Disclaimer: I do not in ANY WAY own Naruto or Naruto: Shippuden.
A/N: This one's a little different, but I actually really like how this one turned out. I hope you guys enjoy!
Also, please review!
Never Yield (Chapter 15) – The Day Before
Third-Person P.O.V.
One Day Later
The 'relaxation day' proposed to by the sensei of the Skulk are not just about their students – it's also about their families.
Though by going to Whirlpool they are supposed to be safe and protected, nothing can be guaranteed. And just like how Naruto was supposed to be protected on his last mission, he was very nearly killed. So, this day is a not-so subtle attempt by the sensei to let their students spend some time with their parents, siblings, cousins, and other clansmen or friends.
"Wow, that smells great!" Tenten says as she enters Choji's house. He had asked for the house alone again for a few hours – though unlike when he asked for it when he was cooking for Naruto, he was all kinds of flustered and blushing this time – but luckily his parent's didn't complain.
After all, they know he has a more than small chance of being hurt and dying on this mission, so they're letting Choji have a few hours cooking for a girl if he wants to be. The boy spends so much time with his family anyway, he deserves this time to be a regular teen.
"I'm glad! I'm trying out something new – Ma always says the purest way to someone's heart is through their stomach via undiscovered aromas and tastes!" Choji says, making a joke out of what he's always heard. And his joke is successful – as Tenten proceeds to laugh.
Tenten hasn't really thought much about romance in her life – for a while when they first became a team, she had a crush on Neji. With his long hair and gray eyes and skill – she was easily infatuated. But then as she got to know him – his pain from his life – she knew that she didn't like him like that and instead wanted to be his friend and support him and try to help him through his pain.
So when Choji asked her out on a simple date with a home-cooked meal, she had no reason not to accept. Choji is her friend, he's cute, he's nice, he's skilled, and he makes good food. And he's pretty funny too!
(And this may be the last time she gets to have some innocent fun, so she would be a fool to say no.)
"Well your Ma knows what she's talking about. If you keep this up, I may just have to teach you my secret sword maneuver." She teases, and the two of them share a laugh. "But thank you – I can tell you're putting so much effort in to this." She says, expressing her gratitude of the work he's putting in to impress her.
"You deserve it." Is all Choji says, and it's more than enough to get Tenten blushing and then he goes into the kitchen. While Tenten is still out there growing more and more impressed with her date by the minute, Choji is proud of himself and is silently thanking Naruto for his simple advice.
Shikamaru isn't an idiot – he knows exactly what this day is meant for. He figured it out before his mother starting acting like the prototypical mother and trying to be with him every waking moment of this day.
Though it was nice not being forcefully woken up at an ungodly hour by her, for once. So he supposes that alone should be enough reward for putting up with her antics.
But in reality, he is sad and worried for his parents. His father is the jonin commander and his mother is a retired tokubetsu jonin, but they are first and foremost his parents. They know that every mission he goes on that he could die, but this mission is something else. His father knows the details, of course (as he's one of the only few Tsunade knows she could trust with this kind of stuff), but that doesn't make it any easier for them.
And Shikamaru would really hate it if he did die and they didn't know the truth about him. Or if he did die and they didn't hear the truth from his own mouth, either.
So that night during dinner, Shikamaru made a decision. No thinking, no contingencies, a split-second decision. His father had even come home early to make sure to spend a full meal with his family – the moment could not get any more perfect.
"I'm gay." Shikamaru says when both of his parents weren't chewing – he didn't want to surprise them into a choking fit (it's happened enough to Naruto that he won't make that mistake again with someone else).
And saying it to his parents – without even considering a reaction – is enough to give him relief. Shikamru's been aware of his sexuality for a few years now and has always felt guilty about keeping it a secret. He was even going to keep it a secret from his team until Naruto was worried bout facing rejection due to Kurama on their very first team meeting.
But his team understood his hesitation and desire to keep it a secret. And when he and Sasuke became boyfriends, they never discussed telling others outside the Skulk. But then Sasuke told his brother and mother about their relationship – and Shikamaru felt so proud of his boyfriend and so loved, especially when the Uchiha said how happy Shikamaru made him.
Shikamaru loves Sasuke, and it's not fair to Sasuke to keep it hidden anymore. And it's not fair to his parents to maybe lose their son on this mission and not know this about him.
"So who was it that you put your hair down for a few months ago?" His father asks, seemingly only curious and not at all having any sort of judgement, whether positive or negative.
