Run Away and Pursue
Ch. 14 "Pieces of an Intricate Puzzle."
I don't own Naruto, but I wish I did.
A/N: Ch. 13 & 14 Today.
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck and stared at the information lying on the desk in front of him in their new rental home. He had been up all night digging for more information and dirt about Uchiha Sasuke. There were nothing but a few interesting morsels tossed in here and there, but that was it, just morsels.
Just a few minutes ago, he had forwarded the data to Yuki with instructions to call Okinawa PD.
He had other things to do.
Like figure out how to apologize to Hinata.
He had been so engulfed in his mission to find Sasuke that he had done exactly what she had accused him of: invading her privacy.
Just thinking about her words and the look on her face made him cringe. He hadn't meant to bring up a past Hinata had worked hard to put behind her.
But he had.
And now, he had to make up for it.
He looked down at the other folder on his desk, one that contained information on Hyuuga Hinata.
She had grown tough, and the wild life she had lived through her teenage years and early twenties reflected it.
An exotic dancer who'd worked at a popular club for drug dealings and prostitution who worked under the name Tenshi.
That made Naruto's head buzz with anger. He hadn't expected Hinata to come from a past of prostitution and drug abuse. He was sure to ask her about that.
The driver license photo of Tenshi an Okinawa police officer had sent over barely resembled the woman Naruto had come to care about known as Hinata.
Still, if he'd met her three years ago, he would have recognized the qualities that attracted him now.
Compassion, empathy, a tender spirit.
The softness of her lavender pearl eyes and fragile yet firm look to her figure.
He lifted the folder, opened it to the photo and looked at it one last time.
Tenshi.
Hinata.
Lost soul.
Now found.
Her past was hers to keep, and he'd tell her that if she ever spoke to him again.
He gathered all the paper that held Hinata's past and shoved it in the shredder, watching as the papers were cut up into many hundreds of puzzle pieces. Hinata's past was being eaten up by the shredder.
"Naruto?" Ayame appeared in the doorway, the phone in her hand, her palm covering the mouthpiece. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Keiji's principal is on the phone."
The principal?
That couldn't be good. Naruto had walked Keiji to school less than an hour ago. Had something happened since?
He took the phone from his adoptive mother's hands, his stomach knotted in concern. "Uzumaki Naruto speaking."
"Mr. Uzumaki, I am Senju Tsunade, the principal at Sendai Elementary. We spoke a few days after you got to town."
"I remember. What can I do for you?" Naruto raked a hand through his hair, standing to pace about the room.
"I don't want to worry you," Tsunade seemed to be tentative with her words. "But Keiji seems to be having some, err, issues."
"Issues?" Naruto tensed. The word 'issues' couldn't mean anything good. "What kind of issues?"
"He's in the school nurse complaining about a head ache and nausea."
Naruto headed for the door. "My sister has been sick with the flu, he probably caught it. I'll be right there to pick him up."
"The thing is, Mr. Uzumaki, he doesn't appear to be sick." Tsunade said quickly, in fear of making it sound as if the child was fault. "But of course, with Keiji's situation—."
Naruto interrupted her. "What do you mean he isn't sick?"
He could hear her sigh from the other side of the line. "His teacher said he was fine when he arrived in class this morning. As a matter of fact, he was more lively and interactive with the other students than he had been these past months. Then he was told that the teacher's aide for the class wasn't going to be in."
"Ms. Hyuuga?" Ah, I see. Naruto shook his head.
"That's right. Keiji now wants to go home." Tsunade sounded annoyed. "Of course we couldn't allow that."
"And that's when he decided to act sick?" Naruto went to the shelf and took his car keys.
"It appears so."
"I'll be there in a few minutes." With that Naruto hung up.
Naruto looked up and saw that his mother and his sister were by the door way.
"Is everything okay?" Ayame took the phone out of Naruto's hands as he began to put on his shoes.
"Yeah," Naruto finished and stood. "The teacher's aide Keiji is so fond of didn't show up today and he's not taking it well."
"Hinata?" Senna frowned, her words reflecting Naruto's own concern. "Is she okay? I know you said she's been trouble with her ex."
"I have no idea." Naruto walked past the two ladies. "I'm going to go pick up Keiji and go give her a call to make sure she's all right."
"Well, if you need to go over and help her, you just go ahead and do it." Ayame winked. "We can make care of Keiji. As a matter of fact, I think we'll bake some chocolate chip cookies and make some ramen."
