The Fox Hidden in the Leaves
Chapter 8: Fights and Secrets
By: MikeJV37
Everyone had been given seperate rooms to change in, with a few exceptions. Most obvious was the Hyuuga sisters, as there would be no problem if they changed in front of each other. Because of this the talking was minimal, if any, so there was no need for any sound seals for privacy. There was a room with a sound seal however, and it was cast by Hinata Hyuuga. Though not restricted and mainly used by Jounin, it was a jutsu nobody knew she could do.
"Are you sure Hinata-neechan? You said the jackets would hide us." Hanabi said nervously.
"I'm pretty sure Naruto-kun knows Hanabi, I hugged him a few times last week, and you hugged him twice earlier." Hinata said.
"You said Kaa-san told you even Kurenai couldn't detect the Genjutsu." Hanabi said nervously. "How could Naruto-kun know? Even Father's Byakuugan can't see through...."
"Naruto-kun is special, he fused with Kyuubi remember." Hinata interrupted.
Hanabi's eyes got big as saucers. "Do, do you think he'll tell anyone nee-chan? I don't want to be called names because we're different. I don't know what I'd do if Naruto-kun hated me because I had...." Hanabi said and pointed to herself.
Hinata knelt down and put her hands on Hanabi's shoulders when she saw her little sister's eyes tear up. "Hanabi, do you really think that Naruto-kun cares how his friends look?"
Hanabi thought about that a moment then smiled. "No, cause he's weird now too, he has fox ears and nine tails and everyone still liked him. Can I ask you something important."
"Of course Hanabi-neechan." Hinata said.
"Are you gonna marry Naruto-kun and have babies?" Hanabi said seriously.
Hinata's eyes got big as saucers and she blushed. She knew Hanabi knew about the Clan Restoration Act, and that she loved him, but this caught her off guard. Hinata smiled. "Hai, I would if Naruto-kun asked me. Hanabi, do you love Naruto-kun too?"
Hanabi did a quick inhale, and looked down at the floor. "I liked Konahamaru for a while...."
"I asked you about Naruto-kun, do you love him Hanabi? I won't be mad if you do. We don't keep secrets from each other." Hinata said.
Hanabi raised her head as her face turned red. "Hai. I feel all warm in my belly and my heart beats faster."
"Me too, but you're not old enough for that yet, maybe in a few years. Now come on, get your jacket on and lets go out there and see who we're going to spar with. Don't worry Hanabi, this won't be any worse than training with father. When you fight somebody.... don't hold back, make father proud." Hinata said.
"And Naruto-kun too, I wanna show him how strong I am." Hanabi said confidently, a big smile on her face.
Now in the battle gear that they wore on missions, though Hanabi hadn't actually gone on any missions because she was still in the academy. She was dressed similar to Hinata, sandles, blue pants, Hinata's were black, and of course Hinata's old grey jacket over a black shirt, only the neck showed. Hinata's coat was purple and newer.
Hanabi walked down the hallway with Hinata. "Nee-chan, will you help me learn my new Water jutsu? You can do two already so...."
"Of course I will Hanabi, you only had to ask me." Hinata said.
Hanabi smiled and hugged her big sister. "Thanks Hinata-neechan."
A woman screamed from downstairs.
They looked at each other then ran down the hall, down the stairs and across the room to the couch, worried someone was hurt.
"What happened Sakura-chan?" Hinata said, worried.
Sakura looked up at them. "Hello Hinata-chan, Hanabi-chan. I showed mom what Naruto-kun got me.... she screamed and fainted."
"Sakura, what's wro...." Tsunade stopped and sighed. "You showed her and she fainted, right?"
"Hai, Tsunade-sensei. I should of prepared her better." Sakura said.
"What is it Sakura-chan?" Hinata said.
Sakura opened the box gently and slowly pulled up a shiney metal chain, and finally revealed a Silver, Ruby and Diamond Cherry Blossom tree about two inches tall.
Hinata and Hanabi gasped in amazment, they'd never seen anything so small, yet so intricately made. It actually looked like a real tree.
