Normally, she was very reserved and unsure of herself. Her father's constant attacks and belittlement of her abilities had been intended to draw out a stubborn core where she would dedicate herself to proving him wrong. Instead it had gone in the opposite direction. She was one of those who thrived on encouragement.
Someone had been kind and nice and encouraging to her. Someone had given her pleasures such as she had never dreamed possible, and never once strayed into naughty territory. Someone had provided an example of never giving up and never losing sight of one's goals.
Which was why Hinata Hyuga resisted the call back to the world of waking. While she was unconscious she had wriggled and moved until she was right next to that someone. It still wasn't naughty, just the need to reassure herself that he did indeed exist and that the happiness she'd stumbled across was still there.
"Wake up, Hinata."
"Don't wanna," mumbled Hinata, burrowing closer. "Mine."
"I know you two are engaged and all, but is this really the time?" asked a familiar male voice. Hinata reluctantly woke up enough to place it. Kiba.
Lavender eyes slowly opened, and when she realized that she was snuggled into the side of Naruto Uzumaki, the obvious reaction occurred.
"EEEP!" Hinata squeaked and scrambled back, her face practically glowing red.
Naruto looked slightly embarassed himself as he rolled to his feet.
"Hinata, Hinata, Hinata," softly chided Kurenai-sensei. "Save that for later or I'll recommend that Naruto be transferred to another squad."
Hinata whimpered involuntarily at the thought and at her continued embarassment.
"Hinata, get it together and use your Byakugan," said Kurenai. "How many intruders do you see?"
Hinata frowned in the process of getting overclothes on. "Byakugan! There are... oh dear."
Kiba made an impolite noise.
"Sorry," apologized Hinata. "But there's something wrong with them. There are thirty seven of them, currently spreading out into two-man teams. The single remaining one is very odd."
"What do you mean 'something wrong with them' - like what?" prompted Kurenai.
"Their chakra flows are wrong," said Hinata. "They're also big. Most of them are three times Kiba's size. They're carrying axes and clubs. Except one is carrying a shovel except he's holding it like a weapon, and the shovel has been reinforced to be used like that."
"Huh," said Kiba, grinning in such a way that a fang showed. "A combat shovel? Oh, I'm scared now. Pfeh."
"The chakra flows are wrong how?" asked Kurenai.
"They're running faster than they should, and the distribution isn't even," said Hinata absently as she continued to study the potential opponents. "It should be even over their entire bodies instead of being concentrated in the arms and legs."
Kurenai frowned. "Okay. I'm grading you. How are you going to handle this?"
krik-krak, krik-krak went Naruto's knuckles.
"Wait a minute," said Kiba. "I'm not letting you take all of them."
"Rowr raff!" agreed Akamaru.
Hinata seemed to consider that as she chewed on a Hidden Ninja Valley Trail Bartm Nuttiberir and nodded.
"Okay," said Naruto after a moment. "Hinata can use her Byakugan to keep score."
"Pfeh. Yeah, right," said Kiba. "How about Kurenai Yuhi-sensei? SHE can keep track."
"Just don't kill them all," said Hinata, holding up a hand. "We'll need to question one."
Naruto and Kiba considered her for a moment, before both smiled again. Kiba's was definitely a wolfish smile, Naruto's smile was more affectionate and directed at Hinata.
"Very well then, begin as soon as you're ready," said Kurenai.
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(Posted Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:00)
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