Author's Note: This is it. The last chapter. There shall be no more. Never again will you see another update of "Out of Sight, Centre of Mind" I am holding back tears as I write because of the fact that this fic has brought me great joy, along with the reviewers who read it. Every fibre in my body wants to keep on writing this fic. But as I have said before, I do not want this fic to cheapen in any way.
Please enjoy this chapter as you have those before it.
It has been over a year since I first started scrounging ideas for this fic. I had read many fics, but there was something missing, I felt I had it in me to write one of my own. I have proved that. But what started off as little thing to break up the monotony of my days developed into something that I take great pride and pleasure in writing.
This has been my honour to write for you all. This is not going to be the last piece of work you see from me.
Out of Sight, Centre of Mind
Chapter Twelve – Where Do We Go From Here?
Tsunade sat in her office, staring at the rolled up piece of paper that lay in front of her on her desk. It was nine o'clock in the morning; she had just sat through a meeting with the Jounnin sensei of her favoured Gennin teams since sunrise. The paper in front of her was the product of the meeting. On the piece of paper were plans that could potentially change Konoha forever. She was in self-debate whether she should put it through or not.
'It's one thing to shake things up with a change, but this is something else…' Tsunade thought to herself With a deep breath she made the decision. She signalled for one of the Chuunin that were close by on guard. The fairly young Chuunin entered silently "Send messages, call these people to my office" Tsunade handed a list of names to the Chuunin "Aye Maim!" The Chuunin saluted before leaving hastily. Tsunade remained unmoving from her desk. Hinata awoke with a startle. Something was nudging the back of her head…something sharp. She was still in Naruto's embrace. She smiled at seeing him sleeping peacefully but was forced to tear her eyes away by the incessant poking of her head. She turned her head and was surprised to see one the village's messenger birds on the bed. She took the small piece of paper from the leg pouch; just a simple message to report to the Hokage…nothing else. Hinata replaced the note back into the leg pouch. The bird flew away the moment the message was tucked away, it didn't even beg for any food Hinata idly wondered what the Hokage would want this early in the morning. She shook her head in confusion before returning her sights to the sleeping Naruto. He had edged himself even closer to Hinata, his arms firmly around her waist, not wanting to let go…ever. Hinata didn't have the heart to wake him, instead she just lay there and watch him sleep. The memory that they had to be at the Hokage office was nagging in her mind but she pushed that thought to the back of her mind. She watched his closed eyes flicker, clearly he was dreaming, Hinata wondered what about. Sweat was beginning to form on his forehead. His hold around her was tightening. His breathing was becoming erratic "Hin-Hi-HINATA!" Naruto suddenly screamed scaring the hell out of Hinata. His eyes were open and moving unfocused. She could feel his hands moving on her back, he was unsure of where he was "I'm here Naruto-kun…what's wrong?" Hinata asked concerned. She cradled his face between her hands. Without a word, Naruto leaned in closer and rested his head against Hinata's shoulder. His hug unbroken"Just…a bad dream" Naruto said shakily as he continued to hold Hinata. Hinata considered asking what he had dreamt about but decided against it
"it's okay Naruto-kun…I'm here" Hinata comforted "…We've been called to the Hokage's office…I'm not sure for what" Hinata explained. Naruto took a deep breath
"Alright…let's get going then" Naruto reluctantly released Hinata's body. Hinata quickly slipped out of the bed and made her way around the bed to help Naruto up "…got time for breakfast?" Naruto's voice perked. Hinata smiled
"The message seemed to be urgent…I don't think we should try her patience like Kakashi-sensei" Naruto chuckled at this
"Yeah…you're right! Lemme just get changed quickly" Naruto said…remembering that he was still donned in his Pyjamas.
