A/N Multiple pairings, Hinata-centric. Almost a reverse harem but not quite.
Lady Tsunade began making many changes after becoming Hokage, the one change that seemed to get the most push back however was her reorganization of Teams. The first team to be remade consisted of Nara Shikamaru, Uzumaki Naruto, and Hyūga Hinata.
After dismissing her newly formed team from her office she rubbed the bridge of her nose, "Do you think it was wise?" Shizune piped from the corner she stood in. She quietly observed the entire scene; each member of the new team had differing reactions. The Hyūga though, didn't voice any complaints as the others did.
Tsunade shrugged cynically, "Trial by fire."
Shizune let a quiet giggle escape her, "I can't believe you gave them a mission that quickly."
Tsunade shot Shizune a sly grin, "Trial by fire, say when is the Uchiha supposed to arrive with the others?"
Hinata POV
"What a drag," Shikamaru whined as we exited the village gates.
"I'm not happy about it either, let's just get it done quickly, and then we can come back and go to our real teams," Naruto stated with venom in his voice. He was the most outspoken against the new teams.
"No! I already have a team I'm not going on a new one." He was so furious in his altercation with the Lady Tsunade chakra poured out of him giving him a dull aura of blue.
"Yes," Tsunade blinked, "You have a team, right here."
"We don't even know each other," Naruto argued, I kept my head down so he didn't see the fierce flush on my cheeks.
"You'll have plenty of time for that." Tsunade countered gesturing to the scroll she had already handed Shikamaru.
They argued for over an hour, all while Shikamaru and I awkwardly stood there. Occasionally I would glance up and catch him staring at me, once he mouthed 'I bet we could sneak out,' I only smiled in reply.
I was devastated about being on a new team. I love Naruto, and the thought of spending so much time with him makes me feel faint. But what about Kiba and Shino? They're my brothers. A princess doesn't argue, a princess doesn't speak out of line.
"Hey- Hinata-chan you ready?" Naruto peered down at me. I had stopped walking during my pondering, holding up both of my new teammates. What a great impression you've made Hinata.
"Byakugan!" And we were off, jumping through the trees. The tree's energy seemed to flow through me, grounding me in the natural rhythms of the forest. This was peaceful, it was natural. I went ahead of the others, scouting, observing. It was like this with Shino and Kiba as well, it was nice, we had a rhythm. Shino and Kiba were the perfect teammates, we made the perfect team.
Above me, the canopy of leaves filtered the sunlight, creating a gentle play of light and shade. I paused gripping the trunk next to me as the others caught up, "What is it Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked. The way he said my name made my knees weak.
"A few kilometers th-that way," I pointed weakly holding my head down. "Ninjas, h-heavy chakra," I mumbled the last part. With each inhale, the forest's scent filled my senses, an intoxicating blend of earth, moss, and wildflowers. I always wondered what Kiba's favorite scent was, his nose is far more sensitive than mine, did he also enjoy the smell of the Leaf?
"Are they aware of us?" Shikamaru asked, he at least I could look in the eye, though I always felt as if he were silently judging me.
I shook my head, "I-It doesn't seem that w-way." The soft murmur of leaves rustling in the wind filled the air, creating a symphony of nature's whispers.
"Well let's go check them out." Naruto raised his fist in the air, excited to finally get some action on the boring mission.
"No idiot, if they're unaware of us that's a good thing, it should stay that way." Shikamaru sighed.
"Why? You scared?" Naruto instigated his voice raised.
Shikamaru ignored him turning to me, "Will we be traveling closer to them for the mission?"
I bit my lip and swallowed, "They're i-in our direct p-path." My fingers fumbled together, "We can go south a-and avoid them. It will add a few days to our travel." I focused on the direction of the ninjas, there were two, and they were moving. Their chakra outlines glow softly, a radiant aura that pulses with the ebb and flow of life.
Shikamaru threw his hands in the air, "What a drag." Each person carries a distinct energy signature, a dance of hues that tells a silent story of their emotions and intentions. Warm, harmonious shades radiate from those with peaceful hearts, while jagged, discordant colors emanate from those harboring turmoil. Shikamaru's chakra is distinct, a muted green, almost a contemplative shade.
