The morning sun spilled gently through the paper windows of the Sarutobi compound, warming the polished floors and quiet corners of Hinata's temporary residence. She sat still upon her futon, freshly awakened, her posture serene though her mind drifted.
The evening with Kiba and Shino had lifted much from her shoulders—laughter shared, old bonds acknowledged. But it was seeing Neji again that lingered most deeply. Changed, matured, and bearing words she never imagined he'd say. The Neji she met yesterday no longer bore the weight of the past in his eyes.
She was still reflecting when a gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Lady Hinata," came the calm voice of Hotaru, one of the Sarutobi estate's senior attendants. "A messenger from the Hyūga clan has arrived. He claims to be from the branch family and requests a moment of your time."
Hinata's hands paused mid-fold of her robe. A Hyūga emissary…? Her pulse quickened. The clan wished to speak? It was unexpected. She had assumed silence would stretch longer, maybe indefinitely. Perhaps her encounter with Neji had rippled more quickly than she anticipated.
Moments later, dressed in an elegant kimono of deep plum silk, silver threading along the sleeves like flowing water, Hinata stepped into the reception room. The mark on her forehead—a dark green variation of the Hyūga seal—was half-veiled by her loosely styled hair, not hidden, but not displayed with fanfare either.
Waiting within was a boy no older than fifteen. Kaoru. She recognized him at once—he had been a wide-eyed child of ten when she left Konoha. He stood now in a modest genin-style uniform, posture stiff, eyes filled with confusion… and awe.
He bowed low. "Lady Hinata Gin."
She did not respond immediately. She noticed his eyes flicker between her face and the floor. He was clearly struggling.
Her eyes were closed. Of course.
Hinata's expression softened, and slowly, she opened them, revealing the unmistakable pale eyes of the Hyūga.
"Welcome, Kaoru. You've grown well. It's a pleasure to see you again."
His breath caught. His mouth parted in disbelief. "But… how…?"
She watched as something shifted in him—a flicker of recognition, of memory, of something half-whispered in the halls of the compound. His next words were restrained.
"My apologies. I wasn't… I didn't expect to find you like this."
Hinata inclined her head, her voice composed. "I understand. It has been some time. But I sense you've come bearing a message?"
Kaoru straightened slightly, ashamed of his momentary lapse. "Yes, Lady Hinata. The Patriarch of the Hyūga clan wishes to arrange a meeting with you at your convenience."
She tilted her head gently in thought.
"Splendid. I had hoped such a moment would come. Please inform the Patriarch and Lady Hanabi that I would be honored to receive them here at the Sarutobi compound for a tea ceremony. In two days' time. It will be a full moon—an auspicious evening for reflection."
Kaoru bowed again, more deeply this time. "I shall deliver your words with care."
As he turned to leave, Hinata closed her eyes once more, sensing the shift that was already beginning.
The past was no longer chasing her.
Now, it was beginning to knock politely at her door.
<<<
Hiashi sat in quiet contemplation behind his low desk, the lantern light casting long shadows across the polished wood. The hum of the Hyūga compound was distant, muffled by layers of tradition and silence. But Hiashi's mind was anything but still.
Across from him stood Hatake Kakashi, hands tucked in his pockets, his single visible eye half-lidded but attentive.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Hiashi began, his voice measured. "What I'm about to say is to remain strictly between us. You, I, and one other are the only individuals currently aware."
Kakashi raised a brow slightly. "Sounds serious."
"It is," Hiashi replied. "For the past few weeks, there has been a pattern of disruptions within the compound. Harmless, perhaps, but precise—scrolls misplaced, slippers vanishing, even mild pranks executed with unsettling efficiency. It echoes something I've seen before."
Kakashi nodded slowly, already forming suspicions.
"Our internal reports suggest the culprit is… canine. And I suspect the perpetrator may be Kuro, the companion of Hinata Gin."
"Ah."
Hiashi's gaze sharpened. "I don't accuse without reason. I believe this behavior stems from lingering resentment—perhaps Hinata's, perhaps the creature's. But I require confirmation."
Kakashi crossed his arms. "And you want me to investigate."
"Discreetly," Hiashi confirmed. "The Inuzuka are far too visible. But your history with ninken and your… less public methods are more suited."
Kakashi gave a nonchalant shrug. "Understood. I'll look into it."
With that, the silver-haired jōnin vanished in a blur of leaves and air.
Moments later, the quiet knock of Kaoru at the door drew Hiashi's attention. The young genin entered with formal bows.
"Patriarch," he said respectfully. "Lady Hinata Gin has extended an invitation. In two days, she will host a tea ceremony here in Konoha. She has requested the presence of both yourself and Lady Hanabi."
Hiashi remained still for a moment.
"Very well," he murmured at last. "We shall attend."
His eyes lingered on the paper wall long after Kaoru had gone.
The past was no longer something buried.
Now, it was setting the table for tea.
<<<< o >>>>
Shino and Kiba arrived not long after young Kaoru Hyūga had departed. The energy they brought with them was entirely different—sharper, brighter, as if the air itself vibrated with anticipation.
Kiba, with Akamaru proudly at his side, practically radiated excitement. "No backing out now, Hinata," he grinned. "Today's the day we settle this with a proper fight."
Hinata smiled, serene but amused. "I would not have it any other way."
Their enthusiasm had been infectious—but also concerning. Kiba had originally proposed using one of the standard training fields in Konoha for their duel, confident and eager to show his progress. But Kurenai, upon hearing of this plan, had immediately intervened. Her tone left no room for debate.
"If you're going to fight her seriously," she said, arms crossed and eyes unwavering, "then it must be somewhere safe—for all of you. This isn't about fairness, it's about survival. A serious battle in a village training ground will draw eyes you can't afford. Questions you can't answer. And I've seen what happens when Shino and Kiba fight without holding back. Yumegakure is the only place you can do this without someone getting truly hurt—or worse, watched."
She had a point. Yumegakure not only offered isolation but safety. In its silver nodes, injuries healed swiftly and battles could be fought in full without restraint. Hinata had already designed spaces within it for sparring, especially ones where she nullified her own advantages—places balanced and fair, developed to train alongside the samurai. This would be one of them.
They gathered in the great hall of the Sarutobi compound, sitting together in quiet anticipation. Once ready, Hinata used a gentle Genjutsu, easing everyone into sleep and guiding their spirits into Yumegakure no Kai.
The portal opened to reveal a wide, breathtaking field: a nearly perfect replica of the Chūnin Exams arena, brought to life in silver and spirit. A place Hinata had never fought in during her youth—but now stood ready to reclaim.
A soft wind stirred the ethereal banners above. The ground beneath was solid, even. No traps. No tricks. Just a battlefield.
To decide the order, Kiba and Shino engaged in a quick round of rock-paper-scissors. Kiba grinned as he won, Akamaru letting out an eager bark.
"Looks like I'm up first. You ready, Hinata?"
Across the arena, Hinata stood poised. The sleeves of her spiritual robes whispered with the breeze. Her expression remained composed—but the fire behind her eyes answered for her.
"Always."
Seated above in the crafted stands were Kurenai, Michel, Kenshiro, Emi, Ayaka, and Masaru—watching in focused silence.
The duel was about to begin.