Chronicle 1
The Awful Truth

Naruto's Confession

Team 7 returns to the village feeling worse than they had ever felt. They had failed to capture Itachi, and in turn Sasuke. Naruto was not looking forward to informing Tsunade of yet another failed mission. And with the death of Asuma Sarutobi, the military strength of Konoha has been weakened. "I am so not looking forward to hearing Obaa-chan's lecture, but it can't be helped," Naruto muttered, an air of extreme self-disappointment in his voice.

"Naruto we did the best we could, and that's all that matters," Sakura reassured her friend while putting her hand on his shoulder. "Besides, with Jiraiya to help, finding Sasuke again isn't completely impossible."

"I know, but I still feel like shit," Naruto muttered hating himself at the moment. "Come on Obaa-chan's waiting," Naruto declared regrettably.

Tsunade was recently informed of very unfortunate news and was stressing big time. 'How do I tell him? It's not so simple that I could just tell him,' Tsunade thought desperately her head in her hands. There was a knock at her office door. She quickly straightened herself and told them to enter. When she saw who walked in her expression nearly faltered. "So how did it go? Was the mission a success?" seeing the expressions on everyone's faces told her enough. "I see," Tsunade continued in despair. "You are all dismissed. Naruto stay behind, there is something I must speak to you about," Naruto nodded not understanding. When everyone left Tsunade turned her attention to Naruto. "Naruto…something very unfortunate has happened," Tsunade was clearly upset.

"Obaa-chan what are talking about?" Naruto was stressing out big time.

"Naruto…it's about Jiraiya," Tsunade muttered.

"What about the Pervy Sage? What did he do now?" Naruto grumbled.

"That's just it Naruto, nothing," Naruto was confused, but Tsunade cut him off before he could comment. "Naruto, Jiraiya is…gone, he was…killed while gathering information on the Akatski leader."

"W-w-what, no that's not true it can't be," Naruto held his hands over his ears in disbelief.

"Naruto I wish it wasn't but-but it is," Naruto was now unable to speak, giving Tsunade reason to be concerned. "Are you okay?"

"I-I just want to be alone," and for the first time in Naruto's life he really did want to be alone.

"Naruto come back around seven there's something else I need to discuss with you about," Naruto merely muttered a 'yes,' as a response.

"Hey Naruto, you're back I…," Naruto just continued to walk by not noticing Neji, TenTen, or Lee. "What's up with him? I've never seen that kind of look in his eyes," Neji stated in concern. TenTen and Lee only shrugged saying they didn't know either.

At 7 o'clock...

Naruto knocked on Tsunade's office door, and entered after he was permitted entrance. "Naruto have a seat," Tsunade offered as Naruto approached her desk. Naruto blinked a few times. "Is something wrong?"

"You mean I'm still standing?" Naruto asked in monotone.

"Naruto I feel its time you knew," Tsunade started seriously.

"Lady Tsunade I must remind you he is still only sixteen, and with Jiraiya's recent death, what could you possibly be thinking by telling him now?" a voice snarled from inside the room.

"InuYasha drop the Transparency Jutsu and show yourself," Tsunade muttered. A young blonde-haired man appeared standing beside Tsunade. "That's better," Naruto stared in confusion. "Naruto as I already said earlier I feel as if you are ready to know."

"Know what?" Naruto asked nervously.

"Who your parents were," Naruto nearly fell off the chair he was sitting on.

"Y-y-you knew m-my parents?" Naruto demanded confused.

"Yes I did," Tsunade muttered quietly. "Y-your mother's name is Kushina Uzumaki."

"And-and m-my father? W-who was he?"

"Your father's name was Minato Namikaze," Tsunade muttered quietly.

Naruto's eyes nearly feel out of his head. Naruto literally feel off the chair and crawled to the back wall. "W-w-what, y-you must be-be j-joking right? S-stop t-toying with m-me," Naruto stuttered angrily.

"Naruto you know who he is?" Tsunade asked confused.

"Of-of course I-I do. H-he w-was the F-Fourth H-Hokage," Naruto snarled angrily. "W-why are you teasing me l-like this Obaa-c-chan?"

"Naruto its true," the other individual finally spoke out. "I told you Lady Tsunade, he isn't quite ready yet."

