Hinata's already head over heels for Naruto thanks to the kindness he's been showing her since they've meant. They'll be a good reason why he falls for her later in the story.
I'm damn sure not gonna pull some stupid "oh I love you all of a sudden thanks to a scarf and some memories" asspull like Kishimoto did with Naruto falling for Hinata in the last. That was the dumbest crap ever, and a total dissapointment. You had people waiting for over five hundred episodes for the NaruHina ship to sail, and when we finally get there there's no build up or anything. It just happens out of the blue. Don't get me wrong, I think the last was a good movie but how Naruto develops feelings for Hinata was the biggest asspull I've ever seen, and I've watched Dragonball for years now!
9K Words
Misconception and Correction
Konoha academy 11:13am
"Oh, I guess we'll be getting that taijustu match even sooner than we thought Hinata." Naruto said stepping inside the circle and looking at the now nervous Hyuga.
Hinata nodded her head and moved to stand opposite Naruto in the arena. She did her best to calm her nerves and keep herself from trembling but she was unable to do the later and she wasn't fully successful with the first.
They both got into a fighting stance and Iruka signaled the start of their match. Both first years rushed forward meeting each other in the middle of the sparing circle.
Naruto threw a right hook which Hinata dodged and countered with a left palm strike, Naruto knocked away her attack with an elbow and quickly threw another right hook towards the Hyuga.
Hinata knocked his hand away and moved her other arm forward launching a palm strike towards his chest. Naruto spun and Hinata leapt backwards avoiding the sweap, Naruto quickly rushed back towards her and began throwing a number of punches.
Hinata blocked most of them and deflected the others attempting to put some more space between her and the blonde who wasn't giving her a chance to counter but Naruto was having none of it.
She deflected his next attack and did something completely alien to the Hyuga's taijustu style. She spun into a circle and brought a leg around towards Naruto's head. He caught her by the ankle and observed the Hyuga with a delighted grin.
Hinata practically jumped as he did so. He looked to be enjoying himself which surprised her, she thought he'd probably see her as boring in a spar. Plus he was still holding her ankle as he grinned and she blushed slightly as she realized his hands were very warm.
If he really thought her a good enough opponent she'd do her best not to dissapoint. She bent her other leg and jumped off the ground kicking at him with the other, Naruto released her ankle and blocked the kick.
Hinata caught herself with her hands and quickly pushed off the ground and began charging Naruto with renewed vigor and a slight confidence boost. If she was good enough to challenge him maybe she was good enough to beat him.
She began attacking with a flurry of palm strikes not noticing in her excitement she'd began using the gentle fist in the wrong way.
Naruto had seen the nervousness drain from her face to be replaced with determination. He liked this side of Hinata, the Hyuga girl had too much potiental to be so unsure of herself all the time. That frown of determination she wore suited her much more than the nervous look she wore when she'd first stepped into the ring.
He hadn't known there'd been more than one style of the gentle fist either but this one suited Hinata much better in his opinion, it was more fluid in is movements, more flexible.
She threw another palm strike which he deflected and she spun launching two more which he dodged. She swung another palm strike towards him which he batted to the side and she launched another forcing him backwards before he could counter.
She moved back into arms reach and launched two pa jabs which he deftly weaved, she was spun again and Naruto backed out of the way of her next strike. She brought her arm forward launching another palm strike which he blocked, he threw a quick jab attempting to throw her off but she meant his jab with a palm strike and launched another which nearly managed to hit him.
She spun towards the ground and Naruto jumped over her sweep and she spun coming back up and launching a powerful strike towards the blondes stomach which he blocked before wincing at the strength behind the attack.
The attack pushed him back a bit and he rubbed the arm he'd blocked it with as Hinata adjusted her stance and observed him with the same look of determination.
"Hinata chan should fight like this more often." He thought knowing she was usually just a bundle of nerves whenever she fought.
He grinned and readjusted his stance as he'd need all his taijustu skill to win this.
The two rushed forward to meet each other and Naruto leapt into a spinning jump kick which Hinata ducked underneath of, she spun launching two palm jabs at him in a vertical swing.
Naruto tried to duck and launch himself backwards but he'd just landed and one of Hinata's fingers still managed to catch his side. He felt one of the muscles below his shoulder go numb and he looked at Hinata in surprise.
She didn't let up, she took a step forward and threw a palm jab towards the shoulder on his week side. He swatted her hand away and moved to launch a counter, her palm connected with his fist and he began throwing a number of quick jabs at her but every punch was meant with one of her palms.
Hinata seeing they were at a stalemate began launching a palm strike for every punch she blocked but Naruto began knocking her strikes aside with his elbows and the stalemate between the two continued.
Seeing this was going nowhere Naruto spun under her next strike and his foot shot out attempting to sweep Hinata's left leg from under her. She jumped over the sweep and raised her arms into an X as Naruto rose and connecting a solid hook into her guard.
Hinata's eyes widened as both her arms began to hurt from the punch and she realized just how much strength the blonde was packing.
She leapt backwards and jumped forward swinging at Naruto with a flurry of palm jabs he was hard pressed to avoid.
He didn't think she was even aware of her improvision concerning the gentle fist but it was really much better for her than the standard version.
