Hey, hey!
So this chapter was fun to write. Especially the COD. I hope you enjoy it!
The Chunin exams started in three days. Thankfully team seven's sensei let them do some independent training their last week before the exams. Maybe his way of being NICE and finally giving them a mental break.
Honestly spending so much time with two people was more damaging to Naruto's mental than taking someone's life, or the smell of burning flesh. The second thing actually seemed to be therapeutic for him.
Maybe it wasn't spending time with people, because right now, Naruto and Sasuke got along pretty well. They've even talked about signing up for Anbu together. Sasuke taking Naruto's goal of being Hokage more serious. Naruto actually having heart to heart conversations with Sasuke about his brother Itachi.
It was just…Naruto couldn't understand Sakura. That bothered him a great deal and he couldn't TAKE it. The overly vivid teenage fan girl behavior. It was like, even as him and Sasuke started to let their guards down and tried to understand her. It all still circled around looks and being better than the other, for vein reasons.
In reality. Sakura was acting like a normal girl. Naruto got that. He wasn't ignorant in that aspect. Sakura was a normal teenage girl that decided she wanted to be a ninja. There was nothing wrong with that, but it wasn't something Naruto could related to at the moment. Considering his sights were focused on one person. Growing up with Hinata, and living in the Hyuga compound. They didn't do these teenage emotions. Hinata would get a tongue lashing from the Hyuga elders if she acted like Sakura.
Naruto didn't mind Sakura. He just felt like he couldn't get comfortable around her. If he let her too close, she took that as a sign to flirt with him. Do something that she feels will show she thought of him being attractive. Naruto picked up on this because he saw her do it to Sasuke all day. She wanted one of them. It was obvious to Naruto. She wanted to date one of the two strongest in her academy class.
Just thinking about team seven again, it made Naruto stressed. What better way to relieve stress than by doing a job. "Like. What am I supposed to do with this girl? Like I can't be legit friends with her. I already have a best friend. Ya know? There is no more open availability."
Naruto looked down at a brown haired man. Obito sent Naruto to handle this guy. Something about this man giving intel out about the Akatsuki. Right now, Naruto had the man lying on his back, on a rack, that was on the floor. The man's feet were tied to one end and his arms the other.
Aww, the rack. One of Naruto's favorite devices.
The rack was a long board that fit a full sized grown man. It wasn't meant to be comfortable and the ropes tied to his feet were connected to one lever, while the ropes tied to his hands were connected to the main lever. Each time the main lever was pulled, the man was stretched apart on both sides.
Naruto was near the main lever, that would stretch the man's body each time he pulled it. It didn't stretch him too much. Just a little each pull of the leveler. After about the 20th pull, the man was groaning in pain. Panic started to settle in his voice as he felt his body strain from the stretching..
This was Naruto's favorite part.
"Like I just want my team to be chill. For us to pass these exams and for me to do my own thing on the side. I just mind my own business. Ya know?"
He pulled the leveler again. Oh, that was a sharp cry right there. That was a good one!
"Like me and my girls goal…I mean me and my BEST FRIENDS goal, is to run this place. For me to be Hokage and for her to be my…trusted friend by my side. Like is that too much to ask? Fairy tale ending right? Text book." Naruto pulled the leveler again and smiled when he heard a bone pop out of place. It wasn't going to snap back in place either.
"I can't do that right now though. Sooo many people are in the way! Blocking our blessings! Ya know? My sensei. The Konoha council. Obito's fucking annoying ass. That freaking third Hokage never freaking retiring! Like, I wish it was as easy as it was when Hinata's dad got taken out. Or when I take out you jokers for Neji and Akatsuki…"
Naruto paused and blinked off in space as he pulled the leveler again. The sound of misery fueling his thinking gears to work in overdrive. "That's it. Fuck. Why didn't I ever think of that. You know. With age, I am getting smarter. Turning 14 has been good to me."
Naruto pulled the leveler again and heard a wet sound. Blinking curiously, he looked down to the stretched out body and saw the man's abdomen had started to rip open and his stomach was slipping out. Naruto squatted down to be eye level with the man and saw his eyes start to roll in the back of his head. On the verge of passing out and dying.
