Appearances Can Decieve
Chapter 10
''Mission: Get Hinata Back"
Naruto: Hello everyone! SR has finally updated! HOOORAHH! It's about time anyway. If she wouldn't have been so friggin lazy she would have gotten this thing out sooner, and another thing...
Hinata: -cough--smiles nervously pointing toward the cue cards in her hand!-
SR: -snaps something in half off stage rather loudly with a scowl-
Naruto: -laughs nervously- haha...w-well annnyway! we would like to take the time and thank all our reviewers: Encuentrame, Stardog252, Magenta-Chan, Sennyu Megami, PhotoMemories, RagingDragon04, EmoFantasy4ever, pcctgirl23, Dragon Man 180, Wind Scythe, krimson Rogue, narutofan445, mateo, and Luci! and all the new reviewerstakes a deep breath Holy crap! Do we really have to thank them all! I mean...
Hinata: -points to the cue cards frantically-
SR: -taps foot impatiently-
Naruto: We would also like to give a special thanks to RagingDragon04! -smile fades- WHAT! Wait a minute he said I was getting soft! What the...
SR: SHUT UP AND FOLLOW THE CARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RD: -smiles evily from off stage-
Naruto: -grumbling to himself- I hate the two of you...
'left... right...left... right. kick.turn.punch.jab.kick' Naruto dodged each attack that ino threw at him. Growing less interested in the fight with each passing moment. Her movements were too predictable. Every kick, every punch seemed to be timed perfectly, in some sort of pattern. 'punch. jab. kick.' Every punch was followed immediately with a jab and every jab with a kick. Just a never ending pattern. 'left...right...'
Naruto lashed out catching Ino's left arm, and kneeing her in her exposed rib cage. Not hard but enough to knock her back.
Ino growled in frustration. "I don't get it! Why can't I even land a hit on you!"
"Because your to predictable."
Naruto saw the frown on Ino's face, and could only assume that she knew as well that her movements were easy to read. Naruto looked at the sun guessing it was about seven o'clock, it was almost time to get Hinata so he would have to wrap this session up. For a moment he contimplated leaving Ino to figure her moves out on her own. Then he looked at her pleading eyes and something strange came over him. A need to...help...her. Fighting down the urge to leave he turned back to Ino.
"What you need to do is be more spontaneous. Like I said your moves are too predicatable. Don't think bout what your doing."
Ino looked a little confused. She thought she had been spontaneous this time. Naruto crouched into a fighting stance once again, and Ino nodded getting into her position. With a rush of chakra she was landing blow after blow. Naruto dodged impressed with the fact that it was a little harder than before, but still no where near spontaneous. With a smile Ino flipped away from a confused Naruto. He waited for her to rush him again like usual, but she just stood there smiling. Just when he thought he may have to rush her she came at him again, with a sweeping kick to the face. He dodged it jumping backward, hitting something hard on his way.
Ino started to laugh and Naruto looked to see that he had ran directly into a tree. He had been so distracted he hadn't even noticed that Ino was leading him closer and closer toward the wood. Before he could stop it a laugh erupted from his lips. Both him and Ino stoood there laughing at Naruto's relapse of stupidity.
After a few minutes passed Ino surpressed her laughter and decided that it was time to get back to the shop. Naruto agreed and thought it wouldn't hurt to walk her back. The walk was mostly silent, but Ino of course didn't do to well with silent.
"Are you sure we shouldn't go see if Hinata's ok. It's not like her to skip training."
"No it's fine. She said it was just a little cough. She'll be fine by tomorrow."
Ino nodded and decided to change the subject. "That was fun today...haha...leave it to the number one un-predicatble ninja to have a weird knack of teaching.haha."
The two of them arrived at the flower shop. Once again in an akward silence. Without warning Ino lunged at Naruto catching him in a hug. A little confused he stepped back and she let him go.
"What are you doing?" the last time this happened to him, Hinata packed up and left him with nothing but an empty apartment and nagging demon.
"I'm sorry. It's just well..." Ino tried to find the words avoiding his gaze, then finally looking him in the eye determined to get this off her chest. "Naruto I was afraid of you. When you first came back, after that whole scene at the training grounds...I was afraid. And I couldn't understand why you would act that way over what I said. But then...then I went home and I thought it over... Naruto I haven't been very nice to you over the years. And I want you to know that i'm sorry, and whatever I do or say, even if it's rude. It's because your my friend and i love you. And I guess that's just the way I show affection. Demented huh?haha"
Ino bit her lip and looked away from his gaze once again. Naruto didn't exactly know what to say...it had come out of nowhere so fast, but he knew that she was waiting for him to acknowledge her confession somehow. So he reached out and messed her hair up affectionately with a little laugh.
