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Bound – A NaruHina Fanfic – Chapter 7 – A Score Left Unsettled

Naruto and Hinata stood in awe of the great structure that stood before them.  Carved into the very rock of the mountain side stood a great clan hall, one that looked more like a fortress then a family estate. Its walls, carved in both sharp and smooth designs, but always to perfection.  From Hinata’s perspective it became clear that someone had used a technique to mould the stone; human hands could not be so precise.

“T-this is where my ancestors lived?”  Naruto asked, awe resounding in his husky voice.  Hinata couldn’t answer him, Tsunade had not mentioned anything like this, and she was just as shocked as he was.

Slowly Naruto approached path leading up the mountain to their destination, the path led from side to side as it progressed towards the top.  “Bah why would they build the thing all the way up here!”  Naruto asked, annoyed.

“Probably for defence, this way any attackers who weren’t shinobi would have to traverse this narrow path, one that would give their adversaries the perfect opportunity to pick them off with shuriken.  Not to mention that it would be a pain for shinobi as well, while we could go straight up the cliff face, we would have limited movement, and would be easy targets for any sentries, all in all it’s  rather ingenious defence.”  Hinata replied, surprising even herself with her lack of stutter in such a long phrase.  Naruto smiled at her, she was getting better, even if she didn’t realize it all of the time.

“Alright Hina-chan, I guess we’d better get mo~” Naruto was cut off as a terrible burning pain racked his body, his vision blurred and white dots made their way across un apposed.  He tried to remain standing, but vertigo overtook him and he was met with the hardly visible sight of the floor rising up to meet him.  “Naruto!” Hinata yelled, but he barely heard it, the pain was on a whole new level, no physical wound had hurt him this badly before.

Hinata ran to Naruto’s side as he collapsed, the pain overtaking causing him to howl in agony, a fact made all the worse by the fact, that from the look on his face, she didn’t think he could tell he was doing it.   She gently cradled his head in her arms, whispering warm thoughts in his ear, trying to soothe his pain as much as possible, even if Naruto wouldn’t let her take responsibility for his pain, she would not let him go on suffering by himself.

Five minutes passed before Naruto was on his feet again, albeit barely, each of his steps proved difficult but no matter what she said he refused to stop, he was determined to do this, and so he would succeed, he would never go back on his word, because that was his nindo.  But as much as she had always liked that quality about him, after all it was her nindo as well, she couldn’t hate it more then she did now.  It was one of the reasons Naruto was pushing himself so hard, and it was one of the reasons he kept suffering, she was relatively sure that if he’d rested rather then over doing it, he wouldn’t suffer nearly so many attacks.

However, if he wanted this so badly, she would not deny him, rather she do everything in her power to help him through it, so he no longer carried the burden alone.  And so the pair continued up the walk way, Naruto being supported by his lover as the two trudged on, sharing whatever stories still remained a secret between the two.

Sasuke dodged and weaved, slashing and parrying with his blade, as he fought his clone.  So far they were at a stalemate, which of course was to be expected with him only using taijutsu, the clone was essentially him after all.  And so on and on they sparred, his bunshin coming as close with it’s strikes as he was.  He’d been at it for hours, many long hours, but he could not afford to stop.  He had to be stronger, not just to beat Naruto, but for his brother as well.  He knew that of all the people in the world that would chase after Naruto, Itachi of Akatsuki, his elder brother would be one of them.  That was why he had to beat Naruto, not kill him, well not at first at least, so that he could lure Itachi to him… his vengeance had gone unanswered long enough.

With this though of revenge driving him, Sasuke attacked his clone relentlessly, stabbing, and slashing as anything the clone left exposed.  The clone could not keep up and it wasn’t long before Sasuke felt his blade dig deep into the flesh of his clone, he enjoyed watching the painful expression on it’s face before it disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Despite his victory against his opponent, he could not help but be assaulted by memories of his losses…

                     Flashback

Sasuke had been running through the town, frantically searching for the dobe Naruto, the one, who he regretted to admit, had become his best friend.   Sasuke knew what it was like to lose people precious to him, he’d lost his entire family to his elder brother, he was not about to lose Naruto to the same man.   But for some reason no matter where he went, he always found himself at the wrong destination… and he was running out of time…. Naruto was running out of time.

