Chapter 10: waiting with bated breath

Hinata wiped the sweat from her brow and smiled at the hard work she and the two genin teams assigned to her had done.

Hinata was only a chunin but as the messenger between the Hokage and kazekage it was Hinata's job to in a way keep the peace. It was different from the ambassador's job. The ambassador kept the peace between villages. Hinata however was the direct contact from Hokage to kazekage. And right now she was fulfilling a favor for the kazekage. Well, more like a surprise anyway. Gaara had written to her not too long ago that he and his entourage were coming to Kohona for a brief visit with the Hokage. As soon as she received the letter she got to work on that old plot of land.

"Hinata sensei! We're finished!" one of the genin shouted.

"Great job Everyone! Now let's perform the water jutsu and water our garden."

The six genin performed the jutsu with her as water appeared and watered the huge lot of land.

" wow! This looks amazing hinata sensei! Are you sure the kazekage is going to like it?" one of the genin asked her.

" I think he is going to love it." She told them. "right everyone you are dismissed. Thank you so much for your help. Why don't you all head back to the village and I'll report back to Lady Hokage and tell her you all did an awesome job."

" thank you Hinata sensei!" they said in unison and the group left her standing alone in the open field now full of fruits and vegetables that suna couldn't get their hands on.

" you're a very patient teacher hinata."

Hinata turned around to see Lady Tsunade leaning against a tree.

" Lady tsunade! Oh well, thank you." Hinata greeted with a bow.

"This garden looks amazing. I'm sure the kazekage is going to love it. Thank you for this. With this done, we continue to show suna that we care about them and suna can continue to prove to others that they keep their word."

" Yes my lady, I'm sure gaara kun will enjoy this immensely. He enjoys plants, especially odd-looking ones. I am sure the warts on the pumpkins will draw his attention. "

Hinata turned when she heard Lady Tsunade chuckle.

" gaara kun huh? Getting a little crush on the kazekage are we hinata?"

Hinata blushed and turned away.

" Lady tsunade!" she complained.

Tsunade laughed and Said "Your secret is safe with me kid. Anyway, I meant what I said earlier. You have very good patience with kids. I was watching you guys the moment you all made it to this plot of land. I give you brownie points for remembering that we gave it to suna anyway. Shows that you know you're history. Say what do you think about teaching part-time for the academy? There are a small number of genin that need some help and at the moment I don't have enough joinin to help train them full time. Would you like the job on a part-time basis?"

" me? But- but I'm but I'm not a jounin! I don't q-"

"This would be about training them here in kohona hinata not taking them on missions and if you really want to prove yourself you could take the jounin exam next month.."

Hinata looked up at the sky and sighed. She couldn't back away from the opportunity even if she was afraid of what her father would say, she couldn't back out of fear.

" I will take you up on your offer my lady."

Tsunade smiled.

" good! Now follow me back to my office. I have a new mission for you. The relationship between Kohona and Kumo needs to be mended badly. Despite our shaky times of peace, mistrust is still among us."

….

Mabui stared the women down with a grim look.

" since when does kohona send messengers to Kumo? All of our communication has been through a bird."

The woman however with turquoise and white hair did not move back or seem intimidated by Mabui's presence or her intimidating demeanor. Matter of fact mabui had no clue what the woman was thinking because she couldn't see her face. The women had on a mask that hid every facial feature.

The woman rolled up her sleeve revealing two different symbols. She then laid a finger on the second mark and almost immediately the raikage was peering out his office door.

" leave us mabui. Come back in an hour. "

" But lord A-"

" you heard me mabui!" He told her irritably.

Mabui did as told leaving the raikage and the strange women alone.

….

Hinata bowed as the raikage gestured to a chair.

"Now do my eyes deceive me or did I see you with the kazekage a few months ago at the chair mans ball? What game is Kohona playing at?"

" There is no game lord raikage. I am simply here to serve." Hinata told him.

" hmmm. Then remove your mask."

When Hinata did so the raikage gasped.

" A Hyuga? A hyuga in Kumo? Oh, this is just great. What game is the leaf trying to play?"

" no game lord A. Sending a hyuga was a sign of trust. I can only hope Kumo doesn't break it. "

The raikage sighed and pulled his hair.

" fine… want do you got for me?"

" Well, I have Two things for you, sir. One is the message from Lady Fifth and two is a container of protein powder made specifically for you from my own hands. I heard you like to work out a lot and your muscles are a big focus for you."

The raikage eyed the box of powder with curiosity.

" protein powder eh? Let me look at that?"

Hinata could only smile. Maybe an alliance with Kumo wouldn't be bad.

….

Mabui paced back and forth as she waited for that strange girl to come out of the office. Occasionally she would hear laughter and muffled conversation but she still had yet to truly know what was going on.

"mabui? What's going on?"

Mabui turned to see Darui, C, and B coming down the corridor.

