Captain Blues: Time to start the show.
Ame Nochi: The Oath
Chapter Seven: Starting the Mission!
"Do you both have enough Kunai?"
"Yes, Mom/ Hōkuai-san."
"What about food scrolls?"
"Yes, Mom/Hōkuai-san."
"Tents? Sleeping Bags?"
"Yes, Mom/ Hōkuai-san."
Tenten watched as her mother let out a sigh of relief and said, "Good…You both are ready."
"Born ready," Tenten replied with a significant smile.
Naruto nodded as well, but his smile was smaller but genuine all the same.
Tenrai rolled up to both of them and leaned up to hug them both. "You both be careful and look after one another. Okay?" Tenrai requested.
"We will," Both Tenten and Naruto said in unison before Tenrai released them and smiled at them, her eyes watery.
"Come home safely…Both of you," Tenrai said.
"We will. Later, mom!" Tenten said as she began to walk towards the door but paused when she saw Naruto give her mother a deep bow before he walked to Tenten.
Tenten smiled at the blond before the pair walked out of the store and onto the dirt road of Konoha. "Sorry about that Naruto-kun, she always worries," Tenten told him as they began to walk to the gate.
"Don't be sorry…It was nice," Naruto replied softly. "I'm just not used to having someone worry about me after losing Kyūbi…."
Tenten looked to Naruto and felt sadness fill her heart. While she was used to her mother being a worry wart, Naruto didn't have that luxury. "Oh, Naruto-kun…I'm so sorry. I never thought about that…."
"Don't worry about it. Truly," Naruto replied. "I'm just happy she cares…."
"Mom does care. You mean a lot to her," Tenten told him truthfully.
"She means a lot to me too," Naruto replied. "She reminds me of Kyūbi was to me. Kind and warm…."
Tenten didn't know if she should be proud that Naruto compared her mother to the strongest of all demons or insulted. But judging by the slight smile on his face, she knew he meant that as a compliment.
She wasn't sure how she felt about Kyūbi not only being a woman but one filled with warmth, compared to what destroyed their village and killed many.
It was a strange whiplash to have.
"Hey Naruto-kun…Did the Kyūbi ever tell you why she attacked the village?" Tenten asked him.
"Tell me? She showed me," Naruto replied. "Kyūbi was sealed inside of my mother…All I know about my mother was she had bright red hair…" Naruto paused and took a small breath. "I don't know her name or anything, but Kyūbi was sealed in her."
Tenten was shocked.
The Kyūbi wasn't just a demon that decided to attack, but it was sealed inside Naruto's mother?!
"My mother was so exhausted after giving birth that it was easy for that man to rip out of her seal. The thing Kyūbi remembers the most was his eyes. The man had glowing red and black eyes that seemed to spin, and that's all she remembered. By the time she regained her memory, my mother was dead, and she was left mourning…" Naruto replied sadly.
"At first, I thought she was lying, but I guess because of the seal on my stomach, I could tell she was telling the truth…Even at that young age…." Naruto finished.
"T-That can't be…If that's the truth then…." Tenten then stopped.
"Yeah, that means that she was used as a weapon and did nothing of her own accord…." Naruto replied softly. "I thought about that, and it only makes me…sadder. She was used as a weapon. She killed someone she thought of as a daughter. I would ask Kyūbi about my mom, you know, and s-she would always break down and cry…."
Tenten couldn't believe it, but she started to feel sad for the Kyūbi of all beings. But again, if it was true, then Kyūbi was as much a victim as their village. "Does anyone else know about this?"
A look of grief appeared on Naruto's face. "Yeah…You and the Hokage already know the end of that story…" Naruto answered sadly.
"Oh…" Tenten sadly said as she took Naruto's hand into her own. "I-I'm sorry, Naruto-kun. I should've never asked."
"It's okay…." Naruto told her with a small smile. "I lost the Kyūbi. I don't know for how long, but I have. But you and your mom make me feel happy."
Tenten smiled back at him and leaned close, and replied, "And as long as you're alive, I'll always make you happy."
Naruto fumbled a bit before he glanced at her with a soft expression. Tenten felt her heart rate speed up when she saw the gentle look on Naruto's face.
Did Naruto not know what his looks were doing to her?!
"You know something…Saying that makes me feel cared for…I like it…." Naruto admitted with a slight blush. "But you should stop saying things like that, or you'll make me fall in love with you."
