Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters created by Kishimoto-sensei.
The next few weeks progress just as they were supposed. Lots of D class missions and training with a side of complaining from Naruto.
Hinata's perspective had improved greatly. For the first time in her life she was truly enjoying herself. Working in the forge every morning was improving her strength rapidly. She was a sponge for medical information and when her father found her with an anatomy scroll he actually compliment her initiative for wanting to learn to make her Gentle Fist more effective. He even smiled at her. It was one of the best moments in her young life.
Sasuke was still a bastard and did nothing to improve their teamwork, not surprising really. He had yet to activate his Sharingan which was something of a sore spot for him when Naruto would taunt him about it.
Naruto though simply thrived now that he made it to Genin. It was unfortunate but unless you were a Genin you could not access the Shinobi Library's Jutsu Scrolls. Sure as a Genin he could only access C and D class Jutsu but it built a solid foundation for Naruto to learn the more advance stuff later. He made sure to learn a D and C level Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind Jutsu. If more were available at that level and they were even a little useful he made sure to learn them well. Naruto though never really let on in training as to how much he really knew. He also spent more time with Ikugachi-san learning more about throwing weapons and throwing techniques. Ikugachi even taught him a bit about using Chakra strings with kunai and shuriken.
As expected, Kakashi spent more time watching over Sasuke and concentrating on his training. But now that Naruto understood why, he didn't mind nearly as much as he once did. Even still, Kakashi taught them as a team more techniques that were useful. Kakashi also spent time working out strategies for them to use in combat given that Sasuke would attack without regard to his teammates safety.
Naruto and Hinata spent a lot of time together training. They had become very good friends as a result. They worked hard to make their Taijutsu work together in harmony and compliment each other's style. Kakashi actually found himself having to get a bit more serious when he would train the pair in their team Taijutsu.
"What's the date?" asked Naruto to Hinata as they were standing in front of the Hokage waiting for their mission assignment.
"The fifth," said Hinata clearly. She'd lost her stutter when speaking to Naruto some time ago.
"Already?" he asked.
Hinata nodded.
"Hey, old man," yelled Naruto to the Hokage, "Give us a C mission. Maybe escort duty or something. We need a challenge."
"Naruto, Genin all receive D missions until they have completed 15 missions before they get there first C mission," said the Hokage.
"We've done 16 D missions," said Naruto, "Give us a C already."
The Hokage checked his notes and he found that Naruto was indeed correct. Naruto's team had been doing a lot of double mission days since they first started.
"So you have," said the Hokage before selecting a C rank mission scroll and tossing it to Naruto, "It's just an escort mission to wave country. It'll probably be boring, but it'll get you out of my hair for a while so I guess you can have it."
"Thanks," said Naruto with a grin, "So, what are we escorting? Food supplies, workers, a shipment of rare and invaluable jewels that are wanted by an evil organization of super jewel thieving ninja?"
"A bridge builder," said Kakashi. He couldn't help but laugh at Naruto's over-active imagination.
"That'll work I guess," said Naruto with a small pout.
"Kids, you're assigning kids to guard me," said an old man that reeked of alcohol.
"A drunken old man?" questioned Naruto observing the man.
"Who's the shorty?" asked the bridge builder.
"Uzumaki Naruto, future Hokage of Konoha," shouted Naruto, "Whose asking?"
"Tazuna, the super bridge builder, and I don't care what your future is, you're short," replied the old man before taking a long pull on his sake bottle.
"Can I kill him?" Naruto asked to Kakashi while Sasuke just snorted arrogantly.
"If you did we would fail the mission," said Kakashi simply.
"Fine," said Naruto, "Let's get going."
"Meet at the gates in an hour," said Kakashi, "Bring some study material. We'll be spending a bit of time on guard duty while he finishes that bridge and it is likely to be rather boring."
"Yes sir," said Naruto as he and Hinata left. First they went to Hinata's estate to collect the things she'd need for the mission before they went to Naruto's to collect his things and some healing scrolls for Hinata.
