Ch. 7 is finally up well I hope everybody enjoys it and sorry bout the long wait. As always feel free to leave reviews comments or suggestions. They can really motivate a writer. (hint, hint)
I do not own Naruto in any way shape or form, but if I did this is how it would go.
TARGET FOUND
Hinata, Kiba, and Shino were standing in front of Konoha's most prominent bath houses. There were other bath houses, but Kurenai didn't really give them any specifics. So this was the first one they thought they should go to.
"So what d'ya think Shino?" Kiba asked. Even though Kiba had at first always wanted to be considered the leader of the group he had long ago come to recognize that he was not meant to fill that role. He came to respect and trust Shino's leadership abilities. It was not only this that made him accept his role, but also Hinata's overall way of being. Sometimes he really wondered who was the real leader in their group, fortunately for him he didn't have the capacity to think too much so this never really bothered him.
"I've sent some of my bugs to the riverbanks to see if they spot anybody whose resemblance matches our target. This should allow us to conduct a more thorough search of the spas. Hinata, please use your byakugan to see if you notice anybody fitting our targets description around. Don't worry about checking the male spas Kiba can take care of that. I will go ask the receptionists if they have any information that may lead us to his whereabouts." Shino instructed everybody coolly and confidently. " We should meet back here in less than 20 minutes. This is only a cursory search and if we find him we should discuss how to proceed before engaging the target." He looked at Kiba. " So no impulsive behavior, we can't afford to make mistakes."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean!" Kiba responded.
"It means we should endeavor to take the wisest decisions." Shino replied. Hinata was already walking away looking around. Shino watched her walking away and said to Kiba, "You could still learn a thing or two from her, we should get moving as well." He started walking away leaving Kiba fuming.
Hinata was really not into the mission at all, but thought it would be easy to see the target if he were there. So she decided to just look around while thinking about how to give Naruto the gift she made for him. It had not been easy, but it helped pass the time. Plus she felt good thinking she was doing something for him he might appreciate. At times during his absence she felt very forlorn an wished she could go after him. Then she would realize how foolish her dreams were. She didn't even know who he was training with. For a long time she thought about doing something for him and her gift had been the solution. She absentmindedly took out her gift and started fidgeting with it. She started imagining how she would present her gift to Naruto and his reaction. She imagined herself presenting it to him with confidence and him showering appreciation and awe at her gift. The way her mind wandered it makes a nin wonder if she would ever walk back in time.
Naruto and Konohamaru were standing in front of the Ichikaru stand thinking about what to do next when a yell pierced their shallow thoughts.
"Naruto-kun, it's been so long." Naruto turned to see a blond haired girl rushing towards him with arms open. Konohamaru barely had time to move out of the way to keep from getting ran over as the girl ran past him. Naruto was in the motion of putting his hands off to hold her off, but it was to late. The girl ran into his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. The top of her head came to Naruto's nose and she decided it would be comfortable to lay her head on his shoulder.
"I-Ino-chan, is that you." Naruto asked. He quickly assessed what was going on and quickly returned the hug Ino was giving him.
"Duh, Naruto. Wow you've gotten so tall." Ino said, even though in her mind she thought he had become a hottie and his body was rock hard she wasn't about to tell him that. She inhaled his scent and found it very pleasing.
"Haha, yeah, and they say you have to eat vegetables to grow tall. Ha I showed them huh?" He looked down at his old friend and started sniffling. He remembered her in the spa with Tenten and thought it was great that she was giving him a hug like this to welcome him home. Unlike that crazy ass Sakura what the hell was wrong with that girl he asked himself.
Ino smiled at that comment. He hasn't changed at all she thought to herself. She was about to pull away from his embrace when he tightened his hold on her.
