Chapter 16
Naruto and Hinata smiled as they both dismounted from Naruto summons happy to be the Wave Nation so soon. They had been traveling hard since they left the village earlier that day, wanting to as much distance as possible between and the Leaf Village. Naruto had summoned them mounts after they were out of sight of the village walls, the creatures were horse but there were some big differences being each of them had a horn and a tail and mane made of a touchable flame.
Getting on them they were able to travel quickly in the growing night faster than most any ninja they knew outside Rock Lee and Might Guy. And as such it only them a few hours to reach the large bridge that connected the Land of Waves to the Land of Fire. After dismounting and dismissing the summons Naruto led the way quickly across the bridge. Knowing it was only about a half hour now till they would be at Tazuna's house at their current rate of speed.
As Naruto and Hinata reached the end of the bridge something caught Naruto's attention as it reflected the light given off the rising moon. Naruto turned and slowed down noticing it was a piece of metal before stopping when he realized it had something written on it. As he moved over her chuckled lightly as he read what it said. 'The Great Naruto Bridge.' And below this was written, 'Named in honor of the man who saved our nation.'
Hinata came over and could not help but stare as Naruto started moving onward. But he stopped after a few steps realizing Hinata had not moved from her spot. Turning back he looked at Hinata before coming back over. She was still staring at it but this time it was not shock but sadness.
"What is wrong Hinata?" Naruto asked looking at her closely.
"Look at the base of the plate Naruto," Hinata said pointing out some slightly smaller writing.
Naruto looked at it and felt his heart almost stop for a second reading it, 'And in Memory of fallen whose lives were given so that this bridge could be built.' And at the top of the list were Kaiza's, Haku's, and Zabuza's name. He lean forward and traced Haku's name for a second sighing remembering the possible friend he had lost that day.
"Haku that was the boy's name wasn't it." Hinata said looking at Naruto.
"Yes it was him," Naruto said before turning slowly away and looked towards the place both Haku and Zabuza had been buried. Before he turned back towards Hinata speaking again, "Come on now we need to get to Tazuna's. We can stay there for the night before we move on in the morning."
"Yes of course," Hinata said nodding glancing one last time at the plate. Naruto had told her what happened one his first mission and why they were heading to the Wave Nation first. But he had made it very clear that they would not be staying long. He was sure that Hinata's family would come looking for her and soon.
Naruto quickly led the way down the road with Hinata was not far behind. As Tazuna's house came into view Naruto smiled lightly as he slowed down and came to a stop in front of the door before knocking. As the door was opened Hinata walked up behind him.
Tsunami who had been getting ready for bed an only a few seconds earlier blinked before giving out a light yawn at the sight before her. Looking from one to the other she noticed neither of them hand the leaf village headbands causing her to wonder what happened. "Hello Naruto. It is a nice surprise to see you here! So who is your friend, and where is the rest of your team?" Tsunami asked but as she noticed Naruto's look her smile blank face became a slight frown. "What happened dear?"
"Yes it is nice to see you again, and I will explain later. Is it possible for me and my friend Hinata to spend the night here?" Naruto asked.
"Yes of course dear. Come on in," She said moving out of the way so both Naruto and Hinata could enter into the house. As she led them into the dining room Naruto noticed the house was strangely quiet. She spoke as to answer this unasked question, "Both Tazuna and Inari are out tonight working on fixing up houses and shops on one of the small nearby islands. So you will probably not be seeing them."
"Thanks, and sorry for stopping by this late at night. And I understand." Naruto said as he sat down in a chair with Hinata sitting down by him.
"So please tell me what happened Naruto," Tsunami asked looking at Naruto then Hinata.
Naruto just nodded and explained what had happened since he had left after the end of his mission in the Wave Nation giving the short version since it was late. He explained all the way through the Chuunin exams the mission that followed afterwards. Then he explained about what happened with Sasuke and then his banishment. Tsunami could not help but shake her head at this; it was pretty stupid she thought of what the village did.
Naruto was after all the hero of the Wave Nation. And he had helped one large and powerful clan in another part of the Element Nations so far. If he kept going at this rate he could probably gain favors from all the major and most minor nations. And she doubted that the Leaf Village would be very happy about that or at least if Naruto ever used them to causing the Leaf Village any problems.
As Naruto finished the story Tsunami got up and started making dinner for them after asking if they had anything to eat. She had a lot to think about as she set about making up some snacks before calling back into the room asking, "So Naruto are you and Hinata going to be staying here for a while then?"
"No just tonight. It is unsafe to remain here currently, or at until we are sure the Hyuuga are not following us anymore." Naruto said sighing but speaking slightly louder so she could hear him better while she moved about the kitchen.
He could hear a things being moved about before she spoke, "What did she do that is so bad?"
"I one word, Leave! The Hyuuga are paranoid of another village finding out or gaining control of their bloodline, the Byakugan. As such they brand most people in the clan other than the main family with a seal that can cause the persona great deal of pain if activated. Though the seal's original propose was to destroy anything that would be useful to working out how their eyes work. And as you probably can guess Hinata does not have that seal on her currently," Naruto said chuckling knowing the Hyuuga had only probably found out an hour or so ago that she had left.
