The Boy in the Park

Chapter Thirty-Six

Then, of course, the Tournament came around. Time flied, and by the time the day came he was both worried —since it was Naruko's test to become a Chuunin— and relaxed —since it was Naruko.

Naruko wasn't in a hurry, and neither was he, so they ate breakfast calmly. To check in the archives, he'd wait until his arm healed before trying once more. He was supposed to be going to the arena with Anko —whom he hadn't seen for an entire month, apparently still 'punished' by Ibiki— and so he waved goodbye to Naruko who had to go there early because she had to hear the rules and 'stay in line' whatever it meant.

When the purple haired Kunoichi did not appear, he sighed and went to the arena anyway. The seats were numbered, and as he sat down ready to enjoy the matches…he found himself surrounded.

By Hyuga.

He checked the seat once more. Yes, it was the right one.

So why did he have the feeling that Hiashi Hyuga was particularly gazing at him with a venomous look?

Hinata sat down next to him. So…wasn't he supposed to have Anko on the other side? No, apparently…apparently he was supposed to be surrounded by Hyuga. Harsh, glaring Hyuga with creepy white eyes. What had he done of evil in the world?

A tiny voice in the back of his head began to ponder on the situation, as time passed and the Uchiha had yet to show.

"Aniki-san," Hinata said carefully. "Naruko-chan is my important friend."

He nodded slowly.

"So, when I heard how she wanted to bathe with you, I was glad when you refused."

He nodded again, then he stilled. Wait. How did she? Was she spying on him? Was that the reason he felt watched!? Damn the Byakugan and its creepiness. Was any place safe from their gaze!?

"However, I understand that she might come on you strongly again, and I simply must prevent this…for her good," there was a quiet moment of silence as he blinked and brought his right hand to his temples. Really? The stalker was…then again, it did make sense that he felt watched.

"So I have taken the liberty of finding a place in the Hyuga compound big enough for you, your girlfriend and Naruko," she added then.

He stared at her. "You paid Anko off with Dango to get her to swap spots and bring me here in the middle of the Hyuga rows, didn't you?"

"Two tons," Hinata replied with a small bashful smile. "I think of Naruko fondly as part of my family," her smile now became something short of a serial killer, "And I'm sure you'll agree that family should stay together."

"Ehm…but I'm fine where I am," he replied nervously. "And there's really no need to go to such lengths. You could visit for sleepovers? Or Naruko could?" why did it feel as if he was surrounded by the Mafia? The White-Eyed Mafia? Technically, all they needed would be a matching Tattoo and they'd all have the requisites for being Yakuza, that and sheer loyalty to their Oyabun.

The entire branch-family sneezed. Hiashi made a polite sneeze too.

Shinku looked around perplexed for just a second…was the hay season still going strongly?

"So I can trust Aniki-san not to do something bad to Naruko-chan?" Hinata asked then slowly. "Because there is a Juuken strike I know of," she added softly, "it can make it drop."

"Make what dr—" he exhaled slowly.

"Really?" he asked then, realizing just 'what' it was about they were talking.

"Yep!" Hinata cheerfully smiled.

Shinku shook his head. He was the one who had to deal with the madness, wasn't he?

Finally, after nearly half an hour, they decided to begin the matches.

He closed his eyes half of the time, because really…they were vicious. He would have cheered, but Naruko was taking hits rather than delivering them. Just in what had her sensei trained her!? Sure, she did use the kunai —that the other side deflected bare handed! How could that boy do that!? And even the wire meant nothing when the boy could just slice it through with chakra-enhanced hands.

He was actually wondering if Hyuga's were 'normal' or merely monsters, what with their creepy white eyes and whatnot.

Furthermore, he wasn't a shinobi, so he had no idea what the two were talking of down in the arena, or why the boy had taken off his forehead protector. He did hear a soft 'Neji-nii' from Hinata by his side, but he let it be.

Naruko then said something else, and they battled again. He brought a hand to his throat as Naruko fell limp on the ground. Really! There was a limit! He felt sorry for Naruko.

The girl had tried her best, he was sure of it…but…but she didn't have to try that hard for him. It was all right to stop. He…he didn't want her hospitalized to get that vest. She could do well as a Genin again for another month, really!

And then Naruko stood up once again. She stood up and she charged ahead, creating more clones than before. He winced as he saw them detonate, one after the other, until in the end…another Naruko emerged from the ground and sent Neji flying in the air, before slamming him on the ground.

The match was over.

Naruko had won.

He blinked as he stared wide-eyed at such a scene. He would have clapped, but he didn't have both hands available.

Hinata was clapping in his place excitedly.

Naruko was breathing raggedly, as she looked through the crowd for her Aniki.

Finally, her eyes settled on him —why did he end up surrounded by the Hyuga, she had no clue— and she sent him a thumb-up.

He answered with one of his own.

She smiled brightly at that, before heading off towards the contestants' box. She gave one more look towards her Aniki and blinked. There was some sort of 'shark-fin' coloured pink that was nearing her Aniki from the sides, albeit it was more aptly to call it a pink-haired bunch of hair. She tried to yell to get her Aniki's attention, but it was too late.

The Pink-Shark pounced on her Aniki and with a startled yelp, Shinku found himself cradling the purring form of Sakura on his lap.

"Onii-sama," Sakura said huskily. "I looked everywhere for you!"

Sakura then yelped, being pinched on the buttocks by Hinata who was instead calmly sipping tea.

"Please refrain from sexually harassing my ticket to Naruko-chan's room."

Shinku sweat dropped. Was that what he was seen as?

Sakura still settled on his lap, albeit with a far more chastised look than before. Hinata sighed in relief. The Hyuga girl was coming out of her shell pretty nicely…but Shinku had to wonder just why he couldn't have a normal day, once in a while.

The next matches went by until Sasuke's own began. There, something strange happened midway through it, because the Sunagakure shinobi —a red haired guy he had never seen before— started to…well, morph?

The next instant, a flock of chickens had probably lost all of its feathers because…why was he feeling so sleepy?

When he woke again, it was to Hinata pressing a hand against his side and muttering 'Kai'…and Sakura trying to get a hand in his pants.

"Sakura!" he exclaimed in shock.

"What!? Onii-sama wasn't answering. And silence is 'Yes'." She nodded firmly.

He swallowed. He had to make sure she never slipped him something in his drinks then…he shuddered. Just how far the deep end had Sakura gone?

He blinked, and then he stared wide-eyed as a bunch of enemy shinobi came crashing down as the Kage Box detonated and all around him…

There was war?

War?

They were fighting?

It was strangely ironic, but being in the middle of the Hyuga rows meant one thing: he was in an iron barrel.

Now, if it weren't for Sakura still trying to make babies with him, he'd also feel safe.

"Why don't you go and help Naruko?" he offered to the girl who pouted, but disappeared a moment later.

He sighed in relief.

"Ko-san?" Hinata said then. "Please, bring Aniki-san to safety," she added to another Hyuga. "Do kill whoever harms a hair of his."

"Y-Yes, Hinata-sama."

Shinku swallowed nervously.

Everything was going to turn out fine, right?