Hinata sat on the bench and sighed. This was going to be a long day. Her sister Hanabi had just become a genin. To further prepare for future plans, their father invited the whole Hyuga clan. Hinata knew that Hanabi would take over the head family because of their difference in power. Right now, Hinata, Neji, Hanabi and her father were at the ninja academy. Hanabi and Hiashi came out of the classroom, but this time, Hanabi wore a Konoha headband on her forehead.
Hinata knew that Hanabi was a nice little sister ,but she seemed to surpass Hinata in so many ways. Hanabi was always calm and was really strong. She was someone who brought pride to Hiashi. It was quite ironic though how her sister was named Hanabi. Hanabi means fireworks. Firework is one thing that didn't exactly resemble her sister.
Hanabi stood there with a blank face without a hint of expression as Hiashi was saying goodbye to Iruka Sensei. Hinata got off the bench and walked over to Hanabi. Neji was already congratulating her once more.
"Hanabi…congratulations," Hinata said trying to sound happy for her sister.
Hanabi looked at Hinata with her cold eyes.
"Thanks," Hanabi said flatly.
Hinata stared at Hanabi as she went to talk to her classmate. Why couldn't her sister show some expression? Hinata knew her sister was always like that ,but still. Sometimes, she wished they could be like those sisters who can manage to have a conversation without awkward silences or those sisters who have fun together. Hinata and Hanabi just couldn't get along that way.
"Hey Hinata, what's on your mind? You seem to be lost in thought," Neji said all of a sudden.
Hinata jumped and looked at Neji, blushing.
"Oh, nothing! Hey Neji, why don't we go do some battle practice later?" Hinata said trying to change the subject.
Neji looked at Hinata with an 'I don't believe you ,but I can't force you to tell me anything' look.
"Alright then. Hinata, if something is bothering you, it's better to tell someone about it rather than keep all to yourself," Neji said with concern.
"Thank you for worrying about me. It really is no big deal. Tell my father that I am leaving early," Hinata said heading for the exit.
Hinata let her feet take her wherever they went. Within a few minutes, she was at her secret childhood hideout. Well, it was secret until Hanabi found it. After that day when Hinata found Hanabi inside looking through her things, Hinata no longer went there. The hideout was a small tree house built onto a large tree. She and Emiko had built it together and the two of them spent a lot of time there together.
Emiko was a friend from the academy. However, after Emiko became a genin, she had to move to the countryside because of family conflict. It was a shame since Emiko had the true potential of becoming a great shinobi.
Hinata climbed her way up the tree and went inside the tree house. There, she had a bunch of her things from when she was a genin. The coat she used to wear was there. There were also her childhood drawings and several kunai. Hinata walked around inside the tree house and accidentally kicked something. Hinata looked down and found her old good luck charm. It was a small clam.
I remember, I believe it was Emiko who gave this to me.
Since it was a while ago, the memory of when and how she got the clam was a bit vague.
Hinata closed the clam and put it into her pocket. She then walked out of the tree house and climbed down the tree.
Hinata returned home soon after. The first thing she wanted to do was put the clam somewhere safe.
When Hinata opened the door, she found Hanabi sitting on the floor, looking at a brochure. Hinata widened her eyes in surprise. Hanabi looked up from her brochure.
Again…that expressionless face.
Hinata sat down and waited for her sister to speak.
"Hinata, there is something I have to tell you," Hanabi said with a sigh," We are going on vacation, just me and you. Dad says this is to increase our 'sisterly bond'. He says that we have to be gone for a week somewhere. "As long as you two learn to get a long" he says," Hanabi mimicked her father.
Hinata looked at Hanabi with surprise. This side of Hanabi, she didn't know.
"Well… where would you like to go Hanabi?" Hinata asked.
"Well, I thought maybe we could go someplace where dad would never bother to take us to. I heard that there was a festival in that town not too far away. Why don't we go there?" Hanabi said looking at Hinata.
"Sure, when do we leave?" Hinata said, unenthusiastically.
"We should head out tomorrow. It seems that there will be good weather for traveling,"
"Oh, okay." Hinata replied.
Hanabi got up from the floor and left the room.
Hanabi sure has this commanding spirit now doesn't she? Honestly, I wonder when father told her about this and how long it took her to plan all this.
Hinata got up as well, and started packing.
I should bring my good luck charm too. Who knows what this trip will be like.
Hinata grabbed a silk cloth from her closet and wrapped it around the clam. Then she took a thick piece of ribbon and tied it so that the clam was secure. Gently, she placed it in her backpack.
The next day, they met at the front entrance of the clan entrance.
"I planned out the schedule already so that the entire trip will take exactly a week. No more, no less. I just need to make sure you agree, so hear me out," Hanabi started.
Hinata nodded and listened.
"First, the festival is four days from now. If we leave at a normal pace, we will be there in around 1 day. But, if we make it 2 days worth of getting to the town, we can also browse around the places that are on the way without rushing. I estimated that around the third day, we will arrive in town just the day before the festival. That way, we can settle down and look around. On the fourth day, we go to the festival and have some fun. The fifth day we spend our last day in town to get ready for the next two day's trip back home. Any objections?" Hanabi explained quickly.
Hinata nodded slowly. All that information came to her as a blur.
When did Hanabi plan all this? Well, never mind that. But I wonder, will this trip really turn out the way father planned it to be?