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Why Naruto and Hanabi? Well, I say: why not? The chibi-Hyuuga is screaming for some character development, and for some reason I can picture her easily getting along with Naruto, if ever given the chance. We don't know much about her other than the fact that she's a little daddy's girl, so I decided to give our little "firework" some personality.

Basically, it's just another excuse for me to mess around with the Naruto-verse again.

Apologies for taking so long to update. I had originally started on it months ago, before getting overwhelmed by college and work. I've also begun working on a much more complicated epic story for the Naruto category, which will premiere when I get around to finishing this story. Time is very hard for me to come by, so I ask you all to please be patient with me.

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"The Scenario Series"
Part 4 of 10
by Tsubasa Hane

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'Wonder which one it is...'

He'd spent nearly ten minutes absently staring at the outer wall, trying to figure out which area might be the best place to jump. Sure, there always was the possibility of simply taking out both of the guards right there and then—Hyuuga or not, they were no match for the future Rokudaime!. It would be their fault for slamming the entrance gate right in his face. Ultimately, however, he decided that such a course of action would do more harm than good, including upset Hinata even further.

Hinata.

A frown made its way to the boy's face as he recalled the girl's more recent actions towards him. She had always seemed a little weird to him, face flushed at an almost unhealthy shade and frequency, not to mention her sporadic fainting spells. At first, he just thought she was sickly. Then, he thought she was just really shy…though, according to the others, she never acted that way around anyone but him. Timid, yes, but never to the point where unconsciousness would overwhelm her.

For a time, he had harbored the thought that maybe…just maybe…she had a crush on him. He never spoke such thoughts aloud, often feigning obliviousness to her actions in fear of a confrontation. Fear that he was wrong. The thought of such a sweet, cute girl actually liking him as more than a friend was almost too good to be true for the lonely orphan. Esepcially a girl like Hinata; he had once told her, in all sincerity, that he liked girls like her, a feeling that never wavered as he got older.

Her behavior as of late wasn't helping things, either. Where he once might have received an adorable smile and pinkened cheeks, there were now wide-eyed looks and tiny squeaks. A once shy aversion of the eyes had been replaced with desperate attempts to avoid contact altogether. And as of late, she'd just plain been avoiding him.

Almost as if she were afraid….

He'd confided these thoughts to Sakura a few weeks prior, desperate for a female point of view. It was bad enough his pink-haired teammate and friend had spent more time teasing him over the possibility that he liked Hinata (that wasn't the point!), though the one piece of advice she did offer in a rare moment of genuine friendly concern continued to play over and over in his mind:

--

"Just –talk- to her, baka!"

"But, Sakura-chan!" he practically whined in frustration, "What if she runs away, or faints again?"

"Well, then run after her. Or be there when she wakes up. You've never let anything get in your way before; what's stopping you now?"

--

It was a question added to dozens of others wracking his brain, many of which he was sure he didn't want to know the answers too. Did she know about…his 'tenant'? Is that why she'd been acting so frightened around him? And if so, how did she find out? He would be able to understand if the timid Hyuuga only ever saw him as a friend, but his heart would break if he lost that, too.

It wasn't until he nearly walked into a tree that he realized he'd absently wandered halfway around the entire complex, close to the edge of its adjacent forest property. His sensitive hearing quickly picked up the sounds of someone training off in the distance—a young girl, judging by the soft grunts and cries—and he decided to head in her direction. Maybe she knew where Hinata was.

Considering the high possibility that his presence might receive something less than a warm welcoming, he decided to quietly approach through the trees. Such a tactic nearly proved dangerous, however, when he nearly lost his footing as the girl came within his line of sight. He had to steady himself and do a double-take to be sure his eyes weren't seeing what he thought they were:

A twelve-year-old Hyuuga Hinata.

Closer examination revealed that it wasn't his childhood friend, of course, as the difference became as clear as the similarities. This particular girl's hair was much darker, almost jet-black, and the short style he had initially mistook it to be in was actually the result of her ends being pulled up in a large, equally dark clip. While Hinata's skin was fair, hers always glowed like pure ivory, and the lack of bangs added to an appearance than reminded him more of Neji's. She was noticeable smaller in statue, though her young frame was beginning to show signs of maturing greatly, and carried herself in a very different manner.

She was also much fiercer, he noticed, judging by the way she demonstrated what could only be some Hyuuga-style kata. There was no hesitation in her strikes, no lack of confidence in her movements, and no aura of fear. There was something about this girl that told him she was a fighter, and a good one at that.

