Sorry this chapter is on the short end. It's more of a wrap up then anything so I can move on with The Plot.
I woke up in my bed.
Apparently Tou-San didn't want me spending the night. Not like I really cared since my plan worked! Kumo-kidnapped captured, and Neji's father is safe. This is good. This meant I can change things from what I remember happening.
It also meant that otherwise things are going the way it did in the story, but I already planned for that.
Needless to say, I work up that morning in a very good mood.
Well, until I actually opened my eyes and looked around my room.
"Itachi? What are you doing in my room?"
"Good morning Imouto." Itachi said looking like he didn't sleep at all last night.
Which is weird since he was asleep even before I left the night before.
"Ita-ni, I love you but why are you in my room before Ka-chan?"
"No reason." He said and I raised an eyebrow.
"Really? Do you always watch me when I sleep or something?"
"I haven't before."
I gave my loving brother a glare because that sounded like he was planning on watching me sleep for the indeterminable future. Just what happened last night to make him so paranoid?
Wait.
"Is this about how Hinata-chan almost got kidnaped last night? Like, are you worried that might happen again?" I asked, slowly looking over Itachi.
I never claimed to be like Sherlock Holmes and able to know if someone was lying by their eye twitching or whatever, but Itachi had quite the poker face. Not even having a three (and a half) year old glaring at him broke it, and I know I would be laughing my ass of if I saw a mirror.
"The Kumo-nin would be willing to try that again."
"I meant in general. It's fine that you are worried, but don't forget that Ka-chan and Tou-chan are here as well." I said before finally getting out of my bed.
"Can you leave so I can get dressed now?" I whined.
Itachi got up with a nod and I got ready for the day.
The day passed normally. After breakfast Itachi left to go train or do a mission with his team (I might have not been paying attention). Ka-chan then had me help her in the garden until she decided it was time for my written lesson.
That was when there was a knock at the door.
I continued working as Ka-chan got up to go answer it. Since this was the head family, there was lots of people that would come by for one reason or another. I never payed too much attention, but maybe I should have. I know a few members of my clan, but there is a lot.
"She's in the back, why don't you go say hi."
I looked up when Ka-chan said that, just in time to see a small child run over to me. She stopped right in front of me, before looking down at her feet.
"Hey Hinata-chan." I said with a smile.
That seemed to break Hinata out of whatever reservations she had about talking to be.
"G-good afternoon Chiyome-san." Hinata said with a small smile of her own.
Looking slightly past Hinata, I saw Ka-chan talking to Hinata's mom Hikari. Seems like the Hyūga are already making it thanks to the Uchiha clan known. Otherwise if it was just them trying to set up a play date for Hinata and I, it wouldn't have been at the house.
"Would you like to draw with me?" I asked, pulling out some clean sheets of paper.
Hinata hesitated for a moment before nodding so much she looked like a bobble head. I wondered if Hinata has ever played with a kid her age before. Not that i'm really her age, but she doesn't know that and why else would a three year old be worried about drawing?
I pulled out some crans that was only a few colors. Nothing like the 24 packs of crayola like when I was a kid. Still Hinata didn't know better and I had had fun trying to draw the character that I could remember.
Ones that weren't from Naruto. I already have a journal for that and I would rather not fill it with loose papers.
"That looks scary." Hinata commented on my red dragon and I tilted my head.
"Well Smug isn't a good dragon. See, he stole their home and took all their stuff." I said before loosely retelling the plot of the Hobbit.
Hinata was completely mesmerized and I wondered if I could make a living publishing stories from my old life. Might be a good retirement plan. Like what Jiraiya does, only less porn.
"Hina-chan, it's time to go home." Hikari said and only then did I realize the sun was setting.
I didn't even do my physical training today!
"B-but..." Hinata said looking to me with what only could be called puppy-dog eyes.
"We should play again tomorrow!" I said before tears could fall.
"Actural, I was wondering if you and Chiyome-san would like to accompany us to the new year's festival." Hikari said to me, before looking to Ka-chan who was looking very pleased.
