Chapter 1: First meetings

AN: Something very different as I've never written a Naruto story before. Also I hope you will review to let me know if you like it. Enjoy! :) (Note to the already previous version readers: it has some changes but nothing major so you don't need to read everything again but only if you want to)

Extended summary: The 'foxes' of Konoha. The Yondaime couldn't seal half of the fox into himself, instead he split it between two children hoping that they would be seen as heroes of the Leaf, yet this was not to be. Luckily Anko Mitarashi takes no note of the council or anyone for that matter, she watches over these kids and helps them develop into the legends they can become. It all starts at a chance meeting between two outcasts, sparking a journey that will influence not only their lives but also those around them. Follow their hardships, character growth and adventures along the way as our favourite shinobi grow up and learn what it means to protect your loved ones. (Pairings: Naruto/Hinata, Anko/?, Naruko/?)

Just in case disclaimer: I do not owe any of these characters, nor do I intend to make a profit or any intentional infringement of the copyright.

"Hinata, you are a disgrace to the Hyūga clan." The icy voice of Hiashi cut through the cold night. He looked at his daughter full disdain, not understanding that the stiff Hyūga taijutsu wasn't working for her. He was a proud man, stuck in his own believes of clan superiority. The only difference setting him aside from the Uchiha clan was that he was loyal to Konoha. Looking down on the ground he saw his daughter's weak attempt at standing up. Without sparing her a look of concern he struck her down again. "No use for you to get up, disappointing filth should stay on the ground." He spoke harshly once more.

The six year old couldn't help but let a tear out at her father's uncaring attitude. He always used to be strict but he at least had a more gentle and kind side to him. Never berating her for trying and always encouraged her to do better. But that was ages ago, back when her mother was still alive. Thinking of her mother, Hinata lost all her will to keep a mask and let out more tears.

Remembering that painful moment a few years back, that changed her life. First her mother died and only a few weeks later she nearly got kidnapped. She wished she had been stronger, more resilient and even a part of her wished that the kidnapping had succeeded. At least than she would not have been a hindrance to her family.

Hinata lost a lot in her thus far short life and ever since that dreadful day she not only lost her mother but also her father. Not that it got any better for the little Hyūga heir after that. The kidnapping of her by the head ninja of Kumogakure, caused their already shaky relationship to spiral down into an abyss of what some saw as plain abuse. The rest of what happened that night was a terrible nightmare. As she not only lost her uncle, her cousin, her little sister's respect and her father's last little bit of humanity too. Hinata understood though, she always did, but knowing why someone hated you doesn't make it easier or fair. Nevertheless, she accepted her faults as she truly believed that she indeed too weak. Had she been stronger her uncle would have been still alive. Neji wouldn't have to grow up without a father and she would have at least part of her family back. No, instead her cousin Neji will forever blame her while being forced to 'protect' her due to his caged bird seal. Her own father continuously blamed her for the death of his brother. Never stopping his hateful words and his unrelenting anger at her kind heart and gentle ways. She was not fit to be an heir in his eyes. His training got more brutal as time went on trying to stamp that kindness he thought to be her weakness out. But it was her kindness that would give her strength, she knew it after all her mother was strong and she was kind, could she not be the same? She knew somewhere deep inside that he loved her, it was that hopeful part of her would never give up on her Otosan. Hinata loved her father dearly. It was a complicated relationship, at best strained by mutual disappointment. However, she wouldn't forget how he used to tell her bed time stories.

She looked up towards her father trying to convey these confusing feeling of anger, understanding, and sadness.

Hoping that he would understand that she was trying her very best but it just didn't work for her. The Hyūga style was unrelenting in its form and didn't flow as she did. She hoped he would finally understand if she could stand tall before him, not backing down. Instead he looked at her sternly as she was trying to get up. He struck her down once more; her poor body couldn't stand the pain anymore as she blacked out.

Hiashi finally noticed that she wasn't trying to get up. Upon further inspection he realised that she had fainted. Not caring about her he simply left her laying there on the dojo floor. Little did he know this whole fight was witnessed by another young girl and her newly acquired sensei.

A little while earlier.

