Man finally finished this chapter. been spending most of my time watch the Naruto Hundo on cartoon network. longest chapter I have written so far I think. R&R

Chapter 4: The Meeting

The sand adjusted easily to the gently feet of Naruto. The night was young and Naruto wanted to see how the place has changed since he had been there. Everything seemed to be as it usually did. The food stands held the same old people and the bars were as calm as ever. There may have been important business to attend to tomorrow but Naruto swore he would take it easy this night.

He turned a corner into an alley way to come to a dead end. Instead of turning around, Naruto took a few quick steps up the building and flipped onto the roof. He heaved in a large amount of the night air and let it out a huge sigh. A smile spread across his face as he began jumping from rooftop to rooftop. A back flip here and a side dash there, Naruto was making his own little playground with the sandy rooftops.

As he landed so softly on one rooftop, something grabbed his attention. Sitting at the other end dangling her happy slender legs off the edge was Hinata. She had not noticed that he landed behind her. Naruto decided that this would be the opportune time to talk to her.

"Beautiful night eh Hinata," as he walked towards her.

Startled by the unexpected presence, Hinata quickly jumped up and fired a kunai in Naruto's direction. He easily moved to the side and grabbed the kunai's handle. It did not shock him but instead made a little smirk crawl across his face.

"Oh N-Naruto," she looked a little embarrassed at the action she took, "I-I'm so sorry."

"Daijobu des (It's alright) Hinata, I would be startled to if someone was suddenly behind me," he chuckled to himself a little.

She gingerly sat back down on the edge of the building as Naruto came over and sat next to her. Her face turned a little crimson as Naruto made himself comfortable right next to her. Naruto looked to notice her beat red face only to smile his toothy smile. She quickly looked down and began twiddling her index fingers.

"That was really good aim Hinata," said Naruto as he placed the kunai behind him.

"A-Arigato (thank you) Naruto," she blushed a little more.

"Hinata…could I ask you something?"

"Um…sure Naruto," as she looked very interested at his query.

"It's something I've always wanted to figure out. Why do you act so different around me Hinata?"

"W-what do you mean Naruto?" fidgeting a little.

"Well whenever you're around me you always seem to get nervous, you will sometimes press your fingers together like you did right now, or you will sometimes turn red when I'm near you. Why do you do that?"

"Um…well…uh…uh…you see…um…" as she pressed her two fingers together.

"Whatever you want to say Hinata you can tell me."

"D-demo (but) it's just really hard to."

"Ok so what could I do to make it easier for you?"

"Um, you c-could uh stand behind me c-cause…um…it would be easier if I w-wasn't looking at you."

Naruto looked a little confused but he still got up and stood behind her as she had suggested. She looked down at her hands which were now on her lap. Hinata knew she had no way out of this so she would have to go through with it no matter what. She took a deep breath before she confessed to Naruto the reasons for her behavior.

"T-the reason I act differently around you N-Naruto is because…well…um…it's because I-I…like you Naruto."

There was a calm silence after she finally admitted her feelings for Naruto. A gentle breeze swept by, flowing through her waist-long silky dark blue hair. She grew a little more embarrassed at the fact that Naruto had not responded to her. She sadly got up from her spot but was shocked to feel a warm embrace engulf her as Naruto's arms wrapped around her. She noticed that her arms had voluntarily returned the hold as happiness swelled in her heart. Was Naruto really doing this? This must be a dream she thought.

"What took you so long Hinata?" Naruto said as they held each other under the moonlight sky.

The lone sound-nin stepped into the camp in the center of a grove of trees. He tried to make his entrance as inconspicuous as possible. It seemed a successful enough infiltration. He sat down on a log in front of the campfire.

"Hey you!"

A brute of a man approached him. He was wearing a light purple tactical vest with matching purple attire under it. The man's face wasn't covered up so it was easy to see the several scar marks along his cheeks and forehead. The sound-nin stood up at attention.

"Hm, Hibiki what took you so long to get back and where are the other three?"

"Sir the other three spanned out and went to different bases. I was told to come here."

"Ah…well did you come across anything in the scout search?"

"No sir. Nothing at all."

"Very well then. Get yourself some rest cause we have things to do tomorrow."

"Yes sir!" he bowed in compliance.

The brute man huffed a little and went back to his tent. Hibiki viewed the surroundings around him. The trees went circular around the camp like it was watching over its children. The ground was worn down by the constant feet that had trekked on it. There were five brown tents scattered about holding the unaware sound shinobi of the there was indeed an intruder afoot. An evil grin spread across Hibiki's face. This was all too easy.

"Hehe, step two is down now I just need to get the information I need," he whispered to himself, "using this body is really going to be very helpful."

The Hibiki body felt a sudden twitch. It looked to be the body was running out of use. He clutched onto his chest as if he felt pain. The trip from where Kabuto killed him to the camp here was farther than he expected. Time was dwindling. Hibiki looked at the humble little tents sleeping soundly in their well kept little spots. The only big decision was which one to go into first.

