Author's note:

Sorry it took so long. I have a full time job and my husband's health has been something I have been dealing with. He has good days, then bad days.

On another note. I got a guest review that I want to vent on a bit.

Guest review:

- Disappointing to make it so blatant that you'll kill off characters who don't need killing off just to make the plot work a certain way. Even this Hinata should have been able to disuade Toneri if shed bothered to talk to him for an hour or two...but instead you had her force conflict and expect submission. Guess the message is Azeroth ruins peoples ability to reason or empathize and everything is either submit or die. -

To this I have to say — PVP happened in a PVP realm. (Hopefully someone chuckles at this.)

Oh a serious note, the story is still in progress — evolving, right along with this Hinata who has issues and who isn't as gentle natured as the OC. I'm sure a few of you have picked up on the fact that she isn't perfect, she's still growing, has a huge weight on her shoulders, and that she has problems. Drinking, PTSD, and then the whole family drama that hasn't even started up yet. Plus, I've already been hinting that she is going to the SHADOWLANDS.

Where are all souls currently going from all worlds in WoW lore technically at this point?

The Maw.

Did I kill a character off just to make the plot work a certain way?

Um, duh? Isn't that what fanfiction is about? Isn't that why most write fanfiction? To turn 'what if' and ideas into a story?

I'm not trying to be mean, but gees, the story isn't even complete yet.

And . . . technically, in the movie: Naruto - the Last, Hinata did empathize and tried to persuade Toneri, but she wasn't able to. In the end, even when he lost the Tenseigan eyes, Toneri still tried to destroy the world. It wasn't Hinata at all who saved Toneri when he was about to be ripped apart by all of the byakugan eyes.

It was Naruto.

ALSO, I updated the previous chapter, because I added information that shouldn't have happened yet in Azeroth. All I did was change a bit of dialogue between Ban-Lu and Hinata. Nathantos is still at large and alive. Sylvanas hasn't gone after the crown yet. That was my fault as I jumped the gun on that bit of info and had to admittedly do more research on the timeline. (Shadowlands was a while ago, considering the expansions and where WoW is at now.)

Thank you all for reading and have a beautiful day/night. Thank you for the reviews, likes, and follows. It brings a smile to my face.

Disclaimer: I did not create Naruto or World of Warcraft, both are under the rights of their respective owners.

Chapter 8 Hanabi's Day Out

The group stood before the Magus Commerce Exchange, where Dalaran often remained the busiest. As the trade district, there were a variety of shops among the inner and outer circle ready for trade or training in a variety of professions. The Violet Citadel towered over the Exchange off to the left with the Greyfang Enclave — the Alliance district — to the right of the Exchange was one of the city's banks next to the Windrunner's Sanctuary — the Horde district.

"We're not interested in a tour," Shikamaru stated. "We are still on a mission, and need to report back to the Hokage."

Hinata bowed her head and said, "Understood. I'll take you to the Grayfang Enclave. That is where they would set a portal to Earth."

Sakura looked at Shikamaru, "What about Neji and Hanabi?"

"Rescuing Hanabi was part of our mission," Sai turned to Shikamaru and rested his hand on his hip. "Technically, we can't return without her, and," he stressed, "The Archmage did say he would send word that we are safe."

Shikamaru glowered at Sai, "We don't know for sure if these people can be trusted."

"Khadgar is a man of his word," Hinata said as she uncorked her gourd and drank. "I'll show you where the portal is and I will stay behind and make sure they return."

"I don't like it." Shikamaru said as he crossed his arms. "We wait for them, and no tour. It shouldn't take Neji long to find Hanabi and bring her back."

This place was something right out of a fantasy novel or movie — which wasn't exactly the type of hobby Hanabi's father or grandfather allowed. It was always clan this, clan that, and training, politics, etiquette . . .

