Hello all. Once again, it is I bakagaijin. Thank you for sticking with my story. Here is chapter five. They are flowing out of me aren't they? Sounds like a personal problem… :D
Chapter 5-
The tunnel way was dark and filled with echoes. The five sinister shinobi moved through the subterranean passage with a faint glowing orb to guide them. It would be strange to most people to have to find their way in a dark tunnel guided only by a black light. Yet, these five were more than adept. Most likely this was from constant practice.
Their skill in their chosen profession was apparent. As they moved, they made absolutely no sound. There was not a single footfall. The only sounds to be heard were from the natural occurrences within the cave. Their glowing, neon forms didn't disturb a single thing.
'Their stealth is truly uncanny. Who… or whatever these monsters are…they have a level all their own.'
Sai continued to follow along behind them. His black inky form was well hidden in the shadows. The ultraviolet light wouldn't betray his location either. As long as he stayed behind and approached no further than the very edge of the light, he would remain unseen. He could not match them in a fight, but he could observe and learn everything he could for someone else that could. Someone else that may very well have to.
'Naruto. I will do all I can to place this conflict in your favor, my friend.'
Zōo began to talk. "Itami. What can you sense? Anything useful?"
"I sense a great many things. Both far and near. Some are useful, but many are not."
Sai stood further back, and prepared for flight. This Itami, had some unique sensory abilities. If he'd been detected he would have to be ready to get away. He did not have the skill to best them.
"Hrrm. Very well, then. Keep me posted if any further information comes to you."
They continued onward in silence. Eventually, Sai made the decision to follow. He needed more.
'It's not enough. I need more. Naruto will need more. There is nothing else for it.'
He moved forward, cautiously making sure to stay in the shadows. He did not venture any closer to the black light than was necessary.
Sasuke could feel the eyes upon him. Some held hatred, and some held pity. Many if not all, had pain. He tried not show his awareness of it, but it seemed as though they knew of it all the same. They knew they had touched him.
"It must be difficult to be here now. To be under the gaze of all these eyes."
Sasuke did not turn to look at Kakashi. He kept his sight on the road. "I can bare it. Itachi's eyes were far worse."
"Are you sure?" Kakashi asked. "Hatred is a powerful thing. Your brother was evil without question, and he did many things; but he never hated you."
Sasuke stopped in his tracks. "Naruto has had to deal with far more hateful eyes his entire life. He bore the weight, and it made him strong. If he can carry the weight than so can I."
"That's not what made him strong."
Kakashi turned to see Sakura coming down a path to their right. "Yo."
Sasuke turned to look at her, unsure of what to say. She saved him the trouble. "Naruto is strong because of us. Because we acknowledged him. When the weight was just about to crush him, we came into his life and he found a new strength."
Sasuke turned and looked down the road once more. "Than this was all for the best. Now he will not have to carry so much weight… I will now shoulder some of it. It is no less than what I deserve." He began to walk again.
Gaara made his way through the front gate. His mind was on more personal topics than his destination. As he made the final step through the doors, the guards gave their formal farewell.
"Have a pleasant trip back, Kazekage-sama."
Gaara took that final step and was outside Konoha. The doors closed behind him, and they locked shut. Five steps into the woods and a figure was in sight. It was roughly as tall as Gaara… possibly taller, dressed in all black with a strange two-eared hat. The man carried a large bundle of scrolls on his back.
"Hey, Gaara." Kankuro waved with a smile.
Gaara smiled back. "How was your trip to the land of Fire's hot springs?"
"Almost paradise."
"Almost?" Gaara inquired.
"There were no co-ed baths." Kankuro laughed.
Gaara simply shook his head and continued on his path, with his older brother following behind him
"Temari's really staying in Konoha?"
"She's now the official ambassador between Suna and Konoha. She'll be staying here quite often, now."
"We both know the real reason she took this job."
Gaara grunted, signaling both acknowledgement of the statement and an end to that conversation. He wanted to think for a while, and it was usually better to do that in peace and quiet. Kankuro obliged the request and walked quietly beside him, enjoying the cool and gentle breeze. Such things were rare in the desert. He wanted to enjoy it as much as possible.
'So the lady Hinata is in love with Naruto." Gaara thought to himself. 'And Naruto is beginning to catch on. I hope he can out maneuver that pompous Hyuga clan. He'll have a hard time getting past Hiashi alone.'
They continued to walk through most of the day in silence. Most of Gaara's thoughts were concerned with either Naruto or the current world crisis that was beginning to develop. Eventually he was brought out of his inner monologue by Kankuro.
