Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Mokushita Hyuuga ❯ Chapter 17
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Moghedian 
Disclaimer: Naruto and all related characters belong to Kishimoto, not me.
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 12.28.2006 | Updated On: 02.11.2007 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 583 | Status: Work In Progress
Disclaimer: Naruto and all related characters belong to Kishimoto, not me.
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 12.28.2006 | Updated On: 02.11.2007 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.2K | Visits: 583 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 17
Hinata's heart was racing. Putting a hand on her chest, she willed it to slow.
Stop it. You are just going for dango, and to say good bye. She thought, becoming angry with herself. Looking down, she realized that her index fingers were pushing against each other. Frowning, Hinata crossed her arms and shivered.
The sky was just starting to light up, and some of the windows had a bit of frost on them. Rubbing her arms, Hinata wished she had brought a thicker jacket. It was well into fall, And Kouden's birthday was coming up soon. Naruto's too. She'd have to say a few prayers for him.
"Hinata-san!" A voice said, cracking the stillness of the cold morning air. Turning around, Hinata saw two figures wearing long dark cloaks and beige vests. One of them was waving, his dark gold hair was sticking out of his plain ANBU mask. The other one was a few inches shorter, and his mask was sitting on the side of his face.
"Ah..Katoki-san!" Hinata said. Katoki took his mask off and grinned widely. His partner looked at him and Katoki gasped.
"Oh! I forgot, this is my partner Ganjou. Ganjou, this is Hinata-san. I met her yesturday, she saved me from a headache that caused me to lose conciousness." Hinata bowed shakily, and Ganjou glared at Katoki while he bowed. Looking around, Katoki saw all of the closed shops.
"Saa...Is there anyplace that's open?" Hinata stifled a giggled and Ganjou sighed.
"I think there is an oden shop nearby that will open in a few minutes. I wouldn't mind a hot meal before leaving." Ganjou said. Hinata nodded. Katoki smiled and grabbed Hinata's arm, and started to drag her forward before her feet caught up. Hinata blushed, but she wasn't sure if it was embarrasment, or quiet anger.
"Stop Katoki. She can walk." Ganjou grumbled, and Katoki blinked.
"Saa..sorry. I'm impulsive." Hinata laughed, and Katoki grinned.
The three reached the oden stand, and sat down. The owner was still taking things out, but had his son start their orders. When they got them, Hinata poked at her soup, as she watched Katoki shoveled it into his mouth.
"So, Hinata-san, what brings you to this city in particular?" Ganjou asked. Glaring at Katoki.
"Ah, I'm watching over my son as he trains." Hinata said carefully. Ganjou nodded and started to eat his own soup.
"Nn...Katoki-san, yesterday you told me you were on a mission...may I ask what the objective is?" Ganjou paused, but started to eat again. Katoki, now finished his first bowl, ordered another before speaking.
"Saa...We are looking for a girl. But it's difficult because the only picture we have of her was when she was 5. She is 12 now. Hey! Take a look, maybe you've seen her?" Hinata smirked, taking the scroll from Katoki's hand. Unrolling it, Hinata gazed at the picture. Her pale eyes widened and she looked at Katoki.
"Why do you want her?" Katoki blinked.
"Oh! Not for anything bad. She has family that hired us to find her." Katoki said, "Do you know her?" Hinata paused.
"Its...This is Sasami-chan! She looked liked this the first time I saw her..." Hinata trailed off as she looked at Katoki. His face was calm, and expressed no emotion. A glance at Ganjou's showed an identical expresion. Hinata wondered if she should have opened her mouth.
"So, uh, do you know where she is right now?" Ganjou said. Katoki nodded. Hinata put a finger to her mouth.
"Uhn...She might be in Konoha...hey...if you are gonna go there to look, can I come with? I have people I need to see." Ganjou narrowed his eyes. Katoki's remained the same as ever.
"I suppose. But I need to check a certain hotel first." Hinata blinked.
"Why?"
"A friend. We owe her something for her help, so I planned to buy her flowers and leave them on her door." Katoki said. Hinata nodded.
"Can we meet somewhere? I can collect my stuff, and meet you somewhere after you get your friend flowers." Hinata said, turning in her chair.
"Yea, meet here in half an hour? It will give you time to say good bye that boy...Kouden?" Hinata looked downcast.
"He doesn't know I am still alive. But that's ok. I'll meet you here in half an hour." And with that Hinata left.
"Katoki...What are you doing?" Ganjou whispered. Katoki stood and said,
"I don't know. But she knows the girl, maybe when we pay her a visit, she can calm her down untill we get back to the Raikage-sama." Ganjou blinked at this.
"Raikage-sama? You intend on bringing her to Kumo?" Ganjou said, walking beside Katoki.
"Well, she doesn't have anywhere else to go. And besides...I feel really comfortable around her." Ganjou didn't reply, but continued to walk as Katoki led him to the hotel that the medic nin and her student were staying at. Sliding the door open, the Inn manager perked.
"Ah, Ohayou Gozaimasu! You are early this morning, would you like a room?" Katoki shook his head.
"Saa, no. We are just here to visit a friend before we leave. Can we just go up?" The manager stared at Katoki's stupid grin for a few seconds before nodding.
