Chapter 7
Ok, notes to reviewer
Victor-Ko: Janus didn't turn out better or worse than Hinata, just different. Hinata has failed in the eyes of her clan when she lost to her sister, making her think she wasn't worthwhile. Janus is different. He failed in his own eyes because the only person he could compare him skills to was his brother.
Anael Razualle: That's kinda what I was going for. Oh, and Kurenai was late only for the survival test. I actually thought it would be a good idea to unbalance the genins.
animewatcher: I know the last couple of chapters don't really focus on Naruto, but what I really like about the series is the large number of supporting characters the series has. Fir the first few chapters I wanted to develop them a little more. And don't worry, from Chapter 8 on Naruto will be playing a much larger roll. The chuunin exam will be starting.
Thanks again to all the reviewers.
I looked up from my scroll. Team 8 had been in Hidden sand for two days with no indication of leaving. Kurenai had been receiving daily reports on progress and didn't expect us to be headed home for three more days at least. I had to get out. Kurenai had me leave my ninja gear in the room saying that even though Leaf and Sand are allies, she didn't want some rambunctious youth to inadvertently start a war over us being here. Hinata wanted to come, but I told her that I needed some alone time. The dreams have subsided. I still feel guilty for killing that man, but I believe its going to haunt me for a long time.
The wind started to pickup. I quickly stood up, covering my mouth and nose with a towel I had brought for just this purpose. I'm not going to be caught in a sandstorm. I quickly looked for a place to get out of the wind, but everything was closing up. Shoot, I knew I shouldn't have gone to the other side of town away from the he inn. I ran down the streets looking for some alcove or something I could wait out the storm. I took a quick corner. The wind was really picking up; sand was coming so hard I had to squint my eyes nearly shut to see.
"What are you doing! Get over here, inside," I heard a faint scream against the now howling wind. I ran towards the voice. I saw an open door and I ran through it. I removed the towel from my face and coughed. Sand had blown right through the fabric into my mouth.
"Here, have some water," I heard a kind voice say. I reached up, took the glass that was offered, and drank it sip by sip, washing the sand down my throat. "I've never seen someone do that before." I looked at the speaker. She was a beautiful blond girl a few years older than me.
"Thanks for getting me out of the storm; I'm not used to them."
"You're not from around here." Crap, that easy? Make up a story, make up a story...
"A couple friends of mine were coming here on a business trip and the asked if I wanted to come along. I agreed because I've never been here before and I wanted to see if it was like." I hope she believes that, it's basically the truth. I've never been good at lying.
"Interesting, you're the youngest person from outside the village I've ever met."
"I'm honored....."
"Oh, yeah, my name is Temari. What's yours?"
"Janus. It's a pleasure to meet you, Temari-san." She laughed.
"Just call me Temari, I don't mind. I'm just glad that I saw you before I barred the door. This is the worst sandstorm in a while. It might not let up for a day or so."
"You're kidding! I have to report back to my friends at our hotel tonight."
"Where's your hotel. If it's not to far..."
"Other side of town." She looked at me questionably. I can't tell here I didn't want to risk Hinata using her Byakugan spying on me. "I kinda wanted some alone time, I, uhh, did something I wasn't proud of on the journey here."
"What happened?" She sat at a table and gestured me to join her.
"We were stopped by bandits on the way here and I, uh, kinda..." I dropped my eyes to the table. I couldn't say it, I couldn't.
"First time you've ever killed someone, huh?" I nodded, not even bothering to raise my face. "I see. I remember my first kill. It was my first B-Rank mission." I looked up. This pretty thing is a ninja? "My brothers were taking care of about twenty Lightning Country chuunin with my sensei." My eyes boggled. Twenty! What kind of team is she on! "What's that look for, you seem surprised."
"Oh, umm, it's just that I've read a lot about ninjas and twenty chuunin, properly used, can take on two jounin easily and win." Again, I'm so glad I'm not lying.
"Ah, yeah it's kinda impressive for genin, I know." My jaw dropped, she smiled slightly before her face went neutral. "It's just that my youngest brother is kinda strong. Ever heard of someone named Gaara?" She looked at me, worry on her face.
