Hey, hey!

So, pretty much the last chapter of the Chunin exams. Hope you all enjoy! Here's some FYI's for you guys for this chapter:

'Kurama talking'

'Intense talking'

Hinata gets some evil puppeteer. Sasuke gets a steroid induced amazon warrior sand princess, but Naruto just HAD to get the psychotic, blood lust addict that wanted to kill everyone in sight.

Naruto dodged another strike from Gaara's sand. He looked down at his hand and frowned. He's been practicing with Jiraiya on a technique called Rasengan. It's not easy to learn at all. Takes a lot of natural energy and right now Naruto still needed clones to create just a small one. He couldn't even test it out right now because Gaara was demolishing all his clones way too fast.

He could feel the extra chakra emitting from Gaara. Naruto clicked his tongue against his teeth for what felt like the millionth time today. "Tsk. This sucks. He's being fueled and egged on by his tailed beast, meanwhile I'm suppressing mine. That sand barrier of his is unbreakable I swear."

To top it off. Naruto could still feel the effects from Orochimaru on his seal. He felt feral and was beginning to hear that demonic voice from the nine tails more and more.

Naruto rolled his neck. Not tired from fighting, but annoyed with how slow everything was going. He didn't like being the one on defense, this sand guru should be the one on defense. Gaara the one that relied on a handful of things instead of actual skill. Gaara was the one thinking Naruto would be simple to take down.

Pfft. Misjudging him like everyone else.

"This sucks. Ya know that Gaara? You got me running around like my head is cut off. You're rude as hell. You keep eyeing my girl. Like, I've been waiting to get a hold of you for a while now. Just for you to constantly use your sand shield. All you try to do is trap me and try to crush me to death. You're boring."

Naruto took his jacket off and pulled his kunai out his pants pouch. "I like that sand shield though. Have a love-hate relationship with it. Now let's see how fast you can keep blocking me."

Naruto has trained plenty between his team and Jiraiya, even with Tsunade over the past month. He had a few tricks up his sleeve, he just wanted to see where Gaara was experience wise.

From what he gathered rage was Gaara's experience as a ninja. Rage, hatred and the tailed beast.

Everyone in the audience gasped when they saw how Naruto flickered towards Gaara. If you blinked you missed Naruto and where he was aiming to attack against Gaara's defenses.

In the stands were the rest of Naruto's peers from his graduating class. Watching in awe as Naruto fought.

Ino leaned back in her seat flabbergasted. She was sitting next to Shikamaru, who thankfully won his fight. "Ya know. I thought Naruto was going to get creamed by this Gaara guy, but Naruto is holding his own really well. The final exams are based on skill and not who won, so even if Naruto lost he still might get Chunin."

Shikamaru looked over at Ino as she watched the fight. He looked back to observe Naruto. He was different now. Not the chaotic, loud mouth that Shikamaru was used to. "Yeah. You could be on to something. Naruto definitely has made an upgrade. I expected as much from Sasuke, but not from Hinata and Naruto. They've been vicious during the exams."

Ino nodded her head as she looked around the stadium and spotted Hinata standing near Sasuke. Ino could only see Sasuke's back from where she was sitting.

The young Uchiha had his back leaning against the rails, his arms stretched out being supported by the rails. A very slouched, relaxed position.

He wasn't watching the battle, and was blocking sight of Hinata, who was standing close in front of him. It looked like Sasuke was protecting her from everyone of something. Ino smiled at the possessive like energy Sasuke was giving off.

Shikamaru followed Ino's eye sight and raised a brow. "When did this become a thing? Hinata never looked Sasuke's way in the academy. Blah, you girls are so wishy washy. I'm tuning this out." Shikamaru looked back at the battle between Naruto and Gaara, but his eyebrows twitched as he could feel Ino now staring at him. "What?"

Ino was grinning at him. "Wishy washy? Like me? Like how I don't like Sasuke anymore?" Shikamaru pushed down a blush and scowled as he still refused to look at Ino. "Time and place for everything Ino. Now is not the time."

