The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over Training Ground 7. Hinata Hyuuga stood nervously, her fingers twiddling as she awaited Naruto Uzumaki. She couldn't quite believe he'd agreed to help her train. She had grown to admire his boundless energy and optimism, and now, here she was—about to train with him.

"Oi, Hinata!"

She spun around to see Naruto jogging toward her, grinning brightly. His signature orange jacket was slightly undone, and his headband caught the sunlight.

"Sorry I'm late! I got held up with, uh...stuff," he said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"It's alright, Naruto. Thank you for coming," Hinata replied softly, bowing slightly.

"C'mon, don't bow! We're training partners, right?" Naruto said, waving off her formality.

Hinata straightened up, her cheeks tinged pink. "R-Right."

Naruto clapped his hands together. "Okay, first things first—I'm gonna teach you the Rasengan! It's my best move, you know!"

Hinata's dark eyes widened. "The...Rasengan?"

"Yup!" Naruto grinned proudly. "It's super cool and super strong. You'll love it!"

Hinata nodded, her heart racing. She'd seen him use it before and marveled at its power. But could she really learn something like that?

Naruto produced a small water balloon from his pouch. "Alright, step one! You gotta spin your chakra inside this until it pops. Easy, right?"

Hinata hesitated, taking the balloon. It didn't look easy at all.

"Don't worry, Hinata! You got this," Naruto encouraged, standing beside her.

She focused, channeling her chakra into the balloon. It wobbled slightly but remained intact.

"Close! Just spin it faster!" Naruto said, leaning in to watch.

Hinata tried again, but the balloon refused to burst. After several attempts, her shoulders slumped. "I...I don't think I can do it."

"Hey, hey, no giving up!" Naruto said, his voice firm but cheerful. "You're doing great for a first try!"

Hinata looked up at him, surprised by his unwavering positivity.

Naruto rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hey, you think I got the Rasengan on my first try? It took me, like, 86 attempts before I got it to work!"

Hinata's eyes widened in surprise. "E-eighty-six tries? Really?"

Naruto crossed his arms and pouted. "What's that look for? You don't believe me?"

A soft giggle escaped Hinata's lips before she could stop herself. She quickly covered her mouth, her face turning pink. "S-sorry! I just didn't expect that someone as talented as you would struggle that much."

"Hey!" Naruto exclaimed, pointing at her dramatically. "Are you laughing at me?!"

"No, no!" Hinata said, waving her hands in a panic, though a smile still tugged at her lips.

Naruto stared at her for a moment, then sighed and grinned. "Fine, laugh all you want. But remember, it's proof that even someone like me has to work hard sometimes. So if I can do it, you can too."

Hinata shook her head, smiling warmly. "Thank you, Naruto. I'll try again."

"That's the spirit!"

After another round of failed attempts, Naruto noticed her growing frustration and decided to switch tactics.

"Okay, forget the Rasengan for now. What else are you working on?" he asked.

Hinata hesitated. "W-Well, I've been trying to add lightning release to my Gentle fist, but...it's not going well."

"Really? Well let's work on it together then."

Hinata nodded, determination shining in her dark eyes. Her hands glowed faintly with chakra as she prepared a strike. She lunged forward, aiming her palm at a tree stump, but the chakra fizzled out just before impact. Hinata flinched, stepping back with a small sigh.

"Ugh, it's no use," she murmured. "I can't keep the lightning chakra stable. It's too hard."

Naruto scratched the back of his head, watching her carefully. "I remember you trying something like this against me during the Chunin Exams," he said. "It didn't work back then either, huh?"

Hinata stiffened, embarrassed. "N-no, it didn't," she admitted softly.

Naruto smirked, his blue eyes sparkling with an idea. "Alright, I've got it! You're trying to use the lightning chakra for the whole attack, right? What if you just focus on channeling it at the very last second, right before you hit?"

Hinata blinked, processing his suggestion. "At the very end?"

"Yeah! It's all about timing!" Naruto said enthusiastically, punching his fist into his palm. "It's like—BOOM—right before you hit! That way, you don't have to waste energy trying to keep it steady the whole time."

