Disclaimer: No, I don't own Naruto. If I had the chance too, I think I would take bleach instead, I'm liking that better...anyway, still don't own this yet. Also, no profit is made in part of this fic, I never did it for the money.

A/N: Alright, chapter 11. Took me a bit longer than I wanted to get this done, but what can you do? So now, I believe it's time to get this story moving once again. More action, less walking and talking.

Also, give thanks to Narai Moroha, who's knowledge of the Japanese language has enriched the context of my story. Thanks alot dude!

Chapter 11: First Strike

"Gah!"

With a loud crash, yet another white clothed shinobi slammed into the dirt below. He gave a terse cry, supporting himself on his elbows, white eyes directed at their attacker.

"N-Neji-sama...why are you-!"

The attacker in question turned on the spot, delivering another fierce strike to the mid chest. The man coughed, blood splattering his white robes.

"Dammit...what do you want?"

Neji turned, the only one still standing had dropped his stance. He was wide open, one strike would end it. But he had something to ask first.

"What is your business with Hinata-sama? Why had uncle sent you?"

The last messenger hesitated, but only for a moment. The consequences of non-cooperation were clear.

"O-Ok, here...take this.."

Neji walked forward, snatching the scroll from the shaky grip of the man. Neji flipped it open, eyes scanning over the contents.

"I see...I'll go in your place, and assess the situation. I know Hinata better than anybody, even uncle. I'll tell weather or not she needs to be brought back. Till then..."

Neji did a flip, landing behind the messenger. Before he could even yelp in surprise, Neji hit him in the small of the back, dropping him instantly.

With not so much as a blink, Neji turned down the road towards his new destination, moving with a deliberate pace.

"What are you thinking Hinata? How could you take this mission, knowing full well how Hiashi-sama would react...?"

XxXxX

"Ahh...man is this boring..."

Naruto stood, leaning against the stone gate beside him, a bulky set of armor adorning his features and a cumbersome spear resting in his arm. His eyes lazily scanned over the forest before him, detecting nothing but a few rodents.

Naruto had taken up his shift at 8 PM. True, he was often taught in the academy that non-shinobi towns often had flawed defenses, but he didn't know just how flawed until he had taken up duty himself. And honestly, it was driving him crazy.

First off, the armor restricted movement, and the spears served no practical purpose. Swords are good for close range, and a throwing knife will hit a target at far.

Second, the town was surrounded by a swampy forest. It wasn't as lush as in Konoha, but it was still perfect for an ambush. There should be border scouts, but alas, none.

Finally, for all the complaining about attacks, the town didn't employ many guards. Five on each of the four sections of wall, ten at each gate. So in total, 40 guards. How these people had survived for so long, Naruto had no clue.

A crisp snapping sound woke Naruto from his internal rants, eyes scanning the forest.

Nothing, not that he could see anyway.

"Dammit, wish Hinata was here, I could use her help."

Perhaps due to her weaker than normal health, Hinata had still not awoken from her earlier fainting spell. Naruto had convinced the Guard that she would be on duty the next night, but Naruto wasn't so sure if it was good for her to be fighting.

"I really, really don't want to get Hinata hurt. I know that it's not her fault she got hurt, but I can tell, she's blaming herself. Why does she always have to blame herself...like I used to.

"I think one day, he just got sick of crying, of blaming himself. So he simply stopped."

Many Years Ago

"And stay away from my ramen stand you little demon!"

The old man shoved the five year old boy out into the rain, walking back through the flaps with a firm huff. Naruto stood up, eyes beginning to well up.

"Why...why does everybody...gah!"

Naruto broke down, falling to his knees and sobbing with intensity.

He had been doing it a lot these days. Crying that is. Everybody hated him, everybody. He didn't know what, but he knew they hated him for something he did, or was. It was his fault, all of it.

He knew he could only blame himself, but it still hurt all the same...

Naruto raised a fist, slamming it into the ground, his tears mingling with the pouring rain from the sky.

"Why!! What have I done!?! How can I fix it!? WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO!?!!"

Naruto shouted till his throat burned, then he fully collapsed, falling onto his stomach.

"It's not fair...what have I..."

