Orange, Spirals and Everything Nice

Eight: On the Snow

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters or the setting of the story. They all exclusively belong to Mr. Masashi Kishimoto in all its rights.

(A/N: (Hey, there...) I tried with the action scenes but it's not really my thing; but I hope you still like it... ^_^ ... My apologies in advance. Enjoy reading! Thanks!)

Hinata, Neji, and Kou traveled to the Land of Iron for clan business.
After Pain's assault on Konoha, everyone's scale of fear escalated due to the impending war across the shinobi world against Uchiha Madara. With all the chaos within the village, one, being the ANBU root director, Hamura Danzo, proclaiming his rights as the sixth Hokage and attending the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron; wasn't the least of their concern.

Because word got out that Uchiha Sasuke is also intending to destroy Konoha and all its might.
All these simultaneous threats had been weighing on everyone's mind.

Especially on Naruto.

After hearing about Sasuke's impending plan, Team 7 traveled to the land of Iron to talk to the other Kages in hopes of changing their minds about killing the rogue ninja for hurting Kumo's jinjuriiki.
Konoha 11 had previously discussed what to do with the situation but no one was kind enough to spare their former classmate.

Everyone had just had enough.

All of them were still recuperating from the devastation of Pain's attack and they won't be tolerating another threat from anybody.

Even from Sasuke himself.

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Before Hinata and her group were sent out on a mission to the Land of Iron to meet a certain Samurai -- courtesy of her grandfather; -- Sai, Sakura, Kiba and Lee have previously set out to meet Naruto with a plan to talk to him about Sasuke's threat.
Hinata wasn't able to hear the plan Sakura had formulated when she talked to Shikamaru but she hoped it'll help Naruto in any way. Hinata didn't want the hero to take on any more responsibilities than all the other burden he was already carrying.
All these chaos are already too much for him even if he didn't voice out any complains. Hinata wished she could at least help him carry some of it to ease his suffering. If only she can openly say to him that she was always there for him no matter what.

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"Hinata-sama." Neji called out to her and they stopped.
"We've arrived." He notified her and fair enough, as she looked forward, a small village from a few hundred yards emerged from the endless snow.

Hinata felt relieved after travelling for almost a day.
The Hyuuga elder had sent them on that brisk mission to hand in a special scroll to an acquaintance of his. It wasn't unusual that the details of the mission were discreet, since it was a Hyuuga mission after all. Hinata's team were just messengers and that was it.
Besides, they have to finish their current mission as soon as possible since the village still needs them as additional manpower for the impending war.

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The trio finally reached the inn they were tasked to go to after another hour of travel. After clearing the area for any threats, they all took a break and patiently waited for the other party. Neji, Hinata and Kou settled themselves in front of a fancy table in the middle of perhaps the largest room in the inn, facing a breathtaking view of the snow-covered country from the wide open terrace.

They waited in silence for about half an hour, cautiously looking out if their host had just missed them along the way every now and then.
Until a whole hour had passed and the other party is now obviously late for the meet up. The Hyuugas are now anxiously on their guard for any possible threat that might pop out of nowhere. Their grandfather had warned them of it so any future complications shouldn't be a surprise.