"Shibi! Shino!" Tsunade shouted, summoning the two Aburame clan members to the room where she and Shizune were 'operating'.
"Another lapse, Hokage-sama?" Shibi said, as clinical and cool as ever.
"Yes! Now try and calm her down..." The somewhat irate village leader demanded.
At this, the buzzing of insects began. To an insect, it was a wondrous calming melody, a poetic and pacifying lullaby. For bugs, it was something that took them into a place of peace and calm.
For humans who were not from the Aburame clan, it was like a buzzsaw inside their heads. Tsunade and Shizune plugged their ears, as the writhing shape on the bed began to calm down.
"She is pacified, Hokage-sama." Shibi reported, as Shizune shook her finger in her ear.
"Well, we made some progress with her shape... But how is she?" Tsunade asked, as there was a faint hum or buzz in the room.
Shino spoke up after a second.
"Hinata says she's fine now, and apologises for worrying everyone..." Shino said, as the hokage sighed.
"The worst kind of patient is one who keeps apologising when it's not their fault... Seriously, Hinata, show some backbone..."
Shino paused as there was a faint buzz.
"...Hinata reminds you insects do not have backbones."
Tsunade looked at him in confusion.
"I believe she is joking."
Tsunade then regarded her patient, and her underling. Over the last five days, they had managed to carefully alter her shape and form to something approaching humanoid, but only half her size. Currently, she wore a hospital gown, but apart from her shape and that, human was not something you could describe her as - except in mind.
She had black-brown chitinous skin, and long feelers growing from her head. Her eyes were black orbs set amongst an insectoid face, and below the elongated but stilll-human shaped arms, she held two vestigial extra limbs. The rest of her body was resuming a human shape, curving in the correct places. The rounded back she had as a cockroach was now a more human looking upper body, and contrary to her joke, she did have a backbone, albeit an almost entirely superfluous one thanks to the remainder of her exoskeleton.
As they had reverted her slowly, there had been "lapses". Lapses, that was, in her control. Her insect body came with an insect mind, and the discomfort of the attempts to revert her (Hinata did not call it pain as she was certain it was not such a feeling) led to her human mind blanking, and allowing a panicky insect to take control for a few moments until pacified. Hence, Shino's father had entered the small circle of people aware of Hinata's condition.
There was a faint buzzing noise.
"Hokage-sama, Hinata would like to ask if you have reconsidered her request..." Shino began, only for Tsunade to sigh.
"Yes, yes, fine. I'll let Hanabi know you're okay, but this is a mistake. I haven't even let your father know anything more than you're affected by a jutsu and if your sister starts claiming you'll be fine in a few days we're... What's that saying?"
There was a buzz, ending in a higher pitched buzz, and Hinata drew her hands to her face. Even her stubby second arms tried to reach up as Tsunade grinned.
"She said it, didn't she?"
"Word for word, hokage-sama. On a related matter, I have been meaning to ask, who introduced this phrase to you?" Shibi pondered.
"Who else would bring something like that to Konoha."
"Ah. Jiriaya."
"Very good, Aburame-san. I was expecting you to say Naruto."
Shibi raised an eyebrow.
"It would be more logical to assume he introduced the phrase to Hyuga-san."
"Quite."
"It is a most unusual phrase. Why would one even be in such a creek to begin with, let alone being so careless as to lose their paddle?"
Tsunade shrugged.
"Well, Hinata, any more about that link you felt?" Shizune asked, trying to steer the conversation onto a more relevant topic.
There was a buzz, and Shino translated.
"Yes, Hinata confirms that when she was lapsing earlier the link has strengthened. She believes she may be able to track the attackers."
Tsunade nodded.
"This is excellent news. Hopefully we can try your plan out, but I need to convince Kurenai you're ready."
Hinata buzzed.
"Hinata would like you not to be too harsh with sensei. She did have a rather severe shock."
"Hinata, if it means I get you able to track those bastards and help lead our hunter team to them, I'll be harsh with the whole of Konoha if I have to. We already have..." Tsunade began, and stopped.
"...A problem, Hokage-sama?" Shibi asked. She sighed.
"Classified until we're sure Hinata is fit to go."
Hinata buzzed quietly, but Shino did not translate, merely having his insects buzz back.
"Well, speaking of Kurenai, I think we should go meet her. Aburame-san, can you keep her company?"
"Of course, Hokage-sama." Shibi nodded.
"Shino, Shizune. With me."
And the other three left the room.
In the Hokage's office, Kurenai sighed.
"So, no word on Sakura or Ino yet?"
"None." Shizune sighed.
"We're assuming the group did something to them, and we're hoping that they're somewhat safe, but frankly we need every means possible to track these three. And that means that as soon as we give Hinata a few more treatments to regain a more human shape, we're sending her out..."
