Shades of Cool
Chapter 4 - Admiration
Chapter Description: Sasuke has two new fans with big hope's and dreams while Hinata is given a new technique to master.
The Shimura clan had been one of the many clans that had been around in Konohagakure for centuries. It had been the first set of clans (along with the Senju, Uchiha, Sarutobi and the Hyuga) to reside within Konohagakure. The Shimura clan were a highly eminent clan within the land of fire, known for their own hidden jutsu's and skilled member's. Shimura Danzo had been one of the most renowned member of said clan and also one of the most resented - even so that he had been shunned within the clan, especially after his death. While the Shimura clan were mostly to themselves within the land of fire, outside's gave their side eye's and opinions. Unlike the Uchiha clan, the Shimura were still respected.
Shimura Shinra were one of the many members of the Shimura clan, only the young age of eight and attending the Academy he knew how being a shinobi meant to his family. He read upon many scrolls and documents in his families shrine (even if he was not suppose to) and knew almost every member of the Shimura clan. The first time he learned of his great-uncle, Shimura Danzo, it was his last. His mother had caught him and (of course, did not want her son to know the sinister of the shinobi world and of their own clan at a young age) punished him. Every document and secret jutsu he had been reading upon were confiscated.
However, Shinra did not mind. He knew when he would become a genin that he would be one of the strongest in the land of fire, he was sure of it! As of now, he was forced to attend the Academy until he graduated and become a genin and have his own team (must to his despair). Being the top of his class and the most skilled out of the academy (while there were a few others beside him that were the same) Shinra thought of himself as better than everyone else in the Academy.
"Finally." the young boy sighed to himself, grabbing his belongings and running off and out of the academy doors. School was tiresome and having to be there with people below him was a drag.
"Hey, Shinra, where are you going?" asked a fellow classmate that Shinra could say was an acquaintance. The young boy and himself had hung out and sparred together a few times after class (sparring cause Shinra had no time for games, if he was to be one of the strongest shinobi in Konohagakure, he had to start young).
"I have to go train, Tsubasa." Shinra replied, waving his hand.
Tsubasa, his light brown eyes blinking a few times before his nose wrinkled. "Again?" the young boy asked, his hand coming to brush away a few strands of dark brown hair away from his face.
Shinra frowned. "If I want-"
"To become a strong and powerful shinobi of Konohagakure, you'll have to train everyday to achieve it." came a strong, yet feminine voice. Shinra furrowed a brow, as did Tsubasa. Both boys knew the voice, and much to Shinra's annoyance, it was close.
Hōki Sumire had her inky black hair tied into a pony-tail, a red ribbon tied around it while her bangs had been tucked to the left side of her face, covering her ginger colored eyes. Her skin was fair and clear, as a lot of the girls who attended the academy and had not yet reached puberty. The young girl had wore a sleeveless, black high collar blouse that matched her apron skirt that had a tint of red stripes on the side. From her fingertips to her elbows had been bandage, as well as her thigh's to her knee's with dark blue shinobi sandals.
"Sumire." Shinra groaned, rolling his eyes. To an adult witnessing Shinra, you would expect an old soul had possessed the young boy.
''Shinra." Sumire replied back, rolling her own ginger eyes and crossing her arms.
"What do you want? Maybe an autograph." Shinra turned away from the girl and faced his friend (he would consider Tsubasa as a friend). "I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow."
As Tsubasa waved to his friend, he began to walk away, knowing that Sumire would follow an annoyed Shinra.
"Why are you following me?" Shinra hissed behind him, sensing the Hoki girl.
"I want to spar with you." Sumire spoke, shrugging her shoulders. "I want to see how strong you think you are."
Shinra halt in his tracks. He turned towards the Hoki female and snickered. "You're a girl."
Sumire frowned. "That does not mean I am not capable."
Shinra shrugged. "I don't care." he began to walk. He had never had to fight a girl, he was unsure where he would strike her at.
"Hey!" Sumire yelled.
The Hoki Clan consisted of medic-nin and information gatherer's who though originated from Sunagakure, now resided in Konohagakure. Being known to work behind the scenes, the clan were mostly quiet and often forgotten about. Hoki Sumire could say she was different from her clan. She was loud and outgoing. She was strong and will-minded. Some of her peer's at the academy would say she was bossy and thought way too highly of herself. Unlike the woman in her clan (when hit puberty), she did not desire to wear make-up until she met her husband. Sumire was destined to be different - her own person.
"Dammit, bastard!" came a sudden shout from a few feet away and behind some tree's and bushes. While Sumire had been chasing Shinra, both children had not known where they were heading off to, the Shimura knew that he had to get the girl off track while the Hoki knew she had to fight the boy who thought he was too good to.
"Who was that." Sumire asked, her curiosity at peak.
