Hinata sensei

She was walking alongside Asuma and Kurenai the debriefing had started. They reported everything that had happened on the mission as it happened. The evidence pointing that it was Konoha that was responsible the Hokage looked like it he had aged; he sat there and silence as they explained everything. When they stopped he spoke "then it is as I feared the sapphire village will ask for protection from the land of lightning and there's nothing we can do about it without starting a war this is bad"yes it was having part of the land of fire territory annexed by its neighbor this was going to look really bad on the Hokage someone was going to use that against him and she knew who it was.

"So what do we do, Hokage-sama?" asked Kurenai.

"Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do for now. You should all prepare your students for the upcoming Chunin Exams. Soon, they will be asked if they would like to enter. It'll be up to you all to recommend them to the Chunin Exams. That's why I would recommend you stay as close to the village as possible. You're all dismissed." Kurenai and Asuma left, leaving Hinata and the Hokage alone.

"I heard what happened on the mission Hinata"she did not want to be told it wasn't her fault again she was sick of hearing about that."I'm not going to tell you it wasn't your fault that's not why I want to talk to you alone that jitsu I want to hear a report what did it do to you what did it bring out what I was told it brought out emotions in you a part of yourself that you had suppressed genjutsu can do various things to people's minds but never what it did to you can you explain what happened?"Hinata didn't want to think about the jitsu it was horrible she heard voices she was experiencing memories all at once that she was consumed with rage.

That's not all: the curse mark on her neck almost consumed her, and if it hadn't been for the seal, the second curse mark would have engulfed her and killed everyone if she entered her second curse mark state. The seal was weakened; she knew this, and she knew the Hokage would bring it up.

"The jitsu brought repressed memories to the surface. I heard voices telling me I was a failure. I was worthless among other things. I'd rather not discuss"

The old man looked at her understandingly."I understand, but this jitsu is dangerous. You have a strong resistance against genjutsu; it should not have done what it did to you. Someone must have trained you very well, as you are. You were trained by genjutsu masters; you should not have been reduced to the state that you were reported to be in. It has to be some sort of new weapon that an enemy developed, like a ninja tool or something."

Hinata thought about that, but she couldn't see what kind of weapon it was that was used on her.

"I can't tell you anything more than I've told you. I don't know if I did, I would have told you everything in the reports. I don't know any countermeasures against this Jitsu, assuming it's a jutsu at all. Not some sort of toxin than enemy injected in my bloodstream. I just don't know."

The truth is no one knew, and that's what terrified her the most about this Jitsu. " You must stay in the village with your team and focus on training them for the time being. We've taken your blood, we will see if there was anything in your bloodstream. In the meantime, stay in the village and I will have to take a look at the seal on your neck see if it's compromised what I've heard in the reports it almost engulfed you."

He approached her and examined the mark on her neck."I will have Kakashi reseal the curse mark later; it's too dangerous for you to leave the village. Until I know it's safe, you are forbidden to leave the village."

This was not a request, it was an order.

"I will do as you ask, Hokage-sama"Hinata bowed respectfully and left.

Hiruzen thought when things were getting worse, they got even worse. He looked at all the reports that the council would use against him, as well as the civilian council. He couldn't help but feel like someone was conspiring to remove him from power; he would have gladly stepped down if he had someone else he could trust to take on the mantle of Hokage. But there was no one in the village he trusted. Everyone else was either inexperienced or not someone he would trust with the job. There was only one person he would choose, but he knew he would never want to be the Hokage in the first place.

"I know you're there, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya made little effort to hide his amusement.

"Oh, Sensei. You take things a little too seriously; you have to live a little. Relax."

He knew he was only lightening up the mood; he was hiding what he was truly feeling from out in the open. There were eyes and ears everywhere; damn those counselors.

"Make it quick Jiraiya, why are you back here?"he handed him a piece of paper he knew it was written in code so whatever he was truly saying was something he would have to decode himself."I'll make sure to keep an eye on him and make sure he hasn't do anything foolish"Hiruzen was concerned Hinata could look after Naruto herself she was certainly doing better than he was much to his shame.

"You know I wouldn't be shocked if those two end up together one day"Jiraiya said as a joke."don't joke about something like that" Hiruzen said annoyed."I know the early signs sensei history will repeat itself. I just know it if they're anything like Minato and Kushina it will happen. I'm not a betting man but I believe it will." The idea of Naruto and Hinata getting together was ridiculous but that's what everyone said about Minato and Kushina when the early signs of Minato being in love with his sensei was open.

"Will you take care of Naruto?" he asked his former student. "Of course. After all, he's the closest thing I have to a grandson." When he heard that, he felt terrible, but then disregarded it quickly. He couldn't focus on how the past could have been different; he could only focus on the present. "You need to be careful. Root is going to make its move soon." He knew exactly what Orochimaru and Danzo were up to. He had no proof that they were collaborating. Absolutely no proof, and that's what frustrated him the most. He should have killed them when he had the chance. He should have completely dismantled Root, but he felt powerless.

"Damn those elders if they didn't constantly block everything I did, we could have done something about him a long time ago."

Hiruzen said contemptuously; he hated them.

