Chapter Soundtrack: "One Dream" by Replus feat. Sam Ock
Hinata had never been to the Hidden Grass Village before in her days of traveling. She and her subordinate journeyed northwest all through the night (since Fujita hadn't protested) and they arrived at their destination at dawn.
"Wait…Hinata-sama…" The young boy rasped while he pelted alongside her down the dirt road, running out of energy, "Can we…can we just rest…for a bit?"
Hinata halted immediately, finally realizing her combined rush to finish the mission and her greater stamina were both contributing to Fujita's fatigue. They sat down together on the side of the path and shared a canteen of water. Sunlight peaked over the horizon and they watched it quietly as they caught their breath.
"I'm sorry I've been pushing you, Fujita-kun," She apologized softly, "I know you aren't quite used to any of this…"
"No! I think this kind of pace will build up my experience, just like my Aniki says." Fujita disagreed, trying not to show weakness, "We can rest later after we find Sawako-sensei."
She was glad he had such a positive attitude. If Sato had been with her, enduring such a night-long trip, he would've been complaining the entire time. Hinata smiled to herself at the thought, 'And Shino-kun would be telling him not to whine the whole way, I bet…'
They set out again shortly at Fujita's request, and Hinata could see the Grass Village coming into sight as they passed over a hilltop.
It wasn't what she'd imagined it to look like. The buildings were lower to the ground than they were in Konoha, providing more cover on the vast meadow it was situated in. It made sense, she supposed. A decently large wall fenced the village in for protection, and there were scant trees about the place. The city stretched out for a few miles, in contrast to the stories she had heard about it being small enough to hide in a blade of grass.
It must have rained recently, Hinata thought, because the ground beneath their feet was turning to soft mud as they continued on. The trail disappeared and tall grass replaced it. Suddenly she was anxious. Hinata wasn't sure if they'd be expecting Leaf ninja to arrive so early, 'I hope they don't mistake us for intruders…'
There was no gate, only a plain archway that opened up into the mouth of the town. Despite it being so early in the morning, people were already roaming about, though there were only a few of them. Hinata recognized quickly that they were all Grass shinobi, and a jounin, it seemed, had noticed them straight away.
He approached them swiftly and Hinata froze, Fujita quickly mirroring her. She didn't want to come across as disrespectful in another village, but she held her head high, not wanting to look vulnerable either.
"Well now, who do we have here?" His voice was friendly, and he scratched his scruffy head while he observed them, "Ah! You must be Sawako-san's group, yeah? Gosh that was fast! He wasn't kidding when he said Leaf ninja set their noses to the grindstone…"
Fujita chuckled sidelong to Hinata, "That's definitely something Sawako-sensei would say!"
"Follow me, you two. Thanks for showing up so quick!" He was so nice Hinata couldn't help but smile, "He just woke up an hour ago, I think. Must be organizing all the herbs he gathered. I'll take you to him."
Hinata relaxed while they followed the Kusa nin across town in the early morning light. At first she hadn't been sure if she'd be able to so easily trust another ninja from a different village, not after the invasion, anyway. Now she could see she no longer had to keep her guard up. It seemed like there was going to be an alliance between Leaf and Grass if things were going so smoothly.
"Hey, Sawako-san! Your backup just arrived!" Their escort laughed as he stepped into a greenhouse, ushering them inside, "They're certainly not like the lazy kids we have here; I've got to say. They show up late for almost every mission…"
"Fujita? Already?" Sawako turned around, surprised, putting down a large box he had been carrying, "Excellent! And who's this with you? Another Hyuga has decided to join us?"
"She is Hinata-sama of the Main Branch of my clan, sensei." Fujita introduced, "She's the reason we got here so early. She moves like wind."
Hinata blushed, but nodded respectfully to Fujita's teacher. She had never seen him before, probably because he was an older jounin who looked as if he had seen his share of battles and was more interested in teaching. He wasn't one who hung around with "Kakashi's Bunch," or so Sato had called it.
"Since you traveled all through the night to get here and also because I'm not really ready yet, I'll ask you two to go get some rest." Sawako reasoned, scratching the stubble on his chin, "I'll come find you later on when I'm all set, alright?"
"Thank you, Sensei." Fujita was grateful his mentor had seen how exhausted he was. Sawako pointed out the building he'd been staying in across the road, and told them to go to his room if they wanted to sleep. Hinata followed behind her cousin, giving one last look to Sawako as they went.
"He's trained many great shinobi in his time," Fujita had told her as they entered the apartment, "Inuzuka Hana is just one of them. He says he prefers training students one at a time rather than coaching three-man squads."
"That's interesting." Hinata smiled, truthfully fascinated. She had once heard that some jounin favored training apprentices over teams, though she had never seen an example of such a relationship before.
Fujita hadn't finished his anecdote, however. Once they had let themselves into the room he collapsed onto a bed and was instantly asleep. Hinata felt even guiltier to see how she had so thoroughly drained the boy of his energy. She settled on the bed on the far side of the room and closed her eyes, knowing she'd need rest.
After fighting back her fear of not returning to Konoha in time to see Naruto off, she found sleep came quickly.
"Hinata-sama?"
"…hm?"
"Hinata-sama, please wake up. I…I can't find Sawako-sensei."
The tired Hyuga girl rolled over and looked up at her younger cousin. She blinked sleepily and then asked, "You…can't find him? How long have we been asleep?"
"It's almost noon now." Fujita told her, "About six hours now. I'm actually feeling a lot better."
Hinata sat up and rubbed at her eyes, looking around. After peering out the window she could see that the sun was high in the sky, and the whole town was illuminated. Sounds of people could be heard outside. She assured Fujita that they would find his teacher after getting up, and they left the room to explore the streets together.
Hinata spoke with Fujita while they traversed down the main road, sometimes stopping to ogle at the more decorated ninja hanging about. One team of Grass shinobi had their faces painted in a way that made them resemble cats, and she wondered if they were a rival clan to the Inuzuka.
"You look a bit lost." A genin about Hinata's age happened upon them with his teammates, "Why don't we show you around a bit? My name's Shundei! What's yours?"
"I am Hyuga Hinata," She answered gratefully, then gestured to Fujita beside her, "And this is Fujita-kun."
"Wow, you're both Hyuga?" The kunoichi beside Shundei spoke up, "Nice to meet ya! I'm Saezuri and this guy here is Momiji." A tall boy with long red hair winked at Hinata and she felt her face heat up, but she greeted him just as she had his teammates.
They stayed with Shundei's team for a long while, touring the highlights of the village. After passing by the Academy in the center of the village, Shundei motioned for them to be silent as they peaked into the window of a pottery shop.
"The old man's in there, Sae," Shundei smirked at her, whispering, "Go in there and show Hinata and Fujita your jutsu!"
The green haired girl nodded and then silently slipped into the establishment. They watched from outside as she kneeled behind a counter, unknown to the shopkeeper, and formed hand seals, "Ninpo: Grass Whistle Jutsu!"
The eerie, shrill noise that passed Saezuri's lips caught the shopkeeper off guard, and Hinata did notice just as Shundei and Momiji had (much to their delight) how the poor man wet his pants after hearing it. Saezuri blew cover and scrambled out of the shop and the angry vendor chased after her.
"This is the part where we run!" Shundei laughed, and Hinata was nearly left behind they fled so quickly. Momiji had seized her hand and tugged her along with Fujita and Saezuri. They rounded the corner much faster than the shopkeeper and leapt up onto a rooftop to safety.
The whole team of Kusa trainees were snorting in laughter together and it was then Hinata understood why the jounin of the village were rather disappointed with the new genin, 'They're pranksters…much like Naruto-kun used to be. Though…that was so much fun!'
Fujita asked why they were so inclined to pick on the man they had earlier teased, and Saezuri informed him that he was the grouch of the town and the easiest target, "He's great for us to practice our skills on. He never sees us coming until it's too late!"
Afterwards Shundei offered to help them locate Sawako and they made sure the shopkeeper was no longer within the vicinity before returning down to the ground. Fujita headed up the front with Saezuri and Shundei, describing to them what his sensei looked like while Momiji hung near the back of the group with Hinata.
"So your name is Hinata, is it? That's a lovely name." Momiji commented, smiling down at the shorter girl, "It's almost as pretty as you are."
"Thank you, Momiji-san." She said quietly, trying not to get distracted. Her name had never received much attention back at home, since it was more or less a play on words that her mother had found adorable, and her father had not protested the idea when she had been born.
With a slight of hand, Hinata blinked when he drew a rose out of thin air and handed it to her, "It's really a shame you won't be staying in Grass for very long, Hinata-san. I was looking forward to getting to know you." She gazed at the rose he had given her and was reminded of Naruto, not listening as Momiji spoke, "I hope you don't have a boyfriend back at home or anything like that-"
"His name is Naruto-kun…" She said dreamily, smiling to herself. Hinata was oblivious to the Grass ninja's heartbroken face.
"Naruto? Like what they put on ramen?" He sniffed indignantly, "I bet he doesn't look even half as good as I do!"
"Oh don't say that…" If she had been listening, maybe she wouldn't have insulted him as she was about to, "You aren't ugly, Momiji-san. But Naruto-kun is very handsome and his eyes are like the summer skies…"
She walked on while Momiji stood in the middle of the road, aghast. Fujita gave her a quizzical look to see her staring at the flower she was holding and Shundei barked at his friend to keep up.
