Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Demon's of Konoha ❯ Christmas Eve ( Chapter 30 )

Sasuke stopped outside of an old brownstone building on the edge of the village market in Konoha. Olianders was written on the door in fancy cursive gold script and along a display window that face the market. The window itself was a moot point to Naruto since you couldn't see inside of it anyways as it looked like black silk blocked the area into the room. Naruto wasn't sure about going in since even he could tell that it was a very established place that had no tolerance to riff raff of which Naruto was sure he was categorized into. The store itself had been around since the beginning of Konoha, and Naruto secretively wondered if Konoha built itself around the building it's been there that long.

 

“Let's go Dobe” Sasuke grabbed the handle of the door and pulled it open getting hit in the face by a wave or warm air. Naruto brought his hands up and performed a hedge of Hinata incase they wanted to kick him out. Looking at his body he felt comfortable, hoping that as the ex-Hyuuga they couldn't kick him out. Once in the door almost appeared to seal behind them making the boys walk further into the store. To the right side of the store were mannequins covered in kimonos and dresses of different styles. Further back was an old antique counter that Naruto was sure it was built from the first tree growing in Konoha.

 

“Ah Uchiha-sama and Uzumaki-sama and what trouble are you causing today?” Naruto whirled around and looked down at the raspy sound of the voice finding a man that barely reached Naruto's waist. The first thing the boys could make out was a mostly bald head except for a topknot in snowy white. His eyebrows were the same white but almost nonexistent. His eyes looked like he was vaguely confused with a twinkling of something the boys had never seen before. His features were sharp with a nose a little too long with small glasses hanging on the end of them. His mouth was hidden by a white flowing mustache that matched his beard to the floor. He was dressed in a black kimono and held a wooden walking stick in his hand to help himself walk.

 

“I'm sorry sir, but who are you calling Uzumaki-sama? My name is Hinata” Naruto closed his eyes and smiled wondering how the old man figured out it was him. Sasuke had left him to pay for his purchases that were on the counter with a young cashier watching the till. “I think you have me confused with someone else.”

 

“No dear boy, I think it is you who is confused if you don't know your own name. You have a couple of them but the most common is Naruto Uzumaki.” The old man poked Naruto belly where his seal laid pushing the air out of Naruto's body. “Now what can I help you with Uzumaki-sama? I am always willing to help.” The old mans eyes twinkled in pure joy at seeing Naruto shocking him to his very core.

 

“I-I n-need to go” Naruto stuttered out at an unknown person being happy to meet him. He rushed out of the store and into the cold air. He didn't realize that he had left the Uchiha behind until he was outside, panting heavily in the cold air, his breath leaving puffs in the cold air.

 

“Don't worry you'll be back, especially when Kyuubi-sama realizes you found out where we are.” the old man spoke to himself before chuckling to himself which soon ended in coughing. “Have a good night Uchiha-sama, and remember to keep all monsters away from the bloodline” he spoke again as Sasuke left getting a polite nod in return. He turned and looked at his granddaughter at the counter and smiled as she rolled her eyes. Her grandfather was always up to something.

 

Looking down at his hands Naruto blinked and stared at his own. `I had to have dropped the hedge, that's the only way he could have known. But why didn't he kick me out or be mean to me?' Naruto wondered at he leaned against the side of Olianders waiting for his shopping partner. It was weird the old man knew who he was and wasn't being mean about it. The walls of the building were cold but Naruto didn't care. The cold didn't bother him that much; really, it was just the fact he didn't feel comfortable in the store. For the first time in Naruto's existence it appeared that someone seemed happy to meet him, and he didn't like it one bit.

 

Sasuke appeared moments later before glaring at the blonde. “Why did you run out of there like you were on fire? They were treating you fine Naruto? I admit Old man Olianders is weird but completely harmless. His granddaughter works with him. I should have warned you that Olianders has a genjutsu blocker in place or something. Hedges or a genjutsu don't work in there for some reason.” Sasuke turned and began walking towards the next store on his list adjusting his backpack making it look like it was full of gifts when it was actually empty. Naruto knew about the sealing scroll the Uchiha carried in his kunai pouch and how last year someone tried to steal his backpack in hopes a present was in there for them. Naruto pushed away from the wall and began walking with his friend.

 

`Olianders has to be the only store in Konoha that dropped all forms of genjutsu the minute you walked into the door. I wonder if it was made so that not just anyone could come in and prank someone else by ordering a lot of expensive things.' Naruto reasoned to himself as they walked along. “That would have been nice to know Teme. You could have told me you were leaving me with the old coot before he asked me if I needed help Hey Teme, what exactly do they carry in that store?”

