Promises Made Chapter 11, a naruto fanfic

Promises Made

Chapter 11

The party was very tasteful, and everyone that had come were very polite and friendly.

The Hyuga clan members that were in attendance made Naruto extremely nervous as they came by and wished Naruto and Hinata the very best in their upcoming marriage. Naruto had never had so many kisses from women, and so many hand shakes or friendly pats before.

He was sure one of them were going to pinch him or shove him where no one could see it…but as more and more people made their way past and congratulated them he felt less nervous, but began to start to feel a little happy, a little more proud of himself, and the beautiful girl he was betrothed to.

Hinata was radiant as she graciously shook hands with other ladies as they congratulated her. She had a slight flush on her cheeks, but it seemed to be less due to embarrassment and more of something else.

At some point the throng slowed and Hinata jumped up and ran across to the refreshment table.

Naruto watched her curiously then grinned as she walked back with two glasses of punch and gave one to Naruto before sitting at his side again.

"Thank you Hina-chan…I was feeling thirsty!"

Hinata blushed cutely before taking a sip from her glass. "I was feeling nervous Naruto-kun…and I always drink something when I am really nervous...but you are welcome."

Naruto was wondering what she was nervous for when she leaned over and touched her forehead to the side of his and whispered. "There are so many people here…some I have never seen before, and big crowds make me nervous!"

Naruto smirked as he nodded. Wow, He thought to himself. I didn't know Hina-chan got nervous around people too!

This revelation made him feel a little giddier inside. It seemed that they seemed to have more in common then he would have thought as new revelations came to light. He turned his head slightly to the left until his ear was close to hers then quietly whispered. "Me too Hina-chan."

Hinata blinked in surprise but then they both whipped their heads around as there were a few bright flashes of light and a few people could be heard saying in a cute fashion, "Awwww."

Naruto and Hinata blinked as Izumi, Hiashi, Hizashi, and a few people that neither recognized fawned over them.

Both Hinata and Naruto blushed crimson but their hands found each other and became a reassuring anchor as they bore through the rest of the greeting throng.

Hiashi grinned as he watched the two. Yes it was a little cruel, but this was the beginning of their lives, and since he was their father, he and his wife had the right to take pictures for memories of this time…besides which, it was fun to watch them blush.

Izumi brandished her camera like it was a trophy after she got the picture and Hiashi leaned close to his wife and whispered, "I want at least one eight by ten so we can frame it in the family room."

Izumi nodded eagerly as she stood waiting for the next cute moment to capture.

It was hard to believe that just a few short months ago, Izumi seemed to hate the very existence of the boy, but it is a good thing indeed that some people could change.

Hizashi grinned before he leaned over and nudged his brother, smile slowly disappearing from his face.

Hiashi saw his brothers face and looked in the direction Hizashi looked and his hand clenched on his glass.

Through the entryway to the garden had walked in Takimoto and the strange little man that had accompanied him the last time he was in their home.

Hiashi and Hizashi both made an immediate beeline to where they stood, but Takimoto had already brought up his hands, palms facing them in a gesture of peace.

"I am not here for trouble Hiashi-sama…"

Hiashi gave him no chance to finish. "Then why are you here?" Hiashi's eyes smoldered as he glared at the man who so strenuously tried to take his son away from him, destroying not one but two lives in the process.

Takimoto shrugged and gave a lopsided grin. "To wish the happy couple my best of course. I know you do not believe me, but I do not have any harsh feelings over it, you won your bid and you get to adopt the child. It is my sincere hope that you really will take care of him as you have said."

Hizashi did not trust the man or his intentions, but unless he did something to warrant it, he would wait and see what Hiashi would say about the situation.

Hiashi grunted as he looked from the little man to Takimoto for a few seconds then gave a curt nod. "You are welcome to stay so long as you cause no trouble…but remember, this is not Konoha…so Konoha law does not completely apply. If you do something inappropriate, or illegal, you will answer to clan law. Do you understand?"

