A/N: Chapter 2 is here! What will happen at the Rain Village? Don't forget to review, reviews are always helpful.
Chapter 2 Meeting an Angel
Atop the tallest tower in the Hidden Rain Village sat a man with spiky orange hair, his face full of piercings. He wore a black cloak with red clouds on it. His most distinctive trait was his eyes. They were purple with a ripple pattern. They were the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths, the fabled Rinnegan.
The man was motionless, his face neutral, until something made him stir. "Konan." He called in a deep voice.
From the shadows emerged a woman wearing the same cloak. She had blue hair with a blue paper flower in it. Her eyes were amber and surrounded by lavender eyeshadow. Her nails were painted orange and she wore a ring with the kanji for white. She had a piercing under her bottom lip. "Yes, Pain?"
"Two people have entered the village," Pain explained. "One of them, their chakra is... unusual."
"Unusual?"
"I can't explain it. It's mostly normal, but I sense something more in it, something powerful. I want you to investigate. They're in the Eastern Quadrant." Pain walked into the rain, performing a series of handsigns before thrusting his arms into the air. Immediately, the rain stopped. "Go."
-
The rain poured heavily on the two runaways as they walked through the streets. They both were in grey rainwear (Naruto couldn't find any orange.) It wasn't busy and no one gave them a second glance. "Man, does it ever stop raining?" Naruto asked. I mean, I know it's called the Village Hidden in the Rain, but seriously."
"W-well, t-they say t-the rain s-symbolizes the country's p-pain," Hinata said.
"It's pain?" Naruto asked, confused.
"B-because of i-it's p-position in b-between t-three of the E-Elemental Nations, t-this c-country has b-been the s-site of m-many conflicts, i-including the Three Great N-Ninja Wars." Naruto's eyes widened. The Third Hokage had told him stories, at Naruto's insistence, about the wars he'd been through. At he always emphasized the tragedies of wars and make the so called glories insignificant so as to instill one thing in Naruto's head, war is hell.
"A-after e-each war, the c-country was left d-devastated. M-most of the p-people here are r-refugees, and the v-village has i-increased their s-security. T-that's why we h-had a hard t-time g-getting in." Both remember how hard it was getting in, even as they pretended to be orphans (well, Hinata pretended) looking to join the academy, giving them fake names. They had to go through so many checkpoints and almost got discovered a number of times. By some sort of sheer luck, however, they were finally admitted into the village.
Naruto processed the information, then turned into an empty alley. Hinata followed, confused by his sudden detour. Once they were further in, Naruto turned around and looked her in the eye, making her blush. "I've made a decision. I'm gonna become the strongest ninja ever! And then, I bring peace to the world!" Naruto's eyes shone with the fiery determination Hinata loved. "And I'll do it as… um?" Naruto stopped and put on his thinking face. "Hey, Hinata. What's the this place's version of a Hokage?"
Hinata sweatdropped. He was on such a roll and it was stopped because he didn't know what was the kage title of this village. But once she thought about it, she didn't know either. "Um, I d-don't think the v-village has a k-kage. I m-mean, they h-have a l-leader, but I d-don't think H-Hanzo's c-considered a kage."
"Well, I plan to change that. I'll be the first Amekage! Yeah, I like that, Amekage."
"Rain shadow," Hinata said, too softly for him to hear. 'I like it,' "And I'll be with you every step of the way."
Naruto looked at her wide eyed as she just realised she said that aloud and blushed deeply. He gave her one of the biggest smiles he's ever given and hugged her. "Thanks Hinata, that means a lot."
Hinata's face got redder but she returned the hug. 'He's hugging me, Naruto's hugging me! Oh god, I'm gonna faint!' Her vision started to cloud. Luckily and unfortunately, Naruto let go. Luckily because it was before she fainted, but unfortunate because she didn't want him to let go.
Naruto was reluctant to let go too, for reasons unknown to him, but he felt her grasp weaken. Soon, Naruto noticed something. "When did the rain stop?" Once she got her bearings back, Hinata saw that he was right, it was no longer raining. "Hey, Hinata. Could you use your eyes to see how far away the academy is? It feels like we've been walking forever."
She looked around, then nodded and performed the handsigns. "Byakugan." The veins around her disguised eyes bulged. Once her eyes were activated, she gasped. "N-N-Naruto, w-we're not a-alone." She said as she looked up and point.
In the sky was Konan, hovering above them with her paper wings. It was known as her angel form, which was accurate, 'cause it made her look like one.
Naruto looked at Konan in both awe and worry. She saw Hinata activate her bloodline, so she knew Hinata was a Hyūga. "Um, how long have you been up there?" Naruto asked rubbing the back of his head.