"Shut up InuYasha, how could you think that? He is your brother after all," Tsunade snapped.

"Good going Lady Tsunade, now we have to tell him EVERYTHING," InuYasha snarled.

"W-w-what?" was all Naruto could say with the little energy he had left in his brain.

"Naruto I will now tell you everything. But be ready because you will be here for quite a while," Naruto merely muttered an 'okay,' as a response.

Three Hours Later

"W-w-why was I never t-told t-this?" Naruto demanded.

"To protect you Naruto."

"But t-that I-I have s-such n-noble blood is s-something I-I don't understand," Naruto stuttered, freaking out big time.

"Naruto there are some things that you will need to understand and learn on your own. I am sorry but there are some parts of the story that I either cannot tell you or unable to tell you," Tsunade stated remorsefully.

"If it's all true then who was the third?" Naruto asked confusing the Hokage.

"What do you mean; the 3rd Hokage is not related to you."

"No-no I mean who was the third member of their team?" Naruto asked curiously.

"Oh. The other teammate was, as I recall, Hiashi Hyuga, but I'm not entirely certain."

"H-H-Hiashi Hyuga, Lord Hyuga was my parents' Genin teammate?"

"Yes, if you wish to know a bit more you could probably ask him when you are ready," Tsunade stated. "But as it is getting very late, I suggest you turn in for the night."

"O-okay."

Unable to sleep Naruto went to his favorite place to think: the top of the Hokage Monument. So many things were flying through Naruto's head at warp speed he was surprised he still knew up from down. 'Maybe I could ask Lord Hyuga some questions. I just hope it isn't too late,' Naruto thought hopefully to himself.

Arriving at the Hyuga Compound ten minutes later Naruto knocked politely on their front door. Fortunately it was Hiashi Hyuga himself who answered the door. "Naruto Uzumaki, what do I owe this surprising visit?" Naruto was thrown off at being addressed so politely.

"I-I was wondering if I-I c-could talk to you a-about something?"

"Sure, I don't see why not. Come in, come in there's a draft," Naruto stepped inside and followed Hiashi Hyuga into a tea room. The Hyuga clan residence was beautiful in Naruto's opinion. "Y-your home is beautiful L-Lord Hyuga."

"Thank you young man, now what did you wish to talk to me about?"

"I-I was wondering if-if it was t-true that you were m-my parents' Genin teammate?"

Hiashi Hyuga began choking on his tea. Naruto quickly patted his back attempting to clear the blockage. "T-thank you young Naruto…when did you hear that?"

"Lady Tsunade told me a few h-hours ago."

"I see, I can understand why you are still so skeptical," Hiashi muttered gently. "I know if it were me in your situation I would behave exactly the same way. But, yes it is true they were indeed your parents."

"T-then if everyone k-knew why w-was I treated like shit my…my whole l-life?"

"That is because only a very small few people knew." "I only know because I was their teammate, and your father's best friend."

"Lord Hyuga I was wondering?"

"Yes what is it?"

"H-how is H-Hinata doing? Before we r-returned she was coughing and-and sneezing a lot."

"She is doing fine. She only caught a cold."

Naruto sighed in relief. "M-m-may I-I see h-her...?" Hiashi nodded.

Hinata felt like shit. She couldn't breathe through her nose. Her throat was sore. And she had a migraine like no other. 'I can't believe I was so useless. Hinata you weakling how could you let this happen in front of Naruto-kun?' her father entered her room saying that she had a visitor, and closed the door after he left. 'I mean what must Naruto-kun think? He probably thinks I am weak,' Hinata thought disappointed with herself. "H-Hinata are you f-feeling any better?" Hinata nearly lost her balance when she heard the voice of the person she so passionately admired. 'Naruto-kun, was worried about m-me?' Hinata thought ecstatically in her head. "H-H-Hinata m-may I ask you s-something?" Hinata merely squeaked. "Okay then. H-Hinata I was wondering w-what you thought of m-me?" Naruto stuttered nervously.

"What d-do y-you mean N-Naruto-k-kun?"

"Never mind, it was just foolish hopeful thinking," Naruto was about to stand up to leave when Hinata grabbed his arm. Naruto clearly noticed she was blushing darker than ever at her own impulse. "I take it you don't hate me Hinata."

