Chapter 11

Inoichi was seething on the inside as he watched the demon boy approach the gates. The fact that his daughter had left on a mission, while he himself had been away on one, had made him very scared and angry. He had been frightened for his daughter ever since he had found out that the blond demon boy had been assigned to her team. He had not tried to kill the boy since that time all those years ago, because he knew he had been lucky to get away with it once. The blond boy had the Hokage fooled that he wasn't evil, but the Yamanaka clan head knew better. He had not warned his daughter about the boy for two reasons. The first was that he knew his daughter, and if he told her not to do something you could be sure she would do the opposite. The second was so as not to cast suspicion on himself for what he was about to do. He was glad that he had thought to add a tracking seal, which his Nara friend had made for him, into the lining of his daughter's bag. This would only work because he was a master of his clan techniques, including one his daughter had never even heard of. The Shintenshin Sogekihei no jutsu. (Mind Body Switch Sniper Technique). It was on a whole other level from the regular form of mind transfer. With greater ranger and speed it was far more dangerous than the lower level jutsu. Its weakness was that it took significant time to prepare by the user, who needed to remain stationary. Any movement would cause it to fail. The tracking seal had allowed him to know when his daughter was returning home, meaning he had the time he needed to prepare. The perfect time to attack came when Naruto was standing still, while the Chuunin guard checked his papers. As expected the guard took his time because of who it was, though because the boy was with his Jounin sensei nothing was actually said. Inoichi formed a seal with his hands and muttered the words to himself, on a roof top hidden thirty metres away. "Shintenshin Sogekihei no Jutsu!" (Mind Body Switch Sniper Technique)With remarkable speed the Jounin's soul flew towards the blond boy.

Kurenai watched as Naruto collapsed onto the ground. There had been no sign of it coming, Naruto's eyes had simply closed and he'd fallen like a puppet with the strings cut. "Naruto!" There was no sign that the boy had heard anything. Naruto's teammates, sensei and Haku watched on in shock. For a moment no one knew what to do. Gathering herself, Kurenai quickly picked up the blond boy and made immediately for the hospital. Any other worries the team may have had about their return left their minds.

Inoichi knew something had gone wrong with the technique the moment that he opened his eyes to something he had never thought to see again in his lifetime. The sandy-haired Jounin looked up and up, to the towering figure of a beast before him. The beast grinned evilly as it turned, though at first surprised, pleased that the much tinier figure had appeared in its cage.

"YAMANAKA INOICHI. WELCOME TO ME HUMBLE ABODE."

Roaring laughter filled the Konoha ninja's ears. Seeing the laughing figure of the Kyuubi no Kitsune above him dread penetrated him to the marrow of his bones. Behind him was a large set of bars. He backed up to them and tried to step through one of the gaps, but a blue light flickered into existence. He was repelled forcibly back towards the monster, to fall roughly to the floor. What scared Inoichi more than the loud and terrible laughter, was the silence when it suddenly stopped. All he could hear were loud deep breaths and he looked up. The fox was no longer grinning and its eyes narrowed.

"YOU HAVE TRIED TO KILL MY VESSEL FOR THE SECOND TIME. I WILL NOT LET YOU LIVE TO TRY AGAIN."

Inoichi saw Kyuubi's tail coming, but despite its size it moved with great speed. It struck him before he could react, throwing him into one of the bars. Something inside him cracked and he winced. He had to wonder if his technique worked as it usually did. Was his body receiving this damage? He had a horrible suspicion.

Naruto opened his eyes to familiar sewers and instinctively felt something was wrong. With no hesitation the blond sprinted along the corridor as fast as he could, kicking up millions of tiny murky water droplets as he moved.

He ran straight into the Kyuubi's prison room and his eyes took everything in. He had automatically heightened all his senses without even meaning to. He saw two figures he had hoped never to see again. Inoichi Yamanaka looked the same as the day Naruto had seen him last, but there was a difference. This time the Yamanaka clan head was the one in trouble. Naruto didn't consider why the Yamanaka had appeared inside Kyuubi's prison, rather than in the halls, or how he had gotten here at all. He didn't slow his step as he ran straight into the cage, just as a massive paw rushed towards the Yamanaka, who lay on the floor.

Inoichi just lay in pain and could do nothing as the massive paw came towards him. He didn't even realise that he and the beast were no longer alone. When the paw was only a few feet from hitting him, a figure came between him and his impending death.

"Rasengan!" A shining blue light was revealed as the figure put his right hand above and in front of him, his left hand supporting his right.

Naruto was forcing as much of his chakra as he could into his body as the paw hit. Even so he fell to one knee, but he didn't take his eyes off the target. The Rasengan began to eat into the padded foot of the monster. He saw that the damage was superficial as the beast howled in anger and raised its paw. The small wound, which the powerful technique had created, was already healing. The part of his brain that was not acting on instinct made a mental connection. Naruto realised now the technique that Inoichi had used. "Release the Shintenshin! Now!" He hadn't been hurt when he had last been released from here, but he didn't know if it was the same for the invading soul when mixing such a technique into situation.

