Coming
Home
By Chibified Kitsunes
Chapter Six
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Tsunade looked up from her paperwork to see Naruto skip happily in, Jiraiya trudging in behind. “You look like something the dogs dragged in.” She pointed out to the white haired man. Snorting, the said man crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
“Hi Baa-chaaan!!” A vein ticked against Tsunade’s forehead as she plastered a fake grin on her face, gritting her teeth in annoyance, “Somebody’s happy today!”
Naruto grinned cheekily up at the Hokage, “Of course, ero-sennin said he would teach me EVERYTHING he knows! How cool is that?!!” Naruto exclaimed, jumping up and down.
Tsunade raised a delicate blonde eyebrow. “Oh? And why did he do that?”
Naruto cast a sly glance toward the perverted author of the hentai book, who was now freaking out, looking frantically around for a place to hide. “Hehehe… I bla… Mmmmphh!!!” (A/N: In case some of you don’t get this, Naruto meant to say blackmail.)
Naruto struggled against Jiraiya who had covered his mouth, preventing him from further speech. Laughing embarrassingly he shook his head vigorously, “Nothing, hehehe… nothing at all.” Turning their backs on the irritated and suspicious woman, he whispered harshly into the boy’s ear, “Baka! Do you want to get us both killed? Haven’t you heard the saying hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn!!” (A/N: Or was it woman scorned? No idea but this sounds right.)
Naruto frowned up at the older man. “It’s YOU, not US! Don’t bring me into YOUR mess ero-sennin! YOURS! NOT MINE!” Naruto whispered back harshly.
Jiraiya frowned back at his student but there was nothing he could do, after all, he was at a disadvantage. One day… He thought, just you wait Naruto. He grinned evilly in his minds as he thought of different ways he could torture his blonde student.
“Are you two done sweet talking cause I don’t have all day you know.” Tsunade called out teasingly from behind them.
Naruto cringed and yelled out, “Ewww… with this ero-sennin?! I’d rather do my sweet talking with the snake bastard than HIM!”
THONK
Jiraiya rubbed his knuckles as Naruto nursed his poor head whining, “Itai… Wait till I tell baa-chan you drew on her face.” He whined pitifully clutching his head and stumbling into a corner, playing the innocent.
Jiraiya’s mouth dropped open in horror the moment the words left Naruto’s mouth. His whole body turned to stone as he could only watch on as Tsunade’s face turned into one of shock, rage then surprisingly calm. Grinning madly, Tsunade cracked her knuckles as she advanced menacingly on her fellow sennin.
“Jiraiya…” She drawled out slowly and dangerously.
“Shit.” Was the only thing he could say before Tsunade’s fist came flying towards him.
PUNCH! “ITAI!” SLAM! “SORRY!!” WHACK! “ARRRgggh!!!” SLAP! “SERVES YOU RIGHT!” KICK!
Outside, one of the ANBU guards stationed at the door murmured to his colleague, “Hey should we go in and see what’s wrong?”
“Don’t bother. Every time Jiraiya-sama goes in there, he always does something to tick Hokage-sama off. What you’re hearing is normal. It’s only when you don’t hear any noise that something is wrong.” His tiger masked colleague chuckled.
The first one, wolf mask, continued growling angrily, “By the way, what’s that fox brat doing in there!”
His fellow ANBU shushed him, “You don’t want to say that in front of the Hokage. Apparently she really likes him a lot, if you ask me, I think she treats him like a little brother. I heard rumors that he saved Hokage-sama from Orochimaru.”
The ANBU with the wolf mask fell silent as he contemplated his next words. “Were you there at the Chuunin exams? Did he really beat the Hyuuga genius?”
Tiger mask nodded, “Do you know he can actually tap into the… fox’s chakra? He was even recommended by Hokage-sama to bring back the Uchiha heir.”
Wolf mask murmured thoughtfully to himself, “Maybe there’s much more to him than just the fox.”
= = = =
Naruto frowned at the two sennins who were still fighting. Sighing, he cleared his throat and shouted. “BAA-CHAN, ERO-SENNIN!” Hearing their names, the said people turned to face Naruto screaming “WHAT!”