"Don't pull away yet Ino, let me enjoy this for a moment. I've always wondered what it would be like to be held in the arms of a beautiful woman." Ino blushed fiercely, but didn't pull away. I was wrong she thought, he has changed a lot. Her smile grew wider. Kakashi looked up from his book in surprise. He had just read that line a few pages ago in his Icha Icha paradise book. No way would he have ever thought that Naruto could successfully pull that line off and look smooth doing it. Yet, there it was. Damn that Jiaraiya, Kakashi thought, how well did you teach my pupil. He glanced at his other old pupil who seemed like she was about to explode for some reason. She walked closer to the pair like a predator moving towards its prey. Konohamaru seeing her moving towards them sneaked away hoping she wouldn't notice him and moved to stand next to Kakashi. As soon as Ino and Naruto broke their embrace Sakura grabbed Naruto by the hand and pulled him violently towards her and wrapped him up in a suffocating bear hug. With one arm under his underarm and the other arm around his neck. She leaned in close to his ear. She was a little bit taller than Ino so she could maneuver this easily and whispered into his ear.
"Hey Naruto, listen good. This is the first time we ran into each other, get it. What happened yesterday didn't happen, if anybody were to find out what didn't happen yesterday I would hate to think of what would happen." She squeezed Naruto even tighter as she said this, until she heard his bones creak. "Get what I'm saying old buddy." Naruto was purple in the face by now and nodded his swelling head. Inner Sakura was standing there with her arms crossed in front of her smugly smiling at her approval of how Sakura had handled the situation. Sakura let go of Naruto and said to him in a much friendlier and not to mention louder voice. "Naruto-kun its so nice to have you back."
Ino looked at her two friends once again totally confused as to what just happened. Naruto nodded his head and dazedly looked around. What in the hell is wrong with Sakura he thought to himself why is she so hell bent on being so mean. "Sakura, why are you acting so mean towards me."
"What do you mean Naruto, she just gave you a hug and said welcomed you home." Kakashi asked, he was now standing directly behind Naruto.
"WWAAAGGHH!" Naruto screamed as he jumped about a foot off the ground, totally surprised by Kakashi standing right behind him. When he calmed down again he was sitting on the ground looking up at Kakashi. "Nani, are you trying to kill me!"
Kakashi was mildly amused by Naruto's actions. "So do you let other people sneak up behind you so easily? You really haven't changed much Naruto. Like I was saying why would you say that about Sakura, isn't this the first time you two saw each other in about three years." Kakashi didn't know why, but he was starting to grow suspicious about his two former students. Were they keeping something from him, maybe he was just being paranoid he thought to himself. Sakura was staring very hard at Naruto, Inner Sakura was profusely sweating (don't say anything baka.)
Naruto didn't see why Sakura tried to threaten him. He would never admit to anybody that she was the one that knocked him out with one punch. After all it had been a very lucky sucker punch, had the situation been different she would have never pulled it off. He got up and dusted himself off. "I guess I thought she hugged me to tight and you know I kinda thought that was a mean way to greet a friend. Maybe she should have followed Ino's example, her greeting was much, much better." Naruto smiled widely at this. He winked at Ino and she blushed slightly and looked down. Sakura just stood there calmly. Inner Sakura was burning with rage fist clenched in front of her. ( How dare you belittle me in front of our comrades you bastard!) "By the way Kakashi-sensei I have something for you." Naruto took off his backpack and put it on the ground. He got down on his haunches and started searching for something in his backpack his face was really focused.
"What is it Naruto?" Kakashi asked genuinely curious.
"Ah, here it is." Naruto looked up with a smile on his face and pulled a book out of his backpack. Naruto got up and handed the book to Kakashi.
"I-is that the newest edition of Icha-Icha paradise?" Kakashi asked seeing the book Naruto was holding, his eyes were glowing.
Naruto nodded his head, "Yup, and it hasn't even been published yet. I asked Jiraiya-sensei for a few copies and he agreed to give them to me. He gave me three, I saved this one for you and have two more that I can do whatever I want with."
"Thank you Naruto this really means a lot to me." Kakashi wanted to open the book then and there and start reading it, but had to resist temptation and do what had to be done. He was still struggling with this decision when Sakura spoke up.
"You want me to break the news to Naruto-kun while you read your new book or can you do it?" She asked. Naruto, looked at Sakura with new interest in his face, wondering what it was that she could be talking about.
