Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Demon's of Konoha ❯ Hinata ( Chapter 9 )

As Hinata began her two day hike to Konoha, Itachi and Kisame were walking towards the Hidden Village of Mist. `I wonder if there is anyway I can help Hinata and the others, but the Akatsuki must not know about my loyalty still to Konoha. I can trust Hinata not to alert the authorities but outside of the kids and Sarutobi there isn't anyone I really trust. I want to trust Kisame here, but I don't really know. He is a missing-nin after all and I still don't have his story.' Itachi thought as he walked next to his partner staring straight ahead not really looking around or even concentrating on anything in general. Little did he know that Kisame was having the same troubles, but also wasn't sure to trust Itachi or not.

 

Kisame Hoshigaki walked next to his partner of two years, wanting to trust him yet not sure. No matter what Kisame had gotten an important message and needed to answer it. Only because he didn't know how his partner would reach was the only reason that Kisame wasn't running towards his destination, either way they were nearing a small cottage which was Kisame needed to go. `Come hell or high water' Kisame thought `she needs me and if I must kill Itachi then so be it. I just can't believe Itachi thought, he has been looking so out of it since we began to head here.'

 

It wasn't until Kisame stopped and knocked a series of patterned knocks on the door that Itachi realized they had reached their destination. Only then did Itachi break out of his thoughts and finally took a look around eyeing what appeared to be a wooden rickety door outside of what only could be considered a cottage that looked unfit to live in if the cracks in the walls and holes in the ceiling were any clues. Without even activating his sharingan Itachi knew a genjutsu when he seen one. In truth the cottage was actually in great shape and if the thickness of the door was any indication it was heavily reinforced with steel, making it hard to destroy.

 

Raising a slight eyebrow at his partner Itachi refrained from questioning when the door opened and revealed a man who had brown spiky hair that was almost similar to Itachi's old friend Kakashi. Instead of having his Mist hitae-ate covering an eye he had it slanted and facing his left side with the tail of his band hanging from his left. His mouth and nose were covered by bandages stopping just after his Adam's apple. He was shirtless except for wearing arm covers that went from his biceps to his palms in a bluish-grey camouflage pattern. His pants were in the same material as his covers that went down to black shinobi shoes.

 

“Glad you could make it Kisame” the man said nervously running his right hand through his hair. “She's right through here I don't know what to do.”

 

Kisame took the lead and began to walk towards the room in the back making introductions along the way. “Itachi, meet Zabuza Momochi. Zabuza meet Itachi Uchiha.” `Zabuza Momochi, one of the seven swordsmen of Kirigakure. Went into the Bingo Books at the age of eleven after the massacre of the graduating class. Wasn't even a Genin when he killed over a hundred men and was said to have killed the Mizukage's daughter which instantly made him a missing nin.' Itachi thought about Zabuza as he followed Kisame.

 

Each nodding to the other person as they had fallen into step behind Kisame they soon entered a bedroom with drapes covering the windows. Kisame walked to the bed where a pale figure with black hair was asleep on the bed. “What happened to her?” Kisame asked.

 

“Hunter-nin's from Kirigakure caught up with us out side of the Hidden Village of Rain. We had just finished an assassination job and had gotten paid when they attacked. We had killed one them and she grabbed their mask when she was hit in the neck by a slow releasing poisoned dart. I killed the other hunter nin but came straight here. She has been here since then. Since we are on the run no doctors will treat us and none of us know any medical jutsu's, so we sent for you Kisame. What shall we do?”

 

“Is there anyone we can get to heal her?” Kisame asked the group not wanting her to die.

 

`Let me think' Itachi thought. `Rin is too far away and this girl looks like she has maybe two days left to live. I don't know any poison removal jutsu's I can just do some small medical scans and healing but then who can….I got it.'

 

“I know someone” Itachi said making his presence known. “From what I can guess this girl has only two days left to live. If I leave now I can bring her here.”

 

“Do it.” Kisame said as he grabbed the girls hand and held it in his. “I trust you Itachi.”

 

Moving his hands up in his personal shushin sign, Itachi disappeared as a flock of crows.

 

“Was that wise Kisame? What if he is only getting the others to kill you?” Zabuza asked, leaning against the door frame trying to read the expression in Kisame's yellow eyes.

 

“That's a chance I will have to take” Kisame said turning his head away from Zabuza and back towards the girl on the bed.

 

Flying with a flock of crows Itachi surveyed the ground below him looking for any sign signaling someone had passed. It had taken the better part of the day and night had fallen but it was only by chance that Itachi came across the sleeping body in a tree. Getting tired of flapping his wings Itachi stopped to take a breather and to break his hedge when he saw the sleeping `lump' concealed in a genjutsu and wanted to smile excitedly when he realize who it was.

