Naruto:
Edge of Tomorrow
Chapter 4
-Konohagakure no Seto:
Swirling Tides-
By Geor-sama

Weaving his way through the crowded street, Naruto just barely bit back his groan. If it hadn't been for his innate healing ability, he'd still be sporting a large bruise where Sakura had decked him. Still, even without the bruise it hurt like hell. Seriously, every time she punched him; he was starting to wonder if she was trying to kill him.

Not that he could really blame her for taking things up a notch. After all, they had spent a month of their limited time in constant training. With each passing day, Sakura became more intent, Naruto stronger -from team training and the special private training he was doing- and Lee more serious. All three were aware of the approaching deadline two months left, and if they failed this time, they wouldn't get another chance.

Seeing a young couple kissing, Naruto found himself turning his mind to other thoughts, mainly about his shy girlfriend and how much he wanted to just grab Hinata and kiss her in full view of everyone. This was complicated by two facts: one, she was on a mission; and two, Hinata was not good with public displays of affection.

Not that she wasn't 'affectionate' -sometimes he was downright amazed at how affectionate she could be- but that was in private. When they were alone, they could kiss, hug and do other couple-y things... with only the occasional faint. In public, though, she almost swooned just from holding his hand or a kiss to the cheek. Naruto just didn't get it, and Hinata couldn't entirely explain the reason for her preference.

Not that he was going to complain. After all, better to have a tigress behind closed doors than not to have a tigress at all. Or something like that; Naruto wasn't entirely sure, he just knew he preferred having her over not having her. He wasn't even entirely certain why or how he had come to care for her like he did, especially since, when he had been younger, he had never dreamed that he could stop caring for Sakura.

It was a bit disconcerting, and he sometimes wondered if he wasn't just using Hinata. He rejected that thought, though, because every time he thought about the way her face lit up when she smiled, his heart sped up. Shaking his head and shoving those thoughts aside, he entered the academy and, with a jaunty whistle, strode through the halls, heading for his classroom.

Maybe he could talk to Iruka about what was going on; he sure as hell wasn't going to mention it to Jiraiya. Opening the door he walked into the room, ready to toss a greeting at his quasi-father/brother, and froze finding the man absent. Frowning, he turned to look at the rambunctious class, hearing for the first time what they were saying.

"Did you hear? We're getting a substitute."

"No way!"

"Yeah! So, you know that means, right?!"

"Hehe, fun time!"

Naruto shook his head and walked to his desk, where, much to his distress, he found a note from Iruka. Picking it up, Naruto almost winced, wondering why Iruka wanted him to teach the class until he got back from wherever he had gone.

Wonderful. Just wonderful.

Frowning, Naruto looked up at the horsing around on display. Part of him approved that, after all he had been the same way at that age. Still, Iruka had asked him to handle the class, and that was a sign of trust from the first person to really recognize him, which meant he had a choice: he could let these brats keep running wild or he could prove himself to Iruka.

Climbing to his feet, he walked around to Iruka's desk, annoyed that nobody was paying any attention to him. That was okay; they'd be scared spitless of him in a minute. Gathering his chakra, making sure to do as Sakura had told him and use only a tiny amount, he prepared the Ikaku no jutsu they had been working on.

Once ready, he projected the feeling of intimidation at the children who all seemed to freeze and tremble, eyes staring at him in wide eyed shock.

"That's better." Naruto grinned, allowing a smirk to show up. "Oi, so, Iruka-sensei isn't here, and he asked me to handle things until he got here."

"Hey, why should we listen to you?" one of the braver students protested from his seat. "You're just some assistant!"

Naruto promptly preformed a Shunshin to cover the distance and bash the boy on his head. "'Cause I'm bigger than you, and I have no problem kicking all of your ass." Looking around he grinned viciously. "So, we all understand each other, right? Great!"

He marched back to the front of the room and picked up Iruka's notes, then scratched his head, glancing sheepishly at them, unsure of what they were actually supposed to be covering now. He was saved from suffering for too long when a curly-haired girl raised her hand, staring at him with her large brown eyes. "Er...yeah?"

"Uhmm, Iruka-sensei said we'd start on the Yondaime today."

"Ah! Thanks, Chiba-chan!" Naruto said happily, amazed to see the girl flush faintly at the acknowledgement. Shrugging that off, he rubbed his hands together. "Oi, so...uhmm, what do you guys know about the Yondaime?"

"He was the strongest Hokage!"

"He was really handsome!"

"He killed the Kyūbi!"

"He...uhmm..."

"Naruto-sensei," Chiba said raising her anxiously, almost bouncing in her seat.

"Uhh, yeah?"

Climbing to her feet, she grinned, her voice strong and steady. "The Yondaime Hokage was the student of Jiraiya-sama of the Densetsu no Sannin, could summon Gamabunta the frog boss and created several jutsu still in use today. He was especially feared during the Third Secret Shinobi Wars, often being referred to as Konoha no Kiiroi Senkō. He was chosen as the Yondaime over Orochimaru of the Densetsu no Sannin and is often considered the strongest Hokage ever."

"Geez, what'd you do interview Ero-sennin?" Naruto muttered, both impressed and disturbed that the girl could know all that.

"Huh? Ero-sennin?"

"Jiraiya," Naruto responded blinking. "And they're toads, not frogs."

"..."

Seeing the looks he blinked, taken back. Ok, this was just freaky. What was wrong, did he have something on his face or had a sound-nin managed to sneak in?