Naruto stared back unblinkingly and shrugged his shoulders, “If you don’t have anything to say, I’m leaving. I’ve got better things to do than sit around watching you fight.” At that point, Naruto’s eyes glazed over slightly. Like going out with Hime-chan…
Tsunade released Jiraiya from a chokehold and turned to Naruto, arms akimbo. “What ramen?”
Naruto pointed nonchalantly towards the pile of empty cups and asked. “So why did you want to see us?” (A/N: Let’s just assume he’s just like Chouji who carries food around hahaha!!)
Jiraiya rubbed his sore neck and asked. “Is this about the Uchiha?”
Both sennins noticed the blonde’s eye twitch slightly at the name but made no comment. “Partly. As you two know, Orochimaru is after Uchiha Sasuke for his body and bloodline ability. And the Akatsuki wants Naruto for the Kyuubi’s power. With the two of you here, who knows what may happen. With the village still recovering from the attacks since the Chuunin exams, Konoha is at risk and we will not be able to hold both enemies back. Therefore as Hokage, I…”
“You’re sending me away, aren’t you?” Naruto questioned sullenly.
Jiraiya walked over to his blonde student and ruffled his hair affectionately. “Let her finish Naruto.”
Tsunade shook her head smiling warmly at Naruto as she sat back at her desk. “Iie Naruto, I would never do that to you. After what Uchiha Sasuke has done, some people may not be too happy with him. So I’ve decided to send him away instead, together with Kakashi. As of the day Sasuke recovers, Team Seven will be disbanded and you three will go your separate ways.” Tsunade paused, letting her words register in Naruto’s mind.
“What of Sakura-chan?” Naruto asked confused. “Sasuke will be going with Kakashi-sensei and I’ll be training under ero-sennin.”
Tsunade sighed and rubbed her temples. “That’s the problem, there’s no available team yet. I’m still trying to figure something out. But maybe I could shift her to Asuma’s team.”
Naruto cocked his head. Yeah that’s right, Shikamaru’s already a Chuunin. “Hey baa-chan, what about Neji?”
Tsunade’s eye twitched. “Weren’t you listening yesterday when I came in? I said he would be fine, he just had to stay in bed and not move too much.”
Naruto grinned embarrassingly. “Hehehe… I was anxious to know if I could be discharged or not. Not like it would matter since I’m always discharged the moment I wake up from whatever.” He replied patting his stomach affectionately.
At that gesture, Tsunade leaned over her desk and pointed her finger at his stomach. “Speaking of which, did you do what I said and tell them about the Kyuubi?”
Jiraiya cocked an eyebrow in surprise. She asked him to tell his friends about the Kyuubi?
Both sennins watched carefully for Naruto’s reaction, getting into battle mode if Naruto should lose control and fox out. (A/N: Borrowed this from another fanfic, can’t remember the title sorry.) To their surprise, the blonde’s grin broke into a smile, his eyes shining brightly as he nodded.
Tsunade sighed inwardly with relief, if the others had not accepted him, Naruto could have lost it. And she would not have known what to do, knowing she practically forced him to do it. It was for the better, she thought as she smiled, proud of her rookie ninjas. She would have never forgiven herself if his friends would start hating him like the rest of the villagers too.
Jiraiya nodded his head in silent agreement with what Tsunade had done. He knew first hand how much Naruto wanted to be loved, how much he wanted a family to love him. The Rasengan training had proven it, having seen how Naruto had drooped his head in sadness when he refused to stay, then bounce back up with a fake smile plastered on his face. He remembered how Naruto’s face had lit up when he broke the ice cream and gave it to him as he had seen that father and son do. Jiraiya knew.
He patted his young student on the shoulder and smiled down. “I’m proud of you Naruto.”
Naruto beamed up at his perverted sensei and Hokage, his heart swelling with pride. Never in his life had he received any praise before, except from Iruka-sensei that is. “Hehehe, of course!! I’m gonna be Hokage one day and I’ll be kicking you out of there!” He screamed out loud, as he made a victory sign. (Just like Ash Ketchum from Pokemon. Hahaha…)
Tsunade couldn’t help but laugh at the blonde’s antics, Oh Naruto… Jiraiya cracked a smile and shrugged.