 

“Hinata” Itachi called out from his tree branch not wanting to get close to the girl to wake her. Who knows what damage she would do to him if she didn't realize it was him? Itachi knew for a fact that Hinata could do damage, after all he trained her. “Hinata” he called louder this time and watched as she jumped up with her kunai out in front of her in a defensive position.

 

“Hinata relax it's me” Itachi said revealing himself out of the shadows of the tree he was resting on.

 

“Itachi-sensei?” Hinata called watching the young man walk closer to her in his black cloak with red clouds on it. “Is that you? What are you doing here?”

 

“I need you to come with me Hinata” Itachi said. “If I remember correctly you are a healer isn't that correct?” At her nod Itachi continued “I have someone in trouble and I need you to heal her. I believe she only has a day left to live.”

 

Standing up and grabbing her bag, Hinata put away her kunai before saying “Let's go. You lead I will follow. We can't let someone die.”

 

“We will never make it there if we run, unless. Hinata how heavy are your weights? How much are you carrying now?” Itachi asked the lavender eyed girl.

 

“I believe we are all up to eight hundred pounds now.” Hinata said jumping to Itachi's branch.

 

“You weigh about one hundred ten pounds correct?” Itachi asked, guessing at Hinata's weight. With her big coat on it was hard to tell exactly.

 

“Roughly yes” Hinata said as she say Itachi put his thumb and pointer finger on his face and squeezed the sides of nose with his eyes shut as if he was thinking.

 

“How many laps around Konoha are you doing now?” Itachi asked doing the calculations in his head.

 

“One Hundred and Fifty-two” Hinata answered proudly at their accomplishment.

 

`Let's see' Itachi thought. `I can't fly her there, but if they are at one hundred and fifty-two laps in two hours that means they are running roughly. Let's see Konoha is twenty miles across, wall to wall, and so the walls around it is…hmm C=Ï€r² so the circumference is roughly three hundred and fourteen miles around. That at one hundred and twenty minutes is….hmm I hate math.' Itachi thought `that is almost three mile per minutes. We need to travel; hmmm we should make it, if I remove our weights.'

 

Raising his hands up in the ram position, Hinata felt light. “If we run we can make it. Are you ready?”

 

Tightening the straps on her bag to make sure they won't fall off and making sure her shoes were tightened properly Hinata answered “Let's go. Don't worry I will keep up.”

 

“I hope so” Itachi said as he began to run at full tilt before looking behind him expecting to see Hinata far away, but was surprised when he seen her keeping pace with him. She was in the perfect shinobi run leaning forward with her arms behind her to help air speed.

 

“How?” Itachi asked after four hours and Hinata was still keeping pace with him.

 

“How what Itachi-sempai” Hinata asked without breaking a stride.

 

“How can you keep up I thought you only carried eight hundred pounds” Itachi asked, thinking his math skills couldn't be that far off.

 

“Its eight hundred pounds each, not total” Hinata answered gathering chakra to her legs to jump over a ditch in the way.

`If that's the case then we have plenty of time.' Itachi thought. `They are further than I was at that point, but then again they have been training harder than I was also. Never should have slacked off, now I better get into shape before these kids pass me by' Itachi thought, but was glad for the thought of being surpassed by his brother and surrogate family.

 

Slowing down after a few more hours of running Itachi finally stopped in front of the cabin he stopped at with Kisame and knocked on the door. Slowly the door opened up and a yellow eye looked out the crack to check who was at the door. At recognizing Itachi, Kisame threw open the door and asked “Did you bring help?” Hinata stopped at the sight of the blue-grey man. His teeth were jagged and into sharp points that Hinata was certain would draw blood.

 

“Right here” Itachi said pushing Hinata into the room.

 

Looking Hinata over Kisame said “this girl will help her? I trusted you to bring help.”

 

“She is very skilled” Itachi said and was about to defend his student when Hinata decided to speak.

 

“While you two are bickering can I look at the patient please? The longer we are out here the worse the situation can get.” Hinata said looking Kisame in his yellow eyes without fear.

 

After a pause, seeing if he could intimidate Hinata, and smirked when she wouldn't budge or even display emotion Kisame said “this way.” Leading them to the back bedroom Hinata quickly went to the bed and dropped her bag. Grabbing the pale girl's wrist to check her pulse and breathing Hinata quickly counted before grabbing her pen light she carried with her. Opening the girls eyes one at a time to check her dilation and reactions, Hinata was pleased to see her eyes weren't completely glassy. Opening her mouth to check for any discoloration and if she was able to produce saliva, Hinata saw her throat was swelling and mouth was over-producing saliva. `It's not so much a poison as they hoped to kill her by making her drown in her own spit, making it impossible to swallow anything..' Hinata thought. `First I need to reopen her throat to normal levels and stop the flow of saliva. Now where is the injection site?' Checking around the body Hinata soon saw a bruise on her neck that had a red center of irritation. `Found it'.

 

Reaching down into her bag Hinata began pulling out various vials filled with different colored healing herbs and supplies. Grabbing her mortar and pestle Hinata began mixing a few of the herbs together before saying. “I will need some water and someone to hold her down.”

