Back in mission mode, the gang meets up in the capital of Fire Country.

Chapter 12: Seven new ways for you to eat your young

After parting ways with Shino, Hinata kept herself occupied with some gardening and meditation. She felt restless missing a day of training, but her lack of sleep had done little for her chakra control and she didn't want to be a burden on the mission tomorrow.

She had dinner with her father and sister and several other clan members, trying not to think of Neji being away on a mission. Sleep came a little easier at night now that the dormitory was full than it had that morning, but her dreams were still unpleasant.

She woke well before sunrise, preparing her pack and making sure to include formal wear as Kakashi had asked. She had plenty of kimonos gifted by her father. The day before any festival, Hinata would often find a new kimono or hair accessory in her room, wrapped in expensive paper with no note or card. Her father was a man of few words in many ways.

Hinata chose to take the kimonos from the last ōtsugomori and yomatsuri.

Hinata then made her way to Naruto's apartment. After the last time she'd been there, she was reluctant to enter. However the thought of being late drove her forward.

Naruto's collection of formal wear was much smaller than her own. In fact, other than a light cotton yukata, the other four kimonos in his wardrobe had been picked out by her. A month into dating, Naruto had asked for her help, saying that Kakashi had tasked him with dressing appropriately to attend formal meetings with important officials. Hinata had been delighted, but then Naruto had gotten pulled away in the middle of their outing leaving Hinata to finish up. Three of the four kimonos had been purchased without any of his input.

Hinata tried not to dwell on it, packing efficiently and leaving as soon as possible.

When she arrived at the Hokage's office, she found the door open and Sasuke already leaning against the wall. She greeted him softly and moved to stand in front of Kakashi's empty desk.

Despite her talk with Shino, Hinata felt a little unsure. She faced forward, squirming a little when she felt Sasuke's eyes on her profile. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes and the exhaustion on his face had her turning, any awkwardness forgotten.

It was clear he hadn't slept at all.

"Sasuke-san —"

Hinata was interrupted by the arrival of Kakashi and Shikamaru.

"Yo," Kakashi greeted blithely.

Shikamaru gave them a lazy wave with a hand holding a scroll. He walked over to the Hokage's desk and unrolled it. "We've been in communication with the other two teams. We'll be meeting up at a safe house near the capital." He pointed out the area.

"So, Sasuke-kun, will you be able to get us there?" Kakashi asked.

Sasuke gave him a dead-eyed look. "Don't treat me like transportation," he said with a sneer. Then, to Shikamaru, he said, "I know the place."

He opened a portal right there in the Hokage's office with little fanfare outside of his glowing rinnegan. Although she'd seen Sasuke use his jikūkan ninjutsu a few times now, Hinata was still awed by the power.

Within a few seconds they were stepping right up to the safe house. Naruto, Neji, Tenten and Sai were waiting for them inside, seated on the available furniture.

Kakashi clapped his hands together. "Alright. Now that we're all together, time for a debrief. Team Neji and Tenten eliminated the white zetsu mimicking the Gotos. Team Naruto and Sai took care of the Chibas. They also verified the Fire Daimyo is safe and passed along a message to him. Team Hinata and Sasuke located what appears to be the source of the white zetsu and eradicated it."

Shikamaru piped up. "That being said, we can't be certain there aren't more of them out there other than the ones that were impersonating the Goto and the Chiba nobles."

"Correct," Kakashi said. "Team Hinata and Sasuke may have also identified a suspect when they investigated the neighbouring Fujiwara household. Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru straightened, his normal passive expression taking on a serious edge. "I looked into the Fujiwara family. They were a small, but influential clan with close ties to the Fire Daimyo. Then about sixteen years ago they got caught trading secrets and setting up shady deals with Tsuchi no Kuni. Officially it was all business-related, nothing treasonous, but they definitely pissed off the other nobles with the amount of money they made by undercutting other Hi no Kuni clans and supporting their Iwa business rivals."

Shikamaru paused and pulled out some folders. "Hinata-chan, do you mind? There are files on everything and some photos."