The one that called to him most was the smallest of tents a few feet away. It was the most welcoming of the tents and it would be the easiest one to take care of. He casually walked to the tiny tent and went inside. It only took a few seconds to hear the blood-curdling screams permeate from the tent out to the rest of the camp. The oblivious shinobi did not see this coming. The rest of the squad quickly jumped up from their cots laid out on the dry floor and rushed out.

Outside the sound-nin witnessed a bone-chilling sight. Out of the smallest tent came the murdering Hibiki. His clothes were drenched in blood and his deadly kunai was yearning for more. The sound-nin each pulled out their kunai and charged the murderous imposter. Hibiki easily side-stepped the first guy, making a clean slash across the neck. Another one attacked from behind only to be struck down. Seeing their comrades be easily taken out, the rest decided to attack all at once. Hibiki dodged each of their attacks with ease while landing severe gashes to the all the attackers vital parts. The last two surviving sound-nin retreated back releasing several shurikens. The sounds of metal repelling metal rung through the air, as Hibiki blocked every single shuriken. The bloody-clothed Hibiki reached into his side pouch pulling out a second kunai. In a quick flash, he stood between the two hopeless attackers. With a quick swipe of his arms they both fell to the ground.

Hibiki heaved a sigh of relief. This was way too easy. Suddenly Hibiki started gasping for air as the brute man, which was apparently the commander, held him in a chokehold. His kunai fell to the floor as he struggled to breathe. The brute tightened his hold squeezing the last drops of life out until Hibiki's arms just flailed down.

"Dead now aren't…"

The brute man's eyes grew wide as he felt a kunai with a curved tip pressed hard against his throat.

"See maybe next time you should make sure the person your killing isn't already dead. My Shikon no Jutsu (Dead Soul Technique) really does work wonders in situations like these."

The man quickly swung his arm up to bat away Kabuto's deadly knife. Then he proceeded to turn around to deliver a blow but was surprised to see a glowing hand rapidly hit him in several spots in his arms, legs, and chest. In a display of complete inferiority compared to the intruder, the brute man fell to the floor helplessly.

"Now you will give me the information I came here for and I might let you live through this."

"Ha-ha, you…think I would ever tell you anything. Go ahead and kill me," he chokingly laughed not taking Kabuto seriously.

"I figured you would say that but I can do far worse things to you than kill you. I don't want to have to force you to give me what I came for but if I must…"

Kabuto's hand again shrouded with chakra. He began pressing down on the man's chest. The next thing that came from the man's mouth was deathly screams of agony. The pain was too much for him. It was enough for the man to give Kabuto what he wanted.

"Alright!!! I-I'll t-tell you," he stuttered from the pain.

"Good thinking. First question: Why are all of you stationed out here? Is it a diversion for Konoha or is it a legitimate attack on Sunagakure?"

"It's neither…we were all sent here as a diversion for both villages…ugh…all of this was just a means of a lookout and protection."

"Alright. Second question then: Protection and a lookout for what?"

"I don't kn…ugh…I can't."

"Now, now you don't want me to increase the torturing," Kabuto said raising his hand over the man's chest.

"Ok! This is…so that Sasuke-sama could feel more comfortable…and assured that his meeting with Iwagakure goes without interference."

"Hm, so he's planning to form an ally with Tsuchi no Kuni (Land of Earth)," Kabuto said out loud to himself, "Well would Sasuke happen to still be in Iwagakure then?"

"Ugh…yes since we haven't been dismissed from our posts. L-look I've told you all I know please let me go."

Kabuto rose up from beside the man and reached under his cloak. Out of it came a good sized scroll. He opened and reviewed the contents of it appearing more amused as he looked at it longer. A grin grew across his face.

"Looks like I have an open spot for a man who's in his early thirties and you look to fit the profile. It's a good thing though because I really don't like my collection to have an empty spot."

"Naruto how long have you had feelings for me?" Hinata softly asked

Naruto and Hinata had been strolling around Sunagakure for some time now. They had been talking endlessly throughout the night. Now that Hinata revealed her feelings to Naruto it was much easier to talk to him without getting too nervous or stuttering. Both of them were enjoying being together now that they knew how they felt about each other.

"Huh, let's see now," as he scratched his head, "I started having feelings for you a little after we had defeated Akatsuki…so a little over two years now."

Hinata's pearly white eyes widened. She has liked him since their academy days which had been a really long time but for Naruto to like her for such a time was surprising to her. To think Naruto would feel the same for her as she did for him.

"Um, why though?" she asked wondering.

"What do you mean why Hinata? You're so kind and caring. Even though you would act weird sometimes, I enjoyed that you were so different from everyone else. You stand out more than anyone even though you try to shy away to the back. I just started having feelings naturally but I was never brave enough to tell you," She laughed at this last remark. Naruto looked at her a little puzzled, "What's so funny Hinata?"

