The Games We Play

Beta by: Miroku-dono (from ff.net)

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After almost a full week of sulking and ignoring her dilemma, Hinata had finally frustrated her father with her constant presence and he all but kicked her out of the house for the afternoon. With nothing to do and no where to really go she began to walk around town. After about an hour of just walking aimlessly she saw a boy with spiky blond hair and her heart skipped a beat. She relaxed when the boy passed by her, relieved that it wasn't Naruto, but it got her thinking. After a brief moment, she still continued to walk around but also began to look for him.

It never ceased to amaze Hinata how hard it was to find someone when you were actually looking for them. Given her current ‘looking’ was more of a leisurely walk with the occasional head turning left or right, but that was beside the point; Naruto was still not turning up in his usual spots. She was on the lookout for him but was still very apprehensive to actually approach and talk to him. Unfortunately, it was something she knew she needed to do. Although she knew it all along, and kept it to herself, it had taken three people to finally get her to approach him.

After passing the ramen shop for the second time and her third trip around his usual training grounds, Hinata was getting hungry, hot and even a bit frustrated. She was looking for him and he was nowhere to be found. Maybe he took her words seriously when she said she couldn’t talk to him and was making himself all but invisible. As this thought occurred to her, she remembered her conversation with Kiba the previous afternoon; Kiba had mentioned something about a mission. Could it be Naruto already left for the mission without bothering to tell her?

The thought of talking to Naruto was frightening, but the thought of him leaving without so much as saying a word to her made her feel even more horrible. Hinata made a beeline to the Hokage tower, deciding that speaking with the Hokage yielded the best chance of getting an answer. If he had left, she didn’t think she would be able to face him once he returned. She started to hate herself for being a coward for so long, she began to mentally scold herself for being such a child. She was as an adult now, she should be able to deal with these things on her own. She should be able to face up to her problems with her head held high and solve them with her own brain. She shouldn’t be running away from every little problem or event that was out of the ordinary for her!

“Oh Hinata. You’re here. That's good.”

Hinata stopped in her tracks as she turned to the voice. She bowed respectively once she saw the Hokage.

“Hokage-sama?” She asked. Was the Hokage looking for her?

“I just sent someone to find you,” Tsunade began. “Sakura is having some personal problems and I gave her a few days to herself. Would you be willing to fill in for her until she returns?”

“Um,” Hinata was slightly stunned. She had come looking for answers, but would not turn down what was being asked of her. She couldn’t deny the village leader. “Yes, no problem.”

“Follow me then; I have some additional filing and sorting that needs to be taken care of before a meeting with some clan members.” Tsunade turned on her heel and Hinata was close behind.

As they walked Hinata decided to inquire about the current location of her boyfriend.

“Um, Hokage-sama,” She said quietly.

“Yes?”

“By any chance have you sent or agreed to send Naruto on any missions?”

“Naruto?” She repeated, Hinata waited patiently for her answer. “No, not that I remember. He did request something with Sasuke but it was denied.”

“Denied?” Hinata asked. Tsunade gave her a strange look but continued.

“Yes, Sasuke is not allowed to go on missions of that caliber until further notice. I told Naruto to find a new partner if he insisted on going on the mission.”

“I see…” Hinata said walking by Tsunade.

So Naruto was still in town. Or at least that was the current situation. And if she knew Naruto, which she did, he would find someone and he would come back to the tower. So if she really wanted to speak to him, all she would have to do was wait until he returned.

“Hinata?” Tsunade voiced as she reached her door. “Are you coming?”

Hinata looked up. She had stopped walking only steps from the office door. Naruto would be back, and if she stayed she could find a way to talk to him.

“Yes.” She said following her leader through the thick double doors.

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(Earlier that morning)

Despite her outburst the previous day, Sakura was willing and ready to dive head first back into work. It was a good distraction and assuming Tsunade had heard of her coffee incident it wouldn’t hurt to be overly excited about work either. She was in the doors and up the elevator by seven thirty, a personal best for her. She wasn’t one to be late but she never made it before seven fifty-five even when she tried. She went strait to Tsunade’s office to begin sorting the extensive pile of paperwork that the Hokage had, undoubtedly, left behind the previous night. A pile of unsorted papers and scrolls greeted her. She sighed as she turned on the lights and began to work.