Instead of launching a flurry of forward jabs and strikes she was launching a number of vertical and horizontal attacks that proved more harder to keep up with as every motion created another attack.
He'd attempt to throw a punch but she'd just redirect one of her jabs towards his wrist and he'd pull it back knowing he needed both his hands if he wanted to win this. He'd attempt to create some distance but she'd always rush forward before he had the time necessary to think clearly enough to find a solution.
He could continuesly avoid and block her attacks but eventually one of them would tire out. While he figured it'd be her to tire out sooner he'd rather win the fight on his own terms. If he had the use of his shadow clones he could win this but as far as pure taijustu was concerned she had him out matched. At least when she was fighting with confidence and determination she did.
He grinned and figured she'd end up winning this spare and there was nothing he could do about it besides waiting till she tired out, which he didn't want to do. He leapt backwards deciding he'd try a few unorthodoxed tactics that were a part of Imari and Inoha's regular fighting styles.
She rushed forward like he thought she would and Naruto literally threw himself to the ground taking a swipe at her legs. Hinata jumped backwards surprised at the tactic and Naruto rushed towards her before she could re-enter her stance.
He jumped into the air above her and spun forcing her backwards to avoid his punch and kick. She ran forward and he spun into his usual sweep but she'd expected as much and stopped just outside of his legs range.
Much to her surprise though she wasn't the only one who could predict her opponents actions and reactions and he leapt into a twirling back flip and brung his foot down towards her head. She quickly back pedaled wondering how his style suddenly became so different, and so unpredictable.
Naruto landed on his feet and cartwheeled into a front flip bringing an axe kick down onto a surprised Hinata's guard.
"That's Inoha's technique, he's been using parts of her and Imari's style. As long as he's fighting like this and keeping me away I won't be able to land a solid hit." She realized.
Naruto pushed down on her guard causing her legs to buckle and launched himself a short distance away.
Hinata's arms began screaming at her for rest. Blocking the powerful blondes strikes was definitely physically taxing and she knew she needed to end this fast if she wanted to win.
Naruto was actually surprised he could replicate some of Imari and Inoha's techniques so easily. He was more surprised that they actually seemed to be working on the Hyuga and he grinned wondering how proud they'd be if he won this spare using things he learned from watching them fight.
Hinata narrowed her eyes at his grin and told herself she wouldn't lose after she'd come so far, if Naruto could replicate other people's techniques to throw her off her game than she could too.
She ran towards him and launched another palm strike which Naruto prepared to step out of the way of until she balled her hand into a fist and redirected it a bit punching him hard in a jaw and causing him to stumble backwards a bit.
Naruto didn't have the time to get over his shock as she was upon him again launching a number of punches and palm strikes she alternated between as a way to make her moves harder to defend against. He noticed pretty quickly that she was using his style of fighting which wasn't at all any form of taijustu.
It was just what he'd picked up on through his number of experiences street fighting. It had no discernable flow or patern to it, it was completely random which only made it more unpredictable. It puzzled him that she'd been able to pick up on his style which wasn't even really a style.
"Hinata must really pay a lot of attention to my spares." He thought feeling somewhat honored someone actually paid that much attention to him.
While he was really appreciative the girl found him interesting enough to observe him to that extent during his battles her new tactics were pretty worrying. He was trying to create distance but he was already near the edge of the circle and to step back any further would basically be the same as giving her the win.
He needed distance and a bit of time to think to replicate Inoha and Imari's styles, they weren't something he was familiar with to the point that he could just do it on the fly. Hinata however was replicating his with ease demonstrating a great familiarity with something it should practically be impossible for someone to memorize.
He grinned seeing Hinata a bit differently than he had before. The only people he paid that much attention to were the people he looked up to and wanted to learn from like Shisui, Hamura, Inoha Imari and the others.
Hinata must look up to or admire him in some way he figured. He didn't think he was really worthy of such reverence but he really appreciated it none the less. It meant she didn't only see him as a potiental sparing partner but she saw him as someone worth admiring in a sense.
She acknowledged him for who he was, she was one of only a handful of people who'd actually decided to look deep enough to see. There was a strong chance the two could be good friends rather than just friendly sparing partners he decided.
Hinata knew from the look in Naruto's eyes he was thinking about something but she didn't bother concerning herself with what. In that moment her main focus, her only focus was getting the win. Naruto was near the edge of the circle, all she had to do was get one foot outside it.
The blonde stepped forward blocking another one of her attacks and surprising her as he'd taken a palm jab to the shoulder when he didn't need to, there was no way he'd be able to use that arm for the remaining duration of their spare.
He was now in her personal space though and he moved his left foot behind her right leg and pulled it backwards causing her to lose her balance as she quickly tried to bring her foot back down, but he pushed her backwards with his remaining arm and Hinata's eyes went wide at the knowledge that she was about to lose.
She used her right leg to kick him hard in the chest as she was falling pushing him backwards right before she hit the ground.
The entire assembly of students was completely silent as they stared on in amazement at the taijustu skills their fellow first years had just shown. Pretty soon all eyes turned towards their surprised looking sensei waiting for the man who was just as shocked as they were to announce the winner.
