Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Naruto: Zero Chronicles ❯ Chapter 2: Ready, or not? ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter 2: Ready, or not?
"Hinata! Hey, Hinata-chan!" Zero yelled, stepping up from the bench at the street corner he had been waiting at with Den, who sat staring at the ground, unnoticing of what was going on.
"Z-zero-kun…" She said, startled by his sudden call-out. Looking away slightly, she stopped, as he walked toward her.
"What were you doing, my faithful hand rest?" Zero asked, placing his hand on her head in the manner similar to that he had in the classroom. Turning slightly red, Hinata looked toward Zero for a moment.
"J-just w-walking home…" Hearing this, Zero smiled and turned to look to face to face with her, as she quickly looked away.
"It's not safe out here for a girl to just walk around… with all the dangerous people and things around here…" He then pointed toward Den, who sat a few paces away, twiddling his thumbs, having still not noticed Zero had even moved. To this Hinata chuckled a bit, as Zero subtly moved his hand to her back, so that not even she did not notice.
"I'll escort you home, then. It wouldn't be right to let a perfectly nice hand rest, risk itself out here…" He then began walking forward, pulling the red-faced Hinata along. After a moment, Zero stopped in his tracks, staring at something ahead in the road.
"Wh-what… Z-Zero-kun?" Hinata asked, noticing the look in Zero's eye was no longer playful. He sat in a daze, before hearing Den's voice from behind.
"Why… did you leave me!?" Den asked angrily, trying to catch his breath, as Zero turned his head slightly to look back.
"Left you? I didn't know I was your caretaker." Zero commented, before looking forward again, as Hinata finally noticed what lied ahead.
'I-isn't th-that… S-Sasuke-san… a-and Sakura-san?" She asked in a low voice, still slightly red from Zero's hand on her back, before Den spoke out again.
"H-hey! Don't patronize me! At least listen when I'm talk-" Before Zero turned around again, with a wicked smile on his face, as Hinata turned also, unsure of what Zero was planning.
"Wh-what?" Den asked, with growing fear, as Zero slowly walked toward him, the smile growing even larger. Making no answer, Zero continued, until he was face to face with Den, who seemed ready to run in fear.
"Hey, Den… My, friend… Heh-heh…" Zero said with slight laughter, as he quickly reached his arm out, grabbing Den by the wrist. At this, Den's eyes shot open, as fear enveloped him.
"Z-zero?" Hinata asked from a few paces away, growing curious as to what Zero was doing.
"Just watch… I'll show you Den's 'super secret technique'! I nicknamed it… the flying hawk!" At this, Zero quickly picked Den up above his head, and walked slowly toward Sasuke and Sakura.
"Y-you're not going to... No… you wouldn't dare!" Den protested, as Zero began to snicker loudly, Hinata still unsure of what was about to happen. Within an instant, Zero pulled Den back a bit, and then hurled him toward the two unaware bystanders, as Hinata watched in awe at Zero’s strength. Before there was any chance to grasp what had happened, Sasuke lay on the ground, having been hit directly by Den's flying body, as Sakura stared for a moment, before becoming overtaken by rage.
"D-Den-san… How dare you touch Sasuke-Kun, like that!?" She yelled, as Den lay on the ground, staring at the sky, in a daze.
"Apologize, NOW!" She demanded, as her rage grew. Sasuke slowly stood up, apparently unharmed by the sudden strike, as Den also slowly raised to his knees.
"If you don't say you're sorry, right this minute-" Sakura's rant continued, before Den began bowing repeatedly.
"I'm sorry… Sakura-san…" He chanted over and over, until she interjected again,
"Not to me! To Sasuke-kun!" Instead of waiting however, Sasuke stared down at Den.
"Idiot, be more careful!!" He barked, before stomping off, Sakura following from behind, leaving Den on the ground, staring somewhat angrily and enviously toward Sasuke.
"Zero…" He thought, before looking back, to notice Zero and Hinata had already taken off.

Den stood up and began dusting himself on again, but before long he got bumped into again.