Naruto let his head fall, blank eyes staring at nothing. He could die for all he cared. What would it matter anyhow?

"Um...are you ok?"

With no particular cause, Naruto raised his glance, his eyes meeting with a small figure, safe under an umbrella.

'So that's why the water stopped...'

It was a girl. She was clad in an intricate pink kimono, a contrast to her pale skin, and her short, black hair.

"Who...no, just go away."

The girl did the opposite, squatting down to shelter more of his face with the umbrella.

"W-Why are you lying out here? Y-You m-might catch a...a cold..."

Naruto answered the question with no particular interest.

"Who cares. Nobody cares about me...they just want me to die. I'm just doing them a favor."

"B-But somebody has t-to care about you! I mean...your parents-"

"MY PARENTS ARE DEAD!!"

The girl recoiled a few feet, and Naruto felt his face begin to be crushed by the cold rain once more.

But just as fast, the umbrella was replaced, and the girl was above him once more.

"S-So-Somebody m-must c-care about you..."

Naruto shook his head against the cold street.

"Nobody. Not a soul. I could just drop dead for all they care..."

"T-Then I care!"

Naruto widened his eyes, eyes moving to the girl above him. Her face held a defiant look underneath a blush.

"I-If nobody else will care about you...then...t-then I will! T-That way...you know t-that at least one person...will be s-sad if you die..."

"No..."

Naruto returned a blank look, head falling again.

"No...I have no right to have somebody care about me. It's my fault they all hate me...and so I have no right..."

"D-Don't blame yourself! I-If o-others d-d-don't respect you t-then...then it's their own fault!"

Naruto deadpanned.

"W-What?"

Never, not once in his entire life, had it dawned on him that it wasn't his fault. All the hate, the scorn, the killing auras, never once had it crossed his mind that he could not have been to blame for these feelings. Yet...

"It's not...my fault?"

The girl shook her head.

"Not at all. S-So please...t-take this and..."

The girl bent down lower handing a few hundred yen to Naruto.

"T-Take that a-and eat s-something warm. My dad won't let me h-have p-people over but...b-but please, take care of yourself."

The girl stood up, as did Naruto. Before he could say a single word, The girl handed him her umbrella, dashing away so fast afterwards that a small silver locket flew out from her Kimono.

"P-Please, don't die!"

And just like that she was gone. Naruto stood there, umbrella covering him from the harsh rain, staring into the direction of where the girl had once been.

He had recognized the locket, as well as those eyes. She was the girl from before, and once again he had neglected to ask her name.

"Hey daddy! Look! Look! That boy looks cold and hungry, we have to help him!"

"Be quiet and get back inside Ayame. That boy is-"

"What!? But mommy used to say to always help those in need! How can you not help him!? Daddy!!"

"F-Fine...Hey, punk! Get over here! You can have some ramen, so long as you can pay. You hear me!?"

Naruto clenched his fists, jerking up his head and scattering the tears from his face. From that point on he made a vow. He would never cry again because of other's hate. He wouldn't give them the pleasure.

"Yeah I hear ya! I've got the money old man, so start up some ramen!"

Present Time

Naruto gave an inward sigh, casting his gaze towards the moon. It wasn't quite full yet, but close, perhaps in two or three more days it would be full.

"I have to cheer Hinata up somehow...I know! I'll take her out to explore the town tomorrow! And then we can train, and maybe get her strength back a bit. I can ask the town doctor as well if they can do anything for her...yeah, that'll cheer her up, I know it will."

"Gah, would you stop ranting about your girlfriend for two minutes? How can I read with all this racket?"

Naruto threw the guard next to him a confused look.

"Girlfriend? The hell you talking about?"

The boy next to him gave a laugh.

"Oh come on. This Hinata person of course! She has to be your girlfriend, you're WAY too concerned about her for her not to be..."

Naruto flushed a bit, averting his gaze. Hinata, his girlfriend? That wasn't, that would never...

"N-No, it's not like that. She's my partner and my close friend."

The man shrugged.

"Don't believe ya. I sure as hell don't have any friends close enough to cause me to pause in thought for that long."

Naruto scowled.

"Gah, listen you bastard! Hinata is not my girlfriend!! Jesus, you're as annoying as Sasuke-teme!"

