Hey, hey!

Nothing to add. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Hanabi huffed as she caught her balance. This was the third time Hinata was able to fling her across the room. It didn't make sense to Hanabi how Hinata randomly over the past six months was able to gain this astronomical strength.

Hinata held one hand behind her back gracefully as she looked at Hanabi. They were both in their training clothes and Hanabi was the only one really breaking a sweat. Hinata had one hand held out to Hanabi in a manner like she was telling her to continue to advance towards her.

"You can have a break in a minute Hanabi. Hinata is waiting for you to do something now."

Hanabi gave a sharp nod at hearing her father. She quickly got up and engaged with Hinata again. One thing Hinata could always compliment Hanabi on was her fire. Hanabi was a heavy trainer and a fighter. Never a quitter. Hinata was known for being a quitter.

Hanabi's hits were stronger, but not more precise than Hinata's. So when she attacked, Hinata could read Hanabi's body language and retaliate accurately. Hanabi was faster than Hinata, but Hinata was more agile. No matter how fast Hanabi came at Hinata, her older sister could easily maneuver and slip her way out of Hanabi's damage range.

This was becoming infuriating for Hanabi.

Hanabi learned of Hinata's addiction the day Hinata left for rehab. Hinata apologized to Hanabi several times. Cried and begged for her forgiveness. Hanabi had no clue what Hinata wanted her forgiveness for. Hinata had never hurt Hanabi. She's been the best sister to her that she could possibly be. It was hard for Hinata to have the close bond normal sisters would typically have. They grew up as Hyuga's, not as a normal family.

Hinata was nothing but the best to Hanabi. Beautiful inside and out. Hanabi knew that Neji and Hinata wanted to protect her, but all Hanabi wanted to do was protect Hinata.

When Hinata came back from rehab. She was still the same. Shy, reserved. Hinata still loved the same hobbies. Sweets. Cooking. Collecting and pressing flowers. She still hated shrimp. Yet, Hinata had a bitterness to her now. Frost.

Hanabi always wondered. With the way her father always treated Hinata, if that rehab facility was more of a reprogramming facility. Reason she thought this was, Hinata just had more of their father ways now.

Even looking at Hinata at this moment. The seriousness on her face as they had a normal spar, it just reminded Hanabi of their father. Hinata was precise. Little to no errors and she didn't hesitate. One of the things Hinata constantly did in the beginning was hesitate and now she never did that. Even if it meant she was hurting her own little sister.

Hanabi missed that about Hinata. She thought that was what made Hinata strong.

Still, even though their family was so cold and could easily harm one another to show dominance. Hinata still wouldn't stoop to that level. Hinata still held respect for everyone in the clan equally, but as for holding back what she could do to them. Hinata didn't do that anymore.

The rest of the spar went more so as corrective action for what Hanabi was lacking. Like Hiashi was using Hinata as Hanabi's personal trainer. Hanabi felt so beneath Hinata, almost like she was wasting her big sisters time because she seemed so far behind Hinata. "Thank you Hinata. For taking your time to help me."

Before collecting her belongings and heading to her next training session with team seven. Hinata turned and looked at Hanabi curiously before smiling at her little sister. There was that warm, inviting smile that only Hinata could give. "Hanabi. None of my time is wasted as long as it's with you. Always remember that."

Hanabi actually blushed at the compliment. She watched Hinata walk out the room and promised herself that she'd do anything to see Hinata lead this clan. Her sister was amazing and every day Hinata proves why she was rightfully picked the first time as clan heir.

As Hinata walked out the compound and was heading down the road to the training ground, she could sense Neji approaching behind her. She stopped as she slid on her robe to cover her frame, and waited for her brother and smiled at seeing Neji in his training uniform for Anbu. "Are you going to give me long stares like Tenten?"

Hinata almost laughed at this. Surely Tenten was giving Neji long stares for a deeper reason. "No. You look very honorable brother." Neji grunted as a reply and the two proceeded to the training grounds. Neji's presence proving he was her guard to walk her there. Also proving their father still didn't trust Hinata yet to venture on her own.

"Don't think too much of this. It's only been a little over three months of being sober Hinata. Your father is not as free and loose as your sensei. He's going to keep you on a tight leash for a while." Hinata nodded in agreement at what Neji said. She expected nothing less from her father. She deserved it after all.