Shinra, as well intrigued, began to tip-toe towards the bushes.
"You shouldn't do that." Sumire insisted.
"Leave me alone." Shinra waved her off.
Sumire fumed, but followed behind the boy to peak over the bushes towards one of the training grounds.
Both children's eyes widen.
"I-I's that..." Sumire gulped.
"Uchiha Sasuke!" Shinra awe, his eyes wide with admiration.
Indeed, Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto had been going through their daily sparring match in the outskirts of Konohagakure. Here, they could use whatever jutsu they could and not damage the village. How both children made it this far was beyond them.
"He's so cool!" Shinra marveled, his lips curved into a wide smile and his eye's not blinking as if afraid he would miss a move the great Sasuke would make.
"My sister told me to stay away from him." Sumire whispered, reminiscing the threats her sister gave if she was caught near the Uchiha.
"Why?" Shinra gasped. "I heard he was the last Uchiha to ever live and that he was an avenger."
'I heard he was a murderer.' Sumire thought, but decided to keep her thoughts hidden.
Both watched as Uchiha Sasuke, with his right hand, gather lightening into his hand, the bright, light blue chakra forming made sounds of several birds chirping. With wide eyes, Sumire and Shinra watched the high concentration of electricity become louder until they both watched as Uchiha Sasuke began to sprint towards Uzumaki Naruto.
'He's going to kill him!' Sumire shook her head, ready to close her eyes. She couldn't. As Shinra, she marveled at how strong and fast Sasuke could gather his chakra. She too has heard many rumors about the avenger, enough for her curiosity to wonder what was right or wrong about the powerful man before her.
Naruto had dodged the attack, of course. It was not as if Sasuke had actually going to hit him. Behind him, Sasuke hit a tree, thick enough to shatter some bones if it had been a regular person attacking it.
It was not a regular person.
Sasuke had fractured the tree in half, widening the eyes of both children and causing them to gasp.
"Show off." Naruto chuckled, clapping his hand.
Sasuke scoffed.
"We should go." said Sumire, knowing that it was forbidden for children to be anywhere near here.
Shinra agreed.
Both children knew, as they scattered away from the training grounds, both deep into their thoughts that...
'I want to be like Uchiha Sasuke.'
"I should start bringing my own money." Hinata sighed, shaking her head. It was the second time that Sasuke had to pay for her food and it bothered her.
"I am not bothered." Sasuke voiced, sitting on a bench besides Hinata, but far enough for the both of them to have their separate space.
Hinata nodded her head. She grinned softly. "Thank you, Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke grunted his response. The duo began to eat, Sasuke chowing down his own food having not eaten dinner the night before or breakfast this morning. Hinata had did the same, knowing how rapid she ran out the house to get out of her father's question and eyes. Lee had told her to have a big breakfast before their running session around the village. Hinata wished she would have listened.
Now, as Sasuke and Hinata down their food, the Hyuga wondering what her next technique would be and Sasuke wondering the same, their mind was clouded in a million of thoughts rushing through their head at once. How would Sasuke teach Hinata everything she needed to know within a span of 5 months? How could Hinata process everything she would be taught by such a skilled shinobi? Will Sasuke ever get the groceries he ever so needed?
"Sasuke-kun."
Hinata lifted her eyes, as did Sasuke, to the rose haired girl. Her olive eyes had a tint of mischief in them. One arm had been on her hip while the other laid limp on her side. Hinata had come to attention that Sakura seemed off.
"Hello, Hinata." Sakura's voice slithered.
HInata smiled. "Hello, Sakura-chan." the hyuga nodded her head.
Sakura grinned, then turned her head towards the Uchiha. "Are you and Hinata on a date?"
Hinata choked, her eyes widening. She began to cough.
Sasuke turned his head to watch the coughing girl, her face redden, as well as her hands.
From a few feet away, Shikamaru and Choji were sighing. "We should stop this." said Shikamaru.
"You know we cannot." Choji argued.
"She's embarrassing her." Shikamaru began to walk towards the trio, seeing Hinata ready to faint. "Sakura..." he said, his eyes gleaming.
"Oh, Shikamaru! Sakura laughed. "Where did you come from?"
Shikmaru hummed. "Hinata, are you alright?"
The heiress nodded her head. "I-I am..."
Sasuke groaned. Her stuttering was back. It annoyed him severely.
"So, Sasuke. Are you two dating?" asked Sakura, her smile growing wider. "Are you on a date right now, am I interrupting-"
"No!" Hinata shook her head wildly.
Sakura frowned. "That's tragic."
Sasuke tilted his head.
Shikamaru groaned. 'How troublesome.'
"H-huh?" Hinata hiccuped. "W-Why is t-that?"
