Chapter 1

"How many times do I have to say I'm sorry before you believe me?" For the first time, I was annoyed with Naruto Uzumaki.

Ino just finished removing that awful thing from the back of my sister's neck and now I'm sitting at her side, waiting for any sign of her awakening. If they weren't patrolling the area to make sure we don't have any uninvited guests, the others were pretending not to hear him and I argue.

"As many as it takes for you to actually mean it."

Barely an hour ago, Naruto almost got my little sister killed. Madara had her at knifepoint and if we made any sudden moves, he wouldn't hesitate to slash her throat. Naruto knew this just as well as I did and still tried to stop me from meeting the Uchiha professor's demands.

I'm not a complete idiot. I know that nothing good was in store for me if and when he had me in his clutches, but I had faith that my friends were going to find a way to save me, which is why I was going along with it so easily.

The blonde man knew, he knew, that I wanted him to stay put and not interfere and betrayed my trust regardless of that fact.

"Hinata, you have to understand! He was going to put one of those things in you, too, and who knows what else. I couldn't just let that happen!" He was kneeling by Hanabi's other side, but he wasn't staring down at her like me. Instead, his eyes were glued to my face. Without even looking up I can feel the intensity of his gaze.

"If anything but my sister's life was on the line, then I'd be absolutely thrilled you wanted to save me, you know that, but…" I trailed off. There isn't a need to finish my statement because he knows exactly how I feel. We're at odds and neither of us are going to abandon our beliefs.

"Hey, Hinata, we're gonna go out and look for some baby supplies. Konohamaru has him, okay?" Tenten awkwardly interjected and we both turned to see her, Neji, and Ino standing there.

I nodded, glancing behind them to see Konohamaru awkwardly holding the small infant as he sat with his back to the wall, face red, "Thank you, guys. I really appreciate all the help." They left without another word. Sai, Shikamaru, and Temari were still somewhere outside this office, keeping watch, and I half-hoped they'd stay that way for a moment because I'm tired of feeling people staring at me.

The corpses of Masumi and Madara were quickly dealt with, how, I don't know and really don't care, so all we can do now is wait for everyone else to arrive and try to keep this baby safe, fed, and warm until we can come up with a plan.

Naruto's voice was starting to take on a defeated tone and was many levels quieter, likely so Konohamaru wouldn't overhear, "Hinata, please. You know how much you mean to me. Can we at least talk about this?"

Tears rose in my eyes and I matched his volume level, finally meeting his gaze, "I-I thought I could trust you!"

Hurt erupted in the deep blue of his eyes, coating his words as well, "You can!"

"Then why couldn't you do what I wanted you to and let me go? N-Naruto…" I angrily averted my eyes back down to my sister's face and reached a shaky hand up to wipe at my tears.

It was silent for a long moment before he finally responded, "It was selfish, okay? And I know it wasn't the time to be selfish, but I couldn't…I can't lose you again, Hinata." Emotion was thick on his voice, making it waver more toward the end of his explanation.

My eyes jumped back up to meet his and I desperately wanted to forgive him in an instant because I know how hard it was for him when he thought I was dead. He didn't have to tell me himself and I didn't even have to feel it in his emotions. Everyone else came to me about it, as though lightly pleading for me to not do something like that to the poor man again.

Out of everyone in our large group, Naruto's one of the strongest pillars. If he's happy, it's hard not to match his excitement. If he's sad, it feels so tragic that you can't help but want to burn any and all who made him cry. He really is a beloved person, even by those who claim he's annoying, like Sasuke and Neji.

Suddenly, I recalled the completely broken look on his face as he cried and begged me not to leave that first night we met in our dreams and I tried to run away when I realized it wasn't just a normal dream, but really him. He was terrified and desperate.

My chest tightened and I squeezed my eyes closed with a nod, "Please just…give me some time to work through this, okay?" He nodded, still looking completely heartbroken, but understanding that it was hard for me to look past him taking such a large risk without a second thought.

The baby started crying and we met eyes again before he wordlessly got up to relieve a panicking Konohamaru.

If this was any other time, I'm sure my heart would flutter at the sight of Naruto holding such a tiny bundle up against his chest. He was such a natural that it took me, and the other girls, completely off guard. When Ino asked him about it, he admitted to having to care for younger foster siblings at multiple of his temporary homes growing up, so this wasn't his first time around such a fragile little human.

Konohamaru came over and took Naruto's place across from me, a blush still very present on his face as he looked down at my sister, "Do you think she'll wake up soon?"

I followed his gaze, a heavy weight bearing on my chest, "It took you almost twenty-four hours, I think, so it could still be a while. I just hope nothing else happened to her before now."