"So when did you leave then?" Tsunami asked coming out of the kitchen for a few moments.
"Only about three hours ago," Naruto said as Tsunami stopped a looked at him weirdly.
"How, it takes at a normal person at least a day or so of walking to travel that distance?" Tsunami asked her confusion clearly heard in her voice.
"That summon contract I own has some creatures that can race at a high speed for extent periods of time without having to rest. Maybe not the high speed some ninja can gain in short burst but close to it," Naruto said smiling.
"Okay understand," Tsunami said before turning her attention back to the snacks.
The room fell quiet for a few moments before Hinata spoke, "N-N-Naruto, do you think my family will figure out where we are and get here tonight?"
"To be honest I don't think so. The mission records office is closed most nights after the Hokage leaves, also while it they might be able to find out tonight what happened. It is very unlikely that they will be able to get out of the village at least till dawn." Naruto said thinking as he spoke.
"B-b-but they might send a ninja un-un-unofficially out of the village," Hinata said semi worried.
"If you are really that worried Hinata we could leave after this snack," Naruto said noticing this and getting up and walking over to her.
Hinata sighed, "I-I-I am not sure N-N-Naruto."
"Okay here let's set this up correctly then. Assuming that they found out we had left only an hour after we had left the village. How long would it take for them to get a search team ready?" Naruto asked.
"About thirty minutes to an hour max," Hinata said after a few moments.
"Okay and who would go in that team assuming they left right away without the Hokage's permission?" Naruto asked her next.
"There would be two trackers, one fighter, and one maybe two seal masters from my clan. Though because of this I doubt they would travel much faster than a basic ninja speed," Hinata said not stuttering as she carefully thought about who would try and follow them.
"That would mean about six to eight hours travel," Naruto said. He knew because it was taught at the ninja school it was a slightly slow run as to move quickly but still have the energy needed should they have to fight at all.
"So the shortest time that will take them to reach here will be about four hours? If they knew where to travel right away," Hinata asked looking slightly shaken up at this.
"Yes if, but this give us a slight bit of chance against them." Naruto said smirking.
"But how these would not be Chuunin or Genin, these would be Jonin level ninja most likely," Hinata asked confused.
"Yes but they would be coming after two dead lasts. And no I am not saying you're not strong, but I do know what your clan thinks of you. So they will not check or be as carefully as they normally would be," Naruto said smirking even more, "As such I am sure I will be able to catch them off guard with some very good trap, giving us time to flee if we should have to."
"And if they don't show up we remove the traps and leave tomorrow morning?" Hinata said looking a slight bit more hopeful.
"Yep, in the mean time let's work on thinking of where to travel tomorrow. Okay?" Naruto said then asked getting a nod from Hinata. Smiling he went over to his pack and pulled out a large book getting a surprised look from Hinata at the size.
"What do you have there, Naruto?" Hinata asked noticing it did not have a title.
"A gift from the old man," Naruto said and opened it up revealing a large map of the Element Nations.
"An atlas?" Hinata asked.
"Yes but not a normal one either, this atlas was made with Jiraiya the Sannin knowledge, as well as hundreds of other Ninja. It is the most accurate of all the current maps including detailed maps of each village, town, and city," Naruto said looking over the large map of the nations carefully.
"Why did you get an Atlas like that from the Hokage?" Hinata asked confused and surprised.
"Well it is because maps always interested me as a kid, though I ended up using this for pranks. With the detailed maps it has of each village I could plan each of my pranks and escape routes without even being there other than to watch my next prank victim to find their routines." Naruto said blushing slightly at giving away this secret.
"Oh," Hinata said looking down at the book herself.
"Yep now anyway we need to pick a good place to go that is not close to the Land of Fire, but also big enough we could hide semi well." Naruto said sighing as he realized one big problem. None of the nations that could hide were truly safe.
The Land of Earth housed the Leaf Village greatest enemy thanks to the fourth Hokage. And if either Hinata or Naruto were found out they would be put through their paces and pumped for information. The Land of Wind while it housed the allies of the Leaf Village, the sand ninja. And were a semi good choose was also out. Gaara who had been beaten by Naruto was still not happy with him and said if he ever saw him again they would fight. Also Naruto very much doubt the sand ninja would give them shelter without expecting something in return.
His eyes trailed over and Land of water and knew right away that was a bad idea. Their currently leader hated blood lines making Hinata a prime target should they even pass the board of that land. And this left them with the Land of Lighting and lesser know nations like the Land of Snow. While the Land of Lighting after first glance he knew would be a bad idea. Like the Lands of Water and Earth they had the Leaf Village enemies though to a lesser extent, but they would likely be after Hinata's eyes. They loved blood lines as much as the Leaf village did, and were willing to kidnap for them.
Naruto sighed as he did not want to go to one of the lesser nations as they lacked places to hide well. And the ones that could hide them either did not have the power or where have political infighting that would likely either become full out fighting or already was.
"Naruto you there?" Hinata said poking Naruto trying to get his attention.