“Oi Tsunade, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.” Jiraiya smirked. “I’ve got better things to do than standing here talking to you. Places to go, research to do.”
Naruto face faulted then recovered fast enough to glare daggers and snort in his disgust at his perverted sensei. Tsunade’s eye twitched as a vein popped out. The two, and three until finally, “JIIIIRAIIIYAAAAAA!!!!!”
Naruto coughed and waved his hand in front of his nose, clearing the air around him of smoke and dust. As their surroundings cleared, all that was left in the office was Tsunade, Naruto, a door with a Jiraiya shaped hole in the middle of it. Naruto peered through the now useless door as the hole went on and on and on through the building.
He sweatdropped as he turned back to face the Hokage. “Uh… I’ll be going now…” He paused for a few seconds as he inched his way slowly towards the door before continuing, knowing what he said next could land him the same fate as Jiraiya. “BAA-CHAAAAN!!!” With that, he jumped through the door, smashing what was left of it to smithereens and rushed off, leaving two still gawking ANBUs and a very pissed off Hokage.
= = = =
Hinata sighed, peeking over the box in her arms trying to see where she was going. After training that day, Hinata had dropped by Ino’s house in her normal outfit to return the clothes, only to have a boxful of new ones dumped onto her.
“It’s so you can complete the makeover Hinata-chan!” Ino had called out as she waved the stumbling girl off.
She was now on her way home in another new outfit, her old one discarded. She had been grateful towards Ino but her father was bound to notice the changes occurring in his eldest daughter, whether he liked it or not. Hinata gulped as she thought of what her father would say to her. So far, she had managed to enter and leave the mansion unnoticed, but someone would definitely notice the difference soon. Unaware of her surroundings and lost in thought, she nearly walked into someone had he not spoken up. “Hyuuga Hinata.”
Hinata peeked around the box and recognized the Chuunin, whose name was Hagane Kotetsu, as the one who had been sitting next to her during the Chuunin finals. Puzzled as to why the Chuunin was speaking to her, she nodded in response, a frown creasing her brow. “Hyuuga Hinata, Hokage-sama wishes to see you.”
Hinata nodded in acknowledgement and turned in the direction of the Hokage tower, box and all, following the Chuunin. In her mind, she couldn’t help but wonder why the Hokage would want to see her.
= = = =
Neji groaned as Tenten helped him to sit up. “Careful Neji, Hokage-sama said you shouldn’t move around too much.”
Neji frowned and said, “Urgh, to hell with her orders, I need to train.” Catching the glare his girlfriend shot him, he suddenly remembered who he had just insulted, Tenten’s idol. Oops…
Neji ignored the glare and tried to move off the bed but with his left arm out of commission, he fell forward, eyes shut tightly as he braced for the pain. But when he did fall, he did not fall onto the hard floor as he was expecting, he had fallen onto something soft and warm. Opening his eyes, he found himself in a loose embrace on the floor, Tenten smiling down at him. “I told you so.” She whispered as she pecked him on his bandaged forehead.
Letting Tenten help him onto his bed, he ignored the smirks coming from the other occupants. Ever since yesterday, he and the rest of the team members who had retrieved Sasuke had had a talk about Naruto and the seal, each and every one of them, coming to their own terms of respecting Naruto.
Neji had thought about their fight at the Chuunin exams that night. Naruto had earned his quiet respect that day, but yesterday, he had earned his undivided respect now. Seeing how he had an even worse seal than him and never cursed his fate, instead, taking his fate into his hands and changing destiny. He smiled inwardly as he recalled how Naruto had shouted at him that he would change the Hyuuga when he became Hokage.
Sitting back in his bed he stared at his girlfriend. How could I not have known? I, the Hyuuga genius, could not even tell my own teammate was in love with me. Neji chuckled quietly to himself.
