Hey y'all! Back again with another installment of A Fragment of the Past. I'm starting to feel a little better now and with that, my creative mojo is back! I was on a roll with this chapter and to those who wanted a little Naru/hina fluff, ask and ye shall receive!
TWO WEEKS LATER. SEPTEMBER 8TH
It has been two weeks and Tazuna's bridge was finally completed, with Team 7 leaving shortly after the commissioning ceremony. Tazuna decided to name his new creation the Great Kitsune Bridge, after the spectre he saw comforting Naruto that one night on the roof of his house.
During the two weeks of peace, Kakashi spent his time training Sasuke, Sakura watching them, and Naruto being left on his own. He mostly trained by himself or was looking after Haku, who was still in no condition to be walking around. More than once, he had to defend her from Sasuke and Kakashi. Thankfully, they stopped hounding her after his newfound ANBU friend exerted his authority over them, telling them that she was under his protection as she was to go before the Hokage as a possible recruit.
Tazuna and Tsunami were far more understanding about the young lady's predicament. She was merely paid to do a job, nothing personal about. Besides, Inari took to her as an older sister figure almost as quickly as Naruto did and Tsunami found her to be a very pleasant girl, as well as a fairly good cook.
Ichigo was not happy with the way Kakashi trained his team, or rather, the lack there of. He quickly decided to confront Hatake about his training method concerning his team and give him a chance to change his ways.
"Hatake, why do you not include young Uzumaki or Miss Haruno in on your training? Surely he could benefit from some extra instruction from you." He pointed out.
Kakashi got an annoyed look on his face at the mere mention of training the boy. "I need to focus on Sasuke now that his Sharingan has awakened. Naruto would only be in the way and he doesn't have the talent for my training, anyway. Sakura is fine right where she is. I only need her for Sasuke's morale, anyway. That is why I wanted her."
This answer made him seeth with barely contained rage, but he managed to somehow calm down. "Why throw away the student who saved your skin and helped make this mission a success? He shows signs of promise and potential as well. Not many Genin, if any, could have done what he did." He commented.
Kakashi's visage took on a hard look. "I will train my team as I see fit. The Uzumaki was the dead last of his class, nothing but an embarrassing failure! Besides, I didn't want him on this team to begin with." He replied coldly.
Ichigo knew that Naruto was nearby and heard everything.
"So be it." Was all he said, then disappeared in a small cyclone of water.
He popped up next to Naruto. "I trust you heard everything?"
Naruto could only nod, clenching his fists so hard that he was drawing blood. "I knew it...That bastard! He only cares about everyone's precious 'Sasuke-kun'." He replied, saying the name in a falsetto that imitated the way all of those hormone-driven fan-girls back home and here said it.
"He chewed me out when I beat those two missing nin on the way here. Then, he tried to force me to give that brooding turd all my jutsu that I worked hard to learn. Now, he's mad at me for beating somebody that kicked his royal highness's ass! He won't teach me anything like a sensei should! Instead, he ignores me except to yell at me or scold me for something." He finished sadly, almost yelling.
Ichigo was almost boiling over with anger. To him, a sensei abandoning his student was an unforgivable act of betrayal. It then came to him. He could still train the boy, even under this guise. "Naruto-kun, how would you like it if I were to train you, if only for a little while. I could teach you how to handle a weapon if you wished." He offered, to which the young blonde accepted eagerly.
Over the next two weeks, Ichigo trained Naruto in the use of a short blade, giving him the kodachi that was sheathed on his lower back. The boy proved to be no slouch with it, either. He was always a more kinesthetic learner, meaning he learned by actually doing something than by theory alone, which accounted for his atrocious grades to an extent. Haku lent a hand in teaching him a few more chakra control exersices, along with starting to teach him who to throw senbon like her. She got the same impression that Kitsune got, that he learned by doing, which made it that much easier for her to teach him.
