Smoked swept through the forest, accompanied by strong gusts of wind.
The stench that accompanied the roiling cloud of gas had everyone coughing. It reminded them of the reeking odor associated with death and decomposition.
Hinata's eyes teared up. She felt the hairs on the back on her neck stand up, fighting the urge to retch. This was just like before. Did that mean she had been successful?
Hopefully, her decision had been the correct one. To dream of seeing a cat and snake on friendly terms signifies the beginning of an angry struggle. So, if things worked out well, it would be the cat and the snake that did the struggling.
She crossed her fingers and said a quick prayer, unable to see anything at the moment. Kabuto was at the same disadvantage as her; but, he seemed to be much fresher. Her Byakugan didn't use up too much chakra. Just the same, if she relied solely on that, she might meet her doom. Her opponent was very clever, and no doubt knew about the strengths and weaknesses of the Hyuuga techniques.
"Please be Neko Janis," Hinata whispered. She swallowed hard, hearing the angry hiss coming from the king of the snake demons. "Cats hate snakes, right?" They should at least fight, shouldn't they?
"Did you do that, Hinata?" Naruto called out, all too familiar with the smell. Being Naruto, he had to inject a bit of crude humor in the situation. "I thought it was bad when I beat Kiba in the Chuunin exam. Whew. But this? You better watch what you eat, girl…"
"Ummm…" Hinata frowned. "Naruto-kun… you…" She clenched her fists. Just because she had been elated to hear that he might actually like her after all, it didn't mean that she should have to put up with that kind of nonsense. Waiting for the smoke to clear, she wondered just how much danger Naruto would be in. She began coughing, swallowing her saliva the wrong way. Naruto and Neko Janis had not exactly hit things off in friendly fashion before…
In her reading at home, she had learned how the Egyptians had revered the cat. At one point, they had identified the lions that roamed around their land with the Sun. They believed that at sunset, Ra… the Sun God… would die and descend through the underworld in the West, to be born again in the East at sunrise. During the night, however Ra was always in great danger, as his enemies… headed by the great serpent Apophis… would not hesitate to attack him, thus putting the whole Universe in danger. However, the lions would look unto the setting sun, and keep its rays in their eyes, for they… like domestic felines… have eyes that reflect in the dark. With that fire burning in their eyes, the lions would go forth and kill the serpents of the night, just as domestic cats bred in the temples of the Kemet would do in real life.
Mafdet had been an Egyptian goddess in feline form, possibly that of a panther. She was noted principally as a destroyer of snakes and scorpions. An ancient Egyptian spell thought to repel snakes invoked her: 'O cobra, I am the flame which shines on the brows of the Chaos-gods of the Standard of Years. Begone from me, for I am Mafdet!' Certainly, that memory was a fortuitous sign, wasn't it
Feeling silly, Hinata mouthed the words of that Egyptian spell. They certainly couldn't hurt. "Uh oh." She remembered something else that she had come across. Buto had been one of the chief goddesses of the delta, during some periods of Egyptian history. Queen of the goddesses, she was associated with the snake, having a cobra's head. She protected the pharaoh by spiting poison on his enemies, or burning them with her look. Her bite could even kill the pharaoh, should he act out of turn. There were other myths and folklore that had her feeling uneasy, too. 'When a cat brings mice home, prosperity follows. But when she brings home a snake, personal relationships are in danger of falling apart.' She couldn't remember exactly where she had read that, but it had her thinking about Naruto again.
"OROCHIMARU, WHAT IS THIS FOOLISHNESS?" Manda's angry question thundered in Hinata's ears. "SHOULD I END UP INOPPORTUNED AGAIN, I WILL TAKE IT OUT ON YOU."
"Wussy…" Naruto said.
"Is this your trick, boy?" Orochimaru practically hissed himself. "It will only delay the inevitable, you fool."
"I think it was the girl," Kabuto said, feeling very much on edge. He sensed another otherworldly presence. He was also very nervous around Manda, who had reprimanded him during the battle of the three Sannin.
"Please work out… please work out…" Hinata repeated her silent little mantra. She remembered something else. Both the cat and the snake were under a curse in Buddhism, as they were the only two creatures who did not weep at the death of Buddha. She didn't make things worse somehow, did she?