 

“They cater to everything from clothes to jewelry and know the different families histories to match everything. They do elaborate embroidering of clan symbols and everything in between. If you want something to last and are not afraid to pay the price Olianders is the place to go. My family has been going there since before I suspect my grandfather was born. It's always been like that in there.”

 

“I don't know Teme; they didn't kick me out as soon as they realized who I was. Maybe they're hiding something. Something bad or who knows maybe they want to take over Konoha. What do you think?” Naruto brought his hands behind his head as he walked nonchalantly as if they were talking about the weather instead of a possible hostile takeover.

 

“They are extremely rich Naruto; of course they are hiding something. Just like we are hiding things, everyone is hiding something.” Sasuke threw his hands in the air in exasperation. “That's just the way Olianders is. It's been that way since the beginning, and will always be that way. I mean Old Man Olianders looks like he's been here since the beginning of the start of Konoha. Sometimes Naruto you are just too paranoid. If it makes you feel better I've always gotten the creeps going their also, something about them just seem troll-ish and Old Man Olianders gets crazier every time I go in there telling me weird things. Like this time he mentioned something about my bloodline or something I wasn't paying attention. I always just want to get my stuff and go. ”

 

Naruto thought about what his friend said filling it away for future contemplation before realizing they were closer to more villagers so they needed to make sure they are in character again. “Hey Teme, how many gifts do you need to get anyways?” Naruto whined as Sasuke turned and glared at him before pulling him into another store looking for last minute Christmas gifts. For the past few days the boys have been Christmas shopping either together or separately trying to find the much needed gifts. Both Naruto and Sasuke found that shopping under henges or disguises was the easiest way to go. This time though they went as themselves knowing that if they weren't seen shopping in some of the stores the villagers tongues would start wagging making it harder to move around incognito.

 

“All I have left is Haku” Sasuke muttered as he tried to ignore all the longing glances sent his way by some of his fan girls. He couldn't even move around town without having someone sending him perverted glances. The girls did stay away though when he had Naruto with him he noticed. It was as if they were scared to be seen with the village outcast even though he was the village heartthrob. This was one of the times he was glad about his supposed `rivalry' with Naruto. “Hey Dobe, what should I get her for Christmas?”

 

“What did you get for Sakura-chan? I got her a set of training bracelets like Hinata has. I'm hoping it will help her be a better kunoichi. I just don't know what else to do to help her” Naruto lamented about the problem. “I want to be able to do higher missions like when we met Haku-chan and Inari, but until she gets better we can't.”

 

“I gave her a note that said I was gay” Sasuke deadpanned looking at the charm bracelets that were the rage that year. Soon he heard a struggling sound and it seemed that Naruto began to choke on air. Sasuke couldn't help but look that yes he was correct again, Naruto was choking on air in fact he was pounding himself on the chest trying to get him self to breathe. Sasuke could only roll his eyes at his best friends' antics instead of breaking out laughing like he wanted to. “Breathe Dobe, breathe. I just hope it will let her know that for the last time I am not interested.”

 

“You seriously didn't, did you?” Naruto struggled to breathe out the sentence this time from laughter. The thought of Sasuke being gay was hilarious to the blonde. Especially all the girls who would love to be his girlfriend would be completely heartbroken. He's seen Sasuke checking out girls many a times but would never admit it.

 

“No I got her a book called `Being a Kunoichi in a Man's World'. I was told it's about how to be a great kunoichi is suppose to be. I hope it would give her the idea that being a fan girl isn't the way to go.” Sasuke couldn't help the smirk that crossed his face at the joke he played on Naruto.

 

“That's bloody brilliant. Where did you get the idea for that?” Naruto had hoped that he wasn't the only one giving their teammate training tips and hints for Christmas. He wasn't sure that since he was supposed to be acting like he had a huge crush on her whether it would be a good gift or not. Hinata always liked training gifts so he didn't think it was too bad.

 

“Anko and I even got her to volunteer a few hours a week training her to be a better kunoichi if she needs it. In fact Anko-sensei guaranteed the girl her personal attention.” Sasuke's lips curled into an evil smirk. “If anyone could beat being a fan girl out of someone it would be her. Now what did you get for Haku?”

