A drabble collection from the You Must Believe in Spring universe.

You Must Believe in Spring
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Seasons In-Between

Sunday, May 31st 12:16 PM KST
Konoha/Overlook Cafe

Hanabi was half listening to the conversation around her as she sat on the café's back balcony, gazing out over one of Konoha's smaller parks. She did not sit very close to the balcony itself, but there were few people, and the black rod-iron spindles did little to obstruct her view.

Joggers wound their way through the looping path while people picnicked on blankets or sat in the shade of the trees. It all looked so normal.

"You know, from a tactical standpoint, this is a terrible place to sit."

Hanabi looked up as Tenten pulled out her seat. "But I understand the appeal," she nodded to the view.

"Don't worry," Hanabi smirked. "One of the family members that normally looks out for me has his Byakugan on and ready."

"Won't stop a projectile."

"The people that want us don't want us dead," Hanabi said, reaching for her glass. "At least we don't think so."

"Not sure that argument changes anything, but I'm not the lecturer of the team. I'll leave that to Neji." Tenten scanned the area nonchalantly.

"I'm glad you could meet me," Hanabi put her glass back on the small napkin. "Genma told me you were taking some time off soon?"

"That's been postponed," Tenten said in such a way, that Hanabi figured it would be better not to press the issue. "So," she laced her fingers in her lap, "what's up?"

Hanabi traced a bead of condensation down her glass. "I think I need a favor. And maybe some advice."

Tenten's eyebrows shot up to her hairline. "I'm flattered. I'm also wondering why not go to Hinata or Neji?"

"Because it involves them."

She glanced up to find Tenten watching her.

"I'm listening," she offered.

"I know you often work with Genma," she began, folding her hands on the table. "I know that as current head off the branch family, Neji is in charge of clan security, but that my father and Genma meet often to discuss these matters. I know that you are often called in to help with assignments when it concerns my sister and me."

Tenten gave a single nod. "So far, so good."

"I also know you've been assigned to monitor us covertly," she said with a calculated ease that made her deadly in the boardroom. "I've recognized your chakra signature."

Tenten hid a smirk. "I don't generally try to hide myself from you."

"Can you?" Hanabi asked, her eyebrows arching in a skeptical look shared by all Hyūgas.

Tenten just held her gaze.

"Why not hide yourself then?"

"Because you are under threat," Tenten said simply. "It is good for you to be able to see you have an ally nearby."

"I suppose that makes sense," Hanabi conceded.

"So, we've concluded that I've had assignments to keep an eye on you and Hinata," Tenten said matter-of-factly. "What about it?"

"It seems to me that you've been on assignment with us quite a bit lately," she ventured. "And with my sister if I am not with her. Why?"

"I work with Genma, and this kind of assignment falls under his department. I am a girl and I know Hyūgas," she shrugged. "That makes me the logical ASF agent to assign. Simple."

Hanabi was sure this was actually an ANBU assignment, but didn't bother to say so. She settled for giving a ladylike snort of disbelief. "Nothing is simple when it comes to my clan. Ever."

"Granted," Tenten's grin was easy. "But in this case, it's pretty cut and dry. Are there concerns about my ability to protect one or both of you?" Tenten asked calmly, but Hanabi heard the thread of steel in her tone.

"No," she said confidently.

"Do you have a complaint about my work so far?" Tenten prodded.

"No," Hanabi shook her head. "I…" she considered her phrasing. "I want to see what you see. I want to know where things stand."

"With?"

"With my sister. And my cousin."

Tenten frowned. "Hinata and Neji? As far as I know there are no problems between them. Did something happen?"

"No, they are fine. I want to know more about their… personal lives."

Tenten blinked twice, which was just enough time for a slight flush to creep into Hanabi's cheeks.

She gave a short laugh. "Sorry, kid. I don't treat assignments as gossip. Take a walk down to Yamanaka Hana if you want to hear the latest. If you're really lucky, Sai will be working, and he can tell you something innocently but insanely awkward."

"That isn't it, either," Hanabi said quickly. "I just…" her eyes flicked over Tenten's face, trying to find purchase for her intent. "I don't want to see either of them hurt."

Tenten held her gaze before giving a small snort of laughter. "Typical," she muttered, leaning back in her chair.

Hanabi scowled at her. "Pardon?"

"It's like all Hyūgas come with standard programming installed," she sighed and looked up to the blue, cloudless sky. "There are different, specific activation triggers, and this time it is blond and loves to wear orange." She looked lazily back to Hanabi. "I guess I'm just surprised you didn't say anything sooner."