Walking up the stairs, Katoki counted the doors to the room he knew Sasami was staying at. Reaching the fifth door, Katoki knocked. Waiting a few seconds, Katoki knocked again when no one answered. Hissing, Katoki fumbled around in his cloak untill he found the small roll he was looking for. Unrolling it, he pulled a thin pair of picks out, and faster than you could say 'unlock', Katoki swung the door open.
"Saa..." Katoki said, observing the room.
"We were too late." Ganjou said, bending down and picking up the discarded blanket. Katoki motioned for Ganjou to follow him out of the door. Locking it again, Katoki put on his smiling mask to fool the manager into thinking they had accomplished their task.
"Saa, Let's go meet Hinata-san. She can take us to Konoha." Katoki mumbled, heading towards the oden shop.
"Shizune-sensei...?" Sasami said, her voice just barely catching Shizune's ears as the two whizzed through the trees.
"Hush. Ah, here we go. Stop, Sasami-chan..." The black haired medic-nin said. Gazing up at the sky, Shizune saw a large hawk fly in a circle, and then cry out.
"We make camp here." Shizune said, dropping off the branch she was standing on.
"What? Why? I would think that I need to get back to Konoha, especially after that man..." The pink haired girl said, her brown eyes frowning, even if her mouth wasn't. Dropping down from the branch she was standing on, Sasami moved closer to Shizune and looked around. Shizune smiled a warm smile. Placing her hand on top of Sasami's head, she said,
"Dont worry, help is coming. Here, once you set up temporary camp, I'll let you try healing the fish again." Sasami grinned.
"Mendokuse..." An ANBU with a deer mask said. His partner, a jounin teacher and an ex ANBU just chuckled. They were jumping through the trees, and if the message they got by bird was right, they were only an hour away from their target.
"Why did I have to come again? She's your student. I'm sure Shizune-san can fend for herself." The ANBU said.
"Oh shut up. This is the 8th time you've said that since we left." The gray haired man said, starting to get annoyed with his partner's complaining. Landing on another branch, the grey haired man used a small burst of chakra to propell himself forward again as he jumped swiftly through the trees. His partner followed with equal ease.
"Nnnn...Kakashi, have you seen Hinata recently?" Kakashi blinked.
"Actually, no. I mean, usually she's working at the barbeque, or watching Kouden train. I haven't seen her since...ohhh...You know what, she is probably trailing him and Jiraiya-sama." Kakashi said.
"Ohh...that makes sense, I wish she would have told us though." Shikamaru said and Kakashi nodded in agreement.
A few moments of silence slowly turned into minutes, which slowly turned into an hour. Finally, Shikamaru and Kakashi came upon a small camp that looked like it had been thrown together. Landing right by the small fire, the two occupants swiveled their heads toward him.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Yelled his pink haired student. Sasami jumped up and ran to her teacher, hugging his waist.
"Shizune-sempai, Tsunade says that your mission has been terminated. The client has withdrawn. But furthermore, Sasami-chan needs to be escorted back to the Hokage." Shizune nodded and started pack up.
"Ah...Kakashi-sensei, how long will it take those men to find me?" Sasami said, from her place at Kakashi's side.
"What? What men?" Kakashi said, kneeling down. Sasami hesitated, glancing at Shizune.
"Uhn...These two men, ANBU actually, one was hurt badly, so Shizune-sensei healed him. After that, before they left, the taller man with scars and spiky hair showed me a picture and asked if I had ever seen her. I said no, but it was a picture of me before I moved to the fishing village..." Kakashi's eye widened. Looking back at Shikamaru, Shikamaru just shifted his feet. Standing up, Kakashi roused Sasami's hair and said,
"Don't worry. Now that we are here, nothing will happen."
"Ah, Hinata-san, It seems you are expeirianced in the ways of Shinobi." Ganjou said to Hinata, as she jumped off of another tree. Katoki chuckled behind his ANBU mask. Hinata said,
"Well, I was a chuunin...I mean, I learned how to tree jump in the academy..." Hinata said, slightly blushing, she was glad that Katoki had lent her a spare mask. The long black cloak that Katoki had also lent her was trailing behind her.
Staring at Ganjou's bird-like ANBU mask, she got the impression that he was grinning. Grinning herself, she stopped when Katoki raised two fingers up straight. Nodding, she went through a few seals and activated her byakugan.
"Ah...I can see 4 people...Including Sasami-chan. They all look like expeirianced chakra users. We have three shinobi to deal with." Hinata said. Ganjou sighed and Katoki clicked his tongue.
"Let's try to make this as bloodless as possible. We want to peacefully take the girl, not cause a war. Kami knows we dont need another. How long till we reach the camp?" Katoki said.
"A few minutes at the most. We are just under a kilometre away." Katoki nodded and straightened his mask. It was identical in shape to the one he had lent Hinata, but the markings were different, and in a different colour.
"Ah...Kakashi, we have approaching nin. Stand guard." A voice said through the tree. Hinata stiffened. Kakashi? Katoki dropped out of the trees, followed soundlessly by Ganjou and Hinata.
"Saa... As-"
"We know what you are here for. We know why. Your Raikage has sent out scrolls to all the shinobi nations. We, as shinobi of Konohagakure, formally invite you into our village to meet with Hokage-sama untill an agreement can be made." The only Konoha ANBU said, eyeing the three before him. Katoki looked back at Ganjou, who didn't move.
