1AR: hi. I am not going to put a disclaimer in every single chapter. I own nothing. Anyway, here's chapter 1. For simplicities sake, I will refer to Naruto/Gyoro/Ururun as Trinity when they're moving or saying something at the same time.
---
When he woke up, the child closed his eyes tight. "It was all a dream. It was all a dream." Over and over again trying to get himself to believe it. "I'm going to open my eyes and be back in my crappy run down apartment and not in the hospital. Everything that happened in that dream wasn't real."
He opened his eyes and saw a white wall. "Okay still in the hospital. But considering how many times I get the hell beat into me it's nothing too unusual."
"Do you know how early it is gaki? Amaterasu-sama hasn't even awoken yet. And Uru needs all the beauty sleep she can get." Said the voice identified as Gyoro sleepily.
"I heard you brother, that I did." Said the sleepy Ururun. "He's in the denial stage that he is."
"It's natural I suppose. Ashton wanted to exorcize us when we first latched onto him. Almost succeeded too." Replied Gyoro blinking.
"I'm right here." Said the child. "I have a name you know!" he muttered the last part under his breath.
"I am curious to know what it is, that I am." Said Ururun with a yawn. "After all, for this symbiotic relationship we will need to know your name that we will."
The child grinned wide making his eyes close. "The name's Uzamaki Naruto, remember it!"
"What kind of sick demented person names their kid after some ramen topping? It's kind of cute actually." Said Gyoro with a grin.
Naruto fumed for a minute. "Baka tonbo! I was named after a Maelstrom
Gyoro glared at him threateningly. "Who the hell are you calling a dragonfly? ! If I had arms I'd kick your ramen loving ass from here to the Hokage's mansion"
"Tonbo, tonbo, tonbo!" shouted an angry Naruto.
"Noodle brain" shouted an equally angry Gyoro.
After three minutes of listening to the two trading the same insults with one another, a vein appeared on Ururun's forehead. "WOULD THE TWO OF YOU KINDLY SHUT UP!!!" the temperature dropped about fifteen degrees.
Both of the hotheads shivered in fright. As one they said, "Yes Ma'am"
Ururun sighed and grinned. "Now, Aiji, do you have a specific goal you wish to accomplish?"
Naruto grinned. "Yup! I'm going to surpass all the Hokage!" He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Why?" asked Gyoro genuinely puzzled.
Naruto thought back to about three days ago. A light blush adorned his face.
Flashback
Naruto was in a playground near the old man's house swinging by himself. He heard an older boy shout, "Mesuinu! Why don't you go cry home to your tou-san? What you think with those eyes your better then me?"
He looked up to see the boy back hand a girl about his own age. He caught sight of a blue lock of hair as she fell. Naruto saw red and tackled the older boy and punching his face repeatedly. Soon he jumped off the older boy and ran to the girl to make sure she was okay. He saw she was crying and frowned sadly.
He took this time to examine the girl. She had very dark blue hair, pupil-less light blue eyes, and wore a red dress kimono. Going on instinct he hugged the girl and spoke softly. "It's okay Enzeru-chan. It'll be alright."
The girl hiccuped and nodded. She backed out of his hug and bowed. "My name is Hyuga Hinata. hajimemashite!"
"Uzumaki Naruto. Back at you!" he said with a grin. "So, Enzeru-chan, why didn't you protect yourself from the baka over there? Not that I mind saving a Enzeru-hime, but if that had happened when I weren't around things would have gone differently."
Hinata looked at the ground and sniffed. "I-i-i-i-t's because I'm too weak."
Naruto frowned and put his finger on her chin and tilted her head so he could look her in the eyes. "Who the hell told you that Enzeru-chan?"
Shocked by the blonde's, rather frank, language her answer wasn't stuttered. "Everyone in the clan except for Tou-san." she blinked and resumed her stuttering. "I-i-i-I d-don't like fighting others."
"Enzeru-chan, fighting's only right if you're protecting something precious." said the blonde. "How about this. You fight for my sake and I'll fight for yours. And if you ever need help with anything, all you have to do is ask. Alright? That way we can get stronger to help the other."