"Watch your back, Sensei, and I will make sure to keep an eye on Naruto." Jiraiya left; he couldn't help but feel that no matter what happened in the next few months, he would step down as Hokage. He would have to; one way or another, there was only one person he could trust - maybe another one, but she has no faith in the will of fire anymore. But those are his only options.

"Tsunade! I wish you were here!" He pushed his thoughts aside for now; he couldn't think about the future. He had to think about the present and prepare for what's to come.

"We can't leave this village until further notice, this sucks," Naruto said irritated. "Whatever," Sasuke said not caring one way or the other. "How am I going to earn money in the meantime?" Kagome asked Hinata. "It's out of my hands; I'm sorry." They were all disappointed that they were stuck but nothing could be done. "Here; it isn't much, but it should help." Hinata gave some of her money Kagome, which shocked her as it was more than she could ever make in three months with her current rank. "I don't want your charity, Sensei." She said respectfully.

"I have to look after my students, you're not as financially fluent as my other students here. I'm just trying to help in whatever way I can."

It was difficult for her to accept all of her life; she had to work hard for everything. This felt like a lot of money to her.

"Thank you," she said genuinely.

"Let's go somewhere nice for once,"Naruto suggested."I'd rather eat at home,"Kagome said," not wanting to spend money that was just given to her on a restaurant."I can make you all home food, it's not a problem,"said Hinata. She wasn't going to deny homemade food especially if someone was offering."of course first I'm going to drop this money off at home and I'll be right there."she left her team along with her sensei.

She headed home. Her mother was happy to see her, so she hugged her.

"Oh, my dear daughter! I'm so glad you're home and safe. What is it that you have in your hand?"

She showed her all the money that was given to her by her sensei.

"I'd like to meet her one of these days." Kagome here, have some of this. You deserve it."

She couldn't deny anything her mother said, so she took the money reluctantly.

Her mother couldn't deny anything her mother said, didn't want to, she wanted to make her mother happy so she took the money reluctantly.

She headed back to where her team was. They were waiting for her.

"So, where are we going, Hinata-sensei?" Naruto asked her.

"I have to go home and make you lunch. I'll return to the training grounds in an hour. Please don't be late. Hinata took off from the group and left them alone."

"Hinata-sensei is making us lunch; I wonder what it tastes like."

Naruto thought dreamily, of course, he had to show that he had an obvious crush on their sensei. It would be endearing if it weren't annoying. "Whatever, I'm not complaining about food that I'm not paying for."

Sasuke said, hiding that he was looking forward to eating what their Sensei was cooking.

"So what are we going to do in the meantime?" asked Sasuke to Kagome.

"What we should have done from the very start is simply talking." They both looked at her as if she had said something strange.

"What?" She said, annoyed. "You can be pretty cute when you act nice." The girl blushed a deep shade of red; she wanted to punch Naruto for saying something so stupid.

"What the hell does that mean?" Sasuke was laughing.

"You're laughing too, moron?"

"Relax, it's just a compliment" Naruto said, trying to cool the tension.

"Whatever", she said, embarrassed, doing her best not to admit this out loud, but she was starting to enjoy Naruto's presence. However, she would never tell that, especially in front of Sasuke or Hinata.

It had been a while since Hinata made lunch for anyone. She went to her cabinet and looked in her fridge. Then she started cooking. It wasn't anything fancy. She was making enough for four people and a little extra for seconds. One of the things she enjoyed doing was cooking. She was good at it, and anyone who has ever had her cooking always compliments how great she is. It's her way of trying to bond with her students and let them bond just by having a simple activity like eating together. She wishes she would have done this from the start; perhaps Kagome would have respected her sooner.

She didn't like the fact that she was forced to stay in Konoha but there was nothing that could be done about that due to the potential danger that the jutsu that she was exposed to had. She wasn't sure if there was anything in her bloodstream.

After an hour of careful preparation, she finished the lunch she was preparing for her students. It was a simple lunch: rice rolls with teriyaki sauce on the side. She put a few other things on the side as well, such as a few cinnamon rolls. After she was done, she put all of her students' lunches along with her own in a few containers and left her apartment.

While she was walking, she saw a couple who looked around the same age (of 12-13). They were laughing.

She remembers a different time in a different life; it feels like a lifetime ago before she lost her faith in people before she had lost the ability to smile and laugh.

5 years 6 months before the Uchiha clan massacre

Hinata was waiting for Itachi, who had returned from a mission. She was excited to reveal that she had been promoted to Chunin. It was on her first try, in the Chunin exams. She wore the vest she wanted to tell him. She waited for him at their usual spot. When she saw him approaching, the one person who could bring a smile to her face, it was him. She felt her heart beating just being near him; he was one of the few people she felt completely open with. They had known each other for a long time.

"I'm happy for you you're closer to your dream"Itachi said with a genuine smile."yes but I hope I don't get in the way. I know how much being the Hokage means to you"the older boy looked up in the sky."I think you would be a better Hokage than I would ever be, you're kind and gentle, it's something our village can use. I'm nothing like you Hina."when he called her by her childhood nickname, and nowadays she felt butterflies in her stomach. Something about the way he said it he was her best friend her he was something much more she was afraid of telling him.

"With you by my side, I believe I can accomplish anything, Itachi-kun."

Hinata said with emotion she was afraid to bring out openly.

"What is it that you're saying?" he asked her.