Iruka himself couldn't really say who'd won, something like this had never happened before during his time at the academy or his time instructing at it. Naruto had tripped Hinata causing her to fall but she'd kicked him pushing him out if the arena. As far as he could tell the very moment her back har touched the ground was the same moment Naruto had stepped out of the arena.
"Uh...the result of this match has been a draw! Congratulations Naruto and Hinata, both of you showed some amazing hand to hand combat abilities today." Iruka congratulated still surprised at the preformance of his new students.
The crowd of first years all broke out into cheers and conversation about the crazy battle they'd just witnessed.
Hinata smiled and moved to stand up when an excited looking Naruto offered her a hand and a cheerful grin.
"That was amazing Hinata chan! I can't believe you were able to replicate my street fighting! You must really watch me a lot during my battles?"
Hinata's face grew cheery red as she hurriedly shuffled to her feet shaking her head fervently and attempting to look anywhere but at the blonde as she spoke.
"W-W-W-Well I-I guess y-you could day that N-Naruto Kun..I-"
"It's okay Hinata." Naruto said placing a hand on her shoulder and interrupting her. "I like watching the shinobi I admire or think would make a good challenge for me too. Really I'm honored you payed such close attention to me during my fights."
"I gotta keep an eye on you from now on! You're really something else!"
Hinata didn't know how to reply. She felt her face warm more as she got butterflies in her stomach at both the blondes statements. She felt grateful when their teacher said it was time to head back inside and Naruto shot her another grin and a thumbs up before walking away.
She'd been getting light headed with him standing there smiling at her like she'd made his day. Much to her relief she could breath again now.
Konoha academy 11:36am
Imari and Inoha sat in the academies mess hall eating lunch with their friends from last year most of whom hadn't been skipped ahead a year.
Imari was glaring at the majority of them angrily as Inoha tried to understand what exactly it was they were saying.
"What do you guys mean we shouldn't hang out with Naruto?" Inoha asked unable to see any reason why they shouldn't.
"He's just bad news, nobody likes him, a lot of the adults call him a demon. They say only bad things happen to the people who hang around him."
"Yea! My dad told me no one in the village likes him. He said to stay away from him and anyone who hangs out with him." Another friend interjected.
"You dad sounds like a real jacka-"
Inoha cut her sister off seeing Imari was ready to explode at any moment.
"So you guys just let what other people say dictate your opinion?" Inoha questioned thinking maybe they didn't know any better if their parents had told them to stay away from him.
One of the girls frowned looking unsure of Inoha's comment before looking up.
"They're our parents Inoha, we sort of have to listen to them."
Inoha shook her head in a manner that suggested she thought differently.
"That doesn't mean you guys aren't capable of thinking for yourselves."
The group all frown at her words figuring she had a point but still..what they knew was what they knew.
"Well either way there's something wrong with the kid, there's no way the whole village would hate him for no reason. Plus I heard he doesn't even have any parents, he probably killed them or something." A boy a year older than the twins commented.
Imari balled her fist under the table and stood ready to launch herself across the table but Inoha grabbed her hand and pulled her back down.
"What do you even know about Naruto besides what it is you've been made to believe? If you look at something through a lens of fear there isn't really anything you'll be able to see past your own negative assumptions or those of others." Inoha said containing the anger that'd risen within her at the boys last comment.
"I'm pretty sure my dad wouldn't lie to me and they way everyone else avoids him has to mean something. No one would hate a person for no reason." The boy replied.
"He has a point though Inoha, that kid has to be some kind of a monster. It's not fear most people look at him with it's hate, that feeling couldn't have just come out of nowhere." Another girl commented.
"But what reason is actually good enough to hate a person as young as Naruto? There's no way he actually did something horrible enough to make the entire village hate him." Inoha said knowing whatever reason people had couldn't actually be something Naruto himself was the cause of.
"Either way that kids bad news. Our parents all told us to stay away from him. We're just tryna warn you guys."
"Warn us of what!?" Imari growled from beside Inoha.
"That the blonde demon kid is bad news! There's something wrong with him and if you guys hang around him you'll probably be-"
"Shut up." Inoha said shocking the group at the hostility in her voice.
They all looked at the Shimura lose for words and she let go of Imari's hand and rose from the table.
"Naruto wouldn't hurt anybody. You guys are sitting here calling him bad news because of what you heard from someone else. If anything that makes you guys the demons. Naruto would never stoop so low." She said turning away to leave.
Imari scowled at the shinobi hopefuls at the table before standing as well.
"Just for future reference I'd suggest you all watch what you say about Naruto. He's practically like our little brother, and none of you even know him, you have no right." She left without another word leaving her and her sisters former friends in an uncomfortable silence.
Her and Inoha walked to another table not far from theirs joining Neji, Izumi, and a few other third years who were eating in silence for the remainder of their lunch.
Although they both knew there was nothing wrong with Naruto they both couldn't help but ponder why some of the adults of the village would refer to Naruto as a demon. Surely there had to be some reason behind it, people didn't just say things like that for no reason.
It explained some of the weird looks they got when they were out with him in public. They both looked at each other and an understanding passed between them.
They'd be sure to get to the bottom of the source of all the villagers animosity towards Naruto. Whatever it was people were tricking themselves into believing about Naruto couldn't be true and it begged some serious correction.