"So anyways. The council and third Hokage. I'm gonna kill them. You see, when Hinata's dad died. Life got so freaking easy for me and her. I see now. When people we don't like die. Life is not only more fun, but it's better." Naruto looked as the stomach content on the ground all come out with an audible wet smacking sound. Slowly, he looked back up at the now lifeless corpse. A dark smile gracing his face. "Everything starts to fall into place."
"So, you're telling me, one of the third Hokage's students that left the village and became a missing-nin. Plans on ruining the Chunin exams, and wants to kidnap Sasuke. To take his body? For the Sharingan? I don't get it. If this Orochimaru guy was already in Akatsuki before, why didn't he try taking your Sharingan? Or Itachi's?"
Naruto sat in Hiashi's former study room. He sat near the fireplace on the floor. The fire on a medium burn and Hinata lying on the floor in front of the fire. Her head resting on Naruto's lap and he was rubbing her head casually.
Neji was sitting at the desk. In a large leather brown chair. His feet propped up on the desk. He was looking up at Obito, as he was standing in front of Naruto and Hinata. The door to the study was closed and lately Obito has just been infiltrating the village on his own and coming to the Hyuga compound.
Naruto had looked at a layout of the village, and had mapped out a way for Obito to get through undetected. Coming through from one of Orochimaru's labs. It's been easier for Obito to come to them this way, compared to the possibility of Naruto's sensei casually catching Naruto going on a stroll.
Naruto had grew to like Kakashi. He really did. He didn't want to have to kill him. So the less Kakashi knew. The better.
The room was dark and the only light in there was from the fire. Obito eyes slid over to Naruto in an unbothered fashion and shrugged his shoulders. "Itachi was too strong. He didn't know who I was, and it would have been his end if he found out. Obviously he wants Sasuke because he's an easier target right now. Who cares? Let him have the kid. When the invasion hits. People will die. Protect your people if you must, but the Hokage needs to go. Don't try to save him."
Naruto went from pouting, to his eyes brightening up with excitement. Obito smirked at this, he knew this kid so well. "That got you happy I see." Naruto had grown to dislike the third Hokage, and Obito was using Naruto's distain for the man as leverage because he needed Konoha as weak as possible.
He also needed Naruto to leave this village. The young blonde was growing too strong. Too fast. Naruto was starting to achieve his hopes and dreams. Obito needed to nip this in the bud. He only trained Naruto for the purpose to slowly gain his trust, than eventually take him. Naruto had took the light training he learned from Obito though, and magnified it on his own personal time.
Obito also didn't know Naruto had been working independently with the nine tails. Only Neji and Hinata knew this. Surprisingly enough, neither told Obito. Well it wasn't surprising on Neji's end, but Hinata it was. She was very loyal to Obito. Looked up to him like he was her savior, and respected him.
She kept this away from Obito, because Naruto told her to. That he wanted to…surprise Obito.
Also, there was that annoying fact Naruto was on a team with Obito's old rival Kakashi. Made for things to be much more complicated. Naruto and Obito knew that Kakashi was no fool. He knew something was up in the Hyuga household, but for some reason, Naruto wasn't willing to kill the guy.
Why the hell was Kakashi so liked?!
This was a topic that always annoyed Obito, but he brushed it aside as he saw Naruto start to pout again. "What is it?"
Naruto shrugged his shoulders this time and looked down at Hinata. She had twisted in his lap and was now looking up at him. She knew what was wrong. Naruto had made a friend out of Sasuke.
She smiled at him and cuddled in his lap again. This brought a sincere smile to his face and finally Naruto looked back at Obito and clicked his tongue against his teeth. "You know. I bet having three Uchiha's for your grand scheme of things is better than just you. Having Sasuke in on all of this would make things easier for all of us."
Obito arched his eyebrow and looked at Naruto. "I have Itachi. The stronger of the two." Naruto shook his head and looked off to the side. "Yeah, but you said so yourself. Itachi was kind of forced to do what he did. Sasuke living was his number one concern. Itachi might not be all in your idea now, but I bet he would be if Sasuke went along with everything."