Hinata blushed and nodded. "I'd like that, Burondo naito."
Naruto grinned and gave her a thumbs up.
End flashback
Naruto, unaware that the dragons had access to his memories, answered. "So that the people of the village will acknowledge me and finally show me some respect."
Ururun grinned and said, "Since you can move, let's go talk to Sarutobi-sama. He said he wanted to talk with you that he did."
Naruto saw it was still dark out and decided to leave by the window. Thankfully he was on the first floor. On his way he asked, "Will I always have to sleep on my front to keep from hurting you two? I mean it does take a lot of getting used to."
Gyoro blinked. "Don't know. Last partner we had slept on his face to begin with. Hmmm. We'll get back to you on that. Granted it will make things difficult when you decide too..."
"You will not corrupt him, brother." said Ururun in her icy voice.
Naruto was beginning to suspect that this was her "Mess with me and I'll bite off your head" voice. Of course, being a curious sort, he asked "Decide to what?"
"Hehe. Well, you see after you blrb..." said Gyoro before he was hit by a stream of water courtesy of his twin.
"We'll tell you when your older." said Ururun in her arctic voice.
"Yes ma'am." said Naruto sweating slightly.
When Trinity arrived at the alleyway leading to the hokage's tower, they were stopped by a group of three people. The leader, a pink haired man, sneered. "Well, well. The demon bastard is going to visit his senile protector. Thanks to your spell, the Hokage is having my brothers spend a week with the ANBU information retrieval squadron." he turned to the other two. "Remember, five thousand Ryo for his death. Six hundred extra if it's as painful as possible." he vanished without another word and the two took out two knives each.
Naruto took an involuntary step back. The shorter of the two laughed. "Easiest money we ever made eh Norton?"
"Shut it Sozuko!" said the taller man apparently named Norton.
Sozuko shrugged and walked slowly toward Naruto menacingly. "Aw! Come on boss. He's just a little twerp with a cheesy illusion. The sooner we kill him, the sooner we can get that Hyuuga heir mesuinu!"
Ururun and Gyoro were growling at this point. Whether at the fact that they were called cheesy illusions or for an unknown reason, Naruto didn't know nor did he care. He was mad. He was experiencing pure, unadulterated, rage toward the two thugs in front of him. A design flared in his mind as he pointed to the one known as Sozuko. "Gyakufuu no ya!" (Arrow of adverse wind) A blast of wind blew. Where Naruto had pointed, Sozuko's torso, appeared a hole through and through. Sozuko fell back, lifeless.
Naruto, drained of adrenaline, regurgitated what little he had eaten the previous day. Norton, not missing a beat moved to sever the blonde's neck. Ururun glared at the man before breathing cold fire at him, freezing him from toe to neck keeping his head clear. Which did nothing for the man's disposition. He was about to start spewing curses and insults when he saw Ururun's glare and decided it was better to suffer in silence then die loudly.
"Brother, if you would let the Hokage know we are here?" said Ururun while glaring at Norton.
Gyoro gave a wide grin before taking a deep breath and shot a fireball straight up into the air. He bobbed his head till it got to an apex before clicking his tongue to the roof of his mouth. The ball exploded and fiery words formed. "Would Sarutobi-san and Hinata Hyuuga's father please report to this spot?" he grinned like a kid with candy.
Ururun sighed. "Subtlety isn't your strong point that its not." she looked at Naruto and saw he was crying slightly. "Are you okay?"
"I-I killed him. I was so angry and that symbol appeared and I pointed." stammered Naruto. He hugged himself and assumed the fetal position. This carried on for two minutes before Ururun sighed. She hit him with a stream of water knocking him coherent.
"If you hadn't killed him he might've hurt those precious to you. Killing for the sake of killing is wrong, but killing to protect your precious people is justifiable." said Ururun. Gyoro was admiring his work, oblivious to everything else.
"Well said Lady Ururun." said Sarutobi as he arrived. "And quite correct I might add." he walked over to Norton and tapped some of the ice with his knuckle. "Incredible. Complete freezing of the areas effected. How strong is it?"
