Disclaimer: Still not mine.
Some people don't like the pairing, I listed it because they are giving dating a go. They may not stay as a couple, depends how things develop as I write. Should I not have listed it as the pairing then?
Chapter 33
Harry smiled at Sakura as they met up outside the teashop. They'd both changed out of their ninja gear and were dressed casually for their second date. Harry wasn't sure about dating, he'd never had any luck with it back in Britain and he knew Sakura had never dated before so he was taking things really slowly. They might end up realising they weren't compatible or something but they were both willing to take the chance. They went inside and were shown to a table where they ordered and then sat quietly, not quite sure what to say.
"Well…. this is awkward." Hiro finally said and Sakura laughed.
"But why? We always have plenty to talk about at training."
"Yeah, but that's work. This is a date, very different." He shrugged. "How is your family?"
"Good. They've got a buying trip to Wind coming up."
"What do they buy there?" Hiro asked curiously, he really did need to learn more about the lands outside of Konoha.
"Glass. With all the desert sand Wind produces high quality glass in massive quantities."
"Makes sense. It would be their biggest resource." They fell silent as their food and tea was delivered.
"How is Kakashi-sensei doing really?"
"Don't you have access to his medical records?"
"Yeah, but we both know that never covers everything." She tucked her hair behind her ear as he nodded. Her parents had been pushing for the last year for her to start dating, they may not be shinobi but they knew the sort of life expectancy that came with the lifestyle and there was a reason shinobi married young and had children quickly. But none of the other Rookies held any interest for her. Then Hiro had appeared and he looked so much like Sasuke-kun even if their personalities were very different. His life had been just as bad, worse in some ways, and yet he was still warm and caring. They were comrades, friends….and maybe they could be more, only time would tell.
"He's improving all the time. I've been helping him with mental defences which is helping get things under control."
"I'm glad. It's not the same going on missions without him. I can't believe none of us realised he was with Iruka-sensei."
"Well they are ninja." Hiro smirked and she tossed a napkin at him as they laughed. Conversation came easier after that.
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Team 7 reported to the Hokage, all wondering why they had been summoned. Tsunade looked deadly serious which was generally not a good thing. "We have a confirmed location for Orochimaru and the Uchiha." She announced, Naruto and Sakura stiffening in reaction to those names. Hiro subtly squeezed Sakura's hand in support and she gave him a quick smile, though it was very shaky.
"Backup?" Ibiki asked and Tsunade shook her head.
"We're spread too thin."
"I wish to accompany them Hokage-sama." A new voice called.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto called with a grin.
Tsunade stared at Kakashi, he was in full uniform for the first time since he had joined Team 7 in rescuing Gaara. But there was something different in the way he stood, in his eyes…. there was strength there that had been lacking since his rescue. She glanced at Hiro who smirked in response. "Welcome back brat." She finally said with a nod, obviously Hiro had worked his magic somehow, she'd ask him later. She looked over the five, knowing some may not return. But they were the best team to send, their abilities varied enough to give an opposing team nightmares. Add in Hiro's 'pets' should he take any…. how did you fight an immortal fire bird? It was risky sending Kakashi, sending a team to capture him meant Orochimaru wanted to get his hands on him, but they may need him. "Get packed and head out. Good luck." They vanished and she reached for the sake. Where was Jiraiya when he was needed?
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Ibiki looked at Hiro who nodded and in the next second the dark clad young man was replaced by a cat who quickly moved away, scouting. Far above them a phoenix soared, keeping watch. Thankfully the Caracal was found in the elemental lands which made Hiro's form very useful and there was no way for a ninja to detect him as the transformation was magical, no chakra involved at all.
Prowl, well prowled, around, careful not to get too close. Sensitive nose, whiskers and hears taking in everything. He'd grown since his first transformation which was nice, he was an adult now after all, it was about time his inner kitty reflected that. He stayed until well after nightfall before heading back, cat eyes easily able to deal with the dark. He slunk into camp and moved to rub against Kakashi and then Sakura, purring and she laughed, reaching out to pet him before he shifted back.
"Report." Ibiki ordered, hiding his amusement at her reaction.
"It reeks of a trap." Hiro downed some rations. "Way too quiet but I only picked up two people, one reeks of snakes the other…. like Kakashi, electricity."
"Orochimaru and Sasuke." Naruto growled.
"Looks like it, in a massive maze of tunnels. Which means splitting up. The scents are all over the place, no way to track them."
