The strangest complaint I've gotten for this fic so far I think, has been 'not reading the fic anymore because Kakashi isn't teaching Sasuke'… uhhm… Sasuke doesn't HAVE the Sharingan yet. I'm pretty sure it's a moot point who he trains with before then…
Well, this is the chapter I've been wanting to write for a looooong time… so, here it is.
Now, if any of you are wondering about the team setup, it should be obvious by now that Team Seven remains an 'assault' squad; while Team Eight, with Hinata's Byakugan and Kiba and Akamaru's tracking skills, it remains a 'Tracking/Retrieval' team. Sasuke of course, acts as the team member that, in things like rescue missions, takes down the people holding the rescued person(s) captive while his teammates go about the rescuing. Plus the fact that his Sharingan can potentially be used to track fast-moving objects or targets, he can also be of use to the team in a proper respect as well.
Oh, and for all of those out there who think I said that Hinata is like a little sister to Naruto… erm… no. Hell no. What I said was that their classmates, teachers and friends simply started thinking of them and treating them like siblings. After all, that's how they acted near each other. However, to Naruto, Hinata is a best friend, not a sister. The same is also true for Hinata.
Also, if anything seems half-assed to you, just remember. It IS. I'm usually half-asleep when I get to writing. Plus, this is a pretty long chapter by my standards, and I've got parts I want to write. So, I may skip parts or leave out details… without even realizing I'm doing it. I also realize that I may tend to be a little… over-redundant at times… Sorry in advance… On with the chapter!
Knowing they were going on the same mission, Naruto (who still lived in the Hyuuga Compound) simply walked Hinata to Konoha's gates. They both knew that this was going to be… interesting to say the least, in light of the temporary team merger.
"NARU-BOYA!" Kiba yelled, literally tackling the blonde.
"Yeah… nice to see you too Kiba… where's your other teammates?" Naruto asked, still pinned to the ground.
"Oh, well, Teme's still in the hospital after me and Akamaru…" Kiba chuckled as he rolled off of Naruto and sat up. "Tried out a few new secret techniques on him…"
"Tsuuga?" Naruto asked, earning him a firm cry of 'DAMMIT!' from the Inuzuka boy.
"Sasuke-san should be out of the hospital by now… earlier this morning." Hinata said silently. "He may just be a little late, having less time to pack for the trip than we did…"
"And Kurenai-sensei's off rounding up your sensei…" Kiba added, at which Naruto and Sakura chuckled.
When they'd arrived, the only three absent were the two Jounin and Sasuke. Tazuna, Sakura, Shino and Kiba were already present. "So, you're the brats that're going to be escorting me?" Tazuna asked.
"What!? Do you have any idea who you've hired!?" Sakura yelled. "We've got an Uchiha!"
"And an Inuzuka, a Hyuuga, an Aburame, the future Hokage, and a banshee…" Naruto said, pointing to people as he listed them off. Needless to say, Sakura did not like being called a banshee…
Everyone showed their own mirth at this, save Sakura. Tazuna chuckled, Naruto and Kiba laughed, Hinata did her best to keep quiet, holding her hands over her mouth, and even Shino had an inescapable urge to chuckle, covering it up by placing his hand over his face and giving out a disapproving groan.
"Ne, Naruto…" Kakashi said, popping up in a puff of smoke. "I thought I told you not to make fun of Sakura… it's bad for the team dynamic…" Kakashi glanced around after finishing his sentence, as if he feared the use of the word 'dynamic' would bring some sort of green blur crashing into him…
Kakashi was spared this fate however as Kurenai and Sasuke appeared in a similar fashion. "Come now Kakashi… the boy is just having a little fun…" The woman said.
"It's her fault if she can't take a joke…" Sasuke added, much to the pink-haired girl's chagrin.
"Okay… now if we're done with the touchy-feely, we've got places to be, right?" Naruto asked, hands laced behind his head as he started walking through the gate.
As they walked, there was little to do but talk… Kakashi and Kurenai were following behind, discussing their various teaching methods, while Sasuke took point, Sakura close at his heels, Naruto was off to Tazuna's left talking to Shino (it was a rather one-sided conversation) which left Kiba and Hinata at the right of their charge. "Sooo, uh, Hinata…" Kiba said doing his best to act suave… "You have anything planned after the mission? I could pick you up one of these days for dinner or sumthin'…"
Hearing this, Naruto tensed, as did everyone there except Tazuna and Shino. EVERYONE knew how overprotective Naruto was. Kiba was just confident he could outrun the blonde… There were others, however, that saw need to intervene. Shino walked up beside Kiba, gently grabbing his shoulder and whispering something in his ear. As he walked back to his 'conversation' with Naruto, the Inuzuka stopped dead cold. All color flushed from his and Akamaru's faces, which was quite the feat considering Akamaru's fur and Kiba's facial markings…
"K-Kiba-kun…" Hinata said, blushing as she looked back at the boy. "Were you… asking me out on a date?"
At this the Inuzuka boy quickly jumped back to life… "NO! I… erm… I mean…" Taking a moment to think, he added; "I'm sure Sensei or Teme would like to come too, right?" He asked, looking over to Kurenai, who nodded, giggling under her breath.
The next thing to happen was two Mist ninja jumping out of a puddle, wrapping a bladed chain around Kakashi before tearing him apart. "One down…" one of them said.
"Two down…" The other said as they leapt toward Kurenai.
"THE CHAIN!" Naruto yelled, diving towards one of them to slow him down.
This situation didn't require thought, it required action. And Kiba was damn good at acting without thinking. "TSUUGA!" He yelled, propelling himself into a horizontal twister and smashed into the chain. It snapped almost instantly, and the Inuzuka boy skidded to a halt behind the foreign ninja. "FUCK!" He yelled, cradling his now-bleeding hands and forearms. That chain had BLADES you dumbass!!! He thought to himself.
In a close-quarters fight, Naruto had yet to meet his equal in anyone save Neji and Lee, who he'd started training with every so often when he had some time and Hinata was busy. His opponent found this out first-hand. The fight was over in three moves; Naruto grabbed the enemy's right wrist, smacked the other arm away with his right, and slammed his palm into the man's chest. Naruto watched as he slumped forward, coughing on his own blood. Naruto had crushed his heart under the weight of his chakra… it would only be seconds until he died.
