Chunin Exams arc
Tears from the past
"This.. So he is the one who… you knew this?" Hiashi asked his wife, upon seeing her expression.
"I had suspected that it was him, yes," Hitomi admitted. "I told you before: we owe that boy a debt we can never repay."
"So why did he… they were after Hinata," Hiashi guessed before finishing his sentence.
"Yes, I assume they were. It would make sense. They would be after her, or after Hanabi, or me. I do not know for sure. He doesn't talk about it, and I have never asked. You know how he is."
"But surely you could have.."
"Even to my eyes, that boy is an enigma. He is quite competent in hiding himself, in case you did not notice that up till now."
"But Haruki. And Ako. They have to know about this.." Hiashi frowned, wondering if they had betrayed the clan.
"My cousin is loyal to that boy, Hiashi," Hitomi warned him. "The same goes for her. I suspect she got involved in a plot that was thwarted by Naruto. We know the boy can sense malice, so his trust in her should be sufficient, right?"
Hiashi grimaced, and massaged his forehead. Too many things happened all at once. He would question Naruto once this exam was over, but first he needed to focus on his brother. Hizashi's behaviour could not be left without repercussions. Hiashi could never allow this kind of transgressions.
"H-hey, what is going on?" Kiba was completely confused, as were Karin and Akamaru, who whined softly. Hinata had burst into tears for some reason they could not understand.
"There are a few things about Naruto that you should know now," Haruki said with a grim expression, and similar voice. "First of all, how he entered the Hyuga clan, because he saved Hinata-sama's life."
"I.. I heard a few things about that, yes," Kiba frowned. "She was kidnapped when she was but a child," he added when he saw Karin's look. "Naruto somehow helped saving her. Because of that, the Hyuga clan allowed Naruto to stay on the Hyuga complex, rather than sending him back to the orphanage he came from."
"Yes," Haruki nodded. "That's the gist of it. But what you probably do not know is that Naruto always felt like it was Hinata who saved him. Because he met her, he escaped the orphanages, and found a safe haven from all the hatred he was confronted with here in Konoha. His loyalty…"
Ako continued when Haruki paused, as he did not know how to continue. "Hinata-sama's position within the clan is a point of conflict. Many believe she is not suitable as the next head, especially the conservatives who see her mother's influence in her. That is why there had been a few… Accidents.. Well, over the years there were a few incidents, but the last two years nothing really happened."
"Nothing happened to Hinata-sama," Haruki continued with a frown, "But there were some other people in our clan that disappeared, or found dead. All of the dead shared one common characteristic: they suffered horrible burns and they all had the throats torn open, as if some wild animal had clawed at their bodies..."
"Wait… you don't want to say that…" Kiba uttered. "Those blazing claws? Naruto's jutsu? Is he.."
"Nearly two years ago," Ako cut him off. "A member of the main house forced me to add something to Hinata-sama's food…" Ako sighed. "That man used my seal to force me to obey, and even though I knew it was wrong I had to do it, because he threatened to kill my brother, who guarded Hinata-sama. That is why they used me, because Ko would never have suspected me. But Naruto interfered. He killed the man, and turned to me with… with red eyes. I thought I was going to die, just like that man from the main family. There was so much anger in those eyes. I knew I would die, just like how others from the branch had disappeared before. But Naruto said I was not to be blamed. That I was innocent… he made me swear that I would never tell anyone about this, unless he revealed it himself."
A single tear dripped from Ako's cheek. "And now he has shown the world his claws…"
"W-Why did he never.. Why did Naruto-kun never tell anyone?" Hinata asked with a quivering voice.
"He knew that these incidents were related, that it would be better if he remained in the shadows. Naruto knew he did not have the power to confront those who intended to hurt you directly," Haruki sighed. "He was too weak back then. But apparently he thinks things have changed. I warned him, back when I found out. I saw him, his arms drenched in blood. I knew that people would not believe him, because of his burden. Especially when people of much greater influence and reputation were involved."
"T-Then why.. Why did he kill.."
