Hello Once More! Unlike the previous chapters I'm only 1 week late! So it's not back to normal but it's something. This is the last chapter I'll be doing for this story for a while. I will return and finish it out, hopefully with it being better planned out so there's not as many plot holes. I'll keep it the future chapters on this story because it'll be easier for you guys and gals. Here is last prejump chapter of "Team Celestial".
I don't own the Naruto franchise. Never fear. I'll become president of a bigger company and buy it's rights.
*)()()(*^*)()()(*
Jiraiya took a steadying breath before opening the door to the Hokage's office. He knew Tsunade was not going to be thrilled with what he had to tell her but she would be even angrier if he didn't tell her.
Opening the door he was met with the sight of a hard working Tsunade with glasses on to help her read the multiple documents before her. Jiraiya found himself turned on by them. 'Guess I'm still learning things about myself!'. Jiraiya was about to compliment her on them when Tsunade beat him to it.
Without even looking up from her papers, she said, "If you're going to make some perverted remark about the glasses, can it! I've got work to do so if you have nothing valuable to tell me then get out!".
Jiraiya was, honest to Kami, shocked. "You're doing work?".
"Shizune hid all my Sake and won't tell me where it is until I finish all my work. I checked all the usual places and it's not there. She even took my reserves! I think she's using Kakashi's apartment but I'm not sure".
"Why don't you just sneak in and check it out?" Jiraiya asked.
Tsunade scowled just thinking about how futile the idea was. "I'm not as stealthy as you are, plus if I get caught there will be major problems that'll arise".
"Well if it means that much to you then I guess I could always take a look," Jiraiya offered, wiggling his eyebrows as he wore a goofy grin.
"While tempting, you'd probably ask to squeeze my breast or something perverted like that in return for finding my Sake," Tsunade said with a disapproving look. Although secretly she did wonder what it would happen if she did endorse Jiraiya in one of his perverted schemes.
"Fine! Anyways, I need to talk to you about… the training mission," Jiraiya finished.
"Yes. Yes. You can have your training mission. But you better bring back Naruto in one piece! While he may be a brat he's my brat! When were you thinking of leaving?"
"Hehe. Tomorrow?"
"TOMORROW?! WHAT KIND OF NOTICE IS THAT?! YOU COULDN"T HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP A WEEK AGO OR MAYBE, I DON'T KNOW, A MONTH AGO LIKE YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO!" Tsunade thundered, causing Jiraiya to flinch in fear.
"You know I've never been good with asking for permission. I barely remembered to ask this time!" Jiraiya argured.
Tsunade pinched her nose, repositioning the glasses when she had composed herself once more. "Can you tell me when you two will be back?" she asked.
"In about three years. It's okay hime, I won't be away that long," Jiraiya said with another goofy smile. Tsunade responded with throwing a pencil past him, just close enough where he'd feel it pass by him, with the pencil lodging itself into the wall. Jiraiya had a sweat drop. Tsunade's face had tinted red out of embarrassment. She didn't want to admit it but she would miss him. Jiraiya had interpreted her reddening face as her becoming more enraged and decided to quickly change the subject.
"So three years. Oh, I'm also bringing Sasuke," Jiraiya added.
"What? Why?" Tsunade asked.
"One of my contacts is a highly regarded shinobi and took an interest in him during the chunin exams. It's my belief that Sasuke will be able to make incredible progress as a ninja with my contact," Jiraiya explained.
"And you're certain you can trust this contact?" Tsunade asked skeptically. A lot of people wanted the power of the Uchiha Kekkei Genkai. She wasn't just going to let Jiraiya just drop him off at a stranger for three years.
"There's no one I'd trust more with Sasuke. Honestly he'll be safer with this person. The guy is an incredible genjutsu user. He also hates the idea of quick or stolen power. For him to take the Sharingan from Sasuke would be less likely than you giving up Sake, or falling in love with me!" Jiraiya joked, another piece of his heart crumbling away.