The other was outmanned and outmaneuvered. And thus, he ran. The Mist nin was knicked or struck my several kunai and shuriken as he retreated, until of course he was clotheslined by the copy ninja…
Kakashi had merely to stick his arm out, and the frightened Chuunin ran right into it, flipping twice and landing face-down on the ground. "Well, then… it appears we have a bit of a problem…" Kakashi muttered nonchalantly.
---
Tazuna had been taken aside by Kurenai and Kakashi for questioning, as had the unconscious enemy under the Genin's watch when he regained consciousness. When the Jounin and their charge returned, they were suspiciously without their captive, leaving the Genin to surmise what had transpired. The ninja they captured was most likely dead.
"This has now been upgraded to an A-Rank mission." As Kakashi said this, the Genin were taken aback.
"However…" Kurenai interjected. "Two Jounin and six Genin should be able to handle a B-Rank mission with relative ease. An A-Rank should be simple enough to complete, although there is a very real possibility one or more of you would not come back from this alive."
Half the Genin swallowed hard. They could die? Shino looked impassive as always, Naruto looked downright excited, and Sasuke simply stood there looking dark and broody. Sakura and Hinata knew they weren't ready for something like this, and Kiba knew damn well not to underestimate the Genjutsu Mistress' words. He'd made that mistake once before… never again.
Kakashi sighed. "We have decided to let you six decide whether or not you want to continue on this mission, knowing the risks. We have confirmation we'll almost certainly be facing more enemy shinobi. We will only accept a unanimous decision, or we turn back."
As his cyclopean sensei said this, Naruto could feel something welling up inside him… Fear, sadness, anxiety, and most disturbing of all, excitement. "Kakashi-sensei… are you insane?"
The masked nin looked down onto his student's face. He hadn't expected Naruto to be the one to back out, but he knew someone would've, all the same. "Well then, that settles that…"
Much to the contrary, Naruto looked confused. "We took this mission, and I'll be damned if we're not the ones to finish it." He retorted. "I do NOT back down from a challenge, and I know for a fact that I won't lose to ANYONE that gets in my way." Glancing around, he saw that the others were starting to share his sentiments. Even Sakura and Hinata seemed empowered by his words. "Go ahead and go back if you want, I'm finishing this mission, dammit…"
To everyone's shock, Naruto started walking down the road, signaling a confused Tazuna to follow him. The old man hadn't complied, but he certainly wanted to. Kakashi sighed. "Anyone want to turn back now?" As each of the other five Genin shook their heads, Kakashi cursed under his breath, and took out his book. "All right then, shall we?"
Kurenai nodded, and lead the group to catch up to Naruto.
---
Before leaving the Land of Fire, they decided to make camp before leaving on the boat to Wave. They had three tents; Kurenai, Sakura and Hinata in one, Kakashi, Sasuke and Tazuna in the second, and Naruto, Shino, Kiba and Akamaru in the third. Naruto volunteered to collect water and firewood, and with his Kage Bunshin, did so quite easily. While he was gone, however…
"What the hell, man?" Kiba asked as he sat down in their tent, all but glaring at Shino, who lay motionless on his sleeping bag. After a few moments, Kiba was all the more enraged by his silence. "Why shouldn't I-"
"You know very well why you shouldn't court Hinata." Shino said suddenly.
"Well, HE hasn't made a move yet, so what's the problem!?"
"Whether he has or not is not the question, but rather, whether he WILL or not is. As his friends, we must respect his relationship with Hinata, and wait until they've had ample time to decide who they want to be with." Only a handful of other times had Shino ever spoken so much in one breath. Kiba knew better than to argue with the Aburame boy, especially if he was feeling talkative about the subject in question…
"Tch… like I'm going to wait that long to find out if she's going to be single or not…" Kiba muttered angrily.
"You have a better idea?" Shino asked.
"Do YOU?" Kiba asked, before backing away from his friend in shock. He honestly felt sorry for Naruto now, and wished he didn't want anything to do with Hinata… It was never a good thing to see an Aburame smile…
---
Several hours later, just after sunset, Naruto and Hinata were sparring atop a nearby stream. Although the sun was below the horizon, the sky still shone with a brilliant glow, more than enough to see by.
Sasuke was further in the forest, running up a tree while trying to stick to it with chakra. Damn that Naruto… He thought. Making me look like a fool in front of the Hyuuga…
(About two hours earlier)
Sasuke walked up to the stream to get more water, when he saw Hinata giggling as she watched Naruto struggling to stand atop the rushing water. "Dammit, Hina-chan, this is NOT like the pond back home!" Naruto griped.
"Dobe, how the hell are you doing that?" Sasuke asked, causing Naruto to spin around in confusion before plummeting face-first into the water.
"DAMMIT TEME!!!" Naruto roared.
"Sasuke…san." Hinata muttered, walking over to the bank. "Uhhm… it's an advanced chakra control exercise… I could teach you the basic form if you like…"
(Present)
And thus did Sasuke start trying to run up the side of a tree… he felt like an idiot, but it was working in the manner his teammate described, so he couldn't complain. The only reason Naruto already knew water-walking was, in his own words; "You don't live with the Hyuuga for half a decade and NOT learn anything about chakra control, baka-teme…"
Sasuke really hated that blonde buffoon…
---
Elsewhere, Naruto and Hinata were being watched as they finished their spar. "You sure this is gonna work?" Kiba asked, to which he got a curt nod from his accomplice. Putting his plan into action, Shino led Kiba out of the brush, and slowly walked to where their targets were conversing. Naruto and Hinata, after greeting their friends and teammates, went back to their discussion on revising their training regiments, oblivious to the actions of the two closing in on them. The two split up, and walked around the pair, Shino behind Hinata, and Kiba behind Naruto. "Oops…" Kiba muttered.
