Chapter 9: New Friends

The week had gone by very well for Himai. After the meeting, Hishu didn't mention anything about the clan, marriage, etc. There was a dinner with the family and Higami's future husband. Himai met the pompous spoiled brat and deemed him unfit to marry Higami because he lacked proper judgment, a backbone, strength, and a reality check. Since the thoughts of the heir to the clan are taken extremely serious, the wedding had been postpone until 'further notice' according to her father.

Kiba was thrilled to have another girl in the team. However, he quickly learned that she took almost anything as an offense, so hitting on her got him many smacks on the head. He managed to get a laugh out of her with his reactions. Everyone thought she'd gone mad, because no one thought she had any other emotion than calm and pissed off. Most of the time, they would have contests which Kiba would make up to see who was stronger, faster, and more stamina, etc. It was made clear that her energy could rival Naruto's.

Shino and Himai got along very well. They had some things in common like preferring silence over Kiba's loud antics and the same way of speaking. What they didn't have in common was their thoughts on bugs. Himai hated bugs unless they were butterflies, ladybugs, or Shino's bugs. She would help Shino on finding new ways to attack. Secretly, Himai thought he'd be very handsome if he'd get rid of the glasses and not wear such baggy clothing, which was impossible.

Kurenai's asked Himai to spar with everyone and tell her what they need to work on. She also analyzed how she interacted with people to get an understanding on the way she was. Kurenai found that a big issue she had was her arrogance. Because she had many skills as a ninja, she felt that others weren't worth her time of day. So Kurenai would put her back in her place by reminding Himai of her lack of genjutsu. They got along well though.

Hinata and Himai spared when they went to the Hyuga compound, which they did 4 times that week. They mostly talked about how things changed. Himai went to Hinata's house on the second day of the week and got to say hello to Neji, Hanabi, and her father, who was surprisingly very warm in greeting her. Hinata admitted she still had a crush on Naruto, who everyone talked about but she didn't know who he was. Right now, Hinata was inviting her to the Hyuga compound again.

"I-I'm inviting many people today. I-It's not much. It's just that there are some people that want to meet you, a-and since you've only been to my house, I th-thought it'd be a good place to do it."

"I don't really like parties."

"It's not a party. It's more of a get together. It'll be like a tea party. W-with lots of sweets. It's going to be team Kurenai, team Asuma, Neji and his team, and a g-girl called Sakura. It's a-also so you can have some more f-friends in the village. No senseis."

"Only 11, including me, people will be there?"

"Y-yes."

"And it's a nice, quiet tea party, not some crazy festival?"

"Yes."

"Promise?"

"P-promise."

Himai sighed "Alright I guess so. So long as I don't have to wear a kimono."

"O-oh, w-well I s-sort of th-thought it'd be m-more of a t-traditional party s-so I asked everyone to c-come dressed n-nice."

"You're kidding…"

"P-please don't be mad! I th-thought it'd be a fun idea! I know you don't like to wear them. Y-your mother dropped one off at my house early this morning because I thought i-it'd be a nice surprise. I-"

"Calm down Hinata. If you went through all this trouble for me I have no choice but to wear it. Don't expect me to be on my best behavior though."

Hinata became very happy "Thank you! You won't be mad!" Hinata ran to Kiba and Shino to tell them the news. Himai returned to her stretching. It was also her way of meditating.

"For someone who hasn't had a proper friend in a long time, you reconnected with Hinata fast." Kurenai said coming up in front of her.

"That's because I knew her when I was younger and she was always nice. It's almost rude NOT to be nice with Hinata. She has an air that makes you want to get along with her. Plus you feel bad if you don't."

"Himai, come with me." Himai got up from a handstand and followed Kurenai to the rest of the team. They were playing fetch with Akamaru.

"This team has been through a lot. I've seen them grow and continue to do so. They each help each other get stronger physically and mentally. By helping each other grow, they have also gotten closer, like a pack I guess you could say." Kurenai turned to face Himai.

"This isn't the same you that left the village. It's true that people change, but you have to let go of the hate in your heart to let anyone in. These people will become your comrades. You may not want to let anyone in, but you will need to for you to become a better ninja. There is always room for improvement. Strength alone cannot help you achieve your goals."

Himai didn't understand what she was saying. "I don't understand what you're saying. But thank you." Maybe one day, she'd understand. Training was over for the day so everyone rushed back to their houses to get dressed. Hinata and Himai rushed to the Hyuga compound. The servants set everything up for the tea party. All that was left was to get dressed. Hinata wore a lavender kimono with blue flowers and a dark purple obi. Himai wore a light yellow kimono with a dandelion dragon design and a red obi. Hinata had on a top knot bun while Himai wore a high ponytail and a red ribbon. The girls went to the hall the party would be held and saw Ino setting up flowers all over the hall. There were tulips, orchids, lilies, sunflowers, lavenders, but no roses.

"Hey girls! I remembered you told me that you didn't like roses so don't worry Himai, none here! I didn't know which ones to bring so I just brought a bunch of everything from the shop!"

"Th-there beautiful Ino."

"Choji and Shikamaru should be here soon. They're bringing vases and more flowers."

"M-more?"

"Yup!" Himai didn't understand, so much work for a simple party.

"Hey am I too early?" A girl with pink hair, pink kimono, and a present came in. The girl walked up to Hinata and Himai as Ino was busy setting up.

