Chapter 2

"Things do not change; we change."
–Henry David Thoreau

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Naruto woke up and stretched. Sleeping on the ground was always just a little uncomfortable. He yawned as he looked up at the canopy. It was a brand new day, and he needed some breakfast. Looking around his makeshift campsite, which was little more than a couple of burnt twigs from last night's "fire" and his sleeping bag covered in morning dew, he spotted a berry bush that looked promising.

Are these some of the poisonous ones? Naruto thought to himself, hesitating as he reached an arm out. They looked like a delicious shade of red. Well… if they are poisonous, the damn fox will take care of it. Reached out and picked a few, popping them into his mouth one by one. A little bit sour.

He looked around for a moment, feeling a momentary rush. This Walkabout was a good idea so far, he supposed. It had only been one night, but he felt a freedom that he'd never felt before, as if there was no burden for him to carry. And there wasn't.

"I've never thought about things this much," Naruto said to himself out loud. He walked over to his sleeping bag and began to pack it. "I guess being out alone forces you to think." And as his mind drifted back to the looks of hatred the villagers gave him, he thought that perhaps that wasn't always a good thing.

"Now, where should I go?" Naruto said to himself. He was talking mostly because he hadn't heard a voice, even his own, since yesterday before he left, and if he were honest he'd say he was beginning to feel real loneliness. But at this point, being honest with himself was a bit too much to ask.

"Hmmm…"

I want to go see places I've never been before, he thought, rubbing his chin. I know! I'll go see all the nations that border the Fire country! I've only ever been to the Wave. He paused for a moment. Yes, that sounded perfect.

And without a further thought, he started off towards the west. River country would be first.

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Hinata stepped slowly. Before, she would walk slowly because she didn't have the confidence to step strongly, but for some reason, that wasn't the case anymore. Now she stepped slowly because she was thinking.

The village seemed so different to her. The people in it, the people she knew, all seemed different. How could every single one of them know, and not see what she saw?

She was making her way to the meeting with Sasuke since he'd been released by the hospital early this morning. The only reason he'd been kept so long was because of the seal, but they'd done all they could for that, and there had been no point in keeping him longer while people more gravely injured were still quite numerous.

"Hinata-sama." She turned and saw Neji approaching, and of all the expressions he could have worn, she saw a smile on his lips. "Do you mind if I walk with you?"

Hinata wasn't sure if he was trying to catch her off guard, but she was a truly kind soul, and wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"No, I'd like that," she said, returning his smile. They walked for a few moments in silence before Neji spoke again.

"Have you seen Uzumaki-san?" Hinata looked at him, her eyes searching for his purpose.

"Not since yesterday," she answered truthfully. Neji nodded.

"I wanted to apologize to him, and to you." Hinata's eyes grew wide in shock.

"For what?"

"Uzumaki-san made me realize something… something about myself." He looked up at the sky. "He told me several times that we each controlled our own destiny. That we choose our place in life. Before our match I disagreed… how had what happened to my father been anything but a horrible example of destiny?"

HInata was silent. She'd never heard Neji talk about Hizashi before.

"But I talked with Hiashi-sama after the match. It seems Naruto was right after all." She looked at him confused.

"What do you mean?" She knew the basics of how Hizashi had died, but had never asked about the specifics.

"My father took Hiashi-sama's place because he chose to." Hinata was surprised. All this time she thought, like Neji, that it had been a horrible, forced act.

"Why?"

"He didn't do it to save Hiashi-sama, he did it for the clan. Your father said that he insisted on taking your father's place not because he wanted to be kind to Hiashi-sama, but because he cared about the clan and the people in it. He cared about his family… and he wanted to do it for them."

Hinata was again silent. It didn't seem like her place to comment on such an act.

"It seems that Uzumaki-san was right. We all choose our own destiny. Even now, his destiny is to wallow in his misfortune of being the Kyuubi's vessel, and yet he chooses not to. His destiny says that he should hate people for his misfortune, but instead he fights for them. Anyone who listens to him could understand that."

Tears formed in the corners of Hinata's eyes. Neji understood.

"But few listen to him. I did not. I dismissed him as naïve and childish, and I dismissed his dreams as foolish." They walked in silence for a few moments, as Neji seemed to mull over his own words. "He has taught me something important, though I somehow doubt he meant to, and for that I owe him a debt. He has made me a better ninja."

Hinata felt a calm in knowing that Neji had found some peace. Her capacity to care was too large for her to feel nothing for his plight.

"I wanted to apologize to you as well," Neji continued. Hinata again listened silently. "Not for what I did, because a ninja never apologizes for doing what he must. We both entered the exam knowing that something like that could happen. I wanted to apologize for the reasons I did it.

