Sage's Resurrection

Chapter 5

"It's her first actual mission," Kurenai spoke to Hiashi Hyuga, the clan head of the Hyuga. And most definitely the awardee of the 'Worst Father in the World' medal. His long black hair was silky and cascaded down his back. His pale lavender eyes were closed, but Hinata knew she was being watched.

She just didn't want to interrupt the meeting between her sensei and her father.

"I know. So what?" Was his smooth, stern, scathing reply. "Why worry? Hinata is quite passable in the gentle fist and should be able to easily run through the missions." I've bested adults in this clan, and you call me 'passable'!? She mentally roared, standing behind the sliding sheet. "Now leave. I have training to attend to." With a mere wave of his hand, Kurenai bowed, and left the room.

"Hinata." Not daughter, not dear, just her name. "Come sit before me." Hinata slid the door open and kneeled before her father.

"So, your training has been going smoothly, has it?" Oh wow, it's not like you weren't there for all of it, she grit her teeth and pushed down those thoughts. Insubordination would lead to nothing less than a beating and even worse training the following day.

"Yes father. It has." Hiashi nodded.

"Good. So then, shall we discuss?" Hiashi's royal voice reverberated throughout the chamber.

"Of course, father." Hinata bowed low, almost placing her body flush with the floor.

"So, this is your first mission. A trip to the Land of Waves." He drawled.

Hinata nodded; words were unnecessary.

"Well, I expect you to make a good impression. You are protecting our clan's honour as the heiress, after all." Always the clan, isn't it? Never me, never your daughter, never Hanabi. She bitterly mused. "I suppose you should head to prepare. Go on." He waved his hand, Hinata left the room, sliding the door shut.

She collected a long, thin loop of steel ninja wire, kunai, shuriken, and packed them in separate pouches, along with a scroll chock-full of first aid equipment. Bandages, disinfectants, stitches and needles, gloves, whatever was needed, it was sealed there. She placed a few soldier pills inside a bag, placing it next to the first-aid scroll.

She thought about seeing Hanabi, but she was always busy training in the Gentle Fist, and her senseis were never enthusiastic about her interrupting her sister's training.

She inhaled and let out a hum, mimicking a lullaby her mother used to sing her to sleep with as a baby. Glancing at a photo frame, she tore her gaze away from the only photo she had with her mother.

She slid open the door to reveal another Hyuga. Ah, it's Ko. Ko was a Main Branch member assigned as a bodyguard to her, or rather, the heir to the Hyuga name.

It was nothing more than an open secret that Ko's allegiance could turn on a dime, if Hiashi decided that her little sister was a better choice for heiress.

Which wasn't an impossible choice to make, if Hinata was completely sincere.

Just one she liked to ignore.

"Hello, Lady Hinata. It seems that your first mission is at hand. Is there anything that I can do for you?" He glanced behind her, his eyes flitting all over their surroundings.

"No, there's nothing I need currently. It's fine." She gave a curt nod.

"Ah, of course. Very well then, Lady Hinata. Farewell for now, then." He flickered away, seven leaves carried by the wind.

I wonder how this will go? Hinata had never failed before; failure meant punishment, punishment meant shame, and shame was the worst thing of all, especially public shame.