Naruto Shippuuden: The Hitch Arc

Naruto Shippuuden: The Hitch Arc

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I still don’t own Naruto or any of the characters; however I am working on it ~crosses a few names off of a suspicious looking list~

Authors Notes: Well, here it is Chapter 1, yet another introduction kind of chapter into this little story of mine. I should probably elaborate on how many chapters I envision as of late right now, and well, so far, I’m picturing 10. It’s a nice even number, though perhaps I should stop calling them chapters, as I fear they’re not exactly a good length to be called that, maybe parts? Whatever the case may be, there is a good chance that there will be ten of them, excluding the prologue.

Anyways, I’ll take this time to clear up a question or two in the reviews and also, offer thanks for them.

Darkened.Naruto: That little section you were confused about eh? Well, let’s try and remedy that. Basically, when Naruto was close, he kind of tilted his head side wards and examined her closely, checking her eyes as if he actually knew what he was looking for, very much like a doctor would. Of course, how could he know what he’s looking for? Doctor stuff like that, I’m afraid, would likely go completely over his head. Instead, he simply tried to mimic what doctors had done to him during his own visits to the hospital.

Hinata, however, felt as if a kiss should happen, however, deep down and logically, she knew that would not happen. The rest after that should be pretty straight forward ^^

With that out of the way, on with the fic!

~

The remainder of the trip back to Konoha had been wrought with silence, a maddening and heart wrenching silence for both parties. Hinata had taken to a permanent blush, and her delicate neck seemed permanently fixed on holding her head in a position that utilized her hair to obstruct the blonde from her view. Her eyes, stained with embarrassment, lust, and uncertainty were also fixed to the ground.

As for Naruto, he couldn’t even manage a simple, “Nice weather isn’t it?” or, “Sorry.”

Both of them were completely engulfed within themselves and continual flashbacks of that ever so fateful event back at the inn.

It wasn’t until back at Konoha, after being debriefed and granted another week off for their troubles that Naruto actually spoke up.

At times like these, it’s the man that has to say something first ne? He affirmed with himself internally.

“Ne, Hinata-chan, about last night...” he began and watched her tense and face him, and as she began to open her mouth to reply, she froze, a look of utter shock and almost terror marred her features.

“Oh?” a familiar, lazy voice floated over from behind Naruto, causing the blonde to whip around and face none other than Konoha’s lazy genius, Nara Shikamaru. “What did you two do last night?”

“Shi-Shi-SHIKAMARU!” Naruto yelled out in surprise. “We didn’t do anything, right Hinata-chan?”

A moment passed and no answer followed, “Hinata-chan?” Naruto called out as he looked over his shoulder, only to find that the girl wasn’t there anymore. “HINATA-CHAN!?” he called out dejectedly.

“I guess she left,” Shikamaru offered, “Well, see ya.” He told him, apparently bored with the situation as it were, and wandered off, leaving Naruto to fume over his thoughts.

Now, where did she go? Naruto wondered to himself.

***

Hinata was running for dear life, seeking shelter and above all, distance between herself and Naruto. Why? She wasn’t exactly sure of the reason, though she knew, a large part of it was embarrassment, and after all it was one thing to have been seen like that by Naruto, but for others to know about it was another. Of course, had she been thinking clearly, Shikamaru couldn’t have known, and for the most part, was likely just making small talk; unfortunately that was not the case for Hinata.

Then, there was the second part, herself. She knew she shouldn’t, she knew it was wrong, but for some reason, when he’d stood there and stared, she’d felt oh so deliciously dirty. She felt sexy, and for her, that was a surprising feeling, especially when this feeling was directly related to Naruto and that it wasn’t one of her many dreams.

Naruto-kun wouldn’t like a girl like that... she thought to herself sadly.

Looking over her shoulder she gasped and began to panic as Naruto rounded the street corner.

“Oiy, Hinata-chan, there you are.”

She stopped, dumbfounded and quickly looking for an escape out of the ally-less street. Then, in a spur of the moment decision, she grabbed her last smoke bomb and hurled it on the ground, activating an escape jutsu when she was fully engulfed in the blinding white smoke.

Confused, Naruto stopped and stared at the smoke, “Hinata-chan?”

***

She’s avoiding me, Naruto thought to himself in despair, having taken to pace back and forth in his apartment room.

Why?

It didn’t really make a whole lot of sense.

Why?

Did she hate him now?

It couldn’t have been that bad...

