I know its been forever since I last updated, I'm sorry. My inspiration temporarily went away .This is kind of short. I'm sorry and I promise that Naruto and Hinata will FINALLY meet up in the next chapter.
Naruto found himself standing outside of a magnificent home in the Land of Petals with his sensei. The village was as pretty as its name, and the flowers for which its named bloomed in abundance. Right now he could not appreciate the beauty. He could not believe that he was here. Hadn't he been through enough. He could feel himself getting angry. He hadn't had a chance to meditate today, and he could feel his control slipping.
Training with Master Jiraiya had accomplished many things for Naruto, but it also brought on a whole new set of problems. Naruto pulled a cigarette from his pack, exhaling angrily, a small stream of fire emerged from his lips lighting it.
Jiraiya gave him a short glance and merely said, "Your eyes are red."
Naruto gave a growl of frustration. And consciously banked his Inner Fire. Yes Inner Fire. Among the things that happened on the training trip, the most major occurrence was Naruto's complete mergence with the Kyuubi. His eternal tormentor was no more, having been absorbed by Naruto.
The great nine-tailed fox was a being of fire. When he and Naruto merged, Naruto gained what he called Inner Fire or Fox Fire. It, like the demon's chakra, was tied to his emotions.
It was hell in the beginning, he was constantly setting things on fire when he lost control of his emotions. When he really got pissed, his eyes turned red, and his Inner Fire became visible.
Naruto willed his Inner Fire down until it was just smoldering embers banked deep inside of him. He exhaled slowly, and smoke streamed from his nose.
"Are you going to be able to control yourself?" asked Jiraiya.
Before Naruto could reply, a servant ushered them inside.
He paid scant attention to the costly furnishing that he walked past, they no longer impressed him. On his travels with Master Jiraiya, they had visited many palaces in far away kingdoms. This display of wealth meant nothing to him.
Lord Takahashi was waiting for them in a sunny sitting room. The older man's cold green eyes slowly picked the blonde shinobi apart. Silently he gestured for Naruto and Jiraiya to sit.
"We were not properly introduced this morning, I am Fujita Takahashi, Lord of the Village in the Petals" the Lord introduced himself.
Naruto sketched a short bow. Before he could say anything, Jiraiya said "I am Jiraiya the Gama Sennin, and this is my apprentice Naruto Uzumaki both of Konoha."
Lord Takahashi's eyes widened. Everyone knew of the great Lord Jiraiya! His gaze swung to Naruto. His future son-in-law was the apprentice to one of the Sannin. This pleased him greatly, his reputation would become formidable indeed with a ninja such as him on his side.
Not to mention that his future connection with Jiraiya guaranteed that he would get the newest edition of Icha Icha Paradise before they went on sale. Lord Takahashi let out a perverted little giggle at the thought.
Naruto eyed the old man wearily. 'Not another closet pervert' thought Naruto.
Lord Takahashi got himself back under control. "My daughter explained everything to me Uzumaki-san. She told me of the unfortunate misunderstanding that led you to believe that she was one of the loose women of the brothel…" said Lord Takahashi.
Naruto felt himself relax, a weight lifted from his shoulders. Megumi actually came through. Maybe she wasn't so bad after all.
"…however, my daughter left home a chaste virgin, and returned used. By you. I trust that being a honorable ninja of Konoha, you will want to do the right thing. I would hate to cancel the trade agreement with Konoha over something so easily resolved" said Lord Takahashi, his voice oozing charm.
"Trade agreement?" questioned Jiraiya.
"Yes…did you not know that this village supplies Konoha with the majority of its medicines? Our village is home to vast fields of rare plants that grow only here. As such our herbs are in very high demand. We have an agreement with your Hokage, Konoha gets first choice from our crops, and in turn we turn a hefty profit and get an alliance with a powerful hidden village. Now Konoha is not the only Hidden Village interested in our wares. I would hate to have to terminate such a lucrative agreement over something so petty." smiled the Lord.
Naruto was aghast. There was no way Tsunade-baachan was going to jeopardize the medicine supply of Konoha for him. Before he could say anything, Jiraiya motioned him into silence.
"You will understand if we verify everything you have told us Lord Takahashi" said Jiraiya. "Of course Jiraiya-san. We will await you response…you have one week" said Lord Takahashi, his tone leaving no room for argument.
As the two ninja left the palatial home, one thought echoed through their minds…Naruto was screwed.
Hinata sipped the rice wine that accompanied dinner. Even the Ice queen Aimi could find no fault with the lavish banquet that was laid out for them. Her father and Seiichi sat conversing quietly, Aimi sat next to Hanabi. Hinata could feel the chill coming from those two from across the table.
She laughed internally when she saw Eiji drop the food he was about to eat, because Neji happened to look in his direction. The young Hyuuga heiress, allowed her mind to wander. This felt surreal. Surely she was not sitting here calmly eating as her life spiraled out of control.
She a felt her fist ball tightly in her lap, the only outward sign of her inner turmoil. Could she go through with this? Could she sacrifice herself…even for Naruto?
Her musing where interrupted by the arrival of two ANBU. They calmly greeted the Hyuuga Clan leader, then motioned for Hinata to join them. Hinata felt Eiji's eyes upon her. Without a word, the ANBU wearing the Crane mask handed her a mission scroll. In a flash, they were gone.
Hinata quickly scanned the contents of the scroll. She was being sent to the Land of Petals…NARUTO-KUN WAS IN TROUBLE!! "Excuse me, but I am being sent on a mission. I don't know how long I will be gone" she said absently, already mentally a million miles away. Without a thought she used a small fire jutsu to destroy the scroll.
Her clan members just shrugged it off, quite use to various members of the clan being summoned at all times of the day for missions. "You're leaving? Just like that? What about your dinner? What about me?" questioned Eiji, as he rose to stop her.
Before Hinata could open her mouth, her father arose. "What about you! My daughter is a kunoichi of this village. She has a duty to serve our Hokage. Hinata has been summoned on a mission, and it is not you place to question her" he said, his eyes as cold as the artic.
Indeed his disdain was echoed on the face of the majority of the Hyuuga clan members. Eiji's face flamed red and he sank further into his seat. "Thank you Otousan" she said, before heading to her room to change. She was to meet her team in the Hokage's office in one hour.
I was told I use flashbacks too much, but the next chapter will contain one to fully explain Naruto and the Kyuubi's mergence, and to explain his Inner Fire. Until next time remember to review.