Chapter 26 - Blood

Hinata heard the voices of Kiba and Shino coming from her room as she finished her shower. Wrapping a towel around her body, she stepped out of the bathroom.

"What's going on? Why are you two here?" Hinata asked, walking over to the three of them as she dried her hair with a second towel.

"Perfect. Now you can help us te-" Kiba started speaking and turned around to face her, however his face turned red and instantly turned back around. "Why did you come out dressed like that!? Put on some clothes!"

Even Shino was looking pointedly away from her. Hayate just chuckled at the reaction of the two boys.

"Shishou is something going on that I need to be dressed for?" Hinata asked him, completely ignoring Kiba.

"There are two unknown shinobi, at least jōnin level, that arrived shortly after you got in the shower. I need you to use the byakugan to see who they are. If they're Konoha shinobi, it's fine. If not, we'll have to find out what their intentions are." Hayate said, looking at Hinata. "I'm sure they've also sensed our presence, but I don't want to risk starting anything unnecessary by using Tasū or one of Shino's bugs on the off chance they're able to sense the presence of them."

"Mhm." Hinata sat on the edge of her bed and used the byakugan. 'None can hide from me! I am the great and powerful Hin- Holy shit.' Hinata's mind went blank for a moment at what she saw. She closed her eyes and reorganized her thoughts for a moment before looking again.

Shizune was leaning on the wall looking out of the window with a thoughtful expression on her face and Tsunade was currently in the shower.. naked.. and .. "Holy shit." Hinata said out loud this time, quickly shutting off her byakugan.

"What'd you see? Your face is turning red." Hayate asked, arching an eyebrow.

"No- *Ahem* Nothing. It's fine, they're both Konoha kunoichi… Sort of." Hinata said, not meeting Hayate's eyes.

"Sort of? Clarify." Hayate ordered.

"It's Tsunade and her apprentice Shizune." Hinata told him.

"Tsunade-sama?" Hayate asked, surprised. "What's she doing here?"

"Taking a shower, currently…" Hinata mumbled under her breath. 'I mean really… Just springing on me all of a sudden isn't good for my heart y'know!?'

Hayate snorted out a laugh, understanding what had happened. "Alright, good work. There shouldn't be anything to worry about."

"Mhm." Hinata nodded, opening her bag and pulling out a fresh change of clothes.

"Wait, Tsunade-sama? As in one of the three sannin? That Tsunade-sama?" Kiba looked over at Hinata, forgetting his embarrassment.

"Yes. Now are you going to turn around so I can change, or are you planning to watch?" Hinata asked him, smirking.

"Alright you two can go back to your room." Hayate told the two boys. "Get some rest, we're heading out bright and early tomorrow."

Kiba originally wanted to ask more questions, but after Hinata's comment and Hayate's permission, he made a beeline towards the door back to his room. Shino followed after him, nodding goodbye to Hinata and Hayate before closing the door behind him.

Hayate sighed. "I'm going to get a shower. You shouldn't tease Kiba so much, he's already awful around girls."

Hinata just chuckled as she responded. "Sorry, sorry. I'll try."

Hayate took his bag into the bathroom with him and closed the door. Soon after, Hinata could hear the water running and she quickly changed into clean clothes.

'Now then…' She thought to herself, before glancing at the bathroom door. 'I don't think shishou would mind…'

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Shizune was just relaxing and watching the sun set over the village, when she heard a knock at the door. Instantly going on guard, she grabbed a kunai, set her pig on the bed, and walked over.

Shizune opened the door a crack and looked out, seeing a young kunoichi with a Konoha headband standing in front of the door with her hands behind her back, looking a bit nervous.

"Can I help you?" Shizune asked politely, but still a bit confused. 'What business could a genin have with us?'

"Ah.. Sorry, I was just hoping to talk a bit. I've always wanted to meet you and Tsunade." Hinata said, face turning a bit pink. "My name's Hyūga Hinata."

"Hinata-chan, huh? I'm sorry but I don't think my shish-" Shizune started to say before the bathroom door opened and a billow of steam wafted out, shortly before Tsunade stepped out wrapped in a towel.

"It's fine, you can let her in." Tsunade said, walking over to her bag on the bed.

Shizune looked over at her shishou and just blinked. This was completely unlike Tsunade, who usually told people to piss off.

