Chapter ten: a day in stone
Hinata kurenai and sakura walked out of there room and began to head down the hall hinata realized that naruto was still sleeping. Uhh s..Shouldn't we wait f..For naruto kun hinata asked. Don't worry about it kurenai replied. I slipped a not under his door last night telling him our plans and where to meet us. I…I think I'll wait till naruto Kun gets up. Hinata said as she walked towards naruto's room. Suit yourself said sakura. You remember were to meet us kurenai asked. Y..Yes sensei hinata replied. After sakura and kurenai were gone hinata knocked on the door and called out. When there was no answer she reached for the door knob to find that the door was unlocked. Hinata decided to go in and wait for him to get up in his room. As she walked in she saw naruto sleeping on top of his bed, clothes still on. As of late she was almost never nervous around naruto but for some reason she still stuttered around him and everyone else. So she decided to crawl on top of the bed right beside naruto and watch him sleep from that angle. She stared at him for what really was an hour and a half observing his every feature until she saw him start to wake up and slowly open his eyes. His eyes were beautiful cobalt as the shone in the morning sun. He spotted hinata surrounded in light from the rising sun. So beautiful he mumbled under his breath not realizing that she was really there. Hinata blushed a little but kept staring at him and smiling. W..Why thank you naruto Kun she smiled. Naruto was wide awake now. AHH!!!! He cried as he fell onto the floor. Hinata couldn't hold back her laughter laughed with a voice that sounded like angels singing. S…sorry naruto said as he got to a cross legged position rubbing the back of his head. N.no I'm sorry hinata said still giggling I shouldn't be laughing at you naruto Kun. But I like it when you laugh naruto said with a smile. R..Really naruto Kun hinata said still giggling slightly. Yep naruto said as he jumped up and started tickling her stomach and sides. Hinata couldn't hold out any longer as she started laughing out of control. After about a minute of tickling naruto let up so hinata could breathe. Once she caught her breath she began to tell naruto about kurenai sensei's plans about spending the day in hidden stone for shopping and relaxation. Wow said naruto that means we can spend the entire day together. Y..Yep hinata said with a smile but we should go meet kurenai and sakura for breakfast. Oh right naruto said as he got up and put on his sandals. Hinata followed him out the door as naruto grabbed the key and locked the door. So where are we meeting sensei and sakura naruto asked. J..Just down the street at the café n..Naruto Kun. Great naruto said. As they preceded naruto and hinata both noticed sakura dashing ahead of them almost too quick to see. Someone doesn't respect other peoples privacy naruto said to hinata smiling. R..Right hinata smiled back getting the message. As they entered the café hinata spotted kurenai and sakura sitting at a table with menu's in there hands. The café wasn't to busy since it was only about eight thirty in the morning. Kurenai motioned for naruto and hinata to join them. The made there way over to the table and slid into the padded seat. Good morning naruto kurenai chimed out. Morning sensei naruto replied with a smile. So what are the plans for today? Hinata filled me in on most of it. Oh said kurenai well she thought while putting her finger on her chin. Maybe we could go off in groups of two to cover all the great stores in the stone village then meet up back here at dinner. Sounds good naruto said smiling at Hinata.hinata smiled back and agreed. Sakura was still out of breath from her mad dash back after spying on hinata and naruto. Wow sakura naruto said with a smirk you must have been running really fast to be so out of breath. Hinata chuckled a little and kurenai looked surprised. Sakura burning up with embarrassment sank into her seat. Well naruto said getting up followed by hinata we'll meet back here at lunch okay sensei. Alight naruto have fun kurenai said with a smile. As naruto and hinata walked out of the café kurenai leaned over towards sakura. I thought you said you were going to the washroom not to soy on your team mates. S…sorry sensei sakura said returning to her usual posture. Kurenai looked over her shoulder. So what did you find out kurenai said with a smirk. S..Sensei sakura said surprise. I never thought you were one to encourage gossip. Hey I'm a woman too said kurenai crossing her arms. Sakura returned the smirk and went on to tell her everything about what she found out about naruto and hinata.
As naruto and hinata walked down the street hinata snaked around naruto's arm. Were casually observing some stores when they found a gift store. L..Lets go into there naruto Kun hinata said smiling up at her love.