No, it wasn’t that bad, but he had stared...

Come to think of it, god did she ever look good, even better than his theories for his sexy jutsu, damn did she ever have that beat. Hell, even Jiraiya Ero-sennin’s pervy research couldn’t compare. Naruto didn’t even have to be experienced to know that the curves he’d bared witness to the other night would drive any man insane with lust, and truth be told, he was beginning to feel the effects himself. Words were scarce that could describe how badly he wanted her at the time, forget Sakura-chan, heck even forget Kurenai-sensei, Naruto wanted Hinata bad. Porcelain skin, shapely hips, and perfectly sized breasts he could only imagine touching, tasting...

“BAKA!” he shouted, red faced, and created a shadow clone which in turn bashed him over the head with its fist before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

Naruto rubbed his head and dropped to a cross-legged sitting position in the middle of his room, folding his arms as he thought to himself intently. He needed help, that much he knew. Sure he was impulsive, sure he was prideful, but when it came down to things were they really mattered, he was realistic, tactful and never gave up, believe it. This was one of those times, a do or quite possibly forever end up as a miniature version of your perverted sensei times, and really, Naruto couldn’t figure out if he was going to end up swinging towards Kakashi-sensei or Ero-sennin.

The largest question of all still remained: Who to ask?

There was no way in hell he could ask Sakura-chan, for one thing, she’d probably beat him senseless after hearing what he’d done, regardless of circumstance. As soon as she heard anything perverted from him now-a-days his ass was considerably grass and boy did she ever stomp on it, hard, very hard for that matter.

Asking Neji-san was also amongst the worst possible ideas or choices. Sure, they had a silent respect and friendship between each other since the Chuunin exams, almost to the point where they were siblings, but Neji had taken what he’d said to heart, and had reevaluated his role in the Hyuuga family. He had grown protective and respectful of Hinata, and not even Naruto could desecrate that or there would be hellfire to face. The fact that he was now a Jounin only made Naruto even more weary of the possibility of fighting him. Sure, he was confident, but Neji-san of all people, was one of the last he’d want to face off against.

Perhaps he could ask Ino? No, that wouldn’t work either, he realized fairly quickly. She was more of a gossip than a counselor type, and truth be told, he wasn’t exactly sure just what she’d do for her own amusement. Not that she was cruel, but he knew she would be more detrimental to the situation than anything.

There was Iruka-sensei, but for some reason Naruto felt rather uneasy about asking him. He wasn’t exactly sure why, but he didn’t actually expect the man to be of a lot of help in these matters. Really, the last few Kunoichi the man had dated were real pieces of work, and women wise, the man had some off tastes. Anko-sensei was crazy, and that snake lady weireded him out on several different levels, one of them being her strange habit of licking his face. In truth, he couldn’t tell if she wanted to jump him and sleep with him, or jump him and roast him on the grill. Women aside, he figured a long and boring lecture from Iruka-sensei more than anything else, and that, while being fatherly, would offer little to no practical advice for his predicament.

Naruto also ruled out both Kiba and Shino as possibilities from the start as well, mainly because, being Hinata’s close teammates, meant an extra level of protectiveness. Plus, Kiba was far too much of a loudmouth to be of any use, he’d probably only succeed in causing Hinata to flee the village if he ever found out. Shino on the other hand, while it was likely he’d be helpful, he was weird. Not in a bad sense, just that he was strangely monotone, bland even, and while he spoke the truth, Naruto had no confidence in his ways with women.

Choji and Lee were also ruled out, but for various other reasons, not that they were there anyways, having both been called out on missions. With that said, there was one other shinobi left, at least as far as Naruto was concerned, and come to think of it, he was already involved, however brief it was.

Naruto grinned and rose to his feet, charging out of his door and into the night, his first task deliberated for himself.

***

Hinata sat on the edge of her bed, distraught and confused. Her father and Neji had long finished sparing for the day and she’d sat down and listened to her cousin’s mission success and the initiative of his next mission during dinner. Hanabi was out on a mission with her genin teammates still, and as such the estrogen level of the Hyuuga grounds felt uneasily low. With a sigh she stretched out and fell back onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling with unfocused eyes. What was she to do? Who could she talk to? None of the female Kunoichi in the rookie nine had ever understood her feelings for Naruto, not that she was so open about it. However, there had been times when Sakura, Ino, Tenten and herself had stayed up late discussing their likes, dislikes and as the years progressed, eventually darkest fantasies.