"N-Naruto-sensei, you know Jiraiya-sama?" Chiba asked in amazement, as if she couldn't believe what she was saying.

"Er...yeah, I spent the last two and a half years training with that smelly oaf." Naruto shrugged, blinking.

"No way," one of the boys shouted. "If he did, then he'd like...be able to summon frogs or something."

"I told you, there toads," Naruto said, then mentally slapped his forehead, amazed at how much like Jiraiya he was getting on that point.

"Is there a difference?"

"To those damn toads there is," Naruto grumbled crossing his arms.

"Naruto-sensei," one of the kids said, raising his hand. "Um, my dad said something about how the Yondaime could make chakra appear in his hand..."

"The Rasengan?" Naruto asked before holding his hand out where chakra swirled to life. Seeing the students' interest, he grinned. "It's an A-ranked technique and really powerful!" Then, remembering that he was suppose to be teaching a class, he allowed the move to disappear before scratching his cheek. "Er...how about we do a review on the Yondaime..."

Chuckling at their groans and grumbles, Naruto hopped up on the edge of the desk to watch as he rattled off numbers and questions as he flipped through a text book or rummaged through his memories of what Jiraiya had told him about the man. Things were going pretty smoothly when Iruka finally arrived and, glancing at the scared Chūnin, Naruto flashed him a grin along with a peace sign.

Iruka, however, was staring at the students, for once looking studious, then shifted his attention to Naruto. "They're listening...to you."

"Yup! Just had to get their attention." Naruto grinned, crossing his arms. "Oi, did you think I'd let them just go wild? I'm the next Hokage, damn it."

"You," Iruka paused then shook his head in amazement, not looking away from the students even as he walked over to pat Naruto's shoulder. "Incredible."

"Hehehehe, and I didn't even have to get Gamabunta to squish one!"

Naruto

"I am sorry to disturb you, Hyūga-sama, but Elder Higure is requesting to see you."

Hiashi nodded slightly, keeping the surprise and worry off his face. "Very well, please show him in."

The Branch member bowed once more and retreated, giving Hiashi the chance to gather his thoughts. Hyūga Higure was the oldest living member of the Elders -he had been an elder when Haishi's father had been head of the Clan, and the spokesman for any official business. So, whatever had brought the elder here had to be extremely important and very serious.

Seconds later, his door was opened, allowing the blind, wizened old man, dressed in an immaculately white kimono, to enter on the arm of a young Hyūga woman. When the old man was seated comfortably, the woman bowed once to Hiashi, who returned the nod briefly, then quickly exited the room closing the door behind her.

A moment stretched out between the two men, Hiashi fascinated as always to see Byakugan- enhanced blind eyes. Finally, Hiashi spoke, his tone friendly.

"You are welcome, Elder Higure."

"Thank you, Lord," Higure said in the barest of whispers. "I am saddened to hear the cares of the world in your voice. One so young should never be troubled so."

"It is my responsibility," Hiashi responded formally, crossing his arms so that he could hide both of his hands in his sleeves. "I am the Head of the Clan; if I do not take on the cares of the world, who would?"

"Of course," Higure allowed, a ghost of a smile appearing. "Spoken as a true Hyūga, much like your father."

"Thank you. Please excuse me for keeping you waiting."

"Please excuse me for troubling you," Higure returned politely before growing serious. "The other Elders have asked me to speak to you, about your decision concerning Uzumaki-sama."

"What is there to discuss?" Hiashi asked firmly, straightening his back to ease the ache in his shoulders.

"For myself, nothing. As you correctly pointed out to Elder Hinoiri, she is your daughter, and it is none of our affair." Hiashi nodded, those oddly blank eyes making it feel as if they were piercing through to his soul. "However, the others do not share this opinion, -indeed, they have discussed the whole affair for a month and have finally reached a conclusion."

"They have?"

"Yes, Hyūga-sama," Higure said his mood turning almost sour. "They have decided that one of your daughters must be entered into the Branch Family now. They claim there can be no more delay in this matter. So sorry, but they are very insistent on this."

Hiashi frowned, keeping his initial reaction of killing all of the elders in check, allowing only his right eye to twitch slightly in displeasure. Then, finally, he spoke, his tone firm. "No."

"Eh? What did you say?"

"I said no," Hiashi explained, his voice firm as ever. "The agreement between myself and the Elders declared that, until Hanabi's twelfth birthday, neither can be entered into the Branch Family. If they can so callously disregard such an honorable agreement, then I shall be forced to handle matters in a very serious manner."

"You are playing with fire," Higure said in his whispering tone. "They believe completely in the superiority of the Hyūga blood; they will do anything to ensure it is not tainted and that the Clan is not disgraced by marriage with an outsider."

"I am aware of that," Hiashi said as firmly as ever. "However, I am also aware that their blind bigotry, their insane corruption of Eugenics, is finally beginning to kill us."

"Hyūga-sama," Higure said, then paused, his voice growing concerned as he continued. "Hiashi-kun, please be careful in this matter. It is more dangerous than you realize. If you offend the Elders, they will be greatly displeased."

"Let them be offended."

"I caution you, Lord, do not do this. They will solve this problem in a very unsatisfactory way, as they have before. As the past Elders handled Hinode-sama," Higure paused his tone disgusted. "As he was truly handled."

