"You're late."

"Yes..." I dare to look up, and though she doesn't look pleased, I see Lady Tsunade isn't angry, either. Rather, it's a curious look I see. "...I didn't sleep very well last night, and didn't get up at my usual time..."

Lady Tsunade smirks. "Well, you got here while missions were still being assigned, so there's nothng wrong with that."

"Do you have anything for me today, Lady Tsunade?"

"No, but we did get something early this morning that reminded me of you." Lady Tsunade nods and slides a letter across the desk to me. I pick it up and unfold it, and as I read it I get a sinking feeling in my stomach.

"-In need of a younger woman, calm and
refined, but also with inner strength, who
will explain and suggest the listed points
in this letter. The position would most likely
be long term, though perhaps it could be
arranged for her to make a tragic 'exit' from
young Lady Sorano's life, thus embedding
her and the list of information in her memories."

"...It's very flattering you would think of me after reading this, Lady Tsunade."

"You're welcome. There are a few other people that might fit the bill, but I want you to let me know how you feel about it in the next couple of days, alright?"

"Yes ma'am." I hand the letter back to Lady Tsunade, then bow and leave the mission room.

It's not until I'm out of the building that I can breathe. I close my eyes and lean against the tower, thinking of what I've gotten myself into. It seems that despite my attempts to keep them apart, these two separate lives I've been living for the past few weeks are being drawn together. The bold and daring Raiko alias and my quieter more natural self can't coexist, and yet they'd be a hair's breadth apart if I took the job; after what I did to Yusei's father and Taizo, Raiko couldn't just disappear. I owe Yusei more than that. After I open my eyes I hear someone walking towards me, and the watched feeling prickles across the back of my neck.

"Hey."

"Um, hello, Sasuke."

"You just get handed a mission?"

"No, not exactly, but... I think I might have to go, whether I want to or not..."

"Hnh. Just remember your ancestors are standing with you..." Sasuke says, as he walks away. I watch him leave and think of what he said, and of my clan members who weren't afraid to fight against their fate. I make my decision, but I'm going to need a day before I'll be able to tell Lady Tsunade.

Later in the afternoon I got restless sitting at home, and decided to train the shark tornado jutsu I'm working on. The first time I don't have my focus, and the vortex doesn't rotate at the right speed. Angry at myself, my second attempt takes shape with more focus, and my third forms much larger than the first two, the column of water more than three times my height before it swirls and bends into shape. The fourth is the same height, but with the fifth I nearly lose myself in my anger and the column of water almost fills the entirety of the small clearing before twisting into form and taking a short leap into the forest. With the loud rustling and snapping and splashing sounds of the tree being destroyed I come back to myself, and stop to catch my breath.

The silence of the forest echoes around me. I feel someone is close by watching, so I call out to them, "It's safe to come over!" A moment later I hear them approach- it's not only one person.

From behind the trees, Ino, Tenten, and my sister Hanabi step out. "Was that you just now?" Tenten asks, stepping around a puddle.

"Yes. I'm sorry you had to come out here to find me..."

"Oh, that's no problem," Ino says with a smile. "Listen, do you think we could talk for a minute?" I nod, and they walk over to stand next me. She shares a look with Tenten and my sister before turning to me. "Hinata, we've... been hearing things..."

"What kinds of things...?"

"Like about how you've been doing almost nothing but learning sensory jutsu, despite having a Byakugan," Tenten says.

"And especially, in the last few days, you've been nervous," Ino says. "It's hard to remember any time you're not calm and quiet." I stare at Hanabi, and she looks down at her feet before answering.

"I didn't tell them any of the personal stuff..." She quietly says.

"Who's bothering you, Hinata? We just want to do what we can to help." Ino and my sister nod in agreement with Tenten, and quite suddenly I'm almost crying.

"I don't know! I haven't been able to find anyone, no matter what I try, and still this watched feeling keeps following me around. I can barely take a bath or shower anymore..."

"When did it start?" Asked Tenten, folding her arms.

"A little over a month ago. I was coming back to Konoha from a mission, and I felt it when I stopped for lunch."

Ino glances at Hanabi before asking, "What about the maiden at Miyazaki Shrine? Has she said anything about who or what it could be?"

"No... but, I want to finish my training with Naruto before I go ask her about it again. If it's a spirit watching me I just want to make sure it isn't anything else first." Ino nods, and takes a deep breath.

"Speaking of guys you hang out with..."

"Hanabi, I thought you said-"

"I didn't, honestly!"

"But, Aoba?" Tenten asks.

"I was only wondering if he could see anything around me..."

"How could he help if your Byakugan didn't find anything?" Tenten asks.

"His clan has a dojutsu, the Daiyagan. It's why they wear sun shades all the time."

"So you like his eyes?" Asks Ino, with the hint of a smile.

"Well... yes... they are nice, but, the Daiyagan can see emotions. I'd thought that even if someone was masking their chakra he could see their emotions- but he didn't find anything."

"Well maybe Aoba just sucks at using his Daiyagan," Tenten suggested.

"No; when I was reading about the Yamashiro clan and the Daiyagan, I found out Aoba made special jonin at around our age because he was so good with it."

"Okay, alright," Ino says, nodding. "But, Ibiki?"

I feel my cheeks start to redden, and I gulp. "I was talking with him about something private."

"What kind of private?" Ino asks with a devilish grin.

I'm sure my face is as red as a tomato. "...Something related to my last couple of missions. It's... personal."

"Isn't he kind of creepy?" Asks Tenten.

"At first, maybe. But he has a good heart." Tenten is grinning now too, and I can see Hanabi trying not to smile. "It- it's not like that! Honestly!"

"If you say so," Ino says.

"Have you told Naruto about him?" Tenten asks slyly.

"Tenten!" Ino playfully scolds. I can only look down at my feet; after our brief talk at the gate a couple days ago I'm starting to like Ibiki- as a friend(stop reading my journal, Hanabi!)- but I couldn't bear to tell them that right now. "But, Hinata, they're both a little- well, a lot- older..."

I take a deep breath. "There are... things that Ibiki and Aoba know, that no one else does-"

"Definitely Ibiki," Tenten says with a smirk.

I continue as if she hadn't spoken. "So I wanted to get the best help I could, to make sure." Tenten and Ino are smiling, and it feels that, in some way, a weight has been lifted off of me. Tenten puts her arm around my shoulders, and we leave the clearing...