= = = =
Meanwhile, Tenten was staring at Neji and thinking about Naruto. Naruto-kun, do you have any idea how much you’ve changed him? Ever since the Chuunin exams, I noticed he was nicer to everyone, not much but just a little bit. Although he trained even harder than he used to after losing to you, I could tell that in his heart, you had earned his respect, even if he didn’t show it. If what you wanted was respect and acknowledgement, you have mine Naruto-kun. After all you’ve done for…
“Did you have training today?” Neji’s voice broke her train of thought.
Tenten grinned. “No, thank god. With you and Lee out of commission, Gai-sensei said I could have the time off until you two recover. But I was training myself in the woods earlier.”
“That’s what I thought.” Neji replied with a grimace on his face. “No wonder Gai-sensei came over to visit us just now.”
Looking at Neji’s annoyed face, Tenten knew what had happened, with her sensei ranting on and on about the power of youth, his ridiculous poses and finally his annoying pinging teeth. She shook her head sighing.
Suddenly in a puff of smoke, Chuunin Kamizuki Izumo appeared in the middle of the hospital room. “Hyuuga Neji, Hokage-sama wishes to see you.”
= = = =
Meanwhile, Hinata had reached the Hokage’s office and was speechless as she gawked at the missing door to the office. A young and confident voice broke through her reverie, “Hyuuga Hinata, I presume?”
Hinata nodded meekly as she entered the room head bowed, as she had been taught since young, in respect to the Hokage. A few minutes passed before Hinata realized the Hokage had not spoken. She raised her head and found the Hokage scrutinizing her from head to toe.
Tsunade was slightly surprised when the Hyuuga heiress stepped into her office, seeing the way she was dressed, she knew Hyuuga Hiashi would never approve. What his daughter was wearing was what most young kunoichi were wearing this season, but something a traditional parent would never allow. Looking from the photo in the folder in front of her to the girl trembling in front of her, she noted the differences and spoke up, a smirk gracing her face.
“I’m surprised your father didn’t say anything regarding your clothes, Hinata-chan.”
Hinata gasped and dropped the box in her arms in shock, averting her gaze, not knowing what to say. A blush rose in her cheeks as she recalled the Chuunin’s comments as he escorted her to the Hokage’s office.
>>Flashback begins<<
“Oh… looks like someone filled out pretty nicely since the Chuunin exams. Wait till I tell Izumo this, hehehe…” Hinata blushed as she couldn’t help but hear the Chuunin’s comment as he walked down the corridor, thinking the girl was out of earshot.
>>Flashback ends<<
(A/N: Why is it that all Konoha men are all perverted?)
= = = =
Neji entered the Hokage’s office only to find the Hokage laughing uncontrollably, banging her fist on her desk and his cousin standing in the room, face red from blushing.
Not only that, his cousin was dressed in a different outfit today and looked so much more different. As he stared more, he felt a nosebleed coming up. Hinata was wearing a light blue dress that reached mid thigh, a high slit on both sides revealing the black shorts underneath. The sleeveless dress was cut lowly down the front but a black shirt inside protected her modesty. Bandages were wrapped around her shins, pretty much like his own. Just at that moment, Hinata happened to turn around and face him, and with the sun shinning behind her through the window, she looked like a goddess he thought. Unable to take it any longer, the blood spurted out of his nose as his eyes rolled back in his head as he fell back with a loud thump.
Turning towards the sound, Tsunade could not contain it any longer and shrieked louder than ever as she fell off her chair laughing. Hinata shocked to realize that Neji had fainted because of her, took a step back, tripped over the box of clothes on the ground and fell onto her backside, arms and legs sprawling apart. Seeing this, Tsunade rolled on the ground clutching her stomach shrieking with laughter.
Hearing the sounds of bodies hitting the ground and shrieking, the two ANBU guards stationed outside ran into the room, swords at the ready for combat. But since Neji had only moments before entered the doorway and fainted from blood loss there, they tripped over him and fell right between Hinata’s legs. (A/N: Authoress snorts and says, yeah, elite ninjas at that, can’t even keep themselves from falling over. =-=”)
Shaking her head to clear the dizziness, Hinata opened her eyes only to find a wolf masked and tiger masked ANBU lying between her legs, staring down her dress. Before she could scream anything, the two flew backwards, their masks flying off due to the force at which their blood spurted out.
