A Team of Five
Wow I got an overwhelming response with that last chapter. Jeeze if I knew I just needed a bribe for reviews I woulda done it sooner. Sorry but the odds of me getting out a sixth chapter before Monday like I had hoped are slim.
Disclaimer: yeah know what I don't own Naruto and since everyone should know that this is the last time ill say it. So this goes for the rest of my story. I in no way, shape or form own anything involved with Naruto that honor belongs to no one but Masashi Kishimoto.
Chapter Five: The Bridge Builder
"So uh how long has it been"
"We go through this everyday. We just need to be patient" Sakura said closing her eyes and rubbing the side of her head all in an attempt to stay calm.
"Yea but still how long have we been waiting for" Naruto questioned
"For the last time Naruto I DON'T KNOW"
"Well you should" the blonde grumbled
"THAT'S IT" the kunoichi yelled
The next thing Naruto could process was a blinding pain coming from the large bump situated on his head, Sakura standing triumphantly above him and Hinata crouched beside him, staring at the lump like it was causing her pain just to look at it.
Team 7 had begun their duties, just as Kakashi had promised them, the day after their training finished. Unfortunately he neglected to mention what genin level missions involved.
So for the past week the five man team had spent its days shopping, babysitting and many many hours of various farming tasks. All of these had been accepted, with much protest from Naruto and silent disappointment from the others, and tension was getting high.
Now all four sat on the bridge, that had become the meeting place of team 7, awaiting there never punctual sensei to arrive and deliver their new mission. Sakura was pacing up and down while Sasuke was leaning with his arms crossed on the railing. Opposite Sasuke was a twitching Naruto sitting beside a blushing Hinata on the rail. Of course when he sat down the red that tinted Hinata's face went completely unnoticed by Naruto.
Over the past few days the team had grow a small bit closer. Granted some wouldn't admit and others didn't even notice. Both of these being of course Naruto. He saw Hinata as his very first and possibly best friend, but having so few friends as he did that wasn't saying much. Even Sakura warmed up to him though absolutely nothing more than a friend.
Sasuke could handle Naruto's antics but still viewed him as a weakling and a dropout. Hinata wasn't too bad in his eyes as, unlike the other girls from the academy, she left him alone. Sakura was as annoying as ever but now, without any competition for his attention, she was less clingy but more persistent for a date.
Sakura and Hinata both liked each other and as neither was interested in the others crush had a mutual understanding. They had even hung around and talked outside of team duties.
Suddenly something had drawn the attention of everyone present.
"Yo, so what are you guys just sitting here for" Kakashi greeted his team with a smile.
"YOUR LATE!" screamed Naruto and Sakura
"Well see the thing with that is..." and with that Kakashi began his long ass explanation to excuse his tardiness.
The team had already figured out long ago that their sensei, was full of shit. Sasuke simply sighed trying to tune everything out. Sakura just fell into silence allowing inner Sakura to run ramped in her head. Hinata was trying not to giggle at Naruto who had started yelling at Kakashi for being so lame.
Finally Naruto fell silent as Kakashi gave up on his story and proceeded to explain their next mission. Kakashi walked around handing each member of his team a headset.
"OK lets go" with that Kakashi began walking off.
"H-Hey well what the hell are we supposed to do with these" Naruto yelled after his sensei.
"Huh" the older ninja stopped and turned around "Well we'll be needing these so you can stay in communication with me while you look for Tora"
"Who" Sakura asked
"Tora, the cat we're looking for" the jounin answered plainly.
The whole group sweat dropped.
"That's our exciting mission for the day" Naruto stated more than questioned.
"Mmhm" Kakashi clarified before sitting down and pulling out his ever present book. Looking up from the book he added "Well are you just gonna stand around or what"
"Y-You bastard" Naruto started walking towards his instructor before being held back by Sakura.
"So before we start off on this idiotic mission" Sasuke began, just as unsatisfied by this "mission" as Naruto, "where was the last time the cat was seen"
"Hmm oh the target should be heading through the forest in the direction of the main road. That's apparently the way it always goes when it runs away"
Before anyone could question about the "always" Kakashi lifted his gaze from the book to look at his team.
"Well? Dismissed" he waved the four genin off.
With that team 7 disappeared in a flash of movement headed for the main gate of Konoha in pursuit of their target. As they traveled through the trees Naruto was ahead with Sasuke and Sakura behind and Hinata bringing up the rear. Every few minutes Sakura caught glances of Hinata stealing looks at Naruto out of the corner of her eye. Seeing this the pink-haired girl smiled to her friend and nodded in Naruto direction, causing Hinata to blush slightly.
