Chapter 7: The Discovery

"Love, like everything else in life, should be a discovery, an adventure, and like most adventures, you don't know you're having one until you're right in the middle of it."

― E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly

Naruto & Hinata

'Where is she?' Naruto frowns.

He blinks away leftover grit from his eyes, drowsily stretches and yawns to focus himself. Hinata's not in the bathroom, living room, or kitchen. The only person he detects close by is his neighbor heading out to his salaryman job at some office in Konoha's business district.

Hinata's futon and pillows are neatly folded up by the sofa, blinds partially open spilling a white half-moon along the wood flooring and center table.

He pads into the kitchen quietly, stopping when he sees a covered plate of onigiri, tamagoyaki, and roasted sweet potatoes.

She even prepared a thermos of tea, fingers warming when they brush against the metal.

A note lies next to the food he picks up first, taking in Hinata's neat scrawl.

'At our training spot in the woods.'

Naruto hums aloud, she couldn't have left too long ago considering the steam still wafting off the food, stuffing down the tamagoyaki and potatoes.

He'll take the onigiri and thermos to go.

It's still relatively dark out as he approaches the forests, skirting past the night guards ready for shift change soon. He crouches through the shadows until he reaches familiar trails layered in mixes of gold gingko leaves to the softer coral pink of the blossoming cherry trees. Winter hasn't fully let its grip go on Konoha, no matter the changes in leaves and slightly warmer afternoons.

A chilly breeze comes in from the mountains that makes him rub at his arms, pausing taking in a row of broken branches, bark at various trees singed black.

'Hinata's work?'

Her violet hair comes into view, stopping for a moment to watch her pinpoint with the tips of her fingers electric sparks into the moss and vine layered sections of cracked wood.

"Leave some for me y'know." Naruto voices as he approaches, Hinata stiffening before relaxing that it isn't some guard wondering why she's out and about this early alone, turning as he walks up beside her.

"Good morning. I see you read my note and carried along some of the breakfast." She voices with a smile, fingers moving up to brush away a clump of rice from his lips. Naruto blinks in surprise, considers he may still be half-sleep until he sees Hinata's cheeks burn red from her action, stepping back.

"How long have you been out here?" Naruto questions instead of dwelling on her touch, eyeing burnt Earth at her feet, sweat that's dampened her sparring outfit.

Hinata shrugs, rubbing at her arms. "Ah, maybe an hour at most."

Naruto looks around again, hums. "Well, better you have an actual opponent that can fight back; let me just set down this stuff."

She gestures to her backpack, pats the spot beside her as she plops down for a break herself. Morning carries away the mist of the night, greenery seeming to crackle awake under rays of milky reds and indigos.

'How many times has Hinata come out here to train without me?' Naruto wonders, eyeing her silently. She'd only followed bedrest protocol for her ankle at most a day or two before moving back into light exercise, using his paper shooting targets to pass the afternoons.

A crown of amber yellow outlines her hair and his stomach flips watching her take in dawn's approach, smile playing at her lips breathing in rain laden moss from yesterday, the lingering scents of shrubs and wildflowers.

For a moment, it feels like they're the only two people for miles...

'This isn't good.' He realizes absently.

He's sure he and Hinata are at least friends based on how they've interacted with each other as of late, enough for her to feel comfortable being out of her jacket while moving about the apartment and him to occasionally lounge in her futon beside her reading together as the days get warmer.

But whatever he's been feeling towards her as of late goes beyond that.

"Ah, I have something for you by the way! It should help with your training and more." Hinata mentions, Naruto jolting and looking down while mentally cursing himself for letting his thoughts nearly run away from him.

Again.

She pulls a worn scroll from her bag, beams as Naruto's eyes widen just a fraction as he reads the title.

'Fuinjutsu of the Uzumaki clan.'

Naruto peers from the scroll and back to her at least twice. "There's no way that old hag Yumika let you check that out! Especially after becoming a sacrifice."

Hinata's expression dampens just slightly. "She didn't. She hasn't been able to look me in the eye since, well that night. I...I went when Miwara was on duty. She's a longtime associate of Father's, used to before retiring to this part-time job at the library help ensure Hyūga members got discounts at the markets and tax incentives for the right price."

A sourness rises in the back of her throat, nails clawing up dirt and blades of grass at the memory.

"Well, looks like you're somehow still hanging on alive and kicking since Hiashi tossed you to our village's beast." Miwara snickers.

