Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or Naruto.
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xXx-Chapter 25-xXx
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"Rin, Rin I need you to wake up sweetheart."
Quinn groans, her eyes fluttering open and she sees her father sitting at her bedside, he's fully dressed in his shinobi gear. "Daddy?"
Her father places a finger over his lips, motioning her to be quiet, "You need to get up sweetheart, your sensei is here and you've been summoned by the Hokage. Pack your things quickly and quietly, at least enough for a few days."
"What, why? What's going on?"
"There's been an emergency, I can't say more than that here. I'm sorry sweetheart."
Quinn gives her father a tired smile to help comfort him, he was anxious and angry, but also resigned. "It's okay. Give me a minute, I'll be right down."
Her father pauses like he's going to say more but stops himself, instead settling for placing a kiss to her forehead before he leaves.
It doesn't take Quinn more than a minute to prepare her things and get dressed, the last of which involves strapping her borrowed katana to her back as well as Sakura's kaiken to her hip. She casts a glance over at Ino who hadn't stirred at all. "I love you sis." Quinn whispers before turning and leaving.
When she gets downstairs she sees her mother is up and standing next to her father watching him anxiously, while her sensei is leaning against the wall, all three of them waiting for her. "Morning Rin, sorry about this." Her sensei says.
"It's fine, what's going on?"
"Everything will be explained in due time, Lord Yamanaka, we should hurry." Yugao-sensei says, turning from her and addressing her father. It was always so strange for Quinn to be reminded that her father was the head of a prestigious clan, and not only that, but one of the highest ranked officials in the village as the Head of Intelligence. To her he was always just her father, but to everyone else he was one of the most powerful men in the village.
As Quinn is leaving her mother wraps her in a tight hug. "Be safe, okay."
"I will." Quinn says, still not sure what was going on.
"I love you."
"I love you too mom." And with that Quinn follows her father and sensei out into the night. The three of them leaping into the air, silently moving across the rooftops of the still sleeping village. It doesn't take long for Quinn to figure out that they're heading towards shinobi headquarters, nor to sense that several powerful ninja were currently waiting there, including the Third and her Uncle Shikaku; the jōnin commander, and her Uncle Chouza as well. Whatever was going on must be pretty serious.
Quinn follows her father and sensei into headquarters and straight to the Hokage's office. The entrance to which is currently being guarded by three ANBU. The one in the Snake mask steps forward and speaks to her father, "They're waiting for you sir."
Her father doesn't say anything to him, but he does nod his head in acknowledgment. As Quinn follows her father and sensei into the office she finally gets a good look at everyone who is there. In addition to the Hokage and her uncle Shikaku and uncle Chouza, the two Hokage's advisors, Lord Mitokado and Lady Utatane are there, as well as a jōnin level Hyūga, and if the three dogs there were any indication, a near jōnin level Inuzuka, as well as a rather tired and beat up shinobi who's chakra levels were currently dangerously low, and finally seven other jōnin level ninja.
"Inoichi," the Third greets her father, "Yugao, Rin, thank you for coming."
"We're yours to command Lord Hokage." Her father says, moving to stand by Shikaku and Chouza. Quinn's first instinct is to go stand next to her father, but she stops herself and follows her sensei who moves to an unoccupied corner of the room. She wasn't here as her father's daughter, she was here as Yugao's apprentice, she knew that much at least, so it was best to stay near her for now.
Yugao gives her an approving nod before turning her attention to the Hokage who was now beginning to speak, and Quinn follows suit, eager to get some answers.
"Two hours ago, I received word from one of our shinobi runners," Here the Third motions to the tired looking shinobi, "that Nami Yamata's cover was blown and that she had requested an immediate extraction."
Quinn can sense the concern spike in both her father and uncles as well as the two advisors at that news. The name sounded familiar to her and it takes her a moment to place it. "Wait, wasn't that mom's teammate?"
Her father nods to her, but doesn't say anything. His brow furrowed in that way that it did when he was seriously contemplating something.
