Disclaimer: I do not own any wrights to Naruto or Shadow Skill. I merely use their characters and themes for entertainment purposes.
It was four days since the Hokage had made the new set of orders regarding the security of the village. And true to his word no rookie Gennin team was permitted outside the village gates. In fact very seldom was any Gennin seen outside the gates. The Jounins that were not assigned a Gennin team became more visible and this lightened some of the anxiety of the village. With the Jounins around people felt safe because having such high ranked shinobi around meant that very few people could get into the village unnoticed. In truth the time only the villagers were on edge was when they saw an increase of visible shinobi was when it came to the Anbu.
When the Anbu patrols became noticeable it always made the citizens nervous. For two reasons; first, even the civilians of the village knew that the Anbu were often given the more undesirable duties of the ninja community, second, if an increase in Anbu were spotted it meant that there were less higher level ninjas to guard the village and the Anbu were forced to fill those spots. Fortunately this had not come to pass, the information that Jiraiya had brought gave Konoha an advanced warning to the possible threats from the alliance between Stone and Cloud. Currently an Anbu Captain was meeting with his former Gennin team leader for a talk. "How long do you think it will take the Jounin team to get any information back?" Sasuke asked.
Kakashi closed his exposed eye in thought, "Hmm, considering that they will be traveling to Cloud, I would say it wouldn't take that long to get there." He paused and thought some more, "But considering that this requires covert surveillance to get the information necessary, it could take a while."
"Why are they heading to Cloud?" Sasuke asked.
"Because although Cloud and Stone are relatively equal distance to Konoha, Cloud is still a peninsula," Kakashi said, "It is better to hold the meeting there."
"Because of the few safe ports from the ruff coastlines and one way by land it's easier to guard against spies," Sasuke concluded.
"Right," Kakashi stated, "Believe me I've been to Cloud a couple of times, much of the coastline is hazardous even for experienced shinobi."
"How long are you off until your next mission?" Sasuke asked changing the subject somewhat.
"I've been given a couple of days off," Kakashi answered. "Hokage-sama has the rotation pretty well planned out. I think the next ones in line are Sakura and Gai. In fact here she comes."
"Hello Sasuke-kun, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura greeted. "How are things going?"
"I've been caught up in my patrols," Sasuke answered, "Speaking of which I should go meet up with my team." And with that he left the other two.
"I'm just getting into my new book Jiraiya-sama gave me," Kakashi said with a blush.
If Sakura were not used to her perverted teacher, she would smacked him for that comment. "Well just remember our deal," Sakura said, "Don't read those books around me and I won't tell Hokage-sama that you took his last book." Kakashi nodded slightly nervous, so far the deal had worked out, but it was hard to put down the latest volume. "Well anyway I should go meet up with Gai and get started on my next mission."
As soon as Sakura was out of sight Kakashi took out his book, "Finally now I can see what happens next after the shower scene."
A little over five days travel, for a non-shinobi, three people were setting up camp for the night. "So how are we supposed to find this, Tsunade?" Naruto asked.
"We'll ask around at the some of the local gambling houses," Jiraiya answered.
"Why gambling houses?" Naruto asked confused, "I thought she was a medic."
"She is Naruto-kun," Hinata answered, "But Tsunade is reported to have a bit of a gambling problem."
"Not to mention being very bad at it," Jiraiya answered.
"Let me guess your plan is for us to pose as debt collectors," Naruto said. Jiraiya nodded in confirmation. "But Hinata-chan, how do you know about her gambling problem?"
"Well anyone who wants to be a medic learns about Tsunade," Hinata answers. "And from my studies I heard about her nickname."
"What's her nickname?" asked a curious Naruto.
"It's the Legendary Sucker," Jiraiya answered with a grin.
After a few moments of silence Hinata stood up causing Naruto to ask, "Where are you going Hinata-chan?"
Hinata blushed for a moment, "Um, I was just going for a walk to…" as she talked her face became increasingly red.
Naruto caught on to what she was trying to say and blushed in embarrassment, "Oh well don't wonder off too far.
As she left Jiraiya followed her path with his head and was about to mention someone should keep an eye on her. But the ice-cold stare he felt from behind him, where Naruto was, made him remember the threat he gave him before the group left. Deciding it would be best to side on caution for once when it came to his perverted-ness, Jiraiya did not mention it. Instead he asked, "How should we do the watch?"
Naruto still with his icy stare replied, "I should take the late watch. I can see better in the dark than either of you."
"How is that?" Jiraiya asked.
"My eyes are more photo-sensitive than a normal person's," Naruto said pointing to his slitted eyes. "And I can increase my night vision even more with chakra."
"Having sensitive eyes like that can be a great weakness as well as strength," Jiraiya cautioned.
