Chapter 20: Meeting the new member of Team 7
The two blondes and the one female Hyuuga were walking along the roads of Konoha. There was a lot of gossip going around as they were walking, mainly people talking about how Naruto was back.
The whole while they were walking Naruto held his grin on his face. He was truly happy that he was finally home. He wanted to see everyone from Kiba to Sakura, Ino to Chouji, Kakashi to Iruka, and Lee to Neji…he missed them all.
"So when are we going to fight niisan?" Yukki asked as he glanced at his brother.
"First let me ask Hinata something" Naruto stated as he turned his gaze away from Yukki to Hinata. "Hinata, has Yukki been giving you a hard time?" He asked as he turned to give Yukki a warning glare if he did do anything.
"Actually no Yukki didn't do anything…he calls Kakashi-sensei 'old man' a lot and he doesn't seem to like Sakura but he has done nothing to harm anyone" Hinata stated, she couldn't help but to smile at the fact Naruto always acted as if he were the oldest.
Naruto looked at Yukki. "Why don't you like Sakura?"
"Because I don't…she's annoying. Every time it's Sasuke this Sasuke that or Lee this or Lee that, it's annoying. I'll tell you this much that one hasn't changed a bit…in strength she has but personality wise…tch" Yukki grunted.
Naruto frowned as he looked at him but decided not to say anything to him. "So…Hinata where is Kakashi-sensei I want to see him" Hinata thought about his question for a bit before answering.
"Sensei left earlier this morning…but I'm not sure where he went"
"Oh…he left on a mission?"
Hinata shook her head. "No he is here in the village I just don't know where" She stated as she glanced around their surroundings to see if she spot Kakashi anywhere around them.
"Ah I see well I—"
"Hey, is that you Naruto?" They all turned around to see Kiba walking towards them with Akamaru.
"K-Kiba…is that you?" Naruto asked as he looked at him with wide eyes. Kiba grinned as he walked closer towards them.
"Yeah it's me. It's been awhile, right Naruto?" Kiba smirked as he looked at him. Naruto grinned at the brown haired teen.
"Yeah it has been…hey-hey…IS THAT AKAMARU?" Naruto asked as he pointed at Akamaru who was huge.
"Oh yeah can you tell that it's him" Kiba said as he petted Akamaru on the head. Naruto eyes were budging out his head.
"Akamaru was just so tiny when he was just sitting on the top of your head and now YOU'RE THE ONE RIDING ON HIM" Naruto yelled out loud as he looked at Kiba.
Kiba glanced at Kiba and shrugged. "I haven't notice, I'm around him so much I guess I didn't notice him getting bigger" Kiba stated as he looked back up at Naruto but then he looked Hinata while smiling.
Naruto watched as Kiba walked towards her placing his arm around her shoulders. Naruto looked at Kiba narrowing his eyes but then his eyes flickered over to Hinata who of course had that blush on her face but she didn't seem too tensed about his arm being around her…she seemed rather comfortable with it.
"U-Um…are you two dating or something?" Naruto asked remembering how Hinata use to tell him in letters that she and Kiba have become closer but he never knew what that really meant.
Kiba and Hinata's eyes were wide as they looked at Naruto. "Well it would be nice to finally get to date her but…over the years that I have been with Hinata she is more like a sister to me" Kiba stated with his arm still draped around her shoulder.
Hinata nodded as she looked at Naruto. "It's true. Kiba is like a protective brother to me" She smiled as she looked up at Kiba who was grinning.
Naruto just nodded as he looked at the two. "So…where is Sakura?" Naruto asked as he looked at Hinata. Hinata looked down at the ground which Naruto noticed.
"…Hinata? What's wrong?" He asked in concern.
"Sakura and Hinata are kind of on the rocky side right now" Kiba stated. Naruto's eyes widened as he looked Hinata.
"On the rocky side, what happened Hinata?" Naruto asked as he walked closer towards her. Yukki watched the scene before him not saying a word.
"She is…I-I told her…um I mean she asked me about Sasuke" Naruto looked at her still not really understanding what she was trying to say.
"She wanted to know…if Sasuke-kun liked me" Yukki, Kiba and Naruto all looked at the Hyuga girl. "I told her that…he did and she is just not taking it very well right now" Yukki scoffed.
