Disclaimer:I Do Not Own Naruto

Flashbacks are NOT in Italics This is all a flashback

Chapter 7

Hello, Sand Siblings

It was a difficult thing to do. Just leave pretty much unannounced, and on a supposed year long mission. It was ridiculous, but it was something she had to do. Sasuke had been right. She was a ninja and it was bound to happen.

Hinata sighed; it was obvious she had been disappointed; her family on the other hand was quite delighted, which discomforted her some. Her father told her it was an honorable thing to be working under a Kage, especially one their village had an alliance with. "Strengthen our bonds" she remembered him saying.

Hinata looked up relishing the view of the canopy cover the trees offered. She would miss the trees, she thought subtly.

-

She made camp the night before and had just woken up. The trip was taking a bit longer than intended so she'd opt for a quick rest. She noted her surrounding and knew she wasn't too far, maybe a couple ours from destination which was nice. She'd be there just before sundown.

And she was. Panting she stopped to take a quick breath before continuing through what seemed to be the north gate of Suna, but was stopped abruptly by three sand nin.

"What's your business with Suna?" one immediately interrogated.

Staying calm she opened her messenger bag to reveal a note. It was basically a pass for her to enter and exit when everything was done and over with. She offered him the piece of paper, and two of the three examined it while the other examined her.

Feeling his eyes on her, she felt uneasiness sink in. Assuming the two finished and approved of her, she spoke up "Can you bring me to the Kage tower?" They returned the note and the one who had been staring at Hinata unmasked his face and grinned at her. Hinata cringed hoping he didn't notice her retreat. She knew him, and those purple lines that adorn his face. He was one of the three sand nin that came for the Chuunin exams a few years prior. "I'll bring you", he said happily, waving off the other two.

Hinata and Kankuro watched as the two sand nin disappeared into the city, Hinata's gut twisting in anxiety. Kankuro's attention went back to Hinata who had been trying to keep her composure. "So she sent a Hyuga?" Kankuro said a matter-of-factly. Hinata looked down, feeling a bit insulted. What if she was a Hyuga?

"I knew you were all good. Your head protector gave hint of that. Konoha - haven't been there in awhile." He said almost as if talking to himself. "So, " he looked back to her, hands in his pockets, and his face twisted up in a grin so big it scared her. "Shall we go?"

-

"Little brother!" Kankuro yelled; his voice booming through the room and hall. "I come bearing gifts!" Hinata took a step forward and looked down in embarrassment. What an introduction.

"What's the meaning of this?" The Kazekage said indifferently. He hadn't even looked up from what he'd been doing.

Kankuro sauntered on over to the Kazekage's desk and took a seat atop it, "Do you have… uh, clarification, or you know… that piece of paper that states why you're here?" Hinata nodded and took the envelope out of her coat pocket. Kankuro stood and hurried to retrieve it, "I'd rather he read it." He whispered. Kankuro turned around and both he and Hinata were surprised to seethe Kazekage standing before them, his hand held out, waiting for the paper.

Kankuro glanced back and gave Hinata an apprehensive look, "It wasn't really planned." He whispered, scratching the back of his head.

"A year?! What the fuck, Kankuro? Did you plan this?" He suddenly erupted. Hinata felt faint, this was beginning to be the worst mission of her life.

"No, I did." An older woman came bursting through the door, a stack of papers in a firm grip. Bringing the stack to the desk and dropping them to make a loud thud. "You are a good Kazekage." The woman began, "You protect the village and you know what's going on at all times, but you are just not cut out to do paperwork."

"Tamari, that doesn't mean that you bring ninja's in from another country, you hire a secretary. " The Kazekage said with obvious anger.

Tamari shook her head, "We've had eight secretaries. Two of which ended up in the hospital because of exhaustion. No one wants to work all day everyday because you don't want to do the village paperwork-"

"Tamari!" He growled.

"I don't care if you're mad. You're just going to have to deal with it. She's already here and you might as well use her. I'm sure Tsunade chose the finest." Tamari glanced back at Hinata and gave her a playful wink.

Hinata blushed looking away, "Weird," she thought. She felt as if she was surrounded by ticking time bombs.

The Kazekage glanced over the paper once more, and threw it at Kankuro, "Hey!" and in reply he only got a glare. He now stood in front of Hinata, so close it made her heart beat clearly in her ears "Hinata Hyuga?"

She nodded.

"If you decide this mission is not of your stature I will not oppose to you leaving. I will sign that paper and you will be free to go." He assured, frustration bubbling in his voice like lava ready to spill.

"No – NO! Gaara, she will be staying, and helping," Tamari cut in, grabbing at the girls wrist. Hinata's body swung away from Gaara and was dragged down the hallway.

"Please, don't be intimidated. This is how we are here. Everyone that works in the building is used to this. In time you will be too." Tamari explained. "So, how about a grand tour?"

-

It was near one in the morning when Hinata was finally able to escape the sand siblings. Tamari had shown her around the building, and around town, where she'd find good places to eat, and the best places to lounge. Kankuro had even grabbed her, bringing her to a few bars, and a dojo of some sort where he showed off his puppeteering skills. It was later that night when Tamari took her back and explained in detail what she'd be doing in Sunagakure.

"You'll be doing a lot of writing, and a whole bunch of filing, organizing. You don't really have to talk to Gaara, of course." Tamari paused, "Maybe to approve some forms…" she said, a hint of worry tainting her voice. She knew how people could react around him, and seeing how delicate this one was she might need to reserve a bed in the hospital.

"I- I don't mind. It's what I'm here to do." Hinata quickly explained, hoping to put little to no stress on her behalf.

"Aw, you're such a nice little clam. I'm glad you're here, but I'll be gladder if you survive the mission."

And that was the last thing Hinata remembered before falling asleep.

-

The next morning came too soon. It was five thirty when she heard someone knock on the door. Hinata quickly stood, her knees buckling in response. "I'm up…" she wanted to say, but she could barely hear herself speak. She crawled halfway to the door when she decided to finally get to her feet. Opening the door she was surprised to see the Kazekage, himself standing there with what looked like a tray of food.

"We wake up early here. " Hinata nodded, taking the tray in her hands. "I'll be in my office." And he shut the door.

-

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