GAH!!! So slow!!! i hate it when i know everything of the story but i have to WRITE IT DOWN. god, i wanna move the pace.. but i kinda don't want to at the same time :p


Rena woke up with a splitting headache. This was another reason she hated the week. Not only she lost all of her chakra for a week, she also sometimes had a side effect, something she liked to call hangover. This time, it was worse because she had to get chakra from someone else in an… unusual way. This was the option she would rather not take. The other one was impossible. For her, at least.

She slowly got up from the bed and opened up the curtain. The beautiful sunlight shined through the window. Today seemed so much better than last night. A surprise visit from Pain was sure a shock to her. She couldn't honestly say that her inner turmoil was over, but she felt so much better after taking a side. The right side.

Stretching her arms, Rena lazily headed to kitchen for breakfast. She couldn't see the new Team 7 heading out of Konoha.

Few minutes ago

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Tsunade asked worriedly. The man just smiled and nodded. "I'm sorry about this. But since Naruto's involved, your special ability will come handy."

"Don't worry, Hokage-sama. I understand the situation perfectly."

Tsunade looked at the ANBU. Her worry wasn't completely gone yet. Sending one of Orochimaru's experiments back to Orochimaru wasn't something that she was willing to do lightly. But since Jiraiya and Kakashi were out of options, she had no choice but to call him.

"All right. For this mission, you will be called Yamato."

"Understood."

As she saw him go, Tsunade dearly wished that nothing would go out of control.


"Eh?" Rena looked out the window, feeling somewhat empty all of sudden. Slightly annoyed, she headed to Tsunade.

"Mission?" asked Rena. Tsunade eyed the girl carefully. She had no idea how Rena found out Naruto going to the mission so quickly, but it wasn't something to be hidden.

"Yes. You and Kakashi weren't fully recovered so I recruited two new members and the new team headed to Grass Village."

"Grass?"

Tsunade stopped for a moment. Was it safe enough to tell her about Sasuke and Orochimaru? She didn't know if Rena knew or not. Then it was better not to risk it.

"It's a typical C-Rank Mission. A guarding mission."

"Hm, I see." Luckily, Rena didn't press it. "Well, I will head off. Do you know when they're going to be back?"

Tsunade just shrugged. "Depends on how fast they are."

Her eyes grew narrow. "Tsunade-sama. Nothing bad will happen, right?"

Tsunade didn' say anything. Jiraiya's information about Orochimaru's hideout, the new Team 7 heading out with Yamato flashed in front of her eyes. She knew perfectly what they were getting into. But she just shook her head.

"They won't get in any trouble."


Suddenly having nothing to do, Rena just wandered around the village. The village was crowded and busy as ever. Remembering old days, she couldn't help smiling. 'It didn't change at all', she thought.

BUMP

Rena bumped into someone while lost in thoughts. Groceries rolled out of the back.

"I'm sorry!"

At familiar voice, Rena raised her head. She saw a surprised Hyuuga girl. Rena quickly stood up and helped her gather the groceries.

"Don't apologize. I should be the one apologizing. I was lost in thoughts." She glanced at the grocery bags. There were a lot of them. Maybe too many for a girl like Hinata to carry.

"You know, I could help you carry those bags."

Hinata quickly shook her head. "Oh, no. I couldn't possibly…" But Rena already picked up some of the bags.

"Nah, don't worry about it. Where do you live?"

"Well….."

So, Rena was in Hyuuga's house. It was big. That was the word. The garden was very well taken care of. Glancing around, Rena was surprised how the house didn't change at all. But then, none of the Hyuugas really changed.

"Ah, Father." Rena turned around to find Hyuuga Hiashi. Rena froze a little bit. Meeting a new person, especially adults, was somewhat uncomfortable to her. Because they could….

"Hinata, who is this young lady?"

Rena put down her grocery bags and bowed her head. "My name is Mizuho Rena. I'm a member of Team Kakashi. Well… was."

Hiashi watched the girl carefully. He had already heard about her impressive jutsu. He could feel the great potential lying under her skin. Also, her perfect manner, and the fact that she wasn't intimidated by one of the most powerful man in Konoha village impressed him. But….

