Thanks to my beta for looking through this, I apologize to those who will see the double update but I was getting a lot of flak for it being badly formatted. Though really it was the first chapter that was properly done rather than having this site's stupid idea of double spacing between lines but whatever =3
Kyuubi wasn't quite the exhibitionist she was portraying herself as, but his reactions were just too adorable for her to resist. Though his want for it to be perfect was appreciated, her cheeks heated softly.
'It will be, I'm sure.' she replied lovingly 'If it's with you, it will be.' and she meant it. Whilst the ancient kitsune did appreciate romance, she was sure she would love whatever Naruto-kun came up with simply because it was him that was doing it.
Naruto's blush faded for a moment coming down from the bright red to a soft pink. 'Kyuubi-chan' he murmured gently. Overwhelmed by the sudden desire to hug or kiss the woman that he knew he would never deserve. He praised all the gods that she thought him worthy of her love. His soft, adoring tone heated Kyuubi's cheeks a bit more. A smile grew on her face as she felt the warmth through their bond. Even if Naruto was capable of fooling the link, somehow, she knew this love was real and she basked in it.
However, whilst talking to Kyuubi he kept half an ear on Iruka-sensei as it seemed his speech had finally finished. His eyes flicked between the other students noting some surprise on their face. Odd. Iruka-sensei's speeches never, ever, managed to arouse surprise like that. Crap. He must of missed something major whilst talking with Kyuubi-chan. Worth it, he decided a moment later. But even so, he was curious, and Sarutobi's betrayal had heightened the boy's already apparent dislike of being left in the dark. His sensitive, chakra enhanced, hearing picked up snippets of whispered conversation in the silence that followed "Hokage-sama... I can't believe... here... speeches... maybe he wants to... Sasuke-kun" his mind was working to piece it together; though he had a nagging feeling he knew what was going to happen, the ol... Hokage-san would be coming here to give a graduation speech? He turned to ask Hinata and confirm his guess. Bless her heart; his princess was just too polite and listened to Iruka-sensei, no matter how boring his speeches were.
However, before he could even manage the first syllable of his question the door to the classroom swung open and Sarutobi walked in dressed in his full Hokage regalia with a hat perched on his head and a warm smile in place as he exuded the aura of grandfatherly affection which made him such a popular leader. From his spot in the back of the room, though Naruto's eyes narrowed, and his posture stiffening, the man's presence still agitated wounds too fresh to have closed up and he honestly doubted he'd ever be able to forgive the elderly man for his betrayal. Though in his heart of hearts he knew that if Sarutobi took him aside within a few weeks to tell him of his mother, then he'd likely forgive him. It just wasn't in his nature not to forgive, even though Kyuubi was doing her best to change that.
"Thank you Umino-kun." Sarutobi nodded to the teacher as he took his place in front of the blackboard and turned to face the class. "First of all, let me echo your teacher's sentiments." he let his gaze sweep over the class, each child seeming to sit up straighter as they met the man's powerful gaze. Even as old as he was, he still was the Hokage and he still demanded, and received, respect from those under him. "Congratulations on passing, and joining the ranks of Konoha shinobi, I look forward to seeing you all flourish and grow into fine warriors." his smile grew a little to show his teeth. His gaze lingering on Naruto as he noted the boy's posture was off, tense, even if his smile was just as he remembered his favourite blondes body language told a different story. He didn't show any signs of it outwardly, far too experienced to let such paltry things as emotion ruin his façade, but ever since Naruto's demeanour towards him had changed he'd found himself worrying over the cause. It was getting to the point where he was tempted to put a few ANBU tails on the jinchuuriki to try and discern the reason. After all if the boy had come into contact with the Kyuubi then there was a serious need to ensure he wasn't being corrupted by the malevolent being. For now though, he was going to let it slide, content in thinking the boy's Jōnin instructor would be able to tease these facts out of the blonde without him needing to waste some of the village's elite on a whim.
'Why is he here?' Naruto pondered. His mask firmly in place as he watched the Hokage greeting them, he knew the man didn't come every year to give such a speech. There had to be a reason for it!
'I don't know.' Kyuubi responded to the question thoughtfully 'I have a few theories.' she mused 'But whatever it is, I guarantee you're the reason for it.'
Only because his mask was firmly locked in place did Naruto prevent the urge to nod in agreement. When he was in this state the boy could give a Kage a run for their money in terms of hiding his thoughts and emotions, after all his audience had been not only a Kage but the legendary Professor himself, there had simply been no room for error in Naruto's education on these matters. 'I know, but why? Is he here to tell everyone about you? Warn them about me?' that was one of Naruto's worst case scenarios
The demon shook her head softly, once more Naruto knew this without having actually seen it in any way. 'No, no. I doubt it, the only reason he'd do that is if he thought I was going to escape.' Whilst Naruto thought differently Kyuubi knew that Sarutobi was trying to do what he thought was best for Naruto. It was unlikely he'd suddenly do something to spite the boy, though Kyuubi almost wished he would, she detested this village and the sooner she could separate it from her mate the better.
