He couldn't help the twinge of sadness as he faded from her view and her from his. He wanted to stay... wanted to be with her... but not like this. Not in the way things were, wit him being reanimated and all, well formerly reanimated. He mulled over this silently as the all too familiar waters of Katsuyu falls formed beneath his feet. Even in death, he was here waiting for her. He slipped down to prop himself up against that oh so familiar boulder. His prop for many a day of misery... and so too few of pure joy. Red eyes scanned his surroundings as they faded into view. Perhaps Katsuyu falls was his own personal limbo... An audible scoff escaped him at the thought.

No... this place... in death... it was his literal hell.

The boundaries of being so damn close to her, but so far away all the same. For a while he had been able to feel her presence on the other side of the barrier, but after a while he never could embrace her aura anymore. His eyes slipped shut as he released a sigh. His eyes snapped open the moment he heard movement within the cavern. The softest dripping of water droplets as someone strolled across the surface of the water. He knew better than to feel for who it was, as the goddess liked to visit him here and her aura always stung at his senses.

He looked down to the small crystal serpent in his grasp and then back up to the elegant woman who had made her presence known. A scowl threatened to cross his features but he shoved it back deep down. He knew better than to be rude to her, but he couldn't help but be angry with her all the same. Time after time she had comforted him within the falls, knowing full well she was the one keeping him and Hinata apart. She always told him that Hinata would one day return and yet he still ended up dying before that day came. He was bitter to say the least.

"You were never meant to see her again... at least... not this version of you." Her voice forced him to look at her, the elegant yet commanding tone demanding attention. He furrowed his brows at her as the scowl tugged across his lips. He was caught in the midst of anger and confusion and he honestly couldn't figure out which one would fit the situation better. "A little explanation could help with that dastardly face you're making at me I suppose." She said as she slipped to sit atop the surface of the water before him. She adjusted to fold her knees beneath her elegantly as her serpent slipped across the surface of the water to join her.

He still said nothing, seemed he didn't have to as she could either read his thoughts or tell what he was feeling from his aura. "You would be correct, although it is polite to speak as I do enjoy a good conversation." She said softly as her fingers trailed over the body of the crystalline blue serpent that partially coiled itself around her legs. "I suppose." He grumbled as he watched the snake wearily, to which she seemed amused. "I know you're upset, but you have to understand... the timeline is divergent and while this version of you did die waiting for her to return, I can promise you this young one... he won't." She said as she waved a hand over the water and the visage of his younger self appeared before them.

The younger version was gripping the same serpent pendant he currently was. Tobirama sighed as he watched the younger version of him walk over and place his hand on the barrier once more. He knew what day that was... it was the one where he heard her apology and hope for return from war. He squeezed his eyes shut as he heard the desperate yell escape the younger version of himself. That purely desperate and fearful cry... it was one he could still feel to this very moment himself. The fear of her never returning and never knowing what happened to her. He couldn't understand why the goddess would let anyone endure such a heart wrenching struggle knowing she could help them in an instant.

"I don't like doing it, just so you know... despite lady Katsuyu's meddling with time, I still have a duty to ensure things turn out... favorably." She said softly and his shoulders slumped weakly. He knew she had to keep the timeline in check or else things could go wrong in every sense of the word. "I... don't want my younger self to have to wonder if she will ever come back... I want... to give myself some peace..." he whispered softly only to jolt as gentle fingertips brushed his hair from his face. He felt so insignificant compared to this woman before him and her blindingly kind smile.

"I am aware, Tobirama. Which is why I will allow you to do so. However, you can't tell yourself of your fate. Things will be different this time around, I promise you this..." she whispered softly as her gentle fingertips trailed over his cheek. She backed away and stood to her full height, her elegant robes flowing behind her as she walked away. In a blinding flash of light and a whisper of just a few words that meant everything to him, she was gone once more just as swiftly as she had arrived.

He watched as the younger version of himself ducked into an offensive stance. "Who are you!?" he yelled and Tobirama couldn't help the confusion that flooded his being. Is this what she had meant by giving him the chance? "Hey hold on kid... I can explain." He said and his younger self continued to brandish the blade dangerously. "You are waiting for Hinata right?" he asked and his younger self stiffened visibly. He breathed a sigh of relief when younger him seemed to loosen his grip on the blade.

"Let me come closer so you can see me better, ok?" he offered softly, knowing full well that at that age he was willing to fight anyone and everyone. The moment he stepped into the light and his younger self saw him, the blade hit the ground. The sound of it clattering to the ground seemed to drown out any other noise that could have possibly been in the cave. "I know... it's hard to take in, but..." he began, only to sigh and rummage through his pocket to grab the serpent pendent. "She brought me here with a message for you. Lady Benzaiten hated seeing us suffer." He said gruffly, but all irritation left his body the moment the arms of his younger self wrapped around him in a tight embrace.

