Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

A couple days had passed since the whole rollercoaster of emotions that had taken place involving Hinata. Naruto stared out the window of his class, Kakashi was still in the habit of being late. He yawned as the door to class was suddenly opened, the masked man stepping in.

"Morning class," he sounded way too enthusiastic for the morning. His book was still in hand of course. Somethings would never change, that was reality.

"So, l have an announcement to make," he started as all heads snapped to him.

"The school has decided to host a camping trip for this class too visit Ryūchi cave," he told them as Shikamaru lazily raised his hand.

"Isn't that place full of snakes, poisonous ones at that," he brought up, hoping he wouldn't have to go but he knew his mother would make sure he did.

"That's why Mr. Orochimaru," Kakashi shivered as he said the name, "Will be accompanying us for the trip tomorrow,"

Mito raised her hand at that. From what she knew, this guy was a creep and she didn't mind calling him out on it. Kakashi would probably wave her off.

"Isn't he a bit...creepy?" she offered as she felt the whole class swivel their heads to her. Kakashi gave her a bored look as he answered.

"He may be a bit... eccentric," he seemed to have trouble looking for the right word to use. "Tell your parents to pay for this stuff, it ain't cheap you know," with that, he sat himself down and read his book.

"This is pretty short notice," Sasuke said as Naruto went back to his window to try to drift off to sleep. Jiraiya wouldn't like that. orochimaru would be with them but he didn't see the big deal.

Kushina was worried. It was only a natural response to learning that Mito and Naruto wanted to go on a school trip that Orochimaru was on. She was sure Jiraiya wouldn't like it and yet, she had to let them go otherwise they would figure something out. She couldn't afford that. She didn't need to drag them into the past, into their mistakes.

Couldn't Hiruzen have found a better teacher to go along with Kakashi and the kids, granted they weren't really kids anymore. She convinced herself she was worried for nothing and decided she would pay for this trip and hope for the best. It was all she could do and besides that, Orochimaru was untouchable. No evidence, no clues, nothing.

"It'll be fine," Minato assured his love as he hugged her close the him, offering silent comfort. Sometimes, she wished she didn't have her red hair.

Ryūchi caves. Mito didn't see what was so special about a snake exhibit. That didn't mean she had no intention of going. She was already on the bus taking them there anyway so way bother lamenting it. She turned to the person next to her on the bus, lno. The blonde was focused on her phone but suddenly turned to meet Mito's eyes.

"Hey Mito..." she sounded unsure of what she wanted to say but the redhead nodded to show she was listening.

"Yeah?"

"Have you noticed how... strange Hinata has been acting for the past few days," Ino finally asked as her eyes trailed to the indigo haired girl. Mito followed her line of vision and admittedly, she shared the sentiment.

"She's quieter than usual and she avoids Naruto like the plague," Mito summarized what she knew. No one other than Sasuke, Kiba and herself knew the extent of what had happened a few days ago. Naruto had expressed his desire to keep it that way and she obliged. It wasn't free of course. She didn't view it as taking advantage -even if she was- she liked to think it was business, where she just so happened to win. Naruto didn't need to know that

though.

"Pretty odd since she's head over heals for the dense idiot," Ino said as her eyes came back to Mito.

"You believe something happened between them?" Mito asked evenly as Ino studied her. It was only logical that, of something was up with Naruto, then Mito would know.

"We'll deal with it tonight," Ino told her vaguely. Mito shrugged, that probably meant the girls would get together to fix the problem. Itade her job easier. She would tell the girls all at once. It was bound to come out eventually so it was either Hinata told them or Mito would. Honestly, the redhead doubted that Naruto could keep it in any longer than he already had.

Ryūchi caves, the place itself had an eerie vibe to it. Mainly because Naruto and Sasuke associated it with Orochimaru. Naruto based all this off of Jiraiya's wild imagination while Sasuke knew his brother disliked the man. It didn't help that his father was investigating the man in secret. There were some things that just didn't add up for Sasuke. Why would a criminal teach at a prestigious school, said criminal was also a very well know man.

"Listen up, we have to split you up and trust me, it was not my idea," Kakashi was quick to paint himself in a good light. He had to maintain his hip attitude and personality and he couldn't have his students hating on him.

A few groans erupted from within the crowd of students, leaving some wandering were the word was going. Sasuke was quite happy. Separation meant no Sakura. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for Naruto. He was a bit pissed off at that. Kakashi couldn't help but wonder whether Jiraiya had affected his students in such a short period of time at the sex ed.

"I'm speaking about rooming of course. Everything else is a group activity so don't look so glum. I'll still be watching you," he cast a glance to Orochimaru. "Some more than others," he whispered.

With that the students filed away to their given rooms intent on removing the lag left by the bus ride. Naruto was sharing with Shikamaru, Sasuke with Shino, Kiba with Chōuji.

The girls were Sakura and Ino, Mito and Tenten and surprisingly Hinata chose to room by herself. It was odd behavior from the Hyūga.

Orochimaru watched as the students moved on out. This trip would be quite memorable for him. The events had been planned before hand by said man as he didn't want to mess up the first step of his grand plan. He didn't need to rouse anymore suspicion.