Chapter 3
On with the story

Hinata

The last two weeks have been the best two weeks of my entire life. Naruto and I were virtually inseparable. After school I followed him home. It turns out he only went home to put his things away and change clothes. He spent most of his time in an empty clearing in the forest a few miles away from his apartment. It was a quiet, secluded place surrounded and hidden by trees.

Naruto was amazing. He could already run up trees and even walk on water. There was a stream nearby. I trained a bit but nothing like the way Naruto trained. And I couldn't train as long as him because after a few hours I always had to head back home to spar with Hinabi. Sometimes I wouldn't train at all and I'd just...watch him. He didn't mind.

I kept sneaking out at night. I was surprised no one caught me but I guess I'm better at stealth than I give myself credit for. We slept together every night, curled up tight. It was a dream come true. Until…

"Hinata-chan."

I groggily opened my eyes to see Naruto sitting up in the bed.

"Mmm...yes Naruto-kun?"

As I rubbed the sleep from my eyes I got a clearer image of Naruto. His posture was all wrong. He was staring forward with an intense expression. I sat up in alarm.

"Naruto-kun what's wrong?"

Naruto's gaze narrowed. He was staring forward at nothing.

"Hinata-chan do you trust me?" He asked suddenly.

I began to fidget but didn't hesitate.

"Of course Naruto-kun."

He was scaring me. What was going on?

"Then please come with me."

He held out his hand. I took it without a second thought.

General POV

"The area is clear Hiashi-Sama." A shinobi with the distinct eyes of a Hyuubi spoke respectfully towards the clan leader, Hiashi Hyuuga.

Naruto's apartment building was surrounded by Hyuuga shinobi. Hiashi stood atop a nearby building. He had his hands tucked in the sleeves of his robe. Hiashi took a hand out of his sleeve and waved it. When seeing that gesture the battalion of Hyuuga shinobi sprung forward.

Naruto's bedroom window was open and so was his front door. Shinobi dashed through the window one after the other. They sprinted towards the bed and removed the sheets to reveal both Naruto and Hinata sleeping soundly.

Hinata's mouth was covered as her body was pulled from the bed. She opened her eyes and released a muffled scream as a hail of shuriken rained down on the sleeping form of Naruto. They struck clean.

Hiashi appeared in the blink of an eye to send a powerful palm strike straight at Naruto's heart. Hinata wouldn't stop screaming. At least until the form of Naruto erupted into a cloud of smoke.

Hiashi's eyes widened in shock.

"A clone? But how did we not notice!?" The man thought to himself in alarm.

The sound of muffled laughter drew everyone attention. Hinata was giggling uncontrollably.

"Release her!" Hiashi barked.

When her mouth was uncovered Hinata's childish laughter continued to fill the room.

"So much for the all-mighty Byakugan." Hinata teased before erupting in a cloud of smoke.

Naruto appeared from the smoke, the boy sticking his tongue out at Hiashi and giving the man the stink eye. The boy was soon riddled with shurikens and pinned to the wall behind him. Hiashi closed the gap in less than a second.

"What have you done with my daughter demon!?" The man barked.

Naruto maintained a cocky grin.

"You might as well be blind. Here, let me make it easy for you." Naruto said while turning his head to the side to look towards the window.

Hiashi focused his Byakugan on the direction Naruto was looking. Miles away in that familiar clearing Hiashi spotted another Naruto. This one was different. The boy's eyes were a dark, feral red. And he had Hinata captive, holding a kunai to her throat.

"Let's talk...alone." The Naruto pinned to the wall stated before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

Hiashi gritted his teeth in frustration.

"Orders sir?" One shinobi called out to Hiashi.

Hiashi stared forward in silent, stoic contemplation.

Hinata

When Naruto asked me to trust him I didn't know what to expect. I couldn't have guessed in a million years that this is what he meant.

Naruto kept saying that I'd meet Kyuubi soon. I tried not to press the issue for fear of becoming too annoying. I trusted that when it was time Naruto would introduce me. I wished he found a better way. Naruto I trust you. I love you. But still...he scares me.

"You actually came alone? How amusing. I gave it a 50/50 chance you'd try something stupid."

Naruto's voice was different. It sounded kind of like Naruto but then there was a second, darker voice that spoke at the same time. It made me shiver.

I watched my father walk into the clearing from the brush. He was as stoic as always.

"Release my daughter demon."

Father showed no fear and spoke in the same commanding tone he always did.

"If I say no?"

The kunai he had against my neck pressed closer. He drew blood. I couldn't help quivering.

"Naruto…" I whispered.

Father glanced at me only briefly.

"What do you want?"

"Ah, now we are getting somewhere."

The pressure against my neck softened. Somehow I still didn't feel better.

"Well?"

Father was always very blunt.

Naruto or well, Kyuubi, didn't respond right away. He removed the kunai from my neck and crossed his arms. He stood completely differently from how Naruto usually stands. Naruto was always relaxed, carefree. Kyuubi seemed larger than life. He stood like I'd imagine a hardened warrior would stand. Tall, imposing, unmoving. They were so different.