Hanabi moved out of the way of a massive bull-man with dark brown fur and large tan moose horns. Large hooves heavily clonked on the stone of the road, his black and red plate armor tinged with his steps. Two huge axes were at his sides and gigantic totems on his back. Tribal markings of yellow were on his fur and horns. The Highmountain tauren didn't even give her any mind as he walked on. She continued further down the road, completely stopping in place when a man, who was clearly dead, came out from one of the shops. Green robes embroidered with silver and gold covered most of his pale flesh. Hanabi saw the yellowish bones showing beneath green muscles of his arms and face. A monster followed out behind him. A red skinned creature with glowing green eyes that wore plate armor. Within its sharp clawed hand was an axe. Within a couple of beats, a horse with scaly skin, horns, and burning hooves manifested. The Forsaken mounted the fel steed to then move down the road with the demon following behind him.

"Hey, get out the way, kid," a small green creature said as he brushed past her. "I'm walking here."

Hanabi slowly walked forward again as she watched the leather clad goblin briskly walk away. His large triangular ears flopped with his steps, his red eyes constantly scanned the road from left to right. Before she could see much else of him he turned into a dark doorway and melded into the shadows.

A human woman came out from a shop dressed in skin tight red cloth with gold and black designs, and thigh-high leggings. A sash of red was around her waist, as her pauldrons appeared to be on fire. On her head was a red hat with similar markings as her outfit. The woman's feet were barefoot, but she didn't walk, the woman levitated.

"Greetings," the priest said in passing.

Hanabi bowed her head. "Hi."

The City of Dalaran was a magical breath of fresh air, and nobody was stealing this small moment of escape from Hanabi Hyuuga. Not even her all-so-stoic-has-to-follow-the-rules cousin, Neji. She just had to stay five or six steps ahead of him, figuratively that is. Like her, Neji too had the byakugan, so he could track her just like she could track him, and Hanabi knew he would eventually catch up to her. It didn't give her much time to explore the shops and vendor stalls as she wanted, but Hanabi was content considering the people of this world were right out of the stories — that her father would proclaim were things she shouldn't be squandering her time with.

A little rebellion for freedom never hurt anyone. Hanabi paused her steps, because misadventures have gotten people hurt or killed. But, she felt confident that wouldn't happen. At least not here. Nobody knew her, or her clan—

Hanabi gasped as she stumbled forward when something bumped into her. She caught herself and turned in place.

"Sorry! I didn't see you— Grandmaster?"

Hanabi blinked at the pandaren female that stood just an inch or two taller than her. Her fur was white and black, her eyes a bright peridot. Her dark hair was pulled up into a ponytail, as she wore a cherry blossom pink long-sleeved shirt and pants, with a jade green belt. A backpack with a sleeping roll was on her back. Within the pandaren's grip was a staff with a crooked end where two jade rings hung.

The pandaren raised her paw over Hanabi's head and asked, "Do you have a shrinking curse on you or something, Grandmaster?"

"Are you talking about Hinata?" Hanabi asked as she tilted her head. "That's what her apprentice calls her."

The pandaren's eyes widened. "You're not Hinata Winterbreeze!" She placed a hand on her hip and shifted closer to Hanabi. "Are you related to her?" Rubbing her chin and squinting her eyes she said, "You look a lot like her."

"I do?" Hanabi looked away pensively. "I look like her?" Hanabi's brow raised. "How?"

The pandaren said, "You have the same eyes as her. Hinata can see through things and stuff. You can do that, right?"

Hanabi blinked and nodded. No way . . .

"I'm Li Li Stormstout," the pandaren reached her paw out. "One of the most epic adventurers of Azeroth you'll ever meet!"

Hanabi stared at Li Li's paw.

Li Li frowned. "It is common for humans to shake paws, er, hands, right?"

"Yeah, that or bow," Hanabi mumbled as she shook the sudden thoughts from her mind. Gripping Li Li's paw she said, "I'm Hanabi Hyuuga, shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village."