"I think we've walked enough for today, Gaara. How about we set up camp? When we're done we can play some cards."
"No thanks," Gaara turned and looked his brother straight in the eye. "You cheat."
Kankuro looked right back at his brother and after a moment, he broke down and began to laugh. They walked a little further seeking an appropriate campsite. Eventually they found one, and Kankuro removed a scroll from his back. He unsealed it and released its contents.
"Alright, Baby. We could use your help."
When the white puff of smoke dissipated a small puppet stood before Gaara and Kankuro. A strange little puppet, which resembled a Tanuki. It bowed low, and waited for instruction. Kankuro smiled at his brother, who could only avoid his gaze. He chuckled before giving his order.
"We could use a little shelter. We'll be camping here tonight."
The little puppet rose and nodded its head. Jumping into the air, it began to click and whirl. The body of the Tanuki puppet literally unfolded. Countless miniature gears and layers of material moved and repositioned themselves over and over again, until at last there was dome that landed on the ground. Baby's head remained at the top of the dome. A small portal opened to serve as the door to the mechanical tent, and Kankuro picked up their gear and went inside to set up the sleeping arrangements.
Gaara in the meantime, used his sand abilities to form a fire pit. When it was to his liking, he wandered around and found decent kindling and firewood for the night. He prepared his bundle for its eventual purpose, and then gathered two nearby rocks to serve as seats. When Kankuro came out, he retrieved another rock and set down. Gaara wondered at this.
"Just in case." Kankuro smiled.
Gaara didn't quite believe him, but he let it go. Instead he unrolled a scroll of his own, and unsealed its contents. Fresh hamburger meat on a tray with buns, and the fixings.
"You start the fire."
"Hai." Kankuro replied, and began to work on their source of heat for the night.
"How much do you plan to eat tonight Kankuro?"
"Oh I'm fairly hungry. I'd say a good four or five for me."
"Four or five?" Gaara looked at him. "Haven't you eaten at all today?"
"Just breakfast, and that wasn't much." Kankuro replied. "I wanted to get back in time."
"Very well then, five it is. So that will make fifteen in total."
"Fifteen? What are you on a diet?" Kankuro teased.
Gaara simply ignored him, and went back to preparing the food.
As the night closed around them, the fire grew hot. It was ready for cooking in no time, and Gaara placed the skillet over the pit to heat it up. After a short time, he threw five patties down and began to cook them. They sizzled on the hot metal, with their scent rising to the nose of Kankuro. He was looking at them quite eagerly.
It was at this point, that Gaara began to hear a rustling in the nearby brush.
"We have company."
"Chill, little brother. I've got it covered." Kankuro eased his brother back down, with one hand and continued to fiddle his fingers on the other. His puppeteer abilities had been in play the entire time. Keeping watch as they relaxed. Of course, what Kankuro didn't tell Gaara was that he had been expecting this visitor.
The branches parted and the tell-tale clicking let Gaara know that it was one of the puppets. What Gaara would have realized if he'd looked up, was that the puppet had something in tow; or rather, someone.
"Hello Gaara-sensei."
This forced Gaara to look up from his task, and look at the owner of this voice wide-eyed. "Matsuri…"
Kankuro was barely able to stifle a laugh. He knew his brother's feelings even if Gaara didn't. "I'm glad you could make it. We have burgers here for you."
"Thank you." She said, taking her seat on the rock next to Gaara. Who had begun to focus on his task as if it were a new jutsu he was developing.
"I'm just going to check on something." Kankuro stood and walked into the dark trees.
"I hope you don't mind sensei. I wanted to escort you to the party, but I had a mission. Kankuro said he'd make sure I was assigned to escort you back. He kept his promise, and I made my way here."
"I…see." Gaara made a mental note, to remind Kankuro why his big brother used to be afraid of him.
"Was your time in Konoha pleasant?" She began to pick up the food tray and help with the preparations as Gaara flipped the meat.
"For the most part, yes."
"I'm sorry I couldn't help to celebrate Uzumaki's party. I would have liked to have been there."
"I would not worry. There were plenty of people there. I have rarely seen my friend smile so much."
There were several moments of silence between them as Gaara observed the burgers. His thoughts were not focused on them however. 'Why do you devote so much time to me, Matsuri. I am only the Kazekage. It is true I was your sensei, but you have long since graduated. You are a Jonin. Surely you would have more important tasks.'
"Gaara-sensei…"
He looked up in response to Matsuri. "Hai?"
"Aren't you happy to see me?" She looked down at him with a fear in her eyes.