KONOHA MAIN GATES SEPTEMBER 9TH 0834 HRS
It took far less time for the team to reach Konoha than getting to Wave, due to them now being able to travel through the trees, especially since Haku was well enough to travel. They reached the gates of the village by the next morning and the weary team trekked up to the Hokage's office to make their report. Naruto still had the short blade that Kitsune gave to him holstered in the same place the his ANBU companion did. The whole way back, he practiced quick-drawing his new blade, which felt oddly natural to him.
Sasuke was stewing in rage the entire way back, glaring at Naruto and Haku with an intense hatred. He was told the Naruto defeated the hunter-nin that beat him so easily. He was even angrier with the fact that Haku hadn't even aimed to kill, just to incapacitate. It made him look weak. Worse yet, Haku turned out to be a girl, who he viewed as both weak and as breeding stock.
Ichigo, still under his ANBU alias, accompanied them into the Hokage's office, as he still had a report to file of his own, as well as a surprize. He discreetly created a Kage Bunshin and sent it ahead to deliver his report to the Hokage. As much as he wanted to bash Kakashi's head in and leave his corpse to rot, he had to be smart about this, for Naruto's and Haku's sake, so included with his report, he requested that Inoichi Yamanaka be on hand to examine memories and act as a lie detector.
Kakashi knocked on the door and requested permission to enter. "Team 7, Kitsune. Please enter and make your reports." Sarutobi called from his desk. The aforementioned people entered the room and filed before the Hokage for debriefing.
Sarutobi had been told of what really happened and arranged for Inoichi to be on hand for the debriefing. He was also told about Haku and her special abilities, which were somewhat similar to his own, except Haku needed handseals and he didn't. Ichigo also included a warning that he shouldn't tell the council about her, as he could already predict what they'd do, marry her off to the Uchiha. In so doing, he requested that he could take her in a his ward to better protect her from the vultures that sat on the council.
The Hokage's two advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, were in attendance, to Kakashi's surprize. Normally, they wouldn't be there, but he surmised that since it was Sasuke's first mission outside of the village, they would want to hear about it personally. He stepped up and made his report, telling them that Sasuke saved the mission and that Naruto was a discipline problem and only got in the way.
Sakura, or more specifically Inner Sakura, listened on in total disgust for the man who had the nerve to call himself a sensei. She knew the truth. Naruto saved their lives more than once on that mission and proved himself to be a very reliable shinobi, one she would breath easier to go on a mission with.
Sasuke listened on with a smug grin on his face while he looked over at Naruto, who was doing his best to maintain a calm and professional visage and not call out Kakashi as a liar. He knew that Kakashi would give him the credit for everything and was certain that Sakura wouldn't say anything. He admitted to himself that she was finally useful for something.
Naruto was exceedingly angry with Kakashi right now. He knew that Kakashi would try to make an issue of his using Saki's chakra and that was why he sent his so-called teammates outside. The cycloptic Jounin was telling the old man and his advisors that he was a danger to his team and didn't want him around anymore.
Haku herself was radiating anger, her rage rolling off of her in waves. She knew that that one-eyed jackass was lying and making the arrogant Uchiha out to be a fucking war hero when he was the first to fall. The supposedly superior Genin failed miserably against Zabuza and fell to her without much effort. I was the one who Kakashi was disparaging and degrading that saved his team and even herself from death.
Kitsune stood right next to Naruto in perfect silence, listening to the report. He sensed that Naruto's tension was skyrocketing and he placed a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder, calming him down and letting him know in his own way that everything would pan out somehow.
He mustered up a scowl under his mask. 'Just you wait, you one-eyed bastard. I've got surprize for you that'll really shake things up.' He thought with a evil smirk.
"And that is all." Kakashi finished with his report. Sarutobi sighed heavily while rubbing his eyes slightly. He knew that Kakashi was lying already. Kitsune had already sent back a partial report on Kakashi's conduct and a few hours ago the full report. It was already a massive disappointment on the cycloptic Jounin's part. The Sandaime was also highly displeased with 'advisors' reactions. They read Ichigo's report, but refused to believe it.