Sakura crossed her arms. She then shrugged. "I dunno." Her eyes adverted to Sasuke's. "I feel as though you and him would be a lovely couple."
Hinata felt her world go dizzy. She began to shake her head and yelp. "S-Sakura-chan...I-I-"
"Go away." Sasuke's voice spoke, for the first time since Sakura had arrived.
Shikamaru eyed the Uchiha.
"Huh? You don't think so, Sasuke?" Sakura asked, tilting her head.
The Uchiha stood, his eyes adverting to Hnata. "Let's go. We have to continue training."
Hinata nodded, going onto her feet. She bowed to the Nar and the Haruno. "I-It was n-nice seeing y-you two." she stuttered and went to follow Sasuke who had already departed without saying a farewell.
As Sakura and Shikamaru watched the two figures disappear, Sakura moaned. "I did not get enough information." the Haruno moaned.
"Ino, don't you think you should be getting back to your body?" Shikamaru hissed, already knowing the side effects of the Shintenshin no Jutsu and how angered sakura would be once she found out Ino had stolen her body yet again.
Ino shrugged. "It's safely at Sakura's home." she laughed. "I got all the information I needed recorded on this hidden speaker daddy let me borrow."
Shikamaru sighed. "Ino..."
"Don't give me that look!" Ino snapped. "I'll give it to Sakura so she can know by Sasuke's lack of -"
"That does not confirm that Hinata and Sasuke are dating." Shikamaru reassured. "Besides, we know who Hinata likes."
Ino nodded. She brushed Sakura's hair to the side with her fingers. "Of course we know, Shika. But if this will make Sakura move on then this is what I will have to do."
"That's a stupid idea!" Sumire hissed.
Shinra rolled his eyes. "Coming from a stupid girl, it may be!"
Sumire and Shinra were now the age of nine, and though both of them were still rivals, they could say they became a little close after witnessing Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto sparring a few months back.
"What makes you think he will agree to training us?" Sumire crossed her arms. The idea Shinra had was insane! Sasuke had better things to do than train two wannabe ninja's still n the academy. He was probably going out on missions constantly and did not have time to himself, let alone two children.
"What makes you think he won't?" asked Shinra, hopeful. "Imagine him training us? We can become stronger and skillful before we even become genin!"
Sumire crossed her arms. She was unsure of how this would work. Becoming skillful before even becoming genin and graduating from the academy seemed like a dream she wished to fulfil. However, this was not any shinobi. It was Uchiha Sasuke. Both Shinra and Sumire stalked within the shadows as Sasuke walked through the village. They knew what time he and Naruto sparred and would always watch far from their viewpoints. They knew when Sasuke would take a short stroll to the village and buy a few things from the grocery store ( a few bottles of water and some vegetables - always tomatoes - and canned food that seemed unhealthy).
"Besides, he has been training with Hinata-sama!" Shinra smiled, his eyes shining.
Sumire rolled her eyes. "Your boyish crush will go nowhere with a heiress."
Shinra snapped his mouth shut.
Yes, he did have a crush on the Hyuga heiress.
Hinata had volunteered a few times at the Academy, along with Shino, Tenten and occasionally, Naruto. While others gathered around Naruto and demanded that he show them the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (including Sumire) and others followed Tenten to help their shuriken throws, he had been amazed at how lovely the Hyuga was. Her voice was soft, as was her eyes and smile. She laughed and answered all of the children's question as best as she could. She even show them her Byakugan.
"Ah! Shut up!" Shinra hissed.
Sumire drew her arm back and struck the Shimura boy across the head. "Be quiet!" she hissed lowly. "You're going to ruin our cover!"
Okay.
They were stalkers.
Some would even come to say fan's.
They had skipped their class once they heard Naruto and Sasuke talking on technique's he would teach Hinata. Upon realizing that Sasuke was training Hinata, Shinra had the great idea to ask (soon beg if the Uchiha had refused) to train under him. It seemed like a great idea - that was until Sumire had to be the depressing one within the duo and ruin his dreams.
Both ginger and dark brown eyes adverted their gaze to the Uchiha and the Hyuga in the middle of the training grounds.
Hinata wondered how Sasuke could be so calm at a moment like this.
Their walk back to the training grounds after their run in with Sakura was silent. Sasuke had not acknowledged her while Hinata could not bring herself to say anything. Her embarrassment was beyond anything it ever was.
Did Sasuke and she look like a couple? yes, they did train together and the majority of their day was spent alongside each other. They ate together and at the end of each day, they were the last people the duo talked to.
'Oh Kami...' Hinata felt sick.
"Don't faint." Sasuke said cooly. "You would ruin a day's worth of training. And if that happens, I'll have Lee run with you twice around Konoha."
Hinata gasped. She stared at Sasuke as if the Uchiha grew another head. "B-But-"
"Run." Sasuke interrupted.