Naruto looked back at Obito and matched his stare. This just made Obito smirk, he was impressed, and at the same time annoyed. This kid was a pretty good strategist. He could make several back up plans to situations.
"You're already ruthless kid. The best murder for hire I've seen. You have Kakashi beat at this age. You're just behind on the ranking structure is all, and that's simply because Kakashi holds you back from testing out early. Either way, you're starting to pick up the trait of manipulation and plotting. Good."
Not good. Naruto was growing too independent. He was starting to not need Obito.
Naruto shook his head again. Downplaying the compliment, even though it was true. "No. I'm just cool with Sasuke is all. I don't want that weird Orochimaru guy to mess him up. Plus, do you know how annoying it'll be to have to deal with sensei and Sakura while they scrounge trying to help Sasuke if he did get attacked? I'll lose my mind. I just thought this would be a better alternative…for the grand plan. Ya know?"
Neji sat in the study chair in his relaxed position. He watched the exchange between Naruto and Obito and was rather taken back. The two were silently studying one another. There was a shift to how things usually went. Obito giving commands and training, while Naruto obediently listened and executed everything. That was nine year old Naruto, this was 14 year old Naruto.
This time Naruto had an opinion. A new idea. It wasn't a bad idea either. A rather good one. Having the younger Uchiha in on all of this would start to deter team seven's sensei. If Sasuke hung out with Naruto more, then Naruto wouldn't appear to be such a loner or sneaky. Sasuke could control Sakura. Her possibly connecting everything, and make it seem like she was more a part of the team.
In return. Sasuke would get power. He would get the truth, and he might just get a family member back.
Still. All of this wasn't what caught Neji's attention. It was Hinata. Silent, calculating, Hinata. Who was just lying comfortably on the floor. Her head nestled on Naruto's lap. How she paid attention to Obito as he spoke, but she was in Naruto's possession. Only going as far as Naruto would let her go.
Naruto was starting to take the control Obito had over Hinata.
Obito knew what Naruto offered was a good idea, and that annoyed him. This kid stayed on Obito's good and bad side. "Do as you wish. Don't die in the process and make sure that the third Hokage dies. Get it done."
After Obito left. They all went to bed and morning came before Naruto knew it. He sluggishly made his way out his bedroom and down the hall to shower. It was the day before the exams, and he had to find Sasuke to talk to him.
As Naruto was walking down the hall he walked by Hinata's room and her door was partially cracked open. His eyes automatically looked to ensure she was okay, and that's when he saw her. Hinata was already showered and dressed for her day, but she was looking in her mirror. Making a kissy face. Like she was teaching herself how to pucker her lips.
This made Naruto make a swift detour.
He knocked on Hinata's door and slid her door open without waiting for a reply. Hinata whipped around caught off guard and looked at Naruto with a heavy blush. "Yes?" She squeaked this, but Naruto didn't care about the awkwardness right now. He wanted a very good explanation for this.
"Why are you puckering your lips? Who are you trying to learn to kiss for?"
Her eyes widened and Hinata looked at Naruto a bit offended. "I-I-I was…I-I was not-"
"Don't lie to me Hinata. Be honest with me. I promise I won't get upset." He was lying. He would lose his fucking marbles.
The situation right now was so bizarre and uncomfortable for Hinata. She puffed her cheeks and stomped her bare foot on the floor. "Naruto-kun. I-I-It's just not fair." She placed her hands behind her back and that's when Naruto realized she was wearing a teal colored kimono today. So cute.
"Ino, she has kissed a boy. S-Sakura has said she h-has kissed one too. All the girls I know sit around in the bathhouse and talk about these things, and they tell me I am too inexperienced to h-hear these things. I…I feel like they are making fun of the fact my clan duties come before kissing."
Naruto blinked at the confession and scratched the back of his head. "Well Sakura's a damn lie. That's for sure."
Hinata's hands were still behind her back, but her eyelids lowered to a stare that even Naruto thought was intimidating. He knew that look by now. He's learned from months ago when team eight and seven had that team meet. That was Hinata's look of jealousy.
Naruto tilted his head and a playful grin covered his face. "I've never kissed anyone either. I've been too busy trying to be something in life. How about we teach each other?"
