A Possible Future by Jason Corley
Chapter Three
Hinata activated her Byakugan again and looked around the room. She didn't see anything that seemed out of the ordinary. But she knew someone had been here. She walked into the one bedroom. She saw that the bed had been slept in. The sheets were clean but slightly ruffled. If they had been sitting there for years they would have flattened out more. She went back into the main room. This time there was a bowl of rice on the table. Where Hinata had sat. Hinata's heart was racing. She didn't know if she should be afraid or excited. She started towards the table and sat down.
"Thanks for the food." Hinata said and started eating.
After eating Hinata got up and left. On her way home she noticed that she didn't feel quite as bad as she did when she arrived. Something about remember how she and Sasuke were, made her feel at ease even though Sasuke wasn't there. And was it just her imagination that she ate rice at the house Sasuke use to stay at. She decided it would be best not to tell anyone about this.
The following day Neji, Lee, and Tenten were patrolling the border near the country of sound. So far they had not come across anyone they needed to fight. They came across some travelers but so far no ninjas. They were beginning to wonder if they were sent on a wild goose chase.
"It must bother you to know that not one of your subordinates has made Chuunin while all 3 of mine did." Gai said to Kakashi.
"Hmm. I don't have any subordinates. They have all become apprentices to the Sannin." Kakashi relied.
"Darn you Kakashi and your coolness. I will outshine you." Gai started talking nonsense and Kakashi walked off.
Naruto and Jiraiya were in the forest training. Jiraiya was somewhat pushed by Naruto in his released demon fox form. But it was good training for him. He had told Naruto that he could only use this when it was a life and death fight or when training against him but no other time. He told Naruto that it could be dangerous and that he might do more harm than good that way. Naruto moved extremely fast and connected with Jiraiya but Jiraiya just replaced out of harms way. He watched from the side as Naruto ripped into the log that was now there. Naruto stopped and came out of the released form. Naruto came over to Jiraiya.
"That was good Naruto. You seem full of energy today. What's got you in a good mood? New girl friend?" Jiraiya joked.
"He he." Naruto laughed somewhat and put his arms behind his head.
Jiraiya looked at Naruto and smile. He thought to himself. Its about time.
Sakura's mother was yelling at her from downstairs to get out of bed. Sakura tried to roll over in bed and ignore her mother. But her mother just kept yelling for her to get up.
"Ok. Ok. I'm up." Sakura called back. She then wondered why Tsunada insists on staying up so late. Sakura wouldn't mind except for the fact that her mother yells all the time. Sakura climbed out of bed and walked over to her wardrobe. Sakura was the type of girl that preferred to sleep naked so she put on her panties and bra. She then put on one of her typical dresses. She played with her hair in the mirror some before going downstairs. She ate what was her breakfast, while her mother ate what was her lunch. Sakura then had to sit through another lecture while she finished her breakfast. Sakura promised herself that she would get her own apartment when she made Chuunin and not before. This was very good incentive to make Chuunin. And it wasn't long until the next Chuunin Exam. She and Naruto had to find another team member for this one. She and Naruto were getting tired of teaming up with the Genin who have put there names on a list for a slot in the Chuunin Exam since they don't have a team anymore. They would rarely come practice with her or Naruto so there wasn't much of a team feel. After eating Sakura left to go train on her own. When Sakura arrived at the training ground near the academy she saw Hinata already there training. Hinata sensed some one and stopped. She turned around to see that Sakura was there and then she returned to her training. Hinata had developed the 360 degree sight like Neji had. Her range wasn't as far but she still had it. And while she didn't have the total defense like Neji did she was still skilled at defense.
"Hey." Sakura said to Hinata.
"Hey." Hinata replied.
"Do you want someone to train with." Sakura asked.
Hinata normally didn't like to spar with people who weren't on her team but she would make an exception for Sakura. She didn't know if she could win or not but she felt like fighting Sakura.
Hinata nodded. Sakura and Hinata took up fighting stances and started there fight. Once Hinata moved in for the attack Sakura could tell Hinata was going to do more than spar. To her this was a fight. Sakura maintained equal level to Hinata. All her training with Tsunada had paid off. Not only was she becoming an excellent medic-nin but she was now a good individual fighter. Sakura decided to attack a few times to let Hinata know that she did not have the advantage. Hinata blocked the few attacks Sakura threw. She then pressed her attack. Hinata was surprised at how good Sakura had become. If Hinata had fought her in any of the first probably 3 Chuunin Exams Hinata probably would have won easily but now Hinata could tell she was the weaker fighter. Hinata decided to quit fighting. Sakura let the fight end.