"It's a family heirloom we thought was lost when mom was little, Baa-chan used to wear it all the time mom once told me. Mom remembered being told it was very special, but she died before she could tell mom about it and pass it on to her. Tsunade-sensei told me it was in the Namikaze vault at least fifteen years." Sakura said.
Tsunade stepped close and used a diagnostic jutsu to check Sakari over, only because of her age and she wasn't a kunoichi. Tsunade was glad to find the woman in good health, and very fit for a civilian. "She's fine Sakura, just give her some water when she wakes up."
Sakura nodded.
Within five minutes everyone had changed. Tsunade had already, but her outfit change was hardly noticable, if at all. Her usual worn green jacket, grey shirt, black pants and sandles she always wore.
Since there were an even number of shinobi, Naruto had decided to do his own version of the Chuunin exam matches, well the first round anyway. Naruto gathered everyone around the couch and coffee table. "Ok, because of time everyone may not get to fight, so to give everyone a chance to have their match there'll be a time limit of thirty minutes."
Several people groaned, disappointed.
"As you all know I'll be fighting Tsunade. I know many of you would love to spar with her, but because she's also the Hokage there are some things she can't risk, even for a friendly sparring match. So I'll have to kick her wrinkled old butt for you." Naruto said and smirked.
The air in the room was suddenly very heavy, everyone turned to Tsunade, several gasped in fear at her expression.
The silence was broken by Kiba. "Naruto's dead."
Many around him nodded, they had no doubt that her match with Naruto would be the best of the day. Nobody mentioned it, but they could swear they heard a low, very primal animal growl from her. Everyone looked at Naruto, they knew that if he wasn't who he was.... he'd be a bloody stain on the floor right now. They also saw the worried look on Naruto's face. They were right, Naruto was the only person that could refer to Tsunade as old and not need medical attention afterwards. Naruto may of pushed even his legendary luck a lil far that time, and it was obvious he knew it.
"Anyway...." Naruto said nervously. "Lets get to the pairings." He said as he tried to change the mood in the room. 'Oh Kami is she gonna hurt me.' Naruto thought as he drew names.
Many of the people called were very happy with their opponent, some weren't, for various reasons. A few didn't react either way. Once he'd paired them up, Naruto drew two names and let each choose their opponent. That put the final count at ten matches. Some of them promised to be very entertaining. Everyone headed outside to the open field known as Training Ground One.
"Ok, just to remind everyone of the rules. This is just for fun, so no attacks or jutsu that could be fatal."
"Why did everyone look at me?" Sasuke said, only half serious.
"You can still win by knockout or if your opponent gave up. Last, since we're fighting in a limited area, if you leave the Training Ground for any reason you lose." Naruto said.
"A ring out?" Someone asked and got a nod from Naruto.
"Almost forgot, if your match ended because of time, we'll decide who won." Naruto said.
With everyone in agreement, the first two fighters walked to the center of the training ground.
First to walk out was an adorable lil fireball called Hanabi. She was one of the two fighters chosen by her opponent. For Hanabi, this was Konohamaru, her classmate at the Academy and grandson of the Third Hokage. He walked out, stood ten feet in front of her and bowed, she returned the bow. Hanabi was pretty happy to be fighting him, she'd been really nervous she'd get chosen to fight one of the older shinobi, but as good as she was for her age, she knew in a real fight with almost everyone there she'd get slaughtered.
"Get ready...." Naruto said.
Konohamaru took the Taijutsu stance he'd learned at the Academy, although he'd gotten some training by Naruto when he was younger. To no one's surprize Hanabi dropped into the Gentle Fist stance used by her clan. They were a lil surprized that she didn't activate her Byakuugan first, everyone knew she could.
Sakura leaned to her left. "Why didn't she activate her Byakuugan Hinata-chan?"
Hiashi, who stood behind her, quickly tuned in to the conversation, he was also curious as to why she'd hadn't.
Hinata smiled, she knew her father was behind her listening. "To prove her skill as a kunoichi, and a Hyuuga."
Inside, Hiashi grinned ear-to-ear, but his face didn't show even of hint of his feelings.
Sakura thought a moment then smirked and whispered to Hinata. "She wants to impress.... him, doesn't she?"
Hinata nodded slightly.
'Hanabi has a crush on Naruto.' Sakura thought, amused at the effect Naruto had on girls.