Konoha Ninja academy: 4:32pm
The academy day began at 8:30am anf ended at 4:30pm. The first two hours consisted of basic knowledge like mathematics, basic science, chemistry, biology, history and that sort of thing. Reffered to as academics by the teachers.
10:30am to 11:30 consisted of single and or team sparing sessions, apparently they'd alternate every other day. Today had been single spars so they could expect team spars two days from now.
11:30 to 12:00 was lunch time, 12-1:00 they underwent tree climbing excersizes to hone their chakra control.
1:00 to 2:30 was taijustu practice, where they all were instructed and drilled in the academy's style of taijustu.2:30 to 3:30 was ninjustu practice, at the moment they were learning the transformation and the clone justu which much to Naruto's dismay was nothing like the shadow clone justu.
Regular clones were basically just Illusionary tricks of chakra and light that had no real solid form. While they couldn't be used to actually aid a shinobi in combat they could serve as excellent distractions or even bait in certain situations.
They took far less chakra too create, so little in fact Naruto found himself incapable of doing the just at first till he'd gotten a bright idea and created a new variant of the clone justu. The multi clone justu, but due to the miniscule amount of chakra they required he'd had to create near a hundred of them to get the justu right.
His sensei and the rest of the class had been shocked to the point of no one being able to speak for a while after that, everyone besides Hinata who'd congratulated him, and Shikamaru who remarked that Naruto was troublesome. Some other kids had called him a freak but he hadn't really cared for the jealousy or their opinions on him.3:30 to 4:30 was free period for second to third years where they were expected to take part in the extra classes that'd been added to the academy this year. While getting a good grade in them wasn't necessary to pass all students above year one were still expected to select and attend at least one of these classes.
First years spent that last hour of the day being schooled in basic shinobi knowledge though, yet another part of the academies academic studies.
While the school day ended at four thirty the academy didn't close till six. Anyone from first to third years who sought to advance further at a quicker pace could stick around till six o clock to take the extra curricular classes the academy was offering.
Naruto had decided he'd stay behind till six for stealth and infiltration classes which had surprised Inoha and Imari a great deal till he remarked he'd already had the loud aspects of combat figured pretty well and he wanted to round himself out more.
They didn't really know what to think about that since it didn't seem like something Naruto would usually think of but they figured it was probably an idea he'd gotten from Hatsue unaware that it'd actually been a suggestion from some they'd never expect.
They remarked that they'd be back to pick him up at six and Naruto chastised them for always trying to baby him but they just grinned before setting off in the direction towards their cousins compound intent on getting some answers.
Monogahi compound 4:57pmNubutaka was sitting in his office filling out the usual paperwork, academy business, orders to replenish the clans arsenal, shipments pertaining to all businesses the Monogahi had a hand in, and other things pertaining to that nature.
When Inoha and Imari burst into his office he hadn't bothered looking up knowing the only other people who did that were Shisui and Hamura who were away on mission at the moment. He raised an eyebrow knowing whatever reason his cousins had for bursting into his office would likely be an interesting one if anything.
"Why do the villagers hate Naruto?" Inoha asked not even fully inside the office yet.
Nubutaka's eyes widened slightly and he looked up regarding the two curiously wondering how best to skate around the question he knew he couldn't answer.
"How did you to manage to come to the conclusion that the villagers hate him?"
"Don't skate around the truth Buta sama, we know they do!" Imari said looking visibly upset.
Nubutaka wondered exactly what'd happened and then he realized Naruto wasn't with them which was odd, for the past five months one of the twins always shadowed the blonde. Between Jiriya and those two it was rare to see Naruto without someone possessing white hair.
"Where's Naruto?" He questioned frowning slightly as his mind quickly ran through a number of unsavory scenarios.
"He's at the academy staying behind for the bonus classes." Inoha answered easing the man's nerves a bit.
There was still the matter of their question to be delt with though. While he'd rather not keep things from his cousins, this was something people weren't even supposed to talk about. If you knew you knew..if you didn't you didn't, it was that simple.
"Look girls, even if I wanted to tell you I couldn't, it's not something we're permitted to talk about."
"But why!? Naruto can't really be a bad guy or some kind of a demon can he!?!? Why can't you tell us!?" Imari practically yelled slamming her hands on her cousins desk and causing him to sigh.
"It's not my place to tell you. What Naruto is to other people doesn't really matter, what he is to you is what you make him out to be. That's all you two should really concern yourselves about." Nubutaka replied evenly.
"But that doesn't answer our question!" Imari yelled back unrelenting.
"I've already said it isn't my place to answer that."
"But you have the answer so why don't yo-
Nubutaka began glaring at Imari and she backed away from his desk feeling a chill make it's way down her spine. Their cousin wasn't someone who got upset often but when he did his attitude was definitely one that inspired caution.
"I've already told you I can't, whether I want to or not, I can't..whether you want me to or not, I can't...orders are orders. If you two aren't here for a sparing session or something else I would appreciate it if you'd let me get back to my work." He said glaring for a moment longer before returning his attention back towards the papers on his desk.
Imari stared at him for a moment later till her frown returned and she opened her mouth only for Inoha to silence her by pulling on her sleeve and giving her a look that suggested it was time to go.
