I do not own the rights to "Naruto", nor any of the persons, places, or concepts within. This fan fiction is a non-profit tribute to the series, as well as a critique on it's existing plotline. Therefore, if requested by the owners and distributors of the "Naruto" anime or manga, I will discontinue and remove this story immediately.

Chapter IX:

Sakura did not outwardly admit it, but she had the same feelings as the Inuzuka. "He does have a point, Kakashi-sensei," she added. "What can he possibly do?"

"If he's as determined as he brags he is," the jounin answered, "he could easily start a war."

•••••••••••••

Kurenai sat at Hinata's bedside, watching the girl as the bandages were removed. "So, the Hokage wants me to join Team Eight?" Hyuuga asked. As Yuuhi nodded, she watched a slight frown form on the girl's lips. "What about Hyuuga-sensei?"

The jounin frowned, copying the girl's reaction. "It's… uncertain if he even survived," she answered. "The council doesn't want to take any risks." As Yuuhi studied her pupil, she didn't grasp the change in the girl until that very moment.

Rising to her feet, Hinata gripped the railing of the hospital bed, starting towards the door, her face hardened into a scowl. "This is unacceptable!" the petite heiress barked in a furious tone she would expect from the Inuzuka on her team. No, this reaction was different.

"Hinata!" Yuuhi shot back. Quickly, finding herself towering over her student, she sat back down on a wooden chair beside the bed, and lowered her voice. "This is the choice of the council. We must honor it."

•••••••••••••

Anko shuddered as she felt the rain start to pour down from the arriving storm. The stained canvas from the villagers helped to an extent. Of course, wearing the villager rags to blend in with the refugees was unpleasant, to say the least. The fact she had to burn most of her equipment to stay hidden with the other genin did not help matters.

While Dai and Ken managed to be captured going after Hyuuga-sensei, most of the kids were still with her, hiding amongst the other refugees. Sitting beside her, Akira twitched nervously, his arms wrapped around his knees as he squatted in the mud. Shima and Hiroko had tried to comfort him earlier, but watching Makiko as she was vaporized had done more than just temporarily flash blind him.

Instead, they could only wait. But wait for how long? The Suna nin would not leave until the village was stripped of all its resources, and rebuilt as a garrison for Suna's forces. While the genin huddled amongst each other, Anko tried to keep her distance to avoid suspicion. At least, it seemed to be working, until an oddly cloaked Suna nin approached.

"Mitarashi-sensei," the familiar voice called out. Somehow, Anko recognized it, but could not place it in the Suna equipment. As he approached, Anko retreated, taking on the guise of a frightened villager. "Mitarashi! It's Uzumaki! Time to go!"

Much against their training in stealth and inconspicuous behavior, three children raised their heads towards the voice. The jounin would have disciplined them for such a gesture, if it did not draw further attention to their group. Hiroko started towards the boy, but froze as another Suna chuunin approached. "Naruto, get out of here!" the girl whispered. "We can't get out as a group!"

Naruto snarled, looking to his left and right, noticing the suspicious intruders closing in on his position. "Halt!" one of them shouted. A group of five men drew their weapons, and pointed the rusted edges towards the boy. "Get down! Hands outstretched! Any resistance, and you will be killed!"

Naruto simply grinned. Since the ruling of the Council, seeing the butchering of civilians, and his jounin-sensei cooking alive as a distraction, Uzumaki had been waiting for a reason to strike back. Now he had the reason, and he had very carefully considered his options.

Instantly a cloud of browns, tans, and black appeared surrounding the five Suna nin. The Army of Uzumaki each held a kunai, an arm's length of steel wire affixed to the eyelet of the blade and carefully grasped in the gloved left hands of the figures. As the clones approached the five stunned men, only two were able to activate a counter-jutsu before they were enveloped.

Anko could only watch as a single figure stared down at the clones. The dark face blacked out by the night shone with inhuman red eyes, and bared teeth as it observed its handiwork. For a moment, she thought she could hear an evil laughter snaking through clenched teeth as the remaining Suna forces were enveloped in the darkness of fear.

