TimeShifter: The 'pulsing' in Naruto's soul will be resolved in the second arc. I had no intentions of revealing it in this arc, only foreshadowing it. Sasame is a wrench (as in 'throw a wrench in the works' - sabotage). Well, maybe not so much sabotage as make things really difficult and interesting. I hate simplicity, and rushing relationship building is evil! I find it odd that few are ever restrained...and fewer properly. As for the rest of the questions, I think I'll leave them to this chapter to answer.
mouseter: No, don't fret! I sometimes need to be reminded about names. I thought during the 'Mad Akamaru Arc' that Kiba's sister was Tsume. I obviously hadn't researched properly, so I can only thank you for the correct information. I'll fix my mistakes later (as I haven't had as much time as I thought I would). Also, I pride myself on my ability to use cliffhangers.
jnr, samueltm2, and kyuubilord: Thank you all for the bode of confidence.
Chapter 12:
Rogue Hyuuga
Ibiki gave Tsunade an incredulous look. "You expect me to interrogate…an eight year old?" He'd already looked at the mission report and couldn't quite grasp what he was being asked to do. Things were made more difficult by the fact that the young, pale-skinned girl was the most cooperative of the conscious group returned under guard.
She pinched the bridge of her nose. She really didn't think 'interrogate' was the right word. It sounded so…harsh. She knew 'question' or 'cross-examine' meant the same thing, but a professional interrogation by a professional interrogator usually meant…unpleasant things. "Listen, she's the most cooperative of our three conscious captives, and Anko's already got the boys."
He rolled his eyes at the implication. Of course Anko was taking care of the male captives. It was common procedure to use whatever means they could to extract information. Saiga and Basuto were more interested in her cleavage than her deranged mask. They remained ignorant of her skills, innate or otherwise, at information gathering. It would serve to humiliate them and weaken their resolve.
He still couldn't wrap his head around using his skills to draw information from a little girl. "Even still, she's got to be only old enough to… What?" He questioned himself mainly. What did eight year olds do? "…enter the academy or a civilian tertiary school?" He wasn't completely sure, but he thought eight was second or third year.
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Quaternary, but that's beside the point." She really didn't want to get into a trivial discussion of the civilian school system. She sighed. "According to the mission report, she called herself Kagennotsuki Hyuuga Rikka. She can read minds and control genjutsu."
Ibiki scoffed. "She's also a disrespectful little brat." He recalled their first conversation. Her greeting was terse and simple. Apparently, she refused to say anything without Naruto present. "Didn't anybody ever teach her to move her mouth when she spoke even if she's mute?"
She could only agree as she groaned and closed her eyes. She'd only ever met one Kagennotsuki, but it was proper etiquette for those within the clan. When she opened her eyes, she gave her number one interrogator a look that brooked no room for questioning orders. "From what we've gathered so far, it's safe to assume she was raised with little or no respect for Konoha."
He nodded. "Yeah, I still don't like it." With a sigh, he turned to open the door housing their 'most cooperative' guest. He gave his superior a few final words over his shoulder before closing the door behind him. "It's what I'm paid for, anyway." Oh, he was not going to enjoy this particular job.
Tsunade rubbed her temples as she turned around to head back above ground. "I need a stiff drink…" As she approached the top of the stairs, she felt some very distinct presences. Since she didn't feel any chakra spikes, she felt more agitation than worry. She knew exactly who was on the other side of the door.
As the door opened, she stood behind a wall of ANBU. The leader of the particular three man squad wore a bull mask. He was facing a serious looking Kanaeru, and his voice was stern. "We cannot allow you to see Hokage-sama at this time." He knew she was standing behind him, but he also knew she had an itinerary.
Tsunade sighed. "It's okay; I was somewhat expecting this." She felt his surprise as he turned to face her, but he only bowed and stepped out of the way. As she approached the red-headed kunoichi, she directed her towards a seat. "Come, sit, and tell me what's on your mind."
The humorless expression never left the normally flamboyant Kanaeru. As she sat, she practically tossed a book to her buxom companion. The ANBU barely restrained themselves from drawing their weapons, but she didn't give them a single glance. "I found that in the room Naruto-kun was being held…while Hinata-chan and Ino-chan attended to our unconscious captives."
Tsunade wore a puzzled look at the accusatory words before she began thumbing through the book in her arms. Her expression grew serious. "How did Yumiko get her hands on this?! It's been missing…since…before…Madara betrayed the village…" Somehow, her words brought understanding to her own mind as her voice weakened to nearly a whisper.
Kanaeru sighed, relief evident in her eyes. "Judging from your reaction, I doubt Hashirama just gave the book away." She remembered the fight between Yumiko and Gayt. "The kinjutsu Yumiko used were gifts to the Senju to show we were not enemies despite not becoming part of Konoha."
Tsunade shook her head. "No, jii-san told me a valuable book went missing. I didn't know what he meant at the time, but I think I do now." She paused to look the young sumitsuki in the eyes. "He prayed that his friends would find it in their hearts to forgive him."
Kanaeru waved it off. "No big deal." A smirk adorned her face as she leaned back and crossed her legs comfortably. "More importantly, I want to hire." The buxom Hokage was stunned but nodded for her to continue. "I need a spy and a medic. I can handle combat on my own, but I need somebody with the lay of the land and ability to dig up information. The medic'll make sure we stay healthy if anything does happen."
