Chapter no.15

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"Well. I have to get back to my sensei." As Sasuke stood up from the ground and approached Hinata, he informed her, "I have to get back as well, I need to...., to continue the search for...., for Naruto-Kun." Hinata gave her assent to this.

When Sasuke reached out his hand to Hinata and lifted her off the ground, he and Hinata both experienced something in their hearts that they had never experienced before. During this time, Sasuke and Hinata felt something in their hearts that they had never experienced before. What did it mean? Illness, an infectious virus, or perhaps love?

They were both clueless about it, but Sasuke and Hinata had a very important job to do, and that was to find Naruto.

The two Genins parted ways and went to find their respective senseis. At the same time, they both left the lake and started walking in the direction of their sensei. Despite their best efforts, however, they were unable to forget the peculiar sensation they had when they hugged.

Neji had his Byakugan activated, Lee had searched the area by jumping around trees, and Tenten was assisting Lee. Gai was doing the same thing as Lee but was searching in a different area. Gai was with Team Gai.

As soon as possible, the group got back together with their Sensei to go over the specifics of the search.

"Had you located him by any chance?" With his customary grin, Gai questioned.

"No, Gai-Sensei, Tenten and I searched high and low, but we were unable to locate Naruto-Kun despite our best efforts. We searched for a long time." After hearing Lee's response, Gai's smile faded and she turned to Neji with a question: "Neji, have you found anything?"

"Yes, but also No." In response, Neji asked, "What exactly are you trying to say there?" Tenten Asked "I can confirm that I have located Naruto's trail. But unfortunately, I am unable to find him because he expanded the Chakra range that he uses, making it impossible for me to follow him. After our fight at the Chunin Exams, he must have put in a lot of work to get his Chakra to get stronger and learn how to keep it under control." Neji Explanated, exhibiting a trace of an embarrassed or guilty expression.

Gai became aware of this and questioned, "Neji, what's the matter?"

"Nothing Gai-Sensei." Neji replied "Neji. You are free to tell us because, after all, we are your friends, right?" Tenten Inquired, trying to convince Neji to explain what the problem was to them.

"*Sigh*" Neji heaved a sigh and subsequently folded his arms. "Well….., The Chunin Exams were where Naruto and I first crossed paths with one another. I told him that he was doomed to fail and would never become a great ninja; I insulted his dream right in front of his face, and I now feel guilty about it. I thought that he had never known what it means to have a mark placed upon you at birth; however, after hearing that the Kyuubi was sealed in him, I now know that he is aware of what it means to have that. Even worse, the villagers have wrongfully accused him of being a demon and have mistreated him as a result. I now understand that he has endured a greater amount of pain than both Hinata and I have." Explained Neji, his tone betraying his guilt.

"Don't blame yourself Neji-Kun. Recall that I warned Naruto-Kun once that, due to his excessively joyful attitude, he would not be able to become a true Shinobi like the rest of us. I didn't realise until just now that it was a mask." Lee has conceded.

"What I want to know is why the Third created such a law that would hurt Naruto; didn't he see how much Naruto had suffered?" "What I want to know is why the Third created such a law that would hurt Naruto." Tenten Asked

"I am aware that the Third's law seems to you as though it might have been interpreted incorrectly. Tenten, I want you to look at it this way: Would you still consider Naruto a friend if there was no need for the law to exist?" Gai inquired, with a solemn expression on his face, "...." Tenten didn't respond because she was aware that, if the law hadn't been established, she would have acted just like the other villagers and treated Naruto more like a monster than a friend. "I see, Gai-Sensei, we would have treated Naruto-Kun like the other villagers do instead of a friend," she said. Lee Said

"You got that right, Lee." Gai finally admitted, "But why didn't the Third help Naruto? He surely could have done something to help Naruto." Neji inquired about it out of interest "Both the Third and Shinobi clans were prevented from helping Naruto by the civilian council because they believed that the latter deserved to be punished for his actions and that Naruto could learn to use the demon's Chakra to exact revenge on Konoha. When they issued that order, I was incensed because I wanted to assist Naruto but the penalty was exile or death. I could not help him. If I had been Naruto's adoptive father, I would have met the same fate as the real one. Even though the village causes Naruto pain throughout his entire life, not a single one of us would ever subject him to the same level of suffering that we have been enduring." As Gai explained it, there was a note of irritation in his voice.

Neji, Tenten, and Lee were equally as enraged as Gai was because Naruto puts his life on the line to protect the village, and all that Neji, Tenten, and Lee do in return is hurt him because they believe that he is a demon who tried to destroy the village a very long time ago.

Asuma, Choji, and Shikamaru, along with the rest of Team 10, looked through the area for Chakra signatures. Sadly, they were unable to locate anything at all that was connected to Naruto. Ino attempted to search for Naruto's thoughts by using her mind Jutsu, but her attempts were thwarted by the Kyuubi's tainted Chakra.

"Do you have any idea, Ino?" "No, Asuma-Sensei, I couldn't find anything," Asuma responded to his question. "*Sigh*," Ino retorted in a dejected tone. Asuma heaved a sigh and muttered, "This is indeed problematic; how are we supposed to find Naruto if the demon's Chakra keeps covering up his tracks?" Shikamaru Asked, arms folded "I don't know Shikamaru. Just say some prayers that at least we find Naruto." Asuma's response was, "Wh...., What happens if we can't find him? We have to find him; he can't hide forever." Choji raised his voice, concerned for his friend who was blonde "We will track him down. Choji, you need not be concerned; the only thing that will happen is that it will take some time to locate him." Choji was becoming anxious when Asuma broke into a smile "Well, my feet are killing. I was wondering if anyone would mind if I took a quick walk and then sat down." Ino smiled and walked away after asking Asuma, Shikamaru, and Choji, all of whom responded by shaking their heads.

"But you have to watch out, Ino, okay?" The reply from Asuma was "Alright." After smiling, Ino beckoned to them by waving her hand.