A thank you to those who showed interest in the story so far.

I hope you enjoy it.

"We are not the masks we wear.
But if we don them,
do we not become them?"

Itsuki Fuku cleared the shadows of the shack's interior, stepping lazily into the midday summer sun. "It's about time my escort arrived. That place isn't exactly suited to my tastes." He threw his arm over shoulder, thumb pointed at the safe house.

Sasuke ignored the remark and gave the sign for the rest of his team to move out of the woods and join him in the clearing.

"Where are your horses?" the young lord ran a hand through his chestnut locks. "I was told we were to start moving towards the harbor as soon as we rendezvous."

"Lord Fuku, we will keep up with you on foot." Kiba bowed slightly but returned to his alert stance when his loyal partner started barking at the Daimyo's son. "Easy, boy…"

"Would that be Akamaru?" Itsuki moved with absolute confidence towards the ninken, despite the barking.

"You… know Akamaru?" The question took him by surprise.

"I know all of you." he disregarded the wide-eyed expressions that he got "My father invested a lot of time and money into this project of his. Information is key to the success of any plan… information on both enemies and allies. Don't you agree, Inuzuka Kiba?" Akamaru's agitated state mellowed down when he felt his master's hand stroking the top of his head "I hear that your clan pairs each of their members at a young age with special bred hounds." Itsuki's attention moved from the ninken back to Kiba.

"Y-yes… Akamaru and I have been partners ever since I was a boy and he a pup. We grew up together. He is faster, stronger and smarter than any dog you would find outside of Konoha." Kiba's eyes gleamed with pride.

"So, it's true that the Inuzukas treat these beasts like family? Fascinating…" he stroked his chin, seemingly oblivious that Kiba found the term he chose insulting. "And what about the Aburame clan? Do you treat your insects like family?" He couldn't hold back a chuckle at the absurd idea as he faced Shino.

The shinobi's expression remained still as a statue, and to Itsuki's own annoyance, he inwardly admitted that he found the man hard to read. He opened his mouth ready to make another attempt at getting a reaction, but his eyes met the white-amethyst ones of Hinata and his interest in Shino immediately drained away.

"Hyuga Hina-ta…" the words came out whispered, his previous tone having disappeared completely "I was pleasantly surprised to find that you would be assigned to my escort. "

"Lord Fuku." She bowed her head and offered him a genuine smile.

"You have not changed a bit." During Eito's inauguration ceremony as the Daimyo, Hiashi had been summoned to the capital as the head of the Hyuga family, along with the leaders of the three remaining noble clans of Konoha. Being the next in line to her father's title, custom dictated that Hinata accompanied him to the event. Itsuki had shown interest in spending time with her immediately after they were introduced, offering to show her the technological wonders that his own father had incorporated into the city. "You look just as beautiful in shinobi gear as you did in ceremonial clothes."

The remark took Hinata by surprise and she felt blood rush to her face, tinting her porcelain skin in a rosy hue. "Thank yo-"

"Is there a purpose to this delay?" Sasuke cut into the conversation.

For just a moment, Hinata caught Itsuki's irate expression, but by the time she could say anything he forced a smile and turned to face the one who had addressed him.

"Ah, the legendary shinobi himself…" Despite the smile, there was vitriol in his words - a fact that did not escape Sasuke. "… savior of the world, guardian of the Fire Nation…spectre of the Uchiha clan. My father keeps a high degree of interest in your missions." Itsuki stopped a few feet in front of his target, giving himself time to analyze the man. "Did you know that he leaks the results of your exploits to the lower ranked politicians in his service? They, in turn, spread this news amongst the nobles. All of this serves to keep the cream of the capital content on the knowledge that such a powerful agent is working to eliminate our great nation's enemies." He let out a long sigh. "Unfortunately, this also means that I cannot attend a single event back home without hearing your mention. Uzumaki Naruto might be the name on the lips of the commonfolk… but in the upper echelons of the capital, you certainly are the most heated topic of discussion. Honestly, at this point I find it impossible to separate truth from myth when it comes to the stories I hear." He propped a hand on his hip. "You know… this would actually be a great opportunity to show me your power, in order to sate my curiosity. Think of it as a favor for the Daimyo's son."

A few seconds of silence passed in which neither men broke their stare.

"Shino…" Sasuke was the first to speak "…gather what provisions you can find inside the safe house. I will prepare the young lord's horse for travel." He moved past Itsuki who was by now fuming at the fact of having been ignored. "We leave as soon as the supplies are ready."

[…]

The raw salty air of the Chigiri Sea filled Hinata's senses. The harbor yet laid outside her Byakugan's range but there was no mistaking it – their destination was near. The first part of their route was scheduled to be completed several hours later, but Itsuki pushed his horse into a frenzied gallop for the better part of the day. When he insisted on continuing to ride despite the setting sun, Sasuke had ordered Hinata to take the lead, given that her dojutsu was the team's most effective tool at scouting through the darkness of the night. With the harbor up ahead, she slowed down her pace until the sound of horseshoes hitting dirt repeatedly reached her ears. The Uchiha appeared to her side and fell into her rhythm.