With that, Ayame ran out of the room and into the kitchen to get the supplies ready.
Senna snickered. "Mom always did know how to make us feel better when we were a tad younger."
"Yeah." Naruto made sure that he had his keys and wallet with him. "If only I were that good with Keiji."
Senna gave a reassuring pat on his shoulder. "You'll be fine. Don't worry about it."
Naruto just flashed a smile and pulled on his coat, opening the door. "See you later."
He stepped outside immediately seeing that the day was gray, the sky heavy with clouds. They did say it was going to snow today.
He took a whiff of the nature air and unlocked his car.
The school was two blocks away from the temporary home, but he decided to drive.
The quicker he got to school, the quicker he could find out what was up with Keiji and the quicker it would be to go and check up on Hinata.
He pulled into the school parking lot, hurried inside and veered into the office to the right. An office assistant looked up as soon as he entered the vicinity and offered a smile.
"Mr. Uzumaki, Principal Senju said you were on your way." She gestured to the door behind her desk. "You can go right in."
Naruto returned the smile and gave a small nod of thanks. He skirted around the desk and a wall of file cabinets and stepped into the room.
An older woman with graying hair and a bright smile on a face that did not look anywhere past thirty stood as he entered.
"Hello, Mr. Uzumaki. I'm Principal Senju." She offered a hand out.
Naruto took it and shook it politely. "Nice to meet you."
"Why don't we have a seat?" Tsunade motioned to the chair in front of her desk. "My assistant will be here with Keiji shortly."
Naruto perched on the edge of the chair, feeling uncomfortable but not sure why. "Thanks."
"While we have a minute, I'd like to thank you for making the decision to let Keiji stay in school during this transitional time. It's good for him to have a sense of continuity in his life."
"I agree." Naruto responded, whishing that the assistant would hurry up with Keiji already.
It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the principal's words of thanks, but he didn't feel like he deserved them. He hadn't done anything that any other parent wouldn't have done in the same exact situation.
"We've all been talking about it here at Sendai," Tsunade continued. "And we realize what a sacrifice it must be for you to leave a home in Tokyo to settle in a small town like ours. So you know, we want to say that we are here to offer support to you in any way we can."
"I appreciate that, Principal Senju and I'll be sure to let you know if there's anything Keiji needs." He had heard similar words so often ever since he had come to Sendai that they had almost become meaningless. Even though he knew that they meant well, none of them can do anything to help Keiji through the painful process of letting go of someone he had been calling 'Mother' the past five years.
"Good." Tsunade made sure she made eye contact with him. "I think that's especially important since Ms. Hyuuga won't be coming back for several weeks."
"Several weeks?" The conversation had suddenly become more interesting and he leaned forward. His mind was full of question asking why Hinata would take several weeks off, but he knew the principal wouldn't be able to answer.
It was Hinata's private business after all.
And it was business Naruto planned to stick his nose into once he figured out what was going on with Keiji.
"Yes," Tsunade opened a drawer that was imbedded in her desk. "She had requested to be off through the month of December and plans to return after Christmas break. She'll be returning as a full-time teacher after her graduation."
"Graduation?" Naruto raised a brow.
"She's been pursuing a degree in education, especially in the primary field ever since she started working here." Tsunade shut the drawer without ever so much as looking at it or getting anything out. "We're looking forward to officially giving her the title. She earned it a long time ago."
Naruto smiled. "She does have a way with kids."
The sound of voices interrupted the conversation and Tsunade stood. "It sounds like Keiji has arrived. Thank you again for being such a good father to him."
Naruto would inputted a remark to that but Keiji appeared in the doorway, his hair mussed and his cheeks pale.
"I'm sorry, dad." His eyes downcast.
Naruto stood and walked over to him, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "For what, squirt?"
"For making you come and pick me up." Keiji muttered, refusing to look up.
"Nobody made me do anything. I wanted to come." Naruto patted his son's head, causing him to flinch a bit. "Anytime you need me, I'll be here."
"My head was hurting." Keiji simply stated, making Naruto stop patting his head.
"Sorry." He gave a sheepish laugh. "Do you feel better now?"
"Yeah." Keiji shifted from one leg to the other.
"I heard that Ms. Hyuuga isn't here today." Naruto dared to say.
Keiji blinked rapidly and Naruto was sure he was trying not to cry. "And she's not going to be here until after Christmas break next year."
