A/N: Well, after what seems like forever, here's chapter 8! There is much fun in this chapter, including the appearance of Jiraiya, false monk! Those of you who are rooting for pairings, I think I told you before, you'll just have to wait and see. But it won't be long before we get some really nice fluffy stuff (my favorite is fluff, not smut, though that can be good, too every now and again). Okay! Now for your Japanese geography lesson. I mention another part of Japan here, which is Okinawa. Okinawa is in the Nansei (Southwest) Islands, and has only one real city, Naha. At the moment, that's where Kisame is trying to put the fear of Akatsuki into the locals. Will he succeed? Who knows. Warnings:
FL-- Hinata gets mad at Neji and says a bad word.
Legal Stuffiness: I do not own Naruto, or any of the characters therein. Kishimoto Masashi, sole proprietor, and he owns my soul.
Machi Yoko Naruto
Chapter 8: Observation
The lock turned, and Kakashi sat upright in his seat. It was much later than he had expected her back. After he followed them to the hotel, he thought that she would be back to the cafe in a matter of hours. As things turned out, he had been quite mistaken. Anko walked into the door, and locked it behind herself. She had a haunted look about her as she sank into the chair closest to the door, laying her head on the table-top. Her hair fell away from her neck, exposing numerous marks. Kakashi felt anger welling up in his chest. It was a hot, liquid feeling that seared him. He stood and walked over to her, kneeling. His voice came out much gentler than he felt. "What happened?"
"I don't want to talk about it. Suffice it to say that I won't have to deal with him ever again." Her words held a tone of finality that made him worry.
"You didn't kill him, did you?" He asked, and heaved a relieved sigh when she shook her head. "Good. One of us having to kill people is enough. Now, let's get you out of that dress and into something comfortable. Okay?" She nodded, but made no move to stand. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs. When they reached the second floor, Kakashi put her on the couch, then ran up to her bedroom to get her something more comfortable to wear. To his surprise, she still had the pair of flannel pajamas he had given her for her birthday the last year they were married. They were worn and faded from much use.
Smiling slightly to himself, Kakashi pulled the faded red pajamas from the drawer, and bounded back down the stairs, to findAnko slumped where she sat. He slid behind her, one leg on either side of her thighs, and loosened the laces of her corset. Then he reached around front of it and unhooked the metal clasps that kept it shut. Once he had done this, he pulled the top off of her, and threw it aside.He took his knife back and pulled off her gloves. She flinched away from his hands as he ran his fingers over the marks Orochimaru had left. He helped her into the pajama shirt, and reached around her to button it up. Then, he reached down and to her left hip, unzipping her skirt, then helping her to stand so that he could pull it down and put it in the same place that he'd thrown the top of her dress. Once she had the pants on, he made her sit on the couch and went into the kitchen to make a cup of hot chocolate for her.
No matter how bad she had felt in the past, it had always made her feel at least marginally better to have a cup of hot chocolate. "Anko," he said hesitantly as he handed her the cup, "I'm sorry." She paused in the act of drinking, the cup almost to her lips. "Had I not asked you to help me, this wouldn't have happened." He slid behind her again, and wrapped his arms around her until she leaned back against his chest. "Do you hate me?"
"No. I don't. I hate Orochimaru for what he did to me. It would have happened eventually, I think. But you…you gave me the strength to get through it. I thinkhe would have broken meother wise." He closed his eyes and leaned his head on her shoulder, breathing in the smell of her. They remained this way for a long time, until she finally finished her cup. As always, the chocolate had worked its magic, and she had relaxed at least in part. "I broke his nose."
His eyebrows rose and his head snapped up. "You what?"
She turned a little in his arms, to look back at him. "I broke his nose, kicked him in the balls, and handcuffed him, bleeding and naked, to the hotel bed." Kakashi blinked. He gave her an appraising look, then kissed her cheek.
"That's my girl." They both smiled, then began to laugh. After a long moment, she collapsed against him, holding her sides. But then, she went quiet. She looked up at him worriedly.
"Am I?" The tone of her voice caused a lump to form in his throat, and the look on her face had his eyes stinging with unshed tears.