"Do you have anything else to add?" The elderly shinobi asked him with narrowed eyes.
Kakashi flipped out his Icha Icha book and began to read it with a bored expression. "Yes. I do." He replied with a matching bored tone.
"I would like to know just who this ANBU is. He took control of my team and critisized my training methods, taking Naruto off to the side and giving him a bit of weapons training and gave him a weapon that I never approved of. On top of that, he protected an enemy shinobi who was thought to be dead."
The Hokage turned to Naruto and his new sister figure. "Naruto-kun, Haku-chan, could you wait in the Jounin Lounge until I call for you? I'll have Genma escort you there." He told the two while he asked said shinobi to take him there.
Genma Shiranui was one of the Jounin who actually liked Naruto and knew him for who he really was. "Alright kids, let's go. By the way, nice blade you've got there, Naruto." He told Naruto with a grin. Naruto looked over to Kitsune, who nodded, as he went over to the Jounin Lounge.
As soon as they were gone, he turned to Kitsune and asked him to stand beside his desk, facing Kakashi. "Now, Kakashi Hatake. We will see what you have been hiding from us." He told him as he called for Inoichi Yamanaka to come in, followed by Anko Mitarashi, both of whom gave the Copy-nin a death glare that could melt steel.
This nearly made Kakashi have a heart attack. Two of the most imfamous interrogators in the known world were here in this office, itching to drag some answers out of him. He tried to maintain an air of indifference, but his rising panic made that more and more difficult by the second, especially when Anko put on one of her most soul-chilling grins while cracking her knuckles.
"Anko and Inoichi are here to see just how much of the truth you told us, Kakashi. Your past track record has left doubts as to how you handle Naruto's safety and well being, so I had Kitsune here tail your team for the entirety of the mission, intervening only when the situation was dire. He was ordered to submit his own report and I must say that I am very disappointed. Now, sit down in that chair. Inoichi and Anko will observe your memories and give their professional opinions on how to interpret what they find." He stated as he ordered Inoichi to begin.
HOKAGE TOWER : JOUNIN LOUNGE
In the Jounin lounge, Naruto and Haku sat on one of the sofas, awaiting the call to return to the Hokage's office. Haku was curious as to why he was so hated by his team and his sensei, and if the red chakra that he used had anything to do with it.
"Otouto-kun, I have a small question for you." She ventured to ask.
"Ummm, sure Nee-chan. Fire away." He replied while munching on a biscuit that was available in the lounge.
She could tell that this would be a sensitive subject, but she needed to know. "What was that red chakra you used to fight me on the bridge? I felt the same chakra when you revived me on the bluffs. Is it some sort Kekkei Genkai?" She asked in a hushed tone.
Naruto nearly choked on the confection he was eating in surprize. He was in a panic, as he didn't know how she'd take knowing his secret. If she started to hate him like everyone else did, he'd go insane.
As he wallowed in self-pity for a brief moment, he suddenly remembered something, she had already seen him in his Tailed Beast state, so she knew something was up, but she didn't seem to mind at all.
'I might be able to tell her...Here's hopin'.' He thought.
He cleared his throat and told her his story, warts and all. Haku weighed what she was told very carefully. Her logic told her that he was extremely dangerous, but her heart told her that he was a very kind hearted boy with a terrible burden on his shoulders. From what she learned of the Kyuubi, she seemed to be very kind as well. The Kyuubi was, after all, the one who made her survival possible.
Naruto was very nervious about how she'd take it. He sat there on the sofa, waiting for her to respond, eyes screwed shut. He was waiting for her to shout or hit him, but was shocked out of his gourd when she embraced him gently. "Your life has been harsh, but you've grown up just fine so far. I'd love to be part of your life, my otouto." She whispered into his ear.