Nodding in consideration, Tsunade actually considered the idea a huge opportunity. She'd only tested a new addition to the village in the hospital, and she was forbidden from taking place in the rescue mission. "I have no doubt Kanaeru and Gayt can keep tabs on Sasame, and I think it would be a good opportunity for Isaribi to contact her inherited spies again."
She turned to her ANBU guard. "Bull, I want you to bring Isaribi to me immediately. I have a mission for her." He saluted and immediately flickered from sight. She turned to the gleeful expression in the red-headed kunoichi's eyes. "Follow me. I'll introduce you to your medic."
The remaining ANBU saluted and disappeared from sight. They returned to their silent, invisible vigil over their village's leader. The two kunoichi were soon on their way. It wasn't a long trip out of the Hokage tower, but they had a ways to go to get to the hospital. Neither was in a hurry, so they casually walked the streets.
Their arrival at the hospital was as surprising as the trip was uneventful. "Why did you do this to Makoto-chan?!" A protracted silence was highlighted by nurses running to the source of clamor. "What do you expect me to tell her?! What do you expect me to tell Suinji-kun?!"
Recognizing the voice, Tsunade's eyes went wide. She rushed to Daikichi's room to see two ANBU barring an irate Suichi from entering. She approached and skillfully applied chakra to a pressure point to make him unconscious. She sighed. "Is the younger Kumorigachi awake?"
The ANBU nodded as a nurse collected the samurai leader's unconscious form. One then spoke up. "The first thing he did was call out for 'Yumiko-okamisama' and 'Saiga-kun'. Kumorigachi-sama who was waiting outside became enraged." He recounted the events leading up to Suichi's outburst, and he sympathized for the leader. Bad blood between brothers always ended up in the worst, possible way.
Kanaeru stood back as Tsunade entered the guarded room. She was going to enjoy watching the coming events. The expert medic nin might not have been known for her ability to make somebody talk, but the slug sannin knew a thing or two about preparing or weakening mental states.
"Kumorigatchi Daikichi, am I correct?" The tension was palpable as the younger of the samurai brothers didn't bother responding. "Two wives, huh? You're a bit daring; aren't you?" Still, he showed no sign of responding. Tsunade continued. "You're no daimyo. What makes you think you could get away with something like that?"
She finally earned a response as the injured man sent her an icy glower. She wasn't quite done. She leaned against the edge of his bed, ire shining through her eyes. "I should let Suichi-san in here to rip you to shreds for what you did to Makoto and Suinji. You're a pig who couldn't even recognize his own, loving family."
She scoffed as she turned on her heels. As she reached the edge of the room, she fought back a smirk as her words had the desired effect. In a rage, Daikichi finally responded. "What do you know?! I never loved that woman, and she never loved me! It was an arranged marriage! I always resented my nii-s…" He quickly corrected himself. "…Suichi because at least he got to marry a woman he fell for!"
She caught the slip and narrowed her eyes. If he were under some sort of mind control, it wouldn't have allowed for such a slip and maintained the level of anger apparent in his voice. "That's your excuse?" She needed a bit more information. "That's your excuse for abandoning your own flesh and blood? That's rich, considering she already had two other husbands."
He faltered hearing her words. "H-How did you find out?" He was certain they'd only find out about Rikka's father. "Takenaga died three years ago… Do they already know about Yumiko's involvement with that snake sannin?" His mind raced with the possibilities before his eyes shot up to meet hers when he heard her.
She cleared her throat to catch his attention. When she had it, she continued. "When you're well enough, you'll wish Gayt had killed you back in Housekiyama." She paused to let the implication sink in. "I haven't decided if Ibiki or Anko should deal with you. They both hate your kind." She again paused to revel in his nervous expression. "You're also very popular among family men right now, like Inoichi."
The last bit did it. Daikichi lurched forward, recognizing all three names. He was pale, as if he'd just met the shinigami. If the best interrogators in Konoha were fighting over the chance to crack him, he knew he was better off running through the Inuzuka compound…naked after covering himself in raw meat.
Tsunade left, satisfied. She didn't like his kind. From what she could tell, he was exactly the same as Yumiko. They were only interested in power. She also learned a lot from their child, Saiga. He was a natural Hyouton user. The samurai of the Kumorigachi forsook chakra training long ago, yet the held a powerful kekkei genkai.
She was startled when Kanaeru appeared in her faced with a feral grin. "Oh, you made me wanna kill 'im!" She was almost giddy at the prospect, in fact. The childish expression vanished almost instantly when a new chakra signature appeared, two to be precise.
Tsunade and Kanaeru turned to observe the bull masked ANBU escorting a young, heavily bandaged girl. Kanaeru quickly observed her. If she recalled correctly, she was called Isaribi by Jiraiya's notes. Naruto rescued her indirectly from Orochimaru on a mission lead by Anko and accompanied by Shino and Ino.
Apparently, the genetically altered girl also somehow inherited his spy network. He was very vague on the point, but he only praised her skills. Kanaeru wondered about the girl as she reviewed what information she had and barely listened to Tsunade introduce the two to each other.
