Disclaimer: All belongs to Kishimoto 'cept this spin off idea.
Chichiue/Otousan - Father
Hahaue/Okaasan - Mother
Oniichan - Older brother
(if it ends with -san, it's more honourific than being brotherly/sisterly)
Oneechan - Older sister
(above)
Imouto - Little sister
Honourifics: -sama (very polite), -san (polite), - kun(usually for boys or tomgirlsish), -chan (usually for girls or to add cuteness or for teasing)
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"Hinata! Hurry! Leave now!"
"Chichiue? What's going on?"
"It doesn't matter, but you have to leave now! Follow okaasan out the village and get away from here as quickly as you can!"
Five-year-old Hinata looked confusedly at her father who was currently looking behind himself at her. He turned around and ran to her and held her by the shoulders.
"Hinata, you must leave. Konohagakure is not safe anymore. You must take Hanabi with you and leave now. Follow your okaasan out of here and keep close to the shadows. Do not, and I repeat, do NOT get caught. All right?"
"H-hai... Chichiue..." Still confused, Hinata took her little sister and strapped her to her own back. She saw her mother at the main gate looking very afraid and the fire that was surrounding her home. She did not understand that her village was under attack by the Thunder country and that the fire had spread throughout all of Konohagakure. She took one last look at her father, turned and headed towards her mother who was shouting at her to hurry up. She did hear before she was outside the gates, her father say, "I love you Hinata, you and Hanabi. Promise me you won't get caught."
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Hinata followed her mother as closely as she could but eventually the number of villagers that were trying to leave the village up to the ninjas blocked her sight. She could only remember her mother looking back at her once, but only out of reflex. Her mother never seemed to care much for her. She'd always be out having tea with friends or going to some sort of interest class with others her age. She was rarely at home taking care of her children, leaving it all up to Hiashi. When she was home, she didn't work, she asked only the typical question, "how was your day?" That was all. Anything more out of her mouth was not directed towards Hinata.
What happened next hurt Hinata the most. Her mother once more turned around but this time, she caught Hinata's eyes and they looked at each other for what seemed an eternity. The next moment, her mother sneered at her, wrinkling her pretty face and nose. Her mother turned right back around and Hinata would not see her mother again for a long time. What hurt was that she knew that her mother did not care for her. She saw both her children, and she left them. She didn't even bother waiting for them, she just wanted to go with the flow and into the safe zones as quickly as possible. Hinata didn't cry at all even though this hurt her a lot. The fact that her mother would abandon both children meant that she never cared.
In the present, lost in her thoughts, Hinata had run towards the shadows following her father's words, and ended up in the woods. She heard a yelp and turned towards it. A shocking ball of yellow hair was in her eyes and she had to step back a few steps. Looking carefully, she saw Naruto and eventually, he looked at her. It was for a short moment before he took her hand and started running with her deeper into the forest. A few seconds later, she heard something behind them but Naruto told her to keep quiet and to keep pushing forward.
She noticed that he looked visibly shaken and even when they stopped, she did not understand what was happening. Surrounding them were five drunken Konoha ninjas. She didn't understand how they could be drunk while the village was in flames, but that's another story.
The first one that spoke was obviously the leader. "Hey guysss, it'sh not onleh the shtupid fox, but the freaking Hyuuga that eshcaped from the Funder(Thunder) guysss. It's all a win/win shituation here!" A cry of agreements came from the rest. They were all steadily approaching the two in the centre.
"Hinata," whispered Naruto, "you see those two guys on our right?" Hinata nodded before Naruto continued, "I want you to run through that gap between them. They're drunk so they've left a lot of open space to escape from. Go through that and keep going. I'd suggest you to continue but try to find another group of villagers to leave with."
"But what about you Naruto-kun?"
"Heh, doesn't matter, just save yourself. I'll be fine. Just run as fast you can, don't stop, and definitely do NOT turn back, not even to look. Just keep going. I can't save you that much time."
"Save myself?" For Hinata was still not completely sure of what was happening. She was beginning to understand, but it wasn't until Naruto said something that struck fear in her heart.
