Chapter 8: Three-way deadlock
The sun filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled light over the forest floor. A light breeze rustled the leaves as Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Hinata stood in a small clearing. Naruto was a few steps ahead of the others, bouncing on the balls of his feet with a wide grin plastered across his face.
Sakura crossed her arms, her expression a mix of curiosity and mild annoyance. "Alright, Naruto," she sighed. "Go ahead and show us what's so important that you had to drag us out here."
Naruto flashed a confident smile. "Oh, trust me, you're gonna be impressed." He took a deep breath, reaching into his pouch to pull out a marked kunai. "Just watch!"
With a quick flick of his wrist, Naruto tossed the kunai toward a distant tree. It flew through the air, embedding itself in the bark with a soft thud.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Is that it?" he muttered, folding his arms.
Before anyone could blink, Naruto vanished from his spot, reappearing beside the tree, his hand already gripping the kunai.
He turned back to his friends, a wide grin on his face, waiting for their reaction.
Silence.
Sasuke folded his arms. "That was… anticlimactic."
Naruto's smile faltered. "Huh? What do you mean, anticlimactic?"
"It was lame as hell, that's what I meant, definitely not worth all the pestering you subjected to ever since you got back." Sasuke replied in a disappointed tone.
Before Naruto could protest, Hinata spoke up, her voice gentle but full of admiration. "I think it was impressive," she said softly. "That was the Fourth Hokage's jutsu, wasn't it?"
Naruto's expression brightened instantly. "Yeah! It's the Flying Raijin. My dad's jutsu." he exclaimed, his chest puffing with pride. "It means a lot to me to be able to learn it."
Hinata smiled warmly, her eyes soft. "It's incredible… Minato-sama would be very proud of you, Naruto."
Naruto's heart swelled at her words. "Thanks, Hinata," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude.
Sakura rolled her eyes, cutting through the moment. "Alright, alright lovebirds," she interjected, her tone teasing. "Can we go home now, or do you have more amazing, never-before-seen tricks up your sleeve?"
Naruto blinked, snapping out of his trance. Hinata meanwhile blushed deeply, bowing her head, her face a shade of pink.
"No way!" Naruto shook his head, refocusing. "We're not going anywhere until I beat Sasuke."
Sasuke let out a sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Why are you so bent on fighting me, Naruto? You already know how it's going to end."
Sakura nodded in agreement. "Sasuke has more experience, Naruto. It's not exactly a fair fight."
Naruto scoffed, waving off their comments. "Please, Sasuke only got his name by beating washed-up has-beens. He's a fraud."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly, his irritation clear. "Watch your mouth, Naruto. You might regret saying that."
"Or what?" Naruto challenged, stepping forward. "You'll stop pussying around and finally accept my challenge? Come on, Sasuke, your girl's watching," he teased.
Sasuke rolled his eyes, giving in. "Fine, but let's make it quick. I don't have all day."
Before the two boys could square off, Sakura stepped forward. "Actually, I don't want to watch. I'm joining too," she declared, her eyes flashing with determination.
Naruto looked her up and down, dismissing her with a wave. "That's cute but you should probably sit this one out, Sakura. The adults are talking."
Sakura rolled her eyes again, forming a series of hand seals.
[Wood Style: Wooden Barrier]
With a grunt, she slammed her hands down. Thick wooden pillars erupted from the ground, forming a protective barrier around the clearing.
Naruto's jaw dropped. "Wha—how can you do that?!"
Sakura gave him a quizzical look. "I'm half-Senju. My mom's side, remember?"
Naruto blinked, still processing. "Wait… so you and Tsunade…?"
Sakura sighed, clearly frustrated by his ignorance. "Barely, but yes, Naruto. Why do you think Tsunade was so insistent on training me personally? I have the Wood Style kekkei genkai, but I haven't mastered it yet."
Naruto scratched his head, muttering under his breath. "I guess… I never really thought about it."
"I've told you like a million times, you just keep forgetting," Sakura groaned, her frustration beginning to show. "It's no secret that I'm 'special' Naruto."
Sasuke chuckled, a proud smile on his face. "See, idiot? You're not the only one who's been training hard over the years."
Naruto huffed, crossing his arms. "Fine! But don't think your little weeds and flowers are gonna help you here," he shot back, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "Let's make this interesting—a four-way free-for-all!"