"Wish it was my trick, jackass." Naruto sent a large number of clones out, running blindly through the smoke. Things close up should be visible, and they could attack Orochimaru and Kabuto if they came across them.
"Oh shit!" That exclamation was repeated by a number of clones, all who had run into something unexpected.
"R-R-R-O-W… I R-R-RECOGNIZE THAT APPEAR-R-RENCE… THE AR-R-ROGANT BOY…"
That loud and unhappy voice was followed by a great slamming sound, highlighted by the noise of disappearing clones.
"Stupid cat," Naruto griped. Now he had to deal with another malcontent.
"S-S-S-S-S. NEKO JANIS!" Manda's head reared above the disappearing smoke. "IT WOULD BE UNWISE TO OPPOSE ME."
Hinata stiffened up momentarily. She had been successful. No doubt her emotions had been more than enough to call the Queen Cat. But, it sounded as if the great beast was annoyed by Naruto already.
Kabuto began stalking Hinata again. He did so cautiously, wary of the giant cat not too far away. If the cat was bound the girl, he might very well incur its wrath. But, if he struck swiftly enough, he might be able to get away if the two monsters fought.
Neko Janis sat back on her haunches, and began to lick herself on the paw. She paid no attention whatsoever to Manda.
"WELL?" Manda's voice thundered even louder.
Naruto shook his head. At least the snooty feline was pissing off the giant snake. It would give him time to move about some. But, what should he do?
"R-R-R-R-R… OH, MANDA… DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?"
Neko Janis continued on with her washing. Both Naruto and Hinata thought of Kakshi and Gai at that instant. Each ducked out of the way, even though they were separated by a fair number of yards. The Queen Cat had sat up on her hind legs, using a pair of massive cedars as scratching posts. Huge boughs and strips of bark rained down from above. Kabuto had to leap a large distance, almost clobbered by an entire tree top severed by one final swipe of claws.
"S-S-S-S-S…" The demon snake was not about to get into a war of words with the catty female. As long as she was content to sit by and do nothing, he would not need to deal with her. "WHERE IS THE BOY?"
Naruto scratched his chin. It might just work. Of course, it was probably suicidal. Putting his hands on his hips, he walked out between the two gigantic creatures, hands on his hips. "I'm right here, asshole." He gave Manda the finger, cringing when the demon hissed louder than ever before. "Here's one for you too, pussy cat!" He dropped his drawers for a moment." That was followed by a cat-like hiss. "Now, which of you two gets to eat Uzumaki Naruto? You'll probably have to fight it out!"
"R-R-R-R-R… YOU LOOK LIKE SOMETHING I COUGH UP…"
Neko Janis went back to her washing.
"Uhhh…" Naruto spread his arms wide. "About that eating thing…" He turned and ran from Manda, who struck with amazing speed, fangs piercing a huge oak with ease. The wind from his strike ruffled Naruto's hair.
Hinata had been watching carefully, trying to gauge the lay of the land. It might be foolish, approaching Neko Janis when the cat had decided not to make any of the battle her own. But, she had to see if she could enlist the Queen's help. Also, approaching her might keep Kabuto away for a brief while.
Orochimaru worked one of his jutsus for a second time. A large number of dead Sound shinobi began coming to life, trying to encircle a retreating Naruto. They moved slowly, animated only by the power of the Sannin's chakra. A number of corpses that he could not encompass with his technique also staggered to their feet in even weaker fashion, manipulated by Kabuto as a means to confuse the boy.
"R-R-R-R-R… PITIFUL… IT IS UNWISE TO TRY AND USUR-R-RP MY PREROGATIVE…"
Neko Janis reanimated the dead fully, but did not send them after Orochimaru or his minion. She sent them running with greater speed after Naruto. For now. She reserved the right to change her mind.
"Ma'am…" Hinata stood in front of Neko Janis and bowed. Not seeing any response, she moved much closer and repeated her action, holding her bow for a much longer period of time.