The sound of soft sobs reached his ears and it took everything in him to look away from the younger version of himself. He gripped his hand into the back of the blue haori he used to wear as he squeezed his eyes shut, his face still turned up to the roof of the cave. He felt every tear that slipped over his own cheeks. He bit his lip as he tried to contain his own anguish. He had forgotten how much pin his younger self had been in... how he could have ever forgotten the pain was beyond him.

The feeling of being ostracized from his family, the abuse, almost losing Itama, and potentially losing Hinata? It wears down on someone and it lingers long after the wound had healed. He wrapped his arms around the younger version tightly and held him as he cried. He knew how hard all of this was, but he had managed to force it all down for the longest time. "Older me... I... can I ask some questions?" his younger self asked through stifled sobs. Tobirama's tense posture softened and he nodded his head gently.

"Are we strong?" his younger self asked and he nodded once more. "We are very strong..." he said softly and his younger self released him to watch him carefully before rubbing his eyes. "The why are you crying too?" Younger him asked and Tobirama repressed an annoyed sneer at the little shit. He decided he could dignify that with a legitimate response rather than the rude remark he was going to make about him crying first. "Because she prefers it when we aren't an asshole all the time and actually let her know how we are feeling." He grumbled and his younger self smirked at that.

"So that never changes..." his younger self mused, only for a frown to return to his lips. "But when does she return?"

"That... I don't know... she was never able to come back through for me, but I promise you... she will come back for you. Just don't give up. She came back every single day to give me updates through the barrier... but I promise you, you will see her again." He said and his younger self nodded at him. "I'm afraid I have to take my leave now... promise me you'll never stop trying to get to her." he said and his younger self nodded. He knew what he said wasn't a complete lie, but he needed to ensure his younger self stayed true and continued to wait for her.

"Oh... before I go, one last thing... When you do see her again... make sure you aren't within her range. I did kinda piss her off when I saw her in her own time." He mused and the smug look that crossed his younger versions face lingered for a moment before his words set in and the look of panic started to flood his features. A smile slipped across his lips as he felt his soul returning to the afterlife. It wasn't a proper warning, knowing his younger self had no idea what all Hinata had learned during their time of separation, but he knew he could handle himself. And with that he parted with one last thought, a calling to the one he missed so dearly.

'It's all up to you now Hinata... come back to me.'

:-:-:-:

Benzaiten sat atop the water of katsuyu falls hidden from the eyes of those two. One in the same through and through, nothing changed with him. It amused her to no end that someone so stoic could be so open and honest with not only himself but Hinata. He was a very closed off man and not that she was trying to change him, she was just trying to change his fate and the fate of the world now. Katsuyu had set something in motion that she rather enjoyed watching blossom. It was her turn to step in and assist now, seeing as Katsuyu had panicked upon seeing something in the timeline and sealed the falls from Hinata's side.

Benzaiten could curve that outcome favorably with just a slight bit of tinkering. Benzaiten was not one for malicious intent, but the smirk that crossed her lips screamed feral intent. If their initial plan to keep the brothers from killing one another wont work, perhaps something else will stop them. Her hands flew through hand signs elegantly without the slightest bit of hesitance. She knew exactly what she was going to do. She placed her hand against the barrier and it glowed a soft blue before it became clear once more. She then turned and made her way back over to sit atop the surface of the water once more. The only sound echoing through the cavern was the gentle strumming of her lute.

She was quite fond of the instrument as it had a calming effect on all those who listened to her play. Katsuyu made her way over the surface of the water to listen and watch as all the cave creatures flocked to the goddess. 'Would you care to explain what you did?' Katsuyu asked softly, only to continue. 'I mean no disrespect my lady, I am just curious as to how I could have changed that outcome...' A small smile graced Benzaiten's lips. "Nothing you could have done would have prevented Toneri from killing Hinata when she refused to wed him. However, despite the fact this timeline is still going similarly to the last we can still change it. Only I can change this outcome."

:-:-:-:

Tsunade sighed as she searched everywhere for her apprentices, they were supposed to meet her here an hour ago but they had yet to show. She sighed as she tried to rub away the tick of irritation in her brow. "Where the hell could they be?" she grumbled as she rounded a corner upon hearing a scream, only to come face to face with the two of them with their hands full. "What... the hell?" she asked and Hinata gave her a sheepish look as she forced a small bundle into Tsunade's arms. Honey brown eyes scanned over the tiny thing she had been handed and she sighed once more. She looked down at the two of them and saw that they were in process of delivering what appeared to be twins... in the middle of an alleyway.