When the bull masked ANBU departed, Tsunade lead Kanaeru and Isaribi to the final member of their small team. The slug sannin didn't know the exact mission details, but she trusted the red-headed kunoichi enough to entrust the safety of her shinobi to her. As they entered another hospital room, they were greeted by orange pigtails carefully attending to three poison victims.
Sasame looked up and smiled when she saw Tsunade. "Ah Hokage-sama, it's a pleasure as always." She politely bowed her head before returning her attention to a pale-faced Kiba. She was monitoring his vitals as she fed valuable chakra through her threads attached to his body.
Tsunade nodded in return. "Any progress examining the poison?" She was almost surprised to see a bright smile and affirmative nod. Even she had trouble isolating the lethal chakra. Of course, she hadn't the time to observe her ailing shinobi.
Sakura was busy aiding Shizune with their hardest case, Yumiko. Ino was treating Chouji. Sayumi and Yoshi were called to an emergency operation. Tsunade honestly hadn't expected such expedient progress from Sasame. She often had to remind herself how powerful the Fuuma clan medical techniques actually were.
Sasame returned her attention to Kiba as she related her findings. "It was very tricky to track down. It's no wonder Shizune-senpai and the others couldn't find it upon initial examination. It's a small wonder I found it." She paused as she adjusted her fingers, so they wouldn't go numb.
"The poison is literally chakra." She resisted giggling at the incredulous expressions she received. "I know; it seemed impossible to me at first, too. It's probably a little known fact about the Kagennotsuki kekkei genkai. There is no cure, for them, because their body naturally produces it."
She took in a deep breath and rubbed her sweaty cheek against her shoulder. "Whatever jutsu was used against them…" She indicated Kiba, Akamaru, and Lee. "…forced the toxic chakra into their systems. It immediately latched onto their nerves." She sent the medic leader a confident smile. "It's a neurotoxin I'm confident I can extract!"
Kanaeru stood next to the girl and patted her shoulder. With a wide grin, she looked directly at the buxom blond. "Oh, she'll do nicely!" At the confused looks she received, she shrugged. "What? You were going to assign her to the mission anyway." Her grin only widened at their reactions.
Sasame honestly didn't know what was going on. She was in the middle of treating three valuable shinobi. She didn't know why, exactly, but she chose to work on Kiba first. His immune system proved to be exactly what she needed to help find the cause to their collective conditions.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes dangerously. It wasn't farfetched to believe Kanaeru guessed through implication. Still, it was possible that she might have changed her mind after hearing news concerning the chakra poison. She decided to let it slide for the moment. "Yes, Isaribi and Sasame will accompany you. I expect a mission detail on my desk in the morning."
Kanaeru giggled. "Oh, it's nothing that serious. I just need an escort to take me around Fire. I want to learn more about this country. Since Naruto-kun's going off to train, I just want something to do." She had no reason to hide anything, and she was completely honest.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. She was second guessing her decision to pick Isaribi and Sasame for a mission which amounted to little more than babysitting. Well, it was sightseeing to be precise. Kanaeru could handle herself, and Gayt was overkill. At worst, it was an extended C-rank mission.
As if sensing her thoughts, Kanaeru spoke up. "I'll pay for a month-long C-rank upfront, and I'll top it off to a B-rank upon return. I don't expect to take more than a month, and, as unlikely as it sounds, I'd like to be prepared for possible missing nin attacks." She wasn't concerned about regular shinobi encounters.
Tsunade had to admit; the pay more than compensated for sending a fine medic and excellent spy on a prolonged mission. She knew the red-head could be trusted, but she still wondered about the C-rank, borderline D-rank, mission request. "Very well, but I still expect a full mission detail on my desk by morning.
Inoichi looked at his friends with a wide grin. Shikaku looked disinterested. Chouja looked dejected. They were at the gate when the three teams arrived. The first group alarmed them, but the second group truly stunned them.
The medical team arrived first. With them, Hinata and Ino were perfectly fine, if a little exhausted. Kiba, Akamaru, and Lee were unconscious and pale. Their trained eyes noticed their blue lips and nails, poison. Besides them, only two other people were on stretchers, and they didn't recognize them. Chouji and a samurai were being helped into the village by Naruto Kage Bushin.
The prison escort team arrived around ten minutes later. Naruto held a girl who seemed embarrassed that she couldn't make it the entire way with her frail body. More of his Kage Bushin surrounded Neji, Shino, Tenten, Kanaeru, and Gayt and two bound and very much alive captives.
"Well, it looks like I win this one two to one!" He was excited at the prospect. Oh sure, it wasn't a clean sweep, but he managed to pull a victory. A victory was all that mattered.
Shikaku decided to review the exact bets. "Though you only said 'probably' related to Chouji, you still entered him in the bet. He needed help, but he wasn't on a stretcher." He paused to observe his blond friend's reaction.
Inoichi grumbled for a moment. He hadn't expected that detail to bit him. "Draw…" He hated to admit what he saw as an assured victory was taken from him.
Shikaku scratched his neck lazily as he looked at the clouds. "You said 'at least one' of 'em would kick the bucket, so you take that one." He saw his blond friend almost dance. "With how exhausted they were, we had to carry everybody to triage."
Chouja's expression only grew worse, but he attempted to smile and make a joke. "Ah, you didn't say 'troublesome' once, Shika." It was weak, and he knew it.