The boy got quiet and settled back to cross his legs and rest his chin on his hands as his elbows sat against his knees, "Do you think she'll be annoyed that I'm here? I-I mean, she did turn me down after all."

A small smile tugged at my lips and I shook my head, "I'm sure she'll be relieved to see a friendly face, if nothing else."

Ino, Neji, and Tenten returned with a large diaper bag a bit later, filled to the brim with supplies like diapers, bottles, formula, and clothing for the baby and I was nearly overcome with relief.

Both of that child's parents were awful human beings, but that little bundle sleeping soundly in Naruto's arms was as innocent as anything can possibly be in this world. If, heaven forbid, we weren't able to properly take care of him and tragedy struck, I'm not sure if I, or even some of the others, would be able to handle it. It was hard enough having to learn of the little girl that'd been killed in Oto, but this would be even worse.

Soon after, the other three returned and then our group was surprised by the arrival of Matsuri, Gaara, Kankuro, and Kiba. The moment we lay eyes on them, we knew something awful had happened. Not one of them was free from at least moderate cuts and bruises, but Kankuro and Matsuri were really banged up.

On top of that, such a serious aura was about them that it threw every single one of us off in an instant. Kiba and Kankuro are usually bickering and joking around and laughing, but that wasn't the case.

Matsuri obviously couldn't speak because of the black bruises marring her throat and she had cuts all over her face that looked suspiciously like claw marks, but her defeated appearance was worse than it all.

This is a girl who kept herself inspired to be friends with Gaara Subaku of all people for twelve entire weeks. Sure, there were a few bumps in the road, but she managed it, didn't she? Not only that, but she was successful! Back at the house in Oto, it was rare to see her without seeing the redhead at her side.

That hadn't changed, at least.

Gaara seemed completely attuned to her location and condition at all times, even if he wasn't looking at her. If she moved a step, he did too. If she seemed like she needed something, he'd wordlessly figure it out and make sure she got it. I wonder if she noticed it. Kiba told me that she was taking some medicine that makes her a bit loopy to help heal her throat, so it could be that she was completely oblivious.

I couldn't keep fretting over my obviously traumatized friend, though, because Hanabi deserves my undivided attention. She has all three of the Subaku siblings wrapped around her finger, probably Kiba too, whether she knows it or not, so I know she'll be alright.

Neji and Shikamaru wordlessly took the leadership reins and began organizing a search for the valuable information Madara claimed to have before Masumi killed him. We didn't get a chance to try and get further hints to where he may have hidden his research and it was a fact that he had to have at least one paper copy around here. No scientist would ever leave such important findings solely in their head.

It took two days before Kiba finally found something and it could've only been him because he could smell the ink on the papers within the file he'd found shoved into the air duct behind my dad's old desk in his office.

Neji read the papers aloud for everyone to hear, "The species, unnamed, is searching for a plant that they refer to as ''Dengen". As I understand, it is their primary source of nutrients and they can not live without it. Though none of my research subjects have explained this, it is my hypothesis that this plant grows only in the deepest reserves of the ocean and is becoming scarce, hence their decision to come to land and search for more."

"That being said, I showed the subjects photos and even real samples of hundreds of plants, but none are recognized as "Dengen". Finally, I offered them a sample of Hiashi's manufactured plant, the one he created to formulate his skin cancer medication, and received an astonishing reaction. Every subject made the same observation: the plant looks and smells like "Dengen", but once they taste it they say it is a fake. Thus, my theory is that there is none of their food source on land and they simply started looking because this manufactured plant so closely resembles it. They can not tell the difference until they taste it."

Shikamaru rubbed his forehead stressfully, glaring at the ground, "This tells us why they arrived, but what are we supposed to do with this information? Simply capturing each inhabited person and proving to them that this plant or whatever isn't what they think it is will be impossible."

Neji continued, not directly responding to the man as he flipped through a couple papers until he seemed to find what he was looking for, "When asked, the research subjects all claimed that they report to something called "Meishu", which they pointed out was in Sunagakure when shown a map. It's my belief that this "Meishu" is a leader of some sort for this species. If this leader can be brought to reason by proving that no "Dengen" exists above water, the species will retreat to the oceans or at least stop their inhabiting."

It took me a long time to process all the information, but when I finally did, guilt riddled me to an almost unbearable level, "So, all of this…Everything's my family's fault?"

Naruto spoke in a stern voice, "That's not true, Hinata! No one, not even your dad, could've known making that plant would cause all this." My fingers trembled and I crossed my arms over my chest to try and hide it. I can't look him in the eye right now. How many people have been killed because of my father's invention? The synthetic plant, which he named Gosei not long after creating it, has tricked these…things…into believing a valuable food source is here for them when it's not.