Once they located Sawako at a restaurant eating lunch they parted ways.
"Is that for me? How thoughtful of you, Hinata-chan…" Sawako plucked the rose from Hinata's hands and she was snapped back to reality, "Actually, roses are a key component in a number of ointments used for burns and other wounds, but I won't get into detail now. Come eat something!"
They ate lunch together and Sawako informed them of how all of the supplies were packed and ready to be brought back home. Hinata, upon hearing the news, insisted that they leave as soon as possible.
"Hm…I like your spirit, missy! We'll go just as soon as we're done with lunch." Sawako turned to his pupil, "Fujita, learn something from Hinata here and try to be a bit more prompt about completing missions. Punctuality is a quality of a successful ninja."
"Of course, Sensei…" Fujita agreed quietly, still wondering why Hinata was always in such a rush.
A large cart had been piled high with boxes of categorized herbs, weighted down by all that the Grass Village had donated. After saying goodbye to the friends they had made in Grass they departed, but at an unbearably slow pace.
Hinata headed up the front of the team while Sawako and Fujita struggled to keep up with her.
When Gaara at last arrived at Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto was aware that something was amiss. The red haired boy sat beside his teammate without a word, and Naruto had a few silent minutes to contemplate what was currently bothering him.
'He didn't get home until late last night…and neither did Haku-kun, actually…' Naruto frowned inwardly as he watched Ayame swing by Gaara for his order, 'Oh God. I hope they aren't fighting again. It sure looks like Haku-kun's trying to avoid him, though! What is it now?'
The blonde boy didn't spend long deliberating the situation, 'I have my own problems! I'm not gonna put up with this crap right now!'
"I didn't get told until after I ran around the Hyuga estate six times yesterday that Hinata-chan wasn't there." Naruto grumbled sidelong to his friend, "You'd think those people would have the decency to stop me at lap five, but I think they just like messing with me."
Gaara grunted in response, agreeing, and yet not much caring about Naruto's woes.
"I can't believe she's on a mission right now! This sucks!" Naruto whined, and then turned to look at his friend, "Uh, hey, Gaara-kun…what's with the face?" Gaara was glowering at nothing in particular.
"I have a favor to ask of you." He said shortly, not bothering to get into too much detail.
"Okay…then it depends on what you want me to do." The blonde boy raised an eyebrow, "What did you have in mind?"
Gaara's voice was so calm Naruto nearly took him seriously, "Please kill Haku."
"Uh…why?"
"For the sake of my mental health…"
"Oh come on! You've been going crazy since the day I first met you!" Naruto retorted in annoyance, "How's now any different?"
His friend remained silent and stared at the ramen bowl Ayame had put in front of him.
"That bad, huh?" Naruto asked, seeing Haku must have yet again stirred things up.
Gaara nodded in confirmation.
Naruto took a slurp of his pork ramen before coming to his decision, "Well if you've got to be so damn dramatic I'll go check on him. If it's really as bad as you make it sound, I'll bust him up for you."
At that time, unknown to everyone else, Haku was in fact loitering around with Sakura in the Hokage's tower. He was very aware of how both Kankuro and Gaara felt about him at the present, and he decided he'd be safest with someone Gaara would never try to be savage in front of.
Haku admitted to the pink haired girl that he had no clue how to mend things. He hovered beside her while she tended to an injured kitten on the table. It had been attacked by a dog and was sporting a number of bite wounds, blemishing its powder-white fur.
"Don't you worry, Haku-kun. I won't let Gaara-kun hurt you so long as I'm around!" Sakura declared after hearing his plight.
He frowned slightly at her proclamation, "Sakura-chan…I really don't want to ask you to be my bodyguard. That would be avoiding the problem. I should settle things with Gaara myself." And as an afterthought, 'That is if I have a death wish. Temari really has to make things difficult for me…'
Sakura could see how nervous he was and she suspected that it didn't have everything to do with Gaara being upset.
She was aware Haku had been more or less a Don Juan in his days at the Academy. Girls loved him and still loved him. He never had to try very hard to be liked because he was simply adored by every female around him. Now she could tell he was stressed by actually having to commit to who was important to him. Love was just as much work as it was pleasure.
'And it's Temari…' Sakura thought, shuddering a bit, 'She is gorgeous and smart, but Haku is out of his league! She doesn't take kindly to most people, especially sweethearts. But maybe it could work…maybe Haku has grown on her more than she's willing to admit.'
She then recalled how Temari had hurled Kankuro into a thorn bush the day before with a gust of wind, and then envisioned Haku in Kankuro's place after she had gotten aggravated, 'On second thought…he's in for a world of pain.'
Sakura wanted to wish him luck but she feared Haku would have taken it the wrong way. Instead, she offered to teach him the Palm Healing Jutsu she had been working so hard to master. He gladly accepted the lesson and she set to work teaching him the basics.
After memorizing the hand seals and focusing his chakra, Haku pulled the mewling cat closer. He examined its belly where a worrying laceration rounded up its ribcage and over its shoulder. He was glad to see his use of the jutsu had just as much effect as Sakura's did. She raised her eyebrows, impressed to see the wound was completely gone.
"Oh, I don't think I've told you yet, Sakura-chan," Haku said while they took turns healing the kitten, "I'm going to Suna with Gaara-kun once Naruto-kun leaves. I suppose…that's one of the reasons I don't want him to be in a bad mood when we set out together."
"With Gaara?" She repeated quietly. The notion suggested that Gaara was, in fact, leaving for Sand. It was something she had not wanted to hear.
"I'm fairly certain he's been thinking about going there." Haku confirmed, and then saw how Sakura's carefree expression seemed to wither, "It's not permanent, Sakura-chan. As far as we know we'll only be staying a few months. You know Gaara-kun wants to stay with you."
"But I just don't know…" She mumbled uncertainly, and let the purring kitten clamber into her arms. Sakura stared down at it despairingly and Haku felt guilty at the sight of her so troubled.
He didn't feel it was very fair that he would have no problems with his relationship while it was still fairly new, and Sakura would have to be separated from someone she had cared for most of her life.
Maybe if she hadn't begun her apprenticeship under Tsunade so soon she could have at least joined Gaara in his journey to Sand, Haku speculated. Even then, he doubted her parents would allow it after the stunt she pulled during the Retrieval Mission. Family, in this case, was a constraint she would rather do without.
Haku trained his eyes on the wall across the room, again touched by the thought of family. He found it strange how it came up so often. In his case, he'd never had to worry about traveling, because he no longer had parents who were concerned with his whereabouts…or any other relative for that matter.
'But how do I know that for sure?' Haku thought miserably, 'I'm descended from a clan that still exists; people like me are still alive. How can I go on not knowing if I still have kin in this world?' He was still unsure if Zabuza had been truthful about having seen others like himself, but Haku didn't believe that it was something someone could so easily lie about, even for someone as despicable as Zabuza.
'Even Jiraiya-sensei said that there's a chance they truly exist…so then it can't be a lie.' He reasoned, 'If that's how it is, why am I doing nothing about it? I can't find them if I'm going to…'
"Well, I didn't know Haku-kun decided to join you today, Sakura."
Haku and his friend, both deep in thought, jumped in startlement when Tsunade appeared behind them, "It's good to see you back to your normal self, Haku. And it looks like you're also proficient in medical jutsu!"
He smiled in response, trying to be modest, "I'm only as good as my teacher, Tsunade-sama." Sakura's ego inflated a bit, as did the Hokage's simultaneously.
"In that case, you may find a position for yourself in the medical corps in Suna when you get there." Tsunade smirked at the dark haired boy proudly, "They can use all the help they can get out there. Your talent will help save lives, Haku."
"I will look into it then, Hokage-sama." He agreed, deciding that Tsunade did indeed have a point.
Sakura didn't protest when her mentor scooped the kitten from her arms and inspected it, smiling, "Excellent work, Sakura. I couldn't have done better myself with this little one. It seems you're ready for injuries of the human sort." She did her best to hide her anxiety as Tsunade praised her, handing off the cat to Haku.
"Come with me and we'll stop by the hospital," The Hokage went on, "You may come with us too if you'd like, Haku."
He put the cat down and let it scamper off through the courtyard, and then followed after the two kunoichi.
Elsewhere Sato could be found at a table with Shikamaru, straining himself in an appallingly one-sided game of Go. Sato's white pieces were quickly being captured, and he had no way to stop Shikamaru as he watched his stones rapidly spread across the board and demolish his opposition.
Ino and Chouji observed the board game massacre from the opposite side of the bench. The blonde girl had her elbows propped up on the table, resting her chin on her hands. Occasionally she and Chouji would snicker at one of their teammate's moves, which usually devastated Sato's stones.
After practically reading the silver haired nin's mind, Shikamaru concluded the game with a move that locked in his foe and Sato raised his eyebrows, impressed.
"Wow! He's so smart! Doesn't it just give you the willies?" He asked Chouji, shuddering to prove his point, "Don't you wish that brains like his belonged to a handsome fellow like me?"
Ino smirked at him, "You could use a few more brain cells."
Shikamaru turned to her and gave her an approving look. He couldn't have said it any better himself. He wasn't about to let Sato have the pleasure of thinking he was better looking and neither was Ino, it seemed.
