Chapter 6
Naruto and Sasuke fell on the ground, panting and sweating. Another morning of training had passed, and it was quite satisfactory (to Naruto). Sasuke had known that something was distracting Naruto when the blonde had dodged a Chidori without unleashing a Rasengan to meet it. Sasuke had felt ripped off that Naruto's mind hadn't been on training alone. It was a waste of time for Sasuke to train with someone who's heart and mind wasn't in it. He would get to the bottom of this. He waited a few more minutes in silence. Well…almost silence. Naruto's loud raspy panting ruined it.
"Hey, Sasuke?" Naruto asked. Sasuke felt a little flash of victory in his chest. He would discover Naruto's distraction. Sasuke didn't answer, and just waited for Naruto to continue.
"Do you think I'm attractive girls?"
Sasuke snorted. Naruto was thinking about girls? He felt practically mortified that he should be one-upped by some girl. "No, of course, not, baka."
"Why?"
"Because you're you," Sasuke answered assuredly.
"Seriously, teme!" Naruto said. Sasuke glanced at his blonde friend quickly. Naruto's blue eyes were indeed dark (with worry?) Sasuke chuckled darkly. Of course girls would make Naruto lose his cool…not battling enemies of the village, or training to become Hokage, but girls.
"Seriously, dobe? Don't ask me. I'm not a girl."
Sasuke heard the grass rustle, as Naruto flipped over on his belly. "You got that right," Naruto said, laughter back in his voice.
"He, he, you can take me for ramen now!"
"Hinata, sweetie, are you ready?"
Hinata jolted at the sound of the earsplitting voice, trying to be sweet.
"C-coming!" Hinata cried in reply. Ino was waiting outside her house, and Hinata was going to accompany her to the Hokage's building. Hinata was sure she knew Ino had in store…the blonde ninja could be predictable. (Hinata guessed it had something to do with Naruto. She felt her heart do a little tap dance, and she opened the door to see Ino, smiling down at her.
"Hinata, what in the world are you doing?" Ino cried. Hinata looked at her friend, wide eyed, wondering what she had done wrong.
Ino dragged Hinata to her house, and got to work, pulling out makeup brushes, and other random cylinders that Hinata had had nothing to do with ever in her life.
"Don't worry about a thing," Ino said, her voice not as energetic as it usually was. In fact, it had taken on a more caring tone. "Your make up will have your personality in it. As if I would dress you up like I would myself!"
In about fifteen minute's time, Ino stood back, admiring her handiwork. Hinata gazed into Ino's large dresser mirror, staring at the beautiful stranger looking back at her. This stranger had large lavender eyes, outlined with soft brown eyeliner, and light mascara lengthened her lashes. Light brown eyeshadow brought out her eyes, making them sparkle. Light pink dusted the girl's cheeks—not the embarrassing tomato red Hinata turned whenever she saw her crush. There was also clear lipgloss on her lips, not bringing attention to them (and by doing that, causing the eyes to draw towards them.)
"O-oh, thank you, Ino," Hinata whispered.
"No problem, hon," Ino said. "Now come on, we're getting late! I heard Tsunadae-sama is assigning Naruto a mission. We'll see if we can't arrange you to accompany him."
Hinata widened her eyes. A mission? With Naruto?
"Wouldn't the Hokage-sama just assign Sasuke or Sakura to go with him?" Hinata asked quietly, as they walked out onto the street. Hinata noticed random passersby eyeing her with new interest. She felt a blush coming up, but brought her gaze strictly forward. She couldn't ruin the look of Ino's make up with her hideous blushing. At least she knew the make up was working…right?
"Sakura's a medic ninja now," Ino said, stating a fact that everyone knew well enough. "She may be needed for more important missions."
"How do you know Naruto won't be getting an important mission now?" Hinata asked, curious.
Ino smirked (as kindly as one could smirk) at Hinata. "Yeah, Naruto's a pretty strong ninja," Ino said, "but not everyone idolizes him as much as you do."
Hinata did blush a little at that. Ino patted Hinata's hand reassuringly. "If Naruto won't notice you for the cute, innocent babe you are, then he'll definitely notice you for the fierce ninja you are!"
Hinata looked at Ino, a mixture of thrill and despair. Ninja! Why hadn't anyone thought of that before? All Naruto loved was training to be a better ninja and Sakura (Hinata decided to push the pink haired girl to the back of her line of thoughts.) If she could prove herself a great ninja to Naruto, he would like to spend more time with her, maybe training! The despair came in when the thought dawned on her that she would actually have to be a good ninja… How could she? She was not brave or fierce…she was timid and shy. Sakura was brave and fierce. She was even a medic ninja, which took a lot of skill and determination! Naruto would only spend time training with Sasuke….Naruto himself was a great ninja (no matter what Ino said) and Sasuke was the only one who could match him…
"Listen!" Ino whispered. Hinata looked at Ino in fright. They were outside the Hokage-sama's door, and Ino suggested that they listen in on the conversation!