"Believe me I know," Naruto said shaking his head, "When I first got them one night when I was away I had not realized until I woke up the next day how sensitive they truly were. Almost blinded myself when I woke up, but I've learned to adjust to the extra sensitivity even when I enhance then even more."
"Well then you taking the latest shift is fine with me," Jiraiya said, "Then I'll take the middle and Hinata will take the first."
"Alright we'll tell her when she gets back," Naruto said. About ten minutes later Hinata arrived and was informed of the watch rotation. She agreed and the three settled in for the night.
It was about two hours before the first rays of sunrise would reach the group. Naruto was in the middle of his turn at watch when he heard some commotion not far off. Slowly reaching over he shook Hinata awake, who had fallen asleep right next to him. When she opened her eyes Naruto made a gesture for her to remain still. She complied and then he scratched by his eyes after giving her the briefest of glances. Hinata understood the gesture and silently activated her blood limit where she lay. After scanning the area she moved fingers a few times telling Naruto how many there were.
After a few minutes of silence Naruto heard some rustling again. This time it was less than five meters away from the campsite. "Wake up Ero-Sennin," Naruto said. "We got company." Naruto stood up just as Jiraiya awoke.
"How many?" Jiraiya asked.
"I counted at least six," Hinata said standing herself.
As the three traveling companions took a defensive position six figures emerged from the bushes and trees. "Who are you and what do you want?" Naruto asked.
The six opponents gave no response except for attacking by throwing several kunai and shuriken. The three easily dodged and spilt off to attack. Naruto disappeared from sight then reappeared behind one of the enemies and kicked him sending the enemy into a near by tree. Hinata once again activated her blood limit and quickly struck one closest to her with a combination chakra scalpel and gentle fist, rendering one arm and leg of her opponent completely useless. Jiraiya had summoned a toad as large as him and the toad used its tongue to knock one his opponents away.
The both the injured and non-injured of the six attackers moved back with varying degrees of ease. "You can't win," Naruto said. "Give up."
Again there came no response from the enemies, except this time in addition to taking out more weapons strange black marks began to appear on their skin. "Kill them quickly!" Jiraiya ordered.
As the marks continued to expand Naruto and Hinata heard Jiraiya's order and wondered why he said that. Their silent question was answered when they felt a sudden upsurge of chakra from the opponents. Not wasting any more time Naruto and Hinata charged their previous opponents. Naruto jumped into the air, spun and kicked the one he previously injured in the neck killing him instantly. The other was able to jump away but as soon as Naruto landed he quickly threw out his hands shouting "Haken!" a burst of wind came out of his hands hitting his last opponent before he could finish his hand seals. Naruto capitalizing on his advantage decided to end this now and followed up with, "Rapier!" The powerful technique killed the enemy before he knew what hit him.
Hinata charged just as Naruto did. But instead of going after the weakened opponent she when for the stronger one. She felt that with the injuries she gave the other one he would not be of much help. Hinata quickly moved in striking several chakra points as well as cutting vital organs with her chakra scalpels. She quickly rendered him unconscious and barely alive. Luckily for her she had her blood limit activated otherwise she would have been struck by several shurikens in the back. Jumping to avoid the attack Hinata quickly scanned the direction they came from. To her surprise she noticed that the injured opponent now had a different chakra pattern than before. The brief pause was enough time for the attacker to charge her. Unfortunately for him Hinata said, "You have just entered my range of deviation." She then rushed forward performing, "Hakke Rokujuu Yonshuo!" She quickly struck the sixty-four chakra points killing the enemy.
Jiraiya not having hesitated jumped off his frog and quickly killed the uninjured attacker before the marks could fully spread. At the same time his toad attacked the injured opponent and killed him quickly as well.
After the battle Naruto asked, "Who the hell were they? And what the hell were those marks?"
"Their forehead protector shows they are from Hidden Sound," Hinata said examining one of the bodies. She looked back up to Naruto and continued, "Hidden Sound in a new shinobi village that showed up not long after you…left. But as to the marks…"
"They're Curse Seals," Jiraiya answered, "But unlike the ones on the Branch House of the Hyuuga, these don't lessen the person's ability, they increase it."
"Then why are they Curse Seals?" Hinata asked.
"Because most people don't survive if the seal gets planted on them," Jiraiya replied, "That and if the person is unwilling to fight it they loose their mind to the seal."
"How do you know so much about them?" Naruto asked.
"I'll tell you later," Jiraiya responded, "But right now we need to break camp and hurry up and find Tsunade."
Three days latter in a darkened chamber a man wearing glasses slowly approached another man with yellow eyes. "Orichimaru-sama," Kabuto greeted, "The team that was sent to follow Jiraiya and his two companions was found killed."
