I apologize for the wait, but I've have been without connection for a while. Sorry to keep you waiting. Anyay, I bring you the tail of Bums.
Chapter 53: And so we Meat again. Struggle against a Genius.
Shikamaru, Hinata, and Zaku had left town a while ago, deciding to head to the Village of hidden cloud. They went their at Hinata's request. While they were a little skeptical since Hinata didn't want to say why she wanted to go their they didn't see a reason not too, since they had no set destination.
It had been about a weak before they reached a small town in the Cloud Country where they decided to take a rest. The whole trip they barely spoke to each other, the only time being when training. However, the night the stayed at the in would be the first exception.
Hinata had left her room late at night, finding it hard to sleep. She had come to cloud for a very specific reason, it is said that it is where she could find a very rare item. It is a tool said to be used by the Hyuuga clan years ago, at Hinata believed the scroll that held the secret to making it may be in cloud. The stories she was told said a member of the Branch family had sold it to the Cloud Country, however he was killed by the man who he sold it to and retreated to cloud. Cloud Claimed to have never heard of any deal, so its hard to tell if the Ninja actually took it for Cloud or only told them so to hide his tracks and gain the Item for himself.
As Hinata sat atop the Inn roof, she heard a voice come from behind her, "You should really consider getting some rest, we wouldn't want our delicite little Hyuuga Princess to fall victim to enemy Shinobi," Zaku laughed a little.
"S-s-sorry," Said Hinata, "I-I just c-couldn't sleep."
"Relax," said Zaku, "We aren't on a mission now, no need to be so serious."
"W-w-why is it you choose to talk to me now?" Asked Hinata, "I-i-it seems strange s-since you h-haven't said anything to me until now."
"It really so strange to want to talk to a team mate?" Zaku said, almost offended at the assumption he had a reason to talk to her, "I just noticed we both share an interest together, that's all," he said sitting down next to her gazing up into the starry night, "I like to stargaze on the nights I get a chance to."
"S-sorry," Is all Hinata could say, feeling a little embarassed.
"Don't sweat it," Zaku said, "So to keep a topic going, why is it you decided to come?"
"Um..." Hinata wasn't sure if she should say it, say that she wanted to become stronger so that she would catch Naruto's Eye.
"You don't have to say if you don't want to," Zaku replied, "I mean we all have a reason for coming along, even someone as lazy as Shikamaru felt compiled to join us. Me, I'm in it to prove something."
"W-w-what is it your trying to prove?" asked Hinata.
Zaku laughed, "Won't even tell me why you're here and you expect me to tell you? I''ll tell you my reason when I hear yours."
Hinata felt a little bad for asking, but decided not to go into it any further. For the next couple of hours, the two sat their staring into the night sky.
That morning the three gathered as Shikimaru said, "Well, as long as were here we might as well do some jobs for Cloud. I spoke with some of them last night, and said they had a few extra jobs to take on. Shikimaru showed them a list as they skimmed through.
Hinata suddenly began to speak, "Sh-Shikamaru, I-I-I'd like to take this job," She said pointing to a listing for a missing Nin by the name of Giro Hyma.
"Hinata, thats an A-Rank mission, we're one Chuunin and to Genin, how about we pick something a bit easier," said Shikamaru.
"B-but..." Hinata knew he was right, but she recoginized they name Giro, the clan name of the one who was said to steal the scroll, "I-I H-had a reason to come here, and its connected to the Giro Clan."
"I say we do it," Said Zaku, "Besides, Hinata seems like its important to her. Lets indulge her a little and at least give it a shot."
Hinata smiled a little, happy Zaku stepped up for her.
"Fine," Said Shikimaru sighing, "But the moment it seems like to much for us to handle, we're going to run, got it?"
"H-h-hai," Said Hinata.
How did I get myself into this mess? Shikimaru thought to himself, This is going to be a long day.
