With the holidays coming I decided to go ahead and put up the newest chapter as a give to those who read this story. Hope you enjoy it. Disclaimer, I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 48:
Insecurity
"Chidori." In a secluded area, Sasuke was training which involved using the lightening jutsu that he was taught by Kakashi. Seeing the damage that the attack had created and saw that there was a good size crater in the large boulder that he had been using. Despite the impressive display Sasuke wasn't the least bit pleased. "It's not good enough."
Again he prepared to do another Chidori. All the while he thought back to what happen when he encountered Itachi. "Go away little brother. I don't have time for you." The chakra began to create the lightening that focus in Sasuke's hand began to grow as even more moments from that incident. "You're weak, little brother. It's because you lack the hatred." His attack seemed to respond to its user as the chirping sound became louder.
"I know that your true target was Naruto." He remembered hearing what Naruto's godfather, Jiraiya said when he intervened. That was final straw as Sasuke once again thrust a Chidori into the boulder. The result of it was the same as before.
"Why would you want him? What makes him so special?" The Uchiha's anger was getting to him as he was clenching his fists tightly. "Was everything I done for nothing? I must get stronger " He was so consumed by his anger that he hadn't notice that his fists were clenching so tightly that his fingernails were piercing into his hands and blood was dripping to the ground.
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At a hidden location in Oto, Orochimaru smirked at something. "The time has come. Go to Konoha." That order was directed toward the four individuals that were kneeling before him. None of them said anything as they took off to complete their assignment.
"Soon I'll gain what I seek." Glancing down he looked at his bandaged arms. "The Third may have prevented me from fulfilling my revenge but once I obtain the key I'll finish what I started during the invasion." The mere thought of it had Orochimaru to medical laugh.
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"This is nice." voiced the boy.
"Yeah it is." agreed the girl that was with him.
In an open field Naruto Uzumaki was on the ground, leaning against a tree while Hinata Hyuga was leaning him. They weren't doing anything particular as they were simply the scenery. Neither of them said anything as they were enjoying the company of the other.
"Are you all right? You're shivering." spoke Naruto in a calm voice. "Getting cold?"
"No. I'm fine." Hinata was able to say. She was blushing but not to the extent that she normally did. Maneuvering around she looked at the blond who seemed to be at ease. "Can I ask you a question Naruto?" A nod from the boy gave her the go ahead. "Are you really okay that we're…like this?"
"You mean dating?" Naruto clarified. When it made the girl blush even harder he laughed quietly. "Well, we've been going out for two weeks and we both enjoyed it. So yeah, I'm okay that we're…like this. Why do you ask? Starting to have second thoughts?"
Hinata shook her head. "Of course I'm not. It's just that I never thought that this would ever happen." Feeling shy she lowered her head. "Sometimes I worry that this is merely a dream and I'll wake up one day."
She kept her head to the ground as she couldn't get the nerve to look up. It wasn't until she felt Naruto put a hand on her chin and lifted her head to where Hinata was looking at the boy's face. "It isn't a dream Hinata. This is reality." Leaning down he gave her a quick kiss on her forehead.
The result being was the Hyuga blushing to the point that her entire face was red. Though they have been going out for sometime, Hinata wasn't used to intimate signs of affection. "It's getting late. I better get you home." Both of them were a bit reluctant in getting out of the position that they were in but they got up as they knew that this wouldn't be the last time that they would have times like this.
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"Why wasn't I told about this sooner?" asked Tsunade. She and a shinobi were in one of Konoha's prison units that held some of the village's prisoners. "I should've been told about this sooner."
"My deepest apologizes." excused the accompanying shinobi. "It happened around the time of the invasion. Along with recovering from it and your Hokage coronation it wasn't an important matter. It wasn't until we were promise information that it change. Only thing is that it won't be given unless you're present. Sorry about bothering with such things."
"Do not worry, Ibiki. It sounds important. Besides, it gets me away from doing more paperwork." They continued to walk as they were close to arriving at one of the holding cells. "So, what do we know about the person?" Looking at the clipboard that he had with him Ibiki read what was on it.
