Good evening reader friends ! First of all, I'd like to thank you for reading this story but also for supporting it, it really means a lot to me so : thank you very much ! Thanks to those who took the time to leave a comment. Today, I am releasing the chapter two of this fiction and I hope you are excited and will enjoy it as much as I did while writing it.

Enjoy !

Chapter 2 : The mission

The air was cold and the sky almost white. Thankfully, Hinata was wearing her winter mission outfit. It was composed of a turtle neck under her jounin vest as well as a pair of black pants and sandals. She had covered the skin between her pants and the sandals with medical bandaid. Her forehead protector was, as usual, tied around her neck. The young woman was running quickly through the streets of Konoha and would soon get to the huge red Hokage building. She was early when she arrived, and still, nine people were already there and almost all of them smiled at her. Almost because Shino, her teammate from team 8, never smiled.

- Hey Hinata ! Exclaimed Naruto, smiling at her with a happy face.

She smiled back.

- Are you okay Hinata ?

- Yes thank you Sakura, what about you ?

While they were waiting for their meeting with Kakashi, they started talking with a lot of enthusiasm. Some of them felt the need to elaborate theories about the reason of this meeting. Hinata quickly noticed that, like her, they were all wearing their shinobi outfit as well as their shinobi vest and forehead protector. Naruto was the only one who did not follow this rule, he had never reached the rank of chûnin, well… Officially. Although, there was no doubt about the fact that he was the most powerful ninja in Konoha.

- So, Shikamaru, started Chôji, how are things going up there ? He asked, pointing a finger at the red building.

- Well… He answered, hands in his pockets, leaning on a wall. We're doing fine. It's just a lot of work. Organizing the reconstruction of the village, the treaties with the other countries and the financial aids that Konoha provides to small villages… Anyways, that's the routine, he lazily concluded.

- But now, things are going to change ! Exclaimed Tenten with determination. Otherwise, Kakashi-sama wouldn't have gathered us all !

- I totally agree with you, Tenten, added Ino.

- Yeah ! Shouted Kiba. Konoha's twelve, united like in the good old days !

The other nodded positively with determination. Hinata suddenly stopped moving, horrified. How could they possibly say such a thing ? Her blood froze. Neji would have been here if things were « like in the good old days » ! Once more, her heart felt heavy and broken. « Things will never be like in the good old days without him » she thought. But no one would understand it… Well maybe someone could actually understand it. When she looked up again, she noticed that Tenten was a bit apart from the others and that her face revealed a profound despair. The young woman with the chinions finally looked up and her brown eyes met Hinata's white byakugan. She seemed even more saddened after looking at Hinata. She smiled at her with a sympathetic look on her face.

At this moment, the last two ninjas expected finally showed up. The two men with black hair came closer to their group, they were also wearing their shinobi outfit. Sasuke and Lee seemed to be in the middle of a serious conversation about taijutsu.

- Hi guys, sorry for being late ! Exclaimed Lee, energetically.

He rapidly joined his teammate, Tenten, in a few steps. Sasuke nodded politely and coldly as to greet them.

- We should get going now, said Hinata, glancing at all of them.

They all approved and started the ascension of the endless stairs that led to the Hokage's office. Kiba and his ninja dog, Akamaru, were walking next to the girl with the byakugan. Kiba was probably her best friend and, as her teammate and friend, had always been there for her. For this reason, he was always worried about her.

- You look tired, said Kiba, concerned.

- Oh… Yes I know, I couldn't sleep much these days.

The young Uchiha who was walking with Naruto and Sakura was listening to them carefully.

- Yeah well… Try to sleep a bit more, you look like you're going to get sick or something, insisted Kiba while observing the purplish-blueish marks under her eyes.

- Yes, I promise you, I'll try Kiba, she rapidly answered, a bit uncomfortable with the idea that others were listening to her complaints about the lack of sleep.

—

When they finally reached his office, Kakashi stayed in his armchair, greeting them with a big smile hidden under his mask.

- Very sorry, I'm exhausted, I'm not able to get up right now, he explained. Hello to you all, and welcome back Shikamaru. I wanted to thank you for sorting all the construction files for me. You should take some time to rest and go on a vacation or something, he added, laughing.

The young shinobi of Konoha politely smiled at him.

- Well… In fact you won't have time to go on vacation for now, and actually, none of you will. I have an important mission to assign you.

Hinata's heart started beating faster than usual. She couldn't wait anymore and now, all she wanted was to know what this important mission was about. She wanted to accomplish this mission and to dot it as well as she could.