"You can come out, you know," she called out to him suddenly, startling him out of his musings. "I can see you very clearly, sitting on that branch the way you are, so there's no further point in trying to hide from me."

She had neither turned her head to acknowledge him, nor missed a single step in her form. Her eyes had never even opened, remaining in deep concentration.

'Then how did she…' he began, before mentally smacking himself. 'Oh, right. Byakugen. Duh.'

"I wasn't hiding!" He called back in defense, landing a few feet away from where she stood. "I just…didn't want to both you while you looked busy."

"Well, since you obvious failed that mission, you might as well explain why you're here."

He paused to blink. Was that…sarcasm he just heard? Coming from a Hyuuga?

"I'm looking for Hinata," he replied once the initial shock had faded. "We're supposed to report back for a mission this afternoon. Do you know where she is?"

"Nee-san's been out since before dawn," was the casual reply, having yet to break her concentration.

"Nee-san?" His ears perked up at the manner of address. "You're Hinata's sister?"

"You sound surprised," she remarked with a smirk, then went quiet to perform a quick series of complicated footwork. The boy stepped back wordlessly, allowing her sufficient space. He didn't want to be on the wrong end of her target-less attack, after all. When she spoke again, her breathing was hardly affected by the effort. "I suppose she never really talks about me much. Then again, Nee-san never really talks much, period."

"Yeah? So it's not just me, eh?" The remark was more towards himself than her, though she nodded in affirmation anyway. "So, what's your name?" He asked, leaning against the trunk of the same tree he had been sitting in moments prior.

The girl sighed audibly, realizing that he was not going to simply walk away and leave her be anytime soon. Her opaque eyes finally opened as she relaxed her stance, turning to him with a questioning look and hands on her hips. "Didn't you mention something a mission? Shouldn't you be focusing on that right now?"

"Eh," He shrugged. "We're not due in Tsunade-baa-chan's office until later this evening. She can wait."

She wasn't sure what surprised her more at that moment: this boy's clear lack of respect for the honorable Godaime, or the fact that he had just referred to said woman as 'Granny.'

"H-Hanabi," she resigned herself to answering after a moment, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. "My name is Hyuuga Hanabi."

"Hanabi, huh? Cool name." He gave her a fox-like grin, the comparison only further emphasized by the whisker-like marks on his cheeks. "My name's Uzumaki Naruto. I'm a friend of your sister…well…sorta…"

"Sorta?" She repeated curiously when his voice trailed off. "You don't sound so sure of that."

"Well, we used to be friends…kinda…but lately, she's been acting all weird and stuff. Weirder than usual."

She tilted her head to one side adorably. "What do you mean?"

"For starters," he began, scratching the back of his head, "she won't talk to me at all anymore, and when she does, she won't look me in the eye or say much. Most of the time, I can't even hear the words coming out of her mouth 'cause she mumbles them too quietly. I don't suppose you would know anything, would you?"

She shook her head lightly, shrugging.

"Yeah, didn't think so." He signed. "She used to be a bit like that when we were younger, and I thought she was just shy or sick or something."

"Hyuuga never get sick," the girl spoke up suddenly, folding her arms over her chest in defiance. "Our clan is just as strong in our immune system as we are in combat."

"And modest, too." He joked back, rolling his eyes and earning himself a very impressive glare from his companion. Her cheeks puffed out in annoyance, and he had to resist the urge to laugh as such a 'mature' little Hyuuga's sudden immature actions. "But I don't know how else to explain it. Her face would get really, really red, and she'd even faint. I'll never forget the one time I accidentally dropped down on her from the ceiling, and seconds later she hit the floor."

"She what?"

"Hey, it was her teammate's fault!" He countered. "They couldn't even catch her! And they call themselves shinobi…."

She had to resist the urge to giggle at the mental picture, internally thinking about how much she enjoyed having such a casual conversation with someone. Rarely being out of her father's sight for more than a few minutes at a time, there were few opportunities for her to interact with people closer to her own age. She knew she should have been training, as her father told her, but...

Her pearl-colored eyes widened in realization when the name 'Uzumaki Naruto' suddenly registered in her mind. She had heard his name before, and not just from chuunin exams or missions past. Unable to stop herself, she burst out into a fit of laughter, bending over to clutch her sides.

"Hey, what's so funny?" he pouted, realizing her reaction to be too extreme for their previous conversation. It was as if she were mocking him.