"Sasuke Uchiha." Shikamaru answers, not even surprised (but still disappointed) that he didn't actually get away with sneaking out the night of their first date. Though his heart is still pounding in his chest regardless.
"Is he good at Shogi?" He continues to question, and the Nara heir has a bad feeling about where this is heading.
"Yes." The teen answers, loosely thinking that an Akatsuki attack would be quite welcome right now on this self-inflicted torture.
But his parents just look at each other and communicate silently in a way only parents can.
"Well we expect you and your boyfriend here tomorrow morning early for breakfast." Yoshino states, inwardly grinning at the embarrassment on her son's face but also happy at the relief on his face too.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Sakura, there's no way we can convince you otherwise, is there?" Her mother asks her, though she already knows the answer.
Since Sakura's hand got stabbed with a poison kunai on her first C-Rank mission, the genin's relationship with her parents has been seriously strained. They had told her that they never thought she actually had what it took to be a real shinobi, that they thought she only did it for a boy.
But really, the Harunos are just scared. They are civilians – they don't want to see their daughter get struck down way before it's her time. But that's the life of a shinobi and they just want her to be safe.
But at the same time, they couldn't be more proud of her. She took that poisoned kunai – which resulted in a huge scar on both sides of her hand (and which she rejected Naruto's offer of Kyuubi chakra to heal it) – to save a man's life.
And they're not stupid – they are easily able to get information about their daughter. Sakura may not have told them about already being more than adequate at Earth-style jutsu, about helping defend the civilians during Suna's failed invasion, about how she became the Hokage's medical student, about how she is a natural genius of chakra control.
But they know it all. And they know she's about to go on some kind of dangerous mission, and they are terrified they won't see her again.
"No." She says, not even looking at them. If they won't accept this part of her life, then she can't deal with them.
"We expected as much. Sakura...just come back to us. We love you. And we are so proud of everything you have done." Her father tells her, and for the first time in over half a year she hugs her parents and cries with them and tells them she loves them too.
Things at the Inuzuka compound have been rocky for quite a while. Kiba still hasn't completely forgiven himself for what an ass he was when Teams 7, 8, and 10 went on that month-long training trip.
He was such an asshole to Naruto and everyone else. And if Naruto wasn't such a nice guy and didn't forgive him after Kiba apologized...then Kiba would be totally miserable.
He wouldn't trade what he has with his team or the Skulk for anything. Just like the Izuzuka clan, the Skulk is his pack. They are his family.
But even within his family and his clan, it's tough. He didn't make chuunin during his first exams, even though his sister did. And that's just another thing for the clan elders to hold against him.
Kiba doesn't hold it against his sister – there's a little resentment, but Hana is a really sweet sister to him and tries to tell him to not listen to what those 'old coots' think. Kiba appreciates his sister and loves her and though he may have a little resentment and/or jealousy, they have an amazing sibling relationship.
Hana even told him what Choji told the elders about everything they went through – and though the elders have eased up a bit and are being (less) hard on him, it still weighs on him and is a constant source of his insecurities.
"Kiba, come here." His mother tells him as he walks through the door into the clan compound. He was out with Ino and Choji for a walk – apparently Choji has a date with Tenten later today and he wanted some encouragement from his team.
Ino-Kiba-Cho forever! Whether it be in battle or in romance, they will always be a team!
"Yes, Mom?" The boy replies. His mother has been put in a difficult spot – the elders nagging her about Kiba's performance as an heir still, even though Tsume herself believe he is performing amazingly. But the Inuzuka follow a heirarchy – seniority matters so even though Tsume is technically the one who makes the decisions, the elders have a great deal of input.
"This clan is a pack, but sometimes things get misguided. I should have told you this much sooner as not the clan head but as your mother. I am so proud of all the progress you have made since your graduation. You are a great shinobi, and I can tell your friends think very highly of you too. Remember this, my son." Tsume says and pulls her son into a rough hug and gives him a noogie - a sign of familial respect within the Inuzuka.
And though Kiba is really afraid and nervous about leaving to Whirlpool tomorrow, tonight he sleeps well because for once those deep-rooted insecurities that ply in his head every night are silent.
(And they stay silent.)
"Oh man...why am I doing this again?" Naruto asks his girlfriend who is leading him through the Hyuuga compound.
"Because we love each other and we may die and my father needs to meet you before then." Hinata says, and it's quite a morbid joke for her.
