Summary: After losing his home, friends, and mother right before his eyes Naruto believes he couldn't love or become emotionally attached to anyone ever again. Then he drains himself of his emotions to become the perfect Shinobi to gather the strength to avenge his lost, but he might find that hard as a certain Hyuga has becomes interested in learning about him, and when new people begin to come in his life. Maybe his now dull eyes and emotionless attitude can be replace and that void in his chest can be filled with something new. Strong/Smart Naruto with Naru/Hina and others later. With realist development.
Chapter 1:New Life, Old Wounds
Naruto watched as his village burned down in front of him with the bodies of his fellow villagers littered on the ground being engulfed by the crimson flames. Naruto had to watch his home burn down and he couldn't find the strength to pick himself up because of his injured left leg. Naruto as watched the flames increase he than turned his eyes to two familiar bodies he was shocked to see. "Oji-san, Oba-chan" Naruto said their names quietly.
Naruto had to cover his mouth with his hand as his eyes watered and he silently cried. They were Karin's parents, they too were part of the Uzumaki Clan. He met them when he was 4 years old, they had escaped the Water Country after the current Mizukage ordered all those with blood lines to death. Once first coming to the village they were welcomed with open arms because the village was for people just like them. The village being full of refugees from nations all over the world. Right away Okaa-san knew they were Uzumakis because of their trademark red hair, so they were like cousins to Kushina but Naruto treated them like they were his aunt and uncle. Karin their daughter was Naruto's best friend and last he saw her she was thrown into a river and was sweep up by the current, so her fate was unknown to him, unlike her parents.
Naruto than began to even cried harder remembering watching his other friends dying in front of him one by one. "Why?" He asked himself. Why was this happening? Why was his village being attacked? Why was everyone dying?
Naruto looked to the sky for an answer and looked back to the ground. Naruto then shook this thoughts out of his head. He needed to find his Okaa-san! She'd know what to do she was a powerful and greatly feared S-Rank Kunoichi in Konoha, there was no way she'd lose to anyone.
The thoughts of this got Naruto the energy he needed to get up from the ground and limp his way out of the blazing inferno. Naruto's left leg was still bleeding from that injury he got from that white guy that attacked him earlier and fought with. As he limped away his ears picked up the sound of what seems to be like the clashing of swords.
"That must be where Okaa-san is!" Naruto said with great joy. He then hurried to the location to see his mother, he knew she had to be alive and well.
As he made his way up the scene with a smile on his face, until he saw the scene in front of him. Naruto's eyes went wide, his breathing and heart stopped, and he started to breathe heavily. There his Okaa-san's body laid on the ground in a pool of blood. Naruto couldn't think straight or even make a sound, he dropped to his knees as tears flowed from his eyes. "Okaa-san.." Was all he could whisper.
Standing above her body was a man covered by a cloak with a black sword in hand dripping with blood from the tip. He turned to Naruto "Why do you cry? There is no need for tears. If you were stronger or faster you could had saved her and all the others." The man walked to Naruto looking at him with his one red-eye showing through a mask. "You're weak Uzumaki Naruto, just like your father!" He said as he lunged his sword through Naruto's chest.
Naruto's body froze as he felt the sword enter him. He opened his mouth just for blood to come out and he looked down to the sword now in his chest and then looked back to the man.
The masked man then took his sword out of Naruto "Live Uzumaki, live to come and kill me..." Were the last words Naruto heard from the man as he fell over.
Naruto had awoken in a cold sweat and with tears in his eyes, panting as he jumped up grabbed his chest. "Damn it." He cursed.
"Did you have that dream again?" Jiraiya asked setting against a tree near the campfire.
Naruto looked down from Jiraiya's eyes and wiped his tears "Yea, the third time this month."
"Naruto listen when we reach Konoha you should think about having your memories.."
"No!" Naruto interrupted "I'm fine Jiraiya-Ojisan! I don't need someone messing with my head, besides you know it's too dangerous with what's sealed inside of me." He declared referring to Kyubi.
Jiraiya sighed "I understand that Naruto, but maybe just do something to ease your memories that's all." He tired to explain.
