0oOo0

The end of night came slowly for Hinata. Today was the day of the second test. Today would be another factor in the equation of her future.

"Hidan. I'm ready." She said, her face serious. An easy grin lit Hidan's features.

"Shall we begin?" he laughed, stretching his legs and back.

"I would strongly advise against overconfidence. Both of you." Itachi cut in. "At the first light of dawn, the race begins. There will be a time limit of 5 minutes. Whoever gets to me first will win. I'll be waiting for you both 1.5 miles away, at a waterfall to the East."

With this comment, Hinata turned away from the sunrise.

"Begin."

0oOo0

Hidan shot off, wasting no time. His feet pushed powerfully from the ground, landing him onto the first branch of the forest. Laughing with mirth, he figured that the poor little girl was still standing at the start, confused.

Hinata, however, had gotten a seconds head start, with her reaction time being better than Hidan's. With the aid of her Byakugan, she came to the realization that Hidan was just out of sight, though still behind her. Increasing speed, she searched for Itachi with her Kekkei Genkai. Directions were difficult to determine in the dark forest. The Hyuuga estimated another mile to go, with 1.5 minutes having passed. If she could keep the pace, victory was assured.

"Hidan's still behind me…" she mumbled, increasing her speed nervously.

"Why hello." A voice echoed into the shell of her ear. Hinata shrieked slightly, but managed to keep steady. Hidan cackled arrogantly.

"Omai (you)…" She muttered harshly, shooting ahead. From there on, the race became intense. Every time Hinata got a lead, Hidan inched ahead ever so slightly.

As the waterfall came into view, the silver-eyed girl pushed every last bit of strength into her legs. The river leading up to the waterfall literally parted for her because of the sheer force of her chakra. Hidan had fallen behind at the start of the clearing.

Skidding to a stop, she fell to her hands and knees at Itachi. A reserved smile met her, the same one that he had shown her last night.

"Congratulations, Kohai (younger student)." He said. Hinata smiled through her heavy breaths.

"Aw, this little gaki (brat) is improving." Hidan grinned from behind. To Hinata's dismay, he was barely sweating, let alone breathing hard.

"You… let me… win?" she gasped, still exhausted. She had yet to even stand.

"No. You're just hella fast." He sighed. "I guess that means we have to pay up. I'll get Kakuzu to deliver your stuff later today."

"Stuff?" she queried.

"Uniform. But only the spats and pants. The rest will come in time. You get to keep your undershirt, by the way. Our uniform consists of the following:" Itachi paused to help her up from the ground. "Kasa (bamboo hat), nail polish, cloak, spats, and pants. And of course," he gestured to his forehead. "Hitai-ate."

"That's the last test. Slashing the symbol of your village." Hidan added.

Hinata made a small humming noise to acknowledge.

'I wonder what's going on in my village right now.'

0oOo0

"Please, Shizune-nee-chan! Let us look!" the young blonde begged.

"I'm sorry, Naruto, I really am. But, until we elect a new Hokage, such rash actions cannot be taken. Nobody is in charge right now. We've even stopped doing S-ranked missions until the election. I feel for you. Hinata and Sasuke both meant a lot to this village. But until somebody steps up, nothing can be done." Shizune replied, putting a hand on the man's shoulder. She laughed suddenly at his solemn expression.

"Uzumaki Naruto." She sighed. "Sadness does not suit you. If you are bright, then the town will illumine with your light."

Naruto perked up slightly, still boyish after 19 years of age.

"Ne, ne, Shizune! Do you think I'm strong enough to become Hokage now?" he asked, bouncing slightly.

"Mm. There are many shinobi stronger than you, Naruto. Jiraiya-sama will most likely take over. Although he's like, 60-something years old…" Shizune trailed off.

"Shizune?" he said, his energetic voice calming and softening. "What do you think happened to her? Where did she go?"

Shizune sighed.

"I can't say. Nobody can."

0oOo0

"Neji. That's enough." Hiashi barked.

"Hai." Neji breathed.

He abandoned the raw training post to sit by his uncle. Instinctively, Neji reached to his right, grasping air where a teacup should be. He looked at his empty hand.

"Hinata." He mumbled.

"Oh, yes. Hinata would usually bring tea for you after your training. Shame she had to disappear. That girl made a decent cup of tea." Hiashi said casually.

"She fled. She fled because of you. It's not just the tea that I miss." Neji whispered harshly, storming off to his room. "Incautious bastard."

0oOo0