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Bee-uty & the Beast
Kraen
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Chapter One
Gai stood before the gates of Konoha, looking down the road leading out of the city. As usual, he was eager to get another mission underway. The trip to the Buzen province was going to be a long one and he wanted to get started before the sun had fully risen. He sighed, "This woman is almost as bad as Kakashi. When will she get here?" In his mind, the image of Hani appeared. He still couldn't comprehend how that woman was possibly a ninja. She seemed nothing like the Kunoichi he had worked with before. Women like Kurenai, Anko and Tenten were tough, strong and exuded chakra. This Hachi Hani seemed no more talented than the local ramen girl.
He tried picturing her traveling alongside him wearing her kimono and tiptoeing through the forest, "I hope she at least changes her clothes, I don't think carrying her for a three day travel will be fun for either party." He dug his fists deeper into his hips, "But if I must, then I shall! I have a mission, one that only I can perform and I will make my fellow ninja proud! This is a quest. Yes, a quest! And with my help, a young and handsome lord may be able to put an end to a horrible war and I, Maito Gai," he lifted a clenched hand and thrust it into the air. "Will see to its success!"
"Am I interrupting something?" came a pleasant voice.
Gai jumped; he hadn't heard anyone approach. He turned to see Hani, standing with her arms crossed and an amused expression on her face. Much to his relief, she had changed out of her kimono and was now dressed in a pair of dark brown slacks and a tank-top with a mesh undersuit. The only decoration she wore was a pair of large hoop earrings and three sticks tucked into her hair. On her back she wore the customary ninja backpack; but, she appeared to not be wearing any weapon pouches. "Hani! Er, Hani-san."
"Please, call me Hani."
Only hesitating slightly, he drew his arm forward and pulled his sleeve up to the elbow. He was trying to look at his watch over-exaggeratingly so she would notice her tardiness. Unfortunately, as he looked at his wrist, he found he wasn't even wearing a watch. Did he ever actually wear one? Gai willed the blood to stay from his face as he fought the encroaching embarrassment at his foolishness. Hani, noticing this, smiled at him. "What time is it, Gai?" she asked, just barely able to suppress a laugh.
"Past the time we agreed to meet," he said, composing himself.
"I apologize, Gai. I'm not one to worry about the time, so I tend to lose track of it."
He waved his hand dismissively. "No matter," he turned back to the gates pulling a map from one of his vest's pockets. "Now, we will head North, through the Twinspire pass, then up along the river." He could hear Hani approach him from the side and look over his arm. "The report stated, by the time we reach here," he pointed to a location on the map. "We should avoid being seen in public. So, we will take this off-road route to the village."
Hani nodded, "Sounds good."
Gai folded the map and returned it to his pocket. He looked down to Hani (she was almost a foot shorter), "Will you be alright to travel this distance?"
She smiled, "I will be fine."
"Yosh!" He tightened the straps on his pack, and smiled as he felt the fire in his belly ignite; the excitement before starting a new mission. He shouted, startling Hani, "Let us go, and run into the sunrise! We have three days, but I say we try for two!"
Hani blinked in astonishment, 'Two?!'
"Come, Hani! Let us go and run ourselves till our bodies fall from exhaustion and our eyes flow with tears --"
'This guy is really weird,' she thought taken aback. With speed that shocked her, an arm shot around her shoulders, pulling her tightly to his side. She just barely managed to refrain from squeaking in surprise.
"If you, my fragile friend, should feel yourself wane through our travels, do not hesitate to tell me and I shall slow my spirited pace." She tried to wiggle free from his strong grip, but he was either oblivious of her attempts or was determined to ensnare her.
'Ugh, people are watching,' she thought. She looked over and noticed the two ninja assigned to guard the gate, studying both her and Gai with a great deal of enjoyment.
"Our travels may be wrought with danger, but FEAR NOT gentle Hani," he placed a large hand to the side of her head and brought her face against his chest protectively. She gave a muffled call in protest. "I shall protect you with my LIFE!" roared Gai.
'Let go of me immediately, or it really will be your life,' she mentally growled.
"Now, let us begin our journey!" He released his hold on her and tore off down the road, laughing heartily and leaving a trail of dust in his wake.
Feeling very uncomfortable at the interaction with her new partner, Hani brought a hand to her forehead and rubbed the tension beginning to build, "This is going to be a long mission."
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At mid afternoon, Gai looked over his shoulder and much to his surprise, found Hani keeping pace with him easily. They had been running for hours, with no break. Occasionally he would call back to her, asking if she needed a rest and each time she refused. After ten hours of maintaining a constant pace, even Gai was running low on energy. He looked about the area and decided here was as good a place as any to take a rest. He slowed his speed, allowing Hani to gain on him. "It's going to get dark soon, I suggest we take a break and start again in six hours." He looked to her and noticed her skin glistening with sweat.
"Sounds … good," she huffed.
They both jogged to an area he indicated off the road. It was well hidden, in a thick copse of trees and would be a good place to set camp. He took off his pack before speaking, "We should be fine with a fire. Catch your breath while I go find some wood." Hani nodded silently.
