Fates Web

Chapter Seven: Potential

Author Notes: Hello everyone and happy Friday. I worked especially hard to get this chapter out for the weekend, so, please read and enjoy.

III = Interlude/ character perspective switch.

Bold text = Inner voice/ something important speaking.

There will be no crossovers, or characters from other shows.

Hinata lowered herself on a web and softly landed in front of the Tsuchikage's desk. Onoki looked up from his paperwork, and with a heavy sigh he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Four Anbu appeared around her with swords held to her vitals.

"Dammit Hinata! A little more warning next time."

Hinata just shrugged. "You called?"

Onoki glared at the little upstart, "Usually people take the door. To add on that how did you get in here?"

Hinata blinked and faced away with a whistle ,"I dunno."

The elder man just rubbed his face and leaned back into his hair. The Tsuchikage snapped his fingers and the Anbu surrounding her vanished.

"Hinata, take a seat."

"Ok."

The elderly man pulled out a drawer and tapped a red button. Arcane seals lit up and Hinata followed the squiggly lines that covered the entire room, "There, now we have some privacy. I have several complaints about you and your actions today."

'I bet you do.' Hinata recalled what this could be about, "And what would those be?"

The Tsuchikage sifted through some papers. "Let's see...Says here you killed two Shinobi and threatened bodily harm to several bystanders... in addition to eating them in front of said bystanders."

"My spider summons overheard those two conspiring to sell village secrets. I did the right thing and terminated the threat." Hinata's lavender eyes began glowing softly under her hood.

"Correct, and the only reason you're not rotting in a cell is because those spiders conveniently found a stash of incriminating letters under their floorboards."

"Exactly!"

"Indeed...Anyway, just tell me what happened."

"...It happened like this."

Flashback

Hinata sleuthed through the dark night. Intermittent lamp posts illuminated the streets in flickering lights, like fireflies under a starry sky.

Her target walked at a brisk pace down the dark city streets. He nervously glanced at the corners of his vision. 'Thump, Thump, Thump' The man's heart began beating faster as it sensed the presence of an apex predator', Hinata licked her lips.

It was time to eat.

The sturdy built man entered a warehouse located in the industrial sector of the village and only the occasional late night jogger or night worker graced these streets. The man entered the building and she could sense his heart slow down. The human thought he was safe inside his metal can.

How foolish.

Small wolf spiders crawled through the cracks and spaces of the warehouse. Moving onto the roof Hinata pressed herself against the thin metal exterior, and listened.

"I swear someone is following me!" Said a frantic voice she recognized as belonging to her target.

A second voice angrily spoke, "You idiot. What do you think will happen if those Iwa nin catch us? If you blow our cover Lord Mizukage will kill us, don't you get that?!"

'So these are Kirigakure spies', Her breath hitched and eyes dilated, "I wonder how a Kiri man tastes?"

The two men were talking when the wall exploded and a horde of monster spiders flew inside.

"HOLY SHIT!"

Hundreds of wolf spiders covered the screaming men and Hinata held out a leg, now disconnected from its owner, like a drumstick.

She savored the flavor bursting in her mouth, "Tastes like Calamari"

Not so far away a few late night workers ran way screaming.

"Ooops."

Flashback End

"And that's how it went down."

"Why were you so hell-bent on eating them?" Onoki asked.

"Do you really have to ask that question?"

"…You know what, forget it." The elderly Kage threw his hands in the air, "I hope your happy about giving me a week's worth of paperwork to deal with."

"Sorry."

"...Just go."

Hinata nodded and turned to leave, but then looked at Onoki over her shoulder with a sly smile, "If you ever need someone to do some messy cleanup give me a summons."

The Tsuchikage only had one thought running through his mind at that time, 'Why did I ever let her join my village?'

Hinata strolled down the village streets with a scorching smirk.

Hinata registered the curious eyes of the villagers that followed her hidden figure. Some Shinobi who by luck or skill could see through the shadows of her hood, gasped and stood in awe of her exotic features and skin.

It was then that a certain insect decided to make itself known.

"Kurotsuchi" Hinata turned around to face her smiling teammate.

"Why are you here?"

The cocky girl laughed, "I'm looking for a sparring partner. Don't say you heard it from me, but rumor has it there might be a big mission on the table soon, and I want to be in top shape for it."

She was in the middle of shopping. This really couldn't wait? Hinata scowled, "Where are we doing this?"

