A Hero Forgotten

Inari ran away from his home. He could not stand them anymore. They couldn't get it; they couldn't understand how hopeless it all was. He remised over his past, remember the time he almost drowned.

Against the strength of the sea he was over powered. Reckless he had played by the edge of the sea, and when his dog fell into the ocean his fear gripped him. He couldn't swim but he still wanted to help his dog, His best friend. The other kids watching him knocked him into the sea. They mockingly asked him to go save his pet. Tazuna began to recite the boy's past to Team Seven.

"A fisherman named Kaiza traveled here seeking his fortunes, Inari and Kaiza became close after he saved the boy's life." Naruto could understand the boy's feelings. "They were inseparable and it didn't take long before he became family". Kakashi looked at Tazuna's eyes. "His father died before Inari could know him, that's probably why he bonded so fast".

Shino and Sakura remained silent as they watched Naruto closely. "Kaiza saved this city from a flood, when the water level threatened to take the area, he volunteered." "When Gato arrived he searched him out and put him down in front of everyone". Sakura inhaled sharply. Tazuna explained how they captured him and placed him in the center of the city to be an example.

On the charges of crimes against Gato organization he was executed. Made an example for all to see. "Inari from that day onward did not believe in heroes and the city joined him". Naruto got u from the table and fell hard.

"Naruto if you're going to train don't bother, you have used too much chakra already". Naruto turned to Kakashi with a smile. "I'm going out there to prove they're still heroes in this world". Naruto awoke within the forest.

Hours of training during the night had exhausted him. He never returned to the house. Sakura yawned and stretched tied. The rest of Team Seven did the same. Sakura noticed Naruto did not return. "Naruto didn't return last night you think he's okay?" "Without Naruto this team wouldn't be the same".

Shino thought to himself. Haku approached Naruto, he laid his hand on his throat. Naruto opened his eyes fully and noticed the "Girl". Haku was dressed in a female ninja attire. "You will catch a cold if you stay out here". Haku told Naruto. "You're out here pretty early lady". Haku noticed Naruto was oblivious to him. "You have a headband you must be a ninja". Haku replied changing the subject. "Why are you here?" Haku asked with genuine curiosity. Naruto smiled back. "I here to train". Haku asked him why exactly he wanted to do that.

"I want to be the strongest, and be recognized within my village and respected too". Haku moved closer dropping to a knee. "Do you have someone your trying to get stronger for?". Naruto looked puzzled why this would matter.

"When you have someone you're fighting for, that's when you can truly become strong". Haku got up and began walking away. "Let meet again when your stronger somewhere". Before he was out of Naruto hearing range he made a quick remark.

"Oh right I'm also a boy". Naruto eyes popped. "No way He's cuter than Sakura". Shino walked into the forest joining Naruto. Shino noticed Haku was a boy as he crossed paths. Seven days into their training they prepared for what was enviable.

Naruto was training in the forest while Sakura and Kakashi looked for him. Naruto reached the top of tree and was resting when he noticed them approaching. Kakashi was surprised to see this progress. Naruto got up and slipped off the branch. But he quickly regained his footing. Sakura moved to intercept then stopped. She looked to have had a heart attack.

She was more bonded to Naruto than she cared to admit. Naruto hung upside down showing off. Naruto fell as his chakra dissipated. Shino jumped in to intercept and grabbed Naruto's leg. Sakura looked ready to pass out.

Shino looked happy to be able to reach him. "Well I can see both of you have made amazing progress". He put his hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Let them have their moments". Tazuna looked at Kakashi as he entered his home. He approached him. "Why are you still with me?" Kakashi motioned he follow. "To abandon your duty is not courageous".

"Below the courageous is nothing". He explained that those where the previous Hokage's words. Kakashi did pushups as he spoke to Tazuna. Both Sakura and him sat on his back while he did a push up with a finger on one hand. Both him and Zabuza felt their strengths return. Zabuza and Haku left together no longer waiting. "It's best to strike now". Kakashi watched Shino and Naruto Return. They both looked exhausted to the breaking point. "Tomorrow you will guard Tazuna alongside Sakura.

" They reached the top of tree, impressing Kakashi. Inari burst into the room. He had watch them long enough. "Why do you train so hard? When you are all going to die?" He was crying afraid and bitter. "Are you done crying? Or are you going to cry all day?" Naruto left the room. Kakashi approached Inari. "May I sit down?" He sat alongside the boy. "We learned about your past from your grandfather". "Naruto didn't mean what he said, he just doesn't know how to express himself".

Inari looked up from the floor. "He had a more tragic past than yourself but I haven't seen him cry about it yet, he lost his parents when he was born". Kakashi continued on.

"He must have cried out all his tears, and all he does now is spend his time training to be stronger, to be recognized by his village". He explained what it meant to be strong, and the difference between strength and power. Naruto was left behind, as the others headed to the worksite.

Naruto had pushed himself too far and now he was too tired to awaken. Kakashi arrived with the others at the site to find they were dead already. A mist encircled him. Naruto woke up and rushed to get ready. He bust through the main door as he discovered they left him behind. Three ninjas appeared on each side alongside Zabuza. "Do it now Shino". Shino launched Kunai's and destroyed the water clones. Shino had noticed them earlier and was ready for them. In an instant they were all destroyed. "A rival has appeared". He told Haku. "It would appear".

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