The courtship of Naruto Uzumaki
XXI. Escort duty
"Vampires. Yes, I've heard that rumor," Tsunade said thoughtfully rubbing her chin when Naruto brought up the idea after their return to the ninja complex. He knew that Hinata didn't want them to talk about vampires, but she'd agreed to hear what the Hokage had to say on the subject. The genin were chomping at the bit to know and—well—so was he.
"I've heard that rumor, too," Shikamaru said. "It's interesting how those sorts of rumors spread so quickly." He didn't care who or what the attacker was as long as they terminated the threat soon, and ended this troublesome double ninja duty.
"Yeah, me, too. I thought it was interesting, too," agreed Choji. He actually thought it would be cool. He'd been raised on scary stories. Vampires, werewolves, ghosts were all deliciously scary. He wouldn't mind meeting anyone of them, and kicking their butt.
"Well?"
"Well, what?" She just couldn't help teasing him even if it was too easy.
"What do you think about the vampire rumor?" Naruto demanded impatiently of the Hokage since she wasn't volunteering her opinion any time soon. She was the oldest, the most worldly, the most experienced ninja present. Her response was what counted here.
"It's worth considering," she offered mildly. Sometimes rumors had some grounding in truth. She hadn't come up with any other workable solution. Why not vampires?
"What!? No!" Hinata couldn't contain her involuntary reaction. Not the Hokage, too! Vampires couldn't be any worse then some of the enemies she'd fought in the past, but all those childhood fears were dredged up unpleasantly with the very word. Why was it so difficult to shake the things that scared you from childhood? Why did vampires strike such unreasonable terror in her heart? If only she knew how to stop her heart from wildly palpitating, her skin from chilling, and the cold sweat from damping her hands at every mention of the word, she'd be able to deal calmly with this new wrinkle in her reality.
Tsunade threw up her hands in apology. "I know. I know. I grew up on those horror stories, too, but we can't rule out anything. At this point that would be foolish. Unfortunately, vampires fit the facts as we know them right now. Until we discover evidence that leads us elsewhere, vampires must be considered along with everything else."
"What about werewolves?" Akira asked eagerly. Botan had sorta ruled them out for him, but he wanted an official opinion. If anything should be considered—why not werewolves?
She smiled at him. "Sure. Why not? Find me incontrovertible proof, and I'll accept any theory. But I have to tell you, Akira, the facts don't seem to fit werewolves. You'll probably have to give up on that idea more easily than the vampire idea."
Akira looked down with disappointment while Botan nudged him with an I-told-you-so look in his eyes. But he had to ask. If he'd learned nothing else from Naruto it was that it didn't hurt to ask.
"It doesn't have to be real vampires. It could be someone imitating vampires," Hinata suggested tentatively. That idea was more palatable to her then actual vampires.
"Good point, Hinata. Keep that in mind everyone. If we're dealing with vampire imitators then the rules regarding vampires—whatever those might actually be—don't apply. Hinata, believe me, I'd really like to discover a more satisfactory answer to these attacks, but we've got no evidence except the draining of blood. No one yet has come forward with any information to add to that evidence. No one has reported seeing anything unusual that bears on this case—unless one of you has something different to report?" She sounded skeptical with good reason. So far this attacker had gotten away without anyone witnessing anything—unless it was the witnesses that were being attacked, and the real crime was something else entirely. That was just another possibility to add to an already long list. At this point almost anything was possible.
Shikamaru and Choji had spent the morning and afternoon interviewing the current victims' family, friends and coworkers.
"Apparently, our two newest victims were friends as well as coworkers and neighbors. They stopped at the Tombo Bar after work fairly often to belt down a few before heading home to the same area of the same street," Shikamaru reported. "Both men were married with two children each. Everyone was understandably upset and bewildered by the circumstances."
"No one I talked to knew anything to report except that they had no idea why the two were by the river. They lived at the opposite end of the village," Choji added.
"So they were either lured there, moved there, or went to the river for some other reason unknown to their nearest and dearest," Tsuande mused.