Li Li's eyes went wide, "Wait, you're from that new world that was discovered! What's it like? What kind of legends and stories can you tell me—" Li Li quickly stepped back, closed her eyes, shook her head and waved her hands before her. "Wait, don't tell me!" Grinning, she said, "I'll wait until I get there. Then I can follow the legends myself!" Pointing her thumb to herself she said, "That's my thing. Wanderlust runs in my blood. So, what brought you to Dalaran? I'm here gathering supplies. I'm waiting for the okay to pass into the portal to explore your homeworld." She clapped. "I'm pretty excited. My Uncle is lingering around here somewhere." She scowled and blew hair from her face all while placing a hand on her hip. "I'm old enough to explore on my own, but my Pa still worries that I'm going to get hurt or lost." She leaned closer to Hanabi. "As if. They don't call me Li Li the Wild Dog for nothing!"

Looking at the spires that emitted their purple glow, Hanabi said, "I was wanting to explore the city before I have to leave—"

"Just the city?" Li Li tisked and shook her head. "There is a whole other world right here you can explore. Why only here?"

"My father wouldn't allow it."

Li Li crossed her arms. "Ah, I see." She nodded and hooked her arm with Hanabi's having her walk with her. "What if you had a highly experienced explorer slash adventurer by your side," she nudged Hanabi's side. "Eh?"

"What about your exploration of the Elemental Nations?"

"Ooh, is that what your world is called?"

Hanabi shook her head. "It's called Earth, but the land itself is separated into territories named after elements. I'm from the Land of Fire, one of the five major countries. That is where my village Konoha is located."

"Are shinobi your world's word for shaman? Here, shaman can summon the elements and use them in battle," Li Li said as they walked along the road.

Hanabi shook her head. "Shamanism is more of a religious aspect where I'm from. Some shinobi are able to use elements in their jutsu."

"Ooh, what's jutsu?"

"Techniques we use in battle."

"I love learning about new cultures!"

Li Li steered her toward a double staircase that led into the unknown.

Hanabi looked at Li Li. "Where are we going?"

Li Li looked at Hanabi. "To Krasus Landing. I'm going to show you the best view of Dalaran."

"The best view?"

Li Li nodded. "Just you wait! You're gonna love it and remember it forever!"

Everything was moving in a whirlwind upon meeting Li Li. Hanabi couldn't keep her thoughts focused on one thing, because the young pandaren was fast with her words. A heavy stupor had settled over Hanabi as her mind kept reciting the words — Are you related? To Hinata Winterbreeze? You look a lot like her. She knew that she had an elder sister. One that was five years older, who was supposed to be dead. You have the same eyes . . . Behind that strap of leather Hinata Winterbreeze wore, her eyes were like Hanabi's? Like all the Hyuuga's? You can see through things and stuff . . . Was Hinata Winterbreeze her elder sister? A sister that her own father and grandfather told her was dead?

"Hanabi? Azeroth to Hanabi, are you there?"

Snapping to attention, Hanabi looked at her new friend. "Huh?"

"Are you ready?"

Hanabi blinked and then set her focus on the large green kite that rested on the ground before them. It was an odd looking contraption, made of wood tied together with teal bindings in the shape of a triangle. A patched canvas of tan and green was spread over the frame with feathers and hanging talismans. There was a large bead with feathers at the end, whereas at the front the wood had been carved to resemble the head of a bird with feathers and a long metal beak.

"Get on," Li Li said as she stepped onto the canvas.

Neji would kill me, considering I was just rescued from being kidnapped. She looked at Li Li. The young pandaren didn't have any ill intent at all. They were close in age it seemed too.

Hanabi raised a brow. "What is it?"

"It's a kite, duh, now get on." Li Li rolled her eyes. "You won't fall off. Promise." She stomped on the canvas. "I know it doesn't look like much, but this thing is as stable as they come. I take great care of it."

Hanabi nodded and stepped onto the canvas. There was an energy to it. Almost as if the kite itself held chakra.

