Harbinger

by tigerowl

Naruto's friendship with his teammates Gaara and Haku is put to the test as they prepare to deal with the threat of the Akatsuki. The secrets Jiraiya has kept come to a head, and Naruto must shoulder the responsibility of protecting much more than the Leaf Village. Continuation of Forlorn. AU NaruHina, GaaSaku, NejiTen, ObiRin, OCs *Taoism, Self-Indulgent World Building, longfic

22. Vigil

A/N: Thank you to Fanfiction Bard, samsaraknight, euroteres, fiveflyingsquirrels, Gabriel's Trumpet, Red Wings, DemonVermin, Baconblades, Ancestor's Dragon, Morlin, angelic charity…..and others for commenting on the last chapter! I am tickled pink.

Chapter Soundtrack: "Seven Swords/Battle of Wits" by Kenji Kawai

Chapter 22- Vigil

Neji had taken a hard left off of the main tunnel and Lee followed, shouting his inquiry, "Why are we going this way? Sai must be-!"

"That passage is blocked off. His correspondent used an Earth Jutsu." Neji's Byakugan had noticed the obstacle in advance, "We can detour towards him through this channel."

The boys ran pell-mell through the dusky passageway, up and over a loading dock with empty carts and then exited through a narrow, wooden-framed doorway. The path let out into an enormous cavern with a high ceiling, where all of the tracks for the pushcarts converged.

At the center of the echoing space was Sai, hopping frantically over the rails with his scroll and brush in hand. Ink Beast after Ink Beast was cleaved apart by the double-crossed nukenin, Yasuya, expertly thrusting his halberd. The man had noticed Neji's incoming Air Palm from the corner of his eye and leaped back to avoid it. Sai had his chance to retreat as his teammates arrived.

"So they're gluttons for punishment?" Yasuya sniffed, "I thought you wanted to get them out…but they probably thought they could save your sorry ass." The man laughed in deranged delight, "Three stupid teenagers…it's like my birthday came early!"

Sai hissed at Neji, "I thought you'd be smart enough to read that message. I can't help you at this point!"

"Lee and I are literate." Neji assured him, "But we make our own decisions. If you were left here by yourself your chances of escape would be slim."

Lee had his eyes trained on Yasuya as he stabbed his deadly spear into the ground, freeing his hands for sealing, "He is about to attack!"

Another Earth Jutsu rattled the mine, dislodging sections of the ceiling and walls. Stone slabs careened down over the Leaf ninjas' heads and, unfortunately, had landed with a dusty crash at each of the four exits of the cavern. With every doorway blocked, Neji had to concoct an alternative means of escape while he and Lee dove at Yasuya, keeping him away from Sai. The Root ninja maintained his distance and covered them with Ink Beasts; lion-like, fanged entities that swiped at Yasuya until he split their heads apart with the halberd's steel edge.

Lee was effectively avoiding the spear that was spinning in the nukenin's hands, but Neji found that getting in close for Jyukken would be easier said than done. His opponent quickly interpreted his movements and then swiped with the halberd, countering his efforts. The tip sliced open his right cheek and Neji backed off, figuring he too needed to provide ranged attacks. Lee remained handily untouchable, but could not safely land a physical blow on the opponent.

Sai had relocated quickly, trying to come up from behind Yasuya as he dealt with Neji and Lee's furious combination-battering. He sent out an ink-viper that lunged and successfully wrapped itself around the mighty halberd. Yasuya about-faced and locked his eyes with Sai. The Root ninja understood that his intention was to kill him for his betrayal and hinder the soon-to-be-prisoners from escaping.

Plunging chakra into the halberd, Yasuya made it spring to life. Neji warned Lee to back away as the weapon manifested an unmistakable Fire Nature Transformation. The Ink Beast coiled around the shaft disintegrated in the flames and the nukenin, impervious to the fiery aura, swung the spear and set free a turbulent wave of fire that crashed over Sai. It burned the length of scroll in his hands and knocked it loose, lighting up everything flammable. Sai tumbled into the cave gravel and rolled, putting himself out.

He noted the position of his burned Super Beast Scroll on the floor and then dashed to avoid another flamethrower, drawing his tanto in defense as he sprinted to safety.

Neji was recalculating and giving his thoughts to Lee, "We need to remove that weapon from this battle. We won't be able to deal with it."

"What do you suggest?"

"I'm arming you." Neji informed him whilst summoning a set of nunchaku from the tool scroll, "Disarm him. When he's unguarded I'll attack."

Lee caught the threshing-chain that was tossed to him and he took off with the speed of the Second Gate, opened for some added swiftness. Sai dove in with him and was quickly scared off by the wheel of fire, and Lee had to dodge with ludicrous bends and leaps to avoid Yasuya's assaults. He could smell his hair and clothes beginning to crisp.

"You wanna go Caterpillar Face?" Yasuya roared; clashing his weapon against Lee's with a resounding ring.

Sai remarked from Neji's left, "I did not think of that one…"

Neji threatened to drown him for the comment and then launched a distant, nature-less Air Palm at Yasuya as Lee somersaulted away from a jousting thrust of the spear. Lee was too close for Neji to risk Wind Release, knowing that it would mince Lee like an onion if he was hit with it. The blast of chakra landed, knocking the man back, but he had weathered the blow with unusual sturdiness as he skidded on his feet, growling in annoyance. Neji was hastily deducing that this man had stamina and reserves that dwarfed an average shinobi's.

Lee's skin was red from the opening of the Third Gate and he rushed around Yasuya like a gymnast, the sound of the nunchaku clanging against the enemy halberd resonated sharply off the walls. An eruption of fire forced him to retreat, and Lee put enough distance between himself and the hulking nukenin so he could concentrate on his next Inner Gate.

Neji took a more assertive role, hazarding the blasts of fire and rotated to avoid the smoldering assaults. In-between Yasuya's strikes Neji employed Baguazhang, defending himself in small circles as a spearhead was prodded at him. With the Byakugan, Neji could see that both Lee and Sai were a safe distance away, and so a burst attack could cripple the enemy in that moment.

He rotated again, combining his chakra with his Wind Nature, and let the horrific, ripping twister of energy sweep over Yasuya as if he were a hapless tumbleweed. But the man roared with laughter, countering with his weapon and then let his Fire Nature halberd absorb the Wind Nature. Abruptly, Neji's technique drained and he had a single second to evacuate as the tidal wave of empowered flames coursed up to the height of the ceiling and down again, filling the cavern.

Neji witnessed Sai retreat into the adjacent ditch as Neji had to fling himself into a crevasse to avoid incineration. Lee, far off in a high corner of the cave on a stone pillar, had boosted himself to Five Gates. Then, in a flash, he had deserted the perch.

He exploded up from beneath Yasuya's chin, skirting his guard entirely, and his uppercut impacted the nukenin's jaw, hurtling him vertically into an iron support beam above. Oddly, the destructive attack only dizzied him, and before Neji could believe his lying eyes (as he climbed from shelter) Yasuya was trying once again to fry Lee. He was by then much too slow to catch him, but Lee's nunchaku whirled defensively until another opening cropped up.

The threshing chain snagged the pole of the spear in the brief absence of heat, and Lee heaved, wrenching the halberd free with his nunchaku as both weapons soared through the cave, fell, and then stuck into the ground. With a cry, Lee wrought Taijutsu fury on his unarmed opponent the likes of which Sai had never beheld. Neji positioned himself to assist in the finisher.

Glowing green, Lee burst into the air with his bellowing enemy; using blows that he was certain had been made stronger by his grandfather's lessons. At the zenith of the climb, Lee lashed down with a comet-kick that sent Yasuya to meet the earth…straight into Neji's whirling Wind Release Rotation below.

The man was cut apart. His severed left arm plopped down beside the Root ninja. Half of a foot landed elsewhere. Sai couldn't help a disgusted gasp from where he was salvaging his charred scroll, observing as Neji was splattered with blood from head to toe. Lee had landed with his Gates safely shut, and was catching his breath on the rail cart tracks.

Yasuya's body was akimbo on the floor. The three Leaf ninja breathed in the echoing quiet of the cave, relieved that the ordeal had come to an end. Sai had carefully unwound the last bit of parchment in the Super Beast Scroll. There was precious little space he could work with; maybe one last drawing if necessary. He would need to replace it after returning home, and then maybe consider carrying spares for the future.

A grunt of pain startled all of the recovering shinobi.

Mostly intact but lacerated beyond mortal coping, Yasuya pushed himself up to his knees, shaking with rage.

"You think I'd let…amateurs like you…humiliate me?" The man snarled.

Meters away from the near-corpse, Lee sat paralyzed in terror. His body was still struggling to fight through the pain of the Inner Gates recoil. Yasuya was between him and his teammates, and the nukenin had eyed him like prey as soon as he had staggered to his feet. What was worse…the halberd was a few steps away from Yasuya's reach.

Panicked, Sai elected to let his last drawing be an ink-bird. Escape was the wisest choice at that point, he thought with a pounding heart.

Neji watched in stunned amazement as Yasuya breathed fire, cauterizing his wounds and stubbed arm. He was unconcerned with the pain. Neji found it difficult to comprehend what kind of unstoppable resistance the enemy possessed. He had determined that the Fire Nature Transformation they had fought against was not contained in the spear; it had been inside the nukenin all along. He had funneled it through his weapon, as Neji realized all too late.

Yasuya charged while picking the halberd up along the way, and pounced on Lee who cried out, commanding his body to dodge. The metal spear tip came down and Lee rolled, avoiding a fatal stab, but had the back of his left hip sliced. His body was too shocked to allow him to stand. Lee somersaulted again, avoiding another jab, and then was pinned in the upper arm when Yasuya's blade caught up with him. A fraction of a second before fire could be employed; Neji's timely Air Palm blasted the nukenin from behind.

Yasuya soared into the nearest wall front-first with a rock-crunching smash. Neji rushed over to his teammate and hoisted him up, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, but how is he moving?" Lee was aghast, "Anyone else would be dead!"

Neji had figured that part out. He assisted Lee in hobbling towards Sai, who was waiting with a Beast Imitation eagle. He handed the wounded young man off to the Root ninja, who compliantly pushed him onto the back of the bird. Yasuya was stirring with a hell-raising roar in the background.

"It's time to leave. I'll fly us out of here." Sai offered, adding glumly, "But I had no idea that this person would be so stubborn…"

"There's a lot that you don't know, Sai. You don't know your comrades and you are an even poorer judge of your adversaries." Neji hissed, "You should pay dearly for this. For putting Lee in jeopardy…I should kill you." He turned and looked up at the stone ceiling, "But I will spare you this time. You need to get him out."

Bending at the knees and taking aim, Neji shot a robust Air Palm at the roof, shattering a hole in the top of the cavern. A placid blue sky shone through the circular opening and Sai took the hint. He joined Lee on the back of the eagle and then the ink-bird took flight.

Worried, Lee called, "You should be leaving too, Neji! Why must-?"

"I will be just behind you." Radiant with angry resolve, Neji faced the nukenin who was upright again, "This one needs to learn that I am no amateur."

