Well, I figured I'd better update my other stories before y'all hunt me down. :b So, first of all, I want to thank everyone who reviewed! You guys rock! Second, I just want to say thank you for all you're support throughout this whole story! To all of you who gave me advice, suggestions or just said that enjoyed the story. You are rock...seriously! Not much else to say except I hope you all enjoy, please review and that comments, suggestions and constructive criticism are always welcome! Now on with the story! :D
Disclaimer: I'm not doin it, I'm not...seriously, just sue me Kishi! Sue me! I dare ye! *cough* yes well *cough*
A minute after Tenten and Naruto returned to the bonfire Rock Lee ran up behind them, his hands clenched into fists. "Agh!" he shouted. "I may have beaten me today but I swear next time I shall finish washing my dishes first! Me and my youthful ally Neji shall not be defeated again!"
"There was a contest?" Naruto asked, bluntly staring at the teen who was arguably more hyperactive than him.
"Of course!" Lee yelled throwing his fists into the air dramatically as Neji calmly walked up beside him. Tenten cast Neji what she thought was a quick glance as Lee started a speech about hard work and youth. The white eyed teen silently glance up towards the moon, his long brown hair and white eyes partially illuminated by the orange glow of the fire. He held the position for quite some time and sighed before he finally turned his head towards the girl and raised an eyebrow curiously. Tenten quickly averted her eyes, she must've been starring. She couldn't quite help it though. He was intriguing...for a boy anyway. It didn't help that she felt her face grow a bit warmer. Tenten blamed the fire.
"Hey guys, what'd we miss?" Kiba asked throwing his sack to the ground as he and Saskue walked over.
"Not much," Naruto sighed as Lee continued his speech while simultaneously doing one handed pushups. 'Help me,' the blonde mouthed.
"Where's Shikamaru and…Temari!" Tenten said snapping her fingers upon remembering the other girl's name. "Where are they?"
"Still finishing up," Kiba grinned picking Akamaru back up and scratching his head as he looked back over towards the creek. "It might be a few more hours before they get done." Kiba chuckled looking back at the two dark figures.
"Where should be set these?" Saskue asked looking over at the white haired man with the book while picking up the giant sack.
"Just leave them there for the time being," he answered back lazily. "I'll take care of them later." Saskue nodded and set his bag back down over by Neji's. Tenten glanced at the dark haired Uciha. His mannerisms and attitude were quite similar to Neji in so many ways but his face looked colder, stone cold. Neji's attitude was calm, peaceful and mature. Saskue's seemed to be demanding, challenging and focused. Tenten frowned before Saskue to turned and gave her a curious look. Tenten just gave him a bit more of a lopsided frown as she analyzed him. A small grin broke across Saskue's face. Neji raised his eyebrows before casting the Uciha a quick glare. The other boy just shrugged as if to say 'What?'.
"Um…Kakashi..sir?" Lee spoke up. Everyone turned towards Lee. From the few hours or so that they'd known him they all figured that this attitude was probably not normal for Rock Lee. The white haired man looked up from his book again and Lee pointed over to the far end of Hooverville where Gai was talking to a short, heavier man with a large briefcase and dark suit. Gai was holding up his hands defensively and appeared to be trying to calm the other man down. The small man however, just kept waving his hand in Hooverville's direction. Although it was to dark to see either of there facial expressions one could tell that the fat man was definitely not happy.
"Wait here," Kakashi said calmly narrowing his eyes as he snapped his book shut and wandered over towards Gai.
"What's going on?" Kiba asked turning towards Lee. The boy just shrugged and looked on. By this time it looked like half the population of Hooverville was gathered around the tiny man who had started to back off. He tried to act defiant and shook his fist at the group again and yelled something. Another figure in the crowd yelled back at him. A punch was thrown and there was a distinctive popping sound in the air as the small man stumbled backwards dropping his briefcase. The man dropped to the ground and held his face for a moment before quickly standing up and shaking his fists at the crowd. Someone yelled something back at him and the little man toke off running away as fast as his legs could carry him. Slowly, the crowd began to disperse in two and threes nervously.