"Might want to kneel down for the take off. Then we'll stand once we're in the air. It's almost like surfing on waves, but we're going to be in the air."

"We're flying," Hanabi said as she turned her head to Li Li.

When the kite rose into the air, Hanabi didn't kneel or squat. Instead she used her chakra to keep her feet on the canvas of the kite and kept her balance. When the kite reached a certain height, it began to move forward. Li Li rose to her height before Hanabi and looked back at her smiling.

"Hey, you're a natural! You didn't even have to kneel down for take off! You must've done this before," Li Li complimented.

Using her arms to keep her balance, Hanabi said, "I have never done this before on a kite. I've flown on one of Sai's s birds, but it wasn't like this."

Watching the rotunda landing shrink as they ascended into the air, Hanabi looked at the city. The kite stopped rising and started to drift away. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of the city when the kite hovered within the air. The City of Dalaran was beyond anything Hanabi had ever seen before. Sunlit rooftops glittered and shined, as the tops of spires glowed with arcane energies. The tallest tower was much higher than Hanabi realized with three large blue crystals. The very top of that tower looked to be disconnected and floating.

Dalaran was large, but not on the scale of Konoha. There were a magnitude of buildings all surrounded by a wall, with only a few feet of land surrounding it. Below the city was stone, roots, and even old piping. There was a ringed pathway down at the bottom of what looked like an upside mountain, where a gated archway resided and Hanabi assumed it was part of the sewers the archmage warned them about. Hovering nearby were smaller islands, one with a few trees and a strange glowing circular gateway. The other island hosted a pond with a rickety cabin next to it and few trees.

The haze of clouds drifted around them. There was a mountain that lingered in the horizon covered in the haze of mist and clouds, along with what looked to be a whole other city further away on the ground. Beneath them was a glittering ocean, with the island below so diverse and each area different from the other.

Almost like home.

"This is amazing . . ." Hanabi said. She shifted her focus from the city to the surroundings. "What's below us?"

Li Li glanced back at her. "Oh, that's the Broken Isles. It used to be dangerous, but it's gotten to be pretty tame."

"Can we take a closer look?"

Li Li laughed, "Why not! Life is an adventure, right!?"

The kite tilted forward, to divebomb toward the ground. Hanabi knelt lower to the canvas as Li Li did. The wind whipped her hair and kimono as Hanabi's eyes watered. A smile grew on her face, because flying on a magic kite through the air was exhilarating.

Is this how she lived? Is this what Hinata did here? Did she grow up like this? Free?

"This is amazing!" Hanabi shouted.

"Ain't it though! There's nothing like feeling the wind in your fur, am I right!" Li Li slowed the kite as they neared the land. "I'm going to show ya Azuna first, then Val'shara, Highmountain, Stormheim, then Suramar, down to the Broken Shore, and go back up to Dalaran," Li Li shouted over the wind. Looking back at Hanabi she said, "This is great!"

"How long will this take?" Hanabi asked.

"Depends on how long you want it to take," Li Li said.

Hanabi said, "As long as possible, without taking up too much of your time."

"We have time," Li Li said as she slowed the kite. She shifted back up to her height, keeping her knees bent as she guided the kite closer toward the ground. "I bet Uncle Chen hasn't even realized I left. He's probably still sitting in the same tavern I left him in, and," she exasperated, "We still have to wait for the okay to travel to your world. Leaders of both the Horde and Alliance have been cautious since the end of the war. Neither faction has the manpower for another conflict, and they really don't want to end up in a war with a whole other world of unknown peoples with unknown forces and abilities."

Hanabi frowned. Li Li's words went both ways. Though it had been two years since the Fourth Shinobi War, and the villages were at peace, the Elemental Nations had their own losses and still were working things out between them. To end up in a war with a whole world of unknown peoples with unknown forces and abilities . . . Well, Hanabi didn't really want to think about that. Especially what she had just gone through with Toneri trying to destroy the world with her own eyes. Eyes that held secrets and abilities that her clan coveted, that also possibly resided in a sister who had lived in this world, this whole time, who Hanabi knew nothing about.