Several minutes later the team could be found walking through the woods behind Hinata who was scanning the area with the aid of her Byakugan.
When Sakura had suggested the use of the Hyuuga bloodline, Hinata was apprehensive but was soon persuaded it would make the search much faster. The shy girl had been blushing since activating her special ability due to all the attention it drew from Naruto. The hyperactive blond was absolutely enthraled and was asking several questions before was cut short by Hinata coming to a complete stop.
"What is it Hinata" Naruto asked.
"Ano I t-think I s-see the t-target a-ahead" she stuttered in response
Nearly everyone jumped out of their skin as Kakashi's voice came over the two way radio system.
"Are you sure it's the target. Ribbon on left ear..." came the voice of the jounin who everyone had completely forgotten about.
"I t-think s-so Kakashi-s-sensei. Demo I c-could be wr-wrong..." Hinata trailed off.
Hinata hadn't been doing well on the previous missions and though her team always completed them successfully she always felt she held the others back. This was the first time her personal skills were really required and was really nervous about messing up again, in front of Naruto especially.
"If Hinata says it Taro or Tora or whatever then it is. Lets just get this boring assignment over with" Naruto sighed getting into position.
Hinata blushed even deeper and was a little surprised that Naruto had stuck up for her. Granted they had become friends since the making of their team but she was still very self-conscious about it.
Once everyone was situated properly around the target they waited for the signal. When his team had called in he gave them the signal and all four rushed in so the target couldn't escape.
Naruto made it to the cat and grabbing it by the stomach he pinned it to the ground. Sasuke reported in confirming it was the target while Naruto struggled with Tora. Sakura was holding her sides as she laughed at Naruto's attempts to with strain said cat and Hinata was giggling along side her finding the whole scene comical.
"Good" crackled Kakashi's voice over the headsets "Lost pet retrieval mission complete. I'll meet you back at the Hokage's office to drop of the target and get our next mission"
As the team started back to Konoha, Naruto handed Tora to Hinata and walked over to Sakura. Hinata knew what was coming as did everyone else. She hung her head and sighed. Over the past few days she had gotten used to it but it still hurt, she had made progress becoming Naruto's friend but it still wasn't what she was hoping for.
"Hey Sakura-chan wanna go out on a date after this next mission?" the blond asked sliding up beside Sakura and grinning widely.
The girl sighed heavily and turned to Naruto "For the hundredth time Naruto, NO. Jeeze just bugger off would ya. You should move on to someone else already" she was trying to subtly turn him onto another girl, but of course he missed it, while letting him down.
After being shut down Naruto did something that surprised the other three. He let it go. Normally he would whine or plead but this time, he just shrugged it off and went to pet Tora, who of course attacked him.
When they had reached the office of the Hokage team 7 could be found, again with their sensei, receiving the pay for their mission and handing over the lost pet Tora to its rightful owner. Hinata was sorry to give her up but Naruto was more than happy to rid himself of the pest.
"I missed you soooo much Tora-chan" screamed the cat's owner as she held the said cat in a death hug.
"Mwhahah that's what you get. Stupid cat heheh" Naruto laughed to himself.
"God no wonder it keeps bolting" Sakura and Sasuke thought, simultaneously sweat dropping.
"Hmm Team 7 your next mission will be..." mused the Hokage "babysitting, shopping..."
"Nope. No, no, no a thousand times no thanks" yelled Naruto "When I became a ninja I wasn't told about farming and odd jobs. I want a you know, more exciting mission maybe even leaving the freakin' village"
"Annoying bastard" Sakura groaned to herself
"He has a point" Sasuke silently agreed with his teammate
"N-Naruto-kun" blushed Hinata
"I'm so gonna get yelled at for this later. Fuck why didn't I see this coming a mile away" Kakashi sighed and smacked Naruto in the back of the head. "Quiet you"
Iruka had been sitting their with his eye twitching before he snapped "Naruto you idiot every genin gets the simple duties and works up. Your nothing but a rookie, and no one else has complained" snapped the chuunin sensei standing up from his seat beside the Hokage.
"Sure but we are a special team aren't we? You could at least give us the more challenging D missions or a low C rank" Sasuke calmly negotiated staring directly at the old Kage.
The aging ninja sighed still not convinced "It seems I must again explain to you all how our village works" he then began in a long explanation of the system for grading missions and assigning them to the appropriate ninja.
When he was finally finished he looked up expected, or more hoping, too see that he had made his point clear. Instead he saw Naruto with his back turned speaking to his team, who had their attention on Naruto, explaining the finer points of ramen.
Iruka started his nervous twitching again and the Hokage had a sweat drop running down the back of his head.