Hinata jumped up, taking the folders and passing one to each person.

Shikamaru continued to speak as they all flipped through the papers and followed along. "Their relationship with the Fire Daimyo kept them out of prison, but they were pretty much ruined in every other way. Almost all of their money, land and everything they owned was repossessed by the government. In fact, a lot of the Mogami land had originally belonged to the Fujiwara. They were left with a small plot and were shipped out from the capital to live there in shame since none of the capital high society would associate with them anymore."

Hinata was going through the files in her own folder and stopped at a photograph. "Um, Shikamaru-kun?" All eyes turned to her and she blushed lightly, but kept her head held high as she addressed the other ninja. "Is there a more recent photograph of the Fujiwara clan?" Despite the state the bodies had been in, she could tell the people in the photo looked much younger.

Shikamaru shook his head in the negative. "No, there was very little information on them from after their exile. But I did find something of interest in the registration office. You said there were ten dead, right?"

Hinata bit her lip and nodded. "Two seniors, a man and a woman, grandparents. A middle aged couple, the clan head and his wife. And six adults seeming to be between the ages of twenty to thirty, their children." She could see all ten of them in the photo.

"Then we're one short. They registered a birth about one year after their exile."

Tenten snorted. "Hell of a time to have a baby."

Hinata flipped to the next page in the folder and saw the certificate of birth. Fujiwara Minoru.

"Wait a minute! Are you trying to say our suspect is a fifteen year old?" Naruto exclaimed.

Shikamaru shrugged. "Suspect or captive. It's hard to believe that an estate luring and replacing nobles with white zetsu is unrelated to the murder of a family living right next to them and coincidentally nearly on top of a white zetsu plant. Especially when we can link the Mogami, Chiba and Goto clans to the exile. They were all involved in businesses affected by the Fujiwaras' dealings."

"Then how do we proceed?" Neji asked. "Reconnaissance? I suppose Hinata-sama and I could try to locate any white zetsu in the city, but it would take some days."

Shikamaru stuffed his hands in his pockets in a lazy motion. "They may not be able to disguise themselves effectively as civilians, but there are plenty of ninja in the capital. Hokage-sama re-called any Konoha ninja, but with the peace treaties there may be some other ninja here. With how big the capital is and how many people live here, identifying them one by one would be a drag."

"Like I said, I've been in communication with the Fire Daimyo," Kakashi stated. "He's made some arrangements by my request, but he emphasized the importance of discretion. As you can imagine the death of members of three prominent families, as well as the attempt on a fourth, will cause panic. It's to both of our benefits that this news is being kept hidden for now."

"A covert operation," Sai noted. "We will be going undercover?"

"Exactly. Naruto, Shikamaru and I will be here in an official capacity. We'll be attending meetings with the Fire Daimyo today and tomorrow. There's also going to be a dinner with some of the elite nobles tomorrow evening. Tenten and Sai will be our guards," Kakashi said.

The people in question nodded in understanding.

"As for the rest of you…having more than two guards would be overkill in these peaceful times and might tip them off. So Hinata, you'll be here as Naruto's partner and future wife."

A blush immediately erupted across Hinata's face. Of course, upgrading her title from girlfriend to fiancé was necessary for her attendance to make sense. She met Naruto's eyes for the first time since their emotional conversation before they left for their respective missions. A feeling of awkwardness arose inside her.

Kakashi continued, uncaring of their bashfulness. "Now, the wife of the Hokage typically doesn't need to accompany him on trips like these, but this way you can attend the dinner in an official capacity as well. The Fire Daimyo's wife was also kind enough to invite you to a luncheon with some noble ladies today. Given Hinata's importance to both the Hyuuga and the future Hokage, Neji's presence as a guard won't be questioned."

Neji's arms were crossed as he nodded. He sent a displeased side glance to a blushing Naruto, but didn't utter a word of complaint.

"Sasuke is a difficult case. His presence will draw attention no matter what," Kakashi said, turning to face the Uchiha.