"Let's hit them head-on, what do you say Hinata-chan?" Naruto looked at me, I held my breath. Naruto's chakra was like an onion, layers of icy blue on top of layers of cherry red.
"Hinata-imouto why don't we wait them out? Let's stay here and wait, if they move we won't need to cross their paths." Shikamaru suggested looking to me. He called me sister, why would he do that?
"Ano-" I tried to say and stopped. The ninjas were on the move, they were approaching.
"Coward!" Naruto roared.
"Imouto, what do you think?" Shikamaru ignored Naruto again. Why does he keep calling me that? We're not close or even a part of the same clan. The approaching figures emanate a distinct power, a pulsating aura that ripples through the surrounding atmosphere. One carries an aura of serene might, their power steady and balanced like the tranquil surface of a deep lake. The other exudes an intense, fiery energy, a force that crackles with passion and determination.
The Byakugan is powerful; the most skilled of the Hyūga can even look into the emotional state through chakra alone. I'm sure Neji can.
I took a large gulp of air. Naruto stepped in between the two of us shoving my body slightly, "She thinks you're lazy!"
"Ano I thin-" I trailed off.
"She thinks you're brash." Shikamaru countered folding his arms over his chest. The approaching figures manifest as vibrant swirls of color, their chakras resonating in unique patterns.
I stomped my foot against the branch we stood on, "They're approaching. G-get ready."
Both looked at me incredulously briefly before readying themselves. "Shadow Clone Jutsu." Naruto multiplied, I could always tell the real Naruto though. The real Naruto had layers of chakra, the clones held only the simple blue.
"Which direction?" Shikamaru asked quietly, he had a kunai raised and no longer wore a bored expression.
"T-they're spreading, they mu-ust have heard us." Their chakra signatures were disappearing, once bright flames in the landscape they became almost invisible. "How many?"
I didn't reply, my knees felt weak, I wanted Kiba, I wanted Shino. "Hinata how many?"
"T-two." I managed to get out as I dodged a kunai.
"Now we have to fight, after all, thanks a lot, loudmouth." Shikamaru whined.
Among the shadows and twisted branches, a pair of glowing red eyes pierces the obscurity like burning embers. The eyes seem to float disembodied, an eerie presence that sends shivers down my spine. "Th-they have a Uchiha." I managed to squeak before I became victim of the Sharingan. The branch under me dissolves; I flail through the air as I hit the ground with a thud.
It happened again and again. The world blurs around me, and a rush of wind accompanies my descent. Panic clenches at my chest as the ground approaches rapidly. I can't do anything; I'm stuck in an endless cycle. The forest floor greets me with an abrupt and unforgiving impact. The sky glowed with the same malevolent energy the eyes held.
"Leave Hinata-chan alone!"
I was standing on the branch again, my breath quick and shallow. A man with jet-black hair and piercing red eyes stands before me, clad in a foreboding black coat adorned with ominous red clouds. Naruto was throwing himself at him, summoning clones as quickly as the man dispatched them.
The red eyes fixate on me, their gaze unwavering and inscrutable. I jumped into action, attacking from the front. I aimed for chakra points, I wanted to disarm him, not kill him.
"Who are these guys?" Shikamaru asked from below, he had fallen down to the forest floor and was fighting the other ninja himself.
"Itachi Uchiha." Naruto spit with venom. He moves with an uncanny grace, dodging and parrying my strikes with a fluidity that suggests an intimate understanding of the dance of combat. His red eyes gleam with an unsettling intensity. How was he able to get me in his genjutsu when I had my Byakugan activated?
"We are here to collect the Nine-tails," Itachi spoke, his face was emotionless, his voice monotone.
"You want Naruto?" I asked dumbly.
"Naruto, Hinata! I got him in my shadow possession!" Shikamaru yelled from below. I took a deep breath, "G-go Naruto-kun."
He hesitated, Itachi moved to strike, I jumped in between again. Strikes are executed with calculated accuracy, seeking to disrupt the flow of energy within him. The dark coat billows as he evades, his movements blending seamlessly with the shadows cast by the towering trees. "You will not have him." I panted out.
