Note: Thanks to all of those who reviewed my story, I am glad to see you all enjoy the story. Also, many thanks to those who informed me of what Hinata's sister's name was, I had forgotten and just came up with something. Also, in the manga someone said she was 7 years old, but just for this story I decided to make her older so she wouldn't be too much younger then the others. So thanks to your help, Hinata's sister from this point on will be called Hanabi instead of Haruko. Also the correct spelling of Gaara thanks to Coca-Cola.
Chapter Two
Kids For a Day
"Ino-chan!" Haruno Sakura smiled brightly as she stepped into the Yamanaka Flower House, eyes wandering a bit as she looked about for Ino, no where to be seen at the cashier counter. She stopped to kneel beside a bed of lilacs, lightly stroking the petals. "Ino-chan? Are you here?"
"Ahh, Sakura-chan!" The large shadow of Yamanaka-san stood over her, smiling lightly down to her. He dropped a large bag of soil beside the bed, tearing it open with ease. He began spreading it over an emptied bed. "Ino-chan is out; she and Asuma-san have gone to meet her new teammates at the Hokage monument,"
"Oh, really? I'll guess I'll be going then, thank you, Yamanaka-san," She grinned, and standing quickly she bowed gently before heading towards the door.
"You and Naruto received a new teammate today as well, didn't you?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah we did," She turned her back to the door at the sound of Yamanaka's voice.
"Is it true? That your new teammate is the genius daughter of Hyuuga-sama?"
"Yes, her name is Hyuuga Hinata, and she is a bit arrogant,"
"Heh, I would think so. I had a chance to speak with Hyuuga-sama, giving all due respect to Neji, Hanabi is much more talented then her late cousin..."
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"So, you two are my new teammates... it may not be Ino-Shika-Chou quality, but I guess you'll do. That is as long as you remember one thing. I am the leader," Ino smiled triumphantly as she sat upon the stone bench that gave a perfect view of the Hokage monument. The entire monument had been painted white recently, the smell still loomed. Construction of the carving of Tsunade-sama had begun, was expected to be completed and presented at the Chuunin Exam finals.
"You are no leader; Asuma-sensei is the only leader I choose to take orders from, not you Ino-chan," A young boy sat across from Ino, on the steps of the monument. His arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the stone walls. Dark brown hair was held in a ponytail much like Shikamaru's. This boy dressed irritatingly traditionally. A dark brown blue trimmed male's kimono, a pair of deep green hakama pants over the kimono. Fishnet sleeves over his forearms... Harunama Kazuki.
"Ahem! Ino-sama," Ino corrected him with a bright grin and a gentle wink. This kid was odd... he was nearly fourteen yet hadn't been placed within a squad till now.
"Ino-chan... Where is Asuma-sensei? He said he would only be gone for a few minutes..." Tanaka Mamimi.... Eleven years old, her hair was dyed pink and shaggy held from her face by her forehead protector. Large boots scuffed and kicked the ground as she watched the ants travel around her foot. Fishnet shirt and black shirt adorned her small frame under the heavy brown coat over her shoulders. Anyone could easily see that her fashion sense came directly from her aunt, Chuunin examiner, Anko - as well as her fascination with the crimson droplets that fell every time she poked her finger with her kunais.
"I don't know... he just said that he was going to see Kurenai-sensei. He had to talk to her about something..." Ino sighed lightly, resting her elbows on her knees as her chin rested in her hands.
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"Watch out!!!' Naruto grinned as he swung for a vine, releasing quietly gravity took him into a back flip, leading into a painful belly flop into the river. Hinata giggled softly as she spread out the large blanket Kurenai-sensei had brought, dressed in a deep blue one-piece swimsuit. Naruto finally surfaced, his stomach glowing bright red as the others laughed.
Kankurou sat on the rocks with Karasuga resting beside him. Cleaning out a few of his puppet's joints, for once out of his full body black jumpsuit. Most of his face paint washed away in the river aside from a bit of eyeliner. Akamaru and Kiba both raced in and out of the water while Shino busied himself with a colony of water beetles. And finally, there in the water, leaning against the shore was Sarutobi Asuma... lighting another cigarette he huffed it quickly, tossing the match into the river.
