The Changed Tales Of A Gutsy Ninja (On Hiatus)

Chapter 12

The sleeping fellows were awakened by a voice, Sakura's voice. It was early morning and they had to start moving again. She had already prepared breakfast.

After breakfast, the squad consisting of four men and one woman were out and about with some occasional conversations.

Nothing interesting happened, well, according to the team at least, they were ambushed once but nothing the team couldn't handle. The 6 rogues were easily dealt by Naruto, Kakashi and Sakura just using taijutsu, Sai used his Chouju Giga to bind them and Yamato had restrained by his Mokuton and capture them. Yamato had done the killing later and put their heads in a scroll for bounty collection, ironically the ambushing group was out for a bounty hunt themselves but the plan backfired, they should've thought before attacking headfirst. The amount they would receive wouldn't be fat but fairly sharable.

Once again they were on their way, just one more day and they'll reach their destination. They were already ahead of schedule, because of no difficulties they had picked up their speed. By the next afternoon the team would be in Suna, they assumed. They were retiring for the night, had set their tents up, checked surroundings and were eating.

"Say Naruto, let's go for dinner after we complete out mission in Konoha." Sakura more like said than questioned.

"Aa. The team whole can go together tteba." Naruto replied with a bright grin.

"Hmm of course. Well I'm not being nosy or anything but Naruto, I was wondering what personal things you do with Hinata. Is she your girlfriend?" Sakura asked, raising one of her eyebrows suggestively, she was curious and also jealous. She knew, of course that Hinata had the greatest crush on Naruto. She knew but she can't help but feel jealous. Wasn't Naruto crushing on her?

In response Naruto's face turned red, seriously, the guy can blush alright. "Eh? Hinata-chan? No, no. She isn't my girlfriend or anything. She is helping me with stuff like ethics, etiquettes, manners, habits and all dattebayo." Naruto supplied scratching the back of his neck, really embarrassed.

"Huh?" Sakura asked surprised.

"Well, ttebayo Hyuga clan is one of the oldest clan in Konoha, Neji-kun and Hinata-chan are so well mannered and stuff. So they are teaching me things like that but we still have shortage of number of Jounin and Neji being a Jounin has a lot more missions than myself or Hinata-chan so she spends more time with me and I also have schedules with Hiashi-san so yeah.." Naruto trailed off.

"Hiashi-san? What business do you have with Hyuga clan head?" Yamato questioned surprised.

"Politics." Naruto supplied nodding sagely.

"Wow Naruto, it looks like you're taking becoming a Hokage seriously huh?" Yamato praised, really impressed with the boy.

Naruto blushed at that, he didn't know how to react to compliments.

"Etiquettes, manners and all, you did need that huh. You didn't even know how to eat properly. You were always alone after all." Sakura spoke snorting regaining her senses.

The team, even Sai who didn't really understand the depth of meaning of her words, eyed her for being rude but didn't say a word. They were all orphans and most of their lives they never had anyone. Her eyes widened in self realization and she looked at Naruto who didn't seem bothered by her words. Little did she know he was hurt. Really hurt. But he knew how to conceal that. He always knew how to conceal emotions when necessary. He also knew no matter how much Sakura had grown in strength, she was still ...well herself and it's alright because .....she's Sakura-chan. Yeah that's.... perfectly reasonable.

Kurama growled deep within Naruto's mind, he didn't like her but she was a part of his leash so didn't say anything.

"I'm so sorry Naruto! I didn't mean it like that! I'm so sorry I didn't mean to hurt you!" She apologized frantically.