Before they could realize what was happening, Naruto's lips were smashed against Hinata's. Kiba and Shino had given them a 'nudge' which entailed a firm elbow to each of their backs. Kiba and Shino were gone, leaving their bewildered targets locked together. By pure reflex, Naruto and Hinata grabbed the nearest thing they could to keep themselves from falling; each other. Naruto's hands were firmly placed over her upper arms, and Hinata seemed to be gripping his upper waist. It was a few moments before they pulled apart and turned their backs to each other, blushing profusely. What neither of them would admit is that nearly a split second after they were thrust together, their lips were parted by the recoil of the impact. In truth, they'd leaned together slightly in the confusion. The first kiss was an 'accident', the second wasn't.
"Is it working?" Kiba asked.
"We shall see…" Shino answered, although he wasn't looking at them at all. Kiba noted that what Shino was really looking at was the small orange book from whence this 'plan' originated… Shino had skimmed through it once before, though Kiba couldn't force the admission out of him. Earlier, however, Shino had swiped the book from his sensei, and was currently reading it intently.
"So that's where I put it…" A masculine voice from behind them said lackadaisically.
"…Sensei." Shino muttered, without bothering to look up from the book.
"You… erm… saw the whole thing, then?" Kiba asked.
"As a matter of fact, I did." Kakashi said in the same droll tone.
"About damn time, really…" Kurenai said from her seat in the trees above them. "At the rate they were going, they'd be my age before they figured out they're perfect for one another."
"Come on, sensei, you're not that old… right?" Kiba said, causing Shino to back a good three feet away from him. They were sure the boy would've been in a world of hurt if Kakashi hadn't spoken up…
"Quiet, they're talking…"
---
"H-Hinata…"
"…N-Naruto…"
Neither would look the other in the eye. In fact, neither of them would even move… Both were as red as they could be, and both were wracking their brains for exactly what that kiss meant… of course, in the shock of it, neither remembered the fact that they were pushed together, but that was beside the point… they just kissed… Sure, back when they were kids, they'd peck each other on the cheek every once in a while, but that was before they knew exactly what kissing meant. As far as 'real' kissing went, it was a first for both of them. All of the kissing, touching, and bathing together that went on between them ended abruptly when they got 'the talk' and neither of them thought to bring it up again.
((AN: I seriously HATE putting notes in the middle of a chapter, but I feel I should explain this… Yes. Naruto and Hinata continued to bathe together occasionally until they were eight or nine. It was a simple matter of being that comfortable around each other. Hikari wasn't bathing them any longer, so she let them do as they wanted. If nothing else, she thought it was endearing… They never really meant anything by it, that's just the way they've always been around each other))
"Hinata… I'm sorry…" Naruto started, turning back toward her, his face still flushed red.
"N-no… It must've been my fault somehow…" Hinata said, her countenance in the same condition as Naruto's. "Don't blame yourself…"
"Well, I'm still sorry, okay? Listen, we should get some sleep and just try to forget this ever happened, ne?" Naruto said, and at Hinata's nod, the two began walking back to camp.
Kiba's jaw threatened to hit the ground. This made no sense to him. How dense could Naruto BE!? Before he knew it, he'd dashed out of his hiding place and all but screamed at the boy. "KISS HER AGAIN YOU FUCKING IDIOT!!!"
Naruto and Hinata stopped dead, staring at Kiba. "…What?" The two asked in unison, Naruto more than just slightly louder than Hinata.
Kiba groaned. "This is why I hate matchmaking; it never goes the way I want it to! Now, do I have to spell it out for you!? KISS HER DUMBASS!"
"Wha… why would I?" Naruto asked, his face flushing red in full force once more, as did Hinata's.
Kiba slapped his palm to his forehead. "Oi… a little help here?" After several yips and barks from Akamaru, Kiba doubled back in shock. "Even I'm not stupid enough to say THAT!" At which Akamaru gave the canine equivalent of a shrug.
"Naruto…" Shino said, walking up next to him and Hinata. "It is quite obvious to anyone with even substandard intellect that the feelings between you and Hinata are not strictly platonic in nature."
The blonde could barely keep himself from falling on his ass at this. "You're implying I want to BANG Hinata!?" Naruto yelled, easily gaining the attention of every one of their travelling companions.
Hinata had to sit herself down before she heard any more, burying her face in her hands as various strings of thought passed through her mind along the lines of 'Why does Kami-sama hate me?'
"No, YOU'RE the one who implied that…" Kiba said, "But if you really want to, we can-HEY!" He yelled as Kurenai began dragging him away by the hood of his jacket.
Shino sighed. "What I meant was that you and Hinata are far more than mere friends."
"Of course we are! She's my best friend!" Naruto yelled.
"That is not what I meant, and you know it, however reluctant you are to accept it." Shino said, pushing his shades further up the bridge of his nose in typical 'smart-guy' fashion.
"Dammit… Hinata! Talk some sense into him!" Naruto said, knowing he was losing this war of words.
Hinata simply stood up and walked away. She was headed back to camp, or more specifically, to the 'girls' tent. Naruto was dumbfounded as Shino patted his shoulder, clearly smirking from Naruto's, and ONLY Naruto's vantage point, before he too resolved his features and walked back to camp. Sasuke, although he'd stopped training to watch from a distance, had never shown himself. And Sakura was still at camp with Tazuna. Naruto was, at present, alone.
Dropping to his knees, Naruto leaned back slightly with his palms covering his eyes, and took three deep breaths… before 'calm' was mercilessly ripped from his vocabulary. "FUCK!" He yelled, now leaning forward while gripping tufts of his unruly hair. What if they're right? What if I LIKE Hinata? Holy fuck… what if I LOVE Hinata? Deep breaths, deep breaths… meditate like Kurenai taught you… dammit, like that's going to HELP… Okay… think… DO you like Hinata?
"Do you like Hinata?" A voice mirrored his thoughts. Naruto looked up to see his sensei standing over him.
"How the hell should I know?" Naruto asked, before taking three more deep breaths and continuing; "Sensei… do you know how to tell if you like a girl?"
---
As Hinata made her way back to camp, she saw the battered and unconscious form of Kiba on the side of the path, and stopped briefly to heal any wounds he'd sustained from Kurenai's wrath, as well as check up on the cuts from the bladed chain she'd healed earlier.
