[Naruto FIC] Where Eagles Dare (part 6)
Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2004 6:17 am
"How about chicken, Naruto-kun?" Hinata pointed towards one shop. "The line is not long. The people seem to be enjoying themselves. It must be quite good."
"No." Naruto kept marching along, arms in front of him like the bow of a large ship. Hinata followed in his wake, before the crowd filled the temporary void caused by her date.
"Over there. The fish vendor. He's putting on a song and dance routine. The patrons are joining in. That might be enjoyable, too." Hinata pointed in another direction. It took less and less effort for her to make suggestions. Her courage was growing, almost exponentially. No one but Naruto could have caused that.
" O plea-a-a-a-a-se...." Naruto kept his eyes on the spire on top of a tall building. Somewhere near that structure, the final ramen shop sat.
"Ummmm. Well. That shop has sticky buns AND flavored ice. Do you like pastries and ice cream?" Hinata felt herself salivating. She swallowed quickly, feeling that she would just die if Naruto saw her drool.
"Not today!" Naruto continued onward, as relentless as a tsunami.
"Beef?"
"No."
"Tofu?"
"Gag!"
"Fruit cups?"
"Next time."
IF YOU BUY SOMETHING, THE FEMALE MAY SHUT UP.
Naruto almost gave in
And so it went. At one pointed, they passed by a number of chefs walking around with trays of new recipes that they wanted to get good word of mouth on. Small portions for reasonable fees. Somewhat embarrassed, Hinata reached into her hip purse... drew out some coins... handed the currency to a smiling woman... and greedily accepted a flaky bun filled with tender vegetables and pungent cheese.
Looking at Naruto as he walked, she ran to catch up, nibbling on her bounty. Her shirt front was covered with crumbs, but she either didn't notice or didn't care. She couldn't remember anything tasting that good in all her life
Feeling a little better, she continued on with her questions. She was still very hungry.
"Squid on a stick?"
"Uh... no!" Naruto faltered in his step, just for a moment. That had been too close. He pictured squid curling over a well lit fire.
"Two squid on a stick?"
"Ahhhh... no and no!" No stumbling that time. Naruto was made of strong stuff.
"Duck!!!"
"No!!!"
"Naruto, I mean....." Hinata closed her eyes. She had seen the man absentmindedly swinging the two huge buckets on the end of the staff he held across his shoulders. Naruto obviously did not.
Her companion was knocked ass over teakettle, landing on his back on the ground.
"Duck...." Hinata said sheepishly.
"Oh...." Naruto looked a bit cross-eyes. He sat up, he realized that he was covered with cooked rice that had spilled out from the offending bucket.
Hinata stared at the rice. Her stomach growled. The pastry had not been that big. She reached out her hand and scooped up some of the rice. She came very close to drooling that time, no matter how many times she swallowed. "Want some rice?"
"No." Naruto stood up, and brushed the white food off of his robe. He graciously accepted small jar of salve that Hinata took out of her satchel.
Hinata closed her eyes. Opening them again, she stared down at the rice in her hand. Looking back at Naruto, she sighed and turned her hand over. Teasing her, the rice clung to her hand before falling to the uncaring earth. She made one last effort. "Lamb kebobs?"
Naruto frowned. "I will forgive you just this once, Hinata." He shook his head. "Today, it must be ramen. Next time, whatever you like."
"OK, Naruto-kun." Hinata sighed. There must be some way she could convince herself that this was all some form of ninja training. She kept repeating to herself that she must be strong.
'Must be strong.'
'Must be strong.'
'MUST BE STRONG!'
Looking at Hinata's shirt, Naruto raised one eyebrow when he caught sight of the crumbs. He shook his head. Hinata looked away. Nevertheless, her new found resiliency rose to the occasion. "N-N-Naruto-kun...." She clenched her hands together, stiffened her spine, and spoke in a firmer voice. "Naruto-kun... couldn't we just buy the instant ramen?" She nodded to a sign over to their left. It was on sale, three for the price of five.
Naruto looked as if he had seen a ghost. Instant noodles had their place. But....
"You just don't understand," he said. "But, I'm willing to teach you." He felt particularly generous and effusive at that moment. They continued on their way. "You'll see. Just wait a little longer."
Just as the noodle tent came into in their unobstructed line of sight, the unexpected struck again, with a vengeance. More people they new. That alone set Naruto's teeth on edge. And, people they knew with food. That left Hinata sorely tempted.
"Ino. Ten Ten. I thought you were joking. But, it's true!" Naruto knew that voice. How could he ever forget it?
"Sakura-chan!" Turning, he saw the trio of female ninjas, each carrying a food bag from one shop or another. Hinata might be too proud to drool. He wasn’t. "Sakura-chan, long time no see!" He almost made one of his Naruto-esque remarks, like 'Couldn't keep away from me could you, Sakura-chan.' Looking over at Hinata, he bit his tongue.
Ino waved her arms to get Hinata's attention. Ten Ten did as well. Sakura struck a pose and pushed her hair back away from her face.
"Hinata, is that really you? Not a clone made to look like Hinata? I wouldn't put it past that idiot to try and put on a show for everybody!" Despite her words, Sakura turned a fond look on her old team mate. He had been a fine example for her at one time. He had saved her life. He had also risked everything to try and keep that Promise of a Lifetime.
"It's me, Sakura-chan. He didn't bring me along. I brought him along." Hinata blushed, thinking that her words seemed a little conceited.
"That's not surprising," Ten Ten put in. "Left on his own, Naruto wouldn't have discovered girls until he reached 'G' in the great scroll of knowledge.
"Even then, somebody would have had to explain it too him!" Ino broke out into peels of irritating laughter.
Naruto ground his teeth together. He managed a brief smile when he saw Sakura doing the same.
"We will need to get together sometime to discuss your taste in men, Hinata." Ten Ten smirked, hand on hip. "Real soon."
"But, you can keep hanging around with Naruto until you're ready for men!" Ino slapped Ten Ten's outstretched hand.
THERE'S A REASON WE MATE ONLY ONCE A YEAR.
Naruto was not about to take things laying down.
"Yeh, like Ino." Naruto lifted his chin up. "She probably has more hair on her chin than me." Naruto laughed. "Chest too." He knew that wasn't true. He hated to admit it, but Ino was very attractive. Ten Ten too. And Sakura.
In fact, comparing them to Hinata, they were all more beautiful in general terms. He felt guilty for a moment, thinking that. But, he also realized something else. Given a choice, he'd choose Hinata over any or all of them.
Ino began sputtering. Sakura gave Naruto a big smile and a thumbs up.
"Ooooooh. You're almost as insufferable as that hideous bald forehead girl!" Ino sent a deadly glance in Sakura's direction, having seen her signal to Naruto.
"Now now, Ino. No reason to get snippy. You can shave when you get home." Sakura sent a sizzling glance back at her friend and rival.
"Good idea. She might have a chance at Shikamaru, then!" Naruto came to Sakura's defense automatically. "Unless she's developed a thing for Choji." He winked at Sakura. "They look so much alike."
"Akamura, I think." Sakura busied herself by looking nonchalantly at her fingernails.
"SAK---U---RA...." Ino sounded as if she was ready for a full blown confrontation.
"Well, how's the date going, Hinata?" Ten Ten suavely moved to diffuse the situation. They had come here to gawk at the rumored couple, not fight with one another. They needed to keep their priorities in order. "He kiss you yet?"
Their argument immediately forgotten, both Ino and Sakura swiveled their heads on their necks, zeroing in on Hinata's face.
"Hmmmmmmmm..." Ino's eyes lit up, the large colored pupils looking eerie.
"Oh. Tell us... tell us... tellustellustellustellus!" Sakura elbowed Ino aside, so that she might be the first one to hear the answer.
Naruto froze up, then began waving his arms in circles, trying to maintain some semblance of balance. His legs had suddenly seized up on him. He slowly fell over, much to the girls’ great satisfaction.
Hinata looked for something to hide behind. She snuck behind a nearby wooden statue.
"Guess not." Ten Ten sighed.
"Pity," Ino said, crestfallen.
"Nothing to gossip about. Damn. I lost the bet with Tsunade, and she NEVER wins." Sakura checked her purse to see how much money she had. "I never should have listened to Ino!"
"But, how's the date going besides that, Hinata?" Ten Ten coaxed the white-eyes girl back into their midst with a wave of her hand. She used the other hand to keep a vice grip on Ino, who was trying to reach Sakura again.
"Ummm... uhhh.... you see.... we....." Hinata kept looking over at a prostrate Naruto, who was just showing signs of stirring again. "Actually...."
"Wow. That good, huh." Ino curled her lip, dripping with sarcasm.
Sakura rubbed her chin, staring at Naruto. She looked over at Hinata, a look of compassion on her face. "Let me see if I can guess. There were a number of things you wanted to do today. He decided to go for food first. You still haven't finished that...."
Hinata looked down at the ground and began shuffling her feet.
"ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH... boys!" Ino ground on fist into her palm.
Ten Ten just shook her head sadly.
Sakura, somewhat enraged now, decided to be a bit more demonstrative. Walking over to Naruto, she grabbed him by his collar and dragged him to his feet with tremendous strength. "Naruto... you jerk!!!"
"Huh?" Naruto gave Sakura a devil-may-care grin, enraging her all the more. Just like old times.
"Naruto...." Sakura began shaking Naruto. "You are the...." Naruto's head looked like something on a bobble-head doll. "Worst excuse for...." He was shaken so hard, that a long sting of spittle strung out from his mouth, waving back and forth like a crazed pendulum. "A human being...." The on looking girls could have sworn that Naruto's eyes were going around in circles. "I have ever seen. Hmmmpppfff!!!"
Naruto...being Naruto... had his own observation to make. Being who and what he was, his sudden enlightenment was something he would have been better off keeping to himself. "Hey, Sakura-chan...."
"What?" Sakura let go. Naruto dropped to the ground, landing hard on his kiester.
"You hiding balloons under your robe??? They're certainly bouncing around a lot." He grinned.
"Wha-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-t..."
The sound of an exceedingly loud slap carried across that small corner of the town.
His one cheek already swelling, Naruto slurred his next words. "Guess that must happen to everyone training to be a medical ninja." He spat up blood-tinged saliva. "Ouch. I'm certainly in a need for some healing." He rubbed his face.
Hinata was torn between concern on Naruto's part... embarrassment on her own behalf... and righteous indignation on Sakura's. Looking down at her own shirt, she bit her lip.
Ino was laughing. "I'll have to remember that one!" She slapped her knee. "For the next time the genins all get together. Balloons." She stuck her tongue out at Sakura and tugged down on her lower eye lid. "You may have some value after all, Naruto."
Sakura growled. Her facial features softening, she walked over to pat Hinata on the back. "It's a dirty job, Hinata, but someone has to do it. You have the gratitude of the entire female race."
Ino and Ten Ten nodded their heads. Naruto stuck out his lower lip.
"And, I have learned a lot from the Hokage. Tsunade is a very good teacher." Sakura then turned to look at Ino. "I'm told that I'm one of the best students she ever had." She stuck out her tongue, then turned back to Hinata with a cheerful look on her face. "If you get to close to Naruto, you may need some flea repellant. I can make that. If he somehow does manage to kiss you, you'll need a powerful disinfectant. I can whip one of those up easily. The fact that you're content to look at him means you probably need corrective eye ware. That's beyond me at the moment. Sorry."
"Ummm thank you...." Hinata had been at a loss for words. She thought she should at least be polite.