"Those fools," Orichimaru said, "They should not have tried to attack my old teammate."
"Orichimaru-sama," Kabuto spoke again, "Whom will you send after Jiraiya? If he contacts Tsunade and convinces her to rejoin Konoha…"
"I am aware what will happen Kabuto!" Orichimaru said angrily. "Is there any word on whom is accompanying Jiraiya?"
"Our spies tell us that the girl is the Hyugga Heiress," Kabuto informed, "And the boy is someone that goes by the name of Shadow Claw. Our spies also tell us that this Shadow Claw fights in an unknown fighting style and it is quite powerful."
Orichimaru thought for a minute, "Send the Sound Four," he ordered. "Tell them to watch and wait. I wish to know more about this unknown fighting style, and maybe get an opportunity to get the Byakugan."
"Yes Orichimaru-sama," Kabuto bowed then left.
Naruto, Jiraiya and Hinata had been traveling for a week and a half, straight at their best speed, only stopping for quick episodes of rest. After the attack from the Sound shinobi, Jiraiya insisted that they get as far away as possible from their previous location. They were now near the western boundaries of Fire Country and they decided to once again continue their search for Tsunade. There were several towns around their location but only a few had any gambling. The group had decided to concentrate their search solely to the gambling city in hopes of hearing recent stories of a woman with severe bad luck. So far they had come up with nothing.
"You know I'm beginning to think that Tsunade might have just gone underground," Naruto said brushing his hair out of his eyes. He was not wearing his forehead protector so his hair fell down over his eyes. Jiraiya had suggested removing their forehead protectors in order to blend in around the villages with out using chakra that could be detected. "From the way you describe her debts it would be the smartest thing she could do."
"For a normal person yes," Jiraiya replied, "But with Tsunade, she just can't resist gambling."
"Well if we do not find any information from the next town," Hinata joined in, "Where will we go from there?"
"We'll have to leave the Country and search some of the smaller Countries," Jiraiya said. "Fortunately Tsunade doesn't travel much in other Shinobi Countries."
"Why is that?" Naruto asked.
"Because regardless of the reasons why she left, she will not give up any secrets to another country," Jiraiya explained. Both Hinata and Naruto nodded in understanding, both knew from their own experiences what it meant to keep secrets about techniques to themselves.
It did not take them much longer to reach the next village. This one was about medium sized and was pretty much designated as a tourist town. That meant that there were quite a number of gambling houses that would appeal to Tsunade as well as other methods of distraction that would appeal to Jiraiya. After looking around for a minute and noticing several said distractions Jiraiya announced, "Why don't you two head to a hotel and book us a couple of rooms. I'll start searching for information." Though he did not specify what kind of information, the slight drool on at the corner of his mouth told his companions everything they needed to know.
"Just don't spend any of our money you pervert," Naruto said after the retreating Jiraiya. Sighing he turned to Hinata, "We should probably check into an inexpensive hotel then search ourselves."
"Ok Naruto-kun," Hinata agreed, "I think the best place would probably be at the north side of the village. It's away from the major tourist spots so the rates should lower."
"That sounds good Hinata-chan," Naruto said.
After searching for a half an hour they found one they could afford. As they approached the front desk the elderly manager greeted, "Hello there, what a lovely couple you are, would you like a room to rent?"
Both Hinata and Naruto blushed slightly, "Yes, we would like to stay here but we would like two rooms please."
"Oh," the manager said then leaned over the counter and whisper to Naruto, "You haven't reached that point yet?"
Although the manager whispered Hinata was still able to hear him, "Um I'm sorry Sir, but we would like two rooms because we are traveling with a third person…"
She was cut off the manager, "Oh I see you two want some privacy I understand. Here are your room keys. Your rooms will be across the hall from each other on the second floor. First door on your right has the larger bed."
Both blushed at the misinterpretation even more but when they tried to correct him, the manager would just disregard them. So the two did not press and went to the their rooms. Once they unpacked the two met outside, pointedly avoiding the manager, to start checking some of the gambling houses.
After they checked out the third gambling house and still had no luck, Naruto and Hinata decided to take a break. After traveling for two days none stop to even catch their breath and spending half the day searching the two began to feel fatigue setting in. The two teenagers decided to get something to eat and then relax for a couple of hours. They figured by that time their older companion would have either run out of money or just been run out of where ever he was and then go search for him.
During one the few moments that Hinata left Naruto alone, he noticed he was next to a rather small gambling house. There was an open slot machine next to the entrance, and yielding to his curiosity, Naruto placed a coin into the machine and to his surprise he won.
