The courtship of Naruto Uzumaki
XXX. After the meeting
Tsunade gave her young ninja a brief summary of what she'd learned from the monk bank robbers. She explained that unfortunately the attempted bank robbery had nothing to do with the attacks and killing. She told them of the theories she, Shikamaru and Neji had developed after the interrogations. She held up her hand, and shook her head to forestall questions until she was finished speaking. She did this most often to stop Naruto from interrupting.
"All of you with genin partners, I want you to update them on these current events. I don't want anyone taken by surprise. I want everyone to anticipate the unexpected."
"If it's unexpected how can we anticipate it?" Naruto asked flippantly. He felt giddy with relief that there was still something for him to do in solving Konoha's troubles. He still had the chance to catch a killer.
She frowned darkly at him. "That's merely an expression, and a caveat, Naruto. I don't want any of you to take anything for granted until we discover the perpetrator of these crimes. You must be alert, and prepared for any contingency."
"Why didn't you just say that? That makes more sense."
"I just did!" she snarled. "Tell it to your genin any way you want to, Naruto, but make sure they understand." He was the most frustrating child—always challenging her in one way or another. If she didn't like him so much she'd brain him.
"We're already alert and prepared. How can we be more alert and prepared?"
"Naruto! Just shut up, and follow orders."
"I'm just saying—"
"Well, stop saying anything, and listen." She took a deep breath to calm herself before kicking that boy right out the door. "I'm not making any changes in our guard duty method or rotation. We don't have the manpower to do more. However, I am calling for a village curfew of 8:00 p.m. That should limit the number of people legitimately out on the streets offering to be victims."
"No more escort duty?"
"That's right."
"Yahoo! Escort duty sucked."
"However, anyone not on duty must obey the curfew as well," Tsunade continued once Naruto, and those in agreement had quieted down.
"Why? We can take care of ourselves."
"Because I'm issuing orders that anyone outside of their home after 8:00 p.m. will be taken into custody as a suspect. That means you, too."
"That's not fair!"
"Too bad, Naruto. If you want to spend the night in a cell—be my guest. We've got nice, comfortable cots in each cell. You should have a good night's sleep. Now no more questions for you, Naruto. If anyone has any legitimate questions see me in private. Everyone dismissed!"
Naruto grumbled all the way back to the lobby from the hall where the Fifth usually met with her entire contingent of ninja. 8:00 p.m.! That would give him very little time to be with Hinata in the evening or at all with Naomi under his wing during his daytime off hours. How was he supposed to conduct a romance under those circumstances?
"Naruto?"
The object of his affection had managed to keep up with his longer, angrier stride. In all his grumblings against the Hokage, he'd almost forgotten she'd been present. So he'd been effectively taking his anger out on her, too. What an idiot he was!
"Hinata!" He stopped, and looked around. He must have taken the lead outside the hall because no one else was close to them. He took Hinata's arm in a gentle grip. "C'mere," he said pulling her into an alcove hopefully away from any prying eyes.
She looked up at him with love glowing in her eyes. She couldn't seem to hide her feelings anymore. It was there in her eyes, softened expression, and goofy smile. She loved him more and more every day.
He had yet to learn to read the expressions in her big, beautiful, silver eyes, but something about this one made him feel warm and happy. He reached out, and tucked her hair behind her ears. She had such small ears—like delicate shells. He traced the outline of her ear with his finger making her shiver.
"You look very pretty today," he said. Why had he never noticed in the past how clear, pure, and white her skin looked? Or how fine and delicate her face was except for her big, beautiful eyes, and generous, kissable mouth? Or how black, glossy, and silky her hair was?
Why had he never noticed that she was actually quite beautiful in her quiet way? His hands went to her shoulders as he drew her closer.
"This is how I always look," she told him with a blush. Naruto was the sun, and she was a flower drinking in his warmth.
"Then you must always look pretty. I probably just don't tell you that often enough. I'm sorry. I'm not very good with compliments."
"That's why I cherish every one you give me."
"Really?" He stared down into her eyes. He wished he understood better how relationships worked. He was such a screwup, but he didn't want to screw this up. He didn't want her unhappy or disappointed in him.
"I wouldn't change a thing about you, Naruto." She put her hands up on his chest not to hold him off, but just to touch him. She found that even in her shyness she couldn't be completely passive with Naruto. She wanted to encourage his affection in her own shy way.