Shikamaru let out a tired groan. "Yeah, they may be civilians, but it's all still Hi no Kuni. If Konoha news is interesting enough, it'll make its way to their papers." He held up three fingers. "Last of the Uchiha, former criminal, war hero," he recited, lowering one finger with each title. "Everyone here will know his face."

"I think the capital even has their own branch of his fan club," Tenten said, leaning back in her chair casually.

Neji muttered something derisive and Tenten elbowed him. "Hey! I may have thought he was cute when I was thirteen years old, but I was never part of his fan club!" she defended.

Hinata glanced at the boy in question. She supposed he'd been the village heartthrob, so it wasn't necessarily surprising that even Tenten had taken notice. More than anything, Hinata found herself focusing on the bags under his eyes and the weary slump to his shoulders.

"Sasuke doesn't have a formal title to justify attending the meetings with the Fire Daimyo and even as a guard he would cause too much…excitement," Kakashi said.

"Whoever's behind this is no doubt aware that their base at the Mogami estate was compromised. A visit from the Hokage might raise suspicion, but it's not completely out of the ordinary. But both war heroes in the city at the same time will definitely put them on high alert," Shikamaru explained.

"Everyone here is a war hero!" Naruto protested.

Kakashi chuckled. "Not quite to the same level as you two. Sasuke, I'll leave it up to you. Putting the enemy on high alert might not be a bad thing. It could cause them to act hastily and make mistakes. On the other hand, having an undisclosed teammate operating from the shadows could give us an edge."

Sasuke scoffed. "As if I'd choose to deal with those old bastards. I know how to make myself invisible."

"Alright then," Kakashi agreed easily with a thumbs up. "Everyone has their assignments. Itineraries are in your folders, get ready. The Fire Daimyo has graciously provided us with carriages."

Sasuke's eyes caught hers and he quirked a brow, face inscrutable. Hinata's eyes widened, realizing she had been staring.

She whirled away and bumped right into Naruto's chest. "Oh!" Hinata gasped, touching her head where she'd hit him.

"Hinata-chan!" Naruto said with a broad grin.

Hinata's responding smile was strained. "Naruto-kun…" Struck with realization, she slid off her backpack and clutched it to her chest. "I brought you some formal wear." Hinata dug her hand into her backpack and pointedly kept her gaze on the contents of her bag. "Here," she said, handing him the folded silk.

"Thanks, you're the best! These are the ones we bought together, right?" Naruto asked. Broad tan hands covered her own.

"Mm." Hinata nodded rather than correcting him. He wasn't exactly wrong. She kept her gaze turned down, nervous. Feeling jittery around Naruto was not unusual, though it had gotten better when they began dating. The strange thing was that these nerves didn't feel like the fluttering of butterflies in her stomach she was used to, but more like the coiling of a snake.

"As entertaining as your awkward flirting is, we need to leave in twenty minutes for the first meeting," Sai said.

Hinata tugged her hands out from under Naruto's and took a step back.

"Heh, I guess I'll get ready," Naruto said, scratching the back of his head. He stuck his tongue out at Sai as he made his way to further into the safe house.

The resting quarters were basic: three small rooms with two sets of bunkbeds each. Fitting four adults in rooms of those size was not pleasant, but safe houses were built to be functional not luxurious.

Hinata followed Tenten into one of the rooms, dropping her pack on one of the beds. Tenten stripped clinically and dressed in the standard guard uniform Hinata had seen Shikamaru hand out. She was out the door in a matter of minutes, waving a quick goodbye.

It would likely take Hinata much longer than that to get dressed up for the luncheon with the Fire Daimyo's wife, but there was approximately four hours before Hinata had to leave. She plopped down on the bed and opted to read through the files Shikamaru had prepared.

After studying the contents of the folder, Hinata put it away tidily and then slipped her left shoe off. She unwrapped the bandages from her ankle. Hinata's control over her chakra reserves hadn't recovered as well as she would have liked due to her disturbed sleep, so she hadn't healed it earlier and she'd been too embarrassed to stop by the hospital again for such a minor injury. Unable to put it off any longer, Hinata healed it with what little iryō ninjutsu she knew, taking great care to monitor the flow of chakra.