"And that's your boyfriend? Man, you sure are a player..."

Naruto's face grew red as he clenched his hands around his spear.

"You bastard, don't talk about my friends or me like-! Attack!!"

The guard across wiped the smirk off his face, adopting a confused look.

"Attack?"

Naruto crouched down, ready to spring.

"Yeah, I just saw a figure in the bushes. Too big for a rodent, too fast for anything bigger. It also had a weapon. Go alert the other gates, call up a full alert. GO!!"

The annoying guard nodded, running down the length of the wall. Naruto looked down to address the gate guards.

"You guys catch that?"

The guard closest nodded.

"Yeah! We're closing and fortifying the gate. Get inside!"

Naruto shook his head, jumping down outside the walls, cracking his knuckles with a smile.

"Oh no...I've got a job to do."

Naruto held his gaze, scanning the trees before him. He could see many figures, most en massing at one of two points. Before both gates. Typical bandit strategy, go for the most fortified spots. Idiots.

As Naruto began to plan, he heard a thump beside him, and he allowed for a quick glance. There, standing beside him, was the guard that had been teasing him about Hinata.

"W-What are you doing here?"

"I alerted the guard. They'll go to full alert in a few minutes, but it'll be too late by then, won't it?"

"Not that! What are you doing outside the walls?!"

The boy gave a small smile.

"Fighting. After all, I am the answer to your question."

Naruto returned with a blank stare.

"Wha?"

"I'm sure you were wondering how this town has survived for so long. It's because of my skills."

The boy threw down the spear, unsheathing a sword.

"I learned from a Sword-Master in Iwa. I lost count of how many bandits I've slain. So don't worry, I can hold my own against Shinobi."

Just then, an arrow whizzed past Naruto's head, missing by an inch. A shout was heard, and then a dozen more arrows, followed by a few hundred bandits emerged from the forest. Naruto put on a smile.

"Alright then, let's see if your skills match your mouth."

The boy's smile widened to a smirk.

"Get ready, you're about to be blown away."

Naruto matched the smirk.

"I'm counting on it."

It was the beginning of a powerful friendship.

XxXxX

Hiashi sat calmly in the courtyard, sipping his prize tea with Hanabi as he heard her recount her day. Just as he was about to comment on one of the antics of Konohamaru, a servant arrived in the courtyard, kneeling before Hiashi, who turned his head lazily.

"What is it?"

The man bowed lower.

"Hyuuga-sama, the men you sent after Hinata-sama have returned, severely wounded. The healthiest among them wishes to speak with you."

Hiashi gave a flash of annoyance, allowing it to pass before he turned to his daughter.

"I'll be back in a moment, Hanabi."

"Yes, father."

Hiashi rose, following the servant to the main room.

All the while his mind was filled with questions. Why had they failed? Why so early as to be the same day as have being sent out? Who had hurt them, the Uzumaki? And why had they not simply fled, but returned?

As Hiashi entered the room, he saw what "Most health" meant. The man was drawn and pale, perspiration running down his face. The results of nerve damage, easily carried out by an experienced gentle fist user...

"Well then, care to explain why you have shamed yourself further by returning?"

The wounded man bowed, wincing in pain as a result.

"I apologize Hyuuga-sama, but it is urgent. I must deliver a message to you!"

Despite himself, Hiashi was curious, "What message?"

The man gave another low bow.

"Neji-sama, heir to the Branch family, was the one to incapacitate us, and told me to inform Hyuuga-sama that he will assess the situation and, if necessary, take Hinata back with him."

Several emotions, anger, pride, and concern among them, bubbled to the surface of Hiashi's mind, but he kept a static face despite.

"Very well. Leave my sight and never show yourself again. You and your squad are exiled from the Hyuuga for your disgraceful failure."

"H-hai, Hyuuga-sama!"

Hiashi left the room, giving a sigh just as the door closed.

"Neji...what are you thinking? You have told me that nothing matters to you more than the well being of Hinata...and yet you defend the Uzumaki boy? For her best interests, we must separate her from that boy..."

"Oneechan wouldn't like that very much..."

Hiashi looked down, only to see his daughter standing beside him.