Ino rolled her eyes as she folded her arms casually and looked off to watch Naruto and Gaara. Shikamaru cleared his throat as he folded his arms as well and leaned back similar to Ino. Making sure their shoulders were touching. "What would our dads say? Our families. What about tradition?"

Ino didn't look at Shikamaru, but she retorted back. "What happened to there being a time and place for everything."

Shikamaru ignored the tantrum. "So. What about our families? You really want to break tradition? ShikaInoCho. What our families have built." Ino's face scrunched up in annoyance and anger. "It's just dating Shikamaru. We're not harming anyone."

Shikamaru didn't miss a beat. "The way I planned my life. The person that I decide to kiss, will be the person I kiss forever. I'm not one for wasting my time with 'dating', Ino."

Ino couldn't hide her blush, but she still wouldn't look at Shikamaru. "Well…we've kissed." Shikamaru hummed at this. "Yes Ino. Several times." Ino took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Well I think we should talk about this after the exams."

Shikamaru smirked as he still focused on the fight. "Good. I just wanted you to understand why I said there is a time and place for everything."

A few chairs down near Ino sat Sakura as she watched Naruto fight. She turned over to her teammate Kiba with her mouth hanging open. "No way. No way Naruto is fighting like this!" Kiba looked on just as impressed, still a bit butt hurt that Naruto had beat him during stage three. "Someone has to be fighting in his place. There is no way he's this good."

Kurenai looked over at Kiba and Sakura as she sat next to Shino. She gave Kiba a disapproving look. "That behavior is how you lost. Don't you think Kiba?"

Kiba blushed at being caught and looked at his sensei innocently. "Yeah. Ha-ha. You have a point sensei. It's just crazy how good Naruto has become. You should have seen him in the academy. He was a rock solid dead last kid. Like total asshole and rebel. Don't get me wrong. Hanging with Naruto when you wanted to get into something was a ton of fun though. I just don't see that Naruto anymore."

Sakura pouted as well. "Me either. I wonder what changed him?" Kurenai tilted her head at Sakura before looking over at Kakashi. "Numerous things Sakura. Your sensei can really make a standing impression. Encourage you to change and do better. Your teammates can do that as well. It seems to me, Naruto just got really lucky and was paired with the right sensei and teammates."

Sakura gave Kurenai a slick smile, "Ohh sensei. I'm going to tell Asuma-sensei that you're complimenting Kakashi-sensei." Kurenai laughed at this. "Yeah. Asuma knows there is no competition there."

Sakura giggled at this, but stopped when her eyes caught Hinata and Sasuke across the stands. Sasuke's back was against the railings and he was facing Hinata. Sakura couldn't see Hinata's face and she didn't know if Sasuke made it intentional that he blocked Hinata away from everyone's view. Was it because he was making her blush?!

Kiba looked at Sakura before following her gaze. He then rolled his eyes and looked at Kurenai. "Sensei! Sakura is getting that look in her eyes again. The look like she's having a crazy conversation with herself in her head."

A lump on Kiba's head soon followed.

Back over with Sasuke, he leaned against the rails as he eyed Hinata as she used her Byakugan. "Take your time. Don't strain yourself too much." Hinata slowly nodded her head as she concentrated.

The stadium from her viewpoint, she cut into four sections even though it was an oval. The north wing was where the Hokage sat. Her and Sasuke were on the east wing. Their former classmates were on the west wing and Kakashi along with Tsunade and Jiraiya were on the south wing.

"East, south and now west wing are clear." Sasuke raised his eyebrows when Hinata said this. That was a lot of people to scan over in a matter of a few minutes. Hundreds of people. He would imagine Hinata was getting a headache. "How can you go through so many people, so fast?"

Hinata continued her scanning as she spoke, "I know what Orochimaru's chakra network looks like. I can spot it a mile away. I've engraved it in my head. I'll…never forget this person for the rest of my life."

Considering he ruined her life.

Sasuke watched Hinata and noticed how the veins around her eyes were starting to turn black. "Calm down. You're pushing yourself too hard and getting riled up." He watched as Hinata's breathing picked up and the veins started to grow viciously. "Hinata."

"I see him."

