AN: In this story, Sasuke never left to join orochimaru. He's still in Konoha and he still hates Itachi and all and Oro is still bad but that's it. So, Naruto didn't leave to train to get Sasuke back, he just left to train...
From Jpanda: This story is currently under revision...so for every chapter that has been redone, it'll have a little note like this one at the top. Enjoy!
A shadow fell across the forest floor leaving nothing but the rustle of leaves in it's wake. Birds fluttered their wings as figures crossed through the skies over head.
A black silhouette stopped on a shaded branch, leaving the forest in utter silence. Sakura blossoms drifted in the wind and brushed softly against the yellow hair of the darkened form.
The soft light of the night fell onto the face of a teenaged boy as he adjusted his position. Clear blue eyes swept over his surroundings looking for any kind of disturbance. His face showed no expression as he swiftly moved to the ground and into the shadows.
The full moon over head gave him enough light to see, but still head him from the sight of others. Creeping around the tree, moonlight fell on his face showing his smooth, tanned skin and subtle whisker marks across his cheeks. His pants and jacket were both black and the shirt underneath a bright orange.
His lips stretched into a smirk as he sprinted across the forest floor, his target in sight. Taking out a kunai he threw it at his opponent who dodged at the last second. Using the distraction to his advantage he jumped on the other, bringing him to the ground.
The older mans long white hair never touched the ground as he flipped effortlessly over the boy, sending a kick to his head. The boy's body disappeared in a poof of smoke as the man's eyes scanned the area.
He whirled around in the light revealing long red trails leading from his eyes down his face. He looked aged, but his skills proved he was still worthy of his title.
The white haired man heard a noise to his left and moved toward it, kunai at the ready. The metallic cling of metal could be heard through out the forest as the two collided, the younger over powering the old man.
Falling to the floor, he attempted to push himself back up but froze at the feel of cold steel against his neck.
Silence took over before the blue eyed boy smiled and removed the weapon. Instead he offered his hand, which was gladly accepted. Staggering as he was pulled from the ground, the white haired man gave off a loud groan as he rubbed his back, giving the boy a smile.
"You've gotten better Naruto. Even surpassed your sensei." He praised, stepping into the light and dusting off his red and green outfit. Blue eyes watched as his teacher lay down on the ground and closed his eyes. "Now get some sleep. We've been doing these exercises all day and my back is killing me. Remember, we're going back tomorrow, so don't sneak off while I'm sleeping."
Naruto sat with his back to a tree and sent a light glare to his teacher. He wouldn't sneak off, at least, not after what happened last time.
Shoving the memory from his head Naruto shifted his position, trying to get comfortable. "Jiriaya-sensei, are you sure it's a good idea for me to go back? Don't you think that maybe it's a little too soon? I mean, I could be so much better. I'm sure there's still so much you have to teach me." His soft blonde hair acted as a pillow as he laid his head on the ground and looked up to the stars.
He had been away training now for the past four years. He knew it was a long time, and he missed his village, but he wanted to get as strong as he possibly could.
The blue orbs shifted from the sky above to his sensei who lay on the floor near him. Naruto could hear his steady breaths and assumed he had fallen asleep. Turning on his side he let sleep take him.
Jiriaya opened on eye and looked over at the sleeping boy. A smile grew on his face as he thought about what he had just said. "You might be able to learn more kid, but not from me. You've surpassed this old man." With that said, he closed his eyes and joined his pupil in dream land.
xXx
Dark indigo hair blew lightly in the cool breeze of the fire country as pale lavender eyes swept the area, mentally remembering every detail. No sound could be heard and no lights illuminated the streets below.
A girl stood from her resting place and walked along the length of the tiled roof she stood on. Her creamy complexion shone in the moonlight and her long hair shifted around her petite body.
A sigh escaped her lips as she trailed long, delicate fingers over the cat ANBU mask in her hands. Placing it over her face, she continued her patrol until she reached a small pond at the edge of town.
Looking at the still water, she took in what she saw. She saw a girl with long hair wearing dark blue shorts and shirt. A cloth was wrapped tightly around her small stomach leading down to the short tan skirt that adorned her hips. Her pale eyes lingered on the dulled forehead protector tied around her waist, the Konoha symbol still shining proudly.
She broke from her daze when she felt a presence approach. Her right hand reached for the holster on her thigh but stopped as she recognized the chakra signature.
"Hinata, the Hokage wishes to see you." Hinata's lavender eyes turned to see her old friend. Smiling, she walked over to him and nodded. She could clearly see the red triangles of his clan on his face and remembered all the days they had spent together when they were younger.
"Thank you Kiba. I'll go there now." Hinata began to walk off, her hair swaying in a rhythmic pattern. The boy, Kiba, watched her walk away with a look of worry. He took a step toward her and she stopped her movements, signaling for him to speak.
"Hinata, please don't work yourself too hard. I'm worried about you. We all are." Kiba took another step forward, but stopped as she spoke. She didn't turn to face him, but he could feel her gaze on him none the less.
"I thank you for worrying, but you don't have to. I know how much I can handle." With that said she disappeared from his sight. The brown haired boy shook his head and set off in he opposite direction.
xXx
Hinata's presence was announced to the Hokage as she stepped into the office and removed her mask, showing proper respect to the blonde in front of her. "You called for me, Tsunade-sama?"
Hinata had known the Hokage personally for years, earning herself the right to call her by her given name. She watched silently as the Hokage shuffled through the mess on her desk and took out a few papers from a folder. Glancing at them, she handed them to Hinata leaned against her desk, her blue eyes watching as Hinata skimmed the papers.
"Hinata, I need you to do this for me. You're the only one who I can trust to do it properly at this time. You may take two other people with you if you like, but you'll have to be ready to go by noon tomorrow." Tsunade muttered, stifling a yawn. While she looked alert, Hinata could tell she hadn't slept well in days.
The blue haired girl placed the papers inside her bag and gave a curt bow to the older woman. "I accept the mission, Tsunade-sama. But I wish to go alone, if that is ok." Hinata phrased that last part as a question, but her tone and look said that it was more of a command.
The Hokage noticed this and only answered with a nod of the head. Hinata left without a word and headed for home, intent on packing before anyone saw her.
AN: If you don't really understand what Hinata looks like, visit my profile page and look under facing you. I'll have a link there to the pic. (It's not mine by the way, I found it on the internet.) So review, if you'd like. thank you, and see ya later!