Can you save me…from myself?
Chapter 1: Departure
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any related items, just the storyline.
Genre: Romance/Action/Drama
Pairs: Naruto/Hinata (Main) Neji/Tenten, Sakura/Sasuke, Sakura/Lee, Ino/Shikamaru, Temari/Shikamaru, Akita/Kiba (Akita is a new Genin added in)
AN: I apologize for the wait everyone. I was hoping to see the next episode of Naruto (120) so that I could add in Naruto's story about Kimimaro but it seems it doesn't air till February 2nd sigh. Anyhow, I decided I felt like writing… or typing… or whatever and am going to try and get two more chapters up this weekend.
"" – Talking
Italics – Thoughts, or emphasis
(AN :….) – is an Author's Note
PoV Name – is a point of view change. These will be few and far between, as I prefer third person. However, important chapters or drama related ones may have PoV changes.
Also, please note that I will be starting to attempt to put the starting date at the beginning of each chapter, so as to keep track of time etc. as well as character birthdays, ages, etc. etc.
And lastly, here is a birthday list for the major characters in the story. For a full list check out?pagecontent/information/indepth/birthday.html
Also note that all birthdays are authentic and come from the Official Naruto Character Databook. I did not make them up. And if you notice the beginning of this chapter, it is December 19th, meaning everyone has aged a year except Hinata, who is still twelve.
-January:-
19 - Gaara of the Desert
23 - Aburame Shino
-February:-
14 - Shinaru Akita
15 - Teimichi
-April:-
21 – Sawaki Reiko
-March:-
09 - Tenten
28 - Haruno Sakura
-May:-
01 - Akimichi Choji
15 - Kankuro
-June:-
09 - Uchiha Itachi
-July:-
03 - Hyuuga Neji
07 - Akamaru, Inuzuka Kiba
23 - Uchiha Sasuke
-August:-
23 - Temari
-September:-
22 - Nara Shikamaru
23 - Yamanaka Ino
-October:-
10 - Uzumaki Naruto
-November:-
27 - Rock Lee
-December:-
27 - Hyuuga Hinata
-Ryuu
December 17th
Naruto sighed.
Why did he have to be stuck in this stupid hospital! He was perfectly fine now, well mostly fine anyhow. Yet Tsunade no baka made him lay in this stupid bed, day in, day out. He wanted out of here already, so he could start training again. If he trained hard enough, he would beat Sasuke and then show him who the real failure was.
"N-naruto-kun…?" Naruto looked up to see Hinata standing in the doorway nervously, looking down at the floor and holding a small package in her hands. Hinata's been coming everyday ever since I've been hurt… Not that I mind, but I wonder why… She's a bit strange…
"Hey Hinata! Is Tsunade-obaa-san gonna let me out of here yet? I need to start training!" Naruto sat up in the bed and grinned at her, then winced slightly from the pain. Despite it having been a week since he had been taken to the hospital, his wounds were still painful.
"N-naruto-kun, you know H-hokage-sama said that you'd b-be let out tomorrow…" Hinata kept her eyes trained carefully on the ground and held her small package against her chest.
"What! I never heard Obaa-san say that… Maybe she does say important stuff sometimes…" Naruto thought about it for a moment; then quickly tossed off the idea, "Nah. Hey, what's in the there Hinata?" Naruto pointed at the package she was holding against her chest rather nervously.
"A-ano… I-It's for you N-naruto-kun…" Hinata replied, stuttering slightly and seeming reluctant to give it to him.
"Really! You got me something? Wow, that's really nice Hinata, nobody usually does that stuff for me." Naruto exclaimed, looking at the package curiously.
"A-ano… H-here Naruto-kun…" Hinata quickly handed him the rectangular package and backed away, looking at the floor and playing nervously with her fingers again, "A-ano… I don't know i-if you'll like it… I-I…" However, Naruto didn't seem to notice and was already ripping open the package excitedly. Finally, after a minute or so, he managed to open it enough to see that it was a small black book with the title A Ninja's Guide to Jutsu Strategy.