Inoichi just stared as Naruto turned for a moment to face him. Only one thing was going through his mind. Naruto had saved his life.

Kyuubi put its healed paw back on the ground. It glared at the boy who contained him. He knew that he couldn't kill the boy here. Thanks to the Yamanaka both he and the boy would perish if he tried, but that didn't mean he couldn't hurt him.

Naruto took his eyes off the beast when Inoichi failed to do anything. "NOW!"

Inoichi's mind finally caught on and he formed the correct seal. "Kai!" Nothing happened. "KAI!!" Still nothing.

Naruto's eyes widened. "It's not w-" He was cut off when a titanic paw struck him hard in the side, sending the boy flying. He hit the floor with a thump some distance away from trapped Yamanaka.

Kurenai was nearly at the hospital when Naruto suddenly coughed up blood. A large bruise appeared on his face and his lip formed a large cut. "What the hell is going on?!" Luckily the bruise was already beginning to heal. The Jounin entered into the hospital and ran straight past the reception, straight to the emergency department.

Naruto shook his dazed head. He pushed himself off the ground and looked up at the demon, which had now turned its attention back to the Yamanaka.

Inoichi saw what he worryingly identified as a smile on the beast's face. He was sure whatever made the nine-tails happy would not bode well for him. He did his best to ignore the searing pain in his chest and back. He used chakra to support himself as he pushed himself to his feet.

"YOU LIKE TORTURE DON'T YOU. I WONDER HOW LONG THAT WILL REMAIN YOUR OPINION."

Inoichi saw the massive jaws come towards him, but when they closed in on him he realised that he wasn't going to die yet. It was little comfort as massive incisors clamped down on his right leg. He felt the bones in his leg crack and shatter in several places. When the jaw lifted up, the limb was bent and bleeding in several places. The Yamanaka fell back down to the ground, screaming.

Naruto had his arms back and his head down as he ran as fast as he could. He charged wind chakra into his hand and leapt towards Kyuubi's house-sized muzzle.

Kyuubi felt a searing pain down its face as a cut appeared across it. The cut was shallow to the fox, but it hurt none the less. Its eyes focused on the figure that was already back flipping away. Though the wound was nothing to the beast, it was beginning to get angrier.

"YOU ARE LUCKY THAN I CANNOT KILL YOU IN HERE BOY."

Naruto landed beside heavily injured man and looked the beast in the eyes. "Fuck you." He grabbed the man and pulled him towards the bars, clearly planning an escape. The demon had other ideas; however, and a claw came down.

Naruto didn't have time to do anything. His shoulder was pierced by the surprisingly sharp and small point of the massive claw. He hissed slightly, but otherwise ignored the pain as the claw hit his shoulder bone. As the animal's appendage lifted, he looked at the other ninja. The other man had not been so lucky. The claw had deeply penetrated his chest. As Ino's father took a breath in he could actually hear a hissing sound from his now punctured lung. Naruto glanced at the fox, but carried on pulling the man, ignoring his yelp of pain. Just as the paw came towards him again, he passed through the bars with a blue shimmer. This time the man made it through. The blond didn't realise at that moment this act consumed a large amount of his chakra. Naruto looked down at the man, who looked in a bad way. The problem was that he didn't know how to get out of here.

A massive body slammed against the bars, but rather than angry shouting, laughter erupted from the other side of the bars. A pair of glowing red eyes looked down at the pair.

"FOOL. TRYING TO SAVE ONE WHO TRIED TO KILL YOU. NO MATTER. HE WILL NOT SURVIVE."

Naruto didn't even bother responding as he looked around him, thinking hard.

Inoichi was in so much pain. He couldn't believe he was still conscious, but amazingly enough that wasn't what bothered him most. He looked up at Naruto. "N-Naruto….."

Naruto looked down at the man. "Don't speak. You're too weak."

Inoichi managed a wry smile. "T-The beast….i-is right N-Naruto….I'm dead….."

"Don't say t-" Naruto got no further when a hand grabbed his arm, in a vice like grip.

"I d-did an e-evil…t-thing….I canno…t even ask….f-forgiveness……I….t-thought….you….w-were….it." He glanced at the once again dark cage. Apparently they were of no further interest to the fox. When Naruto started to speak, the man's grip tightened. "I-I was wrong…… d-des…pite what…I…d-did to you……y-you tried to…..save…me….you're … a good person…. don't…..forget that Naruto." Inoichi's breathing became laboured and his eyes began to lose focus.

Before Naruto could say anything, the Yamanaka's body became too weak to maintain the technique and the world around him went black.

Akiko was trying to heal the wound on Naruto's shoulder, also trying to force down her rising panic. The wound was now only two inches in diameter, rather than the five it had been. She didn't know what was happening, but as long as her son was alright she didn't care. She just wanted her son to survive. This was certainly not how she had envisaged seeing her son once he had come back from his first real mission.