"Alright. That's fair." He finally said. His voice betraying no emotion. Kakashi stared at Katoki with his peircing eye, but the ANBU didn't even flinch. Moving his gaze over to the ones behind him, the shortest one, flinched ever so slightly when he ran his gaze over him. Looking closer, Kakashi noted quickly that he was in fact a she.
"Excuse me." The short ANBU said. Kakashi's gaze snapped up to her masked face. "I'd like it very much if you could keep your gaze at face level." the leader of the group was visibly trying to hold him laughter, whilst the one behind him actually let out a chuckle. Shikamaru sighed, and Kakashi blushed slightly.
Turning away, Kakashi saw that Sasami and Shizune had packed up the camp, relativly faster than he expected and were both now staring at him.
"Alright, lets go. We can make it to Konoha by dark if we push." Shikamaru said. The group nodded and took to the trees.
"Stop, names and...Oh! Kakashi-san, Shizune-san! Nevermind. Go right in. Hokage-sama says she is waiting for you." Kakashi nodded and led his small group into the streets of Konoha. It was just starting to get dark, and all of the lights were on.
"Wow...It's so beautiful...this is my first time here, what about you, Ganjou?" Katoki whispered.
"Once or twice. Personally, I like Kumo better." He said, shrugging, and looking around. "Everyone is staring at us..." Hinata looked around, and sure enough, anyone still out in the streets were casting looks of curiosity at the group. Hinata saw several people she knew, including Ino and Sakura talking to Anko over a few sticks of dango. When she passed them, they all stared at her and her group. Sakura's glances were mainly at Sasami, and her bright green eyes were laced with worry.
"The Hokage tower is just around this corner." Kakashi said. Leading the group through a series of twists and turns. When they finally came upon the large red building, Kakashi made the use the stairs.
Knocking on the door to Tsunade's office, the Kumo ANBU were getting looks by the ANBU that guarded the office doors.
"Come in." A voice said, floating through the door. Kakashi pushed the large doors, and Hinata was surprised when they opened without resistance or sound.
"Tsunade-sama. I have retreived Sasami, and brought the Kumo ANBU that were sent as well." Kakashi said. Shikamaru snorted. The lady at the table had her hands crossed in front of her face.
"I thank you three for not pursueing a quarrel. May I ask your names?" Hinata stiffened.
"No problem. Raikage-sama told us to avoid conflict. I am Katoki."
"I am Ganjou."
"And I am Kasumi." Tsunade nodded, and missed both Kakashi and Shikamaru twitch.
"Alright. Now the Raikage has sent a request that his grandaughter be returned to Kumgakure without harm. But I'm sure as you know, we cannot just release her. What do you propose?" Tsunade said.
"Wait, what? Who is the Raikage's grandaughter?" The pink haired girl said. Tsunade frowned.
"You are. Apparently you have alot of family still alive in the cloud. You might want to have a talk with your father about that. Actually, Kakashi, would you be so kind as to fetch Ditama-san?" Kakashi sighed loudly and poofed out leaving a bunch of leaves.
"I...I have family? Is Aniki there? Aneue? Kaa-san?" Katoki turned to Sasami and paused before saying,
"Saa...You do. I am actually your Oni-san's Jounin Sensei. The raikage is your grandfather." Sasami gaped.
"Aneue....Kaa-san?" Katoki looked at Ganjou.
"We will let Raikage-sama explain it better to you." Sasami nodded, clearly shocked by the news. She didn't even turn back as Kakashi walked through the doors, followed by a blonde man with brown eyes.
"Ah. Ditama-san. I'm glad you are here." Tsunade said as the man adressed bowed. "Now, Katoki-san, may you explain to me why Sasami-chan is needed?" Katoki nodded.
"Well, as Hokage, you probably know that the Hoku-hime has recently passed. We need Sasami to take her place, or the Sekihito reign will end." Tsunade sighed.
"Sasami is only 11. Isn't she a little young to be taking the throne of over a quarter of the Lightning country?" the blonde said, her hands resting on her desk.
"As long as she is there everything will be fine."
"No! I will not let my daughter be a part of that, that...Conspiracy!" Sasami's father yelled.
"Please, Ditama-san. Calm down." Tsunade said.
"No! I will not! I already lost a wife to it, and if you are here now, It means Rumiko is dead too, right!?" Ditama yelled. Sasami's eyes widened, and her vision became blurred with tears.
"Ditama-san...please. Sasami will be fine. The group responsible has been eliminated down to it's last follower." Ganjou said, glancing at Katoki, who nodded. Hinata just stood by the wall, not beleiving what she was hearing.
"I have an Idea." Ganjou said. His voice peircing the quiet squabbles of Ditama and Tsunade.
"Share, please." Tsunade said. Her voice bristling with anger.
"I say that we take Migoto-sama, but after, say, a year or so, let her screw up her job so badly that the Raikage will have to take her from the throne. That way she can return here, alive." A few minutes of silence followed.
"I am surprised, Ganjou. Who knew you could think of something like that." Katoki said. A hint of a grin was heard in his words, and Ganjou had to hold back from hitting his taller friend.
"Well, I'm for that...Sasami-chan, are you?" Tsunade asked, looking down at the quivering pink haired girl.
"I...I really want to see Aniki...and Jii-sama...A year isn't that long. B-but what about my training, Tsunade-sama?" Sasami said. Tsunade paused, and then rifled through her large stack of scrolls beside her desk. Pulling out a larger one, she handed it to the young girl and said,
"This is a scroll of beginer and intermediate medic tasks. It will help you sharpen your control, and be sure to practice the enhanced strength lesson." Sasami nodded and fiddled with the end of the scroll.