Naruto turned his glare on Hinata, giving her a sour 'You too?' look. Hinata just shrugged her shoulders in return. Then she began to fidget.
Sakura walked over to Naruto again, a serious look on her face. She began poking him in the chest as she spoke. "When you take a girl on a date..." Poke poke poke pokepokepoke. "You are supposed to think of her first...." Poke poke pokepokepoke. "And show her a good time!!!" Poke.
"Ramen is a good time," Naruto remarked defensively.
Ten Ten and Ino closed their eyes and let out long loud sighs.
"Not... for... a... girl...." Poke poke poke poke. Sakura balled up her fist, and smiled. Then she sighed. She couldn't let Naruto make her loose her cool. She relaxed her hand.
"Well...ummm... I... was having...ummm... a good time...." Hinata came to Naruto's defense.
Ten Ten went over to talk to Hinata. "Hinata, this is your fault too. You know that Naruto is a little slow in the head...."
"HEY-Y-Y-Y...." Naruto called out.
"Hmmmm?" Ten Ten smiled. "You're right. Very slow in the head." She squeezed Hinata's shoulder in sisterly fashion. "You need to grow a backbone and keep him in line."
"You go girl," Ino snapped her fingers. Ten Ten took a bow.
Sakura turned to look over at Hinata. "Where did you want to go today, Hinata?"
"I..." Hinata looked over at Naruto, then at Sakura. "The flower displays at the botanical preserves. The traditional dances over at the outdoor theater. Maybe some milkshakes or ice cream."
"Very nice choices," Ino said, smiling at Hinata.
"Yes, very." Ten Ten scowled at Naruto. She took out a kunai and began twirling it in her hand.
"So, Naruto, listen up. Are you going to take Hinata to the gardens." Sakura crossed her arms over her chest and stood in front of Naruto. "Do...... you...... hear......me......???"
"Yes." Naruto nodded his head.
Hinata smiled.
Ino walked over next to Sakura. "And, are you going to take her to the dances?" She straightened Naruto's collar, then patted him on the cheek. "Understand?!!"
"Right!" Naruto threw out his chest.
Hinata clapped her hands, stopping when Naruto looked over.
Ten Ten walked over too. "Don't forget the milkshakes or whatever!" She gave Naruto an extremely painful pinch on the behind. "Do I have to write it down for you???"
"Boss!!!" Naruto saluted.
Hinata sighed.
Ten Ten, Ino, and Sakura all looked at each other, then over at Naruto. "You promise?" They all spoke at the same time.
"YES!!!" Naruto spread his legs apart, put his arms behind his back, and smiled.
"Good." Sakura smiled. Her job was done.
"Right after ramen!" Naruto said. Running over to Hinata, he grabbed her hand and took off.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-H-H-H-H-H...." The girls all shouted and began running after them. Ten Ten's thrown kunai stuck in Naruto's scroll.
SOME MALES DO NOT LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO MATE
Naruto grinned. Those girls were all over-reacting as usual. This was fun. Who wouldn't enjoy this?
Stopping short, he rapidly focused his will. 'Let's have some more fun, old fox.'
There was a sudden exclamation from the crowd. For good reason. Naruto's illusion made it look as if Ino, Sakura, and Ten Ten were naked. Hey, if it worked once today, why not milk it for all it was worth?
He had to use his imagination for their upper halves. For their lower halves, he substituted male anatomy.
Feeling a bit fanciful... not to mention sore in the jaw and posterior... he embellished things a bit. On Ten Tens' back their was the image of a tattoo saying 'Know-it-All.' On Ino's back, the words spelled out 'Blowhard.' On Sakura, he wrote 'Kick Me.'
The female genin ran for the nearest place of hiding, Naruto and Hinata forgotten.
For a moment, Naruto felt just like he did when he was younger, painting graffiti on the giant stone Hokages, or pulling off any of his other innumerable pranks. He had been so busy the past few years, he never had much time to be a kid. But, that was true for most kids in Konoha who were training to be ninjas.
Training was hard for a reason. Lives were at stake. So was the financial future of the village.
But not for him today!
Slowing to a walk, he turned to Hinata. Swallowing hard, he said words he never though he would ever say. "We can skip the ramen if you like, Hinata-chan."
Much to Hinata's credit, she knew just how remarkable an offer that was. She bowed to him. "Thank you, Naruto-kun. Ramen will be fine."
Naruto's eyes lit up. He smiled his biggest smile of the day. "Hinata! You're the greatest!"
Hinata smiled back, then took his hand.
"We'll try one more place only. I promise." Naruto sounded very magnanimous. There only was one place left they hadn't tried.
"How wonderful." Hinata wasn't fooled.
Naruto stopped. He hesitated a moment.
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata was watching his face.
"Uh... Hinata, sorry if you're not having any fun today. You really are great. Putting up with me like that." He began walking again.
Hinata smiled. She was about to say she was having fun just being with him. But, she was a clever girl and a quick learner. It wouldn't hurt her if Naruto remained concerned and contrite. Quite the opposite! She assured herself that it was good for him.
They finally reached the tent. Same song, new verse. The place was pretty busy. The number of empty barrels in the street suggested that they must be pretty close to being out of food too.
Worried that there was little time to waste, Naruto went with the first idea that came to mind. This line of customers was shaped like a giant horned snake. Thinking back to the battle with Kabuto and Orochimaru, he remembered an attack his sensai had made. He had been taught that jutsu. It seemed appropriate.
No one would get hurt. While their would-be gustatory competitors stood around in a temporary marsh, he and Hinata could walk in and get themselves some ramen. Finally.
His seals were a blur. He tried them one-handed, to see if he could do it. He had seen an ANBU member walk past earlier. Sight of the mask caused his mind to unwrap memories of Haku.
"Great Swamp of the Underworld." Hmmm. Would his new way of doing the seals work? No matter. If it didn't, he'd just try it again.
It worked.
Just not the way he had hoped.
"You might want to step back a little, Hinata." Naruto smiled. People began shouting and cursing, as a swamp began bubbling up under their feet. Naruto was very pleased.
But not for long.
"Ummm.... You may want to take a few more steps back. No, better run back!" Naruto grabbed Hinata's arm and pulled her along.
The swamp was growing, alright. Too much and too fast. Yes, the whole crowd was immobilized. Wonderful good!!! But, the fringe of the swamp continued in all directions. Not so good!!! Light posts began falling down. One of the watch towers began to tilt. A wave of water began building, then headed off towards a row of stores and other establishments.
"No. Oh no!" Naruto rubbed his eyes, hoping he didn't really see what he was seeing. He was seeing it alright. The swamp was surrounding the food tent. Soon, that began to sink too. Working his hands, he managed to curtail the process somewhat by throwing a jutsu to harden the ground. But, it was too little too late.
"Uh, Hinata. We don't want to miss the dances. Maybe we should run." Looking over his shoulder, Naruto saw the ANBU member running about the premises, trying to get a handle on the situation.
The two genin took off. They stopped just in time as a bevy of pretty women...all of whom were scantily dressed... ran out of a nearby shop. They were followed out by a staggering man with a sake bottle in each hand and bottles tucked under his arms. A retractable telescope fell out of one pocket. His horned forehead protector was somewhat askew.
"ERO-SENNIN!!!" Naruto shouted, recognizing Jiraiya. Oh great! Just perfect!
"N-N-Naruto???" His master's voice was a bit slurred. That would take enormous amounts of sake. "Errr...d-don't worry. I found your hidden money stash, but I swear I'll pay you back."
Naruto cursed under his breath. He had been saving that money for the better part of three years.
"Ooooooh. What have we here? Mmmmmmm, did you bring her for me? How nice it is to have such a thoughtful and considerate student." Jiraiya looked Hinata up and down, then reached both hands out at chest level as he began to walk towards her. "She's a cute one alright."
Hinata stepped behind Naruto. To distract his sensai, Naruto performed the Sexy No Jutsu, harem style. When Jiraiya came back to his senses, he spoke to his pupil. "Who is that girl, Naruto? Did I forget to pay my bill at the sake tent again?"
"No, pervert sennin." Naruto replied.
"Don't call me that so loudly!!!!" Jiraiya shook his fist at Naruto.
"She's uh... my date. Ummm... my girlfriend." Naruto actually blushed.
"Yes, sure. Who is she really." Jiraiya shook his head, dismissing Naruto's claim out of hand.
"She really is my date. We were out trying to get ramen." Naruto scowled.
"That's funnier than your usual jokes, moron. Is she from the supply depot? I'm pretty sure I settled that tab." Jiraiya tried to get another look at Hinata. She had her hands firmly grasped on Naruto's robe.
"Hinata's...... my...... girlfriend.... YOU...... STUPID...... PERVERT!!!" Naruto's shout had a number of people opening their windows and looking out.
"Shhhhhhh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h....." Jiraiya clamped his hand over Naruto's mouth. "Enough's enough. If you're not going to tell me the truth, you might as well get back to your training. You still have a lot to learn." He looked at Hinata, who had been peeking around the side of Naruto's back. "You know why," he told his student in a more serious tone of voice.
"But...."
Hinata swallowed, then stepped out. "He's telling the truth." She bowed respectfully, realizing that the man must be one of the Legendary Three Sennin, despite his unusual appearance and uncouth behavior.
"Hmmm, you must be Hyuuga Hinata, if I remember correctly." Jiraiya rubbed his chin. "I don't remember any mention of mental illness or bad taste running in the Hyuuga clan. Is my stupid apprentice blackmailing you?"
"Ummm... No." Hinata answered.
"Paying you?" Jiraiya turned a look on Naruto that was half disappointed and half impressed.
"NO!" Hinata spoke much louder than she had intended. She put her hand over her mouth.
"She asked me, Ero-sennin." Naruto turned and touched Hinata gently on the arm. "It's OK, Hinata. He doesn't bite. He's got a lot of quirks, but that's not one of them."
Jiraiya scowled. "I'm still missing something here. It's odd enough that any girl would take an interest in someone like you, even if you are beginning to look a little bit like the Fourth. But for you to accept? Who would have guessed it? What's the trick?"
Naruto looked down at his feet, remaining silent.
"Well?" Jiraiya held out a bottle of sake towards Hinata, who frantically shook her head.
"I lost a bet." Naruto spat that out reluctantly. He had no choice. He knew from experience that his sensai would keep at him until he gave in.
"Ahhh, now that makes some sense." Jiraiya laughed. "But this is not the girl you tried to hug before."
Hinata's eyes went wide, then narrowed. She turned to stare at Naruto. He had never seen that look on Hinata before. His knees actually felt weak. Seeing her take up the stance for the gentle fist, he gulped.
Jiraiya suddenly looked a great deal more sober. He straightened up his posture, a hard glint in his eye. "You were both being serious?"
"Y-Y-Yes," Hinata said, quitting her stance.
Naruto nodded his head.
"I see," Jiraiya put all of his bottles down. He ran a hand through his enormous expanse of hair. "That's not a good idea."
Both Naruto and Hinata stood stunned.
"In fact, it's a pretty bad idea." There was a touch of sadness in the older man's eye. He was very fond of Naruto, and was well aware of just how tough his life was.
Hinata couldn't speak. When someone of that stature makes a pronouncement, it carries an unmistakable ring of certainty. She felt as if the world had begun to crumble out from beneath her.
"B-B-But why?" Naruto stammered in disbelief. True, he had started the morning skeptical whether he even wanted a girlfriend. But, his master's words made him take stock of things. Looking over at Hinata, he knew that he had formed a special attachment to her.
