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"Byakugan!"

The sound of shurikens being deflected were heard distinctly in the lush forested area surrounding Konoha. Further sounds of weapons being thrown were yet heard again and this time, however, the time for the weapons to be deflected and thrown aside were much quicker than before.

"That was amazing, Hinata!" A girl with her hair tied in tight and neat buns swung out from behind a large tree and came to a perfect stop right in front of the girl who was panting.

"You...you were quite good too, Tenten. It is really different to be training with you instead of with Kiba kun and Shino kun. I wonder how Shino kun is right now, at the Gateway of Earth." Hinata sat on a tree trunk and pondered aloud.

Tenten smiled. It had been three months since they had both seen Neji and Shino. As the both were jounins, they had already been sent to the Gateway of Earth to assist in the retaliation against the enemy forces.

"I'm sure Shino and Neji will be able to handle the situation perfectly, they are after all, really intelligent and well-phrased when it comes to confronting the enemy. There's really nothing to be worried about, Hinata. But then again, times like these, are really...upsetting, aren't they?" Tenten answered, clenching her fists lightly.

Hinata nodded her head silently, glancing at the peaceful environment. How happy the Team 8 members were back then when the War had not begun. Hugging her knees together, Hinata began thinking of the times which she had shared with her fellow team members.

Simply thinking about how extremely tired but contented all the genins would be after the trainings that they had with their senseis made Hinata yearn for those times desperately. Yet, now, she was in a kind of limbo, with her cousin and even her team mate defending Konoha at the Gateway of Earth. Their lives at the edge...

"Hinata chan! Tenten chan!" someone yelled from behind them.

"Sakura chan! What's up," Tenten who was removing the weapons from the ground answered, puzzled. Why was Sakura doing here, wasn't she supposed to be helping out at the hospital who had had so many people being admitted in and out?

"Tsunade shou would like to see us." Sakura explained. There were large eyebags under her eyes and her hair was in an unruly state." I think it's something about a mission."

Tenten glanced at Sakura. Her friend seemed to have gone through quite a lot of hardships. It had to be related to her volunteer work at the hospital. She had heard the antagonising screams from the hospital in the middle of the night. Anaesthesia was hard to come by these days due to the War, and most operations on shinobis who were seriously injured were carried out with a herb that stimulated sleep. Sadly, it was not successful, and many an operation had failed, with the patient perishing out of sheer pain.

These days, it was all about pain.

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Tsunade paced around her office, her stilettos clacking away against the solid marble floor. Scanning the nine people in the room, she settled herself in her armchair before finally speaking.

"As you all know, the battle at the Gateway of Earth has been going on for some time, till recently when the enemy troops have begun to retreat. Our troops have temporarily retreated, awaiting further orders," she paused, looking at them meaningfully.

"To be able to win this battle, we require information of the enemy's plans. It is inconvenient to send the troops stationed there as there is already a major lack of manpower and we are afraid the enemy might spring a surprise attack. Hence, I have decided to gather all of you as members of this team for this mission. Does anyone object to this mission?"

All nine of them flinched slightly.

"Tsunade sama, do you mean we actually have a choice to reject this mission?" Hinata asked timidly.

A silence followed.

"This mission is a risk. You will all put your lives on the end to perform this mission perfectly. All of you may be killed by the enemy. I understand if you refuse-"

"WE WILL NOT DO THAT!"

A voice filled with determination and vigour rang through the room. Naruto's eyes seemed to be on fire with fortitude.

All nine nodded their heads in unison. They were going to protect their village, even if it means killing themselves. This was their home. They will protect it even if it means losing their lives. That was the spirit of a shinobi!

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It was nearly dusk when the nine met at the village gate. The sun was gradually setting and everyone was waiting restlessly for the latecomers, Naruto and Chouji.

Just when they were about to send for them, both boys rushed up to the group, muttering apologetically and shouting their excuses- Ichiraku Ramen. Sakura looked dangerous with her eyes in slits as she scowled at Naruto.

"This is a HUGE mission, NARUTO! We were suppose to be here at 5 and look, it's 5.30 now! What the heck were you and Chouji thinking?!!"

Naruto cringed and crept behind Shikamaru slowly.

Shikamaru raised his hand to stop Sakura from bashing Naruto in his head. "Since the schedule is extremely tight, I will now reiterate the plan to you guys again."

"Firstly, this mission is somewhat dangerous. So, I have decided to split us into 3 three man cells. In every group, there must be one who is adept in medical jutsu, and one who is able to locate the enemy. Every group will travel together, horizontally. The first group in the front, the second behind it, and the third at the back. Hence, in the first group, Kiba, Sakura and Lee. Any objections?"

There was no response from all three.

"The second group. Hinata, Naruto and Tenten. The third group, me, Ino and Chouji. Objections?"

There were none and it was a while before anyone spoke. This was no longer a game. This mission...it was almost a road to one's grave. Playing right into the hands of the enemy...

Shikamaru nodded his head. "This mission, however troublesome it may be, will be extremely dangerous. Do not act recklessly. Our mission is to collate information on the enemy's movements. However, we are to meet up with a few comrades at the Sand Village before proceeding to the Gateway of Earth to infiltrate the enemy's encampment. Our goal is to reach the village in record time."

There was another uncomfortable pause. "Remember, this is for Konoha, our village. This is for the contentment of the villagers, and for the peace in the lands. If we can defeat this enemy because of the information we have gotten, even if we perish, we shall die in honour. This is a death befitting a shinobi!"

At that point in time, all the doubts in their hearts vanished. In place, it was filled with a raging willpower.

It was twilight when the team set off. The full moon which was shining brightly seemed to be encouraging them onwards, basking the nine with its warm rays. The stars that littered the sky were leading them on.

That night, there were nine stars in the sky that shone exceptionally brightly.