Hello people, I'm sooooooo happy that my email is back that I've decided to post another chapter. Oh right my email got hacked and everything was on this email. Life stopped 4 attempts to get back! Stupid hackers! So I had to move everything to my other email so glad I had it.
This is the start of few chapters in between the wave and chunnin arc. Just finishing chapters 24 and 25 then the chunin exam begins.
Also I've just gone back to college studying English language and Literature so that will take up a bit of my time. I will start posting regularly after I've written a few more chapters so I can post regularly. I will let you know on my profile.
Anyway…
Please enjoy it, lol.
Thank you for the alerts and reviews.
Naruto = flash back
'Naruto' is thoughts/thinking
"Naruto" signing/sign language
"Naruto" speaking.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just some DVDs and games.
Chapter 19 Payback
Team 7 walked through the gates of Konoha as the sun was setting, Kotetsu and Izumo looked up as they walked past, Naruto waved to them and they waved back eagerly, causing Kakashi to raise an eyebrow at them. Naruto stopped to talk to them as his team continued past.
"Konohamaru's been looking for you Naruto." Izumo called.
"And the Hokage's not in his office, he was mingling around the shopping district." Kotetsu continued.
Kakashi turned to his team and dismissed them. He needed to have a talk with the Hokage.
Kakashi teleported to the tower he pulled out his icha icha book and made his way up the stairs, he meandered up the stairs walking past Shinobi as they made their way around the tower, he finally walked into the mission assignment centre where he stood leaning against the wall next to the doorway. He waited till the assembled ninja had collected their scrolls and pushed off the wall walking over to the desk.
Iruka looked up at Kakashi as he stood in front of him, sighing he signed a few more papers.
"The Hokage isn't here." Iruka spoke as he continued to sign off on the papers in front of him.
"Kakashi, nice of you to return." The Hokage stood in the doorway puffing on his pipe, an ANBU stood next to him turned away slightly as he whispered into the Hokage's ear. Nodding the Hokage stepped forward, "Perhaps you would like to report in my office. Iruka you can leave now, I'm sure Naruto will be looking for you." the Hokage turned to address Iruka with the final part of his sentence.
Nodding Iruka packed up the papers and handed them over to one of the other ninjas and left the room. The ANBU had disappeared as Kakashi turned to follow the Hokage through to his office. He waited as the Hokage became seated behind his desk; he tucked his book away as he stood to attention.
"What is it that would require you to come to the tower Kakashi? I know how you handle reports, so it must be something bothering you." The Hokage supplied allowing Kakashi to gather his thoughts.
"It's about Naruto sir. I felt the nine tails chakra, it was brief but it was definitely it. I believe that Naruto somehow accessed the nine tails power sealed inside, I believe the seal may have weakened somewhat for this to have happened."
"That is worrisome. But you said it was briefly."
"Yes but I believed I should report such matters to you when and if they happen."
"We'll check into this Kakashi, don't worry. I take it you ran into more trouble after the demon brothers?" the Hokage puffed on his pipe briefly. Kakashi nodded.
"Is there anything else you wanted to discussion?" the Hokage could sense that he wanted something else involving Naruto.
"Sir, I hate to interrupt but Nami's never reacted like that before." the turtle masked ANBU from earlier spoke pointing to the cat. Who was hissing with its fur stood up on its back and a loud yowling sound reverberating in its throat, as it stood on the desk eyes concentrating on the ceiling. The turtle masked ANBU threw a kunai towards the spot that Nami was so interested in. It was then he saw it a small glimmer like someone had moved, just as he saw it, it was gone and Nami's back receded although the yowling was still there.
"Turtle?" the Hokage questioned.
"Excuse me a moment sir." he bowed and disappeared, a second and third puff of smoke signalled that the two other ANBU in the room had also left.
(Line)
In a room hidden away underground stood Danzo (the mummy man) he was talking with Homura and Koharu when a root appeared he dropped to one knee and bowed his head, waiting for permission to speak. Danzo turned and looked at the underling "speak."
"The demon container somehow accessed the demons chakra on his most recent mission. Kakashi Hatake was explaining just now, he believes the seal may have weakened somehow, however the cat that is always near the Hokage discovered me and alerted the ANBU to my position causing me to flee."
"Dismissed." Danzo waved his hand allowing the root member to rise, leaving the room. 'That damn cat, how could it possibly know that my root was there' Danzo contemplated.
