Summary:
A ninja is taught to look beyond appearances. A genjutsu, for instance, would cause its victims to feel like they are surrounded by total darkness, feel like they are being tortured beyond end, or whatever the user uses as their genjutsu. To dispel the jutsu the victim would need to identify that they are under the influence of a genjutsu. Once the victim knows that the genjutsu is there, it is simple to terminate it; and then the user. The same could be said when it happens in everyday life. There are those who can see past the rumors and prejudices; yet, sadly, there are those who do not. This is a story of overcoming those types of situations. Will hearts be mended or broken? Will a village's scorn ever end?
Chapter 1: What's Going On?6:30 am – Hokage's Office
The shades are drawn leaving the entire room in almost complete and utter darkness. Three figures stand in silence. The first, facing the two before her desk, thinks to herself for the moment.
'Their files look clean; or, at least they appear to be.'
Meanwhile, the other two await the next question of this interrogation/interview process. The one on the right–clad in red vest with black ninja pants. His calmness is almost unnerving.
'He is definitely the shorter of the two, but also the most deadly. Well, not to take anything away from the other. He is not to be underestimated either.'
The one on the left–sports a blue vest with black ninja pants. He seemed to be in and out of the conversation.
'A partial daydreamer, I suppose.'
"Okay, I have reached my decision"
This causes the daydreamer to come back to reality, the calm one straightening his back even more.
"The both of you have got talent, I'll give you that. However, the two of you are still not welcome here."
"May we ask why?" asks the one sporting the blue.
"I think you already know the answer to that question. Any other questions?"
Silence."What would allow us to remain here in Konoha?" asks the one in red.
"It doesn't matter. You're leaving in a few days anyways. You might not be welcome but we are still a very hospitable village."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." addressed the two strangers in unison.
And with that the two young men bowed and were on their way.
Shizune enters."So what do you think of them, Tsunade-hime? I believe they would be a great asset to the village and…"
"Please Shizune." Interrupted the Godaime "Stop, just stop. You know as well as I that it cannot be done."
"But, why?" asked a defeated Shizune.
"They're wanted men."
"It's not their fault!"
"It doesn't matter! The elders did not heed my proposal. Just please, go back to work and forget about all this."
"Hai."
Halfway out the door she stops.
"What is it Shizune?" asks Tsunade looking over some documentation.
"What will happen to them?"
"They'll have to move on, just as you should."
"Right" answered Shizune with a collapse in her voice.
7:00 am – Apartment Complex
Buzz Buzz Buzz
A hand quickly bangs the sleep button and the owner slumbers once more. Well, at least for the next fifteen minutes anyways.
Someone knocks on the door. With the absence of an answer the knocking persists.
"Go away!"
More knocking.
'Jeez, can't a guy sleep in peace?!'
"It's my day off!"
"Wake up baka!"
"All right, I'm coming, I'm coming."
The door opens and daylight races inside the room causing the recently awakened teenager to hide his face from the light.
"Damn, how could it be so bright this early?"
"Get dressed we've got to go."
"For what?"
"Please don't tell me you don't know?"
"Know what?"
"Oh my god, Naruto I can't believe you don't remember." with a punch to the head of the blonde.
Some things never change.
"Agh, Sakura! Why did you do that?"
"Naruto" with a growl in her voice.
"Okay, okay I'll get dressed" complied Naruto while walking back in.
'What's going on?'
Reaching into his closet our favorite blonde picks out his wardrobe. A lot had changed to his wardrobe over the past six years since he became a genin. Hell, a lot's happened to him in the past six years. Aside from his height his muscularity grew to a good size. His blonde hair already started to grow a little differently (a lot better than that chinchilla he had on his head, according to Ino).
"How do I look, Sakura?" Naruto sports his black and orange gear.
"You look fine, pretty boy. Now let's go"
"Uh, where are we going again?"
"Oi, Naruto. We are going to the Hokage's office."
"But I thought we had the day off."
"I thought so, too. All I know is that she wants to see us right away."
"But, if it wasn't planned why were you so mad at me?"