He grinned. "That's good 'cause I'm not sure I could change—much."
"Please don't. I like you just the way you are."
"Do you, Hinata?" he whispered, and stared intently into her eyes a moment before he bent his head to kiss her.
It felt like forever since he'd last kissed her. They were always so busy with their jobs or Naomi. He knew this wasn't the time or place, but he just had to taste her. She was becoming an addiction to him. He savored the sweet feel and taste of her lips as well as her flowery scent. He was taking his courtship seriously and slow, but sometimes he just wanted to get as close to her as humanly possible. He'd never appreciated how alone he'd been until he had a girlfriend. Now he wanted to be with her all the time. He felt lonelier when he wasn't with her. He wanted to kiss her, hold her, or just sit and look at her. Why couldn't they have more time together?
When he finally drew away, he took a deep breath that sounded more like a sigh.
"What's wrong, Naruto?"
"Nothing really." He lightly stroked her cheek. I guess I better get to the front gate before Shino has a cow—or in his case a dung beetle or something. Walk with me?"
"Of course."
He took her hand in his. She looked around furtively. "Should we? What if someone sees us?"
"Everyone already knows you're my girlfriend. It's time they learned the facts of life."
She giggled happily.
Pleased he squeezed her hand, and led her to the front gate.
Kiba watched Naruto and Hinata from a distance while Ino watched him closer at hand.
He'd never seen Hinata so happy. He'd never seen her look so attractive. He'd never seen her so confident. Naruto was really good for her—damn him!
He felt sad, glad, and relieved. Sad that Hinata was finding a life without him in it. Glad because she deserved to be happy. Relieved that Naruto seemed to care for her maybe even as much as she cared for him.
His own feelings for her had always been mixed. They were longtime team mates and friends. So he felt a relaxed camaraderie with her. Then he began to feel little sister protective of her. From that he'd thought maybe he felt something more. Was it real or did he just feel that way because he already liked her, felt comfortable with her, and thought her receptive? Or did his feelings only develop when Naruto came willingly into the picture?
Who knows? He'd never really taken the chance to find out. He knew Hinata's attraction, affection, and sympathy had always been for Naruto, but he'd thought it would always be unrequited. He thought he could simply step in at anytime, and lure her away with the promise of a real relationship. That had been his delusion. Now he felt like the odd man out, and he didn't like it, but there was nothing he could do to change things. Not while Naruto so obviously courted Hinata. She'd never leave him now.
He watched as Hinata and Naruto left the building laughing, and holding hands. They actually looked good together. Surprisingly, his disappointment was already lessening. He let out a long, deep breath, and actually felt better afterwards as if something unpleasant had been released or had released him.
"Kiba?"
He turned to see Ino at his side looking up at him with concern in her attractive, blue eyes.
Ino Yamanaka.
She was the antitheses of Hinata. Blonde, blue-eyed, confident, sexy—maybe too much of all those things. There was nothing quiet, shy, subdued, or wallflower about Ino. He thought she must have a dozen guys after her. She wasn't the type of girl to be alone. So why was she seemingly so intent on him?
He thought of himself as an average guy in most ways. He didn't stand out like Naruto or Choji. He wasn't good-looking like Lee or Neji. He wasn't smart like Shikamaru or Shino. His coloring of black eyes and hair weren't very unusual. His features were so-so. He was strong, but built like most ninjas. His intellect was average. His rapport with dogs, his mimicry of canine abilities, and his partner Akumaru were the only things that set him apart from the average. He was proud of his Inuzuka heritage. Love me, love my dogs was definitely his family way. So what was Ino up to?
"Yeah?" He gave her a quizzical look, and not much encouragement.
"You look sad." And so cute, she thought. Sad, angry, happy, it didn't matter. She liked watching the various expressions cross his cute face. She hadn't always thought him good-looking, but now she couldn't imagine why that had been. He definitely struck her as handsome now.
"Do I?"
Ino looked out at the street, and the receding figures of Naruto and Hinata, and gestured towards them.
"What's up with the three of you?" She could guess, but she wanted him to tell her.
He looked out at them himself, and shrugged. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing." There was no three of them—only two of them and one of him.
"Look Kiba. I'm not trying to be nosy or anything—"
"Aren't you?" He looked back at her. She was tall, taller than Hinata. He didn't have far to look to meet her eyes.
She pouted. "No, I'm not. I'm being concerned."
