Shogi

Asuma Sarutobi, always calm and composed, sat cross-legged with a shogi board set up before him. Beside him, Shikamaru Nara lazily stretched, his eyes scanning the pieces with a mix of interest and indifference. Hinata Hyuuga, always the quiet observer, sat nearby with a gentle smile, her eyes flicking from one player to the other.

"Sensei why do you bother to play when Shikamaru beats you all the time?" ok so maybe Hinata wasn't as quiet as he once thought

Kurenai's kids always had a special talent of embarassing him even when they don't mean to

Shikamaru yawned, tapping his finger on the table with a sigh. "Too troublesome. Nobody else ever wants to play with me so I gotta settle for sensei"

His kids also had a special talent for embarassing him, but they actually do it on purpose

Hinata giggled softly from the side, her eyes warm as she watched Asuma. 

"Pssshh I’m just taking it easy on him," Asuma said, smiling playfully, though his expression was far more focused "Shogi isn't all about winning or losing, its a great way to test your strategy and critical thinking skills, let me explain the pieces to you."

Asuma gestured to the board, picking up the first piece. "This is the King," he said, holding it up for both Hinata and Shikamaru to see. "It's the most important piece in the game. You lose the game if your King is captured, just like how the village would fall apart without its leader, right?"

Hinata tilted her head slightly, her thoughts shifting as she watched the piece in Asuma’s hand. "I always thought the King represented the children of the village," Asuma continued, setting the piece back down. "The future generation. They’re our responsibility, just as the King is the most protected piece on the board."

Shikamaru snorted. "That sounds like something Kurenai would say." He gave a sly look toward Asuma, making the older man frown, but not in the way Shikamaru expected. Instead, there was a soft smile on Asuma’s face—a smile that told its own story of something deeper.

Hinata’s lips quirked up into a mischievous grin as she seized the opportunity. " You're right Shikamaru, Asuma sensei always listens to Kurenai sensei, he'd jump off a cliff if she told him to"

Asuma blinked, a slight flush coloring his cheeks as he glanced sideways at Hinata "N-no I won't!" he stuttered, clearly trying to divert the conversation. "The point is about how we protect the future."

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Right, right. Always talking about the future and protection. So, if the King is the children, then what about the other pieces? What do they represent?"

Asuma leaned forward, clearly in his element now. "Well, the Gold General and Silver General protect the King. They’re like the strong defenders of the village, loyal and steadfast. The Knights, they’re like the scouts—the ones who run ahead and check the surroundings, preparing for what might come. The Lances and Pawns are the foot soldiers, the ones who go out and fight for the King, for the village, and for the future."

Hinata nodded, absorbing the explanation, but there was a hint of something else in her eyes. She didn’t say anything for a long moment, instead watching the pieces intently. When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet but firm. "But Asuma-sensei, I don't think the King represents the children of the village"

Asuma looked up at her, deep down knowing why she said what she said "Why do you think that kiddo?"

"Because the children," she said slowly, her voice steady despite the weight of her words, "are not always protected. We—" she paused, choosing her words carefully, "—we are often expected to shoulder burdens much too heavy for us. We aren’t always treated as the future, some of us are seen as a liability not an asset."

Shikamaru gave a half-sigh, half-yawn, nodding slowly in agreement. "She’s got a point. Not everyone is treated like they’re the future. Neji’s always treated as a tool for the clan. Sasuke’s... well, Sasuke’s been left to fend for himself and the bastard ran off with Orochimaru. And I still don't understand why the village got beef with Naruto, doubt its just  because of his stupid pranks"

Asuma's expression softened as he looked at Hinata and Shikamaru "You’re both right," he said quietly. "I guess I was looking at it from a more idealistic perspective. The King represents the children, but perhaps the way the village treats them doesn’t reflect that at all. The future is more than just a piece on a board—it’s the way they are nurtured and valued."

Hinata smiled softly, though it was bittersweet. "I think the King represents something else entirely, right now it represents those with power, and we're just pawns" she mumbled

She thought back to that conversation she has with Asuma when she was 12, three years later it seems not much has changed

"Hold still, this is going to sting" Miko said as she placed the cotton swabs on Hinata's injured back. She was sent to kill Sasuke Uchiha, while nobody expected her to succeed, they were more than appalled that she returned without a single scratch, as though she didn't even bother to try.

Such behaviour could not go unpunished 

She was grateful that Miko was one of the few Hyuuga's who were allowed to study medicine, over the years she unintentionally became Hinata's go to medic for injuries she got within the compound walls

She flinched and bit her lips, she hated getting stitches 

"Sorry Lady Hinata, almost done"

"I told you already, drop the honorifics when we're alone, you're my friend" she said through the pain 

"I know but it still feels weird" she gently bandaged her back as she spoke in a hushed voice "Are you going to take Sasuke up on his offer?"