Sato hid his embarrassment while Chouji proceeded to ask, "Why are you hanging out with us anyway, huh? I thought you were into photography and that kind of stuff."
"I'm hiding from my uncle, actually." Sato admitted.
Shikamaru frowned at him, "Why is that?"
"Well…he's just been popping up everywhere I go today and it's creeping me out." The young Hatake explained in a low voice, "I want to avoid any physical or emotional trauma he intends to inflict."
Ino rolled her eyes at his use of the word inflict.
"I think someone like you would already have realized that you can't avoid a jounin simply by hiding. They're trained to weed out people like that." Shikamaru cleared the Go board from the table with Chouji's help, "You might as well just get it over with and go see what he wants."
"I always have plan B." Sato smiled to himself, "And plan B is to hide out with Shino. That solves every problem."
"That might work," Chouji agreed, "But how do you know Shino will help you? You are really annoying, you know."
Kakashi, at that precise moment, came strolling around the corner at the far end of the street. His nose was buried in his naughty book nonchalantly, and he had not yet seen his nephew down the road. It was only a matter of time.
Sato ducked behind Ino at the sight of his uncle, "Hide me!"
"Oh will you just grow up you big chicken!" She hissed, glancing back over her shoulder, "What's the worst he could do to you?"
"You are by far the most troublesome person I have ever met." Shikamaru droned sidelong to Sato, watching as Kakashi approached very slowly down the sidewalk.
"Don't I know it…" Sato didn't deny he was irritating, but it wouldn't be long before he'd find a new group to camouflage himself with, 'Kiba's team is next if all else fails. Once Shino turns up I'll be fine!'
"Sato?" He looked up in alarm from behind Ino and saw that Tama had discovered him rather easily, "Sato are you…alright?" She wasn't sure if she should be upset about how he was clinging to Ino's shoulders, but the blonde girl appeared very uncomfortable with the contact so she guessed it was an innocent interaction.
"Uh…actually I need to make a getaway in like…" He peeked over Ino's head to see his uncle coming nearer, "Like three seconds. Can you help me out maybe?"
"Oh no…" Tama groaned, frowning, "Please don't tell me you broke someone's mailbox again!"
Chouji wondered why that was her first notion of what had gone wrong.
Sato, ever the smooth liar, saw an opportunity when he was confronted with one. He wasn't about to tell her that he was avoiding his uncle even after she had asked him to go speak to Kakashi, "I'm sorry, Tama!"
"You'll have to apologize to Anko-san again, in that case," She informed him, her hand settling on her hip, "But before she kills you I'll get you out of here!"
Shikamaru couldn't believe how Sato could swindle his way out of any jam. He did suspect that it was partly because Tama was routinely saving his ass every other day, but he wondered if she ever stopped to think if he was being truthful, 'She may trust this guy…but eventually she'll learn he's more trouble than he may be worth.'
When Tama procured a summoning scroll from her bag Shikamaru and his teammates were hushed into awed silence. They hadn't been aware of her ninja skills, and ninja-tool summoning, to them, was a sign of a talented shinobi. Sato cheered quietly as she the opened scroll and tapped a seal.
"I'll see you guys later!" Sato leapt out from behind Ino carelessly to join Tama, "Thanks for all your help!"
Kakashi looked up from his book and saw Team 10 gawking at his fleeing nephew.
After a puff of smoke and a woot from Sato, Shikamaru and his friends balked to see that Tama had summoned a bicycle. Sato hopped onto the pegs on the back wheel and Tama sped away with him before Shikamaru could blink.
A moment later Kakashi stopped by Team 10, wondering why they looked so frazzled. "Sorry if he's been a bother to you kids. Are you alright?"
"I guess." Ino mewed in response, wondering if she could learn to summon getaway devices, "I still don't have a clue what Sato's problem is though."
"You're not the only one…" Kakashi muttered, "I'll tell Asuma to keep an eye on you all. He's been slacking an awful lot lately." He continued on in search of his nephew, not in the least impeded by Tama's meddling.
Team Gai had gathered in the Eastern courtyard at the Hyuga compound for a productive day of training.
Tenten held up a pair of bars connected by a chain, "These are nunchaku, Lee. Originally they were used as a tool by farmers to thresh grain, but after many decades they started to evolve into a weapon for self-defense. So I guess you-"
"You will teach me how to use them?" Lee asked, his eyes dazzled, "It would mean so much to me if you did, Tenten!" She had supposed earlier on that Lee was only interested in them because he had once seen Gai-sensei utilize them on a past dangerous mission.
"Alright then, listen up!" Tenten rotated the bar around her arm and shoulder to demonstrate, "This is not a weapon to be used as an extension of the arm like a sword. It's based off of rhythm, so you can't be reckless!"
"There's a slim chance of that." Neji commented snidely from his place leaning against an oak.
"Neji!" Lee hollered, responding to him with a challenge, "If you are so sure about that then you will not decline a sparring match! Both of us shall be armed with weaponry!"
He smirked, "I won't decline."
Tenten huffed, having at least wished Neji would've backed off. It seemed things were back to normal. The Hyuga prodigy was reassuming his position as the bellwether of the team, as well as putting Lee in his place. She hoped that Neji would go easy on Lee being that he had little to no experience with weapons.
She had to admit that she wasn't shocked to see the brawl didn't last over 30 seconds.
Neji summoned the tonfa that Tenten had given to him and Lee grimaced, unsure of what to expect from such a weapon. With his nunchaku in hand, he charged with a cry. The Hyuga prodigy jabbed at Lee and he quickly tried to counter, but his momentum and direction were not equal and when Lee struck out with his nunchaku, it spun round and connected solidly with the crown of his head.
"Time out!" Tenten jumped in-between the two combating males, and watched in horror as Lee's eyes rolled back in his head after the knockout blow. She caught him before he could hit the ground and she felt like laughing, having expected something similar to happen to him.
Instead Tenten kneeled down, cradling the poor boy, and she scowled openly at the Hyuga, "Why the heck did you have to goad him, Neji? I know I warned him it was risky, but if Gai-sensei finds out about this I'm the one who gets in trouble!"
"Lee regularly injures himself, so why would Gai hold you responsible unless you yourself bashed Lee on the head?" Neji reasoned, putting away his tonfa, "When you aren't responsible, you have nothing to deny."
It was a logical statement but Tenten wasn't in the mood for it. Neji annoyed her just as much as he made her feel warm-fluffy feelings inside. She drew out a hand fan and flapped it above Lee's face, hoping it would be enough to help him wake up.
Neji watched her for a few minutes, fascinated. He had come to understand during the past few days how very close she was to Lee. He acknowledged that she pledged most if not all of her time to himself, but her friendship with Lee was unusually strong. Neji wondered if it was because he had always pushed them away when he was younger.
He had hated the notion of needing to depend on others. So while he berated them or avoided their company in their first year of training, he guessed it had helped them become closer to each other. He had promised himself during the Retrieval Mission he would become a better, more trustworthy friend, but it appeared to him that Tenten and Lee would need an adjustment period before they'd be able to fully open their hearts to him again.
Neji wasn't about to let it upset him, because he believed he deserved every ounce of dislike Tenten and Lee held for him (which was surprisingly little) after how he had treated them. There were times he envied the bond his teammates shared, but he admitted he had done nothing to earn something of the like. If he was going to gain their favor he'd have to start by looking out for them.
After a long silence Neji addressed something that had been concerning him, "Have you ever come across a black scroll in your possession before, Tenten?"
Tenten gave him a strange look from her place on the ground beside Lee, "A black scroll? I don't think so. Why would you ask that?"
Neji handed her the paper he had discovered the night before while reading and she stopped fanning Lee so she could take a moment to read it. Tenten handed Neji the fan and he picked up where she left off, attempting to revive their unconscious teammate.
He watched her eyes scan the paper and he was genuinely startled when Tenten shrieked suddenly mid-way through reading. Whether it was due to a revelation or the fact that the note was from her father, he did not know. Neji had a fairly good suspicion it couldn't be a good thing.
"Uh…well…I don't know where you came across this, but don't worry about it!" Tenten laughed nervously, folding the slip and jamming it in her pocket, "This is so like him! My dad used to write weird stuff all the time back when…when he was around. But I honestly have no idea where to look for that scroll he was talking about."
Neji observed the most miniscule of tremors in her right eye while she had said it and he could immediately tell she was lying.
"I don't think your father would write something so urgent to be a joke." He pointed out, continuing to fan Lee. He understood that it wasn't necessarily any of his business, but it did matter to him if it meant Tenten was faced with danger.
"It's all been taken care of by now," Tenten said, dismissing the subject, "Tsunade-sama already spoke to me about it."
Neji gave her an inquiring look, "About what, exactly?"
Lee woke up at that moment, swiftly sitting up and rubbing his throbbing forehead, "Ugh! How unfortunate…this time I will not be so careless. Again Neji! We are not through yet!"
The Hyuga prodigy raised an eyebrow, wondering if he should oblige Lee. Tenten was grateful for the interruption and yet still worried about her friend, "Lee, after witnessing how hard you hit your head I think you might have a concussion…"
She helped him stand, but Lee didn't believe he had been truly harmed, "Nonsense, Tenten! I am certain I am fine!" He took a step forward and tumbled down to the grass, and Tenten again tugged him to his feet.
