Sometimes after coming back from a mission you feel like there should be a parade in your honor, with little children tossing down handfuls of flower petals from the balconies. This wasn't one of those times. Konoha looked like it had when I'd left, and that's exactly what I needed.

I couldn't take a hot shower then flop down on my bed to bury my face in a pillow and sleep away the mission just yet, though. For the debriefing after most missions, you directly make your report in person, and it's that way for the occasional long-term mission, too. But, there are some things that are non-essential to the mission(i.e. my involvement with Yusei and activity as Raiko) that I'd like to not reveal. Aside from danger to myself if all those things became known, there's my family's image to think of, too. Perhaps if it was something small, I could get away with stretching the truth in the debriefing; however, these are no small things, and with Shizune presumably at her usual place next to Lady Tsunade, there's just no way I could get away with it- I'm a decent actor, as most ninja are, but I'm an awful liar.

So, that brings me to here, where I've stopped for a moment before looking over my written debriefing. This new journal is upholstered in blue fabric, slightly wider and thicker than my last one.(There's a certain comment Ino would probably make there…) I think I'll enjoy having it around for a while.

Looking back on the last couple paragraphs, I can see they're a little flat- I guess I'm not that good at lying even on paper. The rest, I tried to cover with volume: details about what Lady Sorano was wearing a certain day, going to evening tea with her, and so on, but due to how and why I left I cut off the explanation of my exit. I get a new sheet of paper and rewrite the last page, and work on filling out the end as much as I can:

"The lessons had been going as well as they had been.

Though not entirely receptive to Yamaha's ideals,

Lady Sorano was bright, and this was not the reason.

According to Yamaha, the activity of a drug dealer

and a rogue ninja in line with them were the cause for

pulling me out. Like all the residents of the city, I had

heard of the death of the man who was known as Jun

Taniguchi, which was a spectacle but otherwise not

worth mention, save for what had been carved on his

chest: ask Taizo. And, like the residents of the city, I was

skeptical of this connection. However, having met and

seen Taizo, I could see the signs of one who was either

sickly or experiencing severe withdrawals; going on how

the servants and everyone else treated Taizo, I'm

inclined to believe it was the latter.

When I mentioned this to Yamaha, he stated that the next

logical step up the ladder of putting Taizo and his associates

out of business would be taking out someone close to

his family, and that an assassination of the daimyo would

be costly even for a drug dealer who was a rival of

Taniguchi, so, that left a handful of people. I'm sure you can

see where his train of thought was headed. Though he

regretted his plans being cut short, Yamaha staged an

attack on me and my kidnapping shortly after Taniguchi's

death…"

Though it makes me nervous, I feel l have to add in one more line.

"I'll be available if you need more details."

There, I think that should be enough. I get the letter folded and put in an envelope, and put it aside for a moment. There are a couple letters that were on my writing desk when I came home; the one on top is from Naruto, and I decide to read that one first.

"Hey Hinata! I just got back from this long-ass mission

in the Land of Wind, and saw your letter. I actually got pretty

excited, and I definitely wanted to come, but I'd never really

joined a undercover mission already in progress, so I

checked with Granny Tsunade just to make sure. After she

was done laughing she said no. Like usual Shizune was

the more helpful one, and she said something liek it's

best not to alter the complexion of an undercover mission

that had just started to make progress like yours had. So,

long story short, I won't be able to make it.

Wish ya all the best,

Naruto."

Well, this would've been nice to have while I was in the palace. But, as it was addressed to my real name when I was out on a mission, it got delivered to my family's home. Hmm, now that I think of it... how did Ibiki know? I'll have to ask him sometime later. Even though I didn't get it on time, Naruto's letter lifts my spirits. I set it down and pick up the other, which I see is from Aoba… and has been opened and resealed. Ugh, Hanabi just stop, okay?

"Miss Hyuga,

Over the last few weeks I have been considering your

request, and have reached a decision.

My answer is yes. At first, due to the circumstances under

which you asked, I was inclined to say no. In addition to

that, your age was another factor taken into consideration.

Upon further thought I remembered the last time I did this,

and realized that such a question only comes a person

who believes they have no other way. And what of

someone who's satisfied with what they know and have?

The end result of the deed would be the same, and

they would have to carry that with them no matter how

they had felt beforehand.

Write me or stop by once you're back in Konoha, and I'll

see when it can be arranged.

Kindest Regards,

~Aoba."

My heart gets heavy in my chest after I finish. It's clear this was very hard on Aoba, making the decision to use his clan's most closely guarded jutsu. I'm no family member of his, or even someone that he really knows all that well… and then I think of how Hanabi would interpret the letter. I… well, I can't tell her, as the Divine Eye technique was rightfully banned many years ago, but at the same time I have to tell her something so that she won't think I'm going to be starting a family with Aoba. Well, there goes my peaceful day off after my return home...