 

Itachi quickly went to grab the water while Kisame went to the other side of the single bed away from Hinata and asked “what did they get her with?”

 

“A couple of things, but they were brilliant. Her throat is slowly closing making it harder and harder to swallow. They also gave her something that will make her saliva keep producing instead of shutting off like needed. In a couple of hours she would drown on her own spit.” Hinata answered taking the water from Itachi and mixing it in with her herbs until it was in liquid form. Wishing she had a syringe, Hinata knew the next part would be difficult. “Does she have any known allergies?”

 

“None that we are aware of” Kisame answered.

 

“Good, now hold her down. This will be very painful but I will be as careful as possible.” Hinata said as she put on her gloves. At Hinata's orders Kisame grabbed the girls head in between his arms and put a small amount of weight on her shoulders should she start to thrash around.

 

Seeing Kisame in position Hinata closed her eyes and put her hands over the antidote that she made allowing some chakra to enter the batch. Opening her eyes she heard Kisame gasped as Hinata moved her hands away from the concoction watching it follow her hands in a small stream as if in a thread. `Slowly, slowly' Hinata thought pulling the antidote from the pestle., `Thin as if it's a needle, thinner, thinner' Hinata thought moving the antidote until she was satisfied with the way it flowed. `Don't forget to breathe' hearing the voice Hinata took a deep breath. `You can do this. Theoretically it's possible. You can do this don't screw up Hinata'. `Breathe its possible and you are doing fine.' Hearing her confidence speak Hinata took another deep breathe and went to work. Moving her hand to the injection site Hinata put her finger right next to the red mark and with her chakra moved the antidote into the would going slowly to not injure the girl.

 

Within moments the girl was screaming and trying to move before Hinata yelled “hold her down.” Kisame in shock at watching Hinata's control secured the girl's head allowing Hinata to continue her administrations.

 

Seeing Kisame in shock Itachi thought to direct his partner's attention on something else while he watched the scene in front of him. “Where is Zabuza?”

 

“I sent him on a mission. He will return tomorrow. I needed to make sure the hunter nin's don't find them here for a few days, so he is leading them away.” Kisame answered watching in amazement as Hinata finished putting the rest of the medicine in only to put gauze over the site. Grabbing some cotton balls Kisame watched as a greenish-blue liquid began to ooze from the site were Hinata entered the medicine. “Is that supposed to happen?” Kisame asked watching the liquid come out rather thickly.

 

“The antidote is kicking the poison and infection out. The green stuff coming out if the infection, the blue is the poison. It should be over in a few minutes, and then I need to work on her glands.” Hinata said taking a looking in her mouth and gave a small smile as she watched her throat expand to normal size. When the wound stopped oozing out the fluids Hinata then put some cream from her bag on it, knowing that it would heal fast.

 

Putting her hands on both sides of the girls face to feel for her glands, Hinata was pleased when she found the pulsating lump of movement. `Found it' She thought as Hinata was about to attempt to activate her bloodline limit but found she couldn't. `Crap looks like I will have to do this the hard way' Hinata thought before mentally cursing her ever failing superior bloodline limit. `Damn thing can never work right. But at least I can activate mine, sometimes' Hinata thought thinking of Gaara's inability to activate his as she began to work on healing the saliva glands removing excess water until it returns to normal.

 

Slowly Hinata began to pull the saliva from her patients mouth in an attempt to keep her throat dry to heal pulling the little droplets into the air in the form of a ball. `Slowly, slowly Hinata you can do this.' “You're doing good, keep it up.' `Not to fast now slowly.' Take a deep breath; come on you can do it.' So focused on her thoughts and keeping her self from draining the saliva glands too fast Hinata missed the conversation going on around her.

 

“Where did she learn that?” Kisame asked watching the ball of saliva get bigger little by little Hinata added to it.

 

“You would have to ask her that” Itachi answered watching in amazement at the way Hinata was healing the girl. `I knew she could do it.' “Now it's my turn to ask a question. Who is that girl?”

 

“Her name is Haku, and she is basically my niece.” Kisame answered. “Now who is she” Kisame asked indicating Hinata.

 

“Her name is Hinata and she is a cousin.” Itachi answered.

 

“I thought you killed off all of your family?” Kisame asked before gasping at the site in front of him.

 

“She's not an Uchiha and technically she's a distant cousin but we like her, so we decided to keep her. She's way better than the people that raised her. What was that gasp about?” Itachi asked watching Kisame's eyes widen.

 

“Her eye's changed, and it's weird.” Kisame said.

 

“She is a Hyuuga you know.” Itachi answered.

 

“I know what the Byukugan looks like and this isn't it.” Kisame answered. “Her eyes have a light blue tint to it instead of the purple color she had when she showed up.