"I think you should get checked for brain damage." Neji suggested to Lee, smirking good-naturedly.
Tenten glanced over to him, again displeased with his sarcastic remarks, but noted he was only being playful…something she had not known he was capable of.
"We'll be back in a bit…" Tenten sighed, pulling Lee's arm over her shoulder, and left with him to go find Tsunade for a head-examination.
Neji didn't appreciate how Tenten had dodged the subject of what her father had been referring to, but he imagined the book was the closest thing to an answer he had. Even Tenten had never read it, so he expected that he wouldn't fully understand until he had examined it thoroughly, 'Maybe he wrote more than simply that note for her?'
He returned to his room and found it on his desk where he had left it. He settled himself outside on the porch and opened it to where he had left off:
He sat in a depression, brooding over how he could prove himself worthy of his beloved princess.
"Bring Tokito-sama the head of a great beast you've slain," One of his pupil's had suggested, "That will impress him for sure, Ukigaru-sensei!"
Ukigaru doubted something as trivial as a hunting trophy would be enough, and he despaired at the thought of living without Mameha. His fellow villagers tried to cheer him up but to no avail. Their master was heartbroken.
It was in these days of Ukigaru's lament that conspiracy was revealed. One of the lords that Rokudou-sennin had defeated had heard of one of his nemesis' pupils returning to the Realm of Stone. Bent on revenge, the angry lord commanded his army to attack Ukigaru's village.
Without warning, the foreign daimyo's troops stormed the valley, razing the small town in the early morning light. Ukigaru and his students fought bravely with their skills in ninjutsu, but they could not defend against a force of 400 men.
Ukigaru called for a retreat and led his villagers up into the winding cliffs of the mountainside to safety, leaving all of their possessions behind. The people looked on sadly as many of their homes were burned to the ground.
"What now, Ukigaru-sama?" One of them had asked, "They've raided our houses and will steal our crops by season's end. Is it our fate to relinquish what we've all worked so hard for?"
"Crops can be replanted and homes can be rebuilt; it is your lives you cannot afford to lose." Ukigaru had answered, "But for now we will live on this mountain ledge where they cannot follow. I am afraid I just have no way to defeat so many soldiers…"
Saddened, the villagers set up an encampment on the cliffside and waited for the soldiers to abandon their valley. Yet the army did not leave. They lodged in the homes that remained in the ruined village, and Ukigaru and his followers wondered why they would not depart.
The next day the legion began their slow march up the mountainside to attack Tokito's castle. Ukigaru feared that if the army destroyed the palace that Mameha could be harmed.
Fueled by a new desperation to dispel the enemy forces, Ukigaru spoke to his students, "You have all learned well and become strong. I will now ask you to go and defend the castle, because I told the daimyo that we shinobi would offer our services. Go honor that promise and I swear to return with a way to defeat this army!"
They obeyed without question and went to protect the castle as they were told. The remaining villagers wished their leader good luck before he too left, knowing that he would return with a solution.
Ukigaru went south in hopes of crossing into the Realm of Wind. He knew that his dear friend Nenmaru would lend him aid if he asked for it. He also knew it would be a perilously long journey and he feared that they may return too late.
In his frantic rush to the country border, Ukigaru lost his footing and tumbled down into a deep chasm in the earth. Darkness swallowed him up and he cried out as he plummeted into the fissure.
When he woke he found himself uninjured and realized that his abilities would never allow the earth to do him harm. He stood and gathered his wits, and gawked when a ghastly light illuminated the crag.
Ahead he saw an armored, billowing, figure glowing like a phantom while suspended in the air. The being spoke to Ukigaru, 'I am the God of the Earth and you are trespassing in my domain. Who dares enter my home?'
"I am Ukigaru and I am in great need of a way to defeat an army terrorizing my homeland," Ukigaru answered in a quaking voice, "O God of the Earth, hear me! I beg of you to aid me in my time of need!"
The Earth God recognized Ukigaru was no mere mortal and pure of intention, and decided to help him. He reached down into the depths of the earth and retrieved a shard from the planet's belly.
The god held it out to Ukigaru and said, 'Take this. It is the hardest, sharpest stone in the world. Work it into a spearhead and then face your enemies, wielding the true might of the Earth's power.'
Ukigaru accepted it with great thanks and then the Earth God faded from his sight. He carefully climbed his way up and out of the chasm and turned back to the Land of Stone.
He remembered how Konohate and Shishio had taught him the discipline of weapons in his time with them. Ukigaru found a calm stretch of forest and carved a staff from a strong, ancient branch and fastened the spearhead to the end of the shaft.
Knowing he had little time to lose he decided against going to find Nenmaru, and raced back to his valley with his God-sent weapon. Ukigaru prayed he was not too late.
Back on the mountainside Ukigaru's pupils fought fiercely against the advancing army. Mameha and her father watched; glad Ukigaru's warriors had come to help his struggling soldiers. They defended the high wall as best they could, but the enemy army was led by their lord himself, who was a cunning military general.
His soldiers launched volleys of flaming arrows, lighting the wall and parts of the roof on fire. The daimyo's men were hard-pressed to quell the flames and fight all at once.
"Give up, fool!" The invading lord cried to Mameha's father, "I will crush all of the Sage's new lands, starting with this one!"
It was then Ukigaru descended from a high cliff ledge to the top of the wall, brandishing his weapon. Mameha and his followers rejoiced at the sight of him.
Ukigaru let out a mighty breath of water that doused the flames consuming the palace. The lord's soldiers cowered back at such a display of power.
"Just a bit of magic is all!" The general jeered Ukigaru, "You will die!"
Ukigaru descended down the slope, swiping his spear and knocked foes away left and right, rushing at the general. His foe ordered his remaining soldiers to kill him, but the crowds of men that approached were cut down by the rushing ninja. Ukigaru swept through them and with the use of his ninjutsu and his chakra, the spear petrified rushing warriors, turning them to stone. He cleaved through the statues ruthlessly as he passed.
His students fell silent as they watched their leader fight. Once the entirety of the enemy army had been petrified, Ukigaru rounded on the general, who fell to his knees to beg for mercy.
"Spare me!" He cried, "I'll do anything you say!"
Ukigaru held the spearhead to the general's throat, "You've killed many people and destroyed our homes! I should kill you for all the harm you've done!" The lord flinched in terror at his furious voice, "Do you feel so vengeful against me now that your army is finished? Will you fight me yourself to disprove Rokudou-sennin?"
He shook his head meekly and Ukigaru calmed himself, pulling his weapon away. "If that is how you really feel, then I suppose there would be no honor in killing a fickle coward. I will let you live, but you will return to your home and then speak of how it is wiser to befriend ninja than to wage war against us. Do not let others like yourself make the mistake that you have made."
The general nodded fervently and then Ukigaru let him go, watching smugly as the defeated lord fled the valley. His villagers descended from the cliffside to greet him, cheering, glad that he had succeeded. Ukigaru and his following returned to the castle and Mameha and her father quickly went to thank him for all he had done.
"I denied you my daughter because I did not believe you could contribute in any way to this land." Tokito had told him in apology, "I regret how I acted. You have saved this land as well as my family and your people. If there is anyone worthy of Mameha it is you."
Ukigaru humbly thanked him while the princess rushed to his side, showering him with sweet words and kisses. The daimyo looked to Ukigaru's villagers and saw in them the same courage that their leader possessed. It was then he saw a bright future for the Land of Stone.
Neji was surprised to see that he hadn't even finished half of the book once he was through with the first story. He was curious to see how much more there really was to the tale of The First Shinobi. Thoughtfully, he browsed through the pages, holding the book by its binding and was satisfied that his prediction of other notes had been correct.
A few slips of paper fell to the wood of the porch and Neji set the book aside to examine them. He found it strange that none of them were meant for Tenten.
One slip was scribble about what he supposed were different types of alloys and methods of lamination. Neji could only assume that since Tenten had often lectured on how not all weapons are created equally, 'You wouldn't use the same metal for a yari as you would for a katana. They're as different as day and night!'
A few of the other papers didn't seem to strike him as important, mostly grocery shopping lists and memos to himself. There was one particularly short message that did freeze Neji up, however.
Find Hizashi for 3:00. Bring pie.
He blinked down at his father's name, feeling his stomach do some unexpected loops. Neji didn't know exactly how their parents had known each other, but he figured he'd find a clue from the paper that followed it.
Another errands list was predominantly ninja-related, unlike others that were mundane household tasks. Neji scanned down the paper, trying to understand how everything was linked.
-Clean storeroom and replace fan.
-Finish new sword for Hayate-kun.
-Pick up eggs.
-Send Thank You letter to Aburame-sama.
-Wish Jōdoko-chan Happy Birthday.
-Attend Minato-kun's inauguration.
Beneath all of the rambling tasks the handwriting changed into something more loopy and feminine and Neji presumed that Tenten's father had not written it, which became increasingly clear as he read it.
Don't think that I haven't noticed how you stole my mask again! I know you like mine better than yours, but you can't just take it whenever you have a mission. Return what you stole, or you're sleeping on the couch tonight!
A heart was drawn under the threat message. He smiled at it for some reason. It was, without a doubt, her mother who had contributed, and she sounded like she had been the aggressor of the relationship. Neji looked over the paper again and saw how the name Jōdoko was mentioned. He stared at it uncertainly.