His friends patted his shoulder with somber looks. He held hope that they forgot the promise made with any bet. That hope died with their unanimous words. "Loser buys drinks."
Though they were worried about the injured and especially Kiba, Akamaru, and Lee, they were confident in the medical abilities of those treating them. In the meantime, Shikaku and Inoichi decided to plan where they would get wasted, and Chouja dreaded the night. He cursed his luck and wondered why even one prisoner couldn't have chosen an opportune time to resist.
Ibiki and Rikka were in the middle of the longest staring contest in history. It wasn't a staring contest where the loser was the one who blinked first. It was a staring contest where the loser was the one who spoke first. Ibiki was a master interrogator, and Rikka had no useable vocal cords. It would seem the victor was already decided.
"You view him differently than I thought." The sudden sentence from the pale-skinned girl surprised him. She narrowed her eyes to show her disdain, and she continued to talk without moving her lips. "Wherever he walks, I sense the hatred he has to put up with."
It didn't take a genius to figure out who she was talking about. "Naruto's unique, and he's caught my attention on more than one occasion." He found it odd how he slipped into standard interrogation techniques. It wasn't all about torture, intimidation, or humiliation. Sometimes, it was more about relating on a common thread.
She nodded. "He impressed you when he took the test you proctored. He impressed you when he helped repel Shukaku." She eyed him carefully. "You find it harmful to prejudge anybody. You consider his treatment inhumane and have reveled in giving the more audacious their just rewards."
He almost felt a cold sweat for the first time in years. Nobody had ever read him so accurately. He attributed it to her kekkei genkai; though, he was certain Inoichi had helped him train a mental block. He was about to speak up when she interrupted.
"As skilled as you are, you can't hide your active thoughts. If I fought through your defenses, I might dredge up memories." She shrugged when he simply raised an eyebrow and was glad she wasn't trying to break him. He was extremely resolute. "I merely impressed you to think about Naruto to determine if I should talk to you."
He hated to admit it, but she probably won the exchange despite 'breaking' and speaking first. He leaned forward and rested his chin on tented hands. "Now that you've played your little game, will you talk?"
Rikka nodded, but she wasn't going to actually let Ibiki speak. She could read his thoughts faster than he could speak them, and she was skilled at pressing answers through even the thickest mental blocks. Besides, he had nothing on that Yamanaka who broke her father's genjutsu.
"The reason I was with Naruto is because okaa-sama said he would be my otou-sama." She paused to listen to his mental chuckle. "As funny as you think that is, she was serious. With Kyuubi no Kitsune under our control, she could finally take her revenge on Konoha and destroy the shinobi world."
She rolled her eyes. Of course he would think it a mad goal. "Of my family, I spent the most time around Naruto. While in his mind thanks to otou-san's genjutsu, I was able to explore much of his memories. While he holds some resentment for how Konoha treated him, he had enough light to resist my barrage."
Ibiki made to ask a question, but Rikka quickly answered. She didn't sound hasty, however. "I was amazed that I couldn't break him. He shows much mental frailty, but he holds tightly to his precious people. We had hoped to turn him to our side." She paused. "Oh, and Hinata too, although breaking her seemed as easy as letting her become depressed and follow Naruto like a lost puppy."
He almost sighed as he wondered if she was right. It was obvious the shy Hyuuga heiress had a crush on the boy. It was apparent to him during the exam he proctored where she tried to, rather openly, share her test answers with him. It was one reason he was impressed with the boy. He rejected the offer…and remained oblivious to her affections.
"I was actually surprised." He was thrown from his musings as the frail-looking girl continued. "He had more acceptance than I was led to believe. It made me question, for the first time, okaa-sama." She narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't even go there! I'm older than your precious 'Hokage-sama'!" Despite herself, she couldn't help her belligerent tone when mentioning the position.
Ibiki held up a hand and hoped she let him speak. When she remained silent, he took that as his cue. "You expect me to believe that you're…fifty-odd years old?" He found it hard to believe and impossible to wrap his mind around.
Rikka scoffed. "Does it look like I'm joking?" He had to admit; she looked serious and sounded much more mature than her age indicated. "Okaa-sama wanted to keep my psychic abilities at their strongest, so she always found me a new body on my seventeenth birthday."
She felt his inability to imagine how she experienced multiple 'seventeenth' birthdays and rolled her eyes. She didn't care to explain, and he had other questions roaming his mind. "Yes, okaa-sama expected me to break Naruto and Hinata. The details aren't really important. I would have changed my methods as they resisted and as I found cracks in their mental state."
She looked in the direction she felt her half-brothers. "Basuto-oniisan and Saiga-kun are better suited to combat, so they weren't involved. Though, Saiga-kun did shake Hinata a bit when he asked okaa-sama for her, and he probably shocked Naruto with his powerful Hyouton. Basuto-oniisan never met either."
Ibiki took a moment of silence to interject his thoughts aloud for once. "You're being awfully forthright. Is there a reason you're so talkative? Though I never imagined you were fifty-some, I still never expected so much information so quickly."
Rikka merely shrugged. "Okaa-sama's plan failed, and she's dying because of it. Otou-san's dead, and I have no real chance of escaping alive." She eyed the expert interrogator in the eyes, something few were capable of. "I've grown to respect Naruto, and I'm curious to see how far his vision goes."
