Chapter 3

Hinata looked in the mirror one last time before she left, making sure she looked appropriate. She was wearing her normal chunin outfit with her hair was tied back in a high pony tail. Today would be the first day back training with her team-mates. Hinata was worried about how they would act towards her after seeing her outburst at Naruto's funeral but after the promise she made she wasn't going hide in her room anymore and with a final deep breath Hinata left her room and made her way to the training area. As Hinata travelled through the village she couldn't help but be shocked how little everything had changed. For her, the past few days had shook her life to its foundations and only now was she able to stand up by herself, but to everyone it was business as usual, the previous days being very little from all the others they have experienced. This realisation emphasised the insular nature in which Hinata defined her life and she realised that how she was before was not living as she should. Rather than thinking that thought alone could change her, Hinata knew it would take a lot of effort to change her ways and she knew that having other people would help even more but her determination that had always been there but laying latent, which was now coming to surface ensured that Hinata would try her best not to isolate herself and as she entered the training area, she held her head high.

"Hey, Hinata! Over here. We've missed you." Came a familiar voice from the far side of the training area.

Hinata looked over to see Kiba and Shino waiting for their instructor to arrive. Also Akamaru was their large as ever and came bounding up to Hinata and leapt on her in a obviously overjoyed greeting. Taken off her guard Hinata fell to the floor and Akamaru proceeded to lick her face.

"Akamaru, that's enough, get off her" Kiba shouted and Akamaru quickly returned to his side.

"Sorry about that, he just missed you." Kiba said with an apologetic grin.

"It quite alright Kiba-kun, I missed him too" Hinata said wiping the dust off of her clothes.

"Hinata….how are you?" Shino said in his usual passive voice, however this time there was hint of concern in his voice.

Hinata didn't know what to say and her face started to go red, knowing that they saw her breakdown. She was about to lower her head an quietly remark that she was fine, when she remembered the promised she made and her head snapped up and she looked at the two boys.

"It hurts still, but I will be fine" She said with defiance in her voice and determination in her eyes.

Shino nodded, understanding that she had found a method of coping and Kiba just assumed that her outburst at the funeral was all she needed. The conversation from then on was a little quiet. All though they were concerned for Hinata, they all felt the loss of Naruto and the mood was sombre as Kiba tried to make small talk which quickly fell silent.

"Kurenai-sensei should be here by now" Kiba said out-loud to no-one in particular. Hinata was thinking the same thing, but remained quiet and pensive. This morning she had worried how the others would react to her, but she completely forgot that they lost someone too. She mentally reprimanded herself for being so insular again. Changing is hard after all, she thought to herself, but forcing herself not view things that have happened other people's perspectives so she wouldn't wallow in her own loss.

"…How are you two coping?" Hinata asked, surprising both Kiba and Shino who, in her situation would not be concerned with the wellbeing of others just yet.

"We had a day off, it's hit us all quite hard, but I'm doing fine." Shino said, Kiba nodding in agreement. "We are all going to miss him…" Kiba added in which they all fell silent, lost in their own thoughts.

Hinata leaned against the fence and lost herself in thought, when Kurenai came into view and she turned to her team mates.

"Umm, Kiba-kun, Shino-san, Kurenai-sensei is…" she cut off her voice as she noticed she wasn't alone. Accompanying Hinata's teacher was Tsunade sensei and a teenage boy Hinata guessed was about her age or possibly a little younger. He outfit was not, exactly that of a ninja consisting of trainers, knee-length shorts and simple t-shirt. However he did have a headband which was around his neck in the same fashion Hinata had hers. She saw him talking to Tsunade and Kurenai, laughing and smiling. For a moment Hinata was certain she recognised him, something about him was familiar however after looking at him again she knew she had never seen him before.

"Who's the guy with them?" Kiba asked Shino.

"I guess we will find out soon enough." Shino replied as Kurenai, Tsunade and the newcomer entered the training area.

"..Ah Hinata, I'm glad that you come today. How are doing?" Kurenai said with a concerned expression on her face, Tsunade wearing a similar expression. Hinata was a little put-off by the attention but she replied.

