DISCLAIMER: We in no way own Naruto...Ya'll need to remember that...

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The Twice Caged Bird

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Chapter 10: Four Years

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And it was at this point that he knew, based on the shocked looks from his classmates and even his instructor, that his school life was going to be a boring one. "This is gonna suck…" he mentally pouted. Kurama chuckled darkly as he laid his head down on his front paws.

"Yeah, well at least you'll get to kick that Uchiha bastards ass whenever you like." he chuckled before deciding to take a nap. Naruto shook his head and sighed.

"Sorry, this is gonna suck...for me that is. I bet you'll have a ball."

. . . .

Sasuke stirred on the bed in the infirmary. He slowly opened his eyes with a groan as he sat up, gingerly testing his jaw and making sure that blond idiot didn't knock out any teeth. "What the heck...how could such a...a...peasant, match up against me!? I'm an Uchiha, how could this happen?" He mumbled to himself as he gripped the covers on the bed out of frustration.

He quickly shook his head of those thoughts and remembered what his brother had told him.

"Remember little brother, just because you are from a clan, doesn't mean you are stronger than others. You need to work to become stronger, so that one day you can protect what is precious to you…"

Sasuke took a deep breath, calming his pride as he got up from the bed, still a little shaky from the blow to the head. He started to head towards the door, but stopped when it opened.

"Oh! Sasuke, it's good to see you up already." Iruka said with a smile. "Why don't you sit down so I can do a quick check on you and make sure you don't have a concussion." He said as he gestured to a chair by the door.

Sasuke nodded and took a seat as Iruka brought a flashlight to his eyes. "Okay...eyes seem good...Can you follow my finger for me without moving your head?" He said as he brought up a finger and started to move it from side to side. Sasuke followed the finger as instructed and Iruka smirked.

"One last thing." He said as he coated his hand in chakra and placed it on Sasuke's forehead. "This is just a simple medical ninjutsu. It'll tell me if you have any internal bleeding and will help diagnose a problem within the inspected area." He explained to the boy, getting Sasuke to raise an eyebrow.

"Why didn't you do that in the first place?" He asked the teacher. Iruka nervously smiled as he scratched the back of his head.

"Well, I'm not the best medic so it's best for me to do a few tests first so I can get an accurate read." He said with a nervous chuckle as he finished checking the boy.

"Well, you look A-okay. You should head on out now. Classes ended an hour ago and you brother is waiting for you outside." He said with a kind smile before turning towards the door.

He was about to leave when Sasuke stopped him. "Uh...Iruka-sensei? Just who was that kid I fought, there was no way a civilian could keep up with me." He asked with a serious look on his face.

Iruka sighed before turning to the young Uchiha and kneeling in front of him. He thought for a brief moment before speaking. "Well...you see...Naruto is, well, he's a bit of a special case. He was an orphan until about a year and a half ago, when the Hyuuga clan adopted him. To my knowledge, he lived on his own before he joined the clan, but for some reason they wanted him to join."

"But why?" Sasuke asked the teacher with a confused expression. Why would a clan with such high socio-political standing as the Hyuuga take in a kid off the streets? It made no sense!

Sasuke's musings were cut off when a deep monotone voice called out. "Sasuke, it's time to go." The boy's brother called from the other side of the door, behind Iruka. Uchiha Itachi was a average height man with shoulder length black hair and equally black eyes. His features were stoic, save for the slight grin he had when he looked at his brother.

Iruka turned to Itachi with a grateful smile, happy to have the older Uchiha bail him out of this awkward situation. "Sorry Itachi-san. Sasuke was just asking me a few questions about class before he headed out." He lied before turning to Sasuke. "I'll see you tomorrow at seven o'clock sharp Sasuke. Don't be late." He said with a smirk before he left the room to the two Uchiha brothers.

Itachi looked down at his little brother and quirked an eyebrow. "So, you want to tell me what got you stuck in the infirmary on your first day?"

. . . .

"ACHOO!" The blond in question sneezed out. Hinata looked at him in worry while Neji just shook his head in exasperation at the blond. Naruto sniffed while he wiped his nose with a tissue Hinata gave him.