Eyes wide, Hinata sat there not comprehending what just happened. All the while, Tsunade screamed with laughter.
= = = =
By the time the three males had recovered from their “little” fainting spell, Tsunade was already sitting behind her desk stifling giggles, Hinata huddling in the corner blushing, wishing a hole would just appear in the ground and swallow her.
The two ANBU had the decency to blush and apologise before replacing their masks and exiting. Neji stood in front of the Hokage’s desk all the while trying not to look at his cousin. Chikuso! She’s my cousin! Neji thought furiously as he forced the blush down and straightened his back, staring at the Godaime stoically.
Hinata stepped out of the corner, her face still red. Standing in front of the Hokage, her head bowed staring at her feet.
Tsunade closed her eyes and opened them again, her face a picture of seriousness, unlike her jovial appearance before, she meant business now. “Hyuuga Hinata, Hyuuga Neji, Hiashi-san has demanded,” Tsunade emphasized, clearly showing her disdain for the man and that she showed him no respect. “That I remove the two of you from your teams. Similarly, Hyuuga Hanabi will be taken out of the academy for the time being and will receive private tutoring from home. Hiashi-san wants you three to…” Tsunade frowned as she searched for the most appropriate word. “…accompany him on an important trip to Wave Country in six months time. The reason he has requested you be taken off now is in case of the possibility of leaving earlier than expected.”
Tsunade paused and glanced at the two horror-stricken Hyuuga. “I take it he didn’t inform you two.”
Hinata shook her head, white eyes widening in shock as tears gathered. Neji’s eyes widened but he remained silent, awaiting the rest. Tsunade sighed as she cursed the Hyuuga leader. Damn you Hiashi, why do you make things hard for everybody.
Tsunade cleared her throat in an effort to regain the attention of the young girl. “Because of this…unexpected request, I will have to do as he proposed and remove the two of you from your teams. The four genin teams will be disbanded and rearranged.”
Tsunade shut her eyes and frowned. Her headache was getting worse and the situation was not helping her either. Reopening her eyes, she spoke to Hinata, “Hinata, you will be placed under the guidance of Shizune and myself. I’ve read your folder and I think you have the potential to become a very powerful medic nin like myself.” The shocked girl blushed under the praise and thanked the Hokage softly.
Tsunade smiled and faced Neji, “As you know, your wounds are still healing. Thus you will be unable to train for the time being. But that doesn’t mean that you will have no sensei. Naruto has been training with Jiraiya for a while. It’s time he had another teammate.”
Neji nodded and politely towards the Hokage but inwardly, he was stunned. Naruto was being trained by one of the legendary sannin all this time?
“Hinata, meet Shizune at the hospital tomorrow. She will inform you the details of your training. Neji, when you’re able to move your arm without any pain, you may join Naruto and his sensei. Until then, I trust you haven’t been straining yourself. If you have, it’ll only take longer for you to recover.” Tsunade emphasized her words as she glared at the Hyuuga genius. “I’ll see you back in the hospital.”
Neji gulped and nodded stiffly before he bowed and exited the room, Hinata following closely behind, box of clothes in hand.
The moment they left the room, Tsunade massaged her temples as she let out a frustrated sigh. “Now what do I do…”
= = = =
“Hinata-sama.” Hinata stopped in her tracks and looked up to find Neji staring off to the side, a light tinge of blush showing on his cheeks. “You look very pretty today.”
Hinata blushed and giggled slightly. “What would Tenten-san say, if she heard you say that Neji-niisan.” She teased, watching amused as the blush deepened. Neji coughed slightly before turning to face her. Staring straight into identical white eyes, Neji let out a small smile. “May I walk you home, Hinata-sama.”
Hinata nodded slightly and caught up with Neji, who made an effort to remove the box from her hands. Hinata shied away, shaking her head. “Hokage-sama said not to strain it Neji-niisan, besides, your arm is still in a sling.”
Neji silently cursed himself for his uselessness, a scowl marring his almost feminine like features. Hinata gazed at him and wondered how someone could have changed so much. Although she had not been conscious during Naruto’s and Neji’s match, she knew that whatever happened during then had somehow changed Neji, not only affecting him, but also affecting herself and the others around him.