"What was that about?" Sakura asked Hinata
Hinata was breathing heavily and had to catch her breath before answering.
"It's..not..fair." Hinata said between breaths.
"What's not fair." Sakura asked.
"Naruto." Hinata was only able to say his name. She couldn't bring herself to say why though.
Sakura didn't say anything. Sakura never really gave it thought before but now that she thought about it. She could easily tell that Hinata had a crush on Naruto. Sakura realized that Hinata must have seen her and Naruto the previous night.
"Well you cant have him." Sakura said coming strait to the point.
Hinata didn't say anything. She just turned and walked away.
"Not even going to try to win Naruto? Are you just going to run away?" Sakura taunted
Hinata thought to herself that she wasn't going to try to win anyone. She wants someone to recognize her for who she is and to want her.
"Pulling guard duty is so troublesome." Shikamaru said leaning against the railing along the top of the wall around the village. But it does make sense that a Chuunin would be stuck with guard duty instead of some other level. Genins aren't responsible enough, usually unless they are being lead, to pull guard duty. And a Jounin has more important things to do. Which leaves guard duty up to the Chuunin. Shikamaru saw someone approaching. When she came into full view Shikamaru knew who it was and was glad to see her. It was Temari. "Very troublesome but sometimes worth it." Shikamaru said to himself and then waved to Temari. Temari waved back as she approached the village.
Sakura walked into the ramen shop that Naruto always eats at and sat down. The server asked what she wanted and she said she was waiting for a friend. After a little while Naruto walked in and sat down next to Sakura. They both ordered and waited for there food.
"Guess who I trained with this afternoon." Sakura said.
"Tsunada." Naruto answered.
"Try again. She is female though." Sakura said.
"Ino." Naruto replied.
"No." Sakura said.
"Hmm...I don't know." Naruto said.
"I'll give you a little hint. She has a crush on you." Sakura teased.
The cook flinched at this. He knew for quite a while now that Hinata had a crush on Naruto and that she would probably be crushed if she knew that Naruto knew and that he didn't like her the same way.
Naruto sat there thinking. He was thinking very hard. Eventually he grabbed his head with both hands then jumped up and started yelling. Apparently it hurt for Naruto to think so hard.
"Who is it?" Naruto asked.
"Why do you care so much? Are you not happy with me?" Sakura pouted in a playful manner.
Naruto didn't catch that Sakura was playing. "That's not it. Of course I'm not not happy with you. I mean of course I'm happy with you. I just wanted to know. I don't know who you are talking about." Naruto nearly pleaded not wanting Sakura to dump him since they just got together.
Sakura smiled and said "If you are really nice to me I will tell you."
Naruto started nodding his head very fast.
Hinata was walking around the village thinking. She was trying to decide if she would let Sakura have Naruto or if she could actually win Naruto from her. The idea of winning Naruto brought a blush to her face. But he likes Sakura, Hinata thought to herself. If I let Sakura have Naruto then they will both be happy. But I should be happy too. Sakura wasn't better than me a year ago. And now she is. So if I work harder then I can be Stronger. And then Naruto will notice me, Hinata told herself.
She couldn't bring herself to think that no matter how hard she tried, she might not get Naruto. She had to believe that if she tried hard enough, Naruto would notice her.
Kiba was walking Akamaru and saw Hinata walking along. He could tell she was deep in thought. Kiba was about to walk up to Hinata and talk to her but remembered their conversation from the other day. Kiba decided he didn't feel like talking to her right then. He decided to just keep walking.
Hinata had decided that she was going to try and win Naruto after all. Even though she felt that he should want her for who she is. She decided that if she was better then that would be who she is and then Naruto would like her for who she is. Hinata knew she had to train enough to fight equally with Sakura, now she just needed to find someone who was willing to train that much with her.