Hinata immediately backed away, shaking her head. "Oh… no, I'm not sure I want to be a part of this."
Naruto pouted, stepping closer. "Aw, come on, Hinata."
Hinata smiled softly but stood her ground. "No, Naruto. I'm not in the mood today."
Sasuke nodded. "It's fine, Naruto. If Hinata doesn't feel like it, the three of us can spar."
Hinata gave Naruto a warm look. "I'll watch from the sidelines… and I'll be cheering for you, Naruto. I know you've grown a lot stronger."
Naruto's cheeks flushed a light pink, and he stammered, "Th-Thanks, Hinata. I won't let you down!"
The three shinobi moved to form a wide circle, tension rising in the air as they prepared for the spar. Sakura stretched her arms, her expression serious. "Remember, guys, we'll be going on missions soon. This might be the last time we get to spar like this for a while."
Sasuke nodded, his eyes fixed on Naruto. "Let's make it memorable. And Naruto, try not to mess up in front of your fan."
Naruto scoffed, his grin returning. "Oh, I'm gonna enjoy beating both of you!"
And with that, the air grew tense with anticipation, the clearing buzzing with the promise of a fierce battle.
The afternoon sun cast its golden glow across the training grounds just outside the Hidden Leaf Village. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the surrounding trees, but within the clearing, a tension simmered, promising the storm to come.
Naruto Uzumaki stood at one edge of the field, a broad grin stretched across his face. His bright orange jumpsuit stood in stark contrast to the greens and browns of the forest. His blue eyes gleamed with excitement, and his fingers twitched, already eager for action.
"Alright, you two," Naruto called out, his voice tinged with playful challenge. "Let's see what you've got! I'm not holding back."
Opposite him, Sasuke Uchiha's dark eyes narrowed, the three tomoe of his Sharingan spinning lazily as he assessed his two friends. His stance was relaxed but alert. "Don't get too cocky, idiot," Sasuke replied with a smirk. "I'm not planning on going easy, either."
Between them, Sakura Haruno stood calmly, her hands raised in a loose, defensive stance. Her vibrant pink hair was tied back, and her emerald eyes flickered from one teammate to the other. She could feel the familiar surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins, but her face remained composed. "Remember," she said, her voice steady and commanding, "this is a sparring match. We're here to improve, not kill each other."
She paused, turning to Sasuke. "Which means no sword for you."
Naruto chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, we know that, Sakura. But don't think I'm gonna let you have it easy just because it's you!"
Sakura's lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. I'd be insulted if you did."
With that, the tension snapped. Naruto moved first, darting forward with incredible speed, leaving a trail of dust in his wake. He formed a Rasengan in his right hand, its blue orb spinning rapidly, a whirling vortex of power.
Sasuke's Sharingan followed every movement, analyzing, predicting. He sidestepped Naruto's charge, pivoting on his heel and facing his approaching teammate.
[Chidori Senbon]
A flurry of lightning-imbued needles burst from his hand, racing toward Naruto.
Naruto saw the attack coming and immediately flipped backward, twisting his body mid-air to dodge the lightning needles.
"Nice try, Sasuke!" he shouted, landing lightly on his feet. "But you'll need to do better than that!"
Sakura took advantage of the brief exchange. She formed a quick series of hand signs and slammed her palms to the ground.
[Wood Style: Great Forest Technique]
Immediately, thick wooden tendrils erupted from the earth, snaking towards both Naruto and Sasuke.
Sasuke leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the creeping vines. Naruto, however, grinned and vanished instantly, reappearing behind Sasuke using the Flying Raijin.
"Shit!" Sasuke cursed in his mind, seeing Naruto about to launch a Rasengan into his back.
[Chidori]
In the nick of time he turned, thrusting his hand forward with a crackling Chidori.
The Rasengan and Chidori met in a violent clash, energy crackling and sparking between the two shinobi. The ground beneath them cracked and split, debris flying in all directions.
Sakura watched their battle with sharp eyes, her mind working rapidly. "They're distracted... Now's my chance."
She focused intently, feeling her body surge with the potent natural energy around her. Her skin tingled as she entered Sage mode, a faint layer of acid chakra coating her body as her eyes turned pure black.