It wasn't much later that the pair was waiting at the gates for Sasuke and Kakashi to arrive with the bridge builder.
"Hinata, promise that no matter what happens you'll protect Tazuna. Never leave his side while we are traveling to wave. It would be very easy for us to get distracted fighting bandits or something and leave the old man unprotect to get killed," said Naruto seriously.
"Of course Naruto-kun," said Hinata, "Just promise me you won't do anything too reckless."
"I promise," said Naruto, "I never back down on my promises."
"That's our nindo," said Hinata with a smile.
This time Naruto just nodded and smiled.
Finally the other arrived and they were off.
"It's only about a day's journey to my village. It is just on the border of wave country and fire country," explained Tazuna once they were out the gates. Naruto and Kakashi could both sense how nervous Tazuna was but didn't say anything.
They walked on and passed by the same out of place water puddle that Naruto remember. Kakashi could tell that Naruto spotted it but didn't say anything to him. He wanted to see two things. Were these shinobi after his team or Tazuna and second he wanted to see how well his team reacted to the situation.
The two exploded out of the water puddle and wrapped a long chain around Kakashi before ripping him to shreds.
Hinata panicked for only second before she saw through the illusion left by the Kawarimi. Naruto's words came back to her and she immediately placed herself between the shinobi and Tazuna.
Sasuke did what Sasuke does and attacked without think it through very carefully. He quickly disabled their cutting-chain and then went to work on just one of them ignoring the other.
Naruto watched calmly as everything happened. He honestly could have left the Uchiha-Bastard to get killed but unfortunately, Naruto needed him until he became a Chuunin.
Once Sasuke had separated the fools Naruto went after the other shinobi. Naruto simply defended himself until Kakashi decided to step in. After a minute Naruto decided that Kakashi wasn't going to step in and dealt a massive blow to the gut of the ninja he was fighting knocking him out instantly.
"Not very good were they?" asked Kakashi from behind Naruto. He had the other demon brother under his arm.
"Not really, but better than regular Genin. Good thing we're not normal right?"
Kakashi actually laughed, "Right you are."
"Well, we should tie them up here and leave them for the Hunter-nin," said Naruto as he began to tie the brothers to a tree.
"Well, at least know who they were really after," said Kakashi. For whatever reason, Kakashi seemed to treat Naruto more like an equal than as a student. It was mostly because Naruto was smart enough to understand even if he wasn't as strong as a Jounin.
"Tazuna-san has some explaining to do," said Naruto as he finished the last knot.
"I can explain," said Tazuna as he launched into a long explanation about the Gatou Trade Company and its strangling of wave country's economy.
"This mission is above C level," said Kakashi addressing his team, "It is likely, Gatou will send at least a Jounin level missing-nin next time. I can't force you all to take this mission so I'll leave it up to you."
"We accepted the mission knowing this could happen," said Naruto, "I say we finish what we've started."
"I'm scared but I agree with Naruto," said Hinata with a stutter, "We promised to protect Tazuna-san and we don't break our promises."
"That's our nindo," said Naruto confidently.
"Sasuke?" questioned Kakashi.
Sasuke grunted which could only be interpreted as a yes.
"So be it," said Kakashi, "But if a Jounin does show up, protect Tazuna-san at all costs and I will handle it."
They all nodded while thinking the exact opposite except for Hinata who had promised Naruto.
"Then let's move out," said Kakashi.
Naruto hated mist, he really did. So when the super thick mist rolled in out of nowhere they knew trouble was brewing.
"Down," yelled Kakashi. Naruto pulled Hinata and Tazuna to the ground hard just in time to dodge the massive blade that just flew over them.
Naruto was up right was and in a defensive position surrounding Tazuna.
"A copy-nin Kakashi," said the man standing on the massive blade which was now embedded in a tree.
"Zabuza, Devil of the Mist," said Kakashi revealing his single Sharingan eye.
"Protect Tazuna-san," said Kakashi as he moved to engage the missing-nin.