"Only if you want to be." He said quietly, and leaned down to kiss her forehead. When he pulled away from this gesture, she was smiling again, more brightly than he had seen her smile in a very long time.
"I do."
Holding her close, he gave her a little squeeze, then kissed her lips lightly. "Now, I could get used to hearing that."
It was cold. Hinata was bundled into a large coat, a scarf, gloves, and boots. She had wanted to get out of the house, and the gardens were the quietest place on the grounds. The snow covered everything with a white crystalline sheet, and the airturned her breath into steam. This was her favorite time of year, but since Itachi had said she would not be allowed to go out, she had been anxious to have him leave so that she could disobey his orders. As she walked over the small bridge that spanned the koi pond, she saw movement. About thirty feet away, she saw Neji. He was wearing his formal kimono, but no coat. When he saw that she had seen him, he approached to the allowed distance.
"Good evening." He bowed, and she nodded her acknowledgement. He looked away from her. Neji seemed nervous for some reason. "Hinata-sama, I wanted to give you something. It's your birthday present." He pulled a small box from his pocket and placed it at the foot of the bridge.
She closed her eyes. Why did it have to be this way? Why did she have to be treated like a leper? No man, not even her father and Neji, were allowed near her, by Itachi's order. It was as if she had some kind of disease! It didn't take a genius to figure out why Itachi had enacted that stupid rule. The reason was plain. She was his, and he didn't want anyone else touching her. Hinata was surrounded by nothing but women, and one man who treated her as property. She felt as if all of the rights and freedoms that women in Japan had gained in the past hundred years had suddenly been taken from her the moment she had married him. Now, she watched the wary look that her cousin and childhood playmate had when his eyes settled on her, and it was almost more than she could take. She and Neji had always been there for one another, but now, his comforting embrace was miles away, and she was avoided for fear that one touch would cause death.Neji backed away from the little white box in the snow,and the sight was enough to cause a pain in her chest. Forcing herself not to stammer, she said, "Wait. Stop." Uncertainly, she took steps forward until she came to stand in front of the box. "Now, you give it to me."
"But…the rule…"
For once, she let her anger show. "Neji, don't make me tell you again." She saw surprise in his eyes. "I've had enough of these idiotic rules. Being treated like I have some kind of disease, handled like I'll break if anyone touches me! Honestly!" Her eyes blazed that almost-white blue at him. "Just give it to me yourself, Neji. I won't tell." She watched as he picked the box up reverently, and placed it in her outstretched hand. When she took it from him, her fingers brushed against his. That tiny contact gave her heart a thrill. She supposed it was because she was breaking the rules, or perhaps she really missed him more than she thought? When she opened the little box, she found a small locket on a chain, in the shape of a star. She opened it, and found a picture, much reduced in size, that was very familiar to her. It was one of the two of them.
She and Neji had been walking in the garden. She had been sixteen, and he was seventeen; it had been a very good day. The photograph showed them walking away from the camera, Neji reaching for her hand. For some reason that she did not understand, Hinata found tears in her eyes. "Oh," she said, her voice choked with emotion, "Rules be damned!" And she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him fiercely. "It's beautiful, Neji. Arigato." As she began pulling away from him, she caught sight of a strange look in his eyes. She thought at first that she was mistaken, but when his arms found their way around her waist and pulled her back to him, she started. "Neji?"
"Gomen, Hinata-sama," he said in her ear as he held her. "Please forgive me. I only wanted to hold you. I miss this." That made something inside her hurt. She looked into his eyes, and from this close proximity, she found the look inthose eyes to be completely…intoxicating. She was being drawn nearer, his eyes pulling her. Then, he seemed frightened. "Hinata-sama? What are you—mmmrph!" Hinata's lips had found his and shut him up directly.
Oh, for the love of all that is holy, please don't let this moment ever end…Neji thought as Hinata kissed him. Her lips were soft and warm, and her hands now clutched at his kimono. When she finally pulled away from him, she smiled nervously and bit her lip. "Gomen, Neji."