"H-Huh...?" Hinata gulped. Sasuke was frightening her.
"Run to the training grounds." Sasuke repeated. "I am giving you a 10 seconds head start, and if you arrive before me I will let you have a cheat day after training."
Hinata was all ears now. "A cheat day, Sasuke-kun?"
Sasuke nodded. "I'll buy you a cuisine of your choice."
Hinata gasped. "Really?" Inside, she was smiling and cheering. Outside, she was nearly about to do the same.
Sasuke nodded once more, his annoyance at peak. "Yes!" he hissed. "Only if you make if before I do."
Hinata nodded, she took off her jacket and tied it around her waist. She wore a black fitted training shirt and fishnets. "Now go." Sasuke spoke.
Hinata dashed away, already knowing to activate her Byakugan. She dashed through bushes and trees, knowing that there was bound to be a shortcut to the training grounds.
Sasuke smirked. He walked his normal pace like he said he would for 10 seconds, and when it was up, he too dashed through the village.
Hinata had won, only because Sasuke had been stopped along the way by Naruto who had been looking for him. Upon clashing with the Uzumaki, Sasuke cursed and pushed the boy away from him. In anger, Naruto punched the Uchiha upon the shoulder. "What's your problem!" he exclaimed.
"I have to get to the training grounds." Sasuke muttered, composing himself from the erge slapping the blond boy across the head for the punch on his shoulders.
"Ah, training Hinata?" Naruto grinned. "Did she complete the overwhelming strike?"
Sasuke nodded, not wanting to start a conversation with Naruto, knowing that the Uzumaki knew how to talk someone to death if you let him.
And after his nod, Sasuke was off again and dashing through tree's just to realize that he, indeed, had lost to Hyuga Hinata who seemed to be waiting patiently at the training grounds. She had been sitting with a soft smile while her legs had been crossed with her hands on her knees. "Sasuke-kun." she simper upon his arrival.
"I see you arrived before I have." Sasuke frowned.
Hinata nodded. She stood up, her hands on her hips. "Yes."
Sasuke nodded. 'Oh well.' he thought to himself.
"So," Hinata muttered, her eyes wandering around the training grounds. "how are we going to train?"
Sasuke hummed. "Air strike."
Hinata watched as Sasuke began to walk closer to her.
"With the air strike, you can attack - either if you are killing or just knocking out- an enemy from a high spot within the air. A tree, or a tall building."
Hinata nodded. It seemed simple enough. She passed the Overwhelming Strike, an Air Strike did not seem as bad. Sasuke was teaching her basic training that she knew, but was too cowardly to try.
"Who am I going to knock out?" Hinata asked.
"Whoever I see fit." Sasuke replied coolly. "I am sure we can find someone that is not me."
Hinata nodded, thanking Kami that she did not have to knock out Sasuke. Firstly, he would be expecting her to come, so her knocking him out would be unsuccessful. Secondly, she could not come close to Sasuke without feeling panicked or sick. She was unsure as to why, but Sasuke made her feel nervous and uneasy whenever his intense gaze was on her.
"Who is there?" Sasuke quipped, his eyes observing behind Hinata to a set of bushes. He noticed that they had been rustling when he arrived, but thought nothing of it. It could have been a stray cat or birds going around. But the chakra was far too large to be a small animal, but far too weak to be an actual enemy.
Hinata turned towards Sasuke gaze. "Huh?" she wondered. Activating her Byakugan, she seen two small figures (children) hiding behind the bushes. Their chakra pathways nw at peak. She noticed their heart fluttering fast. "Come out." she spoke to the two children.
"Do you think we're in trouble?" asked Shinra, his heart racing. "We've been caught! What if they tell-"
"Shut up!" Sumire punched the boy in the arm. "Let's just get out and tell them we mean no harm!"
Shinra gulped, but nodded. Slowly, both children got out from the bushes, their hearts racing and their body shivering.
Though they were afraid of being in deep strain, they were content to finally face the infamous Uchiha Sasuke - someone they had stalked for weeks now. Shinra eyes widen as he noticed (up close) the Sharingan and the Rinnegan at full effect. Sumire could not contain her excitement when she noticed that she had finally me the person she longed to be.
"Shinra?" asked Hinata, her Byakugan deactivated. "What are you doing here?"
Shinra reddened. He began to stammer and rub the back of his head. "Hinata-sama...I-I..."
"We were watching you train." said Sumire, her eyes never leaving Sasuke's. She was admired. If her clan, especially her sister, would see her any near the Uchiha avenger, she would have several heart attacks. But, what her sister know wouldn't killer her (and possibly cause another war).
Sasuke hummed. Her brought a hand and placed it on her hip. He turned sideways to Hinata. "How do you know the child?"
