Naruto's eyes fluttered open, his vision hazy as he slowly registered the white ceiling above him. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled his nose, and the soft beeping of a heart monitor echoed in his ears. He blinked groggily, shifting slightly in the hospital bed. His whole body ached, his limbs feeling like lead.

A gentle voice broke through his daze.

"Oh, Naruto! You're awake."

His head turned to see Shizune standing nearby, a look of relief washing over her face. She quickly stepped forward, her hands hovering as if debating whether to fuss over him or let him wake up properly.

"How're you feeling?" she asked softly, placing a gentle hand on his forehead to check for fever. "You need to rest. You can't be moving around after what you've been through."

Naruto groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Like I got run over by Choji…"

Shizune let out a breathy chuckle. "Well, that's not surprising. You've been through a lot. That incomplete tailed beast extraction really took a toll on you."

Naruto's brow furrowed as he tried to recall what had happened. It was all fuzzy—the pain, the voices, the overwhelming sense of being pulled apart from the inside out. He shook his head, but it only made his headache worse.

"What… happened?" he muttered.

Shizune gave him a reassuring smile. "You're safe now. Just rest. The others will fill you in soon."

She turned toward the door, speaking to a young medic nearby. "Go let Lady Hokage know that Naruto's awake."

The medic nodded and quickly left. Naruto, still groggy, looked at Shizune. "How long have I been out?"

"A couple of days," she replied, adjusting his blanket. "You've been through a lot, Naruto. Just focus on resting, okay?"

Despite his confusion, Naruto found himself slipping back into sleep, his exhaustion pulling him under like a heavy wave.

Later that night...

The door creaked open, and Naruto's senses stirred at the sound of footsteps. He cracked one eye open and was met with the sight of his team—Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi—standing at the foot of his bed.

"Yo," Kakashi greeted lazily.

"You're finally awake, idiot," Sasuke quipped, his arms crossed.

"Naruto!" Sakura beamed, stepping closer.

Before Naruto could respond, someone else suddenly rushed forward and flung their arms around him in a careful but heartfelt hug.

"Oh, thank god you're okay!"

Naruto blinked, momentarily stunned as he recognized Ino pressing against his chest. She pulled back after a second, her usual confident smirk faltering as she looked at him seriously.

"When I heard you were taken by the Akatsuki, I thought you were done for!" she admitted, though she struggled to say the words out loud.

Naruto softened at that, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Tch, you should know by now, Ino—I'm not that easy to get rid of."

Ino huffed, regaining her composure. "Yeah, yeah. Well, I brought you something."

She held up a small paper bag and placed it in his hands. "I made cookies. Figured you'd need something sweet after all that crap you went through."

Naruto's grin widened. "You baked for me? Damn, Ino, I didn't know you cared that much."

"She had help," Sakura interjected with a knowing smirk. "Hinata helped her bake them."

Ino rolled her eyes but ultimately ignored Sakura's comment. "Don't flatter yourself dummy. Just try them."

Naruto eagerly took a bite, his eyes lighting up. "These are actually really good!"

"Of course they are," Ino said proudly, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Sakura, standing beside her, suddenly smirked. "Hinata will be happy to hear that."

The moment the words left Sakura's mouth, Ino stomped down hard on her foot.

"OW—damn it, Ino!" Sakura hissed, glaring at her.

Naruto, blissfully unaware of the silent exchange, kept munching on his cookie.

Sasuke, who had been quietly observing, sighed. "Can we get to the important stuff now?"

Naruto blinked. "Right, right—who rescued me? How did I even get out of there?"

Kakashi leaned against the wall. "It was a joint operation. Konoha and Suna worked together. Team 7 was assigned the mission, with Lee temporarily attached to us. Team 8 and a squad from Suna also assisted."

Naruto's expression softened. "Man… that must've been a hell of a fight. Did anyone get hurt?"

Sakura quickly reassured him. "Only two casualties—Kiba and Hinata. But their injuries weren't too bad, and they've already been discharged."

Naruto let out a relieved sigh. "Glad they're okay."

Sasuke smirked. "You should be more impressed with the fact that we took out an Akatsuki member."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Wait, seriously? Who took them down?"

Sakura puffed up her chest. "I did. Sasori of the Red Sand is dead."

Naruto paused for a long moment, then squinted at her. "Bullshit."

Sasuke snorted. "For once, I actually agree with him."

Sakura scowled. "Oh, come on! You both suck. I had help, obviously. Temari and Kankuro from Suna, along with Kakashi-sensei. But that doesn't change the fact that I was a key player in taking him down!"