Unable to stand the feeling of being studied, Neji looked up and snapped, albeit a little too harshly. “What are you staring at?”
Hinata flinched visibly as she turned away, whispering softly. “Do you hate me that much, Neji-niisan?”
Neji swore violently under his breath, clenching his fists. Calming down his already frustrated mind, he spoke softly as if to an injured animal. “Forgive me, Hinata-sama. I… I do not hate you. It is the main branch that I hate. I only detested the fact you represented it, thus taking out my hate for the main family on you. I have failed you and my father.” With that, Neji knelt down in front of Hinata, head bowed, seeking forgiveness.
Hinata stood dumbstruck before she looked around, glad that no one was around to witness THE Hyuuga Neji on his knees in front of the weak Hyuuga heiress. For once she was glad that Ino had helped her gain at least some self-confidence in herself. Taking the situation in hand, Hinata set her box down and knelt before her cousin. Cupping both his cheeks, she raised his head and stared into similar eyes.
“There is nothing to forgive Neji-niisan. I myself h.. hat…” Hinata closed her eyes, unable to say the word. “Detest the fact that the family has been for generations, been separated into two. But we can change it, I believe that destiny is to be taken into our own hands and changed. If only I could, I would have gladly traded places with you.”
Hinata opened her eyes, tears shimmering in them, making her white eyes seem almost silverfish. “I never wanted to be heir to the clan, should anyone deserve it, it would be you, Neji-niisan.”
With that, she stood up, grabbed her box and ran for home, the tears now falling unbidden from her eyes.
= = = =
Neji sat that for what seemed like hours, thinking over what Hinata had just told her.
“Should anyone deserve it, it would be you.”
“I believe that destiny can be taken into our own hands and changed.”
Neji chuckled silently, she almost sounds like Naruto. He thought as he made his way back to the hospital.
= = = =
Back at the Hyuuga mansion, Hinata sat in her room staring into her mirror.
“What did I just do? What exactly possessed me to do that?” She sighed as she buried her head in her arms.
= = = =
Naruto sat at the ramen stand thinking. Baa-chan wants me to stay here and send Sasuke-bastard away.
But wouldn’t it be better off for me and THEM if she just sent me away instead. THEY wouldn’t care. He thought, as he ordered a beef ramen.
Teuchi looked over the counter, concerned for his faithful customer. He’s wearing that same lost and confused look again, the same one he wears when he thinks I’m not looking or when he’s with Iruka-sensei.
Placing the steaming bowl of ramen on the table, Teuchi asked. “Yo kid. What’s wrong?”
Naruto jumped slightly before he raised his head, a grin plastered on his face. “Ehhh… what are you talking about Oji-san! Nothing’s wrong, what can be wrong when Uzumaki Naruto is here! Future Hokage! Haa!!”
Teuchi smiled slightly as he watched his favorite customer dig into the ramen, though still worried for the young boy. He shook his head slightly, wondering why most of the villagers were too stupid to understand.
“I thought I’d find you here.”
Owner and customer turned to look at the source of sound, pushing apart the folds, Iruka stepped in grinning. Plonking himself in a seat next to Naruto, he ordered a chicken ramen before addressing his former student.
“So, what did you do today, Naruto?” He asked as he ruffled the younger boy’s hair fondly.
Naruto grinned smugly, “Ero-sennin promised to teach me everything he knows, and we ha a talk with Baa-chan today too. She wants to send Sasuke-bastard away with Kakashi-sensei and have ero-sennin teach me here.” Iruka noticed the slight falter in the grin but made no mention of it.
Habits from teaching too long arose as he began to lecture Naruto on how it was disrespectful to make fun of elders and peers. Finishing the speech, he turned back to see Naruto happily slurping up the remnants of his third bowl.
Iruka face faulted before his face took on a slightly demonic look as he screamed, “NARUTO!!”
Naruto looked up at the Chuunin and asked, “Iruka-senseiii… I don’t care about that kind of thing.”
Iruka sputtered as he retorted, “I can understand why you call Sasuke-kun a bastard, but to make fun of two of the legendary sannin, you do know who they are right?”