The iron door rattled, but stayed shut.

Tossing the used bandages in the waste bin, Hinata sat back down and meditated.

An hour later, Hinata felt better rested. She started getting ready, applying light makeup and slipping into a pale pink kimono and a pair of geta. She struggled with her hair in the small mirror of the utilitarian bathroom, used to having help.

When she left the resting quarters, she found Neji seated on the couch in the mess room, eyes closed, likely meditating. Her cousin turned to her when she entered.

"Oh, Hinata-sama," Neji sighed when he saw her hair. "Come here."

With a sheepish smile, Hinata sat on the couch with her back to him. "Do you know where Sasuke-san went?"

"He left after the others. I suppose he was given free rein to investigate as he'd like by Hokage-sama," Neji said, a little disapprovingly.

Hinata hummed in acknowledgement. She had hoped he'd take the time to rest, but wasn't surprised he hadn't. Her forehead creased with worry.

Neji let down her hair and combed through it with repeated motions until it lay smoothly down her back. Only then did he begin to twist it up into a chignon. Hinata closed her eyes, enjoying the soothing feeling, brows relaxing.

It was strange to think that the same hands that treated her with such care had left a permanent scar on her chest. Hinata had never hated Neji, but she had feared him, feared those hands. Now, those same hands were less steady and yet she trusted them with the entirety of the same heart they had once damaged. She thought back to Shino's words on the evolution of a person, the evolution of feelings.

When he finished, Neji smoothed down the silk against her shoulders. "Let's go, the Fire Daimyo's wife is expecting us."

"Welcome, dear!" the Fire Daimyo's wife said, squeezing Hinata tightly.

Hinata felt a sudden kinship to Tora. "Thank you for having me, Shijimi-sama," Hinata squeaked out.

"Still so cute, Hinata-chan," Shijimi said, with a pat to Hinata's cheek. She took Hinata's arm, guiding her over to the group of twelve noble ladies sitting seiza and introduced them one by one to Hinata. "And this is Hyuuga Hinata. I've known her since she was twelve and now she's all grown up! She's here with her fiancé, the Hokage's successor."

Hinata bowed politely and the ladies oohed and aahed appropriately.

Shijimi had saved her a seat right next to her and Hinata was not oblivious to the envious looks. As soon as she was seated, she was bombarded with questions.

"Oh, so you're a ninja? Does that mean you know how to fight?"

"But you're so small, surely you don't have to do such rough things!"

"Your eyes are so unusual, is there something wrong with them?"

"What is it like living in a ninja village?"

Shijimi stared the women down with a composed smile. "Now, now, ladies. Let's not overwhelm her." She easily steered the discussion to a different topic and Hinata let out a breath of relief.

As the women chatted, Hinata looked around the table. They were all elegantly dressed and most were in their thirties or older except for a younger woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties. They conversed about a new fashionable dressmaker, their children's accomplishments and the romantic affairs of people in their high society circle. She wondered if this was the type of thing her mother had being doing as Lady Hyuuga, networking and gathering information through inconspicuous gossiping, pulled away from a young Hinata by duties and obligations.

"And any news from you, Yuka-san? It's been a year since your wedding, can we expect an addition to the family soon?"

The youngest lady, Yuka, smiled humbly. "Oh, well. My husband is quite busy with his promotion. It's difficult to have time together, but perhaps when he settles into the position."

"Oh ho, it'll only get worse from there, Yuka-san."

"I had all three of mine within the first three years. Thank god for nursemaids."

"Yes, it's best to get that taken care of on the wedding night if not during courting."

"Noriko-san! How scandalous!"

"Well, she's not wrong! There's nothing like the courting period. Everything is magical. Then once you're wedded, it's back to everyday life."

"Ha! Courting or not, it doesn't matter. If a man wants to spend time with you, he will find a way," one of the oldest women at the table said. She was stunningly beautiful and held herself with confidence.