"Oh, I just never thought you would be scared to do anything. It's just funny that you could never say anything. I felt that I was the only one too scared to tell you but now I know. It feels wonderful that I wasn't the only one."

"Well I can't believe that I was so dumb to not even notice. You made it so clear yet I never got the idea. I'm glad that I know now though," he smiled.

"I'm happy that you feel the same…" Hinata cut herself off.

She had felt something locked onto her hand so see she had to see what it was. Both of them looked down to see that sometime during their walk they had joined hands. Hinata quickly pulled her hand away and pressed her index fingers together. Her face grew a bright red. Naruto also began to blush. Then inch by inch they stepped closer together and interlocked their hands together again. They continued to walk; smiling at each other, both of them wishing the night would never end.

"Can we trust that he will hold to his word Tsuchikage-sama," asked the attendant clad in a brown noble robe.

Across from the attendant sat a man wearing a white robe with brown trimmings. His hat with the Earth symbol covered his face. The Tsuchikage twiddled his fingers a little. His meeting had currently concluded for the night and tomorrow they would write an official statement of an alliance with Otogakure.

"The boy may be young but he seemed convincing and sincere enough. I'm sure he would not betray an alliance with us. Besides ever since the Third Great Shinobi War this country has not been the same. This could be an opportunity for us to get our revenge and prove that this country is not so weak."

"But…"

"Do not worry. We will reassess this with the council tomorrow. But all things aside the people of this land have a certain distaste for Hi no Kuni (Land of fire). Most would not be against us going to war but then again some will. Maybe even a few members of the council."

"I see Tsuchikage-sama but do you think the council will accept his offer."

"Yes I do. Two-thirds of the members had a decision in going into the last war. I myself was a jounin during that war so I would not be against it. I also would not doubt that Konoha is a push over, especially with Sunagakure as an ally, demo (but) hearing all the things that Sasuke boy has done I feel that he would be a powerful ally. We will see how it goes though."

Morning had finally come in Sunagakure. Naruto, Sakura, Hinata, and Kakashi had already taken their seats in the council room. Ten members filled the rest of the seats around the large round table. Straight across from Naruto sat Gaara. He was wearing his Kazekage robes and his hair was short and unkempt. Looking on were the statues of the previous Kazekages.

"It's been awhile Gaara. I just wish I could be here in better conditions," said Naruto.

Gaara nodded in agreement. This was indeed a pressing situation. Baki, who was sitting next to Gaara, stood up to present the situation to the council.

"Now we all know that Otogakure has been forming several squads along the border of Kaze no Kuni. Border security has been increased to account for this. Still we have called everyone here to decide what should be done to deal with the situation."

"I myself have ordered a team to assess the exact numbers and locations of the sound-nin," Naruto added in.

"Baki we understand the situation well enough but the council agrees that we must avoid a full scale war with Otogakure at all cost," commented an elderly council member.

"I agree but we cannot just let things sit as they are," Baki slightly protested.

"Hm…what do you think Gaara?" asked Naruto.

Gaara sat quietly thinking of the circumstances. He knew that war would be a big problem and too drastic of a thing to do right now, yet if they were attacked they would have no choice in the matter.

"Something must be done about the sound-nin on the borders," he said in his monotone voice, "An attack on them though would more than like lead to war. The village cannot afford to have more shinobi sent out for this problem. The safety of the village is the important thing here."

"Exactly Kazekage-sama. It would be foolish to send shinobi to attack," said another council member.

"Something has to be done. We can't just sit here talking in circles," Naruto said a little irritated, "I for one do not want war for the both of us but if Sasuke pushes it that far then we have no choice. Yes nothing can be done at the moment but after my team returns here with information we should be able to come up with a definite plan."

"Might I say something," Kakashi requested. Gaara nodded his head to give him the floor, "The problems are of course obvious. Attack and we cause problems. Don't attack and it could give them an advantage. The most important thing to figure out here is why they are on the borders. It seems by now that they would have taken some course of action. You say your border security has been tightened so you would figure a report would have come in if activity was increasing. The same goes for the possibility of an attack on Konoha seeing as the Hokage is here with us and not there but that has not happened either."

"So what are you thinking then Kakashi-sensei," asked Sakura.

"That maybe the sound-nin are there for another reason besides attacking one of us."

"You know when you think about it there would be more activity if they were going to attack," Naruto scratched his head thinking, "It is possible Sasuke could be up to something else."

"But what would that be?" the elder council member asked.

The conversation was suddenly interrupted by a sand jounin coming into the council room. He approached Gaara speaking to him quietly enough that only Gaara himself could hear.

"So desu (I see). You can send them in."

Everyone turned their attention as several people walked into the room.

hope you liked the chapter. already working on the next one so it should be up in a few days hopefully since im about to start college in two days! YAY!!! but R&R plz give me extra motivation to keep this thing going.