"Wow Hinata! This is great, now I can train even when Obaa-san has me stuck in this stupid bed. Thanks, now I'll definitely be able to beat Sasuke." Naruto smiled, one of his fox-like grins, and opened the book immediately.
"Y-you're welcome, N-naruto-kun…" Hinata replied, her cheeks turning slightly pink as she blushed at his words. However, Naruto now seemed completely absorbed in the book. Hinata sighed slightly, slowly moving toward the door and leaving quietly to go check on Kiba-kun and the others.
About twenty minutes later…
"Hey Hinata, did you…" Naruto looked up and blinked. Huh? Where'd she go…? Must have had to go do something… Oh well… Naruto grinned and looked back at the book, reading intensely. As soon as he was out of here, he planned on going straight to the training area to try some of these out on Sakura-chan and the others.
Tsunade looked at the large group of village elders assembled in her audience chamber, which before had seemed rather large, now seemed rather small. I'll have to get it enlarged… but for now I have more important things to worry about. They are definitely not going to like the news… Tsunade raised her arm and waited as the talk slowly died down, looking out at the people gathered.
"I have an announcement to make. I apologize for calling everyone here, but I believe this concerns you all. Now, I know you're not going to like this but..." Tsunade took a deep breath and sighed, knowing she was going to get an earful for this, "I have decided, along with Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma, and Gai, that, for an indefinite period of time… We have decided to send a group of select Genin away from the village to training facility whose location shall remain hidden for the time being, due to certain circumstances that I will address after I announce the roster. Therefore, the Genin that will be included are: Aburame Shino, Akimichi Chouji, Haruno Sakura, Hyuuga Neji, Hyuuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Rock Lee, Shinaru Akita, our new Genin, Tenten, Uzumaki Naruto, and Yamanaka Ino, along with the Chuunin Nara Shikamaru. " And then the roar of anger came. Tsunade had expected this of course, considering many of the Genin's parents were here.
Well, it's natural that they'd be angry… After all, I am sending away all their children, or at least the ones associated with Naruto, and haven't even told them why yet. Well, if they'd all shut-up for a second…
"I haven't finished!" Tsunade shouted at them, standing and her eyes flashing in anger until they all quieted down. "Now, the reason for this is twofold. First, the selected Genin and Chuunin are highly skilled and all display certain attributes that place them above other Genin, and as such, we wish to train them in a different environment." The looks around the hall were suspicious, obviously not trusting a word she said. That's a load of crap and they all know it. I told Kakashi it would never work. …Why did I listen to him in the first place? He's as big a pervert as Jiraiya is…
"And secondly… We have decided that it would be better in the Kyuubi Capsule were hidden for an indefinite amount of time, or at least until we have more information on the whereabouts and plans of the group called Akatsuki." This time the roar was twice as loud but finally one person stood, the person she new would be her main opposition in this project: Hyuuga Hiashi (AN: Hinata's father. Neji's father is Hizashi.)
"And why should we release our children with that monster, Hokage-sama…? Why should we allow our children to journey to some hidden, unknown academy just to help hide that thing that attacked our village thirteent years ago?"
"Well, I am simply attempting to protect them. They are associated with Naruto and therefore should go with him, since they will obviously be targeted if Naruto suddenly disappears." That one was Kurenai's idea. But I don't think they'll buy this one either…
"Well if that's the case, perhaps we should just give the Kyuubi brat over to the Akatsuki. That would solve all of our problems, would it not?" Hiashi replied, a small smirk apparent on his face.
He knows that they all hate Naruto… He's trying to use that against me. Well perhaps I can use something else against him. Kurenai had better have been right about this… "I have heard of a similar situation, Hiashi, which took place only a little while ago. As I have heard, the Cloud Village seemed to have a slightly upper hand on you and demanded that you be turned over to them. Perhaps we should consider judgment on allowing Hiashi to be taken in your place, considering that you believe that Naruto deserves to be handed over to the Akatsuki. Should we not make it fair, and do the same for you?" That was low, since he lost a clan member that day, but I need to get Naruto out of the village, and he can't go alone… and I am definitely not sending him out with Jiraiya again!
