I don't own Naruto or its Characters
Chapter 7: Mission Final
Naruto was sitting up in the hospital bed, the amount of chakra that was ripped from him would hospitalize most ninja for weeks, maybe even kill them. Fortunately for the hero of the 4th shinobi war, he had plenty of chakra to spare thanks to Kurama. By morning he was feeling more himself, not full strength but alive and recovering. Hinata was by his side the whole time, she was incredibly helpful through the process and never lost her composure. She had matured greatly since when she was younger, before she might have been found with tears or unsure on what to do. No longer a child but a full grown woman you could now find Hinata on the front lines of any situation. He respected that about her, some people he knew stayed who they were and never evolved. Not Hinata, she was constantly changing, constantly striving to better herself.
Of course she was worried however, she never left his side, and didn't let him do anything himself. He never got to experience what it was like to be taken care of by a mother. After all his parents passed away when he was only a new born, and the closest thing he got to a mother figure was Tsunade, by that time he was 12 years old and could manage himself. But here he was being fed by Hinata, she would even wipe his mouth after. It drove him nuts, she would apologize for the embarrassing behavior, and she was only concerned about him after all, so he couldn't be too mad at her.
"You finally accept my feelings after years and you're going to die on me on our first mission together? I don't think so mister." She would joke with him.
There was genuine truth in her jokes though. If it wasn't for Shikamaru and Temari he might just be six feet under right now. Hinata wasn't about to put up with that mess for a damn second and he knew that. He had said that he wants to spend the rest of life with her, she wasn't about to let that be for only a month. He laughed internally at her fussing and nagging him. The rogue ninja had battered Hinata pretty good as well, but a few bruised ribs were pretty simple to fix, chakra loss was a bit more concerning in her mind.
"Geez Hinata, it's like we are married already." He said.
That got her quiet real quick. The blush on her face radiated heat to the point it was making Naruto sweat. She shook her head and snapped out of it.
"We are checking out soon, once you get dressed we are meeting Shikamaru in Gaara-Sama's office." She said matter of factly.
He loved when she got all formal with him. A perfect Yin to his Yang. While he was irrational and went into things with nothing but his will power and stubbornness. She finessed, planned and coordinated. They brought that out of each other, they were good for one another.
"I wonder, why Shikamaru was in a hotel with Temari-san. Do you think he got sent on a mission here too?" Naruto asked innocently, he may have had a Genjutsu induced epiphany about his own love life, however, that didn't change that fact he was still oblivious to others.
Oh Naruto-kun. She sighed to herself.
Naruto was oblivious, however a certain event that nearly took place last night that got interrupted still upset her.
"I'm sure he got to complete his mission uninterrupted." She said rolling her eyes. Who knew the Innocent Hyuga could be sexually frustrated.
Again the comment went over Naruto's head.
They left the hospital and made their way to the Kazekages office. Naruto could feel his strength returning fully, which mama Hinata was thankful for. Contrary to popular belief she wasn't so clingy that she enjoyed taking care of Naruto's every need. He was a grown man at this point. She was once a stalker yes, but never a smothering woman. She loved his reactions though, she never laughed as much with anyone but Naruto. She loved his liveliness and ability to make any situation light hearted. After all he could have died and instead he was complaining about the quality of the hospitals ramen.
They went into Gaara's office, where they found the Kage sitting with his hands in his face frustrated.
"What have you found out Gaara." Naruto may be dense about some things. But he could read his friends emotions like a book, he knew Gaara just found out something that did not sit well with the keeper of Shukaku.
"I've learned the identity of the rogue shinobi who attacked you." He said with a hint of dismalness
"His name is Hiru. He is from the Village Hidden in the Rain. Same as Pain, however, he's been rogue since before those days. He's known as a ghost, going from village to village, draining the strongest shinobi in each of their chakra. He was born with the gift, as you saw on his hand, but that's not all he's capable of. He developed his own jutsu that grants him the ability to be invisible, with chakra control so great he can suppress it, making him untraceable to even the byakugan." He finished about the ninjas background.
"If he goes after the strongest shinobi in a village then why did he go after me, and not you?" Naruto asked.
"I believe that was his intention, but I think he sensed that a bigger fish entered the pond." Gaara replied.
Naruto internally sweat dropped. First ancient gods, then a moon keeper, now a weirdo who can't be seen. I just can't catch a break can I dattebayo. He did want a challenging mission but not life threating!
"We need to get back to the Leaf and warn Kakashi-sama, there is a chance that he is now going to go there after seeing where we are from." Hinata said.
Naruto agreed, as did Gaara.
"Take Temari with you, I would imagine her and your Shikamaru's "visit" has concluded." Gaara said.
Naruto still didn't get why Shikamaru was there but that wasn't important. They said their farewells to the Kazekage, wishing him well and hoping he stays safe with this Hiru character on the loose. They met up with Temari and Shikamaru outside the office, Naruto giving them a raised eyebrow look, trying to piece 2 and 2 together, he was coming up with 5 however.