"He didn't kill anyone who did not deserve it," Ako said sharply.
"Calm down Ako," Haruki gestured. "Naruto never killed for the glory of it. He lived his life alone, so he never felt any reason to boast about his actions. I do not even know how many times he intervened. He always refused to talk about it. I know that several people have been found murdered, and even more have disappeared without a trace..."
"He did that.. Why? How did he get away.." Kiba frowned. "That stealth seal of his?"
"Yes," Haruki nodded. "No one ever saw him coming because of the stealth seal. That is also how he found out about the various schemes.. But still, I made him promise not to do anything unless it was to save lives. Well, your life that was, Hinata-sama."
"Why me," Hinata sniffed. "Why.."
"Naruto has always faced injustice," Ako frowned. "So much that he cannot tolerate it any longer when he sees others suffering the same fate. He says it doesn't bother him how people treat him, that he doesn't expect anything from others. But you all know better. Even though he never really talks about how he feels.."
Kiba nodded slowly, as he recalled how Naruto began to change after it was revealed who he really was. The silent and withdrawn boy had shown more of his gentle and friendly side. Even though Kiba was still thoroughly disturbed by the ease at which Naruto killed his opponents. They all had been prepared to take lives, during their education on the academy, but actually killing someone.. Small wonder Naruto was hardly disturbed by it, if he had already been fighting like this long before he even finished the academy. While the others were playing, pretending to be ninja, Naruto had been doing the real thing…
"I still don't get it.. Why Hinata.. Why is she a target?" Kiba grimaced.
"There is a large gap between the main house and the branch. While they are related in blood, one group rules over the other, and the latter act as little more than servants or slaves. We are bound by the seals that were put on her foreheads, so we are at the mercy of those who can invoke it," Haruki explained.
"With a single command an elder of the clan could kill us," Ako said with her annoyance clearly visible. "They abuse that power often enough, and the branch hates them for that. That hatred has only grown through the generations, while the answer of the main house has always been the same: increase their oppression."
"What does this have to do with it?" Karin asked.
"Hitomi-sama. She is the one who keeps Hiashi-sama more.. Lenient. That is why some of the elders wish her to die, but they are not able to touch her that easily. No one can touch Hitomi, without incurring the wrath of her husband. So they turn to the heir, the girl who resembles her mother so much," Haruki said harshly.
Hinata looked up with her teary eyes.
"You are as gentle as she always was," Haruki smiled gently, as he rummaged through her hair. "The elders fear that more than anything. If you assumed your righteous position.. They believe you would not allow the current system to remain. Your rule would destroy the foundation of their power, and would leave them unprotected against the branch's hatred. But when they look at your sister, they see the same sternness as Hiashi-sama often displays."
"And sadly, the branch is too stupid to see what is going on, and most are just consumed by a blind hatred at all those who do not have they heads marked. Like Neji," Ako added.
"They can't help it," Hinata said. "Neji is a victim, just like… that's why.. That's why I asked N-Naruto-kun not to kill him. H-He said he w-wanted to.." she stammered. "When he visited me in the hospital, he said he had sworn to kill Neji, in order to take revenge for what Neji had done to me."
"And you stopped him," Haruki said gently.
"I.. I asked him to.. He p-promised me he would not kill Neji."
"Nothing is ever simple with that guy, is it?" Kiba sighed, while Akamaru whined.
'So Naruto was behind all those that went missing or were found dead.. I always suspected that they were after Hinata,' Hiashi contemplated, taking the circumstances into account. 'Though, to think he went that far… did I still feel prejudice because of the Kyuubi no Kitsune? I should not have done that. His skill as a shinobi is far beyond anything I had expected. He toyed with Neji, yet that boy is a true genius, with a potential likely even greater than my own. How often did I not wish for him to be my own son, instead of Hizashi's? The jokes of fate are truly cruel.. The perfect heir is just there, but I have no choice but to punish him for breaking our laws,' Hiashi sighed. 'Brother.. Why did you create this mess? Why do you force me into this position?'
