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

32. A Mission During the Chunin Exam!

Note: *blows trumpeting sound into a conch shell* Hey everyone, look! A new chapter! It contains: a slice of life in Konoha, a proud dad, new jutsu, a stranglehold, the Hokage's duties, Jounin asking good questions, money schemes, the small penis insult (kinda), a supermarket, very hormonal teens, and a look at the working class. Enjoy.

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Chapter Soundtrack:

"Tsuki" by Namie Amuro

"Kenaston" by Chilly Gonzales

Chapter 32: A Mission during the Chunin Exam?!

Hinata had not woken until noon the next day. Her father and the attendants of the Main House had not wished to disturb her.

She sat up in bed with a metallic taste in her mouth. Hinata could still smell the minerals on her skin from the spring water she and her friends had bathed in the night before. 'I do feel much better…uh…ah! What time is it? Everyone else must be up already!' She tossed her blanket aside and darted around her room, 'Fujita is still in the hospital and we promised we would see him! Oh, and what about Father? He probably thinks-!'

When she nearly tripped over her own sweatshirt on the floor, Hinata elected to calm down a bit. It stood to reason that if her father had not come looking for her account of the Exam by noontime, he had probably not bothered Neji either. 'How understanding of him…' Maybe it was because the two Hyuga finalists had come home the night before and gone to sleep without a word to anyone. People could take a hint.

Prior to their onsen visit, Kurenai had reminded Hinata and her teammates that they would have a free day to catch up with their lives. A day or so after that, she expected the team to meet and discuss which training regimens best suited them up until the Tournament. With this in mind, Hinata gladly pulled on and buttoned up a sundress. Beyond her bedroom window, it looked like a mild, summer day outside.

After completing her morning routine, Hinata ventured around the house hoping that there was still a hot pot of tea and sustenance somewhere. She had a word with a kind housemaid who asked her to wait in a tea room, "I'll bring a meal out for you, milady!" Before Hinata could take a seat in the unoccupied tea room across the hall, Hanabi came stomping around the corner.

"Must have been a strenuous exam if you had to sleep that much! I've been waiting all morning." Hanabi tugged her sister into the room. She sat down at a low table and gave her elder sibling a pressing look, "You advanced just like Neji-niisan, right? Who are you fighting? When? Who was at the-?"

Hinata held a quieting finger to her own lips, signaling her sister to tone it down. Hanabi fell silent, but her stare was unwavering.

"We both advanced." Hinata smiled when a grin spread on her sister's face, "My first opponent in the Tournament is Akimichi Chouji, four weeks from now. Almost all of the shinobi competing in the final round are Leaf ninja. I should be telling Father all of this as well; do you know where he is?"

The younger girl used her Byakugan on reflex.

"Speaking to Auntie Kayato, I think. We're all going to pay Fujita a visit soon." Abruptly, Hanabi stood and briskly slid open the porch door, "Wait a second while I get Neji-niisan. He just got back! Don't go anywhere." She hurried out and left the door ajar.

Hinata muttered to herself, "I'm not leaving yet…" Apparently, her family had the same agenda in mind that she did. Surprisingly, Neji was awake and, by the sound of it, returning from a function, 'How does he have the energy? He must be exhausted too!'

Mercifully, the housemaid dropped by with a tray and set it on the table. Hinata thanked her profusely and asked that she not shut the porch door, "My little sister should be back momentarily…" Green tea, a small bowl of miso soup, onigiri, a croquette and several orange wedges; her preferred fare, and the maid surely knew it. No sooner had Hinata folded her hands to thank god and good fortune for the meal, Neji and Hanabi returned with raised voices.

Neji stepped inside, shoes off, wearing his black and teal Wushu attire. Hanabi was talking over him as he tried to satisfy her questions, but not nearly fast enough. He looked sweaty.

"Hanabi, come have some oranges." Hinata suggested, patting the cushion beside her. She gave a strained look to Neji, "Niisan…you were already out training with Lee-kun this morning?"

"At sunrise." He confirmed with a sigh. Neji sat down and began tidying his hair. Wong Leung had disdained the week that Lee and Neji took off for the Chunin Exam, and so he quickly reinstated their training program.

"You had time to train with that old-Wushu-grouch, but no time to tell me about the Exam?" Hanabi sniffed, "That wasn't considerate, Niisan!"

"First off, he is Wong Leung-shishou, or Shifu; and you should address him as such if you should ever meet him." Neji corrected her disrespect, "Also, you were asleep when I left. I thought it better to tell you of those events later in the day, Hanabi-sama."

"Hmf." She chomped on an orange wedge, "Alright then." She said with a full mouth.

Hinata delicately balanced food at the end of her chopsticks, "The slacker I am…I only just woke up. Niisan was up at dawn after going through the same test I did…and Lee too!"

"Lee managed it." Neji confirmed glumly, "I barely managed it. He came to fetch me in the dark."

"Oh." Hinata finally understood. No wonder he looked so haggard.

Sympathetically, Hanabi passed an orange wedge across the table to Neji and he accepted it. He bit the fruit away from the peel after thanking his cousin. Guessing that he was starving, Hinata handed the croquette over to Neji which he also ate in one bite. The sisters made small sounds of concern, wondering how he would keep his temper in check for the day.

Hinata softly asked Hanabi if she could fetch something to sustain their big brother while they waited for the adults to drop by. The young girl snatched another orange wedge before bustling out to conduct the task.

What sounded like a volcanic roar rumbled from Neji's stomach. He shut his eyes and languished across the table from Hinata while she remarked, "My, that was a loud one."

"I am deficient in strength and sleep...and abundant in hunger." Neji confessed, "I apologize that you have to see me like this."

"It's alright, Niisan! We're all tired after yesterday's matches." She sipped her soup briefly, "Mmm. Did you enjoy visiting the hot spring last night?"

He looked thoughtful for a long moment, "I did."

"We heard a lot of shouting and arguing on the men's side." Hinata recalled, "Do you know what that was about?"

"I can't get into detail, but…Sato started it." Neji illuminated the matter.

That was all Hinata needed to know in order to fill in most of the blanks. She recounted her own experience and the fun she'd had.

Gaara's student Matsuri had been good company, though shy. Ino and Sakura engaged in their typical level of mud-slinging while Tama arbitrated. Tenten had also had a bit of fun poked at her, "If she had to, Onee-san said she would pick death by boiling." Hinata chuckled at the thought. Only grandmas loved onsen more than she did, if Tenten didn't already count herself among them. They had to harangue Tenten to leave the spring later that night before she pruned up like a raisin.

Neji had to stop himself from saying I know, trying to play off the fact that he had kept track of his girlfriend's movements the night before. Eventually, Hanabi returned with breakfast morsels, most of which she passed off to Neji. She kept some sweets for herself. The group ate in peaceful silence.

At about the time they had finished their meals, Hiashi stopped in to bid them good day. He wasted no time in asking for their accounts of the Chunin Exam. Neji and Hinata gave simultaneous testimony, speaking in equal parts, and Hiashi nodded as he listened. Though pleased, he was largely unsurprised by the outcomes of their matches. He commended them, "So too will you prove yourselves again in a month's time." Without saying it, Hiashi indicated that he was confident they would be promoted to Chunin. The Clan head ushered them along to meet with Kayato and Hideyasu before going to visit Fujita at the hospital.

On the way, the Hyuga Main House gaggle drew only a few stares from other villagers. Hinata imagined what it must have looked like to them. She and Hanabi were dressed as comfortably and girlishly as they respectively saw fit. Neji's Wushu uniform was probably the most impressive, or perhaps most concerning sight, 'He's still just a little irritable...' And passers-by would probably assume the adults with them to be as haughty and unlikeable as rumors purported.

'But they really are nice…at least to me and most of the clan.' Hinata acknowledged. Her father was a stickler for dignity and all things formal, but so help him, the widower had two daughters to raise…holding out hope that he was not making them hate him each day. Hideyasu and Kayato, perhaps the most laid-back couple to ever make their home among the Hyuga clan, were by no means weak or slighted for their outgoing natures. What villagers couldn't see, Hinata supposed, was how broken this strong-looking family was, 'Hikune-niisan is gone, and I know Hideyasu and Kayato will never be the same since his death. And without Mother…Father struggles to get through each day…' Then there was Neji, parentless from a young age, who had hardly ever known what a typical family unit was like.

As they entered the hospital's doors Hanabi muttered to her sister, "You think so hard I see steam pouring out of your ears."

Hinata jolted out of her thoughts and the younger girl smirked at her.

"Come on. We're going to room 343." Hanabi pulled her along by her wrist, following behind Neji and the adults.

They elected to use the stairs as opposed to the elevator. (No one brought up Hiashi's dislike of confined spaces.) On the third floor, they quickly happened upon Fujita's room, inside of which the boy was awake and upright in bed. Sheets of unfolded origami paper were on a bed tray in front of him, and it looked as though he had nearly finished a green-checkered dog. Fujita greeted them all by name happily.

"Whatever you do, please do not say or do anything funny." Fujita gave them a proviso, "It hurts too much to laugh." His ribs were on the mend, but it was going to be six weeks of non-stop pain ahead. Pain medication was only sparingly given to him.

"Alright, son. I'll try to be boring today." Hideyasu held back a grin.

Kayato took the seat beside the bed and began doting on her youngest, stroking his hair (free of its ponytail) and inquiring about what had happened. He gave her his recollection of the exam and the Kazekage's student hurling a meteor hammer at him. While Kayato winced, Hideyasu folded his arms and whistled, "Ha, Fujita, you challenged the Kazekage's protégée and gave her a run for her money! Hm." He fell quiet as the cogs in his head turned. 'Hmm. Maybe he could marry that girl…he needs a strong wife someday!'

"Not long ago, the Kazekage was a peer of Neji and Hinata." Hiashi noted, "Imagine the progress he underwent to so quickly become the head of a village."

"He still is a peer." Neji amended, "Rather, a very loyal friend."

Hinata agreed, "A wonderful friend!"

Hanabi tossed in some gossip, "Fujita, I heard that Gaara-sama went with them to the onsen last night."

Fujita was crestfallen, "You all went to…the hot springs?"

"We'll take you there as soon as you are well again." Neji assured him, "Gaara did not particularly enjoy it."

When Hiashi gave him a pointed Why not? look, and Hinata was equally perplexed, Neji went on, "Hatake Sato enjoys teasing he and I."

"Ah, Hinata's teammate." Hideyasu nodded knowingly, "A more lighthearted fellow than Kakashi, isn't he?"

Neji could only describe it as "an assault of lightheartedness."

Hideyasu cackled at the thought and Fujita was enticed to chuckle, but tears pricked at his eyes as he restrained laughter. Kayato frowned over her shoulder at her husband, "No funny business, please. I know we all want to laugh at a time like this, Hide-chan, but Fujita is in no condition for it right now…"

They stayed for two hours and attempted more serious talk to avoid any sort of mirth. After that, Hiashi excused himself, as well as his daughters and nephew, leaving Fujita in the company of his lingering mother and father.

At home, Hiashi announced that he would be meeting with a few veteran Branch members to discuss promotions and other subject matter he preferred (relieved it was not an assembly with Main House elders.) He added to his oldest child, "Hinata, please stay on the grounds today. There is a technique I would like to go over with you this afternoon."

She perked up, intrigued, "Oh! I will, Father."

Hiashi redirected Hanabi's mounting frustration over her own personal lack of attention. The girl was puffing her cheeks and scraping her feet on the gravel of the front yard.

"Hanabi…"

"Dad, can I join the lesson?"

"Not today." His voice was softer, patient, "Perhaps your elder brother will have time to practice with you?"

Neji's furrowed brow silently implied: Thank you, Uncle. I definitely didn't have plans…nor do I feel tired after the last six days I've lived through.

"Neji-niisan!" Hanabi rounded on her cousin. Hiashi slipped away before he could be held accountable for anything.

Lips resisting a grimace, Neji gave a short, imploring look to Hinata.

"I'm sorry. I am not dressed for training right now. I was going to trim and weed the garden, actually." Hinata smiled contritely.

"You heard her! Train with me!" Hanabi added as an afterthought, "Please, Niisan. I just want to get as strong as you."

"I was supposed to meet someone…but I can spare an hour." Neji relented, turning towards the south side of the compound, "We'll use the pebble yard." Hanabi trotted after him victoriously.

As the last of her immediate family trudged off for more enthusiastic/reluctant training, Hinata fetched her hat, work gloves, and gardening tools. She practically sauntered through the eastern garden, delighted to have free time for her hobby. Bees floated by the dozen amongst the coneflowers and yarrow, but they did not bother with Hinata as she stooped over the plants with her trimmers.

'I feel a bit bad that I…stuck big brother with Hanabi…' She thought, yanking at the roots of a stubborn weed, 'I knew he was tired and that he probably wants to see Tenten-neesan.' But it was a moot point. Hanabi was pushy. She would not settle for standing around and watching Hinata in the garden, because she certainly wasn't going to get her hands dirty. It would be such a bore. Furthermore, Neji had to put up with the strident, pre-genin hardhead like everyone else in the Hyuga clan did.

Gardening consumed more than an hour, and Hinata had noticed Neji later, slinking out of the estate, 'Ah. He escaped.' She spotted Hanabi still practicing the forms she'd been taught. 'I wonder what Neji-niisan does with Tenten-neesan on days like this? I saw them eat noodles once…and they shopped in the Ethnic Quarter too. I'm sure they don't want to train today. Maybe…' She blushed and fumbled with a small rake, 'Maybe they-!'

Hinata shook her head and muttered to herself, "Don't think about it…"

After putting down the last of the mulch, Hinata returned indoors and changed. She thought about it again. 'No! It's none of my business! They have privacy away from the clan estate, though, where Tenten lives…ohh. I wish I could have some privacy…' She thought with rosy cheeks, 'With Naruto.'

It was a subject that her mind wrestled with frequently. 'Alone-time' with her boyfriend would probably not be easy to come by, once he came home. Her father would most certainly be watching her like a hawk, as he had become somewhat aware of her relationship with Naruto prior to his departure. 'And Father has no idea that Neji-niisan is dating anyone…' That gave Neji an added bonus of freedom. How long it would last was anyone's guess.

Knowing her father, he'd probably be watching Naruto's haunts and apartment whenever his daughter failed to return home promptly at night. Hinata rapped her head with two fists, frustrated, 'No matter what I do, I may not have a chance! I don't want to get Naruto-kun in trouble just because I…want that so badly. I may have to wait.' She considered it. Waiting for her relationship to be legitimized by the Hyuga, ugh, heaven help her. Marriage, even, may have to take place. She was projecting her first intimate opportunity to be at least a decade away, by that measure.

Hinata marched heavy-footed through the halls of the house, feeling resolute, 'If that's what I have to do…if I have to fight for Naruto and stand up to my clan and their supervision, I will!' At least clan elders had a bit of respect for her, these days. She had to be worth more than a breeding sow- only good for inter-clan marriage…or so she hoped. Those old men sang the praises of her Misago Byakugan and what it could mean for the future of the clan. 'They should listen to me. I want to make my own choices just as much as I want to look after the Hyuga.'

