When Fate and Destiny Collide
By: maliciousfate

Chapter: Ten
"The Departure"

As Neji and I walked silently to the front of the Compound, I found that everyone was already by the carriage; packed and ready to go. Through the small window of the large oak carriage I could she Hinata was once again fiddling with her hands nervous as ever and across from her sat the silent form of Yuuhi. Hiashi was standing by the door talking quietly to a Leaf Village ANBU about something that was unknown to me. But as we neared, the ANUB dismissed himself at once. I couldn't help but notice that that was very odd.

"Neji, Tsuki. You are ready to depart I assume?" Hiashi asked as he noted the bags we held. Both Neji and I nodded before he stepped aside letting us into the carriage.

"Very well, a quick refreshment on what this mission will hold and you'll be off." Hiashi started from the doorway after we had all gotten situated inside the carriage.

"I only have a few minutes to explain what is expected from you on this mission so make sure to listen closely." He said as we all leaned in to listen to his now whispering voice. "-This carriage will take you to the edge of the Leaf Village, where it will drop you off in the forest. From there you will walk to the nearest village to pick up some supplies, after leaving that village you will venture into the forest where you will make a two day trek to the oceans edge. At that point you will cross the ocean in complete silence until you get to the Hidden Mist Village." Hiashi paused to let the information sink in before he started again. "Upon arriving in the Hidden Mist, you will go to the Mizukage's palace and give him this scroll."

Hiashi pulled from his robes a strangely decorated scroll. It had blue and black swirls around it with a few odd pictorial characters that I didn't understand. Not only did it hold strange writing and drawings, but it also was tied by a black silk thread. And the fact that the thread was so familiar only confused me to no end.

Hiashi handed the scroll to Yuuhi who quickly hid it in his tan vest.

"And now I'm afraid I must leave you. Please be sure to use all your skills to their limits. This isn't a normal mission and we do not want to loose any of our men. Especially when a wedding is to be made so soon." Hiashi made a quick bow, turned and left. Once the door had closed the carriage fell into complete silence.

As the carriage began to move my thoughts soon wandered. I couldn't help but be doubtful about this mission. Something very deceitful was afoot.

I let another sigh slip through my lips as I let my head lean onto the cold window. There were masses of brilliant greens flashing crossing my eyes as the carriage pressed forward.

The sun was beginning to peak through the tightly grown trees. We had been traveling all through the night and not one of us even tried to sleep. We were all either too anxious for the mission or in Hinata's case, too terrified. I had tried numerous of times to start a light conversation with the other three in hopes of lightening the atmosphere. But they only gave me one-worded replies. Except Yuuhi, who was able to sustain a conversation for a record-breaking four minutes. Before I let another bored sigh escape Yuuhi had spoke up.

"We've arrived." He said quietly from his seat across from me.

I turned my head towards him taking in his appearance. He was a tall, thin, and somewhat handsome man. Muscles shown through his black wife-beater as he sat arms crossed next to Neji. His long dark hair was tied neatly behind his back and his weapons were strapped tightly around his attire.

Yuuhi was an elite ANBU ninja; he had explained this to me when I asked a few hours before. However, he said he chose to leave the squad and continue his life at the Hyuuga Compound, because his wife was do for their first child. His still bares the tattoo that all ANBU ninja were acquired to have, and for some odd reason I couldn't stop looking at it. Maybe because I also was branded with a mark that showed my place...

The carriage slowed and the horses began to stomp angrily from outside. There were the muffled sounds of people around the carriage.

"Passports!" A male's voice sounded from behind the closed doors. Yuuhi stood lazily from his spot and opened the door to the men outside, passports in hand.

"You may pass." The unknown voice said, Yuuhi closed the doors and the carriage began to move once again. As it did I grabbed my bag off the floor and placed it on my lap. Everyone else mimicking my movements, except Yuuhi who had his supplies in the many compartments of his vest.

The carriage soon came to a halt as the doors swung open allowing us all to get out. I was first to jump off the ledge and I stood taking in a deep breath. I air smelt good after being stuck in a stuffy carriage for hours upon hours.

After we were all out Yuuhi began to lead us towards a small shop across the street. It was painted a deep red with a few small kunai cut-outs at its top. However, time appeared to have taken a hold of the small shop; the red paint was peelings in numerous of places and a few kunai were cracked and broken.

"Buy what you must, I was told we need to stock to our limit." Yuuhi said quietly as we all entered the dimly lit shop.

I was surprised to see that the shops outside appearance had no reflection to its interior. For there were shelves upon shelves of newly polished weaponry and newly released scrolls. I let a smirk grown onto my face as I quickly walked down an isle that held an assortment of medical equipment.

It was hard not to fill my arms full of new weapons and medical supplies. So I quickly decided on two large silver kunai, a pack of exploding tags, and a set of new poisonous needles.

I set the items on the counter for the shopkeeper to ring up and I glance briefly at Neji as he picked up a vile of fever inducing liquid. He scrunched his face up in disgust as he smelt the liquid inside. I couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh.

"Is he your boyfriend Miss?" The shopkeeper asked politely as she noted my gaze.

"No," I smiled to myself as a new feeling flooded through my veins, "- he's my fiance."