"Yes, she was on a genin team with your mother Rin." The Hokage says with a kind smile, "And for the past twelve years she has also been our most reliable spy within the Village Hidden in the Clouds. Their borders are on lock down, getting in and out is exceptionally difficult, and no representative from the Land of Fire or this village has managed to get to their village or the Lightning Capital since before the start of the war. With one exception, Nami Yamata. What little we know of the comings and goings of Kumo are a result of her hard and dangerous work."
"And you're sure her cover has been blown?" Lady Utatane asks. "Communicating with her can't be easy."
Here her father speaks up, "Lord Jiraiya helped to establish the communication methods we used to keep in touch with her. Messages from her are rare, but always accurate. And certain protocols were put in place if she were ever in danger of being caught."
"Lord Yamanaka is correct, and a code red communique was sent out eight hours ago." The Third says. "Ebira here is the fastest shinobi runner we have on the lightning border, he set out from East Castle six hours ago to deliver this message."
"Six hours?" Chouza says, "That's impressive." Getting nods and murmurs of agreement from all around.
Ebira ducks his head, "Thank you sir, but I don't know if it was fast enough. Things were already escalating when I left, I don't imagine they've improved."
"Here's the situation as we currently know it," Shikaku says stepping forward and drawing the attention of everyone in the room. "During the extraction process on the Lightning side of no man's land, our agents were discovered by Kumo forces. Our forces engaged in battle with the Kumo shinobi but were outnumbered. A few managed to escape, but most of them were killed, we're looking at least at five dead. Nami Yamata was one of the few who escaped but at the lasted reported sighting of her, she was injured and forced to flee deeper into enemy territory to avoid capture."
"Time is of the essence, we should assume that the Raikage has already heard of this incident. According to Ebira, Kumo forces were already starting to assemble along the borders in response, things are escalating quickly, and if we're not careful this could be the spark that ignites into a war. But I don't believe all hope is gone yet." The Third says.
"Lord Nara," Lord Mitokado says, "You along with Lord Yamanaka and Lord Akimichi will be sent with a single platoon to the East Castle to reinforce our borders. Unfortunately we cannot send anymore."
"Once there, you three will take command of the situation. You have the Third's permission, as well as the village council's to negotiate in good faith to prevent war if at all possible." Lady Utatane says.
"If peace is not possible, Lord Nara, you are to return to the village and you Lord Yamanaka will take command of our border forces until otherwise ordered, Lord Akimichi, you will assist him." The Third says.
"Yes, Lord Hokage." Her father and uncles say in unison, and it takes all of Quinn's willpower not to scream. No, this couldn't be happening, her father… he, he had already fought, this wasn't right. They were essentially saying that if peace wasn't possible, her father was an acceptable sacrifice in place of her Uncle Shikaku.
"Meanwhile, while Lord Nara and the others try to maintain the peace with Kumo, Hizashi Hyūga, step forward." The Third says.
The Hyūga, now identified as Hizashi steps forward. "Yes Lord Hokage?"
"You will lead a team, consisting of Yugao Uzuki, Hana Inuzuka, and Rin Yamanaka behind enemy lines to retrieve Nami Yamata. Between the four of you, you are the very best trackers that this village has to offer. Hizashi, your Byakugan is one of the strongest that your clan has ever produced. Hana, you and the Haimaru brothers will provide not only extra combat support, but basic medical support as well as your own exceptional tracking capabilities. Yugao Uzuki, needs no introduction, you are all aware of her prowess as a tracker and a sensor type."
The Third then turns his attention onto Quinn, and so does the rest of the room. Her uncles are both anxious for her, her father is outright scared. Everyone else is a combination of intrigued and slightly doubtful. "Rin Yamanaka, is Lord Yamanaka's youngest daughter, and is Yugao's apprentice, I have also trained with her personally. She is her graduating class's rookie of the year and is being fast tracked into ANBU. She is also the most powerful sensor type this village has ever produced. Between the four of you, you should be able to not only find Nami Yamata but avoid any enemy shinobi."