'I could have stayed home today...' she thought as she looked down at the tiny human in her grasp once more only to shake her head. "I was fully expecting to find you two fighting again, but you know what... this would have never flown as an excuse if I hadn't stumbled upon you two in action." She mused slightly and Hinata rolled her eyes as Sakura continued to coach the woman through the second child. "Does it make you wonder how many of our excuses were actually true?" Hinata asked as she caught and swaddled the second child. "Not in the slightest. You two are no better than Kakashi." Tsunade chuckled only to receive a glare from the two girls.

Shizune jogged up and squealed in excitement as she snatched the baby from Hinata's grasp. "You're no better than them, Shizune." Tsunade sighed as she handed her assistant the first child as well. While shizune doted on the children Tsunade crouched and began helping with the mother. "Come on, lets get you to the hospital and get you cleaned up." Hinata offered and the young woman nodded as Sakura continued to blot the sweat from her forehead. They laid her on the slug Tsunade had summoned and made their way to the hospital where Tsunade took over.

Sakura sat outside the room beside Hinata. Sakura was cheerful and energetic while Hinata was exhausted. "Why us?" Hinata sighed and Sakura released a laugh. "We always seem to have perfect timing." The pinkette mused and Hinata rocked her head from side to side in an iffy manner. She didn't want to believe that they had perfect timing, it felt more like someone or something was putting these things in her path for a reason. She had voiced these thoughts before and while Tsunade and Sakura agreed that it was odd that these things kept happening, they felt as if it was to ensure they could handle themselves under pressure. Hinata leaned back against the wall and sighed. She was just tired...

"Hinata... I never really got to ask..." Sakura began which caused Hinata to give her a weary side eye. She was fully expecting a full on interrogation from the pinkette as she was known for, just as her blonde friend was. She wasn't expecting what came out of her mouth though... "How are you doing? I know it was hard to have to watch him leave you behind once more... I don't think anyone has asked about how you are coping and its been over a year now..." Hinata bit her lip and couldn't help but fist her hands in the cloth of her pants. No... no one had asked her about this... everyone had just pretended it hadn't happened...

They had ignored her misery... ignored her silent and verbal pleas to see him once more. The many nights she would sit outside the barrier of Katsuyu falls and cry because she couldn't get back in... no one knew about any of that... they had just carried on with their lives like nothing had ever changed. But hers had and she was miserable every single day. "No... no one has... and I'm not coping. I go every day to see if I can get through but I still never can. I just want to see him once more..." she whispered and Sakura gripped her hand tightly. "And that's ok... it's no different than what I did... running to the gates every day to see if anyone had brought Sasuke home..." Sakura said and Hinata could see the correlation.

The never knowing if you were actually going to see them again. It fit.

"Are you going to go back tonight?" Sakura asked and Hinata nodded. "Every day until someone grants me mercy, either I see him or I continue this forever." Hinata sighed and Sakura rolled her eyes. "A bit dramatic, but I get it." she said with a shake of the head, but Hinata couldn't help the light laugh that escaped her. "Says the one who-" "We don't talk about that!" Sakura hissed, cutting Hinata and her impression of the Sasuke yell off before it could escape her. It wasn't long before the two of them smiled and laughed at each other. "I was a bit dramatic I can't even lie." They both looked up the moment they heard footsteps heading their way.

"I heard you two delivered twins today, thought I would stop by and check on you two... and bring food." He said and Hinata smiled brightly at him. "Thank you, Neji!" she chirped as he sat next to them on the bench. Warm tea steamed from the lids of the cups as he handed each of them their drinks. With how cold it was outside it was welcomed to have warm food and drink. Especially for how long they had been out in the cold with the poor mother and her babies. Hinata leaned to take a sip from her drink, but Neji reached and wrapped her scarf closer around her.

"What are you doing for your birthday, Hinata?" he asked and she shrugged. "Not sure yet. Honestly, I can't think of anything I would want to do." She sighed and he ruffled her hair slightly to which she scowled at him. "You saved my life just so I could live to annoy you another day, aren't you just thrilled?" he mused and she rolled her eyes at him but linked her arm with his. "Wouldn't have it any other way honestly. Kinda like having you around." She began and when he offered a small smile, she cut him with her words.

"You've turned out to be a good punching bag."

