It had been about a solid 30 days from the day Naruto, Hinata and Sasuke had their drunken pow wow. It was a needed night. They expressed themselves and discovered new things among themselves. Somethings they could guess about one another and somethings they had no clue about one another. Plus don't get Naruto started on what happened after the talking was done. Now THAT was much needed on his part.

Naruto would often tease that Sasuke tapped out first. Three rounds was all the drunken Uchiha wanted, and he'd would be grumpy if he was asked to do anymore. Sasuke said Naruto and Hinata had been at it off and on for hours and the sun was coming up, so he wanted no more parts and wanted to go to SLEEP.

Hinata was a silent competitor. Even though she didn't really show it. So she tried to keep up with Naruto at any means necessary. Though, when 8 in the morning hit and Naruto was still grinning for more Hinata had to whine to get out of any more love sessions. Naruto laughed at this, he honestly was satisfied and just kept going to prove a point to Hinata and Sasuke.

Now fast forward everything to 15 days and ALREADY hard headed Hinata was itching to go back on a mission. She was sneaky about it too. Out of the three currently Naruto was the only one still doing missions. His reason being that he got word from Kakashi that sooner rather than later Naruto was going to be moved to shadow the Hokage for a couple of years, so he was going to have to get used to the admin life. Naruto wanted to get out as much as possible before then.

That being said, when Naruto went on a mission, not even a day later Hinata accepts a mission from Tsunade. The mission was only to last a week and of course Sasuke had no issue with her going.

It wasn't like Naruto was the only over protective one, but Sasuke believed in letting Hinata and Naruto have their freedom because he would want the same respect and energy. Naruto couldn't confine Hinata in and expect her to not have some type of mental breakdown from it. Sasuke made sure to tell Naruto he was being irrational and over protective when the loud ninja came back and found out Hinata accepted a mission so soon and was gone.

It took almost everything in Naruto to not at least try and throw Sasuke out the window of Hinata's apartment. In all honesty Sasuke wanted to see Naruto try.

Besides, Sasuke took this silent time without Naruto and Hinata around to look for other places to live. That way he could come up with his final 3 choices and give it to them. They in return would take this as the only three best options, because they knew Sasuke's standards and knew he would only want the best for himself and them. This would mean Naruto and Hinata wouldn't want to further go apartment or house shopping OR give him a fuss over other options. So basically Sasuke silently benefited from the two not being present and would not share this little detail among them.

Plus Sasuke told Naruto it was a simple escort mission. Hinata stated that she was going to take it easy. Sasuke then said Naruto could stop acting like an over protective parent and more like her boyfriend.

This did not stop Naruto from waiting at the gates on the exact date that Hinata was supposed to be back. An annoyed Sasuke being dragged along for the trip. Naruto looked at Sasuke's mock grumpy face while waiting for Hinata and rolled his eyes at this. Sasuke was just as eager to see Hinata as himself.

The two young men just arrived at the gates. Naruto had actually gotten there an hour early, much to Sasuke's surprise and annoyance. He thought they'd be there waiting over an hour, but sure enough Hinata was already approaching the gates. She was alone. She was spotless and actually looked refreshed. She arrived earlier than expected and that was enough to bring a bright smile to Naruto's face.

Naruto noticed that Hinata kept herself covered. The weather outside was spring weather, it wasn't really hot or cold and with long distance walking he figured Hinata got a light sweat going. Still Hinata kept wrappings around exposed skin that her former ROOT attire left out and she had kind of this black neck warmer wrapped around her neck along with her Konoha ninja headband. Doing almost the most to hid her burn scars.

Naruto frowned a little but was soon elbowed by Sasuke, "Fix that stupid look on your face. We look at Hinata like she is perfectly fine because in reality she it, but that does not mean a regular civilian or these vain ninja's will. They see scars. Hinata is not ready to show her scars yet is all. If she sees that dumb look on your face she'll be back in hoodies before you know it."

Naruto didn't want that. Unless Hinata wanted to do it all out of her choice to change attire. He didn't want her to do it because she was ashamed of her battle scars.

Plus fuck those people that look at her differently from them. He'd end them in a second.

Hinata gave Naruto and Sasuke a big smile and picked up her pace going to them when she noticed them at the gates. When they were finally together Naruto hugged Hinata first. She smelled fresh and sweet and nothing like she did when she came out the swamps from her last mission. "You smell good."

Hinata gave a shy smile and a blush at this. Her bandaged hands toying with her neck gaiter, "Oh! The person I escorted wanted nothing but the best, that included sleeping arrangements. So she paid Lady Tsunade more so we could stay at one of those nice hotels that have room service and a jacuzzi tub. The room was good for a week and it only took me five days to escort her. So on my way back I spent one day alone in the big hotel room. I guess I spoiled myself with the tub and stuff."