"R-R-R-R-R… I SEE YOU, GIRL CHILD… YOU INTER-R-RUPTED ME DUR-R-RING MY BATH… WHY?" The cat stopped her grooming, and turned her great luminous eyes on Hinata
Hinata felt as if her stomach had landed down somewhere near her feet.
"I HOPE IT WAS NOT TO PLAY WITH A DIR-R-RTY SNAKE… OR TO RESCUE THAT IMPUDENT MALE…"
Hinata swallowed hard. She thought back to the things that she had read about cats. Her words needed to come with great care. But, she found herself feeling terribly tense. Manda was laying waste to entire stretches of forest, in an attempt to kill Naruto. How long could he dodge something so powerful and so swift?
"Yes Ma'am, it was…" Hinata would not lie. Steeling herself, she took more steps, placing herself directly between the cat demon's paws. "I… ummm… I do not aspire to control you…" She bowed again for good measure. "One can never own the service of one so great." She swallowed hard again. She didn't want to sound like she was laying it on too thick. "It is risk enough for one such as me to even look at one such as you." She knelt down. "If anything, I should follow your commands."
"R-R-R-R-R…. VERY NICE WORDS… R-R-R-R-R…"
With that, Neko Janis resumed her licking. Hinata felt herself trembling, wondering just what more she could say. Was her patience and subsequent subservient behavior a key to gaining the cat's aid? Would anything that she might say make a difference on Naruto's behalf? Looking behind her, she noted that Kabuto and Orochimaru were keeping their distance.
Naruto came pelting through an impromptu clearing, leaping over a large number of tree felled by the rampaging reptile. He slid to a stop, looking over at Hinata, and then up at the great cat.
Hinata shrugged, her eyes pleading with Naruto. He needed to run. More than that, he needed to keep quiet, without ruffling Neko Janis' fur, so to speak.
"Uhhh… sorry, Ma'am… I mean the trick and all…" Naruto felt like a total imbecile, standing there talking to a cat, no matter how big it was. After a falling spruce nearly crushed him and Hinata, he sped on his way again, sending a large number of clones to confound the irate serpent.
"S-S-S-S-S. IT WILL DO YOU NO GOOD…" Manda's hiss had Hinata covering her ears. Neko Janis made and annoyed cat face, and then yawned, showing huge canine teeth. "S-S-S-S-S. I WILL KILL YOU, AND THE KYUUBI ALONG WITH YOU…" The snake's voice set even her on edge.
"K-Kyuubi…" Hinata stuttered. "B-But…" She doubted that a being as old and wise as Manda would be mistaken. However, she couldn't understand what it meant. Was Naruto the Kyuubi in human form? Was the Kyuubi's spirit somehow bound to his body?
Neko Janis' ears swiveled towards the huge snake, whose massive body was undulating past, plowing trees into the soft soil.
"R-R-R-O-W-R… THE KYUUBI? THE FOX DEMON DID ME A SER-R-RVICE ONCE, EVEN THOUGH I WAS YOUNGER AND WEAKER…"
The great cat closedher eyes for a few moments. Hinata wondred how the great demons ended up knowing one another. No, it was not the time to wonder about such things.
"YES… HE IS THERE… HOW AMUSING…"
"Ma'am…" Hinata stood and bowed again. "Will you help him, then…" She couldn't quite absorb what she had heard. But, now was not the time to deal with that. "The Kyuubi, I mean…" She had best not ask for too much. The great cat might have no desire to assist Naruto. Quite the opposite, most likely.
"R-R-R-R-R... NO, HE IS MALE... AND IN A PR-R-REDICAMENT OF HIS OWN MAKING..."
A huge swampy area appeared in the middle of the devastated wooded area. But, Manda was no minor snake. What had once worked against one of its underlings before, would not work against him. The ground solidified again, before the water had even bubbled up in its entirety.
Hinata felt her skin crawl, when she saw a number of reanimated Sound ninjas run in the direction of Naruto. She twiddled her fingers, looking up at Neko Janis.
"This is almost comical," Kabuto said, watching as a darting Naruto managed to stay one step ahead of Manda. "But, we should act to finish this soon. The boy is cleverer than he looks."
