Beneath the Beneath Pt2

"Sakura, I swear. I wasn't trying to touch your stomach," Naruto groaned while rubbing his head.

"Now what's going on?" Shikamaru muttered, taking in the new scene.

Ino almost laughed. At last, someone with more problems than she. "Hey, calm down, you wouldn't want to hurt the baby now would you?"

"Oh, shut up Ino!" Sakura snapped, glaring back at the crowd as she did her best to straighten her self to a dignified stance. "I'm sick of all this."

"Sakura's pregnant?" Chouji asked with a frown.

"I am not pregnant!" she shouted furiously, growing ever closer to her wits end. "I don't care what you've heard, but it's not true! Nor are any of those stupid rumors involving me and Kakashi sensei, do you hear me!"

Everyone stood uncomfortably silent, not sure how to proceed. It's not like any of them actually believed those rumors.

"Uh…" Naruto began sheepishly while rubbing the back of his neck.

Hinata watched the boy, feeling her face grow hot. Naruto. It was horrible that just by being in same vicinity as him, she'd become so anxious. And now there was an odd feeling of guilt mixed in as well.

"Hey Hinata," Ino whispered, coming to stand beside the girl. "Quick, take off that scarf."

"Wh-what?" she asked, completely confused.

"Quickly, before he leaves," the blonde continued, giving her a nudge and tilting her head towards the boy she'd been staring at since his arrival.

"Ino…"

"You want Naruto to finally notice you, right?" Ino said a bit louder. "That was the whole point of this. He needs to start seeing you as a possible sexual object. Just trust me."

That really wasn't what she was going for, Hinata thought, instantly visualizing those girls you see posing on the front of all the popular magazines. That would never be her, and it really wasn't how she wanted him to see her. Unsure of how to respond, the girl ducked her head down and fidgeted her fingers. "I, uh…"

Temari's voice cut through the girl's conversation loudly. "Well at least now I know why people keep asking me if I'm here to escort you back to Suna for a nine month sabbatical."

Ino refused to let the on going drama distract her from her goal. "Ok, now stand this way so that it's in his view," she said, having removed the scarf in a quick movement while Hinata listened to the Sand kunoichi.

It was then Hinata realized that Ino was positioning her so that the side of her neck would be facing Naruto, and if he looked her way, he would no doubt notice it. "Are you sure about this?"

"Trust me."

Those words did nothing to alleviate her fear.

"I am going to kill who ever started all these rumors," Sakura seethed loudly, clenching her fists till they made an audible crack. The group took an unconscious step back.

"Hey, Hinata!" The new voice caused everyone to turn at once. As Genma walked up to the crowd, he was suddenly hit with an intense wave of distrust mixed with anger and confusion.

Shit, now what? He thought cautiously, wondering if now was the best time to approach the girl.

Hinata froze, all colour fading from her normally flushed face. No, not now, not with everyone here. Not with Naruto here! Her eyes quickly snapped to Ino in a silent plea for help.

"Shh, just play it calm, this still works," Ino tried to sooth, paying no mind to the few bugs that just buzzed passed her head. "If he see's that even Genma is interested in you, he'll know you must be a catch."

"Huh, looks like all the rookies are here," Genma said, making a note that half of them were glaring at him as he joined their increasingly odd gathering.

Kiba exchanged a dark nod with Shino before stepping forward. "Hey, we're not rookies anymore."

Genma smiled appraisingly in Hinata's direction, ignoring the boy's accusing tone. "No, no you're not. Actually I'm here to speak with Hinata."

"Well, no one's stopping you," Kiba growled, showing that none of the group was actually going to let him have any privacy in the matter.

Hinata looked at the two nervously while Ino kept nudging her shoulder. "Ye-yes, Genma?"

This was not what he wanted, Hinata was going back into her shell with so many people watching her, but he supposed it would have to do. Perhaps having all her friends around would have the opposite effect and make her a bit more confidant? Or maybe even defiant, he thought as he glanced at the disdain filled Inuzuka.