"Okay, I'll get you some clothes" Hinata said, making her way towards the wardrobe
"Er, Actually Hinata-chan…I was thinking that I can get them myself" Naruto said, Hinata stopped in her tracks. That was a blow to her, to her, it was as if Naruto was saying that he didn't need her, it pained Hinata to hear it. She did however misunderstand, Naruto only wanted to get it himself because of the fact that Tsunade herself said that Hinata would be leaving him soon, he was unhappy about it but he should at least attempt to get on his own feet
"O-Okay Naruto-kun, I'll…I'll wait outside" Hinata's voice had a barely noticeable tone of regret, Naruto noticed this but couldn't think of anything to say to her. He pushed his thoughts out of his mind. Naruto took a deep breath, his mind now clear, began releasing chakra from his legs, he took a minute to get a balance so he was not wasting too much chakra in the process. He got the image in his mind of what surrounded his legs, he felt the bed, the floor and his discarded clothes from last night
"It's a new day…means a fresh set today" Naruto said to himself, he began taking steps towards his wardrobe, his chakra sense wavered as he had to keep concentration on chakra control but he made it to the wardrobe. With a sigh of victory he opened it up and felt around. He removed a set of clothes…they seemed to be organised; t-shirts, trousers, and a jacket together. Naruto removed a set and changed into them, leaving his jacket open. With a breath, Naruto returned his concentration to his chakra, he turned around and headed towards where he remembered the door being. With the sense, he could feel that the door was closed. He put his hand out and opened the door. Hinata had been standing next to the door; waiting patiently.
"Ready?" Hinata tried to sound encouraging
"Sure, let's go" Naruto said softly. Hinata stopped him abruptly though
"Naruto-kun!"
"Y-yeah?" Naruto jumped in pure shock. Hinata put her hand on the side of his face
"Cheer up. I'm sorry that you cant see again, but you're dwelling on it too much" Naruto's eyes moved blankly
"What do you mean?"
"You've been acting depressed since we woke up, you were fine last night…" Hinata's face showed the signs of a blush in remembering the bath "…but this morning you're different, what's wrong…what has changed?" Hinata pushed further
"I had a bad dream" Naruto said simply. Hinata was surprised by his answer
"…a bad dream?" Hinata repeated. Naruto nodded
"I could hear…everyone, all our friends, all the sensei…all my precious people…" Hinata listened intently "…and I could hear this one overpowering voice…one that I have heard only once before and I will never forget it…Itachi…" Hinata's eyes widened at hearing the name, she had a dreading feeling of where he was going with this but kept on listening
"…The friendly chatter between the voices ceased instantly…it was replaced by screaming. I could hear running, I could hear…pain. The screams began to lessen, I realised that this was because the ones who were doing the screaming were being slaughtered" Tears were leaking out of Naruto's eyes no matter how much he tried to blink them away
"…there was one voice left, one set of footsteps…it was yours. I heard a scream after that…" Naruto screwed his eyes closed as tight as he possibly could. Hinata couldn't listen to any more, she closed the gap between them and pulled him into a warming hug. She shushed him and rocked him side to side in –what Naruto felt to be- the most comforting way could be.
"It was just a dream Naruto-kun…it wasn't real" Hinata said soothingly. Naruto shook his head
"no…but that doesn't mean that it will never happen…I'm weak Hinata-chan…in no doubt of the word…I am weak, I wont be able to protect the ones that I love" Naruto said. Hinata wore a frown on her face
"Has this past week been for nothing?" Hinata snapped at him, Naruto immediately shut up "…think of all that you have accomplished in this week alone" Naruto opened his mouth to speak
"Listen to me…Even I've changed in this past week…you have changed me. Do you wish that you were never blinded? Think of what would be different if you never got injured…don't think of being blind as being a weakness…think of it as being an obstacle" Suddenly, it was as if a light was turned on in Naruto's mind. He had never thought of it like that…he smiled, a small one but still a smile
"Have a think about it…come on, we're already late" Hinata said, helping Naruto along
The trip to the Hokage's office was short and quiet, Naruto was happy with this.
