CHAPTER 09

The sound of rushing water echoed through the dense forest, accompanied by the faint hum of chakra-laden footsteps. The morning sun barely pierced the thick canopy as Hinata and Sasuke led a small team toward their target—an outpost rumored to be harboring rogue shinobi.

Tsunade had personally assigned the mission as a test of their new partnership. Their orders were clear: investigate, secure the area, and eliminate any threats to Konoha's security. It wasn't glamorous, but it was efficient—a situation where Hinata and Sasuke could operate as an engaged team for the first time.

Hinata adjusted her leather gloves as she moved silently alongside Sasuke, their pace swift but measured. Outwardly calm, she felt her pulse quicken with every step. She was hyper-aware of Sasuke's presence beside her, his movements sharp and calculated, while her mind buzzed with a storm of conflicting thoughts.

I'm on a mission. With Sasuke. In a world where survival depends on skills.

Her heart raced, but she forced herself to focus. There was no room for hesitation, no space for fear. If Sasuke or anyone else suspected she didn't truly belong, it could mean disaster—not just for her, but for everyone on this mission.

As they reached the clearing just outside the outpost, Sasuke halted abruptly, holding up a hand. Hinata stopped beside him, her lavender Byakugan already activated, veins pulsing faintly around her eyes.

"There are four shinobi inside," Hinata reported quietly, her voice steady despite the knot in her stomach. "Three on the first floor and one patrolling the perimeter."

Sasuke's sharp eyes flicked toward her. "We'll take the patrol first, then move in. Don't make noise."

Hinata nodded, her calm demeanor masking the turmoil beneath. Activating the Byakugan felt instinctual, as though she'd done it countless times. Yet, it was jarring—she hadn't trained for this, hadn't earned this. It was the real Hinata's body moving on muscle memory, not hers.

How does this come so naturally? she wondered, forcing her nerves down. I'm not sure what's going on, but I can't let anyone see through me.

The rogue shinobi patrolling the perimeter never saw them coming. Sasuke struck swiftly, his katana flashing in the dappled sunlight as he disarmed the man with deadly precision. Hinata moved in tandem with him, her palm glowing with chakra as it connected with the rogue's chest.

Her strike was decisive—Gentle Fist in its purest form. The man collapsed, unconscious before he hit the ground.

Hinata froze for a split second, staring at her outstretched hand.

I… did that?

The sensation of chakra flowing through her palm was both alien and natural, as if her body had acted on its own. She barely had time to process the shock before Sasuke's voice cut through.

"Move."

Snapping out of her thoughts, Hinata followed him toward the main building.

The interior of the outpost was dim and silent. Hinata took the lead this time, her Byakugan guiding them around traps and hidden doors with precision.

"There's a staircase leading to the lower level," she whispered. "Two shinobi are guarding it. The third is stationed at the far end of the hallway."

"Understood," Sasuke replied, his voice low. "We'll split up. I'll take the two at the staircase. You handle the one in the hallway."

Hinata nodded automatically, her throat tightening as her mind screamed in disbelief.

Handle it? By myself?

But she couldn't show doubt. Not here, not now. She swallowed her fear, letting her body's instinctual confidence guide her.

Sasuke disappeared toward the staircase, leaving her alone with her target. She moved silently, her chakra steady, until she spotted him—a tall man with a scar across his jaw, leaning lazily against the wall.

The rogue shinobi's gaze snapped up, narrowing as he noticed her.

"Well, well," he drawled. "A Hyuuga? A pretty one at that! What's someone like you doing here all alone?"

Hinata didn't respond. She slid into her Gentle Fist stance, her movements fluid, confident—completely at odds with the doubt screaming in her mind.

What if this body betrays me? What if I can't keep this up?

The shinobi's smirk faltered. "Tch. Don't underestimate me, girl."

He lunged forward, kunai in hand. Hinata's body reacted instantly. She pivoted, chakra surging to her palms as she struck with precision.

"Eight Trigrams, Two Palms!"

Her attacks landed swiftly, chakra slamming into his chest and abdomen. The rogue staggered, gasping for air as her final strike rendered him unconscious.

Hinata lowered her hands, staring at the fallen shinobi. Her breath came fast, not from exertion but from the realization settling over her.

I really did it.

Her hands trembled slightly as she clenched them into fists. The body she inhabited was strong, skilled—capable of things she could only dream of before. But it wasn't truly hers. And that thought lingered like a shadow in her mind.

When she regrouped with Sasuke, he glanced at her briefly. "Handled?"

Hinata nodded, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "Yes. What about you?"

Sasuke sheathed his katana with a faint smirk. "They weren't worth much trouble."

As they moved deeper into the outpost, Sasuke's gaze flicked toward her again. He had been watching her—analyzing her movements, her precision.

"You've improved," he said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Hinata blinked, her heart skipping a beat. "What do you mean?"