None one had really taken Naruto into consideration, and when she had, they’d all assumed she was joking. No one, would want a runt like him, was their main reasoning, especially when candidates such as Neji, Shino, and Shikamaru existed. Neji was simply gorgeous as far as the other girls were concerned, and really, Hinata couldn’t argue with them, he was. Shino was mysterious, and despite the bugs, he had a lot of things going for him, even Hinata knew this. In fact, little did most of the others know, but Shino was probably one of the best toned ninja in the village, Lee, Neji, Kiba, Gai, and Naruto aside. It really was a shame he covered it all up, though perhaps he was a little shy. And Shikamaru, despite being lazy, and despite being a jackass, most of the time, the girls had all agreed that he was definitely hot.

It wasn’t until Naruto’s return to the village and rumors of his improvement had reached circulation that the other girls, Hinata excluded, had recognized him for the first time. He was taller, lean, and really cute. Even Sakura had made a few comments about him, though it was fairly obvious that no really dedicated interest sat with her.

No, conversations with the other Kunoichi of the rookie nine would not work very well; it would only turn into a perversion fest. She was fortunate though, the extra time off would definitely give her a bit of time to regroup herself and, if she avoided Naruto for the rest of it, she could save herself a bit of embarrassment. Lately, it would seem, her dirty thoughts had grown in intensity, and it happened nearly every time she saw Naruto. Ever since the incident, all she could think of was how hot it really was, and that in itself was unbearable.

***

“Why should I help you?” Shikamaru asked indignantly, folding his arms across his chest.

“Aww, c’mon, be a friend, friends help friends!” Naruto pleaded.

Shikamaru frowned, nearly ready to shut his house door, “Its way too troublesome, why don’t you go and ask somebody else?”

“There’s no one else, that’s why I’m asking you, you’re the only one.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Please!?”

“No.”

“Why the hell not!? This is really important. C’mon Shikamaru, help me out.”

Shikamaru sighed, “Do it yourself.”

Then, out of no where a voice interrupted them. “Oh? Naruto was it? He’ll help.”

“Dad, stay out of this!” Shikamaru growled and faced his father who was now standing behind him at the doorway.

“Really!?” Naruto couldn’t believe it.

“No!” Shikamaru responded.

“Don’t make me get your mother in on this.” Shikato told him with a knowing grin, blackmail had its merits.

Shikamaru was beaten, he knew it, but he could at least salvage a bit of dignity out of it. “Fine, but if I do this-”

“You can miss training for the next four days, and, I’ll even treat it like a mission, D rank pay.”

“Cheh, it’s a C rank at least.” Shikamaru didn’t push it, though if he had to go through with this farce, he’d make it worth his while, plus when he thought about it, all he had to do was tell Naruto what to do. In the long run, four days off was a pretty decent bargain, the pay was just icing.

Shikato nodded then waved to Naruto, “Well, then good luck boys.” He said before disappearing back into his home

Naruto who had stayed quiet up until now shouted out happily. “You’re really going to help? Thanks Shikamaru, I owe you one! So, where do we start? I guess I should tell you what happened...”

Shikamaru held up a hand to silence Naruto, “Oiy, it’s late already, and since I agreed to help you, we’ll operate on my terms. Meet me at Ichiraku tomorrow at noon, we’ll discuss things there.”

Naruto nodded, “Alright then, tomorrow, noon!”

Shikamaru sighed as he watched Naruto run off, “Troublesome.” He said as he shut the door behind him. It was interesting though, he’d never seen the blonde so excited about things like this, nor had he ever thought that it would be Naruto chasing after Hyuuga Hinata. Sure, he wasn’t an idiot; he knew the Hyuuga Heiress was in love with Naruto, which was the most perplexing thing of all, why she’d decided to avoid him all of a sudden. Well, whatever the case, he was sure he’d hear all about it tomorrow, Naruto would spill the beans then, until then, he’d take the time to enjoy he sky from his roof before bed.

~

Rawr, Chapter 1 COMPLETE!

Couple of last minute comments like, about Neji and stuff. I figured since Naruto beat him during the exams, they’ve never really hated each other, and if you go by the fillers, they’ve acted more like brothers than anything. Distant, but they tolerate each other and I figure, they must have developed some sort of a friendship over the years. I mean, Naruto essentially opened Neji’s eyes up, so to speak, for him not have developed even a little bit of respect for Naruto is unlikely.

Anyways, as usual, please, read and review.

Bye for now! ^^