"That's my take on it," Shikamaru agreed.
"Have you come to any other conclusions after your interviews?"
He put his hands in his pockets, and shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry, but there's absolutely nothing to add to what we already know. It could be vampires for all I can tell."
"Sweet," Choji said with a grin. He needed Shikamaru's sanction to consider such an outlandish idea. Shikamaru was the smartest guy he knew as well as being his best friend. If he was openly willing to give vampires a consideration then so was Choji.
"Not exactly," Tsuande said with a frown. "We need solid information."
"We're doing the best we can," Shikamaru said defensively.
"I know. Under the circumstances, we're doing everything we can, but that isn't enough. Without more information or a good break how are we to put a stop to these attacks? Keeping Konoha safe is our job, and we're failing!" her voice rose with frustration. Did she make a mistake sending out all of her experienced ninja? She'd thought averting another war was her most important choice. She never imagined they'd face a crisis at home so soon.
She took a moment to stem her emotional outburst before continuing. "Let's hear your team's report, Naruto. Do you have anything useful to add?"
Naruto and Hinata—mostly Naruto gave their report. She inserted details that he forgot when he asked or paused for her input. Together they presented a thorough report that even the genin couldn't think of anything to add except nods and a chorus of yeah at various points in the narrative.
When they were all finished, Tsunade mulled over the information or lack thereof. They'd been thorough. She didn't think more experienced ninja could have done better. That still didn't make the lack of genuine evidence any more acceptable.
"I agree that the monks should be watched. If Naruto's suspicious of them then they must be up to something."
"Hey!" he objected. "I resent that remark."
"I'm complimenting you on your observational skills, Naruto," she said soothingly.
"Sure you are. That was a pretty backhanded way to do it," he grumbled.
"Subtlety's not my strong suit. You'll just have to take my word for it. You've all done an excellent job. I expected no less considering the experience you'd gained from your last assignment."
"What now?" Shikamaru asked without acknowledging the compliment. In his experience, the Hokage always followed praise with something disagreeable.
"I'm coming to that. Have a little patience, Shikamaru. Sakura's group is on patrol tonight. Tomorrow Neji's group will take front gate duty, while you'll have night patrol. Tonight I'd like all of you to help Neji's group escort people home from the businesses that'll remain open into the evening. I don't like the idea of inexperienced genin on their own after dark when these attacks have apparently been taking place. The theater lets out at 10. The nightclub will do the same. I expect the restaurants to close by 9. That just leaves the bars," she paused, and gave Naruto a baleful look.
"Naruto, I'd especially like you to walk home patrons from the Tombo Bar. You made such a wonderful impression on them. All afternoon, I've had an earful of your persuasive techniques."
He didn't have the grace to even look contrite. "All they wanted to do was argue with me instead of worrying about their customer's safety. I offered them a fair fight to shut up the complaints."
"Be that as it may," she said sternly. "You will now graciously walk patrons home until 11 pm. That's the hour I've approved for them to remain open with our aid. After that their customers are on their own."
"Okay, fine, but they'd better not complain to me anymore," he grumbled.
"Where would you like the rest of us stationed?" Shikamaru asked when Naruto had finished. He knew better then to interrupt those two. It only prolonged a tedious argument.
"The Kuro Uma Tavern also has permission to remain open until 11 pm. If the four of you and your genin partners take the Tombo and the Kuro Uma between you, we should have the evening businesses of Konoha somewhat covered. I'll leave it to you, Shikamaru to work out the details. That's all. Once again, you've done a good job," she told them before leaving them alone in the strategy room on the ground floor of the ninja complex.
They listened to the staccato beat of her heels on the hard floor fade away to nothing before anyone spoke.
It was one of the genin who finally broke the silence. "Do you really think it could be vampires?" Kiyosha, Choji's genin partner asked in a hushed voice.
"You heard the Hokage. We can't rule them out," Botan answered back confidently.
"Right, Naruto?" Akira added not to be left out, and to show Etsu, partnered with Shikamaru, that he wasn't just a sidekick.
