I went back to training the following day and a pleasant routine settled. Naruto was nearly finished with his jutsu, and my own jutsu was coming along nicely. I no longer needed the tanto to manipulate Kurama's chakra in the nature change. However, without the tanto it became wild and significantly more difficult to control.

Which isn't a surprise. My chakra isn't exactly docile, Kurama commented. I snorted, glaring up at the morning sun and thrusting my hands out. Kurama's chakra burst inside of me, however it was only a very small dosage. It ran to the tips of my fingers before expelling out as red lightning. It danced around the air, the streams of light, snaking and whirling.

My brow furrowed and I willed it to obey me; to take shape.

The lightning grew brighter and brighter, blinding me, until it exploded and I was sent flying backwards.

The air was knocked out of me when I slammed into the ground. Wincing, I sat up, scowling furiously at yet another crater that was created.

I hate your chakra sometimes, you know?

Kurama's laugh gave the impression of mocking me.

"Imouto! Kurama's laughing at me again!" I heard Naruto shout from across the clearing.

"I think he's laughing at me," I said, standing up and brushing off the dirt.

I'm laughing at both of you.

"U-Um..."

The quiet voice carried across the clearing. Even Kakashi glanced up from his book to find none other than Hinata standing at the end. She was shifting nervously. "I need Miwako-chan to come with me. S-Sorry, Hokage-sama's orders."

"Eh?" Naruto asked, cocking his head. He gave a petulant pout. "Not even going to say hi to us, Hinata-chan, so mean."

Hinata's face took the bright red shade of a tomato. "S-Sorry, Naruto-kun! H-Hello! I, er..."

Naruto just gave her a good natured grin and I flickered towards her. "Ignore him, Hinata-chan. Let's go."

"H-Hai."

('･ω･')

Right after I had entered the Hokage's tower, Kurama's laugh echoed inside of me.

Your idiot brother completed his jutsu. Just like in Canon, his arm's useless now.

I guess he'll be seeing Tsunade-sama soon, too, I thought affectionately. I don't suppose you'll help with the healing process?

Humph. Don't be presumptuous, brat.

I only smiled outwardly in response.

"Oi, Miwako-chan, long time no see," Kiba grinned. I dipped my head in response.

"Hello, Kiba-san, Shino-san," I said. "Hinata-chan said Tsunade-sama wanted us...?"

Shino adjusted his glasses. "So it would seem."

I cocked my head in response, already moving down the hallway and entering Tsunade's office. The others waited outside and I closed the door behind me, frowning.

I guess Tsunade wanted them to wait outside...?

I approached Tsunade's desk and she handed me a folder.

Quickly, I began to scan through the papers presented to me.

"It's a search mission," Tsunade said plainly. "It hasn't been confirmed yet, but the ANBU Black Ops have discovered what could be Orochimaru's hideout. However, the operative has been killed and the map he sent me only shows the general area."

"I understand," I said.

"You are to lead Team 8 and confirm the hideouts whereabouts. The rest of your mission details are in the report."

Nodding my head, I turned to leave, but then stopped.

"... Why are you making me leader of this mission, Tsunade-sama? Wouldn't Kakashi-sensei be better?" I asked hesitantly.

Tsunade eyed me for a long moment, her expression and thoughts unreadable. "Kakashi's told me how well of a tracker you've become, Miwako-chan. Don't sell yourself so short."

My cheeks flamed and my stomach fluttered. "I... I just... I mean considering how the last mission went..."

"Considering you took on two S-Ranked criminals, safely got your team out of that mess, all while you were restraining your power, you still managed to get hospitalized?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, her tone sardonic.

I flushed. "Don't paint it like that, please, Tsunade-sama. I failed the mission. It's as simple as that."

"Some would agree with that, others would detest," Tsunade said simply. "Don't paint yourself like that, Miwako. A kunoichi who underestimates herself is just as bad, if not worse, than a kunoichi who overestimates herself."

I see.

I don't.