Hiashi frowned, grasping the truth of that statement. While the story they told claimed Hinode had died from a mysterious disease, the truth was that the Elders had poisoned Hinode because he refused to allow them to do as they had always done, control the clan while claiming only to be advisors.

Hiashi knew exactly what he was facing, and he had only one response.

"If they take any action to counter my authority concerning this clan or my daughters, then, of course, so sorry, but for betraying the clan I will have to allow the instabilities of this clan be known. I have already written the letter, and it will be delivered to the Hokage even if I should have an accident or, kami forbid, ill-health."

Higure was silent for a moment, then he smiled ever-so-slightly. "Your father would truly be proud of you, Hyūga-sama."

"Thank you." Hiashi offered a polite half bow, knowing that, for the moment, things were safe.

Hiashi

Kiba was walking point, Akamaru at his side, wondering about the stiffness in his limbs. Stifling a yawn, he shook his head slightly, patting a cheek to stay awake. He couldn't help it, but the last mission had been a lot of trouble, and it had worn him and his teammates out. Plus, for the last few days they had been traveling in silence which wasn't unpleasant, since it was a comfortable silence, but it wasn't exactly helping him stay awake.

Yawning yet again, he grouchily looked over head at the canopy of leaves, then sighed. Glancing to his left at Hinata, he smiled tiredly. "Hinata, how far to the village?"

The girl in question jerked slightly as if startled -which she probably was, Kiba decided- then, realizing what he had asked her, concentrated the chakra around her eyes. Kiba hid his grin as he saw the way that space between her eyebrows wrinkled in concentration.

"Anou, ten or twenty minutes," Hinata finally said, her voice firm.

"Ahah!" Kiba said, some energy finding its way back into his voice as he reached over to scratch the large white dog's head. "See, we'll be home soon, and then you'll get to chase all the cats you want!" Akamaru barked in agreement, his tongue lolling out as he suddenly shot forward on a stampede to the village.

"Hey! Get back here!" Kiba shouted, waving a fist after the dog. "Akamaru! Geez, what is it with him?"

"I've heard that pets often take after their owners," Shino offered.

Kiba snorted, then his mind shifted to Hinata, and he couldn't help but grin. "Well, then why isn't Hinata wearing orange?" Laughing, he glanced at his now-confused female teammate, then laughed even harder as she finally got his meaning. "O-or maybe...hehehe...maybe he's her pet! I can see it now: her scratching him behind the ears, the house training..."

Hinata was turning a bright red, and Kiba just laughed harder. Oh sure, Shino made his disapproving sound, and Hinata was embarrassed, but damn it, the mental images where hilarious! For once, since the surprise of the two of them hooking up, Kiba could honestly say he was amused.

He'd never had a reason to tease Hinata this much before!

Calming down, he offered a chuckling apology, and they continued walking. Kiba, though, kept thinking about the various images that came to mind concerning his earlier jokes; it was all he could do to keep from breaking out into a gale of laughter. Then again, they were awfully close to Konoha, and he had the feeling Naruto would be around.

That made Kiba sober up slightly; if there was one thing the dog-ninja had learned quickly, it was that it making fun of Hinata in private was one thing but doing it where Naruto could potentially over hear was another. As a matter of fact, it was doing just that -during Kiba and Naruto's brief prank war last month- which had caused that Konohamaru kid to get the 'Works,' as Naruto called it.

Kiba called it a prank slaughter. As a matter of fact, he was still trying to figure out how some of those prank jutsu worked! Actually, now that he thought about it, Kiba wondered if that little runt would ever get his hair back to its original shade.

Or, for that matter, if he would ever get the neon green 'pervert' off his forehead...

Then again, in Kiba's opinion, it served the prick right for making fun of Hinata. That was something only Kiba could do. He had earned that damned right! Still, the point was that it had taught Kiba to be careful of what he said about the two of them when they were around other people.

Shaking his head while shoving thoughts of pranks, teasing and little pricks named Konohamaru -stupid name!- Kiba thought instead of what they should do after getting back from one of their rare missions without Kurenai tagging along. "Hey, you guys wanna grab a bite after we get back?"

Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Shino nod in agreement and then, grinning, he looked over at Hinata. "Hina-" he paused, however, seeing the faraway look on her face and sighed in annoyance. As much fun as teasing Hinata was, she was almost ALWAYS preoccupied with thoughts about Naruto.

If he heard that silly 'Naru-kun' one more time, he was gonna snap. When they were younger, he had shrugged her obsession off, but now he was finding it down right annoying. Turning his attention back to the path, he snorted, trying to resign himself to the fact that he was just a grouchy bastard.

Jealous, too, but not because he had a crush like Shino had suggested a few days ago. It was just that, over the last few years, he had gotten used to Hinata paying attention to him. Kiba knew it was stupid, but he liked attention, which did not equate into a crush.

Hell if that was the case, then every time Shino ignored him to go play with his bugs, Kiba would have to declare himself bi-sexual! Which he bloody well wasn't, as many Konoha girls could attest to. Thinking about his various girlfriends, he grinned almost wolfishly. "Hehehe, I wonder if Yuriko-chan will feel like going out tonight."

"Anou," Hinata said suddenly from beside him. "Oh, Kiba-kun... Did you say something?"

"Huh? No," Kiba answered, grinning. "Just thinking about going out..."

"Oh," Hinata said, flashing a pleasant smile at him. "I'm supposed to be meeting Naruto for lunch when we get back. He asked me to cook again!"

