Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters

"Normal speech"

'Normal thought'

"Demonic speech/extremely pissed off Tsunade/extremely pissed off Kushina"

"demonic thought"

Jutsu/technique

Twist of fate: Uzumaki Descendants

Chapter 15:

The Strangers and Lonely Flowers

in Konoha.

Konoha

'It all look different now.' thought Naruto as he passed the gates of his old village. Inside his mask and body were now seals hidding changing his old chakra. It took some time to prepare all what was needed but now he was ready.

He also learned how to use chakra to change his voice.

Honoka also chose to wear new clothes and a mask as she thought it will be better.

Haku was the only one who didn't wear a mask.

It all so different for Naruto. Every step he took it fell so different. Not being whatched with those eyes full of hate by anyone and simply walking without a care.

The memory of how it use to be. But its right in front of him. The memories fall around as everything he used to be.

'You all always have hated me, you have always detested me, but now at least I know why you do. I know you all have suffered more then I can image. But why can't you understand that I am not him.' thought Naruto.

Naruto chose to broke the silence and said "We're going to destroy this exam."

"Figuratively or Literally?" Honoka asked, sounding a little interested.

"Well." Naruto started. "I suppose we could do both... Maybe..."

Naruto and Honoka looked at each other and gave identical dark grins behind their masks.

While walking in the village they come to see two different teams talking.

Their team stayed as they watched the teams talking.

"Sorry to you guys" Gaara said, apologizing for Kankuro. "I guess we got here too early."

"Hey wait. You're from Sunagakaru. You may be allies, but it is forbidden for foreign ninja to enter other villages without permission. Why are you here?" Sakura asked.

"Heh, talk about clueless" Temari said as she showed her pass. "We're here for the Chunin Exams."

Sasuke flinched at her words. 'Chunin Exams?" he thought. Sasuke then jumped down. "Hey, what's your name?"

"Who, me?" Temari asked excitedly.

"No, the one with the gourd. State your name," Sasuke replied.

"My name is Gaara of the Desert. I'm interested in your name as well." Gaara told him.

"Sasuke Uchiha," Sasuke responded.

Gankuro then notice the new team who was watching them.

"You guys are from The Kirigakure No Sato I see. Hmm how about you. I'm sure a lovely lady like yourself has to have a pretty name" Kankuro said, trying to flirt with Haku. Naruto and Honoka face-palmed their masks.

"I'm Haku, and I'm a boy" said Haku as almost everyone suddenly lost all their words.

And Kankuro even received a disturbing glance from the sand kunoichi.

Before getting more questions from them Haku, Honoka and Naruto chose to go.

Gaara then motioned for Kankuro and Temari to leave. After they were gone, Sasuke disappeared to leaving Sakura alone there.

"So what do you think" a figure in the trees said.

"Well, nothing serious, but that black-haired kid, the boy with the gourd, and that boy that looks like a girl. Let's keep an eye on them." another figure said.

'Well at least not everything change.' thought Naruto.

"Did you know any of them Ruton." asked Haku adresing to Naruto by the new name.

"Well yeah. Sasuke who is all broody and dark. Arrogant as well. Didn't talk to anyone much. But I can tell that he's lonely, in his eyes. I tried to be friends with him once but he pushed me away saying that 'I don't need help from a dobe like you' and 'There's nothing wrong with me. Go away'."

"I understand..." said Haku.

"We were kinda rivals though. I was always trying to catch up to him but he keeps on getting stronger and stronger." Naruto looked down at the road. "But I fell like I haven't improved at all when I was here."

"You've been assembled all of you for two reasons." the Hokage said. "As most of you have probably realized, it should be obvious by the people here."

"It's already that time." Kakashi said.

"It's already been reported to the other villages. I have seen them enter the village" Genma, a ninja wearing a Leaf bandana with a senbon in his mouth said. "So when is it?"

"Well, I will announce it properly then" Hiruzen said, standing up. "Seven days from now, the chunin selection exams will begin. First we will hear from those supervising the new genin. Asuma, Kakashi, Kurenai, do you recommend any of your team for the chunin selection exams?"

