A/N: Well, this took longer than expected. I still might change the clothes after the Wave mission, so send me ideas. Also, my poll is still up, so decide now whether Haku lives or dies.
Disclaimer: Still don't own Naruto.
Chapter 5 C-Rank Mission
"Hinata, do you have eyes on the target?" Kurenai asked through the radio.
"Yes. The target is nearing Kiba and Naruto's position."
"Copy that. Kiba, Naruto, are you two in position."
"Just give the word and we'll show you what we're made of" Kiba responded.
"Alright. Go!"
Kiba leaped out of the bushes. He grabbed the target, but ended up with a face full of scratches before she ran away. Naruto then came out of the bushes, leading the target straight into the arms of the Hyūga heiress. As the target purred in Hinata arms, Kurenai walked up. "Alright, good work team,"
"Damn it, I hate cats. And haven't we already caught this furball four times this past month?" Kiba complained.
"Five." Naruto corrected. Akamaru barked in agreement.
"Come on guys, she's not so bad." Hinata said as she scratched Tora behind her left ear.
"You say that because she likes you. He does this to me everytime!" Kiba said pointing at his scratched face.
"Alright, that's enough. Let's head to the Hokage's office and return Tora." Kurenai ordered.
-
"There you are my precious! Mommy missed you, yes she did," Madam Shijimi shrieked as she squeezed Tora in her arms. The cat was clearly not comfortable as he struggled to breathe. "Oh I hope that beast over there didn't hurt you," She added as she pointed to Akamaru. Kiba was about to protest but one look for Kurenai and the Hokage silenced him. They did not want him upsetting the Feudal Lord's wife.
Madam Shijimi gave the Hokage her payment for the job and left. Once she was gone, Hinat spoke up, "The way she treats that cat, it's no wonder Tora keeps running away." The Hokage and Kurenai were about to lecture her about being respectful, but they just sighed. They knew she would just ignore them. Beside, they all knew she wasn't wrong. If any one of them were in that position, they'd run too.
"Well here's your payment. That's your third job today. Will you be taking another or will that be all?" Hiruzen asked.
"No Lord Hokage. That will be our last mission for the day." Kurenai answered.
"Very well. Dismissed."
Kurenai and her team left the building. It was 4:23pm. "Ok, we have enough time to get some training in, so lets head to the training grounds.
For the past month, Kurenai has been training her team in taijutsu and chakra control. True, she was no where near Guy's level when it came to taijutsu, but that didn't mean she wasn't skilled in it. And as the Leaf's Genjutsu Mistress, she was the perfect person to improve their chakra control. She even taught Kiba and Hinata a few basic genjutsu. However, Naruto proved completely incapable of performing any genjutsu. Still, by the end of the month, they had already mastered tree climbing and were moving on to water walking.
At around 5:30pm Kurenai dismissed her team. The three friends walked together toward Naruto's place when Hinata started to complain. "Man, I'm sick of all these D-rank missions! They're nothing but chores other people are too lazy to do! I mean, dish washing, fence painting, babysitting..."
"Uck, don't remind me. It took all night for me to get that horrible stench that little stinker made in his diaper out of me and Akamaru's nose." Akamaru whimpered as he recalled that day.
"Um, I d-didn't mind that m-much." Naruto admitted.
"Yeah, because for some reason that baby liked you better than the rest of us." Hinata said, trying to sound annoyed. However, she couldn't help but be amused at how well he got along with young one. She remembered how the mother was tentative to allow him into her home. Kurenai's reasurances were that the baby would be fine were the only reason she allow him in. 'How come no one else can see him the way that child did?' Hinata could still remember how the mother screamed and ran to get her child away from the 'demon,' as well as the sad look on Naruto's face. She was acting like he was going to hurt the baby when in truth, he kept her and Kiba from doing so.
They arrived at Naruto's place and then went there separate ways. Naruto made himself some dinner before laying on his bed. Sleep was difficult for him ever since he heard that voice in his head back at the Hokage's office. 'Why haven't I heard anything since? Could that have been the Nine-Tails? Or was I just imagining things?' The dreams he had made it worse. Some nights he would have strange dreams about a sewer and a cage that was too dark to see into, or nightmares. One of his nightmares, he could see the Hidden Leaf Village burn. In this dream, he was huge and was killing ninja and civilians alike. The worst part was, he would later look at his reflection and see the Nine-Tailed Fox staring back.
This time, this dream was about his friends. They found out about his secret and were giving him the same look the villagers gave him. And then they would abandon him.
The worst part of the dream involved Hinata. While the rest of his friend walked away, Hinata slowly approached him, kunai in hand. The kunai didn't have any tags or special markings, but for some reason, it felt familiar.
