Beating The Odds

Chapter 03: Future Plans

By: MikeJV37

----Naruto Age 8, 4:31 PM, Hyuuga Compound----

Since he'd helped save Hinata-chan two months ago, he still had no idea how though and any adult he asked would say I'll tell you when you're older, he didn't like it, but as long as Hinata-chan was okay he didn't care. As he sat and watched Hinata spar with Neji in the outdoor training ground he had to smile. Hinata was the top kunoichi at the Academy, she hadn't stuttered in almost three weeks, he'd made frinds with Sasuke, though they were also rivals now he loved finally having someone to train with now. He had dozens of friends now, at least at the Academy and the adult ninjas and kunoichi would give him a friendly smile, nod or wave when he saw them around the village.... most of the villagers still glared hatefully at him for some reason he still couldn't figure out, but some had changed their minds. Better than everything else though, was that Hinata's dad and uncle had bought him a small house near the Hyuuga Compound. it wasn't much bigger than his apartment but it was clean and it as all his, no rent to pay. He didn't get money from the old man anymore, but they'd solved that too, he had a bank account now that if he was careful like they showed him, would last him until he graduated and could earn his own money. They said it was the least they could do for him for saving Hinata. All he knew was that if it wasn't for him that man would of escaped with Hinata and they never would of seen her again.

"Come on Naruto, you must be washed and dressed if you wish to join us for dinner." Hiashi said as he walked up to Naruto.

Naruto turned to him and smiled. "Hai, Hiashi-sama." Naruto said, hopped off the bench bowed and dashed off to the men's baths in the Main House.

Hiashi smiled as he smelled lylacs from behind him and turned around. "Hello Hannah-chan, how's lil Hanabi-chan?"

Hannah smiled warmly at her husband as she held her sleeping three year old daughter on her shoulder. "She fell asleep watching Hinata-chan spar with Neji, she said she was really proud her nee-chan was so strong now, before she went out..She was tired from her training I guess, she wants to be just like Hinata when she grows up." Hannah said with a warm smile, then activated her Byakuugan a moment to be sure Naruto or any other kids weren't around to hear her, her face got serious, which for her was rare inside the Compound. "Has he shown up since Hinata-chan's kidnapping attempt?"

Hiashi's face changed to the familiar emotionless appearance. "I've watched him here and had him watched by our Jounin, even when he gets hit sparring with the Uchiha, there's been nothing. I've discussed this with Sarutobi-sama and the other Clan Heads.... we all agree, for whatever reason we're unaware of, it has changed. Even when he threatened us that night, he was full of rage, but there was no hatred or evil intent when he said it."

Hannah smiled and relaxed. "And what about this uncanny luck he has, I've never seen anything like it. I've watched him, it isn't just throwing things, it happens in any game he plays, or anything he wants to do, he seems to almost.... there's no other way to say it, he seems to change fate to whatever outcome is best for him, but I don't think he's aware that he's doing it, he just thinks he's really lucky."

Hiashi nodded, then smirked. "Have you heard about his dream?"

."No, I haven't spent as much time with him as I'd like because of Hanabi-chan, but she'll be playing with other kids soon." Hannah said.

"He wants to be the next Hokage...." Hiashi said, then he saw a twinkle in his wife's eyes he hadn't seen in a long time and sighed..

""Come on Hiashi-kun you know Hinata loves him, and we both know with his luck he will be Hokage someday, they'd be a perfect couple... not to mention what having our son-in-law as Hokage would do for the Clan." Hannah said happily and gave him her best pleading expression, leaned forward slightly so her kimono top fell open enough to let him see of her very large breasts. It was a dirty trick to use this outside the bedroom, where she'd have to pay him back tonight, but it was worth it.

Hiashi held his ground until he saw down her kimono.... he just couldn't resist those big pale breasts. "You win Hannah, I'll draw up the paperwork later and take it to Sarutobi-sama tomorrow." Hiashi said and thought a moment. "They'd be honored to know you want their son to marry Hinata.... I miss them too."

Hannah smiled, kissed Hiashi then called over her personal servant, an older Cadet Branch woman, and handed Hanabi to her. "Please put Hanabi to bed, she won't be joining us for dinner. Be sure Naruto-kun is ready and in the Dining Room by five sharp this time." Hannah said with a subtle smirk then nodded to the woman.

The woman took Hanabi, smiled subtly, then nodded and left.