"At least diamond that it is." said Ururun. "Though you'll have trouble moving him that you will. Brother?" Gyoro was still mesmerized by his own firework display. "GYORO!"
He looked at his twin momentarily. "Wha-a-at? It's your own fault for freezing his feet to the ground. You take care of it."
"The same could happen to you brother. I know how much you hate the cold, that I do." said Ururun in a bittersweet voice.
Gyoro's eyes widened, somehow. "Y-y-you wouldn't dare!"
"Try me." said Ururun. Naruto didn't know how but water vapors froze around her.
Gyoro sighed. "Do I have to take all of it off?"
"No. The feet alone are needed that they are." said Ururun.
"All right. But you owe me big time." said Gyoro with a huff. He spat a ball of fire at Norton's feet melting the ice up to his ankles. "There. Happy?"
Ururun blinked and saw Norton starting to run causing her to sigh and watch. Sarutobi was about to pursue when Norton was slammed into the alley wall by a strange man. He had short choppy red hair, a green and red fedora style hat, a sheathed sword and had a red tailed hawk on his right shoulder. He wore gloves on his hands and a cloak. "Do you two have any idea how much paper work this has caused your uncle? Not to mention how worried he's been since you've disobeyed the one rule he enforced after Sir Ashton." he looked at Ururun and Gyoro.
Sarutobi blinked and turned to the strange man. "You know those two?"
The man stroked the hawk on his shoulder. "Yes actually, Sarutobi Yamamoto. The names Ryu. Jack of all trades and master of a few." the hawk bit his finger. "And lady Taka of course." he walked over to the dead thief and examined the death wound. "Fascinating. Lord Hokage, if you don't mind, let's move this conversation from here. Preferably someplace with tea." he picked up Naruto like he weighed as much as a paper sheet and put him over his shoulder and motioned to Sarutobi to lead the way.
---
In his home, Sarutobi watched Ryu drink his tea while contemplating what to do about the blonde, who was currently eating some chocolate.
Between bites he recounted what had happened since he walked out of the hospital. When he got to the part where he had killed the thief he stopped to think about it. "He said that after they killed me they would go after Enzeru-chan. At that moment, I felt extreme hatred towards him and that symbol flared in my mind. I pointed and said the words that my mind told me and the next thing I knew, a wind blew and the man had a hole clean through him." Gyoro and Ururun nodded when he finished.
'Runeology. The kid did a medium level runic spell without any training.' Ryu mused to himself. 'The only reason I can see that he would be able to do so is because he has some minute form of genetic memory. Either that or he's lucky as hell.'
Sarutobi asked, "Naruto, who is Enzeru-chan?"
Naruto blushed so Gyoro decided to add his two ryo. "She's his very special sweetheart."
Ururun sighed and hit him with a water stream. "Her name is Hinata Hyuuga."
'That would explain why they wanted Hiashi to come.' thought Sarutobi. "Naruto, it's late. Why don't you rest on the cot in the back? You can stay here tonight." the child nodded sleepily and walked to the cot and fell asleep on his face.
Ryu sipped his tea and thought. He looked at Sarutobi and sighed. "What is the child's name?"
"Uzamaki Naruto. He was orphaned six years ago during the Kyuubi attack." answered Sarutobi. "Why the interest? What's your part to play?"
"I've been hired by the dragon court to train and watch over that kid." answered Ryu. "They want to see how he does in life. That and I have a soft spot for kids." he thought a moment and said. "If it lessens the paperwork, it can be an unofficial adoption. In all honesty, I'm probably the most qualified to train little Naruto in his new abilities, given that Frost and Flame don't have hands. And I'm allowed to sweeten the deal by offering to train some of the ninja hopefuls, for a price. Though I'll only freebie with little Naruto and his angel." he finished with a smirk.
The aged professor sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "The council and Hyuuga elders won't like hearing that."
Ryu shrugged and took another sip of tea. "Not to sound apathetic to your plight, but I don't really care. Whether they like it or not, I will train those two as I see fit. Come hell or high water and I've fought both so it doesn't really matter which they decide to throw at me."
