-Naruto-

My head.

My heart.

My body.

It's so...different. It feels so different. Everything...

Feels so much lighter.

It's been about a week since I drove Hinata home. Ever since then, I haven't known how to act around her. At work, I see her everywhere.

And if I don't...

I make an effort to lay eyes on her at least once an hour.

At meetings when we're all supposed to be as professional as possible, I just find my eyes wandering over to her as she jotted down the notes of everything all the heads say. During lunch, she would eat in the heads' break room with the others. Usually, she's eating with Tsunade and Ino, the head of our marketing department. There has been days where she's alone with just the guys.

Those are the days I have to squeeze myself in to prevent myself from going absolutely mad.

"Boss?"

I blinked several times, rapidly.

Oh.

I must've been staring at the ceiling before my mind wandered off about our coding head.

I slowly turned my chair, still in a daze towards my best friend. "You're Sasuke."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "And you're Dumbass. Glad we established each other's names."

"Hey -"

"You've been looking at the ceiling for a solid ten minutes. What's going on with you?"

Lie.

Lie like you never have before.

"It's Hinata."

Clearly, my mouth and my brain are not in sync.

My best friend stopped chewing on his sandwich. "What about Hinata?"

Lie.

Lie now!

"I can't get her out of my head."

You suck at this...

"What do you mean?"

"I mean." I took a breath before I keep digging my own grave. "We're two weeks away from the patch release for Infiltration. It's her first patch release and I don't know if she's gonna be ready for it."

"I'm still lost."

"You know the criticism we get from the players after the release of a patch. Especially those in pro league. I don't know if she's going to be able to handle all of that when it comes." I answered.

Well, it's not a complete lie.

With every update that comes with a game, there comes changes. Changes that hardcore gamers and the ones most important to our company can give some very heavy negative feedback. I remember each and every one hurts our company people. Some of them have quit over the years with each one.

Hinata is genuine and sincere.

I am truly worried about what her thoughts would be when the time comes.

"She'll be fine." Sasuke said.

Of course he would say that.

He doesn't know her like I do.

"Think about it." he continued. "We gave out the little mini patch about the doors and we've gotten a lot of good things about it. Sure, some people don't like it but a majority does. If that doesn't show how well Hinata is as a gaming creator, I don't know what is."

He isn't wrong.

"Now, hurry up. Don't you have to get ready for that lunch with the Sunagakure company people."

That's right.

"I'm ready whenever you are."

Sasuke chucked the last piece of food into his mouth before cleaning up. "Then let's go."

---

Sasuke drove us across town to the rivaling company that also shares the streets of Tokyo. To be perfectly honest, I don't have many problems with these guys. They're usually very straightforward which isn't really fun.

I guess rivals isn't the right word to use.

More like allies.

We arrange monthly meetings with them to discuss what's been going on. It's been like this since the time my father was in the CEO chair so we just decided to continue on the tradition.

Sure, we compete with each other. However, while I our company focus on FPS games, Sunagakure focuses more on the MMO gaming genre so we're not in each others' faces all the time.

During each meeting, we select one head so they can talk things out as well. It really helps our companies out in a lot of ways.

Sasuke pulled towards the valet of the very fancy cafe and we both stepped out. While Sasuke is left to deal with the valet people, I entered the restaurant.

The host greeted us and announced that our other party has arrived. I waited for Sasuke and we made our way towards the back of the cafe where a red-haired man and a brunette sat.

Their backs were to us so they didn't see.

"Did Gaara tell you why he asked for the cyber security head specifically this time?" Sasuke asked as we made our way there.

I shook my head. The heads come in through a rotation. Cyber Security met last month already but yet, Sunagakura wanted to meet with them again.

"Gaara. Kankuro." I called. The red haired man turned to me and stood up.

Yep.

His face as emotionless as ever.

"Naruto. Sasuke." He shook both our hands. "Please, sit."

We both took our seats, confused.

I glanced at the Sunagakura head of cyber security. His eyes were cast downward.

He doesn't even realize we're here.

"What's going on Kankuro?" I asked.

Gaara sighed. "I have some pretty bad news."

"Is everything okay at Sunagakura?"

Gaara nodded, though it looked unsincere. "For now. We got news this morning from the Iwagakure Company. I'm afraid it isn't good."