"We're sorry we bothered you about it." Inoha offered seeing Nubutaka really did seem bothered by the question.
"It's okay..nothing wrong with being curious about something pertaining to someone you care about." He replied not looking up from the papers he'd returned his attention to.
Imari was still frowning at her cousin as her sister pulled her out of the room. It hurt to know even he would keep certain things from them, maybe in the shinobi world duty really did come first, even before family.
"Come on." Inoha said tugging her by her wrist towards the compouds exit.
"Where are we going? If Nubu wouldn't tell us who will?" Imari asked figuring it'd just be best to head back to the academy at this point.
"Someone who has enough influence and ears within the village to know exactly what we wanna know, but doesn't care about the rules half as much as everyone else." She answered rolling her eyes when he sister really asked a question with such an obvious answer.
Imari's eyes widened slightly and she questioned herself on why she hadn't thought about that. The two stepped outside the compound and Inoha looked around not taking notice of or sensing any presence but knowing there was one near.
"Hey...whoever father has watching us at the moment, show yourselves!" She commanded surprising her sister slightly with how direct she could be.
A male and a female opperative seemingly appeared out of thin air flickering to stand in front of them and bowing respectfully onto one knee. Imari was also surprised by their behavior but Inoha seemingly hadn't taken notice or just didn't care.
"I only require one of you...the fastest of you. Go find my father and tell him that me and my sister request his presence at the compound."
The female NEE opperative nodded and flickered away while the other kneeled unmoving in a bow.
"You may return to your task as usual." She commented and the man nodded flickering away and seemingly disappering as he did so.
Imari looked at her sister in surprise and began to wonder when she'd gotten so strong, so confident, and commanding. When had she went from being the frail younger twin sister or Imari who'd always needed help and correction, to the strong commanding girl who now corrected Imari when she was wrong and kept her from being foolish in the times when she couldn't control her emotions.
When had her younger twin sister matured past her and grown so much while she'd basically stayed the same? She found she really had no idea, but it likely had something to do with Hatsue's influence and how Inoha always dotted on Naruto as if he'd disappear into smoke if she didn't.
Inoha was still the same but she'd changed and she hadn't even realized it. She felt like she should be proud but she felt hurt instead and even jealous of her growth to a certain extent.
As the two began making their way towards their compound Imari began to wonder if her older sister was even aware of the change and what exactly she'd think about it if she wasn't.
Shimura clan compound 5:39pm
Imari and Inoha had been waiting patiently at the compound for the last fourty or so minutes since they weren't allowed to enter NEE facilities yet and their father spent most of his time day and night at the hidden facilities.
They say in his office waiting on his arrival knowing he wouldn't be long as they'd never summonded him for anything before so he'd deem whatever it was they requested his presence for as important.
The door to the office slide open and the two bowed as Danzo walked past them to sit in the chair behind his desk before observing them both for a moment as if ensuring they were both uninjured. Anko had entered the office with the man and she now stood just behind him on his right side looking at them both curiously with a hint of worry.
"You both seem to be in perfect physical condition, no injures far as I can tell, no signs of a struggle or a battle. Why exactly have you two summonded me on such short notice when you've never opted to do so before?" The man questioned calmly, pleasing the twins who'd expected him to at least be a little annoyed they'd likely interrupted whatever it was he did while tending to his NEE program.
They both bowed their heads again keeping them down as Inoha spoke up.
"We're sorry for interrupting your work and calling on you at such short notice father but we've a question we know no one besides you would likely be capable or willing to answer for us."
"You may rise and give voice to this question of yours." Danzo said having an idea of what they'd ask him as there were only three questions that fit into that category.
The two rose and spared each other a short glance before Imari spoke.
"We'd like to know why exactly the villagers seem so unfond of Naruto and why exactly they call him a demon."
Danzo was unsurprised as he'd figured that'd be the question of the three the twins would most likely seek an answer to. Lately they'd been spending so much time around the boy the servents within his compound were even growing used to the sight of him.
Danzo happened to stumble upon him sparing with Inoha in the Shimura clan training field one day and he'd recommended to the blonde that he underwent stealth training. The boy if properly trained in the way of remaining undetected could create five shadow clones for each of the great villages and gain more intel in a week than most anbu would be able to gain in a month.
While Danzo was upset Sarutobi would deny him such a tool he still could see the boy being a benefit to the village in the long run, so he'd push him in the right direction when an opportunity presented itself.
Plus he was close to his daughters, Danzo could use that to influence him but it would take time of course, as would all things worthy of any actual effort. The Uchiha girl would only make any attempts he made to influence the boy harder but not impossible.
"Do you two really feel as if you're ready for the truth on the matter?" Danzo questioned knowing since they'd come this far there was little chance of them backing down.
The twins nodded feeling more than ready, they knew that with the truth their eyes would be opened to a number of other things. Like why Naruto seemed hesitant around new people as if unsure of how they'd react to his presence. Why people always acted anxious around Naruto as if he was a time bomb waiting to go off at a moments notice.
"Well then the answer to your question is a rather simple one but the story is actually anything but..I trust you both know that what I'm about to share with you is highly classified and doesn't leave this room?"