Naruto almost jumped as he was brought forcefully out of his thoughts, "huh what?"
"Naruto, have you figured out where to go yet?" Hinata asked.
"No not yet," Naruto said glancing down at the book again.
"But you have been thinking for nearly ten minutes, and Tsunami already brought in the food," Hinata said before point to the clock and table.
Naruto blinked in surprised and looked at the clock realizing what she said was indeed true. "So I have," Naruto said blinking before sitting down and thanking Tsunami for the food. He ate slowly as he though causing Hinata to stare at him a little bit in surprise, the Naruto she knew never ever thought this much let alone was this quiet and slow eating.
"Are you okay," Hinata asked getting Naruto's attention about half way through his plate of food.
"Yes why?" Naruto asked looking at Hinata.
"Y-y-you're barely touching your food, and a great deal quieter than normal." Hinata said looking away.
"It is because no nation I know of currently has what we need to live safely. They either lack the military might meaning we would stand out quickly as they are the ones that would help me. And the ones that currently have it are for the most part fighting among themselves meaning we would be drafted into fighting if we moved into those countries. As for the Great Ninja Nations none are really a great choose some for better reasons than others," Naruto said sighing.
"You are putting a lot more thought than normal into this," Hinata said blinking in surprise again.
"Yes I would agree Naruto, almost too much thought I think," Tsunami said as she sat down and ate a little bit of the snacks.
"Yes I know but I fear if we rush into this we will end up worse off than we are now," Naruto said sighing and looking up at the roof for a few moments.
"Maybe that is the problem," Tsunami said catching Naruto's and Hinata's attention.
"How so?" Naruto asked confused.
"As I said maybe you are indeed over thinking this. Remember back when I first met you, you went off your gut feeling and emotions, now while that was not the best thing to always get you through what you needed. And in the end led to where you are now. As such I think that your thoughts are these matters are only causing your fears and worries to grow." Tsunami explained.
"I guess it is possible," Naruto said blushing as he realized she might be right.
"No, I am sure that is what is going now. Now here think about the nations and tell me without thinking just using your gut feeling which you should go to." She said closing the atlas and moving it off to the side while Hinata and Naruto chuckled at the light joke.
"The Snow countries I guess," Naruto said after a half a second of thought.
"And why there," Tsunami asked.
"Because their battles are currently at a standstill with the rebels not doing anything currently," Naruto said blinking before smacking himself in the head, "Man I feel dumb now!"
Tsunami laughed lightly at this while Hinata giggled to herself, "Everyone does at one point in time. Now I will map out the route for you to take and no you may not help."
Naruto nodded, "Thank you Tsunami."
"Don't mention it; I owe you a great deal more, than dealing with this small problem. Just remember to get to bed after you are done eating as it is very late." Tsunami said smiling as she left the room with the atlas.
Naruto and Hinata nodded and soon finished their food. After this Naruto made a couple clones that would set up traps and watch the house for the night. And if anyone at all should get near the house they would wake him and Hinata. Then bedding down for the night in different rooms they were soon asleep.
The night thankfully came and went without a problem and they were awakened in the morning to the smell of breakfast being made. They both quickly got dressed and made their ways down from their own rooms and found Tsunami setting out the food on the table for them. As they sat down she smiled and greeted them before sitting down herself.
"So did you sleep well," she asked as they served themselves up breakfast.
"Yes," Both Naruto and Hinata said smiling before digging into their food.
"Good," Tsunami said smiling for she started eating as well. Not much was said until the food was gone and the plates had been cleaned off and the dished had been washed, After this Naruto and Hinata at once went up to their rooms and packed up the few things they had unpacked last night. Then coming back down to the door Tsunami handed back Naruto's atlas smiling.
"Here this is the route you should follow; I know it is not the safest route. But it should throw anyone following you off." Tsunami said handing them a piece of folded paper.
Naruto unfolded in and blinked at the route, "Why to the Land of Lighting?"
"Because our nation trades with that one so you get a direct route and once you are there you can either island hop across to the land of snow. Or you can work up the money and get a direct ticket to it," Tsunami said handing them Hinata two tickets, "These will cover the trip over the boat leaves in one hour. Now get going you two."
Naruto nodded and soon as he put away his atlas they were off and disappeared off into the distances. Tsunami smiled and went back into her house laughing lightly to herself as she set about cleaning up. She was going to be expecting some more guests she was sure soon if Naruto's worries were anything to go by. Nodding at her clean house she smiled and went into the kitchen checking to see if she had enough for 5 people, and laughed noticing she had more than enough.
She then walked and looked out the window at the direction Naruto and Hinata had left, "Thanks again Naruto. Because of you this land has indeed recovered, I hope you find a place to live on your journey."
( Hi Espo here.
I am not sure what you guy have agianst hinata. But i never said i was making NAruto get together with Hinata. So back off on that. Second reason i did it was i felt it would be something she would actaully do if she got up the nerve.
Now please review and no flames saying you don't like Hinata and NAruto together. The pairing is still undecided for this story and will remain that way until I decided otherwise!)