An hour later the door opened again and Sakura stood up to bow to her master. When their eyes met, Tsunade had a rather harsh look on her face and Sakura’s stomach dropped.

“Good morning.” She said innocently and Tsunade frowned.

“Is there a reason you are here so early?” The woman asked harshly. Sakura tried not to gulp. Even after dealing with her temper for years, Sakura couldn't help but tremble when Tsunade when really angry. Especially at her.

“I was just sorting out your papers…” Sakura said weakly.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so guilty.” She said closing the door. “Is there anything you want to say to me?”

Sakura couldn’t play innocent anymore. She was caught and she was being given a chance to come clean about her actions and explain them.

“I’m sorry.” She said quietly.

“Why are you apologizing to me?” Tsunade asked making her way to her desk.

“Uh…” Sakura looked at her a bit puzzled.

“Coffee wasn’t tossed in my face.” Her words hit Sakura hard and she looked away.

Sakura always knew she had a temper. She had a habit of flying off the handle far too quickly. She also knew that when she did lose her temper she tended to do things she would never do normally. She knew her anger would take control and she would act out of anger or spite. But, afterwards, she always apologized for anything that might have happened because she never really meant it. She never really wanted to hurt anyone. Her anger usually talked for her when she was upset and she didn't want to be seen as an angry person. But it was the first time in her life that her anger had acted out in a way she had wanted it to. It was the first time that her out of control actions had caused her to hurt someone and she didn’t feel the least been sorry about it. If Tsunade was expecting her to go find that piece of trash and apologize, well, Sakura really couldn’t see that happening.

“Sakura?” Tsunade’s voice broke her out of her thoughts.

“Huh?”

“Why are you glaring at the table?” The blonde asked and Sakura blinked changing her gaze yet again.

“What’s going on with you?” She persisted. “Ever since you came back from your mission you’ve been acting strange.”

“Its…” Sakura bit her lip. “Personal.”

“I’ve never known you to take your personal life to work with you.”

Sakura couldn’t really find a way to tell her the personal stuff was because of work. Or that she saw the object of conflict every time she walked through the entrance doors. There was a long, uncomfortable silence between the two and Tsunade turned her chair around to face her desk looking at her newly organized papers before she spoke again.

“Yuna has decided to take no action against you concerning the incident.” She said and Sakura felt anger rising in her at the mere mention of that woman’s name. “She said she believed I would take the proper action against you.”

“The proper action?” Sakura asked.

“I think you know where she’s going with that Sakura,” Tsunade frowned and Sakura scowled.

“Take as much time off as you need to sort out whatever problems you have. I don’t want you back here until you can do your job accordingly.”

“Hokage…” Sakura said stunned.

“That is an order Sakura.” Tsunade said her voice hard again.

“Now?” Sakura asked weakly.

“Now.” Tsunade said with out looking at her. Sakura bowed and left with out saying another word.

She had to fight hard not to slam the door behind her. She had to fight even harder to ignore the lady who wished her a good morning and not punch her in the face. It was not a good morning. She hadn’t had a good morning for almost a week now. Hell, she hadn’t had a good morning since before her mission.

As she sulked, scowled and fumed down the hall she rounded the corner and almost laughed. It would be her luck that today of all days and now of all times she would be face to face with him. It would fit her luck, and life, just perfectly to be alone in a hallway with no escape but past him. She made a mental note to blow up the next temple she saw honoring a deity on her way home.

He spoke first.

“Sakura,”

She sucked in a deep breath and took a long, confident stride towards him.

“Sasuke.” She said indifferently.

“Sakura, I…”

Did he want to talk again? Would she let him?

She met his eyes, dark onyx met green. Her chest squeezed hard, her stomach dropped to her knees. Her palms started to sweat, but she kept her cool on the outside.

“Yes?” She asked stopping in front of him.

“Can we talk?” He asked his voice strangely soft.

