'The Bet'
Cue: The Entertainer
Cue: Water Color Painting of Tsunade Gambling
Cue: Water Color Painting of Tsunade Chasing Naruto out of a gambling hall
Naruto: Hey! What's with this Music, I'm not Robert Redford and I've never met Paul Newman.
Tsunade: Robert Redford is a hunk!
Hinata: Ano, I've met Paul Newman…
Kurenai & Tsunade: You Have!
KlosetAuthor: This is going downhill fast Cue: Haruka Kanata
Naruto: Hey that's Season Two's opening theme.
KlosetAuthor: Yes, but it was the best one, and it's the first opening that had Hinata in it.
Naruto: Yeah, and she's been in every one of them sense….
KlosetAuthor: Why do you think that is? (Crossing fingers and praying that it means Hinata will be taking on a bigger role.)
Hinata: (Crossing Fingers and hoping that they'll sign her on as Naruto's official love interest and maybe give her a raise).
Naruto: Those marketing Punks are probably just using her for fan service! (Growling, he begins to envision how he's going to brutally help them repent.)
Disclaimer: See chapter 1, and don't get caught using a ninjitsu technique on anyone that charged you to read this story.
Hinata's Story: Underneath Your Clothes
Chapter 2: The Bet
It was late afternoon when they finally came to the Gates of the Hidden village of the leaf: Konoha. The trip had been mostly uneventful since the confrontation with Kabuto. At least it was uneventful as one could expect when traveling with Naruto. When they'd broken camp that morning Naruto had attempted to casually walk away with Jiraiya in another direction, under the auspices of continuing his training.
Naruto rubbed his ear; it still hurt when he thought about how Tsunade-ba-chan had grabbed it. He had waved goodbye saying something about the girls being close enough to home not to need them. Then he'd waved Ero-Senin on saying it was time to get back to training. Just as he was turning around after that: that was when she had clamped on to him.
"Where do you think you're going?" Tsunade had asked him. He had tried to play it smooth telling her that he and Jiraiya had to finish the training mission, and he had assumed that she and the girls wouldn't need them anymore. The old lady had just grinned and said that he'd be finishing his training in Konoha. He didn't know what to say at that point, so he'd simply said that they couldn't do that and looked at Jiraiya for support.
Jiraiya had woken up to a nightmare involving Tsunade's wrath and evil, maniacal chuckle and then, even before breakfast he saw the boy tempting fate, trying to defy that same woman. Consequently when the boy looked at him for support, he left him to deal with the sexy she-devil alone.
Hinata had been about to cry when she heard Naruto was about to leave them. She hadn't realized how badly that she had missed seeing him. Before he left she had only been able to talk to him a few times, she spent most of their time 'together' watching him from a distance. While he had been gone she had thought about him every day, when she had wanted to give up she would remember that he never gave up and work even harder to be like the one she loved so desperately.
On missions sometimes she would remember the Chuunin Exam and Naruto cheering for her and no matter how many mistakes she made she just couldn't stay down. Then there was the mission to recover Konohamaru. That boy had used Naruto's Sexy-no-Jutsu and taken both of the men holding him. After that there was no way that Hinata would give up trying to save that boy, no matter how strong the woman chuunin was. And then when that chuunin had beaten them all, she could have sworn she heard Naruto's voice and she just couldn't keep her body down. Hinata couldn't remember exactly how that fight had ended, but Konohamaru had visited her every day at the hospital until she was able to leave.
She didn't think she had missed him so much, because of all the times she had 'seen' him while he was gone, but seeing him about to leave after she had gotten her hopes up for another day with him, had nearly brought her whole world down around her. She had been trying to say something that might convince him to stay when she had seen Tsunade grab him. As upset as she was at seeing Naruto hurt in any way, she couldn't help but be relieved when she realized that he would be staying with them for another day.
Hinata had then buried her irritation at Sakura when she began giggling at Naruto. Apparently she thought it was funny watching someone else get lectured by her sensei. Hinata didn't think it was funny, but when she heard that Naruto would finish his apprenticeship while in Konoha she was ecstatic. It had taken her most of the trip back to remove the widest car-salesman grin from her face, and it still kept coming back unbidden periodically.
Now that they were just outside of the gates of Konoha she didn't know what she would do. She wanted to confess her feelings to him. She wanted to be there for him so he never had to face anything alone again. She wanted to share her feelings and the rest of her life with him. There came that grin again. But she couldn't confess her feelings to him like that with everyone around. She'd have to get him alone, but she didn't know how to do that. And would she even have the strength to talk to him if they were alone? She never had before. And would he just tell her that he just wanted to be friends or worse that he was still in love with Sakura. Her heart would burst if he did. She wanted to run away just thinking about it.
Jiraiya had been forced to endure the kid's angry glare for some time after they broke camp, but that couldn't faze him through the glee at knowing that Tsunade's ire was no longer directed at him. He had pulled out his notepad and pencil as soon as they had started walking and began to jot down notes from what he had seen the day before. After his quiet giggling had been interrupted by Tsunade's maniacal chuckle for the second time he had begun taking notes on that as well. He had to be sure to capture in words the way her head tilted back, how her hands seemed to gravitate to her hips and how her upper body seemed to pulsate slightly. After the fifth time however he also began to make plans for Naruto's funeral and burial. He had just finished with his notes as they reached Konoha's gates. His timing couldn't have been better. Now the only question was whether or he should make a quick research run before making arrangements for the night or begin seeing to Naruto's final arrangements.
Seeing that his glares did him no good, Naruto started to think of another way to get back at the perverted Sanin. That was when he first saw it: the predatory grin Hinata had plastered all over face. After seeing what Hinata was capable of in combat during the Chuunin Exam and the day before, Naruto couldn't help but be afraid of that grin. It seemed to reach something primal in the base of his spine sending cold shivers all the way back up to the base of his skull. So unnerved that he was unable to continue plotting or strike up much conversation, he began to practice the very complex start of the latest jutsu the perverted hermit had taught him. He was able to do it successfully about half the time without the seals, but every time he saw that grin he would be stopped dead in his tracks. A couple of times he could have swore he even saw her licking her lips! Naruto had forgotten that sometimes women could be scary.
They were walking through the gates when he came back to reality. During her lecture that morning Tsunade-ba-chan had promised him some special training while he was back. It had better be good, he though. Maybe it would be that super strength thing she did! She'd also mentioned something even better than training. He couldn't think of what could be better than training. Was there a two for one sale at the Ichiraku Ramen Stand?
Just as they were all passing through the gates Jiraiya and Naruto started turning to go there own separate ways. Tsunade could see that Naruto was about to make a beeline to the Ichiraku Ramen Stand and Jiraiya was about to go wherever he went to go peeping.
