Appearances Can Deceive
Chapter 11
' Forest of Death ! ..introduction?'
SR- Ello ello ya'll! I know I know WHERE HAVE U BEEN, IT'S BEEN FOREVER! Well please spare me! ok I was thinking of giving this story up completely, but decided against it. hoping a brain blast would give me some fresh ideas...this is what u get! ha. And Im still not even sure how to end this story! Oh gull!
Naruto- blah blah blah! Your lazy that's your problem!
Hinata- Naruto-kun don't be so mean!
RD- Yes. I'm sure there was a good reason SR-Chan didn't update for ...what was it...about 4 months.
SR- Actually...HE'S RIGHT! (hangs head in shame)
Naruto - AHA! (smug self-satisfied smile)
Hinata- Naruto-Kun!!
RD- It's no problem, I'm sure it won't take you as long to update the next chapters...right? I mean you have my help now!
SR- RIGHT! You can count on me! I'll try extra hard this time! Now before we start (nudges Hinata)
Hinata - We want to give special thanks to everyone who reviewed!
Luci, Tobmaster, the16thday,Princess Izakyoi, Lunarangel's Dark Flame, love comes and goes, Dragon Man 180, Encuentrame, Minelle, Krimson Rogue, naru-girl, draw.62121, Itachi's aprentice, mj3, and everlasting.rainbow
SR- Wow! 15 reviews T-T I luv you guys! Also a special thanks to RD-Kun for helping me out, and being so patient with me.
Naruto - (scoffs) suck up...
RD – (Grins) Softy..
Hinata - (holds back Naruto) Naruto-kun!
SR- Well on to the story!!!!
Naruto tossed and turned as the alarm clock rang...and rang...and rang. Finally getting sick of the high pitched buzz he grabbed the offensive contraption and flung it against the bedroom door. Smiling as it smashed into tiny pieces, scattered about his floor. He glanced out his bedroom window, and winced at the light of the sun.
'I suppose I should get up...one more minute and I know I would have gotten back to sleep'
He glanced at the shards of clock on his floor before standing up and walking toward the bathroom. Not bothering to clean his mess or side step it. Preferring instead to walk over them as they slashed into his bare feet. As he walked out into the hallway he couldn't help but glance out into the living room, which by now would usually be filled with the soft sweet voice of his angel. Unfortunately, she thought it best that she stay with her Yugao-Nee-san so that they could work on their relationship.
It was strange how much she'd changed in the little time he'd been away. She no longer stuttered when she spoke, the passing out seemed to stop entirely, and we'll she had a certain 'teasing' streak that drove him absolutely wild. Still she had managed to stay the same sweet, soft spoken girl he remembered from years back.
With a small smile Naruto mad his was into the bathroom. Ready to get washed up and get the second part of the Chunnin exams over with!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hinata almost toppled over as she walked into the kitchen. Yugao was actually, for once, in the entire time Hinata had known the woman, up before noon! Not only that but she was cooking! Something wasn't entirely right about this picture. Composing herself Hinata made her way to the kitchen table eyeing Yugao suspiciously.
"Ahem" Hinata coughed getting Yugao's attention.
"Well good mornin'." Yugao spoke in a sing song voice, as she sat a plate in front of Hinata and filled it with a stack of pancakes overflowing with syrup.
She looked at the pancakes then back at Yugao. "You know it's only about 7:00...in the morning? Right?"
Yugao stuck her hands on her hips looking offended. "Yes I know! Thank you very much! I just thought I'd make you something nice to eat before the second part of the exam." She pouted and grabbed for Hinata's plate. "But if ya don't want it then..."
Hinata grabbed the plate with a smile. "I'm sorry. Of course I want some."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Aghhhya!...mumblemumblemumble" Ino peeked out from between her blankets which just so happened to be covering her entire body, as she lay slumped on her mattress. It was 7 already? Her clock had to be busted.
She had gotten up and dressed around five. Surely it wasn't 7 already, her nap hadn't lasted that long. It had only felt like a few seconds. She mumbled a few more profanities before throwing her blanket off and sitting up. The motion must have been too quick because she felt herself getting dizzy. Reaching up she grabbed her forehead and immediately drew back. Her forehead was burning up.
Shuffling over to her dresser mirror she found that her face was flushed and bags were forming under her eyes.. Panicking she ran toward her bathroom and pulled out some pills. "AGHHH how could this happen! How could I get sick today! DAMNIT"
"Everything ok up there Ino?"
"Huh?...Oh...Y-yeah everything's fine dad!"
'Shit' Ino swore to herself 'If my dad...or my teammates...find out I'm sick. they'll never let me participate in the exam'
Ino sat on the side of the bathtub and thought hard about what to do. Out of nowhere an image of Shino popped into her head. "AYA! I'm brilliant!"
Hinata looked around at all the hopeful faces crowded around the entrance of the forest of death. Among them just happened to be Hanabi's team, as well as Konohamaru's. She searched the crowd hoping to see one of her team mates since the exam started in 20 min. But saw neither of them. She knew she shouldn't be worried, but inside she was starting to get anxious.