Kakashi stepped forward. "The Kakashi led Team 7, Sai, Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha…under the name of Hatake Kakashi, I nominate them for the chunin selection exams" Kakashi announced.

"The Kurenai Team 8, Hinata Huyga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame…I Kurenai Yuuhi nominate all three of them for the exam" the genjutsu mistress said.

"The Asuma led Team 10, Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yaminaka, and Chouji Akamichi…I Asuma Sarutobi nominate all of them for this exam" Asuma announced.

'Hmm, how rare. All of them' the Hokage said to himself.

This year's Chunnin Exam was proving to be one of the most successful for Konoha in the history of the exam. Each shinobi participating was in the accelerated war time training program, preparing for the inevitable assault on Oto.

War is hell, Kakashi who had been training with Gai for the past two months was willing to go to any extremes to achieve peace. Especially if it meant not having to train with Maito Gai again.

Kakashi trained his team the best he can even if they were still nightmare.

(Flashback)

"Sasuke won't work with the team, always going off and doing things himself. Sai is OK, but I think he's spying on Sasuke for Danzo. That's something the Hawk would do. Then Sakura..." Kakashi's sigh was tired and irritated. "If she continues on like this, I'm probably going to make an appeal to take her off the program, civilians be dammed."

"Still a fan girl?" Anko asked.

Kakashi snorted, giving all the answer they needed.

"Aren't the chunin exams coming up soon though?" Inquired Kurenai. "You'll need a three man team to enter, kicking Sakura out won't do you any good at this point."

Kakashi sighed, running his hand through his hair.

(Flashback end)

"And The second thing The Kirigakure No Sato." The Hokage said simply.

"The Kirigakure No Sato? What about them?" Asked one of the jonin in the Room.

"Their civil war ended and they send one team to participate to, and they said they whould be interested in an alliance."

"You want an alliance with them. With The Kirigakure No Sato on our side Kumogakure and Iwagakure will be unwilling to attack. Despite their numbers, it is not wise to fight three of the five great villages at one time." said Kakashi.

"However, the The Kirigakure No Sato is known mostly for their massacre of those wielding kekkei genkais. Is it truly wise to seek such an alliance Hokage-sama?" Kurenai asked with a raised eye brow.

"I am well aware of this. However, there has recently been new information about the village. It seems that a coup d'état was staged and that the old Mizukage has been killed. I belive the village's new leader is trying to open ties with other villages ever since their village is at an all time low in terms of strength and economy right now. I believe that she is genuine and it would be a mistake to let such an opportunity slip by." The Hokage said.

After finishing what they had to do for the chunin exam and got a place where to stay Haku and Honoka chose to go and visit the Konoha.

Honoka went to the the town library hoping to find more information about her clan. The library to be so huge.

Racks as high as the ceiling were stacked with scrolls.

The problem wasn't finding an interesting think to learn, there must have been thousands to chose from. She was even tented to use those Kage Bunshin no Jutsu.

She tried to find something about the Uzumaki clan but there was nothing to be found. And she had to be carefull not to attract attention on her that why she used a Henge before comming in the library.

Naruto not being ready to visit one of the older place not even his old apartment chose to go in the forest and get some fish to eat.

Later Naruto brought 5 fish with him. Being able to walk on water definitely had advantages. His upstream colleague returned moments later with a single fish. One clone had done a fine job. Dry wood and leaves were already piled up, ready to be sparked on fire. He returned with his partner, both holding their hands full with berries. They placed their findings on the towel Naruto unsealed, while the last clone gutted the fish and spiked them on a stick…

Hinata has been training a lot and Kurenai saw that to however, there was one major problem.

Hinata would not use the chakra bursts when fighting with someone.

She was still too gentle and did not want to hurt someone, even after Kurenai begged her to use them. If Hinata would not use the chakra bursts in training, there was no way to tell if her strikes were effective.

'I have to think of another way.' thought Kurenai.