"So the seal has started to weaken." Homura stated pushing his glasses up his nose.
"It would appear that the fourth was not as successful as we thought with the sealing."
"Indeed. We should discuss with the Hatake a way to exclude the demon brat. Or restrict the brat ourselves." Danzo smiled.
(Line)
"Nami come on; come here that's a good cat." The Hokage coaxed the feline over soothing it slowly. "What was it you wanted to ask before we were interrupted?" the Hokage pressed stroking along Nami's back, as the cat remained rumbling.
"It's nothing sir. I'll figure it out." Kakashi waved the subject off.
"If you're sure." Sarutobi dismissed Kakashi. As the door closed he looked down at the cat in his lap and spoke to it. "You know Nami for a moment there I thought he was going to ask about Naruto's files not adding up, it's a shame he didn't, I might have given him the new correct files." he chuckled. 'Now, to wait for Turtle to come back'. His eyes narrowed as he thought about the disturbance.
(Line)
Turtle stood overlooking a forest, Fox and Sparrow beside him. He closed his eyes as he looked for the one who had been spying on the conversation. There it was. He knew hanging round Naruto would teach him some new tricks. He darted off the two younger ANBU trailing after he signalled for them to circle round. The disappeared from his sight and he performed the hand seals; snake, ram, horse, hare, ram, horse, hare and hand his hands spread in front with his palms out.
A sphere of water erupted surrounding the black cloaked figure. Hikaru held the sphere long enough for Fox and Sparrow to reach and disable the figure. They pinned him each taking an arm and pulling it backwards and up with their other hand pushing down on his shoulder blade as the water dissipated around the figure. He wore a white mask like the ANBU but Hikaru was sure there was only one person with a bear mask and he wasn't pinned in front of him. He lifted the mask to stare at too pale skin, black hair and grey angry eyes. He gripped his chin in his hand and squeezed causing the man to open his mouth to reveal at the back of his tongue the beginnings of a seal. Hikaru snarled 'root' he came up with so many things to do to this inept traitor before he came to his senses.
"We won't get anything from him." He stated and grabbed the man's head between his hands and twisted it. With a loud snap the former root's neck was broken. The two ANBU looked between each other as they let go of the now prone body. Hikaru pulled out a scroll and unravelled it he nipped his finger, swiping the blood over it; he threw the scroll onto the body as it erupted into flames, burning the body and any evidence that would have remained. He grabbed the mask and turned to leave they followed him quietly as he walked away.
"That was a member of the defunct Root team." Hikaru stated "You will not repeat what happened here is that understood!" Hikaru turned to see the two masks nodding. He signalled for them to leave which they did after hesitating briefly. He looked down at the mask in his hand as anger clouded his eyes; he threw the mask back towards the forest.
"That's your warning!" he teleported away as two white masks glistened in the trees.
(Line)
Turtle appeared kneeling in front the Third his mask bowed as he waited for permission to speak. The third packed his pipe slowly eying the young ANBU, he stroked Nami absently as he lit the end of his pipe, taking a few puffs he settled back into his chair.
"Turtle." He finally acknowledged the ANBU.
"We tracked and caught the individual on the edge of the forest inside the village's border. It was a member of root."
"They were disbanded, perhaps we could interrogate him." the Hokage mused angrily.
"We can't, I killed him." Hikaru spoke solemnly.
"YOU WHAT?!" the Hokage stood angry at the young man stood in front of him "You had no right to make that decision!"
"Sir as a member of root you have a seal drawn on the back of your tongue which stops you from giving away information. It was about the villages' safety, I choose the choice that so many others find hard to make." He struck a nerve with the Hokage, "Besides if you gave me a choice between the safety of the village and Naruto against anything else I will always pick Naruto." He quelled the Hokage's anger.
"You have perhaps started a one man war against the entire root with your actions;" the Hokage glared still pissed at his subordinate, "This also doesn't tell us what Danzo is looking for either." He placed his hands together intertwining his fingers as he thought 'I have a feeling it has more to do with the demon than Naruto.'
"Sir?" Turtle called the third back to the present, his mask lifted as he moved, concerned towards the aging man.
"You are never to do this again, is that understood? Now I need to have a talk with Danzo." the Hokage stood toppling Nami to the floor as he went. There was a hiss behind him as the blonde feline stood on the desk. Turning he allowed the cat to slip onto his shoulders. "I suggest you go now Hikaru." The Hokage dismissed him as he walked through the door.