"Well I just came from Tsunade's office," he started, tucking his hands into his pockets and leaning heavily on one leg. "It seems that despite the outcome she was quite pleased with how the mission was handled. You specifically."

As Hinata watched, everything about the man left her with an impression of confidence and power. If any of the group wanted to start something, there was no doubt in the girl's mind he would wipe the floor with them easily. And he was always so nice to her, always sure to include her when she was being quiet and unsure of herself…

"Oh, um, thank you," Hinata answered nervously, realizing he had finished speaking and was now watching her with some amusement.

He shrugged, giving his head a slight cock to the side. "You deserve it, shy girl." The nickname earned him more than one scowl from the boys of the group. "Anyways, it looks like I may be getting a promotion, and since I'd like to think that you helped, I was wondering if you'd join us when we celebrate tonight."

Hinata's face actually brightened. Had the Hokage really thought so highly of her? The thought of the Hokage's praise instantly overshadowed the fact that Genma had basically just asked her out on a date with him, in front of all her former classmates.

"Oh, is it going to be the team?" she asked.

Ino, as she watched, felt herself bristle with the pangs of jealousy. Oh she was happy for her, no question about that, but still, why couldn't an incredibly hot Jounin ask her out right-in-front-of-everybody like that? She seriously better be having some good karma come her way for all this.

"Hn." Knowing that voice, Ino turned her head to look at Shino. She smiled and made her way through to the back of the group.

"No…" Genma hesitated slightly. "It'll be me, Raidou, Anko... Then she's bringing someone, you know her, chick from Gai's team. And Raidou's bringing Aoba. Said something about revenge, not sure what that's about, but it should prove entertaining if nothing else."

"You mean Tenten?" Ino asked, leaning slightly against Shino.

"Yeah, that's the one."

Ino snorted, mumbling "Then you should also bring Kakashi."

Shino looked down, raising a single eyebrow.

"Then they'd need to take Sakura," Temari drawled.

Sakura's head snapped up. "What was that!"

Genma laughed in disbelief. "Don't tell me you guys actually believe those stupid rumors?"

"Naw, we're just having some fun," Ino answered with a grin.

"At my expense," Sakura responded darkly.

Ino shrugged. "You know, Sakura, has anyone told you, you really need to loosen up a bit? You know, release some of that repressed tension?"

"Look, I know for a fact they aren't true, so no worries," Genma cut in, seeing the pink haired girl was about ready to start throwing some punches. Naruto had even taken a step away, coming closer to him, as the murderous waves came forth. The man then turned to Hinata. "So how bout it?"

It was then, as a few bugs returned to Shino, that Ino looked in the direction they had come from to see a woman storming in their wake. "Wow, Kurenai sensei looks pissed," she said to no one in particular, watching the Jounin come towards them, absolutely livid.

Genma glanced over his shoulder, cringing visibly and muttered a curse under his breath. "Hinata, tell me, is she carrying a pair of rusty scissors by any chance?" he said, stepping closer to the girl.

"Wh-what?" the confused girl asked.

"Just tell me."

Hinata, deciding it'd be best to humor him, used her sight quickly on her sensei. There was nothing that looked remotely like scissors on her person. "No, why?"

"Shiranui!" Kurenai's voice sliced harshly across the group. Everyone flinched back, the woman was giving off enough 'do not fuck with me vibes', to make even Sakura's seem like child's play.

"Shit," the man muttered again. He then straightened himself, doing his best to appear calm and uncaring as the woman came face to face with him.

"Come with me, I think you and I need to have a word," she hissed out, not even glancing at her students.

"You know, I'm kind of in the middle of something," he began, trying not to show any worry. The woman's hand then shot out and gave a hard yank to his hair, causing him to stumble to the side.