Isn't it obvious? She's giving you a second chance. A chance to prove you can handle it. Although, from the stench in this office it would seem Kakashi was here before us. So perhaps it wasn't entirely her idea.

I bit my bottom lip, closing my eyes and letting out a long breath.

When I opened my eyes, determination flared inside of me. Then I won't disappoint.

"I understand, Tsunade-sama. I promise... I promise I won't fail you."

"See that you don't," Tsunade said, smiling warmly.

('･ω･')

I leapt off from the tree branch, the others trailing behind me. A silence had fallen over the team, and I peered up through the canopy at the setting sun.

It's unusual for Kiba to be so quiet, I mused, smirking. "Getting nervous, Kiba-san?"

"As if," Kiba scoffed. "I've been training hard to show the others that I'm not about to lose any time soon."

"Hooo?" I couldn't resist adding a condescending tone to my voice.

"Shuddup," Kiba growled, however there was no malice in his voice, and when I looked back at him, he was grinning.

Shino leapt up beside Kiba. "I'll have to demonstrate the results of my training, too."

"Yeah, let's do our best," Hinata said, smiling gently. "Right, Miwako-taichō?"

I blushed at the honorific and abruptly looked away. "A-Ah, yeah."

('･ω･')

I kneeled before the ashes, sniffing the air delicately. My finger ran through the ashes. This must be the ANBU that sent the message. He must have been mortally wounded... offing himself off like this.

Kurama gave a low growl at the same time that Kiba placed a hand on my shoulder.

"What is it? Do you sense something?" I asked both of them, looking up. Kiba and Akamaru were staring out at the dark forest.

Kiba glared into the darkness. "This is more than just a sense, right, Akamaru? The smell of death. There're quite a few dead bodies up ahead."

I inhaled sharply, catching the scent. I was so absorbed in checking the body, I hadn't noticed.

"I smell it. Let's go," I said shortly, leaping up. When the scent became too strong, we stopped short, hiding in the trees. I had Shino send out his insects to confirm the bodies. When Shino's bug returned, he gave me a short nod.

"Proceed with caution," I warned and all of us leapt out from our hiding spots. We ducked around some rocks and re-entered the forest, only to find a man standing before us. His pupils were dilated and I watched as Curse Marks slowly receded from his form.

"H-Help," he whispered before he fell over.

My eyes narrowed and I tensed. "A Curse Mark... this is definitely Orochimaru's territory, but..."

... but what happened here?

"Faint traces of chakra..." I looked over sharply at Hinata, who had activated her Byakugan. "One... two... there's so many!"

I clenched my hands into fists. "Alright. I'll go in first. Wait here."

I tossed my first special dagger to Hinata, who caught it quickly. Recognizing my technique, the team did not argue with my orders. I sprinted into the hideout, wasting no time in following the single hallway.

Stopping short, I stared at the mass of bodies.

Now which one is still alive? I wondered, my eyes roaming the area. I found one who was breathing heavily and leaning against the wall. As I approached him, the hideout began to shake and I quickly sprinted towards him. I grabbed him by the shoulder and then in a bright red flash, we were both gone.

Releasing my hold on him, he fell to the ground and Hinata knelt by him. "Hinata-chan, you know the basics in medical-ninjutsu. Please tend to him. We need him alive for questioning."

"H-Hai," Hinata said, quickly doing as ordered.

"This is going to take a while. Shino-san, please send out your bugs to survey the area. Kiba-san, I want you on look out with me."

"Right," they chorused.

I watched the as the hideout destroyed itself, unsurprised that Orochimaru's hideout was doing so.

"We might have succeeded in our mission to locate his hideout," I mused, "but..."

Shino glanced over at me. "We can't say we succeeded. Why? Because we can't return to the village without any information on Orochimaru."

Sighing, I squatted down beside our prisoner. "True. Who knows if he'll even survive and if he does, if he'll be useful?"

"The enemies set a timed trap," Hinata whispered, "so there are still people who left this site, maybe not too long ago."

"Then we'll pursue the enemy," I decided, "after we take care of our prisoner. They don't know about us yet, so they will rest after a while. We'll be able to catch up with them."