The twins nodded knowing that when they'd came in minutes ago. Danzo regarded them both critically for a moment before settling in his chair and explaining to them what the tailed beast were.
While slightly confused the twins paid close attention to his every word waiting for him to explain some sort of connection between the creatures and Naruto. When Danzo was sure they had a good understanding of what the tailed beast were he moved on to explaining how the villages utilitized the power of the creatures in the form of jinchuriki's.
Anko's eyes widened immediately as she quickly realized where he was going with this and the twins looked absolutely aghast as they realized exactly why people called Naruto a demon and why they tried their very hardest to stay away from the blonde.
Danzo continued onward giving them the full story of Naruto's inception, the identity of his parents, and the incident that lead to him becoming the newest vessel of the nine tails, and an object of hatred for the foolish villagers who hated the very thing that was keeping them safe.
By the end of his story and explaination both girls were completely silent.
Inoha trembled slightly and silently sheed tears over her sorrow for the young blonde she'd begun to look at as something of a little brother. Not only had Naruto been without love for the first five years of his life but all he'd ever received was hate for something beyond his control. She occasionally saw a look of sadness on his face as he watched other children his age play with friends or interact with their family.
He looked at the goods and wares sold at a number of vendor stalls throughout the village with interest and desire but would never approach them. Inoha realized the hate he received was exactly why, it's why he hesitated around people he didn't know, and why he was so kind to those who gave him a chance.
How someone who'd grown up by themselves surrounded by hate was so full of positivity was a mystery. It made Inoha feel greater sadness for his situation, and more appreciation for who he was. She understood now why Hatsue adored him so much. Against all odds he didn't let the way people acted towards him twist his mind or his heart.
Imari's thoughts were similar to Inoha's but her feelings were different, her fist were balled at her sides and while her eyes were wet her face was a mask of fury. She couldn't believe the third or the fourth Hokage, one had been cruel enough to subject his son to such torment while the other had been cruel enough to just ignore it.
She hated Konoha's leadership for keeping his heritage a secret, perhaps if they'd have known he was the fourths son they'd look at him differently. She hated the village cruel enough to gain safety from the blondes continued existence as a walking jail cell while hating him because of it.
Imari really wanted nothing more in that second than to just destroy something. She wanted to show the villagers what a monster or a demon could really look like so they'd realize they were wrong about Naruto.
Danzo observed them for a moment. The violet flecks in their eyes had brightened considerably almost turning their onxy shaded eyes purple. He told Anko she was free for the day and took his leave intent on getting back to work as usual.
Anko looked at the two for a minute and wondered exactly what it was that was going through their heads at the moment. She only recently experienced what it felt like to know someone you were fond of was a monster.
FLASHBACK
"I don't understand.." Anko said looking at her sensei in shock.
Orochimaru looked at her look of disbelief with one of understanding. The look she wore right now was the same look he'd worn when he'd been informed of the death of his parents. All of a sudden the world wasn't the same as it'd been only a moment ago. She knew what she heard was the truth but she wanted more than anything for it to be a lie, a part of her needed it to be, craved for it to be a lie more than anything.
He stooped down so he was on level with her and he could look her straight in the eyes.
"I know this may be hard for you to accept Anko chan but that's just the truth of the matter, and you had to find out eventually. I am an enemy of Konoha, Konoha's number one target in fact. The bounty on my head is nearly higher than any ever placed on anyone any the village before. Second only to the bounty Iwa placed on Minato Namikaze during the third great ninja war." Orochimaru said unable to hold back a smile at his last statement.
"But why sensei, why does the village want you dead? Why are you an enemy of Konoha, what did you do?" She asked in a voice that trembled slightly and made Orochimaru feel a bit of pity for the girl.
It was obvious she'd begun to look up to and even care for the man, and while he didn't encourage it he wouldn't stop her either.
"Because as far as the rest of the world is concerned I'm a bad man Anko. I've kidnapped, killed, tortured, and experimented on people for my own pleasure or benefit. That man you see-" Orochimaru said pointing to his latest guinea pig who he'd given Anko the honor of cutting open for him.
"-had no choice in participating in this little experiment of mine. He likely had a family who are still holding out hope that he will soon return to them...but he won't. He will serve as a test subject until he inevitably dies on the table, and I will have him replaced with someone else who had a life of their own."
Anko's vision blurred for a moment and she looked at her hands and realized she'd just helped her sensei to begin an experiment on an innocent man who likely did have a family who were likely praying for his safety and his return. She'd inevitable brought the man one step closer to a death he didn't deserve.
The thought gave rise to a sickness she'd never felt before and she quickly ran to the sink in the lab emptying her stomach contents down the drain. Orochimaru continued speaking knowing she'd hear him and pay attention to his every word as she always did.
"I've kidnapped and experimented on both shinobi and civilians from this village and I'm not likely to stop anytime soon. Their lives are all inconsequential to me...they are simply a means to an end. I care no more for them than a shinobi cares for a kunai, and that dear Anko is what makes me a monster. Some would call me evil but good and bad are both subjective to the views of those who choose to acknowledge such petty terms."
