Hello! Sorry for the very long wait… School was getting to us! Well here it is! Chapter 7! Enjoy…
Fleur Papillon: Of course you could translate this fic! Thanks a bunch!
Thank you for the reviews! We really appreciate it!
Chapter 7 – Survival of the fittest (part I)
Neji's POV
I glared at my two companions as the three of us sat in the dining room of the Hyuga main house. Now why are we here in the first place? After Uchiha and I got out of the forest…
Flashback
Both of us somehow managed to get through our rabid fan clubs unscathed, though I was sort of hoping Sasuke's fan club held him back… How both of us managed together for days without killing each other is still a mystery for me. The nerve of that guy, trapping us so he could take all the glory and Hinata's attention. I was brought back to the real world when my cousin asked me something.
"..you like to join us later?" Hinata asked
"Huh?" was the dumb reply I managed to choke out, from the corner of my eyes I could see Uchiha smirk and Gaara… well he remained emotionless…
Hinata only blinked "I was asking you if you'd like to join us later at home" she replied
"uhh.. sure why not… what time?" I asked okay I'm a little bit disoriented at the moment maybe that's what happens when you're with Uchiha…
Hinata smiled "Okay then… uhh… why don't the two of you freshen up first…" she said looking at Uchiha and me
Both of us nodded knowing that we haven't had a bath for like a week or so..
"So I guess I'll see you later at around lunch I guess…" she added before leaving with Gaara…
WAIT! GAARA!
End of flashback
And so here we are… waiting for the lunch Hinata's making… just the three of us…
"Ah! Gomen, gomen! It took so long!" Hinata said as I was snapped back to reality.
She placed a plate of tempura and sushi "Ah matte, I'm just going to get the soup and dumplings" she said leaving once again to the kitchen.
I studied the food in front of me, Hinata was known for being a great cook and I for one agree. I don't spend dinner in the Hyuga main house for nothing. Of course I only do that whenever Hiashi-sama isn't around.
A two servants came in, one carrying a tray with four bowls of soup the other with four bowls of rice. I noticed that the rice had some chopped vegetables on it, of course whenever Hinata cooks it should be a proper diet.
Hinata came in after wards with the dumplings, murmuring a thanks to the servants. She really shouldn't do that they are after all she is their master… but then maybe that's what I like about her she is very unpretentious.
"Gomen for the delay, Neji-kun and Sasuke-kun" she said with an apologetic smile, sitting down on spare chair. In between me and Gaara and in front of Sasuke.
"Iie daijoubu" I heard Sasuke say softly
We started to eat, I noticed the looks of satisfaction from Gaara and Sasuke's faces. This is the first time they tasted Hinata's work.
After the meal, who would miss the chance to compliment Hinata's culinary skills…
"The meal was great" Sasuke said
"Absolutely delicious" Gaara said afterwards
"Delicious as always" I said, which earned glares from my rivals
"Arigato" Hinata said with a small blush painting her cheeks
"Ah… by the way Gaara-kun about my promise… when would you like to go?" she asked afterwards
Now that definitely caught my attention, what was I missing here? Is Hinata asking him out?
"Anytime you're free" he replied, okay time to glare at Gaara.
Hinata smiled "I promise you'll have a great time"
Damn you Gaara!
A knock interrupted our small chat, a servant came in "Hinata-sama you have some guests"
Hinata turned to look at the guests, ahh… Kiba and Shino…
"Kiba-kun, Shino-kun" Hinata said breathily
"WHAT ARE THE THREE OF YOU DOING HERE!" Kiba shouted pointing at the three of us, I rolled my eyes, typical Kiba always demanding why we're around…
I heard Sasuke snort "None of your damn business" he said sharply, he obviously is annoyed with the idea of Gaara and Hinata going somewhere.
Shino cleared his throat and we all turned to look at him "Since the you're all here, our sensei's requested for our presence, including you Gaara" he said monotonously
Gaara merely raised an eyebrow. Now what would they want from us? I hope they realized that we just finished a mission.
Sasuke's POV
The five of us were waiting for the arrival of the others; fortunately, the senseis were already there well at least the three of them are. I mean did anyone really expect Kakashi to be on time. And I think that Lee and Gai are going to have some sort of 'grand entrance' as they call it… I sighed as I lied down the grass it was a good thing it was cloudy today. Gaara was with his sensei while Kiba was trying to get Kurenai-sensei to tell him what this meeting is for; Neji was leaning against the tree waiting patiently. And Shino and Hinata were talking about what happened with him, Ten-ten and Sakura in their mission. I briefly remembered hearing something about feminism and Ten-ten's obsession with it.
"Sasuke-kun!" I heard a chorus of voices call me and I didn't bother to look because I already know who it was.