"W-why would I ever h-hate you Naruto-kun?" Hinata stated in confusion. 'I could never hate you, I love you Naruto-kun. If only I had the courage to tell you.'

"H-Hinata-chan, why do you see me so differently than the rest of the village?"

"W-what do you mean N-N-Naruto-k-kun?" 'Did he just add 'chan' to my name?'

"Hinata-chan d-do know w-why the villagers l-look at me the way they do?"

"No, I always asked father but he only said that he understood why but could never agree."

"H-H-Hinata-chan you will be the very first person I tell my darkest secret willingly."

Hinata grew incredibly nervous. "D-darkest s-secret?"

"Yes. Hinata I-I am not what you could call human. I am also not what you could call a demon either. I am on the border of both."

"W-what do you mean, of course you're human."

"No Hinata-chan I am not. I am cursed. Cursed till the day I die with being classified as a Jinchuriki."

"Jinchuriki, what does that mean?"

"The word Jinchuriki means: 'Power of Human Sacrifice.' Jinchuriki are those cursed with being the vessels to monstrosities of nature, demons."

"But Naruto-kun, how could someone like you ever be thought to be something like that?"

'She didn't even stutter. Already her self-esteem is growing.' "Because Hinata...," Naruto stood up removed his jacket causing her to blush, and slowly rolled up his shirt revealing his tanned midriff, and began manipulating his Chakra forcing his seal to appear shocking Hinata to no end. "…I am a vessel for the very monstrosity that the 4th Hokage sacrificed his life to stop."

"Y-y-you mean…?" Hinata couldn't continue. 'So this is why he was treated so poorly. The Nine-tailed Fox.'

"Yes Hinata the Nine-tailed Fox is the very prisoner of my being. You are the first I have willingly told because if someone as kind and gentle as you were to reject me then I truly have no reason to remain in this world," Naruto muttered depressingly. "Do you Hinata-chan? Do you hate me, now that you know of the monster I hold?"

Hinata looked into Naruto's sapphire-blue eyes with tears streaming from hers. She knelt down beside him on the floor and slapped him across the face as hard as she could. Naruto was dumbfounded. Not only had Hinata slapped him, surprising him greatly that his normally shy, quiet, and gentle friend had done so, but the look in her eyes didn't express hatred, loathing, or fear but sympathy, disappointment, and oddly enough he thought he saw love in her eyes. "Baka, how on earth could I ever hate you?" Hinata broke down and began sobbing in his chest pushing her face as close to him as she could. Naruto was shocked, pure and simple.

"H-Hinata-chan, why…why don't you hate me? I carry the very beast that killed so many possibly some of your own kin, so why do you not resent me? I mean I'm a relic of an event the entire village wants to bury permanently."

"N-N-Naruto-kun, I could never hate you because…my father is right I can understand why the villagers look at you in such a way but I could never agree," Naruto started crying himself. "Naruto, you and the demon you carry are two separate beings that will never be one. Besides looking into your eyes is living proof of how many people you protect by simply sitting here."

Naruto was now crying unrestrained. "T-t-thank you Hinata-chan. Hinata tell me you are a Chunin yes?"

Hinata looked away knowing full well that he was the only Genin left of the original nine. Naruto however forced her gaze back to his with a gentle hand under her chin. "Yes, yes I am…but I shouldn't be. You should have been Chunin first not me."

Naruto merely shook his head. "No Hinata, no you deserve it more than any of us."

Hinata was confused. "Why…how could you believe that? I'm just a burden to my friends."

"Because Hinata I have seen how strong you've become."

"H-how I haven't even shown you anything? Well not really."

"Because Hinata-chan, while I was gone we still returned to the village every two months."

"W-what, then why did you never approach any of us?"

"What makes you think I didn't?" Hinata's eyes widened. "Whenever we returned we used a Transparency Jutsu so as to prevent reminiscing. However, there was one friend of mine I always watched with pride."

"Who was it Naruto-kun?" Hinata was afraid he was gonna say Sakura Haruno, but was surprised with who it really was.

"It was you, you Hinata-chan. Every time we returned it was you that I watched," Hinata nearly fainted from the excess blood to her brain. "You know Hinata you have incredible potential, but you give up far too quickly. Granted your spirit is remarkably gentle and pure, but even so you could achieve so much more if you go all out," Hinata nearly passed out.