"Huh no way, I don't think its possible for anyone to get Danzo while he's in Konoha, plus he's got the root wrapped around his finger....wait did Danzo hurt you again?!"

Miko shook her head quickly and smiled, but Hinata could see it was fake

Being a medic of the clan meant she also had other duties to pass the time, Miko was often ordered to attend meetings with Hikoda and Danzo as an attendant, to serve them tea or whatever refreshments they requested

Hinata sighed and turned to her with gentle, almost motherly, eyes and began to pat Miko's head, watching how her jet black hair shined under the moonlight peaking through the window "Maybe he'll get a heart attack and drop dead one day"

Miko couldn't help but giggle "That's such an unlady like thing to say Lady Hinata"

Just then there was a knock on the door

"Lady Hinata, someone is at the front gate to see you" Kou informed her 

"Enough with the 'Lady' already Kou" she said playfully as she got up "Keep that up and I'll start calling you uncle" she childishly teased him before making her way outside

"Sensei?" Hinata called softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kurenai turned, her lips pulling into a small, bittersweet smile. "Haven't seen you in a while," she said, her voice filled with warmth, though there was an undeniable trace of concern in her eyes.

Hinata lowered her gaze, unsure of how to answer. She had been keeping her distance from everyone lately, avoiding the familiar faces of her team, avoiding her friends—avoiding Kurenai. She hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that something inside of her had changed, that something was broken. Perhaps it was the weight of the missions they’d been sent on, the isolation of working with ANBU, or the simple fact that she felt so far removed from the village. Whatever it was, she couldn’t bring herself to be the same Hinata she once was.

Kurenai’s eyes softened, reading the sadness in her former pupil’s face without the need for words. "I heard they’ve been sending you on a lot of solo missions. Even Kiba and Shino said they don’t see you as much anymore."

Hinata looked down, fiddling with her hands. She had wanted to keep her distance from everyone, and yet, there was something about Kurenai’s gentle concern that made her feel vulnerable. The older woman’s words, spoken with such care, almost made her feel like she was seen again.

"I'm not the best person to be around right now, Sensei. You shouldn’t have—"

Kurenai shook her head, taking a step closer. "Don’t say that. I care about you, Hinata. And I know you don’t want to talk about it, but I can’t just stand by and watch you suffer alone."

"I’m sorry, Hina," Kurenai continued, her voice thick with regret. "I tried to stop them from sending you three to ANBU, but they wouldn’t listen to me. I fought for you, all of you… but sometimes… sometimes the village makes decisions that no one can change."

Hinata felt a pang in her heart. She knew the truth behind Kurenai’s words. She’d seen the hesitation in her teacher’s eyes when the orders were given, heard the frustration in her voice when she tried to protest. But, ultimately, the decision had been made. They’d been chosen, and the path they walked was a difficult one. The responsibility of ANBU was one none of them had been prepared for, not in the way they had expected. They’d been thrust into a world of shadows and secrecy, far removed from the camaraderie of their previous lives.

"I know sensei," Hinata whispered, her voice barely audible. "There’s nothing you could’ve done."

Kurenai took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering as she looked at Hinata with such intensity that it made her want to shrink back. "You know you could still stop by my apartment right? Some of your clothes are still there though they might not fit anymore but I-"

Hinata swallowed, her chest tightening as her emotions began to surface, but she quickly pushed them down. "I know, but I'm not allowed to anymore" she whispered

Her eyes subtly glanced at Kurenai's stomach "Rain is expected to fall tonight, you shouldn't risk getting sick out here"

Maybe Asuma had a point, not now but one day the children of the village would be the King

"You know sensei, you should probably get rid of all my stuff at your apartment, you have to make room for the baby" she mumbled 

A blushing red formed on Kurenai's face "H-how did you know? We haven't told anyone yet....did Asuma tell you? He promised me we'd tell you together" 

"No he didn't tell me so don't kill him, but there are only two reasons he'd quit smoking and that's if you're dying or pregnant and well....you have quite a glow right now so" she shrugged her shoulders as she watched the smile on Kurenai's face "Congratulations sensei, come on I'll walk you home, I was heading to speak to Lady Tsunade anyways"

Kurenai raised an eyebrow at her as they were walking "Lady Tsunade? Hope you're not thinking of doing anything crazy"

"Pshh I wouldn't even dream of it"

---

"Since when were you interested in mentoring a team Hyuuga?" Tsunade eyed her with suspicion 

"I don't want to mentor anyone, but I know team 7 needs a temporary replacement since Kakashi sensei is in the hospital, so I'm offering my services until you find someone suitable"

Tsunade sighed, she was right,team 7 couldn't be trusted on their own, they needed someone responsible to keep them in check

"Fine, they have a mission two days from now, I'll debrief you tomorrow"

She politely bowed and thanked her

She was looking forward to working with Naruto and Sakura and their new teammate....Sai