"Very well, Tsunade-sama. Please enter, Hinata-chan." Shizune said with a smile, opening the door to let the girl enter.

Hinata walked in with her head down, not knowing exactly where to look as Tsunade changed into a large robe. "Um.. Sorry to disturb you.."

Tsunade snorted at the seemingly bashful girl. "What do you want, kid?"

Hinata wasn't usually a shy individual, but Tsunade was something of like an idol to her. She was insanely strong and beautiful, and didn't take shit from anyone.

"I.. just wanted to meet you! I saw you were in the inn and couldn't help myself from wanting to come and talk to you." Hinata said, finding her courage and looking up.

"Oh? What are you doing in Inoha, girl?" Tsunade asked her with a small smile.

"Um, I'm actually here with my team. We're on our first mission out of the village." Hinata explained, rubbing the back of her head.

"Did you let your team leader know you came to see me?"

"No… Shishou is currently in the shower…" Hinata said a bit guiltily.

"That was stupid girl. You shouldn't go running off to meet random shinobi or kunoichi when you're on a mission. Especially without letting your team leader know." Tsunade was rather blunt with her.

"I know! But, I mean, it's you! This could be one of my only chances to actually talk to you!" Hinata said, a little defensively.

Tsunade just sighed and looked over at Shizune. "Shizune, please go inform this girl's team leader before we have an angry mama bear coming to protect one of her cubs."

"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Shizune said with a small smile and left the room.

"Ah.. Room 6!" Hinata called out to her as she left.

"Hah! We knew what room you were in the moment we arrived at the inn." Tsunade laughed.

"Oh, right…" Hinata smiled sheepishly. "So, um. What are you doing in Inoha? If you don't mind me asking."

"Hmm…" Tsunade debated with herself as to whether she should tell the girl the truth or not. Eventually she decided that people would find out sooner or later anyways, so there was no harm in telling her. "We're on our way back to Konohagakure."

"Really!? You decided to return!?" Hinata looked up shocked. She didn't expect this. What could have gotten her to act? She hadn't met Naruto yet, as far as she was aware.

"Is it really that much of a surprise?" Tsunade asked with a wry smile.

"I mean, yeah? You're essentially a missing-nin right?" Hinata asked, before realizing what she said and covered her mouth.

"You got some balls on you, brat, to call me a missing-nin to my face." Tsunade laughed for a moment. "Though I suppose you're not far from the truth. Anyone else would have been called a deserter long ago."

"Well, I mean… After what happened, anyone would want a.. vacation?" Hinata didn't know how to exactly word it, and she didn't want to say 'Anyone would want to run away, dropping any and all responsibilities.' That would just seem rude, even if it was true.

Tsunade thought of the moment Dan had died in her arms, when she was unable to save him. The fear she felt when he bled out in front of her, dying her hands red. And the trauma that had resulted from it, giving her hemophobia.

"Oh? And what would you know about what happened?" Tsunade's eyes turned a bit sharp as she eyed the girl who had poked her sore spot.

"Oh no." Hinata said, shaking her head and walking over to sit on the bed across from Tsunade. "I'm not falling into that trap, thank you."

"It's ok. I'm actually kind of curious as to what the new generation is being told about 'what happened'." Tsunade said, resting her chin on her hand and staring at the girl.

'She's a strange girl.' Tsunade thought. 'At first she was as bashful as a baby rabbit, blushing and hiding her face, but now, the more she talks, the more she's finding her courage. Even enough to sass me now and sit down without being told to.'

"Well, most just know that you're away from the village right now. It's implied that you're on a mission or something. Obviously Konoha wouldn't want people thinking that you weren't interested in the state of affairs. Having Orochimaru defect is one thing, but two renegade sannin?" Hinata paused, wondering if she had said too much or been too blunt, but Tsunade just looked to be deep in thought.

"You didn't believe that though?" Tsunade asked her. "That I was away on a mission?"

"Of course not." Hinata snorted.

"Oh? Why's that?"

"Erm.." Hinata didn't know exactly what to say. She had already alluded to the fact she knew more than she should, which she really shouldn't have done. She just sort of spoke without thinking.

"Speak." Tsunade commanded.