“Ah! Watch where you’re going!!” Ino’s voice shot out from behind him. Den regained his balance and turned around quickly to see Ino glaring at him.
“Sorry Ino-san.” Den said bowing to her. Ino just rolled her eyes, and then placed a finger on her cheek looking up into the sky. Den watched for a moment, beginning to walk away, before she reached out and grabbed his arm. He quickly looked back with a look of surprise.
“Den-san, have you seen Sasuke-kun and big forehead girl?” Ino asked looking around. Den began to wonder what she meant.
“Big forehead girl?” He asked looking at her completely with a look of cluelessness. She just rolled her eyes at him again.
“Sakura-chan?!” She said impatiently. Den jumped back getting thrown off by the sudden shout. After regaining some composer he began to think.
“Sakura-chan? Has a big forehead?” He asked himself out loud thinking hard about it.
“Uhg, you’re so useless Den-san.” Ino said starting to turn away. “Did you see them, or not?!” She asked one last time. Den shook his head and began to think before answering.
“I did, but..:” He started before Ino interrupted him.
“Where did they go?!” She shouted cheerfully clasping her hands together. Den just backed off a bit trying to stay out of arms length.
“I didn’t finish...” He said under his breath. “I don’t know witch way they went;
Zero-kun threw me into them, and by the time I got up, everyone was gone.” Ino looked at him with a sad expression for a moment before starting to think again.
“Zero-kun was here to? Did she go with him?” She asked Den, staring harder at him.
“I don’t think so, he was with Hinata-san, so I-” Den started before getting interrupted once again.
“Oh so now big-forehead girl is trying to get Sasuke-kun, while freaky-girl is making her moves on Zero-kun!” She shouted angrily.
“Why don’t you just pick one? You’d have a better chance at getting at least one.” Den said without thinking too much. Ino then stared at him with angered eyes, and hit him on the head.
“Choose between Zero-kun and Sasuke-kun, are you crazy!?!?” She shouted at him again. Den just hid his face behind his hair again.
“I don’t see why anyone would want Sakura-chan or Hinata-san, one is ugly and the other is a complete weirdo.” Ino said this not even looking at Den who was obviously being offended by her. She paused for a moment before her eyes light up. “I know what you should do!” She shouted joyfully. Den looked at her with a look of fear.
“W-what?” He asked backing off slowly. Ino leaned forward into him and smiled.
“You should go with Hinata-san, because that makes sense. You two are weird, and if she’s gone I can have Zero-kun!” She yelled cheerfully. Den fell back slightly and stared at her a bit paralyzed by confusion. “So, how about it? Want to help me out Den-san?” Den continued to stare for some time before answering.
“Be with Hinata-san?” He asked, thinking to himself about that. “I don’t think so.” Den said trying to walk past Ino who stopped him is his tracks.
“And why not!? She is a freak just like you!” She said looking at him angrily. Den just looked up at her staring directly into her eyes.
“You act like you are in love with Zero-kun, but you don’t know anything about him. You just think he’s ‘cute’, and ‘smart’ and ‘oh so perfect’.” Den said getting angry at her.
“What do you mean?!” She asked growing into a rage.
“I mean what I said. You don’t know his personality at all; he would never go with a girl like you.” Den said still standing his ground.
“How would you know?!” She asked angrily raising a fist at him.
“Because you, Ino-san, are selfish and superficial!” He yelled still not backing off from her obvious rage. “Zero-kun wouldn’t like a girl, who goes against all the things he believes in, no matter how beautiful she looked.” Den then pushed past Ino and continued down the road. After several moments Ino looked back at Den, deeply thinking about what he had said, before just shaking her head and yelling at him one last time.
“Ah, what do you know!?” Ino then ran off leaving Den walking down the road alone.

Ryuu stared in horror, at the piles of ramen dishes Naruto had piled up in a short amount of time.
“I’m not made of money!” He yelled, as Shikamaru and Kiba set back to relax.
“Um, mmm, merm.” Naruto tried to say something but his mouth was to full too understand him.
