When Aburame Shino opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the face of a piglet looking down at him worriedly. His eyes went to the pearl necklace strung around it, and he immediately knew that this was a pet of someone.

Now the question was who that someone was.

He tried to get up, but he realized that with the bandage dressing around him smelling of various leaves extracts, he knew that he was in bed, getting treated. He laid his head back on the bed, deliberating whether to wait for the master of this piglet or to escape.

The former sounded more rational, so he opted to wait quietly. But not for long.

A young woman who looked like in her early twenties arrived, a dark-haired woman behind her.

"Damn, he's awake. Now we have to cook a meal good for three," sighed the blonde. "As if our food budget isn't running low as it is…"

"Ah, Mistress, if you didn't gamble it off yesterday—"

"Hey, I nearly won!"

And the boy had no idea what the women were talking about.

The blonde turned her attention back at him. "You know how to cook?"

He blinked.

"We found your body in the forest and nursed you back to health. The least you could do to say thanks is to cook dinner." She handed him a paper bag of the ingredients she and her student was able to buy downtown.

He quietly took it and then sat up, testing his strength.

"Don't worry. A soldier's body like yours will not collapse of mere bruises." She looked at the Hidden Leaf symbol on his bandanna, and then shrugged. "You were hunted down by the very same soldiers of your kingdom."

"What do you want to eat?" he asked.

She looked at the vegetables, and then smiled impishly. "Beef stew."

…………………………………

Chapter Twenty

I'm not in the highest of spirits. Some of you may already know about the plagiarized Cinderella play I worked so hard on. I emailed the author and she told me that she liked the story so much that's why she did it. She apologized, but I don't know if it's right to say, "It's okay" when I feel that it's not. I want to get mad at her because I worked really hard on it—I didn't eat lunch and snack just to finish the story—but she said she did that only because she liked my work. Gah, I'm never good at dealing with these kinds of situations.

A special thank you to Jiri-chan, [;]-chan, White Witch-chan, and the other people who informed me about this. I hardly go around FF.net that much so if not for them, I wouldn't even know about it . -.-;;

Hopefully, the author would cooperate and just delete the story.

………………………………………

Hinata was sweeping the stable as Kiba was scrubbing the horses when Sakura arrived, panting. "Hinata!"

The maid looked up, startled to see her mistress in the royal stable. "L-Lady Sakura!"

Kiba scratched his forehead. "If you wanted a carriage to escort you then you could have just asked someone to come here—"

Sakura shook her head vehemently. "Tell me the truth, Hinata. Did you conspire with the traitor? Did you talk with the gardener?" she asked frantically.

Her eyes widened. She was pertaining to Aburame Shino, wasn't she?

The court lady took that facial expression as an admission of guilt. Her face fell. "Oh Hinata…"

"I-I did talk with Shino-kun before he left…" she said softly. "B-But t-that was just because he wanted to say goodbye to me."

The cherry blossom clasped her hands together. "Did he mention anything to you about his plans for Hidden Leaf?"

"What plans?" she asked.

"We should be the one asking you that." Neji appeared in the stable doorway, arms crossed. Behind him were the Court Marshall of the palace and his men. The Court Officer cleared his throat. "Hyuuga Hinata, the Crown Prince is formally inviting you to an interrogation at this hour. Your presence is mandatory. This is about what you know regarding the confirmed spy, Aburame Shino."

Sakura looked at her favorite maid again, as if wishing that Hinata would deny everything and say that it was all a lie. But the girl timidly nodded and placed her broom down.

"Wait a minute!" cried the pink-haired lady. "If she would be interrogated, I think it's only right that we get her a legal representative."

"A lawyer?" Neji snorted. "What for?"

"To preserve the image of righteousness and fair treatment of the Uchiha Court, that's what it is for!" she snapped.

"So you're speaking for the Uchiha Court now, huh? Does the prince know that?" asked the earl mockingly.

