Hey guys! I've finally graduated, so now I can devote more time into writing and work on other stories I hope to get up after I've done more with this story. I hope you guys like what I'm doing. Don't forget to comment, but no flames please.
I own nothing except for my OCs.
"talking"
"thought"
"telepathic talk"
"demonic/powerful talking"
"demonic/powerful thought"
Chapter 6: Information and Lunch
Hiruzen Sarutobi went back to the Hokage's office with Hiashi for discussions about the Hyuga Hiashi wanted to advise him on. He sat in his comfy chair, one of the few perks of the job, with Hiashi on the opposite side of the desk. He asked Hiashi to help clear his desk of infamous paper work so they could speak like human beings instead of both of them talking to stacks of paper.
"Damn the Civilian Council. Most if this crap is either to solidify their power or just to make Naruto's life hell. As if it hasn't been already," he thought sadly.
The two men were about to discuss their business when the secretary knocked.
"Yes," the aged Hokage bellowed.
"Pardon the intrusion, but Kurenai Yuhi and Team 8 are here to speak with you Hokage-sama. She says it's urgent," the secretary reported.
Sarutobi nodded. "Very well send them in."
Team 8 filed into the office. The Third looked at them and saw all but Hinata were confused as to why they were there.
"So what can I do for you Kurenai?" he said getting straight to busness.
"Actually Hokage-sama it's not me that wanted to speak to you," Kurenai said. She turned and nodded to Hinata who came forward. Sarutobi put on a grandfather like smile.
"And what is it you wanted to speak to me about Hinata?"
Hinata looked at the Hokage then to her father, who was still in the room, and back to the Hokage.
"Hokage-sama, can you p-please send out you're A-ANBU and put up a silence barrier? I wanted to t-talk about what I t-think happened to m-me," she said.
Everyone was surprised, but the Third recovered quickly. He nodded, sent away his guards, and made a few hand signs.
Hinata steadied her breathing to calm her nerves. "W-well from what you all saw t-today, the infection is still in my body. Even n-now I can slightly feel it working on changing my b-body. But t-to what end I d-don't know."
Sarutobi digested the information. "I see. I have briefly looked at the medical file about your condition and some things did catch my attention. I have it right here for your's, Kurenai's, and Hiashi's viewing."
She nodded and looked through the file's contents, but couldn't really understand all of it. She passed it to her sensei when she was done, it surprised Kurenai as she knew somethings on medicine.
"In all my years as Hokage from both before and after the Yondaime, never have I seen anything like this. According to the examiners, your body went through a process of deconstruction and reconstruction in both muscle and bone structures. During the reconstruction phases your muscle mass would compact itself and grow. Your bones would fracture and mend thus increasing bone density and your overall durability."
Team 8 winced at his description of symptoms. Kurenai, Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino remembered seeing the moments they happened and could still hear Hinata's screams of pain. Hinata just remembered the pain.
"They also mentioned that every time these would happen your body would recover quicker and quicker each time," The Third changed his expression from glum to a smile. "I'm not a medical ninja, but I would guess the result is that you are now stronger, faster, and more durable. Also when you had that moment before your match Hiashi noticed your chakra levels have increased tremendously. While you'll need to work on controlling your new levels, I have no doubt that you will be able to impress a curtain blond haired genin."
Hinata blushed at the Hokage's statement. Hiashi scowled a bit towards the Hokage for playing with his daughter's emotions. Hinata's face dropped to a glum expression.
"T-that isn't all that it is doing to me," Hinata said sadly. "I a-also have a new ability, e-everyone saw today." They nodded at the memory. "I-I can also read people's minds a-as well as send telepathic communication."
They almost didn't believe her claim until Shino spoke. "So I was right. You did tell me to 'kick his ass'. You communicated with Naruto too didn't you?"
She nodded. "I-I didn't say anything before b-because I don't know the e-extent of this power. To b-be honest I s-still don't. I'm sorry I l-lied Shino-kun."
Hiruzen smiled at this information. "Hinata I think the infection mutated your genetics and gave you a new bloodline."
Hiashi was stunned. The daughter he had neglected for so long now had something that could greatly benefit the Hyuga. Or if she decided to break off and form a new clan the Hyuga would gain a powerful ally. But Hinata frowned sadly.
"W-while it might have changed my DNA I-I don't think it's just a bloodline awakening… I t-think the virus is m-making me something…n-not h-human."
Hinata then showed everyone her hands, they gasped at the sight of it. Kiba thought it was part of the reason her scent changed a little. Kurenai and Hiashi went into a parental mode induced panic. Shino raised his eyebrows. The Hokage was surprised as well but tried to calm their nerves with a hypothesis.
"So you have some skin discoloration. It could be a fungus you got from the Forest of Death. I'm sure if you put some antifungal on it, your hands should be clear soon enough," he said.
Hinata shook her head. "Hokage-sama, p-please. I know y-you are just trying t-to calm everyone, b-but the reality is that my body is c-changing. Denying it w-will only make things worse whenever t-the changes are done," said as tears came to her eyes. "P-please don't m-make this harder *sniff* than it a-already is H-Hokage-sama."