Hinata bites her tongue, heart hammering in her ears.

Miwara, like many friends or people in Father's inner circle know just how long she's been the black sheep of her clan.

"I figured Dr. Hashijimi would deem you unfit, but I suppose Hiashi would've still found some way to get rid of you if not as the latest sacrifice." She drawls at her silence.

'It's fine, you've gone over this plan dozens of times already.' Hinata reminds herself not to rise to the bait of her comments.

Miwara brushes a hand through her salt and pepper locks, teal eyes narrowing at her continued lack of a response. "So, why're you here? If Yumika was here, she would've told me to kick you out already. She hates the idea of you or the jinchuriki loitering around here, only lets you check out books on Lord Third's order unless it's classified material."

"You're obligated to the same policy." Hinata murmurs.

Miwara hums, pretends not to hear her as she recalls said meeting with Hiruzen before shuffling behind the main desk.

"Anyways, Yumika says it will 'prevent our most loyal patrons from coming in and donating' if they see you two around. Bad luck for the library and general community."

Hinata shuffles at her feet, voice cracking at her harsh tone. "I would like Uzumaki clan-"

"Speak up girlie! Geez, this is why Hiashi couldn't trust you to take over as heiress. No wonder there wasn't too big of a fuss or scandal pawning you off to the Nine Tails. No way you can run one of Konoha's oldest clans if nobody can even hear you."

Hinata ignores the way her chest constricts, won't give Miwara the satisfaction of seeing the sting of her words or continuing to toy with her.

Her hand falls instead to a stack of notebooks, papers and folders meant to log which books are coming in and out of the library. That and how much ryo various civilians and shinobi contribute to help keep up with the library's maintenance fees on a monthly basis.

"Speaking of donations and potential scandals, I know what you've been up to with Mr. Nakagama after he personally gave you that generous 10,000 ryo donation last month that's supposed to go to a new children's section. I'm sure his wife would want to know as well what you two get up to after-hours here instead of working and cataloging the latest books being published."

The color drains from Miwara's face as Hinata lines out a set of pictures of the two locked in deep kisses, mini 'dates' in the science section, fingers touching and pressing into each other all over.

All she had to do was follow the same night walk paths Naruto's done hundreds of times to snap photos of the pair.

He's right, some people's secrets come to life only in the dark.

"What...What do you want?" Miwara sputters, features ashen gray in surprise. When did this girl have the nerve to follow her? The eldest Hyuga daughter she recalls was never so bold.

Hinata straightens, points to the shelves in the back that are usually reserved for ANBU, the most elite jonin, and the Hokage.

"Everything on the Uzumaki clan that you have; the original documents, no copies."

"What?! I-I can't just get such classified records-" Miwara nearly shouts before clamping her mouth shut.

Hinata shrugs then. "Alright. Then by 9:00 am tomorrow your husband Keigo will know of your affair and most likely begin the process to-"

Miwara holds up a hand before she can go on, teeth biting hard enough into her bottom lip to draw blood. "No! I mean, I'll get the records for you. I highly doubt though there's much left on the Uzumaki knowing what happened to Uzushiogakure."

She twists on her heel before Hinata can say anything else, curses drawing out mini puffs of air that she's become as cruel as the jinchuriki.

"Blackmail? Didn't think you had that in you Hinata! Heh, next time just show the wife and husband the pictures anyways, y'know. They deserve to know too and have it go from there."

Hinata swallows, says nothing in return. She already kicked the hornet's nest by bringing up Miwara's affairs after dark, she isn't going to let it pass without notifying her Father eventually...

'I hope nothing happens to Hanabi for me doing this.' She considers.

"It's fine, two anonymous tips were sent to their respective partners already. More importantly, I know you've been trying to find a way to learn more about your clan. Granted, it seems every option I could've gone with would've been illegal."

Naruto shrugs, grins in a way that makes her heartbeat rise. "Yeah, I don't feel bad about that and neither should you!"

Her gaze turns back to the trees, sighing.

Naruto jabs her shoulder in a way that forces her to eventually block him. "Stop feeling guilty about it."

"No, it's not that. It's just...I don't think I'm ready to take Neji on should I face him in the Chunin Exams."

Naruto stays quiet, Hinata continuing on.

"I'm sure Neji believes it's the fault of the main branch alone at Hizashi's death, but Uncle died for reasons that Father has never told him about yet. I don't know if he'll ever tell him the full truth or just wants somebody else to say it."

