Naruto ducked a swiping strike from Hinata as she continued her assault with her tanto. Naruto returned a strike to her side which she parried away followed by a quick slash that nicked Naruto's shirt. Naruto looked down and noticed his white shirt was cut almost in half, reveling his chest. Naruto raised an eyebrow at Hinata who was blushing slightly.
"Enjoying the view?" Naruto asked as she almost lost all of her composure in her stance.
"N-Naruto-kun," She wined as she got back into her stance. "I actually missed."
"Huh?" Naruto said now out of his fighting stance which Hinata took advantage of by attacking. "What were you aiming for?"
"That stupid book you like so much!" HInata exclaimed as he shrieked in fright and subconsciously grabbed his vest pocket while blocking a strike with his Tonfa.
"How could you Hinata-hime?" Naruto asked as he noticed her stutter step from the new name. Naruto smirked as he made his move knocking her blade aside and stepping in close and resting the tip of his tonfa on her flat stomach.
"You cheated!" Hinata whispered with her eyes narrowing. "Y-you flirted with me! That was a cheap distraction!"
"Well," Naruto smirked as he stepped even closer. Inching his face closer to hers. "What are you going to do about it?"
"U-um," Hinata stuttered out her face becoming extremely red. "I-I…"
"Well I guess I could make the first…Ugh!" Naruto started before receiving a quick junken strike in his stomach.
"That's what you get for cheating!" Hinata said suppressing a giggle as Naruto rubbed his stomach and took a couple steps back. A slight chuckle was heard and they looked over to see Shino was waiting for his turn to spar.
"Wow," Naruto said as he kept rubbing his stomach. "Did my ears deceive me or did Shino show emotion?"
"Naruto," Shino said his high collar hiding his grin. "If you really want to test me you are more than welcome too."
"Um," Naruto said as he scratched the back of his head with a scared laugh. Shino smirked as Hinata started to chuckle at them. Shino took Naruto's place and squared off against Hinata who raised her tonto in front of her. Naruto walked over to where Kakashi was watching the sparing while reading his book.
"Shino-san," Hinata said with a proper bow and brought her tonto up in a stance she was slowly mastering.
Shino returned the bow and pulled out his weapon that was given to him by Anko-sensei. They thought long and hard on what would be suitable and they came down the choice he had now. It was a twin blade sword. The sword was just shorter than Shino and the handle of the blade took up about a foot in the middle of the blade. The handle was wrapped in green silk and the blades themselves had what looked like golden leaves etched into both. Shino was taught three different ways to apply his poisons or bugs to the blade through the handle, which added to the deadliness of the blade. Shino twirled the blade and rested it against his back, bring up his other hand and motioned Hinata to attack.
"Shino seems to like his new weapon," Kakashi said as he watched Shino block attack after attack with his twin blade.
Hinata's training with the Hayate and Yugao had paid off in folds. She was becoming increasingly better the longer the fight. She was able to pick up on styles and slowly apply the countermeasures without them knowing before it was too late. Hinata smirked as she ducked under the arching swipe from Shino and struck twice. Once was a quick cut to his jacket across his side and the second was downward slash across his back quickly ruining his jacket.
"What is it with you and de-dressing everyone?" Naruto asked as he flipped a page in his book only to be hit by a large amount of killer intent. Hinata crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot on the ground. "Hey you hit me with a cheap shot so I get to read."
"Hmph," Hinata said taking her tanto and putting it back in her sheath. Looking back at Shino who was holding up what was left of his jacket with a rather frustrated expression. "Sorry Shino, I got a little carried away."
"It's perfectly fine Hinata-san," Shino said as he threw the jacket over his shoulder. Shino was wearing a skin tight black t-shirt with a green leaf in the middle. His skin every now and then would raise and settle from the moving bugs within side of him.
"Shino, why do you wear such a heavy jacket anyways?" Naruto asked with a turn of a page. Shino looked over at his blond friend and held out his bare arm. The moving under his skin made it look a little weird but it settled again and his skin was fine.