"Uh-huh," Naruto said skeptically, grinning.

"I swear, you're the worst," Sakura muttered.

Naruto chuckled and turned back to Ino. "What about you? Didn't get to join in on the fun?"

Ino crossed her arms. "Nope. Wasn't authorized for the mission. Sucks, right?"

"Yeah, but hey, at least you're still in one piece." Naruto smiled.

Sasuke suddenly cut in. "Alright, we've established you're alive and you owe us one. Try not to get captured again next time."

Naruto smirked. "Pfft. Next time? You'd miss me too much."

Sasuke rolled his eyes.

Meanwhile, Ino nudged Naruto's arm. "Eat more cookies before they get cold."

He happily obliged.

Ino pulled Sakura aside, whispering harshly, "What gives?"

Sakura leaned closer with a smirk. "What's wrong, Ino? You don't even like Naruto like that. You're just doing this because you're bored or something."

Ino scoffed. "Excuse you, I can like whoever I want, whenever I want."

Sakura gave her a knowing look. "Uh-huh. Sure. Because last time I checked, you were also in a 'complicated situationship' with Sai."

Ino sputtered. "Okay, first of all, it's not a situationship. And second of all, this has nothing to do with Sai!"

Sakura smirked. "Right. So you're just here, baking cookies for Naruto out of the goodness of your heart?"

"Exactly!"

"Mhm. Well, I'm just keeping a promise to a friend."

Ino narrowed her eyes. "What friend?"

Sakura smirked but said nothing.

Ino leaned in suspiciously. "Who, Sakura? Who's competing with me?"

Sakura just hummed in amusement and turned away.

Ino growled in frustration. "Tell me!"

"No."

"Come on!"

"Nuh uh."

Ino and Sakura's bickering continued as Naruto cheerfully thanked them all for saving him, not realizing the war brewing over his so-called "love life."

For the first time in a long while, everything felt warm and normal.

The rain drizzled steadily in Amegakure, a never-ending curtain of water washing over the metallic rooftops and winding alleyways of the hidden village. Within the chamber of the Akatsuki headquarters, the air was thick with the scent of damp steel and old parchment. Pain sat at the head of the room, Konan by his side. Across from them stood Kisame, arms crossed, Samehada wrapped in cloth on his back.

The tension in the air was palpable. Pain was silent, digesting what Kisame had just told him. Finally, he spoke, his voice as calm as it was commanding.

"You're saying… one of the Leaf kunoichi involved in the rescue mission for the Nine-Tails was different?"

Kisame nodded. "Yeah. I don't know how to explain it, but the moment I tried to assimilate the chakra I stole from her, I felt something… foreign." His usual grin was gone, replaced with something bordering on unease. "It was like a presence reached out and touched me. And I heard a voice—no, felt a voice—like it was speaking directly to my soul."

Konan turned her piercing gaze to him. "Could it have been a Genjutsu?"

Kisame scoffed, shaking his head. "No chance. I've been put under Genjutsu before. Hell, one of the Konoha kunoichi, Kurenai, tried to snare me in one twice during our fight. But this time..." He gestured to the still-wrapped Samehada on his back. "... even this big guy here was affected. It wasn't just me."

Konan folded her arms, considering. "Then perhaps it affected Samehada first, and through sharing its chakra with you, you were affected as well."

Kisame chuckled. "If that's the case, then whoever that girl was, she's one hell of a Genjutsu expert."

Pain remained silent for a moment, his eyes scanning Kisame's expression for any hint of doubt. Then, he spoke with quiet finality.

"Or… she could have been someone capable of harnessing the ancient Dark Arts."

The room fell into silence. The steady rhythm of rain against the walls seemed louder in the stillness.

Konan turned toward Pain, her brow slightly furrowed. "You think that's possible?"

Pain closed his eyes, as if sorting through old memories, before he slowly nodded. "The Dark Arts were never completely forgotten. Even now, remnants of the past still exist. It is entirely possible that some of God's children—" He did not need to specify whom he was referring to "—passed down their mother's techniques to their offspring." His eyes opened once more. "If that is the case, then there may be those alive today who still possess the ability to wield them."

Konan's lips pressed into a thin line. "That doesn't help us identify them." She turned back to Kisame. "Can you describe this kunoichi? Did she belong to a known bloodline?"

Kisame exhaled through his nose, thinking. "No. She looked… ordinary. Just another Konoha shinobi, dressed like a Chunin."