"So we are agreed then? We will escort Migoto-sama to Kumogakure." Katoki said, and Tsunade nodded.
"But you will be escorted to the border by Shikamaru and Kakashi here. I might as well throw Sakura in as well. She will want to say goodbye to her cousin." Katoki nodded and Shikamaru let out a loud sigh.
"Katoki-san, you and your group may find a place to stay tonight. I expect you all to be here at 5 am sharp for last minute words." Katoki nodded again and started to walk out the door, Ganjou and Hinata quickly following him.
"You kept calling her Migoto, why?" Hinata asked, joggin up to Katoki.
"That's her name. This 'Sasami' that you call her, must be a name her father decided on to protect her, or something."
"Ah...I see." Hinata said.
"Ne, Hinata-san, do you know anyplace to stay?" Katoki said, laughing and rubbing the back of his head. Hinata grinned and said,
"Yea, there is this one place I stayed at once. Here, I'll show you!" Hinata said, she grabbed Katoki's hand and pulled him towards the said Inn, Ganjou following closely.
Taking his mask off, Katoki ran a hand through his hair. Hinata took her mask off as well. Blinking her pale eyes, she stared at Katoki.
"Yes?" Katoki said, and Hinata blushed.
"Aa-no...I was just wondering, I'm kind of hungry. Do you want to go grab something?" Katoki grinned and Hinata blushed harder.
"Yeah! Actually, I want to see if your bragging lives up to itself. Let's go for ramen!" Hinata giggled and nodded. Katoki told Ganjou that they were leaving, and Ganjou just grumbled.
As soon as they stepped out of the room they were staying in, the two put theirs masks back on. About half way to the ramen stand that Hinata had in mind, they were approached by another ANBU.
"Yo. Kumo ANBU. Can I have word?" The man said. His dark hair in a high ponytail. Katoki nodded and the man continued.
"Kasumi-san, was it? You seem new to ANBU. How long were you a jounin for?" Hinata frowned behind her mask.
"Why would you say I'm new? That's a little rude..." Katoki nodded slightly.
"Ahh, that did come off a bit rude. Sorry, but they way you move isn't exactly like an experianced ANBU." Hinata waved off his apology and said,
"Ah..well, I am new I suppose. But I was chuunin. Not jounin. Now, is that all?" Hinata said, anxious to get away. Shikamaru was about to start talking again but Katoki interrupted.
"Sorry, but my partner here may be new, it doesnt require an ANBU interragation. I, myself am quite hungry and would be pleased if you let us continue on our way." Hinata nearly squeaked as Katoki pushed past Shikamaru, dragging her along. Shikamaru's masked face followed the pair untill they turned the corner.
"Ah! Look, the ramen stand!" Hinata said, pointing.
"I-chi-ra-ku. Ah! I've heard of this stand, they are a legend out in the rain country." Hinata's eyes opened in surprise.
"Rain? I knew they were famous, but not that famous!" Katoki nodded eagerly. As the two approached the ramen stand, Hinata quickly went through a few seals and activated her partial henge, unnoticed by Katoki. Katoki was the first to duck under the flaps that said 'ramen' and sit on a red stool. Hinata followed closely and took a seat next to Katoki.
"Oh! And what can I get you two tonight, ANBU-sama?" An old man said, drawing his daughter's attention away from fixing her own son's hair. Katoki lowered his hood, his mask still in placed and said,
"Ah, I think I will try the miso ramen. My friend here will have the same." The old man nodded and set to work. The trio of ramen cookers worked as smooth as a greased gear, and after only a few minutes, both Hinata and Katoki found their mouths watering at the sight in front of them. Without thinking, Hinata took her mask off, and grabbed a pair of chopsticks as Katoki followed suit.
"Itadekimasu!" Both Katoki and Hinata said, and dived into their respective ramen. About half way through her first bowl, and nearly through Katoki's third, Hinata glanced up at the Ichiraku family. The girl, who Hinata remembered as Ayame, was stealing glances at her. Finally, as though she was physically being dragged, Ayame slowly leaned towards Hinata.
"Sumimasen...But you look familiar...Have we met?" Hinata stopped slurping her noodles, and looked up at Ayame. Slowly shaking her head, Hinata said,
"Aha. A lot of people seem to mistake me as someone they know these days. No, this is the first time I have ever been to Konohagakure. I must say it's lovely though." Ayame nodded and stood up straight.
"Oho! Ayame-chan, don't bother the customers!" The old man said. Ayame blushed and quickened back to her place by the vegatables.
After all was said and done, Hinata had avoided any more awkward questions, and Katoki had ignored the strange looks the Ichiraku Trio had been giving him. The two pulled their masks over their face, and chatted in hushed, but jolly tones about the last two days.
Making it back to their Inn without conflict, Katoki graciously gave his pallet to Hinata for the night, and she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Katoki, on the other hand, just stared at her sleeping face. The annoying buzzing in the back of his mind had started again, but much to Katoki's relief, it came without pain this time.
Shaking his head to try and rid himself of the irritating noise, Katoki ended up rapping his head on the side of the window frame.
