Team 7 was on a small bridge waiting for Kakashi to come with their mission. They were told to meet there in the morning, but of course Kakashi is late.
"Argh! I can't take this! Is this how it's always going to be?! We come at the time he arrange and then he shows up hours late!" Naruto yelled "I could have gotten an extra hour to sleep!"
Sasuke and Hinata were standing by him, quietly as they watched Naruto blow off some steam.
I knew this would be a regular thing for us Hinata thought as she sighs
Sasuke fold his arms as he leaned against the rail As much as it annoys me, I have to agree with the loser, I have no time to waste waiting for our unpunctual sensei he thought.
"We should do the same thing to him next time" Naruto said to his teammates.
Kakashi appears behind Naruto "Do what Naruto?"
It's strange how he comes at that very moment Hinata thought as she looked at her sensei. "G-Good morning Kakashi s-sensei" she greeted him.
Kakashi smiles through mask "Good morning to you too, everyone. Sorry I'm late but I was saving a kitten stuck in a tree."
"You liar!" Naruto yelled after he heard the lame excuse.
"Whatever" Sasuke sighs, tired of the meaningless subject "So what's our mission for today?"
"Well our mission is house renovation" Kakashi said
"H-House renovation? You m-mean we're fixing someone's house?" Hinata asked
"That's right, an old women have asked the hokage for ninja to fix up her house while she's away for a few days, but I'm sure we can get to job done by tonight" Kakashi explained
"Alright, let's do it" Naruto said with energy
Team 7 went to the house and saw the work that needed to be done. The windows were broken, the roof was falling apart, the grass reached their knees and the paint was old and tired out
"She lives in this dump?!" Naruto said shocked at the condition of the house
"N-Naruto t-that's rude, I-I'm sure she has a r-reason for this." Hinata said
"Remember that storm that happened a while back? Well this is the result of it. Her husband passed away years ago and her son is away on a long term mission, so there was no one to prepared the house for the storm." Kakashi explained
"So we're going to fix the roof and paint the house?" Sasuke asked
"And fix the windows and cut the grass" Kakashi added
"Aw man, this isn't a mission, this is chores! When are we going on a mission that's actually a real, real mission?!" Naruto asked
"When the hokage gives us one but for now, we do what is asked of us. So suck it up and let's get to work" Kakashi said
Naruto folds his arms and pouts "Fine, so what's first?"
"Well first she left us most of the supplies needed for the house, so let's get started with what we have" Kakashi said
Hinata sees a shed and went over to it, opens it and sees the supplies "I f-found them"
Kakashi comes to the shed and inspects the supplies "Looks like she left things for us to cut the grass and fix the windows, so we'll start with those two first. Naruto and I will handle the windows. Hinata, Sasuke, you two cut the grass"
Sasuke looks at Kakashi "Are you sure you want to trust Naruto with tools? He can barely use his ninja weapons" he asked
Naruto glares at Sasuke "I can use my ninja gear just fine, I can use them better than you, Sasuke! Just watch I'll have those windows done before you finish half of the grass!" Naruto yelled, grabbing the tools and runs back to the house. That is what he would have done, if Kakashi hadn't grab him by his collar. "You won't be doing nothing with the windows without my instruction. Stop getting ahead of yourself, Naruto" Kakashi said.
"Let go, I'll show Sasuke he's wrong " Naruto said struggling.
"N-Naruto, have you e-ever fixed a window?" Hinata asked her teammate
Naruto stopped struggling and looks at Hinata "No but that won't stop me" he said grinning
That's what worries me. How can someone fix a window if they've never fix one before?Hinata thought
Sasuke sighs and grabs one of the lawnmowers and gives it to Hinata then takes the grass cutter "Let's get this over with, Hinata"
Hinata takes the lawnmower, looking at Sasuke "A-Are you sure you w-want to use that? It may t-take a while with a grass cutter"
"I'll be fine with this, it won't take that long" Sasuke said as he walked back to the front of the house and start cutting.
Hinata nods, following Sasuke and starts mowing the other half of the lawn. Kakashi drags Naruto inside the house and they got to work on the windows. After a while, the windows and the grass were done. Naruto was arguing with his sensei about being slow.
"Kakashi-sensei, I wanted to finish before Sasuke but you wanted to follow your stupid instructions. I couldn't beat Sasuke this time!" Naruto said in a upset and annoyed tone
Kakashi hits Naruto upside the head "Think for a second Naruto, windows are tricky to fix and grass is easy to cut, of course it would take longer. If we didn't do it right, it would fall apart" Kakashi explained
"Even if that was the case, I know that if I was helping with the windows, we would have finished in less time than you did with Kakashi, loser" Sasuke said
Naruto glares and was about to pounce on Sasuke but Kakashi grabbed his collar again "Let me go, I'll show him who's boss" Naruto yelled as he struggled to reach Sasuke's neck
"Right now, I'm the boss of both of you and I say cut out the nonsense. We still have work to do" Kakashi said.