 

“Haku was easy” Naruto commented. “I made her a couple of copies of the scrolls we liberated for Hinata. I figured since she wanted to specialize being a Medic when she becomes a Chounin than she could handle a head start. Anything she has a problem with I am sure that Hinata could help her with. What did you get Hinata? I haven't thought of anything yet and Christmas is tomorrow.”

 

“Damn that's a good idea” Sasuke muttered. “For some reason it just doesn't seem special enough though. God I don't know” Sasuke ran his fingers though his hair in frustration. Sasuke thought about pulling on hair until he realized that it just wasn't very Uchiha-like to show emotions.

 

“I don't know why you think it's so hard unless you think” Naruto trailed off his eyes widening as he realized what was going on. His normally stoic best friend was worried about what to get a girl. His normally calm exterior was slowly cracking at the stress of finding this one girl a gift. “Oh my god, you like her” Naruto said out loud oblivious that people heard that Sasuke liked someone. Within seconds whispering and girlish squeals were heard as what Naruto said passed around. Sasuke Uchiha liked a girl.

 

Quickly the two boys left the store both with blushes on their faces, neither buying anything. When they were safely out of earshot Sasuke spoke calmly “great going Dobe, now everyone thinks I have a special crush on someone. Are you trying to blow my cover?”

 

“Sorry” Naruto replied sheepishly bringing his hand behind his head. “I didn't know you liked Haku-chan like that. It kind of took me by surprise. I thought you thought of her like you do Hinata.”

 

Sasuke visually shook at the though of being with Hinata before turning around and hitting Naruto on the shoulder. “Mind out of the gutter Dobe” He wasn't able to stop the full body shivers that hit him even in his warm jacket. “I do not believe in incest Naruto, so cross that thought about me and Hinata being anything out of your mind and flush it. God that's disgusting. Why would you think of something like that? She's like my little sister and fifth cousin blood wise. The last name is Uchiha not Hyuuga. We do not fuck our cousins.”

 

“Sorry, sorry” Naruto apologized “I didn't mean to put that thought in your head. I was just meaning I didn't know you liked Haku. I thought it was the same sisterly feelings you had towards Hinata.”

 

“Of course I like Haku, Naruto” Sasuke replied keeping his cool willing his face not to blush as he continues. “She's a very good friend of mine, who happens to be a talented shinobi.” Sasuke willed the blush to leave his face

 

“Bullshit Teme, you like like her” Naruto said as he watched Sasuke fight the blush that wanted to grace his cheeks. “You have a crush on Haku-chan.” Naruto sang out as Sasuke clench his fists before breathing deeply calming himself. Instead he adjusted the straps on his backpack again in frustration.

 

Getting a smirk on his face Sasuke figured out a perfect way to stop Naruto's line of questioning and tease the blonde back. “So what about you and Hinata then” Sasuke asked watching Naruto's face darken with a blush as he looked away sputtering incoherent things. “Are you saying you don't like like her?”

 

“I don't know what you are talking about” Naruto replied walking into the Uchiha manner where he knew they would have privacy to talk. “Hinata and I are just friends. She's like a little sister to me.”

 

“Bullshit” Sasuke replied back to his best friend. He was getting tired of his two friends not getting together. “Naruto I've seen the way you are around her and you don't treat her like a sister. I don't know why you keep denying it.”

 

“I don't understand what you mean Sasuke” confusion showed on Naruto's face and Sasuke didn't think it was faked. How did he not treat Hinata like a sister? He knew that Sasuke didn't know about their little sexual escapade but he wasn't sure what didn't scream sibling feelings.

 

Opening the door to the Main House the boys swiftly took off shoes and coats before going into the living room with the boys bringing their backpacks with them. With a quick Katon jutsu the fireplace was blazing sending heat into the room. “Sasuke come on explain this to me. I really don't see what you mean.” Naruto said as he watched the fire, wondering about what his best friend would tell him.

 

“Naruto I've known the both of you for years and I consider you both my family. Itachi feels the same way enough that he is the legal guardian for the three of us until we become of age. To me you are the younger brother I never had while Hinata is the sister. The only difference between the two is that you are not blood related in the physical sense but in all other ways you are my brother. When you are around any girl you act one way and when you are around Hinata you act completely a different way.”

 

“Of course I act different around other girls than I do Hinata. She actually knows the real me so she would get treated different.” Naruto started to explain to Sasuke before the later started chuckling.