"You know I always hang out in the Dune Desert. It's north of here."

"Yes, how could I ever forget?" Hinata said sarcastically.

Sometime later they appeared in training ground 77, or more well known as the Dune Desert. The training ground was a rocky desert that stretched for over thirty miles in all directions and was mostly mountainous terrain with large rock dunes.

"Let's get this over with", Hinata took off her cloak and allowed her tentacles to stretch out. The sun glinted off her black chitin.

Kurotsuchi laughed, "You're good but I have mastered three nature transformations and even combined two to create Lava Release. Don't run home to mommy when I beat you black and blue."

Lilac eyes turned baleful, "Is that so?" A dangerous tone entered her voice.

Kurotsuchi's cocky smirk faltered for a minute, then it returned and she began going through hand signs.

"Let's do this! 'Earth Release: Golem Technique.'"

A Golem standing ten feet in height crawled from the ground and roared.

"That is indeed impressive."

Hinata jumped to her left as a stone fist impacted the ground and almost turned her into a purple splat against the earth.

Two webs shot from her wrist and Hinata jumped in a mid air cork screw behind the Golems. Head.

"This is fun." Hinata grabbed the Golem by the head and with a wrench she twisted it's head off.

Kurotsuchi still standing in her previous position gave a whistle. "That must have taken inhuman strength. I didn't even sense you using chakra to enhance your muscles. Are you sure you aren't a Senju?"

The thought of her being a Senju was as ridiculous as it was hilarious.

"Sorry Little Kuro, but I'm just a little icky bitty spider." She sing songed.

'That should do it.'

Kurotsuchi's eyes bulged as the girl shook in fury. "You dare mock me."

"Yep."

"Lava Release: Quicklime Jutsu."

A grayish white fluid spewed from the Kunoichi's mouth. Hinata shot a web towards a large dune and let it pull her to safety. The quicklime landed at Hinata's previous destination and melted the ground until a large circular crater was left in its place.

Hinata seeing this gasped, "That could have killed me!"

Kurotsuchi cackled, "Serves you right, bitch." The Kunoichi wasn't slow on her offense, "Earth Release: Rock Clone Jutsu."

A dozen Kurotsuchi clones rose from the rocks surrounding them and peered at Hinata with confident smirks and nasty glares that promised pain.

Hinata slipped into a Taijutsu stance that she had created herself. It combined two different styles that Elise had taught her to make the perfect style.

The first style was called the Gentle fist style, which focused on defense and countering. The main purpose of the style was to close the user's tenketsu, or chakra nodes. Chakra was channeled through tenketsu to use jutsu and when closed could render the limb unusable. The Gentle Fist could was very rigid and most users proficient in this style were born with an earth affinity.

The second style was called the Spider style. This style is extremely offensive and relies on fast strikes that utilize aerobatics and a naturally agile body. For a spider like herself with a body that utilized hydraulics instead of a blood pressure system, she was naturally faster and stronger than any ordinary human. With her eight limbs she could leap higher and faster than any mammal had a right to be. This translated to a blitzkrieg taijutsu style that relied on pure offense.

Hinata, with help from her mother, had combined the best of these two styles to create the WidowMaker Style. The style she had created was savagely brutal in violence. With an emphasis on Ripping and Tearing her foes apart it used positioning, speed, and precision to strike opponents with an unrelenting fury. When in human form she had access to eight limbs in the form of four bladed tentacles, two spear tipped legs, and two claws that could cut through solid rock like butter. It's defense wasn't anything to joke about either. Utilizing the gentle fists ability to deflect weapons with chakra tipped fingers, Hinata could deflect wind or lightning charged weaponry with only her hands. The WidowMaker style had its faults. If faced with an enemy she needed to take alive she just might end up accidentally killing them instead.

By combining both styles Hinata had gained a fearsome style that would make her a nightmare to go against without a weapon.

Hinata used her extra limbs to latch on to a rock wall covering a dune, and launch herself at a near imperceptible speed. The rock clone couldn't even track the Spider girl as an armored fist blew apart it's head in a dusty spray.

Kurotsuchi glowered at her dead clone. 'I can't even track her when she leaps like that.' The Iwa girl watched Hinata stop, and leap off another rock wall. She noticed the pale eyed girl needed to momentarily stop each time she landed. This could be her way to winning this not so friendly spar.