They arrived in the main reception area, it was empty aside from a woman behind the desk
"You're late…they're all waiting for you" Hinata blushed slightly but proceeded to guide Naruto to the Hokage's office to where she remembered it. Hinata was wondering what was going on
'what did she mean by "they're all waiting" I wonder…'
They approached the door labelled "Hokage" Hinata knocked once. The door immediately opened. Shizune ushered them in quickly.
"About damn time!" They heard Tsunade's voice call out. Hinata guided Naruto to a could of empty seats between to Kiba and Sakura
"What's this all about?" both Hinata and Naruto asked their team mates.
"If you would just shut up, you'll find out" Tsunade's voice scolded once again
Tsunade stood up and all eyes were on her. She looked around, everyone was there: Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai and Gai and each respective team.
"Right…now that we're all here…" She eyed Naruto and Hinata briefly "…we can begin"
"I have decided that Konoha hasn't had much time to breathe after the last Chuunin exam. We've gone from one crisis to another. This is why I have made the following changes…for the next two years, you will all be trained up specially to your own field…" Tsunade was suddenly interrupted
"Why two years?" Naruto's voice cut above hers. Tsunade controlled herself to not snap at him
"We need to take as much time as possibly to get Konoha as strong as possible. The Chuunin exams are the most important joint village event in the five great shinobi nations. The five great nations host the event in turn: Leaf, Sand, Earth, Cloud and Mist. There are two exams every year, each year the exam is hosted in a different village. We have just hosted it, and that gives us two years before we have to host it again. If we do not host it by then, then it will be like blood in a shark infested water. The next two years shall be dedicated to the training of our most promising ninja. We will not participate in Chuunin exams to win, only to see how far other countries are progressing. The Mission standards will raise as well, D-ranks are not helpful to the progression of ninja at all, as such all D-ranks from now until the two years are up will be done by either rookie Gennin or even academy students. The experienced Gennin will take on C and B rank missions, Chuunin: B and A…Jounnin: A to S. Our ANBU forces will be reserved for covert missions and village defence" Tsunade took a deep breath "…you are the Ninja with a greatest potential out of all of our forces. You will spend the next two years in training, You will undertake little to no missions in favour of developing your full strength
"Okay…Let's start with Gai's team" Tsunade unrolled one of the scrolls on her desk
"…Lee, since there is only one person suited to train you to your needs, You will be staying with Gai, he will specialise in training you to be as strong and as wise as you can possibly be, you will stay with your team mates for the purposes of teamwork but you will be mainly training with Gai, is this clear and understood?"
"Yes Hokage-sama…crystal, and…thank you" Lee stood and bowed towards Tsunade
"Neji…" Neji stood
"Yes Hokage-sama?" Neji said, showing respect
"I have requested that Hiashi assign you to a Hyuuga specialist, he will train you to be as strong as any main house member. You shall also train with Hinata, two Hyuuga are better than one, if we could develop the Jyuuken into some kind of combination fighting style instead of a solitary base of attack then we could make you stronger…do you agree?" Tsunade's look almost dared him to find fault with her plan…Neji could find none
"Yes Hokage-sama" Neji said before sitting down
"Tenten…you have one of the tasks with most responsibility. I want you to use all of your weapon specialist skills to train others" Tsunade explained
"O-Okay…what kind of people? Gennin? C-Chuunin even?" Tenten was feeling nervous
"ANBU" Tsunade said simply. Everyone's jaw was on the floor
"A-ANBU? Hokage-sama, why?" Tenten was the most confused out of them all
"Your skills with weaponry are second to none. You have devoted your life to the study of weaponry, this give you a unique insight to weapons. Our ANBU have become lax in their weapon skills, they have above average sword skills but I believe there is something more that can be gained. My plan is to have a squad of weapon specialists at the end of the two years…with you as their leader" Tenten fell off her chair
"You want me to train ANBU…and you actually want me lead a squad of them? I cant do it"
"Tenten…the village needs your experience"
"But I'm only a Gennin…how can I become an ANBU?" Tenten didn't understand
"ANBU do not exist…not officially. They wear masks instead of forehead protectors so that if they are captured, there is no proof to which village they belong. A few of our ANBU are only Chuunin…your official rank means nothing if you have the skills required for the ANBU. This is your duty…do not fail us" Tsunade said seriously
"I…promise that I shall do my best" Tsunade nodded
"Next…Asuma's team. Shikamaru…you are to be assigned to intelligence, it will be your duty to plan our most valuable missions and to predict our enemies' movements" She explained
"Understood…no matter how troublesome it may be." Shikamaru said tiredly
"Chouji…You have shown promise in your clans jutsu, but the last pill you took during your fight with one of the sound four has had lingering effects, as such, you are to be supervised by your clan and by Shizune. They will help you train up in an attempt to render the pills of your clan useless to you. Even the first pill could kill you at present seeing as your body was subjected to the final pill. If we can find a way around the need for your soldier pills, then your clan need not needlessly die during fights similar to the one that you have fought in." Tsunade had always firmly believed that the death caused by power-enhancing drugs was unacceptable.