Abruptly Naruto took a deep breath in and sat upright. He looked around to see where he was. "Inoichi." Naruto ignored the protests of his mother as he got himself out of bed. Apparently there were other injuries and he limped slightly as he moved across the room to a pale looking Ino.

Akiko was even more confused now, not to mention worried. "Naruto-kun, what are you doing?!"

Naruto turned to the pink-haired medic and surprised Ino by picking the Yamanaka up bridal style. "Inoichi is dying." He ran to, and jumped straight through, the window. The third floor window.

Ino's mind was reeling at what Naruto had just said, but as with everything Naruto said she trusted it as the truth. Sure she had hated what her father had done, but she didn't want him to die. She closed her eyes in panic as she and Naruto smashed through the window and began to fall. She opened her eyes only when she felt their movement stop with a jolt and heard a grunt.

Naruto only paused to recover for a moment and sped off once more, back to where he had entered the village. He knew that the technique which had been used wasn't the same as the one Ino could use, but the man would have to be somewhere nearby. His passenger remained silent as Naruto heightened his hearing. In only a minute he was nearly at the entrance and could make out ragged breathing amongst the other sounds of the village. He continued to run in that direction. When he was about to hit the wall of a building, he jumped and the bottom of his feet stuck to the wall. He ran right up the side, with Ino secure in his arms, even as blood came fast out of the wound on his shoulder.

Naruto jumped onto the roof and his fears were realised. There lying in a growing pool of blood was Ino's father. Ino jumped from Naruto's arms as he let go, and she ran towards him. Naruto still got there first. The blond boy went straight to the chest wound and his hands turned green as chakra began to pour from his hands.

Ino took her fathers head in her lap, ignoring the blood, and tears began to fall. As tears hit her father's face his eyes flickered a few times and opened.

Inoichi looked up at his daughter, his special little girl. He always called her his little angel and that is what she looked like now. "Ino…..I'm so…s-sorry….I d-d..id…something terrible….."

Ino shook her head. "Tousan don't speak, you need your strength."

Inoichi just gave her a smile. His lips a worrying blue. "I-It wasn't N-Naruto…..he….tried…to save m..e….from Kyuubi….e-even….after…w-what I did….." His voice was getting weaker, but he managed to turn his head slightly to the blond boy who was trying desperately to treat him. "Y-You can…stop…it's over."

Naruto scowled, but didn't take his attention away from the massive chest wound. It was proving beyond him. He wasn't very good at regenerating blood and the wound was too large. He was heavily injured as well, but he was not ready to give up. "It isn't over yet!" He concentrated harder and his hands flared as more chakra came forth. He wondered why he seemed to have less chakra than he should, unknowing about the barrier around Kyuubi.

Inoichi felt guiltier than ever. The boy he had tried to kill twice, who he really had thought was a demon, was trying to save him. That meant, when he had thought he'd been tormenting a deserving demon all those years ago, he had been torturing an innocent four year old child. "Naruto….I…h-have no….right….b-but please….t-take care….of Ino." Though the Jounin knew Ino would still have her mother, she would need support of her friends and teammates.

Naruto scowled. "You can take care of her yourself. Just stop talking." The wound on his shoulder was beginning to become a problem. Because he was using so much chakra elsewhere, his wound had stopped healing and he was getting dizzy. "J-Just hold on." The Jounin's wound was getting smaller, but the blood loss with still significant and the man's body temperature had dropped heavily.

Ino looked down at her father. She wasn't kidding herself as to what was happening. "Tousan…I…love you…"

Inoichi's hand began to rise but he couldn't lift it. Ino took it and pulled it too her. His hand was deathly cold but he managed to squeeze hers gently. "I…love…you too Ino. T-tell…your…mother…I love her…..and I'm….sorry….so sorry." The man's eyes closed as his hand went limp.

Naruto felt the man's life leaving him. "NO!" He continued to push chakra into his hands, but it was flickering and unsteady.

Ino looked down at her father's form sadly. She looked at Naruto who was struggling so hard to save him, even though he was himself gravely ill. "N-Naruto……he's…..gone." Just saying it hurt her, but there was nothing anyone could do. "Stop."

Naruto didn't have much choice when the green chakra flared and died. "Ino, I'm so-" He couldn't finish as he fell onto his side, unconscious.

Ino panicked that she was going to lose two close people, but Akiko appeared moments later. She had seen the direction Naruto had gone, but it had taken her this long to catch up.

Akiko only needed one look at the scene to understand some of what had happened. Ino's father had died. She ran to her son's side. He was suffering chakra exhaustion and the wound on his shoulder was healing at a much slower rate than it usually would. She applied some of her own chakra to the wound and watched as it began to slowly close. She glanced at the girl nearby, who was looking at her father and glanced up at the pink-haired medic. Akiko nodded, letting her know that Naruto would be okay.

Ino stroked the cold face of her father. "Tousan…." She didn't know what else to do or say.

Yamanaka Inoichi's funeral had many in attendance. Yamanakas, Akimichis, Naras, various clan heads and their respective heirs had come to pay their respects to the fallen man. Those present included Inuzuka Tsume and Hana, Hyuuga Hiashi and Hinata. The Hyuuga heiress was holding her platinum-blond friend's shoulders. The tears that fell were silent, but painful none the less.