"A-Are you okay, Naruto-kun?" The indigo haired Hyuuga asked. Naruto gave the girl a small smile before signing 'I'm fine.' Hinata let out a small breath as the three continued on their way to the Compound.

Neji walked a few paces ahead of Naruto and the Heiress. Hinata stuck close to her bodyguard as he walked with his arms behind his head. The blond chose to ignore the whispers. The subtle glances. The ignorant gossip that surrounded the blond. He knew all too well what they were talking about. And frankly, even if he had a rough time with the Hyuuga, he was very welcome to the thought of not having to hear, to see, and to feel the hatred that the village he called home held for him.

Although, a single voice stood out amongst the sea of gossip. "N-Naruto!" He heard someone shout as the three passed a small corner side restaurant. The blond's eyes widened as he recognized the voice, the stand, the familiar smell in the air. He turned just in time to see a man running towards him with open arms.

Neji tensed as he lept to cut the man off, but his blonde partner beat him to punch as Naruto dashed forward at the man. But not to defend Hinata, no, he jumped into the man's open arms and latched onto him like a child does their father or grandfather after returning home. The man holding the blond carefully sank down onto his knees as he hugged Naruto close.

"Naruto!" A young teenage girl yelled as she showed up next to the man and joined in on the hug. And it was safe to say, Neji was confused.

. . . .

"So, you're a bodyguard now eh?" Teuchi said from behind the counter to Ichiraku Ramen as he prepared another bowl for his favorite customer. The blond in question nodded as he slurped up the final bits of noodle from his bowl before downing the broth in one go.

Neji looked slightly disgusted at his partner as he watched him eat inhuman amounts of the unhealthy food while Hinata just giggled at her friends antics. Ayame looked at the Hyuuga Heiress with a slight smirk. As soon as Teuchi placed another bowl in front of the blond he began to inhale the food like he had never eaten before. And then she noticed something, the little Heiress started to eye the bowl of food with a curious expression.

Ayame leaned over the counter and gave Hinata a warm smile. "Do you want to try some Hinata-sama?" She asked with a sweet tone. Neji was about to cut in with claims that the type of food they were selling was below the tastes of nobility, but when Naruto gave Hinata a star filled look Hinata nodded vigorously.

Ayame giggled and turned to her father and tugged his sleeve. "One Miso Ramen for Hinata-sama too Tou-san." She said with a smile, making Teuchi smirk before starting another bowl for the princess.

Oh how Teuchi's thoughts began to roam as he thought of having a Clan Heiress as a regular at his shop along with Naruto. Maybe he could finally afford that extension he wanted to make!

After a few minutes he placed the bowl in front of the heiress and waited for her reaction. And he wasn't disappointed. He could tell that after the first bite the little girl was almost as hooked as the blond that sat next to her.

Neji gaped as he watched the two hold up their empty bowls. "More please," Hinata said for the both of them as Naruto nodded along. Teuchi smiled before turning back to his cooking station. He then let his smile turn into a calculative smirk. Maybe in a few years, he'll make a special table for the two. Some nice seats, rose petals, some candles. Ah, he could see it now. It was a happy money filled dream.

. . . .

After eating their fill, the three made their way home. Once they entered through the gates they were greeted by the guards and a running blur that crashed right into Naruto. He expelled the air from his lungs as he was tackled to the ground in a bear hug from a smiling toddler.

"Naru!" She cheered as she sat on top of him with a large smile. Naruto smiled at the girl and patted her head. Hinata puffed out a cheek at the little girl before picking her up off the blond. "Mou, Hanabi-chan. Otou-sama said to stop tackling Naruto-kun." She chided her sister in mock anger.

Hanabi gave her sister a pout before sticking her tongue out at her and running off to Sage knows where. Hinata sighed at her sister's antics, wondering if Naruto was either being a good or bad influence on her. But hey, the blond was literally her best, and only friend, so why not let her sister be like him, it couldn't hurt all that much.

After meeting up with Tora, Naruto and Neji were dismissed to go work on their school work for the night.

