Chapter Two

Tense Introductions

There was a thud as Hotaru cast her bag to the wooden floor roughly. It slouched against the bed. Her smoky eyes glanced about the room disapprovingly. The house, if it could be called that, which they had been led to, was small and part of a larger complex—obviously this is where they housed many of the Chuunin Exam students. Within their compartment was a small entry way to leave shoes, then a small kitchenette and a simple bathroom to the right, and to the left was one room which occupied four beds. The entire place was confining. Homes were overrated. Truly, who would want to live within these small cupboards while the world passed by outside?

There was suddenly a weight on her shoulder and Hotaru's eyes glanced up sharply. Hibiki stood beside her, his hand on her shoulder and his other offering money to her and the twins who were now watching. "Don't eat anything too unhealthy—you want it to stay down during practice tonight."

With a slight scoff Hotaru took her share of the offered money while the other two stepped forward to receive theirs. Did Hibiki really think that they were that childish still? They could withstand training without losing dinner. "When and where?" She asked.

"Eleven. Find the training fields. You're free to do what you want—but don't leave the village." Hibiki said as his eyes bore down the twins.

Tsukiko laughed quietly, her voice musical, "Where else do we have to go sensei?" She brushed some of the stray locks of hair from her face. Her eyes looked upon Hibiki almost challengingly. His only response was a narrowing of his eyes.

Hotaru inwardly bristled, was it truly that difficult to show their teacher just an ounce of respect? "Careful Tsukiko." Hotaru cautioned with an icy breath her warning clear in her gaze that bore the other girl down.

Tsukiko only laughed again though took no opportunity to challenge her. Ken'ichi was staring back at her unflinchingly, "Let's go." He announced quietly walking away from the small group assembled. His sister followed after him a bemused smile trailing her lips all the way out the door.

"You should stop that." Hibiki admonished from across the room as he rummaged through his bag.

"I don't know what you're referring to." Hotaru replied with a detached tone.

"They don't understand Hotaru. They probably never will."

Hotaru didn't reply to this and instead walked out of the house without another word. Her eyes blinked uncomfortably as they attempted to adjust to the blaring sunlight. Konoha's busy life bustled about her on the streets and she unconsciously stiffened, scowling. It was rare that she found herself amongst so many people—it was suffocating really. All she wanted to do was go back to their life before this. There was nothing wrong with living in those woods and off the tropical islands between the Fire and Water country. It was peaceful there—most of the time. Her eyes glanced back towards the house where Hibiki was still inside. Why had he brought them here? It couldn't be for the reasons that Tsukiko so clearly believed.

"He's running away." Tsukiko had whispered, her voice on the verge of giggling. That mad smile was spread across her face and sparkling in her eyes.

"Hibiki doesn't run away. There's no need to. We've won every time they come." Hotaru had said defensively, though her voice too had been lowered as they ran through the woods.

"Then why is he running to the Fire? We've never needed a countries help before. Hibiki has always been adamant about his view on such establishments."

"It never hurts to have allies."

"Allies?" Tsukiko had actually laughed at this, "Hotaru dear, there is no such thing. I think you're letting that father daughter relationship taint your judgment."

"He isn't my father. I don't pretend that he is."

"He raised you. It's natural to assume he is your parental figure." Tsukiko had said so casually that Hotaru actually had to glance at her to confirm she had spoken. She then shrugged and focused her eyes keenly with Hotaru's own, "Remember Hotaru, the only people you can respect are the ones you can't kill."

Tsukiko had not been the creator of that philosophy; instead she was a believer in it—like all Himuras. In fact the one who had taught it to them was Hibiki. Did that mean Tsukiko's growing lack of respect towards him was her thought that she could kill him? Hotaru chewed on her lip. Tsukiko was not someone to be trifled with—but that didn't mean Tsukiko had the power to kill Hibiki. Was the girl mad enough to think she did? Hotaru shook her head mildly back and forth just enough to disturb the tresses of her hair. After this dismissive action she moved away from house and into the crowded streets.

.....

The sunset in Konoha seemed to be the marker of dinner time. Hotaru noticed that as the sun began to slip down the small children were called inside and many families were returning home. The restaurants on the other hand now seemed to be abuzz with life clearly marking their establishments with brazen lights in the failing darkness. "Well, that's convenient." Hotaru mumbled to herself unable to fully admit that she was growing increasingly frustrated with her lack of success in finding dinner. As she made this observation her attention was directed away from the dumpling shop she was nearest to and instead towards the obnoxiously loud voices tainting the air.