"If we continue at this pace, we should reach the harbor in less than an hour." She reported dutifully.

"Understood." Sasuke tilted his head upwards, checking the pale moonlight that made its way through the treetops. "I'll move on ahead and secure lodgings for the night. Head for the inn most near to the water once you reach the town. Until then, maintain your formation." Without waiting for confirmation, he allowed himself to fall on a thick branch then used it to launch forward at considerably higher speed, disappearing into the darkness. Hinata was tempted to track him with her Byakugan, but the strain of having kept it active for the past couple of hours was beginning to take its toll.

[…]

Just as she had calculated, an hour later the group passed the bridge that separated the large settlement from the wilderness. As with most port towns, this one had started with a handful of houses being built when some of the traders decided that it was not worth the risk of traveling all the way to the capital to sell their goods. Over time more than just merchants came to settle in the area, adding buildings that housed budding businesses and providing all the services a weary traveler could ask for. Despite the late hour, activity on the streets did not die down completely and she kept a wary eye on anybody that crossed their path, ready to react at the first sign of suspicious activity.

"So, where'd the Uchiha go?" Kiba came closer, making sure his tone was kept low.

"He instructed us to meet him at the inn closest to shoreline."

"You've got to be kidding me..." Noticing Hinata's confused look he continued "A couple of months ago my mother accepted a low rank mission to guard a merchant and his wares on route from one of the inland villages to this harbor. Her ninken, Kuromaru, fell ill and I was asked to take up the mission in her stead. The VIP's ship turned into harbor a few days late and, unfortunately, the guy turned out to be a cheapskate cause he got us rooms in that dump while we waited." The Inuzuka's finger pointed at the Daimyo's son "But don't worry - I'm sure his highness over there will love the accommodations…" A defeated sigh escaped his lips. "Well, follow me, then."

In contrast to the first time Hinata felt the fresh sea breeze on their approach to the harbor, the air here reeked of fish and sewage. She turned to glimpse at Itsuki. Shino kept a firm grip on his horse's bridle, steadily guiding it and its rider after them.

[…]

"Hey, miss… You wanna buy a lucky charm?" The skinny man who sat down to the side of the inn's entrance jumped up at the prospect of a little profit coming his way. "Nobody should set out to sea without a lucky charm. Keeps storms at bay and sea monsters away! Guaranteed to work!" Hinata took a reflexive step back when he plunged his hand into his coat, but instead of the weapon she expected to see he pulled out a tiny seashell tied to a flimsy string, dangling it franticly.

"You reek of alcohol, old man." Kiba intervened, waving his hand dismissively "Step aside. Nobody is interested in your trinkets." The drunk puffed up his chest, ready to talk back, but noticed Akamaru and his courage quickly evaporated. He took another look at Hinata then pocketed the charm and retreated into one of the alleys, mumbling incoherently.

"You cannot be serious." Itsuki made no effort to conceal his irritation. "He seriously expects me to spend the night here?!"

"Lord Fuku… I believe Uchiha Sasuke chose this establishment in order to avoid attention." Shino finished tying the horse's reins to the poll in front of the inn. The exhausted animal wasted no time and plunged its muzzle into the nearby water trough, drinking greedily.

"An attempt that will turn out useless if you insist on making a scene in the street." Sasuke appeared in the doorway of the building, his voice low, but chastising nonetheless. "Move inside. I've already paid for our rooms."

Itsuki felt his blood boiling and immediately thought to disregard the request, yet as the three shinobi by his side followed Sasuke indoors, the oppressive darkness of the night weighed on him. He was no stranger to wielding the katana tied to his waist, but it would be an undignified end to become the victim of some alley rats who thought him an easy target.

In the dim light provided by the few electric lamps hanging from the ceiling, the interior of the inn looked even worse than the outside. Plaster was coming off the cream-colored walls in many places and he spotted a patch of greenish mold clinging to one of the salon's corners. To his left, Itsuki noticed a grizzled overweight man sitting behind a counter, dozing off on his chair, drool sipping from his mouth into his unkept beard. The tables on the ground floor were empty of any customers, though the stinging scent of low grade tabaco drenching the air made him believe the usual patrons had left only recently. Climbing the flight of stairs leading to the first floor, he once again came face to face with the Uchiha.

"This will be your room." Sasuke turned the knob and the door opened with a creak.

Against what everybody expected, Itsuki complied without any further protests. The simple truth was that after a full day of riding, exhaustion had caught up with him and despite the lackluster conditions he was sure to find beyond that door, the idea of a bed – any bed – seemed more appealing than indulging his pride further. He didn't, however, miss the opportunity to slam the door in the Uchiha's face.

"My kikaichu will alert us if they feel any chakra near his room." Shino released a small swarm from his sleeve, which got thinner and thinner as the individuals comprising it spread across the length of the hallway. "It will be safe to rest."

[…]

Hinata lay awake in her room, unable to sleep. Her eyes stopped feeling irritated even before they reached the inn and a single day's traveling was not enough to overexert a jounin. With a sigh she finally gave up on the idea and propped herself up. Getting some fresh air sounded good, so she moved past the sliding door that led to the small balcony of her room.