Afterwards, she continued on her path to the camp, entering the girls tent and zipping up the door behind her. By some amount of luck, Kurenai was inside setting up sleeping bags and organizing packs. To the Jounin's utter surprise, her student practically tackled her, wrapping her arms around her waist and planting her head firmly in the woman's bosom. Kurenai knew from her experience with Hinata that this meant she was extremely uncomfortable with something, and needed emotional support. Hinata hadn't done it in years, though…
"What's wrong, Hinata?" Kurenai asked as she stroked the girl's hair.
"I… I think I like Naruto…" Hinata answered, her voice understandably muffled by Kurenai's ample chest.
"Well that makes sense… I've known you liked him for a while now…" Kurenai said, causing the girl to look up at her with nothing less than sheer horror. If Kurenai suspected it, who else did?
Hinata slumped back into her original position, safely cradled in her sensei's motherly figure. "…fuck…" she muttered.
"Now Hinata… you know you shouldn't talk like that…" Kurenai said. Honestly, Hinata had thought she wouldn't hear her…
"I know…" Hinata muttered. "But honestly, if we do start dating and it doesn't work out…"
"He'll still be your friend…" Kurenai said, lifting up Hinata's face to look her in the eye, only to see that the girl was starting to tear up. "Have a little more faith in him." She added, smiling brightly.
"But… I don't know if I like him that way…"
"Ohhh, I think you do…" Kurenai said before plucking a small pink book from one of the bags and flipping it open, skimming through it until she stopped on a particular page. "Hmm… 'Today was the most fun I've ever had. I wonder if me and Naruto-kun can be together forever, but I'm sure he likes someone else by now…'" Hinata looked up at her sensei in terror. "'After what mom told me when I asked her about IT, sometimes I have to wonder if he's still-'…" Kurenai stifled the urge to laugh, making it come out as a rather unladylike snort. "'-as well proportioned as he used to be." At that, Kurenai couldn't hold in her laughter any longer as Hinata snatched her diary away from the older woman, whom she was now glaring at furiously.
"That's NOT nice Kurenai!" Hinata yelled. Kurenai was able to tone her fit down to light chuckling before Hinata let a smirk form on her lips. "Don't make me tell Asuma…"
Kurenai gave her student a playful scowl before smiling again. "Oh alright… I won't read your diary again… but how else am I supposed to keep up on your life? We never talk anymore! And I thought we talked about you calling me Kurenai-sensei now…"
"Okay, Kurenai-sensei, we'll talk more often." Hinata said, wiping the remaining tears from her eyes. "Starting with… umm…"
"…How to 'hook up' with Naruto-kun?" Kurenai asked. At Hinata's bashful nod, Kurenai couldn't help but smile. My shy little Hina-chan is still in there… Kurenai thought. She just seems to be growing up so fast… slowly becoming more outgoing by the day. I think I need to have a chat with Hikari about just what to 'train' Hinata in… Kurenai donned a wicked smile for an instant before her face flushed with horror and immediately became impassive. Damn… I'm spending WAY too much time with Anko lately…
---
Hikari was right… asking another guy these questions was a LOT less awkward than talking to a woman about it…
Naruto and Kakashi spent the last half hour discussing love, relationships, dating, hormones, sex, and just about anything a boy should be able to ask his father about. He was the boy's sensei after all, and as Naruto was an orphan, Kakashi figured he was probably the closest thing to a 'father' figure Naruto had…
"Well, as long as you understand it's best to wait a few more years at least, then everything's fine…" Kakashi said. Naruto had decided he liked Hinata. 'Love' could wait until after four or five dates…
"Yeah… I… guess I can talk to Hinata after we get back home." Naruto said, rubbing the back of his neck and grinning slightly.
"Alright then, back to camp we go…" Kakashi said, by now, Naruto had been around his sensei long enough to tell he was smiling.
---
After Sasuke and Sakura dragged Kiba back to camp, and everything was set up including three logs around a fire along with the tents, as well as battle strategies should they be forced to fight another shinobi. Kurenai was thoroughly impressed with the strategy used to trounce Kakashi in the bell test, and even made sure to voice her awe as she watched Naruto and Shino train with the Kage Bunshin Kikai swarm, or the 'Kage Kikai no Jutsu' as Naruto called it. Shino decided Naruto liked naming things a little too much. Shibi also voiced his praise at the strategy a few days prior when they showed him. He also made sure they knew that Naruto is possibly the only person in Konoha who can do it. Kikai bugs drain miniscule amounts of chakra even if they aren't ordered to do so ('nibbling' as opposed to 'gorging' was Naruto's analogy) and thus even if anyone else can stand to evenly split their chakra between each of their Kikai-covered selves, they would most likely be unable to fight effectively afterwards. Naruto's unrivaled stamina is the key.
In the end, everyone stayed up talking about themselves, with Naruto and Kiba occasionally trying to get Shino to drink some of Tazuna's liquor. He bluntly refused every time. Surprisingly enough, Sakura and Hinata seemed to form one of those 'girl bonds' that simply baffled Naruto and the other male Genin. Sure, they were 'friends' in the academy, but Hinata was one of the few girls that didn't chase Sasuke around everywhere, so they never spent much time together. Kurenai glared at Kakashi, who was reading his trademark orange book while Shino read over his shoulder. Every so often, a perverted giggle would be heard from the Jounin, but more surprisingly is that half of those were accompanied by a poorly suppressed perverse giggling from Shino as well… She'd seen the Aburame boy around quite often, as she regularly stopped by the Hyuuga compound where Naruto, Kiba, and Shino would often hang out, or when the boy came to train with them since he had nothing better to do. Frankly, she'd never seen him so open, even if by normal standards, he was still bottled up in his own little world. She also had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he was apparently a closet pervert…
Naruto and Hinata did their best to avoid each other all night. It wasn't that they didn't want to talk to each other, but rather, neither had any idea what to say. Naruto at least, had a plan. He'd ask her out as soon as he was damn sure Hiashi wouldn't be tempted to kill him for dating his daughter… Not many people knew it, but she was already getting marriage proposals from various dignitaries across the country, and a few in other countries… Naruto was little more than a petty commoner in the eyes of politicians like Hiashi. Sure, Naruto was Hinata's best friend. Sure, he's proven himself to be a strong, trustworthy individual. And hell, he and Hiashi had even bonded somewhat over the years… but he was sure that wasn't enough to earn his daughter's hand… If there's one thing Naruto knew about the situation, it was that Hiashi wouldn't see the 'dating' aspect of it. That's just the way politicians like him think… He'd undoubtedly take it not as 'permission to date his daughter' but 'asking if it's okay to marry her'. Naruto utterly HATED political shit...