Naruto let go of the breath he was holding in, as well as letting out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, sis. That means a lot, y'know?" He told her.
Naruto spent the remaining time they had in the Jounin Lounge telling her the finer details of his life, such as friends and people he knew. He even told her about the girl he used to like and the one he sort of likes now, Hinata Hyuuga.
Haku giggled as her newly developed big sister sense kicked in. "So, Naru-chan. This girl you like, could you introduce us? I think I'd like to get to know her." She chuckled.
The 15 year old girl also wanted to meet all of the people who've helped her new little brother, especially Ichigo, Anko and the Ichiraku's. These people were among the ones who have had impact on his life, and she wanted to thank them.
Genma and his long time buddy Raido Namiashi watched the pair from the doorway as they bantered back and forth with a grin. "They really do seem like siblings, close ones at that." Genma commented.
Raido chuckled lightly. "Yeah, they do. The kid deserves it after all this village has put him through."
HOKAGE TOWER : HOKAGE'S OFFICE
An hour had passed since Inoichi had made his dive into Kakashi's head. Anko was starting to get fidgety and Kitsune was slightly pensive himself, bouncing on his toes slightly to keep his feet from falling asleep. Sarutobi was watching his two former teammates with a calculating gaze. He knew they were up to something, but couldn't tell what yet. He was glad, however, that Ichigo had put him on his guard against the council.
Inoichi's body started to twitch, then he opened his eyes, blinking slowly as he got his vision back into focus. He turned to Kakashi with a scathing glare.
"You thieving bastard..." He snarled angrily.
This reaction really grabbed Sarutobi's attention. "Inoichi, what did you see?" He asked the mind jutsu expert.
The Yamanaka patriarche turned to face the rest of the rooms occupants and delivered his findings.
"Everything mentioned in ANBU operative Kitsune's reports are 100% accurate. Kakashi Hatake has been lying to us. He intentionally stunted Naruto Uzumaki's growth as per the orders of someone on the council, although who we do not know, so that his death will come while out on a mission while giving Sasuke Uchiha all of his jutsu and skills, including ones that he stole from our own shinobi, trying to force Naruto to do the same. Furthermore, I did some digging around and found some memories of his days on the Naruto protection squad some years back and found that he and his team intentionally lead the boy INTO ambushes and only jumped in when Naruto was just a hare away from death." He growled in barely constrained rage.
Anko turned to the copy-nin with a snarl and punched the man with all of her might. "YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!" She roared with tears of rage in her honey-colored eyes.
The Snake Mistress wasn't through with him yet, as she yanked him up by the collar of his vest and punched him in the stomach, making him double over.
"How DARE you do that to a Naruto, let alone any child! How dare you abandon your other students just to suck up to that little shit stain Uchiha?! You're lucky you're not under an official interrogation, otherwise I'd make you into my special project and practice my nastiest techniques on you, regardless of how much you squeal." She spat at him as she walked back over to where Inoichi, Sarutobi and Kitsune.
Inoichi knew quite well why Anko was so upset with Kakashi. She saw Naruto as somewhat of a kindred spirit, a baby brother of sorts. When she was on Naruto's protection squad, she took her job very seriously. She was almost in tears when she was taken off of the detail and replaced with Kakashi due to the councils whims. She had to stand by and watch as he was abused over and over again.
Ichigo was very glad that he was watching over his last living descendant. This dispicable bastard was planning on getting Naruto killed on a mission just because some elitist asswipe on the council told him to, as well as because he blamed the kid for all of his problems, just like the other idiots of this village.
Sarutobi sat in his chair, stewing in anger over what Kakashi had done. He stood to his full height, quite tall in his old age, to deliver his verdict.
"Kakashi Hatake, you have just been proven guilty of falsifying an offical mission report, blatant favortism, and malicious conduct unbecoming a shinobi of your current status. You are hereby relieved as the Jounin Sensei of Team 7. You are also forbidden from interfering with their new sensei and his or her training methods. In fact, I already have one in mind." He announced as he turned towards Kitsune.