Sarutobi chuckled a little at the answer. "You are spirited I'll give you that much." he tilted his head and asked, "Where do you plan to live?"
"Outside the village, about an mile into the forest." Ryu answered refilling his teacup. "I have a couple of projects best left away from thieving eyes. Not to mention I like my privacy. Don't worry, the two will have time to make other friends."
Sarutobi sighed and leaned back. "What if Hiashi refuses to let you teach his daughter? The Hyuuga are prideful and hell bent on keeping traditions."
Ryu shrugged and sipped from his cup. "Let me take care of those sticks in the mud." he finished and handed his cup to Taka. "I think I'll take a nap." he bowed slightly and lowered his hat over his eyes.
Sarutobi, used to eccentrics, (cough Guy cough) shrugged his shoulders and went to his bedroom. On the way he couldn't help thinking. 'Minato, Kushina, I hope in the afterlife you'll be able to forgive me.'
---
The next morning, after reintroducing himself, Ryu lead Trinity and Sarutobi through the bordering forest. It took about an hour or so before they found a suitable clearing. "This will do." he looked at Naruto with a grin at his face. "Don't worry Fish cake. Think of this as a preview of the kinds of things you'll be able to do." he closed his eyes and focused his mind onto the spell he wanted. "Senkai no seirei." (Spirit of the dwelling place of hermits) a pillar of smoke appeared in the middle of the clearing clouding the eyes of the trio and Sarutobi. When the pillar dissipated, they saw a cottage with a connected hot spring.
Despite himself, Sarutobi slightly whistled. "I can see how this art could revolutionize the world."
Ururun blinked. "You have no idea that you don't."
Ryu grinned and let Taka hunt. "Sarutobi, can you do me a favor and arrange a meeting between us four and this Hiashi and Hinata for this afternoon?"
Sarutobi nodded and grinned slightly. "Of course." he left in a smoke cloud.
Ryu motioned for Naruto to sit down and did likewise. "Okay. Tell me Naru, what have these two told you of your ancestor?"
Naruto shrugged. "If you mean Ashton, they've only told me he loved barrels and he slept on his face a lot."
"I see. Well, I'll tell you the complicated crap later on because it's not that important at the moment. He was possessed when he was in his early twenties and his body wasn't as adaptable as a child's. As such you should, in theory, be able to form a type of unity with those two that he hadn't accomplished." said Ryu.
Naruto asked, "How do you know all this? I mean he had to live like a gazillion years ago."
Ryu chuckled. "I tend to have a lot of free time. As such, I have several hobbies. Not to mention those two on your shoulders where present." he grinned and lifted his hat slightly. "I'm not going to lie to you. The training I'll put you through will be tough. So, I gotta ask. Why do you wish to train under me?"
Naruto's face grew serious. "I will protect those precious to me. Even if it costs me my life."
"Grand." said Ryu with a smirk. "Now, can you read or write?" Naruto shook his head in the positive. "You do know how to follow instructions right?" Trinity nodded. "Well good." he stretched and lay down on his back. "Want to play twenty questions to pass the time?"
"How do you play?" asked Naruto. Gyoro was still asleep and Ururun had her eyes closed.
"I ask you a question, you answer. Then it's your turn." answered Ryu.
Naruto went first. "Favorite food?"
Ryu shrugged. "Anything edible really. Yours?"
"Ramen! And cinnamon buns on occasion." said Naruto.
"Favorite color?" asked Ryu.
"Blue. Though I also like Orange. Yours?" answered Naruto.
"Grey." answered Ryu.
This line of questioning went on till about noon when Ryu got up and brushed himself off. He had learned just about all he needed to know of the blonde. All Naruto could learn of him was his favorite color. To which the blonde fumed and the rest chuckled at.
"Don't worry about it to much kid. You'll have plenty of time to try and figure me out. Though I have to warn you," Ryu held his arm up as Taka returned from her hunt. "No one has succeeded yet. Quite a pity actually." he walked toward the village, Trinity following.