There was no chance that it was a coincidence, he was sure. Jōdoko had been his mother's name, and Neji figured that both of his parents had been good friends to Tenten's father, judging by how they were included. He wondered what his mother had been like while she was alive. His father told him plenty of stories before he had died, but he had wanted to meet her himself. Now it appeared the only other person who had known her was also dead.
And as a result he regretted what had happened to Tenten's parents. He had never before considered her losses since she had never spoken about them, and it seemed that she had inherited much of her father's work ethic and her mother's charisma.
'Odd. They don't seem like they're gone at all.' He thought to himself, 'All of this rabble makes it seem like they're still busy and running around; on this paper they're still alive.'
Neji slipped the notes back into the book, deciding to keep them. He had grown fond of the echoes of the past he'd come across and he didn't think Tenten would argue if he asked if he could have them.
She'd understand.
After traversing the hospital with the Hokage and picking up some helpful medical tips, Tsunade dismissed her trainees for lunch. Sakura bade Haku farewell as she departed to join Kiba for an afternoon of training. Once she had gone he knew he was on his own. He remained vigilant.
Haku passed through the heart of the town, hoping to find a place of refuge, or at least someone he could stick around with to avoid the two Sand siblings who were displeased with him, 'Maybe I can find Naruto-kun or Hinata-chan. Then I won't have to-'
"You look awfully pale, pretty boy!" And before he had known it he had discovered Temari.
"I have reason to suspect that I may be in peril." Haku admitted sheepishly, hoping she understood his meaning. How could she not after the stunt from the day before?
"Gaara and Kankuro are coping pretty well, surprisingly," She informed him, walking down the street with him, "You shouldn't be troubled over something that's perfectly legal."
"I have done worse." He smiled, because kissing someone was such a crime. Haku stayed close to her, taking in her unusual gait and how she didn't smell the same.
They proceeded to a training area in the forest after Temari had suggested they spar, and Haku asked her if she was alright once they had gotten there. The henge fell and Haku was confronted by Kankuro, who immediately attacked him with Karasu.
Haku was unable to dodge the puppet in time as it tackled him and Kankuro cursed loudly in frustration after he only destroyed a shadow clone.
"What gave it away? No one does a better Temari impression than me!" He wondered aloud.
After the clone had been destroyed, the information it had collected was instantly transferred to the real Haku, who had caught up with the actual Temari.
"Kankuro is still upset." Haku informed her, smiling weakly, "What a brutal attack! If I hadn't realized it was him when I did I may have been seriously injured just now…"
"You're too good to let a shit-disguise like his fool you, Haku," Temari purred, pleased he had made a fool of her brother, "I don't care if he's pissed! He just has to suck it up and get over it!"
At that time they were both passengers on her fan, flying over the village on a smooth breeze. Temari had said they'd be safest where her siblings could not reach.
A minute later Haku received information from his second shadow clone he had left behind, "Oh my…Gaara-kun is also on the hunt, it seems."
She smirked, "Aren't you the popular one?"
He nodded, glad that he didn't have to face her brothers on his own.
"Well, this is the most fun I've had since…ever." Temari decided, gliding above the rooftops, "Thanks for being such a trooper."
Haku was glad to hear that she was very entertained, but he did ask, "I hope that you don't always intend to lead Gaara and Kankuro on a wild goose chase all at my expense?"
"I think good families will tease each other whenever they can, that way they'll never be bored." Temari told him, grinning, "But not always at your expense, if that's what you're worried about."
Again she had reminded him of his clan, and he found that he couldn't relate to what she'd been talking about. Not necessarily that he didn't understand what she meant, he fooled around with Gaara and Naruto often, but he wished he could have a family to call his own again.
He didn't want to become distracted as he had while he'd been practicing with Sakura, but he was a bit too late.
"What's your deal? You just spaced out you know." Temari informed him, wondering why he was so lost in thought, "Did I…did I say something?"
"No, of course you didn't!" Haku answered hurriedly, "I suppose I haven't been myself all morning…"
"I suppose you haven't." She snorted, mimicking his enunciation with alarming accuracy.
After seeing his adorably bewildered face she decided to land, and touched down on a warehouse rooftop. Temari watched him as she folded her fan up and then leaned on it, seeing that he was still partially distracted, 'Looks like it was something I said… But what exactly? Even if he's been jumpy all day I guess I'm not helping out much…'
"Don't let them fray your nerves. You know you're allowed to hit back if they try to corner you again," Temari assured him, "The next time I see those two, they'll be the ones running."
He smiled and she felt her heart melt. She was glad she had decided to give him a shot. At first he had seemed like a pain in the ass, 'Which he is, by the way.' But Temari had found that she could be herself around him and that was all he wanted. It still took some getting used to: dropping her guard and being easygoing, but Haku tended to infect others around him with goodwill and calmness. It came easier to her than she had anticipated it to.
If she had been paying attention she would have noticed that Haku had taken her fan and opened it out of curiosity. Temari watched him again, puzzled, wondering what he planned to do with it. Her mouth fell open in astonishment when he swung it and produced a powerful gale that knocked a number of shingles off of the roof.
"Oops! I didn't mean to do that!" Haku chuckled, hoping no one would notice the new gap in the roof, "I can see why you like this thing so much…"
"How…did you do that?" She asked slowly, wondering if she'd imagined it.
He handed it back to her, "While I was in the hospital Jiraiya-sensei explained a few things to me. He said that when I was first brought to Konoha a number of ANBU had been tracking myself, Gaara-kun, and Naruto-kun; observing our abilities. They said in their report that my Kekkei Genkai is a fusion type."
"A what?"
"It means it combines two elements, which is uncommon." Haku didn't feel like reminding himself how uncommon he was, so he explained further, "Jiraiya-sensei said he would like to see me start using just as many wind jutsu as water jutsu since I can manipulate both."
"Fusion of water and wind…so that's how you make ice?" Temari repeated, understanding, "That actually makes sense…I thought you just made ice on a whim."
"I do."
"But I mean…just made it. Not combine a whole bunch of things to use those funny jutsu of yours." She clarified and added, "That's cool that you don't even have to think about it. When I use wind jutsu I'm always focusing as best I can."
"…my…funny jutsu." Haku muttered, wondering if any of his techniques were really clownish, 'I suppose my ice mirrors could find a home in a funhouse…'
"Funny, as in, I like them." Temari told him, smirking at his confusion, "I thought I told you to relax, Haku, you're so uptight today…" Haku sighed, trying to relieve his anxiety. It didn't work very well and the Sand kunoichi was aware of it.
"Well, as it goes, I don't think either of those two stooges are going to find us up here." She commented, hoping it would help him unwind, "And since it's just us right now…how about we get some practice in while we can?"
"If you'd like." Haku agreed, not understanding why she wanted to train on top of a warehouse, "Perhaps you could show me a few of your wind jutsu as well?"
Temari huffed and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, "I don't mean that kind of practice you big dummy." With no further preamble she cornered him in a ferocious lip lock, and he smiled against her mouth, glad that he was being dumb. His worries about being pursued by her siblings, his family woes, and the overall tension that had snowballed up until that point vanished instantly.
Haku was grateful he was tall for his age. His face was even with Temari's and he let his eyes close submissively after she'd initiated. Briefly he'd tried to pry her hands from his collar (she was choking him slightly) but she wouldn't budge so he let her be. His hands traveled to her hair, tangling in the blonde tresses and ruined how she had tied it up. Temari didn't seem very upset about it though.
He pulled away for a moment and she mumbled softly in objection, her hands still fisted in his shirt. He wanted to talk but Temari persisted, trying to persuade him to cooperate. "I…I think I'm going to be a medic-nin when we get to Suna." Haku informed her. It was something that had been on his mind and he'd been looking forward to it.
Temari again imitated him, "And I think I'll be a chunin…when we get to Suna."
"…you're making fun of me."
"Yes, I am."
Haku then grasped the fact that she couldn't joke about him if he was kissing her, so he did just that, and was glad the teasing ceased. It was nice and he did his best not to panic when Temari slipped him a bit of tongue. 'Good lord! I really do hope Gaara-kun doesn't find us anytime soon…' Haku shuddered at the notion, wishing Temari was a bit less fearless.
He had heard Naruto coming from about a block away and they had a moment's warning to separate and straighten themselves out before the blonde arrived. Haku wondered how Naruto could had discovered him so quickly or if it was simply luck. He could tell it was really him because neither Gaara nor Kankuro had the capacity to impersonate the blonde's pattern of babble.
Naruto arrived and observed them.
"Now I get it!" He declared, pointing at Haku, "She's been giving you flying lessons!"
Haku was embarrassed, "I can't fly, Naruto-kun."
"Hm, well, since Gaara-kun was so mad I figured you were learning something that he couldn't. I guess I'll have to go with my second hunch…" Naruto scratched his chin, observing Temari's amused expression.
"What was your second hunch, Naruto?" She prompted, wondering if he expected any other impossibilities.
Naruto looked at Haku, frowned skeptically, and then approached Temari and whispered something in her ear. Haku had no idea what his friend was asking her, but he was sure it wasn't appropriate.
"I wouldn't go as far as to say that…" Temari replied, smirking, "But don't worry, he'll get over it eventually."
Naruto backed away, finally understanding what was going on, "You guys are going to have to pray really hard you don't get your butts kicked!" He turned to Haku, "Way to go, Haku-kun! You know what? If you get married that'll make you and Gaara, like, in-laws! How creepy is that?"
