A/N: What's up guys? Miss me? I missed you! Back with another chappie, just for you guys! Hope you guys aren't mad with the wait, class 'n stuff. A little disappointed with the response to the last chapter but hey, I'll call it just retribution for making you wait…YEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH! Okay on a serious note now…
Cook563: I'm glad you agree with the momentary switch in the plot, it had to be done. The training with Renge will be brutal and outlawed in the 5 elemental nations because it will be labeled as cruel and unusual…j/k…but seriously. Lol. I read the manga so I am aware of Tobi's true identity and as for what he'll do when Sakura goes to the meeting. Well, that's how I keep you coming back right?
Bookwarnedbookworm: Yep, that is exactly what I was shooting for and I have to admit, I laughed my ass off just writing the scene.
Phongcae23: Yes, the transformation will be there. Just have to wait
Hell'sWorstWriter: It'll be there, just give it time. A lot more will come out during the festival.
Hektols: Don't forget Sakura is a kunoichi. While feelings are there it doesn't necessarily mean that they are at the forefront of her mind. She still has a mission. And thanks, I'm glad you like the Hollow Fist.
Last Time: Naruto had begun his training in chakra control with Renge. Quickly afterwards they realized that Naruto in fact had a chakra defect, one that his mother possessed allowing her to use chakra chains. With that in mind, Renge began a new and brutal training regiment to bring out Naruto's fullest potential. Meanwhile, Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji began their training Hiashi in the art of the Hollow Fist –an ancient form of the Gentle Fist used by the first generation of Hyuugas. At the same time, Jihibiki asked Tsunade to gather some old tools from the Konohagakure vault, once that she didn't even know existed anymore.
Chapter 25: Festival Preparations
Neji's eyes narrowed as he scanned the documents in front of him. Nothing was making sense. Dates were overlapping one another, alibis were contradicting each other, and names and locations had been erased. It was almost as if whatever had happened was part of some big village secret.
The Hyuuga leaned back with a tired and frustrated sigh. He was getting nowhere. His mind drifted back to the conversation with Karin. He was trying to learn more about the red head but nothing from her story matched up with what was in the Konoha archives.
Leaning forward, Neji closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. He tried to concentrate but he was finding it difficult to do. It had only been three days since Neji and the others started their training in the Hollow Fist, but in those three days Neji had never been more exhausted in his entire life. The training, if it even could be called that, was brutal and relentless. He almost pitied poor little Hanabi. The girl was still growing and yet she was expected to keep up with Neji and Hinata.
Hinata. Now that had been a surprise.
Hinata had taken to the Hollow Fist like a fish to water. She excelled in everything that Hiashi threw at them, and had become the standard that Neji and Hanabi were expected to reach. When asked why Hinata was able to grasp the technique so quickly the clan head shrugged.
"Perhaps it's because of similar training she has done previously."
Neji shook his head and refocused on the subject at hand. He could try and figure Hinata out some other time. His thoughts returned to the red head and the mystery wrapped around her.
Neji had his suspicions of Karin; he had seen it when he activated his Byakugan. But he needed hard evidence to prove it and finding the evidence was proving to be more difficult than it should have been. A frustrated growl escaped Neji's lips as he stared at the tampered documents. Proving Karin's heritage shouldn't be this difficult. It would have been easier if he could just get a sample of Karin's blood tested but for that to happen Neji would need a request form filled out. Something that would require either Tsunade or Shizune's signature, and Neji knew that neither of the two would give the okay. They wouldn't waste the village's money on a criminal, especially on one that was from a terrorist organization with the sole purpose of hunting down their favorite blonde jinchuriki.
Neji glanced up at the clock and froze. "Shit! I'm going to be late!"
A sense of dread washed of the Hyuuga as he quickly gathered his things and sprinted out the doors. He would figure out what to do with Karin when he had more time to think on it. Until then, they would both have to wait for answers. One was not simply late to Hyuuga Hiashi's lessons.
Shino listened carefully to the conversation carrying on in front of him as he kept his eyes closed and meditated from his place on the couch. Across the dim room, Shikamaru, Sai, and the commander talked to one another in low voices as they motioned to the 3D map of Konoha sprawled out in front of them. Across the map, colored pins of orange, green, purple, and black could be seen spread all across the terrain, grouped together by their colors and set in seemingly strategic places.
The groups of pins represented the platoons of Root operatives that would be participating in the operation. Sai had pulled through for them. In less than twenty-four hours the artist nin had managed to review two hundred profiles and place them in platoons in accordance to which area they would be most effective in as well as who they would work best with. The next two days were spent planning the operation.
The commander had been extremely skeptical when he first heard that they planned on using Root. But after Naruto explained the benefits of using the phantom group he was able to push past his own doubts and agree. It helped that Shikimaru vocally approved as soon as the plan left Naruto's lips. The Nara genius was more than willing to work with a group of highly trained individuals that would give them the element of surprise. Even if he wasn't entirely sure he could trust them either.
The three shinobi continued to discuss battle tactics quietly and point and motion in directions or certain areas when an audible grating was heard at the end of the room and their talking ceased. Shino opened his eyes and looked to where the sound had emanated from.
Naruto stood in the doorway, shirtless, sweat glistening down his body, and his shaggy hair threatening to cover his eyes. Even in the low light, Naruto's muscles could be seen rippling across his chest with every breath. The muscles on his arms and legs were like corded ropes, swollen from recent exertion and wound tightly in deadly coils. He looked bigger, stronger, if it were even possible, and carried about him an air of command that caused the room to fall into silence.