She broke down into sobs of despair. Kurenai and Hiashi went over to comfort her as she sobbed. Kurenai wrapped Hinata into a comforting hug, while Hiashi put a hand on her shoulder trying to compose himself.
Hinata's mind went back to the dream she had before she woke up. That image of herself as that creature made her fear for the future. True that version of her was mostly human and was very feminine, but she also recalled the terrible power it weld and the many creatures that were around her. What would Naruto think if he saw her like that? The fear of being called a monster by her crush was too much.
"You know," Kiba interrupted their moment with his thoughts, "this might not be as bad as we think. I mean the Hokage did point out the benefits that this change brought and you yourself said that it was doing more to make you stronger."
"He has a point Hinata," Shino put in. "I have also noticed a change in your behavior as well. You seem to have more confidence and you don't stutter as frequently. It's likely that you have this change to thank for you finally asking out Naruto."
Hiashi looked at Shino. "That's right, she'll be having lunch with him after this. I shouldn't stop her from having some time with the boy, but if he wishes to court my daughter we are going to need to talk."
*sniff* "I-I know that my confidence h-has grown a bit and I a-am happy to finally have lunch with N-Naruto-kun. B-but I'm s-scared what he'll think if he finds o-out. I d-don't want him to think I'm a m-monster," Hinata said.
The adults in the room had varied reactions but then relaxed a bit. Sarutobi cleared his throat.
"Well Hinata I don't believe you will have to worry about that happening. I for one know that Naruto isn't the kind of person to reject people who are kind. And you are one of the few people in the village to treat him with kindness instead of indifference or hostility."
His words brought hope to the young Hyuga as she knew that he was right.
"Now I wouldn't go and tell him everything at once, but give it time and maybe a few dates and you both will open up to each other," he said with a smile. His statement earned a blush from Hinata at the thought of going out with Naruto on multiple dates.
"Alright I won't hold you from your time with Naruto so we'll wrap it up here-"
"W-wait! There's s-something else. You remember that I can read minds now?" They all nodded. "Well I-I found out there is g-going to be an invasion on Konoha from Oto and Suna."
All present were shocked. "And which minds did you read to find out this information?" the Third questioned.
"I-I read the Suna t-trio's and that Oto-nin I'll b-be fighting. I d-don't know when it w-will happen, but it m-might be around the finals. I also r-read Kabuto's mind and he apparently has ties w-with Orochimaru," she reported.
Sarutobi grew silent. He had a feeling his old student had something to do with this. Though he would've never thought he would turn an ally of Konoha to his cause, but given how bad the economy was in Suna he couldn't blame them for their desperation.
"Thank you Hinata. We'll keep a close eye on them."
Hinata then became stern. "Hokage-sama I only have one request, let me deal with the Oto-nin in the finals. I promise you that I will learn to use this change to my advantage and I will kill him."
Her statement left everyone feeling cold and worried that the changes may have had something to do with it. They were also shocked that she said all that without stuttering once. For Hiashi, it was the first time he had seen her act in that cold Hyuga manner he himself used, and it scared him.
*cough* "Well then…I shall leave it to you," Sarutobi replied.
Hinata nodded turned to walk out the door, but stopped to look back down at her hands. She felt a hand on her shoulder and found it belonged to her sensei.
"Hinata if it bothers you that much you can henge your hands," Kurenai suggested.
"T-thank you Kurenai-sensei," she said and quickly henged the changes.
She opened the door to find Naruto siting there asleep with a bit of drool coming out his mouth. Hinata giggled at the sight and smiled warmly at his dedication. Fighting a blush she kneeled down close to him to nudge him awake.
"N-Naruto-kun. Naruto-kun time t-to wake up," she whispered into his ear.
Naruto's eyes cracked open. He yawned loudly and blinked a few time before he registered Hinata.
"Oh hey Hinata," he said wiping away his drool, "So are you ready?"
"Y-yes, l-let's go eat N-Naruto-kun," she said bashfully.
Grabbing her hand they sped off toward Ichiraku's for ramen leaving the rest of Team 8 and Hiashi to watch them go. Kiba was snickering, Shino was impassive, Kurenai was happy for her, but Hiashi's expression became extremely parental.
"Naruto Uzumaki you had better not make her upset or else you'll never make it to the finals," he growled scaring the two genin and the nindog. The Third laughed a bit at the display before sighing and turning back to his dreaded paperwork. This invasion needed planning too.
Ichiraku's
Naruto dragged Hinata to a modest ramen stand run by its two employees. The old man Tenuchi owned the place and cooked with the help of his daughter Ayame. Both of them smiled at the sight of their number one customer.
"Hello there Naruto good to see you," Tenuchi said before noticing the young Hyuga.
Ayame smiled. "Oh and who did you bring with you Naruto-kun?" she said slyly.
"Hey guys this is my friend Hinata Hyuga," he said, "We came here to celebrate getting into the finals."
