The Boy Who Wanted Love
By: Enigma508

Hello once again gentlemen and ladies and such; I am back after a week hiatus. To address some criticisms and not to name names, for Naruto and Hinata to be in love at the age of 8 is just a semi-normal thing. When you were young did you ever tell someone you "loved" someone? I'm not saying they're going to have sex at 8 or even when they're 12, no, sex won't come for another 2 chapters, after the time skip.
On with the show…

Chapter 4: The Truth

"Naruto, we to talk about some things." Hiruzen said, motioning for everybody to leave the room. Everybody left, knowing that they could talk to the blonde boy once they were done, well everyone except a certain heiress.

Naruto looked the girl in the eyes and with a sincere smile said, "Go ahead Hinata-chan, I will catch up with you later." With a nod the girl pecked him on the cheek and walked out of the room, she had a new feeling inside of her, she couldn't explain it, but it made her smile more than she ever had in her life. The Sandaime just chuckled and shook his head at the display of young love. The old man then looked to the recuperating boy who spoke to him, "So Jiji, what did you need to talk to me about?"

"Well Naruto-kun, I won't beat around the bush and get down to it. After the incident a few days ago, I realized that I cannot protect you all the time. And with the populace not showing signs of stopping soon I figured it would be best if you enrolled in the ninja ranks? I cannot protect you 24/7, nor will I always be here to defend you. I can enroll you in the academy once you are healed and the teachers there can teach you the basics of becoming a ninja and can teach you to defend yourself. It's completely up to you but what do you say?"

Before Naruto could respond to the old man, a deep voice spoke to him, "This is what I was talking about kit, accept the man's offer so you can be closer to my training." 'Kurama-san? Is that you?' "Who else would it be baka?"

"Naruto? Naruto did you hear me?" the Hokage asked seeing the boy had a vacant expression on his face for the past thirty seconds.

"Oh sorry Jiji, hehe I guess I spaced out, but to answer your question, yes, I will join the academy. I'll work hard to become the strongest I can be, to protect those most precious to me. Maybe I'll become strong enough to take your hat Jiji." Naruto said this with pure determination in his eyes, which didn't go unnoticed by the Hokage.

"Glad to hear Naruto-kun, now do you feel good enough to see Jiraiya and Tsunade? They are very eager to see you and tell you something important." Getting a nod from the boy, Hiruzen gave the boy his clothes and goggles and let him get changed. Once completed he checked the boy out of the hospital much to the relief of the hospital staff, since they no longer had to tend to the demon.

The Sandaime led Naruto to the Hokage tower while escorted by Anbu of course. Once past his secretary, the Hokage summoned two Anbu and asked them to fetch the two Sannin. Within a few minutes, Tsunade appeared with Shizune next to her but in her hand was an all too familiar beverage. A minute after her arrival, Jiraiya came in with a scowl seeing that he was caught peeping into the Konoha public baths... again.

The duo took seats next to the Hokage, and opposite Naruto. Before the meeting got underway, the Hokage felt introductions were in order. "Naruto-kun these people are two of my students, this is Tsunade Senju, the world's best medic, and equally, the world's worst gambler." As Tsunade scowled at her sensei, Naruto stood and bowed his head, "Tsunade-sama, arigato for your service, I will pay you back someday, I promise."

Tsunade was shocked to say the least, the boy she was told was a prankster gaki, was in fact a gentlemen. "Ma ma, Naruto-kun, it was no problem. I see a lot of my younger brother in you. You are both spastic little boys with big goals on your plate. Your thanks are not necessary, but your praise is appreciated."

Sighing at her last remark, Hiruzen turned to the white haired man to his left, "This, Naruto is Jiraiya, a great author, an ever greater pervert, but one of the strongest shinobi I have ever seen, he even taught the Yondaime." Naruto's eyes widened at the man sitting across from him. Not only was he a Sannin but he taught the Yondaime, this man must have been great.

Jiraiya, after a long pause spoke up, "Listen Naruto, we brought you here to discuss private matters but first we need privacy." He said motioning for the Anbu to leave, which they did, and then he went to the wall next to bookshelf and activated a sight and sound privacy barrier. "There, much better."