"She needs a few weeks off to study for her final exams." The principal cut in. "Any idea what those are?"
"No." Keiji was uninterested, no doubt about it.
Tsunade could sense the mood and made a pleading eye contact with Naruto, who merely shrugged. "They're important tests that every college student must take before finishing a class."
Keiji narrowed his eyes a bit in confusion. "She's not a student, she's a teacher."
"She's a teacher's aide and she can't officially be a teacher until she graduates from college." Tsunade's voice faltered a bit.
"Oh."
That was all Keiji could say.
"But don't worry, she'll be back after her finals and when she graduates, she'll be an official teacher here. Doesn't that sound wonderful?"
"I guess." Keiji continued staring down at the carpet.
Naruto was tempted to correct the behavior and spare everyone this sad scene but he knew that will only embarrass Keiji, causing him to further sink back in his shell.
"I know you miss her, Keiji." Principal Senju gently said, a faint smile on her face. "I'm sure she'll pay a visit when she has time."
Keiji didn't look convinced. Instead he glared at the floor to prevent the tears from flowing. "I want to go home."
Tsunade sighed and nodded at Naruto.
"Thank you for your time, Mr. Uzumaki." Tsunade gave a polite bow.
"Likewise."
Naruto took his son's hand and was surprised when he didn't pull away.
Maybe they were making progress.
Or maybe Keiji was just too tired to continue fighting the tide that was dragging him to into his new family.
When they got out of the building, Naruto just remembered what Ayame promised. "When we get home, your grandma plans to bake cookies. She asked me to tell you so you can help her with it."
"Is she really going to make cookies?" Keiji climbed into the SUV the moment Naruto unlocked it.
Naruto smiled. At least he's interacting more. "I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. Plus, knowing Granma, she probably has all the ingredients and equipments out. All she needs now is a little helper. She's also deciding to make some ramen."
Keiji looked out the window as Naruto reared into the main road. "She and Grandpa are leaving on Friday."
Naruto caught sight of his son in the rearview mirror. "Yep."
"And Ms. Hyuuga is gone. Is Aunt Senna going to leave too?"
There was a hidden question somewhere there by the way that Keiji had asked. Like he was asking, "Are you going to leave me too?" or "Do all adults leave?"
Naruto sighed as he slowed down at a stop. "Aunt Senna will be staying with us until we pack up to go to Tokyo. Hinata's not going away, she's just taking some time off to study for her exams."
"How do you know?" Keiji's eyes challenged him through the mirror, a hidden excitement was swirling in her eyes. "Did you talk to her?"
"No." Naruto looked away from the reflection. "Principal Senju told me."
"Doesn't mean it's true." Keiji looked disappointed as he looked away from the mirror. "People lie all the time."
Naruto wasn't sure how to respond to that.
On one hand, it was true, but on the other, it was too cynical for a nine-year-old to even utter.
At last, they reached their rented home. He parked the car in the drive way and shifter to face his son in the back. "People do lie, but not all the time. Especially not something like what Principal Senju told me."
Keiji gave his trademark shrug and jumped out of the SUV.
Mentally exhausted, Naruto sighed, shutting the car before he followed him in the house.
As soon as the front door opened, an Ayame in an apron tackled Keiji into a hug.
"There he is! My assistant chef!"
That got a laugh out of Keiji, causing Naruto to snap his head their way, jealousy growing within him. Not once had he made Keiji laugh ever since he got him back.
"We'll just wait for Aunt Senna and Grandpa for the materials, but till then, let's play video games!" Ayame pulled the little boy to the couch.
"You play?" Keiji gawked. Like him, Naruto was fascinated by the thought of his mother playing video games until he realized what she was doing.
"Not one bit!" Ayame grabbed a controller. "But for you, I'll learn."
"If you two will be okay, I have to go and run some errands." Naruto gave a discreet nod towards his mother. "I'll be back in a couple of hours. Call me if any trouble appears."
He walked out back outside before he could change his mind and invite Keiji along with him. He needed to find out the true reason in why Hinata wanted to take a month off because he had no plan in buying the reason the principal told him.
When he pulled up in Kurenai's driveway, he was surprised to see the sheriff's cop car.
Something did happen.
And he was going to find out what.
Naruto hurriedly got out of his car and jogged his way to the front porch. He urgently knocked on the door, wondering why it was taking so long for Kurenai to open the door.