"Kitsune, would you please go to the Jounin Lounge and retrieve Naruto-kun and Haku-chan. Also, please tell Sasuke and Sakura to come back in, as well."
With a nod, he vanished in a small watery cyclone. A couple of moments later, he arrived in the same fashion with Naruto and Haku in tow to see that the rest of Team 7 was present, as well.
The elderly Hokage adressed the team. "Team 7, due to your sensei's inability to teach fairly and tell the truth, he has been relieved as your Jounin sensei." He announced.
The jaws of everyone on Team 7 hit the deck, but their thoughts differed. Sasuke scoffed. He felt the Kakashi was expendible and believed that the council would just command the new sensei to pick up where he left off.
Sakura had two different opinions. Her fangirl persona didn't care, as long as Sasuke was still on her team, she was good. Inner Sakura, however, was dancing with joy. She believed that Kakashi got what was coming to him.
Naruto was doing a little victory dance on the inside, as well. Kakashi wasn't much of a sensei to him at all. He never encouraged him, helped him understand anything, or even talked to him outside of yelling at him. He was glad that the one-eyed pervert finally got what he deserved.
The two elders were sputtering incoherently. "Hiruzen, this is outragous! Hatake is the only one who can teach Uchiha-sama how to use the Sharingan! We demand that he be reinstated as the sensei at once!" Koharu shouted with Homura nodding in agreement.
Sarutobi was livid. These two have grown increasingly arrogant over the years, constantly overstepping their bounds and placing Naruto's life in peril with their demands and decsions. Enough was enough.
"Koharu, Homura. Tell me. Out of all the people in this room, who is the Hokage?" He asked with barely maintained calm.
They looked at each other, puzzled. "Why, you are, of course. What are you getting at?" Homura demanded.
"Correct." He answered before he switched gears. "I AM THE HOKAGE!!! YOU TWO ARE ADVISORS!! YOU ADVISE, YOU ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO DEMAND ANYTHING!!! MY DECSION IS FINAL, SO LEAVE NOW!!!" He roared, his killing intent seeming inhuman at the moment, but the only one unaffected at all was Kitsune, stall tall and steadfast. The two advisors cowered out of the office with Kakashi close behind them as he sank into his chair for a moments rest before continuing where he left off.
"As I was saying, I have your new sensei already lined up and he is currently in this room." He commented as he turned to the ANBU in the room.
"Kitsune, come forward and remove your mask." He ordered.
Kitsune nodded. "Hai, Hokage-sama."
Kitsune slowly removed his mask and revealed his true identity, which blew the minds of everyone there.
Naruto was the first to recover. "I-Ichigo-san?! Kitsune was really you?!"
Ichigo winced at the volume of the boy, but he still chuckled. "Yep, that was me, alright! Man, it felt good to cut loose a little bit back at the bridge! I needed the anger relief!" He commented merrily as if it were the most common thing in the world while stretching his arms with a fox-like grin that was disturbingly like Naruto's.
Haku was next. "So, you are the Ichigo that Naru-chan told me about." She said in an appraising manner. "You know, he holds you in the highest regard, and I can see why." She told him with a soft smile.
Sasuke was smirking widely. Now that he had his Sharingan activated, he could just take the man's secrets instead of learning them.
Sakura was torn between sheer terror and fascination. The fangirl side was terrified of the seemingly happy-go-lucky Jounin, but Inner Sakura was almost drawn to him with fascination and respect for his abilities.
"I can't wait to see what kind of sensei he turns out to be!" I.S chirped happily.
"That homicidal maniac is our new sensei?! What if he tried to hurt Sasuke-kun?!" F.G moaned and shrieked until I.S shut her up.
"Quiet. We'll actually learn something from this guy, not like that no-load Hatake. He just used us as that stupid Uchiha's cheering section!"