Hanabi's features melted to neutral, but her eyes were pinched at the corners.

"Fine," she said coolly. "So, tell me about Naruto."

This brought a twitch to the corner of Tenten's lips.

"What about him?" she asked innocently.

"What's his deal with my sister? He is everywhere lately!"

"Oh?"

Hanabi narrowed her eyes. "C'mon, Tenten, don't play dumb. You know exactly what I'm talking about."

"Alright," she relented. "And?"

"So, what's his angle?" Hanabi leaned forward. "Is he just hanging around and being friendly, or is he trying to put…" she floundered for an expression, "…moves on her."

Tenten burst out laughing.

"I'm serious," Hanabi said stiffly.

"I know, I know," Tenten gasped between laughs. "I'm sorry. It's just…" she chortled, "The idea of Naruto with any kind of 'moves' is beyond funny."

"Hilarious," Hanabi retorted flatly, sitting back in her chair.

Tenten sighed out one more giggle before sipping at the water that had arrived at her seat before she had.

"Sorry," she took a deep breath, leaning back in her chair and composing herself. "You are friends with Konohamaru, aren't you?" she asked.

"We are acquainted."

"Well, he's always oddly insightful when it comes to Naruto. What does he say about it?"

"He isn't sure, either," Hanabi grumbled. "Honestly the best thing we came up with, was to ask you."

"Lucky me."

"I'm not questioning that Naruto is a good person," Hanabi ignored her remark, "and so far, he's been nothing but really nice to Hinata."

She looked up to Tenten who waited for her to continue.

"I just don't want him screwing with my sister's head, okay?" she blurted out. "She's got enough on her, and she doesn't need anyone – especially someone she used to really like – just waltzing in with good intentions and no earthly clue, and messing her up."

Tenten surprised Hanabi by reaching over and putting a hand over hers.

"Hanabi," she met her eyes squarely, "Your sister is way stronger and smarter than you're giving her credit for being. You don't need to be so worried about this. Honest."

"She is my sister," Hanabi said, somewhere between emphatic and helpless. She kept eyes locked to Tenten's for about five seconds before slumping back in her chair in defeat.

"Look," she sighed. "I know she is strong, but she can still be hurt, Ten. She doesn't deserve that."

"I'll be the first one to get on Naruto's case," Tenten said, all traces of kidding gone. "But for all of his cluelessness, he is much smarter than he looks. He won't hurt Hinata."

"I just..." Hanabi fished around for something to say, but realized there wasn't anything to say.

Tenten's expression softened, recognizing concern born of great love and a deep bond between sisters.

"Hinata is fine," Tenten said with the air someone giving their final word on a matter. "Just like I told Neji. And Kiba, and Shino, and Lee, and every other person of our acquaintance. You're just going to have to trust me on this one, Hanabi."

"And, Neji?" Hanabi asked quietly, eyes full of unmasked concern.

"Neji is going to make himself crazy about Naruto no matter what," Tenten said dismissively. "No need for you both to be at it."

Hanabi leaned forward, voicing one of the shades that lingered on her heart.

"Everything he is doing lately," Hanabi pressed. "Are they the decisions he wants to make, or the ones he thinks the clan wants him to make?"

Tenten held her gaze. "Neji is making his own decisions. If he is satisfied with them, I don't see anything to worry about."

"It isn't just me," she rushed on. "I'm pretty sure Hinata also worries that he is doing what he thinks the clan would want," Hanabi interjected.

"And that is his choice, too," Tenten shrugged. "If he wants to put the clan first, it isn't illegal. It isn't right or wrong. It isn't anything."

"But will it keep him happy?" Hanabi pressed.

"He is making his own choices," Tenten said firmly. "Past that," she shrugged, "I don't know that there is anything else to say on the subject."

Hanabi held her gaze a while longer before slumping back in her chair.

"My family is giving me ulcers," she grumbled.

"Tell me about it," the older kunoichi said flatly.

That was it.

There was no stopping the giggles.

Hanabi felt the worry slowly begin to slip off of her heart. Of course she was still concerned for her sister and the cousin she saw as a brother, but hearing that her worries had no purchase freed them to dissolve into familial concern.

She met Tenten's mischievous look with one of her own.

"So… skip lunch and just get dessert?"

Tenten grinned.

"Now you're talking!

There are so many of these files on my desktop. Maybe I can get to a few more. - GL