Between chapters 8 and 9 of YMBiS

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Bonfire Nights
Chapter Seven

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Neji
*Taking stock*

Tuesday, April 21st 7:42 AM KST
Konoha Huyga hospital/Neji's office

Neji unlocked his office with a wince.

Lee had been so enthused by Naruto and Konohamaru's 'Youthful display last week,' he invited the pair to join them for training again that morning. Neji knew there were not enough hot showers and Hyūga remedies in the world to completely prevent him from being sore after going head to head with Naruto, but even he was surprised at his achiness.

"Geez, you move like an old man," Tenten complained as she followed him in.

"And you badger like an old woman," Neji muttered, flicking on the lights.

"An old woman who left at the same time you did, and yet still managed to arrive at the same time as you, and with coffee, no less," she tutted at him.

"You also managed to get out of sparring with Naruto."

"I believe you mean 'was clever enough to avoid sparring with Naruto,' and 'thank you, Tenten, you are the most amazing teammate ever."

"Thank you," he took the coffee she handed to him.

"I shall infer the rest," she said loftily. "I am feeling magnanimous since I beat Kiba in pool this weekend –"

"-surprising no one-"

"-and kindly agreed to take him on again this week."

"So, you are using him for free dinner?"

"Maybe," Tenten grinned wickedly.

"And he is using you for… entertainment?" Neji watched her over his coffee cup, thinking abut Inuzuka's more unsavory comments last week. In retrospect, Kiba was probably trying to irritate him, and since he had survived the experience, Neji had to presume he had not acted poorly to Tenten.

"If you are asking me if I had a good time, yes. Kiba is good company. If he had been disrespectful Tsume probably would've killed him before I had to lift a finger – but we had a good time."

"Glad to hear he was a gentleman."

"I didn't say that," Tenten blinked innocently. "I said we had a good time."

At Neji's frozen expression, she laughed.

"I'm kidding, Neji. You'd better lighten up if you want to survive Hanabi's security detail. Ninety percent of what Konohamaru says will probably want to make you kick his ass, and he'll only deserve it maybe thirty percent of the time. Which," she continued when he would have interrupted, "Hanabi can handle."

"You're hopeless," Neji grunted.

"Right back at you," she winked. "I'm going to go check in at the armory, and then see if Genma has any news about our party crashing friend. One of us will check back in with you."

"I will be here," he glanced at the clock. "I am hoping we hear something more about Anko's team. Ranka is able to stay conscious for longer lately; Inoichi and Genma and Tsunade are looking into it."

"I heard that," she said, her demeanor shifting to serious. "Hinata told me she is still working with Master Sarutobi to see if there is a way to learn more about Tokuma through that scroll he left her."

"I suspect that jutsu is sealed, but Master Sarutobi is one of the greatest jutsu masters of our time. If anyone can figure out a way to do it, it is him."

Tenten's watch buzzed against her wrist, and she checked the message.

"That's the armory. I'll check in with you the minute I know something."

"Thank you."

With a quick smile, Tenten left his office, leaving him to think.

Neji sank into his chair, sipping meditatively at his coffee.

Tokuma's absence was a sobering reminder of all that faced his family.

It was even more sobering when he learned that Sasuke agreed to allow the Sharingan to be studied.

Tsunade asked that both he and another Hyūga be observed simultaneously, in the hopes of learning more through what they knew about the Byakugan. Hinata had volunteered. Since Sakura ended up taking over the task, Neji suspected she was grateful.

As for Neji, he had his own reasons to be grateful. His relationship with Sakura was in the nascent stages, and he was not fool enough to think that Sasuke's return would have no effect. Admittedly, their relationship was unhurried (not glacial, as he heard Hanabi grumble to Hinata), but it worked for them. Neither had much in the way of time, and both had plenty to attend to that was more pressing than the business of courting.

Still, for all of the inconvenience (and the fact he did not care for Sasuke) Neji had to admit (begrudgingly) that the Uchiha's involvement was not a wholly disadvantageous event.

He had navigated Hanabi's party far better than anyone thought he would, and he and Hinata appeared to get along well. That was hardly surprising, really – Hinata got along with everyone. However, she was more at ease than Neji had thought she would be. When he had said as much to Hinata, she had offered,

"Maybe that is because the Sasuke you are thinking of isn't the one I know."

When he'd raised his eyebrows, she'd smiled gently and added, "People do change after University, Neji."

He'd conceded her point, even if he did not give the Uchiha nearly as much credit as Hinata did.

However: they key thing he had to remember was that personalities aside, having Sasuke on the front lines to protect his cousins – and invested because of a threat to his own dōjutsu- was hardly something of which to be dismissive. There were very few shinobi of his caliber; his cousins were in good hands.