Hinata hesitated, unsure. "That... sounds really precise," she said. "I'm not sure if I can—"

"Of course you can!" Naruto interrupted. "You just gotta try even harder, y'know."

Hinata nodded, feeling a flicker of confidence. "Okay," she said softly. "I'll try again."

Naruto stood off to the side, watching intently as Hinata prepared for another attempt. This time, she focused on channeling her chakra at the very last moment, just like Naruto suggested. She lunged forward, and with a crackle of lightning chakra, her palm struck the small tree. The stem snapped cleanly, nearly cutting it down.

Hinata gasped, staring at her hand in disbelief. "I-I did it!"

"Yeah, you did!" Naruto cheered, punching the air. "I told you, Hinata! You're awesome!"

Hinata turned to him, her face glowing with happiness. "Thank you so much, Naruto," she said, bowing slightly. "I couldn't have done it without your help."

Naruto froze, his cheeks turning pink as he saw her bright, grateful smile. It was... nice. Too nice. He quickly looked away, scratching his nose. "I-It's nothing," he mumbled. "You did all the work."

They stood there for a moment in companionable silence until Naruto glanced at the sky. "It's getting kinda late," he said reluctantly. "We should probably head back."

Hinata hesitated, her excitement not quite fading. "Could we... practice a little more?" she asked hopefully.

Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "I'd love to, but I'm starving! Tell you what—next time, you can teach me something. Deal?"

"Teach you?" Hinata repeated, surprised. "But I'm not very skilled..."

"Don't kid yourself," Naruto said, grinning. "You're pretty good! Hey, maybe you can show me some bojutsu stuff. You're great with a staff, right?"

Hinata blinked, her cheeks warming. "I-I suppose..."

Naruto leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "And don't tell anyone, but I think you could totally beat Sakura in a fight."

Hinata waved her hands, flustered. "N-no, I couldn't!"

"Believe it!" Naruto said with a laugh. "Alright, we'll train more next time. For now, you'd better head home before your mom—"

Naruto paused as Hinata stiffened, her smile fading. He frowned. "Hinata? What's wrong?"

Hinata hesitated, then spoke in a shaky voice. "Kurenai-sensei isn't my mom," she said quietly.

Naruto blinked. "Wait, then... who's your mom?"

"She... she passed away when I was little," Hinata admitted, her hands fidgeting.

Naruto stared at her, guilt flashing across his face. "Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"It's okay," Hinata said quickly, though her voice trembled.

Naruto hesitated, then spoke softly. "I know how that feels. My mom... she died sealing the Nine-Tails inside me when I was a baby." He looked down at the ground, his voice quiet. "I wish I could've met her, just once."

Hinata's heart ached for him. Without thinking, she reached out and took his hand. "I'm sure she's proud of you," she said gently.

Naruto's face turned bright red, but he quickly hid it, rubbing the back of his head with his free hand. "Thanks... And hey, your mom's proud of you too. No doubt about it."

Hinata looked away, her voice soft. "I don't know..."

"Well, I do," Naruto said firmly. "You're hardworking and stronger than you think. You've just gotta believe in yourself!" He grinned. "Otherwise, how are you gonna make Chunin next year?"

Hinata blinked. "You really think I can?"

"Of course!" Naruto puffed out his chest. "You've got me helping you, don't you?"

Hinata giggled softly, her spirits lifting. "I'll do my best," she said.

"That's the spirit!" Naruto said. "But for now, I gotta get going before I pass out from hunger."

Just then, Sasuke strolled into the clearing, hands in his pockets. "Naruto," he called. "You done with your date yet? Kakashi wants to see you."

Naruto's face turned scarlet. "It's not a date!" he yelled.

Hinata quickly gathered her things, bowing to Naruto. "Thank you again for helping me train."

"Keep practicing!" Naruto called after her. "We're gonna be Chunin together, believe it!"

As she walked away, Hinata felt a newfound confidence. Naruto believed in her, and the thought made her heart feel light. She swore she would make Chunin next year—no matter what.

Two weeks later...