Lee's shout of protest faded as he and Sai rose higher, away from the confrontation. Neji stared at the battle-scarred man who was entirely consumed with fury at that point.

"I'll just tell my master that I couldn't help killing you all. Accidents happen." Yasuya sneered, "Your bodies might fetch a price with your hag Hokage if we can't make a living purchase!"

Neji dashed towards him and came as close as he dared. Yasuya was clumsier with his weapon now that is was being brandished with one hand, and the Hyuga heir's evasion, which had been honed non-stop for weeks, frustrated the nukenin to the point of profanity. Eventually, one Jyukken strike connected and Yasuya seemed to absorb it, much like he had earlier blows.

Unrelenting, he swung the halberd down at Neji and cut his hair tie. In a splay of hair, Neji whirled, balanced, his center of gravity low, and effectively avoided the weapon. Fire began to filter into the surrounding air.

Boldly, Neji caught the spear with two hands in an attempt to wrestle it free. Yasuya spat in his face, called him a superlative pussy, and then promptly received a close quarters Wushu high-kick in the face that Neji had never been flexible enough for, save for that instance. Reeling, Yasuya's grip loosened. A cloud of fire had enveloped the two of them, but Neji had taken control of the halberd as it slipped from Yasuya's hand.

He plunged his Wind Nature into the weapon not with the intention of channeling it; Neji overloaded the spear and hacked it into pieces with his cutting chakra. It fell to the floor in segments and he stepped backwards gracefully as Yasuya took a swing at his face with his remaining fist. Neji dodged as if he had turned into dandelion tufts, waltzing in wind.

Changing his strategy, Yasuya backed up and inhaled deeply. He planned to exhale a plume of fiery chaos that could disgrace the Grand Fireball Jutsu. But the twerp of a clan prince who he had mockingly likened to genitalia was stooped low, his arms held diagonally to measure his field of divination. He was too fast.

Neji launched into Yasuya, assaulting tenketsu like a hurricane. Reaching his defensive limit, Yasuya's body could take no more, and the man was finally affected. With a burp, Yasuya's Fire Transformation puttered away without exiting his mouth, and he turned into moldable dough as Neji struck. Without hope of countering, the nukenin was subjected to 64 closed chakra points within two blinks, but the young Leaf ninja hadn't stopped there.

He shut 128 points and then took a step back, narrowing his eyes, and then shot a point-blank Wind Release: Air Palm at the flailing man. Yasuya was hurtled back and lost his legs and head during the attack. His disassembled parts scattered over the rail cart tracks.

The force of the technique had knocked Neji off his own feet, and he landed in the gravel on his backside. Tired, he fell flat on his back and looked up at the hole in the ceiling. He took a few slow and deep breaths, finally detecting how his muscles were screaming for oxygen. He had not noticed it earlier. All that had mattered was stopping the nukenin from pursuing his team. His hands trembled slightly while he rested on the ground. A bit of adrenalin was still taking effect.

After a long silence, a voice echoed down from the escape hatch, "Neji?" It was Lee.

"I finished it, Lee." He called back up, exhausted.

"Thank goodness! Do you need assistance?"

Neji snorted. He did need a bit of help getting out of the godforsaken; blood-and-limb peppered mine they had been trapped in.

"Yes. Tell that imbecile to send his bird down here."

---

The flight home was awkward. Beast Imitation birds, they had learned, only comfortably seated two people. Three was a bit of a squeeze. Yet all had agreed they were too exhausted to make the trip by foot, and so they had made due.

While coasting over tree tops, Neji slathered some of his cousin's healing ointment on Lee's wounds. Sai had a cut or two on him, but Neji refused to share with the traitor. He was in a very bad mood. He had dried blood all over his skin and clothes, even in his hair. The battle with their would-be kidnapper had been horrific and violent. What was supposed to be a simple mission had turned into a fiasco and Neji was not about to forgive Sai, even if he had prevented a worse fate for them.

Lee asked Neji if he had remembered to pick up the nunchaku that had been discarded on the cave floor. Neji assured him that he had retrieved it. They shared the last of their water stores and sat soundlessly for a while. Just a little paranoid, Neji checked their surroundings with the Byakugan every ten minutes or so. It looked to be clear.

"I made a mistake." Sai noted softly.

"Everyone makes mistakes." Lee consoled him.

"No. I should have handed you over. I never should have wavered." Sai concluded, "I failed my mission."

"Do you realize I could push you?" Neji said through gritted teeth, "I can no longer come up with a reason not to snap your neck."

"Neither of you can see the big picture. Your capture would have been in exchange for a truce. It would have offered Konoha protection." Sai elaborated.

Lee frowned, "Truly? Why was the Hokage not informed?"

"Danzo-sama says the Hokage is too weak to make such a decision. Village Leaders always fall short when it comes to securing the safety of their people. They always fail."

"In case you have forgotten, Lee and I are people of Hidden Leaf." Neji retorted.

"Sacrifices are sometimes needed. The well-being of the majority is always more important than that of the few." Sai quoted a Root lesson.

"Be that as it may, you are just as much of a failure as the Hokage, then, with respect to protecting Konoha. You couldn't go through with it." Neji snarled, "You are an embarrassment to your organization and also to our village. You too lack the ability to defend the lives of everyone in Leaf. Sacrifice is never justified."

Sai was silent.

"What I do not understand is…why did you falter?" Lee asked, "What made you warn us of the ambush?"

"I…" Sai trailed off, "I…for a brief time…forgot about the greater good." He shut his eyes, "I was tempted by your stories. The way you were close to each other…it was like me and my brother. I should not have given in."

"Your sense of the Greater Good is completely warped." The Hyuga scolded.

"I am sorry about your brother." Lee was still too compassionate to be angry, "Was he in Root as well?"

"He was."

"The Hokage values lives; all of our lives. Seeing that your senior officer did not respect ours speaks volumes for his intentions in this village. If he could justify it, he would probably sacrifice every life in Konohagakure if he found a good enough reason. Someone who is given an inch sees fit to take a mile." Neji warned, "Sai…if you want to believe that a successful trade would have helped Leaf…you would only be lying to yourself."

"Part of me…accepts that fact." His voice was small, "But it was a command. As a shinobi I must obey."

"We do not always obey." Lee remarked, glancing sidelong to Neji.

Neji grunted at him.

"Shinobi who cannot follow orders are failures. They dishonor everything they stand for."

"On occasion…" Neji looked ahead at the unending forest, "Doing the opposite of what you are told…is the only way to honor what you stand for."

Lee nodded and Sai did not speak. The conversation lulled after that and there was the singular sound of the rushing wind as they flew over the wilds of the Fire Country.

Neji could feel the cut on his cheek beginning to scab. He ignored it and tried to relax while he was pressed shoulder to shoulder with Lee. Late afternoon was hastening.

Within a few miles of the Leaf Village, Sai finally verbalized, "I'm sorry."

"Good. You owed us that." Neji rumbled.

"I had to think more. Putting aside how I feel, which is much more than I should be able to…" Sai observed, "The village would have been less safe if you had been removed from it. Regarding the overall picture and not my orders…I may have done the right thing."

Lee smiled, "Thank you, Sai."

"Don't thank me. No one should." His shoulders sagged, "I must still take responsibility for botching the truce exchange. I will be disciplined."

"How does Root punish insubordination?" Neji asked.

Sai said nothing.

"If it is a severe consequence then we should inform the Hokage. Tsunade-sama will be able to help you." Lee speculated.

"No. I already told you," Sai shook his head, "The Hokage can never protect everyone; someone in my position least of all."

---

The next day at exactly 1:05 in the afternoon, Neji was walking to a hang-out. He had promised Lee that he would. While he made his way down an unpopulated side street, Neji could not help but remember what had happened after they had landed in Leaf after their mission.

Sai had been eerily quiet. Neji could tell that the young man was steeling himself for some kind of torture or beating as penance for his actions. The three had entered the administrative building together and on the landing of the third floor Gai greeted them in a booming voice. He and Lee traded pleasantries and then roped Neji closer, commenting that a change of clothes was in order. The blood was unfashionable.

When Neji turned around Sai was gone. It was a hair-raising moment as he and Lee gazed at the empty space near the stairwell, both guessing that Sai had been retrieved by Root counterparts. Gai asked them what the matter was and they couldn't properly reply.

In the office, Neji handed Tsunade her map and she jubilantly thanked him. She blinked in confusion and asked where their third-wheel had gone.

"He may have been reclaimed by the Foundation." Lee supposed.

"They jumped the gun with that." Tsunade stated, apparently not hung up about it.

She debriefed with Neji and Lee while Gai waited in the hallway. Neji had carefully recapped details about the fight in the mine, stressing that Sai had orders to hand them off. In tense silence, Tsunade pressed her lips to her folded hands, considering the treachery and what motivated it. Of course Danzo would gladly exchange Genin for the promise of an armistice with Leaf's enemies, and of course he wouldn't give her a head's up about it.

She wanted to schedule a flogging for the old man, but Neji snapped her out of her fantasy.

"Sai may be in danger." Neji reiterated, "He suggested that his disobedience won't be received well. Is there anything you can do about it, Hokage-sama?"

Tsunade's ears picked up on the fact that Neji sounded genuinely concerned.

"I don't know." She admitted, "The most stalwart subsidiary in the history of this village has him and can legally do with Sai as they see fit." Tsunade added with a tiny smirk, "I have an idea though."

Lee and Neji looked at her expectantly and she frowned at them, "Enough. The ball is in my court now, boys. You need to stay out of it." As an afterthought she added, "And I am relieved that you were not needlessly dropped into the hands of the enemy. That would have ruined my whole week."

Lee seemed pleased with the announcement until he realized she planned to grieve for about seven days. Tsunade asked Lee how his wounds were on a scale of one to ten. He gave them a two (thanks to the ointment) and she nodded. "Go home now and rest, please. I will do what I can." She assuaged them.

They did just that.

The very next morning, Lee had gotten an invitation from their cohort to spend some time. He had contended that Neji was mentally fortified to visit friends now. They told Gai of their intentions to take the day off, which he lauded, and then the pair dropped by Lee's house.

Wong Leung forbade a day off…at least in entirety. They would complete their training before doing anything for diversion. Reluctantly, they agreed and took a few laps around the village.

The routine was switched up a little. When they returned Wong had them follow in a line behind him doing high-kicks while traversing stone steps near a garden. It wasn't making their rundown legs or muscles feel great. Immediately after the kicking-march, he had them doing splits in the grass while the sun rose. Once or twice Wong pushed down on Neji's shoulders, and the Hyuga heir refused to acknowledge how his groin muscles had possibly ripped apart. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face.

Then, instead of doing any incredible feats of balance as they typically did, Wong stood in the yard and took a stance.

We're going to do forms together, just like how I drilled my students back at home. Lee, make sure he keeps up. Do exactly as I do.

Yes, Grandpa! Lee turned to his teammate, "We will copy his forms now."

Without complaint, they mimicked the old man's movements which were sharp and precise. When either of them occasionally lagged Wong would stop and slap them, usually on the back of the head. Then he would resume. He threatened to bring out a switch he kept in his closet if they didn't get it right.