"We tend to frighten others with our symbiotic relationship," Shino answered. "Most people don't like that and we rather not cause any discomfort amongst the ignorant."
"Ha," Naruto laughed out and put away his book. "Well I can relate. Most don't like the looks of me for some reason or another."
"N-Naruto-Kun what do you mean?" Hinata asked and Naruto's face darkened a bit before he waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't worry yourself Hinata-Hime," Naruto said making Hinata blush even more. "If I ever figure it out you guys will be the first to know, but till then we just wont worry about them."
"Well it seems that it's time for new uniforms," Kakashi said as he stood. "Since we are going to be taking our first missions soon I want you guys to be outfitted well. Follow me."
They made their way into what could be called a small shack that was on the outskirts of town. The shop was filled with several rolls cloth and silk of different colors. Naruto looked around and noticed that there were no premade clothes, this must be a custom tailor shop. Out of the back approached a little old man followed by an even smaller old lady. They looked up at the four that entered the shop and bowed.
"It's the Damn pervert again!" Yelled the old lady with smile. She had large rimmed glasses that hid most of her wrinkles around her brown eyes. Her hair was pulled into a high bun with two long sharp needles in them. She was wearing an elegant white robe with a floral design. "Kakashi-san it's been too long!"
"Haha," The old man laughed as his wife hugged Kakashi who eye-smiled at the two. He was bald with a long white beard that touched the floor. He was wearing an elegant red robe with black trimmings. "You're looking old Kakashi-san, too much stress will do that."
"And you're still not looking to young yourself Lang-san," Kakashi said as he motioned over towards his Genin team. "This is my Genin team. Guys this Lang-san and his wife Lili-chan."
"So you finally passed a team," Lili said with a smirk. "This must be a sign!"
"Oh next he will be getting hitched and," Lang continued but was cut off as Kakashi put a hand on his mouth to shut him up.
"They need proper attire," Kakashi said to Lili who smiled. "I will be paying for three complete sets for each genin, big order. Don't let your husband's stupidity ruin it, Lili-chan."
"Shut your mouth," Lili yelled as she clubbed her husband in the back of the head. Lili grabbed Hinata's hand and pulled her away. "Come come, I help you now."
"Ow," Lang yelled as he rubbed the back of his head. "Stupid old women! Come on I will start on you guys."
It took four hours for them to be fitted, measured and final fitted. Lang found it humorous how Naruto wanted to keep Orange in his uniform. The old man came up with a simple design which caused Naruto to drool. He was outfitted with black sandals with blue tape around his ankles. His pants were burnt orange with black tiger stripes and had a tattered edge around his waist. It was held tight by a dark blue sash that was tied off to the side. He had a dark blue silk shirt with a burnt orange swirl in the middle. The sleeves of the shirt were torn off leaving the tattered effect as well. His open vest was like the chunnin vest but dark orange in color with the same black tiger stripes. The vest was styled like his old one with a tattered sleeves and collar. Naruto changed his headband color to the same dark orange and it lengthened so once tied that the extra reached his lower back. Naruto holsters for his tonfa's were strapped to his back with the handles up in the ready. Naruto grinned in the mirror as Shino appeared besides him and smirked as well.
Shino was completely different. He was no longer wearing a concealing jacket. Instead in his place was a tight green t-shirt. His arms had loose green bandings that covered from his hands to his elbows. Over his shirt was what looked like a battle ready vest that was unbuttoned with a higher collar hiding his lower face, much like his old jacket, except the front of his face. The vest was dark green with dark grey and green stitching and a giant leaf stitched on the back. His ANBU styled pants where dark grey with black and green stitching around the pockets. He had steel toed boots that his pants were tucked into that were black in color. Shino's twin blade was strapped onto his back at an angle. Shino adjusted his glasses and looked at himself and gave a satisfied nod.
"Lookin good Shino!" Naruto said as he they looked at each other in the mirror. Naruto swung his arm over Shino's shoulder who shook his head.