Hinata had come back to the spot where she left Naruto not too long ago. She looked around trying to locate him, but because they were in the busier part of the town, she could not see him through the crowd. After several minutes of looking and not finding any trace of Naruto she decided to search a different way. Silently activating her blood limit, Hinata quickly picked up a strongly suppressed chakra signature not too far from where she was. Deactivating her blood limit Hinata went toward the signature and when she arrived she was surprised to see that it was not Naruto that she sensed. In fact it was a woman carrying a small pig. The woman seemed to notice someone was looking at her and turned towards Hinata. When their eyes met the woman became startled saying, "A Hyuuga?"
Back at Naruto, he was on his tenth game on the slot machine. And although he lost seven of those games, the three he won had been jackpots. So his pile of coins had become rather high. Naruto was about to stick another coin in when he felt someone watching him from behind. He turned back to see a well endowed woman first looking at his pile of money then at him, "It seems you've got pretty good luck kid. Want to try a real game with me?"
After glancing around the area for a moment Naruto shrugged, "I guess a quick game won't hurt." With that he took the winnings from the slot machine and followed the well-endowed woman further back into the gambling house.
"Oh I see," the woman carrying the pig, now known as Shizune, said. "So you're on a mission."
"Yes," Hinata answered. She kept the details to herself because, although Shizune claimed to be from Konoha, Hinata was not sure if she was telling the truth. And after the attack from the Sound ninjas it was better to side with caution.
"Well I'm sure Ts…" Shizune was cut off by a large amount of commotion coming from down the street. Looking in the direction Shizune noticed that the disturbance came from a gambling house she sighed, "Not again," and ran off in the same direction. Hinata was confused for a moment but decided to follow to see what had happened.
When the two arrived at the gambling house they heard a shout from within, "I know you two are cheating! The only hands you've lost are too each other!"
"How could we be cheating?" a female voice shouted back, "I just met this kid ten minutes ago!"
"Yeah!" a male voice agreed, "Just because you suck doesn't mean the others are cheating!"
"Oh no," Shizune said as she recognized the female voice. Hinata had similar thoughts as she recognized the male voice.
Back inside the conflict began to escalate, "Give me back my money and there won't be any trouble," the man who had lost the last three hands said.
"Hey you lost fare and square!" Naruto retorted. "And if you don't want to loose more than just your money I suggest you leave."
"I agree with my new friend here," Tsunade said. "I've lost my fare share of hands in the past but I never accused a person of cheating whom wasn't; you're just being a sore loser."
"Do you have any idea who I am?" the man asked.
"Not really, should I?" Naruto asked with a smirk.
"That's it!" the man pulled out a short-sword from his back and along with three other people that were watching from close by attacked.
Naruto gazed at the attackers and knew they were no threat so he let them come. Two attacked him while the other two attacked the woman to his right. The two attacking Naruto both swung their swords down at Naruto and to their surprise Naruto brought his forearm up and blocked the attack. Thanks in part to the weights on his arm but mostly because of his strength, he not only stopped the blades, they also broke on his arm. Sighing Naruto said, "Such low quality weapons." Then looking up he saw the horror stricken looks on the two men's faces. Taking a deep breath Naruto yelled, "BOO!" the two men jumped back and quickly ran out the exit.
Naruto turned to the woman and saw she was holding her two attackers in one hand by their shirts and a sake bottle in the other. She then crushed the sake bottle and said, "If you come near me again you'll end up just like the sake bottle." With that she threw the two men out the entrance. "Well that was fun, so what's your name kid?"
"Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto said with a big smile. "What's yours?"
Tsunade seemed to flinch at the smile briefly, but the shock quickly left. She answered, "I'm…" but she was interrupted by a voice from the entrance.
"Tsunade-sama!" Naruto turned to the source of the voice and noticed Hinata was standing next to a woman holding a pig.
He then caught what the woman next to Hinata said, "Waite you're Tsunade?"
Tsunade turned away from Shizune and the Hyuuga with her to the teenager next to her and responded, "Yeah, have we met?"
Authors note:
I think it should be noted that in Naruto's world, people matureon an emtional and mental level very quickly, regardless whether or not they are shinobi. This is mostly because it is assumed that many people get attacked by bandits and shinobi. For this reason the manager of the hotel assumed that when he saw two teenagers traveling alone, even though Naruto and Hinata were not wearing their forehead protectors, that they were in relationship.
Also some people have commented on the fast developing feelings Naruto has for Hinata. For that, remember that Naruto had been without any real kind of emotional bonding most of his life and longed for some. Even his time away did not stop that need, in fact it increased it. So when he found out Hinata liked him enough to attend his funeral when so few did he kind of latched onto that and developed a quick friendship with her. And from there his feelings had started and are still growing toward Hinata.