"Well.." Hinata felt like she wanted to cry. 'Me and my big mouth! This lady can literally kill me with a slap and I just had to go and open my big mouth!' "After the.. events.. of the third war, you just sort of disappeared right? Your specialty is healing and Konoha was in a precarious situation. If you were truly following orders, there's no way you wouldn't be stationed in the village. And when neither you nor Jiraiya returned after the Yondaime Hokage's death, it was pretty obvious that it wasn't because of a 'mission'."

"Hoh.. You're pretty bright for a brat." Tsunade said, a small smirk returning to her face.

Hinata just blushed a bit at the complement, and picked up the small pig that was sniffing her, to put it on her lap. 'I wish people would stop saying that! I'm just decent at making up excuses…'

Hinata just played with the pig's ears, scratching them, unsure of what exactly to say.

"So." Tsunade said, looking at the girl. "Was I everything you imagined me to be?"

"Mhm." Hinata nodded slightly, before remembering what she saw when she used the byakugan and hiding her red face behind the pig on her lap. 'And so much more. Ughh, kill me now.'

Thankfully Hinata was saved from any more of that awkward situation when the door to the room opened and Shizune walked in, followed by Hayate who had wet hair, but otherwise dressed in his usual gear.

"Sorry for my apprentice's actions, Tsunade-sama. Please excuse her." Hayate said, bowing politely as he apologized.

"It's fine." Tsunade waved it off. "We were just having a chat."

"Come on Hinata." Hayate eyed his apprentice.

Hinata moved the pig to the side and stood up. "Thank you for entertaining my curiosity Tsunade-san."

"It's fine, just make sure to get permission from your team leader next time." Tsunade said, trying not to laugh at the obviously disgruntled Hayate.

"Mm. I will." Hinata nodded, turning to follow her shishou out of the room. "Ah, Tsunade-san?" She paused for a moment at the door, remembering something she had wanted to say.

"Hm?"

"When you get back to the village, you should ask Jiraiya about his new apprentice. I think you would like him." Hinata said with a smile.

"Jiraiya has a new apprentice?" Tsunade asked, a bit shocked.

"Mhm. Uzumaki Naruto." Hinata stated, before turning to leave.

Tsunade watched the two of them leave her room before turning to look at a smiling Shizune. "What?" Tsunade asked sharply.

"Oh nothing…" Shizune said, still smiling. "I'm going to get a shower. Try not to pick up any more small ducklings while I'm gone." She said, before quickly dodging the bag that was thrown at her as she ducked into the bathroom.

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Hayate led Hinata back to their room, where he rounded on her after she closed the door behind her.

"Really?" He asked, annoyed. "What were you thinking? Leaving without saying anything!"

"I didn't leave the inn! I was just down the hall, and it was Tsunade! Not some shinobi from another village!" Hinata knew she had messed up, but it wasn't like she had done anything reckless.

"That isn't the point!" Hayate snapped at her. "Besides, she's been gone from the village for so long, there's no guarantee that she didn't pose a threat to you! No one knows where her loyalties lie at the moment."

"Her loyalties are with Konoha." Hinata simply said.

"There's no way to know for sure. Not until she's met with the Hokage and made her intentions clear." Hayate explained. "What you did was stupid, and could have put not only yourself in danger, but the lives of your teammates as well."

Hinata wanted to retort, but she held it back and just sighed instead. She knew she wasn't going to win this argument and her shishou had a point as well. She really should have gotten permission first.

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again." Hinata said, looking down at the floor.

"Make sure it doesn't." Hayate said, before putting his hand on her head. "I just want you to use your head before acting ok? You're my responsibility."

"Mm. Okay.." Hinata nodded slowly, feeling the weight of his hand on her head.

"Alright, go get some sleep. I'm keeping first watch. We have to be up early." Hayate took his hand back and went to sit at the desk while Hinata climbed into bed.

"Sorry, shishou.. Goodnight.." Hinata apologized again, burying her head into her pillow.

"Goodnight, kid." Hayate said, before turning away to stare out the window. He just sighed and tried not to think about what could have happened.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

The next morning came and the team had gathered in Hinata's room to plan their next course of action before starting their mission. It was still dark out, the sun not yet over the horizon.

"Ok, so the bandits should be situated in a camp to the west of the village right? A few miles out? Let's just go and beat them up already!" Kiba said with excitement.

"You mean kill them don't you?" Hinata said sharply, annoyed at Kiba taking it so lightly.

