Reborn a Shinobi

Ch4 Hyuga

2-27-19

Kishimoto owns Naruto

A/N - For those who believe in Naruto/Hinata forever.

She looked down at the rock dubiously for a moment then sat down on her knees. I introduced myself... 'My name's Naruto... Naruto Uzumak... what's yours?'

'I...I'm Hinata... Hyuga...'

I nodded... so this was Hinata Hyuga. I remember in that old life she was someone important to Naruto, I couldn't remember why though at the moment since so much had happened already today. Realizing I was somewhere else and someone else, making the quick decision to leave the orphanage and trying to discover this place that was my new home and new life.

I sat there with her silently looking up at the mountain for a little bit. I don't know why, but I felt I could say anything to Hinata even though I just met her. 'So...would you laugh if I said I'm gonna be Hokage someday?'

I looked over at Hinata and she looked at me quizically. 'Why... why would I laugh?' she said 'My mother...' she paused a moment as if inwardly envisioning her mother '... my mother use to say we all have dreams and should hold on to them and make them come true.'

'Your mom sounds really nice...' I said, but I could see a tear in Hinata's eye... had I said something wrong?

'She was... she died giving birth to my sister...' Hinata wiped a few tears away from her eyes.

'I'm sorry Hinata... I didn't mean to make you sad.' I put my hand on her arm in comfort. She looked at me and smiled a sad smile.

'I miss her... alot... but... I know she wouldn't want me to be sad too much... I'm trying to be... strong.' She looked back out towards the monument. 'That's why I came here today... she use to walk with me down this path, I thought it would bring me some happy memories of her.' Hinata fell silent for a while.

What could I say to this confession of Hinata's? If I was simply a five year old boy I probably wouldn't know empathy from pity... but I'd had enough heartache and loss to know what Hinata was feeling. I scooted next to her and put my arm around her shoulder and gave her a hug and then just stayed next to her. Sometimes there are no words that can be said... but just being there for someone.

I don't know how long we both sat there shoulder to shoulder, time means nothing in those kinds of moments. But a male voice from below drew us out of our moment.

'Lady Hinata are you OK?' I looked down the path and about fifty feet away I saw a teen boy maybe 14 years old looking up and studying us, or me more in particular. Suddenly he sprung from the path and landed right in front of us in a single jump that I'd never seen before. It was amazingly effortless for him, a feat in my past life no real person could have managed except with the aid of special effects trickery. It was as if he had merely taken one foot from the path and let the other follow and he landed without a sound. I was momentarily so awed I didn't even have sense enough to back up or be afraid, though I expect my eyes went wide as saucers.

Hinata seemed unfazed by the utter display of agility. 'Hello Ko... I'm OK... Naruto helped me'.

'Helped you? Did something happen?' The teen's demeanor shifted ever so slightly as I watched his face. He had the same color hair and unusual eyes as Hinata, except they had suddenly shifted to an intensity that was matched by a definite change to the area around the eyes as if every muscle was tensed and focused. He was scrutinizing Hinata closely and noticing a bit of dirt on her clothes brushed it off quickly. 'Tell me what happened...' his eyes did not shift from Hinata but I felt like he was also looking at me intently.

Hinata told him, Ko Hyuga I guess, what had happened and how I had rescued her. Ko's intensity lessened as she finished telling him about us looking up at the mountain. He looked around at the Hokage mountain and then shifted his gaze back to me. 'Thank you Naruto for watching out for Lady Hinata, I should have stayed with her I now see, though she had asked for some time to herself. I will have to report this incident to Lord Hiashi.'

Hinata looked up at Ko, concern on her face I hadn't seen before. 'Do you have to tell father?' 'Yes, you could have been seriously hurt, my neglect of my duties must be reported.' 'But you'll get it trouble because of me, and Naruto saved me... no... uncle you mustn't tell father!' Hinata pleaded with him. 'Lady Hinata, I am not worthy to be called your uncle... I didn't protect you like I should have.' Hinato stood up and hugged Ko, he seemed a bit uncomfortable with the display. 'You'll always be my uncle Ko... you are my mother's brother.' She continued to hold on to him a bit longer. Ko held her at arms length. 'Hinata, you are so much like my sister. But don't worry... all things will work out fine. Perhaps we should introduce Naruto to Lord Hiashi, I think he will want to thank him in person. Let us go home.'

Ko grabbed hold of Hinata and jumped down effortlessly from the rock we'd been on. I climbed down and joined them on the path. 'Lets go...Naruto was it?' Ko looked at me.

'Yeah... um, but if you don't want me to go that's alright..' I said. I wasn't really`expecting Ko wanted me to go.

'Naruto... come with us...' Hinata held out her hand to me. As uncomfortable as I was feeling like I might be intruding, Hinata's insistence was clear, even for a five year old. So I took her hand and walked with her and Ko out of the woods.