Her hands spray up blades of grass, letting the wind carry them towards the direction of the rivers and mountains.

"So, what are you gonna do?" Naruto questions flatly.

Hinata draws in a breath, faces curious azure eyes studying her.

"There's...a technique that only the main branch family learns as a way to err, subdue branch members should they act out of line. Though that would be a last resort and it would only work on Neji alone should I face him."

Naruto hums between bites of onigiri, washes it down with her tea before moving to stand.

"Then don't consider it as an option unless absolutely necessary to use then, y'know. Right now, Neji is faster than you, so you'll need to find a way to slow him down or whoever you face to keep them at bay. You can practice more with lightning related jutsu for that while you help me with continuing my chakra control and beginning practice with these fuinjutsu techniques!"

Hinata moves to stand, activates her byakugan once more.

"Shadow clone jutsu!"

At least 5 Naruto's surround her this time, each in a different formation to attack.

Hinata gathers lightning to her fingertips, concentrates on which Naruto to go for first.

"Ready?" Every Naruto questions altogether.

Hinata nods, smile etching up. "I'm ready!"

The race in for each other, clash echoing across the woods.

Neji- Hyūga Compound

'So, Uncle did get the news.' Neji regards, quietly patters across oakwood and shadows to the opposite side of the meditation hall to avoid detection.

Not that he knows if Hiashi even believes it, it all sounds like gossip to him.

He's lucky for the sunlight creating long shadows to hide his figure, blue sky darkening to violet as evening slowly approaches.

The air crackles with crickets coming out into the spring air that hopefully hide his movements as well, fireflies flickering in yellow greens near the bushes.

He leans in close to the doors of the main room crouching low, picks up on the tail end of a conversation.

Monday afternoons are the only time of the week when both Branch and Main can come together to discuss concerns every Hyūga member needs to know about.

"-You must admit Hiashi it's a major feat to kill an enemy on her first C-ranked mission. Hinata has shown a growth that-"

Hiashi raises a hand up to stop Hideki.

"It changes nothing of my decision. Hinata is no longer a member of this clan whose affairs we should be concerned about." He reaffirms.

A flurry of whispers fills the room, Hizama next to clear his throat.

"Yes, it's well and true you sacrificed her to Konoha's Jinchuriki, but let's not forget you didn't even brand the curse seal on her upon her departure. Nor have you completely thrown away all her old belongings from her old room. Do you intend in the future to find a way for Hinata to come back into the clan despite the sacrificial rules?"

Hirika scoffs, crossing her arms. "And did you hear how she treated Miwara at the library the other day? Apparently, she demanded for rare scrolls and books not meant for the public's eye!"

Hiroki rolls his eyes beside her. "Old associate or not of the clan, Miwara needs to get better at hiding her...discretions. We as a clan shouldn't be tied any further to that loose woman. Hinata, however, I wonder if you in haste Master Hiashi let her go-"

Hiashi blows out an impatient breath silencing the room. "All of you very well know we'd look weak and shameful to the other clans to try and take Hinata back! Not to mention losing the generous perks and benefits Lord Third and his advisors have given us in and outside of missions."

Most of the Branch members squirm as his eyes roam over to them, they've benefitted the most from the additional ryo and gifts from Hinata's presence no longer being here at the manor.

"As for your other inquiries, I chose not to brand Hinata as part of her departing gifts and at least the jinchuriki took pity on her and didn't kill her that very night I left her there to complete her duty. Perhaps she'll become a respectable kunoichi or she will prove my earlier thoughts correct that this successful mission was just a mere fluke. Now, let us move on to next week's business with the Taketori clan."

Neji steps back, twists into a hallway as some Branch members get up to leave.

Hiashi has been in and out of various meetings since early morning, but clearly the biggest topic of the day still lingers on their sacrificed clan member.

Hinata's kill of Fukuda.

One of the patrollers must've brought Uncle the Konoha Today and Konoha Daily News report at the change of guards this morning, though he can't make heads or tails of his stoic expression if he truly cares.

"What are you doing?" A voice asks behind him and he spins, puts a hand up at ready to attack.

Hanabi.

Her brows furrow at his stance, shoulders tensing.

"Geez, I'm not here to pick a fight! I didn't take you as one to eavesdrop. Is...Is Father still in the meeting? I know he wanted us to get one final spar in before today ends."

