First off, my apologies. I meant to get this out yesterday, but I got distracted by various things, and my time I set aside to write ended up being some unplanned nap time! With that in mind, I tried extra hard to make this a good chapter for you guys. I hope I haven't disappointed. There will be something pretty major happening in this chapter, but as I got to it I realized that this would be a LOOOONG chapter if I did everything I had planned on. Still, what happens will bring someone into the picture that will be able to offer a basic explanation of Naruto's bloodline.
On that note, no, this is NOT the same as what Orochimaru does, nor is it a take on the Yamanaka's family jutsu. This was actually inspired by someone else's jutsu, which comparison will be made next chapter as the new character explains what probably happened. As part of an example of how it is different from O, here's what one person, Disk 9, said to me as I discussed the issue with them (note, they realized this on their own, not through my leading them on to the idea)- "Orochimaru took a long time to figure out how to transfer his body, and doesn't his old body die immediately or something? This is just pure Naruto, spontaneous, dangerous, and somehow he survive." Yes, this ability is NOT the same as O's. Maybe not all the ways are evident yet, but a number are, and I leave it to you to think about the differences that have already been revealed before this point.
Well, that's enough A/N for now. Enjoy the chapter!
ps-just a shout out to Disk 9 again for proving me with feedback on grammar. They always make sure I go back and correct any mistakes that I missed. Thanks again Disk!
There was no way it was true. It couldn't be true. It wasn't true. But...
"N, N, Naruto-k, kun?"
"Heheh; Hi, Hinata. Hinata!" Naruto shot forward as Hinata fell over, almost falling over himself as he moved faster than he thought he could. "Hinata! What's wrong? Please be okay!"
"Stupid...kit..." Naruto looked up in surprise. His body...was talking! He narrowed his eyes.
"Kyuubi..." His body let out a strangled laugh.
"Heheheh, yeah, Kyuubi. It's funny...seeing you...there. Not used to...stupid body..."
"Hey, my body ain't stupid!" The fox shrugged.
"Too...small...no way out...stuck with...stupid kit that...can't even...recognize...when girl likes him...best part...of day...seeing you be...so stupid...good laugh..."
"Well, I know now," he said, "so just keep your-my mouth shut!"
"Heheh...first time...free...talk when...I want to..." Naruto picked Hinata up in his arms, carrying her bridal style.
"I know what it's like to be caged, so I'll let this slide, but I will get my body back, so enjoy talking with it while you can. I'm going to take Hinata somewhere to rest away from you."
"bah...fine...I'll just...talk to...myself..." the Kyuubi grumbled, annoyed that his entertainment was leaving. Naruto ignored him as he carried Hinata away to another room, informing the nurse that she had fainted. A quick examination informed him it was just a mild shock and she would be fine soon. All she needed was rest. Naruto stayed at the bedside for a few moments be standing to leave.
"I...I'm not sure what to do yet, Hinata-chan, but I promise I'll talk to you about this soon. Bye."
"N, Naruto-k, kun..." Hinata managed to sit up just as he left. She had been regaining conciousness at the same time he left, but she was still trying to come to grips with what had happened. That boy...was Naruto...and she had just confessed to him! She was torn between celebrating and fainting again. But, if he is separate from his body...what happened? And why isn't he telling anyone? She contemplated what she should do next for several minutes before the nurse from before arrived and checked her again before saying she could go, but to be careful and try to avoid surprises.
Naruto-kun said he'd talk with me soon, so I'll wait, and until then I'll keep his secret. I will wait...
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"You did what again?" Naruto scratched his head in embarressment.
"Well, um, I kinda let it slip to Hinata that it's me." His teammates stared at him, making him hold his hands defensively. "Well, what was I supposed to do? She just told me she loved me!" Sakura slapped her forehead.
"You idiot. She's had a crush on you for years, goodness knows why."
"Don't matter," said Sasuke. "Missions are about stealth and secrecy. You need to keep your secret better."
"Hey, I didn't tell Iruka, did I?"
"Mmm, that's true, but you still shouldn't be so easy to give away your secret. The fewer people that know the better. Did you at least tell her not to tell anyone," asked Kakashi.
"Ummmmm...she was...kinda...unconcious." The jounin sighed.