Naruto entered the room and headed straight for the fridge. Opening the door, he reveled in the blast of cold air that hit him before he grabbed a bottle of water and downed it. Reaching in, he grabbed another, and then turned to the four men in the room that were watching him silently. Taking another swig from his bottle, Naruto approached the table.
"Status report." He ordered.
"Taichou!" The commander reported snapping to attention. "Operation: Spring Cleaning is well under way and should be finished by the end of the week. So far we have managed to capture and subdue all Branch members that are under my command. Only a few Hyuuga teams remain and they are preparing to depart soon for recon missions just like the others."
"Any problems so far?"
"None so far." The Anbu commander said shaking his head. "However, I.D. is filling up quickly and they are having trouble finding open cells."
Naruto was quiet for a moment before he nodded. "We'll just have to trust them to figure it out. If they need help offer what you can to them, even if it means transferring some of the prisoners over to the Anbu holding cells."
"Understood."
"Shikamaru, Sai," Naruto said looking at the other two, "how are the plans progressing?"
"The platoons have been assembled and squad leaders have been assigned." Sai said motioning to the map. "Orange platoon will be lead by you, taichou. Green will be lead by Shikamaru, purple by Shino, and black by me."
"Orange platoon will be broken into five squads of ten men each. Green and Purple will have five squads of eleven men, and Black will have four squads of ten." Shikamaru explained. "An area will be assigned to each platoon and that area will be broken into five sectors, one for each squad." Shikamaru motioned to the map and pointed to the village center. There was a crude circle of orange string tied to pins that surrounded the entire thing. "Orange platoon's area will be the village center. This entire radius will be divided into five sectors, each one slightly overlapping the sectors adjacent to it to ensure that no one escapes."
Naruto placed his hands on the table and looked closer at the orange circle. He saw that it was divided by different colored smaller strings that made it look like a cut pie. Naruto nodded in understanding and let a small smile spread across his face. "Our objective?"
"Subdue and apprehend all Branch members." Shikamaru answered.
"What about the other platoons?"
"Green and Purple platoons will form containment on the outside of Orange." Shikamaru said as he pointed. "Green will take the southern end and Purple will take the northern. We'll be forming a semi-circular shell and meet each other in the middle, overlapping the middle ground of course."
"And Black platoon?"
"My platoon's area of operation will be the Hyuuga compound." Sai answered as he pointed to a small group of buildings at the edge of the map tied off with black string. "Each squad will approach from a different direction. I will lead my squad through the main gate at the north end. The other three squads will approach from the east, west and south ends."
Naruto stiffened slightly. "You're taking fewer men for this area?"
Sai nodded. "Stealth is key in this area. Fewer men mean fewer chances of being spotted." Naruto hesitated but nodded eventually. Sai saw the apprehension. "Besides, I have chosen the best to be in my platoon, it is unnecessary to have so many with me. In this instance, quality trumps quantity. Our objective is the apprehension of the Hyuuga elders as well as the skeleton crew of Branch members standing guard."
"I have enough men." Sai assured.
This seemed to placate Naruto and he nodded one last time in acceptance. "What about Anbu?"
"Anbu will be stationed in sectors one, three, and five of Orange as well as sectors two and four of both Purple and Green." The commander answered as he pointed to white pins in each sector. "We will provide backup if necessary and assist in containment."
Naruto was silent for a moment as his eyes slowly rolled over the map and he thought about the plan. The other members waited in silence to see what Naruto's final say would be. After a moment, a smile broke out across Naruto's face and a loud whistle escaped his lips.
"Ya know Shika, this might be your best work yet." The blonde praised. Shikamaru rolled his eyes but a small smile managed its way to his lips as well.
"Now," Naruto said clap his hands together and turning. "Last but certainly not least. Shino, status report."
"Taichou," Shino said with a nod and stood up and joined the men. "As of now, I have currently tagged four hundred eight-seven traitors."
A silence fell across the room.
"Troublesome." Shikamaru muttered.
Shino nodded his head. "Indeed. My insects are still uncovering traitors each day. It will be some time before I have a definite number."
"Predictions?" Naruto asked.
Shino paused for a moment as he thought. "High hundreds, low thousand."
The silence returned once again but this time with heaviness.
"This is a tall order." The commander said to no one in particular. All eyes fell on Naruto.
The blonde continued to stare at the map, more particularly, the Hyuuga compound. He could feel the gazes of the men around him, and he could feel the pressure mounting. His eyes narrowed and he set his jaw as he looked up at Sai. "Have the men been briefed?"
"Yes, taichou." Sai answered nodding. "They have begun to memorize the plan and necessary preparations."
Naruto took his hands off the table and straightened up. "Are we sure about the date picked?"
The other men looked at each other and then Shikamaru spoke. "It's the best possible time to do it. Everyone will be gathered there allowing us to focus our efforts as well as not stand out."
"I know." Naruto said with a sigh as he rubbed his eyes. "It's just that it's so far off."
"The men will need that time to train and prepare." Sai said.
Naruto's lips thinned and he nodded curtly.
"I understand your apprehension in waiting so long, taichou." The commander said empathetically. "The longer we wait, the more chances are that we could be discovered or something could go wrong. But," the commander paused as he motioned to Shikamaru and Sai, "they are correct in the time frame. This is the most optimal time to strike. We'll just have to bear the wait."
Naruto let out one final sigh and then nodded. "Alright then, the plan sounds solid. Let's proceed." The others in the room nodded and dispersed.
Naruto's eyes lingered on the map for a second longer but he turned away and walked to his bed. Kicking open the trunk, he grabbed a black shirt with the Uzumaki symbol in red on the back and threw it on. He then threw on his typical pants and made for the exit. As he did he was flanked by Sai and Shikamaru.