Sasuke darted into the inn, startling the maid at the desk as he charged up to her demanding to know if she’d seen an orange clad kid around his age.  When she nodded her affirmative and directed him to his room he ran even faster; if he’d been able to find Naruto… Itachi would have even less trouble.   He rounded the corner and what he saw stopped him dead in his tracks.  There in the hall outside the door stood three figures, of course there was Naruto, a short fledgling compared to the two ominous figures that stood before him.  Their black kimonos did nothing to hide the aura of fear they radiated.

“It’s been a while Sasuke.”  The figure standing next to the one with the wrapped blade, spoke, his voice cold and emotionless.

“Uchiha…Itachi.”  He said, feeling the rage, fear, and anxiousness begin to overwhelm him.   “I will…KILL YOU!”  he shouted, no longer able to control the blind rage that engulfed him.  “I’ve lived hating you, and I have lived only to KILL YOU!”  He charged, he’d end this here and now with the most powerful attack in his arsenal, the Chidori.

The wood boards on the wall blasted apart from the force of the attack as he charged at the black cloaked figure, every bit of his will focused on the kill.  He was only inches away, his attack ready to release, when suddenly… his brother was no longer there, and someone was gripping his wrist in a death grip, he feared just who it was.   He looked up, and as expected it was none other then Itachi, his hand firmly, but casually gripping his arm, aiming it at the wall as the technique discharged blowing straight through to reveal the outside.

“You’re in the way.”  His brother has said, sending a surge of chakra through his fingers, using the strength to effectively crush his wrist.  He yelled out in pain, but refused to scream, he would never again let his brother have the pleasure of seeing that.  “You are of no concern at the moment, our goal is to capture Naruto for our group Akatsuki, you…. are of no consequence.”
End Flashback

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed and he slammed his fist into the wall, efficiently demolishing the stone.  The images and memories of that particular battle still haunted him… but for some reason… there was another memory that haunted him even more…

Flashback (lols it’s another one)

Sasuke stood glaring at his former team-mate, the orange clad ninja standing, like him, on driftwood.  He glared at his old friend, the loud annoying ninja who’d become his best friend. ‘He didn’t have any family from the start, so how could he know what it’s like to lose them!’.

“It’s true, I might not know anything about parents or siblings, but… when I’m with Iruka-sensei, I wonder if that’s what it’s like having a father.  ….And when I’m with you… I wonder… if this is what it’s like having a brother”  The words, surprised him, and frankly made him even more annoyed at his situation.  The blond knew the same pain, the same loneliness, it was true that he didn’t know what it was like to lose his family… but… he had never known what it was like to have one at all.

“Why, Naruto? .....Why do you go this far for me?”  He asked, staring at the water at his feet.

“This is one of the first bonds I’ve ever had... you were the first friend, I’ve ever really known.   That’s why I won’t let you go to Orochimaru, that’s why I said I’d break your arms and legs if I had to.  You’re my friend… my brother… and though you can protect yourself… even you can’t protect yourself from yourself.”  The blond was doing what he did best, bestow hope in others, because at that moment, Sasuke knew he’d almost turned away from his path… the path of the avenger.

“It’s too late Naruto…. There is no going back for me now.”  He replied, forcing himself to that answer, he’d made it this far with his own strength, the strength of the avenger, and he wasn’t going to stop now, Itachi had too much to atone for, for that to happen.

And with that the fight began anew.
End Flashback

Sasuke frowned and closed his eyes at the painful memory.  It was painful, and not just because he had essentially lost… but because part of him, regretted his decision to fight that day, and lately, after destroying Orochimaru, that part of him had been quite predominate.

“I….I cannot lose to you Naruto… if I can’t beat you, I can’t beat him… I’m sorry… that I had to turn out this way.”

If any one sound nin had heard Sasuke’s confession, they would have checked into a mental hospital to check their sanity.  Never, ever had the Uchiha apologized to anyone, not even Orochimaru-samma, and yet here he was, apologizing to some kid from his old village.