"Sasuke…?" A quick look around determined that the structure of the balcony stretched the entire side of the building, having exits from each room on that floor. Her team leader was leaning on the rail, looking out to sea.

"Having trouble sleeping?" he moved to face her, righting his posture.

"Yes… I guess today was-" she choked on her words when she noticed his left eye. The image of Pain flashed in her mind, starring at her with those same eyes, as she laid, broken on the ground. "Ri-nne-gan…"

Sasuke's features tightened into a frown and he immediately tugged at his fringe, making sure it fell back in place to cover the eye.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…" Guilt washed over Hinata when she saw him react in such a way to her blunder. She instinctively moved a few steps closer, raising a hand to provide comfort but stopped in her tracks when he turned to face the sea again. "I've seen it before… when Pain attacked Konoha, many years ago. Naruto was there, fighting him, and I wanted to help…" She moved a hand to grip the cloth right below her collar bone then shook her head, as if to get rid of the memory. "Seeing it now just took me back to that moment for a second. I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing. You haven't done anything to me."

Her shoulders slumped in defeat. The long silence that followed turned out to be uncomfortable for both.

…I'm not surprised. It's not like you even try to get along with people.

Naruto's chastising words from one of their past conversations echoed in his head. Such moments, when his surrogate brother saw fit to give him life advice were annoying Sasuke to a fault – especially because he was right. Then again, with few exceptions, most of the people he interacted with ended up dealing with the business end of his sword. He hardly needed developed social skills for his line of work. Still, right now he was leading a team of Konoha shinobi. Shinobi from the village he should consider home. More so, the Hyuga girl had been part of his class during their academy days. Yes. He could be social if he wanted, surely. Nothing hard about having a dialogue, right? He took in a breath of air.

"This… town is… nice."

A stray cat – more covered in scabs than fur - rushed into a pile of trash beneath their balcony, screeching loud enough to wake the dead. A second later, a rat, almost as big as it, jumped out and tried to slink away to the nearest shadows, with the feline quick on its heels. Hinata watched the scene unfold with wide eyes while Sasuke felt the metal rail of the balcony bend beneath his grip, at the timing of the act.

"It… has its charms." She giggled… and for some unfathomable reason, he found the sound pleasant.

This time when she turned to face him, a smile curved her lips. He liked that too.

"You must have visited a lot of cities in your travels."

"Mm." He nodded, not really expecting her to continue the conversation. "Not just cities. There are places in this world that make one question if they are dreaming when they first see them."

"Really?" her eyes lit up with curiosity "Please, tell me."

"Well…" he gave himself a moment to think "…in the Land of Flowers, farmers tend to fields of grain and blossoms that stretch as far as the eye can see."

"That must be beautiful." Hinata tried to imagine the myriad of colors that would form such a picture.

"By contrast, the Land of Swamps is very dangerous to traverse due to its dense, untamed jungles. Many have fallen prey to the large reptiles that hide in shallow ponds and muddy rivers running all throughout the nation. And if you stray off the beaten path you can run into prowling felines as big as the Inuzuka's pet, venomous insects that can kill a man with a few stings or predatory birds that dive down from the tree tops to attack you in flocks for coming too close to their nesting grounds."

"Oh…"

"I have seen towers made of iron that stretch all the way into the clouds, in a place where it never stops raining. A massive underground maze filled with deadly traps and said to be inescapable, in the Land of That. The samurai fortresses governing the snowy peaks of the Land of Iron."

Hinata listened attentively as he weaved the tales of his journey. Taking a moment to appreciate the uncharacteristic openness with which he shared the information, she wondered if he ever had anybody to talk to about these places, given his solitary history.

"And, of course, there is the bone graveyard far to the north of Otogakure. The remains of colossal monsters that must have died centuries ago cover the land. One could build an entire castle in the skull of such a creature."

"Now you're just making up stories." Her hand moved to cover her mouth as she chuckled at the absurdity of such a place.

Sasuke frowned, unsure how to react to the accusation. "I speak truthfully."

She noticed the change in his features and quickly worked on suppressing her reaction, not intending to offend. "Maybe one day I will also be able to visit these places."

Her words brought into the forefront of his thoughts the foreign idea of a traveling companion. Jugo had joined him in the past for short periods, but that had only been the case on the odd local mission needing his expertise. Perhaps he had been alone for too long. Suigetsu and Karin came to mind next. Team Taka had been an effective unit, despite its individual member's shortcomings.

The fog horn of a departing vessel brought him back to the moment and his attention focused once more on Hinata. She rested her elbows on the rail, most likely still hung up on the places he described. The breeze tugged gently at strands of her hair and his eyes followed the motion to her shoulders, then lower, to the swell of her hips. Her lilac blouse lacked sleeves and was secured by a dark leather obi tied firmly at the waist, leaving the glossy skin of her shoulders exposed while highlighting her curvaceous figure.

What do you intend to do about your clan's revival?

His best friend's question came back, and for a moment, thoughts of a more primal nature took root in his mind. He immediately moved his gaze away and pushed against them.

"Damn that Naruto!"

That is all for this chapter. Opinions and criticism are welcome.

Take care.