The Troubles of Young Hinata

The next day happened to be the weekend. Although Hinata got along well with Sakura and the others, she wasn't someone who liked lively gatherings, so she stayed home.

Tahm had just been caught red-handed the day before and fined a hundred million, so he didn't sneak off to go jungling again.

It was rare for the two of them to have time together during the day after a whole month, so Tahm planned to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity and train with Hinata. That was right— as prospective ninjas, weekends in broad daylight weren't a time for romance and leisure. Although Tahm took Hinata to play games and watch television, he also knew what couldn't be neglected;

It was the familiar Hyuga family dojo. Dressed in a well-fitting short martial arts outfit and accompanied by a series of delicate shouts, Hinata practiced the Gentle Fist on Tahm, her toad-flesh training dummy.

"That last set of Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms was pretty good. Remember how it felt just now, and you'll be able to display your best strength at your current level." After using his body to receive Hinata's Nth set of Gentle Fist strikes, Tahm finally gave her an excellent evaluation.

After such a long practice session, Hinata was covered in fragrant sweat. Crystal droplets decorated her pretty face, and her hair was soaked with perspiration, gleaming with a moist sheen. Her fair skin was flushed from the strenuous exercise, giving her the lovely, lively charm of an athletic girl.

Tahm dotingly used a clean towel to wipe the sweat from Hinata's face. Hinata naturally allowed Tahm's hand to brush over her glistening skin and delicate collarbones.

After skillfully wiping away most of the sweat, Tahm was about to pull his hand back and put down the towel when a pair of small hands suddenly seized him. A moment later, a somewhat warm body leaned against him. The small body was still damp with unwiped sweat, but Tahm didn't feel uncomfortable at all. He only smelled Hinata's faint natural fragrance.

"What is it?" After playing the role of both father and older brother for more than half a year, Tahm knew that little Hinata must be unhappy about something.

"Nothing. I just suddenly remembered the time when we first met. Tahm, in order to make me stop being weak, you kept letting me practice my punches on you here in the dojo." Hinata spoke with the sweetness of happy memories.

"Even now, Tahm is still like that." Hinata continued, "Although you always say it doesn't hurt, you must feel something, right? Even so, you keep smiling and wiping away my sweat."

"Because of Tahm, Father finally stopped being disappointed in me, and I finally caught up with Neji."

"It was the same at the Ninja Academy. If it weren't for Tahm, I never would have made so many friends."

It really doesn't hurt. Little Hinata, you're overthinking this.

Tahm thought this to himself, but of course he didn't say anything so mood-killing. He merely stroked Hinata's cheek, not knowing how to respond. Hinata in his arms gave him a different feeling. She had never spoken so much before.

"Tahm, you haven't been around this whole month. I feel like I've gone back to the way I was before meeting you," Hinata said softly. There was no sob in her voice, yet Tahm could feel the stirrings of her young, sensitive heart.

"We clearly promised to stay together forever..."

Tahm finally spoke. "Hinata, I actually went to see the Hokage yesterday."

"Hm?" Hinata looked up at Tahm, puzzled as to why he had suddenly mentioned this.

"I actually became a Konoha ninja yesterday. I'll be carrying out missions outside the village in the future, and I'll be leaving more and more often."

"Why? Is becoming stronger really that important?" Hinata rarely used such an angry tone. Yet her pure white eyes, fixed on Tahm, were filled with nothing but reluctance.

"What about Father? What about you, Tahm? Do neither of you care about how I feel?"

This was the first time Hinata had questioned someone according to her own feelings. She had never possessed the courage to question her father like this before. But in front of Tahm, she always felt a special sense of security, as though she finally had somewhere to act spoiled, vent her anger, and lose control.

Tahm's heart softened, but he still held to his view. "I promised that I would protect you forever. That vow has never changed. In fact, I could even say that meeting you was when I truly found the meaning behind coming to this world."

"But, Hinata." Tahm did his best to crouch down, cupped Hinata's still-puffed-up face in his hands, and looked straight into her eyes, which held a hint of sorrow. "This world isn't as peaceful as you imagine, and as future ninjas, we don't have the right to live peaceful, stable lives."

"Becoming stronger is so that we can protect others better. I hope I'll always have the strength to shield you from the wind and rain. That's all."

Hinata fell silent, but Tahm could see the vulnerability gradually fading from her brow and strength slowly taking shape in the depths of her eyes.

After a long while, Hinata suddenly said, "I will become stronger."

"Hm?"

"I don't want to hide behind you. I want to stand beside you." Hinata spoke in a tone that brooked no argument.

"Let's become stronger together, Tahm!" Hinata smiled like a blooming flower, radiant and beautiful.

"Ahem. Am I disturbing you two?" a voice suddenly came from the dojo entrance.

"Hatake Kakashi? What are you doing here?" Tahm exclaimed when he saw the person at the door. Kakashi wasn't wearing his Anbu outfit, but instead had on the classic jōnin vest and mask. He stood rigidly in the doorway.

"I'm Hatake Kakashi. Who's 'Kakashi the Draw'?" Kakashi looked a little confused.

"Nothing. Don't worry about the details. Let's talk about business."

"The organization has a mission for you," Kakashi suddenly said with a serious expression.

Tahm's expression immediately grew solemn as well. "Always ready! ...Ahem, no, wait! How did I get a mission so quickly? My ninja status hasn't even been processed yet, has it?"

"Normally, it hadn't. But you demonstrated a unique healing ability, and a mission requiring you happened to come up. That's why the Hokage personally approved your ninja status. You're now an official Konoha genin. This is your forehead protector and identity certificate."

Kakashi tossed over a small booklet and a Konoha forehead protector. Tahm put away the booklet and examined the protector in his hand. After a bout of internal struggle, he still wore it around his wrist like a watch. That was the only place his body could manage to wear it.

"Now that you're ready, come with me," Kakashi said suddenly.

"What?" Tahm was extremely surprised. "We're leaving for a mission already?"

"It's an urgent mission. I can't do anything about it. Stop wasting time—we have to reach another country immediately."

Tahm looked at Hinata apologetically, but she gave him a smile in return. "Go, Tahm. I'll wait for you at home."

So Tahm stopped acting like a lovesick girl, said his farewells, and left with Kakashi.

Just as they were about to leave through the Hyuga family gate, a burst of footsteps suddenly sounded behind them, accompanied by a girl's hurried, delicate panting.

Hinata came running up with a small kunai and handed it to Tahm. "Father gave this to me when I began training. I hope you'll take it with you."

"May fortune favor you in battle!" Hinata tried her best to hide her worry and reluctance.

"I'll definitely come back safely!" Tahm smiled knowingly and gave the girl the promise she wanted most.

Starting next chapter, Tahm will be venturing out to tackle dungeons. One frog to start, and all equipment earned through combat.