Hinata drifted in a state between consciousness and sleep, her mind slipping into the depths of a dream. She found herself standing in the middle of a vast hall, its ceiling arching high above her, supported by grand pillars that disappeared into the shadows. The air was thick and heavy, carrying the scent of old wood and incense. The floor beneath her feet was cool, made of smooth, polished stone, reflecting the faint light that flickered from unseen torches lining the walls. Hinata's eyes darted around, taking in her surroundings with a mixture of curiosity and unease.

She felt like she was in a temple, but not one she had ever seen before. The walls were intricately designed, covered in ancient carvings and patterns that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. They danced and shifted as she gazed at them, like they were hiding secrets just beyond her understanding. The hall stretched endlessly, disappearing into a murky darkness that swallowed everything past a certain point. There were no windows, no doors — only the vastness of the temple and its eerie silence.

Hinata's footsteps echoed as she moved slowly through the hall, each step amplifying the quiet that pressed in on her from all sides. She glanced around, her heart beating faster with each passing moment. Where am I? she thought, her voice catching in her throat as she murmured to herself.

Her eyes landed on a large altar at the center of the room. It was grand, made of dark, polished wood that seemed almost black in the dim light. Behind it, taking up the entire wall, was a mural. Hinata's breath caught in her throat as she stared at it. The mural was of an ascending woman, dressed in a flowing white robe that seemed to ripple as if touched by a phantom wind. Her face was obscured, hidden beneath a veil, but her hands were spread apart, reaching up toward the heavens. There was something hauntingly divine about her, something that sent a shiver down Hinata's spine.

Hinata swallowed hard, feeling a cold sweat forming on her brow. She took a hesitant step closer, squinting at the mural, trying to discern more details. "What… What is this place?" she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath in the vast, empty hall.

As if in answer, a voice cut through the silence.

"Hinata…"

The sound of it made her freeze, her breath catching in her throat. Her heart pounded against her ribs, a frantic rhythm. She knew that voice. She had heard it before, many times over the past month — a soft, feminine voice that called to her in dreams, never saying anything more, always fading before she could identify it.

Hinata spun around, eyes wide, searching the shadows that filled the corners of the room. "Who's there?" she called out, her voice trembling slightly.

There was no reply. The hall remained still, the air thick with tension.

Then, the voice came again, closer this time. "Hinata… Come closer."

Hinata's heart skipped a beat. She turned back towards the mural, her gaze fixed on the woman in white. The voice seemed to be coming from…there. Her breath quickened, and she took a cautious step forward, then another, her senses on high alert. Her footsteps echoed softly, and with every step, the feeling of unease grew. Her eyes remained locked on the mural as she moved closer to the altar, trying to steady her racing heart.

She stopped just a few paces away from the altar, holding her breath, waiting. The hall was silent, the stillness almost suffocating. She strained her ears, listening, trying to catch any hint of movement.

Then, it came again — the voice, louder this time, insistent. "Hinata… Come closer."

Her suspicion was confirmed; the voice was coming from the mural.

Hinata took a step back, her pulse racing. She felt a cold prickle run down her spine, the air around her suddenly seeming colder. She turned quickly, her eyes scanning the hall for an exit, but there was none to be seen. The walls seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction, trapping her in this strange, empty place.

Panic began to rise in her chest. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, and she could feel her heart pounding louder, echoing in her ears. She started to back away from the mural, her movements becoming frantic as she continued to search for a way out, but all she found were more shadows, more darkness.

Calm down, calm downshe told herself, trying to slow her breathing. But her body wasn't listening. Fear clawed at her mind, and she felt herself growing lightheaded. The voice came again, closer now, almost right behind her ear. "Hinata…"

Her head snapped around, eyes wide, but there was nothing there — only the empty hall, stretching into the dark.

Then, she heard it — the unmistakable sound of footsteps echoing behind her, slow and deliberate.

Hinata's heart jumped into her throat. She spun around, searching, her breath coming in sharp, shallow pants. "Who's there?!" she cried out, desperation edging her voice. Her eyes darted around, but there was no one… nothing… only the oppressive emptiness of the hall.

Her hands trembled as she tried to steady herself, to gather her courage. I'm dreaming she reminded herself. This is just a dream.But it felt so real. The coldness of the air, the weight of the silence pressing down on her… it was all too vivid.

