Interlude I: Awesome Ninja Letters, Part 1

22 AI (28 Feb) – Hinata letter to Naruto (L1)

"The twenty eighth of February of the founder's year one hundred and three at 2150 hours."

"Uzumaki-kun, I was pleased to receive your letter. I only regret that I could not respond sooner. You are undeniably correct in your assumption that I find myself entrenched in an increasing amount of work as time proceeds; however, please do not allow that fact to deter you from creating additional correspondence. I welcome the breaks your letter permits to my busy schedule."

"Currently, my days are filled with informative meetings with the Daimyo while I work tirelessly to complete all relevant Hyuuga business at night. In the morning, of course, I train diligently as the sun rises, but the majority of the day is spent in what you would call 'boring' meetings and events. As of this moment, I have attended two of the Daimyo's state dinners, the second of which was the primary reason for this delayed reply to your well received correspondence. Unfortunately, there is little of substance at these gatherings that I can impart on you, although I can assure you that you would not find enjoyment in these soirees."

"From you letter, it appears as if you are partaking in quite the adventure. One of which I find I am quite envious as Nara-san and myself seem unable to quit the city. Please, do not be alarmed by this fact. I am in good health. As of yet, I have not been accosted by dragons. At least not dragons of any physical nature; however, the Daimyo has expressed an ardent interest in keeping us in the city. It was, of course, a request that I could not refuse."

There was a measured paused that had Naruto smiling. After all, the small space of silence was just as calm as he remembered her being. It was almost like he was right beside her, watching as she took a moment to collect her thoughts.

"It appears that you seem troubled by your inability to fulfill Haku-san's request for appropriate literature for young Inari-san. Perhaps, I can be of some assistance in this endeavor? What literacy goal does Haku-san have in mind for Inari-san's education? How old is Inari-san? And what is his current literacy level? It may also enhance the usefulness of my advice if I also know the books you have already gifted the young boy. In my limited experience, I have found that Hanabi-chan prefers to read books in series focusing on similar thematic issues. Perhaps Inari-san has a similar preference."

Another small pause filled the air as Naruto waited for the recording to continue.

"It pleases me to hear that your training is progressing nicely. I am confident that you will achieve mastery over the leaf cutting exercise without delay. As you may already know, wind chakra affiliation is a rare element among Konoha ninja; however, I find that it suits you greatly. I will have to find more time to advance my own elemental training so as to not fall behind."

"As for your mastery of disguise, I do hope you are not referring to the infiltration of the Hyuuga Military Police Force security buildings during the Fire Festival of the founder's year one hundred and one. If you were admitting to some wrong doing then I would be forced to report such involvement; however, I am confident you had nothing to do with that particular risk to Konoha security."

"Unfortunately, I will need to end our correspondence here as the day grows closer to a close. I look forward to your next correspondence. Sincerely…"

This time the pause held for longer, until a softer voice replied with one word, "Hinata."

23 AI (1 Mar) – Naruto to Hinata (L2)

"Okay so Awesome Ninja Letters Part 2."

"Hey bossman, did you really have to start with that?"

"Yeah, seems silly when you say it after Hinata-hime's letter."

A thin brow rose at the sound of rustling fabric filled the recording static, mildly amused at the start of her friend's correspondence.

"Ahem," Uzumaki-kun's throat cleared before he began again, "Okay now that we're alone, Super Awesome Ninja letter part 2. It sounds just fine to me…" The last part was said softly, almost as if he'd mumbled it under his breath likely forgetting that the recorder was still held close to his mouth.

It was very like the friend she remembered.

"Don't worry about the wait, Hinata-hime. I know you're like super busy so it's okay. I'm mean what kind of best friend would I be if I didn't understand? A sucky one that's for sure, and I'm the most awesomest, super understanding best friend there is! Yoshi!" A woosh of air filled the recording with static which Hinata assumed meant her energetic friend had leapt into the air as he was sometime prone to do.