"Owe, for fuck sakes woman! Does Asuma know you're a hair puller?" A few of the rookies raised their hands over their mouths, not daring for Kurenai to hear their snickers. Genma rubbed his head with a grimace. Well at least she didn't go for the balls, he thought in an odd attempt to look at the brightest side of this confrontation.

"You're coming with me, now." Kurenai then grabbed a fist full of his shirt and tugged him violently away from the group. "Don't mind us," she called over her shoulder with Genma being pulled along.

"Not at all, sensei," Kiba called after them and did his best to give them a little wave. He then turned to Shino. "Very nice."

The boy simply nodded in response.

Ino looked between the two, suddenly putting two and two together. "You are so evil."

Shino inclined his head in acknowledgment.

"Good kisser, too."

"Ok, you've got me. What do you want?" Genma said, doing his best to appear uninterested and poking at the now stretched fabric of his shirt.

Kurenai gave him a look. "Do you really need to ask?"

"No, but as you haven't tried to castrate me yet, I'd like to think you're willing to be reasonable," Genma answered, thankful she hadn't gone for the hair again. Why couldn't women just do the normal thing and slug a guy when they were pissed?

"Reasonable? You gave my student a hicky!" Kurenai snapped, raising her voice.

"Why are you so quick to assume it was me? You know, just because I have a reputation doesn't mean that I'm responsible for all-"

"Can it, Genma. Iwashi told me everything." The Jounin crossed her arms and glowered at the man.

Why that little… "Traitors, all of them," he muttered darkly.

"She's sixteen," Kurenai continued with more emphasis.

As if he hadn't been reminded of that enough lately. "Yeah, and I remember what I was doing at sixteen. And I'm also pretty sure that you weren't much better, either."

"Of course I wasn't," she began. "I was off making stupid mistakes too which I now wish my sensei had caught ahead of time as well."

Genma shrugged. "Tch, that's half the fun of being a teenager."

"You are not a teenager," she reminded him.

"Hey, better she make them with me, someone who can watch over her, than with that idiot dog boy teammate of hers." Kurenai raised an eyebrow. "I see the way he looks at her. And something like that can actually ruin a well functioning team. Is that really what you'd prefer?"

Kurenai was not going to play into him, and if that was the rout he was going to play… "Speaking of which, have you noticed the way she looks at Naruto, then?"

Genma frowned, not sure what she was talking about. "What do you mean?"

She then jerked her head to the side, causing his eyes to follow back to the group. Naruto was saying something to the girl, causing her to turn bright red. Well that was nothing to be surprised at, though she was looking bit more panicky than normal. And then, just like that, snap, out like a light.

Ok, so maybe she did have a bit of a crush on the boy… or was completely terrified of him. Maybe she just respected him a lot. He continued to watch, seeing Sakura yell while pointing at the collapsed girl. It only took a moment for Hinata to start coming to, when Naruto tried to squat down next to her. Instead he stumbled, nearly falling on her, and then...

Genma cringed. She was out again. Okay, respect didn't seem like the right word for this.

"How's it feel, knowing that's your competition?" Kurenai announced caustically.

Shit.

Well even if she did have something resembling a school girl crush on the boy, it didn't seem like it was requited. "Means nothing if he doesn't care," he answered, trying to sound unconcerned. Why should he be? Naruto was just a kid.

So was Hinata.

Double shit.

"You keep telling yourself that." The woman actually sounded amused. Vindictively amused. And he was getting pissed.

"Look, what's your problem? Age is hardly a deciding factor when it comes to shinobi, so what is it that you think I'm up to? You're not her mother, you know?"

Kurenai's eyes narrowed. "No, she doesn't have a mother. Or didn't you know that?"

Ouch. Well lots of shinobi had lost parents or were orphaned. "It hardly matters. So then are you planning to tell her dad on me then?"

"And that right there is the problem, Genma. You don't think." The woman once again gave his hair a hard tug for emphasis. "Of course I'm not; I actually care about the girl."

