Disclaimer: Still do not own Naruto

Notes: More building of character, her past, and her old world. Also, I hope I did pre-traumatized kid Neji justice. Also also, as always, enjoy.

Have a day full of magic and imagination, fellow humans.


Konohagakure

As the ornate wooden gates of the Hyuuga compound closed, a new world shifted before my vision. Dirt pathways straight and curved and wide, direct the various people roaming about. Far away buildings of bright white, red, brown, and green scattered and cluster through the village hidden in the leaves. Humongous tall trees can be seen surrounding the village, as well as infest the inner village, proud and vast. As I focus my line of sight to the right, a rocky mountain towers over the hidden village, carved with four masculine faces adorning it. The carved mountain seems reminiscent of Mount Rushmore, a sculpture depicting the four U.S. Presidents. Staring I wonder if this is Konoha's version, this village's four 'presidents' or Hokages, as they are called in this world. Sandaime, the third, is the current hokage of Konohagakure. I catalog his depicted face, ignoring the fact an older man wears it now. I rather know what the current leader of the hidden village, at least, looks like or have some reference point. Better to be knowledgeable the ignorant. Ignorance is not bliss.

"Oh Hinata, I see The Hokage Rock has caught your eye." Reverence encased Okaa-san's tone as she spoke those words.

Bending down to my eye level, letting her eyes fall upon the rocky mountain she continued, "Did you know that this monument was envisioned by the Shodai, Senju Hashirama, as a symbol to let all know, that the hokages will always watch over the village and its people?"

As her question ended she casts a heavy gaze towards me. Her eyes spoke of pride, reverence, and importance. I shook my head to signal such missed knowledge. I have learned about The Hokage Rock, but only of the importance that the sculpture has depicted this village's past and present hokages, not the symbol or hope it brings. Her eyes creased and her painted cherry lips frowned in displeasure, a slight nod given in acknowledgment before standing to her full height. Her passionate red kimono decorated with pink, blue, and yellow flowers glinted in the bright sun and moved with the cool wind.

"Ah, well perhaps your Otou-san has plans to teach you of such things later within your education. If not..." More of a downward turn acted on her lips as her voice took strained irritation.

"If not then the academy shall surly teach you, but we did not come here to discuss your academics, Hinata. We have all come here today to explore this wonderful village we live in." With a slight pat upon my head she turn to face my escorts for the day, Hizashi and Neji.

"So Hizashi-san and Neji-kun, what have you planned for us today?" Her face took on a calm, serene expression as she addressed the two males.

"I have planned on escorting the both of you to the market, even perhaps to the Yamanaka flower shop. Afterwards I believed we could head to the Floating Leaf to relax and eat. Would this accommodate you, Hitomi-san?" Hizashi questioned as he brought the excited Neji to his side with a strong, gentle grab.

"This quite accommodates me, Hizashi-san. Thank you, come Hinata, lets explore Konohagakure." A delicate smile was aim towards me, the irritation of earlier seemingly forgotten before she motioned our escorts with a slight nod of her head.

Hizashi nodding back in conformation before bending down to speak quietly to his son. Words spoke and none were heard. Only the sounds of Neji's confirmations were heard past the fleeting wind. A slight push on the boy's shoulder, Neji trailed towards me with a smile full of bright teeth, holding confidence and pride. The older man, clad in a blue yukata stood elegantly, then turned, walking in a sedating pace in front of us. Okaa-san came to walk side-by-side to the older man while Neji did the same with me.

"Don't worry Hina-chan, I'm going to tell you all about...well, everything." Leaning a bit forward, turned awkwardly to face my eyes, he continued.

"Sooo..." A look of determined concentration fell on his face as he attempted to formulate some thought of how to educate me. I waited patiently, keeping my eyes roaming the surroundings, and begin mapping out the area.

I noted that the compound is somewhat secluded, especially in what seems to be around the center of the village. Smalls trees, vines, and bushes surround the clan walls for aesthetic, but no buildings, even houses or small shops were rooted within a marginally distance. I can see buildings surrounding the Hyuuga clan, but it is far enough away that I cannot see in full detail. An odd sight. But then, again, this is not my world. This may be a bustling city, but this is in an maddening chakra filled world. Technology does not run rampant, building are not made of harden glass and metal, the people are fully human as well. No technology lives inside them, no wondering what is left human.

Shaking the thoughts of the past from my head, my pace slows and I begin to truly focus once more.

Following the path to the markets, after hitting an apartment, Oaken Roots, buildings of various shops to small inns and a single busy bar, Poison sells, suddenly flooded the area. A few houses here and there filled the gaps between the settled places within this area. A canopy of chatter fills the area just as suddenly. People rushed and bustled, or leisurely paced around. Crowed yet not. There is still space to move about somewhat freely, without the constant conscious effort of having to avoid contact with another person.

"Ah Hina-chan, this is kinda the to- tour-rist district, that's what tou-san said anyway. 'We will walk through'...this district, he said, then we'll hit the markets, then those other places a-and yeah. Anyways this is the district. How do you like it?" A look of expectancy flooded his eyes and face as he again look towards me. Unconsciously, clumsily, and barely dodging any people happening upon his space.

"Its busy." Deliberating looking around once more in 'wonder,' I gave him a simple answer, but accurate. I have never liked crowed places, even if it can provide excellent cover.

A flash a uncanny intelligence flashed through his white eyes, as a concerned look passed quickly through his features, "There is gonna be even more people Hina-chan. When we get to the markets, so much more. You will bump into people, unless you are my tou-san, but your not..." I watched him look towards the ground in his solid childish logic and unneeded sadness for me.

Watching him I took the time to add to my assessment of his character, above average intelligence and perception. A genius, perhaps this is one of the reasons he will become my permanent escort when he grows to satisfaction, for Hiashi. A cute genius kid. Neji is hard not to like. I am found to be a genius as well, perhaps cute too, though none of it is real. At least in this life. All of it is fake, I am a fake, but the boy isn't. I hope this world leaves him unscathed, no matter how unrealistic it is. Being a genius gets you recognize. Though intentions are usually filled with greed and selfishness. I became recognized in this life for myself to be used, and the user as well. Unlike him I have lived this type of life before. I learned.

I am selfish.

"I will be fine Neji-san, I will." A lie.

"You can call me Neji-kun, Hina-chan okay? And alright, but if you don't feel well tell me okay? I gotta protect you Hina-chan and I promised. I won't break my promise, that's bad and mean." The boy looks toward me again, again filled with childish promise and determination. I foolishly hope for the boy.

"Okay Neji-s-kun, okay." I give him a fake smile.

He believes it, as his own smile widens at the use of his name. We continue to walk toward the market district.