Walking the Line Between Life and Death
Chapter 8
Last Chapter Summary: Clothes shopping… Oh so boring But Naruto did wake up to a pleasant surprise
I don't own Naruto or anything that could possibly make me any money.
'thoughts' "speaking" 'demonic' – I don't do flashbacks
"Hey guys!" shouted Kiba as he walked towards the small group waiting consisting of Shino, Sakura, Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, Lee, Tenten, Neji and their senseis, except Kakashi.
"Anyone know why Hinata asked us here? I mean it's great to get together with you guys, but there has to be a reason since she never sets up these meetings, especially since it isn't Wednesday." Inquired Kiba
"Who needs a reason when you're a troublesome woman…?" lazily replied Shikamaru while Choji ate some chips next to him in relative silence while the females of the group shouted and tried to destroy him.
"Hey guys, there's Hinata, but she's with some other hot chick" announced Kiba getting everyone's attentions.
"Um, Hi everyone." Hinata greeted when they got to the group "I suppose you all would like to know why I asked you all here?"
"It's probably too troublesome anyways."
"Whatever Shika, we all know that you are dying to hear the answer like the rest of us, so go ahead Hinata." Persuaded Ino.
"Ok, well during my last mission I met someone and we kind of fell in love." Everyone went silent in shock and was pretty much thinking the same thing, how. "Um, I guess we got talking and somehow we found out that we wanted to be with each other and earlier today we even got on the topic of marriage. I decided to bring 'her' by to meet you all." Everyone was now even further stunned.
"Her? You mean you're going to marry the blonde next to you? I don't believe it." Strangely enough it was Shino who asked this which would have surprised everyone if they weren't preoccupied with the same topic.
"Yes, with the blonde next to me, let me show you if you think I'm lying." Hinata stepped closer to the blonde and pressed her lips to 'hers' starting the kiss. Deepening the kiss they went into an all out make out session. The entire group's jaws dropped to the ground while Tenten had to try and keep Neji from choking on the air he was breathing but had troubles breathing herself. Just then Kakashi appeared in a puff of smoke.
"Sorry I'm late I was…" his one eye opened wide at the scene in front of him and messed up what he was saying "There was a tree… stuck up a cat… and I threw an old lady into traffic to help," was his poor excuse. Just then the silver haired Jonin caught a glimpse of something before his eye went back to normal and gave out a chuckle. "He has gotten good, real good. I almost missed it." All eyes turned to him until laughter drew their attention back to the couple as Kakashi pulled out his little book.
"I.. sorry… we… couldn't help it…" Hinata laughed sweetly once again shocking some of the group that haven't heard her laugh before. They all watched the two laughing forms until a flash of light and smoke revealed a blonde guy in a black trench coat with flames, and a face mask laughing in front of them.
"Oh man, I needed a camera; that was priceless. You guys were so stunned that even Shino showed he was actually alive. That was awesome." Laughed Naruto
"So it was all a joke Hinata?" asked Ino. Getting a nod she jumped up and ran to her side staring at the blonde. "So who really is this blonde hotty then?" she grabbed his arm and held it to her body which of course angered Hinata.
"Hands off Ino, only the part about him being a female was a joke not anything else." Seeing the intense glare from Hinata, she quickly let go and ran back to her table in fear.
"So," Sakura started "you are in love with this guy then right? What about your other love, or is it all just because you like blondes and you never had any true feelings for him?"
"No Sakura, I love them both." Hinata smiled
"You can't just love both of them Hinata, you need to choose one or the other. Either this guy or Naruto, it is impossible to want them both." Yelled back Sakura.
"You are wrong, I will have both and nothing will stop me." She declared while trying not to laugh, but failed.
"See Hinata-chan, I told you pranking was a source of great enjoyment" proclaimed Naruto while holding up the laughing girl.
"Yes, you're right Naruto-kun, this is definitely fun."
"What!?" Screamed the group, except Kakashi who was still trying to find a scene close to that last one in his book but was getting more disappointed every second.
"I'm starving Hinata-chan, let's get some ramen. Hey old man, bring me 10 beef and 10 chicken." He called out to the counter.
"No problem Naruto, I'll even give them to you half off for my favorite customer."