 

`A different color hmmm' Itachi thought. `I will have to investigate this.' Moving closer to get a look at the young healers eyes Itachi could tell exactly what Kisame was talking about. He was correct instead of the pale lavender with the light blue ring accenting her pupils; her pupils were completely light blue matching the shade of Gaara's. Instead of the veins pulsating on the side of her face that traditionally happened with a carrier of the Byukugan it looked almost like she was developing red tomoes in her eyes, but Itachi wasn't too sure. `If her claim about Gaara no Sabaku being her brother, she just might be a vessel. I can't let anyone know but I need to find out for sure. This could be useful.' Itachi thought as he watched the girl work on her patient.

 

Thinking of an answer to tell Kisame that would satisfy him Itachi said “it could be a bloodline limit she inherited from her father's side. Her mother was a Hyuuga, and the Byukugan are generally a more dominate trait. In this case it appears she is proficient in both.” Itachi said remembering what he could about Gaara's family. His mother was a Hyuuga who had married the Kazekage. Between the two of them he thought they had only one child but that wasn't appearing to be so.

 

With her saliva glands working Hinata moved away from her patient carrying the saliva ball above her hands into the bathroom where she flushed it down the toilet. Taking off her gloves and washing her hands and face Hinata walked back into the room to the expectant look of Kisame. Itachi maintained his normal cold, unemotional face that he shared with the world.

 

“She will live” Hinata said going to her bag again and began pulling out more medicinal herbs. Washing her mortar and pestle out and quickly drying it before tossing in the new ingredients. When they were properly grounded Hinata handed them the Kisame and said “For now only give her broth to eat and put this in it. It will help soothe her throat and maintain she won't get an infection. Make sure she has plenty of fluids, and after a week you should be able to start her on solids again, but follow her lead on that.” She should be stirring here in a few minutes so you might want to get started on the broth.

 

Kisame got up and grabbed the herbs Hinata was holding out to him and just about collapsed in the chair that he had vacated. Leaning over and rubbing her temples in thought and partially in exhaustion. “Hinata” Itachi asked watching her rubbing her temples. Tilting her head so that she was looking up instead of down at the ground Itachi continued. “Do you want to continue your medical training?” `Her eyes have returned to normal, but I wonder if it causes her a headache. Still she could go far with her medical training.'

 

Leaning up the rest of the way so that she was sitting and dropping her hands to her lap Hinata looked over to her patient and smiled softly at her regular breathing and soft twitching in her attempt to wake her self up. Looking back to Itachi and catching his eye she said with a small smile. “Yeah I would, but I won't be accepted into any program for two reasons.”

 

“One I have to finish the academy and become a Chounin first, and second I would need family backing. With being known as the disowned Hyuuga and the name no Sabaku not really being a clan name Konoha is familiar with I wouldn't be able to attend just for that reason. Either way I won't be able to do it so to learn what I have I have had to sneak into the library with the help of the guys and make copies of all the medical scrolls I could find. I've studied all I could get my hands on, but the rest of the scrolls are locked away somewhere, and we have yet to find it. Besides I have to get back to Konoha and tell them about the attack on Gaara and I on the way to Suna.” Hinata said moving her glance back to the girl who had finally opened her eyes.

 

Helping her to sit up and moving the pillows so that she would be comfortable the girl asked “Who?” in a sore, scratchy voice. Hinata knew what she meant by that question.

 

“Hinata no Sabaku, at your service, and you?” Hinata asked as she watched the girl look around the room noticing her self in the bed with her nightgown on.

 

“Haku” she answered before noticing Itachi sitting in the chair by the door. Slowly she began to panic being in a room with two people she didn't know, and she wasn't up to any level to defend herself.

 

“Hinata I made the broth” Kisame said carrying in a tray with a small bowl of the broth on it, along with a glass of water. “Haku” Kisame said placing the tray on the stand next to the bed and went and gave the girl a hug. “How are you feeling?”

 

“Hungry” she said before moving her hand to her throat. “Throat hurts.”

 

“I brought some food that will make you feel better. Just relax and get better you gave us a scare there, Haku. Luckily we got you help or else you never would have made it.” Kisame said placing the tray on Haku's lap where she began to feed herself.

 

Slowly eating until the broth was gone Haku handed Kisame the try back with a small smile and said “It's good. I feel a lot better. My throat doesn't hurt as much.” Her voice was a lot better sounding, while it was still scratchy it wasn't unbearably so.

 

“You should get some more sleep” Hinata said. “You should be able to move around with no problems on your own tomorrow, when the medicine has had a chance to finish destroying the poison. The day after that you will be able to resume your ninja duties.”

 

“I will take you back” Itachi said standing up. “I will return tomorrow Kisame, we can return to base then. Nice meeting you Haku.”

 

With that both Hinata and Itachi left the cottage and headed straight. Hinata so lost in the scenery and how drained she felt she didn't even notice they were heading a different way until it was well into the evening almost to sunset. “Hinata” Itachi said as they bordered on the area they needed to go to. “Will you study hard to become a medic?”