'Surely Naruto wouldn't forget about the exams...would he...oh Kami! I knew I should have gone over to his apartment this morning!' Hinata mentally berated herself. 'What about Ino? Where could she be...what if something happened to her?!!'
Okito, who had been relaxing on the top of Hinata's head, felt the sudden change in her mood. "What's wrong Hinata-San?"
"Where are they...do you think something happened. What if..."
"Well!" Hinata's words were cut off by an overly loud, familiar voice. Causing her to jump 5 feet in the air.. "What if they were attacked by rabid squirrels! Whose secret ninja mission was to destroy them on sight! HAHAHA"
Hinata turned around; ready to scold Konohamaru for sneaking up on her like that, but suddenly found it impossible to remember why she was mad. Konohamaru was suddenly replaced with a busty teenage woman. The only thing covering her form was a shroud of smoke.
"Hey Hinachan" Konohamaru tried using his sexiest most alluring voice.
Hinata just stared in shock for a few seconds, before breaking out into a fit of laughter. Trying clumsily to stay standing and cover her smile. "Well...hehe...hello Konohamaru-chan"
Konohamaru's jaw dropped, as he poofed into his normal little self. "Aww! You're no fun! It works a lot better on Hanabi." he said before stomping off back to his teammates, where two overly angry girls waited to pound the little twerp to the ground.
Hinata just rolled her eyes with a smile. "What a little pervert."
"Nah, he's not nearly as bad as Ero-sennin. Although I do think he's close to passing up Kakashi-Sensei."
Naruto smiled as Hinata pushed him playfully, for sneaking up on her again.
"What took you so long? I did tell you to be here around 7:30 didn't I?" Hinata folded her arms. Playfully scolding Naruto like a child. Nodding to Ino as she slowly approached the blonde from behind.
"Aww Hina-chan come on! I tried, really! But...uh...but Tsunade well...she wanted to buy me breakfast before the exam. Ya know a good luck present!" Naruto smiled confidently at his lie! It was full proof!
Hinata chuckled…"Oh well that was nice of her. I guess that Tsunade standing near the gate is a shadow clone...hehe I never would have guessed. You should get some tips from her Naruto-kun; no one even noticed she was a clone."
"Eh...oh man." Naruto sweat dropped. 'Stupid Tsunade having to be here when I'm trying to lie!'
"HAHAHA you're too much kit"
"So...uh, where's Ino-Chan?" Naruto quickly changed the subject.
Ino's eye twitched irritably. She had joined the group halfway through his ridiculous lie and he hadn't even noticed. What an idiot! Naruto had felt a chill run up his spine. Looking over his shoulder he saw what he thought was Ino.
She had an overly baggy sweatshirt on with the hood over her head, a blue scarf covering half her face, and gigantic sunglasses covering the rest. Naruto turned away quickly facing Hinata with a ridiculous grin that was getting wider by the second.
Hinata sighed knowing Naruto was going to say something that would more than likely get him hit...but she decided not to stop it. "Hello Ino-Chan."
Ino waved to Hinata not sure she could trust her voice. On the way over she had stopped to say hello to Chouji and found that her voice was beginning to grow hoarse. "Hn"
Naruto turned back to Ino, his grin looking absolutely clownish. "Well good morning Sh-Ino - Chan!!!!!!!"
Naruto laughed so hard at his own joke he had to grab his side as it started to ache. Even Hinata giggled, but she was slick enough to cover it up before Ino could notice. Meanwhile Ino was wrestling Naruto into a head lock. Trying pretty hard to snap the blonde idiot in half. And although Naruto could have easily pushed Ino aside, he decided just to play along
"Ino-Chan! GomenGomenGomen...Ack.."
Ino gave him one last bump on the head before releasing him. Letting Naruto scurry over to burry himself in Hinata arms like a puppy with his tail between his legs.
"You know, you did deserve that Naruto-Kun." Hinata giggled as Naruto pulled away.
"You're both against me." he stated matter-of-factly. He turned away from the both of them. Just as Anko the examiner was about to speak.
The overly enthused and revealing Anko stood on top of a small shack to speak to the gennin. "Okay listen up brats! Before we start the test I'll need you to read and sign this form."
Everyone grabbed for the papers as she threw them through the air. "Ya know just incase some of ya don't make it back."
Hinata's skin crawled as Anko gave a light yet purely sadistic chuckle. 'She still gives me the creeps...'
"Now to explain what it is exactly that you'll be doing!"
Naruto rolled his eyes, why can't they just let them get at it. If these little gennin twerps didn't know what to do then oh well.
"Those of you that were here before know that there are two scrolls. One heaven the other earth. Your objective? To grab both and make it to the tower located in the middle of the forest of death, directly 10 kilometers from every gate. Well this year...were doing something a little different!"
Naruto just scoffed, bring it on! Hinata and Ino on the other hand were getting a little more nervous. What could they possibly be doing different this time. Unconsciously Hinata moved closer to Naruto, grabbing his hand for a little reassurance. Naruto squeezed her hand to comfort, and gave her a warm smile.