"Anyway, you sound super busy, so I'm just glad you could fit me into your day." There was a soft pause, the silence filled with a calmness that spoke of a gentle smile.

"Busy and boreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed. And hey, I know you said you were okay, but I've seen death by boring meetings and lectures before. Or well, I've experienced death by boring lectures before. And let me tell you, they're a total snooze fest. And then of course you get in trouble for falling asleep! Like it was your fault that the guy droned on and on and on!"

"And you know the punishment is just more boring lectures. Hey, do you know that trick to sleeping with your eyes open? I can't ever get away with it, but I've seen Shikamaru do it once or twice. Nah, I just pinch myself over and over again, which doesn't always work. I just can't win! This one time…"

Hinata listening as Uzumaki-kun's voice prattled on, fighting against a smile at his antics. After the week she'd had, she'd needed this. Needed the comfort of a familiar voice even if the topic was a banal as falling asleep during an Academy lecture.

"…And of course Sensei didn't believe my excuse about the dragon so there I was stuck listening to yet another boring lecture! Anyway, so yeah. Death by boredom is a real thing, and you my friend are getting dangerously close. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, you're more like a hostage except not tied up or anything. Dang, what was that word."

A long pause filled the space, the recording static broken up with the occasional low muttered word, inaudible through the device.

"Political! Yeah, it sounds like you're that old Fire pant's political hostage. Which should be like a crime or something! Really, Jiji ought to put a stop to that. You're his ninja! And Konoha needs you to not gouged out your eyes from sheer boredom!"

"But maybe the old man doesn't have as much power as I thought. You know, there's got to be a reason why he's got me out here looking for his replacement, which is a complete waste of my considerable talents by the way. Who better to battle boredom with you than me!"

"Or, you know, maybe it's something else…"

Another long pause followed, leaving the recording in broken static.

"Anyway, I wouldn't call this mission so much an adventure, but more an exercise in patience. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't want to set Ero-sannin's cloths on fire. That old pervert is just using me as a chick magnet! Just the other day, he ditched me for a bunch of ladies, who were fawning over me! I was getting quality information about the town, and he ruined it with his perversion!"

"First he limits my clone usage and now he barely even trains me. Just tells me to do this very vague thing, like today I'm supposed to light a ball on fire with a single seal. So of course with that stellar explanation and advice I blow it up in his face, because, as it turned out I was doing it all wrong in the first place! And it seems like a complete waste not to just make a seal that destroys. I mean, what's the point of lighting something on fire anyway?"

"Haku-chan says I just have to work through it all. Train hard and the understanding will come later, but he was trained by Zabuza and that guy was crazy." The last word was spoken at a near whisper, a brief pause filling the space before the rustling of fabric followed. "Not that it's Haku-chan's fault. He's really a nice guy. Actually, I think you'd like Haku-chan. You're both really serious practically all of the time. I mean really, you've got to learn to take a break sometime, Hinata-hime. And you're both crazy smart, I mean like wow smart. Like even smarter than Sakura smart and as much as I hate to admit it, Sakura's smart. And of course you're both really pretty. Well, you're prettier than Haku-chan, but you're a princess so that's not really surprising. Princesses are all really pretty. It's like a requirement or something. At least, I think that's was Daiji-san said…"

Uzumaki-kun hummed quietly to himself before continuing on with what she imagined was a wave of his hand. "Anyway, I think you'd like Wave too. The people are real nice and friendly. And you can see the ocean for miles. We're building our Compound there too. Just wait until you see it, Hinata-hime. It'll be so great. It will be awesome. I mean, nothing as grand as the Hyuuga Compound, but Haku-chan tells me it's right on the water, clear oceans for miles with the bridge just off in the distance and Wave tucked safe behind it. And all the little orphans that are already camped out on the beach, ready to have a real place to stay that's safe and comfortable and warm and surrounding be people that care. Yeah. It's going to be great…"

"They, ah, they want to make me a statue…" His voice broke in an uncomfortable fit of nervous laughter. "I can't believe it, can you?"