It became a duel of Mizu Bunshin. Kakashi would destroy one just to be destroyed. They must have done this a dozen times before as Naruto was expecting Kakashi was kicked into the water and trapped in a water prison.
"Run," ordered Kakashi.
"Do you really think we'd leave you behind?" asked Naruto, "Especially after all that about those who leave behind their teammates being worse than trash. We're not leaving here without you."
"He's a bold one," said Zabuza with a laugh, "Let's see how he fares against one of my Mizu Bunshin."
Sasuke attacked first and as a result ended up pinned to the ground with one of Zabuza's feet crushing his ribcage.
"I suppose I should save the bastard," said Naruto to Hinata, "Remember your promise."
"You too," said Hinata taking up a solitary defensive position. She knew that there was at least one person hiding nearby watching them, she'd only caught a glance with her Byakugan before whoever it was disappeared.
Naruto nodded before smiling. He made a single hand seal, "Gravity Release." Naruto glowed purple for a moment. "Now the fun shit starts."
The real Zabuza wasn't sure what was really happening until Naruto suddenly vanished from sight, not even a dust trail signaling that he was moving. Suddenly Naruto appeared right in front of him driving his now gloved fist into his stomach. He could feel thin blades cutting into his stomach and cutting upwards towards his lungs. He lost concentration right there allowing the Mizu Bunshin to dissolve along with the water prison. He jumped away from the pair in shock as he saw blood on his hand from the gash in his stomach.
The boy didn't even have visible claws on the gloves knuckles that he could see. Naruto was smirking confidently as Kakashi stood up next to him and shook a bit of water out of his hair.
"Can I finish him Sensei?" asked Naruto excitedly.
Kakashi wasn't too sure what to think of this Naruto. Any time he'd fought Naruto in the past he was nowhere near this fast. Not only that but it seemed as if his chakra reserves tripled without any help from the Kyubi.
"No, I'll handle this. I owe him. You should worry about the other one trying to sneak up on Hinata," said Kakashi.
"She's already seen him," said Naruto, "But you're the boss." Naruto vanished from the surface of the water.
Haku was almost upon the bridge builder when he heard Kakashi talking about him. Panic suddenly set in, he had been discovered even though he was all but invisible in this fog.
Naruto suddenly appeared beside him and delivered a bone crushing back-fist shattering his mask and his nose. Then before he could react he felt several small taps to different spots on his body. He couldn't move. His legs and arms were completely disabled.
"Good job Hinata," said Naruto.
"I missed most of them," she said slightly disappointed in herself.
"So, you hit enough that he won't be moving for a few days," said Naruto proud of her accomplishment. "Besides, you've got to start somewhere. That wasn't bad for your first attempt."
"Thank you Naruto-kun," said Hinata, "Should I heal Uchiha-san?"
"No, protect Tazuna until this fight is completely over," said Naruto ending the discussion as he joined her in defending the old man.
"What the hell is that boy?" asked Zabuza as he coughed up a bit of blood.
"He's gifted," said Kakashi before he chuckled, "I didn't even know he was that fast. He's never shown me that kind of speed before."
"So, he is your tool just as Haku was mine," said Zabuza, "I shall enjoy killing him once you're dead." Zabuza then sank into the water and vanished without a trace leaving Haku behind.
"You let him escape," yelled Naruto with a pout.
"He'll be back, besides, we have his tool," said Kakashi looking at the tied up boy.
"Tool?" asked Naruto.
"That's what Zabuza called the boy. You'll find that many people think of shinobi as only tools with no real value," explained Kakashi, "Where is Sasuke?"
Naruto pointed to the unconscious lump, "I think he has a few broken limbs."
"Can you heal him Hinata?" asked Kakashi.
"I don't know how to mend bones yet," said Hinata apologetically.
"Don't worry about it then," said Kakashi, "Let's just get him somewhere he can rest and heal."
"Yes sensei," said Naruto and Hinata together before setting to work.
A few hours later Sasuke was taped up to support his damaged ribs and resting well thanks to a sedative Hinata had made.
