Chapter 2

They didn't seem to notice his words, and the woman kept on talking, smiling softly in-between words.

"Could you ple-

Naruto cut her off, his face quickly becoming a scowl.

"What'd you want me for this time?"

She looked puzzled, and the smile dropped from her pretty face. She seemed upset, and slightly angry.

"I don't k-

Naruto cut her off again, becoming bored of predictable reactions.

"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, now what do you want me for this time? Because whatever it is, I haven't done anything this morning."

"Could you answer some questions for me? Please?" she asked, an underlying tone of pleading in her voice.

Naruto thought for a few seconds before answering. He sighed, and sat down on the roof, and put his head on his hand.

"Sure, since you're being nice. It's better than being dragged off. 'Sides, Kakashi-sensei is always late, I doubt I'll get in trouble."

She looked startled for a second, like she wasn't expecting that answer, then she smiled gently. Naruto could tell that this smile was real, not just a fake one to get people to tell her things. He relaxed slightly.

"My name is Yuuki. What's your favorite food? Your favorite color? Your favorite animal? Do you have a crush on someone?"

Naruto blinked. He didn't understand how this had anything to do with whatever they thought he did, but he answered anyway, since he said he would.

"Ramen, orange, foxes, and no, I don't, but I know someone who has a crush on me."

He noticed her scribbling something down in a black leather notebook before putting it away.

Her green eyes looked up and met his. They were filled with tears. Then she dropped her eyes and spoke again.

"Do you hate your parents for making you an orphan? Is your childhood painful? Do you want to be someone else?"

The blond shinobi moved forward as though to stop her, but he backed off quickly when he realized Naruto was watching him.

Naruto could feel the bitterness swelling up inside him again. This time he didn't try to stop it, and when he finally spoke, it was in a low, dark tone.

"I don't hate my parents, I hate everyone. I was kicked out of the orphanage at two, and I lived on the streets 'till four. I have one thing to ask you. What the hell are you playing at? You're an adult. You know I have the Kyuubi sealed inside me. How the hell could you think I might have a decent life? Either you're really sheltered, or you're just plain stupid."

Naruto stood up, his blue eyes flashing as he walked away. He had wanted to say worse words, but he had to be able to control his anger.

Naruto smiled brightly again, his anger disappearing quickly. The mask had been put in place; however, somebody might find a few cracks in the ground around the Hokage monument the next day.

He didn't see the two ninja again that day, though he did feel a strange presence following him at times.

"He's so bitter...did we do the right thing, Arashi?"

"I...don't know. I thought he'd be able to bear it. I thought he'd at least have some friends, but...he has none."

"I wish this didn't happen. Arashi, I'm a torture specialist, and I'm crying. Why?"

"I couldn't tell you. But I can tell you this; he's not living like this anymore. I'm not letting it happen."

Naruto walked through the streets, wearing a thick shirt to cover the scent and sight of his blood.

He felt a strong pulling on his mind, and smiled grimly. It was the work of the two ninja he had met the day before, he was sure. But Naruto didn't resist it, there was no point, not in his head. He'd just have to deal with them.

As soon as he was in the park, he felt a pair of arms circle his chest. The metallic scent of blood mixed with ginger met his nose. He could feel the sobbing of her as she talked.

"I'm so sorry, my little Naruto. I should have done something, anything..."

Naruto turned around, his sad, world weary eyes meeting hers. He spoke quietly, as though afraid to scare her off.

"Can you explain?"

Yuuki took a deep breath before speaking.

"I'm your mother. And Arashi is your father. He...we, devised a jutsu that would allow us to come back, from death, if someone alive was ready to die for us. We asked an elder, who was going to die anyway, so we wouldn't feel so bad. It can only be used once, though. You're so grown up now...I can only remember you as a baby, but, Naru-chan, I had a choice. I could've stayed with you, and Arashi would die, since he needed my help to do the jutsu, or I...could do this. I-I thought this way would be better..."

Her arms tightened around him, and her sobs became louder. Her vivid green eyes were cloudy with tears.

Naruto laughed, his smile becoming bigger, and happier. For the first time in his life, he wanted to smile. He had a family. It was all he asked for each night. And he could forgive. He would've done the same thing.

"It's okay, Okaasan. I'm not mad. I've...always wanted a family."

She heard the pure joy in his voice, and stopped crying, wiping the tears away with her hand. She whispered under her breath, "Thank you, Kami. Thanks."

Her voice became brisk, and clear.

"Right, well you can't stay in that apartment. You're staying with us, at Arashi's house. That's right, ARASHI! Get down here, now!"

She leaned down to Naruto and said, "He hates emotional scenes, which was why he wasn't here. Don't hold against him, he just doesn't like crying and hugging."

Naruto was still grinning when he spoke. "I don't care. I'll make him buy me ramen for it, though."

She grinned the large foxy grin that Naruto was famous for.

"Good, I won't have to teach you to blackmail people."

"And I'm going to be in a house with both of you…sometimes I wonder if Kami-sama hates me…"

Arashi was standing beside them, his face in an adorable 'Sad Puppy Look'. He was wearing a black jacket with flames up the sides, white pants, and a black T-shirt.