'So.. Neji's seal is defused for now..' Naruto thought. 'I should've infused sufficient chakra to make it last for a few years. Good thing I caught those idiots from the branch over the years..' Naruto grimaced. On several occasions, he had captured members of the branch who tried to harm Hinata. Because of the complexity, and the drastic consequences of failure, it had taken Naruto several 'attempts' before he could alter the cursed seal without having the subject die. It still, however, required an extremely painful method, but at least they lived. If things went according to plan, Neji would be free from the grasp of the main family, at least for as long as Naruto's chakra lasted.
Naruto doubted he could fully remove the cursed seal, at least not without either killing or permanently blinding the branch member.. And not when he did not have access to the methods the Hyuga used to seal their branch members. But this temporary freedom was better than nothing. After all, if Naruto had to leave Konoha with Jiraiya, Hinata was left unguarded. And Neji was skilled enough to do the job. And he would be the last one anyone expected to be her guard.
Well, not that Naruto trusted Neji, in the contrary. But Naruto knew one thing: Neji desired to be free from the branch. He desired that more than anything. And now, Naruto offered him two paths where he could gain freedom. First of all, if Hinata would become head of the Hyuga clan, Naruto believed that she would dismantle the entire cursed seal system. Secondly, as long as Naruto was willing to add chakra into Neji's now broken seal, their seal would not work. And as an added bonus, Naruto believed that I would be impossible for the main family to apply a new seal, because the old one was technically still there, even if Naruto broke it.
'Though I suppose it would be too optimistic to believe that the branch might side with Hinata.. Or me,' Naruto considered, as he once again thought about the consequences. 'I might offer the branch a way out, but I bet that there aren't that many people who want to be burned that way. Besides, the main might buy it if I said that busting Neji's seal was an accident, as I merely wanted to punish him.. But if they knew I was deliberately tampering with the seal.. I bet they wouldn't be all too happy,' Naruto chuckled darkly.
"Ah well.. First I have to wait and see if Neji is smart enough to accept my offer," Naruto mumbled. 'Can always kill him if he refuses.. After all, I honoured Hinata's request by not killing him today. But that request does not forbid me to possibly honour my own promise by killing him later, if necessary..' Naruto considered, feeling that the Kyuubi was amused by Naruto's way of thinking.
Whatever the Kyuubi may have been, Naruto knew it would not tolerate evil to exist.
'Perhaps it doesn't want the competition,' Naruto smirked.
"You two-legs should've paid more attention to the battle," Chie sighed after the group had been discussion Naruto's actions for a while, mostly ignoring what happened down below. "That bun-hair-two-leg pushed the cloaky-two-leg into a corner."
"Wait.. Bun-hair.. Who.." Kiba frowned. "You mean Tenten? Did she push Shino? Damn… Shino is quite good, so that's no easy feat!"
"Cloaky was forced to create some kind of bug barrier around him, to avoid being hit by bun girl's weapons," the cat continued. "Bun-two-leg pulled out a mace. And if I'm not mistaken she used whisker-two-leg's seal on that thing."
"She did," Haruki nodded. "She applied the weight seal on that mace, and knocked Shino out."
"S-Shino lost?" Hinata blinked.
"Not really," the cat shook her head. "It was a draw. Bun-two-leg had her chakra sucked dry during the fight, and she only used the last of her reserves to activate the seal. Bun-two-leg fell down when she landed, so they were both unable to continue."
Karin sighed. "I'm glad I did not have to continue. I wouldn't have had a chance against these people.."
"Have a little faith, loud-red-two-leg," Chie rebuked. "Anyway, the next match is already in progress. The grumpy-two-leg against a… is it male or female two-leg? Hmpf, I can't even see the difference. Neuter-two-leg it is.."
Just like the last time, Haku seemed to prefer keeping his distance from opponents. Sasuke already knew that the boy was a mid-range fighter, but getting close was surprisingly difficult. Sasuke was not too eager to show off the progress he made, not so soon. He knew he needed to hold back something, but this opponent needed to pay for the previous match.
