Chapter 4" Continued: There's Always Hope
The morning of the tournaments first day.
Hinata awoke as the alarm next to the bed screeched. She lay face down on her tear-streaked pillow and reached her arm out, shutting the alarm off. She continued to lay face down in her bed for several minutes deciding whether she should even bother to get up ever again. A loud knock came from her bedroom door followed by Tenten's voice. "Hinata! Get up, we don't want to be late."
Hinata groaned and slid out of the bed, dragging her feet along the ground. She grabbed a towel from the dresser and headed for the shower. She turned the knob on the shower to a semi warm setting and disrobed before stepping under the water spray. As the water blasted against her skin her mind kept drifting back to last night and the image of Naruto and Sakura together on the couch.
Hinata squinted her eyes tightly and shook her head, dispersing the gathering water. She shut the water off, dried off and changed into her classic outfit. She slipped on a pair of sandals and left her hotel room. She almost glanced back at Sakura's room but refused to, intent on ignoring the sudden commotion coming from inside. Hinata slowly descended the stairs leading to the hotel lobby, using the handrail to help hold her up.
As she made that last step down the stairs she looked over to the dining area and saw another buffet style breakfast laid out. She moved slowly into dinging room and walked around the buffet, seeing if anything would catch her interest. After several walks around she found that she really wasn't that hungry and walked out of the room. On the way out she found Shikamaru, Chouji, and Lee waiting outside the dining room.
"Good morning Hinata-san. Would you care to join us for breakfast?" Lee asked Hinata.
"I'm sorry Lee-kun. I've got some things I need to think about. Thank you though." Hinata gave a small bow and left the three there. She walked out the hotel doors and became engulfed in the crowd of people filling the street. She walked against the flow of the crowd until she reached the nearly barren beach. Gray clouds filled the horizon far off in the water as the waves rolled in higher than they had the other day.
She walked down the beach, her foot occasionally sinking in the sand, reaching above her sandal and feeling cool against her toes. She saw something move at the edge of her peripheral vision and turned to see what had caught her attention. She saw the ramen shack that Randall and Remington ran, Remington waving to the girl. She gave a small, halfhearted wave and continued on her way. After several minutes she reached the forested area she had followed Naruto through the other day.
Hinata slowed and then stopped her walk, deep enough in the forest she felt that people would not hear her. She took in a long deep breathe, held it for two seconds, then let loose a shout, scaring several birds, ruffling leaves, but most importantly, releasing a great deal of her anger and sadness. Hinata took several breaths after her scream, her heart rate slowly returning to normal
"Feel better now?" Hinata spun at the sound of the voice behind her and entered her family Jyuuken fighting stance. She saw Remington leaning against a tree, his hands up in the air. "Woah, easy. Didn't mean to startle you."
"Gomen, Remington. I did not know you were there." Hinata blushed slightly as she lowered he stance and stared at the ground.
"No worries. When I waved at you on the beach you seemed a little down. Is everything…ok?" Remington cocked an eyebrow at her and stepped towards her.
"Yes. I…just have some stuff on my mind."
"Anything I can help with?"
"No, I do not think so."
"Whew, that's good." Hinata looked up at Remington quizzically. Remington waved his arms defensively at her. "No, no. What I meant was I'm not very good at this kind of thing. Randall prefers to do the old wise guy thing and help people. It's just never been my thing."
"I understand. Thank you for checking on me though. It was a nice gesture."
"No problem, what are friends for anyway? Still, while I am not the best at cheering people up, I can tell you what I like to do when I am feeling down." Hinata looked at Remington and nodded her head. "This path," Remington pointed down the dirt path Hinata had been walking, "leads to a fork in the road about a quarter mile down. The fork is kinda hard to see, but it's there. Take the left at the fork, it's a run down path, not used much. Follow it until it ends. Whenever I am feeling a little down and out, I just go there and my worries just melt away."
"I will consider it. Thank you, Remington."
"Anytime." Remington looked down at his watch and his eyes widened. "Crap, I'm gonna be late."
"Are you and Randall selling ramen at the tournament?"
"Yeah, he's going to be selling it from this cart he made. It's not great, but it moves without falling apart. Way better than the previous one he made."
Hinata laughed a little at the comment. "I'm sorry you didn't make it into the tournament."
Remington looked sheepishly at the ground, a slight grin on his face. "Yeah, well, still happens you know. Can't win them all. Thank you though. Anyway, I should get going. I'll see you later Hinata. Hope you work out whatever needs working out." Remington ran back down the path towards the beach, his black cloak flapping in the wind. Hinata waved at the young man's back before turning and walking down the path once more.
Hinata's mind tried to forget about Naruto and Sakura, instead focusing on the peaceful nature around her. She watched as butterflies flew in the air, a rabbit ran across the path ahead of her, the sound of birds in the trees. Before she knew it she has arrived at the fork. 'If you can even really call it that,' she thought. The path obviously turned to the right. To the left was what may have been a trail once, but it had been overgrown with grass, tree roots, snaking through it.