"Do you think I will be ready for the Jonin exams in the next three months?" Neji looked at Hinata with an amused arched brow. "Hanabi is Chunin level in my opinion and you constantly fling her around just for fun when you two spar. You keep up with those two knuckleheads you have as teammates during training and they're being trained by elite Jonin and a Sannin. Trust me, you'll do fine during the Jonin exams."

Hinata smiled at Neji. It was easier for the two to have a conversation between one another now. Last year she couldn't imagine them having a bond this close. It would have been one-sided and Neji would have coldly brushed her off. "I hope Hanabi doesn't grow angry with me during our spars. I am just doing what father tells me. Nothing more. I am not trying to hurt her."

Neji shrugged his shoulders. "Hanabi needs a reality check. You've been babying her for years. If anything, you were holding her back by not showing her how an opponent could really hurt her. That's why your father took over with training Hanabi. Now that you don't really have the hesitation, you can really start to teach Hanabi. You still hesitate, but it's not as bad as before and Hanabi doesn't notice it at all. If she did, she would know when to use it to her advantage."

This actually made Hinata giggle. She covered her mouth and hid her smile under her long sleeve. "You are too observant Neji."

Neji smirked as he looked from Hinata back to the main road. "No. I just see you for you. People in our clan think in three months you did a 180. They think you're so different and now a carbon copy of your father. I see you, the real you. You're Hinata, yes you are slightly different now. You have grown up. Something some people hate to see. You have confidence and the ability to stand on your own now. That still doesn't take away that you are still Hinata."

Hinata's smile turned softer and she lowered her sleeve. "I like that view point. No one is perfect in this world. I am still growing. I will always have room to grow to be a better person. The future of the Hyuga clan depends on you and I brother."

Neji and Hinata came into view point of Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi. Neji then turned to bid Hinata farewell. "You put so much emphasis on me. Someone that still openly shows anger and distrust to your father. I can't phantom to understand you Hinata."

Hinata tilted her head as she looked at Neji. Giving him that soft, comforting smile she had when Hinata was up to no good. "We are family. It is not perfect, but I need you for the change that is coming brother. You said you would follow me."

Neji smirked at Hinata. Aww there was the mischief. "Yes. I did say that and I don't go back on my words. I hope you're ready for this Hinata. Once you cross that bridge, there is no turning back."

Hinata gave Neji a short nod in understanding and watched as he left her to go to his own training for Anbu. She walked the rest of the way to her teammates and smiled at their curious faces. Questioning the conversation between her and Neji. "Were you training already Hinata?"

Naruto looked Hinata up and down. Noticing she had her training clothes under her robe. Those were the clothes she typically wore when she was training with her family. Hinata nodded her head as she gently removed her robe and hung it on the nearby tree to keep it from getting dirty. "Yes. Father wanted me to spar with Hanabi."

Sasuke took in Hinata's appearance. She didn't look like she did anything physical this morning. "You don't look like you were sparring." Hinata blushed at the attention and avoided eye contact. She didn't want to say anything that demeaned her sister. Hanabi was a very good and skilled rising ninja.

"It's alright."

Hinata looked at Kakashi and saw that he had not preoccupied himself with one of his books. He was looking at her. "Hanabi couldn't keep up with your pace and level is all. It turned more into a training session for Hanabi. You'll get more training with us than you did this morning with Hanabi. It's okay to admit that Hinata. You don't sound like you're bragging or anything."

Sasuke grunted as he listened to Kakashi and now could see that was clearly what happened with Hinata. "So you finally decided to stop coddling your little sister. Good. You've been above her since the beginning." He watched as Hinata looked at him and had a small smile on her face. "That's what Neji said."

Sasuke gave Hinata a mean, dirty look. He hated being compared to Hinata's family members or as a simple teammate. It was a secret insecurity he held. It was easier for others to see Hinata and Naruto as an item than him and Hinata.

People acted like it was weird or something. Like the fact Hinata was very quiet and had a shy, gentle nature and Sasuke was 'rough' and 'dominate' made it so they couldn't be paired.

So what? They had more similarities compared to their differences. Well, he felt that way at least.

Sasuke wasn't one to CARE what people thought. He just didn't want people to disrespect his relationship status is all. "Hn. I'm not Neji."

"Yes. I know."

"As long as you know."