Another idea hit her, as it had once been suggested by Sakura, 'Or I can wait until we are assigned on a mission together.' Unless her father was heading the team (an occurrence which would probably herald doomsday,) all bets were off. They could probably procure some time to themselves on an assignment. The likelihood of getting away with that scenario, unfortunately, was also quite low. 'I don't want to disrespect my teammates either…' Maybe she ought to ask Naruto what he thought about it? Their letters had gotten very candid as of late.

She spotted her father in the Main House courtyard. Hinata cleared her head and pulled on sandals at the porch's ledge before joining him.

The man wore a so-small-you-could-miss-it smile as his daughter stopped beside him. "I am sure you are already thinking of ways to prepare for the last trial of the Exam. For now, I would like to personally guide you before you make plans with your team." He inclined his head and raised his arm, motioning for her to do the same, "You should master Eight Trigrams: Air Palm before the Tournament."

Hinata made a small sound in her throat, mostly in agreement with her father's wish. Her previous attempts with the technique had been underwhelming and pitifully short-ranged.

Hiashi spared her another sideways glance, "Do you recall what we covered last?"

Hinata rotated her hand a few degrees, frowning, "Channeling in Taijutsu." It was a core shape-manipulation principal that took a close-range Gentle Fist strike and transformed it into vacuum wave, capable of blasting distant adversaries aloft like scattered bowling pins. Applying the principal was toilsome. She had failed several times before.

"The post over there: aim for that." Hiashi reminded her as he took a few lateral steps, "Give it your best attempt and then we will streamline our efforts."

Hanabi would translate his words as: He wants to see how much you suck and then instruct you on the million little things you did wrong!

She held her arm and looked down past her tilted wrist, as if it were a sight aligned with the target across the yard. As was good form in Jyukken, Hinata bent slightly at the knees and relaxed, breathing out, 'I have not tried to do this in a while.' It was among the final few high-level techniques taught in the Main House she had yet to learn. Neji had conquered it some time ago.

Hinata went down a mental check-list, modifying her stance from her feet and up, recalling the components her father had described weeks ago. Hinata snapped her arm forward, shaping the chakra away from her palm and out (Channel it!), forward, not strong enough— she knew…but the small bolt sailed for two meters before dissipating. Her father quickly reached over and raised her arm a fraction, bending it back for the spring, and traced two fingers along chakra pathways that extended down to her hand. Then he let go. "Again." His tone was clipped.

She took the hint that he wanted her to channel, at the very least, where he had indicated. It went slightly better. Her vacuum wave was a meter short of the target. "Once more, with all of your strength." Her father encouraged.

Hinata repeated the process, striking the target, but the post rocked on its two legs without a scratch of damage. Hiashi stood beside her and pantomimed the "best form" again for her. She mimicked him for several minutes, copying until they were nearly mirror images. Her head emptied of all other thoughts until she was confident in the motion. Hinata attacked again with a cry, and hacked a portion of the circular target off.

Hiashi tapped her shoulder approvingly before he walked away, "Good. Hit the target again, and then we will move on."

With another small shout, Hinata toppled the target with a well-aimed Air Palm.

"Have you not been practicing this technique?" Hiashi wondered.

She admitted, "Not as often as I should."

"You've been otherwise occupied, as of late." He noted and then added, "Make two Shadow Clones and direct one to the edge of the yard."

Hinata collected herself after a moment and then produced two shadow clones as she had been asked. One waited timidly at the end of the Main House courtyard, expecting what fate was in store for it during practice. Hinata watched as her father executed an impeccable version of the technique, bloated with his great chakra, and like a shot it cracked across the yard and dissolved her waiting shadow clone.

With a hand on his hip, he explained, "As far as form and shape manipulation are concerned, you are a natural craftsman, Hinata. You seem to have an instinct of how to shape chakra with little guidance from others…" Hiashi drew closer, sighing, "But you need to become comfortable with expending more chakra. This technique demands more than a traditional strike."

"I understand." She peeped, rather surprised. It was true. She recognized her own habit of conserving chakra— using less when possible, or using only the exact amount for a jutsu that required a hefty contribution, 'Like the Shadow Clone jutsu, for instance.' Hinata generally avoided making more than four clones in a sitting unless she absolutely had to. 'Sometimes I wonder how Naruto could be so liberal with making Shadow Clones…he has the most radiant reservoir of chakra I've ever seen!' She had witnessed him using powerful jutsu on several occasions.

When Hiashi told her to "Watch," Hinata assumed that he meant with the Byakugan. With her Kekkei Genkai, she observed as her father concentrated chakra, boiling it up from his impressive reserves. It coiled out from his abdomen through the pathways of the arm and his left hand, and then he struck again with a ferocious chakra bolt. She watched in admiration as it was shaped into a spatial wave and travelled at a blinding rate of speed. It crushed the second clone at the end of the courtyard.

'I can do that.' The young woman estimated. With a bit of concentration and pure Hyuga-audacity, she could work up that strength. Suddenly, Hiashi rounded on her. They assessed each other with their respective Byakugan before the Clan Head charged.

Her father's unprovoked attacks were supposed to "educationally motivate" his youngsters. Well, that's what he always said after the fact. It produced results. Hinata rolled out of the way of an incoming Air Palm and determined that to be the name of the game. She had to put the new technique into practice. Her father's missed jutsu had struck the edge of the porch, shattering it.

They darted around the yard, attacking and evading each other with ranged wave-attacks. Hinata progressively molded more chakra, lashed out more boldly as she failed time and again to strike her father. Some portions of the veranda and outer support beams of the Main House were collateral damage of the crossfire. Had Hideyasu been around, he would have snappily reminded them that any and all "affinity-combination OR ranged Taijutsu take place in the yards furthest from the house."

Hiashi had not been going easy on his child. Eventually, one of his consecutive strikes flew across the clearing and clipped his daughter's legs as she ran. She tumbled and skidded in the dirt at high speed, and after Hinata fell front-ways he briefly paused. Inside, his heart screeched with the sound of his departed wife's voice, Give her a moment! Oh! Is she hurt?

Hinata swayed back to her feet and shook it off, dust-covered. Though a fragile flower like her mother had been, on most days, Hiashi knew he was looking at a part of himself when Hinata stood determined, grimacing at him. Just as he was gentle somewhere deep inside, so too Hinata could be hot-blooded like all the rest of her clan. When her retaliating Air Palm missed him, Hiashi had still been done proud; Hinata's Air Palm had blown away the corner doors of the house—collapsing a portion of tiled roof.

Hiashi was unsure if he would have kept all of his teeth if he'd been struck by it. 'She certainly has a feel for it now…' And it was a little scary…though he would never admit it. He rushed around with his daughter until she blocked another wave with a rotation, and then Hinata countered immediately with the strongest vacuum wave she could muster. Wide-eyed, Hiashi was late when it came to rotating in defense, and he was rocketed inside the house into the interior of the busy kitchen, and landed with a coating of rubble. Workers hollered in fright after the blast and quickly helped the man up.

Hanabi's part-time babysitter, Natsu, dropped the tea strainer she had been washing. She frantically dusted Hiashi off, "My lord, are you alright? It looks like you were attacked!"

"I provoked it." He admitted calmly, waving off the concerns of attendants, "My eldest child has grown very strong."

"Ah!" Natsu smiled widely in understanding, "With all due respect, sir; training with Hinata-sama…should probably not take place in the Main courtyard."

"Agreed."

She added, "I'll put in the order to repair the wall and doors."

"Thank you, Natsu." He muttered, just a tiny bit sheepish. When his back and hips stopped ringing with pain, Hiashi exited through the door (more of a gaping hole) while brushing his robes off.

Hinata was teetering anxiously from foot to foot in the yard, terribly upset, "Father, I-!"

"You did exactly what I asked of you." He held up a hand to still her, "I'm not angry."

"But the-!"

"That wall will be repaired." Hiashi assured her, "Let's go to the back-property yard before we continue." He ushered his daughter along and stayed half of a step behind her, trying to conceal a small limp.

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That evening, after a warm bath and friendly chat over a family dinner, Hinata retired to her bedroom. She had definitely earned the soft comfort of her pajamas after a wild day of training.

'I have some improvements to make with my Air Palm, but Father said it was satisfactory today. He also wants to go over combining jutsu with Nature Transformation…' That subject, she felt, would be cumbersome in the short time she had to prepare before the Tournament. 'I also wanted to train with my team…'Hinata thought as she slipped beneath the covers of her bed, 'Maybe I can divide my time equally?' After all, Shino and Sato probably had their own personal lessons to cover with their families. They could rotate their training.

Her head felt heavy. There was too much to think about. Too much to do.

Lights switched off throughout the house as many retired to sleep. In the dark of her room, Hinata still had tension radiating in her muscles from the day's training. It felt like her arms would involuntarily snap up to perform another Air Palm. She breathed slowly, shutting her eyes, and after a long while felt as though she would melt into her bed.

'I…I meant to write to Naruto.' She acknowledged sleepily, 'But I just don't have the energy to do it.' Hinata had thought about having correspondence ready to send when Kosuke returned, but she would have to pen something down on borrowed time. These next four weeks would be chock-a-block with activities. 'I just need a moment to myself. For him. Naruto is still waiting in the Toad Valley, wondering how I did during the first stages of the Exam…'

Hinata pouted sadly. Naruto, who worked hard every single day; he found the time to reach out to her. No. No matter how busy she was, there was no excuse good enough to exclude him from her routine. He needed contact with the outside world. She provided the periscope for him to glimpse what life at home was like.

All she could do was roll to her side and reach for the pen on the table. Hinata stared mutely at a blank scroll sitting in a bin on the floor beside her bed. It was as if her brain had disconnected from her hands. She was unable to function, and certainly not able to form coherent thoughts on paper no matter how hard she tried that night. It would have to wait. She drew her hand back, curling it beneath the blanket.

'As soon as I wake up in the morning.' Hinata resolved. She had to be fair to herself. She was already spread thin before commencing all of the demands the pre-Tournament routine. Laying on her back in the dark, her thoughts trickled through the last bit of consciousness she had left.

Her father had been pleased with her today. It was so unlike the days of her youth, in which he averted his eyes to her mediocrity, passing her over to take pride in Neji and Hanabi. Now, Hinata owed her achievements to pure stubbornness—the inability to quit, the gift that Naruto had imparted on her. She suspected that her father would credit Uzumaki Naruto with her boosted confidence. Her ability to speak with her chin held high, soft but clear, and her ability to forget the promise of death in battle against even the Akatsuki. Oh yes, she had changed, and Hiashi would never deny it. He would also never personally take credit for it. He couldn't, but he was truly very happy that it had happened.

Apart from that, Hinata's hyper-developed Byakugan seemed almost arbitrary, as if it was merely a roulette of genetics that had done her no favors in the early years of her life.

Hinata pondered if, had none of these good things come about, would her father have responded in kind? If his disinterest and disappointment in her would have lasted until the end of her shinobi career, or until his deathbed? Or was his cold attitude in fact the guise of his fear? His knowing that the elders of the Main House would create and enforce consequences for her lack of progress? That, perhaps, he was a desperate parent who could do little to save his child from pain, and was praying that she would somehow save herself? Quite obviously, Hiashi did take comfort in her strength and repaired reputation.

It felt good that her father did not measure her worth based on her Bloodline Talent. If she had to guess, Hinata would wager that her father probably gauged her success based on her happiness and safety. He never said these things outright, but he acted that way. Her honorable elders, on the other hand, were obsessed with the Misago Byakugan. The random product and uncontrollable development of their doujutsu, unseen by many generations of the Hyuga clan.

Hinata adjusted the quilt beneath her chin. Out of genuine curiosity, she tapped into the Misago to wonder again at the strange and undefined power of hers that her elders worshipped. Even with her eyes closed, she could see the intricacies of her room, the house, the grounds, and a quarter of the village, in a full 360 degrees, dimmed by the quiet night. Her attention was drawn to the pool of stars in the sky, made noticeable past the roof above her head. Transparent silver energy hummed through her chakra pathways as she lay calmly.

'I wonder if I will need to use this during the Tournament?' She tried to have foresight on matches beyond the first round, if she would be matched against a tough opponent, 'Like Neji-niisan. I would do anything not to lose again. I need to do my absolute best!' The trouble was that she still had very little understanding of what she could do with the ability. For the sake of avoiding accidents or unintentionally harming others, Hinata did not tinker with it much at all.

She felt less sleepy. A drop of concentration let her gleam a bit of the astral plane, though faint. It was entwined with her reality of flesh, grass, water, and sky. All around, she could see the hint of primitive symbols; maybe they were as old as the world was, or as old as her ancestors had been when they came to understand more than the physical realm.

The character she was familiar with, a pictograph she had tampered with before to overlay with others, responded to her attentive stare. It felt a bit like a plunge, a rush of backwards and inwards movement as she laid unmoving…and then her surroundings seemed a bit different. 'None of this looks as though I am seeing it with my Byakugan…' She could have sworn she did not intentionally return to her normal level of vision. It was average sight at best.

The room went dark momentarily, her eyes sleepily blinking, before Hinata noted that the sensation seemed different. Like she was a spectator…'I'm…I'm not seeing out of my own eyes!' Trying not to panic, she conceded that it did feel like she had travelled a bit far from Hyuga grounds. It looked like she was in a different room and environment. Hinata went on to infer that she had carelessly overlapped her consciousness with another's.

Then a yawn sounded familiar.

---

In pre-sleep moments, people see and think things they almost never remember. Naruto is no exception, he knows this. But what happened in the moments just before he slipped away from the awakened realm that night were just too weird to forget by morning.

'Kinda feel…overheated…all of a sudden.' He tossed his blanket off. His limbs were spread wide on the futon in Ma and Pa's guest room. Eyes fluttering tiredly, his mouth cracked open childishly to exhale.

Abruptly, Naruto felt a tug. From the inside. Or maybe it was some crazy dream. Or gas. He had labored all day to absorb Natural Chakra, and Fukasaku had whacked him over the head at a rate of six-bashes-per-hour to prevent him from becoming a Toad Statue. He wouldn't be surprised if he was regularly hallucinating after such treatment.

Naruto!

Eyes shut, he smiled to himself.

Naruto-kun!

'Sounds like Hinata.' The distant call registered as a blip on his awareness-radar.

The second blip he registered was when his hand moved without his (its owner's) volition. Naruto peeked an eye open to see his right arm raise, hovering a hand above his face and turning it over to examine it. As if he did not know what his own hand looked like. More confused than alarmed, he regained control and set it down. Whether it was a ghost playing tricks or a freak muscle contraction, he was too exhausted to care.

Except that his eyes were not willingly shutting anymore. '…the heck is wrong with me tonight? I've got to ask Pa to let up…'

He was hearing things again too.

Naruto, I'm sorry, I tried this once before and it was too difficult…and now I've picked a terrible time to do something like this, but…I want you to wake up! I'm here! I have never reached someone so far away before.

He slurred his words aloud, "What're ya talkin' about, Hin…Hina…ta…?" He started falling asleep even with his eyelids peeled back.