Sasuke was already sleeping as this all occurred, and soon the others decided to do the same.
---
The next day wasn't very pleasant, to say the least. The morning was spent in almost deafening silence, the tension in the air was so thick. The biggest problem they had all morning was the fact that there was only one boat. This was easily remedied as those who could walk atop water decided to do so, leaving Tazuna, Sasuke, Sakura, Kiba and Shino as the only passengers.
That was, of course, until they reached their island destination. About two hours after reaching the once peaceful and prosperous Wave country, they were ambushed. "DOWN!!!" Kakashi roared as a massive blade cleaved the air where their necks had been.
"Hmm… You're better than I thought you'd be… I'm surprised I didn't even manage to kill at least one of your pathetic Genin with that attack…" A man said, appearing on the blade's hilt after it embedded itself into a tree.
"Momochi Zabuza… A-Rank missing-nin from Kirigakure…" Kakashi said under his breath.
"Hatake Kakashi… A-Rank Jounin of Konohagakure…" The man answered.
"Okay, now that the introductions are over, can we just kick his ass already?" Naruto asked.
Everyone, even the missing nin in question looked at the blonde with surprise. "Are you simple brat?" Zabuza asked. ('Simple' is a nice way of saying 'retarded')
"Nah, but you'll be when I'm done pounding your skull in!" Naruto replied mockingly.
"We'll see about that…" Zabuza said as he brought his hands together. "Kirigakure no Jutsu…"
Naruto immediately leapt into action. His vision blurred by the mist Zabuza's Jutsu created, he found need to use an area damage technique. "Katon: Housenka no Jutsu!"
As the flurry of fireballs sped into the mist, the distinct sound of a tree cracking and falling into the water was heard. After that and Naruto's curse for missing, however, there was silence. Until of course, Sasuke got fed up with the thought of his nemesis surpassing him… "Dobe, how the hell do you know Housenka!?"
Naruto shot the Uchiha a confused glare before answering; "Do you have any idea how many jutsu are in the Hyuuga library?"
Sasuke was taken aback. He really had no idea… but he wouldn't let them know it, as he passed his actions off as an enraged scoff.
"You know…" Zabuza's voice permeated the mist, strangely echoing as if it was coming from all around them. "I was told there would be a single Genin cell… three runts and a Jounin…" He chuckled. "But that doesn't matter, I'll kill you all just the same…"
"This guy's a Jounin…" Naruto muttered. "Which means only me, Kakashi-sensei and Kurenai-sensei can fight him head on…" The two Jounin looked at the boy skeptically as he said this, knowing that with the boy's unnatural knack for strategy, he was probably right… "Shino… can you do defense?"
The young Aburame's featured donned an intense hue of surprise and understanding as Naruto said this. (Intense by Aburame standards, at least) "I believe so." Shino answered.
"Good…" Naruto said, jumping back next to Shino and Tazuna. "Everyone gather 'round…" The Genin did as instructed, except for Sasuke. "You too, Sasuke-teme, unless you want to die..." At this, Sasuke begrudgingly complied. Naruto stepped away from the five other Genin huddled around their charge as Shino's Kikai flooded over him. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
As Naruto and his nine clones dashed away from the swarm, Shino began forming them into a dome over himself and those near him. "Ne… Naruto!" Hinata yelled as she watched the wall of bugs form between them. "Naruto…"
"Goin' up against a Jounin… I don't envy him…" Kiba muttered, Akamaru yipping in agreement.
"You are SO insensitive!" Sakura yelled, moving over to Hinata's side in the confined space. The Kikai dome had compressed significantly, thickening its walls by an equally significant degree. "He'll be fine, Hinata…" Sakura put a comforting hand on Hinata's shoulder as she heard the all-too-familiar sounds that marked the beginnings of an emotional breakdown.
"I hope you're right…" Hinata said sadly.
---
Ten Narutos were squared off against an equal number of Zabuzas. The sounds of combat could be heard in the distance as Kurenai and Kakashi did battle with the real Zabuza and two more Mizu Bunshin. "Now that I think about it…" Naruto muttered. "Mizu Bunshin can't use Jutsu… can they?" Each Naruto brought his hands up into a familiar cross-shaped hand seal. "Giving me the advantage… Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Each Naruto made four more, ending with a total of forty-nine clones crashing over Zabuza's Mizu Bunshin like a massive wave as the original dashed off to aid his sensei. When he arrived however, he found a dire sight. Kurenai trapped in a ball of water as Kakashi held off two massive blades to either side of him with two kunai of his own. Naruto's eyes widened when he realized the two Zabuza clones were slowly pushing Kakashi down into the water. Naruto himself barely realized he'd acted by the time he was skidding along atop the water, having just bisected one of the Mizu Bunshin. Kakashi took this opportunity to slash his kunai across the remaining Zabuza clone's stomach.
"Kakashi-sensei…" Naruto muttered. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine…" Kakashi answered, panting slightly.
"I'll go on ahead then…" Naruto said with an oddly conspicuous wink before charging Zabuza head-on, throwing several shuriken ahead of him.
"Tch… idiot…" Zabuza muttered, easily deflecting the shuriken with his free hand, the other still holding Kurenai's water prison together. Before Naruto was two meters from him, however, Zabuza felt a sharp pain in his left side which signified he'd been impaled. With Naruto's overly blunt actions, he hadn't bothered to watch Kakashi, who was now crouched behind him while holding the kunai jutting from his abdomen. "Basta-" Again, he'd fallen for an obvious ploy, as Naruto's foot struck the side of his face, sending him sprawling across the water's surface.