"Name: Kin Tsuchi. Village of Origin: Oto. She was part of the team that their team sent for the Chunin Exam. We captured her when one of the ANBU squads saw her attacked by fellow Oto shinobi. She was saved but when informing us what her village was planning on doing she was placed confined until her claims could be proven." Putting away the clipboard Ibiki gave his own opinion on the matter. "Please take to mind Hokage; what she told us helped us to save many people. She gave it willingly so she may do the same here."
Taking that into consideration, Tsunade started with her own cross-examination. "You said that you had some information that we would want and only tells us if I was here. Well, I'm here, start spilling."
In her cell, the girl Kin was sitting against the far wall and her head down. Only after the woman started talking did she look up. "I'll talk. But I have some request that I would like to be met. First, I want to be free from this prison and clear of any punishment that I may of receiveed. Second, I wish to become an official member of Konoha."
"You really think you're in any position to make any demands?" inquired Tsunade in a impassive tone. "Why would we consider them in the first place?"
"Well, since I was captured I've been cooperative. As the man with the scars said, the information that I gave helped during the invasion." Ibiki didn't take kindly to how he was referred to but now wasn't the time or place. "Also, I wouldn't mind sticking it to my now former village and that bastard snake." Kin's resentment was clearly noted. "Wanting to sacrifice me to bring back one of the past Hokage's to life after my loyalty to him. Somehow I'll make you pay for that, Orochimaru."
Tsunade said nothing as she actually considered the proposal. "We'll take your demands into consideration. But let's get to why I'm here. You said that you may have some information that we would find useful."
Seeing that was as good as she was going to get at the moment, Kin decided to tell them what she knew. "What I have pertains to your former teammate, Lady Hokage." That got Tsunade's attention. "I've heard that you had a run in with him not long ago and I'm certain that there was something…off about him." No confirmation was made but it wasn't needed. "Well, thanks to my former teammate, Dosu, I know what it is and how that tie to what he has planned to do next. Have I got your attention now?"
The leader of Konoha had kept quiet as she took in everything that had been said. She indeed had a good theory about what she saw during her encounter with Orochimaru but that all it was. "I may as well see if I'm right." "Okay. Start talking."
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"Well, we're almost there." As they reluctantly decided, both Naruto and Hinata returned to the village. Their destination being the large compound that the Hyuga family lived in. "If you want we could always take the longer way to your home." Naruto halfway joked and suggested. "Maybe we could just say that we got lost."
What the blond said had made the Hyuga girl laugh. "Afraid we can't do that. It didn't work the first time or the time after that. Wouldn't want a repeat of what happen last time." Reminder of what Hinata was referring to caused her companion to groan. With some hesitation Hinata reached over to grab the boy's arm and leaned closer to him. "Let's not worry about that. Today was nice so let's not end this on a bad note."
Forgetting all about his brief annoyance, Naruto instead focus on the close contact that he had with the girl beside him. "This is nice." His moment of content came to an abrupt end as he spotted standing at the entrance way of the Hyuga compound was the family leader, Hinata's father, Hiashi. "Well, it was good while it lasted." "Her she is. You can call off the search party."
The Hyuga leader didn't show any emotion as he watched as the two teenagers made their way over. "I don't know what you mean Uzumaki. I was merely outside getting some air." Hiashi stated as if he was saying the simplest thing there was.
While there wasn't any sign of deception Naruto had his suspicions. He thought about pushing the issue further but remembered what Hinata said as they were walking over. "She wouldn't like if I started getting into an argument in front of her." Forgetting about Hiashi, Naruto focused on girl standing beside him. "This is where we part ways Hinata. I hope that you can hold out until we see each other again."
Naruto was of course joking around which Hinata quickly picked up on. "I'm s-sure I can m-managed Naruto." she was able to get out in between laughing and minor stuttering. In response, Naruto quickly leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Hinata couldn't even say anything as the act shocked her and caused her to blush heavily as the person responsible took his leave while waving back to her. She was so out of it that she made her way into the compound and not noticing the indescribable look that her father had on his face.