And then they were free shortly after noon. Lee and Neji cleaned up but did not change out of their Wong-designated uniforms. Thus, by 1:00, Neji was making his way to the meeting place.

While he had never been there before, Lee had described a picnicking area beneath cherry trees as the location they would meet with friends. Neji could navigate. After rounding the corner and (through a window) ignoring Kakashi looting the shelves of a bookshop for new volumes, Neji spotted Lee near the blooming grove. He was seated at a table beside Chouji and Shikamaru. Across from them, Sato was holding a photo up to Shino's face and critiquing it.

He came within a few feet before the group hooted and welcomed him. Well, Shino said nothing, but that was to be expected. Sato moved over to give him a spot, smiling widely, "Hey! We weren't sure if you would really show up!"

Neji took a seat, "I had no excuse."

"Apart from being antisocial." Sato reminded him.

"Apart from that." He sniffed.

Sitting next to Sato could potentially turn this into a button-pushing extravaganza. If all else failed he could pinch a nerve in the Hatake's neck and put him to sleep.

"We heard that you and Lee had a crazy mission." Chouji offered a more suitable subject, "He just started talking about it, actually."

"Yes! We had a substitute join us." Lee announced, "His name was Sai."

With his head propped up on a hand, Shikamaru inquired, "That was probably weird. What was he like?"

"Artistic." Lee supplied.

"Ignorant. Sociopathic." Neji added.

Lee then recalled, "Oh! And obnoxious, traitorous, and very rude."

The boys stared at them in hushed shock.

"Cool." Chouji said at length.

"Tenten may have been preferable." Shikamaru gathered.

"Right, five thousand times more preferable." Lee agreed. Neji nodded in gloomy silence.

"Tama visited her the other day. She said that Tenten's working hard and…dressing more mature…" Sato had gotten the attention of the subject's teammates, "All of the girls are doing that these days. They're becoming magnetic."

"By that do you mean…the kunoichi are expressing magnetic fields?" Lee furrowed his thick brows, prepared to be astonished.

"No, Lee," Shikamaru sighed, "He means that our women are becoming more attractive."

Shino finally spoke, "The term 'our women' is an objectification of our intellectual and physical equals. Correct yourself."

"Jeez, excuse me…" The Nara flashed his eyes sarcastically, "I meant our esteemed female colleagues." He added just for annoyance, "They're hot."

"He meant it in a fond, non-offensive way." Chouji defended his friend, "But Shino's still right."

"Alright already. I got it."

"It's fine. After all, we're the ones dating them. I'm sure they refer to us as their menfolk." Sato postulated.

"Well, only you and Shikamaru are dating anyone." Chouji pointed out, "Naruto's team are the guys in relationships, mostly."

"Oh yeah." Sato conceded sunnily. His face resembled the thousand-yard stare of a Shiba Inu, unaware and pettable.

"To be honest, Sato barely qualifies. You should only count me." Shikamaru recommended, "He's engaged. That's a different situation."

"Is it? I take Tama out and get to know her and all that!" Sato puffed up, "You're the one who's too comfy on his ass to take Ino on a date."

"We have indoor dates."

"We all know what that means." Sato responded with an eye roll.

"Yeah? What does it mean?"

Mercifully, Lee had covered Chouji's ears so he wouldn't be subjected to any unwanted visuals or facts.

The Hatake slammed his hand on the table, his expression deadly serious, "It's something only men in my position should consider. Not even!" He gestured to his teammate, "Shino, tell him."

Disassociating, Neji sat and imagined that he had achieved a higher level of consciousness, completely forsaking the boyfriend banter.

"Intimacy should be reserved for marriage." Shino supplied, "That is what Father says."

"Is it safe yet?" Chouji asked, still deaf.

Lee held the Akimichi's head and shook it 'no' indicating he could not yet be set free.

"Maybe so, but it's not like we can turn back time. Ino solicits me more than I solicit her."

"That's a dirty lie." Sato insisted.

"No. You just wish it was." Shikamaru jabbed, "You wouldn't know the first thing about it, Sato. You've never had the thrill of the chase. Never will."

Sato stood, pushing back the bench, "You wanna go there, huh? I bet your chase is like how flowers get it on. You need a go-between, you lazy polyp!"

"Do not slander the precious pollinators of nature." Shino warned, "You are perverting their reputation."

"That is quite enough." Lee cut in, "We shall now talk about something else." He freed Chouji who was happily clueless about the current topic.

Lee turned to his teammate, "Neji?"

The Hyuga gradually slipped back from enlightenment, "What?"

"You have not said anything."

"Should I have? The subject matter is terribly lacking so far."

"What were we talking about?" Shikamaru quizzed him.

"Magnetism." Neji guessed.

"That's about as far as I got." Chouji concurred.

Sato grinned, "You can't pretend like you're above all of this, Neji…"

Lee mouthed to the Hatake, No, please don't.

"Even you think about women and their charms at times." Sato pressed on.

"I have better things to think about."

"As men, we all do. You can't deny it!"

"I can't deny something that doesn't occur."

"You have the Byakugan!" Sato brought his fists down on the table, "You get to look for free!"

Turning his face to scowl at the silver haired boy, Neji replied, "Try to imagine someone who has seen and manipulated countless bodies in various stages of disrobe, particularly during battle." He then said, "Now try to imagine that person is me. Did that help you?"

"You're a bastard." Sato accused him, "There's no use in pretending! We know that you want Tenten and-"

Everyone at the table jumped up in alarm when Neji poked a pressure point in Sato's neck and the boy cascaded down to the ground, unconscious.

There was a full thirty seconds of wordless concern before they all sat down again. Shino had positioned Sato to be comfortable and completely supine in the grass.

"That is better." Shikamaru acknowledged.

"Where does everyone want to go to lunch?" Chouji asked.

No one really had a preference and so they agreed that Yakiniku Q would do fine. Moments later, Kiba had stopped in between two flowering cherry blossom trees, taking in the sight of the gathering. Confusion glanced across his face upon spotting Sato, but then he shrugged and approached his friends. Akamaru stopped beside Sato and sniffed him.

"Kiba! You showed up just in time! Want to go to lunch with us?" Chouji extended the invitation.

"Uh, sure." The wild-haired nin asked, "What about Doofus down there?"

"That's up to Shino." Shikamaru declared.

All eyes went to the hooded Aburame, who deliberated briefly, "We can leave him. Neji's maneuver should allow him to wake up within an hour."

"Great." Kiba was pleased.

"There's no way that we couldn't have found out, and sorry to bring it up, but," Shikamaru gave a sympathetic look to the Inuzuka, "Sorry about what happened to you. I won't pretend to know how you feel."

All gathered gave their sympathy and Kiba waved it off, "It's fine. I know I should be traumatized or something like that…but I'm adjusted. It won't kill me. There's a tracking team looking for my dad now." He patted Akamaru's head, "So…are we going to lunch or what?"

And they happily left Sato beneath a picnic bench.

---

A few hours later at the Hyuga estate, Hinata was hanging potted plants from rafters on the porch of the house. Ino and Sakura were assisting, holding a footstool steady and handing the next suspension respectively. Springtime called for festive decorations and Hiashi had not objected.

While chatting and cooperating, the girls had been able to complete the entire surrounding walk of the estate. Ino jumped in surprise a few times when Hinata willed jets of water up from a watering can and into the suspended flowers.

"You scare me when you do that!"

"I-I'm sorry!"

"No, its fine, I just…" Ino flipped her hair out of her eyes, "Would appreciate a little warning…"

"I think it's brilliant." Sakura grinned.

"It is brilliant, but she can shoot it right past my face!"

"I will warn you next time, Ino-chan."

"How did you learn how to do that, Hinata?" Sakura wondered.

"I've been practicing for a long time. I was able to manipulate water since shortly after the last Chunin Exam." She explained, fastening a hook, "The Hyuga clan has tools that help us learn about our Nature Transformations. Father is quite good at it."

"Runs in the family." Ino noted.

"It does. Though…I am not good at adding my Nature to other techniques yet. Father is still trying to encourage me to use Eight Trigrams Air Palm…but it's very tricky."

"You'll get the hang of it! You still have plenty of time before the Exam." Sakura bolstered her.

"Thank you, Sakura-chan."

"Asuma-sensei said we won't get into learning about Chakra Natures until after we're Chunin." Ino grumbled, positioning the stool for the next beam, "It was a letdown."

Sakura nodded, "Yeah, Kakashi-sensei said the same thing…only Tama expresses her Nature easily so he spoke to her about it. He suggested that it would take too long to demonstrate it to me and Kiba."

"They play favorites, I tell you!"

"It is hard work and it takes hours of practice." Hinata reminded them, "To harness that ability quickly someone would have to be a…"

Footsteps sounded over the gravel beside the porch. The girls turned and observed as Neji passed by, eyeing the fresh, decorative flowers that had been hung. There was an infinitesimal smile on his face as he approached them.

He came to a halt near his cousin and her friends, "Our grounds look exponentially better, Hinata-sama."

"Niisan! I am glad you think so!"

He acknowledged the other kunoichi, "Sakura. Ino."

"That's some outfit you have on there." Ino marked, taken aback by the black, collared clasp-tie, sleeveless shirt. She could not award points for the simple black pants, but the Han slippers were a daring, unconventional choice. Her fashion meter settled on an eight. Eight-and-a-half, really, because both of his arms were wrapped in tape up to elbow. It looked like Neji could kill someone with his pinky.

"It is attire that Lee's grandfather makes us wear."

Hinata giggled quietly, aware of the arrangement.

"Yeah, I saw Lee the other day wearing clothes like that." Sakura recalled, "Are you two getting along okay?"

"We're fine. We finished lunch a short while ago."

She smiled, "Good! I know it can't be easy for you and Lee."

Ino handed another potted plant to Hinata, who was still going about her task.

"You all…spend time with Tenten?" Neji inquired.

A small, excited jolt shot through the girls simultaneously.

"Almost every day." Ino claimed.

"How is she?" His voice had a near imperceptible edge of desperation in it.

"She's fun. I try to hang out with her whenever Shishou sets me free!" Sakura was jovial, "Ino and Hinata keep an eye open for her so we can catch her before training."

Neji's ears perked up at the word training. Before he could ask, Ino completed the thought, "She is learning jutsu from Gekko Hayate. He was an apprentice to her dad a long time ago. They don't like each other very much."

Neji closed his mouth and nodded, digesting the news.

"One other thing," Ino added, "She's miserable."

Hinata and Sakura gave the blonde girl unappreciative looks. That information wasn't going to make Neji feel like this was a worthwhile conversation. At least, that's what they feared.

Neji was listening.

"We're looking after her and that probably helps a bit. When we talk about you and Lee sometimes she gets antsy." She smiled, "She'll hold on. Just keep thinking about her."

In a deep and sincere voice he thanked Ino for her honesty. Neji continued on after a curt farewell and, unknown to them, contemplated another forbidden trip downtown soon. If the ANBU agent was still on the prowl after two weeks, Neji thought, he deserved a medal for his service. He highly doubted it.

When he had entered the Main House the girls picked their conversation up again.

"Way to go, Ino. You nearly doused him with emotional acid." Sakura harried.