Hinata's face heated up and she adverted her eyes from him. Kissing her best friend? Naruto? Now that just gave her goosebumps. "I would like that, but Naruto wouldn't that be crossing-"
"Nope. We're still best friends. Don't you worry yourself over that Hinata. Let me go shower and we can head out to find Sasuke and practice along the way."
Naruto knew what he was doing by offering this. Yet at the same time he didn't. He didn't know crossing this line would sink him further in the insanity pool. He didn't know by doing this his possessiveness over Hinata would flourish to something dangerous.
He did know if he did this, it might just show Hinata he could be more than her best friend. That she could start looking at him differently.
Or this could make things ten times worse and make the both of them confused and go crazy.
That one sounded about right. Naruto was setting himself up just as much as he was setting Hinata up. The joys of being a ninja stuck in a teenagers body.
When Naruto was all clean and dressed, Hinata was waiting for him outside the compound. Naruto caught her looking up at the clear blue sky with a content facial expression. Only Hinata could feel no danger when they were about to start a very dangerous quest in their lives. The Chunin exams and passing it. Orochimaru. Surviving. Yet, here she was, with her head in the clouds. Not a care in the world.
The image actually made his chest feel warm. He wanted to preserve this innocence in Hinata. Yet, at the same time, he didn't want to share her like this. Naruto didn't want the world to see the beauty of Hinata. They might try to take her from him. Naruto wanted to keep Hinata, and everything about her, all to himself.
The Tennan wanted to take the feathered kimono from the Tennyo. He wanted her to not fly away from him.
He would do this too.
Naruto approached Hinata and she barely had time to look over at him to register what he was doing. He cupped Hinata's soft cheeks and pulled her to his lips. He gave her a big, full kiss. No tongue or anything, but he had tilted his head so they both could feel the full affect.
He wanted to make sure he was her first kiss. He wanted to steal that precious experience from Hinata. He wanted to steal all her precious experiences. Starting with this. At the same time, without Naruto thinking about it, he was giving Hinata all his first experiences as well.
Hinata had gripped his kimono. To catch her bearing and to get a grasps on what exactly was happening. Naruto wanted to teach her now?! At this very second? He always kept his word when he told her something and he jumped right into it. He must have felt awful that she was being teased by the girls, and really wanted her to have this experience and moment, on how it feels to kiss someone.
If felt nice. Naruto's lips were very soft. Even though he could sometimes talk foul and cruel. His lips were soft and made her forget about those mean traits. It made her want to smile actually. It made her feel happy and safe. Naruto always made her feel these emotions.
Naruto always made her feel happy. He was such a good…person. A good friend? Her best friend?
This was all normal. Right? For friends to experiment with each other.
Naruto pulled away and pecked Hinata's cherry lips three more times before he concluded that was enough. He wanted to conflict Hinata more than himself. He didn't want to become too obsessed too soon. Well, that's what he kept telling himself. "Was that fine?"
Hinata was still gripping Naruto, but caught herself and nervously smiled at him as she straightened out his clothing. "Y-Yes. Thank you. I…I-I"
Naruto held her hands that were still holding his clothing near his chest. Hinata was nervous. She looked a little lost, and Naruto could see she was emotionally taking a dive. Questioning everything at this very moment. He knew how Hinata thought, and how she had the tendency to overthink. Become a nervous reck.
Perfect.
"It's okay Hinata! Any time you need more practice, just come to me. Only me though. Okay?" He flashed her that bright smile that she loved and squeezed her hands. This calmed her nerves. He calmed her nerves.
Hinata smiled at Naruto and nodded her head. Finding comfort and resolution with his words. "Okay Naruto-kun."
Naruto smiled and the two headed to complete their side quest mission. To find Sasuke.
Which wasn't hard. Sasuke was a typical person. It was the day before the Chunin exams. Sasuke was home resting his body. Making sure he was mentally and physically prepared. So, to hear Naruto banging on his front door was slightly annoyed. Considering he told Naruto not to bother him today. "This better be important."
