My gratitude to these people for reviewing: dumdeedum, neonobara, bloodberrylicious, fanofthisfiction, Sommernacht, Feroza, Bear2022, and Sak.

Thanks for reading!

oOo

THEN

The first day of travel went well. Really well. With Hinata's range, they remained comfortably out of the enemy nin's sight and senses. The enemy covered a lot of ground, but nothing indicated he held any special chakra reserves. Konoha's contingent kept up with him easily.

At one point, Shisui ordered Hinata to stop using the Byakugan so often. When she said she could keep it activated for a long while, Shisui maintained his stance. Eventually, Shisui would need Hinata to keep up her Byakugan use while possibly engaging in combat. No sense in her tiring out now on the first day.

She agreed without much fuss. He appreciated that. She did not blindly accept his orders, but she also took into consideration his point of view. He hated being on missions when his subordinates fought him and disregarded his opinions.

Shisui had years of experience to inform his decision making. It made him discerning.

That cautiousness came into play when they stopped for the night. They crept closer to their target so Shisui and Hakuto could keep the enemy in their senses while Hinata slept. For that reason, they could not build a fire.

Thankfully, even though the night was cool, their gear and sleeping bags would keep them warm.

"Okay," Shisui began, holding two fists in front of him. "Do we want to camp on the ground?" He shook one fist. "Or do we want to make camp in the trees?" He wiggled the other.

Hakuto smirked. She placed her palm on Shisui's 'tree' hand and tried to force it down. He grinned sweetly, firmed his muscles, and watched her struggle.

She scoffed and gave up after a second. "Tree. Of course."

Hinata reached over, and briefly brushed his knuckles with the tips of her fingers. "Tree, please."

Shisui smiled out his relief. He intended go with the group's decision, but he preferred being off the ground.

He nodded at the copse of trees nearby. They launched themselves into the leaves a few seconds later.

They each chose their own branch and tree. They set themselves up in a triangle formation, so they could see behind their teammates if an enemy attempted to sneak close.

Also, their sleeping bags did not zip up, to prevent a nin from getting trapped inside. Instead, woven into the bottoms, were heavy duty straps that could be anchored around the branch. That kept them from tumbling out of the tree in the middle of the night. Also on the straps, sat a small hook where they hung their flak jackets. Still in easy reach, but not poking their wearer while lying down.

They straightened their camo blankets. Once done, Shisui politely turned away when his partners changed into mesh armor to sleep.

Hinata sat down, pulled on a uniform sweater, and then arranged her blankets over her lap. Right next to her, rested her backpack, where she picked out items to complete her nightly routine.

Hakuto puttered around, also wearing a dark sweater and her uniform pants. She walked on the underside of the branch to tighten the straps holding her sleeping bag in place. Once back on the right side, she pulled a scroll from a pocket in her flak jacket. Unfurling it and making a quick hand seal, her pack puffed into existence. She rummaged through it, muttering about toothpaste tablets.

Shisui, taking first watch, did not change or take off his flak jacket. Instead, he sat on top of his blankets and cast out his senses.

"Ooh, a brush?" Hakuto asked.

Hinata giggled and unfolded her small hairbrush. The bristles, tucked inside the handle, stood upright. "Do you want me to brush your hair for you, Ms. Hakuto?"

Hakuto scoffed and ran her fingers through her chin length hair. "There. All done."

"That easy?"

"You should think about short hair, too," Hakuto advised. "Easier on missions."

Hinata shrugged, running the bristles rhythmically through her long locks. "I had short hair. I don't mind having either."

"I thought you Hyuga had long hair throughout your lives," Hakuto murmured, digging through her pack.

Hinata hummed absently. "It's not a requirement. Whatever is most comfortable. I could cut it whenever I wanted."

Shisui, caught himself staring at Hinata's deft fingers sifting through her hair. He broke his gaze, focusing on a spot far away. He should not have an opinion. He did not have any right to have an opinion. But for some reason, he liked Hinata's hair long.

"Oh, ew." Hakuto held up a small, clear plastic bottle with a screw top cap. "I forgot."

"Are those toothpaste tablets?" Shisui asked, remembering her earlier comments.

"Yes. But they were all out of cinnamon flavor when I went to the supply warehouse. I hate mint," she groused.