“Fourths!” Chouji yelled holding up a plate as a waitress walked by. Ryuu just sat back beginning to think he wouldn’t have any money left after this. He watched as Naruto and Chouji seemed to inhale all the food they got and get even more, in a never ending cycle.
After several moments of this Ryuu began looking at his money and panicking. Shikamaru seemed to notice this.
“What’s the matter Ryuu-san? Out of money?” He asked looking at the ceiling.
“I.. don’t… have any money…” Ryuu said as his eyes widened. Everyone looked at Ryuu then at each other.
“I’ve got nothing either.” They all said at the same time. At this the rest of the group began panicking.
“Well, what the hell are we going to do?” Kiba asked in a low tone as to not attract attention. Ryuu still seemed to be paralyzed in fear.
“I don’t know… we can’t skip out. They would know it was us, and Iruka-sensei would chew us out.” Shikamaru said. “How troublesome.” He let out a sigh, then turning his attention to the still frozen Ryuu.
“Hie, Hie, Hie.” Naruto wined. “What are we going to do?” At this Chouji began to stand up.
“Um I’ve got to use the bath room.” Chouji said, trying to walk past Shikamaru who stopped him.
“No you don’t Chouji-kun sit down, you’re not getting out of this either.” Kiba said giving him a dirty look, but this quickly changed as Akamaru began barking at Ryuu. After a moment of listing to him Kiba’s eyes widened. “What do you mean Ryuu-kun isn’t there?!” Everyone looked over to the still paralyzed Ryuu as Shikamaru began to realize what had happened.
“Damn it.” Shikamaru said as the image of Ryuu faded. “How troublesome… guess we shouldn’t have made someone from the Hebi clan pay for us.” Everyone hung there head except for Naruto who had no clue what was going on, but was acting like he did while slurping down more ramen.

“Zero-kun...” Hinata said in a low voice. “You don’t have to take me any farther.” She said looking away from him. Zero just smiled at her as they continued to walk for several minutes.
“I never had to take you home in the first place Hinata-chan.” Zero said suddenly, which caught Hinata off guard.
“W-what do you mean?” She asked, a bit confusedly, looking up at him with a blushed face. Zero looked down at her and laughed slightly causing her to quickly turn away.
“I didn’t mean anything, my little hand rest.” He said placing his hand on her head again. “I have an idea.” Zero continued. “Lets not go home just yet, we still have about two hours before it gets dark. Let’s do something together.” Hinata looked up at Zero then back at the ground. “Of course, you don’t have to. I was just suggesting.” Zero said as the tone of his voice changed to a hint of sadness, because she didn’t seem to enjoy the idea of spending time with him, like she used to.
“O-ok, lets sit down for a bit” Hinata said her face becoming even redder then before, but Zero didn’t notice this. Zero smiled to himself and then turned the next corner and sat down on the bench that was there. Hinata took her place on the opposite side of the bench trying to stay far away from him, but Zero wouldn’t have this, he scooted next to her and placed his hand on her head again.
“I can’t sit down with out resting my hand.” Zero said laughing a bit. Hinata chuckled slightly but an odd silence took them over. This was of course normal for them both, in the past they had always sat together in silence rather then talking. “Its just like it used to be.” Zero said letting out a sigh. Hinata looked up at him with a confused look.
“What is Zero-kun?” She asked tapping her fingers together. Zero looked out of the corner of his eyes to see what she was doing.
“That bad habit of yours.” Zero said looking at her hands. Hinata suddenly stopped and put her hands behind her back.
“S-sorry, Zero-kun.” She said feeling a bit embarrassed. Zero began to laugh, causing Hinata to turn away from him.
“Its ok, Hinata-chan, besides it’s kind of cute.” Zero said looking up at the sky. Hinata quickly looked over with a smile on her face then she quickly turned away, hoping Zero had not seen her.
“Z-zero-kun I… I think...” Before she could finish a loud shout came from behind them.
“There you are, Zero-kun!” It was Ino and she had quickly wrapped her arms around Zero’s neck holding him tightly. Zero just rolled his eyes and began feeling annoyed that he was being interrupted.
“What is it Ino-chan?” Zero asked keeping eye contact with the sky.