The footsteps grew louder, approaching. Her skin prickled with fear. She turned her head slowly, feeling a cold sweat trickle down her temple. But when she looked, there was still nothing — just shadows.

Then, suddenly, she felt it — a hand gripping her shoulder from behind.

Her heart stopped. The air was trapped in her lungs, and her entire body froze, a wave of terror crashing over her like icy water. She could feel the weight of the hand on her shoulder, cold and firm, its touch sending a jolt of dread through her veins.

She wanted to scream, but no sound came out. She wanted to run, but her legs wouldn't move. She could only stand there, paralyzed, her mind spinning as the fingers tightened their grip.

Hinata awoke with a start, her heart racing in her chest, her body covered in a thin sheen of sweat, her breath coming in short, frantic gasps. Her eyes darted around the room, and she realized she was back in her bed, her blanket twisted around her legs. The lingering dread from the dream clung to her like a wet cloth, heavy and suffocating. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand — the glowing red numbers read 12:15 a.m.

Her 13th birthday.

Hinata tried to calm herself, rubbing her hands over her face as she whispered to herself. "It was just a nightmare… Just a bad dream." Her voice trembled, but she forced herself to take deep breaths, steadying her racing heart. The temple, the mural, the woman — they were all just figments of her imagination, weren't they?

Her breathing slowed, and she began to pull the blanket back over herself, hoping for some small comfort in the warmth. She laid back down, her head sinking into the pillow, trying to convince herself to close her eyes again.

But then she heard it.

That voice.

It didn't come from her mind this time; it wasn't distant or fading like before. It was clear and present, resonating through the quiet of the room like someone was standing right next to her.

"My child…"

Hinata's heart stopped mid-beat, a chill racing down her spine. She sat up quickly, her breath hitching in her throat. She turned her head slowly toward the sound, half expecting to find herself alone in the darkness, but there — in the corner of her room — she saw it.

The mural from her dream had come to life.

The woman was standing there, her long white robe flowing around her like liquid silk, her hair equally as white and impossibly long, pooling on the floor behind her like a veil of snow. Her face was serene, her expression gentle, almost amused, as she looked directly at Hinata with glowing blue eyes. She smiled faintly, the corners of her lips curling upward.

"You are finally awake," the woman said, her voice a melody that seemed to echo around the room.

Hinata leaped from her bed, her instincts taking over. She grabbed a kunai from her drawer, her fingers trembling as she held it. Without thinking, she hurled it toward the woman. But the blade passed through her effortlessly, embedding itself into the wall with a dull thud.

The woman did not flinch, her expression unchanged. She began to glide forward, her feet never touching the ground, moving toward Hinata with an ethereal grace.

Panic surged through Hinata's veins. She grabbed more weapons — shuriken, kunai, anything within reach — and flung them all toward the woman. But they, too, passed through her as if she were made of smoke. They clattered uselessly to the ground, the noise sounding deafening in the silence.

"This isn't real… This isn't real…" Hinata muttered to herself, her breath coming in rapid, shallow gasps. Her vision blurred with tears as she tried to convince herself that she was still dreaming, that the woman standing before her wasn't real.

But then the woman spoke again, her voice clearer, cutting through Hinata's frantic thoughts like a knife. "At last, you can see me," she whispered, more to herself than to Hinata. "Do not be afraid, child."

The words made Hinata's stomach twist with fear. The woman was getting closer now, gliding silently across the floor, her presence filling the room. The closer she came, the harder it was for Hinata to breathe. She felt an invisible weight pressing down on her chest, constricting her lungs, making her breaths come faster, more desperate.

Hinata backed away, her feet stumbling over themselves as she tried to put distance between herself and the woman. Her back hit the wall, and she sank down, her hands gripping the edge of her nightstand as she cowered against the corner, her eyes wide with terror.

The woman's pale skin glistened in the moonlight streaming through the window, and her eyes, a deep, luminous blue, seemed to glow in the darkness. Her presence was suffocating, filling the air with a coldness that seeped into Hinata's bones. The closer she came, the heavier the air felt, as if it were thickening with every second.