"How do you know Naruto's in there?" Hinata cried (in a whisper). "What if it's some other important business that's top secret!"
"There's nothing going on in the village!" Ino said, also whispering. "We at peace with everyone! And besides, I saw Naruto go in."
"Alone?" Hinata asked.
Ino nodded.
Hinata watched Ino as she listened. The blonde ninja's light green-blue eyes were narrowed in concentration. After several minutes, Ino widened her eyes, and leaped away, just as the door opened with a ferocious looking Naruto. He had a deep scowl on his face. He brushed past Hinata, about to storm out of the building.
"Oi, Naruto!" Tsunadae's voice boomed. "I see your teammate right here!"
"Sakura-chan and Sasuke aren't here," Naruto replied. Then he apparently saw Ino. "Hi, Ino. What are you doing here?"
"No, for your new mission!" Tsunadae roared. "Congradulations, Hinata," she said in a kinder voice. "You will accompany Naruto to the Village Hidden in the Rice. He will explain his mission to you. Now get out of my sight."
Hinata was stuttering incoherently, as Naruto stormed back towards the Hokage's door. "Oh, hey, Hinata. Didn't see you there," he said. He grabbed her hand and dragged her away from the Hokage's room. Hinata glanced at Ino to see her green eyes blazing with anger (towards Naruto.) All she could think about, though, was Naruto-kun holding her hand.
Hinata let Naruto drag her along, but as they were approaching the entrance to the village, Hinata had to speak up. She couldn't just barge off to the Village hidden in the Rice (whatever that was…)!
"N-n-n-n," Hinata tried.
Naruto looked at her, blue eyes flashing. "You tryin' to say something?" he asked her with a confused look. She nodded her head. "Well, then, spit it out," Naruto said.
Hinata took a deep breath and tried again. "Why are we going to the Village Hidden in the …Rice?"
"I can explain on the way." Naruto said, waving away her question. "I thought you had something important to say!"
Hinata felt as if she was kicked in the stomach. Already Naruto thought she was stupid, dumb, insolent…
"Something important like, having to stop for ramen," Naruto continued. Hinata looked up at him, with widened eyes.
"Can I get the backpack I always use for missions?" she whispered. "It's already packed, and it will only take a min—"
"Sure, sure," Naruto replied with a shrug. "Let's go."
By now, Naruto had dropped Hinata's hand, and already her feelings were conflicted. She was grateful because now she would finally be able to get the apple color off her face. But on the other hand, she missed the feel of Naruto's skin. Naruto stopped in front of her house, and Hinata was surprised to be walking alone when she continued up the path to the front door. She really wanted to turn around and ask Naruto why he wasn't coming with her. For some reason, her head was locked and wouldn't turn anywhere but foreword (in which it was already facing) And her voice was stuck in her throat, choking her, not wanting to come out.
A servant greeted her at the door.
"Tell my father that I have been assigned a mission in the Village hidden in the...Rice," Hinata whispered to the servant. She noticed Neji passing by to another room.
Something in Hinata's eyes made Neji stop. He knew that look. It was the look Hinata had when she wanted to tell someone something, but was too afraid to speak.
"Hello, Hinata," he greeted her. "A mission? What's it about?"
"N-Naruto-kun is going to explain on the way."
Neji felt himself stiffening. "Naruto?" he asked, deep distrust evident in his voice. "Why are you two going on a mission together?"
Hinata shook her head. "I don't know…"
"Shouldn't it have been him, Sakura and Sasuke?" Neji plowed on. "Or you Kiba, and Shino?"
Hinata looked at her cousin, her eyes worried. "I-I don't know, N-Neji…"
Neji stared at Hinata intently. He didn't like sending her off with that Naruto. Not one bit. Oh, yes, Naruto was a skilled ninja. A very skilled ninja indeed. (Sure…) But he was completely irresponsible. And only cared about ramen. Anyone completely entrusting anyone to him was completely bonkers.
"Go get your things," Neji ordered Hinata. She nodded obediently and scurried away. Neji waited paitently by the front door, with the intent of accompanying Hinata out (to the extent of the courtyard, at least) and giving that Naruto a piece of his mind.
Hinata returned within a few minutes, with her small, navy blue backpack. Neji turned up a corner of his mouth (to anyone else the smile would have been imperceptible.) But the smile was aimed at Hinata. And she was very observant, knowing all of Neji's trademark behaviors, and little mannerisms.
Neji opened the door and went outside first, hearing Hinata's shy, quiet breathes. He didn't see Naruto at first, and his mind immediately jumped to conclusions. Of course he would run off! That is so like him! He probably just left Hinata to start the mission on his own! Even worse, he will totally neglect the mission and the Hokage will be in flames and he'll be completely nowhere to be found, and—
In the middle of Neji's silent rant, a whoosh went by them, skidding to a halt. It was a blonde in an orange tracksuit. Great… Neji thought sarcastically.