Naruto glanced quickly at Hinata. She didn't look happy with the idea. He felt somewhat contrite that he'd been the one to bring it up to the Hokage. But if not him, someone would have done so eventually. "Right, but remember what Hinata said. It could be a vampire imitator. We can't rule anything out."
"Damn, I wish we could rule out something. This is getting tiresome," Shikamaru's tone was mild despite his language.
"So what do you want us to do tonight?"
"You already know what you're doing, Naruto. I can't believe you offered to fight the Tombo Bar owner if he didn't close down early," Choji laughed.
"He wouldn't stop arguing and complaining. All he cared about was making money not anybody's safety. He pissed me off."
"Don't let him get to you tonight, Naruto. You know the guy's going to continue goading you. Just escort the customers home. You've got to learn to tune all that other stuff out. That's why I want Hinata with you tonight. I think she'll be a calming influence on you. Choji and I will take the Kuro Uma Tavern." Shikamaru thought that the best division of labor. Hinata would keep Naruto in line better than either Choji or himself. Courting couples were always on their best behavior.
Their romance was actually the best thing that could have happened to his control of his team. Naruto had always been the wild card on every mission. No one could predict exactly what he'd do or what effect he'd have. Throwing Hinata in the mix was like throwing water on a fire. He just hoped nothing happened to upset their relationship. He wouldn't want to be around Naruto if that happened. Explosions would have nothing on his volatility then.
"Yeah! Alright!" Naruto grinned happily. He had no problem being paired with Hinata again. He'd originally thought this mission would get in the way of his courtship, but instead they were being thrown together regularly. Of course, having a couple of genin with them crimped his style a little, but not too much. He tended to forget they were even there once he and Hinata started talking.
"I don't expect many of the customers from either bar to want to leave until after 10, but we should give them the opportunity for an earlier escort. I'd say get to the bar before nine, and announce your availability to walk anyone home. Keep your genin partners. The Hokage doesn't want the genin on their own nor does she want anyone alone. Give the customers their last chance for an escort at 11 then head home. It's 6 now. You've got a few hours until you go back on duty. Okay?"
"Okay," they all agreed. Shikamaru, Choji, Etsu, and Kiyoshi left making further arrangements among themselves.
"Wait! Botan! Akira!" Naruto called before they ran out of the room. "Hinata and I will pick you up at your homes. I don't want you walking by yourselves that late at night. Just tell me where you live. We'll get you at around 8:30."
They gave him their addresses then ran out. Where did they get all that energy? Or maybe the better question was—when did he start conserving his energy instead of running around whenever he had the chance?
Naruto turned to Hinata. "Tonight I'll pick you up first, Hinata. Then we'll get those two."
"What about you, Naruto? You shouldn't be walking by yourself," she worried. Logically someone had to be last, but maybe she could defy logic in this situation.
"Don't worry. I'll be careful."
"But I will be worried. Of course, I'll be worried about you."
He put his hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "Don't be. I'll be alright," he told her confidently. It didn't scare him that grown men had been attacked, and drained of blood without obviously putting up a fight. He didn't expect average workers to be able to defend themselves under extraordinary circumstances. They didn't have the training or abilities of a shinobi. He could take care of himself.
She frowned at him. She wasn't satisfied with his response. She had a better idea. "What are you going to do now?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. Eat dinner. Rest, I guess."
She drew in a deep breath then talked quickly as if afraid she wouldn't get it out if she didn't, she suggested more boldly then she ever had in her life, "Come home with me. We can eat dinner together. You can rest on the futon in my front room." Maybe it was strange, but she couldn't help worrying about him. He never worried about himself so someone had to do it. Since she was an expert worrier, she volunteered willingly for the job.
"Unh?" His mouth fell open in astonishment.
She ducked her head, and twisted her fingers together in her old shy way. "I don't think you should be out by yourself after dark, Naruto. Even after we're finished with our escort duties, I think you should stay—stay with me tonight. The futon in my front room opens out to a bed. You could sleep there." Her face was a vision of red as she suggested this, and she refused to look him in the face.
