Chapter Five
One Month to Freedom
Time had passed in Kohona rapidly ever since Naruto returned Hinata decided. She had the spent the last month avoiding her father, avoiding Naruto, and trying to keep a family under duress from cracking into full out war, but on top of it all...Hinata was bored. The only thing that kept her from descending into a full-blown nervous breakdown was the constant stream of training she kept herself to. She had found herself stalking her crush again, and like usual he totally ignored her. Neji had found it funny that a Hyuuga woman would lower herself down to watching her crush like a shy school-girl and yet still be able to maintain a clan in exile. Today, was the one month anniversary of the pact Uzumaki Naruto, and Hyuuga Hisashi had made, and many had made a note of it. Sakura reminded her to make sure that he took her out to dinner. Ino had told her to send him down to her shop so he could buy some proper flowers. Tenten had told her to corner him while he was training and...Hinata blushed at the ideas Tenten put her in head.No, she thought attempting to purge herself of the dirty thoughts in her head, I wonder if Naruto even remembers... since Gai had taken him on as a pupil and went away on two week training session with him in the mountains. She shuddered at the idea of tight wearing Naruto as she sent a prayer to whatever spirits were up there to protect him from spandex.
Up in a place far away, surrounded by busty women, Jiraiya sneezed as he muttered "Some cutie must be mourning me down there!"
(break)
Naruto staggered into his apartment later that day, finally free of the training monster that was Maito Gai. He had spent the last month working on his Tai-jitsu under the youthful sensei's watch. He had went through hell, and came out of it stronger, he thought. "If Lee could do that twice a year, then no wonder he's so fast." he muttered as he pushed himself into the shower and cleansed himself, uniform and all. He stripped out of the uniform and applied some laundry soap to the uniform and let it soak in the warm water. After being refused service in every laundry outlet in Kohona, a person learned how to make do. His whole body felt like it was mending after the tireless training he had put himself through. First, he had learned the basics of Tai-jitsu while wearing a full suit of armor. Naruto didn't really understand the concept behind the armor but he assumed that it was to strengthen his whole body while restricting his movements. Then, he had fought Gai for six days and six nights straight with no pause. He still had bruses from where Gai had punched him with his Iron Fist technique. When Naruto had finally given up, Gai began to teach him a style of tai-jitsu that he picked up as easily as breathing. That was the magic of Maito Gai's teaching style. He knew everyone of his students inside and out, and knew exactly how a person's body worked, and why they would excel at it. As Naruto turned the shower off, he dried himself off with a cloth and his eyes caught a picture. It was a picture of him as a third-year academy student, along with the rest of his class. In the upper-right corner was Iruka-sensei flashing a confident grin. In the lower-left corner was Uchida Sasuke, sulking as he attempted to pull his way out of the picture, only to be restrained by Inuzuka Kiba and Akamaru who both had a wolfish grin.
As he slipped into a white shirt with an orange Uzumaki symbol that he wore on every piece of clothing he owned and pair of uniform pants, he picked up this picture and studied it. Kiba and Sasuke were two people that were completely different from each other. One fought to be acknowledged by his family, the other fought to avenge it. Naruto thought about it for awhile as he grabbed a coat and walked outside into the crisp autumn air. The town bustled around him as he sat on his steps and watched the merchants, housewives, and children shuffle around as let his thoughts wander.
(Break)
Maito Gai, youthful sensei, slipped into the Jounin bar refreshed as he ordered some wine. Kurnei spotted him and shuffled into the bar beside him. She looked at all the fresh bruises he was sporting and pushed some money to the bartender as he brought a check over. "This round is on me, Gai. How'd Naruto do?"
"Yosh! He excelled after I had corrected his defects like a tree in a desert that has been freshly watered." Gai said loudly, as Kurneai shot him a look. Gai beckoned her closer as he mouthed, "But, I'm afraid his body's strength will always be limited."
"Limited? How so?" she asked as she narrowed her eyes.
"Have you ever heard of perfect regeneration?" Gai asked as she shook her head. "It's said that if a human could ever regenerate his wounds perfectly, that no amount of strength training would ever improve. He'd just return to a normal state, over and over, and over again without any change in his body structure. No normal technique accomplishes this."
Kurnenai thought about it as her eyes widened, "So, the Kyuubi prevents Naruto from ever progressing in strength?"
"Exactly. I fought him for six days straight and could not notice a change in him except for a few bruises, a normal person would be limping, but he shook it off like it was nothing."
"Six days? He lasted against you that long?" Kurenai shook her head in wonder. Why had Kakashi avoided teaching this young man? He certainly had the stamina to be great. I suppose it coincides with why he's always late...she thought as Gai took a drink of his wine.
"He almost out-lasted me...I had to tap into the first of the gates to finish it. I had to do one thousand push-ups afterwards!" he admitted embarrassed. "His youth is much stronger then I expected, but I was able to analyze him enough to find his true strength!"
"Which would be?" Kurenai asked as her interest peaked.
"His arms are mediocre at best. His legs however, are stronger then even my youthful protege Lee! So, it was only fitting that I taught him a form of tai-jitsu that focuses on it." Gai finished as he took a swig of wine.