But Naruto only shook his head "No I can't do that, those memories are a reminder of my failure and my reasons to get stronger." He then looked Jiraiya in the eyes "I need them." Naruto laid back down throwing his covers over himself and snuggled into his sleeping bag "Their also my last memories of Okaa-chan I can't forget them."
Jiraiya sighed again "I already told you Naruto what happened wasn't your fault."
Naruto then sat back up and turned to face Jiraiya "I should had been stronger that day I could had at least able to at least save someone it was all my fault. They attacked because of me so I must average everyone I couldn't save that's my reason to live Oji-san and I will see it through." Naruto started and continued "I'll live with these reminders everyday, it will be my drive to get strong enough to defeat him." Naruto finished with venom in his voice.
Jiraiya only looked at Naruto with sad eyes. The same eyes of a boy who's eyes used to be so full of happiness and joy were now replaced with eyes of a war harden Shinobi. No 8-year-old should have dull eyes like this, Jiraiya has seen his fair share of horrors through war being a legendary Shinobi like himself but no child should had to witness the things like that. Jiraiya personally blamed himself a little. If only he had been there he always told himself, he had failed to protect Minato's wife but he wasn't going to fail with Naruto.
"Well anyway be ready early tomorrow, we've got a big day a head of us. So try to get some rest." Jiraiya said leaning back and closing his eyes.
Naruto said nothing as he laid down and closed his own eyes drifting back to sleep.
The Next Day
It was just like Okaa-san and Oji-san said it was. The village was surrounded by a huge wall with a giant opening and the wall surrounded by that seems to be an endless forest.
And now here they stood, Naruto and Jiraiya dawned in black cloaks in front of Konoha one of the Five Great Nations. "Well here we are Naruto, we're home." Jiraiya said in happy voice.
Naruto looked up to the Hokage Mountains seeing his father's face the other Hokages there. He then narrowed his eyes at his father's face. "So this is where Oto-san and Okaa-san lived? Konoha, Oto-san's home and where Okaa-san moved to." Even though Konoha may be his birth place this to Naruto was not his home. No his home was long destroyed and gone and nowhere could replace it. To Naruto Konoha was just another setting.
"Halt who goes there?" One of the gate's guard asked.
Jiraiya took off his hood to his cloak and said "I Jiraiya of the Sannin, I've returned. And have come here because I have a meeting with the Hokage." He told the guard.
The guard then went wide-eyed realizing just who was in front of him and quickly apologized and bowed as Jiraiya and Naruto made their way to the Hokage tower.
The Hokage Tower
The Sandaime Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen was hard at work doing the village's paperwork on his desk. Signing all kinds of important papers, reviewing mission reports, and.."Oh Riza-chan you naughty girl you." Well not today it seemed. The old Kage giggled as he read his favorite adult novel when there was a sudden knock on the door. Sarutobi panicked and nearly dropped his book but quickly hid it under his desk. He then cleared his throat "Who is it?" He asked.
"It's me sensei, Jiraiya I've returned with Naruto." Came Jiraiya's voice from the other side.
The Sandaime then smiled remembering that Jiraiya was scheduled to return today with Naruto. "Ah yes please come in."
As the door opened Naruto got his first glimpse at the current Hokage. He looked a lot older than what his face looked like on the mountain, but then again that was a long time ago when he first became Hokage. Even though he didn't look powerful Okaa-san did teach him never to underestimate someone just because of looks alone.
"Naruto-kun." Sarutobi said "I'm glad to see you again, alive and healthy. You probably don't remember me because the last time we saw each other was when you were still a baby. And now you're all grown up." Sarutobi chuckled at the memory but then frowned "I heard about Kushina and your village, first off let me say I'm sorry.."
"It's fine Hokage-sama." Naruto interrupted with a hollow voice and dull eyes "What happened wasn't your fault you weren't there nor involved in anyway, so please don't be or feel sorry for me." He finished looking at the Hokage in the eyes.
Sarutobi stared at Naruto oddly then to Jiraiya for an answer who only shrugged his shoulders in response. "Ok?" The Hokage said awkwardly.
"Sorry about him sensei." Jiraiya started with an apologize rolling his eyes "He's been like this for a while now and I'm hoping his time here in the village can snap him out of it."