"He's tough enough. I just got the feeling he would prefer the truth." Ino shrugged, "If anything, knowing that Tenten is unhappy will motivate him to do something about it."

Hinata smiled uncertainly, "Neji-niisan could get in trouble for it."

"I know! That's the point." Ino brushed loose petals from her skirt, "It'll make for a great story later when your Dad bails him out of jail, or when I can take credit for the ensuing, whirlwind romance."

Sakura warned, "You are entering delusional territory."

"Let me stay there. I'm not hurting anyone."

"Not yet." The pink haired girl folded her hands and chuckled, "But did you see the size of those arms?"

"Niisan works hard so his heart aches less." Hinata provided her evaluation.

"I've got to admit, they are above satisfactory." Ino nodded thoughtfully, "But how do they compare, Sakura? Can Gaara's arms bust measuring tape too?"

"I don't know. He wears long sleeves." She grinned mischievously, "I'll get back to you on that."

Hinata was blushing, pointedly trying not to bring up Naruto's arms. She imagined they would be perfect for embracing her, but she would only let her thoughts go so far. Her friends assisted her with putting up the last plant before they were greeted by other members of the Hyuga clan.

Fujita and his mother poked their heads out of a ground-level window, catching Hinata's attention, "Good work, Son! You found her. Hinata-sama, my sweet. Come here please."

Hinata hopped down from the stool and joined them at the open window, "Kayato-san! Fujita-kun! Will you join us for dinner tonight?"

Fujita's mother was sprightly and beautiful; her black hair was streaked with gray on the sides. She was holding her son's shoulders affectionately while she spoke. Fujita complied happily.

"I'm afraid we can't, dear. I wanted to share some news with you, before any of the older generation do." Kayato warned, lowering her voice, "Another suitor will be stopping by tomorrow to call on you. I will prepare you a kimono. I asked Hide-chan if there's an end in sight and he believes that no one else will come by to bother you after this."

"Finally!" Ino breathed, "If I fill one more flower order I'll have to start denying service."

"Alright." Hinata wasn't entirely enthusiastic about the update, "Thank you for telling me."

"Not at all!" The woman smiled, "And I heard the elders say this one is under thirty."

---

As the sun sank lower in the sky that day, across the wastes and fields and gnarled woods beyond the Fire Country, there was stirring in the gloom. Concealed by illusions and seals, a battered storm door on the forest floor was only accessible to adherents of Orochimaru.

Knowing that he wasn't the snake Sennin's favorite person at the moment, Koinyu entered cautiously.

He had only followed half the length of the torch-lined hallway before a voice came from behind him, "That's far enough."

The man turned slowly, supposing that Orochimaru had slipped through a crack in the wall to startle him…or he had just exited a known restroom on the right. Either way, the white-faced man looked peeved.

"Orochimaru-sama. Bi-sama sends his regards."

"Delightful. I suppose I should give condolences for your fallen brother-in-arms, but I hardly knew him. I've heard he's resting in pieces."

Koinyu shut his eyes and smiled, liking the dark humor.

"You did not turn much of a profit for me, other than filling empty cells in the hold." Orochimaru considered, "And I am not going to thank you for tagging Haku-kun. It quite obviously didn't work."

"That just goes to show what a crafty young man you'll inhabit in the future."

The snake smiled, "Maybe it does. He'll be a better investment in a few more years, I expect. But for now, I imagine you are here to learn how to enter Konohagakure."

"Precisely."

Orochimaru turned in the opposite direction and began walking. Koinyu followed as the sennin explained, "This will be my last effort in helping you. Should you or your master need further assistance," His slitted eyes were intense, "I expect substantial compensation."

The violet haired man nodded coolly.

"There are three entrances particularly good for avoiding the village barrier that the Sensory Corps uses to detect intruders." He was smug, "I made them myself. I am sure at least one of them has been tapped and is watched by Black Ops, but the other two…are undiscovered."

Orochimaru gave details about the secret routes Koinyu had been waiting for. He was also informed that Danzo used these passages from time to time and that it would be wise to either involve Root in their machinations (so there would be no surprise encounters) or avoid the organization altogether. Danzo had a habit of conveniently flip-flopping sides when a cause was deemed "in the village's best interest." Bi's commune might find that front to be a crapshoot.

The two rabbled on as men are wont to do when scheming, and some time went by before Koinyu passed Sasuke silently in the hallway, travelling in the opposite direction. A red haired girl was keeping pace with the Uchiha clan survivor, trying to stimulate conversation. It wasn't going well.

"Karin." Orochimaru called out to the kunoichi, "I'd like to have a word with you."

Koinyu and Sasuke had disappeared into darkness on opposite sides of the corridor. The redheaded girl frowned but compliantly went to Orochimaru's side near an open doorway.

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama?"

"Are you pestering Sasuke-kun again?"

"Why, of course not," She smiled, "We were having a discussion."

"About what?"

"His tastes." Karin jested.

"Hm." The snake sennin tucked his hand under his chin, "An intriguing topic. I didn't hear much input coming from him."

The girl just kept smiling.

"I want you to be aware that you'll be transferring to the Southern Hideout. My previous warden there was a disappointment…and I expect that you can keep prisoners and experiments on schedule." He dropped a bomb on her, ignoring her shocked expression, "You will be assigned there permanently."

"I…" Karin gaped like a fish before getting a hold of herself, "I see."

"You leave tomorrow." Orochimaru added sweetly.

Karin did have an unhealthy, vast respect of the Snake Sennin, and though she wanted to, she would not object to such an order. She had almost always been treated fairly while in Orochimaru's care, and she was not about to squander his good graces.

"I will, Sir. I will contact you when I arrive there and get things in order."

"Excellent." He carried on down the hall after Sasuke. It would deter the girl from following.

At the top of the stairs within an atrium, Orochimaru set free a small white snake, commanding, "Keep an eye on that boy."

---

He had attempted to pass by the experimentation lab without being noticed, but Sasuke could hear Suigetsu's voice calling after him.

"Don't be a dick! Come over here and talk to me!"

On a whim, he turned back to waste time in the lab. Sasuke came to a stop in front of a holding tank. The white haired young man was partially liquefied and suspended in water. His face remained visible and cheeky while his trunk and limbs were transparent.

"Well now, thank you for stopping by!"

"What do you want?" Sasuke's tone lacked amusement.

"I've seen you pass this place a lot lately, probably on your way down to the rest quarters, huh?" Suigetsu observed, "You know what else I see going that way?"

"What?"

Suigetsu grinned, "Kitties."

He arched an eyebrow, "Your point?"

"I don't think it's coincidence that those ninja cats are gathering here more often… when there are much better places to be than this dump." He held his chin with a partially dissolved hand, "You, sir, are collecting information."

"Why would that matter to you?"

"Heh! I get bored! I notice shit! Who are you getting dirt on?" Suigetsu smiled, "Need to off someone? Maybe one or two?"

With folded arms, Sasuke turned and walked back towards the lab entrance.

Suigetsu's voice warned him, "Don't think he won't notice. I won't tell Orochimaru…but you don't take great care in hiding your intentions, Sasuke."

He looked over his shoulder, "Suigetsu."

"Yeah?"

"They never let you out of that tank, do they?"

"Never." He bared his sharp teeth, "Assholes."

"So you're swimming in your own waste?"

"Pretty much." He confirmed, "It's quite cruel. This water only gets flushed twice a day." He added longingly, "I can't wait to kill those attendants when I get out of here."

And without further ado Sasuke departed, continuing his journey down the dim corridor.

It turned out that Suigetsu was one-hundred-percent correct in his assessment. The ninja cats belonged to a weapon and accessory supplier of the late Uchiha clan, an old hermit woman named Nekobaa. As a favor to Sasuke, the speech-capable felines Denka and Hina had been discreetly doing reconnaissance in the Wind Country…for several months.

Sasuke had not wanted to believe what Kiba had told him during their escapade in the Lightning Country. Likewise, he dreaded any confirmation of it. Sure enough, Orochimaru had one day sniggered at the thought of Gaara becoming the Fifth Kazekage (proving Kiba's statement true), and, consequently, Sasuke's silent, spiraling rage had splintered his goal into two new objectives.

'Become strong enough to kill Itachi' was still at the forefront of his mind, but Sasuke had added Gaara's inexplicable and quiet demise to the list as well. And, to the surprise of his two cooperating cat friends, he planned to murder the Kazekage first. He was confident it could be done.

He already had three solid months of intelligence.

This rendezvous with Denka and Hina served only as a check-in that Gaara was still in Hidden Sand and would be staying put. Recently, Gaara had made an unexpected trip to the Tide Village when a crisis with the Shin clan erupted, Hina reported. The same Shin clan Sasuke had decimated before their flight from the Rice Country. 'Go figure.'

He met with the cats in a lounge with rectangular sofas. They meowed happily when he arrived.

"Sasuke-kun! Did you bring us treats?"

"Yeah! Did ya?"

"No." With a frown he admitted, "But in the north wing kitchen someone left jerky out."

"Woo!" The cats were thrilled.

"Now tell me," Sasuke's eyes were narrow, "When's the best time?"

"Tonight is perfect. That redheaded napper is taking it easy at home! He sent his sister to work on his Training Program." Denka conveyed the state of affairs, "He works hard and it tires him out."

"Typical bed time of target is 10:50pm." Hina added, "Asleep by 11:02pm."

He didn't ask how the cat had determined that statistic, "He doesn't have to be asleep. He just needs to be alone."

Together, Denka and Hina assured, "He is alone."

The cats leapt off of the couch and onto the stone floor, trotting out to find the kitchen.

Hina turned back to give one last instruction, "His friends and family are away on missions. He's a sleepy fellow. Strike by dark and leave quietly, Sasuke. Like it was all a dream…"

And as the striped she-cat sprang away nimbly, Sasuke felt a rush of expectation and even marginal excitement. If the circumstances were so plainly in his favor, maybe this night was fated to be Gaara's last.

---

Without alerting the Sound community or its leader, Sasuke had snuck off. He made a hasty exit from the bogs near the hideout and pushed out into the farmlands and paddies of the Rice Country. To avoid detection from any of the local farmers stooped over harvesting in the dying light, Sasuke had employed Genjutsu to disappear, passing by residents without hassle.

In the early dark of the evening, he had left the country border and entered the northwestern quadrant of the Fire Country. When running lost its appeal, Sasuke took advantage of his Cursed Seal form and leapt from a sheer drop on the leeward side of a mountain. He could glide on the gentle winds of the valley with ease.

It did cross his mind that Orochimaru may notice a twinge of suspicious activity while he used the Heaven Seal, but he didn't care. He had covered enough distance to disregard that possibility. He could explain his actions to the snake later when he had fresh blood on his hands.

Late in the night, he had avoided any and all suspicion of Fire Country patrols. He had maintained considerable altitude before descending a bit over the crags and falls of the River Country. The unsettling, moon-less dark of the witching hour was wholly appropriate for his landing in the Wind Country.

Sasuke touched down and shed his Cursed Seal form. The air was frigid and still over the dunes. He had purposefully put himself just out of range of a perimeter watch nearly six miles away from Sunagakure. He moved swiftly in the brisk climate, passing over sand like a wraith.