The other women quieted respectfully. Yuka hid demurely behind her sleeve, but Hinata caught the downcast look on her face. Hinata worried her bottom lip, recognizing the expression.

"Don't listen to her," Shijimi said kindly, but authoritatively. "You both just need to get used to wedded life and all the responsibilities of adulthood."

"Of course you are right, Shijimi-sama," Yuka agreed, but she didn't sound convinced.

"Speaking of courting, how about you Hinata-san? You must still be in that exciting phase of a relationship! The gifts, the dates, the walks around town, the displays of skill and chivalry."

Hinata blinked, surprised to be addressed. She had been content to fade into the background. Seeing everyone's expectant eyes on her, she could only nod automatically. "Mm. Yes, it's all very…exciting and…romantic," she offered uncertainly.

The ladies looked unsatisfied with her lackluster response, but quickly turned to a new topic of a politician being seen with a young woman who was not his wife.

Hinata took the opportunity to excuse herself to the bathroom. She caught Neji's eye on her way out from where he was standing in the corner with the other guards and gave him a reassuring nod.

Once she was alone, Hinata activated her byakugan and scanned the building. Fortunately, there was nothing suspicious which meant the Fire Daimyo's wife was safe. Unfortunately, it meant there were no leads to follow. She hoped her comrades had better luck shadowing the Fire Daimyo and the male counterparts of the women she was lunching with.

Hinata was still mentally exhausted from the sly conversations between the noble ladies when they got back to the safe house. She and Neji had fruitlessly patrolled the streets of the capital under the guise of taking in the sights, but had to return shortly lest they draw too much attention to themselves and their distinctive eyes. The other team still had a full schedule ahead of them, so she and Neji were left to their own devices until the dinner tomorrow night.

It was a normal part of missions that nobody told you about as an eager academy student or a fresh faced genin; the downtime and the waiting in between orders.

They checked in with the other team on the radio and then, after removing all the finery and changing back into more comfortable clothes, Hinata joined Neji in running through katas outside in the cool winter air. The safe house was tucked away in the forest. The capital was less north than the Mogami land so there wasn't any snow just yet, but the leaves of the trees were either coloured or withered. Hinata enjoyed the view, so different from the trees in Konoha which never lost their leaves giving truth to the name of the village.

They had a simple meal out of the canned goods in the cupboards and continued to listen to Sai's regular check-ins on the radio.

As the night grew long, Neji retreated to the resting quarters. Hinata surveyed the bookshelf. There was a lot of educational material supplied by the Hokage's office along with the rest of the furniture, however there were also some books on various other topics mixed in that were donated by the ninja who used the safe house. Hinata had brought her own book on herbs to trade. She skipped over the orange covers of several Icha Icha novels timidly and was pleased to find a book on juinjutsu.

Curling into the couch, Hinata read. At some point, she fell asleep.

Another nightmare.

Just as it was reaching the part where Hinata would wake screaming, a hand on her head, then on her cheek calmed her down. Some indeterminable time later, Hinata woke to a weight on her head. She was too lethargic to startle and something about the presence beside her was familiar.

In a sluggish movement, she turned to the side. The tip of her nose brushed a cheekbone, her eyelashes fluttered against pitch black hair. The larger body was heavy with sleep where it leaned against her.

Half-asleep, Hinata's eyes slipped closed again and her head dropped into the crook of a neck, falling into a dreamless sleep.

The strong scent of sake had Hinata wrinkling her nose, eyes blinking open to meet blond hair and blue eyes shadowed in the darkness.

"Mm." She was in a bunkbed under a blanket.

"Sorry," Naruto whispered. "Didn't mean to wake you. The Fire Daimyo finally let us go. Just wanted to see your face before I went to bed."

Hinata hummed into her pillow. She felt a kiss pressed to her temple and then she was back under.

We had some blink and you'll miss it SasuHina moments, but I promise next chapter they'll actually speak words to each other.

Enjoy the calm, things are going to get a little stressful again.

Thanks for reading & reviewing!

MVH