"So this is how the other half live?" Kiba asked aloud as Team Eight walked into the party. Team Eight were all dressed up with Kiba and Shino in nice tuxes, Kiba's tie missing because he said it felt like a collar. Hinata had opted for a long dark blue shimmering dress with matching shoes. The party was filled with nobles and other council members each mingling at the different stations. Candles seemed to be floating above tables as if enchanted to do so. Silk table cloths lined every table which was adorned with pricey china and crystal. A quartet was playing from the steps, their classic string music playing softly throughout the crowd of talking people. In the middle were reserved seats for the Rookie nine that were being put into the Chunnin exams. Team ten took their seats next to Team Seven and Ten.
"This is truly troublesome," Shikamaru said as he adjusted his fancy robes. He hated dressing up, he hated a lot of things.
"This is amazing," Sakura said as she looked over at Sasuke who grunted and stared at his empty plate with cold eyes. "Sasuke-kun don't you think so?"
"Hn," His answer. Sakura didn't seem fazed in the slightest.
"Where is this Namikaze?" Kiba asked as he looked over at the shy Hyuga.
"H-he i-is by the n-nobles," Hinata said as she looked away from everyone, but pointed towards a blond boy that was standing next to a group of adults. Everyone's jaw dropped. It was years since they have seen him, but there he was, plain as day. Naruto Uzumaki was back.
Naruto walked over to the table and smiled as he sat down at the head of the square table. The group of kids all stared at him with disbelief. Ino was first to break the silence as she let out a low growl.
"You couldn't even have stopped in and said 'Hi guys I'm back?'" Ino yelled as she shook her head. Naruto chuckled.
"Sorry I've been rather busy running two companies," Naruto said as he smiled at everyone. "I'm throwing this party in your honor! Congratulations on making it to the Chunnin Exams. You guys must be truly powerful!"
"You have no idea how powerful I am!" Sauske seethed. Naruto raised an eyebrow and looked over at him.
"You should smile more Sauske," Naruto said with a smirk. "You'd enjoy life a bit more."
"It's great to see you again Naruto," Kiba said with a smirk. "Looks like we won't be able to pull any pranks now huh? You being respected and all."
"That might make it a bit difficult Kiba," Naruto said with a smirk. Naruto was studding them all. Sakura was still aw struck, but at Sauske for actually articulating a sentence. Choji was genuinely happy to see Naruto as was Kiba who was smiling from ear to ear. Hinata wasn't looking up at him, but was paying attention. For some reason he felt her attention was split between this table and something else. Naruto turned his attention away from Ino who was happy that he was ok as well. Shikamaru scared Naruto though. He was studding him right back and that's when he knew that he would need to bring him into his circle. Shikamaru was too smart for his own damn good. "But you're a shinobi now, you should be able to bail us out if trouble comes."
"You bet!" Kiba laughed. "What happened to you?"
"I was stolen and sold into indentured slavery," Naruto said as he heard a gasp from Ino and Hinata turned her attention finally to him. "I sailed around the ocean for a while before I was captured by pirates and I was sold to a traveling Merchant that crossed paths with Iruka and his team. They brought me back."
"Wow," Ino whispered. "So why didn't you want to become a Ninja?"
"I've seen a lot of killing being done," Naruto said as his eyes became dark. "I don't want to be the cause of that anymore. I want to end it all. So I figured I can help as much as I can by doing what I'm doing now. Running my Parent's companies and turning Konoha towards a brighter future. I mean I wouldn't make a good ninja anyways. Remember how bad I was at the clone technique."
That broke the table into a laugh. Shikamaru caught Naruto's eyes and with a quick motion Naruto spoke the unspoken command of, we will discuss this later. Shikamaru dropped his questions and went back to his meal.
The meal passed quickly with quick speeches by the Clan heads welcoming back Naruto and thanking him. Naruto finished the night with a view of his private collection of art and jewels to his guest. Naruto and Iruka stood at the balcony overlooking the event watching the guest flow through. Naruto stared as each of the elders and nobles passed through, commenting on some rare finds. The Rookie Nine walked through and something caught his eye. He watched her and as she slowly circled a figurine in a glass case, much like a huntress stalking her prey. She stopped and looked down at it with a slight smirk. Naruto's smile was miles wide as he watched her and for a very brief moment she returned and there she stood. The women with all the confidence he'd seen the other night. She wavered for a moment then she returned to her slouched shy look.
"Hinata Hyuga," Naruto whispered out as he leaned forward next to Iruka, who's eyes haven't left a certain purpled haired Jonin. "You bad girl…. Iruka-nii, we need music and booze! Champagne for everyone, I want a glass in everyone's hand now!"
"Right," Iruka sighed as he walked off. Naruto slowly walked down the steps as the music started to play and the gallery was cleared by the help. Naruto walked into the center of the room and smiled at everyone as he raised his glass.