"I.I...I'm ok, I will be fine." She managed mainting the look of determination she had when Shino asked her earlier. Kurenai and Tsunade both looked relieved at the girl's returning strength. Kurenai, being her teacher since she became a genin noticed a little extra spark in Hinata's eyes and was glad that she was beginning to heal.

Tsunade turned away from Hinata and faced the whole of the team.

"I'm sure you will all be wondering, who this young man is." She said, the looks at the boy after she paused answered that for her.

"May I introduce Maru Hikage, the newest member of team 8."

At that point Hikage smiled and nodded at each one of the other members slowly taking in each of them as he moved onto them. Just from looking at them he could tell they all had competence, well they would, he thought to himself or else they wouldn't be chunins. Hikage had hoped for more of a reaction to the news that they had a new member but their shock was somewhat subdued and he tried to consider why. Tsunade had said that his placing was awkward so it was unlikely this situation happened often enough not to merit intrigue so that couldn't be it. Just as he was about to speak to them he realised why they were in were so quiet, they must have known the previous jinchuuriki and they were still mourning after him. Subtlety was probably the best option, Hikage concluded, thinking that a lack of tact would not be the best way to start off his relationship with his new team mates.

"Hello, as you all heard I am indeed Maru Hikage, but you can call me Hikage-kun if you like." He said with a smile. The two boys nodded and forced a smile, however the girl in the group, although looking at Hikage didn't seem to be paying attention. Hikage looked at her before carrying on. To him she seemed very fragile, someone who lacked the confidence that he knew came easily to him. His relaxed attitude meant that not much bothered him and as a result he was an easy going person, rare to anger and rarer to caught worrying endlessly about something. As Hikage was finishing his quick appraisal of the girl he caught her eyes and knew he had misjudged her. Outside she seemed fragile but her eyes showed a depth of determination and a great will, the will of fire he posed in his mind.

"I'm new to this village and it's a little much to take in, but do not worry I'm not here to be a burden…I know you are all carrying a burden right now, I'm carrying a similar burden and so Ill try my best not to add to yours, I hope we will become friends soon enough." Hikage finished.

Tsunade looked at Hikage with a raised eyebrow, surprised he was able to surmise the situation so quickly and make his introduction into the group as smooth as possible.

"Well I will leave you to get on with your training, integration will be the most important part of your training now, makes sure Hikage can find a place that befits him and the group as a whole, he will be no use if he just and extra body, you all need to work as one." With that Tsunade turned on her heel and headed off for the endless jobs required of the Hokage which escaped with the excuse for introducing Hikage to his new team.

"Ok Kiba and Shino, yesterday you were doing your combinations attacks right? How are they getting along?" Kurenai asked, getting straight into training. With the day off and Hinata's absence they were further behind with their training than she hoped. She couldn't let them train during the day for mourning; she understood the pain they must feel but she also knew that the best way to deal with it after grieving is to take their minds off the loss and not let them dwell on it."

"We need more practice." Shino said simply.

"Haha, yes me and Akamaru can't quite get used to the bugs everywhere" Kiba said sheepishly with his hand behind his head.

"Alright well you two, get to the far end of grounds and I want teamwork!" Kurenai said as she pointed them in the direction of the woods at the far end of the grounds.

"Now you two," She said looking at Hikage and Hinata. "Come with me."

Kurenai walked them to the centre of the grass area of the training ground not too far from where they were standing before.

"Hinata, just for the moment could you do personal training, I just need to asses what kind of ninja Hikage is." Hinata nodded and walked a short distance before beginning her training.

Kurenai waited until Hinata was out of earshot before talking to Hikage.

"Well done, on the introduction earlier, things could have been…awkward" Kurenai said with a smile. "One more thing before we begin." Kurenai said unsure of how to casually mention something this important to the boy. "I haven't told them about what's…inside you, I thought it would be best for you to tell them when you feel it is right." She said looking at Hikage for his reaction.

"Thank you" Hikage said. He thought that was best too, as they were obviously close to boy before him, so they might feel he was attempting to take his place.

"I think that was almost as tactful as my introduction" Hikage said with a grin.

Kurenai was shocked at his light-heartedness about the topic but thought if that how he deals with it, all the better. She was beginning to get an understanding of what this boy's personality was like and was glad he had joined her group. His positive outlook might be beneficial for some of those on her team thought as she unconsciously turned to look at Hinata training.

