Hinata collapsed to the ground, she made sure to wait until Neji was out of sight, but as a Hyuuga she knew it didn't matter. Her whole body trembled, she was sore all over, and Neji's hatred for her somewhat scared her. The whole week had been nothing but disappointment. Her team had been doing nothing but low rank missions for the past two weeks, she had spent more time training with Sasuke since they both knew more than Naruto and had to help him in team training more than anything. Training with her father was going…as well as she could hope, she still wasn't able to land a hit, the only thing that made it okay was the fact that no one else could either. Then Neji had pretty much tracked her down after several odd jobs and team training and demanded she fight him.

Hinata stood up, her body less weak than it had been, honestly it's like he is trying to reassure himself that he's better than me. In her mind it was bad enough that her father would make them practice from time to time, which felt more like "Neji's time to beat up Hinata" to her although she refused to back down. Hinata took the quickest route home, which but through town. One her way home she bumped into Haruno, who looked like she was going to tell her off until she realized who she was.

"Oh, hey Hinata-Chan." She smiled, like they had been friends forever or something.

"Hey." Hinata smiled, going with Haruno's odd behavior. "How have you been?"

Haruno beamed, as they fell in step together, "I've been great! I never thought being on a team with Kiba and Shino would be so great! I've really improved and though the missions have been dull I'm become really good friends with the two of them."

Hinata struggled with her reply, "That's great. I always thought you and Kiba would get along if you two ever hung out, you both have energetic personalities." They walked in silence for a few moments before they hit the last fork in the path. "Well, I'll see you later." I guess, Hinata thought.

Haruno paused, "Erm, Hinata…I'm sorry, you know, about what I said back in the academy?" She rubbed her arm, "I was just jealous that Sasuke-Kun never paid any attention to me. I didn't mean anything by it, not really."

Hinata stared at the pinkette for a few moments, was Haruno being…bashful? This must be Kiba's doing, she acknowledged, the Iunzaku's were a very honest and open Clan. Hinata thought about it for another minute, she doesn't really like holding grudges and Haruno's words didn't bother her.

"It's okay. I already forgave you for the academy. It really didn't matter to me. I hope we can get to know each other better later on, alright?" Hinata ran a hand through her long locks, she was thinking about cutting it again, but Neji had taunted her saying she looked like a boy with short hair.

Arriving home Hinata took a hot bath, and proceeded to pass out on her futon with wet hair in her sleeping yukata with the covers half on and half off. She slept well, deep restful sleep until morning. Hinata always woke with at dawn, unless she stayed up until three in the morning with Sasuke training, something they had both done before they started taking mission. Hinata yawned and stretched her arms over her head. Today is different, she thought, maybe Naruto and Sasuke won't argue as much today. With hopeful thoughts Hinata got ready for the day and met the team at the usual bridge. Sasuke and her were the first ones there, but they spent the time talking about tactics, what techniques counter different attacks better and different Justus they wanted to try out soon. Naruto showed up a few hours before Kakashi, and promptly feel asleep sitting up.

Kakashi make his way over about an hour and a half late, and waved cheerfully, saying something about the "path of life" or "a black cat crossed my path". Hinata wasn't sure which; she just knew that the word "path" was in it. They made their way to the tower, Kakashi reading his book, Hinata walking beside Sasuke, and Naruto childishly picking fights with Sasuke. They stood in front of the Hokage, awaiting their next assignment who jokingly began to read off random boring assignments. At least Hinata hoping he was joking, she did not want to baby sit those spoiled children again. Hinata exchanged look with Sasuke, who smirked at her, she smiled at their own inside joke; of how the first few months of graduating you become the city errand boy. Hinata flushed when she realized Naruto was arguing with the Hokage about their assignment and telling him that he wanted a harder, better mission.

"Ignore Naruto, he really has no idea what he's asking for." Kakashi tried to cover, "Anything will do."

"No, no," The old man took his pipe out, "It's quite alright. Let's see here. Ah, yes, I have a C-Rank escort mission to the Wave."

Naruto jumped up excited as a small child told that Christmas was coming early. "Really? Who? A Lord, or a Princess?"

The Hokage laughed, but Sasuke scowled at the blunt disregard of respect. Hinata, herself wasn't sure the team could go on a normal mission out of the village so soon. Naruto and Sasuke's teamwork was near non-existent, with Sasuke usually helping Naruto or Naruto somehow getting into trouble or he got of a situation with pure luck. She looked to Kakashi for help but he seemed to be watching the Hokage with a raised eyebrow. He seems to plan to let the Hokage do whatever the two please, Hinata sighed, thinking that no one was on her side here, I'm not going to get killed because Sasuke and Naruto can't play nice.

"Come on in." The Hokage called.

A short tubby man holding a bottle of Sake stood in the doorway, unimpressed. He look another long swig. "They're just a bunch of kids. And what's with that short one? He doesn't look like he could protect a butterfly." Naruto bust up laughing, until Kakashi distantly pointed out that he was speaking about him.

"I'll kill you!" Naruto hollered, fighting against Kakashi, who look bored again.

"We don't kill the people we're hired to protect." He informed Naruto.

The older man looked at the Hokage, "Are you sure they can really do this mission?"

Kakashi laughed, "Don't worry, I am an elite ninja, and it's just an escort mission."

The man nodded, "I'm Tazuna, the bridge builder."

The Hokage gave them a few details of the mission, which seemed to be a very just and dry misson. Guard Tazuna, take him back to his country safely and without being robbed then come home and get paid. Hinata glanced at Sasuke, missions may sound cut and dry, but things don't always go according to plan. She shook her head, I'm worrying too much. Kaede goes on missions like this all the time and never comes back with anything worse than a handful of injuries or some broken bones. Hinata listened to the Hokage and Kakashi who told them how long they had to pack and where to meet. Once dismissed Naruto took off, he didn't have a family to inform of his mission, like Sasuke. Unlike Sasuke, Naruto's family died right after he was born or right before, she wasn't sure. Sasuke had the chance to get to know his parents, spend time with them, and love them before they were painfully ripped away from him forever.

Hinata felt sympathy for both Sasuke and Naruto, but she wish that she never have to go through the same tragic events. Hinata looked at Sasuke, who had been walking with her to his house. Something they did unconsciously, she watched him pack and sometimes she would nitpick about some things he tried to pack. When he was done he turned to face her, she had been sitting on his bed, playing with the hem of her shirt. He slung his bag over his left shoulder, and stood at the end of the bed waiting for what he had already know she would ask, she could see it in his eyes.

"Will you come with me to tell my father?" Hinata had never asked him to doing anything like this before.