Kisame took note of his companions posture, watching every subtle movement of the man, trying to discern if that man was even capable of emotion or feeling.  Nothing about Itachi Uchiha, could be considered normal, never once in his seven years with him, had he ever heard him, laugh or cry, never seen him smile, or frown.  From all knowledge he’d gained of his companion, they all led him to believe that he felt nothing, for anything or anybody.

Not even his eyes gave away any hint of what he might be thinking, of that Kisame was certain as he was now regarding the blood red orbs as the two watched their prey from afar.   Deciding to try and break the silence Kisame spoke when Naruto next suffered and episode.

“It seems that something is wrong with the brat, he suffers from those attacks often, and they must be excruciatingly painful seeing as he can no longer stand when suffering from an attack.   What ever it is it has been getting worse the closer they get to this old worn out clan house.”

“His blood limit is activating.”  Itachi said, again no hint of emotion, surprise or otherwise, was detectable in his speech.  However Kisame was more worried about this information, and the fact that his partner knew it then his companion’s cold stoic nature.

“Yare, yare, this is getting to be quite troublesome, I didn’t know he had a blood limit, and he’s a pain as it is.   How do you know that’s what it is anyhow?”  He asked, hoping to be enlightened by his ominous, and frankly, frightening associate.

“I did not expect this, Uzumaki Naruto, is the last remaining Uzumaki, and is currently gaining his kekkai genkai.  This was unexpected, it was believed that the fourth only gave him that name in the hopes he would be treated better.  It seems our information was incorrect.  We must use caution; the Uzumaki blood limit was considered more powerful then the Byakugan, the Sharingan, even more so then the Mangekyou Sharingan.”

If Itachi was the least bit worried about hits new development he didn’t show it, but Kisame on the other hand was getting worried.  A kekkai genkai more powerful then Itachi’s?  The simple thought of it scared him, this brat was trouble, and he was getting the odd feeling that both he and Itachi would be finding out the hard way.

Naruto and Hinata approached the large engraved wooden doors, slightly awed by their enormity, and the powerful majestic aura that surrounded it.   Slowly the two approached, Naruto leading the way after having recovered from the last episode.   When he reached the two doors he moved forward and tried to push them in so as to continue.  To his surprise they didn’t even budge, leaving a frustrated Naruto.

“Aww what the Hell!  We come all the way up here and now we cant even get the damn door open!?”  He shouted having a slight temper tantrum causing Hinata to giggle slightly.  He was cute when he was frustrated, he seemed so childish, with his immature behaviour, but it all just added to his boyish charm in her opinion.  Her attention was drawn from the blond boy however as a rock he’d hurled at the door burst into flames before being essentially annihilated.  Both Naruto and Hinata looked at each other, their faces worried as they both thought the same thing, well we’re definitely not breaking in.

Naruto kept busily trying to open the door, using whatever mean available, whilst avoiding attacking it… the rock hadn’t turned out too well after it had tried the same thing…  Hinata on the other hand, scanned the door with her Byakugan, and was surprised that she could not actually see through it, in fact, she realized, she couldn’t see anything past the brick walls; it seemed the inner structure was protected against spying.

“Naruto, for some reason I can’t see through this with my Byakugan, it’s warded with something that stops me from being able to see through it.”  She said concerned, however as she was about to speak her thoughts on what might have caused this, Naruto began to collapse, howling in pain and clutching his head, his finger tips driving bloody furrows into his scalp.

He tried in vain to stop his decent, sending a hand out to the wall for support.  To her chagrin, he only managed to gash open his palm, spilling blood on the door.  Hinata quickly headed to his side, but was stopped in her tracks by a loud creaking sound.  She watched in awe as, after being given a little taste of Naruto’s blood, the door creaked open, allowing entrance.  She immediately moved to her lover’s side, helping him to his feet as he gritted his teeth and continued on, despite the immense pain.

Tentatively, and cautiously the two slowly made their way inside, taking comfort in the blackness that washed over them.

The vein in her head bulged angrily, the fifth Hokage was ready to kill, and it seemed that the object of her anger, had yet to realize…or… and this option was worse, he simply didn’t care.  For his sake it had better be the former… otherwise I’ll tear him a new one.  Pacing in front of her ranting, was none other then Hiashi Hyugaa, someone she didn’t wish to deal with at anytime, but especially not now, after all, it was her decision to send Hinata off with Naruto in the first place.