Tenten laughed inwardly; she felt her stomach flutter at the words and the blush on Naruto's face. Tenten licked her lips nervously as the pair continued to walk with his hand in hers. Tenten gazed at Naruto's face, thankful that he was looking ahead of her.
'Would that be so bad, Naruto-kun?' Tenten thought as she felt a tender smile appear on her face. 'To make you fall in love with me?'
Tenten suddenly shook her head. What in the world was she thinking?! This was her friend and the person she swore to protect. She shouldn't be talking about Naruto in that manner.
"Yo! Tenten-chan! Naruto-kun!" Lee's voice shouted, snapping Tenten out of her thoughts enough to see Lee and Neji.
Tenten was surprised to realize that the pain of Neji's rejection the night before was all but forgotten. It had hurt, but Naruto's singing had dialed the pain back entirely, but she was also thankful that Neji was gone from the mission.
While the rejection didn't hurt, seeing him did make her feel humiliated nonetheless.
"Hey, Lee!" Naruto exclaimed happily. "Glad to see you bright and early!"
"Likewise," Lee explained.
Neji nodded at the pair, his eyes lingering on Tenten for a moment before he looked away, causing humiliation to fill her body, but the nudge from Naruto prompted her to look at him.
"It'll be alright," Naruto told her with a supportive smile.
"I know," Tenten replied. "Thank you."
"I have arrived!" Gai's boisterous voice exclaimed, which prompted the group to look up to see him on the top of a roof. He effortlessly flipped off the roof and performed three complete rotations before he landed on the ground and said, "Before we go, I shall explain the mission."
"The Kirigakure no Raijin, Kurosuki Raiga, is holding a small village hostage. Our mission is to free the village and bring him to justice. That is all," Gai said. "Are we all prepared?"
"Yosh!" The three students exclaimed while Neji nodded.
"Good. Now let us set off on a new adventure!" Gai exclaimed.
Naruto: Ame Nochi: The Oath
The sun was setting in the sky, and Team Gai walked along a long dirt road.
It felt so weird for Naruto to be outside of the village, but it felt as if he belonged for the first time in a long time. Naruto looked to his left to see Tenten conversing with Lee and let a soft expression appear on his face.
Tenten.
Ever since they had met, she had made a significant impact on his life. He wondered if he could ever repay her for helping someone like him. There was one thing, but Naruto couldn't give that worthless thing to her.
It was scarred and broken dozens of times. And if he did, he couldn't expect her to accept it. If Naruto were honest with himself, he would ask himself, "What could you give her, Naruto?"
A broken past and awkward company?
No, she deserved better than that. Better than him.
Naruto shouldn't allow himself to have that sort of hope. Whatever was forming in his heart for the bun-haired girl needed to be locked in amber before he ruined everything.
Maybe the best way to do that was to put some distance between him and Tenten. At least for a little while.
"It seems you have a lot on your mind," Neji's voice said from beside him.
Naruto turned his head and offered a smile, and said, "Hello Neji."
"It has been some time since we've been able to talk somewhat privately. Hinata misses you, you know?" Neji told him with a calm tone.
It had been so long since Naruto was able actually to talk to the Hyūga Princess. Thanks to her guardian and family, Hinata and Naruto's friendship was crushed before it could ever begin, but he never forgot his first best friend.
And apparently, neither had she.
"Hinata. Is she doing okay?" Naruto asked him.
"She's been better," Neji admitted. "Something occurred that has her troubled."
"Like what, if you don't mind me asking?" Naruto asked.
"I am not sure if I can speak her secret so willingly," Neji said. "However, now that we are shinobi, she will have more freedom to speak to whoever she pleases. Hinata-sama told me that if you still wish to pursue a friendship with her, she would be very pleased to meet with you first chance you two get."
"I would like that very much," Naruto said with a smile.
Neji nodded. "I shall pass on the message then," Neji told him. "But, you seemed troubled before I came over to speak to you. What is the matter?"
"It's nothing. I have a few things on my mind," Naruto responded.
"It wouldn't happen to be about Tenten, would it?" Neji questioned.
Naruto stiffened in surprise.
Neji grinned and said, "Remember, my eyes can see all, Naruto." The grin faded from Neji's eyes as he said, "I know that I have not been friendly in the past, but Hinata-sama recently opened my eyes to things and how I treat people, and I want to try and do better. And I figured you would be the first step."