"Why? Did you have your eye on Naruto?" He gave a bitter laugh. Nothing would surprise him about Naruto. The guy seemed to lead a charmed life these days. The Hokage seemed to favor him. She allowed him to get away with stuff no one else could. If he talked back the way Naruto did, he wouldn't still be standing.
He'd had the advantage of being trained by another of the legendary sanin. Sakura was the only other person from their class to be able to make that claim. That entire original team had had more sanin advantages than any other ninja of their age.
Everyone seemed to know Naruto. He drew everyone's attention as if he were honey, and they were flies. Now he, a virtual nobody, was dating the eldest daughter of one of the oldest, and finest ninja families in Konoha. Why shouldn't he attract other women as well?
"Naruto Uzumaki! Certainly not!" she huffed. How could he possibly think that? When had she ever given Naruto more than polite interest?
"Why not? There's nothing wrong with Naruto. Are you a snob?" He couldn't help defending the guy. Despite everything, he liked Naruto just as much as everyone else did. He'd had fewer advantages than anyone else. Maybe he actually deserved all the luck he was experiencing just now.
"Of course not! Why are we talking about Naruto? I'm not interested in Naruto. I was asking about you!"
"Maybe you're jealous of Hinata then?" he asked thoughtfully.
She glared at him. He was making her angry, but not enough to stop. "Maybe I am," she said truthfully anyway.
"How come if you're not interested in Naruto? Or is it her position you envy as a Huyga? Or maybe it's her kekkai genkai?" he taunted her.
She stamped her foot. "Don't be an idiot, Kiba Inuzuka! I'm jealous because of you," she confessed in exasperation.
"Unh?" He blinked his eyes, and stared down at her as if seeing her for the first time. He'd never noticed how attractive and animated her face was. He'd always thought of her as one of those shallow, pretty girls who knew exactly how attractive she was, and only pursued guys equally attractive or desirable in other ways. He'd always lumped her and Sakura together. They were conceited, irritating and obvious. They were jealous, petty, and catty. Not his type at all—usually.
She threw up her hands. "This is so embarrassing."
"What is?" He watched as her face reddened. He'd never seen Ino blush before. He didn't know she could. Maybe there were more dimensions to her than he'd previously thought.
"You don't even know I exist, do you?"
He gave her his unconsciously sexy lopsided grin. He was suddenly enjoying this exchange. "I may suspect it now."
"You obnoxious oaf. I don't know why I'm talking to you." She started to walk off in a huff when he reached out to grab her arm.
She allowed herself to be held still. She liked the feel of his bare hand on her bare arm. It really was more exciting to be chased than to chase.
"Don't go away mad. I'd like to hear more."
She looked away from him so he wouldn't see the longing in her eyes. She'd never meant to practically throw herself at him. She'd wanted him to notice her on his own. She shouldn't have to go after him like this. Why couldn't she like the guys that went after her instead of the indifferent ones? It would be awful if he completely rejected her after revealing herself so foolishly. "I bet you would! I'm not mad—I'm crazy. I'll never live this down," she said crossly.
"We're the only ones who have to know, Ino—and you've peaked my interest."
"Have I?" She still wouldn't meet his eyes. What he didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
"Yeah, you have, Ino Yamanaka." He found he liked saying her name. "You want to get some lunch with me? You can tell me all about it."
Her heart beat faster at his suggestion, but her pride had been pricked. She wasn't going to make this easy for him from here on out.
"I don't know if I should tell you anything since you're so obtuse."
"Take pity on me, Ino. I'm just a guy. We're not known for our sensitivity." Now that she was backing off, and allowing him to be the pursuer, he was finding this even more intriguing. Of course, he understood that in his present position she had to all but hit him over the head for him to notice her. On his own, he probably wouldn't have been looking at other women for a while. He was still nursing if not a broken heart than a bruised ego.
"Okay, I'll have lunch with you, Kiba. You can tell me your troubles or not. I'm sure I don't care anymore," she said putting her nose in the air. Of course, secretly she was thrilled at this turn of events.
He gave a little tweak to her ponytail. "It's a date, Ino."
"We will not call this a date," she argued.
"Why not? I asked you to lunch. That sounds like a date to me."
"I expect more notice for an actual date. I'm only lunching with you as a concerned temporary team mate. Any other interest I might have had in you is no longer on the table."
He grinned. He did love a challenge. "This is getting interesting. Let's go—team mate."