Takimoto nodded and the little man did as well as Hiashi turned his back and returned to the side of his wife.

Hizashi frowned as he joined Hiashi again at a much slower pace, and would look over to where Takimoto and his assistant talked. After a few glances he leaned closer to Hiashi. "Do you think it is wise to allow a wolf into our fold?"

Hiashi chuckled before shaking his head. "He is no wolf. His words and moves are as transparent as a shower door. When he makes his move, arrest him brother, and we will take it from there."

Hizashi blinked in surprise as he watched his brother smirk. "You think he is stupid enough to try something here…tonight?" Hiashi only grinned wider before he looked at his children again.

Hizashi smiled satisfied but focused his attention completely on the two strangers. "Gladly." He said with barely concealed glee.

Hiashi was about to sit down to eat with his wife and children when Sarutobi walked over and smacked him on the shoulder. "Well…we were able to pull that one out…barely. I don't know about you my friend, but it might be a good idea to be prepared for the next eventuality."

Hiashi nodded grimly as he focused on the third Hokage of the leaf village.

"Indeed. I have already come up with a plan to stave off what I know he is planning."

Sarutobi smiled in a friendly manner before taking a puff from his pipe. "I see. Will you be telling me this information, or will I have to win it from you in a game of dominoes later?"

Both shared a laugh.

Sarutobi was a good dominoes player, but both men knew that he was not Hiashi's equal. Still they both enjoyed playing together even though Sarutobi lost the majority of the time.

"No Sarutobi, I will gladly tell you, and I welcome you to come by and try your luck after the party. It should prove entertaining as always."

The Hokage laughed before blowing a smoke ring into the air. "At least you leave an old man his fantasies. I think there is a gambling curse in my family line…hopefully my granddaughter did not get it."

Hiashi shook his head, but did not comment as they both took seats close to the children and Hiashi's wife.

Naruto grinned as the first course of the meal was placed in front of him and Hinata.

He couldn't believe how delicious it looked and smelled!

Looking to his betrothed he blinked.

He was going to ask her what it was, but she looked as bewildered as he was.

Izumi leaned over to shed light upon the children's confusion. "It is a specialty dish that your father wanted to try, but since it is only meant for special occasions he decided we would all try it, so I hope you like it."

Naruto quirked an eyebrow at Izumi at the same time as Hinata leaned closer to him and asked the question on his mind. "What is it mother?"

Izumi smiled as she pointed to the dish. "It is a fish that is not indigenous to our land. It is called Salmon. This particular dish is grilled Salmon with a shrimp, crab, scallop, and lobster stuffing. The sauce on top I am told is a light honey mustard flavoring with a hint of horse radish. Supposedly it is a delicacy and very tasty, so please, give it a try?"

Naruto's mouth was watering, he LOVED seafood. And even Hinata looked anxious to taste the dish…but as they moved closer to their respective plates, a light tapping of a knife on a glass caught everyone's attention.

Hizashi stood with a wine glass in his hand and a huge grin on his face.

Once everyone was looking at him it was realized by most what he was about to do.

"Good evening all and welcome to my Niece and Nephews betrothal celebration. As the bearer of the family honor, I would like to say that even at this early age, the love they portray is both earnest and touching on many levels. I foresee a long and happy relationship between the two and much happiness in the Hyuga household." Holding up his glass Hizashi pronounced the toast, "To the Hyuga household!"

The gathered people repeated the toast then drank lightly of the wine and applauded lightly before Hiashi stood with his glass in hand. Looking over at the children he gestured and hesitantly Hinata and Naruto stood also, hands locked together as everyone watched them.

"Today is a doubly special day as I now have the legal right to adopt Naruto. While he is already our child in the eyes of the Hyuga clan, once the paperwork is finalized in the morning he will be ours in the eyes of Konoha as well."