You're not asleep and you're not dreaming! I don't know how long I can hold this technique. The uninvited occupant of his body raised both hands and patted his face, I'm doing this. See? Forgive me; it is a bit rude…

Naruto found that his dreams almost never had detailed explanations or apologies from Hinata. Sometimes there was conversation, but it was mostly…action. 'This just ain't right…' He sobered up a bit, raising his head to glance around.

Oh… The hands on his face traced across a prickly, stubbled chin. The little dream voice in his head sounded fascinated. At about that point, he put five and five together, or, voice-in-head plus lucid-consciousness equals…

"Wah-? Eh? Whoa!" Naruto sat up, fully alert and acutely petrified.

From what all of his senses could detect, he had an unexpected visitor, complete with a mind, disembodied voice, and chakra system maxing out the capacity of his already-home-for-two body. But in the seconds that followed, as the high-pitched, familiar, and apologetic voice rambled about bad timing and overlaying or something, Naruto felt that the presence was extremely comforting and, though invisible, making his heart race in the dead of night.

He held up a finger to the moon-lit, empty room, halting the voice in his head. Naruto willingly suspended his disbelief and spoke to himself, "Hold on a minute, you're going too fast. Restate your purpose, uh…whoever…this is?"

Hinata!

"Hinata?!" He hollered much too loud in a house with two sleeping elderly toads and one older pervert. For now, the shocked cry had not woken any of them.

I was telling you that I did not mean to use this technique at such an hour-!

"It's not a dream?! It's a jutsu?" Naruto was incredulously touching his chest and pinching himself.

Yes, I'm sorry!

"Why are you sorry?" He lowered his still mostly raised voice, chortling, "I didn't know you could do this!"

I'm still learning how to put it into practice. It's easier when someone is right beside me.

"Do you feel okay? I'm not close by and I don't want you to hurt yourself."

Once before I tried to reach you when I was in the Land of Waves, but it was much too far. I hurt myself. For now I think I'm alright.

Naruto covered his mouth to muffle laughter that would irritate his housemates. He fell to his back on the soft mattress and rejoiced, glad that he was in the presence of his most important person, and also, not certifiably insane. Hinata's tinkling laughter was ringing in his head.

When the gleeful fit passed Naruto wrapped his arms around himself, smiling from ear to ear, "I missed you. I was waiting to hear from you."

I know. I wanted to write to you but I was falling asleep!

"Well you probably had to be awake to do something like this…"

It was not intentional. I was thinking about you, Naruto. Ohh…it was a bit careless to test the Misago Byakugan before bedtime.

"I'm not complaining." Naruto relaxed and folded his arms behind his head.

His voice was warm and sounded deeper. Her perception of the body she was visiting had become sharply aware of its dissimilarity to her own. She felt taller, springier, and sturdy. The center of gravity was a bit higher. The arrangement of muscles, the feeling of a firm flat chest beneath a worn t-shirt…though dramatically different, was really quite pleasant.

It would take some getting used to; specifically, the feature of inadvertently commanding Naruto's body. Hinata had made him roll to his side, curling into a ball on the futon as she would have. He shook off her control awkwardly.

I'll try to stop doing that, Naruto. I just keep fidgeting.

"It's alright, you said you don't do this much. Relax and just hang out with me." He sat up and stretched, "As long as you don't make me walk all the way home or send me to my death, we're good." Naruto brightened with an idea, "Wait a second, Hinata…do you…want me to show you around?"

The Toad Valley?

"Yeah, just locally. It's pretty well-lit at night!" He propelled himself to his feet.

Oh yes, if it's not too much trouble! But…don't you need some sleep?

"Sleep-shmeep." He exited from the bedroom's porch door into the dark, bare-footed. She could feel grass underfoot, and the air was dewy and thick. Before Naruto's eyes had fully adjusted to the dark outside, Hinata could smell (by his keen nose) the notes of flowers and plants she had never experienced in Konoha: the tang of pink-flowered euodia, the pungent aroma of gardenia germinating at night, paperbarks, and tall, leafy trees furling around the property.

Eventually, she could spot other small houses and hutches ensconced at the edges of the wide lawn. At the brink of the yard was a footpath littered with toadstools that wound over a hill and into the wild tangle of the valley. Naruto set off on said path at a slow pace, grinning, his hands folded behind his neck, "Smells nice, right?"

It's like a giant garden!

"It kind of is."

Is anyone else awake, do you think?

"Nah, it's just you and me. I haven't met many nocturnal toads here, and they usually just stay inside drinking and philosophizing all night."

He found his footing carefully over slippery mulch and vegetation, and then politely side stepped a hog-sized millipede. In his head, he could hear Hinata tittering in bewilderment. His breathing quickened a bit— her doing, most likely, and Naruto tried pointing out the fireflies putting on a lightshow along the path.

"Yeah, sorry! There are tons of bugs. It's not so bad at the house or by the pond. Here, look." Naruto trotted toward the lakeside a few meters off the path, "There are lotus flowers out here, but they close and go underwater at night. They're big enough to sit on during the day, though. Ero-sensei likes to do that."

Ah, how nice! I think I hear a waterfall…

"Yup! On the opposite side, I dunk my head under that thing regularly."

Naruto peered down at the smooth plane of darkened water, noting the curved glimmer of their galaxy's arm reflected in the pool.

The sky is so clear here. In the village there are too many lights on even at nighttime, and it's difficult to get a good view of the stars.

"You can always see 'em out here. There's a great view at the Hidden Star Village too, it's so dark in those mountains."

You're right! I remember Sumaru and Hokuto pointing out every constellation on our way back to Leaf.

"Whoa! I keep forgetting you met them too," He chuckled, taking a cross-legged seat beside the pond, "It's weird. It's like we've been traveling all over without actually going on a trip together."

It does feel like that. A few times I wondered if I would ever get to visit the Toad Valley, someday…When they talk about letting your mind wander, I never thought it could wander this far.

Naruto rubbed at the tip of his nose, excited by the prospect, "Heh! They're gonna have to put you in the dictionary for redefining that phrase."

Oh no! No!

"Why not? Just let them take your picture; I'll bet yours will be the most beautiful face in there." He cackled at Hinata's bashful reaction, which was ongoing, "But I will definitely get you here, Hinata, for real. I want you to see this place."

But visiting a sacred place calls for strict—

"You'll be welcome here. Think about it: they let Ero-sensei come in and spend all that time." Naruto reasoned, "It could be a short trip or a vacation…or maybe later if you feel like becoming a Sage…" With his insinuation, she laughed at the thought, "Either way it takes getting used to. The Natural Energy here is so dense that when I first arrived all I could do was lay around. It can be exhausting."

Do you really think I could acclimate to the environment?

"Sure, anyone can. It just takes some time." He scratched his chin, wondering, "And maybe eating bugs helps. I dunno. The more in tune with nature you are on Mount Myoboku, the better off you are."

Yes, I can understand that.

"So, before we plan vacations and stuff like that…" Naruto leaned back on his arms and requested, "How about you tell me what the Chunin Exam was like? It started recently, didn't it?"

It did, and the first stage was a written test again. The rules seemed suspicious and there was a time constraint that would have made earning the necessary points impossible for most Genin. Many of us realized that we could be excused from the room without penalty, which was odd for a time-dependent test, don't you think? I don't remember if we could take bathroom breaks at the last Exam, but at any rate, most teams left the building to move on to the second stage.

"Jeez, that's so underhanded…making all those goody-goodies who wanted to finish the test feel stupid for staying behind."

Well, they were convinced that points were more important than time. But on a mission there is no such thing as points.

"Very well said, Hinata."

Thank you, where was I? Oh, and at the second stage we were required to sign liability waivers to enter the Forest of Death.

"Damn, they made you all go through that again?" Naruto could hardly believe it.

The objective was different this year. We were instructed to enter the tower at the center of the Forest, but it was impossible to get inside by normal means, or so it was said. No one really understood what that meant initially, the proctor was so vague… But every team was given a scroll that could be a potentially useful clue, or a 'dummy scroll,' which was meant to be unhelpful. We were forbidden to check our scrolls until we were inside the Forest…and my team's scroll was blank.

"Eck, that's rotten luck…"

For a moment we were discouraged, but we came up with a plan to steal another team's clue and then forgo sleeping that night. Naruto, we did it! We actually found a useful clue and worked through the night. I was tired, but we figured out that we were meant to search for a specific landmark in the Forest. When we did, there was an underground tunnel we followed directly to the tower's basement.

Naruto was intrigued, "No kidding! Do you think those tunnels were there when we first took the Exam?"

I am quite certain they have always been there. I don't think any Genin ever noticed them or used them, previously. Sato-kun thinks those passages are what Jounin use for training drills.

"Huh…that makes sense."

We were the first team to arrive in the tower! It was so nice to sleep after that.

"You came in first?!"

We did! Later the next morning the second team arrived. They were Genin from Iwagakure and hardly spoke or looked at us.

"Yeesh…"

And then Neji-niisan's team arrived third. That made me happy! Then Sakura-chan and Ino-chan's teams… All kinds of different teams made it in the days after that. We had to wait a while before the 5-day limit expired.

"Yeah, gotcha, so administrators probably fed you and stuff?"

Yes, rations were brought into the tower for waiting teams. All of the Jounin-sensei arrived on the last day, and when the third stage began, even Gaara-kun was there! His student made it and was able to compete in the last stage.

"Hah! Was Gaara smiling about it? I bet he was proud…"

I could tell he was proud. His student, Matsuri, was the only Sand Genin capable of going on. Her substitute teammates had to drop out to recover from illnesses. Oh! And Shikamaru-kun was the proctor for the third stage. It was just so exciting to see Gaara-kun there with Tsunade-sama…I don't remember hearing all of the rules, exactly. I was a bit distracted. There were so many participants that a preliminary round was necessary before final matches were determined.

"So did they make everyone duke it out in the tower again?"

Yes, but we were escorted to the top floor of the tower where an observatory and arena had been set up. We could see the ceiling windows and sky and everything… I was a little bit worried that I would have to go first, and I was preparing myself for it…but Tenten-neesan had to fight the first match against a Rock Genin.

"Wow, must've been— wait a second. Why do you talk about her like she's your big sister?"

Well…she is. She's always looked out for me.

"Yeah, but I've never heard you talk about Tenten like that. Not out loud."

I know and…there's…the other reason…

"Another reason? Are you like long-lost relatives, or best friends or-!"

Of course we're very good friends, I see her almost every day! Well, I used to, but now she spends most of her time with…Hinata found a way to mentally stammer, With Neji-niisan.

"Hm. But that's not weird. Haku says they were always hanging out."

Not like that. More like…how you and I are. When Naruto still didn't seem to get it she added, Neji-niisan is in love with her.

Naruto slapped his hand spiritedly on the grassy ground, hooting in delight, "That guy-? Hohohoho, heh, hold on…hee hee…" He cracked up, "Neji. Hah! Your cousin? Are we still talking about the same person?"

We are!

"Ha-haa!" He fell back and continued slapping the ground, his sides nearly splitting with laughter, "But he…he used to be…" Naruto inhaled air again to get his idea across, "Neji used to be so uptight, remember? Ugh. I mean, even when he lightened up a bit he was still kind of a crabapple."

He's much better now, Naruto-kun. You have to see it for yourself! He spends lots of time with Lee-kun, I think…he appreciates Lee much more as a friend now. And it's true! I always suspected that Tenten made him happy, but he never knew what to do or say. He had to grow up and understand his feelings before he could be honest with her. Niisan has…mostly figured it out.

Genuinely pleased, Naruto quieted down, "That's great! That's a marketable rehabilitation story. I'll congratulate him when I get home."

You can, but maybe you should congratulate Onee-san too? She had to wait a long time, feeling the way she felt, and Neji-niisan put her through so much. No matter how badly he behaved around you and I in the past…she had to put up with him on his worst days.

"Dang…you're right…" Naruto folded his arms behind his head again, "I never made you miserable, did I, Hinata?"

No, never. You never argued with me or lashed out at me, you've been…my greatest friend and supporter. I only ever felt sad because, I suppose…I made myself miserable. I doubted and worried. I didn't trust my abilities or that I was worthwhile in any sense…

"Sounds crazy now, doesn't it? But I can relate to that feeling too, a little. Worrying that I wasn't good enough to be respected or loved."

I loved you so much. I always did. During a pause, Hinata made small sounds of apology, Eh-! Oh, what I mean is, that is to say-! I…I still do! I didn't stop, Naruto-kun, I just…I feel different now. Stronger and more confident…because you feel the same way…

There it was again. His pulse was pounding just at hearing those words— that sincere admission of hers that, when he thought about it, had been completely and utterly true for years.

Hinata had never wavered and never strayed as a friend; had never discouraged or hurt him…and had only ever been a slightly brighter beacon in the dark than Gaara and Haku had been to him. Though he could never put his finger on the reason why when he was younger, now it made sense. Naruto took a rough breath and tried to ignore the fact that Hinata was probably cognizant of his physical reaction to her statement. His skin felt hot and there was a rattling feeling in his stomach and chest, as if he'd become a rocket set for launch.

"You…saying that…" He had to sigh to relieve some pressure in his ribcage, "Makes it good to be alive."

I want to say it all of the time, then.

Smiling with closed eyes, he warned, "Hey you, don't tempt me. Do you know how hard it is not to run home every single day when I want you? How much I miss you?" Naruto fittingly added, "I love you. I'm a little crazy, though. This feeling makes me crazy. I may act a bit…you know, overzealous, when I see you. I don't wanna—"

That's…okay. Her tone sounded shy but encouraging.

"Not really." He disagreed, cooling off a bit, "You deserve a level-headed guy who respects your space. That's what I want to do. It's what I owe you. I've been taught better, not to be handsy or entitled. I mean, Ero-sensei has his vices, but he's got this gentlemanly side he uses too. His explanation was pretty clear. That stuff matters to me."

Naruto…

Her voice in his head was appreciative but contradictory, as if she were deliberately inching her way closer. It was almost as if he could feel her hands on him, her smooth skin, the tickle of her hair— somewhere over the great distance.

"Is it like…you're here, but…you're not really here?" He wondered softly, "This jutsu is a bit scary, if that's the case."

No, I'm not trying to scare you or anyone else. I cannot fully control the person I overlay with, and the person knows when I am present. I guess it's that…I can use this technique to help or hinder someone, but never to hurt.

"Cool…but," Naruto rested his hand over his heart, "It does hurt, you know. For me, anyway."

I understand, I'm sorry! Should I stop?

"Don't." His voice was thick.

I do not want to upset you or become a distraction, Naruto. Your training here is so important and I shouldn't…I just…I want you to know— She struggled to stay coherent, I want to touch you and be around you. I feel grown up. If you knew what I think about every night…oh…no. I can't invade your privacy this way to say things like—

He held up his hands to halt her, staring up at the swath of stars overhead, "It's alright."

She calmed down marginally.

Naruto added, "And just so you know, I need to kiss you. In a bad way. I'm not mad that you're telling me all of this, Hinata, really. It's an itch I can't scratch, but I need to shut up about that since I meditate daily. Can't scratch anything when you're meditating…"

He smiled and realized she was the one who was smiling.