"Yes," Orochimaru admitted. He too had caught wind of Naruto's seemingly aimless actions. With each pass, he ran in two directions. But, he ran a great deal further in the direction of Hidden Leaf Village. No doubt he was stalling, and preparing to make a break towards the village when Manda struck poorly or changed his target. He would have no qualms leaving the girl behind, if the demon cat seemed to be well-inclined towards her.
"The cat is not going to help," Kabuto said. "We can take whatever action is necessary.
The ears on Neko Janis' great head flicked. They rotated towards Kabuto. Her eyes narrowed.
"It would appear so. We need act soon. If not, Manda will still hold us accountable, even should he consume the lout." Orochimaru headed off in a direction different than the one he sent Kabuto in.
"R-r-r-r-r-r… so…" The Queen cat's whisper had Hinata jumping. She had no idea that the demon could do that. "You are wor-r-ried about the wor-r-rthless male…"
"Y-Yes," Hinata admitted. She closed her eyes, remembering what the demon had said on the first day of summoning. 'R-R-R-R-R… IS IT YOUR MATE?' She had answered 'No', and the response had been 'R-R-R-O-W… THAT IS GOOD. HAD IT BEEN, I WOULD HAVE KILLED YOU.'
"R-r-r-r-r… I can feel the gist of your thoughts, girl child…" The cat shook her head, and then sneezed. "I cannot say that I approve of your choice. But, your cour-r-rage in being truthful is admir-r-rable. I will not let you die here today…"
"Th-Then… you'll help Naruto, Ma'am…" Hinata's eyes went wide. She brought her hands up under her chin.
"R-R-R-O-W-R… WHATEVER GAVE YOU THAT IDEA... SILLY CHILD…"
Hinata covered her ears again. She felt her spirit deflate, like a balloon that was released before being tied off. She clenched her teeth. So be it. If Neko Janis was a cat of her word, she would make the demon protect her. Bowing, she took of moving as quickly as she could.
When she caught sight of Naruto again, he was in bad straights. Kabuto had thrown up a large mud wall, causing the boy to slow and veer out of its path. After drinking a large vial of liquid instead of creating it within his body, and using his chakra to charge it, Orochimaru used a variation of a clan-related jutsu that Kidōmaru had shown him, Kumo Soiki. A sticky web shot out of his mouth, spreading between trees in the boys path. Manda surged ahead quickly, plowing up dirt and sending Naruto spinning towards the snare.
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata's leg slowed her down. All she could do was watch. Before she knew what had happened, there were dozens of Naruto's somersaulting into the web. The real Naruto stepped off of them, flipped over the web, and continued on his way. Its face blinded temporarily by the web it pushed through, the demon snake flicked its tail around in blinding fashion. Its sense of direction had been impeccable. "No!"
The end of the vast appendage snapped cracked like a whip, catching Naruto square in the back, flinging him hard against a tall tree. He slid to the ground, stunned somewhat.
Hinata moved as quickly as she could, reaching his side just as Manda reared up again, one eye free of the sticky encumbrance. Orochimaru and Kabuto moved in slowly from the flanks.
"It's been fun, Naruto." Kabuto said. "I'll treasure this memory. It will be the last time we'll share together."
"Silence," Orochimaru said.
Hinata stood in front of Naruto. She felt her heart in her throat, staring up into the open mouth of the giant snake.
"R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-O-W-W-W-W-R-R-R…"
The growl grew in intensity as something came down from above. Neko Janis had leaped up, and walked daintily across the tree tops, before leaping with sinuous grace. Landing, she spat, swaying her split tail from side to side.
"S-S-S-S-S… WHAT IS THIS…" Manda flicked his tongue in and out rapidly, agitated and annoyed.
Orochimaru cursed, seeing the monster cat take up a fighting stance. Just what had changed the cat's mind? The girl? "We do not wish to harm the girl," he called up. "She may go free, unharmed. You have my word."
Neko Janis looked down at Hinata. She saw the girl shake her head.
"Listen to them, Hinata…" Naruto struggled to his feet, listing to one side. He looked up at the cat. "Kitty's here to protect you, right?" He ignored Neko Janis' growl. "She might be pretty good, but that bastard snake might be in a different league. Let her guard you on the way home. You can warn the village, if that slimy bastard can be trusted. I can't see how he can just let you go, though." He coughed, his lips bloody afterwards. "He might let you go, only to capture you a mile or so away…"
"Seems he knows you pretty well, master…" Kabuto spoke too quietly to be overheard.