Hinata tried to scream, but no sound came out. Her throat felt tight, constricted, and she could only manage a strangled gasp. Her mind raced, searching for a way out, a way to wake up from this nightmare, but every thought was drowned out by the crushing weight of fear.

The woman was inches away now, her eyes fixed on Hinata with an unsettling intensity. Hinata could feel the cold emanating from her, like a draft blowing in from an open window in the dead of winter. She felt her chest tighten further, the pressure almost unbearable. She was gasping for air now, each breath a struggle.

The woman's smile widened, her expression calm, almost gentle. "Do not fear, my child," she whispered, reaching out a hand toward Hinata. "You are meant for so much more…"

Hinata's vision blurred as the edges of her consciousness began to fade. She could barely see, barely breathe, the world spinning around her. She felt her strength leaving her, her body collapsing under the invisible weight. The woman's face was all she could see, her glowing blue eyes, her soft smile.

With one last, desperate effort, Hinata forced her mouth open and screamed, her voice tearing through the stillness, piercing the night.

And then… everything went dark.

Hinata's eyes flew open again, and she found herself sitting alone in her room, bathed in moonlight. The mural, the woman — they were gone. She was alone, but the fear still clawed at her chest, her heart racing uncontrollably.

She scrambled out of bed, her feet moving on their own, propelling her toward the door. She flung it open and dashed down the hallway, her footsteps echoing loudly against the wooden floor. She didn't stop until she reached Kurenai's room, her hand banging frantically on the door.

"Kurenai-sensei! Kurenai-sensei!" Hinata shouted, her voice trembling with panic. "Please!"

Moments later, the door opened a crack, and Kurenai appeared, her hair disheveled, her eyes groggy with sleep. "Hinata…? What's going on? It's the middle of the night…"

Before Kurenai could finish, Hinata flung herself forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Kurenai, sobbing into her chest. Kurenai blinked, her annoyance fading into concern. She placed a hand on Hinata's back, rubbing it gently. "Hey… hey, it's okay. What happened?"

Hinata tried to speak, but her words came out in broken fragments, barely coherent. "There… there was someone… in my room…"

Kurenai's expression shifted from concern to alertness. She pulled away slightly, holding Hinata at arm's length. "Someone broke in?" she asked, her voice stern. "Stay here. I'll check it out."

"No!" Hinata cried, clutching at Kurenai's sleeve. "Please… don't go… She wasn't… real…"

But Kurenai was already moving. She grabbed a kunai from the small stand by her door and motioned for Hinata to stay put. "It's okay, Hinata. I'll handle it. Just stay here."

Hinata wanted to argue, to beg her not to go, but her voice failed her. She could only follow behind, her hands trembling, her heart still pounding in her chest.

Kurenai moved cautiously, her footsteps silent as she approached Hinata's room. She paused at the door, her eyes narrowing, then she burst inside, her weapon at the ready.

But there was nothing. The room was empty.

Kurenai moved slowly, checking every corner, every shadow, but found nothing. She frowned, lowering her kunai. "Whoever was here, they're gone now," she muttered, glancing back at Hinata, who hovered nervously in the doorway.

They searched the entire house, every room and hallway, but there was no sign of an intruder. No broken windows, no open doors. Nothing but the empty silence that had greeted them before.

When they returned to Kurenai's room, Hinata was still trembling, her face pale. Kurenai sighed, sitting down on the edge of her bed. "I didn't see anyone, Hinata," she said gently. "Are you sure…?"

Hinata's voice was small, barely a whisper. "Can I… stay with you tonight?"

Kurenai smiled softly, pulling back the blanket. "Of course, you can," she said, patting the space beside her. "Come here."

Hinata crawled into bed, curling up beside Kurenai, her body still shaking. Kurenai wrapped an arm around her, holding her close, whispering reassurances as the minutes ticked by.

But as Hinata's breaths slowly evened out, Kurenai stared into the darkness of her room, her mind racing. Who had Hinata seen in her room? She couldn't shake the feeling that whatever it was, it wasn't something she could fight with a simple kunai.

