The courtship of Naruto Uzumaki
XXIX. Bank robbers or killers?
"What's goin' on?" Naruto asked the small knot of ninja he found clustered together in the front lobby of the ninja complex. He was later than usual checking in that morning. For some strange reason even though he'd gotten to bed earlier he'd slept later. He felt more tired after his longer than usual sleep than he ever had from a short night's sleep.
Hinata, Sakura, Ino, Tenten and Kiba, huddled together with Konahamaru, Udon and Moegi hanging on the fringe of the group. They looked up collectively at Naruto in a furtive manner. It didn't take a genius to realize that something was up.
"Naruto! Haven't you heard?" Sakura exclaimed before anyone else could open their mouth.
He came up next to Hinata, bumped against her lightly, gave her a quick smile then scratched the back of his head, and answered Sakura. "I guess not. I came here straight from home. What'd I miss?"
"Neji's team caught some bank robbers last night," she continued in her self-appointed capacity of ninja news distributor.
"No way! What happened?" Damn! Neji's team sure was lucky. He tried to keep the disappointed scowl he wanted to express off his face. He should be happy that other teams were capable of guarding the welfare of Konoha just as well as he was. However, he hated to miss out on the cool stuff. He couldn't be everywhere, but he wanted to be everywhere the action was.
"You were there—tell him about it, Tenten." Once again Sakura took charge before anyone else could speak. Her personality was rather forceful at times. Ino ordinarily would have challenged her just because she could, however she was too busy watching Kiba. He'd been unusually quiet since he'd arrived. She knew Akamaru was doing fine so she wondered what was wrong. How she wished she were in a position to ask him. If only she could just bump up against him as easily as Naruto did Hinata, and get a sweet, sexy smile in return.
Konahamaru, Udon, and Moegi knew better than to interrupt. They were just happy to be a part of the older ninja's activities even on the fringes. Ordinarily, they'd have had no trouble approaching Naruto, Hinata, Lee or even Tenten with questions and comments, but they weren't too certain of the others. Sakura had never seemed approachable to the younger ninja. None of the three young chûnin present had ever worked with her directly in the past so they waited to be
acknowledged before asserting themselves. Exchanging looks, they silently agreed to waylay Naruto afterwards later if they needed any further information.
Tenten took a deep breath before beginning her tale. She'd been so certain Sakura would tell it herself. She did like to be the center of attention. She'd had the story from Lee earlier, but maybe he hadn't been able to give her enough details since he was still on duty. Sakura wouldn't like to be corrected in front of everyone, she thought cynically.
It wasn't that she really disliked Sakura. She simply distrusted her motives. Since she'd become Tsunade's apprentice, she'd become even more bossy than usual. She had an awesome talent, and a good head on her shoulders, but sometimes Tenten felt a little resentful at her appropriation of Lee. She wasn't convinced that Sakura really loved Lee. She thought Lee's persistence may simple have worn down her resistance. He'd had a crush on her from the moment they'd met. Tenten had always been fond of Lee. He was such a sweetie that he deserved the best. Sakura was the best at many things, but maybe not the best girlfriend for Lee. She'd heard they'd been arguing lately so she reserved judgment on their pairing for now. She just didn't want to see him hurt.
Succinctly, she told the tale that everyone present but Naruto already knew.
When Tenten had finished her story, Naruto hit his fist into his palm. "Ah ha! Bank robbers! I knew there was something wrong about those monks!" he exclaimed in satisfaction.
"So did I—as soon as they tried to use that special whistle on Akamaru," Kiba agreed. "No way were they really animal lovers."
"I thought they put on a pretty good act. Nobody wanted to approach them for fear of a lecture on animal welfare," Ino said thoughtfully.
"Superficially maybe, but there was nothing substantial in their assertions," Tenten argued.
"But are these guys the attackers, too?" Naruto interrupted. He had trouble keeping the disappointment from his voice. He must not have been entirely successful because he felt Hinata move closer to him. She of anyone present would know the turmoil he was feeling at this news. He felt comforted by her concern. Just sensing her standing closely beside him made him feel better. He wished he could hug her, but he wasn't ready for public displays of affection in front of this group.
"We don't know yet. The Hokage's been questioning them all morning."
"Is that why you guys are all waiting here? You're waiting for a report? Who's at the front gate?"
"Shino for now. Since your team is technically responsible for gate duty today, you and Hinata will have to split the duty the rest of the day," Sakura told them authoritatively.