Were looks able to kill, Hiashi's glare would have sent Tsunade ten feet under the ground at that moment. "My apologies, Hokage-sama. Perhaps you are correct on this account. But I do not wish to allow my daughter or Neji to join this 'mission'. I demand that they be taken out of your 'roster' immediately."
"I'm afraid that's not possible, Lord Hyuuga. I need those two and it wouldn't be fair if only you and your clan were exempt, now would it?" Tsunade smiled at him sweetly; though her eyes never changed from the cold, detached look she focused on him. "And also, do not presume to demand anything of me. You will regret it if it happens again."
Hiashi growled angrily then sighed and looked resigned, but far from beaten. I shall have to deal with this later... "Of course, Hokage-sama. My logic was flawed, I apologize." Hiashi bowed and stepped back from his chair, outwardly calm but heading for the door determinedly. He did not seem to want to spend one more second in the audience chamber. The other elders watched him go and there were more than a few angry glances at his back. Hiashi was not well liked, in or out of the Hyuuga Clan.
"Is that all the questions and concerns?" Tsunade looked around at the faces, some angry, some uncaring, some sad. However, most of the anger and sadness did not seem to be directed at her. Rather, most of it seemed to be directed toward this action they were being forced to take. "That is all then, if we are in agreement. It will be announced to the Genins tomorrow and they will leave two days after that announcement. Dismissed." Tsunade walked out of the audience chamber through the back door, taking a long, deep breath once she was out of sight. Why did I ever agree to become Hokage!
Naruto grinned as he walked down the street, heading for the training field. He had just been let out of the hospital this morning and already Obaa-san had sent a message about a mission and to meet at the training field. She must finally be ready to name him her successor and begin training him. Then he'd definitely beat Sasuke.
Naruto turned the corner to the training field and stopped, his eyes widening at the sight. All the Genins were gathered there, not just him.
"Nani?" Everyone turned at the shout and half of the Genins groaned, the other half just rolling their eyes. "Wh-what are all of you doing here!"
Sakura sighed and looked over at Naruto, "Well, we're waiting for our 'mission' obviously, same as you. Honestly, do you always have to be so dense?"
"I'm not dense!" Naruto yelled at her as he walked up, looking around at the group gathered for some support.
"Yes you are, baka." Kiba yelled back at him. Shino and Neji just shook their heads, Hinata remained silent, and everyone else rolled their eyes.
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Shut up before I kick you ass like before, dog-breath!"
"Bring it on, loser!" Naruto and Kiba immediately jumped at each other, resulting in a scuffle and the rest of the Genins sighed collectively. Hinata started trying to break the fight up but having little success.
"Troublesome Naruto…" Shikamaru sighed, looking up at the clouds and not noticing the rest of the Genins silently agreeing with him.
Finally, after about ten minutes, Naruto and Kiba had been broken up and everyone was still sitting around waiting for someone to arrive. Another ten minutes passed by, then another, until Naruto just couldn't take it anymore.
"This is boring! I want to get my mission so I can start training to get stronger!" Naruto shouted as he jumped up.
"Our mission idiot, but for once you may be right. Who the hell is making us wait this long?" Sakura looked around at everyone but no had any ideas. Just as she stood up, however, a puff a smoke appeared in the center of the training field, revealing… Kakashi.
"Kakashi….." Naruto and Sakura immediately began advancing toward him angrily, looking about ready to flay him alive.
"Er, Hello everyone. Sorry I'm late, you see, I had to help the Hokage with some work, and…"
"Liar!" Naruto yelled at Kakashi, still advancing on him.
