Hello all! This is my new story I have been speaking on called 'Best Friends'.

This is set after the fail of the Sasuke Retrieval Arc. The ages set right now is 15 and will progress over time. It's not a slow burn, but if you are looking for romance that would be for a while.

The story is Sakura, Hinata and Ino are Anbu. The early chapters are pretty much building their bond and friendship and showing how they become best friends. Of course my style is sarcasm and angst so be prepared for that in this story. It is kind of like a mystery story and you have to pay close attention in certain chapters.

The pairings are: NarutoXHinata, SasukeXSakura and ShikamaruXIno. I'm not changing. I like these couples for this story.

Side note: Bold print during the story are Hyuga's talking in their homes. Italics are memories.

Without further wait. Please enjoy!


"You're so strong Sakura-chan. I think you would be great in Anbu. Please do not pass up this opportunity, it's an honor that Lady Tsunade is recommending you this opportunity."

Hinata smiled at Sakura at the dessert shop as Sakura gave Hinata an odd look. "Hinata, she offered the position to you and Ino as well. I understand considering Ino's family background with ShikaInoCho why she had to decline the offer, but I don't know why you would decline it. You're just as smart and strong. It's an honor for you as well."

An honor would be if she had the support to accept such an offer.

Two days ago after Sakura and Ino's medical training with Tsunade the female Hokage asked Sakura and Ino to meet her in her office. There they were met with a nervous Hinata, playing with her fingers as she waited for Tsunade in her office. Sakura gave Hinata a warm smile and patted her on the shoulder to help the shy Hyuga with her anxiety.

That was when Tsunade offered the opportunity to train and try out for Anbu to the three teenagers. Ino looked 100% caught off guard. It was an honor that the Hokage thought so high of her.

Really she thought the opportunity would be offered to Shikamaru or Choji instead of her. They were the ones that went on the life threatening mission to attempt and bring back Sasuke. They were the ones to have their lives changed from that mission. They had way more experience than her at the moment for this type of field. Thinking about her two teammates and the family history that they all shared, she advised Tsunade she would have to talk it over with them. Which Tsunade humbly accepted.

Sakura was all in. An opportunity to prove herself to Lady Tsunade and to show Naruto when he came back that she was just as strong as him and Sasuke was a major motivation for her. All she wanted to do was prove her worth. To finally catch up to all of team seven.

It was like she didn't notice how amazing she was already. Especially to the rest of her peers.

Sakura was a little disappointed to see that it was a good chance Ino wouldn't be doing this journey with her, but she was hoping Hinata would come out her shell at least and take the offer up. It was an offer of a life time!

Sadly Hinata gave the same answer as Ino.

Sakura kind of understood Ino's situation, but Hinata. No way Sakura would let her pass this opportunity up. The girls had to stick together in this male dominate profession! That was when Sakura pulled Hinata into the dessert shop and buttered Hinata up with cinnamon rolls and tea. She heard from Kiba one time that Hinata was addicted to sweets, cinnamon rolls in particular.

Sakura smiled as she spoke with Hinata. Sweet foods for a sweet person.

Now at the shop Sakura watched as Hinata looked out the window to avoid Sakura's gave. While Sakura was pretty much talking to a wall at the moment, Hinata's eyes widened slightly as she looked out the window and Sakura followed her gaze and her eyebrows skyrocketed as well.

Across the street just so happened to be Ino's family flower shop. Outside the shop stood Ino with her work apron on and with her arms crossed. She had a frown on her face and was speaking to an equally upset Shikamaru.

"Their talking about the Anbu position Lady Tsunade offered Ino." Hinata looked a little confused. She thought Ino would be talking to her father first. Ino's father wasn't due to come back from a mission until tomorrow. Why was she talking to Shikamaru of all people first?

Sakura snapped her head towards Hinata as she heard what Hinata said. She realized Hinata was reading Ino's lips and body language. That meant Hinata had great eye sight and to be able to read someone's lips while they were grumbling was a real talent. Sakura thought Hinata was one of those people that relied heavily on her dōjutsu. It was nice to see that Hinata had skills in other categories. This would be perfect for reconnaissance.