He shook his head. "Don't apologize. I didn't resist, did I?" He looked around. "But I don't know that it's such a good idea to do that in an open area." She blinked at him, then looked around. Thearea was surrounded by a high wall, but the house was within sight of the garden, so someone may see. He felt her small hand grip his kimono sleeve, and pull him. Her destination was the part of the fence nearest the house. If they stood against it, no one in or near the house would be able to see them.When they reached the fence, she tried to kiss him again. "Hinata-sama, wait."
"What?" She asked, her face only inches from his.
"Why?" He asked, almost desperately.
"Why what?"
"Why do you want to kiss me?" Neji's heart was pounding. In a very short span of time, she could give him hope, or make him want to commit sepukku.
"Because I don't love my husband." Neji nodded slowly. He already knew that.
"I know you don't love him. I'm not asking about him, Hinata. I'm asking about me." His vision was throbbing with the pounding of his heart.
Hinata's hands touched his face, and her nose brushed against his. "I'll tell you in a moment," she said against his lips, and then Neji found himself pressed against the fence, Hinata's arms around his neck, her body pressed against his. Stunned, his eyes did not close as she kissed him lightly, slowly, hesitantly. He found himself responding to her, coaxing her mouth open so that he could deepen and intensify the kiss. She pulled him closer, as close as she could get him. His mind was overwhelmed with the feeling of her, the smell of her, and the taste of her. When she finally pulled away from him, she asked quietly, "Does that answer your question?"
"Hai, Hinata." Neji rested his forehead on hers. "I've always loved you…"
She started. "Neji?" He looked down at her, and saw her anger flaring again. "If you love me, if you always loved me, then why did you not say anything when father made me marry him?" He looked away from her in shame. That was a very good question, wasn't it?
"I was in shock, I suppose. I had always thought we would be together, that it wouldn't change, no matter what happened. Even when Itachi came to Hokkaido, I thought that he would leave us be. When he approached your father, I was going to go to him to stop Itachi. Then, I was warned. I woke up one night with a knife at my throat. I…I wanted to say something. I wanted to stop it. I was a coward, Hinata." There was a sharp pain in his stomach, and he began to cough. Hinata had sucker-punched him in the stomach.
"You're damned right you were a coward, Neji. When are you going to stand up to him? He's your cousin, Neji, not a god." He blinked up at her from his bent position. Her eyes were like ice-colored flames. Then she had shoved him against the fence again, and he was unable to breathe from the ferocity with which she kissed him. For a long moment, he forgot about the pain in his stomach, about the way his feet were going numb in the first snow of the year, and how he seemed to be getting colder by the second. When she finally pulled away from him, she said, "I love you, Hyuuga Neji, but I will not let you be a coward any more. I take command after my child is born. When that happens, I plan to have one less burden."
Neji's eyes widened. "Hinata-sama, you can't kill Itachi."
"Why not? He's a worthless piece of garbage."
"There are events which will make it…unnecessary for you to do so. I can't tell you any more. If I did, it would put you in danger." She nodded. "I have to go now, Hinata-sama. Please wait a few minutes before you leave the garden." He turned to leave her, but stopped. "When does he return?"
"Next week."
Neji nodded, a secretive smile on his lips. When she raised an eyebrow at him, he only said, "I will see you very soon, Hinata-sama. For now, keep warm," he put a hand over her abdomen, "and take care of your child." He leaned down and grazed her lips with his before turning to truly leave the garden. Fifteen minutes later, he was in his room. He flopped down on his bed, long hair the color of coffee splayed out all around his head. It did not take long for him to fall into a dreamless sleep.
Sakura sat in the corner, listening. It was what she did best, listening. The man visiting with Kakashi had a smooth voice and a sly manner. He would, every now and again, glance over at her. It was difficult for her to keep her eyes on the floor in front of her with him looking at her like that. Sabaku no Kankarou was a very sly man. She knew of him, of course. Kakashi said that he was coming, and had given her his file the day before, so that she could look it over. So far, she had spotted no inconsistencies with what Kakashi's research indicated.