"The future. More specifically, the terms of your surrender and sworn allegiance to us." Kyuubi elaborated.

Father narrowed his eyes.

"Is this some sick joke?"

Kyuubi didn't respond. At least, he didn't speak. But his face said it all. Just moments ago Kyuubi seemed amused. He had this creepy smirk. But now it was completely gone. His fiery red eyes bore down on Father. He looked ready to kill. I stood between the two unsure of what to do. He let me go but I didn't feel free. I didn't move. I wouldn't until Kyuubi gave me permission.

Father broke the silence.

"Why would I ever consider surrendering to you. Were you capable of destroying us we would not be having this conversation. You're stalling. For what I don't know but it's clear you have lost much of your power. In fact...tonight you will die at my hand."

Father dropped into a fighting stance and disappeared. I was suddenly lifted off my feet. I couldn't help the surprised squeak that erupted from my throat. Another Shinobi had picked me up and was carrying me through the air.

I reached out towards Naruto in the same way I did on that night months ago. This time I was powerless to stop my capturer from tearing us apart. This was another hyuuga. A trained shinobi. What could I do?

A huge burst of chakra erupted from Naruto's back as father appeared directly in front of him.

"Naruto!"

Oh god. I knew what that meant. I'd done it to a man and that man died instantly. And I was only 9 years old. A blow from my father was something else all together. Tears poured from my eyes.

The shinobi carrying me landed on a tree branch far away to observe. I could barely see what had happened. I feared the worst.

Hiashi POV

That blow struck clean. It was only a matter of time before the monster would fall limp at my feet. After all these years of enduring it's evil, watching it just walk around, it was finally dead.

The counsel agonized over how to handle the demon child. I sat back in frustration as they gathered night after night without a conclusive decision. It took them so long to decide. I had to let Hinata spend two weeks in this demon's bed. Two weeks! After this night I'll make things right. I'll make sure she is monitored for any sign of corruption. We will move on from this nightmare.

The demon's head was hung low. It didn't move. I finally noticed just how long it stayed standing. This isn't right.

I struck again at it's heart, then again, and again. It wasn't moving, wasn't responding. For some reason his chakra was not dwindling. The chakra of a recently dead body lingered but I should have immediately noticed a drastic reduction. What the hell?

The demon lifted it's head and stared at me with those putrid eyes. It kept its arms crossed.

"Are you finished?"

For the first time in years I felt fear. Real fear. This fear was different. I always feared for my children and the life they would eventually lead. That never went away. But this was something I hadn't felt since that day over 10 years ago. When Kyuubi ravaged our village.

"No...No!"

I spoke through gritted teeth. It can't be. I dropped low to form the Eight Trigrams stance. I assaulted him again, and again, and again. He just stood there.

"Why won't you die!?"

"I didn't expect the head of the Hyuuga clan to be such a fool. Your pathetic attacks didn't work on me 10 years ago. Why would they now?"

I stopped in my tracks, only getting to 183 strikes.

"Maybe I should rethink my offer if this level of stupidity is what I can expect from your clan."

I jumped back. As I did my clan joined me, filling the trees around the clearing. A hail of shuriken and kunai rained down on the demon. They bounced harmlessly off of a red aura surrounding the demon child. It released an annoyed sigh.

"Ok then. Let me remind you of who I am."

Then he disappeared from my sight. My sight! The eyes of a Hyuuga. All around me I heard screams. My people were being slaughtered, clawed in half, torn apart. The demon moved like a blur. Blood rained down from the tree tops. All I could do was watch helplessly.

"Stop this!" I shouted desperately.

Then it appeared in front of me, it's clawed fingers dripping with blood. It licked it's own hand. It's chakra was different now. It hurt my eyes to even look at it. Red chakra radiated from it. It was like staring directly into the sun. Where did all this power come from!? I was immediately reminded of that hellish fight 10 years ago. The reality of the situation didn't really sink in until now.

"We are doomed."

"Oh? Do I have your attention now?"

Dozens of my clan had died in only a few seconds of the Demon's assault.

"Yes...lets talk."

"Much better." It's voiced oozed out.

I waved a hand, signalling the rest to fall back. They did as instructed. The demon grew a sick grin.

Hinata

Kyuubi was a monster. He killed so many people. Even my father could do nothing to stop him. After a while I had to look away. The scene was grotesque. Then I fell.

The shinobi who was carrying me suddenly dropped me. When I looked up I saw that she was missing her head. I managed to land on my feet but the dead body landed right next to me. It took all the willpower I had not to scream at the top of my lungs. I covered my mouth with both hands and backed up into a tree. There was blood everywhere, just like that night.

I was frozen, my knees were shaking. I couldn't move. I wanted to run, to get away but my body wouldn't let me. I slid down the tree and sat on my butt, hugging my chest to my knees.

"No one can stop him."

Wait...why am I smiling? Why does that thought excite me? I hugged my arms around myself. Somehow despite all the carnage I felt...safe.

