Naruto Secret of Slime
- Thread starter Andrew Joshua Talon
- Start date
The only thing I have written notes for is the next segment and the newest idea I pm'd you about. EVERYTHING else is on my laptop- stuff I have yet to publish.
Unfortunately, my laptop that was working, is no longer working properly again, so I stand to lose more than I'm willing to admit at this point. I'll have the final verdict on whether or not I'll be able to recover my fanfic files in an hour or so.
Kids may be kids, but I am fairly annoyed and mad at my daughter at the moment as she's managed to also ruin the mouse to my wife's computer- she's using the one for my laptop and she took out the batteries to the blue ray remote- amongst one or two other things.
Unfortunately, my laptop that was working, is no longer working properly again, so I stand to lose more than I'm willing to admit at this point. I'll have the final verdict on whether or not I'll be able to recover my fanfic files in an hour or so.
Kids may be kids, but I am fairly annoyed and mad at my daughter at the moment as she's managed to also ruin the mouse to my wife's computer- she's using the one for my laptop and she took out the batteries to the blue ray remote- amongst one or two other things.
It's been a few days since this was updated, but other than enjoying one of my favorite Naruto threads, I couldn't really think of anything to say (nothing constructive at any rate.) However coming back to this tonight and remembering Zeebee's comment made me think about ectoplasm - as a type of elemental chakra, the way that fire, earth, wind, water, and lightning all are. I'm pretty sure ectoplasm techniques have been brought up before, but has anybody considered what it would be like as a chakra element? Can you imagine what the training to attain it would be like, if you take the training for wind as an example?
And techniques - the possibilities are endless (though possibily some of these have already been mentioned.) There's the universals, like a dragon technique just like there's a fire dragon technique and a water dragon technique, so an ectoplasm dragon technique - only since the element is ectoplasm, perhaps it can independently? There could be an ectoplasm clone. Maybe an Ectoplasm element Rasengan? And what about techniques that take advantage of ectoplasm essentially being the essence of ghosts, like a technique to walk through walls or otherwise turn intangible, or maybe an advanced invisibility jutsu. All I've got now, maybe I'll come back to this later.
And techniques - the possibilities are endless (though possibily some of these have already been mentioned.) There's the universals, like a dragon technique just like there's a fire dragon technique and a water dragon technique, so an ectoplasm dragon technique - only since the element is ectoplasm, perhaps it can independently? There could be an ectoplasm clone. Maybe an Ectoplasm element Rasengan? And what about techniques that take advantage of ectoplasm essentially being the essence of ghosts, like a technique to walk through walls or otherwise turn intangible, or maybe an advanced invisibility jutsu. All I've got now, maybe I'll come back to this later.
Well... I suppose, in time, Slimer could learn some ninja-esque abilities.
As for an Ecto-Rasengan, that's not something that has been discussed between me and AJT- even before we both lost our notes- but seeing as the early Naruto Movies each have their own versions of the Rasengan (and some fillers too, if I remember correctly), so it's not a stretch to think that it is something we could do.
I think though, that the "Ectoplasm Element" is a bit much. Considering that it was Ghost Energy that gave the ninja their powers, I do think, however, that it is a possiblity that Ectoplasm can be manipulated by Chakra- just not generated.
Using this set-up, we could get Ecto-Jutsu, with Naruto (or as a possibly better alternatives, Sasuke or Sakura) working in tandem with Slimer. Considering this fic's origin of the Bijuu, we also have to factor in what sort of affects a Bijuu's pure chakra has on a ghost and what other unnamed affects that a Jinchuuriki's chakra has on apparitions- or at least Slime. Naruto's status as a Jinchuuriki may make it harder or easier to use such techs.
It really boils down to what AJT thinks about this.
As for an Ecto-Rasengan, that's not something that has been discussed between me and AJT- even before we both lost our notes- but seeing as the early Naruto Movies each have their own versions of the Rasengan (and some fillers too, if I remember correctly), so it's not a stretch to think that it is something we could do.
I think though, that the "Ectoplasm Element" is a bit much. Considering that it was Ghost Energy that gave the ninja their powers, I do think, however, that it is a possiblity that Ectoplasm can be manipulated by Chakra- just not generated.
Using this set-up, we could get Ecto-Jutsu, with Naruto (or as a possibly better alternatives, Sasuke or Sakura) working in tandem with Slimer. Considering this fic's origin of the Bijuu, we also have to factor in what sort of affects a Bijuu's pure chakra has on a ghost and what other unnamed affects that a Jinchuuriki's chakra has on apparitions- or at least Slime. Naruto's status as a Jinchuuriki may make it harder or easier to use such techs.
It really boils down to what AJT thinks about this.
I think Ectojutsus are fine but only in tandem with Slimer. Psychokinetic Energy is the mean energy that allows for chakra generation, but is different from ectoplasm-Ectoplasm is composed of large amounts of PKE but it doesn't translate into chakra because chakra is a combination of spiritual (PKE or ki) and physical energy. Ergo, all Slimer has to work with is the spiritual component. Ectoplasm can't be burned as fuel for chakra, but it can be combined with jutsu due to it's high level of spiritual energy. The Ecto-Rasengan is a fun idea, so we're keeping it.
It's been forever since this has been updated, but here is a nice segment that nicely leads into the Time Skip.
~~~~
For the very first time in years, it seemed as if all was silent in Konoha.
Was it the beginning of the end, or perhaps the end of the beginning? Either way it was the end of an era. Nothing was certain and everything was on the line and just when they’d thought they had finally made a place for themselves in the world, it seemed as if everything would be snatched away, as if everything had come crashing down all at once. Their legacy was beginning to buckle and shatter before it had the chance to become something great, something truly worth remembering.
It was with this mindset that Haruno Sakura, the defacto brains of Ghostbusters Inc., found herself gazing at the various odds and ends scattered throughout her lab within the basement of the firehouse that had served as the Ghostbuster base of operations and her primary residence over the last several years. Whereas everything in here seemed to bring Naruto pain with the looming threat of being shut down permanently hanging over their heads, her lab brought her solace. Everything contained within was a memory- every gizmo, every gadget, every scorch mark was a doorway to a past she fondly remembered with a bright smile. The mere thought of losing it all would have brought her to tears if she had any left to shed.
She sadly sighed.
Between the fearmongering of the Tsuchikage and the various civil lawsuits being filed against them (everything from reckless endangerment to willful destruction of property was being thrown at them), the future of the Konoha Ghostbusters was in question. The situation had become so serious that the Tsuchikage and Mizukage had jointly called a Kage Summit to discuss the “Ghostbuster Issueâ€.
They wouldn’t go down without a fight!
Tenten had voiced those words as quickly as Sakura had thought them. Even after everything they’d done for the Elemental Countries as a whole- not to mention the individual countries like Wave, Spring and Wind (just to name a few), it was hard to believe that this was how they’d be repaid.
Unfortunately, there just wasn’t anything they could do- except that is, Naruto.
He had taken the news better than the rest of them initially when they found out that all activities and operations of Ghostbusters Inc. had been indefinitely suspended. The sheer amount of authority he exuded when he said he was going to the Kage Summit allowed everyone present to rid themselves of any doubt that Naruto would be Hokage one day. When all was said and done, even Tsunade-sama was looking at Naruto in a new light and, other than Hinata and Sakura; she’d had the least amount of skepticism that he’d actually achieve his dream. While Naruto had always been the “self-proclaimed†Chairman and leader of the Ghostbusters, this was the very first time he truly acted like it and no one, not even Sasuke, thought to challenge him on it.