"Itaaaiii...." Katoki groaned, clutching his the side of his head. Checking to see if he had woken Ganjou or Hinata, Katoki sighed when he saw that he hadn't. Sparing one last glance at the way Hinata's hair was gently bunched up by her ear, Katoki stared out the window and up at a perfect half moon.
End Chapter 17
Hinata's heart was racing. Putting a hand on her chest, she willed it to slow.
Stop it. You are just going for dango, and to say good bye. She thought, becoming angry with herself. Looking down, she realized that her index fingers were pushing against each other. Frowning, Hinata crossed her arms and shivered.
The sky was just starting to light up, and some of the windows had a bit of frost on them. Rubbing her arms, Hinata wished she had brought a thicker jacket. It was well into fall, And Kouden's birthday was coming up soon. Naruto's too. She'd have to say a few prayers for him.
"Hinata-san!" A voice said, cracking the stillness of the cold morning air. Turning around, Hinata saw two figures wearing long dark cloaks and beige vests. One of them was waving, his dark gold hair was sticking out of his plain ANBU mask. The other one was a few inches shorter, and his mask was sitting on the side of his face.
"Ah..Katoki-san!" Hinata said. Katoki took his mask off and grinned widely. His partner looked at him and Katoki gasped.
"Oh! I forgot, this is my partner Ganjou. Ganjou, this is Hinata-san. I met her yesturday, she saved me from a headache that caused me to lose conciousness." Hinata bowed shakily, and Ganjou glared at Katoki while he bowed. Looking around, Katoki saw all of the closed shops.
"Saa...Is there anyplace that's open?" Hinata stifled a giggled and Ganjou sighed.
"I think there is an oden shop nearby that will open in a few minutes. I wouldn't mind a hot meal before leaving." Ganjou said. Hinata nodded. Katoki smiled and grabbed Hinata's arm, and started to drag her forward before her feet caught up. Hinata blushed, but she wasn't sure if it was embarrasment, or quiet anger.
"Stop Katoki. She can walk." Ganjou grumbled, and Katoki blinked.
"Saa..sorry. I'm impulsive." Hinata laughed, and Katoki grinned.
The three reached the oden stand, and sat down. The owner was still taking things out, but had his son start their orders. When they got them, Hinata poked at her soup, as she watched Katoki shoveled it into his mouth.
"So, Hinata-san, what brings you to this city in particular?" Ganjou asked. Glaring at Katoki.
"Ah, I'm watching over my son as he trains." Hinata said carefully. Ganjou nodded and started to eat his own soup.
"Nn...Katoki-san, yesterday you told me you were on a mission...may I ask what the objective is?" Ganjou paused, but started to eat again. Katoki, now finished his first bowl, ordered another before speaking.
"Saa...We are looking for a girl. But it's difficult because the only picture we have of her was when she was 5. She is 12 now. Hey! Take a look, maybe you've seen her?" Hinata smirked, taking the scroll from Katoki's hand. Unrolling it, Hinata gazed at the picture. Her pale eyes widened and she looked at Katoki.
"Why do you want her?" Katoki blinked.
"Oh! Not for anything bad. She has family that hired us to find her." Katoki said, "Do you know her?" Hinata paused.
"Its...This is Sasami-chan! She looked liked this the first time I saw her..." Hinata trailed off as she looked at Katoki. His face was calm, and expressed no emotion. A glance at Ganjou's showed an identical expresion. Hinata wondered if she should have opened her mouth.
"So, uh, do you know where she is right now?" Ganjou said. Katoki nodded. Hinata put a finger to her mouth.
"Uhn...She might be in Konoha...hey...if you are gonna go there to look, can I come with? I have people I need to see." Ganjou narrowed his eyes. Katoki's remained the same as ever.
"I suppose. But I need to check a certain hotel first." Hinata blinked.
"Why?"
"A friend. We owe her something for her help, so I planned to buy her flowers and leave them on her door." Katoki said. Hinata nodded.
"Can we meet somewhere? I can collect my stuff, and meet you somewhere after you get your friend flowers." Hinata said, turning in her chair.
"Yea, meet here in half an hour? It will give you time to say good bye that boy...Kouden?" Hinata looked downcast.
"He doesn't know I am still alive. But that's ok. I'll meet you here in half an hour." And with that Hinata left.
"Katoki...What are you doing?" Ganjou whispered. Katoki stood and said,
"I don't know. But she knows the girl, maybe when we pay her a visit, she can calm her down untill we get back to the Raikage-sama." Ganjou blinked at this.
"Raikage-sama? You intend on bringing her to Kumo?" Ganjou said, walking beside Katoki.
"Well, she doesn't have anywhere else to go. And besides...I feel really comfortable around her." Ganjou didn't reply, but continued to walk as Katoki led him to the hotel that the medic nin and her student were staying at. Sliding the door open, the Inn manager perked.
"Ah, Ohayou Gozaimasu! You are early this morning, would you like a room?" Katoki shook his head.
"Saa, no. We are just here to visit a friend before we leave. Can we just go up?" The manager stared at Katoki's stupid grin for a few seconds before nodding.
Walking up the stairs, Katoki counted the doors to the room he knew Sasami was staying at. Reaching the fifth door, Katoki knocked. Waiting a few seconds, Katoki knocked again when no one answered. Hissing, Katoki fumbled around in his cloak untill he found the small roll he was looking for. Unrolling it, he pulled a thin pair of picks out, and faster than you could say 'unlock', Katoki swung the door open.