“Yes I would Itachi-sensei” Hinata answered looking all around, feeling a tingly sensation letting her know that they had entered a genjutsu. Looking at her teacher she noticed that he lead them straight through the illusion and didn't bother to break it yet. He was obviously familiar to where he was going that he walked on genjutsu and all, so Hinata just followed.

 

“Just Itachi, Hinata. We are family after all. Your mother was a Hyuuga after all, even though your father wasn't. The Uchiha's and the Hyuuga's are distant cousins after all. So is Gaara really your brother?” Itachi asked nearing their destination.

 

“Twin” Hinata said with a small smile. “I wish I can see him again. I can't wait to be back home with the boys again. While it's not the same as when he's there, but it's still comfortable.”

 

“Sadly you won't be able to see them until next year when you finish your training. The woman you will be training with is originally from Konoha. She was teammates with one of my few friends that I had. She is a great medic, and I think you two would be good for each other. She needs to know that there is some good still in this world instead of just a select few people.” Itachi explained stopping in front of what looked like a disfigured tree. Knocking on the `tree' in first at eye level, second to the right and lastly to the left in the shape of a triangle.

 

Slowly the `tree' dissolved showing a door that was pulled open revealing a woman about twenty-two with dark brown hair and weary eyes. Under her brown eyes which lightened up at the sight of Itachi she had two red triangles with the top pointing down towards her wide smiling mouth. “Itachi” she said with a big smile and pulled him into a hug.

 

“Hello Rin” Itachi said. “I would like you to meet someone. Hinata meet your new teacher Rin. Rin I brought you a student, that you will find very promising, meet Hinata no Sabaku.”

 

Noticing the change in Rin's demeanor, Hinata figured that she didn't know anything about this either. “Come on in. I was just about to prepare dinner. You two can stay the night and we can discuss this.”

 

Standing in the kitchen next to Rin watching her stir the soup that was that nights dinner Rin thought she would check Hinata's knowledge on herbology. As a medic she knew that first you needed to know the power of herbs before you could learn more things like using medical charka. The minute you start using medical charka to heal the more you use it for everything. Soon you were using it for healing headaches, and toothaches. The people that found them selves once highly valued as medics were soon without jobs once they loose the power to harness their chakra or if it was sealed off or else your charka lines exploded from not expanding. “Hinata can you ground me up some fresh rosemary.”

 

Going to the plant Hinata asked “How many leaves?”

 

Rin was smiling softly at her ability to find the plant, but more was needed. “Five leaves please Hinata.” Rin said wondering if Hinata would catch her `error'.

 

“Umm, Rin you are only making roughly two quarts of soup. Five leaves of rosemary would give everyone the runs for the next seven days.” Hinata said with hesitation in Rin's reply. She didn't want to insult her but she didn't want the runs also. If she wanted five leaves, Hinata was going without soup tonight.

 

“Good answer two leaves it is then” Rin answered. “Now let's say hypothetically you got the `runs' as you put it. How would you heal it?”

 

“Is there any other complications, or known allergies?” Hinata asked wrinkling her forehead in thought.

 

Slightly surprised and pleased that she asked that Rin answered “no.”

 

“Then I would give them some fluids that have some electrolytes in them to keep them from getting dehydrated. But mostly I would recommend that they eat cheese, a lot of rice to help stop them up. Basically tell them to stay away from fiber for a few days. If they still want some medicine, I would say basil mixed with garlic. The basil to counteract the runs and the garlic to stop any upset stomachs they would have.” Hinata answered after grounding up the rosemary and handing it to Rin.

 

“What do you do for toothaches and muscle aches?” Rin asked stirring the soup. While Rin might have done something a little different, like not tell them what's in it. She was glad Hinata had the right idea and knew that a lot of basil would clot you up.

 

“I have some ointments that I have made over the years. Mostly herbs mixed in with some homemade lotion and infused with my chakra. So far that has healed everything minor. If not I would suggest a dentist for the toothache, and muscle aches are rest, and maybe a muscle relaxant, but mostly it is something that should heal on it's own to ensure proper healing.” Hinata answered.

 

“Very good” Rin said very pleased with her answer. “Where did you learn all of this?” Rin asked knowing that the medic's in Konoha didn't teach this. They were all for using medical chakra for healing everything. Part of the reason Rin left was because of there big ego's.

 

“Some of it I knew, I always had a knack for herbs. Other things I learned from sneaking into the library and making copies of the medical scrolls I could find. I was just getting into medical jutsu's when we noticed they were not located in the library. We were about to try sneaking in to the ninja library when Gaara and I were to head towards Suna.” Hinata answered eating some of the soup, with Rin and Itachi.

 

“But how did you know how much of each to use?” Rin asked knowing that using to much of something can cause more harm that good.