"Hold it right there you two." Tsunade's voice was commanding and brooked no disobedience. "Where do you two think you're going?" Tsunade asked.
Cutting them off before they could get more than a couple of words into their explanation Tsunade continued: "I want you both to come with me."
"I want to hear about how your training went, and Jiraiya will need to give me his report," she told them. It would also be a lot better than the paper work she was going to have to do.
Turning to the now some what tired and slightly amused Jounin Tsunade continued: "Kurenai, you will need to come with us to the hospital."
Before Kurenai could object or Hinata could quietly question why Naruto spoke up. "I thought you already fixed her up ba-chan, why does she need to go to the hospital?"
Seeing the confusion on Naruto's face and the unasked question in Hinata's eyes Tsunade answered calmly, "Kurenai needs to have her blood tested to make sure that there are no more toxins in it. That can't be done without some special equipment, so I cannot be sure I got rid of all the poison she inhaled. She'll also be prescribed a detoxifying agent and will have to go on a detoxifying died for about a week."
"Detoxifying Diet?" Naruto asked.
"It just means that she'll be eating mostly vegetables and drinking a lot of water and juice for a week," Sakura answered helpfully.
"Bleah," was Naruto's only response as he thought about only eating vegetables. Kurenai remembered the last time she was poisoned and agreed with him.
Hinata felt guilty. She had decided to go with them as far as the hospital, but a part of her went so she could be with Naruto and not because of her concern for Kurenai-sensei. The more she thought about it the more embarrassed she felt and the more she moved to the back of the group.
Even at the back of the group her eyes seemed to gravitate toward the object of her affections. His jacket was a bit too short for him, and didn't quite come down to his waist leaving Hinata with an unobstructed view of the way his pants hung over his butt. When he stepped forward the fabric seemed to be pulled tight giving her a look at his muscular, toned buns. She found the sight somewhat hypnotic. Somehow she found herself wondering what it would be like to feel them. She took a quick step forward to catch up and moved her hand slightly forward from her waist before she realized what she was doing. Suddenly embarrassment flared up in her cheeks and she stopped dead in her tracks. She shook her head violently side to side to clear her mind. That was when she first noticed it.
Hinata thought it was strange that people would react this way to the Hokage. All around her she could see cold stares. Children pointing at the Hokage were quickly grabbed by their guardians and shushed. Suddenly she felt small, like a scared little girl, she felt out of place. She heard their voices. "Leave them alone." "Don't stare at them." "Don't look at them!" Hinata couldn't understand their reaction. "He's back," she heard several say to each other.
Hinata remembered that Naruto always referred to Jiraiya-senen as Ero-senen /Pervert-senen/. Could he really be such a pervert that everyone in Konoha would have this reaction to him? She was asking herself this question when suddenly the answer became painfully clear to her. That was when she first heard one of the villagers utter, "monster."
Even in her earliest memories she remembered that word, and how they had always called him that. "Naruto," she murmured. Now, thanks to Kabuto she understood why they called him that. For the first time she understood how deeply they hated him. She remembered her father telling her stories about the kyuubi, the nine-tailed demon fox that had nearly destroyed Konoha and killed so many people. Everyone had lost someone. She remembered her father's voice as he talked about it. Everyone hated that monster. Tears began to form in her eyes until her motions suddenly changed track as if someone had just flipped a switch.
What's wrong with these people? Naruto wasn't the Kyuubi, Tsunade had said as much. That monster was trapped inside of Naruto where it couldn't get out. By the very act of breathing Naruto was protecting all the people of Konoha from that monster. He was a hero! They all knew and yet they hated him.
'They all knew,' Hinata fumed, and yet they had never told her. Just as Kabuto had said they never told anyone of her generation. Did Naruto even know? How could the people be this stupid? How could they hate him, and how could they not tell us the truth? These questions swirled in Hinata's mind making her angrier and angrier.
Finally she remembered something her father had told her; back when she was training her to be the heir of the clan. "A person is smart, Hinata. People are dumb. They are prejudiced, excitable, easily frightened and even easier to manipulate. That is why we must always control what appearance we present to the masses."
Hinata had never been so outraged in all of her life. She wanted to beat some sense into these people. She wanted to tell them that Naruto was a hero. She would force them to understand.
Just as Hinata was about to make good on her intentions she heard his cheery voice yelling to her. "Oi, Hinata! Are you coming?" Naruto asked while jumping up and down waving at her.
During her reverie Hinata had fallen a ways behind. Naruto it appeared had been the only one to notice. He had stopped as the rest of the group walked past him.
"Coming," she yelled as she jogged back toward him. When she caught up they both jogged back up to the group.
"What's wrong?" Naruto asked as they caught up to everyone else.
"Nothing," was her only response. But something was definitely wrong. Everywhere they went the people acted the same. It didn't let up. Naruto was trying to talk to her, but she didn't even register his voice. The cold stares were just too loud for her. Naruto didn't seem to notice or was used to being ignored. He didn't realize how strange it was for Hinata not to silently hang on every one of his words. Kurenai noticed however.
They were approaching the Hospital when Naruto finally realized that his effort to distract Hinata from whatever was bothering her was a failure. Kurenai had been watching the girl become more and more distraught was about to take the girl aside and ask her what was wrong, when she suddenly burst into tears.
Hinata couldn't take it anymore. She stopped dead in her tracks and started to cry. Shocked, everyone else stopped in their tracks. Before anyone could questioned the bawling girl she began to apologize profusely.
"N-Naruto-kun, I'm sorry. I didn't know it was this bad… If I'd have known…I would have… I would have…" Hinata's courage failed her at that moment. What would she have done? Would she have been his friend? Would she have tried to have been more? Would she have told him she loved him? She searched her heart for the answers to these questions as well as something safe she could say while her cheeks attempted to create a new shade of crimson.
Touched by the young woman's concern, Naruto reached out and tentatively placed his hand on her shoulder. Haltingly Naruto began to speak to the now sobbing girl. "It's OK Hinata, as long as you'll…."
"You shouldn't be apologizing to that thing young mistress." The whiney voice of an old man interrupted Naruto.
Naruto's hand slipped off her shoulder as he turned to face the source of the unwanted interruption. Ironically, of the six sets of eyes that turned to face the old man, Naruto's probably bore the least malicious intent. Jiraiya was furious that the show had been interrupted. It could have been good material for the next Make-Out Paradise. Tsunade was furious that someone had interfered with her plans, the fact that she hadn't done anything yet not withstanding. The inner Sakura was bellowing about a ruined romantic moment while the outer Sakura just glared. The fact that Kurenai was trying to come up with a hypnotic illusion nasty enough to suit the person that had just ruined Hinata's moment shined through her eyes. It was a look that could stop a man's heart, and leave him dead on the pavement.