It surprised many that Hatake Naruto was in attendance. Despite Ino's doubts her mother had known nothing of her husband's deeds. They had tried to withhold the truth, but the woman had been able to detect the deceit. The truth could not be held from her and the whole story had been given to her. Ino's mother had been distraught that her deceased beloved had been capable of such a thing. It made his passing so much more painful, because she could never ask him why he did such a thing. What had been his misguided reasoning? Ino's mother needed to know Naruto forgave her husband. She would not be able to come to terms with her husband's death if his memory was marred in such a way. Naruto, who had seen the regret in the man's eyes as he died, found that it was surprisingly easy to forgive him for his heinous actions. It was so much harder to be angry with someone who was no longer living.

The official story was that the Yamanaka had suffered a brain haemorrhage. A delayed injury from a previous mission that had gone undetected. It was not unbelievable, considering the man had been very much on active duty. The clan head's body had been fixed up to support the story.

Naruto found it strange. Of all people to be comforting Ino's mother, it was he that held her shoulders as she wept. Grief was a peculiar and harsh thing indeed.

The Hokage stood in front of the collected group, standing on the green grass of the Yamanaka memorial site. The Hokage had already seen to it that Inoichi's name was added to the memorial stone, since it had been an injury received during service to his village that had caused his death. So it was believed. "I think Inoichi would be glad to see so many of his friends and peers here to say farewell……." The Hokage made a short but heartfelt speech on the Yamanaka clan head. There were nods and smiles throughout the group at appropriate moments.

Ino's mother knew she would be unable to speak, but Ino stepped up to the small stand beside the closed casket. She stood before the group, looking out at the crowd. She had all the words written down that she wanted to say. "I-" The words caught in her throat and a sob came forth. She clamped down on it, but knew that she wouldn't be able to talk. She was in too much turmoil.

Naruto noticed that no one seemed to know what to do. "Akina-san. I should…." He looked at Ino standing, more alone than she had ever been. The woman nodded and let Naruto go. He walked to his friend and teammate. "It's okay Ino."

Ino just looked at the casket. "Someone needs to say something." Her voice came out in a whisper. The Hokage had to speak at any clan head's funeral. She needed someone to speak because they wanted to honour her father.

Naruto looked at the casket, then at Ino, and he let his instincts guide him. Despite the past between them, the blond boy couldn't let this be it for the father of someone he cared for. Naruto turned to the crowd and took a breath. "I didn't know Yamanaka Inoichi very well." Ino was surprised he spoke but didn't try to stop him, and instead she leant into his shoulder. "For those like me, who were unfortunate enough not to know Inoichi, then look no further than his daughter Ino…." He looked down fondly at said girl in. "…to know everything important about him." Ino looked up in surprised at this. She was too emotional to speak but her attention was rapt, as was that of the crowd. "Ask yourself this. What kind of a man could raise such a daughter? Not only beautiful, but graceful and kind. Who protects her friends and family by choosing the path in life that she has. Who is honest and doesn't hide when things get hard. Ino is a girl I am proud and honoured to have as a teammate and a friend. That…." He looked around the crowd, some of whom couldn't hide their surprise. "…was who Inoichi was. A strong shinobi, a respected clan head, a good friend, a dutiful husband…but most of all a loving father." For emphasis he squeezed the shoulder of the girl beside him and led her back to the front of the crowd, where she stood next to her mother.

Naruto was surprised when he received a kiss on the cheek. He turned to see Ino's mother with tears, both happy and sad. Sad that she had lost her husband, but glad that she could see her husband as the man he had always been as he was laid to rest.

After the funeral Hinata, Kurenai, Naruto and Haku all walked Ino and her mother home. The two Yamanaka women entered their home holding each other for support, leaving the sombre group behind. Kurenai and Hinata went one way while Haku and Naruto went another.

Naruto turned towards Haku. He had not forgotten she was still feeling her own grief. "How are you doing Haku?"

Haku gave a tentative smile and nodded. "Better Naruto-sama. I am not the only person to feel grief. I have some……perspective."

Naruto understood what she was trying to say. "That's good Haku. I'm glad." He received a slightly larger smile this time.

Haku turned to Naruto and stopped. "I can never repay your kindness Naruto-sama, or Kakashi-san's and Akiko-san's, for letting me stay in your home. If there is anyway I can repay you….." She didn't know what to say. She had nothing to offer but the gesture.

Naruto looked at Haku, "If you mean that in earnest Haku….." He watched her pay close attention. "...call me Naruto. Your friendship is all I would ask of you." He chuckled at her expression, despite the events of the day. "Unless of course you wanted to teach me those one handed seals you do."

Naruto was only joking, but Haku found herself taking the matter more seriously. She had invented a new way of doing seals, but there was no reason why someone else couldn't learn them. With advanced enough chakra control and enough determination. She knew Naruto possessed both of in abundance. "I can teach you."