"Well, if I become the Hokage, you could become my 'shadow' Hokage."

That's not what she wanted to say, but she couldn't tell him her feelings.

"Are you sure that's your real feelings? Hinata, it's not like you to lie."

She looked away; he was able to see through her.

"Maybe I want something else. Maybe I want you to be my 'side' always."

She was afraid of telling him her feelings, afraid of his rejection.

My family would never approve and neither would yours"Hinata she knew they wouldn't but she didn't care."I don't care they cannot control who I hold in my heart Itachi Kun"he looked surprised by what she was saying."Do you know what you're saying? Do you have any idea?"he asked her the last time they spoke about each other's feelings. He didn't believe her when she confessed to him."My answer is the same: I love you, Itachi." Itachi wrapped his arms around her their face was inches from each other.

He kissed her, and she returned his kiss with the same passion he started to remove her vest. "Are you sure you want this?" Itachi asked her. "More than anything," she said to him without hesitation. He kissed her again with more passion and then, before he started to remove more of her clothing, it was all a flash to her. She was on top of him. The look of love in his eyes was almost as if the world stopped just for them. "Are you sure you want this, Hinata?" Itachi asked her. "I've taken birth control; we're fine." She knew they were young, and many people would condemn them, but to her, it didn't matter.

Later

She looked up at the sky with her lover. The act of lovemaking was nothing like she could imagine. She thought he was so kind to her; he was her ideal man, someone she would love to spend the rest of her life with.

"This has been a wonderful night, Hinata. I will forever ingrain this in my soul."

The way he said it was with a tone of sadness.

"What's wrong, Itachi-kun? You're scaring me."

He smiled sadly at her; she wondered what he was hiding.

"No matter what happens do not change who you are you're kind and gentle nature that is your strength it's not a weakness it's your kindness and gentleness is why I fell in love with you."she leaned on his chest she didn't know why he was saying this."I would burn the world for you Hinata you and Sasuke are the most precious people to me and I would burn this village too if it meant keeping you safe"she was touched by this but something Disturbed her.

"I don't want you to become a monster, Itachi-kun, I love you the way you are." There was nothing but silence between them. "I gotta go; don't forget my words." Itachi left her there as he went on his mission.

She felt a tear fall through her eye. Why did she have to think about Itachi as much as she hates him Her feelings have never gone away. She had never told anyone other than her friends that were closest to her. that she loved Itachi Uchiha it was a secret she buried it deep down she never wanted to tell anyone her love blinded her had she not been in love with him she could have stopped him she could have saved everyone in the Uchiha clan that was killed. She feels partially responsible for Sasuke's suffering if only she had taken action sooner if only. She wondered deep down did he truly loved her or was that a lie?

Why did she think about Itachi all of a sudden? Why has she been thinking about him a lot lately? Ever since that mission in the sapphire village, she's been thinking about the boy she loved once. The one she would have married, but all of that is in her heart now is hatred for the one who betrayed her, the one who betrayed the village, the one who betrayed everything that he stood for, what she stood for.

No matter how many years had passed she thought she had moved on from Itachi she thought that she could put the past behind her no matter how hard she tries no matter how much she hates him the love she feels towards him has not gone away. She was once told that love and hate are the same side of the same coin that you can love and hate someone at the same time. It made no sense to her until she fell in love and grew to hate the man that she loved.

She had to clear her thoughts so she couldn't let her students see her like this. She had to appear strong to project an image of strength. She buried deep inside of her the love that she once held for Itachi. She would never let her self fall in love again; she made that promise when he killed his own family and clan. It doesn't matter who the person is, she cannot allow another in her heart. She hasn't told a single soul about her love affair with Itachi and she never will if she has anything to say about it.

"Man, what's taking so long? This is boring."

Naruto said as they played Truth or Dare for the second time.

"Be patient; she'll be here when she gets here."

Said Sasuke, irritated at Naruto not being quiet.

"It's not that bad; she'll be here any minute."

Said Kagome, as if he could summon her. Hinata walked towards them; she had four containers.

"Wow, whatever you have there, it smells good." said Naruto, who was eager to eat what she made.

Kagome didn't see the big deal; food is just food to her, but she couldn't help but agree with Naruto that it did smell good. She imagined what it would taste like; it wasn't often she got a chance to taste high-quality food.

They all sat across from each other, in a circle, they all sat cross-legged.

"Thank you, Sensei," said Naruto, who was eager to eat what she made.

Kagome took a bite. It was difficult for her to imagine tasting food that's good. She was a good cook as good as her mother, if not better. Though she would never say that out loud, "thank you sensei," Kagome said sincerely. "It's not a problem; I love cooking." This is one thing she didn't think she would expect to learn about her sensei, someone from a prestigious clan who could literally hire a cook who loves cooking themselves? This woman kept amazing her. She couldn't help but feel like she misjudged her.

"I'm sorry Sensei for how I've been acting"she apologized Hinata dismissed it."it's okay my failure to understand where you're coming from is my own failing respect is something that is earned not given just because someone is of higher rank doesn't mean they deserve respect they have to earn that respect by their deeds. I didn't do that when I took you under my wing at first I hope to rectify that failure."Hinata was sincere, she understood why Naruto liked her so much. She was not like the others, very humble and respectful. Why wasn't she like that openly? Why is her personality so inconsistent?