"Hokage-sama, please. I don't think she..."
Tsunade looked at her Jonin.
"Yuhi-san, your concern for your genin team is exemplary and frankly I wish we had more jonin like you who treated them as more than just a chore. Maybe we'd be able to have graduating classes where less than two thirds failed the genin test... Instead of having people like Kakashi abuse the system. But as Hokage I am afraid that I am ready to put the needs of many before the needs of one, and I am glad to say Hinata is prepared to do so as well."
Kurenai nodded softly.
"I understand, Hokage-sama, but... Please, can the rest of my team join with Asuma's group..."
"Jonin Hatake is officially in command." Shizune helpfully pointed out.
"...Regardless of who commands, I agree. When Hinata is ready to go, your team will support her. Shino offered to help Hinata communicate with the others, and we believe the link will help us lead the others in."
"Hokage-sama, if I may... What is this link? I don't believe it's been properly explained..." Kurenai asked.
"Hokage-sama, may I?" Shino offered.
"Certainly."
The Aburame boy began.
"Sensei, you are aware of the links I share with my allies, correct?"
"Vaguely."
"It seems to be somewhat comparable to those links, except that insofar as we are aware, there is no bond of alliance between Hinata and the attackers created by the link, merely a link between their chakras. Hinata believes that the links may be exploitable in locating other victims of the three nin, and is certain it will allow her, and ultimately us, to track them."
Kurenai nodded.
"So, she became aware of this while you tried to cure her?"
Shizune nodded.
"The first time she lapsed."
"Well, hopefully tomorrow she'll be ready to go. The plan is that Hinata will shadow you, with some of Shino's bugs... Since apparently they like her..."
Kurenai shrugged.
"She does hold the record for finding Tora, and she never even used the Byakugan."
"Yes, sensei, but the cat then kept being found hiding in her room by other genin teams for some days afterwards. It caused quite a problem when Team Seven tried to break into the Hyuga compound to reach it."
"In their defence, Sakura did ask at the gate while Naruto and Sasuke snuck in so at least they were using a diversion. It was just bad luck Hanabi spotted Sasuke... Huh, maybe we should have her try and track him down..." Tsunade pondered.
She shook her head.
"Anyway, report back here tomorrow before dawn. If Hinata's ready, you'll be leaving right away."
Kurenai and Shino nodded, and made to leave.
"And tell Kiba for me, I can't be bothered trying to figure out where the damn ANBU messenger is hiding today."
"She is on the roof, hokage-sama, sunbathing. " Shino reported.
"Ah, thank you.... CAT! GET DOWN HERE NOW OR I'M PROMOTING YOU TO JONIN AND GIVING YOU KONOHAMARU'S ACADEMY TEAM!" Tsunade screamed out the window.
The ANBU was there before Kurenai and Shino had even left the room
The next day, Hinata was cleared to go. She was slightly larger, but still only about half her original height. She concealed herself below a cloak, meaning that to an onlooker, Kurenai and her two genin were being followed by a midget.
Remarkably, the journey was swift and without problems. Nothing attempted to attack them nor did the pace of trying to catch up with the other team affect them, even when it was realised soldier pills may have dangerous effects on Hinata, it became apparent that she had been given vast stamina with her transformation, for reasons unknown.
One problem with the journey was Kurenai's over-protective nature. Even Hinata was getting frustrated by the constant checking-up on her, and Kiba sighed every time their sensei spoke.
But when Hinata spoke as they passed a town, there was confusion.
"...Sorry, Shino, did your bugs hear her right?" Kiba frowned.
"Hinata is certain. There is a chakra link like hers coming from within a shop in the town."
"Well, I guess we can try and look... If we're lucky it might be the targets and we can keep track of them. " Kurenai noted
"Or get turned into cats..." Kiba muttered under his breath, as Akamauru whined in concern at the terrible thought.
The team wandered into town, Hinata concealed inside a sack and carried by Kurenai, following Shino's translations of Hinata's buzz to the link. The team tried to balance between caution and not attracting suspicion, and reached the destination.
"...A toy shop?" Kiba frowned.
"Hinata confirms the link is coming from here." Shino said, and made his way in.
As soon as the door opened, Hinata was surprised to hear something.
'Oh gods! Customers! Please don't buy me, please! I don't want to be a toy!'
Hinata looked out of a small hole in the sack, but even with something closer to human vision, she could not make out the source of the voice, nor track the chakra signal precisely. It was somewhere among the various shelves of stuffed animals and dolls, but Hinata had no idea where... So, there was only one thing for it. Have the signal maybe tell her.
'Hello? Who's there?' Hinata tried.
The voice was silent.