Naruto looked surprised. "Haku, I was kidding."

Haku nodded. "I am aware of that Naruto-s….Naruto, but it would be an honour to teach you…..my friend."

Naruto stopped any thoughts of refusing with those last two words. Haku was offering something as a friend and he could hardly refuse. "Thank you Haku, I'm touched. We should get home soon though, dinner will be nearly ready."

Naruto was sitting down to breakfast with Haku and his parents, when there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it." He stood, while his mother smiled and his father nodded in thanks.

Haku continued to eat. She was getting more comfortable with Naruto's parents. Akiko and Kakashi were both kind people, who had opened up their home to her. Like Naruto, they asked for nothing in return.

Naruto opened the front door to see a messenger Chuunin in front of him. "The Hokage wants to see you in his office immediately Hatake Naruto. He believed you would understand what he meant." With that, the Chuunin disappeared in a puff of smoke. Naruto returned kitchen.

"Ojisan wants to see me. I will be back right as soon as I am done Haku. Kaasan, Tousan, I'll see you later." Naruto grabbed one final bite of food.

Akiko, who was just about to leave for work anyway, got up and kissed her son on the forehead. "See you later."

Kakashi supposed he'd best be on his way, already an hour late to meet his team and he hadn't been to the memorial stone yet, "Tell the old man I said hello." He vanished in puff of smoke.

Naruto looked at the last person, aside from himself, in the kitchen. Haku nodded farewell, before the blond boy vanished in a puff of smoke.

When Naruto arrived in the Hokage office he was surprised that there was someone else other than who he'd been expecting, "Kuri-chan?"

He had only seen her four days ago, the day before the funeral, along with all his ANBU friends.

The Hokage coughed. "Kuri-san has asked me to witness a request she is about to make of you, though I am not aware of its nature."

The brown-haired Hyuuga woman stepped forward and took a scroll from a recess in her outfit. "I have something important I would like you to do for me Naruto-kun. It is no small thing."

Naruto's response was automatic. "Anything Kuri-chan, you know that." After recent events he appreciated his friends and family more than ever.

Despite her serious feelings, the Hyuuga woman smiled. "I expected no less from you Naruto-kun." Kuri turned towards the Hokage. "If you will bear with me Hokage-sama."

She turned once more to Naruto. "When we last met you told me that you had become friends with your teammates, who more or less know the extent of your abilities, and you admitted feeling a familial bond with them."

Naruto wasn't sure where this was going. The Hokage behind his desk patiently took a long puff on his pipe. "Yes?"

"Very few people know this…." She hesitated a moment. "I am Hinata's aunt." Kuri saw Naruto's stunned expression. "Indeed Hinata herself does not know. Her mother, Harumi, was my half-sister through our father. Even though we were half-sisters, we were as close as sisters could be. As a child I was not a typical Hyuuga. I was inquisitive, energetic and got myself into trouble on more than one occasion. Harumi was very similar to how Hinata herself is now, shy but with a good heart. She didn't stand up for herself, which was something I did in her stead as her big sister." The brown-haired, pale-eyed kunoichi smiled at fond memories. "But it had been decided at her birth, because our father had a good reputation in the clan, that Harumi was to marry Hiashi when she was of age. Harumi was too timid to object, but I fought against it... and that was my undoing. When Harumi had Hinata he forbid me from seeing her, fearing my influence on his child. This wouldn't have stopped me, but he threatened that if I risked tainting his daughter he would make her a branch family member. I really think that he meant it. When Hanabi was born Harumi died due to complications." A tear escaped her at the recollection. "I thought then that perhaps Hiashi would want a maternal figure in his daughters' lives, but the threat remained for Hinata and then Hanabi." Kuri was showing more emotion than Naruto had ever seen. "I lost my sister and my two nieces. The result, I became more like a good…cold…Hyuuga." She laughed bitterly. "But even that was not enough. Hiashi still kept me away." Naruto and the Hokage remained respectfully silent. "I have never been able to offer Hinata guidance or help of any kind, but when you told me how you had befriended Hinata it filled me with hope. I went away and wrote down everything I know, and could find, of Hyuuga clan techniques. In this scroll is sealed a further ten, which will help Hinata master what her father has given up teaching her. He thinks she is weak, but he is a fool. Someone like Hinata, she could be so strong if she is given the chance." She took Naruto's hand and placed the scroll in it. "I ask you Naruto to help Hinata. Train her. With your shadow clones and the training we did together you could help her so much." She looked up from the scroll into Naruto's eyes. "But I want you too teach her more. Our clan focuses too much on our techniques and as you know specialisation leads to weakness. I would ask you to teach her any of your own skills that you deem suitable." She put her hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Will you help me Naruto? Help me help Hinata?"

Naruto was unable to speak for a moment, the sadness of the story and the seriousness of the moment was severe. Finally he trusted himself. "Of course Kuri-chan. Even if I didn't know Hinata I would do this for you. I will train Hinata to the best of my ability." He noticed another tear run down the kunoichi's face as she smiled with gratitude. "And…I don't know when and I don't know how, but I will make it right between the two of you Kuri-chan. That's a promise."