When he returned with a small bundle of sticks, he found she had taken both of their bed rolls and laid them out. Between the bedding, was a circle of stones she had set up for the fire. "Thank you," he said, indicating her preparations.
She smiled, "Of course."
After they had the fire started, they both settled down to rest; Hani agreeing to take the first guard shift. Gai couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive with leaving their safety up to her; but, he also knew they were not in any immediate danger. He lay down, propping his head on a fist, his elbow bearing his weight, "Hani, how old are you?"
The woman raised an eyebrow and looked at him casually, "Gai, where are your manners? You should know better than to ask a lady her age."
He shook his head, "I meant no offense, Hani. It's just," he hesitated. "I wondered if we were close in age." He looked to the fire, not sure what to say next.
"26."
Gai looked at her in question, "I'm sorry?"
"I'm 26," she gave him a small smile. "What does our age matter?"
"Well, I don't ever recall seeing you at the academy. We would have been there at the same time. Also, I don't remember seeing you at any of the chuunin or jonin exams. Plus, you don't even wear a headband. I thought I knew all of the ninja in Konoha -- if not personally, then casually. But you, I don't believe I've met before today."
She looked downward with a small grin, "Do you think the academy is the only way someone can become a ninja in Konoha?"
Gai considered her words, "I suppose not. I've heard of some ninja tutored privately."
"There, you just answered your own questions."
He smiled, proud of himself, "Who was your sensei?"
"Why don't you get some rest, Gai. In three hours I will wake you and we can change shifts."
Not noticing her attempt at changing the subject, he nodded. He had more questions, but they would have to wait till later.
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They made excellent time. When he said 'two days', he was trying to set an unreachable goal, believing Hani would slow them down. He looked to the woman running at his side, who was maintaining a steady pace. "There should be a village up ahead. We can stay there for the night. It will be our last stop before we have to take the alternate route and approach in stealth. Since we've been running with little rest; it would be wise to get a full night sleep before we start again in the morning."
She nodded, "Hai."
He gave her a beaming smile, "You surprise me, Hani. You are doing an excellent job at keeping up with me. I can see the Will of the Fire is strong in you."
"Oh?" she cocked her head to the side. "You didn't think I could keep up with you?"
"To be honest, no. You didn't appear to be a much of a ninja at our first meeting, so it was easy for me to assume you would not be able to --"
"Last one to the village buys dinner!" called Hani as she sprinted forward, leaving Gai behind.
He slowed his pace to barely a jog, "A bet? Ha! I do not participate in bets!" He brought an index-finger to his chin. "Though it could be considered a 'youthful challenge'." He pumped a fist into the air, "I shall not lose!"
With already a good head start, Hani ran as fast as she could; though she soon heard what sounded like a stampede coming up the road behind her. She looked over her shoulder with large eyes, gasping as she saw a torrent of dust rushing up the roadway.
She adjusted her weight to the balls of her feet and upped her speed a bit more. If she was going to win this race, she was going to have to save the rest of her energy for the last stretch. It didn't take long for the typhoon that is Gai, to reach her.
"Hani," he said as he came alongside her. "Your efforts are impressive, but I'm afraid you will have to do better than this to win a race against me." He flashed a beaming smile with a thumb-up before speeding past her.
Determined, Hani reached out and wrapped a hand under his arm and grabbed onto his bicep; holding on for dear life. She felt her legs kicking wildly as she tried to keep pace with him. Gai; however, didn't even seem to notice the added weight.
Within seconds they were in sight of the village. Citizens on the outskirts looked towards their direction, fearing they were a sandstorm; scurrying like frightened children to avoid Gai's path. Once the two racers were twenty feet from the village's gates, Hani seized the opportunity, 'Now or never.' She kicked off the ground and yanked with all her strength on Gai's arm. With his momentum and a little added chakra, she was able to rocket herself towards the entrance, passing the gates just a hair before him. Gai, who was completely distracted and shocked by her last ditched effort, failed in stopping his charge before crashing ungracefully into the village well. His body hung for a moment, pressed comically against the structure before falling to the ground in a heap; unconscious.
"Gai!" cried Hani, running to his side. She placed a hand on his forehead, lifting his hair and checked for injuries. She used both hands to feel around his head and finding no welts, released the anxious breath she held. Patting his cheek softly, she encouraged him to wake, "Gai. Maito Gai, please wake up."
He stirred, opening his eyes slightly and looked up to the beautiful, blushing face above him. "Hani?"
"Yes Gai?"
"That was a very dirty trick," he said with a grin.
She smiled at him sweetly, "Perhaps it was. Regardless, dinner is on you tonight."
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Thank you, for reading!
Ninja Datasheet
Name: Hachi Hani (Roughly translates to "Honey Bee")
Age: 26
Birthday: Sept. 17
Blood Type: O-
Height: 162cm (5'3")
Weight: 47kg (103 lbs)
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Violet
Band Color: None
Unique Appearance Characteristics: Beauty Mark
Chakra Type: Classified
Attacks: Classified
Weapons: Unknown
Current Rank: Classified
Affiliation: Konohagakure
Current Team: None
Favorite Food: Anything sweet
Least Favorite Food: Anything spicy
Personality: Mello - but quick to anger, sassy, good-humored, socialite