Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or the world of Naruto

It's become a habit. Maybe, it's a dangerous habit; certainly, it is a scandalous one, but it is effective, nonetheless. When Hinata Hyuuga trains at night, on a large body of water, she will do it naked. It is easier for her, when all is said and done. She moves faster and her concentration is better.

Besides, embarrassed as she was that Naruto-kun had spied her silhouette at the waterfall all those years ago, the fact that he thought she had been beautiful…well, Hinata can't help it. Training in the water, clothed only in moonlight, is now one of the few things that make Hinata feel confident. So every so often, in between missions, she will take a little trip by herself, taking no one and telling only her father. And what she tells him, of course, is that she is training. He approves because he still does not think she is strong enough. But after two years of getting away with it, Hinata makes a slight miscalculation, underestimating her father's concern.

Hiashi unblinkingly watched his daughter as she demurely set down the tray with two cups and steaming tea. Hiashi had not asked for tea, but it had become a Hinata's habit to bring out tea at the end of Hiashi's training with Neji.

Hinata was dressed to leave.

"Didn't you just finish your mission, Hinata?"

Hinata looked up, her eyes widening. "Y-yes, Father. I—was going to train. I'm not at all tired from the mission."

"And I congratulate you on the success of it." Hinata bowed her head in mute thanks. "However, you surely do not need an overnight pack to go training."

Hinata paused in straightening herself, her eyes on the ground. Neji cast a curious look at his uncle.

"I-I believe my focus is better w-when I train by myself for short periods at a time." Hinata fully stood up and looked at Hiashi in the eyes, "Alternating to training with my teammates and Neji-niisan. I am able to m-meditate on what I need to improve upon."

Hiashi did not even blink. "Of course. Well, when shall I expect you, then?"

"I'll return early tomorrow, Father." Hinata bowed again and slipped away. Hiashi nodded and turned to the practice yard, accepting the teacup from Neji quietly. It seemed Hiashi was thinking no more of it, which was why Neji felt all the more surprised at Hiashi's next words.

With Hinata's footsteps fading, Hiashi turned to Neji and thoughtfully said, "If it is not too much trouble, Neji-kun, I'd like you to follow Hinata. Without letting her know."

Neji's eyebrows climbed.

"I know that you are busy and tired, with the Hokage-sama unable to spare anyone," Hiashi continued, "but I would be grateful." It was not really a request.

"Of course, Hiashi-sama." Neji agreed, wondering but daring to say nothing.

Neji followed far behind. After all, Hinata-sama also had the Byakugan and was on a team designed for scouting and tracking, it would not do well to be found by his cousin.

As dusk fell, Neji activated his Byakugan and saw that Hinata-sama was setting up camp in particularly rough terrain. Boulders and trees that hugged the riverbank made it seem a difficult choice for camp. He wondered what made her choose such a spot when the river that she had been following had spaces more conducive to her meditative training. But no answers would be forthcoming and time should not be wasted. Neji fixed the location in his mind and released the Byakugan. He would not be able to use it for what he was about to do.

He settled himself on the ground, and focused, slowing his heartbeat and breathing. When it was slow enough, Neji formed several handseals, muttered "Chakra Suppression Jutso," and he felt himself dim. That was the only way he could describe it. It was a useful technique that masked his chakra and, to a certain extent, masked his vital signs. As long as Hinata-sama did not search for him specifically, he would, with a little care, blend in. He followed Hinata from memory and as he drew within sight of her, he softly sat down on a tree branch, and faded into the tree until even a shinobi with the sharpest eyes could not tell that there was anything more than a tree.

When Hinata stepped onto the water, however, Neji almost lost control. Even with the fire dimmed to glowing embers, even with only moonlight, Neji could see that Hinata had slipped everything off. The silhouette gracefully kneeled on the surface of the water, and drew the water, throwing it above. And what followed almost did stop Neji's breathing.

It was a dance. Chakra sliced water droplets as the silhouette lightly spun and flowed, seeming to be the essence of water, herself. Water enveloped the figure and the whirl of sweeping limbs, arms that flew to the sky and legs that drew circles on the water, enchanted Neji. He could not have, for the life of him, heard or seen anything as he watched her. She had become an unearthly being. It continued for some time, but Neji could not have said for how long. He felt as if he had been watching both only a moment ago, and long ages past.

Even after Hinata stepped back onto dry ground, Neji could still see her dancing on the water.

Neji was carefully staring into his cup of tea as Hiashi-sama murmured his thanks and bid farewell to his eldest. She was, she said, going to train with Shino-kun and Kiba-kun.

After she had gone, Hiashi curiously looked at Neji. "Do you have anything to tell me, Neji-kun?"

Neji blinked. He wet his lips, wondering why his mouth was so dry. "I do not know what suspicions you may have had, Hiashi-sama," he said slowly. "But when I did as you asked, I found that she did as she had said. She was training by herself. And she had been…" beautiful, he thought; "improving," he finished. He lifted his cup and drank, feeling damned.

Hiashi nodded, "I see. One day, I should like to see this training--" Hiashi stopped as Neji choked and began to cough vigorously. The head of the Hyuugas slapped Neji's back, and wondered…

Hiashi shook his head, as if clearing cobwebs in his mind. "Well, shall we continue again, Neji-kun?"

Neji nodded. "Of course, Hiashi-sama," he said evenly, trying to avoid thinking of a dancing, spinning silhouette clothed only in moonlight and glittering water.