In the interim Kakashi was interrogating Haku trying to gain whatever information he could from the boy but he wasn't really talking much to his annoyance. He wished Ibiki was there.
"Any idea when we can expect Zabuza to attack?" asked Naruto once Kakashi returned.
"I would guess as soon as he's healed. Nearest as I can tell Haku is a medic-nin so Zabuza will have to heal himself which could take a month," said Kakashi.
"Unless Haku was to escape," said Naruto with a devious glint, "Then we could expect him to attack in maybe a week or two."
"Like if someone was to leave a glass of water unattended accidentally," said Kakashi.
"Oh Tsunami-chan," called Naruto.
BREAK
"Can you do it Tsunami-chan?" asked Naruto.
"So just give him a drink and accidentally forget the water," said Tsunami.
"Yes, but he has to believe that you didn't leave the water on purpose," said Kakashi, "If he suspects anything, he'll stay here and then we'll have no idea when Zabuza will attack."
"He won't hurt you Tsunami-chan," said Naruto, "Kakashi-sensei and I will be watching the entire time from an unseen location, okay?"
Tsunami nodded, "Anything to get this conflict ended."
"Thank you Tsunami-chan," said Naruto with a big smile.
Tsunami stood and took the glass of water out to the shed where Haku was being held.
"Hinata, watch her closely," instructed Kakashi with only a slight bit of worry showing in his voice.
"She's in," said Hinata watching carefully, "She's given him the water. She's talking with him now. She set the water on the crate next to her. She's still talking. She's leaving."
Tsunami entered the house moments later. Once she was inside she fell back against the door breathing heavily trying to calm her nerves.
"You did really good Tsunami-chan," said Kakashi comforting the shaken women.
"He's making one-handed sealed to change the water," said Hinata in disbelief.
"He's got a blood limit," said Naruto angrily, "Shit."
"It's too late, we have to carry through with this plan," said Kakashi.
"He's formed some sort of ice mirror and entered it. He gone, I couldn't even see him move. Just another ice mirror and then another," explained Hinata.
"He's much more dangerous than I originally though," said Kakashi, "But not to worry. Now we can plan our counter attack much more carefully."
So for the next two weeks Hinata and Naruto would act as Tazuna's shadow everywhere he went. It was the middle of the third week that Zabuza attacked. It was a good day for it too as Kakashi had accompanied them to the bridge that day.
"So, Kakashi, you've come back for more," said Zabuza, "I'm sorry but I'm not going to play today. I'm just going to kill you all."
"Naruto, take care of Haku quickly just like we planned," ordered Kakashi, "Hinata, track Zabuza through the mist and tell me where I'm going."
Naruto began to walk away from the group paralleled by Haku.
"This one is between us," said Naruto, "No need to involve them."
"One genius to another," said Haku.
"I hate that term," said Naruto, "I refuse to call myself a genius. I am gifted, simple as that."
"Fine then, but your gifts will not save you today," said Haku vanishing in a blur of speed.
Naruto easily ducked and dodged all of Haku's attacks, "You're a bit on the slow side."
Haku growled in frustration before he stared a set of one-handed seals. Naruto was surrounded by ice mirrors, "Ah, this little trick. I'm afraid I'm going to have to smash these mirrors."
"These mirrors are unbreakable except by my will," boasted an irritated Haku.
"Whatever," said Naruto as he pulled on his Chakra Gloves. Naruto let the chakra flow through his body and even faster than Haku could move using his mirrors Naruto shattered two of them to Haku's disbelief. Naruto vanished again this time shattering six more of his mirrors. "Running out of mirrors and you haven't even started attacking me yet," taunted Naruto before he attacked again causing three more mirrors to shatter.
At this point Haku only had three mirrors left and not nearly enough chakra to rebuild all of his lost mirrors.
"Surrender or die Haku," said Naruto, "I understand that you only want to protect your precious person but to him you are only a tool. Not even worthy of being called a comrade."