"T-that's something you'll h-have to ask Nee-san yourself," she managed a reply in between catching her breath.

"UGH!" He threw his hands in the air. "Why does everybody keep saying that? How can I talk to somebody who I can't even find? And how come you know something I don't?"

The last question was spoken with a heated glare, which she easily countered with a smirk that screamed of mischief. "Let's just say that one doesn't spend as much time around this place as I do and not learn a few little…shall we say, 'tricks'…for gaining certain useful bits of information…" In the blink of an eye, her face took on a completely innocent expression as she placed her hands behind her back and rocked on her heels lightly. "You know, just in case something might prove valuable to the clan."

"Uh-huh. The clan." His replied dryly, though his interest was more than piqued. "And what kinds of information are we talking about here?"

"Not much, actually." She answered casually, her nose wrinkling slightly. "Most of the clan are a bunch of rule-abiding stiffs."

"Including yourself?" He asked.

"I'm a perfect little angel." She replied innocently. "'Tou-sama said so."

He wasn't fooled for a second. "Riiight. Anything involving Neji?"

"Maybe…" she replied in a sing-song voice.

Darting her head dramatically from side to side in reassurance that there was no one else around, the girl practically skipped to his side before motioning for him to lean down. He held quite a few inches over her, and practically had to crouch for her to properly whisper into his ear.

A few words in, and his jaw hit the floor.

"You're kidding!" He exclaimed, pulling back to look at her incredulously.

A shake of the head.

"You mean…"

This time, a very enthusiastic nod.

"And…black lace?"

The poor attempt at stiffening her giggles was all the confirmation he needed, coupled with the look of satisfaction on her face he had come to be very familiar with during his younger years. It was the same look that used to greet him in the mirror every time he managed to successfully complete a well thought-out prank. This girl had the heart of a true prankster, and he found himself beaming with pride as if she were his own protégé. He began making plans to introduce the little firework to his other protégé…

…right after he got those images of his head, that was. He wasn't sure he would look at Neji the same way ever again. Or Tenten, for that matter.

"How exactly to you find all this out?" He wanted to know. "You gotta tell me your secret…professional curiosity, of course." He added.

"Can't," she answered simply, then placed a finger to her lips. "Hyuuga family secret. Most of the time, I simply pick up a few things while training with 'Tou-sama. He would always say that information-gathering and a vast knowledge of what goes on within the Hyuuga walls were a crucial aspect of becoming Clan Head."

It took her second for her words to sink in. "Wait…Clan Head?" He blinked. "I thought Hinata was supposed to—"

"Well, she's not." She interrupted curtly, more so than originally intended.

When he sent a look at her radiating both surprise and confusion, she heaved a sigh and moved to sit on a nearby log. Her legs dangled inches above the ground, and she stared them as they swung lightly back and forth. Avoiding eye-contact. Trying to figure out how to explain.

"It is unusual for a firstborn not to inherit, and I do believe that Nee-san and I are making Clan history as such," she began hesitantly, "However, 'Tou-sama truly believes that such actions would be best for the Clan. He is placing someone more suited to be the heir of heavy burden and responsibility."

"Hinata's strong!" He countered back stubbornly, in his friend's defense.

"It's not about strength," she shook her head. "And it never was. 'Tou-sama realizes that now, which is why he is doing this."

"I don't understand."

The little Hyuuga sighed quietly. "Nee-san is a very kind person. She always has been, and she always will be. 'Tou-sama once told me that she reminds him of 'Kaa-san every day, which is why he tried to push her so hard."

Her voice quavered slightly, as if it were difficult to bring up the memory of her mother. He remained silent, empathizing with such feelings.

"However," she continued, "her heart is simply not into the idea of fighting. Don't get me wrong; Nee-san has more than proved herself in numerous battles over the years. But she has also been spending more and more time studying the art of medicine, and would rather help those injured in battle than go into combat herself."

"Her medicine…" he began slowly, recalling a memory from the chuunin exams years ago. "She always carried that healing balm with her. Even gave me a jar, though I wasn't on her team at the time and we were only casual acquaintance at best."

A smile tugged at the girl's lips, though she restrained from commenting further on the matter, settling for a faint nod. "You see? Nee-san's far too gentle of a person to ever lead the Hyuuga Clan." She turned her sight towards the outer wall of the complex, her voice growing strangely distant. "'Tou-sama always seemed so cold and dismissive, but you must believe me when I say he truly loves Nee-san and I both. His words were always meant to inspire Nee-san to improve, to grow so that she could prove him and the Clan Elders wrong. He wanted so desperately for her to be his heir that it took him years to realize what was really best for everyone."