Neji scowls, rolls his eyes. "Of course he still is. You're partly to blame for why it's taking longer than normal considering word spread of your little encounter with Hinata."

Hanabi gives an indignant huff, puts a hand to her hip. He holds back a snort at how her look changes to one ready to truly fight him despite her age, currently abilities, and short stature. Pearl eyes harden to match his own, ready to defend her elder sister.

"Me? Why am I at fault for the meeting dragging out?! It's always long on Mondays and you can't blame Big Sister for that!" She hisses.

Neji scoffs, either Hanabi is feigning ignorance, or she truly doesn't know yet of the updates regarding Hinata.

"The sister you sneaked off to visit apparently had her first kill during a mission with her team last week. It's called into question Uncle's decision to sacrifice her."

'Not to mention even with eyewitnesses, it doesn't sound believable.' Neji considers.

Hanabi blinks in surprise, bounces on her toes as a warmth lights up her cheeks and eyes.

'Ah, she was woefully naive.' He realizes.

"No way; really!? That's great news! Now Father is finally seeing Big Sister's strength!"

She reaches out to grab onto his hand, swings it up and down.

"Oh, I have an idea! Let's go to the Hokage's office before it closes to get Hinata back home away from the jinchuriki-"

Neji interrupts with a snicker, pulls his hand harshly away from her.

"Hanabi, when are you going to face facts that Hinata isn't coming back? The three main rules of being sacrificed mean she's beholden now to the jinchuriki at least until they both reach adulthood, she has lost her former title as a Hyūga, and only upon adulthood can a re-evaluation be done on if said sacrifice has completely their duty to the village or must continue to stay with the jinchuriki to prevent calamity."

Hanabi falters, stung by more than just his words.

She hurriedly blinks back tears from her eyes, clicks her tongue.

"Why...Why do you hate Big Sister so much? She's much stronger now than the last time you two sparred."

Neji laughs dryly.

"Weakness doesn't belong in the Hyūga clan Hanabi. And I'll prove that Hinata hasn't changed at all once when we inevitably cross paths at the Chunin Exams."

Hiruzen & Danzo- Hokage's Office

"I'm just saying, we need to be more cautious. You shouldn't allow the jinchuriki to do any further missions outside the village at least until the Exams are over. Have an extra set of guards at every entrance, undercover shinobi within the crowds at the stadium, and even some of our best Root and ANBU members watching from the closest rooftops every match in case of something suspicious." Danzo begins.

Hiruzen takes a long drag from his pipe, lets the smoke settle in him to calm his mood before speaking.

He knew Danzo was going to visit with him eventually, should've known he'd be coming with multiple suggestions too.

His eyes turn towards the horizon, the rise of a new day unfurling about the mountainside and forests tinting the greenery with various shades of pink and orange. Those are the same forests to grasslands that he and Danzo used to train and do missions in under Tobirama...

'How things have changed since then.'

"This couldn't have waited until later in the day Danzo?" Hiruzen finally asks, dark eyes twisting back to him.

Danzo clacks his cane to the ground, shakes his head. "You know very well the answer to that is no. You have back-to-back meetings in less than an hour with the daimyo and each leader of Konoha's market, business, and hospitality teams which will probably last until lunchtime. And that will lead into an afternoon of getting updates from the Yamanaka clan on security, trade deals with Kusagakure, and reviewing policies to make sure the stadium is up to safety standards with Konoha's best construction teams."

Hiruzen blows out a puff of a smoke, laughs humorlessly. "You know my schedule to a T; don't you?"

Danzo scoffs at the sarcasm beneath his smile. "It's posted in the main lobby for anybody to see, but yes, I do."

Hiruzen straightens his posture then, locks eyes with his longtime friend and rival. "Alright, let's just stop beating around the bush; tell me why you're really here at 7:00 am? I know it wasn't for just a friendly chat."

It's Danzo's turn then to chuckle dryly, pulling up a chair. "I've received word from my spies that one former student of yours has formed a village of his own known as Otogakure."

'Orochimaru.' Hiruzen sighs.

The man that he thought at one point would've been the Fourth Hokage; his successor.

Now instead he's an internationally wanted man known for stealing and experimenting on bodies no matter how young or old, thirsts for the perfect body that will satisfy his endless desires for immortality and knowledge.

'You let him get away.'

Danzo's onyx eyes burn on him, words piercing him without him having to say anything at all.