 

“Trial and error mostly, although” Hinata said. “Not so much error, I had found out years ago that if I add my chakra to something it will heal faster. With the way the boys fight I always had someone to try something on. Thankfully they were good sports about it. By the way Itachi, Gaara and Sasuke have the human iceberg persona perfected. Some of those glances you would never need air conditioning again. Naruto has started pranking on a higher scale now as is outmaneuvering even some ANBU.”

 

“That's good to hear that they started taking my advice to heart.” Itachi said getting some more soup. “It's getting late Hinata you should be getting to bed.”

 

“I will” Hinata said clearing her dishes. Stopping at her bag she handed Itachi a jar of ointment. “Here it's for your partner. It will heal those cuts on his hands from using his sword, and here give this to Haku.” Hinata said handing over a scroll. “This will explain how to make more ointments of Kisame should he need it.”

 

“Goodnight Hinata” Rin said. “You can have the back bedroom. Itachi you get the couch since I only have two bedrooms. I will see you in the morning Hinata.”

 

“Good night Itachi, Rin it was nice to meet you” Hinata said heading for the back bedroom where she quickly got into her pajamas and went to sleep.

 

“How do you know her Itachi?” Rin asked sipping some of her tea.

 

“She is family and so is her twin brother. I have been training them for years now, along with Sasuke and Naruto.” Itachi said relaxing for the first time in a long time.

 

“Naruto…Uzumaki the vessel for the nine-tailed fox?” Rin asked making sure she had the right Uzumaki.

 

“That is correct. He is very hardworking and dedicated to his friends and his craft. He will make a fine ninja, and with his element of surprise he will always be underestimated also.” Itachi said watching Rin pour him some more tea.

 

“Sasuke being an Uchiha means that everyone would love to train him, but I only want the best. So I have been training them for years. Hinata and her brother Gaara were also considered outcasts. Hinata for being a disowned Hyuuga, and Gaara was considered an outcast for being from an unknown clan with no bloodline limit to speak of. Being friends with Naruto since the age of five didn't help the two either. They know who good people are though and who isn't. When they become Genin, Kakashi will take over training them.” Itachi explained.

 

“Will she be a hard worker?” Rin asked about Hinata.

 

“One of the hardest workers I've ever known. She does not want anyone to be easy on her because she is a female. She hated it if she thought I was being easy on her, and would yell at me until I went all out on her.” Itachi said reminiscing about the training they were put through. “She wears eight hundred pounds of weights on each body part; she has on chakra restraints to increase her chakra capacity. I have been training them in tactics and strategy, and she uses a staff as a weapon. I am not sure about her Byukugan, but from what I heard she has always been weak in it. Since she is not of `pure' blood I wonder if this is why. I taught all the kids to defend themselves without using a bloodline limit. I will pick her up in a year's time, Rin. Train her in all you can. If something is wrong send me a message and I will try to come. I have to get to Konoha and tell the Hokage about where Hinata is and not to get her kicked out of school. Be careful though I suspect she might be an unknown vessel. I need her to know everything this she can even about cursed seals that Orochimaru is famous for. I have a feeling that in the future her knowledge may become vital. Keep me updated Rin and good luck. Any messages for Kakashi?” Itachi asked hoping she would mention something.

 

“No, nothing” Rin said. “I will update you on her progress.”

 

“Very good, than” Itachi said disappearing in a flock of crows.

 

Hours later Itachi, in the shape of a crow flew into the library of the Sarutobi house and sat down on the hearth of the fireplace. “How did I know you would be here Itachi?” Sarutobi asked smoking his pipe, in the recliner while reading his book. “What news do you have for me?”

 

“Hinata and Gaara got attacked by Orochimaru and you will like this, a Leaf Ninja. I didn't catch the name but someone here in Konoha is working with the traitor. They held there own against them, so I am glad. Gaara is in Suna, but Hinata I have training under Rin in being a medic. She will return in one year to finish school and graduate with her class. Make sure she graduates with the others, and remind Kakashi of our promise. Akatsuki has my partner and I searching for the Naruto, and thankfully we decided to wait until he can take missions as a Genin. Hopefully I will find out more by then. Since we are dealing also with Orochimaru I have Rin teaching Hinata all she knows about the cursed seals.” Itachi said after releasing his transformation hedge revealing him self complete in black and red cloak.

 

“What will I tell Sasuke and Naruto?” Sarutobi asked.

 

“Give them these scrolls, so I can finish training them. Tell them Hinata is getting specialized training and will be back in a year. They will understand and also tell them to keep it a secret.” Itachi said standing up getting ready to fly back to where his partner was waiting.

 

“Very good Itachi” Sarutobi said taking another puff of his pipe. Grabbing the scrolls he said “I will tell them myself in the morning. Tell Rin she can come back anytime alright. We haven't made her a missing nin.”

 

“I will” Itachi said “I was hoping Hinata would convince her to comeback eventually. I better go before they start to miss me. I shall hopefully have more to report later.” With that Itachi transformed back into a crow and flew out the window into where Kisame was waiting.