"Well who knew Ino could be so deep? Huh?"
Ino's eys gleamed as she pushed the blonde away. "Yeah well don't get used to it baka!"
"Ino, I need a favor...did you get the pictures from the festival developed?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ow thats too tight." Okito yelped tugging on the small hiddenleaf headband that Hinata was tying around his neck.
"Sorry Okito-kun." Hinata loosened it so that it hung around his neck, just as her own did. "There you go. Better?"
Okito jumped from Hinata's lap to the vanity that sat beside her bed. Looking himself over with an approving smile, before jumping back into Hinata's arms, and nuzzling himslef in the crook of her arms. She laughed softly before looking at the alarm clock that read 7:57 pm. in bright flashing letters. She sat Okito onto her pillow before standing and checking her reflection. Grabbing her rope from the headboard of her bed to tie it around her waist. With one last look over she turned to the lazy otter.
"Well Okito we better get to training now."
Okito nodded and jumped on to her shoulders. The two of them heading out of the house after waving goodbye to Uzuki-Onee-San.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Konohamaru waited patiently in the ally that Naruto had indicated in his letter. All it had told him was to be there and be ready for a work out. Whatever that meant! Hopefully it would mean that Naruto was going to teach him the new Harem No Jutsu. He got a devious smile on his face, imagining the kind of havoc he could wreack. Especially on that stuck up little princess Hanabi. That would deffinately get her feathers in a bunch. He laughed menacingly before something at the end of the ally caught his attention.
He turned to see that no one was there, only people walking back and fourth shopping. He closed his eyes with a sigh, ready to give up on Naruto since he was fifteen minutes late.
"Hey Kid!"
Konohamaru jumped ten feet in the air, screaming like a little girl at the sound of Naruto's voice right behind him. After taking a few panting breathes he turned to glare at the smirking blonde, dressed from head to toe in an ANBU suit, a dog mask sitting on the side of his head. Konohamaru raised a questioning brow at Naruto, forgetting to yell at him.
"What are you doing in an ANBU outfit boss?"
Naruto just waved his question off. "Not important. The reason I brought you here was to ask a favor."
"Hmmm...well whats in it for me?" He said with a sly smile.
Naruto crossed his arms with a frown, his eye twitching. 'How about I let you keep all your teeth' He thought
Kyuubi's laugh echoed in his mind. "What a smart little shinobi..."
"i'll teach you the Harem no jutsu, in return for this favor."
Konhamaru turned away from Naruto pretending to think it over, before turning back to him with a wide grin. "Deal!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hinata stood in the middle of the training grounds. It seemed like eternity had passed as she stood there waiting for her teammates to arrive. At first when they didn't show up right away she thought that she may have gotten the wrong time...but when she thought back Hinata was sure eight o'clock was their time to meet. The only problem was that the only ones who showed up were her self and Okito. She fell to the ground, pulling her knees up to her chest with an agrivated sigh, while Okito took to tracking a defensless butterfly a few feet away.
"I guess we should get started without them. What do you think Okito-kun?"
Hinata watched Okito pounce on the unsuspecting butterfly, to busy to realize that Hinata was talking to him. She shrugged her shoulders and looked over the training field. The sun was starting to go down, and her friends still had not shown up. She glanced over to the training posts then turned back to Okito who was frozen with fear. Hinata followed his gaze back over to the training posts she had been staring at only a few seconds ago. Someone was crouched on top of the middle post. A mask covering their face.
Okito made his way over to Hinata slowly. She stood up just as slowly, staring down the ANBU just a few yards away. Yugao had told her countless times befoe that ANBU weren't anything to fear, but the eeriy feeling she got about this particular ANBU was too strong to ignore. With one last glare she was gone.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naruto smiled under the mask that hid his face from Hinata. Everything was going exactly as he'd planned so far. All he had to do was get her exactly where he needed her to be. Hopefully that little brat Konohamaru had done his job. He watched as Hinata disapeared, running quickly to get away from him. With a low chuckle he grabed two kunai from this weapons bag, pushed off the post and took off.
"You know there is probably a better way to get her attention. Other than chasing her and giving her a heart attack." Kyuubi chuckled.
Naruto only smirked increasing his speed to the point that he was following right behind her.
