Hinata of the White Lotus

Onwards

Hinata stopped outside the Hokage Tower.

She needed to take a moment to compose herself. Make a check-list of all the things that needed to be done. First and foremost, she needed to gather her team. Finding Kiba and Shino shouldn't be too difficult as they were likely with their clans and even if they weren't, their families would be able to send her in the right direction.

Naruto wouldn't be much more difficult to find, as she had used the Nichiren Byakugan to track him down once already. Since he was a reincarnate like her, his effect on the natural energy around him was easier to trace for her than most individuals.

After that, they were going to have to pack for a week's journey. It would take them nearly that long just to get there. No, they had to get there within that time in order to pluck the blooming flower on the night of a full moon. Once she had the flower, Hinata could make the remedy and then send it back ahead of them. The instructions on how to make it were also in the scroll left behind by a previous reincarnation.

The mission itself in theory didn't pose any risk of fighting enemy Shinobi. Yet one never knew what would happen out in the wild. So she had to prepare herself mentally for such possibilities as well.

This mission couldn't be allowed to fail.

Kurenai's life was on the line.

Hinata felt the full weight of that, only having it further exasperated now that she was a Chunin and expected to lead this mission to success.

It felt wrong to think that she was the one promoted to Chunin. She wasn't ready for this kind of responsibility. Of course, none of that changed what had to be done.

Hinata set out for the Inuzuka clan compound. It was the closest one to her current location. As she made her way through the village, she was reminded of why it was she had stayed huddled up in her room in the first place. It wasn't just the weight of her failure, but the attention she was now receiving.

It felt like every several hundred meters she was being called out to by some stranger or another. They praised her for her performance in the ring and congratulated her on her promotion, several of them going as far as thanking her for her contribution during the invasion, nevermind that she herself felt she hadn't really contributed all that much.

It was embarrassing for her. Hinata had spent her whole life trying to avoid the limelight. She didn't like standing out and no matter how much she tried to change herself, she didn't see herself coming to like the feeling of it either. In the first place, the desire to change had come from within her. It wasn't something she had ever really cared if others noticed or not, save for a select few individuals.

Fortunately for her, the Inuzuka compound hadn't been too far and she quickly made her way into the premises, doing her utmost not to outright sprint to avoid being spotted again. As she stepped inside the compound, she cleared her throat and announced her presence in the loudest voice she could muster. Which wasn't all that loud, but for the keen ears of the Inuzuka it didn't need to be.

"Hinata!" Kiba's big sister, Hana, was the one to greet her. At her heel were three Ninken, the three of them quiet and well-behaved. It stood in stark contrast to the boisterous Kiba and always yipping Akamaru, neither of which Hinata heard.

"I'm here to pick up Kiba-kun for a mission." Hinata said, but Hana didn't seem to hear her. Instead, like all the others, she was looking her up and down while inspecting the way the Chunin vest hung off her petite frame.

"Hmm, the vest suits you." Hana nodded in acknowledgment. "As does that look in your eye. Looks like you found your resolve." Unlike the others before now, Hana noticed the change also happening below the surface. "Kiba was worried about you. So he went to the Aburame compound to pick up Shino and I think they were both going together to check on you. You should be able to find them there."

"Ah, yes. Thank you." Hinata bowed, but hesitated before turning to leave. She couldn't afford to waste time and perhaps miss them on the way to get her. Yet it felt like there was something more she had to say to Hana.

"Take care of my stupid little brother." Hana called just before Hinata could find the words. Yet that remark gave her pause. Kiba and Shino's lives were in her hands on this mission. Not just Kurenai, but her teammates too. If anything happened on the field, it was her job to make sure they all made it home.

"I won't let anything happen to them." Hinata replied without even having to think about it. The resolve in her voice was enough to surprise even herself. Yet Hana let out a huff that sounded satisfied.

"We're the same rank now." Hana said, causing Hinata's eyes to trail down to the older woman's vest. It was the only thing she seemed to wear for a top, unlike Hinata who had her black shirt on underneath. "Who knows, in the future we might go out on missions together."