"He saved me," said Hake angrily as he finally attacked even though Naruto easily dodged the attack.
"He saved you to use to his own ends," said Naruto, "You don't have to be his tool to repay him. You've already repaid him a hundred times over for all the times you've saved his life since."
"I will die if I must to protect him," said Haku who was starting to get upset.
"Then you will die and it will have been for nothing, for it will still not save his life. I know that true strength comes from protecting those you love Haku. But sometimes, even that is not enough," said Naruto sadly.
Naruto then heard the Chidori chirping like a 1000 birds.
"Haku, Kakashi-sensei is about to kill Zabuza. If you interfere, I will have to kill you," said Naruto.
"Then you will have to kill me," screamed Haku in a strained voice as she jumped into a mirror try and save Zabuza before it was too late.
Naruto rushed down the bridge faster than Haku was able to and pushed the boy out of the way.
Haku screamed like a girl at the sight of her dead master.
Haku was enraged with grief and blurred from vision to appear behind Hinata and hold a Kunai to her throat.
"You took my precious person now I will take yours," said Haku threateningly.
"I'm sorry Haku," said Naruto sadly as he looked to the bridge in pity. When he looked up again, he locked eyes with Haku causing paralysis and making him completely unable to move. Naruto's eyes were blood red and animalistic. It was the killer intent that radiated from them that completely paralyzed Haku.
Haku suddenly felt the world around him turn black and white. He was no longer holding Hinata prisoner. Instead he was in white marble hall way.
"Come this way child," said voice at the end of the hall.
Haku followed the voice to see a giant cage. The metal bars were rapped in very intricate gold patterns. It looked very regal and of the highest quality. Haku finally asked, "What is this? Where am I?"
"Come inside child, I will show you the way to freedom," said a deep voice from within the cage.
Haku obeyed without thinking and entered the cage. Once he was inside the cage he realized his mistake. Before him was a demon fox with nine swaying tails. The fox bared its teeth menacing. A low rolling chuckle came from the demon.
In the outside world Haku dropped the kunai and grabbed his head screaming and trying and then moving as if trying to fight off an invisible enemy. Large cuts and gashes began to manifest all over his body before finally his throat was slit and collapsed in a puddle of blood.
Naruto sighed heavily before closing his eyes. When he opened them again they were once again the normal vibrant blue.
"Naruto?" question Kakashi, "What was that?"
"A Genjutsu, a forbidden one," said Naruto, "Soul of the Slaying Demon."
Kakashi swallowed nervously. It was so similar to the Mangekyou Sharingan but this one was able to inflict real wounds and damage upon the victim.
Naruto then dropped to his knees breathing heavily, "Uses way too much Chakra though.
Hinata looked confused for a minute and also horrified that such a terrible Genjutsu existed. Then her face changed to one of concern as Naruto dropped to his knees.
"Naruto-kun," said Hinata worried.
"Ah, it's okay Hinata," said Naruto, "I just need a minute to regain my balance."
"Naruto, can that be used on anyone?" asked Kakashi.
"No, it relies heavily on the emotional state of the victim. Only if the victim is afraid or feeling a profound sense of loss will it work, also, the target must have a weak will for it to be able to kill them.," explained Naruto breathing heavily.
"Well, well done Naruto," said Kakashi, "I guess we're lucky that worked. Are you okay Hinata-san?"
"Yes sensei," said Hinata, "Just a small scratch." She then healed the small cut on her throat really quickly.
With Zabuza and Haku both dead, the mist was now quickly clearing revealing a rather large group of samurai thugs getting off of a Gatou Shipping Co. boat all lead by a short man in a cheap brown suit.
"Any suggestions?" asked Naruto when pointing to the thugs.
"Kill Gatou and a dozen of the thugs then the rest should retreat," said Kakashi making a few quick hand seals created a dozen clones. "Kill them," he ordered the clones which then charged down the bridge slicing through several samurai at once. "Hinata, would you please collect Mr. Gatou."
"Who?"
"The man in the brown suit," said Kakashi pointing at the fleeing man.
