Title Her Ninja Way
Author Uozumi
Genre Drama/Romance
Rating PG
Disclaimer I do not own nor claim to own this. The characters, ect...contained within are not my property. This is an act of fandom and I do not make a profit from this endeavor. I also do not own the song contained within, it is property of its respective owner(s).
Summary The Hyugi protect Konoha by sacrificing the self for the good of the people. To insure peace between the Sand and the Leaf, Hinata is promised to Gaara. Though she is waiting for Naruto to return, she agrees because to give herself up for Konoha is her ninja way.
Chapter Six
WARNING There are now MANGA SPOILERS for the manga chapters after the time warp. It's also a gone slightly AU, but not by much.
Note There are section breaks that look like just to clarify to the person who asked for them.
Final Notes Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this fanfiction. I am glad you enjoyed it and I'm sorry that it had to end this way but I thought it was better to end it in a slightly AU fashion rather than a completely AU fashion. I wanted to add something to the warning above, but it would have given away pretty much the only true spoiler in the chapter, so if you've been keeping up with Naruto, I'm sure that you know what the spoiler and warning I speak of is. To those unaware I was about to spoil you, I'm sorry. It was callous of me not to put the warning up from the beginning, but I wasn't sure if I was going to take this route or not. I am very glad that all of you gave me your time and feel honored with each review, favorite, alert, and all else that goes into being told that a fanfiction is worthy. Thank you. I appreciate everything. I do plan to write more Naruto fanfiction, but I'm not sure if there will be other Gaara/Hinata fics yet.

Her Ninja Way

Chapter Six:

Ino almost dropped the flower pot in her hands. The fifteen-year-old's eyes widened slightly and then she set the pot down quickly. Choji followed her gaze, and then his eyes widened a bit as well before he made his way to the door of the Yamanaka's flower shop, sticking his head out and looking down the street.

"Is it Naruto?" Ino asked from where she was watching the large teenager.

"Yeah," Choji replied. "I didn't think he was coming back so soon."

The news spread around the group of Chûnin and Jônin from Naruto's year that were in Konoha quickly. Especially after Sakura, Shikamaru, and Temari ran into him in the market district.

Hinata was training when she paused, blinking slightly as Neiji entered the compound. He was almost twice her size now and wore his hair down. He was friendlier with the main family now, but when he appeared unexpectedly and seemed intent on walking over to her, she was always momentarily scared. Flashes of their fight at the first Chûnin exam they had participated in always flashed before her eyes before she reminded herself that he wasn't about to kill her anymore.

"Neiji…" she stared at him, "what…?" She was never exactly sure how to talk to him. Finding her voice, she asked stronger, "What are you doing here?"

Neiji observed her a moment and then spoke in his deliberate tone. "Naruto is back in Konoha."

Hinata's eyes widened. She hadn't thought of Naruto for a while now, except on occasion, but it was always a fleeting thought, much like if she thought of a simple friend. She looked away from Neiji, her heart hurting slightly. She felt somewhat guilty, but over what, she wasn't sure. "Where is he?" She figured she could at least see him, there wasn't anything wrong in that.

"Last he was seen, he was in the market district. He's probably with Sakura somewhere," Neiji replied. He watched her a moment and then he said, 'You should go see him, he's a friend."

Hinata nodded and then said a very quiet thank you.

"I can't believe Gaara is Kazekage," Naruto remarked as he picked out the pork in his ramen, eating it before the noodles. He was grinning but Sakura could detect the very slightest hint of envy in the Genin's voice. "I was thinking he might be here when I saw Temari." The grin gained a mischievous glint at that remark as though his mind had thought of something, but whatever it was, Sakura could only begin to imagine. Gone were the days when Naruto would bless the world with whatever strange thing his brain had just happened upon it seemed.