Looking to Hinata he smiled. "My daughter Hinata is happily betrothed to the same person. Many do not know the reasoning for the betrothal, but it warms my heart to know that the depth of their feeling is more then any piece of paper or contract could ever create."

Everyone around the table smiled as Hiashi seemed to collect himself before continuing. "I rank this event as one of the highest pinnacles in my life. I have only known this joy twice before…the day I married my beautiful wife, and the day my beautiful daughter was born. It is my deepest hope that my two children will grow old together, with happiness in the deepest part of their hearts, and always with love and respect for each other."

Hiashi raised his glass high into the air before looking at Naruto and Hinata. "To the Fiancées!"

The crowd all raised their glasses and repeated the toast, while Naruto and Hinata also drank from their glasses. (sparkling cider)

As they were about to sit down however, from somewhere in the crowd someone yelled something that caught on like a match in a box of kindling.

Naruto couldn't make it out at first, but as it got closer, his and Hinata's face turned a little red.

"KISS!"

Takimoto smiled as the rest of the crowd took up the chant until most of the visitors and the household were chanting it to the children.

Hiashi did not look pleased, and neither did some of the clan council members, but his wife stood and leaned over and whispered something into his ear, and he begrudgingly nodded.

Takimoto waited until she was whispering to her children then nodded. "Go now. I hope you are successful."

The little man next to him nodded then slowly drifted back and disappeared into the throng.

The little man had served his cousin well…hopefully he would be able to finish what Takimoto tried to do on his own through the council.

Izumi leaned down and whispered to the children. "Ok…this is not hard, and it is so everyone will shut up and let the two of you eat alright?"

Hinata nodded and while Naruto was confused, he really wanted to eat so he wasn't going to argue.

Izumi's eyes twinkled a bit as she brought her camera out again. "Now you have seen me and your father kiss right?" As both children nodded she rubbed both of their backs. "Well that is all you have to do. Just a little one and then we can all eat."

Hinata seemed to accept it better now, but Naruto looked on the verge of tears.

Seeing his discomfort Hiashi leaned over. "What bothers you my son?"

Naruto looked lost for a minute before he turned big eyes to Hiashi. "You won't get mad daddy?"

Hiashi blinked as he recalled telling Naruto how he almost beat the tar out of him not to long ago. With a chuckle he reached over and rubbed Naruto's head, wishing he could at least do it without the mask being in the way. "No my son, I will not be mad…this is your night, yours and Hinata's…just no tongue." He said with a straight face.

Izumi blinked then hit her husband on the shoulder while Naruto and Hinata both screwed up their faces in disgust. "Ewww! Daddy that is so gross!"

Hiashi smirked before he leaned back in his chair again. Just wait until you're my age. He thought smugly.

Naruto and Hinata turned to look at each other, and both seemed to shrug as they closed their eyes and leaned forward. Both sets of lips got closer and closer until…CONTACT.

For a very small eternity, Hinata and Naruto's hearts both seemed to be hammering in time with each other. Fireworks exploded behind their eyes, and their breathing seemed to have stopped and nothing else registered on their brains. It was a moment that only they could feel but neither could describe at the same time and if anyone in the later parts of their lives asked them what their first kiss was like, both would look wistful and smile before mumbling, "Magic."

Although the kiss only took the length of three seconds, it seemed to go on forever until their lips came apart and their eyes opened to look at each other. Flash bulbs were going off all around them and people were clapping and some were cheering…but Naruto and Hinata's heads both dropped to look at their feet as their cheeks turned new shades of red, and both sets of their hands appeared to have developed the same habit simultaneously, index fingertips poking and prodding each other.

Izumi laughed happily as she hugged both children as they still blushed then kissed them both on the forehead. "Oh I am going to love putting these in a scrap book!" She exclaimed before nudging both children to their seats. Hinata and Naruto both sat as Izumi took her seat again and chattered with her neighbor about her plans for the photos.