"I do understand if you do not trust me just yet, but I hope to gain enough trust that we can become comrades," Neji said.
Naruto could hear the truth in Neji's words, but he didn't want to trust him. Not yet. Instead, Naruto asked, "Why did you turn down Tenten the way you did?"
Naruto noted that Neji did not look surprised by this question.
"Naruto, you must understand. I see a lot with my eyes, and the one thing I noticed is something neither of you noticed. Believe me when I say you both will be happier because I turned her away," Neji answered.
Before Naruto could question this, Gai's boisterously shouted, "Alright, My youthful students! There is a small village up ahead. Let's rush over and get some shut-eye!"
"Yosh!" the team, minus Neji, exclaimed before they kicked it into overdrive.
But Neji's words replayed in his mind.
What did the Hyūga mean by that?
Night had fallen by the time Team Gai reached the quint little village. The group quickly found a relatively tiny, two-level hotel that could stay for the night.
While Gai, Lee, Tenten, and Neji were inside getting their rooms, Naruto stood outside beneath the starry sky. As he stood there waiting, he heard someone singing nearby.
"Day to Day. Dusk to Dawn. Time goes on and on."
Naruto's ears perked up at the singing, and he slowly followed it.
"I knew him long ago. Back then, I didn't know."
After a minute of walking, he came across a small home with an elderly couple sitting together in a rocking chair, with the elderly woman singing and the man playing a gentle tune on his guitar.
"Love was blind. I'd resigned to this life alone," the woman gently sang. "When will he come around? My Hero,"
Stealthily, Naruto hid around a corner watched as the elderly man began to sing. "Hey, old friend, I'm back again. It's been far too long. Do you remember when I played that gentle song?"
From the looks the older couple gave one another, Naruto knew that they were clearly in love and had been for a long time.
"You were shy, but softly I bared my heart and soul. I'm glad to see you now. I missed you so."
The couple began to hum softly to the gentle strumming of the guitar, and for a moment, Naruto was envious of them.
"Now that we're-" The female sang.
"-together here," The man sang,
"Let us run away," The couple sang.
"I'll be there by your side-" The female sang as she looked into the man's eyes.
"-from dark night to brightest day," The man followed with a smile before he sang, "Facing fears-"
"-so cavalier," The woman sang.
"On this path, we chose. Two hearts beat into one, as love grows," The couple finished before the female rested her head on the male's shoulders, as he strummed his guitar gently, a wistful smile on his face.
Naruto felt tears build in his eyes.
Could he ever find someone that would sing with him with such love and affection?
Tenten: Ame Nochi: The Oath
Tenten walked outside the hotel room with her key as she said, "Naruto, I got our room key…."
Tenten paused when she realized Naruto wasn't waiting outside like he said he would be. Tenten began to panic until she saw Naruto walk around the corner with a piece of paper in his hands.
The nerves Tenten felt began to ebb away as she ran up to Naruto and asked, "Where did you go and what's in your hand?"
"Just some lyrics," Naruto said with a smile, but Tenten could see that it didn't reach his eyes. "I heard an older couple singing and went to go listen. The song is very beau-"
"Are you okay?" Tenten interrupted.
"I'm okay," Naruto answered.
Tenten wanted to press him on it more, but she didn't want to pry into his business. She just hoped he would tell her later.
"Well anyway, They only had four rooms available, so you would have to room with someone. I figured you'd want to room with me, but you know what they say about assuming," Tenten said with a laugh.
"So, just in case, I figured I'd ask. You wanna room with me tonight?" Tenten asked with a smile on her face.
"I-I wouldn't want to impose," Naruto said with a small smile.
"Nonsense, we're friends, and I'm your protector," Tenten said with a wink. "I'd be happy to have you stay with me."
She saw an unsure expression appear on Naruto's face for a split moment before he murmured, "If you're sure. Then alright. We can room together."
Tenten smiled, but as she led Naruto to their room, she spared him a glance and frowned with concern.
She hoped he would be okay.
Tenten: To be Continued.
Captain Blues: And another chapter done as the first part of the mission has been posted. The next chapter will have the group at their destination where things will immediately kick off.
And if you guys are curious about the song, its called "Not a Lone Ranch (from "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time")" by Darby & Ian. Until the next chapter, time to set sail.