Good to see that the first chapter of this story got the interest of a lot of people. Appreciate those who took the time to check it out. By the title you're likely to guess what this chapter is going to be out. Be that as it may, expect a surprise or two in it. Disclaimer, I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 2
Fallout
"Time to get up, Naruto." Knocking at the door Kushina waiting to get a reply from her son but none came. "Naruto, are you there?" Again there was no response. Opening the door she peered into the room and saw in a bed with the blanket over him was the person she was calling for.
"Come on. Time to wake up, Naruto." Kushina made her way over to wake her son but stopped when she suddenly reached back and flipped someone over her shoulder and onto the bed. "You'll have to do better than that, Naruto."
The identity of her attacker was who she thought it was as it was her son. Pouting at his ambush being so easily stopped, Naruto stood up. "I almost got you that time, mom." Following that the look-alike disappeared from the bed.
"Of course you did, dear." Kushina played along. "You've gotten much better using the clone jutsu. You use to have trouble doing one." The praise was appreciated by look of her son's face. "It's time for breakfast. Better hurry before it's all gone."
Being hungry, Naruto hurried to the dinning table and saw that someone was already there. "You beat me." By his tone it was clear that he was mildly miffed.
Not deterred, the person mockingly smiled back. "What can I say? You snooze you lose." That was followed by them biting into more of their breakfast.
"Now that's enough, Haku." admonished Minato, who was the other person at the table. "There's no need to tease you're brother."
The added addition of the Namikaze clan occurred three years ago which was five years after the chaos of the nine-tailed fox. On official Hokage business, Minato went to Kiri in the hopes of bettering the alliance between them and Konoha. Negotiations didn't go as well as hoped and during one of the breaks he happen to come across a young boy that had to be only five years old in ragged clothes, not suitable for the winter weather, digging into a dumpster. From how skinny his body was it was safe to assume that he was looking for something to eat.
When the two made eye contact with one another neither knew what to do. It would Minato who ended that by taking the child somewhere to get a proper meal. Even then it took a while for any type of trust to be made. The child's name was Haku and gave a brief telling of what happen to him.
Unable but feel for him and knowing what would happen to the child if he remained, Minato decided to take Haku with him when he returned to Konoha. When he did get back home he explained the situation with his wife, Kushina agreed that Haku couldn't be left on the street. Originally the plan was to have him stay with them until a proper home was found. As time went though he be became something a part of their family.
But as time went on, it was as though he was already a part of their family. In the end they decided to go ahead and officially adopted him into the Namikaze clan. The decision was appreciated on both ends as Minato and Kushina family grew and Naruto having a new sibling while Haku was happy to be a part of a family again.
When it came to his kekkei genkai, bloodline limit, he had been concern that it would cause his newfound parents regret wanting him. Instead they encouraged him to explore it further. Haku would continuously trained to where he became quite proficient.
"Dad, could you help us train later?" asked while the family was having breakfast. As with most other clans, both children were being trained at a young age. On occasion Minato would take the time to train them but more times than not it was Kushina who was in charge.
"As much as I would like to, I can't. There are some important matters I have to attend to and need to be dealt with quickly." He tried to hide it but Naruto was saddened by the reveal. "To make up for it I'll teach each of you one of my jutsus once this business is taken cared of." The compromise was one that both brothers could agree to.
Rest of breakfast went without incident. Both Naruto and Haku headed outside to do some training, leaving both parents alone in the house. "You don't need to say it." informed Minato. "I know."
"I wasn't going to say anything." Kushina waved off. She said nothing for a few seconds before speaking up. "You've been working without much of a break in the last couple of weeks. If I didn't know any better it would seem like it's been done on purpose." When no dispute was made by her husband it was evident that he had considered such a thing. "Guess even after all this time; the council is still holding a grudge."
"Guess not wanting to kill my son will do that." Minato tried to hide it but the subject was unpleasant one. Forgetting about that, he leaned in and gave his wife a tender kiss. "Believe me; I'd rather spend my time with you and the kids then behind a desk doing paperwork."
Appreciating the act of affection, Kushina smiled. "You know you could always take a day off every once and a while. Also, I can only do so much in training the boys." Much like with Minato, what happen on that night was a reminder that she still hadn't recovered her full strength even if it was five years ago. "Kakashi could come over and give them a few pointers. Maybe have Jiraiya stop by." The mentioning of that second name caused Minato to frown. "Guess those of the council aren't the only ones that hold grudges."
"What do you expect? Right after Sarutobi's funeral he left. Not once did he try to
He knocked me out, took Naruto and when it was all said and done he left soon after Sarutobi's funeral. He's never tried to justify what he did and hasn't even come to see his godson." Recognizing that he was starting to lose his composure, Minato took a deep breath. "I have to get going. How about taking the kids to the park later? They should love it." Giving one more kiss he left to get to Hokage business.
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Following the advice of her significant other, Kushina took Naruto and Haku to the park. This was a rare as usually they stay within the Namikaze residents, which was spacious in comparison to most places in Konoha. Reason was the stares that were sent their direction.