While walking through the village, Ryu couldn't help notice the villagers glaring at his blonde ward. 'Somehow, I doubt it's because of the twins.' he saw one of the braver villagers pick up a rock to throw at the blonde. He 'accidentally' flicked a pebble at her billboard brow, knocking her out. 'When was pink made a natural hair color and how did I miss the memo?' (Wasn't Sakura)
"Where's a good place to eat?" asked Ryu.
Naruto got in a typical thinking pose. Then he shouted out, "Ichiraku's!" he grabbed Ryu's hand and dragged him with more force then any six year old should have. He dragged him till they came to the ramen bar. Naruto jumped up on his stool while Ryu dusted himself off.
Old man Ichiraku grinned at his favorite customer. "My, my kid, I see you've dyed your hair. And who are these two handsome beings?" he asked pointing at Gyoro and Ururun.
"This is Tonbo, and Ooyuki. But there names are Gyoro and Ururun." answered Naruto.
Ichiraku looked at the two and bowed slightly. "I am Ichiraku Kouken Teuchi. What would your dragonships like?"
"Meat, oji-san!" Gyoro said with a grin.
Ryu, finished dusting and ordered some tea and a small bowel of hamburger for Taka. Kouken went to work on the orders. Ryu asked, "So kid, tell me about this Hinata. What's she like?"
Naruto shrugged slightly. "I only met her recently so I don't know a lot about her. She's really pretty though shy. And she seems to have a rough family life as such her confidence is nill."
"My my. Seems my new apprentice has a crush on someone." said Ryu with a smirk.
"Nani?" Naruto somewhat yelled out. "You have the wrong idea!" he blushed slightly.
Ryu shrugged and lifted the brim of his hat up slightly. "Kid, your nickname for her is Angel, from my limited experience with you, you seem to blush when her name is mentioned. If that's not a crush, I don't know what is." he smirked. "Of course as long as it stays an infatuation till you're both eighteen I don't care."
"NANI?" shouted Naruto. He may have been six but he caught the hidden meaning behind his words.
Ryu rubbed his ears and grinned, before Taka decided to bite his ear.
---
After lunch, Ryu had Trinity hide under a long cloak that was at least twice Naruto's height. As such, it looked like a mini cloud bank. "Okay, second order of business tomorrow, getting you new clothes."
When Naruto led him to the Hokage tower, Ryu nodded and walked inside. The receptionist looked at him and shrugged. "Up the stairs to the top, first door on the left. Just follow the signs." Ryu raised an eyebrow and she shrugged. "I just get paid to say that and make sure the paper work is 'manageable'."
Ryu bowed slightly and led Naruto up the stairs. Inside the Hokage's office, they saw Sarutobi making small talk to two others.
One was a tall middle aged man with black hair. He wore formal clothing and seemed the epitome of regal calmness. He had white pupil less eyes and a frown on his face.
'A noble who is used to battle. What's with the eyes though? Is that the mighty byakugan I've heard rumors about?' thought Ryu.
Next to the man sat a young girl who seemed to be trembling like a leaf. She too wore formal clothing and had white eyes. She had short blue hair and a sad frown on her face.
'So, this is the kid's angel huh? Seems he was right on the shyness thing. I wonder...' thought Ryu as he cleared his throat.
Sarutobi looked at him and smiled tiredly. "Ah, Ryu-sama, Naruto, Ururun and Gyoro. Please have a seat."
Naruto grinned and moved his chair next to the girl's so that he could easily look at both her and Sarutobi at the same time. At this the man's frown seemed to deepen.
Ryu rolled his eyes and sat in the remaining seat. "Hyuuga Hiashi and Hinata, I presume." he moved Taka to the desk and tipped his hat to the girl who nodded shyly. He tapped his chin in thought. "I remember reading that name in a report I received three years ago. Ah. Now I remember. You're the one who had to sacrifice his brother for the good of the village. It truly is a pity how far the Hyuuga clan has fallen." he smiled at the confused look of Trinity, the anger of Hiashi, the sadness of Hinata, and the thoughtful look of the Hokage. "Have I hit a sore spot, Sir Hiashi?"
