"Welcome home, Hinata-sama, Hanabi-sama." Neji greeted as the shinobi came back to the village.
"That was totally fun! We should definitely get another mission like that again. Neji, you gotta listen to what happened! We beat this guy up, and it was mostly thanks to my genjutsu. Also, I got to see my cousin and we also went to the festival! The fireworks were AMAZING!" Minori jabbered.
"For the who knows how many times, be quiet." Satoshi glared.
"Neji-niisan, where is father?" Hinata asked.
"He's back at home."
"Ah, I see. I'll head back first. We need to decide where to Akemi is going to stay. I'm worried that father won't let us keep her." Hinata said worriedly.
"I'll go back with you." Neji said as they walked away.
"Hey Hanabi, what's that?" Minori asked, pointing at a little silk bag sticking out of Hanabi's pocket."
"Oh this, it's a present from nee-chan." Hanabi said shyly.
"What is it? What is it?" Minori asked repeatedly.
"Minori, leave Hanabi alone. She still has some injuries and-"
"Oh hush sensei. Lecture me later!" Minori whined.
Sensei sighed and walked away shaking his head.
"Well what is it?" Minori asked for the 10th time.
Hanabi took out the little silk bag delicately and pulled out a small clam.
"Nee-chan says that it was originally Emiko who gave it to her. It was supposed to be a symbol of friendship sort of object but nee-chan said it was okay."
Minori gasped and covered her mouth with her mouth. Hanabi frowned at the sight.
"Is something wrong with that?"
"You just made the face that Itsuki was talking about! It's so creeeeeeeeppppppyyyyy!"
Satoshi sighed and didn't bother calling Minori names.
"W-well…your face looks awkward when you're with your mom!" Hanabi countered, her face as red as a tomato.
"Sure it is!" Minori said grinning wildly.
Minori ran back home and kicked open her front door. Then she dashed up the steps to the second floor, flopped on the couch and let out a huge sigh.
"Tadaima!" Minori hollered.
"Okaeri" Madam Okinawa said as she was looking through her tarot cards on the table.
"Hey mom, I saw Emiko and Itsuki and Aoi and Uncle and a bunch of other people!" Minori said cheerfully.
"Mhmm, that's great."
"Mom. Mom. MOOMMMM!"
"Ah, already I miss the peace I had when you were still on the mission." Madam Okinawa murmured.
Minori pouted and walked over to her mother.
"Why are you so intent today?"
"Nothing really. I just had a hunch that something is going to happen. And that something is either good or bad, depending on how you look at it."
"Well, you're obviously not going to budge this time so I'll just go mess with your fortune telling thingies."
"Oh no you don't!"
Madam Okinawa pulled on Minori's shirt collar and embraced her daughter.
"You are one bad child" Madam Okinawa scolded.
"I'll would have been worse if you didn't listen that time." Minori gave a peck on her mother's cheek.
"Ah, Hinata, you're back." Hiashi greeted as Hinata and Neji walked into the Hyuga Compound.
"Yes, father. Hanabi is with her teammates." Hinata said simply. She was relieved that that wild adventure was over. No more fear of assassins. No more fear of losing Hanabi. The only thing that irked her was that she wasn't the one who saved her sister. At the end, she was able to give away her good luck charm. Hanabi probably didn't even want it.
"Is that a horse?" Hiashi gazed at the mare.
"Yes, Hanabi was injured so I bought the horse so she wouldn't have to stress her legs. May we keep it?" Hinata explained.
"I see." Hiashi seemed to brighten at the sound of that, "I guess you may keep it if you find a stable in the village for it to stay in."
"Thank you father" Hinata grinned.
Hanabi strolled into the compound.
"I'm back" Hanabi said casually.
"Welcome back" Hiashi, Neji and Hinata said in unison.
"Hanabi, guess what? Father said that we may keep Akemi if we find a stable for her in the village. So I'll go find her a stable now." Hinata said preparing to leave again.
"Wait for me. I'll come with you after I put down my things." Hanabi hurried.
The sisters beamed at each other and set off to find a stable.
"Neji, don't you think the two have bonded?" Hiashi wondered.
"They definitely have." Neji answered.
"Looks like my plan worked." Hiashi complimented himself.
"Hinata..." Hanabi started.
The sisters were wandering the streets of Konoha for a stable.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering, why did you give me the clam? It seemed like it was important to you."
"Well, I just thought that the clam could be your good luck charm. Just think of it this way, it's a small present from me. It brings memories that I cherish and wish to forget. But I know that I no longer need it. It needs a new owner now, and that will be you. Don't worry, Emiko agreed to it."
"Oh" Hanabi smiled. For some reason, today felt so nice. It seemed like everything was more lively. The sky seemed more blue. Akemi's mane seemed more golden. Everything just seemed more beautiful.
"Thank you Nee-chan"
And this is how it ends. Short, I know, but an ending is an ending. As for what Madam Okinawa is foreseeing, who knows. Hehe, I know but you don't. -sigh- I didn't wanna part ways with this fan-fic. Goodbyes are so hard you know? I think that's why I didn't complete it till now. I deserve a pillow in the face because waiting it out isn't going to help. So, I hope you enjoyed the fan-fic. Thanks everyone! If Hanabi and Hinata were real, I would thank them too...ahh well. Alls well that ends well.