"Ha! I beat you Ino-pig!" Sakura shouted
"In your dreams forehead girl!" Ino shouted back. What's up with them shouting when they're already face-to-face?
Someone sighed, "Here it goes again…" I'm guessing that was Shikamaru from his bored tone.
The two of them continued their bickering even until Naruto, Ten-ten and Gaara's siblings arrived. And who would forget Lee and Gai's entrance…
Well all of us are finally here. Well except for a certain scarecrow…
A puff of smoke appeared, ah speak of the devil "Gomen I was" he tried to explain but was cut off by Asuma-sensei's voice "Don't even try explaining we're used to it anyway…"
"So why'd you call us here anyway?" Naruto demanded as the whole group nodded
Kakashi clapped his hands together "We're going to have a team building" he said cheerfully
"A WHAT!"
"Team building, you know when teams work together and build up their trust" Kurenai explained
"but in this case we're going to regroup you again" Asuma continued
"The youth of today needs to work together!" Gai added and we all just ignored him well except for Lee…
"Why do we need to do this anyway?" Shikamaru complained
"Because we all need to work out our differences, we realized this during your last mission" Kurenai explained
"And so anyway all of you are going to pick a piece of paper and you're not suppose to open it until we tell you to do so, all of you are going to be divided into three groups" Gaara's sensei announced pulling out a basket filled with small pieces of paper.
All of us waited in anticipation for them to allow us top open the paper. I sure hope Hinata's grouped with me again…
"Okay you can all open it" Kakashi announced. I unfolded the paper and a number was written on it, the number 1.
"Okay who got the number one?" Asuma asked
I raised my hand only to notice that Hinata also did but she wasn't the only one… Gaara, Neji and Naruto also raised their hands!
Everyone blinked at us while the senseis raised their eyebrows. Kakashi cleared his throat "You'll be group 1 then"
"WHAT!" Sakura and Ino shouted
"Next the number two" Asuma asked once again
Ten-ten, Temari, Sakura, Ino and… Lee? Raised their hands.
"Wohoo!" Lee screamed
"Lee you're one lucky boy" Kiba said clapping Lee on the back
"NO!" Sakura screamed
"You'll be group two then, and the remaining Shino, Kiba, Shikamaru, Kankorou and Chouji are group three" Gaara's sensei said
"Now why don't you all meet with your groups" Gai said cheerfully
I stood up to head towards my group mates scowling, I'm happy that Hinata's around but those three! I met up with them under the shade of an oak tree, I noticed the glares directed at me and I returned it with more intensity.
"Why don't you pick a group leader and we'll talk later" Kurenai said seeing that we already met up with our groups.
Hinata smiled "umm.. Why don't we get started then, who should be our group leader?" she asked
"Me!" Naruto suggested and we all raised an eyebrow at him.
Hinata looked at me, Neji and Gaara and she must've realized that all four of us would want to lead the group. "Umm… I don't think I would want lead the group so… uhh… since all of you have 'leadership qualities' the four of you can settle it with… umm…"
"Fighting?" Gaara suggested
"I don't think fighting is a good idea, umm… paper, rock, scissors?" she suggested
I shrugged "sure the faster we settle this the better"
"Okay Sasuke you and I face off!" Naruto challenge, seriously paper, rock, scissors face off?
"Umm… I think it would be a lot faster if all of you do it together…" Hinata suggested
The four of us nodded and formed a semi circle so Hinata could see whose winning.
"Paper, rock, scissors!" we chanted. I fisted my hand and looked at what the other three has. Gaara: rock, Neji: rock, Naruto… scissors…
"NOOO!" Naruto screamed pulling his hair. Hinata patted his back and offered a sympathetic smile.
"Umm… why don't the three of you continue" she said
"Paper, rock, scissors!" I looked at the hand, which was fisted and looked at its owner; Gaara was glaring at his hand hard murmuring something like "why?"
"Well it all comes down to the two of us" I said to my opponent, Neji.
"And I don't intend to lose" he shot back
"Paper, rock, scissors!"
"So I guess I'm leader then" Neji said smugly and I glared at him. I turned to Hinata who was smiling at us
"Daijoubu it's only a position" she said. I sighed she was right and looked at the other two, Naruto was sobbing (weird…) and Gaara was still glaring at his fist.
"Okay I hope all of you have decided who your leader is!" Kakashi called out "Because its time for you to pick where you're going"
I blinked, we need to go somewhere?
Asuma pulled out the basket but this time it only had 3 papers. "Now why don't the leaders pick one" he said
Neji approached Asuma followed by Temari and Shino.
"Hmm… Neji's the leader, that's a great choice…" Kakashi said thoughtfully
What the hell was that suppose to mean!
"I'm guessing that Lee wasn't nominated for that part since he's with the women and well you know…" I heard Kiba whisper.