"How come you don't act like this more? Why do you hide who you truly are?"Kagome asked her both Sasuke and Naruto were surprised that she would ask her such a question."old habits die hard I suppose my training from my clan"she said with hesitation she did not have a good relationship with her clan that's what she gathered with her relationship with Hanabi. She was not going to ask because of how personal it was of her relationship with her clan.

"You know better than anyone here Kagome that a lot is expected from us. Failure is less tolerated if you're a woman. So being cold is almost always expected of women. Men are more free to be who they are." This made sense to Kagome. She had no interest in ever being a top ninja. "That's bullshit. You should be whoever you want to be. It's not like it's getting in your way of your job." Naruto was not happy to learn just what he learned.

"It's the way things are when you're a woman with no connections whether it's through a wealthy family or a clan. I hope to change that when I become Hokage. People will get their positions because they earned it, not because of family connections. Women will be able to get promoted because they are qualified or have earned it; they won't be passed over for their less qualified male counterparts because of their sex. There's other things I would change but it would take too much time to explain."She couldn't help but look at her differently, being the Hokage is quite an ambitious goal.

"I would support you the whole way Hinata sensei. I would definitely love to serve under you if you were ever the Hokage,"

Naruto said to her.

"but you have dreams of being Hokage too, would you really be willing to give that up?"

Hinata asked him.

"I would just be the seventh Hokage or the eighth. I would be able to wait my turn."

Naruto said with a confidence that she couldn't help but admire.

"isn't it premature to even talk about a seventh Hokage? We haven't even gotten a fifth Hokage yet."

Sasuke pointed out.

"come on, we all know sooner or later the current Hokage is going to step down. A fifth Hokage is inevitable."

What Naruto said was true: it was inevitable, in fact, a fifth Hokage not being chosen by now was unusual. What was holding back the current Hokage from retiring? He was pushing 70; it would only be a matter of time.

"Even if a fifth Hokage is chosen, I doubt our Sensei would be the fifth. She needs more experience she is likely be the Sixth Hokage if anything."

Sasuke pointed out to Naruto.

"Yeah, that's what I mean. I mean, I'm patient. I'll be Hokage eventually."

Hinata smiled.

"Stepping down as Hokage to give the title to you. What a day that would be! Everyone laughed at the idea of their sensei giving Naruto the mantle of Hokage."

"Well, first, I would like to be a dad for at least 10 or 15 years. That comes first before becoming Hokage."

This surprised everyone.

"What?"

Naruto looked at everyone who was giving him a strange look.

"Of all the things Parenthood is what you would do before becoming Hokage, you are a strange one, Naruto."

Kagome couldn't help but point that out."More than being Hokage, I wish to have a family. Is there anything wrong with that?"Everyone was silent at Naruto's question."No, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that."

Hinata said to him. This felt awkward. She felt like she was in a conversation she shouldn't be engaged in, so she decided to change the topic quickly. Sasuke noticed as well.

"So what are we planning on doing? Since we can't go on missions right now," asked Sasuke as he finished the meal that she made for him. Hinata took a bite out of her cinnamon roll and answered, "Training. Not today; we're going to relax and bond as a team and as friends." Kagome has never made friends with anyone in many years. It is difficult. Would it be so bad to have someone to talk to and connect to? It feels so lonely.

"I wouldn't mind that sensei," she admitted out loud. "I would love to get to know you all better. Until this point, I've kept you at arm's length out of fear. I failed Sakura; she died because of me. Because of my poor choices and because I didn't connect with her, it will haunt me to the end of my days." She was way too kind. Kagome thought someone like this couldn't possibly be Hokage.

"It wasn't your fault," Kagome told her.

"but how can you say you weren't there?" Hinata said her voice on the verge of breaking.

"because anything can happen on a mission; there are decisions we all have to make sometimes impossible ones that won't always turn out the way we want them to. Honestly, up until this point, I felt guilty. I asked if someone else hadn't died to give me this chance, where would I be, where would my mother be? I feel guilty. If she wasn't dead, I wouldn't be here with you. I lied to myself saying I don't care that she died, good riddance, it gives me a chance to be something to help my mother, but this feeling, the tears were falling through her eyes; she had been suppressing it for the whole time. The burden."

"I'm a terrible person, awful." She covered her face with her hands.

Before she could say anything, she felt arms wrap around her. It was Hinata, her sensei, who did it. She felt tears she couldn't control them due to the guilt that she was feeling over Sakura's death.

"It's okay. You're not a bad person, Kagome. You're doing what you can for your mother. You've sacrificed your own happiness and dreams just to take care of your mother. You're not a bad person."

Hearing it from someone else is different.

"You don't have to hide it anymore, Kagome. We're friends, aren't we?" asked Naruto.

"The dope says some stupid things a lot of the time, but he's right on this one. Let it go."

Her friends; it feels good to say that word out loud. Her sensei; she was so kind.

"Thank you". There was silence, breaking down barriers at this lunch gathering, changing everything about Team 7. They were no longer disgruntled kids; they were friends. Kagome finally had a place to belong. The coldness that had engulfed her heart for so long, the cold heart that she tried to build, the facade was broken.