For a moment Hiashi thought Hinata meant him, but quickly realized who Sakura referred to when the events of the day flashed through his mind. 'I must have a talk with Hinata and Hanabi tonight, one of my daughters must remain to continue our family bloodline.' He thought.
"Fight!" Naruto yelled.
Konohamaru rushed in with a flurry of punches and kicks, some showed Naruto's influence, that Hanabi either dodged or blocked with apparent ease.
The second he stopped Hanabi hit him with a palm strike to the chest that knocked him back about ten feet. "Give up Konohamaru, you can't beat me.... and I don't want to hurt you if I don't have to."
"NO! I'll prove myself to y.... to everyone and show them I'm gonna be Hokage someday just like my Grandpa!"
Many of the people caught what he almost said, and several hushed talks were heard among them.
"As you wish.... but don't expect me to apologize after I make you cry like a baby." Hanabi flashed through four hand signs and the veins around her eyes bulged. "Byakuugan!"
'Only four to activate it, excellent, soon she won't need any, just like Hinata and Neji.' Hiashi thought as he put a hand on Hinata's shoulder.
"This fight is over." Kiba said, many people nodded in agreement.
Hanabi glanced at Hinata and smirked.
"Oh no, she's going to use it on him." Hinata said nervously.
Everyone around Hinata suddenly looked at her very curiously, especially Hiashi.
"She's going to use what on him Hinata?" Hiashi said in a low, but commanding voice.
"Sh,she only t,told me...." Hinata pressed her index fingers together nervously. "She's been watching you and N,Neji.... and d,d,developed her own version of the...."
Hiashi's eyebrows went up when he realizeed what she was about to say.
Hinata felt the pressure in her father's grip on her shoulder increase slightly.
"You mean she learned it just from watching me and Neji train?" Hiashi said.
"Hai, Father." Hinata said.
Hiashi didn't know if he should be angry or proud. "Let's see it, then I'll decide what to do." Hiashi said to a now very nervous Hinata.
Neji also watched intently and activited his Byakuugan, which Hiashi noticed and activated his. Eventhough she'd already seen it, Hinata would of activated hers, but she was far to nervous to even focus her chakra. Everyone around them noticed the two Hyuuga's eyes change. As Konohamaru chargeed, Hanabi flashed through a series of hand signs that got a GASP of shock from several people in the crowd that couldn't believe what they saw.
"IT CAN'T BE SHE'S TOO YOUNG!" Someone yelled, but nobody paid any attention.
As soon as Konohamaru got in range Hanabi unleased her version of the Hyuuga Clan's ultamite attack. "HANABI'S STORM, FOUR TRIGRAMS THIRTY-TWO PALMS!" Hanabi screamed at the top of her lungs. "2.... 4.... 8.... 16.... 32!" Hanabi counted out loud as her hands lashed out at Konohamaru faster than she knew he could follow.
And to the amazement of some Chuunin, faster than they could follow.
Konohamaru stood there a few soconds, utter disbelief on his face, the crowd watched just as stunned, but even that took a close second to what happened next.
"I.... I love you Hanabi." Konohamaru said then fell face first into the dirt, unconscious.
"Did he say.... he loved me?" Hanabi said before she collapsed.
Luckily for her Hiashi was behind her in an instant, and caught her before she hit the ground. Tsunade was there a second later with Konahamaru.
"The next match will be delayed." Tsunade said matter-of-factly, nobody argued. "I have to check him over."
Hiashi nodded to her and they went inside, followed by everyone else. When she finished her scan of him, and a Byakuugan check by Hiashi, Tsunade told everyone he'd be fine, but he wasn't going to be able to do any training for a week to ten days until his chakra points all opened again. Hanabi's attack had only closed half of them, unlike the full version, but it was all the major chakra points she hit, Hanabi knew exactly what she was doing.
Hanabi woke up on the couch, her Byakuugan had deactivated when she'd fainted. The first face she saw, much to her horror, was the emotionless face of her father Hiashi. Right away Hanabi started to sweat, she knew one of two things was about to happen to her. Her father would be very proud of her for what she'd done on her own.... or she'd be grounded the rest of her natural life and would never see anyone outside the clan compound again.