"Well with that sorted out. I need to assess you." Kurenai said, getting back to training.

"Do you have a speciality, Genjustu, Taijustu or a form of Ninjustu perhops?

Hikage considered the question before he answered, a speciality? He had been taught by so many different people with so many different styles, his was an eclectic mix of nothing spectacular. As a result he never concentrated on one form on or another and just learnt what he was taught, giving him a wide variety of skills which would benefit him as he could act in any situation, however he did not have a focused strength in one particular area.

"Well," Hikage began "I was taught by lots of different people due to my…situation, and so I don't really have a focus." He said with a weak smile.

"Fantastic" Kurenai said, surprising Hikage who thought he would be a burden until he found his path.

"A blank canvas, wonderful," Kurenai continued with a smile. She already had many ideas in her head; however she needed to know one more thing before she decided how to teach him.

"Hikage, answer this carefully. When you were practicing, how did you defend yourself, did you use offence as a defensive tactic or did you just try to stop the opponent, who or whatever it may be?" Kurenai asked.

Hikage went silent before answering, he had a large amount of techniques under his belt however, and when he thought about he liked to bring the fight to the enemy. Remembering his last fight against Jiraiya's frog, he used the diamond staff and thrust it forward, it wasn't a block, it was a counter-attack. That realistion was a surprise as he realised, on a basic level he did have a style, he was more offensive than defensive and that gave Hikage a little pride that he wasn't just a user of mis-matched Justus.

"I am more offensive than defensive, without a doubt" He said with his smile across his face.

Kurenai's eyed glittered with excitement at getting the answer she hoped, she thought he might say it as he didn't look like the type to sit back and allow an attack to happen. With this in mind she hoped that Hikage could be the perfect balance on the second half of her team and with this information he would of more use than she hoped before.

"Ok I have decided what to do for now. I assume you have basic charka control?"Kurenai asked, her assumption confirmed with a nod from Hikage who felt that he did so.

"That's good, do you know your charka nature yet?" Kurenai continued the questioning.

"Erm…Jiria…a friend told me about it, but I was never tested." Replied Hikage a sharp pain shot through him as the memory of Jiraiya came back. Kurenai nodded and reach into her pouch and held out a piece of card.

"I'm sure your friend told you about this then." Hikage looked at the card and he did indeed know what it was. It was the card that was made from wood from a tree that was nurtured with charka and responded to the slightest input of charka and shows the chakra's basic nature.

"Yes, I know what it is" He said as Kurenai handed it to him.

"Push little of chakra into their and it will tells us what you are." Hikage braced himself. In such a short time he was becoming more and more of what he hoped, a proper ninja, with form of fighting and charka nature. Being in Konoha was exciting, he thought to himself as he took the piece of paper. Before he concentrated on releasing charka the paper already started to change, slowly drooping at one end.

"Ah, it's wet" Kurenai said "Look like you are of a water type charka."

Hikage had no idea what that meant in terms of combat, however he was glad that he finally knew something about himself concerning his natural fighting abilities. Hikage was concerned that the paper changed without him doing anything however, he decided it would be best not to mention it for the moment.

"Well considering your level, I'm sure you can go through the basic water techniques pretty quickly. I will give you a booklet on the hand seals and you can go over them at your pleasure. Once you have those mastered we will see what we can advance with." Kurenai finished.

Hinata concentrated her mind so that she could bring forth a stream of chakra from any tenketsu point in her body, knowing only when she could so this without thinking about it in the slightest would she be able to master the greater, most secret techniques of the Hyuuga. However today was not the day she would master it as her mind was in many places. A small part of it was still closed off, grieving for the loss of Naruto however; another part of her mind, confusing her even more kept forcing her to take sideways glances at the new student. She didn't know what it was but something about him made him hard to ignore, just from looking at him she could feel something, some form of strength in him which was similar to what she always searched for in herself. For one alarming moment she thought she was simply replacing Naruto with the newcomer, however after a second thought, she new it would be impossible for anyone, not matter how much they resembled Naruto to fill the void and make her feel the way she did about him. This realisation worried her as much as it scared her because if she knew that she couldn't feel the same way about this boy, then what was it that piqued that part of her. She watched as Hikage and Kurenai talked together and noted when Hikage took the chakra paper test and saw the result and drew a sharp breath. To her chakra nature's were not that important as it was to everyone else because her use of Jyuuken meant that she used only raw chakra as needle points and so the nature of her chakra rarely came into it. She was, however tested for the sake of knowledge and her result was the reason for the intake of breath. Hikage was obviously of a water chakra nature...as was she. As she was thinking her thoughts were interrupted by Kurenai and Hikage heading towards her and she quickly resumed her training in order not to be looking idle.