"Saa..." Katoki said, observing the room.
"We were too late." Ganjou said, bending down and picking up the discarded blanket. Katoki motioned for Ganjou to follow him out of the door. Locking it again, Katoki put on his smiling mask to fool the manager into thinking they had accomplished their task.
"Saa, Let's go meet Hinata-san. She can take us to Konoha." Katoki mumbled, heading towards the oden shop.
"Shizune-sensei...?" Sasami said, her voice just barely catching Shizune's ears as the two whizzed through the trees.
"Hush. Ah, here we go. Stop, Sasami-chan..." The black haired medic-nin said. Gazing up at the sky, Shizune saw a large hawk fly in a circle, and then cry out.
"We make camp here." Shizune said, dropping off the branch she was standing on.
"What? Why? I would think that I need to get back to Konoha, especially after that man..." The pink haired girl said, her brown eyes frowning, even if her mouth wasn't. Dropping down from the branch she was standing on, Sasami moved closer to Shizune and looked around. Shizune smiled a warm smile. Placing her hand on top of Sasami's head, she said,
"Dont worry, help is coming. Here, once you set up temporary camp, I'll let you try healing the fish again." Sasami grinned.
"Mendokuse..." An ANBU with a deer mask said. His partner, a jounin teacher and an ex ANBU just chuckled. They were jumping through the trees, and if the message they got by bird was right, they were only an hour away from their target.
"Why did I have to come again? She's your student. I'm sure Shizune-san can fend for herself." The ANBU said.
"Oh shut up. This is the 8th time you've said that since we left." The gray haired man said, starting to get annoyed with his partner's complaining. Landing on another branch, the grey haired man used a small burst of chakra to propell himself forward again as he jumped swiftly through the trees. His partner followed with equal ease.
"Nnnn...Kakashi, have you seen Hinata recently?" Kakashi blinked.
"Actually, no. I mean, usually she's working at the barbeque, or watching Kouden train. I haven't seen her since...ohhh...You know what, she is probably trailing him and Jiraiya-sama." Kakashi said.
"Ohh...that makes sense, I wish she would have told us though." Shikamaru said and Kakashi nodded in agreement.
A few moments of silence slowly turned into minutes, which slowly turned into an hour. Finally, Shikamaru and Kakashi came upon a small camp that looked like it had been thrown together. Landing right by the small fire, the two occupants swiveled their heads toward him.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Yelled his pink haired student. Sasami jumped up and ran to her teacher, hugging his waist.
"Shizune-sempai, Tsunade says that your mission has been terminated. The client has withdrawn. But furthermore, Sasami-chan needs to be escorted back to the Hokage." Shizune nodded and started pack up.
"Ah...Kakashi-sensei, how long will it take those men to find me?" Sasami said, from her place at Kakashi's side.
"What? What men?" Kakashi said, kneeling down. Sasami hesitated, glancing at Shizune.
"Uhn...These two men, ANBU actually, one was hurt badly, so Shizune-sensei healed him. After that, before they left, the taller man with scars and spiky hair showed me a picture and asked if I had ever seen her. I said no, but it was a picture of me before I moved to the fishing village..." Kakashi's eye widened. Looking back at Shikamaru, Shikamaru just shifted his feet. Standing up, Kakashi roused Sasami's hair and said,
"Don't worry. Now that we are here, nothing will happen."
"Ah, Hinata-san, It seems you are expeirianced in the ways of Shinobi." Ganjou said to Hinata, as she jumped off of another tree. Katoki chuckled behind his ANBU mask. Hinata said,
"Well, I was a chuunin...I mean, I learned how to tree jump in the academy..." Hinata said, slightly blushing, she was glad that Katoki had lent her a spare mask. The long black cloak that Katoki had also lent her was trailing behind her.
Staring at Ganjou's bird-like ANBU mask, she got the impression that he was grinning. Grinning herself, she stopped when Katoki raised two fingers up straight. Nodding, she went through a few seals and activated her byakugan.
"Ah...I can see 4 people...Including Sasami-chan. They all look like expeirianced chakra users. We have three shinobi to deal with." Hinata said. Ganjou sighed and Katoki clicked his tongue.
"Let's try to make this as bloodless as possible. We want to peacefully take the girl, not cause a war. Kami knows we dont need another. How long till we reach the camp?" Katoki said.
"A few minutes at the most. We are just under a kilometre away." Katoki nodded and straightened his mask. It was identical in shape to the one he had lent Hinata, but the markings were different, and in a different colour.
"Ah...Kakashi, we have approaching nin. Stand guard." A voice said through the tree. Hinata stiffened. Kakashi? Katoki dropped out of the trees, followed soundlessly by Ganjou and Hinata.
"Saa... As-"
"We know what you are here for. We know why. Your Raikage has sent out scrolls to all the shinobi nations. We, as shinobi of Konohagakure, formally invite you into our village to meet with Hokage-sama untill an agreement can be made." The only Konoha ANBU said, eyeing the three before him. Katoki looked back at Ganjou, who didn't move.
"Alright. That's fair." He finally said. His voice betraying no emotion. Kakashi stared at Katoki with his peircing eye, but the ANBU didn't even flinch. Moving his gaze over to the ones behind him, the shortest one, flinched ever so slightly when he ran his gaze over him. Looking closer, Kakashi noted quickly that he was in fact a she.