‘My dimwit is finally growing up…’ Sakura thought fondly, as she stared at the various pieces of Ghostbuster tech that was now destined to do nothing more than collect dust, shelved until further notice- while various potentially dangerous paranormal phenomenon went unchecked.
Doing a quick mental inventory, she noticed only one piece of equipment was still unaccounted for, Naruto’s spectro-visors.
KGB- KGB- KGB
Sasuke wasn’t sure what to think as he stared at the pictures on his wall. It was a little known fact that he was, by far, the most sentimental of the Ghostbusters, constantly keeping various reminders and mementos to help him, in his own way, to preserve his past, keeping his memories, his thoughts and his feelings alive in ways only significant to himself.
The centerpiece was a portrait that was a painful reminder of happier times when he was naïve and carefree. It was a family portrait the he had been unable to bring himself to remove or damage in any way- a family portrait of himself, his parents and his brother. To the right of it had been one of just him and Itachi; however his treacherous brother had been torn from it.
Just above that one contained his very pregnant mother and a pregnant redheaded woman who didn’t look to be quite as far along as Mikoto. When Sasuke asked his spectral mother about this photo, her ghostly visage did not and would not comment on it. However, the nostalgic expression on her face was unmistakable and Sasuke couldn’t help but wonder if his mother had kept seemingly worthless or insignificant knickknacks of her life when she had been alive.
It wouldn't surprise him, he'd always taken more after his kind-hearted mother than his rather stoic and cold father.
Something about the woman was familiar to Sasuke- her smile, perhaps, or even the look in her eyes, yet he could never quite put his finger on what it was that made her seem so familiar to him. It was an unsolved enigma that would gnaw at him from time to time. It was primarily for that reason why that particular picture had remained while so many others had been locked away into storage in the aftermath of the Uchiha Massacre.
Centered on the mantle of the fireplace was his team photo. He smiled unwittingly as he gazed upon it. Looking at the faces of that photo made him think about how things had changed. How much they'd all grown since the fateful day a year and a half ago when the photo had been taken. Sure the physical changes were negligible, as they all practically looked exactly the same as they had back then, but the other changes…
In the floor ground of the photo was Sakura and himself. Sakura was practically beaming at the camera, her arms thrown around his neck. Her glasses were slightly skewed and she had a smudge on her cheek, likely from the latest explosion from whatever experiment she'd been working on at the time. Back then, he'd thought her an annoyance and a hindrance to his path to getting stronger. He remembered how he'd constantly scoff at her attempts to get him to open up to her and how he had instantly dismissed her like any other common fangirl.
Of all the subjects of the photo, his opinion of her had changed the most.
He didn't know exactly how or when it had happened, but Sakura had become ingrained into his routine. She'd still annoy him, yet it didn't seem so irritating. He'd still ignore her attempts to get him to open up, yet it wasn't the total dismissal it had once been. He no longer saw the raving fangirl when he looked at her, but a friend, a comrade and, on rare occasions that he'd vehemently deny, even to himself (especially to himself) a potential companion.
Focusing on the person in her arms, he saw the person who he believed changed the most.
In the photo he was stoic, irritated and looked as if he'd rather be elsewhere. His arms were crossed and he was scowling while looking away from Sakura, glaring at some unseen object outside the frame of the picture. He wasn't sure about these changes, nor was he sure at what they'd all been, but he did know one thing was certain, he liked those changes. The things Sasuke and his team had been through, both as shinobi and as Ghostbusters had greatly changed his perceptions and left him with a contentedness he hadn't felt since his clan had been killed.
He still wanted his vengeance, as it was still his greatest ambition, yet it was changed somehow- tempered in some unseen way. It was different now in the same way that many things were different from the time when the photo had been taken.
His eyes, roaming from the floor ground of the photo to the center came to rest on Team 7’s Jounin sensei, Hatake Kakashi, a man who was laziness and perversion personified- yet in many ways, wiser than he’d let on. Looking back, Sasuke could see the hidden lessons in what Kakashi would tell them- those hidden kernels of truth that could easily be missed if one failed to pay attention. In hindsight, Sasuke knew that more often than not, he had not only failed to pay attention, but outright ignored the man on several occasions. He couldn’t contain the frown at how foolish he’d been on those first couple of months on Team 7.
In the photo, Kakashi was slightly hunched over, giving his patented ‘eye smile’ as Naruto had come to call it.
Moving upward still, his gaze rested on Naruto who was behind and to the right of Kakashi in the photo. The blonde was grinning from ear to ear and had donned his ecto-goggles for the occasion while he gave the cameraman a ‘thumbs up’.
Back in the academy, Naruto had always been an idiot and a fool to Sasuke. This opinion hadn’t changed, and in some ways had been reinforced. However, when it counted Naruto was likely the most dependable force on the entire planet. The blonde Jinchuuriki was a myriad of contradictions- both simple, yet complex. In many ways he was not just the heart of Team 7 and the Ghostbusters, he was their soul- the very driving force that made them as effective as they were.
He was a leader.
He was their leader, whether or not they wished to acknowledge that fact or not. That very same thought would have sent the Sasuke of old into a blind rage. Now, however, it served to humble him. The biggest difference between then and now was a matter of respect. Though he’d never admit it, especially not to Naruto, Sasuke actually respected the blonde shinobi and both, though it remained unspoken and probably always would, knew it was a mutual thing.
Sasuke’s gaze finally came to rest on the last subject of the photo, the unofficial mascot of Team 7, the green menace commonly referred to as Slimer, Naruto and Sakura’s nin-ghost. It was behind and to the left of Kakashi with its left arm extended behind Naruto’s head giving him ‘rabbit ears’. While Sasuke couldn’t say he was very fond of the green abomination, the irksome blob had grown on him and Sasuke was certain that he would miss Slimer every bit as much as he would the others.
Shaking himself from his own introspective reverie, Sasuke began looking over the several pictures he’d added to both the wall and the fireplace mantle since the inception of Team 7 and his gradual integration into Konoha’s Ghostbusters.
There was a photo of Naruto and Temari holding one another as they stood posed next to Gaara who looked more confused than anything, especially with Matsuri practically draped around him. He gave a slight smile at the uncomfortable expression on the Suna Jinchuuriki’s face. The photo had been taken by Sakura in the antechamber of the Shukaku Temple after they had succeeded in foiling Makoto’s plot.
Sasuke had mixed feelings about the next picture.
It had been taken at the onset of the Chuunin Exams, right after the business with the Hyuuga that eventually led to Hinata becoming a key fixture within Ghostbusters Inc. replacing Naruko as their primary secretary. The photo, which had been taken by Naruto, featured Sasuke, Sakura and Kankuro in front of the Ichiraku Ramen Stand with Sakura’s arms slung around both of their shoulders while they scowled at one another.
Above that picture was one that Sasuke’s feelings couldn’t have been any less conflicted about. It was by far his least favorite picture and no matter how many times he’d gotten rid of and destroyed it, the picture that commemorated his first sliming would always reappear in the exact same spot.
He briefly contemplated destroying it yet again, but decided to ignore it- for now.
His expression subconsciously softened when he turned his attention to a black and white photo that rested to the left of his team picture. He still wasn’t sure what possessed him to take the picture and was even less certain about his reasons for keeping it. The photo had been taken during one of the ‘quiet’ days at the firehouse, where Sakura, oblivious to Sasuke’s presence, simply sat at the table in her lab poring over an old tome taking notes. Her glasses had fallen to the tip of her nose and her hair was done up in a hastily done, messy bun. Given the high temperature that day, she had also tied her khaki coveralls around her waist. As always, there was the typical smudge on her face from the usual explosion of the day.