'...Oh great, now I'm hearing things! Why did I have to be so rude to that ninja?!'
"Sensei, Hinata reports she can hear a voice. She presumes it may be another victim of our targets." Shino whispered, mindful of the shop keeper watching them.
"I see... I'll look around. Does she recognise the voice?" Kurenai replied.
Shino shook his head as the shopkeeper asked if he could help them.
"We're just looking, thanks." Kiba said quickly to try and divert attention as the shopkeeper eyed Akamaru.
"Don't worry, boy, I know it's a nin-dog. They're the same as guide dogs for store policy."
Kurenai, meanwhile, was examining some dolls.
"...This is a weird cat. Why is it wearing a pink shirt? And why does it have brown hair?" She frowned, as Hinata buzzed.
'Shino! Tell Sensei to check the dog beside the pink bird in the green civilian school uniform!'
Shino did so, as Kiba wandered over to examine said bird.
"Sensei, what is this bird wearing?"
"It's a school uniform, Kiba. Civilian schools use them. The civilian school in Konoha doesn't though, because the Academy doesn't. "
"I'm glad we didn't... Do the boys have to wear this?" Kiba pondered, turning the doll over.
"No. And stop looking at its underwear." Kurenai commanded as she picked up the target dog. Kiba placed the bird down and walked away quickly to conceal his blushes.
'Aaaah! No! Please, don't buy me!'
"Sensei, that's it. This dog is the chakra link. It may be another victim."
'Chakra what? Wait! You're ninjas! You can help me!'
Hinata tried again.
'Yes, we are, and we can.'
'You can talk to me?! How? Some Ninja trick?'
'Er, no. I was affected by a similar jutsu to you... I think.... Wait a second, I'll have my sensei buy you so we can keep you safe...'
As the dog thanked Hinata, Shino reported this to Kurenai.
"Good idea... Wait.. How many zeroes?" Kurenai balked at the price tag.
"Is there a problem, madam?" The shopkeeper asked, coming over.
"Oh, none at all. I just would like to buy this dog..."
The shopkeeper grinned.
"I was wondering when someone would!"
A moment later, the three humans, one semi-insect, and one stuffed dog walked out of the shop.
"Shino, why did you buy that stuffed cockroach?" Kiba pondered.
"It is my cousin Shana's fourth birthday in seven days. I believe she would like it."
On the way, they questioned the stuffed dog victim, learning she was a civilian girl who had gotten into an argument with a female ninja matching the description of one of the targets. She was now in the sack, Hinata having vacated it when they left town.
However the trip did not take too long even with the delay - the search team had found itself doubling back on a trail, the missing nin having tried to double back and trick the hunters. They had linked up by the next morning, finding half the team investigating a campsite, while it seemed the other half was tracking. Kakashi, Anko, Shikamaru and Lee were the investigative contingent - Asuma, Guy, Neji and Tenten were tracking.
"Okay, Hinata. We're going to meet the others now, you keep your distance. We don't need them knowing what really happened"
'Yes, Sensei.' Hinata said via Shino's translation.
She kept watch as her team separated from her, and it seemed the bugs Shino had loaned her felt her brief pang of doubt and loneliness
'Lady Hinata, we are with you and we are ready when you need us to send messages to the master.' One buzzed.
'Thank you...'
Kurenai wasn't surprised to see that orange book, but was a little surprised to see Anko had apparently stolen Kakashi's copy.
"What's the situation?" Kurenai said after greetings.
"Those missing nin destroyed my copy of this book, so I stole Kakashi's." Anko said, and Kurenai sighed.
"I meant with the mission."
"Oh, right."
"Sakura and Ino are missing, presumed captured." Kakashi said, looking slightly upset, but Kurenai chalked that up to his book in Anko's hands and not the fact he had lost his last genin.
"I'm aware of that. Anything else to report?"
Kakashi shrugged.
"That's about it, except that we got into a fight with them yesterday and the only casualty was Anko's book."
"I see... Anko, why the hell did you bring a damn book, especially one of those?" Kurenai demanded.
"Hey, working with so many genin is boring. There's three genin that are fun to mess with I know: One's gone traitor, one's gone training, and one is cowering behind you in terror at the sight of me."
"Hah, Shino isn't cowering at all!"
"Mitarashi-san means you, Kiba-san!" Rock Lee helpfully pointed out.
Kurenai sighed, hoping Hinata would get a lead soon...
"Well, I guess I can share my information now." She began, and told the tale of the stuffed dog she carried...
In fact, she already had one.
'I'm seeing a chakra link... Someone tell Shino, please?' Hinata said to her borrowed bugs, who buzzed faintly.
'We will advise master, but which direction are you going?
Hinata mentally slapped herself for that one.
'North of where they are just now, they're around a mile away. The link points right towards something there.'