"Your team shall stay together in spite of the fact that Shikamaru is a Chuunin."
"Yes Tsunade-sama" Chouji was happy that something was to be done about the soldier pills
"Ino…You have a gifted mind, you clans skill has powerful control over minds…your skill is still rough, but I believe that you can be moulded into one of the most powerful Yamanakas in history" Ino blushed
"You shall be assigned to train with Ibiki, he will train you in the workings of the mind" Tsunade explained. Ino nodded
Tsunade looked briefly at the scroll on her desk. She looked up again
"Kiba, Shino…you two are training with your clan now, right? You two will join one of our Chuunin teams, you skills in tracking and fighting will prove useful. I believe that this will be of greatest benefit to you" Shino and Kiba looked to each other
"Alright" Kiba spoke for them both
"Hinata…Your father has informed me that he will train you personally, you will also train with Neji when you have time" Tsunade said. Hinata felt nervous, her father had said nothing about training her himself
"Alright…everyone out apart from team seven and Hinata." Tsunade said, everyone was still adapting to the information that they were given to question why Hinata was asked to stay. Once everyone was out, Shizune closed the door and Jiraiya suddenly appeared from his camouflage jutsu
"Sasuke…you have issues, you cannot focus your life on Itachi, he is a threat…even more so if you insist on killing him. You are a ninja of Konoha; the Village comes above you plans for revenge. You are to be assigned to Kakashi…permanently, he will take you along on his missions, you are to be his protégé you will learn all that Kakashi knows…his jutsu, his knowledge…and above all else, his responsibility to the village" Tsunade could understand his need for revenge but the village could not afford to provoke Itachi and the rest of Akatsuki into attacking them.
"Tsunade-sama...he deserves to die for what he's done, the honour and the spirits of my clan cannot rest until that is done" Sasuke said on the verge of breaking his cool
"When the time comes…you will have the chance to get revenge, the Akatsuki are too big a threat to be left alone…but we'll jump off that bridge when we come to it" Sasuke said nothing.