"Will you quit it? That hurts," he said, once again massaging his abused scalp. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"That if you were actually more interested in her, than in the prospect of having Hinata Hyuuga as your current girlfriend, you'd know," she seethed. "You're right, there's nothing I can do to stop you and yes, Hinata is a kunoichi that needs to learn these things on her own. However, if you hurt her, it'll be more than just her teammates that decide to turn your life into a living nightmare." She then took a step closer to him. "You know what I'm capable of. I can make it happen."

The man shuddered as Kurenai turned briskly and walked away. God damn Genjutsu specialists, he thought. His head still hurt too.

"No wonder Asuma keeps his hair short these days," he muttered before leaveing.

As Kakashi and Tenten continued down the hall, Anko bounded up to them. The grinning woman placed herself between the two as they walked, wrapping one arm around Kakashi's waist and the other around Tenten's shoulder. Kakashi repressed the urge to detangle him self from the woman. With Anko, that would be the equivalent to fanning an open fire, with gasoline.

"Hey Tenten, that was perfect," she began loudly, trudging the two along at an awkward pace. "Seriously, I'm going to be laughing for weeks."

"Anytime," the girl replied with a grin.

So that's what that was all about.

"You set Raidou up," Kakashi deadpanned, leaving no question in his voice.

"Say it like that, and it sounds like we did a bad thing," Anko responded, doing her best to look innocently up at the man, which was unsettling considering Anko's innocent look tended to resemble more of an I'm going to eat your babies look.

"So… you two are friends now?" he asked cautiously, eyeing the two. Tenten under Anko's influence... He wasn't sure how he felt about that.

"Tends to happen after you've witnessed the other stab a man in the neck, just so you wouldn't have to change your outfit," Anko flippantly replied.

"Don't ask. It's a long story," Tenten added, sparing him a glance.

The group then came to a stop in front of one of the mission conference rooms. "I'll see you inside," Anko said, removing her self from the two before charging loudly through the door.

"Sure," Tenten called just as it slammed shut. Who needed manners when you were making an entrance? She then noticed Kakashi's stare. "What?"

"Nothing," he said, shaking his head and then slumping against the back wall. He really wished he could find out exactly what went on in that mission of theirs.

"Just to be clear," the girl pointed out. "The guy totally had it coming."

"I didn't say anything." Now if he could find out the name of the right filing clerk…

Tenten didn't look convinced. "Right, well anyways, before I go, I was wondering if I could borrow Make-Out Battles again. I had to skim through it the first time, so I'd like to know if I missed anything."

Oh, so now she wanted something? "Sorry, I'm still only on my fourth reading."

"Come on, don't be a dick," she said, giving him a playful nudge.

"Well maybe if you hadn't taken it first, or refused to lend me the movie, I'd have felt obliged to do so, but for some reason I'm just not feeling all that charitable."

"Please," the girl pleaded. "There's a whole chapter dedicated to Tomiko and she's got to be my favorite part of the series."

Tomiko, really? The man sighed. "Personally she annoys me to no end. While I know he's just holding off to draw out the series, I really wish he'd just have them hook up and get it over with. The whole playing hard-to-get subplot is a nuisance and not particularly realistic."

Tenten made a face. "So what, finding yourself in a harem, disguised as a concubine, or say having the High Lords wife suspect you of peeping and thus punishing you by making you her personal 'attendant,' is realistic? Yet having the one woman that can actually match you skill for skill, wit for wit, decide she prefers her duty and independence to you, is not? Just what kind of missions do you typically get Kakashi sensei?"

"It's nothing like that," Kakashi waved off. "However, it's obvious in the series she likes him as much as he likes her."

Tenten laughed. "You're just upset that there's no follow through in their scenes after all that great tension."

"That too," he shrugged. "But it's more I just want to smack the girl for her idiocy."

