They had travel unabated for two days now but they did have company. Hinata had realized whoever they were had knowledge of the Byakugan, they sat at the edge of the average limits of the byakugans sights and were unavoidable sticking to it.
All of her team had picked up on their shadow companions and during a rest period had approached Shikamaru and Kakashi with the news.
All 5 had discussed it and it was decided that until they approached they would keep all party members aware and alert.
This allowed for a quick response when the 20 nin decided to make their move and encroach on the group.
Shino signaled Shikamaru while Kiba and Hinata dropped back and Naruto and Sakura took up prime positions on either side of Sasuke and company.
Sasuke already had the tomoe spinning as everyone took their positions and pull his Katana from its sheath. Jugo was loosening his limbs while Suigetsu smiled with sword in hand, he was aware of the numbers and the lust of battle had him dribbling at the thought.
Then they were there, 20 nin with lightning hitae's on which had Shikamarus mind moving like clockwork. They were completely engaged by `that point and he was busy handling a nin that approached him with a scythe.
Everywhere was chaos with Naruto, Sasuke and Kekashi quickly dispatching the individuals they faced. Sakura was making the earth quake as she struggled to pin the nin she was facing who had what appeared to be a jagged edged blade while Shino had a sprawling black mass enveloping his combatant.
Kiba and Akumaru had crushed theirs and were snarling toward the nin who lay still amongst the crumbled earth and waited for a response and Suigetsu was back to back with the silent giant and both had gained the upperhand.
Once they had time the males of the group turned their attention to their surroundings and found none of the enemy nin had time to approach them as they had surrounded Hinata. Four nin were down but nine were still wearily circling the Hyuuga who had a cut above her eye.
She was in her juukken stance and her hands seemed to glow and her veins were raised to indicate the byakugan was active.
Her breathing was even and she knew what to do and had decided to begin the motions when she saw a flicker on her left and a movement on her right. Both Naruto and Sasuke had reacted to the situation without a thought as Shino appeared before Sasuke and Kiiba before Naruto .
Sasuke glared at the quiet shinobi before him while Naruto yelled at Kiba to move. Neither of the team 8 members moved, Shino said unfazed for him too move back while Kiba forcibly calmed Naruto with a grab of his arm and said you need to move.
Within a matter of moments a bright light seemed to emit from the Hyuugas position and that was when both Sasuke and Naruto found themselves dragged away.
When the dust cleared a panting Hyuuga was left standing with the earth around her pushed and indented while splatters of blood and gore forming a think ring encompassing her position.
Sensing no more enemies present she released her byakugan and inhaled seeking slow her rapidly beating heart and ignore the metallic smell that consumed her.
Looking at the carnage she almost faltered, she had never used the technique on live individuals with the added adrenaline of battle. Pieces of limbs were still distinguishable as she steadied her breathing and stood straight.
Looking to her companions she saw mixed expressions, Sakura looked on gaping at the mouth, Kakashi and shikamaru were eyeing her critical but with something akin to respect, Kiba was smiling while Shino was hidden behind his glasses.
Noone save the team eight squad were aware of the new techniques Hinata had developed since the meeting with Pein, she had struggled to create two complete techniques in order to become the shinobi she always wished to be. This one had now been proven in active duty.
Suigetsu had a smug grin that seemed to salivate in her direction while Jugo looked on with a blankly. Naruto appeared stunned with his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water while Sasuke was stilled but expressionless save a glint to his eyes that Hinata couldn't decipher.
Everyones attention focused on her caused her to raised her hands, nearly reverting to the childhood habit of twidling her thumbs in anxiousness before returning them to her side and looking to Shikamaru "It would appear that no more enemies are within range Shikamaru-kun, shall we move out?".
Kiba chuckled at her while Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and looked to Kakashi who shrugged in response.
