- ◊ (6: The Secret Mission) ◊ -
∆ (Sound) ∆ - ¤ (Dinner) ¤ - Φ (Free) Φ
Everyone sat down at the table, as Moegi and Hinata served the food they had made. "Kiba-kun, so where did you go?" Hinata asks. "Isn't Aki going to be eating with us too?"
"She didn't want to impose or anything. She had stuff to do."
"As if, in all the years I've known her she's been known to do nothing and loving meals. I'm sure she's outside." Naruto said jumping up.
"Naruto, sit down please." Hinata said. "Kiba, where is Akamaru as well?" Someone was knocking on the door. "I'll get it." Hinata walked to the door and opened it.
"Hi Hinata, I had to pick up a few things from my house and work on something. Tell Kiba thank you for letting me borrow Akamaru for a sec. He was very good, weren't you?" She said scratching him. Hinata stepped out of the way so Akamaru could come in along with Aki.
"Would you like to stay Aki?" She nodded and walked in. Hinata served Aki and they all sat down at the table. Even Hidaka was eating the meal she made. Not exactly happily, but he was eating it, making no comments. As Neji normally did when she'd make him and Tenten a meal after training. She had to insist of course since normally Tenten would make something for her and Neji.
"Hinata, when do you suppose you'll be starting the actual mission to retrieve Sasuke?" Naruto asked.
"I'm not sure. We can start planning the day after tomorrow since I need to do some research and stuff about Sound before we can go snoopy around. As in, clothing and stuff. Aki, could you assist me in that."
"Of course I could. We'll get you suited, as well as everyone in Sound styles, you'll look great." Hinata blushed but nodded.
"Thank you Aki. That would be helpful." Hinata said. "I'm sure that all the clothing and such aren't going to be so hard to come by, right?"
"Oh no way, the main city mall will have everything. This is the capital. With a mall, we'll find everything you need, skirts and blouses, shorts and pants, you name it." Aki said smiling. "It's been a while since I've been so far mainland, but it should be exciting. We'll take everyone."
"Count me out." Kiba said. "I'm good with my clothing."
"This is mission base wear, its part of it. Deal with it!" Naruto yelled.
"I'll take care of myself then." Kiba said.
"As will I." Hidaka said.
"Alright then, is everyone else fine with shopping then?" The only ones left were Moegi, Hinata, Naruto and Konohamaru who all were pretty opinion less about the situation, so they went along with it.
Everyone went to their respective rooms, Konohamaru and Naruto; Moegi and Hinata; Hidaka to his, while Kiba decided to escort Aki home which Hinata figured was a good idea.
"So what's the plan?"
"In the middle of the day, when the others go out for lunch say that you have to go somewhere. We meet back outside the mall with Akamaru and we go to Konoha, bring your book bag with your things." She nodded. "That's the plan, we'll be there by nightfall that way so they can send ninja who will arrive mid afternoon as my replacements."
"Alright, I'll be prepared. Night Kiba." She said walking into her house, closing and locking the door. He hopped back on his companion and ran off. Kiba returned to see Hidaka leaving. Kiba walked in.
"What's up with him?" He asked.
"Tsunade will need to send someone else; they need him back in Konoha. I'm not sure who they're sending but there's quite a possibility they'll need me."
"Yeah, she did warn me about this. It'll probably be sometime while we're at the mall. I might as well stay here, and leave from here since she said it would be soon. I was just scent to track scents but I can't track anything. It's too far from here and I have nothing of his. Sorry I couldn't help more." Kiba said.
"It's fine. I'm sure whoever they send to help will be just as useful." Hinata said. "Thank you for whatever you've done so far Kiba-kun."
"Yeah, though I have done nothing. Well I think I'll leave tonight." Kiba said.
"If you think you should, then good luck." He nodded. He grabbed his things, quickly packing him and leaving right away. After he left Hinata sat down. "I think they both knew all along that they'd have to leave to return. They just didn't tell us."
"Their loss, this is going to be a good mission. I, and you, have a great mission to attend to." Naruto added into the conversation.
"A mission to watch you doesn't sound interesting but then again who knows what will happen when we face Orochimaru or Sasuke which is most likely what will happen." Hinata said. "Good thing we're all prepared."