Anko smirked before snapping her fingers, in an instant eight masked ANBU landed in a line behind her. Naruto took a minute to look at each and every one of them. They weren't ANBU. They were his friends, but why were they all dressed up?
"Do we have to fight ANBU?" Hinata asked softly a little confused.
"Tsk! Don't be fooled Hina-Chan. Look real close at the one on the end."
Hinata scanned the line, focusing on the one Anbu at the end. He seemed to be just like the rest...except...except he was a little wider than most of them...Wait! "That's Chouji."
Naruto nodded with a smile. Ino, who had overheard, suddenly felt like vomiting. What if Shikamaru, was in the group? Could she take him down...would she even be able to!?
"This year instead of fighting just one another, you will also be fighting against these eight behind me. All but two have a heaven scroll somewhere on there person. The earth scroll however will be handed out to half of you randomly. Your mission is to get both the heaven scroll and the earth scroll and get to that tower within five days time. Only half of you will make it." Anko smiled "If you're lucky that is."
"Now there are also some ways you can get disqualified. The first, if all three members can't make it to the tower with both scrolls in the next five days. Number two, if a member becomes incapacitated or can not continue. But most important absolutely none of you can look at the scrolls until you reach the tower...Well! That's it. Everyone turn in your consent forms to these gentlemen below me in exchange for your scrolls. Then each team can pick a gate and you'll be led inside."
Everyone immediately broke into conversation. Konohamaru, getting overly anxious trotted through the crowd toward Naruto's group, throwing a finger into the kits face. "You ready to lose Boss!!!!!!!"
Heads automatically turned toward the ruckus, including that of Anko's "Hey look whose here!"
In a flash Anko was behind Naruto, embracing him in a bear hug, and completely stealing the spotlight from Konohamaru. "Well if it isn't my favorite little tough guy! Look at you, you've gotten so big!"
"And you filled out quite nicely." Anko purred in his ear, making Naruto slightly uneasy, yet getting quite a rise from the Kyuubi.
Hinata just rolled her eyes, knowing where this would lead, before handing a part of her chakra rope to Okito and instructing him quickly on what to do. Yugao had spoken of Anko a few times before, and told her the only way to deal with her is to be straight forward, so that's exactly what she planned to do.
Naruto tried to gently pry Anko away from him, but it wasn't exactly working to plan. He was so distracted, arguing with Anko, he had yet to notice Okito making his way around his feet. "Yeah well gotta get to the stand. I got to turn in my consent form after all. haha"
"Oh don't worry tough guy, it's a long line." Anko traced her finger along Naruto's jaw and down to his chest. "So how old are you now?"
"UH..." Naruto felt himself being jerked backward and out of Anko's embrace, causing her to stumble slightly from the loss.
Anko looked over confused, along with Naruto, at the source of the interruption. Hinata held one end of her rope, with the other wrapped securely around Naruto's waist.
"Sorry Anko-San, but this one is already taken!" Hinata gave an innocent little smile as she glomped Naruto, causing Anko to frown.
Turning away Anko made her way back toward the gate, her arms crossed like a pouting child. "Aww. You young ones are always so greedy! You never want to share."
Hinata just laughed and unwrapped the rope from around Naruto, and secured it back onto her own waist.
00...I like. You sure know how to pick'em kit!
Naruto wrapped his arms around Hinata from behind. "Aw I didn't know you had a jealous side"
Hinata just scoffed. "I'm not. I just wanted to be very clear that you were taken."
Naruto grinned. "Really? By who?"
Hinata just pouted as Naruto laughed.
Before they could continue arguing Ino broke through there little moment and risked speaking. " It's about to start."
She thanked Kami that her voice hadn't revealed how sick she felt, as they made there way toward the booths to turn in there forms.
SR- Well there ya go! there it is! Keep in mind your reviews make me smile!!!...you wouldn't want me to frown...would you? (ultra sad puppy face of...doom?...ya doom!)
SR- Oh yeah and Im extremely sorry if I BEING DUMB didn't reply back to your reviews. Won't EVER happen again. Cross my heart!
Chouji- Yes! I finally get to do the introduction to the next episode! "NEXT TIME ON APPEARANCES CAN DECIEVE...uh... guys there's nothing on the teleprompter!...that's all it says!"
Hinata- (whispers in Chouji's ear)
Chouji - Aww man, just my luck...sigh OKAY! Next time on Appearances Can Deceive...IT'S A SURPRISE. (Rips paper to pieces and angrily stomps off)
SR- Don't be discouraged I definitely have a plan and am working hard to get it written down. I know what's gonna happen! BUT YOU DON'T! mwahahahaha
RD: What!? How can you leave suspense after four months of not updating!? T-That's evil! Evil I tell you!
Naruto: Tch… verily coming back and you leave them nothing? (Grins) Okay I take it back! I like your style! Though… can I know what's going to happen?
SR- Sur- No! (goes away laughing)
RD: Truce?
Naruto: Truce!
(Grabs Giant Gatorade barrel and drop everything on SR)
SR: What in the!?
Both: Welcome back!
(SR glares)
RD: Everyman for himself! (disappears)
Naruto: Er… I-I think Hinata was calling me! (runs away)