"Hinata? Wha-what are you doing?" Naruto asked, his voiced not filled with terror or confusion, but pain as he watched the person he cared for the most, the first friend he ever had, walk up to him weapon drawn.
"Don't worry Naruto." she said in a comforting voice that was clearly false, "I'm only finishing what you started."
That's when he recognized the kunai she had. It was the same one from two years ago, the one he used to try and...
"No, Hinata please!" But she didn't listen. Instead, she lifted the kunai up and thrusted it into his heart.
When the blade pierced his heart, he woke up sitting up right and sweating heavily. Trying desperatatly to calm himself down, he went through the breathing excercises Kurenai taught them. Once he caught his breathe and settled down, he took a cold shower and changed into another pair of pajamas. He laid in bed thinking about his dream. Naruto wasn't a fool. He knew such a scenario was highly unlikely. Actually, Naruto truely did not know how his friends would react. All he knew was that when they find out, nothing would be the same.
-
Sasuke walk around his house. The building where laughter and yelling could be heard from was silent, as it had been for years ever since that night. Memories of his mother and father would plague his mind, but Sasuke didn't mind. In fact, he used those memories to fuel his desire to see Itachi's lifeless body lay at his feet. 'Brother, just you wait. Once I obtain the Mangekyo, I will find you and I will avenge our clan! I'll make you suffer for what you did to our family!' he would alway think.
But for the past month, Sasuke's thoughts weren't focused on Itachi. No, they were focused on a certain heiress and her blue-eyed companion. He didn't care that he wasn't on the same team as her, but he was angered that Naruto was with her. He would rather have the blond loser on his team then on her's. With each day, Hinata and Naruto were getting closer and closer, and though the two were oblivious to each others' true feelings, Sasuke knew it was only a matter of time. 'I still can't believe she's interested in him. Still, the fact remains that while Itachi's death is a priority, I need to secure my future with Hinata. Her Byakugan is the key to the Uchiha's rebirth, and that damn blond is in the way. Luckily, the loser isn't very populor. Why isn't important. The fact is after what I overheard eariler, I know just how to insure my future.'
Sasuke was passing by the Hyūga Compound when he overheard one of the guards talking about how Hiashi tried yet again to convince the Hokage to get Naruto out of Hinata team.
"Not that I blame him. After all, I wouldn't want my child near that boy. You knew what..." the guard was saying
"Shush! Did you forget the Third's law? We're not suppose to talk about that, especially in front of others," his partner said, pointing at Sasuke.
Sasuke didn't know what this secret was, but he knew it had to be something major to make it a law not to speak of. And it had to be pretty bad to make people talk about Naruto like that. At first, Sasuke thought about trying to find out what Naruto's secret was, but he decided against it. If the Hokage was willing to punish people for saying anything, he knew investigating would bring too much trouble.
As Sasuke laid in bed, an idea come to mind. He would take advantage of the Hyūga Clan's desire to separate Naruto and Hinata. All he had to do was find the right words for his proposal.
-
The next morning, Team 8 met at the Hokage's office. "Alright, there are a number of D-ranked missions available. Lets see, one man wants his house painted. Kiba, your mother has put in a request to have some of the ninja hounds walked. If not, there's dish washing, one of the farmers needs some farm hand, or..." Hiruzen was saying.
"NO! No more D-ranked missions!" Hinata shouted. She was sick of them. "Those are all nothing but chores people are too lazy to do themselves. Give us a real mission!"
"Yeah, Hinata right! We've trained hard. We're ready so we should at least get a C-ranked mission!" Kiba added. Both sit down in defiance, neither willing to get up until they got a really mission.
Kurenai just put her hand over her eyes and shook her head. 'Good greif, these two are going to cause much trouble for me.' She looked at Naruto, who merely looked down doing his finger tapping habit. 'He's still so shy, but at least he's level-headed.' "I apologise for my students', er, disruptive behavior."
"It's alright Kurenai. I'm sure they're just eager to prove themselves." The Hokage then faced Naruto. "What about you Naruto? Do you think you and your teammates can handle a C-rank mission?" Naruto didn't say anything, but nodded. "Well, Kurenai. The decision is ultimately yours. I do have a C-rank mission availible, however whether your team gets it or not is up to you."
Kurenai thought for a moment. Her team had worked hard and they have completed the minimal amount of D-rank missions required. Also, C-rank missions weren't typically dangerous. The worse that normaly happened was a bandit attack. That said, there have been moments where a low rank mission would be meet with an unexpected complication, raising its rank. Still, she could see the determination in all of them. "My team is ready."