"Oh, hey, Neji," Naruto greeted him.
"So what is this mission of yours, anyway?" Neji began the questioning without delay.
Naruto shrugged. "Just some border patrol or something."
"We don't even share a border with the Hidden Rice Village."
Naruto gave him a wide eyed glance. "How do you know about our mission?" Neji didn't reply and Naruto went on with the next question. "You've heard of the Village Hidden in the Rice?"
Neji had to use every ounce of self control he had acquired throughout his years to stop himself from strangling Naruto on the spot, yelling "You wanted to take my little cousin on a mission and you didn't even know the destination? How dare you, insolent fool of a…" Instead he kept his naturally slightly scornful expression, and asked a simple question.
"Don't you think it would be better to learn more about the Village Hidden in the...Rice, or at least it's location, before going on a mission to, protect it, from what you say?"
Naruto looked at him, as if the revelation of the century had dawned upon him.
"Whoa. You're smart."
Again, Neji resisted the urge to kick that hideously dressed upstart of a ninja in the gut, but turned toward the house.
"I suppose you must be welcome into the house now," he muttered darkly (and very regretfully).
"Huh? Oh, great, thanks."
What Hinata saw in that idiot, Neji did not know. The three of them filed into the house, and into Neji's study, which was next door to Hinata's father's. Neji sat down on the ground, folding his legs, behind his table, while Hinata and Naruto sat, cross-legged as well, in front of it.
Neji took out a map from behind him, and spread it out. It was his favorite of all, the smooth feel of it, the dark lines dividing the Lands. He sent a glare at Naruto that said Don't touch! He wondered if the blonde had even noticed his glance. Naruto was staring wide eyed at the table.
"What?" Neji asked in annoyance.
"The Village hidden in the...Rice…" Naruto said ominously.
Neji pointed to a small shape in between the Lands of Stone, Grass, and Rain.
"It's so small!" Naruto cried out.
"It's bigger than I thought it would be," Hinata whispered. "Considering no one's even heard of it."
"Neji has," Naruto pointed out.
"But the common villager wouldn't," Neji agreed with his cousin. "The first thing to know about the Village Hidden in the Rice, is that it's not even a ninja village."
Naruto gawked. "Whaaaaat? But it's called Village Hidden in the—"
"I know," Neji said disdainfully. "But they have called themselves that—"
"To sound tough?" Naruto interrupted Neji in return.
Neji sighed inwardly. "Yeah, I guess."
"So, they don't have ninjas?" Naruto asked.
Neji shook his head.
"Which is why they need us."
Neji raised an eyebrow. "Didn't the Hokage-sama tell you all of this?" he asked cynically.
Naruto shrugged. "Ehh…she was talking about something…but I wasn't really listening. Who wants to listen to old Grandma anyway?"
Neji had to check his anger again. "And you were going to explain the mission to Hinata on the way." He asked his voice steely.
Naruto shrugged again. "I did know something," he said defensively. "We have to go to some nowhere-land and protect them with our epic ninja skills."
"And who are you protecting and from what?" Neji asked.
Narto didn't answer.
"My guess would be you are protecting the famers," Neji speculated. "Which is another thing you should know—the Hidden Rice Village is basically just farmers. They farm most of the Lands' rice."
Naruto locked his fingers together and stretched. "Ne, ne, this is getting boring. Can we leave now?"
"Did Hokage-sama give you something to give to their Beikage?"
Naruto raised his eyebrows. "Eh? They have a top ninja—a kage?"
Neji rolled his eyes. "More like a top farmer. "
Naruto scoffed.
"My question." Neji reminded him. Naruto opened his mouth but Neji already knew what he was going to say. "Did the Hokage give you something to give to the Beikage."
"Ohhhh, right, yeah, I totally forgot about that," Naruto said, pulling a scroll out of his black-colored pack.
"Right, then," Neji said. He couldn't' think of anything else to say to them. He guessed that he couldn't delay Hinata's leaving any longer.
"Any questions?" he asked, mostly directed at Hinata. He knew Naruto wouldn't be able to think of anything. He wondered how much of Neji's speech actually got through to him. He was glad that at least Hinata was there to listen and soak up the information.
"Th-thank you Neji," Hinata whispered.
Neji felt a little burst of happiness in him. Hinata was so sweet. "No problem," he assured her.
Naruto leaped up. "All right! We can finally leave!"
Neji tried to stifle the worried feelings he had inside of him. He shouldn't be so soft on them! They could fend for themselves. What was he doing?
"Be careful," he muttered to Hinata. Aeeeiihhhh! The world is going to end! Neji couldn't stop himself before it just slipped out.
Hinata cheeks became rosy. "Okay," she replied.
Naruto leapt in the air. "LET'S GO!"