Naruto was still opening his mouth like a fish out of water when Shikamaru instructed him to gather the nin he knocked unconscious while Shino instructed his bugs to cocoon two others that were unconscious aswell, the 3 lightning ninja were to be handed over to Inoichi and Ibiki for interrogation.
With their bounty gathered the nin reformed with Shikamaru looking to each member. "Our formation will change, Hinata, you travel next to the Uchiha, Kiba take up her position at the front, Kakashi san, fill his place at the rear. With a nod at those changing places he took to the trees and everyone present followed.
Once again on the move Suigetsu chose to speak "Ne bright eyes, if I told you I thought you were pretty but after seeing your moves thought I'm in love would you think about going out with me yeah?". He smiled as he travelled alongside her when he heard a growl from up ahead.
The Inuzuka spared a glare with one eye over his shoulder when Suigetsu caught sight of a bug moving on his forearm.
The Hyuuga had tensed and seemed to grow red in the cheeks when Sasuke spoke up. "Baka, if you want to fore fit your life you should have let it go to the shinobi we just faced" at this Hinata leaped ahead of the two males being careful to stay in the parameters of their formation.
Suigetsu smugly replied to the Uchiha "if you wanted her you should have spoken up" and faltered in his leaps as he saw the tomoe spinning. "Both dog and bug boy have given you a warning, my suggestion is you take it" and with a grunt he leaped further ahead to keep pace with Hinata.
Suigetsu was joined by Jugo who looked to the leader of the former group hebi when Suigetsu began mumbling "stupid teme, could just SAY I really like her and would appreciate you keep your hands off…". Jugo decided it was time to intervene "he wasn't joking when he spoke of the two Male nins.
Suigetsu looked unamused "pfft you and I both saw his sharingan and I don't see any reason why he would use it and the only other thing that sets it off is anger, what has he got to be angered about when two useless nin wanna start threatening me".
Jugo gave a nod "true but before you go shooting people down can I suggest something" "yea what" "don't let them hear you".
Before he could respond Suigetsu suddenly cried out as he noticed the bugs covering him quickly. The Inuzuka was chuckling to himself while Hinata hid a giggle and Suigetsu released a most feminine screech.
Shikumaru looked back at the disturbance and cocked an eyebrow calling out " Shino". Everyone in the group had stopped while the light haired shinobi rolled on the ground while squealing and shouting about bugs. Shino looked to Shikumaru expectantly when he submitted with a resigned "fine".
Raising his arms he effectively recalled his bugs while Suigetsu stood swiping at an invisible threat muttering "bugs" over and over.
Hinata and Kiba were still laughing at their comrades actions before Kakashi cleared his throat in a sign to get going again while Sasuke looked slightly miffed possibly due to embarrassment of association.
Naruto laughed out loud while pointing at the sword wielding ninja, Sakura had a smile that was lost when she looked to Hinata and Jugo had a bored expression.
Moving again Suigetsu had developed a twitch while swatting the air and muttering under his breath about "creepy" somethings and "stupid bugs".
Jugo sighed as he travelled along beside him and gave a sigh before mentioning "That was what he was warning you about".
Suigestu took a slouched stance before muttering "stupid freak what do I gotta be scared of" when he heard the bug nins voice whisper to him "The ninja of the hidden leaf".
Shino adjusted his glasses when Suigetsu turned to glance over his shoulder, he could swear he saw a smile and shuddered.
Muttering quieter he kept repeating "creepy teme" but moved on at the regulated pace. He thought about the Leaf village and shuddered again thinking to himself "Kami please, if there was ever a favour I could ask then please don't let the village be filled with these creepy freaks.
Shikumaru spoke to the group "we will reach the village in two days, no more stops, we have cargo to deliver and Kages awaiting our arrival, understood".
He heard everyone present "Hai" and nodded to himself before thinking "at least it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
The four wildcards hadn't played difficult hands though one still managed throw a spanner in the works without even lifting a finger. Shrugging it of he ended his trail of thought with a simple smirk and one word "troublesome".