Sarutobi nodded "Yes I see, don't worry I'm sure his time at the Academy will help with that."
Naruto's eyes went wide as he heard this "The Academy?" He questioned "As in the place where young children train to become Shinobi?"
"Yes" The Sandaime answered "It's where we train our future generation to.."
"Your kidding right? Tell him he's joking Oji-san!" Naruto interrupted the Hokage again with a hit of fear in his voice looking up to Jiraiya.
Sarutobi raised an eyebrow "You didn't tell him?"
Jiraiya shook his head "No he's not joking Naruto and also this is probably the best time to tell you, I'll be leaving you here in sensei's care for a while." He told his godson.
Naruto then felt his world crash down on him. "You're..leaving..me?" He asked in a scared voice dropping his head.
Jiraiya then kneeled down to Naruto putting his hands on his shoulders. "Naruto look at me." He demanded, Jiraiya figured he's be upset hearing this but it was now or never. As Naruto looked at Jiraiya in the eyes he continued "Yes I am leaving but I promise I will visit when ever I can, and yes you're going to the Academy it will be good for you trust me. You need to be around others your own age and interact with others, and even make friends too."
Naruto then looked away again "You know I can't make friends Oji-san."
Jiraiya sighed and then stood up "I leave him with you sensei, take care Naruto." He then walked to the door "And please just try for me?" He then looked back "For Minato and Kushina? I know they would want you to be happy." With that he left closing the door behind him.
Naruto looked at the door Jiraiya just exited. His Oji-san had just left him, it's not as if he hadn't ever left him alone before but normally it was only for a day or two. But this time he hadn't known when he was coming back.
"Well Naruto-kun how about we go take a walk to the Academy? The class you'll be joining has just started so how about we start your first day." The Sandaime asked.
Naruto was still looking at the door but then turned to Sarutobi. "Is there any chance of early graduation?" He asked.
"Don't be afraid Naruto-kun." Sarutobi answered.
"Figures." Naruto thought. "But weren't there students who graduated early? My Okaa-san told me stories of whose who graduated even younger than me." Naruto explained. "Plus I've been trained by my Okaa-san since I was four years old even Jiraiya-Ojisan said I'm already at Genin level."
The Hokage nodded "Yes I'm sure you are Naruto-kun but that was under different times. Back then the fear of war was always on the horizon, so we had to prepare to replace any Shinobi we'd loss by graduating any students we thought were ready." He explained. "Like your parents at the age of 10, and prodigies like Uchiha Itachi at 7, and Hatake Kakashi at 5 the youngest on record so far. But now we live in times of peace so there is no need to fear of war, so now we don't have a huge demand for Shinobi right now." He finished and then smiled at Naruto. "Do you understand now Naruto-kun?" He asked.
As he finished Naruto then accept his fate. "Yes I understand Hokage-sama." He said in a defeated voice.
"Oh don't sound so down Naruto-kun you might find this to be an enjoyable experience." Sarutobi said sweetly as he walked to the door "Now come let's go."
Naruto sighed and said under his breath "This is going be a long day..."
The Academy
Hyuga Hinata was not having a very good morning today. First she failed her private training with her Oto-sama again, then elders and other main branch members looked at her with those disapproving eyes again. Not to mention Neji's harsh words to her about how it was useless for her to even attend the Academy because she'd never a mount to anything but a failure before she left. Today was one of those days she'd wish Kaa-san was still alive to comfort her, back to the days when her Oto-sama would smile when they were all happy. But Kaa-san was now dead and Oto-sama stopped smiling and became distance, cold and cruel towards her. She had always felt alone, she had no friends because of her shyness was too afraid to talk and be outgoing. She wasn't very close to her sister either so in the end she had no one to talk, comfort, or do anything. Days like this she just wanted to disappear.
"Ok class quiet down now." Said the Chunin in charge Umino Iruka. "Today we have a new student coming to join us, he's also new to Konoha. Even so I expect you'll still treat them equally like everyone else right?" He asked the class and got a few 'Yes sensei' back. "Good, you can come in now Naruto." He called to the door.
As the door opened Naruto walked in a front of the class not looking up to face them but then picked it up to announce his name "My name is Uzumaki Naruto, I come from a small village just outside of the Land of Fire." He then bowed his head "I hope we can get along these next four years."