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"You look happy." Turning to where the voice had come from Naruto saw Sakura who had a smirk on her face. "I haven't seen you this happy in quite a while. Had another date with Hinata?' All she got was the smile on Naruto's face getting bigger. "By the look on your face I'll take that as a yes." The two of them would continue to talk while walking down the road. "Hinata must feel lucky about the two of you being together.
"Honestly Sakura, I feel that I'm the one who's lucky." stated Naruto truthfully. "With all the crazy things that I've been a part of this past year it's good to be able to forget about it and be normal. Being with Hinata makes me feel like I don't have that pressure on my shoulders. I can just be Naruto Uzumaki and that was something that I've been missing for some time."
As he talked Sakura couldn't help but be a bit jealous. "I'm glad that Naruto and Hinata are happy with each other. It makes me wish that I had that to." Of course, when she was thinking that she had a certain Uchiha in mind. Almost as if calling for it, both Sakura and Naruto saw Sasuke standing a few feet ahead of them. She was about to call out to him but stopped when she saw the look on his face. Her companion seemed not to notice.
"Hello there, Sasuke. How's it going?" That only seem to make the scowl that the Uchiha had to grow.
"Naruto…fight me. Now!" The un-expectance of that request was a surprise. Add to the fact that he was basically demanding a fight didn't help make things any clearer.
"What? I haven't seen you in over a week and all of a sudden you show up and demand a fight with me. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the attention but you could've said, 'How are you doing Naruto?' or something like that. There's such a thing as being polite." Naruto's words didn't seem to do anything except infuriate Sasuke even more. Whether the blond realize this or not was anyone's guess. "As for you wanting to fight me, I decline."
"You're correct. The Akatsuki wishes to use Naruto to accomplish its goals." What Itachi said repeated in the young Uchiha's mind. Safe to say it didn't help to calm the anger that he was feeling.
"Coward." muttered Sasuke as the boy walked off. "You're afraid to fight me, aren't you?" Only sign that his words had an affect was that Naruto stopped walking. "That's it, isn't it? You're afraid that I'll beat you and show how weak you are."
A tense moment was felt and stuck in the middle was Sakura as she couldn't understand what she was witnessing. "Why are you doing this Sasuke? This isn't like you." An uneasy feeling started to come over the girl as she thought of a possible reason. "Could it be because of the mark?"
As for Naruto, he had said nothing and it was unknown how he would respond. Finally, he looked over his shoulder and smirked at the person taunting him. "Nice try Sasuke. You almost had me there. But as much as I would like to, the answer is still no." His reply came as a surprise as more times than not Naruto would've let his anger get the best of him. "Now, if you excuse me, I'll be leaving. I don't want to ruin what has been a great day by arguing with you Sasuke."
Much as he hate to admit it but the Uchiha was running out of ideas. He had hoped that his taunting would get to his teammate but it failed. Just as he was thinking of using physical provocation an idea came to him. "You're talking about you dating Hinata?" Like before, his words got Naruto to stop.
"For the life of me I can't understand why someone of her status would want to be with the likes of you." Instead of looking over his shoulder, Naruto turned completely around to face the boy and this time he was showing that what had been said was getting to him. "Maybe I'm wrong. For a Hyuga she doesn't live up to the name. She after all was beaten mercilessly by her cousin. Perhaps the two of you really deserve each other."
At last Sasuke got what he wanted as Naruto was clearly showing rage from what had been said and was close to attacking the one responsible. "Wanted to fight me, Sasuke? You got it." His anger was evident in each word he said.
Getting what he wanted, the Uchiha smirked slightly before jerking his head. "Follow me." Naruto said nothing as he followed his soon to be opponent.
They were a couple of feet away before the silent observer, Sakura hurried after them. She had witnessed the entire incident but wasn't able to speak up. As she went after her two teammates she was pleading to herself. "Why is this happening? The two of them don't have to do this. Please stop."
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Hinata didn't even notice where she was going. It was as though her feet were on autopilot as she arrived at her room. She finally started to come out of her haze when she entered the room but couldn't get of the smile that was on her face. Taking off her jacket she walked around the room until she stood in front of a table that had three pictures on it.
One was when she was younger and Hanabi was only a few months old and was being held by their mother. It was somewhat saddening as it was not long after that she passed away. The second one was the two sisters were older and standing on either side of their father. Last of the pictures was the most recent and something that she held dear.