My inner turmoil was interrupted by Gaara, who spoke in a voice so different from what any of us were used to hearing from him that it took a moment for us to realize it was him. The grit and anger in his tone was gone, leaving him to sound like a completely different person. "Does it say exactly where in Suna this "Meishu" is located?"

Neji took a few moments to snap out of his surprised stupor before flipping through the papers in his hands until he found what he was looking for, "It says he couldn't get the exact address or coordinates, but he was able to narrow it down to an eight block radius in the center of the city."

The redheaded Subaku man's eyes brightened slightly, "We're from Suna anyway, so we can go search for it, right?" He turned to look at his family members and Matsuri and they all agreed wordlessly.

Neji frowned, "That's great and all, but we don't have any of the Gosei plants. The notes say he ran out over a week ago. You won't be able to do anything even if you do find them."

Ino interrupted, "There's a manufacturing plant in Iwa! I remember Sakura telling me about it when she was studying medicine."

The blond girl looked at Gaara, "What if some of us go there and get some and then meet you guys in Suna? That way you guys can search for that Meishi..Maishu thing while you wait for us to arrive." Everyone seemed to agree with this plan.

"What about Sakura and Sasuke, not to mention the baby?" I couldn't help but interject. The plan doesn't sound half bad, but there are a few things I can't get past.

Tenten spoke up, sounding a bit hesitant, "I hope I'm not overstepping here, but what if Neji and I take you, Hanabi, Konohamaru, and the baby to our home? It's a couple hours outside of Konoha, but our parents will be able to care for the baby. The place is super remote so it's likely no one will attack there."

My heart sank to my stomach when Neji and I suddenly met gazes. Going along with her idea would inevitably mean meeting my mother, who lied to me about being dead and still doesn't know that I know the truth. My fear and guilt started to get the best of me, "I-I don't know…It doesn't feel right leaving everyone else to travel so far away to fix a problem my family created."

Shikamaru scoffed, "I haven't been with you guys since the very beginning, but even I know that no one cares about that. It's not safe to travel with an infant right now and your sister and Konohamaru aren't trained like the rest of us."

Tears rose up in my eyes as I looked around and every single person seemed to agree with what was being said. I want to be angry, but I know that'd just be my stubbornness taking over, "Fine, but as soon as I'm sure they're safe, I'm leaving to join you guys in Suna."

To my relief, no one tried to argue and soon the group broke into conversation about who was going to go where, locations that can be used as meeting points in each city in case of emergency, and other things of that nature.

"You guys!"

The room went silent and we all turned to see Sakura hurrying toward us with relieved tears in her eyes, Sasuke following not far behind her. The pair looked much better than I expected, given the amount of blood we'd found at the scene of their disappearance, not to mention the fact that they left a message in blood to let us know it wasn't safe for them to rejoin us so they were going on ahead to Konoha.

Ino shot up to rush toward and immediately throw her arms around her best friend. The pink-haired girl winced, but hugged her back with a big grin, "O-Oh, careful! I'm sore!"

Ino was sobbing, "Who cares? I love you! I'm so glad you're alive!" The blond girl looked over to meet Sasuke's gaze and pulled him into their hug as well, "And you, you little shit! I'm happy to see you, too!"

Sai approached his brother and Ino turned to look at him with a bit of a frown, reminding me of their argument before heading out in Oto. "I owe you an apology. I…didn't take your guys' disappearance seriously until it was too late." Sasuke shook his head at his brother, rolling his eyes as he pulled him in for a short hug before the four of them came over to join the rest of us.

After telling us what happened that forced them to separate from us, we filled the new arrivals in on our plans.

In the end: Ino, Sakura, Sai, Sasuke, and Kiba are going to go to Iwa to obtain some Gosei before heading to Suna, where they'll meet up with the Subakus, Shikamaru, and Matsuri who will hopefully have located the Meishu by that time. Me, Naruto, Neji, Tenten, Konohamaru, Hanabi, and the baby are going to travel to Inaka Village (the area where Neji and Tenten's homes are located in the middle of a dense forest).

After we drop off Hanabi, Konohamaru, and the baby, the rest of us will then head to Suna to offer reinforcements just in case it's needed. Once everything's said and done, hopefully leading to a happy ending, I'm going to circle back to pick up the three we left in Inaka and figure out where to go from there.

Hanabi, to my anxiety's dismay, still hadn't woken by the time we all went to bed and remained asleep when I woke up in the morning. Everyone who wasn't traveling with us to Inaka Village headed out as early as possible and then the big college building felt a lot quieter. We decided unanimously that if my sister hasn't woken by midday that we're just going to have to carry her and hope for the best.