Laughing In the Silence

A/N: Naruto Universe = Property of Kishimoto

Chapter Two

He doesn't deserve her affections, that moron. Always so explosive and loud, eyes wide and clear like a shallow pool. Nothing is more important to him than friends…but he only sees what's most apparent, and feels what's most obvious. He is rough to handle what's precious in life, and he can only handle solid, strong things.

But she is like the fine willow seed in the wind, a shroud of silver-white strands that drifts in and out of sight, hanging just beyond...

---

Kurenai sensei arrived very late. By that time, Hinata and I already made our way down the tree trunk, and played several games of go with Shino with his bugs. She arrived in her usual fashion, a leaf drifting out of the tree that gradually grew into her shape in a plume of smoke. I never liked her flashiness with her genjutsu, nor any arts of illusion. The Inuzuka clan is known to be honest taijutsu users that relied on our own strength, not abilities of trickery.

"Tsunade-sama asked for the three of you," Kurenai's eyes were stern as she motioned for Shino to gather up the bugs. "As you may know, there are ambassadors from the Water Country arriving to visit…" She lowered her voice, "...and you probably heard the rumor..."

"The rumor?" I didn't know what she was talking about.

She sighed, shaking her head, "Well, I'll tell you now. Our sources confirmed that the ambassadors may not mean well…and that they've targeted the Hyuga clan--"

Shino suddenly spoke up, "Because Hyuga Hanabi crippled their Mizukage's younger son during our ambassador visit. She used the Gentle Fist on him...didn't he…"

Kurenai shook her head slightly, and I quickly looked at Hinata. She looked at me quickly, nervously chewing at her bottom lip. There was an unreadable pain in her eyes, and I smiled assuringly at her. She looked away.

"You've all been Chuunins for three years now, Tsunade-sama is going to assign Asuma-kun's team to work with the three of you to patrol the Hyuga estate. Shino and Kiba, your parents will all be staying at with the Hyuga plan until the ambassadors leave." Kurenai handed them each a kunai engraved with the sign of the Hyuga clan. "This will be your way in."

Hinata fidgeted, "Kurenai-sensei...will Kakashi-sensei's team be --"

But Kurenai already left in puff of smoke, leaving the team staring at each other, a bit dazed.

---

The Hokage gave them a stern speech about taking this mission seriously, and told them all to, "Not start any fights" while they stay with the Hyuga clan.

"What was that about?" I asked Shino as we walked home to pack.

He pushed his glasses up his nose, and frowned. "I think she was talking about the Hyugas...you know how they are."

I thought back to the day Hinata's father ordered her to move out of their vast estate into an apartment four years ago, and growled softly. Akamaru shifted in my arms, and whined softly. As a ninja-dog, he grows at a slow pace. At age five, he's fully capable of keeping up with me...but the comforting feeling of a little warm bundle in my arms. I wondered what it'd be like to hold Hinata in my arms…

"Hey," Shino poked me in the side, "is there a reason why you're quiet?"

I didn't reply, devoting my silence to the silent one.