Sakura ate some of her noodles and thought about what else to tell him. It was hard to think of everything that had happened in the past three years. She watched the people go by behind them and then pursed her lips when she caught a glimpse of short dark hair. 'Hinata…' Sakura wasn't sure who should tell Naruto. It seemed Hinata's place, but at the same time, she wondered if the quiet girl could do that. She wondered if Hinata even knew Naruto was back. After thinking on it, she knew the older girl had to know. There was no way anyone in their class couldn't know that Naruto was back in Konoha.

"You should see everyone," Sakura suggested. "I'm sure they're all looking for you by now."

Naruto poked at one of the pork pieces for a split second and Sakura couldn't read the fleeting expression. Then he grinned and it seemed more sincere than the one from earlier. "Okay, let's do that after lunch!"

"Hinata!"

The pale girl turned and then saw Lee coming up to her, his green Chûnin vest situated on his tall frame. "Have you seen Naruto around?"

He wasn't the first person to ask her that today. She shook her head. "No, not yet. I was looking for him."

"Here I am!" a loud voice proclaimed and the teenagers turned to see Naruto standing before him. He was still slightly shorter than Lee, but was considerably taller than Hinata.

Hinata felt her face flush. Her heart stung slightly like it had before, but not as strongly. Naruto's presence was large and demanded one's attention when the blonde decided that he wanted to be noticed by everyone. Lee was first to speak. "How was your training?"

"It was good," Naruto replied as people moved around them, giving them glowers the four of them since they were standing in the middle of the road. "It's good to be back though."

"Have you come to take the Chûnin exam?" Lee asked as Sakura glanced at Hinata, trying to read her. This had to be hard.

"No, I didn't even know that it was going on until just a bit ago." Naruto laughed uneasily, slightly embarrassed. He was the only Genin from their class since he had been away during the exams all this time. He looked past Lee at Hinata. "How are you?"

Hinata froze slightly. Trust Naruto to pointedly ask her something when it was too late. She looked away shyly. "I'm fine…" She wasn't sure exactly what to say to him. She wanted to say she was glad to see him back, but she wasn't sure how to phrase it. She was glad to see him back, but she wasn't sure how to handle it at all.

He accepted that as if the reply didn't surprise him in the least. Sakura gave her a sympathetic smile as Naruto looked around. "Where is everyone?"

"Kiba teaches at the academy," Lee replied, "so he won't be around until about three. Shino is away on a mission right now, Ino's at the flower shop, and that's about all I know."

Naruto nodded, filing the information away and then blinked before waving. The group turned and watched Choji and Ino join them. "We saw you when you first came by but I had to finish up my shift," Ino explained as they approached the group.

Naruto glanced between the two of them, his eyes moving into familiar silts to show confusion. Then they opened again and he asked, "Are you two…dating?"

Sakura glanced at him. "Is that your question for everyone!" He had already asked Temari and Shikamaru that before he and Sakura went to lunch.

Choji and Ino exchanged looks, but the moment to answer passed as Sakura clocked Naruto. The usual questions of how had training gone and others went around the group as they tried to think of anything important Naruto should know.

Finally, Naruto said, "Well, I'm going to go catch Kiba. I'll see you guys around." Giving a small wave, he and Sakura disappeared into the crowd. After they had gone, Ino looked over at Hinata a moment and then shook her head inwardly. It was her place to ask or say anything. She was sure Sakura would help the girl.

Hinata lay on her bed and stared up at her ceiling a moment before closing her eyes. She was confused. It made sense, but it didn't at the same time, and what was the most unsettling was that she liked Gaara more. She didn't know why that felt odd. He was her fiancé and she couldn't chase after Naruto any longer, but at the same time, the idea of picking Gaara over Naruto was odd.

Hearing something, she sat up hurriedly and listened. There were voices in the foyer, her father and someone that sounded familiar. She crept over to the cracked door and opened it.

"…I see," her father stated in a concerned and grave tone. "Who is going to tell her?"

Hinata's breath caught. Which her? It could be Hanabi or her…most likely her, although that did sound extremely selfish.

"Someone has volunteered, but they've gone to Suna to help out. They want to wait until the situation has been taken care of," the voice stated plainly.