"Yes, save yourself. If you don't, you'll be killed." He spoke with a seriousness that seemed so strange to her that she couldn't help but believe and begin to get nervous.
"Let's kill the damn Kyuubi once and for all and sell off the Hyuuga (they had yet to notice Hanabi) to the Thunder people." Another cry of agreements resounded. They were much closer now. By then, Hinata was terrified. She remembered everything that had happened when she was kidnapped, though she was unconcious for quite a bit of it. She returned her attention to Naruto when he started the count.
"On my count, 1..."
"2..."
"3! GO!"
Hinata sprinted between the two men as fast as she could. She decided against going back to find the villagers since she might cross paths again with others. She heard Naruto's yelps and the men cursing but remembered what Naruto told her and she never once looked back. Hanabi had begun crying, but Hinata wasn't sure of exactly what to do.
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Naruto wasn't fairing well against the five ninjas. Even though they were drunk, he still did exceptionally well at finding their weak points and openings in their defenses. He took many fists to his body and in the end, when they were about to deal the final blow, he blacked out. All he remembered was a huge sword-like thing swing around and kill all five men in one stroke, their heads flying from their bodies. He couldn't tell whether they had the time to scream or not.
Running for who knows how long (though it was only about seven minutes), Hinata noticed a black object shrouded not far in front of her, but it moved. It was a ninja! In her shock, she tripped over a tree root. Surprisingly, Hanabi didn't fall to the ground, but she kept crying. Hinata ignored it completely because she couldn't see anything but the eyes of the man that was walking towards her. She tried moving, but she couldn't move! She was frozen! The man said something and all she could recall were his red eyes and the quizzical design in the irises.
"Hana no yume no jutsu (Petal's Dream)."
Then all was dark.
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Blinking her eyes, Hinata turned over and found that her bed seemed different from before. It was definitely lumpy and somewhat uncomfortable. Her eyes slowly focussed on her surroundings and found that she was most definitely not in her room. This was one that resembled a cave even though it did have a dresser between two beds inside. On two sides, there was a door (one closer to a bed on the opposite end of the 'room' and one farthest away from both beds), and the ceiling was dome-shaped. Hinata looked down and saw her little sister sleeping soundly beside her as if nothing had ever happened.
She heard something stir behind her and looked over and found to her surprise and delight, Naruto! Except he seemed like he was having a nightmare and were those bruises on his forehead, left cheek, and bottom lip? His eyes slowly fluttered open.
Naruto was feeling sore all over. It had been a long time since someone had given him such a beating, and again, he wished a bit that he never had the fox inside him. Thinking over that, he took it back. Kyuubi for the longest while had been the only true friend to him, of course, he had to go through much mental anguish and anxiety for the bond to happen (it was through his sheer stubborness that they had become friends of sorts).
He could feel that the place he was in at the moment was not his tiny apartment in Konoha, but somewhere cold. He felt around with his hands and was pleased to find that whoever had taken him in had kindly bandaged him up as well. He pulled the covers up closer to him and opened his eyes. He saw none other than Hinata on the opposite end and he smiled. It hurt a lot since his lips had also torn, but he did nevertheless.
Before she could analyze any farther, the door on the far side opened to reveal two tall men in black trench coats and red clouds over it as a design. One looked like a shark (non-functioning gills included) with a huge sword on his back. Naruto recognized him immediately as the one who had saved him. Hinata on the other hand, recognized the other since she remembered his eyes.
"Welcome, Hyuuga heiress, Kyuubi vessel," said the red-eyed one.
"Yeah, you're lucky you're not dead right now heh. 'Course, I'm always hungry so-"
"Kisame, stop it you idiot."
Hinata looked upon Kisame in fear, for she could sense that they were both strong, and she tended to take things literally. She had no doubt that he'd eat her (she was convinced that it was because of the fish she had two days ago that wanted his revenge now). She held her sister close to her.
Naruto was in a semi-stare, semi-dumbfounded look. Of all people that saved him, why eat him now? Speaking of eating, still on his guard, he thought of ramen and couldn't help his stomach growling. He blushed and bowed his head to keep others from seeing his face.