Naruto's smile expanded ten folds and a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. He was so WORRIED. "Well it's great to hear that! You deserve the break!"

Hinata's smile widened at hearing this and her blush expanded down her covered neck when Sasuke held her waist from behind and pulled her softly into a hug. "I'm glad everything went smoothly."

Hinata looked to be on the verge of an anxiety attack and wiggled her way out of the Naruto and Sasuke sandwich they were making out of her. She giggled nervously, but still reached to take their hands, "Come. Let's go to the Hokage and drop off the paperwork. I also wanted to ask Lady Tsunade a question."

Naruto and Sasuke didn't questions the notion and when they got to the Hokage's office and Hinata delivered her reports to close out her successful mission, they listened in to Hinata's conversation with Tsunade.

"If I may Hokage-sama, do you think it is possible for me to submit a packet in to be a diplomat for Konoha?"

Naruto had a shocked grin on his face while Sasuke's eyes widened slightly in amusement. Was Hinata actually taking advice and listening to them? Never thought they'd see the day. It was either progression, or something else Hinata wasn't telling them. For the moment they were going to go with progression.

Tsunade had an almost confused look on her face. Under closer observation Naruto could see that she was in a rather playful, devious mood. "Really Hinata? I honestly had you lined up for a meeting with the captain of Anbu. I really thought that was where you wanted to grow."

It was rare when Naruto actually wanted to tell Tsunade to stop playing around and that she was working on his nerves. If Tsunade was being serious, which he secretly knew she was, it made sense since Hinata in the past really did push off Anbu type of skill sets. Still, even Tsunade should be able to see the burn out phase Hinata was in.

Hinata needed rest, stability and everything but to be pushed to more bloodshed.

Tsunade looked to be in thought and tapped her pen on her bottom lip, "Actually, it makes sense. I mean I can actually see you growing in both fields but would say I could see you doing long term growth as a diplomat. I'm talking 20-30 year career here. Hmm, I'll allow it."

Tsunade stood up and looked through her filing cabinets until she found under the 'special assignments' file the diplomat packet. "Besides, the other day your father gave the idea of you being a diplomat to me as well. I guess it is true, you Hyuga's do think alike. Right Hinata?"

Hinata froze a bit before taking the packet. Now seeming like she was hesitant. Tsunade had a sly look on her face before showing Hinata two packets, "Now which one do you want again? Anbu or Diplomat? You'd be great in either one…in my personal opinion. Don't let Naruto and Sasuke change your mind from what you want."

Sasuke frowned at the little mind game Tsunade was playing with Hinata. Tsunade was just fishing to see how much growth Hinata had really made over time. Hinata looked at both packets before looking at Tsunade with a calm smile. "I guess we do. I am a Hyuga after all. I cannot run from genetics Hokage-sama."

Tsunade smiled at this and slid Hinata the diplomat packet, "Very good choice. Your father really did come in and give the suggestion. I wasn't fucking with you or anything. So, it's Tuesday. I expect to see this packet with your name on it before the end of the day Friday. You'll have your answer by Monday morning."

It was cute to see Hinata focused on filling out the packet. She made sure everything was spelled out right, that her hand writing was as clear and neat as can be. She sat on the couch with a big cup of hot tea that Sasuke made for her and she was in an oversized long sleeve black shirt and black short-shorts with fuzzy orange socks. Laying his head on Hinata's thigh was Sasuke as he filled out his packet for Anbu try outs.

The two was in a comfortable silence and helped one another when they were trying to look for the right word to write down. Sasuke taking sips of Hinata's tea when he wanted something warm and soothing.

From the corner of Hinata's eye she saw Naruto reading over this letter he received via a messenger bird. He received the message maybe 30 minutes ago and he didn't say anything about the letter. Hinata and Sasuke would catch Naruto re-read the letter over and over again and watched as he seemed to do everything but talk about the letter.

He honestly took a spiral down when it came to his mood and he looked to be on the verge of having a nervous breakdown. Typically when something was going on with Naruto, he did what he did best, he avoided the situation and people. Which was a little hurtful considering how much he was always there for Sasuke and Hinata. Why wouldn't he let them be there for him?

Why did he always want to carry the world on his shoulders?

When Naruto got up from the recliner and looked to be going on the balcony to probably meditate, Sasuke spoke up finally from his silent position. "I am guessing when you're done hiding you'll tell what the letter is about."

Sasuke didn't look up at Naruto, but Hinata did and she had this worried look on her face. "Umm, if you'd like Naruto."