(A/N: From where Naruto starts to explain who Jiraiya and Tsunade are, whatever is in […] means he’s really thinking it k and […] is the Kyuubi?
Naruto frowned up at Iruka, “Of course I do, Jiraiya-sensei [ero-sennin] was one of Sandaime’s [old geezer’s] students. He can summon frogs and is also known as a frog hermit. His pupil was Yondaime, the fourth Hokage. Jiraiya-sensei [ero-sennin] taught me how to use the Kyuubi’s [dumb fox’s] [Oi I heard that!] chakra, how to walk on [bloody hot] water [the sadistic bastard], how to summon a frog [he freaking threw me off a cliff!] and the Rasengan [that would be the best thing he’s ever taught me. I got to beat that Sasuke-bastard with it too!]” He declared proudly.
Iruka nodded pleased with the change and motioned him to continue.
“Tsunade-sama [Baa-chan] was also another of Sandaime’s [old geezer’s] students. She can summon slugs and travels with her assistant Shizune [I like her, she’s nice], she’s probably very good in genjutsu [seeing how she looks like 20 when she’s bloody old], is a great healer [wish she didn’t heal that bastard]. She is the granddaughter of the first Hokage and currently the fifth Hokage [you’d better watch out if I were you baa-chan, cause I’m gonna kick you out of that position!] and is really pretty [more like really big boobs], she also gave me this necklace cause we made a bet and she lost.” Naruto declared, as he finished panting for breath.
Iruka looked extremely pleased and proud of the blonde genin and was about to ruffle his hair again when he jumped up in his seat.
“Ero-sennin also peeks into bath houses so he can write the hentai book Kakashi-sensei is always reading and Baa-chan is really really OLD and lousy at betting! Hahahaha!!!” With that, Naruto jumped off the seat and ran out the stall, with Iruka hot on his heels.
Teuchi chuckled quietly to himself as he cleared the table. He would just have to either collect payment from one of them later or just let them go for free. Teuchi preferred the latter, knowing the both would be back again and again. He had already made enough money off them, what was four more bowls.
= = = =
By the time Iruka caught Naruto, it was already dusk. Now the two stood in front of a broken down door, leading into a trashed house. Iruka shook his head sadly as he inwardly cursed the villagers who were too stupid to realize anything. Naruto, already used to having his house broken into countless times, nonchalantly stepped in and picked up the door and began kicking things aside.
Oh Naruto… Iruka sighed as he watched the boy he considered his younger brother picking up team 7’s photo. Iruka stepped in and began to help clear things up when Naruto’s voice stopped him. “Daijoubu deska Iruka-sensei, I can do it myself.”
Iruka’s hand stopped in mid air when he realized how hollow Naruto’s voice sounded. Standing back up, Iruka turned to face Naruto, who had a grin plastered on his face.
“Naruto, it’s no use pretending in front of me.”
With those words, Naruto broke down, Iruka’s arms rising up to wrap around him protectively, consoling the boy as he sobbed uncontrollably.
----------------------------------------
A/N: Ohh poor Naruto-kun… Sorry to leave it at such an ending. Ok now to clear a few things up.
1) I put in the part about the ANBU outside the Hokage’s office to show that the fight with Neji during the exam had changed many perspectives regarding Naruto.
2) Naruto will not be Jiraiya’s student until Sasuke recovers and leaves the village, which will be before Neji is able to move his arm.
3) Neji will join Naruto as Jiraiya’s temporary student until Hiashi decides to leave. Neither Naruto nor Jiraiya know about this yet.
4) The part about Neji and Hinata may seem a bit OOC but it’s my story and I say Neji’s changing. No it’s not going to be a Neji/Hinata pairing. I just put that in there to show that Neji has indeed changed, and Hinata is becoming more self-confident (a little bit as you can see from the part where she’s back at home again) and to make Neji realize that there is much more to his cousin than he can see. This will play a greater part later in the story.
So, if you have any questions whatsoever regarding this fic, feel free to drop me a review. I love reviews so send me lots. Flame me if you wish, there’s nothing I can do if you don’t give me some tips to improve my story.