Hinata debated with herself for several minutes before taking that first step down the left path, accepting Remington's advice. Several small animals scurried out of her way, frightened of the intruder in their turf. Hinata carefully ducked low hanging branches, avoid several muddy pools of water, and foot tangling roots from the trees. She found herself beginning to doubt whether or not to turn back when she heard a very faint sound.
She paused and strained her ears. The sound reminded her of moving water. 'Is there a stream up ahead?' Hinata wondered and continued on the trail. As she moved forward slowly the sound began to increase in volume. After about ten minutes Hinata was forced to stop as the trail ended suddenly in front of a large concrete wall. She could tell the source of the noise was coming from behind the wall, now accompanied by the sound of splashing and voices.
Hinata leapt into the nearest tree and made her way to the top so she could see over the wall. As she reached near the top of the tree the wall ended and afforded her a few behind the wall. Many women were relaxing in several pools of hot water, evident by the steam. Some wore towels about their bodies whilst others wore nothing at all. 'This is a hot spring, but I only see women here. But…Remington said he comes here when he feels unhappy. He couldn't mean he…no. Is he a peeper?'
A rustling of leaves in a nearby tree followed by a series of chuckles put Hinata on alert. She activated her Byakugan and looked around her. She saw, nestled in one of the braches, hidden behind a genjutsu, and white haired man, in wooden sandals. 'He's peeping on those women down there. I'll show him.' Hinata leapt from her tree and aimed her foot at the pervert. She connected with the man's head and sent him falling from his branch.
To her amazement the man quickly recovered from her attack, grabbing a passing branch and halting his fall. He looked down before releasing his hold and landed expertly on the ground. Hinata jumped down from her tree and landed behind the peeper, unleashing a series of Jyuuken strikes as soon as she landed. The man dodged her strikes masterfully, as though he knew how she would attack. Hinata gritted her teeth in mild frustration and stepped up her tempo, determined to get in a good shot on the pervert.
The man quickly dropped to the ground and kicked his leg out, taking Hinata's foot from beneath her, causing her to tumble, but not before she landed a Jyuuken strike into the man's upper left arm, locking it in place. The peeper leapt away from Hinata as the girl quickly rose back to her feet, ready to begin attacking again. The man began to laugh as turned to look the girl in the face, using his right hand to move his hair out of the way. "I wouldn't expect anything less from Hiashi's daughter."
"Jiraiya-sama?" Hinata was shocked to see The Frog Hermit, and quickly bowed to him. "I am so sorry. I did not realize it was you. Please, forgive me."
Jiraiya waved the girls apologies away and walked towards her. "Don't trouble yourself over it. A simple misunderstanding that is all." Jiraiya kept working on his paralyzed arm, trying to get it to move again. "Good hit by the way."
"Umm, thank you, Jiraiya-sama. May I ask, what you were doing up there? I only attacked because it looked like you were peeping on those women."
"What? I most certainly was not. I was busy conducting field research for my novel and working on perfecting my surveillance technique. I think it worked rather well."
"Hai, I would not have been able to see you if it weren't for my Byakugan."
"Well, good then. I would hate to think you could just see me plain as day."
"No, no, you were very well hidden, but you did…laugh a little. That tipped me off that you were there at all."
"Really? Damn, need to learn to keep it in the head." Jiraiya tapped his head as he spoke. "Oh well. So, what brings you to this neck of the woods anyway Hinata?"
"Remington said that he comes here when he needs to clear his head and recommended it to me too."
"Needed to clear your head eh? Did that foolish pupil of mine do something stupid again?"
"No, not really." Hinata looked at the ground and sighed, her emotions finally getting the best of her, she had to talk to Jiraiya. "Yes. L-last night, after we went to karaoke I went to talk to Naruto and apologize for fainting…again. B-but then…then I saw him and S-Sakura together and…and…" A tear leaked from the side of Hinata's eye, the memory of last night painful.
"Hey now, come on." Jiraiya knelt down next to the girl and wiped away her tear. A pervert he may be, but a good man at heart too. "Listen, you have nothing to be sad about. Nothing happened between Naruto and Sakura. Trust me."
"But how can you know?" Hinata looked up at the frog hermit, pleading with him to make it better.
"At least now I know who was looking in the door." Hinata looked at him quizzically, not understanding what he was talking about. "Did you ever stop to wonder why the hotel room door was left open?"
Hinata shook her head. "I-I just thought it was left open by accident."