As they skimmed over the trees, Hanabi activated her byakugan. The veins around her eyes bulged as her chakra flowed to her eyes. Her sight widened giving her a panoramic view of the area around her. Adjusting her sight, Hanabi scanned the ground below.

"Your eyes are like the Grandmasters!"

Hanabi looked up at Li Li, and released the chakra from her eyes, returning them to normal. "You keep saying that, but I haven't even seen her eyes. She keeps them hidden behind a mask."

"Yeah, she started wearing it after her friend, Devile Ruesong, died in Teldrassil," Li Li said as she slowed the kite. "They both were there the night Sylvanas burned down the world tree . . . and both of them tried to save as many night elves as they could." Li Li's voice lowered. "They both got caught up in the flames. Hinata was pulled out, but Devile never made it out. The Grandmaster stopped being a mistweaver after that night."

"Mistweaver?" Hanabi leaned closer to Li Li.

Glancing back at Hanabi, Li Li said, "A healer." She sighed, "The Grandmaster hasn't been the same since then."

"What do you mean?"

Li Li frowned. "I traveled with her in Pandaria before the Legion attacked and during, and I even traveled with her to Skywall to recover a powerful artifact, The Fist of Heaven. During those times, the Grandmaster was more . . . compassionate." Li Li's visage became pensive. "Uncle Chen says her heart has hardened like stone since Teldrassil," Li Li shrugged. "I understand why. Countless innocents lived there. People who didn't know how to fight or even defend themselves. The night elf race was decimated, with only very few who escaped or were away when their home burned. It wasn't just the night elves, Gilnaeans called the World Tree their home too, and others."

Hanabi remained silent as she watched the scenery below.

"Have you ever seen a dragon before?"

Quickly, Hanabi looked at Li Li, "As in a real dragon? One that breathes fire and attacks villages?"

Li Li looked back at her. "Real dragons, yes, and most of them breathe fire I guess, but there hasn't been a dragon attack in a while. Not since Deathwing." Li Li gestured to the land and said, "The ones here are some of the remaining blue dragons. They're keepers of magic."

Instantly, Hanabi activated her byakugan and began to search the ground for any signs of these blue dragons. "How will I know if I see one?"

"Oh, you'll know," Li Li said. "You can't miss them. They're pretty big and have blue scales."

Hanabi didn't see any large blue reptiles, but there was something on the ground that caught her eyes. Actually, there were multiple scattered across the land. It was strange, as Hanabi had never really seen anything like it before. There were five of them and they appeared to be rather large objects that glittered and shined, as if trying to get her attention. All of them were hidden though. Either within caves, along crevices, beneath lakes, or amongst clusters of trees.

"What is this," Hanabi asked.

Li Li asked, "What's what? I can't see like you, remember?"

"I think they're stones or crystals of some type," Hanabi said. "There are five of them, and they're really standing out to my byakugan. Like they're trying to get my attention."

"Seriously?" Li Li asked as she glanced back at her. "Wanna check it out?"

Hanabi nodded. "Let's go see what they are."

"Heh, ya know what? I like you, Hanabi Hyuuga. I think you and I are gonna be amazing friends."

Looking at Li Li, Hanabi smiled. "I think we are too, Li Li Stormstout." A little freedom and rebellion never hurt anyone.

"Where are they!" Neji stated as he glared at Hinata. "You said they would be back any minute?"

Hinata was leaning against the wall, her eyes closed, as she mentally sighed. The sound of the fountain helped her to keep her sanity. This was not what she expected when she brought this outworlder to Dalaran. Within the past six hours, Hinata had continuously downgraded Neji from possible family, to friend, to ally, to acquaintance, and now to outworlder. If Neji continued to pick a fight with her, the next downgrade would be not-worth-her-time.