Sakura looked back out the window and was thankful the dessert shop they were in had tinted windows. Ino was looking at nothing in particular and looked to be trying to explain the situation to Shikamaru. The young Nara for once didn't look bored with the conversation and actually looked upset.

Ino turned to Shikamaru before she started speaking to him again and he sent her a glare.

"Ino said Shikamaru shouldn't worry. Nothing is going to happen to ShikaInoCho. Their families pack will still be able to work. Besides Shikamaru is a Jonin now and pulled often from team ten so he's not being fair."

Sakura grinned. Ino was a firecracker and Shikamaru would soon think the argument was too troublesome and let Ino have it her way. Still the glare coming from Shikamaru and the way he was now standing over Ino was making her change her mind.

"Shikamaru said to her that she was an idiot and annoying. Ino said back that he was annoying and didn't understand the opportunity given because he didn't care about her excelling."

Sakura eyes widened. They were really arguing and aiming below the belt to one another.

Hinata tilted her head as she watched the two teammates argue, "Shikamaru asked Ino why she was talking like this was just about their families and their careers. He said…oh my."

Hinata had a tiny 'o' shaped mouth as she looked on and a blush started to don on her face. Sakura leaned over to Hinata. Oh this was good, "What?! What is it?! Ya gotta tell me Hinata!"

Sakura whispered heatedly to Hinata. An opportunity to pry in Ino's life and later rub it Ino's face was an opportunity Sakura couldn't pass up. The two young females looked at one another before they broke out in a silly grins. Hinata looked back at Ino and Shikamaru.

"Shikamaru said this was about him and her. He told her to stop talking like this wasn't personal. It seems he feels as if Ino is only entertaining this opportunity to spite him."

Sakura's mouth dropped wide open and she looked out the window to Ino and Shikamaru. Ino arms were still crossed and she had a defeated look on her face, but fire was still present in her eyes. She began talking to Shikamaru again.

"She told Shikamaru he was doubting her abilities to make it and wasn't being fair. That he just wanted to hold her back in the village while he traveled all he wanted as the diplomat between Sauna and Konoha."

Sakura watched as Shikamaru's face became dark. He walked away from Ino for a moment. It seemed like he wanted to calm himself before he said something he'd regret. He soon walked back to her and invaded her space again. Ino still wouldn't look at Shikamaru and didn't back down from his approach to her.

"Shikamaru asked Ino if she really felt like he was holding her back. Or was she even entertaining the option because she felt like he was giving Temari-san more attention at the moment. He's saying that him working with Temari-san is 100% work related and she knew that. He told Ino he didn't think of her as weak and he knew if she was in Anbu they would train her and place her where she belonged and fit in."

Sakura smiled at Hinata as she could see Hinata was proud of herself for being right about Shikamaru's body language and how he must have felt.

Ino finally looked at Shikamaru. She snorted at his words and gave him a sharp look, "Ino told Shikamaru if that is the case than there is no problem with her taking this opportunity."

Sakura watched as Shikamaru looked around the area before leaning towards Ino. His hands were shoved into his pockets as he leaned towards Ino's ear. "He told Ino that he couldn't protect her if she was in Anbu. That she would cause him to be distracted from strategizing and from his missions because he would be thinking about her too much."

Sakura looked at Hinata and noticed she had her Byakugan activated. She was realizing Hinata was just as invested and nosey as her. Sakura grinned as she looked on out the window. Ino had sighed and Sakura was beginning to think Shikamaru had won the Yamanaka over. Ino unfolded her arms and laid them weakly to her side as she turned her head again from Shikamaru.

"Ino told him that he couldn't always protect her. That he had to let her grow."

Sakura couldn't help the squeal that escaped her. She tapped her feet on the floor and held her hands to her mouth as the juicy gossip was sending her into an overload. Hinata smiled at Sakura. The cherry blossom always made it seem like Ino annoyed her when she gossiped and the whole time Sakura was eating it all up.