(Line)
The Hokage stormed down the hallway of the tower past several doors, the ninja he passed moved back into the rooms they had just vacated, the dark cloud above the thirds head was clearly visible for all to see. Nami's tailed tucked under the Hokage's chin as it eyed everything wearily. They stormed down to the council chambers where Homura and Koharu were stood, they turned when Sarutobi entered. He glared at them as he held the double doors open arms out stretched.
"Where's Danzo?" he spat through gritted teeth as he stalked into the room, causing the doors to slam behind him.
"I am here, Lord Hokage" Danzo bowed slightly. Nami's blue eyes narrowed.
"You've been spying on me, Danzo. I do not want members of my own village performing traitorous acts against one another." The Hokage accused his face becoming red in anger.
"My lord I don't understand what you mean?" Danzo guarded carefully.
"If I ever find another member of root spying on me and the discussions that are taking place..." Hiruzen's anger started to peak as chakra fluctuated.
"My lord Root was disbanded years ago." Koharu stated.
"I do not like my advisors going behind my back." Hiruzen rounded on his former team mate.
"What one rogue ninja does in this village cannot be associated with us." Homura wiped his glasses on the edge of his robe, hoping to calm the situation.
The Hokage glared and stormed away, the doors slamming behind him again.
"You know they were lying right?" the Hokage jumped six feet in the air at the sound of the voice. He turned looking all about him and not finding any one he decided that his inner voice was talking to him. Nami's eyes rolled as the Hokage dismissed the voice.
Back in the room Danzo and the two council members looked to each other. "How did he know?"
Danzo pulled out the mask from his sleeve and threw it onto the table. The two council members looked worried.
(Line)
Kakashi found Naruto outside the academy; he stood on the roof watching as the bell chimed signalling the end of the day.
Naruto moved over to the swing hanging from the tree and sat down waiting for the students to come out. He watched as the students flew out and greeted their parents; his eyes caught a shock of red suddenly through the crowd causing him to stand from his perch as he attempted to find it again.
He stopped his search when he saw Konohamaru leaving the building with Iruka, he watched as they chatted together for a while before they both looked over to the swing. Konohamaru smiled widely and Iruka smirked.
"BIG BROTHER!" Konohamaru shouted as he shot across the ground into Naruto's out stretched arms. He giggled in the hug "You're back." he pulled back looking up at Naruto "Hey, hey, I want you to meet my friends." he tugged Naruto eagerly over to where Iruka stood chuckling. "Wait right here." he darted into the crowd. Naruto looked at Iruka who smiled down at him.
Konohamaru came back followed by two young children, a boy and a girl. The girl had orange hair tied up with red elastics into two very large pig tails. They looked more like bunny ears. She had red oval markings on her cheeks and was wearing a red tank top over a pink t shirt which was slightly longer than her top. She wore grey pants and had traditional ninja sandals on her feet.
The boy wore glasses and hand brown hair with a parting in the middle, he had snot hanging from his nose and a sleepy expression on his face. He wore a blue long sleeved roll neck top with a grey collar and beige shorts along with the traditional ninja sandals. Both children were a little shorter than Konohamaru.
"Naruto this is Udon and Moegi, Udon, Moegi this is my big brother Naruto." Konohamaru spoke proudly. Iruka smiled as he witnessed the way the two boys interacted. Naruto blushed as he was introduced to Konohamaru's friends.
"Hi it's nice to meet you both." Naruto held his hand out to the two genin.
"It's nice to meet you too." Udon shook Naruto's outstretched hand.
"Konohamaru speaks about you a lot." Moegi said shaking Naruto's hand. "Can you play ninja with us later?" She asked shyly.
Naruto was shocked at the idea of playing ninja. "Umm well I was hoping to spend time with Ko and Iruka right now but how about next time. When I'm not busy I will gladly play ninja with you." He smiled reassuring the girl as her face fell, before a smile returned nodding her head she took Udon's hand and ran back through the crowd.
"So would both of you like to accompany me to Ichiraku and I'll tell you all about my latest mission." Naruto smiled.
"Don't you want to spend time with Konohamaru?" Iruka asked feeling guilty for taking Naruto away from Konohamaru.
"Iruka sensei he's my little brother we practically live together besides I'm sure he won't mind sharing me with you for a little bit. And it's easier to tell you together about the mission rather than repeating myself." Naruto stated.