Black Ox, grant me patience . . . "I remember saying that hours ago."

"Come on, Neji," Naruto grumbled as he kept his position between the infuriated Hyuuga and the seemingly unconcerned Winterbreeze. "She already told you that she left with a friend—"

"We don't know if this Li Li character is a friend. For all we know this was a plan to abduct Hanabi when we came here!" Neji stated as he stepped toward Hinata, for Naruto to push him back. "Where is she? What did you do with her!?"

"I already told you," Hinata waved her hand in the air. "Her chakra trail was mingled with Li Li Stormstout's chi. They're around the same age, and Li Li probably took her to see the city from above, to end up possibly showing her around the Broken Isles. Hanabi is safe with Li Li." Mostly safe . . . as long as Li Li doesn't land anywhere on the Isles . . .

Opening her eyes, seeing the group through her enchanted band, gathered around the fountain near the Enclave, Hinata pushed off the wall. As night closed in, candle light illuminated from the windows around them and spilled out of doorways onto the streets. "I already offered to take you to track their trail hours ago. It'd be pointless now. By the time we leave, they may return."

Shikamaru dropped his fishing line into the water of the fountain. His pants were rolled up and his feet in the shallow water as his sandals rested on the ledge. Stacks of copper, silver, and a couple of gold coins were next to him with a basket of fish on the other side.

"I'm reconsidering a group going back to Konoha and a group staying." The fishing bobber popped in the water, and he pulled in the line. A fat gold scaled fish was on the other end. He scowled. "I'm willing to stay . . ."

"You're still trying to figure out how you're able to catch coins," Sakura intoned as she turned the page of the book she read. A whole pile of miscellaneous books resided next to her as she sat on a stool.

"I'm trying to figure out the formula, but it's sporadic. Random. There's no pattern. I can catch five fish, then one copper coin. Then I might get a silver coin. Two fish. A copper coin. Then after twenty fish, I just get another fish . . . There has to be a pattern, it can't just be random."

"It's based on luck," Hinata said as she rubbed her forehead.

Shikamaru only growled in response.

Sai, who was steadily sketching, looked up from his drawing and asked, "If we had been raised here, who do you think we would have become?"

Sakura looked up from her reading. "That can go a lot of ways, because they have an assortment of classes."

"Classes?" Shikamaru looked at her.

"It's like an occupation here. Hunters, warriors, druids, paladins, shaman, mages, priests, warlocks, and monks are the main classes. Then there are death knights and demon hunters, which are roles we couldn't take unless there are special circumstances," Sakura stated as she closed her book.

"You learned all that within the last six hours?" Sai asked.

Naruto said, "What's the special circumstances? Demon hunters and death knights sound pretty badass."

"They do sound badass, don't they," Hinata said as she moved away from the wall and looked up into the dusky sky. "Demon hunters are mostly night elves or blood elves who have sacrificed everything they hold dear to become the thing they despise and hunt." She looked at Naruto. "Initiation for a Demon Hunter is to kill a demon and infuse the demon's soul into themselves to gain the demon's power. In turn, the demon soul changes them infusing them with fel. If the demon soul doesn't destroy them or drive them mad, they then take out their own eyes, so that they have the same vision as the very things they hunt." She looked away from him. "Those who are death knights have a more tragic tale. They were forced into what they are. They are people who died in battle and were raised from the dead by the Lich King to serve under his demented rule. The ones you may see now are those who broke free of the Lich King's control. Though the Lich King is gone, they have lost what they once had. Family, friends . . . Many couldn't go back to the life they had for different reasons. Their loved ones were dead, or rejected them, or because the death knight doesn't feel that they are the same as they once were."

And supposedly more are being raised . . .

Sai looked up at her and asked, "So death knights are dead like the undead humans called the Forsaken?"

Hinata nodded. "Yes."

