I didn't want to do it; still don't- I don't think of myself as a quitter. But that's exactly what this is, and I hate it. Ninja are ones who endure, aren't they? Living weapons, getting stained with blood and sweat and tears, but still holding an edge. That's what ninja are supposed to be, but ideals of perfection only work in a perfect world.

It took a lot of effort to even get out of bed today. When Naruto asked I lied and said I was tired, not even turning over to face him. I'll have to talk to him at some point today; I want to talk to him, and maybe he'll decide to come with me. I really hope he does- if I'm going to attack the watched feeling, I want to do it with him and my family close by.

When I get to the waterfall, Fukasaku is sitting by the edge of the pool staff across his lap as he meditates. "Mister Fukasaku, may I speak with you for a moment?"

"Yes, come and sit…" I take a seat next to Fukasaku, and take a deep breath.

"Sir, the watched feeling, it isn't new. It's been on me for the last few months, whether I've been training or with my family, eating, bathing, everywhere. And… after yesterday and read Lord Elder's scroll, I don't think the feeling is related to natural energy or the gift of prophecy…"

Fukasaku sighs, and closes his eyes. "May I share a personal story with you, Hinata?"

"Yes, sir."

"Far back in my youth, I was jealous of him. He was the brooding good-looking one with the mysterious gift, and I was not so much taller than I was now. I worked very hard to be where he was- I mastered sage mode first, only for him to soon bring his gift under control; I was able to discourage the Five-Tails from entering Mount Myoboku, only for him to shortly afterwards prophesy the Nine-Tails would one day come to our home; and it continued on in that way for many years… and you know what he said to me when he became the lord of this mountain? 'The world looks through me, but I want to see the world from your eyes'. He told me that because of his gift he could never make close friends, as I have been fortunate to, that he wished to have the same drive to better himself that I had, that he could be an agent of change instead of a vessel. Hinata, the worries of youth are seldom reasonable or grounded in reality. I assure you, for every time you feel trapped or envious, there is someone who wants to be in your place. This trouble of yours will pass."

"...I can't live like this, though. I have to do something about it besides wait for it to find me and take control of me. I want to be home with my family, and have them there to lean on. Could… you show me the way to Konoha from here?"

"No."

"Um, sir…?"

"I don't think it would be good for you to make the trip right now. You are slender, and may be able to splash in the Puddle."

"Puddle, sir? Is it anything like skipping through the forest or river walking?"

"No, don't be so literal, the Puddle is a portal that leads to Konoha from here. Do you have your things with you?"

"No, sir. They're still at the treehouse."

"Very well. I'll meet you at the oil-fall, as it is closer." Fukasaku nods, and I stand and bow, and leap back to the treehouse. I've actually gotten all my things packed this morning already. A few minutes later I'm back there, and putting my storage scrolls back in my hip bag. I look over at Naruto's side of the room, and see it's mostly clean, though there are a few pieces of his gear next to his bed. I walk over and pick them up, putting them together on his bed. I'm about to leave when the door opens, and Naruto walks in.

"Hinata?"

I want to say something, but it takes a moment before I can get the words out. "I- I wanted to be home in Konoha, and-"

"Of course I'll come, but you coulda told me sooner, ya know," Naruto says, folding his arms. "Why do you wanna go all of a sudden? I thought you liked it here."

"I do, it's beautiful here. But… I learned being a sage wasn't the answer to the watched feeling…"

"You're still feeling watched?"

"Yes, I have for the last few months."

"Months?! What the heck, why haven't you told me before?!"

"I've… been busy, and it never seemed like the right time."

"Huh, well, let me get my stuff together, and…" Naruto looks over to where I've arranged his equipment on his bed, and I begin to blush. "Uh, you didn't look through my clothes, did you?"

"...No." I almost say do you want to look through mine, but stop before the phrase gets out of my mouth. Naruto clears his throat, and quickly gets his gear packed. A second later and we're on the way to the oil-fall. Now that I'm about to leave thoughts of what's waiting at home enter my head, but they're outweighed by joy of going back to where my family and friends are. Fukasaku isn't there when we arrive, and for a moment I look around at the toad statues. Could I have become a sage if I stayed, or would I have turned out like them? My mind turns to ways I could use what I've learned here in my own training and jutsu- river walking seems very practical- and if I'll have a chance to make use of any of it. Naruto begins to tap his foot, and not too long after he does Fukasaku touches down beside us.

"Sorry for the delay." He says, and adds under his breath, "When you've been married for hundreds of years… Well, the Puddle should be ready when we arrive. Let us be off." The way takes us through the forest and underneath a couple waterfalls, closer to the mountain. Mount Myoboku really is a beautiful place, and again I feel disappointed in myself for leaving so soon. Abruptly the forest changes from trees to bamboo, and we come to a small shrine. Another elder toad is there, one the same size as Fukasaku.

"Oh, look who's back already. Had half a mind to jump down this thing myself."

"Have you opened up the portal, my dear wife?"

"Did it while you were gone, dear."

Fukasaku nods and clears his throat. "Well, this is farewell then. I hope to see you two again here someday."

I kneel into the seiza position, and bow. "Thank you very much for training me, Mister Fukasaku."

"It was a pleasure to do so, Hinata." I stand, and see Naruto tossing something into the Puddle.

"Just testing it out, that totally wasn't a stink bomb I threw in there," Naruto says with a chuckle, before quickly plugging his nose and stepping in.

I turn to Fukasaku and smile. "Goodbye, sir." I too hold my nose shut and step in, not sure what to expect. It was very similar to the time I did the skipping through the forest technique, it had the same acceleration like I was being shot from a bow. I land hard but manage to keep my footing, and when I open my eyes I'm in Konoha, and Naruto is beside me grinning. "Well-" I let go of my nose, and it most definitely was a stink bomb Naruto tossed through the portal- "I will, um, be going back to my clan's estate…"

"How about going to get some ramen first?"

"Oh, no thank you, Naruto, I'm not hungry right now."

"Aw, alright. Later, Hinata!"

"Bye, Naruto…" I look after him for a moment, then run back towards the estate. In a flash I remember, and pull my hair over to one side as I get near. When I'm there, it seems as if it's just another normal day, with most of my family and clan out or training. My heart starts to melt with relief. The bed in the treehouse was good enough, and bathing outdoors was… interesting, it just wasn't what I had at home. I go on up to my room, ready to unpack, and slide open the door.

Sitting at my writing desk and currently having her hair combed is Lady Sorano. I hear people talk about them and I read about them in books, but this was the first moment I wanted to pinch myself to make sure I was dreaming. We both stare at each other, an awkward silence filling the room. I step back out, and slide the door shut. I'm going to need a little while to think about this.