"I'm aware from the updates based on what Jiraiya's given me. In fact, he sent word via a messenger toad that he'll be returning back to the village within a few months." Hiruzen relates.

Danzo rubs at his head, wrinkles his nose at even the mention of his name. Unlike him, he only sees Jiraiya for his perverted nature and not the man who has given him intel faster than any of his Root shinobi ever have.

"Just be careful about how you operate and move about in the next coming months too Sarutobi. It's been a while since Konoha has hosted the Chunin Exams, there's going to be gambling, drinking, multiple tourists from the other villages, and undercover operatives who may take advantage of all the revelry going on. We must maintain the image that Konoha is a powerhouse, that our policies for our jinchuriki aren't so lax that people stop thinking for a second that we can't bring him out as the weapon he was made to be."

Hiruzen nods, rolls his shoulders.

"Preparations are being made, for any and all possibilities."

Danzo's hand tightens against his cane, wearily looks from him before back out to the village as shops and businesses begin opening for the day. They both want what's best for Konoha, even if they have to use different means to reach said goals.

Finally, he clears his voice, hums slowly.

"Make sure those possibilities include your former student."

Kakashi- Yakiniku Q

'I hate these social outings.'

The smell of smoked meats and spices fill the air, cloudy amber cocktails of sakes and liquors get passed about the table.

It would've looked bad to say his dogs are sick for a fourth time in a row without any substantial receipts of dog medications or veterinary reports as proof.

And the last thing he needs is Gai sending any more Get-Well-Soon cards for Pakkun and the others to just stare at blankly or chew apart to pieces.

"Oi, so how have missions been going for your team Kakashi?! Are they burning with the flames of youth as they learn to cooperate and build their skills?!" Gai chimes out, nudging his side.

Kakashi stares down at his plate of grilled yakitori and side of edamame.

"...Yeah, something like that."

The teamwork they exhibited has started to fluctuate some since their return from Wave, makes him wonder if perhaps he truly isn't cut out to be a sensei like Hiruzen and his friends believe.

There's a new dimness in Sakura's eyes, walls both physically and mentally she's put up no longer maybe believing he's the right sensei for her.

He skirts Sasuke's questions regarding his sharingan eye, but if he's to train him to be ready for the Chunin Exams and beyond, he's going to want answers eventually...

And with Naruto, his distance has always been the farthest from him. Whatever efforts he gained building his trust have already started to crack once more after their latest mission, realizing on some level he's still keeping secrets from him, can't train him the way he wants.

"Wild boars aren't normally found in these lower-level regions." Sakura remarks, rock barriers keeping the swine from breaking into the nearby river village of Mikitama once more.

"Those barriers won't work forever though, y'know. They'll return in packs down from the mountains as more of their habitats are taken due to human settlement and poaching." Naruto considers, studying hoof footprints in the dirt.

They both peer upwards as a blaze of reds and yellows streaks the air, Sasuke leaping from tree to tree to further keep both swine and bears from the area.

"Fireball jutsu!"

Squeals fill the air, majority of the boars refraining from charging to attack.

Naruto brings up a gust of wind to fan the flames, eyes narrowing on one boar's attempts to skirt around the fire, husks cracking at Sakura's barriers.

The largest one of the groups.

Its eyes aren't focused on them though, gaze locked instead on the hunter who has killed so many of its brethren, who requested their help for this mission: Hisae Yuji.

Yuji looks between the trio and the boar, wipes bullets of sweat from his forehead. All his past tools to kill the boars for either hunting measures as food or as population control measures were mostly rudimentary in nature, shouting to keep them at bay, sticks, stones, and spears.

Traps they've learned how to avoid.

And now their leader has come, isn't even afraid of fire or wind to get to him.

"Do something! We can't let it get any closer to Mikitama Village!" He commands.

Sakura clenches her teeth, slams a fist into the ground.

'Don't make it too strong or it will damage the village too.' She reminds herself.

"Earth Release: Mudslide!"

Sasuke nods in Sakura's direction, rocks and dirt tumbling down just enough to keep the smaller boars from following after their leader who charges and hops closer over the cracks and upended dirt and stone.

"Let's form a trap to keep it in place until it calms down." He suggests, Naruto merely shaking his head.

"That won't be enough; we have to put it down."

Sakura instantly blanches, peers to Sasuke who equally turns wary at Naruto's tone.

"Are you sure we can't do a less...bloody option?" Sasuke questions.

