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Bonfire Nights
Chapter Nine

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Neji
*The Morning Report*


Saturday, May 30th 7:28 AM KST
The Hy
ūga Compound/Neji's home office

Neji was splitting his time looking over some clan reports, and going through the things Hinata asked him to consider for Hanabi's upcoming initiation.

To think they had less than a month, now, for everything to fall into place.

He was in a unique position of being both fully supportive of Hanabi, and yet a potential barrier to her position in the clan. She would have to endure the ceremonial spars, and he was to be her last opponent. If she failed to defeat him, she could be challenged as heir. Neji could also chose to declare his loyalty to her, even if he won the spar. If he was being honest, he did not think she could defeat him – not yet. Still, he had no intention of denying Hanabi her rightful place as heir, nor did he intend to fight with anything less than his full capacity. Not only would that cheapen her achievements, Hanabi was good enough to take advantage of any weakness shown. Anyone fool enough to underestimate her was bound to regret it.

He sat back a moment and pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. Still no word from Tokuma. With any luck, the team that went to Oto might find something else – anything else – that might bring them closer to bringing the lost shinobi home. Anko had been making progress with her recovery, and was providing whatever information she could… but ultimately it was a waiting game. Neji only hoped that time was on their side.

Then there was the small matter of Sumashi. Genma reported that there hadn't been legal ground to keep him in custody, so he had been released. Naturally, this had been done to see if it was possible to trace his movements back to whoever had hired him in the first place. He'd left the Land of Fire nearly immediately, and his movements had been erratic. The latest report was that he was headed toward Suna, but it had yet to be verified.

"I wonder who sent you," Neji mused aloud.

His thoughts were interrupted by his mobile buzzing.

"Hyūga."

"Three things," Tenten began without preamble. "First: our party-crasher made it to a small village outside of Suna. There is a sandstorm brewing, so Genma doesn't expect to hear much for a couple of days."

"Noted," he jotted himself a note. "And second?"

"Yamato's team left this morning."

Neji kept his voice carefully neutral as he asked, "Did you see them off?"

"No," she smothered a yawn, and he heard her pouring a cup of something – most likely coffee. "Kiba and I had dinner last night. We got our goodbyes in yesterday, and I got my run in this morning. Which leads us to the third thing."

"Which is?"

"Lee and Gai reported in. They are doing well, are safe, and already debating how much curry they need to bring."

"That is both reassuring and terrifying."

"Well, given all the clan things you have coming up, I am sure you will have ample reasons to excuse yourself. Speaking of which, shouldn't you be training by now?"

"I'm training at home today," Neji shuffled some papers. "I'd invite you to join, but with the spars coming up, Grandfather has taken to watching anyone in the training areas and giving them the benefit of his years of wisdom."

"What does he do after that five minutes is over?"

"Repeats himself."

Tenten's laugh was honest and clear. "Hard pass, Hyūga. However, if you want to meet me at the dojo on Monday morning, I will be there at the normal time."

"Not tomorrow?"

"My schedule is surprisingly full this weekend," she sighed. "I will probably settle for a trip to the gym instead. We might as well give ourselves a little bit of a break; you know what those two will be like when they return."

"You make a valid point."

"It happens more often than you'd think," she scoffed. "Alright. This coffee isn't going to finish itself. I'll let you get back to your morning."

"Thank you for the updates."

"No problem. See you Monday."

They ended their conversation, and Neji shook his head at his teammate. She liked whatever quiet she could get in the morning, so he was not surprised she kept the conversation short. Knowing her, she was freshly showered, and would not budge until she'd had her second cup of coffee.

He flicked a glance to the clock; there was still had about an hour before his scheduled training, but he had reached a good stopping point in his work. With a mental note to check in with Genma later today, he decided he might as well head to the training ground a little earlier than planned – and perhaps have some time before Grandfather arrived to offer his advice.


Hanabi
*Late nights and early mornings*


Saturday, May 30th 7:25 AM KST
The Hyūga Compound/Clan Head's private residence

Hanabi was tired.

She yawned widely as she sat down to breakfast, thirty minutes past when she would normally arrive, even after training.

Hinata was waiting for her, breakfast at the ready.

"Late night?"

"Sort of," Hanabi yawned again. "I was practicing a game that Shoji taught me. I played with him and Konohamaru online until Kurenai sent him to bed. After that," she yawned a third time," Konohamaru and I stayed up and played."

"Was it fun?"