"Um… you guys are. Hinata, would you mind like helping me get back up to speed." Naruto asked.
"You can barely move." Hinata reminded him.
"Don't mind that. I am going to go out there with you and train all night. Do you think you can hold up though?" He asked, challenging her.
"Of course I can. I'm not the one who can barely move." She said walking off. Naruto, sat on the couch. He jumped up with as much of his normal energy as could be.
"I'm back!" He yelled to Hinata as he jumped through the door landing in front of her. Then he collapsed, bringing her underneath him, as he fell, taking her with him. "Alright, so my chakra through my body is a little weakened and not a solid straight forward signal."
"Is anything wrong with it?" She asked. He though, figuring she meant the Kyuubi.
"Naw. He's just being lazy and greedy. Let's go. I'm sure he'll help. Well hopefully." She giggled and they set on practicing through the night.
They practiced on dodging, chakra control, kunai throwing, kicking and punching, focusing and now for main attacks. "Are you sure Hinata?" Naruto asked as she stood there in front of him. "I mean, I usually can't do it, what makes you think I can do it without my own chakra and him being stingy."
"You have chakra, it's just not getting through, which is why I asked you to stand still. If you want me to really help, I'll do something even better for you." She said with a smile. "Don't take this the wrong way but lie down and take off you shirt." He shrugged, sitting down and throwing her shirt off.
"Alright now what?" He said lying on his back. "Is this going to be like a seal or something?"
"I'm actually going to heal the other seals that are corrupting your chakra flow. They're layered beyond what normally should be there. There was an elemental seal and an elemental unseal that were there but the person, after clearing the seal should have healed the area where the seals were because a large sum of chakra is being routed there." He nodded, not understanding what she was saying. Only that his chakra was being wasted and messed up. "You have 5 seals on your body. Using a healing technique after the seal is released it's still burnt into your skin so the body thinks that the seal needs chakra while what you should have had them do is cleanse the skin with chakra so those places so the chakra isn't so routed. It's very coiled in your main source, so it should be easier for you to control chakra after this. I should have done it before hand."
"I trust you. I mean you're a Hyuuga and a Med-Nin so you'd have to be able to use chakra correctly and… well… fix people, like me."
"All 'MAIN' house members are taught at young ages to activate, seal, and unseal any seal. It's part of our deity and how I got Neji to oblige to train me." Hinata sighed. "It is part of the horrible fate we face, knowing that we have the chance to save, kill, or imprison anyone in our clan at any time. I see it as horrible, most see it as power." She shook her head. "Sorry, I went off again. Trust me." She said with a smile.
"I do." He said. She placed her two hands on the 2 sets of 5 elemental seals and ejected a large amount of chakra onto them and the skin began to close around the seals, and his chakra system was rerouted. She placed her head on her hands, and focused. She was blown back. Naruto jumped up and caught her. "You alright?" He said holding her, setting her down.
"The Kyuubi doesn't like me. He was making it difficult to work around your seal."
"He's scared that you'll mess up his seal and he'll be tortured. He doesn't trust you. I do though. Now are you sure?"
"Yes Naruto-kun. I want you to form the Rasengan in your hand and then blast it out of your hand, at me." Hinata said standing here.
"How is that helping me?" Naruto asked.
"You'll see. It's important for both you and me to stay concentrated." He nodded, forming it with another clone, and himself. He launched it toward her, sticking her arms and then bringing them straight in front of her body, the Rasengan stood still, completely still. She brought her hands closer to her body, and pushed out quickly. It came at Naruto.
"Ah! What do I do?"
"Stop it." She said simply. "It is your chakra, after all." She said with a smirk.
"Um… stop… stop… Stop!" He said punching it with chakra. It was disintegrated, in the air. I looked around seeing the chakra residue. Normal weaker chakra discharge from summoning it, like the stuff I used to stop the Rasengan from hitting me. "Uh. How was that?" He asked.
'Well you stopped it, you used another chakra discharge to destroy it, so that's good. It's good that you can do it faster. Actually you did the Rasengan twice."
"Really, how?"
"You focused a large amount of chakra in your hand, and punched it through the Rasengan. That concentration in your hand, more like the Jyuuken style than a Rasengan, but had the same effect. This means that if it came down to it, you can summon a Rasengan without wasting time or the chakra from the clone." She said smiling.