" lord A is in a meeting with some mysterious messenger from Kohona. I don't like this. Yeah, we worked with them during the war but that was temporary. Now all of a sudden we are being buddy buddy. I don't like this."

Before Darui could respond, the Raikage office door opened and the man himself stepped out. Alongside him was their visitor.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay the night? I can arrange a room for you Haruhi."

"I appreciate your offer lord raikage but I must get this message back to the Hokage as soon as possible. Maybe next time you can show me your wonderful village." The woman told him.

The raikage smiled.

"yes, I would love that."

And then in a puff of smoke, the woman was gone.

…..

"oh thank goodness!" Hinata practically moaned as the hot water hit her skin. It had been a long journey from Kumo and she hadn't showered the whole week. She was quick to give Lady Tsunade the messages and practically ran to her bedroom.

She was just about to reach for her body scrub when a knock was heard on her shower door.

"lady Hinata! My apologies but the elders and your father are demanding to see you!" one of her cousins shouted over the water.

"very well!" Hinata shouted back."what could be so important that I have to get out of the shower?"

Hinata was quick to dry herself off, put on a plain grey kimono, and sped out the door.

When she entered the meeting room, she found her father, her aunt, and her grandparents alongside some other elders.

"Hinata." Her father called, gesturing her to sit. " you just returned from a mission correct?"

"yes, father. It was a success."

"that is good to hear. There are two reasons we called you here. Not long ago we held a meeting but you were called away. Therefore we will finish that conversation now. A year ago you offered a solution to the tension between the main and branch family. After much thought and conversation, we have agreed to your resolution."

Hinata couldn't open her mouth as she sat in shock. Before Neji died the two of them came together and wrote what they called the Hyuga solution. However neji died before they could present to the council together, instead, she did it by herself. The Hyuga solution was as follows, instead of branch members getting the curse seal, both sides will get a seal. The seal would not cause pain and neither side would use it to harm the other. The seal would also be invisible and only show when the clan member died. Therefore all sides were protected. Another part of the solution was that the main and branch families would be abolished so that there was no longer a split in the family.

"however." Her father spoke causing her hope to deflate. However, was never a good sign.

"the request to have the main and branch family dismantled has been denied. Instead, we have chosen to go a different route. Your aunt will explain."

Hinata turned to her aunt. Her long black hair and cold eyes stared at her with disdain.

" The main and branch family agreed that the curse seal has caused us many issues. However, our purpose stays the same to protect and work alongside the main branch. But as times are changing, we must change as well. Neji's sacrifice will not be in vain. Therefore, as the main branch has an heir, the branch family must have an heir as well. Neji was our heir but alas he is not here, so the branch family has chosen you Hinata to be our new heir. That way both sides of the family have a head and those two heads can co-lead together. Hanabi when she reaches age will become the main familied head and will handle any day-to-day troubles with the head family. You will do the same except with the branch family. And then when needed you two will come together and decide what is best for all of us. For example during war times, or an attack on the village, you two will come together and give everyone the same direction."

Once again Hinata was speechless. Two clan heads? What was the purpose if they were both doing the same thing? Anger filled her and to everyone's surprise, Hinata spoke her mind.

"two clan heads? The whole purpose of the Hyuga solution was to unify the clan! If we are not unified then Neji's death was in vain! We worked together on that battlefield! There was no main family or branch family. There was only the Hyuga clan! Why can't we implement that now!"

" you will watch your tone with your elders this minute!" her grandfather snapped.

Hinata bowed her head.

"Hinata." Her aunt called. This time her voice was a little softer. " the clan follows tradition and precepts. Yes, the two houses can work together during the war, but other than that everyone has their place. The branch family protects the main. This is how it has always been. You should be grateful for this opportunity. Everyone will now get the seal and it won't hurt. You will be the new branch head. Let us move on from there."

"very well," Hinata said quietly.

"with that said" her father announced. " all your belongings will be transferred to the branch house by tomorrow. From now on you will be under Masaki's authority. She will train you from now on. Next order of business, the Taketori clan will be visiting us in the next coming weeks. We will be talking about some clan matters and having a small party. You are to represent us well Hinata. This could be a big opportunity for our clan. Is that understood?"

"yes, father."

"very good you are dismissed."

"Father I have something else to say."

"oh really? Go one then?"

"Lady Tsunade suggested I take the jounin exam next month. This would qualify me to teach part-time at the academy."

If her father was surprised he did not show it.

"I will talk to the Hokage myself and I will make some inquiries."

"thank you, father."

…

The next morning two minutes away from Kohona:

Gaara ran as fast as his feet would carry him, leaving his entourage behind.

"gaara! Would you slow down? What is your deal?" Teamri shouted behind him. However, Gaara ignored her and pushed his feet faster. Becoming impatient he decided to use transportation jutsu that made him appear directly at the gates of Kohona.

Hinata, My Lady of the Sand. I'm coming for you.