"Put these on," said Jiraiya, handing four sets of beaded string to Naruto. "One on each wrist, one on each ankle."
"Huh," said Naruto, doing it. "I dunno. What are these supposed to do?"
"SEAL!" said Jiraiya, whipping through a quick set of hand-signs.
"ACK!" said Naruto as the bands suddenly felt as if they weighed several hundred pounds - each.
"You just move around and train normally with those on for awhile," said Jiraiya with a nod. "That'll help develop your strength and speed."
"Umf," said Naruto by way of reply.
"Maybe I should have gone with the half-weight set," noted Jiraiya as Naruto staggered. "Tell you what, reorganize your pack. You're probably carrying too much stuff anyway."
"Yeah, yeah," said Naruto, but with a strain in his voice. "I'll get used to this in no time."
"I'm counting on it," said Jiraiya.
"Huh?" asked Naruto. "Oh. This thing. I forgot entirely about it."
"A letter?" asked Jiraiya. "You lucky dog. Is it a love letter?"
"Yeah, right, like THAT is going to happen," said Naruto, breaking the seal and unfolding it. "Hmmm. Lesseee. To Naruto...I... huh?"
Jiraiya snuck behind Naruto to read over his shoulder. After the first paragraph he dropped his apparent disinterest.
"Wha? What?" asked Naruto, re-reading the thing. It didn't say what he THOUGHT it said, right? It couldn't? And he hadn't read the thing after THIS LONG?!
"It IS a love letter?" asked Jiraiya, who hadn't really thought it COULD be one.
To Naruto
I have watched you for years and I wanted to let you know why.I was never good enough for my family's position and ability. The Hyuuga clan are a major family within the Village, and I never measured up. I was quick to give up and I was beginning to hate my life.
Then I saw you. You failed tests, you failed jutsu. You never gave up though. You always tried harder.
You never let it get you down. You took each failure and tried harder every time.
Your smile showed me the way, that strength showed me the path I should take.
You inspire me. I watch you, and you inspire me. Even if I fail at something, I need to keep trying until I win.
I want to stand beside you, to walk with you.
Because I love you.
Hinata Hyuga.
"WHAT DO I DO?! WHAT DO I DO?!" asked Naruto, beginning to run around in circles. Still clutching the letter and apparently not really noticing the extra weight all of a sudden. "She- I- That is- It's been so long and- what?!"
"Yup," said Jiraiya, nodding and assuming a thoughtful pose. "She's liable to be angry."
"ANGRY?!" squeaked Naruto, still confused as this was COMPLETELY unfamiliar ground to him. "B-but?!"
"You waited a long time before even reading it," said Jiraiya. "The heart of a young maiden is a delicate thing, but when you wound it - it becomes a nest of snakes wanting to strike back."
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" predictably screamed Naruto, picturing Hinata showing up behind him with demonic smile and a poisoned kunai to strike him down with.
"Yup, you're doomed," said Jiraiya. "Never mind Akatsuki. They'd just kill you. A woman who confesses her love and is ignored? She won't be nearly so merciful."
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" screamed Naruto. "What do I do?!"
"Nothing for now," said Jiraiya. "We've got a training journey ahead of us. The first thing you need to do when you run into her is apologize. Hmmm. A simple apology probably won't cut it."
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(Posted Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:56)
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