"Now let's save this heavy stuff for when…when I can get the heck out of this valley." Naruto suggested, "Can you finish telling me about those preliminary matches?"

Yes, of course! What was I saying? Ah, Onee-san had the first match and won. Then Chouji-kun and Lee-kun won their matches. Oh, Lee-kun had a very strong opponent from Yumegakure. Let's see…Sato-kun and Sakura-chan also succeeded, and then Neji-niisan fought one of the other Rock Genin. Gaara-kun had to replace the floor after they destroyed it in their match.

"Whoa, sounds like Neji got wa-aay stronger." Naruto noted, "And what's this about Yumegakure?"

It's a tiny little Hidden Village near the border of the Land of Fire. All of the ninja there dress colorfully and are descended of powerful clans. They were quite friendly too.

"Huh! Neat. Maybe Gaara had a fun time watching those duels. Well, up until he had to reconstruct stuff."

He did not seem bothered by it. After that Shino-kun won his match because his opponent was frightened and forfeited…and then Tama-chan defeated a Cloud ninja! Hinata remembered happily, She did very well for her first time in the Chunin Exam!

"Time out," Naruto gestured for a break with his hands, "Did I miss something? Are you talking about Big Fuzzy Brows' niece? Sato's-?"

Yes! She is now a part of Kakashi-sensei's team.

"Holy-! I didn't even know she was a ninja!"

She is a Taijutsu specialist and fights much like Lee-kun does. I think Kakashi-sensei has also taught her Ninjutsu… She became a Genin about a year ago, and Sakura-chan and Kiba-kun seem very happy to have her.

"That's awesome. I can hardly believe it though, like, how old is she? She passed the Graduation Exam after we did..."

She turned 19 in April. When I spend time with my kunoichi friends she acts like a big sister to all of us.

"Wow. That just proves it's never too late!"

And then…I had my match. My opponent was a kunoichi from the Grass Village and her jutsu were impressive. She used techniques to grow plants and create an environment in the tower. I had to do bide my time before I could beat her.

"Damn, I didn't want to miss it…but I knew you'd be fine this year." He rolled to his side and grinned.

After that Kiba-kun won his match and then…my cousin Fujita was defeated by Gaara's student, Matsuri.

"Ah, one of your younger cousins, right? That was probably a rough match."

It was. He's still in the hospital recovering.

"Oh boy. I guess we don't want to mess with anyone Gaara trains…"

Definitely not. Ino-chan won the final match, but in the second to last fight…things took a bad turn.

"How so?"

The last member of the Rock team terribly injured his Dream ninja opponent. He used…so little effort. The way he fought was not normal, he did not use his chakra…and I have never seen anyone fight like that before. That young man from Yumegakure was taken to the hospital, but I don't think he survived… That Rock ninja wanted to kill an opponent, but because he stopped short of it he wasn't disqualified.

"Someone like that is progressing to the final rounds? He did it on purpose!"

They could not prove that he meant to. Tama will be his opponent in the first round of the Tournament.

"Eh…I don't know about that. She's a first-timer and it sounds like this guy is dangerous. I'd feel worried even if Neji had to take him on."

That's the problem, Naruto. None of us really want to, but we have to wait and see what can be done. I think Tama-chan will seriously prepare for her match.

"Keep me posted about it…and hey! Who are you fighting in the Finals?"

My first opponent is Chouji-kun.

"Don't go easy on him!"

I won't! My father has been training me to master higher level techniques of my clan. Today went rather well.

The conversation tapered off into peaceful silence. The stridulate sounds of a grasshopper sounded occasionally in the dark. The vast stretch of starry sky was a portrait of ancient light and dark space painted by heaven's brush, only reaching their infant eyes after traveling for millions of years. Lying on his back with Hinata permeating his consciousness, Naruto felt young and alive; a star only just igniting. In time, he too would be an old light that others would look back to for comfort and guidance. 'Like Ero-sensei is to me, only I'll be less perverted.' He figured.

Naruto-kun?

"Hm?"

Would you please do something for me?

"Sure, whatever I can do." He assured her, sitting up, "What would you like, Hinata?"

Well…I can do it. She added, testing the corners of his mind for control, spreading down and out to his fingers and toes. The result of her conduction only led him a step towards the pond's edge again, and Naruto knelt beside the body of water.

He looked down at his reflection on the smooth surface. He frowned, unimpressed with his wild hair, 'Good grief it's getting long…' And after a moment he could have kicked himself for not realizing sooner that he was not the only one looking. Hinata was totally silent as she regarded his appearance.

"Sorry that I'm looking a little messy! It was a long day, and Pa just kept whacking my head like he's getting paid to do it…" He trailed off, somewhat self-conscious.

Still, Hinata made no comment. While continuing to stare at the image on the water's surface, she directed Naruto's right hand to his face and timidly stroked his cheek. With baited breath, he stayed a spectator as she traced the line of his jaw, ran a fingertip up his nose and over his brow, along the edge of his hairline, and then finally pressed three fingers to his lips.

You grew up.

"Yeah, I…we all did…" His speech stammered when his hand dipped along his own neck, stopping at his shirt collar. It was odd and enjoyable all at once, 'And it's kind of…it's…' He pondered how many beats per minute would herald his heart exploding.

Naruto…

"Yeah?" His teenage brain ventured that things could turn serious in a way he had not been expecting, that was, if he did not object to anything Hinata did.

I can't stay. I think I've exhausted myself.

"Oh. Shoot…" Naruto snapped out of the seconds-long fantasy, "Please don't strain yourself, Hinata. We can stop for now and I'll wait for you to write me."

I don't really want to stop, She admitted airily, But it's almost sunrise…we've talked most of the night! I know I've used more chakra than I should have. I'll get some sleep.

He nodded in full agreement.

When I am strong enough I will try this again. Maybe at the end of this week I will visit so I can tell you more?

"A-Are you sure that's a good idea? You might wear yourself out."

I won't know that until I try.

Naruto patted his own cheek, trying to get through to her, "Hinata, get some rest. I really am so happy that I got to talk to you. Though I would like to do this again sometime, you should be saving your strength for the Exam. So…let's not make this kind of thing too frequent. What do you think?"

Well…alright. Hinata made a reluctant but tired sound, But I… She yawned with his mouth, I will write to you soon, Naruto…

And the last thing he noticed as her presence faded was a swell of affection and contentment, a faint heat radiating down from his ears, tingling. It lingered even after Hinata had retreated from the recesses of his mind and body. Naruto sat in stupefied quiet. It felt like the impossibly relaxed comfort he felt after waking from a good night's rest, the same feeling that made him refuse leave his covers and seize the day. 'Though I know this has nothing to do with sleep…' He noted as he stood, and he moved slowly back towards the Toad Sages' home.

Naruto wondered if he was supposed to feel sad that she had gone. But he couldn't. He could not feel sad about it when he felt so relieved and grateful that she had come to him at all. What sense would it make to replace such a wonderful feeling? 'I hope she randomly uses long-distance jutsu whenever she can, definitely, but I won't be devastated if she can't…' Call it serendipity, he thought, and also, 'Bed.'

He toddled back into the house, slid the door shut behind him, and collapsed on top of his covers. Then he slept.

---

In the morning as he woke, Naruto had the vague impression he was in trouble.

Before his eyes had fully opened he heard Jiraiya's voice drifting into the room, "Kid. Hey. Naruto. What the hell did you do last night? Hey."

"Mmm. Nnn…nothing." He rubbed at his eyes with the heel of his hand. Naruto was not yet equipped for conversation at that hour.

At the doorway, Jiraiya stood expectantly with Fukasaku and Shima beside him. The toads only seemed mildly curious while Jiraiya, conversely, meant business.

Before Naruto could nod off again, Jiraiya snarked, "You were up most of the night, kiddo. You remember? Up all night talking to yourself."

"Ugh, buzz off you 'ol…" Naruto pressed a pillow into his face as he grumbled.

"So you aren't denying it?" The man confirmed.

Naruto sat up, miffed, "No. I wasn't talking to myself, Ero-sensei." He looked apologetically to his toad hosts, "Ma, Pa…I'm sorry if I bothered you at all. I might've been loud before I went outside last night."

"It's quite alright, Naruto-boy, we have no trouble sleeping with a bit of noise." Shima assured him.

"We did wonder why you were having a full-blown conversation in the dead of night, though." Fukasaku conceded.

Naruto scratched his head and tried to devise a good way to explain it.

Jiraiya was highly suspicious, "Tell me you invited someone out here and I'll-!"

"How would they even get here?" Naruto interrupted him, "I don't know the secret paths to the Valley that you do, and any outsider who would attempt it gets lost, right? Jeez. And the Natural Energy on this mountain would have squashed them to the ground for a while until they got used to it…"

"Fair." Jiraiya noted calmly, folding his arms, "But then what the hell, kid?"

"It was Hinata." Naruto announced firmly, "She used a jutsu…that kinda…put her inside my head."

Jiraiya stared at him with a leaden expression.

"Take it or leave it, but that's the truth! I could hear her talking in my head, like I was thinking it, and she could even steer me around a bit." Naruto motioned with his arms as an example, "It's part of her new power, Ero-sensei. She tried it out last night and she had no idea I'd be on the other end of the line."

Jiraiya said nothing as he rubbed his chin, mulling it over.

"Well…I have rules in my home." Shima spoke up during the silence, "And my biggest rule is no girls in the house. Naruto-boy, you'll have to ask her not to do that again."

"But Ma, she wasn't technically here!"

Fukasaku seemed to agree, siding with Naruto, "Shima…the child's right. This is no guest we could clean up and prepare for. That technique is a mental trick at best."

"Kind of sounds like the voodoo that the Yamanaka clan can pull on people." Jiraiya determined quietly, still aghast, "But over such a long distance? Well that takes a lot more chakra and precision for them to get right…"

"Ero-sensei, it was more than that. I felt her chakra…like it was in me. And her consciousness didn't squish me or push me out. I was still awake. She, like…overlapped with me…or she said something like that…" Naruto attempted to explain it, "It was weird but not in a really bad way."

Jiraiya regarded his student loftily for a moment, "Alright, I hear you. So…let's say I believe all of this…"

"Come on—"

"You'll have to request her to try it out on me next time for—" Naruto pounced on the man, kicked his knees out from under him, and pulled him into a rage-fueled headlock. Jiraiya wheezed an amendment, "Fff…for e-e-ekk…e-empirical…evidence…" He tapped frantically on Naruto's arm before he was released, gasping, "Buh! You wicked animal! Choking an old man out at this time of morning…" Fukasaku and Shima had stepped safely out of the way before the attack.

"Don't even joke about Hinata doing something like that to give you proof!" Naruto stomped back into the room, beginning to put away the bedding and futon, "Take me at my word, you Perv."

"Bit of a touchy subject, I see. Naruto, you know I didn't mean it like that."

Shima had entered the room and took the folded blanket and pillows as Naruto handed them off, placing them in a storage closet. Naruto spoke over his shoulder, "You are not going near my girlfriend in any capacity. Period."

At the notion, Shima clucked her tongue disapprovingly at Jiraiya.

"Kid, get real. She's like a daughter to me! I watched her run around with you twerps all those years ago, and I witnessed her look after your stupid ass." He added with a pointed finger, "Which, by the way, I expect she will continue to do." Jiraiya went on as Naruto pointedly frowned at him, "That's the jutsu she used to save her team in the Land of Rain, isn't it? That, my boy, is why I care to know."

"Well…yeah."

"She brought Kakashi's nephew back to life, remember? And she warded off a member of the Akatsuki. All I mean is that ability is worth learning more about. I will never muscle in on, no offense, the space of someone who I will always platonically consider a black-sheep princess who treats you like gold. I'm indebted to her." Jiraiya concluded with a dismissive wave of his hand, walking back out to the sitting area of the house, "But don't take me at my word, or anything! I'm just a professional pervert. Nothing more."

"Quit bellyaching, I get it." Naruto grumbled before exiting his bedroom.

"Yes, that's enough quibbling." Fukasaku announced, spreading out an arrangement of broth and insects for breakfast, "If you two keep arguing about a young girl you'll just make Ma grouchy. Why don't we discuss Naruto-boy's next haircut?"

Jiraiya and Fukasaku looked to the young, golden haired man at the table before simultaneously agreeing, "He's overdue."

---

That same morning, many leagues away, Tsunade had summoned a particular group of Jounin to her office, expecting them just as soon as the Jounin Council meeting at the Standby Station concluded. Today, she knew, was going to be a long day. 'There are way too many people to talk to…I need technology to advance faster so I can say fuck it and send out mass-memos.'

To steel her nerves, the Hokage had helped herself to her 8:00AM cup of sake before futilely rinsing her mouth with a swig of water. Willpower wavering, she took a second, slightly-smaller shot before concealing the bottle in her desk. 'Jiraiya calls it liquid courage. For me it's liquid patience.' In the privacy of her office during Shizune's absence, Tsunade glanced over a document with bullet points listing her concerns. She let the page flutter back down to her desk.

With a small breath, she turned to stare out of the window over the rooftops and signage of her village.

A knock sounded once at the door before the group of Jounin Sensei she had called for filed into the room, chatting quietly amongst themselves. Tsunade half-turned and sniffed, finally getting the greeting she was expecting.

"You're all proud as peacocks, I bet." The Hokage smiled wanly, "But let's not get ahead of ourselves, hm? Your students have a huge challenge standing between them and promotion."

Gai started rattling off proclamations of confidence, but Asuma drew nearer to the Hokage's desk to be within her earshot, asking, "I take it you wanted to speak to us about the competitor from Iwagakure, Hokage-sama?"

Gai quieted down at the subject. Tsunade nodded and returned to hear seat, "Quite right. I didn't expect such a damper on what I'd hoped to be my debut achievement, as Godaime…but not all Genin take this Exam with good intentions."

After hearing the word Genin spoken, Kakashi interjected, "About that—"

Tsunade held up a hand to stop him, "Let's not speculate. I have meetings with Black Ops and counselors today, and that's where the speculation will take place. Now, I want to make it clear about what I need from all of you…" Her ample bosom came to rest on the desk as Tsunade fitted her hands beneath her chin, "You will all keep your distance from Sasagainu Huo."

At the uttering of the notorious surname, both Gai and Kakashi made a motion to debate the matter, but Tsunade hushed them again, "You will all maintain your distance and keep your eyes and ears open for me. If that boy has any ill-intent for the Tournament, it's likely that it won't be completely concealed for the next four weeks. Stay sharp. Also, none of your students are to have any contact with or may approach Huo before the Final Rounds. Is that understood?"

A diligent chorus in the affirmative answered her.

"On a lighter note, I have great expectations for all of your students. Provided that they do not contradict the terrific qualities I've seen in them so far, and that they score well in their aptitudes at the Tournament…I imagine I have many new Chunin vests to order next month. Oh, and get their sizes while you're all at it. Discreetly." Tsunade rubbed her chin thoughtfully, "Where necessary and appropriate, make sure that you provide one-on-one training. Some of our Rookies will be facing wild-card adversaries, and you can provide invaluable guidance in what little time they have to prepare."