But when things concern her clan...she copes in weird ways. Her anxiety regarding her clan from when they first became a team became...subtle manipulation.
(And Naruto loves how sneaky his girlfriend can be when she wants to be!)
But Hiashi Hyuuga had formally invited the Uzumaki to dinner with the head family. Not only has it been quite some time since the relationship between the Hyuuga heiress and the Uzumaki became known, but concerning the mission they are about to go on...he has some things he needs to say.
And Naruto is nervous as hell.
"Can't he just meet a shadow clone then?" He suggests before mumbling 'and that way he can't kill me.' after.
"No." Hinata says, and that's settled.
Naruto is surely going to die tonight – at least Hiashi Hyuuga is making it so that Akatsuki can't have the satisfaction of being the ones to do it...
Naruto is pleasantly surprised to see Neji waiting at the table. Naruto knew a lot of Neji's issues from the past had to do with being in the side branch of the Hyuuga clan...but maybe he's being treated as if he is from the main branch?
Either way, to just have another friend being there is a relief to Naruto.
"Good evening, Lord Hiashi. Neji. Hanabi." Naruto says to everyone present and bows. When he raises, the face of the Hyuuga clan head is as stoic and firm as it was when he first walked in and it just unsettles Naruto.
Neji's and Hanabi's faces are slightly sympathetic, at least.
"Good evening, Naruto Uzumaki." Hiashi says. The man does nod slightly in acknowledgment and respect. "Please, take a seat."
Naruto obeys, nerves on fire and heartbeat extremely rapid.
(He remembers idly how he actually wished for something like this – something mundane like having to meet his girlfriend's family. Nothing deadly. Normal teen stuff. And yeah...he slightly regrets it.)
"Thank you for inviting me here tonight. It's an honor." Naruto says, trying to make a good first impression.
"You re welcome. I am grateful you attended. However, Mr. Uzumaki, I think it would be best if we were both being honest, yes?" Hiashi questions, eyebrows raised.
Naruto barely manages a "Yes, sir." without his voice cracking like it did when he was twelve years old.
"Then let me be frank – thank you. I don't know much about you – in fact, until very recently, I only knew of your academy record. However, it is clear you have been a very positive influence on my family. My daughter and nephew have benefited so much with you and your other friends in their lives. I know you both don't need it, but I give this relationship my blessings and I wish all of you luck and good fortune on your mission." Hiashi states, and it shocks everyone at the table.
But after the awkwardness clears and Naruto is able to express his thanks and his love for his girlfriend and his friend, they all enjoy an elaborate meal – one that could even give an Akimichi meal a run for its money – with Hiashi leading a toast with an old Hyuuga prayer for success.
And when Hiashi bows back to Naruto when the night is over, the tokubetsu chuunin is proud to know he has the Hyuuga – no, Hinata's family – on his side.
One Day Later
Asuma and Gai say goodbye to their fellow Jonin-sensei and all their students.
"Your youth will lead this mission to safety and success! I am so proud of all of you!" Gai says to the twelve genin and chuunin.
"Also, remember to learn something on this mission. About Whirlpool and the other villages – this mission can be enriching too." Asuma says, trying to lighten up the mood.
The mission is supposed to be preventative. While the Skulk and the jinchuuriki are safe at Whirlpool, Anbu and others are to take on and eliminate Akatsuki. Still, nothing is certain. But everyone can benefit from learning about the other villages and cultures.
The twelve genin and chuunin, along with Karin, Juugo, and Suigetsu all leave Konoha while led by Kurenai, Itachi Uchiha, Yamato, and Kakashi.
They start their trek to Uzushiogakure.
A/N: This chapter was initially meant to be just a small transitional thing but it ended up a bit longer than I planned. And the tone is different – even more than usual for when I write in Third Person, and I like how it turned out!
But this chapter was just a bunch of little things coming together. Most of it actually was stuff all the way from "To Be a Ninja" that hadn't actually had a chance to be mentioned again in this story, but I thought that this kind of mission let me explore those details again.
And yes, as of this chapter Choji/Tenten is being added as a relationship tag for this story. Hooray!
How did Sasuke's breakfast go? We'll (probably) find out later, but for now I'll leave that up to your imagination. I have an idea but I didn't write it yet so I don't actually know what happened except that it was 'troublesome.' :P
But yeah, this was just a character chapter and a short break before returning back to the main plot as the "Jinchuuriki Coalition" arc continues!
I hope you all enjoyed! Stay tuned for Chapter 16!
Also, don't forget to review!