The smile on Kiba's face faded a bit as he rubbed the back of his head. "Ah.. yeah.."

"We should scout the area first." Shino pointed out.

"What's the need? There's no shinobi right?" Kiba said a bit aggressively. He usually got annoyed by how cautious Shino was when they did things.

Hayate just watched silently as the three of them worked out the plan. It was his goal to let them take care of how to go about this mission, stepping in only if he was needed.

"Shino's right. The report said there was no shinobi, but it was a report made by civilians. If we go in assuming it's correct and we're wrong, it could cost us both the mission and our lives. I'd rather trust our reconnaissance than someone else's. " Hinata argued.

"Tch. Fine." Kiba frowned, but stopped arguing.

"I'll confirm numbers and positions." Shino said, looking at a beetle crawling on his finger.

"I'll keep an eye out for anyone hidden, and any traps that might be set up with my byakugan when we move in. Kiba, you're in charge of making sure no one escapes. If anyone tries to run, you're the best bet at running them down." Hinata said grimly.

"Leave it to me." Kiba's wolfish smile returned to his face.

"Alright, let's get started then." Shino nodded, moving towards the window and jumping out.

The other two followed after him, taking a formation and running towards the forest on the western edge of the village. Hayate followed after them a bit, observing and ready to act if need be.

They traveled a few miles into the forest and eventually stopped, crouching in the branches of a large tree.

Shino, switching to hand signals, signed to them: [Starting recon. Standby.]

Hinata and Kiba kept watch on their surroundings as Shino released hundreds of beetles into the air that quickly flew off to search for the bandits.

It took about ten minutes before Shino lifted a beetle to his ear, listening to what they found. [12 bandits. Camp straight ahead. 3 on guard. 9 asleep. No shinobi.] Shino signed to them, looking over at them.

Hinata felt her gut clench at what was going to happen next. She still hadn't quite come to terms with it, but she bit her lip and signed back. [Eliminate guards first. Proceed to others.]

Kiba and Shino both nodded and the three of them disappeared silently into the forest, following behind Shino as he led them to the edge of camp.

Hinata was hidden in a tree looking down at the camp below. There were only two large tents, that looked almost like barracks, and what looked to be a storage shed that was built out of logs. There was a makeshift wall of sharpened stakes that ran the perimeter, but nothing that would be a threat to a shinobi.

Two of the men on guard duty were standing by the entrance to the camp, while the third was sitting around a fire in the middle of the camp. 'The rest of the bandits must be asleep ing the tents.' Hinata thought, looking over the scene.

[I'll take right. Shino takes left. Kiba center.] Hinata signed to the other two, who signaled that they understood.

Hinata steadied her breathing for a moment before signaling again. [Attack.]

Kiba vanished from sight, moving towards the guard in the middle of the camp as Hinata and Shino threw senbon and kunai at the two guards by the entrance.

Hinata paled as she saw her senbon hit their mark, piercing into multiple of the guard's vitals and dropping him instantly. Her hand started shaking, but she continued to move into the camp. Shino chose to stay on the tree, watching over the entire situation, beetles swarming through the air above the camp, ready to act if need be.

Hinata entered just in time to see Kiba standing over the body of the third guard, dropping the man's torn out throat to the ground. His fingernails had turned into claws similar to those of a wolf, and his teeth had sharpened and grown into fangs. Kiba grimaced and looked a bit woozy, as if he hadn't expected the man to die that easily.

Hinata drew her Mikazuki, signaling to Shino: [Hold position.] She then turned to Kiba. [I'll take left. Remain silent. Trip wire at entrances attached to alarm.]

Kiba nodded and they both moved towards a tent. Hinata had already turned her byakugan on ages ago and she knew that there were no traps other than the trip wires that connected to a bell on the inside of each of the sleep quarters.

She quietly stepped over it as she walked inside the tent. There were four men and one woman asleep in this tent, three of them men were asleep in their own cots, while one of the men shared a bed with the woman. 'Is he the leader? Or is it her? Either way, it doesn't really matter now. Our orders were to eliminate them all.' Hinata, still biting her now bleeding lip, walked lightly over to the man closest to her.