"No it's fine Iruka sensei, this way we both get to hear about the mission and later I'll get to spend some brotherly time with him." Konohamaru smiled. 'It's amazing how a like they are.' Iruka concluded remembering what Naruto was like at that age.
Kakashi stood on the roof as Naruto interacted with others; he followed them as they made their way to Ichiraku. He watched as they listened to Naruto reiterate the events of the mission with no bias or exaggerations, he didn't react to how his record said he would, at all in fact. He pulled out the record he had been given and re read it carefully as he listened absently to their conversation.
Naruto looked up suddenly as three people walked into the restaurant. Naruto turned as a purple haired kunoichi walked in followed by a mousy haired ninja and a black haired ninja. He smiled as the three shinobi stopped and blinked owlishly at him.
-Naruto!- they shouted and surged forward, swamping the blonde.
Ume met Naruto first she hugged him tight then let go as she held him at arm's length to study him.
"You've grown." she stated smiling at him.
"Your hair is longer." Kenta smiled bumping his fist against Naruto's arm.
"And your outfits changed." Riku commented, ruffling Naruto's hair.
"Me what about you three?" he pointed to each of them in turn.
Ume's hair was still purple in colour though it had grown longer with strands framing both sides of her face, which fell into her face causing her to swing her head to move it back into place. Her brown eyes sparkled as she looked between her boys and Naruto. She was wearing a black v neck top her sleeves ending just below her elbows, a fish net shirt could be seen underneath. She wore black shorts underneath a pale yellow skirt. Her mid riff was showing between the top and her skirt. She had black shinobi sandals and forehead protector around her neck like a chocker.
Kenta Maki had gotten broader since the academy and was very muscular. His black hair was covered by his bandana fore head protector. His eyebrows appeared to have gotten thicker too. His eyes were so dark you couldn't tell if they were black or brown and he had very tanned skin. He wore bandages wrapped arm his arms just below his shoulders and again on his wrists. He wore the typical ninja trousers and black sandals.
Riku's hair was still mousy coloured and spiked up and out to the left similar to Kakashi. He was wearing a hooded sleeveless black form fitting top with matching loose fitting pants. He had his forehead protector wrapped around the belt that was diagonal over his shoulder.
"You know we're trying to get you on missions with us." Ume threw in casually as she sat down at the counter.
"Yeah the entire class is." Riku also sat at the counter.
"It's mainly because we don't like who you've been paired with." Ume continued as Kenta placed their order.
"It's not working though is it?" Konohamaru giggled "Grandpa gets so stressed out after you've all been in." He sucked up a stray noodle strand.
"It's stressful yet funny at the same time." Iruka commented "So not wearing the flak jackets then?" Iruka commented.
"Well we didn't want to make you feel old sensei, being the same rank as you now." Riku smirked.
"Bye Sensei, Naruto and Konohamaru we'll see you at your birthday." Ume waved as the team left.
"Naruto, thank you for the catch up it was nice and I'll treat you again but I have to go now." Iruka smiled kindly at the two boys.
"That's okay we've finished now any way, see you later Iruka sensei." Naruto waved as he and Konohamaru waved and headed away from the establishment. Iruka smiled and waved back paying for the food. He turned and looked up at the rooftop where Naruto had signalled that Kakashi was hiding, he smiled and tucking his hands into his pockets walked towards the Hokage tower.
Kakashi stood on the roof overlooking the ramen stand he was stunned when the three shinobi greeted Naruto like that. It was getting curiouser and curiouser the more he thought about Naruto. He sighed and disappeared as Iruka looked up at him.
"Hey Naruto, just how to you plan on getting back at Turtle and Grandpa?" Konohamaru asked innocently as they strolled through the village. Naruto smirked and tapped the side of his nose.
(Line)
Hikaru woke suddenly the bed sheets pooling round his waist, he glanced round the room his eyes narrowing as he felt something off. He wiped a hand down his face as he swung his legs out of bed, standing he walked into his bathroom closing the door behind.
Naruto walked through the halls of the ANBU headquarters carrying planks of wood he walked all the way to Hikaru's door he placed the stack next to Hikaru's door leaning up against the wall and left to retrieve more supplies.
Hikaru opened his door fully dressed in his ANBU gear and walked past the wood heading to Ibiki's office.
(Line)
Nami stretched and jumped down from the window sill knocking the latch as it went, padding out the room the cat didn't notice the hand which opened the window.