Even though she was able to be open to Naruto and Sasuke, part of her still can't look at Hinata without feeling hatred towards her for what happened to Sakura. She feels guilty for feeling this way. It wasn't her fault but part of her can't help it think at the back of her mind that had it not been for Hinata Sakura would still be alive.

A week had passed since Kagome showed her vulnerable side to everyone. She was far more open with her team she smiled more. Instead of being argumentative she bantered with her teammates Naruto and Sasuke even though they couldn't go on a mission it was beneficial that they didn't they train together along with Hinata who helped them train in areas they struggled with.

Hinata helps Naruto with his chakra control and how to use his techniques that he learned from the scrolls almost 3 months ago. Sasuke trained mostly on his own when he was done with his own training he often sparred with Naruto and Kagome. While they were training by themselves Hinata reconnected with her sister Hanabi what she was doing now.

It was hard for them to speak at first due to them barely talking for almost a decade. Finding something to talk about was a challenge they started simply by talking about what they were doing. They were at a tea shop, sitting in the back, hoping not to draw attention from anyone. It was not a fancy place; she went there from time to time with her friends. It was also a place for her to relax when she wasn't on missions, but she didn't go there lately because of her training with her team.

"How's your team?" Hinata asked her sister.

"They're doing fine." She picked up that's something was eating at her and it had to do with the mission that she was on in the sapphire village. "What's wrong ?" Hinata asked she knew what was bothering her, but she had to ask in order to voice what was truly eating at her.

"Does it ever get easier?" Hanabi asked. Hinata remembered the first time she took a life. That was when she was 12. It was so many years ago; she can't even remember who she was back then. A different person, with little confidence, a burden on her teammates.

"No, it doesn't." Hinata answered.

"I don't understand. We're supposed to be Shinobi. How can it not get easier with time? We're supposed to have hearts of steel. Emotions have no place for a ninja."

She didn't like where this was going.

"Propaganda bullshit by the root"

Hinata said with contempt.

"But it's true. You've been going on missions since you were 12 and you're now a Jōnin. How can you say that isn't true?"

She's been wrestling with that for 7 years.

"There's been plenty of people who have kept their humanity and still are Shinobi. We're not machines."

Hinata said in disagreement.

"You say that, but you've killed hundreds since the age of 12. You say it doesn't get easier, yet what I hear from your reputation is that you're ruthless and desensitized to the deaths you've caused. How can it not get easier?" Her sister asked, generally wanting to know.

"I've killed hundreds, yes, that's true, but I don't enjoy it; it doesn't get easier for me. I kill because if I don't, I will die, or those that I'm supposed to protect will die, or my comrades will die. I do what is necessary. We all have different ways of dealing with it. I deal with it by training others; they deal with it in different ways. Not everyone is suited for this kind of life."

Hinata told her sister, giving her the cold-hearted reality of what it truly means to be a ninja.

"I don't understand why we're supposed to be tools, but how can we be tools if we have feelings? Emotions have no place for a ninja, but the only way we could be is if we shed our humanity. You cannot say that roots don't have merit."

Hanabi said in disagreement.

"Root is where sociopaths are made. The kind of horrific things that organization does, in order to be part of it, you have to strip everything that makes you human. I almost joined that organization. If I did, I don't know where I would be. People that I once knew changed into different people after they joined the organization. It is not something I can endorse."Hinata shivers when she thinks about the people that had changed in the kind of person she could have become.

It created a monster like Itachi, a sociopath and psychopath who were attracted to that organization. That was the main reason she wanted nothing to do with it after the Uchiha clan massacre.

She didn't want to have this debate. She wanted to reconnect with her sister. Not having a discussion about the political landscape of the village was what she had in mind.

"I'm sorry, but everyone in the clan tells me to get over it. It's all part of being a Shinobi. I can't help but feel like I'm becoming something I don't want to become."

Hinata understands Hanabi very well.

"Well, the clan views everything as a weakness if it doesn't conform to their doctrine." Hinata said bitterly.

"Sis, I know you and the clan don't have good relations, but it's always been our way." She didn't care; she hated her clan and everything it represented.

"That's the problem with the clan. Everything about it is about preserving the Byakugan. It doesn't value our humanity if we're not born into the main branch. We might as well be cannon fodder sent to the slaughter." She had never talked about her bitterness towards the clan with anyone except her sister.

"You could help change the clan," she didn't want to hear it."What so they can control my life, so they can force me who I can and can't marry? So the clan can dictate what my dreams should be? I don't care about the clan; let it rot for all I care." She didn't care if she showed her contempt for the clan; Hanabi was her sister, and she wasn't going to sugarcoat how she felt.

"You don't sound much different from Neji. It's frightening in a way. She didn't really want to hear about what happened; hearing about Neji reminds her of the day her mother died. "It should have been you that died." The only thing she remembers is her father's hateful words after her mother's death. The only thing that comforted her during those years was her childhood friend Itachi and her love. But he ended up betraying her and the village in the end. "You should still try to reconcile with our clan. You can help change it. I can't do it alone. You are our father's." She didn't want to hear that. She wanted nothing to do with her father's legacy or his clan. It could all burn.

"The only reason we are speaking Hanabi is because you are my sister, and my students want me to have a connection with you, but that's as far as I will go. I will not connect with the clan. It is your clan, not mine."