"I do not agree with the way the main branch treats us, but that is not your fault. I see that now." Hinata nodded.

"It's nothing, Neji." He glanced sideways at her.

"You seem different as well." Hinata blushed. She felt different.

"Yes… I feel… Confident." Neji smiled.

"We all are changing for the better then." Hinata looked ahead and saw Sasuke and some of the Konoha Genin waiting.

"Not all of us." Neji looked ahead and nodded knowingly.

They walked up to the group in silence. It was only minutes before the rest of the Konoha Genin were gathered, and Sasuke began talking.

"So you all know why we're here." Everyone nodded, so Sasuke continued. "Something needs to be done about Naruto."

Nobody said anything. In many ways, it was a dance. No one would be willing to say anything unless they were willing to be responsible for it. Sasuke looked around, a bit put out that no one seemed to be that enthused.

"Well? We've had a demon living with us all this time and no one has anything to add?" Sasuke asked. Neji shook his head.

"Don't you think if something needed to be done the Jounin would have already done it?" A few heads around the group nodded in agreement.

"He was being protected by the Third," Sasuke said simply.

"And you know better than the Third?" Neji looked at Sasuke seriously.

"That's not what I said," Sasuke responded hotly. "We've all been around Naruto more than anyone, and no one cared to tell us. That doesn't sound like reasonable judgment." Sasuke looked off thoughtfully. "Besides, it was a member of the council that told me." That raised a few eyebrows.

"Who?" Hinata asked. Her father was on the council as well, and she needed to know if it had been him.

"An older man… bandaged over the right eye." Shikamaru scoffed.

"Danzo…" Everyone looked at him. "Troublesome…" Sasuke looked at the Genin quickly.

"Look, we need to figure out what to do."

"It doesn't matter," Shino said. "He's not in the village anymore." Everyone turned to look at him. Hinata was surprised. She thought no one else had been there. She blushed at the thought.

"How do you know?" Kiba asked.

"The bug I placed on him returned to me. He was leaving the village." Everyone nodded.

"Where was he going?" Sakura asked, finally speaking.

"I don't know," Shino said simply. Sasuke smiled.

"No, this is a good thing. We were all in danger."

"How do you know?" Shikamaru asked. He was skeptical of such a tactical decision with only the information he had. Naruto had never seemed dangerous. At least, not to his friends.

"During our trip to the Wave, Naruto lost control," Sasuke began. He looked over at Sakura. "I was unconscious, but Sakura here knows about it. Naruto went berserk and completely crushed a high Chunin level ninja." Everyone looked at Sakura, as if to confirm.

"Well…" she said, unsure. She wanted to please Sasuke, but she didn't want to betray Naruto. He was like an annoying brother to her. "He got very upset, but he was only attacking enemies. I don't know if he would have attacked anyone else." Everyone looked back at Sasuke, who scowled at Sakura.

"He did it again in the Forest of Death," Sasuke added. "When Orochimaru gave me the Curse Seal. He fought Orochimaru toe-to-toe for a few moments."

"But it sounds like he was protecting people he knew again," Shikamaru pointed out.

"Yeah, but do you want to take that chance?" Kiba interjected. "Sure it seems like he's got good intentions, but who knows if he can really control himself? What if he'd lost it during the fight with me? I was his 'enemy' at the time." Kiba looked shaken at the thought.

"He used the Kyuubi's chakra in his fight against me," Neji said simply. "I am fine."

"This time," Sasuke said. There were a few moments of silence… it was a lot to take in.

"None of you know him," Hinata said, speaking confidently. "None of you know who he is or what he's like." Everyone was a bit startled at the outburst, even Neji. Hinata was acting extremely forward, and she never did that.

"Tch, what do you know?" Sasuke said mockingly. "You're blinded by the way you hang on his every word." Sasuke expected something similar to the other day, when she'd broken down. Instead, her face hardened.

"I know a damn lot more than you!" She glared at the Uchiha. "Who fought against the actual demon that Gaara summoned? Who always tries to help people instead of make them feel useless? Who actually cares about what other people have to say and think? Who is always trying to become a better ninja because he wants to protect his village?" Everyone was quiet. No one had ever heard her talk like this, not even Neji. Even Sasuke was startled at her reaction. "I'll tell you, Uchiha, that answer isn't you."

Sasuke's face contorted in anger.

"You can't understand what it's like to be the only one left from your clan!" Sasuke shouted. "What do you know about me, little miss Hyuuga princess?" Hinata was fuming, but it was Neji's eyes that flashed dangerously.

"Be careful with your words, Uchiha." Sasuke glanced at Neji. He certainly didn't want to make the Hyuuga prodigy an enemy.