"I'll send a message to the Hokage to make sure she doesn't talk," he said. "Meantime, I suppose we need to get training on your new bloodline again. You think you can make ice on purpose this time?" Naruto nodded.
"Yeah, probably..."
"Alright, let's see. Sasuke, if you could watch? I get more tired using my sharingan than you do, and he was pretty close yesterday."
The Uchiha shrugged as Sakura set herself down to watch, not wanting to be away from her team just yet.
"Alright, let's do this!"
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Ayame was checking the ingredients in her basket, making sure she had everything she needed before seeing the teenage shinobi standing nervously outside her father's ramen stall.
"Hello there; did you need help with something?" The boy turned to glance at her, jumping as if in surprise.
"Ah, um, yes, I guess. I uh, I heard someone say that, that this was the best place for ra-for food in Konoha. I guess...I'm just expected something more...expensive looking." His eyes shifted slightly. "I guess I'm at the wrong place. I must have heard the name wrong. I, I should get going."
"Oh come on," Ayame said, hoping to gain a new customer. "You should at least give it a chance. Who told you about us anyway?" The boy scratched his head. It was funny how much he reminded her of Naruto when he was nervous. Where was that kid anyway? He hadn't been around for ramen in a couple weeks now. She'd heard he'd gone on a mission, but shouldn't a gennin team be done with any kind of mission they had within two weeks?
"It was...a guy named Naruto." Ayame almost dropped her basket.
"Naruto? Uzumaki Naruto? Where is he? What's he been up to? Why hasn't he been by," she demanded, gripping the boy's sleeve.
"Ah!" he jumped back, causing Ayame to realize how scary she'd just been.
"Ah, sorry," she said, bowing. "It's just, Naruto is just about our best customer, and it's been while since we've seen him," she said. "I've been getting worried. Can you tell me where he is?" Naruto bit his lip.
"He's...in the hospital." The girl gasped.
"The, the hospital? What's wrong?"
"He...they don't know. Met him in wave country. He, he told me about this place then, but something happened on the mission. Now he'd unconcious, in a coma, they said."
"No...no, not Naruto...that can't be!" He bowed his head, hating lying to her.
"It, it's true. Naruto...protected me, and inspired me to come here and become a ninja. I'm just sorry that, that he had to stop, for now. But, but I believe he'll come back." Ayame hung her head, holding back her tears.
"Th, thank-you for telling me. Come, come in. For Naruto's friend, ramen will be on the house tonight." She forced a smile. "It's the least we can do for Naruto's newest friend." Naruto bowed again. He wondered offhandedly how much it must suck to be royalty, having to bow as often as they seemed to.
"Arigato...you don't happen to have miso ramen, do you?" Ayame managed to smile.
"Yes, I think we can manage that..."
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Team seven began to fall into the new pattern easily. Sometimes Naruto's teammates would stay to watch his special training, sometimes Kakashi would work with Naruto alone. Each person would make it to the hospital every couple of days to keep up the appearance of Naruto's 'coma'. They even ran into Hinata once or twice, who continued to change the flowers in Naruto's room. They would nod to each other, not speaking of Naruto's true condition, and go on. Naruto always made time to see his body privatly, sometimes conversing with the Kyuubi, but it kept that to himself. He wondered if perhaps it was the fox keeping him out, and thought that, by keeping it's ability to speak a secret, it would open up to him and let him in again. After all, it couldn't do anything with his body, so why not try? Of course the fox preferred to taunt him rather than cooperate. One of his most recent stories had revolved around the history of his jinchuurikis. After claiming his mother had been the one before Naruto, even claiming to have escaped during childbirth, Naruto had stood up and left, not wanting to listen to such an obvious lie. Today he picked another topic to rile Naruto with.
"It is...annoying, watching that girl every day."
"Eh? Sakura-chan? She doesn't come here everyday." The Kyuubi shook Naruto's head.
"No, the other."
"...oh...Hinata-chan." He rolled his eyes. "You're annoying, you know that? Hinata's a nice girl."
"A nice girl you never noticed, and I do believe you haven't spoken to here since that day." Naruto hung his head in response.
"How do you even react when a girl tells you she loves you? We're only 12, you know, and no one's ever actually said they love me before, in any way."
"Actually, you are 15," Kyuubi grunted. "People have been planted in marraiges when far younger than you two." Naruto blushed.