"But I liked watching Sasuke-kun train!"
"That attitude nearly got us killed! Naruto-kun offered to let us train with him, but you, you dumbass, turned it down, saying that 'Sasuke-kun doesn't like sweaty girls!'. That was total bullshit!"
As her inner personalities waged the next shinobi war inside her head, Anko walked up to Ichigo.
"You had me worried, buster." She playfully chided him.
"Sorry, Anko-chan. I wasn't allowed to tell anyone and I had to leave kinda suddenly." He explained sheepishly.
Anko chuckled lightly. "I'll forgive you...If you take me out to dinner tonight." He told him in a slightly husky voice.
Ichigo sighed in defeat. He knew that they were becoming close, but this was the next step forward and he knew that Shiina wouldn't want him to mope around forever. In fact, she'd probably kick his ass for doing just that. He knew exactly where she wanted to go and made a note to draw his mission pay before he left the tower. He'd need it.
"Fine, dango feast it is, then." He sighed. He could already feel his wallet screaming in agony.
Anko, to his surprize, looked at him strangely. "Who said anything about dango? I'd actually like to go to a real restaurant. You know, the whole dress up and go out thing?" She admitted, blushing slightly.
Sarutobi and Inoichi smirked at her bashfulness. "My, my. Our resident T and I mistress, who can make S-ranked criminal crap themselves in fear, blushing like a schoolgirl?" The elder blonde teased.
"Oh, shut up." She huffed while crossing her arms. "So what if I want to act like a normal girl for once?"
Ichigo's expression went from surprize to a wide smile. "Hey, ask and ye shall recieve, my lady." He told her playfully while he bowed and took her hand. "How about...6:00 P.M tonight at Dagashiya's?" He proposed.
Her smile told him all he needed to know. "Right. I'll pick you up at 6 sharp, Anko-chan." He told her flirtingly with a wink as she and Inoichi went to leave.
Inoichi stopped for a moment to talk with the younger blonde. "Hey kid, stop by my flower shop before you pick her up. Akari is going to want to hook you up for your first date." He whispered to him as he nudged him lightly in the side.
"Next order of business is what to do about young Miss Momochi?" Sarutobi asked Ichigo.
The elderly Hokage was given a basic run down of her abilities and his rough estimation of her abilities. "Her ninjutsu and control are around high Chunnin, bordering on Special Jounin. Her Taijutsu is mid Chunnin, as she was easily able to keep up with Sasuke, who had his Sharingan active during the fight, but her speed is at least Special Jounin. She didn't seem to use any Genjutsu, so I can't give you an estimation there." He explained.
Sarutobi thought it over for a moment before answering. "We'll have to test her out at Chunnin and work from there. I'll arrange for a skills test next week. Now, Miss Momochi. It has come to my attention the one of my Jounin would like to sponser you and take you in as a ward and become your legal guardian." He told her with a smile.
Haku was shocked that someone was willing to take her in already, but was wary of who. "Begging your pardon, Hokage-sama, but who is this person?" She asked him politely.
The old man chuckled slightly. "Why, he's standing right next to you." He answered.
Ichigo looked down at her with one of his more pleasant smiles, nodding his head to confirm what the Hokage just told her. The teenage girl threw her arms around the waist of the much taller blonde's waist and sobbed happily. She was scared that she would go to someone who would whore her out and a breeding tool or use her themselves. She was glad that the one who avenged her master was the one who took her into his custody. On top of that, she would be Naruto's neighbor, meaning that she would always be close.
Sarutobi called the briefing to a close and shooed everyone out of his office as he still had paperwork to do. 'Do me proud, Ichigo-kun. I know you will.'
KONOHA STREETS 1230 HRS
Team 7 had broken up for the day, drawn their mission pay, and went their seperate ways. Sasuke stalked off to the Uchiha district, Sakura went home and Haku, Naruto, and Ichigo went to go have lunch at Ichiraku's.