He was rather enjoying having someone to speak to about the bits that annoyed him. Someone who actually understood what he was talking about.

"What!" Tenten nearly yelled, then dropped her voice waspishly when she remembered where they were. "She's the smart one of the series, not to mention the only female that isn't defined by whom she's screwing or wants to screw."

The Jounin's eyes widened, surprised by the girl's vehemence. It was just a book, well ok, not just any book, so he did kind of understand. But since they were on the subject, he felt obliged to share his perspective. "Calm down. There's a difference between being independent, and deliberately limiting yourself and your happiness because you're stubborn."

Tenten glowered. "So you call being true to yourself and having pride in your position, as simply being stubborn? She's a kunoichi, dedicated to her village, but what's-"

"You do know who she's based on?" he interrupted, not wanting the girl to take the character too personally. He was starting to get the feeling the Chunin was projecting a little bit.

"Of course," she answered, looking distinctly affronted.

"So then, once you've reached the top, what's to stop you?"

Tenten rolled her eyes. "We're talking about the book here." Not Tsunade and Jiraiya, was left unsaid.

You wouldn't know, the way Tenten was acting… Sighing again, the man continued to explain his view point, "We're talking about a female shinobi whose desire to isolate herself in some false pretense of freedom, has decided to deny her self of something that could actually make her happy. Because of what? Pride? It's idiotic, it-"

"You just don't get it. You're not a girl," Tenten explained, sounding a bit more subdued. She wasn't looking at him anymore but crossed her arms instead.

"And Jiraiya is?" he countered.

"He has more of a clue than you do."

"Only because he's dealt with it longer." Kakashi couldn't understand why she was getting so defensive about this.

"You don't know what it's like to be on some incredible team." And the hammer hit the nail. "That even though you could easily put the other girls to shame, next to your team, you're barely even recognized. Even the most powerful of female shinobi, such as Lady Tsunade, usually end up taking a supporting role, like medic in the end." She still wouldn't look at him. "And after that, for them to become known as some famous shinobi's girlfriend, rather than respected for their own right? No, thank you."

This was weird. He hadn't expected to be having a heart to heart with Tenten about her self worth issues. He'd always considered her smarter than that, someone who knew their value and was confidant about it. Plus, emotional woman were not something he knew how to deal with. "I think you may be reading a bit more into this then-"

"Jiraiya is writing what he sees. I'm just explaining it," she snapped, instantly rallying her nerve, looking him in the eye and taking a step forward. All signs of her previous vulnerability were gone. "It is a matter of pride."

"And that's exactly why I want to slap the character," Kakashi replied, not backing down. This could get ugly, he thought seeing as Tenten would sooner bring out her kunai, than bring on the waterworks. He was thankful for that fact; however it didn't mean he wasn't going to do his best to make the girl understand. She was just so young.

"We're shinobi, Tenten. There is no room for pride in our line of work," he tried to explain. "Refusing to debase yourself, or taking the more difficult path just because of something as superfluous as pride, can get you or your teammates killed-"

The girl snorted. "We're hardly talking about a mission here, Kakashi."

"Should you really treat your life so differently?" he quickly replied. "Death is a shinobi's constant companion, especially for ANBU. We're all living on borrowed time here, and to deliberately handicap yourself because you're what, worried about what others say, or how they judge you? Your pride isn't worth it, not when all it takes is an unnoticed kunai, that undetected paper bomb."

"So then," the girl frowned, giving him a contemplative look. "What are you suggesting, Kakashi?"

The man paused, reflecting on his former arguments. For some reason he didn't think he was referring to the books. Just what were they talking about?

"You!" His thoughts were broken before he could reach a conclusion at the sound of Iruka's voice. He was just turning to see what the man wanted when his face was met by the man's fist.

"What the hell!" Tenten yelled, instantly at his side. Kakashi's brow creased, seeing the Chunin was clearly debating taking another swing, though knowing it would never connect for the second time.

