HAKU
The night before the Chūnin Exam, in Ten Out of Ten by the check-out desk, Haku is balancing the day's numbers before subtracting the day's profit when Naruto's clone walks from the back of the store. He was pink in the cheeks and Haku recalled hearing moaning.
Smiling, he asked, "how's Tenten?"
"She doesn't hate us yet," Naruto groans as if it's only an inevitability. "So I want to say okay?"
"If she develops any hatred toward someone," Haku began to reply. "It'll be me, Naruto-sama… with reason, might I add."
"Well, I don't want her to hate either of us," Naruto returned, tilting over to look at the numbers.
"She knows she can stop anytime," Haku voiced, continuing his calculations. "She needed something to get her going and now that she has that mental progress, this really has become her show."
Turning to Haku, Naruto said, "before I go, I wanted to ask you about Kabuto."
Without hesitation, Haku swiftly puts down his pen and asked, "what would you like to know?"
"I haven't seen him around, and I doubt I would," Naruto commented. "Do you know anything about him or maybe something he wants? I don't want to pry but this could be important."
Quirking a brow, Haku asked, "how so?"
"…I was told Kabuto's a spy for Orochimaru," Naruto replied, stunning Haku even if he doesn't look it. He added, "and his boss likes to kidnap all sorts of talented shinobi, so I thought he might try to take you too."
"I see," Haku voiced, taking the moment to recall his last interaction with the silver-haired glasses boy. "Kabuto-san snuck into my room three nights ago and warned me to be on high alert during the finals." Haku wasn't sure how much of this would be beneficial to Naruto, but he nearly hesitated to add, "he also said… he'd be there for me."
"He's not the only one," Naruto retorted, making Haku smile. He still has a hard time grasping how he can be loved by others; it always fills him with peaceful joy. "In that case," Naruto continued, warning him as seriously as he's ever seen the blond. "I really want you to be on guard during the exams. We can't be sure what to expect."
Haku inquired, "what would you like me to do?"
With his usual smile, he answered, "stay safe, protect the innocent."
"As you wish," Haku stated.
THE CHŪNIN EXAM
After Neji takes his place beside Shikamaru, Genma's casual voice booms directly to the exhilarated fans through the many speakers in the coliseum. "His opponent, from Konohagakure: Hyūga Hinata."
Despite the cheers from the present villagers, Hiashi's eyes hardened at the observation of his first-born walking to the center of the arena. Regardless of his feelings for his daughters, he must place the clan's well-being above them. It's why he disinherited Hinata, it's why he pushes Hanabi to be the best, it's why he made his stipulation with Kurenai-sensei and gave her this deadline for any changes. It's why he ultimately decided to assist Hinata in her tutelage. Not necessarily because he believed in her, but because it would serve the Hyūga clan in the eyes of the village if his daughter performed admirably even in certain defeat. Turning his attention on his youngest, the dutiful Hanabi, by his side, he's certain he made the right decision, regardless of his feelings.
Watching from her post by the railing, Kurenai also remembers the arrangement she made with the Hyūga clan Head. Though she's nervous for all of her students, Hinata in particular, she's proud of her team's progress. She's invited her team to her home many times to assist their strategies, so Kurenai knows Hinata has worked hard to learn her clan's proprietary techniques.
In addition to the confidence training, Kurenai had never seen Hinata so poised. There's still some reservation, but it feels more like quiet peace rather than timidness. Training with Naruto has turned this nearly detrimentally shy girl into a more composed and open kunoichi. Hinata had drive now and that was due to his influence on her… which almost makes her body recall his effect on her. Even now, she can't help but wonder if she made the right decision in opening up to him… in ending it with him.
KURENAI
After Naruto palmed the Fūin security with a chakra-covered hand, Kurenai called for him from the kitchen. He gazed fondly up the stairs leading to her bedroom before walking through her warm living room to her warmly lit kitchen, all the while missing the steady comfort she became for him. Moisture prickled his eyes when he saw her turn around, as if the world slowed down to the sight of her. Naruto smiled often, but he never felt dumbfounded to look upon someone he deeply cared about and connected with.
Kurenai's return smile was not as wide or happy and she could tell that caused Naruto great concern. His smile faltered under her tepid consternation. They hadn't spoken much in the past three weeks and if it wasn't for all the preparation going into the security for this exam, she'd likely be feeling more loneliness and heartache after the first week of no contact.
"Hey," Naruto softly started.
"Hi," Kurenai responded, trying to move quickly through this. Like ripping off a band-aid, she continued, "sorry, but, I don't have a lot of time." He finally noticed her tactical gear is spread out on the kitchen island and there are several chairs spread out in the room. The kettle is also on the stove with teacups near each chair. "The security team is meeting here to rehearse and further prepare for tomorrow," she explained.
Nodding as he takes a seat across from her in front of the kitchen island, he assured her, "I didn't think I'd hear from you at all so it's cool. I'm glad you did though."
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