Some of the Hyuga present seemed a little unhappy with the kiss, given the general attitude they possessed about public displays of affection and such, but the majority were genuinely happy for the children and didn't seem to mind.

Naruto was feeling self conscious as was Hinata. Neither had ever done more then hug each other or anyone else in public, and they weren't sure what to do now.

Naruto looked around then spied his uncle looking at them. After a couple of seconds Hizashi made a gesture with his hands that made Naruto blink. Hizashi frowned almost in exasperation before he pointed to Hinata, then to Naruto, than pushed his hands together.

Naruto blinked again, then nodded as understanding came to him before he turned to Hinata, scooted his chair closer to hers, then held her hand.

Hinata blushed cutely then squeezed his hand as she felt the familiar comfort return to her.

They smiled at each other before Hinata touched her chair to his and they sat as close together as possible, and finally started eating.

The food was spectacular.

Hiashi seemed very satisfied.

The courses he had selected were all of a foreign origin, all except one.

The soup course was a little unorthodox, but Hiashi was glad he had chosen it.

Ramen was not really considered a part of a food course, but Hiashi decided to give Teuchi, the owner of the Ichiraku ramen stand a chance to show him what he could put together and he had to admit, it was very tasty and seemed to flow well with the rest of the courses. Naruto especially seemed to like it…wolfing it down and looking for more after Hinata showed him how to eat it.

If the glow on Naruto's face was any indication, Teuchi now had a permanent customer.

Naruto smiled at his father as he once again held Hinata's hand. "Daddy, would it be appropriate for me to leave the table?"

Hiashi blinked as he realized, it had been three hours since Naruto had sat at the table and had not moved from it.

"Is there a problem my son?" Hiashi asked as his left eyebrow quirked.

Naruto grinned as he hopped up. "Well…I need to go to the bathroom." He said as he did a little dance. "But I didn't want to upset anyone if I left."

Hiashi chuckled then nodded. "That will be fine my son, go before you have an accident." Hiashi smirked but shooed Naruto in the general direction of the spare bathroom.

Hinata seeing Naruto go rather quickly, excused herself then ran to catch up to Naruto, almost tripping in the process. Kimonos were not designed for running.

They held hands as they reached the bathroom but before Naruto went in he looked at Hinata, still dancing a bit. "Do you want to go first Hina-chan?"

Hinata blushed and shook her head cutely. "No Naruto-kun, you go first, I have to…number two."

Naruto laughed as he closed the door and locked it.

They had come to an agreement he and she some time ago that if one went poop, the other avoided the bathroom for a little while so they would not embarrass each other.

Naruto hummed happily as he finally got the relief he had been hoping for, did his business, before flushing the toilet and washing his hands.

Tonight had been a very happy night. Everyone was happy for them, and the food was great, and Naruto had tried ramen for the first time.

It was awesome…but even more awesome was the kiss he and Hinata had shared. Never had he felt it's like or even imagined he would feel anything like it.

Everything seemed so right…so perfect as he blushed in the mirror at himself and the thoughts he was having.

HE would have to think about this more…kissing Hinata seemed so beautiful…I wonder if we could do it more often…and what was that thing otousan said about tongues? It seemed gross, but if it was why would he tell them about it?

Our little Naruto had never seen a French kiss before…but even though a part of him was repulsed, he wondered why people would touch tongues.

Naruto pondered this as he opened the door, but didn't immediately see Hinata until he stepped out and turned to the right leading further into the house, and then the room seemed to close in on him as his eyes locked onto the one form he thought he would never see again…

"Well." He said as he looked from one to the other. "I never expected to see the two of you together like this again…and betrothed to each other as well! This is a pleasant surprise."

The evil little man had changed, but nothing could hide the coldness in his eyes. The man had shaved all of his hair off, and he didn't wear his glasses anymore, but it was the same evil man that had broken Naruto months ago.

Hinata stood in the corner away from him, she shook in terror, and from the smell she had lost control of herself, but Naruto was torn and in his own world now, not caring about anything else as he confronted the most terrifying aspect of his life again.