"Hizashi, Nami Yamata must be taken by you, or not at all. Do you understand?" Lady Utatane asks.
Hizashi nods his head. "I do."
"Nami Yamata was the heart of our spy ring in Kumo, if she is captured by the enemy it will destroy everything and we will lose not only her, but every agent we have in Lightning. Kumo truly will be lost to us. That cannot happen." Lord Mitokado says.
"Understood sir."
"Good," The Third says, "You and your team will follow along as part of the platoon accompanying Lord Nara. Once you reach East Castle, you are to split off and begin your mission as soon as possible. All of you, you leave in thirty minutes, good luck to you all."
"Come on kid, let's meet the team." Yugao says with a reassuring smile, but Quinn can sense that she's nervous too.
Still, Quinn nods her head and allows herself to be lead away. She catches eyes with her father and he gives her a look of regret. She gives him her own most reassuring smile in return, but she isn't sure how convincing it is, if at all.
"Yugao, it's good to see you again." Hizashi says with a bow.
"You too Hizashi, how are Naomi and your son?"
"Naomi is doing better, thank you, the doctors say she is in remission again and that she should make a full recovery. They're hopeful that the disease won't return this time. As for Neji, he has really taken to shinobi life, I expect he'll be taking the chūnin exams this next time it's held here."
Yugao smiles, "I'm glad to hear that."
"Yugao." Hana says, a scowl on her face as she approaches them.
"Hana." Yugao returns just as coldly.
Quinn almost rolls her eyes, because it was all just an act, which was proven not even a second later when the two women grin and then hug each other.
"It's great to see you again. I hardly ever get to see you since you've joined ANBU, and then you randomly quit to take on an apprentice, what the hell? I thought you loved ANBU?"
"Loves not quite the word I would go with, but yeah. This is just temporary, until she makes chūnin, then I'll be back. And speaking of my apprentice, Hizashi, Hana this is Rin. Rin this is Hizashi, we've served together before and this is Hana, one of my best friends from the academy as well as heir to the Inuzuka clan."
Quinn bows, "It's a pleasure to meet you both."
Hizashi chuckles, "The pleasure is mine, and no need to be so formal. Leave all that pomp and ceremony to the elders, we'll be serving together soon, no reason not to be friendly."
"So you're Rin Yamanaka, huh?" Hana asks with an amused grin, "My brother Kiba won't shut up about you."
"Oh… um…" Quinn wasn't sure how to respond to that.
"It's not a bad thing, he's determined to surpass you, I think the fact that a girl is a better shinobi than he is has done more to help him take his training seriously than anything else. Never mind the fact that he's never beaten me and is nowhere near mom's league in terms of strength." Hana laughs, "It's nice to finally have a face for the name."
"Thanks… I guess, and Kiba is… he's definitely spirited."
"He's a brat. Don't get me wrong, he's my brother and I love him, but he's definitely a brat." Hana laughs.
"So you went to the academy with sensei?"
"Yeah, until she went and graduated early, the show off." Hana growls playfully, "But we kept in touch. I hear you're quite the prodigy yourself."
"We better hope so… if this mission is as dangerous as it sounds." Quinn says softly.
"Hey, don't worry about it alright. Like any mission, it's no single shinobi who completes it, but a team. We'll all look out for one another." Hizashi says.
"And you wouldn't be here if the Hokage and myself didn't have complete confidence in you." Yugao says, "I wanted to start you off on a couple of easier C-Rank missions, unfortunately, the needs of the village take precedence and once you're in ANBU, you don't pick missions you get assigned. So, this is still good practice for what it'll be like."
"Yes, sensei…" Quinn's eyes drift over to her father who is in deep conversation with his team.
"You don't need to worry about him either." Hizashi says with a kind smile, easily reading her concern. "Your father and his team were chosen for this mission for a reason. Their reputation alone and the fact that it's all three of the Ino-Shika-Chou trio will make Kumo think twice before they try anything. You only see him as your father and his friends, but those three men are living legends."