Her father said something she couldn't hear as Hinata closed the door quietly behind her. Suna…Something had happened in Suna that someone wanted to tell her, but have it not be the messenger or her father. Sinking down onto her bed, Hinata frowned. She wanted to help, but she knew that being one of the weaker Chûnin, she'd only get in the way.

Hinata bowed to the representatives of Rein. They had a group entered in the Chûnin exams that would start the next day, and she would escort them around Konoha. From what she understood, the messenger appeared at her house a day after the situation began – whatever that was – and the group who had gone to help Suna had been gone for three days. She spoke greetings and motioned for them to follow her to where they would be staying for the exams. Like all Genin groups, there were two boys and one girl, and they looked to be about thirteen or fourteen.

As she walked, she answered some questions thrown at her by the Genin's instructor. She told them where the basic necessities were and what they could get in the market district. She left them at their residence and then walked towards the Hokage's complex. She had to meet Shikamaru there since she had taken Ten-Ten's position to help with the Chûnin exam. Meeting him at the entrance she gave a small wave. "We're almost done, right?"

"I don't know, the Godaime's been picky about a few things and who knows what this Suna thing will do." Shikamaru made a face as they started towards where they would meet with the others involved with the exam and make sure everything was in order.

Hinata frowned and then she asked slowly, "Shikamaru…" she paused wondering if she should really ask it or not, but it had been three days and she wanted to know, "what is going on in Suna?"

Shikamaru blinked and looked over at her. His face was unreadable. Finally, he said after a moment, "I don't know."

Hinata wasn't sure whether to believe him or not. Sometimes Shikamaru would say the truth and other times, he would lie if he thought that was what was right. She couldn't tell by the look on his face if this was a lie or the truth. "Thanks anyway." She sighed slightly and then they joined the group of people in charge of the exam.

They hadn't run into Sasuke, but had battled members of the Atatsuki. The group returning to Konoha was in a semblance of "one piece" but they were weary and some were being carried. It was the last day of the Chûnin exams so the streets were empty, the only people they had run into being the guards. The group began organizing who needed to go to the hospital, who had to inform the Fifth Hokage of the events in Suna, and other post-mission musts.

Sakura ran a hand through her pointy hair and then said tiredly, "Someone has to tell Hinata."

"Tell Hinata…?" Naruto looked over at Sakura questioningly. Why would they have to tell Hinata about everything?

Sakura waved a hand in the air. She was too worn out to explain everything to Naruto and she had to gather herself to talk to Hinata. This couldn't wait. "I'll meet you guys at the hospital. I need to – "

"You should go to the hospital, I'll tell her."

Sakura turned slightly so she could look at the very tall Hyuga. "Neiji…?"

"You need to go to the hospital and get your wounds looked at. I don't need to go," Neiji stated in his authoritative voice. "I'll tell her." He met her eyes, daring her to challenge his decision. When she looked away, he nodded and left the group.

Hinata watched from the overlook with Shikamaru as the last battle raged onward. She watched the two boys carefully and then straightened slightly, looking away to glance over her shoulder. Someone was approaching. Shikamaru followed her gaze and then his narrowed slightly as Neiji appeared behind them. Whatever he was about to report couldn't be good.

"Hinata, I have to tell you something." Neiji's eyes didn't move to Shikamaru. At her expression, he added, "I have news from Suna. We need to talk alone."

Hinata hesitated and then gathered herself. Neiji wasn't going to kill her. If he was going to, he would have tried it well before now. She nodded. "I'll be back in a bit," she said to Shikamaru and then followed Neiji away from the others.

They walked out of the building and started down the main street that led up to the arena. Hinata adjusted her Chûnin vest and then looked over at Neiji. "Neiji – "

"I guess I can tell you here," Neiji murmured scanning the area. They were out of view of everyone when people would start leaving the arena. He gave one last scan and then finally turned to Hinata. "Did anyone tell you why we went to Suna?"

Hinata shook her head. "No, they said someone else was going to tell me," she replied before adding hesitantly, "I overheard."