Naruto made his way back to his shack and opened the door. He walked in and flopped down onto his cot. "Ugh, school sucks!" He whined as he curled up in a blanket, feeling like a nap.

Kurama snorted in his mind. "Aw, come on Kit, it wasn't that bad. You were able to kick that brat's ass pretty good. Just imagine doing that everyday! It'll be paradise!" Kurama cheered at the thought of his container beating the life out of Uchiha's.

Naruto sighed as he shook his head. "Again, Kurama, that is only fun for you." He grumbled to the fox. Kurama just brushed him off with a roll of his eyes.

"Just take your nap before you come for your regular training, and don't forget to go visit your mate tonight~" he mocked making Naruto blush, hard.

"She! She-Hinata is NOT my mate!" He mentally sputtered at the fox, hearing the beast cackle until the connection ended.

. . . .

And time passed on like that. A happy pattern to each day. It wasn't until the third year at the academy did things change.

Naruto and Hinata walked into the Academy and took their normal seats in the back row. A few minutes later, Choji and Shikamaru, followed by Kiba and Akamaru, took seats either next to or in front of the duo.

Shikamaru, being the normal Nara he was, instantly laid his head down and fell asleep, while Choji kept up the Akimichi stereotype and happily ate his chips. Kiba sat next to Naruto as usual and tried to start talking with Hinata, only for a stern look from Naruto made him back off. The blond could hear Kurama snicker in his head about being an Alpha in the pack, and chose to ignore it.

It was business as usual until Sasuke walked into the room

. . . .

The night before that, was one that had changed the course of Konoha's history.

Sasuke was walking home with his brother as usual. They were nearly in the Uchiha Compound when Sasuke felt Itachi's hand fall onto his shoulder. Sasuke looked up to his brother and froze.

Two red eyes were looking ahead of them, the three tomoe spinning slowly in each eye. "Sasuke...wait here…" Itachi said to his brother as his hand gave a firm squeeze on his shoulder.

Sasuke nodded to his brother, not knowing what was going on or how to respond. Itachi smiled at his little brother, noticing his confused state. "Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it." He ensured before blurring out of sight in a burst of speed.

Itachi rushed through the silent Uchiha compound. His stomach rolling with the horrid sights that littered the streets. Only death roamed in those streets. Bodies littered the roads, the roofs, the open windows of homes. Blood ran like rivers down the street, as well as it poured down the gutters of the homes of the fair few that fought back against whom ever brought such horrid genocide upon the eldest living clan of Konoha.

His gaze darkened as he ran through his thoughts. Whoever had done this, had gained an enemy they would surely fear.

And then it occurred to him. Why hasn't someone noticed yet? Surely someone would have been able to get away and inform the Hokage, or any shinobi of the attack. Just what in the world was going on that all these people could be dead without the village knowing or rising to fight the invader?

He rushed through the compound to the one place he was worried about most.

Home.

Once he came up on his house, he drew his blade, feeling a single presence in the house. He came up to the doors, slowly, hiding his killing intent and making his movements silent. Opening the doors just enough for him to slip in, he dashed into the house, sticking to the shadows, hiding himself from whoever may be within.

Once within his home, he saw his father, and his mother, lying on the ground beneath the boot of his enemy.

The man wore a long black cloak, which was adorned with red flowing clouds lined in white. His face, hidden by an orange, spiraling mask. His left eye hidden behind the mask, but his right eye on full display.

The faint red glow coming from the port made for the eye, made Itachi's own eye's widen in shock. The man's voice, deep with malice and cunning, echoed throughout the house as he chuckled.

"Itachi...why don't you come out from your hiding. I know where you are, and I wouldn't dare strike you down. No, you are too important to my plans to let die now. I only wish to talk with you." The man called out as he looked directly at the hidden form of the ANBU Captain.

Itachi glowered at the man and slowly stepped out from his hiding place. His sword still in his grasp as he stared into the lone eye of the traitorous Uchiha. "Your name...Tell me your name since you seem to already know mine. And after that, we shall see if talking is all that I'll do." Itachi hissed, holding back his rage before the man. He didn't know who, or what this man was, and he was not sure enough, if he alone could even hope to match the strength of one who could slaughter so many.