They left the building, walking slowly together towards a restaurant. Concentrating on their combination argument/flirtation, they paid no attention to anyone or anything else. Good thing the attacks seemed to occur at night. The Hokage's warning of expecting the unexpected was lost to them just now.
This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Sakura waited in a dark corner for Lee, and watched two sets of couples talk then finally leave the ninja complex.
Both completely incompatible couples left her shaking her head with ominous foreboding.
The first couple she'd observed, Naruto and Hinata, were such an unlikely pair. They were absolute opposites in temperament and appearance. How could Hinata stand being around that hyper, knuckleheaded, screwup all the time? She wanted to hit him a lot more often than she actually did. Hinata was bound to start feeling the same way after too much longer in his company.
But more than that, Hinata was the eldest daughter of an old, distinguished family. Naruto's antecedents may have been important, but he was familyless as far as anyone in Konoha was concerned. Hinata came from a privileged background. Naruto came from a charity background. Hinata was dignified and reserved. Naruto was obnoxious and loud. Hinata had a valuable blood line. Naruto was possessed by a demon. Both things gave them highly desirable skills, but one was admired while the other was considered shameful.
How could these two possibly find a common ground? As far as she could see there was no reason for this couple to stay together let alone be attracted to one another in the first place. The relationship was doomed. Absolutely doomed. Nothing good could ever come from it. It was a disaster waiting to happen. It was just a question of when.
Then to see Ino and Kiba together in a very nonfriend, nonteam mate way! What a shock, and how absolutely impossible could that relationship be? Kiba was so—. Ino was so—.
She violently shook her head. It just wouldn't work. Ino must be desperate to go after Kiba. Kiba must be bored to even consider Ino. What were they thinking?
Someone had to put them straight. Ino would be impossible to reason with, but Kiba might listen to her. She was his temporary team leader. She might be able to offer him a word of caution in the guise of leadership advice. She would have to give it some thought.
Before she could completely break up both couples in her mind, Lee showed up.
"Sakara! Sweetheart! You waited," he exclaimed with pleasure. He would have hugged her, but she frowned on public displays of affection during duty hours. She wanted to impress the Hokage with her professionalism.
"Of course, I waited. I told you I would." Besides which, she hadn't wanted to interrupt the two couples she'd been quietly observing. "Shall we go to lunch?"
He looked crestfallen. "I'd love to, but I'm exhausted. I've been up all night, you know."
"Yes, of course. I forgot."
"Can we meet for dinner?"
"If it's before 7. I'm on duty tonight, remember?"
"Certainly, I remember. I'll cook for you tonight. Come over at 6."
"That will be wonderful, dear Lee."
She looked her fiancé over with great appreciation, but still a nagging incomplete feeling clouded her happiness.
He was handsome. He was strong. He was sweet. He was caring. He could cook. And he was all hers. She was the envy of many women. What more could she want?
She wasn't certain, but it felt like there should be something more. But who's fault was it that she still wasn't completely satisfied?
Tenten and Neji followed at a distance behind Sakura and Lee. Neji had stayed behind to ask the Hokage a question, and Tenten had waited for him.
She'd watched Sakura and Lee together with some disquiet.
They certainly didn't seem like an engaged couple. They seemed more like a long married couple. They didn't touch. Sakura seemed to hold herself away from Lee. She didn't like it. Lee was a very sensitive, affectionate guy. What was wrong with Sakura?
When Neji joined her, her thoughts were still on Sakura and Lee. He had to ask her twice if she were waiting for him.
"Oh, yes, I was. Are you going straight home? Would you like to get some lunch?"
"You should go home, and get some sleep, Tenten. You should be exhausted by now."
"I think I've got my second wind. I don't feel tired at all."
He frowned. "If you don't get proper rest you won't be as alert as you should be."
"I will. I promise, but I'm hungry, too."
"Very well, I'll have lunch with you, but you will go home afterwards and sleep."
"Yes, team leader. Whatever you say, team leader," she lightly teased him. Of course, the only response she received was a frown.
They walked along quietly for a few minutes before Tenten voiced her concerns to Neji. She knew it was probably useless. Neji had never taken an interest in their personal lives before, but he might have a useful opinion. She wanted some support or dissuasion for her disturbing thoughts.
"Neji? What do you think of Lee's engagement?"
"What do I think? It's no business of mine," he told her brusquely.