Gaara focused on those eyes. 'Why does she show such a fear. I know she is not afraid of me. She was my first and only student for a time. She has willing spent all this time with me. I still don't understand emotions. I wish I did. I don't like seeing people afraid… not anymore.' He quickly responded to her question before any more fear could show. "Hai. This is a pleasant surprise."
"I'm glad." The fear in her eyes was replaced with warmth.
Gaara preferred that warmth. "I was just a little confused. Why spend so much effort on me?" He took the burgers off the grill and placed them on their buns. They prepared them to their liking as Kankuro came walking back.
"Hey. I saw a few wild animals while taking a … well anyways I'm going to go deal with them." He took three burgers and fixed them up. He walked off with his meal and a bottle of water, leaving the two alone.
"Gaara-sensei… I…I just wanted to spend some time with you."
Gaara placed the rest of his burgers on the skillet, and let them cook. "Yes, I know. But why is it so important to you? Is it because I am the Kage?"
"No!" She burst out. Suddenly there was a twinge of red on her cheeks, and she had to look away for a moment.
Gaara simply assumed that it was from the outburst. "Then why?"
Matsuri took a deep breath and then gave her reply. "Gaara-sensei. You are the Kazekage. Many revere you, and many respect you. But I… me… my feelings... they go much deeper than that. You are important to me, personally. To me, you are not the Kage, but my Gaara…sensei."
Gaara flipped the burgers. He processed this information slowly. Emotions were a tricky thing to him, and unless it involved his siblings he needed to think about them very carefully. Eventually he came to a conclusion, and nodded his understanding.
"You have an attachment to me."
"Hai." Matsuri said, beginning to blush.
"You care for me." Matsuri silently nodded, her blush deepening.
"I think… I understand. I am your friend." Gaara turned to her and smiled. "You are my friend, too."
Matsuri didn't look at him. She instead concentrated on the burger in her hand. "Hai." She sighed, and then bit into her burger.
Kankuro had been watching this scene from the shadows. He ate his last burger and finished off his canteen. He climbed down from his tree and began to walk back to the camp. Enough time had passed for him to "scare away the animals," and it looked like that little part of their conversation was over.
'Dammit, Gaara. How forward does she have to be?'
Kankuro sighed and entered the campground. He patted Matsuri on the back reassuringly, and sat down. He pulled out the pieces to a disassembled puppet and began his maintenance work and tinkering. Not much else was said that night. Eventually they all went to bed.
A figure lurched silently across the rooftops of Konoha. This shadow silently stalked its way across the town and into the compound of the Hyuga estate. Slowly but surely it slid across the compound. Concealed in darkness it stalked its target. Moving ever so cautiously, it followed the silhouette of a young maiden in the windows; the maiden known as Hinata. Suddenly it fell from a tree and let out a loud grunt.
'That's not good.'
Hiashi immediately rose to address the sound he had heard, but Neji had intercepted. "It is alright, Hiashi-sama. That is merely a stray animal. It followed Hinata-sama home one night, and she has taken to feeding it every evening."
"You know this for certain?" Hiashi questioned.
"Hai. It is a little clumsy. It is that trait that Hinata-sama finds so endearing. I will go and observe. If I am wrong and there is something wrong, then I shall put it right."
Hiashi nodded and went back to his study, to sip his tea. Neji, frowned and turned to walk out to the courtyard. He waved off the servants and guards who were ready to assemble. With a quick glance he made certain that they would not investigate, but leave the matter to him. Hinata's safety had ceased to be a duty for him, and became a personal matter for him. She was no longer his cousin. To him, she was his sister, and he would be the one to keep her safe; he and one other.
He stepped outside and made his way to the area where the noise had come from. He scanned the area, and then looked up. Hinata was undisturbed. He made his way to some nearby bushes and whispered into them.
"Naruto. You need to be more careful. I agreed to help you, but if you make another ruckus I cannot intervene on your behalf again."
The bush answered back. "I know. Gomen na sai, Neji. Thanks again for all your help."
"I trust you, my friend. Don't disappoint me." Neji got up and walked away. He kept in sight of Hinata's window, but not close enough to hear them. This was a personal matter, and as long as Naruto did not enter her room, he would not act against him.
He watched Naruto scramble across the yard quickly and soundlessly. His friend scrambled up the wall effortlessly and managed to reach the awning of the roof, without disturbing the clay tiles. Naruto as always learned from his mistake, and didn't make another sound.