Hinata put her brush in her lap and opened a pocket in her bag. Pulling out a small, amber glass bottle, she held it aloft for her partner to see. "I have cinnamon. Want to trade? I like mint."

"Oh. Do you mind?"

Hinata waggled the bottle playfully. "Not at all."

Hakuto deftly hopped over to Hinata's branch. The women traded. Hakuto inspected the brown one.

"What brand is it? It doesn't have a label."

"Oh." Hinata grimaced in embarrassment. "I make them. Is that a problem?"

Hakuto's eyes widened. "You make toothpaste? Do they work?"

Hinata bashfully pulled her blankets closer. "I hope so. I think so."

Shisui huffed out a laugh. "Kakashi got some once from Gai, who got them from Neji as a gift. Kakashi swears by them."

Even in the dark, Shisui could pick out the face Hakuto made at him.

"Yeah, but we can't see his teeth," Hakuto argued. "How do we even know he has teeth? Maybe they all rotted out."

Shisui pressed his lips together to smother a laugh. It rumbled through his chest anyway. "I heard Kakashi has fangs like the Inuzuka. He has to keep those sharp, right?"

"Fangs?" Hinata squeaked.

"Don't listen to him, Hinata," Hakuto advised. "Shisui likes tall tales."

"I don't lie," Shisui lied. "I embellish."

"Liar," Hakuto said while popping a tablet into her mouth.

She chewed for a bit, then hopped quickly back to her pack. She fished out her toothbrush and quickly cleaned her teeth. Rinsing her mouth with water from her canteen, she gasped. "That was so good. It was all foamy."

"Yeah, you have some on your mouth still," Shisui teased.

Hakuto huffed and used her sleeve to wipe off the excess. "Are you serious, Ms. Hinata? I can keep these? What do I owe you?"

Hinata waved it off, laughing lightly in embarrassment. "You gave me some as a replacement. That is enough."

Hakuto hopped over to Shisui. She pushed a tablet into his face. "Here, you gotta try it. It's amazing. Here. Take it."

Shisui batted her away. "I already brushed my teeth."

"But not with this. Try it. Try it."

Shisui clamped his mouth shut and moved his head away when she tried forcing it into his mouth. She pouted. He snapped his teeth playfully at her. She smothered her snickers into her elbow as Hinata covered her lips with a hand.

He watched Hinata out of the corner of his eye as she began braiding her hair. She smiled at them as he bickered with Hakuto. He liked that smile.

Even in the dim light of the moon, he found her beautiful.

oOo

NOW

"So," Fugaku sighs, taking off his reading glasses. His eyes sharpen as they focus on Shisui.

Like before, Shisui stands in front of his uncle's desk. He wonders if Fugaku will go home tonight. The light streaming in the windows is golden from the setting sun. Auntie Mikoto will be upset if her husband does not at least try to appear for dinner.

"What is the situation?" Fugaku asks.

Shisui shakes his head once. "Classified. Need to know only. But I'm going to take it. It'll be long term and I don't know when I'll be back."

Fugaku's eyebrows rise. "Already made up your mind? Not going to ask for permission?"

Shisui grins playfully at his uncle. "Do you want me to ask?"

Smirking back, Fugaku shrugs. "It's polite to ask your Clan Head. Also seeing as I'm your boss."

"The Hyuga are going to reimburse you my lost wages on top of paying me for the mission." Shisui names the amount.

Fugaku's eyes widen as he sits back in his chair. "This… must be important to them, then."

The mirth fades from Shisui's countenance. He nods.

"When are you leaving?" Fugaku asks seriously.

"Tomorrow morning. I'll check in periodically with Itachi."

Fugaku nods. He stands, walks around the desk, and beckons his nephew closer. Shisui obeys and is surprised when he is pulled into a firm hug. It is brief, but Fugaku is not a demonstrative man. Shisui barely has time to reciprocate before Fugaku pulls back.

He claps Shisui on the shoulder. "I'll keep an eye out for your mother, okay?"

Shisui smiles gratefully. "Thank you, Uncle."

Fugaku grimaces and scratches his jaw. "My little sister gets violent when she's worried about you. Make sure Itachi gives her updates too, yeah?"