"There was an awkward silence before Hanabi spoke." Then, "Why do you use our clan's name? Why do you use the gentle fist then? You can't deny who you are. You are a Hyuga." This is where this conversation was inevitably going to lead to; she had to make her point clear.

"I don't have a choice in the matter. Without the name, I have no chance of becoming the Hokage. I only use the name for name recognition and as for the Gentle Fist, it's just a weapon."

Hinata's words angered Hanabi.

"Don't you have any pride in our clan?"

Hinata took a deep breath; she wasn't going to snap. She was trying to build her relationship with her estranged sister, but it was hard.

"You would not understand, you didn't hear those words your father told me, if you did you would understand why I want nothing to do with the clan. I was looked upon as nothing more than a failure. Why would I want anything to do with a clan that looks at me as a failure? All my success up until this point has been due to my own merit; I worked hard for everything and those fuckers still can't see me as anything more than a failure. Then you came along; they chose you to be your father's successor. I have to work hard for everything. I have Hanabi and I have to depend on others to give a good word just to get a promotion; you don't know how harsh this world is to women; you don't know if. I was a man; I wouldn't have to use the Hyuga name, but I have to because it's the only way I'll be taken seriously; because nobody's going to take me seriously who aims to be the Hokage if I was just some nobody with no connections."

The normally soft-spoken woman doesn't normally raise her voice, then she realized she was causing a scene.

"I'm sorry for causing a disturbance."

She paid her tab and left, along with her sister who followed her to her apartment. Her sister noticed someone else was living with her.

"Is Naruto living with you?" she asked.

"He moved in a few days ago. I wasn't going to let him live in that shit hole he'd been living in for most of his life." She sat down on the couch, while Hanabi looked at her in the eye.

"I'm sorry for upsetting you earlier," Hanabi apologized apologetically. "I'm sorry I keep forgetting that you're not like the others in the clan; you're my sister. I'm sorry this isn't easy for me. These feelings of bitterness I can't get rid of overnight; I'm trying. I really am. It's just…"

Her sister looked at her with understanding.

"I'm the one who should apologize for not even trying to understand where you're coming from. You don't have to tell me anything that happened that day. I don't want you to cut me off because we just started connecting again. I'm a screw-up; I feel like we haven't made any progress since the mission."

Hinata didn't agree."I don't agree the fact that we are talking is progress; it's going to take us time. We should just talk about something else, something that won't upset us both." She waited for her sister's response.

"Why not just watch a movie or something?" she suggested.

"I don't know what movie to watch." she took the remote and turned on the television.

"We'll just watch whatever is on, hoping it isn't some boring-ass drama." Hinata laughed. It was so much like her sister; she would likely want to watch an action movie. She didn't care for those; she preferred horror movies, but this was her sister's time.

What surprised Hinata was that her sister didn't choose an action movie like she thought; she chose a comedy horror film. Hinata didn't think her sister was into horror movies, but then again, she hadn't spoken to her in almost a decade. There were so many things about her sister that Hinata didn't know; she felt such aching in her heart that she had lost so much time with her sister. What else did she miss out on? Hinata wanted so badly to try to be a good sister, but it was so hard; it was a struggle.

She saw Naruto come home. He waved to Hanabi, "What are you watching?" Naruto asked them. "Oh, we're watching a horror movie. I think it's a little scary for a kid like you," Hanabi teased. "I'm not scared of some damn horror movie." Naruto said defensively. Hearing her sister and her student banter, it felt good. It kept her mind off of what she was thinking about. "How was your day, Naruto?" Hinata asked him.

"I was fine, a little boring though we barely did anything today except train."

Hinata of course left her students to themselves for the day. It was a decision on her part due to her wanting to spend time with her sister before the Chunin exams.

"I'll make some dinner for both of you," Hinata said as she looked at Naruto and her sister. She went to the kitchen and started to get to work. It would take a bit for her to cook, but it was something that she wanted to do at the moment to keep her mind off of what her and Hanabi talked about earlier.

As Hinata left for the kitchen, Hanabi couldn't help but observe Naruto. She had heard rumors of Naruto having a crush on her sister. It was becoming obvious that it wasn't just a shallow crush like it was on Sakura. It was something else entirely. The very fact that her sister took Naruto in and put him in her apartment so he would have a better place to live showed how much she cared about him. He was only an infant when Kushina and Minato died. She was close to them; they were like family to her. Had things been different, she would have been Naruto's babysitter.

"Dinner's ready for both of you, Hanabi. Eat your food before it gets cold."

Hanabi didn't need to be told twice. She sat at the table, Hinata sat across from Naruto. Hanabi sat on the other side of the table. There were no words between them. She ate the food her sister made, but she couldn't help but notice the look Naruto gave her sister. He savored the food that she made, for what she had heard about him, he just ate fast and ate like a pig. But what she saw from Naruto, he didn't do that regarding her sister. In fact, when it came to her sister, Naruto went out of his way not to do the things that he was once guilty of. They talked about what they did for the day; she paid close attention. Her sister wasn't aware of it, but she was.

Naruto, who talked about his teammates and what they did for the day, but what surprised her most of all was the way he talked to her sister. Naruto, for what she could see in his eyes, this was not a crush; he felt towards her sister. It was something deeper than that, and Hinata didn't notice she was oblivious to the boy possibly being in love with her. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Thanks for the food, Hinata-sensei. I'll see you tomorrow?"