Gaara is usually a serious person. To have him look serious...

"Their servers got hacked this morning despite that iron firewall."

Oh no.

"Wait." I paused. "Someone was able to hack their firewall?"

Gaara crossed his arms. "They had to pull their games offline because whoever the hackers are, they lagged and DDosed everything. Kurotsuchi called us yesterday panicking."

Dammit!

"Are they only Dosing...what else are they doing?" Sasuke asked.

"As of right now, that's all they're doing." Kankuro finally spoke up. "However, just a couple hours ago. One of their employees made a police report about someone obtaining their personal IP address and getting into their private things. Another reported someone lurking outside their house."

I sat back, stunned. "They hacked employee profiles?"

Kankuro nodded. "It went from simple game hacks to a crime. Problem is, they covered their paths. The police don't know what to do or how to even start investigating."

This isn't good.

"We're next." Kankuro suddenly said.

I looked at him. "How can you be so sure?"

The head pulled out his phone. He tapped at it briefly before sliding it across the table for Sasuke and me to see.

An email...

Written in the weirdest font possible appeared on the screen.

My skin turned cold just skimming through but each word stuck to my head.

To Kankuro and CEO Gaara,

You must know by now what has happened to your rivals at the pitiful Iwagakure Company. A stone firewall, huh.

Nothing our hackers can't break through.

We are feeling quite generous and have selected your beautiful company as our next target. Set up the best firewall you can and challenge us.

We always love a challenge.

Sincerely,

Akatsuki

I gritted my teeth. The slow rage building up in my blood was almost enough for me to grab the phone and chuck it across the restaurant.

These hackers.

How dare they mock our ally?

"We don't know what to do." Kankuro admitted. "I have confidence in our firewall, but..."

I could see Gaara grind his teeth as Kankuro continued. "They broke down Iwagakure and we don't know when they're going to start with ours. We don't have enough time to build a strong one."

This isn't right.

This is so fucked up!

"We asked you here today..." Gaara looked at me directly. "A part is to warn you to be careful with Konoha but also for help. We are at our wits end here."

I didn't waste a single second. "How can we help?"

"For one, maybe mixing in some of your hard firewall with ours. Then try to figure out other gates to stop these hackers from breaking through."

"Okay. When would you like us to start?" Sasuke asked.

"As soon as possible." Gaara answered.

"Sasuke." I immediately jumped in, standing up. "Go with Gaara and Kankuro back to their company. Let me borrow your car."

Sasuke hesitantly pulled his keys out of his pocket. "What are you planning to do, idiot?"

I started walking towards the entrance of the cafe. "I'm pulling in our best weapon to come help as well."

-Hinata-

I watched Shikamaru as he spoke on the phone. His eyes were wide with horror and soon replaced with just solid anger. I haven't known him for that long but...

He looks scary.

He finally ended the call and dropped his arm to his side.

"Shikamaru?" I started. "Are you okay?"

"Your resume says you have some experience in cyber security as well, right?" he asked.

"Yes. Why?"

"Boss is waiting for us outside. We're taking a little field trip." He moved towards his computer and shut it down.

Quietly, I followed his lead.

We rode the elevator down to lobby level and exited the building. Naruto was waiting a dark black Honda Civic; his eyes trained forward.

"Take shotgun." Was all Shikamaru said as he made his way towards the backseat.

Now I'm really confused.

I decided the answers would come in due time.

We slipped into the car and Naruto sped forward, not even checking to make sure we were securely fastened into the seats.

Five minutes passed and the ride was absolutely silent. Another minutes passed before I had enough. All these things about cyber security and also where was Sasuke? Weren't they supposed to be together?

"Naruto, what's going on?" I finally asked.

He didn't answer.

A part of me buzzed with a bit of hurt that he was just ignoring me.

"You ever heard of Sunagakure?" Our boss spoke up.

"The guys that make MMO games, correct?"

Naruto nodded. "They got an email from a group of hackers called the Akatsuki threatening to tear down their firewalls."

My heart dropped.

"Sasuke went with them back to check out their firewalls and see what he can do. I remembered on your resume you have experience in building them." Naruto stopped. "Can I ask you to make one strong enough to hold these guys off?"

Build a firewall, huh?