Sasuke's eyes widened and his head snapped over to where Kakashi and Tsunade was sitting. Kakashi was looking right at them. Sasuke looked back at her and straightened his posture.

"Where is he?" He looked back over at Hinata and saw that she was almost consumed by the dark chakra. Her eyes, her face, her neck and hands. Everywhere. "Hey. Look at me."

Hinata ignored him partially. "He's sitting next to the Hokage. As Sauna's leader in the disguise. He knows I see him. He's going to attack!"

Sasuke looked up from her and saw that Kakashi was now standing behind Hinata. He heard what she said and immediately went to alert the others, leaving Sasuke alone with her. "Don't ignore me Hinata. Look at me."

Hinata's head was still turned to Orochimaru's direction. Seeming like she was hypnotized at seeing him. Her veins showing no sign that she was even fighting to regain control. Others would soon notice her and who knows how everything would play out then.

If Tsunade's theory was right, then Hinata's dark chakra becoming uncontrollable now would be a perfect opportunity for Orochimaru to try to sway Sasuke.

Why? Simple, because Sasuke was terrified of losing her right now.

Hinata didn't look like herself. When she started to sink like this, and when Sasuke couldn't help her, or Naruto. He felt helpless. It was like losing his clan all over again. He couldn't help his parents, now he couldn't help Naruto and Hinata.

Sasuke, losing his temper. Lifted himself off the rails and was almost shoving Hinata backwards into the exit staircases of the stadium.

When the two were gone from sight, Sasuke pushed Hinata against the wall and gripped her jaw. "Stop it! Just…stop it. Listen to me. Please."

Hinata's glazed eyes looked over at Sasuke. Finally making eye contact, but rejecting his Sharingan that he activated.

Unlike before, Sasuke wasn't trying to put her to sleep. Right now, he lost control of himself. His Sharingan activated because he was losing it. Sasuke wasn't like Hinata. He wasn't a Hyuga, his dōjutsu relied heavily on his emotions. Before, Sasuke thought hate and darkness was what advanced the Sharingan. He soon learned it could be multiple emotional reasons.

Like love, and fear of losing the person you loved.

Sasuke was shaking with a mixture of rage and fear. He let go of Hinata and took out his kunai. Cutting the inside of his hand. He held up the fresh cut and used his other hand to hold Hinata in place, gripping her jaw again.

Her eyes immediately looked at the open wound and it was like a predator that got a taste of blood and had to go in for the kill. She was zoned out. Hooked of the smell and the mere sight of it. She wanted to taste it.

When she moved, Sasuke pushed Hinata back against the wall. He watched her snarl at him and how the dark chakra was making her veins pulsate. "No! If I have to fight my urges. My demons. Then so do you. You're not leaving us. You're not going to be some weak coward and give in to this and leave me and Naruto alone."

Sasuke found himself breathing heavy. Shaking with fear and frustration. Couldn't Hinata see how much this was hurting him? That she just kept sinking and leaving him. Sasuke may not voice it like Naruto, but he needed her too! She couldn't give in to this. Any of this.

Sasuke let go of her face and started shaking Hinata's shoulders with intense force. He didn't even notice he was slamming her into the wall. He was just so scared. "You can't give into this bullshit Hinata. The dark chakra, the depression, the alcohol…for fucks sake Hinata you're better than this!"

Sasuke let go of Hinata and still held his hand up for her to see. For her to crave. "So, what are you going to do!?"

Hinata stepped to advance towards Sasuke. Her hand reaching for his blood stained one. She wanted to rip his hand off and have it to herself. Rip him apart and have all his vitals to herself.

Yet. She stopped herself.

Sasuke watched as Hinata's animalistic snarl turned into gasps for air. The black veins around her face was starting to fade and she was grasping on to the flat wall for some type of stability. She had her eyes locked on Sasuke's hand before she squeezed them shut and shook her head. Trying to fight off the urge.

She always found herself fighting against some type of urge.

Slowly the dark charka receded from Hinata's skin. She kept her eyes closed and her brows were furrowed together in utter disappointment. She was ashamed of herself. How could this happen? She was working so hard.

