Chapter 1: A New Mission
"Hinata are you sure you want to do this?" Lady tsunade confirmed.
"It would be an honor to serve Kohona in this capacity," Hinata said as she bowed.
"you do understand the dangers and the risks correct? In your particular case, you will have to wear a disguise when you leave and enter the village."
"I understand lady Tsunade," Hinata assured her.
"very well, here's what will happen next. Think about this for another day, and if you're still interested I want you in my office at six am sharp wearing your disguise. Is that clear?"
"yes, my lady."
"very well. You are dismissed."
Hinata left in a puff of smoke.
…..
The moon glowed brightly as Hinata knelt at Neji's grave. She activated her byakugan and scouted the area. Not a soul was around.
"Hello Neji ni-san.." she greeted quietly. " I hope you're doing well. Guess what! I have a new mission! I haven't been allowed to go on any missions outside of the village since we are working on rebuilding. Not to mention father and the elders have been pushing Hanabi and me hard as to who will be the next leader. we are supposed to fight in a few months. I don't want to do it, brother Neji. If I fight Hanabi and win, shell be branded and possibly married off. And if I let Hanabi win, I'll be branded and married off. I don't know how to feel about any of this. Oh and guess what! I finally confessed to Naruto Kun! Well, I guess I reconfessed how I felt about him. anyway, I told him, and well…he rejected me. He's dating Ino San now. Oh! Sakura and Lee are dating too! I won't lie and say I wasn't hurt. I mean… I risked my life for him, twice! And in the end, I wound up alone and you wind up dead. Im not mad at Naruto but I am angry at myself. I spent all these years chasing after someone who never saw me from the beginning. Part of that is my fault because I didn't have the guts to speak up earlier. But parts of me are glad I didn't because now I get to live my life. No longer chasing after Naruto's shadow. I spent half my life idolizing him and thinking that he was this amazing person and being motivated by him. But that was my problem, big brother, I was trying to use Naruto's confidence instead my of own. I wasn't confident in myself. But now, big brother it's time for me to move on. Naruto's rejection hurts but I will move on. I don't have a choice, all of our friends have moved on and are starting their lives, and it's time for me to do so as well. I miss you, big brother."
Hinata allowed a few tears to shed but she was quick to wipe them away. She laid flowers on Neji's grave and headed home.
…
It was midnight when she snuck into the Hyuga compound. All was silent as the guards did their rotation.
When Hinata opened her bedroom door, she was surprised to see a smaller body tucked into her bed.
A small smile crept onto her face as she observed her sister tucked in her bed.
Hinata was silent as she took off her shoes and clothes. Slipping on a nightgown and pulling her sister close.
"Hinata? How did the meeting with the Hokage go?" Hanabi asked sleepily
"It went well. I have a mission to go on soon."
Hanabi yawned as she tucked herself deeper into Hinata's side. Ever since Neji's death, Hinata often found Hanabi tucked in her bed with quiet tears in her eyes. In a way, nejis death had brought them closer.
"That's good big sis. Im proud of you." and then the two sisters fell asleep.