"Where are you headed, taichou?" Sai asked.
"All this super, secret, cool planning has worked up an appetite in me." Naruto said with a grin.
"Ichiraku's?" Shikamaru ventured.
"You know it!" Naruto said with a wink. "Wanna come?"
Sai nodded with a fake smile and the shadow user seemed to mull it over. "You buying?"
Naruto snorted and gave him a look like he grew a second head. "Yeah, sure."
"Naruto-taichou is most gracious. He certainly knows how to take care of his men." Sai said happily as they made for the exit.
"It's called sarcasm, Sai." Naruto said dryly as a sweat drop formed.
"What's that taste like?" Sai asked thoroughly confused. Naruto face palmed and Shikamaru snickered.
"It is expected of the leader to treat his subordinates to a meal for their hard work every once in awhile." Shino replied monotonously.
Naruto jumped and let out a yelp. "Damn it Shino! Don't sneak up on me like that!"
"But I've been here the entire time, taichou."
Naruto paused for a moment before he shook his head and ran a hand down his face. "I swear you guys are gonna be the death of me."
"Maybe." Shikamaru said with a snicker.
"Highly unlikely." Shino replied.
"Sarcasm?" Sai questioned.
Naruto just sighed and trudged on towards his only slice of steam noodley heaven.
"I would like to thank both of you for taking the time to travel here and fill me in on what I missed at the summit meeting." Tsunade said with a reserved smile. "Please extend my thanks to your Kages."
"It was my pleasure, milady." Temari said with a smile and a respectful bow.
"It was no problem; I've always wanted to see the Leaf Village." Samui said with a bow as well.
Tsunade nodded at this. "Will you be leaving soon? I realize that information is important but the Fall Festival of Leaves is in less than three weeks. Perhaps I could persuade you ladies and your teams to stay for the event?"
The two women looked at each other.
"As Suna's liaison, I already planned on staying milady." Temari said with another bow. "I will be sending a messenger hawk to my brother to let him know that the information has been delivered."
Tsunade nodded her head and then raised an eyebrow at Samui.
"I…suppose it wouldn't hurt to stay…" Samui said uncertainly. She knew that the Raikage wanted her and her team back as soon as possible, but she truly did want to stay and experience the festival. It was legendary, even in countries such as Lightning.
"I'll send a message to the Raikage requesting that you act as the liaison for the remainder of the time until our armies link up." Tsunade said deciding for the blonde.
"Thank you very much, Hokage-sama!" Samui said gratefully with a bow.
"Now for escorts," Tsunade said as she flipped through some papers.
"I figured I'd be getting the usual, milady." Temari said with a raised eyebrow. She was expecting to get stuck with Shikamaru. Of course, she'd never complain about it.
"Shikamaru has…" Tsunade trailed off as she struggled for the words she was looking for. "…availability issues."
"What?!" Temari asked shocked. "You mean the lazy bum is actually doing something?"
Tsunade laughed and shook her head. "Sorry, but it's out of my hands."
"Um, Hokage-sama." Samui said quietly. "Is there any chance that I could have Sai as an escort?"
Tsunade stared at Samui as if she had grown a second head. "You're joking right?"
Samui shifted uncomfortably under the Hokage's gaze but said nothing.
When she realized that Samui was serious, Tsunade's eyebrows rose. "I'm sorry but just like Shikamaru, Sai is unavailable at the moment."
"I see." Was all Samui said quietly, but then straightened. "Then I will take whomever you choose, Hokage-sama."
Tsunade looked at the girls standing before her and could tell that they were both disappointed even though they didn't show it.
"I'm sorry," she sighed. "I know it's not the usual routine, and it seems a bit odd but –" Tsunade stopped abruptly as her eyes shot open.
"Is everything alright, milady?" the sand kuniochi asked hesitantly.
Tsunade said nothing as she flitted through her desk until she found a pen and an empty scroll. Opening it up, she began to write furiously while muttering something about remaining inconspicuous. When she was done, she rolled up the scroll and stamped it with the Hokage's red wax seal signifying that it was important orders that were absolute. Snapping her fingers, Boar appeared in front of her with a bow.
"Escort these girls to Naruto and give him this." Tsunade ordered.
Boar seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Forgive me Hokage-sama, but should I take them there?"
Tsunade paused for a moment and then glanced at the clock: it was a little after twelve. "No, Naruto is on break right now and most likely at his usual place. If not, bring the girls back and then find and deliver the orders to him."
"Hai, Hokage-sama." Boar replied with another bow. He turned to Samui and Temari. "Ladies, if you will." And with that he led them out of the room and into the village to find his secret captain.
"So have you thought about who you're going to take to the festival?" Shikamaru asked.
Naruto froze, noodles hanging halfway out of his mouth as he thought about the question. Swallowing his mouth full he answered, "To be honest I hadn't even thought about it. I've been so caught up in our planning and training that I guess it just slipped my mind. What about you guys?" he asked.
"Too troublesome to ask anyone." Shikamaru muttered. "Besides, our focus really should be on what's going to be happening at the festival."
"I still don't understand enough to make that kind of commitment anyways." Sai said nonchalantly earning him an incredulous look from both Naruto and Shikamaru. "But Shikamaru is right, we need to maintain focus."
"I am escorting someone." Shino said as he adjusted his glasses. The table stared at him in shock. "What, is it so hard to believe that I would do such a thing?"
"No," Naruto said shaking his head. "It's just that –I mean –um –who is she?" he asked lamely.
"Her name is Tamamushi, she is a distant branch member of my clan." Shino replied.
The rest of the group looked at each other for a moment.
"Congratulations?" Naruto half asked. Shino simply nodded his head in response.