Tsunade felt a twinge of guilt at that last comment, but knew that if she opened up to him about something that she wasn't even sure of herself he'd never stop. 'Gosh, why can't he move on?'. She thought.
Tsunade to a breath before continuing, "Okay, so you want Naruto and Sasuke. What am I supposed to do with their third teammate Hinata?".
"Easy. While they train out there, she trains here. Also, I believe we brought back two prime ninja candidates from our last mission. I think they'll suffice for a team for Hinata. Although I'm sure a little guidance from her Hokage wouldn't hurt".
"Yes, Yes! I was thinking of starting a medical class anyways. That Sakura girl has shown a lot of promise. I also wanted to experiment with that Aburame boy. If his beetles can provide chakra or could heal someone that would be a huge advantage in battle. I'm sure I can show Hinata a few things".
"There you go! Now, I need an official mission slip for the gates otherwise I'll become the Sannin who stole two of the leaf's most promising ninja. Honestly I was thinking about taking all three but I didn't know what I'd do with Hinata".
Tsunade was filling out the mission form as she spoke, "Why not? I'm sure there's some cool powerful jutsu you could teach her".
"True, but with her chakra control I'd run out of jutsu to teach her really fast. Plus, I think she'll be able to make some big changes around here if she stays".
Tsunade lifted an eyebrow, "Oh?".
"Let's just say I might have accidentally found out some information about the Hyuga clan. I don't understand it, but I'm sure over the next few years she'll be able to figure out what it means". To say Tsunade was intrigued would be an understatement, she had become fully invested in this mystery.
"I look forward to watching what Hinata does in the next few years. Here's the mission form. Now go tell Naruto and Sasuke before you forget and hey don't have enough time to pack and say goodbye".
"Of course hime! If you want to see him off we'll be leaving at noon". Jiraiya started out the door. Almost finished closing the door behind him before he stopped and poked his head in one last time. "Oh, hime! You look good in glasses". Jiraiya then left in a small giggle fit as he enjoyed the memory of Tsunade in glasses.
If Jiraiya had stayed a second longer he would've noticed Tsunade turning red once again. 'I'm like a teenager! What is wrong with me?!'. Tsunade put her head in her hands as she tried to sort out her feelings.
(*~{]\/[}~*)
Naruto's small apartment was silent. A rare moment but one that Naruto enjoyed. He had fallen asleep almost instantly after the hellish day of training he had had. Such a silence was cruelly broken by a giant albino hedgehog slamming his door open. "Yo! Gaki! Time to get up we've got places to go!".
"Huuh?! What do you want pervy-sage!" Naruto half shouted. He was rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Weeeee'rrrre going on a training mission! Now pack your things! We're leaving!".
"Training mission? How long of a training mission?" Naruto asked.
"Three years worth of it! Now hurry up! I have to pick up your friend Sasuke and you need to say goodbye to your little girlfriend," Jiraiya said with a smile.
"Girlfriend? Hinata's not my…"
"Oh come one Gaki. Are you really that dense? Well it's not my problem. Just get dressed and say your goodbyes," Jiraiya said.
Naruto tried to argue but Jiraiya had already left to find Sasuke. "Where are we even going?!" he shouted in his now empty apartment. Grudgingly he did as his sensei asked of him, packing his little belongings and making a mental checklist of those he had to say goodbye to.
Within three minutes he had finished packing and had gone off to say his goodbyes, starting with Ichiraku Ramen.
With it being so early he had walked in on the just starting up the shop and unloading ingredients. "Hey old man! How's it going?".
Teuchi looked up from unpacking his cart. "Naruto my boy! Good to see you! What brings you out here this early? Finally paying off your debt?".
"Hehe, about that… I'm going on a training mission with Pervy-Sage and won't be back for a while".
"A while?" Old man Teuchi said. "How long?".
"3 years…"
"3 years!" Ayame had poked her head out of the kitchen at this news. "You'll be gone for 3 years?!"