"Yes…" Hinata nodded slowly, the same realization just now dawning on her. "I would like for that to happen someday." And she meant it.

She was grateful for this meeting, brief though it was. Because it put something for her in perspective. Hinata had been so worried about being a Chunin because all her friends were still Genin… but it wasn't like she was alone. The vast majority of Konoha's forces consisted of Chunin, after all. It was obvious when you thought about it, but Hinata had been too caught up in her own troubles to see it that way until just now.

With that, Hinata once again set out. This time once more going back to her home.

It would seem this whole trip was going to bring her full circle. What had been a discovery only a couple hours ago in her own bedroom had seen her race to the Hokage tower only to once again come racing back.

This time she took the back streets of the village. It would take her a little longer this way, but she also ran into less people and managed to avoid being stopped by those wishing to congratulate her.

Her timing managed to be impeccable, the Hyuga compound coming into view with Kiba and Shino approaching it from the opposite end.

"Oh, Hinata!" Kiba jumped in the air, waving at her exaggeratedly as if there was some chance she could possibly miss him. Akamaru barked his own greeting from the hood of his jacket. Shino, in contrast, didn't say anything but she could see him nod his head in acknowledgment.

She jogged up to them, already preparing what it was she had to say. It felt like there was a mountain of information she had to catch them up on. They deserved to have all the information she did as well, though. Kurenai was their sensei too and she had no doubt they were just as anxious about her well-being.

"Kiba-kun. Shino-kun." Hinata greeted. The three of them stood directly in front of the door to the compound now. Yet she didn't invite them in, something they both seemed to notice, along with the seriousness in her tone. Even Akamaru appeared to take note of how serious she was, looking down at her from the top of Kiba's head.

"Congratulations on your promotion." Shino started the conversation for them. Kiba only seemed to realize it at that moment and parroted his own enthusiastic congratulations. It sounded like he was going to suggest they go out to celebrate when Shino uncharacteristically cut him off. "We have a mission then?" He asked.

"Yes." Hinata nodded, holding up the scroll for them both to see. "I found a way to save Kurenai-sensei. There's a flower that blooms on a volcanic island, but it's near the edge of the Land of Fire. We only have a week to get there before it blooms, but if we can make it in time then I can remedy a cure." There were a lot of blanks left in her explanation, but she hoped they would understand the gist of it from that alone.

"Really?" Kiba asked, flashing her a feral grin. "Here I was, worried about you being cooped up and depressed… but you were actually looking for a way to save Kurenai?" He reached forward patting her roughly on the shoulder. "You really have changed, Hinata!" He praised. "No wonder you managed to get promoted!"

"This is indeed good news." Shino agreed before Hinata could correct them. She actually had been curled up in her room in depression. Kali had been the one that gave her the lead. Of course, she couldn't tell them that bit. "I must return to the compound in order to pack. It seems time is of the essence."

"Yeah, I'll head back quick too." Kiba nodded along, Akamaru giving a quick bark to not be left out. "By the way, is there anyone else coming?"

"I have to find Naruto-kun yet." Hinata answered. For a moment she feared there might be a bit of a complication there. Naruto and Kiba had fought each other in the preliminaries, after all. To her relief, however, both her teammates nodded their acceptance quickly. "Once you're both packed, please head to the south gate. I'll be sure to properly explain everything once we're on the road." She instructed.

"Right." Shino and Kiba said together, turning to one another and nodding. Neither one of them so much as questioned taking orders from her. In fact, they acted as if it was natural. It was a surprise for her.

Hinata felt like either one of them would have made a better Chunin then she would. Kiba had that boisterous charisma to draw others to him. And Shino had his logical reasoning and quick decision-making skills. They were both natural choices to her. Yet she was the one that got promoted.

Kiba thumped her once more on the shoulder, knocking her from her thoughts.

"Seriously Hinata, congratulations on the promotion." He said again, strangely earnest. "I'm glad it was you."

