per·se·ver·ance

/ˌpərsəˈvirəns/

noun

persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

"A genius of perseverance" is what Guy Sensei has called her on more than one occassion. She is more than ready to take on that role when it comes to Naruto and helping him. She refuses to give up. Even after she's been given the runaround for two days trying to locate Naruto's wayward coach.

"Look, it's like I told you yesterday-he ain't fuckin' here. He's out of town or something, I dunno. And no I don't know when he's coming back. I just work the desk." The guy behind the desk gives her a leering once over. He looks out of place, she mentally notes. He looks to young to be sporting the grey hair he has, and she wonders if it's dyed as opposed to natural. Either way, it's slicked back and his tank top is clearly two sizes two small. He's tall and has some weight to him, and muscle, but nothing like the toned and cut physique of many of the others at the gym had. Whoever he is, he's not a gym rat.

Undeterred by his hostility and lecherous eyeballing, Hinata pushes. "Yeah, well, this is his gym, right? So what happens in an emergency? How do you reach him?" Normally, she'd never be so aggressive. Confrontation is not something she enjoyed, but she needed some answers, because it looked like the DA's case against these people was falling apart. Yes, Naruto would be clear, but these bastards would still be around, and they were a threat to him.

So for him, well, there wasn't much Hinata wouldn't confront.

Greasy hair-muscle-tee shrugs with a dismissive snort. "We ain't had no emergencies, so it ain't a problem."

She glances around the gym. It looks much the same as the last time she was in there, with the exception of the floors being dirtier, and she'd be willing to wager her paycheck that the mats hadn't been sanitized since Naruto did them last. "Who even hired you?" she asks, wrinkling her nose.

He looks properly affronted and annoyed. "How is that any of your business, Miss Priss?"

"I'm just asking-"

"For trouble. What you're asking for is trouble. Now, either sign up for a membership or get out. I'm done answering questions." With that he crosses his arms over his chest and stares her down.

Hinata knows a wall when she hits one. Sighing, she pushes away from the desk, worrying her lower lip with her teeth as she strolls near the rings. She surveys the gym again, wondering if she's missing anything. Was there a way into Jiraiya's office, maybe? Did he even have an office? She honestly had no idea.

"Hey!" A new voice catches her attention and Hinata turns. She recognizes Konohamaru Sarutobi from the few times she's run into him with Naruto. "Hey!" he repeats, half walking, half jogging towards her from the bench press. "You're uh, Hina-something, right? Naruto's girl?"

She gives him a small smile, nodding. "Hinata. And yes."

"Cool, cool." Konohamaru grins back. He rubs his head a bit, looking a bit over her shoulder. His gaze is searching and a little hopeful. "So, uh, like, where is he?"

She glances over her shoulder and then back again. "You mean Naruto?"

He nods. "Yeah."

"Oh." Hinata winces a bit, debating on how much to say. "He's uhm, he's taking some time off for a little bit. I can tell him you said hi," she offers, almost apologetically.

"I've been trying to call him." Konohamaru complains.

She doesn't really have an answer for his unvoiced question. She could tell from their brief encounters that this kid was more than a little enamored with Naruto. Not that she faulted him. Naruto was amazing. It was really a surprise that more people didn't pick up on that. She felt a sympathetic twinge in her gut. She knew from years of experience what it was like to have Naruto oblivious to infatuation. "I'll, uhm, I'll make sure to mention that."

"Yeah?"

"Mmhm."

"So, what are you doing here?" Konohamaru glances around the gym, gesturing. "Grabbing his paycheck or something?"

A light flickers on in her mind. She nods. "Yes. Actually, yes, that's exactly what I'm doing." She says a quick goodbye to Konohamaru before she turns and marches back towards the desk with new motivation. "Uhm, excuse me…?"

"Jesus Christ on a fuckin' cracker, what now?" The man stands up from behind the desk, placing his palms against the top, leaning towards her. It's an intimidation tactic, and it would normally work, but she's on a mission, so she doesn't let his aggressive posturing deter her.

"The reason that I need to speak with Jiraiya is that I'm supposed to pick up a paycheck."

"Uh-huh." The guy rolls his eyes. "You don't exactly look like the 'service desk' type," he drawls, eyes once more raking over her pressed pant suit. It's a creepy look. One that has her skin crawling.

Hinata fights the urge to fidget. "It's not for me. It's for Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki." She watches his face carefully when she says the name.

The reaction is almost immediate. His eyes narrow, and lips tighten. His posture tenses up and she catches his gaze skirt a little to the side. When he looks at her again, his hostility is nearly palpable. "Naruto, huh?" He pretends to recall the name, tapping his chin. "Yeah, yeah, maybe. I think I saw something for him in the back." He leans away from the counter, sweeping his arm out. "Follow me."

Every nerve in her body goes on alert. The hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She glances around the gym, noticing that there are several people there. Konohamaru and one of his friends included. She takes a breath and nods, but not before calling out to Konohamaru.

He lifts his head from where he's spotting his friend and gazes at her questioningly.

"They have Naruto's check in the back," she says-borderline yells. "I'm going to get it. If I'm not back out in five minutes, I want you to call the cops." She doesn't care if she sounds frantic or crazy. She's not risking it.

Several heads now turn her way. Some gazes are openly curious, a couple hostile. Konohamaru blinks owlishly at her, his eyes going from her to the man beside her. He takes in her tense posture and then his own eyes firm. He nods. "Five minutes," he echoes. He's at his duffle bag, reaching for his phone.

Beside her greasy-hair chuckles. "Let's go, Priss."

Swallowing, Hinata follows him through the door behind the desk. She glances once, over her shoulder, catching Konohamaru's curious and worried expression, before it shuts, cutting her off from the rest of the gym.