"Mister Gai?" Lee asked as his mentor and Kakashi returned. "Is something wrong?" Gai briefly bit his bottom lip and ran a hand through his hair before looking back down at Lee.
"Of course not! We've got everything under control here!" he grinned. "Now! I think it's time you headed off to bed!" Lee saluted him a little unsuredly but quickly corrected his posture and ran off with a nod. "You are free to stay up of course," Gai said looking at the group. "We were going to have some music later but…" he glanced over at Kakashi who shook his head. "But after that I don't really think anyone's in the mood."
"What happened back there?" Naruto asked.
"Nothing really," Gai said with a smile and a light chuckle. "Just some business we had to take care off."
"Thank you," Neji said bowing his head slightly. "But I think we'll just head off for bed as well."
"Then as soon as Lee or Temari comes back, they'll show you to your quarters." Gai said with a quick salute before he walked off. The group sat in silence by the fire as they looked around Hooverville.
"I cannot believe you!" an angry voice rang out from behind the five. Everyone turned to see Temari pushing Shikamaru who was apparently being forced to carry the sack. "You are probably the laziest, most jerkish asshole I've ever met!" she shouted in his face.
"Language…" Shikamaru began to drawl lazily.
"Don't you start with me!" Temari yelled. "Or I will kill you in your sleep." She said in a deathly whisper before storming off. Shikamaru just dropped the sack and lay down on one of the logs that surrounded the fire. Everyone looked at Temari then back towards Shikamaru.
"What?" he asked in annoyance. With a stiff yawn, Kakashi put his book away picked up the four bags, gave a slight nod to the kids
"Um..Sir, before you leave," Neji began as Kakashi paused and turned his head back a bit. "Could you tell us when the next train out of Flint leaves the depot?"
"The Chicago train leave in two days, at four o'clock sharp but they'll probably pull out earlier, you never know with these freighters. Flint isn't a city that takes kindly to train hoppers." He sighed.
"Thank you," Neji said. Kakashi just nodded back and started to walk away.
"Well since we're all together now," Neji sighed as he sat down. "What do you all think?"
"I don't know," Kiba shrugged. "I wouldn't mind living here I guess but you know. I also really wanna catch the train and get out of this city."
"I agree with Kiba," Saskue nodded. Naruto just shuffled his feet. Tenten could tell what he was thinking about.
"I vote we stay here," Naruto said "We have to pull our load but didn't we do that back at the home?" Neji nodded before turning to Shikamaru.
"Whatever," the boy yawned. Neji looked over at Tenten.
"I think we should stay here," she said quickly glancing over at Naruto who gave her an appreciative nod. Neji spied the gesture decided against to keep quite. Instead he just sighed.
"Shikamaru, we're tied, you have to make a decision."
"Why don't you?" the boy challenged. All eyes turned over towards Neji. Neji narrowed his eyes. He swore he saw a quick grin spread over Shikamaru's face.
"Let's try this," Neji sighed. "Tomorrow we'll find all the trains destinations, find out about the place and look for news about the destination in general. Then we can make a decision as to whether or not we still want to go."
"Nice save," Temari's voice said sarcastically as she walked back up to the group. Neji rolled his eyes. "Now, I'm gonna make this quick. Your guys' cabin is over there," she said motioning to one of the cardboard shacks. "Your lucky, we just had a group leave so we've got more free space. Lee sleeps there to so if you have any questions just ask him. Tenten, you're coming with me to the girls cabin." Tenten shrugged as she followed Temari and gave Neji a small wave. Neji just nodded back and gave her a smile. Not like one of Saskue's grin, instead it was warm and calming. Tenten's eyebrows flew up as she continued to follow Temari and shook her head trying to keep the blood from rushing to her cheecks. Neji watched her go before sighing and following the guys to their cabin he gave Saskue a sly smirk. The Uciha just looked at him not knowing what the heck Neji was up to.
And there you go! Chapter…6, chapter 6! Fells like it's been forever. So anywho, I hope you enjoyed and I know that this chapter just seemed kind of filler-ish but I know what I'm doin with this! So, please tune in again sometime in the near future and thank you for reading! TTYL! :D