She wanted to say yes. She wanted to ask him so many questions. She wanted him to pour out his heart to her for the first time. She wanted him to bare his soul to her like she did to him every time she need to get something off her chest. But then she remembered one important detail. This was Sasuke.

“Now?” She asked. He looked up and down the empty hallway.

“Why not now?” He asked.

“Sasuke I dunno I…” She felt her confidence wilt slightly and folded her arms over her chest.

He opened the door to his office. He held it open for her and she hesitated.

“Sakura just let me explain.” He said, this time there was pleading in his voice and she conceded. She walked in front of him but stopped dead in her tracks when he turned on the light.

His chair swiveled around to face them and there sat Yuna. Her hair ever so flawless and her face smiling coyly at the both of them. Her eyes locked on Sasuke as she completely ignored Sakura.

“Good morning Uchiha-sama.” She said happily.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Sasuke spoke behind Sakura. In her own anger Sakura completely missed the anger in his voice.

“Oh Tsunade didn’t tell you?” Yuna asked leaning forward in her chair. “Oh she wouldn’t have seeing as how it’s still early in the morning. Well lucky for me I get to tell you the good news.”

“Get out.” Sasuke said as she stood up. She was unmoved by both his voice and Sakura’s own death glare. The nerves of this girl were unfathomable.

“Well I can’t do that,” She said, her voice light but her tone dark.

“Why not?” Sasuke asked.

“Well you see because of yesterday’s incident, Sakura has been relieved from assisting the Hokage for the time being and in her place I have chosen you.”

“You can’t make that decision!” Sakura barked at the girl.

“I don’t believe I was speaking to you Miss Haruno.” Yuna said passing over her and walking straight to Sasuke. “But to answer your question, yes I can. I have requested to work with Sasuke and seeing as how he did such a good job assisting me in your absence, I am just so anxious to have him assist me again.”

Sakura flew at her. Her vision tunneled and turned blood red, her body moved on its own. She saw fear overtake the once dark, confident eyes of the woman before her. She saw Yuna’s pale face shrink back in fear before she was roughly pulled back.

“Sakura!” Sasuke yelled behind her as she felt him pin her arms to her side holding her back.

“Temper temper Sakura!” Yuna laughed. “I would hate to have to tell Tsunade-”

SLAM!

With one arm Sasuke was holding Sakura away from the other girl. With the other arm Sasuke had slammed his fist into the wall over Yuna’s head, which succeeded in silencing and frightening her at the same time. Her dark eyes were wide for only a second before her mask was back on, her fear was still in her eyes but her face showed anger and arrogance.

“Do not threaten me Sasuke!” She snarled. “You or you’re pink girlfriend can’t lay a hand on me!”

“Tell the Hokage I refuse your invitation.” Sasuke said slowly and quietly as he still held firmly onto Sakura.

“You can’t do that!” Yuna said her eyes narrowing dangerously.

“You need to leave now.” Sasuke said in his dangerously quiet voice.

“Sasuke!”

“Get out!” He yelled and Sakura even jumped. She had seen many sides of Sasuke but she had never really seen him yell at someone like that.

Yuna, however, stood her ground her eyes matching his intensity. As they stood there staring each other down, Sakura saw it. She saw the reason why he cheated on her with Yuna. She saw the tension she gave him; she felt the energy spike between them. Her body fell limp and she stepped out of Sasuke’s grasp. Noticing this, Sasuke turned to her, his eyes were still hard but softened the instant he saw her face.

“I’m gonna go.” Sakura said beginning to walk toward the door.

“Wait Sakura,” Sasuke started.

“We’ll talk later Sasuke.” She said and before he could get another word in she had left. Behind her she heard Yuna say something and then give a yelp. She turned to see Sasuke shoving the girl out the door and slamming it hard in her face.

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The day was long and tiresome. Hinata had to follow Tsunade around and pick up the falling papers that Tsunade seemed to disregard. She had forgotten how busy the Hokage could keep her and she began to wonder why she had wasted her time forcing herself on her father in the first place. As late afternoon came around Hinata was getting the last of the paper work ready. She had yet to see Naruto, but she still kept glancing at the clock every five minutes and would then look to the door. She knew him. He would come.

