The earlier inner struggles of the pair were temporarily forgotten as midday approached.
The streets of Konoha were bustling this time, shop owners and customers arguing, academy students on break scattering and giggling, and everyone in-between roamed the streets, wrapped up in conversations and shopping.
Many heads turned as the saw the village's ice cube, Sasuke, walking with a girl, no less.
They were not as oblivious as they let off, for everyone knew Sasuke's hatred toward any female being. Even his fan girls knew it, though they were stubborn, firmly believing that they'd be able to reach a part of his seemingly nonexistent heart if they confessed enough.
He wasn't homosexual, he was just cold. Proud to the point of thinking he doesn't need anybody but himself, Sasuke was known as a loner out of his own free will.
Hinata knew she was drawing much suspicion.
Not only was her cloaked form strange among the casual light colours of the villagers, but her escort seemed bitterly popular.
The stares, despite this, went ignored as she walked on, her head high, and Sasuke doing the same beside her.
After the incident, the boy decided to walk beside her, in fear of a repeat if he walked behind her. She rolled her eyes under her hood.
People and their embarrassment. She'd never understand it.
They reached the other side of the village in their strolling, coming across a huge compound.
It compound was large, to say the least. A square of cropped, neat grass, not a weed invader to be seen. The houses all looked the same, traditionally low with polished wooden porches, except for a spiraling path leading up to a larger building, decorated with paper lanterns and a large, faded sign, that she couldn't really make out.
Something stirred inside of Hinata. There was something familiar about this place, yet it made her want to turn around and run. Her shaded face was slowly draining, the lower half of her face visibly pale.
An approaching chakra signature drew her attention, and her shoulders tensed as she turned towards the arrival.
He was a ninja, from his headband and outfit. He had long, brown hair, reaching to his waist and tied in a low ponytail. Strong facial features were set into a pale, emotionless face, his lips thinning as he walked proudly towards them.
However, the most startling feature about him were his eyes.
Pale lavender. Byukugan eyes. Her eyes.
Before her stood one of her family- no, one of her past.
"Uchiha."
His voice was low and soft, yet carried authority. The boy he addressed gave a scowl of his own in return, before replying in the same manner.
"Hyuga."
Sasuke saw her fists clench, nails digging into the flesh of her palms.
What's going on with her?
However, it wasn't until she actually tensedthat he realised that it might be because of Hyuga Neji. Do they know each other?
He never liked Neji, but acknowledged he was strong, and so, they both respected each other. If you could call a rivalry 'respect', anyways.
The Hyuga's eyes were trained on the girl next to him, and Sasuke comprehended the unspoken question. "This is Ikustaka Hinata, she's from the Mist."
"Ah."
An Uchiha eyebrow raised slightly, wondering why she didn't introduce herself this time. Meanwhile, the girl in question was currently finding it difficult to swallow.
Neji had been her best friend, when she was three and he was four. They loved each other, loved each other as any sister and brother could.
But then, after the cursed seal had been put on him, everything changed.
In bitterness and anger, he hated her. Blamed her and her Main House status for ruining the lives of the Branch. For taking away his father.
Not knowing how to react to this startling wall of hatred, she allowed herself to withdraw into a fearful, stuttering, weak shell offering feeble protection.
For one whole year she remained weak. And then, with the death of her own mother, she was plunged into the year that turned her into a true Hyuga.
Despite everything however, she had always loved her nii-san.
How could she forget the times they played together, cared for each other. He had spent most of her childhood making her happy, even if it lasted for a short while.
That was enough for a lifetime.
And now, here he was, standing in front of her, grown up as was she. Both had changed, both had matured.
She had grown up under the harsh training of the Akatsuki. Molded into their weapon. Perfected into the perfect ninja.
He had grown up confined in the walls of the Hyuga. Molded into the pride of his clan. The perfect prodigy.
Perhaps the two weren't very different after all.
For the first time, Hinata wanted to show emotion. Even just a little. Enough for him to recognise her.
An emotion that would describe the happiness, sadness, love, to see her nii-san again.