Shikamaru smirked and shook his head. "Man things are changing around here. I feel tired just thinking about it."
"You're always tired, lazy-ass." Naruto muttered. "I just can't believe Shino is taking a date! No offense."
"None taken."
A brief flicker of confusion passed Sai's face before he seemingly pulled a book out of nowhere. "Naruto," he began as he flipped through the pages. "I believe that this means Shino has…" he trailed off as he found the section he was looking for. "…mad skills."
"Wha…?" Naruto asked completely caught off guard. Shikamaru snorted loudly causing some of the other customs to glance their way.
Sai nodded in understanding as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully and continued to read. "It says here that since Shino was able to get a date, he has better skills at acquiring women. Therefore, you have…no…game." He squinted at the last part trying his hardest to comprehend it.
"Sai, please stop." Naruto said shaking his head and looking around. Surprisingly enough, for once the blonde didn't want to cause a scene.
"It's okay Naruto." Sai said with a smile. "If I were a girl, I'd tap that."
Now a few things happened at that moment. Naruto, who had made the mistake of trying to take a bite of his ramen, began to choke loudly as a look of horror passed across his face. Shikamaru looked shocked for about half a second before he burst out laughing hysterically, and Shino actually let out a burst of laughter before trying to cover it up with a cough.
"S-S-Sai!" Naruto stuttered out as he glanced around the restaurant. "What the fuck?!"
Sai cocked his head to the side confused. "It says here in this book that you are probably feeling insecure about your male prowess right now. I'm merely trying to rectify that." The look on Naruto's face said it all. "I'm trying to say that you still have a high amount of sex appeal."
Only Sai could make someone feel shitty, embarrassed, and horrified all at the same time when he was trying to cheer someone up. What could he say? It was a gift.
"And don't worry about your balls" Sai said off-handedly. "It's not the size that counts. And I'm sure your stamina would more than make up for it."
Shikamaru tried to intervene, and by try he actually put in the effort to raise one measly arm to bar Naruto's path. But it made no difference. One minute they were sitting in a booth. The next Naruto and Sai had crashed to the ground, with Sai looking confused and Naruto blushing such a bright shade of scarlet it would have made Hinata proud. All the time shouting about how his balls were normal size. The loud sudden cough was the only cue that they had visitors.
"My god, this is the man that's supposed to save us all."
This was Boar's only thought as he entered the ramen restaurant and found the blonde. He felt a sweat drop form while he watched the blonde in front of him shout about the size of his balls.
"Um, Naruto…san." He coughed out. It was rather difficult to be respectful when someone was shouting about their size in public. "I have a message from Hokage-sama."
Naruto immediately jumped off of Sai and snapped to attention. It happened so fast it actually caused the two kunoichi to jump in surprise. Without a word Naruto held out his hand and received the scroll. His eyes instantly narrowed when he saw the red wax seal. In one fluid motion he had the seal released and was reading the contents swiftly. It was at this point that Temari noticed how everyone else had appeared behind the blonde, standing quietly at attention.
"Just what exactly is going on?"
Naruto hit a particular line and stopped. He went back and reread it just to make sure he understood it correctly and then looked at Boar.
"How legit is this document?" He asked.
"I was there when Hokage-sama wrote it." Boar answered quickly.
Naruto glared at the scroll angrily before he shifted his line of sight to Samui and then Temari. "Tch, damn that scheming old woman." Naruto muttered heatedly as he crushed the scroll in his fist and set it on fire. He gave one last look at the two women before he sighed and ran a hand through his golden locks. "Sai, Shikamaru."
"Sir," both men chorused causing Temari to raise her eyebrows in surprise.
"It appears that baa-chan has insisted that you two chaperone these women while they stay in the village." Naruto said while he gestured to Temari and Samui.
"How long will they be staying for?" Sai asked.
"They are here indefinitely for the time being, at least until the Festival of Leaves."
Everyone tensed slightly at that and it didn't go unnoticed by the two women. What they didn't realize was that everything involving the operation surrounding the festival just got harder. A lot harder. Shikamaru wanted to practically whimper as a tidal wave of new variables crashed through his plans.
"Understood." Sai answered for both of them when he saw that Shikamaru had a faraway look in his eyes.
Naruto turned to Boar. "You're dismissed." He then added as an afterthought. "And tell baa-chan if she keeps abusing this privilege then she's going to start owing me favors."
Boar nodded and then disappeared in a swirl of leaves. Silence fell on the group as everyone stared at each other, a tense feeling permeating the air. After a moment Naruto finally broke the silence with a heavy sigh.
"I'm heading out. I have a few things to take care of and then I'll be back at base." He placed money on the table and walked out onto the street.
Taking a deep breath, Naruto then tilted his head to the right and then the left eliciting a pop each time he did so. A habit he had developed from training with Renge. He glanced at the sun and saw he had about an hour and a half before he had to be back. He had to move quick if he wanted to accomplish what he set out to do.
Back in the restaurant, Temari watched Naruto leave before she turned to look at Shikamaru. "Explain."
"Not much to explain." Shikamaru said with a shrug of his shoulders. He jammed his hands in his pockets and walked out. "Come on."
Temari's eye twitched at Shikamaru's sudden more than normal distance and lack of a sufficient answer but followed nonetheless. Shino quietly excused himself with a nod leaving Sai and Samui alone. The two stared at each other passively for a moment before Sai gave her a smile.
"I suppose I could give you a tour around the village?" He suggested cocking his head to the side slightly.
"Yes." Samui said passively. "I suppose you could."
"Right, follow me." Sai said, and before she could even react he had hooked his arm around hers and led her from the establishment.