Quinn nods her head, "Thanks… I just…"
"I know how you feel." Hana says, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I've lost count the number of times I've had to watch my mother go off on a dangerous mission. Have faith, focus on your own mission, and everything will work out."
"We should work out our strategy now, that way when the time comes we can just break off and get to work." Yugao says.
"Right, recommendations?" Hizashi asks.
"I suggest a standard diamond formation." Hana says. "I'll take the lead with the Haimaru brothers, we can track by scent and point us in the general direction we should go. Yugao and Rin should take the right and left flanks respectively. We'll be traveling north and west, so that will place Rin as the least experienced member of our group in the most protected position, and as sensor types, they can sweep the area for specifics. And you Hizashi should bring up the rear. Your Byakugan is going to be of most use at close range, so that will allow you to keep an eye out for enemy ambushes as well as the ability to assist any of us should we come under fire. I'll also have one of the brother's run alongside you for support."
"Sounds reasonable to me, any objections?" Hizashi asks.
"Just one, and I truly am sorry about this." Yugao says, and Quinn can sense the regret and hesitation radiating from her sensei as she says this. "Rin should take the right flank."
Hizashi's brow furrows, "Any particular reason?"
When Yugao answers she isn't looking at Hizashi but Rin, "Rin is a much stronger sensor than I am. I might miss something, she won't. I know it puts her on the Lightning side of the run, and I regret that, but with her gift none of them should be able to get close enough for that to matter. If someone does approach it'll be no real issue for us to switch sides."
"I hear what you're saying, but I'm reluctant to place someone so green in such a dangerous position." Hizashi says, he had doubts about her coming on the mission at all. She was around the same age as his son and she had no mission experience at all, if the Hokage hadn't ordered it, he would never have accepted her on this team at this point in time, no matter how skilled or seemingly necessary.
"I don't need to be protected, I'm here to do a job and sensei is correct, I am the stronger sensor type. I don't mind taking the right flank, and honestly, I'm not trying to be arrogant or anything, but if someone on their side is able to sneak up on me, then it honestly won't matter what my position is anyway." Quinn says.
Hana gets a cocky grin that belies the concern and doubt she is feeling, "Well you heard the kid. Besides, she's gotta be something else if she's here anyway."
Hizashi is silent for a moment before he nods his head, "Very well, Rin, you shall take the right flank."
"Excuse me, Hizashi, Yugao, Hana, may I have a moment with my daughter." Her father interrupts, followed closely by her uncles.
The three of them bow. "Of course Lord Yamanaka." Hizashi says, with a nod.
"Rin, we're going to head out, catch up with us when you're finished, okay?" Yugao says.
"Yes sensei, I'll be quick."
Her father leads her aside. "How are you feeling sweetheart, are you okay?"
Quinn chuckles softly, "I'm a little scared to be honest."
"I know, but you're going to be okay. Just be smart and careful, and stay close to your sensei and your team and everything will be okay."
"I'm not worried about me, I'm worried about you. If uncle Shikaku can't talk them down then…"
"Then I'll just have to talk them down then, won't I." Shikaku says with a grin. "Don't underestimate us old guys, I promise I won't let anything happen to your father, alright."
"And don't forget, I'll be there too." Chouza adds.
"I don't want anything to happen to the two of you either." Quinn says, feeling guilty.
"You don't need to worry Rin, we can take care of ourselves. You need to focus on your mission, because believe it or not, yours is the more dangerous one." Chouza says.
"Chouza is right." Her father says, kneeling down in front of her. "This is your first mission and you're being asked to infiltrate behind enemy lines, I don't like it, none of us do, and it's not just because you're my daughter. This is unheard of, you don't send a green shinobi into a situation like this. You need to be cautious. I don't care what anyone says, I don't care about the damage it could do, I don't care about any of that, if it gets bad, you get out of there and get to me, do you understand."
"Daddy, I-"
"I agree with your father, consider it an order from the jōnin commander and someone who loves you and your family. If things look bad, get you and your team out of there." Shikaku says, his voice calm but serious.
