Disclaimer: See Prologue
Author's Note: Also See Profile for response to reviews…
Beginning in this chapter there where be parts where the story will shift from how a scene is written in KNC to how it actually happened.
"ABC" - Spoken
ABC - Thought
'ABC' -Bijū Spoken
'ABC' - Bijū Thought
ABC – Book Excerpts
&&&& - Scene Change
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Stranger Than Fiction
Chapter Three: Moment of Change
It began like any other day in my up until then pathetic existence. I had spent the morning being glared and spit upon, the afternoon running from bullies and angry villagers, and was heading back to my sad excuse for an apartment after some training in the evening when I heard something.
Making my way through the woods surrounding the village, I was more than surprised to see someone walking through my domain. This was my sanctuary, an area of the woods where no one came; it was my hiding place and training ground and this man was trespassing.
I followed him because something simply didn't feel right, my suspicions would be confirmed when the bundle he was carrying made a noise.
"Daddy…"
It was muffled but loud enough for me to hear. When the man hit the bundle telling it to be quiet, I knew this was all wrong. I continued to follow him, thinking of what I should do… but, with each step taking us farther from the village…
Gripping the kunai taped to my right thigh, Old Man Soul had given it to me so I could prepare for entering the academy, I kept it with me however as a last line of defense; feeling it against my hand I realized it was now or never…
Leaping down upon him from behind, I tackled him, knocking him over. I had the advantage but only for a moment as he quickly grabbed me and threw me into a nearby tree.
I knew something was broken as the pain in my chest was intense; I looked up to notice that the small bundle had unraveled to reveal a small child. She looked to me with eyes wide with fright; I also realized I had seen eyes like that before… they had belonged to Hime, which meant this small girl was somehow related to her. That knowledge made my decision for me…
"Run… Run Now…"
It took everything in me to scream that out, but at least she listened. Scrambling up to her feet, she tried to run… but, I knew she wouldn't get far as the man was now stalking after her… completely ignoring the fact that I was still there.
I grabbed a rock that lay next to me and threw it at him. It had the desired effect, turning to face me, he shook his head.
"Stupid brat, I don't want to kill you… but, you're leaving me no choice."
"Leave her alone…"
It had left my lips before I even knew what I was saying. He looked at me with a critical eye; I could then see amusement in them.
"I like you, kid…"
He then simply turned around and headed after the girl, she hadn't gotten far as I could still see her struggling to get away. With her arms bound and blood dripping down her leg, I could tell she was hurt but had no idea how badly it could be.
I had to do something, I had to get up, I wouldn't let her down…
Funny the way things work out… here was a man, kidnapping a small child, yet he was the first adult, besides the Old Man, to every look upon me without hatred in his eyes… not only that, he liked me… he saw something in me and approved.
Reaching the girl, he momentarily struggled to get a hold of her but once he did, he threw her over his shoulder and turned back around to face me.
"Hey, kid… how about you…"
It was all he would get out as I was on him. Leaping upon his chest, I swung my kunai down… it pierced his throat… He let loose a gurgled yell… as his blood squirted out upon me.
We hit the ground hard… me and the girl flying off him… struggling to my feet, I hurried over to her…
"Hey… you, all right?"
Her eyes shot open and locked with mine… fear turned to confusion, turned to realization, turned to relief… she started to cry and mumbled out, "Father…" before passing out.
Laying her down, I turned to where the man laid in a pool of his own blood. Standing before him, he looked to me and smiled. I could see it through his facemask; he continued to smile even as he pulled my kunai from his throat.
"Good… job… Now… finish it…"
He held it out to me and I accepted with shaky hands. He motioned to his heart and nodded. I kneeled beside him and said I was sorry… he shook his head, grabbed my hands and lined them up with my target.
"Be… strong…"
I nodded and drove my kunai into his heart… I was eight years old and I had just taken my first life.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Struggling to remain conscious, I made my way through the outskirts of the village… I knew where I must go and I would make it if it killed me…
Tightening my grip on the small girl asleep on my back… I continued on my way recognizing the area I was in.
"We're almost home…"
I said it more for myself then for her, but it was true… Turning the next corner I now stood before the estate I had followed Hime to.
"Hey… Hey… Open up…"
I tried to yell but the pain in my chest was only worst now. Giving up, I slammed my fist against the gate until I heard a voice from inside.