"Yes…?" Naruto replied.
"That's 3 years worth of work you'll owe us!" Ayame pointed out.
"I know! I know! I'll make it up to you!"
"Well how about you make one of those shadow doubles of your's to help out for now. When you get back though I'm going to expect one of your doubles helping out full time though! You still owe us 196 bowls of ramen!"
Naruto felt like a melting ice cube being once again reminded of his debt and what he'd have to do to pay it off.
Teuchi smiled at the boy, "We'll miss you Naruto. One thing is for sure, things won't be the same without our number one customer around… You know what. The shop isn't open just yet but how about you come around later and we'll give you a bowl to go. On the house".
Naruto smiled, "You bet old man! Well, I need to say goodbye to some more people. I'll see you later!". Old man Teuchi and Ayame wave him off, sad that the boy, who had become like family to them, was leaving.
(_)(_)(_)(_)(_)(_)(_)
To make sure he got to see all of his friends in time Naruto released his weight seals to make for faster travel. He struggled at first, not used to being able to move so easily, but eventually he fell back into his rhythm and his speed tripled.
First up was Sakura, since she was the closest. It started with a newly woken Sakura threatening to pound his skull in for waking her and ended with her wearing a pensive look on her face. When Naruto asked why she shook out of her thoughts and shrugged it off saying "Just imagining how different it'll be without you around that's all". 'What's Hinata going to be like when he's gone? Will she go back to the way she was before or will she keep being friendly with me and Ino?'. Naruto waved goodbye to Sakura before heading off.
The routine was the same for most of the others, with various greetings however. Choji seemed surprised, as did Shikamaru and Shino, and Ino had almost the exact same reaction as Sakura. Kiba and Lee however seemed more excited than anything. Both of them saying that during Naruto's absence they'd get stronger and would spar him when he returned.
Naruto didn't know where Tenten lived but it didn't matter. As he was heading over to the Hyuga Compound he found her walking away from it. "Hey Tenten! What are you doing out here so early? And why are you walking away from the Hyug Compound? I thought you lived on the other side of Konoha".
Tenten turned a dark shade of red. "No reason. Sorry Naruto, I can't talk right now. I've got uhh weapon stuff to help my dad out with. Yeah. Talk to you later!". She then speed towards the other side of Konoha without looking back. Naruto cocked his head in confusion.
Kurama chuckled at the sight of Tenten running away. 'What's so funny?'.
'Nothing Brat. Now get over the compound to say goodbye to your vixen. Maybe she'll know'.
"She's not my vixen!" Naruto said out loud.
'Sure kit. Now hurry up, you only have an hour before you have to start heading over to the gate'.
Hearing the little time he had left Naruto went into high gear and a trip that would've taken 3 minutes turned to half a minute. The Hyuga Guards standing at the entrance were quite surprised when the Uzumaki suddenly appeared before them, heaving. "Could… you get….*wheeze*... Hinata for me?" He asked in between breaths.
Still trying to figure out where he had come from, it took the guards a few seconds to process what he had asked. They opened the gate for him, watching him walk through with interest.
One of the maids had already set out to retrieve Hinata, leaving Naruto standing in the Hyuga garden to wait. Naruto was in awe at the craftsmanship of the stone pathway and the beauty of the plants around him. He was so lost in the garden he almost didn't notice Hinata's arrival. Almost. When she arrived Naruto had felt something tugging at him to turn around. Listening to his gut he did, turning to look straight into the lavender eyes of Hinata.
The two stayed that way for a few seconds before Naruto remembered why he had come. "Hi Hinata, it's a nice day today". Naruto didn't know what else to say. How was he going to tell Hinata that both he and Sasuke would be leaving for 3 years without her?
"It is a nice morning," Hinata said, looking at him as she said it, a smile dancing across her lips.
Naruto felt his cheeks heating up a little, he cleared his throat to try and recompose himself. "So.. uhh… Why was Tenten leaving here in such a hurry?" He asked, figuring that his actual message wouldn't leave much room for conversation afterwards.