Kurenai smiled as she lightly kicked Asuma in the back of the head, like Hinata she wore her own one-piece suit. "Asuma-kun, I thought you were only going to stay for a few minutes. You know Ino-chan and the others are probably still waiting for you,"
He chuckled lightly looking up to her with a smirk. "Waiting is good for them; it will build character,"
"Yeah, but it will also probably just lessen their respect for you," Kakashi chuckled lightly as he appeared at the truck of a tree beside Kankurou. "Look what happened when I made Naruto wait all the time, he went off and left me for Jiraiya-sama," He laughed lightly as Naruto stuck out his tongue.
"Yeah, Ero-sennin never makes me wait for him, aside from when he is drunk and passes out,"
"Heh... Asuma-san... you should get going. As I was on my way I passed the monument - Ino-chan is once again trying to force herself into a leadership position. She may outrank you in loyalty soon, after all, their first day with you as sensei and you pull this on them? They aren't going to like you at all," Kakashi smiled as he unzipped his jacket while he spoke, tossing it to the side.
"Yeah, I guess your right - I'll go," He smiled as he pulled himself up from the water, grabbing his pants and shirt. "Want to pack a few rice balls for me Kurenai?"
"I suppose I could - though don't eat them all yourself," Kurenai took a pouch from her bag, Hinata placed a few rice balls in the pouch as Naruto crept towards them silently. The bright haired stalker slipped onto the ground, slithering towards the food basket as he witnesses the treats and snacks within.
Hinata giggled lightly as she allowed Naruto to continue his rummaging through the basket.
"AHHH!!! It's got me!"
Everyone's eyes rose quickly, that is aside from Kakashi who simply laughed lightly... soon everyone joined in the laugher as the desert sands bound Naruto tightly, holding him in the air securely. Gaara smirked lightly as he approached, arms crossed before his chest as he looked up to Naruto.
"Hello Naruto..." Gaara chuckled lightly as Lee followed behind him.
"Grr... Let me go Gaara! This anyway to treat your friend!" Naruto struggled, seeing if their new alliance would be enough to have Gaara release him. Suddenly the sand tightened, swirling lightly as it span Naruto around, finally it released, Naruto falling face first into the water.
Rock Lee laughed as he said his quick helloes to Kiba, and the others, pulling off his own jumpsuit before diving into the river. Naruto resurfaced with a gasp of air, finally finding a bit of humor in Gaara's antics, he rose up with his own laugher.
"Gaara-kun, thinking about hoping into the water for a swim as well?" His elder brother chuckled as he closed the joints of Karasuga, hoping from his stone into the water. Akamaru yipped lightly as he and Kiba rose from the water, both shaking off - both hitting Gaara as they did so.
"No... I think I prefer it on land..."
Hinata stood up from the blanket on the grass- standing beside Gaara. No fear... no worriment with her as she stood beside the demon of the sands himself. She gave a gentle smile to Gaara before slipping into the water. This demon truly showed no reason to fear him... Gaara was no longer a demon, like all others, he was playing, socializing, even being accepted by them all. All because of Naruto, Gaara was allowed to be more human then ever before.
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"Shikamaru-kun?" Temari yawned lightly as she leaned beside him upon his bed; he had once again resumed his seemingly favorite activity of watched the fan blades spin slowly.
"Yeah?" His own yawned was brought into existence thanks to Temari's.
"Is this all you do during the day?"
"Basically... aside from training sometimes and playing a few games with Asuma-sensei at times,"
"Why?"
"Why not? Why not enjoy the small things in life? Relax and just watch life pass by...."
She sighed softly as she sat up, sitting with her legs pulled beneath her. She rested her hands on her knees.
"Why not train harder? Build up your chakra... learn to summon... build up your body. If you don't want to train, play outside... go swimming. There are other ways to enjoy life aside from watching a fan all day,"
"Meh... too troublesome," He shifted a bit, shrugging his shoulders. "Even this is how I train,"
"What do you mean?"
"Meditation... when I just lay here watching that fan, I have to time to think - to plan things out, and to strengthen myself mentally. I may not be building up my chakra, but I learn how to sense what I have and how to use it to its full extent," He yawned loudly this time.
"What if Orochimaru returns to Konoha? Will you help in the fight or just sit here? You need physical strength as well as mental, Shikamaru-kun,"
"Orochimaru isn't going to come back to Konoha; he has no reason too... The third is dead, and he has Sasuke,"
"And you don't care about that? Because of Orochimaru your best friend is gone, and you failed your fist ever mission as a Chuunin. Leaving with four members, you only returned with two, not a very good record so far," She smiled lightly as she leaned over him, drumming her fingers on his forehead.
