Dangerous Bond: Clan of Peace

Part 15

"You wanted to see me, Lady Hokage?" Kakashi entered the Hokage's office with a quick knock and a heavy amount of respect in his tone.

He always seemed to need medical treatment after entering her office. Hopefully this time would be more peaceful.

"Do you realize how much of the forest you and your team damaged!?" Tsunade yelled as soon as his foot stepped through the threshhold.

It wasn't the nicest welcome but the Jounin still had hope that he would leave unscathed.

"They're stronger than I gave them credit for" Kakashi smiled innocently.

In truth, he knew exactly how strong his team was but if he revealed that, he would surely leave in a body bag.

Tsunade unexpectedly sat down with a tired sigh.

"Is everything alright, Lady Tsunade?" Kakashi didn't hesitate to question with a tilt of his head, hoping to steer the attention away from him and his team.

Tsunade said nothing as she retrieved a file from her desk before facing it toward Kakashi.

"Since your team is so strong and there seems to be endless tales of your reputation, I'm sending team 7 on an S-Rank mission" She revealed with a professional expression though her eyes held pain unknown to the rest of the world.

Sending a group of Jounin shinobi on an S rank mission wasn't unheard of though it was unusuall for a group so young and newly branded.

"Very well, Lady Hokage" Kakashi accepted without hesitancy.

He stepped forward and looked over the mission details before glancing up at the woman before him with a raised brow.

"He's already?-"

"He left from the sand village...where your team left him" She glared.

Kakashi sheepishly chuckled before going back to the file.

"I see. We don't have much time to catch up then" Kakashi commented as he dropped the file with a sigh.

___

Hinata always thought she'd be stronger in the future than what she was as a child but as she trained with Neji every day, she felt little progress in her stamina and strength.

"Focus, Hinata" Neji snapped as she hit her shoulder, successfully blocking a chakra point.

Hinata grunted as she was pushed back by the force but otherwise stayed on her feet with a frown etched on her expression. 

Neji lowered his attack stance and threw a scolding glare to the woman before him. It seemed a lifetime ago that Neji truly tried to kill his cousin.

The Hyuga watched her regain her normal breathing pattern before sighing "You're distracted again."

This comment alone caused the white-eyed female to glare back at him with frustration clear in her eyes.

Neji knew what thoughts raced through her mind. He had experienced those same thoughts of frustration and hate toward himself when he was younger. It was the realization that she wasn't as good as she wanted, needed, to be but that was why he was there. To help her.

"Why don't we take a break? you've almost perfected the twin lion fists and we have been training since dusk" Neji explained carefully, trying to subtly praise her without her knowledge. He knew how hard she could be on herself at times.

Hinata straightened "What is the time?" 

Neji looked to the sky "Around noon. Training will continue at dawn" He ordered before making his leave to find some food.