"Of course, Uncle."

oOo

Shisui is packing his scroll when Itachi and Sasuke walk into his room. He has one wing of the house to himself. But his mother does not care about boundaries when her only child is going away. The only reason she is not in his room, rearranging the contents of his scroll, is because she is in the shared kitchen making tea for the newcomers.

Sasuke whistles as he takes in Shisui's preparations. Clothes sit in a neat stack on his bed. Next to it, a small collection of toiletries. On the floor, rests cleaned and polished kunai. Next to them, a case full of sharpened shiruken. He has many other items to pack, of course. But his tanto blade also sits on his bed, in its sheath and ready to go.

"Father said you'll send me messages," Itachi says.

Shisui nods. "Is that okay?"

They share the same summons. It is easier communicating through them than trying to send letters. Shisui only has to summon the flock of crows, send them back to their domain, and Itachi will summon them on his end.

Sasuke rolls his eyes and laughs. "Like Itachi isn't proud to be your point of contact."

The corners of Itachi's lips rise, and he does not deny it. Shisui reaches over and pats Itachi on the back.

Itachi levels him with a soft, thoughtful look. "Are you going for Hinata?

Shisui's hand falls in shock. Sasuke drops the shirt he was inspecting back on the bed and chokes on his own spit.

"What?" Sasuke coughs, slapping his chest. "Hinata? The girl in my year?"

Shisui's brows furrow in silent consternation. Itachi shrugs.

"I saw you both walking out of the Nara forest after visiting your teammate. And since she's been gone for so long, I wondered if something happened. You've been quiet."

Sasuke, trying to refold the shirt and only managing to crumple it, pauses. "You have been really quiet. It's weird. It's been over a year and we were all worried."

Shisui busies himself with rearranging his scroll.

"Is she okay?" Itachi asks quietly.

Shisui pauses. Anguish washes over him suddenly, making him so, so tired. "I don't know," he rasps. "I…" He trails off as words fail him and his throat closes with emotion.

Sasuke abandons the shirt altogether. "Shit. Shit. Shit."

He bustles over and wraps his cousin in a rib breaking hug. Shisui leans into it, patting Sasuke's shoulder blades weakly.

"You'll get her back," Itachi says.

"And if you don't," Sasuke hisses, "you'll get revenge."

oOo

Dear Brother,

Everything is going well here. How are you?

I sent you some tea. My new mistress enjoys it and I think you will too. It's one of the finest teas I've ever tasted.

Don't forget to take time to yourself. Rest. Relax. Don't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Even a busy man can take time for a cup of tea.

I miss you.

Best,

Hinata

oOo

Dear Sister,

I heard you're improving in your training. You might surpass Brother soon. You're an adult now, but I can't help but feel that when I come back, you'll be grown. I'm sorry I had to miss so much already. I hope I can see you soon.

But enough sadness.

Something funny happened. I had to explain the um… demands of the marital bed to my Lady. It reminded me of when Father told me to explain it to you. And I didn't know what I was talking about. And Auntie Yoko had to take pity on us and really explain.

The memory makes me laugh now. Even if it was terribly embarrassing when we were children. I miss you so much. My Lady is a little younger than you are.

Tell Father hello for me please. Is he well?

Please make sure Neji does not get too busy and forget to eat.

Miss you,

Hinata

oOo

Shisui does not need the physical letters to remember everything he wrote Hinata.

oOo

Dear Hinata,

I don't want you to feel obligated to write me. But I'll be honest. I do want to know about you. Please, take your time. I do not want you to ever feel pressured.

I don't know the last time I read for fun. Everything is tactics or protocol, and I stopped reading because I associated it with training. I didn't want to train on my off time. Any suggestions?

I like animals. I like crows. I am predictable too. Sasuke always brings stray cats around, and it makes me laugh when I find cat hair on my clothes. I don't know much about insects other than the ones I need to stay away from. However, I'm willing to learn.

I want you to know that if I was kind to Hakuto, it was only because I was following your lead. You were gentle with her in a way I could never understand.

I felt like I failed. Every time someone gets hurt and I am the captain, I feel like it's my fault. I wanted to make amends. I wanted to keep from failing my teammate. But you were there for her. Not out of guilt, but because you genuinely worried for her well-being. It made me want to be better.

I think of you constantly.

How is your new mistress?

Sincerely,

Shisui

oOo

Coming up: Shisui begins traveling.