In his mind's eye he focused on the quaint, thatch-fenced entrance Denka and Hina had told him of. It was a small back door of an exporting station at the village's surrounding wall, and it was almost never properly guarded. The cats had encouraged him to sneak in that way and carefully approach the administrative district. He could get to the mansion, locate the third floor; last window on the left side, Hina had stressed. Always open. Always quiet.

The lack of light pollution enabled a swatch of clustered stars to shine down on the desert. With his eyes trained forward, Sasuke slipped out of his mental instructions and back into his weak justification of this whole operation. Kiba had made it clear that if anything happened to Gaara that Sakura would be devastated. Kiba had accurately claimed that Sasuke did not want to bring the young woman unhappiness, surely not after their awful parting…

But inside, his emotions and their equivalent rationales were out of sorts. Like a jigsaw puzzle with sections partially assembled, the loose pieces could sometimes fit in the incorrect spot. It would dislodge the other 'intended' pieces, of course, but that was just how it worked.

Even if he killed this young, worthless "Kazekage" that Sakura loved, certainly he could restore her. He could be everything that comprised her joyful world…because she truly was his motivation, in that respect. It was possible. Even Sasuke, as damaged as he awarely was, could attest that any heartbroken person can rediscover love.

Rather than focus on the pain he would be inflicting, he would be concentrating on the happiness he could bring Sakura later. She needed only to have patience.

Patience.

In fact, all of his close people should respect that he didn't want to stay gone after he had settled his business with Itachi. They should wait. They should understand! He frowned at the idea; they should condone it! Few others could comprehend his need to settle the score and avenge his kin. His team ought to. Kiba had indicated that he did, and that was an incredibly precious admission.

Yet also…on a raw, undeniable level…killing Gaara was not going to settle any score or avenge any relative. It was an impulsive desire. The aloof rival he had passive-aggressively squared off with in his youth, and to his revulsion, had been rescued by during Itachi's previous visit…in supreme honesty…Gaara's expiration would feel good. It would bring simple satisfaction. It would illuminate the fruits of his training and, if Sasuke wasn't caught as the perpetrator, he could get away with the dark deed as so many hedonists like him did in this world. Fixating on the positive would undoubtedly lead to the positive, some life-coaches might preach.

In the turmoil of his mind, somewhere, the quest for happiness marched on. On and on down all the wrong roads and turns…

A tremor shook the ground. Sasuke stopped and listened attentively to his surroundings. Meters ahead of him the dunes split apart, the sand parted like the sea, and a gargantuan, silver serpent reared up; ten stories tall. Motionless, Sasuke stared up at it in frustration. The snake bent down and opened its mouth, unfurling a pink, forked tongue, and Orochimaru strolled down as if it were a runway. He stepped out onto the sand and folded his arms, clearly angered.

"This is no place for a young man to be so late at night…" He chastised in a mocking tone, "And for such…reckless purposes…"

"I would be back by morning." Sasuke snipped.

"Really?" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, "How do you expect this task of yours to end? Think it'll go off without a hitch? Gaara-kun is the Kazekage for a reason."

Frustrated, Sasuke saved his comments for himself as Orochimaru went on, "Those cats of yours didn't mind telling me of your intentions after I fed them jerky. You silly child! It isn't difficult to decipher what you've been festering about for three months!" He simpered, "Don't you…have someone more important to eliminate?"

He gritted his teeth, "In the near future…"

"Don't give me that…" The sennin huffed, "You are a capricious vigilante and I am in no mood to humor your boyish whims….particularly when they can jeopardize my plans." He scowled, "I won't prod at Sunagakure. I won't beg for their attention when Sand has so happily distracted itself with its new satellite in the Land of Waves. Things are just as I need them to be right now, and I won't tolerate your trifling enterprises. You've already risked far too much exposure…"

"I'll make a deal with you."

"No." Orochimaru's eyes widened furiously, "Did I not make myself clear? I'm not entertaining any bribes or bargains. You have no sense of risk assessment." He turned back to his giant serpent and beckoned for it to come close, adding to Sasuke, "But now…I think it's best to put your energy towards something constructive."

"Like what?"

"Like someone who is really worth hunting…" He smiled darkly, "I have an informant…yes…one who is curiously stupid…"

"Tobi?" Sasuke figured, appalled at the mentioning of such an insignificant pawn.

"He was rescued from a near fatality, long ago…and suffered extensive physical and mental damage…" Orochimaru explained, "But lately…I suspect my dopey friend to be engaging in activities worse than that of a double agent…"

Surprised that his attention had been essentially high-jacked, Sasuke listened with raised eyebrows.

"He is funneling information into Konoha." He announced harshly, "And I seriously doubt that what he reports is being sent to Danzo of Root. He has been in contact with Tsunade or Jiraiya. I know it." Orochimaru patted the giant snake's snout, "That is why Leaf has been much too alert for my liking. The Black Ops couldn't have learned so much in so little time…"

Sasuke stared in disbelief, "A triple-agent?"

Orochimaru was glowering at the horizon, "Not for long. Leaf has no business knowing what I know…and I intend to keep it that way." He turned back to Sasuke, "Don't bother returning to Sound. I am sending you directly to the north through the Land of Earth. I want you to do a sweep of the suburbs…the small valleys and hamlets tucked away near the coast."

"And then what?"

"You keep vigil." Orochimaru smiled, "Those are his haunts. Watch Tobi. Learn his routes: His stops. His friends. His home. And if you see any indication that he is meeting with a sympathizer of Konoha…" He tapped the serpent's nose and it opened its jaws, "Kill him."

Sasuke stood in silence, taken aback by the task. He had not expected to be redirected so.

"Take your time. I can send friends to check up on you…or you may send updates my way whenever you wish." Orochimaru offered, "I'm sure this is an undertaking perfectly suited for you, Sasuke. See that it gets settled. If Tobi isn't guilty as charged, then leave him be," He chortled, "But his association is rather obvious now."

He returned to the maw of the silver giant and then the beast burrowed underground again. In the minute after Orochimaru had casually departed, squashing Sasuke's efforts, the young Uchiha blinked at the nearby Sand Village. By all accounts, it would be predictable for him to go ahead with his murderous plan anyway. His steps toward Suna were halting, conflicted, until finally he about-faced. Orochimaru had only expressed that now was not the best time. He had never said he had a problem with Gaara's assassination.

Resetting his priorities, Sasuke darted northbound in the dark.

---

The following day, the sun shone brightly over Nanakusa. The picturesque town was perhaps the most underrated, overlooked spit of land in the Water Country. And that was something two groups of people had capitalized on: nukenin and retirees.

On this day in history, in this exact location, Zabuza only wasted four minutes arguing with Haku about whether or not he would be joining the Demon of Hidden Mist for a mission assigned by a lucrative mob-boss. Haku had declined nineteen times in a row all while preparing a morning meal, and he shoved the food in front of the brute's face to shut him up. It was working.

"You need to sharpen your skills. That's reason enough to come along." He added between mouthfuls.

"I'll train here."

"There ain't shit to do here."

Haku frowned, "I told you I'm not going. Jiraiya-sensei warned me not to."

"What's he going to do about it? Send a toad down here to spank you?" Zabuza taunted, "Who gives an actual fuck?"

"Go without me. If I need money then I will consider assignments in the future…"

"Suit yourself. You don't make much doing that waitressing job of yours."

"It's not called 'waitressing' if you're a man, you know."

Zabuza cleaned his plate, "It is if you're deceiving customers with long hair and a china-doll face. Get over it."

Haku puffed in annoyance but was relieved when Zabuza quickly vacated after that. He ate a light breakfast before heading out into town; wary of whom he might meet. Ranmaru and Raiga had settled down in the area as well, and the two apprentices were careful not to cross paths with an "opposing master" or be caught together. It would spark an all-out brawl. So far, their caution had prevented such incidents and their companions were none the wiser.

Occasionally, Ranmaru had a late start. He was most likely still trying to find a good enough excuse to shake Raiga from his side. As soon as the boy had finished cooking and/or his supplemental training and began talking about boring things, like shopping or chatting with townsfolk, Raiga checked out and defaulted to naps. Haku found this practice oddly similar to Zabuza's lifestyle. Today was one such day in which Ranmaru needed extra time. He had not yet appeared at the tea shop or out on the roadside.

Since Haku was not scheduled to work, he followed a dirt trail out of Nanakusa and into the surrounding cedar forest. It was bursting with springtime bustle and the chirping of paired animals expecting their young. When Haku found a quiet patch to work in he relaxed, taking a deep breath.

Whenever he had time alone, Haku poured most of his effort and concentration into refining his Ice Release techniques. In recent weeks, he had developed a tremendous version of his Crystal Ice Mirrors. It had four levels of reflective panels and enough space to encircle a sizable battalion, but of course, it would be too much for him alone to strike from every surface. So far, four shadow clones had been sufficient. With compatible chakra, they could flash, warp and dive through the same surfaces he could.

It was a curious talent. Haku had taken a few days to ponder and experiment with what exactly was on the opposite side of an ice mirror. Once inside and not facing out at the shinobi world, eye to eye with an adversary…he would stare at an entirely white and blank space. It was, as best as he could describe, a three-dimensional, oxygenated zone, and after walking deeper into it (during one terrifying episode) he had determined that it went on infinitely. Or at least, he wasn't sure if it was worth searching for the end.

'It's another dimension.' He thought, perplexed, 'How can I explain that to others? Is there really such a thing?' Never before had he given it thought about what he was technically doing when he performed the jutsu.

He was grasping at straws while trying to describe what the functionality and physics were. Haku's capable brain had drawn up one justification in that, with enough chakra, he could create an innumerable amount of ice mirrors if he so desired, thus explaining all of the wide, white, chilly terrain available to open "gateways" between. He scratched his head while working on it. In addition to that, he knew at least one thing for certain. The chakra necessary for an ice mirror was directly proportional to its size, shape, and composition in the "shinobi realm." On the rare occasions he had used less chakra, focused on fulfilling what was just enough for a mirror the size of his hand…

It was almost effortless. Rudimentary, even. Maybe he had just gotten used to creating them, but Haku had learned that a small mirror had just as much application as full-sized crystals did.

While toying around with 25cm mirror suspended in the air, Haku had reached into it all the way up to his shoulder, positing scientific explanations. Since he had not yet found anyone to explain who he was and what he could do, he needed to discover it for himself.

"Haku-kun!"

He peeked over his shoulder to see his violet-haired friend scurrying through the ferns, "I'm sorry I'm late!"

"It's fine. You do what you need to do to avoid suspicion." Haku smiled reassuringly.

Ranmaru's small chest heaved a sigh, "Sometimes Raiga makes it hard work…" He brightened, "Oh! Are you using your Kekkei Genkai right now?" He was looking at the mirror.

"Yes. Though this isn't much…"

Ranmaru poked it with his finger, only contacting a solid surface, "It's cold."

"The Hyoton creates ice for a wide array of jutsu."

"Hm." He blinked thoughtfully, "But you said that you…don't know about your clan either."

"I don't." Haku admitted.

