Tada! I updated waaaay sooner than i was supposed to! The reason? I'm a kind and generous authoress who likes to give her readers a-ton of chapters to read cuz she just that awesome (Lies). The real reason? I just have a lot of time on my hands with no home work... not to mention that I'm a loner. -_- without further ado, my second chapter. It's a long one.
Disclaimer: I forgot to do this in the last chapter: Le moi does not own Naruto, Le moi owns drawings of him. It doesn't count as stalking... Right?
Chapter 2: Preparation
The silence inside the Hokage`s office was deafening. Naruto and Sakura had mirrored expressions with wide eyes and half opened mouths. Eventually Naruto broke the silence. "What!? Where is that bastard? How did you find him? What is he doing?" He shouted. There was more surprise in his voice than anger. Sakura's face was stark white. She fisted her hand and clutched the middle of her shirt. "Sasuke-kun..." She whispered. Sai was considerably silent about the whole matter.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair and sighed. "One question at a time, Naruto. I had a specialized tracking team hunt him and follow his moves for the past month. After gathering some information, we now know his location. For what reason he is staying there, we do not know. Personally, I didn't even want you to know any of this. However, you would have found out anyway. Your team will be leaving tomorrow along with a few more teams. I suggest you pack cautiously for this mission."
"But where is he?" The blond shinobi demanded.
"That information will not be revealed to you until tomorrow." Tsunade answered.
"But why!?" Naruto yelled angrily.
"Because if you know, you will obviously go ahead and leave hastily, am i correct?"
"But..." Not able to come up with a good excuse, Naruto shot a glare at Tsunade who gave him a 'try me' stare. Sakura had the same feelings as Naruto but didn't dare open her mouth. She knew perfectly well a match with Tsunade could never be won, be it physical or mental. But she desperately wanted to know where Sasuke was so she could go as soon as possible.
"All of you are now dismissed." The blonde woman said with her arms folded.
Turning on his heel, Naruto angrily strode out of the building, closely followed by Sakura and Sai. Kakashi however waited beside the door. After the three teammates had exited, he looked expectantly to his leader. "So exactly where is my cute little student hiding?" He asked.
"Right now, he is inside a forest near the border of the Land of Lighting." The Hokage informed him.
"I see... I'm glad you didn't share this information with those two. It would not have been pretty. Who are you planning to send, Tsunade-sama?"
"I'll be sending four squads. One will be a tracking squad. One will be a strategy squad and two will be fighting squads. There are a few medics inside these squads. I'm sure that my choices are good." She replied. Kakashi nodded, already knowing who these people would be. This time there was no escaping for Sasuke. Naruto was far stronger than he used to be. He doubted the combined power of Sasuke's old teammates wouldn't be enough to hold the Avenger down.
"Well, I'll be taking my leave then." The masked ninja nodded once, opened the door and led himself out.
The walk back to their respective homes was quiet for Naruto and Sakura. As soon as they had exited the Mansion, Sai took his leave, saying he had an important task to do. That gave the two friends time to ponder on the events of the morning. They reached a forked road, one path leading to Sakura's home and the other to Naruto's.
"Well Naruto, see you tomorrow." Sakura tried to smile, but failed.
"Yeah..." Naruto responded, but he didn't meet her gaze. Sakura turned to leave but Naruto grabbed her wrist.
"Ne Sakura-chan... I promise this time we will definitely bring him back." He said a look of determination inside those cerulean eyes.
"Naruto..." Touched by his words, she smiled at him and a determined look adorned her face.
"Yes... We will definitely get him back, no matter what it takes." Releasing her wrist, he returned her smiled and bid her goodbye.
Sakura watched Naruto go and turned to the direction of her house. After arriving, she headed straight to her bedroom. Inspecting the room, her eyes fell upon a frame on the side table. It was an old picture of the original team 7. She was in the middle with Sasuke and Naruto beside her and Kakashi-sensei above with his hands on the grumpy rivals. Delicately taking the picture, she traced the outline of the frame and eventually, her beloved Sasuke's face. Sasuke-kun... All this time I've waited for you to come back but now, I will definitely bring you back! She put the frame back on the table and went to her wardrobe. Grabbing clothes meant for training, she quickly changed and headed out the door.
As Naruto headed towards his home, a lavender head caught his attention. He smiled and walked faster to try and catch up with the said kunouchi.
Suddenly feeling a presence behind her, Hinata stiffened and quickened her pace. One hand went to her left thigh where a kunai holster was placed and the other poised in midair in case she needed shuriken. The person kept following her. She casually pretended to take something out of her pocket and discreetly pulled out a kunai. Naruto was quite unaware as to what was about to happen. Just as he opened his mouth to announce his presence to Hinata, she whirled around and shoved a kunai in his general direction. Surprised at an attack from his friend, Naruto put his arms to his face and sprung back to try and dodge the kunai, but it grazed his left arm. He winced at the sting that came with it. Realizing who she had injured, Hinata immediately dropped her kunai and rushed to Naruto's side. "Oh my- i didn't-i mean-what were- i mean I'm so sorry Naruto-kun!" She spluttered like a cute squirrel. Looking at her apologizing form, a laugh escaped Naruto's lips making Hinata halt her actions.
"It's okay Hinata! I should have yelled before i caught up with you." He replied while grinning.