He caught sight of the curtains on the nearby window move a bit before moments later the door opened ajar.
"Oh thank goodness it is really you!" Kurenai opened the door wider and ushered him to quickly come in.
"Who did you think I was?" Naruto stepped in and was confused to why she immediately slammed the door behind them, though he had a bad feeling about it.
"Him." Kurenai whispered. "Hinata's ex. You've heard of him, right? How he tried to kill her Okinawa?"
"What about him?" Naruto frowned. Yep, something bad is going to happen.
"He's here." Kurenai placed the locks on the door. "Somewhere in Sendai, and the police can't find him."
"Is Hinata in her apartment?" Naruto didn't notice that he was shaking.
"Yes." Kurenai pointed to the ceiling. "Sheriff Inuzuka has been up there with her for an hour. He didn't look happy when he got here. You'll probably want to wait until he comes down. Care for some coffee?"
Naruto shook his head. "No thank you. I think I'll just go on up and see what's happening."
"I don't know if the sheriff would like that." Kurenai muttered, heading towards the kitchen.
"Good." Naruto offered a brief smile before walking up the stairs. "I don't care about what he thinks."
As he entered the hall that led to Hinata's apartment, he could hear the faint voices coming from the other side of the wall.
They sounded exhausted.
Naruto knocked twice before Hinata opened the door.
"Naruto?" Her eyes were deeply shadowed, her face paler than usual. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard you were taking a month long break." Naruto took note of the woman in front of him and how she was more like a zombie that her usual self. "I wanted to know the reason why."
"I'm a little busy right now. Maybe you can give me a call later." She gave a pathetic excuse of a smile before glancing over her shoulder to the sheriff.
"I don't mind waiting." Naruto invited himself in the apartment, pushing Hinata lightly aside. He gave a nod of acknowledgement to the sheriff. "I left messages at your office sheriff, but it appears you had plenty of other things to deal with."
"Unfortunately." He looked tired as well and a bit annoyed. "Hinata ran into some trouble last night, and I've been concentrating my efforts on that."
"What kind of trouble?" Naruto locked eyes with Hinata.
"I saw Sasuke last night." Her eyes were dull and not the soft lavender that drew him to calm down. "He was waiting for me in the church parking lot and followed me after I left. After a couple of miles, he disappeared, but not before I almost damaged my car a bit."
"Are you sure it was him?" Kiba sighed, massaging the back of his neck.
"That's what Sheriff Inuzuka here keeps asking, and I keep telling him that I am." Hinata sighed irritably. "Sasuke is in Sendai. He pulled up behind my car with his interior lights on. I saw his face clearly."
"It can be difficult to see when headlights are shinning into your eyes, Hinata." Kiba said wearily, as if he was half asleep. "It's possible that the person you saw resembles your ex."
"You said that the Okinawa PD haven't seen Sasuke in two days." Hinata firmly stated. "Why's it so hard to believe that he could be here in Sendai?"
"His friends and employees said he's on a fishing expedition."
Naruto glared at the sheriff. "That doesn't mean that's where he actually is. You should know better."
"Look, we're not pointing fingers here." Kiba huffed. "Okinawa PD is actively searching for Uchiha on their end, and we're doing the same here."
"Then why do you keep asking me if I'm sure it was him I saw?" Hinata didn't try to hide her exasperation.
The sheriff took his temples in his fingertips and massaged them. "When we do bring him in, we're going to need evidence to hold him. I don't want to risk having him out because we have no proof that he's threatening you."
It made sense from a legal perspective but Naruto knew Hinata didn't care at all about any of those.
What she wanted to hear was that the police were going to find Sasuke and put him in jail for good.
"The Okinawa PD should have enough evidence." Naruto frowned. "If not, I've had some people research information on the bastard and found some that will really keep him behind bars."
"Yeah?" The sheriff took out a small notebook and a pen, scribbling on a blank sheet. "What?"
Naruto reached to his pocket and took out his phone. After some time toggling with it, he began to talk. "A girlfriend of his left Okinawa a year ago. She died a few months later in a hit-and-run accident."
"People die in hit-and-run accidents every day." The sheriff scowled. "Coincidences happen. Circumstantial evidence isn't enough to get convicted."
"I agree." Naruto scrolled down the file that he spent time putting in his phone. "But get this. The guy lost another girl in a fluke fall from a balcony apartment five years ago. They had both been drinking and he said she climbed onto the balcony wall and fell."