"So we need to work hard to learn about our abilities." Ranmaru was determined, "No one can teach me what to do, but at least you know what I'm going through!"

He chuckled, "I do."

"Can we go back to Hiroshi's shop and work on the Palm Healing Technique?"

"You're already very good at it."

"As good as a medic-nin?"

"Well…no," Haku conceded, "Neither of us are that good. I never had the chance to apprentice under an expert."

The tiny boy's hands fisted when he had an idea, "We should find one."

"You know that Zabuza and Raiga won't approve. We're already teetering on the edge of being discovered." Haku admonished, "We shouldn't push our luck, Ranmaru."

But just to make his wee friend happy, they ventured back into the village and stopped in Hiroshi's tea shop. They were welcome for a short while before the establishment became busy, and the Hiroshi kindly shooed them out to make room for customers. They went down the street and ended up under an awning near Tomo's street-side stand. Haku had voluntarily cut the back of his hand (to her aversion) and the woman watched as Ranmaru quickly mended it with a glowing, green light

"You know…" She said while tapping her chin, "I've seen that before."

"What do you mean, Tomo-san?" Haku asked.

"That light. That jutsu or whatever you call it…" She turned and pointed down the road, "Uptown there is an old man who can do just what Ranmaru did. I've seen him use it on travelers sometimes."

The boys perked up, eyes wide, "Really?"

"Yeah," Tomo smiled with her hands on her hips, "He's not the most sociable old man around…but he's always nice to Hiroshi. Maybe you two should meet him?"

"Yes! What's his name?" Ranmaru inquired.

"He's Eto Migawari, and he's from out of town." She explained, "He's lived here for a few years now in that stylish house on the corner."

Haku thanked the young mother for her input before going after Ranmaru as he sped towards the specified house.

---

Ranmaru had uncovered a strange feature of the building with his talented eyes. Even before opening the door, he had seen that the front of the large house was converted into a doctor's office. It even had an "open" sign in the door-side window and a plaque conveying Migawari's education and qualifications. Haku followed his friend inside to an empty lobby. Soft music was playing on a radio.

"This suggests that he is the village doctor." Haku presumed, "But Tomo-san thinks she saw him use a jutsu."

"Maybe he did."

Haku frowned, "Where is everybody?" He glanced at a receptionist's station that was unoccupied. The office seemed entirely unattended.

"Ranmaru, can you see-?"

"He's back here." The small boy tottered towards an open doorway and then followed a corridor lined with examination rooms to its end.

After a sharp right into an actual, residential sitting room, they found an elderly, bespectacled man asleep at a low table. He was supported by a tall-backed floor chair and had his legs tucked under the blanket of a kotatsu. Haku didn't think the warming table was seasonally appropriate, but he wouldn't question the needs of the elderly.

"Um, excuse me, Eto-san..." Ranmaru kneeled beside the table, "Is your office not open?"

The old man gradually regained consciousness and wiped his lip. Blinking his tiny, black eyes, Migawari pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose. His lips were in a calculating pout when he beheld Ranmaru and Haku.

"What do you youngsters need, eh?"

"Is the office closed?"

"It sure is closed! What are you doing in my house?"

"If it's closed…then maybe you should lock the door and change the sign." Haku recommended, "We came back here to make sure you were alright."

"I'm fine! And if I locked the door then how could I take walk-in appointments?" The old man warbled, confusing them.

"That would mean you aren't closed." Ranmaru assessed.

"Then we'll call it like it is: I'm on duty when I'm not napping. I am retired, you know." Migawari rubbed the side of his nose, "Well…I was. I had to come out of retirement and make some cash. I incurred a bit of debt when I came to Nanakusa." His eyes snapped back to them, "So what's the matter? Ya sick?"

"No." Haku took a seat beside Ranmaru, "We were told that you can use Medical Jutsu."

With wary eyes, Migawari looked them up and down, "And who said that?"

"Tomo-san."

"She's a lovely girl." The old man nodded, "Hmph! Don't look so surprised! Medic-nin retire here all the time! When I left my clinic in my daughter Sarincha's hands, I had an amazing pension from Kusagakure, so I had my pick of real estate down here!" He smiled happily, "Tomo's right. Now and again I use my skills for supplemental income."

"Grass ninja really do retire here?" Haku was astonished, "I thought those were just stories."

"Ha! Stories. Well it's no fairytale. I blew through my savings much faster than I thought…" He added in a fearful whisper, "Please don't tell my daughter."

Ranmaru assured, "We don't know your daughter…"

"Phew! I always worry that she's watching me. She'd have a conniption if she knew I was still taking patients…after I gave her that sob-story about not being able to manage the hospital. Hee hee!" Migawari wobbled to his feet and peeked out the blinds of a window, "Now that job is keeping her busy, and that husband of her's is too…"

"That doesn't seem fair." Haku muttered to his friend.

Migawari had sharp ears, "Huh? Not fair? She's got youth on her side! It wouldn't be fair to let an old dog like me suffer for a paycheck until my dying breath! You know how many people I've saved during my career?" He bent over to scold Haku, "A war's worth of wounded. I did my job!"

"Why are you still working, Eto-san?" Ranmaru asked.

"I…" He sighed, "I've…got an expensive passion."

Ranmaru and Haku blinked in bewilderment as Migawari lifted a heavy wooden chest from a display case. He set it down on the kotatsu and flipped the lid back, allowing them to peer inside.

Decks of cards, sets of dice, cups, game boards and pieces, spinners, a coin purse and what looked like a tiny boxing ring for insect-fighting or something like it. The old man grinned proudly at his collection.

Clueless, Ranmaru supposed, "You like to play."

"You bet I do, kid!"

"No. You're a gambler." Haku understood the issue, "Which would put any retiree at the mercy of chance and risk losing their livelihood! To think we were going to ask you to teach us healing techniques…" Disgusted, he stood to leave, "Come on, Ranmaru. We can learn from someone else."

With a sad nod, the violet haired boy stood as well.

Affronted, Migawari gaped at them, "What am I? A criminal? It's just a bit of fun! I'm not going to let a pair of brats judge me like I'm a piece of trash."

"You're insulting your daughter who imagines you having a peaceful retirement while she has inherited your duties." Haku said in a low voice, "If I had a daughter I would never dishonor her like that…"

The old man gasped, "Cut me to the quick, why don't you? You boys are ninja, huh? Want to learn Medical Jutsu, is that right? You don't hear that request everyday…" He acknowledged, "I have cut back and keep to a budget, you snoots. I'm not a waste of time. I'm a master of what I do and I won't take any guff from kids."

"What makes you a better choice than any other shinobi specialized in healing?" Ranmaru wondered.

"We might do better to learn from your daughter." Haku added, driving the point home.

"Alright! Enough with those wisecracks!" The old man's frown lines were pronounced, "I've gotten around quite a bit! Gambling can connect you to all kinds of people! And you wanna know something else? I have a famous arch-enemy who I have never lost to." Migawari cackled, "Have you heard of…Tsunade-hime?"

Haku's train of thought was ransacked and he instantly surrendered his attention.

"Yes that's right! Who doesn't know about Tsunade, the current Hokage of the Leaf Village?" Migawari laughed, "She and I have clashed in many games in countless gambling houses…and I have whooped her every single time."

"Haku is from the Leaf Village!" Ranmaru blurted out.

"Are you now?" The old man wrinkled his forehead, gloating, "Bet you couldn't get an apprenticeship under her, huh? She's always passed out drunk or busy yelling at people! Rest easy, because you've found someone who can go toe to toe with her! I'm just not famous."

"You could be making all of this up." Haku noted keenly.

"Yeah?" Migawari reached for the top cabinet of the display case and pulled out a woven basket filled with books and scrolls, "See these? These are my most precious winnings." He licked his thumb and paged through a small journal, "Forbidden Jutsu."

Ranmaru and Haku leaned forward, fascinated, but Migawari pulled the basket back, "Uh-uh! I got these from defeating my arrogant shinobi opponents who thought they could best my lucky streak!" He retrieved a medium sized scroll and waved it proudly, "I even won Tsunade's most prized technique when she bet it in a high-stakes game! Heh! I never bothered with the Yin Seal…so it's just sitting here gathering dust."

An urgent need to defend Leaf's secrets overcame Haku. What was supposed to be a jealously guarded secret known only to the Fifth Hokage was sitting in the trophy case of a senior citizen's house. He took a seat again and fixed his gray eyes on Migawari, serious, "If you don't plan on studying that jutsu…then maybe you'd be willing to bet it?"

Ranmaru gave a sidelong, astounded look to his friend.

Migawari got settled by the kotatsu again, sighing, "I don't know if I should. Many of these techniques don't need to fall into frivolous hands."

"I'd like to return that scroll to Tsunade-sama when I get back to Leaf." Haku explained, "Something like that shouldn't be adrift in the world."

"Hm." Migawari scratched his chin, "You're Hiroshi's boy…the one he sent off with Gama-sennin, he said. Heh! A Leaf ninja in my house! Maybe it's at least worth a game of chance to see if you can regain the princess' secret jutsu. Some items change hands all the way back to their intended owner…" He frowned, "And just as often…they'll end up with the wrong crowd."

"I'll challenge you to any game."

"Hold your horses! We haven't set any stakes," Migawari notified him, glancing to Ranmaru, "Will you be trying your luck too?"

"I guess so." Ranmaru sat down and folded his hands in his lap.

"So…you want this?" The old man asked, lifting up the scroll, "Well you can have it if you win! But what do I get if you lose?"

Ranmaru lit up with an idea, "A free lunch!"

"…"

"You'd want something of value?" Haku asked.

"Depends. What have you got?"

Worriedly, Haku tried to come up with an offering. He had been saving money, but it would not be prudent to bet all of it in a high-risk game. He had jutsu he could exchange, and maybe, if Migawari was the bounty-seeking type, he'd accept Zabuza as payment; unconscious, of course.

"I can trade the Shadow Clone jutsu." He offered.

"Pff. I don't want jutsu! I'm done with all of that!"

"Two free lunches." Ranmaru had put his hands flat on the table, now playing hardball.

"No, kid! I don't need food!"

"100,000 ryo." Haku ventured.

"Cheapskate." Migawari smiled, "I'm to the point where you'd really have to shine my shoes with an offering of cash."

Haku's internal budgeting system would not allow him to put down any more.

"Then what will you accept that the two of us can offer?" Haku folded his arms, "We might as well walk out the door and give up."

"Ho now! There is something two young-bloods could give me," Migawari assured him, "How about this? We'll play a game of dice. You and Shorty each get a cup with one die, and I'll have a cup with two dice. Shake 'em and then roll 'em! If you roll a combined number higher than mine I'll give you Tsunade's jutsu…if not…" He shut his eyes and smirked, "The two of you will become unpaid receptionists in my office four days a week! Until I've had enough of ya!"

Ranmaru, knowing that his stay in Nanakusa was not guaranteed to be long-term, considered the stakes. He could always bail and ask for Raiga's intervention if he was unable to bear the working conditions. He looked to Haku who nodded gravely, and then the match was set.