Sasuke left it at that. He was now annoyed and had his arms crossed over his chest. That was a clear indication that he wasn't going to engage with this conversation anymore. Naruto rolled his eyes at the moody Uchiha. Sasuke could be so dramatic sometimes. In Sasuke's mind, Hinata and Naruto were the couple everyone wanted to see and could picture.

In reality, little to no one thought Hinata paired with Naruto. He had no name. He was an orphan and had a horrible rap sheet. At this point in life, Naruto would be no good for Hinata. Of course Hinata wouldn't ask anything from him. They were young after all. Not even 18, but just like Hinata wanted to be better and worthy for him and Sasuke. Naruto wanted to do the same for Hinata.

Naruto made that promise to himself. That he would be better for Hinata when he returned, and he would be.

Over time Sasuke did end up having a favorite dessert. Dark, bitter chocolate cake.

Hinata had made this for tonight, because tonight was their last night together before Sasuke and Naruto left with Jiraiya in the morning. It was a good thing Hinata had made Sasuke's favorite dessert, because he was still sour from the comment from earlier today.

The audacity of comparing him to her cousin Neji.

The three of them had eaten out tonight. A last hoorah dinner that Kakashi paid for. Then Hinata, Sasuke and Naruto went back to Sasuke's apartment. Just for quiet. For the three of them to have their last moment alone for who knows how long.

Sasuke looked at the cake that Hinata had pulled out. He watched her cut him and Naruto a slice and serve it to them. He really did like this cake, but everything including the cake seemed so bittersweet at the moment. Naruto was definitely right. Two weeks served no justice for making up lost time.

Each day with the three of them all together made Sasuke feel complete. Fulfilled. Which was weird, because Sasuke always thought killing Itachi would be the only thing to make him feel as content as he feels now.

Sasuke hated to admit it, but since Hinata had come back from rehab, things were better. A lot better. It no longer felt like him and Naruto were constantly hitting a brick wall, or starting over from scratch with rebuilding Hinata.

Plus, watching Hinata go through the tribulations with her family. It made Sasuke realize that family mattered.

Hinata's father was purely evil. Sasuke wanted to get that point across perfectly clear. Hiashi Hyuga was the vilest. Coldest man aside from Itachi that Sasuke has ever met and Hinata was his daughter.

As evil as Hiashi was. As horrible of a person that man was. He was there for Hinata.

It made Sasuke's mind race. Go into overdrive about his own family issues. It made Sasuke curious. Mainly because Itachi naturally, wasn't the person he was that night when he massacred their family. Sasuke wanted to know what made Itachi this horrible man. After finding out what made Hiashi bitter and cold, Sasuke started to question what made Itachi do what he did.

How familiar were the Uchiha, Hyuga and Uzumaki clan?

Naruto's clan, and personally his mother, was used as a recycled jailer of the nine tails demon fox. No historical data if it was their say so or not. No one knows if Naruto's mother wanted to be a jailer. Naruto was a jailer against his own will. His family was forced to do something they didn't want to do and then they just…vanished. Spread out and disappeared. It made no sense.

Hinata's family was forced into oppression. Not allowed to banish the caged bird seal or to spread their roots beyond Konoha. Cold-bitterness brewed in Hinata's family.

This all being said. It was just starting to make Sasuke question more and more about the Uchiha massacre. Things just weren't adding up.

One of the main reasons Sasuke was going on this training trip with Naruto was to control the curse mark given to him by Orochimaru. The other reason wasn't to be stronger than Itachi anymore. It was to become stronger than everyone else in Konoha. To protect what he deemed precious to him now.

"I don't like the fact that you'll be here in the village, without me or Naruto."

Sasuke had taken a few bites of his cake before he finally admitted this for Naruto and Hinata to hear. "I hate that I trust you with your father more than I trust you with anyone else in Konoha."

Hinata gave Sasuke a somber smile as she looked up at him. "I sense that you have started to see the bigger picture Sasuke-kun."

She looked at Naruto and could tell he had picked up on things changing as well. Naruto let out a sigh and took a slow bite of his cake. "I know you have Kakashi-sensei, but he can't be there all the time. I get why you've been training to get stronger. I get why you're doing what you're doing Hinata. I just hate that we're not going to be there. Some of those councilmen are just evil Hinata."

Hinata was silent for a moment. She still ate her cake while contemplating things over. "It'll take time for things to happen. I still have to pass the jonin exams. I still have to apply for Anbu and hope the Hokage approves it. I'd have to do the academy and pass it. There is a lot that has to be done before I can even go about finding names and abolishing the caged bird seal."

