A/N:
This story is heavily based on a famous literary work. The title provides a clue.
The settings are straight out of the well-known work, and some of the lines are taken from the verse itself, straight or slightly modified. This is meant as homage, not plagiarism.
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The Hall of the Hotel Fukkoku was abuzz.
A large theater had been built within it. There was a tremendous bustle of activity in the minutes before the start of the play. The crowd was excited, and the sound of their animated conversations could be heard throughout the building.
Everyone needed an outlet of sorts. The past decade had been a difficult one for the Hidden Leaf Village. Skirmish after skirmish, war after war, life and death. Things had changed drastically in the way that fighting and dying were done. No less change had been seen in the social order of both civilians and shinobi, and in the very fabric of life in general.
Social classes had sprung up where once there were none. Ninjas alone were not enough to keep the people safe from the ever changing threat. Men who were once slated to become artisans, farmers, and laborers, instead found themselves soldiers, spies, and support staff.
It was a much harsher world in some ways. As a result, people tried harder to grab hold of joy and happiness wherever they presented themselves. The arts were in much greater demand. Everyone wanted some way to escape from the constant turmoil brewing outside the Great Wall of Konoha.
There were signs that the constant warring was wearing down the other villages and nations, too. That provided a glimmer of hope that things might revert back to the way they once were. But, that night, with the play about to begin, such issues were neither here nor there.
A clan chief shepherded his son through the room, impressing upon him the intellectual magnitude of the performance. A group of soldiers stood in their dress uniforms, bottles of sake stashed where their commanding officers couldn't find them. A gaggle of single unattached women laughed and giggled together, waving colorful fans in front of their faces. A shady character, one of the few thieves of Konoha, moved through the crowd, stealing silk handkerchiefs, purses, and any jewelry within easy reach. Orphans, chaperoned by an old matron, all squirmed in their seats, happy to be out of the children's home, but bored by all pomp and circumstance.
Two elegant ambassadors, swords strapped to their waists, tread through the crowd, aloof and condescending. They were from a foreign land, and considered the shinobi and civilians to be beneath them. In turn, they were the butt of countless jokes and whispered conversations. The public viewed them as haughty vainglorious men with no understanding of the common people and the world they lived in.
The lamps above the stage were lit one by one, causing the crowd to cheer. They knew that the curtain would be rising any minute. Their excitement and anticipation were contagious. Just the same, there were a few individuals who were present more out duty than any love of theater. One of them walked in looking somewhat disheveled, only having recently returned from a long and difficult mission.
"This way…" Anko spoke in a firm voice, making no effort to hide her opinion of the woman at her side. "I can find you a good seat where you can clap and coo all you like." She had been given the task of shepherding and safeguarding a visiting ninja from Takigakure, the Hidden Village of the Waterfall.
"Why, thank you." Apate, the visiting shinobi, smiled as a group of young men crowded around her. Her smile didn't fade when she saw her companion chase them all away. "This is the first performance I've been able to see in the two weeks that I've been a visitor here."
"I'm happy for you," Anko said, her eyes searching the crowd. She would relish a little strife, even though she had spent the last few weeks at war. "Tomorrow you will also get to go out on your first mission, right?" She kept from sneering. What did the Leaf need with hangers-on like this? The girl looked more like a courtesan than a shinobi. The Waterfall had little to offer in men, money, or political clout.
"Yes," Apate admitted. "I'm so excited. I never imagined that I could be part of something so big. It will be just like in the books and movies. The people in my village never get a chance to become part of history."
"History. Wonderful." Anko shook her head. Her latest battle had seen the end of Orochimaru once and for all. If anything was historic, it was the fighting that saw the end of that blight on her life. She scrutinized the girl at her side, wondering if anyone could truly be that vapid and out of touch of reality.
"I hope he goes on the mission too," Apate said, blushing, telling a disinterested jounin that she had her heart set on someone. She clasped her hands to her chest and looked across the room, trying to catch sight of someone. "It was love at first glance. He's so wonderful. I heard that he always attends the plays."