"Not as such, should I?" A slight look of relief passed over her face before her smile returned.
"Not really, just watch out for him around town."
"How will I know him when you see him?"
"Trust me, you'll know."
"Ok, I'll take your word on it." I looked around her apartment. "You have brothers, yet you live alone, why is that?" I frown appeared on her face.
"My father is really busy with his job and about a year ago I decided that I needed to move away from my brothers. You really get tired of siblings after being around them to much." I chuckled.
"I know what you mean. Just be glad you don't have a twin."
"Your brother is that much of a bother?"
"No, it's just that he seems like a dozen brothers at times," which he actually has been too, damn Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, "and I can't deal with it."
"Yeah, Gaara is a handful, too." So we continued on for hours, taking about siblings, scrolls we've both read, and even some jutsus she has been learning. She even showed me her fan. I could barely hold it.
"Remind me never to get in a fight with you, with this thing or without. You must be strong to carry this thing around."
"You should see the damage I can do with my mallet." She grinned evilly as I looked at her curiously. "Must not read manga then, do you."
"No, I tried but the only fictional works that I like are novels. I like imaging the people and places in my head instead of seeing what someone else sees them as. I usually read more non-fictional stuff anyways."
"So, you like to study."
"I try to when I have the time. My knowledge is what I'm most proud of." I walked over to the window after setting the fan carefully down. "Hey, look the stars are out, must mean the sandstorm is over." Temari walked up unusually close to me and looked out the window.
"Looks like your right, Janus."
"So, I had a great time and thanks for letting me impose during the storm." I walked towards the door only to feel a firm grip on my shoulder as I took my first step.
"Don't go out there."
"Why not? The innkeeper said that to, I thought it was just because of muggers or something." I turned around to see a look of fear on Temari's face.
"I...I can't tell you why to not go. Just please, don't, alright?" I opened my mouth to say something but the look in Temari's eyes stopped me.
"Alright, I'll stay. I've been getting kinda tired and I didn't want to impose on your or anything." Relief was evident on her features.
"It's no problem at all. I have an extra futon. Here, I'll clear some space in the living room here and set it up. Alright?" So we started moving furniture around. When we finished setting up the futon, Temari turned off the light and headed upstairs.
"Good night, Janus."
"Night, Temari." With that, I laid down and feel into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Sniff. Sniff. Something smelled good. I sat up and stretched. I looked around. Where am I? I looked around and remembered the events of the last night. I walked into the kitchen and gasped. Before me was the best looking breakfast ever. Temari though was nowhere in sight. I took a seat and saw a note by my chopsticks. I started eating. Wow, this is the most delicious meal I've ever had. I so need to learn how to cook. Eating ramen for breakfast everyday has been starting to get to me. I looked over and started to read the note.
Janus,
I'm sorry I'm not there when you're reading this. I had to get up early to go meet my brothers for training today and you were sleeping so soundly I couldn't bring myself to wake you. I hope you won't be leaving tomorrow. If you aren't, I plan on having dinner around 7:00 at the restaurant below. If you can make it, great, if not, I would greatly appreciate it if you leave an address or something so I could keep in contact and visit if I'm ever nearby your home. Hope to see you again.
-Temari
I had stopped eating. Could it be that she...likes me? She's three years older than me. I have to ask her. Hopefully she doesn't think an address in Konoha would be strange. I'm so glad that she's not a ninja of Hidden Lightning or something. According to political commentary on both sides, we really don't like each other. It probably had something to do with a Leaf Nin beating a Lightning Nin in the final round of the last Chuunin Exam. I carefully tore Temari's note off the pad and wrote my own with my address on it.
Temari,
It's alright, if I don't tell you later today, that was the best breakfast I've ever had. I will probably be able to show up for dinner later. My friends aren't planning on leaving before tomorrow morning at the earliest. My mailing address is below. Talk to you again soon!