Konan frowned. "Then we have no leads. If there really is someone within Konoha who can use the Dark Arts, we're completely in the dark about them."

Kisame leaned against the wall, thoughtful. "Maybe it doesn't matter."

Pain and Konan both turned to him.

"What do you mean?" Pain asked.

Kisame hesitated, then smiled, but there was no humor in it. "I'm saying, what if she wasn't proficient? What if she wasn't even aware of what she was doing? If I wanted to, I could've killed her easily." He tapped his sword for emphasis. "Regardless of whatever skill she may have had, she was weak enough for me to almost cut her down. Which means…" Kisame trailed off, his eyes narrowing.

Pain studied him for a moment. "You believe she was protected?"

Kisame chuckled dryly. "Think about it. What if that girl was just a believer?"

Silence again. The rain seemed to fall heavier outside.

Konan's expression was unreadable. "Are you suggesting that she prayed for assistance?"

Kisame nodded. "And what I heard… was the voice of God."

Pain's gaze flickered slightly. "You believe divine intervention saved her?"

Kisame shrugged. "I dunno. But it's a possibility, isn't it? That there are other believers out there, and God herself stepped in to protect one of her own."

Pain's eyes drifted toward the rain-streaked window. His voice was quiet, but absolute.

"If that is the case… then God has a plan for that girl."

Konan's eyes softened with understanding. "Which means she will serve a purpose in due time."

Pain nodded, looking back at them both. "It also means that God is with us in this world."

Konan's voice was steady. "The Gedo Statue has been reacting to her presence."

Kisame exhaled, watching the two leaders of Akatsuki with a knowing grin. "So, what's next?"

Pain turned fully, facing them with quiet conviction. "We continue our work. We will gather the remaining Tailed Beasts." He narrowed his eyes. "And when God returns…"

A slow, cold smile crept onto his lips.

"…All her children will rejoice."

Konan nodded solemnly. Kisame let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he pushed off the wall.

"That's good to know. I'll be off."

Kisame took his leave, vanishing into the night like a ghostly shadow. Konan stood beside Pain, her expression calm but her words carrying weight.

"Sasori is dead."

Pain's eyes shifted to her, unreadable.

"The Sand and Leaf rescue team killed him," she continued. "Deidara reported that he managed to escape, but he was ambushed on his way out. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was taken from him by two Leaf shinobi."

A long silence followed. Pain's frown deepened, but he said nothing. His fingers steepled in contemplation. Konan could see it—this was a setback, but not an insurmountable one.

"Nagato is already making preparations to lay Sasori to rest," she added quietly.

Pain exhaled slowly. "Deidara failed." His voice was neutral, but there was a dangerous edge beneath it.

Konan nodded. "He has already expressed his... displeasure."

A faint flicker of amusement crossed Pain's features before vanishing just as quickly. He was never one to indulge in the individual grievances of his subordinates, but Deidara's frustration was expected.

"There's more." Konan hesitated for a moment before continuing. "We have lost contact with Orochimaru."

Pain's gaze sharpened. "The same Leaf team?"

"I don't think so." She crossed her arms, her mind piecing together the possibilities. "I found no evidence that suggests he was killed in battle. No reports of his body being recovered, no signs of a struggle. It's... as if he vanished."

Pain's fingers drummed lightly on the surface of the stone table before him. "You suspect he left of his own accord."

Konan gave a small nod. "It's possible."

Another silence fell. Unlike with Sasori, Pain's frown this time was one of calculation rather than discontent. The possibility of Orochimaru's betrayal had always lingered like a specter at the back of his mind. A man like that—his ambitions ran deeper than even Akatsuki's goals.

"If he has truly turned against us," Pain said, "then we will deal with him like any other enemy."

Konan remained quiet, her expression unreadable. Orochimaru's defection—if true—was not something to ignore. He had knowledge of their movements, their plans. If he chose to act against them in the future, it could prove troublesome.

But it didn't change their course.

Pain slowly stood from his seat, the dim light casting shadows against the walls.

"This changes nothing," he said, his voice absolute. "Sasori is gone. Orochimaru's fate is uncertain. But our plan remains the same."

Konan inclined her head slightly. "There are still seven beasts left to acquire."

Pain's Rinnegan eyes bore into hers. "And we will claim them."

The weight of his words settled in the air like a final decree. The Nine-Tails would be theirs in due time. It was only a matter of patience.

And Akatsuki had all the patience in the world.