Sasuke dug in his pocket and pulled out a cloth. He used his teeth to rip it and wrapped it around his hand. Thankful he didn't make the cut big. Just enough to get Hinata's attention. "I'm sorry Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke looked over at Hinata as she still had her eyes closed. "Don't be. It's because that snake is out there somehow tampering with the damage he's done on us. I'm struggling. Naruto is struggling and so are you. Trust me, I am in no better shape than you."

Hinata shook her head. Not willing to accept what Sasuke was saying. If that was the case, then why was she always the one to give in to the temptations.

Sasuke walked back up to Hinata and instead of comforting her, like he wanted to. Instead of taking her in his arms and holding her. Pressing his lips against hers and telling Hinata it was going to be okay. Instead of doing all of that, Sasuke leaned over to her ear.

"I need you to pick yourself back up. Orochimaru is here for a reason and I need you to protect yourself. You have to fight Hinata. Do you understand?" Hinata turned her head to look at Sasuke and their noses rubbed together.

His Sharingan was still activated and instilled this memory perfectly in his mind. The moment he realized Hinata was more than just what he imagined her to be after he killed his brother.

Hinata was more than a future wife. She was more than a good teammate and comrade. Hinata was beyond a friend and more than a best friend. Hinata had become his world. If Hinata asked him. In a genuine request to stop his fixation and hunt for his brother. Sasuke would do it. He cared for her that much.

Sasuke wanted to tell Hinata. That she was the first person he grew to love other than his family. Sasuke wished the words came out his mouth easy like it did Naruto. One day. One day Sasuke swore he'd tell Hinata.

Hinata nodded her head and Sasuke nodded his back as he leaned his forehead against hers. For Sasuke and Hinata. This was their love language. Simple touches were their way of communication. Just leaning his head against hers could let both of them know what the other was thinking or feeling.

Hinata could feel the fire in Sasuke. He was in pain from the curse mark. He was scared for her and Naruto. Sasuke internally was falling apart.

Hinata leaned closer to him and furrowed her brows together. She just wanted to take his pain away. Even though Orochimaru was bringing her pain by manipulating the dark chakra within her from afar. All she cared about at this moment, was making sure Sasuke calmed down. "Sasuke-kun?"

"Let's go."

Sasuke cut everything short. Not wanting to feel anymore emotions from the current situation. They needed to keep their head in the game. Have a clear mind frame right now and stay focused. Emotions got people killed as a ninja. Especially during the crucial moments like this.

Sasuke and Hinata left the small hall and made their way back to the rails to watch Naruto. Nothing has happened with Orochimaru, he was still sitting next to the Hokage. However, Kakashi, Tsunade and Jiraiya were nowhere to be found.

Currently, Naruto has used Gaara's shield against him. He was burying the sand-nin with his clones by the hundreds. It was too much weight and Gaara was already feeling the impact of Naruto getting through his sand three times already.

The sand-nin had lost the entertained, psychotic look and his features has morphed into utter rage.

Hinata eyes widened at seeing Gaara's body start to morph. He was a tailed beast after all. Just like team seven thought. Sasuke looked up and noticed everyone in the stands start to grow silent and nod off, ultimately falling asleep. Even ninja's were falling asleep.

"It's a genjutsu." Both Sasuke and Hinata mumbled this to themselves.

Hinata looked over the railing and saw Naruto's clones that were once suffocating and crushing Gaara all become destroyed. She heard the roar that came from Gaara, but soon her head snapped over to a loud crashing sound. The stadium rumbled and Hinata could see the Hokage holding off the body Orochimaru was preoccupying to fool everyone.

Do they rush to save the Hokage?

The stadium shook again, but for other reasons as Naruto and Gaara were still fighting. Both seemed lost to the fact that Konoha was under attack. "Gaara!"

Hinata turned and saw Gaara's siblings, for better or worse, limping over to retrieve him from the fight. Hinata concluded they were escaping. They held scared and guilty looks on their faces.

However this proved to be a bad move. As soon as they entered the floor of the battle arena, Naruto's chakra engulfed them in red and sent the two flying back.