"Very well. I have just the mission. You team will act as bodyguards on a journey."
"Yes! Is a feudel lord? Or an ambassador? Come on old man Hokage, who?" Hinata asked, giddy with excitment.
"I hope it a beautiful princess." Kiba said. "Maybe she'll have a friend for Akamaru." Akamaru barked happily at the idea.
"Don't be so impatient. I will bring him in now." Hiruzen said. Kiba was saddened upon hearing the word 'him'. "Bring in our guest." he shouted to the people outside the office.
The door opened and an old man with a bottle walked in. "What the, a bunch a snot-nosed brats and their pup? That's my protection?"
"Brats?! Let me at him!" Hinata yelled as she and Kiba rushed at the client. Kurenai had to restrain Kiba while Naruto held Hinata back.
"Hinata! Kiba! We're suppose to be protecting the client, not attacking him!" Kurenai said, keeping Kiba in a headlock.
"C-calm down, Hinata." Naruto was too busy keeping her from hurting the client to notice he was practically hugging her. "H-he's just d-drunk."
"Just a drunk?!" The client said, mishearing what Naruto said. "I'm not just a drunk. I'm Tazuna, a master bridge builder. I need to return to the Land of Waves to build a bridge that will change our land's economy and I expect you brats to get me there safely."
"Alright. Kurenai, your team will leave for the Land of Waves tomarrow at 10. I suggest you all spend the rest of the day preparing. It'll take a few days to get there. Dismissed."
Kurenai released Kiba. Meanwhile, Naruto and Hinata realised their position and backed away from each other blushing. Team 8 then turned and left to prepare for their first real ninja mission.
-
"Man, did he stink!" Hinata said. She, Kiba, and Naruto were eating at Ichiraku.
"At least you don't have a hightened sense of smell. His manners are even worse. I bet he pissed someone off at a bar, that's why he needs protection," Kiba added.
"Hey guys!" Ino shouted. She and her team entered the stand. "I knew I'd find you here."
"H-hey Ino, Shikamaru, Choji," Naruto stuttered.
"Hey you three. Its been awhile." Hinata exclaimed.
"Yeah, Asuma-sensei has been keeping us busy with training and missions. Its a real drag," Shikamaru said.
"Come on, Shikamaru. Asuma-sensei wants us to be great shinobi. Besides, he pays for lunch." Choji argued.
"Yeah I know, but it seriously cuts into my cloud watching."
"Jeez, Shikamaru, you are so lazy. You barely put any effort into training." Ino complained. She then turned her attention on Naruto and Hinata. "So how you two been?" She said, putting emphasis on the word you.
"We've been fine Ino," Hinata answered, a little worried over her friend's tone of voice. She heard it plenty of times back when Choji had a crush on this girl back at the academy. 'What was her name again? Eh, doesn't matter anymore.' Needless to say, it did work out, as she revealed herself to be another Sasuke fangirl. 'Poor Choji. It took weeks to get over her.' The point is, during Choji infatuation, Ino used that tone of voice to tease him. Hinata barely suppress a laugh, and sometimes failed altogether, when Ino used that tone of voice to make him blush. But now it was her turn. 'I don't remember telling her I liked Naruto. She's good.'
Naruto, on the other hand, was not surprised. While he never admitted he like liked Hinata, his reactions to her teasing, especially the one about kissing, was all the evidence she needed. 'I hope Ino doesn't reveal my feelings. What if Hinata doesn't feel the same way? I don't want to lose her because of that.'
"Your insecurities are getting on my nerves kit."
Naruto nearly choked on his ramen. 'W-was that y-you 9-Tails?' Again, no response. 'If that was the 9-Tails, does the fact that he's speaking to me mean he's going to try something?' Naruto sighed internally. He would have to speak with the Hokage after the mission.
"I wonder how Shino is doing?" Kiba asked. "We haven't seen him since the teams were chosen."
"I'm fine. Thank you for asking." Everyone turned to the right to see Shino. "By the way, I'm sorry but I couldn't lose them."
"What do you..." Hinata started till she saw the two figures behind him. 'Oh shit.'
"SASUKE! Over here!" Ino shouted. "Come sit next to me."
"Oh no. Sasuke is sitting next to me, Ino Pig!" Sakura argued.
"No, he's sitting next to me, Forehead Girl." Ino countered.
While the two girls fought, Sasuke walked up to Naruto, who was sitting next to Hinata. "Hey loser, move."
"Huh?"
"You heard me, move!"
"N-no." Naruto said softly. He stopped eating but didn't look up from his bowl.
"What?" Sasuke asked, a little annoyed.