"Hinata! I can't do that! What would people think?"
"I don't care. Your safety is more important than what people would think about you sleeping at my house."
"I don't know." Nobody had ever expressed worry for him before. He was overwhelmed by her concern. And the thought of staying in her house—alone—with her—was sending a jumble of emotions through him ranging from excitement to embarrassment.
"Please, Naruto. I won't get any sleep worrying about you all night."
He gave it some thought. He wanted to. He shouldn't. But he wanted to. He couldn't' have her all tired during patrol tomorrow night worrying about him. "If I do stay, I'll leave before daybreak so nobody sees me. I don't want your reputation to be ruined."
"You'll stay with me? Oh," She felt relieved and awkward at the same time.
After her tepid reception of his acceptance, he peered into her downcast face trying to read her thoughts. "You haven't changed your mind already, have you?"
"No. No, of course not. I want you to come."
"Okay. Why don't I go home and get my—ah—night stuff. I'll come by your place as soon as I can."
"I'll start dinner right away," she answered, rushing off, without once looking at him. She was overwhelmed by her boldness. Naruto was spending the night at her place. She'dasked him to stay the night. Oh my!
Dinner with Hinata was a little awkward. They had trouble finding things to talk about or looking directly at each other. There was suddenly a new intimacy between them just because he was going to spend the night in her house. It was different from all the times they'd camped together as part of a team. They would be virtually alone even though they'd be in separate rooms. Naruto was beginning to think it might not be a good idea after all. Under these circumstances, he thought he'd be the one not getting any sleep just thinking all night about her in the next room.
While he helped her wash up the dinner dishes, he noticed how she started every time their hands touched. She was obviously feeling the unease of the situation just as much as he was. He didn't like the disruption in their growing comfort with each other. It was like starting all over again in their relationship. No, he didn't like it at all. Finally, he felt he had to say something.
"This is making you too uncomfortable, Hinata. I'm not going to stay here tonight," he said abruptly. "I can take my chances going home. I'll run all the way."
"No! Naruto, I want you to stay. I do," she insisted stubbornly.
"Then why won't you look at me. Why are you treating me like a stranger?"
"I—I—I'm not," she protested faintly.
"You are. You don't really want me here. You're acting all shy and awkward with me again," he insisted.
"I guess I'm just—afraid," she whispered.
"Of me?" That wasn't the response he expected.
She shook her head. "No, of what you must think of me for asking you to stay here."
This astonished him even more. "Hinata, I don't think anything about you that I don't already think. I think you're beautiful. I think you're smart. I think you're caring. I think you're sweet. I love that you're worried about me. That's all I think. Hey, don't forget. You and I have slept together before without any problem."
"What!?" This time she finally met his eyes—in shock.
He grinned. "How many missions have we been on together where we had to camp out?"
"Oh, that's right." She smiled shyly. "But that's not the same. Besides, we've never slept closely together since we were—since we came to care about each other."
He took her hand in his, and drew her down on the futon which would be his bed later that evening. But that didn't bear thinking about now. He had to think reassuring things. "That shouldn't matter to us right now. I'm not spending the night here as your boyfriend. I'm here as a team mate you're worried about. I won't treat you any differently than I would any shinobi, Hinata. Not until you and I decide we want to be—ah—closer," he said firmly. He might think a few pleasant things about his beautiful, desirable girlfriend, but he didn't want some cheap, tawdry romance. He was no pervy sage going after every young girl in this path. He wanted something lasting. He'd wait as long as it took to have that. "You're as safe with me as you've always been."
"Oh, Naruto. Are you sure? It didn't occur to me at first how my asking you here might seem to you," she whispered.
"I'm sure. We've just started dating. Let's get comfortable with that. Okay? I never want you to be afraid of me."
"I was never afraid of you. I would never be afraid of you. I was more afraid that you would think badly of me."
"Never. Don't even worry about that," he said firmly. "Let's just worry about our mission. You and me is nothing to worry about. Deal?"
