A/N: This is rated M for various reasons :) Hope you enjoy the story :D
Criticisms are welcome :)
Disclaimer: Naruto and everything that goes with it are not mine but Kishi's.
=Chapter One=
"A mission?"
Kurenai nodded at Hinata's bewildered expression. Apparently, Hinata was assigned to an escorting mission without her two male teammates. It was fairly simple, being that it was a B-rank, plus, their team occasionally does those kinds of missions. The only problem was, Hinata was assigned to do the mission, with none other than the three newly appointed sannins, team 7.
"The person that you'll be escorting is a known daimyo from the land of Iron. He expressed his expectation not-so-subtly that's why Kakashi's team was chosen for the job," Kurenai explained.
Hinata began to shake in nervousness. "B-but, w-why me?" She doesn't normally stutter when she's with her team but the current predicament unconsciously brought it out.
"It's no big deal, Hinata. Besides, we've been doing several escorting missions, I'm sure you can do it!" Kiba answered with a shrug.
Hinata shook her head, " No! I-I me-mean," she gulped to recover her bearing," wh-why me? With te-team se-seven."
Both Kiba and Shino also blinked confusedly and then directed their attention on their jounin instructor instead.
Kurenai sighed and was about to answer that but was halted once an ANBU came up behind Hinata, catching all their attention.
"Hyuuga Hinata-san, the Hokage is requesting your presence at the moment."
Hinata gasped. Her eyes wandered through every person in their clearing but were only met by sympathetic looks. And so with a heavy heart, she waved her teammates goodbye and followed the assigned ANBU. She barely heard Shino muttering a low 'Why Hinata out of all rookie nine?" and can't help but nod and agree.
If they wanted a Byakugan user, my cousin is more than capable for the job.
I don't know any ability of mine that'll prove helpful in this type of mission.
Of whatever use would I be other than my Byakugan?
Several thoughts and questions filled Hinata's mind on the way to the Hokage tower. She can't help but wonder what on earth she has that can possibly be of use to the powerful team.
They were not that hard to be with, except maybe for the last Uchiha, but there was an impeccable barrier that set normal ninja, like her, from them. Their team made such a name in the recent war compared to hers.
She had told herself a lot of time not to degrade herself, but at the image of her being with the sannins and their ability gap, it just deemed necessary. Never had she dream of having the whole team in a mission to be with her which only added to her curiosity and fear.
At the sight of the tower entrance, she released a deep sigh. She would just have to hope for a miracle.
"C-rank?"
Sakura blinked curiously at the scroll currently at her hand. She was appointed leader of the mission and can't help but doubt the level of their mission.
"Yup. That old geezer of a daimyo insulted our shinobi services so I figured why not I make him eat his words by getting you four on." Tsunade supplied, grinning rather evilly, making her student sigh tiredly.
"That might be a good break. With the war just ended and all." Naruto butted, grinning from ear to ear, his pointer finger on his chin. "Come to think of it, this is our first mission together again!"
Everybody in the room paused at the exclamation but was broken by Sasuke, as he groaned irritated, and muttered a low ' too noisy, dobe."
Naruto's expression shifted to one of disappointment, hearing Sasuke's words but Sakura smiled cheerfully. She was not expecting, herself, that they'll go back to being like this.
"Aahhh! I don't have time for all your teenage mood shits. On with the mi-"
"Who's the other one?"
Tsunade groaned angrily. One thing she hated is being interrupted when she's speaking. The Uchiha cut her off and she can't help but admire his guts.
"Eh? What other member, teme?" Naruto asked, to be supported by Sakura's equally confused look.
"Hokage said she will send four. Who's the other one?"
Tsunade sighed, "She should be here soon," but then sat straight," rather, she's here."
She?! Sasuke thought, irritated at the thought of another annoying fangirl.
She? Naruto tried to think of any female possibly on the mission.
She! Sakura felt relieved she didn't have to bear the two males on her own.
Their thoughts were broken once a slight knock was heard on the door and Tsunade let her in.
"A-anou?"
Hinata fidgeted at the sight of the stairs that'll lead her directly to the Hokage office. She actually walked purposely slow just to lengthen the time of her doom. Thoughts yet again started to fill her mind but one unconsciously flew by over and over again.
Will I be of any help?
She winced at the thought. Having lived her life being drilled the thought in her mind several of times, self-doubt unconsciously dawned to her. She definitely refused to be the one protected, but she was convinced that she'll yet again have to back away. They were strong enough by themselves; she'll just stick with the client.
Right.
With her resolve made, she nodded politely at the assigned ANBU and knock softly at the door. Hearing an approval to come in, she opened the door.
"A-anou?"
"Nata-chan?!"
Naruto visibly brightened at the sight of the female Hyuuga. He grinned brightly and tackled the Hyuuga in a tight hug, earning him a deep blush from Hinata. She has gotten over her feelings for the blonde, but his infectious smile never failed to bring color to her cheeks.