Jiraiya sighed, then hung his head. He sat down on a large ornamental rock. "Can't you guess?" His voice was very low. "I've told you that you're not a kid any more, and that you needed to start thinking things through on your own."
Naruto put his hand on his abdomen, resting it over the site of the great seal.
"Yes," his mentor said. "You're not like other boys. You can never afford to be less vigilant than possible, now more than ever." Jiraiya's voice snapped like a flag in a brisk wind. "You should not open yourself up to distraction. It's bad enough that I allow you to wander off on your own at times, but I figure you can fend for yourself pretty well within city limits."
"But...." Naruto began to get angry.
"But nothing. If you tried to protect someone else instead of yourself---or in addition to yourself---you know what might happen." Jiraiya slammed one fist onto the rock, breaking off sharp splinters of stone. "And can you imagine how you might feel if you had to end up doing the right thing?"
"Huh..." The young genin looked baffled.
"You... need... to... remain... free... at... all... costs. If you and a girl were confronted, the right thing would be for you to escape immediately...... alone."
"WHAT-T-T-T?!!!" Naruto's hands twitched uncontrollably.
"You know I'm right. Like it or not." The older ninja turned sad eyes towards Hinata, then back to Naruto.
"B-B-But... that's not fair!!!" Naruto slowly walked towards his teacher.
"True. But who ever said things would be fair? Especially for you. The Fourth made his sacrifice. You will need to make yours, in a different fashion." Jiraiya tried to keep from dredging up painful memories.
"No. it's not right. I have had to put up with so much shit my entire life. Well, I'm not going to give it all up. Do you hear me, pervert sennin? I would rather die and take all of the problems with me than live some horrible life." His fury took him one step too far. "Just because you never could get granny Tsunade to love you, doesn't mean you have to take it out on me!!!"
Naruto immdeiately regretted those words
Jiraiya stood up. "Shut UP, you big baby! This has nothing to do with me. Do I have to spell things out any further for you? If you really care about this girl, can you think what it might mean for her?"
"Uh... I'm sorry, sensai...." Naruto tried to calm himself down. "What...."
"She would be in great danger, wouldn't she? Idiot! Haven't you given that any thought? You are so selfish, even now." Jiraiya grimaced. "Not only would she be in danger around you...." He paused, setting up his brutal but necessary argument. "She would be in danger on her own, if someone though she might make a good pawn. Can't you see that?"
Naruto sat down hard on the ground.
His master was entirely correct.
How had he missed that?
Why did he suddenly feel such an indescribable sense of loss?
"E-E-Excuse me, Sir." It was Hinata. She walked over and sat next to Jiraiya.
"Yes, young lady?" Jiraiya sounded very down.
"I don't know what's going on. Ummm... I've heard people whisper, but have no idea what it all means. But, uhhh... I think you are being unfair." She swallowed, noticing her hands shake.
"Hmmmmm?"
"Don't I get a say in the matter?" Hinata was surprised by her own stance on the matter. "I'm a ninja. I face d-d-death on many occasions. Maybe more than others, because I am not as powerful as the best fighters in our class. We've been trained about capture, torture, and...." She ran down.
"It's not easy, is it?" Jiraiya said kindly.
"No, it's not. But it's a part of my life. It has been ever since my father decided I wasn't good enough to be heir. At one point, I didn't really feel like I had a lot to live for." Hinata looked over at Naruto. "A certain person gave me back my hope." She bowed her head, then blushed. "If that chance were taken away from me by his choice, I could fight on, I think. But...."
Naruto stared at Hinata, his face warming too.
Jiraiya sighed. "I see what you are saying. You're right, I suppose. But only from one perspective. Those like me have to look at the bigger picture. Nevertheless, I was trying to protect you like you were children. You are not. Still, I hope you will give thought to what I said. There are much bigger things at stake than one girl's heart and one boy's pride." He paused. "What is that smell? It's familiar...." He listened to muffled screaming. He saw a number of trees fall over in the distance. Turning to Naruto, his face clouded over. "You didn't...."
"Well, sensai, you see...." Naruto began back-peddling.
"I can't believe you would be that irresponsible. No, I can believe it. Didn't I tell you that the more powerful jutsu were not to be tossed about on a whim. Didn't I lecture you on responsibility...again, and again, and again." Jiraiya rolled up his voluminous sleeves. "It looks like we need a more stern reminder."
The older ninja worked a complex hand seal, making his way through a jutsu akin to Kongou Nyoi. Instead of turning himself into a giant staff, he conjured a temporary one from some unknown realm. "This is going to hurt you more than it hurts me!"
Things looked mighty grim for Naruto. But, providence came to his rescue. The ANBU ninja ran in their direction. He was followed by three other squad members.
"You are Jiraiya?" The ninja spoke respectfully. He recognized Jiraiya from a picture in the Hokage's office.
"Yes, I am? What do you wish with me?" Jiraiya assumed they would want his help cleaning up any mess his stupid student made. They had better ask real nicely, if that's the case! And, they better have access to sake. And babes.
"We understand that the 'Underworld Swamp' is a jutsu that you are capable of performing. It is a very rare and very difficult skill. We would like to have a few words with you about the ongoing trouble. You were seen in the vicinity, not long before the events occurred." The ANBU members surrounded Jiraiya, keeping a fair distance.
Naruto looked shocked at first, then calculating. "Thank god, Hinata. We can get away from him now!" He ran over, took Hinata's hand, and pulled her after him. Stopping, he shook the hand of the nearest masked ninja. "Thank you all. Keep up the good work!"
The two youngsters took off like hares chased by hounds.
"Hey...wait... bastard!!!" As angry as Jiraiya was, he couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief. Disbelief and reluctant admiration. Maybe Naruto was fortunate and unpredictable enough to survive anything. "OK, where were we...." Jiraiya sighed. It looked like he was in for a long night.
As he ran, Naruto tried to deal with his horrendous jumble of thoughts. The danger that he continually faced because he was the vessel for Kyubi. The necessities and responsibilities that sat on his shoulder, forcing him to reach for the utmost power, but saddling him with unwanted rules and limitations. His own selfishness. The desire to get whatever he could, in an attempt to make up for the injustice of it all.
He hadn't asked for it. He hadn't asked for any of.
Sure, he had wanted to be powerful. At first, it was for attention. Now, it was just to stay alive. That, and to protect those dear to him. But it all stemmed from a destiny that was thrust upon him!
Looking at the crowd of people around him, he realized that they all had lives of their own. Problems unique to them. Goals and aspirations only they knew of. Hopes. Dreams. Fears. Everything. As someone who had wanted to be Hokage, he should have been aware of that all along.
Hokage.
Did he still thirst for that title? Had the fire inside him died down, now that he was important enough to train with one of the Legendary Sennin? With the tremendous skills he had been acquiring, wasn't he strong enough to win everyone's respect now?
He wasn't entirely certain.
If he was to take on that role some day, he would need to reach beyond himself. As had the Hokage before him, he would have to think, feel, and act as if each and every citizen in Konoha was important to him.
Bumping up against Hinata as they ran, he switched his thoughts over to the present. He also had to consider her. What did she feel? What did she want? What constraints and restrictions bound her hands, mind, and heart? How could being around him be any benefit to her at all?
Jiraiya's words kept crying out for his attention, but he didn't want to deal with that now. In fact, he wasn't really in any state of mind to deal with all this introspection and soul searching.
He was hungry.
They were hungry.
Also, there were things that Hinata wanted to do, and he had promised to do them with her.
It was time to focus in on that.
As he and his companion moved through the square, he came to the unfortunate but undeniable realization that he would be unable to follow through on that vow. Catching their breath in the blissful shadow of a large stand of ornamental trees, they caught bits and pieces of conversations that dealt a death blow to their plans.
Naruto's actions had come home to roost.
Big time.
People had a description of him and Hinata. They must have been noticed during the dramatic and memorable the events of his making. His actions could not have gone wholly unnoticed. In his arrogance, he had thought that he could essentially hide in the crowd, doing what he pleased, just another face in the teaming multitude.
He had been wrong.
Very much so.
No doubt, the ANBU squad would be looking for them soon.
He and Hinata would have to leave this town. Now. Without a moment's delay.
For her part, Hinata remained very quiet. She wasn't blind to the events unfolding around them. She was not unaware of the cause of it all. If she took the time to dwell on things, she would have been very disappointed. Furthermore, she had every reason to examine her own thoughts and actions, since in the purest sense she was an accomplice to each and every one of Naruto's deeds.
Her mind was preoccupied.
Jiraiya's words had cut her to the quick. She had watched Naruto for so long. After remaining patient, she had finally worked up the courage to seek him out. Despite the wild events of the day, it had felt as if the two of them were bonding in a special way. All that, only to have the figurative rug pulled out from under her feet!!!
Why? Why did it have to happen to her?
What could she still hope for?
What should she do?
"I'm sorry, Hinata." Naruto felt very sad when he had lead the two of them to the outskirts of the community. "I know you're hungry, but we can't afford to stop at any of the other shops or restaurants now." He kicked at a tree root. "It's all my fault."
Hinata didn't answer. She wasn't angry with Naruto. Quite the opposite. She simply wondered how many more words she would be able to share with him. Somehow, that made every word seem important. They were too precious to waste.
"I know you wanted to see the dances, and the flowers. This was supposed to be a date, not a chance for me to involve you in my stupid obsessions." He bit his lip hard, seeing Hinata with her head bowed, silent. He had screwed up royally.
She must really hate him now.
Hinata looked up into Naruto's face. She couldn't help herself. Even though her important one was watching her--- and she wanted to be strong for him---tears began rolling down her face.
She should be strong.
She was a ninja, and a Hyuuga.
She couldn't fight her emotions.
"Hinata...." Naruto closed his eyes. The sight of those tears made him shudder, wracked with mental anguish and guilt. He felt worse than he had when he saw Lee's shattered and hopeless form, the result of Gaara's cruelty. His throat was tighter than it had been when he saw how Haku died, thinking that Zabuzan had no regard for the sacrifice that the young boy had made. The last time he had felt this bad had been when he realized that Sasuke intended to kill him.
"Damn. What a jerk I am. I finally find someone who really cares about me in a special way, and I blow it. I had just started to feel...." He didn't know how to put things into words. Plainly put, he didn't know how to sort through his swirling emotions. He was caught in a spinning whirlpool, and didn't now which way to swim to get out of it, much less reach the shore.
"I'm so sorry, Hinata...."
Hinata walked over to Naruto, and wrapped her arms around him. Her shyness didn't matter to her then. It could not manipulate her actions at the moment. She was beyond thought, reacting only to the deepest emotions in her heart. She hugged the startled young man fiercely, even desperately, not wanting to ever let him go. The sobs came then, shaking both their bodies with their intensity. There was no way to stop her flow of feelings. Once the cork was removed from the bottle, she couldn't put it back.
"N-N-Naruto-kun....." Her voice was muffled in his robes. "I don't want to lose you."
She knew her words might sound foolish to him. How could she lose him if she never really had him. But, her heart was not roadside lawyer. She had watched him for so long, that he was a part of her life whether he realized it or not.
Whether he wanted it or not.
Naruto was shocked. Hinata's anguish felt more real than Sakura's had, when she had pleaded for him to bring back their wayward teammate. The girl hanging onto him now was not upset because of the things he had done. She didn't want that perverted old sennin's words become a reality.