With some effort, he tore his gaze from the picture of Sakura to another one on the mantle, this one featuring himself, Naruto and Hinata. Taken by Sakura right after the Hyuuga Incident, the three of them were standing in the partly demolished courtyard of the clan compound. Though he stood apart from the other two, he looked more ‘at home’ in this picture than he did in earlier photos, as he’d begun to feel more and more comfortable integrating into the Ghostbusters. Of course while Sasuke looked more relaxed than ever in the photo, Hinata looked like she was about to pass out from sheer bliss due to the fact that Naruto, her long time crush, held his arm securely around the painfully shy girl.
Gazing from picture to picture, contemplating each and every one of them, he felt a sharp pain in his chest when his gaze fell upon a picture of him and Sakura in front of Ecto-3. He remembered that day quite well, as it was the day he’d test drove it. Sasuke and Sakura had spent many hours spread across several days getting it to work and he was proud to say that the maiden voyage of the Elemental Countries’ first motorcycle was far more successful than its’ first car.
Unlike Naruto, he didn’t drive through the front window of a flower shop.
The epiphany suddenly hit him like a punch to the gut.
For the first time he realized just how much of his free time not spent on personal training was spent at Naruto and Sakura’s firehouse and how much he treasured those moments. The energy in the room was seemingly sucked right out of the room as he realized he might not have those moments to look forward to anymore. It seemed as if he was losing everything all over again, just like he had that night. Though Ghostbusters Inc. operations were only suspended, there was no telling when or if everything would ever be back to business as usual, or if things would ever be the same as they once were…
Sasuke’s fists clenched as he shut his eyes tightly- staving off images his overly sentimental mind conjured up. Calming himself, his eyes opened to see the picture just to the right his team picture. This was another picture of him and Sakura, taken by the rosette kunoichi herself as she held the camera at arm’s length away from them.
It was the night of their ‘not’ date.
The evening had been originally scheduled as a Ghostbuster Team get together- a way for them all to connect outside of both shinobi life and the firehouse. In the end, it wasn’t meant to be.
Hinata had gotten a last minute mission with her team and Tenten was suffering from muscle strain and mild chakra exhaustion from the intensity of her team’s training that day. Naruto had been far too exhausted to even consider having a night out on the town. Between working shifts at the firehouse and the Yamanaka Flowershop, D-rank missions, training (team and individual), Ghostbusting, his dates with Ino, maintaining Naruko, sifting through employee applications with Hinata and helping Sakura with whatever research she had been conducting at any given time and Naruto barely had time for a few bites of ramen, nevermind sleeping.
So after Sakura had drugged Naruto and tucked him into bed, the two remaining Ghostbusters had went out, or rather, Sakura physically dragged Sasuke out with her, as she was determined to relax and have a good time whether Sasuke wanted to or not. Much to his own surprise, he'd enjoyed the evening far more than he thought he would.
Clenching his fists, one apparent truth made itself known to the Uchiha Scion.
The Kage Summit had to be resolved in their favor; Sasuke knew he couldn’t go back to the way things were before…
KGB- KGB- KGB
The contented sigh Hyuuga Hinata released was purely reflexive.
While the circumstances of the previous evening hadn’t been ideal or anywhere close to how she imagined it being (she’d always imagined Naruto randomly sprouting a classical sense of romance, taking the whole evening to wine and dine her as he smoothly seduced her into succumbing to his will- not doing his level best to get them both as completely and thoroughly wasted as he possibly could in Konoha’s seediest bar), it still far exceeded everything she’d ever dreamed.
Uzumaki Naruto was certain that the cocky smirk on his face when she’d told him that as they drifted off to sleep never left his face even as they slumbered. Still, even though he was more content than he ever remembered being, a small kernel of guilt weighed heavily in his gut, as he felt he’d taken advantage of Hinata in their inebriation. However, Naruto knew he wouldn't have traded the night before for anything and was very thankful of the fact that he remembered everything, despite his drunkenness. He also knew that Hinata would likely be having similar thoughts.
He also knew that sometimes words can speak louder than actions. Shifting slightly to see if Hinata was awake, but not enough to wake her if she wasn't he gazed upon her the top of her head, her hair splayed across his chest. Naruto smiled softly at the seemingly slumbering Hyuuga.
“I don't regret this,†he whispered- both to himself and to her, as he kissed the top of her head.
“I know,†she replied, also whispering. “I love you.â€
“I... I know...†was his reply, and he slightly winced as he said it.
She lightly kissed his bare chest. “I understand, Naruto-kun...â€
And she really did.
It was readily apparent to Hinata that Naruto deeply cared for her- after all, he wouldn't have slept with her if he didn't, he just wasn't the sort who would do such a thing otherwise. She also knew that she did not possess his heart alone and that at least two others- Sabaku no Temari and Yamanaka Ino- also held pieces of it as well- their issues unresolved.
There were times where it hurt that she alone couldn't seem to keep his attention- but in the end all of the heart ache had been worth it. She'd confessed her feelings at last and had Naruto to herself, at least for one night. Hinata wasn't sure if it was a one time thing or if they would continue their liaison after Naruto came back, but she was determined to make the best of her time with him while she could- currently content with him just holding her.
“E-everything is going to change... Isn't it?†she asked hesitantly.
Though she couldn't see it from their current arrangement, she knew he was smiling, even if it was only bittersweet.
“Yeah... But...†He thought over for a moment what he was going to say. “I don't think it's a bad thing, not completely anyway. Change is often painful and I think we're in for a bit more, but I believe it will be worth it. I have to.â€
“I have faith in you, Naruto-kun...†Hinata said quietly. “I believe you'll make everything all right. Maybe not today, tomorrow or even next week, but everything will be fine and it will be, in part, thanks to you.â€
“I... I don't know what to say...â€Naruto said in a quiet and awed tone. “Thank you, Hinata. I'm not sure if I deserve your belief in me, but I appreciate it. I'll do my absolute best not to let you down... That's a promise... The promise of a lifetime...â€
Hinata's contented smile turned to a wide grin. She no longer believed everything was going to turn out as it should, she now knew that it would.
Because Naruto never went back on his word.
KGB- KGB- KGB
The small contingency that was going to the Kage Summit was standing at Konoha's west gate saying their final good-byes. Though the group as a whole would be traveling the “ninja wayâ€, Naruto would be taking Ecto-1, with Tsunade riding with him.
Jiraiya would be the interim Hokage while Tsunade was at the summit. Shizune would be staying behind both to aid Jiraiya for the duration of his Hokage-ship and manage the hospital in Tsunade's absence. Going with Tsunade and Naruto was a small collection of jounin and chuunin, the only one Naruto even being remotely familiar with was Mitarashi Anko, who- along with Slimer- was also going to be riding in the horseless carriage.
Naruto felt almost physically pained as he said his good-byes.
“Goodbye, Kakashi-sensei,†Naruto said after making sure his voice would be steady. This would be the first time he'd be leaving Konoha without those closest to him that wasn't a dire emergency and he had no idea when he'd be back. Even if the Summit was resolved in favor of the Konoha Ghostbusters, he would not be returning to Konoha immediately, as Jiraiya would be taking Naruto around the Elemental Countries to train him.
“Good luck, Naruto. It's been a pleasure working with you,†Kakashi replied.
“Likewise,†Naruto responded. He then turned to Ino.
“Come back soon,†she whispered into his ear as she engulfed him in a hug.