"Ah, come on Sakura-chan!" The first thing Hotaru noticed about this boy was that he was easy to spot in the darkness in what appeared to be a nearly fully orange suit. His bright blonde hair was like a beacon. In his defense his companion was even less conspicuous in her pink attire and hair. Raising an eyebrow Hotaru noticed on further observation that they were novice ninja. This was the future of the Fire's ninja? Hopefully that Hokage was smart enough to accept her team for the sake of the Fire's reputation.

"Go away Naruto!" The pink haired girl, Sakura, shouted back in defense her distaste for the boy evident. "I am looking for Sasuke-kun!"

With a condescending laugh Hotaru pivoted deciding to turn left and avoid the new comers all together. Instead of her avoidance technique working she now stood facing another boy about her own height. Unlike the other two novice ninja's his attire was at least darker in appearance and his black hair seemed to not be such an eyesore. In fact he probably wouldn't have been that bad to gaze on if it weren't for the sour expression he was wearing. His arms were crossed defiantly and his gaze was mildly piercing—she was sure it would have had more of an effect if she hadn't grown up surrounded by that particular gaze.

"I take it your Sasuke-kun?" Hotaru chuckled quietly, nonchalantly letting her hands rest on her hips.

Sasuki acknowledged this with a narrowing of his eyes. Hotaru inwardly laughed at the numerous glares she was receiving today. "Who are you? What are you doing in Konoha and why are ninja following you?"

Hotaru felt her lips quirk slightly up into a smirk. "No one ever taught you manners did they?" She mused aloud as the chatter of the other two novices' grew louder in approximation to their location. Sasuke didn't seem amused by this comment and in fact didn't even pretend to acknowledge that she had spoken at all. "It must be frustrating that I don't have companions shouting out my name to answer your question."

At this Sasuke made some form of a growl in agitation as his eyes flickered towards Sakura and who Hotaru guessed was Naruto. "Hey Sasuke!" The blonde shouted, though why he needed to shout was unclear, after all he was right next to them. "Sasuke, who is this?" Naruto asked eyeing Hotaru peculiarly but choosing to behave as if she weren't standing there.

Hotaru ground the back of her teeth together at the boy's blatant disrespect but Sakura's tone of disapproval interrupted her thoughts, "What are you doing with Sasuke-kun?!" It seemed the pink haired maiden had quite the green eyed monster.

At the barrage of voices Hotaru found her demeanor turning similarly into Sasuke's, she even made the same condescending sound with her tongue. "I'm going to dinner." She thought this statement was rather dismissive of their presence, she even added action as she turned ever so slightly to walk around them.

However it seemed the message wasn't as crystal clear as she liked to believe. The blonde ninja had now taken it upon himself to stand directly next to her, personal space was obviously a foreign concept. He smiled a wide toothy grin as his arm went back to run through his disheveled hair. "I was just inviting Sakura-chan to dinner too! Maybe we can all go together?"

With a roll of her smoky eyes Hotaru pinned Naruto with a patronizing stare. "Why would I eat with you?"

Naruto answered so quickly and honestly that Hotaru felt like smacking him upside the head, "Because you have no one else and you don't know where the good food is." The agitated sigh that followed from Hotaru's lips was apparently interpreted as an agreement for afterwards Naruto had punched the air triumphantly. "Alright let's get ramen!"

"You idiot!" Sakura shouted taking the action Hotaru had only thought of moments ago. "Don't go making plans for everyone when no one else even agreed to it!" Naruto only laughed nervously rubbing the back of his head from Sakura's assault.

"Where is the ramen stand?" Hotaru asked folding her arms impatiently.

"This way!" Naruto cheered, his good mood clearly not so easily overcome.

Sakura now mimicked Hotaru's sigh as she followed the already walking off Naruto, "You don't even know her name!"

Hotaru growled again as everyone spoke about her as if she wasn't there. She followed after Naruto to the ramen stand but Sakura's comment had made him pause again. He glanced back at her blinking his blue eyes at her expectantly. In fact, all three novice ninjas were staring at her. She truly didn't need them—she could find a ramen stand on her own. About to take action on this exact thought she paused as Naruto moved to step in her way—as if knowing this was what she was going to do. "Just tell us who we're eating with. Out of all the questions we could be asking we're only asking for your name."

Well, wasn't that an unexpectedly mature statement. Maybe the kid wasn't as dense as he looked. "My name is Hotaru Himura." While Naruto seemed unfazed Sakura's eyes had widened and Sasuke's had narrowed. "Now, where is that ramen stand?"

Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed the newest chapter. I was excited to introduce Naruto and co. Please let me know if they start to seem too OOC at any point. I'm trying my hardest to make sure that doesn't happen but writing with the Naruto canon characters is new to me. So on that note, please review! I would greatly appreciate it. I'm truly inspired to write more and write it faster when I know there is someone out there who is reading it. Have a good day!

-Kiyoui