Migawari gave them two ordinary dice, which they inspected, and then tall, opaque cups to use for the game. He prepared his own dice and leaned over the table, smiling deviously, "Are you sure you want to do this? You might win this scroll, but if I win I get your time. That's something you can never get back!"

Haku smiled, "Let's begin."

"Alright then! Roll!" The old man hooted happily.

And the three of them spastically shook their cups and clacked them down on the table top, lifting them up slowly to reveal the results. Haku had gotten a five and Ranmaru had gotten a three. They looked over to see Migawari's outcome…a six and a five.

Wide-eyed, the two friends felt a shadow of devastation fall across them like a veil. The old man chortled and then clapped his hands, "How about that? That's just how the chips fall!"

He cleaned up the table and then hobbled out of the sitting room into the office. Haku and Ranmaru followed reluctantly until they came to the receptionist's station. Two desks were on opposite walls, tucked amongst filing cabinets and potted plants.

The old man rubbed his hands together, "Have a seat! So you silly boys, what're your names? I'll put them on the board."

"Haku."

"Ranmaru."

"Hmm! I see! Welcome aboard, suckers." Migawari was positively jolly, "We'll work out your schedules to be however flexible you need them to be…but I need you to know the ropes of admitting patients. I'll even show you how to treat them…just so I don't have to."

"Oh! So you will show us Medical techniques?" Ranmaru was pleasantly surprised.

"Why not? It'll reduce my workload. But for a practice session I need to see what you can patch up with the Palm Healing jutsu. I want to know what I'm working with!" He put his hands on his hips, stern, "And now…I'll be breaking your fingers for the demo! Who's first?"

---

Within the Leaf Village, the day arrived at the Hyuga compound when the last suitor would have a chance of currying favor with the Clan Head's eldest daughter. It was a busy morning of preparation.

As promised, Fujita's mother Kayato, the master seamstress, had taken great pains and care to fold, wrap, pat, and tie an elaborate furisode onto Hinata. The fabric was a midnight blue at the shoulder and chest, fading down into lighter shades; a metaphor of night becoming day. White flecks scattered across the dark blue resembled stars and flower petals. The obi was silver with violet and lavender ornaments. Kayato had stressed that this was one of the most priceless kimono the Hyuga clan owned, and there was a reason she was expected to wear it.

The final guest was a prince of the Taketori clan, one of the closest friends clan-wise to the Hyuga. They resided in a humble palace within the Fire Country and visited the Leaf Village from time to time for diplomatic reasons. Likewise, ambassadors of the Hyuga paid visits to the Taketori as well. It was a small wonder how they had gotten an appointment after inquiring with Hyuga clan elders. It would have been an insult to decline.

Kayato had tied Hinata's hair into an attractive up-do with a white lily. All the while, the young woman sat in silence and tried not to scream.

The spectacle and efforts that were being made to impress a man (and a stranger) were grinding her self-esteem to bits. If she had been given the chance to say "no thank you," Hinata truly would have been delighted. Her heart was tender and longing for Naruto to be the visitor, receiving all of the consideration that her family could muster. She would die of happiness if her boyfriend could be treated to such a welcome.

But that hope was dashed. It was her understanding that this entire affair had started because the elders were aware of her romance with a young shinobi who, for some reason, repelled them.

"Just be yourself. You don't have to do or say anything to beguile this guest, you know." Kayato reminded her, "If you don't want a husband, least of all one that is appointed to you…then just break that fact gently to Taketori-sama. This will all be over soon." She was a woman of tremendous understanding…not unlike her empathetic and peppy husband.

She was allowed to have a light breakfast of pears and oatmeal accompanied with tea. Then she was instructed to wait in a tea room on the east side of the house until the company arrived. It was tricky business to sit properly in a long, elaborate kimono like the one she had been cloaked in. When an hour dragged by and her legs had gone numb, Hinata stood up and peeked at her surroundings. Her attendants had migrated to the front of the house, anxiously awaiting the Taketori to show up.

She exited through a sliding door and stepped onto the polished wood of the porch. Wisteria trees were bursting with fragrant flowers on every vine. She watched them sway in the breeze as her mind wandered.

'Naruto-kun…I never had the heart to tell you about all of this. I was always afraid that it would hurt your feelings or discourage you.' Her eyebrows knitted in worry, 'But…it has been a burden to keep this to myself. Bottling this up has been one of the most painful experiences…and I need your reassurance so that I might feel relief. Though…I…I couldn't. To tell you about how I feel and what has been happening…may hurt you in a way that is not equal to how upset I am now.' She was determined to keep it to herself, especially if this was due to be her last trial.

It stung that the idea of her ever wanting a husband in the future, more specifically, one of her choosing, could plunge her through this process all over again. As she understood Hyuga tradition, a candidate of her choice had to be introduced and approved by her father first. Then, in what was a common standard among many clans in Leaf, the "selection" was to be naturalized and made to live among the Hyuga for an extended period of time.

It was a compatibility test. Sometimes, significant others ran screaming when they found the Hyuga too prickly to put up with. Others weathered the stone-faced storm well for the sake of their loved one and often married successfully, receiving the Hyuga name. Hinata was aware there were other odds and ends that needed to be respected, depending on if the newcomer was a man or woman. Unfortunately, the majority of success stories were marriages within the Branch family, one such free-will choice being Neji's father finding and courting his mother.

Her own parents had been members of the Main Branch. Serendipitously, Hiashi had fallen madly in love with his intended (who was indeed an eligible woman) and had enjoyed his marriage up until becoming a widower. Raising two daughters without the direction of his wife was not something he excelled at. He tried.

If things continued down the winding and painful course that the elders were paving, they would probably betroth her to Fujita. Or worse.

She shuddered violently.

'I may need to seek asylum in Sunagakure.' She considered seriously, 'They won't need me if they have Neji-niisan…and I refuse to be with anyone but Naruto!'

She could probably find someplace to hide safely until they left her alone or surrendered to her demands. Adulthood wasn't supposed to be something to dread, but her clan could not make life easy for her. Hinata was preparing to deal with that reality.

She blinked in surprise when an unknown young man walked by on the path beneath the wisteria branches. He was in quite the hurry; looking over his shoulder to be sure he had no pursuers.

The young man stopped beneath a tree and hid amongst the vines. Then, curiously, Hinata watched as he flapped his arms in an "I give up" gesture. He relaxed after a minute and then admired the blooming trees.

'He must've realized that even if he hides…anyone with the Byakugan can find him.' She supposed.

His mouth was drawn in a small frown of disdain. He was pale with dust-brown hair pulled into a regal ponytail, with eyes of tourmaline yellow. Judging from how sportingly he was dressed in black and pearl-grey kimono and hakama, Hinata's best assumption was that he was someone from the Taketori clan. And he wasn't enjoying his visit.

She was contemplating her return indoors in the same second the young man looked up. Their eyes met and they simultaneously jumped in surprise. Hinata stayed where she was and opted for a friendly smile, hoping that her clansmen had not frightened him away from the front of the grounds.

Appreciative, the Taketori visitor scurried over to her and bowed quickly, "Excuse me, I'm a-"

"An honored guest from the Taketori clan. Welcome!" She observed keenly, "Have you gotten lost? I can take you to my father."

"Ah, no thank you…I just…" He sighed quietly, "I needed a break. The greeting was so stuffy and formal…" The visitor added, "Oh! My name's Kitano. I'm sorry; I should have properly introduced myself."

"That's quite alright. I know how stressful these official visits can be." Hinata replied understandingly, "I am Hyuga Hinata."

Kitano stared at her for a moment, bewildered, and then looked away shyly, "It's a pleasure to meet you, milady."

The surreal instance of the tables turning dawned on Hinata. She was now far more outgoing than the days of her youth. She had also inadvertently happened upon another shy person. Hinata noticed that he had glanced over his shoulder again nervously, but he was attempting to play cool.

"Would you like to come into the tea room, Kitano-san? You can join me there until other guests arrive." She offered.

"Yes! Thank you…" He was plainly relieved, "Hinata-sama."

Kitano followed her inside quietly and took a seat across from her. He smiled uncertainly, "You are much nicer than the greeters at the gate…"

"I can't help it. Just like they can't help being rigid." She deduced, "Are you an attendant?"

"Well, no…" He was reluctant to answer, "I know that I probably shouldn't have snuck off. Members of the Hyuga clan can find me in no time…"

"Why did you leave the entry party?"

"I…I was…feeling a bit overwhelmed." Kitano admitted, "This is my first time in the Leaf Village. It's a little far from home."

She smiled, "I see."

"I asked my father if maybe we could cancel this appointment, but he insisted that we visit our associate-clan to meet the Lady of the House." He added somberly, "I was uncomfortable with all of this…but," Kitano grinned, "You're nothing like what I imagined!"

"W-What?" Hinata blinked, rapidly grasping what he meant. She had judged him as a hand servant or caretaker, maybe even a young ward, but the man in front of her was the prospective fiancé the elders had invited! At least fifteen years younger than the average caller, to boot. She had not expected it.

"You're the-?"

"My father is the Head of the Taketori clan." Kitano elucidated, "And you are the daughter of the Head of the Hyuga clan. You're so young!"

"So are you!"

He was shocked, "Has this happened to you before? The set-ups?"

"Yes! And you?"

"Maybe fifteen people! Mostly clan spinsters…" Kitano wailed, "I've had enough, but Father was frustrated with me. He promised that this-"

"Would be the last visit?" She finished his thought.

He nodded, bright with happiness, "Yeah."

Hinata felt like laughing at the coincidence. Somehow, a person had come along who could relate to her agitation with forced courtship. What a beautiful way to cap the wooing trials off, she thought. Moments later, the door off of the hallway opened and Ko appeared, looking a bit ruffled. He stepped aside and let Hiashi enter with a tall, sandy-haired man. His hair was pulled back in the same style as Kitano's; dressed lavishly in red kimono beneath black and silver armor.

Hiashi regarded his daughter's company curiously, "Hm. Ko noticed that the young master slipped away. I did not expect you to retrieve him, Hinata."

"Nor did I." She admitted.

Hiashi turned to introduce his companion, "This is Magan-sama, the leader of the Taketori clan and an esteemed comrade of the Hyuga. He is Kitano-sama's father."

"It's wonderful to meet you, Magan-sama." Hinata's pleasantries were almost automatic.

"Oh, the pleasure is mine, young lady." He smiled genuinely, "Kitano was chafed the whole way here…but he seems much more relaxed now."

"Dad…" The boy muttered under his breath.

They were all whisked away to a strictly timed meal by Ko and his Taketori acquaintance. Lunch was served in a formal dining room and the caretakers were excused, leaving Hiashi and Hinata seated side-by-side on one end of the table, and Kitano and Magan on the other. Most of the banter was the same, Hinata noted. Magan pitched his family's breeding, relationship with the Hyuga, and proximity to Leaf as the great motivators of a match. Previous visitors had come up with convincing arguments too, but this one was a cut above the rest. For once, Hiashi was listening intently.

This stirred Hinata somewhat as she listened and answered questions politely, but for the most part, Magan and Hiashi did the talking while their children ate, participating when necessary.