"W-What do you think you're doing?" Samui asked in shock as pink tinged her face.
"Escorting you through the village?" Sai answered in confusion.
"I m-mean with your arm!" Samui shouted in embarrassment as a few people on the street glanced their way.
"I was under the impression that this was proper protocol when escorting a lady." Sai said in genuine honesty. "I can stop if you'd like?"
"NO!" Samui burst out and then clasped a hand over her mouth. "I mean, no, it is quite alright." She said after she composed herself. "You just caught me by surprise is all."
Sai nodded and continued on his way. All the while Samui's emotions raged in conflict with each other.
"How can he have such an effect on me?! He's so smooth, charismatic, and cool!" Samui thought desperately as the pink on her face started to turn red from the close contact. "Have I finally met my match?"
"So, Samui-chan, over here is the smitheries where all of our local weapons are produced." Sai began as he pointed to the blacksmiths.
"S-Samui-ch-chan?!" The blonde stuttered out in surprise.
"Oh kami, I'm done for!"
Hinata's shoulders were hunched and her arms were extended and drooped down in exhaustion. Sweat trickled down her face and she panted trying her best to push oxygen into her lungs. Across from her, Hiashi looked much the same. Both had dirt smeared all over their bodies and tears could be seen along their robes. It was another spar between father and daughter, and just like the hundreds of times before –this one was about to end at a standstill.
"One more." Hiashi panted out. Hinata saved her breath and just nodded.
Without another word the two charged each other, both putting everything they had into one last attack. Hiashi struck first with his right hand, knowing he had the reach over his daughter. Regardless, the sudden strike seemed to catch Hinata off guard. He watched as he palm came closer and closer to Hinata's chest until suddenly she disappeared. Hiashi's eyes widened in surprise as he over extended his attack, causing him to stumble forward when he met no resistance.
Hinata, as exhausted as she was, pulled herself together and used her natural flexibility to duck underneath her father's strike. Her left foot slid forward quickly until it was past her father's leading one and then shifted her weight to it. Pivoting, Hinata twirled around her father and landed a reinforced devastating right elbow to Hiashi's ribcage causing him to buckle and collapse to the ground.
Had it been a spar with chakra, the hit would have been debilitating. Had it been a battle, it would have been fatal –and Hiashi knew it. "That's it…" He gasped out on his hands and knees. "I…I…yield…"
Hinata immediately collapsed unceremoniously onto her butt and allowed a small smile to grace her lips. That was about it though. Anything else and it would have just been painful.
"Are…you alright…father?" She gasped out.
Hiashi smiled proudly at his daughter and nodded. "Just…give me…a minute." He attempted to stand up but quickly abandoned the idea and flopped over on his back. "Make that…an hour."
Hinata managed a tired giggle and gratefully accepted a cup of water from Hanabi who had been watching with Neji off to the side.
"That was awesome nee-chan! You kicked father's butt!" Hanabi shouted excitedly, then after a short moment she looked at Hiashi. "No offense father."
"None taken dear." Hiashi said with a dogged smile.
"You're improving by leaps and bounds Hinata; I'm almost envious of you." Neji said with a reassuring smile of his own.
"Envious? Of me?" Hinata asked with an amused smile of her own.
"Almost." Neji said with a wink.
"Oh come on Neji," Naruto's voice said behind them causing both Neji and Hanabi to jump. "Admit it, you wish you were Hinata right now."
They all turned around to find the blonde grinning and giving them a wink.
"You!" Hiashi said standing up quickly. "How did you find this place? It's supposed to be a secret!"
"Hm?" Naruto hummed out raising an eyebrow. "Don't know I just…got lost on the road of life." He said and even had the decency to give them an eye smile.
"Naruto…" Hiashi trailed off dangerously. It wasn't that he was mad the blonde was there. He was more concerned about others following said blonde and finding this place. It was a family secret after all. This place needed to stay hidden, away from prying eyes.
"Relax old man." Naruto said with a wave getting a giggle out of Hinata and Hanabi. "No one followed me, there's no way they could."
"How do you know?" Hiashi asked. He had to be sure after all.
Naruto gave the Hyuuga leader a pointed look. "You have your secrets Hiashi and I have mine, okay?"
Hiashi stared at him for a moment before relenting with a nod. "Is there something you need?"
Naruto nodded. "I was hoping to talk to Hinata actually."
"About what?" Which sounded eerily similar to 'Don't even think about involving her in your plans.'
"Claws daddy." Hanabi said with a giggle. Nevertheless, a slight tension had formed between the two.
"Honestly it's a private conversation." Naruto said with a slight cough. He looked away to hide the pink on his face.
Hinata blushed at the possible innuendos, but Hanabi saw this and immediately jumped into action. Grabbing Hiashi's sleeve she began to pull him away from the scene. "C'mon father, Neji still needs work with his technique."
"What?!" Neji said indignantly. "So do you!"
Hanabi simply scoffed and waved him off. "Details. Details."
Once alone Naruto looked at Hinata who was doing her very best to burn a hole in the ground with her stare. Her face was starting to turn red and she was holding her hands down in front of her, fidgeting with her fingers.
Naruto smiled. "Cute. So damn cute."
Closing the distance between the two Naruto spoke softly. "Hey, I meant what I said earlier." He paused as Hinata looked up into his eyes. "Anyone would be lucky to be as strong as you are."
Hinata's face flushed a little more. "Th-Thank you Naruto-kun."
Naruto gave her a reassuring smile and looked around the open field. Spying some shade he motioned to it. "Wanna sit?"
Hinata gave him a small smile and nodded. As they walked, their footfalls were the only noise between them. Silence seemed to be a common part of their interactions, but it was never an uncomfortable one. No, it was always a warm silence, a comfortable and welcoming one. Like the morning sun after a night of storms: warm, happy, and a promising future.
