Chapter Five: The Watchful Guardian

The dream passed in a blur. Ino was shown all kinds of wonderful things. She was brought to feasts attended by strange people of all shapes and sizes. The food was so good as to be better than anything she'd ever tasted. And Naruto was always leading her around, trying to show her another wonder.

Ino was enjoying the dream, despite herself. But Hinata was always watching, always kind and timid. Yet everyone seemed just a little wary of her and the way she clung to Ino as though she were a dog was… disturbing. Several times Ino tried to stop, to take a break, but Hinata sort of spoke to her in soft tones and Ino listened.

There was no arguing with either of them.

At first, it was nice, being like a Princess. But gradually, Ino began to notice something. No one spoke directly to her, only to Hinata and Naruto. And when she tried to listen in on conversations, she found the words seem to blur, as if she couldn't understand them. Naruto would explain what they were talking about. It was never as interesting as she imagined it would be.

Eventually, Ino learned to stop asking and just take in the experience. Then it became more enjoyable. Then, suddenly, amidst a feast, there was a sound of a bell. Looking up, Ino saw a great clock in the sky. Naruto leaned back. "And… 12:01. It's been a full day."

"What?" said Ino. "But… it's only seemed like a few hours."

"Time passes differently here, Ino," said Hinata, putting a hand to her face. "And things are so different to you, they must seem like they are passing in a blur. Aren't they?"

Ino shrugged her off. "Y-yes."

"Good," said Hinata. "Now, we have a show to catch."

"Show?" asked Ino.

"The first step of Sakura's journey is about to begin," said Naruto. "Come on, ladies, let's head for the room of watching."

Ino had learned to just run with it. So she shrugged and followed behind Hinata and Naruto, up to a set of winding steps leading up a tower. As she did, she began to realize that even if she decided not to follow them, she would. No, that was absurd. She tried to will her legs to halt, but they kept on moving. Hinata looked to her with a knowing smile.

"How are we going to watch it?" asked Ino, trying to turn around. "Do you have a television or something?"

"Please, Sony wishes it had my level of definition." said Naruto. This wasn't right, this was Ino's dream. But she'd just sort of been a hanger-on. Like one of those girls who followed behind Ino and agreed with everything she said.

"No," said Ino suddenly. "No, I don't… I don't think I want to watch it." Why was it so hard to say that.

"Oh come on, Ino, don't be a spoilsport," said Naruto. "This is a one in a million show, and we've got to catch it."

"Well then why don't you go on ahead and watch it without me!" snapped Ino, having to put all she was into being angry. "I'll just head back to my room!"

"Do you know where your room is?" asked Hinata.

Ino looked back and opened her mouth. She realized she could remember nothing of the way to where she had woken up. In fact, she couldn't remember anything about the passages were.

"Yeah, Ino," said Naruto. "This place isn't really easy to navigate. You really should stick with us." And there was a command in there. Instantly Ino realized that was the last word. She had no idea how to understand anything in this place, without Naruto or Hinata she'd be helpless. If they abandoned her, she'd be lost. There was nothing she could do to force them to do anything, and nothing she could do to resist them.

"I… I want to wake up now," said Ino, kicking herself. "Let me wake up."

But nothing happened. Then she realized she was walking behind Naruto and Hinata up the stairs into a great circular room. There were two thrones at the far end, in front of a huge round crystal. And next to one of them was a pillow, the sort slave girls lounged on in movies.

"Still, we'll have to shift your outfit a bit here," said Hinata, turning to her. Then she raised a hand, and a chain shot from her fingers to strike Ino's neck. A collar was formed around it, and even as it did, her white dress began to change. The skirt became less elaborate, splitting at the thighs and shrinking. The shoulders of her dress shifted from silk to leather, baring her shoulders. It was also displaying massive amounts of cleavage.

"What… what's the big idea?" asked Ino, trying to sound confident and control her blush.

"Your perception of this world is shifting as is your willing of your place in it," said Hinata. "You began viewing yourself as a Princess in fantasy land. Now you've begun to realize you aren't a Princess at all."

"I never thought of myself as a Princess," said Ino, trying to back away. But the door was gone.

"Really?" asked Hinata, now inches away, her blank eyes staring into Ino. Ino felt like Hinata was reaching into her mind and rearranging her identity like furniture.

"N…no," said Ino.

"Oh, but you did," said Hinata. "You can't hide your nature from me, Ino. I can see into your very soul. Every little girl likes to pretend they're a Princess. They hope a handsome Prince will take away all their problems. That they'll be carried in strong arms and not have to worry about money or anything like that.