Without hesitation, Sakura charged forward, her speed and strength magnified by her sage abilities. She aimed a powerful punch at Naruto, who barely managed to flicker away with Flying Raijin, landing several yards away with a surprised look on his face. "Whoa, Sakura! What happened to you?"
Sasuke took a moment to reposition, his Sharingan catching the subtle changes in Sakura's chakra. "So, you're using Sage Mode already, huh?" he muttered. "I guess I should get serious."
He flashed through a series of hand signs, inhaling deeply.
[Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu]
A massive orb of fire exploded from his mouth, roaring toward Sakura with fierce intensity.
Sakura didn't flinch. Instead, she slammed her hand on the ground, quickly creating a wooden barrier that blocked the fireball.
Sakura caught movement at her side and noticed Naruto trying to get her while she was focused on Sasuke. "Not so fast..."
[Sage art: Acid Breath]
She countered, releasing a corrosive mist that hissed towards Naruto.
"Shit, I need to act fast!" Naruto thought, quickly placing his hands together.
[Wind style: Breakthrough]
A gust of wind pulsed from him, intercepting Sakura's acid mist. The two attacks collided, creating a thick steam that filled the clearing, obscuring their vision.
Naruto, taking advantage of the distraction, moved quickly, forming several shadow clones. "Let's see how you handle this!" he yelled.
The clones fanned out, each forming a Rasengan, and they charged toward both Sakura and Sasuke.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and he pivoted, dispatching two clones with a swift Chidori Lance, the elongated spear of lightning slicing through the air.
Meanwhile, Sakura ducked and weaved, her acid-coated fists cutting through the clones like paper. She moved with fluid grace, her body a blur as she dodged and countered, her enhanced strength sending clones flying with each strike.
But Naruto wasn't done. From the thick steam, he emerged again, this time with a Rasenshuriken spinning furiously in his hand. "Incoming!" he shouted, hurling it toward Sakura.
Sakura's eyes widened, but she reacted swiftly.
[Wood Style: Wood Locking Wall]
A thick wall of wood shot up in front of her, absorbing the impact of the Rasenshuriken, though the force of the explosion sent shockwaves through the area, shaking the ground beneath her feet.
She gritted her teeth. "I have to finish this quickly…" she thought. Gathering more natural energy, she charged at Sasuke, who was waiting for her with a calm, focused expression.
He sidestepped her first punch and countered with a swift kick, but his foot merely glanced off her acid-coated body, the chakra burning his skin.
Sasuke hissed in pain and jumped back, but Sakura was relentless, pressing her advantage with a flurry of punches.
Sasuke dodged and weaved, using his Sharingan to predict her movements, but even he was finding it difficult to keep up. "I can't hit her…" he muttered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Seeing a chance, Sasuke successfully landed a genjutsu on his girlfriend, but it didn't last long, Sakura broke out of it before he could really take advantage of her immobilized state.
She swung her hand at him, backhanding him across the terrain. Sasuke landed hard, skidding along the grass until he came to a stop.
"Ow, ow...that burns.." he groaned through gritted teeth, realizing her acid cloak had burnt his skin through his shirt.
At that moment, a Kunai pinned itself in the ground near Sasuke, and Naruto suddenly appeared beside him, breathing heavily. "It might sound like a dirty play, but I suggest we team up on Sakura."
Sasuke hesitated for a moment, but then he nodded in agreement. "Agreed. Follow my lead."
Up in her vantage point, Hinata observed the battle, her eyes wide in amazement. "They're amazing," she said, watching on in admiration. "What are Naruto and Sasuke up to?" She wondered, noticing the two of them weren't attacking each other.
In the distance, Sakura studied them carefully, deep in thought. "I won't last much longer in Sage mode, if I run out of nature energy, I'll lose my biggest advantage..."
After devising a quick plan, Naruto and Sasuke moved in perfect sync. Sasuke darted in close, using his Chidori Stream to create a barrier of lightning around him while Naruto launched a Rasenshuriken towards her to keep her on her toes.
"What?! You can't double-team me!" Sakura called out, enraged. "That's not fair!"
"War's never fair, Sakura!" Naruto laughed mischievously, launching a barrage of kunai marked with the Flying Raijin seal towards her.
"We're not at war you dumbass!" Sakura yelled, dodging the kunai, but as she did, Naruto teleported directly in front of her, swinging a Rasengan at point-blank range.