Hinata smiled. She placed a hand on Shinra's shoulder. "Shimura Shinra is an excellent academy student. At the top of his class and very skilled for his age." Hinata gushed. "I volunteered a few times and seen his skill up close."
Sasuke's eyes darkened. "Shimura?" his tongue clicked. "Why are you here?" Shimura Danzo had been the only Shimura (thank Kami) that he come across from. Upon viewing the small boy in front of him, it was obvious that he not know he was the murderer of one of his clans member, for the sparkle in his eyes when he blinked at the Uchiha several times, as if questioning if he was actually within his presence.
"Uh..." Shinra gulped. The man before him was beyond intimidating, especially with the Sharingan activated. He felt put on a pedestal. But this was him monn, possibly the only moment he would ever come face to face with the man her admire greatly.
"We think you're cool." Sumire answered, feeling her own cheeks redden.
Sasuke stayed emotionless while Hinata began to giggle. She thought it was cute how children looked up to Sasuke the way they did. Hinata herself witness first hand how cold the villagers could be while Sasuke strolled around the village. While she and him gotten their food, Sasuke received death glares and scolds. Others would quickly get out of his way. She heard parents warn their children about the Uchiha survivor and made them stay away from said man. It reminded her of when Naruto was a fear child.
"Is that why you two are not in the Academy?" Hinata asked. "You know it's not good to cut class." she scolded.
Shinra laughed nervously. "W-We know, Hinata-sama. But...we was hoping if...if..."
"If you can become our Sensei!" Sumire finished, feeling her veins become hot. She was now determined.
Sasuke was taken back. He eyed the two children, both red faced and trembling (with excitement, he noticed when he did the same as a child sparring with his brother). Their clothes had been dirty and wrinkled from probably hiding behind the bushes and following them throughout the day.
Hinata eyed Sasuke, her heart feeling whole. It was cute to see someone (especially children) look up to Sasuke. It made the Uchiha look less frightening. It told her that there was hope for Konohagakure villagers, that not all of them despised the avenger. Even if Hinata was sure Sasuke would tell the children that he was far too busy to train them, it did make the heiress see the Uchiha in a new light.
"I am no Jonin instructor." Sasuke replied flatly.
"But...you're training her!" Sumire pouted, pointing to Hinata.
"She's different." Sasuke quipped.
"Why?" asked Shinra. The dark haired boy crossed his arms and stood in front of Hinata. "Is she your girlfriend?"
'Not again.' Sasuke thought. He was tired of the Konoha villagers with their constant nosiness and their interruptions. Here he was, ready to argue with a child on to why he refused to train said child. He felt like he himself was a child arguing with Naruto over petty remarks.
Hinata redden. "Shinra...please-"
"But, Hinata-sama!" Shinra interrupted. "I want to be a strong Shinobi like Uchiha Sasuke! I want to become more powerful now so when I am a genin I could go on great missions not boring ones!"
Sumire rolled her eyes. "You aren't that great."
Shinra glared at the girl. "And you are?" he quipped.
Sumire shrugged. "Possibly. I have to be if I desired to become Hokage."
Sasuke felt himself go through the deja vu.
Though Shinra reminded him a lot of the blonde dobe with his attitude and loud remarks, Sumire reminded him a lot of himself (minus the desire with becoming Hokage). Watching the two students interact with one another reminded him and Naruto and himself as children. Again, it was nostalgic.
"Shinra...Sumire..." Hinata sighed. "Sasuke-kun does not have the time now."
Shinra crossed his arms. "Well, when will he have the time?"
'Persistent.' Sasuke groaned. Knowing, by his size, that he was no older than 10 and no younger than 7. The boy had time, her was only an Academy student, after all. At the age of twelve, he would graduate from the Academy and when he does, he would like to be stronger than any average graduate would. Sasuke understood, for he desired the same.
"Can it be next week?" asked Sumire, her eyes hopeful.
Sasuke continued to observe the two children asking him questions, to asking Hinata questions to downright arguing about who was the strongest and could become a pupil of the 'Great Uchiha Sasuke'. Sasuke himself was flattered. He could say that he found his fan-girls annoying, but these weren't fangirls begging for a chance to be with him. There were children who desired to become stronger to fulfil their dreams like he once had. He could say, coming to him would be a better idea than leaving the village like he had. Though, he was no Naruto. The Uzumaki was highly looked up upon in the village and gained his own group of fangirls and admirers that would beg for him to train them (he promised that he would when he had the time, but being a hero that was constantly sent on missions had corrupted that chance).
"Ugh," Sasuke groaned. He felt a headache growing. "Come back here tomorrow after the academy."
Hinata gasped. She crossed her arms and tilted her head.
Sumire and Shinra yelped. "R-Really?" they whimpered.