Yuuki sighed, and then ignored him.

"And we'll have to get you some new clothes, orange is good, but the jumpsuit is too much…"

Naruto felt his arm grabbed, and felt like the world was flowing around him, like he wasn't even in the same dimension anymore.

"Arashi, I asked you not to do that. I hate moving that fast, it's annoying. And what will everyone think, seeing that again?"

Arashi smiled, and let go of her arm. He pointed to a large, multi-colored mansion. It looked like it had enough room for half of Konoha.

"That's my house. You can sleep anywhere you like. If there's anyone you trust, they can have a room too, for when they come visit. Have fun exploring it. The ramen is in the room with flames on the walls. Stay away from the orange room, it has healthy food, and your mother will make you eat it."

Naruto stared. He had seen this house before, but he'd never thought he'd ever live in it. He wanted to share this with someone, but who could he trust?

Not Sakura, she's too mean to me, and she wouldn't believe it. Not Kakashi, he has things to do, and he's older than me. Sasuke was always out of the question. Shikamaru would say it's too troublesome. Who else is nice to me? Maybe Hinata, she's quiet, she'd be happy for me…yeah, Hinata would be perfect.

"Hey, Tousan, can I go get one of my friends now? I want to tell someone about this, just to make sure it's real."

Arashi shrugged. He looked at Yuuki, and shoes his words carefully; she was a powerful force when she was mad.

"Alright, sure. It won't hurt, but don't take long."

Naruto flashed a smile at them before jumping away.

He found Hinata training with her team. She looked tired, as though she'd seen too many things she hadn't wanted to see.

I hope she doesn't faint again. I didn't think crushes were that strong, but I guess Hinata proved that theory wrong.

"Hey, Hinata, you want to get some ramen with me? Sakura and Sasuke won't go, and you're my next best friend."

Naruto asked from beside her.

Hinata's face turned red, but she didn't faint. Her words were quiet, but they had a strange strength to them.

"If sensei says it's okay…"

Naruto didn't waste time replying to her. He shouted loudly at Kurenai.

"Hey, can Hinata eat ramen with me!?"

Kurenai smiled. She knew of the Hyuuga girl's crush, and decided to let her go. She seemed distracted anyway.

"Of course. Don't take too long."

Hinata didn't have time to speak. Naruto grabbed her arm and ran away, his grin becoming larger. He didn't think about how much he was acting like his father.

He stopped a good distance away on a roof.

Hinata was shocked as Naruto turned towards her with a serious look on his face.

"Hinata, you're probably my closest friend. I want to give you something, and I want to tell you something. First, I'm not as happy as you think. Until today, I don't think I've ever really meant the smile I kept on my face. As for what I'm giving you…I'm going to show it to you now."

Hinata stood still, for a few seconds before hugging Naruto. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"I-I saw a-all of that. I s-saw you cry. I-I'm horrible. I-I thought y-y-you would be a-alright….."

Naruto didn't move. He was about to smile and say it was all okay, when he remembered what he had told her. She was his friend now. He wouldn't lie.

"I don't think you're horrible, you're just shy. You were afraid of me. You didn't want me to hate you. And I…understand. I've felt the same way so many times…"

Hinata looked up, smiled, and took his hand. Her voice was soft, gentle. She knew they were friends now. She knew that no matter what she did, he'd never hate her.

"Can I see the gift now, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto nodded, and jumped into the air, being careful not to let her hand go.

Naruto stepped through a window, and landed lightly on the floor. Hinata followed him.

He opened the door, and went into the hallway. He could hear voices downstairs, and Hinata's.

"Naruto-kun, isn't this the Fourth's house? Are you sure we should be here?"

"That's why I brought you here. You see…this woman, and the Yondaime, they say there're my parents. They say they've used a jutsu to avoid death, and they've only gotten back now. Do you…think it's true?"

Hinata stayed silent for a few seconds. Her mind had already made a plan, she just wasn't sure if it was good enough.

"I think you should go and talk to them. I'll use Byakugan to see if they mean what they say."

Naruto nodded.

"Okay, that's a good idea, Hinata-hime. I'll do it. Just stay a bit behind me."

Hinata blushed a bit when she heard the suffix he attached to her name. She slipped behind him as he ran down the stairs and opened up the door where the voices came from.

"Tousan, Kaasan, I'm back. Is there a room with white flowers, or sparkles or something?"

Arashi turned and looked at him, not noticing the girl hiding behind him.

"There's one that's lavender. It has a large window, and it has lilies and snow painted on the walls. Is that good?"

"Yeah!"

Naruto noticed Yuuki then, who was cooking something in pots. Naruto knew it wouldn't be ramen.

"Kaasan, what's for supper?"

"Rice, beans, and ramen sauce, Naru-chan."

Naruto felt a tugging on his shirt, and turned around to look at Hinata. She spoke in a whisper.

"They're not lying, Naruto-kun."

Arashi saw her. He contained the voice in his head telling him to hurt her, and asked her a question in a low tone.

"How are you related to Hyuuga Hiashi?"