A pause followed, the soft rustling of fabric as he shifted. "Oh yeah, I'm alone. Yeah, well. If they were here, the clones would be going on and on about it. When we first found out they had a field day with it. First they couldn't believe it, sure Haku-chan was pulling a prank on us. Then they couldn't decide what the statue could possible be of, which lead into a long argument on which was our best side."

A soft sigh punctuated the next pause before her friend continued. "I'm not sure what to do. Haku-chan didn't say anything, but I could tell that the villagers really want to do this, but I'm… Do you have statues? In the Hyuuga Compound? I didn't have time to look that last time I was there."

The long static filled silence pulled at something in her chest. A feeling she wasn't familiar with, but knew immediately she did not enjoy. It was…

"On a completely unrelated note, Haku-chan was not a fan of the last book we sent Inari-kun. You're right about us being at our wits end with this one. So, any help would be super duper appreciated. Little Inari-kun is like seven or maybe he's eight now… Ah, I can't remember. Oh and well, I've got no idea about the other questions. I'll ask Haku-chan, he'll know for sure. As for the books we already got him, the first one was algebra one, because that was the best book I've ever read. Really thought we'd nailed it on the head with that one, but Haku-chan wasn't all that pleased with is, we're still not sure why. Algebra was simple, way better than geometry and any of the calculus texts. And you can use it for everything!"

Another pause followed, silent but for the slight rush of wind that could have been the shake of his head. "Yeah, still just me out here," he muttered lowly before continuing. "Anyway, we just bought him a nice book about the Sun and the Moon with a lot of pictures, way more than the algebra book since that was Haku-chan's biggest complaint. How were we supposed to know that there was such a thing as too many pictures? I just don't get it, how can I win…"

"Anyway, any help would be great…" He sighed before trudging on. "Not that I see how books help with being a ninja. I played ninja games, and applied my skills to extracurricular activities. Ero-sannin even thinks that makes me a pretty decent ninja! Oh, oh… and I even played board games with Shikamaru, for strategy. He's not half bad at Go and Shogi. You should ask him to play. While he's pretty lazy in general, he livens up when you challenge him to a game, especially shogi he loves that one. But I like playing Go with him more. I win more in that one."

"As for the Fire Festival incident, I'll have you know I was wrongfully arrested. In fact, the bossman himself, Hizashi, gave me a formal apology for that unpleasantness. Besides, I'm sure whoever committed such an amazing, thought provoking prank, did the Hyuuga Police a favor. I'm mean, imagine if someone of nefarious intent had taken advantage of those unfortunate flaws in the building structure and power systems. No seems like he… I mean, that person, did the security of the Hyuuga and Konoha a favor."

"Oi, brat. Stop talking to your girlfriend, we've got work to do!"

"She not my girlfriend, you old geezer, she's better! My best friend. And you can wait! I was working all day before you showed up!" Uzumaki-kun shouted before returning his voice to his normal cadence. "Sorry Hinata-hime, I've got to go see what the pervert wants this time. Talk to you later!"

25 AI (3 Mar) – Hinata to Naruto (L2)

"The third of March of the founder's year one hundred and three at 2220 hours."

"Uzumaki-kun, it would appear that Nara-san and I will be remaining in the capital for the foreseeable future. In that regard, Tatsuki-san arranged for our relocation to one of the formerly empty Hyuuga Clan apartments. The move was quick and efficient; however, as we had anticipated a significantly abbreviated stay within the city, there were a number of items that required procurement from Konoha. The last of those articles arrived this morning while I was otherwise engaged with the Daimyo."

"The conversation was… less than satisfactory; however, I do not fault the Daimyo for his efforts. Takekasai-dono has only the fervent desire to be helpful. His motivations pure and transparent. The same, I dread, cannot be said for the Hokage-sama."