"You taught me that, that simply. Thanks." He said.
"Try it yourself. Except this time I'm not going to control it." He launched it before she could say not going to control it.
"What?" He said, frozen in terror. She stood there, in her Jyuuken stance. She poked the Rasengan; it fell apart. "What?"
"I just hit the weak point in it, so it couldn't hold its form. That's good for now. See how quickly you managed to do that. Now let's work with sparring." He nodded as he ran at her, she dodged his strikes. Then she stopped moving for a split second, his hand got close to her body and he jumped back.
"What did you do?" He asked, sitting down. "That was mean."
"My body has been trained to have a natural chakra output, as you make contact, you get hurt. So direct hits won't cut it." She jumped over and nailed a hit to his back. Him falling back, immobile. "You know better than to just stop when you're fighting an opponent." She sat down, and reopened his chakra canals. "That's enough for tonight 8 hours and I can tell we're both low on chakra. You can go on with him, but I don't have the same advantage. My advice is… don't waste chakra. Sasuke may not have a lot of storage from what I've seen but this could be a stretched out battle, you also may have to deal with Orochimaru as well."
"Hinata, you'll be there helping as well."
"I was thinking that you wanted to do it by yourself. Do you? I mean I was just going to take care of the guards and things with the others but if you want me to help, or need me to I will come to help you."
"You're really strong and I know you're worried about me, so… why don't you help me?" He asked. "I mean I know you are good at analyzing things and such. So, you could really be helpful to me with this. I know Sasuke will rebuke me for asking a girl for help, but hey, all is far in love and war. Jiraiya taught me that." Hinata giggled.
"Very true, well let's go to sleep. I'm surprised that we went so long without running low on chakra." He hugged her.
"Thanks so much for everything today Hinata. I appreciate it. I know it's only been a week since I've seen you again but it doesn't seem so long, right?" She nodded as they walked back to the house.
It doesn't seem so when we're together. However, it felt like forever when you're waiting. She thought.
∆ (Konoha) ∆ - ¤ (Around the Same Time) ¤
Kiba arrived in Konoha, it was 2 am in the morning and after 8 hours of solid travel, and they had arrived. Aki had slept the entire way while Akamaru had run the entire time and Kiba had to hold on to Aki as well as to Akamaru, so he had to remain awake the entire time. They finally reached Konoha's gates.
They had wasted a little time, going around Hidaka since he didn't know about the big lie and plan that he had. "Who is it?" A guard asked.
"Inuzuka Kiba and guest from sound that is helping with the mission there." They opened the gate. Kiba sighed as they let him in without travel. He went to his home, keeping quiet. He let Akamaru into the animal housing unit in their back yard and carried Aki's body to a guest room. He returned to his own.
¤ (Morning) ¤
Kiba opened his eyes, it was now 5 and he jumped out of bed, breakfast would soon be served. He walked into the kitchen. "Morning Kiba, who's the girl in the guestroom?"
"Oh, her name's Aki. She's from sound; I brought her back to help me out with a main section of the mission in Sound that has to be done here." She nodded. "We got in about 2 and I didn't want to bother anyone or Tsunade so I just left her be, asleep, here."
"That was nice of you." His mom said. "So what parts are you doing here?"
"Minor research for Hinata, we were asked to return to handle things here. I have to go see Tsunade. If Aki wants to talk to someone or play with Akamaru, she's allowed. They get along great. Tell Hana to be nice to her, and help her out as much as she can." His mom nodded, after he finished eating and headed to Tsunade's office.
He walked in wearing earplugs knowing she'd yell at him for his stupid ideas that were off subject and out of the whole mission entirely. He sat down at her desk. "Kiba? I thought you were… why don't you just explain?" She said leaning on her desk.
"I returned with Aki of Sound so that I can work on a secondary mission."
"I only asked for Hidaka's return, her team being two short isn't smart. Did she send you back?" Tsunade asked.