'Damn.. I can't afford to hold back against Haku any longer,' Sasuke gritted his teeth. 'I know Kakashi said to only show my speed when I would face Naruto or Gaara, but this guy.. I can't catch him. He's too fast and too nimble.'
Considering his options, Sasuke decided to go full speed. At first, it seemed to work, as Haku only narrowly managed to avoid Sasuke's attacks.
"Seems like we have reached the same stalemate," Haku smiled. "Hyoton: demonic ice mirrors."
This went as Sasuke had expected, and because of that he was able to jump outside of the dome of ice mirrors. With his sharingan activated, Sasuke had easily seen the jutsu coming.
"That all you got? I thought you were faster than that," Sasuke smirked.
Haku looked at his opponent and wondered why the Uchiha tried to taunt him like this. Though the boy had certainly improved significantly since the last time they had fought. Certainly enough to justify the use of the demonic ice mirrors again. Previously, it had been more because Haku wanted to speed things up, because Zabuza might have been in need of his assistance.
But for some reason, the Uchiha did not seem to be bothered by the jutsu that defeated him so easily last time.
"Why the confidence?" Haku asked calmly.
Sasuke smirked, and started his jutsu. "Chidori," he said, as he charged at the mirrors nearest to him, and shattered three before stepping inside Haku's domain. With his sharingan active, he had seen how much chakra Haku had expended on the mirrors. And now it was all wasted, and Sasuke had the initiative.
Haku stepped out of one of the nearby mirrors and frowned when he saw the confident expression on Sasuke's face. "You know.. Last time, I did not even fight you with the intent to kill, so I do not understand why you think you've won with just that…"
Haku casually walked towards Sasuke. "Hyoton: frozen mist," he said.
With his sharingan still active, Sasuke saw the mirrors shatter and dissolve, spreading through the air. The moment he charged forward to attack Haku, the mist in front of the boy tightened up and formed a dome of ice protecting. Sasuke smirked. 'As if such a stupid thing will stop me..'
Throwing out a large fireball, Sasuke charged at the dome.
Only for the dome to shatter in pieces, revealing that Haku had vanished.
"What the.." Sasuke mumbled, looking around him in order to find his opponent. But the frozen mist also spread out chakra, effectively blocking Sasuke's view, as his sharingan was rendered useless.
"Did you think I would just wait for you to attack me?" Haku's voice sounded, somewhere from the mist. "You attack head-on, but don't seem to really have the patience to think of a proper strategy. I am actually disappointed that the rumoured Uchiha genius is not capable of more than this. I could understand the first time you lost, considering my advantage. But this time… you knew your enemy."
"SHUT UP!" Sasuke roared. "Katon: Hosenka no jutsu!"
Launching a volley of smaller fireballs, Sasuke tried to rip apart the mist. But it was pointless. Haku sighed at simply stepped forward, revealing his position. "You know, you really are stronger than I am, and still you are losing like this.."
Sasuke's answer was performing the chidori.
Haku shook his head as he saw Sasuke, with his chidori in front of him, charge right at him. With a single gesture, Haku created a single mirror in front of himself. Thinking Haku was cowering behind such a weak defence, Sasuke smirked and charged on.
Falling right into the mirror.
This had not been a mirror like the one Haku had used before, ones which only Haku could enter, but rather one that everyone could enter or leave. Well, if they had Haku's permission. And with permission, Sasuke had entered the mirror.
"Proud fool," Haku whispered, looking at the trapped Uchiha. 'But this jutsu drains too much of my chakra to sustain it much longer, whatever he may be, his chakra reserves certainly exceed my own by a large margin.. Though.. Not nearly as much as Naruto-san. Still, if I continue this too long, he will break free..'
As such, Haku turned the mirror, created another set of icy senbon, and released Sasuke.
Disoriented, Sasuke barely had the time to stand up, before Haku hit him with his senbon.