 

“Haku knows the real you and she gets treated differently than Hinata does. You treat Haku more like a sibling that you do Hinata. I mean the other day you almost beat Kiba's face in when he asked you what you thought Hinata would like for Christmas or when her birthday was. You were acting more like a jealous boyfriend than a brother and if I wasn't there I think you would have hit him. In school when those boys were following her around you were there growling at them to keep them away. Definitely acting like a dog guarding his bone and that's not something that a sibling would do.” Sasuke watched Naruto's jaw clenched as he continued to stare into the fire, listening to Sasuke's explanation.

 

“I can tell you I know how you feel, because I feel the same way just not about Hinata. It's how I feel about Haku and trust me it's not in a sibling kind of way. If you thought of Hinata like I do you would want to protect her, but you would also let her make her own choices. I know it's hard sometimes but we've trained with her for years. If she was in trouble she could get out of it or knows enough to ask for help. What you want to do is protect her and not let anyone near her. What I want to know is why haven't you started dating her yet? Or are you that much of a coward?” Sasuke was curious at what Naruto was thinking. He didn't want to flat out tell Naruto, Hinata's feelings but that wouldn't stop him from putting the bug in his ear.

 

“Tell me Sasuke how would you feel if I decided to date Hinata?” Naruto wondered contemplating what Sasuke was revealing. He wanted -no needed to know what Sasuke's thoughts on them dating would be. He had to know if his thoughts were accurate to their reactions.

 

“Seriously Dobe, I would be relieved.” Sasuke grabbed his backpack and began pulling out scrolls before finding the one he wanted and unsealing it. A cloud of smoke appeared before a tall plastic container appeared filled with wrapping paper, bows, tags and tape. Grabbing another scroll Sasuke began to unseal things before he began to wrap them. “I personally think the two of you would be good together and the fact of the matter is I trust you with her. I certainly don't trust Kiba or anyone else. A civilian couldn't understand her love with being a shinobi or anything like that. Another ninja would get jealous of her skills after a while and the fact that she was trained by Aniki. By that alone she could be considered a traitor. She knows about Kyuubi and doesn't hate you or anything because of it. She excels in the domesticated arts plus she's the adopted sister of the Uchiha family what more do you want in a woman?” `Plus she loves you' Sasuke thought before moving onto the next present `and that's worth more than anything I could say .Her happiness is important to me. She is the adopted sister of the Aniki and me. '

 

“Then what are you going to do about Haku-chan, Teme. You sprout about how great Hinata and I would be together but what about the two of you?” Naruto challenged as he began wrapping his gifts making sure to mark each one.

 

“I plan on asking her father when he gets here to formally date her. I am letting him know my intentions so my actions can only be considered honorable.” Sasuke got into his brooding position as he closed his eyes in concentration. “I believe our Christmas decorations are in the attic. We should grab them while I think about it. The tree is in the scroll already.”

 

Standing up to help with the decorations Naruto asked “Why is it so important to get formal permission to date her. You are just dating her not marrying her. What's with these weird dating procedures anyways?”

 

“In your case no, as her father is having no bearing on her life. The formal permission is almost like a betrothal. With formal permission she can't date anyone else at any time and in two years I have to either put in a formal proposal or come to some other agreement regarding our relationship.”

 

“If I ever decided to date Hinata would I have to get formal permission?” Naruto's nose scrunched up as he tried to image Hinata's father by comparing Hinata and Gaara's features only to see nothing but blurs.

 

“Nope as her father is a non-issue in this case since he isn't around. If he was then you would have to unless he allowed her to make her own decisions. Since she has been on her own for years and in Konoha it's pretty safe to assume that she is considered able to make her own decisions.”

 

Looking at the boxes in the dusty attic they quickly found the boxes marked Christmas and took them downstairs. Grabbing the scroll that was in his backpack Sasuke quickly unsealed the ten foot blue spruce. Grabbing it around the sides Sasuke positioned the tree until he was happy with its location.

 

“Get the lights Dobe” Sasuke mentioned handing the strands of colored lights. He smirked softly as he watched Naruto make a clone to stand on the mantle to help with the lights. Sasuke grabbed the stockings out of the box before reaching for the scroll containing the stuff from Olianders.

 

“How would Itachi feel about it?” Naruto asked as he began wrapping strands of lights around the tree with the help of a clone hoping he wouldn't tie himself up to the tree like last year. Naruto still swears someone else helped tie him up and it wasn't all his clones fault. He still had yet to figure out who it was though.

 

“How does Itachi feel about what” called out from the entrance. The boys whipped around to see Itachi and Kisame removing their shoes and cloaks before heading into the living room where the boys were decorating for Christmas. They both looked tired as if they hadn't slept peacefully in a while.

