Chapter Three

"Huh? Why do I need to go on this stupid mission?"

"It's not stupid, Naruto. You, Sakura and Hinata will be led by Neji to go to a small village by the Land of Fire boarders near the Land of Wind. There's a rumor that they are having some trouble and some of the villagers are getting sick. Sakura and Hinata will handle the villagers while you and Neji see what the trouble is." Kakashi said almost out of boredom.

"Yeah but it sounds like it's a simple mission."

"It's a B-rank mission right now. If it becomes more serious then I suspect, then Neji has the approval to make this an A-rank mission. It's simple. Go to the village, help the villagers and investigate why they are getting sick in the first place."

"I'll do my best, Lord Hokage."

Naruto looked at Neji. He was going to go on a mission with the girl he crushed on as a kid, the girl that had a crush on him, and the man he was currently crushing on. This mission was going to kill him. There was no telling how long they'd be together.

How was he supposed to act professional when all he wanted to do was run away from the girls and have the man inside him? He just had to keep his distance from everyone.

"Right. You're dismissed."

"Everyone pack. We'll meet up at the gate in one hour." Neji stated.

Naruto couldn't get away fast enough. He knew what he needed to pack so it was simple. However, he didn't want to rush to the gate. He didn't want to run the risk of showing up and Hinata already being there alone. Although, since she and Neji would be coming from the same direction it stands to reason that they'd arrive together.

Still. Days on a mission with Neji. Would he ever be alone with him? Would he finally admit his feelings to Neji? Has Hinata said anything? There were too many variables. Then there was the fear that Neji would reject him. Accepting he could never have Sasuke was enough of a blow to him. Being rejected twice would break him.

When Naruto felt enough time has passed, he headed to the gate. He got lucky. Only Sakura was standing there, waiting.

"Naruto. Are you ready? I hope this is an easy mission."

"If it's too easy, I'll have to kick Kakashi sensei's ass."

"He's the Hokage now. You can't say things like that." Sakura stated looking around.

"Hokage or not, I hope this isn't another dumb mission."

Sakura sighed. "If you want to make jonin you need to take whatever missions you can. Especially if you want to become Hokage."

"Yeah yeah."

Naruto looked over to see Neji and Hinata walking their way towards him and Sakura.

"Since everyone is here, we can start our mission. It should take a day and a half to get to the village. Two at most if we run into any problems."

"Right! Let's get going."

Naruto glared at Sakura. Why was she so excited?

The team started off on their journey. Naruto tried to stay away from Neji as much as possible but then he would get close to Hinata. Every now and then he'd see Hinata look his way and he would evert his eyes. Though those eyes would find themselves staring at Neji's ass.

What was he going to do? He couldn't avoid Hinata during the mission. She's still a nice girl. Then there was Neji. His attraction mere feet away from him. If he wasn't careful, he'll take a wrong step and fall out of the trees. He had to get his head on the mission. He couldn't fantasize if he wanted to be any help.

"Hey Naruto? Are you ok?"

Naruto looked to his left at Sakura. "What makes you think something is wrong?"

"It's just you look like you're daydreaming."

"Nah. I'm fine. Just trying to keep my mind on the mission."

"Sure, you are."

Naruto knew she didn't believe him but wasn't going give her a straight answer. How was going to explain that he was daydreaming and thinking about their captain? Then part of him worried that Hinata will make a comment on his secret. There were just too many factors.

Should he just flat out outs himself? Did he want to risk her saying something first? What should he do?

After a few hours, Neji jumped down to an open area. "We'll stop here for rest and drinks."

Naruto thought this would be a good time to confront Hinata.

"Hinata? Wait a minute. Can I talk to you?"

"No. Not really."

Naruto never thought Hinata would have a cold heart. "Please. It's about what I said the other day."

"What is there to talk about? You like men. Dick makes you happy."

"Hinata!" Naruto heard Neji shout. "Whatever your problem is, save it for when we come back to the village. Besides, Naruto's preference is no one's business but his."

Naruto wasn't sure what to say. Hinata told his secret. And in front of his crush!

"What the hell is wrong with you?! Yeah, I like men but what gave you the right to tell people about me when I'm not ready yet?"

"You think I'm happy knowing that's I've pined for you for years, risked my life for you, just to be turned down? Are you kidding me?!"

"Hey! I get it, you're hurt. But this...this mission isn't the time to air out my dirty laundry. You had no right."

"Maybe not but shouldn't Sakura know you're after Sasuke? She needs to know that she won't have a chance with him."

"There is no me and Sasuke! I like someone else and before you start on another tantrum, he's not like Sasuke either. You're a nice girl and if I were straight, I might have dated you. Unfortunately, I like men. There is nothing you can do or say to change that."

"Enough you two." Neji chimed in. "Lady Hinata, Naruto is right. You had no business telling people their secret. That was up to Naruto."

"But..."

"Hinata, you shouldn't have done that." Sakura inputted.

"Is everyone against me?"

"No. We are on a mission and the two of you bickering will attract unwanted guests." Neji reached in his bag for his water. "As a matter of fact, maybe the two of you shouldn't talk to each other during the duration of his mission if it has nothing to do with the mission itself."

"Fine!" Hinata walked away.

"Naruto?"

He looked over at Sakura. "Before you ask, no Sasuke and I were never involved. He was my first love but we couldn't be together."

"I was going to ask if you're ok. If Sasuke would have picked you, I'd be hurt like Hinata but I'd get over it."

"Really?" Naruto cocked an eyebrow not believing a word she just said.

"Well not at first but if it made him happy then yeah, I would."

"I think that's enough talk about Naruto's sexual orientation. We should focus on the mission."

Naruto looked at Neji and wondered what he would do if he knew Naruto's affections were towards him. He didn't want to dwell on it long. Soon enough, they were back on their mission.

Near nightfall, Neji concluded that setting up camp would be best. They forged the forest for wild berries and other foods. Sakura and Hinata pointed out there was a stream nearby, Naruto went to catch some fish.

When dinner was cooked, and everyone fed, Naruto voluntaries to take first watch. He walked around the perimeter a few times before he settled on a limb above camp. He wasn't sure how much time past so he figured he'd give Neji ten more minutes of sleep.

When Naruto finally jumped down to wake Neji, he hesitated and watched his crush sleeping peacefully. He really was a handsome man. He felt himself stiffen. Before anything else could happen, he woke up his captain.

"Hey Captain. Time for you shift."

"Hmm? Oh right." Neji slowly got up. "Get some rest Naruto. Thank you."

"Welcome." Naruto found a spot to relax in and fell asleep.

Next morning, everyone was ready to get to the village. Hinata barely spoke. It was odd seeing her so angry.

It didn't take too long to get to where they needed to be.

"Welcome to Tengo village. I am Leto Gura." A tall man with graying hair said.

"Hello. I'm Neji Hyuuga. This is my cousin, Hinata. As well as Sakura Haruno and Naruto Uzamaki."

"Hello." The three greeted.

"I'm so glad you made it when you did. We have six sick people right now. We don't know what happened to them."

"Where were they when they got sick?" Sakura asked.

"That's the weird things. They were all found in different places. One said they saw someone before they started to feel sick but that was before he fell asleep."

"I'd like to see them please."

"Sakura, you and Hinata go check on the patients. Naruto and I will do a perimeter check and see if we can find anything."

"Hai." Naruto watched the girls go with Leto.

"Naruto. I want you to take the south side while I check the North. Afterwards, check the East side and I'll go West."

"Gotcha."