"While you still can't let go of your orange fetish," Shino answered with a slight smirk. "We are an assassination squid yet you want to run around in 'look at me orange'."
"The greatest hunters on the planet use this very color in the wild," Naruto answered with a foxy grin.
"Really?" Shino said with a scuff.
"Of course," Naruto said as they looked at the mirror. "The great Tiger of Kohona. Kinda has a nice ring. Or the Beautiful Orange Beast!"
"NO," Yelled a voice from behind them. "You will not be another one to fall into that Youth filled cult."
"Fine Tiger of Kohona it is," Naruto said as he smiled at Kakashi who was shaking his head. "What all the best Ninja's have nicknames."
"But we have only done D-ranked mission's," Shino said as he moved out of Naruto's grasp. "You can't become known by only doing those. You have to wait for your first A-ranked mission before people can actually call you anything besides stupid."
"HEY," Naruto yelled baring his fangs.
"N-Naruto-Kun settle d-down," Said a calm voice hiding from behind Kakashi. Naruto turned to Kakashi who was smirking while said Hinata's head poke out from behind him.
"Why are you hiding Hinata-hime?" Naruto asked as he looked at her with a smile as she blushed and hid back behind Kakashi who snickered. "Come on out Hinata-hime we wont judge."
"Fine," Hinata said as she took a step out. Naruto flew back in a massive Nosebleed as Shino even blushed a bit. "NARUTO-KUN!"
"He's fine," Kakashi said as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
Hinata was wearing a light lavender long sleeve shirt that hung loosely over her, reveling her shoulders. The shirt was cut short as well, reveling her flat and toned stomach that was covered by matching color fishnet under shirt. Her low cut,skin tight pants had several holsters strapped to them that seemed to be filled with various throwing instruments. She had dark boots that had what looked like lavender laces. She had a vest that was light lavender on the outside with white rabbit fur on the inside. She put it on, and it only covered her upper half still leaving her stomach open to view. Her tanto as attached horizontally on her back and the sheath was changed from black to a dark purple. She walked over to Naruto who was slowly getting to his feet and wiping his nose.
"Hate it when that happens," Naruto grumbled to himself as he heard Kakashi laugh in the back ground. "Hinata-hime you look amazing!"
"T-thank you Naruto-kun," She said with a slight blush as she looked him over as well. "You look quite handsome as well, Naruto-kun. You too Shino-san."
"Thank you," Shino said as he turned towards his Sensei who was smirking.
"Let's go and get our first actual mission," Kakashi said he paid and said good by to the elder couple.
Team Eight arrived in the Hokage's office to see Iruka sleeping on a desk next to the Hokage who was reading a small orange book. Naruto smirked as he walked slowly towards the sleeping form of Iruka. The Hokage smirked and hid his book in his desk as Naruto slowly made his way to the sleeping Chunnin. Naruto took a deep breath only to be slugged in his stomach by said sleeping man.
"IF," Iruka said as Naruto rolled on the floor gasping for air. "You ruin my only hour of sleep I will beat you senseless."
"Anko-chan keeping you up?" Kakashi asked as he receved an evil glare from Iruka who had several small love bites on his neck.
"I don't want to talk about it," Iruka said as he leaned back in his chair. Kakashi smirked as he turned to the Hokage.
"Team Eight reporting for our mission Hokage-sama," Kakashi said with a bow.
"Well lets see what we have today," The Hokage said as he looked over the scrolls on his desk. "Seems Tora has escaped again."
"Damn Cat!" Naruto exclaimed only to be slapped by Hinata in the arm.
"Don't be mean," She scolded only for Naruto to humf and look away.
"Whipped," Shino whispered under his breath as he adjusted his glasses. Naruto whispered a curse back but went unnoticed as Kakashi stepped forward.
"No Hokage-sama," Kakashi said with an eye-smile. "They are ready."