He waved a hand airily at her. "Yeah, yeah, sure. Do you want noon to 4 or 4 to 7, Hinata?"
"It doesn't matter to me. You may choose first, Naruto."
"Are you sure? It doesn't matter to me either."
"No, I am happy with either shift."
"Will you two knock it off, and just pick a time already?" Ino interrupted impatiently. Dating couples could be so irritating sometimes. How she wished she had that problem.
Naruto gave her the scowl he'd been storing up. "Okay, then I'll take noon to 4. You can have the shorter shift, Hinata. Okay?" With her nod of agreement, and that settled, he looked the rest of the group over. "Where's Shikamaru? Choji? Lee? Neji? Why aren't they here?"
"They are. The Hokage's got them working for her just now." Kiba hooked a thumb in the direction of the back of the building where the interrogation room was located.
"They get to question those monks? Why do they get to be the ones in on this?" Naruto asked resentfully. He'd questioned them originally. Why hadn't he been included in the interrogation? Was it just because he didn't get up early enough? Damn!
"Lee and Choji are transporting the prisoners one at a time to the interrogation room, and back to their cells," Sakura begin.
"Neji and Shikamaru are in the interrogation room with the Hokage," Tenten added. She was tired of Sakura taking complete charge of information dispersal. She knew just as much if not more than Sakura Haruno.
"Are we just supposed to just wait out here?"
"She didn't say, but you are if you want to know what's going on," Sakura told him firmly.
"How much longer do we have to wait?" Okay, he was starting to sound whinny. He cleared his throat.
"Naruto! You just got here," Ino told him impatiently. "Have a little patience, will you?"
"Yeah, well, I hate waiting." He felt Hinata pat his back soothingly, but it only helped a little. He had too many disappointed thoughts running through his head for a small pat to help very much. He needed some major stroking that couldn't be achieved with all these people around gawking at them. He needed to get Hinata alone this evening after their guard duty. He needed her soothing voice on his disappointed nerves, and soft hands on his fevered brow. A nice home cooked meal wouldn't hurt either.
"So don't. By the time you eat lunch, it'll be your turn at the front gate," Kiba said reasonably.
"I just had breakfast," he argued.
"Naruto, quit acting like a big baby. We're all in the same position." Sakura allowed her own disappointment to show. She was a little put out that the Hokage hadn't asked her to participate in the questioning. She was just as capable as Shikamaru or Neji. Instead, the Hokage had asked her to organize front gate duties for the day. "In fact, we've been here a lot longer than you. We have more right to complain than you do."
"I don't care. I want to know what's going on. Can't we just—"
"No! We can't do anything to disrupt the interrogation."
"Are you crazy, Naruto? Do you want the Fifth coming down on you?" Ino exclaimed. It would actually be more exciting than this waiting, but probably not a good idea.
He folded his arms over his chest. "She does all the time anyway."
"That's because you don't treat her with the respect she deserves," Sakura admonished.
"I give her plenty of respect. I don't what you're talking about."
"I don't think you know the meaning of the word, Naruto," Kiba laughed.
"Like you do, Kiba? You cut as many classes as I did."
"Ha ha. That's not quite what I meant, but those were the good old day, weren't they?"
He grinned reluctantly. "Yeah. You, me, Shikamaru, and Choji had a good old time cutting classes. Hey, maybe Choji or Lee need a break."
"What good would that do you? You'd still be waiting," Ino logically pointed out. Why hadn't she paid more attention to Kiba back in ninja school? Then she'd have fond memories to share with him, too.
"Sure, but there's waiting—and then there's waiting," he said with a sly grin.
Sakura sighed. She needed to distract him. If not he was going to do something stupid. She and Kakashi had always been the ones to keep Naruto from doing impulsive, impatient, stupid things. When was he going to grow up? Shouldn't a girlfriend have matured him a little? She gave Hinata a pointed look, but she was too busy focusing those weird silver eyes on Naruto's every move. She was obviously so gone on Naruto he could do no wrong in her eyes.
She almost sighed. As usual, she'd have to tame the wild beast. "Naruto, I need to talk to you in private. Excuse us a minute." She grabbed his arm, and pulled him out of range of the others.
He looked helplessly over his shoulder at Hinata. What was this all about? Was she going to dump another problem with Lee in his lap? He didn't need that just now—or ever. Why couldn't they handle their own problems? He and Hinata never had any problems. What was wrong with those two?
"What?" he asked bluntly when they were far enough away from the curious ears of the others. He shook her hand off his arm.
She rubbed her hands together. "Nothing major. I just wanted to ask you something. It's got nothing to do with this."