"Ha, so Kyuubi-kun is hungry eh?"
"Oi Fish-face! I'm not Kyuubi-kun! It's U-zu-ma-ki Na-ru-to!" he shouted stressing each syllable.
"Fish-face? What!"
Hinata smiled, looking to Naruto to see that he was back to his usual self. He had seemed strange to her back in the forest, being all serious. It didn't seem to be in his nature. Then she paused, did she hear it right? Kyuubi? 'But isn't it dead?' she thought while still looking at Naruto who was having a death glare contest with Kisame. The only indication that Itachi was really irritated was that his entire body was more rigid than usual. Hinata was able to pick up on this and slowly began taking in big breaths to calm herself down so as to not be as afraid when or if he started to yell.
Itachi took a breath and elbowed Kisame in the stomach making him lose the contest, which was followed by Naruto's 'triumphant' speech, and that was all he could take. "WOULD YOU SHUT UP KYUUBI!"
Seeing an angry Uchiha was normal for Naruto, well, the Uchiha he knew tended to be more moody than anything else, but seeing Itachi get pissed, that was an entirely different matter. He shut up immediately.
Kisame knowing that Itachi was near family-massacre mode again put on a strict face and told them to stay put. They'd come back or another pair would come to give them food. If they moved from this room, they'd die. Simple as that. He left with a grin on his face and Itachi did nothing else but glare at Naruto. That was one memory Naruto never forgot.
Hinata was nervous already when she saw Itachi's body completely tensed, but now that they were both gone, she wasn't sure of how she felt. All she knew was that she had to protect Hanabi at all costs, and hope that when the duo returned, that they brought her a milk bottle as well.
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A few days had passed and the two youngsters were getting used to the routinely daily checkups from 'Shark Face and Statue Man' as Naruto had dubbed them since he still hadn't learned their names. It wasn't so bad, they weren't being tortured or being beaten to death or in any kind of dangerous situation. Hinata was starting to enjoy waiting for the two to come since it was then that Kisame and Naruto would get competitive between each other over the smallest things. Going into their sixth day in the cave room, only Itachi entered the room after the two had finished their lunch.
"Kyuubi-kun, you are to come with me."
Naruto looked up slightly annoyed at the fact that he was still being referred to as 'Kyuubi-kun'. "Why just me? What about Hinata-chan? You're not making me leave her alone are you? 'Cause I absolutely won't do that." Hinata was pleased when she heard this, but looked back at Itachi to hear him finish.
"Leader-san wants to see you. Hinata will come soon afterwards."
"Leader-san? Haha! What a cheesy name!"
Keeping a blank face on, Itachi repeated himself for Naruto to get up and he promised that no harm would come to Hinata and that they'd see each other soon enough. Itachi uncharacteristically sighed before forcing Naruto up and out the door.
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"So that is the vessel? A mere child?"
"Hai, Leader-san. It may not seem like it, but he does contain the Kyuubi and he may be useful later on."
Naruto was standing outside with Kisame but was not in the mood to do any competition at that moment. Actually, he was anxious about what was happening inside the room before him behind metal doors. He knew it had something to do with him, Kyuubi, and the Leader person Statue Man was talking about (here he snickered to himself causing Kisame to raise an eyebrow before returning to his alert standing position). The doors opened and Itachi motioned for them both to enter. Naruto feeling somewhat uneasy stuck a bit closer to Kisame though that didn't ease his queasiness the least.
They reached Itachi and Itachi looked up to 'Leader-san' and waited for instructions.
"So, child, you bear the Kyuubi within you. Interesting. Tell me, do you care about Konoha?"
Naruto felt like asking 'what? You actually need to ask me?', and so he did.
"What? You need to ask me that?" he shouted, abandoning all courtesy and politeness.
The leader remained staring at him and repeated, "Do you care about Konoha?"
"Why the heck are you asking me that? Of course I do! That's where I grew up and that's where my friends are!"
"Your homeland and your friends. What friends do you have?"