Hiashi glared at her for a full minute to make her squirm, nobody interrupted or said a word. "I'm proud of you Hanabi." He said and suddenly smiled.
Hanabi went totally limp on the couch, a H-U-G-E smile on her face.
Everyone laughed at her reaction. A few minutes later both kids were up and walking again, Hanabi bowed thankfully to her Father, Konohamaru was a lil shakey for a few minutes. Hanabi apologized to him for what she'd done and admitted she'd gone a bit far and used him to show her new jutsu to her father. He was kinda mad at her, but that feeling was obliterated when she told him she's go out with him once to make up for it.
"Just lunch, I'll pay.... and don't even try to kiss me Konohamaru." Hanabi said.
kanahameru nodded and blushed.
She liked him, even respected him, and although they were friends she loved teasing him, this just gave her a new weapon to use against him. She'd noticed lately that Moegi seemed to get a lil upset when she did. 'Does Moegi like him? If she does I better not mention he liked me. It was hard enough getting them to like me as Hanabi, not because I'm Hanabi Hyuuga. Oh no I promised I'd go on a date. I hope he'll let me buy him and his friends lunch instead, since they weren't able to come to the party.' Hanabi thought.
After Konohamaru composed himself, and before everyone went back outside for the next match, Hanabi had a private talk with a slightly blushed Konohamaru. After a few minutes he agreed to let Hanabi buy him and his friends lunch instead of a date. She also, rather sadly, told him she was flattered he liked her, but her heart belonged to someone else and they could only be friends. This was a blow to him, but he handled it well. This was nothing compared to how he felt when he lost his Grandpa the Third Hokage. What she didn't mention was that she was pretty sure Moegi liked him, but she'd talk to Moegi tomorrow about that. Hanabi thought Moegi reminded her of how Hinata used to act around Naruto-kun.... although Moegi didn't faint like Hinata did.
With everyone ok they returned to Training Ground One. This was the other 'choose your opponent' match. The drawn name was Ino, and to no one's surprize she chose Sakura, she'd stated very clearly she wanted a rematch from the Chuunin Exams, as did Sakura, they couldn't let things stand at a draw. They were best friends now, but that wouldn't stop either from giving her all against her favorite friendly rival. Everyone looked forward to the rematch also, especially an almost drooling Kiba, the thought of the teo busty kunoichi fighting almost too much for him to handle. This fact was very obvious to everyone, except Konohamaru and Hanabi, but nobody was going to fill them in on why Kiba was so excited about the next match. Especially not after Tsunade and Hiashi passed a quick glare around the room. If asked, they'd say bacause he loved fights. Nobody there was foolish enough to want the Hokage Tsunade and Hiashi Hyuuga mad at them. That's like asking to have your life turned into a living hell.... if you were very lucky.
Well, everyone didn't return to the training ground. While Hinabi and Konohamaru had their talk, another was going on, Sakura and Ino. Both girls then talked to Tsunade and made sure nobody overheard them. Nobody saw the two kunoichi and the Sannin slip out of the room for a moment either. Before the two girls returned, Tsunade had a quick chat with Hiashi, who got his youngest daughter and her friend to stay in the house so they can discuss Hanabi's new jutsu, look around, things like that, it's what he told them anyway. They didn't want to miss the other matches, but Hiashi told them the other matches weren't for their eyes and to drop the subject. Hiashi didn't fully know why, all Tsunade had said was that the other matches just became 'shinobi only'. The way she'd said 'shinobi only' made him very curious, but when the Hokage asked him to keep the kids inside, as a personal favor to her, he wasn't going to refuse. Not just because he respected her, but he was smart enough to know that having the Hokage owe you a personal favor was an opportunity he wasn't going to miss. The potential benefit to his clan's, and even his own, honor and status far outweighted anything else. As head of the Hyuuga Clan his top priority was to keep the Clan strong.
Tsunade, even just a month ago would of never done what she did. Hiashi Hyuuga was a hard ass when it came to his Clan, and she knew as well as the council how he thought, but since Naruto's return, and the whole truth about Naruto revealed, he'd changed a lot. It wasn't noticable in public however, his steel exterior was well polished.