Iruka then smiled at his new student's introduction. "Well Naruto I'm glad to have a new student here to train and learn but can you take off your cloak? Just a request." he asked.
Naruto then realized he was still in his traveling cloak "Oh right, I forget I was still even wearing this." He said taking of the cloak, he wore it nearly all the time when he was with Jiraiya so he forgot he even had it on sometimes.
"It's ok, now where can we put you?" Iruka then looked for a place for Naruto to sit "Ah yes Hinata!"
"Yes!" Hinata said surprised to hear her name called.
"Naruto here will be taking the seat next to you for now on. Please try to help him catch up or with help him any trouble ok?" Iruka explained.
Hinata looked down the newest student and Naruto looked to her and they looked into each others eyes. Hinata blushed at the eye contact and looked down and nodded.
Iukra smiled again "Ok Naruto please go and take your seat and we'll be able to begin."
Naruto nodded to his new sensei and walked to his desk. With every step he could hear the whispers the other students were saying about him but Naruto couldn't care less what they thought about him. As he reached his seat Naruto looked to Hinata "Hello." He greeted.
"Hi..." Hinata said quietly and blushing while trying to make eye contact again.
Naruto then took his seat next to Hinata near a corner and looked to her again to catch her looking his way as she turned around still blushing. "She's kind of weird and her eyes, she must be a Hyuga like Okaa-san told me about once." Naruto thought as class began.
Later
It was now lunchtime and Hinata was walking to her favorite spot under the giant tree behind the Academy. There she would watch others chat and joke with friends. She'd wonder if that could be her one day, having friends and not being afraid to come out of her shell. Hinata sighed with her shyness that dream seemed so distance.
As Hinata sat down leaning against the tree and began to eat her bento made by the side branch maids, she heard a noise come from the other side of the tree. It sounded like the sound of a page turning in a book. Hinata then looked to the side she heard the noise and she was Naruto also leaning against the tree reading a book.
"Naruto-san?" Hinata said surprised to see him here.
Naruto looked up from his book and looked to Hinata "Oh Hyuga-san, sorry I didn't notice you. Is this your spot?" Naruto asked.
Hinata looked away poking her fingers together and blushed. "My spot? Well no one ever really comes over here offend and when they do they just normally just ignore me." Hinata thought and was about to answer when a voice cried out.
"Naruto-san!" Called a girl from Naruto's class with her friends behind her with bentos in their hands.
Naruto raised an eyebrow "Yes? Did you need something?" He questioned.
The girl with blond hair smiled "Yes I wanted to know if you wanted to have lunch with me and my friends?" She asked.
Naruto then tilted his head and narrowed his eyes at her. "Damn I hoped I'd avoid this. I'm not here to make friends, but it would be rude to just say no." Okaa-san had always said it's rude to turn down a friendly invite. "I suppose it's fine." He answered her.
The blond smiled again "Alright let me introduce myself and my friends." She then pointed to herself "I'm Yamanaka Ino, this is Mai." She pointed to a girl near her.
"Hi." Said Mai with long brown hair.
"And this is Toimi." She said pointing to another girl to her right with short dark black hair giving Naruto dreamy eyes. "And finally this is.."
"Haruno Sakura." The girl with the pink hair introduced herself.
Ino then looked at Sakura "Geez just can't wait I see?"
"You were just taking forever, anyway nice to meet you Naruto-san." Sakura said sweetly.
Naruto nodded "Like wise."
The girls then sat down making a circle around Naruto and he was the center of attention. Hinata stayed quiet and thought maybe Naruto forgot she was even there. "But why would he care to remember I'm here? With those girls now around him, who he can actually a conversation with." Hinata thought.
"Oh before I forget, Hyuga-san is it ok if they all eat here and me too? You never answered my question." Naruto called out to her.
Hinata then blushed as she realized Naruto didn't forget she was there. "Oh! He didn't forget, and now he asking for my permission sit here! What do I do!" Hinata wasn't too used to talking to others in the Academy for more than a sentence or two. "Hmm...I..don't...mind." She squeaked out.