It was after five in the afternoon. Hinata was getting tired and hungry. She hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast and chasing after the Hokage hadn’t given her time to take so much as a lunch break. How Sakura did it she had no idea, but it did give an explanation as to why Sakura was so skinny even though she could eat like a horse.

“Hinata did you file that last mission from Shikamaru?”

“Yes ma’am.” Hinata said doing some last minute organizing.

“Did you find that letter from Gaara?”

“No ma’am.”

“Where the hell did I put that thing?” Tsunade cursed shuffling through the already large mess on her desk.

The door opened as Tsunade looked through the mess of papers on her desk and Hinata organized the rest. There was no knock, but then again Naruto had proved years ago knocking was not his strong point.

“Hello Naruto.” Tsunade voiced with out even looking up. Hinata, however, froze in her spot unable to lift her head to meet the man’s eyes. She could feel his intense gaze wash over her for a split second.

“Granny,” Naruto greeted and Tsunade growled.

“Are you here because you found a replacement for Sasuke?”

“Well…no…”

“Then why are you here?”

“Um…well…I was going to ask if I could do it alone.”

“Alone?” Tsunade asked looking up from her desk.

“Yes,”

“You were very passionate about Sasuke joining you, what brought your change of heart?”

“You said Sasuke is on probation until further notice.” Naruto said.

“Yes, but there are other people who can go.”

“I asked but everyone has something else to do rather than go on something as routine as this.”

“Routine maybe, but still important.”

“Yeah,” Naruto said he glanced at Hinata and when she met his eyes he quickly looked away. “Anyway, can I just do it alone? It's just a scroll.”

Tsunade looked up; she gazed harshly at him while resting her chin on her palm. She looked at Hinata and then turned her gaze back to him. In her mind she would be doing them a favor; she really hadn’t seen them together lately.

“Hinata are you busy tomorrow?”

“What?!” Hinata squeaked.

“Are you busy tomorrow?” Tsunade repeated.

“Um…well…yes…didn’t you want me to help you?” She asked her voice very high even to her own ears.

“Yes I did ask that. Well I’m sure I can bully Shizune to help me, I need you to go with Naruto on this mission.”

“Go…with…what?” Hinata breathed out not wanting to believe it.

“Go with Naruto. I need you to deliver this scroll, it may just be a scroll but it’s important and I prefer having two of my strongest ninja guarding it rather than just one.”

“I…uh…”

“Do you not wish to accept this mission?”

Hinata knew she couldn’t really deny it in front of her own village leader. She couldn’t say she didn’t want to go on a mission with Naruto while Naruto was less than five feet from her either.

“Yes,” She said quietly with a bow.

“Good, you can talk to Naruto about the specifics. You’re done with me for the day. It’s almost six and I’m sure you’re hungry.”

“Yes Hokage-sama.” Hinata bowed and left with Naruto following after her.

Outside the office both of them looked awkwardly at each other. Neither of them really knew what to say to the other or even how to say it.

“Uh…” Naruto started scratching the back of his head.

“So…at dawn?” Hinata asked looked away.

“Yeah…yeah…at dawn…at the north gate…we’ll…go over the details of the mission there…pack tonight I guess…”

“Okay.” Hinata agreed looking at her feet.

After another long moment of silence, Hinata decided to turn to leave.

“Hinata?” Naruto asked as she began to leave. She looked back at him but didn’t meet his eyes.

“Um…”

She waited for him to say something.

“Don’t forget to eat breakfast.” He said looking away.

She gave him a funny look but nodded. She said good bye and continued walking down the hall, leaving him in his spot. Behind her, where she could not see, Naruto was contemplating running his head through the wall several times.

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Sakura had spent the rest of the morning and the afternoon wandering aimlessly around town. She had run some errands and paid some bills early. She even did some grocery shopping for things she didn’t need. Having so much time to herself, Sakura didn’t really know what to do with it. She didn’t want to “sort it out” like Tsunade suggested because that would mean she had to think about what she saw in Sasuke’s office and she just couldn’t handle that.

