Chapter 3: Sunburn
Sakura couldn’t believe her eyes. Hinata had just backhanded Naruto on the face….even more so what she had said. “T-that was unexpected…that’s because…” Shino started before being cut off by Kiba.
“Give it a rest Shino…we know why it was unexpected. What the hell was all that about?” said Kiba with a mixture of anxiety and confusion. Neji was the first to move, and sure enough he quickly walked to up to Naruto who stood motionless on the ground. His hand was resting on his right cheek where Hinata had just struck him, and he still had his eyes full of complete shock.
“I should have known you’d never listen that was foolish of me. I specifically told you not to lay a hand on Hinata-Sama… I should have stopped you before you even started.” said an angered Neji. As the Hyuga genius finished his condescending comment, Naruto snapped back from his gaze, and with his return to focus came a swirling torrent of anger and sadness. The whirling emotions were strong enough to keep him motionless.
“NEJI! What the hell was that! Who the hell does Hinata think she is,” shouted a now pissed off Sakura, “She has no right to say something like that!”
“Haruno Sakura,” started Neji, “ I’d like to ask you to keep your voice down. Even though the compound is still a few yards away one’s voice carries around here. I do not wish to disturb those within the compound, and as such request that you keep your emotions in balance.” While the response only fueled Sakura’s anger, she managed to at least bite her tongue out of respect for the Hyuga other than Hinata that she may have been disturbing. Thankful that Sakura was co-operating, the Jounin turned his attention to Naruto who’s anger he assumed was reaching a boiling point. “Naruto...” he began before being abruptly cut off.
“I don’t need a lecture from you Neji!” said Naruto, his voice overflowing with anger. Suddenly the pain Naruto also had swirling around took a bit of the forefront. “Just because I don’t have parents doesn’t mean you can take their place… I know what you want to say, but I don’t give a damn.” His voice then coming to almost a whisper, “I’m out of here.” Brushing against Neji’s shoulder, the hurt Jinjuriki stormed off.
“Naruto…” Sakura murmured in a voice carrying sympathy.
“Man what was all of that about… Hinata is always weird on this day… but this is a whole new level of strange… Well the sun is setting… I’m heading out see ya Sakura, Neji.” With that, Kiba headed out. Sakura, still shocked by the events that just transpired slowly faded from the picture. As Sakura departed, Neji looked towards the setting Sun before entering the Hyuga compound.
“I’m alone again…” said Shino who had been all but ignored.
Rays of a new day slowly beamed their way into the window of Naruto’s apartment building. Normally they would have been met with the moans of defiance from our Knucklehead Ninja; however, today they slowly fell on the silent boy. His eyes were fixated on the ceiling. He didn’t look at anything in particular. That’s because what Naruto looked at was not what he was seeing. All his eyes could see were the events that had transpired the day before. His mind played, rewound, and replayed the moments leading up to and following Hinata’s act of aggression.
Every time he’d replay the smack, his mind would pause it when her eyes came into view. They were angry eyes. The anger in them was beyond anything he had ever seen Hinata posess. But what kept him fixated was what laid beyond her eye. He had seen the look many times… On Uchiha Sasuke, on Gaara, and on himself, Naruto saw complete sadness behind the anger in Hinata’s gaze. Just before he can begin to feel pity, words echo into his head. “HOW DARE YOU LAY A HAND ON ME KYUUBI!” As Kyuubi echo’s in his skull, Naruto’s anger returns completely. “TSCH DAMN!!! I DON’T GET IT!!!!” yelled Naruto as he finally leaned up from his bed. “What the hell…” He said aloud.
“I’d like to think that last comment was you finally noticing me… but I take it you were talking to yourself.” Kakashi’s words jolted Naruto out of his bed and on to the floor in a crash.
“OI Kakashi-Sensei!!! J-Just how long have you been creeping outside of my window! I swear Ero-Sennin’s books are getting to you.” Shouted Naruto… a mix of embarrassment and shock apparent.
“Oh…I’m sorry,” responded Kakashi, “Well, I only just got here a few minutes ago, but I was surprised you weren’t groaning at the sun… wait… what was that you said about Jiraiya-Sama’s books?”
“N-Nothing ehehehe!” said Naruto hoping to change the subject, “So… what brings you here Sensei?”