The day after returning to Konoha from their mission, Naruto took her out. They had gone out before but they were merely get-togethers between friends but this was the first time they went out on an actual date. It wasn't anything elaborate as they had a nice walk followed by having dinner at Ichiraku Ramen.
They were going to leave after dinner but were stopped when Ayame asked them to wait. She remarked that such an event should be remembered and she followed that by presented the camera that she was holding. In the picture it was standing in front of the stand, Hinata was all nervous while Naruto, smiling brightly, stood beside her with his arm behind her doing a piece sign. Hinata smiled when she was given her copy.
"It's only been two weeks but it feels like it's been longer." thought the Hyuga girl as she picked up the aforementioned picture. "Being with him was something that would be a dream and nothing more." Remembering what Naruto had said earlier brought a small smile to Hinata's face as she lightly touched the place on her forehead that he kissed. "He was right. This is reality and I would take this over a dream any day."
"Happy, aren't you sister?" Startled by the unexpected voice, Hinata dropped the picture frame as she turned around and saw standing at the doorway was her sister, Hanabi. Showing no emotion the younger Hyuga made her way over to her sister. When she was only a few feet away she leaned down and picked up the dropped item. When Hanabi saw what it was she let what appeared to be a small smile to show itself.
Hinata gratefully took the frame and set it back on the table. "Are you really wanting to have this?" asked Hanabi in a neutral tone. "Is having a relationship with Naruto Uzumaki worth the trouble that might come because of it?" Though they had become closer it was unusual for the two Hyuga sisters to talk about such a thing, especially Hanabi being the one to start it.
"I have no antagonism towards him but the same can't be said about our father and most of the Hyuga family." What she was speaking was the truth as it was no secret that their family had some unknown resentment toward the boy. "You must already know that unless things change the chances that the relationship between the two of you won't last." With nothing else to say, Hanabi made her way out of Hinata's room. "For what it's worth, I hope that things work out somehow for you, sister."
Hinata said nothing and didn't even register her sister's leaving. She took a couple deep breaths to keep her composure. While she didn't want to admit it she knew that what had been said was true. She had told Naruto about it once but he merely waved off the concern and saying that it would turn out okay in the end which didn't help ease the concern that she felt.
"Maybe I shouldn't worry about it. Naruto said it would be all right in the end and he always lives up to what he says so I should believe that he'll find a way to do it again." In the end all that Hinata could do was hope.
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"So here's where you want to fight." Looking around Naruto could see the damage that had been done to the area. "Man, you sure have been busy. Haven't really done much else in your pare time, have you?"
"No more talking. Let's fight." Sasuke was eager to get things started and could hardly wait to get things started. "Now is time to prove how different we are."
"What's the deal with you? Usually you don't talk this much before a fight." Unlike his sooner to be opponent, the spiky haired boy was acting like he didn't have a care in the world. "Not starting to regret calling me out, are you?"
"Why would I? It's not like you're actually going to beat me? Have you forgotten how it was when we were in the academy?" Sasuke stopped talking when he saw the look on his upcoming opponent's face. "What's with the smile? You find this amusing?"
"Honestly, I do." replied Naruto calmly. His smile seemed to get bigger. "You were better than me at the academy and maybe you still are." Slowly his smile started to go away. "But things are changing. I'm not really the idiotic knucklehead like I was back then."
If possible, the anger that Sasuke was feeling grew. "What a load of crap. Don't know why Itachi is interested in you."
"Ah, so that's the reason." remarked Naruto. "The reason why you're so upset is because your brother came for me and not you."
While that was already going through his head, having it being said made it worse. "He must've been mistaken. Why someone such as him would even waste their time with the likes of you is beyond me." Whether he knew it or not his Sharingan activated as if to further show its user's annoyance.
"Maybe he didn't want to waste his time on someone who's a weak, Sasuke." That was the final straw. As if some unheard shot went off, the two of them went at one another. They tried to punch each other but their fists were caught by the other. Sasuke took control as he slammed Naruto into a tree and repeatedly punch him. It was only when his arm was caught did the pummeling stop. "Okay, it's my turn."