Kakashi especially took the suggestion to heart.

"Questions or concerns?" Tsunade added, clasping her hands.

"Are there any techniques you wish to prohibit by level or rank?" Kurenai wondered, "My students have a variety of jutsu that, while effective, may not be judiciously used in a sports stadium. I can speak to them about it if you recommend it."

With that, all of the Jounin began chattering again, noting that most of their students had some kind of jutsu that could damage the arena or otherwise create havoc.

Tsunade replied simply, "There is no need. The framework rules for the Exam widely permit any type of weapon, Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, or Genjutsu. Unless any attack is deliberately aimed for spectators, no Genin will be penalized for abilities they use in the arena."

Kurenai had a moment to process the stipulation. She recalled Sato's utterly irresponsible use of Forbidden Jutsu and Summoning at the last Tournament, those jutsu which had the potential to turn the stadium inside-out. While flashbacks of such carelessness blinked before her eyes, Tsunade qualified her meaning.

"My counselors and Shimura Danzo did explain to me some of the reckless endangerment that occurred during the previous Exam. While it isn't encouraged, such jutsu are accounted for in the rules. And also, the Sealing Corps has been conscripted to set up a barrier to protect the audience at the Tournament." She went on airily, "It was expensive, but we all agreed it was a worthwhile provision."

Kurenai took a steadying breath.

Asuma wondered at the pricey demands of the Sealing Corps, "Why do they charge so much? I should have my brother talk to those pinchfists."

Tsunade snorted at the idea, "I already asked Netsuke to put in a word with them, as a former member. They wouldn't budge on their hourly rates…they all felt that because no one else in the village offers the services they do, the price is fair. Honestly…I feel that since I took office all I've ever done is butt heads with the Sealing Corps." She added under her breath, "And a few dozen others…"

"It's hard to believe they won't negotiate with the Hokage or Sarutobi Netsuke. If anyone in Leaf deserves a discount, it's the two of you." Kakashi also disliked the monopoly on Sealing techniques, "That's a topic to bring up at the next Village Council meeting, Hokage-sama. Left alone, it could get out of hand."

"Right, right…" Tsunade tapped papers on her desk into a pile and then looked to Gai, "Gai…"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Speaking of brothers, is yours still a financial regulator?" Tsunade asked, "With a stubborn, mercenary heart? Ken, I believe it is…"

"Indeed, milady, and he also finds work as a small courts attorney, entrepreneur, public accountant, and referee of children's sports." Gai confirmed.

"Ugh…" Tsunade felt physically ill at the concept of one willingly doing so much work, "Ask him to visit me tomorrow morning, at his leisure. Maybe Ken's voice needs to be heard at the Council Meeting when the Sealing Corps tries to justify its pricing to us all."

"I will ask him this afternoon."

"Much appreciated." Tsunade thanked him, "Anything else?"

Asuma ventured, "Jounin with students competing in the Tournament can still place bets. If I've heard correctly?"

"Oh yes you have. Even I am permitted to gamble." Tsunade smiled slyly.

"And that is not a conflict of interest?" Kurenai was doubtful.

"In the official rules, it isn't. The Hokage can still win or lose money; for I, like everyone else, have no idea who will and will not perform sensationally at the Final Rounds. It is one-hundred percent fair." Tsunade explained.

"And what about Gaara?" Kakashi chimed in, "Will he be raising any stakes?"

"Well of course he can't gamble! He's underage." Tsunade groused.

"He is the Kazekage."

"And a law-abiding citizen. Though he and Hidden Sand could use the money after what he ponied up to repair the Tide Village, Gaara is also subject to the rules." The Hokage pontificated, "In two more years he will be perfectly eligible to piss his cash away like I do."

With that, Tsunade humored a few more trivial questions before rising up and excusing her Jounin guests. She stepped out of the office with them, bade them farewell, and then rushed to the ladies restroom. 'Whew, I just barely made it.' Appointments always ran long and punished her bladder. After a short break she resumed her tasks.

Tsunade expected that Shizune would hold things down if anyone came sniffing around the Hokage's office. She descended to the second floor of the building and into a chamber at the end of the hallway. 'Two more appointments, the next of which will be the least pleasant…' She stepped inside and located a free space on the sofa beside Shimura Danzo. Across from him on another couch were Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, sipping tea in boredom.

As the door clicked shut behind the Hokage, Homura pointed out, "You are tardy."

"I am." Tsunade sighed softly as she took a seat, "I don't think I kept you waiting for long. Did anyone here have a conference prior to this? Mine stretched out a bit."

"We did not." Koharu assured her.

"Then you were not inconvenienced." Tsunade surmised.

Homura grunted in irritation and Koharu continued sipping her tea. Danzo was utterly unaffected by the pithy statement. He flipped open a file on the tea table between them, spreading out photographs of foreign Chunin Exam contestants. The most abundant snaps were of Huo.

"This one here," Danzo indicated the Rock Genin, "Concerns you?"

"Does he not concern you?" Tsunade retorted, "His name, at the least, should ring some bells."

"It's an old clan name. Sasagainu: that which declined in the Third Shinobi war…and splintered from its Cadet branch that mutinied and murdered its main line. Though a rare name…it suggests very little to me other than one child's good fortune to survive those days." Danzo remarked, balancing his palms on his cane, "His temperament has caused anxiety for other Exam participants, so I am told."

Koharu thumbed through a report, adding, "All of his documentation is legitimate. It's been reviewed four times by administrators before falling into my lap. What's all of this fretting about?"

"Aside from his assault on another Genin that resulted in Hirasaka Agehanto's death after the preliminary rounds…Huo is not the only participant of Sasagainu lineage in this Exam." Tsunade explained quietly.

"What of it? There are two Hyuga clan members competing in the Final Rounds." Homura was disinterested, "These things are coincidence."

"I don't want to assume it's a coincidence while that brute walks freely in my village." Tsunade asserted, "As Danzo mentioned, the loyalty and purposes of clansmen from the Sasagainu who still exist in Iwagakure…it's idiotic to pretend that they have no grudges against their kin who settled in Konohagakure. There will be no interaction between this stranger and Tenten of Team Gai, not while this Exam is ongoing."

"And at no point after that." Danzo concurred, "Such interchange will not be in the best interest of Leaf."

Homura innocuously reminded them, "Peace has been made between our villages."

"That armistice never guaranteed anything from Dintei Bi's regime, which operates independently of Hidden Rock." The Root director illuminated, "Should he have any operatives residing in Iwa, they are assuredly no friends of their clan's main line, nor friends of anyone in the Leaf Village. Tsunade is indicating this possibility, and indeed we should remain cautious."

Koharu held up Huo's Chunin Exam entry application before sliding it across the table, "This admission file excludes so much as a hint of the affiliation you fear could exist. He is a seventeen-year-old raised since infancy by a foster family of Iwa's preeminent artisans, and he graduated at the top of his class…with accolades from the Tsuchikage, already." The old woman tittered, "And this child is a soldier of Dintei Bi, you suggest? He who has never known war or grudges?"

Homura also scoffed at the idea. For a wild moment, Tsunade had to digest the fact that Shimura Danzo was on her side for once. Well. It looked that way. 'It's probably to his benefit…'

"It has been suggested. I will see to it that Root keeps surveillance over this boy." Danzo decided, "This scrutiny shall in no way interfere with his Exam preparation or eligibility. However, should any incriminating activity be discovered…it will immediately be reported to those gathered here."

Reluctantly, Koharu and Homura accepted the measure.

Tsunade added, "Keep watch over his Jounin Sensei as well. His teammates have already returned to Iwagakure to recover…but I want to be sure that his chaperone is innocent."

Danzo echoed the idea before Koharu and Homura rose and took their leave. Cradling her chin, Tsunade poured over the open files and photos on the table, "How does a talented Genin of Huo's background avoid being promoted to a higher rank for so long? At age 10 he graduated. Seven years is a long time to dally…"

"Not for being a poor-test taker, certainly. No Genin willingly avoids ascending in rank unless they are told to do so." Danzo wagered, "They are simply too ambitious to burke that desire. For that reason alone I would suspect this young man's motives…and yet…" He pushed off of the sofa, teetering over his cane, "Until we have evidence, we are merely quailing at fantasies."

"Oh believe me," Tsunade said severely, "I do not cower at the likes of that sort of ninja."

The threat in her eyes promised: I would have his head, though.

They concluded the session and Tsunade pressed on to her third engagement, stopping at the building's kitchen for some sustenance. It was wrong to take the convenience store boxed-lunch that was sitting unwatched on the counter, 'But if its owner cared they would not have left it where the Hokage could find it…' Tsunade helped herself, taking the canned tea and chopsticks with her in a plastic bag. 'If anyone complains about this I'll confess to it, but I just don't have the time to stop for lunch now…'

She was not due to visit the Academy for another hour, so she made haste uptown and then along a winding, unpopulated route towards the ANBU command center. Tsunade puttered down a tunneling, stone stairway, and entered a code for a locked gate that stopped any wayward souls from wandering further. She tapped the buttons sleepily before trotting down the last of the stairs, noting the reverent pauses and greetings of Black Ops agents in the underground atrium.

"Good morning, ah yes, well it's afternoon just about," She gave them a small wave, appreciating their respect and good manners. As the Hokage crossed the dried clay quad that stretched before the command center's building, she frowned at the blown-out neon sign precariously hanging over the doorway. 'They had better fix that. It's unsightly!'

While stepping inside she softly greeted off-duty agents and the secretary, skirting the bustling locker room before stopping in the break room. Inside it was quiet with a single large table and many chairs, with a pantry, sink, radio switchboard and security camera screens. Tsunade took a seat beside Yugao at the table who was already eating lunch. The violet haired woman froze before taking another bite, "Hokage-sama, no one said that you'd—"

"I know. I had the time to drop in and get away from my desk." Tsunade drew out the bento and opened it, "How are you, young lady?"

Yugao smiled a small, flattered smile, "Rested. Commander asked me to do a check-in at the daimyo's castle this afternoon. Then I have a date with my husband this evening."

"Hm, then you'd better not be late. I heard the Oga clan dignitaries were visiting the daimyo. I highly doubt there's any conflict those clowns could unleash that you couldn't erase in a few minutes." Tsunade swirled medallions of chicken in sauce before popping them into her mouth, "I thought about asking Hayate to sign up as a substitute proctor for the Exam in case of unforeseen events…but he hasn't gotten back to me."

"I know for a fact he isn't fond of that role." Yugao assured her, "I apologize for his avoidance, my-"

"I really don't mind. I'll just keep Shikamaru on duty even if he calls in sick."

"Ah, well, Nara-san is young and strong. He's done a good job so far."

"I think so too." Tsunade agreed, cracking open the can of tea, "Tell me, Sai is in today, isn't he?"

"In the locker room changing, I expect."

"And Tenzo?"

"He also just got back."

"Good. I want to have a word with them. Just a small assignment…" Tsunade spoke between bites of food, "What do you think of Sai?"

The woman looked thoughtful as she wrapped up the refuse of her finished lunch, "Reliable. Well…he's learning. He is also very entertaining."

"Entertaining?" Tsunade wondered if she had misheard.

"He refers to everyone here by nicknames, except for the Commander and Tenzo. It helps him make positive associations."

"He is smart not to do such a thing with me."

"Not to your face, milady." Yugao teased her, "I've gotten used to being called Plum."

"How strangely fitting."

"Don't you think so? Hayate hates it." Yugao threw her trash out and then offered, "I'll fetch Sai and Tenzo for you, Hokage-sama. Please wait a moment."

Tsunade cheerfully continued eating. She perfectly understood why the Sandaime Hokage had favored Yugao so much. 'She's a genuine pleasure to be around.'

Come to think of it, most people in the Black Ops were easy to get along with. Tsunade felt that at least in her case, members of the ANBU were conditioned to respect the Hokage and serve the village. Right there: that was already preferential treatment. 'The complete opposite of how I am looked at when I visit Root…like I'm some kind of beast that came prowling in and they go on alert, with their fake words and fake consideration.' Her ANBU agents felt truly warm and selfless. Not a perfect bunch, of course, but they were authentic, 'Sure they've got their quirks, but haven't I got those in spades myself?'

Tenzo poked his head into the break room, "Tsunade-sama, you take lunch in here?"

"Now I do."

The tall man loped inside and Sai followed a few paces behind him, both still damp from showering. They were dressed in simple black sweatshirts and pants, standing expectantly beside the table as Tsunade munched on rice and vegetables.

"I have a task for you two," Tsunade informed them, "I'll run it by the Commander so you can fit this in between missions he assigns."

Tenzo smiled knowingly, "Does it concern the Chunin Exam's security, ma'am?"

"In function, it does. There is a Genin participant from Hidden Rock who is now under Root's surveillance. That should essentially quell any threat this boy poses to others, however…" The Hokage put down her utensils and grew serious, "I can't even trust that Root won't facilitate something shady if Danzo believes it is to the Leaf Village's benefit. Sai was part of such a bait-and-switch tactic in the past, and I want to be sure that Danzo isn't dealing under the table."

"This may not be an ideal time for him to do so." Sai pointed out, "But that does not preclude Danzo-sama from trying to organize future arrangements."

"So you want us to keep watch over Root…who is watching over this Genin suspect?" Tenzo verified, his face scrunched up as he followed the idea, "And report any type of communication or agreements between those parties?"

Tsunade nodded, "If you see anything remotely cordial between them, come straight to me. If it is nothing more than run-of-the-mill reconnaissance on that Genin…then I'd be relieved."

"Understood."

"With that out of the way, how's life?" Tsunade asked, "I've heard that most of Black Ops is warming up to you, Sai."

"I think so." Sai assessed, "Recently, Tenzo tells me when I act or speak in ways that are considered 'rude' and 'unacceptable.' This happens most often when I try to be truthful."

Tenzo lightly slapped his cheek with his hand, "Sai, when you point out the flaws and insecurities of others, even if you're accurate, that doesn't foster goodwill with your acquaintances."

"Some of them do have small penises." Sai defended.

"At the very least, don't make comments like that in the locker room." Tenzo sighed.

"Fibbing is a new concept for him, eh?" Tsunade leaned back in her chair, "White lies help. So do compliments. Focus on the positive aspects in others, and avoid the negatives when you can."

Sai had a spaced-out look, "That is difficult."

"Exactly. Get good at it. That is, work on your charm and friendliness." The Hokage recommended, "Heaven knows I'm still endeavoring on that subject."

---

Meanwhile, above ground in the heart of the Leaf Village…

Gaara was nostalgically touring the streets.

Earlier, he had thanked the team of freshly post-Academy Genin that Tsunade had assigned to escort Matsuri around. Though Gaara had promised his student that he would personally take her to points of interest around the village he had grown up in, he lacked the time. He was required to return to Suna for the week and manage his duties. When Kankuro and Temari returned home from the last few days of closing work in the Tide Village, they could oversee many of Gaara's responsibilities while he stayed with Matsuri in the Leaf Village.