"Calm down. What's gotten into you?" he said, straightening himself. Absently he noted the girl at his side, and would've been amused by her battle ready stance if he wasn't so confused by the entire situation.

"How could you," Iruka replied harshly. "She was your student."

"Oh no," Tenten breathed, relaxing her stance.

"What are you talking about?" Kakashi snapped, but just as he said it, a cold feeling came over him. Anko…

"Sakura, who else?"

Kakashi let out a frustrated sigh. For a city filled with so many highly trained shinobi, the sheer amount of misinformation that got swallowed up by the general populace these days was nothing less than frightening.

"I know everything," Iruka continued, barely containing his anger. "You disgust me."

"Whoa now, Iruka," Tenten began, trying to pacify the situation. "This isn't about those rumors-"

"They're not rumors, Tenten. I know-"

"Obviously you don't," Kakashi interrupted. He was actually starting to feel a little angry that so many people were so quick to believe him of such a thing. "Because I haven't so much as touched her."

"And you expect me to believe-"

"Then maybe you should ask her?" he told him. "I have no idea who started this stupid thing, but it's obvious that it's gotten way out of hand. I would never take advantage of a student in that way, Iruka."

"Naruto's gone to confront her about it now. We found out together." Iruka was still glaring like he didn't believe a single word the man said.

Talk about your mother hens… "Well then I feel sorry for him, since Sakura is likely not going to take too kindly to the accusation."

The man's scowl only deepened. "And I have no doubt she'll try to defend you. She's only half your age; of course she's going to place you on a pedestal. She's letting her respect and desires for admiration cloud her judgment in this situation."

For some reason Kakashi felt his eyes drift over to Tenten's. She seemed to have had the same urge. Each quirked a smile to the other in irony. "I told you, nothing's going on. And you really shouldn't believe everything you hear. Tenten, I suppose it's time I left you to your meeting?"

Her smile brightened. "Sure thing. I'll just leave the two of you to sort this out?"

At his nod, the girl quickly slipped through the conference room door. He then focused his attention back to the Chunin.

"Sakura even told me she's caught you checking her out before."

Of course she did, he though wearily while rubbing a hand over his face and looking to the ceiling. Now how was he going to sort this out?

"Neji!" Lee cried, barging into the small conference room he was currently occupying, or rather hiding from his blusterous teammates in. "I'm so glad you've made it back to the village. The team just isn't the same you."

The Jounin didn't even look up from the scroll he'd been staring at for the past half hour. He needed to work out some sort of plan for the evening.

"You'll never believe what happened while you were away," the boy continued. Neji still didn't look up. "Tenten asked Ino to come train in your place with us. At first I was worried she wouldn't be able to keep up. You must forgive me for my disrespect but I do not believe Asuma sensei has been spending enough time with his students," he added in a lower voice. "But as it turns out, Ino is a great addition to our training sessions; I can not wait for you to see how well we work together. I am beginning to understand how it is you feel about Hinata."

Neji's hand twitched.

"As it seems I have earned myself my own little sister! Gai sensei has even started to train her in some of his Ninjutsu that I would be unable to attempt. And after all her hard work, sensei has even seen fit to reward her with one of his green uniforms. I know it has always been your wish to earn one, but Ino in just a few weeks, has shown us her true power of youth, it was only fitting that she receive such an inspiring reward. She's even learned summoning? Can you believe that? I heard it took Naruto nearly a month to learn it when he did. Though I admit being fond of the gentle green beasts, I have to tell you, their language! It is a shame it seems as though Ino has not quite yet mastered the beast, but she is proving ever vigil in her task. Tenten too has been rather busy, I think she has a date tonight. Gai sensei says she truly is blossoming into youthful young woman! And Ino's been talking about how Hinata is becoming quite the-"

Neji stood up abruptly, walked to the door, and turned to face his team mate. "Tenten thinks you're gay."

And left.