"Agreed." Shino nodded. Hinata stared at them both, mouth slightly agape. She didn't know what to say. They both thought it should have been her? But why? She couldn't understand. As if sensing her confusion, Shino spoke again. "You've always been the center of the team, Hinata. Whether you know it or not, we always gathered around you. Even Kurenai-sensei." He said.

"Isn't that just because I was the weakest?" Hinata knew what Shino was saying had truth in it, but she only saw it for the simple reason that if they didn't gather around her then she would have put them all in jeopardy.

Shino and Kiba shared a quick glance, before turning back to Hinata.

"Is that how you saw it?" Kiba asked, sounding genuinely surprised. "I always kinda just thought it was because you're kind."

"That is also my belief." Shino said, adjusting his glasses. "Do not sell yourself short. You're our leader right now."

"Kiba-kun. Shino-kun…" Hinata couldn't help herself, stepping forward and wrapping them both in a hug. She was glad to have them both as her team. That was why together they were going to save their teacher. This was so much more than just her mission.

After stepping away from the hug, all three of them went their separate ways. Shino and Kiba returned to their respective homes and Hinata went back inside her's to grab the supplies she would need. She thought about calling on her father and sister before she left, but decided against it.

Time was still of the essence and her father already knew she was leaving anyway. She could leave it to him to inform Hanabi. It wasn't going to be a terribly long mission in the first place. If everything went right, Hinata planned to have her team back within two weeks. Most of that time would be spent on the road.

Double-checking she had everything, Hinata set out once again. After closing the door to her home behind her, she activated the Nichiren Byakugan. The only thing left was to find Naruto and inform him.

Now that she thought about it, she was going on a mission with Naruto. There had been so many other things on her mind, she didn't have a moment to even process that thought. And while she knew it was wrong- this was a mission to save her teacher- she couldn't help but be excited at the idea of being out on the field with her crush.

Hinata took a breath to steady her emotions. In her head, she knew nothing would happen between them. Not on this mission. Nor should she be hoping for anything to happen. She couldn't afford to get her priorities mixed up right now. Cursing her hormones, she focused on the task at hand which was finding him in the first place.

Tracing Asura's chakra wasn't easy, but eventually she did find the link. It was like there was a single thread connecting Kali's chakra to her cousin. Hinata found herself wondering about the nature of their relationship again. Kali claimed she was reincarnating in order to deal with Impurities and that she also liked to help Asura with his task, but what even was that task?

If Hinata and Kali had some purpose, then surely Naruto and Asura were the same, were they not? Unlike her, however, Naruto didn't even know about his own connection. Yet they had only both recently unlocked their powers. Hinata also couldn't help but wonder if there were more like them. All things she would have to ask at a later time.

Now that she had Asura's trail, she set out after it. She recognized that the trail seemed to be leading her in the direction of Naruto's home. It was only by happenstance that she knew the general direction of where he lived, although she had never been there personally. Part of her wondered if she would need to give an excuse for how she found him, but she quickly remembered that such things usually weren't necessary with Naruto.

Once again she kept to the backstreets of the village, only this time she wasn't entirely alone. Walking ahead of her, approaching from the opposite direction were two ominous figures. She couldn't put her finger on what it was, but something about the very chakra around them put her on guard.

These two were strong.

The very way they moved caused only a small reaction to the natural energy around them. It was as if they were part of the world itself, moving with it and not against the flow like most. All without being able to read the flow themselves.

As Hinata and the two figures grew closer together she stopped walking. The backstreets weren't wide enough for both groups to path one another so she stood to the side, pushing her back against the wall to allow them to pass by.

Up close and they were only all the more intimidating. Despite the fact that she couldn't make out any kind of physical characteristics. They were both in black cloaks, decorated with eerie red clouds. Their heads were adorned with traditional farmers hats that completely concealed their faces. The only thing she could tell was that one was incredibly tall, and the other, while not short, looked small by comparison.

As they passed by her heartbeat quickened and it felt like she forgot how to breathe. There was no discernable reason to be afraid of these two, yet every warning bell inside her head was blaring at full volume anyways. To her relief they passed by silently and she waited until they were a few steps further to resume her own journey.