A part of him screamed for him to drop to his knees and offer his head and hand to the man that trained him, the side that swore to protect Hinata wrestled with another part, forcing him to stand his ground, even screaming to attack the man who now stood between him and Hinata.

The man quirked an eyebrow at him and frowned as Naruto trembled, teeth gritted.

"Hmmm. You seem to have developed some bravery, this will never do."

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the box that Naruto came to fear more then anything else and Naruto's programming reasserted itself like a sledgehammer to the gut as he dropped to all fours, head staring six inches ahead of him, left hand above his head, palm facing the floor.

"No pain…good boy…"

The man smiled as he saw this then nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed…I am glad to see you haven't completely shrugged off your training, but I suppose we will have to give you a harsh lesson to be on the safe side."

The man pointed the box at Naruto, and he whimpered in fear as he braced for the surge that would disrupt his system, but a scream in front of him made him look up sharply.

Hinata stood trembling in front of the man…the evil man that had hurt Naruto many times in the past. She couldn't believe this…what was he doing in their family's house? How could he have found them?
Hinata wasn't sure, but she did remember one very important thing, this man had scared her!

The evil was like a foul smell rolling off of him as he came near, and Hinata backed up until she was against the wall.

His hand touched her cheek lightly and she trembled in fear, until she whimpered and the waste she was holding released from her quivering body, and tears started to fall from her eyes.

The man smiled grimly then backed away from her as he heard the toilet flush, and then the bathroom door open.

Naruto stepped out of the bathroom, than froze in horror as he saw the man standing there.

Hinata felt sorry for him, but she understood fully what he was feeling because she could feel it too.

As she watched, the man reached into a pocket and pulled out THE BOX!

Hinata remembered how it had hurt Naruto before, and as he dropped to the floor in his "submission" stance, Hinata felt an ugly sensation in the pit of her stomach. The sensation made her hands clench at her sides and her face redden in anger and as he pointed the box at Naruto she was overcome by such rage she screamed at the man before she leapt and landed behind him, striking all the way down the left side of his body from neck to calf, hitting various points, causing the man to grunt and jerk away from her with each subsequent strike!

Hinata had struck sixteen times, and in her rage it was completely possible she would have hit all thirty two this time, but the evil man spun around and struck Hinata aside with the hand holding the control box.

"That hurt you little bitch!!" he screamed as Hinata fell in slow motion in front of Naruto, and his eyes turned red when her body hit the floor. Naruto jumped to his feet as his mind reacted the same way Hinata's had.

"Hina-chan!!"

Naruto began to growl deep in the back of his throat as he refocused on the monster that would hurt his betrothed, and the man turned jerkily and pointed the box at Naruto again.

Naruto hesitated, and at that point the evil man decided he wasn't going to take anymore chances, he would zap the boy, kill the girl, then set it up to look like Naruto did it. It was the loss of a good training subject, but children were easy to come by he thought as he turned the dial to maximum and pressed the green button…

Naruto's eyes clenched shut as he waited for the current to smoke him like it always did, but after the sound of a soft hiss and sizzle, he opened his eyes to see the man fumbling with the dial, and mashing the button again and again.

Naruto slowly dropped to all fours again as he slowly crept forward, eyes intent on his prey. The man who hurt Hinata-chan…

The man's eyes opened wide in panic as he threw the box at Naruto, who very easily batted it aside.

The evil man was the one terrified now as he whirled around looking for a place to run…but with nowhere to go he looked down at Hinata who lay unconscious on the floor still.

As he was about to pounce on her, figuring he could use her as a shield or bargaining chip, Naruto landed on his back and wrapped his legs around his waist, locking his feet together around him before reaching up and wrapping his arms around the evil man's head.

Never before had he felt like this, not even when he killed the boys in the man's warehouse. He knew a white hot rage as he watched his koishii get struck down, but now…now it was something completely different…

The man was not physically strong, nor was he a fighter of any kind, so all he could do was fall forward with Naruto on top of him.