Down the road, he could see Matsuri in step with Konohamaru and his teammates, Moegi and Udon. They had taken to the older girl and admired that she had made it into the Final Round of the Exam. Matsuri waved off their fawning as they went to lunch. Gaara thought to himself, 'She'll probably have fun with them this week. Once I return here…I will double her training.' Gaara wanted her seriously prepared to face Lee at the Tournament.

Before departing for Hidden Sand, Gaara had hoped to have a word with Sakura. It would be downright inconsiderate to leave without giving her any kind of warning. He had wandered around in search of her, having no luck finding his girlfriend at home nor at the Hokage's office. Tsunade was also absent, he discovered. She may have known where he could look. 'No matter. The Hokage already knows I'll be gone for a few days.'

The many sights of his former home were distracting. The many spots he had gotten into mischief with his friends, their favorite eateries, social hubs, and training yards. He had loitered on a few rooftops, remembering his younger days of slacking off and staring at the sky. Gaara closed his eyes and breathed in the soft forest air. He had missed it. He had missed the gentle weather and green life of this country— longed for his precious people here. How had he stayed away for so long without going insane?

"I should move my office here." Gaara daydreamed out loud. With a small sigh he leaned back on the stucco of the building he was perched on top of, appreciating of the mild summer breeze.

He caught himself lollygagging again. 'I need to return to Suna,' And before that, 'Sakura.'

Gaara set out again and passed by the Academy, staring over the heads of gathered children. Oh. There was Tsunade. She was out in the Academy yard giving a demonstration of her bulldozing strength and taking questions. Gaara took a moment to watch before crossing past the yard's gate and circling 'round the youngsters (twittering in surprise at the sight of him) and he came to a halt beside the Hokage. A nearby Chunin instructor snickered at his squealing students.

"Good afternoon, class." Gaara acknowledged the children who boomed back in unison happily, "Tsunade-sama…"

"Everyone, this rude interruption is being made by the Kazekage." Tsunade pointed out before turning to Gaara, "What do you want? You're pretty easy for me to guess, hold on…Tide Village funding? Letters from your team? Upset stomach? Exam questions? Lunch date? Or Sakura?"

Gaara just frowned at her.

"The last one." Tsunade sighed and then motioned with her hand, "I spoke with her early this morning. I know Sakura should be about done with her hospital tasks, and then she mentioned errands she had to run. Check the Pailü Weapon Shop or the Green Mart. You'll find her, Gaara."

He nodded in gratitude "Thank you, and I apologize for interrupting your lesson."

"Yes, well, you were looking a bit desperate." She shooed him away, "I'll see you next week."

As Gaara exited the yard he did catch the chatter of students as Tsunade tried to recapture their attention.

While the Weapon Shop was buzzing with activity, he did not find Sakura there. Gaara had better luck in aisle 9 of the supermarket. At the far end of a row of toiletries, Sakura was stooped over and scrutinizing the labels of two comparable boxes. He blinked and took in the sight of her civilian clothes: a pale green t-shirt and white shorts; her slim legs teetering above heeled sandals. Gaara had a self-conscious moment in which he wondered if his long-sleeved overcoat qualified as overdressed in the summertime, 'I should come back next week with simpler clothes.'

So focused was Sakura that she did not notice another occupant in the aisle until a voice greeted her from behind.

She flinched and held back a startled shriek, rapidly comporting herself, "Gaara!" Sakura turned and hastily crammed items in a basket, "I was, uh, going to see what you were up to after-!"

"I know how many responsibilities you have. I thought it was better to come to you, Sakura." He assured her.

It was as if he had caught her committing a felony offense. Sakura seemed to stretch herself out in an attempt to distract him from the consumables on the shelf behind her. She spoke with a cadence that was nearly too fast to comprehend, "It's nice to have a free day, isn't it? Ah, that is, Tsunade-sama still asked me to do rounds at the recovery ward before I did today's errands. Got through that quickly but shopping for Mom takes a while, she's so particular—"

Gaara scrunched his face at her. This diversionary dialogue was not normal. And there, in the puzzling moment she had somehow talked him into walking, Gaara glimpsed the items stocked behind her as they vacated the area. Side-by-side displays of condoms and women's sanitary products.

He had looked away before he could determine which of those items she had picked up and Sakura, of course, slapped his hand away when he offered to hold the basket. Ignorance was probably bliss, Gaara determined.

Sakura relaxed gradually as they proceeded through aisles, acquiring the last few items she needed to bring home.

"Matsuri isn't with you today?" Sakura asked while inspecting the sell-by date of a milk carton.

"She's in the care of a Genin team that will be showing her around." Gaara informed her.

"So…" The young woman roamed towards the produce section, "Then maybe you and I could do something?" She clarified as she hovered over turnips and daikon, "Maybe lunch?"

He smiled wanly, "I'd like nothing more, but I should be going soon."

Gaara replied to the questioning expression she wore, fumbling over vegetables.

"I have to leave and resume my duties as Kazekage. My siblings will be able to take over for me when they return at the end of this week." Gaara explained, "I wanted to tell you before I left. Once Temari and Kankuro are available to manage the office, I will be here for the rest of the month to train Matsuri."

"Ah, I see." Sakura nodded in understanding.

They got in line at a register, only drawing a single curious look from another shopper. Gaara liked that his popularity in Suna was more or less absent in Konoha. Hardly any common folk could recognize him as the current Kazekage, or would distinguish him as a noteworthy person in general. It was nice to go through his day without being harried.

"Some other time, then," Sakura figured, "In the near future."

"Yes. Keep me informed of your schedule. I will work around it so I can see you."

She beamed at the notion as she set to pay the cashier, who then thanked them for shopping at Green Mart. With her groceries unseen in doubled-up plastic, this time Sakura let Gaara carry a bag. He insisted on walking her home before his departure. They opted for side streets.

"I sure do miss this…" Sakura sighed, "Even if it's as simple as walking around with you, I miss the days when I took it for granted."

"As do I."

"You're handy for when it rains too. I used to forget my umbrella on purpose, so I never had it when class was over." She gave him a sly, sidelong look, "You walked me home from the Academy no matter what."

"Ah, so you purposefully took advantage." He absolutely reveled in the fact that she had wanted his attention even back then.

At his hip, Gaara unthinkingly patted a small, hyper-condensed gourd of sand that was secured to his belt. It was much less cumbersome than his former accessory. Gaara then noted, "The forecast did call for rain…"

"Yeah, but you'll be gone by the time it starts." Sakura's voice faltered and she fell quiet.

They silently traveled a deserted block that ran parallel to the main avenue. In those quiet minutes under a partly cloudy sky, his free hand folded over hers and held, even as they rounded a corner. Sakura made a small appreciative sound and kept her eyes squeezed shut, internally fighting off her worries. Even if he would only be away for a short amount of time this week, missing him was still as sharp a feeling as it had always been. 'I've got no real reason to be disappointed, but I might've gotten a little too excited to see him here…'

When they arrived at a narrow back alley that served as a cut-through to the busy street beyond, the two came to a stop, lingering in the privacy between brick walls. Around the corner was home, and of course, so was Gaara's inevitable parting. Neither said a word as they automatically set their bags on the ground and wound arms around each other, stealing the last bit of time they could.

In the back of his mind, Gaara could hear Shukaku whispering curiously, What is she upset about?

'We want to be around each other, and we are both equally preoccupied with other things. It's frustrating. I feel the same way Sakura does.'

Hn, then why are you both so responsible if it's frustrating? Just do what you want.

'We aren't like that.'

I do what I want.

'I know.'

Show up late to whatever you have to do, or kill whoever she has an appointment with. Gaara could almost hear the approving nod the tanuki accompanied the statement with, That'll cheer her up. Free up some time…

'If it was acceptable for a Kage, or anyone, to kill appointees just to save time…the Hokage would have close to zero contacts.'

So I guess that's a no.

'Absolutely a 'no.' You and I need to review the things that warrant incarceration in this day and age.'

Yeah, I know I'm a bit behind the times. Shukaku stilled and took in the same scent Gaara did as he pressed his nose to pink tresses. Sakura had tucked her head beneath his chin and held him tightly.

She smells good. The Tailed-Beast acknowledged, Show her.

Trying not to focus on his inner-dialogue, Gaara grudgingly replied, 'You don't make any sense. Stop talking.' But with that comment he had lost track of when he had sandwiched Sakura between his body and the wall, feeling her hands snake up and behind his neck.

She wants you to, see? Show her how good she smells and feels.

He could not answer back anymore. His attention was fixed on Sakura; with her head tilted up toward him, eyes half-hooded, rose hued lips parted as his mouth slanted over hers, and, There… The sounds she made, stirring him with want and closeness, they were criminal, Just a little. Gaara slipped a hand beneath her shirt and pawed at the silken skin of her stomach and hip, Soft! Wow. You said you had something important to do? Don't bother!

By then Gaara had certainly forgotten. The third-party voice in his head made suggestions that, for some reason, he immediately acted upon. Sakura did not discourage the behavior; her hands roamed up to his hair, tugging at red locks, her kisses growing urgent while his fingertips slipped 'round her hips and stroked the small of her back.

How perfectly she fit against him with her petite frame. When Sakura had last visited the Sand Village, he had wanted this, these motions and touches that they could have used to discover each other. Desire simmered in his blood, coursing down every limb, convening low in his belly as he pressed against her… Good, now, turn her around and have at it.

The bubble of disconnected fantasy in his head burst, and Gaara blinked hard as he pulled back and stopped himself. Doing everything he was told would lead to trouble. Shukaku was miffed, What'd you stop for? Conditions are perfect!

'No, and what do you know about any of this anyway?'

I've got news for ya, Gaara: you're not the first jinchuriki I have dwelled inside of. Really…do you know how many dalliances I've spectated? I know more than you for sure, ya cherry-red virgin…

Oh. Input like this was going to complicate any form of intimacy a hundred-fold, especially with Shukaku pitching insults like that.

While Gaara was reeling, Sakura gently patted his cheek and tried to snap him out of his weird and abrupt trance, "Gaara?" She snapped her fingers in front of his eyes and it somehow retrieved him, "Are you okay? I'm sorry if I—"

"Whatever you do, do not apologize." He cut her off, reaching for her hands again and securing them, "I was having a mild episode."

"An-?" She trailed off, adopting a concerned smile, "I didn't know you suffered from things like that."

"Anxiety."

"Huh, you too?" Sakura kissed him a final time, tenderly, "What a time for that to strike…it was getting good…"

Gaara agreed with a sigh, "I know."

Their fronts were still pressed together suggestively, but Gaara stepped away and recommenced the formalities. He lifted both shopping bags with one hand and led Sakura along with the other.

"Can we do more of that when you come back?" Sakura asked, "I didn't want to stop."

On the main road and in view of society, Gaara gave her a pained look, "I—" Shukaku's voice was still ringing in his head, nosy and clamoring for attention, "I think we could."

Sakura quirked an eyebrow at the response as they proceeded southbound towards her home. About a block away from the house, Sakura halted and pointed out the open front window. It had definitely been unbolted by her watchful mother, "Mom's got the eyes of a hawk and if she sees you with me…" She shook her head in dismay, "She'll invite you for lunch and hold you hostage."

"Next time, I won't mind that so much."

He let Sakura take the bags from him, appreciating the small smile she tried to conceal, "It could be hours that you'll never get back, Gaara."

"Worse things demand more of my time on a regular basis." Gaara assured her, "Meeting your parents is something I have meant to do."

Her eyes were wide and glassy, and she nodded as calmly as she could. This man was serious.

"And also…" He went on, "There is…something I want to talk to you about when I return."

Somewhere in her clever brain the buzzer went off again, and Sakura loosely connected the suggestion to Gaara's mental block from earlier. She wondered, "Is it something bad?"

"No. It's something personal. Something about myself that I haven't told you yet." He leaned in and kissed her temple, "But now I want to."

"Oh!" How often did people hear those words come from the Kazekage's mouth? "I look forward to it."

He promised, "I won't be long." Then he turned and set off; back to trekking the desert paths and back to prosaic tasks and paperwork. Sakura watched until Gaara was indistinguishable from the foot traffic on the horizon, and then she turned back towards her house.

In timely fashion, Ino had pounced on her within seconds, "Oooh!" She caught Sakura by the shoulders and matched her walking pace, "What was he doing here? Forehead-woman, I heard the Kazekage had work to do in the Sand Village…"

"He wanted to say goodbye." Sakura justified simply.

"Right…and also, I was told that you did some shopping today; some of that shopping involved what you and I discussed, hm?" Ino probed with a knowing look, "Well? Did you buy any?"

"I did, but he snuck up on me!" Sakura wailed quietly, frustrated, fishing through a plastic bag towards the contents in question.

"Jeez, it's like Gaara has a sixth-sense when anything involves you." Ino tapped her chin, "Ah, let me see what you got…" She reached past Sakura to read over the box's packaging. She quickly frowned, "Sakura."

"What? I've been embarrassed enough for one day…"

The two halted while Ino pointed out, "This box…had better be for your mother. A probiotic feminine supplement? What the hell…"

Alarmed, Sakura seized the box, "What? I didn't-!"

"Were you even paying attention? These aren't condoms. They're superfluous merchandise companies want women to think they need." Ino rumbled in great annoyance, "Turn around and bring these back to the store. You can't spend money on stuff you can't use!"

Sakura covered her face with a hand and continued walking home, "Sure I can. I'm too ashamed to even care at this point."

"Sakura. Stop. You goofed, but so what? He probably didn't even notice or care what you were buying." Ino pulled back on her friend's wrist, "Easily fixable. Just go back and return it."

"Can't." The pinkette shook her head sullenly, "I can't handle anymore today. Just let me go home, Pig."

Pushed to the end of her patience, Ino snatched the bag with the offending box. She retrieved the mistaken product and the receipt, "Go home you wuss. I'll do it myself. And because I'm nice, I'll disguise the real goods when I bring them to you."

Sakura nodded in humiliation.

"Oh, and don't leave without me for this afternoon's meeting!" Ino called over her shoulder as she started out towards the Green Mart, "Everyone's going to be there."

---

And indeed, everyone had piled into Tsunade's office.

An hour and a half after Ino returned with condoms and secretively passed them off to her friend, the two young women tarried a little before setting out for the Administrative Building.

They were among the last to congregate for the summons of the Hokage. Tsunade was slumped over her desk tiredly by the time all of her finalist Leaf Genin had arrived, and she asked Shikamaru to kindly shut the door and quiet everyone down. The volume in the room decreased.

"Welcome," Tsunade pushed herself back into an upright position, "Thank you all for making it. I know that you're all about ready to begin devoting each and every day to uninterrupted training before the Tournament…but I ask that you lend me your ears for a few minutes."

When respectful silence answered her Tsunade continued, "I have a mission I want you all to complete."

Then the noise returned.

"What?!"

"What mission?"

"I thought we don't work during the Exam…"

Shikamaru, effectively the moderator of the forum, raised his hands and calmed the room again. Sakura was given the floor when Tsunade nodded to her, "Tsunade-shishou…we were told by you and our Jounin Sensei that all mission activity is suspended for students competing in the Chunin Exam."