"As far as the rest of the world see's me I'm the biggest mistake the hidden leaf village has ever produced, and they are right to call me a monster. I would burn this place to the ground with no hesitation, only sparing thought to the lose of so many potiental test subjects. What the village thinks of me is no misconception."
Anko continued emptying her stomach into the sink and Orochimaru created a shadow clone to begin his next round of experiments since the test subject was already ready. He waited for Anko to finish curious as to her reaction. While she was throwing up he began explaining how he'd first begun experimenting on people and how he'd come to be discovered.
Soon he noticed she was finished and he stopped telling his story. Much to his surprise, when she turned to him her face held no fear or disgust, only slight anger and curiousity.
"If all that you say is true why are you working with my father?" Anko asked knowing he wasn't lying anymore. His stories were much too descriptive, much too full of emotion as his voice conveyed a disturbing amount of both fustration and delight at certain parts.
"Your father is a monster too Anko dear. He likely has me beaten in atrocities committed, but the difference between us is he commits them for the village, I don't." The snake replied seemingly indifferent about that piece of info.
Anko looked confused for a moment. She really didn't know how to reply or react to all that she'd just heard. Her face eventually straighten and her usual fire returned as she looked at Orochimaru with a slight frown.
"Well if he's just as much of a monster as you are there's no reason for my opinion of you to change. You're still my sensei after all, just like he's still my adoptive father."
Orochimaru's eyes widened slightly before he began to laugh at the spunky girls statement.
"Oh but it's every reason for your opinion of me to change Anko chan." He remarked grinning at her. "It lets you know that I'm someone you should always be cautious of..that I'm someone you can't trust."
Anko's eyes narrowed slightly before she said something she thought she'd never say to anyone after her mother's death.
"I trust you sensei." She said seriously, unsure of why exactly she trusted the man. Maybe because he felt like the father she never had.
Orochimaru tilted his head slightly and stood to his full height looking her in the eyes.
"You shouldn't." He remarked completely serious.
Anko said nothing because she already knew as much, and she knew he knew she knew. Trust no one, Danzo's first lesson to her and her sisters, and something she'd hardly needed to be taught. The snake man in front of her had his own way of disarming her however.
They both regarded each other in silence for a moment till Orochimaru chuckled and began making his way to the labs door.
"Let's get started on your training for the day shall we?"
Anko allowed herself to smile as she quickly moved to follow the man.
PRESENT
Anko moved to Inoha and placed a hand on her shoulder seeing her sister seemed to be ready to break down. Imari looked like she was ready to punch something and Anko didn't blame her. Naruto was a really good kid, it became obvious as day when spending something as short as ten minutes around him.
She could understand people seeing her father and her sensei as monsters but anyone who looked at Naruto as such had to either be stupid beyond reason or a total ass.
Maybe he housed a monster but that didn't make him such, shinobi housed the instincts of heartless murderers but not all of them were that. The part about his parents hit her hard though and it'd likely had the same affect on the twins. For both of them to die on the day he was born protecting the village just for the village to scorn their child wasn't far to either of them and it definitely wasn't far to Naruto.
Inoha suddenly looked up and Anko found herself surprised by the resolve she could see. It wasn't missed on her how much Inoha had grown in the past two years. She was stronger, more determined, less unsure of herself, and more mature.
Most would credit Hatsue for being a role model to the twins but only Danzo and Hatsue knew it was actually thanks Anko's influence. They both looked up to their older sister more than she would ever realize. Imari had matured a bit but not quite as much as her sister had, Imari had always been pretty mature for her age anyway.
Inoha looked at Imari who calmed a bit as she meant her sisters gaze and the two turned to look at Anko who's eyes widened after a moment.
"No!" She said sternly realizing this was exactly why Danzo had dismissed her from her duties for the day.
"But he has to know oneesan! As far as Naruto knows the villagers hate him just for being born!" Inoha said needing Anko to agree with her and Imari on this.
"Well telling him they hate him for being a hero wouldn't be much better! How do you think he'll react after hearing something like this? It could break him and end up turning him into an entirely different person than the Naruto we know!"
"He needs to know, he deserves to know!" Imari shouted knowing it might hurt him to find out but at the end of the day she really believed what she said.
"It isn't our place to tell him! We aren't even supposed to know, telling him could be seen as an act of treason!" She argued not wanting to fight her sisters over this.
"Treating the fourth Hokages final wish like it's nothing should be seen as an act of treason! Naruto is a hero, regardless of how anyone else feels about it he should know that!" Inoha said earning a nod from Imari.
"I forbid it!" Anko said not wanting to pull rank on her sisters, but she'd do what she had to.
"We're Shimura Anko chan, we bend the rules when it suits our needs, or we just step around them!"
Anko growled at Imari's words and shot her a scathing look of disapproval that made her involuntarily shiver.
"We only do that for the good of the village, not for what we perceive to be beneficial to our friends." She said in a threatening tone.
Inoha frowned at her sister and opened her mouth only to wind up cowering slightly as Anko turned the cold glare her way silencing her before she could speak.
"I'll hear no more of this." She commented coldly as her pressence began to fill the room and caused both twins to involuntarily shiver.
"You sound just like father!" Imari shouted unwilling to back down even if her sister was doing a very good job of convincing her she should at the moment.