(Flashback)

Kurenai notice Hinata was thinking to something else not paing attention sometimes so she had to know what was on her mind.

Hinata was thinking to the last time she had meet Naruto the one thing she did wish for however, was that Naruto was here to experience all these changes with her.

She would not tell anyone about Naruto. Not to her sensei. Not to Iruka-sensei. But there had been enough silence and avoiding the subject. That Naruto was alive, that was another matter, but everyone acted as if nothing had never happened. Or tried to.

After Iruka-sensei returned he told her that for the moment he know that Naruto was on an boat or island. And there was someone locking for him but nothing more.

Even though each of the them carried the gravity of knowing he wouldn't be back ever again, either. Iruka-sensei thought it was his fault. while she felt as the guilty one herself, but they never talked about this...

"What are you thinking so hard about?" Kurenai asked.

Hinata turned around with a startled look and an unknowing blush on her face, "I was just thinking about how fast life was changing around me." Hinata responded.

"Were thinking about something. Someone." Kurenai pushed.

"I was also thinking about someone who is no longer with us." Hinata said looking at the ground with a sad expresion.

Kurenai was thinking that she was refering to someone who is no longer alive. Maybe someone from her family.

Hinata sighed "I was thinking to someone I wished was here, experiencing everyone moving forward in our lives."

"Tell me more maybe I can help you with this" Kurenai asked noticing the change in Hinata.

"I was also thinking about how even though I'm happy with everybody moving forward, I just feel that I leave the people who I lost in the past. Life keeps going and it seems like I'm stuck in the past with them. I don't know how to move forward, I just don't know how to move on without them. And now that they are not here to see these new things happening in our lives." Hinata explained.

Kurenai reached over putting her hand over Hinata's, "We didn't leave them in the past, we keep these people in our hearts. We move forward with our lives bringing these dear people with us. I know death can happend to all of us in missions, but maybe you should think about moving on as well. Training to get stronger is one step towards that."

Hinata had small smile. Naruto was still alive and was getting stronger and she was going to do the same.

(Flashback end)

After finish some training Hinata had spend the rest of her day on her studies on medical plants and wandered in the forest behind the training areas in search of herbs. She was just on her way home to get a bite to eat until she recognized the smell of roasting fish in the air.

The smell was strong, indicating someone must be cooking not far from here. For some reason her intuition told her to check out the source. After a few minutes she came upon a rock formation.
Some smoke was coming up from behind it. Silently she moved closer towards the rocks. When she took a peek behind she saw a boy with a white mask sitting by the fire.

Naruto was sitting in some distance from the fire, upwind so the smell of fish wouldn't be all over him. His face was pointed upwards.

Suddenly he was preparing to make the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu and send them to protect the place while he was eating fish.

But before he make the hand sings he heard a loose rock.

Hinata must have brushed against a loose rock or something because the next thing she heard was the sound of rock falling on rock.

Naruto looked up at the sudden noise.

'Shit, someone's spying on me. Goddamit, who, and how much have they seen? I have to find out.' thought Naruto.

He stood up and moved as fast and silent he could towards the point of the sound's origin, hoping the intruder hadn't already fled or didn't hear him coming.

Instead of running around the rock to see behind the corner he jumped on top of it and simply looked someone he didn't expect to meet at least not yet... 'Wh-Hinata?'

Hinata nearly fell back from surprise as saw him. She should have run, she still wanted. Should she do? What should she say?

"Uhm.. Hi." said both of them at the same time.

Naruto was felling lucky he got used to changing his voice or he might acidentally used his voice.

"S-Sorry for spying on you... but the smell from the fish..." said Hinata embarrassed at being caught staring at him and his food.

'I hope he doesn't think I want some.' Hinata bowed again an apology and hurried to run off when she heard the boy's voice.

"Wait."

She turned and saw the boy looking at her behind his mask. Unknown to her, Naruto was cursing up a storm inside his mind.

