The Messenger –Prologue-

A single lamp light was burning in the Hokage's office. On the maple table that she worked on, there was a bottle of sake, half way full, amongst the strewn papers and scrolls.

The blonde woman scrawled on a piece of paper.

Must transfer info w/ Kaze through Shinobi intel

She placed the piece on top of the other papers and sighed. She needed sleep. Tsunade turned off the light and left the office.

***

The rising sun woke Hinata up. Hyuugas tended to rise with the sun and fall with the moon. She yawned and looked out the window. Neji was up earlier than she was, as always. Also as always, Tenten was out his side, doing Taichi in the dewy grass of the courtyard.

They're a low-key kind of couple, thought Hinata. Unlike Naruto and Sasuke. It was almost blaringly obvious they were together. She wouldn't be surprised if they ran off together.

Hinata still felt that longing in her gut for Naruto, but she knew it could never work out. Naruto would probably get on her nerves after a while. And also the fact that he loved a man… that was the other thing.

The Hyuuga sighed, and pulled herself out of bed.

After getting dressed, Hinata left the Hyuuga mansion, aimlessly strolling.

Suddenly, a black figure in a mouse mask stood in front of her.

"Hyuuga-san. The Hokage has asked for you." Said a voice Hinata knew.

"Hello, Papa." She said quietly.

"Hello, Hinata. You're improving." He chuckled.

"Well, voices like yours are pretty easy to recognize, Papa." She replied. Her father had a gruff, deep tone, almost like if sandpaper talked.

"I'll see you later, Papa." Hinata said, showing a small smile.

"See you." The man disappeared, and Hinata kept walking. She saw Shikamaru and Temari discussing the latest strategies in chess. Naruto was walking with a limp with Sasuke to the Ramen Bar. And of course, Kakashi was in a corner, reading that disgusting book of his.

Eventually, Hinata reached the large building that was the Hokage's office.

She opened the large wooden door, entering to the winding staircase that led to the office where Lady Tsunade worked.

After climbing the stairs, (you'd think they would've invented an elevator by now). She finally got to the office. Hinata knocked quietly, just like everything else she did.

The door opened with a creak.

"Hello, Hinata-chan." Tsuade said, not loking up from her work.

"An ANBU sent me." She whispered.

"Yes, yes. I have an important missionr for you." Tsunade poured two shots of sake. She held one up for Hinata, wanting her to take it.

"Sorry, I- I don't drink." Hinata stumbled. Tsunade shrugged.

"More for me. Anyways, I have an important mission for you. As you might now, there has been some trouble brewing in the Akatsuki. We want our allies in Suna to be in the know about what we're doing.

Hinata bowed her head, knowing what was coming next.

"So, I want you to go to Suna every night and relay messages to the Kazekage." Tsunade ordered.

Hinata gasped. The Kazekage? That was Gaara of the Sand!

"This is an A-Ranked mission. And it starts tonight, Hinata-chan." Tsunade threw the second shot of sake down her throat as she handed a slip of paper to her.

Hinata nodded, placing the paper in her front pocket.

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade. I will be on my way now." She almost whispered. Tsunade nodded and waved her off while she poured another glass of sake for herself.