"I guess," she shrugged. "I like the mission aspect of the games, and some of the ones like puzzles. I'm still getting the hang of the different kinds."

"Kiba plays," Hinata said, sliding a glass of juice in front of her sister. "I used to like watching him and Shino when we were younger. I wasn't very good at the first-person fighter ones," she frowned. "I liked the epic adventure ones, better."

"I don't know," Hanabi smiled lazily. "There is something satisfying about taking out an imaginary enemy with an even more imaginary weapon. Or, at least I assume the weapons are imaginary, or we would have seen them in Tenten's arsenal."

"Good point," Hinata chuckled. "What are your plans for today?"

"I don't really have many," she reached for her drink, blinking back another yawn.

"Then, perhaps we could spend part of today together," Hinata poured herself a small glass of juice. "Things will be more hectic soon, and I'd like to spend the time before clan matters take all of our time."

"I think we should put a "meeting" on the calendar every week just so we can be somewhere Gramps can't find us," Hanabi grinned. "Maybe somewhere they serve cinnamon rolls."

"Hm," Hinata pursed her lips, ostensibly in thought, but hiding her smile. "There is quite a bit of business we need to attend to as clan-mother and heir-apparent. I'll see what I can do."

"Excellent," Hanabi grinned as Hinata handed her an omelet, cheered with the prospect of more time with her sister, and time away from the Elders who had so many things to say about the upcoming events.

It was a good thing she hadn't registered for any summer sessions this time around; she would hardly have the time.

What she did have was a rigorous training schedule, and a laundry list of minutiae to address before the ceremonial spars.

Hinata had a similar list, but Hanabi didn't mind going with her on her errands.

"Just remember," Hinata told her once they stopped for a cold drink. "Everything will be over by the 22nd of June. You'll be heir, and life can go back to normal. At least," she smiled as she poked a straw into her drink, "that is what I tell myself."

Before Hanabi could reply, someone joined them at the table.

"Oh, hey," Naruto stood at the high top, his smile bright and his eyes brilliant. "I thought that was you, Hinata. This is your sister, right?" He looked her in the eye. "We haven't been formally introduced – I'm Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto. A friend of Hinata's."

"Hanabi," she took his outstretched hand, skating a glance at her sister. "Hyūga Hanabi. A sister of Hinata's."

To his credit, his smile did not falter, even as Hinata shot her a warning look.

"Right, right," he laughed. "So, what are you two up to?"

"Taking a break," Hanabi replied easily, taking the wrapper off her own straw. "Hinata has a full day of errands."

"Oh!" Naruto's eyes went wide. "I didn't mean to interrupt –"

"It's not an interruption," Hinata offered kindly. "We were just taking a moment to check things off of our list and plan our next stop."

"Would you like to join us?" Hanabi asked innocently, making Hinata look at her curiously. "I stand a better chance of a rest if you distract her."

"If that's ok…" he looked between them, and Hinata nodded. "Ok, great! I'll be right back!"

And with his signature endless energy, he went to wait in line for a drink.

"Hm," Hanabi studied him before turning back to her sister. "He's taller than I remember."

"Hanabi," Hinata eyed her sister. "What are you doing?"

"I'm in the mood for some entertainment," Hanabi shrugged. "What's wrong with that?"

Hinata continued to study her sister for a moment, unsure what she was missing.

Hanabi grinned and slurped her drink, making Hinata blink, and buying her just enough time until Naruto came back to join them.

"So!" Naruto smiled at Hinata. "How're things going for the party?"

"So far, so good," she returned the smile. "How is your day?"

"Fine," he waved away the thought. "I have the day off, so I am getting a few odds and ends done."

"There you are!"

The bell on the door tinkled behind Konohamaru.

"Been looking all over for you," he rolled his eyes at Naruto. "Oh, Hi, Lady Hyūga," he noticed Hinata as Naruto turned to face him. "Nice to run into you again. And to see you, Hanabi."

"We do seem to be running into each other lately," Hinata gave a small laugh.

"Small village," he shrugged. "Do I have time for one of those?" he nodded to the drinks and looked at Naruto.

"Join us," Hinata interjected. "It will be good company."

With a nod (and after asking if anyone needed anything) Konohamaru left to order, and Naruto and Hinata settled into easy conversation.

Hanabi, meanwhile, kept her expression perfectly neutral, sending a quick text before giving her full attention to Naruto and Hinata.

Even when Konohamaru returned and gave her a subtle wink, she maintained composure, suppressing her urge to grin.