“I'll be back before you know it,†Naruto replied with a small grin.
“You'd better,†Ino told him in a mock-stern tone as she released him and placed a kiss on his cheek. Temari was next.
“You know, I'm actually going to miss you, knucklehead,†Temari told him with a smirk as she also hugged Naruto.
“I'll miss you too,†Naruto replied tenderly.
“Be safe...†Temari whispered before she kissed him on the cheek.
Following Temari was Tenten.
“You really are Konoha's number one, most surprising, knuckle-headed ninja, you know that?†she commented.
Naruto raised an eyebrow in response. “What do you mean?â€
Tenten hesitated a bit, carefully choosing her words. “I had my doubts, you know... About everything, but I was wrong. You made me a believer.â€
“I... Don't know what to say...â€
“Just be yourself, Naruto,†Tenten told him. “Show them what you've shown us and everything else will work itself out.†She then pulled Naruto into a quick hug.
“Thanks, Tenten.â€
Sasuke was next.
“Dobe.â€
“Bastard.â€
“Boys...†Sakura muttered under her breath in exasperation with a small smile one her face.
While many others might have thought this exchange strange, Sakura knew them both well enough that she could easily see that the nonchalance in their customary interaction was more than a little forced, as both were doing their level best to appear manly and not show the other than they would miss each other.
Sakura, however, had no compunctions about showing her feelings on the matter and practically glomped Naruto. This would be the first time in six years the two of them would be spending any significant time apart. Tears quickly came and before Naruto knew It, Sakura was sobbing against him- making him almost break down as well.
They held each other in a tight embrace and neither spoke, for no words were necessary. Naruto ran his fingers through Sakura's hair and rubbed her back as she clenched onto him. After a long moment, it was Naruto who broke their mutual silence. “Everything going to be fine, you'll see...â€
“I know,†Sakura replied, releasing Naruto, her eyes still glistening with tears.
Naruto looked around to see if Hinata was there, hoping she'd come to see him off and was disappointed. They'd had a tearful goodbye when the parted ways at Naruto's apartment and he figured that saying goodbye once more would be too hard for her to do a second time.
“I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise,†Naruto said to the group of well wishers as he turned towards Ecto-1, which Tsunade, Slimer and Anko had already boarded. He had only gotten the car door open when he heard a desperate shout.
“Naruto-kun!â€
Naruto smiled, instantly recognizing the voice and turned to see Hinata running towards him. He absently noted Neji in the back ground. He'd have to than the Hyuuga prodigy later, as Naruto instantly knew that it was very likely that he had convinced his cousin to say one final goodbye before he left.
However, before Naruto could say anything, Hinata grabbed the front of his jacket and pulled Naruto in a desperate, soul searing kiss. To say Naruto was shocked by Hinata's uncharacteristic move was more than a bit of an understatement. So caught of guard was he, that his mind froze, unsure of what to do. Unfortunately for Naruto, as soon as he got his bearings and started to respond to Hinata's kiss, she pulled back, her face flushed for various reasons.
Neither said anything as they rested their foreheads together, oblivious to the reactions of those around them. Anko was cackling wildly and Tsunade was grinning ear to ear while Jiraiya had his notepad out was was taking notes. Tenten was smiling as well, both happy for Hinata and amused by the shell-shocked expressions on the faces of Temari and Ino.
Sakura was sporting a small, soft smile while Sasuke had both eyebrows raised in surprise. Only Kakashi seemed to be unaffected by the scene, though if one looked close enough, they could tell that his eye was slightly crinkled, signifying that he too was smiling at the scene.
“Goodbye, Hinata-chan...†Naruto whispered to the Hyuuga Heiress.
“Goodbye, Naruto-kun...†she whispered back. “Aishiteru...â€
Naruto smiled at her as they released one another. Hinata took several steps back as Naruto started Ecto-1. She began to cry silently as Naruto waved as he drove off towards the Kage Summit, knowing that no matter what Naruto's feelings for her were, her heart was going with him.
~~~~
For the very first time in years, it seemed as if all was silent in Konoha.
Was it the beginning of the end, or perhaps the end of the beginning? Either way it was the end of an era. Nothing was certain and everything was on the line and just when they’d thought they had finally made a place for themselves in the world, it seemed as if everything would be snatched away, as if everything had come crashing down all at once. Their legacy was beginning to buckle and shatter before it had the chance to become something great, something truly worth remembering.
It was with this mindset that Haruno Sakura, the defacto brains of Ghostbusters Inc., found herself gazing at the various odds and ends scattered throughout her lab within the basement of the firehouse that had served as the Ghostbuster base of operations and her primary residence over the last several years. Whereas everything in here seemed to bring Naruto pain with the looming threat of being shut down permanently hanging over their heads, her lab brought her solace. Everything contained within was a memory- every gizmo, every gadget, every scorch mark was a doorway to a past she fondly remembered with a bright smile. The mere thought of losing it all would have brought her to tears if she had any left to shed.
She sadly sighed.
Between the fearmongering of the Tsuchikage and the various civil lawsuits being filed against them (everything from reckless endangerment to willful destruction of property was being thrown at them), the future of the Konoha Ghostbusters was in question. The situation had become so serious that the Tsuchikage and Mizukage had jointly called a Kage Summit to discuss the “Ghostbuster Issueâ€.
They wouldn’t go down without a fight!
Tenten had voiced those words as quickly as Sakura had thought them. Even after everything they’d done for the Elemental Countries as a whole- not to mention the individual countries like Wave, Spring and Wind (just to name a few), it was hard to believe that this was how they’d be repaid.
Unfortunately, there just wasn’t anything they could do- except that is, Naruto.
He had taken the news better than the rest of them initially when they found out that all activities and operations of Ghostbusters Inc. had been indefinitely suspended. The sheer amount of authority he exuded when he said he was going to the Kage Summit allowed everyone present to rid themselves of any doubt that Naruto would be Hokage one day. When all was said and done, even Tsunade-sama was looking at Naruto in a new light and, other than Hinata and Sakura; she’d had the least amount of skepticism that he’d actually achieve his dream. While Naruto had always been the “self-proclaimed†Chairman and leader of the Ghostbusters, this was the very first time he truly acted like it and no one, not even Sasuke, thought to challenge him on it.
‘My dimwit is finally growing up…’ Sakura thought fondly, as she stared at the various pieces of Ghostbuster tech that was now destined to do nothing more than collect dust, shelved until further notice- while various potentially dangerous paranormal phenomenon went unchecked.
Doing a quick mental inventory, she noticed only one piece of equipment was still unaccounted for, Naruto’s spectro-visors.
KGB- KGB- KGB
Sasuke wasn’t sure what to think as he stared at the pictures on his wall. It was a little known fact that he was, by far, the most sentimental of the Ghostbusters, constantly keeping various reminders and mementos to help him, in his own way, to preserve his past, keeping his memories, his thoughts and his feelings alive in ways only significant to himself.
The centerpiece was a portrait that was a painful reminder of happier times when he was naïve and carefree. It was a family portrait the he had been unable to bring himself to remove or damage in any way- a family portrait of himself, his parents and his brother. To the right of it had been one of just him and Itachi; however his treacherous brother had been torn from it.
Just above that one contained his very pregnant mother and a pregnant redheaded woman who didn’t look to be quite as far along as Mikoto. When Sasuke asked his spectral mother about this photo, her ghostly visage did not and would not comment on it. However, the nostalgic expression on her face was unmistakable and Sasuke couldn’t help but wonder if his mother had kept seemingly worthless or insignificant knickknacks of her life when she had been alive.
