Naruto - Team Crisis Part 2

The next day seemed to come rather quickly for Hinata. Before anyone else within her home was even awake, the young genin rose from her sleep, cleaned herself up, and prepared herself for her new mission. It was when she was about to leave that another awoke, stopping her from leaving.

"Hinata, where are you going to so early?" It was Hinata's father, usually the first one awake within the household.

"I am going on a mission today, and we were requested to be ready early so we could set out immediately." Hinata replied with confidence in her voice. The day before, Genma had gone around to all of the team's members, telling them where to meet and when.

Hiashi looked at her for a moment. He could see she was eager to get moving. Whatever this mission was, something about it made her happy, "That may be so, but I don't think they meant this early."

It was then that Hinata truly realized what time it was, and that her father was right. In all her excitement to go save Ayato, she didn't take notice to the fact that it was still three hours before she had to meet with her group, "O-oh… I must have thought it was later than it actually is."

Hiashi was a bit tempted to laugh at the sight of his eldest daughter, but instead chose to keep silent. Instead, he turned and began to walk down the hallway. As he walked, he called out to Hinata, "Well, would you care to join me in breakfast while you wait?"

The next few hours ticked by slowly for Hinata, but it was time she was glad to use. This was the first time that her father seemed to show any respect towards her, at least from what she could remember, and it was something she didn't wish to let go of so easily. She wasn't sure why he was being kind, but perhaps it was because she was beginning to prove she wasn't as useless as he had thought.

When the time came, Hinata left quickly with her father seeing her off, yet another first. She came to the gates of Konoha to find she was the second to arrive there, beat only by the group's leader, Genma. However, within moments the rest of the group formed up and were ready to go.

"Alright then," Genma's voice was clear, filled with what the others knew was leadership, "We're heading towards a small village about 12 kilometers from the Country of Mist border. This was where Akira was last seen. It's about two and a half days of travel. However, we won't be able to find ourselves in a town to rest, at least until until we get where we're going. We'll take time to sleep on the way, then a final rest when we get there. We'll also be taking as few breaks as we can on the way, so I hope you're all prepared. Any questions?"

The heads of the rest of the group shook no; they all understood clearly. With only a nod as a reply, Genma turned around and the group leapt into the trees, beginning its journey. For the rest of the day, the group of five traveled forward. A few times Hinata found herself tiring and wishing to rest, but it was never quite necessary for Gaara, as if sensing her fatigue, would draw out sand for her to ride upon. This wouldn't last long, though, for Hinata knew the concentration he had to be exerting to carry her and keep up with the others was probably straining him.

When nightfall finally came, they had already traveled around a third of the distance. Knowing rest would be important to the mission, especially if things became as hectic as he was expecting, Genma had the group camp out while he kept watch. They were between two towns almost perfectly, so to go one way or the other just to rest was pointless. He also decided that it would be best they stop at the next town, for it was the only one before their destination and ensuring they had supplies would be a great asset.

The group left their campsite with the morning, and shortly after noon they found themselves in a town. Genma told the genins he wanted them all to ensure they had what they needed and to get anything they were missing while they were in this town. As the group divided up to get their individual needs, though, Genma took notice to a familiar face; then again, how could he not as Jiraiya was shoved out of a nearby bar and right into him.

"Heeeeey Genmaaa!" The smell of sake was strong on the sannin. He had probably been here all day, "I was wondering when you'd show up!"

"Jiraiya-sama?! What are you doing here?" The jounin tried to dodge the old man but, even while drunk, Jiraiya was fast on his feet. A quick shift forced himself onto Genma, making the poor man act as a third leg.

Loud laughter burst into the air, the sannin having one arm wrapped around the unlucky jounin and the other being used to clasp a bottle of alcohol, "I came here to have some fun, that's what!" The sannin's eyes locked onto Genma's, and for an instance Genma could see Jiraiya's true intentions. It seems there was a lot more going on than even Genma had realized, if Jiraiya was sent to join them.

"Well then!" Jiraiya threw his arms in the air, looking as if he was about to fall over, "How about we go find another bar?!"

Genma let out a sigh, "How about we get you sobered up, Jiraiya-sama?"

An annoyed look was Jiraiya's reply, as if he was upset Genma wouldn't join him. The two started off together anyway, the sannin's balance swaying as Genma made attempts to take the sake from him.

An hour later, the group reformed where they had met with a now sober Jiraiya with them. Awe and wonderment filled Lee's eyes, while Gaara and Shino gave looks of suspicion. Even Hinata was curious as to why the legendary Jiraiya would be here, but that was quickly explained.

"Tsunade asked me to go to the Country of Mist and deliver a message to Amagakure the other day. Since I ran into Genma here, I figured I'd join you all so far."

A rather swift answer to a question not even asked, it left only more suspicions with the two more knowledgeable yet silent genins. Hinata, not wanting to be one who would doubt someone as great as Jiraiya, took it at that as did Lee.

With another companion, it was thought the group may slow but this was not the case. If anything, Jiraiya's mere presence pushed Hinata further. Where she normally would've needed to break, and have been given a ride by Gaara, she felt no pain or slowness. She felt energized, enough to keep at the pace being set by Genma. Whereas the first day she was carried about three times, today it was only once. As the day wore on and the six traveled, Hinata found herself listening in on the discussions Lee carried on with Jiraiya. For Lee, meeting someone like Jiraiya was a dream come true and he wished to learn what he could.

Night time eventually came and the group set-up to sleep. There were no towns now between them, and by the following night they would be at their destination. Jiraiya took watch for Genma so the jounin could rest. However, there was still one more who could not rest. Shino's eyes looked through his sunglasses, as odd as it was that he was wearing them at night, as he looked upon the night sky. It was odd enough for him that they would send five people to rescue Ayato, but the fact that they allowed one not from their village to go? He hadn't forgotten the destruction Gaara had brought. What if he did transformed again? It was then that he noticed it; Gaara didn't sleep either. Instead, he was sitting with Jiraiya, keeping watch. Chances are that he did the same the night before.

And then there was Jiraiya. He could tell, deep down, that the sannin wouldn't be sent to the Country of Mist just to pass a message on. There was something deeper going on, and it worried him a bit.

When morning came, the group was quick to setting out. They once again traveled the day, this time Hinata going the whole time. Genma was a bit glad at the pace of it all. He had expected them to not reach the town until later in the evening. Now, though, they would arrive at dusk. Hours passed by, nothing seeming to happen until…

"Wait!" Genma, who was leading the way, came to a halt. One by one, the others halted their movements, watching him. The jounin's hand pointed down to the ground below, where he could make out something upon the ground; a large star. However, there was something odd about it. Lee was the first to notice.

"It's made of corpses!"