The old man however, was unaffected if the smirk he wore on his face as he leaned on his gnarled cane was anything to go by. He wore a loose fitting white robe with black trim and gold stitching. His gnarled face looked like worn leather and his white hair was almost the same shade as his eyes. He was not only a member of the Hyuuga clan council, but the village council as well. In just a moment these faces that now promised violence would be showing cowed in impotence. He loved the feeling he got when he watched people become subservient to him. Not even the Hokage or the other Sanin would dare say or do anything to him and relished the looks on their faces as they realized this.
"That monster," he began to say just before something happened to him that hadn't happened to him since he was a child. He was yelled at!
Naruto's face seemed stoic, but the perceptive could have made out the pain he felt in his eyes. Even the most perceptive however, have trouble seeing through their preconceived notions. Consequently even though perception is considered a Hyuuga strength, the old man couldn't see it.
It's a sad statement on human nature, but it is truly amazing what a human being can get used to. Naruto had dared to hope that things would have gotten better after his absence for two and a half years. Apparently he would have to prove himself, something he felt he was now equipped to do. He was going to do what he always did and ignore the man, but he remembered yelling at Hinata to get her to stand up to herself during the Chuunin Exam. He had said that it made the people watching her angry when she didn't talk back to Neji. But how could he face the strongest girl he knew if he was unwilling to do the same. He was about to send back a retort when something exploded inside Hinata.
She hadn't been half this angry when she had faced Kabuto, but after watching the villagers silently revile the one she loved, this old man had brought her to critical mass. She had heard of people seeing red when they got angry, and maybe there had been a bit of red tint to that first white flash. But now all she could see was black and white, mostly white.
Due to their unusual properties Hyuuga eyes could be scary. But if the look she fixed on that old man could kill, half of Konoha would have been turned into a smoldering crater. She had been the Hyuuga heiress for long enough to know who the old man was, she even knew his name. But at this point the quiet, unpresuming Hyuuga heiress was gone and in her place stood a woman who had been scorned for the last time! She was locked on target and was going to explode all over him.
"HOW DARE YOU!"
Hinata's voice was so venomous that some of those who were present at the incident still state that it was an attack intended to kill the old man where he stood. Hyuuga Kiree nearly fell off his cane. Naruto being the one closest to her nearly wet his pants. The remainder of their party suddenly turned to face the girl, shock evident in all of their faces. We'll assume that it was the poison still in her system that caused the experienced Jounin, Kurenai to become weak at that particular moment and suddenly drop to her knees.
"Naruto is NOT a monster, he's a hero! Just by breathing he's been protecting this village from… from… that monster since… since… he was a child!" Hinata screamed at the old man.
"The day he was born actually," the grey haired Sanin supplied softly.
Sakura turned and stared at the back of the old Sanin's head. Hinata's eyes were still trying to incinerate the old man. Kurenai was looking at Hinata and Naruto while Jiraiya and Tsunade were enjoying the look on the old mans face.
Naruto however, couldn't seem to lift his eyes from Hinata's feet. She knew. That fact seemed to reverberate in his head. Not only did she know, but she was defending him. Did that mean she didn't hate him? He didn't dare look up at her.
The old man was flabbergasted. In all his years no one had ever dared speak to him in this manner. He would have never guessed that that girl would have ever had the audacity to speak to him this way. Had he been less outraged, he would have probably taken it as proof that he was right in backing her as heiress during the last counsel meeting.
Pushing on his cane to stand up straight and attempt to over come the natural stoop to his back Councilman Kiree stood in a way that he hoped was regal. "Young lady, do you know to whom you speak?" the councilman asked.
"I appear to be speaking to a senile old man, Senator Kiree," was Hinata's reply. Few know it and fewer still know when it actually began, but several generations ago Hyuuga Clan Councilmen began referring to themselves as senators when not in public.
Hyuuga Kiree looked like he'd been doused with a bucket of ice-water. The old man sputtered. He wouldn't stand still for this. There was no way he would let that little girl talk to him this way.
"I don't know who broke the law to tell you about it, but it appears they gave you the same propaganda they have been giving us for years," Kiree stated while staring accusingly at Tsunade and Jiraiya. "But the truth is that there is no seal that could have protected that boy from the demon. It would have eaten his soul the very moment that it was trapped in his body. So…"
Hinata was about to quote the 5th Hokage directly, but Jiraiya beat her to it. Lunging forward he lifted the old man off his cane and brought him to eye level. The councilman's feet were dangling in the air as Jiraiya began to yell at him.
"How dare you suggest that my prize student would sacrifice the life of any child, let alone …!" Jiraiya was livid and it showed. He'd almost said something he shouldn't have. Shaking the man Jiraiya continued his tirade. "I've examined that seal myself and it's a work of genius! That fox is right where the Fourth left it and it is completely incapable of ever doing anything to harm Naruto." With one more shake Jiraiya forced himself to let go of the man, leaving him to fall unceremoniously on his backside.
Apparently oblivious to the altercation that just transpired, Naruto finally managed to look up at Hinata. His eyes betrayed him. Naruto hadn't looked as vulnerable the day he was born.
The sight nearly brought tears to all four kunoichi's eyes. Had Hinata not been so full of murderous intent she would have probably burst into tears and wrapper her arms around the poor boy. As it was the sight sent a chill up her spine and forced the anger out of her in an almost audible rush.
No longer driven by her anger Hinata couldn't help herself and smiled shyly at the boy who seemed so vulnerable as he stared at her needily. Seeing that sign of acceptance Naruto felt energized and a smile lit up his face. She knew and she didn't hate him!
Kurenai and Sakura were trying not to cry at the sight. Jiraiya wanted to take out his notepad, but knew it would ruin the moment. Tsunade did however shed a tear and was about to rush forward and embrace the boy when that annoying man choose to make himself known again.
Hyuuga Kiree wasn't as spry as he used to be. It took him a few moments to start to get back on his feet. He was outraged that someone would dare to manhandle him. He would not stand for this disrespect. The counsel would hear about this he raged to himself as he stood up more painfully than normal. He couldn't do anything to the Sanin right now, but that girl, it was her fault this had all started in the first place. He had the Sanin cowed before she had spoken up. He would let her walk away from this thinking she had won!
"It seems," the old man began in the calmest off hand manner that he could manage, "that I was wrong to have supported you young mistress." All eyes turned back to the man and stared at him in outrage as he continued. "Apparently your father was right; you are most definitely not suited to be the heir to the Hyuuga Clan. Yes, I believe I will be happy to support your sister as the heir."