•••••••••••••

By the time Kakashi's team reached the forest boundary, the genin under his lead were exhausted. They had pushed far beyond the normal training expected of shinobi their age. While Sakura had suggested dipping into their soldier pill reserves, the jounin forbid it. The extra metabolism and physical stress put on the body by the stimulants would only crush them into a weakened state later on. With each passing hour, they pressed deeper into enemy territory, and the side effects of a soldier pill would be detrimental to say the least.

Akamaru was the first to detect the odd scent, with Kiba quickly matching his partner's sniffing gestures. "That's… " he muttered. "Kakashi-sensei! We have blood up ahead… lots of it!" Sakura and Sasuke could only stare in confusion, looking to each other. Kakashi, for all of his stoic expressions, visibly flinched as they neared.

He could feel something was wrong with the battlefield ahead, and it truly was a battlefield. Reaching a clearing as the forest gave way to plains, the group descended to the ground.

A distant cloud of black smoke stood out starkly from the rolling plains ahead, the faint smell of rotting meat and ash tainting the air. In the far distance, just ahead of the smoke, a small progression of people started towards the forest.

"Scatter!" Kakashi barked. Instantly, Sakura and Sasuke darted through the scarcity of trees, taking cover amongst the brush. Kiba stood perfectly still, Akamaru staring ahead, ears pinned back in aggression. "Kiba, now!" the jounin barked again. Still, the boy did not move. Something was wrong, and the boy could sense it. His dog definitely wasn't going anywhere, now that it had locked on to a scent.

Kakashi squinted, pulling his headband away. Obito's eye was blurry at first, then refocused as it adjusted to the light. In the distance, he could see the masses wandering mindlessly ahead. But they were civilians, women and children in tattered clothes. Was it a ploy? Could Suna be trying to sneak their force across the border as refugees? No, Kakashi thought. It was too obvious and risky a gamble.

It was then he saw the leader, the two red eyes burning in the night.

•••••••••••••

In the depths of sleep, Hinata slowly awoke from the smoky haze. Blinking, she thought the sound of shouts and gasps echoed from her dreams. As she rose from the hospital bed, the sounds continued, intensifying, with an unusual cadence hammering through the air. Squeezing her eyes shut, she grasped at the painful intravenous line snaking into her arm. Standing slowly, she worked her way to the window of the hospital room. It was almost dusk, the sun retreating behind the mountains in Fire Country. Moving towards the window and the noise, the heiress blinked. She could not grasp what she saw.

The streets filling in with the people from Mamoru, Naruto Uzumaki stood at the lead of the group, guiding them towards the center of the village. They were weary, exhausted, collapsing in the streets. Old women and infant children battered, some crying, some silent, some deathly still. In the distance, she thought she saw the jounin, Kakashi, and his team trailing along the perimeter.

She had waited far too long, through the Academy, through the training en-route to Mamoru, and now, hiding from him in the hospital, she made her vow. She had risked so much to get where she was, why couldn't she say three simple words? The heiress had watched while Dead Last continued to astound and surpass any challenge they encountered, and here she was, hiding like a coward behind… what? Shame? Embarrassment? She was already those and a myriad of other things to the main house. So what would her reputation suffer if she admitted those things to him?

What if he rejected her?

But then she thought back to the foxholes dug into the cold earth of the forest clearing, the blonde leaning against her as they curled into the shelter. She remembered the traps and snares they overcame one by one. More importantly, she remembered the smile. It wasn't the same as that goofy, lopsided grin anymore. It was different, sincere somehow.

As the ANBU appeared, Uzumaki brushed past them, walking into the hospital. Hinata instantly rounded towards the door, hobbling towards the corridor. She heard the footsteps and gasps from frightened medic-nins grow louder. Finally, the footfalls echoed just beyond her door, a faint shadow hovering at the edge as the door creaked open.

There was no permission granted, no permission asked, and it didn't matter. Naruto was home. The two genin approached, staring into each other's eyes. The world went silent, the howling, screaming mob, the ANBU shouting commands, the other villagers quietly shutting their doors all drowned out in the whispered breathing of the boy and girl staring at each other as if they would never see each other again.