It wouldn't surprise him, he'd always taken more after his kind-hearted mother than his rather stoic and cold father.
Something about the woman was familiar to Sasuke- her smile, perhaps, or even the look in her eyes, yet he could never quite put his finger on what it was that made her seem so familiar to him. It was an unsolved enigma that would gnaw at him from time to time. It was primarily for that reason why that particular picture had remained while so many others had been locked away into storage in the aftermath of the Uchiha Massacre.
Centered on the mantle of the fireplace was his team photo. He smiled unwittingly as he gazed upon it. Looking at the faces of that photo made him think about how things had changed. How much they'd all grown since the fateful day a year and a half ago when the photo had been taken. Sure the physical changes were negligible, as they all practically looked exactly the same as they had back then, but the other changes…
In the floor ground of the photo was Sakura and himself. Sakura was practically beaming at the camera, her arms thrown around his neck. Her glasses were slightly skewed and she had a smudge on her cheek, likely from the latest explosion from whatever experiment she'd been working on at the time. Back then, he'd thought her an annoyance and a hindrance to his path to getting stronger. He remembered how he'd constantly scoff at her attempts to get him to open up to her and how he had instantly dismissed her like any other common fangirl.
Of all the subjects of the photo, his opinion of her had changed the most.
He didn't know exactly how or when it had happened, but Sakura had become ingrained into his routine. She'd still annoy him, yet it didn't seem so irritating. He'd still ignore her attempts to get him to open up, yet it wasn't the total dismissal it had once been. He no longer saw the raving fangirl when he looked at her, but a friend, a comrade and, on rare occasions that he'd vehemently deny, even to himself (especially to himself) a potential companion.
Focusing on the person in her arms, he saw the person who he believed changed the most.
In the photo he was stoic, irritated and looked as if he'd rather be elsewhere. His arms were crossed and he was scowling while looking away from Sakura, glaring at some unseen object outside the frame of the picture. He wasn't sure about these changes, nor was he sure at what they'd all been, but he did know one thing was certain, he liked those changes. The things Sasuke and his team had been through, both as shinobi and as Ghostbusters had greatly changed his perceptions and left him with a contentedness he hadn't felt since his clan had been killed.
He still wanted his vengeance, as it was still his greatest ambition, yet it was changed somehow- tempered in some unseen way. It was different now in the same way that many things were different from the time when the photo had been taken.
His eyes, roaming from the floor ground of the photo to the center came to rest on Team 7’s Jounin sensei, Hatake Kakashi, a man who was laziness and perversion personified- yet in many ways, wiser than he’d let on. Looking back, Sasuke could see the hidden lessons in what Kakashi would tell them- those hidden kernels of truth that could easily be missed if one failed to pay attention. In hindsight, Sasuke knew that more often than not, he had not only failed to pay attention, but outright ignored the man on several occasions. He couldn’t contain the frown at how foolish he’d been on those first couple of months on Team 7.
In the photo, Kakashi was slightly hunched over, giving his patented ‘eye smile’ as Naruto had come to call it.
Moving upward still, his gaze rested on Naruto who was behind and to the right of Kakashi in the photo. The blonde was grinning from ear to ear and had donned his ecto-goggles for the occasion while he gave the cameraman a ‘thumbs up’.
Back in the academy, Naruto had always been an idiot and a fool to Sasuke. This opinion hadn’t changed, and in some ways had been reinforced. However, when it counted Naruto was likely the most dependable force on the entire planet. The blonde Jinchuuriki was a myriad of contradictions- both simple, yet complex. In many ways he was not just the heart of Team 7 and the Ghostbusters, he was their soul- the very driving force that made them as effective as they were.
He was a leader.
He was their leader, whether or not they wished to acknowledge that fact or not. That very same thought would have sent the Sasuke of old into a blind rage. Now, however, it served to humble him. The biggest difference between then and now was a matter of respect. Though he’d never admit it, especially not to Naruto, Sasuke actually respected the blonde shinobi and both, though it remained unspoken and probably always would, knew it was a mutual thing.
Sasuke’s gaze finally came to rest on the last subject of the photo, the unofficial mascot of Team 7, the green menace commonly referred to as Slimer, Naruto and Sakura’s nin-ghost. It was behind and to the left of Kakashi with its left arm extended behind Naruto’s head giving him ‘rabbit ears’. While Sasuke couldn’t say he was very fond of the green abomination, the irksome blob had grown on him and Sasuke was certain that he would miss Slimer every bit as much as he would the others.
Shaking himself from his own introspective reverie, Sasuke began looking over the several pictures he’d added to both the wall and the fireplace mantle since the inception of Team 7 and his gradual integration into Konoha’s Ghostbusters.
There was a photo of Naruto and Temari holding one another as they stood posed next to Gaara who looked more confused than anything, especially with Matsuri practically draped around him. He gave a slight smile at the uncomfortable expression on the Suna Jinchuuriki’s face. The photo had been taken by Sakura in the antechamber of the Shukaku Temple after they had succeeded in foiling Makoto’s plot.
Sasuke had mixed feelings about the next picture.
It had been taken at the onset of the Chuunin Exams, right after the business with the Hyuuga that eventually led to Hinata becoming a key fixture within Ghostbusters Inc. replacing Naruko as their primary secretary. The photo, which had been taken by Naruto, featured Sasuke, Sakura and Kankuro in front of the Ichiraku Ramen Stand with Sakura’s arms slung around both of their shoulders while they scowled at one another.
Above that picture was one that Sasuke’s feelings couldn’t have been any less conflicted about. It was by far his least favorite picture and no matter how many times he’d gotten rid of and destroyed it, the picture that commemorated his first sliming would always reappear in the exact same spot.
He briefly contemplated destroying it yet again, but decided to ignore it- for now.
His expression subconsciously softened when he turned his attention to a black and white photo that rested to the left of his team picture. He still wasn’t sure what possessed him to take the picture and was even less certain about his reasons for keeping it. The photo had been taken during one of the ‘quiet’ days at the firehouse, where Sakura, oblivious to Sasuke’s presence, simply sat at the table in her lab poring over an old tome taking notes. Her glasses had fallen to the tip of her nose and her hair was done up in a hastily done, messy bun. Given the high temperature that day, she had also tied her khaki coveralls around her waist. As always, there was the typical smudge on her face from the usual explosion of the day.
With some effort, he tore his gaze from the picture of Sakura to another one on the mantle, this one featuring himself, Naruto and Hinata. Taken by Sakura right after the Hyuuga Incident, the three of them were standing in the partly demolished courtyard of the clan compound. Though he stood apart from the other two, he looked more ‘at home’ in this picture than he did in earlier photos, as he’d begun to feel more and more comfortable integrating into the Ghostbusters. Of course while Sasuke looked more relaxed than ever in the photo, Hinata looked like she was about to pass out from sheer bliss due to the fact that Naruto, her long time crush, held his arm securely around the painfully shy girl.
Gazing from picture to picture, contemplating each and every one of them, he felt a sharp pain in his chest when his gaze fell upon a picture of him and Sakura in front of Ecto-3. He remembered that day quite well, as it was the day he’d test drove it. Sasuke and Sakura had spent many hours spread across several days getting it to work and he was proud to say that the maiden voyage of the Elemental Countries’ first motorcycle was far more successful than its’ first car.
Unlike Naruto, he didn’t drive through the front window of a flower shop.
The epiphany suddenly hit him like a punch to the gut.