Reaching the shade the two took a seat and stared at each other in more silence. She thought he would speak soon; Naruto was never one for long lengths of quiet. But the blonde seemed simply content with just sitting there, staring deeply into her eyes. It was the kind of stare that suggested many unspoken things, and made her blush just thinking them. Finally though, the silence became too much for even Hinata and she had to break it.
It was either that or faint from all the rampant and dirty thoughts that were starting to surface.
"N-Naruto-kun? W-Why did you want t-to see me?" Hinata asked.
Her voice broke him from his trance, and Naruto shook his head lightly and blinked. "Huh? Oh, I uh…just wanted to see how you were doing." He glanced to the side for a moment.
"I'm d-doing well." The bluenette replied with a smile. "F-Father's training is hard b-but I'm doing m-my best and getting stronger."
Naruto nodded at that and smiled. "That's good. I haven't seen you around in a few days so I wanted to see how things were going."
"I know I h-haven't been around the v-village lately. But father's t-training requires large amounts of t-time. I d-didn't mean to worry y-you or anyone else."
"I wasn't worried Hinata." Naruto said waving her off. He failed to see the brief flicker of crestfallen that crossed her face.
"I know you're strong enough to take care of yourself." He continued with a toothy smile. It didn't last long as he looked away and began to rub the back of his head. "I, uh…just missed seeing you is all."
Hinata froze. Her eyes widened and her face began to burn red. A deep red. Her heart felt as if it were about to burst out of her chest and the roar of her blood was in her ears.
"Breathe and calm down dammit!" Hinata raged inside. "You will not faint! Not now! Not in this perfect moment I'm spending with Naruto-kun!"
"Y-Y-You m-missed m-m-me?" Hinata stammered out terribly. She was pretty sure even her younger self could have done a better job than she was doing right now.
Naruto chuckled at how cute she sounded and looked at her sincerely with a small smile. "Yeah. I missed you a lot, Hinata-chan."
Darkness was creeping in from the edges of her vision. "No!No!No!No! You will NOT faint! Say something! ANYTHING!"
A strangled, high pitched 'eep' was all that she managed from her mouth. Well, it was something. Just not anything human.
Not cocked his head to the side from the strange sound that he had just heard. He noticed how Hinata was no longer looking at him. Instead she stared at the grass in front of her; once again damning it by attempting to burn it away with her eyes alone. He just smirked.
"Hey Hina-chan, I've got a question for you."
Hinata didn't even trust herself to speak so she simply lifted her gaze from the ground to Naruto. It was a mistake. A big mistake. How could she tell? Because the blonde in front of her was doing his best to not to break eye contact and was blushing. He almost seemed to be fidgeting as much as her.
Naruto seemed to hesitate a minute longer before he finally spoke. "I was wondering…if you wanted to –ya know –maybe…go with me to, um…" He trailed off and looked away.
"Dammit! Just ask her!" He shouted. "It shouldn't be this hard!"
Hinata stared at Naruto blankly. "What is he doing? What is he trying to say?"
Letting out a frustrated sigh, Naruto ruffled his own hair and looked at the girl across from him with determination. "Hinata, I was wondering if you would like to go to the Festival of Leaves with me."
Silence fell upon them. And the comfortable silence the two had shared earlier; the one where everything was perfect, warm, and happy was not the one that fell either. It was awkward. It was uncomfortable. And it was full of staring. It was the kind of silence that made the dead in a cemetery uncomfortable.
Hinata continued to stare as her brain tried to process what she had just heard. The gears spun at a less-than-safe pace and the blood had actually drained from her face. Her mouth had gone dry. All she could do was stare at him. And it was making Naruto self conscious.
But she couldn't comprehend what she had just heard. It was outlandish to think that Naruto wanted to take her to the festival, right?
"He doesn't want to go with me. He could take any other girl that he wanted to, why would he pick me? I must have heard wrong. What is going on? What did you just say to me?!"
"Heh, its okay if you don't want to." Naruto said rubbing the back of his head as his blush turned to one of embarrassment and intensified. "I just wanted to ask."
"Wait he did ask me?! He wants to take me?!"
Naruto quickly realized that he wanted to get away from the woman's stare. It was embarrassing him and he was starting to feel incredibly stupid. Standing up abruptly, he brushed himself off and said, "I'm sorry I asked. Please don't think any less of me."
He turned to leave but a hand suddenly latched onto his in a vice grip and loud "WAIT!" stopped him dead in his tracks. Turning back, Naruto found Hinata clutching his hand tightly with a panicked look on her face.
"D-D-D-Do y-y-you r-real-ly w-w-want t-t-to?"
Her voice was almost a whisper of wind, barely audible even though they were so close. She stuttered so bad she barely even understood what she had said and she worried he hadn't understood her at all. Her grip tightened as a flicker of fear crossed her mind. What if she missed her one opportunity with Naruto?
Hinata was close to a mental breakdown. But one look, just one smile from Naruto halted all of the negative thoughts in their tracks.
"Of course I do Hinata-chan!" Naruto said with a face splitting smile. "I wouldn't want to go with anyone else!"
"Oh." That was all Hinata could manage. She then looked up at the blonde and cocked her head to the side. "Did you just ask me out on a date?"
Naruto almost wanted to shiver at how controlled Hinata's voice was. Not a single stutter from the midnight haired woman and she looked strangely calm, borderline emotionless. A complete 180 in character.
"Uh, yeah I did." Naruto said and then scratched his cheek. "At least I hope I just did."