"No, you see. Aki figured that we should do some research here about Orochimaru since they wouldn't have open records there, of course. I wasn't any help to the mission there regardless. It's suggested that you send Choji to replace Hidaka and I, since…"
"Unlikely to send Choji without a team. I would prefer to send his entire time. They would all prove useful to be there with Hinata. Ino should be able to end the fight with Sasuke easily by working on mind control after Shikamaru handles the shadow. Choji will be helpful for secondary people though. He's quite good at that. How would that do?" He nodded. Shikamaru and Ino, at least would be extremely helpful to get them together. Konohamaru told Moegi about the plan so he hoped; they'll arrange it there.
"That would be extremely helpful. Also, I don't know how to ask this but do you know who Naruto's parents were?" He asked.
"Um… why would you need to know that? It's enclosed information. If I did, it would be in the long notice that the 3rd gave to me which have a code in it or in the records. All things about him though are stored in a file that Hinata has for her mission. Though I don't see why…"
"Fine… Aki and I are trying to get Naruto and Hinata together why we're here." He said sighing and giving up about hiding that.
"Oh, how come? Her crush was always obvious but he never would realize that. Even if you could, she's engaged to… wait, isn't she engaged to you?" Tsunade said confused.
"Yeah but we're just friends. I, more like Aki was thinking that if Naruto's parents were like higher ups then maybe, just maybe Naruto would have enough hope to do something. She's like my sister. I care for her but I'm not in love with her."
"Something that's not written anywhere is a file written to Naruto from the 4th before he died. His parents could be in there. I was supposed to give it to him on his 16th birthday but he wasn't here. You can read it, since I really would like to see them both happy." He nodded, agreeing.
"Yeah, he's really noticing her. Not recognizing her feelings, the idiot. Though with the clothes that's she's wearing thanks to the other and her advanced skills he's definitely fallen for hard." Tsunade smiled remembering how things were a few days when he was here. She was glad they improved their relationships. It was her suggestion to get Hinata a new wardrobe since hers lacked a lot of things. Hinata didn't appreciate but she got use to it. When Naruto says something in appropriate and someone smacks him, she'll appreciate it.
She stood up and went into a safe in the corner. "There are many things the 4th left that night. These documents are all we have left of him, besides his legacy, jutsus and such things."
"Wasn't he an unknown about his life and family?"
"Not really, I believe Jiraiya knows but refuses to tell me." She tossed a certain scroll to Kiba. "That's all I can do. Now go back and research such things for Hinata. She'll need everything she can get, after all." Kiba nodded, leaving.
∆ (Sound) ∆ - ¤ (1pm) ¤
"I can't believe Aki is gone and she left us with the other girl, Ami." Naruto said, complaining.
"Be polite, she's been extremely helpful. Are you sure, you're fine though? You ran off very suddenly as though you were sick." Hinata asked.
"Yeah, I just need some air. I was feeling a bit sick. I'm fine thought." Hinata nodded. "I think Konohamaru has whatever you had, from Ami's description of her pursuit of clothing with Moegi and Konohamaru."
"Yeah, probably." Naruto said sighing. He had been gawking at Hinata in the clothes that Ami had put them into and then he ran off because he didn't think he could stop. He just couldn't stop staring at her. He pouted. "Sorry around running around so much. At least we got the clothes." He said as the walked in the house. Konohamaru and Moegi were behind them.
They all sat down and Moegi and Hinata talked about all the clothes that Ami had picked out for them. Ami had red hair that was shoulder length and was wearing a white blouse and a white skirt that was knee length. She was extremely helpful and kind to them. She had a habit of liking white clothes.
There was a knock at the door, until the door was broken in. "I'm hungry Ino. Feed me!" Hinata jumped up and ran into the other room.
"Hey Hinata." Ino said hugging her. "Glad to see we broke into the right house. I'd be embarrassed if we didn't. I hoped that we could read Kiba's hand writing it was sloppy though."
"Yeah, it was troublesome having to leave right after we got here." Shikamaru said walking upstairs and collapsing on a bed somewhere up there. Choji was already in the kitchen eating all the food he could though not much was left since it was ramen, and we know Naruto.
"Ino you have to see all the clothes that I got at the mall here. I didn't like them at first but Moegi insisted that she like them, so I went along with them. You should see hers too."
"Go put them on Hinata, style them for me. You know you want to. You too Moegi." Ino said happily.
"I'm going to go eat with Choji." Naruto said casually walking out.
"Um… I'm going to go to sleep!" Konohamaru said running upstairs.