The masked man chuckled once more before his red eye glowed bright. "My, my Itachi. The stoic man of the Uchiha seems to have fangs after all. Fine, I'll give you my name. I am the one all of the Uchiha should have idolized, all you should have hoped to be, before this wretched clan fell from grace and let their pride trounce their talent. I, Uchiha Itachi, am Uchiha Madara." He said before his body began to shimmer, and unravel.

Itachi's stunned silence gave all the time that 'Madara' needed. His body began to fade, swirling in on itself, as his eye glowed even brighter than before. "Remember Itachi. One day I will return for you...and your brother. And when that day comes, you will join me, or the Uchiha clan will finally be no more."

. . . .

Sasuke walked into his classroom in the Academy with a vacant look on his face. He ignored the call outs from Sakura and Ino, along with several of the other girls in the class.

He aimlessly walked to his desk and sat. Looking off into space without a care in the world.

He may have seemed to be emotionless, not conveying anything that one could discern. But only someone who had the same eyes as him could possibly understand his pain.

A pain Naruto knew all too well.

. . . .

And as the time passed, the truth was heard. The word of Uchiha Itachi was spread throughout the village, that the once mighty Uchiha clan was brought down to a lonely two.

. . . .

"Ninety-five...Ninety-six...Ninety...seven…" Naruto mentally counted as he exercised. The little blond boy had grown over the last four years, and not just physically. Having a millennia old demon sealed within you, acting like a tutor works wonders for one's grades.

Currently, the boy was in his shack doing his morning routine. Which currently consisted of vertical pushups, a hundred of them.

"Oi, Kit…" Kurama called the get the blond's attention.

"Ninety...eight...what's up Kurama?" He asked as he continued working.

"Someone's coming." He stated to the blond. Naruto quirked an eyebrow but kept working.

"So? Ninety...nine…." He questioned the fox.

"Just thought I'd warn you…" the fox trailed off in a wistful tone. Okay, now Naruto was intrigued.

"What do you mean by that? One...Hundred!" He mentally cheered as he finished his set. He would have continued on, if he didn't hear his door open.

"H-Hey Naruto-kun, I thought I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I…." Hinata started to say as she walked into his shack, before freezing in place upon seeing the shirtless, sweat covered Naruto standing on his hands looking right at her. The last thought that ran through her mind before she passed out was something along the lines of, 'OH GOD! THE MUSCLES~~!'

Just before Hinata could hit the floor, Naruto dashed behind her and caught the unconscious girl. The blond let out a sigh of relief as he carefully set her onto the ground, and propped her up against the wall. "You could have told me it was Hinata-chan you ass!" He mentally berated the fox.

Kurama burst into laughter and rolled around in his cage. "And what!? Miss out on seeing the little vixen faint like that!? That shit is priceless!" He howled in amusement, making Naruto growl and cut the connection. Naruto sighed and shook his head as he went over to his dresser to retrieve his smelling salts.

He didn't know why, but ever since Hinata turned eleven, this just started to become a normal thing for the blond. Even though he insisted that they get Hinata looked at by a doctor, Hiashi and Tora just laughed and said she would be fine once she woke up. What if this was serious!? What if it happened during a mission!? He was not going to let his Hinata-chan get hurt from a fainting spell….wait...did he just say his?

Before he could elaborate further into that thought, Hinata began to stir and open her eyes. And being the graceful idiot he claimed he wasn't, Naruto was still not wearing a shirt, making Hinata explode into a heated blush, trying to keep herself from obviously staring.

Sometimes the Byakugan was a beautiful thing.

She looked away slightly and began to stammer. "I-I..uh..I-I thought th-that you an...and I could go-go and go to t-the Academy early today since well...you know…" she stuttered out, still trying to not look directly at the half dressed Naruto.

The blond smiled at her and hopped onto his feet before giving her a nod. He then moved his hands through his own special language. 'Sure, just let me clean up and get dressed.' He signed to her.