Naruto, Kakashi, and the now free Kurenai were about to continue their charge when two senbon needles appeared in the side of his neck. As he slumped over onto the shore, a small figure wearing a mask caught him, quite a feat for such a small build. "Hunter-nin…" Kakashi muttered.
"Yes. I am quite grateful to you for your… aid… in this man's demise." The figure said.
"By 'aid' you mean 'thanks for wearing him down and distracting him, now I'm going to take all the credit' right?" Naruto griped.
"That's just the way some things work out…" Kurenai said. "Get used to it…"
As the mist began to fade away, Naruto saw a glint in the water, and went to investigate as Zabuza disappeared with his 'exterminator'. Kakashi and Kurenai decided it would be best to return to where the rest of their respective teams were, and left Naruto to do whatever he was doing…
"Sakura, have Shino let down this barrier." Kakashi said as they found the dome.
"How do we know you're really Kakashi-sensei, and not just some guy in Henge?" A voice said from within the dome.
The Jounins sighed before hearing a familiar voice. "Hey guys, look what I found!" Naruto, or rather, three Narutos said as they carried a massive sword instantly recognized as Zabuza's up from under the water. "Can I keep it?"
"Can you carry it?" Kakashi asked in retort.
"Uhhhm…" Naruto said before dispelling his clones, and after a few moments of trying to lift the massive blade, added; "Nope…"
Kakashi sighed again before hoisting the blade over his shoulders with a grunt and secured it to his back. "Now, about this matter…" He muttered, turning back to the mass of bugs.
"Oh, that's easy…" Kurenai said, giving them both a malicious grin that caused them both to step back. "Hinata, are you in there?"
"Yes…" They barely heard, muffled by the wall between them.
"Oh, well, there is a little known fact that Naruto and Hinata used to be quite… Intimate a few years back…" She said, making sure to say it loud enough that everyone inside heard. Naruto flushed red instantly, getting a wry glance from his sensei.
Sakura huddled up next to Hinata and asked, without even trying to hide her girlish need for gossip; "Is that true?"
If at all possible, Hinata pulled herself into an even tighter ball than she had previously, nodding. "Aww shit!" Kiba roared before falling to the ground in a fit of laughter. Sasuke and Tazuna looked impassive, but both were secretly curious as to why the hell kids that age would be 'intimate'.
"Okay, Shino… you can let up on the bugs now…" Sakura said, patting her teammate on the shoulder, knocking him out of his self-induced trance.
Still blushing heavily, Naruto sternly asked "Can we PLEASE start moving again?"
---
(I know, horrible of me, but I'm going to be skipping a lot of stuff here. I'm sorry, but if I tried to write it all, I'd get bored and it'd never get done…)
It wasn't long before they reached Tazuna's residence, met his daughter Tsunami and grandson Inari. Introductions having been made, Kakashi and Kurenai instructed their Genin to train while they guarded Tazuna and the bridge. Aside from Inari's apparent emotional distress and Naruto and Kiba's blatant attempts to cheer the boy up, the Genin's days consisted almost solely of training. Each of them had their own private 'self-training' time, during which Sasuke continued his tree-climbing exercises, Kiba sparred with Akamaru's 'Kiba' form, Sakura doted over Sasuke until he convinced her to do the same training (and was thoroughly irked when she completed it before he did), Hinata practiced her Jyuuken while water-walking, Shino trained his 'Kage Kikai' control, and Naruto kept going over a jutsu Jiraiya had shown him around when he graduated from the Academy. Needless to say, the Rasengan was no small feat to master. It also explained why he'd passed out from chakra exhaustion the night before…
Naruto awoke to find his forehead protector was being assaulted by vicious jabs from a small stick, held by who appeared to be a local villager. "HWAGGAH!" Naruto exploded, knocking the implement of his pokey doom away before flying back two feet from shock alone.
"Oh, so you're not dead…" The effeminate villager asked. "You know, you shouldn't sleep outside… you'll catch a cold."
"Oi… who are you?" Naruto asked.
"My name is Haku."
"Pleased to meet you…" Naruto said, covering his face haphazardly with one hand before adding under his breath; "Thank you so much for scaring me shitless…"
"You're welcome." Haku replied, knowing that Naruto had no intention to be heard. "So what's your name?"
"Naruto…" He answered, rubbing what little sleep was left from his eyes before yawning. "Uzumaki Naruto…"
"Well… that's an interesting name…"
"Not really… It's not common, but I'm sure it's not rare either…" Naruto replied.
"What were you doing, sleeping out here?" Haku asked.
"Training… I guess I passed out from working too hard..." He said, rubbing a hand over his face once more for good measure. "What're you doing out here?"
"Gathering medicinal herbs…" Haku answered, sitting down while holding up a basket partially filled with various plants. "Tell me, why do you train so hard?"
"Well, I guess I…" Naruto stopped, hearing his name called out in the distance. A moment later, Akamaru came through the brush, closely followed by Kiba.
"Hoy, Naruto… Where've you…" Kiba instantly grew silent when he saw Akamaru walk towards Haku, who began vigorously petting the small dog. "Helloooo, and who might you be, beautiful?"
"My name is Haku… and I'm a boy."
Kiba's brain abruptly shattered. "No fucking way you're a guy…"
Haku chuckled. "Last time I had to pee, I'm pretty sure I-"
"I GET THE PICTURE!" Kiba roared, clapping his hands over his ears and turning away.
Haku openly laughed as Akamaru yipped along happily. "Well, you kinda' asked for it… uhhm?"
Akamaru barked loud enough to get through Kiba's closed ears. Lowering his hands, Kiba turned back towards Haku. "Oh, uhm… Kiba, and this is Akamaru."
"Nice to meet you…" Haku said cheerfully, taking Akamaru's paw and shaking it, while nodding to Kiba.
"Oi… Naruto… everyone's worried about you. I think Hinata's about to explode from worry… Kurenai-sensei had to knock her out with a Genjutsu to keep her from freakin' out over you not bein' there when she woke up." Kiba said, Akamaru yipping along at parts for emphasis.