Hinata glanced behind her only to see that the ANBU was within arms reach. She turned her attention back ahead of her and looked for a way to lose him. Trees. Trees. And more trees. She almost felt like laughing
What was suppose to be a normal training session turned into a run for her life!...and for what? She didn't even know why this ANBU was chasing her, but the kunai in his hands told her that this was no joke.
With another look around she spotted a low branch. In one swift motion she grabbed the branch, flipping her self around. The ANBU seeing her action was to slow to dodge, as she came swinging back down to send him a chakra filled kick to the back. Without turning to look at how far the ANBU had flown she turned and took off with an extra burst of chakra. Okito peeked out from her hair, looking back to see the ANBU had flipped onto his feet and was now racing after them at an even greater speed.
"Hinata-San! I have an idea!." Okito whispered into Hinata's ear, and with a nod of her head they set their plan into action.
Naruto cursed under his breath. Everything had been going great until she pulled that little stunt. He should have expected it though, she was a konoichi after all. It was only natural to attack and evade your persister. Hinata was taking this as seriously as she would if her life were actually in danger, which is what she thought at the current moment. So her next move was most likely to deseive him somehow. Well...Naruto made some hand signs and whispered 'Kage Bunshin No Jutsu'. Two identical Naruto popped up beside him. With his signal they split up and took off in different directions.
Watching from a high branch Hinata let a small sigh slip as the ANBU chased after a fake Hinata. She leaned against the tree to catch her breath, hopeing Okito's plan didn't blow up in their face. Now all she had to do was catch up to the fake Hinata and surprise attack the ANBU.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The woods started to clear as 'Hinata' ran into a small clearing stopping only a few feet in. Naruto grinned as he slowed down to a walking pace and strolled into the clearing. Letting the moon light wash over him. Hinata was turning his little mission into something of a game, a rather nice one at that. He stopped a few yards away from her, waiting for the next move. Fortunately he didn't have to wait long. In the snap of a finger five Hinata clones surronded him.
Naruto glanced at each of them through his mask. None of them were the real Hinata. He glanced up at the tree's searching for her chakra character until he found it, a few miles away from where he now stood surronded. He glanced up at the moon.
'It's getting late. I guess I should hurry this up a bit.'
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Hinata watched through her Byakugan as the ANBU stood completely still staring up at the night sky. A small bead of sweat slid down her face as she waited for him to attack. But a second turned into a few seconds turned into minutes, and he still hadn't moved a muscle. She had been taught to wait out her attacker, but it was slowly trying her patience.
A branch creeked and ruined her concentration, she turned toward the sound but found that no one was there. With a small curse she turned back to the ANBU only to see the mask of a vicious looking dog directly in front of her. With an 'eep' she flew backward ready to run again. Unfortunately the ANBU had anticipated her move and caught her by the wrist before she could land and regain her footing. With a rumbling laugh he threw her into the air, catching her around the waist and flinging her over his shoulder, racing even faster toward his destination.
Hinata practically growled as she beat on the ANBU trying with everthing she had to get away from him. But everytime she struggled he would just fling her around until she was to dizzy to even see straight.
"Put me down!" she screamed directly into his ear, receiving an inaudiable curse from her captor.
"As you wish Angel." with that Naruto skidded to a halt releasing Hinata onto her behind as he took off and jumped further into the woods.
Hinata gaped at his words. Angel? Only Naruto called her angel...was...was that Naruto! Why? Why did he chase her like that? Kami knew she was only seconds away from having a severe heart attack. She had honestly thought her life was in danger! Was this his sick way of getting back at her for ignoring him. Before she could rethink her actions, she raced off after him, too angry to think about what she was doing.
Naruto smiled as he turned back to see Hinata was racing after him. Good. This may have not been the plan, but it was just as good. With another burst of energy he leapt from the trees to land in a clearing. Looking around approvingly. It seems Konohamaru really wanted to learn the Harem No Jutsu. Everything was exactly as he had wanted. He walked to his spot and waited patiently for Hinata to catch up.
Hinata burst through the clearing a few minutes later her eyes wide with disbelief as she came crashing down to the ground. It looked almost...surreal. The ANBU stood bathed in the glow of the candles that surronded him. Some on high stands, others scattered in a circle on the ground. Something flittered past the light of a candle and caught her attention. A cloud that had been blocking the moonlight shifted and a wave of blue illuminated their surrondings to show that butterflies fluttered about everywhere.
"...A-a-ano..." Hinata tried to speak but nothing came out.
Naruto walked up to her, holding out his hand to help Hinata to her feet. She stood shakily, unable to believe what she was seeing. Her gaze went from the candles that she now saw were surronding a small picnic looking area, to the man in front of her.