Sure why not said naruto smiling back at hinata. They walked into the small shop and were amazed at some of the things they saw. There was a giant piece of purple quartz at the entrance. There was also a stone katana hanging across the wall behind the small counter. There was a very old looking woman manning the till. Then almost instantly naruto found himself being dragged over to glass case with various types of jewellery from necklaces to earrings and rings of all kinds. Hinata looked wide eyed at one piece in particular. A necklace with a pendant that contained a single gem stone as white as hinata's eyes naruto though once he saw it.
Hinata looked at the price take and then slumped. It's too much she sighed. Naruto glanced at the price tag
100,000 ryo it said. Naruto took out his wallet and glanced onto its overflowing flaps. Naruto had exactly 352,423 ryo in there he smirked to himself. Excuse me Miss Naruto called over to the store keeper. Yes sir what can I do for you young sir she said as she walked over. Naruto Kun hinata asked did you see something you like she asked unaware of what he was doing. Nope he replied with a smile. He turned to the shop keeper. I'll take that one he said as he pointed to the necklace hinata liked. N..Naruto Kun hinata said in amazement and wonder. Ahh very good choice young sir the store keeper said as she pulled the necklace out of the glass case. Shall I wrap it for you sir the clerk asked. Yes, thank you naruto answered. N..Naruto Kun its r..Really expensive hinata said following him to the counter. I saw the price tag naruto smiled as he pulled out ten 10,000 ryo bills. Hinata was speechless as naruto held out the wrapped necklace. A..Are you s..Sure naruto Kun hinata stuttered. Yep naruto replied I bought this for you after all. Hinata smiled and hugged naruto completely ignoring the package he held out. T..Thank you naruto Kun hinata said nearly tearing up from happiness. Your welcome naruto said as they walked out of the store. After some walking the came across a bench and sat down. S..So what do you w..Want to do now naruto Kun. Hinata asked.
How about we see a movie naruto replied spotting a movie theatre down the street. R..Really naruto Kun
Hinata said surprised. Ya naruto replied I can't go see them back in konoha cause well you know so and in this village they don't know me so I can do lots here that I cant back home. Hinata's mind was made up right then and there. A..Alright naruto Kun we'll go s..See a movie. Great naruto said let go then. As they walked down the street and into the theatre both naruto and hinata were amazed by the size of the place.
Y..You know n..Naruto Kun hinata said looking up with a smile this is my f..First time s..Seing a movie as w..Well. Are you serious hinata chan naruto asked surprised. Y..Yes hinata replied. Well then that means you should choose the movie naruto continued. A..Are you sure n..Naruto Kun. Hinata asked surprised. Ya why not naruto said looking into her opal eyes with a smile. O..Okay hinata said as she looked over the movie selections. Hinata was tring to find a movie that they both liked. H…how about this o..One naruto Kun. She asked a she pointed to a movie entitled "Moonlit Tragedy". Naruto looked down and read the summery. Sure let's go hinata chan. O..Okay hinata chimed as she followed naruto to the ticket booth.
Two tickets for number 3 please naruto requested. Sure that'll be 1256 ryo please. Right naruto said as he paid the man. Let's go hinata Chan he said as he handed her the ticket. o..Okay naruto Kun hinata replied as she grabbed a hold of naruto's hand as it was offered. As they came to the snack counter naruto asked if hinata wanted anything. No thank y..You naruto Kun im fine. Okay naruto said as they proceeded to theatre three.
After the movie which naruto and hinata both enjoyed they decided to dinner with kurenai and sakura so they walked back to the café. Once there they were surprised to see sakura and kurnai already there.hey guys sakura called out you coming in. yep naruto said. Good kurenai said butting in because I've got a lot to tell you guys about. Like what sensei sakura asked well come in and I'll tell you kurenai said cheerfully.
