Behind Innocent Eyes

Crystallized Secrets

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With slow movements so the insects weren't startled, the clone went to the tent and pulled out the pink crystal ...

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Hinata stiffened the second she heard the door handle creak. She was ready for an onslaught of doctors or another disgusting cup of bubbling sludge that is foolishly called tea. However, that didn't happen. To her surprise the door swung open to reveal her father, who looked concerned, and none other than the hokage. Neither of them even had hazmat suits.

Hiashi frowned, "Exactly what did you get into, Hinata?"

"What? Nothing-" Hinata winced as her father gave her a disbelieving look.

Hiruzen sighed, "Hiashi, now is not the time. I explained what you needed to know and that's all that can be said. She isn't even aware of what her actions caused." He gestured for Hinata to follow him, which she did immediately.

"Yes, hokage-sama." Hiashi said as he followed the two out of the compound and looked at his eldest daughter. "I was informed that you weren't sick. You claimed that so you could investigate something for your teammates." He raised a finger when she tried to say something. "I don't know what you were after, but you went too far and the hokage arranged to have stopped for own safety."

"My ... safety?" Hinata murmured and looked at the hokage in complete confusion.

The hokage gestured for Hiashi to not continue with them, "I know about the bet, Hinata. Not exact details, but I know enough to know that's why-" he paused when Hinata suddenly looked shocked and slightly dizzy. "First time using shadow clones?" He asked, taking note of the odd reaction. With that flinch in mind and knowing that she had been to places where she shouldn't be, he realized how Hinata could manage finding Naruto's home while being under house arrest.

Hinata nodded sheepishly as they walked out of the compound and into the streetlight lit road towards town, "Yes, hokage-sama. I really wanted to help my sensei by learning what some people might not know. I knew it annoyed some people, but I didn't realize I did anything bad or dangerous. I only wanted to keep my sensei from taking sensitive pictures for a certain person." She said shyly as they walked through the streets, which were still busy despite being late.

"That explains how you managed to get out and why this bet got out of control." Hiruzen said casually, but he didn't continue the original conversation until they were in the hokage tower. "All those people seemed cheerful and kind, didn't they?"

"Umm yes." Hinata said, not sure if she should say something nasty about the villagers in front of the hokage. She considered mentioning Naruto's, but her eyes widened when they entered the hokage' s office. "It's you. You were in the pictures at Naruto's house." She said once she saw the beautiful red haired man sitting on the couch next to Konohamaru. Of course, she blushed when she realized she said too much, but she noticed no one was surprised.

Hiruzen chuckled as he shut the door, "Your clone was thorough." He said before becoming rather serious. "This is Kurama. Right now let's get in touch with your teammates." He said and pulled out a pink crystal just in time to hear the words 'you scared me, brat', which made Hiruzen relieved. "I take it you found Naruto."

"Naruto?" Hinata muttered in a daze.

Just before her mind started wondering what might've happened to her teammates, since Naruto was supposed to be with them, she felt a hand on her back, "Don't worry about your team." Hinata blinked and looked behind her. She was stunned to see that it was Kurama, who was literally on the couch in front of her a split second ago. "Your teammates don't know it, but Naruto separated from them a few hours ago." Kurama said kindly as he guided her to the couch.