"Sakura, I have decided to assign you to Anko, she will train you, make you stronger, she was taught by Orochimaru, she can teach you some deadly moves that will put you on par with Naruto and Sasuke. As well as this I will take both you and Hinata and train you both in ways of medicine and healing techniques. Since I am Hokage: I am forbidden from taking you on as my own apprentices, it is one of the by-laws of Hokage, I can either take on three new Gennin and build them from the ground up into Chuunin or take on a specific apprentice which I will train to succeed me as Hokage. I will train you both into fine medics, along with your training with your official Sensei, you will be among the most powerful Kunoichi of all of Konoha. More so than me when I was in my prime" Tsunade's voice was becoming dry. Sakura and Hinata looked at each other before answering
"Yes Hokage-sama" They replied in unison
"And finally…Naruto…You are to be taken out of the village by Jiraiya, you are already known to be a target by the Akatsuki, We cannot and will not survive an all-out attack if they decide that they want you at all costs. We are going to leak information that you have left the village so that they will not attack us…please don't think that we are covering our ass by using you as a decoy, you are going to be trained to surpass your weakness…I have given your sensei-to-be some scrolls that will help you to get past the blindness. He will also make you stronger, hopefully…by the time you come back, you will be able to fight on equal terms with anyone who would challenge us"
"Alrighty Obachan" Naruto grinned "…When do I leave?" Naruto asked
"tonight" Tsunade said, sitting down…Naruto stood up in surprise. Hinata's eyes widened
"you what? Tonight? Jeez, give me some time woman!" Naruto shouted
"No Naruto, Jiraiya is leaving tonight, whether you're going with him or not…
"…I don't really care if you come or not" Jiraiya said, causing Naruto to jump
"…when the hell did you get here?" Naruto shouted
"Naruto, go home, get ready…everything's been taken care of" Tsunade said. Hinata stood up; she was saddened by the fact that Naruto had to leave so soon.
Tsunade's face softened as the moment she'd been waiting for all morning had come. Shizune realised what was about to happen and quickly ushered all the Gennin back into the office
"Naruto…there's one more thing, sort of a present" Naruto's ears perked
"Yeah?"
"Sit down" Tsunade commanded. Naruto shrugged and carefully sat back down. Tsunade got up and walked around her desk and took up the seat next to Naruto. Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata and all the other Gennin watched with intrigue.
"Naruto…what I'm about to do is a one time only, I wont do this again, it is possibly brain damaging after multiple attempts" Naruto's brow creased in confusion
Tsunade put her left hand on Naruto's head, her thumb was pushing into the back of his skull and her fingers were claw-like on his scalp. She formed a hand seal with her remaining hand. From Naruto's perspective, he saw the world in pure black, gradually something was changing, he could feel it, the darkness began forming patterns, he began to see changing in tone…the darkness was fading, replaced by colours and light…shapes. Everything came together and he saw…Hinata's face. Naruto's jaw dropped
"H-Hinata-chan?" he heard his own voice. He suddenly saw Hinata's head turn to look at something…the world started to move before he knew what was going on, he was watching himself
"What the hell is going on?" He watched in fascination as he watched himself speak. He then heard Tsunade's voice
"I've made a sensory connection between our brains. I'm transferring the visual images that I receive directly into the visual centre of your brain…you're seeing through my eyes essentially" Tsunade's voice explained, she then turned to look at Hinata. His voice caught in his through as he once again saw her face
"H-Hinata-chan…look into Obachan's eyes" Naruto asked. Hinata was still slightly confused from Tsunade's explanation but did as she was asked. Naruto felt his jaw drop as he now looked directly into Hinata's beautiful eyes
"Naruto, I can't hold this for much longer" Tsunade said
"Hinata-chan…I love you" Naruto quickly said. He saw Hinata smile and it warmed his heart. Suddenly the world turned black and his smile evaporated. Silence roamed in Naruto's dark world.
"Thank you Tsunade…for everything" Naruto said; tears were forming in his eyes. He felt a hand grab his left hand and squeeze it in a comforting way.
"Hinata…why don't you take him home, get him ready. Bring him to the east gate in three hours"
"Alright" Hinata said softly. Naruto felt a smaller hand grab his remaining hand. Tsunade released his hand and stood up. All the other Gennin moved out the way as Hinata guided Naruto out of the office.
Hinata led Naruto through the village as if for the last time. They walked through the streets in silence. But Hinata could see the traces of a smile on Naruto's lips. She unknowingly tightened her grip on her love as if refusing to let him go. This did not go beyond the notice of Naruto but he remained silent for he knew exactly how she felt.
Sasuke and Sakura, having been dismissed, were walking through the streets.