"Long enough," she replied as she descended. Once her feet hit the ground, her wings separated into sheets of paper and went on her back. "You will answer my questions, and I will know if you lie." 'Seriously, Pain and I will have to do something about the security if two children were able to sneak in.' The two children nodded. "I know you both are from the Village Hidden in the Leaves. I know you're a Hyūga, and from the lack of seal on your forehead, a main branch member. And this boy referred to you as Hinata, so I'm assuming that's your name, correct?" Hinata nodded. "And she referred to you as Naruto, am I right?" Naruto nodded. "However, I do not know your last name, so tell me, what is it?"
"It's Uzumaki. I'm Naruto Uzumaki, believe it." Naruto said.
Though she hid it well, she was surprised. 'So he's an Uzumaki just like Nagato, though he lacks the red hair. That's certainly interesting.' "Now, why are you here? And I don't mean why you are in our village, I heard you mention the academy. No, I mean why aren't you in your village?"
Naruto and Hinata gave her the short version, that both were harassed back home, Naruto by the villagers and Hinata by her family. Konan listened to them and inwardly shook her head. 'The Leaf's strength must be an illusion if the Hokage can't control his people. And it seems the Hyūga are a more dysfunctional clan then I thought.' She was saddened to hear Naruto was an orphan, being an orphan herself, though unlike him she had memories of her parents.
"So what now?" Naruto asked as he positioned himself in front of Hinata. Ready to defend her if need be. Even though it was clear Konan could wipe the floor with him, he would protect her.
'Naruto's positioning himself to protect me, why? Does he think he can win?' Hinata looked at the blond and saw him trembling. 'He's scared. He's scared of her and still he stands to defend me.' Hinata's heart leaped with joy at the thought, but it was short-lived. 'This woman, she's strong. I can't let Naruto fight her alone! I need to prove I'm willing to stand by his side!'
Konan watched the two with interest. 'The boy cares for her safety. He's clearly afraid of me but chooses to stay and protect her rather than save himself.' Inside, Konan smiled as she watched Hinata move from behind him to his side, earning a questioning look from the blond. 'And it looks like she plans to make good on her word to stand by his side and support him. Reminds me of myself.' Keeping herself from getting lost in nostalgia, she spoke. "See that tower." She pointed at the tallest one in the village, Pain's tower. "Meet me there tomorrow at noon. By then, you shall have God's decision on your recruitment. Do you have money for a room?" Naruto nodded, though both kids still confused on what she meant by God. "Good, there's an inn two blocks down. Their prices are reasonable. Remember, tomorrow at noon." With that, she sprouted her wings and ascended. "By the way, Amekage?" Naruto looked at her sheepishly. "I like it." She flew away.
Naruto looked from the skies to the girl next to him. "I think that's a good sign."
-
Konan returned to Pain's Tower, where Pain was waiting for him. "Report."
"The newcomers were two children, both from the Hidden Leaf. One was a Hyūga and the other was an Uzumaki." Pain was surprised to hear of another Uzumaki besides himself as he continued to listen to her report on what she learned from them.
"They claim to want admittance into the Rain's academy. However, I very much doubt they have the funds to afford the study materials and rent for shelter."
"We will provide them with budget. A Hyūga may prove useful to us. And as an Uzumaki myself, I'm well aware of our clan's unique traits. That said, it may be wise to keep the girl's identity a secret, lest we attract the Leaf's attention. The boy too." Pain paused for a moment as he remember why he sent Konan out in the first place. "But this does not explain the anomaly I sensed. We should keep a close eye on them." Konan nodded and was about to take her leave when Pain called her back. "Konan, there's more, isn't there? Not related to their chakra but something about them has got you bothered."
Konan sighed. "They… remind me of the past." Pain raised his eyebrow but did press the matter. The past was best left behind.
-
"Halt! This area is off limits!" said the Rain shinobi to the two runaways. He was a tall man in the standard rain jonin attire with a rebreather on.
"Hey! We were told to come here!" Naruto yelled at him.
"Oh yeah? By who kid?" He asked in disbelief.
"By me." He turned around to see Konan.
"A-apologies, Lady Angel." He said with a bow.
"None are necessary. Follow me children." She moved past the jonin and Naruto and Hinata followed her. As they moved through the streets, they attracted looks from the other villager, which made Naruto uncomfortable, until he saw that they were looking at Konan, and not in distain, but awe and respect. They moved out of her way and bowed. She would nod to them, acknowledging their existence. Soon they arrived at their destination. "Here we are."
"Um, where is here?" Naruto asked, confused. Konan hadn't said anything since she told them to follow her.