"Better him than the Uzumaki," he muttered to himself, going through his paperwork. If Neji had to deal with Konohamaru and Naruto on a regular basis, he might seriously consider a covert operation to relocate them to Suna until the threat passed. At least Gaara was quiet.

He allowed himself a moment or two to indulge in the idea – he could work at the hospital in Suna, as could Sakura. The girls could be kept safe in the Suna branch of ANBU…

It was a tempting daydream, but the logistics would never work.

No, Neji was currently where he needed to be and working with the people with whom he needed to work. Satisfied with his ruminations, he sat down to work, and waited to hear from Genma.

Hanabi
*Grounds for Thought*

Saturday, April 25th 10:12 AM KST
Konoha, Grounds for Thought café

Konohamaru contacted Hanabi the same evening he'd seen her at his Uncle's house.

We just challenged Shogi with two babysitters. We need to talk strategy.

Bemused and amused, Hanabi agreed to meet with him at a local coffee shop. The brisk spring air was fresh and full of promise, and her heart hummed with anticipation. After having a lavish birthday party, a stop at a quirky coffee joint might seem like nothing special, but to Hanabi, who secretly craved the normalcy of these experiences, it was one of the most exciting things planned for her week. She wasn't far from the door when it swung open and she was met with what was becoming a familiar smile.

"C'mon – get in here where it's warm," Konohamaru urged. Hanabi gave an appreciative nod and hurried forward, burrowing her head into her scarf and collar to evade the chill of the early spring air. When she stepped in, warmth washed over her, as well as the inviting smell of tea and coffee and baked goods. She followed Konohamaru to the counter.

"Didn't you order, yet?" she asked, glancing to a table where she saw a familiar backpack and jacket.

"Time for a refill," he pulled punch card and some money out of his pocket. "I came early to do some studying." He nodded to the large menu boards over the counter, listing out any number of custom beverages and snacks.

"I don't even know where to start," she blinked in awe.

"Let's ask the expert," Konohamaru shrugged. He referred her to the man behind the counter, who after asking her a series of odd and seemingly irrelevant questions, stroked his chin, adjusted his thick, black glasses, and set about (presumably) making her a drink. Konohamaru carried their tray to the table and held her seat out for her. He then shuffled his papers away, put their drinks and snacks in front of their respective seats, and returned the tray to the guru behind the counter. Hanabi looked around, with what she hoped was nonchalance. There was a 360°-stand-alone fireplace in the middle of the room and their table was a comfortable distance from it. She noted that they were in a corner of sorts, but had an excellent view of exits, restrooms, and everything else. She smirked to herself. Did Konohamaru seat them strategically on purpose, or was it just second nature at this point?

He slid into his seat across from her. "So, I have good news and bad news," he said handing her several brown paper napkins.

"Oh?" she wrapped her fingers around the warm mug and inhaled the tantalizing smell of chocolate.

"The good news is that Uncle Asuma called me. The kids spent time with Tsume, and had such a great time – wait, scratch that – Tsume had such a great time with the kids, that she invited over for this weekend."

Hanabi blinked broadly. "All by herself?"

Konohamaru shrugged.

"That is…" Hanabi tried to think of a word.

"Insane?" Konohamaru sipped his drink. "I agree. It would be different if Hana was still around; she was always good at helping keep Tsume focused."

"She was nice," Hanabi said fondly. "I haven't seen her in forever. Not since she moved away. So," she took a slow sip and was pleasantly surprised at the rich burst of cinnamon under the cream. "What is the bad news?"

"Shōgi," Konohamaru said flatly. "He refused to stay."

Hanabi put her drink down and watched the lazy vapors of steam float and dissipate in the air between them. "Well, that isn't such a big deal, is it?" she focused on her mug. "I could babysit him myself if it comes down to it," she offered, ignoring the twinge of disappointment somewhere in her stomach. "It makes more sense, all things considered."

"That makes no sense," Konohamaru said flatly. "Besides - that would be where the 'bad news' part comes in. Shōgi not only refused to stay with Tsume and the others, he demanded we hold to the original agreement – or at least a modified version of it."

"Modified, how?"

"He wants a sleep over, for starters," Konohamaru ticked items off on his fingers. "No parents. Movies. Pizza. Late night. That is my specialty."

"Sorry I'll miss it."

"That's the kicker." he grinned. "He wants you there, too."

"Oh," she arched an eyebrow. "And In what universe does he think Hyūga Hiashi will permit a sleepover with just the three of us?" Hanabi leaned forward with a conspiratorial whisper. "I'll give you a hint. It's not this one."