Hiashi, to his credit, kept his voice calm. "Who are you to criticize an act I had little say in? Who are you to say the Hyuuga have fallen? Who are you?"
Ryu smirked. "Me? I am an adopted son of Ryuuguu the High dragon court. A wanderer who has seen much in his life. A high ranked kisai. But my friends call me Ryu." he dusted his shoulder and looked at Hiashi, all mirth gone. "I am also the man who can forge the key to return your clan to honor or bring it to ruin." he looked at Naruto and grinned. "Oi, Triangle. Take Lady Hinata and wait outside the door."
After a moment of indecision, cured by Ururun biting his hair, Naruto did as he was told. Ryu caught the blush Hinata had on her face.
"Tataru tameni Shinkan. (Spell for silence)" whispered Ryu as a small rune appeared on the ground and multiplied till it was all across the room but mostly the door and window. "Now that privacy is established, lets talk." he leaned back in his chair. "Hiashi, I will be training your eldest daughter and hopefully if she wishes to be clan head, she will be able to help heal the rift."
"You presume much." said Hiashi. "Even if I wanted to, the clan elders would never allow it. At least not without marking her with the Juin jutsu and that I will not do to either daughter!" his eyes flashed from anger to calm and back. This effect caused most people to shiver. Ryu just shrugged.
"My my. Even in the days before the Nibi blessed your clan I never would have thought I would find a cowardly Hyuuga." said Ryu. "Seems to me, that the elders need to either be taken care of, or resign themselves to just giving advice. I'd be glad to assist you if you want."
Hiashi looked like a fish out of water. "What did you say?"
"From the reports compiled by the nine lords and Lord Ryujin, all or nearly all Kekki Genkai were given by the nine lords or the divinity." said Ryu. "On that note," he turned to Sarutobi. "Where was the Nine tailed lord sealed? And don't say you don't know."
Sarutobi sighed and looked at Ryu. "When the Kyubi attacked, the Yondaime gave his life to seal it into a child."
'Curious. To be able to seal lord Kyo without anybody knowing. And in a child no less. How?' thought Ryu with a shrug. "Who made the first attack? The kitsune clan will want to know what has happened to their leader. If a ninja of this village made the first attack, that ninja will be killed or imprisoned if their not dead already."
Sarutobi nodded and asked, "And if Kyubi attacked first?"
"Then you'll probably be showered with gifts in repentance." said Ryu. He looked at Hiashi and smirked. "After we get the fine points figured out, I'll take you and Hinata to my house to show you where she will be training."
Hiashi nodded and the meeting began in full.
---
After three hours of idle talk between Trinity and Hinata, mostly involving an edited version of why he had three heads, the door opened and Ryu and Hiashi walked outside it. Ryu was dusting off his hat and Hiashi looked different to the two young ones. Naruto was the only one who seemed oblivious to it. Though Hinata hadn't seen that particular look to her father's eyes for three months since the death of her mother.
"Shall we go to my place?" asked Ryu while stroking the bird on his shoulder. Hiashi bowed and seemed subdued. Naruto was about to ask why when he saw Ryu making the shush signal.
All the way to the house, Hinata noticed the glares the villagers were making at Trinity. She wanted to ask why, but she couldn't help but worry about her own predicament. Whenever her father was saddened, something bad was either happening or had happened. By the looks of things it was the former.
When they entered the house, they saw it was plain but seemed regal for some reason. Ryu sat down and cast the silence spell then motioned for them all to sit. When they had done so, the bird flew off and he took his hat off. He sighed and shrugged for good measure. "Hiashi and I have reached an agreement of sorts. I will train both Hinata and Naruto. However to protect Lady Hinata, Hiashi will have to publicly disown her to the Hyuga council. This is the only way to protect her from them and the cage curse your clan seems morbidly fond of."
At this point Hinata was on the verge of tears. Gyoro growled and Ururun ground her teeth. Naruto was the only one who spoke. "What?!" he pointed to Hiashi accusingly. "What kind of father are you to subject her to that kind of torture? Do you even give a damn?!"