Naruto wasn't so sure, but he trusted Kyuubi, if she said he wouldn't then he likely wouldn't. Kyuubi was smarter than him anyway, and hadn't steered him wrong yet... Icha-Icha excluded... stupid pervy fox. A giggle echoed through his head as he cursed her out again. 'You'll thank me for it later' she teased in her sing-song voice.
"..ut that isn't the reason I cam here today." Sarutobi continued, Naruto's mental conversation having distracted him enough to miss half a sentence or so. The elderly man smiled as he let his gaze sweep up to Naruto, his eyes brightening, despite the boy's defensive body language. "As I'm sure you are all aware Naruto-kun has activated a new bloodline, a doujutsu he's named Gijime." As it appeared the old man had found a way to let the boy's self appointed name for his eyes stand seeing as it was something vaguely sensible rather than the sort of names he'd half expected from the young man.
Inside Naruto's mindscape Kyuubi raised a delicate eyebrow. 'Well that was unexpected.' she thought. She'd assumed he was here just to see Naruto off into his new life as a shinobi, or as a way to try and mend the relationship between them, or even to try and find out why the boy had drifted away. Naruto's eyes likewise widened in surprise, his gaze flicking to Ino and Hinata seeing both the girls were equally confused. Hinata a bit less than Ino being she had had some training with his eyes active... whilst Ino had almost totally forgotten about the Gijime being it really wasn't brought about in their relationship.
Sarutobi watched the wave of mumbled confirmation run through the class with a warm smile. He'd seen that Naruto had had a hard time taking the CRA on board, but he seemed to have adapted well as his ANBU, who always kept their ears to the ground, had informed him of some swirling rumours about Naruto two timing Ino and Hinata, although most of those rumours had been worded rather less kindly. Whilst the elderly Hokage couldn't show too much favouritism for one shinobi, he was a thoroughbred ninja and knew how to bend the rules. Naruto's new clan status, and thus the CRA, was due to be announced when he became a genin. Although he wouldn't have a seat until he produced an heir and made Chûnin, Sarutobi hoped that by doing this he could quash those unsavoury rumours before they could gain any momentum. Nobody was likely to refute his words after all. "Having such, the council of Konoha, with my blessing, has decided to grant Naruto Uzumaki clan status." a shocked gasp and whispered mumblings rolled through the children, Iruka able to bite down on his own shock, although his eyes widened slightly. None were more surprised than the clan heads who knew exactly how big of a deal that might be. Naruto was a clan head now?! Ino smirked to herself; her boyfriend was now a clan head? Even better! There would be no doubting her choice in men or superiority now. Hinata was watching Naruto worriedly as the boy's normally impeccable mask twisted, beneath the desk his hands had clenched into fists and only through extreme force of will did he resist the furious growl that was trying to tear itself from his throat. He saw what Sarutobi was doing!
'Calm down Naruto-kun' Kyuubi soothed, trying her best to project a soothing hug and wishing, as usual, she wasn't trapped in her seal 'I know you're angry, you have every right to be, but we... you, can't do anything right now and if the Hokage gets too suspicious of your change in relationship then he might take drastic action.'
"As such we have also taken steps to ensure the future of the new Uzumaki clan and re-enacted an old law, the clan restoration act. This act allows, forces, young Naruto to find three wives to marry and to produce heirs with."
That shock of that revelation spread through the class like wildfire "Ahhh! Naruto! Why do you get all the luck?!" Kiba teased, perhaps the least subtle of the jealous reactions to this news Naruto got from his classmates. His new admission to the CRA earning him the ire of a few of the girls who were glaring at Naruto like he had asked for it. Some of the more observant were flicking their gaze between him, Hinata, and Ino and for once Ino found herself grateful she wasn't sitting with her friends, knowing wholehearted they would have been chewing her out for answers. By the looks of them that would happen the moment class ended anyway.
'That bastard!' Naruto seethed 'He's making sure I'm just a damn breeder! Making sure they all know so they can push the girls on me and I can't wriggle out of it.' Kyuubi was silently proud that Naruto was learning to read between the lines, it was a pity he was reading between the wrong lines though. Well she thought it was good and had been silently goading his fury at the aged Hokage to new heights, looking to sever his ties to this wretched place. He sunk into his chair a little to avoid the judging eyes. He had once looked for attention and perhaps in another life he would have basked in the glory of having everyone's gaze on him but having Hinata, Kyuubi, and somewhat Ino had tempered that urge and he'd found himself only really caring about those who loved him rather than the general crowd.
Satisfied that he had sorted out those nasty rumours and done Naruto a favour by sorting it all out and breaking the news to his classmates rather than them hearing through the grapevine the ageing Hokage thought that about did it. "That said, I wish all of you luck with your new team placements." he offered the class another warm smile. "Umino-kun, thank you for your time, please continue." He smiled at Iruka who shook his head and offered a smile back ignoring the not so quiet chattering of the class now busy digesting the information they'd be given.
"Not at all Lord Hokage, have a good day." he replied formally
"You too." Sarutobi offered a parting wave as he swept out of the classroom content in knowing he'd done his good deed for the day.