"Wow…" Haku muttered, smiling brightly. "You're lucky to have a girlfriend who worries about you like that…"
About halfway through Haku's sentence, Kiba began waving his arms in a placating fashion, a hint of fear etched on his face as he tried to shut Haku up without speaking himself. This, however, failed miserably. "HINATA IS NOT MY…" Naruto exploded, jumping up off the ground before blushing slightly as he realized how routine his claim of having no romantic interest in Hinata was. Sighing, he sat back down and muttered under his breath; "I guess… she really is my girlfriend, huh?"
"She will be as soon as you ask her out, idiot…" Kiba scoffed. It didn't help that he himself had romantic interest in his teammate. Of course, he had romantic interest in just about anything with a menstrual cycle, but he wouldn't admit it. ((AN: If memory serves, Humans are the only animals that actually have this sort of reproductive system. I might be wrong, in fact, I probably am, but I just thought that was a hilarious way to describe Kiba's odd infatuation with any girl between the ages of 12 and 20… XP …Oh, and before you all get on my case about it, yes. Humans are animals. Unlike the rest however, we have egos, and don't see ourselves as such))
"Oh, umm, heheh… sorry about that..." Naruto chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Apologize to Hinata, not me…" Kiba muttered as he turned to walk away.
"Yeah…" Naruto said, standing up. "I guess I'll see you 'round Haku…"
"Yeah, bye…" Haku replied, waving slightly.
As Akamaru ran to catch up to Kiba and Naruto, who were walking back to Tazuna's, Kiba laced his fingers behind his head and sighed. "Honestly, man… about Hinata… if you don't tap that soon, I'm gonna'…"
Naruto stopped. "Wait, what?"
---
Hinata was nudged awake by Naruto, who bore an apologetic smile. "Heh… sorry about that… fell asleep training."
"N-no, it's okay, Naruto…" Hinata said, smiling. Glancing over towards her sensei, Hinata had to wonder why she was examining a bruised and bloody Kiba… She was shaken from her thoughts, however, when Akamaru jumped up onto her lap. He was conspicuously unharmed in comparison to Kiba… ((AN: If I haven't explained this already (not going back to check… too lazy) Hinata and Naruto have known each other for years, and have even gone a bit beyond the whole 'friends' thing… her leaving 'kun' off his name shouldn't be all that surprising, seeing as lack of an honorific signifies one is a close friend of whoever they're talking to. In fact, married couples often continue to call each other 'san', 'kun' or 'chan' despite the manner of their relationship. Hinata and Naruto are VERY close, thus, no 'kun'))
"So, we have no idea when they're going to attack again?" Kurenai asked as Kakashi walked into the room.
"Nope…" Kakashi replied lazily. "Let's just keep up what we've been doing, and everything should turn out fine."
Naruto and Hinata watched as Kurenai nodded. Zabuza and his partner were still out there, and they had no idea when they were going to make their move…
---
Two days later, and Naruto had once again passed out after training his Rasengan. He'd tried not to, but he couldn't help how exhausted he felt… plus he might get to meet Haku again… Naruto still had some questions to ask the odd child…
But, unfortunately, when the morning light woke him the next day, he was alone. Groaning as he rose to his feet, Naruto made his way back to Tazuna's. The way the teams were split up was simple; four here, four there. Kakashi and Kurenai, along with two of the Genin, were stationed at the bridge during the day, while the other four Genin stayed behind to 'guard' Tazuna's residence. Truth be told, however, they did little more than continue their training…
As he walked back to the house, he curiously wondered where everyone was… If he remembered correctly, it was Sasuke and Kiba's turn to guard the bridge, leaving the question of where Shino, Sakura and Hinata were… When he reached the house, he found the door kicked in, and at first glance, it looked to be ransacked. Hearing screams inside, Naruto dashed through the open door, instinctively ripping through the side of a samurai thug with a kunai. "Who the fuck…" The other started, before having that same kunai smashed into his windpipe. Naruto didn't like being angry, but Hinata was missing, and until he knew she was safe, he didn't care what he had to do to find her.
"Now…" Naruto said, lifting the surviving mercenary up by his throat while the man was clutching his side fiercely, trying to keep his insides inside him. "Where is everyone? The other shinobi that were here… Tell me now or you'll wish I'd killed you as quickly as your friend…"
The man was whimpering, sniveling, crying… honestly pathetic. "I…I don't know! I was told to grab the girl! Please don't kill me! I'll do anything, anything!"
"Nah, I don't think so…" Naruto muttered, squeezing the man's throat until he passed out, tossing him to the floor. "Here…" Naruto said, tossing a spool of ninja wire to Tsunami. "Tie him up with this. We'll question him later after I've-" Naruto stopped when he heard a noise down the hall. "Stay here…"
When Naruto made it to the 'boys' room he and the other male guests were staying in, he saw Sakura lying unconscious on the floor, and a masked shinobi holding Zabuza's zanbatou. "Hmm? You…" The faux hunter-nin said as Naruto stepped into the room.
"Where are Hinata and Shino?" Naruto asked, masking the anger in his voice, but still glaring holes in the enemy. "Why did you and those thugs attack here?"
"I have no idea where your other teammates are…" The effeminate nin said. "And as for the attack, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't give me that bullshit!" Naruto hissed.
"My mission here is simply to retrieve my master's sword. Their appearance here is mere coincidence." The masked ninja replied, forming a hand seal before turning to mist and flowing away.
"Mizu Shunshin…" Naruto muttered. It only took him half an instant to realize where the masked nin must've gone… the bridge. "FUCK!!!" Naruto roared, sprinting through the house at top speed. When he saw Inari, he slowed down for an instant to say; "Yo'! Take care of things here for me, would'ja? You're the man around here after all!" before dashing away, leaving a stunned young boy in his wake.