"Shut up! What difference would it make if I do promise revenge on Orochimaru? Nothing... he is one of the legendary Sannin, no matter how strong I became - I would never be able to do any good against him... Chouji is gone, and that's all there is to it. My father told me... if you lose a man in battle, don't dwell on it. Millions of ninja die in battle, if we mourn for them all, then we would become weak, spending all our time remembering those who are gone," Shikamaru bit his lip once more, as he sat up slowly.
"But he was your best friend... and if we don't mourn, if we don't care, don't we become as heartless as Orochimaru?"
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The night approached slowly as the side fell into the forest, a fire was lit as they sat around the blanket, food was set out, enough for twelve Naruto's to eat their fills. Naruto smiled as he separated his chopsticks, digging into a bowl of rice. As they ate in peace, Akamaru chased water beetles. A small bowl of rice was placed beside Kakashi as he read. Hinata sat beside Naruto, watching him with shy eyes as she offered soy sauce. Ten Ten arriving late in the day was still swimming through the water with Lee and Kiba. Asuma, Ino and the new troops joined minutes after Asuma left to the Hokage monument. Sakura rejecting the offer to study up for the Chuunin Exams, no one could guess what knowledge might be needed this year. Those missing now were only Shikamaru and Temari and Hanabi who refused her invitation knowing Hinata would be with them.
Kurenai stood slowly with a small plate of fish, leaving the small group circle of the blanket, she knelt beside Kakashi. "Kakashi-kun, why don't you come over with the rest of us?"
"Any reason you really need me to?" He smirked lightly as he closed his book, the setting sun making it harder and harder to read in the low light.
"None really, just thought you wouldn't want to be alone," She sat down slowly, chopsticks tearing at the fish.
"More rice Naruto-kun?" Hinata smiled lightly, holding her hands out to receive his bowl.
"Sure, I'm really hungry!" He grinned as he placed his bowl into Hinata's awaiting hands, she nodded lightly as began to refill his bowl from the large pot set in the center of the blanket.
"May I have some more also, Hyuuga-chan?" Gaara slowly slipped his bowl towards Hinata.
"Oh, of course," She blushed lightly, never realizing the others around her while she packed Naruto's bowl full of rice. Passing it back to Naruto, she filled Gaara's as well.
"Me too please, Hinata-chan," Mamimi spoke for what seemed to be the first time in hours. By the end, Asuma and Kankurou also had full bowls. Hinata gave a silent sigh of relief as she finally got to fill her own bowl.
Kurenai giggled lightly. "Hmm, Hinata seems she would make a good little waitress, doesn't she?"
"Hmm..." He smiled lightly, his own rice bowl suddenly empty. "Don't tell now even you are thinking she is not made out to be a ninja al well?"
"I don't know... she isn't the ninja type, is she?"
"No... She is, she simply just hasn't found her talent yet. With the blood that runs through that girl's body, she could be the greatest ninja, who ever lived,"
"Hinata trains though... I watch her. So much her little hands bleed at times,"
"The Hyuuga clan is famous for their taijutsu skills, Kurenai, but has the thought occurred that maybe it is not her calling?"
"She knows basic ninjutsu and genjustu, but she doesn't take to anything else though,"
"Just wait... she will find what she was meant for eventually. She will find her skill," He smiled lightly as he looked over the group. "I know you worry about her Kurenai-chan, but worrying too much won't be good for her. Worrying is what makes her feel weak - I have a feeling we will once again see Hinata-chan make it to the third stage of the Exams, and she will surprise us all. They are all growing up quickly - she is just a late bloomer I believe,"
Kurenai sighed softly as her head lightly rested against Kakashi's shoulder, pushing her plate away slowly. Watching the young, weak, timid and shy Hinata eat in silence.
"I hope your right, Kakashi-kun,"
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Hope you all enjoyed chapter 2 of "Growing Up.... Kids for A Day" I know not much really happened in this chapter, but the story will be picking up soon. Hope you enjoy and review. Next chapter will be up ASAP.
Next Chapter: Shikamaru and Temari - Training For the Chuunin Exams Begin