Hinata nodded slightly worried but charged down the bridge anyway. She came back a few minutes later dragging a bleeding Gatou. Hinata had apparently not been very gentle with the man.
"Here he is Kakashi-sensei," said Hinata letting go of the quivering screaming lump of a man.
"Thank you Hinata, please take Naruto and Tazuna to safety, I'll clean up the rest of this mess," said Kakashi.
Hinata did as he ordered knowing full well that Kakashi was trying to protect her and Naruto from having to kill.
"Hinata, are you alright?" asked Naruto as soon as they were a safe distance.
"I'm fine Naruto-kun, really," said Hinata as she checked him over for injuries. "Are you?"
"Perfect," said Naruto, "Just tired."
"What about Gatou?" asked Tazuna, "What is he doing with him?"
"He's probably killing him," said Naruto, "He attacked us in person leading that army of thugs. Standard operating procedure dictates that the leader of a non-shinobi army or group should be eliminated first to cause disorder among the ranks. Soldiers aren't taught to think for themselves like ninja are so they won't know what to do with themselves."
"Gatou is dead?" said Tazuna as if a dream had come true.
"Yes sir," said Naruto, "Or he will be soon."
"So this means you can finish the bridge without any difficulty," said Hinata looking to Tazuna.
"Yep," said Naruto, "It also means that as soon as this bridge is built, we'll be able to go back home."
BREAK
It was another month before the bridge was finished. Kakashi let them stay for the bridge opening festival. He also used it as an opportunity to catch Sasuke up on his training since he'd been injured.
Naruto and Hinata enjoyed themselves. They helped out at the bridge a bit everyday to help with their strength training. For the most part they avoided Sasuke like the plague despite Kakashi's futile attempts to get them to train together a bit. Naruto and Hinata both already knew the tree climbing exercise as well as water walking so it was futile to get them to try learning it again along side of Sasuke.
Sasuke continued to isolate himself from the others becoming more and more obsessed with his own strength. He was clearly becoming delusional but there was little they could about it at this point other than try and keep him reigned in a bit.
"Home at last," said Naruto when the giant gates to the village came into view.
Hinata nodded and smiled.
Sasuke though just snorted in disgust.
"Stay calm," Hinata cut off the confrontation that was no doubt brewing between Naruto and Sasuke, "We'll be home in an hour and then you don't have to see him for a few days, right sensei?"
"That's right Hinata," said Kakashi trying to help. The last few days now that Sasuke was back to normal and getting special treatment from Kakashi the tension between the pair had been growing to a boiling point, even more so when Sasuke activated his Sharingan at long last.
Naruto huffed and walked a bit ahead of the group. Hinata never left his side the whole way.
"Stupid Uchiha-Bastard thinks he's so great," grumbled Naruto under his breath though Hinata heard him clearly.
"Ignore the Uchiha-Bastard Naruto-kun, you're better than he'll ever be and you and I both know it," said Hinata trying to cheer him up.
It worked.
"Hinata," said Naruto in disbelief, "Did you just call him Uchiha-Bastard?"
Hinata blushed slightly, "It's your fault."
"I don't care whose fault it is. I'm really proud of you for calling him that. I'm not the only one to think so now," said Naruto, "Thank you."
"You're welcome Naruto-kun," said Hinata blushing a bit, "Naruto-kun?"
"Yes."
"Naruto-kun, why don't you ever call me Hinata-chan?" she asked shyly.
"Most girls don't like when I say those kinds of things," he answered honestly.
"I would . . . I mean I would like it if you did," said Hinata stuttering and blushing.
Naruto smiled at the girl, "Thank you Hinata-chan."
Hinata smiled so brightly at being called that by Naruto. It made her day and then some.
"Well, we'll meet up again in a few days," said Kakashi leaving his team behind to file his report.
"Well, first I need to find Gai-sensei," said Naruto, "You want to come with me Hinata-chan?"
Hinata nodded. It was going to take her some time to get used to being called Hinata-chan by the object of her affection.