"N-N-Naruto-k-kun y-you really think s-so?"

"Yes Hinata, I truly believe that," Hinata's blush was letting up but it was still there because he complimented her. "You know if you like I could ask your father if I can help you tap into your full potential, would you like that?" Hinata's eyes widened in shock and continued to look ahead. "I'll take that as a yes. Besides even the most docile of creatures can be terrifying when they need to, even you…you scared the fuck out of me just a few moments ago, I have never seen that side of you before, and I was impressed."

"…," Hinata was speechless.

"Hinata-chan do you know why I was always watching you and only you?" Hinata merely shook her head so slightly Naruto barely noticed. "That is because I like you Hinata."

"I like you to Naruto-kun." 'I love you even more but why can't I just tell you?'

"Not that kind of like, I mean I really like you, I always had a thing for you," Hinata's eyes widened in shock.

"But what happened with Sakura Haruno? You don't like her anymore?"

"The truth is I never really liked her like that, and I still don't," Hinata was speechless. "Hinata I only pretended to like her because I was afraid that if I expressed my feelings for the one person I really liked, she would be ridiculed remorselessly."

"W-why, why would I be…?"

"Because, of what I am, I was always afraid that if people knew that the shyest girl at the academy was my love interest people would tease you and call you names. I'm sorry I never told you Hinata, I-I just…never wanted to see you get hurt. You were and still are the single most sweetest, gentle, kind, and innocent girl I have ever met in my life. To see someone as pure as you feel pain would have been murder on my heart," Hinata was barely breathing.

"Y-y-you m-mean y-you l-love me?" Hinata stuttered uncontrollably.

"Yes Hinata-chan, yes I love you, I just wish I had told you sooner," Naruto muttered gently pulling her into a loving embrace while running his fingers through her hair. Naruto released his embrace slightly tilted her gaze to his wearing a warm smile. "Hinata-chan I would very much like to kiss you now," Hinata giggled very quietly earning a grin from Naruto. Leaning forward Naruto kissed her so passionately Hinata felt like she would pass out in his arms and never care. The kiss was passionate, but oddly enough Naruto put absolutely no lust in the gesture. Hinata didn't care she only returned his affections. When they separated Naruto smiled warmly as he noticed Hinata was blushing a deep crimson-red once again. "You know I always thought you looked very beautiful, and when you blushed like that it only made me like you that much more."

"N-Naruto-k-kun I l-love you t-too," Hinata stuttered happily.

"I kinda already figured you did. When you didn't push me away as I kissed you, that cemented the idea," Naruto chuckled warmly. "Hinata-chan, tell me, are you arranged?"

Now Hinata understood exactly what he meant. "N-no, in the Hyuga clan heirs and heiresses are not required to marry before becoming clan head; it is preferred but not required. Father always told me that if he ever set up an arranged marriage for me the person was not him. He wanted me to marry someone of my own heart's desire," Hinata muttered no stuttering present, surprising her greatly.

"It seems you are already becoming more confident in yourself Hinata-chan, you didn't stutter at all. The reason I ask is because I wanted to know if I could ever have a shot at spending the rest of my life with you," Naruto whispered as he placed his forehead against hers. "I hope I could ask you when we turn eighteen, I just hope nothing gets in my way from now till then," Hinata blushed even darker. "Unless you prefer I ask your father first, he already seems to like me as a person at least."

"You'd have the courage to ask my father, where do you ever find such confidence?" Naruto merely grinned ecstatically.

"Because, when I set my eyes on something I won't give up till the very end," Naruto whispered his forehead still resting against hers. Naruto seemed to be so peaceful now. "You know Hinata-chan, with you right here in front of me I feel like I'm already on Cloud 9. I never want this feeling of bliss to leave me. I finally know that there is someone out there that likes me for me and doesn't loathe me for what I am. I am grateful you love me the way I love you, it's like I have tasted heaven. Thank you Hinata-chan."

"You don't have to thank me. Now that I know you love me too, I can tell you that I feel the exact same way," Hinata whispered back, Naruto's forehead still resting against hers. Leaning forward ever so slightly she kissed Naruto with as much passion as he had mere minutes earlier. Naruto only returned her affections by kissing her back and putting his arms around her chest as she put hers around his neck pulling him that much closer. Naruto suddenly broke the kiss with a warm grin on his face. "Naruto-kun what's wrong? Why'd you stop?"