They had split up in the town, looking for people who might offer information. But rather than that, Hinata had spotted something shocking, though he had not had his eye's active like she did, so he did not see her. Through the crowds of people, she spotted a cloaked figure, and seeing through the cloak she saw one boy with long black hair, a Kohona headband with a slash and the white eyes of a Hyuuga. She turned and went to find Shikimaru and Zaku, now that she discovered it seemed that Neji was here, most likely searching for the same thing she was, the scroll of the lost Hyuuga Scroll.
She ran into Shikamaru, who looked as if something Terrible happened, "Hinata, we found Giro Hyma and he trapped Zaku when he realized we were after him. We thought we wouldn't need to worry you with him, we need to hurry and save Zaku!"
"A-alright, lets go," Hinata said running closely behind him. Though as they reached an alley, Shikamaru turned around to a kunai in his throught, held in Hinata's grip.
"What are you doing Hinata?" asked Shikamaru irritably, "We are on the same team aren't we?"
"N-n-no," replied Hinata, "y-you were sent by Hyma, w-weren't you?"
"No use hiding it then," came a female voice as she transformed back to her form. She had short blonde hair going just past the ears, stood a bit taller than Hinata, and had big brown eyes. She seemed to have fairly rugged features, however what caught Hinata's attention was her headband bore the symbol of Sound.
"Y-y-you mean Hyma is working with O-o-orichimaru!?" Hinata said startled.
"Of course," smiled the women, "Orichimaru provided him funds and materials to finish a very powerful Shinobi weapon that his ancestors stole, and until now couldn't make."
"W-where is he?" asked Hinata, sounding determined to find Hyma.
"Cut you a deal, I'm obviously in a bad position with this Kunai to my neck, so if you let me go, I'll tell you where our hide out is, Deal?"
"'How do I know you'll tell me the truth?" asked Hinata, unsure if she should trust the sound Shinobi.
"Look, I owe alliegence to Orichimaru, not Hyma. It's not consequence of mine if he fails to deliver the object, I'm simply here to make sure he doesn't betray us and take the weapon for himself," She said smiling.
"A-alright," said Hinata, wondering if she would regret her decision. She dropped down the kunai allowing the Kunouchi to walk.
"Smart girl you are," She smiled, "You'll find him hiding out in an old abandonded clan mansion outside town to the east. By the way, the names Gista Gwen, I get the feeling we'll meat again," and with she jumped up to the rooftops and leapt away.
Suddenly, Shikimaru and Zaku came running down the alley, "Are you alright Hinata?" asked Shikimaru calmly, "I saw you running with me into the alley."
"Seems you really did see through the disquise then," smiled Zaku, "seems his henge coudn't fool your eyes."
"A-actually my eye's weren't active," said Hinata, "Sh-Shikamaru would be to s-smart to fight H-h-hyma alone with Zaku like the imposter claimed."
Shikamaru smiled a little, "Well, at least your safe, what of the imposter?"
"She said they finished a powerful Shinobi tool, and Hyma is to deliver it to Orichimaru," said Hinata.
"Now that you mention it, I've heard the name Hyma shortly before I left sound," said Zaku.
"Why didn't you mention this earlier?" said Shikimaru irritated, "We could have saved time and sent a message to leaf, saying that Orichimaru's henchmen were planning something here in cloud."
"Don't worry about it," Zaku laughed a little, "IT seemed of such little importance when Orichimaru mentioned it, it just didn't click immidiatly."
"Well, what did he say about it?" asked Shikamaru.
"Only that he was working on an Chakra powered armour that morphs to the form of its wearer, however it couldn't be used on a human, so I don't see much of a use for it," said Zaku.
"Than what could the armor be for?"Asked Shikamaru.
"S-s-summoned beasts," said Hinata.
"How do you know this Hinata?" asked Zaku.
"I-it was a SHinobi Item once possessed by the H-Hyuuga," said Hinata, "The scroll was stolen taken through a deal, however the Hyuuga believed that they were trading for another scroll from cloud, however a member of the G-Giro Clan had orcastrated the whole thing, killed the Hyuuga member who was their with the scroll and rand off. Wh-when Cloud had heard about it, they tried to capture the Giro Clan, however they escaped."
"So, after all this time they finally finished the thing," Shikimaru sighed, "Lets just hope when we get to them they don't have a summon."