Naruto had a wild grin on his face as he repelled Temari and Kankuro. "How dumb to plan an invasion, but you all battle in the final rounds. Let me guess, you're working with that snake, Orochimaru, to attack the hidden leaf village? You trust that snake?!"

Naruto was engulfed in red chakra as he looked at Gaara. He sniffed the air and gave a feral grin, "Is that Shukaku I smell?" His voice was no longer his own, and his seriousness of the situation had taken on a more cynical, lighter tone.

Hinata shook her head as she watched Naruto and looked at Sasuke. He shook his head because he already knew what she was going to say. "I know. That's the nine tails fox. It's taken over Naruto. He has to fight this before it consumes him."

The demon fox continued to smirk as he crossed his arms over his chest and flicked a dark speck of dirt off his arm. Looking rather bored now that he knew who his opponent was. "For a second there I thought it was a real threat."

He sprinted towards Gaara, who was now 70% engulfed in Shukaku. This wasn't a fight between Naruto and Gaara anymore. This was a fight between two tailed beasts.

As 'Naruto' passed by Gaara, he laughed as he cut through Gaara's sand and sliced his abdomen with his chakra laced claws. Naruto looked up at the stadium and smiled when he saw the Hokage battling Orochimaru. "I hope he kills that old fool. He helped with my imprisonment."

Naruto side stepped to avoid Gaara's attack and looked at the disfigured body. Smiling from ear to ear at hearing Gaara and Shukaku holler in pain. "Are you just now trying to regain control over that pathetic Shukaku? He's a mere one tailed beast and you let him destroy you like this. Utterly pathetic. One thing I will give this human brat that I'm stuck with. He's got guts and he's no weakling…well to me he is weak. To others, like you Shukaku, he's obviously strong."

'Naruto' laughed at this. He raised his hand and formed the perfect Rasengan that the original Naruto struggled heavily with creating. "Hmm. I never knew why this brat struggled so hard with this. Maybe it's because his mind moves a million miles an hour. You know. I rather like 'sharing' a body compared to fully taking over. With sharing this body, I can access his abilities. Hn. It's only fair when he 'borrows' my chakra."

He impaled the Rasengan into Gaara and watched the young sand-nin vomit out blood. "Since you can't fulfill Shukaku's bloodlust, feed him this."

Gaara's body became limp while in Naruto's hold, who smirked at the easy victory and tossed him to the ground.

'Naruto' rolled his neck as he looked back over to Gaara's siblings, that he had knocked out with his sheer chakra strength. He smiled sinisterly as he looked at them, as they were still trying to get up. 'Naruto' looked down at Gaara and reeled his foot back so he could kick him. When he did he made sure it was more than enough to wake Gaara up.

"Hey! Watch me. I'm going to kill your siblings. Simply because they've been annoying me since the moment I laid eyes on them. You're so stupid to think you could have made it this far without those two block heads over there crying over you. By the way, I want Shukaku to know something. It was Kurama that did this, not that Uzumaki kid. I'm the one that just reminded Shikaku that he is beneath me."

Now known as Kurama. He created a larger Rasengan and quickly launched it to the direction of the defeated sand-nins. Just to have a sand shield block them. Temari, who was sitting up noticed that Gaara had protected them. "Gaara."

Kurama made a face of disgust. "Gaara." He mocked the innocent call out and kicked Gaara in the head. Knocking him out cold. Kurama looked back up at the stadium and sniffed the air.

Oh goodie. More guests were coming. "Hmm. I smell an Uchiha." He looked over at Sasuke and Hinata with a smirk. "And it's not you."

Kurama tilted his head and looked at Hinata. An ear-splitting grin covered his face as he started to make his way to the two of them, just to end up stuck in his tracks. The demon fox looked confused for a moment. He looked down and attempted to move his leg, but saw that he couldn't.

Sasuke and Hinata watched as Kurama let out a frustrated growl. "This is what you fight back on?! You insolent, stupid, little fucking weakling! I had to step in because you wanted to waste time with a kill. Simply playing with that idiot Shukaku, making him believe he stood a chance against ME!"