For the first time he realized just how much of his free time not spent on personal training was spent at Naruto and Sakura’s firehouse and how much he treasured those moments. The energy in the room was seemingly sucked right out of the room as he realized he might not have those moments to look forward to anymore. It seemed as if he was losing everything all over again, just like he had that night. Though Ghostbusters Inc. operations were only suspended, there was no telling when or if everything would ever be back to business as usual, or if things would ever be the same as they once were…
Sasuke’s fists clenched as he shut his eyes tightly- staving off images his overly sentimental mind conjured up. Calming himself, his eyes opened to see the picture just to the right his team picture. This was another picture of him and Sakura, taken by the rosette kunoichi herself as she held the camera at arm’s length away from them.
It was the night of their ‘not’ date.
The evening had been originally scheduled as a Ghostbuster Team get together- a way for them all to connect outside of both shinobi life and the firehouse. In the end, it wasn’t meant to be.
Hinata had gotten a last minute mission with her team and Tenten was suffering from muscle strain and mild chakra exhaustion from the intensity of her team’s training that day. Naruto had been far too exhausted to even consider having a night out on the town. Between working shifts at the firehouse and the Yamanaka Flowershop, D-rank missions, training (team and individual), Ghostbusting, his dates with Ino, maintaining Naruko, sifting through employee applications with Hinata and helping Sakura with whatever research she had been conducting at any given time and Naruto barely had time for a few bites of ramen, nevermind sleeping.
So after Sakura had drugged Naruto and tucked him into bed, the two remaining Ghostbusters had went out, or rather, Sakura physically dragged Sasuke out with her, as she was determined to relax and have a good time whether Sasuke wanted to or not. Much to his own surprise, he'd enjoyed the evening far more than he thought he would.
Clenching his fists, one apparent truth made itself known to the Uchiha Scion.
The Kage Summit had to be resolved in their favor; Sasuke knew he couldn’t go back to the way things were before…
KGB- KGB- KGB
The contented sigh Hyuuga Hinata released was purely reflexive.
While the circumstances of the previous evening hadn’t been ideal or anywhere close to how she imagined it being (she’d always imagined Naruto randomly sprouting a classical sense of romance, taking the whole evening to wine and dine her as he smoothly seduced her into succumbing to his will- not doing his level best to get them both as completely and thoroughly wasted as he possibly could in Konoha’s seediest bar), it still far exceeded everything she’d ever dreamed.
Uzumaki Naruto was certain that the cocky smirk on his face when she’d told him that as they drifted off to sleep never left his face even as they slumbered. Still, even though he was more content than he ever remembered being, a small kernel of guilt weighed heavily in his gut, as he felt he’d taken advantage of Hinata in their inebriation. However, Naruto knew he wouldn't have traded the night before for anything and was very thankful of the fact that he remembered everything, despite his drunkenness. He also knew that Hinata would likely be having similar thoughts.
He also knew that sometimes words can speak louder than actions. Shifting slightly to see if Hinata was awake, but not enough to wake her if she wasn't he gazed upon her the top of her head, her hair splayed across his chest. Naruto smiled softly at the seemingly slumbering Hyuuga.
“I don't regret this,†he whispered- both to himself and to her, as he kissed the top of her head.
“I know,†she replied, also whispering. “I love you.â€
“I... I know...†was his reply, and he slightly winced as he said it.
She lightly kissed his bare chest. “I understand, Naruto-kun...â€
And she really did.
It was readily apparent to Hinata that Naruto deeply cared for her- after all, he wouldn't have slept with her if he didn't, he just wasn't the sort who would do such a thing otherwise. She also knew that she did not possess his heart alone and that at least two others- Sabaku no Temari and Yamanaka Ino- also held pieces of it as well- their issues unresolved.
There were times where it hurt that she alone couldn't seem to keep his attention- but in the end all of the heart ache had been worth it. She'd confessed her feelings at last and had Naruto to herself, at least for one night. Hinata wasn't sure if it was a one time thing or if they would continue their liaison after Naruto came back, but she was determined to make the best of her time with him while she could- currently content with him just holding her.
“E-everything is going to change... Isn't it?†she asked hesitantly.
Though she couldn't see it from their current arrangement, she knew he was smiling, even if it was only bittersweet.
“Yeah... But...†He thought over for a moment what he was going to say. “I don't think it's a bad thing, not completely anyway. Change is often painful and I think we're in for a bit more, but I believe it will be worth it. I have to.â€
“I have faith in you, Naruto-kun...†Hinata said quietly. “I believe you'll make everything all right. Maybe not today, tomorrow or even next week, but everything will be fine and it will be, in part, thanks to you.â€
“I... I don't know what to say...â€Naruto said in a quiet and awed tone. “Thank you, Hinata. I'm not sure if I deserve your belief in me, but I appreciate it. I'll do my absolute best not to let you down... That's a promise... The promise of a lifetime...â€
Hinata's contented smile turned to a wide grin. She no longer believed everything was going to turn out as it should, she now knew that it would.
Because Naruto never went back on his word.
KGB- KGB- KGB
The small contingency that was going to the Kage Summit was standing at Konoha's west gate saying their final good-byes. Though the group as a whole would be traveling the “ninja wayâ€, Naruto would be taking Ecto-1, with Tsunade riding with him.
Jiraiya would be the interim Hokage while Tsunade was at the summit. Shizune would be staying behind both to aid Jiraiya for the duration of his Hokage-ship and manage the hospital in Tsunade's absence. Going with Tsunade and Naruto was a small collection of jounin and chuunin, the only one Naruto even being remotely familiar with was Mitarashi Anko, who- along with Slimer- was also going to be riding in the horseless carriage.
Naruto felt almost physically pained as he said his good-byes.
“Goodbye, Kakashi-sensei,†Naruto said after making sure his voice would be steady. This would be the first time he'd be leaving Konoha without those closest to him that wasn't a dire emergency and he had no idea when he'd be back. Even if the Summit was resolved in favor of the Konoha Ghostbusters, he would not be returning to Konoha immediately, as Jiraiya would be taking Naruto around the Elemental Countries to train him.
“Good luck, Naruto. It's been a pleasure working with you,†Kakashi replied.
“Likewise,†Naruto responded. He then turned to Ino.
“Come back soon,†she whispered into his ear as she engulfed him in a hug.
“I'll be back before you know it,†Naruto replied with a small grin.
“You'd better,†Ino told him in a mock-stern tone as she released him and placed a kiss on his cheek. Temari was next.
“You know, I'm actually going to miss you, knucklehead,†Temari told him with a smirk as she also hugged Naruto.
“I'll miss you too,†Naruto replied tenderly.
“Be safe...†Temari whispered before she kissed him on the cheek.
Following Temari was Tenten.
“You really are Konoha's number one, most surprising, knuckle-headed ninja, you know that?†she commented.
Naruto raised an eyebrow in response. “What do you mean?â€
Tenten hesitated a bit, carefully choosing her words. “I had my doubts, you know... About everything, but I was wrong. You made me a believer.â€
“I... Don't know what to say...â€
“Just be yourself, Naruto,†Tenten told him. “Show them what you've shown us and everything else will work itself out.†She then pulled Naruto into a quick hug.
“Thanks, Tenten.â€
Sasuke was next.
“Dobe.â€
“Bastard.â€
“Boys...†Sakura muttered under her breath in exasperation with a small smile one her face.
While many others might have thought this exchange strange, Sakura knew them both well enough that she could easily see that the nonchalance in their customary interaction was more than a little forced, as both were doing their level best to appear manly and not show the other than they would miss each other.
