The Lone Ninja Ch. 2

The Ninja's Purpose

Ryumura knew of what happened to the boy. Hiashi had adopted the boy, and raised him as his own. Hyuga Uzumaki Naruto was as happy as any child could be. For it was Hinata's seventh birthday. The next day both of them would start their ninja training.

Naruto did not know that Ryumura was following him as he went to town to find a birthday present for Hinata. Ryumura had taken it upon himself to be the boy's protector. Even though Ryumura, Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Hiashi all made sure none of the villagers knew of Naruto having the Kyuubi within him, Orochimaru and the Akatsuki did.

Every few weeks assassins sent by either Orochimaru, or Akatsuki trailed the boy, waiting for a chance to attack, starting from the day Hiashi adopted him. Naruto has yet to discover this fact, Ryumura thought with a smirk. And unless either Orochimaru, or a member of Akatsuki came themselves, he would never know.

Even Ryumura wouldn't be able to dispatch them, without them revealing themselves first. Ryumura knew when he would have to reveal the boy's true father, and the location of the Kyuubi, to Naruto. When he became a Chunin. To think everyone would already know of the boy's secrets if he himself hadn't sent Jiraiya to retrieve the boy.

Seeing 3 Jounin from The Village Hidden in The Mist on the adjacent rooftop. They were found several minutes later dead from 3 kunai to the forehead. At the exact same time.

Naruto found his three best friends in front of the store he had been heading to. They seemed to have come to get gifts for Hinata's birthday too. What is with these children and waiting for the same day as the party to get gifts?

Naruto, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Choji went into the store for several minutes, coming out with wrapped gifts, and sitting at Ichiraku's Ramen across the street. 'Good' Ryumura thought, ' I can get my gift while they're eating' 'I have to work fast, I'd seen Naruto eat over 100 bowls in less than 2 minutes.'

As I walked( or rather, crept silently into) the store, something caught my eye. It was a cushion that, until very recently, seemed to have held a ring, by the depression on it that hadn't yet faded away. I read what it said on the card and groaned. It said:

The Ring Of Aphrodite

Said to have once belonged to an ancient Greek goddess, whoever gives this ring to another has forevermore had their destinies linked together.

I didn't even have to ask who had bought it. It had to be someone who wouldn't read the card first. And it cost so much that only two clans could afford to buy it, and still be able to get enough income to buy several mansions. The Uchiha, and the Hyuga. And the last Uchiha didn't particularly like Hinata. Naruto had bought the ring.

Ryumura quickly bought what he came for, a Wii with Hinata's favorite games. And he bought another gift for Kakashi, because Kakashi didn't seem to know that a Icha Icha book had been released, judging from the fact that the store still had copies left. Why Kakashi bought every copy in stock, He would never know.

He found that Naruto had already left and was heading back to the Hyuga compound. Ryumura checked the time and found that the party started in a couple minutes. He appeared next to Naruto and said "So it is young Hinata's birthday today, is it." Naruto jumped. But when he saw who it was he relaxed, for he had seen Ryumura at Hinata's parties before.

He nodded saying" "Yes , but this one is special. Both Me and Hinata are starting at the academy tomorrow." I smiled thinking 'Has it really been seven years?'

They made it to the Hyuga compound in time, in fact, Ryumura was the first guest to arrive. So he got to see the guests as they arrived. First came Maito Gai with Kakashi, for Gai had challenged him again ( and Ryumura really didn't want to know what it was). Then came Kurenai, Asuma, and Sarutobi. Third was a large amount of children about to start at the academy, consisting of Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, Ino, Sasuke, Shino, Sakura, Lee, and TenTen. Then came the Kazekage and his three children, Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara. The last two to arrive were Iruka and Mizuki.

The first thing to happen was the opening of gifts, which in most ninja households is last, but the Hyuga did it first so that the children would be occupied while adults talked. And the cake was cut at the Feast, which takes time to prepare. Now for a list of presents:

Mizuki: No one figured out what it is.

Iruka: Free Ramen coupons.

Gaara: A set of homemade plushies. Naruto, Kakashi, Lee, Gaara, and Neji.

Kankuro: A doll. From his personal collection.

Temari: A fan.

Kazekage: Hinata plushie. Stole it from Gaara.

TenTen: Kunai set.

Lee: A necklace. Remember, this is pre-Gai Lee. He's somewhat normal.

Sakura: A hair ribbon.

Shino: Ant farm.

Sasuke: A sweater that he knitted. If you look close enough, it reads Kill Itachi over and over.

Ino: Flowers.

Kiba: A puppy.

Choji:…Chips.

Shikamaru: Nothing "Too Troublesome"

Kurenai: A bracelet.

Asuma: A bracelet. He paired with Kurenai.

Sarutobi: A journal with a leaf on the cover.

Kakashi: Icha Icha Paradise. So that's why. Quickly snatched up by Hiashi.

Gai: A green jumpsuit. She has several pairs. As does everyone else.

Hiashi: Clothes.

Neji: Crystal Sculpture.

Ryumura: Wii with several games.

Naruto: The Ring.

This got the biggest response from Hinata. "Thank you, Naruto-kun." She said quietly. After this the adults started to talk while the kids were making Miis of everyone at the party( Ninja World Wii has a better customization system).

" How is Naruto doing, Hiashi?" Sarutobi asked.

" He and Hinata are closer than brother and sister" he said with a smile, " but you'd have to ask Ryumura how he does outside the compound."

"Every few weeks he is attacked by assassins. Not that he knows that. I've been following him." I said with a smile.

" When do we tell him of…" but Sarutobi was cut off.

"When he becomes a Chunin." Ryumura replied. " And if it is alright with you, I would like to chose the teams when they become Genin. I will be observing them."

" That is for the best."

" Ryumura, are you sure you are going to leave before the feast?"

" Yes, I have business to take care of. As I need to remain under cover, you will not see me again until he becomes Genin. Goodbye."

As he left his only thought was " Good bye, Naruto and Hinata. You will not see me, but I will see you"

How will Ryumura chose the Genin teams? Why must he remain hidden? And is the legend of the ring true? Find out next chapter. And Ryumura is his last name.