Miru Koto nai
Sakura Hanamoto
Chapter 1: Himitsu
An eight year old Hyuuga Hinata stood by the gates of the Hyuuga compound waiting. She was waiting for the chuunin who was supposed to escort her to the Academy. She silently hoped it would be Kurenai; the woman was so kind and understanding. Today was the final day of her first year at the Academy. It was also the day they would be testing to see who would move on to the second year and who would be staying behind.
The guard next to the gate kept a watchful eye on the girl but remained silent. The only sound he made was the soft sounds of breathing. Hinata looked forward, her eyes unmoving from the spot they were directed at. The sound of footsteps caught her attention and she listened carefully. The foot falls were too soft to by Kurenai's, based on the way the feet shuffled against the ground, the footwear was most likely too large for the wearer. Suddenly the sound stopped.
"Huh?" A voice made a small noise of curiosity. The footsteps started up again, but they were now approaching her. Hinata made no move to do anything. The person was right in front of her now, she could tell because she could hear the person breathing rather loudly. "Hi, what's your name?" The person asked.
It was a boy, she realized that much, and possibly around her age based on the pitch.
"Etou…Hyuuga Hinata," she replied nervously. She heard a slightly rustle of clothing, she figured the boy was shifting.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, future Hokage!" He exclaimed happily. The guard shifted.
"Leave Hinata-sama alone you damn brat!" The sound of something striking flesh came to Hinata's ears, and Naruto yelped.
"That is enough Hyuuga-san." Hinata cocked her head in the direction of the new comer. It was Kurenai. Kurenai helped Naruto to his feet. "Are you okay?" She asked him. Hinata heard no answer to the question.
"Are you ready to go Hinata-sama?" Kurenai asked the girl.
"Yes," Hinata stepped away from the gates. Kurenai placed her hand on the girl's shoulder and led her away, Naruto trailing behind them.
XxXxXxX
The final test was a written one, Hinata stared at her desk. 'What should I do?' She thought nervously. The paper in front of her didn't even have her name written on it. Hinata shifted in her seat and twitted her fingers. Everyone seemed to be writing already, answering with little hesitation. 'What should I do?' She repeated to herself. Hinata felt light-headed. She rested her head on the cool wood of the desk and it passed for a moment. She lifted her head. Another wave of dizziness struck her and she felt herself falling.
"Oi! Hyuuga! Sensei help!" Hinata's neighbor called for their teacher.
XxXxXxX
Hinata awoke to the strong scent of a sterile room. 'The nurse's office?' There was a slight noise beside her.
"I'm glad to see you're awake Hinata," a male voice spoke.
"Iruka-sensei?" She questioned.
"Yep, you passed out in the middle of the test. Are you feeling okay?" He asked her.
"My head hurts," she replied. Her ears seemed to be throbbing as well. And her nose itched like there was no tomorrow. She scratched it subconsciously.
"I'll go ask the nurse for some aspirin," Hinata heard Iruka stand and walk away.
'What's happening to me? Why is this happening?' She thought. Hinata was afraid, afraid of many things, especially what she was hiding from her family. She didn't even want to think about what would happen if her father found out. Iruka soon returned and placed a pill in her hand. She popped it into her mouth and swallowed.
"You can go ahead and rest here for the rest of the day," Iruka stood and gave her a pat on the head.
"But what about the test?"
"You can take it tomorrow," he told her. "So, you don't have to worry about it right now."
"Okay then," Hinata lay back down and closed her eyes to sleep some more.
XxXxXxX
When Hinata returned home, she was quickly summoned to her father's study. She already knew what he wanted, and she was scared of what would happen. She slid the door open and entered. She bowed to her father and sat.
"Hinata, today was your final exam for this year correct?" Hyuuga Hiashi asked his eldest daughter.
"Yes father," she replied softly.
"And I expect you were placed at the top of you class," Hiashi stated. Hinata was horror-struck; she couldn't very well tell him what had happened. After all, Hyuuga's don't faint.
"E-etou, I haven't t-taken the t-t-test yet," Hinata managed to stutter out. She half expected her father to explode in rage but, to her surprise, he did not.
"Why is that?" He asked her in a calm voice, a voice that was too calm.
"I-I fainted d-during the test…" She trailed off. "I-Iruka-sensei said I-I c-c-could take it tomorrow." Hinata told him.
"I see, then tomorrow, I expect you to have your results, and as a Hyuuga, you must have the highest scores.
"Yes father," Hiashi dismissed the girl and she left quickly.