Hinata nodded and shakily walked out of the shack to wait outside. As she closed the door she nearly fainted again as the images she saw ran through her mind again. However, she was able to catch herself and shake off those thoughts. "Stop it Hinata!" She mentally berated herself. "You know it could never happen...the Elders would kill him if the thought ever came to them…" she thought to herself sadly.

Why? Why did she have to fall for him. He was her best friend, her only friend. And now she was selfishly putting his life in danger by liking him too much. She couldn't believe how cruel the world could be. She looked back on her time with the blond with a bittersweet smile on her face. She needed to get past this, for Naruto's sake.

Her thoughts were cut off when the door to said blond's shack opened revealing the boy with his hair slightly matted down with water, and wearing his usual attire, goggles and all. His glowing smile was on his face as he walked out and closed his door behind him.

Hinata let a small smile grace her lips. "A-are you ready, Naruto-kun?" She asked the blond earning a smiling nod from the boy. And without a further word, the two made their way to the Academy. Wanting to get there early for their final day as civilians.

. . . .

Iruka sighed as he and Mizuki entered room 109. He looked over the this year's graduating class with a small smile, knowing that great things were in store with these kids, he just knew it. Iruka closed his eyes before taking a deep breath in.

And cue Big Head no Jutsu.

"EVERYONE SHUUUT UUUUPPP!" He told the his class, quickly gaining the silence he desired.

His scowl from the Big Head no Jutsu fell into a smirk as he looked at the class. "Alright everyone, you all know what day it is." He said to the class, getting some to excitedly call out and smile. "It's graduation day, the day were you lot become Genin in the Konohagakure Shinobi corps. BUT! Before you can become a shinobi, you will have to get past me! So, everyone get ready for your first graduation test!" He said as several papers filled his hands and an evil smirk crossed his face when he saw the sickening faces of the Genin hopefuls.

"That's right! Prepare for your final exams!"

. . . .

Two, painfully long hours later had Iruka smiling at the exhausted class as the last student turned in his exam. And as that student turned in his papers, Iruka and Mizuki stood from their desks and moved towards the door.

Mizuki turned towards the class and held up his clipboard. "Alright, everyone with last names A-M are with me for the sparring exam, Naruto, you go with Iruka!" He said before turning to the door and limping towards the outdoor arena.

Hinata stood and started to leave, but a tug on her sleeve stopped her. She looked back and saw Naruto with a confident smirk. The blond held her gaze for a second before letting go and nodding to her. He brought his hands and held two thumbs up before bumping his fists together twice.

'Good luck!'

Hinata smiled at her friend, her confidence rising exponentially as she nodded back to him and walked from the room with her head held high.

Iruka watched the two's interaction and couldn't help the smile that came to his face. He let out a small sigh as he looked to the remaining students in the class. "Aright! Follow me for the Bukijutsu Exam!" He ordered in a happy tone before striding out of the class and towards the target field.

. . . .

Hinata stood off to the side with Kiba and Shino as they waited for their turn to spar. She never really had any problems with Kiba, other than when he tried to be a little too forward. And she got along with Shino just fine as he never really talked much, but when he did he was very polite. So, out of this group she could say she had a few 'friends'.

"Man~ Come on Mizuki-sensei! I wanna fight something!" Kiba whined to their teacher as the third spar ended. Mizuki looked at the Inuzuka with a slight scowl before sighing deeply.

"Fine, Inuzuka and Akimichi, get in the ring." He said with a lazy wave of his hand.

Hinata looked at Mizuki with an odd stare. She knew he and Naruto hated each other, for whatever reason. Sure at the start of school the guy was outright cruel to her friend, but he just seemed to mellow out over the last four years.

What she didn't know about Mizuki's 'mellowing out', was that he was paid a special visit from a few dutiful ANBU and was...persuaded to take it easy with the blond.