By the time Naruto had reached the bridge, it was all but a warzone. Kiba and Shino were facing off against two Zabuza clones, obviously formed before the return of his blade, as they lacked theirs. Kakashi and Kurenai were dealing with Zabuza, able to keep him at bay without sustaining too many injuries. What really caught Naruto's eye however, was the fact that Sasuke and Hinata were standing within a dome of ice mirrors. They were easily deflecting the hundreds of Senbon and ice needles raining down on them by using Hinata's Byakugan and Jyuuken, and apparently Sasuke's activated Sharingan…
The two of them were back-to-back. Naruto hated to admit it, but Sasuke and Hinata made a pretty good team… It didn't matter to him how strong a team they made, however. All he cared about was Hinata's safety. Naruto rushed towards the ice mirrors at full tilt, fully intent on protecting her. "Hinata!" Naruto yelled as he reached the mirrors. In the half a second it took her to shift her gaze to him, her body was punctured by dozens of needles. Sasuke, noticing this, shared a similar fate now that his back was exposed. "HINATA!!!" Naruto screamed, diving towards her. Naruto didn't even bother to try and hide the fact that he was crying, his shoulders shuddering with violent sobs, making noises befitting a child less than half his age as he took her fallen body in his arms. Pressing her body against his, he didn't care that several of the needles embedded in her body were now impaling him. He didn't care. Hinata was dead. As far as Naruto cared, so was he.
'Ne, gaki…' A long forgotten voice in Naruto's mind said. Naruto didn't have the mental stability right now to force him away, and in the past year or so, he hadn't needed to. 'What are you going to do now?' Naruto paid no heed to the voice, instead, he pulled Hinata away from him, the Senbon in his stomach and arms sticking slightly before remaining in Hinata's body. Looking at her face, he couldn't help but think she looked like she was sleeping… her eyes were closed, and her features were completely calm… serene… It was then that he decided; he loved her. He always had, and always would. Placing a soft kiss on her lips before gently laying her back down onto the bridge, Naruto stood, looking over to the figure in the mirrors. 'THAT BASTARD KILLED YOUR MATE! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT!?'
Again, Naruto paid no heed to Kyuubi's voice. He barely even registered that anything was talking to him. He had only one thing on his mind right now… "I… am going… TO RIP YOU LIMB FROM LIMB!"
Haku only had one thing to think about while watching Naruto in the following moments… Kami… what have I done?
Red mist-like chakra flowed over Naruto. His face grew feral, and his eyes glowed red while the chakra congealed into a single billowing tail flailing violently behind him. 'Now that's a good boy… have fun.' Kyuubi laughed maniacally within Naruto's mind. The boy was berserk, and Kyuubi had just given him enough power to wipe Wave off the map.
Within the time it took Haku to consider retreating, Naruto's tail smashed itself into the mirror Haku was currently occupying, and wrapped itself around the masked ninja. An evil smirk rose over Naruto's features as he smashed Haku through two more mirrors before they were dispelled. Naruto wanted to break all of the mirrors with the nearly limp body his tail held… his fun was just ruined, and this was making him mad. Naruto plunged the now unmasked Haku into the stone railing at the far side of the bridge. Satisfied with the 'squish' and cracking of stone he heard from the body, Naruto decided to crush what was left of the one who killed his Hinata. Or rather, would have if he hadn't taken his tail away to block several kunai flung at him by Zabuza.
Naruto didn't like this man. This was the superior of the now squishy enemy that had killed his woman. This man, too, was going to die. Letting out a bestial roar, Naruto leapt into the air. When Zabuza saw this, and that he was the boy's target, he brought his zanbatou up to block whatever strike would come, however…
Naruto's hand passed right through Zabuza's massive blade, leaving a giant claw-mark in the side of it before plunging his claw through the missing-nin's right shoulder. Grabbing the now severed arm by the wrist in his left hand, Naruto swatted Zabuza away with it like a club, letting the momentum carry the limb right over the side of the bridge as he released it. As Zabuza flew backward, he was caught from behind by Naruto's clawed right hand, and kicked back to the other side of the bridge, towards the incomplete end. Naruto appeared in front of the missing-nin once more, smashing his elbow into the man's left shoulder, instantly rendering it useless. Naruto lifted the man up by his limp arm, about to snap it in two as a spear flew through the air towards them, the blonde effortlessly knocking it out of the air with his tail. Naruto flung Zabuza back towards Kakashi and the other Konoha shinobi as he turned towards the short, fat man who'd thrown it, and the hundred or so mercenaries behind him.
This was the second time he was interrupted when he was about to deal the finishing blow. SOMETHING was going to die… Naruto leapt into the air, bringing his tail and arms down on the bridge directly in front of Gato. The resulting explosion sent shrapnel into the crowd, and caused the entirety of the bridge in front of Naruto to collapse, sending the third of the mercenaries that survived, and the corpses of the others falling into the water.
When Naruto turned around, the sight that greeted him left him shocked and immovable for an instant, even in his berserk rage. Kiba and Shino, his two best friends aside from Hinata, were standing between Naruto and their respective Jounin with kunai drawn. They were both afraid, that much was clear… Akamaru was injured, and now lying unconscious beside Kurenai, leaving Kiba alone, and shaking so violently he could barely stand. He honestly looked one wry glare shy of shitting himself. Shino was less obvious, but obvious nonetheless. He too was shivering openly in fear. Naruto couldn't believe it… his friends had turned on him? Why? What had he been doing until now? And why was Hinata…
Everything came flooding back to him. Everything he did under Kyuubi's rage, every blow he struck, and the look on Hinata's face as she died… Naruto stumbled backwards as the red chakra flowed back into his seal, holding his head as if in pain before stumbling off the edge of the bridge.
The last thing Naruto knew was the cold water flowing over him…
Okay, while I was writing this chapter, I found that there's a word in my laptop's dictionary 'Kutenai' and 'Kutenai's', and since the 'R' and 'T' are right next to each other, it could wind up a typo here if I misspell Kurenai. If I do, please tell me so I can edit it.
Another question I was asked via review was 'what is Naruto wearing?' because I never actually stated whether or not he was wearing the same damn outfit… Frankly, it's probably going to be a moot point, as I think I'll change his outfit in a few chapters… for now just assume he's wearing a significantly less outstanding variation of the jumpsuit, similar to the post-timeskip canon version. (I'm just too lazy to come up with something new right now…)
Heheh… sorry about leaving off there… kinda' evil of me, eh? I thought I was gonna get further with this chapter before ending it, but this seemed like an excellent place to put a chapter break… Eh, I'll just start writing the next chapter, and see what I put where…