Chapter 9-finally is here. It took me a long time to do because I could not decide the look of Hinata's armor. Please review it- thanks!
Hinata had finally chose an armor color. She had gone with a pearl white background and a golden accent color. It had a lotus flower on the chest plate that spread shoulder to shoulder. She was hoping that it would impress Naruto. She was really starting to like him- he was different than the other men she had met. She was still too shy around him to talk to him directly much, but she often hung around in the background and listened to him talk to the others. She had heard him say that they were going to someplace called Nar Shardar and had started to imagine what alien beauty it might hold. She was also glad that they had some responsible adults [as far as she knew] with them.
Hinata walked out of her room and into the hallway, still admiring the tech which surrounded her. They had all learned basic- apparently the most common language in the galaxy, along with the Mandalorian tongue. As she made her way to the medical bay to study more of the fascinating knowledge stored there, she reflected on how much she loved learning new ideas and new ways to help the body. For her, this was truly the trip of a lifetime.
Lee was having the time of his life as he and Naruto had exchanged youthful Taijutsu combat style and he had worked to merge them into one. His hard work had paid off in a style that was both graceful and deadly. He had also learned how to use a blaster pistol. He did think it was a little unyouthful, but Naruto, his friend and Eternal Rival [he is making Gai proud], said that it was like a replacement for jujitsu so he did not mind using it, but only as a last resort. His speed had also improved because he wore both his armor and training weights all day and night. So when he removed his weights he would move at the same speed as he had moved in the past without the armor. He had become a familiar sight (and sound) jogging the corridors of the ship with his armor and weights making him pound the floor loudly.
Jiraiya had just finished turning his books into holograms and was having Kakashi look over them. He loved Kakashi's reaction and just knew he was going to make millions. His happiness at that thought was tempered by his feelings of sadness that he was supposed to be Naruto's godfather, but he was always away from the village and not in touch. He now just hoped that he could someday be important to Naruto. Shaking his head at the dour thought, he quickly turned his mind to happier ones as he walked over to the computer he was given by Naruto. Given because he did not want him doing his 'research' on Naruto's own.
Shino was walking around wearing his armor to get the feel of it as he wandered the ship. His insects were telling him that there was an insect under a nearby compartment. Shino's heart leaped for joy as he might finally get a new specimen. He quickly ran back to his room and grabbed both steel and glass jars- not knowing which he would need. He quickly made his way back and found the compartment again with his insects' help. Carefully he pried open the lid, holding the steel jar close by with the glass jar at his feet. What he saw was the strangest insect he had ever seen. It had pincher-like jaws and was about the size of his hand. It had ten legs and looked very interesting. He couldn't wait to study it. First he grabbed it by its shell-like back and deposited it in the glass jar. Holding the jar up to the light, he smiled, then quickly took it back to his room so he could study it. He didn't stop smiling the whole way there. "This is going to be SUCH fun." he thought.
Naruto was seated in the main cockpit, going though landing procedures and was presently feeling very annoyed at the gungan that was the dock manager. He had finally convinced the thing that he was not going to kill him, nor would any of his 'crew'. He admitted to himself that if he had been a little friendlier and less impatient at the start of the conversation that it might have wound up a lot sooner. Naruto knew that Nar Shardar had not changed and it was a good thing as he got a lot of business here.
He opened up his com-link and told everyone to meet him in the main common room so he could set some ground rules for them while on Nar Shardar. As he stood up and walked to the main room, he watched everyone come in with amazed expressions. "Probably because they are on another planet." thought Naruto. He cleared his throat to get everyone's attention and then spoke. "Ok, in a few seconds we will go into Nar Shardar. The main rule is to stay close to me for now. Things work differently here than what you are used to. You have to ask me if you want to do something- and Jiraiya, you can not sell your books yet, that would attract too much attention." Jiraiya looked downcast about that, but the other's understood, confirmed by there collective nods. "The next rule is to never take off your helmet unless you are eating and last, but not least, do not disgrace that armor! You are Mandalorians!" He was pretty forceful about the last one. "Now, let's head out."
That was chapter 9. Let me know your thoughts- should Lee enter a combat tournament? What type of bug do you want Shino to get? Tell me in your reviews and please vote on my new poll. Thanks!