The truth be told his decision to back Hinata in the Hyuuga Counsel had nothing to do with her competence or that of her sister. He had simply mouthed the fear that they all felt. Hanabi was simply too young to take over the position. The Hyuuga would look silly replacing the heir with one so young who had yet to do anything notable enough to prove she was the more worthy. They wouldn't have to do anything official until Hinata was 17 in a year or so, and if Hanabi hadn't done anything notable enough a few things could easily be arranged since their father wouldn't be expected to step down until Hinata was nearly 30. There was plenty of times to deal with things without the embarrassment that of turning down one heiress for another so young and unproven.
But right now Senator Kiree was quite happy that the counsel had overruled him. The look on this girls face as he so brazenly informed her would be priceless. "I suppose the announcement will be made in a few days, once your sister has had timed to rest from her most recent mission. Then you'll be joining the branch family I suppose."
The vindictive old man was right, the look had been priceless. However he was yelled at again. He was not quite so surprised this time. He should have expected it he told himself as Naruto bellowed at him.
"I won't allow you to do that to her!" Naruto's voice came out in rush.
"And how, pray tell, do you intend to stop it?" the old man asked through his snide grin.
Senator Kiree was beginning to chuckle to himself as Naruto obviously searched for an answer. Hinata's heart melted hearing Naruto stand up for her, while most everyone else just sighed, waiting for him to come up with an answer.
Naruto had spoken without thinking. He knew it was right and had therefore promised to do it without thinking about execution. Naruto placed one fist under his chin in a thoughtful gesture as he began to think about it, ignoring the sighs and chuckles he got. He totally missed the girl swooning off to his side.
Suddenly Naruto began to step forward to enter his own 'nice guy' pose to promise that he'd find a way. He was thrown off balance mid step, however when Tsunade began to casually address someone who had just walked up. Quickly regaining his balance Naruto turned to face her and was about to yell at her for ignoring him when he was about to say something important before he saw who it was that she was talking to.
Hiashi had to force Hanabi to go to the hospital. She had insisted that her wounds were insignificant. Her wounds weren't life threatening by any stretch of the imagination, but the girl didn't seem to understand that you didn't have to be at death's door before you got treatment from a doctor. He'd told her that the masses were easily frightened and quick to jump to conclusions. We can't have one of the Hyuuga Clan head's daughters running around injured. It would make the Hyuuga appear weak and that could cause the people to loose faith in the Hyuuga's ability to protect them. Even after that explanation he'd still had to all but drag her to the hospital.
Hanabi and Hiashi had just left the hospital. Hanabi was unhappy with the situation. She couldn't stand to be babied and she really couldn't stand to be treated as weaker than her sister. Most of her life she'd been compared to her big sister. She'd done her best to be as good as and better than her sister. She'd beaten her sister in numerous fights, she'd become a genin years earlier than she had, and still she was treated like a baby and dragged off to the hospital for minor injuries. She'd seen her sister in greater pain from practicing and no one forced her to go to the hospital. No, Hanabi was not happy at all.
They had not traveled two full blocks from the hospital when they ran into an argument. Several members of the Hokage's party were glaring daggers at Senator Kiree. What had Senator Kiree gotten himself into this time, Hiashi wondered? Kiree was notorious for getting into trouble.
The Hokage however was looking at him lazily. At least she had some sense of decorum unlike the barbarians she had deemed to surround herself as an escort. Hopefully they hadn't embarrassed Konoha with their actions. Hiashi had no idea why she had elected to take his weakling daughter, but at least she would know how not to embarrass herself in public.
Grumbling to himself Hiashi approached the group so he could diffuse this situation. The Hyuuga Clan didn't need an incident right now, not especially with the changes that were about to take place. He expected to have to interrupt the conversation, so he was completely unprepared for the Hokage's statement.
"That's an interesting bet you're making there Hyuuga-San," Tsunade said as casually as she could muster.
Hiashi never gambled, not with money or anything else he did. His actions were always calculated to give him exactly the results he desired without being subject to chance. Consequently he had no idea what the Hokage was talking about. That confusion and his surprise at being addressed while trying to think of a way to quietly break up this scene is probably why he couldn't come up with a response more intelligent than the barely audible "huh," he let slip.
Tsunade continued on, as if she had missed the clan head's confusion. "I realize that Hanabi is stronger that Hinata was at her age, but most Shinobi never become as strong as strong as Hinata is now, and she doesn't appear to have reached her limit yet. Are you sure that that's the way you want to go? Or is this a change in Hyuuga Clan doctrine, sending the strongest members to the branch family?" Tsunade's predatory grin hid the gears that were turning in her head. That maniacal laugh that she'd been making since they had met up with Naruto chose this time to escape her lips.
That grin and chuckle Tsunade had made was unnerving Hiashi. He wondered what she could have up her sleeve. Had he known what Tsunade was really planning he would have undoubtedly been irate.
Suddenly Hiashi understood what she was talking about. Senator Kiree had undoubtedly told her that Hanabi was going to become the heir. Seeing his other child for the first time Hiashi had to fight down his furry. If that man had told Hinata before the announcement he would have him removed from the counsel. No for this breach of protocol he'd have the man become part of the branch family.
Quickly making sure he had kept his composure Hiashi spoke, "Unfortunately, she is currently more powerful than Hinata."
"Really," Tsunade said smoothly in her best hustler voice. "Then I'll have to talk to her Jounin instructor to make sure she is able to take the upcoming Chuunin Exam. I'll expect to see great things from her." This time Tsunade and Jiraiya were both chuckling.
Hiashi didn't know what to say. He was confident that he knew which of his daughters was stronger and he was upset that the Hokage would dare suggest that he didn't. Tsunade's demeanor however made him hesitant. He was about to collect his family members and leave when the self-important Senator decided that he wouldn't be ignored.
"Really," the senator said in his most innocent voice. "While we definitely expect great things from our Hanabi, I don't see why you would if you were only comparing her to Hinata."
Ignoring the self-important, pompous snob Tsunade looked Hiashi in the eyes, a grin gracing her lips and continued. "So Hyuuga-san, do you think your daughter's ready for the Chuunin Exam?"
Clearing his throat Hiashi decided to bring this nonsense to an end. "I've spoken to her instructor and we both believe that Hanabi is ready for the Chuunin Selection Exam."
Furious about being ignored Hyuuga Kiree decided to get another dig in. "Unfortunately it is unlikely that Hinata will ever be ready."
Hinata hadn't been reacting to the conversation very well. Her body seemed to have a mind of it's own as it brought her arms up in front of her and tried to make itself smaller. She found herself biting her finger and holding back tears at senator Kiree's last statement. Senator Kiree would have been pleased to see the results of his taunting if he hadn't been furious for having been ignored.
Naruto was shocked to see Hinata change so suddenly. One moment she had been about ready to rip the Hyuuga guy's head off and now she seemed so hurt by the stupid man's comments. Naruto couldn't understand how some one so strong could suddenly become so vulnerable all of the sudden, but seeing it something inside of him snapped.