Sasuke found himself nodding. "You two are incredibly annoying." he sighed. 'But seeing as such they came all this way to be annoying...'
Shinra laughed. "Wow, thanks!" He began to jump up and down in excitement.
"I don't think it was a compliment." Sumire whispered to him, causing Hinata to giggle.
Shinra jumped once more and gave Sasuke a thumbs up. "Thank you! We'll be back here tomorrow right after school!"
Sumire nodded. "Thank you so much." she bowed politely, but the girl could barely contain her excitement.
As Hinata and Sasuke watched the two children leave, she turned towards him and grinned. "They seemed to really like you, Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke stayed silent. But deep within, he was please.
"Huh?" asked Konohamaru. "You want reports on Shimura Shinra and Hoki Sumire?"
Konohamaru crossed his arms as he listened to the Uzumaki.
"Yeah." Naruto replied. "Research reasonings. I have been informed that the two of them are highly skilled in the Academy."
Konohamaru hummed. Naruto waited for a response. He himself was unsure as why Sasuke asked, via scroll sent through his hawk, about the two Academy students. He suggested that it was urgently important and Naruto went through with it. He knew Sasuke meant no harm.
"They are." Konohamaru said. "Skilled that is."
Naruto nodded. He waited as Konohamaru rummaged through his paperwork to find what he was looking for. "Does this have to do with them not showing up today?"
Naruto shook his head and shrugged. "Not sure. I have been asked to get all I needed to know these two kids."
Konohamaru snickered. "They're kids, far too adult like for their age." the brown haired boy stacked a few papers and gathered them towards Naruto. "Shinra is a loud mouth who thinks he is better than everyone - his words exactly - while Sumire is more conservative, but seems to bump heads a lot with Shinra."
"Reminds me of the bastard and I." Naruto smiled, remembering his own Academy day when Sasuke and he did nothing but argue. If he met his younger self, he would have not believed that he would be friends with the Uchiha.
"Well, here you go." said Konohamaru, giving the last pieces of paperwork of Hoki Sumire to his blond sensei (well, one-time sensei). He would not consider himself one, he did teach Konohamaru a few things. The blond man was only 19 while Konohamaru was 15.
Naruto nodded. "Thanks, Konohamaru!" he flashed his old student a smile. "When are you free? We should spar sometime, get to know how good you are. Then get a bite to eat." While Naruto was a busy person himself, so was Konohamaru. At times, he did help around the Academy while off of missions, and when he did leave the village for his missions, it would be weeks or even months at a time.
"Tomorrow I should be after I help out around the Academy." Konohamaru smirked. "I learned a new Jutsu that I have been dying to use."
Naruto chuckled at the boy's readiness.
Hinata, Byakugan activated, leaped through tree's after tree's, suppressing her chakra as best as she could, though she had an idea that Sasuke knew where she was. After the events of Shinra and Sumire, Sasuke was keen on having her perfect the air strike before the day's end. The duo came to spar for a while, Hinata receiving a few kicks while Sasuke had a few chakra points sealed. It was a win/win and a fair enough fight. Now, Sasuke had instructed her to suppress her chakra while he'd find her (and all the while find someone she could perform the Air Strike on.
To Hinata, it was a game of cat and mouse. In her 360 vision, she did not see Sasuke anywhere. It was as though he vanished from thin air, but that did not stop the heiress. She leaped from branch to branch, making sure not to be as loud and blow her cover. Sasuke had inform her if he did indeed sense her chakra, that they would have yet another sparring match (and an extra lap she would have to run with Lee). And that was something Hinata had not been trying to do.
As she jumped from one tree branch to another, her Byakugan spotted a walking Shinra and Sumire. Her lips curved into a smile as she watched the two of them laugh and challenge one another to a (playful, she hope) duel to see who in fact were the strongest out of them. Her mind wandered to the Uchiha and could not imagine the emotionless young man becoming a sensei. Well, actually she could. But it would be a sight she'd pay to see! A few times she witness Kakashi and the way he treated his own Team 7 while in her Genin years and imagined Sasuke to be a version of the silver haired man.
Hinata shook her head, her gaze becoming clearer as she senses a familiar chakra level. 'Naruto...' she thought, her heart fluttering as her Byakugan focused on the man walking not to far away from where she was kneeling. His lips (curved into a soft grin like they always have since his own youth, not matter the constant taunts and belittlement from the villagers) and his eyes (gleaming with delight whenever he strolled through the village of Konohagakure).
It was then that Hinata senses another chakra level. Her body froze as she realized that it was Sasuke's chakra. He approached Naruto, and for a moment Hinata thought that she was caught by the Uchiha and was expected to do two extra laps with Rock Lee to following day. Sighing, she prepared to make her presence known when Naruto spoke forward. "Here's the paperwork you needed, bastard." Naruto said, handing Sasuke what he had asked for.