Hinata looked at her teammates and sighs I hope they'll put aside their rivalry during missions, this could be a problem with our teamwork she thought. Then she looked at Kakashi "W-What's next, sensei?"
Kakashi went back to the shed and looks through the rest of the supplies "Well the last things we need to do is paint the house and fix the roof. I don't think we have enough nails for the entire roof and she only left a note with the color she wants the house to be painted, so Naruto and I will get started on the roof with the nails we have so far, Hinata, you and Sasuke go into town and buy the paint and nails we need for the house"
Sasuke took the note and looks at it "Did she leave any money for us to buy the paint? I'm not spending my money for this. "
Kakashi sighs and looks at the house, pulling out his wallet and giving Sasuke the money "Buy at least 3 cans of paint, it's a small house, so 3 cans should be enough, oh and some paint brushes too"
"We'll b-be back soon" Hinata said as she went off with Sasuke.
Kakashi wave bye to them and turns to Naruto "Ok Naruto, let's get started on the roof"
As Naruto and Kakashi started fixing the roof, Sasuke and Hinata were in a store in the village where they sell supplies for home renovations. Sasuke had already gotten the nails and was with Hinata as she was finding the color their client wanted. "O-On the note, s-she said she wanted blue, b-but blue isn't just blue these d-days" Hinata said
Sasuke looks that what Hinata sees and sighs "What the hell is all this? Midnight blue, sky blue, baby blue?! I don't see a damn difference in the two" Sasuke said annoyed at the problem they have. "So what do you think, Hinata?"
The shade of the house was a green color, the paint color is old but the shade of it must have been a light Hinata thought "I-I think we should get a-a light blue color" she said
Sasuke nods "Ok ask for the color well I go to the bathroom,ok?" He said as he went to find the bathroom.
Hinata asked one of the employees for 3 cans of light blue paint and waited for them to get back with the cans. As she was waited, Hinata saw a blur of pink and looked closer, seeing it was Sakura. What is Sakura doing here?! Hinata thought
Sakura came into the store to buy some paint because her mom decided to repaint the kitchen. As she was looking for the paint, she saw Hinata and her eyes widen "Hinata?! What are you doing here?!" She asked
"O-Oh hi Sakura, I-I'm here on my mission" Hinata said
Sakura looked confused "You're standing in a house renovation store near paint session for your mission?"
Hinata shakes her head "N-No, I'm standing here because I'm w-waiting for the cans of paint I need and I'm a-also waiting here for Sasuke."
"Sasuke's here?!" Sakura said excited to see him
Maybe I shouldn't have told her that Hinata thought as she nods to Sakura.
This isn't fair at all! I should be the one here with Sasuke! I should have been the one to be on the same team as him! Sakura thought as she looked at Hinata but then got an idea.
Sakura smiles at Hinata "Hinata, we're friends, right?" She asked
I don't like where this is going "I-I guess so" Hinata said
"Great, so you'll be a great friend and switch teams with me, right?" Sakura askedhappily
"I-I beg your p-pardon?! W-Why would I-I do that?!" Hinata asked
Sakura pouts "You said you were my friend"
Hinata sighs and looks at Sakura "Sakura, t-the truth please?"
"Fine I have two reasons why I want to switch. One, I can't stand my teammates, one of them is so annoying, so wild and he smells like wet dog. I mean I like dogs as much as the next person but come on. And the other one is a bug user, A freakin bug user, I hate bug so much" Sakura complained
She must be talking about Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame Hinata thought as she remembers them from class. Kiba is the one with the little dog, Akamaru and Shino is the one with the interest of bugs.
"Two, Sasuke and I are meant to be together, so it's obvious we should be on the same team" Sakura explained
Last time I checked, Sasuke tries his best to keep his distances from you Hinata thought as she heard Sakura's second reason. "S-Sakura I can't do t-that and I-I won't do it" Hinata said
"What?! Why not?!" Sakura said annoyed
"Because we were put on these teams for a reason, remember? It was to balance the strength of each team" Hinata explained
"So? They were wrong, I know it!" Sakura said
"No, they weren't Sakura, they checked, remember?" Hinata asked as she remembered the day the teams were decided. She recalled how Sakura and most of the other girls in the class asked why they weren't pair with Sasuke. And how Iruka showed them exactly why but Sakura kept thinking it was a mistake.
Sakura was red with anger "They lied! I know I'm right for Sasuke's team!"Sakura shouted
"Right for who's team?" A voice came out of no where
Both Hinata and Sakura turned their heads to see Sasuke waking toward them. Sakura had hearts in her eyes "Sasuke!" She said as she attempted to give him a hug but he moved out of the way.
"What are you doing here, Sakura?" Sasuke asked
Sakura smiles at him "I came here to get something for my mom but then I saw Hinata and I had this great idea. The idea is that I could switch teams with-" but she was cut off by Sasuke.
"No." Sasuke simply said
Sakura's smile lessened "B-But I didn't get to finish my sentence"
"There's no point in finishing it when I know what you're going to say. You want to switch teams with Hinata and the answer is No" Sasuke said
Sakura stopped smiling as she heard him "B-But why Sasuke?"
