Chapter 11: Team Kakashi

"Aurion, Airas, and Shino are counting on us, so we better do this right!" Sakura said. Kakashi and his team traveled stealthily through the building to get to their destination.

"Hey, Hinata," Naruto began, "It's really cool that we got on the same team and all."

"H-Huh?" Hinata blushed. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I've seen the way you train and you were amazing. I just thought it would be cool to see you in action for real!"

"O-Oh, I see…" She swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "N-Naruto?"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I…I'm glad we're on the same team too." She blushed. "I know that you're an excellent fighter Naruto."

"Huh? Oh, thanks! I've been practicing like crazy lately! I want to achieve my dreams so bad that nothing could ever change my mind. Nothing can get in my way!"

She smiled. "That's wonderful that you can hold true to your dreams like that."

"I'll never give up, believe it!"

"…Naruto, do you remember when we were back at the academy?"

"Huh? The academy? Oh, yeah, why?"

"Don't you think it was easy back then? It wasn't as difficult as it is now."

"W-Well, I guess. I mean, the academy was a little hard."

"Sometimes it's kind of scary, you know."

"Scary, what do you mean?"

"Well now that we're almost ninjas, you'll never know what day could end up as your last. We're putting our lives on the line for this…"

Naruto tilted his head, then got a little closer to Hinata. "Hinata, don't feel scared, okay? Everything will be alright as long as I'm here. No one's gonna die, especially not one of my friends."

Friend? Naruto called me a friend! I'm so happy! "You think of me as your friend?"

"Of course I do! I've known you long enough to call you a friend. Do…Do you think I'm your friend?"

"Yes, I do."

"Thanks Hinata, you're a sweet girl."

"Y-You think I'm s-sweet?" She blushed. "Naruto…"

"Well, you are. You're kind and you care about others. I'm glad we're friends."

"…Yeah, I'm glad too. I'm really thankful to have met you Naruto."

He looked at her. Wow, I've never really noticed this but…Hinata's…Hinata's kinda…W-Well she's…She's you know, p-pretty… He blushed. "…I'll protect you Hinata."

Naruto? Thank you… "U-Uh-huh, I'll do the same."

"This is it guys," Sakura said. "This is where we can disengage the lock.

"Oh, right, the lock," Naruto said. He turned to Hinata. "Well, it was nice to talk like this with you Hinata. Maybe when this is all over, you and I could, you know, talk some more or something."

Hinata smiled. "I'd like that."

"Are you sure you know how to operate this Sakura?" Kakashi asked.

"Of course I do, just give me a moment!" Sakura studied the machine. "Hmm, interesting."

"Thank goodness we have Sakura here," Naruto said.

"But I'm worried about Kurenai sensei's team. I wonder if they were able to disengage the lock," Hinata said.

"Where there's a will, there's a way," Kakashi said. "I'm sure they found out what to do."

"I got it!" Sakura said. She pressed several buttons and then pulled on a lever. "This should do the trick!" With a loud 'click' noise, the lock was disengaged.

"Now what?" Naruto asked.

"We should go back to see the Kurenai and the others," Kakashi suggested.

"Now that the two locks have been disengaged, Shino, Aurion, and Airas have to get through that main door before it closes," Sakura informed.

"I hope everything goes according to plan," Hinata said, feeling a little uneasy.

"C'mon, we should get moving," Kakashi said.

"Right!" They began to retrace their steps.