Just as she thought she was safe, the smaller of the two called out to her.

"You're a Hyuga of the main branch?" The voice was masuline, but also young. Whoever the man was, he couldn't have been much older than Kiba's sister. Somehow that only made him more terrifying. How could someone so young have all that power?

Hinata debated what to do. Should she ignore him and run? Or should she speak to him? Even with her back turned, she could see he also hadn't turned to face her. They were back to back, yet she had a feeling that wouldn't matter if he wanted to chase her. For a moment, she debated about using the power of her Byakugan to look under their hats and robes in order to glean some clue as to their identity.

No, she decided against that.

Somehow she felt like if she did that then they would know. The less she interacted with these two, the better. But she couldn't risk any sudden movements either. Seeing no other option, she decided to play it safe and answer his question for the time being.

"Yes. That's right." Her voice cracked, immediately giving away the terror she felt. The taller of the two men let out a chuckle, his voice much older and more gruff than his shorter companion.

"I see." The shorter one mused quietly. "Your Byakugan is unique, so I just wondered…" This man had some familiarity with the Byakugan… no, not just that- He knew enough to recognize her eyes as different. Despite the fact that the Nichiren Byakugan barely looked different to an outsider, he had been able to tell at a glance from behind that hat obscuring his vision.

This was worse than she thought.

Hinata felt her fight or flight reflex kick itself into high gear. She already knew which was the right choice. There was no way she could fight these two and win. Her only option was to run away. Her whole body tensed as if preparing for just that. Until-

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry." The younger man apologized. "I was just curious. Things seem to have changed a little in the village." No sooner did he say that and he started to walk away. The larger men lagged a second behind, as if himself surprised his young companion was leaving with just that. Nevertheless, he silently tagged along after his partner and before Hinata knew it they were both gone.

Hinata was simultaneously relieved and yet conflicted. In their presence she had been too terrified to realize it, but the smaller of the two was clearly a person of Konoha. Or at least he used to be. She had no idea about who he was or what his circumstances were, but if she thought about it rationally there should have been no reason to fear him as much as she had. For all she knew, they were allies.

Yet something about them led her to believe that wasn't the case. All the same, it wasn't something she should worry about. If they were allies, then it was fine to let them wander about the village. If they had intentions less than friendly for the village… well, then she was sure they would be dealt with by those more equipped for such a task then herself. She didn't have to be involved with everything in the village and it would be ridiculous to expect her to be.

For now, it was important to get Naruto and hurry out of the village.

Doing her best to push the entire encounter behind her, Hinata once again moved out and this time arrived at the door of Naruto's home without incident. This was it. She hadn't actually met Naruto since after the tournament. In the end, he never had gotten to fight Sasuke and their promise went unfulfilled.

That wasn't any fault to either of them. Things just got too complicated with the invasion and an early end to the tournament. She just hoped the Hokage was right and that the idea of a mission would lift his spirits.

Sucking in a deep breath, Hinata raised her fist and knocked on the door. She then waited several seconds but heard nothing. Confused, she used her Byakugan to check inside the room. He was there alright… and he appeared to be sleeping. Something about that was funny, enough that she forgot herself for a minute and let out a small chuckle. She knocked again, hard enough this time to rouse him from his slumber. It was slow, but he did eventually slip out from his bed and stumble for the door. He answered it while still half asleep and in his pajamas.

"H-hello…?" He asked groggily, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Good afternoon, Naruto-kun." Hinata tried to stifle her giggle, but only half succeeded. Even in moments when she felt like the world was crumbling around her and he managed to somehow make her feel brighter.

"Ah, Hinata!?" His eyes snapped open and he seemed to realize the situation. He glanced around, verifying they were outside his apartment. Then he looked up at the sky, realizing how high the sun already was. Finally, he looked down at his own attire and put together that he had answered in his pajamas. "Umm… one second." He slunk back inside, likely to change. Hinata quit watching at that point, deactivating the Nichiren Byakugan in the process.