She didn't want Naruto to feel forced about it, because he never made her feel forced to express herself. She watched as a forced smile came on Naruto's face and he waved a hand off, "Eh, I will. Don't worry about it."

When he opened and closed the balcony and sat on the ground out there and looked to be meditating Hinata couldn't help herself but to worry. Sasuke tapped his pen on his packet a few more times before Hinata's energy started to creep up onto him.

"Fine. We'll ask him. The packets aren't due until the end of the week anyways."

Hinata smiled at Sasuke's typical frown on his face before getting up and slowly approaching the sliding window to the balcony and slowly opening it to poke her head out to Naruto. "Umm. May I join you Naruto-kun?"

Sasuke gave Hinata a dry look at her trying to sweet talk Naruto into opening up. One thing Naruto was good at. That was avoiding expressing himself. If he really didn't want to, then he wouldn't. Unfortunately for Sasuke when Hinata put her mind to it she was just as stubborn as Naruto. It typically left Sasuke in an…annoying situation.

However, it was better Hinata be on Naruto's ass than himself. Typically his method of soothing Naruto usually ended up with Sasuke getting horribly annoyed and emotionally tapped out.

Naruto had his eyes closed and looked to be in deep concentration, "I'm not sure what sitting out here would do for you, except make you cold. I'm no fun when I'm meditating Hinata."

Hinata quickly sat next to him on the cold balcony ground and scooted close to him. She didn't touch him or invade his privacy, but she did sit cross legged in the same meditative stance and closed her eyes beside Naruto.

Naruto didn't say anything about this. He also didn't comment at how Sasuke literally just laid on the ground in front of him and Hinata and looked to be napping more then meditating. It was quiet, nothing was really distracting Naruto except for the letter under his leg and the fact he kept thinking Hinata was chilly because of the slight evening breeze. She did get cold easily.

"Umm Hinata?"

"Yes Naruto."

"Aren't you cold?"

"No. I'm worried."

Naruto sighed and opened his eyes to look at her, "Please don't worry Hinata. I don't want you to worry."

Hinata opened one eye to look at Naruto, "And I do not want you to be stressed or upset."

Naruto frowned at her, "Hinata."

Hinata puffed her cheeks at Naruto, "Naruto-kun."

Sasuke had about enough of both of them and snatched the letter from under Naruto's foot and looked at it. Naruto and Hinata both had a flabbergasted look on their face as they were both stunned Sasuke did such a thing.

Naruto's reflexes were fast when he got over his initial shock and snatched the letter back, but unfortunately for him Sasuke just so happened to be a fast reader.

Sasuke had a confused look for a minute before he focused his confusion on Naruto, "What's the deal hiding this? They want you to meet up with that Killer Bee guy at Turtle Island and train on that dark, twisted side of yours so you can better handle the nine tails. It's a good thing. They're really taking you serious for this Hokage position and you have to have your shit together. Why do you think me and Hinata are going out the way to polish our image? Take up the invitation and go. Me and you both know you can't do this on your own. The nine tails, you know that is a big issue with everything we're trying to do Naruto. You have little to no control over it."

Naruto frowned at Sasuke. He felt Hinata reach over and hug his torso from their seated position and look up at him, "It will be good for you Naruto. Healing is good for you. Me and Sasuke will be right here waiting for you and cheering you on."

Sasuke scuffed at the last part.

Naruto's fingers were dancing on his knee and he looked in a slight panic. Hinata hugged him a little tighter and started to rub her hand on his chest, like she was encouraging him to relax. Sasuke was still lying on the floor, but even he reached over and ran his hand up and down Naruto's thigh.

Finally Naruto seemed to be in a state to talk, "I wasn't perfect growing up ya know. I did some things that I wasn't proud of. I felt like I did it to survive. To…just mentally make it out of the orphanage. I don't really want to go back down memory lane, but if it helps stop the nine tails from tapping into my…triggers. Then I'll do it."

Hinata leaned back to look at Naruto and she took his hand to massage it, "What triggers does the nine tails tap into?"

Naruto was going to shrug his shoulders and fake like he didn't know, but for some reason the will to continue to be fake just wasn't there anymore. He seemed tired, "I mean. I guess…Sasuke got it right on a lot of things. I still don't trust the villagers. I think them seeing me as a hero is fake. I feel like ninja's and civilians only respect me now because of who my parents were…well who my father was, and because they fear the nine tails. Back in the day, they never would even give me a chance. I was just a kid and they treated me like I was a murderer. Ya know?"