"What's up with them?"
"They weren't feeling very well earlier today. Though I still want to show you them. I really don't want to dress in them; they're much prettier to look at. And I think the guys wouldn't be comfortable if we modeled in the living room." Hinata said. Ino nodded her head, understanding what Hinata was saying.
"Let's go outside. It's nice outside." Moegi said. They both nodded; sitting in chairs, they brought out, and looked into the wonderful sky.
"So what's up around here?" Ino asked.
"I'm dating Konohamaru." Moegi announced happily.
"About time, I thought I'd have to work on that while I was here." Ino was careful not to hint her secondary job while she was there that Tsunade and Kiba had told her about. Choji was to help also. Shikamaru decided to leave and not care but if she asked, he would help.
"We have to be serious though Ino. I can't help feeling sorry for Sakura for every wasted moment. She's always so upset. I hoped she's changed from that behavior." Hinata said sighing, and looking at her hands.
"Yeah, how is Tenten handling taking care of watching over Sakura and such?" Moegi asked, hearing about what Hinata had asked her cousin's teammate.
"She's been doing really well. Sakura has hope, and I know you wouldn't let her down. Then again, I know you Hinata, dedicated beyond reason. It's like Naruto, except with common sense." Moegi giggled. "Yeah and you've got my team here, we'll take care of at least retrieving Sasuke. I don't care how long I have to stay in his horribly mistreated body, it is probably going to be a bit painful but I will bring him back."
"I'm sure Sakura appreciates your dedication, Ino." Hinata said looking to her friend and smiling. "I wish I knew about how she was doing."
"That reminds me, when I was leaving I was asked to deliver a few items. These… are for you Hinata." Ino handed Hinata letters, two addressed to 'everyone' the other, with Hyuuga Seal, from Neji. "You're the captain, so you can read the others to everyone. I don't know if you want to read the one from Neji to everyone but he insisted I give it to you." Hinata nodded. "This is for you and Konohamaru, Moegi. It's from Kiba and Aki." She nodded, taking the note.
"Can you help me get everyone together?" Hinata asked.
"You bet." Ino said jumping up and walking into the house. "Everyone, get downstairs now!" She screamed, Shikamaru lazily walked down the stairs followed by Konohamaru. Choji and Naruto walked in happily from the kitchen.
"Hinata?" Naruto asked.
"Yes?" She asked Naruto, who had addressed her.
"I know that we just went shopping like two days ago. But… we're out of food." Naruto said sighing, waiting for someone to yell at him.
Hinata simply sighed. "Alright, Ino and I will go shopping after I read you these letters from Konoha. We also have to take Shikamaru and Choji to go clothes shopping as well since they need to fit it." Hinata said.
To Everyone:
I know that that I had to bring back Kiba and Hidaka. However, I hope that Shikamaru and Choji are just as helpful. Along with Ino. Aki and Kiba are doing research while Hidaka is desperately needed by the Hyuugas here. Everything is going well and everyone one expecting your return. Take care of yourselves when you go to fight Orochimaru and Sasuke. I know that with everyone there you'll be fine. At least I can only hope so. Naruto, we have good news for you that we're sure you'll like to hear once you return. Hinata, sorry for changing your team around so much. Moegi and Konohamaru, congrats. I do believe that is it.
Tsunade, 5th Hokage of Konoha
"News for me, good news for me?" Naruto said jumping up.
"That's what it said Naruto." Hinata said. "I couldn't think of what kind of work they'd be doing. Wait a minute, Aki went to Konoha?" Everyone looked at her, surprised also. "I wonder why Kiba would take Aki with her. Unless they're doing research there to help us with the mission."
"That's a possibility." Shikamaru said.
"Yeah, I mean they were at the library when we left. That's probably it." Ino said smiling. She was clued in well to the scheme but this would be harder to avoid in future conversations. "More letters now!"
Hey All!
I just wanted to say all things are good here! Aki begged me while I was leaving to take her with her and so I did. Tsunade said it would be helpful in our fight against Orochimaru since she knows everyone about Sound's landscape and such. I'm doing a lot of stuff here. Akamaru says hi too! Aki says she loves it here and she wants to stay forever. It's boring here on my end. I hope that you guys are preparing because Sakura, while in denial is not doing well. Though don't worry Tenten is doing her very best and a good job at that. I don't know what to say, I'm busy working with Aki so far and not much other than that has happened. I'm tired and want to sleep. Even a full meal isn't helpful right now. Good-luck.