"Lucky him," Anko said, looking for someone to relieve her. "Lucky you." Her spirits lifted some, when she took note of men carrying large trays strapped over their shoulders. Wine sellers! A nice bottle of wine might go a long way towards improving her mood. She'd prefer a good fight, but beggars can't be choosers.
"Miss Anko!" Ichigawa, a baker of great fame, waved. "Miss Apate. It's wonderful to see you again." The young woman had visited his shop the previous day. "Have either of you seen Hyuuga Hinata?"
"Why do you ask?" Anko raised her hand, calling over one of the venders.
"She is one of my usual patrons. Because of her, people who love poetry and theater have taken to visiting my shop in great numbers. I owe her a lot." He looked around the room. "I'm afraid there might be some trouble tonight."
"Trouble…" Apate brough her hand to her mouth. "What kind of trouble? Something exciting?"
"Is this something that will require the village guard?"Anko asked. "Is it an ANBU matter?" She narrowed her eyes. "Is that why you are looking for her?"
Apate sat quietly, her eyes wide. She was a big fan of intrigue and mystery. For good reason.
"Suzkuka is performing in the play tonight." Ichigawa said. "Everyone at my shop was talking about it." He wrung his hands. "The two of them always spit sparks when they come across one another."
"Well, Hinata's dislike for Suzuka is hardly a secret," Ankko said, waving her hand in dismissive fashion. "I don't see why that should be such a big worry."
"You know the weight that she carries with the arts," Ichigawa said. "She has banned Suzuka from performing on stage for an entire month!"
"Who is this Hyuuga Hinata?" Apate had never heard that name before. "Is she the theater owner? The head of the actor's guild?"
"She is a shinobi like yourself," Ichigawa said. "And the daughter of the Hyuuga clan chief."
"Hinata is one of the ANBU squad leaders. You probably won't catch any sight of her or them during any mission you're on." Anko added. "She has also become a very accomplished poet and musician."
"And a master swordsman…" Ichigawa said. "I guess I should have said swordswoman. She's one of the few shinobi that has taken to the sword, in addition to her other skills." He shrugged. "Mainly it's the soldiers who use swords. Their officers carry them about, trying to look important." He sighed. "Dueling has become a big thing lately." He had lost a few good customers that way.
Anko frowned. Ichigawa was a great baker, but he had a tendency to talk too much. As she listened, the man began to describe Hinata's history. As much as the village had changed over the past decade, no one had come close to changing as much as Hinata had. It was hard to believe she was ever the shy and retiring girl who rubbed her fingers together at the drop of a hat.
While Anko was no stranger to pain and suffering, having assumed some of Morino Ibiki's roles when he was severely injured during one attack on the village, she did not relish seeing it in friends and comrades. Hyuuga Hinata had gone through many changes, trying to catch the eye of a man who was too clueless to realize the reason for her transformation.
"It's really a tragic story," Ichigawa said in a hushed voice. "She's in love with a great man… one who hardly knows that she's alive…" He swallowed hard and stopped, seeing the look on Anko's face.
The crowd thinned as everyone hurried to take their seats. Finally catching sight of Anko, Kurenai walked over to have a word with her. "Have you seen Hinata?"
"No," Anko answered. "We were just talking about her. Do you have some reason to suspect trouble, too?" She scanned the room. If there were any ANBU members present, even her trained eye could not pick them out.
"You know the history that she and Suzuka have." Kurenai frowned. "Hinata is not about to let that kind of thing slide, no matter how much time passes." She caught sight of other jounin hanging around the fringes of the room. "Keep a sharp eye out. I'm going to speak with some of the others."
"Look! There he is!" Apate looked pointed. "I see him!" She waved her arm, but got no signal in return. "I want to meet him."
Anko glanced over to where the other girl indicated. She coughed, seeing who it was. Closing her eyes, she smiled. When it rained, it poured. She had set her sights on Uzumaki Naruto.
"Isn't he wonderful?" Apate used a paper fan on herself, blushing. "I have to know his name. They tell me that he's next in line to be Hokage." She frowned. "But, who is that he is sitting with!"
