If You Seek Hinata

Another cold morning with no trace of her whereabouts. Things had gone out of hand: they were tired of waiting for Hinata. Tsunade had gathered Team Kurenai and Neji in her office. There was something about the cold wind that suggested dangerous moments were close at hand. Hinata had been gone for two weeks, although it felt like she had been gone for months. Neji took Hinata's unexplained disappearance badly. To the point he wanted to stop his missions just to find Hinata. Kiba and Shino had been getting the rough end of the stick by Neji for days. They couldn't think of a reason why Hinata would disappear and they were beginning to suspect a potential kidnapping.

One everyone had gathered round the table, Tsunade shut the door as she observed their faces. Fear was the ultimate word to describe it. "I understand Kurenai that your team is missing one member," Tsunade said. She raised her eye brow and sat down on her chair.

"Yes," Kurenai replied. "Hinata Hyuga has been missing for two weeks. She was last seen in the village."

"Did anybody see her leave the village?" Tsunade asked.

"Naruto might know," Kiba replied. "The last time I saw Hinata she told me she was going to see Naruto and then go out for a walk."

"Did she say she walked by herself or with Naruto?"

"I'm not sure," Kiba mumbled.

"Why is it taking you over two weeks to find Hinata?" Tsunade snapped. She had a feeling that they were not looking hard enough, they could have found her by now.

"I'm not sure," Kiba repeated. "We've been looking all over the village for her."

"In that case, you must find Hinata," Tsunade declared. "No matter how long it takes... dead or alive. This will be your new mission. This is a C-rank mission."

"I want to join this mission too," Neji shouted. His voice trembled and his fist banged the table.

"I have already set your team a mission," Tsunade told Neji. "Which was to bring me gracidea flowers." The disappointment on Neji's face was undeniable. Tsunade could see that everyone in the room was staring at her, as if hoping for her to change her mind. She sighed and said, "if Hinata is still missing after you've completed your mission, then you may look for her... only if you pass."

Neji lifted his chin up, but only a little bit. "You will get those flowers," Neji promised Tsunade.

"I suggest that you and your team get going," Tsunade advised. Tsunade walked up to Neji, smiled at him and tried to assure him that Hinata would be found. "I know what I'm doing Neji and we will make the whole village look for her if necessary."

"Hold on a minute!" Kiba raised his hand. Neji stopped his movements and glared at Kiba. "I have an idea. Why don't our team and Team Guy work together to find Hinata and the flowers? That way we can complete two missions at once."

"I love the idea," Shino said.

"Have it your way," Tsunade sighed. "Just bring me those flowers and find Hinata!"

They all left the room in silence. The rest of Team Guy had been waiting outside. Tenten was the first to stand up.

"What did she say?" Tenten asked.

"We must find Hinata and the gracidea flowers," Neji announced.

"Where will we find these gracidea flowers?" Kiba asked.

"In Gracidea," Tenten replied. "Guy and I have been looking up on these flowers. Gracidea is in the Sinnoh in the montains. If we can find a way to Floaroma Town, it should be easy making our journey there."

"Easy?" Lee shrieked in horror. "It's miles way."

"It would take a week to Floaroma Town by foot," Tenten assured Lee. "If we take the train, it will take four hours."

"Why would you need transport?" Kurenai asked. "I know there are some portals that can take you to Sinnoh.

"Where are these portals?" Neji asked.

"Land Of Sea," Kurenai replied. "There is a whirlpool which will take us to the river in Floaroma Town, where we will find our gracidea flowers."

"We should start going now," Neji barked as he picked up his feet and pumped up his breath. The gang had decided there was no use trying to resist Neji's determination to seek Hinata.