"I don't see why I mean that girl likes Lee, right?" Yukki asked while Naruto looked at Yukki in complete shock.
"Sakura likes bushy eyebrows?" Naruto practically yelled. He watched as they all nodded their heads.
"Yeah, she likes him but she still likes that Uchiha. She can't seem to get over him and she has been pestering Hinata a lot when it comes to him liking her" Yukki stated with a frown on his face. He didn't like Sakura bothering Hinata; who he thinks of like an younger sister, although he'll never admit that to anyone.
Naruto remained quiet for a while not saying anything that is until her heard someone calling his name.
"Uzumaki Naruto…" Naruto turned around to see Shikamaru standing there next to Temari with a bored expression on his face but his eyes held shock.
"…." Naruto looked at him as if he was trying to remember who he was. The blonde's face then brightened up as he grinned. "Shikamaru!" He grinned. Shikamaru gave Naruto a lazy grin.
"Hey it's been awhile Naruto and you're finally back" Shikamaru as he walked closer towards Naruto and the others. Temari was walking closer towards them as well looking at Naruto in shock.
"Is that really that runt?" Temari thought to herself still looking at Naruto in shock with a tiny tint of blush on her face looking at the mature Naruto.
"Yep, I'm finally back and—"He stopped talking when he looked at Temari who seemed to be looking at him. Naruto walked closer towards her and got in her face examining her.
"You look familiar…who are you again?" Temari paled as she sighed.
Hinata giggled as she looked at Naruto. "That's Temari-san, Naruto-kun. Gaara's older sister" Naruto eyes widened as he looked at the other blonde as he backed away from her.
"Ah Gaara…how is the guy?" He asked quite curious to know how his old friend is doing.
"He is doing well…he is the Kazekage now" Temari stated. Naruto looked shocked as he stared at Temari. Hinata and Temari looked at Naruto in concern they both knew how badly he wanted to become a Hokage.
"He's a Kazekage now, eh?" Naruto mumbled as he tightens his fist. Hinata looked at him not knowing what to say.
"N-Naruto…." Naruto then looked up at everyone and smiled a small smile.
"That's good he must have worked really hard to become the leader of his village…I'm proud of him" Temari's eyes widened as she looked at Naruto. She watched as he pointed up to the Hokage statues.
"I won't lose to you Gaara…I will become the next Hokage" Naruto smile as he looked up at the statues. Shikamaru, Yukki, Hinata, and Kiba and Temari all smirked as they looked at Naruto.
"Well I didn't come over here just to say hello to you Naruto, I also came over here because Hokage-sama needs to speak with you and Hinata" Shikamaru stated.
"Granny-Hokage?" Naruto eyes widened.
-x-x-x-
"So Naruto you are finally back, eh?" Tsunade said as she put her cup down looking up at Naruto.
"Yes, I'm home now"
She smiled as she looked at Naruto. "Well I have some news to tell both you and Hinata" She stated with a now serious expression. They both looked at each other before looking back at the Hokage.
"There will be a new member joining your team in place of Sasuke" Naruto and Hinata looked shocked.
"A new member? No! I won't allow it. Sasuke is still considered as our teammate and I won't let anyone take his place" Naruto shouted out loud in anger. Tsunade sighed.
"I knew that you would react this way Naruto, but this is how it's going to have to be. Sasuke isn't here now and he hasn't been for two years now and you need a third member for your team" Naruto huffed turning his head away from everyone with a frown on his face.
"Hokage-sama, who is this person who will be a part of our team?" Hinata asked as she looked at the woman.
"He's name is Sai…come on in Sai" Tsunade said as she closed her eyes. Naruto and Hinata turned around to see who this Sai person is.
The male that walked in had black short hair and he was pale with his Konoha headband tied around his forehead and he had an expressionless expression on his face
Naruto looked at him saying nothing while Hinata stared at him with wide eyes. "H-He…he looks almost like Sasuke…" She mumbled as she looked at the male who was walking closer toward Naruto and Hinata.
"Hello my name is Sai" He stated as he looked at Naruto and then Hinata.
"Uzumaki Naruto…" Naruto mumbled glancing away from the Sasuke look alike.
"H-Hyuga Hinata…it's nice to meet you Sai" Hinata shyly smile as she looked at him. Sai looked at them not saying anything or nodding to acknowledge what they just said causing Naruto to frown.
