I rearranged some chapters; This one was originally from Neji's point of view, but I think it worked better from the living-world perspective. Enjoy!

Kunoichi
XVIII. Genesis

Months have passed.

Now that her mission is to protect Kakashi specifically, she is more careful with her own life.

While she will willingly lay down her life for both her Hokage and her village, she has to be less cavalier, now.

She still volunteers for missions that could harm her friends.

But where before she was committed to solely the success of the mission no matter the personal cost, now she is more determined to succeed and return, for she has work to finish.

It still isn't love – not like what she had with Neji.

It will never be like it was with Neji.

But there is something in her opening up; something reviving.

And even as the green of the tattoo continues to vine across her skin, she is turning toward the sun.

Kakashi, too, is changing.

It is subtle, but there is something more at peace in the landscapes of his soul.

They take solace in one another.

They are healing.

When she arrives back from her latest visit to Orochimaru, Lee meets her at the gate.

He has no idea where she has been – and urges her to join he and Gai for a meal.

She agrees, provided she can first turn in her report and go home to change.

She managed to have a side mission this time, so she does indeed have a report to turn in.

But it is now protocol for her to report to the Hokage whenever she leaves or returns to the village.

He had long ago divined where she was going.

He sorely misses the use of his Sharingan – it would have made him feel better if he could use that enhanced sight to inspect the tattoo.

So he does the next best thing.

He contacts Sasuke, both as one who knows Orochimaru well, and as the only true Sharingan user left.

When both Sasuke and Hinata arrive at meeting, he does little more than quirk an eyebrow.

Still respecting the privacy thus far afforded to her by Orochimaru as well as he and Hinata's mutual decision, they both assure Kakashi that Orochimaru is monitoring the kunoichi and has a vested interest in keeping her alive and well.

Of course, they are also monitoring her.
And Sakura always makes a point to conduct her medical examinations personally, and if she isn't present, Ino is.
And Sai reports on anything if they are assigned on joint missions.
As does Kiba.
And Shino.
And Naruto.
And Choji.
And Shikamaru.
And Temari and Karui both make a point so see her when they can.
Even Yoshino and Tsume have been known to stick a motherly nose (in Tsume's case, literally) into Tenten's affairs.

Both Sasuke and Hinata agree to report directly to Kakashi should anything of note arise.

Sasuke leaves to check in with Sakura – she and Sarada were sleeping when he left, but he can't bring himself to stay away for very long.

Hinata stays a moment longer at Kakashi's bidding.

"Do you think we should mention this to Naruto?" he asks.

She is surprised that he is consulting her, but she considers the question.

"Naruto has a strange way of knowing things," she says slowly. "I do not think we need to tell him. Not yet."

Kakashi nods agreement.

"And Tenten…?" Hinata asks. "Is she adjusting well to her new post?"

"I believe so," Kakashi rubs his chin.

"She seems…" Hinata pauses, deciding how best to phrase her thoughts.

Her eyes drift somewhere behind Kakashi as she thinks, and Kakashi wonders how far away those eyes can see. Across miles? Years?

"She seems to have taken to a more defined assignment better than I would have thought," she says. "That makes me glad."

She gives a small smile and excuses herself with a bow, but stops after a few paces.

"If…If I may be so bold…as to make a request?"

Kakashi raises his eyebrows at her. She is not stammering. She is choosing her words carefully.

"Please do," he says, and it is said sincerely.

"Had Neji lived," she begins, "she would have become my sister. She would have fallen under the protection of my clan. My father and I tried to extend this to her after the war… but I see now that isn't what she needed, because it didn't replace what she lost."

"Oh?"

Hinata shakes her head.

"She and Neji were teammates even before they became friends. The one constant in her life was that she always had his back, and he hers. She guarded his blindspot, you see."

Kakashi meets her gaze, and while it is respectful, it is not timid or wavering.

"That, more than just my cousin and her heart, was taken from her. She will guard you with her life," she says, quiet voice full of something heavy. "As one who still considers her as family, all I can ask, is that you have her back."

"I will," Kakashi promises.

"Then, you will need this," she pulls a small scroll out and hands it to him. "It is a privacy seal that Neji wrote. It can keep the Byakugan from penetrating. She uses something similar, but…" the tops of Hinata's ears pink, "but I believe she transcribed it incorrectly. She must've omitted Neji's name from the seal. That would disrupt the order of things, allowing the person following his name to see beyond it."

Kakashi holds her gaze a little longer, his face growing warm under his mask.

"Luckily," Hinata clears her throat. "I am the only name that adjoined his. This should correct the error."

Kakashi takes the scroll, now fully understanding.

"In a clan where everyone can see everything," Hinata says, a note of something different in her voice, "we value privacy highly. I would not want yours to be intruded upon, however accidentally."

He manages not to cringe.

Just.

"Thank you," he mumbles. "I'll see to it that she gets this."

She considers Kakashi a moment.

"I can't tell you how I know," she says, and her voice is steadfast in its truth, "but I know that Neji watches out for her. And I know…" she gathers courage on her tongue to say what needs to be said. "I know that he would thank you. For everything."

A flash of understanding passes between them, and she bows politely.

And Kakashi is certain that the subject will never come up again; Hinata has said all she will ever say on the matter.

"She'll make a good wife to the Hokage," he muses aloud. "She will see much, say little, and stay by his side every step of the way."

That night he can't help but chuckle when Tenten tells him of her dinner with Gai and Lee. Their conversation is easy even as she checks the traps and resets her seals (he tells her only that the original was compromised, not why or how or anything else) and he (at her urging) ensures his own weapons are sharpened.

They are still both broken and battle hardened and weary.

And neither replaces the gaps of loss in the other.

But they have come together in a strange sort of unpredictable fit, that neither is willing to question.

Nothing they have replaces what they had.

It is something new.

It is a beginning.

And it is good.

Not much left for this story, friends. I am so glad you have come along on this experiment with me!

- Giada