"This is hard to believe, Gai. I've heard a lot of far fetched theories from you." Kurenai said frowning.
"Ah! All my theories are true!" Gai said loudly as Kurenai frowned deeper.
"Like the theory that Kakashi was Obito and Kakashi at the same time?" asked Kurenai as Gai chuckled.
"You must admit it does explain a few things!" Gai announced triumpantly.
"All it explains is how he could ever put up with you." Kurenai said as she sighed, "I'll take your word for it."
"Besides, I didn't come up with the idea. Our strong Lady Hokage, bless her soul wrote about it in a book I read once." Gai said waving his hand. Kurenai stood as Gai said morosly as he took a drink, "You know why I trained him right?"
"Because his father trained you?" Kurenai asked as she sighed. She hated when Gai started drinking. It allowed him to think about those he had lost.
"You know he asked me to raise him. Burn my youth, I know I tried to get custody of him. The Third didn't think it'd be healthy for me to raise him. Wouldn't even let me have him on my Genin team." Gai's fist hit the bar in frustration. He turned to his drink as Kurenai walked out of the bar lost in thought.
(Break)
Team Eight had returned to full operation later that morning. As they all filtered into their usual eatery, Naruto was holding an earnest conversation with one Inuzuka Kiba about the ordeal he had to go through training. Shino didn't say anything as he approached Hinata and pulled her aside.
"W-what is it, Shino-kun?" Hinata asked worriedly.
"I merely wish to know some things." Shino said as he continued, "I heard that you and Uzumaki are engaged? It's been very quiet since I've returned from the Grass Country."
"Y-yes." she managed to stutter out blushing a deep red.
"Congratulations, however that was not the reason I wished to talk to you."
"It isn't?" Hinata asked as her curiosity peaked.
"My father has asked me to convey some observations about your father to you." Shino said as Kiba and Naruto started yelling at each other. Shino pulled a folder out of his coat and handed it to Hinata. Shino walked off to join the larger group as he politely told the arguing youths to be quiet. Hinata slipped the folder into her jacket and sighed, then slunked over to their table and put an order in.
(Break)
"Kiba! Naruto!" Kurenai snapped as she rolled her eyes at the two bickering boys. "If you really want to prove who's stronger, why don't you just spar!" Both boys grinned as she sighed and mentally added "Checkmate".
"Alright, Naruto. You're on." Kiba announced as he smirked. "I'm going to beat you down so hard, that you'll feel it for weeks!"
"Feh, you aren't going to beat the next Hokage of Kohona!" Naruto declared as Kurenai glared at both of them. Naruto felt the rising killer intent first as he shrank back, and Akamaru whimpered. "Uh, shall we eat before we fight?" he asked Kiba politely as he nodded back.
Kurenai smirked. Brats need to learn when to back down, she thought to herself as she politely ordered some sushi.
(Break)
Kiba and Naruto glared at each other as Kurenai quickly laid down the rules. "Okay, boys. No Rasengan. No Tsuinurufu (Twin Headed Wolf). Understand?"
Naruto pouted a bit as he said, "Yes, Sensei." and Kiba only nodded his fists clenched. Akamaru , tensed in his position as Kurenai said, "Begin!"
Akamaru jumped from Kiba's head as Kiba tossed him a solider pill, and grew in size and strength. "Gatsuuga (Twin Pircing Fang)!" Kiba shouted as both Akamaru shot like a cannon towards Naruto who only stood there watching, hands in his pockets. As the bullets shot towards him, he bent backwards to dodge the first strike with almost sickening ease, and then as the second one entered his vision, he cartwheeled out of the way settling back into his stance. Kiba wasn't done though, hitting a tree and flipped back towards Naruto. As the blond-hair ninja moved to dodge out the trajectory of the spin, Kiba broke out of the spin, landing a solid punch on Naruto. Then out of nowhere, Naruto's leg lashed out knocking the dog nin back. Closing the gap quickly, Naruto lashed out with a roundhouse that Kiba struggled to avoid. Shit! He's fast! Kiba shouted mentally as he and Akamaru launched into a Gatsuuga to try and throw him off balance. Kiba's eyes narrowed as a thought struck him. As he settled from his spin, Naruto threw a flying kick. Kiba grinned as he began to spin, vertically deflecting Naruto and leaving some cuts. "Suichokutsuuga (Vertical Piercing Fang)!" As Naruto struggled to his feet Kiba crossed the distance lauching an upper-cut at him...
Hinata winced as she watched Naruto take damage, as Kurenai only frowned, but her eyes widened as she bit her tongue. Kiba's fist landed as Naruto bounced and dissipated. Shino pushed up his glasses as he asked, "It must have been a Shadow Clone, but when did he switch with the clone?"
They didn't have to wait long, because as Kiba turned around a cry of "Kohona Gyakutenuzu (Leaf Reversal Spiral)!" rang from Naruto's lips as he cartwheeled into Kiba and then launched a spring kick into him knocking him to the ground. "C'mon Kiba! You can do better then that!"