Neji was walking back to us with a perplexed expression while he was staring at the piece of paper. I also noticed that the other two team leaders had the same expression.
"Oi Neji! What's on the paper?" Naruto asked
Neji looked at us "Hidden Mist" he answered
Gaara's sensei cleared his throat "Now I'm sure you all are wondering why different villages are written on the paper, you see we thought that you should all learn about the different villages because it can serve useful to you when you have a mission in that particular village" he explained
"ohh"
Shikamaru raised his hand "how long are we suppose to stay there?" he asked
"One week" Kakashi answered
"WHAT! BUT…BUT" Naruto shouted
"I'll make it two weeks if you don't shut up" Kakashi answered with a glare
Our eyes widened, but Naruto didn't seem to have heard what Kakashi said and continued babbling about ramen and some other stuff.
"Two weeks then" Kakashi said pulling out a copy of Icha Icha paradise
The others groaned out loud, Gaara finally shut Naruto up with his sand, and I heard some sigh in relief. Gai gave us a smile ''Don't worry the youth of today, I'm sure you all would have fun when you get there tomorrow!"
Kurenai coughed "Now there will be sensei's who will supervise the teams" she said "Kakashi for group one, Gai and Baki for group two and Asuma and I will supervise group three" she continued
"Meeting adjourned; all of you can go home, pack up, and rest. We will leave tomorrow morning, and uhh… Kakashi-san we hope you are on time" Gaara's sensei (Baki) announced
I sighed as I stood up; I sure hope everything will be fine…
Sunrise; Gates of Konoha
(Normal POV)
North Gate
"Mou! I won't survive with out Sasuke!" Sakura screamed
"Where is their team anyway?" Shikamaru asked
"They will be waiting at the eastern gate since that is the way to the Hidden Mist" Kurenai explained
"Ohhh…"
"I wonder what time they'll leave." Kiba thought aloud
"I'm sure they'll leave at around 10 am since they're with Kakashi-sensei" Chouji answered while munching on his potato chips
Everyone nodded.
"I just wish that Sasuke-kun takes care of himself…" Sakura said dreamily
Meanwhile at the Eastern gate…
Sasuke sneezed as he waited; he was the first one who arrived, followed by Gaara. Neji and Hinata arrived shortly after Gaara and the last was Naruto who was still half-asleep when he arrived. They were now waiting for Kakashi who was known to be late all the time.
"I knew I should've come in later since I knew that it is Kakashi-sensei we're with…" Naruto rambled on and on, but everyone ignored him anyway. Gaara was leaning against the tree Sasuke was perched upon. While Neji and Hinata were seated under the shade of the tree, Hinata's head on Neji's shoulder since she was also falling asleep.
Well that was actually the main reason no one was listening to Naruto, his two companions were glaring at the one who was seated contently with their princess…
There was puff of smoke that suddenly appeared behind Naruto. As the smoke disappeared, it revealed Kakashi with a smile.
"Gomen, gomen I was going to buy all of us breakfast, but then my wallet was empty and—'' Kakashi explained but never finished when Naruto cut him off "LIAR!" the blonde screamed automatically waking Hinata up.
"Well that sure sounds different," Kakashi said while rubbing his ears.
Neji stood up helping Hinata in the process and they started walking towards the gate where Naruto was complaining to Kakashi. Gaara did the same and Sasuke followed.
"Well I hope everyone's ready, because the Water country is quite a distance and we should be there by nightfall," Kakashi announced
Everyone nodded "I will explain the details about what you're going to do on the way there" Kakashi continued, "well let's go"
10 minutes later
"WHAT!" Naruto shouted while the three boys glared viciously at Kakashi, Hinata seemed most calm but it was evident she was also shock.
"You want us to handle an inn for two weeks!" Naruto shouted
"Kakashi-sensei you do realize that inns in the Hidden Mist would be packed during this season" Sasuke said as calmly as he could.
"I am perfectly aware of that" Kakashi replied not even bothering to look away from his Icha Icha Paradise.
"What are the other teams going to do anyway?" Neji asked clenching his fists
"Oh the women's group who's going to the Earth country will be managing a farm, while Shino's group which will be heading towards the Lightning country are going to handle a restaurant although I'm still wondering what they're going to feed the customers when they have Chouji with them. But don't worry we sensei's will help anyway" Kakashi said with a cheerful smile
The four stared at Kakashi like he was crazy while Hinata just sighed.
"Are we the only ones who are going to manage the inn?" Gaara asked
"Why of course, but don't worry you can still relax for tonight since the staff's still going t be there" Kakashi informed them "and tomorrow they're going to teach you how to manage the inn before they leave"
The four gave a defeated wail while Hinata just gave them a reassuring smile "Daijoubu minna-san" she said
"OH MY GOSH THAT'S THEM! THEY LOOK HOT!" a girl screamed
The group reached Hidden Mist by dusk and was now heading towards the inn. All of them looked up only to find that the inn was packed! With women!