Several awkward minutes of silence passed as she waited for him, hearing the occasional rustling from within and a couple loud bangs and clatters too. How in the world he managed to make those sounds just trying to get dressed she had no idea, and she had no intention of asking either. Finally, the door swung back open and a much more alert Naruto was at the door.

"Yo, sorry for the wait!" He stumbled out in a panic. "I just uh… well, no one other than Kakashi-sensei has ever come around her before, y'know." He finished rather lamely, not that Hinata minded in the least. "What's up, anyways?" He asked.

"We've got a mission." Hinata said, those words alone enough to immediately set Naruto's face alight. He didn't even wait to hear the details before he was gone, this time leaving the door wide open as he ran inside to pack. "Umm… Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked, taking a hesitant step inside.

"Come on in!" Naruto waved her in, his hand poking out from around the corner. He was crouched over a green rucksack, throwing all manner of things inside haphazardly. Nevermind he didn't even know how many days to pack for. "Finally, a freaking mission after so long. I haven't been out of the mission since the Land of Waves." He said, but Hinata had no idea as to when that was referring.

"This mission is going to stay within the Land of Fire." Hinata clarified, hoping that wouldn't burn his spirits. "It will bring us to the border though. Near the Land of Water, I think." She had to verify such details for herself now that she thought about it. So it wasn't just him in a rush.

"Wherever is fine, I'm just glad to get outta here." Naruto finished with the rucksack, now struggling to close it. "What we doing anyways?"

"We're retrieving a flower from a volcano." Hinata started, and immediately saw some of the excitement drain from Naruto's body. "It's… well, I think I can use the flower to make a remedy for Kurenai-sensei." At that, Naruto turned to look at her. His expression was apologetic, and he clearly regretted having shown his disappointment so openly.

"Hinata, I'm sorry." He said, but she wasn't sure what exactly it was he felt the need to apologize for. Was it simply an expression of sympathy? His clones had also been there when Kurenai was struck down by Orochimaru's blade, so he knew exactly what had happened. "If I can help on this mission in any way, leave it to me!" He jumped up, having finally managed to snap the bag shut.

"Thank you, Naruto-kun." Hinata smiled at him, but it was forced. Something even he seemed to realize. All the same, she was the one that had picked him for this mission and just being in his presence already made her feel a little more confident about the whole thing. If for nothing other than that, she was glad she had been allowed to add him to the team.

"By the way, who's the captain of the mission?" Naruto asked, looking behind Hinata as if he expected someone else to be there. "This will be my first time under someone other than Kakashi-sensei. I'm kinda excited to meet them."

"Umm… well." Hinata fidget, unsure how to answer his question. Instead she fiddled with the Chunin vest she was wearing, but even that seemed to fly completely over his head. Not seeing much option, she decided to tell it to him straight. "That would be… me." Her voice was barely a whisper. Realization dawned on his face and he looked her up and down again, the implications of her coming to recruit him while wearing the vest finally registering.

"Oh hey!" He beamed at her, smile so bright it was nearly blinding. "Nice, so you made Chunin! Makes sense, after that ass-whooping you gave Gaara in the ring." Apparently strength was the only thing he seemed to be basing her promotion on. "Well then, I'm looking forward to working with you, Hinata-taicho!" He saluted, face dead-serious for once.

"Uh… no, that's-" Hinata stuttered, hands floundering listlessly in the air as she tried and failed to come up with a response. Fortunately for her, Naruto couldn't hold the facade for more than a second, his serious face twitching before he then broke into a deep belly laugh. It took Hinata several seconds later to realize he had just been playing with her. "...jerk." She mumbled, unable to stop her own small giggle from joining his contagious laughter.

"Should we set out then, Hinata?" Naruto asked, referring to her normally. He adjusted the bag on his shoulders and started for the door. Hinata nodded, walking just ahead. He closed the door behind them and the two set out for the gate.

The mission to retrieve the Moonfire Flower had officially begun.

Far away from the Leaf

"Shit, this is stupid." Tayuya cursed under her breath, kicking her legs up and placing them on the operating table.