Kiba smirked as he walked into the ring, watching as Choji sighed and hesitantly walk into the ring. The feral preteen picked up his dog from his place in his jacket and placed him on the ground. "Alright Akamaru, you sit this one out." He told his ninken, earning a yip of acknowledgement from the dog. Akamaru turned from the ring and ran over to Hinata and Shino, taking a seat on the ground next to the Hyuuga Heiress.

Kiba rolled his neck as Choji settled into his clan's Taijutsu stance. Mizuki looked between the two before raising his hand. "Hajime!" He exclaimed as he lowered his hand and stepped back out of the ring.

Kiba snarled and lowered himself onto all fours. "Shikyaku no Jutsu!" The Inuzuka said as he smirked with a feral snarl. Choji took a sharp breath in before letting it slowly out, his eyes hardening as he prepared. "I'm not going to hold back Kiba, this is too important." He said with conviction.

Kiba snorted as he tensed his legs to leap forward. "Psh, yeah whatever. I'm still gonna kick you flabby ass." He snarled out before dashing forwards. In a single leap he closed the gap between him and the Akimichi and brought up his clawed hand for a swipe to the face.

Choji ducked just in time for the swipe to swing just over his head before he brought up his right for a punch to Kiba's gut, knocking the wind out of the smaller boy and sending him to the ground a few feet away. Kiba rolled with the hit and slipped up to his feet with a snarl.

"Lucky...shot…" he coughed out and returned to his all fours stance. He dashed to the Akimichi's side and made a half circle around him to find an opening. Once he used his superior speed to get behind the larger boy, he dashed in with his clawed hands raised and ready to slash out. "Tsuga!" He roared as he slashed out at the boy. Choji jumped to his right, dodging Kiba's first slash, but was hit across his chest with the second.

The larger boy hissed in pain as he felt the claws dig into his flesh and knock him onto his back. Kiba slid to a stop and leapt at the down boy. He brought his hands down at Choji, but the Akimichi rolled out of the way in time to dodge the boy and kicked out with his left, catching Kiba in the side and sending him rolling to the edge of the ring.

Choji and Kiba both quickly got to their feet and dashed forwards at each other. Kiba swiped with his right, only for his arm to be caught at the wrist. Choji turned and slung Kiba over his shoulder and onto the ground, hard. The air left Kiba's lungs as a fist was brought down on his stomach from the larger boy.

Choji was about to follow up with a second punch, but Kiba lashed out with a kick, catching Choji in the forehead and sending him staggering back. Kiba rolled to his feet and made to tackled the larger boy. But as he knocked into him, he failed to realize how close to the edge of the ring they were, sending both of them out of bounds.

Mizuki raised his hand and ended the match. "That's it! Draw!" He exclaimed to the two Genin hopefuls. Kiba looked around and back to where he and Choji were in disbelief.

"Dammit!" He howled out and got off of Choji. The larger boy just stood up with a wince, rubbing his forehead were a welt started to form.

"Good fight Kiba." he said and walked away.

Kiba shrugged his shoulders and walked away as well. "Yeah yeah, I guess it was okay." He grumbled as he returned to Hinata and Shino. Akamaru barked happily as he jumped back onto Kiba and settled himself down onto of the boy's head. Shino turned to him and nodded his head. "Well fought Kiba-san." He congratulated the Inuzuka, earning a grumble of acceptance.

Hinata turned to him and was about to congratulate him as well, but Mizuki's voice cut her off before she could.

"Alright, next fight. Haruno and Hyuuga, get in here." He said lazily. The pink haired girl smirked as she entered the ring, looking confidently at the shy Hyuuga Heiress.

Hinata took a deep breath before her eyes hardened and entered the ring. "Well, here I go…"

. . . .

(A/N): To be continued….

Bulba Fett: Wow, back to this chapter again. Man, it feels like forever ago when this first came out, since this chapter came out the day after I first posted "The First Immortal", which then quickly climbed into my top story position. Currently with nearly 2400 follows, almost 2000 favorites, and over 300,000 views. Still don't know why it's as popular as it is, but eh? Why look a gift horse in the mouth amirite?

Almost time for new content! Ugh, my body is not ready for the work, but I signed up for this shit! And I'll see it done!

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