XxXxXxX
Nearly four years since that day, Hinata and her classmates had grown in many ways. Hinata herself had not changed a whole lot in personality, still shy and soft-spoken. She now found herself wandering the streets of Konoha. In need of a momentary reprieve, she had left the Hyuuga compound two hours before.
'Father hates me.' She thought. 'I'm so weak, I can't even defend myself.' She brought her arms up to wrap around her midsection in an attempt to comfort herself.
"UZUMAKI!" The sound of shouting brought her out of her thoughts and back to the present. Three sets of footsteps were coming towards her. One much lighter than the other two. The owner of the lighter steps was also laughing.
"Can't catch me!" The boy taunted. Hinata felt her face grow warm.
'Naruto-kun,' she thought, unable to move from where she stood. Suddenly, Naruto crashed into her. He'd been too busy watching the pair of chuunin chasing him that he hadn't seen Hinata. They tumbled to the ground in a tangle of limbs.
"Ow, oh, Hinata, are you okay?" The cheerful boy asked. He disentangled himself from her and stood, the chuunin now forgotten.
"Y-yes," Hinata replied. She pushed herself up and brushed dirt from her jacket.
"Get back here Naruto!" The sound of the yelling chuunin caught their attention.
"Crap, forgot about them," Naruto sighed and grabbed Hinata's hand. "Follow me." He pulled her along.
'Naruto-kun is holding my hand,' Hinata stumbled along behind the boy. Suddenly, Naruto halted and Hinata ran into his back. He pulled her to her feet without a thought to it.
"Dead end," Naruto murmured. Looking back at Hinata he felt a pang of guilt for getting her involved. But really, they couldn't punish her either way; she was, after all, the heiress to the Hyuuga clan. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he jumped up and managed to grab onto the ledge of the brick wall. He pulled them up and jumped to the ground on the other side. Hinata had felt the rush of air both times and was astounded by Naruto's physical strength. He was surprisingly strong for a boy of his age and background. Naruto grabbed her by the hand again and they kept on running.
"Naruto-kun, where are we going?" Hinata managed to ask when the scents surrounding her changed. It went from the smell of people and industry, to the lush smell of trees, grass, and spring rain.
"My favorite hiding spot, only Iruka-sensei knows where it is," he replied. Eventually, he slowed to a walk but still held on to Hinata's hand. Naruto lead her on for what seemed like a while. The temperature dropped and she knew that the sun had set. She shivered slightly, wishing that she had her jacket. "Are you cold?" Naruto asked her.
"No," Hinata answered. "How much farther?" She asked.
"Just a little more," Naruto told her. The warmth of the sun was gone now and the sound of crickets was beginning. After another ten minutes, they came to a stop. "We're here Hinata-chan." Naruto announced. Hinata couldn't hold in her small gasp at his choice of honorific. Naruto released her hand and she took a hesitant step forward. She could hear the sound of water gently flowing nearby.
"What is this place?" She asked him.
"It's sort of like my own little garden out here," Naruto replied. He averted his eyes from her and a light blush stained his cheeks.
"You like gardening?"
"Yeah, I've got a bunch of plants back at my apartment," the blonde boy told her. Naruto placed his hands on Hinata's shoulders and steered her towards the center of the clearing. "Here, sit down." He gave her a gentle push down and she sat. Naruto looked around and began selecting a few flowers. "Iruka-sensei helps me out when he has time; he also got me the flowers to plant since most of the flower shops won't let me in." Naruto explained as he zipped about picking flowers. He gathered it all into a bouquet and pushed it into Hinata's hands. "You can have these, if you want." He told her.
"Thank you," Hinata sniffed the bouquet. "It smells beautiful Naruto-kun."
"Thanks, I know you can't see so I thought it'd be nice, you can't see the flowers, but can at least smell them," he explained.
"How did you know?" Hinata asked, slightly panicked.
"I'm not as stupid as most people think Hinata-chan, I noticed that your eyes barely move and you never blink," Naruto told her. "Also, all of your tests are oral; I've heard Iruka-sensei giving them to you after class when I have detention." He said.
"You won't tell anyone will you?"
"If you don't want me to," the blonde told her. He reached out and placed a hand on hers. "I promise."
"Thank you Naruto-kun," Hinata smiled.
"We should head back, it's pretty late now." Naruto stood up and helped Hinata up. They began their walk back to the village in silence. Hinata held the bouquet in one arm, while her other hand gripped Naruto's.
'I think that this is the happiest day of my life so far.' Hinata thought. "N-Naruto-kun, what kind of flowers are these?" She asked.
"All kinds," Naruto carefully pulled one from the bouquet and brought it up to her nose and let her smell it. He gave her the name while she memorized the scent. He did this with all the flowers.