Incredible.
Even more miraculous, he realized that he felt the same way.
Did it make any sense? He hadn't really taken that kind of notice of Hinata until today. How could he be feeling strong emotions about her?
The answer didn't matter right then.
Hinata mattered.
"You won't." Naruto knew he couldn't promise that, and probably shouldn't even say it. But, he was never one to give up. He had told Neji as much during their fight. He was indeed terrible at quitting. Maybe he could find some way. Regardless, he wouldn't walk away until he tried his best.
"N-N-Naruto-kun....." Hinata looked up at Naruto, seeing the same fierce look in his eyes that she had seen before when he was faced with battles and dangers that should have been beyond his abilities.
"I can't promise that Jiraiya wasn't right. I can't swear that we can each find what we want." Naruto nodded his head. "But I can say that I won't give up without a fight. You know me. You've been watching, right?" He smiled.
"Oh." Hinata's eyes went very wide. Her lip quivered, but she managed a smile.
"But, none of that will matter if we both starve to death!" Naruto tried to inject some levity into the situation.
He also wanted food.
"Right!" Hinata said, wiping her eyes. She would try and mirror Naruto's resolve. He would continue to be her silent teacher. "If you're finished just standing around... p-p-perhaps we should go find some... I mean... if...." She reprimanded herself. Now was no time to fall back on her timidity. "If you think you can handle that."
Naruto's mouth fell open. Then he laughed. "Hinata!"
He grabbed her hand and started down the nearest path. As they walked, they worked on possible plans to scrounge up a meal. They were experienced ninja, so they ought to be able to find something in the forest around them. Neither was much in the mood for grubs and berries, however.
Naruto couldn't call Gamarakki again that day, so a ride was out. They could head for the nearest village, or go to Konoha, but both were a fair walk away.
"Wait. I could simply disguise us. We don't have to leave this town." Naruto's eyes lit up. "We could run into the nearest shop, buy everything they have, then head off somewhere to eat it!"
Yes!!!
Naruto's spirit began soaring upward again.
"Would the ANBU be able to see it?" Hinata asked. "And might your master be looking for you?"
Struck with the arrow of reality, his spirit came crashing down again.
"Oh. Right. Damn!!!" Naruto rattled off a string of curses, then apologized to Hinata.
Apparent salvation came in the shape of a solitary fish salesman walking down the path towards them. He had two huge buckets of fish on ice, tied down on the back of the stalwart ox plodding behind him. No doubt he had been going door to door at some of the isolated huts and cottages off in the woods.
"Hinata! Our luck has changed!" Naruto ran over to speak to the man, his money purse jingling in his hand.
"Hey! Old man. We're starving!" He waved his arms to get the man's attention. "We'll buy all of your fish! It's your lucky day!"
"Nope." That was all the man said.
"WHA-A-A-A-A-A-A-T!!!" Naruto's eyes bulged.
YOU AND THE GIRL SHOULD EAT HIM. OR THE OX. FISH ARE FOR LOWER ANIMALS.
Naruto was too shocked too pay any attention to Kyubi's quip.
"B-B-But why...."
"They're all accounted for, sonny. Don't have a single one to spare. Sorry." The man tipped his wide brimmed hat to Hinata and continued on his way.
"Hey. Wait! I'll pay you double. Triple. More. Then you can buy other fish and deliver them!" Naruto was shaking, trying to contain his emotions.
"Can't." The man tapped the ox with a long stick.
"HUH-H-H-H-H." Naruto couldn't help from shouting. "WHY... THE... HELL...NOT???"
The man scratched his beard, wondering why the loud mouthed boy couldn't just go into town and buy fish himself. No matter. It was none of his business. "These fish are spoken for. Not some other fish. I'm a man of my word. That's my Business Way!"
"Damn!" Naruto shook his fist. Then he smiled. "Sexy No Jutsu." If this could knock the Third out, it ought to work wonders on a normal old man!
In the form of a woman clad only in fog, he gyrated in front of the salesman.
"Eyesight's not what it used to be...." The man said. "Pity." The ox snorted. "Now if you don't mind stepping aside off the path...." The man looked at Naruto, a look of determination on his face.
"Damn. Damn damn damn damn damn." Naruto ran over to Hinata. "Maybe if you tried. If a sweet girl gave him a kiss...."
Hinata just stared at Naruto. He shivered. Those eyes! That was the look that Sakura had given him just before she let him have it. He fervently hoped that Hinata wasn't picking up any of Sakura's habits or mannerisms.
"Uh, never mind. Hmmmm, we could just knock him out." Naruto sounded eager.
Hinata's eyes lit up for a moment. She almost gave in. But, she pursed her lips and shook her head.
"But... it's food... Hinata... " Naruto's look almost had Hinata laughing.
Her stomach growled. Now was not the time for laughter. She watched as the ox slowly walked down the path.
"We protect these people. They should be glad to help us in our time of need!" Naruto struck his nice guy pose. "That's it!" Running back after the man, he tried to explain that very point. He returned with a single fish, smaller than his thumb. He graciously gave it to Hinata before getting even more riled up.
His wordless shout caused a pair of squirrels to run up a tree, and sent a bevy of quail skyward.
"I-I-If we only took a few fish...." Hinata was clearly struggling with the ethics of some plan. "Just a few fish." She bit her lip, then pulled at her hair. "I think we could use illusion. Maybe transformation. And he wouldn't get hurt."
Naruto smiled. Then he chuckled. He finished up by laughing. "I said it before. You rock, Hinata!" He was surprised to hear that idea come from Hinata. But, it was perfect. They were ninja after all. And this would be a great opportunity to practice their skills.
"We would leave money, of course." Hinata brightened up. Naruto had been trying to do just that earlier, at a number of the food vendors. Precedent had been set. Right?
She twiddled her fingers.
"Well-l-l-l-l-l-l-l...sure. You're right!" Naruto nodded his head. He wondered if Hinata realized that his idea of 'a few fish' might differ than hers. No matter.
The two genin huddled together for a moment and ironed out the details of their plan.
"Fish for sale... Fish for sale... Good...... fresh...... fish..." The man's cry could be heard as he approached the borders of the town. They would have to move swiftly. No doubt any number of customers were expecting him. If they came out this far to meet him....
Quickly, Hinata transformed herself into a shrike and went to work. She flew down right in front of the fish merchant, and settled on a low branch within easy reach. The townspeople in this area considered shrikes to be good luck. The caught them, caged them, and sold them for ridiculous amounts of money.
She hoped that the man would not be immune to greed.
"Hey, look at that stilly bird! I'm going to catch him!" The man chuckled, putting down his long whip-like stick. The ox leaned down and nibbled at a clump of long grass.
As Naruto watched, the man took a deep breath. Then slowly, slowly, he reached out his hand toward the shrike. Hinata hopped up one branch higher.
"Just a little farther... a little farther... a little..." The man made a grunting noise.
The shrike hopped to the next branch.
"I missed! Well, I'll catch you this time!" Again, the fish merchant reached out his hand, slowly, slowly. "Just a little farther...a little farther... a little..."
The bird hopped to the next branch
"Missed again. But you won't get away this time! Just a little farther... a little farther... a little..." The fish merchant was beside himself. He forgot all about selling his fish. He left his ox in the middle of the path and went after the shrike, who hopped on from branch to branch and tree to tree, leading the fish merchant farther and farther away.
When the Naruto saw that, he laughed to himself. "It worked! Just as we planned!" Smiling, he transformed into a fox. He scurried out of the grove and took a fish from the pail. Again and again he did that, until he had amassed a small pile.
"Ummm. They look delicious! I'll just try one, to see if they're OK." He quickly chewed and gulped. "Ahhhhhhhhh. I haven't tasted anything so good in a long time. I think I'll have another..." More gobbling followed. "And another..." His fox nature took over. He ate more and more.
Consumed by hunger, Naruto chowwed down until all the fish were gone, and only the bones were left. "Uh oh. Well, I can just get some more." It was too late, however.
PATHETIC. YOU ARE A LOWER ANIMAL. BUT WE KNEW THAT.
The fish merchant remembered his buckets. He came running back down the road. The buckets were there on the Ox, just as he had left them. Good. It was time to head off on his way again. The damn bird had disappeared.
"I'm back, Naruto-kun." Hinata looked tired, but she had a big smile on her face. She had done well. The two of them made a good team. "Where are my fish?" She blinked repeatedly when Naruto sheepishly pointed to his belly. "What? They're all gone! Oh, how could you do that!" Uncharacteristically, she stamped her foot. Her eyes flashed.
"Uh...you see... I was a fox with a fox's instincts... and...." Naruto bowed his head. "Sorry, Hinata."
Hinata just stood there glowering.
"Let's try it again, Hinata. I'll do better this time. I can be the bird, if you like." Naruto tried to put on his biggest smile.
"No. I have that part well in hand. Just don't eat the fish this time, Naruto-kun. Please." Hinata transformed back into a shrike. There was still time. But, there were no more trees up ahead. They would have to modify the plan. Different animals. Maybe something large and fast like wolves. No. There was another way. And, if things went as she expected, it would teach Naruto a lesson in the process.
The fish seller was grumbling over the money he had lost. He had been so close to catching that damn bird Just then, the shrike returned. Hinata fluttered about the man's head, getting his attention again.
Distracted, the man did not see Naruto run ahead. Unseen, the young ninja transformed himself into a long stout stick, stuck in the ground.
The shrike flew over to sit on the stick.
"I'll get you!" The fish salesman rushed at Hinata. Just before he could grab her, she flew up, then headed towards the nearest tree back down the path. Sitting in the lowest branch, she let out a serious of raucous chirps and twitters.
"Foolish and impudent bird. I...... will...... show...... you!" The man grabbed Naruto in stick form. He ran over to the tree, intent on hitting the bird and stunning it.
Naruto, to his credit, knew what was about to happen. It might ruin their plan and give the old man a good fright, but he was not about to let himself get smacked around, not even for Hinata. They would find food some other way.
What?
He couldn't transform back.
Damn that Nine Tails!!!
I WOULD EAT THE GIRL IF I COULD. BUT, YOU SHOULD PROVIDE FOR YOUR MATE
Naruto would have swallowed hard, if a stick could do that. She was not his mate!
He simply braced for what he knew was coming.
"I'll get you this time, you bad, sneaky, detestable bird!" The fish seller slammed the stick down as hard as he could. The Hinata shrike hopped away, and instead, the stick came smashing down on the branch.
WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
"OUCH!" cried the stick. "Oh, damn! Ouch!" But, as the voice of sticks is not audible, Naruto's shouts went unheeded.
Again and again the man struck with the stick. The shrike nimbly kept out of his way.
When the man was filled with blind rage, intent on killing the bird instead of capturing it, Hinata flew away, leaving the man to beat at the tangled branches in his anger and frustration. Seeing that he was thusly preoccupied, she resumed human form, stopped and scratched the ox behind its ears, then grabbed two large fish by the tails and headed off into the woods.
When a bedraggled looking and sore Naruto stumbled found her later, Hinata was primly licking her fingers, a pile of fish bones scattered near a pair of fish heads and tails. Belching unexpectedly, she blushed. "Ummm... excuse me, Naruto-kun."
Naruto could have been angry with Hinata, but he wasn't. She had tricked him fair and square. Him, the consummate prankster!!! Besides, he had deserved it.
"You've really changed, Hinata-chan." He smiled, wondering if any of his teeth were loose.