And she feared for Hinata's safety… now more than ever.

Kurenai sat at the small café table with Asuma, the warm steam from her teacup mingling with the cool morning air. She had been turning over the events of the previous night in her mind for hours now, unable to let it go.

Asuma noticed her distraction and leaned in slightly. "Kurenai, you've been staring at that cup for the last five minutes. What's on your mind?"

She glanced up, her expression still troubled. "It's Hinata… something happened last night."

Asuma raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "What do you mean? Is she alright?"

"She came to my room terrified," Kurenai began, setting her cup down. "She swore someone was in her room, but when I checked, there was no one there. She even threw weapons at whoever—or whatever—it was, but they just went right through like it wasn't even there."

Asuma frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "That sounds like a genjutsu. Who would cast something like that on her, and at that hour?"

Kurenai nodded. "Hinata asked me the same thing this morning… And it does make sense. My first thought was Ino Yamanaka. She's got a knack for that sort of thing, and she's been known to pick on Hinata in the past."

"Ino?" Asuma chuckled, but there was a hint of disbelief in his voice. "She can be a brat sometimes, but would she go that far? And at midnight?"

"I'm not sure," Kurenai admitted. "But she's the only one that came to mind. Even so, I can't see her putting in the effort for something like that. I want you to have a word with her, just in case… Maybe just a warning."

Asuma nodded. "I'll talk to her. She has been spreading some rumors about Hinata… might as well take care of that, too. But I agree with you, it doesn't seem like her style to prank someone so late. Someone else might be targeting her."

Kurenai sighed, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Who, though? Why Hinata, of all people?"

Asuma shook his head. "I don't know. But don't let it weigh on you too much today. It's Hinata's birthday, right?"

Kurenai smiled, albeit faintly. "Yeah. I don't want to spoil her day with this."

Later that morning, the small celebration was underway. Kurenai watched as Hinata blew out the candles on her cake, surrounded by her teammates, Kiba and Shino. It wasn't a large gathering, but it was filled with warmth.

Kurenai's gaze softened. She had always wanted her team to be closer, but Hinata had remained somewhat apart. Kiba had once admitted he found her "a bit strange," and Shino, while polite, often kept to himself. Today, though, they were all here, and even Hinata seemed brighter, more at ease.

But what truly surprised Kurenai was the presence of another guest—Sakura Haruno. She wasn't sure when the two girls had begun to talk, but it was a welcome sight.

Sakura grinned, leaning toward Hinata. "I really like your hair today, Hinata! It looks beautiful."

Hinata blushed, ducking her head slightly. "Thank you, Sakura… Kurenai-sensei helped me with it this morning."

Sakura nodded with a smile. "Well, she did a great job."

As they chatted, Hinata quietly thanked Sakura for coming. "It means a lot that you're here," she said softly.

Sakura waved it off. "It's nothing, really. I'm just glad to be here. Happy birthday!"

Hinata hesitated for a moment. "I… I was wondering if Naruto and Sasuke were going to come too?"

Sakura's face shifted slightly. "Oh… Sasuke's busy with some family stuff today. And Naruto… well, he's getting ready to leave."

Hinata's eyes widened. "Leave? Where is he going?"

Sakura took a deep breath. "He's going with Jiraiya-sama for training. He's leaving today. Didn't he tell you?"

Hinata shook her head, her expression a mix of surprise and sadness. "No, he didn't say anything… How long will he be gone?"

Sakura's gaze softened. "A few years, probably. Jiraiya-sama said it's going to be a long training journey."

Hinata's face fell slightly. "I wish I could have told him goodbye…"

Kurenai, noticing the shift in mood, quickly changed the subject. "Sakura, you mentioned something about training with Lady Tsunade?"

Sakura perked up. "Oh, right! Yeah, she agreed to take me on as an apprentice. I'm a bit nervous, though. I mean, she's one of the Legendary Sannin, and she's a big figure in my mom's clan…"

Hinata smiled, her tone earnest. "You'll do great, Sakura. Just keep working hard."

Kiba, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, suddenly jumped in, holding up a small camera with a cheeky grin. "Hey, smile for the camera!" He snapped a candid photo of Sakura and Hinata mid-conversation.