"That would be Yukinime Akazuki, a woman from a rather wealthy family." Anko looked like she had bitten into something exceedingly sour. "She's also a jounin level ninja. But, but unlike most of us, she had made it a habit to use politics to her own advantage." For some reason, the clans had gotten behind the Akazuki family, putting a lot of pressure on Tsunade to grant the woman command of troops, even though she and her relatives were relative newcomers to the village.
"THE PLAY! THE PLAY! THE PLAY!"
The crowd was becoming rather vocal, chanting as one. There concerted shouts were followed by loud raps from off stage. That had everyone beginning to quiet down. The huge maroon curtains open. Massed violins and viola began to play. Additional vendors were given permission to walk the crowd.
Dressed in foppish finery, the owner of the theater walked out and played to the crowd. He extolled his own virtues, while flattering his wealthiest patrons, and extolling the brilliance of the coming production. Suzuka, dressed as a shepherdess, was visibly waiting in the wings, ready to make her entrance. Hearing her cue, she walked out, and then began her opening speech.
A number of young men whistled and made wolf calls. Cut flowers rained down on stage, thrown from groups of admirers. Members of the audience called out their praise, or added their applause to that of their fellow show-goers.
Suddenly, a voice from the crowd cried out, "Haven't I ordered you off the stage for a month, you wretched creature?"
While the identity of the speaker was not readily apparent, there were those in attendance who knew exactly who it was. Kurenai ran to gather the jounin together. Anko moved Apate to a place that was out easier to keep an eye on. The voice was Hinata's. There was no telling what might take place.
Kurenai looked up at the largest balcony the theater offered. It was crowded with obvious guards, and a small lantern over it was lit. Those were clear signs that the Hokage was present for this show. That could make things even more complicated, should some kind of disturbance break out.
Suzuka made several attempts to begin her lines, but the heckling speaker continues to interrupt her. "If you do so poorly in your impromptu skits at Ichigawa's Bakery, what makes you think you will do anybetter on stage, in front of so many people?" Hinata stood on her chair, and her appearance caused quite a stir amongst the audience.
"Shit." Anko didn't know whether to curse or too applaud. "Where did you go wrong training that one, Kurenai?" The other jounin had walked up, joined by Asuna, Kakashi, Gai, Yugao, and a handful of other noteworthy ninjas.
Kureni scowled. "I didn't. She turned out rather well, I think." She wrinkled up her nose. "In most ways…"
Apate watched, hands clutched at her breast, eyes sharp and keen.
Suzuka called out entreaties to the assembled patrons, asking for assistance. A rather large shinobi visiting from the Village of Hidden Mist responded. He was joined by a number of his countrymen, all of whom sauntered up to the stage, blowing kisses to Suzuka.
"How wonderful it is to have true patrons of the art here," Suzuka said, bowing to her gallant supporters. "Unlike many others, they are not swayed by threats and family names." She smirked, and then made a mocking bow in Hinata's direction.
"We don't take kindly to anyone who would threaten Miss Suzuka!" One of the ninjas from the Mist called out. "We'll stand up for her honor, if no one else here had the courage to do so!"
"That's right," one of his fellow shinobi said. "I suggest you remove yourself from her presence, before someone sees fit to do it for you." His challenge brought cheers and jeers from the crowd. The visitors obviously didn't know who they were dealing with.
Suzuka strutted about happily, looking as if she had just been named the greatest thespian in Konoha history. Her smile brightened, when more allied ninjas called out their support. She didn't care that they were siding with her merely because she was the star of the show. Anything that brought shame and dishonor down on Hyuuga Hinata was fine with her.
Anko , Kunei, and the others passed hand signals to other jounins posted about the vast room. Each was prepared to work whatever jutsus were necessary to keep things under control. The last thing they needed was some kind of diplomatic nightmare.
"Oh my. " Hinata replied. "Gentlemen. Please.I ask you as humanitarians, to have pity on my poor sword." She slapped her hand against a well-worn sheath. "If you don't stop your buffoonery and shouting, you'll frighten the poor thing out of its scabbard." She put her hands on her hips after making a grand gesture with her hand.
The crowd gasped. Everyone stood, trying to see what was taking place. Numerous people began pushing towards the front. Ushers and guards had their hands full, trying to prevent a mob scene.