"Yes, Naruto," she told him with shining eyes. She couldn't believe how understanding he was of her shyness and insecurities. He was wonderful.
"Good." He brought her hand to his lips, and kissed it. He'd rather be kissing her lips, but he wanted her to be comfortable with him again. Under the circumstances, he didn't think kissing her, on his soon to be bed, would be a smart idea. "Let's go get the genin." He stood up still holding her hand.
"Yes, Naruto," she said again. She'd forgotten her resolution to be less accommodating. How could she possibly argue with Naruto when he was being so sweet?
Escorting the customers of the Tombo Bar proved to be as tedious and tiring as expected.
After all, it was a bar. If they hadn't thought about it before, they were completely aware now of the primary activity that went on in a bar. What activity was that?
Drinking.
So in what condition were the Tombo's customers by the time they were ready to go home?
Drunk.
And what were drunks like?
Stubborn, belligerent, silly, playful, stumbling, unsteady, disoriented—just to name a few of the things Naruto and company had to deal with for the long two hours they spent as escorts for the Tombo Bar's customers.
Naruto had to knock out one guy, throw him over his shoulder and carry him home. But that wasn't the only one he had to almost carry home. He tried to take on the more inebriated customers, and leave Hinata the more ambulatory. He'd never considered that almost passed-out drunk was better than what she might have to deal with. He didn't find that out until much later.
Unfortunately, Hinata had to deal with the still somber enough to realize she's a female drunks. She was forced to fend off several amorous drunks during her escort duty, but with Akira's help she managed to stave them off, and steer them home no harm done. She was tempted several times to try Naruto's threaten to fight them strategy. However, they didn't seem to take her seriously as a ninja, so she was afraid she might actually have to follow through on such a threat if she really used it.
Near midnight, they were able to deliver the genin safely to their homes, their onerous duty done. At this time of night even the genin were tired from their long day's work.
By mutual consent, Naruto and Hinata walked slowly back to her place, enjoying the quiet and their alone time. Neither one was eager to return to Hinata's home, and the awkwardness they'd experienced with each other earlier. Out here in the open, they were back to the way they'd been before Hinata's solution to her worry.
This time he didn't hold her hand, he walked with his arm around her shoulders. She was definitely more at ease with him now, her earlier unfounded worries forgotten. He was just thinking about sneaking a nice kiss when he happened to notice something strange off the street several meters ahead. It was outside of the illumination of a street light, but was visible because it was large and white. The black streaks on it only highlighted the whiteness.
He peered into the darkness. "What's that up there against that fence? Can you tell, Hinata?" Her eyes were better at this distance with her blood limit.
She engaged her Byakugan. "It's alive, but breathing shallowly. It could be an animal or someone hurt."
They ran ahead to see find out.
As they neared the large white shape, Naruto could make it out despite the dark corner it lay in. It was an animal, and the black streaks were actually blood. "It's Akamaru!" he cried.
Akamaru lay on his side. His eyes were closed. His chest was rising and falling rapidly with his shallow breaths. There were five wounds in his side bleeding profusely. One of the wounds still held a kunai blade.
"Damn! How could this happen to Akamaru? Who could have caught him off guard like this?" Naruto stripped off his jacket to press against as many wounds as he could.
"Naruto. There's a man on the ground." Hinata had seen another shape near Akamaru with her Byakugan still engaged. She left Naruto to deal with Akamaru while she checked out the man.
"Who is it?"
She knelt beside him. "I don't know. He's been attacked like the others, but he looks worse than the man we found." She felt for his pulse. "He's dead, Naruto."
"Hinata, you've got to get help. Fast. Find one of the patrol. They can get medics here with their radio."
"Right. I've got to find Kiba," she said as she stood up.
"No! Get Sakura if you have a choice. She's got medical training. Akamaru's still alive, but I don't know how much longer. He's got to be saved."
"I'll be back as quickly as I can," she said, and took off.
Naruto turned his attention back to Akarmaru. He hated seeing him like this.
Had he lost too much blood? Was it too late? What could he do?
He better think fast. His jacket was saturating quickly. What could he do?