“What else Naruto… We have an assignment from Tsunade- Sama. Get yourself dressed and hurry up… I told Sakura and Sai to meet us just in front of the Hokage Mansion. Quite frankly, with the time I’ve spent here I’m not sure what number I should give them…” Kakashi’s voice trailed off as he started to think to himself.
“Ok Ok! I’ll head over there… you go ahead and head out, and I’ll meet you there!” said Naruto, his spirits raised with a new adventure at hand. Kakashi gave a nod, and proceeded to dash away from the window. Quickly putting on a change of clothes, donning his typical orange get-up, Naruto reached for his headband when another replay of yesterday entered his head. It was a momentary pause, but Naruto shook his head clearing the thought away.
Standing in front of the entrance to the Hokage Mansion, Naruto was met with an angry Sakura. “BAKA! WE’VE BEEN WAITING HERE FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR!” Naruto cringed expecting a hit, but when it never came he slowly opened his eyes to see a look of concern on Sakura’s face.
“Naruto…” started Sakura, “Are you…ok?”
After a pause, Naruto put up a smile, “Yeah…thanks Sakura…. Wait, where’s Kakashi- Sensei?” As if on cue a poof of smoke revealed Hatake Kakashi, a copy of Icha-Icha Paradise in hand.
“Ah…sorry for the wait Sakura, Sai, Naruto…you see, I stopped to help an old lady with her groceries… and ended up helping all four of her friends. Hopefully I didn’t keep you waiting too long!”
“…So that’s the number he couldn’t decide on.” thought Naruto with a look of disappointment.
“Kakashi- Sensei…I think those ladies may have asked for your help because they seek a male companion… asking for help with groceries allows the individual to gain a period of discussion time as well as brings the person of interest to their home… where, if successful could allow them to more effectively seduce their male companion of pursuit. Well… that is what I have theorized based on a book I read about relationships.
“SAI! WHAT THE HELL!” cried Sakura and Naruto after the rather blunt observation from the newest addition to Team Kakashi.
“Alright let’s calm down everyone,” said Kakashi, “Let’s head up to the Hokage's room for our mission.” With the rest of Team Kakashi nodding in agreement (and Sai recovering from a punch to the head), they then set out to Tsunade’s chambers.
“Ah, Kakashi, everyone, come in. As you are aware, there is a task at hand that needs to be dealt with. With your combined talents, I believe you will be adequate for the task.”
“YOSH!” cried Naruto, “My ultimate Ninja skills are so great that Granny Tsunade personally…”
“SHUT UP NARUTO!” yelled Tsunade, “To be precise, I want Team Kakashi on the mission because of the combination of Kakashi strategizing, Sakura’s medical prowess, and Sai’s recon abilities. You just happen to fill out the roster… though you do add considerable strength to the task force.” Naruto was on the floor before Tsunade had even finished. Not pausing to pity the spiritually crushed Shinobi, Tsunade continued: “As for the matter at hand, your mission is to locate and detain S-Ranked Criminal Tsukasa Shirokishi.”
With the mention of a serious criminal, Naruto perked up immediately. “YOSH! An S- Rank mission! And on top of that we get to beat down a tough guy! Looks like I’m needed after all! ALRIGHT I’m ready to go!”
“Not so fast Naruto,” sighed Tsunade, “You didn’t think I’d just send the four of you right?! The other team I assembled has already been briefed, but I sent them out on a little errand” With that Tsunade began to chuckle as Shizune had nothing but a look of shame on her face. Just then, there was a knock on the door. With that Sakura recalled her two years of training, and knew someone had been sent to procure some Sake for the Alcoholic Hokage.
“Hokage-Sama,” the voice form the otherside of the door called out, “We have returned with… your request.” Naruto grew excited despite the humiliation in Neji’s voice. It had been a while since he had gotten to work with Bushy Brows, Bushy Brows Sensei, and Tenten.
“AH Excellent come on in!” called out Tsunade. With that, the door opened and Neji led the team into the room. Before Naruto could call out to Rock Lee his eyes widened as Team Kurenai filed in behind the Hyuga Genius. “EH?!” was all Naruto and Sakura could muster as Kiba, Shino, and Hinata entered the room
“N-Naruto-kun, it looks like we are working together again. I-I'm sure we will do better than the last time. L-let’s do our best!” were the words a flustered Hinata let out with her eyes closed and a shy smile on her face.
END CHAPTER