Sakura flinched, her face scrunching in irritation. "Kiba! Why are you taking pictures without asking?!"

Kiba chuckled. "Lighten up, it's a birthday! You'll thank me later when you see this awesome shot!"

Sakura huffed, rolling her eyes but couldn't help a small smile.

Suddenly, Kiba's expression shifted, and he pointed towards the gate. "Hey… isn't that Naruto?"

Sakura and Hinata both turned to look, eyes widening as they saw Naruto entering the yard, with Jiraiya just behind him.

Hinata's expression lightened immediately. "Naruto…" she whispered, a mix of joy and surprise in her voice.

Sakura blinked, equally shocked. "I didn't think he'd have time to come…"

Kurenai watched them from a distance, feeling the tension of the morning fade just a bit. For now, the focus was back on Hinata, and perhaps that was enough to push the dark thoughts away for a while.

Naruto approached Hinata with a bright grin, a small wrapped box in his hands. He was slightly out of breath, but there was a light in his eyes that made Hinata's heart melt.

"Hinata!" he called out, waving the box a little. "Happy birthday!"

Hinata blinked in surprise, stepping forward. "N-Naruto? I thought… I thought you had already left with Jiraiya-sama."

Naruto shook his head, still smiling. "I was about to, but… I wanted to stop by and give you your gift first."

He held the box out to her, and Hinata hesitated for a moment before accepting it. "I appreciate it, Naruto," she murmured, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. Her fingers trembled slightly as she undid the wrapping.

Inside was a soft, comfortable-looking purple scarf. Hinata gently lifted it out of the box, her eyes wide with surprise and delight. She studied it carefully, feeling the texture between her fingers, before looking up at Naruto. "It's… it's beautiful," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Naruto's grin widened. "I'm glad you like it. I saw it in a store and thought of you right away, so I just had to get it."

Hinata's smile was warm, brighter than Naruto remembered ever seeing it. "Thanks, Naruto," she said softly, and Naruto felt a strange warmth spreading in his chest.

"Go ahead, try it on!" he encouraged, gesturing toward the scarf.

Hinata nodded, wrapping the scarf gently around her neck. She turned slightly, looking at Naruto with a shy smile. "How does it look?"

Naruto's breath caught in his throat for a moment as he took her in. The purple scarf complemented her hair and eyes perfectly, and for a second, he was struck by just how… beautiful she looked. His cheeks reddened, and he stammered, "You… you look beautiful, Hinata."

He realized what he said a moment too late and immediately began to backtrack, waving his hands frantically. "I mean, the scarf! The scarf looks beautiful on you, that's what I meant! Well, I mean, you both look beautiful—uh, I mean, you look—"

Hinata blinked, tilting her head slightly in confusion at his flustered state. "Th-thank you, Naruto," she replied, her voice soft but sincere.

Naruto laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, no problem…!" He quickly shifted the topic, trying to regain his composure. "Anyway, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday before I head out."

Hinata nodded, her eyes shining. "Thank you, Naruto-kun. I… I hope your training journey goes well. I'm sure you'll learn a lot from Jiraiya-sama."

Naruto gave her a lopsided grin. "Thanks, Hinata. If I work even half as hard as you do, I think I'll learn a ton."

Hinata blushed again, her smile growing. "You're very kind, Naruto."

Before Naruto could reply, a familiar voice called out behind him. "Alright, Naruto, time to wrap it up!"

Jiraiya walked over, balancing several packaged meals in his arms. He gave a friendly grin to Hinata. "Happy birthday, young lady. Sorry for crashing the party."

Hinata smiled politely. "Thank you, Jiraiya-sama."

Jiraiya turned back to Naruto. "We've got to get going, kid. Finish up with your friend."

As Jiraiya walked past, Naruto nodded quickly, calling after him, "Yeah, yeah, I'll be right there!"

He turned back to Hinata, suddenly feeling awkward and at a loss for words. "Uh… so, I guess this is goodbye for now?"

Hinata hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and, to Naruto's surprise, wrapped her arms around him in a gentle hug. "Good luck, Naruto. I know you'll do great."

