Chapter 13
"Then Gai-sensei threatened to hospitalise him, and Gaara said he'll kill us all before he left." I finish explaining to Lee.
Sitting up in his beed slightly crouched over, Lee looks back at me from the window. "Oh.. That is just like Gai-sensei, always showing up at the time of need." He replies. "But.. are you alright Setsuki-san?"
I nod. "Yeah, I'm fine." I reply, then notice a daffodil in a small glass vase on his bedside table and smile. "Seems Sakura-chan has been here today."
Lee blinks then looks at it, then smiles, blushing. "Sakura.. What a lovely angel she is." He says, then closes his eyes. "One day." He says then looks up with fire in his eyes. "One day I will prove myself!"
"That's the spirit!" I say, smiling at him. Lee looks back at me with a goofy smile, making me laugh a little.
"So the final matches are tomorrow. I wish you the best of luck Setsuki-san!" Lee says, giving me a thumbs up and a smile.
"Thanks! Oh yeah! I forgot to mention, I've been a part of Team Gai this month, so my Taijutsu has gotten better!" I exclaim. Lee seems to become rather happy.
"You were trained by Gai-sensei? You will be unbeatable Setsuki-san! Gai-sensei is the best!" Lee exclaims.
I nod really fast. "Yeah! He's way better than Komaru-sensei!" I exclaim, making him chuckle.
"Aw, now that's not very nice." I hear a familiar voice say. I look at the half-open door and Komaru-sensei's head sticking through it. I sweatdrop. "I was gonna take you out to get some Ichiraku Ramen." My eyes light up. "But if you're being mean to your sensei that wont happen."
Pouting, I turn my head towards the window, nothing but black and distant lights could be seen. "What time is it?" I ask, completely changing the subject.
"Hmm.. Almost 10pm." Komaru-sensei says.
"What?" I question, standing up.
"Is it really that late? I thought it was earlier than that." Lee says. Komaru walks in shaking his head.
"Have you been here annoying Lee all day, Setsuki?" Komaru asks, giving me that look as though I've done something typical.
"Uhh... No, I was training with Gai-sensei until around lunch time, then came to the hospital.. then me, Naruto-kun and Shikamaru ate in front of Choji, then we came to visit Lee-san when we saw that Sand guy Gaara and we stopped him from.. then Shikamaru left to find Ino about something, then Naruto left because he was hungry and Gai-sensei left not too long ago." I quickly explain.
"Yes." Lee says with a single nod. "And Setsuki-san is not annoying, I actually enjoy having company.. it gets lonely sometimes."
By the look on Komaru-sensei's face, all this was too much to take in at once, so he just nods, going along with it. ".. Wait, stopped Gaara from doing what?"
"Uh well it's a long story." I say.
"I have time."
"Well, he was in here about to.. 'finish' Lee-san so we stopped him." I say. Komaru blinks as though waiting for me to continue. "... That's all."
"That wasn't a long story." Komaru says. I shrug. Lee chuckles slightly.
"So what brings you here anyway?" I ask. Komaru frowns.
"I swear you have the memory of a fish." He says.
"I don't have a two second memory.." I say, pouting slightly. Komaru shakes his head.
"I said, do you want to get some Ichiraku Ramen?" He repeats, drawling out the word 'said'.
"Ohh, wait.. at 10 o'clock at night?" I ask, confused.
"Problem?" Komaru asks, confused as to why I'm refusing.
"Weelll the final matches are tomorrow.. I kinda need to rest up." I explain.
"Oh yeah, forgot ab- wait a minute! Did you just say you wanted to rest?" Komaru questions, stunned. I shake my head.
"I said I need to, I don't want to. There's a difference Komaru-sensei." I say. He sighs.
"Alright, well then, go get that rest." Komaru says.
"But.. I want some ramen.." I mumble.
"Geez make up your mind." Komaru huffs.
"I have! I need rest and want ramen!" I say with a big smile. Komaru raises an eyebrow.
"Alright then. And Lee, how are you feeling?" Komaru asks.