A bug then flew off, headed for Shino as Hinata and the other bugs made their way to the link.
'Lady Hinata, what exactly do you see with these links, may I ask?' A bug enquired.
Hinata wasn't sure how to explain this.
'Well... It's like... How do you track female Kikaichu?'
'We see their scent trail hanging in the air.'
'Really? That's... that's pretty much how I see these links except they're like a chakra pathway...'
If the bugs could shrug, they would have.
'It is likely the two effects are similar'
Hinata neared the source of the link, and was glad to see that it indeed was her targets... but was less than pleased to see two other strong chakra links. One came from a Kunai stuck in a tree, and one seemed to come from the woman's rucksack. Many other kunai had faint links, but Hinata somehow knew they were not human, and may have had simpler minds - If they even had minds. She would ignore them.
She was even less pleased to see the three ninja were standing over an unconscious Tenten, in the middle of the weapon-riddled clearing.
"So what do we turn this little weapons bitch into?" One of the males demanded.
"Bandages! She sliced my arm open, she stops the bleeding!" The other said.
"No, boys. I have a much more useful way to show her not to mess with us... Very fitting for her..."
The woman cast a jutsu, and Tenten groggily awoke.
"Ugh... What..." She began, only to tense seeing the three ninja. She leapt to her feet, reaching for weapons... that were not there.
"We disarmed you, missy... And now you're going to be even more disarmed." The woman smirked, making hand signs.
Watching from the trees, Hinata winced as Tenten realised her fate with silent horror.
Tenten gasped, and struggled to stay upright, but she was changing. Her body was growing larger, her ears elongating and her jaw twisting. She groaned, as she lost the fight to stay upright and fell on all fours. She screamed as her clothing began to tear, and her hands began shifting.
Her fingers began to merge, the fingernails turning black even as small, wispy brown hairs began sprouting all over her body. The angle of her legs began to shift, as her neck and head began shifting upwards. She now screamed, but the noise was a braying cry of despair, half-human, half-beast.
Her legs shifted and altered in shape, her knees changing direction as her clothes ripped and shredded more, falling from her. From her hind quarters, a tail began to sprout, while her ears and jaw were now longer than ever. Her distinctive hair style melted into her head as more and more, thick brown hair sprouted all over her body.
She stood, giving occasional grunts and brayed in pain as the changes finalised. Her feet and hands had become hooves, her arms front legs, and her jaw had become a snout. She had long drooping ears, and a thin wispy tail whipping around from her backside.
She had become a donkey.
"Good... She can carry my bag and make up for cutting me..." One of the males said, walking over to her.
"Wait, you idiot, she's..." The woman warned, as Tenten turned and kicked him square in the chest. He flew backwards, gasping as the wind flew from his lungs.
"...Not pacified yet!"
The woman was forming another jutsu, and even as Tenten began trying to run, there was a glow of Chakra. Hinata could see into Tenten's eyes, and was surprised to see her eyes glowing brightly... and then becoming swirls for a moment, before she stopped in her tracks, and slowly turned and trotted back to the woman.
"Now she's safe. Nice and docile... A little hypnotism jutsu. Don't bother gathering all these kunai, we've got her weapon scrolls. Just throw your packs on her. Fitting given she carried so many weapons on her before."
The male who hadn't been kicked did so, as the injured one stood slowly, gasping for breath, before throwing his pack on too. The three and their new pack animal walked away, just as Hinata's borrowed messenger bug came back.
'Master is on his way, Lady Hinata.' The bug reported
'Thank you. I need someone else to go back and report what's happened to Tenten... but I need to check something first.'
Hinata made her way to the strangest Kunai, a little bewildered by the fact many of the others seemed to be oinking, and pulled it from the tree. She heard a familiar yelp, then a scream.
'W...What the hell are you?!' Ino screeched at catching a glimpse of Hinata.
'Ino? Um... It's me... Hinata.'
The screaming kunai paused.
'...What?! How did you get turned into...That?!'
Hinata shrugged.
'Probably the same way you became a Kunai. Look, Ino, don't worry. We're tracking the three missing-nin. Everyone else on the way, but they have Tenten now.'
Ino sighed.
'Great. That's all four of the kunochi in the rookie eleven... Know what that crazy bitch turned Sakura into? Her underwear!'
Despite being a humanoid half-sized insect, Hinata shuddered, and was repulsed.
'Ugh... That's revolting...'
'Yeah, but... uh, wait. How can you talk to me?' Ino suddenly realised.
'I'll explain on the way, but we need to track them to save Sakura and Tenten...' Hinata said, keeping Ino in her hands as she followed the glowing link in the air... While a loaned bug went to report to Shino.
The snare was tightening around the four missing-nin...