"Sakura you already know why. Hinata is in our team because she strength balance mine and Naruto's strength" Sasuke explained
Sakura looks on the ground and sighs I can't believe he won't let us switch team. Does he really not want me on his team?! No I won't accept this. I'll just try again some other time she thought looking back up at Sasuke and smiles "Ok fine, I'll stop this time. But I've decided I'll help you with your mission"
Crap! I thought she would just leave after that. She so annoying! Sasuke thought as Sakura wrapped her arms around his.
Hinata looked at the both of them, Sasuke doesn't like Sakura but she's so persistent. Sasuke will be in a worse mood than he already is if Sakura comes with us, Hinata thought as she turned to see the cans of paint she asked for have arrived. She went and found the paintbrushes they need, after she went up to the cashier and paid for everything. "I-I got the supplies we n-need" Hinata told Sasuke.
"Good, now we can head back" He said as he tried to get Sakura to let go of him.
Sakura held him tight and smiles "Ok, let's go"
Hinata look back and forward at them "I-I'll just go on ahead" she said and started to walk ahead.
Sasuke watched her until she was out of sight. I can't believe she left me like this. Probably left so she can be with that loser. Damnit, why does that idea annoy me so much?! He thought as struggled against Sakura. He narrowed his eyes at her showing how annoyed he was. "Didn't you say you came here to buy something for your mom?" He asked
"Yeah, but I can just make up an excuse. If you ask me I think she's just doing it because she's bored" Sakura said smiling, ignoring the way Sasuke was looking at her
Sasuke sighed and was ready to push Sakura off when he saw Iruka come up to them. "Iruka, what are you doing here?" He asked his former teacher
Iruka smiled at his former students "Hello to you too Sasuke and to you as well Sakura. I was going for a nice walk when I came across your mother, Sakura"
"M-My mom? Did you talk to her Iruka-sensei?" She said
"Yes I did and she seems very annoyed at you for some reason. So I suggest you go back to her immediately" Iruka advised Sakura
Sakura looked at her sensei and back to Sasuke and sighs "I guess you're right, sensei" she said as she let go of Sasuke. "Ok I'm going to get what she needs and go home. I'll see you later, Sasuke. Try not to miss me too much!" She said as she blew a kiss and ran back into the store.
Sasuke sighs in relief and was about to leave when Iruka grabbed his arm and pulled him quickly into a space in between two buildings at was a short walking distance from the store Sasuke was just in.
"Iruka, what are you doing? Why did you-" Sasuke stooped as he saw bags of the painting supplies. That's the bags of supplies Hinata and I just brought. He thought as looked through the bags. If the bags are here and Iruka led me here, then that means he turned to see Iruka disappeared into the smoke and Hinata was standing where Iruka was.
Hinata looked at Sasuke and gives him a small smile "I-I'm glad m-my plan worked."
Sasuke looked impressed with Hinata. She used a transformation jutsu to transform into Iruka in order to get Sakura away from me. Sasuke thought, then picked up the supplies and turn to Hinata "Come on let's get back back to the house" he said as he began to walk back
Hinata nods and walks back with him. As they were walking, she tried to reach for one of the bags to carry but Sasuke pulled them closer to himself. "This is my way of thanking you for what you did for me back there" He said to her
"Oh I-It's nothing Sasuke, r-really I was j-just helping my teammate" She said to him. "Besides,You didn't seem too h-happy when she was h-holding onto y-you."
"That's because I wasn't. I'm tired of having girls screaming in my ear, fawning all over me, asking me to go on a date with them. They say that I'm shy when I just reject them, but I know they use that as an excuse to keep bothering me." Sasuke said
"Y-You don't seem bothered b-by that. I-I've always seen you walk away acting like it's no b-big deal" Hinata said
Sasuke stopped walking and looks at Hinata "A ninja should never show emotion. So I don't show mine"
Hinata looks back at Sasuke "Sasuke we maybe ninja, b-but we are a-also human. A-As humans, we show o-our emotions when w-we want to or when we need to. M-Maybe if you share y-your thoughts, I-It might help ease w-what you're feeling"
Sasuke listens to what Hinata said and looks on the ground that would be nice but who would I talk to? I can't talk to Kakashi, I don't trust him and the loser, forget it he'll just laugh at me. But maybe? he thought as he looked at Hinata "So if I need to vent my feelings, can I talk to you?" He asked Hinata
Hinata eyes widen as she heard him. He wants me to help him?! I can't believe it! She thought surprised at the request but smiled as she was happy to help "Y-Yes, w-what you say is just between y-you and me"
Sasuke looked at Hinata and for the first time truly smiles at her "Thank you, Hinata" he said then started walking again
Hinata's heart skipped a beat as she saw Sasuke smiled. She never saw him truly smile. Maybe smirk once twice but never a real smile. H-He has such a wonderful smile too she thought as she caught up with him to go and finish their mission.