"No, you happened along as I was done checking up on my wayward pupil. Okay, what I am about to tell you is between you and me, no one else, deal?" Hinata sniffled and nodded, curious about what Jiraiya was getting at. "Ever since Sasuke left the village Sakura has had troubles. It started with just nightmare, but they increased in intensity. Tsunade gave her some medicine to help her sleep and stop her from dreaming, but apparently she is developing a slight resistance to them. Last night Naruto helped to comfort his teammate. Nothing more came of it."
"R-really?"
"Really. Now, if he didn't care for his teammates and friends and do everything in his power to make them feel better, would he be the ninja we know and like?"
"No, not at all. Nartuo always tries his hardest at everything he does. He would never let a friend down."
"Exactly. So cheer up, the war isn't over yet." Hinata sniffled once more and began to smile as that glimmer of hope appeared once more.
"Thank you Jiraiya-sama."
"Hahaha, no problem. Say, shouldn't you be on your way to the tournament? The first round should have started by now."
"You are right. What about you though?"
"I have some more surveillance work to do." Jiraiya struck a pose and looked towards the sky. "The life of a shinobi is difficult, but I will persevere."
"You truly are amazing, Jiraiya-sama."
"I know. Now get going. I know that blonde could use another pretty cheerleader." Hinata made a quick bow to Jiraiya and bound off into the forest. "And tell him to keep clean!" Jiraiya worked his arm again, finally regaining full use of it. "Nice girl, a little naive though. Now, back to my…surveillance."
Hinata quickly rushed through the forest, leaping nimbly from tree to tree. Finally Hinata arrived back at the main path, and with one last leap from her tree she landed on the dirt road, startling a couple walking along it. She rushed down the path and onto the beach. She saw a closed sign hanging from Randall and Remington shack as she sped from the beach into the streets. She found her progress slowed as the crowd was packed tight on the street.
Tired of waiting Hinata leapt to the nearest building and began to run sideways along the outer wall, several people stopping to gawk at the purple haired streak above them. Hinata pushed her legs faster, the strain beginning to hurt, but she refused to slow, not wanting to risk missing Naruto's match. Finally she arrived at the entrance to the arena and stopped to catch her breath.
"Good morning Miss Hinata." Hinata turned to see Randall behind a pushcart with a picture of Naruto eating ramen posted above it.
"Good morning, Randall-san. I like your cart." Randall beamed at her.
"Thank you. It is just a simple genjutsu, but I like it. Business has been booming ever since Naruto allowed me to use his image. That Naruto is quite a guy, you know. I offered him free ramen in order to use his image, but he declined my offer." Hinata looked at Randall with a very confused expression on her face.
'What could make Naruto pass up on free ramen?'
"Instead he had me agree to donate a portion of my profits to the orphans in Konoha. I am very proud of him for that."
"Naruto has always been very kind, helping people whenever he could."
"I don't doubt it. Say, why aren't you inside with your friends? They went in nearly an hour ago. You better hurry the second match is probably close to *WHEEETTT* finishing. Better get in like quick. It's gonna take some time to get in." Hinata turned to see the line Randall indicated and began to despair.
Hinata waved goodbye to Randall and got in line. Slowly the line dragged forward, a step every ten seconds or so. Hinata began to fidget as she worried whether she had missed Naruto's match or not. Her fingers worked nervously as she finally got under the roof of the building. She could faintly hear the announcer but could not be sure who was fighting. Hinata's spirits rose as the turnstile finally came into sight. She anxiously hopped from foot to foot, wishing the people in front of her would move faster. Finally Hinata was next for the turnstile, but her hopes sank as the attendant spoke.
"Ticket please." Hinata's eyes widened as her mind replayed her day, she had left her ticket back at the hotel, too depressed to grab it. The attendant asked again, "Ticket please."
"Hurry up, up there. Some of us are in a hurry."
Hinata feverishly searched her pockets, hoping that a ticket would appear in them. Suddenly she saw a hand holding a ticket thrust in front of her to the attendant.
"Here is her ticket sir, she seemed to have dropped it." Hinata turned and saw Randall, his little cart behind him holding the ticket out. The attendant took the ticket, tore off his part and handed it back to Hinata who moved through the turnstile. She stepped off to the side, out of everyone else's way and spoke to Randall.
"I do not know what to say."
"I always go with thanks personally, but you know, that's just me."
"Of course, thank you very much, but why? Were you not going to see the matches?"
"I thought about it, but I think I'll keep selling Ramen for today. Business is good." He waved his arm to the side to indicate the line and Hinata saw many of the patrons slurping down a small bowl of noodles. "Besides, you should be with your friends. They could use your support, I am sure."
"Thank Randall-san. How can I repay you though?"
"Worry about that later. I'll think of something. For now, go and have fun. And cheer for Naruto for me."
"I will, thank you." Hinata did a quick bow, turned and walked briskly down the hall. The hall opened up to the stands filled with people. She walked to the nearest rail and looked down in the arena. She saw Hyouuryusha and Hiro Tsubaru in the arena. The two combatants looked tired as the swung punches and delivered kicks at each other. Hinata turned her attention away from the two fighters and began to look through the crowd for her friends but was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people in the building.
