Regrets

She treaded quietly, her light footsteps hardly making the mahogany floor boards creak. She kept her head down, lilac eyes looking at the ground, not really seeing the menacing white walls and the occasional paper doors passing by. Her gait was hesitant and full of trepidation as she turned to the left. 'Mother, what should I do? What would he do?'

Almost as if on cue, a flash of memory raced through her head, golden hair bright as the sun, a beaming face and glittering blue.

And a change came over her.

Her pace become less erratic and she looked as if she were gliding, not walking. Her waist length dark hair swayed jauntily as her eyes flashed confidence and fear; her small mouth still tightened in worry. Yet, her back straightened and her arms swung earnestly. This change stayed, even as she completed her journey, even as she gently knocked on the looming door painted with a chocolate lacquer.

It stayed even when she heard the clan head's icy voice inviting her in. She briefly took in he heavy desk he was seated at, the dark room speckled with the Hyuuga flame and several traditional weapons.

"Father." She greeted the stern man before her, oddly white eyes blankly staring through her, and permanent frown lines unusually relaxed. He looked, somewhat…sad. She shook her head, that wasn't possible, her father was never sad in her presence.

"Hinata" He acknowledged her greeting, his eyes hardening slightly as he saw her polite bowed head. 'Look at me.' He wanted to say. Almost as if she had heard his thoughts, she raised her head, facing one the men she had been trying so hard for all her life. She faced him, and she was afraid and nervous and it was quite clear by the unshed tears in her eyes and the worrying of her bottom lip.

But Hyuuga, Hiashi was still proud, all because she had looked up anyway.

"Do you know why I have called you here?"

She shook her head in the negative. "Is it about me and…Naruto-kun?"

"What do you mean about you and Uzumaki?" He asked incredulously, his fatherly instincts kicking in. "Has he defiled you? Are you pregnant with his child?"

"W-What?" Hinata squeaked, surprised by his questions.

"We must arrange a marriage, and swiftly. He will hon-"

"NO!" She interrupted him vehemently, waving her arms and blushing crazily. "Father, none of that has occurred."

He stopped, surprised at her vehemence and temporarily distracted from his burning anger at the boy. "Oh."

And for several moments, there was an unbearably tense and embarrassing silence before some light huffing could be heard coming from Hiashi. Hinata's eyes widened. He was laughing, he was really laughing. And then she joined in, his baritone and regal chuckles melodiously joined by her tinkling giggles.

And Hyuuga Hiashi was still proud, simply because she was his daughter.


Hiashi sighed as he recalled the one laugh they had shared. He sat at the same heavy desk in the same lacquered desk as that day. He was even wearing the same set of simple beige robes. He, however, was not the same. He glanced over the vase of light violet Colchicum (1) and the white Cardamine flowers (2).

Five years since, his hairline had receded a bit. (Unnoticeable, said the clan members, trying to be respectful.) There was a bit more gray threaded through his rich chocolate strands, some from before Hinata's departure. (Most of them were from after.) His eyes were softer too, and he could almost swear that because of that, there was a hint of grey or silver, as opposed to the usual white. (Hinata's coloration had been a rare gift, imparted by her mother.)

"Hitomi." He whispered, intently looking at the small family portrait he held in his hands. His large hands gently caressed the small, smiling woman in the picture. She tenderly held an infant in her arms.

Hyuuga Hitomi, previously Tsukino, had been an inhabitant of the famous Crescent Island, with which Konoha had strong ties. She was a gentle soul, very kind and beautiful. Hiashi's gaze traced the flowing eggplant hair, and achingly missed her violet eyes.

Next to her stood a tiny four year old Hinata; her large eyes nearly swallowing her face whole; a window into all her thoughts and emotions. Throughout the years, as far as Hiashi knew, that was the one thing that had remained a constant. Her open display of emotions, he had deemed as weakness and a liability. It was too much of a liability for a Hyuuga heir to have, and so he had pushed her hard and pushed her away. And he regretted it; sorely and achingly regretted it, asking what-ifs and wondering when her S-rank mission would be completed.

'I couldn't protect her from them. I'm sorry Hitomi.'

Finally his thoughts turned to the infant in the picture. She had such rosy cheeks and his dark brown hair. She had been a large child upon birth, and the labor had truly pushed Hitomi to her physical limits. (Hitomi had fallen ill and died a year after.)

But when she was born, they both knew, she would be a strong child.

And they had been right. She had quickly outgrown Hinata in every way possible, including stature. But she had grown up without her mother, hardened by Hiashi's training and the clan's expectations.

A knock on his study door alerted him to her presence. 'Speaking of…'

"Father." Her white eyes gazed impassively at him as she gave him a quick bow. He was surprised to know that she tightly held a small branch containing several tiny yellow buds. 'Corchorus.' (3)

"What is it Hanabi?" He asked, curious as to why she was here so late at the evening.