“I demand you get my daughter back here right this instant!”  He yelled leaning forward on her desk, something he realized he shouldn’t have done, when Tsunade cracked her knuckles and glared at him.  However, quickly regaining his composure, he began his rant anew.  “She not only disobeyed my instructions, she assaulted me, and then you send her off on a mission!?  You had to know about what happened so that means that you simply decided to send Hinata on her way, without my permission~”  He got no further however as Tsunade had finally had enough, Hiashi thought he was the end all be all, and it was about time he was put in his place.

“Hiashi you will sit down this instant or I will have you arrested and have your clans assets handed over to the less fortunate for your incredible ignorance!”  She yelled, finally loosing her temper.  “I AM THE HOKAGE, as such I do not need your permission for anything that involves the shinobi of this village, that includes Hinata.  I don’t give a damn whether you wanted her to go or not.  It may not be my business with your family affairs, however I look after the safety of all the shinobi of this village, and that includes Hinata, I decided that she would be better off away from you and your cruelty, and so that is the way it will be,  understand!?”

“How dar~” Hiashi began.

“If you finish that sentence I assure you that you will not be returning to your clan at all, you may be the head of your clan, but you are a shinobi, and therefore under my authority, you will do as I ask when I ask and I will have you executed for treason if you even think to contradict me again.  You will get out my office at once upon my finishing with you.  When Hinata returns, she will come here, you will not send for her, you will not have anyone wait for her arrival, when she arrives we will discuss things further.  Now get out of my sight.”

Hiashi was very rarely scared, and showed it even less then he felt it, but now was something different, he was sure that the Hokage had meant every word of her spiel, and her baleful glare simply added to its potency.   With a grimace upon his pale features, and hatred in his eyes he backed out of the room and quickly made his way down the hall.  The lack of his presence finally allowing Tsunade to relax.  She couldn’t deal with him right then, Hiashi was just one of those people who just naturally seemed to piss people off, in her case that was not a good idea.

God Dammit Naruto, you’d better figure something out while your gone, otherwise Hiashi might try to sick Gai on you.  The sight of Lee and Gai in one of their “Lee!  Gai-sensei!” moments, before chasing down Naruto, was as amusing as it was disturbing.

Naruto grimaced as he entered the main hall of the subterranean clan house.  It seemed that, rather then coming in waves, he would now simply have a chronic migraine instead.  Dammit!  This is fucking painful!  This and other profanities filling his mind.  He was glad no one was around that he could take his anger out on, otherwise that person would be in a whole new world of hurt.  Well, at least until Hinata stopped him.  He wasn’t sure why, but for some reason, it proved almost impossible for him to be mad at her, frustrated, yes but never angry.  Coincidentally, it was the indigo haired beauty he was caught up thinking of, who drew him from his pleasant thoughts.

“Naruto we have to be careful in here, my Byakugan isn’t able to penetrate any of the walls or other items in here, it seems as though this whole place has been dusted with something that hinders the ability of my Byakugan.”   Hinata’s voice held the tone of a leader, and Naruto was able to see what others rarely noticed, Hinata’s inner strength.  This was the Hinata that could lead her clan, this was the Hinata that would lead her clan.

“Yeah I guess that’s true.  Even though my blood opened the door or whatever, I’m willing to bet that there are plenty of traps remaining, we should be extra careful.”  Together the pair slowly but cautiously took the left side, travelling down the long hall.

The hall was decorated with portraits and pictures, all portraying old clan members, none of which were recognizable to either Naruto or Hinata.  After realizing this, the duo paid the pictures little mind and instead focused more so on the strange statues that lined the hall.  Each was close to eight feet tall and made of a dull brown stone or clay.  They were carved in the effigies of samurai, the details inherent in the workmanship, masterful.