"Hinata your father agreed to let me help you train," Naruto whispered excitedly.

"But when did you ask him? Better yet, how did you ask him, you've been right here all this time?" Hinata asked baffled.

"I sent a Shadow Clone before I walked in," Naruto grinned warmly.

"Y-you mean you had this whole thing planned out?" Hinata asked in amazement.

"Why are you so surprised? I have been known as the Number One Maverick, remember?" Hinata giggled happily. "I'm glad you know how to laugh, I'm gonna have to get you to do that more often. Not only that; you have a very beautiful smile, so hiding it does you injustice…"

Hinata blushed even darker and giggled again. Naruto couldn't help but laugh along with her. They were both laughing for so long they forgot the time. However, when Naruto stopped laughing suddenly Hinata stopped to ask what was wrong. "Naruto-kun what is it? What's wrong?"

Naruto looked down averting his gaze so she wouldn't see the sorrow in his eyes. "H-Hinata-chan may I ask you something?" Hinata nodded in response. "I-I was wondering if…if I could stay here with you and your family tomorrow?" Hinata was confused.

"Why what's so special about tomorrow?" Naruto looked pained and Hinata was afraid she had insulted him. "Naruto-kun I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to insult you, I was just…," but Naruto just cut her off.

"It was nothing you did trust me," Hinata looked at him with eyes saying: "Then what is it?" "Its just that tomorrow is October 10th, and I don't want to be by myself on that day anymore," Hinata still could not understand. "Hinata-chan there is absolutely nothing special about that day, not in the slightest," Hinata was about to comment but Naruto stopped her. "October 10th is my birthday," Naruto muttered in disgust.

"But Naruto-kun your birthday is a very special day, why would you think otherwise?"

"Because, it is also a day of mourning in the village," Naruto said with anger in his voice. "Because, October 10th is the day the Nine-tailed Fox killed hundreds of Shinobi. On October 10th the loathing glares the villagers give me is so unbearable that ever since I turned four years old I have never left my apartment on that day."

"S-so that was why we never saw you at the academy on that day?" Naruto merely nodded in remorse. "And-and you want to spend your birthday here w-with me?" Naruto nodded again in sorrow. "Of course you could, I'm certain father wouldn't mind," Naruto smiled sadly.

"T-thank you Hinata-chan, I'm tired of spending my birthday in the back of my closet," Naruto muttered quietly. Hinata looked at him sympathetically. "Hinata-chan I don't ever want to be alone like that ever again. It's easy to understand my uneasiness. On my fourth birthday I ran around the apartment in excitement, and I soon ran to my neighbors saying: "I'm four years old," and every door I knocked on I got the same exact reaction every single time," Naruto muttered quietly shuddering in pain from his awful memory.

"What happened Naruto-kun, what did your neighbors do?" Hinata whispered softly.

"Every single door I knocked on before I could ever shout happily they literally kicked me away before shouting: "Get lost you freak, you demon spawn," ever since I never left my home, it has become a kind of phobia I guess you could say, a phobia of my own birthday," Naruto muttered angrily and depressed at the same time. "Sometimes when I left the closet to use the bathroom I had kunai and shuriken thrown at me from other kids who were sitting at my window waiting for me. I remember the year before I started at the academy I had tried to kill myself five times that day," Naruto muttered clenching his fists while reliving the pain of his worst memories. Hinata was on the verge of tears, but Naruto wanted to keep going, he wanted to rid himself of all of his most painful memories if not all hopefully the most painful ones. Hinata held back until he was finished with what she assumed was a venting of his most painful experiences, and she wanted to consol him afterward. "In total I have attempted to kill myself on October 10th at best fifteen times. Fortunately or unfortunately whichever some would prefer I never could because of the fox. My first year at the academy I stopped resenting my existence for the first time in my life," Naruto muttered beginning to smile slightly as he recalled some of his happier memories. "My first year at the academy, I began to resent myself less and less. When I walked in that first day I immediately began to have hope, not because I was around others my own age, because the other kids were just as horrible as their parents, no, but because I met…I met…because I met you Hinata-chan," Hinata blushed deep scarlet. "The very first thought I had of you was: "She's like an angel, she is so beautiful," but even being in the same class as you, I still loathed myself. Although, it did make me feel at least liked, because you never looked at me like that, then and even now, I felt as if your spirit was purer, gentler, kinder, filled with more love, and it made me feel loved every time I looked at you and you blushed. That was why I liked you so much. You were so much better than any of the other girls in the village. And in my eyes you were and still are so much prettier. I am sorry I never told you till now," Hinata was now on the verge of tears and Naruto saw this. "Hinata-chan you can cry if you want…it's just you and me here. No one's going to judge you."