The Hokage clutched the cup of tea his assistant handed him as he entered his office he was not looking forward to another day of paperwork and teams constantly crying out for Naruto to join them. He smiled he hadn't seen Naruto since he came back from wave so there was no way Naruto had managed to get back at him for allowing the ANBU to follow him during that mission. He took a sip of the warm liquid and opened the door to his office.
He spat the liquid out as he looked around the room. He stared unbelievingly at his office, dropping his tea he formed hand seals hoping to dispel the illusion he tried several times before he realised that it wasn't an illusion. His entire office really was upside down. His desk was on the ceiling along with his bookcases and his sofa even the blanket on the back of the sofa was on the ceiling he looked behind his door and glanced up as his face paled his piano was on the ceiling. That was expensive if that broke he'd doubt that it could be fixed or replaced. He slowly stepped on the floor, ceiling well the light was hanging from the floor so he was a little confused.
'Well at least I get out of paperwork' he was relieved. Nami strolled through the door then walking past the spilled tea and walking across the floor, ceiling, walked to the centre of the room and pounced up onto the papers piled in the middle of the room, turning its head round it eyed the Hokage evilly, bounding off it scattered a few papers on the floor and pranced over to the wall and walked up it along the ceiling floor and jumped up onto the desk curling up it let out a huff and closed its eyes.
The Hokage looked at the huge pile of papers. He walked over to it slowly as he started to sweat 'please, no, please'. He finally made it to the pile he looked down as tears filled his eyes it was his paperwork. Then he noticed something else, he picked up a piece of paper that stood out amongst the rest it simply read look up.
Looking up he saw his desk above him, confused he looked down at the paper again before he did a double take. The third draw down was open and it was empty bar another piece of paper stuck to the open draw. 'No not my book' he practically wailed. He read the paper as his eyes narrowed.
"NARUTO!" he screamed causing his windows to rattle. The paper fell from its sticky place and landed words up. "Yeah I have your book, paybacks a bitch".
(Line)
Hikaru walked the corridor heading past his room but as he approached where his room should have been he found that it had been complete removed with no trace of his door in sight just a plain white solid wall. In fact he walked past it before he doubled back to where he was sure his room was.
He moved his hands across the wall and found it was all perfectly smooth, he knocked on the wall trying to find a hallow spot in the wall. He gathered chakra into his fist and punched where the door used to be. He was sent flying backwards as his hand connected, he created a crater in the wall opposite with the force from the trap that was sprung upon his chakra enhanced punch connecting to the wall. A crowd had gathered and helped him out of the hole as he sagged against them. They all watched as writing appeared on the wall. "Paybacks a bitch, don't try so hard."
"NARUTO!" Turtle screamed.
(Line)
Naruto was halfway across the village with the rest of team 7, they had picked up a multitude of missions earlier today and were on their way to completing them. At the moment they were painting a new fence white, which was very boring. They had picked a panel each to complete and had easily progressed through the numerous panels they were required to complete. Now however they were lagging, each panel had blurred into one and they had easily lost count. Naruto cocked his head to the side as he began another panel knowing he was bored he began to doddle with the paint Sakura and Sasuke moved onto their next panels painting in a continuous up and down motion they were three strips in when Kakashi popped up from the other side of the fence book in hand with white paint somehow dotting his flak jacket above Naruto.
"You're not supposed to be decorating, Naruto." he lazily remarked.
Sasuke and Sakura turned to look at Naruto's panel to see that Naruto had started at the bottom of panel and in one stroke had followed it up and curled round into a swirl which circled round to form the symbol of the leaf, he was just adding the top swirl when Kakashi called him out. He looked up a shy smile on his face.
"Sorry got a little bored I suppose I can't remember what panel I'm doing it's all blurred into one." he rubbed the back of his neck slowly with the hand that held the paint brush.
"Baka Naruto." Sakura snorted annoyed at the blonde.
"dobe." Sasuke snorted.
"Well you've got a fair way to go yet." Kakashi supplied gesturing in the direction they were travelling, causing all three genin to groan. Naruto smirked suddenly and created several clones each with their own paintbrush. The genin smirked together.
"Ready, set, go." the genin and clones raced along now easily moving along the fencing.
(Line)
Team 10 walked into the mission room to acquire another mission, they handed over their scroll and obtained a new one when the Hokage walked in muttering under his breath he placed the papers in his hands on top of the files piled on the desk and shuffled back to the other room still muttering under his breath. All eyes in the room followed him as he came and went.