- Tell us, Kakashi-sensei, what is it about ? Asked Naruto with eagerness.

- I need you to complete two missions. The first one consists in the verification of the perimeter of the last Great War's battlefield. Our best scientists redoubt the possibility that the tree as well as the zetsu might have left some traces of cells there. It would be a catastrophe if we let them spread. To prevent this from happening, the team in charge of this first mission will be given an equipment specially created by Konoha's scientists. These tools will allow you to scan the perimeter.

The twelve of them nodded positively.

- The second mission will be led simultaneously. It concerns a village located rather closely to the battlefield. I'm talking about the Hidden village of the moon, Tsuki, started the Hokage. We have been told by a couple of merchants from Konoha who were in Tsuki for trade and business that the population of the village was persecuted by hostile ninjas. According to the witnesses, the rebels take Konoha as responsible for all the mischances and inequalities of the other villages as our village is stronger economically and militarily speaking.

The young shinobi were staring at him, determination in their eyes.

- To make it clear, said Kakashi, Konoha needs to get ready for an incoming attack from the rebels while Tsuki and its population are maintained under rebel forces. Here is the plan I want you to follow : you will separate in three distinct teams of four ninjas. Teams one and two will immediately go to Tsuki, it is an emergency. The third team will examine the battlefield of the Great War. Once it's done, the third team will join teams one and two in Tsuki to help them if it is necessary.

Once more, they all nodded positively.

- Though, I still think that eight shinobi as talented as you are enough to take care of the threat as we were reported that they are twenty. But still, stay vigilant because we can't really be sure of their strength.

- You can count on us, Kakashi-sensei ! Assured Sakura.

- Good. Allow me to give you the composition of the three teams. I chose to put a medical ninja in each team, a ninja specialized in the search and finally, I decided not to separate the Ino-Shika-Chô formation as together they are very efficient and the strength of its members is never as good as when they're together. So, the first team is : Hinata, Lee, Sai and Sasuke. The second team is : Shikamaru, Ino, Chôji and Kiba. Finally, the third team is composed of : Naruto, Sakura, Tenten and Shino. Hinata, Shikamaru, Naruto, I chose you three to be the leaders of your team. I put all my trust in you.

All three nodded. Hinata felt her heart burst with happiness and pride in her chest. She had been chosen to be a team leader, she was going to be a captain. The Hokage put « all his trust » in her. Now, her face seemed even more determined. Not far from her, Sasuke was surprised by Kakashi's decision. His face seemed stoical but he couldn't understand why Kakashi would give Hinata such an important role. As far as he knew, she was not a strong ninja. Did she change that much ? He glanced at her.

- Can I specify the plan a little bit ? Asked Shikamaru.

- I was hoping you'd say this, answered Kakashi, smiling behind his black mask.

Shikamaru broke line and walked through the room towards a wall. There, he took a board. He started schematizing Tsuki under the careful eyes of his partners.

- This is what I think, he started. Team three, Naruto's, will go to the battlefield to inspect and this team will be the first to leave the group. Team one, Hinata's, will go around the village to join the village from behind. Team two, my team, will arrive by the front, this will allow us to encircle the village and the rebels. You understand ?

They all approved.

- Okay, said Shikamaru. Let's keep going. Team two will have to wait for team one's signal, given by Sai.

He turned towards the young man with pale skin and black hair.

- You understand what you'll have to do, right ?

- Of course, I will use my ink and chakra technique to transmit the signal, answered Sai.

- Alright. If we follow this plan, the two teams will be able to simultaneously get into the village. We'll have the advantage of the surprise on the ennemies. Once the rogues are neutralized, we'll have to send an emergency message to Konoha, asking for help to escort the prisoners to the village.

- Very good, commented Kakashi, serious. That's very good. How long do you think this mission will be ?

It took Shikamaru a second to find the answer.

- Approximately twenty-one days I'd say, he answered. We will have to carry quite a lot of food and we should make a map of the routes we are going to take with all the bodies of potable water on the way. This map should be given to all the captains.

- Perfect, said Kakashi with a satisfied smile. Your mission starts tomorrow morning, I need all of you to meet in front of the village's doors at five. Oh and by the way… Shikamaru, I'm sorry but you have to stay a bit longer, we have to organize the potable water bodies.

The young man sighed.

- I knew you'd say this, answered Shikamaru.