"Hey, I am still 12, no matter what body I'm in! I'll have you know...what's so funny?" The fox was chuckling.
"Oh, I'm just amused at how accurate that statement was. What did you think to gain by letting me talk and not telling anyone? You actually think I have control over letting you back in, I'd wager. Heheh; no such luck. All you've done, in your young naivete, is allow me opprotunities to practive control of your body with being caught," he said, smirking as he rolled Naruto's shoulders, an action far beyond what Naruto had even witnessed him to be capable of. Naruto's eye's widened as he jumped up from his seat and the Kyuubi continued. "And now that I've had sufficient practice...I shall be free from this village!"
"Not-on-my-watch!" Naruto stared. The Kyuubi's face, so confident a moment ago, had twisted so suddenly it was like two sides of a coin.
"Ku-shi-na...how...no! I-won't-let-you-"
"You-will not- take my son's-body!"
"I...am...Kyuubi! I am...the greatest...power...in...the world..." Sweat poured down his body's face as the two differently toned voices seemed to fight for control. Why kinda crap is this? Is he really getting control? I...I should get the Hokage, shouldn't I? He slapped himself for his slow thinking, preparing to leave just before the second voice cried out in triumph.
"Haha! Take that fox! All dead and I can still whoop you! Oh, what's that? I can't hear you over the sound of how awesome I am!" The voice cackled for a moment before seeming to realize something. "Wait...why am I...?" Naruto's body looked around, spotting him. "Naruto? Wow, I didn't except this. Am I really..." Naruto narrowed his eyes, deciding to take one moment longer before leaving the fetch the Sandaime.
"What are you trying this time, fox? Trying to mess with my head again? It won't work, and I'm not keeping your secret any longer." The figure in the bed looked at him, baffled before laughing, a smile on his face.
"Hahahah, I guess the fox is pretty fun, but no, I'm not him. I'm...your mother." Naruto's face was ripped with fury as he ran out of the room, stopping only long enough to inform his current ANBU guard that he should stay in the room with Naruto's body, ready to use the chakra suppressant seal. He could feel the man's fear, even with his mask on and their bare moment's interaction. He almost wanted to laugh. Even the ANBU didn't know anything except that Naruto was not in control of his body, and the Kyuubi had already made a bid for control. Honestly, he did hope the Kyuubi kept silent for the next few minutes. For what he had said, he wanted to Hokage to suppress it as painfully as possible.
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"No; no; definitely no. Hmm...I'll think about it. No; no...yes, actually, that might be beneficial." Hiruzen sighed as he continued to work through proposals for the villages R&D department. Many ideas did not seem worth pursuing (a double-handled kunai? What were they thinking?). Taking a break to rest hid eyes from staring at the ink for so long he took out his pipe on thought on Naruto's situation. So far he had failed to glean any useful information, and his...mild, inquiries to the other villages had not yielded any worthwhile results, either. He had to veil his purpose for asking, which drastically lowered his ability to garner the needed data, or whatever the other villages might have. He huffed, wishing that Jiriaya would hurry up and contact him again. He'd sent out a feeler through his network, trying to prompt the man to come back. His tactics would be better for trying to get the needed information, and he himself might provide insights that Hiruzen had missed. Naruto deserved to have more time put into this, but he could only hint at so much to the man to convince him to come back. A moment later he almost dropped his pipe as 'Haku' came storming into the room. The anger on his face almost scared the Hokage himself, and he sincerly hoped he was not the cause of the boy's anger.
"Naru-Haku, what brings you in today? What's wrong?" Naruto slammed the door behind him.
"It's that stupid fox," he said, forcing himself not to yell. "I've been talking with the stupid jerk, trying to see if he was keeping me out." Hiruzen did a double take.
"You've been...talking with him? Why didn't you tell me this!" Naruto managed to look slightly ashamed, despite his anger.
"I was...I was hoping I could get him to trust me, to let me back in, but he just wants to mess with me."
"Naruto, this is very important: how much has the Kyuubi managed to do with your body?"
"Mostly just talked," Naruto grumbled. "Today he put on a display of taking over my whole body. He shrugged my shoulders and everything," he said, causing the Hokage to stand up, "but then he went with that stupid lie about my mom, pretending to be her 'taking back' control." Naruto wanted to spit, to get rid of the foul taste in his mouth from repeating the Kyuubi's lies. What the Hokage said next made him drop to the floor even more heavily than the Hokage had dropped back in his seat.