Sakura raised her arms, absorbing the blow with her forearms. The Rasengan fizzled slightly against her acidic aura, and she grinned. "Nice try, Naruto, but you're gonna have to hit harder than that!"
Meanwhile Sasuke was already moving, forming hand seals.
[Chidori Senbon]
He unleashed a barrage of tiny, sharp needles of lightning. Sakura spun, dodging some but taking a few hits to her side. Her acid chakra melted them almost instantly, but she felt the electric sting.
"Looks like they're taking me seriously," she muttered. "Heads up!" Sakura called out, alerting them to her next move.
[Sage art: Venom cutter]
She took a deep breath and exhaled, sending out a high-pressure jet of acid in a wide arc toward both of them.
Naruto and Sasuke separated, dodging the venomous jet, but Sakura didn't let up. She rushed at Naruto, her fists a blur. Each punch bore sufficient force in it.
Naruto struggled to keep up, dodging some blows but getting grazed by others. Every touch burned, and he could feel his energy draining.
Sasuke suddenly flickered behind Sakura, his hand crackling with electricity. "Now!" he shouted.
Understanding Sasuke's plan, Naruto grinned, using Flying Raijin to teleport to the side of Sakura. They were going to attack her at the same time.
"Gotcha!"
But Sakura was ready. She twisted her body with great speed, catching Naruto off guard with a powerful punch that sent him flying into a tree. The impact was so fierce that the trunk splintered.
In the nearby tree, Hinata's heart skipped a beat as she watched Naruto crash into the tree. "That looked painful..." She whispered, fearing for his safety.
Back in the clearing, Sakura watched Naruto slice through the air triumphantly. But suddenly, she could feel her energy begin to drain as her features returned to normal.
"No! I've run out of nature energy!"
Eyes wide with worry, she tried to respond to Sasuke, who was still a threat.
But before Sakura could catch her breath, Sasuke was upon her, moving like a shadow. His Chidori was aimed straight for her back. For a moment, Sakura felt the surge of electricity behind her, the air humming with danger.
But then… nothing.
She glanced over her shoulder and saw Sasuke standing there, his hand placed gently on her back, the Chidori dissipating harmlessly. He was smiling faintly. "Checkmate," he said softly.
Sakura blinked, surprised, and then let out a small laugh, her shoulders relaxing. "You held back at the last second," she teased. "Afraid of hurting me?"
Naruto groaned from his position against the tree. "Jeez, you two… always leaving me out of things."
He gestured at their feet, and his teammates looked down to find two of his marked Kunai pinned in the ground near them.
"I had the last laugh, so I win." Naruto declared with a proud smile.
Sasuke shrugged, retracting his hand. "Let's call it a draw?"
Sakura nodded. "Agreed. We all pushed each other hard today."
Naruto stood up, brushing off the dirt and grinning. "Yeah, but next time, I'm definitely winning!"
The three friends laughed, the sound carrying through the trees. The battle had been fierce, but their bond had only grown stronger.
2 days later...
The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple as Naruto and Hinata walked side by side down a quiet street in Konoha. The evening air was cool, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves in the trees lining the path. Hinata had just finished her duties for the day, and Naruto had insisted on walking her home.
"So… how was your mission today?" Naruto asked, hands casually tucked behind his head as they strolled.
Hinata smiled, her dark eyes softening. "It went well. We were just helping with some supply routes to the outer villages… nothing too dangerous."
Naruto chuckled. "Sounds like a walk in the park for you, Hinata."
Hinata's cheeks flushed slightly at his words. "W-Well, it's important work," she replied modestly, her gaze briefly turning to the ground. "And it gave me a chance to… practice some new techniques."
Naruto grinned. "New techniques, huh? I'd love to see them sometime," he said, his voice full of genuine interest.
Hinata glanced up at him, her lips curling into a soft smile. "I'd be happy to show you," she said, her voice quiet but sincere.
As they continued their conversation, Naruto found himself stealing glances at her. Hinata hadn't changed much since he'd last seen her all those years ago. She was still kind and gentle, with that unwavering determination he had always admired. But now, there was something more. She had grown more beautiful in his eyes, and he couldn't help but notice how her hair framed her face or how her eyes sparkled when she laughed at his jokes.