Hanabi's lip trembled and her eyes tightened in an attempt to stave off the lump in her throat and the breaking dam behind her eyes.

"She's back."


Hinata discreetly surveyed the Hokage's office, viewing little change from five years prior. The large windows were still not obscured by any curtains, something she had always appreciated. There were several more file cabinets spread around the room and a coat hanger to the left of the light colored wooden Hokage desk.

The most noticeable change was the familiar bright orange cloak hanging on the coat hanger. Its black flames looked oddly melancholy, possibly because she had always seen them flowing in the wind or with whatever beautiful movements its wearer performed.

She stood in front of Tsunade-sama, clasping her hands patiently. A contemplative expression graced her pale face, her eyes gleaming with wild emotions, buried just beneath the surface. Tsunade noticed her upright carriage and the way her head was held high, as if she cared not what the world thought. She was amused to note that it in no way imparted a sense of arrogance. Rather, it showed she was a being who was simply content with who she was.

"You're late, Hyuuga, Hinata." She said firmly, not hiding her slight discontent.

"So I was. And I am verily sorry, Tsunade-sama." She gave a brief nod to indicate her apology.

Tsunade laced her fingers together, and rested her chin upon them, quirking an eyebrow at her Kunoichi's regal demeanor. She waited for an explanation.

"I will take full responsibility. Please do not blame Hawk-san." She started. "I took a longer route and we walked part of the way."

"Why?"

Here Hinata beamed and her eyes lost focus.

"Have you ever stopped to look at an autumn forest after its stopped raining, but only just after?"

"I'm sorry to say I have not." Tsunade was entertained and somewhat taken aback. She continued to give a steady gaze, hoping to get a logical response from the odd little thing.

"That's why we were a day late." Hinata stated plainly.

Tsunade gaped at the nonchalant girl standing so audaciously before her. This was not the still timid and incredibly morose porcelain doll that had stood before her, five years ago, absolutely begging for a long term mission. This was not the same Hinata, and yet she was. Her eyes were still just as wide open in emotion and her every expression told her entire story. She was still petite, with small shoulders. But this time they were not bent, as if the burden she had been carrying was lifted (or maybe she simply had better posture). She grunted.

"I'll let you off this time Hyuuga. You've done a fine job these past five years, and it would be usless to reprimand you. Just be on time from now on."

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama. I have finished the report for these past two months in the capital. The Daimyo also sends his sincere greetings and well-wishes."

"Alright Hyuuga, you've done your job. Now we need to figure out your living arrangements for the next two months. From what I understand, you have requested not to stay within the clan compound." She unlaced her fingers and began sifting through a pile of papers to her right, trying to locate her ambassador's original request sent by albatross.

"Yes ma'am." Hinata said brightly, a soft smile lighting up her face, before the statement fully registered.

"W-wait, two months?!" She gawped at the busty Hokage. A sly smile inched its way across Tsunade's face, scaring the little traveler.

"Of course. It's Naruto's Hokage ceremony and we want all his comrades to be there."

"Oh." Hinata tensed, having the wind knocked out of her. For the first time in a while, she was truly scared.

"Of course, you're not the only shinobi on active duty we've called back. Those that could will come back closer to that time period."

Here the global ambassador narrowed her eyes, suspicious. "W-Why was I called back so early then?"

And Tsunade's grin was finally fully in place, a frightening sneer that made the usually chipper girl tremble in her boots and she reached for the hem of her long shirt, nervous.

"Hyuuga, Hinata. You're new mission is to help Naruto Uzumaki prepare for the ceremony and to finish his Hokage studies."

"W-What?!" Hinata shouted in horror.

"You will be in charge of helping invite our many allies, as well as be responsible for Naruto's overall happiness. Have I made myself clear?"

For once, the new Hyuuga Hinata was speechless. Her mouth gaping at the smug Godaime.

"Close your mouth Hyuuga, you look ridiculous."


A/N: 1- Colchicum- a small flower with 5 upright petals, usually growing in clusters of 2 or more. Its meaning is "My best days are past."

2- Cardamine- a tiny four petal flower, typically in colors of white or light lavender. It means "Paternal error"

3- Corchorus – a flowering plant that gives of small yellow flowers. Its leaves are termed mallow-leaves and are used in several Asian and Middle Eastern dishes. It means "Impatient of absence"

And yep that's chapter 7. Naruhina goodness coming up, I promise.

And I would like to personally thank xXYourDoomXx, aelita444 (love your username), Johnny (Thanks for the honest opinion again), Impossible Dream (I agree : )), and the ever awesome reviewer Ayrmed. Also to everyone who has followed or favorited this story. You guys are the best.