While still holding onto his opponent's arm he grabbed the front of his shirt. He would follow it by pulling Sasuke forward while he moved to the side. That resulted in the Uchiha going face first into the tree that was used earlier. Stunned by the move it took a while for him to recover and when he did he saw that Naruto was nowhere to be seen.
"Now isn't this rich." voiced the hidden blond who couldn't be located. "With all your self bravado and attitude, you're just a little boy who wishes for the attention of his brother." A sudden glimpse of something orange and black was seen. Without thinking Sasuke threw a kunai and it hit Naruto. The achievement would be for nothing as the boy became a puff of smoke. This only seemed to amuse Naruto further as he remained hidden. "What's a matter? Did I strike a nerve?"
"No more bullshit!" yelled Sasuke who was angrier then he ever been. "Where are you, you idiot?" Silence was all that Sasuke got. "Quit hiding and fight."
"In due time." remarked Naruto while still hidden and it was impossible to tell where he was. "But why can't I have some fun before I end it?"
Throughout all of this, Sakura watched from a safe distance. She was shocked as she was witnessing as two of the people that she cared for going at one another. "It's not supposed to happen. Why do the two of them have to fight each other? There's no reason." Like before she wanted to try and stop them but couldn't get her body to move in to do so.
"Where is he?" Looking all around Sasuke couldn't see where Naruto was. "Thanks to his Shadow Clone Jutsu he could come from everywhere. Not like it'll matter."
Of all the ways that the Uchiha thought his opponent could've attack from, coming from under the ground wasn't one of them. So when two hands broke through the ground and grabbed his legs it caught him off guard to the point that he didn't notice when a blond charge at him.
What happen next was Naruto punching Sasuke into the air. That was followed by four identical blonds sliding in and kicking him with each one sending the dark haired boy even higher. With him now in the air, Sasuke tried to clear his head but before he could though, the four Narutos that kicked him were around him and each grabbed one of his limbs. All the while the one that punched him was still on the ground but didn't mean that he wasn't doing anything.
"What kind of jutsu is that?" In Naruto's hand was a Rasengan and was ready to use it. Not wanting to know what it would actually do, Sasuke was able to free himself from his captor's grasp and destroy them with some well placed hits.
With those obstacles out of the way he focused on the problem that was on the ground. Going through a series of hand signs he fire a stream of fire from his mouth onto Naruto. The jutsu was strong enough that the flames consumed the entire area. Stopping the flow of fire Sasuke tried to see what the results of his attack were. Whatever probabilities that he could predict, what he saw wasn't one of them.
From within the flames, something could be seen. Slowly the flames started to surround themselves around that something. Things became clearer as that something was revealed to be two Narutos. One was in front of the other and neither of them was using the Rasengan. Instead, the one who was in front had his right arm encircled in his newest jutsu.
When all of the fire was gone so was that Naruto, which was revealed to be a shadow clone. That left only one Naruto who had the same wind jutsu as the clone. Leaping up he planned on going at the Sasuke and his Chidori head on.
Recognizing what was about to happen, Sakura finally got herself to move and immediately to where her two friends and teammates were fighting. "This is getting out of hand. It needs to be stopped before it's too late." With her concern clouding her better judgment Sakura rushed in, not realizing that she was walking into the path of the two dangerous attacks.
Both Naruto and Sasuke saw their female teammate and the predicament that she put herself in. They tried to stop themselves but couldn't. Unknown to either of them, they had the same line of thinking.
"I can't stop."
Well, there you go. I hope you liked how I did the start of the Naruto and Sasuke fight. Wanted to have the reason for it happening being somewhat simlar to how it was done in the series but added my own twist. Remember, Naruto doesn't consider Sasuke as much of a "friend" as in the series so the interaction between them will be different.
Also, I hope you like how I did the scene between Naruto and Hinata. I want to progress their possible slowly and not rush it like it's done in other stories.
As for the apperance of Kin, you'll have to wait and see. I believe you'll like what I have plan. At least I hope so.
That's all until I update again sometime next month. Until then, see ya and have a happy holidays.