Hinata was the first to move, latching her arms around Naruto. Uzumaki followed suit, working his gnarled, raw hands through her soft hair.

For the endless infinity of time, until the nurse finally knocked on the door, Hinata failed to notice the scorched glass jar containing the charred orbs which sat upon the nightstand.

•••••••••••••

The Council was not pleased. This was the second time the Uzumaki brat had disobeyed a direct command from them, and from Sarutobi. And yet again, he disobeyed. This was to be a private hearing, and the Hyuuga heiress was there, standing by his side. Again, dressed in those torn, wretched Suna rags, he tracked the filthy farm soil over the polished wooden floors. Immediately behind the pair, that irritating trio of jounin instructors looked on, as if judging their ability to keep a simple shinobi reject in-line. Sarutobi looked on to his son, then to Yuuhi, and finally, to Kakashi. He simply slumped in the chair at the head of the table, his face pulled in a strained frown.

The Hyuuga family started barking first, followed by the Aburame clan, and finally, the Naras tried to step in to preserve the peace. The squabbling continued, however, without interruption until the blonde approached the Hyuuga clan. Hinata flinched, staying back with her new sensei, watching as Uzumaki brought the glass jar with Raidon's remains to her father. Bowing ever so graciously, Naruto set the jar on the table, locking eyes with Hiashi.

"What is this?" Hiashi cursed.

"It's all that's left of my master, your cousin," Uzumaki spoke just above a whisper.

Hiashi looked down at the charred, blackened orbs in shock, finally realizing what they were. "You… did this?"

Naruto shook his head. "Hyuuga-sensei sacrificed himself, to protect the village and your secrets. I watched has he burned alive, to give his students, and the villagers of Mamoru a fighting chance. He gave everything to preserve these people, to protect the Fire Country, and our village. You would now dirty his name, stain his honor black, sending these people away?"

Hiashi frowned, then pushed the jar gently away, urging it back to Uzumaki. "Keep your master's sentiment," he insisted. "His wishes aren't reflected here."

Hesitating, the blonde took the jar reverently in both hands, and bowing, turned away from the others, marching out of the council. Hinata followed suit, bowing before she graciously turned on her heel. The jounin simply moved aside, staring dumbly at the pair as the doors sealed behind them. It was Kakashi who finally stepped forward. "You sent for me?" he asked.

"The villagers have to be removed, and that… boy of Uzumaki's… he has to be reigned in," one of the Council elders spoke. "You are to strip him of his rank."

Kakashi shook his head. "With all due respect to the Council," he cut in. "Naruto is personally responsible for saving the lives of his team, protecting my team through the border lands, and guiding those villagers to safety. You cannot simply ignore such a commitment to our interests."

"What interests?" an Aburame asked.

Sarutobi interrupted. "The ANBU I dispatched to the border based on Raidon's reconnaissance indicate Suna is on the move, preparing to strike." He watched the Council go silent. "We do not know how soon, but they will come, and they will come in force. This strike on Mamoru is proof of that! Without that boy, we would be facing at least one more Suna reconnaissance force. He just bought us two, maybe three more weeks we wouldn't have otherwise."

"Are you saying we reward such behavior?" an elder Yamanaka muttered. "If we cannot trust the next generation now, how can we trust them when the village is in their hands?"

"That boy's mentor," Sarutobi stressed, "has earned and proven my trust more times than any other shinobi I've known since peacetime." He looked back amongst the Council, then to the three jounin. "If that boy is anything like his mentor, or anything like his father, you know he will not fail us."

"There is still the problem of his… outburst," the eldest of the women on the Council snapped. "You may trust the boy, but what about the Kyuubi?"

"That is why he must undergo training with a specialist!" the elder Nara pressed. "We agreed to this twelve years ago, and now you want to change your vote? We knew he would likely follow the path of a shinobi. Such a decision cannot be questioned now!" He looked to Hiashi. "Perhaps a different sealing technique to further tighten our control?"

"That is for Jiraya to decide!" Sarutobi snapped. "He is the seal specialist in this matter, not the Hyuuga clan!"