"I don't like it." Ibiki admitted. There was five of them, too few to even pair off. And he was unsure of Kakashi, he was doing better yes, but well enough to be sent alone? "Hiro, you stick with Kakashi." He finally ordered, he didn't like sticking their two trackers together but it was the best option. "You're still more a distance fighter and if it becomes a close in fight you'll need the backup."
Hiro nodded, knowing there was more to it than that but none of them would mention that.
"Alright, Naruto you have first watch. Get some sleep."
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Hiro woke instantly, magic pooling in his hand but then his eyes adjusted and he recognised the silhouette. "Sakura? What is it?" He sat up and she threw herself against him, making him catch her. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked softly.
"I'm scared." She whispered.
"We'll be okay."
"The way he left… the things we both said."
"You're not that girl anymore Sakura. You are Tsunade's apprentice, an amazing medicnin." He assured her. "He left you, betrayed his village, you owe him nothing. Come on." He lay back, tugging her down with him. "Sleep." He told her and she curled into him, finally sleeping. When Naruto peered in he smiled sadly and went to take an extra watch, letting them sleep.
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Hiro and Kakashi came out into the massive room to see who Hiro assumed was Sasuke, about to run Naruto through. Hiro didn't even think, magic flying from his hand, invisible and Sasuke went flying to slam into the stone. Naruto blinked and shook his head, flashing a relieved smile at his teammate even as Sasuke stood up and looked over the five shinobi.
He stared at the gathered team, eyes immediately going to his 'replacement', Umino Hiroshi. He didn't look much like Iruka but there was some vague similarity. He didn't look anything special and yet somehow, he had knocked him off target and out of Naruto's mind. He glanced at Sakura, taking in her new, more professional look and the scowl of determination on her face. A small part of him felt sad to be on opposite sides but it was necessary. Trust the idiot to still be wearing kill me orange although it was in smaller amounts. Seeing the man from the chunin exams as their sensei was odd but Kakashi was with them. there was something different about him, Orochimaru's intelligence said he had been captured and nearly killed, left mentally scarred and yet here he was. He sneered at them and was surprised when Umino rolled his eyes. Well then…
Hiro saw the flash and with a thought the Sword of Gryffindor was in his hand and blocking the blow. They pushed against each other for a second before Hiro apparated soundlessly back to the rest of the team since Kakashi had already moved closer to them.
Sasuke was surprised when his blow was not only blocked but his opponent vanished. Was he that fast?
Orochimaru watched, surprised by the Umino boys speed. Impressive for someone who had appeared from nowhere. This was not going to plan. Hatake had shown up which was good but he was not acting as expected, had his spies been wrong about how damaged he had been left? The plan was to use Sasuke as the distraction and then grab Hatake, that obviously wasn't working.
"By order of the Hokage you are to return to Konoha to face discipline Uchiha Sasuke." Ibiki called, it had to be said.
"I have no need for your weak village." He sneered and was surprised when Umino laughed.
"Seriously? How delusional are you? The Sannin? Trained by Konoha. Your brother? Konoha again. The copy-nin….do I really need to keep going? You tossed away your best way of 'getting strong' when you left kid."
Naruto blinked and realised Hiro was right. Huh. He never really thought of that but it was true.
Sasuke was taken aback. How dare he laugh at him! He knew nothing. Lightning danced over his blade as he focused on him and he saw the slight smirk as Umino saw it. It was a challenge and Sasuke took it. He lunged in to attack and then suddenly sensed danger…above! He tried to doge only to feel sharp talons dig into his shoulder and then his world exploded into flames.
Everyone stared at where Sasuke had been but now there was nothing. Orochimaru hissed in anger, how dare they kill him! He needed Sasuke-kun's body. With the boy dead, he locked onto Hatake before attacking. He dodged as the girl punched the ground, opening a crack, just what the world needed, another girl who could break things. The blonde was as predictable as the toad that had trained him. Morino was not so easy as he had never interacted with the torture specialist much and then Umino joined him and he was forced on the defensive as the two used teamwork and very different abilities to keep him guessing. He regurgitated his sword to match the boys' and then had to dodge Hatake's famed chidori. He summoned snakes to try and occupy the team and then was utterly shocked when Umino hissed (hissed!) at them and they shrank back, unwilling to go near him. He broke off and stared at them before leaving, he needed to rethink things.
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Anko looked in the cell and blinked as she saw a bird of fire sitting happily on the shoulder of a pissed off and sulky Uchiha Sasuke…. how? she quickly put out a call for the Hokage. What the hell was Ibiki getting up to out there?
TBC…