Kiba blinked, then shook his head. Women! If he had ever asked Hinata to do that, or Kurenai-sensei, he'd have been given a firm 'No.' "Well, that's cool... More food for me and Shino!" For emphasis, he slung an arm around the startled bug user while flashing a peace sign, and Hinata giggled, shaking her head.

Kiba

Dodging and weaving, Hanabi worked her way through the hail of kunai and other projectiles, trying to close the gap between herself and her training partner. This proved futile, as no sooner had she cleared the field of projectiles than she discovered Tenten was already in the air, surrounded by two scrolls.

"Sōshōryū!"

Hanabi couldn't help but frown even as she slid her foot into position and then expelled her chakra while performing Kaiten. Tenten normally didn't use this;, was she not thinking? No, this entire match had seemed off, as if Tenten had no desire to actually be here. As if to hammer this point home, Tenten's assault was cut short, which threw Hanabi off balance for a moment.

Coming out of the spin, the younger girl paused to study the weapons-expert. There was just something off about this entire match, but it was not Hanabi's place to care. Instead, she was trying to think of a way to close the distance between them, so that she could end this mockery of a match.

"You're improving," Tenten said happily.

"Thank you," Hanabi said, her tone polite. She might have said more, but her eyes caught the hint of movement, which was the only reason she could avoid the sudden attack of an apparently-discarded weapon. Flipping away from the weapon, Hanabi stared at the older Kunoichi, mildly surprised.

All of those attacks had been just a distraction for that. Impressive, she had truly earned her reputation as a weapons expert.

Tenten, however, seeing that her attack was now known, apparently used the chakra string attached to the weapon to reel it back to her hand. "Ahah, you Hyūga sure are hard to fight."

"You're skill is impressive," Hanabi allowed, slipping once more into her fighting stance. She needed to get in close so that she could attack the chakra pathways, but Tenten was not stupid enough to allow that. It was the one draw back to the Hyūga fighting style; however, it was made worse for Hanabi, since she was short for her age.

"Don't get distracted, Hanabi-chan," Tenten suddenly said, and Hanabi refocused on her, watching as she whipped a kyoketsu shogei through the air. Moving back to avoid the knife, Hanabi traced her eyes along the cord to the ring with which Tenten was directing the weapon.

This was new, or it was to her. She vaguely remembered Neji mentioning this weapon before; there was a trick to it...

Dodging and ducking, but always moving away, she studied the weapon and the user until it clicked home. She knew the flaw, and when the weapon lashed out for another attack, Hanabi ducked, darting in while Tenten desperately tried to recoil the weapon and drive her back. Hanabi stopped, dodging to the side as the weapon traveled through the space she had occupied a moment before.

The girl dropped, swinging a foot out to sweep Tenten off her feet. She nimbly avoided that, but the weapon was now wrapped tightly around her arm, the knife grasped in her hand. Rising, Hanabi lunged, then ducked under the older girl's counter swing, which was all Hanabi needed. One glancing blow to the ribs to disorient, another to the back of the shoulder to position the girl's body and then a palm against the chin.

Tenten hit the ground with a soft cry of pain, signaling the end of the match.

Breathing heavily, Hanabi allowed her Byakugan to fade, turning her mind to the fight itself, while Tenten got back to her feet. Over all, Hanabi was pleased with her fight, but there were key points that she felt disgusted with, and she promised to work on fixing those.

"Good match," Tenten said, massaging her shoulder. "I thought I had you with that kyoketsu shogei...guess Neji told you the trick huh?"

"No," Hanabi said, checking herself over to ensure presentably. "He mentioned it, but he never explained how it worked."

"Oh."

Finished, Hanabi looked up, offering a polite bow. "Thank you for sparring with me today, Tenten-san. It was very helpful."

"Aaah, no problem," Tenten said, smiling back. "I'm just glad that whatever happened between me and Neji didn't make you think of me differently."

Hanabi tilted her head slightly, as if she was lecturing. "Feelings are irrelevant; all that matters is that you are quite talented and can help me to develop. As I am sure Neji-san explained a few months ago when he asked you to begin sparring with me."

"Yeah," Tenten agreed, her tone disquieted. "Uhh, so...how is he?"

"Fine," Hanabi said, reaching up to arrange her hair. "He has never been more focused, nor as serious. Whatever has happened between you seems to have helped him."

"Oh, good!" Tenten snipped, eyes narrowing. "I'm so glad that I helped him and that Ino's able to get him to focus. I would so hate to be a distraction to the great Hyūga Neji and Yamanaka Ino."

"Yamanaka Ino?" Hanabi said, idly deciding to reveal the truth. "I thought he told you. So sorry, but upon our return from the pilgrimage, Neji-san ended his relationship with her."

"He..." Tenten said distantly, paling.

"Ended their relationship," Hanabi concluded, making sure to keep her tone polite as always. "Please excuse me, Tenten-san, are you unwell?"

"No, yes...I mean...I think so..." Tenten managed weakly.

"Ah. Well, if there is nothing wrong, I should return home." Hanabi said and then, offering a polite bow, turned and walked away, leaving the older girl just standing in the training field. Still, as she walked, Hanabi wondered why had she bothered to reveal such information.

After all, Neji was performing his Clan duties more efficiently now, he was the picture of Hyūga efficiency. Yet, Hanabi could remember the small part of her that had been outraged when she over heard Neji telling Hinata about Tenten's decision. The only explanation at the time had been that she could not stand the slight against the Clan.

