Road to Hokage: Save the Hyuga Clan

Team 8's Race to The Gate

Uzumaki Hinata wiped the sweat from her brow. The sun was setting. In the distance, she could just make out the Hokage Mountain and tiny lights of the Hidden Leaf Village. They almost look like stars, she thought to herself. We are almost home. Naruto...

After a grueling month-long mission in the Land of Wind, Hinata along with Kiba and Shino had returned home. All the three were standing together on a sturdy tree branch near the very top. From there, a fresh evening breeze provided some relief from the sweat and grime of the day's journey.

"Hinata, did you hear me," Kiba asked once more.

"I'm sorry, Kiba. What did you say?" Hinata said as a fresh blush bloomed on her cheeks. Kiba smirked. He had a pretty good guess what- or should we say who Hinata was thinking about.

"I said, should we stop and take a break now that we crossed the border back into the Land of Fire?" He repeated.Hinata softly shook her head.

"I think we can keep going. If that's alright...with you Kiba... Shino?"Kiba snickered as he realized Hinata's answer confirmed his suspicion. Shino's insects began to hum slightly louder.

"What's the rush, Hinata?"Kiba taunted her, playfully.

"Hinata wishes to return home quickly because she misses Naruto," Shino added. A small laugh escaped from Hinata's lips as she raised her right hand behind her head to rub her neck.

" Guys quit teasing me! But yes, I would like to return soon and see Naruto."

Kiba and Shino looked at each other and burst into fits of laugher catching the kunoichi by surprise.

"What's so funny?" She demanded.

"You, "Kiba snorted. "The way you laughed just now. You are picking up Naruto's mannerisms. What's next?"

"She will start saying dattabayo because it is what Naruto says," Shino quietly commented. Kiba reached over Hinata's head to fist bump Shino. Hinata rolled her eyes good naturally before jumping to the next tree branch ahead of her.

"Ay- Ay Hinata wait up! " Kiba called once he realized she left them behind.

"If you have the energy to laugh at me, then we don't need a break," She yelled back. "Last one to the gate buys breakfast!"

Kiba and Shino snapped to attention.

"I'll take you on, Hinata!" Kiba answered as he leaped forward. "Let's go Akamaru!" The ninja hound leaped under him so that Kiba landed on his back to ride him. 

Shino's insects swarmed around him creating two large wings that resemble those of a wasp. They moved in unison to propel him forward.

Hinata increased her speed as she raced through the trees. She was so quick and light on her feet that the leaves barely moved as she passed.  She glanced over her shoulder to see Kiba and Akamaru gaining on her. Also, she was sure she heard the swarm of  Shino's insects approaching.

Just a little bit closer, Hinata thought. Closer... closer.....

The insects swarming became louder.

NOW, she thought. She gathered chakra in her feet to flip herself up in the air. She was suspended upside directly above Kiba and Shino with her arms outstretched. Her open palms were directed at the rest of Team 8 below her.

"BYAKUGAN!" Chakra rushed to her eyes in force making the veins at her temples bulge.Kiba looked up at her in surprise.

"You wouldn't! H-H-Hey Hinata, you are too nice for that!" He pleaded while waving his arms frantically.

Hinata winked. " I think some of Naruto's mischief must have rubbed off on me too...dattabayo.  Eight Trigrams Palms: Revolving Heaven!"*

A massive rush of chakra shook the trees all around the pair. Of course, Hinata was careful to avoid hitting her teammates directly. Instead, the branches that supported them took the brunt of her attack. The limbs splintered cracked and finally gave away. While the two struggled against the resistance of the jutsu to find stable tree branches for footing, Hinata hurried to the gate. She leaped out of the trees and landed on both feet gracefully in front of the gate. The guards at the gate greeted her.

"Welcome home, Byakugan Princess," said the male guard with a bow. When he lifted his head, his lavender eyes shown brightly in the moonlight. Thought so, Hinata said to herself while nodding back to him. Only Hyuga clan members would refer to her by that title. The title was bestowed upon her after the infamous moon mission. Although it was starting to catch on with the villagers.
"Messages for you while you were away," he said extending his hand with the two scrolls in it. Hinata opens the first one sealed the Hyuga clan symbol.

"Do you want us to walk you home?" Kiba asked pulling leaves out of his hair. Hinata giggled.

"I'll be fine." She answered as she read the scroll. A clan meeting in the morning. She sighed- of course, father would somehow know she was back early. Less than 10 minutes back and now she couldn't claim her breakfast prize from Kiba and Shino. Or possibly not even see Naruto until the day after tomorrow. She struggled to think what his tomorrow would consist of. She remembered him writing to her about accompanying Lord Sixth to a Kage meeting tomorrow. But she couldn't remember if "tomorrow" was actually yesterday or indeed tomorrow. She stuffed the scroll in her backpack and opened the second scroll.

She smiled. It was an invitation to join Lady Tsunade for lunch then a visit to her favorite bathhouse. She requested that Hinata respond with a date later in the week that worked best for her. That was a pleasant surprise.

"Thank you," she said to the guard before heading into the village. She wondered if she should just head to the Hyuga compound. Naruto was probably already asleep and she didn't want to disturb him. If she went to the compound, she could sleep in, attend the meeting, then head to the Hokage's office with her mission report in the morning. That seemed most logical, but she found herself wandering in the opposite direction to the apartment she shared with Naruto.

*Hinata doesn't perform this jutsu in the anime (only game). I took some liberty with her abilities O:)