Naruko was hungry and cold. She had been out all day trying to find food for herself and little brother, Naruto. She wasn't sure why but they were hated by the village. Today she had nothing to show for her effort, all the traps she had laid out were destroyed and none of the shops wanted to sell food to her as she was the 'demon's sister'. Whatever that was supposed to mean. Suddenly she felt a presence beside her.

"Oi, kid what are you doing here?" A purple haired lady asked her.

'Shit!' Naruko thought. The only time people talked to her and Naruto was when they meant them harm. Naruko shuddered, this time not from the cold but rather some memories she wished she could forget. "Did you lose your voice brat? No worries I'll talk for the both of us. But first we've gotta do something about your pathetic look" With that the oddly dressed purple head offered Naruko a piece of dango. "Eat up" She commanded gently.

Naruko looked at the piece of dango as if it would attack her. Thinking that perhaps it was poisoned. From Naruko's experience most likely it was. "No worries kiddo, I won't bite" The purple lady paused "Yet." and laughed. "You're still too young for me" The kunoichi added with a sly grin and an over the top wink. Although the very statement would have made any sane person run for the hills for some reason this made Naruko trust her. Momentarily she saw through the crude humour and mask the scarcely dressed woman wore. Naruko saw a smart and strong woman, something she wanted to be herself someday. Reaching out to the dango she took it.

"Thank you…." Naruko trailed off not knowing the woman's name in front of her.

"Anko Mitarashi is the name. Hottest and toughest kunoichi of Konoha!" came the self-introduction with a banner and everything.

Naruko sweat dropped. "Who the hell is this woman?" Something told she should have left, never taken the dango and just run for it the moment she had laid eyes on her.

"Tsk. Not even applause? Kids these days…." the woman now identified as Anko sulked. However a moment later she recovered again as she took in the appearance of Naruko before her. "Kid must be cold and that look in her eyes… it reminds me of me." Anko would be damned if she would turn her back on anyone who was treated by the village as she was. "Screw the village council banning all shinobi from helping the twins, she wasn't going to sit back and let a bunch of pricks dictate how to live her life." With those thoughts she decided that she would take care of the little gaki from now on. "Let's grab you something more to eat."

Naruko overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events was shocked silent. "Jeez kid, snake got your tongue or something? Tell me, do you want to be a ninja?"

This seemed to wake Naruko out of her stupor as she replied wholeheartedly "Hell yeah! You'll see before you know it my brother and I will be the strongest ninja's ever! Dattebayo"

"Come on kiddo we got places to go. No apprentice of mine will be seen in those kill me orange clothes" Unlike her twin-brother Naruko knew that orange wasn't the best ninja colour and even she had to admit it was a bit too much. But it was all they were willing to sell to the foxy duo.

Any outsider wouldn't have believed it if they were told Anko was gentle and sweet to anyone besides Kurenai and even to her she was a bitch just because she could. No one ever said Anko was sane, kind or emotionally stable and due to her past she just like the young girl before her was another village outcast. Hated by many civilians and ninja's alike due to her mentor being a traitor. Yet no one dared to look dirty or voice their hated directly to her… she was known for being the second in command of the torture and interrogation department and needless to say, she struck fear into people's hearts. Served those bastards right, was her general opinion.

Moments later they were walking passed the Hyūga estate. Hearing the noises of a battle this late at night worried the young girl and she, despite Anko's warning, went to investigate. To her frustration Anko followed the little gaki knowing what the Hyūga would do should they notice the girl spying on their family training.

What they witnessed next managed to even appal Anko.

Years of being a ninja and her skills held her back, knowing that what Hiashi did was well within his rights as clan head to train anyone who he wished of the Hyūga clan. But even she had to admit that this could hardly be passed off as training, it was much closer to child abuse. Orochimaru was a monster in many ways but even he didn't beat her up like this and pass it off as training. Anko had to admit the small girl had guts as she kept trying to stand up, proving her stubbornness. However as quickly as that thought came she had wished the girl had stayed down watching how Hiashi slammed her down again. They both watched the Hyūga head storming of after the poor girl fainted. Suddenly she noticed Naruko moving towards. "Damn brat, what is she up to?"