Paralysed, Sasuke fell down.
Beaten again..
Sakura gasped for air when she saw Haku form dozens of icy senbons and pierce the trapped Sasuke. She could not fathom that Sasuke.. The Sasuke would lose. Especially not to another genin. She ignored her inner voice which pointed at Naruto being stronger, and apologized to Lee and Choji before she ran down to the infirmary. Sure, she knew Haku had won last time, but Sakura had believed that Sasuke had been tricked somehow. Well, not that she knew the details, because he pertinently refused to talk about that day.
'Surely, Sasuke will be happy to see me,' she thought. Though, any other would have warned her to stay away from the wounded Uchiha. Because, it would be his pride that was wounded the most, after being defeated in front of everyone.
"That was.. Unexpected," Shikamaru groaned. "Dammit. Now I have to go down there."
Naruto looked at the lazy genin, the only one who dared to get close to him after he had walked up. Though Gaara had not stopped staring at him, but his siblings stood between them.
"Perhaps, but Haku defeated Sasuke before," Naruto shrugged. "I'd say Sasuke has grown quite a lot, to be able to push Haku this much. As for that puppet guy.. Well, the easiest method seems to be to aim at the guy himself, not at his puppets. He doesn't seem the taijutsu kind of guy."
"I know that," Shikamaru grimaced. "But thanks anyway," he sighed. "Dammit, all you guys put up amazing fights, and now they expect something like that from someone as lame as me too…"
"We all have different talents. It's not like only the winner gets promoted, right? Just impress the old man," Naruto patted Shikamaru on his shoulder. "And don't forget that it would be even more 'troublesome' if you had to take this exam a second time," Naruto chuckled, causing the lazy genin to scowl.
"The next match will be between Kankuro of Sunagakure and Nara Shikamaru of Konoha," Genma announced, wondering why they had not shown up yet. "Report down here in two minutes, or you'll be disqualified according to the standard procedures."
Shikamaru turned and started to walk to the stairs when Kankuro spoke up. "I forfeit the match," he shouted at Genma. "My puppets got damaged during the preliminaries, and I did not have the chance to properly repair them."
Naruto looked at the painted genin. He did not have the byakugan, but he didn't need it to see that Kankuro was lying. This was not the type of guy who couldn't repair his tools if he had a whole month of time to do it. This guy was no amateur, but rather someone completely obsessed with his puppets.. There had to be another reason why forfeited… 'What is Sunagakure planning?' he frowned.
Shikamaru had similar thoughts, and he looked at Naruto who answered his suspicions. "This isn't good," the blond whispered. Shikamaru nodded and turned towards Ino, who now had her match against the other sand sibling, Temari.
"Be careful," he warned Ino as she passed by. He knew she was happy to face Temari, so she could 'avenge' Choji, but he agreed with Naruto: something did not add up. 'The strange actions from Naruto.. The preparations from nearly all the jonin in our village who seem to expect something to happen.. That psychopath Gaara.. And now this guy who forfeits for some implausible reason. What is Sunagakure planning to do?'
"Start!" Genma shouted.
Temari looked at her opponent and smiled. "Too easy, they should've given me a proper opponent," she sneered as she fully opened her war fan. Knowing that the opponent had seen her strongest jutsu, and that the older kunoichi was also likely stronger at taijutsu, Ino leaped backwards, but was too late. "Futon: kazekiri no jutsu!" was the last she heard before a giant wave of wind blew her away.
Genma ended the match after the unconscious Ino slipped down from the wall in which she had crashed.
"Woah," Shikamaru exclaimed with his eyes wide open.
"That was rather vicious," Naruto frowned. "Damn, fighting her would be rather troublesome, don't you think?" he added sarcastically, looking at Shikamaru.
"Laugh it out," Shikamaru replied with an exasperated tone, knowing he had to face her in the next round. "Damn, I think I could just as well forfeit, like you…"
"Who ever said that I would forfeit?" Naruto smirked.
"But the jonin said.."
"I know," Naruto nodded. "But it's not like I care."