Noticing their eyes on him Naruto turned to the group. "Hey guys, what are you guys staring for? It's like you just saw a missing nin walk by and order lunch." Nearly everyone fell off their seats at the stupid joke. "Yeah, I know, lame joke wasn't it? Oh and I'm not a missing nin, just so you guys know" everyone relaxed a bit except for a pink haired girl who threw a punch at his face. He surprised everyone, including Kakashi, when he caught it like it was nothing. "Hey I don't want your love taps Sakura, I'm with Hinata-chan now…" he looked at everyone's shocked looks, "Hey, what's wrong guys, order up, old man doesn't stay open that late." Almost everyone was still staring as Naruto, who nonchalantly pulled up a chair for Hinata and himself. "Hey Dog Boy, where's your puppy?"
"Akamaru is not a puppy anymore, right Akamaru?... Akamaru?" Kiba looked around the area and found the giant dog to be nowhere. "Hey, has anyone seen where Akamaru went?" he just got a series of 'no's until he saw Naruto smiling much too guiltily.
"Naruto, where's Akamaru?"
"I think I saw him in the tree outside with Kakashi's cat." Half of the group turned and found Akamaru was indeed in a tree with a cat, but the giant dog was whimpering.
"Damn it Naruto! He's afraid of cats!"
"Well he's like 5 time the size, why should he be… maybe he met up with Tora when he was younger." Everyone cringed at the name of the daiyamo's wife's cat but really wondered to themselves how the dog got into the tree in the first place without anyone noticing.
After getting seated again, Kiba had to rescue Akamaru, the shock wore off and the questions came flying forward about why he was gone and Hinata's relationship. The group ate and talked for quite a while until Teuchi, owner of Ichiraku's, kicked them out to close up shop. The group said their goodbyes, the senseis left hours before nneding to do their own stuff, and parted ways leaving the new couple alone in the cool night air. (Maybe a short reunion, but it was fun to write)
"So, Hinata-chan, Is there anything else you would like to do?"
"No, not really, let's just walk around a bit before heading home."
They walked, very closely, through the local park. Hinata had her head resting on his shoulder while his arm was wrapped around her thin waist. Walking in silence they admired the serene landscape almost as much and they looked at each other. Since it was getting colder out Hinata just led him back to the apartment instead of voicing her chill. They entered the small apartment and Naruto took off his trench coat and hung it on the coat hook where it returned to the store bought solid black and removed his mask. Hinata went into the bedroom where she changed into her sleeping attire while Naruto sat on the couch with sleep threatening to approach.
After changing, Hinata opened the door again and allowed her boyfriend to enter. Throwing out all her reservations, she leapt to his arms and madly kissed him. Not slowing up she continued as she secretly inched him closer to the bed. When she felt she was close enough, she caused herself to fall backwards to the bed pulling him down on top of her without even breaking the kiss. They still continued their kissing when Hinata got bold once again and rolled them both over with her now lying on top of him. She slid his hands from her waist up to each of her breasts so he was holding one in each hand. Quickly he broke the kiss and looked her in the eyes.
"I'm not ready for this Hinata, we should stop." He told her.
"Why? Am I not attractive enough?" she asked with disappointment.
"NO…" he gave her a squeeze, causing her to squeak (you remember where his hands are right? what a perv, or maybe just a guy) "That definitely isn't it. I just feel we are moving too fast. I know I've said it before, but you just ignored most of it. Most every other guy alive would be dying to be in my shoes right now, but I'm just a different type of guy. I don't want our first time to happen when I just scratched the surface of this thing called love. I want to be fully in love with you when that happens so it truly means something, ok?" he rolled her off of him but stayed lying next to her.
"I'm sorry; I keep forgetting that this is actually happening and not a dream where you have no free will. I've wanted to be with you so bad that I never really thought about it actually happening. I am glad you want it to mean so much; so, I will wait until you're ready; just don't keep me waiting forever."
"That's a deal my beautiful Hinata; actually I'll make that a promise so I can't break it." He kissed her cheek and closed his eyes to sleep, only opening them again when he felt Hinata snuggle up very close and then they both relaxed and fell asleep.