"Correct, Sakura. However, I would like to advise you that this is not an ordinary request, and I count this as an activity outside of the suspension parameters in place for the Exam. Really…it shouldn't be that much work." The Hokage defended, "It's a simple matter. If you complete this, you will all be awarded three basis points on your Final Round evaluation." Tsunade smiled, "Your aptitude and judgement at the Tournament is scored; do not forget. It's how evaluators decide who is Chunin material and who isn't. I'm offering you all a little nudge in the right direction."

"Three points on a scale of what?" Kiba wondered.

"That's not something we are able to disclose to Exam participants." Tsunade replied, "Regardless, you should all do your best."

If it was a simple task and they were being spoon-fed points, it seemed like a home run to most everyone. The youngsters asked the Hokage what it was they had to do.

"I want you…" Tsunade leaned back in her chair and announced, "To look good."

She got many blank stares in return, and so the Hokage elaborated, "This is a mission I am personally assigning all of you: dress to the nines. Be impeccably groomed and prim, as flashy and eye-catching as you can all possibly be when you set foot in the stadium…"

They were slowly starting to understand.

"I want to incite furious betting on the hottest looking teams. I want those gambling suckers to spend an obscene amount of money at this event, and you are the ones who are going to make it happen!" Tsunade looked positively thrilled.

Shikamaru wisely added to the incredulous Genin, "To clarify the rules here…rigging bets is forbidden and a punishable offense, but being attractive is perfectly legal. I already read over the rule book for this one. It checks out."

"Shishou!" Sakura was not very pleased with the idea, "Are you using the Tournament as a platform to make quick cash? We talked about this!"

Tsunade waved her off, unabashed, "Sakura, please, don't scold me. It's worth three points. This isn't uncompensated work." She added, "Besides, a huge percentage of the betting proceeds are going back into public programs in our village."

"Is that stimulus funding confirmed in writing?" Shino was curious.

Tsunade slid a document across her desk and let the astute young man look it over.

Sakura pursed her lips, glancing around at many of her stupefied friends.

"I want you all to be seen and adored. Of course, it's optional. Show up as plain as you want to be, that's fine: but don't expect me to award you anything for that." Tsunade warned.

Sato raised his hand.

"Yes, Sato."

"Just confirming that this definitely isn't illegal?" The young Hatake asked, "I'm going to do it anyway, of course, because you're the Hokage."

"In my extensive knowledge of gambling, eligible picks that are well-dressed are completely acceptable and will only influence bets superficially. At best." Tsunade concluded.

"Good enough for me." Sato nodded and folded his arms.

This statement seemed to win over most of the room's occupants. Many began to laud the idea, growing excited, and after Tsunade dismissed them and advised they get right on it, the room emptied out.

The teams filed out of the tower and went their separate ways, discussing how they intended to "look good."

Tenten was cringing.

Walking ahead of her teammates, she muttered worriedly to herself as she realized this task was not as easy as it sounded…especially not for her team.

"We can't. We. Can't." She shook her head violently and then rested her sad gaze on Lee, "Sorry…" Tenten muttered and stalked onward as they followed.

"Why is Tenten so discouraged by this mission?" Lee asked Neji worriedly, "I am sure we can accomplish this!"

"It's…" Neji looked at his friend sympathetically, unwilling to comment on Lee's prominent features and Tenten's concern about them.

They finally stopped uptown and Tenten faced the boys, frowning, "We have to do something. We'd be crazy to pass over free points."

"Then I suggest we go shopping." Lee nodded.

"Everyone else will be doing that." Tenten pointed out, "We may need to try a different approach to…find new looks. I can consult with Yugao. She knows how to make me pretty, at least." She scrutinized Lee and Neji, "And she can probably get your hair under control too." Tenten was speaking about the both of them.

"It will take more than grooming." Neji reminded her.

"Yeah, I know that, but I…" Tenten's head lolled on her neck dejectedly, "I know this team never really concerned itself with how it looked. We don't care. It's all about performance and skill…"

Lee added jubilantly, "And determination!"

"Yeah." Tenten sighed.

Neji rescued the situation by stating, "We are going to the Hyuga estate. Kayato-san is a master seamstress…and I know it's time that I asked her for a favor."

Tenten wondered if she was imagining a chorus of angels sounding at the news. She never would have thought that Neji had the solution to looking good. Then again, the Hyuga clan had an abundance of resources that, until recently, Neji had not really let them tap into.

During the walk, Tenten then thought to herself, 'Well, he probably doesn't want us dragging him down in this endeavor. Of all the people on this team, Neji is certainly the most…good-looking.' She caught herself staring from her lateral position, shaking off the thought and kept her eyes forward.

A few street lengths away from Hyuga grounds, the slow pattering of rain drops began. The team hurried and arrived at the covered porch of the Main House moments before the shower began to fall torrentially. All politely removed their shoes and followed Neji indoors.

After a quick scan with his Byakugan, he found that Kayato was in a craft room with several Branch members, meticulously dying the fabric of a new kimono. Neji reminded his teammates that Kayato was Fujita's mother, and that she may wish to visit her son in the hospital sooner than take up another tailoring project. They accepted the notion and moved quietly down the pristine hallways of the house.

Neji knocked once before sliding the door of the craft room open. Branch members quickly greeted him, "Good afternoon, Neji-sama!"

"Good afternoon," He gave them all a warm look before turning to Kayato, "Kayato-san, do you have a moment?"

"For the Prince? I surely do." The woman stood and patted her ink-stained hands on an apron, "How are you, Neji-sama? Oh, and you've brought your teammates with you!"

"We have a request to make. It involves a task that the Hokage assigned us."

"You don't say…come on in, then." She ushered them inside, greeting Neji's friends, "I remember that you are Tenten and Lee, yes? Watch your step. We've made a bit of a mess in here, spreading out supplies. This kimono was commissioned by a wealthy family…it'll take weeks to finish…"

The group carefully stepped over the buckets, pans, threads and measures, taking a seat on the clear side of the room. The Branch members continued detailing work on the sleeves of the garment.

"Now, what would a mission assigned by the Hokage have to do with me?" Kayato shrewdly questioned.

"Tsunade-sama asked those competing in the Tournament to look their best. She decided that our public appearances were important enough to award or deny points over." Tenten explained ruefully, "And…all of our peers are probably flocking to shops as we speak."

One of the Branch members snickered, "Tsunade-sama demands the strangest things…"

Neji and Lee agreed with a simultaneous nod of their heads.

Kayato grasped the situation, "Hmm, so I see. You three sought me in the hopes I could assist? At least with outfits I can. How much time do I have?"

"Just under four weeks." Neji notified her.

"That's not much time at all…" The woman cupped her chin and thought about it, "Haruhi and Himitsu here can continue this kimono without me," She looked to her Branch associates, "If you two don't mind taking over? You can split my share of the commission payment."

"No, Kayato-sama, we couldn't—"

"I insist." She pressed, "I want to help Neji-sama with this assignment. I am glad that he has faith in my work." Kayato grinned, "But I will need to devote as much time as possible to this project."

Tenten felt a smidge regretful about their demand, "We can always look—"

"No, no. Please do not try to look elsewhere. I'm the best at what I do in this village." The woman untied and removed her dirtied apron, very confident, "And as you are all friends of Fujita, I am more than happy to help you." Kayato gestured to an adjoining door with another room, "Come with me."

They passed through the door to the adjacent room, but not before Lee gave a gracious wave of farewell to the toiling Branch needle workers.

It was a makeshift studio-room that was bursting with stacked rolls of fabric and tools, fitting mannequins, drawers of supplies, and a table for standing work. Kayato leaned over the table and tapped a pen on a pad of paper, letting her eyes drift left to right across Lee, Tenten, and Neji. They stood in awkward silence.

"Do any of you watch movies?" The woman asked out of the blue.

Neji looked at her for a long moment before responding in the negative, "I do not."

"Films? Sometimes Lee and I go see them with friends." Tenten replied, displaying their elevated participation in society, "Why do you ask that?"

"I do a lot of costume work for films that are shot in the Fire Country and our close neighbors." Kayato enlightened them, "Lee reminds me of a great film I enjoyed working on."

Neji and Tenten exchanged side-eye glances with each other, wondering if their jaws were going to hit the floor.

"That was a fun one. I also worked on costumes for the Middle Kingdom series, did some shoots in the Land of Iron many years ago, some theater costume design…and now I get requests for the new Fujikaze Yukie movies, from time to time." Kayato smiled at them, "I think I can make you stand out, is what I mean."

She moved around the table and fussed at the collar of Tenten's cheongsam top, "I like the idea of this garment…Han-style…very regal…" Kayato leaned in and inspected Lee's face, "He has good features. Bright colors will suit you, Lee. Not this drab green…" She motioned at his jumpsuit dismissively. He whimpered sadly at the opinion.

When she stopped beside Neji she chuckled, "You avoid most color, Neji-sama. You probably just don't know what will complement your complexion…" She fussed at his sleeveless gi, "It's summertime. We'll go for shorter sleeves, tailored fits…I think I want your team to have a cohesive theme…hmm." Kayato returned to her table and scribbled on her pad, jotting notes and sketching crude lines.

She looked up, "Do you have a few minutes? I'll take your measurements to start and then ask you to come back tomorrow. I need to find the materials I want to use for you, because I do not have them here at the moment."

"Of course!" Tenten stepped up first and held her arms out, letting Kayato wrap a tape measure around her while the woman chattered excitedly. Tenten kept thinking in amazement to herself about how Kayato had valued Lee's…er, strong, features. She sounded as though she knew exactly what to look for aesthetics-wise.

While Neji and Lee waited for their turns, Lee whispered sadly, "This shade of green is not so bad…"

---

The next day, as the Tournament-bound Genin met with their teams and respective sensei, the groups scheduled how and when training would take place.

Lee was eager to spend the next few weeks under Gai's harshest tutelage, but also mentioned that his grandfather had reserved his time every morning Tuesday through Thursday for the next month. Gai agreed that it was a workable schedule, and afterwards confirmed that Neji and Tenten did not mind depending on each other as training partners.

Neji noted that since they had been partners in training since time immemorial that it was no bother at all, "However, Wong Leung has also asked that we study with him Tuesday through Thursday."

Tenten wilted at the thought of extra Wushu labor to top off a heavy workload. In contrast, Gai boomed with pride that they were all willing to push themselves.

Neji had learned from Fujita (during another hospital visit) that he had also requested of his mother outfit commissions for Ino and Chouji. At first Neji had wondered if it was even possible for Kayato to accomplish so much in the limited time they had, but Fujita assured him, "She was excited! She's going to make a lot of money this month. She really loves what she does, you know."

Then Neji conveniently remembered yes, he would be covering the outfitting expenses for his team. The cost was probably more than what Lee and Tenten combined could afford.

"Also," Fujita added, "When it gets busy Mom makes Dad help her sometimes. He's learned a thing or two." Neji was not all that surprised that Hideyasu was willing to contribute.

That same morning while the Hyuga youngsters had been assembled, Hinata had listened interestedly about Kayato's participation and spoke of what training arrangements she had heard about. She would be spending two weeks with Shino improving jutsu while their time was not otherwise occupied by their fathers and clan techniques. Sakura and Kiba had arranged to train together when they could, Hinata had been told.

Sato, she recalled, had immediately volunteered to work with Tama, but Hinata heard that Kakashi had muscled in and reserved evening lessons with her, to Sato's great annoyance. Hinata imagined that Kakashi was concerned about Tama's upcoming Final Round's match, and wanted her to be fully prepared.

"Oh, and Sato-kun will be upcycling his grandfather Sakumo's old clothes. Kurenai-sensei thought it was a good idea." Hinata chirped, thinking of when Sato had proclaimed: vintage wins! Three points here I come.

With these things in mind, Neji recalled that Sato would be his first opponent at the Tournament. He stewed on this particular turn of events, knowing better than to underestimate an opponent as he had at the last Exam. When last he did that, Naruto had furiously walloped him with a sucker-Rasengan.

In many ways, Naruto and Sato were quite alike. Outgoing, sociable, talkative, fast friend-makers, and occasionally mischievous; but with fighting styles that were understandably different. All the same, Neji did not intend to let his guard down again. He had known since the visit to the Konoha Hot Springs that Sato had been keeping an eye on him, watching for any weaknesses he could exploit. That could be Sato's great strength, Neji supposed. He used his gregarious nature to camouflage his discerning, hyper-critical perception of others. He was good at manipulating things in his favor, and was indirect in every sense that Naruto was direct.

'If I go off of that fact, Sato will not bother using Genjutsu or other ineffective techniques against me.' Neji thought, considering Sato's preferred methods of beguiling opponents, 'He is going to use something that I am less likely to deal with.' And so, Neji concluded that White Chakra Sabres, the Chidori, owl summons, and other melee hazards could come into play.

Neji ran this idea by Tenten that rainy morning, asking what she thought of it.

"Oh make no mistake," Tenten assured him, "Sato is more likely to stab you into submission than anything else. It's all he can do against you, really, Neji. The problem is that he's gotten really good. He's been tutored by a Grass ninja for the last year."

"Better than you?" He wondered.

A breathy scoff escaped her, "Pff, no! At least, I haven't sparred with Sato recently enough to know that. But I wouldn't expect to lose against him, as conceited as that sounds."

"Then I want you to prepare me." Neji decided.

"…we were going to train together anyway." She gave him a puzzled look, "Do you want sword-specific drills?"

"Yes. The only way I could stop his attacks presently is with a rotation, or by using Wind Release counters against him." The look on Neji's face suggested that if he chopped Sato apart with Wind Release, Shikamaru would prooooobably disqualify him. "He will be expecting me to do that."

Tenten smiled brightly, "You're right. Everyone will expect that from you." She jangled the hilt of Hok at her back, "I take it that you're interested in one of these?"

He nodded and his girlfriend snickered, "It'll cost you."

Neji wore a very put-upon expression, ruminating on how he was already paying out of pocket for her and Lee regarding Kayato's commission. Before he could bring up that point, Tenten poked his cheek and walked off, "Relax, I'm kidding! I think I'm the one who owes you. Let's go to the shop. I've got spare swords you can try out."

He trailed behind her for a few steps to watch her stride off confidently, silently relishing the sway of her hips. Training was going to be all well and good, Neji thought, provided that he could actually concentrate. At least for the next few weeks, they would be spending a lot of time exclusively with each other.

The rain fell lightly as they relocated. At the northeast central section of the village, Tenten stopped outside of the Pailü Weapon Shop and unlocked the front door. She kept the 'Closed' sign in place at the window but flipped the lights on.

"My Dad liked literature and poetry a lot. I never asked him, but I think that's why he named this shop for poetic style," Tenten glanced around before moving inside, "He thought that poetry and weaponry were alike in ways."

"A profound thought." Neji offered.

Tenten shrugged, "I never really got his artistic sense. I'm always trying to figure out why he did things the way he did."

She led him towards a display of swords for sale and pointed her palm at the chrome racks, "Take your pick." Neji stepped forward and regarded the variety before him: single and two-handed swords, broad and slim, some precarious in length and others with hybrid functions. There were a number of standard issue Chokuto straight-blades that most shinobi favored, with sheaths and ornaments in many colors.