"I see." Hinata said quietly, almost as if she were talking to herself. She then met his eyes. "Naruto, I would love nothing more than to go to the Festival of Leaves with you."
Naruto actually shivered that time.
"Great, well I'll see you around then." He gave a concerned smile. "Are you okay?"
Hinata released his hand and stood up. She brushed herself off and looked him square in the eyes again. "I am perfectly fine Naruto-kun. Now if you'll excuse me."
She gave a short bow and turned towards her family. Her mind was in a haze. Vertigo didn't even begin to describe it. She felt as if she was dreaming and the high she felt in her chest was quickly welling up and rushing straight to her head.
"Naruto-kun just asked me out."
The blush exploded upon her face and the breath hitched in her throat.
"Naruto-kun just asked ME out! I'M GOING ON A DATE WITH NARUTO-KUN!"
Her vision swam, the world turned sideways, and darkness quickly attacked from the edges of her eyes.
And all this happened in exactly three steps from leaving Naruto.
Naruto watched amused as she swayed heavily from side to side before a gasp escaped her lips and she toppled over. Luckily he caught before she ever hit the ground.
Adjusting her into a bridal carry, Naruto began to walk towards Hiashi and the others. Looking down at the unconscious and still blushing face of the woman he loved he let out a small chuckle.
"Ya know, I hope that never stops Hime. It's just too damn cute."
Hinata response was to grip his shirt and let out a small content sigh. He smiled softly down at her and felt his heart warm. He couldn't deny it or hide from his feelings anymore.
He was in love with Hyuuga Hinata.
And then the moment ended. His feelings and smile coming to a screeching halt when he felt the pulse of chakra in quick successions on the seal he had placed on his left shoulder. It was brief but the message was clear 'Return to base immediately.'
In one swift movement Naruto appeared in front of Hiashi who was watching Neji and Hanabi spar.
"She's fine. Something's come up. I have to go." Naruto said quickly.
Hiashi was so surprised at the blonde's arrival and at what he said that he didn't even register his unconscious daughter until Naruto shoved her into his arms. Before he could say anything, Naruto was gone in a flash. Literally.
Temari was far from happy with how Shikamaru had been acting since her arrival. If she didn't know any better, she could have sworn he was trying to get rid of her. These thoughts were only confirmed when they arrived at the hotel meant for foreign ambassadors and the likes while they stayed in Konoha. When they came to a stop out front he turned and looked at her, only to receive a glare back.
Temari didn't want to admit it but it actually hurt to have the lazy ass trying to get rid of her so quickly. She was never one for girly things like the other women she grew up with. She was always focusing on training, becoming stronger and more self reliant. So when she was escorted by the lazy Nara for the first time she was surprised at the sudden electricity she felt in her body when she was around him. It was the kind of feeling that made her excited to visit Konoha just so she could be close to him. She hated acting like a helpless girl but when she was close to Shikamaru she didn't care. She flirted with him, bantered with him, and talked with him all day when she could manage. And over the course of their time spent together, Temari could have sworn that Shikamaru felt the same way. He didn't complain as much when she said she wanted to go somewhere nice to eat, or wanted to take a walk through the village. He even accompanied her on her shopping excursions and recently offered to pay for a piece of jewelry she had been eying in the market.
She had denied him quickly but that still didn't keep her from blushing and squealing like a child once she had gotten back to her room.
So it hurt when the man she was becoming so attached to suddenly didn't seem like he was interested in spending time with her at all. It hurt that the one man who could actually make her feel like a woman didn't want to be around her. What did it mean? Was he tired of her? Did he lose interest? Was it another girl?
The sudden questions nearly overwhelmed her and she found herself surprised and equally angry that she had to fight back tears.
"Hey, you alright?" Shikamaru asked in his slow drawl, bringing her out of her thoughts.
"What do you care?" Temari snapped back.
This surprised the Nara and he even made an effort to raise an eyebrow. He sighed and shook his head. Women.
"Just wondering. You got a weird look is all."
"Whatever. I take it you want me to go in since we're here."
"If it's not too troublesome." Shikamaru answered with a shrug.
"Well it is!" Temari practically shouted.
Shikamaru sighed and rubbed his temple. "What do you want woman?"
In hindsight, Shikamaru probably should have just kept his mouth shut. The audible crack followed by the stinging and disorienting sensation drew more than just Shikamaru's attention. Many people passing by started to point and whisper.
"I want food." Temari hissed. She then turned on her heels and began to stomp down the street.
"Why? Why does it always have to be me?" He grumbled to no one in particular. He followed behind the seething blonde like a beat dog with his tail between his legs. Even his pony tail seemed to droop.
They were eating in silence at a café specializing in Suna cuisine when Shikamaru actually pulled himself away from his thoughts and plans. He glanced at Temari and noticed the larger than normal amount of food that was situated around her and groaned internally. She was expecting him to pay for this meal and pay he would –in two different ways. The last time she had done this she hadn't even spoken to him during her entire stay except to order him around. She was obviously upset, hence the copious amounts of food, but why was the real mystery. Internally sighing he figured he might as well meet the obstacle head one.
"Temari," Shikamaru began, only to receive a grunt of acknowledgement from the blonde, "what's wrong?"
Temari stopped her chopsticks half way from her mouth and set them down on her plate. She leveled him with a gaze he was pretty sure could fry an egg and said, "Nothing."
"Lie."
"Seriously, what's wrong?"
"I said nothing!" Temari replied heatedly.
Shikamaru sighed, again –seriously how many times did that make now? –and rubbed his temple. "Please tell me what's wrong. I can't think straight with you acting like this."
"And how exactly am I acting?" Temari asked narrowing her eyes.