"Hinata?" Kurenai asked delicately as she approached the Hyuuga heir.

"Yes Kurenai-sensei?" Hinata responded trying to keep her composure.

"We have just found out that Hikage here is of a water type chakra and I was wondering if you would be so kind as to demonstrate the basics to him. I know you don't use them but, I know you can and a visual demonstration would be very helpful for Hikage. I have a feeling he will be a very quick student so he shouldn't take up too much of your time." Kurenai said, and then turning on heel headed off towards Kiba and Shino to check up on their progress.

Hikage looked at Hinata and then bowed.

"Thank you for tutoring me, I guess I have already failed in not being a burden," he said with a half-joking smile.

"Oh, no, not at all." Hinata responded, then realising he was somewhat joking smiled a little.

"Shall we get on with the training then?" She asked unsure of how to act around HIkage as she did whenever she met someone new.

"I think we should" Hikage said smiling trying to reassure himself as much as he was Hinata, nervous in the presence of someone new.

They headed for the lake in the river running through the training ground as it would be easier for both of them to perform water jutsus there. They didn't talk until they go there, the atmosphere still tense at a new meeting. As they reached the river Hinata began teaching immediately

"Well the most basic is this:" Hinata said before forming the appropriate hand seals.

"Mizu bushin no jutsu" and a clone of her appeared.

Hikage nodded and asked to see the hand seals again. Hinata obliged and slowly went over the seals one at a time. Sure enough Hikage picked up the technique pretty quickly and they began to move on to different techniques. As they were training, there wasn't much time to talk however, a comfort descended upon them both, which meant taking wasn't necessary and simply training with questions and demonstrations was enough to keep them amused.

"Mizu no muchi" Hikage said aloud after performing the correct seals. A long strand of water arose from the river and he sent it forth against a tree making a cracking sound as it broke the sound barrier and hit the tree.

"Very good." Hinata said, no longer surprised by the speed in which Hikage picked up techniques.

"Yes" came a new voice. "It seems you are learning fast Hikage, you have quite the teacher however, you tow have been out it here for nearly 8 hours. I think its time you got home." Kureani said. She had left when Kiba and Shino had assuming that Hikage and Hinata would have finished a while earlier. Only later on as she was out on a walk did she hear their training and realise that they were still out there.

"Well I'm glad you have taken the training so seriously, but you two need some food and warmth. I'm going now and so should you two." She said with a smile, glad that her pairing was working out so well. She left them to say goodbye and headed for the centre of the village.

"I'm terribly sorry for keeping you so long" Hikage said honestly as he had no idea how much time had passed.

"No, don't apologise I didn't know how fast the time went either." Hinata said as the glow of sunset lit her face in a golden glow. Hikage noticed it, and felt something stir in him, but suppressed it, he was scared that Jiraiya's advice to find someone close to him would make him jump to the person he met first. His thought were interrupted by his stomach growling and he grinned in embarrassment.

"Seeing as its so late, do you want to get some food from the village?" Hinata asked, shocked by her own boldness.

"Sounds like a great idea however…" Hikage said, relishing the thought of a good meal. Hinata found herself actually disappointed with the word "however".

"However, I think we should each get washed and changed first as we are soaked from the training." Hikage said with a cheeky grin. Hinata returned his smile with hers and it was the first time she had smiled properly since the death of Naruto and she was glad she has decided to get out today as she hoped she had made a friend in Hikage.

"Ah yes, good idea Hikage-kun." Hinata said, a little embarrassed about asking where they should meet after they had changed. Hikage noting her embarrassment took the lead.

"How about we meet at flower shop once we have changed." He suggested

"Ok, then. See you then Hikage-kun." Hinata said as she bowed an walked away, the happiest she had been in a long time and as she walked home it took a little less effort to hold her head high as it had done that very morning.