Gaara: -angry- What the heck is up with me? Was I ever that way at all?!
Jasaiya: SHUSH! Let's see, oh yeah, that stupid disclaimer. I don't own Naruto or anything that has to do with Naruto. I'm just a big Narutard that has way too much time on her hands and has an overactive imagination.
Gaara: You didn't answer my question!
Jasaiya: Fine, I figure you weren't always dark and murderous. You must have been innocent and pure at one time. I'm simply changing your past a bit and exploring that is surely locked away side of you somewhere.
Gaara: -glaring-
Jasaiya: Get over it. -is flicked across with one finger, like Tsunade did to Naruto, by Jasaiya- Now shush and let me type already!
Gaara: -gets up angrily-
Jasaiya: Also, as some may know, I regularly talk to some people on FF on yahoo messenger. If you want to, you can add me. Just let me know you're from FF. I like to get know other writers, even if not in person, because there are no even semi-serious writers in my town. My screen name is crazyrhianna, but put an underscore inbetween crazy and rhianna.
Chapter 10
"Well, Gaara-kun is safe." Yashamaru said with relief as the sandstorm began lessen up a little, though it was still kind of bad. "Now we can double time it back to Suna." Yashamaru said as they finished dealing with their enemies, many of them beaten senseless.
"We can't return." Kurenai said gravely. Yashamaru gave the Konoha Jounin a serious look. "Have you not noticed that two of us are missing?" Kurenai demanded. Gaara and Lee were the first ones to notice who was missing.
"Yashamaru-ojii-san," Gaara asked, "where are Naruto-kun and Hinata-chan?"
"I don't know, Gaara-kun. They probably took shelter from the sandstorm." Yashamaru said gently to his nephew. "We'll look in every cave and other place that could be used as shelter. If we don't find your friends by the time by the time we reach Suna, we'll send search parties out here. Our allies are very important and we won't let them be called M.I.A. After all, Naruto-kun is also the son of a very important man. A man who saved the entire shinobi world from a great evil."
"Who?" Gaara asked.
"Naruto-kun is the son of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha." Yashamaru answered. Gaara gasped, remembering the lessons he had learned about the demons and those brave men and women who had stopped them.
"Naruto-kun is the son of him, the yellow flash of Konoha, the Yondaime Hokage?" He asked incredously. Yashamaru nodded. "I won't let him and Hinata-chan not be found."
"That's good to hear. Now let's get busy. We have a big job ahead of us." Yashamaru said
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
"Well, the sandstorm has lessened a little. Maybe we should try to find the others." Naruto said. Hinata shook her head at this.
"We should stay in one place. They're probably either searching for us or will send search parties for us when they get to Suna. If we move around, we'll most likely only make the situation worse." Naruto sighed at Hinata's words, knowing she was most likely right.
"Well, alright. But what do we do in the meantime?" Naruto asked, already looking bored. "Well, Kurenai-sensei was right anyway. Something went wrong."
"You know, Naruto, we never did get to go out for ramen. Maybe when we get back, we can get some. And invite Ten-ten-chan and Lee-kun too. I would say Sasuke-kun too but..." Hinata trailed off into silence.
"Yeah, I know." Naruto said. "He's a bit distant, antisocial even. He wouldn't accept our invitation even if we did extend one. It's understandable, given the burden that's he's shouldering alone. But we can only let him live his life as he sees fit. There's not much else we can do." He said gravely. "But for the ramen idea, I say we do it. Maybe consider it a celebration once we get back." He laughed softly.
"Your kaa-san might never let you out of the house again, you know. You've only been on two missions now and each time something bad has happened to you. First you get kidnapped, and now this." Hinata joked with a grin. Naruto shrugged.
"I'll convince her to ler me leave the house." He said, also joking. "After all, she knows of my dream." Hinata looked confused. "I want to become the Hokage someday, just like my otou-san. Though I never knew him, he was a great man." Hinata was awed by the shinobi that sat next to her now.
"Naruto-kun, I'll be with you the whole time as you try to achieve your dream." She swore. "I seriously think that you can do great things." Naruto grinned.
"As can you, Hinata-chan. But I was just thinking about something important." Naruto mentioned, making Hinata curious. "You still like me, don't you? Because I still like you."
"Of-f course." Hinata stammered. "I've liked you for ages now and don't think I'll ever stop liking you. Why?"
Naruto shyly placed a hand on top of hers. "Because, as Gaara-kun said, if two people like each other, they should date. Do you want to be my girlfriend?" He asked with a huge grin on his face, making Hinata turn rose red. Naruto mentally prepared to catch her should she pass out.
"Me?!" She demanded. Naruto nodded. "Then yes, I would." Naruto pumped a fist into the air.
"Yes!" He shouted triumphantly. Then he groaned. "How long does it take them to find us? I've never had much patience."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
The sandstorm stopped eventually. The rest of the group continued on their way to Suna, keeping an eye out for Hinata and Naruto. Kurenai, though extremely worried, did her best not to show it. She had faith in the two missing from her team. They stopped again for the night, Kurenai and Yashamaru taking the first watch.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Naruto and Hinata had decided to sleep for the rest of the day and travel that night, as it would be cooler. Naruto and Hinata had decided to get moving despite the fact that it was smarter to stay put. Naruto was going stir crazy in the cave, as was Hinata much more slowly.
But they had to be careful though. All their supplies were with the others in the group. That meant they had no food, water, or sunblock, which was also another good reason to travel at night. They wouldn't have to worry about the heat or the sun. All of their other supplies were also gone. But they could deal without those for awhile.
