I wasn't assigned any missions again, so I've decided to take a little trip. I'll be heading out of the village, going to a shrine East of Konoha. I've passed through the area once a few years ago on a mission. It's pleasant, with serene woods, and small stream flowing near the temple.
Though this is an off day, I've set a fast pace. I want to get there early so that I have plenty of time to look around and do what I came for. I hurried out of the house, only saying good morning to my parents and taking a couple of the nutrient bars I sometimes carry on missions. They're not the Double Chocolate Infinite Energy ones Naruto likes- I tried those and they stick to the roof of my when I chew them- they're a more sensible granola and dried fruit kind.
The weather is mild, but it's a hard run and I soon work up a sweat. The watched feeling brushes over my brow as I move strands of hair out of my eyes, and I flinch slightly. It's only a bit, but it's enough to throw me off, and my foot catches on a tree limb. I flip over as I fall- it's a long ways down- but I focus for a second, and as I'm face down again, I use a jutsu. "Water Style: Hand of Waves!" The torrent slows my fall, and I'm able to get my bearings and land my feet, thankfully. I shake off the moment, and keep going, staying on the ground for a little while. The rest of the run goes without incident, and it's nearing noon when I arrive at the stream near the shrine. I kneel down to get a drink from it, and eat one of my nutrient bars. The sunlight breaks through the trees in sacred and beautiful patterns, like golden tears of joy, and I take a deep breath. I'm sure that this will help.
After following the stream North for a minute I leap over it, and can see a building through the trees. I jog over, and the front door is open- "Come in." Warily, I remove my shoes and bow, and enter. The shrine maiden is seated in front of the incense stand, facing away from me. I step over and kneel down beside them. The maiden is silent, and I feel that she's waiting for me to speak. Her face is calm, and ageless. She could be a few years or a few decades older than me; I can't tell. She opens her eyes, and looks over towards me. "Well?"
"Ma'am... would you talk with me about spirits?"
"Spirits?"
"Yes, spirits. Or ghosts, rather."
"Why would such things interest a young woman like yourself? Ninja do not deal in spirits." This is slightly startling, as she just opened her eyes, and I didn't introduce myself as a ninja. I'm not even wearing my forehead protector today.
"I feel that I'm being haunted. Something has been following me for the last several days."
"Perhaps it is another ninja."
"No, I'm certain it isn't, ma'am. My dojutsu, the Byakugan, hasn't seen anyone around me, even when I was in isolated places. And, I've just started training as a sensor type ninja, and I can't sense anyone around, either."
"You know, I've heard stories of how the second Tsuchikage could become untraceable. Perhaps another has reached that level of mastery."
"That... could be possible, but I doubt it. In the last few years ninja have been focused more on warfare than stealth." The shrine maiden looked deep into my eyes, her own clear blue eyes piercing and removing any doubts of her age.
"I will help you. But only if you are certain it is no ninja that is following you, young Hyuga."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Maybe it will refresh your spirit to linger here at the shrine for a little while."
"Maybe it will..." I light a stick of incense and sit back down next to the shrine maiden, silently speaking to my ancestors for a few minutes. Though I feel a bit more relaxed after resting in the shrine from my run, I don't feel all that different. I rise, and make my way out of the shrine, putting my shoes back on and walking around the building. Around the back in the courtyard is a bonsai garden, in the middle of which is a koi pond. A small bench is next to the pond, and I walk along the path to sit on it. The koi are lazily swimming around. As I watch them, I wonder of what other ways there could be to sense ninja. If my spirit and sight aren't working, what about the other four? Smell is possible, I know- Kiba and his clan specialize in it. Hearing could be sharpened. Taste- well, if I could detect someone with taste, I could probably do it with the other five first. So touch, then. That sparks an almost lost connection in my mind, and I decide to head back to Konoha to talk with Naruto. I go back to the front to make a small donation in the box, and depart.