A/N: Yes, I realize I have not update in forever. Allow me to apologize. I was thinking of what exactly to write. I did not want it sound forced. So, this is your update instead of the rather inadequate author's note explaining my lapse in updates. Again, I apologize though it is probably rather belated again. However, I hope you enjoy. I realize it's short but this is kind of like a long transition. Sorry if it's boring, but it'll be important. I promise! Enjoy.

Chapter 10:

"Take hold lightly; let go lightly. This is one

of the great secrets of felicity in love."

-Spanish Proverb

Hanabi walked in silence through the streets of Konoha towards the Yamanaka flower shop. Tendrils of silvery vapor came from Hanabi's nose as she walked. The cold was still bitingly there and the gates of Konoha were still closed. It seemed they had gotten a rather nasty storm front from Yuki no Kuni. The streets were still sparsely filled with shinobi or civilians. Occasionally an academy student or genin would run past her. Sometimes, one of the younger shinobi would look at her with a sense of awe written over their face. Hanabi could not see the reasoning behind that. She was just another shinobi out of many from the Hyuuga clan.

She had graduated from the academy at the normal age but had become a chuunin at the age of thirteen. By no means was she ANBU level, but she was going to work up to that level some day. Hanabi sighed heavily as she walked into the flower shop. Ino was sitting behind the counter, frowning. Since the heavy snow had hit Ho no Kuni, all ANBU missions that were upcoming were postponed if they were assassination or higher. The Yamanaka was an interrogator and, needless to say, it was obvious to Hanabi she was bored out of her mind.

"Hello, Hanabi-san," greeted Ino, dully. Yes, she was indeed bored out of her mind. "Can I help you with something?" Hanabi gave here the barest of smiles. It was a purely Hyuuga smile.

"Yes, Yamanaka-san, you can."

Ino stood up with a grin. If Hyuuga Hanabi came into her flower shop it was definitely big. Finally, something to do. Hanabi gave her another tiny smile. She looked like Neji instead of her sister. They were alike too.

"Well, what is it?"

"Yamanaka-san, I was wondering if you could tell me about Uchiha Sasuke," replied Hanabi in a meek voice. Still, Ino had to admit, both of the Hyuuga siblings had their similarities. Ino still couldn't hold back the expression on her face after hearing what Hanabi wanted to know. She heaved a heavy sigh and moved back behind the counter before plopping down in her chair.

"Let me guess, your father said she had to stop talking to him," said Ino flatly an irritated look on her face. She snorted rather derisively. Hinata winced inwardly. She was well aware the Yamanaka clan did not particularly like her father. After all, he had acted with a very condescending manner towards them for many years. It was to be expected. Hanabi hated to admit it, but Ino was dead on.

"Well…yes."

"Ah."

Ino gave a dry laugh. She stretched like a cat in her chair before leaning onto the table, arms crossed in front of her. "Let me just say this, Sasuke-kun is a very reliable shinobi," whispered Ino in a conspiratorial voice, "and he would sooner die than go back to Orochimaru. I heard that come directly from his own mouth."

Hanabi wondered why Ino was talking in such a low whisper, but she decided to ask her later before she left the shop. She had heard of his reputation from Neji as a shinobi even if her cousin despised the Uchiha. It was a rather grudging respect for him.

"Yamanaka-san, that doesn't tell me anything about him as a friend."

She gave a little smile. "I was getting to that, Hanabi-san," she muttered. "Naruto-kun and Sakura-chan swear by him as a friend. And believe me, if those two can say that he's such a good friend, then he is. He may treat them horribly sometimes, but he easily could have killed Sakura and Naruto when he left Konoha. Remember Hanabi-san what he actually did."

Ino's answers were evasive, but they gave her a lot to think about. She thanked her and began to walk out of the shop before stopping, recalling what she had wanted to ask her before leaving. "Yamanaka-san, why did you talk in such a low voice?"

Hanabi could picture Ino shrugging her shoulders, a wry smile on her face. Ino turned around to grab something on the shelf behind her before answering. "You know how the people of Konoha are, they don't like him."

The youngest Hyuuga from the main family waved over her shoulder as she walked away from Ino. The mind specialist knew exactly where she was going, but he wouldn't be easy to find. If Sasuke did not want to see the citizens of Konoha, he was nigh impossible to find except by the most skilled ANBU trackers and his team members and Kakashi. She almost pitied Hanabi for even trying to find him. Well, if it got Hinata and Sasuke closer together, all the better. 'Good luck, Hanabi-san.'