Neji looked back at her, "What about something like you have?"

"A jian?" She raised her eyebrows, "I don't sell those."

"I don't think that means there aren't any here."

"Well," Her smirk morphed into a thoughtful expression, "There are, but I can't guarantee the shape they're in. Over here."

They passed into the back room beyond the counter, where the initial entryway was storage for a plethora of weapons and projectiles, and further into the building was the sooty work station where several small, unlit furnaces sat.

Neji wondered aloud, "You're the only person who works here?"

"Yeah. Dad didn't hire employees. It curbed his overheads." Tenten heaved open an upright, wooden chest, adding, "For years he was saving for a house, otherwise he could've justified having apprentices salaried under him."

Neji noted, "You were an unpaid apprentice."

"I was just happy to learn. Look here," She tapped the scabbards of two different jian, "Dad kept these for himself and Mom, usually. They used them on missions." Tenten lifted one and drew it from the sheath, "These haven't been used in a while. They were probably kept for a rainy day—" The comment slipped out, and she hoped that it did not matter to Neji that it was raining today and probably would for the rest of the week. Stupid coincidence.

He got a firm grip on the handsome weapon and was reminded of her sword. Neji distantly but fondly remembered handling Hok in the Land of Marshes. He was more inclined towards this type of weapon than he was towards those sitting on the 'for sale' racks.

"This one." Neji said with certainty, passing it back to her, "If you're willing to part with it."

"Sure I am. Dad can't use it anymore, so…" Tenten ripped a blank page from a supply ordering journal and made to cut it with the jian, but the paper was untouched by the dull blade, "Yowza... This poor thing has seen sharper days. Let me file and clean it up for you."

She shuffled around and set the sword down on a work table, passing the sheath off to Neji. When he stood directionless and was fit to get in her way, Tenten pleasantly steered him towards a stool on the opposite side of the table and made him sit.

Then, she riffled around in wooden drawers, inspecting flat, rectangular stones. She retrieved one and set it atop a non-slip mat on the table, "Natural whetstone is best…and…" Tenten took a bottle of oil from a cabinet and drew a liquid line across the stone, "Some honing oil." She informed Neji. She used a soft tool brush to disperse it across the whetstone.

He watched curiously as she easily freed the pommel from the hilt with a small wrench. It was all done with experienced ease; she unfitted the hilt and guard and slid them away from the blade. Tenten pointed to a metal extension and explained, "This is a tang. It holds the hilt steady, as you can see. This sword's tang was shortened a bit…" She fussed at nicks and scores, mumbling to herself, and then finally lined up the sword's edge carefully with the stone.

She skated the blade's edges back and forth for a very long while, meticulous, frowning as she worked. Neji said nothing during that period and stared nearly without blinking. Tenten stopped after a time and soaked a small sheet of sandpaper in water she ran at a faucet. She told Neji, "This sandpaper has a much lower grit than the stone, so I'm going to use it to finalize the edge." She smiled at his expectant face, "I'll let you try it next time. This sword needs extra help today."

Slowly, she ran the rough paper along the edges, her eyes narrowed, sharpening the blade from shoulder to tip. When that was done Tenten set the sword aside and cleaned the leather elements of the hilt with wax, rubbing away at it with a fluffy cloth. She then shined the sword's metal with polish before reassembling the guard, hilt, and pommel. Tenten sighed, swiping a last, thin layer of oil over the blade, "I hope that didn't bore you…it can take a while, I know."

He still seemed to be alert, "It didn't."

Tenten lifted the sheet of paper again and the jian cut it more easily than soft butter.

"It has recuperated!" She announced, handing it to Neji, "This is yours to keep. I've got to clean this mess up so please excuse me…"

He watched Tenten pittle around with the odds and ends she had scattered. While he truly did appreciate what she had just done for him, he could not peel his eyes away to look over the refurbished sword she'd given him. She was by far more interesting.

"Your father," Neji said at length, "Did he buy it?"

"Huh?" Tenten looked over her shoulder, "Buy what?"

"You said he was saving for a house."

"Oh!" Tenten washed her hands at the sink, "It was more than that. I mean, when I was a baby he and my mom did have an awesome house…but the Nine-Tailed Fox crushed it just after we got out. Ever since then we rented and Dad meant to buy property and build on it. He wanted to make something better for us." She dried her hands with a towel and added, "I think he bought the land about a week before he died. I still have that title lying around somewhere, if I ever need to sell it."

"You shouldn't do that." His face was shadowed with grief. She didn't see it. Tenten did not look back at him as she continued to tidy up.

Why was it that he could learn new things about her on a daily basis? Neji disdained how Tenten knew most everything about him, and how he lacked imagination, hobbies, special skills, at least in the respects that she did. She knew plenty about his family and clan, his aspirations, and what he had been through. It stood to reason that he had not asked frequently enough, or not cared enough in the past, to learn about her life.

She was multi-faceted and unique in ways that Neji would struggle to emulate. He spoke one language, he couldn't cook, he didn't own property, he didn't own a shop or create things, he didn't do much more than read in his free time, his lineage was by no means exotic, and his clan cared for him and paid for most anything he required. 'I'm boring.' He thought. He had not attempted much of anything outside of his comfort zone, aside from Lee and Tenten's whimsies and Naruto encouraging him to respect others and forge friendships.

He slid the jian into its sheath and lowered his eyes. Just what had he done, or what was it, exactly, that Tenten was intrigued by? Never mind his terrible temper and barely-forgivable actions of the past, 'How do you care for someone like me? Even I find that hard to do.'

"Hey, did you eat yet?" Tenten asked from somewhere within the bowels of a supply closet.

Neji gazed at the doorframe, where all that could be seen was her foot and ankle, tapping impatiently while she reached for things. Tenten dug through shelves and spoke aloud a list of chores she had just thought about tending to. That small action, however trivial, had captivated his attention.

Maybe, he ventured, it wasn't worth fretting over what Tenten saw in him. If she ever took the time to explain it, he probably wouldn't entirely believe her or agree with what she considered positive or attractive in him. Then hell, what did it matter? Why did he need the specifics of how he had somehow, impossibly, become a precious person to someone else? Despite his shortcomings and flaws, somehow he was loved by her. Though he did not think he deserved such a thing, dense emotions flooded his senses; things like gratitude, admiration, worry: things that made his blood hot in a way that he had never felt.

"Hello over there?" Tenten had poked her head out, "I asked did you eat, Neji?"

His unwavering gaze was still set on her, but he did not answer. She gulped. It kind of looked like he was some sort of predator, yes, seated on a stool, studying how best to consume her.

She smiled worriedly, "That looks like some intense thinking. Is everything alright?"

He stood up suddenly and she yipped in alarm. They stared at each other for almost a minute.

With her arms full of once-closeted supplies, Tenten advised, "Blink if you're alive."

Neji blinked.

"Good. What's the matter?" She approached the table and set the items down, assessing him as he set the sword down as well. Neji admitted in a quiet voice that he had not yet eaten.

"Let's go out and get something, then..." The suggestion stilled on her tongue when his hand slipped beneath her elbow and along her arm, drawing her close. She let her eyes drift up curiously towards his face as he loomed; Neji reeling her in by her arms before she was squashed into him. It was quite nice all considered, she thought. 'Neji doesn't do normal affection. This I know.'

Then Tenten heard the words; they were spoken softly beside her cheek, "Thank you."

And her stomach did some strange acrobatics while she let her hands bunch up the front of his shirt. Tucked against him, Tenten shook her head slightly, "Don't mention it."

He squeezed hard, and she contemplated if he could possibly be angry for some goddamned reason, but Neji went on to explain, "I never mention it. How do you know when I am grateful for anything?"

"I just—" She did not have a real answer to that, if she was perfectly honest, so Tenten only pressed her forehead to his shoulder and said nothing. But then she understood: he was cross with himself. Neji was having a tense moment of psychosocial recognition.

"For this and for everything else…" He murmured. She grew more relaxed in his hold, and made a soft chirp sound when he brushed past her earring and kissed the skin of her neck below. His lips worked slowly and deliberately. Tenten wanted to curse Neji for his intrinsic skill, yet at the same time praise him for choosing the time and place to wield it so well. She was able to lay her hands just about anywhere on him without even the slightest objection, and by the time he passed her jaw and finally kissed her mouth, Tenten was ready to jump out of her skin.

'Dear honored parents…please do not be haunting this shop or watching what I am about to do.' She hoped to heaven, assisting Neji as he hitched beneath her thighs, lifted, and replaced her on the tabletop. Their kisses were insistent, and Tenten was emboldened to gently nip while his hands drifted from her hips to the curve of her bottom. If her keen ears were not mistaken, Neji had made a near inaudible sound or two, but she looked forward to drawing more out of him.

He pushed on her stomach, carefully laying her back, bending so he was not out of reach of her mouth. In the seconds after that Neji had a lone thought that cautioned against further action without consent, but he did not verbally articulate the suggestion of removing clothes before Tenten yelped, fidgeting below him. Panic-stricken, he stared down at her while she shimmied and sat up again, "It's alright, it wasn't you…it's whatever this—" She extracted a solid object that she had dumped on the table earlier, holding it up, "Whatever this is. It stuck my back…"

Neji paused and leveled his attention to the object in her hand, "Why did you take it out of storage?"

"There was a lot of old junk in that closet that I thought I should throw out." She admitted, frowning at the solid-fiber ring, "I don't even know what this thing is for."

He gave her a you really don't know? look before plucking it up, demonstrating, "It's a spinner." The outer casing spun smoothly across tiny ball bearings. It looked like it was meant to be worn as a bracelet.

Annoyed, she corrected, "It's garbage."

"This unwinds summoning scrolls." Neji elaborated, "It's something that you could use."

"Not interested." She tried to swipe it, but Neji easily held her wrist and slipped the spinner over her hand, "This was likely not your father's size. It does have its place in your dispensary, though."

"Maybe…Mom used it?" Tenten wondered, lightening up, "She did a lot of tool summoning in her day…and she was, uh, petite." She curiously spun the device and imagined paper flying free, weapons bursting from seals.

"It'd be less cumbersome than that huge scroll Gai wants to replace for you."

"Yeah, but it'll take me more time to seal my arsenal in parchment this length and width…"

"One on each wrist would be optimal."

She pouted, "You want to double my work, huh?"

"I'll help you." He offered, "You were more than happy to help me."

While considering the offer, Tenten confessed, "I appreciate it…but today I…I just tried to get you alone while I could. I always have an ulterior motive when it comes to yo—" Neji had pushed her down again.

The roaming and groping resumed, and they kissed heavy, demanding kisses. It was clumsy and unsophisticated, but Neji had found a way, somehow, to magnetize himself to the places that felt best; and she was writhing under his ministrations, her fingers curling into the neck of his shirt. With a single tug, Tenten had accidentally pulled loose the collar of his sleeveless gi, the usual teal he wore, glimpsing pale skin beneath. Her eyes danced, 'Like a marble man-statue, he is…'Neji used a practiced motion to pull it entirely off right before her wide eyes, and Tenten determined that maybe he had learned mind reading in the last five minutes.

Having carte blanche with his chest was delicious fun, she decided as she touched and skimmed. She nodded bleary-eyed assent to Neji when he held her legs just so, fingertips brushing her bottom again, their hips meeting readily as he folded over her for more devouring kisses.

A soft clang sound came from somewhere in the shop but they ignored it, both in utter and complete agreement that relations were about to ensue. Prior to Tenten's intended removal of her now unnecessary attire (her shirt clasp-ties popped) another quiet, repetitive sound came from the entryway of the workshop room. A dog panting. Tenten patted Neji's shoulder with the heel of her hand, coming down from the high, "Am I imagining that? That sound-?"

They craned their necks to look behind them, where Akamaru stood in the doorway, his tail wagging amiably…with Neji's discarded shirt dangling from his maw.

Tenten uttered the word shit before Kiba dropped in, his voice raised in greeting, "Yo, anyone here? It was unlocked and we need to pick up…sa-some…uh-er—" He halted and blinked in shock.

Neji's glare of instant death froze the unsuspecting visitor for a few terrifying moments before Kiba recovered, clearing his throat, and he took a shot at being understanding, "So…gotta say I'm sorry. The sign said closed…but! You left the door unlocked and the lights on. My team is here to buy stuff and I hope you can forgive an honest mistake." He had turned around to not look at them, "Should I just tell Tama and Sakura…we'll come back later?"

Tenten raised an arm like a flag of surrender, frustrated, "Nope. No…this isn't…it's…I'll be out front in a minute. Check the re-supply sale bins before you look at the full-price items."

"Thanks." Kiba restrained a snicker while he commanded his dog, "Drop that, Akamaru."

Akamaru left the shirt on the floor and trotted to the front of the store with his master.

Tenten had effectively snapped back to reality. She sat on the table and looped the clasps of her cheongsam shut (which had nearly been removed) while Neji stood in odious silence with his forehead leaned onto her shoulder. She stroked the back of his head and smoothed his hair, 'There, there…' Listening as a growl of proposed murder escaped his throat.

"It's kind of Dad's fault that this happened…" She sighed and then expounded, "I need employees up front. Or Shadow Clones. Anything to watch the store so that this does not happen again…"

Neji finally moved to collect his shirt and put it on, "You're suggesting this will happen again…"

Alarmed by the heart-crushing thought that he would forsake any advancement in the relationship, she leapt from the table and scattered the items she had pulled from the closet. "Neji. Maybe not here, and maybe not until we tackle the training objectives we set…but…but we…" Her tone trickled with distress.

Laughter was coming from the front of the store.

Neji gave her a lofty look as he turned towards the doorway, "It has little to do with time and place. It's that I did poorly."

"P-Poorly?" She sputtered.

"I can do much better." He decided aloud, a self-assured smirk appearing on his face.

'If that was him performing poorly I can't imagine what he'll do when he's really trying.' Her brain spun a little. Tenten exhaled a shaky breath and then scooped up the restored jian, returning it to him with a grumble.

She recommended, "Let's get our minds out of the gutter."

"For now."

"And don't come on to me in my place of work anymore." Tenten added, pushing against his back and directed him out of the room, "You're going to interfere with my sales, Hyuga."

---

Note:

Good morning/afternoon/evening my fair reader,

Just gonna start out with full disclosure here, and you are probably already aware, but:

The next few chapters revolve around events in the Leaf Village, the calamity that is the Chunin Exam Tournament, and the intrigue and skulduggery that our Leaf peeps take part in. Please stand by. Intermingled within will be bits of: Scott Pilgrim gags (again), Bruce Lee references (also again), French pop music, Canadian electronic music, hip-hop routines, swearing, "special" brownies (ingested), chivalry, and infidelity.

If you are partial to other characters and plots, I beg your pardon and patience. Those storylines are all set to return with roaring force at the close of the Exam. It'll be messy, epic, and sad, with some other feels and wtf twists. Oh, and the Mount Myoboku arc will also wrap up.

Please leave a review and see if you can guess which Naruto character is my spirit animal.

Endless thanks, tigerowl

Chapter 33: Wavering Eyes