The morning mist was still clinging to the ground as Kiba made his way across the field. He took a deep breath and savored the sweet scent of the dewy grass. Akamaru, who was trotting beside him, immediately followed suit, sticking his furry nose into the air and inhaling deeply, making Kiba laugh mid-sniff.
"I suppose we'd better hurry," he told his scruffy best friend, "I don't understand why she wants to see us so damn early, anyways."
Akamaru barked in agreement and slightly drooped his ears to show his dismay at being awake so early. With that, Kiba climbed onto Akamaru's back and the two sped off towards the village.

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"I'm sorry, Hanabi, but I'm in a hurry."
Hinata was hastily putting on her shoes while simultaneously attempting to drink the last of her tea.

"But Father said you would help me with Juken practice." Hanabi stuck out her bottom lip slightly.

"Father must have forgotten that I'm getting a mission today." Hinata sighed at the disappointed look on her younger sister's face. "As soon as I get back I'll train with you." She smiled slightly and said, "It's not like you need my help anyways, you've already surpassed me."

Hanabi hung her head. "Well, I suppose it's not your fault you that have a mission." She turned to leave the room, but stopped in the doorway and said, "Please be careful, neechan."

Hinata smiled at the young girl before putting the final folded shirt into her backpack. After a mental check of her equipment, she ran out the door and down the hall.

"Hinata, where are you going in such a rush?"

The deep voice made her stop in her tracks. "I-I have to report to Tsunade-sama's office this morning, Father." She quickly looked down and toyed with the zipper on her coat.

"Ah, yes, I forgot." Hiashi's silvery eyes studied his daughter's face. "I trust that you will do your best?"

Hinata almost fell over. It was the first time that he had not said something about her hindering her teammates or the mission. Her heart leapt with joy.

"Yes, Father, I will try my hardest to make you proud." She felt him briefly put his hand on her shoulder before he turned and walked away.

She stood as if stunned for a few seconds before remembering what she had been doing. With a renewed sense of enthusiasm, she ran down the hall and out of the house. As she sped through the courtyard and down to the road, she momentarily wondered why Neji wasn't already outside training.

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People were beginning to go about their daily errands as Hinata passed through the outdoor market. She turned her head to look at a boy struggling to grab an orange that was just out of his reach. It'd be nice to be able to wander through the market, she thought. I haven't taken much time off la--

CRASH!

She fell to the ground and felt a sharp pain in her side.

"Oof! Hinata, it's you! I didn't see you there."

Hinata looked up and saw a blur of blonde and orange bobbing above her. "N-N-Naruto-kun!" Her breath caught in her throat as she realized that he was actually touching her.

"Sorry about that, I didn't mean to run you over," said Naruto with a huge grin. "I was just on my way to see Granny Tsunade! I think she has a special mission for me."

Hinata blushed furiously as Naruto scrambled to his feet and attempted to brush the dirt off of his knees. She had actually been hoping to run into Naruto, but not literally. "So y-you're going to see her, as well?" she squeaked.

"Oh, so you're coming on the special mission, too?" It seemed like Naruto was going to burst out of his skin with excitement. He jumped up and down. "It's been so long since she's sent me on a mission! I bet it's super dangerous and important, and that's why she needs someone strong, like me!" With that he sped off down the street. "I'll see you there, Hinata!"

Hinata sat on the ground in a dazed stupor. He was so close, she thought. Naruto-kun was so close to me! She looked at where he had just been and blinked.

"Oi! What are you doing on the ground?"

Hinata startled at the sight of a large dog with a boy on its back, both with equally scruffy hair. The dog bent down and put a wet nose on her forehead.

"Kiba! Akamaru! W-w-well I was just..." Her voice trailed off into a barely audible squeak.

Kiba looked down at her, bewilderment across his face. What's gotten into her? "Well, never mind that! If we don't hurry, we'll be late to meet Tsunade-sama!"

"Oh, right," sighed Hinata as she got up and patted dust from her sleeve. "Let's get going."

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Naruto ran eagerly down the hall but stopped short when he saw a few unexpected people standing by the door to the Fifth Hokage's office. Neji, Shikamaru, and Sakura were leaning up against the wall, seemingly engaged in conversation.

"What are you guys doing here?" asked Naruto suspiciously. "You didn't get called for this mission, too, did you?"

Shikamaru turned and gave him a blank look. "What mission?"

Naruto glared at him, "The really risky and vital mission that Granny Tsunade is giving me!"

"It could very well be," explained Neji quietly, "that we'll all be assigned to different missions."

Shikamaru shifted his weight and sighed. "It's not like any of us actually know what's going on until we're told, Naruto. Stop being so troublesome."

Before Naruto had a chance to respond, Hinata, Kiba, and Akamaru came around the corner and joined the group.

"Neji-niisan!" Hinata squeaked, "I didn't realize you'd be here too." She looked down at her feet and tapped her toes on the floor. We've never been assigned the same mission before. I wonder how he'll act towards me if we are.

"Oi, Shikamaru! I can't believe I'm seeing you this early in the morning!" Kiba said to the sleep-deprived looking ninja.

"It's such a drag," responded Shikamaru, "but it'd be more troublesome not to come."

"Tell me about it," agreed Sakura darkly, rubbing a bandage on her arm. "Master Tsunade can sure get violent when she's angry." Sakura had been training under the Fifth for a few years now, and definitely knew the perils of provoking the insanely strong woman.

"Mmm," muttered Shikamaru as he dug his hands into his pockets and leaned back against the wall. "I sure hope I don't get sent on a dangerous mission. I haven't had enough time to work on my new technique."

Neji looked at the ceiling. "The chances are," he said after a few moments, "since we were all told to be here at the same time, that we will all be assigned to the same mission." Everyone looked at him with interest. "Plus," he continued, "given that there are six of us here and not the usual three, I would imagine that whatever we are assigned will be rather dangerous."

Shikamaru sighed deeply and hung his head. "How troublesome."

"Well, whatever the case," said Sakura quickly, "there's only one way to find out."

"Mm," agreed Kiba. With a shiver of anticipation he walked over and knocked on the Hokage's door.