"They are now, Huh?" Hokage said as he pulled out his pipe and studied the group in front of him. "Seems to be ok do a shadow mission, I sent Team 7 on a C-Ranked mission two days ago. We got word that they might have ran into some trouble. I want you guys to observe from the shadows and see what you can do to help them accomplish their mission. The more discrete the better. This will be an A-Ranked mission for the sole reason that we have apprehended two missing nin chunnin already."
"Anybody we know?" Kakashi asked as he tilted his head to the side.
"Demon Brothers from Mist," Hokage said with a puff of his pipe. "You know who they are in with so that is why I'm sending you in now."
"Understood we shall leave immediately," Kakahsi said as he bowed with his team.
"Happy Hunting Team 8," Hokage said with a grim look. "You are dismissed."
"Good luck Naruto-kun," Iruka said with a serious voice. "When you get back we will take you to get some ramen, as long as you do good."
"Alright!" Naruto yelled as he hugged the sore Iruka who winced lightly. "Make sure our whole family is there as well Iruka-nii-san. Oh and I'm gonna bring Shino and Hinata-hime as well."
"When did she become Hinata-hime?" Iruka asked causing both kids to blush.
Moving through the woods at top sprint can take a lot out of most genin teams, but Kakashi wasn't slouching with their training. They had weekly stamina training with Guy-nii-san's team, that seemed to be paying off. They stopped when Kakashi held up his fist. Kakashi looked around and silently sniffed the air. His eyes widen and he moved forward and motioned for Naruto to follow. Kakashi looked back and silently motioned for HInata and Shino to secure the location ahead. Hinata activated her bloodline and moved quickly with Shino in tow. Naruto turned to Kakashi who gave him a serious look then his classic eye-smile. This was going to be fun. Naruto and Kakashi approached the main highway that was about a hundred yards away when the first noise could be heard. There was a loud scream and the sound of metal meeting metal. They doubled their speed and made it to the outskirts overlooking the scene before them.
"Sasuke," Said Kurenai-nee-san. She had a kuni out and was facing a large man wrapped in bandings, over his shoulder was a giant sword that looked like a clever, that he seemed to handled with ease. "I wont let anything happen to you! Now I need you to get back into formation. I will take care of this."
"Seems like we have a bigger problem than we first were told," Kakashi said just below a whisper. "Get them out of there then back up if you can. He is out of your league so stay to quick in and out. Let me and Kurenai handle him."
Naruto nodded and his eyes glazed over. As a copy of the big guy charged the genin group with his sword ready to swing. Naruto appeared in a 'Bamf' shocking everyone as he unleashed a series of slashes and stabs causing the clone to dissolve into water. He turned and smirked at the group.
"Hey guys," Naruto said as he spun his Tonfas. "Fancy meeting you here."
"What are you doing here dope?" Sasuke asked a bit relieved at the sight of the deadlast. "And how did you do that?"
"All will be answered in time," Naruto said as he made a series of clones into exact copies of the group. "Now if you will I will be taking you guys to cleared place."
"What are you talking…" Sasuke started, but Naruto just huffed and 'Bamfed' him first. He arrived next to Shino who was standing next to a large tree. "What the hell was that?"
"He's your problem now," Naruto said with a smirk to Shino who just sighed as the blond disappeared only to reappear with Kiba and Akamaru a second later. Kiba was just as wide eyed as Sasuke. After everyone was brought to the safe location Naruto looked around.
"Where's HInata-hime?" Naruto asked looking around.
"I'm here Naruto-kun," HInata said from a tree across from him.
"Ok you guys watch over them," Naruto said with a smirk. "I have to go and take help Kakashi-nii-san."
"You better not get hurt," Hinata said as she continued to watch the battle with her Bloodline.
"I swear I wont do anything stupid," Naruto said as Shino only faced plamed. "Well too stupid."
"Wait dope!" Sasuke demanded. "How are you doing that?"
"Doing what?" Naruto asked with a smirk as he 'Bamfed' away. Sasuke started to curse and Shino just huffed. This was going to be annoying.
"Too cool," Kiba said in aw as Akamaru barked in agreement. Sakura was a bit shocked as well and nodded in agreement.