----Naruto Age 9, After Sunset----

Naruto loved night, he could go out and explore Konoha without having to deal with any people.... except the odd shinobi he'd meet on patrol or ANBU, though they never stopped to even say hello.... with one exception. It had started ten months ago by accident, but had become a regular event, once a week he'd go there just after sunset. He landed on the roof,.listened carefully and waited for the very subtle sound. He suddenly spun around, caught the kunai that'd been thrown at him.... and smiled happily. All the special training he'd gotten in the last year, especially from his new surrogate dad and uncle, had increased his power by leaps and bounds, though he hid most of what he could do now at the academy.

The ANBU stepped out of the shadows and lifted her mask. "Damnit brat how the hell do you do that? You aren't even a Genin yet but not only can you detect me when no one else can.... but you can catch my kunai bare handed." She said annoyed but very impressed. he'd mastered everything she'd taught him in the last ten months in a matter of days. She knew how lucky he was, but in four years, the last in particular, he'd gotten as strong as she was, maybe more. 'It has to be the fox's doing, there's no other explination for why he's so damn strong.'

"That's a secret Anko-chan.... you know we don't tell our secrets. You lost again.....I'm waiting." Naruto said and gave her a big, almost perverted grin.

Anko pouted very Naruto-like. "Oh come on brat.... how the hell you ever got me to make that damn bet is beyond me, but Anko Mitarahi always pays her debts.... you sure you're a nine year old kid and not Kakashi using a disguise? That pervert would do anything to see what you're about to.... again." Anko said slightly embarrassed, but amused.

Naruto smiled and shook his head. "You're the only ANBU I talk to Anko-chan."

"I swear, if you ever tell anyone I submit to you like this I'll feed you to my snakes." Anko said seriously, then sighed. 'I don't believe I'm about to show this lucky little shit my tits again.... how the fuck a nine year old brat got the toughest, scariest bitch in Konoha by the short hairs I doubt I'll ever know, but I'm gonna try. At least he's not older, if he was I'd probably be on my knees sucking his dick.... or more. Who am I kidding.... when he's older he'll probably make me his fuck toy anyway, at least he's cute, he'll be a real stud when he's older. Well, better he see my tits than sneak around peeping on women like that old pervert does..' Anko thought then grabbed the bottom of her shirt. She'd stopped wearing a bra months ago when she'd accepted the fact she was never going to win, it just got in the way. She'd just gotten it up the the bottom of her semi-firm breasts when she saw him raise his hand for her to stop. When she saw his big grin turn serious she knew something was wrong, he was never wrong. "What is it Naruto?' Anko said a little anxious.

"I heard a scream, like someone was stabbed or something." Naruto said seriously as he turned his head side-to-side to find the direction.

"I didn't hear anything, but I trust your senses.... you've never been wrong before." Anko said as she reached for her ANBU communicator. "Before I call in an ANBU strike, show me where it cam from. I'm in charge, but you have the better senses.... let's move Naruto." Anko said, put her mask back on and leapt off the roof after Naruto. As she followed him around she quickly realized where they always ended up near.

"It's Sasuke's family!" Naruto said shakily. "I can hear'em inside.... someone is killng everyone in there! He's a jerk but he's still my friend and nobody is gonna hurt my friends!" Naruto said fiercely then jumped up onto and over the wall around the Uchiha Compound..

"Damnit Naruto wait for.... fucking hot head." Anko switched on her communicator. "This is Venom, Code Red-Two, Uchiha Compound!" Anko said quickly but clearly and followed Naruto over the wall to help.

----2 minutes Later, Uchiha Compound----

Naruto ran through the halls toward the main bedrooms where Sasuke and his parents were. If he hadn't been here a few times already he'd of gotten lost trying to find everyone. He'd already found the Uchiha Elders and many of theirJounin that made up the Konoha Police Force.... all of them dead. It made him sick to see it, they weren't just killed, they were slaughtered like animals, many had been decapitated or split open. He heard screaming and recognized it as Mikoto, Sasuke's mother.

Mikota kneeled on the floor as she hugged the unconscious Sasuke protectively, tears poured from her sharingan eyes. She was a Jounin, but knew fighting was useless, her husbad was far stronger than her and the man before her had decapitated him easily and now stood over her, his bloody sword raised. "Why Itachi-kun?" Mikoto said softly, with extreme sadness and confusion, then closed her eyes and waited for the deathblow..Then there was a crash and the sound of wood shattering and a wave of chakra hit her so filled with rage and power it knocked her out.