('･ω･')

After Hinata finished what we she could (and deemed him stable), I bit into the palm of my hands and summoned Bull and Bisuke. Bull gave a low bark in greeting and Bisuke cocked his head. "What is it, Miwako-chan?"

"I need you two to take this back to Konoha," I said, gesturing to the unconscious and bound prisoner. "Ibiki may find him useful."

"Right," Bisuke said and Kiba lifted the prisoner up and onto Bull's back. "Later, taichō-chan."

"Now that that's taken care of," I said, glancing at the team, "let's begin our pursuit."

('･ω･')

"My insects have detected the enemy," Shino said, and he immediately changed his direction. I quickly mimicked his actions, following behind him.

('･ω･')

"A jutsu that ensnares the enemy in a pink crystal?"

"Earth Style?"

"I've never seen anything like it before..."

"My parasitic insects have been destroyed in the same way," Shino said, holding out a crystallized bug.

I watched as the crystallized shinobi shattered away into dust. We had followed Shino's insects and arrived in a grassy clearing. However, upon arrival we found several of the shinobi we had been tracking were encased in a pink crystal - as were the majority of Shino's insects.

"Not Earth Style. At least... not quite," I said, surveying the crystals. "It's Crystal Style. We faced an opponent of the like in our last bout with Orochimaru. Guren, I believe. So... I suppose I better report this back to Konoha. If she's involved, then it's something to be bothered about."

I bit down on my thumb, summoning up Pakkun. "Oi. Pakkun, can you head back to Konohagakure for me? Tell Tsunade-sama that Guren's involved. She'll understand. Also, we found Orochimaru's hideout, as I'm sure you can tell from our prisoner. We're still in pursuit of survivors, though."

"Right," Pakkun said, grinning up at me. "Take care of yourself, pup."

Turning away from Pakkun - he was already sprinting away - I eyed Hinata, Kiba, Akamaru and Shino. "I suppose I better tell you what I know about Guren now. Listen closely..."

('･ω･')

"Miwako-taichō, is it okay to be resting in a place like this?" Kiba asked, standing at the mouth of the cave.

"Yeah. Let Shino's insects search the area - I know you guys are tired," I said. "Go ahead and get some sleep, all three of you. I'll keep watch."

Hinata's brow furrowed. "But - "

I grinned at her. "Don't worry, Hinata-chan. I don't need as much sleep as you guys do, so just trust me, okay? Besides, until Pakkun returns, we need to act with caution."

('･ω･')

After a couple hours of resting, I woke the team up and we set out again. Nearly half an hour passed without result.

Akamaru gave a low whine.

"Don't worry," I said, landing beside Kiba and Akamaru. "We'll find them eventually. Hinata-chan, how much longer can you hold your Byakugan?"

"I have plenty of strength left in me, so don't worry," Hinata assured me.

Shino stopped beside Hinata. "... Miwako-taichō...?"

"... Have you found a good spot to begin the breeding?" I asked, glancing over at him. While a fair few of Shino's insects perished from Guren's jutsu, he did find one that survived. He explained to us it was possible that his insect was immune the the Crystal Style and said it may be possible to breed that insect for the purpose of defeating Guren.

We had yet, however, to find a suitable hiding spot where Shino could safely do so. Not to mention he still needed to find the other surviving insects.

"No," Shino said, "However I sense another one nearby. I will take my leave for now."

"Right. Here," I said, pulling out a dagger and holding it out to him. "If you're in trouble, just channel some of your chakra into it and I'll be there in an instant."

Shino took the dagger carefully and tucked it away. "I understand."

"Be safe," I instructed. "Hinata, Kiba, Akamaru, let's go."

('･ω･')

"A dog whistle?" I asked, glancing back at Kiba.

"Aa," Kiba confirmed. "Akamaru said he definitely heard one."

"Do you think the enemy has a dog?" Hinata asked.

I shook my head. "No. I didn't smell any dogs at the hideout, and it's harder to remove dog odors than human odors."