"But unlike most, you almost got to live the dream. You had a retinue of friends who did whatever you said. You were the most popular girl in school. And Sasuke was your ideal Prince.

"But then something went wrong, didn't it, Ino? Sakura went wrong."

How was she… no… she didn't know anything! So why was Ino looking away? "No, no, I wasn't… I know I was sometimes mean, but I didn't bully people at all."

Hinata grabbed her by the face and forced Ino to stare into her eyes. "Didn't you?"

And in Hinata's eyes, Ino saw herself meeting Sakura and Naruto in the street. "Hey, Billboard Brow. I see you're hanging out with your boyfriend again."

"Shut up, Ino-pig! He's not my boyfriend!" said Sakura.

"Oh, such a shame," said Ino. "You two really suited each other."

Naruto inclined his head as Sakura fumed.

Ino backed up against the wall. Anger surged through her. Anger at herself, anger at everything. "I… Sakura ditched me! We were best friends, and I know I was a bit controlling, but she broke off our friendship with a guy!"

"The guy you based all your hopes and dreams on?" asked Hinata.

"I…" said Ino.

"It doesn't work that way," said Hinata, now pinning her against the wall. "You can't make your reason for living to find a husband and then object when Sakura breaks with you over it.

"And I wasn't talking about Sakura anyway."

"What, but-" said Ino, before her eyes fixed on Naruto.

"I was talking about Naruto," said Hinata.

"I… He's a god!" cried Ino.

"Did you know that?" asked Hinata. "If you had known what he was, would you have acted differently?"

She would have. Ino would never have put him down by association the way she had. He'd been a tool, a means to hurt Sakura. "But…"

"You dismiss him as a loser," said Hinata. "Someone to use to taunt Sakura with after you isolated her from having any other friends."

"I didn't isolate her, she could have made other friends," said Ino, voice weak as she collapsed to her knees.

"Could she?" asked Hinata. "You were the most popular girl in school, and you were publically mocking her. And she was already bookish and eccentric.

"And you used Naruto as a tool to hurt Sakura, hurting him as well."

What could Ino say? She hadn't realized any of it. "I… I'm sorry! I'm sorry I didn't think I was doing anything wrong! It was insensitive and… and… why can't I wake up! Why won't this dream end?"

"Are you sure this is the dream, Ino?" asked Hinata. "It seems to me you've been living in one your life. A mystical place where the world revolved around you. Where you're perfect, and any cruelties you commit are just jokes. Where those who dislike you are in defiance of the natural world.

"A place where your every want and desire is catered to. Where you are destined to end with you being taken into a castle to live with a handsome Prince." Then Hinata grabbed her by the ponytail and pulled her up painlessly to thrust her in front of Naruto. "Isn't it wonderful getting what you want?"

This wasn't a dream. Which meant Ino wouldn't wake up. She'd never go home, never see her parents again. Never talk with any of her friends. So she did the only thing she could and bowed her head. "…I'm a horrible person, okay. I see that. Please, please just let me go home. Why do you even want someone like me?"

"Because you aren't a horrible person," said Hinata, hugging her warmly. Suddenly Ino was lying with her head in Hinata's lap on the throne. "You're innocent, not truly understanding why what you are doing is wrong. I like you, Ino, even if you did mock Naruto you're not all bad.

"I want to tame you. Mold you into what I want you to be.

"You want to know a secret. We'd never have been able to disappear you if what we did didn't align with your wishes in some form?

"You followed us home, and we're going to keep you."

That sweet voice, so kind, so understanding was the most terrifying thing Ino had ever heard. She hardly even reacted as she found herself lounging on the pillow.

"Hinata, the shows starting," said Naruto.

"Oh, um, I'm sorry Naruto," said Hinata. "I didn't mean to hold things up. We'll watch it with you."

The great crystal ball flared to life. It was like Ino was actually there in the forest. Sakura was walking, led by a hooded and cloaked man. Naruto cheered. "Well, it looks like Sakura made it through the Worldly Marsh and past Sasori. I knew she'd do it."

"I didn't… well I wasn't expecting her to make it to Sasori," said Hinata, sounding disappointed.

"Told you she was stronger than she looked," said Naruto. "From the looks of things he's helping her. This ought to be good."

"Isn't that bad for you?" asked Ino.

"Well it gets her one step closer," said Naruto. "But Sasori never helps anyone without screwing them over later. There's always a catch in all his bargains. So this ought to be good."