"Hinata-sama?" Hinata spun around and saw Neji standing one level below carrying a tray filled with food and drinks.
"Neji-kun. I'll be right there." Hinata found the nearest set of stairs and descended them. She met back with Neji, glad to see her cousin. "Do you know where everyone else is?"
"Yes, they sent me to go and retrieve the refreshments." He indicated the box he was holding.
"Would you like some help?"
"Thank you, but I have it. Lets hurry back to the others. They were beginning to worry about you." Neji lead the way back to the stands that the Konoha nin shared. She was surprised to she they were right above the entrance to the red square. As the two Hyuuga neared the seats Ino turned and saw them.
"Look, Neji's back, and he found Hinata. Such a good cousin." Shikamaru and Sakura looked at the two as they joined their comrades, Neji taking a seat at the end next to Shikamaru. Ino and Sakura waved Hinata to a seat in between the two of them. Hinata thanked the two of them and sat down as Neji began to pass down the food and drinks.
"Did I miss Naruto's match?"
"No, but you did miss Shino's fight." Hinata looked down sadly, regretting letting her own petty problems stop her from cheering her teammate on. "Hey, don't worry," Sakura continued, "he won. The last match was kinda dull, Tsurichiro just kept running away the whole time. It was really pathetic. Then he went and got that lucky kick to Kanaho's face. This match has been very interesting though."
Hinata looked down into the arena and saw that the two fighters were still going at each other, but their movements were much slower, obviously very tired by now. Hiro threw a punch and over extended himself, leaving a wide opening for Hyouuryusha, which he took. He slammed his elbow into Hiro's face, breaking the nose before kicking him in the stomach. Hiro stumbled backwards and looked up in time to receive an uppercut from Hyouuryusha, sending the man falling backwards, out cold. The announcer called out the time before declaring Hyouuryusha the victor.
Hyouuryusha limped slightly as he walked back towards the blue entrance, the crowd cheering him on. The Konoha nin clapped as the young fighter departed. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we will take a five minute break before the next match will start. But, I am warning you now, you may not want to risk missing the next match."
"So, Hinata, what took you so long?" Sakura turned as she spoke to the opal eyed girl.
"W-well, I went to do some…sight seeing, and Remington told m-me about an interesting spot t-to investigate." Hinata stuttered as she spoke, not used to hiding information from her friends. She hated to lie, but she did not want everyone to know she had almost ran away. "There was an open air bath that you might be interested in trying later. And well, I lost track of time. I came as quick as I could when I realized what time it was."
"Eh, it happens you know. I remember once I got so busy deciding what clothes to were that I got to class two hours late."
"Guilty." Ino chimed in. "Still, you missed a very interesting match with Shino. He's more resourceful than I had originally thought."
"Shino-kun is very smart and talented. He has been a major factor in the success of our team's missions. I hope he's not upset that I missed his match."
"Even if he was, how could you tell?" Sakura joked, making her face go all serious and imitating straightening a pair of shades on her face. Hinata and Ino laughed, Shikamaru and Neji joining in. A loud gong filled the arena and the lights flickered once, drawing everyone's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen. I ask you to put your hands together for our next two contestants. First, in the red square, you know him, you love him, you use his bridge, the one and only NARUTO UZUMAKI!!!" Hinata and Sakura cheered and clapped as the blonde youth made his appearance. Hinata laughed as she watched her favorite blonde run a lap around the outside of the arena, waving at the crowd as he went.
Naruto ran up the stairs leading to his starting square and made a set of clones that leapt from the arena into the stands. The clones ran around the stands, posing for pictures, shaking hands, and slamming high fives to the fans. As one of the Naruto clones passed his friends he winked at the girls. After a minute Naruto returned his clones to the ether they had come from.
The announcer cleared his throat and continued, "And in the blue square, the son of the Traveling Monk Toshiro, The Speed Demon, The Wind Runner, Kazuama Shingami." The crowd cheered in excitement that two big league fighters had been pitted against each other. Sakura and Ino booed Kazuama as he stepped onto the stage.
. "Now, do both the contestants remember the rules?" Naruto and Kazuama nodded. "Excellent. Naruto, are you ready?"
"Ready!" Naruto shouted and assumed his fighting stance.
"Kazuama, are you ready?" Kazuama merely nodded and readied his stance. "OK, BEGIN!"
So ends the latest chapter in Naruto: Wave Vacation. I hope you enjoyed it. I am hoping to have the next chapter ready in about a month or so, but unfortunately my muse is setting my up to write a different story. I will try and divide my time evenly between the two. So keep an eye our for the next chapter: In Door Pool Party and for the first chapter of my next fic: Even Now.