Chapter 13: Gaara of the desert

After we returned to the village, I had to persuade my dad to give Haku a room. It took some effort, but I managed to corner him into agreeing, though he insisted Haku couldn't stay in the Hyuga compound. Instead, he offered to give us money every month for a small apartment and some food. 

I introduced Haku to Hinata and Hanabi, who seemed to take a liking to him. After showing Haku his new home, I gave him a tour of the village. Later, we went shopping, and to my surprise, Haku chose boyish clothes. We then bought groceries and headed back to the apartment. Before I left, I turned to Haku and said, "If I ever call you, you have to be there, no matter what."

After a mission, Sasuke and Naruto were at odds as usual. Kakashi-sensei suggested we disperse, and Sasuke decided to go home, with Sakura following. Before leaving, Sasuke made a cutting remark to Sakura about her strength compared to Naruto's. Naruto, in turn, invited Sakura to practice together.

Suddenly, Kakashi-sensei vanished, and a square-shaped rock appeared, following Naruto. I called out for Konohamaru, and he and his gang emerged from the smoke.

Hinoka: "Konohamaru, come out, would yah?"

As the smoke cleared, Konohamaru and his gang appeared.

Konohamaru: "Hey, what's up?"

They complained about Naruto being distant lately and asked him to play ninja with them. When Konohamaru noticed me, he asked if I was Naruto's girlfriend, which led to a comical misunderstanding.

Konohamaru: "Naruto, who is she? You've been busier than I thought, bro…"

Naruto: "Huh?"

Konohamaru: "Is she your? This." Konohamaru then shows his pinkie finger with a big smile on his face.

Naruto: "Shucks, you guys are pretty sharp for kids!"

Sakura was about to punch Naruto when I intervened, questioning her intentions.

Hinoka: "Hey Sakura, were you just about to hit Naruto in front of me?"

Sakura: "What, no Hinoka."

Konohamaru: "That's right, you ugly wench, don't you dare touch Big Bro!"

Sakura: "Hey Hinoka, I can educate this brat a bit, right?"

Hinoka: "Sure, do what you want with him."

Sakura beat up Konohamaru before angrily walking away.

Naruto: "Thanks, Hinoka!"

I turned to Naruto before flicking his forehead and saying, "You two should really watch your mouths."

Konohamaru: "Darn that ugly broad forehanded ugly wench! Is she a girl for real?"

Sakura then turned around with an angry face as she started running back in our direction and they all started running. Konohamaru then bumped into a boy and fell.

Hinoka: "Haku."

Suddenly, Haku arrived next to me.

Hinoka: "I want you to find what you can on sealing jutsus."

Haku nodded before disappearing. I looked at Sasuke who was on a tree as he looked at me, I nodded to him. 

I turned to look at Naruto as he was on the floor talking to two people. 

Just as it looked like Konohamaru was about to get beat up, Sasuke threw a rock at the person's hand making him drop Konohamaru. At the same time, I appeared next to a boy that was standing upside down on a tree.

Hinoka: "Hi, could you please tell your friend that if they ever even think of touching my friends again, I'll make them wish they were dead."

The boy looked a bit scared and surprised as he came down the tree and said "Temari, Kankuro, let's go." I jumped down after him as they started walking off.

Just as they were leaving, Sasuke appeared next to me as he looked at them.

Sasuke: "Hey! you there… What's your name?"

The girl with them turned around as she said with a smile while blushing "Huh? M-Me?"

Hinoka: "He's talking about the guy with the red hair."

As the boy with the red hair turned around, he said "I'm Gaara of the desert… I have an interest in both of you as well… What's your name?"

Sasuke: "Sasuke Uchiha."

Hinoka: "If you really want to know, it's Hinoka. Nice to meet you, Gaara." I said with a smile on my face as we stared at each other.

Before Naruto interrupted asking "Say! Say! What about me? What about me?"

Gaara: "Not interested."

I couldn't help but laugh as Gaara and the other two ninjas walked away.