 

Later that night while Hinata was sleeping she found herself in a dark hallway with deep purple carpeting along the entrance way. Looking at her clothes she noticed she was still her white nightgown and barefoot, so she wasn't sure she was even in a dream. Walking along the hallways Hinata made her way to a set of intricate gold doors, which looked almost gate-like. Hinata had the feeling she should have been able to see through them but wasn't able to.

 

“Hello, Anybody home?” Hinata asked knocking on the gates. Getting no answer, but figuring she was in a dream Hinata pushed open the door and was blinded by a flash of white light. Finally getting her sight back, Hinata found herself in a garden, full of life. The roses were so big and fragrant that Hinata was able to smell them from several feet away. The trees were all bearing fruit and looked healthy and strong. Finding herself on a cobblestone covered path Hinata began to follow it, taking in the tour of the garden. In the middle of the garden was a giant fountain in the shape of a raccoon. Not sure how, the raccoon looked very majestic instead of the ones known for getting into the trash in Konoha.

 

Walking around the fountain Hinata saw a woman sitting at a small table with only two chairs with it. On the table was a dainty rose pattern tea set, the likes that Hinata has never seen before. “Excuse me?” Hinata said making herself know. The woman turned around and Hinata saw the woman had almost sandy blonde hair that ended in red tips. For some reason Hinata would have thought it would have looked odd, but it for some reason it didn't. Her warm pale blue eyes smiled warmly at Hinata filling her face in a true and genuine smile. She smoothed out the wrinkles of her pale blue obi with small red roses on it. Her tan obi accented her outfit perfectly.

 

“Hinata come I have been expecting you.” She said motioning to the chair on the other side of the table.

 

Hinata moved to the other seat slightly conscience of what she was wearing for a first appearance. Seating neatly crossing her legs and the ankles Hinata asked “How do you know who I am? Where am I?”

 

“My name is Tanuki, but you can call me Tani and you are inside my cage.” Tani answered pouring Hinata some tea.

 

“Cage that means that golden gate I pushed through was the doors to your domain?” Hinata asked taking a sip of the tea provided for her.

 

“Basically I am the demon sealed in your body” Tani said.

 

Looking her over Hinata smiled and said “somehow I thought demons were supposed to be taller.”

 

“Ohohohoh” Tani laughed putting her hand to her mouth in a high voice making Hinata cringe at the sound. Her voice was beautiful her laugh made you want to jump off the nearest cliff. Hinata almost wondered if it was a battle cry, or psychological torture, either way she was ready to give up. “You are correct Hinata, but since I am in my human form, I am a relatively small person.” Tani said grabbing her tea cup.

 

`At least she is not laughing anymore.' Hinata thought drinking more of her tea also.

 

“Now let's get down to business.” Tani said putting her cup down. “In the demon realm I am renowned for being a Water Master and a Master Healer. Let me ask you the procedure you did on Haku, earlier. How did you know it was possible? Did you read it somewhere?”

 

Scrunching her eye brows together in thought Hinata tried to think of how she knew what to do. `I don't remember reading it in any scrolls that I have read. No one in my family was ever a healer so I know they didn't teach me there. So how did I know?' “I just did.” Hinata answered. “I am not sure how I have nothing in my memories that would warrant that type of procedure, but still I just knew. I just heard a voice telling me to breathe, that was you wasn't it?”

 

“Yes it was” Tani said “From what you said it seems to me that you are inheriting part of my memories. Tell me what your element is?”

 

“Water” Hinata answered glancing over at the fountain, before looking back at Tani.

 

“And yet you have none of my memories on those skills. Very interesting” Tani said.

 

“What is interesting?” Hinata asked.

 

“When a seal is done properly you will over time gain control over my chakra, memories and skills. Since you only have memories of my medical knowledge, I have no way to teach you my water techniques, unless. Hinata”

Tani said “you activated part of my abilities today when your eyes changed while you were healing. You may not have realized it today but you did. That has never happened before that we are aware of. If you activate it when a water jutsu is going on, then you will instantly learn it. Unfortunately since your seal if done haphazardly I cannot teach you this, because I don't have access to it. As for my chakra, you are gaining it at a much slower rate than you should be. Sadly there is nothing I can do from here. What I can do is teach you medical jutsu's and along with Rin we should be able to train you to be very good, so that in time you can heal it yourself. For now let's see how you progress. It's time for you to go Hinata, I expect to see you tomorrow night. Your training will begin then.”

 

Hearing her voice over and over Hinata slowly began to wake up to see Rin standing over her. “It's time to wake up sunshine. You overslept an hour according to the instructions Itachi left. Get dressed and here is your training scroll. After that we shall eat then work on your medical training.” Rin said handing the girl her scroll. Hinata flew off the couch and quickly got dressed. Even when she isn't in Konoha, she was required to train.