Akamaru whimpered as he got in front of Naruto and growled, preparing to strike as Kiba stood. "Akamaru, I want to do this alone. I'm going new school." Akamaru barked at Kiba as Kiba flushed... "Let me do this Akamaru, I need to prove something" Kiba whispered as Akamaru only whined and retreated to the sidelines. Kiba reached into his ninja pouch pulling out a set of metal claws. "Naruto, I learned some things when you were gone from Kohona, and you'll be the second person to see it. Ichiraku Twin Claw Style!" Kiba said as he jumped into a Tsuuga. "Katsuuga (Metal Piercing Fang)!" Kiba shouted as he extended his claws out so that his spiral became more defined and dangerous.
As Kiba almost reached him, Naruto blocked the blow with his leg wincing as two large gashes ripped through his clothing revealing a chain shin-guard. As the spin stopped on his armor, Naruto's legs grabbed Kiba's chest and Naruto flipped him over his back crying, "Kohona Haji (Leaf Grapple)!" and tossed him.
Kurenai whistled to herself, "They're almost evenly matched in tai-jitsu. Naruto can't land a full attack on Kiba, but Kiba can't stop using Tsuuga, but those claws of his allow him to cut through his attacks. Now, they'll move on to nin-jitsu, I believe."
Kiba laughed as they started to circle each other, as Naruto let out a grin too. "Kage Bushin no Justu!" Naruto said his hand in the familiar cross symbol as fifty of them appeared.
Kiba just brandished his claw's as a flurry of kicks started to come his way, then his claws shot out extending about three feet spearing ten clones, "Hirogaru (Extend)!" as they returned to normal size almost all of Naruto's clones were gone. Kiba leapt into the air as he pointed his claws at two Naruto's as the claws extended again, taking the two clones out. He flipped in mid air and pointed one claw at a tree. "Raiton: Hirogaru (Lightning Extend)!" Kiba said as the claws extended shooting a bolt of lighting out it, breaking the tree and causing the real Naruto to tumble out.
Naruto ran through a list of seals as he slammed his hand into the ground, "Kuchiyose No Jutsu" as a large orange frog armed with a bola appeared. "Gamachisu! Help me out!" The frog tossed a set of bolas that Kiba struggled to avoid mid-leap as the frog disappeared. As he managed to avoid, Naruto slammed his palms on the ground, crying "Kuchiyose no Justu!" as a blue frog in robe appeared beside Naruto, "Light it up, Gamaliman."
"Katon: Gamakaton (Fire: Frogfire)!" the frog roared as a fire jet roared at Kiba, who tucked himself into a spin, rolling out of the way of it. As he landed, the fire hit the ground and bounced at Kiba catching his feet on fire. The dog-nin growled in annoyance as the mage frog disappeared leaving Naruto panting for breath.
"Hirogaru!" Kiba said as they shot out as they went through Naruto who only waved at him. Hinata gave a horrified squeak, as the claws pulled out of Naruto who just smiled showing no indication of a wound. As Kiba opened his mouth, a foot hit Kiba's head knocking him out.
"Shinshoufuukei (Imagined Landscape) no Justu!" Naruto announced as Kurenai moved to check on Kiba who was currently out cold.
Akamaru nosed Kiba awake. Groaning he, swore loudly. A grinning Naruto helped him up as it infected him as well. "I guess I lost again, Uzumaki." the dog-nin sighed as he shook Naruto's hand. "But, maybe I'll get you next time."
"Old Man Ichiraku taught you how to fight?" Naruto asked excitedly. "He never taught me anything!"
"He taught me how to use a pair of claws when I had to rescue his daughter from an old enemy of his." Kiba said without much bravado.
"Really? Tell me about it!" Naruto asked as he bounced up and down.
"Maybe some other day, I'm heading home." Kiba said as he walked off, limping.
Shino just waved as disappeared in a cloud of bugs.
"And, I guess I will be off as well." Kurenai said as she disappeared in a puff of smoke. Hinata blushed as she approached Naruto, fighting off the urge to pass out. Naruto grinned at her, the urge to hide rose up in her.
"Ne, Hinata? What's going on?" Naruto said obviously.
"N-n-naruto-kun...w-would you like t-to...get some food with m-me?" Hinata asked as he nodded eagerly.
"Ramen!" Naruto cried as they walked out of the forest together. As they walked Naruto sighed, "Hinata...why are we getting married? I mean, I've never liked anyone other then Sakura-chan, but she needs Lee to help her get over Sasuke-teme." Hinata breathed a sigh of relief as she heard the first utterance of getting over Sakura. "I mean I know it was either me or my father, and I'm sure it hasn't been easy for you. You shouldn't go through with this...it'd be batter for you."
"N-naruto-kun...I don't care. We'll work it out."
"Forget what I said, Hinata. Let's just get some ramen." Naruto said despondently. Hinata sighed. He isn't himself, Hinata thought as she walked with him. Resting her hand on his back, he felt him flinch at the touch and wanted to hold him and tell him that everything was alright, but it wasn't.
They walked in the stiff autumn wind, both of them a month older, but no happier. Together.