Her cheeks flushed. "None of your business, Earl Hyuuga."

"Alright. I will give you ten minutes to get a lawyer. We will wait for you, Princess," said Neji, eyes on the maid. He and his party left afterwards.

"P-Princess?" choked Kiba out, who was watching the scene. "What is that guy talking about? And did I hear it right? Did he call you with the same family name as his?"

"Kiba-kun…" Her eyes shook.

"It's not what we should worry about now," said Sakura firmly. "We need to get you someone to represent you. Someone who can stand up against that cocky earl. Someone who won't think twice of debating with him." She paused for a moment, and then her eyes lit up. "I got it!" She pulled Hinata with her. "Come with me. I know exactly who to get!"

"L-Lady Sakura…I-it's useless. I-I did talk with Shino-kun…" The maid was near to tears. She only wanted everything to end—she wasn't sure that she had enough guts to face the accusing eyes of her cousin in the stand.

"So?" Sakura turned to her, smiling. "I will never believe that you conspired against us, not in a million years."

"W-Why?" she asked, eyes wide.

"Sometimes, you just know." Her emerald eyes smiled at her, and she could only nod mutely. Who would have known that her mistress cared for her also? Haruno Sakura was beyond those unfair descriptions that she heard in the castle—she wasn't immature, bossy, and obnoxious. It was unfortunate that people didn't know her well.

Minutes later, they were in the magic laboratory, and Sakura was talking with Mage Tenten already. The sorceress listened for a few moments, and then nodded. She turned to her, smiling reassuringly. "Don't worry. Just tell the court the truth, Hinata, and you won't have to worry about anything."

"B-But Neji' nii-san… I-I m-mean, Earl Hyuuga Neji is very skillful in debates…"

"Then he would have to get through me first," Tenten promised her solemnly.

Sakura grinned. "See, Hinata? You'll be ok!"

She nodded gratefully.

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Naruto secured the blue scarf around his neck, and then looked up at the winter sky. "Man, one snow day is fun, and another snow day is nice, but three more days of nothing but white stuff falling from the sky? Damn!"

He looked down at the blue fabric, and then remembered Hinata again. It was puzzling, but he felt that something was happening to her back in the castle. Ah, he would just have to find out once he gets back to the castle.

"Oi Naruto, awake already?" Kakashi stood beside him, hand on his pocket and the other one holding a novel.

"Well, I did a warm-up for our next part of training," he said excitedly. He then snapped his finger. "Oh, but there is one thing I want to ask of you, Sir Kakashi…"

"If it's money then forget that we even met."

"Nah. Actually, I was wondering if Sir Iruka and Sir Ebisu ever told you anything about my…curse."

The Starlet sat down. "Yes, the closet pervert discussed something about your morphing woes."

"Good. Because something is puzzling me…while we were doing the walking on water thingie…I kept on falling over the frozen hot spring water, and yet I didn't change. Why is that?" the boy asked curiously.

Kakashi pondered over that for a moment, and then smiled. "Maybe the curse is starting to lose effect."

"Really?" asked the boy, positively thrilled about the news.

"Or maybe the water's not hot enough."

The boy's face fell.

The white-haired man shrugged. "Whatever the reason may be, we still have to get started on your second training."

"Yororshii! Bring it on!" said Naruto excitedly, getting up.

He pointed to the leafless tree standing some distances away from me. "Climb that tree…"

"Piece of chicken ice cream! Watch!" He was about to head for the tree when Kakashi held him back. "I want you to climb using your feet…like this." He got up and walked towards the tree. He then slowly ascended the tree, allowing the astounded student to watch his moves.

At last, he reached the branch top. He turned to him, a challenging glint on his eye. "Well, Naruto?"

The boy walked over to the tree and knocked on the wood.

"What are you doing?" asked the Starlet sweatdropping.

"I was checking if the tree was made of metal and that your sandals have magnetic soles!"

