The first casualty of War is Innocence.
-Oliver Stone
She couldn't always see him, but she knew he was there. Always. She could feel those eyes boring into her, their intensity burning through her clothes, disintegrating her flesh, and imprinting itself on her bones. Ever since she got out of the hospital, she could feel those eyes, black as night, following her; watching, waiting for her to make a mistake.
Only in the comfort her home was she safe from those eyes. It relieved her that, a criminal he might be, he still had a sense of honour left, and respected get privacy.
But, outside those walls, she'd learned to think a million times, before saying anything. She would get goosebumps at the most random of moments, when she could almost forget that she wasn't alone. When she would shiver midsentence, stumbling over her words because she was sudden made aware that he was watching her.
It was his own way of reminding her just how much power and control he had. He could hurt her--or worse, her friends--in a heartbeat.
Even now, as she strolled the village, his eyes followed her. She wondered how he managed to do it, without getting caught.
Maybe, he was just that good.
The fluttering of wings nearby caught her attention. Turning towards the source of the sound, Hinata stared at the crow seated on the nearby wall. She blinked, cocking her head to the side, watching as it did the same, it's beady eyes looking straight at her.
Yet, another thing that had become common since the incident at the hospital.
Crows.
They were always there. First, it was only her training grounds. Then, slowly they spread to the Hospital, where she helped. Soon, they were everywhere she went; the market, and even outside her house.
She wondered if it had anything to do with the eldest Uchiha.
Snapping out of her thoughts, she watched as another pair of wings landed next to the first one. It was ruffling its feathers with its beak, when it turned to her. For a second, it seemed to freeze, its red eyes looking at her intently.
Wait, Hinata backed up at her thoughts, Wait. Red eyes?
She furrowed her eyebrows as the core spread it's wings, and cawed at her. Suddenly, another crow came and perched on the wall. Then, another and another and another and-
Soon, the whole wall was seated on by at least, a dozen of crows. Simultaneously, they began to caw at her.
Eyes widening, Hinata stepped back, sharply turning the opposite direction. But, it was no use, as she saw where her feet had carried her. Her training Grounds.
She pursed her lips, her eyes gazing over the trees, frowning at the multiple dark birds perched upon them. The scene reminded her of haunted houses; thundering clouds as lightening struck, illuminating the crow-infested trees.
Frowning at her thoughts, she shook the mental image out of her mind. It was inappropriate for both--her situation, and her state of mind.
One again eyeing the black bird, she furrowed her eyebrows as movement caught her eye. Narrowing her eyes, she faintly made out the outline of a figure seated on the branch of a tree, surrounded by crows.
Squinting her eyes even more, she gasped when she spotted two red dots amidst all the black.
Is that-?
"Hinata?"
She turned around quickly, almost shrieking in surprise, as she stumbled over her own feet and fell flat on her face.
She felt her face burn, as she grimaced.
Well, that went from 0 to hundred real quick.
She heard a choking sound as she helped herself into a sitting position, rubbing her temple.
"Ow..."
She looked up when she heard another choking sound.
"Shino!"
The said person coughed again, his shoulders shaking.
Hinata furrowed her eyebrows, as she extended a hand towards her teammate.
"Are you alright?"
In response, Shino only turned away, still making choking noises, occasionally coughing.
Is he alright?
It suddenly dawned in her that Shino was laughing!
At her!
Her face turned to all shades of red as she hid it behind her hands.
"It's not funny." Came her muffled reply.
Hesitating, Shino let out a chuckle. He was usually in control of his emotions, but Hinata had caught him off guard with her clumsiness, and he couldn't help but laugh.
Watching her peek through her fingers, he had no doubt that she was pouting. Hiding a smile behind his coat, he extended a hand towards her, helping her up.
"Thank you."
He heard her say, her face still a faint pink. He only nodded stiffly in response, as Hinata stood up, dusting herself.
"The Hokage wishes to see you." Shino said, when she was done.
"Eh?!"
Sudden, Hinata felt the air around her grow cold. It was only a small change, but she felt it all the same. His presence, which had been only fleeting, now returned full force, surrounding her, wrapping its hands around her throat, entering her lungs, suffocating her and engulfing her completely.
She couldn't breath. She'd forgotten about him again.
This was his way of warning her.
"A word about my presence to anyone and I'll make sure that precious teammate of yours will never open his eyes again."
In response, she gulped, straightening. Shino, the ever-observant, noticed the smallest changes in her posture.