Having been made to feel worthless as a child, Naruto understand how Hinata felt. Some would say that after suffering so much as a child he felt that no one else should have to suffer. While this is true it's a simplification of the truth.
Naruto seemed to know several things instinctively. He knew that the greatest power man could possess, was the power to never give up. He knew that the most effective way to make someone love you was to love them first unconditionally. And most surprisingly since he had never received love as a child and sadly, possibly because of that fact, he knew that the most effective way to ease suffering was with love. Consequently when he saw someone suffering, his heart instinctively reached out to that person.
Some would say that love is the ability to derive happiness from the happiness of another. If this is true love has a very unfortunate side affect: feeling pain and sadness from the suffering of another. Had it been Naruto alone feeling the pain he now felt in his heart, he would have simply smiled and endured it, but sometime somewhere his heart had cataloged Hinata as one of his precious people and he wouldn't let her suffer.
Just as Hinata was starting to feel like running away crying Naruto couldn't restrain himself anymore. "What do you mean? Hinata took the Chuunin Exam her first year as a Genin!" Naruto yelled at the stupid man.
Hiashi began to usher Hanabi over toward the senator. This was exactly the type of incident he'd been trying to avoid. At least if it was only that boy yelling people would just assume that the monster was just making trouble again.
Feeling smug Hyuuga Kiree grinned and faced Naruto. In the voice he used to lecture people like they were children he replied. "It's true that Hinata took the Chuunin Selection Exam the first year she was a genin, but she obviously wasn't ready as evidenced by her performance. She was obviously carried by her teammates, both of which are now chuunin while she isn't. Further she hasn't taken the exam since they both became Chuunin. She's obviously too weak."
"She's not weak!" Naruto yelled. "Hinata's the strongest girl I know!" Jiraiya winced seeing the same vein pop up on Tsunade's and Sakura's heads.
"Maybe she's strong by your standards, but to the rest of us…" Suddenly Kiree's lecture was interrupted by the deep rumbling belly laughter of Tsunade and Jiraiya.
It had been a long time since Hyuuga Kiree had been yelled at, but he couldn't remember ever being laughed at; especially not to his face. Shocked he didn't really know how to react. Further he couldn't figure out what they could possibly be laughing about.
Before she had finished stifling her laughter Tsunade turned to Hanabi and said, "It appears you'll be having some stiff competition in the exam, since you'll have to face your sister."
Without hesitation Hanabi answered, "I can beat her."
Her father was only a second behind saying, "I was unaware that she had a team."
"Well it's been hard to find Genin in her weight class, but now that her last teammate has arrived the three of them will be taking the exam together." Tsunade replied casually, as if it had been her plan the whole time, as opposed to the truth that she had just made the decision on the spot.
"Weight class?" Hiashi asked lifting his eyebrows in a manner that was both questioning and disapproval if the statement had been meant as a slight.
"Strength," Tsunade said hurriedly. "It's just that now that there are only a couple of genin that are as strong as Hinata, so it's been hard to find a team that she won't unbalance."
"Well that's certainly nice of you to say Hokage-sama, but it's unnecessary," Hiashi replied brusquely. "We all know the truth," He continued. "Consequently Hinata will not be taking the Chuunin Exam this time."
"That's brilliant!" Jiraiya exclaimed. "If you keep Hinata from competing there's no chance that people will be able to tell that you passed up the stronger heir for the one that was easier to control. And sense she hasn't participated in the exam recently no one will expect a thing."
Hiashi began to show how flustered he was about this whole situation as he got a little red around the collar. Thanks to that vile senator he felt like had he'd been pounced on. Well, he'd deal with that old codger later.
"It's nothing of the sort," Hiashi retorted. "We simply don't wish to have further embarrassment tarnish the Hyuuga name."
Taking up the challenge Tsunade replied as casually as she could. Unfortunately her poker face was legendary; it had never fooled a soul. Grinning ear to ear she exclaimed, "Well, I guess it would be embarrassing if your new heiress got her butt handed to her by the old one!"
Unable to help himself Jiraiya burst into laughter. Hiashi put his shy daughter to shame as his entire head turned an incredibly bright shade of crimson.
Infuriated Hiashi yelled, "Fine, and who would my daughter's teammates be!"
"Why my apprentice Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto," Tsunade replied, daring Hiashi to say something about it.
Hiashi didn't object, but through grinding teeth asked, "And their Instructor?"
"Jiraiya," Tsunade answered simply.
Forcing a laugh before Jiraiya could complain the self important Hyuuga councilman stepped toward Hiashi finally closing the gap between them. "We see what you're trying to do, but it won't work. The Chuunin Exam isn't a test that a person's teammates can pull someone through, as Hinata's already proven. And the exam is in just under two months, not even Jiraiya-sama could teach her enough to pass the exam let alone beat Hanabi."
"Fine!" yelled Jiraiya, who was not about to have his teaching prowess questioned. He had trained the Fourth Hokage and now Naruto. If he could teach Naruto anything he had the patience of a saint as well as being a genius, if he did say so himself. "If Hanabi wins I'll train her as well."
"What is this, some kind of bet!" Hiashi yelled. "Do you expect me to decide the destiny of the Hyuuga clan on a gamble? I suppose you expect me to agree that if Hinata can surpass Hanabi in the exam that she'll remain the heir and Hanabi will join the branch family?"
"NO!" Naruto and Hinata had yelled as one.
"If it means that Hanabi won't have to be a branch family member, I would gladly take her place," Hinata managed to stutter out; now feeling abashed after being so bold.
Turning to face Hinata, Naruto began, "Hinata, no… You don't have to…" His voice caught in his throat as he saw her face. She was almost crying, but had steeled herself against the consequences of her decision. She knew what she was sacrificing and she was willing to do it. He couldn't let her be branded with that cursed seal, but how could he tell her not to help someone, especially if that someone was her sister?
"Actually the terms are much stiffer than that," Tsunade replied. "If Hinata wins, she will no longer be your daughter."
"What!" several voices echoed as one.
"You expect me to me to risk one of my daughters on a bet?" Hiashi asked shocked.
"If you know your daughters it wouldn't be much of a risk," Tsunade replied. "Besides it's not as serious as it sounds. She can keep the name until she's married and if you wish you may continue to provide for her welfare. Nothing needs change except that I will have final say over her welfare until she's of age."
"Why would you even want this?" Hiashi asked, scared for the first time in this whole conversation.
"Well I'm the last direct descendant of the First Hokage, and I don't have an heir," Tsunade replied. She didn't really care about an heir, though she knew it was something that Hiashi could understand. The fact that she had never had children did sadden her at times, but she was already making plans to spoil her grandkids. "Besides it wouldn't be much of a bet if once you knew who was the strongest you could make them the heir."
"What?" Hiashi and Kiree said in unison.