"Instead… if you visitors to our fine village feel a need to demonstrate the honor of your warriors by rushing to the aid of a worthless snippet pretendingto be an actress… I will take down your names, and fight you one after another, if that is what you want." Hinata glanced at one particular seat in the crowd, sighing briefly before turning back to the Mist shinobi. "But, I would suggest that we save such sport for outside, where there is much more room, and the stench of second rate talent will not impede our game."
The visiting ninjas looked at one another, some of them reaching for kunai and shuriken. The highest ranking member of their group put his hand over the hilt of one man's sword, trying to keep things in check. The Mizukage would have their hides if they became embroiled in any kind of rough-housing that embarrassed their village. There were far too many witnesses, including the Hokage. But, if the opportunity provided itself later, s a clandestine approach might provide them with some modicum of satisfaction.
"Well Suzuka, it seems your champions have deemed you unworthy of their attention after all." Hinata smiled as the boisterous men acted more like sheep, returning quietly to their seats. "You have to the count of three to leave the stage." Hinata turned to face the ninja turned actress. "One…."
Suzuka fled. The crowd was in a tumult. People whistled. Others shouted. Many spoke in angry disgruntled voices.
"Why is everyone so upset?" Hinata spoke, quieting the audience for a moment. "Suzuka is a terrible actress. What's more, she had a hand in writing this play, so it can't be particular enjoyable, either. Your time would be better spent simply enjoying the refreshments, and talking with your companions."
The flamboyantly dressed manager of the theater ran over to confront Hinata, waving his arms in frantic fashion. "My play!How can it go on without Suzuka? It can't!" He turned and looked up at the Hokage's box, hoping to hear some kind of official statement. None was forthcoming. "I will lose allof the money I invested. How am I going to cover my losses?"
"You must have heard my decree to that miserable excuse for an actress," Hinata said, speaking loudly to be heard over the crowd. "Yet, you insisted on putting on your so-called play. You took a risk and failed." Hinata ran a hand through her long indigo-colored hair, glancing over at Naruto for an instant. She frowned, seeing who was laying her head upon his shoulder.
"B-… B-… B-…" The foppish man was sputtering in embarrassment and outrage. "But…" He knew that if he took things too far and incited the crowd, his building would stand a good chance of getting severely damaged.
"Since I am a shinobi of the Leaf, and a woman with honor, I will own up to my part." Hinata took a pouch from her belt and tossed it to the manager. The purse was filled with gold coins.
A troublemaker in civilian-style robes stormed through the crowd, knocking people aside and trampling on the feet of those who wouldn't move. "Oi! Villain! Suzuka has a powerful patron. You will be sorry, braggart. You can't just buy everyone's favor with a handful of coins."
Hinata looked the man up and down, coming to the easy conclusion that he was a lap dog and a popinjay. "Well, sir…if sir it is…" A fair number of people in the crowd began to snicker or whistle. The fidgety man was not well liked in most circles. "I don't needto hide behind a patron. I'm quite capable of protecting myself with my sword." She chuckled when the man fidgeted. "Do you wish to test my talent?" The man quickly disappeared back from whence he came.
A voice in the crowd called out. The crowd stopped in their growing unease to listen. The speaker continued on, knowing she had everyone's attention. "That woman is rather tiresome, is she not, Naruto?" It was Yukinime Akazuki.
Naruto didn't answer. While he managed to keep his trademark smile on his face, he did not seem very pleased at his companion's words. Shrugging, he looked up at Hinata. He gave her a quick and subtle salute.
Obviously, Naruto did not have strong affections for the woman trying to impress him. That had Hinata feeling a strong sense of relief. But, Konohamaru, in the first blush of adulthood, loved Yukinime from afar. He looked over at Nartuto and clenched his teeth. His friend had the golden opportunity to consort with an angel, but seemed unwilling to stand up for her. He would do it then.
"You there!" Konohamaru shouted to Hinata. "I hope you are proud of your tiresome behavior." He looked down at Yukinime, hoping to see a look of approval on her face. "If my grandfather were alive today, he'd let you know that you were a disgrace to our village."