Neiji nodded, figuring it must have been Sakura. "We went to Suna because the Kazekage had been kidnapped." He watched her reaction.

Hinata tried to fight the urge to tremble. Her training lately had consisted more of steeling herself. She was going to marry a head of a state, so she knew that she had to be stronger. She merely swallowed slightly and forced herself to keep Neiji's gaze. "And…?" Her stomach felt strange, but she pressed forth. She had to be stronger.

"We pursued the kidnappers, members of the Atatsuki." His voice stayed the same, calm and level. "They fled into the oasis between here and Suna, hiding with him a cave." He paused, thinking of how to continue. The best way would be simply to say it straight out he decided. "Gaara died there. They pulled Shukaku out of him."

Hinata felt a stab and then she found herself trembling slightly. She wasn't sure how to respond. She looked away and spoke in almost a whisper, "I need to go back to…" her voice trailed and she straightened slightly, "to the exams." She felt his eyes on her and she added, "I'm alright…It will sink in later. I can't let it sink in now." She shook her head and added even quieter, "Thank you," before leaving Neiji to return and decide if any of the participants were worthy of the rank of Chûnin.

Alone she trembled and tried to cry, but tears wouldn't come. She now stood with others, the wind blowing sand around them. The previous Kazekage had been reappointed and there were no celebrations or festivals, because that was the way of the Sunanese. The treaty was still intact and arcane way of sealing it had been dismissed. The entire village was gathered around them including foreign dignitaries and some shinobi of the Leaf. Hinata stared straight ahead, passing up the chance to say something when the option was given to those gathered. Anyone could say whatever they wanted about Gaara from the lowest of the villagers to the highest ranking officials.

After the Spirit Catcher spoke, giving thanks for knowing Gaara and saying things that could only be described as customary and formal, the Kazekage spoke. He was a man of medium height, his face and brown hair hidden by the white robes he wore. He too said things that sounded nice but had a hollow meaning occasionally. The option for the villagers to speak came next. Some spoke and apologized to the casket for what they did before and apologized. Some seemed desperate to do so as though they were repenting and others truly meant what they said. A small child spoke and said nice things that were sincere. He couldn't remember a time in which Gaara was a feared monster. He only knew him as the junior Kazekage who was to be respected. The various officials were asked to speak next and then it went down ninja rank from there. The various heads of state said things that again ranged from sincere to simply going through the motions. It went down ninja rank after that. Temari said some things, her voice steady though quiet. Kankuro said a few words and then passed the floor on to another Jônin. Finally, Naruto, the only Genin there, got to speak. He chose his words carefully and kept a mask on his face, his true feelings towards Suna impossible to read.

Then the guards who had been protecting the village appeared and took up the rods of the casket. The guards who had set it on the podium in the center of the village were gone, presumably having traded positions with the pallbearers. They looked at each other and with word lifted the casket in unison and began the procession outside of the city. They walked for a few miles until they came to the mountainous region still inside Suna's borders. The group gathered in a semi circle, the hierarchy of the gathering dictated by how close one was to the opening in the rock.

The Spirit Catcher began chanting as the pallbearers entered the dug out area. After a few minutes, the pallbearers returned and then they walked to the very back of the semi circle as the Jônin of Suna began to close the hole in the rock, chanting with the Spirit Catcher in a ceremony dating back centuries. Finally, the tomb was sealed off and the Jônin returned to their places. The Spirit Catcher raised his staff to the sky, finishing in a language that only few in the group could understand.

Then it felt quiet and after a while, people began to leave. There was no more order, no more ceremony. Naruto nodded his head to the Konoha delegation, he received nods in return. They stood in a line of no hierarchy and each went down the line and said a verbal farewell to Gaara. Finally, the time for Hinata to speak came. She took in a deep breath and tried to make her voice strong and steady. It faltered to a degree, but was stronger than most would suspect. "Gaara…thank you for making me stronger. I wish that we could have spent…our lives together." Then the floor was passed to Lee as Hinata bowed her head, willing herself not to cry.

The End