 

“Naruto was wondering how you would feel if he asked out Hinata” Sasuke smirked watching Naruto shift in discomfort as Itachi turned and glared at Naruto, judging if he was worthy or not. The clone standing on the mantle dropped the lights onto the original Naruto's head and disappeared not wanting to face his sensei. It was just a jest though as Itachi was alright with the idea. He had been for years; it was obvious to him how Hinata felt towards the blonde.

 

Naruto quickly wondered if Itachi had activated his Sharingan as he kept his eyes closed. He didn't hear anything or feel any pain anywhere so he bravely opened one eye and seen everyone looking at him with an eyebrow rose wondering what Naruto was doing. Opening both eyes Naruto sheepishly asked “you're not going to kill me?”

 

“Have you done anything that warrants death Naruto?” Itachi asked grabbing some ornaments to put on the tree. “Wanting to date our little Hinata is nothing death worthy unless you are planning on using her to do unscrupulous things to. Are your plans less than honorable Naruto?”

 

“No sensei” Naruto gulped looking for any type of emotion in his face. Deciding that not seeing any was worse that seeing some. “I wouldn't dare do anything to her that would require you to kill me. But she would get mad at you if you call her little. She's a little touchy lately about her height.”

 

“Do you plan to make her happy, Naruto?” Itachi activated his Sharingan glaring at Naruto knowing fully well that he was scaring him. Sasuke's Uchiha pride was swelling as he was secretly taking notes on looking intimidating. Sasuke was good but no one was better than Itachi. “Do you plan on making her cry?”

 

“N-no s-sensei” Naruto stuttered out trying not to make his voice sound like a squeak. Itachi wasn't even letting out any killing intent and still Naruto had the urge to shiver under the intensity of those eyes. Something about those red eyes just screamed Kyuubi and for the life of him he didn't know why.

 

Itachi raised him hand and Naruto shut his eyes bracing himself against an attack before feeling a hand on his head and slight chuckling around him. Opening his eyes he watched the others as they chuckled at his expense smiles on all their faces. “Glad to hear it Naruto, now I have a few rules for dating Hinata. First off, if she says no it means no. Second off, if it interrupts either of your training I will not allow you to date. Third off, I'm not ready for you guys to blow your covers yet so as long as you maintain them then you are fine. Now if you guys will excuse me I have to check in with the Hokage.”

 

“Kami that was freaky” Naruto sighed grabbing the lights, pulling them off his body before going back to decorating the tree. “Geez Sasuke if Itachi is that scary I wonder what Zabuza will be like when you ask to date Haku.”

 

“You want to date my niece Uchiha?” Kisame's normal voice deepened almost as if he was in a murderous rage. Killing intent filled the room as Kisame grabbed his Samehada to swing it at the younger Uchiha. “Let's take this outside.”

 

“Fine” Sasuke replied making a clone to finish the decorating on the house as the original and Kisame exited out the backdoor to the training ground behind the house. Naruto quickly made a clone and followed only wishing he kept his mouth shut.

 

“Why do they always leave us here when the good stuff is happening Teme” Naruto's clone asked as he finished with the lights and began hanging the balls.

 

“I don't know Dobe. I don't know” Sasuke's clone replied as he went to work helping his counterpart.

 

-0o0o0o0o0o0o0o-

 

“Was your mission a success?” Hokage Sarutobi asked without turning around in his chair. He was ready for when Anko's team came back, having received the message hours ago that they were arriving. He was surprised when they brought someone back with them that wasn't a child or baby.

 

“Hai Hokage-sama” Anko replied the only one not wearing her mask; instead it was hanging on her belt loop. “The target was eliminated along with a couple of the ninja guards. The girls have blood clones at the scene showing their deaths. Nothing can be traced back to Konoha.”

 

“That is excellent to hear. Are any of you injured, you're covered in blood?” At their head shakes Sarutobi concluded the blood wasn't theirs. “Why did you break protocol and bring back a civilian? How are we going to explain her presence to the village?” Sarutobi was glad to hear the mission was a success. He wasn't sure how it would have played out with a Genin team but it appeared Anko was correct. They truly were perfect; too bad this could never go in their files.