She stood above him hesitating for a moment, when she noticed something moving towards the tent she was standing in. She registered what it was shortly after it had entered the range of her byakugan and sighed quietly as one of Tasū's moths fluttered into the tent and landed silently on the side tarp.

'Shishou is watching…' Hinata wasn't sure if she should be relieved by him watching over her, or if she hated the fact he was about to witness her slaughter a group of defenseless, sleeping, people.

Tasū just silently observed as Hinata's hand tightened its grip around Mikazuki's hilt. 'I need to move fast. I can't allow anyone to wake the others up.' She thought to herself and steadied her resolve. Taking a deep breath, she acted on the exhale.

Mikazuki flashed as Hinata brought it down, slicing the neck of the man sleeping in front of her, as soon as she felt it connect, she took two steps and arrived at the next bed, weaving her way through the room. Ten steps. Five slashes. Five people waking up in silent horror, clutching at their bleeding necks. She had cut their windpipe along with their arteries just as her shishou had taught her. They simply gurgled in confusion, staring at the young girl standing the middle of the tent, before rapidly losing consciousness.

Hayate watched the scene through Tasū's eyes, as his apprentice stood there in the middle of the tent, staring at the blood on Mikazuki. He balled his hands into fists, it took everything he had not to rush over there to comfort her. She still had to complete the mission though. He had to wait.

Hinata watched the blood drip off of Mikazuki onto the floor. Did I do this?' She felt her feet move as she slowly walked back the way she came. She exited the tent and the memories of running through the Uchiha clan flashed through her head. Memories of old and young laying dead in their beds and on the street with their throats cut and hearts pierced. 'Was this what it was like for him..?'

Hinata suddenly felt her body lurch and she vomited. She collapsed to her knees, even as she felt Kiba's arms around her, steadying her.

"It's alright." Kiba said softly, patting her on the back. "It's over."

Hinata looked up at his face and could see that he was pale as well. He had tear stains on his cheeks and blood splashed across his cheek.

Hinata wiped Mikazuki off on her sleeve and nodded dumbly. She wasn't thinking right and could think of what she was supposed to be doing right now, so she just followed behind Kiba silently as they met up with Shino.

Shino looked at the state she was in and understood what had happened. He just turned to Kiba and signed: [Is it done?]

Kiba nodded, and sighed softly. "Yeah… it's done."

Hinata followed the other two as they ran through the foliage towards the rendezvous point where they were going to mee Hayate.

When they got there, they found Hayate standing there with his face devoid of any emotion as he asked: "Is the mission complete?"

"Mission complete." Shino responded.

"Any complications?" Hayate asked, even though he knew the answer. He just wanted to comfort them and tell them it was alright. He wanted to pick his apprentice up and hug her, letting her cry it all out. He knew he couldn't do that though. At least not now.

"None." Kiba responded, any trace of that grin he had before the mission was gone now. It seemed he aged exponentially over the course of the few minutes he spent at that camp.

"Good. We'll return to the inn for a few hours, and leave a little later than we originally planned. Go get cleaned up and sort out your thoughts. I know it's hard, but this is what our job is." Hayate told them the words he was supposed to, as their team leader, even if they left a bitter taste in his mouth.

The three of them nodded, and they followed Hayate back to the village. They arrived at the inn and slipped quietly into their rooms just as the sun was beginning to rise on the horizon, painting the village a beautiful orange color.

Hinata just walked silently into the room. She carefully took Mikazuki and her pouch off, setting them aside on the bed. When she felt the weight of them gone, she just sort of snapped. She tore her bloodstained clothes off, throwing them into a corner.

Hayate watched in pain as his apprentice turned away from her clothes in disgust and ran into the bathroom slamming the door behind her. He heard the shower turn on and it wasn't long before he could hear her quiet sobs coming from the other side of the door.

Hayate sighed, unsure of what to say or do to comfort her. He just sat on the bed and waited for her to come out. He knew that shinobi and kunoichi would always react in different ways to their first kills. It depended on the person. Some would simply process it and move on, others would vomit and break down into tears, like his apprentice was doing now. Hayate shivered as he heard the retching coming from the bathroom. And there were some that would simply shut down, never able to move on. Sometimes the first kill ended a shinobi's career.

He just sat and waited for when his apprentice was ready to come out. He'd let her take the time she needed. The mission was complete and they weren't in any rush. 'I know, kid. I know.' He thought.