"Wait, we're actually going in?" asked Zaku, "I thought you'd do the smart thing and send a message to leaf."
"Usually, but if its finished there is no way we'll be able to get the message to Kohona in time, Orichimaru will already have the Item, its our duty to stop him now," said Shikimaru.
"Th-there's something else," said Hinata bowing her head down, "Before I ran into the Fake Shikamaru, I saw Neji."
"Did he see you too?!" Said Shikamaru said.
"No, he didn't, though he is probably here for the same thing we are," Replied Hinata again, almost afraid to meat back up with her cousin.
"Damn it," Shikamaru cursed, "This just got a lot more difficult, "Now we need to find where he is, and we don't have much time."
"H-h-he's in an old clan house to the east," said Hinata.
"Well, since we have a location lets get moving," said Shikamaru, "How troublesome," he nodded as they took off towards the east.
They arrived at the front door of the mansion. Hinata activated her Byakuugen, but saw no gaurds. They proceeded with Shikamaru in the middle, Zaku taking the Rear, and Hinata leading. They traversed the hallways and rooms without trouble, though Hinata quickly stopped as she peered through the door with her eyes. On the other side stood Hyuuga Neji, his Byakuugan flaring and a smirk on his face. Hinata calmly opened the door and stepped into the room. Both Shikamaru and Zaku readied for a fight, however Hinata shook her head.
"L-listen Shikamaru, Hyma is about to run out, he is packing his scroll now. Please take Zaku and stop him, I will stall Neji here and give you a chance to get the scroll and defeat Hyma," he replied.
"A lright," smiled Zaku as he grabbed Shikamaru by the arm and ran.
"What are you doing!?" said Shikamaru.
"Look, we have to catch this guy, we have to trust Hinata to Stall Neji until we get back.
"How Troublesome," Shikamaru replied. He knew Hinata just wanted to prove her worth to everyone, including herself, but to face Neji alone? No one here could do that and win. They needed to hurry, so he and Zaku burst through the door at the other side of the room.
Standing there was a man with no hair, and a scrawny build wearing a black robe, "So I see you have found me out then?" he said smiling, "I'm afraid I can't let you interfere with me. I will get this to Orichimaru, and with it join the sound village."
"Don't think I can let you do that," said Shikamaru smiling. Suddenly Hyma found his body frozen, unable to move.
"So this is the fabled Shadow Bind?" he said smiling, "However I hear it can be overpowered by shear Chakra, correct?"
Shikamaru cringed slightly. He was right, so now his only choice was to use his new technique, "Shadow Lock Justu!" and then the Shadow of Shikimaru sprung up and completely bound Hyma. Shikamaru moved as Hyma remained locked in place.
"Lets finish this then," smiled Zaku, pointing his tunnels at Hyma.
"Don't," said Shikimaru, "while effective, this Jutsu works like my shadow bind in that if he is hurt, I'm hurt the same way. Lets get the armor and help Hinata, that way we'll have time to save her and to stop him if we make a tactical retreat."
"Fine by me," Zaku smiled, pointing his hands down, "I was hoping for a chance to show Orichimaru my strength though."
"How troublesome," Shikamaru said walking over to the table, seeing a peace of metal with some Kanji carved into it. Next to it was a scroll depicting a similar picture, "This is it? Lets just get out of hear," with that Shikamaru put it in his pocket as he and Zaku ran back to Hinata, hoping to make it in time to protect her from Neji.
The two Hyuuga faced off against each other, ready to fight. Hinata charged in first, throwing an open palmed strike at Neji's shoulder. Neji simply backflipped, delivering a kick to Hinata's chin. She flipped back landing on her feet.
"You know this will turn out like the tournament Hinata," said Neji, almost looking regretful.
"I'm not here to fight for a win," replied Hinata, "I only need to hold you for a brief time."
"I'm sorry Hinata, but Master Itachi has asked me to retrieve this tool so Orichimaru couldn't use it," replied Neji, "and even though I no longer wish to hurt you, I will get the Summon Armor."