"Stop with all of this nonsense. None of this has anything to do with Hanabi being—"

A loud caw interrupted Neji as gushes of air swept over the group. The flapping of feathered wings sounded as a large bird-like stag creature descended to land near the group. The front of the beast was all bird with a set of deer antlers upon its head, whereas the rear was cervine with a feathered tail. Pristine pink, blue, and violet feathers covered the hippogryph. Sitting on the saddle was none other than Hanabi with Li Li holding the reins.

"Look what I found!" Hanabi shouted as the hippogryph turned in place, to then rear and flap its wings as it cawed happily.

Li Li Stormstout said, "Hanabi saw these cool pink crystals down in Azuna and we went down to investigate."

Hanabi nodded, clearly proud.

Li Li added, "Even though they were big, they were weirdly light and we were able to collect them. We intended to bring them back, but when Hanabi collected a fifth one, the crystals started to glow and emit this massive arcane energy!"

"They started to levitate," Hanabi said. She gestured with her hands, "They started to spin around and formed a circle, and then glowing lines appeared between them with a summoning circle on the ground!"

"The crystals then pulled together and formed into one," Li Li stated as she dropped down from the hippogryph and walked toward the group.

Hanabi said, "Then from the summoning circle, this appeared!"

"Hanabi now has her very own hippogryph mount!" Looking at Hanabi Li Li said, "Traveling with a mount makes life so much easier." Li Li then turned her focus on Hinata, "I flew it here, because she doesn't have a flight masters license yet, but that shouldn't take too long to get." Walking to Hinata Li Li held up her hand for a high five. "Grandmaster! Hey, what's up? Haven't seen ya around the Temple of Five Dawns in a while. Starting to think you don't like visiting me much anymore."

Hinata crossed her arms. "What took so long? You both have been gone for hours."

Li Li waved her off. "Uh, well, I was, ya know. Teaching Hanabi how to fly."

"Yes, that's right," Hanabi said a little too quickly.

Li Li glanced around. "Hey, where's Kama?"

"Running errands." And getting away from the drama here. "Don't change the subject."

"Hanabi," Neji grumbled as he pushed past Naruto and went up to her.

"Sup, cousin?" Hanabi said as she leaned forward on the hippogryph.

Neji scowled, and shook his head. "Do you not realize what you did is reckless? Hanabi, you can't go running off! What would your father think? What would have happened if something happened to you—"

"I can take care of myself, Neji." Hanabi stated as she crossed her arms. "The mobs we did run across were uber weak anyway."

Li Li cleared her throat and uttered, "Ex nay on the mobs ay?"

Hinata sighed, "So that's what took so long. You both went gallivanting around down on the Broken Isles."

Li Li opened her mouth, to quickly close it. "Uh, no? We wouldn't do that, right, Hanabi?" Wink, wink.

Hanabi blinked, "No. Totally didn't. That was hypothetical."

"Hmm," Hinata activated her Deadeyes.

Li Li had some newer items stuffed away in her bag. She could tell by how Li Li's chi wasn't absorbed into the items like the other things she carried. It was the same for Hanabi. Hidden beneath her robes was a new coin purse with some gold and silver, a couple of trinkets, a ring, and along with a decent short sword she had hidden within her kimono.

"You're doing the freaky eye thing, aren't you?" Li Li asked as she frowned.

"You know it," Hinata replied, letting her Deadeyes rest. She shook her head. "You both returned safe, and you're a capable monk, Li Li. I know you wouldn't put Hanabi in direct danger on purpose. By misadventure, but not purpose." Hinata looked at Hanabi. "I'm not sure of your capabilities, but if you're able to hold your own, then there wasn't really anything to worry about."

Li Li looked at Hanabi and nodded. "That's the pandaren way."

"Nothing to worry about?" Neji retorted. He shook his head and began to the Graymane Enclave. "Let's go, Hanabi. Now. The elders are waiting for your safe return."

"He really has a sick up his ass," Hinata grumbled as she watched him walk away.

Hanabi sighed. "You're telling me."