"Tenten was here? I was not informed about…" Hinata's smile became more prominent on her face. "Oh. I know why she was here. Don't worry. I'm sure it's going to become a more common occurrence around here". 'I'll have to tease Neji about this'.
Naruto was left without an explanation. Seeing as that was as far as he'd get with that Naruto started asking about Hanabi and how she was doing. He had heard a few things from Konohamaru and wanted to see just how much his student was exaggerating. Hinata chuckled hearing what Konohamaru had told Naruto about his time with Hanabi. It was almost the exact thing she had heard from her sister, that they couldn't stand one another and how the other was super annoying in some way or another.
Eventually all good things come to an end. Seeing the time Naruto decided it was time to tell Hinata about his mission. "Ahh, Hinata. I need to tell you I actually came over this morning... Um…. I…. uhh…. I don't know how to tell you this, but I'm going to be leaving on a training mission at noon with Pervy-Sage".
"A training mission? How long of a training mission?" Hinata asked with a not so hidden hint of worry.
"3 years?..." Naruto said sheepishly.
"How long have you known about this mission?" Hinata asked, thinking Naruto had known for a while and had just never told her.
"No, no! I just found out this morning! I would've told you sooner if I could".
That information brought a little comfort to Hinata, but not much. "Is it just you and Jiraiya?".
"Well… No… Sasuke's coming with us too".
"So I'm the only one who's left out of this training mission?" Hinata asked, feeling somewhat hurt.
"From what Pervy-Sage told me, yes".
Hinata remained silent for a few moments to fully process that information, working to keep her emotions under control. For Naruto it was some of the worst seconds of his life. "You better get a lot stronger when you return!". Naruto was surprised by Hinata's words.
"Huh?"
"I said, you better get stronger! I may not be able to join you two but you'll be training with a sannin for the next three years! You better not screw it up! When you get back I expect you to be at least equal to my own strength!" Hinata warned him. Naruto's lips pulled into a wide smile.
"I'll be even stronger than you when I return! Believe it!" Naruto said. Hinata smirked at his response.
"Good. Now uhhh… when do you have to leave again?" she asked, her cheeks tinte a light pink.
Looking over at a clock on the wall Naruto said, "I have to leave here in about 3 minutes if I want to make it on time. Pervy-Sage wanted us there a half-hour early, plus I have an order at Ichiraku's to pick up before I leave".
Hinata nodded, awkwardly shuffling from side to side. "Don-Don't move". She said shyly. Naruto was confused by the sudden change but did as he was told. Hesitantly Hinata approached Naruto, hugging him tightly. The twos' heads turned into chile peppers, red and hot.
After a few seconds Naruto returned the hug, completing the embrace. The two stayed like that for a full minute, their faces inflamed, and hearts racing, but enjoying it too much to want to let go.
Eventually Hinata saw that Naruto had to leave, reluctantly breaking the embrace. Before Naruto even had time to be sad about the end of their hug he felt the soft warm lips of Hinata touching his cheek. When Hinata pulled away the only thing she said was "for luck" before hiding her face in her hands and running off.
Naruto's brain had short circuited. It took a minute or two for him to start to regain his senses and start to walk to the exit of the compound. Incapable of complex thought at the moment Naruto saw the clock and made it his only focus to get to Ichiraku's as quickly as possible. His hand unintentionally moved to the part of his cheek that Hinata had graced as he made his way over, a smile forming on his face.
Hinata had ran all the way back to her room, burying her face in her pillows. Once Naruto had left the compound Hanabi had decided it was her time to strike. "So good luck huh?".
Hinata whipped her head around to see her sister slyly standing in her doorway. "Quiet you!" she ordered.
Hanabi ignored the order and continued, "so was that hug for good luck too?".
"I said quiet!" Hinata said, throwing one of the smaller pillows on her bed at her sister. Hanabi took the cue this time and skipped off giggling.