He said that he was here to visit Kakashi. He said that he was there to discuss with him the possibility of combining his spy network with Kakashi's. That, obviously, was a lie. Sakura was not used to men looking at her the way Kankarou was. She had seen men leering, but this was different. His eyes rested on her in a way that was uncomfortable, but she didn't think he was leering. It was like he was trying to read her. That would be impossible. She hid her thoughts and emotions far too well for anyone to be able to know what was going on in her head. But when her bright green eyes rose, she would find them meeting his nearly black ones, and then find herself looking away.
"Kankarou-san?" Kakashi's voice said sharply, causing both Sakura and their guest to jump slightly. "If you came to talk to me, it is more polite for you to do so, rather than stare at my subordinates."
Kankarou smiled, almost wolfishly. "Hai, hai. My apologies. And my deepest apologies to your subordinate. It seems I've made her uncomfortable." Sakura kept her face studiously blank. He was trying to make her squirm. A test, eh? Damned bastard. We'll see who's making who uncomfortable. She looked over at him defiantly, and his smile slid from his face. "As I was saying, I met your other subordinate. She was…interesting. I thought I might speak with you, and any other subordinates you may have. If things progress as they seem they will, I think we may be of some service to each other."
Sakura watched Kakashi tensing. She could tell he didn't believe a word of it. "So you want my permission to talk to Sakura, is that it?" Sakura wasn't really surprised that Kakashi picked up on what Kankarou was after. She had just hoped he wouldn't. The man made her a little uneasy. It wasn't as if she weren't used to being in situations that made her uneasy. But those were jobs. They were times when she was pretending to be someone else, and when she had nothing that anyone else wanted. This was completely different. Kankarou wanted to talk to her.
"I suppose you could say that."
Kakashi turned around and fixed her with his dark eye. "Sakura? I'm leaving the decision up to you." She could feel Kankarou watching her, though she refused to look at him. He would not intimidate her. She would not let him. So, she nodded to Kakashi. "There. You have your answer. Now, Sakura, please escort this gentleman to one of the tearooms near the garden. There, I'm sure you'll both be comfortable. And our guest will refrain from making you uncomfortable again, yes?" He raised one eyebrow in an unspoken threat.
Sakura gave a small cough. "Don't worry about me, Kakashi-sensei. I'll be fine." She rose from her seat carefully, so that she did not disarrange her kimono, and turned to Kankarou. "Please follow me, Kankarou-sama." Her voice was calm and level, though she felt nothing of the sort. His presence behind her as they left the room was…heavy. It was almost oppressive. For a rather large man, he made surprisingly little noise as he walked. All she heard behind her was the soft whisper of tabi on the floor, and a slight rustle from the formal kimono he wore. When she ushered him into the formal tearoom, she waited for him to seat himself, then rang for a servant. The girl appeared within a few moments, and Sakura requested tea. When the girl left, she looked at Kankarou.
"What do you want?" She asked, dropping all pretense.
Kankarou smiled that same almost-wolfish grin, and said, "Oh, so we're done with the formalities already? What a shame." Shrugging, he looked her over, quite openly, which made her feel a little like an insect in a jar. "I have heard much about Kakashi's protégé. Can I assume that you are she?" Sakura nodded. "Well. I just wanted to see what you were like, after meeting your sister." Sakura started. No one was supposed to know that she and Ino were even related. That information had been kept a secret since Sakura was six years old.
"Cut the crap, Kankarou-sama. If you came here to talk to me, stop beating around the bush and say what you have to say."
The man ran fingers through his hair, sighing. "Are you always this nasty?"
"No. Usually, I'm very sweet. But that's with people who are honest with me. What do you want?" Her temper was starting to rise, which was not at all like her. Kakashi had taught her to keep it strictly in check. So what was it about this man that made her go against years of training?
Kankarou took a deep breath. "My spies have been having reports from around Hokkaido about the movements of Akatsuki. I know that Honshu is about to move on them, so it would be prudent for people who may be our allies to know what is going on." Sakura smiled. Now they were getting somewhere. She was still confused as to why he came to her, and not Kakashi.
"And?"