Kurama looked at Sasuke and Hinata with an annoyed look. "You'll need me again. You can't protect them without me. You'll agree to this merge sooner or later." With that Naruto passed out on the ground. It was only for a brief moment before his bright blue eyes snapped opened and he looked around to make sure no one was attacking him.

His eyes landed on Hinata and Sasuke as the two made their way down from the stands and towards him. They never hesitated when he passed out, not even once. When they saw Naruto hit the ground they didn't care if it was a trick or not. They wanted to be there for him.

Naruto wobbled as he stood up. Hinata was the first to reach Naruto and immediately knocked him back over as she hugged him. She latched onto him and refused to let go as her arms were wrapped around his neck and pulled him close to her. "Thank goodness!" Naruto was stunned for a moment before he returned the affection and hugged Hinata back.

"I'm here Hinata. I'm not going anywhere." He held the back of her head and ran his hands through her hair. Breathing a sigh of relief that he was able to snap back out of it. Sasuke made it to Naruto and held a look of concern. "What merge?"

Has Naruto been having conversations with this demon fox behind their back?

Naruto eyes widened and before he could answer the three heard a sound from the stands. Naruto's mouth dropped open as he saw the third Hokage was stabbed. Surrounded by coffins and saw two of them labeled first and second Hokage. The last one labeled fourth Hokage, but hasn't opened yet.

That bastard was going to bring his father back from the dead to kill the village he swore to protect. "You have got to be shitting me."

Hinata's mouth hung open at the scene and even Sasuke looked stuck. Naruto had to have the worst luck known to man. "You three! Are you gonna just stand there or are you going to do something?!"

Naruto looked over and saw Tsunade looking at them. The stadium was starting to crack and crumble, but people were still sleeping. There was an invasion of foreign ninja's and they had to protect the civilians and immobile people.

"Hey! Naruto and Sasuke go with Kakashi and find those sound ninja's that are working with Orochimaru. Hinata, I need you and Neji to go to the west side of the village. There is a breech and right now we're sending extra forces there to handle that situation."

Naruto looked over to Hinata. Concern written on his face. He didn't want to be separated from her, but the look on Hinata's face showed that she was ready for the challenge. She looked at Tsunade with fierceness and determination. She wanted to prove herself. "Yes ma'am!"

"Hinata! Lets go!" Hinata turned to see Neji as he was in the hall of the arena looking at Hinata. Before Hinata ran to catch up with him she turned and looked at Naruto and Sasuke. She smiled at them, "Do your best. Please do not worry about me!"

With that she left with Neji. That was the last that they saw of Hinata for several days.

Hinata was sluggish when she woke up. Very drowsy and out of it. What happened?

She slowly opened her eyes and it took a moment for her blurry vision to refocus. When Hinata tried to rub her eyes she realized she could barely move her hands.

She was chained up.

Her eyes widened and she started to look around urgently to get her barren. She was chained to the ground and beside her laid Neji, who was also chained. They were both still fully clothed, but Neji was knocked out sleeping. "I was wondering when you two would wake up. Who knew I knocked you two out that good. For a whole two days."

Hinata heard a dark chuckle from the corner of the room they were trapped in and immediately covered Neji with her body. In a protective manner. "Isn't that sweet Itachi? She thinks she can protect him."

The unknown person in the corner smiled and his teeth looked razor sharp. He looked like a monster. Hinata blinked as she focused on the strangers words. Wait…did she hear that right?

Itachi?!

Hinata's head slowly turned to the empty space to the left of her and was met with piercing red eyes. The Sharingan like Sasuke and he was squatting right next to her. Hinata never even felt his presence. This couldn't be who she thought it was. She heard the unknown man say his name, but for some reason Hinata refused to believe him.

"Hinata. Get off of me." Neji spoke calmly. Like he was awake the whole time. Hinata just shook her head. "No. I won't let anything happen to you."

The man from the corner slowly stood up and walked to Hinata. His features were becoming clear the more he advanced towards them. His skin was blue, he had eyes like a fish. Teeth like a shark. He was tall, huge actually and built like a solid rock. He could easily crush her and Neji with his bare hands.