"Actually, Naruto, as hard as it is to believe, this time he is actually telling the truth… other than his stop at the book store…" Tsunade walked up from the path along with Kurenai, Gai, and Asuma, all of who were glaring at Kakashi. "Anyway, now that we're all here, I suppose we need to tell you about your mission. But first…" Tsunade pulled out a bottle from somewhere in her cloak and took a long drink from it, sitting down on a stump and look at the group of Genins collected.
"Well, let's see… To start… All Genin groups are now disbanded and Gai, Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai will no longer be teaching you…"
"Nani!" Naruto shouted, jumping to his feet immediately, "But we haven't finished all our training yet!"
"Shut up Naruto. I'm not done yet," Tsunade sighed and looked at the group of Genins. I really wish I didn't have to do this… Some of them are going to take it well, like Neji and Shino… Naruto will just see it as an adventure and Shikamaru will just complain no matter what… But the rest of them, I'm asking them to leave their entire lives behind… Tsunade sighed again then opened her mouth to continue.
"Now let me finish before you interrupt again. The reason the groups are being disbanded is because… I have formed new ones and in two days all of you will be leaving the village." All the Genins looked shocked at this, though Neji quickly regained his composure and looked directly at Tsunade.
"May I ask what the reason for this is, Hokage-sama? I was not aware that the village was being evacuated." Neji looked at Tsunade suspiciously, having realized that she was planning something as soon as she said they would all be leaving.
"It's not. Just you are leaving. We have decided that since all of you have special traits and abilities you need to be trained elsewhere at a more… specialized academy. A hidden one."
"Hah! I knew you'd realize that I'm strong eventually!" Naruto grinned at Tsunade, looking excited as usual and back to his former, hyperactive self. However, his eyes still held a concealed sadness from his incident with Sasuke, one that was likely never to go away.
"Naruto, if you interrupt me again, I will hurt you. And need I remind you that I said all of you were going? Yes, that includes you as well Shikamaru," Shikamaru groaned, lowering his hand and muttering something under his breath that sounded very much like 'troublesome', "Now, Kakashi will escort you as far as the edge of Fire Country after which you will be escorted by an instructor from the Academy. And no wearing those headbands, it's a hidden academy, meaning people are not supposed to know you are there."
"But Obaa-san…!" Naruto exclaimed, jumping up again only to have Tsunade's fist collide with the top of his head.
"No 'buts' Naruto and I told you not to interrupt me again! Now, there are two final pieces of business. First… What is it Ino?"
"Uh, Hokage-sama…" Ino spoke up, an annoyed look on her face, "What exactly is the name of this mysterious academy we have to go to? And exactly how long will we be staying? I'd at least like to know the name of this place and how long I'll be staying before I get shipped off there."
"Sorry Ino, but you'll have to find out the name when you get there. I can't tell you that right now, since we don't want it slipping out. As for how long… at least three years, perhaps more." Tsunade replied, watching their reactions carefully. All the Genins stiffened. They had expected perhaps a year, but three years or more? They'll have to get used to the concept… God, I wish I didn't have to do this to them…
"Back to what I was saying… First, your new teams. All teams will now consist of four instead of three, due to the fact that the Academy has requested it… The teams will be first: Chouji, Shino, Neji, and Tenten. Next: Sakura, Lee, Ino, and Shikamaru. And finally: Naruto, Hinata, Kiba, and… hmm, I forgot to add her in…" Tsunade scribbled some things down then continued her announcement, "and finally Shinaru Akita. And that brings me to my second announcement… Akita, a new Genin here, will be joining you…And that's it. I suggest you get used to your new teammates and go pack. You'll be leaving in two days." With that Tsunade stood up and walked back down the path with the Genin's previous senseis, leaving a large group of stunned Genins behind, all displaying mixed feelings. I wish I didn't have to do that to them… It isn't fair, but if we only left with Naruto it would look suspicious and the others might get injured… I only wish I didn't have to ruin their lives to protect them… Tsunade sighed and continued walking, realizing a long hard time was ahead of her.
