Hinata was up bright and early, just before everyone else woke up. She took that chance to take a little walk to clear her mind, and by the time she came back, everyone had just about finished packing up.
"Come on now Hinata, it's not like you to be late getting packed up." Teased Kurenai.
But instead of a hushed 'Gomen' which was what they all expected, Hinata beamed,
"I know! Silly me! I must not have woken up fully yet!" she grinned and went about packing up quickly.
Everyone was surprised, but didn't think about it for too long. Except Kurenai, who felt that something was off.
She shook her head. This could wait, they were nearing the end of their mission so they needed to be alert.
"Right, let's move out. Shino and Kiba out front, Raichou behind with Naruto and Hinata, and I'll take up the rear. Got it?"
They all nodded and went on their way.
Kiba talked animatedly at the front, while Shino and Akamaru listened patiently. Hinata smiled at the spectacle in front of her, and counted herself lucky for having a team she cared so much about.
"Miss Hyuuga?"
Hinata turned her head to the side, puzzled. She saw Raichou looking down at her and realized he was the one who had just addressed her.
She blushed, "Oh, sorry, what would you like to say?" she asked politely.
"I would like to say Thank You for your brave actions yesterday."
Hinata turned a deeper shade, "Oh it was really nothing…"
Raichou smiled slightly, "Don't be so modest, it was a commendable act of bravery. I think the rumours I heard about you are very wrong. I can see no weakness in any part of your character, and I would be honoured to be watched over by you anytime." He smiled gently, then walked off in front of her, leaving her with her thoughts.
Hinata was stunned. She had just been commended by her respected elder, something that had never happened before. She felt like she was in a daze, until she was nudged from the side.
It was Naruto, "He's right Hinata. You were incredibly brave, and you saved my life. I'm really grateful, I'll pay you back someday but till then, thank you." He smiled at her, and today, Hinata felt like smiling back.
"My pleasure, Naruto-kun." She said with a smile, before turning her head to look at the sky.
Naruto was happy. No, Contented was the word. The people he cared about were happy and nothing felt like it could go wrong.
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Several hours laterThe scenery hadn't changed much and Hinata felt slightly bored. Not that she was slacking, she took her role seriously and was always thinking about the mission.
Not like Kiba, she thought.
Where did that come from? She didn't usually think this way about her team-mates. She looked ahead and saw Kiba fiddling with something in his pack, so distracted that he almost tripped up over a rock. Hinata frowned, He should have been paying attention, he better pull himself together. She may not think this way all the time, but this time she felt herself agreeing with her thoughts.
Actually, Kiba had been slacking the last few missions they had been on. It was unfair that the rest of the team had to do more work because of him. Hinata felt a little knob of resentment start to build in her chest, but was suddenly distracted by Naruto's call to them.
They all looked to see what the commotion was about and couldn't hold back their laughs when they saw what he was doing.
"What are you doing, Naruto?" Kiba asked through his giggles.
"I'm stroking a cat, what does it look like dumbass!" Naruto explained indignantly, while bent down and stroking the animal.
Kiba couldn't hold it in any longer and exploded into fits of laughter. Even Raichou raised an amused smile.
Hinata took it upon herself to explain, "Ano, Naruto?"
Naruto smiled up at her expectantly.
"That's a Skunk."
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"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME SOONER!" Naruto was shouting from the water.
"Because I thought you'd know it was a skunk. Any dumbass would know!" Kiba replied with a hint of smugness.
They had had to take a detour to a stream so Naruto could wash himself. Just after Hinata explained that he was not stroking a cat, the skunk chose that moment to spray all over Naruto.
He was not happy.
Hinata had given him some tomato sauce that she hadn't used for cooking as she had heard that tomato was great for getting out skunk smells, so currently there was one half naked blond boy in a stream with tomato in his hair and one sour look on his face.
Kurenai was annoyed. Because of Naruto they were now delayed by half a day. It was already dark so she decided they would just camp beside the stream for the night.
She strolled over to Raichou to explain what was happening and didn't expect he react the way he did.
"Don't worry. I don't mind waiting a little longer. You have all proven yourselves to be excellent Ninja so I know I am in good hands. If you don't mind, I am just going to take some time to meditate." He bowed slightly and left a stunned Kurenai standing there.
Hinata silently laughed to herself. Who knew a mission could be so fun? She strolled over to the waters edge and sat down on a rock.
"How do you smell now?" she asked Naruto, who was vigourously scrubbing his hair with the tomato sauce.
He looked up and gave her his trademark grin, "A little better. Thanks for the tomato sauce, It's really working!"
Hinata smiled back at him, "Well we can't have you stinking out the camp, so wash up well," she remarked, jumping up before continuing, "or I'll have to come in there and scrub you myself!" and with her last remark she bounded of into the camp to talk to Shino.
"…"
Naruto stood still in the water, mouth open in disbelief.
"Wha…Whe…Where the hell did THAT come from?"
- Oooo, anyone else seeing Hinata change before our eyes? Sorry I haven't updated in a looooooooooooooooooong time! Been so busy and then writers block kicks in. But now I should be able to finish my story so hold on tight!