There was a pause.
Haku smiled at the thought, "Oh. Well…I never thought of that."
"You better stop thinking about it..." Temari warned him and he chuckled innocently in response.
"I'll stick with you guys in case Gaara-kun decides to ambush you," Naruto offered, deciding to help their cause, "I've got your back!"
Sato, after having been rescued, joined Tama on her visit to a dance studio. He hopped around the mirrors for a while with her, loosening up, knowing he couldn't get away with avoiding another routine rehearsal.
"There's going to be a class here in two hours so let's not waste time." Tama announced, locking the front door in case someone decided to come in early. She appreciated privacy.
"That bike is so cool!" Sato said, busy stretching his quads, "Where did you get it anyway?"
"Uncle Gai gave it to me as a birthday present." Tama replied, smiling at the memory, "At first I wasn't sure what I'd use it for but it turned out to be really handy."
She watched the silver haired boy bounce around, observing his reflection on the wall in amusement. "Every time I look at myself in the mirror when I'm here I feel like such a freakin' ballerina…" He complained, "It's really annoying."
"These mirrors are necessary so that you can see if you're moving correctly or not," Tama informed him, "And just so you know, you'll never be as talented as a ballerina."
He snickered.
While they set to work Tama recalled how Sato had begun taking dancing lessons long ago. It was about the time his mother had died, she noted.
He had not started to participate because he had wanted to learn, but because he was terribly lonely those days and wanted to be near Tama: the only person he was sure he could trust. The time he could spend with her while he was not at the Academy was while she was at a dance class her parents had enrolled her in. He just joined in one day out of sheer loneliness.
"Your back has to be straighter, Sato," Tama critiqued his form like a drill-sergeant, only quieter, "Keep your feet at an angle! Be more consistent about that. Don't look like I'm killing you, stop being so awkward."
He corrected his flaws as they went along. He already knew all of the steps she was going over, but there were times he invented new ones just to keep things interesting. Sato found his biggest problem wasn't the choreography, it was his carefree nature.
"I wish you weren't so much taller than me…" Sato whined, "That way when we did waltzes and stuff like this it would look less weird."
"You'll grow! You're due for a major growth-spurt soon anyway," Tama assured him, because no one else would, "And I promise, until then, I won't wear heels."
He wasn't sure if he was supposed to be offended or pleased by the statement. He let it slide and continued to follow her lead.
After a long while of practicing a number of different dances, the two took a break and sat down in the middle of the floor, feeling sweaty and accomplished.
"Did you speak to Kakashi-san yet?" Tama asked thoughtfully, hoping things between him and his uncle had improved.
The look on his face seemed to tense up as he scrambled for an answer, "I kind of sort of almost nearly didn't really want to find him and unsuccessfully speak to him…"
"I'm going to assume that means you haven't seen him yet." Tama sighed, smiling at his ridiculous answer, "Please go talk to him now and get it over with?"
Reluctantly he did as he was told and went out to search for Kakashi.
On his walk down the street he wished more than anything he had stayed with Tama. He could always escape pain and rejection when he was near her, but whenever he was with his uncle his heart bled terribly. Sato strolled down the sidewalk, busying his hands in his pockets.
'I guess I really can't act this way anymore…' He thought to himself, 'When I do that it makes me more like him and I'm different from Kakashi. I don't really want to exploit other people's feelings just because mine are so hurt. That's not how I want to lead my life.'
Yet for all his new revelations he found that he could think of no proper way to apologize. Not after Sasuke had fled the village and how he had brought up the absence of Obito. Sato was aware his uncle was still seething over such topics, 'I can't believe I said all that…but I just had to. He'd never know how I felt if I hadn't said anything. Looks like I'm just going to have to-'
"Well since you're meandering idly now you wouldn't mind joining me for some ice cream, hm Sato-kun?"
Sato about-faced and saw that his uncle had snuck up behind him. He wasn't in the least surprised by it either. Yet he was at a loss for words. He didn't think that Kakashi would be so amicable during such a wretched time. The young boy nodded and then quietly followed after his uncle down the road to the sweet shop.
They took a seat at a small table and ordered two cups of ice cream: one vanilla and one coffee flavor. He stared at the treats listlessly for a while, trying to avoid Kakashi's gaze, which, for some reason, was not glued to his novel.
"Aren't you going to eat anything, Kakashi?" Sato asked sulkily, raising his midnight eyes up.
Kakashi shook his head in response, "No thank you. These are just for you. I'm not in the mood for sweets today."
Cautiously the genin helped himself to a spoon and nipped at the coffee flavor. He was already aware his uncle had been searching for him all day solely for the chance to speak with him. What he wanted to talk about Sato did not know, and he was certain that he did not want to know.
Oddly, the boy spoke first, "Kakashi…I…I really am sorry about everything that happened with Sasuke. I did my best to help get him back. I guess it didn't do much."
"Don't worry about it, Sato-kun."
To Sato it sounded more like an automated response from an answering machine. He wouldn't stand for it from his uncle, not anymore.
"Well, even if I'm not worried, how do you feel about all this?" His nephew pried, slightly annoyed, "I know that there has to have been at least one thing that's been on your mind…otherwise you wouldn't have brought me here."
For a long while it was quiet. Sato savored his ice cream in boredom, 'Typical. Again he can't find the courage to tell the truth of how he-'
"I feel…that I made far too many mistakes while I was training Sasuke." Kakashi admitted at length, "As a teacher I am not as talented as my own sensei was. I've felt hatred and I know what it is to live with it. But with Sasuke…no matter what I did, I simply couldn't dispel his need for vengeance."
Sato understood immediately.
"Sometimes…" The boy replied softly, "The past hurts too much. That makes you do stupid or impossible things to try and fix it. But the past is always dead. You can't repair yesterday…"
"I agree." His uncle appreciated how he was being mature and not avoiding him anymore. Sato was wiser than he led most to believe. For a few minutes Kakashi watched Sato eat the treat curiously.
This child before him, he noted, was of his flesh and blood. A Hatake. For so long he had denied that truth and left the boy to fend for himself. Guilt was finally catching up. When he had been younger, after his father's suicide, Kakashi had always been tormented with balancing his duties as a ninja and his need for human attachment. He chose his career over his emotional health. He could see the same suffering in Sato and he wasn't about to let the boy be hurt the same way.
"Kakashi, what I said the last time I saw you…I didn't mean any of it." Sato apologized lowly and he dropped his gaze shamefully. He was truthfully sorry, but he just hadn't been brave enough to say so for a while.
"Quite the contrary, I'm certain you meant every word you said, Sato." Kakashi assured him, smiling beneath his mask, "And you were right about everything."
Sato blinked in astonishment.
"I did abandon you. I won't lie about that." His uncle explained, "Back then it was a time when I couldn't stand the thought of being attached to anyone anymore. My father, Obito, Rin, Minato-sensei and Semi…everyone who I have ever loved has died."
His nephew stared at him unblinking, seeing that he also carried a fear of needing another person. Though it was a very complex issue, there were times he simplified his problems and often tried to avoid those he cared about to protect them from being hurt.
Kakashi closed his eyes while he spoke, "Sato, you have every right to hate me for what I've done to you. I deserve no less."
Sato finished eating. The emotions bubbled up while he ate and made him feel sick to his stomach. If his own uncle was no longer trying to deny the truth then he couldn't either, "Hey…I don't hate you at all, Kakashi. Not one stinking bit! That's why my feelings were always so hurt. Because I cared so much and I couldn't do anything about it."
His uncle had not been expecting such a reaction.
"Look…you're the closest thing I've ever had to a father. I don't want that feeling to go away." Sato admitted; his expression somber, "I never hated you even though I wanted to almost all the time."
Kakashi was silent after that.
The genin shook off the awkwardness, "Nah! We're manly men! Let's stop this sappy crap!"
"It's about time I've started training you to use your white chakra abilities and your Chidori." Kakashi said abruptly, his tone serious, "You don't need the Sharingan to perfect it, not if you adapt it to your fighting style. It can be just as lethal in a different form, Sato."
"But I can't counter without gravity summon, that's why I can't-"
"The Chidori is not a finished jutsu. Not for you. So I suggest you complete it just as Sasuke has. There's nothing holding you back." Kakashi informed him, "If you'd rather go back with your lovely girlfriend and dance all day that would be perfectly fine…if not, you'll be training with me for the next month."
Sato hurriedly finished off the ice cream, "Let's get going then, Kakashi!" He sprang from the table, "My jutsu is gonna school everyone in this village!" He left excitedly before his uncle had stood from the table.
With the arrival of the following morning Naruto was particularly anxious. He had packed what belongings he intended to bring with him on his journey the night before. When he woke up, he laid in his bed lethargically, staring at his travel-bag on the bedroom floor.
'Time to go already? Sheesh. I was kind of hoping that today would seem more far away but it came pretty quick…' He sat up and stretched, 'Well, this is it! Time to make today count!'
Naruto kicked off his blanket and went about getting dressed. He noted how eerily quiet the apartment was as he got ready. Once prepared Naruto left his room and ran headlong into his roommates.
"I see you waited up for me." The blonde raised an eyebrow, "Er…are you guys alright?" Both Haku and Gaara did not appear to be their usual selves. Naruto guessed they had the same anxious feeling that he did.