Sasuke looked at Naruto and side glanced Hinata. Why was she here? Why did she always have this hollow look on her face. Like if you could see through her eyes you would see a graveyard or something. For the most part, Hinata kept her distance from team seven. She stayed glued to her team and didn't talk to him and rarely spoke to Sakura.
That being said, the little times Sasuke has been around Hinata. He could tell she was…different. Odd. She could function, and obviously wasn't too far disconnected with the real world that she couldn't be seen as Hyuga clan heiress.
It was just, she wasn't in tune with emotions. She smiled, but for the most part, it was empty. Unless directed to Naruto. When her eyes made contact with you, it could be nerve wracking. Just because it was so void, and even though she had this innocent aura about her. Sasuke could feel the cold breeze she carried with her.
Sasuke concluded that this Hinata girl wasn't really what she portrayed. Which fit perfectly with Naruto.
Sasuke has never seen her disrespected by anyone in her clan either. Or heard people bad mouth her. Her cousin was a well known shinobi. Rising through the ranks and very intimidating, and yet Neji respected Hinata greatly. Something about her made Sasuke uneased.
Something about Naruto and Hinata together. Made things seem dangerous.
Naruto grinned at Sasuke. Watching as Sasuke studied Hinata. Confused by her presence and just how Hinata was naturally. "Can we come in? It's a bit important."
Red flags. Big red flags Sasuke.
Sasuke looked at Naruto and knew that grin. He immediately knew nothing good was going to come from this conversation and he almost felt like he should have his guard up. Yet, he still let them in. He still shut the door behind them, and he still locked his door. "Is this when you finally tell me you're responsible for all those murders."
Naruto looked at Sasuke and his eyes lit up. He chuckled as he tilted his head and leaned on the back of Sasuke's couch. Sasuke kept his eyes on Naruto, and he was smart to do so. "I'm sure I don't have to admit it to you Sasuke. Makes me a bit nervous though. If you know, then I'm sure our sensei knows something."
Sasuke shrugged his shoulders, but shook his head. "Maybe. I doubt it though. The Chunin exams being so close, he's just as busy as us. Plus, for some reason I feel like even if Kakashi has figured it out, or has gotten close to figuring it out. Your Hyuga friend here, with her name alone, has probably made a lot of things disappear. That's why you're here now. Right?"
Naruto crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Hinata amused. "Is he right Nata? You've been cleaning up my mess when I get sloppy?"
Hinata didn't answer. She just looked at Naruto and gave him a genuine smile.
Just the warmth that smile had in it. Naruto wanted to touch her. To pull her into a hug and to close his eyes. He wanted to get lost in that affection Hinata was always offering him. That was for another time though.
Hinata and Naruto both turned to look back at Sasuke. Naruto scratching the back of his head. "That's not what we came here for. It's nice to know you're already in the loop though. Kind of. You see. I know a lot about you Sasuke, and I'll let you marinate on that."
Sasuke's eyes immediately snapped over to Hinata when she activated her Byakugan. His eyes activating his Sharingan in retaliation. Sasuke stepping back and Naruto stepping forward. "You know about the massacre? What do you know?"
"Relax Sasuke. I just want to talk to you." Naruto stepped forward and Sasuke kept stepping back to his front door like he was going to run out if Naruto said the wrong thing. However a shadow clone emerges behind Sasuke and held him in a bear hug. "Stop freaking out Sasuke. I hate when you get stuck in your head and start acting like an ass."
"You're a serial killer Naruto. How the hell else do you expect me to act?!" Sasuke grunted as he found himself to be stuck at the moment. Unless he really wanted to turn this into a full on fight. "Now you tell me you know about my family's death. How do you expect me to react?!"
Naruto clicked his tongue against his teeth as he let out a frustrated sigh. "Look. I don't know EVERYTHING. I just know you and Itachi aren't the only two Uchiha's left. I know there was another guy there with your brother that night…and I kind of work for that guy."
"YOU WHAT?!" Sasuke looked absolutely psychotic right now. Naruto thought he looked pretty cool.