Naruto snorts, features flattening. "If you don't want it to be your blood being spilled, then no."

Sakura frowns, verdant peering between her teammates at the brewing of an argument as the low grunts of the head boar get precariously closer the longer they wait.

"No, we don't! It just needs time to get away from Yuji and-" She starts.

Naruto holds up a hand, cerulean eyes darkening. "You don't understand how pissed it truly is. It's going to come back by nightfall if we don't kill it here and now while we have it at least somewhat fatigued and without reinforcements."

He's seen similar expression in that boar's demeanor in humans; it wants revenge.

And simple traps or even medicine to calm it down will only be temporary measures. Eventually, that anger will fester up again and it will strike when Yuji is most likely alone.

Naruto steps forward as the boar prepares to rush them, draws in a breath of air.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"

The wind turns sharp, screeches filling the air as blades of wind cut into the head boar and its companions.

Sasuke covers his back as other creatures of the forests draw in to see what's happening, Sakura reluctantly slamming up another wall of dirt for extra protection should any bigger animals try and close in.

Yuji's expression pales to a chalky white as boars crumple around them, scent of blood beginning to permeate and cling to the air.

Naruto sighs as the head boar's cries dampen to soft grunts, slowly succumbing to its wounds. He glances back to Yuji who stiffly grins, unsure what to make of so much destruction in one afternoon.

Kakashi comes up beside him having watched the scene from afar as Naruto stretches, pushes aside the hog's bodies to clean his hands off in the river. Hisae drops his voice for hopefully none of the trio to hear, wringing his hands together.

"I didn't necessarily want to kill them all, some of this meat will spoil."

Kakashi nods apologetically but can see in Naruto's features such matters mean little to him.

"Is destruction all that beast is known for?" Hisae no longer hides his scowl gazing in Naruto's direction, shuddering and side-stepping blood trickling towards their feet. Even their most grisly hunts didn't result in this much habitat loss or death.

Kakashi shakes his head, recalls seeing Naruto walking out of Sugar Bliss bakery the other day with sweets he knows he's never seen him eat before even as a quick snack.

"...Not always."

"His teamwork is better than what I assumed it would be despite all that's happened." Asuma mentions as Kakashi finishes going over how this true C-ranked mission went.

Kakashi waves off the compliment, stares down into his sake cup wishing he sent a clone in his stead. He senses bigger cracks coming for his team compared to his comrades, cracks he's sure he may be unable to fix or control.

"I'm sure Team 10 is getting along better than mine."

Gai shakes his head at his humble attitude, nods proudly in agreement with Asuma. Kakashi blinks flatly as he even gives him a thumbs up at his apparent accomplishments. "See?! This is why Lord Third entrusted you personally Kakashi as being the jinchuriki's sensei to challenge and mold the flames of his youth! That on top of the suitable sacrifice given to him this year means that there should be no need to worry about the lands or-"

"Stop referring to Hinata as a sacrifice." Kurenai interrupts his gushing of his rival sharply.

The table goes quiet, all eyes on her.

Gai holds up his hands nervously, sanguine cutting into him like glass.

"I err, didn't mean any harm by it-"

"Then stop using it; damn it! It's bad enough that's what the Hyūga keep calling her, sacrificial rules don't break familial bonds like the ones she had with her sister and their caretaker. We as their sensei shouldn't keep using such a moniker."

Asuma wrinkles beside her, absently counts the number of empty sake cups beside her. "Fine, what do you suggest then?"

Scarlet twists to him and her features calm just slightly knowing he's trying to help, snorts under her breath. "Their actual names would be a good start."

She blows out a huff at each of their antsy or blank looks, she rather as well be talking to a wall.

"...Never mind, I don't know why I even brought it up." Kurenai mutters.

Gai claps his hands, directs them to happier subjects.

"Hey, so are you all planning to nominate your teams for the Chunin Exams?! I held back my team last year, but this time I'm sure they're ready to make their official debut to the rest of the shinobi world!"

Asuma nods, grins. "Yeah, I'm going to nominate my team too. About time people see they aren't just known for their laziness, love of food, and clothes/gossip."

Kurenai laughs dryly, takes a bite of her takoyaki. "I'll be nominating Team 8 as well; it will show they can do more than just search and rescue."

Everyone's gaze turns to Kakashi then, nominating the jinchuriki of their village will be a highlight for both the vendors and gamblers.