But she couldn't even if she wanted to. No matter how much she tried, Hinata was numb. Inside and out.
Hinata's thoughts turned to the rest of her family.
Her little sister, the murderer of her mother. Kaa-san would never have died if her sibling hadn't been born.
Then, her father. Her father.
The proud Head of the clan. The Head of her life. The one who had thought her existence was a waste of space, a hindrance, a burden.
She forced herself to remember that even if Neji was here, he wasn't her brother. That Neji was dead.
He was now a Hyuga. He was like her beloved father. It was futile to feel anything for him, even if she could.
Neji Nii-san was killed by Hyuga Neji. That was the way of a ninja's life. To kill or be killed.
Hinata's composure was regained; she slipped into her role and was ready for the stage. Ignoring Neji's outstretched awaiting hand, she gave a quick nod and circumvented the Hyuga, Sasuke trailing after her.
Leaving but a fragment of the past baffled behind her, just as it should be.
Before, she had foolishly assumed that the mission would have been easy, only to realise that it was not the regular information gathering mission it appeared to be.
The mission was much deeper.
It involved breaking her remaining bonds and avoiding making new ones. It seemed impossible, but the Akatsuki were known for doing the unbelievable, and Hinata would achieve it; she had to if she wanted to become an official part of the Akatsuki.
Leader-sama was truly a genius. He had put her in her old village, with her family and past; people she could easily become attached with.
In the Akatsuki, she was isolated, never mingling with commoners. Now she had to live among them.
Hinata would overcome this challenge; she had not spent eleven years training with the most powerful criminal masterminds to be killed by these weaklings.
Sasuke arched an eyebrow at her attitude towards Neji. It seems like he wasn't the only one who disliked the Hyuga.
But from this morning, she had been friendly with the other Rookie Eight. Even as far as being polite with Sakura and Ino. What could have gotten her into such a mood?
Though, Sasuke couldn't even say she had mood. She never changed her voice, always keeping it soft and monotone. She remained mysterious, even after introducing herself.
A stranger among the familiar.
Sasuke couldn't figure her out. No matter, she was a villager now. He had plenty of time to find out who Hinata really was, for she just couldn't be who she claimed to be.
The pair, lost in their own thoughts, found themselves once again in the training grounds. Their original spot however, was already occupied.
"MOVE IT, COME ON, ANOTHER ROUND AT THE TREE!!"
A piercing whistle sounded, and they moved closer to find three shinobi occupied in the midst of… a training session?
Hinata could see that there was a girl, only a little older than herself, bossily shouting at a very large ninja. The ninja had a strange hairdo and swirls on his bloated sweat-gleaming cheeks.
The third ninja she almost didn't even notice, for he was sitting up in a tree, lazily lying on his back on top of a branch and watching the sky. If it wasn't for his annoyed glances at the pair when they became particularly loud, she would have thought he was asleep.
As the girl was about to raise the whistle to her mouth once more, the ninja in the tree jumped down. He had noticed them.
"Sasuke, what are you doing here?"
The ninja's voice lacked any interest despite his question, and his pose was a languid slouch. He had dark hair, held high in a pony tail, and he wore a green Jounin vest with a black mesh shirt.
Hinata could almost feel the brooding boy beside her brighten; this ninja before them must be a close companion of his.
"Ah, Shikamaru. I see that you're 'helping' Chouji train for the Jounin exams," he smirked, his friend was far too lazy for his own good, "I've been assigned as an escort by Hokage Dobe-sama to show the new transfer around."
Without waiting for the Jounin to respond, Hinata introduced herself. "I am Hinata Ikustaka, of the Mist. I was a former Special Jounin, before moving here. And you are…?"
"Nara Shikamaru, a Special Jounin like yourself. I qualify asa strategist. Though, if I may ask, it seems odd that you wear a cape. Living in the cool Mist, you must be boiling here in Konoha." The laziness in his voice was gone.