"I have friends, like... like... I-Iruka-sensei! And... uhm, Sandaime Hokage!" Naruto was confused, he couldn't really remember anyone except Umino Iruka, his caretaker that lasted for one month before he was offered a full-time job as a teacher at the ninja academy. Naruto had wanted to attend since he was four but was not permitted by the Council even with Sandaime on his side. Then there was Sandaime himself, he had cared for Naruto since forever according to Naruto. Other than those two, there really wasn't anyone else in Konoha that Naruto considered a friend.
"Two friends? Is that it? What of the village? Do you care for the villagers?" Naruto had to think hard on this one, and after an ackward silence and no answer, Leader-san pushed on with his questions. "You can't really care for them can you, they did nothing but their best to harm you. They've also tried killing you before Kisame saved you. How can you still love Konoha?"
"You said it yourself, I have two friends there and that's all I need! But if I do go back, I know that I can change the people!"
"Childish foolishness, to believe that everything can become good if you work hard at it. Listen to me Naruto-kun, no one there will love you. You are nothing but a burden to them. Even to your so-called friends."
"Then why would they have taken care of me?"
"Iruka-sensei must have pitied you. Undoubtedly he was hurt by the attack on the village by Kyuubi. His loved ones may have died in that war and it was no one else's fault but your own."
"But-!"
"Then there's Sandaime Hokage. What is your description of a Hokage?"
"Well... They have to be strong, recognized, and care for everyone in the village while trying to improve it."
"As you said, they must care for everyone in the village, you happened to be a villager. He too must care for you but only out of duty. No one cares for you personally, without any outside reason."
Naruto was continually becoming depressed by what Leader-san was saying, it was one trait that he hated about himself. He tended to listen to what others said and take it to heart, even if he didn't agree with it all the time. But as he continued to listen, he couldn't help but take into consideration everything he was hearing. He was a demon, combined with Kyuubi, and no one truly cared for him. Though he didn't want to, he let Leader-san finish his part.
"Naruto-kun (Naruto looked up), you will be treated as a family member here in the Akatsuki. No prejudice will fall upon you, and all nine of our members will care for you. We will train you in all areas of being a ninja, you will grow strong, and you will be respected amongst everyone. All you need to do is to accept my offer of you joining Akatsuki to become an apprentice of sorts."
Naruto continued to look at Leader-san with deadened eyes and only whispered, "I'll think about it."
Leader-san nodded and told him he had three days for him to consider the proposition. Itachi and Kisame then nudged his shoulders, one on each side, and escorted him out the doors.
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Hinata was not worried about Naruto as she busied herself with Hanabi. She thought back to the day she fled from Konoha not even a week ago. She was saddened by her thoughts because she missed her father having never been so far from home for so long. That, and she didn't have the chance to say goodbye to Neji either. He acted as a brother towards her since they were both young even if he was from the Branch Family.
Two hours had passed and she saw the door open expecting to see a gleeful Naruto to grin at her telling her exactly what had happened. Instead, she was shocked to see not his face when he entered, but the top of his head as he continued to look at the floor. His shuffles in his feet towards his bed led her to begin to worry, but being trained, she didn't blurt out any of her thoughts. She felt that it'd be better if she left him to his thoughts.
Looking towards the door, she saw Kisame and Itachi both looking stoic in the doorway before looking to her. A chill went up her spine (especially when Kisame turned to look at her, he had never looked so serious) and they both motioned for her to follow them.
She looked in Naruto's direction, but he had already curled up into a ball and covered himself in blankets. Gathering her sister into a bundle and strapping her onto her back, Hinata got up from her bed and followed the two young teens after having closed the door.
She too ended up in front of the double metal doors, but entered together with Itachi and Kisame instead of staying outside. Her nervousness continued to grow after the doors had shut but she felt a bit safer having one boy on each side of her. She heard a noise and in the process of looking up, her eyes were caught by Leader-san and were fixed on his eyes.
It was dark, so it was strange being able to see his eyes but not the colour or anything much else.
"Hyuuga Hinata, the Hyuuga Heiress, correct?"
"H-hai, sir."
"Welcome to Akatsuki. Have you enjoyed your stay so far?"
Hinata found it strange that this man was speaking to her in a casual manner, but pushed this thought aside. "Hai, sir."