"And why is that?"

Hanabi gave a giggle.

"Because she has a HUGE crush on him! She's almost sick about herself with affection over the boy. If you read a paragraph of Hinata's diary, you'd know."

Hiashi deadpanned, this news taking time to fully process.

Hinata was...IN LOVE with the boy!? Things were much more serious than he had believed...

XxXxX

Hinata was, for the most part, completely out of it. And that's the way she would have stayed, had a giant explosion not suddenly rocked the very bed she was sleeping on.

Hinata flew upwards, the pain in her ribs sending her right back down. She cursed silently, struggling to stand. When she finally had, Hinata moved to the door, ready to greet whatever was on the other side.

What was there happened to be fleeing villagers, fire, and the sounds of battle. Hinata gasped, but her heart calmed when she saw that few bandits had breached the walls. One one small section had been blown apart, and there were two figures that were holding the flood of incoming bandits at bay. And one of them was...

"Naruto-kun!!

Hinata summoned her strength, taking off towards the breached gate.

XxXxX

Naruto threw his weight behind the ax he had just picked up, hurling it at another bandit, downing him as the blade entered his temple. Beside him, the boy cut down yet another bandit. For a non-shinobi, he had great skills.

"Gah! Die, you bastard!"

Naruto turned, slicing the man across the neck with his Kunai. Naruto had, originally, been trying to spare the lives of as many as possible. He halted this after several injuries, and a few bandits trying to attack him once again.

Now, he was simply cutting down one life after another. Perhaps that was better, it would strike more fear.

"Hey, these guys are getting on my nerves, coming one after another like rabbits. Don't ya got any bitch-ass ninja moves to down a bunch of 'em?"

Naruto cut another man across the face, a grin growing on his lips.

"Yeah, I have one."

Dropping his knife, Naruto gathered his chakra, making rapid hand-seals.

"Wind style, Cyclone of Rengoku no Jutsu!"

From his fingertips, Naruto sent a concentrated tornado, aimed at the incoming bandits. If anybody came into contact with the beam of wind, it would slice them to pieces, as well as increase the size of the cyclone. Naruto watched as his jutsu carved through almost all the bandits in his sight, no doubt cutting through the rear lines as well.

The survivors looked on in panic, eyes shifting as if not sure what to do. Then, in a moment of revelation, the bandits understood that, if they stayed, each one of them was dead. And so the remaining brigands dropped their weapons, running back towards the forest.

Naruto gave a sigh of relief, while the sword wielder let out a whistle.

"Not bad, that was quite a few baddies you downed...what's your name by the way? I'm Ranken, Ranken Kucouts."

Naruto laughed, taking the hand Ranken had extended.

"Uzumaki Naruto, and thanks. You're pretty good with that sword, not many non-shinobi can fight like that."

Ranken gave a nod.

"Yeah, I'm one of the few to graduate from my sensei's academy."

"Heh, that so..."

"Naruto-kun!"

Naruto turned, looking back towards town. A few villagers, as well as a guard and Hinata were running towards the pair.

"Naruto-kun! A-Are you ok? Y-You're not hurt...are you?"

Naruto shook his head but the blood that dripped down his head told otherwise. Hinata gasped, running forward.

"N-Naruto-kun...I'm sorry, I couldn't even...even h-help you."

Naruto shook his head.

"It's not your fault Hinata. Really, I got hurt for being an idiot and trying to spare the bastards...are you feeling better?"

Hinata nodded.

"Y-Yes...but for now...w-we need t-to get you t-to the d-d-doctor..."

Ranken walked past towards the guard, whispering in Naruto's ear as he passed.

"Girlfriend..."

Naruto blushed again, leaving Hinata confused.

"N-Naruto?"

"Nothing! L-Lets head to the doctor's place."

And so Naruto left, dragging a confused Hinata behind him.

And that's it! So, remember how I said I wasn't going to do another 1 month hiatus thing? Yeah...sorry bout that. I got project after project piled on me, and little time to write. I just finished all my work, and typed this ENTIRE chapter, save a few paragraphs at the beginning, in a single night.

Anyway, I'll try to update quicker next time. Till next time! Thanks for all the reviews!