Naruto found Gai ending his team's training day.
"Hey Gai-sensei," said Naruto with a wave hello.
"Naruto," shouted Gai, "My other passionate student, welcome back from what must have been a most successful mission."
"It was," said Naruto, "the Uchiha-Bastard got his ribs broken the first day out. It was the best our team has ever worked together with him incapacitated."
"Naruto, your passion is wonderful but you must care greatly for your teammates," chided Lee out loud and then when Gai was looking away Lee whispered, "I wish I could have been the ones to break his ribs."
Naruto and Hinata both laughed at that.
Finally, Neji and Tenten left but not before Neji gave Hinata the evil eye. Once his back was turned Hinata stuck her tongue out at him causing Naruto and Lee both to laugh.
"So Naruto my faithful student, what brings you here today?"
"Well, I had to remove the gravity Jutsu, don't worry though, I only did it to protect Hinata and Kakashi-sensei, so I was hoping you could put it back on me," said Naruto.
Gai smiled and gave Naruto his 'nice guy' pose before agreeing happily.
"Excuse me, Gai-san," said Hinata boldly, "Could you maybe put it on me as well?"
"Ah, the flames of youth burn brightly in Konoha," shouted Gai. Obviously he agreed. "Ah, but young flower, you must join us for our daily training exercises as well to completely fulfill the passion of your wondrous youth."
"But, I have to be at Ikugachi's place in the morning," said Hinata sadly.
"So, go to Ikugachi's in the afternoon and train with us in the morning. Keep a few changes of clothes at my place and then you just have to change before you go to Ikugachi's and again before you go home," said Naruto politely, "I already store several of your scrolls there anyway. Some of your clothes wouldn't be a problem too."
Hinata blushed furiously at the idea of changing her clothes in Naruto's apartment or using his shower to clean up afterwards. But, it did allow Hinata to get in all the training she wanted plus it let her spend more time with Naruto. "Okay," she mumbled weakly.
"Ah, the power of youth prevails once more," shouted Gai.
"Oh, Naruto-kun is such a kind and generous person. Truly his more worthy of my rivalry that Neji is," said Lee.
Naruto panicked for a moment, "No, Lee, your rivalry must be between yourself, a genius of hard work and a genius like Neji. I too am a genius of hard work so we cannot be rivals."
"Oh, once more Naruto-kun saves me from making a horrible mistake. Thank you Naruto-kun," shouted Lee.
In the background Gai was crying proudly of his students while Hinata just sweat dropped nervously.
"So we'll see you tomorrow morning," said Naruto waving good-bye to his extra sensei and Lee.
"They are so weird," whispered Hinata once they were a safe distance away.
"I know," said Naruto hanging his head, "But, there is no one in the village better with Taijutsu and training that Maito Gai."
"As long as we get stronger it will be worth it," said Hinata steeling her resolve for what was to come.
"How about we get some Ramen?" asked Naruto.
"Sure," said Hinata. Truthfully she was getting tired of Ramen but as long as she got to spend more time with Naruto she was happy.
After Ramen they went to the store for Hinata to buy some clothes to keep at Naruto's apartment. This way there was less chance of her father becoming suspicious if she was suddenly missing clothing. Naruto waited outside while she did her shopping. He really didn't feel like getting asked to leave a shop while he was with Hinata.
Later they dropped the stuff off at Naruto's apartment. Then they went by Ikugachi's Weapon Smith to inform him of Hinata's change in schedule, which of course he had no problem with it. After that they went to the library to get a few scrolls before Naruto finally walked Hinata back home.
"See you in the morning for training," said Naruto waving good-bye.
Hinata had hoped that maybe he would have done something more. After all they were both thirteen and that kind of thing was acceptable for their age. In the end she was disappointed but then she wasn't in any hurry as long as she got him in the end.
The next weeks fell into a routine of training and training and more training with the occasional mission thrown in for variety. And each night Naruto walked Hinata home and each night Hinata hoped for something that just didn't happen.