"I think that is a great idea. This is the first year her brother wouldn't be able to join us, so I'm sure Chiyome would love the company."
"YA! Ino-chan, Shika-chan, and Choji-chan should come too!" I said figuring it would be good for them to meet Hinata.
"You have a lot of friends." Hikari commented with a light laugh that she covered with her hand.
"Yep, and I bet they want to be your friend too Hina-chan!" I said with my brightest smile.
If Ino was able to make Sakura into a confident girl in the show i'm sure it would benefit Hinata as well.
"Really?" Hinata said in complete shock.
"Of course! Who wouldn't want to be your friend?" I asked with a tilt of my head.
Without having to look, I knew the mothers were just cooing at how cute we were. Seems like those drama classes I took were useful even though I can't even remember them now.
Mikoto always loved the new year festival. Waking up before the sun was always a challenge, even more so once kids were involved, but was always worth it. It was sad that Itachi had a mission - his first c-rank - but seeing her youngest nodding off on Fugaku's shoulder was worth it.
Mikoto laughed silently at the sight. Chiyome was so excited to see all of her friends that she hardly went to bed the night before. Not to mention that Fugaku would bark at a police officer that was slacking off every so often, scaring them despite the sleepy girl that would smile lazily at them.
"Mikoto-san!"
"Yoshino-san, It is nice to see you again." Mikoto said noticing that her old teammate was hold Shikamaru who also seemed unable to stay awake so early.
"Are we there?" Chiyome said with her face stilled barred in her father's jacket.
"Yes, Shikamaru is here."
Chiyome pulled away and Fugaku put her down. It didn't take long for the other children and respected parents to arrive at the temple by the Nara forest. Chiyome didn't waste any time in introducing Hinata to the rest of her friends, and effortlessly folded Hinata's cousin in with them.
"Hi I'm Chiyome!" Her daughter said with a smile as Hinata was practically hanging off her arm.
The boy looked to his father who gave a nod.
"I am Hyuga Neji. Nice to meet you Chiyome-san."
Mikoto smiled at the boy who was only a year older then the kids and yet already had his forehead covered. Mikoto was never very close to anyone in the Hyuga clan, but Kushina was friends with Hizashi. There was even a few times where the redhead would wonder out loud if she could remake the seal.
"Come over here and meet my friends!" Chiyome said leading the boy over to where Shikamaru and Choji were, and Ino was walking over to.
It was great that Chiyome was effortlessly getting along with the kids, but the same couldn't be said about Fugaku and Hiashi. Those two have always had a rivalry, and how that they are both clan head it has only gotten worst. It was taking all of Mikoto control not to laugh at the sight of Hiashi trying to thank Fugaku for saving his daughter.
"Hn. I was just going my job." Fugaku said and Mikoto would have swore that Hiashi's eye twitched at that.
"Yes, well, It is still appreciated. The Hyuga clan will not forget your... good work."
"Now that's taken care of, I think some of the children want to go see the festival." Hizashi said in a light tone despite his blank face.
Mikoto looked to see that Chiyome was already leading the pack of children to one of the stalls, problemy doing a better job of keeping the kids together then most adult would.
"Yes, I think that would be wise." Mikoto agreed as she walked over.
It was enjoyable.
Mikoto didn't realize how much she missed her old teammate and it was interesting seeing Ino-shika-cho outside of the field. The fact their kids got along was good. Great for connections and the fact that they will all be in the same academy year as long as none graduate early. Or there are no wars.
It was a good start to a new year.
Next chapter will have a short time skip, mainly becuase I'm getting tired of writeing three-four year olds. But thank you everyone who is following or has favorited this story! And the review! I think the last chapter was the most review I have ever gotten for this story which is great becuase I spent a lot time on it. Ayways, thank you EmmieSauce, Luna Latanya, Wren (guest), PrLovato22, NaruNaruru, ChibiStellachan, Guest, lizyeh2000, pendora59, blurcndish, LadyLunaTwilight, and CasJeanne.
Hopefully the next chapter will be longer. Until then I hope you all have a good day/night!