The evil light signifying morning never had the pleasure of assaulting the optics of the couple seeing as how they were awakened earlier than they wanted. Naruto and Hinata were brought from their sleep by small webbed feet as they contacted their faces. Hinata's eyes snapped open to meet the face of a bright orange toad and let out the loudest noise anyone has ever heard from the shy Hyuuga. Still screaming, she jumped to the other side of Naruto putting him in between her and the toad.
"Damn it Gamakichi, how many time have I told you not to wake me up like that? Now you've gone and scared Hinata-chan." Hinata shyly peaked over him and looked at the orange toad in curiosity.
"Oh my bad; sorry Miss Hinata," Gamakichi apologized, "I was unaware that Naruto had a girl. My name is Gamakichi." Hinata flinched a bit when he started talking but got a hold of herself quickly.
"Um, pleased to meet you. What exactly are you doing in our bedroom?" Hinata asked
"Oh you're living together then? Boy, you sure can pick them Naruto." He commented causing the both of them to blush slightly. "Oh I was sent by the Hokage and Ero-Sennin to fetch you two for something about hypnotizing or something."
"I wonder what the hell they found that we need to be there so early. Well thanks, I guess, Gamakichi. Oh and tell your father I'll settle our deal some time this year."
"Hey, no problem. Pops will be glad to hear that as well, he has been looking forward to it for a while now." With that the small toad vanished in a cloud of smoke.
"And I was sleeping so well." Naruto whined. Rolling over to look into Hinata's eyes, he smiled. "I could really get used to waking up and seeing your face." Hinata smiles at his comment and got surprised by a quick kiss. "Come on Hinata-chan lets get going, I doubt I want to piss of Tsunade after that last time."
The two of them drug themselves tiredly down the empty streets until they reached the Hokage's office and walked into the room.
"Hey baa-chan, ero-sennin, what the hell, we were sleeping peacefully. What was so important that you couldn't wait until later to tell us?"
"Truthfully, nothing, but after your actions last time, I figured a little payback was in order." Tsunade laughed as Hinata beat her boyfriend playfully for being the cause of the early waking.
"Right, now that I've been beaten by my girlfriend, what did you need to tell us?"
"Actually Jiraiya has returned with some information that could be the cause of your hypnotism." She nodded to the white haired sannin to tell his part.
"Well, brat, when I was spying on the happenings at the sound village, while you were training and then went missing, Orochimaru was trying to conjure up a being from a different dimension, or something, for his next body since Sasuke hasn't unlocked the next level of the Sharingan and he was unsure if he could unlock it on his own if he did switch bodies. Anyways the being he called forth was too powerful for him to subdue by himself, so with Kabuto's help they wrangled it enough to attempt the jutsu but it was much stronger than he thought and absorbed some of the snake bastard's thoughts.(doesn't remove the thoughts or memories) Apparently when it takes thoughts it leaves behind a form of hypnosis blocking some memories and leaving the perception of your greatest fear. We have no idea what this being is after, but it might be acting out some of Orochimaru's plans."
"Great, well at least I should have another 3 years to get Sasuke since he wasted his attempt on the creature right?" Naruto asked while Tsunade decided to field this question.
"That should be correct Naruto, but we should all be on guard, even the Akatsuki have gone into hiding with this being on the loose. We don't know how powerful this thing is or what it wants, but to scare Akatsuki, it must be something. We must also assume it has knowledge of our village and many of its ninja since we believe it made contact with you during your training and my have gotten some of your memories. Just be on your guard, you both will be free from missions, so have some fun."
"And don't do anything I wouldn't do" giggled Jiraiya as the couple was headed for the door.
"There's nothing you wouldn't do ero-sennin" commented Naruto as he continued to the door with his arm around Hinata. "We'll be careful baa-chan…later." Tossing his hand up in a small wave he pulled Hinata carefully out the door. Naruto decided they should go to the park and watch the sun rise for a change of scenery. When they got to the park, they sat on one of the benches and settled in comfortably. Hinata cuddled close as he draped his arm across her shoulder to wait for the sunrise, but the sun never came for them, since they were asleep moments after sitting.
Three hours later they were still sitting on the bench but were finally stirring from their sleep. Still not quite awake yet they wiggled a little closer to each other with Naruto kissing the top of her head.