"How long?" Naruto finally looked up at Hinata while he was eating his cake. Hinata met his stare and shook her head as she took another bite. "You cannot help. I do not want you or Sasuke-kun to be in this if things do not go well. If anything goes wrong, it will be my fault and my fault alone."

Naruto kept his eyes on Hinata as he leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms over his chest. "Is that your plan? Or Hiashi's? Was that his grand plan? To have you be the fall guy in case your family gets caught up in a scandal."

Hinata smiled at Naruto and again shook her head. "No. This was my idea. This is all coming from me Naruto-kun."

Hinata poked at her cake as she thought about her next words. "You…you have a lot to worry about Naruto-kun. Akatsuki. The nine tails. Gaining the recognition you deserve. Your dream of Hokage. Sasuke-kun has to work on controlling or removing the curse seal. Finding his brother. Avenging his clan. You both have so much to worry about, please do not worry about me."

Naruto leaned his elbow up on the table and rested his chin in his hand. He gave Hinata a pointed look before smiling at her. "Too late. I'll always worry about you Princess. How can you tell me not to worry about you? All you do is worry about me and Sasuke!"

Hinata giggled at Naruto. The two looked over at Sasuke and saw that he had finished his slice of cake. He actually had silently took Naruto's slice that he hadn't finished while Naruto and Hinata were talking. Naruto looked at Sasuke and smirked.

Hinata was going to fatten Sasuke up.

Sasuke was now stuffed. Between dinner and polishing everyone's cake plates. He was done eating for the night. "Be careful. Don't be afraid to leave this place if you have to. I rather you be a missing-nin than dead because of some political coverup. Do you understand?"

Hinata and Naruto watched as Sasuke licked his fork as he stared intently at Hinata. He arched an expecting brow, waiting for her to agree with him. Hinata blushed at the scandalous image and quickly nodded her head. "Of course."

Sasuke looked at Naruto and the two shared a moment before Sasuke grinned and Naruto started to snicker. "Well, what do you expect from Princess? You're a looker like that." Sasuke slowly retracted his tongue back in his mouth and put down the fork.

Hinata was still beet red, but she had a happy smile on her face. "Can…you two write me? Often. I understand if you cannot because of the Akatsuki. I was just hoping we could keep communication going. I know we agreed to write, but I was hoping we could find a way to expedite our letters to get to one another the same day we send them."

Naruto smiled brightly at Hinata. "I would want nothing more than to write you Princess. Of course we can write you. I'll write you every minute of every day and send you all my letters!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes at Naruto's hyper behavior. Sometimes Sasuke really thought Naruto might need medication for how he behaved sometimes. Still, he grunted in agreeance with Naruto.

This seemed to really make Hinata happy. It was hard to pinpoint when Hinata was 'happy'. Sometimes to Naruto, Hinata's happy looked like she was about to cry or something. Hinata rarely showed any emotion other than calm or politeness. It was hard to see 'happy' Hinata. She was working on it though because Hinata smiled from ear to ear right now. You couldn't see her teeth or anything, but she was happy.

She went from happy to lobster red embarrassed within a second.

Sasuke frowned at this. "What is it?"

Hinata wiggled in her position and adverted her eyes from them. "I asked Neji to cover for me. Until the early morning. So I could stay with you two and walk you to the gates with Lord Jiraiya and Kakashi-sensei. I wanted…t-to spend the night with y-you and N-Naruto-kun."

She was horribly nervous and Hinata's old habits were starting to creep out. Sasuke stared at Hinata intently before he looked at Naruto. He could see Naruto eyeing Hinata as well before he arched a brow.

"Hinata." Naruto had to have been serious because he didn't call her Princess.

Hinata looked at Naruto and made sure she kept her eyes on him. "Hinata. We're not going to leave and forget about you. We're not going to find some other girl and go nuts out there like some hormonal pervs. You're my girl. You don't have to 'spend the night' with us. It's too early. Especially for you."

Hinata puffed her cheeks out at the last comment. Naruto and Sasuke had to admit, Hinata looked adorable. "You think I am too immature." She was stating this more than asking.

Sasuke rested his head in his palm and leaned his elbow on the table as he looked at Hinata. His dark orbs staring her down. He felt like Hinata was trying to do something she didn't really want to do, simply to keep a connection with them. That almost made him angry that she felt she had to go through such extremes. "The way you're thinking right now is immature. You being the youngest in our age group is showing."