"No. The snake would get you, Naruto-kun. Here…" Hinata grunted. She took Naruto into her arms. As long as she held him, the demon cat would have to protect them both.
"Hinata-chan… this is so sudden… be gentle…" Naruto's joke had Hinata dropping him in shock. The giant cat just closed her eyes. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't hold back a feline grin.
"You… Naruto-kun!" Hinata made a face. She had to remind herself to be very angry at Naruto, for what he had done before. Now, he was goofing around in the middle of a serious fight!
"R-R-R-R-R… IT WAS A GOOD PLAN, GIRL CHILD. BUT, I AM NOT SO EASILY INFLUENCED…"
Neko Janis reached out with her possession ability. She took control of Hinata, walking her away from Naruto.
"Please, Ma'am…" Naruto bowed, before coughing up blood. "Keep the girl safe. She's out here because of my mistake." He coughed again, looking down at his blood-specked hand. "It's not an order. It's not even a request, either." He had caught on to the way he should be acting, finally setting his pride aside. "Let's just call it a suggestion."
Hinata wanted to shout 'No,' but she couldn't do anything on her own. Damn that Naruto. Why was he being so noble? Why couldn't he have acted that way towards her before! Oh. Because he thought she already had a boyfriend. She had mistakenly kept the truth from him for too long.
"But-t-t-t-t-t…" Naruto put his hands behind his neck, sparing a glance for Manda, who reared higher, as if waiting for the perfect moment to strike. "I always wondered if females could be as tricky as males. I wonder if they have a sense of humor as good as mine…"
"R-R-R-R-R…"
Neko Janis folded her ears flat, taking offense at first. The boy was sounding all too familiar. That would be bad enough in a human female. But, her whiskers twitched. Cats did enjoy playing with things, prey included. The boy would serve, if he didn't suggest a better game.
"SO-O-O-O-O… WHAT DO YOU WISH TO SAY TO ONE SUCH AS ME?"
The cat demon sat down on her rump, giving Manda a warning look. She unsheathed all of her claws.
"Well…" Groaning, Naruto motioned for the cat to come closer. That had Hinata wishing that she could close her eyes. That big idiot was going to insult Neko Janis this was. She would have swallowed her tongue were she able, when she saw the monster cat bend her neck, and then cover Naruto with one ear.
"R-R-R-R-R-O-W-R R-R-R-R-R R-R-R-R-R R-R-R-R-R…"
Neko Janis slowly sat up, a look of delight in her great green eyes. Naruto struck a pose. That had Hinata sighing.
"PER-R-RHAPS IT IS THE GREAT FOX'S INFLUENCE. PER-R-RHAPS IT IS YOU. REGAR-R-RDLESS, YOU ARE THE PER-R-RFECT ONE TO CONTAIN SUCH A MISCHIEVOUS BEING."
The Cat Queen looked over at Manda.The two demons attempted to stare one another down, without success. Each had the ability to mesmerize its victims, should they be foolish enough to make eye contact for too long. But, neither could work such a trick against a being of near equal magnitude.
"IF YOU MOVE ON ANY OF THE HUMANS, I WILL CLAW OUT AT LEAST ONE EYE BEFOR-R-RE YOU KNOW IT…"
That brought an angry hiss from the great snake, but he relaxed his posture, coiling up and lowering his head. He could afford to be patient. Neko Janis might be immune to his venom; but, he was also a constrictor, and if he caught her just right, he could kill her if she didn't transport away. If she vanish, he would have the others to kill at his leisure.
Orochimaru's instincts served him well. He tried to escape. But, he had been too slow. One step behind him, Kabuto had been caught as well. The demon cat's possession powers were a match for their wills and chakra strength. Manda made no move to assist them. He hoped the cat leave would leave them in such a state.
"Yup! Watch this, Hinata-chan." Naruto struck a pose. "The Lady is pretty cool after all."
