Naruto knocked on the Hokage's office door, and was led in by Shizune. He saw his entire team sitting down, along with Hinata. He looked quizzically at Sakura who just shrugged her shoulders. She too didn't know what was going on. Shizune mentioned to the empty seat next to Hinata and Naruto inwardly groaned. Here will go an hour without anyone to talk to. A conversation-less hour. Maybe even longer! Naruto couldn't stand it. He just had to talk.
"What do you think this is all about?"
Flabbergasted, Naruto had to everything in his power to hold back a girly gasp. Hinata had just asked him a question. Stammering in the beginning, Naruto replied,
"I-I know she told me my team had a new mission. Maybe you're supposed to be coming with us?"
Hinata pursed her lips and said,
"Perhaps."
Had Naruto been a more observant person, he would have noticed Hinata made no amount of eye contact with Naruto.
That's the key! If I don't look at him, words will actually leave my mouth in a normal matter! I'll just never look at him again. Oh, but that wont work…I have to look at him. How can I not, thought a frustrated Hinata.
Her thinking was put at an end when Hokage Tsunade entered the room, finally. She was followed by Jiraiya, who she roughly pushed out of the office.
"One drunk night and you get stuck with the world's most annoying husband. We're going to get a divorce."
Everyone knew they had gotten married on a random night, and everyday Tsunade had been talking of a divorce, and that had been going on for a year, ever since the day it happened. Clearly, there wasn't going to be a divorce.
Kakashi looked up when Tsunade cleared her throat and began their meeting officially.
"As you all have realized by now, you have a fifth companion for your mission. This particular mission will require someone with Byakugan, and since Neji is away on his honeymoon, Hinata Hyuga will be accompanying you."
Hinata nodded her head in acceptance, a look of determination on her face that Naruto had seen twice in the past. He knew no one should mess with her when she had that look.
"Perhaps you are all thinking, what is this mission? Well, you are going to retrieve someone from the Waterfall Country. This is not a politician, or any official of any sort. It is someone vital to Konoha. I am not permitted to say who or why you are being sent to obtain this being. I can warn you though of the danger. There is band of rogue Ninja's who are also in pursuit of this person. They're leader goes by the name of Kazagame. The danger should not be too great, for they are a very small group from what our sources have told us. Just in case though, when Nara Shikamaru and Temari return, they will be joining you, along with the newly established Hyuga couple."
Tsunade now turned her attention directly to Hinata.
"You will need to be aware Hinata. Keep your sense constantly at a high level. You know when to use Byakugan; I am no master in that bloodline. However, be constantly on guard."
Hinata once more nodded, that same determined look written on her face. Tsunade addressed everyone once again.
"The person in the Waterfall Country…as I mentioned before, they are vital to Konoha. They do have their own way of defense, meaning they are in control of their chakra, unlike most of the people you protect. They are not weak or useless and they will aid you to the best of their abilities, which are pretty high. Now, before I dismiss you, do you have any questions?"
Naruto glanced at Hinata, who glanced at Sakura, who glanced at Kakashi, who didn't glance at Sai, who had been drawing in his book the entire time. No hands were raised. Sighing heavily, Tsunade waved them away. Not even looking up from her paperwork, she shouted,
"Jiraiya get out of my closet!"
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Hinata walked back to the Hyuga residence. Opening the door to her room, she packed a few necessary things into an easily carried bag. Her weapons she strapped to her usual places, and she brought along her favorite plushie to sleep with. It was a gray and blue mouse. She had named it Bunny a long time ago. Even though it was indeed a mouse, the name stuck with her throughout her 17 years of living. Saying a quick goodbye to her father and sister, Hinata left the Hyuga compound to go and meet with Team Kakashi.
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Naruto rushed around his apartment type home, grabbing necessities and tossing them into his duffel bag. Amongst the clothing he brought, he had also packed a few bowls of instant ramen, easily cooked over a fire, the picture of his old team, a picture of his new team, and a fox plushie that he had had since he was a little boy. It had been a gift from his parents, or so he was told by the Third Hokage. He had been told he had named it Kushina, though Naruto couldn't for the life of him remember how or why he came up with that name.
Zipping his bag up tight, Naruto locked his door behind him and sprinted away to meet everyone by the front gates of Konoha.
When he reached his destination, he saw that only Hinata was there. She was holding some sort of doll. When she looked up and saw Naruto approaching, she quickly tossed the doll into her open pack. Naruto looked at her strangely.
"What was that?"
Hinata nearly looked at him, then caught herself and looked away.
"That's my mouse, Bunny. I bring him with me on missions."
Naruto laughed.
"You have a mouse named Bunny?"
Hinata smiled too, and remembered her new no eye contact rule.
"I was very little when I got him, and that's my defense."
Before they're conversation could go any further, Sakura arrived at the scene, shortly followed by Sai, who was not so shortly followed y Kakashi.
"Lets go get our mystery man," said Sai dryly.
"You have such a way with words," said Naruto, equally dryly.
They all set off, and soon, they're back's became nothing but specks to their home.
Author's Note: So, how was that? This one did indeed come a lot easier to me, though I have to say, the next few chapters are going to be a lot more fun! Review if you want. I know they help to motivate me to put up chapters a lot more quickly, so if you really do like this and where it's going, review D