Meanwhile back in konoha
Well well well look who decided to show up after all these years the mysterious figure chimed. Shut it jiraiya. The female figure shouted. I may have left the village a long time ago but I'm not so insensitive to not show up for my own sensei's SECOUND retirement. He that's right it is your second one isn't it sensei the figure known as jiraiya stated. And it was all for a good cause jiraiya. Anyways welcome back to the village tsunade. Thank you sensei tsunade replied but I'm still a little confused as to who you named your successor. The hokage chuckled lightly that my old friend is a surprise for the ceremony. WHAT!!!!!! Both tsunade and jiraiya blurted out. But that's never been done before sensei it very unusual. My whole career has been unusual Tsunade. After all this is my second retirement. That's right sensei jiraiya butted in and that calls for a drink. He said as he pulled out an extra large bottle of sake. I'll drink to that tsunade said as she grabbed a glass and let jiraiya pour some warm sake into it. So anyways jiraiya. tsunade said after gulping the sake down. Have you chosen a pupil to continue your work as sannin when you bite the dust? Actually I have old friend. Oh really who would that be tsunade asked slyly. Jiraiya smirked and chuckled lightly I won't say his name but all I'll say is that I have chosen the next toad sannin to be "the fourth hokage's legacy". Tsunade was silent with disbelief. How in the hell can you justify letting such a person become a shinobi let along a sannin tsunade blurted out. Tsunade the hokage spoke up as he took a sip of his sake. Forgive my bluntness but you have no right saying such things. This person has the potential to bring peace and prosperity to this land and yet have the strength and "will of fire" so great that he values almost everyone elses life above his own. And as of late he has shown that has all the other characteristics that a shinobi needs to become truly strong. Selflessness, determination, spirit, will and most importantly love. WHAT!!!!!! Tsunade said bursting out L…LOVE. Yes tsunade love jiraiya said. After a few moments tsunade spoke. I am sorry sensei and jiraiya. I guess I've been away for so long that I must have lost the ability to not judge people too quickly. Don't worry tsunade said jiraiya as he refilled her sake cup. I didn't believe it either until I saw it for myself but its all true. Tsunade smiled as she peered out the window. I guess the next generation of shinobi will be the creators and guardians of a new era.
The hokage smiled as did jiraiya. Yes I believe that as well sarutobi agreed. After a few moments tsunade made a decision that she thought would change her life. Sensei. Yes tsunade the hokage replied. I think I'm going to stay in konoha and this time for good. The hokage said nothing and just smiled. That's great tsunade jiraiya chimed that calls for anther drink he said as he refilled everyone's sake glasses. You bet tsunade smiled.
Back in hidden stone
WHAT!!!!!!!! REALLY SENSEI!!! All three of team eights genins cried aloud. Yep said kurenai smiling proudly you three are going to participate in the up coming chunin exams that will be held in a about a month and a half. WOW thank you so much sensei naruto cried out. Don't thank me naruto kurenai responded smiling. Thank yourselves and your team. You guys have exceeded every expectation of a full fledged genin and you guys are only rookies. Wow said sakura were that good. Yep replied kurenai in fact I'd say you guys are actually chunin level already. There are no words to express how proud of you guys I am. Kurenai continued. So to that effect I will give you guys a little inside info on the chunin exams. R.really sensei hinata said honoured that she was considered chunin level while being only first year genins. Yep. Fist off there will be a written test. Second will be a five day trek through training grounds #44 otherwise known as the forest of death. F..Forest of death hinata winced. Yes In this test you have five days to gather both a heaven scroll and an earth scroll. You will be givin one scroll at the start of the exam.
After you have both scrolls you must then proceed to the tower in the center of the training area. Then depending on how many teams still remain there will be preliminaries to the third round. What's the third round sensei sakura asked curiously. The third round is a tournament style combat exam you will have to disable or kill your opponent to win the match. But that means that only one person will become chunin out of the whole exam. Nope. You don't even have to win to become a chunin in this exam. There are a team of judges that will be observing the matches. The people that become chunin are based on there decision.
Oh said sakura amazed. Once we get back to the village I will immediately enter you three in the exam. That means you will have almost two months to train for the exam. W..Wow two whole m..Months of training hinata said amazed. However kurenai continued. Aside from learning the body flicker jutsu you will not be training together at all. WHAT!!!!! Both naruto and hinata yelled both angry and disappointed.
I'm sorry but that's the way it's got to be kurenai said sombrely. Naruto and hinata slumped. Hey cheer up sakura said that doesn't mean you guys can't take a couple of days off to see each other she said with a smile. Hey ya your right thanks sakura naruto chimed. Y..Yes thank you sakura hinata added. That's fine as long as you don't talk about your training at all kurenai replied. But why not sensei. Naruto asked. Because kurenai said the best way to fool your enemy is to fool your friends as well. She said with a smile. Alright now let's order dinner kurenai said waving down the waiter. After team eight finished dinner and a little conversation they turned in early cause they had to get back to konoha after all. And kurenai could tell they were all a little home sick. Even naruto. After they got back to the hotel they went strait to bed after saying there goodnights.