Naruto had no idea what could be so important that this many measures needed to be put into place, but he would soon get his answer as the Hokage spoke up. "Naruto-kun these people aren't just two of the most powerful shinobi Konoha has ever seen, but they are also… your godparents." As soon as those words registered, Naruto's jaw unhinged. He couldn't believe it, for eight years, eight long, beating filled years; he had no parental role-models save for the Hokage. He immediately felt the familiar warmth of salty tears streaming down his face.

"Why?" was the only word he could utter from his scattered breathing. The white haired Sannin raised an eyebrow, "Why? What do you mean 'Why?'?"

Naruto looked up with a bit of animosity in his eyes, "Why were you never here for me!? What could you be doing that was so GODDAMN important? Where were you when I was taunted, when I was beaten, when I was humiliated WHERE!?" The blond boy shouted the questions. They were filled with pain, the pain of betrayal that Naruto was all too familiar with. The three sitting across from him were taken aback by the pain in his voice and instantly hung their heads in shame.

"Naruto-Kun," the elderly man said, "I was the one who did not tell them." Naruto instantly flung his eyes at a man, whom he had idolized and befriended. He felt betrayed and hurt once again. Naruto started to get up from his seat, tears fell from his eyes. For too long he was hurt, back-stabbed, and mislead. But now, the only one he trusted betrayed him. He felt as if his world was crumbling again. Before he could pass the desk, though, a rough hand rested on his shoulder, stopping him.

"Naruto I did this for a reason though, Tsunade had already lost so much in her life and I was unsure of her location and mental stability. She lost her brother and her lover plus she's like you, the last of her clan; the Senju. Jiraiya on the other hand, had and still has a spy network to run. He couldn't have taken you along for it is too dangerous, nor could he of abandoned the network, it is too valuable an asset for Konoha to lose. You can hate me all you want but do not hate these two, they did nothing wrong. I can only ask for your forgiveness Naruto-kun, though I don't expect it."

The Hokage's face was plastered with depression as he bent his head down, not wanting to meet the eyes of a boy who has been through so much and then some. He released the boy from his grip and let Naruto make his choice. What happened next surprised the old man. He felt tiny arms envelop him; he looked up to see Naruto staring into his eyes.

"Jiji, though this secret hurts, I forgive you. You brought me my godparents, a piece of my family, even if it isn't blood. I am happy that I have a family of sorts now; you Tsunade-san and Jiraiya-san." Hiruzen breathed out a sigh of relief embracing the boy back.

"But one thing is still bothering me Jiji, and when I ask, I want the truth; promise me." The Hokage nodded to the boy responding, "What is it Naruto-kun?" After deep breath Naruto dropped a bombshell on the three adults, "Who are my real parents?"

With Hinata

Hinata left the hospital with a smile beaming off of her face, as she now confessed her feelings to Naruto who, not only acknowledged it but felt something similar. She walked through the streets with her Anbu escort tailing her from the rooftops. She didn't care what happened for the rest of the day, because nothing could put her down after her moment with Naruto.

She eventually wandered back to the Hyuuga compound and was greeted by the guards and her personal escort, her cousin Neji Hyuuga. "Hello Hinata-sama." Neji gritted out the 'sama' for he couldn't stand the treatment his cousin got, he felt he was cheated, his forehead was branded with the caged bird seal since he was born on the branch family side, a decision that could of been reversed, had his father been born first.

"Hello Neji-nii san, How are you today?" Neji was thrown back, not by the question but by his cousin's attitude. 'Usually she's so shy, and stuttering! She's never this confident.' Neji thought to himself.

"I'm fine Hinata-sama," he motioned for them to get inside but continued his conversation, "Hinata-sama, may ask you something?" she nodded her head and let him continue. "What did you do today that has put in such a cheery mood?"

Hinata immediately blushed realizing she could not tell Neji about Naruto, for he would tell her father. It was no secret that a majority of the village despised Naruto and her clan was not an exception. Whenever Hinata was in the town with an escort, said escort would direct Hinata away from Naruto and mutter curses and such under his breath.

"A-ano… I was visiting a friend today and they told me a great secret that pertains to me and another friend." Neji didn't buy the story, knowing that Hinata was never one for gossip. But before Neji could question her, a servant came to Hinata telling her that her father requested her presence. Nodding, Hinata and Neji walked to the clan meeting hall.