- Well now, if you'll excuse me, it's time for me to take a little break, said the Hokage happily. I would use a little rest.

The young ninjas watched him take a book from his drawer. The cover was decorated with an obscene drawing.

- It's the first time I see you reading this book, Kakashi-sensei, said Naruto.

- Yes, you have a good eye. In fact, it's a brand new book, the first from a new author. Of course it's not as good as Jiraya-sama's but it's quite well written, answered the Hokage, melancholy echoing in his voice.

—

Finally, they had all exited Kakashi's office and had started to climb down the stairs leading to the village. They all seemed excited to accomplish a mission all together.

- I'm glad you're in my team Sakura ! Exclaimed Naruto with readiness. It'll be like one of those missions we used to complete when we were kids.

- Me too, she answered with a smile.

All their teammates seemed surprised by the girl with pink hair's behavior. She rarely used to be kind and indulgent to Naruto and usually, she'd have ignored him or maybe punched him right in the face.

- Hinata ! Started Lee, walking next to her. I'm very happy and honored to be in your team, you're a great kunoichi, a warrior and a medical ninja, I'm sure you'll be a great captain.

While Kiba and Sakura smiled, Hinata blushed. Lee's compliment was the main cause but she also felt a bit embarrassed that all had heard it.

- Thanks Lee, that's very kind of you, she answered with pink cheeks.

She was climbing down the stairs under Sasuke's persistent and serious eyes. Why was she embarrassed ? He thought it was ridiculous but did not add anything, after all, it was none of his business.

- I'm glad to be in your team too, said Sai with one of his famous big smiles. Even though your eyes are, I have to admit it, really strange. Also, I hope you won't let us die, we're counting on you.

Hinata and some others among Konoha's twelve burst out laughing. She wiped away a tear. Spontaneously, Sai had just insulted her clan's pride and honor with so much innocence that she couldn't be mad. Furthermore, she was not the kind of person who got mad for this, her byakugan did not define her.

Sasuke was still climbing down the stairs just behind them, more and more lost. How could she feel embarrassed after someone complimented her and laugh after someone insulted her family ? His eyes, observing the long and black hair of Hinata, became more severe. He really couldn't understand this girl.

Once they arrived downstairs, they parted ways in several little groups to go home and rest a bit before the mission. Tenten smiled at Hinata.

- Do you mind if we walk together ? She asked.

- Sure, answered the young Hyûga.

The two kunoichi walked side by side without saying a word, the first minutes. Then, Tenten's sad eyes came back to her mind. She knew her sorrow was linked to Neji.

- Hey Tenten, she started.

The girl with the chinions oriented her eyes towards her.

-You didn't look really fine earlier.

- Yeah… She answered evasively. And I'm sure it was for the same reason as you. You know, hearing them talk without consideration for Neji's absence, as if his death had left them indifferent, it just made me sad.

- I understand, whispered Hinata, placing a heartwarming hand on Tenten's shoulder.

- There's something I've been keeping for me the whole time but, you knew him better than anyone else and I know I can trust you.

Tenten took a deep breath. Finally, the truth she had been hiding and denying came out.

- In fact, Neji was my teammate and he was one of my first real friends, with Lee of course. But he also was the only person I ever admired and loved this much. Right when I first met him.

Hinata's heart felt hurt. She could't even try to imagine what Tenten had been through. She didn't know that Tenten loved her cousin but her astonishment was nothing compared to her sympathy for Tenten. Hinata realized how strong her friend had been to endure the loss and the never-ending mourning. She suddenly felt like comforting her. At this moment, she had the impression that her sadness was nothing compared to Tenten's.

- I loved him as much as I admired him but my admiration for Neji kept me from living this deep love I had for him. I would permanently think that I wasn't strong enough for him, that I was only a burden. And my admiration was probably right, she admitted. But now… I regret it. I wish I had told him all these things I felt for him. At least, I should have tried.

Hinata suddenly stopped their walk towards the Hyûga's residence. She took Tenten in her arms and hugged her. Tenten seemed surprised on the moment but eventually found out how comforting this was. The embrace was sincere, heartwarming and both of them could feel all the thinks that linked them one to the other. Hinata finally let got of her friend and looked at her.

- I know how you feel, Tenten. Probably not in the same way as you, but after all Neji was my cousin. After his death, I've been submerged with regrets. He had always been so kind to me, he was like a brother to me and I never thought I should tell him when he was still by my side. Had I knew… She whispered. I would have told him all that, he deserved it all.

