Author's note: Hinata's stuttering, or stammering is completely because nervous. I myself have a speech defect, and any taunting or teasing is highly offensive aka, I'll dangle your liver in front of your face.
Naruto, Hinata, Skikamaru, and Sakura stood in front of the hokage's desk. "Your mission," said Tsunade, "Is to infiltrate what the ANBU iq unit think is a sound base using a collage as a cover."
Naruto grinned; this was going to be an exciting mission. He loved undercover missions.
"H-hokage-sama? What w-will be our responsibilities?"
Hinata was blushing. Even though she was 23, her feeling for Naruto had gotten even stronger. Even being in the same room with him was torture.
"Naruto and Hinata will pose as collage students. Skikamaru will be in the background, telling you what to do. And Naruto, just listen for once. He's team leader. Sakura will also be in the background, ready to heal if the need arises."
'Hai!" they all said.
"Here are your info papers." Tsunade said. "you can review them as you make your way there. It's a 4 day trip. And remember, try to fit in. Disperse!"
The four leaped through the dense woods around Konohana. They were the elite. The second best med-nin in the village, the Hyuga heir, the 200 iq super-genus strategist, and the anbu captain and fox- demon container.
"All right," said Skikamaru at camp that night. "This is going to be fun. Turns out that this is a modern collage. Presuming that the students aren't brainwashed or sound-nin, they have never heard of anything even close to ninja arts. Plus with all the crap that happens on campus, small misomeaners are ignored."
"Exelon." said Naruto.
"So that means…" said Sakura.
"That no one will notice a slight problem with the Dean's office." said Hinata, starting to get excited despite herself.
Everybody stared at her, surprised that the normally shy girl spoke up. "I'm going to bed." she said, blushing. She wrapped her self completely in her sleeping bag.
"We should all get some sleep." said Skikamaru, trying to break to ice. "all except for Sakura. She should get some emergency chakra by meditating."
"Okay"
Hinata and Sakura were first watch. She sat across the fire from Sakura. She was in the traditional martial arts kneeling position softly chanting a metitive prayer.
"Thinking about something?" said Sakura. "Or someone?"
Hinata blushed. "You can tell?"
Sakura snorted. "Of course I can you've been staring at him for over 10 years. It's painstakingly obvious for all of us, except for him."
"I guess that makes sense." muttered Hinata. "I just wish he knew… or maybe I don't."
"Hm. Your choice. But you better get him before someone else does. He's the highest ranking anbu officer."
"You're not making this any easier."
Sakura laughed and started in on the prayer again.