Hinata sat in her room quietly. She studied her jutsu books intently. She would achieve her goal before the end of the month. She had given her word; and just like another shinobi, she would not go back on it. That was the nindo they shared. And they would soon share more.
Hinata jumped at the tap of her window. 'Shino again?' She was pleasantly proven wrong.
Naruto smiled at her through the glass. She nearly fainted in shock. Assuming this was a dream, she opened the window. "Hey Hinata!" He whispered.
She turned away blushing. "N…Naruto-kun! What are you doing here?" she whispered back.
Naruto swallowed a lump in his throat. "I, uh… I needed to talk to you." He put a hand on her shoulder and Hinata jumped.
It wasn't a dream. Naruto was really at her window. She turned beet red and stuttered her reply. "Ano… what is it, Naruto-kun?"
"Not here…" he warned. "…get dressed, and meet me at this place." He placed a note of paper on her windowsill.
"Naruto-kun?" She turned to look at him questioningly.
"Please?" He whispered back, giving her a sad look.
At that moment he could have asked her to do anything, and she would have agreed. "H…Hai. I will be there shortly."
She was rewarded that foxy grin of his, and he silently leapt way. It took Hinata seconds to get dressed, they seemed like hours to her. She did not want to waste any time. She was in such a rush, she had actually forgotten her sandals. Something she regretted once her feet touched the cold dewy ground.
Still, she would not go back. She made her way to the note's location- the training ground they had used earlier. It was there that she saw Naruto standing under tree near a blanket and a basket which had steam seeping from its covers. A midnight picnic! Hinata was swooning. Was he really starting to court her; were her dreams coming true?
Naruto waved his hand and she walked over. He frowned when he saw her wet feet. "You didn't have to hurry that much."
"I…It sounded important." She whispered.
"Well… yeah it is. Here." He took her hand and sat her down on the blanket next to him. He pulled off his jacket- the one she had given him- and placed over her feet to warm them.
"Ar…arigato." She was fighting not to pass out.
Naruto smiled at her. "I wanted to spend some time with you, since I won't see you for a month."
Hinata looked worried at this. Did he know? Was he somehow informed of what she was trying to do? She loved him, but if he knew about this it could very well spell disaster for her. "Excuse me? I don't quite understand."
Naruto looked over to the forests around the village. "I'm not going to be around for a while. There's a mission I'm going to be on."
"Oh." She simply said. She was relieved that he didn't know about her training, but she didn't like the sound of him not being in Konoha; especially on a mission. A mission could mean bad things. "Thank you Naruto-kun. I would have been worried."
"I know." He looked away for a moment. He picked up the basket, and opened the lid.
Hinata gasped slightly. She had expected to see Ramen. Instead she saw cinnamon rolls with a side of senzai. Her favorite foods... 'maybe this is a dream after all.'
Hinata's hand touched Naruto's as he handed her the first roll. She fought back her nosebleed, and took the roll, nervously beginning to eat. Naruto took a roll for himself, and nibbled on it quietly. They sat for a minute, before Naruto set down his confection, and looked at her.
"Hinata…" He began. She looked at him in mid-bite. He began to blush slightly. She looked so cute. "My mission… I could only tell one person what I would be doing. No one else could be told. If I did, my training would stop, and my career could be permanently damaged."
She put lowered her bun. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "N…Naruto-kun. Are… Are you… "
"I chose you Hinata. I wanted to tell you. Will you let me?"
Hinata felt like she was about to explode. Her dreams were coming true. Not in the way she might have thought, but there it was. There was a connection between them now. One he wanted to have with her and only her. He was risking almost everything to tell her in such a public place… even if it was past midnight. She nodded to him.
"Hinata. I was selected for ANBU training. If I succeed, I will be automatically promoted to Jonin, and officially named as Ero-Sennin's successor. I'll be closer to my dream than ever before. If I fail… I will never be ANBU, and my chances will… diminish."
Hinata didn't know what to do. She didn't know what to say. Once more, Naruto had dropped every little shield in front of her. Just like at the Chunin exam finals. He was insecure, and he came to her. She had to do something. Anything. She knew only one thing… and it could mean the ruin of everything she'd worked for.
Flashback-
Hinata stood before Hiashi, who held a rather large, pure white colored scroll in his hands. This was a summoning contract. Hinata had seen one or two before. She never realized there was one for the Hyuga family. She looked into her father's eyes in wonder.
"Hinata…" her father paused. He never paused.
"Hai, father?"
"Hinata, this contract… it is the requirement of all successors to the main branch that they be able to summon the beings with whom this contract is meant for. If they do not, they lose their status as heir… forever."