"You heard him. He said no." Hinata said. "Why do you want to sit there anyway?"
"I don't have to explain! Just move!"
"Ahem," Sasuke and Hinata turned to look at Teuchi. "Sasuke, right? I believe those seats over there are available." Teuchi spoke kindly, but his face said that he wouldn't tolorate someone harassing one of his customers, especially one of his favorite customers.
Sasuke got the message and grudgingly sat next to Sakura and Ino as both asked him on a date. Naruto looked up at Teuchi and mouthed a thank you. Teuchi smiled and nodded his head.
With everyone there, Kiba decided to start bragging. "Hey, guess what? We got our first C-rank mission today."
Everyone looked at him in disbelief except Naruto and Hinata. Surprisingly, Sasuke was the first to speak. "What? How did you guys get a C-rank mission before me?"
"I believe you mean us." Shino correct. Even after a month of team-building exercises, Sasuke still had trouble acknowledging the fact that he was part of a team. "We are a team after all. I must admit, I am curious as to how you were able to convince your sensei and the Hokage to give you a C-rank mission when all of us have only had a month of training?"
"We're just that great! Right Naruto?" Kiba said.
"R-right."
Sasuke just finished his food, payed for his meal, and left. Sakura quickly did the same and followed him. Ino almost followed suit, but decided to stick with Hinata. Ino was thankful Hinata didn't share her infatuation with Sasuke. After all, it ruined her friendship with Sakura.
So the 7 rookies started discussing the events of the last month, unaware their senseis were doing the same thing.
-
"So Asuma, how is training the newest Ino-Shika-Cho?" Kurenai asked as she ate some of her dango.
"Well, they have potential. Their teamwork is exceptional and they understand their families' jutsu quite well. However, there are problems. Shikamaru is brilliant but lacks any drive. Choji is strong but I've only been able to use training dummies. He refuses to spar with me or the others for fear of hurting us. As for Ino, she spends more time criticizing Choji and Shikamaru then actually train. That said, I truely believe they'll one day surpass their fathers." Asuma answered as he took out yet another cigarette, despite the glares from his two friends.
"Anyway, what about you Kakashi? From what I've heard, the Uchiha kid isn't exactly a team player. I'm surprised they actually passed your test."
"Well, it was close. Shino and Sasuke each worked independently to try and get the bells from me. Sasuke was quite skilled. I didn't expect that he already knew fire jutsu. Shino was difficult too. I had to keep an eye out for his bugs, with almost took the bells from me on a number of occasions. As for Sakura, she spent the entire time watching and admiring Sasuke. I easily neutrilized her with a simple genjutsu. When time was up, I decided to give them one more chance. I tried Sakura to a post and told the other to not to feed her or they'd fail. Then I 'left'. Shino was the first to offer her food, saying they had to work together in order to have a chance against me. Sasuke begrudgingly agreed and fed some of his food to Sakura. Once I saw this, I appeared in front of them yelling 'YOU' sounding angry, but before I could finish, Shino interupted me saying 'pass'. Apparently, he figured out the purpose of my test. So I passed them."
"You must be getting soft Kakashi." Asuma joked.
"sigh I actually think you might be right. While they work well enough together when required to, they don't actually bond with one another. Shino tolerates Sasuke's presense but makes no attempts to befriend him. Sasuke thinks himself above the others and feels they would only drag him down. Sakura is creeped out by Shino's insects and perfers to spend her time trying to woo Sasuke."
"Training must be tough then." Kurenai commented.
"True. When not on missions, I usually put them through team building exercises. These proved to only slightly improve there teamwork. As for individual training, I've focused more on Sasuke. I'm unfamiliar with his family's insect-based jutsus, so I've had to leave that to his father. I have, however, been improving his taijutsu skills. Sakura shows she has great chakra control, but would rather fawn over Sasuke then develop her skills. And what about you Kurenai? How is ... your team?"
Kurenai knew he really meant 'How is Naruto'. "My team is doing quite well. It's proving difficult to get Naruto out of his shell, but his teammates are helpping, especially Hinata. I think our little heiress has a thing for our Jinchūriki. And I can tell the feeling is mutual."
"Really?" Kakashi said. 'So he fell for a prankster just like his father did?'
"I doubt Hiashi would be happy to hear that. After all, my old man has told me about how Hiashi has been trying get Naruto put on a different team away from his daughter." Asuma said.
"I can't believe he cares about his clan's image more then his daughter's happiness, or the happiness of the son of Hitomi's best friend." Kurenai exclaimed.
"Anyway, their training?" Kakashi asked, attempting to get back on track.