Hinata huffed as she destroyed another clone and prepared to once again leap off a dune. Suddenly large chains formed from the rock underneath her, and grabbed hold of her tentacles and legs.

"What?!"

She turned her head to find a grinning Kurotsuchi standing a small distance away. The girl held her hands together in a binding seal.

"Earth Release: Binding chains" She said smugly.

Hinata tensed her muscles and tried pulling against the chains. 'Clank' The chains held fast. 'Well that didn't work.' It seemed her teammate was more skilled then she gave her credit for.

She leveled her gaze to her teammate, "It looks like you got me."

"That's not all."

"Earth Release: Dropping Lid" A large boar shaped lid formed in the air above Hinata and dropped down, trapping her inside.

The black haired girl panted in exhaustion. She had used over half her chakra just now, but it was all worth it now that she had trapped her snooty teammate. She walked over to the earthen prison with her few remaining clones.

Kurotsuchi couldn't help it, she laughed, "Not so brave now huh? I win Hinata."

Deep inside the fifteen foot thick rock prison, Hinata stood with arms and legs splayed open. Dozens of stone chains locked her limbs in uncomfortable positions and kept her from taking advantage of her monstrous strength.

Red and Lavender orbs scanned it's prison with not frustration like one would expect of someone trapped, but entertainment.

"Oh Kurotsuchi, You think this is the peak of my physical prowess? I think It's time I started using chakra."

Hinata allowed her dark purple chakra to trickle down from her core and flow through her veins. With a miniscule movement she snapped the large chains holding her.

Outside the dome the laughing short haired girl cut herself off as a spike of chakra appeared inside the stone prison.

"No way?" She whispered.

The stone structure exploded in a blast wave that sent the Tsuchikage's granddaughter hurling dozens of feet. The rattled girl failed to get to her feet as the ground tremored as if an earthquake was shaking the land.

Hinata walked through a cloud of dust and falling pebbles to find a pale and shaken girl.

"I hope you don't think I'm actually a Senju?" She said amused.

"H-how?" Kurotsuchi asked.

Hinata held up a finger to her chin, "Did you know an ant can lift one hundred times its own weight?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" The girl snapped.

Hinata sighed, "Well if you let me finish." The girl glowered but stayed quiet.

Hinata suppressed a cocky grin, "As I was saying. My clan has inherited traits of spiders you could say, and while we are not as strong as an ant we are much stronger than a normal human."

Black eyes popped open in realization, "That's it! You have a natural strength advantage over regular humans. Chakra boosts a person's base muscle strength. You must have strength of ten shinobi put together."

"Yes, it's not as impressive as the Sannin Tsunade, but it's more than enough to overpower anyone beside an elite jounin like your father."

"I...give up." The defeated Kunoichi slumped over.

"Hey now" Dainty hands encircled the girl in a hug. Hinata squeezed the crestfallen girl gently, "It's ok to lose once in awhile."

Kurotsuchi glanced at the sympathetic Hyuuga. "I guess."

Hinata smiled. She knew the Iwa girl's pride would take a long time to recover after getting beaten so effortlessly.

Letting go of the Kunoichi, Hinata donned her cloak and made to leave. She turned to face the beaten girl, "I'm heading over to this Pocky Shop. Want in?"

Kurotsuchi looked down at her beaten form and scoffed, "If you're paying."

Purple lips curved upwards.

III

The next week Team Kitsuchi stood in front of the Tsuchikage.

Kurotsuchi gave a cheeky grin, "Team Kitsuchi reporting another D-rank mission successful."

"Good" The elderly man looked through his paperwork, "Hm, It seems you have completed over twenty D-ranked this week. Perhaps it is about time I assigned your team a C-rank."

The Genin perked up. Akatsuchi cheered, "No more D-ranks, finally."

Kurotsuchi bonked her brother on the head, "You idiot, don't disrespect the leader of our village like that."

Hinata remained tight lipped but her eyes shined with amusement at her portly teammates antics.

Onoki massaged his forehead, "Kids these days." The Kage spotted a scroll and opened it. The man's eyes quickly scanned over the contents and he closed it with an exaggerated sigh.

"Pack up kids, you're heading out for a long journey."

"Where are we headed Father?" Asked their Jounin-Sensei.

Onoki seemed all the years of his age, "You are heading to..."

