Chapter Four

It's been three days since they came to the village. So far Neji couldn't figure out why people were getting sick. Sakura helped those in need but they still weren't healed. Hinata helped wherever she was needed and Naruto helped him look for the source of the problem.

So far, there wasn't a trace. It was getting frustrating. One more person got sick since they arrived but, again, it was at a different place.

Neji went in search of Naruto. On his way, he found Hinata standing by the tent set up for the sick.

"Hinata-sama?"

"Oh Neji!" She seemed genuinely surprised that he found her.

"I'm sorry for frightening you. What are you doing out here?"

"I was thinking about the sick. I think I may have noticed a pattern."

"Oh? What would that be?"

"Well, everyone was found in the early mornings. Which means they had to have been injured during the night."

"Yes. I did notice the pattern. What else have you thought of?" Seriously?

"I'm sure Sakura noticed it too but they all have puncture wounds."

"I haven't heard of this."

Hinata looked at the door. "Maybe she's trying to make sure she's right before saying anything."

Neji didn't say anything. Instead he walked inside to see Sakura looking over the latest victim. "Sakura?"

"Oh, Neji, I'm glad you're here. I have some news."

Neji crossed his arms. "I'm all ears."

"I believe someone is targeting these victims. They all have puncture marks on their necks and the first victim keeps saying something along the lines of 'blue-haired monster'."

"Blue-haired monster?" Neji cocked an eyebrow.

"I know it sounds weird but maybe he saw his attacker. I mean we were told he said he saw someone but he just started with a description."

"Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

Sakura looked away. "It was speculation at first. Then victim one started muttering in his sleep last night. I was going to find you once Hinata returned."

Neji looked over at his cousin. She looked like she wanted to be anywhere but standing next to him.

"Yes, well, it seems Hinata was thinking things over as well. I'm going to ask the villagers if they've seen anyone with blue hair in the area." Without another word, Neji left the tent and went in search of Leto.

Neji found the village elder talking to Naruto.

"Hey Neji."

"Naruto. Leto-san we found some new evidence and I wanted to ask you a few questions."

"Please." The elder looked pleased that there might be a some sort of breakthrough.

"First, does your village have anyone with blue hair?"

"Blue hair? No. We did, many years ago but that feller left many years ago."

"What's his name?" Finally, there may be a break in the case.

"Zan Hun. He said he wanted to leave because this village was too boring for him."

"Would he have any ill will towards any of the injured?"

Leto looked at Neji, really looking thinking this over.

"Neji, what are you thinking?" Naruto finally spoke up.

"Sakura said that the first victim said something about a blue-haired monster. If this is the same guy then that means he's back and is seeking revenge."

"I'm sorry, Neji-san, but all the victims had nothing to do with him. Zan was a troubled child and left when he was seventeen. He should be around twenty-two by now."

"So, he's picking them at random." Neji placed his chin between his forefinger and thumb, thinking over things.

"Excuse me, Leto-san, but do you happen to have a picture of the boy?"

"Yes, Naruto-san. His mother lives just a few houses down. I'll go get you a picture and return. I'll be back shortly." Neji watched Leto walk away.

"Neji, what are you thinking?"

"Maybe he found a way to not be bored anymore with the village. My concern is what is he shooting them with that leaves the victims comatose."

"Sakura will figure it out."

"I have no doubt she will but so far the first victim has been unconscious for over a week with only the mutters he said last night. We don't know how long they will remain that way."

"No, we don't but at least it's not deadly."

Neji was about to reply when he saw Leto walking back.

"This photo was taken shortly before he left town."

Neji took the photo. He didn't recognize the man. He handed it over to Naruto.

"Wait, Neji. I've seen this man."

"What? When?"

"The first night we were here. And, again, last night. I thought he was a villager."

"We need to find him."

Naruto handed the photo back to Leto. "Leto-san, I think you should put a curfew on the village until he is found. If he's attacking them at night then everyone should be indoors before the sun sets."

"I agree with Naruto. This way we will be able to find him better. Now that we know he's behind this, it'll be easier to bring him down."

"His chakra nature is water, if that helps."

"Yes. It'll give us time to figure out what kind of counter measures we will need to take."

"Good luck." Neji and Naruto stood there while they saw Leto start informing people of the temporary curfew.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think he could have been behind this."

"Don't worry, Naruto. We know now. We need to strategize."

Near nightfall, Neji gathered his team.

"So, that's the plan."

"It seems risky." Sakura stated.

"If everyone goes their direction and set off a flare when, or if, they find the man for back up, we should be fine." Neji reiterated.

"And if we're rendered unable to send the signal?" Hinata asked.

"Try something else."

Neji looked over at Naruto. He knew the orange wearing ninja was kicking himself for not saying anything soon but there was no need in dealing with the past. "Naruto?"

"Yeah. I understand."

"Ok. Go eat and rest. We'll begin patrol at nine." His team walked away.

Neji went after Naruto. "Can I have a minute with you?"

"Sure, Captain."

"Naruto, I want to talk to you as your friend."

"Look I'm sorry, ok? Both times I've seen him he was just standing there. He didn't look menacing."

"Stop blaming yourself. We don't know every person that lives here."

"But I should have at least said I've seen someone in the forest at night. We could have found him days ago."

"We'll find him tonight."

"I'm going to take the bastard down."

"You will stick to the plan. Don't do anything foolish."

"Is that an order?"

Neji hasn't seen Naruto this angry with him since the Chunnin exams. "No. I just don't want any harm to come to you."

"I'll be fine." Naruto started to walk away but Neji grabbed his arm.

"Don't walk away from me like this."

Naruto pulled his arm away. "Why do you care?"

"Because I do."

"Whatever."

All Neji wanted to do was take in the man in front of him and kiss him. They were about to fight an enemy and didn't want to worry about Naruto.

"Let me ask you something."

"Sure." Naruto crossed his arms.

"Why haven't you claimed your bet yet?"

Naruto's eyes grew in surprise. "I don't think now is the best time to talk about that?"

"If you get injured, I won't feel right without knowing what you wanted."

"I'll only be injured, not dead."

"Humor me, Naruto."

"You want to know what I want?"

"Yes. I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."

"I want a kiss. From you." Naruto said it as almost a dare.

"You can have it."

This time Naruto was really surprised.

"You…don't mind?"

"Naruto if I minded, I wouldn't have made the wager."

Neji stood there for a while waiting on Naruto. It seemed as time past by slowly. Naruto just looked up at him staring in his eyes. Neji could see all the questions in Naruto's cerulean eyes.

Finally, Neji sighed. "I like you Naruto. I've known you've been watching me practice. Whatever you want out of me, you can have."

"I think I'll just start with the kiss."