Kiba, Aki and Akamaru :: Konoha Mission Division
"That explains it. She wants to see Konoha." Hinata said.
"Who wouldn't? We have trees, awesome buildings, and we are the best country ever. It rocks! No wonder everyone loves us so much. It's so amazing! I'm glad they're doing something though. It'd be unfair if he didn't. I'm glad that Aki can be put to use also there. Or else, they wouldn't let her in. That would upset her."
"Yeah, so true." Ino said nodding. "Next letter! Hinata, the honors." Ino said smiling. Hinata nodded, opening the letter and scanned over it, familiarizing it, and began reading.
Hello Everyone,
I'm glad that you're all off on a mission. I wish you looked in what you're doing there. I hope that you can bring Sasuke back and Naruto, too. I hope that you don't get hurt or worry about me in all your problems. Don't bother yourself worrying about me, I'm fine. Tenten is being very helpful and kind while you've been gone Hinata. Naruto, try not to annoy your rescuer, Hinata while you're there. Hinata, paralyze him if he gets too annoying, because I know he can be. Good-luck, take care of your selves and don't worry about Konoha. Everything here is fine. Be careful.
Haruno Sakura
"I think you've been lying to me the entire time. I think Sakura is fine." Naruto said. "See, she even wrote a letter and described all the great things you're doing for her. I think she's fine, really. Once we bring Sasuke back… she'll be even happier."
"Naruto-kun, you didn't get to the end of my scrapbook, did you? It's updated to recent events, not ones here yet but up until the day I left." Naruto picked up the scrapbook off the table and flipped to the end, he figured Hinata was trying to make a point. He froze.
Sakura was sitting on her balcony and behind her were the other girls. Sakura stared off into the distance, while they held presents for her. She seemed like she didn't care, too preoccupied with more important things. There was a sad lost face on Sakura's face, as if she had lost everything. It reminded him of his face when he was little, or Sasuke's when he relives that moment.
"Is she… is she really like this?"
"Naruto." Hinata said placing a hand on his shoulder. "That picture was taken on her birthday, a week ago today. Yes, yes it is. That was her birthday, that morning, before I left for the mission. I tried my best, I really did. She just wouldn't respond. Someone advised me that you'd go into denial like this. Come on." She said, standing up, and guiding him outside.
"Hinata, it's my…" She placed her finger on his lips. "Fault." He said once she removed them.
"No, it's Sasuke's fault. He left, she tried to stop him, and you… tried to stop him. There was nothing you could do, and nothing you can do anymore. I make a promise to you. Before I die, Sasuke will be back to us. I will not die, until he has seen the facts. After he's back to normal, I'll cancel the seal. All you have to do is bring him back to her."
"Promise me you won't die on me. You have to live on, until you're way older than Tsunade. Please, I don't want to see anyone important to me, die, or get hurt." She looked up.
"I can't promise you that, because sometimes as hard as we try to go against fate, sometimes we can't. In my battle with Neji 6 years ago, I learned that no matter how hard I tried, if he was stronger, he would win. I had no control, so if loosing means death, then…" He hugged her abruptly.
"Please, just don't die. Hold on as long as you can, heal yourself, do anything but don't die because… you have to live. You've done so much while you've been here, in one week. You've changed yourself so much, and you're changing me. Please, just give me another chance."
"To what?"
"I'm not sure. I guess… give me a chance to date you."
"Naruto…"
"I really like you Hinata. I'm actually getting to know you. You were always cool to me because you were so amazing and all, but… I never got to see your true smile, or learn about you, I got a chance and I like you. I know that you have to marry Kiba but I want to change that."
"Naruto…"
"Stop please." He begged. "Give me a chance. I know I can find a way. I know I can, it's my nindo to do anything. Where people say you can't. I say I can. It's who I am. I thought it's who you are too. I know you have many contradicting things in your life. I promise that I can do it. Give me a chance, please?" He begged her.
"If you can, I will because I never gave up." She said walking off into the house, into her room. Everyone was silent.