"Just fine, thank you." Lee replies. Komaru nods then walks towards the door.
"Come on Setsuki."
"Coming. I'll see you around Lee-san." I say, smiling at him. Lee smiles and nods back.
"Yes. And good luck for tomorrow Setsuki-san!" Lee says.
"Thanks again! And I'll be sure to win!" I say, giggling slightly.
"That is good! And I will be there to watch!" Lee exclaims.
"Really? But shouldn't you be.."
"It is fine, Gai-sensei said he will help me." Lee says.
"Awesome! Well, I'll see you tomorrow Lee-san!" I say, walking over to the door.
"Yes, good night Setsuki-san."
"Night Lee-san." I say then close the door, and run after Komaru-sensei.
"I see." Komaru says, after I explain everything a third time. He plays with the chopsticks in his hand and seems to go deep into thought.
I was still happily slurping down my noodles.
"So your taijutsu has improved I hope. Team Komaru hasn't been the same without you, you know." Komaru says.
"Yosh! Gai-sensei trained me very well! And Team Gai is awesome too! Gai-sensei is so cool, and Tenten-chan is great to talk to, and Neji.. is kinda mean, but they're still great!" I exclaim. Komaru's head falls and blue lines of despair hover over his head. I blink.
"You didn't miss us at all?" He whines.
"Maybe a little.." I reply. He sinks down lower. "... Well! Good night Komaru-sensei." I say, giving him a quick pat on the back, and leaving some money on the table, paying for my ramen. I then walk out, leaving him in his depression. He'll get over it.
I was up early the next morning, and decided to prepare. I sharpen my kunais and my katana plus do some warm up exercises. Being around Gai-sensei it's easy to pick up habits like that.
I wonder downstairs, meeting my uncle in the kitchen.
"Mor-"
"No!" He shouts, cutting me off. I straighten up and blink. "Not today! Just no!"
"What'd I do!" I question, becoming flustered.
"You're not stealing my toast today!" He gushes. I blink a few times.
"... Okay.." I say in a small squeak.
There was a moment of silence. ".. Anyway, good morning Setsuki." He says.
"Morning!" I chime, smiling. "Oh oh! The main matches are today!" I exclaim, smiling bigger.
"Already! Wow! …."
"What's wrong?" I ask, tilting my head to the side.
"I want you to be careful." He says, getting a serious face. "I know I say it all the time, but I worry about you sometimes you know."
"Yeah I know." I groan.
"I'll be there to watch my favorite niece win!" He chimes, making me smile.
"I gotta go find my friends now." I say, he nods. I walk past the table taking his toast off his plate while he wasn't looking then bolt out the door.
There was a commotion by the village gates and I became curious and stood in the crows, watching as two big carriages being pulled by bulls and people walking alongside them enter. I stare curiously.
"What's going on?" I ask.
"You don't know?" Asks one of the people standing around. I shake my head. "Today is the main matches! This is the Kazekage!"
"Kazekage! Really?" I question, becoming kinda excited.
"Yeah!"
"This is so cool! I have to tell Naruto-kun!" I say, mostly talking to myself, then jump off to find him.
Naruto is walking in the street looking down. I tilt my head and jump down beside him. "Naruto-kun?"
"Hm? Oh! Setsuki-chan!" He says with a smile.
"The first match features Hyuuga Neji right?" Asks a random passerby, grabbing Naruto's attention. He stops walking to stare at the two people talk.
"Yeah. He was last year's number one rookie, right? I can't miss the matches now."
I blink and Naruto looks at the ground again. I thought maybe he was getting nervous. I put a hand on his shoulder but he remains looking at the ground. "Hyuuga... Neji.." He mutters. But then suddenly he raises his head laughing. "I'm able to summon a frog now, so I should be fine!"
"A frog..?" I ask, extremely confused.
"Yeah! The Perverted Hermit trained me lots and lots and now I can summon frogs!" He exclaims.
"Who is this Perverted Hermit you speak of?" I ask.