"Konnichiwa Tou-san, what do you need me for?" Hinata asked sitting on her knees next to Neji and across from her father.

"Hinata for the past few days you have been out of the compound on 'errands' and 'visiting friends', I am quite curious as to where you've been going as this is quite the opposite of your normal actions." Hiashi asked his daughter with a stern face, Neji though his outer appearance did not change; inside he was smirking, seeing that Hinata was going to be in hot water.

"T-tou san, I was visiting a friend these past few days in the hospital that is all." Hinata's nervousness was as apparent as the scowl on Hiashi's face.

"And who is this 'friend' that you are visiting?" Hiashi said slightly pissed that his eldest daughter lied to him.

"Y-you wouldn't know him father…" she was cut off by the clan-head, "So it's a boy, a possible suitor perhaps?" Hiashi asked raising an eyebrow. Hinata gulped as she blushed a bit and said, "Perhaps tou-san, time will t-tell."

"Ahh wonderful Hinata, bring this boy by sometime this week as I would like to meet this boy." Hiashi appeared happy for his daughter but was very skeptical inside. Hiashi raised his head a bit and said in a clear voice, "That is all Hinata, Neji may you stay behind please?" both said a unison "Hai." As soon as Hinata was out of ear shot, Hiashi turned to Neji and told him a new assignment. "Neji Hyuuga, I'm assigning you the mission of tailing Hinata tomorrow, after the academy gets out. See if you can find this possible 'suitor' my daughter speaks of. Report back to me at sunset, understood?" All he got back was a "Hai." from Neji and he was dismissed.

Hinata, back in her room was sweating, and on the brink of hyperventilating. She had to bring Naruto to her father for approval, which he would never get. 'I would never abandon Naruto-kun, but if he doesn't pass father's approval, he will never be allowed near me.' Hinata was franticly thinking and was unaware of the small figure that snuck into her room.

"Nee-chan, are you okay?" Hinata's little sister Hinabi asked her, seeing that Hinata was sweaty and breathing somewhat rapidly. Said sister than jumped and flailed, "HINABI!? Can you please start to knock, this intruding is getting bothersome." Hinabi just giggled at her sister's flustered face.

"Gomenasai, Nee-chan. I heard you pacing and mumbling so I figured something was up." Hinabi said with a bow. "Why are you so jumpy Nee-chan?"

Hinata could only get one answer to come up and it was something she couldn't explain it to Hanabi. She breathed deep and said two words, "Boy trouble."

Back in the Hokage's office

"W-what did you just ask?" the Hokage asked dropping his pipe. His face matched those of the two Sannin, utter shock.

"I ASKED WHO…ARE…MY…REAL…PARENTS?" Naruto asked yet again, becoming a bit impatient.

None of the adults expected this question. They either expected him to be happy with his godparents or utterly pissed at the secret and in either case they would move on from there. But no one expected the boy to stay fixated on the topic of his parents.

"Well Naruto-Kun, a promise is a promise. Even though I'm not supposed to reveal this information to you until you're 16 or a chunnin, I'll tell you anyways. Naruto, this is a SS-Class secret and cannot be uttered out of this office, but if you find someone trustworthy enough, and you run it by me, you may tell them." Sighing and deciding not to delay any further the Hokage asked, "What do know about the Yondaime, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto running out of intelligent comments, scratched the back of his head, "Well not a whole lot, he killed the Kyuubi No Kitsune (Naruto knew not to divulge his little run in with the demon and so he stayed blissfully ignorant for the time being), he died protecting this village and died without a wife or an heir, why?" Naruto did not know about his father or his mother; and the Kyuubi, though he had some suspicions, never brought this up to the boy.

"To give you some background, the Yondaime, Minato Namikaze, battled the Kyuubi on October tenth, eight years ago. Originally the Kyuubi was held by a Jinchuriki, someone who has a tailed beast, bijuu, sealed inside them. The name of the Jinchuriki was Kushina Uzumaki" Naruto was surprised at the woman's last name and how she also held Kurama in, like he did. "Kushina and Minato were happily married and were expecting a child. Kushina, also, like you, had the Kyuubi sealed inside her, I'm sure you two have met by now." Naruto had no idea how the Hokage knew, but he chalked that up to experience.