"Sakura, I was going to ask you if you could do me a favor." Alarms started going off in her head, and she flipped a bright-pink fall of hair from her eyes. "While your sister was on Hokkaido, she came into contact with Sasori, who attacked her in her hotel room. She knows what he looks like, but she can't come back to Hokkaido while Akatsuki is still around. We still don't know who the leader of Akatsuki is. These are distinct problems with our plans, and with yours. So, what I need from you is your cooperation. I would ask that you go to Hokkaido, and find out these things. How, I don't know. You would be on your own in that respect."
"There is one problem, Kankarou-sama. My cousin is in Akatsuki. Itachi would certainly recognize me."
He leaned on the table and nodded to the servant who had just brought him his tea. "I've thought of that. Itachi generally keeps to himself if he's not visiting with Kisame, who is not even on Hokkaido at the moment. He's in Okinawa. So you wouldn't have that big of a problem. You just need an introduction." His eyes were on her again in that uncomfortable way. "I can do that."
"And what would my cover be?" Sakura was afraid to know. She had a feeling that this was not going to be fun.
"Hm. Let's see." He looked her over, from head to toe. "You're pretty, so no drudge work. Graceful, delicate…ah. Do you think you could pull off being a geisha?" Her eyes nearly left her skull. A geisha? Her? All the smiling, giggling, flattering, and not to mention the men most likely wanting to touch her. It made her want to cringe.
"Ah…I don't think so. Sorry. Ino's better with that sort of thing." Sakura set her cup down, probably harder than she should have. His smile was rather amused, which was making her angry. The breathing exercises she had learned were not doing any good. She felt that she was dangerously close to blowing up at him. "What's so funny? So I'm not a girly girl? So what? Let someone else bow and scrape and fawn over men. That's not my thing." She crossed her arms in her sleeves, trying to be huffy and look somewhat dignified at the same time.
"Oh, I think you'd do just fine." He was still amused! What did she have to say to shut him up? She'd already told him no. Her eyebrow twitched upward. "We would have to do something about that hair, though. Do you have any objection to black?"
Sakura's hands gripped the edge of the table. In a very calm and controlled voice, which nonetheless sounded forced, she said, "Wait just a minute. I never said I was going to do this. What makes you think I will?" Her eyebrows drew down in a frown as she thought. He was annoying her beyond her wits. How could one man make her feel like a legion of idiots had been grating on her nerves for a week? Kankarou was sniggering at her, and she snapped out of her reverie. "Will you please stop laughing? I haven't said anything funny." He continued to laugh. That was it. Sakura snapped, and with a single lightening-fast movement, she pulled what looked like an ornamented chopstick from her hair, but was really a throwing needle, holding it to his neck. "Stop—laughing—this—moment."
His mirth ended suddenly, and he looked at her with all of the seriousness that she had seen Kakashi use. "You'll have to learn to control that temper."
"Usually, I'm fine. You bring out the worst in me." She set the needle on the table, and started twisting her hair back into its bun. He was watching her closely. "What?"
He leaned closer to her, and said, "You really are very pretty. I think you would make a fine geisha." Her lips compressed into a thin line. "Sakura, please. This is not just for me. This is for you and your family. Surely you don't want Sasuke to end up like my father?" That made her cringe. She had heard stories, and seen photographs of the aftermath. Kankarou's eyes closed for a long moment as he seemed to shake off a painful memory. "Please?" When he opened his eyes, she could see pain in them, and she knew that it was not false. For a long moment, they only looked at one another.
"If I say yes?" She was going to regret this. She was quite sure of that.
He frowned. "Then we have a lot to do. There's clothes, hair, and I'll have to take you somewhere for a day or so to have you learn a few things, but after that, we go to Hokkaido, to Hakodate. My family is in Sapporo, as is your cousin. We have to get you into contact with one of the other Akatsuki members. He's a very strange man. His name is Zetsu." Sakura's eyes widened at the name.
"The nut-ball? Hell, why him?" She sagged where she sat. Zetsu had a split personality, one very calm and genteel, and the other was the polar opposite. Perhaps the most brutal of the ring-leaders, Zetsu's other half was known for his very creative torture techniques. Kakashi's file on him suggested that the thing that brought out his darker personality was when he felt he was being lied to or tricked in some way. He would not only be tricky to get close to, but he might end up killing her. She knew that he was probably the best way to find out the leader's identity, but the thought of being within a mile of the man put her teeth on edge.
