Hinata's Journey

Hinata and Lee slowly approached the gates to Konoha. Their hearts beating in their throats as they approached their long time home as if they were strangers. In many ways they were. Izuma and Kotetsu were arguing over something and a solitary ANBU stood in the shadows. As Hinata and Lee passed, the chatter stopped and there was brief flare of chakra before everything went still.


Hinata did not need her Byakugan to know that all eyes were on them. Lee was still in his black cargo pants and forest green tee shirt over black mesh. Hinata was in the black pants she had gotten from Baki and mesh and lavender tee shirt. Both of them had changed their hair drastically. Lee’s hair, cut short on the sides and slightly longer in front so he could spike it, rendered him almost unrecognizable. Hinata’s hair was short the only thing saving her from a boy’s haircut was the long bangs that sweep over one of her eyes.


“Awkward.” Hinata whispered to Lee conspiringly as she linked arms with him.


“Whatever do you mean?” Lee asked innocently. Hinata glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and saw Lee’s mouth twitch.


“I wonder who we will run across first from the old gang.” Hinata mused.


“No need to wonder, here comes Naruto.” Lee responded grinning broadly at the ball of energy that descended on them.


“Hinata!” Naruto greeted swinging Hinata around in an exuberant hug that left her blushing and speechless. Naruto put her down and then turned to Lee pausing, “Fuzzy brows?” He inquired staring at what used to be a waxer’s worse nightmare but had been turned slightly more human.


“I got too close to a fire jutsu.” Lee explained with a sigh. “Hinata started getting twitchy because they were too lopsided so she fixed it and then some.” Lee glared at Hinata briefly while she tried to look innocent.


“Way to go Hinata!” Naruto gave her a light punch on the arm. “Wait now what do I call you Fuzzy?”


“Naruto…” Lee sighed at the blonde shaking his head.


“Sorry that names already taken.” Naruto joked squinting his eyes and rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “I got it you look sort of cute so I guess I can call you hottie or body or something.”


“Thanks…” Lee blushed and Hinata looked between the two slowly. A sudden flare of murderous intent sent Hinata into defense mode. Turning slowly she scanned for the source, making it look like she was simply looking into the distance. When she spotted Neji, she had a moment of insight, that he did not look simply murderous he looked hurt as well.


“Lee I think we should go.” Hinata murmured tuning back into the conversation.


“See ya’ Naruto.” Lee waved.


“Bye Hot Stuff.” Naruto yelled his farewell as he went out the gates. Hinata saw him wink at her slyly and she could not help but think that he had been trying to tell her something. Hinata thought she knew what it was, Neji wanted Lee back and Naruto approved.


“Neji is watching us.” Hinata commented conversationally as they continued onward.


“I know I got goose bumps already.” Lee retorted smiling at the people, they passed on there way to the tower.


“Do you want to talk to him?” Hinata asked calmly.


“If I say no would you think I am a coward?” Lee responded evenly his smile dimming slightly.


“I would say your self preservation instincts are strong.” Hinata responded touching Lee’s arm in support. “I will stand by you whatever you decide.”


“Hinata-sama, Lee.” Neji greeted stepping from the shadows. Lee tensed briefly before relaxing


“I think I will leave you two alone.” Hinata winked at her cousin mischievously. “If you hurt him I will make the curse seal activating seem like a picnic.” Hinata walked around the corner and waited. Shino walked up and stood next to her. Hinata smiled at Shino, who stood with his back against the wall.


“Neji and Lee are good for each other.” Shino commented evenly.


“Let’s hope they manage to get it together.” Hinata sighed listening to their conversation as they walked down the street. Stealthily the two followed Lee and Neji as they walked together in silence. Hinata was getting frustrated with the two men’s silence. The couple had just entered a clearing in the woods. Hinata and Shino were perched nearby.


“Shit!” Neji shrieked, Hinata’s eyes activated quickly and she blinked slowly at the threat. Shino merely shifted slightly. Neji leaped around in an uncharacteristic and frantic manner. Lee was trying to help his obviously distressed companion. Hinata and Shino shared a glance from their perch on a higher tree branch, both leaning closer to watch. Hinata felt other presences approaching.


“It’s alright love.” Lee murmured trying to soothe the slightly frantic man. Quickly, Lee grabbed him and gathered him close rubbing his back calmly. “Its alright it was never there it was just the remains.” Lee soothed resting his chin on the slightly shorter man’s head. Neji allowed himself to be comforted briefly before returning to his usual stoic manner.


“Lee there is something I wanted to tell you.” Neji stated looking nervous. “What I did to you was unforgivable but I want you to forgive me and maybe if there is no one else become my…” Neji gulped.


“Yes!” Lee exclaimed breaking the tension happily already knowing what the question was.


“I promise to be the best boyfriend possible or I will do two thousand laps around Konoha on my hands.” Neji stated solemnly. Hinata grabbed Shino’s arm and gasped. One of Shino’s eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. There were two other distinctive responses and one restless shifting in the woods. From the direction of the village there were some noticeable figures standing in shock that began hurriedly moving towards the two.