Haku only gave him his customary smile and Gaara frowned, "We should be going now. We're wasting time." Though Gaara did his best to conceal it, he too was troubled over the fact Naruto would soon be leaving their village, possibly for a very long while.
Without further objection they left to get breakfast at Ichiraku Ramen.
Once at the ramen shop they sat and talked idly. It felt strange that they had to speak so openly without reservation. If they didn't, Haku had thought, they may not get another chance to for the next year or more. Naruto made note of how Gaara had relaxed considerably around Haku, which he found unusual after the previous day's manhunt for the dark haired boy.
Unknown to the blonde was that Gaara had resigned himself to Haku's new intimacy with his family, or primarily, with his elder sister. This was foremost attributed to having been subjected to Temari's earlier harangue about his and Kankuro's ridiculous behavior. But also Gaara had found was that he was going to be depending on Haku more than ever.
With Naruto out of the picture Gaara admitted that the only company he would have would be the water nin. If he remained hostile about Haku's affections for Temari it would put a greater strain on their friendship, and that was not what he wanted when he was destined for Suna within the next week.
Truth be told, he wasn't so much bothered by Haku's affections for Temari. At least he could ignore it if he had to, or when he began to feel nauseous at the sight of them.
Gaara's greatest dilemma was Sakura. He had not yet decided what he planned to do about being so far from her.
The red haired boy ate his ramen in thoughtful silence while Naruto congratulated Haku on his decision to become a medic-nin, "Awesome, Haku-kun! Baa-chan's totally right! You're going to be perfect for that job!"
"A medic-nin, did you say?"
The boys turned to see that Iruka had stopped by, and he grinned widely at Team 2, "Well, Haku, that is an accomplishment! I'm glad to hear that you've found your calling in the shinobi world!"
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei." The dark haired boy looked sheepish. He wasn't about to ruin their compliments with modesty about how Sakura far exceeded him in skill with healing. He had just happened to pick up the technique by chance.
Iruka took a seat beside the boys and made small talk while ordering himself a bowl of soba. Naruto paid for his former teacher's meal, saying that he wanted to treat him before he left with his perverted sensei.
"Gone for two years, huh?" Iruka repeated quietly after hearing Naruto's plans, "That's a long time, Naruto…but I know that Gama-sennin will train you very well in that time." The blonde boy snickered, but decided to not make a rude comment about the toad sage.
After they had finished eating, Iruka bade all of them good bye and good luck before they left. By that time Naruto announced how time was almost up. They traversed the streets together aimlessly for a short while, and Naruto paused for a moment to stare at the face of the Yondaime on the Hokage monument, 'Watch me. When I go, when I train, and when I come home. I will be as great as you!'
Noon approached and they could waste no more time. It was a dreadful trip back to the apartment to fetch his bag, and Naruto reunited with Gaara and Haku on the bridge where Jiraiya had been waiting with them.
For a moment he had rashly decided not to leave.
He was simply too attached to his friends. They had become his family. Naruto wasn't certain what the future would hold for any of them if he left then. He stood across from them on the other side of the footbridge, looking hesitant.
"You must live only to waste our time, Naruto." Gaara chided him with his arms folded, "You're going. Get over here and stop acting like this is such a tragedy."
"You're such a heartless, uncaring bastard! You know that Gaara?"
Haku laughed at their banter out of reflex. Jiraiya couldn't help the smirk that cracked on his face. Naruto stormed up to Gaara to promptly throw a punch at him and he was met with a wall of sand. The blonde boy chuckled anyway, glad things were at least relatively normal.
"Okay, behave! Gaara, Haku…don't think this excuses you from training hard. Both Gaara and Naruto need to be prepared to defend themselves from the Akatsuki, even though I have only seen them express an interest in Naruto so far. Be careful. Watch each other's backs." Jiraiya patted both Gaara and Haku on the head affectionately, "I will oversee your training when I return, so work hard in Suna. I'll miss you two."
Respectfully, they returned their sensei's farewell. Not wanting to intrude upon his students' goodbyes, Jiraiya crossed over the bridge to wait for Naruto on the other side of the stream. Naruto stared at his friends for a long moment, at a loss what to do.
"We'll write to each other, how's that?" Haku suggested, "So we can all be updated on what the other is doing. Though…I think you'll have to inform us where you are weekly since you'll be traveling abroad, Naruto-kun."
"Do they even deliver mail in the desert?" Naruto snorted in amusement and Haku shrugged. Naruto hugged the boy around his shoulders, knowing that he'd miss him terribly, "Yeah, well, be careful alright? I don't want that snake-asshole snatching you up or whatever…"
"I assure you that won't happen, Naruto-kun."
He turned from Haku to Gaara and punched him very hard in his arm. Gaara scowled in response. Though he had not been expecting a friendly embrace (because he hardly deserved one) he would've appreciated a handshake, or if Naruto had simply kept his brutality to himself for once.
"And you, Gaara! You better be nice to Sakura-chan, got it?" Naruto grinned at him widely, trying very hard to piss him off. It didn't work for some reason.
Gaara nodded to him in exasperation. One day he planned to pay Naruto back for all of his tomfoolery…and his wisdom. Without another word, mostly because he couldn't think of anything else, Naruto turned on his heel and ran across the bridge without looking back. If he did he feared he'd change his mind again.
After he had caught up with Jiraiya Naruto set out down the road with him. For a moment he paused and his teacher gave him a knowing look, "Not done with your goodbyes yet, are you Naruto?"
"Hinata-chan…"
"Right, right…" Jiraiya decided it was best not to argue. He went with the boy to the Hyuga compound which he hoped would be the last stop, and he waited at the gates of the estate while Naruto rushed ahead to find his darling princess.
Instead of finding Hinata, Naruto found Neji.
"She was sent on a mission a few days ago, I'm sure you recall." The Hyuga informed him, "I apologize, Naruto. It is a considerable journey to Grass and she hasn't returned yet."
A look of distress came upon Naruto, "She's not back yet? But I…I can't wait anymore. Ero-sensei and I are going in like…now."
"I am sorry." Neji was truthfully just as upset as Naruto. He was aware of how he and his younger cousin felt about each other, and because Naruto was such an honorable, honest person he felt that there would be no one better suited for Hinata. He regretted that Naruto had to leave without seeing her, "I will tell her that you came to see her when Hinata-sama returns…take care of yourself, Naruto."
"Yeah, thanks…" The blonde boy hung his head and turned to leave, "I'll see you around then, Neji."
Saddened, Naruto departed from the compound alongside Jiraiya. His teacher had seen the exchange from afar and was aware that it would be more painful for his pupil to leave the village with a heavy heart.
As they walked out the enormous front gate of the Leaf village, Jiraiya tried to console the boy, "Come on kid! You know that Princess will still like you when you get back! And you can write to her and all that sappy boyfriend stuff…"
"I know." Naruto agreed, "I just wanted to tell her all that myself."
Naruto committed the way the village looked one last time to memory and then did not look back. He followed after the sage down the path that led out of Konoha.
An eerie feeling had settled upon Gaara and Haku after Naruto had left with Jiraiya. Something still felt out of place even though they had said all their farewells.
They lingered outside the Hokage's tower and planned on informing Tsunade that they would be leaving earlier for Sand than they had originally expected. 'It will be easier to accept Naruto-kun's absence if we are in a different place…' Haku thought.
As they were about to enter the ground floor of the tower, the door burst open and a very rushed, very flustered looking Hinata hurtled out in front of them. They balked at the sight of her, then acknowledging the meaning of the eerie sensation.
"Gaara-kun! Haku-kun!" Hinata was glad to see them and yet upset at the same time, "Where is Naruto-kun?"
"I'm afraid you just missed him, Hinata-chan." Gaara announced grudgingly.
She hurried on frantically and both boys watched her as she swiftly shrank into the distance. Gaara doubted her chances of catching up to him, but it was the effort that counted. Haku blinked as a younger Hyuga hobbled out of the tower as well, looking exhausted.
He looked to Haku wearily, "Hinata-sama has been in such a rush to return here! She had me and Sawako-sensei running all the way home…"
Haku pursed his lips after hearing the news and felt bad about the circumstances, 'So Hinata really has been trying to return in time to see Naruto. I wish that he had decided to stay just a bit longer to see her…'
Rather than going to the compound to see if he had passed through, Hinata went directly to the gates of the village. The Hyuga girl hurried out onto the path a few paces before stopping, seeing that there was no sign of Naruto at all. He had left much earlier and she had fooled herself into thinking that he would've waited.
"Naruto-kun!" She cried despairingly. She had tried so hard and still she could not make ends meet for him.
Hinata stared out onto the empty trail ahead of her as leaves blew off of the trees on either side of the road. She stood there contemplating what she could have done differently. There was no way she could have declined Tsunade's mission or have made Fujita or Sawako move any faster, (and she still felt terrible about cracking the proverbial whip at them all the way to Konoha) Hinata assumed she was fated not to see him off.
She refused to cry, 'No. I will stay strong. I will become stronger just like Naruto-kun while he is away. I will train every day until he comes back!'
Hinata blinked to herself as she stared ahead. For one confusing moment, she could've sworn she saw someone running around the bend down the path ahead; moving towards her. Very fast…
"Did you call me?" Naruto shouted, laughing, running at full pelt back in the direction of the village.
