New Enemy: Akatsuki - 2

Hinata had settled herself on a porch nearby her garden, hoping that some fresh air would make her feel better. Unfortunately there were few things that could help her at all at the time.

She had not made much of a fuss over it and now she was wondering if that was a mistake. Hinata was deeply troubled by the persistent ache behind her eyes that plagued her for days on end.

It may have been a natural occurrence, she once suspected. Yet if it wasn't she was too fearful to confront her father with the problem if it would jeopardize her place in the family, 'What coward like me would endure such pain, only for fear of a worse pain?'

Hinata had not thought very highly of herself after the Hokage's death, even though stories of her bravery during the invasion had spread through her entire clan. Her father had been raising his chin higher in her presence, embracing a new-found pride he had long overlooked in his eldest child.

Across the lawn, Neji had spotted her. His face was calm and surprisingly friendly when he approached, but she had been too high-strung to note his genial mood.

"Good morning, Hinata-sama," He greeted and she was able to tell he had deliberately taken time out of his training to see her, "I want to thank you for what you did for Fujita-san during the attack."

Her memory came back quickly: Fujita, the young boy who had been taken prisoner by Kumo, the one she had traded for a shadow clone she had made. Hinata smiled shyly at her cousin, "I really didn't think twice about it, Neji-niisan," Then added, "Even without a kage bunshin, I still w-would've done it."

It seemed he had more to say when his face was wracked with something akin to guilt, "I also want to apologize for anything disrespectful I may have said to you or Naruto during the exam…it was not my place." She nodded sheepishly, surprised to see him so humble.

As he turned away to leave, something made her speak up again, "Neji-niisan?"

Neji turned back to her, looking at her expectantly.

"May I tell you something?" Hinata asked quietly, "Something you will…not r-repeat?"

A secret. He smirked, automatically assuming it had something to do with Naruto, "Of course, Hinata-sama."

She gulped audibly, wondering how he would react, and forced herself to speak, "My eyes, niisan, they are causing me great pain recently…" Neji gave her an inquiring look, "I have not been injured at all…I wonder…have you ever had such a problem?"

He had not been expecting such a dilemma from his younger cousin. Rather than answering right away, he activated his Byakugan and briefly scanned her eyes for any abnormalities. Hinata held very still, embarrassment quickly becoming visible on her pink cheeks.

"There's nothing wrong, Hinata-sama; that I can see at least," Neji announced, eyeing her clinically, "The chakra coils behind your eyes are channeling more chakra than normal…you may have strained yourself during the invasion."

She took his suggestion into consideration but still doubted it.

"Actually, I did have some pain when my Byakugan matured," He admitted, recalling it as if it had happened not too long ago, "After a few days training with Tenten I was fine."

Hinata frowned, adding one last piece of information, "My pain has lasted several months."

Neji deactivated his Byakugan and stared at her for a long moment, looking slightly concerned, "Then I am not sure what that means. It shouldn't be lasting for more than a few days…"

Worry etched its way quickly across her features. If her problem was not the same as Neji's, it could possibly be more serious. That something she had not wanted to hear.

"If I can, I'll look it up in the Hyuga archives and see if it's a documented issue," Neji offered, not wanting her to panic, "If it isn't affecting your Byakugan or overall vision, you shouldn't fret so much."

She nodded, taking a deep, calming breath. Actually speaking to someone had done her wonders on the matter. She was feeling better already. Hinata had still astounded herself by speaking to her cousin of all people, but it had worked nonetheless.

The Hyuga prodigy was quiet for a moment and then decided, "I won't tell Hiashi-sama, if that's alright with you?"

"Thank you, Neji-niisan," She smiled again and stood, feeling new energy, "I think I should find Shino-kun now. Today Sato-kun is being discharged from the hospital and I'm sure he'd like to stretch his legs…"

Neji smiled before biding her farewell.

Hinata parted ways with her cousin, hoping that the delicate new friendship she had made would only grow stronger with time.

*

The sun had risen higher in the sky and banished the faint mist from the village below. The two strangers stood side by side on a high tree branch overlooking Konoha, keeping a sharp eye for their target.

"You're sure he'll be here after all the fuss Orochimaru caused?" One spoke with a deep voice, and was clearly foreign to the region.

His partner answered succinctly, "He is near. Let's move."

*

Naruto had packed quickly and before setting off to find his sensei, gave one last piece of advice to his friends, "Just make sure you guys don't burn the place down while I'm gone!"

He had locked the apartment door behind him and leapt over the balcony with an energetic wave, landing on the street below.

Haku couldn't help but grin at his friend's comedic behavior. It was something Gaara only snorted at. They went to fetch lunch shortly after that.

Naruto, on his way to the East bridge, cut across a training field where he was very glad to spot Hinata. She stood near a training post, staring at it contemplatively, "Hinata-chan?"

She jumped slightly at his voice but hastily turned to face him, "Oh, hello, Naruto-kun!"

He cocked his head inquisitively, "What are you doing out here all on your own?"

"Shino-kun went to get Sato-kun from the hospital," Hinata explained softly, "I'm waiting here for them so we can train together."

Naruto grinned, "Yeah, I'd bet he'd like that after sitting on his butt doing nothing for a few days…" He then went on to tell her of his new mission objective that he would be partaking without Haku or Gaara.

"Then I wish you luck and a safe return home." She was smiling blithely after listening to his cheery explanation and delighted in the foxy grin he gave in response.

"You'll see, Hinata-chan," He waved as he walked off, grinning widely, "When I get back, there's gonna be a new Hokage in town!"

*