Back at the training field the Genins were slowly separating and walking away, many with bewildered looks on their faces. Naruto seemed to be the only one who was actually excited and Neji and Shino displayed as little emotion as ever. Lee was crying in a corner and hugging is fuzzy eye browed sensei who had stayed behind to have a 'final farewell' with his favorite student. Sakura and Ino were arguing again as they walked, while Shikamaru mumbled to Chouji about how troublesome this whole 'mission' was. Three people, however, walked in silence for much of their way home. Hinata, Kiba, and Akamaru were side by side, each lost in their own thoughts, or dreams of dog treats. I-I'm going to be on th-the same team as N-naruto-kun! B-but I'm not very st-strong… What if I m-mess up and he hates m-me…? Hinata hugged herself, shivering as she realized it was cold. When she, Kiba, and Akamaru finally reached her clan's home, she said goodbye and walked toward the house as she thought about how to break the news to her father. Only when she had reached the front door did she remember something Tsunade had said and thought about it in surprise.
Who is Shinaru Akita…?
Two Days Later: December 20th
The Genins had were fully packed and, after having said goodbye, were waiting at the North Gate for Kakashi who was going to escort them for the beginning of their journey. It was cold out and snowing, the biting wind making it even worse. Fire country… Yeah, right, hate to see what it's like in countries that are actually supposed to be cold… Ino complained to herself, before looking up at Sakura.
"Hey, forehead-girl, where's your stupid Sensei. We've been waiting for over an hour!" Ino glared at her, as if it were all her fault.
"How the hell should I know, Ino-pig?" Sakura glared back with equal intensity and everyone sighed. These two are as troublesome as Kiba and Naruto… At least they won't be on the same team, but I have to do a troublesome thing and travel with them until we reach this Academy… Shikamaru groaned and walked off to side so Ino wouldn't consider drawing him into this as she so often did.
"Well, he's your sensei, you should know!"
"He's not my sensei anymore Ino-pig, so there's no way I would know. I didn't even know why he was always late when he was my sensei."
"Just lack of awareness on your part, forehead-girl." Ino smirked superiorly; as if to say that she would never make a mistake like that.
"What did you say, Ino-pig!"
"You heard me, forehead-girl!"
Just as yet another fight was about to break out, a girl walked up, dressed in dark blue pants and a sleeveless white shirt. She was about average height and slender with long brown hair the fell across her shoulders and down her back. However, the alarming thing was that at her side walked… a small panther.
"Shinaru Akita. Nice to meet you all." Akita smirked slightly; looking around at them then blinked and began to stare straight at Kiba, who had begun staring back at her as well. Akamaru had jumped out of Kiba's coat and was staring at the panther with the same intensity that Kiba was staring at the panther's partner.
"Heh, you must be one of the Inuzukas, the clan that uses dogs for partners. Don't know why your family chose them; everyone knows that cats are much better fighters. And cuter too. Isn't that right, Teimichi?" Akita smirked again and leaned down to pet Teimichi (the panther), her eyes never leaving Kiba's.
"What was that! We just meet and already you're already insulting my family? How about we have a match then, to see who's better. Dogs or Cats." Kiba grinned and Akamaru barked in agreement.
"Kiba-kun… I d-don't think that Kakashi-sensei would want us to start fighting…" Hinata began but before she could finish Akita spoke up, her smirk back on her face.
"Sorry, but I don't fight those of the lesser race. After all, it wouldn't be fair, would it Teimichi?" Akita looked down at her partner who meowed her agreement.
"What! You insult me and then you're too much of a coward to…" Before Kiba could finish, a puff of smoke appeared, Kakashi standing in the middle of it as it dissipated.
"Sorry I'm late everyone. I had to help this little old lady by magazines at the book store and…well… I go so caught up I had to help her buy her groceries too and…"
"Liar! You were probably just stocking up on those perverted books of yours for the trip!" Naruto yelled at him, cutting off his excuse mid-sentence. Kakashi just grinned slightly raised a small bag over his back, which incidentally had one of those very books sticking part way out of it.