Sakura and Hinata watched as Shikamaru took his index finger and placed it under Ino's chin. He turned her to look at him and he grinned at her, "Shikamaru has expressed to Ino that at first he didn't think she really wanted to do this, but he sees now that she's serious. He said that she could leave team ten, but she couldn't leave him."

With that Shikamaru took Ino inside the flower shop for better privacy and Hinata deactivated her Byakugan. She didn't want to catch any make out sessions between her friends.

Sakura and Hinata both looked at one another before giggling between each other. "I knew that whole, 'let me talk it over with my teammates and our families' was a crock of bullshit! Ino-pig wanted her Shika-kun to approve! Man when did they even become a thing?!"

The two laughed among themselves and Sakura gave Hinata a warm smile, "You have a sneaky little talent Hinata. There is no way I'm letting you pass this Anbu opportunity. Why are you so hesitant? At least you can try it out."

Hinata was a little more relaxed now and went to take a sip of her green tea, "My father might not approve. I doubt I could be like Ino and tell my family that they have to let me grow. Imagine that Sakura."

Sakura blinked for a moment before she realized Hinata was being sarcastic. The Hyuga's would never accept such 'dramatized' expressions. Hinata wasn't in a family that functioned like a normal warm, loving family. Sakura cracked a grin, "Fuck'em Hinata."

Hinata almost choked on her tea and her eyes bugged out as she looked at Sakura, "Excuse me? Sakura I couldn't…I-I couldn't say such a thing to my FATHER."

Sakura laughed at Hinata. The girl really didn't understand a 'figure of speech'.

"Hinata. I'm not telling you to go to your father and say, 'fuck you'. I'm just saying to not always care about what they think. You have to think about your best interest every once in a while. You train non-stop all the time. You never go out with me and Ino…or anyone really for recreational purposes. Aside from Neji being beside your hip 24/7 and you occasionally with your teammates. Us girls have a tendency to be cast to the background and treated as useless. We have skills Hinata. Show your skills."

Hinata looked at Sakura and looked utterly amazed by Sakura's confidence. She wished she had confidence like that. Maybe she could. "Umm Sakura. Could I ask you a question?"

Sakura hummed at Hinata to continue while she sipped her hot cocoa, "You do not think you getting into Anbu and excelling is going to aid in Sasuke coming back do you? I am sure many of Anbu missions revolves around keeping up with the whereabouts of Orochimaru and Sasuke. This could be damaging for you. I worry."

Sakura put her mug down and sighed as she looked at her own half eaten cinnamon roll, "Please don't think I'm doing all of this over a boy Hinata. I'm so sick of everyone thinking that everything I do in my life is to make myself look good for Sasuke. Just like I'd hope you take this opportunity up for yourself. Not to prove yourself worthy for your family or so Naruto thinks you look cool. We're 15 now. Still Chunin. If we pass the Anbu exams than they'll bump us up to Jonin and with that rank many doors will open for us. I'm doing this for me."

Hinata slowly nodded her head as she looked at Sakura with newfound determination, "I will be doing this for me as well. I'll figure out a way around my family."


"Lord Hiashi. Have you heard about lady Hinata? This isn't exactly the Hyuga I would have chosen to take the role in Anbu."

Hiashi said nothing as one of his elders spoke to him. He finally spoke up as he looked out the window in his study. "Don't you worry. I will make sure she is tamed and doesn't do anything to bring light to our situation."

"I see. If she passes the program and Anbu test. She will be the first in our family to accept such a brutal and yet honorary roll. Yes. I wish such an honor was offered to lady Hanabi instead. Can they not see how talented and more gifted your youngest daughter is."

Hiashi rolled his eyes at the man's words while he continued to look out the window, "My daughter just has to be re-introduced to her role in the family if she passes is all. This is all a BIG if, may I remind you. This is Hinata we are talking about."


The way Tsunade had the program set up were to have a handful of Chunin selected for the Anbu program that Anko set up to train under her and in the end take the test for Anbu. Anko opted for her program to be a yearlong and Tsunade agreed because it gave Chunin time to think whether or not this career was something they wanted. Wean out the weak and unmotivated she supposed.