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata looked into her companion's eyes.
"You're amazing!" Naruto gave her a thumbs up.
Hinata smiled.
"No." Naruto kept marching along, arms in front of him like the bow of a large ship. Hinata followed in his wake, before the crowd filled the temporary void caused by her date.
"Over there. The fish vendor. He's putting on a song and dance routine. The patrons are joining in. That might be enjoyable, too." Hinata pointed in another direction. It took less and less effort for her to make suggestions. Her courage was growing, almost exponentially. No one but Naruto could have caused that.
" O plea-a-a-a-a-se...." Naruto kept his eyes on the spire on top of a tall building. Somewhere near that structure, the final ramen shop sat.
"Ummmm. Well. That shop has sticky buns AND flavored ice. Do you like pastries and ice cream?" Hinata felt herself salivating. She swallowed quickly, feeling that she would just die if Naruto saw her drool.
"Not today!" Naruto continued onward, as relentless as a tsunami.
"Beef?"
"No."
"Tofu?"
"Gag!"
"Fruit cups?"
"Next time."
IF YOU BUY SOMETHING, THE FEMALE MAY SHUT UP.
Naruto almost gave in
And so it went. At one pointed, they passed by a number of chefs walking around with trays of new recipes that they wanted to get good word of mouth on. Small portions for reasonable fees. Somewhat embarrassed, Hinata reached into her hip purse... drew out some coins... handed the currency to a smiling woman... and greedily accepted a flaky bun filled with tender vegetables and pungent cheese.
Looking at Naruto as he walked, she ran to catch up, nibbling on her bounty. Her shirt front was covered with crumbs, but she either didn't notice or didn't care. She couldn't remember anything tasting that good in all her life
Feeling a little better, she continued on with her questions. She was still very hungry.
"Squid on a stick?"
"Uh... no!" Naruto faltered in his step, just for a moment. That had been too close. He pictured squid curling over a well lit fire.
"Two squid on a stick?"
"Ahhhh... no and no!" No stumbling that time. Naruto was made of strong stuff.
"Duck!!!"
"No!!!"
"Naruto, I mean....." Hinata closed her eyes. She had seen the man absentmindedly swinging the two huge buckets on the end of the staff he held across his shoulders. Naruto obviously did not.
Her companion was knocked ass over teakettle, landing on his back on the ground.
"Duck...." Hinata said sheepishly.
"Oh...." Naruto looked a bit cross-eyes. He sat up, he realized that he was covered with cooked rice that had spilled out from the offending bucket.
Hinata stared at the rice. Her stomach growled. The pastry had not been that big. She reached out her hand and scooped up some of the rice. She came very close to drooling that time, no matter how many times she swallowed. "Want some rice?"
"No." Naruto stood up, and brushed the white food off of his robe. He graciously accepted small jar of salve that Hinata took out of her satchel.
Hinata closed her eyes. Opening them again, she stared down at the rice in her hand. Looking back at Naruto, she sighed and turned her hand over. Teasing her, the rice clung to her hand before falling to the uncaring earth. She made one last effort. "Lamb kebobs?"
Naruto frowned. "I will forgive you just this once, Hinata." He shook his head. "Today, it must be ramen. Next time, whatever you like."
"OK, Naruto-kun." Hinata sighed. There must be some way she could convince herself that this was all some form of ninja training. She kept repeating to herself that she must be strong.
'Must be strong.'
'Must be strong.'
'MUST BE STRONG!'
Looking at Hinata's shirt, Naruto raised one eyebrow when he caught sight of the crumbs. He shook his head. Hinata looked away. Nevertheless, her new found resiliency rose to the occasion. "N-N-Naruto-kun...." She clenched her hands together, stiffened her spine, and spoke in a firmer voice. "Naruto-kun... couldn't we just buy the instant ramen?" She nodded to a sign over to their left. It was on sale, three for the price of five.
Naruto looked as if he had seen a ghost. Instant noodles had their place. But....
"You just don't understand," he said. "But, I'm willing to teach you." He felt particularly generous and effusive at that moment. They continued on their way. "You'll see. Just wait a little longer."
Just as the noodle tent came into in their unobstructed line of sight, the unexpected struck again, with a vengeance. More people they new. That alone set Naruto's teeth on edge. And, people they knew with food. That left Hinata sorely tempted.
"Ino. Ten Ten. I thought you were joking. But, it's true!" Naruto knew that voice. How could he ever forget it?
"Sakura-chan!" Turning, he saw the trio of female ninjas, each carrying a food bag from one shop or another. Hinata might be too proud to drool. He wasn’t. "Sakura-chan, long time no see!" He almost made one of his Naruto-esque remarks, like 'Couldn't keep away from me could you, Sakura-chan.' Looking over at Hinata, he bit his tongue.
Ino waved her arms to get Hinata's attention. Ten Ten did as well. Sakura struck a pose and pushed her hair back away from her face.
"Hinata, is that really you? Not a clone made to look like Hinata? I wouldn't put it past that idiot to try and put on a show for everybody!" Despite her words, Sakura turned a fond look on her old team mate. He had been a fine example for her at one time. He had saved her life. He had also risked everything to try and keep that Promise of a Lifetime.
"It's me, Sakura-chan. He didn't bring me along. I brought him along." Hinata blushed, thinking that her words seemed a little conceited.
"That's not surprising," Ten Ten put in. "Left on his own, Naruto wouldn't have discovered girls until he reached 'G' in the great scroll of knowledge.
"Even then, somebody would have had to explain it too him!" Ino broke out into peels of irritating laughter.
Naruto ground his teeth together. He managed a brief smile when he saw Sakura doing the same.
"We will need to get together sometime to discuss your taste in men, Hinata." Ten Ten smirked, hand on hip. "Real soon."
"But, you can keep hanging around with Naruto until you're ready for men!" Ino slapped Ten Ten's outstretched hand.
THERE'S A REASON WE MATE ONLY ONCE A YEAR.
Naruto was not about to take things laying down.
"Yeh, like Ino." Naruto lifted his chin up. "She probably has more hair on her chin than me." Naruto laughed. "Chest too." He knew that wasn't true. He hated to admit it, but Ino was very attractive. Ten Ten too. And Sakura.
In fact, comparing them to Hinata, they were all more beautiful in general terms. He felt guilty for a moment, thinking that. But, he also realized something else. Given a choice, he'd choose Hinata over any or all of them.
Ino began sputtering. Sakura gave Naruto a big smile and a thumbs up.
"Ooooooh. You're almost as insufferable as that hideous bald forehead girl!" Ino sent a deadly glance in Sakura's direction, having seen her signal to Naruto.
"Now now, Ino. No reason to get snippy. You can shave when you get home." Sakura sent a sizzling glance back at her friend and rival.
"Good idea. She might have a chance at Shikamaru, then!" Naruto came to Sakura's defense automatically. "Unless she's developed a thing for Choji." He winked at Sakura. "They look so much alike."
"Akamura, I think." Sakura busied herself by looking nonchalantly at her fingernails.
"SAK---U---RA...." Ino sounded as if she was ready for a full blown confrontation.
"Well, how's the date going, Hinata?" Ten Ten suavely moved to diffuse the situation. They had come here to gawk at the rumored couple, not fight with one another. They needed to keep their priorities in order. "He kiss you yet?"
Their argument immediately forgotten, both Ino and Sakura swiveled their heads on their necks, zeroing in on Hinata's face.
"Hmmmmmmmm..." Ino's eyes lit up, the large colored pupils looking eerie.
"Oh. Tell us... tell us... tellustellustellustellus!" Sakura elbowed Ino aside, so that she might be the first one to hear the answer.
Naruto froze up, then began waving his arms in circles, trying to maintain some semblance of balance. His legs had suddenly seized up on him. He slowly fell over, much to the girls’ great satisfaction.
Hinata looked for something to hide behind. She snuck behind a nearby wooden statue.
"Guess not." Ten Ten sighed.
"Pity," Ino said, crestfallen.
"Nothing to gossip about. Damn. I lost the bet with Tsunade, and she NEVER wins." Sakura checked her purse to see how much money she had. "I never should have listened to Ino!"
"But, how's the date going besides that, Hinata?" Ten Ten coaxed the white-eyes girl back into their midst with a wave of her hand. She used the other hand to keep a vice grip on Ino, who was trying to reach Sakura again.
"Ummm... uhhh.... you see.... we....." Hinata kept looking over at a prostrate Naruto, who was just showing signs of stirring again. "Actually...."
"Wow. That good, huh." Ino curled her lip, dripping with sarcasm.
Sakura rubbed her chin, staring at Naruto. She looked over at Hinata, a look of compassion on her face. "Let me see if I can guess. There were a number of things you wanted to do today. He decided to go for food first. You still haven't finished that...."
Hinata looked down at the ground and began shuffling her feet.
"ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH... boys!" Ino ground on fist into her palm.
Ten Ten just shook her head sadly.
Sakura, somewhat enraged now, decided to be a bit more demonstrative. Walking over to Naruto, she grabbed him by his collar and dragged him to his feet with tremendous strength. "Naruto... you jerk!!!"
"Huh?" Naruto gave Sakura a devil-may-care grin, enraging her all the more. Just like old times.
"Naruto...." Sakura began shaking Naruto. "You are the...." Naruto's head looked like something on a bobble-head doll. "Worst excuse for...." He was shaken so hard, that a long sting of spittle strung out from his mouth, waving back and forth like a crazed pendulum. "A human being...." The on looking girls could have sworn that Naruto's eyes were going around in circles. "I have ever seen. Hmmmpppfff!!!"
Naruto...being Naruto... had his own observation to make. Being who and what he was, his sudden enlightenment was something he would have been better off keeping to himself. "Hey, Sakura-chan...."
"What?" Sakura let go. Naruto dropped to the ground, landing hard on his kiester.
"You hiding balloons under your robe??? They're certainly bouncing around a lot." He grinned.
"Wha-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-t..."
The sound of an exceedingly loud slap carried across that small corner of the town.
His one cheek already swelling, Naruto slurred his next words. "Guess that must happen to everyone training to be a medical ninja." He spat up blood-tinged saliva. "Ouch. I'm certainly in a need for some healing." He rubbed his face.
Hinata was torn between concern on Naruto's part... embarrassment on her own behalf... and righteous indignation on Sakura's. Looking down at her own shirt, she bit her lip.
Ino was laughing. "I'll have to remember that one!" She slapped her knee. "For the next time the genins all get together. Balloons." She stuck her tongue out at Sakura and tugged down on her lower eye lid. "You may have some value after all, Naruto."
Sakura growled. Her facial features softening, she walked over to pat Hinata on the back. "It's a dirty job, Hinata, but someone has to do it. You have the gratitude of the entire female race."
Ino and Ten Ten nodded their heads. Naruto stuck out his lower lip.
"And, I have learned a lot from the Hokage. Tsunade is a very good teacher." Sakura then turned to look at Ino. "I'm told that I'm one of the best students she ever had." She stuck out her tongue, then turned back to Hinata with a cheerful look on her face. "If you get to close to Naruto, you may need some flea repellant. I can make that. If he somehow does manage to kiss you, you'll need a powerful disinfectant. I can whip one of those up easily. The fact that you're content to look at him means you probably need corrective eye ware. That's beyond me at the moment. Sorry."
"Ummm thank you...." Hinata had been at a loss for words. She thought she should at least be polite.
Naruto turned his glare on Hinata, giving her a sour 'You too?' look. Hinata just shrugged her shoulders in return. Then she began to fidget.