"I-i didn't mean to injure you... Here, let me see." Forgetting that she was touching Naruto, Hinata softly took his wrist and pulled up the sleeve. There was a small gash on the back of his arm. Searching her pocket, she fished out a clean cloth, a roll a bandage and some salve that numbed the pain and healed wounds at the same time. Making him sit down at a nearby bench, she got the clean cloth, wet it with some water from a bottle she was carrying and delicately dabbed the wound. After cleaning it, she
un-lidded the ointment container and a sweet smell of lavender filled Naruto's nostrils, making him forget about the sting he was feeling at the moment. "Wow Hinata, this stuff smells great! Where'd you get it?" He asked as she liberally applied the cream on the gash. It felt cool on Naruto's skin and the pain immediately subsided. "I made it myself." She answered busily. Coating the wound completely, she unrolled the bandage and gently but firmly wrapped it around the Naruto's wrist. Finishing, she cut the roll and tied it securely.
"Here, keep this jar for further use, Naruto-kun. Also, don't forget to change your bandage from time to time." She handed him the salve. Naruto gratefully accepted it. "Thanks, Hinata! I'll be sure to use it." Snapping out of her medical mode, Hinata blushed a rosy red and muttered something. "What's that?" Naruto asked and leaned closer to hear what she was saying. Hinata's eyes widened at the close proximity of her precious person and before she could faint like the old days, backed away and ran out of Naruto's sight. "Wait! Why are you running?" Naruto called out, but Hinata was already gone. "Huh... Strange" Naruto wondered, but smiled. She had managed to completely take away his miserable mood. The way she fussed over his wound and the extreme care she gave him, felt quite good. He wondered if everyone got this kind of treatment whenever they were injured by a beauty like her. Wait... Beauty? What am i thinking? Ero-sennin definitely rubbed off on me. Shaking his head, Naruto looked at the jar of ointment she gave him and smiled. He would make sure to use it so he could ask her for more. Clutching the ointment tightly, the blond shinobi continued on his way home to pack for the upcoming mission.
Rushing to the Hyuga estate, Hinata entered the huge compound and raced to her bedroom. On the way, she bumped into a tall figure. "Neji-nii-san! I'm Sorry!" She apologized while holding her nose. Her nasal voice made a slight smile appear on Neji's lips. "Don't worry about it Hinata-sama." He answered. "Where are you rushing to?" He asked.
"T-to my room" she answered and bowed to him before racing away. Looking at her retreating figure, Neji smiled and continued on his way to his quarters.
Team Kakashi, Team Gai, Team Kurenai minus Kurenai and Team Asuma minus Asuma were standing at the gates of Konoha each dressed in heavy cloaks for the rainy weather. Naruto had a determined look on his face and Sakura had the same expression as him. Everyone else however, looked grim. They had been informed of the details this morning and the shock was still fresh. Tsunade stood next to the group and finally spoke.
"As you all know, this mission is an S-ranked hunt. I expect you all to complete this without failure. You sensei know the location you are all headed to. Also, I'm putting Kakashi and Gai in-charge. You will listen to them and follow their rules, right Naruto?" The blonde women gave him a smile that was obviously fake. "Y-yeah! Of course I'll listen, hahaha..." Naruto replied nervously while scratching his head and laughing.
"Now that is a correct way to use a fake smile!" Sai said. "Keep your mouth shut Sai! You don't want to anger her!" Sakura hissed in his ear.
"Haah... This is gonna be troublesome." Shikamaru sighed and scratched his head.
"Everything is troublesome with you! Try being serious will ya!" Ino scolded him with a hand on her hip.
"Women" The genius muttered.
"What was that?" Ino screeched.
"Hey! Let's all get along ok?" Choji tried to make peace.
"Hmph!" Ino tilted her head and flipped her blonde hair.
"We are gonna bring that bastard down!" Kiba yelled fist pumped in the air.
"Kiba, you are too enthusiastic... Why becau-" Shino was interrupted by an equally enthusiastic Naruto.
"Shut up Kiba, you couldn't even land a hit on me. I can do this all by myself!" He hollered.
"Oh yeah? Who in this group is only a genin huh! You that's who! Hahaha" Kiba laughed.
"Teme!" Naruto shook his fist, ready to punch Kiba but another fist met his head with a force that could destroy a house.
"Stop your squabbling Naruto! We need to get going, Channaro!" Sakura yelled angrily. Nursing his sore head Naruto backed away and sulked in a corner. Shino had also gone into a corner and sulked at being interrupted. Hinata squatted down next to him and lightly patted his shoulder.
"Shino-kun, don't feel bad." She said.
"Lee! We mustn't lose to anybody, youth- full power!" Gai yelled to his favourite student.
"Hai Gai sensie! I'll treasure your words!" Tears spilt from Lee's eyes like two waterfalls as he looked up to his master in admiration.
"You see that sunset Lee? We shall cross it for youth!"
"Hai! Gai sensei!"
"When is this gonna end?" Tenten muttered. Her group was definitely the most embarrassing out of everyone.
"Agreed" Neji said.
"Alright! Enough fooling around, head out! Shoo!" Tsunade said and dismissed the group. Getting up from the corner, a determined look came across Naruto's face and he clenched his hand. Sasuke... This time you are not getting away. The hunt for Uchiha Sasuke had begun.
Finally finished! This chapter had been swarming in my head for a long time. Since winter break is right around the corner, you can expect me to be updating quite quickly. I'd like to give a HUGE thanks to Ayrmed for being my first reviewer ever and reviewing in the first place! Thank you! It meant soo much! *virtual hug* my next chapter will be coming on Saturday. Seriously this time. Please review and give me some constructive criticism. Me like criticism.
~Thejollyhyuga