Naruto asked her.

"Of course. Make sure to get some rest, Naruto."

He got up from his chair and washed his dishes and went into his room.

When he was out of earshot, Hanabi had to make a comment. "Wow! Under a short amount of time, he is definitely changed; you have a good influence on him, sister." Hanabi praised her. "I just do what I can; all his life, he has never experienced love or friendship. I just wanted to make up for my failure to live up to my promise I made to his parents." This was more than a promise; it was not Hanabi's business.

Naruto played a big role in her sister and her talking again she'll forever be grateful to him for doing that. One day she couldn't help but smile. He may end up being her brother-in-law though the likelihood of having another Minato and Kushina would be considered unlikely but nobody could fool the eyes of a Hyuga.

"I'll see you later, Hinata. I have to go."

Hanabi said as she walked toward the door before closing it. She placed her hand on Hinata's shoulder and gave her a hug. "I'm sorry about earlier today."

Hinata said. Hanabi shrugged. "Don't worry about it, sis. It's difficult for both of us, and it will take time. Thank you for not cutting me completely from your life."

They said nothing for a moment. "Come by anytime."

Hinata said, offering her a chance to spend more time with her. "Of course I'll do just that. See you around."

She opened the door and closed it. She knew her father wouldn't be pleased that she was out so late, but she didn't care. She wouldn't waste any opportunity she had with her sister.

The elders can go to hell; she won't cut her sister out of her life, especially when her sister is willing to let her in. She'll forever be grateful to Naruto for giving them a second chance at being a family. She hopes one day she can have that with Neji; she doesn't know if the likelihood of that happening is very high.

"Good you have improved, Naruto" Hinata said proudly. Her private lessons with Naruto have started to pay off. His chakra control was a lot better than it was prior to her instruction. "It's all because I have a great teacher, Hinata-sensei." He wasn't wearing his usual yellow and orange jumpsuit; he was wearing black training gear that she provided for him. Since living with her, she had given him many things he never had before, such as more clothes, healthier meals. Some were thinking she was overstepping, but she didn't agree. She was fulfilling a promise she had made to Naruto's mother.

"Things have only gotten better since you became my Sensei Hinata. I live in a better apartment. I have friends and I eat healthier even though I still love ramen. It's nice to know when I come home that I have someone who cares about me."

His smile is infectious, she had to admit.

There are many things I want to tell you Naruto that you deserve to know. I just don't know how to approach it.

Naruto looked at her strangely.

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked her. She knows she could get in trouble for this, but Naruto she felt deserved to know. She had waited to tell him so that he could build his trust. However, she knew it was now or never; if she didn't tell him, it would only make things worse for them later, when he finds out the truth on his own.

"There are things I know Naruto about your parents, even though I was a little girl when they passed away." She couldn't tell what was In Naruto's eyes, she couldn't tell what his expression was. She was scared.

"You knew them?" Naruto asked softly.

"Your mother was like a second mother to me, and your father was the closest thing I ever had to a father. I modeled myself after them." She waited for Naruto's response; the next few seconds would determine everything about their relationship.

"How come you haven't told me sooner?"

Naruto asked, trying to remain calm.

"I wanted to gain your trust first. I mean, there's the law in Konoha about not telling you until you come of age, but I don't think it's right. Those who don't follow the rules are scum, but I think those who hide things from their friends are worse than scum. It was never my intention to hide anything from you, Naruto. Please believe me."

She was scared; she hoped she didn't permanently lose his respect.

"I understand that I don't like it, but I understand." Naruto said as he walked away. Hinata decided to give him some space for now before pressing the issue further.

Naruto was alone in the place that he usually went when he was upset Hinata kept a secret from him she knew his parents she actually talked to them she actually was around them even if they died when she was young it was not fair. "How can she keep something like that from me?"he said to no one in particular then he heard Kyubi speak.

"You know you are an idiot, I can feel negative energy, whatever anyone is hostile to you. I never felt anything from Hinata that is negative or hostile to you. She never lied to you; she just didn't tell you about your parents because she well, you'll have to talk to her about that; cuz I don't know what her thought process was. Think about it, kit! She gave you a better place to live, she's giving you better clothes. You have better and more healthy foods to eat now. I think her actions speak for themselves. I don't think she was malicious; fear is what prevented her from telling you." Kyuubi allowed Naruto to absorb everything he said.

"She didn't lie to me like the other adults; she never treated me with any hostility, but she always treated me with kindness. I don't know why, but I'm just jealous in a way. I wish I would have had a chance to know my parents. It feels like everyone's hiding something from me," Naruto said, thinking deeply about his life in the past three months.

"I can say this much: she cares deeply for you. She wouldn't be doing the things that she did if she didn't care about you. If you ask me, she is one of the few humans I like. Hinata Hyuga is quite a woman. She would definitely be a fine mate one day or wife whatever you humans call that thing regarding committing yourselves to each other." Kyubi said in a form of respect.

"I don't know why you insist of calling her my potential. Whatever "you mean you don't even understand your own feelings about your own woman? You're lucky she has no interest in men because you would have no chance otherwise you're just a boy"said teasingly."what the hell is that supposed to mean?"Naruto asked annoyed.