"Your new apartment," Konan answered. Both kids' eyes widened as Konan showed them the inside. "It has two bedrooms, so you can sleep separately," Konan said, emphasizing the word 'separately', "One bathroom with a lock, a small kitchen and dining room, and a living room." The living room had a dark blue sofa that sat three people and near it, a chair of the same color. Both were around a small coffee table. The dining room had four wooden chairs around a round table. "You'll also be given a budget to spend on food, supplies, and other necessities. This will be given until you've achieved the rank of chunin or reach the age of 16."
Hinata stole a glance toward Naruto. 'This must be how Naruto lived back ho… at the Leaf.' "T-thank you v-very much," Hinata said with a small bow.
"Yeah, thanks. I mean it, this is all great," Naruto said. "But, why are you doing this for us?"
"Because we've decided you've no alternative motives other than becoming shinobi of our village, not to mention the advantage of have members of both your clans."
"Wait, what do you mean both our clans? Hinata's the only one from a clan."
Konan frowned at this. Apparently he knew even less about his heritage than she thought, which was weird considering the impact they that on the Leaf Village. 'They're shinobi wear their symbol on their backs for crying out loud!' "Consider it something to look forward to in your studies." He sighed, but decided not to ask. It did make him look forward to the otherwise boring part of school. "Now, you will be admitted under false pretenses, so as to keep your identity hidden, simply because we do not wish to attract unwanted attention from the Leaf. The names you used at the security checkpoints should suffice. Now, if there are no more questions, I'll take my leave." Konan headed for the door.
"W-wait." Konan turned to face the former heiress. "Um, w-we never g-got your n-name. I mean, w-we heard p-people call y-you Angel, b-but it s-sounded more l-like a title."
Konan nodded. "You are indeed correct. I am known as God's angel, his messenger to the people. However, my true name is Konan."
"T-thank you v-very much, Lady Konan." Hinata bowed farewell.
"Yeah, thanks again!" Naruto mimicked Hinata's bow. "Alright Hinata, let's enjoy our new home! Err, Hinata?"
Hinata's face was bright red as she just realised her current situation. 'I'm living alone with Naruto!' Her face just kept getting brighter. 'Me... alone… Naruto…' She responded the only way she could. She fainted.
Konan watched with amusement as Naruto managed to catch her before she hit the ground while wondering what happened to her. "She's alright. Just… overwhelmed."
Konan walked out the door, leaving the two alone as Naruto laid the unconscious girl on the couch. 'This is it, Hinata. Our new home. And I swear to protect it, and you.' Naruto looked out the window and saw Konan fly in the sky. 'Damn, I forgot to ask what she meant by God. Is she really an angel, or does she work for someone claiming to be a god?'
-
Alpha: A bit too short for my liking, but not much else I can do with this chapter. Next one will be a bit about their academy days.
Pain (Deva): Yes, I'm curious to see Naruto's growth in my village.
Alpha: Something wrong with your real body Nagato?
Pain (Deva): No.
Yahiko: He's just used to using mine.
Alpha: Yahiko? But your body's… I mean Nagato's using… sighs Forget it.
Yahiko: Yeah, I don't get it either.
Pain: Same.
Alpha: Can you use your real body, or at least one of your other bodies. This is kinda weird.
Yahiko: Ditto.
Pain: Very well. (He leaves.)
(Awkward silence)
Alpha: coughs So, uh, weather's nice.
Yahiko: Yeah, nice. A little hot for my tastes, but nice.
Alpha: Good, good. (Taps his foot) Oh, how was training with Jiraiya?
Yahiko: Fun. He didn't act like a pervert as much as he did around Naruto.
Alpha: Yeah, I notice in the flashbacks.
Yahiko: Yeah Konan was too young for his tastes, plus me and Nagato always kept an eye on him for her. Also, we lived too far away from any brothels he could sneak to. And with the war going on, well, he didn't have many chances.
Alpha: Bet Naruto would be jealous if you told him that.
Nagato: I agreed. Our sibling-student would.
Alpha: Hey, you're back.
Nagato: Yeah, sorry I took so long. Oh, another thing was that this was before he started writing those Icha Icha books of his.
Yahiko: Yeah, I liked his first book better, "Tales of a Gutsy Ninja".
Nagato: Me too.
Konan: Nagato, Yahiko, explain these. (She holds up two books, both orange and looked like Kakashi's book)
Nagato: Um, well you see…
Yahiko: We were uh holding onto them, yes, for a friend!
Nagato: What he said.
Konan: So you're holding onto two identical books for a friend?
Yahiko: Um, yes? (Konan steps forward) W-wait Konan!
Nagato: Let's talk about this! (Ducks under a paper shuriken and runs away with Yahiko)
Konan: You won't escape! (Chases after them)