"Naruto!" said Ryu looking at his charge. "To protect her and her sister we had no choice. If I attacked them the other clans will be justified in attacking us. I'm good but I'm not invincible. If Hiashi confronts them, both daughters will be harmed. Lord Sarutobi has to keep peace within the village so his hands are tied. However, if after Hinata becomes chunin or higher she wishes to become clan head, she will have the opportunity." He was about to continue when Trinity growled.
"That doesn't make it right!" he pointed at Hiashi. "You call yourself a father? You're a coward, Sir Hiashi."
'Great. He's around me a couple of hours and is copying my speech patterns.' thought Ryu with a slight grin.
Hiashi looked like he had been slapped. 'The eyes and the arrogance, it can't be. I really need to talk to Sarutobi-sama.'
Ryu rolled his eyes and sighed. "Until she is able to live on her own she will live with a newly instated Chunin by the name of Yuhi Kurenai." Before Trinity could object he explained. "If she stayed here and word got around she could get into a lot of trouble."
Through the conversation Hinata was on the verge of tears and shaking slightly. She kept hoping that this was just a strange bittersweet dream.
Ryu turned to the scared girl and sighed. "Forgive me Lady Hinata, I've not asked you if you wanted to do this. The choice is entirely yours. If you agree to go through with this I can guarantee hardships with the only reward is that you'll become stronger for your precious people. If you choose this path I will do all in my power to help you. But you alone must want to do this."
'If I don't do this, I'll have to fight my little sister periodically. The Elders will try to control me and I'll be lonely. However if I do this, I'll be free, but I'll have no contact with Hanabi.' Hinata closed her eyes and concentrated. She opened them with determination. "I'll do it."
Ryu bowed his head to her as Naruto hugged her. Ryu turned to Hiashi and said, "I'll need scrolls detailing every single aspect of the Jyuken and Byakugan including the advanced forms no exceptions." He grinned for a moment. "If you ever change your mind, my offer stands."
Hiashi knelt and embraced his daughter mumbling apologies. She kept telling him to be strong.
---
The next day, after the legalities, Hinata came walking up to the house followed by a woman wearing a blouse, skirt and chunin vest. Hinata was wearing plain clothes that were too big on her.
Ryu was watching the sunrise while leaning on his house. He noticed the two and waved. "Lady Hinata, and Lady Kurenai I presume. Welcome to the Hermitage home. Due to the seriousness of yesterday, I wasn't able to show you around. I mean to rectify this after we go shopping." he said shopping with a tinge of annoyance. "Lady Hinata, if you would be so kind as to retrieve my ward. He's out back letting off some steam." She gave a quick bow and ran around the house.
Ryu smiled and looked at Kurenai a moment. "What are your thoughts of the boy, Lady Kurenai?"
"Honestly, I've not really formed an opinion. I don't like deciding things without all the facts." said the red eyed beauty.
"A wise opinion lady Kuranai." Commented Ryu. "By any chance, do you know why my ward is glared at constantly?"
Kuranai shook her head. "You'll have to talk to Hokage-sama. He's the only one who can talk of it."
Ryu sighed and muttered, "Curiouser and curiouser." he shook his head and started a conversation with Kuranai. Of which the main topic was, of course, tea.
Time skip: marketplace
Unfortunately, the villagers were more 'active' today. Apparently news of the village pariah's cosmetic changes had spread faster than an Akimichi at an all you can eatery. One of the villagers, a black haired man with red eyes, threw a dagger at Hinata. His smirk vanished when Ryu grabbed it out of the air.
Ryu twirled the dagger. The silence in the market was thick. "Now, was that very nice? Attacking a little kid like that? Nice knife though. However, if you plan to use it as a potential murder weapon, make sure your clan crest isn't on it." He examined it and saw a fan/paddle/lollipop crest on the hilt. He wasn't sure which but he figured it was one of the three. He inspected the metal and smirked. "I thank the thrower for his or her donation. Rest assured at some later date I will try to return the hilt to one of your clan." He put the dagger in his pocket.