It had been several days since they had been sent running with their tail between their legs. Now she and the other members of the Sound Four were here in one of Orochimaru's numerous lairs, waiting on standby for their slithering, cowardly leader to quit throwing his tantrum.

Yet none of that was really what she was talking about. No, what was really stupid were her own damn thoughts. Back in Konoha she had seen something... a kind of sign she had been waiting for practically her whole life. Yet instead of acting on it, she fled with her tail between her legs along with everyone else. Why the hell had she done that?

No, she knew why. She was scared. Scared of what, exactly? Even she didn't know. Her destiny? Or maybe of being wrong? That's right, if she had pursued what she took to be a sign and it turned out to be nothing, she would literally lose everything. Even if what she had now wasn't much, it was all she knew. Living this shitty existence under the shadow of those you despised.

"Tayuya…" To her surprise, the man lying on the operating table answered her quiet fury. He was pale and impossibly skinny, numerous tubes hooked up to him. It looked like he was already on death's door. Yet even now she was afraid of him. The moment she realized he was awake, she took her feet from the table and jumped up to stand at attention.

"Yo, you ain't dead yet Kimimaro?" She asked him, doing her best to reign in the tremble in her voice.

"The invasion…?" He ignored her snark, instead asking about the plan that he had ultimately been left out of. If he had been there that day, it was entirely possible they could have stopped that girl.

Which gave Tayuya an idea. She glanced around, making sure no one else was in the room. Kabuto was too busy dealing with Orochimaru's destructive rampage to have any time for his number one patient. Meanwhile, the other members of the Sound Four were all likely honing their skills. All of them were swearing revenge on the girl that interrupted their plans, but without Orochimaru's strict orders they would never move.

This might just be her chance to get around that.

"So get this." Tayuya masked her face into a sneer, walking around the side of Kimimaro and looking at the computer readings that showed his vitals. "The plan was a complete failure. Our Lord Orochimaru… Well, he's facing the biggest disgrace of his life." The readings of the computer whizzed to life. What were once passive beeps started to register Kimimaro's agitation.

Perfect. She just had to push the right buttons and this just might work.

"Everything completely blew up in his face. He didn't capture his precious Sasuke-kun. His teacher, the Hokage, sent his pathetic ass packing. And none of our carefully laid plans got a chance to be set-off. It was a total embarrassment. To the point that the mercenaries he hired to make up Otogakure are leaving the project enmasse." She continued, not even having to fake her own disdain for the whole situation.

"Tayuya…" Kimimaro spoke her name again, but this time with silent rage. The tubes plugged into every part of his body creaked and bent, her former leader forcing his body to sit up despite itself.

Just a little more now. Fear clutched Tayuya's heart, but she pushed on anyway. If he was this angry at her, then all she had to do was redirect that anger.

"Yep, that's right. And it all happened because of one stupid little girl." Tayuya cast her bait. Now she just had to see if he would bite.

Kimimaro forced himself up, ripping the medical equipment from himself and sliding off from the operating table. Rising up to his full height and he towered over her. The bones beneath his skin crawled, causing the flesh to ripple as if he was a corpse brimming with maggots. The scene was almost disgusting enough to cause her to lose the contents of her stomach.

Yet she stood strong, looking up at him with her chin jut out. As if she was the one challenging him. The curse mark on the back of Kimimaro's neck glowed and strength appeared to return to his body. If he wanted to strike her down here for her blasphemous tongue then it would only be all too easy for him. She waited for his decision.

"Who…" Kimimaro seethed. "Who was it that stood in the way of Lord Orochimaru's ambition? Tell me and I'll put them down myself."

Bingo.

Tayuya smirked. Kimimaro may have been on his last leg, but she had no doubt he had the life in him to finish the job. All she had to do was go with him. If he died on the way, all the better. After all, she was just following his orders to get revenge against the one that wrecked everything for them.

With that thought in her heart, Tayuya uttered the name of the one person that could set her free.

"Hyuga Hinata."