"That happened in Okinawa too?" Kiba quickly jotted down.
"Kyoto." Hinata cut in, flashing Naruto a look that told him exactly how she felt about all the digging he had done. "He mentioned it to me once right after we met. He said it was the reason he moved to Okinawa. To escape from the memories."
"Interesting, but bad things do happen." Kiba muttered.
"Yeah?" Naruto was angered at the justice system. "Well Uchiha sure has a lot of bad luck when it comes to girlfriends. His high school girlfriend died of an overdose when she was six months pregnant with is child after she confronted him about it."
"He never wanted kids." Hinata spoke so quietly that Naruto almost didn't hear her.
"What?"
"Sasuke didn't want kids. Ever! He told me that over and over again." Hinata's voice shook as she swayed. "But he never mentioned his high school girl. He never mentioned a baby!"
Naruto caught her when she nearly fell sideways. "Sit."
"I'm fine!" She pushed his touch away.
"Hinata—." Naruto pouted.
"I am." Despite what she said, Hinata still took a seat when her knees buckled under her. Naruto because worried because her skin turned paper white, causing the dark circled under yes appear to be black.
"Maybe we should take this outside." Kiba walked towards the door, but Hinata called him back.
"No! This more my business than anyone else's. I'd rather you stay."
Kiba hesitated. It seemed that it took a lot for Hinata to say that request, but he then nodded. "All right, what else do you have Naruto?"
"Just that the pregnant girl also died in Kyoto. Her friends say her death was suspicious. She was a good honor roll student that came from a good family. By all accounts a good kid who never got near drugs and alcohol." Naruto flipped his phone closed.
"And the police report?" The sheriff grimaced.
"No physical evidence to indicate anything but a tragic accidental overdose." Naruto shook his head. "That's it. But I think it's enough to convict him. Three women dead, and Hinata scared for her life. This guy is a killer and needs to be put away."
"You said that you informed Okinawa about this?" Kiba shut the notebook and place it in his pocket along with the pen.
"An associate sent an e-mail file. I was hoping that you could give them a call and track the information." Naruto scratched the back of his head. He didn't want to say that there was foul play in police force because Kiba would be insulted.
"Sure, but sadly information can't help us find the guy." Kiba headed to the door and faced Hinata. "I'm going to be patrolling this street every hour. If something suspicious happens, you can call us. We'll be here within minutes. We'll do everything we can to make sure that scum bag goes where he belongs."
Hinata gave a grateful nod. "Thank you."
The sheriff gave a toothy grin before he turned and headed downstairs.
Hinata walked to the door of her apartment and kept it open, as if she were waiting for Naruto to follow the actions of the man who just left.
Ignoring the hidden hint, Naruto simply walked to her side and nudged her elbow. "Are you okay?"
Seeing that he wasn't leaving any time soon, Hinata closed the door. "I don't know."
Naruto watched as she leaned against the door, looking for support as her hands trembled on their way to placing a stray hair behind her ears.
"I knew Sasuke could be cruel, but—." Her voice cracked as she tightly closed her eyes.
Naruto held his breath and pulled her into his arms. He was glad that she didn't push him away, but actually burrowed into him, her head finding comfort on his chest. Naruto leaned his head down so that it laid softly on hers. "But what?"
"Three women, and an unborn baby?" Hinata trembled, causing Naruto to run a hand down her back, hoping to comfort the girl. "Who could do such a thing?"
"I don't know." That was all Naruto could find to say. Everything else escaped him at that moment.
"I should've known. I probably would've know if I wasn't so lost in my addiction." She took a shuddering breath and stepped away from the embrace. She looked into his eyes and let him see the sadness and shame she carried. "I told you before that I wasn't a good person, Naruto. I wasn't lying."
"You're wrong. You're a wonderful person, Hinata." Naruto took her hand in his and gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. "Everything I know about you tells me that."
"Everything?" She turned away with her back stiff and words tight. "Do you mean the fact that I was an exotic dancer or the fact that I would've sold my soul for my next hit?"
Naruto caught her eye and dared to ask. "Was dancing all you did?"
"Yes. I assure you, all I did was dance in that place. The only thing close to prostitution I have been was when the men would try to grope me, but Sasuke was always there to knock them away. He was possesive." Hinata looked away. "The things that I have done are not sunshine, lollipops and rainbows, Naruto."
"Do they really make a difference to me?" Naruto stopped stroking her hand and just simply held on to it.