'First Neji and now Hinata! This is going to be fun!'. Hanabi giggled thinking about all the set up situations she could put them in.
*)(#)(*
Naruto was still in a daze when he reached Ichiraku's. "What's the goofy look for Naruto?", Ayame asked. Naruto turned red as he recalled Hinata's kiss.
"Nothing!" he said in a high pitched voice. Clearing his throat he got down to business, "Is the ramen ready?".
Ayame had a mischievous smile play across her face as she put the pieces together."It'll be right out". A minute later she came back with her father and a box of ramen. Before he was given the box, Ayame pulled him into a hug. "We'll miss you Naruto. Stay safe. And don't let Jiraiya corrupt you with his pervertedness". Bending down to his ear she whispered, "You better tell me what happened with Hinata when you get back".
Naruto turned red once more, struggling out of her embrace. "Ayame!".
Ayame had a wide smile come across her face as she snuck back to the kitchen.
Teuchi started tearing up when he was finally faced with saying goodbye to Naruto. "I'll miss you Naruto. Make sure you eat good when you're with Jiraiya. Maybe you'll finally eat something other than ramen".
"Maybe, but I doubt anything will compare to your ramen," Naruto said with a smile. Teuchi smiled back, handing Naruto his ramen and giving him a one armed hug. Once Teuchi finished his hug Naruto waved goodbye and ran off to meet up with Jiraiya and Sasuke.
/*)(*\
Jiraiya and Sasuke were fully packed and ready to leave when Naruto got there.
"Seriously, you got a ramen to go?" Sasuke asked.
"Oh don't go lecturing me about my ramen eating habits. I know you hit up the dango shop before coming here!" Naruto replied. Sasuke's silence only proved that what Naruto had said was true.
Kakashi, Anko, and Iruka jumped down from the roofs of some nearby buildings. "Hey Kakashi-Sensei! Iruka-Sensei! Anko-Sensei! Are you here to see us off?".
"You think you'd be able to leave without saying goodbye?" Kakashi asked. "Honestly you two are the worst students ever!"
"Yeah! And after all I've done for you two! I expected at least a formal goodbye!" Anko yelledall the while she had put both of them in a headlock with the two pulling at Anko's arms to try and escape. Muffled complaints could be heard from the two of them.
"I think that's enough Anko. You don't want to go suffocating the boys before they head off on a journey," said Iruka. Reluctantly Anko let them go. "So you both are all packed? Didn't forget anything? Socks, pants, shirts, underwear?".
"Yeah, yeah. I packed all that Iruka-Sensei. Gosh, you sound like Sakura's mother before she went on her first outside of the village mission," Naruto complained.
"Well I just want to make sure you and Sasuke are prepared. Don't want Jiraiya-Senpai having to buy you extra clothes so early now"
"Don't worry Iruka. I'll make sure they learn some jutsu to clean their clothes with. Plus, I know a good tailor in iron country that I can take them to when they start to outgrow their clothes," Jiraiya said, placing a hand on Iruka's shoulder to reassure him. Iruka relaxed a little at this information, but he was still worried about the boys. Knowing Jiraiya's habits this tailor could be one for stripers or other activities of the sort.
Looking at the sun, Jiraiya saw that it was time to leave. Leaning towards Iruka's ear he whispered, "If you need Naruto to be the best man just tell Tsunade and I'll make sure to stop by for the wedding". Iruka tensed and turned a bright red. Jiraiya laughed and walked towards the giant gates of Konoha.
"Alright, that's enough you two. Now that you've said your goodbye let's go!". Jiraiya led the way, leaving the two genin to follow. They waved goodbye to their senseis, Iruka still sorting a blush as Anko wrapped an arm around him and waved with the other. Kakashi stood a little ways away with a small wave and a smilinging eye.
After a while the boys turned around and looked forward towards their futures. The senseis stopped their waving. Watching as their students walked off to not be seen for another 3 years. Iruka started tearing up at the sight.