Orochimaru and Kabuto turned to face one another. Jerking like puppets, they began walking, their arms outstretched.
"Now, what are those faces for?" Naruto said, chuckling. "If you two actually had mothers, didn't they ever tell you that if you make a face like that, it might freeze that way permanently?" He looked over at Hinata, winked, and have her a thumb's up. Light shined off of his teeth the way it usually did with Gai or Lee. "Oh. Silly me. I should ask you… have you ever been kissed? If not, I guess you should remedy the situation before you die."
Hinata watched as the two Sound shinobi haltingly wrapped their warms around one another, and then gave each other a long deep kiss.
"See, Hinata. Wasn't that great? Hah! That's why I'm going to be Hokage someday…" Naruto suddenly went stiff. He began walking towards Hinata. She began walking towards him. It seems that Neko Janis found someone else to play with.
"R-R-R-R-R-R… R-R-R-R-R… R-R-R-R-R… R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R…"
Hinata's heart began beating quicker and quicker. She knew what Neko Janis had planned. The only question was whether or not the cat would follow through, or make them sweat it out before releasing them at the last moment. Which did she really hope for? It wouldn't be of their own choosing… but it would be a kiss. Maybe if it felt nice, Naruto might want to try it again later. Oh. No. No No No No No.
Naruto took Hinata in his arms. He was sweating up a storm. When he wrapped his arms around her, he came close to fainting. He had never kissed a girl like this before. He had dreamed about it… that plus other things, thanks to his anime and manga… but his first kiss should be special, shouldn't it? Nah, that was girlie stuff. A guy should be happy to get a kiss whenever and wherever he could, right? Yeh! This was a good thing. Wasn't it?
The kiss lasted a long time. Both Hinata and Naruto realized at the end, that the demon cat had removed her control before the kiss was completely over. But, that was only because they were so mixed up…
"Uhhh… well…" Naruto sneered, trying to look unconcerned when he had use of his own body again.
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata brought her hand to her lips. She felt as if her entire body was blushing.
"Very funny," Naruto said, marching over to Neko Janis. He placed both hands on his hips. "Who said you could…"
"Naruto-kun! Shhh!" Hinata didn't want the cat to grow angry with Naruto. She bowed, blushing again. "Thank you, ma'am." That statement had Naruto's mouth falling open. He forgot completely about Manda for a moment.
"What are you two freaks staring at." Naruto yelled at Orochimaru and Kabuto, both of whom were still under the cat's control. "Friggin' perverts. Must be a Sannin kind of thing. Like master like student!" He frowned. That didn't sound so good. He didn't want to end up a slovenly good-for-nothing hairy reprobate. Anyway, the promise of a painful death he saw in his enemy's eyes had him whistling a lively tune. He stopped. Just how was this thing going to play out?
"S-S-S-S-S…" Manda turned his gaze on Orochimaru.
"Might be fun if you gave those two a head start," Naruto said, looking up at Neko Janis. "But, that would be the cat way to do things, I guess. He shrugged. "Or, sneaky woman stuff. A male would just let the damn snake eat them." Naruto shocked them all… Manda most of all… by giving the irate demon serpent a 'V' sign.
"Naruto-kun… hush…" Hinata shook her head. This was no time for joking around.
"One kiss, and the girl thinks that she's in control." Naruto sighed, looking up at Manda. He jumped back when the snake hissed, its tongue hitting him hard across the face and sending him hard to his rump.
"R-R-R-R-R… WE SHOULD TALK LATER, GIRL CHILD. IT MIGHT DO YOU BETTER, IF YOU ASK ME TO MAKE THE NOISY ONE DISAPPEAR…"
Neko Janis licked her lips.
"B-But… small animals don't provide much nutrition…" Hinata swallowed hard. She saw Naruto make that face, and hoped he would keep his cool.
"R-R-R-O-W-R… DON'T BELIEVE EVER-R-RYTHING YOU HEAR…"
Naruto couldn't help himself. He almost crapped himself before he saw the giant cat wink at Hinata. It was hard to miss that eye winking! He fell to his knees, but not because of that nasty little cat joke. He coughed up more blood.
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata ran to his side.