After eating dinner alone in her apartment, and feeling a little too pathetic, she decided to take a walk. She had managed to walk to the park where the families and children played. She didn’t really know how she managed this without noticing it, since the park was at least five kilometers from her apartment; but there she was. Deciding to take a break she found a bench and sat down. She saw a couple being sweet and cuddly and she suddenly wished for her weapons pouch.

She sighed as she bent her head back and began staring up the darkening sky. She allowed herself to think. Think of Sasuke, think of herself, think of…Yuna.

Sasuke was unlike most other men. He had never been one to fit into any category. He was his own person, he was unique in every sense of the word and, therefore, so were his tastes. He had a certain taste for everything, from room décor to food to girls. Sakura wasn’t naïve; she knew she wasn’t his first, just like he wasn’t hers. She never really thought about the kind of girls he had been with in the past. She never gave much thought to what kind of girl Sasuke liked, because when she card about it in the past it hadn’t done her any good. But she knew him and she knew herself; and when she really thought about it, she knew a big part of why Sasuke liked her was her intensity. It was like his, it was fierce when it needed to be, it was dominant to challenge him, and it was strong in both mind and body which excited him. Sakura was his type, and from what she had seen so was Yuna.

Yuna, from what Sakura had gathered, was strong and intense. She was brave and even a bit dominating. She didn’t falter under Sasuke’s dark gaze or angry voice. She matched his glares and even smiled at him when he growled at her. She challenged him, she dared him and being the man Sasuke was he couldn’t resist.

If she really allowed herself to think with her mind and separate her heart from what she really knew of Sasuke, in a sense, she did understand how it happened. She did understand how Sasuke slipped up and how it happened to be with her. But what she didn’t understand was why?

Why?

Why did he cheat on her? Why did he allow himself to cheat on her? Why did he allow himself to be put in any position where cheating may be a possibility? Why didn’t he think of her? Why didn’t he even consider her for a second before he did it? And if he did think of her, why did he go ahead and do it?

“Sakura?”

Sakura broke out of her hundreds of ‘whys’ and looked up. She smiled at the pale faced, pale eyed girl who stood in front of her offering her a seat next to her.

“What are you doing out here?” Hinata asked taking a seat.

“Just…thinking…” Sakura said noticing the sky had gone from a sky blue to the beginnings of pink and purple.

Hinata nodded but didn't offer any else. Sakura didn’t feel like being left to her thoughts when a friend was close by so she spoke up.

“What about you?”

“I was just on my way home from the weapons shop.”

“Weapons shop?”

“I need a sharpening tool, my old one is getting a very dull and useless.”

“Planning on using it soon?” Sakura said, the image of Hinata stabbing that Misako girl in the throat running through her mind. Sakura smiled to herself.

“Not really,” Hinata said missing her friends smile. “Tsunade wants me to go with Naruto on a mission, so I figured it was best to be prepared.”

The image of Hinata stabbing Misako was suddenly replaced by the image of Hinata castrating Naruto and Sakura actually shivered.

“A mission?” She repeated and Hinata nodded.

“What kind of mission?”

Hinata shrugged stating the usual and Sakura wondered why wasn’t she going on a mission?

“Naruto said he hadn’t found anyone to go with him so Tsunade appointed me.”

“Really?” Sakura asked wondering where the hell Naruto was all day that he couldn’t find her and ask her? Maybe she could just tag along anyway; she doubted Tsunade would really stop her.

“Um Sakura?”

“Hmm?”

“Tsunade said she gave you some time…off for personal problems,”

“Yeah.” Sakura pouted.

“Does it have anything to do with…Sasuke?”

Sakura was quiet, answering Hinata’s answer with her silence.

“Are you going to be okay?” Hinata’s voice was one of a concerned friend and it touched Sakura.

“I think I’ll survive.” Sakura said smiling. “Hell, if I survived all the shit he did to me before this, I can survive this one too.”

Not really sure of how to answer that Hinata simply smiled and nodded at her friend supportively.

“I better be going, I need to pack and be ready to meet Naruto at dawn.”