Now, however, Hanabi knew the truth. She had been outraged because she cared. For some inexplicable, insane reason, Hanabi cared about Neji's feelings when all that should matter was how he was performing his duties. Yet, it did matter. It mattered quite a lot to her, and she could only think of one reason that she would care.

Uzumaki Naruto and his pity.

He cared, and the glimpse he had given her into his childhood had made her care.

She cursed the name Naruto...

...but she still cared.

"Damn him," Hanabi muttered sourly.

Hanabi

Lazing in the hot water, with stream drifting lazily through the air, Sakura closed her eyes, the various aches and pains that littered her body fading. Kami, she didn't know how much longer she could keep this up. Even with her own ability to heal, her body was slowly wearing itself down. In some ways, it was like she was beginning her training under Tsunade all over again, though, in others, it was completely different.

Most importantly, however, Sakura could feel the difference. She was getting better, her control almost instantaneous, her strength almost legendary. If Kakashi-sensei was to be believed, she was rapidly approaching Elite Jōnin level.

Groaning, she allowed her head to slip completely under the surface of the hot water, until she surfaced with her pink hair plastered back against her head and the sides of her face. Laying her head back, she allowed her mind to roam, a fear of the fast approaching final deadline to retrieve Sasuke creeping its way into her consciousness.

It remained there, malevolently goading her, until she remembered that this time she would not be alone. This time, she would have Naruto with her, she would have one of her dearest friends with her. Together, they would bring the rogue Uchiha back; she could feel that with every fiber of her being.

This time, together, they would not fail.

Drifting thoughts guided her toward Naruto and her amazement at how much he had both changed and remained the same. He was the Naruto she had known for so long, and he was a Naruto she had never expected could exist, and her mind sleepily allowed that if things had worked out differently they would be dating.

Absently, she heard the door the to bath open, and she stirred enough to peek at her companion. At first, all she could make out was a 'mature' figure bound tightly in a pink towel. Then, as the steam wafted away, Sakura discovered that the woman in question was none other than Hinata.

"Hinata?" Sakura said softly, sitting up to stare at the girl. The other girl almost jumped at that, as if she had been caught doing something she was ashamed off. "Are you okay?"

"Anou... I'm... I'm fine," Hinata said while she settled her nerves, shifting her weight nervously. "I...I thought this bath was empty..."

"Just me," Sakura said stretching absently, only now realizing how close to sleep she had drifted. "Ahah, that feels great..."

"Uhm, maybe I should come back..." Hinata mumbled uneasily.

"Huh?" Sakura blinked, staring at the other girl curiously. "If you need to take a bath, you should. It's just us girls."

Hinata blushed, fidgeting slightly before she sighed and quietly approached the bath. Discarding her towel, Hinata nimbly climbed in, almost self-consciously wrapping her arms around herself.

"Hey, uh...It's okay, you know. I'm not like...Anko..." Sakura said uneasily, aware of how the girl was acting.

Hinata's face turned bright red at that. "Anou...I know, I just..." Looking away, Hinata continued uncomfortably. "I'm just not comfortable with... other people seeing me."

Sakura blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Then she blinked again.

Not comfortable? Sakura was by no means underdeveloped, but compared to Hinata she was still a stick figure. "Hinata, you do realize that most girls would kill to have your curves right?"

"Anou," Hinata managed blushing brighter than ever. "I...Sakura-san, I'm no different than the other Hyūga women..."

"No different..." Sakura muttered, eyes widening. Then, involuntarily, she remembered the last time she had seen Hanabi. This time it was Sakura's turn to blush, wondering if Hinata meant that Hyūga women developed like her. Geez, that had to be the true Hyūga bloodline.

A semi-uncomfortable silence filled the bath, forcing Sakura to find something to say. "So... You don't normally use the public baths?"

"Anou...no, but I have a d-date later, and it would take too much time to use the baths at home," Hinata said, seeming to relax slightly.

"Oh?" Sakura managed, grinning slightly. "Does Naruto know you're back yet? He's been worrying himself sick since you left for your mission."

"R-really?"

"Yeah," Sakura said, then fell silent, staring at the water before speaking again. "Listen, Hinata, you need to take care of him okay? He's a great guy, but he needs someone to... to keep him grounded, neh?"

"I know," Hinata mumbled in response. "Anou, Sakura-san i-if something ever happened..."

Sakura looked up to meet the other girl's gaze. Staring into those oddly blank, yet expressive eyes, the pink-haired medic saw all the emotions and words that Hinata couldn't bring herself to say. It was a moment in which Sakura realized just how much Hinata cared for the blond, just how much she understood everything that had to be left unsaid between them.

"I promise, Hinata."

"Thank you," Hinata mumbled and then both fell into an uneasy silence with only the quiet dripping of water.

Sakura

Picking at her food almost absently, Hinata watched the way Naruto was enthusiastically devouring the meal she had prepared. It made her feel special to know that she could make him so happy with something so simple. Being on this picnic with him made her happy to, because they were alone in a secret place that he had never shared with anyone else. It was almost dream-like in its perfection.

Still, she couldn't forget that she didn't really have him. Hinata could never really have him because she knew in her heart of hearts that he was still attached to Sakura. Still, she had as much of him as she could, happy that he was giving her this much. Yet, somehow, that failed to comfort her completely.