He tried to scrabble across the floor, but with only one working leg and arm, all he succeeded in doing was exhausting himself.

Naruto waited patiently until he stopped moving then in a dry, raspy voice whispered in the man's ear, "GOOD…BOY…" before wrenching the evil man's head savagely to the left.

Hizashi wandered through the halls until he came upon the dead man, a slight frown on his face as he recognized who it was, but in looking around he found nothing else to indicate what had happened.

Checking the body, he found the neck had been snapped clean and with such force the head was almost spun completely around.

Hizashi sighed as he took off his jacket and covered the face of the body.

Originally Hizashi had left to see what was taking Naruto and Hinata so long, but now he had to alert the house guard and his brother to what he found.

Hinata awoke in Naruto's arms as he staggered the final steps to their bedroom. He set her gently on her feet and opened the bedroom door, but as he went to pick Hinata up again, she stopped him with a gentle hand. "I..I'm awake Naruto-kun."

Naruto nodded but didn't say anything as he let her go in ahead of him.

Before he closed the door, Ama came down the hallway, a look of concern on her face.

"Naruto, the two of you are back from the party early, is everything ok?"

Naruto forced a smile and nodded at Ama. "Everything is fine, we were just tired and decided to come back early. If you see mother or father, could you tell them we are here?"

Ama nodded as she wrinkled her nose, and Naruto quietly closed the door and locked it.

Hinata called to Naruto from the bathroom and he strode over to see what she wanted.

She hesitated then in a much quieter voice she asked him. "Can..can you get me a c..clean pair of panties Naruto-kun?"

Naruto nodded to himself before he replied. "Sure Hina-chan, one second."

As he opened her nightstand he grabbed the first pair on top and took them too her just as she finished flushing the toilet.

She turned crimson as she took them from him and softly apologized.

Naruto blinked in confusion.

She looked up at him after she stepped into the tub, a hurt, sad look on her face.

"I was so scared, I didn't know what to do, and when he touched me…"

She visibly shivered, and felt herself almost gag as she grabbed the soap and began scrubbing her hands and arms. Naruto frowned as he reached down and gently took her hands then looked into her eyes. "Hina-chan, I'm sorry. If I had been stronger or smarter I would have been able to stop this before it happened."

Hinata shook her head, but before she could rebut what he said, a loud knock made them both look. Naruto growled lightly then shouted, "Who is it?"

As they both heard Hiashi's voice Hinata grabbed his arm in fright as she climbed from the tub and grabbed a bath robe. "Naruto-kun, please don't tell them! Mother will be so cross if she finds out I messed myself!" As he made a slight face her eyes pleaded with him as she squeezed his hand with both of hers. "Please!"

Naruto smiled sadly and Hinata could swear he looked older as he nodded. "Don't worry Hinata-chan…that at least I can do right."

Hinata's face fell as he turned and walked to the door and unlocked it.

As soon as Hizashi whispered to Hiashi what had transpired, Hiashi had broken the party up on the pretext that the happy couple were tired and needed to rest.

Once he had the guests ushering themselves out, he had every available guard search the grounds for his missing children. Hiashi and Izumi made their way quickly to the house proper where they lived, where they ran into Ama. With a smile she calmed them both then had them follow her to the children's room.

At the door Hiashi knocked but the harshness in Naruto's voice made him pause. "Who is it?"

Hiashi blinked as he looked at Izumi and then Ama who nodded to him. "Naruto-kun…it's me and your mother Izumi, please let us in?"

A few moments passed before they heard his feet approaching the door, then the lock was disengaged and the door slid aside.

Naruto looked haggard, like he had not slept in days but they knew this could not be true.

Hinata stepped out of the bathroom as they walked in and began to cry as she saw her mother and father.

Neither knew why she was crying, but Izumi rushed over and held her daughter as Hiashi looked to Naruto for an explanation.