"Naruto-kun," Hinata began.
"What is it?"
"Um, why are you being so kind to me?" She asked.
"I admire you Hinata-chan," he replied. "Even though you have a handicap, you keep trying your best to get better and stronger, to be a good ninja. There have been times when I wanted to give up. But then I remember my goal and I see you trying so hard to prove your strength to others and I decide to keep on going." Naruto admitted. He was somewhat glad that Hinata couldn't see him because she would have seen his face glow bright red like a Christmas tree.
But Naruto was not blind and saw clearly that Hinata was also blushing a luminescent red. The fell silent again and continued on. Hinata abruptly halted, but then gripped the back of Naruto's shirt.
"What's wrong?" He asked. Hinata's head turned left and right, sniffing something out. Naruto tried as well, and the smell of an unknown person hit him. He instinctively shoved Hinata to the ground as a barrage of shuriken came barreling from the trees. He shielded Hinata's body with her own as well. Once it was over, he jumped up and pulled Hinata with him, the crushed bouquet forgotten on the ground.
XxXxXxX
Umino Iruka looked around the clearing, it was empty. It had been the last place he'd checked for Naruto. The boy had somehow managed to break into the ANBU offices and put superglue on all of the ANBU captain's seats. That hadn't ended well. Naruto had been running from the scene while pursued by Izumo and Kotetsu. The pair had lost him when the blonde had turned into an alley, apparently dragging Hinata with him. Now he stood in the garden he had helped Naruto to create for the past two years. When he found out that the boy enjoyed taking care of plants, he had set out to help Naruto out. This little garden was the end result of it. He noted that some flowers had been picked recently and there was a pair of slight indentations in the grass from where two children had been sitting.
"Well, now I know they were here at one point. Now to just find them," Iruka took off from the garden, tracking the pair of ninja in training.
XxXxXxX
"We have to get back to the village Hinata-chan, whoever did that won't try with so many people around," Naruto pulled Hinata along. She tripped over a tree root. Naruto picked her up and carried her, realizing that he'd move faster this way. He leapt into a tree and pushed off from the tree branch to the next one.
"Give me the Hyuuga brat!" Naruto glanced back to see a ninja dressed in unfamiliar clothing bearing down on them. Once the man was close enough, Naruto could clearly see his forehead protector.
"K-Kumo-nin!"
"They're after Hinata-chan's eyes!" A deep voice rumbled in Naruto's mind.
'Who the hell are you?!' Naruto demanded silently.
"No time for explanations, don't let him take Hinata-chan," Naruto nodded and picked up his pace. Suddenly, Naruto was tackled in mid leap and hit the ground, cradling Hinata in his arms to protect her. She tumbled out of his arms.
"Hinata-chan, run, don't let him get you!" Naruto cried as the Kumo-nin descended upon him and kicked him in the stomach, knocking the air out of him. Hinata stood frozen, her head pounding painfully.
'No, not now!' She clutched her head and fell to her knees. The Kumo-nin approached the helpless girl.
"Hinata-chan!" Naruto screamed and felt power flow through him. His body reacted before his mind could prevent it. Naruto leapt onto the Kumi-nin, wrapping his legs around the man's waist, and one arm about his neck, strangling him. His other arm braced the one choking the man. Hinata was now fully collapsed on the ground, still gripping her head, it felt like it was splitting apart. The Kumo-nin flailed, trying to reach the small orange and yellow bundle latched onto his back. Finally, the Kumo-nin's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell forward. Naruto untangled himself from the unconscious man and approached Hinata.
He was about to speak with a familiar person came crashing through the trees. "Naruto! You are in so much trouble!" Iruka yelled. But he quickly calmed when he saw Hinata crying in agony.
"What's happening to her Iruka-sensei?" Naruto asked as he pulled Hinata into a hug. Iruka came forward and placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder.
"It's okay Hinata, it'll be okay," Iruka whispered comforting words into her ear. Finally, the girl stopped crying and raised her head from where it was buried in Naruto's chest.
"I-Iruka-sensei?" She asked him uncertainly.
"What's wrong Hinata?"
"I-I can see you…" she trailed off. Iruka's eyes widened. Hinata reached up and traced the scar across his nose. "Like, just an outline in chakra, no color." Hinata explained. Suddenly, her eyes closed and she fainted.
"H-Hinata-chan!" Naruto shook her gently but she didn't wake up. Iruka smiled slightly at the boy.
'It seems that he's got a soft spot for Hinata.' He thought. Suddenly a squad of ANBU appeared. Naruto gulped, recognizing one of them as a captain he'd pranked. They were about o move towards Naruto when Iruka stopped them.