"I'm not sure about the direction, but they can't be far behind," Kiba said.

"Then we'll just have to pick up the pace," I decided.

('･ω･')

The dark clouds loomed above us. Despite it being a new day, with the heavy rain it still felt like night had continued on. Hinata, Kiba, Akamaru and I were holed up underneath a fallen tree, none of us having any good reports to give from our solo patrols.

"With it raining now, I can't catch any new scents," I muttered under my breath, peering out into the darkness.

"Hmph. Even the bats are inside."

Bats...

Damn it! I completely forgot about them!

Smooth move, brat.

I ignored Kurama's remark, glaring up at the bats on the ceiling. "Kiba... that dog whistle you heard earlier... do you think it could have been from a bat?"

Kiba blinked in surprise. "Wh... Actually, yeah..."

"Then perhaps our enemies are manipulating the bats - or at least a bat," I said, staring up at the bats with unhidden annoyance. "They probably have already spotted us. We won't be able to track them like this. Right now, our hope is resting with Shino, at least until Pakkun returns with our next set of orders."

('･ω･')

When the rain had cleared and the sun finally shone above us, we left our hideout and surveyed the surrounding area.

"Ttt. Looks like the rain washed away all the scents," Kiba said, Akamaru sniffing the ground and whining.

"Mn. They're using bats to observe us, so we know their base is around here, or they were forced to stay here for some reason. Oh... you're back."

We glanced over at Shino, who flickered back down to us. Shino held out his hand, and we saw several bugs crawling out from his jacket. "We got lucky. I found a female insect that survived with her eggs. And they just hatched. However... I need more time. I only have a few ready. I'm going to need to increase their numbers all at once..."

"Very well," I said. "Shino, hold onto that dagger for a while longer, then. You three, let's move out. We need to find the enemy soon. It's the middle of the day, so if we see any bats out, we know it's them."

"Right!"

Oi. Miwako.

What is it?

That Crystal user... Guren...

Yeah?

It's been a long time since I've fought a Crystal user, or well, a long time since one of the bijuu have fought one. From that fight, though, I know they cannot crystallize Senjutsu, Bijuu chakra, or raw chakra.

So you're saying...?

They can crystallize some of the weaker bijuu, as you read about. However our chakra cannot be crystallized.

Why not?

I could feel Kurama grinning at me.

Too volatile. Even down the molecular level.

I understand. Thank you.

Humph! I just don't want you failing another mission and moping about. Don't think my assistance changes anything, brat!

I resisted the urge to giggle. Such a tsundere.

WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?!

As Kurama began to screech and rage at my audacity, I couldn't resist letting out a small chuckle.

"Kiba-san?" I asked, and he glanced towards me. "Let's turn our attention to the bats' scents. This time... this time we're going to find them."

Kiba grinned. "Aa, taichō."

('･ω･')

"I caught it! This chakra..." Hinata exclaimed, her Byakugan eyes widening.

I smirked. "Alrighty then."

"Look out!"

My eyes widened as a large shinobi leapt out from behind. I turned around, and his fist grew three times its normal size. "So you're the leader!"

I caught his fist, digging my heels in the ground and scowling furiously at him. "Impudent bastard! You don't just up and attack the leader, thinking they're such an easy target."

However, even with my channeling chakra into my heels to stop his attack, I was forced to disengage and leap away. His fist continued onwards and slammed into the ground, creating a large crater.

I dusted off the debri and pulled out the dirt from my hair, annoyance flaring through me. The entire area soon became wrapped in a smoke and I sniffed it.

I've lost all the scents. This smokescreen is what they've been using to cover their tracks, I thought. I can't even see my own hand in front of me, it's so thick. I better head back to the others. Shame I don't know any wind-style jutsus, otherwise I would just blow it all away.

Although...

A smile crawled its way on my lips. Although... I'm nowhere near Konoha, and so long as my team don't jump out in front of me...

You can use my chakra.

Aa.

The large shinobi from before leapt down in front of me, I could feel his chakra.