----1 Minute Later----

Anko jumped through the hole in the wall she knew had to be from Naruto, a kunai in each hand, just in time to see a face she hoped she'd never have to again.... and was instantly filled with near blinding rage. OROCHMARU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Anko screamed with every ounce of rage she'd held in for years.

Orochimaru smiled very snake like at Anko as he pulled a kunai from his shoulder. "Another time Anko-chan....I'll see you again boy, you are most interesting." Orochmaru said then melted into the ground before Anko's kunai struck the ground moments before her fists.

""FUCKING SNAKE BASTARD I'LL KILL YOU!!!!!!" Anko roared in rage as she'd lunged at him after she threw her kunai.

That was the moment twenty ANBU, lead by Kakashi and Asuma, appeared in the room. They saw six people, an enraged Anko on her knees punching the floor, four Uchiha, an unconscious Mikoto and her son Sasuke, the headless corpse of their husband/father, and an unconscious Itachi, who appeared to be badly beaten.... and to their shock and fear, Naruto, in a two tailed red chakra cloak. Kakashi took a step forwad as he pulled up his hitai-ite to reveal his Sharingan eye. "Did you do this?"

"I did not kill the Uchiha, Anko-chan will explain." Kyuubi said, withdrew all his chakra and the unconscious Naruto fell forward.

Kakashi caught Naruto and turned to the now calmer Anko, shocked. "Anko-chan?" Kakashi blankly repeated what Kyuubi had just called her.

Anko stood, composed herself as best she could and nodded. "I'll explain everything later.... it was Orochmaru and Itachi, but I don't know if he was a partner or puppet, and right now I don't fucking care. I'll talk to the old man tomorrow, right now I'm ging home Kakashi.... anyone tries to stop me and I swear I'll fucking castrate'em." Anko said with calm sadness and anger, then casually walked out and headed home.

Kakashi had seen Anko like this only once before and knew not to mess with her until she calmed down and sorted her feeling out. "Let her go, call in back up and get any survivors to the Hospital, take Itachi to the maximum security wing for treatment, I'll take Naruto home and stay with him. You give Anko a few minutes then tell her to go to Naruto's on Hokage-sama's orders. You tell Hokage-sama to meet us at Naruto's place right away.... dismissed."

Everyone did as told, Kakashi vanished with Naruto in a swirl of wind and leaves.

----58 minutes later, Naruto's House----

"Is that everything Kakashi, Anko?" Sarutobi said calmly.

Kakashi nodded.

"Hai." Anko said.

Sarutobi turned to the being on the bed. "Naruto must be told, if my former student is after your power, Naruto must be told about you and properly trained. If you weren't able to defeat him with two tails you must be stronger." Sarutobi said and sighed. "Orochmaru is relentless, and now that he knows of you he will be prepared next time."

The red-eyed Naruto sighed, slightly annoyed. "I do not like this, I would of preferred another year, but I have no choice. Two tails wasn't enough power to kill him, only hurt him. To kill him an ensure he can never return I will need five tails. I will not allow Naruto to be used by that bastard, or get any of my power." Kyuubi, in control of Naruto's body, got of the bed, walked up to Anko and put his left hand gently on her cheek.

Kakashi's visible eyebrow went up slightly at the 'more than just friends'. gesture.

"Anko-chan, I know I also speak for Naruto on this.... we will not let him hurt you ever again, we will kill him for you." Kyuubi said in a very caring, but still demonic voice, slipped his left hand behind her head in her wild purple hair, his right went up under her shirt and gently squeezed her left breast as he pulled her face down into a passionate kiss. "You are as special to us as Hinata-chan, and once I have mated with her, we will give you the happiness you've been denied." Kyuubi said, released the stunned Anko, laid on his bed and pulled back all his chakra.

"Anko.... have you and Nar...." Kakashi said then froze.

Anko had a kunai at his throat and a big snarl on her face. "You say one more word cyclops, or tell anyone, especiially Naruto, what just happened with me and Kyuubi, and I swear I'll kill you and feed your remains to my snakes." Anko said in her coldest voice. "Not that it's any of your fucking business.... but what just happened is as far as Kyuubi has gone. Naruto has only kissed me a couple times as a friend. I happen to like the brat because he understands the shit I've been through. I respect you as a ninja and my superior, but as a man you're losing ground fast."