“Wow Hinata, just look at these things”  Naruto said in awe as he examined one of the sculptures.  “It almost looks life like, cause there’s so much detail.  I wonder who made all these?”  Hinata merely shrugged, unable to give any answers.  Whatever the statues were made of, they seemed to be infused with some substance that counteracted the Byakugan, because despite her best efforts she was unable to see inside of, or through the large life like figures.

Naruto stopped to examine nearly every statue, trying in vain to find some difference from the ones he’d examined previously, and the one under his scrutiny.  Trying to help she activated her Byakugan at nearly every one, getting no better results, they all appeared to be identical.  Hinata no longer walked around with her Byakugan active, it required too much chakra to maintain for such periods of extended use, so she kept it inactive until required.

Unfortunately, it was this seemingly smart thinking that led to the group missing the subtle strings of chakra working out from the wall, and into the statues.  And thus, failing to notice this, the two were caught unawares when the statue beside them, let out a groan as the clay rubbed together, and lunged at them with it’s sword.

Naruto heard the sudden groan, and upon realizing it did not belong to Hinata, pushed her down and ducked.  It was this quick thinking that saved their lives as the blade whooshed by overhead drawing strands of Hinata’s hair into the wind.

“Shit!  Hinata the statue, it’s like alive or something, get back!”  He realized quickly that he needn’t have bothered, Hinata already had a kunai drawn and was crouching in a defensive stance.  “Alright whatever, Hinata you go left, I’ll go right, this thing isn’t human so there’s no way it can think, it’s probably just going to use a certain set of preset moves to attack us.”  Naruto caught the slight nod of her head indicating she understood, and he moved off to the right of the statue which was now moving slowing towards him.

Shit.  I don’t want to use the Rasengan or the Kage bunshin jutsu, because over excessive use of chakra brings those attacks on faster, if I had one while fighting, I’d be done for and Hinata would probably get hurt or worse trying to save me.  No… I have to win using as little chakra as possible.

As soon as the animated clay warrior turned it’s back to her Hinata attacked, using the kunai in her left hand, as well as a right handed jukken to the opponents back side.  To her dismay, the jukken seemed to do nothing more then give her a bruised hand, and the kunai merely skimmed off the golem’s tough outer shell.

Realizing that it was under attack the golem turned as weaved it’s sword in a downward arc, nearly catching Hinata as she darted away.  It was fast Naruto noted, faster then it should be, Hinata may have been caught unawares after her attack failed, but it’s still fast.  Realizing that the statue was no longer focused on him he darted in, delivering a kick infused with a small amount of chakra, to the figures head.  Unfortunately it did little more then had Hinata’s, and on a worse note, the golem seemed to have learned from it’s past mistake, and upon swinging it’s sword around, it took a step forward extending it’s reach dramatically.

Naruto was surprised by the move and the blade whistled by his cheek nicking the edge and drawing a shallow line across his face.  He skidded on his feet as he tried to regain his balance and was shocked to see the golem now sprinting towards him at a speed that should have been impossible for something made of hardened clay and steel.

Hinata charged the sprinting monstrosity from behind, landing on it’s hunched back, and sticking an explosive note to it’s face.  She leapt back, noting with relief as Naruto did as well, just as the familiar noise of sparks finished.

A resounding crack echoed down the hall as the explosion rocked the wall of the complex, leaving a smoky ruin of the walls and numerous portraits.  Naruto coughed and exhaled smoke as he searched the smoke for some sign of the golem, seeing none he began to head in the direction he’d last seen Hinata, hoping she was alright.  As he walked a sudden feeling came over him, he wasn’t sure why, but an overpowering urge to duck overwhelmed him and he dropped to his knees.  No sooner had he done so, then did the familiar blade of the golem whip past overhead to slam into the wall to his right.

Naruto didn’t know how the clay thing could possibly still be intact, but that last attack had made it clear that it was, and it Hinata was injured he had to get her out of harms way before engaging.  Running away from the juggernaut behind him, dashed forward trying to catch a glimpse of Hinata’s familiar figure through the smoke.  It seemed that the explosion had set off several of her smoke bombs as the air refused to clear up making it nearly impossible to see.  He was lucky however that the golem was anything but silent, each of it’s steps were like thunder in the youths ears, and so he had little trouble keeping away from the creature.