Naruko couldn't help herself but she had to help the little dark haired girl. Slowly she walked over, checking her surroundings every other step to make sure she wasn't noticed. As she stood next to the little Hyūga she tried to shake her awake.

A soft moan escaped Hinata's lips, her whole body hurt and it seemed like someone was shaking her. Assuming it was her caretaker Ko she decided to open her eyes only to come to the realization that there was a young redheaded girl before her. In a moment of panic she tried to fight her off only to wince in pain her ribs hurting.

Naruko saw the moment of panic and quickly tried to comfort the girl by taking a small step back implying that she meant no harm. "Hi, I'm Naruko. Don't worry, I won't hurt you like that mean man did."

"H-he isn't mean, Otosama was just t-training me" Even to Hinata this sounded weak but she felt obliged to defend her father, he was right after all she was weak and worthless.

Naruko was shocked by the wounded girl's confession. "Her own father did this? Unbelievable! Perhaps I am better off without parents. No that can't be the case I'm sure this is not how fathers are supposed to act? But still I should help her somehow". Naruko looked straight at Hinata hoping that she wouldn't offend her.

"Just cause he is your dad, doesn't make it right but I can't talk, I have no parents. Anyway what's your name?"

'H-Hin-nata H-Hyu-ga' came the soft reply.

Anko found this sad to watch the gaki was too freaking shy to even say her own name confidently. Damn that Hiashi, didn't he see that his harsh treatment caused the girl to jump at her own shadow?

Anko never liked Hyūgas, especially not a certain clan head. Perhaps she could train the girl and rub it in their faces that she, Anko Mitarashi, managed to train the clan heir better than they ever could. Revenge was sweet. Talking about sweet this whole scene between the girls wanted to make her gag. Time to make an entrance she grinned broadly at what she had planned next.

Anko Shusined right in front of the girls accompanied by the same banner as before with some additional fireworks in the background. "Missed me? Now girly, I offer you to be an excellent ninja and the first thing you do is run after this girl to chase some skirt? Didn't know you swung this way… Perhaps I will bite after all" She winked at Naruko who turned beet red.

Hinata couldn't help but faint again.

Security was lax at the Hyūga compound if no one noticed her elaborate entrance. This confirmed for Anko that Hinata wasn't cared after one bit. The truth however was slightly different. They had noticed, Hiashi had just ordered them to go back to their original posts, stating it was only his foolish daughter. Meanwhile with his Byakugan active he continued to watch what was going to happen next.

Anko couldn't help but this it was no wonder some Kumo Jōnin managed to kidnap the heiress. Or was this on purpose? No, even Anko couldn't think that a bastard like Hiashi would do something like that to his own daughter. Little did she know how wrong and yet so close to the truth she was. Unknown to anyone but the elders and Hiashi, Hinata's Byakugan would seal the instantly on the Elders whim. Something dark in the Hyūga compound was going on. The death of his wife and twin was all linked to this. If the Hokage were ever to discover what happened that fateful night the Hyūga elders' lives would be forfeit.

Hiashi was a misunderstood man; no one knew the Kyuubi was sealed in two children not just the Uzumaki kid but also his own daughter. The Hokage tried to seal the second half in him-self only to realize that he would not have enough chakra to hold it till his soul would be taken by the Shinigami. Hiashi being a close friend and fiercely loyal to Konoha offered his own daughter as a fellow Jinjuriki to save them all. He always kept a watchful eye over Hinata knowing of the hate the elders carried for her. He could only thank Kami that her status as Jinjuriki wasn't known in the whole village. However after the death of his wife he lost himself in grief, and didn't pay as much attention to Hinata as he should have. But that was no excuse to have let the elders get away with their crimes. If only he had been more watchful of his eldest daughter, if only she wasn't sealed with that cursed seal that the elders could activate the moment he stepped out of line. He hated how harsh he had to be to his little sunshine, he saw how her confidence was crumbling away and yet even after all that, she defended him towards this Naruko girl. His stoic mask betrayed none of his internal turmoil and raging emotions. He was surprised when Anko entered the scene, he knew of the friendship between him and his wife but ever since he and his wife married she stopped coming by, by the time his wife died she went as far as publicly hating the Hyūga clan. Maybe he should have a chat with her sometime. Yes that is what he would do for now however he had to attend another meeting with the elders and left.

