Chapter TwentyFive

Suspicion

It had been a day since team seven arrived and delivered Tazuna to his home, a day since the encounter with Zabuza. There was something amiss about the rendition from

Sasuke and Naruto of that day, that ninja that showed up and took Zabuza's body. A hunter ninja, was something to think about. The senbons, those could be deadly, but tracker had to use deadlier means to defeat someone such as Zabuza. Hinata would speak to Kakashi and see his side of the story, her tongue has gotten better so speaking wouldn't be much of a problem, she just had to keep it to a minimum. Finally rested she stood up, and made her makeshift bed. With one last glance at the room the Hyuga made her way out and was greeted by the smell of breakfast, "You're awake, please join us."

"Thank you." Hinata sat down and served herself some food, her eyes then caught a small child with a blue hat and black hair peeking out the sides, he was probably around eight or so years of age. "Excuse me, have you seen my friends and Sensei?" Tazuna's daughter told her that they were training, Hinata finished her food and gave her thanks before heading to the nearest Forest.

The forest was different than back home, the trees stood tall, their branches surpassing the clouds above. The grass was greener and healthier, it made her feel out of place for a bit. "Ha! I've caught up to you!"

"Shut it." Up ahead the Hyuga spotted her two friends on the ground their breaths labored and sweat running down their face. Her Sensei was laying under a tree with an orange book and crutches laying beside him. Naruto stood up his hand going up and forming a hand sign, with a kunai in his hand he sped towards a tree and ran up its trunk. Several steps up he suddenly paused and marked a line on the tree with the weapon and fell back down. "Oi! Hinata." Sasuke turned around and gave her a nod, Kakashi glanced up from his page and proceeded to stand up. Hinata hurriedly made her way to her teacher, stopping him from getting up and injuring himself further. "Thank you."

"Hm?'

"F-For carrying me, and treating my wounds."

"Something I would do for anyone, you're part of the team. Now, are you up for the training exercises?" The Hyuga gave one look to her friends and nodded yes, Kakashi then explained the exercise and its purpose. "Sensei, about that, I wanted to speak to you about the tracker ninja. "

"He wasn't one, Zabuza is probably alive."

"You knew?"

"Yes, I figured it while you were resting, Naruto and Sasuke already know. For that reason I need you guys to learn chakra control. Now go over there and join them." Without further ado, Hinata did just that. She focused her chakra at the soles of her feet, and made careful steps up the tree. It wasn't hard per say, rather easy, she basically was above a genin, close to Kakashi's level...almost. So, she walked all the at to the very top, only stopping to sit on a branch and look at two sets of eyes staring at her with surprise. "Hi." She waved, there seemed to pass something between both her boys, at the same time they ran at the tree. For the past two hours, the boys kept at it, never quitting, Hinata wanted to help them but she would let them come to her for advice.

The Hyuga now sat underneath another tree contemplating many things, she was right in suspecting the tracker ninja, Zabuza would be alive and they had to be ready for any attacks. "Hinata, come over here I have a special mission for you." She walked over to Kakashi and looked down, awaiting his instructions. "Naruto and Sasuke will be here all day and probably tomorrow. Your mission is to protect Tazuna, and follow him anywhere he goes."

"Yes, Kakashi Sensei." The Hyuga left and made her way back to their temporary home but not before Naruto called out to her.

Kakashi watched Hinata's retreating back, not one moment did his eye leave her person, his book forgotten in his hand. There was seriously something off about his student, it wasn't like the feeling he got when he knew something was wrong with the tracker and the way he disposed of Zabuza, it was different. Something odd and mysterious, what she said a while back was still stuck in his mind. What was he supposed to feel and think about her words. He wanted to rule it out as blood loss and the pain she was suffering, then again when she was being treated there were no visible signs she was hurt. Nothing, only thing was her tongue and that was about it. So why was she in pain? Kakashi decided once he recuperated they would head home and he would speak to the Hokage about it. It could've have been since his chakra was low he was hearing things. Keeping an eye on her would the best option.

The Uzumaki had not made it home, and it was troubling Hinata, there could be many people; thieves, dangerous creatures.

"Don't worry Hinata, he can take care of himself."Kakashi said. Hinata gave him a small smile but she was still worried, the food on her plate was untouched, not tryin to be rude guest she ate the food. It was dull and tasteless. Still thinking of Naruto, Hinata looked around the dining room trying to distract her thoughts. Her eyes caught sight of a picture, it was Tazuna his daughter and her son, but there was another person. Whoever it was they had been torn out of the picture, the Hyuga cocked her head to the side in confusion. It must have been someone important since she noticed Tazuna tense, she decided not to say anything, no need to bring back old memories. Tazuna abruptly stood up and gathered his gear , Hinata did the same not before stopped by the Uchiha. "Hey, Naruto asked you for some advice...could you...uh…"

Hinata let out a small giggle, Sasuke looked away embarrassed. "Sure , I'll give you some pointers." For about five minutes the Hyuga explained the methods and ways to make the training simpler, she soon followed Tazuna out.