 

Haku gripped her fists and was about to speak up when Hinata beat her to it. “I'm sorry Hokage-sama, it was my fault” Hinata replied from behind her mask setting Youko in the vacant chair in front of the Hokage's desk. “She had spent most of her life being abused by Lord Kumakura and was to be sent to the Otokage tomorrow. From what we gathered the Otokage specializes in experimentations and not the kind to benefit humanity either. As for explaining to the civilians, why should we have to? People come and go into Konoha all the time and if she stays in the Uchiha Manor with us than she wouldn't be in sight.”

 

“Do we know the identity of the Otokage and were your identities compromised at any time?” Sarutobi turned around resting his head on his hands as he smoked his pipe. He was willing to make a few exceptions for bringing people home on missions in rare cases. This might be one of them although he hoped it wouldn't be an all the time occurrence. He mostly liked to see how the team handled themselves and each other. He seen the way Hinata took the blame. They truly were a team, now if only his other teams would act like that.

 

“Unfortunately no Hokage-sama” Anko replied speaking for the group. “In town everyone gave them a wide birth and told many rumors but none hinted at the identity of the Otokage. Several shinobi were around though all wearing a hitae-ate with a music note on it. To the villagers Lord Kumakura wouldn't be missed but I suspect people will be fearful for a while.”

 

“Can the girl use chakra of any sort?” Sarutobi wondered aloud. It was harder to sneak in a ninja than it was a civilian. With Haku and Zabuza he had been lucky. He had a feeling he would be this time as well. He himself remembered being passionate about helping people, as that was how he had met his wife.

 

“Not at this time Hokage-sama” Haku answered. “Her father was a ninja at one point but her mother wasn't. She hasn't exhibited any signs of being able to form chakra at all. She is very fearful of ninja's though so I would suggest contact be kept to a minimum until she is ready.”

 

“Very well keep me updated on her status and if she starts showing signs of chakra usage I need to know immediately. Hinata since you brought her back you are responsible for her. You are dismissed, Anko stick around I need to talk to you about something. Hinata picked up Youko again before heading towards the door.

 

“Team we don't have practice tomorrow since its Christmas so enjoy and relax because the day after that your asses are mine.” Anko called out knowing that her team heard her. “And remember tardiness is not an option.”

 

When the others were gone Sarutobi looked at Anko and sighed. “Anko we have a situation and hopefully we can come up with a solution.”

 

-0o0o0o0o0o0o0-

 

“Bye guys see you tomorrow” Kusanagi called out waving bye to the girls before disappearing. Even though they don't have practice because of the holiday that didn't mean they wouldn't exchange gifts later. In fact the girls were having a big dinner for the holidays at the Manor at two on Christmas knowing that friends would be there. It was the reason they had hurried home even covered in blood.

 

“Thanks for sticking up for me back there.” Haku said softly before she felt a pair of eyes on them. She felt the same disrupted chakra that she felt every time her father was in uniform. “You can stop following us Dad I know you're there.” The girls stopped and were not surprised when Bear-san landed softly in front of them. “I didn't mean for you to take the blame about Youko.” Haku told her shorter counterpart.

 

“It's not a problem. I would have brought her back even if you didn't promise; besides having her around could be good for all of us.” Hinata explained as they continued walking. She was low on chakra but Youko began stirring when she was being carried by anyone else. Hinata was thankful she was able to carry heavy weights with no chakra or she would have collapsed a long time ago.

 

“What's with the costume's and blood girls? It's the wrong season to be dressing up for Halloween.” Zabuza glared from behind his mask at the two girls. Impersonating an ANBU agent was a criminal offense, and could even be punishable by death. Something about the costumes though just screamed real to Zabuza, in fact too real for his liking. The outfit distorted their chakra signatures hiding their identity from prying eyes. But as a father Zabuza knew his daughter anywhere. She was a hunter-nin impersonator for years; he knew what to look for.

 

The girls stopped at the entrance of the Uchiha complex before Hinata handed Haku her sleeping cargo watching her begin to fidget at Haku holding her. Bringing her hands in front of her face Hinata quickly made a Kage Bushin before biting her thumb and slamming it into her clones' stomach. Feeling that she was beginning to tilt from the remains of her chakra leaving her she grabbed Zabuza's arm for support waiting for the fainting feeling to pass.

 

“What's wrong with you?” Zabuza asked with concern watching Hinata's clone change appearance until a blonde woman with red highlights appeared wearing a kimono. The newcomer concentrated before putting her hand against the wall around the complex. Zabuza's watched as seals quickly appeared all around the wall that surrounded the Uchiha complex. Some were runes and seals he had never seen before and felt like he never would again.