Asuma turned to the ninja behind the desk who shook his head hurriedly, he let out the breath he had been holding as the Hokages chakra receded.
"Naruto pulled a prank." he supplied "it's good no one can figure out how or when he did it but he has."
Team 10 nodded and followed Asuma to the Hokage's office they stuck their heads round the door to see the Hokage sat on the floor/ceiling of his office muttering still, filling out the paper work sat in the middle of the room they glanced up to see that his furniture was all on the ceiling and a blonde cat curled up asleep on the windowsill. They were joined by the heads of team 8 and their sensei as the peeked round the other door frame they quickly pulled away as the Hokage looked up an icy glare on his face.
"That is why you never piss off Naruto." Asuma explained as the two teams retreated away from the angry hokage.
"Surely that is stupid, on Naruto's part?" Kurenai spoke as they headed down the stairs.
"Not really, he only pranks you if he gets angry at you." Shikamaru explained.
"Exactly besides wouldn't you be annoyed if the Hokage sanctioned ANBU to follow you on a mission because he was worried you'd get hurt?" Asuma asked "I wonder what he did to Turtle?" he mused as the teams split their separate ways.
(line)
Turtle hadn't figured out how to get back into his room yet and was currently hunting down a wayward blonde. He stopped at the Hokage tower knowing if Naruto had got him he probably got the Hokage too. He stopped when he saw the Hokage sat in the middle of paperwork and the furniture stuck to the ceiling. He was met by an icy glare which softened slightly when it saw the charred look of the ANBU.
"Well he got you too I see Turtle."
"yes sir my room's disappeared and I can't get into it, there's a trap on the outside hence my current state. He did a real number on you though." He smirked
"Find him Turtle. And bring him to me."
"Sir you know the only people who can find him are Cat and yourself, if he doesn't want to be found I won't be able to find him." Turtle raised his mask to speak clearly "I'm not good enough yet." he fretted
"Go in that cupboard" the Hokage used his quill to point at the cupboard on the ceiling. "There should be a crystal ball inside, bring it here." He paused in his writing. He waited as Turtle walked up the wall to the cupboard and grabbed the crystal ball. He closed the cupboard and marvelled at how well everything stayed in place. He walked down the wall crystal ball and pillow in hand.
He passed the pillow over the paperwork to the Hokage and watched as he used a jutsu to activate the crystal ball and an image of Naruto appeared with his team and a white fence stood behind them paint pots at their feet. Hikaru disappeared as the image of Naruto flickered away.
(Line)
Naruto was walking through the village, his mission completed he smiled as he came across team 10.
"Naruto, did you prank the Hokage?" Ino asked hands on her hips.
"Yes, why?"
"What right do you have to do that? He's a very important shinobi in this village..."
"Ino stop trying to lecture me. He's my grandfather as well as my hokage. Secondly I have never done anything malicious to anyone in my life, besides a little super glue never hurt anyone." Naruto spoke calmly as his eyes flashed stormy grey.
"Turtle?" Asuma asked stroking his beard and looking away towards the sky.
"I had help with Turtle's, I will admit that much, although they didn't know they were helping me do that." Naruto supplied to Asuma.
"You shouldn't be such an idiot and causing trouble, Naruto, that's not becoming of a ninja." Ino spoke smugly closing her eyes as she agreed with herself.
"You sound very much like Sakura, Ino always so sure of yourself. But what if you're wrong?" Naruto prodded "I'll see you later guys." Naruto walked away raising a hand in passing.
"That idiot is going to get in serious trouble." Ino said shaking her head as she moved away with her team.
"He's not what you think he is Ino," Shikamaru looked up at the sky his hands buried in his pockets, "He's more than that."
Choji nodded his head in agreement, "he's careful and clever and loyal. He's kind and never once has he called me fat." Choji stopped eating long enough to show his opinion of Naruto.
'Interesting how they all reacted to Naruto.' Asuma thought curiously.
(line)
Naruto stood at the tree line watching as team 8 went through their training exercises. He leant casually against a tree arms crossed as he waited for them to finish. He watched as Shino flawlessly executed the stances and Kiba stumbled through his although a lot better than he did at the academy, Akamaru was laying at his feet his head slightly facing behind him almost looking at Naruto. Hinata paused in her stance as she found Naruto casually leaning against a tree she blushed slightly as he continued to watch her. Akamaru stood up and ran over to Naruto who froze as the dog neared him. Akamaru cocked his head to the side as Kiba shouted after him. Akamaru slowly approached Naruto and laid down revealing his belly to him.