"K, Kushina?" *THUMP!*
"W, w, what? You can't mean he-"
"I don't know," Hiruzen said, holding up a hand as he pushed himself out of the chair again, this time striding to Naruto and helping him up, "but I think we can find out. You told me that Hinata has discovered your secret the other day, and she's kept it from what my ANBU have reported. Her byakugan will help us here. She should be in the north-east part of the village, helping in an elderly person's garden. Tell Kurenai that Hinata is required by me for a special matter and bring her to the hospital." Naruto shifted his feet.
"I, I don't know if I can face Hinata just yet," he said. "It's just...you know..." Sarutobi slowed down, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Naruto, I understand how hard dealing with new feelings can be, and especially when it comes to romance. I'm sorry that we haven't been an adequate aid to you in this matter. If it helps, Hinata is not the only person to love you. The rest of us just haven't said it before. I apologize for failing you, but I, too, love you. You are like my grandson, and I want you to be happy and comfortable, but just like any mission, right now you have to deal with something that is uncomfortable for you. You have to face Hinata. I suggest you talk with immediately after we resolve this...circumstance, with the fox. I will support what ever you decide, but you''ve had over a week to think about it. It's time to give her your answer."
"I...I understand," he said, hanging his head. "I-I'll got get her now."
"That's my boy," the Hokage said, smiling down at him as they left. Naruto felt a strange feeling of pride as he jogged next to him. That...felt nice...
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"My goodness, you really seem to know your plants," the old woman commented, peering over Hinata's shoulder. The girl blushed.
"Well, um, I just really like plants," she said.
"Especially flowers," her sensei spoke up, standing to stretch her back. "It's no surprise she knows so much. I keep telling her she should start her own garden, even if it's just on her window sill like mine is."
"Oh? Do you now have enough room in your yard?" Kurenai laughed good-naturedly.
"No, sadly not. I live in an apartment. I tend to keep a modest income."
"Oh really? Why is that?"
"Well, I just think it's better to save than to spend, that's all."
"A pretty young thing like you," the woman asked. "Why, you should be going out and having fun! Don't squander your youth like that. Why, when I was young-" The woman was suddenly interrupted by a strange boy's appearance.
"Kurenai-sensei, I'm sorry but the Hokage needs Hinata for a special assignment." The red-eyed woman blinked.
"What? Why does he need Hinata?" She glanced at the girl, noticing her blush and her refusal to look up at the new comer. "And just who are you, anyway? I don't think I recognize you..."
"Ah, sorry, my name is Haku," he said, bowing respectfully to her. "I'm a new member on team 7."
"Team 7? That's Kakashi's team. Why does he get 4 genin?"
"Um, Kurenai-sensei...Naruto is...Naruto is in a coma." Kurenai's eye's widened.
"What? I hadn't heard that! When did that happen?" Naruto figeted.
"Um, sensei? The hokage really needs Hinata right now. Is it okay if we tell you later, please?" Kurenai sighed.
"Fine, I guess. Just make sure you get her back for team training later."
"Hai, sensei. I will return as quickly as I am able," the girl said, standing up.
"Thank-you, Kurenai sensei. I'll get her back as soon as possible." She nodded before turning go around to the front and tell the boys what had happened so they didn't wonder.
"Ah, young ones." Kurenai turned and raised an eyebrow at the old woman.
"Hm?"
"Couldn't you see? She likes that boy alot." The jounin shook her head.
"No, she likes the other boy, Naruto. The one in the coma." The woman shrugged.
"I'm just telling you what these eyes see; and they saw the he likes her, too." The younger woman furrowed her brow. That didn't seem right. What was going on? And why was Naruto in a coma?"
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N, umm, Haku-k, kun...what does the Hokage need," Hinata asked as they jumped over the rooftops. Naruto took a moment to reply.
"He says that your byakugan could be helpful with...something going on with Naruto's body." Hinata blinked.
"Wait; I, I thought you were-"
"Just...just wait a little longer, okay," he asked he, sad frown on his face. "I, we can't talk about that just yet." Hinata nodded.
"Hai...Haku." A few moments later they arrived at the hospital and entered Naruto's room. The Hokage was sitting next to the bed, serious look on his face as he conversed with Naruto's body.