"He-hello, Naruto-kun," she greeted shyly.
Her sight shifted to the other two shinobis on the mission as soon as Naruto let her go. Sakura gave her a small wave, which she returned back, and an apologetic smile as she greeted her.
Sensing the strong chakra from the other part of the room, her eyes cautiously drifted to the Uchiha.
Opal met obsidian.
The two heirs stared at each other for a while, with seriousness produced from being born in the main family. Since their childhood, they were taught to regard members, most importantly heirs, of other clans with respect but rigidity as representations of their corresponding family. And despite the unfortunate Uchiha massacre, Hinata did not treat him any less, as he to her. With a slight nod from the Uchiha, Hinata smiled back and diverted their attention back to the Hokage, who was smiling rather, proudly.
"Weeeell that was an awkward moment." Naruto said, wanting to erase the silent air, in which Hinata giggled back, Sakura sighed and Sasuke muttering a low 'idiot'.
Tsunade only rolled her eyes but decided to go with the mission proper.
"Hinata, I'm sure Kurenai has briefed you on what your mission will be, am I right?"
"Hai."
"Good. He," a man entered, looking rather haughty," is the daimyo from Land of Rock. Several assassination attempts were rumored on him and I trust that you'll keep him safe."
"Hai." they all answered in unison.
"Hmph. These are the famed heroes of the war? They're nothing but brats!" The daimyo complained, rolling his eyes to prove his point.
The effect on the team was simultaneous. Naruto clenched his fist; Sasuke grabbed his katana, Sakura glared and Hinata fidgeted. Hinata felt bad too, but the urge to correct what the daimyo said about them being heroes overpowered the feeling. If only he knew she wasn't one of them.
"Sir, I assure you that these brats are more than capable," Tsunade answered.
The daimyo grimaced. "Ha! It'll be on your head then, Hokage." He directed his glare at the four shinobis. "We're leaving at 2 in the morning, brats."
They all nodded irritatedly as he walked out of the room.
"What an ass! Baa-chan, I might just kill him myself!" Naruto exclaimed, his chakra spiking with anger , making everyone in the room flinch.
"Calm down Naruto! Your chakra's filling the room. "Sakura said, also irritated but preferred to stay calm. "What good will come in killing our client which we are supposed to protect, baka."
"Naruto! How many times do I have to say to you not to shout at me!" Tsunade buttered, brows visibly narrowed. "And don't call me baa-chan."
"But baa-chan!"
"Shut up, Naruto!"
"I just said!"
The two heirs watched as the exchange between the three became more heated and... noisy. Both being silent people, they just watched as Naruto was plummeted by two sets of chakra-enhanced fist, mindly agreeing as the two kunoichis shouted at him to shut up.
"Kami,I don't have time for your idiocy. Everyone of you leave, except for Hinata. "
They all looked perplexed at the order but followed it anyway, fearing the clenched fist settled on the table. And so, Team seven went out the door, Sakura dragging a limp Naruto, and Hinata stayed.
"Hai, Hokage-sama?"
Tsunade sighed. "Okay, Hinata. Kurenai told you about the mission?"
Hinata nodded.
"And she told you it was B-rank?"
Hinata nodded confusedly.
"Actually, the mission is C-rank."
Hinata tilted her head in confusion. "But the scroll you gave her said-" She stopped at Tsunade's raised palm.
"That, the C-rank, is your mission too. But I'm going to assign you to another one while you're at it."
Different questions formulated in her mind but she just nodded to continue.
"The B-rank mission-" Tsunade handed the mission scroll. "- is for you to watch over the Uchiha."
Hinata gaped. "Sa-Sasuke-san?"
Tsunade nodded. "Don't worry. All you have to do is to watch over his eyes. He won't allow any of our medical team to look over his Sharingan and he won't activate it for us so I figured he would in this mission."
"A-and, you want me to observe his eyes with Sharingan activated?"
"Using your Byakugan,yes. I want you to observe the chakra and muscle functions around the eye. I heard using the Sharingan is a tedious strain over the eyes that's why I want you to look for any effects at it activates. "
"Bu-but, why not-"
"Neji? I want someone that can actually converse. If it would be him, I'm afraid he might just pull the Uchiha's sockets out of frustration."
Hinata giggled softly. She doubted a lot of things about the mission but nodded numbly, nonetheless.
Tsunade smiled proudly and patted Hinata on the shoulders. "I know you Hinata and hear me when I say that you are stronger than you think you are. You are a perfect Byakugan user. One of the best in all Hyuugas that's why you're perfect for the job."
Hinata smiled and nodded with more enthusiasm, confidence feeling her. "Hai, arigatou Hokage-sama."
Yep, a new multi-chapter :D Please look forward to it and tell me what you think :)