Soul-Searching 2: Greatest Expressions of Love

Standard Disclaimer Apply

Summary: Hinata, a Chunnin began to face a complicated web of love and preconceived marriage at the most turbulent time of her life - her teenage years. Hinata?

Author's Note: All of the characters in SoulSearching will be retained. Sanate continues to play a major role in Hinata's life. Unfortunately, Gaara won't be appearing a lot (kazekages can't travel outside of their Villages). Shame really.

Prologue

Weirdness galore in the unexploited forests of Fire Country as it showcased the ultra-clean capital buried in it – the shinobi village of Leaf, being the largest and most developed Villages in the world. The geographical phenomenon of the Country itself is breathtaking.

Although facing a massive shift in human labour and rising conflicts between countries of the north, Fire had stood its ground with the newly-appointed Godaime. And also the fresh new talents of Konoha is to be reckon with.

All of the Rookies are now Chunnin, except for Neji, who's a jounin and Naruto, sadly still a Genin.

It was 3 months after Rescue Gaara mission. And frankly, it had suddenly become one of the many missions that had been set-aside in their minds.

Naruto had came back from a highly confidential mission with two very injured comrades: Sakura and Sai. Hinata noticed his glum expression and occasional self-mumblings. Naruto looked weary, tired… and defeated.

Hinata's heart clenched to see him like that. She reached out to him, and he willingly accepted her comfort and words of wisdom.

As time passes, Naruto stares at Hinata fondly, even though he still has a crush on Sakura.

Neji's expression was stoic. It wasn't out of place nor odd for him. However, it was certainly a surprise for his teammates and sensei when he came to Bonfire Night Festival with a smile on his face. He was a benign presence to be around; a complete change.

When asked about it, he retaliated by saying, "Who said people can't change?"

Lee was grinning broadly at Neji's statement and took up a cup of sake instead or green tea, wishing to celebrate this honourable moment. Ten Ten panicked and smacked the cup away from Lee. Unfortunately, he was too quick and held it out of reach, playfully lecturing Ten Ten on her attitude.

Neji remembered standing at the doorway of Hinata's class and listening to her lecturing on a young ninja on his destructive behavior. Neji knew Hinata would never lecture unless he was putting himself in danger. As he began listening to their conversation, he came to realize that Hinata's scolding was purely of best intentions.

"Kaeda, let me ask you," Hinata said softly but firmly, "What's right in having a bad attitude?"

The young boy no older than 8 ceased his fidgeting and sulking; Neji recognized him as the awful troublemaker of the Academy. He makes fun of everyone and it doesn't give him kudos that he's one of the top students in he Academy with his bad attitude.

Hinata continued, with hands folded on her lap. "Bad attitudes stalls us in life whereas having a right attitude not only liberates us, but it is contagious to everyone. People feed on positive energy and stay away from negativeness. Frankly, no one likes being around people that constantly puts them down.

"Kaeda," Hinata said softly, " we have a choice for our attitudes everyday…"

Neji finally found some aspect in his life that he could control; even better, he can choose to present himself to people the way he wanted.

That night, he witnessed a total change in Lee's attitude as Ten Ten snatched the drink away from the #1 Taijutsu user. She gulped the sake down and then hiccupped with the prettiest shade of pink freckled on her cheeks.

Lee was speechless as he gaze down and seemed to look at Ten Ten for the first time. Ten Ten got her wish, and tilted her head, waiting for a kiss. Still in his dazed daydream, Lee made no movement, but stared dumbly at Ten Ten, his mouth slightly parted.

Ten Ten opened her eyes, fuming and embarrassed, turning into an even deeper shade of pink when she saw Lee gaping at her like a goldfish. She pushed the cup at Lee, in turn shoving him to the ground while she made a run for it.

Neji has to admit that he had never seen Ten Ten prettier as she had let hr hair down.

Hinata, Ino and Kiba missed the nighttime festival as they headed out of Fire's borders to search for one of Konoha's missing ninja who failed to return after he was given a mission to deliver a message of utmost importance to Earth Country.

Tsunade assembled the team on this A-rank mission: retrieve the scroll and the body. It was a last minute dispatch, and the three Chunnin had little time to pack. Kiba didn't even bring Akamaru; he drugged him and left Akamaru in his sister, Hana's care.

But well, it takes lots of dosage to tranquilized a large dog, and being the responsible pet owner, Kiba did not have the heart to feed Akamaru too much. So, Akamaru was really angry and almost mowed Kiba down for his unwise decision if Ino and Hinata didn't stop him.

The pet owner and the dog reconciled and Ino still shivered a little at the experience of possessing the dog just for a little while. Akamaru was so difficult to control and he was a pet for chrissakes!

Hinata, Ino, Kiba and Akamaru set off to Earth, although they had a sneaky suspicion that the messenger did not even made it to Earth Country and believed that he was held captive or possibly died during the mission.