Kuri looked down at Naruto, who had brought back some of the light that had left her life with her little sister, and for a moment as she embraced him she really believed.

Naruto was surprised by the intensity of the embrace. He had known Kuri for so long, and she had never shown such strong emotion as she had this day. "Kuri-chan?"

The Hyuuga looked up, already one step ahead of the blond. "Just tell Hinata that a Hyuuga owed you an Eye Debt. She'll understand and will not ask any more." She stood up straighter, more like her old self, though this didn't put Naruto at ease. "You must only tell those you have to Naruto-kun. I trust you, but sometimes the unexpected happens. That is why I wanted Hokage-sama to witness this. If the clan find out I passed you these documents I need the Hokage to be able to verify I was not betraying the clan, or I will be executed."

The Hokage got up. "Of course Kuri-san. I will draw up a record immediately to be held here."

The lavender-eyed woman bowed to the Hokage. She turned and tried to bow to Naruto, but a hand stopped her.

Naruto smiled under his mask, but it was visible in his eyes. "You never have to bow to me Kuri-chan. Even if I became the Hokage, I would always look up to you." He embraced the woman again, if just to see her face soften one more time. It made her look beautiful.

The absence of main branch family members didn't go unnoticed for long and soon the meeting finished. Naruto gave the Hokage a wave and was gone again in a puff of smoke, leaving the Hokage with only a large pile of paper for company.

Naruto stood with Haku in front of the gates of the Hyuuga compound. The blond had decided he would start teaching Hinata right away, out of respect for Kuri's request. He decided to leave Ino in peace for now, unsure how long it would be before she could face training.

One of the two guards, the one who had left with a message for the Hyuuga heir, returned a short time later with three people.

Naruto had hoped Hinata would come, but he was surprised that Ino and Kurenai were also there. "Ino-chan?" He remembered his manners. "Hinata-chan, Kurenai-sensei."

Ino managed a surprisingly cheerful smile in response. "Kurenai-sensei caught me on my way to see Hinata. I was coming to see you in a short while as well. I have a favour to ask you."

Naruto wondered about the second favour to be asked of him that day. "What can I do for you Ino-chan?"

Ino looked at the guards, who were not even looking, she didn't want others to hear it. "Shall we walk?"

While Haku greeted the others of the group they began to walk towards the destination Naruto had in mind.

For a moment Ino looked as if she had forgotten what she was going to ask as she stared in front of her, until she turned once again to Naruto. "Naruto-kun I want you to teach me, not just train with me. Kurenai-sensei is going to continue teaching me genjutsu, my uncle is going to train me more in my family techniques, but I would like you to teach me ninjutsu, taijutsu and kenjutsu...I know it's a lot to ask b-"

"Of course Ino-chan." Naruto didn't even have to think about helping his teammate.

Ino gave another smile and it warmed the blond boy's heart that she was able to. "Thank you Naruto-kun. I would still like to explain why though. As you know my father was the clan head, though I never mentioned it that makes me heir of the clan."

Naruto nearly stopped as he walked. It was entirely logical, but Naruto had never thought about it. Apparently Ino hadn't wanted people to know. The Yamanaka clan wasn't as big as the Hyuuga, or as big as the Uchiha had been, or even the Inuzuka. Still, it was a significant role.

Ino noticed his surprise. "Now tousan has..." She took a deep breath. "…gone my uncle is the clan head until I reach eighteen. I want to do my father proud and be a strong clan head when the time comes. That is why I want your help. I don't want to let the clan down."

Naruto wondered how many more surprises he was going to get today. "You would never let your clan down Ino-chan, but I will help you. However, there may be someone else who could be a better teacher in taijutsu and kenjutsu. I'll have to ask her. If she does not agree, I'll do my best for you."

"Thank you Naruto-kun." Ino was still emotional and her eyes began to water until she caught herself and changed the subject. "Why were you visiting Hinata anyway?"

Naruto had actually forgotten until he was reminded. "Right...Hinata." He turned to Hinata, who was already on the other side of him. "I have come across some scrolls that may help you with your training." He looked around and tried to sense if anyone was around. "The scrolls contain detailed information on Hyuuga techniques."

Hinata gasped. "N-Naruto-kun…. how?"

Naruto had to trust what Kuri had told him. "A Hyuuga friend of mine owed me an Eye Debt. I am obligated to keep their identity secret."

Hinata was astounded. An Eye Debt was an obligation a Hyuuga felt when an act was done by the debtor greater than saving the life of the Hyuuga, such as saving a family or to have protected the clan in someway. She didn't want to press Naruto on the matter, but was very interested in who the Hyuuga was and what Naruto had done for them. "Y-You c-called in an Eye Debt...for me?" She was deeply touched.

Naruto nodded. "You're my teammate and my friend. I can't think of anything I'd rather have than the ability to help you." Naruto felt a little guilty for saying this, since it made him seem better than he felt he was. "I have trained with Hyuuga and I know how to fight those of your clan effectively. I was going to ask if you wanted to start today. I can begin to teach Ino at the same time and Haku is going to be teaching me." Everyone looked intrigued by that.

