional. Naruto was so impressed with the 'on the field' fix Hinata did. "Man. You did so good Hinata. I'm so happy you knew what to do. Does it hurt?"

Hinata looked at Naruto while he surveyed her. She took a sharp breath in when he leaned over and kissed the healing wound. "I-I-It still does. N-Not as bad anymore." Naruto pulled away and pulled the covers back so Hinata could get comfortable. She moved a little slow from being sore, but managed to settle just fine.

She stiffened when she felt Sasuke place his hand around her like he normally would. He thought he must have rubbed against her wound and hurt her and immediately recoiled. Hinata turned her head towards Sasuke and silently placed his hand back. He looked at her in confusion, but the look Hinata gave him said that it was fine.

Hinata and Sasuke were silent communicators. They didn't have to speak to show they understood what one another wanted. Sasuke just wasn't a talker like Naruto was. Even in Naruto's true, natural state. He was a talker. Naruto was a talker, toucher and affectionate person. He didn't see the space invasion of checking Hinata's body. He just saw that he was making sure she was okay. Naruto was innocent like that.

Sasuke wasn't as innocent. He silently watched Naruto and Hinata and knew how he wanted to go about the two. Sasuke's touches and affection were on a different level than Naruto's. Same love and emotion, but different outcomes if Sasuke didn't get control of himself sometimes.

That's one thing Sasuke could oddly admit, Naruto had better self-control than he did. Finding out about the nine tails, Sasuke could see why Naruto had good self-control on almost everything emotion wise.

The room was dark and the ceiling fan kept the three of them cool and relaxed. Kakashi had his window blinds slightly cracks so the bright moon was sharing it's light with the room. Hinata was a side sleeper and liked to turn her body to Naruto's direction. Naruto still liked to invade Hinata's breathing space and lean his forehead against hers.

After developing this sleeping habit. Naruto was very into his hygiene. Never wanting to smell when so close to Hinata.

Naruto closed his eyes as his body started to succumb to sleep. "I missed this Princess."

Hinata smiled at him. "I did too. I…I don't want this to end because you and Sasuke-kun leave." She felt Sasuke pull himself closer to her and lean his own forehead against her back. "Then don't let it."

Sasuke spoke in a way that said he didn't want anything to end either. He knew what he wanted and he wanted this. He wanted Hinata and Naruto. It all had to work out. No matter how long this trip with Lord Jiraiya.

Naruto nodded his head in agreeance with Sasuke. "Wait for us. I promise I'll come back ten times better for you Princess. I promise Sasuke won't be such a prude anymore either." Naruto smiled when he heard Sasuke chuckle at the light joke. Hinata reached up to touch Naruto's face. Outlining his whiskers. "Only if you wait for me."

Sasuke eyes were getting heavy as he felt himself giving in to sleep. "Stupid of you to even say that. Of course we'd wait."

End of chapter.

So, a lot of dialogue to set up the future scenes. Stories need that. It's a good chapter to take some foreshadowing from.

That's the thing. Naruto and Sasuke will be leaving Hinata. So, that is when Hinata sets out to truly find herself.

Again, with daddy Kakashi not too far away from her.

See you Saturday!