While I still have a whole bunch of questions about why we're helping out another gaming company, he is still my boss. They probably have a good relationship with on another. Good enough to trust each other with their own internet security.

"Consider it done." I replied.

Naruto cranked his head at me, surprised with my answer. "Really?"

I smiled confidently at him. "Of course, boss."

Naruto gawked at my statement but cleared his throat and his face turned serious again. The rest of the ride he explained what had happened. I don't know much about the companies and their security but hearing what he is saying is scary. However, with the seriousness underlying his voice, I can't help but worry about the entire situation.

We arrived at the Sunagakure Company building where a man with fire-red hair was pacing up front. As Naruto pulled up, two security guards approached our car and opened the doors.

Naruto walked up to the man and shook his hand. "Gaara. Hopefully we're not too late."

The man I presume is Gaara glanced at Shikamaru and me. "No. Please, follow me."

We walked through the lobby and straight to the elevators. I barely had enough time to take in my surroundings since all the people around me were walking so fast. Keeping up is such a pain in the ass.

Gaara led us to the basement of the building, probably where their cyber security department was located. When the doors opened, we were greeted with about a dozen employees starring at their screens, each looking more and more worried about the doom impending them.

Sasuke was leaned over a desk made to face the rows of computers as we entered.

"You guys made it." He said.

Naruto was in his business mode as he made his way over to the desk where Sasuke and I'm assuming their head of cyber security was.

"Anything yet?" Naruto asked.

"There was a small poke but other than that, their wall is still standing. Kankuro was able to keep them out for now."

Naruto's crystal eyes scanned the screen quickly before looking up at me. "Hinata, Shikamaru. Get over here."

We jogged over and were greeted with a screen with the administration control over the invisible wall. I quickly looked at everything, every little character I committed to memory.

This is no good.

While this soft firewall seemed strong, I can see all the weakness with one quick lookover. Those hackers probably probed at it to get all the data they need.

I scanned the rest of the room. There's the perimeter router...what model.

Okay got it.

I looked at the screen again.

Wait.

"Hinata." Naruto suddenly called for me. I looked up and met the man's eyes. "You look concern. What's going on in your head?"

Is it my place to speak? I'm still a fairly new employee and there are two CEOs in the room. The nervousness I felt all the way back on day one was slowly returning. What if I spoke out and they don't agree with my statements.

"Hinata. Come on." Naruto wanted me to speak.

Everybody here wanted me to speak.

They want me to do something.

Oh wow...

"Um." I gulped.

What do I say? What do I do? I could feel the my palms slowly getting wet from all the eyes on me. It wasn't just the people around the desk anymore. It's each and every pair from the rest of the room trained on me.

Naruto was suddenly beside me, his hands on my shoulders and helping me stand up.

Oh, I'm dizzy.

"Hey, hey." He said, his voice soft. "It's okay. Calm down. I'm sorry I called you out but you're the only one that I can rely on right now. You see something. What's wrong?"

Breathe, Hinata.

Breathe.

"You got this." Naruto continued, offering me a smile. "I believe in you."

Naruto believes in me.

Naruto...

I closed my eyes and took a breath.

"There's already a worm virus in their system." I started. "We need to shut down the entire network right now."

"What?" Gaara cut in. "You sure?"

I nodded. "Like one in a disease, it's dormant right now. The firewall you have going right now is more focused on Trojan horse viruses. Not worms and that hacking group knows. They snuck one in most likely with the email you received."

Gaara watched me for a brief moment as if trying to figure out if I'm telling the truth. He glanced at Naruto. Naruto was watching me.

I met his gaze. "Please."

"Do it, Gaara." Naruto commanded, his eyes never leaving me.

He really does believe in me.

The CEO didn't hesitate and immediately ordered everybody in the room to begin the process of shutting everything down.

"We're closed for the rest of the day. I'm sending the rest of the employees home." Gaara announced. "I hope you guys know what you're doing."

Naruto just smiled at his friend. "I trust Hinata. She's got this."

"It'll take a bit to set up a completely new firewall." Sasuke sighed. "Hinata, I hope you know what you're doing."

The confidence from earlier. Everything I have learned and have created before rushing back to me. Naruto's belief in me, while small, is strong enough to drive me forward.

I'm needed right now.

I'm needed right here.

"Then hand over that chair and let's get started, shall we?"