Hinata finally let go and sobbed uncontrollably into his chest. Naruto wrapped his arms around her pulling her that much closer holding her tightly as if saying; "I'll never leave you." Hinata continued to sob for what seemed hours. Eventually Naruto felt he needed to say something and loosened his grip ever-so-slightly, and Hinata quickly took notice. "Naruto-kun what's wrong…did I do something wrong?"

Naruto could not help but grin widely. "Hinata-chan you could never do anything wrong with me," Hinata looked at him puzzled. Naruto's grin only grew. "Hinata-chan it's just that it's already one o'clock in the morning and you haven't had any sleep yet," Hinata giggled awkwardly. "I'll go ask your father if I can spend the night here…after all it's well past curfew and I don't wanna get in trouble. I'll be back in a few minutes, okay…?" Naruto stared into her eyes waiting for her to agree and grinned when she blushed and nodded happily.

Naruto left Hinata's bedroom and began making his way to Hiashi Hyuga's office. Luckily Hiashi's office was located right across from the main room. Taking a deep breath Naruto knocked politely on the door. Hiashi Hyuga's voice was heard on the other side saying: "Come in," Naruto entered quietly. "Ah Naruto I was beginning to wonder when the real you would approach me," Hiashi Hyuga smiled warmly.

Naruto started feeling very anxious. "Ano…sir may I ask you something?" Naruto started quietly clearly nervous.

"Certainly…what do you wish to ask?" Hiashi smiled warmly at the blonde-haired youth before him.

"Ano…sir I was hoping I could ask you if I could stay here tonight. Its already one o'clock and well past curfew…and I don't want to get in trouble on the way back home," Naruto hoped he wouldn't say no.

Hiashi looked over at him with a curious look. "Its fine with me," Naruto smiled gratefully as he stood up and bowed in gratitude. "Oh and before I forget," he started before Naruto walked through the door forcing him to turn around. "I want you to remain here tomorrow, as I am fully aware of tomorrow's date," Naruto looked at him nervously. "There is no reason to be afraid. I have firsthand knowledge of the treatment you receive on October 10th and I do not want to prevent anyone from attempting to assassinate you this year as I have already killed three since your birth," Naruto smiled gratefully and sadly at the same time and bowed his head one again.

"Thank you sir…," Naruto muttered. By the sound of his tones one would easily recognize that he was crying.

Naruto walked back into Hinata's bedroom to find her in the exact same position as he left. He grinned in amusement. However, before he could say a word to her she looked up glowed and jumped over to him dragging him back to the bed with an embrace that felt more like a bear trap. Naruto could only grin even more out of amusement. 'She obviously was very worried about me. Thank you Hinata-chan…,' Naruto thought happily. Hinata began snuggling his neck with her head all the while beaming like she was in heaven. She was taken off guard however, when Naruto cupped her chin and leaned forward as he placed his forehead against hers looking deeply into her eyes. "You know Hinata-chan I don't think there is another girl in this village that can hope to compare to your superior beauty…and I'm the one you like," Naruto whispered passionately causing her to shudder. Naruto grinned as he nudged his nose against hers before he kissed her deeply. They kissed for what seemed to them like years. But Naruto eventually broke the kiss before resting his forehead against hers. He looked deeply into her eyes with a warm smile on his face. "We should get some sleep…and don't worry I won't do anything. The Pervy Sage's bad habits haven't rubbed off on me," Naruto whispered causing her to blush. Hinata nodded as she suddenly realized how tired she really was and quickly feel asleep. Naruto smiled as he cuddled her sleeping form and quickly fell asleep with Hinata in his arms.