Before long, Rena was holding two kunais in her hands, blocking all the shurikens heading to her and Hinata. Hinata seemed shocked, but from different reason.

"Father! You didn't have to…!"

"Hyuuga-sama. Is this how Hyuuga clan greets its guest?"

Hiashi couldn't help being impressed. Not only she blocked the surprised attack, but she figured out that it was merely a test, not an intruder. He slightly bowed his head.

"Forgive me. You are in the main house of Hyuuga. I can't help being cautious to newcomers."

"Apology accepted."

Hinata looked at the two nervously. She never expected her father to such a thing to her guest! Of course, this was an effective test to loyalty. If Rena was an assassin sent to kill Hyuugas, she would just let the shurikens alone. But Hinata already knew about this, so she would easily block them.

'Neji was right', Hiashi thought. This girl is something. There was something different about her. Some kind of aura was very different for this girl. It would be interesting to see her grow.

"Wait here. I will get you some tea." Hinata hurriedly went to the kitchen.

"Rena-san?" Rena turned around to find Neji.

"Neji? What are you doing here?"

"I'd like to ask the same question." Neji slightly frowned as he saw the kunais in her hands. She quickly put them back.

"Hinata invited me here."

"Hinata-sama?" Neji raised his eyebrow. Sure, Hinata did get a lot more outgoing than couple years ago, but he didn't know she would actually invite someone to her house. Neji just shrugged. Maybe it was for the better.

"Ah, Neji-san," said Hinata, holding a tray of tea pot and cups.

"Hinata-sama, it's time for your training." Hinata blushed a little. This was the part of reason why she didn't want Rena home. Sure, she was a nice girl and Hinata didn't mind Rena coming to her house, but not just during the sparring time.

Rena took the tray from Hinata's hand. She just smiled and said, "Go on. I will be here with your dad."

Hinata just nodded and headed to the ground.

Hinata was panting somewhat heavily. She couldn't concentrate much with Rena and her father watching. It was just too much. She was just too afraid to mess up in front of them.

Rena could hear Hiashi growl silently. Apprently, he wasn't happy with how Hinata was doing. Frankly, Rena wasn't either, but for a different reason. She stood up and went to Hinata.

"What's wrong?"

Hinata didn't say anything, looking away.

"Look. You don't have to worry about a thing. Your brain is restricting your body with your fear. You have relax and let your body do its own thing."

Hinata didn't seem convinced. Rena just smiled and stood facing Neji.

"Mind if I spar with you for a moment?"

Neji was surprised, but not in a bad way. He just nodded. Rena untied the ribbon around her hair, letting the flowing red hair. Then she tied the ribbon around her eyes. Hinata was shocked at what she was doing.

"Re, Rena-san. Are you going to…"

"Sight is one of the most commonly used senses that brain uses. Especially for you Hyuuga clans. If you block the sight and let the body feel and move in its own accord, you will be surprised how good it is despite what you think." Rena turned to Neji. "Shall we begin?"

Neji was surprised as well, but he didn't care. This was just a spar after all. He would just have to be more careful not to hit her too hard.

His worries proved false as soon as he started sparring. Even without her vision, she blocked his attacks perfectly. She wasn't analyzing the situation, but rather feel how his body was moving and anticipate his moves and block it. He was surprised how she could fight so well like that. Moments later, Rena raised her hands as a signal to stop. She untied the ribbon and turned to Hinata.

"See? You're being too tense. That will restrict your muscle and you won't be able to move as fast as you actually can." Rena put her hands on Hinata's shoulder. A warmth traveled in Hinata's vein from head to toe. This strange feeling somehow made her more confident.

"Don't be afraid. Believe in yourself and you will find the way. You will be a great kunoichi. Trust me. And yourself." Rena winked and resumed her seat beside Hiashi.

Hinata stood there, confused. Was what Rena has said true? She didn't exactly know. But something Rena did made her want to believe. That she wasn't a failure like everyone in the family thought. That she actually could be a great shinobi one day. She made a decision. She won't be afraid anymore. She will try hard and never give up until she achieved what she wanted. That was her way of ninja.

Hinata turned toward Neji and made a stance. From that moment, Neji could see something was different. Hinata didn't seem like she was being chased or pressured. She looked like a free person who believed in herself and her ability. Neji smiled. He didn't know what kind of trick Rena pulled, but this was definitely going to be an interesting spar.