"No you're fine Sakura. This is Himai. Himai, this is Haruno Sakura. She's a medical ninja training under Lady Tsunade.

"Nice to meet you Himai. I hope we become great friends."

"As do I."

"You don't have to be so formal, I'm a friend."

"But this is how I talk."

"Oh, well, okay!" Sakura went to help Ino.

"Ino! You said there were only a few things to bring, not the whole store! You're such a pain!" Shikamaru came in wearing a dark green stripped yukata with a black hakama and Choji's Yukata was red with a grey hakama. "Come on Shikamaru, it wasn't so bad." The boys put all the vases and flowers and kept the presents they brought.

"Sorry we thought we'd be here earlier, but picking up everything was such a drag."

"Tsokay. I-it's not like we'll be starting soon."

"How was your week Himai?" Choji asked.

"It was eventful to say the least, but overall quite pleasant."

"I heard about your father's failed attempt at playing matchmaker. Gotta say it was pretty funny when my dad told me." Shikamaru said with a smirk.

"What? How did you know?"

"Well I guess one of the jonin sons told one person and that person told someone else. They said that your father's at a standstill because of your dragon and is looking for someone outside of the village. That has to be tedious work."

"Don't worry Himai. Me, Shikamaru, and everyone else will sent the foreigner back to where he came from if we have a say in it!" Choji reassured.

"Oh, well, thank you, I guess." This was the first time hearing anything of the sorts. She decided she'd talk to her father about it at the right time. The door suddenly burst open and a boy with a bob, thick eyebrows, a green jumpsuit, and what looked to be a green cape-kimono-yukata thing draped over his shoulders came in the room.

"Alriiight! Party! Let us get this started! Where is this new comrade that we are meeting?!"

"Lee! I told you it's a sophisticated event! Not some street festival! Behave yourself!" Neji came in after Lee wearing a cream colored yukata. A girl came rushing in wearing a light pink kimono and a red obi. When she got to the room she was out of breath.

"L-Lee! I t-told you t-to slow down! You'll scare the girl!"

"I am sorry Tenten, I was just excited to meet her." Lee faced Himai.

"Good evening. My name is Rock Lee. I am the handsome blue beast of Konoha. It is an Honor to meet a Lady of the Okibi clan. Neji has told us very little about you and I hope we may become great allies." Lee bowed very low to the point where he hit his head on the floor.

"Um, just Himai is perfectly fine thank you." Himai was caught off guard by his behavior. He was very odd. Lee was pushed away by Neji.

"Sorry about his behavior Lady Himai, I'll make sure he no longer scares you."

"I told you to call me Himai, Neji. There isn't a need to add formality."

"It's just a habit I have." Shikamaru came rushing to join them after helping Ino set up. He had a promise to keep.

"Himai, this is Tenten. She's in Neji's team. She's a chunin and a weapon's specialist."

"Hey there. I've been dying to see you! Neji told me you were back and I just had to see you for myself. I was really caught off guard when you left the academy out of the blue and wondered what happened. I'm glad to know you're alive. I know we haven't spent much time together, but I really hope we can be friends like we were back then, maybe great friends!" Tenten was very happy to see Himai again.

"I hope so as well. Though we might have to do something about your teammate over there. Are you sure he's alright?" Tenten looked back to see Lee holding his head.

"Lee? Na he's fine."

"Hey looks like everyone's all here!" Kiba came in wearing a gray Yukata with Akamaru trailing behind.

"I knew we would be the last ones here." Shino came up from behind wearing a white kimono under light blue hakama pants. He wore a black long sweater over the attire.

"Hey Hinata, why does everyone have a gift box? I would've brought one if you told me."

"They brought them for you. Th-they're for a game that Ino planned, though I'm not sure what kind of g-game."

The words Ino and game should NOT be placed in the same sentence. One week with Ino was enough proof of that.

"I suddenly wish I had listened to my own gut when I said I didn't want to come."

"D-don't worry, nothing bad will h-happen. Maybe a bit c-crazy, but not bad."

Hinata clapped her hands twice so everyone would give then her attention. "W-well now that e-everyone is h-here, p-please sit in f-front of your name t-tags a-and let us start th-the get t-together s-since Himai d-does not l-like the word p-party."

The table was long. Himai sat at the center with Hinata to her left and Shikamaru to her right. In front of her was Tenten. To Shikamaru's right was Choji and Ino. To the left of Hinata was Shino. Neji was on Tenten's right and Lee was on the right of him. To Tenten's left was Sakura and next to Sakura was Akamaru who was just laying down.

"Alright everyone! Now that we're settled, I'd like for everyone to take out the gifts you brought. It's time to play a game!" Ino said all too excitedly.

"For every gift they brought for Himai, Himai will have to answer a question that is based on the topic. S for example. If someone give her a kunai or another weapon, Himai will have to answer a question based on weaponry and attacks. The questions will be made by the person who gives Himai the gift."

She knew it. Ino could sometimes be an idiot, but she wasn't in a family of mind controllers for no reason. She knew how to get what she wanted, and right now, she wanted answers as to who she was.

"And you have to be honest Himai. We have two Byakugan users that can tell if your chakra signatures waiver if you tell a lie."

So much for lying.

"Okay then, let's start!