Kiba saw Hinata stop walking and raised her head instead of looking down at the ground. She nodded in a determined manner. She looked to her right then to her left and saw Kiba. Kiba saw Hinata smile and watched as she jogged towards him. Kiba's jaw crept open as he watched her. Even though Hinata was a rather petite girl and he himself preferred more well endowed women, he still couldn't help but enjoy himself as he watched the outline of Hinata's breast pushed against her jacket move ever so slightly as she jogged towards him. Akamaru looked up at him with a quizzical expression and barked when Hinata was within talking distance. Kiba shook his head to bring himself back to reality. Hinata looked Kiba right in the eye and asked "Will you train with me?"
Kiba was shocked. Ever since Kiba knew Hinata she had never asked him to train with her. She would always go along with him and Shino. Kiba saw that Hinata really looked fired up to train. And even though he didn't really want to be around Hinata at the moment after what she said the other day he just couldn't bring himself to say no to her. Kiba replied to her with "Yes. When?"
"Can we start right now?" Hinata asked in a manner that almost commanded. Kiba had never known Hinata to act like this. He did know that she was more confidant around himself and Shino than everyone else he had seen Hinata talk to.
"Yeah sure." Kiba answered.
"Thank you." Hinata said and smiled.
They then started in the direction of the training grounds. Kiba knew he was going to get a workout today.
Jiraiya walked into Tsunada's office without asking.
"You never change do you?" commented Tsunada
"I guess not." Jiraiya responded.
"So why are you here? Business or here to talk about our protégées?" Tsunada asked.
"I'm just here to talk. It can be about anything." Jiraiya responded
"Well while you're here, let's talk about Naruto and Sakura." Tsunada said.
"Hinata?" Naruto said confused.
Sakura nodded "Yep. You should have seen her. She was so mad that I'm with you. She even tried to pick a fight." Sakura said trying to make sure Naruto wouldn't think of leaving her for Hinata.
"That's doesn't sound like Hinata." Naruto said.
"Well, she was mad." Sakura argued.
"If she had a crush on me then I guess I can see her getting mad. But I just cant see her picking a fight." Naruto replied.
Sakura watched as Naruto thought over everything she had told him. When she didn't see him coming to a conclusion of his own, she decided to help him along. Naruto had been looking down with his eyes closed and his arms crossed while he thought. His thoughts were interrupted as he felt lips on his. He opened his eyes to only to see Sakura was kissing him. She had leaned over and kissed him. He quickly returned the kiss even though he was a little embarrassed kissing her in public. She wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. Naruto put his arms around her waist but didn't pull her to him because she was sitting on the stool next to him and he didn't want to make her fall. Sakura broke the kiss and looked Naruto in the eyes. She then said "You do believe me don't you?"
Naruto looked frightened for a moment because he had not finished thinking. He wasn't ready for to answer this. His eyes drifted to the side. Sakura saw this so she pulled away some more and closed her eyes then said in a defeated tone "Well, if you don't believe me, then I guess..."
Sakura was interrupted as Naruto kissed her passionately. She couldn't help but kiss back. Naruto broke the kiss abruptly and said "I believe you."
Sakura could see the desperation in Naruto's eyes. She said in a tone that sounded like she was about to cry, "Oh Naruto" and hugged him close to her. When Naruto hugged her tightly Sakura smiled a victorious smile to herself.
Temari had entered the village and climbed the stairs to the top of the wall around the village. When she got to the top Shikamaru was waiting.
"What brings you here this time?" Shikamaru asked in a casual voice.
"I'm just visiting." Temari said.
"Who are you visiting?" Shikamaru asked.
"You're smart. You can figure it out." Temari
"I don't know. You are a clever one. I might not be able predict your motives." Shikamaru said
They stood there staring at one another with serious expressions. If anyone had seen them they would have thought they were about to start fighting at any moment. Temari cracked a smile. Shikamaru couldn't help but grin a little bit. Both Temari and Shikamaru tried desperately to keep from letting a bigger smile grow on there faces. This only resulted in them having a harder time. Temari let a slight "he" out which was the last straw. Both Temari and Shikamaru started laughing hysterically. As they laughed they approached each other and when they meet hugged each other fondly. As there laugher started to die down they broke from there embrace and Temari put her hand on Shikamaru's Chuunin Jacket and said "It still looks good on you."
Shikamaru replied by saying "And why aren't you wearing yours if it looks so good?"
"And hide this figure." Temari said striking an exaggerated pose. She then continued by saying "Besides I said it looks good on you. Not that it looks good."
Shikamaru made a face like he was annoyed.