Naruto sighed and shook his head. It was so annoying when Hinata and Sasuke head butted. Sasuke could be so rude and Hinata turns into a stonewall. "You think you missed out while you were gone Hinata. That me and Sasuke moved on without you. Like I get it. We did grow closer. That's over three months you missed out and now we are going on this training mission together for who knows how long. You won't be there. I get it Hinata."

Hinata looked up at Naruto meekly and he could see that is exactly how she felt. Left out. Lonely. Angry with herself for being the cause of all of this.

Naruto leaned over and held Hinata's hand that was sitting in her lap. "I really, really, REALLY wish you could come Hinata. I want you to come SO bad. I believe you were the one to tell me you didn't want to go. Plus you told Sasuke to go and to not stay. When he wanted to stay."

Hinata nodded her head and glanced at Sasuke. He finally had a softer look pointed at her, but he was still upset with how she tried to offer herself. "I still want you and Sasuke-kun to go. To train and get better. To find peace and happiness. I understand that my place is here. That I have to get stronger on my own. I just…wanted you to know how much I care about the both of you."

Hinata stood up and reached behind her to release her hair from it's covered bun. She placed the fabric on the table and let her hair fall. It was getting slightly heavy now that she was growing it out. Her side bangs were longer than ever, cascading past her chest area.

Hinata had went home and showered before coming back to Sasuke's apartment. Of course with her trusted guard Neji escorting her. That was when she asked Neji for his help, which he replied that she owed him heavily. Meaning, next time he plans on ditching family dinner for time with Tenten, Hinata better cover for him.

"Could we…lay in bed like we used to?"

Naruto gave Hinata a skeptical look. Hinata was a sneaky one, and while he was maturing with age. Naruto was still a teenage boy that would easily forget his manners. Sasuke stood up and motioned Hinata to his bed, "As long as you behave yourself." Hinata flushed red and Naruto burst out laughing.

Hinata was being silly. To think after everything they've been through, that time and distance would separate them. It would be a challenge, but that should be what made it worth wild. Naruto could tell fear is what was causing Hinata to behave like this. She was scared of losing him and Sasuke.

That's what made it…weird, because she shouldn't be scared. She shouldn't have doubt in them. To Naruto, it showed that Hinata cared about them. Probably really loved them, but she still couldn't accept them into her world fully. They were still boxed off into the 'Naruto and Sasuke world' that Hinata kept separate, and would escape to when she wanted peace.

Naruto didn't want to engage with Hinata because she was scared. She was the one to make the rule to slow things down, that's how Naruto knew Hinata was acting this way purely because she was scared and not thinking clearly.

It was a little flattering that she kind of wanted to show that she was theirs and they were hers, but now Naruto sees the wait to adulthood would be well more worth it with Hinata.

They would understand it more. Appreciate it more. To be with Hinata as a woman.

Sasuke laid on the bed first. He was actually pretty tired. He was full, had a pretty good day. As good as his mental mind frame would let it be. Plus he was ending it how he preferred. As long as Hinata behaved.

It was a little funny. If this was a few months ago, before the exams. Sasuke would have jumped at the opportunity, but now he agreed with Hinata. Waiting to have her was the best idea for the best outcome.

Naruto laid on the opposite side of Sasuke and had the little gap for Hinata in the middle. Sasuke and Naruto were already comfortable in white shirts and shorts for bed. Hinata had on her daily routine clothing and that was not suitable for sleeping unless they had to. They weren't on a mission. She could change into something more comfortable.

"Since Kakashi will be watching my apartment. I left some clothes behind. In case you wanted to get away. Go get a shirt and change. It's long enough to cover all of you." Sasuke watched Hinata eyes widen before she turned from looking at him and went to get the clothes to change. It wasn't long for her to change and she did it away from them.

When Hinata came back she was wearing the long black t-shirt, but also black shorts. They were huge on her tiny frame, but it was also giving enormous clues to Naruto and Sasuke that Hinata couldn't possibly want to really advance into anything else in their growing relationship. Considering she wore shorts.

Hinata was much too sheltered and green. It would be taking advantage of her if they really did anything tonight.

Hinata crawled on the bed and sat on top of Naruto's stomach. He could tell Hinata meant to be lower. Either her nerves wouldn't allow it, or she really didn't know where to sit. Naruto knew better, it was her nerves. Hinata wasn't that naïve.