Sakura walked over to Naruto again, a serious look on her face. She began poking him in the chest as she spoke. "When you take a girl on a date..." Poke poke poke pokepokepoke. "You are supposed to think of her first...." Poke poke pokepokepoke. "And show her a good time!!!" Poke.
"Ramen is a good time," Naruto remarked defensively.
Ten Ten and Ino closed their eyes and let out long loud sighs.
"Not... for... a... girl...." Poke poke poke poke. Sakura balled up her fist, and smiled. Then she sighed. She couldn't let Naruto make her loose her cool. She relaxed her hand.
"Well...ummm... I... was having...ummm... a good time...." Hinata came to Naruto's defense.
Ten Ten went over to talk to Hinata. "Hinata, this is your fault too. You know that Naruto is a little slow in the head...."
"HEY-Y-Y-Y...." Naruto called out.
"Hmmmm?" Ten Ten smiled. "You're right. Very slow in the head." She squeezed Hinata's shoulder in sisterly fashion. "You need to grow a backbone and keep him in line."
"You go girl," Ino snapped her fingers. Ten Ten took a bow.
Sakura turned to look over at Hinata. "Where did you want to go today, Hinata?"
"I..." Hinata looked over at Naruto, then at Sakura. "The flower displays at the botanical preserves. The traditional dances over at the outdoor theater. Maybe some milkshakes or ice cream."
"Very nice choices," Ino said, smiling at Hinata.
"Yes, very." Ten Ten scowled at Naruto. She took out a kunai and began twirling it in her hand.
"So, Naruto, listen up. Are you going to take Hinata to the gardens." Sakura crossed her arms over her chest and stood in front of Naruto. "Do...... you...... hear......me......???"
"Yes." Naruto nodded his head.
Hinata smiled.
Ino walked over next to Sakura. "And, are you going to take her to the dances?" She straightened Naruto's collar, then patted him on the cheek. "Understand?!!"
"Right!" Naruto threw out his chest.
Hinata clapped her hands, stopping when Naruto looked over.
Ten Ten walked over too. "Don't forget the milkshakes or whatever!" She gave Naruto an extremely painful pinch on the behind. "Do I have to write it down for you???"
"Boss!!!" Naruto saluted.
Hinata sighed.
Ten Ten, Ino, and Sakura all looked at each other, then over at Naruto. "You promise?" They all spoke at the same time.
"YES!!!" Naruto spread his legs apart, put his arms behind his back, and smiled.
"Good." Sakura smiled. Her job was done.
"Right after ramen!" Naruto said. Running over to Hinata, he grabbed her hand and took off.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-H-H-H-H-H...." The girls all shouted and began running after them. Ten Ten's thrown kunai stuck in Naruto's scroll.
SOME MALES DO NOT LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO MATE
Naruto grinned. Those girls were all over-reacting as usual. This was fun. Who wouldn't enjoy this?
Stopping short, he rapidly focused his will. 'Let's have some more fun, old fox.'
There was a sudden exclamation from the crowd. For good reason. Naruto's illusion made it look as if Ino, Sakura, and Ten Ten were naked. Hey, if it worked once today, why not milk it for all it was worth?
He had to use his imagination for their upper halves. For their lower halves, he substituted male anatomy.
Feeling a bit fanciful... not to mention sore in the jaw and posterior... he embellished things a bit. On Ten Tens' back their was the image of a tattoo saying 'Know-it-All.' On Ino's back, the words spelled out 'Blowhard.' On Sakura, he wrote 'Kick Me.'
The female genin ran for the nearest place of hiding, Naruto and Hinata forgotten.
For a moment, Naruto felt just like he did when he was younger, painting graffiti on the giant stone Hokages, or pulling off any of his other innumerable pranks. He had been so busy the past few years, he never had much time to be a kid. But, that was true for most kids in Konoha who were training to be ninjas.
Training was hard for a reason. Lives were at stake. So was the financial future of the village.
But not for him today!
Slowing to a walk, he turned to Hinata. Swallowing hard, he said words he never though he would ever say. "We can skip the ramen if you like, Hinata-chan."
Much to Hinata's credit, she knew just how remarkable an offer that was. She bowed to him. "Thank you, Naruto-kun. Ramen will be fine."
Naruto's eyes lit up. He smiled his biggest smile of the day. "Hinata! You're the greatest!"
Hinata smiled back, then took his hand.
"We'll try one more place only. I promise." Naruto sounded very magnanimous. There only was one place left they hadn't tried.
"How wonderful." Hinata wasn't fooled.
Naruto stopped. He hesitated a moment.
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata was watching his face.
"Uh... Hinata, sorry if you're not having any fun today. You really are great. Putting up with me like that." He began walking again.
Hinata smiled. She was about to say she was having fun just being with him. But, she was a clever girl and a quick learner. It wouldn't hurt her if Naruto remained concerned and contrite. Quite the opposite! She assured herself that it was good for him.
They finally reached the tent. Same song, new verse. The place was pretty busy. The number of empty barrels in the street suggested that they must be pretty close to being out of food too.
Worried that there was little time to waste, Naruto went with the first idea that came to mind. This line of customers was shaped like a giant horned snake. Thinking back to the battle with Kabuto and Orochimaru, he remembered an attack his sensai had made. He had been taught that jutsu. It seemed appropriate.
No one would get hurt. While their would-be gustatory competitors stood around in a temporary marsh, he and Hinata could walk in and get themselves some ramen. Finally.
His seals were a blur. He tried them one-handed, to see if he could do it. He had seen an ANBU member walk past earlier. Sight of the mask caused his mind to unwrap memories of Haku.
"Great Swamp of the Underworld." Hmmm. Would his new way of doing the seals work? No matter. If it didn't, he'd just try it again.
It worked.
Just not the way he had hoped.
"You might want to step back a little, Hinata." Naruto smiled. People began shouting and cursing, as a swamp began bubbling up under their feet. Naruto was very pleased.
But not for long.
"Ummm.... You may want to take a few more steps back. No, better run back!" Naruto grabbed Hinata's arm and pulled her along.
The swamp was growing, alright. Too much and too fast. Yes, the whole crowd was immobilized. Wonderful good!!! But, the fringe of the swamp continued in all directions. Not so good!!! Light posts began falling down. One of the watch towers began to tilt. A wave of water began building, then headed off towards a row of stores and other establishments.
"No. Oh no!" Naruto rubbed his eyes, hoping he didn't really see what he was seeing. He was seeing it alright. The swamp was surrounding the food tent. Soon, that began to sink too. Working his hands, he managed to curtail the process somewhat by throwing a jutsu to harden the ground. But, it was too little too late.
"Uh, Hinata. We don't want to miss the dances. Maybe we should run." Looking over his shoulder, Naruto saw the ANBU member running about the premises, trying to get a handle on the situation.
The two genin took off. They stopped just in time as a bevy of pretty women...all of whom were scantily dressed... ran out of a nearby shop. They were followed out by a staggering man with a sake bottle in each hand and bottles tucked under his arms. A retractable telescope fell out of one pocket. His horned forehead protector was somewhat askew.
"ERO-SENNIN!!!" Naruto shouted, recognizing Jiraiya. Oh great! Just perfect!
"N-N-Naruto???" His master's voice was a bit slurred. That would take enormous amounts of sake. "Errr...d-don't worry. I found your hidden money stash, but I swear I'll pay you back."
Naruto cursed under his breath. He had been saving that money for the better part of three years.
"Ooooooh. What have we here? Mmmmmmm, did you bring her for me? How nice it is to have such a thoughtful and considerate student." Jiraiya looked Hinata up and down, then reached both hands out at chest level as he began to walk towards her. "She's a cute one alright."
Hinata stepped behind Naruto. To distract his sensai, Naruto performed the Sexy No Jutsu, harem style. When Jiraiya came back to his senses, he spoke to his pupil. "Who is that girl, Naruto? Did I forget to pay my bill at the sake tent again?"
"No, pervert sennin." Naruto replied.
"Don't call me that so loudly!!!!" Jiraiya shook his fist at Naruto.
"She's uh... my date. Ummm... my girlfriend." Naruto actually blushed.
"Yes, sure. Who is she really." Jiraiya shook his head, dismissing Naruto's claim out of hand.
"She really is my date. We were out trying to get ramen." Naruto scowled.
"That's funnier than your usual jokes, moron. Is she from the supply depot? I'm pretty sure I settled that tab." Jiraiya tried to get another look at Hinata. She had her hands firmly grasped on Naruto's robe.
"Hinata's...... my...... girlfriend.... YOU...... STUPID...... PERVERT!!!" Naruto's shout had a number of people opening their windows and looking out.
"Shhhhhhh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h....." Jiraiya clamped his hand over Naruto's mouth. "Enough's enough. If you're not going to tell me the truth, you might as well get back to your training. You still have a lot to learn." He looked at Hinata, who had been peeking around the side of Naruto's back. "You know why," he told his student in a more serious tone of voice.
"But...."
Hinata swallowed, then stepped out. "He's telling the truth." She bowed respectfully, realizing that the man must be one of the Legendary Three Sennin, despite his unusual appearance and uncouth behavior.
"Hmmm, you must be Hyuuga Hinata, if I remember correctly." Jiraiya rubbed his chin. "I don't remember any mention of mental illness or bad taste running in the Hyuuga clan. Is my stupid apprentice blackmailing you?"
"Ummm... No." Hinata answered.
"Paying you?" Jiraiya turned a look on Naruto that was half disappointed and half impressed.
"NO!" Hinata spoke much louder than she had intended. She put her hand over her mouth.
"She asked me, Ero-sennin." Naruto turned and touched Hinata gently on the arm. "It's OK, Hinata. He doesn't bite. He's got a lot of quirks, but that's not one of them."
Jiraiya scowled. "I'm still missing something here. It's odd enough that any girl would take an interest in someone like you, even if you are beginning to look a little bit like the Fourth. But for you to accept? Who would have guessed it? What's the trick?"
Naruto looked down at his feet, remaining silent.
"Well?" Jiraiya held out a bottle of sake towards Hinata, who frantically shook her head.
"I lost a bet." Naruto spat that out reluctantly. He had no choice. He knew from experience that his sensai would keep at him until he gave in.
"Ahhh, now that makes some sense." Jiraiya laughed. "But this is not the girl you tried to hug before."
Hinata's eyes went wide, then narrowed. She turned to stare at Naruto. He had never seen that look on Hinata before. His knees actually felt weak. Seeing her take up the stance for the gentle fist, he gulped.
Jiraiya suddenly looked a great deal more sober. He straightened up his posture, a hard glint in his eye. "You were both being serious?"
"Y-Y-Yes," Hinata said, quitting her stance.
Naruto nodded his head.
"I see," Jiraiya put all of his bottles down. He ran a hand through his enormous expanse of hair. "That's not a good idea."
Both Naruto and Hinata stood stunned.
"In fact, it's a pretty bad idea." There was a touch of sadness in the older man's eye. He was very fond of Naruto, and was well aware of just how tough his life was.
Hinata couldn't speak. When someone of that stature makes a pronouncement, it carries an unmistakable ring of certainty. She felt as if the world had begun to crumble out from beneath her.
"B-B-But why?" Naruto stammered in disbelief. True, he had started the morning skeptical whether he even wanted a girlfriend. But, his master's words made him take stock of things. Looking over at Hinata, he knew that he had formed a special attachment to her.