Hinata watched as Naruto slid the mask to the side of his head revealing his fox like grin. "Hello Hinata."
"N-Naruto-kun...what is this?" she asked afraid that any moment she would wake up with her knees pulled to her chest in the middle of the training ground, with Okito chasing that butterfly.
He laughed as he led her toward the blanket laying on the ground. " A picnic of course."
The two of them sat on the ground a few butterflies landing next to them. Hinata couldn't help but smile, forgetting about how he had nearly killed her a few hours ago. Naruto grabbed something and brought it into the light. It was a small woven picnic basket. He opened it and reached inside to bring out a couple glasses and small tea pot. She watched as he warmed the tea with a flame jutsu then poured it for the two of them.
"Why are you doing this Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked as she took the glass of tea from Naruto.
"No reason. Do you like it?" he asked as he took a sip.
Hinata gulped down her tea as if she were dehydrated, and smiled at Naruto. "Yes i do.BUT... How did you do all of this while you were so busy chasing me down!"
Naruto laughed and scratched the back of his head with a nervous grin. "That...well. I had to get you here somehow. Haha."
She furrowed her brows and jumped to her knees, leaning in as close as she could to him without touching. "So you decided to scare me half-to-death! Why didn't you just ask?"
He couldn't help but smile. This was the first time in weeks Hinata had spoken to him, granted she was yelling right now, but technically it was still speaking. He leaned into her, causing her scowl to disappear. "Like you would have come with me? We both know that wasn't going to happen. Besides, i remeber that you told me something about washing your hair."
She opened her mouth to retort, but nothing came out so she leaned back on her butt, and sighed. "I suppose you're right. I was acting very childish. I'm sorry that I made such a big fuss over you...and Sakura."
Naruto let out an aggrivated growl. "I told you Hinata there is no Sakura and I. I told her I love her, but only as a friend."
"You...you did?"
"Yes."
Hinata felt the heat rush to her face. She had acted so childishly these past weeks because of something that wasn't even true! She felt like such a fool! How could she have been so stupid. Naruto hadn't even gotten a chance to explain before she tossed him aside.
"I have something else for you."
Naruto's voice broke her out of her daze. "Oh no, you shouldn't."
Her protests went ignored as Naruto reached into the picnic basket to pull out a picture sized, black velvet box, a purple bow tied to the corner. Hinata took it gingerly, lost in disbelief.
"Well you gonna open it?" Naruto was starting to get a little uneasy, mostly from their surrondings. This mushy crap had never really been his forte, and even now it kind of creeped him out. That the reason he had gotten Konohamaru and his crew to set it up for him.
Hinata nodded and lifted the top from the box. Her eyes gleamed as she stared at the picture. The two of them knelt next to the fishing game, smiling from ear to ear. Ino had taken the picture during the festival. Hinata had meant to look at them, but was to busy training to even think about them.
"There's something underneath of it too."
Hinata glanced up at Naruto then to the picture. Lifting it to see a silver bracelet gleaming in the moonlight. I swirling chain surronded a rectangular plate of silver, the corners rounded off. She took it out of the box and held it to the light. There was nothing on it, but it was still beautiful. She smiled at Naruto. "Thank you very much Naruto-kun."
He nodded and took the bracelet from her hands, hooking it around her wrist. "I didn't know what to get engraved on it so..."
Hinata was going to tell him that it was all right and she loved it the way it was, but Naruto had grabbed her hand and rubbed his thumb along the silver. Chakra from his thumb traced along the plate until Hinata was spelled out in swirling letters, framed with vines of sun flowers. Her smile grew wider as she flung herself into Naruto's waiting arms.
He chuckled holding her tight against him, almost afraid to let go of her now that she was with him again. "I guess you like it."
"I love it." She corrected him. Leaing into his chest as she settled her self onto his lap, staring up at the star filled sky. "...Where are we Naruto-kun."
"Only my favorite place in the world to be..."
Hinata smiled, cutting him off. "On top of the Hokage monument."
Naruto stared amazed at how much Hinata knew about him, then up to the sky, as a shooting star flew past.
SR: Well thanks for reading! I hope this wasn't too mushy for you...I personally thought it was kind of romantic ickness, but whatever. annyyyywwaaayyy...
Okito: Next time on Appearances Can Decieve! Naruto and Hinata are back together and ready for Chuunin exams...or are they. There's a new twist to the exams, but what is it, and why does it seem to affect Ino so badly. How will they pull themselves together and get through the next test!?! You'll see in chapter 12! Bye byez now!