Almost mechanically Naruto recounted what happened and who the man had been.

Hiashi blinked then summoned a guard and asked him to go find Sarutobi and his brother.

Hiashi tried to guide Naruto to the bed to have him sit, but Naruto's body, small as it was would not budge an inch.

Hiashi blinked in surprise as tears formed in Naruto's eyes then fell quietly as he backed towards the door.

"I'm sorry daddy, I failed. I tried, but I couldn't stop him from hurting her, I couldn't stop him from scaring her. I could only avenge her, and myself for what he did to me."

Hiashi stepped towards Naruto but as he flinched away from him Hiashi bounced his hands up and down to try and calm him. "No son it is ok, you are still young, still training, you did good. Hinata isn't hurt badly, and you are both still alive. All that matters; is you are alive and in time you can get better, you can get stronger and better able to protect her and yourself."

Naruto hesitated. He originally planned to make sure Hinata was safe, and then he was going to run, and he was going to keep running until his lungs gave out, and then he would rest before he got up and ran some more. It was unclear if he would have ever realized the situation was not his fault, but that thought left his head as a knock at the door made Izumi look up from her spot on the bed where she sat and held Hinata. "Come in." She said quietly before she went back to stroking Hinata's head.

Hizashi walked in and closed the door behind him and quietly took in the room and it's occupants before he looked to Hiashi's solemn expression. "We found HIM, and he is "waiting" down in the game room. Sarutobi has a suspicion and said he will investigate and talk to you later." At Hiashi's questioning look he smiled. "I had thought you would want to talk to Takimoto about his assistant, so after I talked to you, I told Sarutobi and we searched for him. He didn't make it very far before we caught him." Hiashi smiled at his brother, who's eyes opened wide for a second and he reached into a pocket. "Oh, and I found this in the room where we found the body after I was able to search it thoroughly."

Hizashi pilled out the black box as Naruto flinched and pulled as far away from it as he could.

Seeing Naruto's reaction Hiashi took it and carefully placed it on the dresser and held his hands up to Naruto.

"Daddy," Hinata said between sniffles. "That was the box that the mean man used to hurt Naruto-kun!"

Hiashi blinked as he considered. "So that was the man who originally hurt Naruto? The one that tried to make him do bad things?"

Hinata nodded and when Hiashi turned to look at Naruto he nodded to him as well.

"Well then it is a good thing you stopped him before he could use it!"

At Naruto's blank look Hiashi frowned. "What? What is the matter?"

Naruto shook his head.

"He did use it. Hinata tried to stop him and she hurt him bad enough that he had to hit her to stop her, but then he pressed the button, but nothing happened."

Hiashi looked stunned for a moment then came over to Naruto slowly, reaching up he cupped Naruto's face in his hands and smiled at him.
"I am not angry at you, in fact I am proud that you and Hinata were able to protect each other."

Naruto nodded quietly as Hiashi rubbed his sons head, but then stopped at the series of clasps on the back. Leaning forward Hiashi sniffed the mask then wrinkled his nose as the smell of burnt electronics greeted him. "Do you trust me my son?" He asked Naruto as he looked at him again.

Naruto flinched but nodded, staying still as Hiashi's fingers manipulated the first clasp, and it popped as he released it.

When nothing bad happened, Hiashi released the next, and then the next until the mask hung loosely on Naruto's head. Izumi, Hizashi, and Hinata closed on him as Hiashi stepped aside.

Hinata nodded to him, and slowly he reached up and grabbed the mask by the edges, and pulled it up and over his head.

When he didn't get shocked, and he didn't die, Naruto looked over at the mirror on the dresser as the mask fell from his fingers and dropped to the floor.

Hinata took his hand, and led him over to the mirror and they looked at his face together for the first time.

The tan lines would eventually go away, and his natural coloring would eventually blend everything back to normal, but Naruto was free.