"No kidding," Konohamaru chuckled. "Shōgi knows that, and his suggestion got as far as Uncle Asuma saying 'nice try.' I think it was part of his strategy, though," Konohamaru took a bite of brownie and chewed thoughtfully.

"How so?"

"Well," Konohamaru said thickly before downing some of his drink and starting over. "Well, I think he made the most unreasonable request he could, so that negotiating for you to stay as long as you would normally stay, and then essentially still getting a solo pizza party and sleep-over with no parents until the morning would seem like nothing." Konohamaru shrugged. "It's just a theory, though."

"Sound logic," Hanabi allowed. "Well the bad news isn't so bad, then" she shrugged. "I guess that is what Kurenai meant when she said that I'd only have two kids to look after. "

Konohamaru looked surprised. "When did you see Aunt Kurenai? And is one of the other kids coming?"

"Hinata and I had lunch with her yesterday," Hanabi sipped her drink. "And I'm looking at the other kid."

"Oh, ha, ha," Konohamaru laughed flatly.

"Still," Hanabi leaned back in her chair with a small laugh. "We should have a strategy in place. Shōgi is a handful."

"Absolutely," he affirmed. "Maybe moreso now than before, because we will have Shōgi's undivided attention."

"You sound nervous," Hanabi arched an eyebrow.

"No, I sound apprehensive, and if you aren't, you don't know my cousin."

Hanabi gave a modified version of the Hyūga derisive snort. "It's still two against one."

"Not going to cop out on me, then?" Konohamaru teased. "Now's your last chance."

"I don't go back on my word," Hanabi said coolly.

Konohamaru was going to answer, but he stopped when he saw the familiar approaching figure of his roommate. He flicked Hanabi a 'we'll come back to this' look and nodded a greeting to his friend.

"Hey," Inari said with an easy smile. "Udon and Moegi sent me ahead; they had to finish up some group work." His eyes drifted to Hanabi, who had slipped back into her 'polite' mode.

"Hanabi, right?" he asked her. "I think we had a class together."

"We did," she nodded. "Resource management. You did quite well, as I recall."

"So did you," he grinned and nodded to the chair next to her. "Is that seat taken?"

Hanabi shook her head, and Inari plopped his backpack on the chair before hanging his coat on the back. He was a shade shorter than Konohamaru, but he was broad chested. He absently shoved his sleeves up, revealing strong, well-muscled forearms. "Either of you need anything?" he asked, nodding his head to the counter.

"No, thank you," Hanabi said with a small smile, and Konohamaru shook his head.

"I'm good, man."

Inari looked to the door. "Rest of the gang is here," he said mildly. "You two want the usual?" he called over his shoulder.

A "Sure" and a "Yeah, thanks," came from Udon and Moegi respectively, and Inari headed up to the counter while the other two shook out of their coats.

"Back for introductions in a second," Udon said with a quick smile, and Moegi followed. "Same!" They hurried over to where Inari had placed their orders so they could pay individually. Hanabi kept her mask firmly in place but there was a longing in her heart. She wondered what it would be like to have friends that you knew so well and saw so often that if you had a 'usual' order somewhere they knew about it. It was a fleeting thought, and she hid her moment of introspection by taking another sip of her warm beverage.

Konohamaru glanced around the room, busily cataloging details. There weren't many people there, but he had been told ahead of time that there was still another ANBU or two keeping tabs from a distance. He stopped cataloging everything when Inari slid a tray onto the table, and started divvying up the contents.

"So, Hanabi," he sat comfortably in his chair. "Nice to finally meet you, officially. Since my roommate is being rude," he shot Konohamaru a mock-offended look, "I'm Inari," he looked over to the other two.

"Udon," he half waved from his end of the table.

"Moegi," the other girl grinned before elbowing Konohamaru. "Udon, Konohamaru, and I were all a genin squad. You'd think we'd be used to his bad manners."

Konohamaru nudged Moegi back. "Very funny," he narrowed his eyes, but his air was playful.

"So what's up?" Inari asked as he offered her a cookie from what was apparently a communal plate. "Come up with a way to keep Shōgi entertained, yet?"

Konohamaru glanced at Hanabi who was carefully taking one of the smaller cookies on the plate with a polite murmur of thanks and flash of a smile.

"Still working on it," he said vaguely.

"Good luck with that," Moegi grinned. "Last I heard, even Shikamaru had a time outwitting him."

"Hanabi's dealt with Shōgi loads of times," Konohamaru shrugged. "Between the two of us we'll come up with something for tonight."

