Chapter 10

Naruto went down the road with his swaggering gait, looking down to his right, and talking, all at the same time. Joining him on his jaunt was a girl, a head shorter than him, who had thick, shiny black hair, and large lavender eyes. She was smiling up at Naruto, and for some odd reason, he felt a strange giddiness as if he had accomplished something. Of course, it was true, that he had—he and Hinata had gone to the Village of the Rice and scouted everything out. There had been a few battles but it was nothing Naruto and Hinata couldn't handle. Especially with their awesome jutsus—combined! Oh, yeah! Naruto inwardly hollered. He wanted to punch his fist in the air but didn't want to hurt Hinata on accident in the process. His capricious movements were often made at the expense of others, but it wasn't as if Naruto was totally apathetic. He just got really excited sometimes.

Somehow, he and Hinata were now talking about the possibility that Grandma Tsunadae would assign a follow-up mission to the Village of Rice. Of course it was a slightly intelligent and important conversation to hold—better than the topic Naruto knew that had started off with: ramen. Naruto made fun of Grandma Tsunadae but he knew she was a pretty darned good ninja. She wasn't Hokage for nothing. But of course, when he became Hokage, he would be better…

Naruto was now listening to Hinata speak. Her voice was soft, but she was giving her opinion determinedly. Naruto remember thinking that Hinata was really weird, and that he hadn't really wanted to go on the mission with her. But actually, he was glad Hinata had come. She was a really good ninja, even if she practically needed someone to cajole her into battling! But once she was in the zone, she was pretty beastly! And that was something, coming from the nine-tailed fox dude. Actually, it had taken a bit of candor from Naruto, to get Hinata to buck up a little. He hadn't remembered exactly what he said, but he knew it worked pretty well! And he wasn't used to designated, specific times for pep talks. Yeah, he could say some pretty awesome stuff (if he could say so himself, of what he said) but they were never forced or planned. They were just in the moment.

I could get used to working with Hinata, Naruto laughed to himself. She wasn't always censuring Naruto, she didn't go through the mission in total ascendancy (honestly, can you imagine?). Plus, she was really astute. Naruto was really impressed with that. Of course, all ninjas had to be, but just the fact that you never expect Hinata to talk, so that even if you could have figured it out yourself, just hearing it from her was a surprise. A well received surprise of course. He didn't want a stupid teammate.

In fact Naruto had thought nothing could alleviate the mission if Hinata was going to be on it, but he sure was wrong. Hinata was a great comrade.

"W-Would you go on the mission, if Tsunadae-sama assigned it to you?" Hinata was now asking him.

"Sure," Naruto said. "It's better than staying here bored all the time. Plus, do we really have a choice?"

Hinata giggled and Naruto grinned. "What 'bout you?"

Hinata looked as if she was thinking. "W-Well… w-we should go since we know better than others what was g-going on."

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto agreed with a curt nod.

There was silence, then Hinata's voice again. "Oh…my house is here…"

Naruto looked up, and of course, the looming mansion was, uh, well, looming over them.

"Huh. You sure are right." Naruto said. "Well, bye, then."

"Th-thank you, N-Naruto," Hinata's voice faded as she got to his name. Naruto almost couldn't hear it.

"No problem, there," Naruto grinned. "See you soon!"

Hinata walked up the pathway, and the front door opened to her. Naruto saw a hand wave her in, then Hinata disappeared into the house. Naruto turned around and ninja-leaped all the way to his apartment. He went inside, still savoring the scent of Hinata in his nose, when many other unpleasant odors overpowered it. Naruto scowled. Girl smell was so much better than ….uh, something smell. Naruto almost didn't want to take off his sandals, his room was so dirty! Not that Naruto never noticed but usually he was too tired to care or slept outside under the stars. Why not when he could, you know? Naruto tiptoed his way to his closet, from which the entire contents fell onto him, causing him to fall to the floor. Dust clouds drifted around the room, and Naruto scratched his head. Hmmm….This could possibly take more than the blink of an eye.

Hinata's welcome home was not at all pleasant. At least by her standards. Her father had asked her where she had been.

"W-Walking h-home…" she had answered quietly.

And why so late at night, she had been asked.

"I-I was t-training…' Hinata had squeaked.

Why didn't you train in our courtyard, was the next question.

"I-I was training with N-Naruto…."

Oh, training with Naruto, have you, was the reply. And why were you training? With Naruto of all people? Your cousin if perfectly capable and would be a worthy opponent.

And of course, just then, Neji had to walk into the room with a nonchalant look on his face, which just augmented the fact that Hinata was already feeling so awful!

"Well, then," her father had boomed, "that is all swell and quite dandy but I would appreciate having you home tomorrow. A lot of paperwork just came in about the manufacturing, and it would be super to have your help."

"Y-yes father," Hinata replied automatically.

"You may go."

Hinata slunk out of the room, her eyes downcast. She didn't see Neji's hopeful glance, which of course, filled him with aversion—towards himself. Hinata quietly snuck upstairs, and took a long bubble bath. She loved the smells of the herbs and it was really relaxing. Hinata slipped into her bed, feeling peaceful and satisfied. It didn't take her long to fall asleep.

The next day, Hinata woke up to find a glass of jasmine tea on her bedside table and a maid standing outside her door. She knew the maid was hiding out, outside her door, because as soon as Hinata rustled in her bed sheets, it signaled to the maid that Hinata was awake, and the maid poked her head inside.

The maid bowed. "You have a visitor, ma'am."

Hinata widened her eyes in surprise. Oh, no! I'm not even ready yet!