-Uzumaki Janus
I quickly rearranged her living room back to the way it was, leaving the futon in a corner. I carefully closed her front door and raced back to the inn, jumping off buildings, carts, and awnings. Hopefully they weren't too worried. Then I ran into someone. I fell down onto my rear.
"Owww..." I looked up to see what I had run into. I saw a very large man who towered above me. he was wearing a white robe with a purple rope tied around his waste and on his forehead was a ninja forehead protector with a musical not on it. "Excuse me, I'm so very sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going and..."
"Come on, Jiroubou, you lazy ass." I heard a female voice say from a distance. "We were ordered not to hurt anyone here. Leave the pathetic worm on the ground. It was his fault anyways."
"Tayuya quit using profanity like that. What kinda of an example..." His voice vanished as he walked away. I got up and dusted myself off. That was fortunate for me. But his forehead protector, what village does he come from? I don't recognize it. I'll have to ask Kurenai when I get back.
I walked into the room ten minutes later. Hinata looked up and saw me and smiled.
"Hey, Hinata."
"Janus-kun! You're alright!"
"Yeah, I kinda got caught in the sandstorm yesterday and I was taken in by a local for the night."
"That's good," Hinata picked up a radio. "The cat has returned home, I repeat, the cat had returned home." I looked at her curiosity. "Oh, Kurenai-sensei and Kiba are currently out looking for you and I was picked to stay here incase you came back while they were out. They should be back momentarily."
"Good, because I have something I want to ask Kurenai-sensei something." The door opened and Kiba, Akamaru, and Kurenai walked in.
"You alright, Janus?" Kurenai asked. Kiba and Akamaru looked on anxiously too.
"I'm alright. I got caught on the other side of town during the sandstorm yesterday. Thankfully, I found shelter with one of the locals so I spent the night there."
"That's good, Kiba hear thought the Kazekage killed you last night or something."
"Kiba, have you been taking your crazy medication again?"
"No, not for...Janus!" Kiba lunged at me; I took a quick step to the left causing him to hit the floor face first.
"Calm down, Kiba, I was just asking. You should be amazed that I even remembered." I looked over at Kurenai. "Oh, well a couple of years ago at the academy, Kiba had to get his upper arm put into a cast after Sasuke broke it during sparing training. The pain killers they gave him caused him to think he was a dog for three days. It was quite entertaining to see him wander around on all fours, chasing his own tail." Kiba blushed.
"You still remember." I laughed.
"How could I forget! Oh, Kurenai-sensei," I looked at her, a solemn look on my face. "Can you follow me; I have to ask you something." With that, I vanished in a puff of smoke. Heh, Kiba must be gawking right now. He didn't know that I've been practicing that. I made my way to the roof of the inn and sat down. Kurenai appeared instantly in front of me.
"Impressive, Janus. I see what you've been doing in your free time."
"Well, yeah, Naruto is also trying to teach me the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu but I can't make a clone yet. Anyways, that's not what I want to ask you. Which Hidden Village uses a musical note as its symbol?" I slightly shocked look appeared on Kurenai's face.
"The Hidden Village of Sound, how did you know about it?"
"Well I literally ran into someone wearing it on my way back. I thought I'd ask you because I didn't recognize it."
"You know if anyone was with them?"
"Well there were at least two of them, to may people to distinguish number of footsteps, but they were here under orders or something."
"It was very good of you to tell me this, thank you."
"Oh, one more thing, Kurenai-sensei."
"What is it?"
"We still planning on leaving tomorrow morning or we will be here for a few more days."
"Nope, they're finalizing the agreement this afternoon. We'll be heading back tomorrow morning, bright and early. May I ask why? You have plans or something?"
"Not really, I just met a new friend last night and I wanted to know so I wouldn't make plans I can't keep. Speaking of which, I won't be around for dinner tonight, but I will be back for sleep, don't worry."
"Well just as long as your back, I can't stop you. Just don't whoever it is you're a Leaf Genin, ok?"