It was a warm summer day, the sun beating down on the townspeople, waves crashing and no laughter whatsoever, strange. In a town surrounded by water Hinata just thought that families would be out and about, especially around the beaches. About a ten minute walk Tazuna and Hinata arrived at the bridge where a few people stood around waiting for their leader. Hinata sat close to where she could keep tabs on Tazuna but also far away where she wouldn't cause problems. Her mind drifted back to a certain blond hair and blue eyed teammate, he was probably still trying to conquer the tree exercise but that didn't mean he could stay in the forest all night. Hinata paused surprised at her thoughts, when she was in team eight she kept her emotions in check, well aware of the people who surrounded her. The hyuga wasn't able to express how much she cared about her teammates, torn and broken so much she was afraid of the rejection of her friends. Now, accepted by the clan and everyone else she was able to be the person she was ought to be since the beginning- it all felt so strange. A heated discussion reared Hinata back to the present, Tazuna and another male were arguing, the man wanted to keep things to a whisper but Tazuna was having none of it. Not able to hear, she just read her clients face, and by the look of it he wasn't pleased, the other man just stood with his head hung low. Several workers then left without a backwards glance, Tazuna ignored them and continued working with the few men he had. The men never returned after their lunch break was over. On the way back, Hinata noticed how poor and damaged the residents were, they weren't living, they were surviving.

Sasuke felt utterly hopeless, he felt like the stupidest guy on the face of the earth. He kept his face hidden by the shadows provided by the trees, he had stammered while he spoke to Hinata. What a fool he was, he needed to think straight if he needed to find Naruto. He really wasn't sure where he was going, Naruto would probably be at the same place they had been practicing. Heading to that direction his mind went back to a certain white eyed girl, and again he felt stupid, he needed to stop thinking about her. He never thought of a girl in that way, why now? He mentally asked himself. The Uchiha let out a huff but stopped and looked up, a man-woman? was walking straight at him but on the other side of the path. Long loose black hair, onyx eyes and something very familiar about them. Sasuke couldn't place it since his attention went to his best friend, Naruto, who sat up as he saw him. "Hinata was worried." Said Sasuke as he balled his hand and whacked Naruto in the head.

"Ow! Hey!- She was worried...man, now I have to apologize." Naruto sulked, reaching for his weapon Naruto stood up and walked over to the practice tree, "Still going? Tch."

"Yes, I know you want to continue to." Naruto was right, as he said that Sasuke took out his own kunai and followed his friend. The teens rushed to the tree, they spent hours and hours trying to get the right chakra.

The silver haired jounin kept his eye on his student, he wanted to see if he could figure her out. He already knew her- but there was still something off since the day he took he to Tazuna's home. The memory always coming forth every time he noticed her get pale in the face and leave quickly. She was probably sick? Needed specific medicine, it could be why her fingertips were covered in purple liquid that one time. Kakashi shook his head and continued eating, waiting for Sasuke and Naruto to come back from their training. Not disappointed, the door burst open revealing the two boy, they were drenched in sweat and physically and mentally worn out. The Uzumaki was held upright by Sasuke, he looked up and lazily said, "We...made it to the top of the tree! And Hinata, sorry for worrying you." Right there, the blond boy's body slumped taking Sasuke with him. "Ugh, help?" Hinata quickly got up, upon seeing her friends she let out a small sob and smiled, happy to see her friends safe and sound.

Naruto awoke with a start, his heart racing and thoughts on haywire. rays of sunshine blinded him momentarily, then something dawned on him. They left me! Hurriedly he dressed and left towards the bridge, where his teacher and friends were met with a troublesome scene.

The Hyuuga and the Uchiha took their positions around Tazuna, right after mist surrounded them. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Kakashi. Still carrying those kids." Zabuza soon appeared followed by three more water clones, Sasuke took his kunai and slashed every single clone without batting an eye. Hinata was mildly impressed, she had already been graced to see and fight sasuke once upon a time. He had so much talent and power ahead of him, his simple moves could not compare. Mind back to the battle ahead of them, Hinata looked at all the options, which were zeroed to not much. Battling it out would have to be the way to go, there was no time to think of anything else.

Would she dare try to do some type of jutsu? would she stop things from going further? Hinata could do it, she could end it right there and then, but would she dare expose herself like that? It would only arise Kakashi's suspicion, his eye was trained on her from the very start, since she was assigned in team seven, it was the same with the Hokage. Her training as ninja was not limited even if she had went back in time, she used her skills to know things and how to approach certain things. Now, she was not sure what to do at that moment. A crackling icy noise made Hinata look up from her position, up ahead Sasuke was encased in what looked like crystallized mirrors and Haku reflection was in every one of them. Kakashi was toe to toe with Zabuza. No! Think Hinata, think.

Author's Note; Hello, lovely readers! hope you enjoyed this chapter, I really enjoyed writing this one. Seems to me there might be something happening between a certain Uchiha and Hyuga...hmm...Anyways, I can't wait to get to the chunin exams, got many things planned. Until the next .