"Alright, I see you all have met Akita…" He looked over at Akita and Kiba, who were both still sending looks toward each other, "Right…is everyone ready to go then…? Er, Naruto…" Kakashi looked at Naruto who was trying to haul a large bag up to the gate along with his small one, while everyone else was carrying just one small traveling bag, "Naruto… exactly how much of that is ramen?"
"Well, the small one only has about a quarter of it ramen. The big bag is all ramen." Naruto grinned and continued to try futilely to haul the large bag up to the gate.
"Naruto… I think they'll have ramen at the Academy, you won't need that bag…" Kakashi walked over and picked up the large bag rather effortlessly, throwing it back out in the street and then preceded to haul a struggling Naruto out the gate while everyone groaned and began to walk down the path.
"But-but Kakashi-sensei! I need that!" Naruto shouted as Kakashi continued to haul him down the road even after the gates had closed. As they walked, Ino and Sakura continued to argue and Akita and Kiba continued to insult each other, Akamaru and Teimichi backing up their insults. Everyone else just sighed. It was going to be a long trip.
Naruto groaned and kicked a stone as he walked. It was still freezing and they'd been walking for two days straight, only stopping for about six hours of rest to sleep. Kakashi kept telling them that their escort was expecting to meet them today but Naruto just thought he had a sadistic sense of humor. No one felt like talking either, since Kakashi had yelled at Ino, Sakura, Kiba, and Akita for arguing after it had finally bothered even his patience and the silence was uncomfortable. Suddenly, they stopped.
"Alright everyone, up ahead is the Hirano-gawa River and Outpost, the end of Fire Country. Once there, we'll head to the inn and meet up with the person who will be taking you to the Academy. Once there, your journey will truly begin." Kakashi said as they walked out of the forest and fell upon a huge river with icy water rushing down its banks. To the west Naruto could vaguely make out a small village near a bridge. They began walking towards it and soon were upon the village. They were given no notice as they walked in, the guards and citizens obviously used to ninja groups traveling through to get across the river. As Kakashi led them through town, Naruto watched for any ramen places, or restaurants that looked like they might have ramen, in case he might be able to stop by later. Eventually, they arrived at a rather beat down tavern and walked inside.
At first, Naruto thought there was something wrong with the lighting until he noticed that everything seemed to be dim on purpose. Various strong looking people sat at table, drinking. The atmosphere seemed very tense, and conversations seemed to be whispered only. Of course, all of this went way over Naruto's head.
"Kakashi-sensei! Which of these strong looking guys is him!" Naruto shouted, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the bar, including his fellow Genins who looked at him like he was insane. Akita mumbled something about him being a complete idiot and Kiba shot her another look, thinking she had meant him. Kakashi took a deep breath and let it out, looking at Naruto and whispering.
"Naruto, be quiet. We don't need any more attention then we already have. We're already a large group and the cat and dog aren't making it any better. Your yelling is just going to attract trouble."
"But… They're all ignoring us…?" Naruto replied, having dropped his voice to at least a controlled level.
"Naruto… everyone has been observing us since we came in. Now the man we want to see is supposed to be upstairs, so let's go." With that Kakashi turned and was suddenly walking straight, his personality suddenly changing as he displayed his strength rather purposely and started leading the Genins directly up the stairs, with no regard for the looks he got as he did so. Neji quietly activated his Byakugan as he followed the rest of the Genins, surveying the men in the tavern carefully and being unsurprised when he noticed that each of their chakra streams was active. Once everyone was up the stairs he was the normal Kakashi again, looking bored and leading them to a rather in descript door off to the side of the hallway. He opened it and everyone walked inside.
It was a large room, what looked to be a dinning room with chairs lined up on either side of a table. The lighting was still dim but at the end of the table the Genins could vaguely make out a man dressed in black.