Hinata saw him pull out a sword that was three times her size and was wrapped up. He extended the sword out to her and it almost touched her chin. "My Samehada… is itching to get ahold of you. Your false sense of hope and bravery makes it sick. What could you possibly do to stop me from ripping you and him in half."

Her heart felt like it was going to burst out her chest. Hinata has been through a lot, but never in her life has she been this scared before. She could barely even speak. "You can only have the Byakugan through me. Not him. Please, don't hurt him."

"Shut up. Also, Kisame stop scaring her."

Hinata squeezed her eyes shut as she trembled from hearing the man named Itachi speak. His voice was so cold. So empty. She felt Neji start to slowly sit up before he pulled Hinata towards him and maneuvered her behind him.

Neji was chained up as well and their chains became a little tangled, but that didn't stop Neji from facing Kisame with the angriest look Hinata has ever seen from him. "Don't you ever talk to her like that again."

Kisame went to poke Neji with the sword, but Neji used the chains to pin the giant object down. He used the sword as leverage to lift himself up and swiftly kicked Kisame in the chest. Sending the grown man back pretty far. Unfortunately due to being chained that's as far as Neji could go.

Neji was weak from being knocked out for so long. He was dehydrated and not at his best, but he'd rather die trying than die letting these two disrespect him and Hinata. "Don't you ever negotiate with the enemy Hinata." His head snapped back to her and his hair was in his face, but his Byakugan pulsated with rage. "EVER!"

Itachi held up a hand when Neji whipped his head at him. "Enough. I don't want your Byakugan. I don't even want to hurt you."

Neji was breathing hard as he glared at the murderous Uchiha. "Lies!" In a flash the large shark-like man appeared behind Neji and wrapped his arm around Neji's neck and secured his other hand behind Neji's head. Threatening to either choke him out or snap his neck.

"Look here. We can do it Itachi's way. Where you shut the hell up and listen, or my way. Where I kill you and take the girl with me and still make her do what I want."

"Stop! W-W-What do you want?!" Hinata stood up and looked at Itachi, sensing he was the one in control of the situation right now anyways. Neji gave Hinata a heated look, "Hinata!" He could barely speak as Kisame was restricting his trachea.

Hinata held her hand up to tell Neji to calm down. She still looked at Itachi, who was looking at her calmly. "I need you to do two things for me. First I need you to break into the Hokage's vault. I need two scrolls from there. The first scroll looks like this and the second this."

Itachi handed Hinata a piece of paper showing the scrolls he was looking for. One had the Hyuga symbol on it and the other had the Nara's symbol. "The one with the Nara's symbol, I want you to open it. Follow the ordinance and get me that medicine. Bring it back to me, and I will release your family member. Simple as that. If you fail, he's dead and you don't have to worry because his Byakugan will go with him. Isn't that right?"

Hinata looked at the paper Itachi gave him before she looked back up at him. She turned back and saw that the man named Kisame had choked Neji out into unconsciousness. He had pulled out a kunai and held it to Neji's throat as he looked at Hinata. Showing that he would make good with the threat.

Itachi looked at Hinata before he turned around to remove his cloak. She heard Kisame chuckle from behind her and she unintentionally started to tremble. "It is six in the evening. You have until midnight to get me what I want Hyuga. You leave in 30 minutes, but in the meantime. You and that other Hyuga's appearance is far too clean to be a hostage of the Akatsuki. Unfortunately for you, I'm going to have Kisame change that."

End of chapter!

So, I named this chapter 'Those Beautiful Red Eyes' because of Itachi and Sasuke. Hinata got to see Itachi's eyes up close and personal this chapter.

Let's talk Naruto! So, I wanted Kurama to have more free range of Naruto's body. Instead of being some rabid, rage filled monster that can only see red. I wanted to introduce Kurama being more cunning off the bat. He's in Naruto's body all day everyday. I'm sure he probably felt he could master certain jutsu's Naruto struggled with faster.

Sasuke and Hinata. I wanted to give them a chapter together. I think showing that they all connect not only together but separately is important.

Yes. Hinata is going through it. Next chapter, Hinata will continue on her struggle. Our girl is about to get some of that glorious *Character development*

See you Saturday! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!