Sakura, however, had no compunctions about showing her feelings on the matter and practically glomped Naruto. This would be the first time in six years the two of them would be spending any significant time apart. Tears quickly came and before Naruto knew It, Sakura was sobbing against him- making him almost break down as well.
They held each other in a tight embrace and neither spoke, for no words were necessary. Naruto ran his fingers through Sakura's hair and rubbed her back as she clenched onto him. After a long moment, it was Naruto who broke their mutual silence. “Everything going to be fine, you'll see...â€
“I know,†Sakura replied, releasing Naruto, her eyes still glistening with tears.
Naruto looked around to see if Hinata was there, hoping she'd come to see him off and was disappointed. They'd had a tearful goodbye when the parted ways at Naruto's apartment and he figured that saying goodbye once more would be too hard for her to do a second time.
“I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise,†Naruto said to the group of well wishers as he turned towards Ecto-1, which Tsunade, Slimer and Anko had already boarded. He had only gotten the car door open when he heard a desperate shout.
“Naruto-kun!â€
Naruto smiled, instantly recognizing the voice and turned to see Hinata running towards him. He absently noted Neji in the back ground. He'd have to than the Hyuuga prodigy later, as Naruto instantly knew that it was very likely that he had convinced his cousin to say one final goodbye before he left.
However, before Naruto could say anything, Hinata grabbed the front of his jacket and pulled Naruto in a desperate, soul searing kiss. To say Naruto was shocked by Hinata's uncharacteristic move was more than a bit of an understatement. So caught of guard was he, that his mind froze, unsure of what to do. Unfortunately for Naruto, as soon as he got his bearings and started to respond to Hinata's kiss, she pulled back, her face flushed for various reasons.
Neither said anything as they rested their foreheads together, oblivious to the reactions of those around them. Anko was cackling wildly and Tsunade was grinning ear to ear while Jiraiya had his notepad out was was taking notes. Tenten was smiling as well, both happy for Hinata and amused by the shell-shocked expressions on the faces of Temari and Ino.
Sakura was sporting a small, soft smile while Sasuke had both eyebrows raised in surprise. Only Kakashi seemed to be unaffected by the scene, though if one looked close enough, they could tell that his eye was slightly crinkled, signifying that he too was smiling at the scene.
“Goodbye, Hinata-chan...†Naruto whispered to the Hyuuga Heiress.
“Goodbye, Naruto-kun...†she whispered back. “Aishiteru...â€
Naruto smiled at her as they released one another. Hinata took several steps back as Naruto started Ecto-1. She began to cry silently as Naruto waved as he drove off towards the Kage Summit, knowing that no matter what Naruto's feelings for her were, her heart was going with him.
I know that for all intents and purposes this idea is dead in the water, but I got inspiration to work on this for the first time in years. This scene takes place back during the Introductory Arc.
~~~
It was three contemplative ninja who left the Hokage Tower with one moderately oblivious ghost widely ignorant of the thought processes going through each of the genin. For Naruto, it was quite a shock to be confronting a Jinchuriki... Someone who was like him, but not. He had an inkling of an idea that the upcoming mission he and Sakura would be embarking on would be hardest on him on a psychological and on an emotional level.
The Kazekage's son was for all intents and purposes a dark reflection of him. Naruto was a nameless orphan, the Kazekage's son wasn't. The abuse of the villagers never got past neglect from the elder generations. The younger villagers were prone to mild hazing. Naruto more often than not, gave as good as he got. And even if he didn't, his retribution in the form of pranks more than made up for it. If Iruka-sensei had considered himself to be the Prankster King of Konoha back in the day, Naruto was easily the God-Emperor of Prankster Kind. Given the murder of a foreign dignitary, Naruto was willing to bet his weight in ramen (Ichiraku's ramen at that) that Gaara had had it much worse and was likely pretty humorless to boot.
Sakura could barely bite back a sigh. It was always one step forward, two steps back. Just as they were netting some decent revenue, Naruto had to go and wreck their automobile. Which was another thing that would have to be taken care of... They'd left Ecto-1 in the Yamanaka Flower Shop window in order to track down the library ghost. The only thing that could possibly make their situation worse was if they ran into her parents before they managed to get Ecto-1 back to the Firehouse. Running into her dad was always awkward. It always seemed like they'd both had so much to say to each other, but never could figure out how to say it. Her mother on the other hand... The less said there, the better. It was solely due to her mother why Sakura moved in with Naruto in the first place. Glancing at Naruto, Sakura could only pray they he had some inkling of an idea on how to get them out of their current predicament because she had no clue.
Ino, on the other hand, had concerns that were more immediately pressing. Something didn't add up. Going outside the village, dealing with a foreign leader, not to mention navigating a situation as politically charged as the one Naruto and Sakura, with their team, were about to embark on... That was a mission for a team of experienced Chunin, if not full on Jounin. Sending in a team of Genin, nevermind Rookies like Sakura, Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun were, was unthinkable. While she could easily see both Asuma-sensei and Hatake-sensei being sent on that mission, the Genin of Team 7, even as capable as they were... Not so much. And yet, Naruto and Sakura merely accepted it without question. Their first solo mission out of Konoha was easily an A-Rank mission, but they accepted it without a hint of bravado, which was weird since one half of the ninja duo she was contemplating was Naruto.
It was Ino who decided to break the silence. "Something doesn't add up!"
Naruto and Sakura both looked at their fellow rookie. Sakura responded. "What do you mean?"
Ino blushed. "Well... I mean... Your mission, it's pretty much an A-Rank. A High A, bordering on S-Rank Mission. Chunin barely get sent on those unless they're specialists. This is the type of mission that our sensei get sent on as escorts for the Diplomatic Corps. Skilled as you two and Sasuke-kun are... It isn't the type of mission Genin go on."
Ino's left eye twitched as she watched Naruto and Sakura turn to each other and held a silent conversation. If it wasn't for the fact that she knew they spent nearly every waking moment with each other, she'd have expected they were using one of her clan jutsus. As it were, while she didn't know the exact contents of this near telepathic display of wordless communication, she could easily surmise that they were debating how much they would or even could tell her.
They knew something she didn't and she didn't like it. Partly it was because she was a self admitted gossip and busybody, most of her clan were. Part of the reason her clan as a whole went into T&I was to indulge in this favored pasttime and get paid for it. However, another part of her was hurt. Other than each other, the two had few friends. Naruto and Sasuke had their frenemy thing going on and would sometimes hang out with Chouji, Shikamaru and Kiba, but other than Shika and Chouji, none of them were exactly close. Sakura was friendly enough, when not provoked, but few were willing to spend time with her outside of class projects during the academy. The only social ties Sakura had kept up since graduating, outside of her team, were herself and Hinata. Ino was, when it came down to it, their closest and most trusted friend.
That they had so many secrets from her kinda hurt.
It was Naruto, the more diplomatic of the two, that spoke up. "You kinda hit it on the head, Ino-chan. We're specialists."
At Ino's incredulous look, Sakura took up the explanation. "Few people know more about things like advanced chakra theory and such than I do. Your dad, Kurenai-sensei and Hokage-sama are some of the people who regularly critique my thesis papers. Naruto, despite having recently graduated, is one of the village's top Seal Specialists. In a few months, he might be able to say he's even better than Kakashi-sensei, and that's no mean feat, especially since most ninja specializing in fuinjutsu are non-combat types. Naruto, Kakashi-sensei, Hokage-sama and Jiraiya-sama are the exceptions, not the rule. We are THE definitive experts when it comes to spiritual entities like Bijuu."