"It's not a bet unless you risk loosing something," Tsunade said as if explaining something that anyone two year old should know. And who knows, maybe she had been gambling that long, no one had ever dared to ask. "In this case if you win you make the strongest of the sisters your heir, but if you loose you won't be able too. Therein lies the risk you take being wrong."
Hiashi nodded his head as if he'd just learned something profound. Now that he understood gambling, he saw that in this case it was a way he could be even more right than he already was. He liked that. And for the first time he felt what a gambler felt when he was dealt a full house. He couldn't loose. He already knew what would happen.
Kiree had made many bets in his life, not that they'd ever been fair, and he saw something a little different than Hiashi did. He saw an opportunity to have the Hokage over a barrel. Now Hyuuga Kiree wasn't the type of person to ever be upset with himself. So it didn't even occur to him to berate himself for not seeing this Hokage's weakness sooner despite how obvious it seemed now. He immediately decided that he would use it to his utmost advantage, starting with getting back at the girl in front of him. He knew the perfect way to get back at a girl that would side with a demon against him!
Coughing to get everyone's attention the conniving old man began to speak. "It occurs to me that the terms of this bet are hardly fair. If Hinata wins, we loose a promising clan member."
"Now he says she's promising," Naruto grumbled to no one in particular.
"But when," Kiree coughed as he corrected himself, "I mean if we win we gain nothing we don't already have."
"We can and are already making Hanabi the heir, and while the offer to allow one of the legendary Sanin train her is of great value, it hardly compares to the life of a clan member."
Tsunade had known that this was coming. If it had just been Hiashi she could have probably gotten him to agree to a bet this one sided, but she didn't think she'd get away with it while the councilman was present.
"Well what stakes do you propose then?" Tsunade asked trying not to cringe at the hammer that she knew was about to fall.
"The demon child's life," Kiree answered before he was given a free one way trip across the street and into a post compliment of 'Old-Lady-Tsunade Aeronautics and Pain ltd.'
"What did he say?" Tsunade said, her fist still extended as she turned to face Hiashi.
Jiraiya couldn't help but shiver having been on the 'business' end of that fist before. Seeing the old fool twitching on the ground he hesitantly raised his voice. "Uh… er… Tsunade, maybe you should just stick to a single finger on men that old."
Tsunade just ignored him, but Naruto and Sakura both shivered at that comment. Seeing this they each turned to the other and pointing, shouted. "When did she?" they both said before they turned away embarrassed. Hinata and Kurenai both looked confused. Kurenai however, didn't look jealous. Jiraiya couldn't help but chuckle at the kids.
Meanwhile Hiashi was quite pleased, if a bit jealous. He wouldn't be able to get the simple satisfaction of beating that old man, but he was pleased that he had gotten what was coming to him. No, Hiashi amended, he was starting to get what was coming to him, but he would have to see to that later as he had an irate Hokage glaring at him.
Most sane men have a natural instinct that when the see an irate woman moving her face toward them as if to bite their face off, they try to placate them. Perhaps it was his Hyuuga pride or the rush of gambling for the first time, but Hiashi felt emboldened.
"I think you misunderstand what the councilman meant," Hiashi began.
"I better have!" Tsunade interrupted warningly.
"But he makes an interesting point."
"What!" Tsunade said angrily.
"If I loose, my family looses a member, it's only fair that if we win we gain a member."
"Naruto would become a Hyuuga?" Tsunade said as she quirked an eyebrow.
"He'd have to be a member of the branch family, but yes," Hiashi replied. Hiashi quietly congratulated himself. He'd finally be able to do something to get back at the demon that had taken away so much of his family.
Before Tsunade could thank Hiashi for his graciousness in offering one of the village hero's his eldest daughter, because how else was Naruto to join the Hyuuga clan, Naruto shouted out. "I'll do it!" Naruto's voice drowned out Hinata's protests.
Naruto finally found a way that he could keep both Hinata and her sister from getting that killer seal placed on their forehead. If he could make Hiashi agree to the bet, then all he had to do was make sure Hinata proved that she was stronger than her sister in the exam. He'd train with her until she was the strongest Hyuuga to ever live, if that's what it took.
It took Tsunade a moment to realize that Naruto had just agreed to wear the Hyuuga's mind destroying seal, not marry Hinata as she had been about to arrange.
"I won't allow it!" Tsunade yelled.
"I said I'd do it Tsunade-ba-chan! I won't take back my words!" Naruto yelled over both Tsunade and Hinata's protests.
"Do I have to use my finger on you again!" Tsunade yelled at Naruto. "I told you before that only a fool gambles with his life."
"I'm a ninja Tsunade-ba-chan!" Naruto yelled back. "Every day I put my life on the line not only for what I believe and the people I care about, but for people I don't even know!" Taking off his hitai-ate /the ninja forehead protector that all ninja wear/ he continued, "The only difference here is that I have less to loose." Then in an action that everyone present would remember for the rest of their live he offered it Tsunade and yelled. "If you're saying that I can't risk my life to protect one of my precious people from that cursed mark, than you're saying that I don't have what it takes to be a ninja!"
Looking at him Kurenai could see that that boy had grown. 'He's becoming quite the man' Kurenai thought, 'He'll be good for Hinata.'
'Naruto-baka has grown, it seems he understands what it means to be a ninja better than I do,' Sakura mused, 'He may one day be Hokage.'
'Every day I see a little more of you in him, Fourth,' Jiraiya thought. 'You'd be proud of the boy,' Jiraiya wished that the Fourth could be here to see what Naruto had become. 'You're wrong though Naruto,' Jiraiya though 'It has noting to do with being a ninja, it's about being a man.'
Tsunade didn't know what to do. She couldn't let Naruto risk his life like this. The Hyuuga seal is embedded deep in the brain. Officially the seal only sealed the Byuakugan after death but unofficially it could be used to both torture and kill by any Hyuuga main house member. It was how they kept the branch house subservient. It was also a crime, but because of how important the Hyuuga were to Konoha's defense, no one had ever challenged them about it. If they put it on him they would use it to torture him until one of them finally killed him on purpose or on accident. And Naruto probably knew it.
"This isn't like that Naruto," Tsunade pleaded. "You aren't taking your life in your hands, you're leaving it in someone else's."
"You just said that Hinata and I would be teammates," Naruto responded softly. "Teammates have to trust each other. They have to trust the other to put their life on the line to protect them." Then in a yell Naruto finished: "If you're saying that Hinata isn't worthy of that trust, then you better take our hitai-ate's from both of us!"
Hinata didn't know what to think or feel seeing Naruto put so much trust in her. Didn't he know that she always failed? How could he trust her? Suddenly a terrible thought occurred to her. He didn't trust her, he just didn't care. Maybe he even wanted to become a Hyuuga, it that's what it took to have a family."