"His name is Jiraiya, one of the Sanin or something." He says, like he's clueless. I had heard that name before, then it clicked.
"Oh! I remember! I heard about them in the Academy! Jiraiya-sama, Orochimaru-sama, and Tsunade-sama, they're all known as the Three Legendary Sanin, but I also heard Orochimaru became evil and left the village.. or something." I explain, not too sure myself because it's been nearly two years since I graduated from the Academy.
"Well Perverted Hermit is really bad too." He grumbles. "All he eve thinks about is girls and he often ditched training me just to spy on them."
"Eugh, so he's a low life?" I ask.
"Yeah." He says, then starts walking.
"So where're we going?" I ask.
"I dunno, just a walk around I guess." He says.
We end up at the training grounds, and Naruto was quieter than usual. We both stop after seeing someone standing at one of the vertical logs, just standing there facing it.
"Hinata?" Naruto asks, making the girl gasp and quickly retreat behind the log.
"O-oh.. Naruto-kun..!" She squeaks. She relaxes a little and pokes her head around the log to look at us. Well... at Naruto anyway. "Why did y-you come here? I-Isn't today the m-main matches?" She stutters.
Naruto lets out a small sigh. "I, uh... you know." He replies then looks around. "I just came here to see this training area. Since this is where I became a Genin."
I notice Hinata's cheeks turn pink. "R-really? But why?"
"Eh? No reason!" Naruto says, then turns around, his back facing her. "Who cares about the reason.."
Hinata's eyes turn to the ground. "Yeah... sorry."
There was a moment of silence. "Hey, Hinata." Naruto finally speaks, then turns his head back to look at her. "Neji is your relative, right?"
"... Yes." Hinata replies.
Naruto turns around to face her again. "Is he strong?"
Hinata looks down again.
"I see." Naruto says, his eyes turning to the ground.
"Yeah he's strong alright." I say, making them both look at me. "I've been training with his squad all month and not once could I even hit the guy!" I exclaim. Naruto's head drops in despair.
"B-But..!" Hinata speaks up. "You might be able to defeat him, Naruto-kun!"
Naruto laughs putting his hands behind his head. "Yeah! I am strong!" He boasts.
"Naruto." I say.
"Yeah?"
I point to him, smirking. "If we end up being matched against each other, I want a full fight, no holding back! After all it's been ages since we last sparred and I'll bet you've become very strong!"
Naruto's smile only grew bigger. "Which means you have to defeat Neji-kun in order to defeat me!" I say.
Naruto gets a fist of courage. "I'm gonna beat that guy and make him look so bad, believe it!" He exclaims.
Hinata nods. "I know you can beat him N-Naruto-kun." She says, getting his attention. She finally walks out from behind the log, pressing her index fingers together. "Um, when you ch-cheered me on, I felt like I had b-become stronger than before. After the preliminaries, I was able to like myself a little more. If a stranger looked at me, it might seem I haven't changed... but I think I was able to change. And I think it was thanks to you, Naruto-kun."
".. Hey, Hinata. Did you really think that?" Naruto asks. "I may look strong from your point of view, but I always screw up... and I just act strong because I'm mad."
"That's not true!" Hinata speaks up. "Even if you did make a mistake you were always.. from my point of view, a proud man who makes a lot of mistakes."
Naruto stood up straight staring at her with wide eyes.
"When I looked at you, there was this impact on my heart. You're not perfect.. you make mistakes, and you get stronger from them. I believe that is true strength. Naruto-kun, I think, you are a strong person." Hinata says then her cheeks turn more pink and she steps half behind that log again. My eyes were watering from the happy moment!
'As Gai-sensei would say, moments like this when a girl confesses her love, it is so beautiful and youthful at the same time!'
Naruto finally smiles happily. "Thank you, Hinata. I've always been last place in everything. I was nervous over nothing. I was a bit depressed, but I feel better now!"
"Naruto-kun..!" Hinata happily exclaims.
"I'll be going off to the matches now!" Naruto says then starts walking, but then stops and turns around. "Hinata.. I always thought of you as.. a dark, timid and weird person." He says, then keeps
walking. "But you know something..? I like people like you."