"Excuse me." The short ANBU said. Kakashi's gaze snapped up to her masked face. "I'd like it very much if you could keep your gaze at face level." the leader of the group was visibly trying to hold him laughter, whilst the one behind him actually let out a chuckle. Shikamaru sighed, and Kakashi blushed slightly.
Turning away, Kakashi saw that Sasami and Shizune had packed up the camp, relativly faster than he expected and were both now staring at him.
"Alright, lets go. We can make it to Konoha by dark if we push." Shikamaru said. The group nodded and took to the trees.
"Stop, names and...Oh! Kakashi-san, Shizune-san! Nevermind. Go right in. Hokage-sama says she is waiting for you." Kakashi nodded and led his small group into the streets of Konoha. It was just starting to get dark, and all of the lights were on.
"Wow...It's so beautiful...this is my first time here, what about you, Ganjou?" Katoki whispered.
"Once or twice. Personally, I like Kumo better." He said, shrugging, and looking around. "Everyone is staring at us..." Hinata looked around, and sure enough, anyone still out in the streets were casting looks of curiosity at the group. Hinata saw several people she knew, including Ino and Sakura talking to Anko over a few sticks of dango. When she passed them, they all stared at her and her group. Sakura's glances were mainly at Sasami, and her bright green eyes were laced with worry.
"The Hokage tower is just around this corner." Kakashi said. Leading the group through a series of twists and turns. When they finally came upon the large red building, Kakashi made the use the stairs.
Knocking on the door to Tsunade's office, the Kumo ANBU were getting looks by the ANBU that guarded the office doors.
"Come in." A voice said, floating through the door. Kakashi pushed the large doors, and Hinata was surprised when they opened without resistance or sound.
"Tsunade-sama. I have retreived Sasami, and brought the Kumo ANBU that were sent as well." Kakashi said. Shikamaru snorted. The lady at the table had her hands crossed in front of her face.
"I thank you three for not pursueing a quarrel. May I ask your names?" Hinata stiffened.
"No problem. Raikage-sama told us to avoid conflict. I am Katoki."
"I am Ganjou."
"And I am Kasumi." Tsunade nodded, and missed both Kakashi and Shikamaru twitch.
"Alright. Now the Raikage has sent a request that his grandaughter be returned to Kumgakure without harm. But I'm sure as you know, we cannot just release her. What do you propose?" Tsunade said.
"Wait, what? Who is the Raikage's grandaughter?" The pink haired girl said. Tsunade frowned.
"You are. Apparently you have alot of family still alive in the cloud. You might want to have a talk with your father about that. Actually, Kakashi, would you be so kind as to fetch Ditama-san?" Kakashi sighed loudly and poofed out leaving a bunch of leaves.
"I...I have family? Is Aniki there? Aneue? Kaa-san?" Katoki turned to Sasami and paused before saying,
"Saa...You do. I am actually your Oni-san's Jounin Sensei. The raikage is your grandfather." Sasami gaped.
"Aneue....Kaa-san?" Katoki looked at Ganjou.
"We will let Raikage-sama explain it better to you." Sasami nodded, clearly shocked by the news. She didn't even turn back as Kakashi walked through the doors, followed by a blonde man with brown eyes.
"Ah. Ditama-san. I'm glad you are here." Tsunade said as the man adressed bowed. "Now, Katoki-san, may you explain to me why Sasami-chan is needed?" Katoki nodded.
"Well, as Hokage, you probably know that the Hoku-hime has recently passed. We need Sasami to take her place, or the Sekihito reign will end." Tsunade sighed.
"Sasami is only 11. Isn't she a little young to be taking the throne of over a quarter of the Lightning country?" the blonde said, her hands resting on her desk.
"As long as she is there everything will be fine."
"No! I will not let my daughter be a part of that, that...Conspiracy!" Sasami's father yelled.
"Please, Ditama-san. Calm down." Tsunade said.
"No! I will not! I already lost a wife to it, and if you are here now, It means Rumiko is dead too, right!?" Ditama yelled. Sasami's eyes widened, and her vision became blurred with tears.
"Ditama-san...please. Sasami will be fine. The group responsible has been eliminated down to it's last follower." Ganjou said, glancing at Katoki, who nodded. Hinata just stood by the wall, not beleiving what she was hearing.
"I have an Idea." Ganjou said. His voice peircing the quiet squabbles of Ditama and Tsunade.
"Share, please." Tsunade said. Her voice bristling with anger.
"I say that we take Migoto-sama, but after, say, a year or so, let her screw up her job so badly that the Raikage will have to take her from the throne. That way she can return here, alive." A few minutes of silence followed.
"I am surprised, Ganjou. Who knew you could think of something like that." Katoki said. A hint of a grin was heard in his words, and Ganjou had to hold back from hitting his taller friend.
"Well, I'm for that...Sasami-chan, are you?" Tsunade asked, looking down at the quivering pink haired girl.
"I...I really want to see Aniki...and Jii-sama...A year isn't that long. B-but what about my training, Tsunade-sama?" Sasami said. Tsunade paused, and then rifled through her large stack of scrolls beside her desk. Pulling out a larger one, she handed it to the young girl and said,
"This is a scroll of beginer and intermediate medic tasks. It will help you sharpen your control, and be sure to practice the enhanced strength lesson." Sasami nodded and fiddled with the end of the scroll.