Had the maid seen the panic on Hinata's face? Hinata wondered that, because the maid had promptly added, "Please take your time, madam. Your visitor was in no rush. In fact she is conversing with your cousin and father."

Hinata widened her eyes in surprise. The men of her family were not the ones to chat idly with others…especially outside their family, and who have no real importance (to them at least). Hinata got up, and got ready, taking her usual time (which wasn't much in the first place). The maid led her downstairs, and took her to one of the lounging rooms. It was the simple one, with three cream colored chairs for herself, her father, and Neji, and two green chairs for the guests. There was a short-legged, dark-colored wooden table in the middle of the room, with a small lighter-colored wooden statue of a lion-dog in the middle. Her father and Neji were indeed sitting in their cream chairs, and Hinata saw a tall, rail-thin girl with a long blonde ponytail, with her bangs in front of her face, only pinned slightly to the side with a cross of purple bobby-pins. The girl had light green eyes, and a playful smile. She was wearing sleeveless purple crop top, with a purple skirt, and white leggings underneath. Hinata immediately recognized the blonde ninja: Ino! Hinata was desparately happy that Ino had word a spring green tank under her crop-top. Last time Ino had showed up at Hinata's house, Hinata hadn't been so lucky, and her father had lectured her about the right kind of friends to have. Hinata smiled shyly at her brazen friend, who finished her sentence quickly, then grinned back.

Wait, Ino, wait… Hinata silently ordered her blonde friend.

"Good morning, Hinata," her father greeted her first. Hinata silently cheered for Ino. Her father was also big on respect—and not just any kind of respect. He was big on his ideas of it. And him greeting his own daughter first was one of the many rules that Hinata had learned to live with and never complained about. She just felt sad when her father bashed Ino on her "debasing mannerisms" (quote, Hinata's father). Hinata knew Ino meant well and Ino was all about good fun—and most of all, Ino was not a bad person! She just came off that way, sometimes…

Neji nodded, to her, then finally, Ino proceeding with her cooing hello, which her father patiently allowed, but all the while, was shooting deriding looks at the blonde ninja.

"Your friend had invited you to have breakfast with them," her father said in his antiquated way. "I for one would have appreciated any previous mention of this engagement, but for the matter, you may go."

Hinata noticed Ino holding back a loud cheer. Hinata bowed. "Th-Thank you, father," she said quietly. Her father nodded, dismissing her. He did not acknowledge Ino. Hinata sighed inwardly. Ino was not yet condoned. Neji followed Ino and Hinata to the door, while Hinata's father presumably returned to his study. Hinata slipped into her sandals, and bid Neji a farewell.

"See you when you come home," Neji said quietly.

Hinata nodded in agreement. "Okay…" she whispered.

Neji watched them walk down the pathway and onto the main road till he could not see them anymore. He closed the door then, walked back to his uncle's study. He knocked, and his uncle called him in.

Uncle Hyuga watched Neji in a scrutinizing way as he entered the room, and waited for further instructions. Pale eyes met pale eyes in a silent battle neither wished to recognize.

"Please be seated," Neji's uncle finally said.

"Thank you." Neji folded his legs underneath him, and sat straight, waiting to hear what his uncle had to say.

"As you should know, I have much to look after about our manufacturing plans—materials, machines, plants, and the like."

Okay…. Neji thought. This wasn't necessarily new. Sometimes, but only rarely, did his Uncle ask Neji for help with anything related to his company. In fact, he only ordered Neji to do tedious things that he didn't want the servants looking at. (On the other hand, Neji's uncle was kind to the servants, they had comfortable living quarters, and they were reasonable paid. They all seemed to like Uncle Hyuga, as well as adore and respect Hinata.) The chores Neji was given were things like organizing, alphabetizing, and addressing letters.

"I may have to go on a trip to oversee everything. And I would like to have some papers to take with me when I go. Therefore, I would like to have everything done before I leave, hence I have requested your and Hinata's help."

"Yes, Uncle, of course," Neji replied respectfully. "I would be honored to help you. May I ask when you will leave?"

"I plan for a week from today, if not sooner."

"Forgive me, but have you told Hinata?" Neji asked. He didn't want to question his Uncle (Neji was the one who had everything to be grateful for, towards his Uncle) but his care for Hinata was more than his fear and respect for his Uncle. Hinata did love her father very much, more than Neji did, and she would miss him. Neji did love Hinata's father as any nephew would love his uncle but obviously a daughter's love for her father surpassed that.

"I have only mentioned my plans to you, today," Uncle Hyuga said gruffly. "I was planning on telling both of you, but that Yamanaka girl showed up."

I thought you liked Yamanaka, Neji wanted to say, referring to Ino's father of course, but decided it was unnecessary. Why waste time? He also noticed the aversion in his uncle's voice.

"Here, you may take this," his uncle said, handing Neji a stack of thick folders. Even someone as strong as Neji was surprised at the weight of the stack. Not that it was especially heavy, but the fact that it was papers and it was that weight, surprised Neji.

"You may go."

Neji stood up and bowed to his uncle. He closed the study room door behind him, then proceeded to his own study room. Hinata had her own room too, though she hardly ever used it. She preferred sitting in the small landing space, at the end of the hall; it had a large window, covering almost the entire wall (it was only a few feet wide and tall), and had short small round table, for her to work on what it was she wanted to do, and a soft dried grass mat, made specially for Hinata. Of course, all of the mats the Hyuga family sat on were special-made, but Hinata's were by far the most intricate, even surpassing Uncle Hyuga's own. Neji sat down at his lighter-colored wooden table, stationed in front of a window, and opened one of the folders. This is going to be a long day…