"Are these our new students?" Sakura's eyes widened as she heard his voice. She had expected an old man, at least in his thirties or forties but this man sounded young, maybe nineteen or twenty. As Kakashi nodded in response and he stepped into the light, Sakura literally gasped out loud.
The man was young; in fact he may have been as young as seventeen. He was wearing dark leather pants along with a black t-shirt. Across his back were strapped two swords whose hilts stuck up above his left shoulder. His hair was a deep black as well and his eyes were a rather piercing blue. However, he carried himself as if he was an Anbu and no one doubted his strength as he approached them.
"These are them," Kakashi confirmed a second time and then grinned, "You haven't changed a bit. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
"I can take care of it." The man's voice and facial expressions never changed, they were a constant monotone as he spoke, almost as if he was bored. His eyes displayed nothing of what he was thinking as he surveyed the Genins.
"Are you sure you can teach us? You seem pretty young… Are you even all that strong?" Naruto was looking at the man suspiciously, not seeming to trust him.
Suddenly, the man was besides Naruto, one of his swords laid across Naruto's neck, its black steel blade pressing into Naruto's skin. He didn't seemed to have moved, just to have been one place then suddenly another. His face still displayed no emotion but his voice went even colder as he spoke.
"I have killed more men than you would ever believe possible, brat. Do not insult me; if you do it again…" The man looked sideways, directly into Naruto's eyes, "I will kill you." Just as suddenly as he had appeared, he was back in front of Kakashi, his sword sheathed once again, making Naruto wonder if he really had moved. However, it was soon confirmed by the shocked looks on the other Genin's faces, even Neji's who had not been able to see him move even with his Byakugan activated.
"I will take them now and leave tomorrow morning. That means we shall arrive in three days time. You no longer need to worry about them." The mysterious man told Kakashi. Hinata blinked as she calculated the date in her mind. We-we'll arrive two days before my birthday… Hinata sighed and wondered why she cared. Her birthdays had never been a happy experience anyway. They had always been the anniversary of her mother's death, not her birthday. She'd never had a party and had always just celebrated alone or with her sister Hanabi. No one really cared as she got older anyway; she believed the servants actually dreaded it, because it meant that she was one year closer to taking over the family, and they all wanted Hanabi to be the heir instead of her. Hinata sighed again and looked up as Kakashi turned to look at the Genins.
"Alright, you'll be with him from now on. I'm going to head back." Kakashi went and picked up his pack and began walking towards the door, leaving everyone watching him in bewilderment.
"Wait! Kakashi-sensei, you're just going to leave us with some random guy who we don't even know!" Sakura shouted at him.
"You'll be fine; just don't tick him off. I got to be heading back, have some rea… er… missions to catch up on. Have fun!" Kakashi replied, waving a hand over his shoulder in farewell and already pulling out a book of Icha Icha Paradise as he walked out the door.
The mysterious man turned towards them and threw a set of keys at Neji, who caught them and looked at them in surprise.
"You'll need those. You will sleep here tonight. You are not allowed to leave the tavern. We leave at dawn tomorrow morning." He said sharply, heading out the door and looking to make his way to a room across the hall.
"W-wait!" Akita shouted after him, running to the entrance of the room. The man turned and raised an eyebrow, looking at her. "Who the hell are you!"
"Sawaki Reiko. I will be one of your instructors." And with that he turned and opened the door to his room, and entered, closing it firmly behind him. The Genins stood in shock, staring at the door. Neji was the first to recover, looking at the keys in his hand.
"Seems we're expected to deal with it ourselves for tonight. Well then, let's go." Neji walked out the door and the Genins slowly followed him. It was going to be a very long trip indeed.
There, second chapter done, finally. Sorry that took me so long, I had to figure out how to start off the trip and introduce Akita and Reiko. Hope you enjoy it, even though there isn't really much NaruHina or fighting in this chapter. I'll have a lot more NaruHina in the works for the next chapter, so don't worry. If you see anything wrong, please tell me and please review. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it so far.
-Ryuu