"Itachi-" The man from below called up, his voice was slightly panicked and pained.
"Kisame, handle it." Itachi gritted out, his hands shot out gripping my cheeks forcing my eyes to meet his once more. The surroundings morph into surreal shapes, and the once-familiar forest becomes a kaleidoscope of shifting colors and distorted sounds. Shadows dance around me, and the air pulsates with an eerie energy. Itachi stood before me, no longer holding my face, "You're the Hyūga hime?" He asked me.
I nodded.
He tilted his head to the side, "Do you know who I am?"
I nodded again not trusting my voice. Would he kill me again, over and over? Force me to fall to my death?
"You're stronger than I expected." He stated. The man's red eyes seem to bore into my very soul, and the weight of weariness amplifies the disorientation caused by the genjutsu.
"How is this possible, I'm using my Byakugan?" I found myself asking.
"Your dojutsu allows you to see chakra, focus on that." Itachi clenched his jaw.
It all felt like chakra, the entire world felt like Itachi. "I don't understand." His chakra swirls and undulates, forming a distinctive pattern all around me, even the tree we stood on swirled with his power.
"Do you see the illusion?" He asked, his dark hair blowing in the wind he created.
The very essence of his being is laid bare, and I sense the intensity and complexity of his energy. The red eyes, once mysterious, now radiate a concentrated power that demands respect and caution.
"Do you remember me?" He asked.
I did, Itachi and Sasuke would often visit the compound with their parents before everything happened. Sasuke and I would sit in the courtyard; Itachi would always try to eavesdrop on the adults, though they forced him to stay with us. He was just a big kid then.
"Nii-san, come play with us," Sasuke whined one day. Itachi playfully glared at him, "Fine, Hide-and-Seek. Go hide."
Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest, "No, I know this trick; you have to promise to come find us."
Itachi looked up and met my gaze, I squeaked covering my face with my hands. "I'll find you, don't worry."
That night after the Uchiha's had left Father had told me I was to be married to Itachi. Betrothed, an arranged marriage to strengthen both clans.
I swallowed looking at the much older Uchiha now. There wasn't a doubt that he was attractive. He was, very attractive. He massacred his entire clan, showing no remorse or reason for it.
"I remember," I stated without a stutter. His overall appearance was very similar to Sasuke's. Even more, like his brother, he was considered very handsome many girls became infatuated with him before it happened.
The Uchiha visits became more frequent after that, sometimes Father would even take me to their compound. Each time Itachi treated Sasuke and I like bothersome children and went out of his way to evade us so he could eavesdrop.
He would entertain us occasionally, but generally pitted Sasuke with me with the order of, "Handle it."
Sasuke and I would take to playing in the dirt, or Sasuke would want to show off a form to me. That was his favorite. We would finish a game and he'd shout, "Nata-chan watch this!"
He would smile so widely as he raced through the yard, "Sasu-kun!" I would shout in a fit of giggles, impressed with his form and maneuvers.
Then Itachi would pop into view and shove him aside, demonstrating far more skill. The rhythmic dance of his techniques is a captivating display of skill and dedication. As I watched, I couldn't help but feel a warm flush creeping up my cheeks. My future husband was so strong and handsome.
We were just kids then, just kids playing in the dirt.
"What do you want with Naruto-kun?" I asked him, trying desperately to focus on the chakra and break the genjutsu.
He tilted his head to the side, "You care for the Jinchūriki."
I took a step forward surprising myself with my ability to move in the genjutsu. Determination surged through me, "You won't touch him." His chakra, an intricate dance of crimson threads, flows like a river, connecting his physical form to the surrounding environment. I see the ebb and flow of his energy with newfound clarity, the red eyes serving as beacons within the complex web of chakra that envelops him.
I took another step and swung. With each strike, I aim for the energy signatures that pulse through his illusory form. "You're growing tired." He stated dodging my attacks.
As we clash within the genjutsu, the forest around us morphs and twists, responding to the energetic currents of our battle. Leaves and shadows dance to the rhythm of our movements, and the air hums with the resonance of conflicting chakra. "Do you still see Sasuke?" He asked not at all out of breath.