Hiashi couldn't believe his eyes. Seeing Rena sparring equally with Neji with eyes closed was one thing, but Hinata's dramatic improvement was certainly something. She was blocking every Neji's attack and even managed to attack him few times. He didn't know his daughter could be this….

"Are you surprised?" Hiashi turned his gaze to Rena. She was still watching the spar which was lasting very long now. "All Hinata needs is a confidence. Don't give her pressures. She might be late, but once she blooms, no one will be able to match her."

Hiashi didn't say anything. If someone else just said that, he would just ignore it. But Rena had strange power to make people believe in her. And Hinata's improvement was just so big to ignore. Hiashi turned to the sparring ground again to see his daughter. His new, changed daughter.

"Thank you, Rena."


"Oi, sensei." Kakashi lazily opened his eyes when he heard the familiar voice. He found his student, grinning in a mischievous way.

"Ah, lying in the bed like this just because I took some of your chakra… you must be getting old."

"You don't look too well yourself." Kakashi answered.

"Hehe, I have something that feels like hangover."

"Really? I assume you have had some alcohol before?"

"Ha, of cou…..?" Rena stopped, gazing at Kakashi teasingly. "Ah, I see you're trying to make me spill the beans. Oh well. Once, I drank the whole bottle of Sake without knowing. Horrible hangover afterward."

"How could you do that? I mean, you should know it immediately by taste." Kakashi scoffed.

"I was really thirsty!" Rena said defensively. "I thought it was water bottle, so I drank it without even thinking. When I realized what I drank, it was too late!"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." Kakashi groggily stood up. When he took few steps, he had an unusual sensation. Around his face. His lower part of face.

Kakashi quickly turned around, seeing Rena holding a small black fabric. "Looking for this?"

"You…!" Kakashi tried to grab his mask, but Rena was faster. Having been awake for longer than he had been, Rena was more agile than Kakashi.

"Rena. Give. It. Back. To. Me," said Kakashi, trying to be calm. No one has ever taken his mask. No one. She must have taken it when he was sleeping.

"What are you trying to run away from?" asked Rena, her deep amber eyes gazing his own.

"I'm not trying to…."

"Are you still ashamed of something that you didn't do?"

"I'm not…..!" Kakashi's mind flew to the past. How his father failed a mission to save his friends…. How villagers hated his father and him for it….. He could remember…. The contempt look he got wherever he went, a hostile treatment he always received, a dirty whispering that he could hear…… He started wearing mask to hide who he was. Of course, people still knew, but it made him feel better. To hide in the shadow. To get away from the hatred.

He thought he had forgotten about it, but he didn't. The scars that was made from the past still existed deep in his heart. Remembering how it had hurt, how lonely he had been, Kakashi couldn't help falling, knees on the ground. A tear rolled down his cheek without his realizing.

Rena let go of the mask and kneeled down in front of him. Her eyes too were in tears. Without saying anything, she hugged him tightly.

"You don't have to hide it anymore. You don't have to run away with your mask. If you're hurt, or having a hard time, you can just tell me. Don't ever try to keep it to yourself."

Kakashi just leaned his head against her shoulder. This feeling of someone by his side comforted him. Just like…..

A flash of image crossed his mind with a sharp pain. Kakashi held his head with his hand. 'What was that?' he thought. The images continued to his childhood. His sensei, his teammates… and….

"Ugh…." Kakashi couldn't help grunting when another pain shot through his head. When it was gone, he saw Rena looking at him with sad eyes.

"It's coming back… isn't it?"

"What?" asked Kakashi, not sure what he had heard. Rena just smiled sadly. She stood up and headed to the window.

"Sorry about this whole fuss. But I'm taking this. You won't need it anymore." With his mask, she was gone. Kakashi just smiled. He never thought he would get a lecture from fourteen-year-old girl. But… Oh well… Sometimes, students can be teachers too.

He thought of the images he saw. Why did they appear out of nowhere? And why did he feel like there was something missing? What was missing?

Shaking his head, he stood up to see a beautiful sky. It was a brand new day. It would be a brand new life for him now.