Jiraiya sighed, then hung his head. He sat down on a large ornamental rock. "Can't you guess?" His voice was very low. "I've told you that you're not a kid any more, and that you needed to start thinking things through on your own."
Naruto put his hand on his abdomen, resting it over the site of the great seal.
"Yes," his mentor said. "You're not like other boys. You can never afford to be less vigilant than possible, now more than ever." Jiraiya's voice snapped like a flag in a brisk wind. "You should not open yourself up to distraction. It's bad enough that I allow you to wander off on your own at times, but I figure you can fend for yourself pretty well within city limits."
"But...." Naruto began to get angry.
"But nothing. If you tried to protect someone else instead of yourself---or in addition to yourself---you know what might happen." Jiraiya slammed one fist onto the rock, breaking off sharp splinters of stone. "And can you imagine how you might feel if you had to end up doing the right thing?"
"Huh..." The young genin looked baffled.
"You... need... to... remain... free... at... all... costs. If you and a girl were confronted, the right thing would be for you to escape immediately...... alone."
"WHAT-T-T-T?!!!" Naruto's hands twitched uncontrollably.
"You know I'm right. Like it or not." The older ninja turned sad eyes towards Hinata, then back to Naruto.
"B-B-But... that's not fair!!!" Naruto slowly walked towards his teacher.
"True. But who ever said things would be fair? Especially for you. The Fourth made his sacrifice. You will need to make yours, in a different fashion." Jiraiya tried to keep from dredging up painful memories.
"No. it's not right. I have had to put up with so much shit my entire life. Well, I'm not going to give it all up. Do you hear me, pervert sennin? I would rather die and take all of the problems with me than live some horrible life." His fury took him one step too far. "Just because you never could get granny Tsunade to love you, doesn't mean you have to take it out on me!!!"
Naruto immdeiately regretted those words
Jiraiya stood up. "Shut UP, you big baby! This has nothing to do with me. Do I have to spell things out any further for you? If you really care about this girl, can you think what it might mean for her?"
"Uh... I'm sorry, sensai...." Naruto tried to calm himself down. "What...."
"She would be in great danger, wouldn't she? Idiot! Haven't you given that any thought? You are so selfish, even now." Jiraiya grimaced. "Not only would she be in danger around you...." He paused, setting up his brutal but necessary argument. "She would be in danger on her own, if someone though she might make a good pawn. Can't you see that?"
Naruto sat down hard on the ground.
His master was entirely correct.
How had he missed that?
Why did he suddenly feel such an indescribable sense of loss?
"E-E-Excuse me, Sir." It was Hinata. She walked over and sat next to Jiraiya.
"Yes, young lady?" Jiraiya sounded very down.
"I don't know what's going on. Ummm... I've heard people whisper, but have no idea what it all means. But, uhhh... I think you are being unfair." She swallowed, noticing her hands shake.
"Hmmmmm?"
"Don't I get a say in the matter?" Hinata was surprised by her own stance on the matter. "I'm a ninja. I face d-d-death on many occasions. Maybe more than others, because I am not as powerful as the best fighters in our class. We've been trained about capture, torture, and...." She ran down.
"It's not easy, is it?" Jiraiya said kindly.
"No, it's not. But it's a part of my life. It has been ever since my father decided I wasn't good enough to be heir. At one point, I didn't really feel like I had a lot to live for." Hinata looked over at Naruto. "A certain person gave me back my hope." She bowed her head, then blushed. "If that chance were taken away from me by his choice, I could fight on, I think. But...."
Naruto stared at Hinata, his face warming too.
Jiraiya sighed. "I see what you are saying. You're right, I suppose. But only from one perspective. Those like me have to look at the bigger picture. Nevertheless, I was trying to protect you like you were children. You are not. Still, I hope you will give thought to what I said. There are much bigger things at stake than one girl's heart and one boy's pride." He paused. "What is that smell? It's familiar...." He listened to muffled screaming. He saw a number of trees fall over in the distance. Turning to Naruto, his face clouded over. "You didn't...."
"Well, sensai, you see...." Naruto began back-peddling.
"I can't believe you would be that irresponsible. No, I can believe it. Didn't I tell you that the more powerful jutsu were not to be tossed about on a whim. Didn't I lecture you on responsibility...again, and again, and again." Jiraiya rolled up his voluminous sleeves. "It looks like we need a more stern reminder."
The older ninja worked a complex hand seal, making his way through a jutsu akin to Kongou Nyoi. Instead of turning himself into a giant staff, he conjured a temporary one from some unknown realm. "This is going to hurt you more than it hurts me!"
Things looked mighty grim for Naruto. But, providence came to his rescue. The ANBU ninja ran in their direction. He was followed by three other squad members.
"You are Jiraiya?" The ninja spoke respectfully. He recognized Jiraiya from a picture in the Hokage's office.
"Yes, I am? What do you wish with me?" Jiraiya assumed they would want his help cleaning up any mess his stupid student made. They had better ask real nicely, if that's the case! And, they better have access to sake. And babes.
"We understand that the 'Underworld Swamp' is a jutsu that you are capable of performing. It is a very rare and very difficult skill. We would like to have a few words with you about the ongoing trouble. You were seen in the vicinity, not long before the events occurred." The ANBU members surrounded Jiraiya, keeping a fair distance.
Naruto looked shocked at first, then calculating. "Thank god, Hinata. We can get away from him now!" He ran over, took Hinata's hand, and pulled her after him. Stopping, he shook the hand of the nearest masked ninja. "Thank you all. Keep up the good work!"
The two youngsters took off like hares chased by hounds.
"Hey...wait... bastard!!!" As angry as Jiraiya was, he couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief. Disbelief and reluctant admiration. Maybe Naruto was fortunate and unpredictable enough to survive anything. "OK, where were we...." Jiraiya sighed. It looked like he was in for a long night.
As he ran, Naruto tried to deal with his horrendous jumble of thoughts. The danger that he continually faced because he was the vessel for Kyubi. The necessities and responsibilities that sat on his shoulder, forcing him to reach for the utmost power, but saddling him with unwanted rules and limitations. His own selfishness. The desire to get whatever he could, in an attempt to make up for the injustice of it all.
He hadn't asked for it. He hadn't asked for any of.
Sure, he had wanted to be powerful. At first, it was for attention. Now, it was just to stay alive. That, and to protect those dear to him. But it all stemmed from a destiny that was thrust upon him!
Looking at the crowd of people around him, he realized that they all had lives of their own. Problems unique to them. Goals and aspirations only they knew of. Hopes. Dreams. Fears. Everything. As someone who had wanted to be Hokage, he should have been aware of that all along.
Hokage.
Did he still thirst for that title? Had the fire inside him died down, now that he was important enough to train with one of the Legendary Sennin? With the tremendous skills he had been acquiring, wasn't he strong enough to win everyone's respect now?
He wasn't entirely certain.
If he was to take on that role some day, he would need to reach beyond himself. As had the Hokage before him, he would have to think, feel, and act as if each and every citizen in Konoha was important to him.
Bumping up against Hinata as they ran, he switched his thoughts over to the present. He also had to consider her. What did she feel? What did she want? What constraints and restrictions bound her hands, mind, and heart? How could being around him be any benefit to her at all?
Jiraiya's words kept crying out for his attention, but he didn't want to deal with that now. In fact, he wasn't really in any state of mind to deal with all this introspection and soul searching.
He was hungry.
They were hungry.
Also, there were things that Hinata wanted to do, and he had promised to do them with her.
It was time to focus in on that.
As he and his companion moved through the square, he came to the unfortunate but undeniable realization that he would be unable to follow through on that vow. Catching their breath in the blissful shadow of a large stand of ornamental trees, they caught bits and pieces of conversations that dealt a death blow to their plans.
Naruto's actions had come home to roost.
Big time.
People had a description of him and Hinata. They must have been noticed during the dramatic and memorable the events of his making. His actions could not have gone wholly unnoticed. In his arrogance, he had thought that he could essentially hide in the crowd, doing what he pleased, just another face in the teaming multitude.
He had been wrong.
Very much so.
No doubt, the ANBU squad would be looking for them soon.
He and Hinata would have to leave this town. Now. Without a moment's delay.
For her part, Hinata remained very quiet. She wasn't blind to the events unfolding around them. She was not unaware of the cause of it all. If she took the time to dwell on things, she would have been very disappointed. Furthermore, she had every reason to examine her own thoughts and actions, since in the purest sense she was an accomplice to each and every one of Naruto's deeds.
Her mind was preoccupied.
Jiraiya's words had cut her to the quick. She had watched Naruto for so long. After remaining patient, she had finally worked up the courage to seek him out. Despite the wild events of the day, it had felt as if the two of them were bonding in a special way. All that, only to have the figurative rug pulled out from under her feet!!!
Why? Why did it have to happen to her?
What could she still hope for?
What should she do?
"I'm sorry, Hinata." Naruto felt very sad when he had lead the two of them to the outskirts of the community. "I know you're hungry, but we can't afford to stop at any of the other shops or restaurants now." He kicked at a tree root. "It's all my fault."
Hinata didn't answer. She wasn't angry with Naruto. Quite the opposite. She simply wondered how many more words she would be able to share with him. Somehow, that made every word seem important. They were too precious to waste.
"I know you wanted to see the dances, and the flowers. This was supposed to be a date, not a chance for me to involve you in my stupid obsessions." He bit his lip hard, seeing Hinata with her head bowed, silent. He had screwed up royally.
She must really hate him now.
Hinata looked up into Naruto's face. She couldn't help herself. Even though her important one was watching her--- and she wanted to be strong for him---tears began rolling down her face.
She should be strong.
She was a ninja, and a Hyuuga.
She couldn't fight her emotions.
"Hinata...." Naruto closed his eyes. The sight of those tears made him shudder, wracked with mental anguish and guilt. He felt worse than he had when he saw Lee's shattered and hopeless form, the result of Gaara's cruelty. His throat was tighter than it had been when he saw how Haku died, thinking that Zabuzan had no regard for the sacrifice that the young boy had made. The last time he had felt this bad had been when he realized that Sasuke intended to kill him.
"Damn. What a jerk I am. I finally find someone who really cares about me in a special way, and I blow it. I had just started to feel...." He didn't know how to put things into words. Plainly put, he didn't know how to sort through his swirling emotions. He was caught in a spinning whirlpool, and didn't now which way to swim to get out of it, much less reach the shore.
"I'm so sorry, Hinata...."
Hinata walked over to Naruto, and wrapped her arms around him. Her shyness didn't matter to her then. It could not manipulate her actions at the moment. She was beyond thought, reacting only to the deepest emotions in her heart. She hugged the startled young man fiercely, even desperately, not wanting to ever let him go. The sobs came then, shaking both their bodies with their intensity. There was no way to stop her flow of feelings. Once the cork was removed from the bottle, she couldn't put it back.
"N-N-Naruto-kun....." Her voice was muffled in his robes. "I don't want to lose you."
She knew her words might sound foolish to him. How could she lose him if she never really had him. But, her heart was not roadside lawyer. She had watched him for so long, that he was a part of her life whether he realized it or not.
Whether he wanted it or not.
Naruto was shocked. Hinata's anguish felt more real than Sakura's had, when she had pleaded for him to bring back their wayward teammate. The girl hanging onto him now was not upset because of the things he had done. She didn't want that perverted old sennin's words become a reality.
Incredible.
Even more miraculous, he realized that he felt the same way.