Hinata was impressed. This ninja was sharp, which shouldn't have been surprising as he just claimed he's a strategist. Yet still…
Hinata didn't pause too long or answer too quickly, knowing that she should be careful when answering to somebody as alert as he was, despite all appearances.
"Pleasure to meet you Nara-san. You're, it is warmer here in your village, but growing up in the Mist, my eyes aren't used to the brightness of sunny Konoha. I think you would understand that as a ninja, we must protect our eyes."
Shikamaru nodded, accepting her logical answer. This new transfer knew her stuff.
Now the duo that had been quiet while introductions were exchanged, stepped forward.
Shikamaru gave a deep sigh before introducing them, "Hinata-san, you may refer to me by my first name. Nara-san makes me feel like my father. Anyway, meet my friends, Akimichi Chouji and Tenten, the weapon mistress."
Hinata looked over the two for a second, before nodding in greeting. "I see you two are training for exams?"
Immediately, Tenten jumped.
"Hai! Welcome to our village, Hinata-san. You see, I'm training Chouji here for the Jounin exams. He failed the first few times, but that's because he didn't have the best weapon wielder in Konoha to help him! He is sure to get it this time." She pumped a tan fist in the air.
Hinata felt a liking towards the girl, she seemed enthusiastic as a ninja. It was a pleasant change from the stoic ones she had to grow up with.
"You must be quite impressive with weapons, then. I'd love to spar with you. I'm becoming restless anyway."
Tenten's eyes lit up. It was on.
Sasuke and Shikamaru leaned side by side in the shade of a tree as the two kunoichi readied themselves.
He had first become friends with Shikamaru after he came back to the village. The Nara had always distanced himself from the traitor, but when he returned, the genius confronted him.
After all, he had ruined his mission when they went to retrieve the Uchiha. The failure had been the most painful day of Shikamaru's life, for his charges had almost died. He didn't feel the least bit of pity for the traitor as he took it out on him.
Sasuke silently absorbed the usually lazy ninja's troubles, knowing that he deserved it.
When Shikamaru had run out of breath, Sasuke had done the unbelievable.
He bowed.
Then the Uchiha, who had suddenly become some miracle maker, even apologised. He was remorseful, for he knew well what kind of shame and guilt Shikamaru felt.
Ever since that day, the wall of bitterness between them was torn down by forgiveness, and so began their quiet friendship.
They were both glad to have one another. Sasuke was grateful that he had somebody other than the boasts of stupid answers at every rhetorical question he spewted, and Shikamaru was content to have somebody quiet for once, that won't complain nonsense about how he's lazy.
They respected each other.
And through this friendship, he was able to share with Shikamaru his thoughts over a certain ninja…
Hinata loosened the sash of her sword, ready to reach behind and grab it at the right moment. She patted down her pouches of small weapons, making sure everything was there.
As always, she was completely prepared.
Her hand pulled the hood of her cape lower, and she waited for her opponent to make the first move. The wait didn't last long.
Whoosh!
The weapon mistress unfurled a small scroll swiftly, and several shruiken went flying at Hinata, testily.
Thud!
All five were caught on each of her fingers and sent flying back at the opponent, shredding the scroll. It was Hinata's turn.
She pulled out two kunai and expertly flung them so that they hit either side of Tenten. Wasting no time, she then gave a running start and flipped so she faced Tenten's back. A spinning kick sent the opponent to the ground.
Tenten coughed as she swallowed dust. On all fours, she said, "You're fast, but it's not over yet."
The mistress tried to get up but she couldn't. "What…"
Hinata kicked more dust up, revealing faint blue lines almost invisible in the air. "I attached the kunai to chakra, and then laced it around my finger so when I kicked you, it would complete the binding."
Tenten struggled against the chakra strings, and Hinata stood watching passively, a few feet away, arms crossed and cloak hem fluttering in the soft wind. She waited.
Suddenly, chestnut fingers unfurled a scroll, and four daggers rose in midair, slashing at the chakra. It only took seconds for her to be freed.