"Hard to believe aint it?" Sakura broke the strangling silence that had formed over the two since leaving the meeting.
"…" Sasuke stayed quiet
"Tsunade really shook things up didn't she?" Sakura pushed
"…" Sasuke didn't seem to be listening, though his ears were perked ever so slightly.
"You're going to be trained by Kakashi, I'm getting that crazy person from the Chuunins. Hell, even Naruto is leaving" Sakura ignored the sense of unease in her stomach. Sasuke turned his head away.
"…must be killing Hinata-chan…Naruto's going to be away from her for so long, and they only just got together"
"…"
"That son of a bitch better stay faithful to her…so-help-me I'll castrate the guy if I hear otherwise" Sakura said pounding her fist into hr palm. She sneaked a peak at Sasuke for any kind of reaction
"…" Sakura's eyebrow twitched…nothing!
"okay come on! What the hell is bugging you so much?" Sakura snapped. Sasuke stopped dead and turned to face her. Sakura felt like her tongue had swollen up and was now choking her, maybe she had over-stepped her bounds.
"I'm weak" Sasuke said simply. Sakura raised an eye-brow
"well…aren't we all?" Sakura said with care. Sasuke's glare nearly froze her eye-balls
"…I mean: do you think that you could beat Kakashi? Or Tsunade-sama?" Sakura reasoned.
"I should be able to…I'm an Uchiha!" Sasuke said with a hint of pride
"…for crying out loud Sasuke-kun…We're Gennin! We haven't even had that title for a year…not six months ago we were academy students, and you think that you should be able to take on the world" Sakura has a sharp tone in her voice. Sasuke turned and began walking again.
"Just forget it" Sasuke snapped.
"Fine! but have a think about it Sasuke…so what if you're weak, what do you think the next two years is about? And I thought you were meant to be a genius" Sakura was shouting at him now. Sasuke had never heard her shout at him like that…it got him thinking. And he couldn't deny that being shouted at by her was painful.
"You got a real attitude problem Uchiha! And you know what? I'm sick of always putting up with it. Burn in hell for all I care! Until you start caring about anyone except yourself, we are no longer friends!" Sakura took a step back to recover from her outburst. She took a long look at Sasuke's back before she turned on her heel and ran for home. Tears were leaking from her eyes, she did –however- mean every word of what she said.
Sasuke wanted to turn and shout that he was sorry...but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"perfect" Sasuke said in a low voice while rubbing his forehead. "…absolutely perfect!" He turned on his heel and walked an alternate route home. He didn't want to risk running into Sakura again.
It was sometime later when Hinata finally arrived at Naruto's apartment. They went inside. Hinata was very reluctant. In essence she was helping Naruto leave her.
'don't be silly Hinata…he's not going forever'Her inner selves appeared once again. Light Hinata had been the voice of comfort.
'Aye…and it's not like you cant have some on the side while he's away. Dog-boy seems to fancy you.' Dark Hinata was beginning to annoy. Hinata chose to ignore her.
"Naruto…what do you think you should pack?" Hinata asked. Naruto, having been released from Hinata's overprotective grip, was heading for his bedroom.
"I doubt I should pack too much. Just the essentials. I can pick more stuff up along the way." Naruto drew comparison from his last trip with Jiraiya "…wish I could pack you up and take you with me" Naruto added playfully. Hinata smiled and fought against a blush.
"Do you have a backpack big enough?" Hinata asked "…I may not look it, but I need a lot of space"
Naruto smiled. She was getting better
"Good point…ah well. Guess that means I'll just have to wait for the two years." Naruto reasoned as if three years was nothing. He got back to the task at hand and began to ponder what he should take. He began thinking aloud
"Well…obviously I'll need a change of clothes. I'd need my sleeping cap of course. I don't go outside the village without it. That cane that Sakura gave me might come in handy. I'll need my toiletries as well. My ninja equipment…think that's all." Naruto nodded to himself. Hinata had been listening and began gathering up everything that Naruto had listed. She found a rucksack in Naruto's wardrobe. So she put all of it in there.
