"I love your art" Hinata whispered to herself, looking at her latest and by far, the most successful creation. Finished just today, with the setting sun. A happy painting; a portrait of a youthful woman, stretching amidst forest blossoms. At her feet - the lilies of the valley gave way to golden crocus flowers; at her navel, the kind and simple daisies crowded gleefully; embracing her elbows - the gentle trusting iris just opened its buds; sakura blossoms crowned her wild brown hair. A joyful painting, depicting spring; a mirror of Hinata's soul. If only she could share this little bit of happiness with somebody who understood. If only she could hear the words "I love your art" from someone other then herself.
"I love your art" she repeated outloud, her thoughts echoing the confession implied in the simple compliment: "I love your heart, I love your heart."
Hinata has always been fond of painting. Ever since little Hinata has discovered that a rendez-vous with nature on a sunny day could restore her strength and hopes, she would spend all her free time beneath an old weeping willow in her mother's garden. There, empowered by her brush and watercolors, Hinata would do her best to capture the beauty that surrounded her. Unfortunately, since free hours were as scarce in Hyuuga household as white crows, her creations were often a better reflection of her lack of practice, rather then of beauty. Feeling that such failures were worthless of the public's eye, Hinata ruthlessly burned them.
Thus, by the age of nineteen, Hinata barely collected a dozen paintings to showcase her spirit. And although proud of the results from an artistic viewpoint (though still mastering realism, she always managed to instill vitality in all the worthy pieces), the more Hinata looked at her collection, the more anxious she became about sharing it. Of the twelve works, 8 depicted nudes.
I can't help it if the human body is the only beautiful object I can portray credibly, she grumpily tried to convince herself. The more sensible part of her conscious insisted that the subject matter will be misunderstood by the good majority of the Konoha, especially since her female model has so obviously been herself. Even ignoring that little bit, Hinata reasoned, I definitely don't want to explain why all the male models resemble either Naruto or my cousin. Glancing at a stormy life-size depiction of Neji (hair flying, eyes ablaze with calculated intensity, the muscles in the jaw tense, his graceful body restricted by a mere fundoshi), training one summer night under the full moon, Hinata sighed resolutely. Especially my cousin. She hid her paintings away.
Putting the rest of her artistic material under the floor, Hinata paused at the open fusuma: taking in the sight of her little pond, surrounded by young red maples, Hinata felt the butterflies awaken in her chest. The dying sunset cast purple shadows onto the rippling water, the maples outlining the pond in dim blotches of blaze.
-"Beautiful", she uttered into the summer night. How utterly, magnificently beautiful. At such moments, she was eternally grateful to her father for giving her the corner south-west room of the complex. Now only did this room supply a stunning view into the Hyuuga garden, but it provided the necessary environment during the second part of the day: no one came by this part of the garden (unless they were given a tour of the complex, which happened only twice since Hinata's residence there), and the lighting was perfect. Thus, when Hinata wanted to paint something other then nature (another nude, in other words), she did so in the confines of her room. Truly, her father couldn't have picked a better room for her.
Still bubbling over with happiness she always felt when taking in the beauty of nature, Hinata decided to leave the fusuma partially open. The night was warm, and if an enemy passed the heavily guarded fence, a closed fusuma would not save her. Thus resolved to enjoy the warmth of July, Hinata swiftly changed into a creamy silk nemaki that always made her feel pretty, and made a final pause before slipping into her futon. The affectionate zephyr carried the aroma of sweet momo to her pillow; the new born moon pooled its calming silver in her hair. The Hyuuga Household was silent. Content and at peace, Hinata went to sleep.
The next day, Hinata woke up with the first roosters. Brimming with excitement from the freshness of the cool moist morning, Hinata readied herself for the upcoming visit to the Hokage. Already she felt that such a promising day would be much better spent in extended walks through the village forest, but... since today I will be given a mission regardless of the weather, I should at least be glad for such agreeable conditions.
Clad in her usual scouting gear, long raven hair loosely tied at the low of her back, Hinata briskly made her way through Konoha to meet up with Tsunade-sama. Passing by the Hokage Mountain, Hinata couldn't help but smile at her recollections of all the past years. So many little things have changed. She and her friends had all grown up. She has survived for almost two decades! Hundreds of missions completed. Two large attacks on the Leaf Village repelled. Many alive, yet… too many dead. Of those important to her, whom she often remembered with a wet smile: Jiraya-sama, Shino and Chouji, Gai- Sensei (Lee became hauntingly silent sometimes), even Akamaru. But, Hinata reminded herself with stubborn conviction, the others and I… I must make the most of my days, I must be happy so that their sacrifices would not have been made in vain.