"Naruto, you can't!" Hinata squeaked. "You don't know what that seal can do!" Hinata's voice was panicked.
Naruto's reply came out stark and cold. "Yes I do. It can kill me."
"But why?" Hinata begged of him.
"Because I trust you," Naruto replied calmly. "I wasn't kidding when I said that you were the strongest girl I know. I don't believe you will fail."
"But I'm not strong," Hinata replied. "I always mess up." Hinata couldn't bring herself to meet Naruto's eyes. She held her hands in front of her and turned her chin into her shoulder. "No matter how hard I practice I can't seem to ever do anything right when it counts," Hinata's statement was cut off by a sniffle as she began to cry. "Ever since Kiba and Shino became Chuunin, all I seem to be able to do is get people hurt; I keep having to be moved from team to team," Hinata said between an ever increasing amount of sobs and sniffles. Internally she begged him not to make her say more. When Naruto didn't speak up immediately, she begged him out loud, "Please don't let me hurt you too!"
"Hinata, a lot of people have reminded me that I'm not perfect," Naruto began reaching out to put his hand on her shoulder. His hand brushed her chin causing her to look at him. "Most of them were very rude about it," Naruto chuckled slightly before he continued. "One of them told me that I make a lot of mistakes, and I fail a lot, but she told me that I was a proud failure, because I have the strength to get back up." Naruto made sure to look her in the eye before continuing. "Hinata, that's what I believe real strength is, and I know you have it."
Now that he Hinata had made eye contact, Naruto felt he could let go of her shoulder. "Hinata, I believe that if you have the strength to get up every time you fail you will always succeed. I saw your fight with Neji. I saw you keep getting up no matter how badly he hurt you. You never gave up. That's what real strength is Hinata. Tsunade-ba-chan might hit harder than you, and all sorts of people might do all sorts of things better than you. But the strongest ninja isn't the one with the most chakra or the best techniques; the best ninja is the one that keeps getting up until they've won."
Tsunade wanted to cry. Why did Naruto have to grow up, why did he have to be willing to take risks like this for the right reasons. She could have stopped him from doing something stupid, but how could she stop him from doing something right? Thinking fast she realized that she could still use the marriage trick, she'd just spring it on him Hiashi as when he was by himself.
"Are you sure you want to do this Naruto?" Tsunade asked in the steadiest voice she could muster.
"Yes, Tsunade," Naruto replied. And turning back to Hinata he made his 'nice guy' pose, complete with his confident grin and said, "I know you won't fail," forestalling the objections that Hinata wanted to make.
Naruto was right, Tsunade thought. Hinata couldn't loose and even if she did Tsunade would make sure Naruto didn't get that mark. He didn't have a Byakugan to seal. She'd let them know that she knew what else that seal did and that if they tried to put that mark on her Naruto-kun she would do something about it. She'd put an end to it and see that everyone responsible faced punishment for treason!
Grinning maniacally she turned to face Hyuuga Hiashi. "You have yourself a bet," she yelled, entering her version of the 'nice guy' pose. Her version, however involved extending her hand out to shake on a bet.
Hesitantly Hiashi reached out to shake her hand. Hinata watched in terror. "I accept," her father said coldly. Hinata felt her world shattering; she would be responsible for the death of the person she loved the most in this world!
Hinata seemed to deflate as she watched a woman she had previously thought she could trust making a deal with her father that would doom the greatest man she had ever known. She felt powerless to save him. Feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders she was betrayed by a woman she thought she could trust, the Hokage.
"So, how will we determine the winner?" Hiashi asked gruffly.
"Well, the final test of the exam is a tournament," Tsunade stated what they already knew. "It would seem like the logical choice. It would be a simple matter to arrange for the two of them to face each other."
"It will have to be in the first round," Hiashi said brusquely, while giving Hinata a disapproving look.
"And if there's a need for an elimination round, we may wish to just let them through to ensure that they're able to fight in the finals," Tsunade said while giving Hanabi an appraising look. In truth she was trying to figure out how much she weighed. She was wearing a fairly conventional ninja uniform. It didn't appear to have places to hide weights. The advantages to using weights during speed training are immense, but it's primarily known for the advantages in strength and stamina. The Hyuuga fighting style relied primarily on their Byuakugan and skill. They seemed to feel superior because their fighting style couldn't be copied and that it was powered by finesse and not physical force. Tsunade doubted that they'd degrade themselves by using a training technique known primarily for enhancing strength. Hanabi's ghi was sleeveless; there were definitely no weights on her arms. Hinata's jacket probably weighed more than the little girl did.
"The dignitaries will probably want to see this particular match as well…" Tsunade trailed off thinking, before she began to chuckle. Her chuckling grew louder and louder until suddenly Hinata couldn't take it anymore.
"What are you laughing at? This is Naruto's life were talking about!" Hinata yelled; furious at the woman that seemed to have betrayed her.
"I'll be out of debt!" Tsunade exclaimed happily. "All the people I owe money to will be there! I'll be able to go double or nothing. Even better I'll be able to rake in…"
"What!" Naruto yelled out. "You can't bet on Hinata, you'll jinx her!"
"What are you talking about, Naruto?" Tsunade yelled back cheerily. "Not even I can loose this bet!" Tsunade exclaimed excitedly.
Kurenai and Hinata were thoroughly shocked, Sakura couldn't restrain her laughter, and Jiraiya tried with all his might not to laugh. Tsunade ignored them all. She was far to excited by the prospects of winning the biggest bet of her life.
Coughing, Hiashi interrupted them. He knew the Hokage's luck with gambling was horrifically bad. That must be why she thinks Hinata is stronger than Hanabi, he thought. She must just be comparing their size. Well she'd learn it's not just the size of the fighter that determines their strength, especially not with the Hyuuga's Jyuuken /Gentle Fist/.
"So I suppose the winner will the one with the first knock down," Hiashi said simply. In truth he didn't like having his authority questioned. He knew what was best for the Hyuuga as well as his children and he didn't like having anyone, even the Hokage, interfering with that. He would get this bet settled and leave, so that when it was all over he could teach her not to interfere with things that she did not understand.
"No," Tsunade answered as if shocked that he'd even suggest such a thing. "Didn't you hear anything Naruto said?" Tsunade asked. Seeing Hiashi's confusion, which was quickly turning into anger that he should have to endure that monster's presence, let alone listen to it. "The strongest fighter isn't the one that's less injured or the one that knocks the other one down the most. The strongest fighter is the one who is standing in the end. If the fight is going to determine who is strongest, than it will have to be a fight to the last man…" Tsunade stopped, reconsidering her wording. "Or in this case last woman standing," Tsunade amended.
"Very well, then it's settled, unless of course Hinata doesn't make it to the final round," Hiashi stated.