'Come on squirt it is time for us to get going, I am still going to train you.' Anko stated, appearing impatient. '

'Wait Anko-sensei, can Hinata-chan come with us?' Naruko asked excited at the prospect of training together with another girl. She even hoped that the girl could be a friend someday. Besides she had already made up her mind, no way no how was she going to let some prick harm Hinata, especially not her own father. That was a promise and Naruko Uzumaki doesn't go back on her promises dattebayo!

Hinata had only just woken up again and felt for the worse. She was sure that this odd yet strong ninja wouldn't want to train her. No one wanted to train the weakest Hyūga ever born. And even if there was even the slightest hope Matarashi-sama would agree to Naruko-san question her own father would never allow it.

Anko was right, she played that little red head like a fiddle and going by the looks of the shy brat really wanted to join, right before so lost all hope. Sad really, seeing a young girl without hope or confidence. Oh yes these brats were in for it.

'Mmh well I could always train two brats for the price of one. Double the torture - Ahum I mean fun- yes fun' she acted wickedly. After all she should really have some fun on the way while completing her little charity project. Anko mused to herself.

'Yatta! Great thanks!' Naruko cheered.

'D-Demo' Hinata tried to explain that her family would never allow it but Anko interrupted her.

'What speak up squirt, can't hear you. Anyway, it doesn't matter I am going to train you both in secret. This is how it goes; you will enrol into the ninja academy, graduate and get into your little Genin teams. Never reveal your skills as a ninja, keep those hidden for either the Chūnin exams or a mission under dire need. No questions? Good, I'll pick you both up… when you least expect it.' Sounding as threatening as possible, trying to scare the two girls a little. 'Ya ne' and with that Anko disappeared leaving the two children behind.

'So Hinata, sounds like we will be training together.' Naruko sounding upbeat.

'H-Hai' Hinata was both happy and scared at the same time. What would happen if her family found out? What would her dad say or worse what if the clan elders found out! Just before she was almost fully panicking she was pulled out of her thoughts.

'Hinata-chan, you don't mind training with me right?'

Hinata couldn't believe her ears; she thought the girl before her was confident and strong in every way. To hear her sounding shy and insecure it just didn't fit, her father always told her that you couldn't be insecure and strong. Emotions were a weakness. Yet, Naruko seemed strong or was she weak too? Like herself? But then why would Matarashi-sama offer to train them? It made no sense. Hinata totally forgot to answer in her shock.

'I guess that you're not too happy, sorry I just thought that you weren't like all the other villagers.'

'No!' Hinata immediately turned red as she spoke this time without stuttering. 'I-I mean th-at, w-well I would l-like to train with you'

Naruko's mood fared much better after hearing Hinata confess; 'Well than we better get to know each other' she smiled at Hinata.

Meanwhile Hiashi was once again in a meeting with the Hyūga elders.

'I do not care for my eldest daughter, I have given up on training her a long time ago. But we cannot simply kill her off as you've suggested. That would be political suicide. No we will let her join the ninja academy and weak as she is she will perish as soon as she gets a mission.' Hiashi spoke in confidence appearing cold hearted but in truth it was the only way his daughter would have a chance at surviving but he couldn't let this be known. So he pretended to be heartless and uncaring towards his daughter, hoping that it worked.

There were some murmurs of agreement among the elders.

'Alright then, as of tomorrow we will enrol her into the ninja academy.' The elders made the final decision. Hiashi continued to plot and balance a dangerous playground in the hope of saving his daughters life. He sighed and steeled himself of what had to be done. He hoped that the academy at least would give her a fighting chance, he managed to protect Hanabi, Neji was safe as long as he continued his blatant hatred of Hinata, someday they would all know the truth but for now he had a role to assume. 'Then I move to adjourn this meeting and this topic until three years from now to see how we will get her on the least team.' Murmers of agreement sounded and the elders left Hiashi alone. 'Hitomi, I am sorry for what I have done to our family and what I am about to do'