Upon arrival, the Ichiraku's were overjoyed that their favorite customers were finally back in town. Ayame nearly vaulted over the counter to hug her adopted little brother, with Teuchi letting out a deep belly laugh from the kitchen.
"Naru-chan!! You're finally back and you're okay! I can't even begin to tell you how worried I was!" She told him as the ramen girl fussed over him like a mother hen, making Haku giggle.
The giggle caught her attention. "Oh? And who is this Naru-chan?" She asked, looking at Haku.
"Her name is Haku! She's sorta like another Nee-chan to me!" He told her merrily before he leaned in closer. "She knows about my...tenent and she doesn't care about it!" He whispered happily.
Ayame's eyes flew wide before she pulled Haku into a hug. "Thank you, Haku-chan. You have no idea how much this means to us. Now, you've become part of the family."
Haku just smiled warmly. "He's become very precious to me, he's my little otouto-kun. Actually, he's OUR little Naru-chan."
The banter went on until the ramen hit the table, but carried on a little further. "So Naru-chan, this Hinata girl that you like, she's that same cute girl you bring here on a regular basis?" Haku asked him.
"Uh, yeah. I like her, but then again, her clan is like, one of the most powerful and richest in the village. She's like a princess, being the heiress and all. I don't know what her dad'll do to her if he found out that I liked her."
Haku was puzzled, but Ayame filled her in on what was going on. Afterwards, her soft brown eyes were filled with sad understanding. "I see. The princess and the pauper, falling in love." She murmured before Ichigo chimed in.
"Don't worry about her family, kiddo. I'll handle them if it boils down to that. Just go ahead and ask her out officially. We'll back you up. Anko will, too." He told the younger blonde inbetween bites of his ramen.
Naruto's head snapped up. "Hey, sensei? What about that date with Anko-sensei tonight? Don't you have to get ready?"
"It's not till 6 tonight. I've still got plenty of time, but after lunch, I need to go a speak to Sakura's parents, being her new sensei and all." He stated.
Ayame and Teuchi took on a pair of sly grins. "A date, huh? With Anko Mitarashi? Good luck, m'boy!" Teuchi laughed while slapping him on the back.
The rest of lunch went quickly as they split up, Naruto taking Haku on a tour of the village and Ichigo to have a talk with the Haruno's. Naruto and Haku were walking down main street Konoha, with Naruto showing her where everything is, when they bumped into Kiba Inuzuka of all people.
"Hey Dobe, who's the hot chick? Your new girlfriend?" He sneered at him while leering at Haku.
"Go away, Kiba. I'm just showing Haku-nee around the village." He explained in a strained voice.
"So she's not your girl? Heh, she was too good for a dobe like you, anyway. She belongs with a better specimen like me. I'm stronger and better than you, not to mention you're just a stupid orphan that nobody cares about."
The orphan comment sparked Haku's anger. This arrogant mongrel before her was really starting to piss her off.
"Excuse me, Kiba-san?" She asked in a sickly sweet voice that promised great pain, but he was too drenched in hormones to notice.
Kiba slipped his arm around her waist dispite Naruto's protests. "What is it, babe?" He cooed.
Haku grabbed his wrist and twisted it to the breaking point with one lightning quick motion. "You not only insult my otouto, but you insult orphans, which I am also, and you proceed to touch me without my permission. I should just kill you where you stand, but it will cause trouble for Naru-kun amd Ichigo-ojisan. I suggest that you leave immeadiately and trouble us no more." She snarled at him as she shoved him away.
Kiba cradled his wrist as he glared at the pair. "I get you, dobe. Hinata will be mine, too. She's too good to be around trash like you. She belongs to me!" He snarled as he ran off.
Haku glared at the Inuzuka heir as he ran away. "The nerve of that chauvanistic jerk..." She grumbled before cheering back up. "Shall we go now, Naru-chan?" She asked.