"Oi, something wrong?" Naruto suddenly asked, and, when Hinata saw him, she saw the look on his face. It was that piercing look he sometimes gave her when she was getting doubtful about things.

"Anou, not really...I was just thinking," Hinata said politely, praying that he would allow this to pass.

"Ahuh," Naruto said, not buying it. "You know, you don't have a good poker face."

"I just-" Hinata paused, shifting slightly. "I spoke with Sakura-san today."

"Oh?" Naruto said, setting his food aside to stretch. "She's getting a bit depressing, ain't she? I mean...I know were running outta time to get that prick back, but this time we'll do it together."

"Together," Hinata mumbled, watching him. Naruto seemed to have noticed her tone of voice because he gave her an odd look.

"Oi, now you're getting depressing," Naruto said seriously, sitting forward. "What is it? Are you having second thoughts about..." Naruto stopped, the space between his eyebrows creasing in concern.

Even though he didn't say it, Hinata knew what he was thinking. "No," Hinata said firmly. "I-I could never... You are precious to me..."

Naruto grinned slightly, reaching out to poke her nose fondly. "Good 'cause, Usagi-hime...You're very precious to me, too." Then his eyes drifted to the packages she had sitting next to her before looking back. "So, what do I gotta do to find out what’s in there? Cause I'm honestly not above kissing the daylights out of you if I have to."

Hinata blushed, fingers almost trembling. He had asked her once, when they had first seen each other and she had asked him to wait until after the picnic. Looking briefly at the food, she decided he had waited, though he seemed almost to vibrate with energy now. Staring at him, she was very tempted to make him see his offer through.

Then, the part of her that rationalized that they were not in the privacy of his house or a more secluded spot kicked in, and she blushed, reaching over to pick up the packages and hand them to him. "Anou, they're to celebrate you becoming a Chūnin."

"Thanks!" Naruto said happily. Unwrapping the first one and finding a new forehead protector, he beamed at her so brightly that Hinata almost kissed him, which was something she left in his hands. He initiated the kisses and hugs, she merely advanced them.

Putting it on, he turned his attention back to the second package and quickly began unwrapping it. Hinata bit her lip, anxious now that it was finally time for him to see her present. Would he like it? What if he didn't and accepted it out of some sense of obligation? She watched as he finally paused and looked up at her curiously before looking back down at the orange and black jacket in his lap.

"Uh, I appreciate the thought, Hinata-chan but I already have this jack-" Naruto blinked, however, as he lifted the jacket. "Hey! This is different!"

"Anou...You, uhm, you complained on the trip back, about the green flak jackets that some chunin wear..." Hinata said anxiously, absently fiddling with her fingers.

"Well yeah, but I don't have to wear one, so...?"

"I just thought, uhmm, that you would like it." Hinata said, looking at him uncertainly. "I-if you don't want it..."

"Huh? I never said that!" Naruto said happily as he took his old jacket off, handing it to her, while he put the new one on. "So, uhmm why is it heavier than the other one?"

"Anou, Tenrai-san said that, since it was so important to me, that he made sure it was beyond anything he had ever made before." Hinata said happily, holding the old one tightly. "He used Ryuhada and, uh, he added a few extra scroll pouches on the inside."

"Ryuhada?"

"Yes, uhm, Tenrai-san said that it was the same type of armor that the ANBU use." Hinata said, shifting slightly. "He, uh, said that he designed your jacket to...allow full movement and maximum protection."

Naruto blinked, looking at the jacket, he was now wearing and then looked back at her, his face surprisingly soft. "Thanks," the blond said and then leaned forward on impulse and kissed her. It was one of those deep kisses that he often started and then, to her surprise, he deepened it even more before breaking contact to stare at her almost starry-eyed.

Hinata couldn't even form a coherent sentence, instead just sort of staring at him, memorizing his face and loosing herself in a daydream. After several long minutes, Naruto finally seemed to come out of his stupor long enough to hop to his feet and start testing the new jacket out.

Pausing, he looked back at her, a grin of appreciation on his face. Hinata smiled back, lifting his old jacket slightly in a hug. Absently, she noted his scent; ramen, oranges, potting soil and sweat. It was an oddly comforting scent.

"Hey, I never did ask too much, but how'd your mission go?" Naruto said suddenly, crouching down once more to stare at her. "I mean, I know you guys were all successful, but, like, how'd you do on it?"

"Anou," Hinata finally said, her smile fading slightly. "I...well I managed to perform as I needed to."

"I sense a but coming," Naruto said seriously, quirking an eyebrow.

Blushing slightly at how his choice of words sounded, Hinata nodded, not quite meeting his gaze. "I wish I could do better, I still...I am still not...I see Sakura-san and Ino-san, and I want to...to be as strong as they are."

"Oi, that's simple. You just grab your Sensei and get her to train you," Naruto said, nodding slightly. "I did that with Ero-sennin, and look how strong I am. Oi, I'd learn the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu first, though. It's really effective. It even helped me complete the Rasengan. Sort of."

"Anou, but I thought..." Hinata said, blinking. "Didn't you say the Yondaime created that?"

"Yeah, but it's not complete. He wanted to add nature manipulation -I think that's what Kakashi-sensei called it- anyway, I've almost got it, about halfway I guess." Naruto shrugged, a slight frown on his face. "I have to use two different clones, but still...It's a damn powerful move."

Hinata nodded, almost amazed at what he was telling her then sighed softly. "I-I wish I could be half as strong as you are."