Sakura choked on her drink and struggled to keep it from spraying from her nose. Neji just sighed and slumped to the side slightly, but he made no rebuttal. "You do know how to wound with words Hinata-chan..." he sighed only for her to nudge him with her elbow. "And you know how to make a bad day better, so of course I am happy you're still here." She said and he smiled once more. They sat in silence for a while before Tsunade finally made her presence known by snatching a bit of Sakura's food and popping it into her mouth. Sakura began sputtering indignantly while Tsunade ignored her and Shizune's scolding. Tsunade opened her mouth to speak once the two of them were silent, but before she could say anything Hinata stood and took off running as fast as she could.

"Shizune, Sakura, did you feel that?" she asked and the two of them nodded. "Let's go! The barrier to Katsyuyu falls is opening once more!" Tsunade commanded as they took off chasing Hinata. They had her in their sights once more but they weren't close enough to stop her if she tried to go through. Tsunade kept calling out to her but Hinata kept saying that she just had to see if it were real this time. "I'm not going to stop you Hinata! I just want you to be careful!" Tsunade yelled and Hinata slowed down some so they could catch up. "You promise?" she asked and Tsunade nodded once more.

"Ok... I just need to see him." She said and Tsunade offered a small knowing nod. They approached the entrance to Katsuyu falls which was bursting with radiant energy. Hinata strolled forward silently and placed her hand on the barrier, only for it to barely waver under her touch. She grunted as she forced her hand through the barrier, only for another hand to reach out and grab her by the sleeve. Before Tsunade or the others could call out to her to pull back out she was yanked within the barrier. Tsunade and Sakura rushed through the barrier but there was no one inside but a lone Crystalline blue serpent that was watching them carefully.

A few moments later and a young Tobirama burst through the barrier. He looked at Tsunade and Sakura and furrowed his brows at them. "I felt her chakra... where is she?" he asked and they frowned at him. "So she did come through to your time... but not with you..." Tsunade sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. Tobirama stared at her in confusion before he opened his mouth to speak. "What do you mean she's in my time? She's never been able to cross over into my time before..." he said and Tsunade nodded.

"Neither of you were ever meant to cross between the times. I have a theory..." she said and offered him a hand. "I have tried to pass through before and the last time was unpleasant." He bit out but she rolled her eyes and grabbed a hold of his wrist tightly. "Just humor me brat." She grumbled as she dragged him through the barrier. The moment he came through behind her he was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of chakra signatures of this time. When he was finally able to compose himself, he looked around him and an excitement that could barely be contained shimmered in those red eyes, but as soon as it showed it vanished.

"This means... she's in my time where people won't hesitate to kill her on sight..." he said before he turned to run back through the barrier and back to his own time, but Tsunade called out to him. He stopped and smirked at her question. "Oh... I'm not worried about her... its whatever idiot tries to fight her first that I'm worried about." A smirk tugged at the edges of her lips at this and she looked to Shizune who was clutching Ton-ton in panic, while Sakura mirrored her wicked smirk. Tsunade could understand the worry he held, because Hinata was not trained to hold back against anyone who would wish harm upon her.

They all knew this.

:-:-:-:

Katsuyu watched as the crystalline serpent coiled around itself, awaiting something it seemed. The moment the young men entered the cave they looked around; the surroundings new to them. "Welcome to Katsuyu falls, gentlemen." The snake greeted softly, as though to not startle the brothers. The elder brother frowned as he took in the surroundings. "Why were we beckoned to such a sacred place?" he asked carefully, not wanting to seem disrespectful.

Katsuyu knew that these two never would have found this place had Benzaiten not beckoned them here. She had to admit she was impressed, the goddess had added a secondary entrance to katsuyu falls from the outside. The elder brother listened as the snake explained what they were to do. Katsuyu had no interest in this slight deception that Benzaiten was allowing but more so in the safety of Hinata. She stood by and watched as the elder brother approached the hand that was coming through the barrier, albeit with much difficulty. The younger brother grabbed a hold of his older brothers forearm and nodded as he began pulling him through the barrier as well.

Basically what they were doing was an ensured loop. The elder brother would grab Hinata's arm and force her though the barrier initially, while the younger brother would pull them back through the barrier and into their own time. When asked why they were to do this the snake only had to say one thing to convince them and it worked. Katsuyu watched as Hinata was yanked into Tobirama's time unwillingly. Katsuyu was disgusted with the little tidbit of information that was given to the brothers, but she knew it wouldn't do them any good in dealing with Hinata.

"The girl coming through is Tobirama's soulmate."

That knowledge wouldn't help them in the slightest because Katsuyu knew Hinata wouldn't let them touch a hair on that boy's head, but Benzaiten might be counting on that....