Hanabi's eyes shot open when she felt a large bump from underneath. Hanabi looked around to see that she was on a horse! Hanabi turned her head a bit to see Hinata steering the horse. All this time, she had been lying on Hinata's back. Hanabi tried to lift her head but the effort made her head spin.

Hinata slowed the horse's pace a bit and turned back.

"Oh, you're awake. I think we can take a break for now."Hinata said with relief and patted the horse.

Hanabi wondered in confusion. When did they get a horse? And…why was Hinata talking to it?

The horse stopped by a tree where there was plenty of shade with a little stream nearby.

Hinata hopped off and helped Hanabi down. She then guided Hanabi over to the tree and helped her lie down against the bark.

Hanabi's head felt heavy. Every part of her body felt numb. Hanabi could only sit still and watch Hinata take their backpacks off of the horses back. Hinata reached for a canteen in her backpack and helped Hanabi air sip it. Hanabi never knew that water could taste so good!

"Hanabi, I will be right back." Hinata said, "Don't move or else you can worsen your condition.

Hinata then took a towel from her backpack and disappeared with the horse.

Hanabi tilted her head a bit. Someone had covered her arms and legs with bandages. Hanabi sighed as she remembered what happened.

Hanabi had been attacked by two men. If they hadn't fled, Hanabi probably would have been in a worse state or dead. Hanabi tried to raise her hand but that immediately caused a sharp pain. Hanabi winced and relaxed her arm.

Hinata came back with the horse. She put the towel on Hanabi's forehead.

"So you're probably wondering where the horse came from huh? The innkeeper sold us her horse because she heard you sleep-talking. Apparently, you were muttering about how you still wanted to travel no matter what."Hinata explained.

The horse seemed to understand and grunted.

"Hinata…what are you doing?" Hanabi asked hoarsely. Hanabi felt so drained that she didn't even consider how embarrassing it would be to be heard sleep-talking.

"I am just putting a wet towel on your forehead." Hinata said as she settled down, "the doctor says it will help you cool down a bit. You were knocked out and badly hurt when I came back to our room. The innkeeper told me that it was often for rogue ninjas to break in whenever they spotted a ninja with some quality that was valuable. I guess they targeted you because you are still young."

"Hinata…if they had actually caught me…what would they have done to me?" Hanabi asked quietly.

Hinata frowned at the question and looked over at Hanabi with a determined look.

"They would have sold you to the black market. They are obviously out for the Byakugan. But don't worry. I promise to protect you until you are fully healed." Hinata said fiercely.

Hanabi's eyes widened a bit. This was the first time her sister had really said something like that before. It was always sentences with pauses or even worse awkward silences. But now, Hinata had just declared to be her body guard. Hinata, her sister.

Hinata smiled warmly when she noticed Hanabi's expression.

"I will let you rest for a bit. Later when we get to a shop, you can get whatever you want." Hinata said as she was getting up.

Without thinking, Hanabi pulled Hinata's hand. Hinata faced Hanabi in surprise. Hanabi struggled to get off the floor.

"Hanabi, your legs haven't healed yet. Please sit."Hinata said concernedly.

Hanabi ignored Hinata and grunted when she finally was able to stand. Her footing felt wobbly but she didn't care. Hanabi let go of Hinata's arm and hugged her tight.

"Arigatou ," Hanabi said with tears streaming down her face, "nee-san."

"H-Hanabi…you're going to hurt yourself like this."Hinata said quietly.

"I don't care."Hanabi muttered.

"Well, arigatou… Imouto." Hinata replied. Hinata hesitated, then slowly wrapped her arms around her sister.

Hanabi looked up at her sister to see that she was weeping with joy.

"Well, let's get going." Hinata said when they finally let go of each other. Hinata wiped away her tears and smiled happily.

"nn." Hanabi said as she did the same.

The horse, probably on instinct, walked over to the two sisters and neighed.

When they both got on the horse, Hanabi rested her head on Hinata's head again.

"Hey Onee-san."

"Hmmm?" Hinata turned her head over.

"Did you mean it when you promised to protect me?" Hanabi asked.

"O-of course I mean it. Unless you don't want my protection that is..."Hinata blushed and faced front again.

"Sure I do. That was a one in a life time offer." Hanabi laughed.

Hanabi raised her head and looked up at the clouds. Somehow, they just seemed more beautiful that day.

Maybe. Just maybe, dad's idea wasn't all that bad.