It would be too bad if she ruined her own chance to monitor her sister for any signs of lingering or burgeoning affection for Naruto by giving herself away.


Konohamaru
*Don't Hate the Player*


8:45 PM KST
Konoha house/Konohamaru and Inari's room

Konohamaru wasn't surprised when he opened his door to a mostly dark room peppered with the sounds of explosions, and the furious clicking of controllers. He had walked in to find Udon and Inari locked in an epic gaming battle.

"On your left, Moegi!" Inari warned, eyes fixed on his screen.

There was the sound of something exploding and Moegi's voice came over the speakers. "Got him!"

"Nice!" Udon said, adjusting his headset. "If you take the shortcut to your right, you'll be on the same level as Inari. I'll go ahead of you guys and cover from the top level.

"See you there, Inari," Moegi chirped, as her character cheerfully tossed another kunai with an exploding tag at the enemy.

"I'll be waiting," he smirked. "I'll try to leave a couple guys for you to take out."

"Well, aren't you the gentleman," she replied. "Just don't get taken out before I get there."

Udon peered at his screen, coordinating everyone's movements. His specialty was animation and CGI, but he usually worked to construct battle simulations and interactive digital or holographic maps for ANBU. With Inari's talent for architecture, they often worked together to mock up 3-D digital layouts of areas for missions. Right now, though, they were playing a popular game, Shinobi's Creed.

"Welcome back," Inari said over his shoulder, not looking away from the screen. "You want in?"

"I'm good," Konohamaru went to the fridge. "I'll wait until the next round."

The small living area of the two-bedroom dorm room was separated from the kitchen by the breakfast bar. Konohamaru grabbed a drink and stood on the kitchen side, watching as the three of them played their way through the level.

He checked the time and pulled out his phone. He typed out 'You get home alright?' and sent off the text. Maybe a minute later, his screen lit up with the reply.

From: Hanabi
'Yes. Naruto saw us home.'

'Oh, yeah? '

'Yeah. After you left, he 'just happened' to be headed most of the places we were, and he stuck around to help. And offered to help again.'

Konohamaru raised an eyebrow at his screen.

'For real?'

'For real. So. What's his angle? Because I think he made a point to run into my sister.'

Konohamaru thought about it for a minute.

Naruto had been the one to suggest meeting where they did and when they did, hadn't he? No, he was positive. Naruto had him meet up over in that area of Old Konoha because he said that he was wrapping up some business down there. Konohamaru hadn't thought to ask him about that.

The more he considered it, the more he thought Hanabi might be right. Normally Naruto would meet him wherever – where they ate was always more important to him than the convenience of getting anywhere.

'You might be on to something. The reasons he gave for meeting up and staying in the old city area were pretty flimsy. And he didn't exactly seem surprised when we bumped into you.'

'Did you know where we were?'

'Not at the time,' he replied truthfully. 'And Naruto didn't ask me. But now that I think about it, we've 'run into' Lady Hyūga multiple times.

'So I gather. I also suspect he is texting her fairly regularly.'

Konohamaru felt his eyebrows shoot up, and he blinked a few times at the screen.

'Are you serious?'

'Very.'

'And what do you think about it?'

'Honestly, I'm not sure yet. He seems nice enough, and he seems to genuinely like my sister. She isn't just part of his assignments, is she?

He was quick to reassure her. 'Not generally. He's made a point to be assigned to her when he can, though. Like, gone out of his way to be.'

'Is this normal for him?'

That time, he snorted.

'Okay, when it comes to Naruto, the word 'normal' doesn't really apply.'

'Wonderful…'

He corrected himself. 'That probably sounded meaner than I meant it. Naruto's always been unpredictable, but he's never anything other than genuine.'

He waited a good forty seconds or so for her reply.

'And what are his thoughts about my sister? Because from here, it looks like he is trying to date her.'

Konohamaru stopped and stared at his phone. Was Naruto trying to date Hinata, or was he just still trying to make up for their super awkward re-introduction a couple of months ago? He'd made a point of trying to make her feel welcome and included, saying that her clan duties separated her from their group of friends pretty early on, and that she was shy.

That wasn't suspicious, really. Naruto knew what it was like to feel left out, so he made a point to make sure no one else felt that way.

Then again, he'd heard quite a bit about Hinata from Naruto lately. Not always directly, but she came up in conversation pretty often.

He drummed his fingers on the countertop.

'Honestly? I'm not sure. But it sure looks that way.'

'Should I be concerned?'

Konohamaru shook his head as he replied.