Naruto crouched lowly as he quietly watched his target drink some of the stream water. Naruto fiddled with the small microphone that was attached to him, "Target Oni has been located."

Kakashi's voice came over the radio transmitter after a minute, "Engage and Capture on your command. Dai and Sasuke, are you in position?"

"Ready and waiting." Came Dai's hyped voice.

"Quiet down!"

Naruto winched as the Uchiha yelled through the radio. If Sasuke was cranky it usually meant he was long ready by now.

"On your order Naruto."

Naruto clenched his teeth when the target suddenly matched sights with him, "Target is aware! I repeat target is aware! Take it down!"

"I'm going in!"

"Dobe if my outfit gets ruined beca-."

Naruto jumped down and attacked.

The target sprinted away and dodged every tackle and grab Sasuke and Dai fired.

Finally, after many tears and blood were shed Sasuke had managed to get the little monster in a hold. Sasuke held out the brown cat with a red bowtie on its right ear.

The last Uchiha smirked, "Target acquired."

Minutes later the exhausted team seven entered the Hokage tower and presented the cat to the client.

Naruto winched as the troublesome cat was smothered in the hugs and kisses of its owner, Madam Shijimi. After the grateful wife of the daimyo gave the team their pay, they went upstairs to get their next mission from the Hokage.

Team Kakashi walked through the doors of the missions office and stood in front of their old sensei, Iruka, and the third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. The latter looked at them and smiled, his eyes twinkling in mirth, "My, already done with the Tora retrieval mission? That must have set a record. Let me check ... I might still have some D-Ranks fo-"

"NO!"

The whole room turned, and to everyone's surprise it was Sasuke who had spoken out. Sasuke scowled, "Enough D-ranks. I want a C-rank mission. I'm tired of cutting lawns and babysitting kids. I need to become stronger so I can get my revenge!"

Naruto and Dai stood off to the side silently, but agreed with Sasuke in their minds.

A vein bulged on Iruka's head, "You brat! Show some respect for your el-" But he was cut off by the Sandaime chuckling.

"Very Well. Let me see what I can find."

Sasuke exhaled and his muscles relaxed. As long as he could get stronger he was happy.

The old Sarutobi scoured through a stack of scrolls, "I do have a low C-Rank mission left. Kakashi, do you think they can handle it?"

Kakashi rubbed the back of his head and hummed, feeling his students begging eyes on him, "Well... They are somewhat arrogant..."

Their heads tilted down.

Kakashi eye smiled, "But..."

Naruto looked up with hopeful eyes.

"I think they can Hokage-sama, they're more than ready." He finished with his usual drawl, and the three Genin sighed in relief.

Hiruzen nodded once, the kindly smile still on his face, "Alright, your mission is to protect a bridge builder as you escort him to his home in the Land of Waves. It'll take many hours to travel to the Land of Waves since you will be escorting him, so pack accordingly."

The group nodded in unison. Naruto shared a foxy smile with Dai and the two bumped fists. Sasuke leaned against the wall seeming less broody than normal.

The Hokage gave them a reassuring nod, "Alright, time for you to meet who you'll be escorting. Come in!"

The door opened to reveal an aging man in his fifties who wore a straw hat and reeked of alcohol and dried sweat. Naruto retched as the man's body odor assaulted his enhanced nose.

The elder Kage peered at the puking Uzumaki with amusement, "This is Tazuna. You are to protect him at all costs."

Tazuna laughed, "What's the deal? These are the ones who are supposed to guard me?" The man pointed at Naruto, "This kid looks like he just got done being potty trained."

Dai near fell over and began laughing, Sasuke just smirked and Kakashi continued reading his orange book.

"Hey! I'm gonna be Hokage one day, you old geezer! So you better respect me!"

"As if an idiot like you could become Hokage!" Tazuna pointed a finger in Naruto's face mockingly and the latter's face flushed with anger as he rushed forward with his fist reared back.

Naruto was almost upon the old man when Kakashi grabbed the back of his collar and dragged him back nonchalantly, "Our job is to protect him, not trying to kill him."

Naruto just fumed silently and stood next to his teammates as the Hokage quieted them down, "Enough, your mission starts tomorrow morning at ten AM sharp. Do not be late." Hiruzen gave them a serious look, but an especially fierce one at their resident scarecrow, "Dismissed."

The group went their separate ways and Naruto bid them farewell. He would need to restock well if he wanted to cruise through this mission comfortably.