"Oh come on. You have to admit that it would be a waste to hide a figure like mine." Temari said.
Shikamaru turned to look away then looked at Temari out of the corner of his eye and smiled. He then faced her and said "You're right. It would be a waste to hide a figure like yours. It could also be argued that what you are wearing now is hiding your figure."
Temari blushed and looked aside not expecting this from Shikamaru. She glanced at him and smiled shyly. Even though Temari is 18 and three years Shikamaru's senior she can still act like a school girl. She then got a confidant smirk and faced Shikamaru squarely. She replied by saying, "You're all talk. You're just trying to win a verbal exchange. I bet you would act different in a real situation."
Shikamaru's smile faltered for a moment but when it returned he said "We just might have to find out sometime."
Temari's smirk never vanished as they stared at each other.
Neji using his Byakugan spotted the outline of 3 people off to the side. He informed Lee and Tenten of the location. As they approached they noticed that the 3 were sound ninjas. They had the black and white camo pants and collar. Neji, Lee, and Tenten approached to within earshot unseen.
"I still don't see why we are out here." Said one of the sound ninjas
"We are here to make sure that Sasuke doesn't escape." Said the female sound ninja.
"I know that." Replied the first sound ninja.
"Then why did you..." the female sound ninja was interrupted by the first one.
"Since Sasuke is Lord Orochimaru's apprentice then he is bound to be really strong. And even if he is only as strong as they say he is. Then the 3 of us cant stop him." Said the first sound ninja.
"Well, even if he's stronger than us we still have to stop him. And if we cant we have to at least report that he did in fact leave." Replied the female ninja
"We don't even know if he is still in the country." Said the first sound ninja raising his voice quite a bit.
"Come on. Keep it down. I'm trying to sleep. You don't want me falling asleep on my watch do you." Said the third sound ninja.
The three sound ninja didn't say anything more after that. Neji motioned for Lee and Tenten to follow him. They moved a distance away so they could talk freely. Neji decided it best to send Tenten back to report the situation while he and Lee continued to patrol the area.
"Do you really think we should encourage this relationship?" Tsunada asked looking at Jiraiya.
"I think we should. But if you don't think we should, then we can just let things go as they are." Jiraiya answered look at Tsunada
Tsunada looked down at her desk in thought.
As the sun started to set Kiba and Hinata were still training.
"Hinata. Don't you think this is enough for today." Kiba asked breathing heavily.
"Just..a..little..more..please." Hinata said between labored gasps for air.
Kiba shook his head. "We can continue tomorrow if you still want to do this. But that's enough for tonight."
Hinata didn't respond. Kiba just looked at her as he walked over to pick up his jacket. He then shook his head again and walked off with Akamaru by his side.
Hinata after a moments rest walked over to the hitting posts. She then proceeded to train more.
When she could no longer hold her arms up in position and could barely stand she decided that was enough for the day. She staggered away from the training grounds. As she walked towards home she came to a set of stairs that she didn't feel she could climb at the moment so she decided to walk the slightly inclined path. Which as it turns out did not lead in the direction of the Hyuga manor. After walking a fair distance she felt she was in a familiar area so she just went with what felt right. After walking for a little bit more she found herself outside the Uchiha manor which somehow looked more welcoming than it had in the past. She walked through the gate and down the streets of the Uchiha manor. She came to the house that Sasuke had once resided in. Although she didn't think it large enough to be the house that his family had lived in. She walked up to the door and knocked. She didn't expect anyone to answer so she just walked in. She took her blue footwear off before continuing farther into the house. She walked to the bathroom and when she entered she noticed a bucket of water next to the water pump. She took note that the water looked clean instead of having a laver of dust on top of it or the presence of bugs in it. She poured the water into the pump to get the water flowing then turned the faucet on to the bathtub on. Once the tub was full she unzipped her jacket and let it fall to the floor. Then she untied her forehead protector and laid it beside her jacket with a metallic click when it touched the floor. She then pealed her shirt from her sweat covered body and disposed of it to rest on top of her jacket. She then loosened the draw string on her pants and let them fall to around her ankles. Following this she unclasped the bra and dropped it on top of her shirt. She then removed her panties and let them come to rest at her feet along with her pants. She slipped into the bathtub and right away could feel the warmth of the water sooth her muscles that were crying out in pain. She laid her head back and closed her eyes.