Kakashi watched the interplay, before taking another step forward. "Leave him to me. You intended to reassign him to Team Seven, anyway. If there is any sign he is a risk, I will be the first to know." Sarutobi nodded, but there were indeterminate grunts about the council table. Eventually, however, the eldest members nodded uniformly.

"It is settled, then," Sarutobi stressed, before rising to his feet. The old man grunted and struggled out of the chair, grasping the nearest wall for support as he limped towards the door. Yuuhi watched cautiously, while Asuma clenched his left fist, shifting his weight ever so slightly to his lead foot. "As for Mamoru refugees, the Council can choose what to do with them without my input."

"But, Hokage-sama!" Hiashi stuttered, rising quickly to his feet. "Sir, your leadership is necessary!"

"Not for this!" the old man shot back, before succumbing to a coughing fit. Quickly, Kurenai bolted to his side, Kakashi in pursuit. Asuma, however, stayed frozen in place, too stunned to move. Taking a deep, raspy breath, the old man scanned the group of elders and clan leaders. "This Hokage won't be responsible for turning those people away."

•••••••••••••

Uzumaki stared at the mirror in the apartment, the stark hues of the village at night cutting into his reflection. The jar before the mirror, Naruto glared into his own eyes, the blue orbs piercing back into his soul. He had not changed, the tattered rags from the Suna merchant dangling from his body. The kunai still affixed to his belt, there was an odd comfort, weapons being so easily within reach. He almost didn't hear the knock at his door.

Opening it slowly, Kurenai-sensei stood silently, holding a black book in her hands. "Uzumaki-san?" she asked politely. The woman frowned, looking the boy up and down, noticing the muddy rags. He had not changed since he returned to the village, even though he was home, all the comforts of his apartment within reach. A simple shifting of her gaze to the nightstand told her everything she needed to know. "Uzumaki, can we talk?"

Nodding quietly, Naruto let the woman into the apartment. "Naruto," she started more casually. "The Council is transferring you to Team Seven, with Kakashi-sensei. There was… an opening on that team, and he can further develop your skills than Sarutobi-sensei or I." She waited, but there was no response, no hint of recognition. "Is that… okay?"

Uzumaki turned away from the woman, staring out the windows to the village proper. Beneath them, the refugees were quickly uprooted, forced out of the main gate by ANBU forces. "My master wanted his wishes honored. Isn't that the right thing to do, Kurenai-sensei? He died, and the Council ignores his pleas?" Scowling, Uzumaki folded his arms defiantly across his chest. "Kakashi-sensei would contact me himself if he wanted me to join Team Seven," Naruto continued. "Why are you here?"

Stepping towards Naruto, Yuuhi extended her arms, handing him the book. "I tried to give this to Hinata. It was your master's, but she… she didn't want it." Frowning, Kurenai watched the boy, not flinching, not reacting. He simply stood there, dulled by the elements. "The Hokage gave it to me to help understand, when I agreed to take Hinata on with Team Eight. However, the material is… If I don't keep it, and the both of you reject it, the Council will likely bury it with his memory."

"What is it?" Uzumaki asked, curious.

"It's a collection of your Raidon Hyuuga's work," she answered. "A lot of it… it's not useful for shinobi with jutsus, but maybe, maybe you can keep it for sentimental value."

There was a slight reaction now, a faint twitch, almost like a mournful smile on the boy's face. "I will keep it, Kurenai-sensei." He bowed respectfully, taking the hardcover binding in his hands. He felt the cold weight sink into his palms.

"If you ever need anything, Naruto," Yuuhi replied almost as an afterthought as she made her way to the door, "just ask."

Uzumaki nodded, then as the door closed behind the woman, he retreated to his nightstand. Setting the book down, he read the dedication:

"FOR MY BROTHER, AND ALL THOSE WHO DESERVE JUSTICE"

-R. Hyuuga

It was then the blonde looked up from the pages. Something had caught his eye, like an odd, blue glow. The ghastly hint of light reflected on the page. Studying the jar, Naruto watched as the charred orbs burned with the last traces of his master's chakra. And it was there, with that haunting glow of a Branch Hyuuga, that the inscriptions on the first page appeared.

"A map?" Uzumaki asked.

End of Chapter IX

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