Sakura, Ino and Hinata stayed the whole year in the program. All 16 now. They started the program with 10 Chunin. Five males and five females. By the end of the program it dwindled to Sakura, Ino and Hinata and two other males.

On test day all five Anbu prospects went into the testing facility early in the morning and by late into the night four came out successful.

In the empty, late night streets of Konoha three females walked the streets tired, battered and sore. Hinata's jacket was ripped and wide open for the world to see she was a growing woman now. Sakura had a long cut across her cheeks and looked like she wrestled with Anko's snakes for hours. Ino had bruises littered everywhere and a black eye that she would have to assure her family and friends that she was okay.

Especially a certain Nara. He wouldn't admit it, but to see Ino so damaged like this would cause a permanent frown on his face for weeks.

Sakura was walking in between Ino and Hinata and had her arms on their shoulders as they walked sloppy through the streets. A stranger would have thought them to be drunk. In a way they were, drunk off their accomplishment.

Of off pride.

Fulfillment.

Pure, unfiltered happiness.

Ino was the first home that the three stopped at and Sakura grinned at the young Yamanaka.

Ino rolled her eyes at Sakura, "Not a word billboard brow." Sakura took her arm off Ino and still held a cocky grin on her face. Sitting on Ino's porch waiting for her was Shikamaru. Etched on his face was the frown Ino complained he would have.

"Oh I have nothing to say pig. You can play make out paradise with Shikamaru. While me and Hinata are going to enjoy the night! CHA! Right Hinata! We gotta celebrate! Right?!"

Hinata gave a warm smile to Sakura and looked at Ino, "Have a nice night Ino. Please say hello to your father and Shikamaru for me."

Ino grinned at Hinata and held up her fist tiredly for a fist bump. Hinata blinked owlishly at first and didn't really know what Ino wanted but once it clicked she gave Ino a big smile. She bumped Ino's fist and the two of them both grimaced from the slight pain in their hands.

Ino laughed it off before slowly walking to her porch. The light inside her home was on indicating her father was awake and waiting for her to share the news whether she passed or not. Shikamaru looked her up and down before he stood up from sitting in the porch chair and walked up to her with a smirk slowly crawling on his face.

This surprised his typical loud mouth companion. In a good way because Shikamaru could see the heat rise to her cheeks even if her face was discolored from pain.

Oh how he wished nothing more but to make her a Nara right then and there. At the age they were Shikamaru still knew what he wanted in life.

Not wanting to pry in their moment Hinata and Sakura kept walking the streets. The two young women giggled and laughed whole heartedly at memories from the past year. How Hinata almost dropped out when they had to learn about seduction and how Hinata felt as if Anko was trying to degrade her.

'Look Hyuga! Just fucking LISTEN! If you have to grab a man's dick and put it in your mouth while on a mission to bed him and slit his throat while he's sleep then that is what you're gonna do! NOW DO IT!'

Hinata looked at the unknown man that was more than likely a volunteer to be a prop during Anko's program. The man had a scarf wrapped around his eyes and a goofy smile plastered on his face.

Hinata looked around the room and saw her peers staring at her as well. Her eyes uncharacteristically snapped back at her sensei with enough frost pointed at Anko that if she wasn't more skilled than Hinata, she might would have felt threatened.

'You only picked me for this sensei. Why? Why just me?'

Frustration was starting to be very evident on both Anko and Hinata's face. Sakura looked at Hinata with concern that her friend chose now to get a backbone and was scared that Anko-sensei would kick her out the program. Meanwhile Ino held a proud grin because honestly she would have done the same thing and been just as challenging as Hinata.

They both belonged to well-known clans. This was beyond disrespectful. It felt like their sensei had a chip on her shoulder towards people in established clans.

Ino understood to demoralize herself for a mission, but she wouldn't demoralize herself in front of her peers. In Hinata's case she had never even touched someone of the opposite sex like what Anko-sensei was instructing. Their sensei was being such a bitch in Ino's opinion.