"Hurry… get the master!"
Tired, I sat against the gate with her asleep in my lap. I struggled to stay conscious, as I heard a commotion coming from the other side.
"She's back… someone has found her… quick open the gate!"
A door to the side of the massive gate opened and people came rushing out… I was surprised to see that they all had the same type of eyes… I was brought out of my musings by an angry voice…
"What have you done… demon?!"
It wasn't the first time nor would it be last someone called me that…
"Hand her over this instant!"
They began reaching for her and before I knew what I was doing, I had brandished my kunai. Still covered with the blood of my kill, I waved it in front of us.
"Stay… back… I want 'Father'… only 'Father'!"
They looked at me like I was crazy, but I did not care… she wanted "Father" and I would get her to him.
"I said… STAY BACK!"
My chest throbbed at my outburst and I cough up a bit of blood, alerting me to the fact of how injured I truly was. The sudden movement of my body caused her to stir in her sleep; she tightened her grip on me and snuggled up against me.
I couldn't help but smile at that… she was so cute, so innocent… And, I wouldn't let a soul hurt her… My eyes where drawn to the crowd that had now gathered around us… a tall man now stood before us, I don't know for how long… His eyes where the same as everyone around me, yet they where different…
While everyone seemed to be focused upon me, with hatred in their eyes, he was focused solely upon the girl asleep in my arms…
"Are… you… 'Father'?"
It was all I could say, my vision was getting blurry, I could taste my own blood on my lips, and unconsciousness was beckoning… But, I would not go until I had confirmation that she was now safe with her father…
"Yes, Child, I am her father…"
I smiled up at the man before me, I had succeeded… I had protected her…
"She's… all right… just tired…"
The last thing I remember was him taking her out of my arms and my kunai hitting the floor… My eyes locked with his once more and in them I saw something that until that moment was alien to me – gratitude.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
I awoke to darkness… I couldn't see anything but I could tell I wasn't alone… and then it all came rushing back to me… the girl… the man… the blood…
"Where… am I… Where is she… I know you're there…"
There was no answer, so I tried to stand and fell right back down. I was lightheaded and sore… my limbs where stiff and throat dry…
"Is… Is she all right? Please… just tell me."
Again, no answer and I am now at my limit.
"I swear if you hurt her… I'll… I'll kill you."
"Why…?"
I guess that was what they wanted to hear. The voice was cold and stern; I turned to where it sounded from and tried to look tough.
"You… if you hurt her… I'll kill you… just like that other guy…"
I had spoken without thinking and once it was out there, once it had left my lips, I couldn't stand it anymore… I cried… tears falling at will…
"Please… I… I didn't want to do it… I… Please… just tell me she's okay… Please…"
There was movement and then I was surrounded by light. My vision clearing, refocusing, I found myself in a large bedroom. I was sitting on a cot in the corner of the room and before me stood a man holding a blindfold.
Looking up at him, I instantly recognized him as the one called "Father". I looked around the room franticly… looking for any sign of her…
Hiashi Hyuuga looked upon the blonde child before him with something akin to wonder. Naruto Uzumaki, the jailer of the Kyuubi, had arrived on his doorstep holding the sleeping form of his missing daughter Hanabi, one day prior beaten and bloody with three broken ribs and a pierced left lung.
Now, here he is searching frantically for what he can only assume is any sign of his daughter's well-being. Clearing his throat, he recaptures the child's attention.
"Tell me, Child, why did you assist my daughter?"
"No… not until you tell me if she's okay."
Hiashi can only smile at the child. For him to still be worried about someone else when he should be more concerned for himself is impressive.
"She is fine. Now, why did you help her?"
Naruto looks at him with confusion clearly evident in his eyes. Hiashi sees this and realizes he's smiling at the boy yet again.
"I just did… why wouldn't I?"
"That, Child, is the real question."
"Huh…" Naruto replies his face scrunched up in confusion.
"Nothing… Now, tell me exactly what happened."
Naruto nods and proceeds to recap his day from when he woke up to when he ran into the woods to when he finished his training and saw the man carrying the odd bundle to when he killed him and brought the girl home.
Hiashi listened to the boy's story and couldn't help but feel both disgusted and proud. Disgusted at the treatment this boy receives from his fellow villagers and proud of the boy for not only rising above it but for also risking his life to protect a complete stranger.