Ino then asked "Hyuga-san? Oh you mean Hinata!"
"Who?" Mai asked.
Toimi then answered her "You know that girl with those white eyes who's always in the back of the class."
Mai then thought about it "Oh right that girl who never talks."
Hinata frowned. She felt a little depressed inside to hear that. She did talk, well only when talked to or when Iruka-sensei calls her name out.
"Hey Hinata want to join us?" Sakura asked as she kneeled in front of Hinata smiling.
Hinata looked away "Well..I..don't...want.. ...a..."
"Oh come over here girl." Sakura said grabbing her by the arm leading her to the group. "See not so bad here right?" Sakura teased her.
Hinata only dropped her head blushing shaking it no as everyone began to eat their lunches, and Naruto when back to reading.
Toimi then asked "So Naruto-kuunnn..." She purred as Naruto raised an eyebrow at her.
"I don't really like that look she's giving me." Naruto thought. "Yes?" He answered.
"How long have you lived in Konoha so far?" She asked.
"Only since today." He said.
"Really? Just today? Where you traveling with someone?" Sakura asked.
Naruto nodded "Yes I was traveling with my Oji-san but he had to leave as soon as we came, had business to take care of."
"Really what about your parents? Do they still live in the village you came from or Konoha?" Mai asked this time.
Naruto then stopped reading "They died." He said quickly in a low tone.
Everyone then looked sadly at Naruto "Oh sorry." Mai said.
Normally Naruto would had said not to be sorry for him like he did for the Hokage, but this time he chose to say nothing and go back to reading.
"Well what do you do for fun?" Ino asked changing the subject.
"Training and reading." Was all Naruto said.
"Favorite food?" Sakura asked.
"Ramen."
"Why you move to Konoha from your old village?" Mai asked.
Naruto stopped reading again, dropped his head so no one could see his eyes, closed his book and sighed "About a year ago it was attacked and my Okaa-san died that day along with everyone else, I'm the only survivor." Naruto said with those dull eyes of his and no emotions. He then stood up "I believe this break is now over soon right? I'm going back in." He told them as he walked away.
Everyone was quiet not saying a word ones Naruto just said. Hinata had sat there looking at the direction Naruto had walked off, for just a moment Hinata could see a glimpse of Naruto's eyes. And she saw noting, just dull lifeless eyes like the kind you see on a dead person. Is that why? Had Naruto dead on the inside? The way he said this parents were both dead and that he was the sole survivor of an attack on his village, was said in such a cold voice. "Naruto-san I can only wonder just happened to make your eyes like that. What you've experienced." Hinata thought sadly.
"Oh...my...GOD!" Toimi yelled breaking the silence "He's sooooo hot!"
Mai nodded and blushed "I know he's just like Sasuke-kun."
Ino couldn't help but nod in agreement "But he's a lot more talkative than Sasuke-kun but just as mysterious." Her cheeks the became red.
"Hey!" Sakura said getting all their attention "Don't tell me just because Sasuke-kun isn't here right now means you've all fallen for Naruto-san!"
Ino laughed "Of course not, well maybe Toimi." She said as Toimi just shrugged.
"You can have Sasuke-kun, I'll take my Naruto-kun thank you very much." Toimi said happily smiling.
Mai raised an eyebrow "Really your Naruto-kun, I don't remember him agreeing to be yours." She giggled.
Toimi then stood up rising her fist in the air "Maybe not today be soon, I'll get him with my womanly charms." Toimi explained to them.
Sakura, Ino, and Mai's sweat then dropped. "That's what she said about Sasuke-kun." The three thought.
Meanwhile Hinata was still thinking about what Naruto said and his lifeless eyes, his emotionless way of talking. One thing was for sure Uzumaki Naruto was as mysterious as Ino said. And for some reason that made Hinata curious about founding just what Naruto went through and was becoming interested in learning more about him. "Naruto remembers me a bit of myself, he has a shell around himself too. I wonder if maybe there's a way to crack it?"
It would be a challenge and one Hinata was welling to take, maybe that dream of making a friend wasn't so distance. Maybe now she wouldn't be so alone.
Chapter's End
Yea it's going to be kind of slow pace at first, but it will pick up I promise.
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