'Why the hell did I say that? I should avoid talking to people, at least until... Not to mention It could ruin my mission...But... she did said back then...' thought Naruto but then saw that Hinata was waiting for him to say something.

"You hungry?" Naruto finally asked.

"Eh.. nani" said Hinata.

"Are you hungry? I'm making dinner." said Naruto.

"Yes... but why... we don't even know each other." said Hinata.

"Maybe but I read somewhere a wise person once said 'Sharing food with a fascinating stranger is one of life's true delights.' And is better then eating alone." said Naruto.

"I guess your right." said Hinata.

"Ok then, hurry up, I think my fish are burning." said Naruto.

They weren't.

He picked up two of them and placed them a little further from the fire, to prevent them from burning and presented the other two to his unexpected guest.

Hinata took the smaller one and gave out a slight "Arigato."

Both sat down near the fire.

Both of them stay in silente.

Both wanting to say something but it was hard. As both were shy at the moment and any words wrong can make them look weird or worst.

But at the moment they both know that if they don't say anything then this will result in the same thing. So at least to know that at least they tryed to say something then being left with nothing but regrets.

"Who are you?" Hinata asked.

"My name is Ruton. I'm here for the chiunin exams." and it was true. Hinata knew only Naruto, not this boy who had nothing to do with the past.

"And you?" asked Naruto "What were you doing here...?"

"Uhm.. I was gathering medical herbs in the forest." said Hinata as she started to eat her fish.

After another minute of silence Naruto continued talking.

"And... how's your fish?" asked Naruto.

"It's good." said Hinata.

"Glad you like it." Said Naruto not realizing he was still locking at her eating fish without touching his fish.

It was rare that Naruto had someone the same age as him to talk with.

"Why don't you eat to? You know you can't eat with your mask on... " said Hinata.

"Of course I can," he protested lifthing the mask a little and took a bite.

Hinata was very curious about what could have been it all about, why didn't he just took of that mask, maybe a scar or something else, but she couldn't ask him.

"This doesn't make any sense." said Hinata accidentally.

"It doesn't have to." said Naruto then added. "But I like talking with people like you."

"Me to." Said Hinata as she was aware this wasn't right.

She was eating and talking with a boy she knew nothing about. She wondered if she should say something about it to anyone.

But everyone she knew was shinobi. And her familly... All of them will get suspicious and warn her about it. And they had reasons to.

But it was true. Like him she was enjoying talking with him. It was helping her get more courage and confidente talking with new people.

Hinata finish her fish. And the night was coming soon.

'Ruton' just sealed the rest of the fish for later.

"Will you be here tomorrow same hour?" asked Hinata.

"Will you?" asked Naruto.

"Probably." said Hinata.

"Then I will be too, Hinata." said Naruto.

Hinata's eyes were showing utter shock and wonder.

"I have never mentioned my name," she said slowly.

Naruto couldn't believe the grave mistake he had done.

Yet, he was felling the next moment he will do another one.

If he didn't reveal himself who knows what she would do and tell someone about him.

He took his mask off and answered. "I did say I will come to visit you. I apologize for deceiving you. I guess I was not ready yet…do you want to meet and continue our conversation tomorrow?" asked Naruto using his normal voice again.

She did said back then that she wanted to be frinds. Naruto hoped he was making the right decision.

"Naruto-Kun…" said Hinata not being sure what to answer but she did."I-I would really like that."

Naruto said bye before teleporting into his new appartament were Honoka and Haku were staying for now.

Hinata watch him dissaprear in the same way he did last time but this time it was different. 'He had come back.' As he promise he will do. Not the way she espected but he did. This was enough as she also needed time to think at all they talked and will talk next time.

And see what will hapened tomorrow.

"Oh. There you are. Where have you been?" Haku asked Naruto.

"Ugh, I was on the forest getting something to eat. I have some fish left. " Naruto said as he began to make his way to the bathroom.

Haku got up and turned off the television. "Well, anyways, I think I'm going to go off to bed now. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"Oh. Sorry I made you wait up for me, where is Honoka?" Naruto said as he began rising his mouth.