"You think we'll let you live after such treason?" He was surprised to speak his mind so freely. He was certain she'd have interrupted him again. "Even if he vouches for you, you helped in the execution of a plan to set Konoha against Kumo in all-out war." He found her unflinching demeanor somewhat unnerving, maybe proving her age all the more.
"I couldn't leave the tube I've lived in most of my life. I coordinated things so the jutsu used to capture Hinata went off without a hitch, but I never left Housekiyama. I can link minds and control genjutsu, but I'm defenseless otherwise. I don't expect to live freely, but I do believe my cooperation ensures I can live and observe just what Naruto sees in this forsaken village."
He didn't quite know what to make of her odd rant. Really, she mostly turned the supposed interrogation into a monologue. She seemed to have a seething hatred for Konoha, but he felt as if she was beginning to question that very hatred. He considered her for a moment before deciding on his next course. "Tell me what happened in the genjutsu."
She almost rolled her eyes. What was he expecting to gleam from that failed experiment? She decided to oblige his curiosity. She related her entire experience within the genjutsu. She didn't even bother covering up meeting Kyuubi, even how scared she felt. By the end, she felt her eyebrow twitching from his incessant mental questions. Sure, she knew he was trying to make an ordered list, but it annoyed her.
As she sorted through his questions to determine the best place to start, Ibiki decided to ask one instead. "How did the Kyuubi enter the genjutsu?" He was worried about the seal holding the powerful bijuu in. To the best of his knowledge, only a Sharingan should have been able to see through the seal to the Kyuubi.
Rikka actually found herself interested in the question and train of thought. She sorted through her memories, specifically of meeting him and how he behaved. "He wore a choker as he wandered around, and he didn't seem to be able to do much." She paused to collect her thoughts.
With a sharp intake of breath, she realized something else. "Wait, he said he couldn't take control of Naruto's body, but I found that odd." She heard his mental questions clearly. "No, he didn't explain what he meant." She groaned. "He also never explained where he wandered off to…"
Ibiki nodded. The girl didn't seem like she was lying, and he prided himself on reading a person…even if he wasn't psychic. He observed her for a moment. She seemed to be sorting through things, but he only had a few questions he actually wanted answered. He found it interesting that a mind overflowing with questions actually gave her more pause than barring access to one.
He leaned forward. Of all the questions he had, one interested him the most. "You know; that brat's never been good with genjutsu. He just can't handle 'em. I can understand why even Inoichi's help couldn't help him break free, but why was he suddenly able to break free near the end?"
Rikka actually blushed a little and looked down. "To tell the truth, I was a little distracted." She eyed him carefully as she regained her composure. "Really, I needed both Naruto and Hinata in the genjutsu for okaa-sama's plan to work. I felt my mission was over; it failed."
He couldn't argue her reasoning. It was sound enough. He was more surprised at how talkative she was. He looked up to the monitoring camera and was glad for its presence. He really didn't have time to take all the notes he wanted. It was the first time he'd ever had such an easy time getting answers for all his relevant questions. He was about to get up when he heard the frail girl speak.
Lips still unmoving, she looked at him seriously. "Now that I've answered your questions, you'll let me see Naruto?" She seemed genuinely interested, but her expression became downcast when she heard his thoughts. "Of course, she'd have to make that decision." Her resentment towards Tsunade was apparent; though, he guessed she didn't particularly care for any Hokage.
Though tempted to leave since he had his answers, he decided to stay and talk with the girl. At the very least, he might learn some more about her history. She was in no mood to talk to him without a promise to see Naruto, possibly even Hinata. She was stubborn like a child which he found odd. Her mental age seemed to contradict itself from time to time.
Neji startled Naruto by pulling him aside to talk directly after Chouji and Suichi's safety was ensured. It was shortly before Tsunade arrived with Kanaeru and a familiar looking girl, but he was curious what the young jonin wanted to talk to him about. He felt frustration build in him as they walked the streets, no solid destination seemingly in sight.
When Neji suddenly stopped at a familiar sweets shop, Naruto eyed him suspiciously. The older Hyuuga merely walked in and directed him to follow. With a shrug, he decided he might as well. As they sat, a waiter delivered tea to their table and took their orders.
After several minutes of a staring contest, Neji spoke up. "Naruto tell me; were you locked up in the same room as Hinata-sama?" He almost chuckled at his timing as his companion nearly spit his tea through his nose.
Wiping the moisture from his nostrils and lips, Naruto was actually speechless. As his mouth imitated a fish, he tried to gather his thoughts. After a moment, he raised an eyebrow and wondered just how serious that stoic expression was. "Honestly, I don't know. I woke up…" He blushed and looked down. "…when Hinata helped me out of that genjutsu."
Oh, sometimes Neji loved his kekkei genkai. His Byakugan might not have been as 'all seeing' as he once thought it was, but it rarely missed details in human expression. "What happened between you and Hinata-sama?" His expression darkened slightly when the blond genin actually fidgeted.
Naruto mumbled some incoherent words as he tried to come up with an explanation. His cheeks actually felt like they were burning, but he couldn't explain what he was feeling. He knew one of the Hyuuga would kill him if he revealed that he kissed, accidental or not, Hinata. She was their heiress for crying out loud! He felt lucky to consider her a friend, a good one at that.