I managed to shakly rise to my feet. My father was talking to Kyuubi. I couldn't hear what they were saying. They were too far away. I took a step forward but as soon as I did I found myself being picked up again by yet another shinobi. I struggled this time.

"Stop squirming. We have to get as far away as possible." The shinobi's panicked voice sputtered out.

"No, let me go. I have to stay!" I insisted.

"Are you crazy!?"

I shook my head and sent a palm strike to the shinobi's chest. The shinobi dropped me and grabbed his chest. He didn't die like the first man I attacked. This was another Hyuuga after all. We fell to the ground and rolled a bit. The shinobi struggled to rise to his feet.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Do you want to be killed!?" He barked.

I rose as well, looking at him with a confidence I don't remember ever having.

"You should run away or else you might die too." I said while turning my back to him and walking towards Naruto and my father.

The man walked up and grabbed my wrist with one hand. He was still holding his chest with his other hand.

"I know you've been through a lot but you have to snap out of it. You're going to die if you go back there."

I smiled again. He didn't know my Naruto.

"I'm his wife. He won't like it if he finds out you touched me."

Sure Naruto and I weren't married yet but that got his attention. He released me immediately and took a step back. He looked like he'd seen a ghost.

I turned my back to the man and moved towards my love. The shinobi didn't follow.

My heart was beating rapidly. What did I just say? Where did that come from? I don't know but it felt...right. I felt...untouchable.

It took me a few minutes to get back to the clearing. By the time I did I spotted father and Naruto again. I pushed my way through one lash bush to make my presence known.

"Speak of the devil."

Kyuubi was still in control of Naruto's body. Father looked back at me with an expression I'd never seen in him. Worry. He turned his back to Naruto and walked my way until he was hovering over me. His eyes weren't as overbearing as they usually were. I couldn't read him. He stared at me for a long while before looking past me.

"Don't be late for school tomorrow. And I expect you home on time for your sparring session." Father ordered.

I was shocked. I looked over to Naruto, well...still Kyuubi. He grinned and nodded at me. I then looked back up to my father.

"Y-yes father." I stated in a dumbfounded manner.

He nodded and walked past me. I watched him disappear into the bush before turning my attention back to Naruto. I can tell by Naruto's blue eyes that he was back. He began to walk towards me. I sprinted towards him and jumped into his arms.

He squeezed his arms around my waist and held me tight. I buried my face in his neck.

"Naruto it's you right?" I whispered hopefully.

"The one and only." He replied back in that familiar happy voice.

It really was him. I pulled back and bowed my head.

"I was scared there for a little while. I thought The Kyuubi really took over completely."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head with a guilty expression.

"Yea sorry about that. I didn't really have time to explain everything because your father and his shinobi were already on the way. I just let Kyuubi borrow my body but he can't actually take over. He just needed to be in control temporarily so everything would go as smoothly as possible." Naruto explained.

I listened intently.

"I understand Naruto-kun. I told you, I trust you completely. At first I was a little scared but then I realized that you'd never hurt me. You'd never let anyone hurt me."

Naruto looked at me intensely. I could see the determination in his eyes. The confidence, the optimism. I missed this.

"Believe it."

I kissed him. I don't know what took over me. Hearing him speak like that...I just had to. I rose up on my tippy toes and pressed gently against him. Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. His blush was as bright as mine. I don't think either of us were good at kissing. We just kind of mushed our lips together. Hopefully we'd get better with time.

I pulled back first. I was panting, I couldn't even look him in the eyes anymore.

"Wow...that was nice." Naruto stated in a dumbfounded way.

I couldn't help giggling. He pulled me closer and stared down at me. I finally looked up and gazed up at him in aww.

"We have a lot to talk about. A lot of plans are being set in motion. I'll tell you everything tomorrow. Right now we have to help hide all the evidence of what happened tonight. Your father will take care of the dead bodies here but I have to go back to the apartment and clean up."

"Ok Naruto-kun. What do you want me to do?"

Naruto grinned brightly.

"Nothing. Just go back to your house and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow after school I'll be ready to tell you everything. From now on no one will stop us from being together."

I held my hands to my chest and nodded obediently.

"Ok Naruto-kun. I...hope to see you soon."

I was a bit upset that I wouldn't be able to be with him tonight. Naruto picked that up and gave me an eskimo kiss.

"Do you think anything would stop me from seeing the only person I love in this world?"

I nearly fainted. I just shook my head with a lovestruck expression. He let out an amused chuckle.

"Goodnight Hinata-chan."

I gave him one last squeeze and pulled away.

"Goodnight Naruto-kun. I love you."

"I love you too."

He grinned bright before suddenly disappearing from my sight in a whirl of leaves.
I turned around and began to walk calmly through the forest back towards the city. There was still blood and dead bodies everywhere. Dismembered limbs hung from the tree branches. There were shinobi dashing through the trees cleaning up the mess. It was grotesque. Despite that I wore a contented smile.

I was the luckiest girl in the world.

That's the end of the chapter. Please review!