Naruto ran his hands through his hair in frustration, "But I'm not like you and Sasuke. None of us jinchūriki are. We can't hold resentment. We hold on to it and it turns into something horrible. Look at Gaara. That could have been me! I…have no clue why I didn't end up like that. It's not like I never had the desire to act it out. I did. I was so angry that I was always alone. Everything is always different for me. Like, if I get angry, if I lose my shit and I joined ROOT or Orochimaru or shit even Akatsuki. Then it would have been over.SOmany people would be dead. No one could save me because they have no clue what it feels like to have that fucking fox's voice in the back of their head telling me to kill EVERYONE!"

He was breathing hard now. Definitely out of his element. Naruto didn't even notice how the sun had set and how night was steadily approaching. How his tanned skin was fading in the dark and how Sasuke and Hinata's pale skin was glowing.

He blinked surprised when Hinata's hand came to rub a single tear out his face. Her hand was so warm and the buzzing in his head from fear was easing away. Sasuke came up and kissed his right ear, pulling Naruto to his embrace. "I'm sorry."

Naruto pulled back to look at Sasuke and was taken back to see Sasuke actually looked sympathetic. "I don't take back what I did. My decision to leave, but I'm saying sorry because I never, ever wanted to hurt you, Kakashi or Sakura. I wasn't in your position till after my clans massacre and I absolutely have no clue how it feels to have people just hate you the way they did."

Sasuke leaned over and tapped his forehead against Naruto's, "This isn't fake either. I'm not like those villagers. I'm not the other ninja's. So tell that fucking fox and twisted-dark Naruto to shove it if they even have the nerve to say otherwise. I've said it before and I meant it, it's me, you and Hinata. That's all we need. Don't let your demons make you forget that."

He kissed Naruto and the blonde finally relaxed. Hinata stayed by Naruto's side and leaned her head on his shoulder and played with Sasuke's free hand that was beside her. When Sasuke pulled back he noticed Naruto take on a more animalist feature and could see him even now struggling with himself. Obviously his inner demons weren't happy with what Sasuke just said. "Go Naruto. It'll do you some good."

Naruto nodded his head, still a little hesitant and his eyes went from Sasuke to Hinata. "I want you two to come too."

Sasuke leaned back and looked at him, "We'd be a distraction."

Naruto shook his head disagreeing, "Not if you go through the same training. It could be something good for the three of us. We all have a pretty shitty past. Let's fix it. Together."

Sasuke would feel like an absolute hypocrite if he said no, and that he didn't want to relive family trauma. Plus Naruto kind of was right. It would be…good for him. "I'll go, but if this traumatizes me more then it's on you if I go crazy rouge again."

Naruto's dark energy started to fade away and he finally flashed a smile showing his pearly white teeth and Sasuke returned it with a grin.

The two noticed how Hinata was in total silence the whole time. She had herself attached to Naruto's side and had a relaxed look on her face as she had her eyes closed. Totally avoiding answering any questions. She obviously didn't want to partake in the training. After all, Hinata was worse than them all when it came to helping and not wanting to receive help in return. She still had many secrets and scars in her heart that they were sure she wanted to take to her grave. This training would expose everything and maybe that was a big fear of hers.

Sensing that the two wanted an answer from her, Hinata opened her eyes and looked at them with a loving, but guarded smile, "I want to support you Naruto. You as well Sasuke. I will go if you will have me as a guest."

That was a very sweet way to decline an offer.

Naruto smiled at Hinata's forever clever tactics and tilted his head at her, "Okay. As long as you're there with me Hinata. I'm fine."

Hinata saw how his eyes turned sharp on her, but his smile was still on his face. "I want you to know Hinata. You can't hide everything from us. You're ours now and if you're going to know every little detail about me and Sasuke. You can bet that we'll find out every little secret you have. Especially the ones you had with Danzo."

Hinata kissed Naruto's cheek and stood up from the cold balcony's floor, "Naruto. When do you want to leave? I will have to set many things in order. I will ask Neji to come and check on the apartment and our plants. I have to ensure we pack everything and have the proper snacks and finances for the journey there and for our stay."

Naruto didn't say anything at Hinata trying to avoid everything he was saying to her. He was used to Hinata's sly behavior by now and knew just how to work her over. "The letter requested that I get there in two days. So maybe leaving tomorrow evening when the sun sets will be perfect. Plenty of time to get things set. Right?"

Hinata smiled at him and nodded her head, already halfway inside the apartment. "Yes. Of course. I'll get right on the arrangements!"

She scurried away and Naruto smiled at her retreating form. Sasuke eyes followed her form as well before speaking, "Something tells me you're letting her win the battle here. You have way more fight than that."

Naruto shrugged his shoulders watching Hinata's tiny body pick up the phone to call Neji while she opened their refrigerator and pulled out a variety of food. "Hmm. Yeah, but I'll win the war when we get to Turtle Island."