Hinata sat in an armchair in Kurenai's living room, a ball of soft lilac yarn nestled in her lap, her hands methodically working on a sweater. She had no real plan for it—just something to keep herself occupied.

But her mind… her mind was elsewhere.

Hinata's fingers moved instinctively, looping and weaving, but her thoughts were tangled in a far more complex pattern. Her encounter with Kisame during the mission to rescue Naruto still haunted her. His voice, rough and deep, echoed in her memory.

"What are you?"

It hadn't been the question itself that unsettled her, but the way he said it—the certainty in his tone, the way his sharp, piercing gaze seemed to see something she couldn't.

"What did Kisame see?"

She murmured the words under her breath, her hands momentarily stilling over the half-knit fabric. She had spent years trying to understand herself, trying to forge her own path outside the expectations of the Hyuuga, outside the framework of what she was meant to be.

And yet, even now, she didn't have an answer.

"Hinata!"

Kurenai's voice pulled her from her thoughts. She blinked, her fingers tightening slightly around the knitting needles as she turned toward the window. Kurenai stood outside in the front yard, and next to her—

Hinata's breath caught for just a moment.

Naruto.

He was standing next to Kurenai, his hands tucked into the pockets of his orange-and-black jacket. His blonde hair was slightly messier than usual, and he gave her a small wave when their eyes met.

"Hinata, Naruto came over to see you," Kurenai said, her tone neutral as she glanced between them.

Hinata quickly set her knitting aside and stood up, smoothing out her sweater before heading to the front door. As she stepped outside, the cool night air wrapped around her, but her focus was on Naruto.

"Hey," he greeted, his usual bright grin on his face.

"Hey," she replied softly.

"I'll leave you two to talk," Kurenai said, walking back inside. As she passed, she glanced at Naruto with quiet disapproval, but her expression softened when she looked at Hinata. She still didn't like Naruto—not after everything—but Hinata seemed to be opening up more, making more friends. Before now, only Neji or Sakura would frequent her house to see her ward. And now Naruto was becoming a regular visitor. That, at least, was a good thing.

Outside, Naruto rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Uh, so… I wanted to talk to you. We, uh, haven't really had the chance since, y'know… the whole getting kidnapped thing."

Hinata smiled faintly. "Yes… I'm glad you're doing better."

Naruto perked up. "Oh! That reminds me—I was gonna get you a gift, but, uh… the Akatsuki kinda stole it."

Hinata blinked. "They… stole it?"

Naruto sighed dramatically. "Yeah! I had this nice bracelet I picked out for you and everything, but while I was tied up, they must've swiped it! Can you believe that?"

Hinata pressed a hand to her mouth, suppressing a laugh at the sheer absurdity.

Naruto laughed along with her. "I know, right? An intercontinental terrorist organisation—stealing a bracelet from their hostage. That's just rude."

"You didn't have to get me anything," Hinata said, shaking her head.

"I wanted to, though," Naruto insisted, crossing his arms. "I mean, after everything you did for me? I had to at least do something nice in return."

Hinata's expression softened. "I visited you at the hospital a few times, but you were always asleep," she admitted.

Naruto's eyes widened slightly. "You did?"

She nodded.

He scratched his cheek, looking flustered. "Oh, uh… Sasuke mentioned something about that, but I wasn't sure if he was just messing with me." He hesitated, then quickly added, "That's really nice of you, Hinata. I, uh… I really appreciate it."

The slight pink dusting his cheeks didn't go unnoticed.

Hinata tilted her head. "I'm glad you're feeling better now."

Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Granny Tsunade says I'm good to go, so no more hospital visits for me!"

Hinata chuckled. "That's good to hear."

"But I still gotta make it up to you," Naruto insisted.

Hinata shook her head. "You don't have to—"

"I want to," Naruto interrupted, his voice firm. He hesitated for a second, then started again. "I will… I'll…"

Inside his mind, Naruto was fighting a battle far more intense than any he'd faced in the field. Ask her out, ask her out, just do it—

Hinata watched him curiously as he stumbled over his words. "Naruto?"

Naruto panicked.

"I'll get you a new bracelet!" he blurted out.

Hinata blinked in surprise.

Naruto mentally punched himself in the face. Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!

"A better one!" he added quickly, trying to salvage what little remained of his pride.

Hinata smiled softly. "That's very kind of you."

Naruto sighed in relief. "Yeah, yeah! I'll find one that's way better than the old one."

Hinata nodded, about to respond—

And then she heard it.

A familiar voice.

"This boy sure is taking his time..."