"What?" he repeated impatiently. It wasn't like Sakura to act so coy—at least not around him.
"I want us to go on a date."
He visibly recoiled. "What!? Are you crazy!? I already have a girlfriend. What about Lee?"
"You idiot!" she exploded as she reached out and punched his arm—hard. "I mean a double date! What do you think, stupid?!"
"Oww! That hurt!" He rubbed his upper arm where she'd hit him. He didn't think she'd been holding back any. His arm felt numb. Maybe it was even broken. "I think you broke my arm," he complained.
"Don't be such a wimp. I barely touched you."
"That's not what it felt like. It felt like you were trying to hurt me. Why would I want to go on a date with you and Lee anyway? I shouldn't have to pay to get abused on my own time—I get enough of that as a member of your team." He scowled at her. He'd spent half his youth,
wishing she'd ask him that very question. Now that she finally had, he just wanted her to forget it completely, and go away.
"Look Naruto, Lee and I don't know any other dating couples our age. It would be nice to do things with another couple. Now that you're dating—you and Hinata are it. So what do you think?"
"We're—ah—pretty busy," he told her doubtfully. He didn't know if he could stand a double date with those two. If Sakura wasn't hitting him, or making all the decisions, she and Lee would probably just argue the whole time expecting him to arbitrate. That didn't sound like a fun time. He'd rather have Hinata to himself on a date then share their precious little time with those two.
Unfortunately, Sakura was already signaling Hinata to join them.
"Hinata, I just asked Naruto if the two of you would consider double dating with me and Lee? We could have a lot of fun together. What do you think?" she asked without preliminary as soon as Hinata had reached their side.
Hinata looked at Naruto before answering. She'd winced when she'd seen Sakura wallop him. She knew that he could be very trying to others and especially Sakura—athough never to her. There was nothing he could do that would truly annoy her.
She had no preference one way or the other about double dating with Lee and Sakura, but she could see that Naruto wasn't happy with the situation. On her own she would probably have agreed because that was her nature, but if Naruto didn't like it then she wouldn't like it either. She was determined to always back him up.
"It's difficult to think of such things as double dating under these trying circumstances, Sakura," she said hesitantly. "We're all so overextended, and the four of us have very little free time in common," she continued diplomatically.
"I know, I know, but when things settle down—when the other ninja return, and we aren't forced to work such long hours—what do you say?"
"Naruto and I will certainly consider it once things are back to normal," she temporized. That would give them time to think of a way out if Naruto truly wished it. "Right, Naruto?"
"Yeah, sure," he said resigned. When women ganged up against you there was nothing a guy could do.
"That's great! I can't wait to tell Lee."
"Why don't you tell him now? He'd probably be glad to know—now" Naruto suggested with a tilt, and shake of his head. He really wanted to know what was going on before he had to go on duty.
She eyed him speculatively. She was no fool. She knew she'd only distracted him momentarily, not completely thwarted his curiosity. Since he'd practically agreed to the double date, she owed him one. "Good idea. I can at least find out how far they are in the questioning. Let's go back."
They walked back towards the knot of ninja watching them curiously.
"I need to have a word with Lee. I'll be right back," Sakura told the group before she left.
"Naruto, that had to be your doing. What did you say to her? She wouldn't let any of us do anything," Kiba asked in admiration. How did Naruto always manage to get his way?
"Well, Sakura's just as curious as we are—she just hides it well," he said modestly, but grinned. If she hadn't agreed to go, he would have. Even she wouldn't have been able to stop him. He really, really hated waiting for anything.
The interrogations of all five monks were finally completed before lunch.
Tsunade was disappointed with the results. She'd been hoping for a more definitive conclusion to Konoha's current troubles. It would certainly have made her life easier if the monks were conclusively attacker/killers as well as bank robbers.
She put her elbows on the table, folded her hands together, and rested her chin upon them. "Shikamaru, Neji, I allowed you to witness these interviews as outside observers for three reasons. One: To intimate the suspects. Two: It's good experience for you. Three: I trust in your analytical abilities. What do you think about what these men had to say?"
"They're weak and cowardly," Neji responded with a sneer in his voice if not on his usual expressionless countenance. "I don't think them capable of the attacks or the killing. They would have been caught long ago."
"I agree, Hokage. How smart is it to attempt the robbery of a bank in a hidden village?" Shikamaru added. He could sneer as well as Neji, and he could express it even better with his curled upper lip.