Unfortunately, the shopping portion wasn't much better. They either tripled the price for everything, refused to serve them, or sale for regular price outfits that a desperate color blind rat wouldn't wear. One shop keep even had the nerve to hold up a revealing two piece for Hinata to wear. (Think Chi-chi when she first appears in Dragon ball)
"A perfect outfit for the demons little w-" He began before Ryu held the dagger to his throat.
"We'll be leaving, thank ye."
The small group tried one last store for the day. Mostly because Ryu liked the dragon insignia. It seemed half the store was devoted to clothing and the other half to weapons. Ryu nodded to himself and walked to the register while Kuranai walked the kids towards the clothing section.
Manning the register was a girl one year older than Hinata. Her hair was in two buns and she was chewing some gum. Ryu gave a small bow to her and asked, "Excuse me miss, but I was wondering if you could help my friends find some clothing and basic blunted training weapons? I assure you money is no concern."
The girl's eyes had dollar signs in them as she shouted to the back, "Hey pops, come out here and man the register a minute!" She skipped over to the group. A man who must've been her father sat at the counter.
Ryu grinned to himself as he stroked Taka's feathers. "Lord blacksmith, would you like to learn a new technique of weapon making?"
The man tilted his head and said, "I'm listening."
"I could teach you how to make knives that freeze, swords burn, spears electrocute, and daggers that can return to the wielders hand after being thrown."
"And the price?"
"You and I are similar. If I bring you an item I or one of my students made, I want you to sell it. You get to keep a commission's price of course. All in all a win-win" answered Ryu.
The man sighed and shook his head. "I'm to old to be learning new tricks." He grinned and looked at his daughter. "The girl on the other hand should take to it like fish and water. The name is Ten Auron. What do I call my new partner?"
"Ryu, just Ryu."
After they had bought everything Ryu insisted Kuranai, Hinata, and the girl whose name was Ten Ten sleep over at his place.
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AR: Yo. I originally wanted to add how I'll be messing with Sasuke and Itachi in this chapter, but thought better of it. This chapter already had enough back story for the moment and it'll give you something to look forward to. In case anybody is wondering, half of me is hating what I'm doing with Hinata in this but the other half figured it would add to the plot. I don't know if Ten-ten actually runs a weapon shop in cannon, but I like the idea. Yes in this story her family name is ten. No it's not Ten-ten Ten, that's thirty and not as great as twenty. That's a joke by the way.
Yes, Ryu and thus Naruto will speak differently than everybody else. It seems to fit with me. And I like having Ryu in the dark about the kyubi being in Naruto at the moment.
Since the voting for Shino's girl is a tie, and I found the original idea sheet for this fic, I have decided to have him with fem haku. The female Kurama Oc will be merged with Ino.
In the flashback, I tried modeling the promise like the one Ichigo and Sado make in Bleach.
Please note I personally will not write lemons. But, if you pm me one you wrote, I might put it up. All credit will go to you. This means the good and the bad. No guy X guy please.
I plan on doing a chapter at least for all teams first C+ mission. And Sasuke will not have a spear in his hindquarters because of a mentor who will be the last planned main OC in this fic. Fans of Taskforce Titan might recognize him.
For the way I plan on Naruto and Hinata to look throughout this fic, Google Ashton and Rena respectively. For Naruto's look, add blonde tips to Ashton's hair and whisker marks.
Oh quick question: should I keep the runic spells as somewhat butchered Japanese translation, or slightly better Latin translation?
And finally, a Omake / preview for later on. Since it's supposed to be mostly funny, don't rely on the preview part.
Guest comic 01: the defender of tea.
"Excuse me Lady Tsuname but, where is the nearest teashop?"
The daughter of the bridgebuilder shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry but Gato takes everything. Alcohol, food, even tea."
Ryu's eye began to twitch. His secondary reason for traveling with Naruto's team was because he had heard that Wave had the best tea shops. Suddenly everybody in the village felt a large ammount of killing intent, rivaling the dragon king's. "Gato, will die!"
(Screen fade to black)
Next chapter: a demon's suit, a mentor found, and possibly a fuzzy eyed foster brother. Later.