"Oi, wishing ain't gonna get it done," Naruto suddenly said, grabbing her hand and yanking her upright along with him. "You've gotta train till you can't train anymore! Starting now."

"Anou, but, uh..." Hinata blinked, staring at him almost shyly. "Kurenai-sensei isn't, uhm, around..."

"Well, I'll train ya, then!" Naruto said brightly. "We'll start with the Kage Bunshin, then we'll try a few jutsu, and I'll have to get those papers Kakashi-sensei had me use, and we'll see what kind of affinity you have..."

"Anou, Naruto-kun... I'm not sure if I can..." Hinata stammered, staring at Naruto with a certain amount of uncertainty.

"Awww, come on!" Naruto grinned at her as only he could. "Just try it!"

Hinata bit her lip, then, because she could never say no to Naruto, nodded. "All right...I'll try."

Naruto grinned a little more. "Promise?"

Hinata nodded, wishing he hadn't asked that. She wasn't sure how her father would react if he found out, nor any of the others, but years of his treatment allowed her to imagine it. Still, she had promised, and if she promised something, then she would do it. It was her -their- ninja way.

"Great!" Naruto shouted excitedly. Then, much to her amazement, he changed from the energetic blond that she had grown so used to and into the serious shinobi that she had seen always training. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu is B-ranked, and it creates real bodies. That means they have chakra and can use jutsu."

"Neji-neesan said that it's impossible to tell which one is the real body," Hinata offered softly, wondering why she felt like she was in the presence of her father or one of the other Hyūga teachers.

"It is," Naruto admitted, then scowled slightly. "That bastard Sasuke claims the Sharingan can tell the difference..."

Hinata paused, then nodded, knowing just how powerful the Sharingan could be if properly harnessed.

"Now, then, to make a Kage Bunshin, you make this seal," Naruto said lifting his fingers into a strange seal. "After that, you sorta have to twist and wiggle your chakra to make the real body."

Twist and wiggle? Hinata blinked, not grasping what he was telling her. He seemed to read her expression and chuckled apologetically, but his eyes never lost their intensity. "Well, it's like...you take your chakra, and you expel it and then force it to take a form. Ya know, basically the same way that you do with the normal Bunshin onl-"

"Anou...Naruto-kun, I can't...I wasn't allowed to learn the Bunshin or much of anything else taught in the Academy." Hinata paused, her voice turning hesitant. "It was, Outou-san and the Elders believed that it was pointless, even for me to learn such things..."

"Huh?" Naruto blinked, startled and scratched the back of his head. "Then how'd you graduate?"

"It was, uhmm, because I was still officially the heir, the Academy couldn't fail me. I was too politically important." Hinata paused, uneasy now, before looking away from him. "I-I did everything else they asked of us... but my clan is very strict about what I can learn."

Naruto was silent for several long minutes, and for a minute Hinata worried she had upset him. When he spoke, however, she was surprised to hear the note of excitement. "So, I'll get to train you in everything?!"

"Anou...Everything?" Hinata asked, startled, looking back at him, surprised at the joy on his face.

"Yeah yeah!" Naruto lifted his hands, nodding. "First, I'll teach you the Bunshin and then the Kage Bunshin!"

"Anou... I don't..." Hinata offered, then, remembering her promise, turned serious. "I will try, Naruto-kun." Naruto nodded, as well, and started to explain how he preformed the normal Bunshin, which Hinata distinctly remembered as being done differently than how he preformed it.

Hinata, however, pushed that aside and, when he demonstrated, she activated her Byakugan to study how he molded his chakra and performed the move. When it was dispelled, Hinata remained quiet, then considered his words and how he had performed the technique.

Hinata still wasn't entirely sure that she could actually do this, she but give it her best shot anyway.

Bringing her hands together, she clenched her eyes shut and began molding her chakra, which made her quickly understand that Naruto was not kidding about how difficult creating a simple Bunshin could be. It was almost like her chakra was just building to an explosive point and then...The pressure was gone, and she cautiously opened her eyes.

To find Naruto staring slack-jawed at something on her left.

Hinata turned to see what exactly had his attention and stopped breathing, the blood draining from her face. There, for all the world to see, was indeed a Bunshin of herself... completely nude. Hinata wobbled, which caused her illusion to disappear.

This time, however, Hinata was beaten to the faint by Naruto, who had blood trickling from his nose and was twitching oddly.

Hinata

Tapping her fingers in rhythmic impatience against her large desk, she stared almost sightlessly at the two ninja before her. Glancing at the simplistic clock on her office wall, she frowned, wondering where Naruto was. The messenger should have found him by now. Was he intentionally being late like Kakashi? And, if so, could she afford to kill him?

Turning to Sakura, who was looking as sour as she felt, Tsunade sighed, reaching up to rub at her temple. "Sakura-chan, go see if you can-"

"Hey, hey! You wanted to see me, Baa-chan?" Naruto said as the door to her office banged open.

Tsunade studied him for a moment, noting the slight swagger in his steps and the way he carried himself with almost unbelievable confidence. He really was growing up. "Yes. I did. An hour ago," Tsunade rapped out, fixing him with a piercing glare that made him blink in surprise. "Care to explain why you kept us waiting?"

"Ahhahhah," the blond said, scratching the back of his head. "The messenger said he had a hard time finding me... Oi, plus he walked in on my date with Hinata-chan!" At this he frowned slightly.