Naruto stiffened at first, not expecting the hug, but then he slowly relaxed, a smile spreading across his face as he returned the embrace. "Thanks, Hinata. That… that means a lot."

They pulled apart, and Naruto's face was red again. "I guess… I guess I'll see you when I get back?" he said, trying to sound casual.

Hinata nodded. "Yes… I'll be waiting for you."

Naruto gave a final wave before turning to jog after Jiraiya, his heart pounding in his chest. As he caught up with his mentor, he glanced back once more at Hinata, who was waving back at him with that same sweet smile.

Jiraiya noticed the look on his face and chuckled. "Got a little distracted back there, didn't you?"

Naruto frowned, but his expression softened almost immediately. "It's not like that!" he protested, but his mind was still on Hinata, on the warmth of her hug, and the way she smiled when she thanked him.

As they continued down the path, Naruto found himself thinking more and more about her—the way she seemed to light up with joy at the smallest things, the quiet strength he saw in her eyes, and the softness of her voice when she wished him luck. He felt a flutter in his chest, and it hit him like a wave.

"Maybe…" he mumbled to himself, his cheeks burning. "Maybe I… have a bit of a crush on her…"

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, grinning knowingly, but he said nothing, letting Naruto sort through his thoughts in peace as they headed off on their journey.

The dark hall was vast, its towering ceilings supported by elegantly carved pillars that cast long shadows across the room. The only light came from a series of flickering torches mounted on the walls, their flames casting a dim, wavering glow over the gathering. The floor was made of polished stone, reflecting the torchlight in a muted sheen, and at the center of the hall stood an imposing altar. It was adorned with strange symbols and inscriptions, its surface covered in offerings of flowers, candles, and bowls of dark liquid. Behind the altar, a large mural dominated the wall, its details shrouded in shadow.

Around the altar, several figures gathered, their faces obscured by the darkness. They stood in a semicircle, their postures rigid and attentive, their eyes fixed on the man standing at the front. His hair was red and spiky, catching the dim light like a crown of flame. His presence was commanding, and when he spoke, his voice echoed through the hall with a resonant authority.

"Brethren," he began, his tone calm yet powerful. "I thank you for gathering here tonight."

The figures around the altar nodded, their expressions hidden but their focus unwavering. The red-haired man continued, pacing slowly before them, his steps measured and deliberate.

"We have served well," he declared, his voice swelling with pride. "With the capture of the One-Tail, we are one step closer to achieving our ultimate goal. To carry out the will of the messiah."

A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd, a collective exhalation of belief. The red-haired man raised a hand, and silence fell once more.

"This is just the beginning," he said, his voice growing more fervent. "We have made a good start, but our work is far from over. There are many more steps to take, many more sacrifices to be made. But as long as we hold our faith in the Divine Matron, her grace will lead us to victory."

He paused, his eyes blazing with conviction. Then, slowly, he lifted his hand to his lips, kissing the ornate ring on his finger. The ring glittered with a red jewel, its design intricate and almost otherworldly. He pressed his hand to his chest, over his heart, and his voice dropped to a low, fervent whisper.

"Dedicate your hearts," he commanded.

As one, the other members of the congregation mimicked his actions. They kissed the rings on their own hands, their movements reverent and precise. Then, they fell to their knees before the altar, their heads bowed low. In unison, they spoke, their voices echoing off the stone walls in a haunting chorus.

"For her darkness is our light, and her will is our path."

Their eyes lifted to the mural on the wall, and at that moment, the shadows seemed to recede, revealing the painting in full.

The mural depicted a woman, her figure ethereal and almost translucent, clothed in a flowing white robe that seemed to glow with an inner light. She was ascending toward the sky, her arms spread as if to embrace the heavens themselves. Her face was hidden beneath a thick, impenetrable veil, obscuring her features, and yet, there was a sense of power, of divine purpose emanating from her form.

The figures around the altar remained on their knees, their eyes fixed on the veiled woman in the mural, their expressions hidden but their devotion unmistakable.

The red-haired man closed his eyes, a small, satisfied smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Glory to the eternal one."

END OF ACT 1