"Good luck, just the same," Udon offered before sneezing into a tissue. "Allergies," he explained with a sniff.

Konohamaru rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, guys. What would I do without you?"

"You'd still be wearing goggles, for one." Moegi smirked into her latte.

"Goggles?" Hanabi asked. She cocked her head at Konohamaru. "Why did you wear goggles?"

"Get comfortable, Hanabi," Inari leaned back in his chair. "Udon, Moegi? The genin days, please."

Tenten and Kiba
*Hussle*

6:27 PM KST
Konoha, Snookered billiards hall and restaurant

Tenten watched Kiba circled the table, eyes on the felt and deciding what shot to take. She was incredibly competitive, but she also loved a good challenge. She appreciated that Kiba turned out to be excellent competition, and provided her with a great game of pool.

He lined up his shot.

"Don't you dare."

"Why?" he leaned over sliding the cue back and forth as he gauged the trajectory. "'Fraid this is the end?"

"Hardly," she snorted. "We both know this shot," she outlined another option, using her cue as a giant pointer "is much better, and that if you miss this one – which you probably will – it's a terrible shot, I am going to clean up and win."

Kiba stood and considered her.

"I'm perfectly capable of kicking your ass on my own, Inuzuka," she put a hand on her hip. "Play the game to win or don't play."

Kiba's smile was slow and sure. With a shrug he said, "Suit yourself." He was solids – he cleared the 3, the 7, and the five before sinking 8-ball for the win. "Like that?"

"Just like that," she grinned. "Fair's fair – dinner is on me. We're going to have to have a rematch, though – you know that, right?"

Kiba glanced at the clock. "Tell you what. Let's grab dinner now, because we are going to have to call it an early night. Raincheck on the rematch."

"Fair," she said with a slow smile. "I kinda can't believe you won."

"I can't believe you're not mad."

Tenten laughed, and crossed to take his pool cue. "I hate losing, but it isn't so bad when the other person is good at the game. Besides," she looked him over, "the view was pretty good." Kiba's mouth dropped open, and she laughed before reaching up to close it. "I'll go get us a table."

He watched her put their cues away and saunter back to the restaurant area, pausing to look over her shoulder, and putting a hand on her hip while she raised her eyebrows. "Coming?" she asked.

Kiba's smile was slow, but wolfish. "Absolutely."

Hanabi and Konohamaru
*Lessons in Strategy*

6:45 PM KST
Konoha, the Sarutobi residence

Shōgi had demanded a full report of all activities from the party. Anticipating this, Hanabi handed him at tablet with insider photos and explained who everyone was, and where they came from. When she and Konohamaru began to retell their encounter with Chikara, he began to dart looks between the two of them suspiciously. He kept quiet, though, and got in his training and sparring and playing that he usually got with Hanabi, and pizza and movies that he usually got with Konohamaru.

Hanabi was in the corner of the couch, legs tucked up.

Shōgi was backed into the opposite corner, propped on a couple of pillows, half watching the movie, and half watching Hanabi watch the movie.

Konohamaru sat on the floor, his back to the couch, but between them both. Now and then, he'd tag Shōgi's leg and they'd smirk triumphantly at some scene or say a line to each other, or bump fists.

Upon discovering that Hanabi had never seen most of their favorite movies, Shōgi and Konohamaru immediately set about correcting this tragedy.

"I still don't know how you haven't seen these," Konohamaru shook his head. "Did you even have a childhood?"

Hanabi darted a sharp look his way before reminding herself he was teasing. She settled for mumbling something like "Have you met my clan?"

"There are too many to watch tonight," Shōgi said philosophically. "And you don't have time to watch them in general, or you would have already." He looked up at her seriously. "This is a problem."

"Is it?" Hanabi asked, curiously.

Shōgi nodded sagely. "There are more boys than girls in our family. The older my brothers get, the more they will want to watch these. Even my sister watches them. If you are going to babysit us, you should probably know about them all – both the movies and series."

"Guess I have my work cut out for me," Hanabi said gravely.

"We'll help," Shōgi shrugged. "Like training."

"Oh?" Hanabi asked. "Who is 'we?'"

"Konohamaru and me. No one knows this stuff like we do. We'll watch them with you and fill you in on everything you need to know." He looked to Konohamaru for backup. "She still has a lot to learn."

"Absolutely," Konohamaru nodded sagely, and instantly picking up on what his cousin was trying to do. "So what kind of training strategy are you thinking?"

"She's basically starting from nothing," Shōgi sighed. "It's going to take a lot of work."

"I agree," Konohamaru nodded.

"I sound pretty hopeless," Hanabi muttered.