They gave the 2 other ninja the plan and all together they set off for the Leaf village.
Going full speed the trip from village to village was actually quite short, they were making good time probably over halfway there. Unfortunately, they hit a detour as Naruto could hear a 5th pair of foot steps behind them. He twisted his body mid stride and sent a kunai in the potential intruders direction, the knife stopped midair.
Hiru showed himself. Holding the kunai that he caught in air. Grinning, enjoying the moment before the inevitable battle.
"You know, I never would have thought I would have found the Kyuubi himself in Suna, but it seems my luck is better than I thought." He said as he dropped the kunai.
Naruto grimaced, it had been a while since he was referred to as the fox himself and not just the vessel. And with the improved relations between Naruto and Kurama, hearing the term Kyuubi brought back memories of when there was animosity between host and attendant.
"I think you don't understand, it's not just you and Naruto, there are 3 more of us you have to deal with. And I don't care what your reputation says, you won't be leaving this village." Shikamaru said as he drew a kunai.
"NO, it's you who doesn't understand." Hiru said roughly, he then began chuckling, "here let me show you."
He put his hand out, a Rasengan appeared. The group of 4 shinobi eyes widened in genuine shock.
"H-how?" Hinata said, genuinely shocked.
"I don't just absorb the chakra of my victims, I absorb their jutsu as well. And when I'm finished with you, I'll hold the power of the Kyuubi within me." Hiru said through a smile.
Here he comes. He disappeared again, suddenly Temari went through flying into a tree with a yell she was knocked out.
"YOU THREE BACK TO BACK!" Shikamaru barked the order and they complied.
All 3 of them in a defensive triangle. Suddenly, they could hear his laugh. He was in the middle of them!
He kicked Shikamaru away and threw Hinata. He then grabbed Naruto by the throat raising him off the ground. Naruto summoned Kage Bunshins hoping to get Hiru off him. The rogue ninja followed suit, mimicking Naruto's jutsu perfectly. The 2 groups of clones started fighting, meanwhile Naruto was still struggling to get out of the Hiru's grip. He couldn't get into Bijuu mode, he didn't have the chakra, and sage mode was out, he didn't have the time to gather the chakra.
"Oh this is even better than I imagined, such pure chakra." Hiru mused as he began to obsorb more of Naruto's power.
Shikamaru went over to Hinata.
"We need to cut him." Shikamaru said.
"If we cut him. We can see him, he can't hide his blood as he's bleeding, while he's distracted cut him as much as you can with your Kunai." He concluded "Me and Temari will, distract him."
She nodded understanding the plan.
The 2 shinobi went directly for Hiru as Hinata snuck to flank him. Naruto's limbs were beginning to go numb, he was going out of consciousness. Kurama was trying to keep Naruto in it, as he knew if Naruto went he'd be absorbed next.
Shikamaru and Temari hit Hiru from the back knocking him forward, dropping a limp Naruto. He turned to face his attackers, as suddenly before could react Hinata sprung from the bushes, thrusting a Kunai forward, cutting Hiru deep on his cheek.
He knew he needed to regroup, he disappeared, but now they could see him. Temari hit him with her fan, a huge gust of wind. He was knocked back, now realizing he needed to go on the offensive, he summoned 5 shadow clones and sent them after the 3 shinobi. As the clones distracted the others, Hiru made his way to Naruto. Grabbing him from the back of the neck, absorbing the last of his chakra, Naruto fought back punching Hiru in the face and grinned at him, knowing he did little damage. Hiru got annoyed, and summoned a Rasengan to his hand, and sent it into Naruto's gut, knocking the blonde unconscious. Hinata saw every bit of the exchange, she finally snapped.
With tears in her eyes she made quick work of the clone, and went straight for the real one. He disappeared, but she could see the bastard now. She hit 3 of his chakra points in his chest, removing his ability to disappear, he tried to fall back but she pursued aggressively. And hit him with a few more Juken strikes. He was unable to move at this point. Normally she would stop now, he was incapacitated. Her eyes had no remorse in them in this moment however, her byakugan showing nothing but hate, and killing intent. She hit him in every chakra point, except for the last one, that would have stopped his heart. She went for the killing blow.
"Hinata stop!" It was Naruto who snapped her from her rage. She looked at him on the ground. Blood coming from his mouth. "You don't kill in cold blood, he's beat it's over." He said weakly.
Shikamaru grabbed Hinatas arm, moving it from Hiru. "Temari and I will take care of him, you need to take Naruto the hospital, NOW!" shikamaru barked.
Didn't have to tell her twice, she jumped to Naruto and threw him over her shoulder, and jumped into the trees. Moving as fast as her body could for the village, tears stinging her eyes. Don't you die Naruto-kun! She thought.
"H-hinata….I… Love you." He choked out as he lost Conciousness.
The tears were in full force now as she could see the village gates.
To be continued.
A/N: end of the mission, hope you enjoyed it. that was my first time writing action so please let me know what you thought. I am hoping the story is picking up momentum. Please give me any suggestions to improve the quality of the story. looking forward to your feedback!
