"Dont miss the author's note at the end."
Chapter 5
Padding down the tree-lined avenue to the Hokage's tower, two shinobi's stepped into the shadow of an old hardwood. It was almost dawn and soft light flickered down around them. A few more steps, and they were back with all of Konoha glistening around them. Save for the birds and a few other early risers, the streets were empty and quiet.
Both Shino and Shikamaru were exhausted from the three-day mission. But they took their time enjoying the beautiful outskirts of their village. If they were an-hour late, they would have missed the unusual peacefulness of the just-waking village. And the crystalline drops that glinted from the tip of every leaf would have been gone.
"It's 5:30 am, this mission was troublesome", sighed the Nara who glanced at the brightening sky.
Shino nodded while he adjusted his black glasses ,"We have to report to the Hokage about the men..."
Shikamaru lazily turned his head towards Shino. The Aburame man had abruptly ended what he spoke.
"What is it, Shino?"
"My insects sensed Hinata here"
Nara stopped in his tracks as he turned back to face Shino.
'What is she doing here at this hour?' , The man couldn't help but think what Hinata had to do in this abandoned land.
"Shikhamaru, would you mind if I checked upon her?", Shino asked, his voice laced with worry.
Ever since, team 8 had been formed, He, Kiba and Hinata were always together. They all shared a special bond and were always their for each other. It was no new knowledge that they were protective of Hinata. They considered her as their sister.
After a positive response from the Nara, both of them followed the insects, but the sight before them had astonished them.
The eldest Hyuga heir was walking hastily out of the Uchiha's apartment, in a large blue shirt that almost reached upto her knees, oblivious to their presence.
Shino avoided to jump into any conclusion after seeing Hinata because he knew her very well. She would never associate herself with the Uchiha survivor. Even if she did, she would have a valid reason. But still his mind couldn't ward off some doubts.
'Why would she visit him in such a time of the day? That too in his apartment and what's with those clothes?'
Shikamaru too was surprised. The calm and kind Hinata here with the cold Uchiha but something was not right.
" Shino"
"I know"
They retreated along with his insects. They both didn't want to ask Hinata right away. Shino knew that she herself will give some clarification about what he saw while Nara knew something surely was going on between those two.
Whatever it was, he hoped it wouldn't cause an another turmoil in Konoha.
Hinata hugged her petite form as she ran quickly to the Hyuga compound. She cursed herself for acting like a fool .She felt like a flirt. How could she simply stare at him . It was the most embarrassing moment in her life. No , ever since she met the Uchiha, she has been only doing things that embarrass herself infront of him.She didn't know if she could face him anymore.
"Neechan, Hina-Neechan "
Hinata immediately came back to her senses.She had reached the Hyuga backyard.
The garden in the backyard was an exquisite one with a lot of rare and exotic flowers. Hyuga Hikari, her mother built the garden when she was a mere girl. Now Hinata took it as her job to nurture the garden. It was the only symbol her mother left in this huge Hyuga mansion. Between the colorful blossoms, peppered around the garden were some highly medicinal herbs. It was her addition to the garden. She had grown a particular interest in medicine over the years. Planting these herbs was her favorite hobby. Moreover, the medicines she made were useful for her teammates and her family.
Hinata put on her wet baggy jacket and folded Sasuke's shirt to hide it inside her jacket. She scanned the area and found her sister coming towards her.She quickly patted her cheeks to vanish the redness and ran a hand to smoothen the wrinkles on her wet jacket.
"Neechan, where were you ?", asked a worried Hanabi who stood at the door looking towards Hinata who was standing in the garden.
It was almost dawn and the youngest Hyuga couldn't find her sister at her chamber. Hinata was always a mother figure for Hanabi. She was kind, caring and carried a lot of affection and patience in her heart. She was everything that Hanabi wished to be.Hyuga's were always known to be cold and calculating. They were harsh, stern and had no sympathy. They were known for their stoic face and immense strength. Their eyes were pale , showed no emotions while their hair was dark brown.But her nee-chan was completely different. She was the epitome of beauty, kindness and affection.