"Perhaps, but we're heavily understaffed at present. They may not have realized the type of village we are. I don't think anyone could have guessed we were a village of highly skilled ninja at this time with only a few dozen ninja—half of them children—guarding the village."
"That's no excuse. Their methods were crude, and poorly conceived. That may work on some small rural village, but our size should have been enough to deter them from this robbery." Neji had completely forgotten than if not for the fact that he'd been in the wrong place at the wrong time casually using his Byakugan, they might actually have gotten away with it.
"Those attacks would have been a good distraction for their robbery, though," Shikamaru said thoughtfully.
"Good point. Do you think they had accomplices in their crime that they haven't admitted to? If Ibiki were here we'd know for sure." Ibiki was the master of interrogation. He could draw blood from a stone. She was good, but she had to admit that he was better.
Shikamaru rubbed his chin. "No. I don't. If the attacks had been a distraction then they would have staged one while they were robbing the bank. Unfortunately, I think it nothing more than a coincidence."
"Unfortunately," Tsunade agree, and sighed.
"Then we must still be on our guard for a killer or killers," Neji stated grimly.
"Unfortunately," Tsunade repeated. "Is that all the help you two can give me? Don't you have some brilliant deduction to offer that hasn't occurred to me?"
She glared at them as if willing them to know something they couldn't.
Neji shrugged. "It has to be an outsider. Have we questioned every stranger in Konoha?"
"Of course. No one has appeared in the least suspicious except for the monks, and the acting troupe."
"Perhaps you shouldn't have allowed that acting troupe to leave if you were suspicious of them," Neji stated the obvious.
She shrugged this time. "Perhaps not, but I wasn't necessarily suspicious of them for this crime. Their behavior, their dress, their way of life are all suspicious only because it's not our way. I can't hold people here simply because I think they lead an odd, bohemian lifestyle. I had no concrete reason to forbid their withdrawal."
While Tsunade and Neji had been discussing the merits of the case, Shikamaru had placed himself in thinking mode, crouched on the ground balanced on his heels, and back against the wall, his finger tips meeting to form a pyramid with his hands. When Tsunade finished speaking, he suddenly stood up, and said, "Suppose we're dealing with a ninja with special abilities?"
"Go on."
"Perhaps he or she has a kekkai genkai that allows him the ability to attack without detection. Perhaps human blood is a necessary component."
"That's an interesting theory, Shikamaru. I've never heard of a kekkai genkai of that nature, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Kekkai genkai can occur spontaneously without previous genetic evidence. That's one of the mysteries of DNA combination. It could be an anomaly or the beginning of a blood line. You know what that means?"
Shikamaru thought for a moment, but it was Neji who answered, "It could be someone from Konoha after all if the ability has been hidden or has only now matured to this form."
"It's unlikely that such an ability could remain hidden so successfully. It's more likely to still be that acting troupe," Shikamaru retorted angry that Neji jumped in with a conclusion to his theory.
Tsunade frowned. "That's still a definite possibility. Frankly, I'd prefer it to be the acting troupe. I'd rather it was the work of an outsider. We'll know for certain if there are no more attacks now they're gone. At least, Konoha would be safe if that's the case. That's my primary concern."
"We won't allow them to get away with it, will we?"
"No. Someone will have to go after them if we decide they harbor the culprit."
"It may be difficult to find them."
"We'll find them again if only in the wake of their future attacks."
"Shouldn't you shut down the gate, and not allow anyone else to come or go until we're sure?"
"Most likely that's what I should do, but for how long? I could have done so after the killing, but there was still nothing to investigate. I need some evidence. Something concrete. Shutting down the village is a last resort method." If only she could completely trust her allies then she could ask for help in this situation. But her best source for help was too new an ally for
her to be comfortable revealing their weakness. She wanted at least ten years of peace and alliance before she would trust another hidden village for protection. Even then when administrations change alliances change. No, they would simply have to make this work with the resources they had.
"What should we do now?" Shikamaru asked as if he could read her mind.
"We'll bring in the others, explain the situation, and carry on as we have been until further notice."
"What will we do with the pseudo-monks?"
"Send them to the prison. They were caught in the act. Their sentence is clear cut. We'll send around information on their capture. If we're lucky there will be a bounty on their head somewhere. We could use the funds if they're wanted."
"What if there's another death?"
She rubbed her forehead tiredly. "I don't know. I really don't know. I just don't want it to be one of us."
Neji and Shikamaru exchanged a grim look. That was not a promising answer to the situation. Neither one of them would want to be in her shoes right now.