“Good luck!” Sakura said as Hinata left giving Sakura another smile in return.

Sakura was left alone again on the bench in the now emptying park. At least that stupid couple was gone. When Hinata was out of sight Sakura let her head fall back behind her neck and over the back of the bench letting out a loud frustrated groan.

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Hinata walked home in a strange mood. She was afraid and nervous about going on such a sudden mission with Naruto. She wanted to talk to him, but spending so much time alone with him didn’t seem like the best way to do it either. But there was no way she could have denied the mission in front of both the Hokage and Naruto. She had no choice but to say yes, she had no choice but to agree to go on a mission for who knows how long and to a location only Naruto knew.

Hinata never thought herself a dumb person, but sometimes she amazed herself with her choices.

Halfway home Hinata walked through a particularly crowded side of town where most of the bars and clubs were situated. She didn’t normally go this way; but the other way home went right in front of Naruto’s home and she just couldn’t go that way. But when she rounded the corner and heard a familiar laugh she instantly began to regret her decision.

Her eyes looked up but her head remained down. She saw Misako’s smiling face talking to someone she couldn’t see. The girl was very flirtatious, almost to the point of being scandalously easy. She tossed her mane of long hair, and touched his arms lightly with her hands. As Hinata got closer she saw the arm the girl was touching was clad in black and for the briefest moment she actually saw it push her away.

Curious Hinata looked up for a better look. She followed the black clad arm to an orange sleeve…and blond hair. She stopped in her tracks watching Misako as she threw herself on Naruto. She watched as Naruto didn’t look at her but also didn’t seem to know how to leave either.

She didn’t know why she did it but she walked up to them. She didn’t have the intention to say anything, but maybe if they saw her Misako would stop. Maybe?

“Hinata!” Naruto said both surprise and excitement in his voice. Misako turned around and her flirtatious playful eyes met Hinata’s and turned dark.

“Hinata,” Misako repeated but not nearly as excited as Naruto.

“Are you ready for the mission?” Naruto asked taking his arm out of Misako’s hands.

“I’ll be ready by morning,” Hinata said putting on a pleasant fake smile. “What about you?”

“Yeah, just about.”

“You’re going on a mission Naruto?” Misako voiced sweetly next to him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Uh…well…I…”

“We should celebrate!” She bounced. “Let’s get a drink before you leave…”

“Naruto can’t do that.” Hinata interrupted. Misako looked at her hard.

“I don’t see how you have any say in what Naruto does or doesn’t do.” She said.

“Naruto is a ninja, and drinking the night before a mission is not only against our rules but extremely irresponsible.”

“Oh please, Naruto can handle himself.”

“No, she’s right,” Naruto interrupted. “Besides I got to go home and continue to pack.”

“Oh can I help?” Misako jumped. “I’ve always wanted to see what a ninja uses for missions? What kind of weapons do you use?”

“Uh…” Naruto stepped back as Hinata was thrown back by such a blunt statement to go back to his apartment.

“I would be careful about asking a ninja to show you their weapons Misako.” Voiced someone behind Hinata.

When she turned she smiled. Ino was walking right up to them with her very confident Ino smile.

“Oh nonsense, Naruto would never hurt me!” Misako laughed. “Right Naruto?”

“Uh…no…of…of course not…”

Ino laughed.

“I wasn’t talking about Naruto,”

Misako gave a quick look to Ino and then at Hinata and smiled.

“Hinata just seems too sweet to do such a thing. Why she hardly even strikes me as the type to hurt a fly.” Misako laughed.

“I know right!” Ino laughed. “Such a sweet looking girl who just so happens to be the first born daughter of the most powerful clan in Konoha, who also just so happens to be the Hokage’s second choice behind her own apprentice. A sweet, innocent girl who I have personally seen on many occasions kill men twice her size.” Ino smiled wide but Misako’s face grew dark, all previous innocence gone.

“My, that’s threatening.” She said lowly.

The tension around them grew thick. Blue eyes met green and someone was on the brink of exploding.

“Have you seen Kiba around?” Misako asked suddenly and Ino smiled again.

“Yes! Were you looking for him?” Ino asked.