Neji resisted the urge to smirk. He knew nothing inappropriate happened. He learned a lot from simply watching the two from the moment they left the room together to the time they parted ways in the hospital. He decided upon a prank surprisingly quickly. "I take it then you've kissed." The statement bordered on a question.
Naruto's eyes went wide and he blurted out in self defense. "It was an accident!" He liked her; he really did. He just didn't want a juuken strike to the heart or brain. He liked her differently from Sakura, who felt more like Ayame after all the years which have passed. He liked her differently from Ino or Tenten, who he was surprised to have gotten close to.
Neji solemnly bowed his head. "That is most unfortunate. Hinata-sama has many suitors, and I'm sure they'd be most disappointed in the news." He couldn't help but notice the pain flash through the hyperactive blonde's eyes at the mention of suitors. "I must inform Hiashi-sama of the marriage proposal immediately."
Naruto gave him an incredulous look. "What do you mean 'marriage proposal'?" He actually felt a cold sweat. Did he miss something? He had the sneaking suspicion that the straight-faced young man sitting across from him was stating that…Naruto engaged himself to Hinata.
Neji was almost surprised at the recognition in the genin's eyes. After all, he remained completely oblivious to a certain daimyo sponsor's marriage proposal to him when he answered in the affirmative. "Of course, I mean the engagement between you and Hinata-sama. I'm not sure how well it will be taken, but you were the first to 'steal' a kiss from the next head of the clan."
Naruto paled. He already told Rikka he wasn't ready to be married and have children! Sure, he knew a lot of people settle down early. They were mostly important people, like daimyo or clan heirs! They were expected to carry on the legacy they held. He had no legacy!
He was drawn out of his musings when he heard something he never thought he'd hear. Neji snorted. He obviously tried to hold back a chuckle only for it to become caught in his throat and exit rather loudly. The hyperactive blond just stared dumbly at the scene. The number one prankster in the village had just been tricked so easily…
Kanaeru accompanied Tsunade to Yumiko's room. The room was dark and covered in seals. It was also heavily guarded. They really weren't taken any chances, even if she was in a vegetative state. Kanaeru looked on uncaring as Tsunade entered the room to talk with Shizune and Sakura.
Tsunade picked up the medical file and thumbed through it. All indications were Yumiko would never recover. With a frown, she turned to her assistant. "Report."
Shizune immediately left her work and bowed before the slug sannin. "Tsunade-sama, it doesn't look good. As we suspected, she has sever damage to her chakra coils where the Fuuton: Rasengan struck. However…" She paused, not knowing quite how to interpret her findings. "…it almost looks like most of the damage was caused when her own chakra nature fought against Naruto's."
Tsunade frowned. "You mean her Raiton tried to fight back, and it had the opposite effect. Instead of protecting her, it reflected back and caused more damage." She appraised the comatose woman for a moment. "She's the worst possible matchup for Naruto. She's filled with hatred and has an affinity for Raiton."
Sakura drew the parallels instantly. Though it hurt, she refrained from speaking up. Sasuke was valuable to both Naruto and her. He just…was so bent on avenging his clan. In fact, he'd succeeded and still hadn't returned. Sadly, she continued her duty, trying to repair the damage done…mostly by Yumiko herself.
Shizune continued after nodding. "Yes, but that's not the reason I'm surprised she's alive. According to Kanaeru, she used a kinjutsu to convert vital chakra into moldable chakra. Shino and Neji gave reports to support this."
Tsunade heaved a sigh. There was no time like the present. She walked over to the woman her precious shinobi fought tooth and nail to capture and molded her chakra. She quickly diagnosed her patient and came to the same conclusion. Hyuuga Yumiko should, for all intents and purposes, be dead.
"Um…" Sakura spoke up carefully, and both other medics turned their attention to her. She was not one to shyly speak up, and her voice quickly regained her usual confidence. "Though she converted vital chakra, she actually managed to leave some parts alone. To me, it looks like she didn't care about the body and only preserving her self being."
With a grim expression, Tsunade nodded. "That's what I'd conclude. She probably expected to somehow pull out a last-ditch victory and transfer to another body." She almost flinched at the sudden gasps her apprentices loosed. She wasn't sure she could explain it, but she knew they were already associating Yumiko with the snake sannin.
"Hey, Tsunade!" The three medics turned to Kanaeru's sudden outburst. "I won't need the mission hires until late tomorrow afternoon, so I'm going on to get some rest and write up the mission detail. Later!" With that, she flickered from sight faster than any could object.
Tsunade just sighed. She had duties to attend to, anyway. Worse, they were as Hokage and not a medic. She wanted to stick around and ensure the treatment of her precious shinobi went well, but she had a village to run. Besides, she trusted her medics. After excusing herself, she left the hospital. Work resumed as usual.
She wasn't surprised when she passed Kakashi on the way to the Hokage tower. In fact, she motioned for him to follow her. She decided to make small talk on the way to her office. "How'd the mission go?"
Kakashi shrugged lethargically. "As well as could be expected, I suppose." He knew better than to speak out in the hallways. He was waiting to enter the office, and he was careful to contain his barely bottled rage.