"They should. You've got a son to worry about." She tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn't let go. "The last thing he needs is someone like me in his life."
"Someone who cares, you mean?"
Hinata stiffened, but didn't respond.
"Someone who knows what it's like to struggle and have been to hell and back and can say, 'I understand' and actually means it? A person who thinks of others before herself and often is willing to get herself killed just to keep the people she loves safe? I think that's the first thing he needs in his life."
When she didn't say anything, Naruto put a hand on her shoulder and urged her to turn around. "Hey, Hinata."
When he caught sight of the teas on her cheeks, his heart shattered. "I'm sorry! I never meant to make you cry!"
"You didn't." She gave a shaky smile.
He brushed away the tears with his thumb only to see more fall.
"I had so many ambitions when I was a kid." She hiccupped. "If I'd followed them, I could've been a different person. A better one."
"You are a different person." He held her arms as he lightly shook her in an attempt to knock her to her senses.
"But my past is still part of me. Don't you see that?" Hinata looked down at her feet, not wanting to look at him, her tears dripping to the carpeted floor. "Naruto, the person who you though I was, she doesn't exist."
Naruto gave a small laugh, causing Hinata to look up. "How can she not exist? She's right here in front of me."
"You don't understand!" She cried. "I am not—!"
Naruto grinned. "I understand that your past shaped who you are today. She is not you anymore. You have broken free a long time ago. Compare yourself then and now. Tell me in what way is Hinata the exotic dancer Tenshi is found in this room?"
"I am her!" Hinata shook her head.
"Have a little faith Hinata." Naruto grabbed the sides of her head with both hands and leaned down. "This is now. What's past is done and over with."
She could feel his breath warming up her cheeks.
Before she could say anything more, Naruto captured her lips, sealing his gentle promise.
Hinata's eyes widened.
He had kissed her again, and now even despite the fact that he knew all about her.
She closed her eyes and cried.
She wanted the moment to last, ready to kiss him back, but sadly, they were interupted.
"Knock, knock!" Kurenai opened the door and peered inside. "Oops! Hope I didn't interrupt anything."
"You didn't!" Hinata's cheeks turned rosy as she because sanguine in the face. She pushed away from Naruto and scrubbed the remaining tears she had left.
"Oh. Too bad." Kurenai winked.
"Kurenai!" Hinata wailed, her cheeks growing hotter.
"What?" She gave them a wink. "You're both young and single. It's time for you to get a move on. Plus, it's not nice to let that little man waiting."
"Speaking of little people," Hinata quickly spoke. "How's Keiji?"
"He's fine." Naruto chuckled. "He's with my mom making cookies and possibly ramen, but most likely cookies. I believe they were playing video games when I left."
"Sounds like fun." A glaze went over her eyes as it saddened. "I remember when I was his age, I wanted nothing more than 'normal' family stuff."
"Go on," Kurenai winked at Naruto. "Be a gentleman and ask her to join you guys."
"Oh, no!" Hinata furiously waved her hand at the idea. "You're family needs some time to spend with Keiji. I would only interrupt."
"You won't interrupt anything!" Naruto grabbed her hand dashed downstairs.
"Wait!" Hinata held her ground. "But what about you? I can't leave you alone knowing that Sasuke is in Sendai."
"Don't worry about me!" Kurenai handed her a coat. "I'm going to have some friends over as well as the sheriff's people are outside keeping watch. Now, off you two go! You're burning precious time just standing here and protesting."
Hinata smiled as she put her coat on. "You're incorrigible."
"I try. Now skedaddle!" Kurenai pushed them out the door.
Once they were out, Kurenai slammed the door, and they could instantly hear all the locks being placed. That got both of them smiling.
"If you don't mind, I'm taking my own car." Without giving a glance, Hinata ran to her car and immediately climbed into the driver's seat, locking the car as soon as she got in.
Naruto could see that she was scared for her life. Sasuke was out there somewhere, and until he was found, she had every right to be afraid.
He glanced around him. The day had turned bright and sunny and the sky was clear. A big contrast than what it was just that morning.
Naruto wanted to believe the beauty of it was the bringer of good things coming, but the sun had been shinning the day Shion had committed suicide. The sky had been clear and beautiful when Keiji had disappeared.
Sunny weather didn't mean that a storm wasn't on the horizon.
It just meant one was coming.
And Naruto hoped that when it came, they would all survive it.
R&R
:B