"Okay okay, so the byakugan would be good. I would still prefer Mikoto-chan. Her sharingan would work just as well." The hokage shook his head.
"Kushina, if that's really you, the Uchiha clan was all but wiped out several years after your...death." The blue eyes widened in shock.
"Wait...you mean that, that Mikoto...is...dead?" He nodded as the person in Naruto's body hung their head. "But...but she was..."
"N, Naruto-kun? What's going on? I thought that, that you were still..."
"Ah, Hinata, good. I need you to check something, but first we have a few things to explain."
Kushina jerkishly moved to wipe the tears from her eyes, not having good control of Naruto's body functions. Naruto's eyes widened in fear at the control being shown, but calmed, slightly, seeing the seal paper ready in the Hokage's hand.
"Now, I know that you've found out about Naruto's...little dilemma, am I right?" The girl glanced at Haku-Naruto and nodded. "Good. This means we don't have to spread that around. Now, when you saw that Naruto was not in...occupancy, did you notice anything else?"
"Ummm, I, I saw a..." She shivered, and Naruto lightly touched her shoulder, encouraging her to not be afraid. "I saw something else's chakra. It was...evil feeling, and very powerful."
"Very good," the Hokage nodded. "Do you know why that chakra is in Naruto's body? I thought not. Well, Hinata, just like Naruto's current predicament, what I'm about to tell you is an S-class secret, kept from the youngsters of the village since the Kyuubi's attack. Minato, the yondaime, did not kill the Kyuubi. For many years the Kyuubi has been sealed into members of the Uzumaki clan, a village that is not gone, having been destroyed in the last great ninja war. No, Naruto, not now. We'll talk about it later, I promise." The boy closed his mouth, accepting that there was something a bit more important going on that moment in time.
"When Naruto's mother gave birth, the seal was weakened and the Kyuubi escaped. That was what caused the attack on Konoha. To stop this-"
"Actually, Hokage-sama, I think I know this part of the story better than you. No one besides Minato and myself know what really happened that night." Sarutobi stared at her keenly before nodding.
"Alright, we'll hear what you have to say in a moment. For now, I will simply say that the Yondaime gave his life to seal the Kyuubi into Naruto, which is what we need you for, my dear. The presence currently conversing with us claims to be Kushina, the one who gave birth to Naruto, and the previous jinchuuriki of the nine tailed fox. You have seen the nine-tails' chakra before, so now I ask that you look again and tell us if we are being lied to, or if this really is Kushina."
Hinata nodded, gathering her chakra and activating her eyes. She was greatly surprised by the revelation, but seeing the chakra in Naruto's body, it made sense to her. She now understood, in a way, why her gaurdian had always told her to avoid him, and why people in the village always spoke poorly of him, like on graduation day when they were angry that he had even been given a chance as a ninja. Still, if his own personalilty did not show the separtion between Naruto the person, and the kyuubi in his body, the fact they were separate now proved the anger and fear of the villagers was misplaced. Now he relied on her...her, to find out the truth of something that could be so important for him. He could meet his mother! Having lost her own years ago, she knew the hurt of not having a parent to some extent, but she also knew the comfort that came from having a mother, and she hoped that Naruto, in the way he always seemed to do, would defy the odds and have his mother.
"Byakugan!" The world around her changed. Walls were transparent; her sight was extended to see all around her. Chakra, that invisible life force in every being, was visible, Naruto's own resonating with it's usual vibrancy. Hinata looked intently at his body, looking hard to ensure no deception. She lowered her head as she deactivated her jutsu.
"Well? What did you see, Hinata?"
"I saw," she said, looking up to Naruto and smiling, "your mother. It really is her."
So, who saw that coming, eh? I'm bet someone did. After all, if the Kyuubi could speak with Naruto's body back in chapter 1 before Kakashi suppressed it, why not Kushina or Minato? This is gonna be kinda fun, and, I think, I different take on the idea of one of Naruto's parents 'coming back from the dead,' so to speak. No, she will not get her own body. She's still stuck where she is. And yes, she is the one who has the best idea what happened to Naruto. Remember, this is a bloodline thing. No, she never possesed this same ability, and neither did Minato, but it does come from her. (heheh; teasing you guys is so much fun!) Feel free to make any guesses as you review.
Take care and I'll see you next week!