"Right…let's get started" Naruto said grinning. Hinata looked up as she was putting Naruto's wash bag into the pocket of his pack.
"I've almost done it Naruto-kun." There wasn't much that really needed to be packed. Hinata being organised had no troubles with it.
"oh…" Naruto chuckled. "…fair do's"
"Guess I'm all set then…" Naruto's voice held enthusiasm. Hinata looked up and spoke what had been on her mind.
"I don't want you to go…" Hinata said. Her eyes were watching her fiddling fingers. Naruto's enthusiasm dies with the smile wiping off his face.
"I'll be back…nothing could keep me away" Naruto said confidently
"But we only just got together. Now, so soon you have to leave. Cant you stay for one more day?" Hinata asked hopeful
"I'm really sorry Hinata-chan…I want to go, but I don't want to leave you. And in the end it's not up to me. You heard Tsunade: Jiraiya is leaving with or without me…I don't have a say in the matter"
Hinata was verging on tears
"Then take me with you. Convince Jiraiya-sama" Hinata was almost demanding
"You don't really want to come with us…you're just confused. Me going away is a good thing, believe me. When I get back I'll be stronger, and so will you. Everything will turn out for the better. I will come back…"
Hinata's eyes were beginning to leak
"…I promise" Naruto ended. Hinata's head jerked up. Tears stopped. That had been it. That was all she needed to hear. She got up from where she was with Naruto's backpack and walked over to Naruto. She flung her arms around him.
"I'll hold you to that…don't you dare leave me" Hinata's voice was firm.
"You know me…I don't go back on my word" Hinata's grip tightened
"Neither do I…and if you don't come back. I'll make sure they never serve another bowl of Ramen in Konoha again." Hinata threatened. With her being in the Hyuuga clan such a task was not out of her reach. She couldn't even decide herself if she was making a joke or not. Hinata motioned that they sit on the bed. Once they were: Hinata began to kiss Naruto. Hinata was tearing up again. The kiss seemed to her like it was to be their last.
A few hours later, Jiraiya was standing at the village gates. Tsunade and all the rookie were there as well.
"Forget it…I'm leaving" Jiraiya shouted, he made a dash for the gate. Tsunade effortlessly stopped him by yanking hard on his ponytail.
"What's your hurry to get out of here?" Tsunade asked
"You imagine taking him with you for two years and tell me if you'd honestly not try anything to get out of it"
With the squabble between the supposedly legendary Sannin, no one noticed the arrival of Naruto and Hinata. Hinata seemed like she would never let go of Naruto. Naruto looked ready to go. Backpack looked full. His forehead protector once again covered his eyes.
"Oi…Ero-sennin…let's get going already eh?" Naruto heard the scuffle between the two a long way off.
"Shit! He's here." Jiraiya noticed Naruto's arrival. Then eyeballed Hinata who was hanging off Naruto's waist.
"Hey, Tsu…lemme take the girl along aswell" Jiraiya grinned lecherously. Hinata's head perked up at his request. Naruto sensed it
"Hinata…that's not a good thing" Naruto didn't want Hinata to get any repeat ideas from when they were inside the apartment. Jiraiya deflated when he saw Naruto dissuade her. He simply turned around and headed out the gate.
"Come on brat. No sense in wasting time" Jiraiya's pace was slow. Naruto had time to catch up.
Hinata directed him to the centre of the gathering.
"Listen guys. I know it's short notice. But I gotta go. I'll miss you all dearly. I'll be back though. So don't bother trying to replace me…"
"Bring us back a present Naruto…or else" Sakura screamed out.
"Sure" Naruto grinned
"Don't get yourself killed or nothing idiot" He heard Sasuke's voice. It came from the opposite direction than Sakura's…he thought that to be peculiar. He knew he didn't have time to waste though. Jiraiya wasn't waiting around.