"She said she is going to the library." Said Haku as he made a little wave as he went off to sleep as if he was motioning that it wasn't a big deal…

Naruto wanted to send some clone after her but it was not needed as she teleported on the room they had the same way Naruto did.

Naruto was glad to finally get some sleep from this crazy day.

Tomorrow would be interesting, though.

"Hey did you hear?" Tenten said, tossing another knife into a target. "For the first time in ten years, there are going to be rookies in these chunin exams."

"That sounds interesting" Lee said, sitting directly underneath Tenten's target. "Rumor is that three of them are students of Kakashi."

"I almost feel sorry for them" Neji said.

Next day

"You're late!" Sakura yelled at Kakashi, who just appeared on the bridge that he had asked his team to meet on.

"Sorry, but I got caught up registering you guys for the chunin exams" Kakashi responded, seding his usual smile to them.

Staring at Kakashi in disbelief Sakura managed to stutter out "But, do you think we're ready. I mean it's only been four months and."

"Of course we're ready, Sasuke and I can more then make up for our pink haired handi-cap" said Sai.

Snorting, Kakashi nodded and said "Here are our applications. If you are going to take the exams, then come to room 301 at the academy six days from now."

"WHAT" Sakura exploded "He only gave us a days notice!"

"Quiet down Pinky, we'll be fine" Sai said before jumping into a tree and taking off.

Sasuke only nodded and walked away, his mind going a mile a minute.

'Finally I can test myself against other strong shinobi. There are going to be a lot of strong people in that. Like Gaara and those guys from yesterday.' Thought Sasuke.

Now Naruto was here in Konoha and he was not ready yet to visit other place he use to Honoka told him it whould be a good idea to get more information now that they were here.

After they got in the library using Henge they took place on a bench and opened the books on prominent clans in Konoha that he had borrowed from the library.

The books covered clans from Konoha: the Hyuuga, the Uchiha and the Aburame.

The first part handled the Hyuuga, starting with the history of the clan since the founding of Konoha village.

It wasn't the most thrilling piece of lecture for Naruto, but knowloge was power. That what he learned from Honoka. So far he had only read about the first fifty years of Konoha history and already there seemed to be a complicated net of politics and diplomacy among the clans.

Thereby came that at that time the Great Ninja War waged across the land, which didn't make things simpler. He had learned about the War in the academy, but never had the lessons been as intricate as the book described. Fifty pages later Naruto desperately needed a break.

He had expected somewhat lighter literature.

Hinata had been waiting for the last 6 minutes. 'I hope he hasn't forgotten about me. Please don't let him have forgotten me. No, no, he's probably just a little late. I shouldn't have come here so early. I only make myself more nervous if I show up early. I'm sure he'll show up any time now. ... But what if he doesn't?'

"Hey, Hinata." said Naruto as he come to her and took of his mask. He already send some clones to protect the place.

"H-hi, Naruto…" said Hinata.

"Sorry I'm a little late. Overdid myself a little at something today, I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long." said Naruto.

"N-no, it's okay, I was a little early." said Hinata.

They both sit in the same place they did yesterday thinking to what to say next to each other.

"So, how was your day?" Naruto chose to asked.

"It was okay. I was training. My sensei told me about the chiunin exams." said Hinata.

'So you will be there to.' Thought Naruto.

"My team is a tracking team." added Hinata.

"Sooo ... how do you get along with your team and who are they." Asked Naruto as he only know Sasuke and Sakura were on the same team.

"Well ..okay, I guess. Kiba's nice, in his own way. Shino ... well he rarely sais anything at all, but he always knows what's to be done," said Hinata.

"What about your sensei." asked Naruto.

"Kurenai's a good person as well as teacher. She always looks after us and never puts us down. I like her." said Hinata.

"Seems like you got lucky then." said Naruto.

"And how is your team Naruto…" said Hinata. She was not sure how Naruto was having an hitai-ate from Kiri…

Hinata's voice was even softer then it was normally. Her eyes focused on the hitai-ateNaruto was wearing on his neck like she was wearing hers.