Hinata ignored him, pulling at a thread on her blouse.
"I'm speaking to you, Hyuuga Hinata!" Konohamaru hated to be ignored. He was the grandson of a Hokage. "While you are small and short, I am certain your ears must be large enough to work! Do I have to kneel and put myself at the level of those ears." He hoped to goad her into a fight. He too had taken to wearing a sword, seeing that they were now in fashion.
"I see," Hinata said, yawning. "The grandson of a great man wishes to win the affections of a woman who does not deserve it." She shook her head. "Well, if you want to impress women you young hot head, you should at least come up with better insults." Hinata took out her handkerchief and wiped her nose. "You could have shouted 'Avast ye, you white-eyed freak!' That would have some old world charm. Or, perhaps 'You plain-faced rogue,' or 'Lovesick loser.' Those would have some bite. Truly, you are lacking in wit and creativity."
Hinata went on to offer a large number of better insults that she might have used in Konohamaru's situation. In not so subtle fashion continued to mock the young man, spurring him on.
"I challenge you!" Konohamaru shouted. "I challenge you here and now, in front of everyone!" He looked over at Naruto. His friend seemed to have more notoriety than he wanted. But, no one ever gave much thought to a young man descended from one of the greatest leaders Konoha ever had. This might be a good start.
"Are you perchance talking about a duel?" Hinata jumped down from her chair and sauntered over to where Konohamaru stood with his group of cronies. That kind of thing does seem to be big amongst certain groups now."
"Not the kind of groups that would have you as a member," Konohamaru said, despite seeing a look of disapproval on Naruto's face. He looked over at Udon and Moegi, who also seemed somewhat displeased. The crowd sounded like it was behind him. At least, that's how he chose to interpret the sense of anticipation that he sensed.
"Shouldn't you put a stop to this kind of thing?" Apate asked Anko. "I doubt that a man as wonderful as he is would want to watch this kind of thing." She looked over at Naruto again.
"The customers paid for a show," Anko said, smiling. She had a great sense of anticipation herself. "And, if that young man is going to shoot his mouth off like that, he deserves whatever he gets. He's not in any physical danger."
"Naruto is friend to both of them," Kakashi mentioned. "I doubt he would let things get to a point that put either at significant risk." He took out his Icha Icha book. "But… it doesn't hurt to have medical ninjas in the house…" He had been speaking with Sakura and Shizune earlier
"This should be stopped immediately… he is the grandson of a former Hokage..." Ebisu's comment was quickly talked down by the other jounin.
"Shhhh-hhh-hh-h… I want to hear what she has to say." Kurenai looked up at the Hokage's balcony. There was no sign whatsoever. Tsunade obviously saw fit to let things unfold as they were.
"If you're so set on proving yourself, then I guess I should give you your duel." Hinata turned to the crowd. "It that alright with the rest of you?" The response was near deafening. "To make up for the play they'll miss, I believe that I will create a poem as we go along. You don't mind, do you?" That was directed to Konohamaru.
"Do whatever you want," Konohamaru said, taking out his sword. "But, don't use it as an excuse when I beat you."
"Of course not," Hinata replied, bowing.
The crowd went silent. Everyone was sitting on the edge of their seats. Lesser plays were a dime a dozen. But, an event like this could be talked about forever.
With a grand flourish, Hinata drew her blade and called Konohamaru to meet her, beginning the duel. Before long, it became quite evident that the young man was in no way Hinata's equal. Her skill was breathtaking, while his was adequate at best.
"The duel in Hotel of Fukkoku fought… by Hyuuga and a good-for-naught…" Hinata laughed as she sliced through the sash on her opponent's robe.
"What is that nonsense?" Konohamru asked, embarrassed and angry.
"Why, the title of my poem, of course. I hope someone writes it down. My memory fails me these days." Hinata flipped her sword through a swift flourish. The poem would be all over town by the morning. She was certain of that.
The crowd began hooting, shouting, and clapping. People were climbing up on other's shoulders to see. In all of the great boxes lining the sides of the immense and old Hall, patrons leaned over the edges, wanting a glimpse of the spectacle unfolding before them.
