Disclaimer: I don't own nor do I get paid for Naruto.

Naruto Retold

Chapter Seven: Past Pains, Precious People

They ate quickly, far too quickly.

Between Naruto and Sasuke there was a fierce rivalry that sprang up. Trying to out do the other in whatever activity they were participating in.

It felt a bit nice, to have someone to test himself against…even if it was causing his stomach to churn.

At least that's what Naruto had told himself, that it was the speed at which they ate that caused him the pain.

He had made his way to the training area, and looked up at the trees that he and Sasuke had been climbing. He had to get away from that house; he just had to bolt out of there. Naruto had told them that he was going to prove to Inari that heroes exist, but after hearing that story he simply could not be there.

He wasn't sure what made him say what he said. Jealousy? That seemed likely. The little brat had kept whining about how they were all going to die, that it was pointless to resist…and it just pissed Naruto off.

Yes that family, like so many in this little village, was facing problems. All of those problems, the lack of money, food and some he'd seen lacking shelter, were caused by one man. For Naruto it was simple, get rid of Gato…the people would be fine.

He really didn't see what that brats' problem was. The kid had family; he had a mother who loved him…a (drunken) Grandfather who seemed to be the hope for this village. He had a home, food…just where the hell did he get off complaining about anything?

He had felt vindicated in saying that that kid should just grow up, and stop whining, and when the little brat ran crying from the room. Naruto wasn't sure why but the sad look he got from Hinata…that made him uneasy.

And then Tazuna told them everything, about the man who would become like a father…and then really a father to Inari. About how that man, Kaiza, became an unofficial leader and protector to this village…about how Gato made an example of him.

And what all of this had done to the little boy.

Yes, Inari had suffered a horrific loss…yes he had a right to be sad, but he still had family. Still had people to protect him…he had people to protect.

More than he, Naruto, could say…

Naruto shook his head to clear it of the thoughts coursing through it. If he was going to prove to that brat, that heroes exist, what was it that Hinata said? Right, he had to calm himself…he had to focus on his task, and nothing else.

Hinata was smart after all; he'd have to remember to listen to her advice. Naruto gave a small smile at the thought that someone actually giving him advise. He wasn't sure what to make of it at first, when she offered to help him when they trained in the village, but he liked the feeling.

OoOoO

Hinata was sitting watching, but not seeing Tazuna and the other workers on the bridge. She already had the chakra control exercises mastered, and in Kakashi-sensei's current state there was not much he could teach her…given the time they had.

So he had told her to stay with Tazuna, they were not expecting any trouble just yet but it was always good to have an eye open.

Still, she was having trouble focusing…what Naruto had said that previous night to Inari seemed to speak to her. The little boy had snapped, and told them all that they all had no idea what the loneliness and suffering he had to endure was like. She still heard Naruto's response echoing through her head…

"Only a real weakling sits and cries about their problems, do you think that you are the only one who has had it hard?" He had turned and glared at Inari, "quit your whining, you baby!"

Hinata had to admit that while Naruto had taken it a bit far, he did have a point…she was once like Inari, losing her mother, her father seeing her as a constant disappointment…she had almost given up.

If it wasn't for Naruto she would have.

She allowed herself a smile, Naruto could have gone about it another way but in his own way he helped Inari.

"Tazuna…can I talk to you?"

Hinata's head lifted as she watched one of the workers approach the boss.

"What is it, Giichi?" Tazuna replied gruffly, and in a resigned voice as though he knew what was coming.

The worker named Giichi can right out and said it, "I want off of this job, Tazuna."

Though he felt it coming, it still shocked him a bit. "What? Why? And you of all people."

Giichi sighed, "look, Tazuna…we go back a ways, and I have to say something. As much as I want to do this, I can't…we are going against Gato with this bridge. He could have us all killed, is it really worth it? Please, as your friend, you should give it up."

Hinata watched on silently.

"Can't," Tazuna grunted. "This bridge is our very life; Gato will have killed us if we do give it up. This is the only way, I have to do this."

"But," the other man said desperately. "I am talking about our lives here."

Tazuna glanced at his watch, "it's afternoon already," he called out paying no mind to the mans arguments. "Let's call it a day," he barely turned his head as he walked away from his friend, "Giichi, you don't have to come back if you don't want to."

Hinata smiled a bit more, thinking about Naruto's indignant reaction if he were to find out just how much like this old man he was.

OoOoO

Kakashi slowly ambled out to the porch of the house, where he found Inari sitting looking out at the water, he face streaked from the dried tears.

"Can I sit?"

The young boy looked up at the smiling Kakashi and nodded mutely, he then turned back to the water as the older man eased himself down beside the boy.

They were silent for a moment before Kakashi spoke, "he does understand you know."

Inari looked up at Kakashi again, "what?" he questioned quietly.

"Naruto…he does understand that pain you talked about last night," Kakashi explained. "I'm going to tell you something about him, he has been alone for so long."

"What do you mean?"

Kakashi sighed, "Naruto never knew his parents, they died when he was born," he paused when Inari made a strained choking sound. He then continued, "I think that he sees himself in you, what he used to be like anyway. I think that at one point he had just decided that it was enough; he stopped crying about things that he couldn't control. I think that when he saw the way you were, it pained him. I am sure that he has told himself those same words, many times."