"I'm sorry too Neji, but we can't let you do that," and with that Hinata charged again, only this time she twisted right as she neared, and before Neji could Counterstrike a large amount of Chakra came off of Hinata's body, and she spun creating a barrier of energy, blowing Neji Back.
"So," Neji smiled standing up, "You've learned the Kaitan. However you lack control of it now, and until you learn it, it will simply only waste your Chakra, as you expelled far to much there."
Hinata cringed. That was the first time she actually tried it, and she felt the Chakra drained from her. She had a new found view on Neji's ability. To be able to create that field as much as he does without weakening would take a Jounin level of mastery over the skill. She quickly got back into her fighting stance as Neji charged in.
She dodged to the right as Neji's fingers came at her, however Neji brought up his knee, striking Hinata hard in the gut. Even though Hinata saw the attack coming, her Chakra was so low from the Kaiton, and because of which she took the blow full on.
"I told you," Neji said backing up, "only a Master of Kaiton can use that move effectively, not even I have gotten as good as Hiashi was, but soon I shall show the whole clan my power. I am sorry Hinata but I cannot allow you to progress. This is the end of you, Hinata-sama," Though as Neji charged, his body froze solid.
"Shadow Bind a sucsess," smiled Shikimaru.
"But how!?" Replied a stunned Neji. Shikamaru turned Slightly, and saw a little string with a bit of glue and a small pebble were atached to his back, "So, you knew about the blind spot?" asked Neji.
"Hinata told me about it on the trip through the Mansion. It was simple to attack that to you back, thankfully the people who abandonded this mansion were kind enough to leave behind some glue for us to use.
"What do you expect to accomplish here?" asked Neji, "I can simple Destroy your Chakra with my Jyuuken."
"Simple, since its attached directly from me, you would need to destroy continuously until my Chakra is depleded, as a can swiftly replenished the destroyed Chakra in my Shadow so long as I keep sending in my own. By the time you escape, you won't have the Chakra to fend off Zaku or Hyma, leaving retreat your only option."
"Why not have Zaku finish me off?" asked Neji, slightly confused.
"Isn't it obvious?" asked Shikimaru, "He is the only one left of us who could fend of Hyma, making time for an escape. We can't afford to waste the energy on you," replied Shikamaru.
"Your mind never ceased to amaze me Shikamaru," Neji replied impressed, "it will be most interesting when we will meet again in the future," as he said that his and Shikamaru's Chakra was almost depleted, and he quickly made his escape. As he retreated Hyma walked through the door.
"So, defeat Zaku, and I get my armor back? Simple," Hyma said.
"Don't think it will be that easy," smiled Zaku, "Don't think you know my power."
"The power of a Pawn who betrayed the king?" laughed Hyma, "don't make me laugh. A pawn like you will never know the power of the real pieces, now lets begin," with that Hyma jumped through the roof, followed by Zaku.
The two now stood atop the roof in the bright sunlight. Though by the time Zaku had landed Hyma had already finished his hand seals, "Gravity Field Jutsu!" he cried out. A large Aura erupted from his and Zaku suddenly felt like he weighed 10 times his normal weight, "My Gravity field Magnifies the Gravity in the Area by 10, thus making it Difficult to move. However, before this fight began I used my Feather weight Jutsu, making me weigh extremely less withought loosing my strength, thus negating the effects of the Gravity field."
"Great Plan," smiled Zaku as he held up his hands, standing only one foot away from Hyma, "Too bad sound and air are hardly effected, Ultimate Air Slicing Current!" cried Zaku, a blast radiating from the tunnels in his Arms. Hyma flew back a ways, taking his field with him and pulling it off Zaku. Hyma stood up at the opposite end of the house smiling, "So, even with my Gravity field I can't get close to you, but you specilize in range Combat don't you?" he smiled, "It seems my main strategy is highly ineffective against you, isn't it pawn?"
"Shut up!" yelled Zaku, "I will never again be anyones Pawn! Air Slicing Blast!" Cried out Zaku, firing off a blast from one of his tunnels.