A troop of ninja moved towards the front of the stage. A number of ANBU were there, not surprised to see their commander up on the stage. Hinata had told them of her intentions. They might not be able to guess who she might get in a tussle with; but, there was little doubt that someone would call her out.
"Hold a minute!" Hinata held up her hand.
"What? Ready to surrender?" Konohamaru's rushed question sent titters throughout the audience.
"No. I must think of my lines, and the moves that match. Be patient, your defeat will come soon enough." Hinata walked back and forth a moment, her eyes closed, then nodded her head. "I have them." She took up her fighting stance. "I primly bow long and low…and, freeing hand and heel… my heavy mantle off I throw… And I draw my polished steel… graceful as a future Hokage, round I wheel…… alert as a fox and such…… alert as a fox and such…… at the stanza's end, I touch!"
The two combatants engaged, Hinata smiling at the humor of the moment, and Konohamaru filled with determination to win favor.
Hinata continued with her rollicking poem. "Better for you had you lain low…where stabs my blade? In the heel?… In the heart, or your sliced ribbon below?…In the hip, and make you kneel?… In the hip, and make you kneel?… What next, a hit? Not much!…It will be on the ear, the strike I steal… When, at the stanza, I touch."
Konohamaru fought fiercely, grunting and sweating. His pride was stung, hearing Hinata make light of him. With each effortless parry the woman made, his temper grew.
Noticing that, Hinata grinned, happy to lesson the young upstart. For that alone, this night would prove worthwhile.
She resumed her game. "Oh, for a rhyme, a rhyme in o?…You wriggle, so pale, young eel?… A rhyme! a rhyme! A tarnished Leaf badge you show!… Hah. I parry the point of your steel…The point you hoped to make me feel…I've found the line, now clutch… You'll be split, Sir Sycophant, so save your zeal!… At the stanza's end, I touch."
Panting, Konohamaru shouted for Hinata to keep those words to herself. He was not done yet. The fight was far from over.
Hinata shook her head and spoke in a solemn tone. "Blind fool, pray Heaven for your soul's weal!… I move a pace… yes, such! and such!… cut over…" Hinata found the line she wanted, having an easy series of moves to reach her target. She moved, quickly.
"Feint" Her sword flashed out, notching Konohamaru's ear with a shallow cut. "What ho! You reel?"
Konohamaru staggered backwards, shocked that he had been wounded.
Hinata brought up her sword in salute. "At the stanza's end, I touched!" She bowed.
Acclamations rang out, filling the great room with a thunderous wave of noise. The applause in the gentry boxes was drowned out by the whistling and cheering crowd. Flowers and handkerchiefs were thrown on stage, as were kunai with colored ribbons.
The ANBU members flashed out of view then back into sight, surrounding Hinata and congratulating her.
Mr. Ichigawa danced about happily, saying that there would be bean paste-filled buns for all of Hinata's friends.
Kurenai was glad to see Hinata victorious, as Konohamaru had become rather stuck up and ill-behaved of late. But, she worried that the white-eyed girl's behavior would make her political enemies. She went and told her as much.
"Well, what's wrong with that?" Hinata asked, bowing to the many well-wishers who clustered at the edge of the stage. "At leastI'm getting attention, right?" Her crooked smile showed her current happiness, but also gave mute evidence of the loneliness she felt inside.
Family servants of Yukinime Akazuki rushed up to help Konohamaru, who was holding a bloody hand to his ear. Looking out at the crowd, and hearing its obvious opinion, the young ninja hung his head, feeling the fool.
"Did you do this because Naruto was in the audience?" Kurenai spoke quietly, close to Hinata's ear. "I know you dislike Suzuka, but this was all a bit much, even for you."
"I still have a lot of insecurities about my height, that's all," Hinata joked. Looking over at Naruto again, she sighed, her eyes losing their sparkle. "I hate Suzuka. That's no secret." She bit her lip, then continued. "It's not just because she's a jerk and a terrible actress. She tried to seduce Naruto once. When she failed…"
"She accused him of rape," Kurenai said, squeezing her friend's hand. "I heard the tale."
