Changes Changes Chapter Five Preparations, a naruto fanfic

Changes

AN: Someone asked for bigger chapters so I'll try to make them longer..

ALERT: English isn't my native language (far from it...)... There aren't any ortographic errors (bless word O.o) but the automatic correction doesn't include every grammar errors, so if anyone sees one too flagrant please tell me so I can correct it. Thanks

Chapter Five - Preparations

"Well… Hinata is better now, but she passed a rough night…" Naruto swallowed. Kiba sighed. "It's not like she's very injured… It's just because her backs hurt too much…" Shino smiled kindly at Naruto.

"But don't worry… She's strong…" Kiba scratched his forehead.

"We were lightly careless tough…" Naruto looked at him confused.

"Careless?" Shino nodded.

"Yeah… we found an opening to save you and she went… we should have waited a little until we got that tail out of service, but the truth is that you were already coughing blood because it was gripping you too much so…" Shino kneaded his leg for a little.

"Yeah that nasty thing got me too…" Naruto looked down and saw that Shino's leg sported a red marking, unmistakably Sasori's imprinted iron tail crossed in his leg. "Eh… and if you think this is big, you should see Hinata's… got it full in the backs… she couldn't find a position to sleep tonight…" Naruto looked away and Kiba let his hand rest behind his head as Shino shrugged.

"Ah but she was much better today… That ointment is sure something… Family things…" Naruto nodded.

"She gave me some of it in the Chuunin exam… It was pretty good…" Naruto sighed and let his hands rest behind his head. "Where is she anyway? And Sakura and your sensei…" Kiba grinned.

"Well Kurenai-sensei and Hinata are girls so they stay in another room…" Kiba motioned the room Sakura had entered earlier. Naruto chuckled.

"You shouldn't chuckle however…" they heard. Kurenai grinned as she closed the door and went near them. "Well you three must be hungry… It's past lunch time…" They all nodded. We'll go down to the kitchens and wait for them. Sakura is still checking up Hinata, to see if she has any small fracture…" They all nodded. Kiba whistled at Akamaru and the large dog barked happily, stretching.

"But she's okay, right?" asked Shino as they exited the room. Kurenai nodded.

"Yes… Just routine… Where is Kakashi by the way?" Naruto wrinkled his nose.

"H went to take care of some business with Baki, information about Gaara…" Naruto sighed nervously and closed one eye. "I hope Sakura is nicer to Hinata then she was to me though…" They all laughed as they went through the hallways, trying not to be too nervous and tense about Gaara's welfare. They descended a huge stone stairway and finally entered a large room, cafeteria like, where some servants were already raising the dishes and tablecloths. One of them nodded at Kurenai and indicated her a small table as she asked for a table for five people, and ordered out for everyone, sine Sakura and Hinata had both stated what they wanted to Kurenai. As they sat, Naruto's stomach rumbled and they all laughed, as he blushed grinning. The conversation got lighter, contrasting with the sore faces from some moments ago. Kiba and Shino related their Chuunin exams. Naruto laughed along with them, describing some places that he and Jiraiya had visited. 'I wonder if they'll take much more time…' Naruto though as he chuckled and looked to his left eyeing the servants hopefully.

"Hinata, Sakura!" Naruto looked to his other side, his eyes catching Sakura's brilliant smile as she winked at him and Hinata. Naruto exhaled a little as he stared at her. He remembered Hinata as a shy small girl that had short black hair, freaky white eyes (that Byakugan!), very timid, that stuttered and that always looked away when he looked at her. She was a very nice girl that he considered having a very kind heart. In a way, this was still the same Hinata. She still had black hair, but she had let it grow past her shoulders and now tied it near the nape of her neck. The fringe locks, large, unruly and mismatched, were falling over her forehead, some larger ones framing her face. The freaky white eyes were still there, but with this new hairstyle, they didn't seem that freaky. They even seemed sweet and kind. She smiled at him kindly, her cheeks turning a little red. Naruto grinned at her back, a small uneasiness clouding him. She seemed the same girl but still, she seemed very different and he didn't know exactly what to make of it or do with it.

"Hello Naruto-kun… Do you feel better?" Her voice was quiet and kind like he remembered. She didn't stutter or avoided his eyes anymore. That was good, Naruto decided, as Sakura sat on his side.

"Yeah don't worry about it… what matters is your backs… are they…" his voice trailed off as she shook her head and sat down, next to Sakura.

"They're fine, don't worry Naruto-kun, thank you…" She smiled at him again. Kurenai nodded approvingly, a smile playing on her lips. The servants quickly delivered their food, since the girls were there and the conversations were switched by the muffled sounds between the bowls or plates and the chopsticks as they ate. Naruto gulped down his ramen, even if he preferred Ichiraku's above all of the ones that he had ate in his travelling with Jiraiya. He guessed that home always tasted better.

"Yo!" Kakashi waved at them lazily and pulling a chair, he sat down next to Kurenai. Naruto looked at him nervously. Kakashi smiled at him faintly. "Yes Naruto, I have news about Gaara…" Everyone perked up and listened intently. "Gai and his team got lucky and were able to trace Deidara. We'll leave right away in their pursuit… We won't need to wait until tomorrow…" Naruto grinned and closed up his fists eagerly.

"Good! Let's get a move then!" Everyone nodded and rose up.

"Meeting in the Sand gateways in ten minutes…" Kakashi finished as everyone went to gather his or her personal belongings to their respective rooms. Naruto dashed upstairs, Sakura close on his heels. As they entered, Sakura noticed with apprehension that Naruto was too much nervous for his own good.

"Naruto calm down will you?" Naruto looked at her.

"We need to help Gaara…" Sakura nodded.

"I know, but we have to think rationally too, and for that you need to be calm…" Sighing heavily, Naruto throwed his things inside his pack without care.

"I know but still… Are you done?" Sakura pulled the zipper of her own backpack, then snatched Naruto's and turned it upside down, letting all his things fall to the ground. "Sakura!" she cringed inwardly, noticing his dangerous voice and the lack of the suffix chan on her name. Smiling a bit, she started to pack his things neatly.

"You should be more careful…" She heard him sigh and let out her held breath. She finally zipped his pack and gave it to him with a smile. Naruto nodded and slung his pack over his shoulders. "Now we're ready…" Naruto smiled sheepishly and both of them run as fast as they could to the meeting point.