This is set just after The Last: Naruto the Movie and four years after my Animal Instincts story.

*For those still in the middle of reading A.I. this story contains some fairly big spoilers so you may wish to wait to read this. Just consider this a small continuation from that story. And for those who haven't read their original story, this story stands on its own too.

Isae Inuzuka stared in absolute horror. "What did you just say?" She asked slowly in disbelief.

Hinata's face fell in disappointment. "Does that mean you won't?"

"No, not necessarily, just give me a sec," Isae mumbled hurriedly as she pressed a finger against her forehead. It was a habit of hers whenever she struggled to calm down. That worried Hinata even more but she kept silent. It was best to wait, though she worried what would happen if she couldn't contain herself. Hinata was one of the few who knew about her really being a Kumori. As a Shadow demon, they were highly sensitive to emotion, to the point of suffocation as it threatened to over-whelm them. This was still problem in her mortal form though not nearly as bad. Hinata's heart dropped as she hadn't anticipated on stressing her friend. In fact, she had thought she would be thrilled…

Isae managed a few calming breaths and the tension soon eased. Her expression softened with a blush to match Hinata's. "I'm sorry," she muttered. "I just…you caught me off guard there," she admitted sheepishly.

"I truly wish for you to be there," Hinata gently insisted.

"But I'm already going to the wedding." She said in slight exasperation.

"Do you object to being an attendant in my wedding party?" Hinata sounded so sad.

"I just…can't imagine why you would want me to." Isae then looked a little suspicious. "Wait a minute; Shino didn't put you up to this, did he?"

She pouted a little. "You know that he wouldn't."

"I wouldn't entirely rule that out," Isae gently smirked. She knew that the Aburame was getting impatient and in all honestly she had to admit that it wasn't fair to keep him waiting. A two year engagement with no wedding date set yet would push anyone past their limit. But she still couldn't bring herself to do it. It's not that she didn't love Shino; it's just that…matrimony itself seemed like a death sentence. She wasn't sure how much Hinata knew about all this as she gazed innocently back at the Inuzuka. Isae's smile softened thoughtfully. "So why do you ask?"

"Because I have often regarded you as my big sister."

Isae blinked in surprise. "Really?"

She nodded. "Yes. It would mean ever so much to me."

Isae looked touched. Originally she had been leery of Hinata's offer of friendship. It wasn't something she was used to and she hated to think it was only because of Shino. But Hinata's patient, gentle ways eventually endeared her to the prickly Inuzuka. She had enjoyed their time together and perhaps it had become a sisterly bond. "Then…how could I refuse?" She gently said.

Hinata's face lit up with delight. "Oh thank you! Thank you Isae-chan!"

"Easy now, save your enthusiasm for the groom," Isae teased with a wink.

Hinata blushed modestly. "Please come to the Main Hyuga House at sunrise."

Isae blinked. "What for? The ceremony isn't until noon."

"Oh but there is much to do before then!" Hinata said worriedly. "There are rituals for each stage of preparation of a Hyuga bride that you must assist me with."

Isae's shoulders sagged in exasperation. "I see," she said dejectedly. Oh how she hated this sort of thing! That was the biggest problem about weddings. So much fuss over a few simple vows. Then she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders resolutely. "Very well. I'll be there."

"I know I can rely on you," Hinata said with an innocent smile.

Isae faltered slightly. Rely…how misplaced. She also had a responsibility to rebuild the Kumori after His defeat. It was a painstakingly slow process that often called her away from the Mortal Realm. And then there was her two part life within this one: ordinary Jonin of Konoha and a secret member of ANBU. Dual personalities and personas…just like the good old days really, she thought wryly to herself. Though at least she changed her physical appearance for each role. That certainly made it easier. Still it was often difficult to balance responsibilities in both Realms. But this was a very special occasion that she didn't want to miss. So she smiled in turn as she nodded.

"And you're certain that I cannot persuade you to change your mind about tonight?" She said in a more subdued tone.

Isae shook her head. "I've already told you, parties aren't my kind of thing. I'll do whatever you need for the wedding but having fun is one thing I simply can't do," she gently teased. "I suppose that's why Shino and I get along so well. We're both equally boring."

Hinata recognized the sarcasm in her words, Kiba was just as fluent. Though it was a sense of humor she didn't generally appreciate. "Very well, you will be missed though."

Isae laughed and patted her head in a patronizing way. "Now, now, don't lie Hinata. No one will even notice. And really, that's just fine by me."

She couldn't deny the truth in her words. Isae did not fit in with those who graduated with them. And while Shino didn't so much either, he wasn't abrasive and anti-social as his fiancé tended to be. But Hinata considered her to be very much like a rose: prickly on the outside but absolutely beautiful within.

Just then her little sister ran up to her. "What are you doing standing around? We've got work to do!" Hanabi snatched a long list from Hinata's pocket and clucked her tongue in disapproval. "You're not even halfway through your list! I finished mine like two hours ago!"

"Isae-chan has agreed to join you as my bridal attendant." Hinata informed her as she took her list back and shoved it into her pocket again.

Hanabi grinned from ear to ear. "Awesome! With a real badass in the bridal party, it'll really butch things up!" Isae looked a mix between exasperation and amusement. Who knew the young Hyuga would be so impressed by traitors? "So here's a list of things for you to get, don't worry about money, just have them charge it to Dad's account." Isae took the list and skimmed through the first few items. She couldn't stop the grimace that stretched across her face. "Aw, c'mon don't be like that. It'll be fun and I'll show you all the ropes k? See ya later Izzy!" She hooked her arm in her sister's and led her away. Hinata gave a little goodbye wave over her shoulder.

Isae returned it with an amused smile. So much fuss…but at least she could rely on Hanabi's sense of humor to get her through it. Yet she had a terrible sense of foreboding knotting in her stomach as she read through the rest of the list. I think I'd rather face The Ordeal all over again! She thought despairingly. But it was for Hinata's special day and she wasn't about to be the one to ruin it.