I leaned up against the restaurant. Finding the place took me two hours and asking three people for directions to find it. It appeared to be a local restaurant with a collection of local dishes. Some of them looked quite interesting. "Sorry I'm late." I looked up to see Temari running up. "I got your note at lunch. I'm really glad you could make it."
"Hey, you got me out of the sandstorm yesterday; this is the least I can do to make it up to you. Thanks, shall we?" I offered her my elbow. She giggled and accepted it. We walked into the restaurant. Dinner was good. Temari introduced me to some of the local cuisine. I was pleasantly surprised how tasty some of the not so good looking menu items turned out to be. About an hour and a half later, before it got to dark I walked her back to her apartment.
"I really had a good time. Remind me to come back for the other half of the menu at that place." Temari giggled. "Ok, I'll remind you in every letter. I'll tell you next time I'm around Konoha and you can show me around your town."
"I look forward to it." As I was about to turn around, Temari stopped me. I looked at her curiously. She quickly pecked me on the cheek and headed inside.
"Later, Janus-kun!" Did she just... I reached my hand up to feel where she had kissed me. I felt the warmth of her kiss mixed with the warmth of my blush. She did! I smiled as I turned around. I stopped looked around and grinned. I vanished in a puff of smoke only to appear again around the corner behind a very surprised Hinata.
"Did you like what you saw?"
"Eeep!" I laughed.
"Come on, Hinata. Let's head back before Kiba sends out another search party." We slowly started walking back to the inn.
"Janus-kun...was that what a date is like?" Hinata whispered as we approached the inn. I smiled.
"I'm not sure, but I think so. It was my first so I don't know what else to call it. But how did I know you were going to follow me?"
"I was curious on what you were doing. I'm sorry if I was intruding."
"Don't worry about it, Hinata. After I told you I kinda expected you would."
"You did?"
"Yeah, I mean, you want to know what to do on your first date with Naruto, right?" Hinata blushed. I started shaking my head, laughing. "Hinata, Hinata, Hinata. Just be glad I'll never tire of seeing you lit up like a holiday lantern." Hinata blushed deeper, giggling a little. I laughed louder as we entered the inn.
Ok, notes to reviewer
Victor-Ko: Janus didn't turn out better or worse than Hinata, just different. Hinata has failed in the eyes of her clan when she lost to her sister, making her think she wasn't worthwhile. Janus is different. He failed in his own eyes because the only person he could compare him skills to was his brother.
Anael Razualle: That's kinda what I was going for. Oh, and Kurenai was late only for the survival test. I actually thought it would be a good idea to unbalance the genins.
animewatcher: I know the last couple of chapters don't really focus on Naruto, but what I really like about the series is the large number of supporting characters the series has. Fir the first few chapters I wanted to develop them a little more. And don't worry, from Chapter 8 on Naruto will be playing a much larger roll. The chuunin exam will be starting.
Thanks again to all the reviewers.
I looked up from my scroll. Team 8 had been in Hidden sand for two days with no indication of leaving. Kurenai had been receiving daily reports on progress and didn't expect us to be headed home for three more days at least. I had to get out. Kurenai had me leave my ninja gear in the room saying that even though Leaf and Sand are allies, she didn't want some rambunctious youth to inadvertently start a war over us being here. Hinata wanted to come, but I told her that I needed some alone time. The dreams have subsided. I still feel guilty for killing that man, but I believe its going to haunt me for a long time.
The wind started to pickup. I quickly stood up, covering my mouth and nose with a towel I had brought for just this purpose. I'm not going to be caught in a sandstorm. I quickly looked for a place to get out of the wind, but everything was closing up. Shoot, I knew I shouldn't have gone to the other side of town away from the he inn. I ran down the streets looking for some alcove or something I could wait out the storm. I took a quick corner. The wind was really picking up; sand was coming so hard I had to squint my eyes nearly shut to see.
"What are you doing! Get over here, inside," I heard a faint scream against the now howling wind. I ran towards the voice. I saw an open door and I ran through it. I removed the towel from my face and coughed. Sand had blown right through the fabric into my mouth.