Hinata's breath hitched.

Her heart pounded violently against her ribs as the voice slithered through her mind.

That voice—she knew it. She knew it.

Naruto noticed her flinch. "Hinata? You okay?"

She forced a quick nod. "Y-Yeah. I just…" She swallowed hard. "I think I should go inside. It's getting late."

Naruto frowned slightly, looking concerned. "Oh, uh, yeah, sure. Guess I should head home too."

"Goodnight, Naruto," she said, her voice steady despite the whirlwind inside her.

Naruto smiled at her. "Goodnight, Hinata."

She turned and hurried inside before he could see the unease in her eyes.

Naruto lingered for a moment, watching the closed door. His heart was still pounding, but for a very different reason.

He exhaled loudly, running a hand through his hair.

"Damn it."

Inside his head, he could hear Kurama snickering.

"Tragic..."

"Shut up," Naruto muttered.

Kurama just laughed harder.

Naruto sighed, stuffing his hands into his pockets and heading home.

Hinata stepped through the doorway, closing the front door behind her with a quiet click. The scent of a home-cooked meal drifted through the house, warm and inviting, but it barely registered in her mind.

"Ah, Hinata, you're back," Kurenai called from the kitchen. She peeked around the corner, her eyes gentle as they met Hinata's. "I just finished cooking. Come eat while it's hot."

Hinata forced a small smile, trying to keep her voice even. "I'll be there in a few minutes," she replied.

Kurenai's brow furrowed slightly. There was something off about her tone—polite, yes, but subdued, like she was holding something back.

"Is everything alright?" Kurenai asked, stepping closer. "You don't sound like yourself."

Hinata swallowed, trying to come up with an excuse. "I'm fine," she assured quickly. She hesitated, then added, "Just... feeling embarrassed, that's all."

Kurenai frowned, confused. "Embarrassed?" Her voice dropped slightly, taking on a concerned edge. "Did Naruto do something to make you feel that way?"

Hinata shook her head immediately. "No! No, it's not him," she said, maybe a little too quickly. "It's just... I need to freshen up. I'll be back soon."

Kurenai studied her for a moment, but then gave a slow nod. "Alright. But if something's wrong, you know you can talk to me, right?"

Hinata forced another smile. "I know. Thank you."

Kurenai didn't look convinced, but she let her go.

Hinata made her way down the hall, her hands tightening into fists at her sides. Every step felt heavier. She reached her room and shut the door behind her, pressing her back against the cool wood. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, heart pounding so hard it nearly hurt.

That voice again...

It had been years since she'd heard it—since she was thirteen, when she finally convinced herself she'd imagined it all. But tonight... tonight it was real. It had spoken to her, clear as day.

Hinata whispered to herself, "What is happening to me?"

She ran a hand through her hair, pacing slightly before collapsing onto her bed. Her hands were shaking. Was she losing her mind?

Then—

"Your eyes are almost fully mature."

Hinata shot to her feet, a strangled gasp escaping her lips.

Her dark eyes darted around the dimly lit room, searching every shadow, every corner. She was alone. The voice had come from nowhere and everywhere at once.

"Who's there?" she breathed.

Nothing.

Her pulse thundered. I'm imagining things. I have to be imagining things.

She backed toward the bathroom, needing to splash some water on her face, something to ground her. Her bare feet touched the cold tiles, and she grabbed onto the sink with trembling fingers.

She turned the tap, icy water pouring into her cupped palms. She splashed it over her face, gasping at the chill.

"My child..."

Hinata stiffened. The voice was closer. Right behind her.

"When your eyes are mature... then you will know everything."

Her breath hitched. Slowly, hesitantly, she lifted her gaze to the mirror.

And saw her.

A woman stood in the reflection, towering over her as she hunched over the sink. Long, flowing white hair cascaded like a veil of silk, untouched by time. Her skin was pale—immaculate, almost inhuman in its flawlessness. Her features were soft yet regal, a beauty that transcended mortality. But what truly gripped Hinata in icy terror were the eyes. Blue, glowing, almost luminescent.

Hinata couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.

The room around her darkened, the edges of her vision consumed by an unnatural shadow.

Cold flooded her veins, spreading from her fingertips to her core. It was not the cold of winter or wind—it was something far worse. Something ancient. Something wrong.

Her knees wobbled. The sink, the mirror, the entire room seemed to spin.

The woman in the mirror did not blink. Did not move.

The last thing Hinata saw before darkness claimed her was those glowing blue eyes.

Then, she collapsed.