"You should be careful though, even you, Uzumaki-san," Haku said as he walked towards them. Gaara had already disappeared in a cloud of said, reappearing down on the ground. "Sabaku no Gaara will be no ordinary opponent."
Naruto stretched out, and smiled a bit. "Thanks for your concern Haku, but I'll probably be fine. I'm not that ordinary either.."
He looked around and gestured him and Shikamaru to get closer. "I would not be surprised if Sunagakure does something strange once the match in on its way. You both should be careful, and if it is necessary, make sure that Temari and Kankuro do not try to help them," Naruto whispered to Haku and Shikamaru. "I know you're not from Konoha, Haku, but I trust you would aid us. After all, Miss Mizukage wanted to improve the relations between Konoha and Kiri."
"I know," Haku whispered back. "Mizukage-sama has issued her.. Orders regarding the situation."
"And about Temari.. It might be that she does not want to attack you. But make sure she doesn't aid the ones attacking Konoha."
"Oh no.." Hinata paled, when she saw Gaara appear on the floor. "Next match… N-Naruto-kun."
"So that is Sabaku no Gaara," Haruki was impressed, after he shortly activated his byakugan, something which he rarely did these days, as his tormented body could hardly sustain it. "No wonder Naruto was so agitated…"
"Kurenai-sensei said he had a plan," Kiba frowned. "But what could he do? Naruto is not as fast as that Kumo girl earlier."
"We must believe in him," Ako said. "No matter how strong this Gaara is, Naruto will win."
Hinata nodded, but couldn't help but feeling worried. She knew that only Gaara could fight Naruto as an equal..
As Naruto walked down the stairs, he met Temari. "Temari-san, don't look so worried," he frowned.
"How could I not be worried? I've seen Gaara… I know what he can do," she stood there and appeared much more fragile than Naruto had ever seen her up till now. "And.."
'She hides just as much as I do,' Naruto realized, when he considered that her confident attitude was just an act. "If you want to help me, make sure no one interferes. I'm sure neither the Kazekage nor Orochimaru give a crap about Gaara's wellbeing, or they would never have put him here.."
He looked at the girl's expression and knew his fears were right. "I see… When do you guys plan to make your move," Naruto sighed.
"I.. I don't know.. We only heard yesterday," Temari's voice nearly broke. "They.. Father.. He just plans to use Gaara as a weapon.. As something disposable.. How could he?"
"You guys are shinobi," Naruto stated. "While Gaara and I are jinchuriki. But these are just words, pointing at the fact that other people want to use us as tools. I'd say we are all human beings, with the right to make up our own minds. I don't want to be seen as a monster, or a tool. And I bet you don't want to get your little brother killed.."
Temari shook her head. "No matter what he is, Gaara is still my little brother…"
"Then make the right choice," Naruto said, as he turned away to walk down. He knew he would risk his life, but at least it would be the right thing to do.
'Whether it is killing or being killed.. Life only has meaning when we do the right thing. Just like Haku said: we can only be truly strong when we protect what we hold dear.'
Naruto looked down at his stomach when he felt the Kyuubi's agitation. "And with you, we have an eight tail advantage," Naruto smirked.
A/N: First day of the month: time for a new chapter, don't you agree?
I wanted to give Temari some more 'human' traits, in her case her concerns about her brother. I know she has the more or less "tough girl" act in the manga, but I think people usually act tough to hide their concerns. Her confusion about the orders she got, the loyalty to her father, and imminent fall of her brother – who is expected to release his bijuu when ordered – only uncovered these doubts. Though, do not expect that I will write an emo-Temari..
She obviously has her reasons to doubt her father!
Again, thanks to all who responded after last chapter. I am indeed very honoured to receive so many great reviews! It truly keeps writing fun. So, I hope I can manage to keep you all entertained. Especially because the climax of the Chunin Exams has yet to come..
Well, that's all for this week folks, next chapter: "Sabaku no Gaara"
-Z-
Edited: 03/03/2015