All at once she was surprised and relieved. Hinata hadn't realized he had not been very far ahead of her, just within earshot it seemed. She laughed, completely unreserved as he seized her at a high speed and encircled her with his arms. It was the greatest hug in the history of hugs, Naruto labeled it.
"Wow, that was exciting! We've got to do this more often!" Naruto told her, grinning like a mad man. "I heard your voice and my feet just…well, they did all the work for me! I didn't even have to think about it!"
She leaned her chin on his shoulder, "I…I don't think my heart could take it ever again…you leaving without me, I mean."
"I know! I'm so sorry, Hinata." The blonde boy knew the same emotion, "Neji said that you weren't there and it broke my heart to leave without seeing you first. I thought I was going to lose it…"
"Mmm." Hinata hummed, solely happy that she had been in time after all. For a long while they stood huddled closely, and Hinata decided that if there ever was a better time to initiate a kiss it would be then. She raised her lips up to his mouth, but to her surprise he immediately turned his face away to avoid her, "Hinata…Hinata please don't…"
His reaction hurt her, but she knew he wouldn't act in reluctance without a reason, "Why not, Naruto-kun?"
"Because…" He struggled to find the words to explain, "If you do that I think that I won't be able to leave at all."
Naruto just couldn't accurately describe the magnetic effect she had on him. If it was difficult for him to leave because of Gaara and Haku; Hinata, he judged, was a completely different level of temptation.
Hinata took a moment to think about what he had said, "I understand. But if you won't let me just because you're afraid of leaving, let me because…it will give you a reason to come home again."
It was logic that he wouldn't dispute. Naruto relented and her mouth bloomed like flower petals over his. It was a wonderful, slow kiss, but unlike the previous ones he had shared with her this one was saturated with emotion. He felt his heart rap up against his ribs painfully.
When it ended Naruto found that he still did possess the willpower to leave. Just as Hinata had said, it had become incentive for returning home rather than just staying with her. Naruto decided to lay down a few guidelines to help preserve their feelings for each other before he went.
"Okay, I've been doing some thinking so here's what I came up with…while I'm gone could you maybe watch my plants for me? The key to the apartment is in my mailbox. They need to be watered, like, three times a day, but two won't kill em…" Hinata nodded smilingly and he continued his rambling.
"Right, and just so you know I'm going to write to you every single day and tell you about everything I do. I'm also going to buy you tons of souvenirs and other things that I think you might find pretty…" Naruto paused, then went on, "And…if it happens while I'm away…that you find another boyfriend who you like better: that's totally cool! Just…could you maybe tell me in a letter first that you're sick of me and that you want someone else? A heads-up is all I need, I don't mind if-"
"Naruto, please…" She pinched his lips shut with her thumb and forefinger, "I don't really think that that's going to happen, but yes, I will tell you everything you need to know. Now I think it's time for you to go…"
He nodded, ignoring Jiraiya's calls from down the road to get a move on.
"See you, Hinata-chan!" Naruto swiftly turned after pecking her cheek, and ran down the road to catch up with his mentor, though he couldn't help but look back over his shoulder a few times.
The next day Haku and Gaara pointedly tried to ignore the fact that Naruto was not with them, and wouldn't be for the next two years. After a while they got good at acting natural about it. After making sure Hinata was alright, which she was, Haku left the Hyuga compound to rejoin his friend.
Gaara then proceeded to lay down rules pertaining to his elder sister, "You can't touch her anywhere below…actually, you just can't touch her. Also, perform nothing that exchanges fluids or anything like that. Do you understand?"
"Yes. So I have to stand at least two feet away from her at all times and I am not permitted to touch her…" Haku repeated, "Of course, Gaara-kun, I agree totally. I would never do anything to compromise Temari's honor."
"Listen, just because I'm allowing this doesn't mean I approve of it."
Haku only smiled heedlessly. Gaara could talk all he wanted. Even if Haku obeyed all the rules he set, Temari certainly wouldn't. Accordingly, he would be glad to take advantage of that loophole whenever he needed to kiss her.
Before departing from the Hokage's tower, Tsunade had granted them both permission to leave the next day for Suna with Temari and Kankuro. Haku told Gaara it would be prudent to go spend the rest of his day with Sakura and his friend didn't disagree.
After that Haku continued on without Gaara to find Temari, who he was sure was currently being chaperoned by Kankuro everywhere she went, according to Gaara's warnings.
By that afternoon Sakura was curled up against Gaara comfortably as they sat together on the roof of a tall apartment building that overlooked Konoha. They had trained for a while, but then later decided that they merely wanted to bask in each other's company instead. Gaara had suggested a spot that he visited often when he didn't want to be bothered, and they ended up on top of Sato's apartment complex.
"I went to see Hinata-chan this morning," Sakura announced, plucking aimlessly at Gaara's shirt, "She seems fine to me. She's only a bit jumpy now that Naruto-kun's gone."
"That's a natural reaction." Gaara agreed, because truthfully, his nerves were also frayed now that his blonde friend had left Leaf.
"She's also started a very tough training regimen with her team…" She added quietly, "They're all pushing themselves much harder now and she's a lot stronger. Did you hear what happened to her during the Retrieval Mission?"
"I doubt I have." He admitted.
Sakura looked excited to be the first to publicize it to him, "It's her Byakugan: it's different now and Tsunade-shishou is interested in it. She and the rest of the Hyuga are calling it a new level of their Kekkei Genkai. I was told this kind of phenomenon is extremely rare."
Gaara remained quiet, thoroughly impressed.
"Yesterday they decided to call it the Misago Byakugan, but they still aren't sure what it does exactly or how Hinata-chan got it at all…" The pink haired girl concluded, recalling what she had been told, "They're re-examining what happened during the mission to see how she unlocked it."
"That may take a while." He mumbled against her hair, "Those people will search for any reason to call themselves the superior clan in this village. I hope Hinata can handle all the pressure."
"I think she'll be alright." Sakura yawned, snuggling closer to the red haired boy, "Oh! Could I please go with you to Sand, Gaara-kun? I won't get in the way, I promise!"
"And just how do you intend to complete your studies under Tsunade while in Suna?" He inquired in amusement.
She fell quiet after that, thinking, then spoke up a moment later, "I guess I couldn't, really…but I just can't stand the thought of you going just like Sasuke did."
"I am nothing like him." Gaara said firmly, refusing to be angered by the Uchiha's name, "I am not leaving this village seeking power, Sakura. I am going because the people in that village need my help."
She lowered her eyes, understanding, but still distraught.
"And I intend to return here whenever I can, which is more than Sasuke can say." Gaara added, not wanting her to think she'd never see him again.
"I…I could join the medical corps in Sand!" Sakura turned to face him, recalling how Haku would be doing the same, "They could use my help too!"
He shook his head, "No. Your apprenticeship under the Hokage is too important for you to settle for a foreign job. All that I want for you is to be free and happy. I don't want you to sacrifice such opportunities for me, Sakura."
She shook her head, not willing to believe it, "But I could go. I do want to and I'm happiest when I'm with you, Gaara. Please don't say that I'm sacrificing anything because I'm not-"
He kissed her to calm her down. Sakura hushed herself and then looked up at him again, "Thanks for that. But still, how can I be sure you'll come back? You may end up really liking it over there you know."
He looked at her for a long moment and then turned, untying his headband that had been knotted around his sand gourd. Gaara handed it to her while she blinked in puzzlement.
"I'll be wanting this back." He told her, lowering his voice, "Keep it safe for me until then."
Sakura sighed and leaned her forehead against his shoulder submissively, "I will."
By that night Naruto and his mentor had covered considerable distance. They had stopped at an inn outside the border of the Fire Country to get some rest before starting again in the morning.
Naruto laid restlessly on his futon, and after a long while of staring at the ceiling uselessly he rolled over and hissed, "Hey! Ero-sensei! I know you're not sleeping!"
Jiraiya stirred and then blearily turned his head to face his annoying student, "What is your problem, kid? Can't a guy get some sleep around here?"
Naruto didn't appreciate his attitude, "Forget it then…"
"Look if you had to wake me from a dead sleep then it's got to be worth hearing." Jiraiya retorted, scratching his cheek sleepily, "Out with it."
Naruto stared at his hands and then relented, admitting, "Look Ero-sensei, I just don't think that it's fair you're only training me and not Gaara-kun and Haku-kun too."
"Naruto, I've been over this with you already; the techniques I plan on teaching you are exclusively suited for you, like the Rasengan. Gaara and Haku aren't cut out for these kinds of jutsu."
"Then tell me why, at least!"
"Well…you'll learn that for yourself once you start learning the techniques." The sage smiled slyly, "There'd be no use in telling you this early on, Naruto."
Naruto huffed in response.
"You've got to understand, kid, that when we do get back, those two are going to be a hell of a lot stronger too. You're not the only one who'll be improving." Jiraiya pointed out, "It's good that you all have an opportunity to train separately for a while…that way you can discover yourselves more thoroughly."
"I still miss them, though…"
"Yeah. I miss those knuckleheads too," His mentor agreed, "But you will meet again, because nothing stands between best friends: distance, time…maybe women might. But that's about it."
Naruto snorted at the thought and then rolled over, willing himself to sleep.
He had dreams of racing through Konoha alongside all of his friends.