"Guys spread out and be aware," Hinata said in a serious tone. "There is someone else out there, staying just outside my field of vision. I think that he might know we are here."
"Who left you in charge?" Sasuke sneered.
"Shut up teme," Kiba said as he sniffed the air. "Hinata check our south, I just picked something up."
"He's moving closer," Hinata said. "Seems to be a hunter nin, defensive position around the bridge builder. Do not engage unless we are attacked."
"I will cast a Genjutsu to make us harder to spot," Sakura said as she started to fly through hand signs. "There! Sasuke you apply another back up."
"Hn," Sasuke answered as he flashed through a series of different handseals.
"Nice," Shino said as he pulled out his twin blade causing Sasuke to raise an eyebrow. "Now please continue with your mission and set up a defensive position around the bridge builder. Let us handle what happens next."
Kakashi sighed as he blocked another attack from Zabuza. Kurenai suffered a nasty cut on her shoulder and was now supporting from a distance, which was better for Kakashi anyways. He didn't want her hurt or else Asuma would skin him alive. Then he heard the sound he was waiting for the entire fight. Zabuza's eyes widen in pain as he looked down and saw two stab marks on his side and a wispy shadow of orange. Then he felt the same pain on the other side as he stumbled back.
"WHAT THE HELL KAKASHI?" Zabuza screamed as he held his bleeding sides. There was a 'Bamf' and beside Kakashi stood a kid who was holding two bloody Tonfas. The tips dripping blood over his hands and slowly falling to the ground.
"You were looking tired Kakashi-san," Naruto said as he twirled his tonfa's cleaning some of the blood. "Thought I could…you know lend a hand."
"A Genin," Zabuza stuttered out with disgust. "You little pest!"
"Oh," Naruto said as he 'Bamfed' behind Zabuzu but was clocked arcos the face by Zabuza's heel. Naruto spun in the air and landed with a puff of smoke.
"Shadow-clone," Zabuza said then chuckled madly. "He's skilled."
"Well," Kakashi said as he reviled his Sharingan. "Let's finish this."
Kakashi and Zabuza attacked full force, as Naruto appeared next to Kurenai who was breathing rather heavily. Naruto pulled out a roll of bandages and wrapped her shoulder tightly and cut the extra. Kurenai nodded her thanks and Naruto smirked and pulled out his book. Kurenai looked away and gritted her teeth. She turned back to see Kakashi was about to finish him off when a hunter nin appeared after striking Zabuza in the neck. The hunter nin said something to Kakashi before taking off in a swirl of leaves. Naruto looked over at Kurenai with a raised eyebrow as Kakashi turned towards them and scratched the back of his head before promptly passing out backwards. Naruto faced palmed and teleported and picked up his brother.
"So what exactly is your mission," Kurenai asked when they arrived at Tazuna's house. The old bridge builder was more than welcome to invite all the Ninja back. More protection for free, he couldn't pass that up now.
"To watch over you guys and help out if you guys get into a sticky situation," Naruto said with smile as he wrapped his arm over Hinata who blushed an all new red.
"Well it seems that since Kakashi is out I am in charge for a while," Kurenai said with an evil smirk. "And that means training!"
"Damnit," Naruto said as he put his head on the table and almost started to cry.
"What's so bad Naruto-kun?" Hinata said as she rubbed his back.
"She's going cast that stupid genjutsu that makes it impossible to read my book!" Naruto complained. Hinata smirked and looked up at Kurenai.
"I might just like your style of training Kurenai-sensei," Hinata said with an evil smirk of her own.
"Dammit all!" Naruto cursed under the table.
Hello Everyone,
So first things as always, thanks for the reviews. You guys rock. And i Guess you could say i finished this chapter quicker than i expected but consider it a last for the year. Gonna be really busy these next couple of days so i hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Next i wanted to say that you guys are awesome for review once more. It's really cool to see that this story is getting a nice following. As always Read, Review and Enjoy.
Thanks again,
Take-It-Easy