Inari watched the Ninja with rapt attention.

"So Naruto understands, better than anyone, the feeling of loneliness and suffering that you mentioned. In his own way he was trying to help, though I will say he could have said it better," Kakashi smiled down on him. "All the same, have faith in him; he knows what he is talking about."

He got up and slowly made his way back into the house, Inari turned back to the water with widened eyes.

OoOoO

"Naruto-kun didn't come back last night."

Kakashi looked up to see a worried Hinata, he gave a small sigh. "Naruto is determined, as you know. I am sure he is fine though."

"But…" Hinata began, wondering how Kakashi could be so cavalier, she was cut off.

"Relax Hinata," Sasuke smirked. "Sensei is right; the dobe is far too stubborn to stop. All the same, I'm going to check on him soon."

They finished up breakfast and Hinata went with Tazuna again, but not before she packed some food for Sasuke to bring to Naruto, and extra for their lunches…judging how the two trained they would be out there all day again.

OoOoO

"Hey, wake up…you'll catch a cold."

Naruto barely heard the strangely familiar voice, but felt someone shaking him. He was extremely drained, and he even dreamed of training. He had noticed something the previous night.

Naruto had been taking Hinata's advice to heart; she seemed to know what she was talking about. There was something that she had said a couple of weeks ago, something about a shinobi needing to be mindful of their surroundings.

He didn't know why her words stuck with him better than Iruka-sensei's teachings ever did. It was weird, but though she was his age, she was a good teacher.

And so, during Naruto's new practice of putting himself in the middle of a clone battle royal, he noticed something. He remembered every punch, kick and attack that was done. Even though it was so hectic he could barely make sense of it all, he remembered all of it.

And he tried something out, he hoped it would work, but last night he had quite a few clones all practicing chakra walking up the trees. If it didn't work, what was the harm?

His mind was working a bit quicker now, and something else came to him. It was weird, but when the clones were dispelled…he passed out. He groaned looks like he lost a night of training…

At his groan, he heard someone moving. He felt a hand on his shoulder, it was a soft touch but who was trying to wake him?

He opened his eyes slowly, and he blushed, a very pretty girl was kneeling at his side. She wore a simple kimono and a kind smile on her face as she looked down on him.

"Huh? Who are you?"

She shifted a bit as he set up before answering, "Oh, I'm Haku." She cocked her head, "and you? What are you doing out here? Sleeping out in the middle of the woods and all."

Naruto was more alert at this point. He grinned and thrust a thumb into his own chest, "I'm Uzumaki Naruto, and I was training. What about you?"

Haku motioned to the basket sitting on the ground, "Just collecting some medicinal herbs."

"Medicinal herbs?" Naruto said slowly. He then laughed, "Do all girls like healing or something? You should meet Hinata-chan, she is into that too."

OoOoO

They spent a short while collecting herbs and making small talk.

"So, Naruto…why do you train?" Haku asked quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"I see that you are a ninja, but you look pretty strong," Haku said. "So, why do you train?"

"Well, I have to get stronger," Naruto announced loudly. "To become the very best in my village, anyone who doubted me will have to admit it too. And to prove a point to someone I know," he said with a confident grin.

"Do you do this for yourself?" Haku asked. "Or for this person…Hinata was it?"

"Huh?"

Haku gave a light giggle at Naruto utterly clueless expression "Is this Hinata you mentioned the person you have to prove a point to?"

Naruto huffed getting it now, "No…Hinata-chan is a teammate. I have to prove a point to some little brat."

Haku looked curious, "do you have anyone precious to you?"

"What are you…?" Naruto began and looked at a downcast Haku. 'What is she thinking about?'

Haku looked up with a pained look, "I think that when people have some precious to them, some one to protect…it's then that they can become really strong."

In Naruto's minds eye he saw Tazuna telling him about Inari's father. He saw Kakashi saying that he would let his comrades die; he saw Iruka-sensei taking a blow meant for him…he saw Hinata tending to his cut.

Naruto smiled, "Yeah…I know what that's like."

Haku stood, "I hope that your, 'Hinata-chan' finds the herbs useful."

Naruto looked down at his feet; Haku left some of the greenery behind. "Thanks," Naruto called after Haku's retreating back.

"Not a problem," Haku answered without looking back. "I have a feeling that you will get strong, I also know we'll be seeing each other again."

"Yep," Naruto said happily.

Haku gave another laugh, "Oh and I think you should know…I'm a boy."

"…" Naruto stared blankly at Haku, "What!?"

Haku gave another giggle before leaving the clearing, he passed an approaching Sasuke. Their eyes met for a moment, Sasuke's eye brows rose as Haku passed.

There was something familiar about that person.

Sasuke shook the thought from his head; he entered the clearing and tossed the food to a completely bemused Naruto. "Here dope, some breakfast."

Naruto snapped out of his daze, "Oh wow, thanks Sasuke." He said happily and dug into the food…he would have to enjoy this home cooked food while he could after all. Naruto counted himself lucky that it was so damn good too.

Sasuke smirked, "don't thank me. I just brought it here, Hinata asked me to. I really couldn't care less…dobe."

"Teme!"

Authors note: Short chapter I know, but it felt the best stopping point. I also know that this is pretty much the manga with Hinata there…but some changes already being made, hope you all liked. Thanks for reading, please review.