"No, we can get you up to speed," Shōgi mused in that so-much-older-than-seven-years-old way of his. "Every week would be best," he offered to Konohamaru.

"That is a bit tight, buddy," his older cousin flicked a glance to Hanabi. "Once a month might be an okay start.

"No," Shōgi shook his head. "That will take too long. Maybe every other week."

Konohamaru rubbed the back of his neck. "Still pushing it. We both have pretty full schedules, Shōgi."

"Every three weeks," Hanabi interjected, earning looks from them both. "It is a compromise," she shrugged. "I can't do all-nighters," she pointed out, "but I am sure I can find room in my schedule for some extra training."

She and Konohamaru exchanged a glance while Shōgi pondered that. "It's a good start," he nodded slowly.

"I've been told I'm a fast learner," Hanabi said dryly.

"Well, no time like the present," Konohamaru grinned. "Shōgi – go pick the next movie. It will probably be the last one before Hanabi has to go home, so no run times over 120 minutes."

Shōgi, tasked with this mission, sprang up from the couch and went to the shelves of DVDs.

Konohamaru looked over to Hanabi, flicking a glance at his cousin. "You don't have to do this," he said too quietly for Shōgi to hear. "I know your schedule is insane, and-"

"And I love these kids. I've never really had the luxury of making time with them a priority. Father has often said that the Sarutobi compound is the safest place in Konoha, outside of our own. I know he won't object."

Konohamaru looked uncertain. "Well, if you're sure," he trailed off as he looked over to where Shōgi was still contemplating their next movie selection.

Hanabi followed his gaze and smiled at the sight of Shōgi in deep thought. "I'm sure," she said quietly.

Two hours and forty-five minutes later, Hanabi was stretching with a yawn before reaching for her coat. Natsu and another Hyūga were standing just outside of the room, waiting to escort her home.

"Konohamaru and I will put together a watch list," Shōgi said. "I'll send you a copy of what to expect next time."

Hanabi gave Shōgi a fond smile. "That sounds like a good plan," she agreed before yawning again. She began to blink away tears and apologized as she fumbled with her coat. Konohamaru reflexively plucked it out of her arms and held it out for her. She fished her scarf out of the sleeve of her coat – which is what had been impeding her progress in the first place – and wound it around her neck. "Thanks," she said over her shoulder as he she pushed her arms through the sleeves, and he dropped the coat in place.

"Anytime," he shrugged and put his hands in his pockets.

"And thanks for the movies, Shōgi," she turned to the boy who had come over to her, subconsciously mimicking Konohamaru's easy hands-in-pockets pose.

"Anytime," he also shrugged. Hanabi hugged Shōgi while she and Konohamaru exchanged amused glances.

"I'll see you soon," she promised the boy. She backed up and smiled at them both. "Don't stay up too late," she warned, buttoning her coat.

"Yes, mother," Konohamaru rolled his eyes.

Both Sarutobis walked her to the door and waved goodbye, before returning to their lair.

Konohamaru shot off two quick texts before taking Hanabi's spot on the couch. About ten minutes later, his phone buzzed multiple times. One was Genma, letting him know that per the assigned ANBU agent shadowing them, Hanabi made it home safely. The second was Hanabi giving him the same information and thanking both he and Shōgi for the fun night.

"Hanabi get home okay?" Shōgi asked sleepily.

"Yeah," Konohamaru glanced at his phone and back to his cousin. "She just messaged me. She said to give you a hug for her. I'm guessing you'd prefer a fistbump?"

Shōgi held out his fist lazily, and his cousin initiated their complicated cousin-only-fistbump-handshake combo.

"Tell her thanks for coming," Shōgi yawned.

"Will do. You want to crash out here or in your room?"

"Here," Shōgi mumbled. "Never get to when everyone is home."

"Got it," Konohamaru fixed the blanket on his cousin. "I'll put on another movie, and you work on conking out, okay?"

"Deal," Shōgi's eyes began to drift closed.

Konohamaru did as he said, before settling in and sending more texts, grinning at his phone.

Shōgi continued to watch under the guise of sleep. He knew that Konohamaru messaged his teammates and roommate pretty regularly, as well as Naruto and Kakashi – but he didn't normally grin that much when he did. Shōgi frowned.

For whatever reason, the idea that his cousin might be messaging Hanabi didn't sit quite right with Shōgi. He didn't know what the weird tightness at the top of his lungs was, but he just didn't like it. Maybe he'd ask his dad about it in the morning. Man to Man.

Pleased with that solution, he fell asleep with several itineraries for Hanabi flitting through his mind, and the sounds of his favorite anime in the background.