'No, not at all. You just bring up a really interesting point, and I think it is worth considering.'

'Meet me for coffee tomorrow to help me consider it?'

A little smile pulled at the corners of his mouth.

'Name the time and place.'

There was another loud explosion and a cheer from Inari, Udon, and Moegi. The screen flashed 'Mission Complete' in bold red letters, and his friends got up to stretch.

"That was intense," Udon exhaled. "You up to joining in the next round?"

"Absolutely," Konohamaru pocketed his phone. "Looks like you guys are really on tonight."

"Moegi is the one who is on fire tonight." He frowned at his friend. "You sure you're up to a game? You're looking a little flushed."

Konohamaru brushed the comment away. "Just got some sun earlier. You guys ready to go?"

"I'll get the game set up," Udon went back to his 'station' and Konohamaru booted up his system to play.

Inari eyed him with something that looked suspiciously like mischief. "So," he asked nonchalantly. "Got some sun?"

"A little," Konohamaru shrugged.

"Hm," his roommate hummed. At the look Konohamaru leveled him, he asked, "Shut up?"

"Shut up."

Inari shrugged "Fair enough."

They both settled in their stations, and got in the game.


*Meanwhile*


8:43 PM Suna Time/11:43 KST
Land of Wind

The Land of Wind was not the place to be this close to summer.

Sumashi downed another cold beer and reminded himself not to do this again next year.

He glanced over his shoulder. He was still the only person in this godforsaken place, and the raging sandstorm made it unlikely that that would change. Turning back to the bartender with a sigh, he held up his hand. The pale man nodded a grizzled head, collected the empty glass and filled a fresh one.

Sumashi fidgeted in his seat, his foot bouncing on the bottom rung of the barstool. It had been like this since he'd been released from Konoha. If he had realized he'd have to face Morino-fucking Ibiki, he'd never have taken the stupid job. As soon as he had been let go, he gathered the money and supplies he had hidden away, and gotten the hell out of Konoha and the Land of Fire.

He only came to the small village fifty miles outside of Suna because he got word of a job.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," a voice said smoothly over his shoulder.

Sumashi didn't turn to acknowledge the man that slid into the seat next to him, or speak until after they both had fresh drinks.

"My rates have gone up," Sumashi said without preamble. "And I'm not working in the Land of Fire for a while."

"Mm, I heard that," the man replied, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Unfortunate bit of business, that."

"Yeah," Sumashi snorted. "Unfortunate. That's one word for it."

"So is careless," the other man shrugged, "but then, I'm not one to pay for sloppy work."

"Show me someone else that could've gotten in, then," the Iwa nin growled. "And you know what? Then go hire him."

"Easy, friend," a surprisingly strong hand on his shoulder kept him from shoving away from the bar. "I wouldn't waste time meeting with you if I didn't have work for you."

"Fine," he grumbled. "Then let's talk business."

"Go ahead and finish your drink," the man said, lifting his own glass. "No sense in rushing."

"You're different than the last guy," Sumashi remarked, drinking his beer. "He was nothing but hurry."

"Oh, that was just Rokuro. You get used to him after a while."

"You know him? That how you got my name?"

"We are acquainted."

"Sorry about that," he snorted. "So who are you, anyway?"

"I'm just a humble medic," he replied with a shrug. "But you can call me Kabuto."

The man looked up to order another drink, but found the bartender gone.

"Well, then, Kabuto, what is this job?"

"Oh, don't worry," Kabuto said with an eerie smile. "You're perfect for it. Or you will be, once I get you ready."

"What do I have to do?"

"It's simple, really," He shrugged. "There is only one thing we have to change."

"And that is?"

Kabuto gave an apologetic smiled. "You have to be dead."

"I have to be what-"

His eyes widened in horror, but no scream came from his gaping, twisted mouth. His vocal cords were severed by a sharp blast of chakra to the throat, as were many of his major neural connections. He fell to the ground in a writhing, convulsing heap.

"There," Kabuto said looking down at the man's twitching body. "Much better. Don't worry. Once I get you back to my lab, I'll fix you right up. Until then," he leaned over and activated the seal on the scroll. The body disappeared, and Kabuto rolled up the scroll and tucked it into the folds of his cloak. He left money on the counter for the bartender, and disappeared into the whirling sands.

Several moments later, the bartender returned, put the money in the till, and promptly forgot everything he had seen that night.


Takes place 1 day after Ch 9 in YMBiS

So glad to see you, friends! I hope you will also pop over to the YMBiS Drabble series.