- Yeah… That's exactly how I've live these regrets, said Tenten weakly. I felt so stupid, I should have told him, it wouldn't have cost anything.

- It's not your fault, Tenten, how could you've known ? Insisted Hinata.

Deep down, Hinata knew that she was trying to convince her self. She couldn't have foreseen Neji's death, she didn't do anything wrong. « She didn't do anything… ». According to her, these words were more appropriate to herself. She didn't do anything to save Neji, that was the truth.

- Thank you for all your kind words Hinata, it really cheered me up. I needed to talk about it.

- Thank you for sharing your feelings with me, I needed to talk about it to someone too.

The kunoichi with the chinions nodded. She was about to carry on her walk towards her house, leaving Hinata in front of Hyûga's residence. No sooner had she started to walk away that Hinata gently grabbed her arm. Tenten looked at Hinata, astonished.

- Before you go home to get ready, I'd like to tell you something, said the Hyûga heiress with a serious tone.

- Wh-what ? Asked Tenten.

- I knew my cousin by heart, his behavior, his habits… And sometimes, I could even read his feelings. I'm almost sure that the feelings he had for you were the same as the ones you had for him, assured Hinata.

Tenten's face lightened up, mouth and eyes opened after the shock of the declaration.

- I'm sure about it, I wouldn't talk to you about it if it was not the case, insisted the young woman.

Tenten calmed down, a tear rolling down her rosy cheek while a beautiful smile had appeared on her face. She didn't say anything, she just wiped her teas away. She smiled at Hinata, nodded once more and turned away to carry on her way. The young Hyûga watched her for a second. A smile appeared on her face too and she entered the residence. She rapidly passed through the kitchen where her sister was talking to a cook. Hinata waved at them before climbing up the stairs. She stopped by her father's office and entered it.

- Good afternoon, father, she said, timidly.

- Hello Hinata, answered Hiashi, calm and serious.

- The Hokage has given me a mission, I'm leaving Konoha tomorrow morning before dawn, she explained, politely.

- Very well, he said, without taking his eyes off the file he was reading. I hope you won't dishonor your name, Hinata.

- Don't worry about it, father, you can count on me, she promised.

She then left her father's office to go to her bedroom.

—

Hinata was ready : bags and equipment. She was also going to bring a very small pocket that she'd wear tied to her thigh. She was coming back from the bathroom where she'd taken a hot shower and came into her room, wrapped in a warm towel. She put on her pajamas and looked at her kunoichi outfit. She was eager to leave and couldn't wait to complete this mission with all her friends. They hadn't been reunited in a long time and it'd be a great experience to be with all of them.

« Well, almost all of them… » she thought, this idea making her a bit grumpy, Sasuke's face appearing behind her closed eyelids. He didn't talk to her at all and to be honest, didn't seem particularly happy to team with her. She still regretted her little joke at the hospital but his behavior with her had been way more ridiculous than hers. She sighed and her mind stopped wandering around, focusing again on the important.

She didn't just wanted to be united with her friends, she was also eager to show everyone what she was capable of. Now, she mastered much more techniques and jutsu than she used to but had also become more powerful and she was going to prove it : to her friends, to her father, as well as her clan but most important, to Konoha's population. From now on, Hinata was strong enough to always protect her village and the peace as well as make Neji proud of her.

Her cousin had never been treated with all the honors he deserved because he belonged to the minor branch of the family. And because of this simple question of branch, he had never been recognized as he should have. Hinata had made a decision : she would defend her title of heirdom and train very hard to become leader of the Hyûga clan. After that, she'd face the council to abolish all these terrible laws that divided the clan in branches and subdivisions, with nobles and employees. All this would end if she became the leader. She had one objective, and she was determined enough to reach it.

Sai's words came back to her mind… « I hope you won't let us die, we're counting on you ». When she had heard them, she laughed but now that she was alone, in the calm and the warmth of her bed, she didn't comprehend this simple remark the same way. Konoha and the shinobi world in general had already suffered too much and Hinata was determined to protect all her loved ones. She'd protect her friends, her family, Konoha and the peace. This was Hinata's real mission.

« You can count on me, I won't let you die, I'll be your protector » she thought with all her heart.

And this is chapter two's end, chapter three will be released in two weeks and this time, the mission will start. I really hope you enjoyed it and that you want to hear more about it ! I can't wait to post the next chapter and to know what you thought about this one. Anyways, have a nice week and take care !

- Maude-chan