Neji knocked softly on the open door frame, keeping his gaze fixed on the window on the far wall of the small bedroom. Hinata and Sasuke were under a red comforter, her head resting on his bare chest with his arm wrapped around her.
"Hinata-chan." Neji called out, keeping his voice low. Early morning sunlight filtered in through the window, highlighting the scene before him. Burnt out candles lined the floor, the only furniture present was the bedroll the couple occupied. Hinata sat up slowly, holding the thick blanket close to her naked body. Her hair was matted and sleep still weighed heavy on her face.
"Nii-san?" She asked groggily.
"You should get dressed." Neji suggested. "I'll escort you home. Hiashi-sama is quite agitated."
"As expected." She sighed and laid back down. "Nii-san…I need a minute." Sasuke held his eyes closed, not wanting to alert the Hyuga intruder that he had been woken up. It was difficult to listen to her speak with her fellow Konoha shinobi. When she had traveled with him she was brazen, confident even; and now in her homeland, where she should be at her most comfortable, she was timid, meak even. Sasuke wanted nothing more than to cut down those responsible for her insecurities… but he was working tirelessly to find a purpose which did not involve revenge or hatred. Bloodshed could not be a defining factor in his life anymore.
"Right." Neji nodded, ducking behind the frame, deeper into the hallway. Hinata peeled the covers back, retrieving her clothing from around the bedroll. Sasuke sat up slowly, reaching out to grab her wrist and halt her.
"Don't do anything…I would do." He smirked, keeping his voice low, only for her ears. Hinata smiled, her cheeks flushing a light pink. Hinata knew he was referring to their late night conversation.
Hinata faced the dark doorway of the small room, the candles were long since burnt out. Her body tingled with satisfaction and she toted the line between awake and unconscious. Sleep normally wasn't such an obstacle for her, only once had she laid so restless, four months ago. Much like now she had lie there in the arms of her criminal lover, his body folded around her. It was the first night Sasuke mentioned going back with her. She was terrified then, just as she was now. Sasuke's hand shifted beneath her neck, and he thumped her on the forehead with his pointer and middle fingers. Hinata's eyes grew wider and she leaned into him confused.
"You worry too much." Sasuke muttered, half asleep himself. "I can handle the task at hand."
"Spying on the village elders, on Danzo…" Hinata squeezed her eyes shut, clutching the arm he'd rested over her waist. "I've never even seen Danzo. How will you find him? How will you gather the information needed?"
"I have too." He shrugged, kissing the bend of her neck. "Go to sleep." She rolled over in his arms, resting her forehead against the part of his chest she knew wasn't his. His skin tone had corrected and nothing looked out of the ordinary, but she had been there. Hinata had seen Killer Bee destroy Sasuke's chest and she had sobbed silently as Jugo repaired the damage. He ran his fingers through her tangled hair, resting his chin on top of her head. "I'll be okay." He promised.
"I would never." She assured, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before pulling her shirt on.
"I think some of the others are meeting for Ramen later." Neji called out from the hallway, staying out of view. "Perhaps you'd like to join…get back to the normal swing of things."
"We are preparing for war and rebuilding our village." Hinata responded, pulling her pants on. "That hardly seems normal." Sasuke stood up and stretched before pulling his pants up and securing them with the purple rope belt.
"I just thought it might be nice for you to spend some time with Sakura, Kiba, and…" Neji hesitated before listing the last name, aware that Sasuke was also awake now. "Naruto." Hinata froze, her jacket partially zipped, her white eyes wide. Sasuke kissed her temple, holding her cheek in his palm before moving away from her. He walked slowly to the door, allowing her time to finish dressing.
"Naruto, the Hyuga clan's ideal suitor for their princess." Sasuke noted, resting his forearm against the doorframe as he leaned out to peer at Neji. "I would have thought Hiashi would prefer someone who could appreciate her intelligence."
"It's more about respectability and lack of criminal intent." Neji remarked, turning to face the Uchiha.
"Hn."
"I'm ready." Hinata announced, sliding between the Hyuga and Uchiha. The tension built slowly as the boys continued to meet each other's gaze. "Be careful, Sasuke-kun." Without another word between them Hinata followed Neji out of the compound, to the path that would lead back to the heart of the village.
"This cannot happen again." Neji remarked, keeping his eyes straight ahead.
"Nii-san-"
"No Hinata." Neji shook his head, cutting her off. "We are a prominent, perhaps the most prominent clan of Konohagakure. It is important to maintain a higher level of decorum."
"I am aware." She stated. "I uphold all duties required of me."
"Positive perspective is one of your duties." He explained. "Sasuke's reputation is absolutely damaging. Did you ever consider the repercussions of someone else finding you here?"
"You didn't have to be so mean." Hinata sighed, sliding her hands into the pockets of her jacket.
"I just want you to make smart choices."
"I just want to make my own choices." She blurted, frustrated with the never ending lectures that she was victim to ever since her return. After a few moments of silence, Hinata stopped walking. "I need to speak with Sai."
"What for?"
…
Sai sat with his back against the tree trunk, a sketch pad braced against his knee as he scrawled a picture. Hinata walked away from Neji, leaving him a few paces behind her. She sat down in front of the preoccupied boy, legs tucked under her petite frame.
"Um…e-excuse me Sai?" She interrupted.
"Yes?" He looked up from his sketch pad, offering a friendly enough smile.
"You're from the foundation." She stated, looking over her shoulder at Neji, refusing to speak above a whisper.
"That information is supposed to be classified."
"It is." Hinata nodded. "But now I know."
"Now you know." Sai nodded. "What is it you hope to accomplish with this new found information?"
"I need to know about Shimura Danzo."