With the old man gone Naruto let his mask slip somewhat the abject fury pounding through his veins alight in his eyes as he attempted to set his desk on fire with his glare. Something that Hinata easily picked up on "Naruto-kun?" she asked softly, even Ino could clearly see Naruto was less than pleased and she'd yet to really learn to spot or see through the young blonde's mask.
Hinata's soft voice helped calm the boy just as Kyuubi's could, and he glanced up at her, the rage softening as his stormy blue met her worried lavender. "I'm fine." he assured her softly "Just.. why'd he tell them all about.. us?" his gaze flickered to Ino for a moment, the other girl listening in intently curious as to what had riled the usually unflappable boy up. She's seen him irritated sure, anybody could do that, but actually angry? This was a first.
Hinata frowned softly the Hyuuga not truly understanding the issue. "It was going to be revealed when we became genin." she reminded him softly
"But not like this!" Naruto almost snapped but kept his voice down, Iruka had started reading off team placements so it was perhaps a testament to how worried Hinata was that the normally impeccably polite girl was, barely paying any attention to her teacher, doubly so as these placements were so important. "He should have just released the council from their orders not to tell; that's how it's always done." he'd hung around in the Hokage's office long enough as a kid to know that, "But instead he chose to tell our class. He knows I'm happy with what I have, we told him so in the hospital!" it was almost a snarl now, his mask sloughing away as he spoke to expose just how angry the boy was with his one time grandfather. "But no! He decided to tell everyone so now every damn fangirl who wants in on a clan will be trying to break us up." Naruto panted, breathing heavily, eyes incendiary. Mess with him all you wanted, he could take it, but when Sarutobi-teme tried to play with the bonds he held with his precious people then he'd just gone too far!
Hinata and Ino were stunned at the depths of Naruto's anger, for Hinata it brought back memories of the time with Mizuki and she shivered in fear at what Naruto had become. Her eyes unconsciously darting over Naruto to look for any signs of Kyuubi's influence. There were none. Kyuubi herself was fairly calm and so the cascading feedback that had happened with Mizuki was unlikely to happen. Ino was just shocked to see Naruto so angry, it was a window into his personality she'd never seen and it fascinated her to no end. As the shock wore off Hinata started to worry slightly, what Naruto had said was true, any fangirl would chase him now, and she was sure Naruto would leave her for one of the smarter, stronger, just plain better girls out there.
Seeing Hinata start to worry, and having a good idea for the cause, Naruto cursed himself. The iron bars came down on his rage and in a blink he was smiling serenely once more, the only hint of his anger a tiny glimmer in the back of his eyes. Tonight there would be many, many, destroyed trees around the training grounds. Leaning in he hugged the timid girl softly and kissed her cheek, listening as the names for Team 3 were announced "I won't leave you Hinata-chan, no matter what." he reassured her tenderly, it was almost impossible to believe he had been spitting mad a moment before, and honestly being affectionate with his princess did help dull the blonde's anger anyway. Throwing his fury to the wind he kissed her again, this time on the lips to prove his point, ignoring the looks he got from Ino, Iruka and, well, most of the rest of the class.
"Naru-kun." Hinata breathed dreamily about to say more when Iruka interrupted. "Ahem!" the teacher coughed unsure whether to be amused, or irritated by the couple. "If you two are quite done." Hinata squeaked and buried herself in her jacket to evade the chuckles from the class whilst Naruto looked contemplative for a moment as he considered playing it up before discarding the idea since it would embarrass Hinata. After a few seconds of silence Iruka nodded and continued with the team placements.
"Team 8" Iruka began once the squeals from Sakura had died down, the girl gloating over being on a team with 'her' Sasuke-kun, "is Naruto Uzumaki, Hinata Hyuuga," Naruto's cheer cut him off at this point the boy impulsively kissing the Hyuuga once again
"Isn't it great Hinata! We're on the same team!" he enthused all but bouncing in place, anger well and truly suppressed by this bit of good news. He quieted down as he realized the glare he was getting "Sorry Iruka-sensei." he mumbled as he sank into his seat, more humble than usual for fear the man might change his team if he made too much of a fuss.
It took the Chûnin a few seconds to process the fact that Naruto, the Naruto Uzumaki, had actually apologized like... like he was a well mannered student! "and Ino Yamanaka." he finished to another whoop from the blonde female of the class.
Despite not quite having gotten as familiar with Naruto as Hinata was Ino too, kissed Naruto firmly on the lips her outgoing nature easily making up the difference "Isn't it great, I'm on your team too!" she chirped brightly, tactfully ignoring the mutters from the boys or the mumbles from the girls about how they could stand to share like that.
"Your Jōnin instructor!" Iruka continued through gritted teeth, his patience about running out with all these interruptions, "Will be Kurenai." though she wasn't vocal about it Hinata's eyes lit up and her smile widened at that announcement
"Hinata-chan?" Naruto hissed quietly "Is that the Kurenai you know?" he'd heard of the red eyed Genjutsu specialist from Hinata once or twice and held her in high esteem for no other reason than one of his precious people, Hinata, did so as well.
The Hyuuga's head bobbed slowly "I th...think so Naruto... Naruto-kun." she replied hopefully. All they could do now was wait and see, Kurenai couldn't be that common a name... could it?