Kakashi looked at Sakura then at Ino and finally came to rest on Naruto. He sighed thinking to himself, well if I want to get to reading this book I might as well get this over with as soon as possible. With that he pocketed the book and spoke. "Well, Naruto the Hokage has asked me to assemble a team to accompany me on missions and seeing as how you have finally returned I have taken into consideration putting team 7 back together again."
Naruto was jumping up and down with excitement, "Hell yeah, that's awesome." Sakura and Ino were both smiling widely at Narutos reaction.
Kakashi put up his hand and continued. "Calm down Naruto, this is not something that is guaranteed. First you must be evaluated and if you and Sakura are deemed worthy then we can proceed to work together again."
Naruto and Sakura were both taken back by this bit of information. For some reason they both thought it would just happen neither had expected this development. "NANI!" they both asked in unison.
Kakashi looked at his former pupils exasperated and thought to himself these two still have a long way to go. "Even though I would like for us to work together for old time's sake. The situation has changed, you are no longer my pupils and the missions we would be taking would be of an entirely different nature. So you must prove yourself once again to be considered for this group." Ino nodded seeing the sense in this. Sakura was still standing there stunned, Inner Sakura had a downcast look (He doesn't think I'm good enough to be on the team) she looked like she was about to cry.
Naruto let out a loud laugh, "That's funny Kakashi-sensei, I thought as much." He was bluffing though the thought had never crossed his mind, but his confidence would never let him admit it. "Bring it on anywhere anytime I will not fail we will be working together before long." Naruto crossed his arms and stood in a determined stance.
"I'm glad to hear your enthusiasm Naruto, follow me I'll explain on the way." With that said Kakashi turned around and started walking. Unconsciously reaching for the pocket where he had his new book at.
Back at the bath house Hinata was walking towards their meeting place. She was about five minutes early but Shino and Kiba were already waiting for her. She wondered why they were there so early she wondered to herself. Did they think I wasn't taking my duty seriously, I did what I was supposed to do she thought. She quickly dismissed these thoughts and simply asked. "What happened?"
Shino replied. "I believe one of my residents has located our target near the riverbanks. We should proceed to investigate" Shino and Kiba turned around and started walking.
Kiba looked back at Hinata and said confidently, "Don't worry Hinata we'll take care of this mission, piece of cake. Ain't that right Akamaru?" Akamaru let out a deep bark in reply and they made their way.
They arrived at their destination with very little problem. Once there though Shino raised his hand, "This is strange one of my female insects stayed with the target so that we could easily find him, but it seems that my male insects are no longer picking up her scent." He turned around to face his two team mates and stuck his hands in his pockets. "It would appear that I will not be able to find him now, but we should be within the targets general vicinity. Kiba can you and Akamaru pick up and distinguish male scents out here?" Kiba and Akamaru nodded. "Very well, please guide us to all the male scents you can pick up and Hinata once we are near use your blood limit to verify the target." The first guy they found wasn't the guy he was just sunbathing by the river. The second scent they followed led them a little deeper into the forest. They were about half a mile from the river when Kiba stopped and pointed.
"There's someone directly in front of us." He said, Hinata stepped up and scanned the area with her byakuggan, but the area was clear. She looked back at Kiba with a questioning glance. "Look up, he has to be there somewhere, we can't pick out his exact location without getting closer." Hinata nodded. She looked back in the direction Kiba had indicated and started scanning up the trees. She was about to give up because she had almost reached the top and not seen anything when something sparkled near the very top of the tree. She focused harder and saw it was actually somebody up there. The stranger was sitting on a large scroll and looking through some binoculars. There was no doubt they had found there target. Unfortunately their target had found them with his binoculars as well.
Ch. 8 preview
Was Gaara's desert coffin enough to defeat the blond stranger? Who is this target team 8 found and what will happen? What will be of team 7? Find out in Ch.8
Please let me know if it was a good idea to put in a preview. Personally I think its kinda corny, but if everyone likes it I would be willing to keep doing it.