"To a night of fun and dance!" Naruto toasted before downing the drink. "Now let's have some fun!"
Naruto walked over to the rookie nine as the dance floor filled with people waltzing. Naruto extended his hand to Hinata who fiddled with her fingers.
"Hinata," Naruto asked softly. "Would you like to dance?"
"U-um," Hinata started her face glowing red. 'Wow she's good' Naruto thought.
"Oh just go!" Ino whispered as she pushed her out to Naruto. Hinata cast a glare at her friend and walked with Naruto towards the floor. Ino followed with Choji in tow while Sakura was pulled to the floor by Kiba after Sauske refused to budge.
"So Hinata," Naruto started as the navigated the floor towards the middle. "What have you been up too?"
"O-oh," Hinata stammered avoiding eye contact. "I-I've b-been t-t-training…"
"You can drop the stammer," Naruto whispered as he leaned in next to her ear. "You didn't seem to have a problem with speaking the last time we met."
Naruto pulled back and if looks could kill he'd be a dead man. Her entire demeanor changed. She was no longer the stumbling, shy girl she was moments before. Here before him was the strong, confident, and most deadly of all, sultry, women that bested him on the roof top. Her grip tightened around his hand, and he hid a grimace. She cocked her head to the side and pursed her lips. Taking advantage of the situation, she moved closer.
"Soo," She purred seductively. Naruto's eyes narrowed, but the smirk on his face never fell. "What's your angle?"
"No angle," Naruto whispered as he stepped back and spun her quickly as the music changed to a tango. She gasped slightly as he pulled her in close and took a step forward. She resisted, not being one to truly give up the lead. Naruto gripped her hand extra tight causing her to wince as she allowed him to lead.
"This entire thing was to find me," She said as he led her over the floor. He smirked and she purred into his ear. "I must've made an impression."
"You've been stealing from the merchants," Naruto whispered. "What does a princess get from steeling?"
"You wouldn't understand," She said hoarsely as he spun her away, her dress kicking up a bit. He spun her back into him and he wrapped his arms around her waist. Her back flushed against his chest she let out a sigh as she rested her hand on his check. "I've missed you Naru-kun. I can't believe you're back. I keep think this is a dream."
"Is that the real Hinata speaking?" Naruto asked coldly, as he spun her and brought them back to their original form. "Or the one on the roof top looking for a distraction to get away again?"
The slap reignited across the room like an alarm. Naruto stood there stunned as the women in front of him held her hands to her face and walked away. Naruto stood there with every eye on him and smiled.
"Well I guess not everyone was happy to see me quit being a ninja," Naruto said with a laugh. That eased the tension as Naruto made a bee line for Iruka. Naruto found him at the balcony.
"Well," Iruka said with a smirk. "Shy little Hinata did that, I can only imagine what would happened if I tried to approach Anko right now."
"I'd say you'd owe me a dance," came a voice from behind them. Iruka coughed and turned to see Anko standing there in a purple cocktail dress that reviled her legs. She tossed Naruto her hand bag and held her hand out to Iruka who was gaping like a fish. "Here! Now!"
"Take it easy on him Nee-san," Naruto said as he watched the two disappear.
"You going to say anything?" Anko asked as they danced away the night. Iruka had been quiet the entire time.
"I believe that I've been tricked," Iruka said as he spun her and pulled her in close. "You ANBU are too sneaky for your own good."
"What are you…." Anko began, but Iruka placed a kiss right on her lips. Before Anko could respond and deepen it his presence was gone. She opened her eyes to see him smiling up from the balcony then disappearing again. "Hell no!"
"You do know she will find you," Naruto said as he ate his breakfast. The party was a success on both missions. Now he needed a way to catch her. He looked up and scratched his head, suddenly her being put away left a bad taste in his mouth.
"I hope not," Iruka said with a smirk. "I got a lot to live for."
"You better hope she's busy today with the Chunnin exams," Naruto said as he put his plate in the washer. The crash and bang in the kitchen proved that she wasn't. Turning around he saw Iruka knocked out and Anko standing over him with the blunt end of a Kunai in hand. She picked up her kill and dragged him off.
"Oh," Anko said over her shoulder. "Hey Naru-kun, we won't be training today. I'm going to take my kill to his room…same one right?"
"Yeah,"Naruto nodded with a wave. "That's fine with me, I need a bit of a break anyway."
"Good," Anko said as she tossed a large scroll to him. "That's the manifest of all foreign dignitaries coming just like you asked. Why do you need that?"
"Thank you Nee-san," Naruto said as Iruka groaned slightly. Quickly changing the subjects Naruto pointed to Iruka. "You better hurry before he completely regains consciousness."
"So you're saying that something might be happening during the chunnin exams?" Naruto asked as the boy across from him rubbed his eyes.
"Judging by this new one and last years," Shikamaru said as he looked at them. "There is no reason for half of their dignitaries to be missing, and all the ones that are coming have combat training of some kind. So logically, something is not right."