"Are you well? You look quite pale."
Hinata jumped slightly, forcing a smile in her face.
"I-I'm fine. Don't worry."
She was lying, Shino knew that. But, he didn't press her. She would tell him, eventually.
She always did.
After a quick goodbye, she made her way to the Hokage's office.
Uchiha Itachi followed.
She wondered how long he would continue to do so.
Standing outside the Hokage's office, Hinata took a deep breath, calming her nerves. Then, she knocked.
"Come in!" Came the muffled reply.
Pushing all thoughts out of her head, Hinata stepped inside.
"You called for me, Lady Hokage?"
Looking up from the piles of paper infront of her, Tsunade reflexively smiled. The shy Kunoichi always managed to warm her heart just by her mere presence.
Shoving some papers away from her face, she rested her chin on the back of her palm.
"Yes, I did. But before that, let's talk about you for a second."
Analyzing the squirming girl from head to toe, the busty Hokage fixated her stare on her.
"How are you today? And your wounds?"
Hinata fidgeted with the hem of her jacket at the attention.
"I-I'm okay, I guess." She replied rather timidly, "And my wounds are all healed."
The Hokage grinned at her in response.
"Good to her. Wouldn't want one of my favourite kounichi in the village to be all busted up."
Her last comment was followed by a wink.
Hinata, in response, turned red.
Tsunade grinned again. The girl was endlessly entertaining. Her eyes, though having seen the horrors of the world she lived in, were still innocent as ever. The girl reminded Tsunade of a child. And it made her happy to think that, despite all the bloodshed she had witnessed, she was still as pure as ever. As kind as ever. As hopeful as ever. As determined as ever.
A place in the sun, that was what Hinata meant.
It quite suits her, Tsunade mused.
Seeing the Hokage's rare soft smile, Hinata but her lip slightly, hesitant to break her out of her thoughts.
"Lady Hokage? Is everything okay?"
Tsunade blinked, her surroundings coming into sharp focus again. She took in the young woman in front of her.
"You know, Hinata, someday you're going to make a man really happy."
Hinata's eyebrows shot up, her surprise overcoming the embarrassment such a comment would have caused.
"Lady Hokage?" Hinata questioned, requesting her to elaborate.
Is she really okay?
Instead of replying, shaking her head, Tsunade only pursed her lips.
"Nothing, just thinking about something." Tsunade cleared her throat.
"Now, as to the reason of why you are here."
Hinata straightened up at that, mind blanking of her previous thoughts and concern over the Hokage's wellbeing.
"I have a mission for you." The Hokage began as she grabbed a nearby scroll.
"It is an escort mission, B-Rank.You are simply to escort a client back to her non-shinobi village. She is the second child of the Chief of the same village, so I expect you to be on guard."
Hinata nodded in response.
"I also want you to be extra cautious. They particularly asked for a Hyuga, which is suspicious in itself. He claimed that he would feel more comfortable if his daughter was in the capable hands of a member of the elite Hyuga Clan, which, if you ask me, is nothing but a bunch of bullshit."
Hinata listened intently. It wasn't the first time something like this had happened. It was blindingly obvious what they wanted.
"The Byakugan?" She asked quietly, pressing her lips in a straight line. It was well-known that the Caged-Bird Seal prevented the Byakugan from being stolen or tampered with. However, despite that, some still tried their luck, hoping to somehow get their hands in the famous Bloodline trait.
"Most likely." The Hokage replied, "I would've sent Neji, but he is currently out on another mission."
Hinata tried to quell the hurt that stabbed her heart at that statement.
She was the second option, always had been the second option. Second to Neji, second to Hanabi, second to Sakura.
Hinata wasn't jealous. She didn't have it in her to be jealous. But, that didn't mean that it didn't hurt.
Tsunade didn't notice her inaudible sigh.
"As soon as you sense something wrong, I want you to send a message immediately. You are allowed to engage in combat with your client, if necessary. Understand?"
Hinata nodded mutely.
"You will leave in an hour. Good luck."
With a nod and a last bow, Hinata exited the office. Turning towards the direction of Kurenai's apartment--her home-- Hinata sighed.
I better start packing.
There is today's update...
*yawns*
Sorry, I'm really sleepy.
Anyway, what are your thoughts?? Did you like it? What do you think will happen on the mission? Will it have anything to do with our favourite characters??
Wait to find out. Until then, ENJOY!!
-Your sleepy author.