"Are you crying Iruka?" Anko teased.
"What? No. I just had some dust in my eyes," Iruka said. Anko would often tease him for some of his more sensitive characteristics and he didn't want her to broadcast it to all of Konoha.
Anko smiled and wrapped both arms around her lover. "You'll make a great father one day". Iruka turned an even deep shade of red and Kakashi's smile grew. Anko laughed at her lover's glowing red face and dragged him back into the village to her favorite Dango Shop for the 12th time that week. And it was only Wednesday.
[)(_)(_)(]
After a few minutes of walking, Naruto turned to Sasuke and asked, "Hey Sasuke. Who did you say goodbye to? When I went around town to meet with everyone I didn't see you once".
Sasuke turned a tint of red and opened his mouth to answer when Jiraiya cut in. "It seems like Sasuke decided to spend his night and morning with Haku. To be honest I was surprised you'd start that type of stuff so early, but hey it's your life. I'm a bit proud of you actually". Sasuke's skin continued to deepen in it's red hue.
Naruto was still confused, not getting any of the references. "So Sasuke slept with Haku and enjoyed the morning with him? That doesn't seem like something a pervert like you would praise him over".
"Trust me Naruto, it's not the type of sleeping you're thinking of. I'll explain later, now! First thing is first, we need to go to a little town nearby. There's a contact of mine that I need to meet up with. He'll be taking care of Sasuke's training".
"What? I thought Sasuke was training with us!"
"Yeah. Who is this contact of your's? While I'm strong there's a lot of stronger people who'd love to take my eyes away from me," Sasuke reminded the Sannin.
"Trust me you two. This guy has no interest in taking Sasuke's eyes. In fact, he's someone the both of you know".
"Someone we know? Who?" Naruto asked.
{*!/\!*}
"AAAAAHHHHHHH". Sasuke threw another paralysing strike at his brother. As soon as Itachi had stepped out of the shadows of some abandoned building on the outside of the village Sasuke had gone berserk.
Jiraiya, Kisame, and Naruto were standing off the side watching the battle. Jiraiya having summoned a toad to sit on Naruto so he wouldn't join the fight.
"He's okay. But really weak. Are you sure this is Itachi's brother?" Kisame asked.
"100% sure. Look at his sharingan. Besides, he's only 13. Given time he'll be able to give you a run for your money, or worse," Jiraiya replied.
"Ha! Now that'd be something. I'd finally have a sparring mate. Itachi always uses genjutsu and ruins the fun. With this kid I can mold him into my ideal punching bag!"
"Preferably one that fights back," reminded Jiraiya.
"Oh don't worry. Whether he likes it or not that kid is going to be on par or better than one of the seven swordsmen," Kisame said with a toothy smile.
Jiraiya has a sweat drop as he imagined the torture he'd put the poor Uchiha through. Looking once again at the sun, Jiraiya saw that it was time to head out. "Okay, I got to leave Itachi! I leave your family issues to you. Remember three years, back here!". Itachi only replied with a head nod as he continued to effortlessly dodge Sasuke's attacks.
Turning around Jiraiya sent the toad home and threw the crushed Naruto over his shoulder. "Well I'm off. See you in three years Sasuke!" Jiraiya shouted, waving goodbye to Sasuke. Still recovering from the toad, Naruto weekly waved too, only understanding that they were saying goodbye to someone.
#+=]}-|\/|-{[=+#
And so comes the conclusion of the first part of this story. As much as some of you may not like it I am very relieved. While I'll always love my first story it was far too rushed. Eventually I hope to redo this part, although if I do I'll probably make another story to showcase the original work. There will be multiple story arcs, mostly for Hinata, during the jump. Tell me if you want it to be divided by character, so all of Naruto's stories first(or whenever) with Sasuke and Hinata's after, or if you want it to be chronological. If the first option please tell the order. If not just say so. Also, tell me if the current spacing between paragraphs is good or too small.
Goodbye for now, I look forward for when we meet again.