"And this is the guy that's going to be on our team?" The blonde thought as he looked at Sai.
"Well that is all you all are dismissed…and please I want you three to spend time together to get to know each other" Tsunade explained before waving them off. "Now leave" She stated as she looked at them.
They all nodded and walked out the room.
As the three were walking Sai glanced over at his new teammates smiling trying to seem like a caring person. Naruto looked at him and saw right through his smile which looked insincere to him.
"Tch…" Naruto grunted as he huffed looking away from Sai. "I spent my time long enough with this guy…he isn't saying anything so I'm leaving" Hinata looked at Naruto with wide eyes.
"N-Naruto…" She tried to plead with him.
Sai looked at him not saying anything not caring whether he left or not. "Are you not man enough to do as what Lady Hokage asked us to do? Do you even have a penis to call yourself a man?" Sai asked while looking at Naruto.
Naruto turned red of anger while Hinata blushed. "What did you just say?" Sai ignored him and turned to Hinata.
"You sure are a plain looking girl but you have very large breast" Hinata blushed as she covered her chest with her arms.
Naruto glared at the guy as he stepped in front of Hinata in a protective way. "Hey! No one talks down on Hinata like that. Take is back" Naruto demanded.
Sai noticed how angry Naruto seemed but he didn't understand why, he was merely telling how he saw her. "I don't see what the problem is…little penis man" Naruto growled as he looked at Sai.
"You bastard, that's it" Naruto yelled as he was about to try and hit Sai someone grabbed him by his collar stopping him from doing so.
"Hey!" Naruto turned around to see Kakashi looking at him. "K-Kakashi-sensei?" Kakashi smiled at him as he let go of his collar.
"Now-now Naruto it isn't good to start a fight with your new teammate…I'm sure Sai didn't mean what he said" Kakashi stated as he glanced over at Sai. Sai said nothing but look at the man.
"Tch, well I don't like this guy he keeps calling me names that I don't like and he said something to Hinata that I didn't like either" Kakashi just sighed.
"Well Sai is a part of team 7 now so just get used to it, Naruto" Kakashi stated as he turned to look at Hinata; who still had her arms covering her chest. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at her.
"What's the matter Hinata?" She shook her head quickly.
"N-Nothing is wrong sensei…" He looked back at Naruto and then Sai and sighed once more. He knew that it was going to take them awhile before they all got along with each other.
-x-x-x-
Naruto and Hinata were walking side by side not saying a word. Both of their minds were on Sai at the time.
"H-He sure has an open mind, right?" Hinata laughed nervously. He grunted in response. "Well…Naruto what did you want to do while we are walking around?" Hinata asked tying to lighten the mood up a bit.
"Um…well we can go to Ichiraku's" Naruto said with a grin. Hinata smiled cheerful as she nodded her head.
"Then let's go" She smiled as she started walking. Naruto stood there for a second watching Hinata was she was walking ahead of him.
"She has become so beautiful…not that she wasn't before she's just bloomed into a prettier flower" Naruto thought as a blush formed on his cheeks.
Hinata turned around only to notice that Naruto wasn't following her and that he was still standing in the same spot. She giggled at his expression. "Naruto, come on" She smiled at him.
He then snapped out of his daze and grinned at her. "I'm coming Hinata" He grinned as he started running towards her to catch up to her.
-x-x-x-
"I heard that Naruto is back in Konoha" The teen with the face paint stated as he looked down at the red head who was sitting in his chair behind his desk.
"Ah…Uzumaki Naruto" Gaara as he started thinking about the blonde. "I see…what of Hinata?" Gaara asked not making any eyes contact with Kankurou. Kankurou smirked fully well knowing that his brother liked the Hyuga female.
"Well you know Temari goes there all of the time and she said that Hinata is doing just fine" He stated. "You know I bet you want to see her don't you?" He teased to only earn a glare from Gaara.
"Hn…maybe" He mumbled so lowly that Kankurou didn't hear him. Gaara did want to see Hinata and he wanted to see her so badly. He missed her dearly to be quite frank. Just before he left Konoha he had told Hinata that he liked her, something that he'll never forget.