"I'll do my best."
Her father sighs and exchanges looks with her uncles, "Note how she didn't actually promise." He says with a wry grin. "Rin, all of this aside, I am so proud of you, please know that as well. I believe in you sweetheart, just please, be so very careful."
Quinn ducks her head, "Thanks… I'll try not to let you down."
Inoichi pulls her into a hug, "You never have."
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xXx-Scene Break-xXx
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"Lord Hokage?" Snake says, moving to stand by the Third when the last of the shinobi leave for their mission.
The Third doesn't say anything, instead just giving a slight nod of his head in acknowledgement.
"Is it wise to send the girl, this mission is dangerous, a more experienced shinobi might be a better choice, especially considering what we need her for."
"I've weighed the risks carefully, and I do believe that this is the correct course of action. I need to set Rin apart, if she succeeds then that will give me more leeway in sending her on future missions, they'll know what she's capable of and it won't be surprising when she is asked to take on something more dangerous than usual. If she fails, then that will fall back on me, and Rin will be able to continue on at an acceptable rate. Things are already progressing on schedule, success can only help her and failure will not set her back. We have nothing to lose here."
"And if she dies?"
"I have placed her with Hizashi Hyūga and Hana Inuzuka, both have an incredibly strong sense of loyalty, too strong for them to allow Rin to come to any harm, and Yugao knows how essential the girl is, she'll die before she allows any harm to befall Rin."
"Still, things can happen."
Here the Third turns to face Snake, "If Rin does die, then she does not hold the strength necessary to do what must be done, and the plan would fail anyway and we would still have to start over. And besides, I have faith in her, Rin has a remarkable strength within her. She won't fail, in fact, I expect she'll exceed my every expectation."
"As you say Lord Hokage, still… a contingency plan wouldn't hurt."
"Hmm."
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xXx- -xXx
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Author's Note: So yes, the Hizashi Hyuga in this chapter is Neji's father. One of the consequences of Quinn being in this world is he isn't killed. I don't go into it in the story because there's no reason to, nobody knows that without Quinn/Rin, Hizashi Hyuga dies, but here's how and why he survived. In the version without Quinn/Rin, Kumo and Konoha end their war in a virtual tie, maybe with Konoha slightly ahead, but neither side can really call themselves the victor or afford to keep fighting. So when the Hyuga incident happens and the Lighting Village representative is killed while abducting Hinata, Konoha is not in a position to fight a war over one man. Hizashi's sacrifice maintains the peace saving countless lives.
In this version, if you'll think back to chapter three or four during the New Year's fireworks, Quinn/Rin senses an assassination attempt giving forewarning to her father who is able to capture one of the assassins. In the world without Quinn/Rin the assassination attempt still happens and is still thwarted but none of the assailants are captured, in this world they are. The information they gathered from the assassin was enough for Konoha to turn the war around and when peace was finally declared, Konoha was the clear victor and Kumo was at its weakest in its entire history. They still attempted to kidnap Hinata, but this time, when they were caught and the abductor killed, it didn't matter what Kumo demanded, they were in no position to keep fighting, Konoha was. Konoha could have continued the war, so as a result Kumo had to suck it up and take its lumps as it were, because at the time they were lucky that the Third was still willing to negotiate peace with them. If they threatened war over it would have been disastrous for them. Kumo actually lost even more after the incident and Hizashi was spared having to sacrifice himself for his brother.
On the plus side to all of this, Hizashi lives, as does his wife, and so Neji still has both of his parents. Neji's mom is never mentioned in the series to my knowledge, but I imagine her to have been ill most of her life, when Hizashi died it was a huge emotional blow that took a lot of the fight out of her and when her illness came back worse than before, it was too much for her and she passed away that same year leaving Neji without either of his parents. (This is my head canon for Neji's mother in the actual series) The down side to Hizashi's survival, however, is Kumo and Konoha relations are even more strained than they originally were.