"Could you take us there, so that we could find the body?"
"Yeah… am I in trouble?" Naruto asks avoiding the man's gaze.
"Child, why would you ask such a thing?"
"I killed that man…" Naruto states the sadness in his voice is disheartening to say the least.
"Yes, you did." Hiashi cuts in seeing where this is going. "You killed a man who had kidnapped my daughter. You only acted as any true Ninja of Konoha would have."
Naruto remains quiet, but nods. Hiashi, sits on his bed across from the cot, not sure what to do or say next. One would be surprised by how much thought had gone into this encounter. Some members of the clan had actually suggested that it was the boy who had taken his daughter and that he should be dealt with as such.
He was no fool, he could tell by just the few words he exchanged with the boy before he succumbed to his injuries and by the way he looked upon his child that this boy was her savior not assailant.
"What's her name…?"
Hiashi is caught of guard, as Naruto suddenly speaks his voice barely audible.
"Her name is Hanabi. I am her father, Hiashi Hyuuga."
"Hiashi… where am I?"
"You, Child, are in my chambers within the Hyuuga compound. You've been here every since you arrived a little over twenty-four hours ago."
"I slept for a day… I must have been hurt badly."
"Yes, you were… why does this not surprise you?"
"When I get hurt real bad… like that time they caught me on my birthday and beat me … I sleep for a long time, but I always wake up feeling better."
Hiashi feels a chill run through him. He's thrown by how a child can speak of such things as if they where a common occurrence and then it hits him – it's because they are.
"Child, what do you seek?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean… I am indebted to you. You saved the life of my child at the risk of your own. What do you want?"
Hiashi having only just met Naruto had no idea what a huge mistake he made in asking that.
He had the nerve to ask me what I wanted… did he actually think that I had saved her because I wanted some kind of a reward… No, I wouldn't let him think such a thing…
"Nothing… I want nothing…"
"Child, I will not owe a debt… what do you want?"
"I didn't help Chibi-Hime cause I wanted something."
He eyes me over a moment before he starts laughing.
"What so funny… I'm serious!!!"
"Yes… Sorry, Child, I meant no disrespect. I understand that you didn't save her seeking reward… but despite that fact… a reward you shall receive. Now, what do you want of me?"
I look into his eyes for any hint of… well, I'm not sure what… but what I find is surprising… I find honesty, sadness, and understanding.
"I want… I want you to train me."
To say that he was surprised would be an understatement as he just sat there blinking at me… He wasn't the only one surprised as I had said it with out even thinking, but once it was said I knew it was right.
"Why do you want me to train you?"
"I want to be strong… I want to be able to protect… myself… and others."
He continues to sit there looking me over, as if he's trying to bore into my very soul… I don't back down… I look him straight in the eye… and then he smiles at me…
"Very well… I will train you."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Hinata has no idea as to how she should react to what she's reading. If the characters in this story are really who she thinks they are, then it means that there are secrets being keep from her by her own Father and Sister that involve the one she loves.
Trying to remain calm, she decides to keep reading and save judgment until she finishes this book.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Sakura had tried his apartment but he was nowhere to be found. Trying a few more spots she's heard he frequents, she was disappointed to find him at none of them.
Stepping out of the tree line, she's surprised to find him here. Yet, upon retrospect, it probably should have been the first place she checked.
Sitting next to the memorial stone, she finds Kakashi reading his little orange book and sighs.
"Don't you have a mission to complete?"
Kakashi looks up at her with a lazy gaze and smiles. He holds it towards her and she notices that wrapped in the cover to his dirty little book rests his copy of KNC.
"I have a reputation to maintain." he causally states.
Shaking her head, she sits next to him and silence soon prevails. She looks to find him actually reading the book and can't help but smile. Her smile wouldn't last long as he speaks and says the one thing she was both hoping and fearing to hear.
"Naruto's quite talented, it would seem."
Sakura remains silent. There it was the confirmation she wanted and yet she can't help but feel worse for it. Remembering how he described her, His Cherry Blossom…
"Turn to page 136."
Sakura looks to Kakashi to see him smiling. Turning to that page, what she's about to read will forever change how she views her orange clad teammate…
"He… They knew each other… Haku's alive…?"
To Be Continued…