Flashback
Gaara was currently at the front gate of Konoha with his brother and sister. Just as he was getting ready to walk out the gate he heard his name being called by the female Hyuga.
"Go on, I'll catch up" Gaara mumbled as watching as the Hyuga girl was running towards him. Temari and Kankurou nodded as they continued walking.
"G-Gaara…" She panted from running towards him. He looked at her waiting for her to say whatever it is she had to say to him. "G-Gaara-kun…you—"
"Hinata…I like you" He blurted out. She looked at him with wide eyes not knowing what to say. He moved closer towards her as he placed his hand under her chin. "I like you Hinata. You are the first person that…really honestly cares about me. You are my first true friend…and I thank you for that" He smiled at her.
She was looking at him with wide eyes with her famous blush on her face. "G-Gaara…I-I…I like you too" She whispered as she looked away from him. He smiled as he looked at her. His eyes continued to glance at her lips. "I think I want to kiss her…" He thought to himself as he was leaning forward towards her.
He was leaning forward to kiss her when…
"GAARA HURRY THE HELL UP!" Kankurou yelled. Gaara growled. His lips were so close to kissing Hinata's lips the girl that he was starting to fall for.
"That asshole…I'm going to kill him" Hinata giggled as she pressed her forehead on his looking at him smiling him.
He looked at her as well while smiling but then he back away from her and his expression became serious. "Don't spend most of your time worry about Sasuke, I'm sure that he will return…and if he doesn't I'm sure Naruto will bring him for you" He stated with a smirk on his face.
Hinata was shocked by what he said but she smiled. "Thank you Gaara-kun…I hope to see you soon"
He smiled at her as he started walking away. "As do I Hinata…as do I"
End of flashback
And he has yet to see Hinata for two years since that day. He frowned at the thought of not seeing Hinata in so long.
"You miss her don't you?" His older asked with a smirk on his face. Gaara glared at him.
"Shut-up and get out my office" Gaara snarled. The face paint teen nodded waving as he walked out the room.
"Alright-alright I'm leaving already…mister 'I miss Hinata'" Kankurou hurried and left the room shutting the door just in time before a book hit him.
Gaara sighed as he turned his chair to look out the window. "…Hinata…" He sighed as he started thinking about the female Hyuga.
-x-x-x-
Hinata was currently sitting down next to Naruto who was on his fourth bowl of ramen. She giggles to herself as she looked at him eating the ramen. "You really love ramen, Naruto?" She smiled to herself as she pokes his in the shoulder.
He turned to look at her and flashed a grin. "Of course, Hinata, ramen is the best!" She smiled at him.
"Naruto…i-it's good to have you back home" She smiled shyly at him. He turned to look at her with a string of ramen noodle hanging from his mouth as he then slurped it up.
"It's good to be back…Hinata" He grinned widely. As they were sitting there Sakura walked towards them.
"N-Naruto…is that really you?" Naruto turned around to see the pink haired girl. He stared at her for a moment before smiling at her.
"Hey Sakura!" He grinned as he stood up from his seat and walked towards her. Sakura looked at him while smiling but then she stopped smiling, as a more shocked expression consumed her face.
"You've grown taller Naruto. You're taller than me now" Naruto looked at her noticing his height over hers.
"Heh, I guess you're right, Sakura" He grinned at her. A slightly blush appeared on her face as she looked at him.
"So do I look more womanly now Naruto" She asked in a flirty tone. Hinata looked at Sakura and rolled her eyes. Naruto looked at her not noticing her flirting with him.
"No, Sakura you haven't changed a bit" He grinned at her. Sakura frowned as she looked at him while Hinata tried to repress a giggle.
"Naruto…" Sakura frowned as she looked at him. He was still grinning not really understanding why Sakura was mad with him so he just ignored it.
"I think you missed understood what Sakura was really saying" Hinata giggled.
"Huh?" Naruto looked at Hinata with a confused expression. Sakura and Hinata just shook their heads as they both started laughing, leaving Naruto confused as ever.
"What's so funny?" He asked.
"Hey…" Naruto, Hinata and Sakura all turned to look to see Sai walking towards them.
"Ugh…not you again, what do you want?" Naruto asked as he looked at him. Sakura looked at the guy. Sakura glanced over to Hinata.
"Who is this?" She whispered.