"R-R-R-R-R… A GIFT…" Neko Janis nodded her furry head to Manda, who bowed in return. She released her hold on Orochimaru and his subordinate.
Orochimaru took off in one direction, and Kabuto in another. That survival tactic might not work. Manda summoned two additional snakes, and headed off after the Sannin. The other two serpents flicked their tongues on the ground, and then headed after the other Sound ninja.
"It's OK, Hinata-chan…" Naruto brushed her hands aside. "I can walk, you know…" He put on a grim face. "I'm going to march you right home. Your father's going to hear what kind of hero you were." He flexed his fingers, before falling down.
"Naruto-kun… be still…" Hinata was very worried. She wished that she had trained as a medical ninja like Sakura. Mention of her father made a few things click into place. She fought the urge to back away from Naruto. Instead, she touched a wound on his cheek gingerly, before taking out her salve. "N-N-Naruto-kun… about Kyuubi…"
"Oh… that…" Naruto tried to sound nonchalant. He couldn't meet Hinata's gaze. "It's… I… damn…" He owed Hinata the truth. It's not like some of his friends didn't know already. None of them had judged him harshly. "I know that the Hyuugas, well… Neji didn't hate me…"
"We can talk about it later, Naruto-kun." Hinata looked up at Neko Janis, wondering if she dared ask a favor. "I don't hate you either…" Her father would be a big problem. But, she couldn't worry about that now. "Ma'am… could you…"
"R-R-R-R-R… NO… NOT THIS TIME…"
The Cat Queen looked down at Naruto in a contemplative manner. She felt a grudging respect for the boy. But, he was human, and he was male. It was enough that she didn't kill him, given the way he had behaved at their first encounter. He did not have a contract with cats. Thebgirl did. Turning, she used her back paws to kick large portions of dirt, one of which landed close to Naruto.
"R-R-R-R-O-W-R-R-R…"
"Stupid… sneaky… furry… hairball hacking… green eyed bi-mrphl." Naruto stopped when Hinata clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Yo-o-o-o-o-o-o…" A loud voice called from just beyond view. "Hey, Boy…" It was a familiar one. "Naruto!" It was Jiraiya. "Any sign of him, Oyabun?"
"HO! I SEE A GREAT DEAL OF DESTRUCTION. THE BOY MUST HAVE BEEN NEARBY AT SOME TIME." That great rumbling voice could be none other than Gama Bunta. The great toad took a prodigious leap.
"You're probably right," Jiraiya said, his robes flapping in the wind of Gaman Bunta's passage.
"I CAN SEE MANDA. HE COULD BE PURSUING THE BOY. NO. THRE IS ANOTHER." The King of the Toads landed in one of the new clearings, hand on his short sword. Pushing through a few remaining trees, he stood looking at Neko Janis.
"Hey, Ero-sennin…" That wise-ass call had Naruto coughing again. "What… what took you… so long…" Even close to collapsing, he had to get his comment in.
"Don't call me that!" Jiraiya jumped down from Gama Bunta.
"R-R-R-R-R… MALES…"
Neko Janis' remark had Gama Bunta shaking his great amphibian head.
"HEY! DON'T LUMP ME IN WITH THEM…" He held his hands up in a gesture of disavowal.
The Legendary Sannin stood facing the Queen cat, wondering if he would have a fight on his hand. He doubted it, based on the toad's cautious but relaxed stance, and the way that Hyuuga Hinata remained calmly by that idiot boy's side.
Repeating her clod-flinging gesture, Neko Janis disappeared with a very loud popping noise. A pile of dirt covered an angry Frog hermit, who used Rasengan to get himself free.
"She missed me," Naruto said. "You must be getting slow." He chuckled. "Either that, or you were distracted, looking up her skirt…"
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata sighed. But, she couldn't help but smile a shy smile. It looked like they would be alright. She might face punishment from both her father and the Hokage, but she didn't care. Naruto was still alive, if in grave condition. There was hope in her heart.
"She wasn't wearing a skirt, moron." Jiraiya said, a look of concern on his face. He gently picked Naruto up and began carrying towards Gama Bunta, who lowered his nose down to the ground.
"So, you were looking…" Naruto passed out.