Kakashi nodded carefully. He'd never seen Anko like this before, but knew her well enough to know when she wasn't bluffing. "I'm sorry Anko, I was out of line. I don't know him as well as you."

"Anko please calm down.... I'm well aware of your friendship with Naruto and what you've been doing. I'm pleased that you're just friends, but he'll also be told he's betrothed to Hinata Hyuuga, as she will be told. As you know Orochimaru better than anyone else and can sense him I'm reassigning you from the ANBU to be Naruto's personal bodyguard until he can draw on at least five tails. This will keep you near him as well as Hinata and continue his training when he's not with anyone else. And please.... put away your kunai Anko." Sarutobi said calmly.

Anko put away her kunai and smiled at Sarutobi. "I accept.... and thank you." Anko said then bowed.

"Anko, be in my office tomorrow morning at eight with Naruto, I'll tell him everything then. Anko you may stay here to watch him tonight, Kakashi, you will not speak of this to anyone.... dismissed." Sarutobi said and gave them a slight nod.

Kakashi nodded to Sarutobi. "If yo mind having me around, I'll get to know him as a person." Kakashi said and waited a moment, when Anko nodded he vanished in a swirl of wind and leaves.

Anko lunged forward and gave her surrogate father a quick hug and kiss on his cheek. "Thanks old man."

Sarutobi smiled. Anko was the only other person he let call him old man, but unlike Naruto she didn't do it in front of anyone. "Give him a chance Anko, you know what he's lost."

"Hai, as long as Naruto doesn't mind having him around." Anko said and sighed.

Sarutobi smiled and vanished.

Anko pulled up a chair and sat next to bed to watch over Naruto.

----8:14 AM, The Next Morning, Hokage Tower----

Sarutobi looked at the only slightly teary-eyed Naruto, he'd taken it better than he expected, though there had been a few tense moments. "Are you alright Naruto?" Sarutobi said in a warm fatherly voice.

Naruto wiped his tears on his sleeve and composed himself. "Hai, I'll be fine old man.... at least now I know why everyone hated me and why I have so much chakra. And you've known all along Anko-chan?"

Anko sniffled nervously. "Hai, I couldn't tell you though, I'm sorry I had to lie to you like that Naruto-kun.... I can still call you kun, can't I? If you'd rather have someone else guard you ...."

Naruto smiled warmly up at her. "Of course you can Anko-chan, and I'd love to have you around. At least I can introduce you to Hinata-chan now." Naruto said then his eyes got big. "I'm really gonna marry Hinata-chan someday?" Naruto said to Sarutobi.

"Hai, her parents are telling her as we've talked. There's one more thing. Though you'll legally be an adult when you earn your hitai-ite . you can't be married until you're both fifteen, which means you must wait at least six years. Promise me you'll wait until then before you.... do anything, with Hinata or anyone else." Sarutobi said in a stern, fatherly voice.

'Do anything.... oh, that stuff. Hai, I promise." Naruto said firmly.

Sarutobi smiled. "Good, I know you never break a promise Naruto. Before you go, I'm going to arrange for you to have a special sensei to train you how to use Kyuubi's chakra, remember only the parents, your teachers and the Jounin know Kyuubi is sealed inside you Naruto. For safety I'd prefer you not tell anyone, but if you must or feel they can handle it, you may tell your friends.... just be sure they can handle it, everyone may not understand. Just remember, you are the jailer, not the prisoner, be sure they understand that. Dismissed "

Naruto nodded, turned and left the office, Anko right behind him.

Sarutobi took out his pipe, lit it, took a puff and chuckled. "You can come in now Jiraiya."

"I never could hide from your Sarutobi-sensei." Jiraiya said as he came in through the window. 'So that's his kid huh.... looks just like him. Why didn't you tell him who his dad was?" Jiraiya said.

Sarutobi sighed. "I will, when he turns sixteen he'll be told and inherit the Namikaze Estates, until then you won't tell him."

"Hai.... I assume you want me to keep tabs on Orochimaru?" Jiraiya said seriously.

"Hai, and give Naruto a couple hours to talk with Hinata before you meet him." Sarutobi said and puffed his pipe. Before you go.... do you have a copy of the newest issue?"

Jiraiya let ou a short perverted giggle, pulled the small book from his vest pocket and handed it to him. "Hai, your early signed copy, it won't be out for another week. Anything for my old sensei." Jiraiya said then vanished.

End Chapter 3