“Well if Naruto is so quick to ditch me then maybe I can find Kiba to entertain me.”

“That would probably be a good idea considering how much Kiba likes to fuck an easy lay,” Ino said and Hinata’s jaw dropped. Naruto’s eyes widened and he stepped back from the mounting tension. Misako’s eyes flared up in anger.

“But unfortunately Kiba’s booked tonight. We have a date.”

“I thought you said he only fucks easy lays? Are you easy? Well I have heard some talk around town.”

Ino laughed and then moved her face down close to Misako’s eye level.

“Careful girly, I invented you’re little game.” Ino said in a dead serious tone.

“Game?” Misako repeated.

“The little game you and you’re sister are pulling, you might want to stop before you regret it.”

“Regret it? Ino are you threatening me?”

At this Ino laughed.

“So I was right, two rich girls banking on daddy’s name to keep them out of trouble.”

Misako shook her head.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She said crossing her arms and Ino laughed again.

“Sure you don’t.”

“I’m gonna go pack.” Naruto said suddenly between the female stare down.

“I’ll come with you!” Misako said and began to follow Naruto but Ino was faster.

Hinata saw Misako stop dead in her tracks and actually begin to walk backwards. She looked over at Ino who already had her hand symbol together to control the girl’s movements. Only once Naruto was completely out of sight and they could no longer sense his chakra near them did she let her go. Misako rounded on Ino and to everyone’s surprised pushed her.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” She yelled causing several people to turn around.

“Keeping you away from what isn't yours.” Ino said simply not at all fazed that she had just been shoved.

“What right do you have to tell me what is mine and what is not?”

“I have the ability to make you slit your own throat with a letter opener!” Ino challenge back and Misako shut her mouth. “Quit your shit, enough is enough. I suggest you stop your little game before you or your sister get really hurt.”

Misako scoffed.

“I know all about you ninja. Morals, codes, rules; you can’t break them. You can’t hurt a civilian like that without any incriminating charges. You can threaten all you want but you and I both know none of you can lay a hand on me or my sister!”

Ino smiled dangerously.

“We may have codes and rules to follow but you seem to have forgotten the reputation of the leaf nin. We are not exactly known to always follow the rules.” Ino said quietly and Hinata could have sworn she saw Misako’s face flicker in fear before replacing it with her stubborn pride. However she didn’t respond, she stood her ground crossing her arms giving Ino a death glare.

“Come on Hinata lets get out of here,” Ino said putting an arm around Hinata and steering her away.

“Ino, do you think that was a good idea?” Hinata asked trying to look back but finding it hard to with Ino’s death grip on her shoulders.

“Those bitches need to learn a lesson.” Ino said her anger finally showing.

Hinata didn’t say anything else while Ino walked with her. She was entirely stunned by what just happened but also a bit thankful for Ino’s obvious threats. If only she had the guts to actually do something like that. When Ino excused herself to meet Kiba, Hinata was left alone again.

When she got home she greeted her father, who was still awake, and went to her room to pack. As for that nights fiasco, it was already behind her. She still had a mission tomorrow she needed to prepare for.

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TBC - Hinata must face everything she's been avoiding on her mission with Naruto, what will she do?
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AN: Whoohoo, finally we see some real tension between everyone. It seems Sakura is beginning to put the pieces together along with Hinata but it looks like Ino has beat them both to the punch. Will she do more then just threaten? Will Hinata ever actually act on her frustrations? What would have happened to Yuna if Sasuke wasn't there to stop Sakura? Does Yuna even consider Sakura's strength? (Hint: Yuna doesn't know about Sakura's abilities as a ninja, she has never seen or heard of them. As far as she knows Sakura is the right hand to the Hokage and a good medic, but really thats as far as her knowledge goes.) And if your wondering when the tension will break all I can tell you if you get a rubber band and you stretch it, you can find you can stretch it really far before it snaps. But when it snaps it snaps pretty hard.

PS: I know she's a bit OOC but Ino is becoming my favorite character! I really love her in this story so we will probably be seeing a lot more of her. Till next time! I love you, and thank you! - Cookies!