I notice Hinata frozen and her cheeks were now red.
"Oh, be sure to come watch me beat Neji." Naruto says smugly. Hinata smiles slightly and nods.
Then bangs could be heard in the distance. We all look seeing small smoke clouds poof in the sky. Kind of like fireworks.
"Eh? Crap! It's this time already?" Naruto panics.
"Lets get moving!" I shout then the two of us bolt off towards the village.
Running through the streets, people were standing around acknowledging the fact it's about to start.
"OUT OF OUR WAAAY!" Me and Naruto shout, bolting down the streets trying to avoid running into anyone.
"NARUTO-NII-CHAN!" We hear and stop, seeing a small kid in a yellow shirt, wearing a long blue scarf.
"Konohamaru?" Naruto asks.
"I've arrived to save the day!" The boy exclaims.
"Konohamaru, why are you here?" Naruto asks.
"We'll talk later. Come over here!" He exclaims. Me and Naruto look at each other then jog over to him. Then Konohamaru starts running. "I know of a secret way to get to the stage directly!"
"What?" Naruto gushes then smiles big. We hi-five each other then run after Konohamaru.
Konohamaru stops at the end of the alley way, tall grass covered the ground and Konohamaru gets down on his hands and knees in it, looking around for something.
"Those who conquer the secret passageways conquer time!" Konohamaru exclaims.
"Oooh I see!" Naruto says. "You're great Konohamaru!"
"There should be a hole in the fence somewhere.." Konohamaru says. "Ah! Here it is.." Konohamaru picks up a small sheet of metal then tenses up.
"What is it, Konohamaru?" I ask.
"This passageway has been fixed..." Konohamaru says, showing multiple planks of wood nailed over a hole.
"WHAAT?" Naruto roars. "We don't have any time left!" He goes to start running when Konohamaru grabs his ankle.
"Wait! Onto the next plan!" Konohamaru says.
"We seriously don't have any time left!" Naruto gushes. Konohamaru chuckles.
"This is a secret, but there's this amazing passageway that will allow you to arrive at the stage in a flash!" Konohamaru exclaims.
"Really?" Naruto asks full of hope again. "Alright! Well done, Konohamaru!"
"This hole is a shortcut?" Naruto asks as Konohamaru moves the big metal lid from the ground.
"It leads directly to the stage." Konohamaru implies. "I am very sure of it."
"Directly, eh?" Naruto asks.
"Okay, let's hurry Setsuki!" Naruto says. I nod. Naruto jumps down and I follow.
It was pitch black and we were sliding down, Naruto in front of me was screaming while behind him, I was cheering. It was fun!
"Look there's the exit now!" I say pointing to a small white hole coming up.
"Finally!" Naruto exclaims.
We fly out of the hole, but then scream when we find ourselves falling down a waterfall. "Ahh!" Naruto and Konohamaru scream. I was having the time of my life, I was laughing.
"Weee!" I cheer, then splash!
Underwater Naruto and Konohamaru's skins began to turn red and they surface quickly screaming it was hot. I couldn't feel the temperature of the water, but then again, I've never really been able to. Naruto and Konohamaru jump onto the bridge crossing over the water, and I take my time.
"This must be... a mistake of some sort.." Konohamaru says, raising his hands defensively. Naruto steps to him cracking his knuckles.
"Konohamaru...!" Naruto shouts. "How the hell did that bring us here?" I notice we're standing outside the hot springs and sweatdrop.
"We're even more far away from the place!" I exclaim.
"Well, before it led to the stage!" Konohamaru implies. "Let me prepare the next plan.." He looks around and sees four bulls resting under a shelter. Ironically the same bulls that were pulling those carriages earlier this morning. "This is it!"
"Eh..." Naruto moans. Konohamaru got one of the bulls out of the shelter and stood beside it.
"If we ride this, we'll get to the stage in no time!" Konohamaru exclaims.
