Chapter 2 – Unexpected Surprises

A/N: Thank you for eagerly awaiting this installment of A Strange Meeting. What? You just happened upon this story by chance? Well then, this must be your lucky day, for we are having a special offer: you get two read the first two chapters for the price of one. Now don't you feel lucky.

The Gandhara: Don't worry; the randomness will get toned down a bit in future chapters, but don't be surprised if it rears its ugly head every once in a while. Also this is AU, and here there just happens to be a harbor near Konoha. I would know; I invented it.

Naruto and Hinata were walking away from the ramen stand, talking about pirates.

"Hinata, what do you think the pirates will be like?"

"I don't know, Naruto-kun; maybe they'll be friendly."

"Pirates aren't friendly; they're ugly men that are cruel and vicious killers. Everyone knows that."

"A-are y-you sure that you want to find them, N-naruto-kun? T-they sound s-scary."

"Don't worry Hinata-chan, I won't let them hurt you; you're one of my precious people."

Hinata blushed furiously. 'He called me Hinata-CHAN, and he said I was one of his precious people.' "T-thank you, Naruto-kun, but I wouldn't want to be a burden to you; I'll probably just get in the way since I'm so weak."

"Hinata-chan, you are NOT weak, you are strong. If anyone ever tells you differently, I'll kick his ass! Because I'm going to become Hokage, and then no one will be allowed to insult you."

Hinata blushed even deeper, which wouldn't even be physically possible for most people, but she was an expert, and had only reached two-thirds of her full blushing capacity.

"Naruto, Hinata, what are you doing here? Kiba called out as he ran towards them, followed by his trusty sidekick, Akamaru. When he got closer, he noticed Hinata's nearly purple face. "Naruto, what did you do to Hinata?"

"What are you talking about, dog-boy?"

"If I find out you did any thing to hurt Hinata, I'll feed you to the dogs" (A/N: Corny? You bet.) "Grrr" Akamaru growled.

"Oh yeah, the reason I came here in the first place. We're throwing a surprise birthday party for Kakashi this afternoon at 12:00 in the ramen stand conveniently locate on the outskirts of town, and all the rookie nine are going to be there. Make sure you are too."

"Woof" Akamaru confirmed.

"It's Kakashi's birthday?" Naruto asked, surprised. "Why didn't he mention that?"

"Well, since we don't know his real birthday, Sakura decided to throw him a party today."

"Why do all of us have to be there?" Hinata asked.

"We're gonna hold him down and beat him 'til he tells his age and real birthday" Kiba smirked. "Woof!" Akamaru added.

"Yeah, Kakashi-sensei is gonna get it!" Naruto yelled, throwing his fist in the air. He lowered when he noticed the strange looks people were giving him. "What are you looking at?"

"See ya!" Kiba exclaimed as he walked off. "Don't be more than two hours late!"

"Bye Kiba!" The two yelled back.

Naruto stared at Hinata, noticing how much she had grown in these past few years.

"Naruto-kun?" Hinata questioned, blushing under the object of her admiration's stare.

"Hinata, are you hot? Your face seems to be turning red a lot today."

Hinata sweatdropped. Same old Naruto. "N-no, Naruto-kun, I'm fine." 'Come on girl admit your feelings for him' "N-naruto-kun? Hinata asked, building up her courage.

"What is it, Hinata-chan?"

"The reason I'm turning red, It's not that I'm hot, it's that I really li—"

"—Hinata-chan, look out!" Naruto yelled as he tackled Hinata.

Hinata found herself in a position she had only dreamed of being in before this morning. For the second time today, Naruto was lying on top of her. "Wha—?"

SMASH

As Nami, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp began to enter the village located behind the wall Luffy had gone over, they noticed a small ramen stand conveniently located on the outskirts of town. Zoro, noting the unconscious man just outside the shop, surmised that they served alcohol. He entered the shop and ordered a bottle of sake. Sanji followed Zoro into the shop, hoping to get lucky with the lovely waitress. Nami and Usopp followed the other two with the intention of filling their growling stomachs, and perhaps "finding" a few misplaced wallets.

"Did it hurt, my dear, when you fell from the heavens, for only an angel could possess such divine beauty as you, my dear." Sanji eloquently asked.

"Uhh… are you going to order something?" Asked the flushed waitress.

"You are far more desirable than anything on the menu." Sanji responded.

"Sanji, give it up. You haven't got a chance in hell." Zoro stated dryly.

"What'd you say, moron?" Sanji yelled.

"You heard me, asshole. What are you gonna do about it?"

"I'm gonna shove your swords down your throat, that's what!"

"Ha! You couldn't even lift my swords, let alone shove them!"

"I can lift your ass off that chair!" Sanji screamed as he swung his foot at said anatomy.

"Let's take this outside, before I break this bar with your body!" Zoro responded as he dodged the wild kick, drawing a sword in the process.

"Fine!", Sanji yelled, before turning to the waitress. "I'll be back shortly, my love."

"Shortly? More like just plain short, after I cut you in half, you damn cook!" Zoro taunted from outside.

As Sanji ran outside to meet Zoro's challenge, Nami and Usopp quickly followed, hoping to prevent a commotion that would draw the attention of the authorities.

Just as Nami and Usopp left the ramen stand, the unconscious man woke up and, noticing the group, started screaming hysterically "THE PIRATES ARE HERE!

AAAAHHHHHHH!

This caught the attention of two young men and a young woman rounding the corner.

Nami quickly sedated the man before he could cause any more harm to their chances of obtaining supplies from the village. CONK! Thump. The man returned to the all-too-familiar feeling of unconsciousness. "Now before we draw any more attention—" Nami started.

"Hey you! Strangers, identify yourselves! Where are you from?" The pink-haired young lady exclaimed.

"None of your damn business!" Zoro retorted.

Nami smacks her forehead. 'So much for not attracting attention'

The raven-haired young man replied as he move his hands strangely, "I guess we'll just have to beat an answer out of you. Katon: Burning Blaze of Glory!

The pirates jumped back as fireballs flew from the young man's mouth in their direction.

Well, three jumped back. Usopp turned tail and ran back through the gate as soon as he noticed the fire forming in the young man's mouth. His mind barely registered another young man with a forehead protector identical to the three youth his fellow crewmates were battling.

A/N: The second chapter is finished! I only got one review for the last chapter, but since I got nearly 100 hits, I decided topost the next chapter anyway. Please review; I will update when I get enough reviews. I will continue to respond to every review for as long as I am able because I know I love to see that my favorite authors read my review and pay attention to it. The battle will continue next chapter, along with the answer to what happens to Naruto, Hinata, Luffy, Usopp, and the mysterious ninja by the gate.