Book 1: Dancing With Lightning [Naruto]

Closer to the Truth

"Hello, Kakashi-San!" Hoshino waved cheerfully, adding a small smile to further the trust of the conversation.

He closed his book and gave a small nod to him, a similar smile hidden under his mask. "You certainly got here quickly, Hoshino-Kun. Though I suppose I couldn't expect anything less from you."

He opened his book again, Hoshino leaned against a pillar of the restaurant, glancing inside occasionally. Within a few minutes, there were footsteps of others approaching their area. Hoshino looked up to see Kurenai, Asuma, and Akira walking together.

Kakashi snapped his book shut once again to start up a conversation again. "Yo, you three!" He called to them, turning his head in their direction.

"Oh, hey Akira-San! Kurenai-San, Asuma-San!" Hoshino waved to them as they approached him.

"Good morning, Hoshino-Sama." Akira bowed to the Mizu heir, causing him to sigh.

"What are you two doing here?" Asuma asked them, curiosity lacing his voice as he cast a glance around them.

Kakashi chuckled quietly. "While I am here to buy offerings, I've made plans to meet here..."

"That's why I'm here." Hoshino added with a small nod.

"Yes... but we're waiting..." Kakashi paused and looked to the right, where Itachi was seated. "For Sasuke."

Hoshino saw him move uncomfortably at the mention of Sasuke.

"Ah, that reminds me. You two weren't together just now?" Kakashi continued, raising an eyebrow at Hoshino.

"Well... no." Hoshino laughed nervously. "Perhaps on another day, but after my training session I was helping Iruka-San with fixing up the Academy. It's not too far for here to walk."

"Well, in any case," Asuma grinned, looking in Itachi's direction as well. "It's rare that you would wait for people. Is the offering to Obito?"

Hoshino cast a look at Kakashi, who stiffened a bit and looked at the ground, not answering Asuma's question. Hoshino frowned and hugged him gently, causing him to relax and wrap one arm around him as well. "Thanks, Hoshi." He murmured quietly.

Another pair of footsteps sounded behind them, and Hoshino let go of his surrogate older brother to turn and see who it was. It was Sasuke, walking with his hands in his pockets. His pace quickened when he saw Hoshino amongst them.

"Sensei, it's strange for you to be here first." He commented. He nodded at Hoshino. "Good morning, Hoshino."

"Good morning, Sasuke." Hoshino replied, giving him a serene smile.

"Oh come on!" Kakashi protested. "I'm very punctual!"

"You're not." Five voices replied in unison.

Sasuke looked inside of the restaurant and his eyes narrowed, then he looked back at Hoshino. "Sweets... aren't really my thing." He said, sighing.

Hoshino shrugged in response with a small smile. "Normally, I'd be all for a snack, but my appetite seems to have abandoned me."

"Why don't you come with us?" Kurenai offered him.

His instincts told him that there was more to that, so he nodded, and the four of them head off quickly. "Where are we going?" Hoshino asked once they were out of sight.

"You saw them, didn't you? We're chasing them." Asuma replied.

"Of course... there they are." Hoshino muttered, his heart picking up the pace again. He found himself rushing with the three Jounin to confront the two strangers. Their stares were very intense as they faced each other.