"An unknown enemy forced the Kyuubi out of Kushina after she gave birth to her baby boy, leaving her drained and nearly dead. After that, the Kyuubi went on a rampage, killing hundreds and wounding more. After The Yondaime relocated Kushina and their child, he faced the Kyuubi and the enemy. The enemy was forced to retreat after battling the Yondaime. Now Minato was an expert in fuinjutsu, the art of sealing, and could not kill the Kyuubi, in fact no one can kill a bijuu of that power."

Naruto was enthralled at the tale of the Yondaime, but still had a burning question in the back of his mind, what did this have to do with him, other than that it happened on his birthday.

"Minato knew he needed a child in order to use his final technique and so that's where you come in Naruto. Since you were the only child born recently, the Yondaime chose you to become a jinchuriki. In the final moments, the Kyuubi tried to strike one last time. Minato and Kushina both threw their bodies in front of the attack to protect you. Using the last of his chakra, Minato used a deadly sealing technique called the Shiki Fujin, which sacrificed his soul to the God of Death in return for one favor."

"That last favor was to seal the Kyuubi no Kitsune into Naruto Uzumaki, his son." Naruto was floored by this, as the cogs in his head finally clicked, his father was the Yondaime Hokage and his mom was the previous holder of Kurama.

After crying for minutes into Tsunade's chest, he looked up, "So they were my parents?" He recieved a nod and went on, sniffling as he went, "They kept protecting until they died and now its my turn to do the same. Did you hear their final words, Jiji?" The adults in the room were awed by the boy's determination and heart and knew he was destined to become the greatest shinobi the world ever saw. The old man frowned slightly as he answered the boy.

" After impact your mother died nearly instantly but she said something to you, I couldn't hear it unfortunately. Your father's last orders, though, were as followed, 'Hiruzen, you will re-take the position of Hokage until you find a better candidate to do so. My son, Naruto is to have his mother's last name, so he does not carry the burden of my enemies. Lastly, my son should be seen as a hero for jailing this demon, nothing less. Best of luck my friend and gomenasai.'

After hearing all of this Naruto cried for a good half hour knowing that his father and mother loved him and they wanted him to be a hero. He would make his father proud and become the next Hokage, he swore it. Naruto then spoke up after wiping many tears away, "Jiji was I left anything?"

Half-smiling, the Hokage pulled out a scroll from a safe under his desk, and unsealed its contents. "This Naruto is the key to the Namikaze estate. It is located to the eastern side of the village a few blocks from the Hyuuga and Inuzuka compounds. It's pretty much just become a tourist piece since no one can get in or would dare desecrate the Yondaime's home. There are also the Namikaze funds which you can't access until you are 16 years old. That may be a little saddening but there is one last surprise from your mother's side of the family."

"What is it Jiji?" Hiruzen pointed to Naruto's jacket, "Boy, do you see the swirl patch on your jacket and all the Konoha uniforms?" getting a nod from the boy, he continued, "That is the symbol of the great Uzumaki Clan, they helped with the formation of Konoha alongside the Shodaime, Hashirama Senju, Tsunade's grandfather. In return for their efforts, the Uzumaki (even though they lived on an island off of Mizu no Kuni(Water Country)) were made an honorary clan of Konoha. Once you reach the age of 16 along with their inheritance, you will be give the Clan head status. Both you and this whole village wear the Uzumaki crest with pride!"

Naruto, not being able to take all this promptly passed out due to over-stimulation. Jiraiya picked the boy up in his arms and before he and Tsunade left the room, he undid the seals and called out, "Hey old man, enjoy the paperwork, Tsunade-hime and I are going to take Naruto out on the town… well once he wakes up." After give a grumble Hiruzen sighed and got back to his paperwork until his door was forced open and his two advisors gave him some news I didn't want to deal with, "Hokage-sama, the council is ready for the meeting."

I know this ending was kind of rushed but what did you think?
I enjoy making the little character side-stories to break up content, I hope you did too. There will only be two more chapters until the time skip (Hiashi's possible approval and the rescue Sasuke Arc. I will be skipping the academy stuff and you see why.

As always review and share.
-Enigma508