NaruHina: Technical Difficulties

Chapter Thirty: Can't find Kanai

Naruto had eaten six bowls of ramen in just under four minutes, but Hinata had barely made a dent in her first one. Although, she was distracted.

"Hinata-chan," she jumped when he touched her shoulder, "Are you alright? You've barely eaten anything."

"Yes, I'm fine. Hanabi just plucked a nerve earlier," she smiled, "And I can smell him."

"Smell who?," Naruto sniffed the air, searching for something strange.

Before she could speak, Sasuke sat down at the other end of the bar.

Hinata flashed a scary look in Uchiha's direction and Naruto swore he saw the devil for a half second.

He finsished his seventh bowl, "Maybe we should go."

"No. I'm still hungry," she dove into the bottom of the bowl and ate viciously.

"Okay, if you're sure," he ordered another bowl and Ayume brought it over to him almost immediately.

"Naruto," Sasuke's voice bellowed out and Ayume stopped in fear, "I see that she's dominated you. It makes sense; you're still as big a dobe as when we were kids."

"Please leave us alone," Hinata smiled innocently, "We've had enough of you're problems. You shouldn't have left in the first place, but you did and that is only your fault, not Naruto's." Hinata stood up, left the amount she owed for her food, and left the ramen shop.

Naruto did the same and followed her out, but not leaving without flashing Sasuke a smirk. He knew it ticked him off since Hina-chan always stuck up for him but never Sasuke. He could tell by the way her smile always turned to a scornful frown, that she could still be holding a grudge on Uchiha.

"Hinata," Naruto caught up to her, "Is everything okay?"

"Couldn't be better Naruto," she waved to a small child that stopped playing to look at her. Of course it made Naruto jealous, it a was boy and he was staring at his Hina-chan.

He got over it quickly and moved faster to walk beside her, "Have you heard from Sakura or Ino lately?"

She shook her head, "No, I've been at your apartment mostly or at the training grounds when you go on missions."

"What about Kanai? I haven't seen her around at all. Normally she and Shikamru are out doing something against his will."

She laughed, "We all know if he doesn't want to do something he'll make up an excuse and go sleep somewhere."

"True, but still, it's a little odd," he looked up from the ground and grinned, "Speak of the lazy devil."

Hinata looked down the street and saw where he was pointing. Shikamaru was walking around by himself, but it was frantic and he was looking up at the roof tops.

"Hey Shikamaru!," Naruto yelled and dragged her along to met up with the genious.

"Hi Naruto, Hinata,"  he nodded to each of them in turn, " Have you seen Kanai around anywhere?"

"You don't know where she is? But she's always with you," Hinata spoke up, shocking him for a short moment.

"She left this and I hoped it was just a joke and she was around here somewhere," he dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper before handing it to the Hyuuga.

She unfolded it and started reading, "She left to protect you? From those guys?"

"Technically, one of them is a woman," Naruto pointed out, "But it's not like you two can't take them. I mean, she did it all by herself and then Hinata and I also did."

"Keep going," he said and looked up as Shino scampered across the roofs, losing Nara's attention as fast he gained it.

Hinata averted her eyes back to the note, "I think I'm a danger to you and your village. I'm sorry to leave you like this, but it could potentially save lives. Tell Naruto, Sakura, Hinata, and the others that I'm grateful for them accepting me; I know I can be difficult at times. Don't come after me. I don't want you to die."

"At least she was honest," Shikamaru laughed and kicked a rock.

"Can we do anything to help?," Naruto asked as Hinata gave him the note back.

"No. After I finish this block, I'll have been everywhere and asked everyone," he looked down to the ground, "She might just have really left."

 "You've got to stay positive Shikamaru," Naruto hated seeing his friends down, angry was fun, but depressed was a whole other ball park.

"Have you spoken to Lady Tsunade?," Hinata suggested, "Maybe she can send ANBU to look for her."

"Yeah, I'm sure Granny Tsunade will do something. She was keeping tabs on Kanai any way," Naruto turned to face the Hoage's tower.

Shikamaru sighed, "I guess it couldn't hurt. I'll ask around here and then go. Thanks guys," he nodded and then went into a shop close to them.

"Poor Shikamaru," Hinata clutched her fist to her chest.

"I hope he finds her," Naruto said and started walking. Hinata caught up and grabbed his hand.

He looked down and then back up to find her very red, blushed face, "Hinata are you okay?"

"Mm-hmm," she smiled and the blush was less furious, "Just thinking about losing you scared me so I wanted some comfort."

"Hinata?," Ino walked up to them with Tenten on her left, "You're out in public, holding his hand, Naruto's hand," she leaned in close to her ear, "Tell me if something's wrong."

"We're fine Ino," she smiled, "It's been a while since we talked. How are you?" 

"I'm fine. Tenten and I were going to go shopping. Wanna come?," Ino nudged herself in between the couple.

"She would love to," Naruto stepped over to Hinata, "Go on. It might help clear your head," he smiled and continued walking towards his apartment.

"So," Tenten strided over to the Hyuuga, "A little bird named Neji told me you officially moved out this morning. Did you finally........you know?"

"No," Hinata blushed and hid her face behind her  jacket sleeves, "I-i've thought about it b-before."

Ino laughed and draped an arm over her shoulders, "Then you'll need a new outfit!"

(Sorry the chapter is short and long overdue. I'm experiencing writer's block and have been working on other things to try and help fix it. Hopfully the next one will be longer.)