"And what's wrong with sounding like him!? Shinobi don't get as far in life as he did by making foolish decisions!" Anko defended getting feed up with the conversation.
"Please oneesan!?" Inoha begged on the verge of tears yet again. She really didn't want to fight but she didn't know how she was supposed to face Naruto again without telling him.
Anko's expression softened slightly but she couldn't allow herself to waver in her decision.
"I'm sorry Inoha but my decision is finally." She said attempting to keep her voice stern.
Imari's frown turned into a glare of disgust and Anko felt her heart shatter slightly at the sight. Inoha fell down and began to cry freely and Anko really began to feel disgusted at herself.
"I'm sorry but I can't let either of you leave here till I have your word. You will not tell Naruto any of what you've heard here today."
Imari looked at her sister and turned back to Anko before she placed her hand in the seal of confrontation and glared at her sister with steel in her eyes as they became a full purple. Anko's eyes widened and she looked at Imari in disbelief and hurt unwilling to believe she'd fight her over the matter.
"You really feel strong enough about this to fight me? You know you won't win anyway don't you?" Anko asked really hoping Imari would just see reason.
"I don't want to fight you but I will if I have to." Imari said wanting Anko to just allow her and Inoha to leave.
Originally they'd hoped she'd agree with them on the matter since they looked to her for guidance but she knew now there was no chance she would agree with them now. She was fond of Naruto but not like they were.
Inoha stood and formed the same seal facing down Anko with Imari and sheeding more tears.
"We're sorry oneesan, but we know you can't beat us together. You can't hold us here so you'd might as well let us go." Inoha said trying to find her former strength.
Anko frowned knowing that was true. One on one she could take them but at the same time her odds were slim, but Inoha had been only half right. She'd have no problem holding them here if she so choosed.
She made a gesture with her hand and two NEE opperatives appeared at her side and two behind the girls.
Inoha looked at the opperatives in horror realizing they really had no choice but to give Anko a vow of silence if they wanted to leave. She could hold them here easily if she wanted.
Imari glared at the opperatives and created two shadow clones who each adopted a different stance. Inoha did exactly the same and Anko's eyes widened before narrowing at the foolish resolve of her sisters, they both knew there was no way they'd beat her and four fully trained NEE opperatives.
While she was irritated they insisted on trying anyway she still felt a great swell of pride, her younger sisters were growing up so fast. She sighed and raised her hand deciding it was now or never, she had to do it while she still had the heart.
She mad a gesture and all the anbu quickly dispersed disappering into nothing again.
"Hurry uo and go before I change my mind." She said rubbing the bridge of her nose trying to ease the building headache she knew yo be coming.
Imari and Inoha looked surprised along with their shadow clones before they all grinned and crashed into Anko hugging her fiercely causing the girl to groan and wish the shadow clones hadn't decided to join in. She couldn't help but smile as they thanked her and quickly made their way out of the compound right before their clones dispersed.
She seriously hoped she hadn't made a bad decision, that everything would turn out for the best.
Authors notes
I'll be making long chapters here and there but Idk, 9K words may just become my average from now on. I know I said I'd be giving you guys a fight with Neji and Izumi both showing what they're capable of with swords and a promise is a promise, I'll likely put that in the next chapter, 15 Part 4, unless I do a 15 Part 5. Don't worry tho, I'll never make a single chapter into more than five parts. That's what the long chapters will be for.
Dialogue
Kasuf: Who the heck are you listening to? I really like her and she sounds familiar.
Shy: Gumi.
Kasuf: Who the hell is that? o.O
Shy: A Vocaloid.
Kasuf: Oh, makes sense. You know I'm more of a Luka fan than anything, but I really like what I'm hearing.
Shy: Same but I love Gumi nearly just as much! :3
Kasuf: Her English is frikking amazing I'll say that much. I could really get into listeni-
Kabir: The fanfiction guys.
Shy: Ohhh, right! Summary's guys?
Kabir: Anko's a badass lol
Kasuf: Inoha was in this chapter too, Anko was the real badass in this chapter tho lol
Shy: When isn't Anko a badass tho? lol
Kasuf: True, Shikamaru is the man too though. I like how besides Hinata he was the only person to really give Naruto a challenge.
Kabir: Dude, what about Hinata's fight with Naruto though? I really like that you don't write her as some marshmallow, but she's still true to Hinata's character.
Kasuf: Broo, when Naruto started replicating Inoha and Imari's style I started cheesing, but when Hinata start replicating his I was like "oh shit!" :D
Kabir: I know right! That was pretty frikking awesome, I like how they tied at the end too.
Kasuf: Best ending to a spare ever. I know Sasuke was all shit faced on the sidelines.
Kabir: Lool, I'm hype for the next chapter though considering how this one ended.
Kasuf: Same but Shy definitely has us covered on a sneak peek though considering we just stocked up on those snacks and sodas she loves so much...right Shy?
Shy: *laughs*
Kabir: I'm guessing that's a no bro lol
Kasuf: See if I draw you another profile pic anytime soon Khajul.
Shy: Oh don't worry, you will because I'm the favorite. You guys can't help but spoil me. :3
Kabir: She's got you there bro, we don't even buy snacks for ourselves.
Shy: *evil laughter*