Hinata looked back at the girl, and rested her hand on the hippogryph's neck. "Did you know that hippogryphs are one of the most noble of beasts you can have at your side? They are loyal to their masters."

"They are?"

Hinata nodded. "He's beautiful." Looking at Hanabi she asked, "What will you name him?"

Hanabi stared at her a moment before she softly smiled, "Yuuto."

"Alright guys," Shikamaru said as he had already put his sandals back on and returned his pants to normal. Hefting the basket of fish over his shoulder, he began walking to the Enclave. "Everyone is here. It's time to go."

Hanabi lost her smile as she slid off the hippogryph. Taking Yuuto's reins, Hanabi led the pink-feathered beast toward the Enclave. Sakura followed behind, her books hidden away within sealing scrolls, as Sai had already put all his art paraphernalia away too. Hinata followed them at a slower pace.

"Hinata."

She glanced back at Naruto. "Yes?"

"What about you?" Naruto questioned.

Hinata looked at him. Those blue eyes were completely focused on her. "What about me?"

He caught up to her and kept pace next to her. "You're coming back with us, right?"

"Not tonight, no." She took hold of her gourd and uncorked it. Her shoulders stooped when she found it empty.

"But, you are going to come back, right?"

She looked at him. "I plan to return once I finish my affairs in Stormwind and the Temple of Five Dawns." She looked away from Naruto. "As a shinobi you understand that duty comes before self."

I'm sorry, Naruto. I can't make any promises . . . Not when the Alliance hasn't approved anyone from Azeroth to travel to Earth yet.

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, scowling. "Yeah . . ."

The interior of the Graymane Enclave was like a fortified castle. Alliance banners hung from the ceilings and along wooden posts. Boxes of supplies were stacked within corners, as worgen guards with tabards with the Gilnean insignia were stationed throughout the chamber. The portal to Stormwind was currently guarded, along with another portal. The one that would lead the shinobi home.

A worgen battle mage strode up to them, to salute Hinata. "Are these all of the outlanders?" His voice was gravelly and guttural.

Hinata nodded. "Yes. All of them are accounted for."

The worgen looked at them and said, "Once you lot enter and return to your world, this portal will close. There will be no returning here." He cast his brown eyes on Hinata. "Once the Alliance and Horde councils along with your Kages and Daimyos come to agreement, it will be decided then whether a portal will remain open between realms for commerce and diplomacy. Is this understood?

"Understood," Shikamaru replied as he set the basket of fish down. "A token of my thanks for waiting on us."

The worgen growled. He then gestured to the portal. The two worgen guards lifted their polearms from the portal.

"Neji," Shikamaru nudged his head to the portal.

Without a word, Neji went first. He disappeared for a moment, for him to stick his head back through. "It's good."

"Hanabi," Shikamaru said and gestured to the portal.

The girl did as told. She went through the portal with Yuuko behind her. Then, one by one, the last of the shinobi went through, vanishing on the other side of the portal. Naruto was the last. Before he went through, he looked back at Hinata.

"I don't get it." Naruto said as he kept his eyes on Hinata's face. "If I had this opportunity to be with my family, I'd drop everything and do it, ya know."

Hinata soberly smiled. "I have responsibilities that I can't just drop, Naruto, and not all rules can be broken."

He looked away from her. He then smiled as he glanced back at her. "I'll make sure the portals remain open, I promise."

The worgen battle mage grunted and rolled his eyes.

Ignoring him, Naruto turned to her. "I'll talk to the Kages. They're the ones who need convincing, not the Daimyos. The Kages will hear me out. Then I'll talk to your leaders too, ya know."

"Naruto, it's not that easy—"

"Trust me, Hinata." Naruto grinned. "I'm pretty good at talking to people, and as the future Hokage, I'm going to be doing things like this anyway."

She tilted her head. Future Hokage?

He turned back to the portal, "See ya soon, Hinata!"

Then, Naruto was gone. The portal dimmed, to vanish completely.