"I wouldn't ask if I didn't think you could handle it." Kankarou had gone serious again, and she studied him. He was the most annoying individual on the planet, but he was not a liar. Damn. So, she nodded. "Good. We leave as soon as you inform Kakashi." Her eyes widened. "Secrecy is of the utmost importance. By the way, what is your natural hair color?"
"Black."
"Oh, good. At least this way, you won't have to do your roots…" She groaned. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and Sakura's hand was up her sleeve before the door opened, revealing Kakashi. Relaxing, she waited for him to say something.
"I take it you're leaving us?" He asked, and she nodded. "Well, be careful, and remember what I've taught you."
She jumped to her feet and ran over to him, squeezing him around the waist. He had been like a father to her. "I know, Kakashi-sensei. Secrecy, observation, the appearance of truth. I'll miss you." He patted her head, careful not to upset her hair, and said that he would miss her as well. "I may not come back."
He eyed her, his good eye stern. "Did I teach you to have that kind of attitude?"
"No. You taught me to be realistic." She said with a smirk. "Kakashi-sensei, I'll miss you, and Ino, too. Tell her goodbye for me." Sakura stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. Whispering in his ear, she said, "Keep them safe for me." He nodded, and gave her a small hug. Then, she followed Kankarou to the car that would take them to the Atsuta-jingu Shrine, where one of Kankarou's associates was waiting for them.
Naruto shifted his feet. They waited on the platform in Kanayama Station, watching for a familiar face. It did not take long before Naruto's eyes caught sight of a shock of white hair, on the head of a man that towered over the other pedestrians. Swallowing audibly, he glanced at Sasuke nervously.
"What's your problem, idiot?"
Naruto scowled at him. "Jiraiya has certain…opinions. He won't like that we're together." Sasuke raised an eyebrow at him in a look that said he would handle the man. As thelarge man lumbered over, Sasuke sidled closer to Naruto, laying a hand gently on his arm. This at first only served to alarm the blonde man, but then he relaxed. Leaning closer to the dark-haired young oyabun, Naruto whispered, "Thank you."
"No problem. I was going to kiss you, but that would be a little too shocking for the geezer to take." Sasuke's eyes rested on Naruto, who could feel them. He could almost feel the amusement in Sasuke's gaze. When it usually made him feel like squirming, he found Sasuke's stare to be comforting at the moment, and he allowed himself to stand close to him, feeling the warmth coming from him in the cold of the station. And then, Jiraiya was standing in front of them, and Naruto bowed low.
"Jiraiya-sensei, welcome." He said, his eyes rising to the man's face. The false holy-man's eyes darted between him and Sasuke, noting their proximity to one another, and then narrowing visibly. Naruto could hear it coming, and almost flinched. Almost. "Please, come with us." He, Sasuke and Ino walked back to the car, and Naruto heard a feminine yelp, then a loud smacking noise. He turned around, and saw Ino glaring daggers at a grinning Jiraiya, who was rubbing a red mark on his left cheek. Naruto's eyebrow twitched upward in annoyance, and he stopped walking. "You should keep your hands to yourself, old man. She'll cut things off that you want to keep."
Ino smiled gratefully at him, and he gave her a playful wink. Jiraiya frowned. They continued walking. When they were in the limousine, Ino sat next to Kakashi, whom she firmly placed between herself and Jiraiya. On the opposite side, facing that awkward trio, were Naruto and Sasuke, who sat casually, Sasuke's usual dark suit contrasting greatly with Naruto's red haori and light gray hakama. Naruto could feel Jiraiya staring hard at him, and he was only waiting for the man's inevitable comment. "So," The white-haired man asked, "When did you decide to play for the wrong team, kid?" Oh, that did it. Naruto's face began to burn. He felt Sasuke tense next to him, and before Naruto could stammer out an answer, Sasuke was giving reply for him.