"So we are agreed then? We will escort Migoto-sama to Kumogakure." Katoki said, and Tsunade nodded.
"But you will be escorted to the border by Shikamaru and Kakashi here. I might as well throw Sakura in as well. She will want to say goodbye to her cousin." Katoki nodded and Shikamaru let out a loud sigh.
"Katoki-san, you and your group may find a place to stay tonight. I expect you all to be here at 5 am sharp for last minute words." Katoki nodded again and started to walk out the door, Ganjou and Hinata quickly following him.
"You kept calling her Migoto, why?" Hinata asked, joggin up to Katoki.
"That's her name. This 'Sasami' that you call her, must be a name her father decided on to protect her, or something."
"Ah...I see." Hinata said.
"Ne, Hinata-san, do you know anyplace to stay?" Katoki said, laughing and rubbing the back of his head. Hinata grinned and said,
"Yea, there is this one place I stayed at once. Here, I'll show you!" Hinata said, she grabbed Katoki's hand and pulled him towards the said Inn, Ganjou following closely.
Taking his mask off, Katoki ran a hand through his hair. Hinata took her mask off as well. Blinking her pale eyes, she stared at Katoki.
"Yes?" Katoki said, and Hinata blushed.
"Aa-no...I was just wondering, I'm kind of hungry. Do you want to go grab something?" Katoki grinned and Hinata blushed harder.
"Yeah! Actually, I want to see if your bragging lives up to itself. Let's go for ramen!" Hinata giggled and nodded. Katoki told Ganjou that they were leaving, and Ganjou just grumbled.
As soon as they stepped out of the room they were staying in, the two put theirs masks back on. About half way to the ramen stand that Hinata had in mind, they were approached by another ANBU.
"Yo. Kumo ANBU. Can I have word?" The man said. His dark hair in a high ponytail. Katoki nodded and the man continued.
"Kasumi-san, was it? You seem new to ANBU. How long were you a jounin for?" Hinata frowned behind her mask.
"Why would you say I'm new? That's a little rude..." Katoki nodded slightly.
"Ahh, that did come off a bit rude. Sorry, but they way you move isn't exactly like an experianced ANBU." Hinata waved off his apology and said,
"Ah..well, I am new I suppose. But I was chuunin. Not jounin. Now, is that all?" Hinata said, anxious to get away. Shikamaru was about to start talking again but Katoki interrupted.
"Sorry, but my partner here may be new, it doesnt require an ANBU interragation. I, myself am quite hungry and would be pleased if you let us continue on our way." Hinata nearly squeaked as Katoki pushed past Shikamaru, dragging her along. Shikamaru's masked face followed the pair untill they turned the corner.
"Ah! Look, the ramen stand!" Hinata said, pointing.
"I-chi-ra-ku. Ah! I've heard of this stand, they are a legend out in the rain country." Hinata's eyes opened in surprise.
"Rain? I knew they were famous, but not that famous!" Katoki nodded eagerly. As the two approached the ramen stand, Hinata quickly went through a few seals and activated her partial henge, unnoticed by Katoki. Katoki was the first to duck under the flaps that said 'ramen' and sit on a red stool. Hinata followed closely and took a seat next to Katoki.
"Oh! And what can I get you two tonight, ANBU-sama?" An old man said, drawing his daughter's attention away from fixing her own son's hair. Katoki lowered his hood, his mask still in placed and said,
"Ah, I think I will try the miso ramen. My friend here will have the same." The old man nodded and set to work. The trio of ramen cookers worked as smooth as a greased gear, and after only a few minutes, both Hinata and Katoki found their mouths watering at the sight in front of them. Without thinking, Hinata took her mask off, and grabbed a pair of chopsticks as Katoki followed suit.
"Itadekimasu!" Both Katoki and Hinata said, and dived into their respective ramen. About half way through her first bowl, and nearly through Katoki's third, Hinata glanced up at the Ichiraku family. The girl, who Hinata remembered as Ayame, was stealing glances at her. Finally, as though she was physically being dragged, Ayame slowly leaned towards Hinata.
"Sumimasen...But you look familiar...Have we met?" Hinata stopped slurping her noodles, and looked up at Ayame. Slowly shaking her head, Hinata said,
"Aha. A lot of people seem to mistake me as someone they know these days. No, this is the first time I have ever been to Konohagakure. I must say it's lovely though." Ayame nodded and stood up straight.
"Oho! Ayame-chan, don't bother the customers!" The old man said. Ayame blushed and quickened back to her place by the vegatables.
After all was said and done, Hinata had avoided any more awkward questions, and Katoki had ignored the strange looks the Ichiraku Trio had been giving him. The two pulled their masks over their face, and chatted in hushed, but jolly tones about the last two days.
Making it back to their Inn without conflict, Katoki graciously gave his pallet to Hinata for the night, and she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Katoki, on the other hand, just stared at her sleeping face. The annoying buzzing in the back of his mind had started again, but much to Katoki's relief, it came without pain this time.
Shaking his head to try and rid himself of the irritating noise, Katoki ended up rapping his head on the side of the window frame.
"Itaaaiii...." Katoki groaned, clutching his the side of his head. Checking to see if he had woken Ganjou or Hinata, Katoki sighed when he saw that he hadn't. Sparing one last glance at the way Hinata's hair was gently bunched up by her ear, Katoki stared out the window and up at a perfect half moon.
End Chapter 17