"It may have been kept quiet," Hinata said, her face growing red with anger. "But it hurt him dearly, having his character questioned…" She clenched her fists. "He refused to do anything to her. That's just the kind of man he is."
"You still haven't professed your love for him, have you?" Kurenai's eyes were stern and business-like. "That's hard to believe, seeing how self-assured you've become." She pursed her lips. "Are you afraid of rejection?"
"Yes." Hinata's voice caught in her throat. "But only from him." She swiped her sword at the nearest curtain, putting a long tear in it. "I can't believe that he never caught on. He's such an idiot!" She hung her head. "No. Who's the idiot? Maybe I set my hopes too high."
"Most people won't agree with you there," Kurenai said.
"Really?" Hinata made a face. "Well, most people would be wrong. He gets stronger every day. Look how handsome he is, after starting out so short and scruffy…just like me. Time has not been as kind to me as it has to him." She looked up at the arched ceiling, then down at her feet. "How can I approach him?"
Kurenai just shook her head. "You need to look in a mirror more often, Hinata. You may be short, but you're beautiful in ways that the strumpets who chase after him will never be able to match." The older kunoichi waved her arm, drawing attention to a group of giggling girls in brightly colored gowns. Their clothing revealed more than was commonly thought proper. "You could dress and act like them. Instead, you have stayed true to yourself."
A messenger walked over to Hinata, a scroll in his hand. Bowing, he handed it to her and left
"Who's it from?" Kurenai asked.
"Him." Hinata said, suddenly looking timid, like she did in her younger says. "Naruto."
Hinata opened the parchment and read. "He wants to meet with me tomorrow. At Ichigawa's shop. Alone."
Kurenai raised an eyebrow.
Hinata's face opened up like a bud just beginning to bloom. Could Naruto have been impressed by her actions? Did he have feelings for her that he wanted to admit?
She felt giddy. No, not simply giddy. Nervous. "Seven o'clock," she whispered. That was shortly after the bakery opened.
Anko returned, looking somewhat grim. "We have a problem brewing," she said loudly.
"What's wrong?"" Hinata signaled her ANBU squad members to gather round.
"Someone has been trying to set up a small riot. They have been inciting the patrons who came to see the play and were seriously disappointed. Word is, they plan to blame everything on you." She made a fierce face. "The patrons in question are all soldiers. Some are our 'guests' from foreign lands, quartering here in advance of the coming battle. Most of them have had too much to drink, it seems. This could get real ugly real fast."
"Mmmm-mmm-mm-m…" Hinata tugged at her hair, looking serious. "Soldiers, huh?" Like many of her fellow jounin, Hinata resented the need for warriors who had not been trained in the way of Ninjutsu. But, she had to admit that Konoha's defense came first, and it took a lot less time to teach a man to be a soldier than it did to train shinobi.
"They should be worried about keeping the peace, not fighting with shinobi." Kurenai's eyes flashed.
"Ahhhh-hhh-hh-h… this kind of affront to the honor of our great village can not be allowed to stand." Gai looked might unhappy. Next to him, Asuna took a long puff on his cigarette and smiled.
"We should probably take care of things before Naruto catches wind." Kakashi put away his book. "He still tends to be a bit impulsive at times."
"ANBU can handle it," Yugao said. "Especially if we combine our squads."
"No," Hinata said, shaking her head. "Since my name was brought up, I feel a need to take a hand in things." She swished her sword about in dramatic fashion. "I would appreciate any efforts at keeping things from getting out of hand." Her father wouldn't like it very much, if her name was connected with street brawling again. Too bad.
"You probably have a few new jutsus you want to try out, too." Kurenai looked Hinata in the eyes. "Right?"
Hinata shrugged. "I was meek for so long. I'm just making up for lost time."
"There's no stopping her when she's in one of those moods," Yugao said to Anko.
"Good," Anko said. She took out a kunai and licked it.
"We'd better make certain to come along too," Genma said, long toothpick held between his teeth. Kotetsu, Izumo, and Iwashi nodded assent.
"Someone has to look out for the safety of the soldiers," Kakashi quipped.