"...I'll make sure to cover his medical bill.," Tsunade said blandly, noting in her peripheral vision the look on Sakura's face at the mention of a date. Filling that away, she shifted her attention back to Naruto. "Now that you are all here, I can finally discuss what I wanted to... an hour ago."

Naruto grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. "Of course"

"Yosh, how may we, the brightest flames of youth, be of service?" Lee asked, suddenly bounding up from the one-fingered push-ups with which he had been passing the time.

Tsunade stared at the spandex-clad boy, unnerved for a moment by those shockingly thick eyebrows, then, making a mental note to have yet another talk with Gai, continued on with the meeting. "I summoned you here because I finally have the first A-ranked mission for Team Naruto."

"Oi, what about the Jōnin Exam, and the time limit is running out..." Naruto said darkly.

"He is correct! They are getting closer, and we must be prepared." Lee nodded in agreement, then flashed a smile that 'pinged' at her.

"Will you two please give it a rest and let Tsunade-sishiou finish!" Sakura snapped, which seemed to wilt both boys.

"Thank you, Sakura." the slug Sannin said, her tone clipped, knowing that Sakura wanted to protest just as much as either of them. "As I was saying, I have an A-ranked mission for your team, and, believe it or not, this mission is part of the Jōnin exam. Which, may I remind you, dictates whether or not you are even allowed to participate in the final retrieval attempt."

"We may not seem like it, Hokage-sama, but we are ready.," Sakura said seriously. Tsunade started to smile in pride at the look on Sakura's face, at least until Naruto added his two cents.

"Yeah, ya old hag, bring it on!"

"Ooooh, you not should to speak to the Hokage like that!" Lee said in her defense, shaking a fist at the blond who was now rubbing at a spot Sakura had slapped.

"Ahem," Tsunade said, biting back her own amused grin. "This mission has a high priority, vital to the village's continued ability to function."

"What exactly do you need us to do?" Naruto asked, finally turning serious.

Tsunade watched him, pleased to see that he was finally taking this seriously. Kami, maybe he really was ready for this sort of responsibility. "Several years ago, Team Kakashi escorted a princess, named Fujikaze Yukie-" She paused at the slight gasp from Sakura and Naruto, then continued. "-to her home. After nearly three years of negotiating, she has agreed to share some of Yuki no Kuni's technology. It was shipped to the small island nation of Nami no Kuni, where a man named Tazuna-san-"

"Tazuna?!" Naruto interrupted in surprise.

"The Land of Waves?" Sakura added in equal surprise.

"Yes," Tsunade confirmed in irritation at being interrupted yet again. "As I was saying, it was shipped to Nami no Kuni where Tazuna-san arranged for it to be held until we could send a team. We did so, but they are overdue, and it is feared that they have been ambushed and the technology stolen."

"What was it, exactly?" Lee asked, holding a notepad in his hand.

"A Chakra Controlling Device. The council wanted it in hopes of controlling dangerous nin prisoners," Tsunade explained, holding out a scroll to Naruto. "This has all the necessary information. Your exact mission is this: locate Team 25, which consists of Ebisu, Udon, Moegei and Konohamaru-"

"You sent them?" Naruto said sharply, his body language signaling the shift of alertness.

"The original mission was only rated C, and they are preparing for the Chūnin exam," Tsunade said just as sharply before continuing. "Locate Team 25, ensure that they are alive, then secure the device and escort them all back to the village."

"Hokage-sama, a tracker would be-"

"You don't have time to locate one," Tsunade said shrugging. "Besides, part of this test is to attempt the mission with what you have on hand."

"Yes," Sakura said, a small crease between her eyebrows as she thought about something.

"So, do you accept the mission?"

"YOSH! For the future flames of youth!" Lee said enthusiastically, giving her yet another nice guy pose.

"Don't worry, Baachan, we're gonna kick ass, take names and have ramen!" Naruto said with a cocky grin as he put the mission scroll into his orange and black jacket.

"I'll keep these two out of trouble, I promise," Sakura said politely, but with some humor in her tone.

"Very well," Tsunade said, giving each of them a confident look. "Dismissed!" Seconds later, she was left alone in her office, and Tsunade leaned back in her seat.

AN:

Incase your curious, here's a small sampling of what exactly Konohamaru suffered, though I have a lot more Prank Jutsu that you'll probably never get to see:

Name: Mahoushoujo no Jutsu, literally magical girl technique
Type: C-rank supplemental, all ranges

Perhaps the most infamous of the prank techniques (though far from the most perverted), this simple variation on the third-person transformation technique gives the target the appearance of a magical girl at her absolute frilliest. Without, of course, changing the physical appearance of the target's body. Jiraiya still hasn't forgiven Naruto for the time he used the technique on Kakashi

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Name: Ookii Tori no Jutsu, literally "Big Bird Technique"
Type: D-rank, supplemental

Basically turns someone into a giant yellow bird via summoning orange paint, permanent glue, yellow feathers and a strap on beak. Requires minor seal work so that all items are applied directly on the target when they are summoned.

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Name: Shikima no Jutsu (AKA Horny no Jutsu)
Type: C-rank, supplemental

A highly inappropriately named technique, done so with the purpose of distracting the target of the true purpose behind this technique. Horny no Jutsu creates actual horns or antlers on the target and is a mildly advanced henge, requiring that the caster be the one to remove the technique, all other attempts only make the technique worse.