His body erupted in sudden sensation. Everyone was clearly patting him on the back or giving him hugs quickly.
"Good luck Naruto"
"See you later mate"
"Be back soon"
A lot of words passed through Naruto's ears
"See you around everyone!" Naruto turned and ran after the retreating footsteps of Jiraiya. Suddenly someone grabbed his arm. He knew it was Hinata
"See you soon?" He could tell Hinata was in tears. A thought ran through Naruto's mind.
"Hinata give me your headband" Hinata was confused but removed her headband and gave it to Naruto. Naruto did the same.
Hinata looked confused at Naruto's intent.
"On the back of my head band there's a little something I carved into the back when we became Gennin"
"…you can have that to remember me, and I'll take yours so you'll always be with me." Naruto said.
"I love you Hinata. I'll be back to remind you in a few years" He gave the girl in his arms a loving kiss before turning on his heel and running after Jiraiya.
Tears steamed from Hinata's eyes she watched Naruto disappear from sight. She turned around and walked up to the only remaining person of the group. Sakura
"You alright Hinata-chan?"
"I'm fine…he made a promise. He has no choice but to come back" Hinata smiled.
"He gave you his headband?" Sakura took note of the item in the girl's hands.
"He said there's something on the back of it that he carved" Hinata said. She proceeded to remove the fabric from the plate.
Sure enough there was carved names into the headband. The top of the headband that had the kanji for "Precious"
The first name there was
"Iruka"
second was hers. This surprised Hinata. He had carved her name into the metal before he had carved the others. They were all there: Sakura, Sasuke, Ino, Shikamaru, Konohamaru.
But her's was before them all. Understandably except for Iruka. This was carved when he became a Gennin….he considered her to be precious before they even spoke outside the Academy.
The smile on Hinata's face was infectious. Everyone around her were showing signs of the smile. Sakura saw the smile on her friend's face and mirrored it.
"You'll be alright" Sakura said resolutely. Come on…let's grab some something to eat." Sakura suggested. Hinata looked up from the headband. She put the material back on the plate and placed it around her neck.
"Sure" Hinata smiled "…Dango?"
Sakura burst out laughing.
"anything for you Hinata-chan" Sakura slung an arm around her shy friend.
"He'll be alright as well" Sakura said "…trust me. I've known him long enough to know that there aint a force on this planet that can overcome Uzumaki Naruto"
Jiraiya was cursing every god he knew. Most of all he cursed Tsunade
"Why me?"
"So so so so so so Ero-sennin. What're ya gonna teach me?" Naruto asked excitedly. He was following Jiraiya using his Chakra-sense. Jiraiya couldn't escape from him.
"Why not try and lick your elbow Naruto?" Jiraiya suggested. Naruto eagerly and gullibly began trying to lick his own elbow. With no success. But he persisted. Jiraiya now praised the gods for making the tongue and the elbow joint almost inaccessible to each other. Naruto was quiet as he as almost forcibly bending his elbow to try to meet his tongue.
"Tsunade's gonna pay for this! I'll be back in three years and mark my words she's gonna pay!" Jiraiya cast a glance at Naruto once again
"…she just HAD to dump him on my lap"
Jiraiya shook his head and walked on. His protégé close in toe
It was going to be a long Two years.
Author's Notes: And that's it!
Done, Finito. "Out of Sight, Centre of Mind" Finished
I humbly apologise to one and all. I have recently gone through a parent break-up (and subsequent "Get-back together")
It has caused a lot of stress. I lost the motivation to write.
I found it again today. And I finished off this.
It was not as long as I had hoped. But it has closure.
Thank you to all my reviewers. They have seen me to finish this.
Curtain call. Dim lights.
This is not story end…there will be a sequel…in time to come.
Watch out for me.
This is not the end. This is merely the beginning
I will see you all later
Till then.
Sayonara!