"Yosh! Onward!" I exclaim, running to the bull. Naruto sighs.
"A bull?" Naruto groans.
"Don't underestimate it." Konohamaru says, folding his arms. "A feudal lord's bull is different from normal bulls. Once it starts running, it makes racing horses look like a joke. They cannot beat a serious feudal lord's bull. Anyway, this is an amazing bull!"
Me and Naruto climb onto it, me at front and him behind me.
"Nee-chan, Nii-chan, just leave the rest to this bull, and you'll get to the stage in no time." Konohamaru says.
"Okay.. We're counting on this.." Naruto says uneasily.
"YAHOO!" I shout, kicking the bull's sides to get it going. It rears up and raises it's head and moos loudly before bucking around. Naruto fell straight off but I was holding on, enjoying every moment. "Yee ha!" I shout. The bull stopped and began sliding it's front leg, getting ready to charge at Naruto. Then I notice the small red dot on Naruto's jacket and sweatdrop.
"N.. Naruto-kun.. you may wanna start running.." I say.
"AHH!" He shouts while taking off. I had to hold on more skillfully this time.
As Naruto was running, we passed by many other bulls laying around.. they saw the red dot too and joined the chase.
"NARUTO JUMP UP!" I shout.
"ARE YOU MAD?" He shouts back.
"JUST DO IT!"
"OKAY!" He shouts then jumps into the air really unsure. I reach one hand up to catch his ankle and sit him down behind me.
"YOU MIGHT WANNA HANG ON!" I shout, it was hard to hear over all the bulls mooing.
"OKAY!" He shouts back, wrapping his arms around my waist, hugging me for dear life. I paid no attention and kicked to bull again.
"YAHOO! FASTER!" I shout, enraging it more.
We begin approaching the entrance to the stage, two Jonin were standing there. "What's that?" One of them ask.
"FASTER! WE'RE ALMOST THERE!" I exclaim, kicking the bull again.
"STOP IT SETSUKI! ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL US?" Naruto shouts into my ear. The bull jumps up the steps and bursts through the doors and onto the stage where everyone else was standing.
"OUTTA THE WAY!" I shout, trying to stop the bull who was running straight at them.
"WAAH MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP!" Naruto screams.
"I'M TRYING!" I shout, trying to pull on the ropes tied to it trying to make it stop. Everyone standing around scatters to the sides, staring wide eyed at us. The bull kept running towards the wall.
"WE'RE GONNA DIE!" Naruto screams as the wall moved closer to us.
"GET OFF IT!" I shout. Naruto blinks, then lets go of me, allowing me to breathe again, and we both jump off the bull as it smashes through the wall. We both land on our butts panting.
"What kind of entrance is that?" Shikamaru questions as they all walk over again.
"WHAT WAS THAT SHIKAMARU?" I ask.
"Gah! Don't yell!" He gushes, poking a finger in his ear to clean it out.
"HUH? I STILL CAN'T H-" Shikamaru slaps his hand over my mouth.
"Shut up, my ears are ringing." Shikamaru says.
"SERIOUSLY WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Naruto asks.
"Enough." The proctor says, everyone faces him. Shikamaru lets me go, and we stand up and face him to. I play with my ears because I can't hear what he's saying.
"Huh? Hey where's Sasuke?" Naruto asks. I look around for him too.
"The Dosu guy who was supposed to fight me isn't here, either." Shikamaru says.
"Really? How strange!" I say.
"Shut it!" Shikamaru gushes. "Clean your ears out properly."
"Hey, you three." The proctor says to us. "Stop walking around. Stand up straight and show you faces to the crowd."
"Huh?" Me and Naruto look around seeing three main sheltered buildings filled with people. The top floor of the middle one were two seats.
"Who's up there?" I ask.
"Hokage-sama and Kazekage." Shikamaru answers. The nine of us stand there as the crowd cheers.
"You guys are the main players in the upcoming matches." The proctor says. I gulp quietly, I didn't know there were going to be so many people here.. I just hope I don't accidentally do anything stupid to embarrass myself.