A blush creeps up on her cheeks.
"Sorry, old habits die hard, I guess." a hand behind her head.
"Hn." was all he replied.
Awkward Silence.
"Uh, how about we get a move on, huh, Naruto?"
"Yeah."
"Who knows maybe it won't take long and we can investigate what happened yesterday."
"Yesterday?"
"Oi!" uttered Sakura, slapping her forehead in defeat.
"You can slap yourself as many times as you want, but it still won't make your forehead any smaller, billboard head."
"Shut up, Ino pig!
With all their bickering Naruto can only cover his ears. Poor guy. But their fighting is all in fun; a way to keep the other on their toes. It had been a pretty long day since either of the two had a real fight with each other–especially after Sasuke's betrayal. It had taken a while, but they had finally gotten over their infatuation with the Uchiha. Now he is just another missing nin; not a love lost or whatever they thought he was to them-just a faded memory.
"Are you two done yet?"
"What!!" both exclaim at the same time.
"Sorry to end your fight but don't we have to be going somewhere right about now, Sakura?" says a now frightened Naruto, awaiting some type of damage to be inflicted on his skull.
"You're supposed to be somewhere?"
"Yeah. Hokage–sama wants to see us first thing."
"Oh. Well don't let me keep you. See you girl," says Ino as she leaves.
"Bye girl," says Sakura, walking towards Naruto.
"Let's go girl" to Naruto.
"It's about … HEY!"
7:30 am - Training Field
"All right, Akamaru. Today's the day." with a bark from the huge nin dog.
"Yep. Today I'm finally going to ask her, boy. I hope she says yes."
Akamaru whimpers.
"What do you mean what if she doesn't? Na, I'm sure she'll say yes."
Another bark.
"Right. Looks like we'll know in another half-hour," says Kiba now not so sure of himself at the moment.
Momentum suddenly pulls Kiba onto the ground.
"Hey, get off me you mutt!" Kiba laughing at the dog's wet kisses on his face, "Well at least I still have you boy." still getting over the laughter.
"All right get off me!" growls the dog lover playfully, "Let's go."
With a sigh the two leave for their destination.
7:45 am – Hyuuga Mansion
"Sister."
No answer.
"Sister," in a frustrated tone.
"What Hanabi," says a busy Hinata.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting ready"
"Well that's obvious, but for what?"
"I-I'm gonna hang out."
"So early?"
"Uh, yeah. Hey, does this look all right."
"You look presentable."
Boy was that an understatement. Presentable? More like, "Damn, that just gave me whiplash fine." A lot had change to her, too, over the years. All her features grew in nicely. She grew her hair out to mid back length (thank god because that duck's ass for hair was not working), changed her wardrobe (meaning she doesn't wear that baggy sweater and pants anymore), her stuttering is rarely heard (now it's only when she's really nervous or caught off guard), and has also gained respect in her family for bringing peace between the head and branch families. A lot is going on for the heiress of the main branch.
"Bye, Hanabi!"
"Bye" watching as her older sister leaves the compound.
7:58 – Streets of Konoha
Konoha got up to an early start this morning. Even this early the streets are busy. With all but two minutes to reach the Hokage's office a flash of pink and yellow races through the streets.
"So what happened yesterday, Sakura?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. Yesterday a big clearing was found in the middle of the forest late last night."
"So."
"Sooo, something must have caused it, right?"
"What do you think caused it?"
"Earlier today the Hokage was holding a meeting. At 5:00 am."
"So? Oh."
"Exactly"
'Oba-chan actually got up early for once? This must be serious.'
With a minute left the two pick up speed. Maybe, just maybe the crater and Tsunade's early meeting link to each other. With any luck they'll get the answers they need.
AN: So, what do you think? Any good? I need reviews. I'll take any and every kind as long as I get lots of them. Forgive me. I was sick when I wrote half of this. With your reviews let me know what pairings you would like to see and if I should keep those OC's in the whole story or cut them out. I know that OC's can ruin the story. So please, let me know. I can't write any more until I get some of your ideas.