"Oh, right. Well, I've already put the team through the tree-walking exercise. Hinata got the hang of it quickly, though that's no surprise, given her family's fighting style. It took Kiba and Naruto a few days, but they got the hang of it. I've also manage to teach Kiba and Hinata some simple genjutsu. Naruto, however, has proven unable to preform genjutsu due to his vast and overly-developed chakra capacity. So I've spent more time teaching him to dispel a genjutsu."
"It seems I drew the short end of the stick." Kakashi said. Then he shrugged and added, "Oh well. Too late to change things now. Anyway, I heard about a client from the Land of Waves requesting bodyguards. The danger should be minimal, so I think my team will take the job. Maybe a real mission will help their teamwork."
"Not if my team gets it first." Asuma argued, lighting another death stick. "And give your track record for tardiness, I have nothing to worry about."
"Sorry boys, but your both too late." Kurenai said with a smile. "My team leaves tomarrow at 10."
"What? Are you sure your team is ready?" Kakashi said, worried about his sensei's son.
"More than your team." Kurenai countered. "Besides, you said it yourself. The danger is minimal. The worst that could happen is a bunch of bandits. My students are prepared for that. And if not, I'll beat them with ease."
"Well, good luck then." Asuma said, raising his glass. "Not that you'll need it."
-
Team 8 waited by the gate for their sensei and Tazuna. Each of them spend the night preparing before going to sleep. A few minutes after 10, Kurenai and Tazuna showed.
"Ugh, did he spend the night passed out at a bar? He sure smells like he did." Kiba complained quietly to his teammates. 'Why couldn't we get a princess?'
"Alright team, it we'll arrive at the Land of Waves in about three days. I hope you all packed properly." Kurenai waited for her team to nod before she continued, "I don't expect to run into any trouble but keep an eye out anyway. The life of a ninja is full of surprises. Kiba, I want you and Akamaru up front. Use your noses to sniff out any trouble. Hinata, I want you to activate your Byakugan at regular intervals to spot traps or any enemies Kiba and Akamaru miss. Naruto, you stand guard by the client. Remember, you must make sure he stays safe. I will bring up the rear. Understood?"
"Yes, sensei." All three shouted.
"Alright Team 8, lets move out."
Hinata jumped in the air. "Our first mission outside the village! Alright!"
Tazuna just shook his head. 'If this is the best protection I can afford, I'm a dead man. Gato will see to that.'
-
Alpha: Done!
Hiashi: Really? Did you have to make me look bad?
Alpha: Hey I gave you a conscious. I just make you ignore it.
Sasuke: Don't bother agruing. I already tried while he was typing this chapter.
Hiashi: You make it seem like I care little for my daughter.
Alpha: Hey, maybe in the future, you'll listen to your conscious.
Hiashi: sighs I guess I don't really have any say. (Leaves)
Alpha: You know, I've been thinking...
Sasuke: What about?
Alpha: Ideas for new stories.
Sasuke: You've barely started this one and your already thinking of another?
Alpha: Relax, I don't plan on writting new stories any time soon while I work on this one. I may not even write these stories. But who knows, maybe someone else will write one or direct me to one. (Hint, Hint) I do have one preference for them though.
Sasuke: Let me guess: NaruHina.
Naruto: Yeah, me and Hinata forever.
Alpha: Anyway, one idea is Naruto Hatake. I think that speaks for itself.
Kakashi: Maybe you'll finally appreciate good literature. (Pulls out his book)
Naruto: No way Kakashi-sensei.
Alpha: Continuing, Root Naruto, where Danzo succeeded in getting Naruto as a baby.
Naruto: Sooo, I end up like Sai?
Alpha: Perhaps in some ways, yes. My third idea can't be written by others. It's a self-insert.
Sasuke: Wait a minute, YOU as a ninja?
Alpha: Hey, I think I'd be pretty strong, given the origin I made up.
Naruto: What origin?
Alpha: Only thing I'm saying is that it's similar to Yamato's. Now my forth idea is Naruo accidently kills Sasuke at Valley of the End and...
Sasuke: Wait, why does he get to kill me?!
Alpha: As I was saying, he runs away from the village, unable to face the village, or more specifically Sakura, and all his friend look for him.
Jiraiya: As a fellow author, might I make a suggestion?
Alpha: 'Uh oh'
Jiraiya: (with perverted grin) How about you make an Icha Icha of your own?
Kakashi: Best idea I've heard all day.
Alpha: HELL NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!
Jiraiya: Aw come on. It would be... (Punch comes out from nowhere)
Tsunade: Ignore this pervert. If you even of taking his advice...
Alpha: N-no problems there. I'll just write the next chapter.