"You didn't fight like that before," he replied, his gaze piercing. "Your technique is sharper. More deliberate."

She swallowed hard, masking the wave of panic his observation brought. "I've been training," she said simply. "I don't want to be a burden."

Sasuke didn't respond, but something in his expression shifted—just slightly. It was subtle, but she thought she saw a hint of approval.

The mission ended successfully. The rogue shinobi were secured, and the outpost was cleared without any significant complications. As they made their way back to Konoha, the silence between them was no longer as uncomfortable as it had once been.

Hinata walked beside Sasuke, her pace matching his. The forest around them was peaceful, with only the sound of their footsteps breaking the quiet.

"You were impressive today," Sasuke said suddenly, his voice low but genuine.

Hinata's heart skipped a beat, and warmth rushed to her face. Sasuke—Sasuke Uchiha—had just complimented her. She fought the urge to grin and instead offered a small, calm smile. "Thank you, Sasuke-san."

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye before looking straight ahead again. "Don't let it go to your head."

Hinata bit back a laugh, feeling her nerves ease. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary, taking in his sharp features, the way the fading sunlight played across his face, and the quiet confidence he carried. I'm walking beside Sasuke Uchiha, she thought, a giddy thrill running through her.

It wasn't just that he was attractive—though, she couldn't deny that—it was the way he moved, the way he commanded attention without trying. He was like a storm: calm on the surface, but brimming with untapped power.

For the first time since the engagement, Hinata felt a real sense of progress. Sasuke had seen her. Acknowledged her. She wasn't just a burden or a partner in name alone—she was proving herself, step by step.

And while Sasuke remained stoic and distant, she couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning of something more.

The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon when Hinata and Sasuke finally returned to Konoha. The mission had been a success, and they had reported to Tsunade with their findings. After receiving a curt nod of approval, they were dismissed, and Sasuke had turned to leave without so much as a word.

Typical, Hinata thought, though she couldn't deny the flicker of satisfaction in her chest. Sasuke might not have said much, but his acknowledgment during the mission had been enough. He had noticed her skills, and for the first time, she felt like a true equal standing beside him.

But now that the mission was over, reality returned in full force. As she walked back to the Hyuuga compound, her muscles ached from the physical exertion, and her thoughts began to spiral.

Sitting alone in her room later that evening, Hinata stared down at her hands. The memories of the battle came rushing back—how easily the Gentle Fist had come to her, how seamlessly she had moved.

How do I know how to fight like this?

She could remember Hinata's training arcs from the anime, the intense practice with Neji, the years spent honing the Hyuuga clan techniques. Somehow, all of that knowledge existed within her now.

It was both thrilling and unsettling.

"I expected to be normal," she murmured to herself, staring into the mirror. "Weak. Helpless."

Instead, her body had adapted perfectly, as though it remembered everything the real Hinata had learned. Was it a gift? Or something more complicated?

A knock at her door startled her from her thoughts. "Hinata-sama?"

It was Neji.

"Come in," she replied softly.

Neji entered, his usual composed expression in place, though his sharp eyes immediately zeroed in on her. "You returned from your mission with Sasuke Uchiha. Was it a success?"

"It was," Hinata said, offering a faint smile.

Neji stepped forward, his gaze narrowing slightly as he studied her. "I heard you fought."

Hinata nodded, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I did."

"You fought well, didn't you?"

The question caught her off guard. "I… think so."

Neji's lips pressed into a thin line, his expression unreadable. "It's strange," he said finally. "You were always diligent in your training, but something about you feels… sharper now. As if your instincts have evolved."

Hinata stiffened. He noticed too.

Neji continued, "If this engagement with Uchiha has pushed you to grow stronger, then perhaps it isn't as troubling as I first thought."

Hinata blinked. "Troubling?"

Neji looked away for a moment before meeting her gaze again. "This alliance is unusual. Many question whether it's the right path for you. But I see now that you're capable of holding your own."

"Thank you, Neji," Hinata said quietly, touched by his words.

"Don't thank me yet," Neji replied, his tone softening. "You have a long way to go if you want to keep up with him."

Hinata smiled faintly. "I'll do my best."

Neji turned to leave, then paused mid-step, his back still partially to her. For a moment, he seemed to hesitate before turning back toward her, his expression unreadable. "You never call me Nii-san anymore."

Hinata felt a pang of guilt, the weight of his words settling heavily in her chest. She lowered her gaze briefly, her voice soft and tinged with a quite sadness. She wasn't the same Hinata anymore. "Good night, Neji-niisan."

Neji's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer, as if searching for something unspoken. Finally, he gave a small nod, his tone gentler than before. "Good night, Hinata-sama."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the shadows of the hallway, leaving Hinata standing alone, the quiet of the Hyuuga compound pressing in around her.