Wasting no more time, Tenten reached behind her back and pulled out a pair of larger scrolls, jumping into the air. With a blur of brown hands shifting through swift handseals, she shouted, "Rising Twin Dragons!"
A swarm of weapons floated around her like a whirlwind, rotating faster and faster. However, Tenten didn't stop there.
She knew she had to go all out on this one.
"DRAGON SCATTERING DESTRUCTION!"
The weapons multiplied into a sea of silver whirlwind. Each glinted maliciously, and Tenten swept her hand forward, causing the mass of weapons to plummet.
Heading straight for Hinata.
Hinata pulled out her sword, the sash fluttering uselessly to the ground. The handle was large for her small grip, making the sword seem even larger.
Time seemed to slow, as the hooded girl gracefully dodged around the weapons, knocking each over with the flat sides of her blade.
Not even a single shuriken got past her defense, the sword slicing so fast, it seemed like there were several rather than one.
Suddenly, every weapon littered the round, defeated. Hinata had the tip of her blade under Tenten's chin. The opponent raised her palms in surrender.
Shikamaru's eyes were wide, his laziness dropped completely.
Instead of boredom, he seemed like an awe-struck genin. Sasuke however, already having seen Hinata's talents, remained indifferent, though he did raise an eyebrow in approval.
"She was able to time herself perfectly and could conjure up the strategy from the beginning. Tenten was playing right into her plan!"
Sasuke smirked at his amazed tone. "You must be itching to see if this girl rivals you in intelligence, huh? What are you going to do, challenge her to a game of shouji?"
The lazy nin's murmur was caught just barely by the Uchiha's keen ears. "I just might do that…"
Sasuke cleared his throat, trying to bring his friend's attention back to the topic on hand. "What do you think though?"
His friend nodded, "I agree with you, she is way too strong to be a simple jounin. Even now, she is holding back. I think there's more to her than what meets the eye."
Shikamaru put his hands together, in his thinking stance. "Her sword, maybe that could be a clue. Do you remember, when you faced that Mist ninja years ago, what his blade looked like?"
Sasuke remained silent for a few minutes. I remember, Zabuza and Haku. Zabuza's sword was similar to the Akatsuki, Kisame, but Hinata's sword on the other hand is strange compared to the chakra stealing blades…
"I remember, but her sword is more delicate and made out of a different material. The sword of the Mist, however, was able to drain Chakra."
Shikamaru was expecting that answer, and replied immediately, "Correct. From this information, we can make an assumption that Hinata isn't the Mist ninja she says she is. The question is, who is she then? It'll take research, too troublesome to bother. She's strong, but now as a fellow villager, she can't be that much of a threat."
Sasuke paid no attention to the last part, already stunned over the fact that Hinata is hiding her identity. This girl…
Despite losing, Tenten seemed like the happiest ninja in the world.
"That was the best battle ever-"
"You have to teach me that technique where you-"
"Where did you get that suit? I must get one-"
"Do you want to spar again sometime-"
"That cloak looks so cool on you-"
Hinata accepted the praises of the hyper defeated girl tiredly, and she politely nodded and shook her head when it was necessary. Despite, Tenten was a strong opponent.
Hinata had unconsciously made her first friend, even if she was supposed to avoid bonds. She had no choice, or the girl would probably stalk her like a Sasuke fan girl.
After agreeing to come over Tenten's Weapon Shop some day, she looked over to see Sasuke and Shikamaru deep in conversation.
Waiting a few seconds, she caught the eye of her escort and signaled that she wanted to leave.
Hinata sighed as she gazed up at the dark ceiling of her room. She had pulled the curtains over her windows, submerging herself into blackness.
She had met quite a few ninja and already had to struggle only on the first day. Now that she knew what kind of environment she was in, Hinata would be more prepared. She had to be.
Then, the girl sat up in bed as she remembered one more important thing.
The exams are tomorrow.
Giving a small smirk, she slowly lay back down. After tomorrow, after she became an official ninja of Konoha, the mission would truly begin.
The weapon was sharpened and sheathed, ready for the upcoming battle.