"Are you so automatic? Saying nothing else but 'hai, sir,'?"
"H-hai, si-... E-eto..." Hinata's nervousness came back at full force, pushing away all courage she had before, or whatever small bit she had before.
Leader-san was amused while watching the young heiress stutter but did not let it show other than through his eyes. This alone surprised not only Itachi and Kisame, but the seven others in the room that were hidden in the shadows. They had been watching from the moment Itachi stepped into the room and introduced Naruto to Leader-san.
"Do you care for Konoha, Hyuuga-san? And why?"
"H-hai, because my family lives there, a-and... my friends are there too."
"Right, there is a war that is going on now between Konoha and the Thunder country. Are you sure your family and friends are still there?
"Mmhmm, chichiue was fighting and Neji-niisan has to be in there somewhere. My friends and the rest of my family m-must be in the safe zones by now."
"Who do you care for exactly?"
Hinata knew the answer right away, but was unsure if this was some sort of trick question. She answered truthfully anyway, "To be honest, I don't really care for any of my family members except chichiue, Neji-niisan, and imouto."
"I see. And how old is your sister?"
"S-She's two years younger than me, so that would be... three years old."
"Hyuuga-san, would you consider joining the Akatsuki?"
Hinata looked up in confusion and Leader-san gently spoke his words. "You will be trained here by Akatsuki members whom you have already met three, Itachi-san, Kisame, and I. We will train you. The only thing is that you must give up Konoha."
"T-That's ridiculous! I can't do that!"
"Really? You must understand that there is a great possibility that your father may have perished and that something may have happened to your safe zones. What is there for you if you return? Your mother?" Hinata was infuriated when he mentioned her mother, but he continued. "Join us Hyuuga-san, Naruto-kun will be doing so very soon."
Hinata wondered if it was true about Naruto joining. If he was going to join, does that mean that he gave up on Konoha?
"You're not safe in Konoha either, Hyuuga-san. Remember, you yourself was saved by Itachi-san in the forest. Do you recall those five Konoha nins that were after you and wanted to hand you over to the country that you are at war with now?"
Hinata of course remembered them, all five drunken shinobi, but what she just realized now was that they were all from Konoha. She truly wasn't safe anywhere!
"If you join us Hyuuga-san, our nine members will train you and we may be able to help you with your Byakugan. If not, we'll do our best to help you develop a fighting style that suits your taste. You will be cared for, and best of all, you can stay here with Naruto-kun."
Hinata thought long and hard, but in the end, she too had the same answer as Naruto, "P-please, let me think about it." Again, Leader-san gave her three days as well.
This time, Kisame escorted her back to the cave room alone and when she entered, Naruto was still asleep and Hanabi was fast asleep on her back as well. Hinata gently placed her sister on the bed and curled up on her side with her sister facing her. She put one arm around Hanabi securing her closer to her chest, and Kisame closed the door quietly.
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"N-Naruto-kun..." Said boy turned over in his bed to look across at Hinata. She was feeding her sister (with the milk bottle provided earlier in the day) and it was the night before Decision Day. "Have you decided... a-about staying here with Akatsuki?"
Naruto turned right back around and didn't answer for a while. When Hinata thought that he had fallen asleep, he whispered, "Aa, I will stay. There's nothing for me back at Konoha. Nothing but pain. Besides," he added, "Shark Face and Statue Man are here. They've protected us before, but now they're gonna train us. You've seen how strong they were and who knows, Konoha might still be fighting for all I care."
Minutes passed before Naruto spoke again. "What about you, Hinata-chan?"
She looked up from her sister's face to Naruto's back and although she had the answer, she wasn't happy about it one hundred percent. "Same. But... I really don't want to give up Konoha completely yet either. I... I miss chichiue and Neji-niisan. So..." and she stopped.
Naruto wasn't completely satisfied, since he had given up on Konoha but Hinata obviously hadn't. She was far more closely attached to the village than he could ever be and he did envy that from her. But no matter, he was staying with the Akatsuki along with Reluctant Hinata, and he thought no more on the subject.
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