Shikamaru should have recognized the trap. He should have read the signs and humbly walked away from this one admitting his own limitations. But as he said, he couldn't think straight so he made the mistake and opened his mouth.
"You're acting like everything you ever owned was stolen from you and I did it."
Hindsight, Shikamaru was quickly learning, was a stinging bitch. The second smack left him just as disoriented as the first one and before he knew it Temari was out the door. Rubbing his cheek and rolling his eyes, Shikamaru dumped half the contents of his wallet on the table and quickly left.
Temari couldn't believe what she had just heard. What was even more unbelievable were the tears now streaming down her face uncontrollably. She was in public for god's sake! She lowered her head and did her best to wipe away the tears but it worked to no avail. What did work though was Shikamaru's voice telling her to wait up. So naturally, she did the opposite and pushed on faster through the crowds.
"Temari! Seriously, wait up!" Shikamaru called out as he managed to catch up to her and grab her arm. "Temari what is going on?"
"Why don't you like me anymore?!" She shouted as she whirled around to face him.
For the third time that day people began to look and whisper things to one another. "She has no sense of volume control."
"What are you talking about?" He asked confused.
"Why are you trying to get rid of me? I thought you liked being around me!" Temari shouted with tears in her eyes.
Shikamaru looked around the street to see the scene they were causing and sighed. Still holding her arm, Shikamaru practically dragged her to a nearby alley to get some form of privacy.
"Seriously, what was that all about?" Shikamaru asked once they were alone. "What are you going on about?"
"Don't act like you have no idea what's going on Shikamaru! I'm not stupid; I can tell when I'm not wanted. The least you could do is try to be somewhat decent about it!"
Shikamaru could only start at the blonde across him in a mixture of confusion and shock.
"Of course I'm trying to get rid of you." Shikamaru said with a shrug which only managed to make Temari more upset. "I have a lot going on Temari; I don't have time to spend with you."
"Why not!" Temari asked. She was so embarrassed she was getting this worked up and it only made her angrier. "What could you possibly be doing that's so important? You never do anything!"
"Temari I–"
"—And here I thought maybe you would ask me to this stupid festival!"
Both of them stared at each other in shock. A mad blush was now burning across Temari's face. She hadn't meant to say it, it had just slipped out! The cat was officially out of the bag.
Shikamaru simply couldn't believe what he had just heard. Did she really like him that much? If so then what was coming next made everything so much easier.
Shikamaru simply shook his head and chuckled to himself. This managed to get a hurt look from Temari as well as a growl. However, it quickly changed to shock when Shikamaru suddenly pushed her up against the building and pressed his body against her.
"Shikamarut wha–"
"—Is it so hard to believe I'm actually busy with something important?" The shadow user asked in a low husky drawl. Temari seemed to be at a loss for words so he continued. "I can't tell you what I'm doing but it is important. I'm sorry I can't give you the attention I'd like to give you right now."
Temari's body had frozen. Years of training as a kunoichi flew right out the window once Shikamaru had pressed up against her. And even if she could fight back, she wasn't sure if she wanted to. The only thing she was sure of was Shikamaru's warm breath tickling her cheeks and neck and the heavy almost hungry gaze he was giving her. It was enrapturing and the blush she had moments ago had intensified. Her body felt electrified. As if she had been hit by a direct bolt of lightning. The weight of the man pressed against her sent her mind reeling from the amount of stimuli being sent to her brain. She shuddered under his weight and found herself wanting more. She wanted to feel his hands running through her hair and over her body.
The warmth in chest was quickly heating up and making its way south. And it was damn well determined to make it there.
"Wh-What are you saying Shika?" Temari asked breathlessly. Their faces were just inches away from one another and she could help but stare at his lips.
"What I'm saying is…" He trailed off as he leaned in and closed the little remaining distance between them, pressing his lips against hers and locking the two in a heated and barely repressed passionate kiss for several long intoxicating seconds. Breaking away he finished, "…would you like to go to the Festival of Leaves with me?"
Temari wanted to answer, but apparently someone had tied her tongue in a knot because all she could do was gape longingly at him. At his lips. Wanting to feel them pressed against hers in a way that made her feel more alive than she ever had before.
"I…" She started but stopped when Shikamaru suddenly flinched and stood away from her absent-mindedly rubbing his left shoulder.
"What's wrong?" Temari asked, noticing the tense look on his face.
Before he could answer though an Anbu appeared with a hare mask and spoke, interrupting the passion filled conversation they had been having only seconds before.
"Shikamaru-san, we have been summoned. We need to find Sai-san and report back to base."
"Understood." Shikamaru said tersely with a nod. He looked at Temari and gave her a smirk. "Shall we rain-check this conversation for a later date?"
Temari could only nod as she watched the man that made her feel like a woman leave with an elite operative of Konohagakure. Yep, his hotness factor just jumped up several hundred pegs or so.
"We still need to find Sai." Shikamaru said as the two started to walk out of the alley.
"That will be unnecessary, I'm already here." Sai said, stepping out into the entrance of the alley.
"Then let's get going." Hare said as they leapt to the rooftops, with the Anbu taking the lead.
After a few minutes of silence Shikamaru turned to Sai.
"You were there for that entire conversation weren't you."
Sai gave him a smile. "Of course, but I didn't want to be a cockblock." He then shifted his gaze to Hare's back. "That would just be a dick move."
Shikamaru snorted but said nothing and continued to follow the Anbu. Up ahead, Hare couldn't shake the distinct feeling that Sai had been talking about him.
So, what do ya think? Excited for the Hyuuga purge? Excited to see what happens during the festival between the characters? Mind completely blown with how aggressive the lazy Nara actually is? ;) Well let me know!