"Do you really want to fight me?" I asked. "I can't guarantee you'll like it."

He did not respond, sprinting forward. I ducked underneath his punch, dropping down to my back. Almost in slow motion he flew over me and I kicked up at him, digging my heels into his stomach.

He was sent flying up into the air and I quickly followed after him, leaping up high above the smoke.

"Raiju Hashiri!"

Lightning, taking the shape of the hound flew out of hand and slammed into the shinobi, I pushed more energy into the attack and he writhered, crying out in pain.

"Well then," I said, grabbing at him, I then threw him away from the smoke screen before following after him, "sorry about that. However, I'm not in much of a good mood. You see, the last fight I was in ended rather poorly. I have to say... I'm really itching to let loose, you know?"

Kurama chuckled. Capture the other ones alive. This one doesn't need to.

I felt a rush of emotions swirl inside of me: anger, annoyance, fear, determination to prove myself, but most of all... I felt a sort of desire.

I lost.

Horrendously so.

I hated losing.

I wanted... I wanted to prove myself. To prove to everyone that I wasn't some weak little girl. That I didn't need to be saved. That I should be the one doing the saving. Tsunade and Kakashi gave me this chance.

My back straightened and I loomed over the shinobi who was struggling to stand back.

"I never thought I'd actually want to kill someone as badly as I do now," I murmured. "You're a horrible influence for me, Kurama."

Kurama laughed. Don't blame me, kit. I told you - whenever you use my chakra, it'll have a lasting effect, didn't I? Even if the last time you really used it was over a year ago, it still stings, doesn't it? You still hate Konoha. You're still angry. Still bitter. That's not changing anytime. If anything, it's just been building and building inside you all these years. Such pent up hatred.

"Maybe," I said. "Yatta, yatta, I wonder if I should have Naruto use his Therapy Jutsu on me."

I could feel Kurama roll his eyes.

Grinning, I said, "Maybe not, though. Sorry, shinobi-san, but..."

Raising my hand, I pointed at him. "Raiju Hashiri!"

However, in a flash, he was gone, sprinting away.

Looks like I spent too much time monologue. Serves me right. I know better.

You don't seem all that concerned.

Of course not. He may be faster now, but I've trained for years to be the fastest kunoichi in Konoha in order to utilize the Flying Thunder God. Besides... he's no S-Rank criminal.

Digging my feet into the ground, I then launched myself up into the air. "Raiton: Discharge!"

Lightning flared all around me, and one of the strands slammed into the shinobi, sending him flying away. I fell back down to the ground, however, not before the scent of blood penetrated my nose. Shit. Hinata...

I turned on my heel and sprinted towards the scent.

"Hinata-chan, are you okay?" I asked, landing beside her.

"I-I'm fine," Hinata said.

"Looks like we're all here," Shino said, and I glanced up at him.

"They got away," Kiba muttered.

"Looks that way."

"Then we better follow them," I said. "Hinata-chan, can you keep up?"

Hinata stood up shakily. "W-Watch me."

Grinning at her, I then turned to Shino. "Shino, can your bugs find them?"

"Aa."

I beckoned with my head, but Shino shook his head. "Wait. There's something going on with my insects. It's as though they can't find their way out. How do I describe it...? The parasitic insects seem to have lost all their senses and seem to be wandering aimlessly."

Hinata frowned. "A Genjutsu?"

"Hinata, check to see if there is a barrier around. It's not a Genjutsu, trust me," I said. If it was, Kurama would know instantly and break it. A Genjutsu is essentially useless against a jinchuuriki when they're close to their bijuu. Or close enough the bijuu is willing to break it.

Hinata nodded. "Byakugan!"

She gasped, clutching her eyes and falling down. "... Infinite images... of us...?"

"Then it's as I thought. Guren's got us caught in her Crystal Jutsu - " My eyes widened. "Scatter!"

We broke apart, just as sharp blue blades of crystal barraged the area we were once in, knocking over the trees and slicing through the branches. Guren leapt out from behind one of the trees, and through the corner of my eye I could see another one jumping out towards Kiba.