Kurenai thought this was an appropriate time to bring up what she wanted to, sort of jumping on the bandwagon. "I think I should train you all in genjutsu. Naruto you are very strong and it seems a shame to leave such a weakness, as susceptibility to genjutsu, unchecked."

Naruto looked thoughtful for just a moment. "That would be great Kurenai-sensei. I never had the chance to learn anything but basic genjutsu. None of the people who trained me were genjutsu specialists such as yourself. Thank you."

This was the part Kurenai was nervous about. "I was wondering if...perhaps you would show me some of your ninjutsu techniques."

If Naruto was surprised he had more tact than to show it. "It seems we all have a lot to learn from each other. I'll see if I can convince my taijutsu and kenjutsu teacher to train Ino. Haku and Kurenai have their own styles already, and Hinata will be perfecting the gentle fist style. I think this could be good for everyone."

Haku couldn't hide her interest in the person who had taught Naruto the combat skills he had used against Zabuza so effectively. "Who is this teacher Naruto?"

Naruto smiled. "If they agree you'll meet them soon enough. I saw them yesterday and they didn't have any missions on for a few days. For now we're going to my favourite training ground. It's secluded away from prying eyes."

The kunoichi became curious and the group followed Naruto.

Ten minutes later the five shinobi stood in the secluded clearing, and they could understand what attracted the blond boy.

Kurenai was here to learn as well, but she was still the sensei. "Right Naruto you can teach today."

Naruto was not entirely prepared. "Well I don't know Hinata's and Ino's affinities, we'll look into that tomorrow, so for now I'll show you an intermediate Katon. It may prove difficult for both of you, Hinata, Ino. We'll need to work on your chakra reserves and stamina to get the most out of this in the long run, but we'll schedule everything properly tomorrow once I've spoken to my other sensei." Naruto formed seals slowly and took a deep breath. "Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu!" (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique) He placed his right hand to his mouth and let the breath out and a large flame rushed from the blond's mouth. His face was tilted up and the flames went over the kunoichi's heads. Naruto looked at the group again. "Okay, the seals were..."

Anko sat in her favourite food stand, the smell of dango practically making her drool. If Naruto didn't arrive soon she would have to order for him. She had dinner with Naruto at least once a week, assuming neither of them was on a mission, and they alternated between here and Naruto's favourite ramen stand. It was Naruto's turn to pay tonight, but he got off lightly as she didn't eat any where near as much as he did.

"Hey Anko-chan, how've you been?" The blond sat down, genuinely interested despite having only seen her the previous evening.

"Fine fine, let's order." Anko tended to be grumpy when she was hungry.

"I'll have what you're having." Naruto didn't mind dango, but he wasn't really keen on it like Anko.

Anko made the order as if her life depended on it, and luckily it wasn't long before the food came.

Naruto took a few bites of his food, the dango stick quite handy. It allowed him to easily remove his mask and take a bite before anyone saw. Though Anko had seen his face when he was younger, not even his mother had seen it for years. "Have I ever thanked you Anko-chan for teaching me all these years. Out of all the ANBU gang you have taught me the most."

Anko looked at Naruto with a little suspicion.

"You're a really good teacher, the dedication you sh-" Naruto was interrupted.

"What do you want Naruto-kun?" Anko still used the affectionate suffix, though she felt irritated. "If you need something from me just ask. Don't try and be sneaky, it's annoying."

Naruto realised he should have been straight from the start. He'd just never asked Anko anything like that which he was going to. "I was wondering how you would feel about...taking on a new student."

Anko paused from taking a bite of her meal. "No."

Naruto frowned, even for Anko that was a little bit curt. "Anko-chan p-"

"Naruto-kun, you've grown on me over the years and you know...well..." The purple-haired kunoichi knew she shouldn't uncomfortable being honest with him. "...I'm fond of you. I really enjoy teaching you, but I'm not a Jounin sensei and I'm not the sociable type. You know that."

Naruto had no real argument for this. "Anko-chan, I'll be honest with you. I'm asking because Ino-chan wants to be stronger and honour the memory of her father. I know it's not your responsibility to teach me, let alone anyone else, but I owe it to her as a friend and teammate to try and get you to teach her. You are a better teacher than I can be, and I still haven't finished learning from you. That's why I'm asking for your help Anko-chan. You're the best person I know for the job. I'm asking you to help her...for me."

Anko looked at Naruto, who meant more to her than even he knew. Despite her aversion to getting close to others, she didn't have it in her to deny him his heart felt request. "If she doesn't take it seriously I'll drop her in a second. You have to find her a blade." Anko hated caving in to people. The Jounin had a real soft spot for her blond friend and deep down she didn't really mind.

Naruto got up and gave the kunoichi a hug. "I don't care how you act or what you say Anko-chan, you're a big softie."