His mind drifted back to Sakura's encouragement a few days ago. "Just ask her out, Naruto. What's the worst that could happen?" The thought made him nervous, and he felt his palms begin to sweat. But as Hinata laughed at another one of his stories, he found himself considering it more seriously.
"Naruto?" Hinata asked, breaking through his thoughts.
"Huh?" Naruto blinked, realizing he had been staring. "Oh, sorry! I was… just thinking."
Hinata tilted her head slightly. "About what?"
Naruto hesitated for a moment, feeling his heart beat a little faster. "Just… about how you're always so supportive," he said, trying to sound casual. "It's nice."
Hinata's blush deepened, but she smiled softly. "Thank you, Naruto. That means a lot coming from you."
They continued walking, and Naruto felt a wave of determination wash over him. "Alright… now or never…"
As they neared Kurenai's house, Naruto took a deep breath and finally spoke up. "Hey, Hinata?"
"Yes?" she turned to him, her expression curious.
He paused, feeling his nerves flare up. "I was wondering… would you… would you like to have dinner with me sometime?"
Hinata blinked, caught a little off guard. "Dinner? Of course, I'd love to—"
"Just the two of us," Naruto quickly added, cutting her off, his voice a bit rushed. "I mean… like…"
Hinata looked at him, confused. "Like… a date?"
Naruto's face turned bright red. "Y-Yeah," he stammered, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "I… I was trying to ask you out on a date."
Hinata's eyes widened, and she remained silent for a moment, processing his words. Naruto felt a lump form in his throat, worried he had made her uncomfortable.
"I mean… it's okay if you don't want to go," Naruto quickly added, his voice stumbling over his words. "I just… I really like you, Hinata. I thought… I thought I'd give it a shot."
Hinata paused, her heart racing as she digested what he said. Naruto's eyes darted nervously as he braced himself for her response, his heart pounding in his chest.
Finally, to his surprise, Hinata nodded. "I… I'd like that, Naruto," she whispered softly.
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"
Hinata smiled, a warm blush spreading across her cheeks. "Yes. I… I'd love to go out with you."
Naruto tried to suppress the smile threatening to spread across his face. "Great! I mean, awesome! I-I'll come by tomorrow, then! When you're ready."
Hinata nodded, her smile growing. "Okay. I'll be ready."
They reached Kurenai's door, and Hinata turned to face him one last time. "Goodnight, Naruto," she said gently.
"Goodnight, Hinata," Naruto replied, waving as she stepped inside. As the door closed behind her, Naruto stood there for a moment, a wide grin breaking across his face.
He couldn't believe it—Hinata had agreed to go out with him! He felt like he was walking on air as he turned and began heading back into the village.
Inside his mind, he felt the faint rumble of the Nine-Tails' presence, the usual growl emanating from the dark depths. "I did it," Naruto announced with glee, a triumphant grin on his face. "I finally asked her."
The Nine-Tails just growled in annoyance from behind his cage, its fiery eyes narrowing. "Why are you bothering me with your human mating ritual, brat?!" it growled, clearly unimpressed.
Before Naruto could react, he felt a mental shove and was abruptly booted out of the mind plane. He blinked, finding himself back on the street, still grinning.
"I've got to tell Sakura," he murmured to himself, excitement bubbling in his chest. He hoped she was free—he needed to share the news with someone.
As he walked through the streets of Konoha, the glow of the lanterns reflecting in his bright blue eyes, he realized he was happier than he had been in a long time. He couldn't wait for tomorrow.
The night was cool, and the streets of Konoha were calm under a starless sky. A soft drizzle began to fall as Naruto and Hinata walked side by side, their steps falling in rhythm with one another. They chatted animatedly, their voices carrying softly through the night air. Naruto had a bright grin on his face as he recounted a memory from their childhood, one where they'd both gotten lost during a training exercise and ended up at the wrong destination entirely.
Hinata laughed, the sound light and melodic. "I remember! We were so embarrassed, especially after Kiba found us," she giggled, her laugh filling the quiet night.
Naruto's heart warmed at the sound. He liked making her laugh—no, he loved it. And seeing her smile like that, her cheeks flushed with joy, made him smile back almost unconsciously.
But as they walked, the drizzle turned into a steady patter. Hinata glanced up, feeling the raindrops hitting her face. "It's starting to rain," she noted softly, glancing over at Naruto.