Hinata bowed to both of them. "It's n-nice to meet y-you."
The old man laughed. "Please there's no need for that. Now what can I get for you two?"
Naruto eagerly sat down with Hinata to his left. She looked through the menu while Naruto already knew what he wanted.
"I'll take three miso, two pork, and two beef," he said happily.
"I-I'll have one miso please," Hinata said smiling at Naruto's joy.
"Haha coming right up," the old man said as he went to work.
Ayame looked at them and couldn't stop smiling. "So how have the exams been for you two?"
*sigh* "That second exam was a pain. Three days out in the Forest of Death followed by preliminaries to get into the finals 'cause there were too many people. Man it was tough I mean my team had to deal with those jerks from Oto, then we had to help Kabuto, even Hinata here got really sick," he told her.
Ayame gasped then turned to Hinata. "Are you okay?" she asked.
*gulp* "Y-yes I'm f-fine thank you," she lied. The topic was dropped with the arrival of the first bowls.
Naruto licked his lips then dug in. Hinata ate at a much slower that showed she had lessons in dining etiquette.
Ayame had a mischievous grin for what she said next. "You picked a good one Naruto-kun. How long have you two been going out?"
Naruto did a spit take with his ramen while Hinata's face turned red.
"W-w-what are you talking about we're not going out. We're just having lunch like good friends. R-right Hinata."
"Umm…y-yes that's right good friends," she replied but was a little down cast that they weren't going out. This didn't escape Ayame's perception so she decided to help out.
"Really? That's too bad 'cause you two would make a great couple," she fake pouted.
Naruto blinked at what she said. He looked at Hinata, who went back to eating her ramen, and he couldn't help but let Ayame's words sink in.
"Me and Hinata would make a good couple? But I like Sakura. Then again Hinata's never hit me or call me a baka. Now that I think about it she's only ever been nice to me, much nicer than most of the whole village. But she's the heiress of the Hyuga clan there's no way she'd want to be with the village pariah. And there's no telling what she'd think of me if she found out about 'it'," he thought.
Hinata subtly read Naruto's mind. She watched as his face went from realization to sadness. She hated seeing his mood drop so she decided to talk.
"N-Naruto-kun," her voice breaking his depressing thoughts.
"What is it Hinata?"
"I h-heard you had a mission in Wave before the exams. W-would you mind telling m-me about it?"
Naruto went from a blank expression to one of excite as he proceeded to tell Hinata about his first mission. He told her how it started out as a C-rank escort to an A-rank with the encounter with missing nin. He told her about the state Wave was in because of the tycoon Gato. He told her about the encounters that Team 7 had with Zabuza and Haku. How Gato had betrayed Zabuza, which got him killed by said ninja and how the villagers rose up to protect their home and drive out Gato's goons. He told her about the heartfelt departure and the fact that they named the new bridge after him.
Hinata hung on to every word he spoke and only interrupted him for clarification. Her feeling only grew from his story. Naruto felt better after he finished and was happy that Hinata listened.
They paid for the meal and Naruto decided to escort her back to the Hyuga compound. They walked back in comfortable silence both happy from their time together. Naruto caught himself taking glances at Hinata, he never realized how pretty she was. His thoughts made him blush with embarrassment, but he decided to take a chance.
"Hey Hinata," he said with a blush.
"Hmm?"
"I was wondering if maybe we could…do this again sometime," his own face as red as her's.
She smiled. "Y-yes I would l-like that Naruto-kun. L-let's say…five days from n-now you can p-pick me up at the compound a-at noon."
"Great," he said with a grin. Both of them felt like they were on cloud nine.
A drunk who caught sight of the two broke the mood.
"Oh, look who it is. It's the demon brat," he slurred drunkenly. "And what's this," he saw Hinata, "some demon loving whore."
Naruto was about to protest against his comment about Hinata, but was beaten to the punch by her. He saw her eyes glowing orange in rage directed at the drunk. Said drunk was now releasing his bowels in terror when he saw her eyes. They promised a very slow and painful death.
"Leave. Now," she hissed through her teeth.
The drunk took off and didn't look back. Hinata breathed out to calm herself and the two genin walked the rest of the way in silence. Before she went into the compound she turned to Naruto with a smile.
"N-now don't forget, five days here at noon okay," she chirped happily. Naruto nodded dumbly at the contrast in behavior from a few minutes ago. "Great! I-I'll see you then. Good n-night N-Naruto-kun." Naruto walked away confused but happy.
Deep Space
Far from the world of the Elemental Nations a Protoss Scout wanders the void. Yet these Protoss do not fight for Aiur. Meditating within the ship, a High Templar of the Tal'darim opens his consciousness to listen to his master's command.
"Yes I understand master," he said with zealous fervor.
Turning from his chamber the High Templar marches onto the deck.
"I have heard Lord Amon's orders. There is something that draws his contempt. We are to be his weapon my brothers. For Lord Amon!"
"For Lord Amon!"