"Gravity Distortion Barrier!" Said Hyma, the gravity in front of him became Highly Irregular, the pieces of Roof moving around, taking the blast.
"Give it up Zaku, even at this range my Gravity Jutsu will Crush you, Gravity Well!" a black Ball shot from Hyma's hand. While Zaku avoided it easily, he felt a powerful force tug on him, and he turned to see the orb suspended itself in mid Air, and pulled everything in the surrounding area into its center, "You cannot escape my Gravity Well!" Hyma laughed, "Tell me what you plan to do now pawn."
"I told you to stop calling me a Pawn!" yelled Zaku, "Air Propulsion Jutsu!" and with the seals Zaku preformed he pointed his hands away from Hyma and a powerful blast of air errupted from his tunnels, sending him flying at Hyma.
Hyma looked on in shock as Zaku flew at him and placed his hand on Hyma's right Shoulder, "It's over Hyma, Air Slicing Blast!" and the point plank force of the strike blew off Hyma's shoulder and Arm. Zaku landed on the ground then turned to see Hyma. Zaku was caught off gaurd when he saw Hyma laughing.
"It's funny, isn't it? That me, a Jounin, would be defeated by a mere pawn that disobeyed his master. Was Orichimaru mistaken in discarding you?" asked Hyma.
"Of course he was," Smiled Zaku, "Rest well Hyma, Air slicing Blast," Zaku said firing one last blast at Hyma, and then watched his body fall limp.
"Excelent work," Came a voice from behind Zaku. He spun around seeing an ANBU tracker.
"If you were here the whole time why didn't you help!?" yelled Zaku.
The man laughed a little, "You seemed to be doing fine on your own, plus no one here could fight Giro Hyma effectively, however your attacks were unnaffected by him. It seemed best to let you handle it."
"Whatever," Zaku said, "Does this mean we get reward now."
"Of course," the Shinobi Laughed, hand him a pouch of money, "I'll be sure to tell the Kage of the three Leaf Ninja Abumi Zaku, Hyuuga Hinata, and Nara Shikamaru."
"I take it you've bee nfollowing us since we entered Cloud country then?" asked Zaku.
"Of course, it is my job after all," the man laughed, "You'd best get going then, I'll finish the rest for you."
"See ya," said Zaku, jumping off the roof and meeting with his team mates.
"I take it you won?" asked Shikamaru.
Zaku handed him a pouch, "An ANBU showed up and gave me the reward, lets get out of here now."
"G-g-good Job Zaku," said Hinata.
"Lets rest at the Inn and leave in the morning," Shikamaru said. They all nodded and went to sleep for the night.
That Night, Hinata again found herself on the roof of an Inn. And for the second Time Zaku had sat down next too her. However Hinata was the first one to speak this time, "I-I am here for N-N-Naruto," she said turning red.
"You mean that blonde bumbling idiot?" Laughed Naruto.
"I-It's not funny!" Hinata yelled, but quickly ducked her head down, "S-S-sorry for snapping."
"Don't sweat it," he laughed a little.
"I-I want to become stronger. I-if maybe I can Change, even just a little, I might be able to possibly catch his eye, b-b-become someone worth his attention," she said, embarassed she just told this to Zaku.
"How much do you need to change?" asked Zaku, "Your already determined, sweet, and while not the strongest Ninja you definately seem to be growing. What more would you need?"
Hinata smiled, "W-w-well, I'm still shy, and while I have been able to stand up for myself occasionally, I-I would still like too work on that."
"At least you have good reason for being here," smiled Zaku, "And I did say I'd tell you when you told me. I said I was hear to prove something. Well back in the Forest of Death, when I still fought for Orichimaru. We were instructed to kill Sasuke, but found out Orichimaru had already given him the seal. And since Sasuke survived the Seal, it would seam that Orichimaru had used us as pathetic pawns to test Sasuke's power under the seal. I want to prove to Orichimaru that I'm not some week pawn to be used like that."
The two decided it was best to get to sleep early and find a new destination to improve their skills. The smiled to eachother and returned to their rooms.
By the time this is posted when I get connected I might have some more coming right along. Again I apologize for the delay, again.