Naruto frowned a little, glancing up at the dark clouds. "Yeah… I wish I could just teleport you home, but I never marked your place."
Hinata smiled at his thoughtfulness. "It's okay, Naruto. We should probably hurry up before it gets worse."
A moment later, the rain began to pour more heavily. They broke into a light jog, darting under the nearest awning just in time to avoid getting soaked.
"Ugh, I hate rain," Naruto muttered, running a hand through his damp hair. "Always makes everything so cold and soggy."
Hinata shrugged, a small, amused smile playing on her lips. "I actually like rainy weather," she confessed, looking out at the downpour with a content expression.
Naruto stared at her in disbelief. "How could anyone like rain?"
Hinata chuckled, her eyes still on the falling droplets. "I enjoy the coolness it brings… and the sound of the rain hitting the ground. It's… calming."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Calming? It's just a mess! I mean, you get soaked just standing in it."
Hinata laughed softly. "Maybe," she agreed with a teasing grin, "but it can still be beautiful."
Naruto found himself laughing with her, the tension in his chest easing. He turned to look at her again, noticing how the dim light seemed to soften her features, the rain making her hair glisten. He watched as she looked back at him, her gaze steady, unblinking.
His heart began to race. He swallowed hard, and before he could think too much, Hinata reached up, gently brushing her fingers against his cheek.
"There," she murmured, wiping a bit of sauce from the corner of his mouth. "You should really have better manners when eating," she lightly scolded with a smile.
Naruto chuckled nervously. "Sorry, sorry!" he muttered, feeling his cheeks heat up.
But he noticed that Hinata's gaze didn't waver, her fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary. She seemed to catch herself, her eyes darting to the ground as she blushed.
Naruto's heart thudded loudly in his chest. He felt a wave of confidence, stronger than he'd ever felt before. He took a small breath and called her name softly, "Hinata…"
She looked up, her eyes wide with curiosity.
He moved closer, his hand reaching for her cheek, feeling the soft warmth of her skin under his fingertips. He could see her eyes widen in surprise, and he began to question himself. "What am I doing?" his mind screamed. But then he pushed the doubts away. He had prepared for this moment, imagined it so many times in his head.
People in relationships kissed all the time… why was he so nervous? With a final surge of courage, he leaned in, closing his eyes, and kissed her.
The world around him seemed to disappear. The kiss was gentle at first, his lips barely brushing hers. But it was the most sensational feeling he had ever experienced, a warmth spreading from his lips all the way to his chest, flooding his senses. Nothing Jiraiya had told him over the years had prepared him for this — the softness of her lips, the way his heartbeat quickened, the way time seemed to stop.
As he pulled away, Naruto's head spun, his breath a bit unsteady. He opened his eyes to see Hinata blinking, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She looked stunned, her lips slightly parted as if she were trying to find words.
"I-I'm sorry!" Naruto blurted out, suddenly panicking. "I should've asked… I mean, I just… kissed you out of nowhere—"
Hinata's lips curved into a shy smile. "You don't have to apologize for anything, Naruto," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rain. "I… I wanted to kiss you, too. I just… I couldn't bring myself to do it."
Naruto felt his heart swell. He stared at her, a bit lost for words. "Oh… really?" he stammered, blinking in surprise. "I… guess I should ask next time, then…" He immediately realized what he had implied and started to backtrack. "I mean, if there's a next time! Not that I'm assuming—"
Hinata cut him off with a soft, meek voice, "You… you don't need to ask…"
Naruto stopped, stunned. He saw her glance up at him, the same affection he felt mirrored in her eyes. He swallowed hard, trying to stop himself from babbling.
He took a deep breath, this time without the nervousness weighing him down. He reached for her again, his hand gently cupping her cheek, and without a second thought, he leaned in and kissed her again, more passionately this time.
Hinata responded immediately, leaning into him, her arms wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer. She returned his passion, her lips moving against his, and Naruto felt a surge of warmth flood his body.
The rain continued to fall around them, the droplets pattering on the ground, but Naruto felt like they were wrapped in their own little world, a cocoon of warmth and affection. The cool rain mixed with the heat between them, creating a perfect balance — a dance between the chill of the storm and the warmth of their shared embrace.