Hinata fumbled as she ran a hand through her long blue hair. "H-Hanabi-chan what are you doing here so early?"
Hanabi walked to her, "Neechan I should be asking that to you. Where did you go and why are your clothes wet?"
Hinata smiled nervously at her younger sister. She was too intelligent for her age . Dodging her questions could make her suspicious. So Hinata decided to answer them.
" Hanabi , I was training early morning. My clothes are wet because I spilled water while I was drinking "
"Are you sure it was training Hinata-sama ?"
Hinata froze hearing that voice.
Hyuga Neji, the prodigy and the clan protector, her nii-san was standing right behind her. None could excel this young Hyuga in terms of strength and intelligence .
"Yes Neji-Nii, w-why?", Hinata timidly answered before looking at him.
"Then why would you come from the back entrance, isn't team 8 training ground the other side?"
Hinata gulped. Her nii-san couldn't be fooled easily. She always went to the team 8 training grounds using the front entrance because it was nearer. Now what should she say. If he knew that she went to visit Uchiha Sasuke then all hell will break loose.
"A-no I decided to practice in t-team 7 training ground today." Neji arched his brow wanting to hear more explanation when Hanabi squealed.
"Ohhh, Nee-chan wanted to impress a certain someone from team 7 !! I don't understand why Nii-san is called a prodigy when he can't understand something as simple as young love. I pity the woman you would marry Neji-nii", Hanabi dramatically wiped invisible tears.
Hinata blushed up to her ears at the wrong interpretation while Neji felt his face start to burn . But he tried to keep a calm demeanour. This fiery little thing!Hyuga Hanabi was perhaps the only person in this entire world who could get away with teasing Neji and not face a fierce retaliation from him in turn.
"Wait, until I speak to Haishi-sama about you bunking the practice and playing games with Konhamaru.", Neji spoke as he pointed a finger at Hanabi.
It was Hanabi's turn to turn bright pink. Hinata giggled while Neji smirked. He was not going to let her go after teasing him infront of Hinata-sama just because she was the heiress.
"Nooo, you won't Nii-san", Hanabi whined like a child to Neji while he averted his eyes.
Smiling , Hinata walked inside leaving them alone.She knew that her sister was going to pester Neji , so that her little secret wouldn't be revealed to father. Thankfully, Neji-niisan had forgotten his suspicions.She had to be more careful.
As she walked towards her chamber, she spotted a Hyuga maid coming towards her with a scroll.
"Hinata-sama", the maid bowed before Hinata.
"Yes, Misa-san", Hinata spoke smiling warmly at her.
"This scroll was sent to you from the Yamanaka clan.", Misa said as she gave Hinata the scroll.
"Shall I run a bath for you, Hinata-sama?"
Hinata quickly denied the request. She didn't want the maid to find out about Sasuke's shirt. Moreover she wanted to be alone for sometime in her room.
"That won't be necessary, please ready my breakfast Misa-san".
"Hai".The maid bowed before her and took her leave.
Hinata quickly closed the doors to her room and opened the scroll. She was happy that the Yamanaka clan was celebrating Ino's birthday and Ino herself invited her. Putting the scroll away, she made a mental note to shop for Ino's birthday gift.Hinata then opened her wardrobe and carefully tucked Sasuke's blue shirt into one of the drawers with old clothes. She didn't want anyone to find the shirt especially her sister. Hanabi would make a big fuss about it.
Sighing, the princess went to take a bath and relax.
Hinata slided deeper into the bath. The aromatic oils used in the incense calmed her heart and lulled her to a meditative state. These moments are a rare occurrence in her life. She loved elaborate baths.As the warm water soothed her skin, She closed her eyes to think about the days events.
A lot had happened. A lot that will change her life and destiny forever.
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Hello Readers
1) When I apply Sasuke and Hinata as pairing in the filter, my story doesnt appear . Can someone suggest a solution, plsssss?
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