Towards the end of the meal, Hiashi became pushy. He was only humoring the elders' selection because Magan was a friend, but if he was even going to consider offering his daughter's hand in marriage he had several demands. His stipulations included:

A) Hinata's position as a shinobi of Konoha could not be compromised, and the Taketori must allow her to resume her career, unless she should choose otherwise. They must also accommodate her commute.

B) If her well-being is assessed to be neglected in any form, upon inspection by Main House overseers and family, Hinata may dissolve her marriage without penalty and return to the Hyuga.

C) If any of her demands were not met, Hinata could bring issue against her husband or the Taketori as a whole.

D) If in the exceptional but not impossible event that Hinata is selected as a candidate for Hokage in the future, the Taketori must support the appointment and send her spouse and family to Konoha for accommodations. (Magan only nodded in amazement at this.)

E) Her dowry could not be negotiated and must be accepted upon its first bid.

And other matters pertaining to her Kekkei Genkai, in text, were handed to Magan who raised his eyebrows at the complexity of the young woman's circumstances. Hiashi briefly explained that her Blood Limit was highly evolved and could possibly be passed down to children. The Hyuga clan elders would have strict rules about evaluations and the Taketori's maintenance of gifted progeny. Hiashi also gently added that it was a load of codswallop and not worth worrying about.

After that, Magan and Hiashi elected to speak privately and sent the children off for a walk on the estate property. They were asked to "get to know each other." Hinata was astounded that the discussion had made it so far. Often, Hiashi dismissed prospective grooms halfway through lunch. She was beginning to fear that he really would try to cement a deal.

Hinata and Kitano walked in silence for a while, chins drooping, wondering if the matter was out of their hands officially.

"I am worried that…our parents might find this favorable." Kitano said softly, "And I mean that as no offense to you."

"None taken."

"I don't want to get married." He said bluntly, "Not yet. I want to find someone I like when I'm older. My clan never gave me the chance to explore the world. They won't let me make my own decisions."

She looked at the boy sadly, knowing how he felt. They walked along a garden path that wound around the building, stewing over the predicament.

"How old are you, Kitano-sama?"

"Sixteen."

"I'll be sixteen at the end of this year."

"Do you know how old your parents were when they got married?"

"I think my father was eighteen. I am not sure how old my mother was…"

"My father had all the time in the world before he married, and he got to choose someone he loved." Kitano frowned, "I thought he'd understand that I want the same. I didn't think he'd put me through all of this."

"I didn't think so either. But…the friendship between our families could dictate a match like this." Hinata observed, "It's problematic that…we're compatible."

"I know. I couldn't even try to hate you. You're beautiful and you're a talented shinobi. Your father said he anticipates you to become Hokage!" Kitano laughed, "How could my Dad resist that? How am I supposed to?"

Her shoulders sagged, "Please try to."

"I promise I will."

"Are you a shinobi?"

"I'm a Chunin, but I don't expect to be much more than that. We're only trained so that we can defend clan secrets. The Taketori don't take very many missions."

"Ah, I see. I will be participating in the upcoming Chunin Exam."

"Good luck to you," He shook his head and smiled, "But you probably won't need it."

As they passed by a vacant lot behind the house, Hinata paused. She could have sworn there was a patch of woodland here before. It was now a vast pile of chips and sprigs, and she couldn't figure out how it had gotten there.

"This doesn't seem to fit with the landscape." Kitano commented.

"There used to be forest here."

"Huh. What happened to it?"

"I'm not sure." She said as she kept walking, "Neji-niisan might know."

"Who's that?"

"My cousin. He's like a big brother to me." Hinata explained, "He is now the heir of the Hyuga clan. He will succeed my father in leadership when he decides to step down."

"Wow. That's odd. Why wouldn't your father choose you as an heir when he was going on about how powerful you are?"

"I was the heir, once." She admitted, "But…I think I always preferred Neji-niisan assuming that responsibility. I know I could if I had to…but he worked hard to be recognized, just as I did. Things are just as they need to be."

"Yeah and when you're Hokage you don't want to be too busy! It'd be a load off your shoulders if you aren't in charge of the Hyuga." He imagined, folding his arms, "But…if you married me…you might still be a little busy."

She pursed her lips, "We would be very unhappy together."

"Why? I promise I would abide by everything your dad said and I know we can get along! I'm not a bad person-"

"It has nothing to do with that." Hinata assured him, "I am already in love with someone."

"Oh." He had a moment to think about it and then smiled, "Of course. He's very lucky."

She shook her head in embarrassment.

"Do you want to marry him?" Kitano wondered.

She nodded and he chuckled in amusement.

"It's alright. He must be special. I don't want to get in the way of that, you know." He stopped and looked at her with strange, honest eyes, "How about…we just put this off? If you're still available ten years down the line…I'm interested. If not, don't worry. I refuse to agree to anything until I'm ready."

Hinata nodded, "I…think that's a good idea. I know I'm not ready either."

Kitano seemed very pleased that they had come to an agreement while they closed the circuit of the walk. While they were passing by the front of the house, Hiashi and Magan had stepped outside together. The two men approached their mingling children and were vaguely content.

"So!" Magan smiled at them, "What do you think, kids? Hiashi-sama and I know how we feel, but we'd like to hear your opinions first."

Hinata and Kitano exchanged a glance.

"For now, we don't want to go for it." The young man responded. His father appeared shocked by the words.

"We don't feel prepared." Hinata added, "Kitano-sama said he won't consider this arrangement until ten years have passed."

Hiashi gave a scathing look to the boy, initially insulted, but gradually began to sense the wisdom of the reply. He had always been against Hinata's mandated courtship from the council of elders because his daughter had been, in his eyes, much too young for marriage and what came with it. Luckily, Magan's child had been prudent enough not to say "no" but rather had chosen "later."

"A lot can change in ten years." Magan reminded them.

"That's the point." His son chuckled.

Hiashi closed his eyes and sighed, "Do you wish to postpone any agreements with the Taketori clan, Hinata?"

"Yes, Father."

"Very well." He turned to his companion, "Then this matter is settled. It is an auspicious match…and it is undesired presently."

Magan shook his head, amused, "I won't start an argument. I'll admit, I was enthusiastic about this get-together…but I want Kitano's wishes to be respected."

"Thank you, Dad." He slipped, and then amended, "F-Father."

Hiashi inclined his head towards attendants waiting patiently across the yard. They noticed the gesture and briskly made their way over.

"This is farewell for now, Magan, but I will stay in touch with you. We have a conference scheduled in one month, irrespective of this decision." He gave a short, professional bow to the father and son, "I appreciate your consideration, Kitano-sama. You've had more regard for my daughter's future than any other suitor, and I will not forget that."

The boy returned the bow and then uttered a hushed goodbye to Hinata. He and his father were ushered along by their caretakers with somber looks, as they had presumed the young master's meeting to be a failure, not knowing it had all been well-met.

Hiashi walked alongside his daughter slowly as they returned to the house.

"Father?" She gave him a concerned, sidelong look, "You don't mind that I turned him away?"

He continued gazing straight ahead, "I don't. And I never will, no matter who the guest is."

She chanced a small smile.

"He was an ideal match for you, but I will try to downplay that fact when I report to our elders this evening." Hiashi mused, "They could very well harangue me no matter how you interacted with Kitano. This invitation to the Taketori was their most sincere effort."

"I…I hope they don't."

"I'm accustomed to it." He opened a door and extended a hand to help her step up so that she wouldn't trip over the length of her kimono, "It will not get any easier after this. I did not expect it to."

She quietly thanked him and blinked as he steered her towards Kayato's dressing room. Hinata wore a questioning expression as her father remained nonchalant.

"I'll send Kayato to help you undress. Change out of that gaudy thing…and then go do something you really care about."

---

Three days later, Tsunade was finishing up a memorandum for Jiraiya. It was mostly an update about how her ANBU agents were putting in some serious overtime. She had eyes everywhere on her causes for alarm.

It was not only her Black Ops keeping busy, though. She had her "priority" generation of Genin attending to nearly every mission that was available. Tsunade had increased their workload as a preamble to the Chunin Exam (not yet verified by the council) to be sure that they could handle more serious tasks. Their overall performance was optimal or outstanding, which boded well.

Tsunade put down her pen and exhaled deeply, setting the message aside.

The day before, she had sent Shino to the Tea Country with Ino, Chouji, and Sato to intercept a black market caravan. At the same time, a request had come in demanding a group with a similar skill set. Knowing she would prefer to send her Genin than "otherwise preoccupied Chunin," she pulled together a special group, beginning with Shikamaru.

He had been informed to round up Kiba, Neji, and Lee before reporting to her office, which was handily achieved.

"I'm glad you all made it," The Hokage smiled, turning to the team leader, "I apologize for the short notice, Shikamaru. You were unreachable at your clan's research facility for a few days, and I would have preferred sending you to the Tea Country, but the timing didn't pan out. I'll have you working on this C-Rank mission, if you don't mind."

He shrugged with his facial expression, "I guess I don't."

"This assignment is relatively standard, however it will require much of your time and attention. Perhaps a week or so…" She began, "I was contacted by retainers of the Oga clan, who reside on the southern gulf coast of the Fire Country. In preparation for a wedding, the clan is seeking supplemental security for their grounds and attendees," Tsunade leaned back in her chair, "More specifically, the bride and groom. Your group will be equal parts detection and brute-force peacekeeping, as they itemized."

"The Oga clan can't defend itself from…wedding crashers?" Shikamaru was trying to interpret the data.

"Beats me. They're a bunch of wimps. Their clan head made an attempt to marry into the Hyuga recently, I've heard." She replied, noticing that Neji had bristled at the memory of when 34-year-old Moritsune had showed up with a boatload of flowers for Hinata.

Tsunade continued, "I'm sure they could use some help. They have no shinobi background and solicit Konoha for aid frequently. The leader's younger brother, Sanomune, is getting married. The event has garnered an unusual amount of attention for whatever reason."

Lee raised his hand.

"Yes, Lee." The Hokage acknowledged him.

"Tsunade-sama, does this suggest that we are invited to a wedding?"

"Hm. I suppose it does."

"Then perhaps we should bring formalwear?"

Her eye twitched, "Lee…I don't advise that any of you weigh yourselves down with fancy attire. Of course, don't show up looking like slobs, but don't stress over glamor. Just go as shinobi. That's what they called for and so that's what they get."

He nodded in understanding.

"No plus ones, I guess?" Kiba joked.

She smiled slyly, "There are four of you. Decide amongst yourselves how you will pair off."

---

Note:

If any of you good people are "purists" about small details and whatnot, chiefly (of all the things you read) Suigetsu's dialogue, I pray that you forgive the instance in which he did not mistake a cat for a tanuki. Sure, that would harken back to the manga/anime and illustrate how oblivious he is at times… But in a story that prides itself on reinvention, maybe you might actually appreciate a scene where he is portrayed as a more astute individual. I dunno. It's just a trope and sometimes you need to toss them out the window once they've overstayed their welcome.

One last thing! There is a second part to this chapter and it is ready.

Please leave a comment and share your thoughts. Help turn the water wheel! The more feedback there is the quicker Part Two will get posted. Promise. It's a comedy fest chock full 'o references.

Chapter 23- Vigil: Part Two