“Neji did you just…?” Lee’s eyes widened, tearing slightly and he clasped his hands prayerfully.


Neji nodded took a deep breath and stuck the nice cool guy pose. The sun did not rise but a full moon did. The wind ruffled the leaves and blew them across the moon. Rose petals made a gentle whirlwind behind him and the stars shined brightly. For a moment, there was silence.


“Well I’ll be damned.” Shino swore, so shocked that he and Hinata both fell out of the tree. Gai, Kakashi and Iruka, who had been running through the trees to the clearing completely missed the branches in shock.


“I accept and will promise to be the best boyfriend ever.” Lee cried striking the nice guy pose with such an intensity that Gai, Kakashi and Iruka, who had just picked themselves up, were blinded by the sun temporary. The two poses canceled each other out, thankfully when Neji jumped Lee.


Hinata and Shino decided to leave the two to it and went to see Gai, Kakashi and Iruka.


“Did Neji really?” Iruka questioned rubbing the back of his head.


“Yep complete with moon and flying rose petals.” Hinata confirmed smiling, glancing at Gai and Kakashi. Gai looked over the moon for his former students. Kakashi looked mildly horrified and slightly intrigued.


“Hard work pays off after all.” Gai cooed his hands clasped to the side and stars in his eyes. “Neji had been practicing diligently to perfect the pose. It just goes to show when a genius decides that hard work is called for the most miraculous things can happen.”


Hinata cut her eyes to Kakashi, who had his one eye narrowed dangerously at his lover. Iruka was struggling not to laugh. “I think we should give them some space now that we know they won’t kill each other.” Shino commented diplomatically and Hinata briefly linked arms with him before she heard a familiar hiss.


“What are you three doing out here anyway?” Hinata queried praying her suspicion was wrong.


“Gai and I were coming to make sure Neji didn’t fuck up.” Kakashi grumbled still glaring at his significant other.


“I was coming to meet Naruto for dinner after he has finished escorting the Kazekage.” Iruka explained finally getting himself under control.


“What!” Lee yelled from the clearing. There was some frantic shuffling before Lee emerged shirtless and wide-eyed.


“Aren’t you supposed to be reuniting?” Iruka responded.


“Make up sex will have to wait, we have something else to accomplish first.” Lee commented dutifully.


“Preferably before Gaara rips me the proverbial new one.” Hinata confirmed and began to lock in on where the other piece was.

“You could certainly knock some doors down with that thing.” Iruka pointed out helpfully looking at Lee.


There was a pause as everyone stared at the object in question. Neji meanwhile marched over to Lee and dragged him behind a tree. Hinata blushed slightly, “Iruka I need you to stall as long as you can.”


“Why?” Iruka asked evenly scratching his nose thoughtfully.


“Long story, not much time.” Hinata responded.


“Cliff notes.” Shino retorted turning to look at her, the others did as well, expectantly.


Hinata lifted her bangs and activated the Sharingan, while activating the Byakugan. “I embarrassed Gaara and he probably wants revenge. Not to mention I have most of the keys for the essence that would reinforce the protection for the village.”


“I feel like the entire story is going to require a lot of alcohol.” Gai commented rubbing his chin before he grabbed his boyfriends and hurried off to stall.


“Now let’s get you to the Hokage’s office.” Lee yelled coming out from behind the tree blushing and staggering slightly. Neji followed looking a little too pleased with himself.


The four of them set off quickly for the tower. Once they arrived Hinata’s stomach was in knots. Laying a hand on it, she tried to still the frantic movements.


“Well look who it is.” The Hokage spoke, ushering Hinata and Lee in but pointedly dismissing the other two.


“Hokage the last piece is close.” Hinata whispered her eyes watering as she felt the fire in her stomach burning.


“It is either that or...” The Hokage trailed off as she went to sit behind her desk, steepling her fingers. “I did some research and found out more information. It would appear that these essences are a cruel twist of fate for those that must use them.”


“What do you mean?” Lee asked sitting Hinata in a chair before he himself took one.


“To protect the village a life must be given.” The Hokage paused, shutting her eyes briefly so she would not see the expressions in front of her. “The essence of the Hokage is not something that makes things better instantly. It is a tool for the person who finds it to use to protect the village. It chooses who can find it when the time is needed. Usually the Kages, being the strongest in a village are chosen to find it. In the past twenty years it has been used twice and two great men have died.”

“The third and fourth.” Hinata gasped as the pain made her double over again.


“Yes the essence gave them the tools they need to defeat the evil that plagued the village. It has done the same for you. Through the collection of the pieces, you have started to develop the mindset needed for your task. Every person put in your path during this time has been teaching you something you needed to know in order to succeed. ” Tsunade paused here, leaning back in her chair. “I have a story to tell you and if you interrupt I will stop, understood?” Hinata and Lee both nodded. Tsunade opened a drawer and threw a bottle at Hinata. “Drink that it will lessen the pain. ” Tsunade then took out a sake bottle, took a swig and began.