"Kawaii!" squealed some female voices causing the sleeping couple to snap their eyes open looking for the cause of the disturbance. Sitting right in front of the two were Ino, Sakura, and Tenten watching them closely. "You guys are soooo cute together," Shouted Ino. "Yeah, idiot, why couldn't you have figured that out sooner?" Sakura Shouted, while Tenten just kindly smiled.
"Umm… so how long have you guys been sitting there?" Asked the blushing Hyuuga.
"Well, it has been about an hour now. You guys mumble some of the cutest things while you sleep," informed Ino.
"But now it is time for what we came looking for," said Tenten as she closed in on Naruto stopping about 3 inches from his face, "We need to borrow Hinata for about half of the day. Do you think you can handle being without her until then?" Naruto nervously scratched the back of his head since he felt he was much too close to this kunoichi and ducked away from her.
"I guess I'll survive," giving Hinata a quick kiss he squeezed her in a hug, "Have fun Hinata-chan, I'll take you on that proper date we were talking about after you get back tonight."
"I would like that." She replied happily before she was drug off by the other three kunoichi.
"Well now, what should I do until Hinata-chan gets back?" Naruto pondered to himself out loud. Hearing a rustle of leaves he turned and was face to face with a masked Jonin.
"How about go train? I believe you may be the only one that can possibly do what the Yondaime had planned for the Rasengan." Kakashi told the blonde. (yep, I just have to throw that in here, cliché I know, but he's going to need that extra power)
"Huh? What do you mean Kakashi-sensei? I thought I mastered the Rasengan."
"Ah, but only the first 3 steps of it. There are more steps that even I couldn't do." Kakashi concentrates chakra to his right hand and forms the swirling ball perfectly. "You see Naruto, the Rasengan is the absolute in form manipulation, but it was intended to take on nature manipulation as well, but no one has been able to take it that far, so I will make sure you do it."
"Wow, cool. A technique even the Yondaime Hokage couldn't do… That will definitely help in my plan to surpass all the Hokages."
"That it may, but it will be hard on your body because we will be training the equivalent to maybe 3 years in a day." Naruto's eyes went wide.
"Really, How?"
"Simply by using Kage Bushin; have you seen how you gain their knowledge once they are dispelled?" surprisingly he saw a nod in affirmation. "That surprises me actually; I guess the years away have matured you a bit… Now then I've heard from Jiraiya that you are mostly tuned to the wind element, so we'll begin with that. Make a bunch of Kage Bushins and we'll start."
"How many should we use?"
"Make as many as you can with out depleting your chakra."
"Maybe we should move to a larger area then, this park seems... small." Naruto replied while Kakashi's viewable eye went wide for a short moment.
'How many can he make if this area is too small' wondered Kakashi before he took off putting forth much effort hoping to show up his newly returned student by his speed. He was slightly amused when he saw no one following him, but nearly fell when he saw the reason; he was running next to him without even using much chakra so he couldn't sense him. 'What has he done to himself, this isn't natural. He'll be faster then sensei at this rate.'
They got to the clearing in record time. The place was a large empty grassy field with trees lining one edge and openness on the other. "This should do." Kakashi announced jumping to the ground. With out a word said, Naruto jumped to the center of the field and took off his coat. Kakashi sensed a vast amount of chakra flare when he removed the coat, but it died down just as fast as it spiked.
"What was that Naruto?" Kakashi calmly asked while watching the intricate designs on the coat vanish.
"Oh that? It is just a technique I use to change the color of clothes. It uses a large amount of chakra, but it can make any color clothes you want. You know how hard it was to find orange clothes every time I destroyed a set?"
"How long have you known that technique?"
"I just knew it after pulling Kyuubi's chakra in wave. I think every time I use a portion of his chakra, I learn something new from him. It is almost like I'm absorbing all his knowledge piece by piece. Another cool part is when I pull too much and almost loose control, well not the loosing control part, I can use that same amount the next time I try and I will be in full control. I think it accelerates the process of assimilating his chakra."
"Well then, that isn't what I thought should happen with the seal, anyways, how about you make those bushins then."
"Right," Naruto's pupils turned to slits as he channeled chakra for the technique. The vast amounts of chakra being pulled ripped up the grass around where he was standing. "Taju Kage Bushin no Jutsu!" he called out as the field was filled with Narutos.
...Later