"You're turning your back on a team mate," Hinata said. She began to walk off. "And for that," she said, stopping and turning back. "You're lower than dirt." She left, not caring what anyone else had to say. She wasn't going to legitimize that witch hunt by being present.

Everyone was quiet for a few moments, and Neji curtly nodded his head before following Hinata. Sasuke, for his part, looked like he was brooding, and a few moments later he began to leave, also without a word to anyone else.

Ino bounded off after Sasuke, and Sakura watched the Hyuugas depart before following Ino. Everyone else stood, as if frozen.

"Troublesome."

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Jiraiya sat cross-legged in the window. He was furious.

"I've called this meeting of the council to discuss the actions of Uzumaki Naruto, and discuss the problem about deciding on a new Hokage," Danzo began. Jiraiya scoffed.

"I was sure this meeting would be about your crimes," Jiraiya said evenly. Danzo looked at the Sannin, annoyed.

"I was not aware of any crimes." Jiraiya rolled his eyes.

"I suppose you were forced to violate the Third's law and tell Naruto's team mates about the Kyuubi." That caused a few murmurs.

"Is this true?" Hiashi asked. Danzo didn't take his eyes off of the Toad Sage.

"Yes," he said simply.

"You are aware that the law carries a penalty of death," Tsume said tersely.

"That is unimportant. The Third is gone, and with him the need for that law." The uproar was immediate.

"Never in the history of Konoha has a decree been repealed simply because a Hokage passed!" one of the ninja council members said.

"After all that boy did for this village during the invasion, you choose now to do something like this Danzo?"

"Who are you to decide unilaterally for the council which laws to repeal?" Hiashi asked angrily. Danzo had forgotten his place it seemed. "We all know you lust after the position of Hokage. Surely after such a stunt you know we'll never agree to that." Danzo looked at Hiashi venomously.

"We can discuss this later, we need to address the matters which we came here to address."

"Fine," Tsume said briskly. "Jiraiya-sama, would you accept such an honor?" Everyone turned to look at the silver-haired ninja. The look of pure venom that Danzo gave him was almost enough to make him accept.

"I can't," Jiraiya said. "It would limit what I can do for Konoha too much. I need to be out there to give us the best information possible." Everyone nodded. It was true.

"But who else could it be?" Shikaku asked, more to himself than anyone.

"There is always the other," Hiashi said. "Could she possibly accept?" Jiraiya shook his head.

"I don't think there's any way she will."

"Can you try?" Koharu asked. Jiraiya sighed.

"I suppose…" Everyone looked at him hopefully. "I will do my best." A moment of silence fell over the council. "And the other matter?"

"Yes," Danzo said sourly. "It seems Uzumaki Naruto has left the village without a mission. My sources say that he was seen heading west, but they were not instructed to follow." This also caused a few murmurs on the council.

"What exactly is the point of bringing this up," Tsume asked. "Surely this is a matter for his Jounin instructor."

"I believe that's Kakashi," Shikaku said nodding. There seemed to be silent agreement among most of the members.

"Yes, well…" Danzo seemed to measure his words. "Given his… particular circumstances, and the situation, I think we should declare him a missing nin." This motion was not met with murmurs, but instead utter silence. After a few moments Jiraiya spoke.

"I don't think that's a reasonable response to the situation," he said. "Given what Naruto believes to be true, and the situation here in the village, one can hardly blame him for wanting some time away."

"Yes," Danzo said carefully. "That is so. However, as a Hidden Village we cannot let our ninja wander off simply because they want to. I'm sure everyone here can agree with that no matter what they feel about… recent events." Slowly the members of the council began to nod.

"It would be dangerous, then," Danzo continued, "to set a precedent by not declaring him a missing nin."

"So we put him in the bingo book," Jiraiya said, frowning. "Is that what you're saying?"

"Of course not," Danzo replied smoothly. "That would be an overreaction. I am simply proposing that we declare him a missing nin within the village until we know what his purpose and goals are. If he becomes dangerous we can put him in the bingo book then." Given the posturing, there was little that anyone on the council could do to oppose such a proposal.

"It doesn't seem right," Tsume said bitterly. "It doesn't seem like what the Third would do." Everyone was quiet.

"Or the Fourth," Hiashi added. Danzo nodded.

"While I understand the sympathy, what Naruto has done is very nearly the definition of a missing nin. While we certainly don't want to go out of our way to harm the child, we cannot treat him more leniently than any other ninja." No one agreed, but all the same, no one objected either.

"Then," Danzo said, "Let's agree to list him as an A-Rank missing nin." Shikaku raised an eyebrow.

"A-Rank?" Danzo gave a rueful smile.

"He did defeat Sabaku no Gaara, did he not?" And no matter what anyone on the council thought, that was certainly a point to ponder.