I was panting, "Wh-why do you care?" I asked in retort. The chakra-infused illusions, once so potent, begin to dissipate like morning mist beneath the rising sun.
He smirked, "You focused on the chakra." I could hear the battle on going below us; Shikamaru and Naruto were running on fumes. We still stood on the same branch, Itachi in front of me smiled gently as if he were a proud father. Why would he do that? Why would he help me break his genjutsu?
"Kisame," he called out to the man below.
"Yeah, could use your help down here with these brats." The man replied in an exasperated tone.
I aimed to strike him again, holding my palm flat and charged with chakra. He stumbled back slightly not anticipating my attack. "Kisame, route 34." His voice was strained and I could tell his overuse of the sharingan was wearing on him. I took a step forward knowing now was the best time to strike him, he's weakened and distracted.
"You sure?" Kisame yelled back just as I aimed a kick at Itachi's shoulder, he caught it in one hand and held it midair. "Do you truly wish to harm me hime?"
I swallowed. I didn't wish to harm anyone that was why I wasn't a good shinobi. I pulled my punches, I hesitated in battle, and if push came to shove I would allow the enemy to live knowing they would kill me. But this wasn't about me anymore. This was about Naruto.
A swarm of crows materializes, their dark feathers swirling around me like a living tempest. I watched Itachi with my Byakugan; he summoned the crows and used them as cover. Why is he fleeing?
"Shikamaru are you there?" Naruto called out, his arms were held over his face to shield it from wings. The once-clear battlefield becomes a chaotic flurry of feathers and cawing. "I'm here kid." He answered standing in a similar position.
"Hinata-chan?" I heard from under me. I didn't reply, I was the only one able to follow after them and not be blinded by the birds. I did only what a true shinobi would do, I left, following after Itachi. The chaotic atmosphere of the avian onslaught becomes the backdrop to my pursuit. Through the gaps in the crow-filled air, I catch glimpses of the retreating figure, his black coat blending seamlessly with the shadows of the ancient forest.
"Kid is following us," Kisame groaned in annoyance.
"Let me handle it," Itachi muttered, Kisame nodded and jumped ahead.
He turns to face me, the red eyes now devoid of the earlier glow, and there's a quiet acknowledgment in his gaze. "You should rest hime," he chastised as if I weren't a worthy opponent.
I pulled a kunai out of my pouch gripping it tightly.
"Now what are you going to do with that?" He asked, his expression bored. The metal feels cold and weighty, the edges glint in the light reflecting the razor sharpness.
"You don't plan to use it, go on and put it away." With a swift and purposeful motion, I hurl the kunai through the air, its trajectory guided by the precision of my aim. He dodges with ease, his expression one of bemusement.
I continued hurling blades while he dodged. The metal blade slices through the tranquil atmosphere of the clearing, a streak of silver in the dappled sunlight, before embedding itself into the bark of a nearby tree with a resounding thud. "You care for the Jinchūriki." He again stated.
"His name is Naruto!" I surprised myself with how loud my own voice became. Itachi, now surrounded by blades but seemingly untouched, maintains his enigmatic composure.
"Hinata!" I heard Naruto's approaching voice. Itachi glanced over my shoulder and frowned, "Until then hime."
Exhaustion seeps through my limbs, and the world around me blurs as I collapse. "Hinata-chan!" I feel the damp earth beneath me as I lie on the forest floor, leaves cradling my form. The branches overhead cast dappled shadows, creating a comforting embrace as I surrender to fatigue.
"Hinata stay still," Shikamaru was suddenly at my side kneeling down and resting the back of his hand against my forehead. His hair, neatly pulled back into a ponytail, speaks of a practicality that mirrors his intellectual prowess. I don't know why it caught my attention, but I found myself focusing on the flyaways and stray strands that clung to his face.
"Did you see that?" Naruto asked no one in particular kneeling at my other side.
"We need to get back to the Leaf, my chakra is depleted and from the look of Hinata she's one blow away from death." The lines of fatigue may add a touch of vulnerability to his features, but beneath the tired exterior, there's still a distinct charm that shines through. Shikamaru was handsome, in a rude way.