"Yeah look. Your brother killed your clan because some people from Konoha told him to do it. It was a lot of politics, that I'm not very good at explaining, behind it all. Itachi agreed to do it if it meant you didn't die. Well, that's what I was told. He did this so our wonderful village spared you. As a thank you, I guess. I don't know, it's really weird. Itachi was sent to that weird terrorist organization we've been hearing about lately. Akatsuki. He's kind of a spy there though. For Konoha. Ya know? The leader of Akatsuki knows though. He's not stupid. That being said, really you have nothing to do with that. There are more important things to talk about."
Sasuke looked at Naruto like he was nuts. This had everything to do with him. "Naruto. You better be making a point soon." Naruto loved to ramble, a trait that annoyed Sasuke.
Naruto waved his hand at Sasuke. He was getting to the point! "My boss man. He tells me there is a weird, but super fucking strong legendary sannin after you Sasuke. For your Sharingan, and body, because he couldn't take Itachi's. I guess he's some body snatcher. Anyways, your brother was too strong. So he's going to ruin the Chunin exams at some point and attack you. Now, I was given orders to let you get demolished and possibly killed. Have this sannin possess your body, or whatever insane, creepy thing he had planned. I just figured there was a better option. You're cool Sasuke, and I feel like, I don't know, if you work with me. I could get you to your brother a lot faster. You two can fight or talk it out. Whatever you want. That other Uchiha, my boss, he can make you strong too. That's what you want right?"
"That is what he wants. His heart jumped when you said that Naruto-kun." Sasuke looked at Hinata and finally realized why she activated her Byakugan. Naruto grinned at this and tilted his head. "Me and you Sasuke. You know we're different than the others. Just work with me. It'll be incredibly boring if that sannin gets to you. I rather you not die."
Sasuke finally calmed down his breathing and kept his eyes on Naruto. "Someone has to die though. You're working for a terrorist organization. You've been doing murders for them. They give you intel and you give them intel. Your 'boss' is letting you keep me alive, so who has to die?"
Naruto rolled his eyes at this and frowned at Sasuke. "Our Hokage." He stopped Sasuke from talking by holding his hand up, because he could immediately see Sasuke wasn't for this. "Look Sasuke-"
"Uchiha-san." Naruto paused and arched his eyebrow as he looked at Hinata. She was frowning and now had her hands tucked inside her kimono sleeves. The Hyuga leader was coming out of Hinata, not the girl he kissed earlier. The warming aura she had before had faded away and that cold chill was obvious now.
Sasuke looked at Hinata and matched her frown. "You don't think the murder of the Hokage is crossing the line?"
Hinata raised her head slightly and took a step towards Sasuke. Her Byakugan still active. "No. Uchiha-san. Understand that I do not care about the third Hokage. I do not care about the Konoha council, and I do not care about this threat against your life. Naruto-kun cares. He cares about you. He cares about this village, that imprisoned the nine tail demon fox in him. He cares about a village that took his rightful name as Naruto Namikaze from him and left him as Naruto Uzumaki, the orphan. You are not the only person here in pain Uchiha-san. Will you be by Naruto-kun's side, or will you be next."
Naruto's eyes widened when Hinata said that last bit. His adrenaline spiked and a smile appeared on his face. She made her first deadly threat. All for him. This was so romantic!
Sasuke eyed Hinata. Soaking in all her words and processing everything. He then looked at Naruto and saw the love-sick, goofy smile on his face. These two were nuts. Dangerous and bat shit crazy. "Naruto. You still want to run this place? Join Anbu and become Hokage?"
Naruto snapped out his daze and grinned at Sasuke. "Of course." Sasuke nodded his head as he finally made his decision. "Fine. I'm in. You make sure that sannin doesn't touch me though."
This Chunin exams were going to be one for the books.
End of chapter.
So cause of death this chapter is called The Rack. It was fun to write Naruto using this.
Also, as you can see, there is a power shift between Naruto and Obito going on. Looking at it this way, Obito only really has Pain as a power move in Akatsuki right now. His 'trusted' Zetsu is gone early on. So, Obito is kind of replacing Zetsu with Naruto.
Naruto is still as manipulative as they come in this chapter in regard to Hinata. However, he doesn't see what traps he is falling in either. Sasuke sees the darkness that's in Naruto, also in Hinata. So stay tuned for Hinata's manipulation chapter.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter! See you next Saturday!