"What the hell…?" Sasuke murmured aghast
Neji stared at the crowd of women wide-eyed and Hinata nudged his arm "Neji-kun what's happening here?" she asked
"I have no idea…" he replied dumbly
Gaara merely raised an eyebrow while Naruto was flushed with joy. Kakashi slapped a hand to his forehead and walked up to a woman
"Ano… excuse me, but what are you all doing here?" he asked politely
The girl blinked "There was this rumor that eligible bachelors are coming here to manage the Mist Inn temporarily" she replied "And it's true! You're so hot!" she screamed and was about to clasp unto Kakashi until he moved away and she kissed the road.
"Excuse me, excuse me" someone said going through the mob, until he reached the confused ninjas.
He looked up, his deep blue eyes shining as he scanned the 'new staff' "welcome to the Mist inn, and I'm sorry for the inconvenience" he said "now why don't you all come inside"
"How?" Gaara asked looking at the mob.
The man blinked then looked back at the mob and with a smile "Ano, Ladies and Gentlemen would you all please allow our guests to pass through" he said loudly
Some women swooned and fainted but they parted for the 'guests' to pass through.
Once inside
The man who had sapphire eyes and chocolate hair, which only reached up to his neck gave them a sunny smile. "Thank you for coming to the Mist Inn, allow me to introduce myself" he said "I'm Aki Mihou"
"I'm really sorry about that, I have no idea who spread that rumor" He said guiltily
"Maa, maa, daijoubu there's no harm done" Kakashi replied "By the way I'm Hatake Kakashi, now why don't the rest of you introduce yourselves" he continued
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto!" Naruto said proudly
"Gaara…" Gaara said blankly
"Uchiha Sasuke" Sasuke said not even looking at Aki. (He was staring at Hinata intently)
"Hyuga Neji" the prodigy said icily as Hinata sighed
"I'm Hyuga Hinata and I'm pleased to meet your acquaintance" the shy Hyuga said bowing slightly
Aki blinked "Gaara of the sand? An Uchiha? And two Hyuga's?" he asked, "I feel like we're going to get attack and Konaha sent some assistance" he said jokingly
Naruto grumbled under his breath 'why the heck didn't he notice me!" he thought
Kakashi chuckled and patted Naruto's head sympathetically "Ah, who's the one that they asked to help us during our stay here?" he asked all of a sudden.
Aki smiled "Well he's standing in front of you" he said
Kakashi raised an eyebrow "You? Then can you handle these five?" he asked
"Well… I think Uzumaki-kun will be quite hard and I don't think Gaara-san, Uchiha-kun, and Hyuga-kun would want to be ordered around either, but I think Hinata-san will be cooperative" he said with a smile. "But I believe I can"
Naruto snorted while the other four sat there staring at him. "Well would you like to try me out then, Uzumaki-kun?" he challenged with a glint in his eyes.
Naruto stood up "Are you challenging me?" he asked haughtily.
"Naruto calm down" Kakashi said
"But why Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked
"We wouldn't want to start a war dobe" Sasuke said grimly
"And besides his charka intense" Neji continued
"Huh?" Naruto asked dumbly
"He's the son of the hokage and he's one of the most powerful ninja's here in the water country, that's why Kakashi didn't want to believe him, baka" Gaara informed the blonde fox
"And besides Naruto-kun, he's the owner of this inn, no one would want to get it destroyed by an unreasonable fight since it's the finest inn in the whole Water country" Hinata added
Naruto fell back on the chair, overwhelmed by all the information. Aki smiled at all of them "Well you all did your research, but now I think you should all get some rest to be ready for a very tiring day tomorrow, especially you Uchiha-kun, I heard you're quite the heartthrob" he said
"Now two people would have to share, but don't worry it's two separate beds" Aki said "Now who would it be?" he asked
The six faced one another "Why don't we all just draw lots" Kakashi suggested
The six of them nodded, three hoping to be roomed with Hinata. "Ah maybe I should go get what you're going to pick" Aki said leaving, he came back shortly with some toothpicks in his hands.
"What's up with the sticks?" Naruto asked
"Well the two people who gets the sticks with a part that's color blue will be roomed together" Aki explained.
All six of them nodded in understanding, gathered around Aki, and pulled the sticks together.
"Well who's together?" Aki asked
"Ano… I got a blue stick" Hinata said showing her stick.
Neji and Gaara cursed while Sasuke tried to prevent a smile to spread on his face "Seems like we're roommates Hinata" he said
End of Chapter 7
Well that's it! Hope you enjoyed! The next chapter would hopefully come out soon…
PLEASE REVIEW! Thanks a lot!