It was embarrassing, Itachi never touched me, yet I felt the pain of his blows nonetheless.
"I'm fine Shikamaru-san, I just need to rest."
Naruto peered down at me, his blue eyes probing and his hair dripping in sweat, "You're right Shikamaru, she looks pale." The sunlight catches the golden strands of his hair, creating an ethereal glow that complements the vibrant blue of his eyes. Naruto was beautiful.
"Lady Tsunade needs to know about what happened here." Shikamaru stood with a slight limp. "Naruto you should go back without us."
Naruto scrambled beside me, "What! No, I can't do that."
Shikamaru sighed, "You're better off than we are, you could make it back before nightfall. The Leaf needs to know what happened."
Naruto mulled it over, "No, we all go back, or none of us." Every breath I took became a conscious effort, drawn in with the weight of exhaustion and exhaled in a quiet release.
Shikamaru rubbed the bridge of his nose, "Stop being a brat already."
Naruto turned his gaze back down to me, "No," he walked a few feet away. "Shadow Clone Jutsu." He produced one sole clone, it seemed even if Naruto wouldn't admit it he too was drained and defeated.
"I'll take first watch while you two recover," he gave a cheeky grin.
Shikamaru grumbled to himself though his words were lost to me as I succumbed to the exhaustion. When I woke the sun was beginning to set. I sat up slowly, my bones felt fragile, and groaned in protest.
"Hinata-chan," I startled, turning to a Naruto that sat near me. He held a kunai in his hand twirling it. The callouses on his fingers and palm add a rugged charm to the overall beauty that is Naruto. Each scar and roughened patch seems to embody his determination and courage.
The air is cool, and the sunlight filters through the leaves, casting a warm glow on the woodland floor. "N-naruto-kun." I felt my face heating.
"I thought you would never wake up- Shikamaru and I took turns carrying you. You've been out a few days, say are you hungry?" He asked.
They carried me? "I-I thought we were close to Konohagakure."
He scratched the back of his neck, "Yeah, I talked Shikamaru into continuing the mission."
"Give her some space to breathe twerp," Shikamaru scolded, helping me to my feet.
"T-thank you for taking care of me." I bowed my head to both of them trying my hardest not to fidget.
Shikamaru shrugged then held a hand out offering a small pouch of warm soup. Gratitude fills my weary eyes as I accept the pouch, its comforting heat seeping through my fingers. With careful sips, I partake in the nourishing broth. The aroma of the soup carries a mix of herbs and hearty ingredients, filling the clearing with a soothing fragrance. Kiba would hate the smell of this soup; it smells heavily of ginger and garlic.
"Did you make this?" I asked peering up at him through my lashes.
He scoffed kicking his sandal across the ground, "It's a simple recipe, it's better fresh. That's just rehydrated so it's not as good anyway." His cheeks tint with a faint blush, and I knew he was embarrassed.
I nodded, "It's very good." Each sip feels like a revitalizing elixir, easing the residual fatigue and invigorating my senses.
"It's ok I guess." Naruto piped from the side. "It's no ramen though."
I tried to hide my giggle behind my hand. Naruto held his own pouch of rehydrated soup and grinned when our eyes met. As the warmth of the soup spreads through my body, a sense of comfort and camaraderie envelops the clearing. "I can't believe you took on Itachi by yourself."
I frowned; Naruto was very tone-deaf at times. "I didn't, we all did. W-we're a team."
Shikamaru sat down across from where I stood his back propped against a tree, "No need to be humble with us, we saw it."
I flushed and looked down, "Yeah Hinata you really held back in the Chūnin Exams, if you would have fought like that I bet you would have beat Neji." Naruto smacked my back in a friendly manner. Laughter, genuine and unbridled, fills the space between ancient trees.
"T-thank you Naruto," I whispered. The difference between Neji and Itachi was Neji was actively seeking to harm me while Itachi I don't know what he was hoping to do. If Itachi wished to harm me though he could have easily, I was no match for him and it would be foolish to think I was.