"Silly boy," chuckled Kakashi. "Naruto, I did this just by using proper channeling of my chakra and preserving them in the right part of my body."

"Eh?"

"Now, let's have a review: how were you able to walk on water?"

The boy tilted his chin slightly. "Well, I concentrated my chakra on my feet going up to meet the force of gravity."

"Right. You released a fixed amount of chakra to maintain the cycle of balance in your body." Kakashi sat down the branch. "Now you would be working against gravity again, only this time, you would focus only in maintaining the balance of a part of your body."

Naruto grinned. "Hey, if I was able to balance my whole body, then a part of my body will be easier!"

"I'm afraid that's incorrect. Concentrating and preserving the right amount of chakra in a specific part of your body would require more ability to command your chakra. We know that the energy is roaming around our body freely, and for you to stop momentarily its flow and use them according to your will is hard. Either your chakra or your body would meet its limits. Do you understand?" explained the mentor.

"Er…marginally." At least the boy understood the 'I'm-afraid-you're-incorrect' part.

"Well, it's a start anyway," sighed Kakashi. "Now do it."

Naruto took a deep breath, and then dashed towards the tree. "Yaaah!!!" He took three big steps up the bark of the tree, and then slid down, slamming his rear on the ground. The boy howled in pain.

Kakashi sighed. "Man, I hope he's still capable of sexual reproduction after this course."

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"The Uchiha Court is now in order," announced the Clerk of Court. "The prince calls on the prime witness and plaintiff, Earl Hyuuga Neji to tell the court about what he saw the defendant and the confirmed kingdom spy, Aburame Shino, did."

Neji smugly got up and went on with the narration of overhearing the confession of the gardener about his real identity, and how he wanted to take the maid along with him. He also stated the exact date and time that this incident happened, just in case the maid even tries to think of providing an alibi. When he concluded, he was satisfied by the pained expression on the girl's face.

After calling on several more witnesses to testify that Hinata was in the garden when this happened, the clerk called on the defendant already.

Hinata got up shakily and stood in front of the crown prince, unable to meet his gaze. She was never comfortable looking at the eyes of men like him—men like her cousin. Come to think of it, she could only be comfortable with only one person when it comes to eye contact.

Naruto-kun…

The thought of the blond-haired boy cheered her up a little. If he were here, she was sure that he would want her to look at the people with her chin up. She did nothing wrong. She was not guilty of anything at all.

She looked up slowly and looked at the prince.

Neji, on the other hand, was gazing at the mage in disbelief. Why did she agree to represent his cousin in the interrogation?

His fists clenched. She was the last person he wanted to be involved in his crusade against the Hyuuga main family, but this was beyond his control.

He would have to just fight her too.

Tenten could feel the steady gaze of the Earl Hyuuga, but she was determined to not let him affect her.

She was going to fight for what and who she believes in, even if it meant battling the enemy she fears to hurt the most.

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Sasuke stole a glance at the pink-haired court lady sitting in the audience before he heaved a sigh. He opened the interrogation. "Hyuuga Hinata, the daughter of the obsolete main family of the Hyuuga Clan. Did I get this information right?"

"Yes, Your Highness," she replied politely, aware of the startled gazes she received from the audience. There had been gossips and talks circulating in the kingdom about the eldest daughter of the main family who failed to show her worth as the true successor of the Byakugan, and thus, was one of the reasons why the main family collapsed and the Kin Unification Act was passed easily in the Hidden Leaf Court.

"This is a surprise," said the prince carefully. "I myself wasn't aware that someone like you is working for my palace as a helper. Why did you choose to work like that when Earl Hyuuga Neji is here?"

Tenten got up. "Your Highness, everyone is aware of the tension between the branch family and the main family. There is no need to tackle that issue anymore."

Neji smiled secretly. Despite his earlier resolve to crush the witch, he couldn't stop himself from admiring her guts. After all, few people crossed the path of the Crown prince Uchiha Sasuke.