 

Meanwhile Itachi and Kisame were walking the path back to the Akatsuki base when Itachi handed Kisame a small jar. When Itachi had met Kisame Haku and Zabuza was already gone, but promised to take it easy for a few days. With hunter ninja's on their trails, they couldn't stay in one place so long. “It's from Hinata; she said you needed it for your sword or something.” Itachi said at Kisame's wordless question.

 

Opening the small jar and rubbing it on his hands Kisame had a look of shock on his face, as he watched his cuts on his hands slowly heal together leaving a small scratch mark in its place. “Well what do you know it works.”

 

“Why do you seem surprised about that Kisame?” Itachi asked “you seen the way she healed Haku last night. After that you are still surprised?”

 

“No her healing of humans is exceptional, better than most I have seen. But I am not completely human, so most medical skills do not work on me. Surprisingly this does, and judging by this jar I have enough to last a couple of months. Think I can get some more from her?” Kisame asked still in shock at his hands healing rapidly, and that Itachi didn't even bat an eye about him not being completely human.

 

“I can do better than that” Itachi asked. “Is Haku any good with healing?”

 

“She has an interest” Kisame asked, wondering where Itachi was going with this.

 

Instead of saying a word Itachi reached into his cloak and pulled out a scroll and handed it to his partner. “Give this to her. Hinata left it in case more ointment is needed. She didn't know if she would get a chance to make more with her learning new medical jutsu's, but she doesn't want people to suffer either. If Haku can't manage it, let me know and I will try to get in contact with Hinata to make more.”

 

“Does Hinata realize she is helping an S-Classed Missing Nin?” Kisame asked slightly amused looking at the scroll Itachi handed him.

 

“I don't think she cares. She has been training and can tell a good person from a bad one. If I thought you were bad I wouldn't be partnered with you. If you had threatened her of her friends, she wouldn't hesitate to kill you. Helping is better than killing she would say.” Itachi said looking ahead on the path they were walking.

 

“Tell her thank you for me, and that if she should need it. I will be there to help for the help she has given Haku and me.” Kisame said. “One day we should go for drinks, and actually tell our stories instead of what we tell everyone else.” Kisame said extending the offer, hoping Itachi would take it.

 

“That would be fine” Itachi said. “In fact, I think it would be enjoyable.” With that being said silence followed the two having noting more to say but each in their own thoughts.

 

In Konoha Sarutobi was up at five in the morning walking around Konoha, taking in the sights and smells of the village he grew up in. Adjusting his robes he soon stopped in front of a building holding the condo that Sasuke and Gaara were staying in. Slowly walking up the steps to the third floor where they lived, Sarutobi hesitantly knocked on the door. Hearing the muffling of sounds Sasuke hesitantly answered the door with his kunai out incase it was more people out attempting to `persuade' Naruto to leave. Seeing Sarutobi standing there Sasuke opened the door allowing the Hokage to come in.

 

Sitting at the kitchen table with his hat on the table and both Naruto and Sasuke in front of his Sarutobi began. “I have news. Gaara appears to have made it to Suna. Hinata is now doing a specialized training and shall return in one year. She will be back for the next school year. Itachi left me theses” He said producing a bag full of scrolls from his robes. “You should have enough to train until Hinata gets back. That's enough for one in the morning and one at night. I was also informed to tell you both that you are doing a good job and keep up the good work. It's nearing your training time and I must be going. If you need anything don't hesitate to stop by.” Sarutobi said, picking up his hat and leaving. Once outside he pulled out his ever trusty pipe and continued his walk to work.

 

Practice was tough for the two boys but it was more the silence that was affecting them. Without Hinata's encouraging words and even Gaara's shoves, it just seemed quite without them. Heading home and taking showers the boys were soon in their uniforms as they walked to school.

 

“Naruto” Sasuke said, saying the first word since the Hokage visit early that morning.

 

“Yeah Sasuke” Naruto asked without his normal hyper active self.

 

“Let's go pranking after school today.” Sasuke said wanting to include himself in Naruto's favorite pastime.

 

“Sounds like fun” Naruto said before they split paths each taking a separate way to school so others weren't aware they were friends.

 

Sasuke made it to school a little bit ahead of Naruto and walked into his classroom. This year there was only two classrooms for their year of students. At the rate it was going next year they would only have one classroom. So caught up in his thoughts Sasuke didn't notice a pink haired girl looking at him as he entered his room. `He's cute, I wonder who he is' she thought `too bad he's not in my class though.'

 

Unknown to the pink haired girl a boy with spiky-yellow hair, normally found wearing an orange jumpsuit after school was walking passed and caught a glimpse of her pink hair and green eyes looking into his classroom. `She's really cute' he thought as he went into the class and sat in his normal seat in front of Sasuke. Looking around the room Naruto saw that Sasuke was the only familiar face. `I can't wait until Hinata gets back. School would be better with more of my friends around.'