"Jiraiya-sama, please. That is a conversation for a later time." Sasuke's tone was one of finality, but Naruto knew Jiraiya better than that. The middle-aged man crossed his arms over his chest, smirking. For a long moment, he only watched them, eyes flicking between their faces. Then, he decided to say the worst thing he possibly could. As usual.
"Little boy, don't speak unless you're spoken to." Jiraiya said this mockingly, and Sasuke's eyes turned icy.
"Jiraiya-sensei, please. I didn't ask you here to discuss my personal choices. This is something that will benefit all of us. Now, shut up, or I'll sick Ino on you." Jiraiya looked over at Ino, who trailed fingers over the plunging neckline of her dress, and unsheathed a narrow knife from between her breasts. It glinted in the sunlight threateningly.
"Hai, Naruto." They rode in silence the rest of the way, and when they reached the Uchiha estate, Naruto escorted Jiraiya to the conference room.
They sat across the table from one another, waiting for everyone else to arrive. "Sensei…" Naruto didn't know what to say. He surely wasn't going to apologize for falling for Sasuke. Jiraiya's eyes, like dark coals, stared at him, waiting.
"So you're gay?" Naruto started. He did not just hear that. "Well, answer me, kid. After everything I taught you, you still picked a man?" Now the blonde was getting angry. What right did he have?
Rising slowly from his seat, he placed his hands on the table and leaned toward the false holy man. "I don't think you're in a position to be passing judgment on anyone. And for your information, I am not gay. I do like women. But right now, the only person I can imagine myself with is Sasuke. Do you have a problem with that?" His voice had been steadily rising as he spoke, and his final question was almost a shout. Jiraiya flinched.
"Look, kid. I just don't want my favorite student's clan to die because he likes taking it…or giving it?" His tone became curious. "Which are you, top or bottom?" Naruto really did not just hear that. Jiraiya did not just ask him that. Naruto squeezed his eyes shut, stood straight, and gave himself a little shake.
"Again, not your business. I don't ask you about all the hookers you bring to the temple, do I? So just…shut up about it. Just because I'm doing something you don't approve of, it doesn't give you the right to prod me with ridiculous questions." He sad back down with a huff. Most things about Jiraiya were ridiculous. From the questions he asked, to the fact that he posed as a holy man, ran a temple, but was formerly one of the world's best assassins, and most recently, a passionate and prolific writer of hard-core pornography.
Sasuke, Ino, and Kakashi entered the room, and stopped the conversation before it could get out of hand. Ino seated herself next to Jiraiya, which the man obviously didn't know how to feel about. Her dress was now even skimpier than the one she had worn to the train station, but Naruto would bet any amount of money that she had no fewer than sixteen knives concealed over her body. That was why she wore those damned boots all of the time. They were specially designed to have holsters for those knives she liked so much, as well as special compartments in the heels for smuggling things in. The difference between Ino's knives and Kakashi's was that hers were made entirely from a plastic composite material that sharpened like glass, whereas Kakashi preferred the weight that metal had.
Ino's excuse was that she had often had to get through security checkpoints, and her knives were not picked up on metal detectors. Kakashi, on the other hand, was mostly active only on the island of Honshu, and could go just about anywhere without having to deal with any security. In any case, Naruto never wanted to be in a position to test her abilities with those knives. He had seen Sakura practicing with hers, and she was frightening with them. Throwing, as well as hand-to-hand techniques…both skills had been honed to a fine art with Sakura. Ino would be more unpredictable, though perhaps slightly less skilled. She was the type to think of something more…creative.
When Jiraiya's chair inched toward hers, she eyed him nastily and casually drew a knife from her hair. "Watch it, ojisan. If you want to keep your hands, stay right where you are." He stilled his movement, and Ino smiled. "Good boy," she said, and patted his shoulder.
"So, Naruto," Jiraiya said nervously, "you promised to tell me what this was all about. Well, here I am in Nagoya, and still no explanation. Spill, kid." Naruto nodded.
"Well…"
A/N: Well. There you go. Oh, and here's the new word for this chapter: sepukku--ritual suicide. I used it before, I think, but this is just a refresher.