And here's another chapter. Really, I don't have much else to really say outside of the usual.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Hinata.
In the days to come, Hinata would study the puppets.
She wondered how they worked.
In the end? She had nothing.
She wasn't a puppet expert and unless she somehow found the knowledge of puppets, she wouldn't go farther than the basics.
Which meant her best bet was Suna. Now, if only she could spare clones to go there.
Knowing she was being observed somewhere, along with her soon wanting to send a shadow clone along the pathways, Hinata didn't actually find any time for her to send one clone to go to Suna and see the knowledge they held about puppets.
It was a problem, and one she planned to rectify somehow.
Problem is, knowing someone is observing her, Hinata has become much more paranoid.
It's in January a clone that would last a month is sent through one of the unknown paths.
Hinata absolutely expects Toneri to show up during that month. He doesn't.
The clone poofs away a month later, during February. It didn't lead to Mount Myoboku.
She crosses the road out of the paths.
Hinata sends another to another path. And she waits.
Outside of enlargening her chakra reserves and practicing, she can do nothing else. By this point, 50 Shadow Clones is the safest amount she can do without lowering their optimal amount of time existing. She can create more, but the amount of time they exist is lowered.
Her Chakra levels are somewhere around that of a Sannin, if she had to put up a guess. It was also the only thing she could still compare it to. Even with all that time, she doesn't think her Chakra levels are that of a Kages.
Two weeks later, Hinata decides to send another Clone towards another path. Saves her time doing so.
The second expedition also doesn't lead her to Mount Myoboku. But to her surprise, the Clone finds something else entirely. She only learns of it a day after the end of a week, when the Clone finally vanishes out of existence.
It had found a hideout. Upon further scouting, the clone learned it was one of Orochimaru's old bases. Rigged to the brim with traps ready to kill.
The clone died due to an unexpected rigged room exploding. It was unclear if the hideout had collapsed or not, along with it.
However, she also knows why the Clone even risked it. Because what could have Orochimaru kept hidden?
In fact, was there anything of use she could use?
It's a train of thought she quickly makes die down. She can't allow herself to ever go so low.
And yet... the idea doesn't leave her mind.
It's during the 4th expedition, sometime during May, where what she dreaded happens. Worse, she'd just formed that clone and send it away.
''I have to admit, I'm rather curious what you're trying to do.''
It shouldn't have been a natural reaction, and yet it is. She spins behind for a kick, only that the kick never lands as it fazes right through Toneri.
''No use attacking me. I'm not truly here after all.''
Not truly... now that she thinks about it, that would explain why her Byakugan never seemed to see anything but a form. Or why he appeared and vanished as he pleased.
''Why are you here?''
She decided to go straight to the point.
''As I said last time, I would return to bring you with me, Hinata.''
He was really obstinate, wasn't he? Still, it made her wonder why he hadn't tried it sooner if he wanted her to come that badly.
''And I already gave my answer. No.''
''Even if I were to tell you what you wished to know?''
That made her pause. She knew already what he meant by that.
''You made it clear you wouldn't tell me. I don't see why you'd bring that up to me again.''
Toneri hummed to himself, and before she knew it, Puppets jumped out of their hiding spot and surrounded her.
She activated her Byakugan just to be sure, and she realized that it wasn't only on the ground, but also up on the buildings.
''Don't worry. The puppets are here to keep your Clones from interfering.'' Toneri reassured her, except it didn't really do that to her.
If anything, it just made her panic more. Especially when Toneri stepped closer. Which she stepped away.
He could see it.
''Come now, no need to be frightened. I'm bringing you somewhere safe. Much safer than here.''
Hinata had to wonder what he meant by that.
''How can it be safer when you're trying to kidnap me?''
Toneri actually stopped moving closer to consider her words. Had... had he never been told this?
''You do make a fair point. However, it is also safer, because you won't be alone anymore.''
The way Toneri said it, it seemed far more genuine than most of what else he said.
''You can't tell me you feel alright with being alone all the time. It simply isn't something that anyone can truly want.''
His words cut deep since he was right. Hinata hated this loneliness. She had no friends, family, or anything now. Only herself.
She wasn't even sure what had happened to the dogs or cats from the village, but they didn't seem to have been caught into the cocoons or she'd have found something of their size. It made her wonder if they all left the village or just... died off in the time it took her to return here. She lived in an empty world, bare from the wild animals.
But it also reminded her as to why she was so hell-bent on going to Mount Myoboku, to see if the toad summonings were affected by the Infinite Tsukuyomi or not.
It was why, she also knew exactly how to answer Toneri. Why she didn't hesitate in her answer, once she thought of it.
''I would be lying if I said it was alright. But at the same time, why should I go with you? Why should I when I plan to free everyone from that.''
Upon her words, she motioned at the roots of the Tree that held the people's cocoons. Never having moved outside of the wind.
Toneri for his part outright scoffed at her words, not looking happy about it.
''So your entire 'grand' plan is to do something impossible? Free the humans from an endless sleep? Have you considered it might not even be possible?''
''I won't know until I try.''
''Ah, because trying against a being who clearly outclasses you is certainly a good idea.''
Toneri answered with a sarcastic filled tone.
''Because you have a better idea, outside of having me join you on the moon?''
She answered back with the same tone he'd given her. Hinata normally wouldn't answer that way towards anyone, but right now, she actually was having a conversation, and her normal inhibitions were just gone.
''I in fact...'' but Toneri stopped himself short, lest he reveals something he apparently didn't want to tell, or maybe he was boasting and realized he shouldn't be.
Hinata however took that as a no.
''So you don't.''
Toneri seemed to want to say more but quickly got the clue.
''I'm taking that as a no, alright.''
Finally...
''This won't stop me from returning, but I can see you won't agree to come with me as of the moment.''
And Toneri looked away towards the Horizon for a moment, before turning back to Hinata.
''However, I will be back. Again and again, until you finally agree with me.''
Hinata wasn't quite sure how to feel about what he said. She decided to not pay attention to them.
''Until then, farewell.''
Just as he said that, Toneri vanished from where he was. And the puppets retreated.
Hinata deactivated her Byakugan as she exhaled. Not fully sure how she felt about that. But, she knew exactly how to actually fix that up.
Simply train.
Toneri really doesn't seem to rush things, when he says he'll be back.
It's nearly September, and he hasn't returned. However, it really didn't matter.
(It did. He was the only guy she could talk to, at all.)
After all, it's the 8th expedition, and her Clone finally found what she had sought. Or what she hoped it was.
The path was hard to navigate, and it simply leads to being lost. Hinata was quite sure her clone had either found the right path, or something completely unrelated.
She sends as many clones that can last for a month to that road. And then, she waits.
During that time, Hinata simply works on her Lightning affinity, figuring out ways to use it with her current fighting style.
And then, her clone vanishes. Each of them one after the other, with each the same message from the very place she has been looking for.
They were coming.
And that's it for this chapter. And finally, some good news for Hinata.
It's also about time I mention the Infinite Tsukuyomi here only affected humans. Animals or even the likes of the toad sages are not affected by the Tsukuyomi.
Regardless, Toneri and his second appearance. He is... well, more understanding than his Canon self.
He has lived alone with only puppets as company for a while. So when he sees Hinata being in the same situation he's in? It's his chance. Of course, Hinata's not just going to come over all happy and nice, not when she wants to free everyone. However, it doesn't stop Toneri from trying... without kidnapping her.