"At least it's not super hot now, Hina-chan." Naruto said, calling her Hina-chan ever since they had started to date. "We should find them soon." Hinata nodded, still not sure how her otou-san would react to her going above his head and getting a boyfriend. He had been saying something for quite awhile now about his finding her a suitable husband.
"Yeah." She said lightly, pushing her family concerns out of her mind for awhile. "If we don't give up, it'll be fine." Naruto slapped her on the back now.
"That's the spirit!" He declared, looking up fondly at the moon in the sky. "To think, we will always have an unusual way of getting together. Who else can say that they got together in a way like this?"
"Well, Otou-san might have something to say about it." Hinata stated with a nervous laugh. "I'm pretty sure he's already considering who he wants me to marry. Probably a high ranking member of the Main Family knowing him." Naruto squeezed her hand encouragingly. "Maybe we should just deal with that when the time comes."
Naruto was looking ahead of them now. "Is it just me or do you also see the campfire way ahead of us?" Naruto inquired. Looking with her Byakugan for better details. Hinata saw it too.
"There is one. Naruto, can you do something for me?" She asked. Naruto nodded. "When we get back to the others, don't say anything about us dating. Neji will tell Otou-san if he knows and I want him to find out from me, not my cousin Neji."
"I won't say anything until you're ready. Should we approach the fire?" Naruto asked kindly.
Hinata nodded. "But let's use caution just in case. It could be the others or those who attacked us earlier." Naruto nodded in agreement.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Kurenai kept her eyes and ears open as she sat on watch, her mind going to Naruto and Hinata instinctively. Are they okay? They may be shinobi, but that does not change the fact that they are only twelve years old. If we don't find them, what will I tell Kushina-san? And the Hyuga's? The Hyuga's will be the ones I dread to tell. Kushina-san will be upset, needless to say, but she'll at least be understanding. At least I can hope she will be.
Yashamaru walked by Kurenai, knowing where the jounin's thoughts were. She was tempted to try and comfort Kurenai. But she didn't, knowing that Kurenai was struggling mentally about the problem of Naruto and Hinata being missing at the moment.
I have to have faith in them. Naruto won't give up until he becomes Hokage. And he certainly won't let anything to happen to Hinata. She thought. A small hand touching hers brought her back to reality. It was Gaara, dark brown eyes filled with worry.
"Kurenai-san, I won't be getting anymore sleep tonight. Can I keep watch with you?" He asked quietly. Kurenai nodded. "I wouldn't worry about Naruto-kun and Hinata-chan. I know they'll be fine." Kurenai wished that she could also know that. "In fact, I'm sure they're trying to find us now. Maybe they'll be back tonight even."
"I wish that I could share the same feeling you have, Gaara-kun. I keep thinking about what I'll tell their parents, parent in Naruto's case. Kushina and Naruto are alone in Konoha. Because as you know, his father is dead." Kurenai said. Gaara almost managed a sad smile.
"I think we should have food and water ready. All their stuff is here. They'll probably be hungry when they return. You'll see. I have faith in them. Naruto-kun especially. He's someone special. Everyone else, when they first meet me, is afraid of me. But Naruto-kun wasn't. I hope that we can still be friends after this mission." Gaara told Kurenai bravely.
Yashamaru walked over to Kurenai and Gaara. "I thought I heard something. I'll go check it out and be back in a bit." Kurenai nodded, as did Gaara. "Make sure everything is fine here while I'm gone." Again, they both nodded and Yashamaru stalked off into the darkness. She returned a few minutes later, two young people in tow. Even in the darkness, they could tell who it was.
Yashamaru had found Naruto and Hinata. "Hi, Kurenai-sensei! Hi, Gaara-kun! I hope you weren't too worried about us." Kurenai shook her head.
"I had faith in you two. Gaara-kun did too. Are you two alright?" She asked. Both of them nodded. But while Kurenai believed Hinata, she didn't quite trust Naruto's answer, as his jacket was in shreds. "Then why is Naruto-kun's jacket and shirt shredded?" Kurenai asked skeptically.
"I got cut up a lot by kunai. But I'm fine. All the cuts are healed by now. See?" Naruto lifted up his shirt and showed them his chest and back. No signs of any injuries could be seen. "I have a really fast healing rate."
"I see." Kurenai said, unable to see anything contrary to what he said. "You two get something to eat and get some rest. We're continuing to Suna as planned." She ordered. Both of them nodded and went over to the fire, being led by Gaara, who was glad to see his friends safe and sound.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Gaara: -still fuming over earlier conversation and rubbing his forehead- What the heck did you turn me into?!
Jasaiya: The innocent child you once must have been.
Gaara: -growling-
Naruto: -with Hinata on his lap- Why couldn't I take them? I was able to handle Mizuki. And in the anime, I kicked butt! -pumps fist into the air-
Jasaiya: That strength was forged from all your hard times. You have a good life here, so that strength was never gotten.
Hinata: -laughing- Relax, Naru-kun. At least she likes us, not doing what she did to Lavi from D.Gray Man to you.
Naruto: -pale- oO
Jasaiya: Speaking of D.Gray Man -pulls out Yuu Kanda's sword, Mugen, pointing it threateningly at Gaara- cheer up. Did you want to be a pyschopathic killer?
Gaara: -pouting- What would a certain friend think?
Jasaiya: I only have one thing to say to that Naruto/Gaara loving Narutard. -sticks out tongue- PHHBT!! This person should know who I mean. LOL. Please, don't hurt me! -starts laughing so hard she falls on ground, rolling around laughing-