"Here, have some water," I heard a kind voice say. I reached up, took the glass that was offered, and drank it sip by sip, washing the sand down my throat. "I've never seen someone do that before." I looked at the speaker. She was a beautiful blond girl a few years older than me.
"Thanks for getting me out of the storm; I'm not used to them."
"You're not from around here." Crap, that easy? Make up a story, make up a story...
"A couple friends of mine were coming here on a business trip and the asked if I wanted to come along. I agreed because I've never been here before and I wanted to see if it was like." I hope she believes that, it's basically the truth. I've never been good at lying.
"Interesting, you're the youngest person from outside the village I've ever met."
"I'm honored....."
"Oh, yeah, my name is Temari. What's yours?"
"Janus. It's a pleasure to meet you, Temari-san." She laughed.
"Just call me Temari, I don't mind. I'm just glad that I saw you before I barred the door. This is the worst sandstorm in a while. It might not let up for a day or so."
"You're kidding! I have to report back to my friends at our hotel tonight."
"Where's your hotel. If it's not to far..."
"Other side of town." She looked at me questionably. I can't tell here I didn't want to risk Hinata using her Byakugan spying on me. "I kinda wanted some alone time, I, uhh, did something I wasn't proud of on the journey here."
"What happened?" She sat at a table and gestured me to join her.
"We were stopped by bandits on the way here and I, uh, kinda..." I dropped my eyes to the table. I couldn't say it, I couldn't.
"First time you've ever killed someone, huh?" I nodded, not even bothering to raise my face. "I see. I remember my first kill. It was my first B-Rank mission." I looked up. This pretty thing is a ninja? "My brothers were taking care of about twenty Lightning Country chuunin with my sensei." My eyes boggled. Twenty! What kind of team is she on! "What's that look for, you seem surprised."
"Oh, umm, it's just that I've read a lot about ninjas and twenty chuunin, properly used, can take on two jounin easily and win." Again, I'm so glad I'm not lying.
"Ah, yeah it's kinda impressive for genin, I know." My jaw dropped, she smiled slightly before her face went neutral. "It's just that my youngest brother is kinda strong. Ever heard of someone named Gaara?" She looked at me, worry on her face.
"Not as such, should I?" A slight look of relief passed over her face before her smile returned.
"Not really, just watch out for him around town."
"How will I know him when you see him?"
"Trust me, you'll know."
"Ok, I'll take your word on it." I looked around her apartment. "You have brothers, yet you live alone, why is that?" I frown appeared on her face.
"My father is really busy with his job and about a year ago I decided that I needed to move away from my brothers. You really get tired of siblings after being around them to much." I chuckled.
"I know what you mean. Just be glad you don't have a twin."
"Your brother is that much of a bother?"
"No, it's just that he seems like a dozen brothers at times," which he actually has been too, damn Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, "and I can't deal with it."
"Yeah, Gaara is a handful, too." So we continued on for hours, taking about siblings, scrolls we've both read, and even some jutsus she has been learning. She even showed me her fan. I could barely hold it.
"Remind me never to get in a fight with you, with this thing or without. You must be strong to carry this thing around."
"You should see the damage I can do with my mallet." She grinned evilly as I looked at her curiously. "Must not read manga then, do you."
"No, I tried but the only fictional works that I like are novels. I like imaging the people and places in my head instead of seeing what someone else sees them as. I usually read more non-fictional stuff anyways."
"So, you like to study."
"I try to when I have the time. My knowledge is what I'm most proud of." I walked over to the window after setting the fan carefully down. "Hey, look the stars are out, must mean the sandstorm is over." Temari walked up unusually close to me and looked out the window.
"Looks like your right, Janus."
"So, I had a great time and thanks for letting me impose during the storm." I walked towards the door only to feel a firm grip on my shoulder as I took my first step.
"Don't go out there."
"Why not? The innkeeper said that to, I thought it was just because of muggers or something." I turned around to see a look of fear on Temari's face.
"I...I can't tell you why to not go. Just please, don't, alright?" I opened my mouth to say something but the look in Temari's eyes stopped me.