“Well I heard you were stuck with Hinata-san, so I came to rescue you.” Ino said smiling. Hinata looked away beginning to feel a bit depressed.
“Stuck? With Hinata-chan? I wonder who told you such a lie.” Zero said sarcastically. “I can’t be stuck with something, if I want to be around it, can I?” He asked her beginning to smirk.
“What?” Ino asked letting go of Zero’s neck.
“Ino-chan? Is there something you need? Because if not, I’d appreciate it if you left me and Hinata-chan alone.” Zero said turning back towards Ino with a smile. Ino stared for a moment and began to think to herself about what Den had said. After several moments Zero stood up and grabbed Hinata’s wrist to help her up.
“That’s enough sitting, lets go somewhere else and enjoy our time together Hinata-chan.” Zero said smiling at Hinata, whose face was as red as a ruby. They both left leaving Ino to stand there by herself.
“Not fair.” She just blurted out. “How was I suppose to know Den-san wasn’t lying. What is it between them too anyways. Does he like her? Does he love her!? How annoying!” She yelled getting frustrated. “I will not lose to someone like Hinata-san.” Ino began storming off into the opposite direction feeling a bit down.

Ryuu trotted down the street cheerfully, whistling and laughing to himself over having fooled Kiba, and the others.
"I wish I could have seen their faces… it would have made cleaning dishes to pay almost worth it!" He said under his breath, as he pulled his CD player from his pocket, placing the headphones over his ears. With his music blaring, Ryuu continued down the street, dancing skillfully around the people going about their business until turning down an unpopulated back street. Here his attention lapsed for a moment, as he toppled face first over a strange crate that seemed to have jumped out in front of him.
"The.. hell?" He asked confusedly sitting up, and wiping his nose, which was now bleeding. He then looked toward the strange crate and examined it, noticing it was colored in the same manner as a rock would have been. Standing up, Ryuu's rage got the best of him, as he pulled his foot back, and prepared to kick the box, only to have it suddenly pull back, causing his kick to overshoot, as he fell backwards, landing on his back again.
"Wh-what's wrong with you... boxes aren't suppose to move! " he shouted, pointing angrily toward the strange box, which to his amazement, inched toward him, causing Ryuu's fear to increase.
"D-don't come any closer... Y-You, haunted crate!" As if provoked, the crate inched closer, as Ryuu's eyes widened, until the crate suddenly exploded in a purple mist. Ryuu anxiety grew almost unimaginably, as he expected a large beast or something of similar evil to emerge, only to see the smoke clear, and a small child standing there, smiling proudly.
"A kid!?" Ryuu blurted out, as his fear subsided and slight embarrassment took over.
"I'm not a kid! I'm the grandson of the Hokage, Konohama-" Before he could finish his proclamation, Ryuu's fist struck him on top of the head, before speaking.
"You shouldn't go around messing with people, it's annoying!!" Hearing this, Konohamaru grabbed the small bump on his head, and shouted back.
"You think you're so tough! I could beat you, you big oaf!" The boy shouted, as Ryuu looked down, holding his stomach as he laughed heavily.
"You? Defeat me? You're not even almost a ninja yet! You couldn't begin to-" Before Ryuu could finish however, Konohamaru placed his hands together.
"Sexy Jutsu!!" Almost immediately, Ryuu's eyes widened, blood shot from his nose and he fell backwards, in a complete daze, at the boys 'technique'. With renewed confidence, Konohamaru stood over the Ryuu's collapsed and confused body, laughing arrogantly.
"I told you, I'm not the third's grandson for no reason!" Having rubbed in his victory, Konohamaru started down the road, his hands at his hips, still laughing at the downed Ryuu. After a few moments, Ryuu finally regained his composure, though the damage to his pride remained.
"That little… pipsqueak…" he started, as he stood up, dusting himself off, and started down the road toward his apartment.
"How annoying…" at this, Ryuu laughed a bit, repositioned the headset on his ears, placed his hands behind his head and sped toward his home.

Zero and Hinata slowly strolled down the park, Hinata plucking her fingers together, as Zero walked resting one hand on her head.