Despite being told on numerous occasions those that lived in the village couldn't let go of the fact that Naruto was merely the demon's jailer and it wouldn't get free. Only saving grace was that since the Fourth Hokage was so respected that no one tried to physically harm their son. Another thing that was fortunate was that neither Naruto nor Haku noticed any of it.
Getting to the park the brothers went off to play while Kushina sat down on a bench. She appeared to be at ease but was scouting the area in case someone tried to ambush them. Didn't go unnoticed that soon after they arrived the parents that were already there got their children and left.
"People can be so narrow-minded." Kushina mentally berated. "I can only hope that Naruto doesn't suffer because of such prejudiced."
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"Come on, Naruto. You can do better than that." Lunging again, the blond tried to grab his brother but again Haku managed to avoid from being caught. "So close. Try again?" Getting annoyed at the friendly taunting, Naruto again went after him and the results were the same. "I thought you would've gotten me by now."
"Shut up." Naruto shot back. "You know that you're faster than me." There was no genuine anger from either of them as it was something that came from brothers. The little game that was going on between them continued and would actually escalate by them going into the trees and leaping from branch to branch which was possible due to the training that they received.
Difference in terrain didn't change that Haku was still able to evade his brother's attempts at capture. Their little game would continue until they noticed something. Sitting on a tree branch, clinging onto the trunk was a girl their age with neck length dark blue hair and wearing a casual female kimono. She hadn't noticed either of them as her eyes were tightly shut and had her arms wrapped much as possible on the trunk for dear life.
"Hello." Slowly opening her eyes the girl looked up and saw that sitting on the branch above her was Naruto. "Hi. How's it going?" Only response was the girl closing her eyes again and tightening her hold even more. "What's your name?"
"Hinata." answered the girl in a quite voice. She looked around and saw that not only was the blond there but so was his brother.
"You're a Hyuga." Haku recognized once noticing the girl's eyes. Need some help?"
"N-No. I'm just having trouble getting down." Revealing the reason for her predicament was embarrassing to admit.
"Guess it's a good thing that we happen to come by. Let's get you down." Hinata stared at Haku as she was uncertain about the offer presented. "That is unless of course you want to stay up here. Choice is yours."
Hesitating for a moment, Hinata began to loosen her hold on the trunk and started to reach for Haku's hand. When doing so she leaned too far forward which caused her to topple off the branch that she was sitting on. There wasn't any way for Hinata to stop her decent and crashing down below.
Before Haku even had a chance to react, something shrieked pass him and caught Hinata before she hit the ground. Opening her eyes the Hyuga saw that she was in the arms of Naruto. "Are you all right?"
"Yes." Hinata managed to get out. When she was allowed to stand her legs were unable to hold her up and started to stumble. She was steadied when Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder. Quickly Hinata righted herself up. "Th-Thank you."
"No prob." shrugged off the blond bashfully rubbed the back of his head. "Couldn't stand back and let a pretty girl like you get hurt." Unnoticed by Naruto was that what he just said deeply touched Hinata.
Oblivious to either of them was that Haku remained in the tree and had witnessed the whole incident. "I didn't imagine it. For a brief moment he was faster than me." Finding humor in the realization Haku quietly chuckled. "Guess it just took the right incentive."
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The older Namikaze sibling wasn't the only one who saw what happen. "Good to see that he's putting his training to good use." Continuing her observation, Kushina noticed that both Naruto and Haku were having a conversation with the girl that they just met.
"So that's where she was." Looking over her shoulder, Kushina saw coming over was an older Hyuga. She looked like a more mature version of the one that was talking with her sons. "I've been looking for her everywhere."
"That's just how kids are. Always making the parents worry." remarked Kushina as she smiled at the new arrival. "It's good to see you again, Hikaru."
Returning the smile with one of her own the Hyuga sat herself down on the bench as well. "Feeling is mutual." Neither woman said anything as they looked on at the scene that was going on between the children. "It's been a while hasn't it?"
"It has." There wasn't any kind of anger with that confirmation. "You must've been busy with important clan matters to see an old childhood friend."
"Please don't be that way." Hikaru implored. "Prior to that rampage the village didn't really consider the possibility of the nine-tailed fox getting free. Now that it has happen, the fear of it repeated is a constant fear that Konoha have." Although she tried to justify her actions it didn't get rid of the guilt that the Hyuga felt. "Could we at least attempt to mend the friendship that we once had?"
Kushina said nothing as she considered the proposal. "We can try. It's the least we can do for the children." The statement was made as they watched as Naruto, Haku and Hinata started to play.
There it is. Decided to go with the idea of having Haku being adopted into Naruto's family because I haven't seen other stories who have done it and thought it could change things up a bit more. But like with Kushina and Minato, he won't be involved in everything in the story.
May also have noticed that the chapter was somewhat short. Thought it was best to end it where it did as dragging it out wouldn't really work. Could happen in future chapters but not certain. That's all for now. See ya readers later.