"Akamaru what are you doing?" Kiba asked curiously his head cocked to the side as he spotted Naruto "It's just Naruto."
Bark bark bark 'I'm trying to get him to relax, so I can have a belly rub.' Akamaru yipped.
"Why?" Kiba laughed forgetting that no one else could understand his pup.
Hinata cottoned on quickly as she bent down to stroke Akamaru's exposed belly she kept stroking as she glanced up through her lashes as Naruto slowly bent down and tentatively stroked Akamaru's belly as Hinata was.
"You've stroked Akamaru before." Kiba was becoming stubborn.
"I've rubbed his head briefly." Naruto confirmed.
"Thank you for training Kurenai sensei." Hinata bowed and walked past Naruto, causing the blonde to stand bow his head briefly and dart after the Hyuuga heiress.
Kurenai had watched as Naruto froze as Akamaru raced off towards him, she would have to ask Asuma if he was scared of dogs. She was also curious as about the relationship between Naruto and Hinata.
"Why the hell..." Kiba's temper started to rise.
"They appear to be friends." Shino stated as his bugs buzzed around him.
(Line)
Naruto followed Hinata through the forest till they came to a clearing with flowers dotted around the edge. Naruto sighed as he ran his hand threw his hair.
"I saw umm what you did to the Hokage's office." Hinata stated "are you hiding from him now?" she still stuttered slightly around Naruto.
"Yeah." he smiled nervously, "did you want to train?" he moved into Hinata's stance. his left arm out in front with his palm open and facing Hinata his other arm bent at the elbow and held at his waist with his fist clenched with his fingers facing down his feet were apart keeping him perfectly balanced.
"Umm how to you know if like you have a best friend?" he asked shyly.
"What makes you think I'll be any better now?" She shook her head and activated her byakugan as she mirrored his stance. "A best friend is the one person closest to you."
"Like Cat was, so who's your best friend then?" he stepped forward following Hinata's flowing movements. They continued the motions slowly together as Hinata thought over her choice of words.
"I think that probably the person I'm closest to at the moment. I mean the person whose friendship I value most is umm probably...
...yours." he turned his head slightly as he looked at her, blush spreading across his cheeks, "I mean I've shown you more about me than anyone else, and you don't see me like everyone else and I know we're friends right but we're more than just friends right so could we be best friends then?" he stumbled along barely taking a breather as he looked down at the floor while he performed the movements perfectly.
"Naruto, I would be honoured to be your best friend. I too have revealed more about myself to you than my own teammates and I value you friendship highly." She bowed her head as she came to the last stance.
Naruto smiled his rare smile which made butterflies appear in Hinata's stomach. Her thoughts had gone wild when he said more than friends before they had deflated, but if that's how Naruto saw her she was more than happy to be his best friend, he didn't need to know about her crush.
Naruto grabbed her hand and pulled her along out of the clearing as a turtle mask appeared where they had just been.
'I'm never going to catch him when he doesn't want to be found he won't be found.' Hikaru hung his head as he returned once again to the Hokage tower.
Omake
Asuma stopped as a ninja darted past he could have sworn that was a ninja with a paper bag over his head. He looked down the road yup definitely a ninja with a paper bag over his head.
Said ninja stopped and looked around. He was dressed in the standard anbu uniform his tanned skin had a sheen of sweat as he panicked; he wore a brown paper bag over his head with two eye holes cut out. His olive eyes were wide as he glanced around again. 'I hope no one sees me' Hikaru thought as he darted off onto the roof of the closest building 'damn it Naruto I need my mask back'.
The ninja's below the building looked at the anbu wearing a bag on his head and looked back to Asuma who just shrugged and walked away shaking his head, 'looks that Naruto's getting back at Hikaru.' He smirked. 'Never piss off Naruto was a rule he learned long ago' he checked his pocket finding his smokes he held his hand protectively over them as he walked away.
It was too good an idea for me to leave out. Credit goes to my sister for the paper bag.
I am trying to get a few chapters done before I post anything now, so yeah I'm getting there =D
On chapter 24 and 25 yay. Still ¬_¬
Please review and let me know what you think. Don't forget favourite parts please.
Thank you very much.