Naruto looked up at Hinata and gave her an amused smile. While the scene in front of him would last a young boy like himself many nights, Naruto was not going to fall for Hinata's tricks.

"Alright Hinata. Give me your hand." Hinata looked at Naruto curiously, but didn't hesitate in doing so. Naruto took her hand and moved it behind her back. She looked at Naruto and furrowed her brows in confusion at what she was touching right now. It was the fabric of Naruto's shorts, but it was bulging and warm.

"Don't be confused. It's my dick, Hinata. An erection." She saw how Naruto's neck flushed red and how his eyes grew slightly hazy.

Oh. No. She couldn't do this.

Hinata made a loud 'eep' sound and snatched her hand back. "Naruto-kun! Your mouth!" Naruto ignored Hinata's green behavior and grinned at her, "You wanna see Sasuke's? I'm sure he has a boner. You see Hinata, we're TRYING to be respectful. You never felt this because I TRY to hide it from you. Sasuke too. Trust me, he's always hiding it."

This time Hinata seemed to finally grasp what she was suggesting they do. What she would have to see and the fact she was utterly not ready for this. "I'm s-s-sorry." Sasuke leaned up and wrapped an arm around Hinata as he pulled her from Naruto and into the middle of the bed. "Stop apologizing."

Hinata felt Sasuke pull her flush against his body. Sasuke was calm and his body heat felt relaxing. She could hear him smell her hair and get comfortable in the bed as he held her. Naruto followed suit. He closed the distance with Hinata and leaned his forehead on hers. He lifted her leg that was closest to his and rested it on his thigh. That was the furthest he'd go.

They hadn't been this close in a while. It felt AMAZING.

Were urges there? Yes, but comfort outweighed that. Finally being encased with each other was everything they needed and more. It never felt old. They never grew tired of it. Sasuke never wanted to distance himself too far and Hinata never grew tired of Naruto in her personal space. This is what they wanted forever, and this was a perfect moment to have before Naruto and Sasuke left.

"You two please do not forget the food I've prepared for your journey."

Naruto smiled and eskimo kissed Hinata's nose. "With all the goodies you packed us Hinata. It'll last us until we get back. Sasuke's gonna get fat off your food." He heard Sasuke grunt at the light insult, but knew Sasuke had a smile on his face.

"Please don't argue a lot while you're out there. Also, Naruto-kun, please make sure you look out for Sasuke-kun to make sure his curse mark isn't affecting him."

Hinata was trying so hard this whole time to keep it together. They all were, but Naruto and Sasuke were leaving together. The reality was, Hinata would be alone. "Also, Sasuke-kun. Please look out for Naruto-kun. There are very bad people out there, I do not want him or you to get caught and hurt like me-"

Sasuke squeezed Hinata closer to him and buried his face in the back of her neck. Silently telling her to not do this to herself. "Also, please make sure you take the nearest Jonin exams. I know you two will do wonderful. I…I am so proud of Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun. For not giving into your demons."

Like she did. She was happy they weren't weak like she was.

"I…truly love you two. I love Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun with my heart and soul. It has taken me a very long time to realize I need both of you in my life."

Sasuke felt her body tremble. She was holding in the urge to cry. Naruto leaned his head back and kissed Hinata's forehead. "I love you too Hinata. I promise we'll be back. I promise I'll take care of myself and eat really healthy. I promise I'll take care of Sasuke. I promise I'll come back to you."

Naruto watched Hinata duck her head from him and heard her sniffle. "That would make me very happy."

"I promise I will come back to you. Be strong for me." Hinata heard Sasuke say this. His own hold on her was shaky, indicating he was just as worked up as her. Hinata wiped her eyes and looked at Naruto with a bright smile. Putting on a brave face because Sasuke asked her to.

The three became silent again. In comfort until one by one they fell asleep.

It was going to be a long journey for them.

End of chapter.

So this will be the start of the time skip. Took 32 chapters.

Naruto and Sasuke will be separated from Hinata for a few chapters. Five chapters. It'll be a lot of Hyuga-centric in the meantime, also Hinata just gaining her independence. Itachi will be back in that time frame as well while Naruto and Sasuke are away.

I thought I'd make a bittersweet chapter here. Everything between them is so perfect right now, but it has to be put on hold. Well, I hope you enjoyed the read.

See you Saturday!