Sakura had the feeling she'd been screwed over.

It was a nine-tailed fox, and it was about three or two miles away across a fast-flowing river. It was also huge. Gigantic, taller than the tallest trees, towering over the landscape. And yet it was lying down, curled down and sleeping around a single tree with a birdcage on top. One of its teeth could probably cut Sakura in half. It breathed fire with every snore, and its claws were… well… intimidating.

"…That's the nine-tailed fox?" said Sakura.

"Yes," said Sasori.

"But I… you said it was far more dangerous than it looked," said Sakura.

"It is," said Sasori.

"It's like a bajillion miles tall!" said Sakura.

"That does seem to be the case," said Sasori. "As I said, it is far more dangerous. You have the flute. Good luck." And he turned around to walk off.

Sakura turned around, and he was gone. "Um, okay."

With nothing else to do, Sakura made her way toward the river. Maybe if she could sneak past the fox, she could climb up the tree to the birdcage. But it's nostrils were right next to the only place where its body didn't cover it. She'd either have to dodge flames or climb up over it.

"What are you doing here, Sakura?" she asked herself as she turned a corner. "You had a perfect out, but no, you just had to keep your immortal soul, didn't you?"

"Having a soul is more of a luxury than you seem to think." said a voice.

Sakura halted and saw a brown-haired boy, wearing a headband. His arms were crossed, and he wore flowing white garb. His eyes were blank. "Who… who are you?"

He scoffed. "I am Neji Hyuga, and I have been dispatched to bar your path. None may pass this way without the permission of the Lady Hyuga."

"So um, can I have your permission?" asked Sakura. This was the guy she was trying to rescue.

"As I said, without the permission of the Lady Hyuga, who I represent, I cannot let you pass," said Neji.

"Well, why are you working for her anyway?" asked Sakura.

Neji shifted. "I am… her cousin." He seemed uncertain.

"What does that mean?" asked Sakura.

"It means the role I have been assigned to play in this world is that of her cousin," said Neji. "She has total control over my being so long as my spirit remains trapped."

"How did that happen anyway?" asked Sakura. "What, did Naruto disappear you as well?"

"I don't know," said Neji.

"What?" said Sakura. "How can you not know?"

"I no longer exist, Sakura," said Neji. "I have never existed in the first place. I have no place in what you call reality. As a result, my existence is defined entirely by what role Hinata chooses for me."

"Wow, that um… sucks," said Sakura. It was like being Ino's friend except one millions times worse.

"Indeed," said Neji.

"Look um, I'm heading to that giant fox thing over there," said Sakura.

"What of it?" asked Neji.

"My goal is to free your soul," said Sakura. "And if I fail I'll get eaten by the giant fox thing."

"Your point?" asked Neji.

"Well, if you let me past now, and I free your soul, you no longer have to work for Hinata," said Sakura. "If you let me past and I get eaten by the fox no one will ever know."

"But I will know," said Neji. "I never go back on my duty, never abandon my post. I am obedient to my liege lord. It is the defining element around which my identity is based. To compromise my obligations for the sake of worldly gain, even if no one ever learns of it, would be to destroy my soul."

"Oh, come on!" said Sakura. "What obligations?! Hinata is keeping you as a prisoner! She's literally taken out your soul and put it in a bird! Who deserves that?!"

"Perhaps I do." shot back Neji. "Every person who ends up in this land is here because they either desired it or deserved it. Usually both. I've been here… for many years, if there is such a thing in this place. I've forgotten everything about who I was before. Everything except what Hinata has defined.

"All I have is my own identity and the choices I make."

Sakura had no choice. She hadn't wanted to do this, but it looked like she had no other choice. She turned to one side and looked relaxed. "Right, well, I'll just turn back right now then- Oh my god, what's that over there!" And she pointed behind him.

Neji did not move. "What? I don't see anything." He paused. "I see a deception. I have three hundred and sixty-degree vision, so the effort was futile."

Sakura sighed. "…Fine then, I'll swim the river then. You're guarding the bridge."

"I could obey the letter of my arrangement and allow you to pass that way," said Neji. "However, the spirit is clear, I must prevent anyone who is not authorized from crossing the river."

"Don't you want to be free?" asked Sakura.

"I am unsure," admitted Neji.

Sakura sighed. Well, time for plan B. "…You know what, fine, I'll just be on my way then."