"Hey listen you little..." yelled Sarutobi with a vein popping out of his forehead.
"G-Gomen Hokage-sama" Hinata muttered bowing, embarrassed she had forgotten her place.
"Sorry about him" Kakashi apologized nervously, scratching the back of his head.
"Common old man all you do is lecture like that. I'm not the same little kid who ran around makin' trouble for everyone. I'm a konoha ninja" the blonde boy stated with pride.
Naruto turned his back pouting. Hinata giggled slightly despite herself, he was just really cute when he did that.
"Haha he's grown up" the Hokage smiled "Well okay then. If it's so important I supposed it would be best not too waste your talents"
Kakashi was completely stunned and Sakura had a shocked look on her face. Sasuke remained impassive but was happy none the less. Hinata remained silent but smiled to herself, while Naruto on the other hand, took a different approach.
"Hells yes!" Naruto leapt hands up into the air.
"You can have a C ranked protection mission to the Wave Country"
"So who are we protecting huh" Naruto was literally bouncing with excitement "like a lord or princess or what?"
"I'll let you see for your self" the Hokage replied "Come in now please" he called to someone obviously waiting in the hall.
The door slid open and a man walked in with a white beard and hair wearing cheap clothing and drinking what appeared to be wine.
"Hmph. The hell is this? They're all a bunch of punks" the new comer asked "Especially that small one with the stupid look on his face"
"Hah who's the stupid, small one..." Naruto asked looking right and left at his companions. "Wait...YOU SON OF A BITCH. I'LL KILL YOU"
"Idiot why would you kill the guy you're gettin paid to defend" Kakashi groaned, grabbing hold of Naruto's collar.
"My name is Tazuna the bridge building master. I require an escort back to Wave Country"
Outside Konoha Village: Main Gate
Hinata could be found half an hour after the meeting of team 7's charge, Tazuna, waiting for her team. She had made it back first when everyone had split up to get supplies for the trip. The dark girl waited patiently for her team expecting Sakura and Sasuke to show up first but to her surprise and delight it was an excited Naruto to arrive first. Well second.
"H-Hello N-Naruot-kun" Hinata whimpered as the boy approached.
"Hey Hinata" responded the bouncing ninja.
"Ano I-I'm surprised y-you arrived s-so early, N-Naruto-kun" she said tapping her fingers, still not used to talking to Naruto like this.
"Hehe I guess im really excited about the mission. Aren't you?" he flashed the shy Hyuuga a patent grin.
Blushing Hinata looked down slightly, flattered he was interested in how she felt. But the truth was she wasn't excited in the least. While Naruto saw it as a chance to display his skill and gain recognition, Hinata just saw the mission as another chance to let everyone down.
"A-Actually I'm a l-little nervous. D-Do you get n-nervous N-Naruto-kun" she asked timidly
"Well just between you and me I'm a little on edge because this is my first time leaving Konoha" he said rubbing the back of his head.
Hinata was rather surprised to hear this. She had always thought of Naruto as being fearless and never worrying and she admired him for it, but she was happy he would confide in her.
"So why are you so nervous about the mission anyway?" Naruto asked sincerely interested.
"W-Well I always s-seem to find a w-way t-to mess up and I d-don't help as m-much as I c-could" answered Hinata, who was still staring at the ground.
"What? You do tons. Hell, you did all the work on the earlier mission. And you got nothin to worry about, you'll be a huge help." Naruto stated bending down to look into the girl's eyes so he could show off his foxy smile.
"T-Thank you N-Naruto-kun" his trust in her and the fact he was being genuine was enough to make her heart swell with confidence.
"Hey what are you to up to" came the voice of Sakura.
The pink haired kunoichi walked up with Sasuke and behind them was Tazuna and Kakashi.
Suddenly both Naruto and Hinata realized how close their faces were and what the situation might have looked like to an observer. Naruto pulled back and chuckled nervously while Hinata's blush deepened and mentally congratulated herself for staying conscious.
As the four walked over to Naruto and Hinata, Sasuke smirked at Naruto and Sakura walked over to Sakura and winked.
"So everyone's all here and ready?" Kakashi asked looking the group up and down.
"Alright then. LETS GO" cheered Naruto shooting a fist into the air.
With that and a few glares from Sakura in Naruto's direction the group walked off unaware of the pair that sat off in the distances watching them from the trees.
Well I know I kinda broke my promise about the two chapters but I've been unbelievably busy all of a sudden anyway hope you like it. Don't care if you didn't. Either way review please. So for all you people request more romance that's not bad since I wanna take their relationship slowly. Hope that tides you over till at least two more chapters when Naruto has an epiphany.