"Ha!" Despite her reaction a part of Anko was pleased at the words. "You had better warn her what to expect. You'll need those medic skills of yours. I'll begin teaching her the day after tomorrow." She didn't have to state where, there being really only one place she trained.

Naruto nodded and smiled to himself as he sat back down.

As the pair continued to eat Naruto couldn't help but think it was a real shame that no one else got to see Anko in the same light he did.

Smiling when one of your tenketsu points was sealed was not a typical reaction, but Naruto had to reassure the shy girl in front of him. "Good Hinata-chan." It had taken a lot of assurances and encouragement to get her to attack her teammate. Naruto spun chakra rapidly through his system and the closed tenketsu swirled open again. It was actually much more painful than having them closed.

Hinata, who had her bloodlimit activated, was stunned. "Y-You opened it again?"

Naruto's eyes showed his smile. "That's why I'm your perfect training partner. I can actually make it very hard for you to close them in the first place, but that wouldn't help you practice."

Hinata was a little relieved, knowing Naruto was fine as his clones were still with Haku, Kurenai and Ino. She had only just begun practicing her gentle fist style and her biggest weakness was her confidence. Naruto was helping her work through that with constant encouragement.

One of Naruto's clones was learning one handed seals, another genjutsu and yet another was teaching Ino more ninjutsu. The next day would be different still. Anko would give Ino her first taijutsu lesson and perhaps introduce kenjutsu, while Kurenai would teach Hinata genjutsu. Naruto would practice his own techniques, meditate and work on his stamina, which he had recently realised he took for granted. Haku worked on her own abilities, which revolved around her affinity for ice.

Naruto felt almost as if he was back at ANBU HQ he was learning so much. They only did a few D-Rank missions, and with henged Naruto clones they didn't even have to be in attendance for those. Most of his time was dedicated to improving his skills alongside his team and Haku.

Another tenketsu on his forearm was closed. Hinata was hesitating less as she saw Naruto recover quickly. Naruto could really see the potential in the quiet lavender-eyed girl.

Ino remembered Naruto's words of warning as she received a powerful kick to the side and was knocked back into a tree.

Anko resisted the urge to smile. When she had first seen Ino a few hours previously she had thought the girl was a spoilt brat, but Ino had surprised the snake-wielding Jounin with her determination. "Naruto-kun, we need your healing hands before we can continue."

Ino raised herself to her feet. "Anko-sensei, I'm f-" She hissed when a sharp pain caught her off guard.

Anko just looked at her new student. "Don't try and be as tough as Naruto-kun. Even I couldn't take the damage he does. Besides, I'm still teaching Naruto after seven years. Don't rush it." Her voice was stern, but not unkind.

Ino nodded thanks as Naruto came over from his group of clones and began to scan her side. It took him only a moment to locate the injury and begin healing it.

"Just a fracture, it's already healed." Naruto took his hands away from his teammate's side. "How's that feel?"

Ino moved herself a little. "A little tender, but I'm fine." She was already taking the stance Anko had taught her several hours earlier. She was exhausted but determined to continue.

Anko nodded approval. "Get ready."

As Ino dodged the Jounin, who was only moving a fraction of her full speed, Ino realised that the injuries she had received were a good way of keeping her motivated.

Naruto was once again surrounded by his clones, which were currently experimenting some more with his wind affinity.

The group of shinobi quickly settled into a routine. Five days of the week they trained as a group, everything from genjutsu to stamina training. Naruto still trained with Anko in the evenings, but it was just the two of them. Naruto pushed himself very hard on the days when his clones weren't doing mundane missions, and he continued to train after most of the team had finished. The damage he inflicted on his body was significant, especially his chakra coils, but every time he healed and was stronger afterwards.

On one of the two days he was supposed to have off, Naruto found himself around a bath house. Guided by the sound of girlish giggling, Naruto soon found who he was looking for. "Jiraiya-sama."

Jiraiya had heard that voice before and turned to see a blond girl shrouded only in mist. His nose began to bleed. He hated himself because he knew it was a henge, but what a henge. He was disappointed when the girl disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Naruto looked at the Sannin with an amused expression. "Now that I have your attention erosennin I want to ask you to train me. I need someone to teach me more ninjutsu."

"I already taught you some pretty good techniques gaki. Why should I teach you more?" Jiraiya sounded annoyed, there were scantily clad women currently going unobserved.

Naruto shrugged. "You don't appear to have a job, so I figured you'd have the time."

Jiraiya sweatdropped. "Give me a good reason."

Naruto hated bending his moral values, but it was for the greater good. "If you teach me once a week, beginning today, I'll leave you to peep in peace the rest of the week. Otherwise……" Naruto left the sentence unfinished.

Jiraiya looked thoughtful, actually glad the boy had asked him to teach him, but he had appearances to keep up. "Alright gaki, I have just the thing to teach you. One of my personal favourites. The Hari Jizo no jutsu." (Needle Guardian Technique)

The name didn't give much away to the blond, but everything that had been taught to him so far by the Sannin had been worth knowing. "Show me."

The Sannin once again ignored the boy's lack of respect. "Fine….."