"N-neji-nii-san," Hinata whispered from her chair, hands folded neatly on the table where the Anbu shinobi guarding the room could see them.
"What is it, Hinata-sama?" Neji answered quietly from the seat beside her, hands mimicking hers, only shaking a great deal less.
"I'm sc-scared. I thought we weren't going to tell Tsunade-sama?"
Neji's gaze flickered to the Anbu in the corner of the room and he heaved a sigh. "Hinata-sama, now is not the time to discuss this."
Hinata slouched in her seat, looking around the blank room. Alright, she knew this wasn't a good time at all, but she had no idea what was going on. Up until that point she had only followed Neji's lead. She needed to start thinking too, or else she'd be useless on this entire endeavor. She hated being useless. She refused to be useless.
She clamped her lips together and furrowed her eyebrows. Alright. The best thing they could do at the moment was wait for Tsunade-sama to come speak to them. They had to ask her vague questions and not tip off anyone. That would be hard, because the Anbu shinobi were still hovering around. They had to be extra careful, and the hokage was a quick woman. She knew when she was being trifled with.
She started when the door opened suddenly and Tsunade barged in, heaving a sigh and grabbing the chair across the table from them, sitting down heavily. She leaned forward against the table and folded her fingers in front of her lips. "Alright, kiddos, spill it."
"Tsunade-sama-"
"N-neji-nii-san, c-can I speak?" Hinata interrupted quietly.
Neji looked over his cousin with surprise, and also a little unease. He had this planned out. He knew what he needed to say. But Hinata seemed to have an idea too, so he would trust her. "A-alright, Hinata-sama. If you wish." He watched her with anxiety.
She straightened in her seat and exhaled slowly. "Tsunade-sama, what would happen if a clan were to plan a rebellion against the village?"
Neji nearly wet himself, stiffening in his seat and blinking in silent shock.
Tsunade's eyebrows went up in astonishment. "Do you have something to tell me, Hinata?" she asked seriously.
"Tsunade-sama," Hinata continued, clearing her throat for a moment. "I am th-the heiress of my clan, and I'm getting older so I h-have to think about these things for the sake of my family's safety. As of now, there's never been a problem among the Hyuga, but I want to be ready for anything in the f-future." She clenched her fists on the table and sat up straighter. "I asked N-neji-nii-san to help me get more information on clan punishment, but he told me th-that you wouldn't just tell me something like that so we tried to sneak in and look through your files."
Tsunade looked unimpressed and very far from amused. Neji held his breath. "Hinata, what other things are you worried about concerning your future as clan head? Surely, this can't be the only pressing matter." She folded her arms on the table and narrowed her eyes, lips pursed.
Hinata was surprised at how prepared for that question she was, but it did make sense that she was asked. Her alibi would make more sense if this wasn't the only thing she was worried about. She swallowed loudly, mouth dry. "I w-worry about a lot of things. W-what if my clan does not think I'm suitable as their head? W-what if I make mistakes and do something that means dire consequences for the rest of my family? W-what if I die without producing an heir? W-what if can't handle diplomacy or leadership? What if my clan-"
"Alright, Hinata, that's enough," Tsunade held up a hand, eyebrows raising on her forehead, blinking rapidly. She set herself up for that one and she knew it. Heaving a sigh, she held out her hand. "So give them back."
"I'm sorry?" Neji asked, looking back to her from Hinata.
"The files you took from Shizune's office yesterday. I know you were there and I know you didn't leave empty handed. Nice try, newbies."
Neji let out an exhale filled with shame and embarrassment. When his uncle heard about this-
"It's n-not Neji-nii-san's fault, Tsunade-sama. I am the one who asked him to help me. H-he's my companion. He was obligated to say yes." Hinata shifted nervously in her seat.
"Hinata, it's very sweet, and rather gutsy, of you to cover for Neji, but the laws of the village come before the laws of the clan and you know that. You will both be punished. That's the end of it." Tsunade looked back to Neji. "The files?"
His face went pink, reaching under his shirt and sliding the two manila folders across the table.
Tsunade picked up the folders and shuffled through them. An eyebrow quirked. "Uchiha, huh? Why would you want to know about them? They're a fairly quiet bunch."
Neji slid a look to Hinata, wondering if she had an explanation for that one too.
"I j-just wanted to see if there was anything about how they conducted their clan business that I could learn from or compare. The Hyugas don't get along with the Uchihas, but I th-think it's wise to l-learn from one another." Hinata was fairly certain she was sweating terribly. She had never lied this much in her life. She was going to go straight back to Naruto's house after this and cry. She'd go home if she could, but that wasn't an option.
"It would have been wise not to sneak into the Hokage's Residence," Tsunade rolled her eyes, slapping the files down on the table. "You two can't be serious. You could've just asked me. Neji, I know you're smarter than this." She cast her gaze on him.
He froze. "No, Tsunade-sama, I can't say that I am, as it still happened. Perhaps you are thinking of Shikamaru?" He tightened his hands flat on the table top, jaw clenching. He had to admit. It was a stupid move on his part. Uncharacteristically stupid. Desperately stupid. He mentally kicked himself for it.
"Same goes for you, Hinata. You're a bright and considerate girl. What could possibly drive you to do something so reckless?" The older woman turned her gaze on her.
"Anxiety," she mumbled, half cowering in her seat, gaze turned toward her lap.
Tsunade heaved a sigh. "Right," she bit off. "Well, let's pretend you two aren't up to something, and I'll let you off with a warning this time. You're both good kids, so this was unexpected, and any further misconduct will be just as unexpected, you understand me? Now I just need to let Hiashi-san know. This kind of stunt can't go unpunished." She began to rise from her chair.
"P-please, don't tell my father!" Hinata blurted, facing going pale. "I c-can't-" she stopped, unable to finish the sentence.
"Hinata, I'm sorry. When you said you were worried about making a mistake because of the repercussions on your clan? These are the things you need to look out for. Now I have to go make a phone call. You two are welcome to leave, but be prepared for some heavy handed discipline when you both get home." She turned and left, door closing loudly behind her.
The Anbu shinobi in the corner of the room gestured for them to get up and two of them rose from their seats slowly, each exhaling a synchronized sigh.
"I'm s-sorry," Hinata muttered quietly while they left the room and dragged their feet miserably down the hall.
"For what, Hinata-sama?"
"It's all my fault y-you're a part of this..."
"Hinata-sama, it's my clan too. I could not just stand by and-" he stopped when someone passed them in the corridor and lowered his voice. "I couldn't just let it happen and leave you by yourself."
She sniffed, tears threatening. "Are w-we going back to Naruto-kun's house?" she asked softly.
"I don't know of any other place we have to go."