"So I don't have to stress to you how important it is to be careful out there," Naruto said as he stood and resealed the scroll. Shikamaru just leaned back on his hill and continued to stare at the stars.
"Some suit you got there," Shikamaru said with a smirk. "All you're missing is the cape."
"No capes," Naruto said as he flung his hand out and wires shot out wrapping around a tree limb and launching him into the air.
"Yeah," Shikamaru said with a smirk. "That would just be troublesome."
It's been a week since the party and tomorrow was the start of the second exam. Naruto was able to get some information back from Shikamaru and knew that they would be in the forest of death tomorrow, so tonight was the last night Naruto would be in the area for a while. Naruto watched as the group of men moved the drugs out of the boxes and into their wagon. Naruto was about to jump down and take care of them when he felt hands slide up his chest and wrap around him from behind. Naruto turned his head and looked down into the smiling face of Hinata. She was adorned in her suit and mask, with her burnt red goggles. She wore a playful smirk that was transparent with the ever going message. Tag, he was it now. They've been back and forth for days now, fighting on rooftops only for her to get away in the end. She clawed at his chest softly and purred in his ear.
"So," She whispered huskily into his ear. "What do we have here?"
"A shipment of drugs mixed with product for the Chunnin exams," Naruto whispered back.
"Hmm," She purred as she leaned up to him enticing a kiss that would never happen. Naruto turned back around and looked down at the men. "You know that's kind of sad."
"What?" Naruto asked dryly.
"You'd rather stare at a bunch of sweaty guys than kiss me," Hinata said with a purr as her hands trailed over his chest still.
"You're breaking the Law," He whispered back causing her gasp in sarcasm.
"And you've been out nightly, taking out all bad doers," She said as her hands trailed lower. "With the exception of a little Cat Burglar that keeps slipping through your fingers."
"I've never lost you," Naruto said as he grabbed her wandering hands before they became too adventurous. "What happened to you Hinata?"
"What do you mean?" She asked taken aback.
"Why this? Why steal?" Naruto asked as he turned and held her arms. She stared into him as if the answer should be right in front of his face.
"You left," She whispered. "On your own."
"How did you.."Naruto started a bit shocked.
"I watched you!" She hissed, her hands balling into fist. "I always have Naru-kun. You left, all of us…you left me."
"I didn't know,"Naruto whispered as he dropped her hands and stepped forward. Hinata mirrored him and moved in closer.
"You left and I was lost," She said. "Father was even stricter and I just couldn't think. Not when I was constantly thinking that you might have died or worse. So I need a reminder of you. Something that I knew you treasured…"
"Those goggles," Naruto said as he traced a finger around the lens. "You took them?"
"It was my first time," She said with a smirk. "You were my first Naruto-kun."
"Haha," Naruto mumbled as he continued to listen.
"I broke in," She said with a smile. "I slipped right past the three ANBU and slipped in side. Once inside I almost broke down. Someone had trashed the place and vandalized the walls. I searched for anything that would remind me of you, that's when I found these. They were just hidden under your bookshelf and both lens where shattered. I grabbed them and scrammed. That's when I felt it."
"What?" Naruto asked.
"The first time you steel something," She said with a smirk and shuddered with giddiness at the memory. "The high was too much to not try again. I started off small; I stole the lens to repair the goggles and then new banding. Naru-kun you can go ahead and bow."
"Why?" Naruto asked as slowly pulled her goggles down and stared into her watery lavender eyes.
"You alone jump started the carrier of the best thief in Konoha," She said with a smirk. "Now, I ask of you this one favor."
"What's that?" Naruto asked as he slowly started to close the distance and held one of her hands. His other slid up and cupped her check. She stared into his half masked face and ran a slight finger over his exposed check before continuing.
"Don't ask me to change," Hinata answered as she closed the distance and their lips met. Naruto pulled away from her and looked down at her glazed eyes. "I think I found my new high."
"Really now?" Naruto asked as he raised his arm and his wires shot out. He was yanked away from his perch atop of the other building leaving behind a flustered Hinata. Hinata narrowed her eyes and went to follow when she was stopped. She looked down and noticed her hand was handcuffed to the metal railing.
"Oh ho," She said as she licked her lips and watched him take off towards the group of thugs. She watched as he quickly dispatched the men and stringing them up in the matter of moments. He turned and locked eyes, flashing his foxy smirk before his figure jumped back into the darkness, disappearing in the night.
"You are so getting it."
Hello All!
Soooo most of ya got it, and yes she'd be an awesome catwoman. Now I'd like to thank all who took the time to review and let me know what they think. You guys kick ass! Another thing, Yes there will be other villians in the story...especially some of our favs! I do have plans for whats going to happen, and they should be more apparent in the next chapter or two. So as always! Thanks again and please, Read, Review and Enjoy!
Thanks again,
Take-It-Easy