"Alright, I'll stay. I've been getting kinda tired and I didn't want to impose on your or anything." Relief was evident on her features.
"It's no problem at all. I have an extra futon. Here, I'll clear some space in the living room here and set it up. Alright?" So we started moving furniture around. When we finished setting up the futon, Temari turned off the light and headed upstairs.
"Good night, Janus."
"Night, Temari." With that, I laid down and feel into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Sniff. Sniff. Something smelled good. I sat up and stretched. I looked around. Where am I? I looked around and remembered the events of the last night. I walked into the kitchen and gasped. Before me was the best looking breakfast ever. Temari though was nowhere in sight. I took a seat and saw a note by my chopsticks. I started eating. Wow, this is the most delicious meal I've ever had. I so need to learn how to cook. Eating ramen for breakfast everyday has been starting to get to me. I looked over and started to read the note.
Janus,
I'm sorry I'm not there when you're reading this. I had to get up early to go meet my brothers for training today and you were sleeping so soundly I couldn't bring myself to wake you. I hope you won't be leaving tomorrow. If you aren't, I plan on having dinner around 7:00 at the restaurant below. If you can make it, great, if not, I would greatly appreciate it if you leave an address or something so I could keep in contact and visit if I'm ever nearby your home. Hope to see you again.
-Temari
I had stopped eating. Could it be that she...likes me? She's three years older than me. I have to ask her. Hopefully she doesn't think an address in Konoha would be strange. I'm so glad that she's not a ninja of Hidden Lightning or something. According to political commentary on both sides, we really don't like each other. It probably had something to do with a Leaf Nin beating a Lightning Nin in the final round of the last Chuunin Exam. I carefully tore Temari's note off the pad and wrote my own with my address on it.
Temari,
It's alright, if I don't tell you later today, that was the best breakfast I've ever had. I will probably be able to show up for dinner later. My friends aren't planning on leaving before tomorrow morning at the earliest. My mailing address is below. Talk to you again soon!
-Uzumaki Janus
I quickly rearranged her living room back to the way it was, leaving the futon in a corner. I carefully closed her front door and raced back to the inn, jumping off buildings, carts, and awnings. Hopefully they weren't too worried. Then I ran into someone. I fell down onto my rear.
"Owww..." I looked up to see what I had run into. I saw a very large man who towered above me. he was wearing a white robe with a purple rope tied around his waste and on his forehead was a ninja forehead protector with a musical not on it. "Excuse me, I'm so very sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going and..."
"Come on, Jiroubou, you lazy ass." I heard a female voice say from a distance. "We were ordered not to hurt anyone here. Leave the pathetic worm on the ground. It was his fault anyways."
"Tayuya quit using profanity like that. What kinda of an example..." His voice vanished as he walked away. I got up and dusted myself off. That was fortunate for me. But his forehead protector, what village does he come from? I don't recognize it. I'll have to ask Kurenai when I get back.
I walked into the room ten minutes later. Hinata looked up and saw me and smiled.
"Hey, Hinata."
"Janus-kun! You're alright!"
"Yeah, I kinda got caught in the sandstorm yesterday and I was taken in by a local for the night."
"That's good," Hinata picked up a radio. "The cat has returned home, I repeat, the cat had returned home." I looked at her curiosity. "Oh, Kurenai-sensei and Kiba are currently out looking for you and I was picked to stay here incase you came back while they were out. They should be back momentarily."
"Good, because I have something I want to ask Kurenai-sensei something." The door opened and Kiba, Akamaru, and Kurenai walked in.
"You alright, Janus?" Kurenai asked. Kiba and Akamaru looked on anxiously too.
"I'm alright. I got caught on the other side of town during the sandstorm yesterday. Thankfully, I found shelter with one of the locals so I spent the night there."
"That's good, Kiba hear thought the Kazekage killed you last night or something."
"Kiba, have you been taking your crazy medication again?"
"No, not for...Janus!" Kiba lunged at me; I took a quick step to the left causing him to hit the floor face first.
