She could look around and see the buildings below her. Gawking passerby. She tentatively waved at a couple of her classmates who were staring up at her, but they didn't respond.
Then it was onward, into the morning air. The smell of foods being prepared as they passed one eatery. They flew over various landmarks, heading towards the Hokage offices, and Hinata glanced that way to see her father and the Hokage as well as a few ANBU with their masks looking her way.
She shifted her weight slightly and felt the odd all-over-support from Naruto shift in response. For a few moments she followed along behind Naruto in his shadow, rather than have the gaze of all those watching directed at her.
No. No, I must be strong. Like Naruto-kun! I want to walk at his side, not simply follow him.
In response, she shifted her weight again and felt a momentary resistance. Then as before, her position shifted until she flew alongside Naruto. Momentarily bold, her outstretched fingers came to touch lightly along Naruto's.
"If she blushed any harder I'd expect her face to combust," murmured one of the ANBU members.
"Was I ever that young?" asked another ANBU member in the same hushed tone.
"Hard to remember, isn't it?" said the Third Hokage, smirk evident, as the two flyers approached.
"I'm surprised you're not trying to keep this all secret," said the head of the Hyuga household.
"Because it IS Naruto, keeping any of it secret is not only impossible - but even more likely to cause problems in the future," said the Third Hokage as the two came down. Not that I don't think Naruto can move a lot faster than this, as he already has demonstrated that he CAN. Is it too much to hope that he's learned at least some measure of prudence?
Sasuke Uchiha noticed a couple of the ANBU members leaping from building to building and going in the same direction. That was unusual enough for him to climb up a couple of levels himself.
When one ANBU member ran UP the side of a building, Sasuke saw it and started figuring out how that could be done.
A fourth and fifth ANBU was spotted with the same basic course. Sasuke was at this point quite curious. Today was a day off, tomorrow was the team sorting, so he DID have some spare time.
Besides, it might reveal something his Uncle Genma had done. Better he find out NOW than when it came biting him on his butt.
Uncle Genma of the Village Hidden In The Sticks had claimed to be a distant relative of the Uchiha clan, who was just checking on his nephew. Uncle Genma was a considerable taijutsu expert despite looking like a middle-aged overweight man whose listed occupation was 'moonshiner'. Uncle Genma was also a right royal pain in the butt. It had been HIS suggestion that had started the whole 'Legion of Sasuke Fangirls' going. It had been Uncle Genma who had come up with a "Get A Date With Sasuke" certificate and apparently hidden it somewhere in the Uchiha section of the village. It had been Uncle Genma who had most likely left that brochure about the hidden training ground at 'Sacred Jusenkyo Mountain' hot springs.
It had NOT been Uncle Genma, but instead an Aunt Nodoka who'd shown up at one point, to declare that Sasuke had to be a 'man among men' or she had to cut his head off. Fortunately she hadn't been seen since then, since it had looked likely that she would engage him to half the girls in the civilized world just to make sure there would eventually be an Uchiha heir.
When he'd come to a stop where he'd chosen - it was a partially concealed location on a roof, which overlooked the Hokage's offices. Something was happening over there, and Sasuke was going to make sure it didn't come after HIM.
Kurenai watched and was amused.
They were getting quite a crowd as Naruto came in for a landing, though that wasn't what amused her.
She understood WHY the Hokage had decided to do this, and why he'd included the ones he'd included. By 'privately' having Naruto demonstrate his new jutsu - he'd efficiently disseminate the version of events and narrative he wanted. By having all the various people watching from concealment, she'd spotted Sasuke Uchiha over on the bakery roof, Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno climbing to a position where they could watch Sasuke AND the Hokage rooftop, and the various others - the Hokage could also cut down on the whole torch-carrying-hate-the-Ninetails mob. Not to mention demonstrate to all and sundry that the Third Hokage had a good idea of what was going on and had control of the situation.
That also was not the reason for her amusement.
What had amused her was watching Hinata decide the time was come for her to take her place on the stage alongside Naruto or close to it. Hesitant, yes. Frightened and embarassed, very much so. Probably going over various scenarios and what to say, no doubt. Hinata WAS the type to fuss and bother about timing and getting the words just right. That she ALMOST was holding Naruto's hand as the two came in for a landing was also noticed by Kurenai.
Kurenai smiled and shook her head at the sight. You go, girl.
Naruto felt the emotions of those around him, the occasional snatch of thought, and felt like screaming and trying to cover his head from the stimulus.
Then Hinata's hand touched his and he felt her hummingbird-rapid heartrate, her shyness and embarassment, and that same bubbling-over happiness and acceptance.
They landed, stumbling only slightly as the landing occurred. Hinata's was just a little bumpier and she leaned into him to regain her balance. Then stiffened and stepped away again, aware of all the eyes on them.
"So," said Naruto, slipping his cocky mask back on as a wave of amusement from several ANBU members and the Hokage went past him. "That was the flying jutsu. What did you want to see next?"
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(Posted Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:56)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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