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"Uhhhhg…" Naruto grabbed his stomach, wincing. He shouldn't have had the berries. He had been travelling all day, and just as the day was beginning to turn to evening, he came upon a medium sized town, nestled in a crater.

"Wow," Naruto said out loud, looking around as he walked. He noticed many odd stares, and at first he assumed they were because of the fox. But before long he realized that no one in this village should know him on sight. He quickly figured out that it was his bright orange clothing.

If I'm going to do this Walkabout, I should probably wear something different. He walked around, looking for a clothing shop. Wearing orange on this trip would be a problem… why had he started wearing orange anyway? People in Konoha used to refuse to acknowledge me, so I wore orange to stand out, so that they couldn't ignore me… But that's the opposite of what I want now. It made sense to him.

Actually, wearing orange probably made them think more of the fox, Naruto thought with a smile.

He walked into a dimly lit shop.

"Irrasshaimase!" the shop keep called out, smiling. He didn't know who this kid was, but anyone with a Leaf Hitai-ate paid well. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Just looking for something plain," Naruto said. The store owner walked out from behind the counter and began rustling through several racks of clothes.

"Probably about an 8 or 9," he said to himself. "Are you looking for any specific fits or color?" Naruto shook his head.

"I guess… something with long sleeves that will be tough in the wilderness." The man shuffled around, picking out several different outfits.

"Hopefully one of these will be to your liking," he said, handing the outfits to Naruto with a smile. Naruto took them back to the small changing room, closing the curtain behind him. Before he tried any on, he looked at the prices, and cringed.

Should have taken just a bit more with me I guess.

He saw only one outfit that he had enough to buy, and that was only just barely. Thankfully, it did meet all of his requirements. The material seemed pretty strong, and the top had long sleeves. It was black, with a deep blue trim around the sleeves and neck, it zipped up the front, and it had a small, black, detachable hood on the collar. It would help in rain but would be useless for ninja purposes.

The pants were plain in their cut, fitting a bit more snugly than the pants he wore now, but with room to move around in. They were made with the same fabric, and were also black with deep blue trim.

It'll have to do, he thought to himself, putting his orange clothes in his backpack. He looked at himself in the mirror, his eyes resting on the Leaf insignia. He frowned.

It didn't seem right. He wasn't acting like a Leaf ninja, and that forehead protector really meant something to him. He had left, without orders, and without telling anyone. Actually, he realized a bit nervously, that pretty much made him a missing nin.

Ojii-san wouldn't have been proud of me doing this as a leaf ninja, Naruto thought. The Third would have surely lectured him about it. He slowly reached up, untying the forehead protector. He held it in his hands for a few moments, staring at it. At least until I return, I won't wear it. It wouldn't be right. He thought about all the proud leaf ninja that had just died protecting Konoha only weeks ago. It wouldn't be fair to them.

Naruto slowly put the Hitai-ate into his backpack, pausing. He would remember this day for the rest of his life, he realized. And without dwelling on it any further, he left the dressing room, paid the store owner, and walked out into the street, looking for a place to stay. In his mind, his Walkabout had only now just begun.

Pronunciation Guide: Irrasshaimase! (ee-RAH-SHAI-mah-say): Literally it has several meanings having to do with the (polite) coming or going of someone. In practice, it's a polite greeting shop keepers often greet customers with, meaning something along the lines of "welcome to the place you've come (polite)". Just think of it as "welcome".

Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews. I'd like to say upfront that the original concept for this story is based on a Digimon fanfic which was written by an author named "Silver" in the year 2000. Yes, that's right, 9 years ago. That's probably more than half your life for a lot of you, but I wanted to give credit where credit was due.

Nothing but the idea of sending a main character on a traditional Aborigine "Walkabout" is the same of course. It was nothing but a concept. If you want to read it, it is the very last story on my favorites.

I got this chapter out quickly because I felt like in many ways the first and second chapter were really one chapter split into two pieces. They both have natural ending points, but it's not really fair to leave them split apart.

Like I said before, I don't know how long this fic will be. I guess that'll depend more on what it is people like about this fic… (And yes, I have started on the next chapter of Twice Shy. I put a lot more effort into that story… it takes much longer to write, as well as taking much more energy.)

As an aside, I'd like to dedicate this story, the entire story, to a dear friend of mine: Tony Touch. He died in a motorcycle accident at the far too young age of 23 on July 14th, and this past Sunday I went to his funeral. I don't think I can describe what it's like to bury someone you really know… I'm sure some of you do know, but at the same time… I can't help but feel that being in our 20s it's different than if we'd been in our teens…

Anyway, he will be missed. I won't lie… I cried.