"Wait," he stood between the four ANBU and Naruto.
"What is the meaning of this?" The captain asked. His face was hidden behind a mask.
"Don't harm Naruto, he just saved Hinata," Iruka explained. "That Kumo-nin tried to take Hinata, Naruto protected her at risk of his own life." One of the ANBU inspected the still form of the Kumo-nin.
"He is still alive, but unconscious." The ANBU reported.
"Bring him as well, we're going to speak to Hokage-sama," the captain said. Iruka nodded. Naruto stood, holding Hinata in his arms. The much larger group trudged back to the village, the ANBU captain in the lead, the three other squad members carrying the comatose Kumo-nin. Iruka brought up the rear, a hand placed comfortingly on Naruto's shoulder as he carried Hinata in his arms.
XxXxXxX
Sarutobi was surprised to hear a knock on his office door so late. The door opened and an ANBU captain entered along with Iruka, Naruto, and Hinata.
"Sir, we have come to report that a Kumo-nin infiltrated the village and attempted to kidnap Hyuuga Hinata," he said.
"I see that the attempt failed, good work," Sarutobi said, dismissing the captain.
"Sir, we were not the ones to save her, Uzumaki Naruto was with her during the time of the attack and protected her. The Kumo-nin has been taken to Ibiki for questioning." Sarutobi glanced at Naruto, who had sat down in a nearby sofa, with a sleeping Hinata leaning against him.
"Thank you, I want a written report on my desk in two days, and please bring Hyuuga Hiashi," Sarutobi requested.
"Yes sir," The captain left. Sarutobi looked over at Iruka.
"Is there something you wanted to say Iruka?" Sarutobi asked the man.
"Yes, before Hinata passed out; she told me that she could see me. But it was just an outline of me, I don't know what she meant by that. She's been blind her whole life, and now she can see to a certain extent, it's quite incredible." Iruka told Sarutobi.
"Before that, her head was really hurting her thought," Naruto added.
"I see, it's a good think I've summoned her father then," Sarutobi sighed. As he finished this sentence, Hiashi burst through the door.
"Where's Hinata?" He demanded.
"Calm yourself Hiashi, Hinata's fine, just sleeping." Sarutobi indicated the sofa where Hinata leaned against Naruto. The boy in question had fallen asleep as well in that short amount of time. "Please, sit down Hiashi." Sarutobi gestured towards one of the chairs in front of his desk. Hiashi sat a scowl on his face, mostly due to the fact that Naruto and Hinata looked oddly comfortable in that position.
"What do you need to say?" Hiashi asked.
"First of all, are you aware of Hinata's handicap?" Sarutobi asked.
"What?" Hiashi looked like he was ready to attack.
"Hinata is blind Hyuuga-sama," Iruka told the older man.
"She's blind? How?" Hiashi looked over at his daughter.
"She's been blind, all her life. You can't really tell because her eyes look like any other Hyuuga's," Iruka told him. "At the end of her first year at the Academy, she started staying later to get extra help from me. I also gave her oral tests during this time because she couldn't read the questions." Iruka told him.
"How could I not have noticed, I just thought she wasn't applying herself in her training," Hiashi sighed. "All this time I've been so hard on her to master Jyuuken when she couldn't even see."
"Now that you know, there have been some interesting developments. Tonight, she told Iruka-sensei that she could see an outline of his body, nothing detailed or colored. I don't know whether this will be permanent, or something she can turn on and off," Sarutobi said. "But for now, take her home and let her rest."
"Was Uzumaki with her?"
"Yes, he saved her, and I believe that they may become close friends sometime in the future," Sarutobi stated.
"Is if possible to have them placed on the same team prior to graduation?" Hiashi asked.
"Perhaps, we'll have to see if Naruto can raise his grades first," Iruka answered.
"Very well, good night Hokage-sama, Umino-san," Hiashi picked Hinata up from her place, and to his surprise received a small amount of resistance on Naruto's part. He had grabbed Hinata's hand in his sleep and didn't want to let go. Iruka pulled their hands apart gently and Hiashi left.
"I'll take Naruto home Hokage-sama, good night," Iruka lifted the boy into his arms.
"Good night Iruka," Sarutobi lit his pipe and swiveled around to look out the windows. "It seems that things are starting to change for the better." He murmured to himself. "Yes, most definitely."
My third Naruto fic, but my first to feature the original characters from teh story as the main character. This idea just popped into my head early last week and I just had to write it down, so here it is, the first chapter. Also, I wanted to make sure it wasn't an overly used concept, from what I found, it isn't, so that's good. please read and review!