Anko shot Hinata an equally frostbitten glare, 'Because you suck the most. Hate to say it girly. I have faith in your peers to get the job done, but out of everything being taught this is your weakness. As a female ninja…this can NOT be your weakness.'

Hinata remained silent out of pure respect for her sensei and this program. Feeling as if she was already treading on thin ice. She remained silent as Anko started to walk around Hinata in a circle and had a smug look on her face. Like she was now annoyed with Hinata.

'The rich. Upper class people like you Hyuga make me sick. You think because you have that last name and those special eyes that this eliminates you from doing missions like this.'

Anko reached out and took a lock of Hinata's hair and tilted her head at Hinata in utter annoyance, 'What. You think no Hyuga has been on these type of missions? Well actually I don't really know of any. These missions aren't really the kind that you go around and brag about. However these missions too range from C to S class. Now, wasn't your mother a kunoichi as well Hyuga? I'm sure she stumbled across these mis-'

Anko let out an amused startled yelp when she could feel Hinata use all her natural, physical strength to grab her by her collar and lift her up and push her against the nearest wall.

Rage.

Anger.

Darkness.

This was the real Hinata. Hidden under all that annoying shyness. Her job was to pull it out of her. To show her what she was capable of.

This couldn't be done in a day. A week or even the remainder of the program. This work on Hinata would take extensive training to reverse the damage of what her clan and father had done to her.

Still. The fact that Hinata had it in her was enough for Anko to request to further train Hinata after the program was over.

Hinata said nothing as she looked at Anko with pure rage and just held her in place as she visibly shook. 'Umm. With all due respect Anko-sensei. I feel like a professional line was crossed just now.'

Anko dragged her eyes over to Sakura and gave her a bored look. Like she had ruined the fun she was having. 'I suppose you're right. Alright Hyuga. My bad. Don't get your panties tied into a bunch. Let's break for today and resume nice and fresh in the morning.'

"Oh my gosh Hinata I had never seen you look so upset in my life! The next day you were spewing all these noble words of Anko trying to make a mockery out of you and how this was so 'undignified'! Preposterous and insulting to your God given name as Hyuga Hinata. Oh my gosh it was priceless! I had no clue you were so prideful of the Hyuga name like Neji is. You hide it so well!"

Hinata laughed at Sakura. It wasn't one of her best moments that she was proud to share, but Hinata could just as much be a prick as Neji could be.

"I never knew you had such a fear of snakes Sakura. Anko-sensei really enjoyed every morning hiding a snake in your uniform locker. I can't believe you never got used to it."

Sakura blushed at the memory and laughed at how gullible she was to wish one day Anko was going to let up. "Man some days she was a real bitch. She trained the dog shit out of us. I swear I thought she was harder on me, you and Ino than everyone else in our program."

Hinata shrugged her shoulders a bit and nodded her head. She could understand if that was true. Women were looked at so wrongful in their profession. Like a second class or support sometimes. "I can't believe we get our uniforms and gear tomorrow Sakura-chan. I am curious how my father will take all of this."

Sakura snorted at the thought of Hinata's father. Over the year in the program Hiashi has made unannounced visits and has been so suffocating towards Hinata. He would watch Hinata along with Anko and critique her to their sensei.

Hinata did a good job ignoring him. Sakura had to remind the shy girl every now and then she was doing this for herself and not the Hyuga clan.

Hinata and Sakura stopped at the cherry blossoms home and Hinata smiled at seeing Sakura's parents outside waiting for her. It was about 11 at night and her parents waited for her so proudly and eager. Sakura flashed them a bright smile and detached herself from Hinata. "I'll see you tomorrow Hinata!"

Hinata watched as Sakura flocked to her parents and they loudly rejoiced over Sakura's hard work and success.

As Hinata walked to her home she looked up at the moonlit sky. It was a beautiful night. She felt at peace and it was an odd feeling because she didn't feel this way often. Hinata felt invisible, like there were so many opportunities that were waiting for her now. All she had to do was reach the sky for them.


Hiashi watched as Hinata made her way to the front door. He could see how bright and proud she looked. So she passed.

Sadly his daughter knew too much. Now it was time to see what side she will choose in the end.