 

“Her chakra levels are not yet back to normal so summoning me takes a lot out of her.” Tani called back before grabbing Youko's hand and pricking her with a needle. Watching the blood well up Tani quickly added it into the program making Youko safe to enter. “She is cleared to go anything else you need me for?” Tani stretched her arms out in her borrowed body enjoying the brief freedom that she did get.

 

“Could you do us a favor” Hinata asked feeling Youko grab on to her again, this time holding her armor. “We don't have any Christmas presents for Youko here and I don't want her to feel left out. Think I can convince you to do some shopping of us? I will let you have the body until New Years.”

 

Tani acted like she was thinking about it but was barely concealing her squeal of delight. “Alright you twisted my arm. I shall pick up a few things for her and bring them back. I will return in a bit to put her back asleep again. I need to do some research to find the necessary information about mind manipulation. I should have something by New Years, until then have the Uchiha put her under a genjutsu with false memories. I might need to see my brother for this one, but if I go it will be on your birthday so get around a care package if you want to.”

 

“Thank you” Hinata softly replied slightly pleased that Tani was going to visit her brother. Now she will have actual confirmation that her brother was alive. “I will have one ready by then.”

 

“Enjoy and let me get shopping it's late out. I have to hurry and avoid Kyu also. This will be fun” Tani smiled before skipping out of sight. She was doing one of her favorite pastimes besides healing and training. She was going shopping and even though it wasn't for her she couldn't wait.

 

“Let's go” Haku said as they walked into the compound only then did they feel safe enough to take off their masks. Haku shifted Youko's weight thankful the girl was still asleep although whimpering until Hinata brought her hand up and grabbed Youko's in her own. The contact instantly stilled the sleeping cargo as they continued into the complex.

 

“Girls you never did answer my question and what was that about back at the gate?” Zabuza asked knowing already about Tani but not about Hinata's chakra levels changing. “Who's the girl?”

 

“We are not going to a Halloween party or even cosplaying Dad” Haku sighed before answering. “We had a mission that needed fulfilling and we did it. Youko here was an innocent bystander that needed saving.”

 

“Basically it was a Black Ops assignment and we were sent on it. I guess you could say we are temporary ANBU agents” Hinata answered hearing yelling the closer they got to the house. By the sounds of it someone was training out back. “The problem now is that Youko is attached to me for some reason and can't sleep unless I am near. I don't know what it is.”

 

“You are Genin you do not go on assassination assignments. Who's messed up idea what this? You could have been killed?” Zabuza wanted to yell and scream but knew it wouldn't get him anywhere. Instead he looked for something to beat up. The yelling from the back yard looked promising. He thought about the situations with Youko and asked a question “Hinata do you have a stuffed animal in your bed that you sleep with?” At the girls look of his line of question he thought about how it sounded like they were babies. “Not that but maybe if you gave her a stuffed animal with your scent on it she might hold on to that and sleep as oppose to you being there. It's worth a shot at least.”

 

“It is worth a shot” Hinata replied before sighing at the information she was giving. “Haku, place her in the spare bedroom and give her the stuffed bear I have under my pillow. It should have my scent on there enough to let her sleep. I'm going to the shower and than to bed. I'm exhausted and a few hours of sleep will do me a world of good.”

 

“Do you need help getting into the house?” Concern laced through Haku's voice as her clone secured Youko in her arms. “You aren't going to collapse are you?”

 

“I don't need chakra to take a shower and go to bed. I will be fine, but I will walk with you to get the bear. I am in desperate need of a shower” Hinata waved off the plea for help wanting to get clean. Normally she would want to stay and visit but this time she was exhausted, and didn't care that she was rude. She had a date with a nice steamy, relaxing shower.

 

-0o0o0o0o0o0-

 

Naruto was watching the fight in interest before he caught some familiar scents carrying his way. The chakra didn't feel the same in fact it felt distorted, but that couldn't distort his sense of smell. Naruto closed his eyes in concentration forcing chakra into his nose before placing the scents with the right person. The familiar smell of plums, that easily made Naruto think of Haku, who also faintly smelt like orchids. Naruto briefly wondered if it was someone new.

 

Next there was the salty smell that Naruto could only identify as Zabuza. And finally Naruto took a deep breathe and catch the familiar smell of running water that was Hinata, that he felt moving away from the others. At once there was another smell there that Naruto recognized. A smell all shinobi were familiar with. The smell of blood, and by the almost overpowering scent of it Naruto knew that someone was drenched in it and that someone might be Hinata.