"How's Shion-hime doing?" Honestly, she was surprised he'd returned so quickly. She was certain the urgent summons meant something, and she'd even assigned it as an S-ranked mission.
He sighed. "She was actually displeased to see me." He paused to open the office door and allow Tsunade to enter first. "She was more interested in seeing Naruto-kun." He almost chuckled at the memory.
She walked across her office quickly and took her seat, fully prepared for what was coming next. "Shion-hime has been infatuated ever since she met Naruto. How many hime has it been now? …three? …four?" She was only stalling the inevitable.
"Why didn't you call me back as soon as it happened?" His tone was actually harsh as his sharp gaze fell on his superior and leader. He knew a fast messenger bird could make it to Demons in a matter of hours, and he was confident he could have gotten back quickly enough to help.
Tsunade sighed and rubbed her temples. "A lot has been going on." She was glad he remained silent; though, he still seemed to press her for more information. "Sasuke attacked Kumo, and they're sending a delegate to discuss a message sent ahead. I actually felt killer intent from Hiashi. Naruto and Hinata were blushing around each other…"
She almost smiled as the last comment caught Kakashi's attention. "Oh? What, pray tell, happened there?" He almost, almost sounded like a giddy schoolchild. He was no gossiper, but he was always interested in his students and accomplices. Plus, anything about Naruto was of keen interest.
She smirked. "I don't know the details, but Neji's mission report seems to indicate that they were seen exiting the same room, blushing and fumbling for words around each other, and hard pressed to meet each other's eyes."
He chuckled as his eye folded to indicate his wide smile. "If anything did happen between them, it was purely accidental." Then he felt his mood fall. Of all the interesting things to discuss, he wanted to stay on the subject of Naruto and Hinata a bit longer. However, he had pressing business. He slid a scroll onto her desk.
Tsunade looked at it for a moment before picking it up and unfurling it. As she read it, her brow knitted further into confusion. At the end, her mouth was agape. Not lifting her eyes from the words, she had to ask. "Why couldn't you fulfill this mission while you were in Demons?"
Kakashi sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "Well, Shion-hime specifically requested Naruto or 'that Hyuuga' escort her back. To be honest, I suggested I go ahead and fulfill the mission, as you just stated. She wanted to hear nothing of it."
She desperately wanted to find a cure for migraines. They managed to find her when it was most inconvenient. "Unfortunately, Naruto has a training mission, and Neji, who I assume is 'that Hyuuga', already has a mission." She looked at the stack of mission teams and sighed. "I suppose I can placate her with another Hyuuga…"
He felt a cold sweat. "You don't mean…" He fell silent when she snapped her fingers and a bull masked ANBU speared. "You wouldn't…" She instructed 'Bull' who to escort to her office for a mission. "You did…" He chuckled mirthlessly as he wondered if the coming events would be entertaining or brutal.
It was a special night out, and Hinata knew it. She pushed any thoughts of the past few days' events out of her mind and a coming mission. She was having a night out with the girls. She only hoped she wasn't hit on by boys she had no interest in.
She was decked out in the dress the rest of the girls picked out on their last trip out, during that weird genjutsu attack. It felt odd to remember going to a civilian school in a dream that felt so…real. She shook her head of those thoughts. She wanted Naruto to see her in the dress. If her peers' reactions were any indication, she would reel him in.
She sighed. Such things were simply not meant to be. She hurried past her father on her way out, giving him a farewell. He wished her a good evening and almost rolled his eyes when what Neji said earlier came back to him. Did they really have to make things so complicated?
Hinata arrived at the club, if she recalled the term correctly, several minutes before she was scheduled to meet the others. She knew Sakura would be early. She felt Tenten would be on time, but Ino would likely rush. She was surprised to find the opposite was true.
Ino was very early, and she wore a glamorous, purple dress with a slit the Hyuuga heiress felt ran too high. Her dress also didn't appear to have a back to speak of, and it did everything to show off her cleavage. Oddly, it made Hinata wrap her arms around her chest, wondering why she was even there.
Tenten was next to arrive, and, to the shy girl's immense relief, she was dressed far more conservatively. Her beige dress had short, slanted sleeves gently draped across her shoulders. It was short, coming to just below her knees, but it effectively showed off her calves with agreeable high heels.
She heard Sakura before she saw her. She ran to make it just in the nick of time. To her wonderment, she wore a seafoam green dress to highlight her pink tresses. Her dress was also somewhere between Ino's and Tenten's. There were no shoulders, but there was…part of a back. It was also longer than Tenten's but shorter than Ino's.
Though reluctant, Hinata let her peers drag her into the club. They were quickly accepted. Until they entered, she had no idea the club was exclusively reserved for shinobi. She felt more at peace with that tidbit of information.
She was surprised to see Tenten disappear as soon as they entered, but Sakura and Ino dragged her away to dance. She found herself swept away by the music surprisingly easily.
From time to time, she would scan the crowd for familiar faces. She was surprised to see Shikamaru lazing around the punch bowl. Was he talking to Temari? She smiled seeing Tenten engaged in a casual conversation. She didn't know if either pair could be considered a couple, but she could see couples all around.