Nodding, Sasuke grasped the paperwork in his hands, his eyes going through the text.
'So I have not been caught yet.' Hinata thought. 'That...or Sasuke is a great actor.'
The heiress got her answer when Sasuke and Naruto began talking once more. It dawn to her that she was hidden within the shadows as Sasuke had told her to do. She was hidden in a far spot, not too far, but not close enough for the two male's to see her.
"Where's Hinata?" asked Naruto, furrowing a brow. "You nearly killed me when I stopped you from going to the training grounds earlier."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. Naruto - dramatic as ever. "She's around."
"Around...where?" Naruto asked. "Is this another one of your training techniques?"
Sasuke nodded. "You can say that."
Naruto hummed. "Well, what is it now?"
Naruto leaned on a nearby tree, a tree not too far from Hinata's, and crossed his arms.
Sasuke took a kneel down on the grass, his mind wondering where the Hyuga girl had ran off to. He knew she was close, she could not have gotten too far away from him. He was sure he would have gotten her if Naruto had not gotten to him first (yet again).
"It's called an Airstrike." Sasuke answered cooly. "Say anything about the name and you'll leave here bloody and bruised."
Naruto muffled a chuckle. Sasuke was the insecure one when he named his technique's. "What is an Airstrike?"
"Same thing as..." Sasuke answered, his response going through death ears as Hinata herself, in her mind, answered for him.
'...as the Overwhelming Strike. Allows to knock out an enemy from a high spot, an obvious advantage when said enemy are focused upon you...'
"Ahh, I see. You're waiting on her to attack." Naruto replied. He yawned, it was a long day. Listening to Tsunade go on and on about irrelevant things, having to go on weird side missions by the request of the Rokudaime Hokage, Hatake Kakashi, and finally having to be followed by a few girls who (like Sasuke) desired him for his sudden status as a hero and (he guessed) his looks. Though Naruto had enjoyed the attention at first, he grown annoyed with it. He was never rude to the girls who admired him, of course not. His mother would surely haunt him from her grave if he was caught being impolite to the opposite sex. At times, he did offer to buy them all Ramen or tea, depending on where they had followed him to. Other times he (politely) asked them to let him be for the time being.
Sasuke shook his head. "I would sense if she attacked me." he replied. "I would know if the Hyuga girl was here."
Hinata found herself grinning. Her cover was secured. Neither the Uchiha or Uzumaki sensed her presence and the heiress could say that she was proud of herself for once in her life. If she could share her accomplishments with Hanabi, she would. But, atlas, that would have to wait until the end of her training session with Sasuke. Also, she was positive that she made her leave now, both males would know of her presence before them and the cover she had been so proud of concealing would be blown.
Naruto hummed. As would sense the soft chakra of Hinata, as well. It was a different from Sakura's strong and demanding one. Ino, though softer than Sakura's, was strong nevertheless, and though Tenten was almost a pro at hiding her tracks, he could catch a small sense of her own chakra. "Hinata."
Said girl hitched her breath. 'Naruto-kun...' Did the blond man sense her? Was her cover blown?
Sasuke stared up at his friend and grunted.
"Her name is Hinata." Naruto spoke louder. "You cannot just call her "Hyuga girl" all the time."
Releasing her sigh quietly, Hinata simpered. Her cheeks began to redden as did her ears.
Sasuke took a moment to examine his friend. He was serious. His own cerulean eyes never left the avenger onyx ones. Sasuke, again, grunted then smirked. "Do you want her?"
Taken aback, Naruto blushed. "Stop being an asshole."
Sasuke stood from his kneeling position. He placed his right arm on his hip and hummed. "If you do not return her feelings then stay away from her."
'Do not faint.' Hinata told herself. But it was becoming harder by the second not to. Both males were talking about her, their mindsets not yet realizing that she was there listening upon them.
Naruto gasped. "Bastard-"
"Honestly, you're just making her look desperate."
Hinata gasped quietly. Did she honestly look desperate? Sure, she did stutter and blush whenever the Uzumaki was around and yes, she did have feelings for the once blond knucklehead of her village. But surely...she was not desperate.
"What in the hell are you talking about, bastard!" Naruto shouted. Her leaned off of his lean back state and clenched his knuckles.
"Stop shouting as if I am not before you." Sasuke hissed. He hadn't time for this. The sole purpose of Naruto's presence was for him to gather the information needed. Now that he had it, he had no reason to be with the annoying blonde.
Naruto growled. "Hey! What are you talking about, Sasuke?!"
"You are not clueless to her feelings." Sasuke snickered. "You simple ignore it."
'I pinched a nerve.' Sasuke thought, almost chuckling if Naruto did not step closer, his eyes glaring daggers. "And what about Sakura's feelings towards you?!"