And she was happy. After all, she was kept company by all the others, who remained. She has gained new friends.
Sasuke was found almost three years ago. Although he has returned to the village to restore his clan, he remained as morose as ever. Still feeling unworthy of all the love he receives regardless of all the pain he caused. Being a coward about facing himself, and putting up a cold front to protect his ego. So silly, Hinata mused. He quickly was promoted to jounin, and became an ANBU last April, just days after Sakura had turned nineteen.
Sakura (who became close to Hinata around the time Sasuke returned) was now a first class medic nin, and a jounin planning on becoming Anbu in two years. Hn, Sakura has definitely become one of the most self-sufficient people I know, Hinata concluded. Surprising all but her close acquaintances, Sakura has numerously (even publicly) refused Sasuke's proposals to use her as breeding stock. And finally, Hinata noted with slight aggravation, she has started giving Naruto the credit he deserved. How blind Sakura had to be to miss so great of a man.
Naruto... Hinata almost laughed imagining his face. Her dear Naruto has calmed down, but just a bit. Just enough to agree with Tsunade to delay his becoming an ANBU until he mastered all the nine of kyuubi's tails. Just enough to stay still and grin, when during their last class reunion one of the village's elders "secretly" announced to their whole generation that in his eyes, there was no better candidate for the next Hogake then Naruto.
Naruto, whose confidence and optimism always spilt over to his team-mates. Naruto, who laughed without restraint and to this day still used silly nicknames to yell for his friends. Her dear, thickheaded Naruto, who realized her affections for him almost a year after they turned into something much deeper then a crush, and much more platonic then Hinata expected. Which I blame mostly on all those heart wrenching soul exposing midnight conversations during the final Sasuke retrieval mission... After all the embarrassing things Naruto confided in me about... And I was stupid enough to listen to and then comfort him about! But thanks to this change in her emotions, Naruto became a close and beloved friend. (In addition, he turned out to be a very willing model – Hinata's attic was filled with sketches of Naruto's training). Plus, he can now continue his pursuit of Sakura undeterred by guilt. Ironically, just as Sakura became willing to further their relationship, Naruto became too busy to take advantage of her good will. But I'm sure he'll give Sakura his undivided attention during her upcoming birthday party - the dress Tsunade and I had made – Hinata paused before entering Hokage's building – I wonder if Tsunade is in a good mood today. Hinata took off up the stairs, At least her window is still whole. But that does not say much, it's merely 6:30 in the morning. As Hinata slowed to a stop in front of Tsunade's office, she thought the group present there was too large for such an early hour. Way too large. [And too diverse to be an ANBU debriefing. Hinata gave a gentle bow to greet them - Sakura, Naruto, Lee, Neji, Shikamaru, and Sasuke replied in kind.
-"Am I last?' Hinata inquired quietly when Sakura came to her side.
-" Yes. Total of seven. All jounin." Sakura chewed on her lip in a concerned way.
-"And of seven, three ANBU. Looks awfully like an out of country mission…" Hinata started to worry, trying to imagine what type of trial might require a team of such advanced level.
-"No doubt A ranked," Naruto piped-in, snickering and rubbing his hands together. No doubt, he's about to burst with excitement. Hinata still couldn't understand how Naruto, after all that's happened, could still be so happy about going out to beat the bad guys. Just then the doors of Tsunade's office opened, and Shizune invited them in.
Immediately, Hinata felt something out of place – Hokage's desk was vacant. Tsunade's habitual morning sake sat untouched on the table corner. Tsunade…Hinata's heart sank as she saw their leader standing in the very far right corner of the room, hugging herself tensely, looking vacantly beyond the village gates. You haven't looked this dismayed since the Akatsuki war.
-"That bad, huh..?" said Shikamaru, taking in the atmosphere of anxiety and scratching his head.
-"Troublesome…" approved Lee, sparkling with determination. Like Naruto, he seemed to harbor special feelings for danger.
-"Yes, now listen," snapped Tsunade, becoming her usual self just in time to prevent a duet of boasting from Lee and Naruto regarding the successful outcome of any mission they would ever be required to complete. "We have the following situation."