"How much time would I have to learn?"
"One month. You must learn a high level summon within one month." Her father looked at her gravely.
"I see."
"There is more Hinata…" Her father paused again.
'Twice now!' she thought to herself. 'This must be serious!'
"You are not allowed to tell anyone of this. They are a secret of the clan, and can only be revealed in times of need after you have completed the training. If you tell someone, they will know. And if they deem that person unworthy, you will never be able to summon them again. You could lose everything Hinata. They might even try to kill you."
Hinata was stunned. What kind of summons were they? Still if she were to become the heir and rule the clan, she would need to learn to summon these creatures. 'And I would have a summon of my own. Just like Naruto-kun…'
End Flashback-
Now Hinata was sitting under the stars with the love of her life. The only man she would ever accept. He needed her, and the only way she could help him was to risk destroying herself. And he was worth it. She resolved herself, without any second thought. It had to be done.
"Ano… Naruto-kun."
"Hmm?" He looked at her, an unsure look still in his eyes.
She took a deep breath, and then poured her heart out to him. "Naruto-kun is not the only one to be training. I am not even supposed to tell you this. If what I were to tell you was known to others… I could lose everything."
Naruto was scared for her. He was about to tell her not to say another word. "Then you ca—"
"I MUST!" she blurted out. She became as red as a tomato. She had to get this out now, or she never would. "I must tell you, Naruto-kun. You risk so much, everyday. You fight for all of us. You fight for me. If I cannot risk myself for you… than I cannot say that I… that I… c-care for you. And I do. You have shared a secret with me. I must share mine with you."
"But, Hina—"
"I MUST!" she repeated. "Naruto-kun. I am learning to summon, as you once did. I cannot tell you what I am summoning. Only that it is a tradition in our family that those who will become the heir to the main branch must summon them within a month or be disgraced. I am learning. I too am so close to my dreams. If I fail, I lose everything. I will never be able to claim my right. It would be the same if my secret were to come out before I have mastered the technique." She did not tell him the final part. She would not tell him. That would worry him too much. "I… I have been working very hard… and as you know, you have been my inspiration. Once more I think of you… and your cute friends. Thinking of them… and you… I can steel myself and work hard. And when I have mastered this technique I will show it to you."
"Is that a promise?" He looked at her, the doubt in his eyes beginning to fade.
She did that. She made his fears go away. "Hai. I give you my word."
"I'm counting on that. It is our nindo, after all." He smiled at her.
"Hai." She smiled back.
"Thank you, Hinata." Naruto smiled at her. A genuine smile.
She reached across and took his hand. She blushed, but she didn't have to fight for consciousness. She didn't have to fight back a nosebleed. She wasn't loosing control- she was gaining it. "No, Naruto-kun… thank you."
"Your welcome, Hinata-chan." He squeezed back. She smiled. They sat together for a while longer until all the rolls and paste had been finished off.
Shikamaru, Ino, Chouji, Tenten, Kiba, and Shino had been summoned to the Hokage's office the next morning. They stood there silently, awaiting entrance. At last Sakura opened the door and motioned them inside. They filed in one by one, and sat silently in their chairs. Across the desk sat a very serious Tsunade.
'Oh man. This is gonna be troublesome.' Shikamaru said to himself.
Tsunade raised her head, and opened her eyes. She looked at each one of them with a pair of eyes that said "This is pure business. No 'if's', 'and's', or 'but's'. Do as you're told."
"What I am about to tell you does not leave this room. Understood?"
They all nodded. We are under a grave threat by an unknown enemy. I have been working with Jiraiya, and the Kazekage to discern the nature of our enemy. So far we know there are five S-class ninjas making their way to Konoha. We don't know their motives. We don't know their goals. We don't even know their names. We know only that they are planning something that will affect all the nations. The entire world."
"Exactly how big a threat are they?" Shino asked.
"They are more powerful than Orochimaru, and the Akatsuki."
A few of the gathered ninja looked pale.
"What assignment do you have for us?" Shikamaru looked the Hokage dead in the eye. He did not want to leave Temari, but between staying with her keeping her safe he would choose the latter every time; no matter how troublesome it might be.
Tsunade looked at Sakura. The pink-haired apprentice gathered up several files and began to pass them out.
Well, that was chapter 5. I haven't had a lot of reviews lately. Please keep them up. I want to hear your opinions. Also if you like my story don't be afraid to recommend it. Tell your friends. Anyways thanks for reading my latest chapter, and please review. I'll get chapter six up as soon as I can. Thanks again.
-bakagaijin.