"Do you really not understand your own feelings? I'll explain them another time because she's coming."

He cut off the connection and Hinata sat next to him. She gave him a tray of food, which he took, and they started to eat. They looked at the sunset.

"I'm sorry," Naruto apologized apologetically. "You have nothing to apologize for, Naruto. You did nothing wrong." He didn't agree; he felt like he wasn't being more understanding towards her.

"It's just that I'm jealous. I'm sorry you actually had a chance to be around my parents to talk to them. I never knew them."

Naruto said honestly.

"what were they like my mother and my father?"Naruto Asked Hinata.

"They were good people. Kushina-san was everything I admired in a woman. She was beautiful, and she was strong. She was also kind to those she loved and those she taught. This village's biggest crime was denying her chance to be the Hokage."

Naruto was shocked; his mother almost became the Hokage?

"What happened?" Naruto asked her.

"The civilian council, along with the elders, voted against her and placed your father in her place. I remember. I was angry as a child when that happened. That injustice is what made me want to be the Hokage. Your mother deserved it, and I have never forgiven the council for denying what should have been hers."

This was a lot for him to take in.

"My father Minato Namikaze was the fourth Hokage? It's hard to believe. But how come I don't have his last name?" Naruto asked his sensei.

"Your father had a lot of enemies. You were given your mother's maiden name to protect you." That made sense; he always wondered what Uzumaki was.

"What was my father like?" Naruto asked Hinata.

"He was kind and gentle. He was proof that you didn't need to be cold to be a Hokage. Many of the village's tragedies would have been prevented if he was still alive."

Naruto couldn't help but think about his father so much. He didn't know.

"What else do you know?" Naruto asked his sensei.

"Well, your mother was your father's sensei." This made Naruto blink. He heard Kyūbi laughing as if he found it funny.

"That's so ridiculous?" Naruto blurted out.

"How did my mother fall in love with her student? That just doesn't make sense to me. It just sounds like something straight out of a novel." Hinata laughed as if she agreed.

"I didn't understand it myself at the time, but I do know one thing: when I think about when your mother was pregnant with you, I made a promise to make sure you would be okay and wouldn't go down the wrong path. I made that promise to your mother when she asked me to take care of you in case something happened to her. I feel like I've neglected that promise until now."

Naruto understood why she had been acting the way she had since taking him under her wing.

"Thank you for telling me this. I'm not going to lie; I'm a little mad at you for not telling me this sooner, but I understand that you're a good friend, Hinata."

Naruto forgot to correct himself, and she didn't reprimand him.

"When it's just us, you don't have to call me 'sensei' Naruto.'"

Hinata said with a smile.

"If it's not a problem, can I call you 'Hinata-chan'?"

He wondered if he overstepped, but she showed no indication that he did.

"Sure, Naruto-kun."

There was a silence between them.

Naruto couldn't help but feel like their relationship had deepened.

They looked up at the sky in awe.

It would be the start of the Chunin Exams.

He hadn't heard a word if she would approve yet, but he'd know by next week.

There was one thing, however, that he wanted to do before the exam started: he was going to make her laugh and smile for real. He formed a plan starting from tomorrow; he would do Operation Make Hinata-sensei Smile. That was his goal.

Kanna Hyuga had learned a lot in the past few weeks that she had awakened the current state of the Shinobi world she was disgusted the dream that Hashirama Senju her friend his entire world's dream the will of fire was nothing more than a a flawed world that has not ended wars like it promised but made wars more likely. The amount of power of the five Great Nations them stepping on the weaker Nations this disgusted her. her children were crying out in pain. Needed her guidance they needed everything. She was in one of the ancient hideouts of the Uchiha clan it was dark she was sitting on a throne she knows it would be considered blasphemy by an Uchiha for her to sit but their clan was on the verge of Extinction thanks to Konoha

She heard footsteps of one of her children. The brown haired girl had her hair down her eyes were Blue." Momo, I have a task for you."she looked at her questioningly.""What do you wish for, mother?"She asked her"in Konoha the Chunin exams are going to begin, I want you to keep an eye on Hinata Hyuga and Sasuke Uchiha."The girl looked at her confused."mother is this really what you want me to do? What about the seals on your eyes shouldn't we find a way to remo-"she cut her off gently."in time I will find it I'm not strong enough to track down the seals and I would not endanger you unnecessarily to find it my task is to keep an eye on my descendant and one of the last surviving Uchiha's Sasuke keep him safe by any means necessary. I have trained you well my daughter I've instructed you on everything that you know." Momo Got up and before she left Kanna to say one last thing."do not take unnecessarily risk avoid Orochimaru at all cost"the girl turned around and nodded in an acknowledgment and left.

She wishes she can go out with her children whose task she set to do Pacific things but she is not strong enough alone in the ancient hideout of the Uchiha clan awaiting her children's return. Rumors of her return were spreading. It's only a matter of time before they won't be able to ignore her, not even the so-called Akatsuki would be able to ignore her.

"Madara,Hashirama you are both naive fools the world is far cruel and you helped build this Shinobi system that has created more suffering. I will do what you could not and free my children from the suffering you have inflicted on them without flawed and childish ideas"she vows she will free this world from such cruelty that her misguided former friends created.