"Not to mention we've got unique incite into Jinchuriki," Naruto mumbled. The statement wasn't boastful, but more of a grumbling, as if he wasn't particularly proud knowing such obscure knowledge.
"How?" Ino inquired curiously.
Naruto grimaced. "A lot of old theory, extensive knowledge in seals and experience with spiritual possessions and exorcisms." Sakura gave him an empathetic look.
Ino knew that wasn't the truth. Not the whole truth, at least. But she let it go, resolving to let them come to her with their full secret. Even still, with the partial truth, she couldn't help but be impressed. "You guys really are going all out with the whole 'Ghostbusting-thing' aren't you?"
"Paranormal Investigation and Elimination," Sakura mildly corrected in a slightly exasperated tone. "It's been the main source of mine and Naruto's mutual goals and aspirations."
"Translation: Ghostbusting is our couple's activity," Naruto responded with a smirk.
Ino looked at Sakura with a speculative and slightly insenuating look on her face.
Sakura, meanwhile, elbowed Naruto in the gut, while blushing up a storm. "D-Don't say it like that!"
~~~
It was three contemplative ninja who left the Hokage Tower with one moderately oblivious ghost widely ignorant of the thought processes going through each of the genin. For Naruto, it was quite a shock to be confronting a Jinchuriki... Someone who was like him, but not. He had an inkling of an idea that the upcoming mission he and Sakura would be embarking on would be hardest on him on a psychological and on an emotional level.
The Kazekage's son was for all intents and purposes a dark reflection of him. Naruto was a nameless orphan, the Kazekage's son wasn't. The abuse of the villagers never got past neglect from the elder generations. The younger villagers were prone to mild hazing. Naruto more often than not, gave as good as he got. And even if he didn't, his retribution in the form of pranks more than made up for it. If Iruka-sensei had considered himself to be the Prankster King of Konoha back in the day, Naruto was easily the God-Emperor of Prankster Kind. Given the murder of a foreign dignitary, Naruto was willing to bet his weight in ramen (Ichiraku's ramen at that) that Gaara had had it much worse and was likely pretty humorless to boot.
Sakura could barely bite back a sigh. It was always one step forward, two steps back. Just as they were netting some decent revenue, Naruto had to go and wreck their automobile. Which was another thing that would have to be taken care of... They'd left Ecto-1 in the Yamanaka Flower Shop window in order to track down the library ghost. The only thing that could possibly make their situation worse was if they ran into her parents before they managed to get Ecto-1 back to the Firehouse. Running into her dad was always awkward. It always seemed like they'd both had so much to say to each other, but never could figure out how to say it. Her mother on the other hand... The less said there, the better. It was solely due to her mother why Sakura moved in with Naruto in the first place. Glancing at Naruto, Sakura could only pray they he had some inkling of an idea on how to get them out of their current predicament because she had no clue.
Ino, on the other hand, had concerns that were more immediately pressing. Something didn't add up. Going outside the village, dealing with a foreign leader, not to mention navigating a situation as politically charged as the one Naruto and Sakura, with their team, were about to embark on... That was a mission for a team of experienced Chunin, if not full on Jounin. Sending in a team of Genin, nevermind Rookies like Sakura, Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun were, was unthinkable. While she could easily see both Asuma-sensei and Hatake-sensei being sent on that mission, the Genin of Team 7, even as capable as they were... Not so much. And yet, Naruto and Sakura merely accepted it without question. Their first solo mission out of Konoha was easily an A-Rank mission, but they accepted it without a hint of bravado, which was weird since one half of the ninja duo she was contemplating was Naruto.
It was Ino who decided to break the silence. "Something doesn't add up!"
Naruto and Sakura both looked at their fellow rookie. Sakura responded. "What do you mean?"
Ino blushed. "Well... I mean... Your mission, it's pretty much an A-Rank. A High A, bordering on S-Rank Mission. Chunin barely get sent on those unless they're specialists. This is the type of mission that our sensei get sent on as escorts for the Diplomatic Corps. Skilled as you two and Sasuke-kun are... It isn't the type of mission Genin go on."
Ino's left eye twitched as she watched Naruto and Sakura turn to each other and held a silent conversation. If it wasn't for the fact that she knew they spent nearly every waking moment with each other, she'd have expected they were using one of her clan jutsus. As it were, while she didn't know the exact contents of this near telepathic display of wordless communication, she could easily surmise that they were debating how much they would or even could tell her.
They knew something she didn't and she didn't like it. Partly it was because she was a self admitted gossip and busybody, most of her clan were. Part of the reason her clan as a whole went into T&I was to indulge in this favored pasttime and get paid for it. However, another part of her was hurt. Other than each other, the two had few friends. Naruto and Sasuke had their frenemy thing going on and would sometimes hang out with Chouji, Shikamaru and Kiba, but other than Shika and Chouji, none of them were exactly close. Sakura was friendly enough, when not provoked, but few were willing to spend time with her outside of class projects during the academy. The only social ties Sakura had kept up since graduating, outside of her team, were herself and Hinata. Ino was, when it came down to it, their closest and most trusted friend.
That they had so many secrets from her kinda hurt.
It was Naruto, the more diplomatic of the two, that spoke up. "You kinda hit it on the head, Ino-chan. We're specialists."
At Ino's incredulous look, Sakura took up the explanation. "Few people know more about things like advanced chakra theory and such than I do. Your dad, Kurenai-sensei and Hokage-sama are some of the people who regularly critique my thesis papers. Naruto, despite having recently graduated, is one of the village's top Seal Specialists. In a few months, he might be able to say he's even better than Kakashi-sensei, and that's no mean feat, especially since most ninja specializing in fuinjutsu are non-combat types. Naruto, Kakashi-sensei, Hokage-sama and Jiraiya-sama are the exceptions, not the rule. We are THE definitive experts when it comes to spiritual entities like Bijuu."
"Not to mention we've got unique incite into Jinchuriki," Naruto mumbled. The statement wasn't boastful, but more of a grumbling, as if he wasn't particularly proud knowing such obscure knowledge.
"How?" Ino inquired curiously.
Naruto grimaced. "A lot of old theory, extensive knowledge in seals and experience with spiritual possessions and exorcisms." Sakura gave him an empathetic look.
Ino knew that wasn't the truth. Not the whole truth, at least. But she let it go, resolving to let them come to her with their full secret. Even still, with the partial truth, she couldn't help but be impressed. "You guys really are going all out with the whole 'Ghostbusting-thing' aren't you?"
"Paranormal Investigation and Elimination," Sakura mildly corrected in a slightly exasperated tone. "It's been the main source of mine and Naruto's mutual goals and aspirations."
"Translation: Ghostbusting is our couple's activity," Naruto responded with a smirk.
Ino looked at Sakura with a speculative and slightly insenuating look on her face.
Sakura, meanwhile, elbowed Naruto in the gut, while blushing up a storm. "D-Don't say it like that!"
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I have it posted here, FF(dot)Net and TTH and after making decision to come back for the forseeable future, I was going through old posts and as I was rereading this one, I got inspired. Unfortunately, I'd have to go through some old emails to figure out even part of where AJT and I had intended to go with this. One of the downsides of moving to a new site, AJT and I had had many discussions outside the thread itself about the direction we wanted it to go. Since the original TFF seems to no longer be available, that is all lost. Similarly, I think AJT has quit the Naruto fandom and he hasn't been active here in a long time. Not that I couldn't contact him at anytime, but I don't think he has any interest in working on this any longer.
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