Hinata reached out and grabbed Naruto’s hand as he went by, she could see the creature trailing him, and she’d decided that after that attack fleeing was a better option, after all, short of using some very powerful jutsu, their explosive notes were the most powerful weapon at their disposal, and those had done nothing more then crack the outer surface.  What scared her even more was the glow of chakra that emanated from those cracks, it gave the golem a somewhat demonic appearance that was outright creepy.  “Hi~”  Hinata pressed her hand against her mouth as she pressed him up against the wall in the side passage.  Taking the hint he kept his mouth shut as the creature stormed by, seemingly unaware of their presence.

Waiting silently as the thunderous footfalls, echoed down the hall, indicating the guardian was no longer near, and waited after it was gone as well, after all, neither wanted to risk awakening anymore of the defenders.

“Hinata we have a pro~” However before he could continue clamped down on his finger, driving his teeth into it as another attack ravaged his body.  Hinata embraced him, knowing full well by now that nothing she could do could prevent the attacks, or aid him in anyway other then being there for him.

After recovering somewhat, wiping the cold sweat from his brow and brushing his blond bangs out of the way he began to explain a revelation he’d made during the fight.  “Hinata we have a problem, I know what those things are, and we have a BIG problem.” Before she could ask what he sped on to begin retelling a story from one of his old missions.  “When I was with Lee and his team, we were ambushed by some ninja who wanted revenge on Lee’s sensei whatever his name is.  Anyway, they used special seals placed on training dummies, to control them and pump chakra into them.  When we cracked the shell of that last guy, there was a slight glow on the inside, that’s probably from the chakra that whoever is controlling these, pumped into it.”

“But if I remember, Neji told me that there were hundreds of dummies, if this person is a skilled as the last one then he should be able to control far more then just a few of these things.”

No sooner then he’d finished then the noise of several of the golems in the hallway animating could be heard.  Naruto grabbed Hinata’s hand and ran, ran away from the clay behemoths that could even then be heard thundering after them.

Shit we’ve gotta loose these guys soon, otherwise I’m gonna have another fucking attack and then I’ll just be a burden on Hinata.

Dragging Hinata along as they ran, more and more of the clay guardians came to life, some in front some behind, all clearly with the intent on destroying them.  Naruto ducked and pulled Hinata down with him as one of the clay enemies swung his sword from a standing position as they passed by.

The two rolled back up to their feet with the intent of running but they were now surrounded, the long prestigious hall, blocked at both ends by several of the animated fighters.   Slowly the clay guardians slowly advanced, taking careful measures so as to block any possible escape rout so as to prevent there prey from escaping.

“Shit!  Hinata we’ve got to break through before they corner us, you take the guys behind us and distract ‘em while I clear a path for us.”  He yelled before charging the group on his end.

Hinata didn’t have time to respond as her side picked up the pace as soon as Naruto moved in the other direction; it appeared that Naruto was their main target as they seemed almost content to ignore her.  But she wasn’t about to let that happen, after all if they made it past her then Naruto would be in real trouble… if he wasn’t already anyways.

She forced herself not to look back to see how he was faring when she heard the sound of metal on clay.  Luckily her distraction was removed when one of the behemoths charged her after determining that she would not get out of it’s way.

Propelling herself across the floor on a pad of chakra, she accelerated through it’s legs and leapt onto it’s back, noting carefully through her Byakugan as the other two approached taking aim at her onto of their comrade.   Wait for it, wait for it…NOW!  She thought as she leapt from her position just as the blades of the other two guardians descended.

Though she did not see, she heard the sharp crack as the blade tore into the golem, as easily as they would flesh.  She smirked, slightly at the sight of the two golems with their blades buried in their team-mate.  If I can’t hurt them myself, then I’ll just have to get them to do it for me.

Deciding it was worth another try she sprinted across the floor to attempt her feat a second time.

Unlike Hinata however, Naruto was not doing nearly so well with his opponents.  The lack of sleep and constant physical attacks had left him drained and their last fight and flight through the complex had used up what little fuel he had remaining.  He was working off reserves now and he honestly didn’t know how he was going to pull this one off.  Sure the Kyuubi’s power helped, but unless he accessed it completely then it would hardly be enough to replenish his lost energy.