"This is Sai our new member of team 7" Hinata explained. Sakura eyes widened as she looked at Sai.
"This guy is replacing Sasuke?" Sakura thought as she looked at the guy.
"Hello…" He looked at Sakura examining her.
"Sai this is Sakura…Sakura this is Sai" Hinata introduce them to each other. Sai just nodded as did Sakura. Sai's eyes wondered over to Naruto who was still glaring at him.
"What!" Naruto snapped.
"Well you were the one staring at me" Sai responded with his expressionless expression on his face. He wasn't trying to be mean or anything it was just how he was.
Naruto frowned even more but before he could say anything else Hinata had started talking. "Sai, why don't you join us" She smiled at the new member of team 7.
He nodded. "Sure I'll join you big breasts" Sakura eyes widened while Hinata look like she could die any moment now. Naruto glared at him and wanted to tell him off but he felt Hinata squeezing his hand as to tell him not to do anything.
Naruto decided to calm down as he took a deep breath and said nothing else. He listened to Hinata trying to get Sai to talk while Sakura was staring at Sai the whole time. "She's probably thinking about how he looks like Sasuke or something" Naruto thought in his mind as he grunted. His thoughts went back to Sasuke. He wanted to bring Sasuke back to Konoha even if it meant breaking every single bone in his body; he would drag Sasuke back to Konoha no matter what.
Hinata noticed that Naruto was squeezing his hand tighter, since she was still holding his hand.
"N-Naruto-kun…are you okay?" She asked him in a concern. He turned to look at her as he smiled at her with determination in his eyes.
"Hinata…we will find Sasuke. I promise you that" He whispered to her so only she can hear. She nodded as she looked into his eyes. They both stared at each other with a determined look to their features. Unknown to them that Sai and Sakura were also staring at them.
"Why are they looking at each other like that?" Sai asked as he looked at his new teammates.
Sakura shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows why…" She said as she looked at Naruto and Hinata.
-x-x-x-
Later on that day Naruto decided to walk Hinata home. "So you still live with Kakashi-sensei, huh? Let me ask you something…I've been meaning to ask you this in my letters but I always forgot to ask you" Hinata nodded her head as she looked at him.
"What is it Naruto?"
"Have you ever seen his face?" He asked. Hinata giggled as she looked away from him.
"I've seen his face. I see his face every day" She smirked as she looked at him shocked expression.
"R-Really? What does he look like? I mean does he have buck teeth or something like that?" Hinata shook her head.
"No…he doesn't…he looks rather handsome if I do say so myself" Hinata laughed as she looked at him. He looked at her with wide eyes.
"Is that so…?" He then smirked. "I thought i was always the handsome one" He joked as he looked at her.
"No Naruto is the really s-sexy one" She joked. They both laughed as they looked at each other.
"Ah, you've really grown out that shy shell, huh?" She shook her head.
"Not really…I'm still shy around certain people…but whenever I'm around Kakashi-sensei, Sakura, Ino, TenTen and Yukki and Konohamaru I'm not shy" She stated honestly. There were a few other people that she wasn't shy around but she didn't few like naming them all.
"Oh okay" He smiled at her as they both continued walking to Kakashi's apartment. When they finally arrived Hinata used her key to open the door. "You're finally home and you brought Naruto with you" Kakashi stated as he looked at Naruto with a smile on his face.
Unlucky for Naruto his mask was on. "Yep I'm home" Hinata smiled as she walked over to the couch and took a seat next to Kakashi.
"Naruto, are you going to stay for a while?" She asked him. Naruto glanced down at Hinata and nodded his head.
"Of course…but not long I want to Iruka-sensei" They both nodded. "So how do you like Sai?" Kakashi asked both Hinata and Naruto.
"Tch…I can't stand the guy"
"He is okay…I guess"
Kakashi sighed as he looked at the two. "Well I'm sure that you two will be getting along with him soon" He stated flashing them both a smile from behind his mask.
That whole night they three spend the whole night talking to each other laughing at past memories, to Sasuke, to Kakashi talking about how Hinata really acts whenever no one is around. Naruto was having so much fun with Hinata and Kakashi that he forgot about visiting Iruka and he end up spending a night over Kakashi and Hinata's apartment as he fell asleep on the couch with a smile on his face.
He was glad to be finally back at home.