"Uh, y-yeah. Sure, Haku-nee." He replied nerviously, as they continued their tour. No more than 30 minutes later, they ran into Hinata herself, but the look on her face told him that something was very wrong.
"Hinata-chan? What's the matter? Are you okay?" He asked the Hyuuga heiress.
"N-Naruto-kun...Is it true? You have a girlfriend and she's pregnant?" She squeaked out.
"I-I thought that...you liked me..." She choked out as she buried her face in her hands.
Naruto looked on in puzzlement and confusion until it hit him. 'Kiba...That rat bastard...' He snarled as he set himself to damage control.
"Hinata-chan, who told you that?"
"K-Kiba-san did, a few minutes ago." She answered.
'I knew it. I should have removed a limb when I had the chance.' Haku growled as she tried to calm the crying girl down.
"There, there, Hinata-chan. The Inuzuka was just angry that I wouldn't go out with him, so he told you that vile lie." She explained to the girl softly.
Hinata looked up hopefully at the older girl. "I-is that true?"
Naruto and Haku spent the next 20 minutes explaining the circumstances surrounding how they met and their sibling relationship. Hinata let out a relieved sigh.
"I see, thank you, Haku-san. I was so scared that he was taken away from me before we even had a chance to go out."
Naruto froze. "Y-You mean, you want to go out with me, too?"
Hinata giggled lightly. "I've wanted to ask you out for a long time now, Naruto-kun. Kurenai-sensei and Ichigo-sensei both said that I should give it a try, so here we are." The pale eyed girl confessed as she embraced him gently.
All Naruto could do was give the biggest grin he ever had in his life and hug her back tightly, sighing contently as Haku watched on happily.
"This has been an awesome day already. Say, Hina-chan? You wanna go out for some dinner tonight?" He asked his new girlfriend.
"Sure, Naru-kun. Tonight at Dagashiya's, 6 P.M?"
"Hey, thats when Sensei has his date with Anko-san! Same place, too!"
"Well then, we'll have company!" The Hyuuga girl chirped cheerfully, making Naruto smile. The downtrodden girl she once was is now no more. This cheerful and up beat young woman had risen in her place. She was now far more confident in herself, thanks in parts to Kurenai, Anko, and Ayame, who all worked with her on that issue.
FLASHBACK
Her new found confidence also worked itself into her training, as she was now the one dominating the sparring sessions between her and her sister. Now, she gives Neji a run for his money when they spar.
This didn't go unnoticed by her father, Hiashi. While he was very pleased to see her begin to succeed, he was wondering where her inspiration came from. He asked her after a training spar one day where she got her fire from, and she gave him a simple answer.
"It was Naruto, father. He helped me find my confidence, my self-worth! I've never felt so good, so free! It's like, when he's around, I feel complete." She confided in the Hyuuga patriarche.
This gave Hiashi much to think about. He knew that the boy wasn't very well thought of at all, but he made his little girl happy, the one thing he couldn't do since his beloved wife died. In fact, what she discribed was what his own beloved Hana told him on the day he asked her to marry him. This melted the ice that once imprisoned the Hyuuga leader's heart.
"My daughter, I know that I have been rather, unpleasant to deal with since your mother died. I know that you loved her more than anything and her loss hurt us both so badly. If you wish to date the Uzumaki boy, I shall allow it. Please, accept my blessing as an apology for my deplorable behaivor." He told his eldest daughter sadly.
Hinata hugged her father tightly and kissed his cheek, something hadn't done in years. "Thank you so much, Otou-sama!" She told him brightly as she bounded from his study.
FLASHBACK END
For now, life was good. He had a new big sister who was also a kunoichi, he now had an official girlfriend, and his new sensei was a very good man. Yeah, it was definately good to be Naruto Uzumaki at that moment.
A/N: The chapters have now hit the double digits! I worked on this from scratch for the past 24 hours almost consecutively! All I can say is thank god for coffee! I hope that you all enjoy this!