(A pause, a short breath of thought)

"Of course, given the role the Hokage-sama exercised in my father's…passing, there exists the real possibility that my perceptions of the situation may be negatively colored. As such, I seek your honest opinion on the Hokage-sama's motivations. Perhaps the high regard at which you hold the Hokage-sama will illuminate the purpose of his continued inaction. Certainly, there exists some reasoning that does not conflict with the best interests of Konoha."

(A pause)

"That issue aside, I find I must agree with your colorful characterization of the situation. You can, in fact, say that Nara-san and I are the Daimyo's political hostages. Certainly, we are not afforded the same opportunity to decline an invitation as would suggest otherwise. There is, of course, little use in dwelling upon this fact. As it stands, with the Hokage-sama's direct interference, there is nothing that can be done to rectify the situation."

"That said, not all of the topics the Daimyo deems appropriate are without interest. Currently, we are on our second day of the topic of land rights and water usage. It is a subject that you might find useful as you begin construction of the Uzumaki Clan Compound, however, I doubt you would enjoy the manner in which it is discussed. Of course, if you believe it will be in your best interest to still learn the subject, then I shall summarize the lesson on a separate recording as my schedule permits."

(pause)

"Given your… artful comparison between Haku-san and myself, I am sure I shall find Haku-san more than agreeable. Certainly, a conversation between the two of us shall be greatly stimulating upon our next meeting."

(pause, longer than the last)

"Your efforts together, I fine laudable. To build a Clan, a family from so little. You think so highly of the Hyuuga, however, the Hyuuga have existed in virtually the same iteration for centuries. Do not doubt what you are accomplishing, Uzumaki-kun. For I would be honored to step through the arch of such a safe haven. I look forward to the day when we can walk the completed halls of the Uzumaki Compound together."

"Unfortunately, I cannot offer any guidance on the villagers of Wave's desires to construct a statue in your likeness. Of the Ten Noble Families only one holds the practice of immortalizing one's likeness in stone socially acceptable. With the exception of the Valley of New Beginnings, there exist no statue of a member of the First Family in Fire Nation. If, however, the idea makes you uncomfortable, then I suggest you continue with your current course of action and delay the project. I am confident that the people of Wave will understand."

"On a slightly different note, the information you sent in your last correspondence concerning Inari-san is more than adequate for suggested literature. As Inari-san is of similar age to Hanabi-chan, I have a list of a number of appropriate works that he may enjoy already prepared. If it is appropriate, I will have Yuusuke-san send copies to him directly."

(Pause, thoughtful)

"Since your last correspondence, I have taken your advice and challenged Nara-san to a game of shogi. You were correct in your assessment of his abilities. Nara-san is quite talented in the art of strategy. If time permits, we shall play a game of go tomorrow. I anticipate that the activity will be as equally as rewarding as our previous game of shogi."

"Given your own unique abilities, I imagine a game against you, Uzumaki-kun, will be equally as rewarding. Perhaps, we shall have the opportunity to play one another in the near future. Ji-sama, or the bossman as you so eloquently put it, always encourages the collection of different perspectives. In fact, there seem to be many instances of unresolved antics that were for the betterment of the village.

"It is unfortunate that the true culprit of the Fire Festival incident thought to use you in the execution of their stunt. Considering your extensive record and propensity for the color orange, it is understandable how Ji-sama mistook the perpetrator for you. They proved to be particularly clever in displaying only positive phrasings about you, Uzumaki-kun, as all the circumstantial evidence pointed towards you. Although, I do agree that the incident did lead to the improvement of the structural integrity of the Towers; however, had the culprit come forward, more could have been done in that endeavor."

(pause, shuffling the in background)

"Forgive me, Uzumaki-kun, but the hour grows later still and unfortunately there is much to be done come first light. Until our next correspondence. Sincerely…Hinata."