Hinata closed the door behind her, a soft smile lingering on her lips. The house was quiet—Kurenai wasn't home tonight, and she had the space to herself. Her heart was still fluttering from the events of the night. She made her way to the kitchen, the echoes of Naruto's laughter still fresh in her mind.
She reached for a glass from the counter, her cheeks flushing as she remembered the feel of his lips against hers, the sensation of his hands gently holding her close. The memory sent a pleasant warmth through her, a wave of emotion that she couldn't quite name but felt as though it was growing, deepening. She giggled softly to herself, feeling giddy, a hand lightly touching her lips.
But as she turned toward the sink, her breath caught in her throat. Her smile vanished. The glass slipped from her fingers, shattering on the floor, the sharp sound cutting through the stillness.
Standing in the middle of the kitchen was the woman from her dreams—the same pale-skinned woman who had haunted her since she was thirteen. Her expression was calm, almost serene, but her presence filled the room with an unsettling tension.
Hinata's face contorted into a mix of fear and annoyance. "Why are you here?" she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended. Her hands instinctively sparked with lightning chakra as she fell into a defensive stance. "What do you want from me? Why won't you leave me alone?!"
The woman remained still, her expression unreadable. Seconds ticked by like hours in the silence.
Hinata's frustration mounted. "Answer me!" she shouted, her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and fear.
Finally, the woman spoke, her voice calm, almost ethereal. "I am connected to you, Hinata. In a way that transcends human understanding."
Hinata blinked, her hands still charged with chakra, her heart racing. "Connected to me? How?" she asked, bewildered.
The woman's gaze softened. "I have been attached to you since the moment you were born. Watching over you, guiding you… I am your ancestor, Hinata. You are one of the few of my descendants who carries the sight required to see me."
Hinata's breath hitched in her throat. "Ancestor?" she repeated, disbelief thick in her voice.
The woman nodded. "Yes. We are of the same blood."
Hinata's mind was reeling. "Why… why didn't you reach out to me before? Why wait until I was thirteen?"
The woman's expression didn't change. "I've always been trying, Hinata. But I could not reach you… not until then."
Hinata's eyes widened as she recalled the strange voice that used to call her name when she was younger, the voice she could never place. "The voice… was that you?"
The woman's blue eyes glowed faintly, and she nodded. "Yes. I was calling out to you, always trying to reach you."
Hinata's mind was spinning, but she shook her head, trying to focus. "What do you want?" she demanded, her voice firm despite the tremor in her chest.
The woman's voice remained gentle, almost soothing. "I am here to protect you, to guide you away from suffering."
Hinata felt a surge of anger flare within her. "Protect me?" she scoffed. "Where were you when I needed you most? When I felt alone, afraid… Where were you then?"
The woman listened calmly as Hinata vented her frustrations. When Hinata's voice finally broke, the woman spoke softly. "I can only act on your will, Hinata. I could not help you because I could not reach you… but now, I am here. I have no intention of harming you."
Hinata eyed her warily, skepticism etched across her face. "And I'm just supposed to trust you?" she muttered under her breath.
The woman's voice cut through her thoughts. "Trust yourself, Hinata. I am always here to guide you. All you have to do is reach inside… and ask."
Hinata felt a shiver run down her spine. "Reach you? How?"
The woman's lips curved into a small, mysterious smile. "You already know how… I trust you will figure it out."
The woman focused her glowing blue eyes on Hinata, as if she was staring straight at her soul. "Don't tell anyone about me, about us."
Hinata swallowed, her mind racing with questions. "How did she know what I was thinking?"
"Why can't I tell anyone about you?" she asked, a hint of defiance in her tone.
"To protect yourself," the woman replied simply. "No one must know."
Hinata opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, she blinked—and the woman was gone. The kitchen was empty, quiet, and still, save for the sound of her own ragged breathing. It was as if the encounter had been nothing more than a dream, but everything felt too real. Her hands were trembling.
She leaned against the counter, struggling to catch her breath, trying to process what had just happened. Was she going crazy? Or was this real? Her heart was still racing, and her mind was filled with questions, uncertainty gnawing at her from every angle.
Who was this woman really? And what did she mean for her future?