"So Hinata-Chan…" Zero started before pausing, and waiting for her to look over. Hinata slowly looked over at him, but quickly turned away. Zero just smiled slightly and ruffled her hair again. “Are you hungry?” He asked. Hinata stopped walking and was starting off in a direction towards some flowers. Zero looked over to see what she was admiring, and began to laugh. “Alright, alright, you go pick your flowers. I’ll bring you something back to eat ok?” He asked looking down at her. Hinata looked over at him with a smile but again quickly turned around to avoid eye contact. Zero just let out a sigh, and ran off threw the park. Hinata walked slowly over to the flowers and knelt down and began picking some from the bunch.
“Hinata-san?” A voice called out form behind her. Hinata suddenly tensed you and turned her head slightly to see Den standing behind her. She only stared for a moment before Den walked closer to her. “Where is Zero-kun?” He asked her.
“I-I, He went to get something to eat.” She said returning her attention to the flowers.
“He just left you here?” He asked a bit puzzled as to why Zero would just leave Hinata for food.
“N-no. He’s getting me something to eat, as well.” She said in a low tone feeling a bit uncomfortable around Den. Den sat down next to Hinata watching her selectively pick flowers.
“I see.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “Hinata-san, you’re selecting these flowers very precisely. Why is that?” He asked completely confused by her actions.
Hinata looked at Den caught off by this odd question.
“Wh-what do you mean?” She asked looking at Den with an odd expression.
“Well, why not just grab them all?” He asked still watching her hands. Hinata just stared for a moment still thrown off by Den’s odd words. “They are all the same type, so wouldn’t it make more sense to take them all?” Hinata looked down at the flowers and waited a moment before speaking.
“They are not all the same.” Hinata said in a low tone.
“What do you mean there not? They are all the same color.” Den said a bit confused.
“The flowers… are the same, but they are not the same...” Hinata said suddenly. Den felt a bit awkward hearing such a line and stared at her oddly. “I mean, they are different shades of the same color. Some are more yellow then others, and some are too young to be picked. It wouldn’t be right for me to pick a flower that has just sprouted.” She said still selectively picking the flowers.
“But they are just flowers.” Den said still confused.
“Den-san, its deeper then that. Flowers are beautiful; you treat them with respect, for the b-beauty they share with us…” Hinata said in almost a whisper. Den just stared watching as Hinata kept picking selected flowers and began to think to himself for quite some time. After several moments Den stood up and spoke again.
“Sorry Hinata-san I did not mean to interrupt you. Thank you, for your words.” Den said bowing to her. Hinata looked up a bit confused as he walked away off into the distance. She then returned her attention to the flowers picking them again, before she was interrupted again by a pat on her head. She quickly turned around to see Zero holding two cinnamon rolls. She smiled as Zero handed her one and sat down next to her.
“Are you going to press those, when we get home?” He asked pointing at the flowers. Hinata nodded while eating the food Zero had brought her. “Those are your favorite, right?” Zero asked unsure that he had gotten her what she wanted. Hinata again just nodded as to not talk with her mouth full. Zero smiled slightly and began to enjoy the cinnamon role he had bought.

Den stood out side of the ruins of a mansion.
“How depressing...” He said out loud.
“What is depressing?” A female voice called out from behind him. Den turned around to see Sakura standing behind him.
“Sa-Sakura-chan.” He said staring wide eyed at her. Sakura walked up next to him and stared at the ruins.
“So this is where your clan used to be?” She asked looking up at him.

“Zero-kun. What if father, sees us.” Hinata asked with a blushed face. Zero just looked down at her and smiled.
“Then he will see us, and I don’t care. He can’t make us not be friends.” Zero was holding onto Hinata’s wrist and leading her to the front door of Hyuuga mansion.
“You’re late.” A stern voice called out from behind them. Zero turned around to see Hiashi, Hinata’s father, standing behind them.
“Sorry, Hiashi-sama, I made Hinata walk around town with me.” Zero said bowing to him. Hiashi turned his attention towards Hinata.