"She may have concealed her identity deliberately to deceive us and conduct espionage on our kingdom security," he replied coldly. "I think we should not dismiss that fact." He turned his attention back at the girl. "Why didn't you inform us of your title? Even with the Kin Unification Code, you still have the privilege to hold office in the Court."

"B-Because I do not want to hold any office," she said softly. "I-I came here for something else…"

"Something else?" asked Sasuke. "Why don't you tell us your purpose then?"

Her hands trembled.

"Well?" prompted the prince.

"Hinata has the right to privacy, Your Highness," insisted Tenten. "Perhaps, if you rephrase your question, then she can answer."

He glared at her, as if asking her who gave her the right to order him around, but he decided to do as told. "Alright, woman, do you have any malicious intention towards the kingdom?"

She shook her head vehemently. "O-Of course not, Your Highness! I love Hidden Leaf! I love…" Her eyes saddened. "…this place. T-This is my home." Her voice resounded with abundant warmth at the mention of the kingdom.

Sasuke nodded. "Then perhaps you can tell us why you were talking with the just-established kingdom spy, Aburame Shino?"

Hinata inhaled shakily. "S-Shino-kun…Shino-kun dropped by in the stable to say goodbye."

"To say goodbye?" The prince frowned. "Only people with attachment to each other do that. How are you involved to the spy then?"

"H-He is my friend," she said softly.

Buzzes from the crowd.

"You befriended the spy?" asked the prince, incredulous.

"I befriended Shino-kun," she said timidly.

"He is still a spy, nevertheless," said the castle lord dismissively. "And you do not deny that you know he was a spy?"

"H-He only told me that before he bid his farewell," she said quietly.

"Yet you allowed him to leave the gates of our kingdom even when you know that the authorities are looking for him," said Hyuuga Neji standing up grimly.

"You are not the one interrogating him, Earl Hyuuga Neji!" snapped Tenten, on her feet again.

"Both of you, sit down!" barked the prince. He turned his attention back at the maid. "Now tell us why you didn't inform the authorities of his departure."

"I'm worried about him," she admitted. "Treason is not a very light crime, and the soldiers may do something to him…"

"Being an accessory to treason is not a very light crime either," reminded the prince. "You let him leave when he is holding crucial information about the state of our security."

She bit her lower lip, trembling. "H-He will not do anything against the Leaf kingdom. I could feel his repentance when he told me that he was a spy."

"How did you know that it was repentance, Hyuuga Hinata?" asked Sasuke, looking at her intently.

She exhaled shakily, and gave a small brave smile. "Sometimes, you just know."

His eyes automatically flew towards Haruno Sakura, who was on the verge of tears. She was smiling happily, and for that, he couldn't help but smile back. Even the best judge in the world would fail against the judgment coming the heart of a pure-hearted person.

"In that case, I make my decision." He cleared his throat. "You shall be punished by the law of omission because you withheld facts about yourself, as well as your knowledge about the spy. You shall lose your privilege of making trips outside the palace grounds and having mail correspondence with people from other kingdoms. Nevertheless, you are absolved from the case of treason simply because you believed in your conscience, which is the true highest law everyone of us should follow."

Neji's jaw dropped as Sakura jumped up happily, forgetting her court lady poise once more.

"However, if it is proved that Aburame Shino used his knowledge against the kingdom…"

Hinata stepped forward, clasping her chest. "I shall take full responsibility for it."

Murmurs filled the room again, but this time, in admiration. Perhaps, the Hyuuga Main Family Successor was not the weakling those rumors described.

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"Until now, the gardener is nowhere to find?" The man laughed quietly as the other man before him stood, face a stony expression. "And the Prince Sasuke pardoned the Hyuuga princess? Haha, that is entertaining."

"The people who found the gardener…it will not delight you," said the unlaughing man, fixing the forehead protector with the Leaf symbol on it.

"Try me," said the gray-haired man cheerfully.

"One of the legendary sannins."   

………………..

to be continued