Team Harmony

CE36: Preparing

The next morning, Naruto was heading to the hospital to meet Hinata and Kakashi when he came across a commotion as he was passing the hot springs. Women were screaming louder than he could stand it as they all rushed from the building with their clothes haphazardly tossed on their bodies. He decided to take a peek in and promptly wished he hadn't when he saw an older man with long white hair standing and looking around like a proud pervert. He was about to take his leave and forget he ever saw that when the man spotted him.

"Hey, you there!" The man called out. Naruto quickly backed away and started walking away. "Hey, wait! I'm looking for someone!"

"I bet you are, but that's got nothing to do with me, you perv!" Naruto called back as he quickened his pace when he saw the man chasing after him. "Get away from me before I press sexual harassment charges!"

When he turned around, the man was gone and he let out a sigh of relief. He was nearly to the hospital and he didn't want that guy anywhere near someone as cute as Hinata. When his teammate came into view, he smiled widely and was instantly by her side.

"Hey, have you been waiting long?" He asked her.

"No, I got here not too long ago," she replied. "How has your morning been?"

Naruto frowned at the memory of that pervert. "Eh, uneventful. I did see some old guy cause a scene at the hot springs, though. The ladies were not fans of his."

Hinata grimaced. "That's...frightening. I hope the police got to him."

"He was chasing me for a little bit for some reason," he said. Then he straightened up a bit. "Actually, he looked kinda familiar. I think...I've seen him somewhere before but I can't place my finger on it."

"Well, if they don't catch him, maybe you can help them if you remember where you've seen him," Hinata suggested. Naruto agreed and they continued waiting for their Sensei, but didn't have to wait much longer as Kakashi appeared a few moments later. Truthfully, the jonin had been worried about his students and also needed to inform them that Kabuto was, in fact, an enemy and possibly working for Orochimaru, so he rushed more than he usually would've.

"You're actually here on time!" Naruto exclaimed. He pretended to wipe a tear away. "They grow up so fast," he sniffled. "I'm so proud of you."

Kakashi rolled his eyes but chuckled. "Don't push it or I'll be extra late next time. Actually, I was already out because I had a meeting with Hokage-sama. I found out some...interesting things yesterday."

"What is it?" Hinata asked seriously.

"It seems you were right to be suspicious of Kabuto, Hinata," he said. "When I left you two yesterday to check on Sasuke, he was in his room and had attempted to kill him."

Hinata gasped. "What?!" The lunch box in her hand creaked from the strength of her tightening grip.

"Kabuto?! But he was such a good guy! You're saying that was all an act? And why would he try to kill Sasuke?!" Naruto exclaimed.

"I can't prove it at the moment, but I'm pretty sure he's working under Orochimaru," Kakashi admitted. "Kabuto is a very skilled ninja. He took out two Anbu operatives by himself without getting much of a scratch on him. I'm telling you two because I want you to be careful, to keep your guard up."

Hinata narrowed her eyes down at the box in her hands. "I don't see how anyone could want to somehow devote their lives to such a horrendous person," she all but spat. "Orochimaru is sick, and I will do whatever I can to make sure he doesn't succeed with whatever he's trying to do with Sasuke." She turned to Naruto. "Are you with me?"