 

Clenching his hands into fists Naruto's chakra surged glowing between blue and red, as he briefly though about an injured Hinata attempting to make it home. Opening his eyes you would notice that his normal blue eyes were gone and in its place were burning red eyes filled with rage. Turning to follow Hinata's trail Naruto quickly left to find out if she had been injured.

 

Sasuke and Kisame were holding their swords at the ready as they broke apart panting for breath. Their clothes ripped in different places. They had stopped once they felt Naruto's chakra surge. Kisame's face broke into a grin when he felt the chakra of Zabuza along with someone who felt somewhat like his niece. Either way he knew they weren't an enemy if they were able to get into the Uchiha compound. Nodding at Sasuke giving him his approval together they headed to see the new arrivals and hopefully find out about the chakra surge.

 

“What is this father-daughter matching outfit time? What's with the blood Haku, kill a pig?” Kisame joked wondering why his niece and her father were matching complete with masks. Although that doesn't explain Naruto's chakra surge.

 

“Some idiot sent them on an assassination mission. They're only Genin and they got sent on an ANBU mission.” Zabuza practically screamed but didn't instead still looked like he was about to hit something. “Both girls came back covered in blood, and a civilian.”

 

“Dad, stop over reacting it's not even our blood. Hinata and I came back without a scratch on us. A few bruises that are almost healed but other than that they never touched us and besides Youko needed saving.” Haku explained completely missing the proud smile that crossed Kisame's and Sasuke's faces.

 

“She slaughtered someone enough that she is covered in blood and you aren't proud of her? Zabuza this is great, my little niece is growing up. Why it seems like just last week she still wore her hair in braids” Kisame wiped a fake tear from his eye at the thought of his niece growing up.

 

“Be series for once Kisame, they could have been killed. They are Genin for a reason they shouldn't be put in these kinds of situations. They have only been a team for a couple of months and already they are acting as ANBU. Am I the only one seeing what is wrong with this picture?” Zabuza couldn't keep the rage out of his voice but without a target. He knew that only Sarutobi could authorize a mission like this so he knew exactly what happened. That didn't sit any better with the man.

 

“You need to blow off some steam Zabuza” Kisame motioned. “Why don't you take it off on Mini-Uchiha here like I did? After all he wants to formally ask permission to date Haku.”

 

Zabuza turned to glare at Sasuke filled with barely suppressed anger and now he had found the perfect target. Grabbing right shoulder Zabuza unsealed his zanbato, before letting it rest against his shoulder. “Uchiha prepare to die. Let's take this to the lake” Zabuza began to walk towards it when he felt Haku grab his arm to stop him.

 

“Sasuke-kun, go on ahead I need to talk to Dad for a minute, okay?” Haku smiled softly as Sasuke nodded and headed towards the lake. He would take the few minutes to rest before he had to fight another sword master. Once he was out of sight Haku pulled her father down and glared fiercely into his eyes, giving the older man the case of the chills. “Beat him if you must, but so help me dad if you don't allow him to date me I will turn you into a Popsicle. I like him a lot and I will not have you scaring him off like all those others you did at the festival.” Haku eyes pleaded into her fathers allowing him to see some of the emotions she had towards her friend. “Please Daddy, I really like him and the fact he was going for formal permission shows that his intentions are strong. Please for me?”

 

“You are lucky I like the boy also, Haku” Zabuza sighed taking his daughters feelings into consideration. “But that doesn't mean I will take it easy on him. He has to prove his worth to me.”

 

Haku got a small smile and kissed her father on the cheek “thank you daddy. I am going to go get cleaned up now, you will be here for the dinner tomorrow right? Don't forget, you also Uncle Kisame” Haku chirped before turning around and practically skipping into the house.

 

“Damn she really likes him doesn't she” Kisame sighed watching Zabuza do the same. “I should forewarn you I fought him before you got here for a couple of hours straight and he held his own in a straight kenjutsu match. He really will be something when he grows up. I would almost bet he would surpass his brother.”

 

“Then I know she will be taken care of” Zabuza smirked. “But that doesn't mean I will go easy on him. I have a lot of pent-up frustration at the situation and he's giving the perfect reason to fight. Maybe finally I can release some of it. Coming to watch the fight?” Zabuza asked as he headed towards the frozen lake to fight his daughters' suitor.

 

“When have I ever turned down watching a fight?” Kisame called walking up with his fellow swordsman. “Just don't kill him I don't want Itachi pissed at me.”