“Hinata, go to your room. You’ve wasted enough of Zero-kun’s time.” Hiashi said continuing his stern voice. Hinata looked down at the ground and began to sob.
“O-k, father.” She said quickly turning and running off. Zero watched Hinata run off as his smile slowly faded.
“Zero-kun, we will begin your training. I want you to pass tomorrow’s exam.” Hiashi said folding his arms. Zero looked over at him then back into the direction of Hinata.
“Hinata-chan will be taking that same test, Hiashi-sama; wouldn’t it be wise to train with her?” Zero asked. Hiashi just walked past Zero with out saying a word.
“Come.” He ordered as he continued down a hall way. Zero looked over in the direction of Hinata’s room, to see her head barely peeking out and watching. He smiled at her and waved as he then followed Hiashi down the hall.

“Umm…. Y-yea, this is what’s left of their manor…” Den answered slowly, staring toward the decrepit looking ruins. Changing her attention to the ruins again, Sakura stared for a few seconds before speaking again.
“What is ‘depressing’ about this place though? It’s only an old ruin, right?” Hearing this, Den lowered his vision to the ground in front of him, and stood quietly for a moment, thinking out what to say.
“The rubble is all that’s left… But it wasn’t always ruins, in the past it was supposed to be the entire clan’s home…” He then became silent again, still thinking deeply about what he was saying, as she continued looking toward the rubble and ruins, still unsure of there meaning.
“Why, is it abandoned now, then?” She asked, still somewhat interested in better understanding the place. Looking from the corner of his eyes toward her, Den crossed his arms across his chest.
“There is no need for an entire mansion, when there are only two people to stay in it…” Hearing this, Sakura’s curiosity grew.
“Only two?” She asked with a reserved tone, so as to not seem too direct. Den raised his head slightly, narrowing his eyes on the ruins again.
“Y-yea… Uncle and I are the last members, still here...” He said in a very low tone, finding the fact somewhat disgraceful. Still not fulfilled, Sakura continued her questioning.
“How are there only two left, though?” She asked softly, as Den closed his eyes and sighed, before finishing his explanation.
“The rest of the clan left… or died... I don’t know why though, it all happened before I was even born, and uncle won’t tell me about it…” He then became quiet, unsure of what else he could say, having said everything he knew, he turned his attention to Sakura who simply smiled slightly and nodded.
“Oh… I guess I understand…” She said so as to avoid being too rude, though she really did not learn much from the explanation. Suddenly however, she became aware of the time, noticing the darkness that was enveloping the streets.
“It’s getting sort of… late…” She started, before noticing Den staring toward her face scanning it with his eyes.
“What? Is there something on my face?” She asked, as Den suddenly averted his eyes to the ground.
“Umm… N-nothing….” he replied weakly, before continuing under his breath.
“I still don’t see it… Her forehead looks normal to me…” Partially hearing what he had said, Sakura spoke out.
“What did you say? I heard ‘forehead’! You were making fun of me weren’t you!?” She yelled, walking closer to Den, who turned around, noticing her fists were clasped
“Wh-what? N-no! I mean… yes... B-but I wasn’t making f-fun of y-you!” Den closed his eye’s, preparing himself to be struck, but to his disbelief, nothing happened. He slowly opened one eye, to see Sakura’s arm pulled back and ready to punch, as she spoke again.
“You weren’t making fun of it, huh!?” She asked angrily, awaiting Den’s final defense.
“N-no, I wasn’t! Ino-san, s-said you had a huge forehead! N-not me, I don’t agree with her-” At this, Sakura interrupted, seething in obvious rage at what she had just heard.
“That Ino-pig… She’s after Sasuke-kun and Zero-kun... and making fun of me to other people, too!” Sakura blurted relieving some pent up anger, as Den, feeling a bit safer, turned down the road toward his uncle’s residence.
“I-I’m g-going home now… g-good luck on the e-exam tomorrow, S-Sakura-chan…” He said almost in a whisper, as Sakura continued ranting loudly to herself, unnoticing of the fact Den was leaving. Deciding it was better not to bother her again, he quickly took off down the road.