"Tch." Sasuke had no time for this. It was a constant cycle. He and Naruto would argue and suddenly, Sakura's feelings came up. It bore and annoyed him. "I told her I have no feelings for her. Her decision to be hung on a one-sided crush is not my problem."
To any outsider, Sasuke would sound rather cold. But not to Naruto, he grown accustomed to Sasuke's cold demeanor and (often) rude remarks. Sakura on the other hand...with each passing day it was as if the girl wished Sasuke would change and grow to love her. Naruto hoped that Sasuke too would return her feelings, the blond only wanted his friend to be happy. Sasuke knew what he felt and knew his feelings would never be towards the emerald eyed kunoichi.
Naruto sighed. Unclenching his fist, he spoke: "I do ignore her feelings." he admitted. "I do not return them. I love Hinata, sure, as a great friend on mines. Kami...she jumped into save me while I fought Pein and risked her own life for me."
Sasuke needed to leave now. He was not an open diary for anyone to confess their feelings to. It was awkward for him and Naruto to be talking about girls that weren't Sakura (not that he talked about his former teammate often, her name always came out of Naruto's mouth first).
"But I do not love her. I know she deserves an answer from me. A confirmation to move on but...I cannot tell her. It'd break her heart." Naruto was defeated.
Sasuke, again, snickered. "Coward." he muttered.
Naruto glared. "Watch it."
From deep within the tree's, Hinata felt the tears threaten to fall, but she would not allow them. Not now.
Of course she heard Naruto's confession to Sasuke and all she could think of now was how she could be hung up on a man that did not return her own feelings. As Naruto said, she too loved the boy greatly. She watched (from the shadows as it always has been) as Naruto became more powerful than others gave him credit for. He was no longer the boy in the Academy but now a young adult ready for his next adventure. It was clear that she was important to the Uzumaki, but not important enough.
Hinata's Byakugan flickered and for a moment, she thought that it would deactivate. She was mistaken. The veins on her temples reached down her neck and upon her collarbones. As she stared harder at her opponent, Naruto, she could see ever nerve within his body. Every chakra pathway and every vessel moving within him.
Her heart racing, the crouching girl stood on the tree branch, her eyes never leaving Naruto. Her ears had drown out his conversation with Sasuke, but she no longer cared for what he had to say. She could feel her blood thicken and heated within her. And without a second though, she leaped from her tree branch, her right hand out before her (palm open).
Before she could register what she has done (or the Uchiha could, as well, for he had not seen the small and furious girl making her way until her open palm connected to the nap of Naruto's shoulder). The Uzumaki boy gasped and yelped for a few seconds, his eyes widen. A few of his own spit release from his mouth and a few feet away from Sasuke's widen eyes as his friend fallen to his knees, then onto his face, unconscious.
"I was not expecting to see you, Onee-san." said Hanabi as she sipped on her tea. She gave it a few more blows before going for another sip.
Hinata smiled softly at her sister. "I have not been able to be with you in a few days, Hanabi-san. For that, I apologize."
Hanabi rolled her eyes. "You do not need to apologize, Hinata." Hanabi placed her tea cup down. "I understand that you're busy these day's."
Hinata nodded, her smile not leaving her face.
She did not want to smile. Her cheeks began to hurt, but to have Hanabi not worry about her constantly made the aches and pains worth it. It was now the evening. After her run in with Uzumaki Naruto, Hinata could not look the Uchiha in the eye (who was astonished at the attack performed by the Hyuga) and before he could say anything, she had ran off and home to her compound. For the night, she was done. In the morning, she would start a new day while she ran with Lee around the village, and when she has accomplished that, she would meet Sasuke at the training grounds.
"How is your training going, Onee-san?" asked Hanabi, breaking her elder sister's thoughts.
"Hai, Hanabi-san..." Hinata giggled. "It's going great."
"I know when you're lying, Onee-san." Hanabi frowned."Please..."
"It is I who am the eldest sister, Hanabi-san." Hinata interrupted. She noticed that her tea was going cold, but she was not in the mood for tea. (Hanabi noticed, her sister was a tea maniac and to watch her sister smile and hum all the while not taking a sip of her favorite lavender tea was out of her character). "It is my duty to take care of you."
"But-"
"And take care of you I will." Hinata spoke, her eyes shinning with hope. She meant every word she said.
Hanabi sighed defeated. She nodded. "Alright, Onee-san." she said.
Hinata smiled once more. "Thank you, Hanabi-san."
Hinata rose from her spot on the luxury, yet vintage, cushion. She held out her hand. "Let me brush your hair. You can tell me about your day."
Hanabi, in return, gave a soft (barely there, but Hinata noticed it) smile. Taking her hand, Hanabi followed her sister down the hall to her bedroom.