He was finally free from the mask, and now the fear could finally leave him, he could finally let go.

Naruto reached up and touched his face as tears began to quietly fall from his eyes again. Hinata touched his face, then turned and hugged him, before Izumi and Hiashi hugged both of them, and Naruto cried.

Cried for his past, cried for his present, and finally cried happily for his future as his family gave him what he needed the most, love.

"Welcome home Naru-kun." Hinata whispered in his ear as they cried together. "Welcome home."

Hiashi looked at his hand again and frowned as he played his highest domino which Sarutobi immediately jumped on. "Fifteen! Must not be your night Hiashi!" Sarutobi smiled gleefully as Hiashi was forced to go into the bone yard again to find a matching domino.

Despite losing, Hiashi grinned at Sarutobi. "Actually, this is one of the best nights of my life…you winning is only a small thing. Naruto is free of the mask and the fear of someone hurting him through it, and at this time I am not afraid of anyone on the council trying to take Naruto away from me. In the morning we can finish out the paperwork, and when the next class starts at the academy, Naruto and Hinata will be enrolled in it."

Sarutobi nodded as he puffed on his pipe.

"Which will be in another few months, and to be honest, it will not be too soon. Once Naruto is enrolled in the academy, he is considered under my jurisdiction until he flunks out, or quits. I don't see him quitting, but flunking out…"

Hiashi slapped a domino down and growled at Sarutobi. "Perish the thought! Naruto will have the best of everything, I will see to that. If he needs tutoring, he will have it, and I will be damned if I let him fail when it is in my power to give him all the tools he needs!"

Sarutobi waved in a placating manner at Hiashi which made the clan head smile at him as he pounced on Sarutobi's play. "Twenty, and that puts me back in the game. You are only half a house ahead thanks to that mistake my friend."

Sarutobi grumbled a moment then considered his hand as he made his next play. "Replacing Takimoto on the civilian council won't be easy, but the list of crimes against him are long now that we have proof."

Hiashi grinned as he scored another ten points off Sarutobi then nodded. "Extortion, bribery, two charges of conspiracy to kidnap, interfering with the natural operation of the law, including treason…the list is fairly long. Under normal circumstances he would be sitting for quite some time in the Konoha prison."

Sarutobi chuckled as he made his play. "But these are far from normal circumstances aren't they?"

Hiashi got a blood thirsty look on his face as he grinned. "Indeed. Attempted Kidnapping of the Hyuga heiress, is still a capital punishment on Hyuga land…I did warn him."

Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe. "Still punishable by death?"

Hiashi nodded slightly as he played a double. "Beheading at dawn. Maybe he could have gotten out of it by claiming ignorance to his assistants crime, but when you discovered he was related to Dero, the man who had originally held Naruto and Hinata…Whatever happened to him?"

Sarutobi looked thoughtful for a moment before his eyes widened slightly. "Oh that is right, I had forgotten. There was a sign set up on the intersection that divides the industrial section from the city proper…rather gruesome warning to any who decided to break the law…I think he is still…hanging around there, along with some of his compatriots in the slave business.

Hiashi chuckled humorlessly before slapping down his final bone. "Domino! On your back…come on let's see them!"

Sarutobi grumbled then turned over his remaining two dominos, double three and three/five. "Fifteen points Sarutobi, how generous of you!"

Sarutobi grumbled again, but looked thoughtful as Hiashi turned the dominos over for him. "You know, you could tell him of his father now…he seems mature enough to take the news well."

Hiashi thought about it and shook his head. "On the outside I agree with you, but inside, he's still the child that nobody wanted. He understands love and kindness now, but Naruto is still too fragile for me to drop a bombshell like that on him. No I will wait for a few years and then we will sit him down and explain to him all we can. Hopefully, he will have completely recovered from his ordeals by then."

And as the two men played dominos, a young man lay in bed with his betrothed, wondering what he would do if he failed again…

Next Episode: School sucks, Don't leave me!