"I wouldn't worry about that much," Tsunade replied. "But what should we do if the little one doesn't make it? Should we just…"
"My NAME is HANABI and I WILL make it through this test all the way to the end and win your STUPID Tournament!" Hanabi yelled angrily.
"That's enough Hanabi," Hiashi said softly, but still silencing his daughter. "I propose that should one party not make it to the finals that party looses."
Tsunade didn't like it. She was comfortable that that if Hinata faced her sister in a one on one fight Hinata would win, but the first two portions of the exam could be pretty random. The stronger party could run across an even stronger team and leave those who are weaker to get through. She had hoped to avoid the issue and just make sure that they fought in the finals, even if one of them didn't make it. It was a chance she didn't want to make, but with Naruto and Sakura with her, Hinata should make it through. "Well then if you're sure Hanabi can make it to the final test, it's settled," Tsunade replied with as much confidence as she could project
"Very well then," Hiashi replied. Seeing his daughter glaring at the Hokage, Hiashi thought it was best that they finally leave. "We shall be off then," Hiashi stated casually as he steered his daughter away from everyone and back home. He'd leave Senator Kiree were he lay and let him or whatever 'good Samaritan' happened by to take care of him.
It was obvious to Hiashi that they thought that they could teach Hinata some kind of stamina technique to keep her fighting longer than Hanabi. The Hokage obviously didn't understand that since it was the internal organs being attacked by the Jyuuken, the first person to go down would always loose. There is no way to protect or toughen the internal organs, no amount of stamina will allow someone who is brought down by the Hyuuga's gentle fist to win, they would just be too badly hurt to put up enough of a fight. That was why all sparring matches only went to the first knock down. Well, if they wanted to go that way, now was just as good a time as any to start increasing Hanabi's stamina. By the time the Chuunin Exam arrived, he would ensure that his daughter could outlast any genin in Konoha!
Before Hiashi had gotten out of yelling distance Tsunade turned and yelled to him. "If I find any strange marks on my new heir when I win, I will be very displeased and I will thoroughly punish whoever is responsible!"
Hiashi didn't even turn around when he yelled back, "Yes Hokage-sama." He'd known that she wouldn't allow him to put the seal on his child if she won. That was probably what the misguided woman had wanted all along. He knew he should feel outraged at the interference, but he couldn't shake away his relief that he wouldn't have to put his other child through that yet. He couldn't shake the part of him that was saddened that now there would be no getting out of doing it once the Chuunin Exam was over.
The Hokage's party walked the rest of the way to the hospital in relative silence. Tsunade kept making thoughtful sounds as she went over their plans.
When they finally arrived Tsunade sent Sakura in with Kurenai. Still grinning she turned to face the two remaining genin. "Well you two make sure that you get enough rest tonight, because you'll be back on active duty starting tomorrow!" Tsunade beamed at them.
"Alright," they mumbled in unison.
"Hey, Naruto, what's with the depression, I thought you said you trusted Hinata with your life," Tsunade said loudly. "You weren't lying were you?" Tsunade demanded.
"No ma'am!" Naruto shouted, straightening up from the slouch he'd been in.
"And Hinata," Tsunade turned to face the quiet girl, "Make sure you don't beat your sister as bad as you did Kabuto!"
"Yes ma'am" Hinata shouted in reply, similarly straightening her back.
"Good! Your father's going to expect me to patch her back up if you beat her too badly."
"Yes ma'am" Hinata replied again.
"Good, now I expect to see you in my office at nine tomorrow morning," Tsunade continued. Suddenly struck with inspiration Tsunade grinned and added, "Oh and Naruto I want you to escort Hinata from her home tomorrow, so if you don't know where it is you better have Hinata show you." Not getting a rise out of Naruto she began to be concerned until he hesitantly spoke up.
"Uh, Tsunade-ba-chan, what team will we be?" Naruto asked completely throwing Tsunade off.
"What do you mean Naruto-kun?" Tsunade asked.
"I mean that we can't be team 7 without Sasuke, so what team will we be?" Naruto asked, only hesitantly saying his former teammate's name.
Chuckling Tsunade yelled dramatically, "From now on you will be: Genin Cell Alpha!" Tsunade spread her feet wide and with one hand pointed to the sky for dramatic affect.
Oblivious to the sheer hilarity of it all Naruto pumped his fist back and cheered. Unable to take it anymore Hinata started to laugh. Her laughter was therapeutic and after all the stress she'd just been through she couldn't seem to stop.
For a moment Naruto found her laughter hypnotizing. He'd never heard Hinata laugh before. He sat there staring dumbstruck seeing a side of his new teammate he'd never seen before. He waited until her laughter had died down a bit before he offered to go training with her. As they were walking away he offered to spend as much time training with her as she wanted. He promised that he'd help make her the strongest Hyuuga that ever lived if she wanted.
'Well the girl is certainly going to be spending a lot of quality time with him, but I wonder if this is really what she had in mind,' Tsunade joked to herself. With Hinata believing that Naruto's life was in her hands she'd probably open up a can of kick butt on her sister. Poor girl probably has no idea how big of a whuppin she is about to receive. Perhaps she would have to set up a couple of fully stocked surgical rooms in the stadium, just incase things got too brutal.
Grinning to herself, Tsunade thought that she had been dealt two of a kind that looked like they were forming up to be a full house.
End Chapter 2
Sorry about the length of time it took me to update, I had hoped to update sooner. When I was finally ready last night there were server problems, and I couldn't log on to upload. Ahhhh!
As I mentioned I personally don't like to see extended notes at the top or bottom of a story. And while I do want to answer questions or comments made by readers, I don't like to do so at the end of chapters. To this end I will answer questions and comments made in reviews in the review section. I have already done so once, and will continue to do so periodically. Just click on the number of reviews and look for long reviews made by KlosetAuthor for comments.
I would also like to state that I respect all the opinions of all of the reviewers and do not intend to make light of them. However, when I write analytically or about technical things I have a tendency to come of sounding disrespectful and rude. I do this while speaking too, but hopefully my tone of voice is there to let you know that I don't mean to be rude. Unfortunately that doesn't happen while righting. So if it sounds like I've disrespected your or someone else's opinion, I didn't mean to. I Promise I will not intentionally make rude comments and if I disrespect someone's opinion, I will not make comment. (However that doesn't mean that if I haven't answered yet that I don't respect someone's opinion.)
I have found that in literature that many people can take completely different, and some times opposite things out of it; just like life. Sometimes what you take out of it can be completely different, and better than what the author intended. (I've read some things written by authors that were completely full of KRAP, but seen people take good things away from it.)
Please stay tuned for the next chapter of Hinata's Story: Genin Team Alpha.
Hinata will face her father, secrets will be kept, and antes will be upped…..