The sun was setting over Konoha as Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji made their way through the village, moving swiftly towards their mission's rendezvous point. The three of them moved in a formation born of familiarity, each step in sync with the other. The mission briefing had been brief, but the urgency had been clear—two individuals suspected to be part of the Akatsuki had been spotted within the Fire Nation, and they needed to intercept them before any damage could be done. Reinforcements were requested, and here they were, rushing to back up those already deployed.
As they walked, Ino's eyes caught sight of Naruto and Hinata across the street, holding hands and talking animatedly, their laughter audible even from a distance. Ino's eyes narrowed as she frowned at the couple, her steps faltering for a moment. "Seriously? What does he even see in her?" she muttered under her breath, but loud enough for Shikamaru to hear.
Shikamaru sighed, not breaking his stride. "Maybe… he just fell in love with her. Ever thought of that?"
Ino scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, please, Shikamaru. Love? That sneaky little bitch probably blackmailed him into dating her!" She folded her arms across her chest, her frown deepening. "And look at him—he doesn't even look happy to be around her!"
Shikamaru glanced over at Naruto and Hinata. Naruto's face was lit up with a bright grin, his eyes crinkling at the corners as Hinata leaned in closer to him, clearly enjoying herself. Shikamaru shrugged. "Looks pretty happy to me," he replied lazily.
Ino shot him a look of disbelief. "You're just blind. They shouldn't even be out here in public like that! They should be on a mission."
Shikamaru scratched the back of his head, feeling a headache forming. "They're probably off duty, Ino. Didn't see Sasuke or Kiba heading out on any missions either."
"I didn't ask for your input, Shikamaru!" Ino snapped, shooting him another glare.
Shikamaru muttered under his breath, "Women… so petty, I'll never understand them." Then, louder, he added, "Focus, Ino. We have a mission to complete."
Ino huffed. "I'm perfectly focused! This isn't my first mission, you know." She jabbed a finger at him. "And stop using that kind of insensitive tone with me."
Shikamaru waved her off dismissively. "Whatever you say, Ino…"
Choji, sensing the tension between his teammates, quickly changed the subject. "Hey, we're almost at the rendezvous point," he said, pointing ahead.
They reached a small clearing where several other shinobi were already gathered. Shikamaru's sharp eyes quickly spotted Neji, standing with his usual stoic expression. "Hey, Neji," he greeted with a nod.
Neji returned the greeting with a curt nod. Beside him stood Rock Lee, bouncing on his heels, and a girl with her hair tied up in two puffs, wearing a white shirt and carrying a large scroll on her back.
The girl smiled brightly at Ino. "Hi, Ino! It's been a while!"
Ino blinked at her, clearly not recognizing her. "…Do I know you?"
The girl's smile faltered, her face falling in surprise. "Um… we took part in the Chunin Exams together?"
Ino tilted her head, trying to remember, but nothing came to mind. She stared blankly. "I'm… sorry, but I really don't—"
Before the girl could say anything, Rock Lee stepped forward, striking a dynamic pose. "Team Asuma! It's good to see you all again!" he greeted enthusiastically, his voice full of energy.
Neji cleared his throat, bringing everyone back to focus. "We've received intel on the targets. They've been moving erratically, trying to avoid detection. Our objective is to head to a predetermined location and support the efforts of the Jonin currently shadowing the suspects."
Choji nodded eagerly, his expression determined. "Right! I'm ready to meet up with Asuma-sensei and back him up!"
Neji gave a small smile at Choji's enthusiasm. "Good. I'll be leading this team. We move out immediately. Stay alert and prepared for anything."
The group nodded, and as they began to move, Shikamaru glanced over at Ino, who still seemed to be fuming. "Hey, Ino… can we try not to make any enemies before we even get to the enemy?"
Ino scowled but didn't respond, focusing on the mission ahead.
As they set off, Choji leaned in towards Shikamaru and whispered, "Do you think Ino's okay?"
Shikamaru sighed, his expression resigned. "She's fine, Choji. Just… having one of those days."
Choji nodded knowingly. "Ah, one of those days…"
Shikamaru couldn't help but smirk. "Exactly. Now, let's hope the Akatsuki members are less troublesome than her."
As they sped through the trees, Ino shot him a glare from the side. "I heard that, Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru chuckled to himself. "Of course you did…"
And with that, Team Asuma and their new allies dashed off into the growing darkness, ready for whatever awaited them.