Clones, I thought.

I caught Clone-Guren's fist, refusing to release it. Crystal formed in a sharp blade around her forearms and with her free hand she swung towards me. My gaze darkened with annoyance and my stomach churned with disgust. With my other hand, I caught her arm.

Kurama's chakra flowed through me and I channeled it into my fists before transforming it into lightning. Clone-Guren's eyes widened before rolling back and she slumped over. I grabbed her head, channeling chakra into my fists before shattering her crystal clone's head.

"Annoying," I muttered.

The clone broke away into pink crystal and I kicked away at it.

Glancing around, I found that the other clones had disengaged from battle. I leapt down from my tree branch, where Kiba and Shino met me.

"Where's Hinata?"

"Here's your friend."

Hinata emerged from the ground, encased in pink crystal.

"Hmph. It's been a while, jinchuuriki," Guren said, stepping out from behind the trees. "Although we didn't face each other directly."

Pursing my lips, I turned towards her. "Kiba-san, Shino-san, Akamaru, step back and stay back."

"What are you going to do?" Kiba asked.

Flexing my hand, I looked down at it. "Kakashi-sensei was right. The Flying Thunder God really drains me. When I don't use it, I can keep fighting on and on... and being able to draw up on Kurama's power without fear of being near Konoha... Heh. Although, I used to be apprehensive about it, even if I was away from Konoha."

Guren's eyes narrowed.

"But you know," I continued, "you know... In my last fight I really learned something. Though he told me it long ago - 'a kunoichi who does not utilize every tool available to her is a dead kunoichi.' I lost something dear to me because I didn't do that. I'm not about to make the same mistake.

"So I suggest you surrender quietly. Or I'll rip your fucking head off," I finished, smiling at her.

Guren scoffed. "Light sealed inside the Jade Crystal can never get out. Don't move. If you guys follow us any longer, your friend will end up as shattered shards of light!"

"Hoo?" I said, a mocking tone in my voice. "Really? Somehow... I doubt that."

There was the sound of glass breaking and specks of crystal ducks fell above us, just as Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi and Yamato landed around us.

"Sorry I'm late, Imouto!" Naruto said, grinning widely, his two toad summons waving at me. "You're that Crystal user, right? Hey wait... Hinata-chan? What'd you do to her?!"

"She's trying to take Hinata-chan hostage," I chuckled.

Guren glared at me. "Are you laughing at your friend's situation? Do you think I won't kill her in an instant?"

I placed my hands on my hips, and Kiba and Shino exchanged equally unimpressed looks. "Konoha has learned from our last fight with you, Guren. Hinata knows how to counter your Crystal Style, should she be in a situation like this one. Go ahead. Try and break that crystal, but I can guarantee you won't be breaking her."

Sasuke pulled out his katana, adjusting his grip on it. "Surrender now, and you won't be harmed."

Guren scoffed.

"Miwako," Kakashi said lowly, "right now our priority is to get Hinata to safety."

I glanced over at him. "Don't underestimate her, Kakashi-sensei. Besides, I doubt she'd like it if we aborted our mission for her sake."

Kakashi eyed me. "... You are the leading captain. Do what you think is best."

I grinned brightly at him. "Aa! Guren, last chance to surrender."

"No," Guren said, her eyes narrowed. "Last chance to leave."

"No," I said.

Guren swung her fist at her own crystal, completely shattering it. Hinata fell to the ground, completely alive. Guren's eyes widened. "But - "

Hinata jumped to her feet and leapt away, behind us. "Miwako-taichō told us when we fought you, to always keep a layer of chakra around us. You can't Crystalize raw chakra, not in its most base form."

Naruto placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder. "You okay, Hinata-chan?"

Hinata blushed, but nodded her head. "Y-Yes."

Guren stepped back from us, glaring at us. She then pulled out several balls and slammed them into the ground. Smoke covered the area, and with a quick whiff, I knew immediately that her scent would be covered with the smoke.

"This is starting to become quite the annoying mission."