Suddenly, the lighting changed and she lost track of Neji and Shikamaru. Tenten and Temari were heading towards Sakura, Ino, and her. She looked around to see if she could find out where they disappeared to, and she missed a silent exchange between the two approaching and the two with her.
A fast, upbeat song pounded through the crowd, and Hinata was unknowingly led towards the center. She didn't realize it until it was too late, but an ambush was set up. In the center, Naruto was in the middle of some crazy dance step with Lee, obviously the older chunin initiated it.
However, he froze immediately upon seeing Hinata, and she did much the same. The world faded around them as they just stared at each other, neither knowing quite what to say. They felt their friends nudging them towards each other. They even heard a few words or encouragement, or whistles in Kiba's case.
Of all things to happen, a slow song started. There was no escape. They were trapped by their so called friends. Naruto grumbled about traitors, and Hinata was too embarrassed to look at him. With a smile, he saw no harm really. "Hey Hinata, wanna dance?"
Her world exploded at his words. With shock filled eyes, she tentatively reached out to take his hand. She gasped when he reached his arm around her waist, but she reciprocated by gingerly cupping her hand over his shoulder. Her breath caught as she admired him.
His breath caught as he admired her, and he tried to distract her by leading into the dance. She didn't notice as she was distracted by her own musings. He wasn't good at slow dances, but she was kind and patient. She even demonstrated the proper steps which he quickly adapted to.
They quickly forgot their initial shock and embarrassment. They danced together for a few more dances the evening, but they also danced with their friends. Naruto still didn't understand what exactly his feelings were for Hinata, but he was definitely fond of her. He liked dancing with her, although he had nothing to compare it to.
Hinata was on cloud nine. She couldn't believe it. She danced with her crush. She danced with Naruto! She could die that instant and be happy. After another dance with him, she returned to dancing with her friends only to notice her cousin pull her crush to the side. She couldn't help but notice her teammates follow after.
Out of his cousin's earshot, Neji looked seriously at Naruto. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
Naruto didn't know what to make of the question. "Yes…"
Kiba roughly patted him on the back. "You don't sound so sure of yourself. Are you enjoying yourself or aren't you?" His tone threatened retribution for the incorrect answer.
"Of course I am!" Naruto caught himself as he nearly shouted. "I'm with my friends." He didn't mention that his moments with Hinata were among the most enjoyable.
Shino nodded. "We're pleased to hear that." He shifted his gaze to Kiba, something only his teammates would pick up on easily.
Kiba chuckled. "Oh yeah? Anyone in particular you enjoying spending time with more?"
Naruto blushed and tried to hide his burning cheeks. Was he that obvious? After having their fun, they returned to finish the night out. He got to explain that he was leaving early in the morning. He hoped he would get to see them, but he knew several of them had missions or other responsibilities.
Naruto looked around at the gathered crowd. He was surprised to only see Tsunade, Kanaeru, Gayt, the light fleck Star, and his team to with him a safe voyage. He bowed his head dejected before he looked back up with a bright smile. He knew he was going to be gone for a while, so he enthusiastically welcomed their fond wishes.
After he disappeared in a plume of smoke followed by the sagely toad, Kanaeru turned to Tsunade with a scroll. "I hope to see Isaribi and Sasame ready in six hours. That should give them enough time to get ready and have lunch." It was still early morning, and she was only too happy to see her beloved nephew off.
Tsunade rolled her eyes and shook her head at the hopelessness of it all. First, she couldn't even give Naruto the farewell she originally planned. Next, she had so many missions for the village it practically kept her most skilled shinobi out of the village at all times. Finally, some were enraged to return only to find out a mission occurred with out them. She couldn't live without them, but sometimes she thought she could.
Hinata frowned as she recalled what happened after a bull masked ANBU appeared before her at the hospital. She was summoned to Tsunade's office, so she knew it was important. She never expected to be ordered to leave on a mission the very day after she was successfully rescued from the second kidnapping attempt in her life.
She even had to miss seeing Naruto off! She could only hope the mission for a daimyo didn't turn abysmal. She remembered her crush going on about his mission to Demons. She never expected to visit there herself, especially not on an A-ranked solo mission. She accepted things for what they were and rushed off. She only hoped she was present for the blonde's homecoming.
Ah, a true resolution chapter... You might think I'm doing this mainly to answer questions and stall for time... Maybe you're right. Anyway, a lot of the questions needed to be answered, and I couldn't see a better way than Ibiki thinking himself thrown into a controversial interrogation. Besides, he's...a bit calmer than Anko (and I love to imagine Basuto and Saiga completely and utterly whipped).
Interestingly, I had most of the interrogation written before I started working on the chapter. It saw a lot of rewrites, and I couldn't decide on a lot of details. I'm pretty sure I answered all the questions, but I know I left some open still (the pulsing deep in Naruto's soul for example).
The club was pure fan service, and you guys know it! Enjoy!
The second arc of The Path We Walk starts in two weeks! It looks like some interesting missions are occurring while Naruto's out training. How will his training in senjutsu go? Will Hinata and Shion get along? Why does Kanaeru want Isaribi and Sasame to escort her around Fire? I love cliffhangers! No really, I do...
As always, reviews are appreciated, and flames outright ignored.
Story Word Count: 8,132
Story Page Count: 18
Terms and Jutsu:
none...