'What is it about you Naruto that makes you so special?' Tsunade thought as she walked out to Training Ground One.
The two young kunoichi walked out to the center of the training ground, and stood only two feet apart.
"You ready to do this bitch?" Ino asked with a smile.
"Show me what you've got slut." Sakura smiled back.
Both bowed respectfully. If anyone had listened they would of been surprized, not by what was said, not even by who said it, the girls rivalry wasn't a secret, but by the fact that their insults didn't carry even the smallest hint of malice, only respect. What they were going to do would cost both some diginty, but they were willing to pay it for the end result.
Naruto turned to Tsunade, who stood next to him. "They aren't going to hurt each other are they.... not like they did during their match in the Chuunin Exams?"
Tsunade could hear the genuine concern in his voice for their safety, even in a friendly sparring match both girls tempers were well know to flare up out of control. "No Naruto. It'll be a rough match, but nothing worse than what they've done during normal training. They've gotten a lot stronger in the three years you were gone."
"That's what worried me." Naruto said.
Tsunade just smiled and let out a quiet sigh. 'Please be careful girls.' Tsunade thought.
"Ready....* Naruto yelled.
Both girls jumped back ren feet.
"Fight!" Naruto yelled.
Sakura quickly made a hand sign everyone recognized instantly. "SHADOW CLONE JUTSU" A moment later there was two puffs of smoke and three Sakuras stood there.
"Sakura-chan can do the Shadow Clone Jutsu?" Naruto said stunned.
"Hai, Naruto." Tsunade said. 'And much more.' Tsunade thought. "She's seen you use it so often to win a battle, so she asked me to teach it to her. She doesn't have your chakra capacity, but her control is perfect, so she doesn't need to use quite as much chakra as you do."
'You really have gotten stronger Sakura-chan.' Naruto thought.
The two outside Sakura Clones circled out and charged Ino from the sides.
Ino just smiled. Once they were close Ino jumped up, dodged both punches, and did a spinning splits kick that hit the two Sakura Clones in the face then landing on her feet and faced the original again, the two Shadow Clones popprf out of existence.
"Your Taijutsu has really improved Ino." Sakura said.
Ino smiled. "Well I can't exactly use my Mind Transfer Jutsu in the middle of a fight now can I? All that leaves is weapons and Taijutsu, and I always was a nasty bitch. Oh by the way, nice Shadow Clones Sakura."
"Thanks. And Ino.... Gotcha!" Sakura said and smiled.
Sakura suddenly popped out of the ground behind Ino and grabbed her in a full nelson that Ino knew she can't break. Because of her special training from Tsunade, Sakura's strength had increased to an incredible degree. She was second in physical strength only to Naruto and Tsunade, and everyone knew it.
"What.... HEY!" Ino struggled for a moment. "You sneaky bitch, you mean I that was a Shadow Clone the whole time?" Ino said stunned.
"Hai." Sakura said as che clamped the full nelson a lil harder.
"How the hell did you do that Sakura?" Ino said and grunted slightly.
"Just my version of a jutsu Kakashi sensei did to Sasuke in our final exam when we became Team Seven." Sakura said.
Kakashi and Naruto smirked as they remembered the incident Sakura had just referred to.
Sasuke turned to the close by Tsunade, noticablly impressed. "Sakura not only learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu, but she combined it with the Headhunter Jutsu to create her own jutsu?"
Tsunade smiled when she saw Naruto stared at her with the same look on his face as Sasuke.
"Haia, she did Sasuke." Tsunade said proudly.
"I didn't think that was possible.... I really underestimated Sakura." Sasuke said, his statemnt stunned everyone that heard him actually compliment Sakura's skill.
"Ok Sakura, I wanted to play a lil longer, but if you want to step it up now, that's fine with me...." Ino smiled. "I learned this from Temari last year.... no kunoichi can withstand it."
"Oh Kami.... watch this!" Temari said as she held in her laughter.
Everyone watched the two kunoinchi intently.
Temari almost couldn't wait to see what Ino was about to do to Sakura. "I almost feel sorry for Sakura.... almost." A big smile and slight blush appeared on Temari's face.
End Chapter 8