"Is a long story…" said Naruto not wanting to give many information then he chose to change the topic.

"So, Hinata ... I take no one knows or talks about me?" asked Naruto.

"No they don't…" said Hinata.

"I belive is better that way." said Naruto then chose to change the topic again.

"I bet you and your team would make a great team of hunter-nins one day. Maybe you can become their leader… who knows." Said Naruto.

"A-arigato… but I'm not sure for the last part…" said Hinata sadly and started fidgeting.

"You have potential to do it if that is what you want and well, it wouldn't hurt either way to try." said Naruto tried and gently grabbed her index fingers.

"And no matter how cute that really is, you should really stop doing that. When your with other people. It makes you look weak and insecure." Said Naruto.

"Maybe I am," Hinata murmured quietly.

"Then maybe we should see about that." said Naruto.

"Wh-what do y-you mean?" asked Hinata.

"Simple. Tomorrow the two of us go sparring together." said Naruto.

"De-demo..." said Hinata.

"No buts. I refuse to believe you are as weak as you claim to be." Interrupted Naruto.

"Ok... but only if you answer me and don't try to change the topic." Said Hinata.

"What do you want to know...?" asked Naruto

"I know that, for some reason, you won't come back. I don't understand, really, but that doesn't matter just… as long as I can see you… and I'm not the only who will probably be happy. At least now and then. The thing is… could you just stop running from us?"

"I am sorry, Hinata, but I belong in the darkness of the Shinobi world. That is where my path lies and that is where I must walk." said Naruto.

"Why?" asked Hinata.

"Because this is the path I chose for myself." answer Naruto.

"Why?" asked Hinata.

"A shinobi has to choose their path, choose whether to protect themselves or others. Sometimes that choice isn't easy, but the ones that truly matter are never the easiest choices. If you find the thing you want to protect amongst all others, then you've found your true path. Never forget that, and no matter which path you choose, you'll be able to stand proud as a shinobi." said Naruto.

Hinata nodded thoughtfully. He was right. And he changed from what he use to be because this time and when he was smiling it was real.

"And who do you want to protect." asked Hinata.

"I dont really know yet for sure." said Naruto.

"And when did you find about you know?" asked Hinata referring to the Kyuubi.

"Mizuki tricked me to steal a forbidden scroll... He told me that I can become genin if I steal it and learn one jutsu. The irony is that I learned the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu... " continued Naruto and told her the rest of the story in that night.

"This doesn't make any sense." said Hinata not understanding his reasons for choosing this path.

"It doesn't have to." said Naruto.

She was not sure what she wanted now. She had no idea what she felt. The only thing she knew was that she didn't want him away.

When they talk it was like they could share anything. And no one was judgetin the other one. When locking at each other they saw themself and what they become after the steps they took.

'You're an excellent actor. A far better on than I'd given you credit for. Even in the academy you know how to hide your pain and wounds behind a smile. And you even tricked me yeasterday.' thought Hinata.

"God Dammit" Naruto muttered as he saw it was starting to rain.

"Cursing is bad. Weren't you ever taught any manners?" asked Hinata a little smile broke out into her face.

"Nobody taught me manners. What's your excuse?" asked Naruto laughting a little remembering he had the same conversation with Honoka one time.

They both continued to laught a little.

"Then we meet tomorrow morning here." said Naruto broking the silence.

"Yes… Naruto-Kun, I always wanted to ask you, how do you do the teleporting?" asked Hinata.

"Is a jutsu." Naruto explained. "But it takes a lot of chakra depending on the distance you use to teleport..."

Author Note (warning: potential spoilers)

And this is another chapter.

I don't know if the conversations were so good. Is still the first fiction im writing...

And like in other chapters I left a little clue of somethings which can happend.

Who has ideas about things I could add more in next chapters you can tell me in review.

Kage Bunshin no Jutsu = Shadow Clone Technique

Henge no Jutsu = Transformation Technique