Kakashi shrugs, nods his confirmation that he feels his team is ready too.

"Yes, I want Team 7 to participate in the Chunin Exams as well."

Naruto & Hinata- Naruto's Apartment

"Aren't you getting tired?" Hinata asks softly.

Naruto peers up from the fuinjutsu scroll, jabs gently at Hinata's shoulder until she returns said action back with a light huff.

"If you want me to get up, you can just say that y'know." He grunts.

Hinata rolls over to look at him fully, lilac to cobalt watching each other. She isn't the one coming into his bed just to read or chat about their days, though she imagines Naruto probably wouldn't care if she did finally go into his room.

It's the one place in his apartment that she's yet to walk into.

"My room and trash aren't going to hurt you. Even if you think tiptoeing around like that will stop grime from getting on you." Naruto snorts, Hinata jolting as he roughly pushes past her into his bedroom.

3 weeks.

Nearly a whole month since arriving here she's managed to stave off her curiosity regarding his room. The glimpses she got today are of wrinkled hills of laundry, empty ramen cups stacked nearly as tall as his dressers, tracks of mud that cling to his rugs in patches of browns and grays, and training targets in varying degrees of damage.

It all confirms it's probably the dirtiest area of his home.

'I could help him clean maybe?' She considers, it will cost precious ryo now to always go to the bathhouses instead of showering here.

But, would he want that?

Her face feels molten hot under his bored gaze, fingers trembling looking down. Not even Main clan members go into the Branch's quarters without getting permission first from Father or one of the Elders.

Ah, but that's no longer her life anymore...

"T-This is your private area; I-I can't just go in here unless you're okay with it."

Naruto grins sardonically, flash of crimson in his eyes. "Clearly none of my house is truly 'private' any more now that you're here. Looks like your Old Man truly really isn't gonna come back for you so get comfortable here, too many perks the Hyūga clan got from sacrificing you y'know."

Hinata bites her lip, balls her hands forcing herself to look up at him. Father is the one subject he always brings up just to get a reaction from her, though she long ago accepted that Hiashi no longer has any interest in her.

"I never said I wanted him to come back!"

A sliver of pleasure burrows into her at Naruto's brief startled look, too fast though for it to take root in his expression.

"Err well, good then, y'know! Will make both of our lives easier that you don't keep pining for a past that's already gone."

"I never said you had to get up, though I'm going to sleep." Hinata mentions lightly, fingers brushing with his own.

He squeezes back gently after a moment.

"There's just one last page I want to read, then I'll hit the sack."

"Hmm, if you say so. Don't be grumpy in the morning." Hinata yawns as she turns back over, not believing him, knows he may regret his lack of sleep come breakfast time.

He lightly scoffs, tussles up her hair purposefully before leaving her to rest.

'I just need to read how they do specific types of seals, then I can start practicing more on objects.' Naruto decides.

A picture slips out from the end of the scroll as he opens it more, looks like it might have been glued to the back to try and keep out of view from others.

'Interesting!' Naruto beams, it's like he found a secret treasure!

The photo, now a worn yellow-gray stares back at him. A boy who looks to be around his age with his same sunny yellow hair grins for the camera beside a man with long spiky white hair.

Behind them is the village, less buildings than currently, but it overall looks the same.

He frowns, turns the photo over to see if there's a date or names. Old Man Third's face is upon the Hokage monument in the background, so it can't have been from that long ago.

'For Jiraiya.' He reads.

Naruto wrinkles his nose; who's that? The boy or the old guy?

He can't recall hearing Iruka-sensei ever call out the name 'Jiraiya' for attendance, but then again, he hardly ever went to class in the first place.

But he has a name at least, he just needs to tie him back to who he is in the picture.

He flips the photo back over, tries to recall if he's ever seen either of them in passing throughout the village.

Or maybe Hinata has, he'll ask her tomorrow.

He does a final stare at their faces, shrugs and gives up setting the picture aside on his desk.

'Whoever they are, they must know something about the Uzumaki clan.'

-x-

I'm excited for the Chunin exams and Jiraiya soon to make his debut with changes to canon! Possibly some different matchups for the exams too and definitely characters interacting with people they never did so in canon with or very little at all.

Otherwise, pa-tre-ons get early access to chapters and other goodies from Naruto to MHA, and my original writings. I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there! Check out my Insta by the same name as well for book recommendations, travel blog, and my anime drawings!

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