"And what would that be?"

"To free her from that burden, and instead pass the responsibility on to me," she stated with a weak smile. "Nee-san was meant to help people, not lord over them. She would be much happier this way, wouldn't you agree?"

He frowned at her supposed 'logic.' "I suppose. But…if Hinata doesn't become head of the main branch, does that mean…"

"NO!" Her head snapped to meet his eyes so abruptly, and the sheer volume of her sudden outburst startled them both. Catching herself, she quickly turned her sight to the ground from embarrassment. "No, I would never let that happen. After all, we are already breaking one clan tradition by allowing a second-born to inherit. I see no reason why another pointless and downright cruel law should continue either. It just wouldn't be fair to Nee-san."

"And what about you?"

"What?" The question caught her off-guard, before she corrected herself. "I mean…what do you mean by that?'

"Every other sense in you so-called 'explanation' has been about Hinata and what's best for her, or what's best for the Hyuuga. But what about you, Hanabi?" She blushed as he addressed her so formally, his voice and tone completely serious. "Don't get me wrong—it's great that you're so concerned about others, and Hinata is my friend and all…but what about you?"

"I…"

"Do you really want to become head of the Hyuuga Clan?"

"Of course I do!" She exclaimed, though her voice sounded less certain than it had before.

"Do you really want all that responsibility to fall on your shoulders?"

She hesitated before replying: "It's what I've been training for my whole life."

"But isn't there anything else in life you've ever wanted? Anything you've ever wanted to do or be, not because somebody told you to, but because you want to?"

She opened her mouth to answer, and froze when realization dawned on her that she didn't have one. No one had ever really asked her opinion on such matters before. Not her father, not the clan elders…not even Hinata. She never minded before, but now her mind was filled with sudden doubt. Did she want to become Clan Leader? Or was she martyring herself for the sake of her sister?

And more importantly, she thought sadly, do I even have a choice?

"We all have a choice in life," the boy stated suddenly, as if reading her thoughts. Placing his hands behind his head, he offered a wide grin. "If you think about it, life is like a bowl of ramen…"

"Ramen?" An eyebrow raised, and in spite of her better judgement telling her otherwise, she urged him to continue.

"Well, think about it. You've got miso ramen, pork ramen, noodle ramen, spicy ramen, bland ramen, ramen with eggs, ramen with mushrooms…there's practically a type of ramen for everybody!" He spread his hands wide, proclaiming the fact as if it were the most important thing in the world. "But no two people like their ramen exactly the same. Say, for example, a bowl of ramen was made especially for Hinata."

"She likes miso," she added, not quite sure why she was going along with the conversation.

He nodded in understanding. "Okay, say a bowl of miso was made just for Hinata, but it was too spicy or too big or something else was wrong with it. Even though it would be a shame for abowl of ramen to go to waste, just because it didn't suit Hinata doesn't mean you should have to eat it. What if it didn't suit you, either. What if you were better suited for pork ramen, or chicken-flavored ramen…do you see what I'm getting at here?"

"Um…" she answered hesitantly, still trying to wrap her mind around the bizarre metaphor. "I…think so?"

There was a moment of silent that passed between the two before a low, distinct growl was heard. The boy quickly placed one hand over his stomach, offering a sheepish smile to his companion.

"Sorry about that," he apologized. "I guess all this talk about ramen's made me hungry. Hey!" he exclaimed suddenly. "Wanna come with me to Ichiroku's? My treat!"

"Huh?" She blinked, her eyes shifting hesitantly towards the compound. "But…I'm supposed to be trai—" her stomach cut her off mid-sentence with a growl that rivaled his.

"Can't train on an empty stomach!" He laughed, and began walking towards the village.

Though her cheeks burned a shade of red that rivaled her sister's from embarrassment, she had to he had a point; breakfast had been hours ago, and she never did have lunch.

"Besides," he called back over his shoulder," if you plan on going through with that whole inheritance thing after all, then it only seems right that the future Hyuuga Clan Leader and the future Rokudaime get to know one another better, don'tcha think?"

"I suppo—wait, what?" She did a double take as his words sunk in, only to find him already almost out of sight, having increased his pace to a brisk jog. "Hey, wait for me!" she cried out, running to catch up.

As the call of Ramen beckoned the two young shinobi, both her training and his original mission were quickly forgotten….