Sorry I took so long guys. I know this is short but I didn't want to screw up the scene with crap. I've been super busy lately. Things should get back to normal when Christmas break comes. Thanks mates.
The droplets of water cooled her skin, melting the anger inside. What a mess she was in. She would never be accepted by her father, not to mention she was trying to solve the puzzle that was Neji. Hinata hadn't quiet figured out her feelings on that topic. But she did know she missed him, missed him a lot.
She shut off the water, dressed in her ANBU uniform and headed to Tsunade's office. The Hokage had summoned her for a mission.
"Hinata I have an A rank for you. This will be your first A rank alone-"
"But Lady Hokage, I have never had an A rank! How could I do one on my own?"
"As you know things are getting hostile with the cloud ninja. Most ANBU are at the borders. Genma has other obligations. I talked to him about it and we both think you can handle it."
"I understand."
"Your mission is to retrieve an escaped ninja from one of our high security prisons. Full details are in the scroll." She indicated the one in front of Hinata on the desk. "You'll have to be careful with this one. He is a specialist in genjutsu. Thankfully we have attained all the information needed from him, so terminate him on site. He is only a dangerous nuisance now."
Hinata was fine with that. It meant less work for her.
"Yes ma'am."
"Good, you're dismissed."
Hinata made a move to leave but was stopped.
"Hinata, it's possible you may come across cloud ninja. I know they came after you before, when you were younger. I wouldn't put it past them to try again if they recognized you."
"Yes Hokage Tsunade."
"Dismissed." With a hand sign Hinata disappeared.
Her thoughts were drawn to that night so many years ago when she was kidnapped. The night they killed her uncle, Hizashi. She hated to think of what Neji had to endure. Maybe she could have handled it better, if her father had been killed instead.
On the way to her house she looked over the scroll. Her target was Yocanoshi Shikaru. He left the village many years ago for power. It seemed that was the only reason people ever left the village. His profile stated he had some dealings with the Akatsuki and has sent more than 20 ninja to rehab or the afterlife.
Definitely need to watch out for this guy.
She packed in a trance, her thoughts bounding all over the place. She hoped it would be a piece of cake, but with her luck it would be far more complicated.
The stars shown bright, winking at her with ominous intent. Her stomach was practically ripping itself apart as she neared the gates leading out of Konoha. Just as she was about to take off someone cleared their throat.
"Genma? What are you doing here?"
"Just came to wish my girl good luck. Sorry I can't go with you, but I know you can handle this on your own." He said a toothpick bobbing in his mouth. "Plus, I needed to give you something." He said lightly, holding a pouch out to her.
Hinata took the gift and opened it to find it full of senbon. Each one had intricate engravings on them. She was surprised when the urge to cry came over her. No one had ever given anything like this to her.
All she could do was look at Genma until finally she lept forward embracing him in a tight hug.
"Thank you. So much." She whispered in his ear.
"Anytime." His response was heart felt. Then he lightened the mood, "If I had known you would act like this I would have given you a present every day."
They shared a smile. "I really should be going." Hinata said.
"I guess you're right. Now go get that son of a bitch, so we can have a real drink. You ran out on me last time." He winked at her, making her blush with embarrassment.
"See you soon." She promised. Clipping her pouch to her hip, she gave Genma one last glance, then set off.
"You better." Genma whispered, watching her disappear into the night.
Hinata made not a sound gliding through the woods. Her adrenaline racing through her veins. Nothing but the mission occupied her thoughts. Hidden behind the lioness mask, she was different, dangerous. A new woman with stealth and agility. Nothing could stop her…for the moment.
The moon shown bright, lighting her path. She looked for tell tale signs of human passage. Finally, she stumbled onto a familiar scent. On the tree there were blood stained leaves. And it was fresh. Another 20 minutes were spent running through the forest until she spotted the target. He was sitting down leaning against a tree. He seemed to be preoccupied with digging into his bag.
Silently she activated her Byakugon seeing at once that the man before her was a decoy.
Hmm, this will be harder than I thought.