Did it make any sense? He hadn't really taken that kind of notice of Hinata until today. How could he be feeling strong emotions about her?
The answer didn't matter right then.
Hinata mattered.
"You won't." Naruto knew he couldn't promise that, and probably shouldn't even say it. But, he was never one to give up. He had told Neji as much during their fight. He was indeed terrible at quitting. Maybe he could find some way. Regardless, he wouldn't walk away until he tried his best.
"N-N-Naruto-kun....." Hinata looked up at Naruto, seeing the same fierce look in his eyes that she had seen before when he was faced with battles and dangers that should have been beyond his abilities.
"I can't promise that Jiraiya wasn't right. I can't swear that we can each find what we want." Naruto nodded his head. "But I can say that I won't give up without a fight. You know me. You've been watching, right?" He smiled.
"Oh." Hinata's eyes went very wide. Her lip quivered, but she managed a smile.
"But, none of that will matter if we both starve to death!" Naruto tried to inject some levity into the situation.
He also wanted food.
"Right!" Hinata said, wiping her eyes. She would try and mirror Naruto's resolve. He would continue to be her silent teacher. "If you're finished just standing around... p-p-perhaps we should go find some... I mean... if...." She reprimanded herself. Now was no time to fall back on her timidity. "If you think you can handle that."
Naruto's mouth fell open. Then he laughed. "Hinata!"
He grabbed her hand and started down the nearest path. As they walked, they worked on possible plans to scrounge up a meal. They were experienced ninja, so they ought to be able to find something in the forest around them. Neither was much in the mood for grubs and berries, however.
Naruto couldn't call Gamarakki again that day, so a ride was out. They could head for the nearest village, or go to Konoha, but both were a fair walk away.
"Wait. I could simply disguise us. We don't have to leave this town." Naruto's eyes lit up. "We could run into the nearest shop, buy everything they have, then head off somewhere to eat it!"
Yes!!!
Naruto's spirit began soaring upward again.
"Would the ANBU be able to see it?" Hinata asked. "And might your master be looking for you?"
Struck with the arrow of reality, his spirit came crashing down again.
"Oh. Right. Damn!!!" Naruto rattled off a string of curses, then apologized to Hinata.
Apparent salvation came in the shape of a solitary fish salesman walking down the path towards them. He had two huge buckets of fish on ice, tied down on the back of the stalwart ox plodding behind him. No doubt he had been going door to door at some of the isolated huts and cottages off in the woods.
"Hinata! Our luck has changed!" Naruto ran over to speak to the man, his money purse jingling in his hand.
"Hey! Old man. We're starving!" He waved his arms to get the man's attention. "We'll buy all of your fish! It's your lucky day!"
"Nope." That was all the man said.
"WHA-A-A-A-A-A-A-T!!!" Naruto's eyes bulged.
YOU AND THE GIRL SHOULD EAT HIM. OR THE OX. FISH ARE FOR LOWER ANIMALS.
Naruto was too shocked too pay any attention to Kyubi's quip.
"B-B-But why...."
"They're all accounted for, sonny. Don't have a single one to spare. Sorry." The man tipped his wide brimmed hat to Hinata and continued on his way.
"Hey. Wait! I'll pay you double. Triple. More. Then you can buy other fish and deliver them!" Naruto was shaking, trying to contain his emotions.
"Can't." The man tapped the ox with a long stick.
"HUH-H-H-H-H." Naruto couldn't help from shouting. "WHY... THE... HELL...NOT???"
The man scratched his beard, wondering why the loud mouthed boy couldn't just go into town and buy fish himself. No matter. It was none of his business. "These fish are spoken for. Not some other fish. I'm a man of my word. That's my Business Way!"
"Damn!" Naruto shook his fist. Then he smiled. "Sexy No Jutsu." If this could knock the Third out, it ought to work wonders on a normal old man!
In the form of a woman clad only in fog, he gyrated in front of the salesman.
"Eyesight's not what it used to be...." The man said. "Pity." The ox snorted. "Now if you don't mind stepping aside off the path...." The man looked at Naruto, a look of determination on his face.
"Damn. Damn damn damn damn damn." Naruto ran over to Hinata. "Maybe if you tried. If a sweet girl gave him a kiss...."
Hinata just stared at Naruto. He shivered. Those eyes! That was the look that Sakura had given him just before she let him have it. He fervently hoped that Hinata wasn't picking up any of Sakura's habits or mannerisms.
"Uh, never mind. Hmmmm, we could just knock him out." Naruto sounded eager.
Hinata's eyes lit up for a moment. She almost gave in. But, she pursed her lips and shook her head.
"But... it's food... Hinata... " Naruto's look almost had Hinata laughing.
Her stomach growled. Now was not the time for laughter. She watched as the ox slowly walked down the path.
"We protect these people. They should be glad to help us in our time of need!" Naruto struck his nice guy pose. "That's it!" Running back after the man, he tried to explain that very point. He returned with a single fish, smaller than his thumb. He graciously gave it to Hinata before getting even more riled up.
His wordless shout caused a pair of squirrels to run up a tree, and sent a bevy of quail skyward.
"I-I-If we only took a few fish...." Hinata was clearly struggling with the ethics of some plan. "Just a few fish." She bit her lip, then pulled at her hair. "I think we could use illusion. Maybe transformation. And he wouldn't get hurt."
Naruto smiled. Then he chuckled. He finished up by laughing. "I said it before. You rock, Hinata!" He was surprised to hear that idea come from Hinata. But, it was perfect. They were ninja after all. And this would be a great opportunity to practice their skills.
"We would leave money, of course." Hinata brightened up. Naruto had been trying to do just that earlier, at a number of the food vendors. Precedent had been set. Right?
She twiddled her fingers.
"Well-l-l-l-l-l-l-l...sure. You're right!" Naruto nodded his head. He wondered if Hinata realized that his idea of 'a few fish' might differ than hers. No matter.
The two genin huddled together for a moment and ironed out the details of their plan.
"Fish for sale... Fish for sale... Good...... fresh...... fish..." The man's cry could be heard as he approached the borders of the town. They would have to move swiftly. No doubt any number of customers were expecting him. If they came out this far to meet him....
Quickly, Hinata transformed herself into a shrike and went to work. She flew down right in front of the fish merchant, and settled on a low branch within easy reach. The townspeople in this area considered shrikes to be good luck. The caught them, caged them, and sold them for ridiculous amounts of money.
She hoped that the man would not be immune to greed.
"Hey, look at that stilly bird! I'm going to catch him!" The man chuckled, putting down his long whip-like stick. The ox leaned down and nibbled at a clump of long grass.
As Naruto watched, the man took a deep breath. Then slowly, slowly, he reached out his hand toward the shrike. Hinata hopped up one branch higher.
"Just a little farther... a little farther... a little..." The man made a grunting noise.
The shrike hopped to the next branch.
"I missed! Well, I'll catch you this time!" Again, the fish merchant reached out his hand, slowly, slowly. "Just a little farther...a little farther... a little..."
The bird hopped to the next branch
"Missed again. But you won't get away this time! Just a little farther... a little farther... a little..." The fish merchant was beside himself. He forgot all about selling his fish. He left his ox in the middle of the path and went after the shrike, who hopped on from branch to branch and tree to tree, leading the fish merchant farther and farther away.
When the Naruto saw that, he laughed to himself. "It worked! Just as we planned!" Smiling, he transformed into a fox. He scurried out of the grove and took a fish from the pail. Again and again he did that, until he had amassed a small pile.
"Ummm. They look delicious! I'll just try one, to see if they're OK." He quickly chewed and gulped. "Ahhhhhhhhh. I haven't tasted anything so good in a long time. I think I'll have another..." More gobbling followed. "And another..." His fox nature took over. He ate more and more.
Consumed by hunger, Naruto chowwed down until all the fish were gone, and only the bones were left. "Uh oh. Well, I can just get some more." It was too late, however.
PATHETIC. YOU ARE A LOWER ANIMAL. BUT WE KNEW THAT.
The fish merchant remembered his buckets. He came running back down the road. The buckets were there on the Ox, just as he had left them. Good. It was time to head off on his way again. The damn bird had disappeared.
"I'm back, Naruto-kun." Hinata looked tired, but she had a big smile on her face. She had done well. The two of them made a good team. "Where are my fish?" She blinked repeatedly when Naruto sheepishly pointed to his belly. "What? They're all gone! Oh, how could you do that!" Uncharacteristically, she stamped her foot. Her eyes flashed.
"Uh...you see... I was a fox with a fox's instincts... and...." Naruto bowed his head. "Sorry, Hinata."
Hinata just stood there glowering.
"Let's try it again, Hinata. I'll do better this time. I can be the bird, if you like." Naruto tried to put on his biggest smile.
"No. I have that part well in hand. Just don't eat the fish this time, Naruto-kun. Please." Hinata transformed back into a shrike. There was still time. But, there were no more trees up ahead. They would have to modify the plan. Different animals. Maybe something large and fast like wolves. No. There was another way. And, if things went as she expected, it would teach Naruto a lesson in the process.
The fish seller was grumbling over the money he had lost. He had been so close to catching that damn bird Just then, the shrike returned. Hinata fluttered about the man's head, getting his attention again.
Distracted, the man did not see Naruto run ahead. Unseen, the young ninja transformed himself into a long stout stick, stuck in the ground.
The shrike flew over to sit on the stick.
"I'll get you!" The fish salesman rushed at Hinata. Just before he could grab her, she flew up, then headed towards the nearest tree back down the path. Sitting in the lowest branch, she let out a serious of raucous chirps and twitters.
"Foolish and impudent bird. I...... will...... show...... you!" The man grabbed Naruto in stick form. He ran over to the tree, intent on hitting the bird and stunning it.
Naruto, to his credit, knew what was about to happen. It might ruin their plan and give the old man a good fright, but he was not about to let himself get smacked around, not even for Hinata. They would find food some other way.
What?
He couldn't transform back.
Damn that Nine Tails!!!
I WOULD EAT THE GIRL IF I COULD. BUT, YOU SHOULD PROVIDE FOR YOUR MATE
Naruto would have swallowed hard, if a stick could do that. She was not his mate!
He simply braced for what he knew was coming.
"I'll get you this time, you bad, sneaky, detestable bird!" The fish seller slammed the stick down as hard as he could. The Hinata shrike hopped away, and instead, the stick came smashing down on the branch.
WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
"OUCH!" cried the stick. "Oh, damn! Ouch!" But, as the voice of sticks is not audible, Naruto's shouts went unheeded.
Again and again the man struck with the stick. The shrike nimbly kept out of his way.
When the man was filled with blind rage, intent on killing the bird instead of capturing it, Hinata flew away, leaving the man to beat at the tangled branches in his anger and frustration. Seeing that he was thusly preoccupied, she resumed human form, stopped and scratched the ox behind its ears, then grabbed two large fish by the tails and headed off into the woods.
When a bedraggled looking and sore Naruto stumbled found her later, Hinata was primly licking her fingers, a pile of fish bones scattered near a pair of fish heads and tails. Belching unexpectedly, she blushed. "Ummm... excuse me, Naruto-kun."
Naruto could have been angry with Hinata, but he wasn't. She had tricked him fair and square. Him, the consummate prankster!!! Besides, he had deserved it.
"You've really changed, Hinata-chan." He smiled, wondering if any of his teeth were loose.
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata looked into her companion's eyes.
"You're amazing!" Naruto gave her a thumbs up.
Hinata smiled.