Ducking and rolling as the three blades of his attackers descended he leapt up and thrust her kunai up towards his attacker.  He took pleasure in the sharp crack the clay made as spider web fissures crawled along its surface.   However his delight was short-lived as another of his attackers slammed it’s iron hard fist into his chest, sending him careening through the air.

Hinata was getting frustrated, it seemed that whoever had been controlling the drones had learned from their past mistake; no longer would the clay soldiers mindlessly attack regardless of whether a team-mate was in line or not.  No, rather instead of that, the soldiers on which she would position herself would move so as it give the others a shot that did not endanger it.

So far the strategy was working, even with her Byakugan they had nearly caught her several times and she knew that if she wasn’t careful things would turn out for the worse.  To make matters worse, Naruto seemed to be having a tough time with his opponents; the attacks he’d suffered had left him weak and drained and he was having a hard time.

But I’ve got to concentrate on my own battles, otherwise I’ll be the one in trouble and Naruto will do something stupid to help.  She thought as she redirected her attention to her own fight.

She had four explosive notes left, and three enemies.  So far the clay soldiers had proven able to withstand the blast from one of the notes and she didn’t want to waste them by using one on each.  Maybe if I lured them farther down the hall and then blew up the ceil~  Her thoughts were interrupted when the sight of Naruto crashing into the wall behind her entered her vision, and what was worse was that he was convulsing, suffering another seizure from the intense pain his blood limit caused him.

In that moment, her plan changed and she started to move.  With speed born of desperation she sped under the legs of Naruto’s attackers and grabbed him roughly and tossed him over her shoulder.  The weight was more then she expected but she managed, she was a trained kunoichi after all.  Moving off with all possible haste she dodged the descending blades of the offending foes.

Once past she ran down the hall away from the enemies, listening to the sound of their thunderous steps as they struggled to reorganize and give chase.  It was only a few moments before the rhythm of thunderous feet could be heard as the minions charged after their prey.

Sticking her hand into her pouch she wrapped the explosive notes around four of her kunai, a difficult task while running, but not so much for any ninja in possession of the Byakugan.  She ran as fast as possible but with the now unconscious Naruto weighing her down she had little to no chance of outrunning her pursuers.

She had her plan formulated; she merely needed enough distance to put it into action.  Then up ahead in the passage, her Byakugan caught sight of a large stadium like chamber.  It appeared to be enormous in size, and appeared to have once been a training arena of some sorts.

Pushing her limits Hinata ran for the entrance, well aware of the clay beasts not far behind her.  She saw the wide archway approach and counted down the time before she would risk both their lives in order to secure their survival.  50m…25…10…NOW!  Just as she approached the arch she threw the four kunai and watched as they impacted into the ceiling as she passed underneath.

Hearing the fait sizzling noise she pumped her remaining chakra into her feet and launched them both away from the doorway just as the first of the explosive notes detonated.

The force sent her tumbling over and sent a waking Naruto sprawling.  Dust and bits of wood and rock hurtled over head as the archway and ceiling collapsed on the golems, burying them under tones of rock, wood and dust.

Despite the many scratches, cuts and bruises, Hinata sighed in relief, they were alive, both her and her love were for the time being, safe from harm.

“Hinata…Hinata what the hell happened?”  Naruto asked as he stumbled over to her side.

“I-I blew up the archway as they chased us and buried them, sorry if your scratched or cut or anything, but it couldn’t be helped.”  She said panting slightly form her earlier exertions.

“No don’t worry about it Hinata, you did great, you saved me and got yourself out of there to boot.  If not for you I’d be dead and maybe you too.”

“Thanks Naru-kun” she said with a smile, though her cheeks and face were dirty and dusty.

“I just wonder who the hell was controlling all those things, I mean like, this is supposed to be my old clan house so why the hell would someone else be here?” she asked, speaking his thoughts aloud, though Hinata found herself wondering much the same thing.

Then a voice sounded from the darkness, one that rang with a certain familiarity and yet something different.  It held malevolence and arrogance, and Naruto would have been hard-pressed NOT to identify the speaker.

“…..Hello Dobe…”