Hyuga Kei and Hinata talked outside Konoha for quite a while longer, agreeing that he would take her to visit the Land of Rice when he had the chance.
Hyuga Kei spread his arms. "No hug before we part?"
"Um... okay..." Hinata timidly stepped forward and held out her arms, yet she did not dare embrace him.
With a smile, Hyuga Kei took the initiative and pulled Hinata into his arms. "While I'm away, be more confident, okay? When we meet again, let me see a completely different Hinata."
Hinata's face flushed crimson. She did not know whether she had heard him, only nodded.
Releasing Hinata's petite body, Hyuga Kei took out a small puppet bird for delivering messages. "This is for you. It's my messenger. It recognizes my chakra. As long as you give it a letter, it can find me no matter where I am in the ninja world."
Hinata happily accepted the puppet and held it to her chest as though it were a treasure.
"Remember, don't tell anyone. This is a secret between the two of us."
"Mm-hm!" Hinata nodded firmly.
Hyuga Kei waved, turned around, and left without looking back.
Hinata remained where she was, watching Hyuga Kei's retreating figure until it vanished from sight before heading back.
When Hinata returned home, she saw Hanabi sitting atop the cabinet by the door with one leg crossed over the other, reading a book.
"Big Sister's back. Have you finished seeing off your little sweetheart?" Hanabi put down her book and teased.
Hinata blushed and picked up the slippers from the floor for her younger sister to put on. "I was just seeing him off."
Hanabi repeated Hinata's words in a strange tone. "Just seeing him off... So, tell me, how far have things progressed? Let your