"Calm down, Kiba, I was just asking. You should be amazed that I even remembered." I looked over at Kurenai. "Oh, well a couple of years ago at the academy, Kiba had to get his upper arm put into a cast after Sasuke broke it during sparing training. The pain killers they gave him caused him to think he was a dog for three days. It was quite entertaining to see him wander around on all fours, chasing his own tail." Kiba blushed.
"You still remember." I laughed.
"How could I forget! Oh, Kurenai-sensei," I looked at her, a solemn look on my face. "Can you follow me; I have to ask you something." With that, I vanished in a puff of smoke. Heh, Kiba must be gawking right now. He didn't know that I've been practicing that. I made my way to the roof of the inn and sat down. Kurenai appeared instantly in front of me.
"Impressive, Janus. I see what you've been doing in your free time."
"Well, yeah, Naruto is also trying to teach me the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu but I can't make a clone yet. Anyways, that's not what I want to ask you. Which Hidden Village uses a musical note as its symbol?" I slightly shocked look appeared on Kurenai's face.
"The Hidden Village of Sound, how did you know about it?"
"Well I literally ran into someone wearing it on my way back. I thought I'd ask you because I didn't recognize it."
"You know if anyone was with them?"
"Well there were at least two of them, to may people to distinguish number of footsteps, but they were here under orders or something."
"It was very good of you to tell me this, thank you."
"Oh, one more thing, Kurenai-sensei."
"What is it?"
"We still planning on leaving tomorrow morning or we will be here for a few more days."
"Nope, they're finalizing the agreement this afternoon. We'll be heading back tomorrow morning, bright and early. May I ask why? You have plans or something?"
"Not really, I just met a new friend last night and I wanted to know so I wouldn't make plans I can't keep. Speaking of which, I won't be around for dinner tonight, but I will be back for sleep, don't worry."
"Well just as long as your back, I can't stop you. Just don't whoever it is you're a Leaf Genin, ok?"
I leaned up against the restaurant. Finding the place took me two hours and asking three people for directions to find it. It appeared to be a local restaurant with a collection of local dishes. Some of them looked quite interesting. "Sorry I'm late." I looked up to see Temari running up. "I got your note at lunch. I'm really glad you could make it."
"Hey, you got me out of the sandstorm yesterday; this is the least I can do to make it up to you. Thanks, shall we?" I offered her my elbow. She giggled and accepted it. We walked into the restaurant. Dinner was good. Temari introduced me to some of the local cuisine. I was pleasantly surprised how tasty some of the not so good looking menu items turned out to be. About an hour and a half later, before it got to dark I walked her back to her apartment.
"I really had a good time. Remind me to come back for the other half of the menu at that place." Temari giggled. "Ok, I'll remind you in every letter. I'll tell you next time I'm around Konoha and you can show me around your town."
"I look forward to it." As I was about to turn around, Temari stopped me. I looked at her curiously. She quickly pecked me on the cheek and headed inside.
"Later, Janus-kun!" Did she just... I reached my hand up to feel where she had kissed me. I felt the warmth of her kiss mixed with the warmth of my blush. She did! I smiled as I turned around. I stopped looked around and grinned. I vanished in a puff of smoke only to appear again around the corner behind a very surprised Hinata.
"Did you like what you saw?"
"Eeep!" I laughed.
"Come on, Hinata. Let's head back before Kiba sends out another search party." We slowly started walking back to the inn.
"Janus-kun...was that what a date is like?" Hinata whispered as we approached the inn. I smiled.
"I'm not sure, but I think so. It was my first so I don't know what else to call it. But how did I know you were going to follow me?"
"I was curious on what you were doing. I'm sorry if I was intruding."
"Don't worry about it, Hinata. After I told you I kinda expected you would."
"You did?"
"Yeah, I mean, you want to know what to do on your first date with Naruto, right?" Hinata blushed. I started shaking my head, laughing. "Hinata, Hinata, Hinata. Just be glad I'll never tire of seeing you lit up like a holiday lantern." Hinata blushed deeper, giggling a little. I laughed louder as we entered the inn.