"You must have some thoughts about it?" she persisted.
"No. I don't."
She sighed in exasperation. "What do you think of Sakura?"
"I don't think of her."
"You know what I mean! Do you think she's good enough for Lee?"
"She's a talented kunoichi. With the Fifth as her mentor how could she be less?"
"I'm not asking about her jutsu abilities. I'm asking about her relationship abilities."
"I wouldn't know anything about that."
"Don't you have an opinion? Haven't you observed anything about her? About them?"
"Not really. If Lee believes he wishes to marry Sakura, why should I care?"
He was so oblivious. Was he really so uncaring, too? Didn't he give any of them a thought outside their ninja duties? That thought momentarily depressed her, but she pushed it aside.
"Well, I don't think she's good enough for Lee," she announced defiantly.
He frowned. "Why is that?"
"I don't think she loves him enough. Lee is sweet, and sensitive. He can be easily hurt. I think Sakura has the potential to hurt him deeply."
He continued to frown. "You think Lee is sweet and sensitive?"
"Of course. You must see it, too. You've been his team mate as long as I have. I know he and Gai sensei can be a crazy, intense combination, but they care deeply for others, too. They're very much alike, but Lee has a much sweeter disposition."
"You seem unduly concerned about Lee's relationship?" he questioned carefully. What was this sudden concern with Lee? He was almost afraid to know, but he couldn't stop himself from asking.
"I like Lee. He's a good friend. He deserves a woman who can love as deeply as he does. You must see that," she protested.
"I've never really given it much thought." He certainly didn't understand her vehemence. Was he missing something? "I've always thought of you as the caring member of our team, Tenten."
She suddenly blushed. That was the first compliment she could ever remember Neji giving her that wasn't ninja related, but she wouldn't allow it to distract her. "You only think that because I'm female. Females are supposed to be the caring ones, but I think Lee is just as if not more caring that I am."
He shrugged. "If you say so. I've never given Lee's emotions much thought." Except for sometimes annoyance.
She studied him out of the corner of her eye. "Do you think about us—your team mates—at all, Neji?"
"What do you mean? You're my team mates. Of course, I think about you. I can't allow my team mates to be harmed," he said impatiently.
She sighed. "That's not exactly what I mean. I wasn't talking about the ninja stuff. I don't suppose it would matter to you who your team mates were, would it?"
He felt uneasy. This was getting a little more personal than he liked. He'd spent most of his life keeping everyone at a distance. He'd felt completely abandoned, alone and betrayed when his father had died. He'd very carefully protected himself ever since. Yet somehow certain people were getting beneath his guard, and he wasn't certain he liked it.
"Don't worry about Lee, Tenten," he told her reluctantly. "I think he knows what he wants, and what he's getting into."
He'd avoided responding to her implication. He was good at evading personal questions. She should know that by now.
"If you say so," she told him half-heartedly. She couldn't stop feeling concerned. She'd just have to find someone else to share her worry with. Neji obviously didn't care. Maybe he didn't care about anyone.
Now thoroughly depressed, she walked silently at his side to lunch. Neji wouldn't ask her why. He'd be afraid to ask. He'd just mark it down to tiredness which was just as well. If he did pursue her mood, she just might tell him, and then where would she be? She wasn't ready to give up completely on Neji, but sometimes she came close—very, very close.
Shikamaru and Choji escorted the prisoners to the prison. The five were chained together by wrist and ankle so the trip took awhile. The two of them walked in the back, and called directions to their charges as necessary. The complaints, grumblings, and curses were less audible from the back than they would have been from the front or side.
"Let's go for barbeque when we get back," Choji said after they were out of the village, and headed towards the prison three miles away.
"Sounds good to me, but we won't get back to the village for about an hour—well past lunch time. Can you handle that?"
Choji reached into his pack, and pulled out a snack bag. "Yeah, sure, that's why I always come prepared."
Shikamaru smiled fondly at his friend. "You know, most ninja carry weapons in their pack?"
"I'm not most ninja," he announced with a mouth full of chips. He held the bag out to Shikamaru who shook his head. He wouldn't want to deprive Choji of one bite. He could wait until their barbeque later.
"I know. That's what I like about you, Choji."
"You're not most ninja either, Shikamaru. That's what I like about you, too."
Already having a beautiful friendship, the two grinned at each other, and continued on their way behind their shuffling, whinny prisoners.