"I can also see through solid objects for miles," said Neji. "If you were to backtrack and attempt to cross the river another way, I would notice and intercept you. You should also know that Shino and Kiba are on their way here as we speak. You will not have long before you are captured."

Sakura paused. This didn't seem fair. "…Okay, I call shenanigans. How the hell am I supposed to get past this?"

"Well, you are carrying a magic flute that puts anyone who hears it to sleep." scoffed Neji. "I imagine you should have used it before you walked down the path."

Sakura blinked. She did have that. "Oh, right."

Drawing out the flute, she put it to her lips and began to play it. Only for Neji to reach out and snatch it out of her hands. "Hey!"

"Naturally, I have no intention of giving you the opportunity to use it," said Neji.

"Give that back, you jerk!" said Sakura, as they began the most epic game of keep away in mankind's history.

Naruto sighed as Neji raised the flute over Sakura's head as she jumped, trying to get it away from him. It was somewhat comical, even for Ino. Especially with how Neji's expression never changed.

"Aw, not again," said Naruto.

"I told you, Naruto," said Hinata proudly. "I trained Neji better than anyone. He'll never willingly cheat the spirit or the letter of our arrangement."

Ino had followed Hinata home, and she was going to keep her. The words came back to her.

"Hinata, this isn't fair," said Naruto. "We are supposed to give Sakura a fair chance. Neji is way higher tier than she's equipped to handle at the moment."

"Oh come on, Naruto," said Hinata, scratching Ino behind the ears. "Don't you want to have Sakura as well?"

She was a pet to Hinata. Not a person, a dog. Something you loved but took no consideration for the desires of. No, no, no, Ino was not going to end up wearing dog ears and a furry suit at the end of this. She stood up. "You… you're going to do that to me, aren't you? Wash away my identity and brainwash me.

"Well, forget it! I'm not going to let that happen to Sakura or me!"

They looked up, surprised. "Of course not," said Hinata. "Neji was a… special case. He failed a secret test of character. And he did all of the forgettings on his own. I promise you Ino, you won't forget anything. Not unless you really, really want to, anyway. So what were you saying, Naruto?"

"Hinata, this isn't a fair challenge," said Naruto. "Sakura would have to be some kind of paranoid super genius to get out of this one. We've got to do something to even the odds."

"Hello! I just threw down the gauntlet here!" said Ino. She was sort of offended, actually.

"Yes, that's very nice, the gods in human form are talking Ino. Could you save the defiant speeches for later," said Hinata, before looking back to Naruto. "The odds are even, Naruto."

Ino opened her mouth to snap. She'd scream, shout and smash that stupid crystal. If ever a situation justified a tantrum, it was this. But no words came out. Hinata gave her a look that said she guessed exactly what Ino was going to do.

And Ino couldn't do it. Hinata didn't even have to make a verbal refusal, and Ino was physically incapable of defying her will. She wasn't even able to get all that worked up about it. Finally, Ino did the only thing she could do and sat down crosslegged and began to pout. Knowing her luck, Hinata would find it endearing.

"Neji is a game-breaker." said Naruto. "If he were willing to use loopholes, it might be fair. But if he is genuinely trying to stop her from crossing, there is almost nothing she can do to escape."

"Fine," said Hinata. "You can even the odds however you want."

"Thanks," said Naruto. Then he took a large, smooth stone out of his sleeve and angled the view on the crystal ball to show the fox.

Hinata looked nervous. "What are you doing with that rock?"

"Yo, Kurama! Wake up, moron!" shouted Naruto.

Then he threw the rock through the crystal ball. It arced through the air and struck Kurama on the head. The fox rose up with a roar that shook the ground. Lightning flashed as an inferno of fire filled the crystal ball. The Nine-Tailed Fox had awoken and rampaged toward the river.

"Naruto, that was a bit excessive, don't you think?" asked Hinata.

A huge explosion could be heard from within the tower as Naruto adjusted the crystal to a birds-eye view. "Nah, it's more fun this way."

Author's Note:

Sorry, it took so long. I needed to work a confrontation with Neji into the fic before Sakura goes after the bird. But I wasn't sure how to do it without Sakura completely losing. Then it hit me. Have Naruto throw a spanner in the works to keep the game interesting.

When writing Hinata and Naruto, I'm sort of going for a Hera and Zeus combo. In that Naruto is the one who sort of goes out and initiates the adventures. Meanwhile, Hinata plays an antagonistic role in the characters once the adventure has begun. Although Hinata and Naruto have a far better relationship than Hera and Zeus in this context.