Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. That right belongs to Kishimoto-Sensei.

A/N: In the last chapter, I failed to mention that the law of secrecy regarding Naruto's status and parentage was not passed and will not be in my story. While his parentage is kept a secret, even from the council members who do not know, it is not actually a law. Thus, Naruto will learn of his situation much earlier than in canon. This means the village will also learn of Hinata's status as a Jinchuuriki as well.

Chapter 3: Nightmares and Truths Revealed

It's been 3 years since the Kyuubi was released in the village. By this point, every secret of the council meeting has been released to the public, including the Hyuuga clan head's threat to the village. As such, no one dared to make a move against them. Hinata was treated with the utmost respect. Or at least that's how it seemed. Secretly, the civilians despised having her around. And while they did not openly show it, people could tell. As bad as it was, it was much worse for Naruto.

Naruto Uzumaki was shunned, both openly and secretly. Though, never when there was a Hyuuga around to catch them, as Naruto was an adopted Hyuuga of the main family. He has not yet had to endure beatings and ridicule as he rarely leaves the Hyuuga compound. It will be two more years before that starts. By that time, his adopted family had grown rather attached to him in many ways.

The sky was dark as clouds covered all moonlight. The darkness had an ominous feel to it that could only mean misfortune. A heavy and malevolent chakra filled the air as the large fox appeared in a large plume of smoke. Letting loose a roar that shook the earth, the Kyuubi thrashed its tails about leveling the landscape.

Shinobi appeared out of thin air all around the great beast letting loose great jets of flame, walls of earth, and a few streaks of lightning enhanced water. These ninja gave it everything they had, but nothing seemed to affect the Kyuubi, only anger it greatly. In one more massive roar he knocked them all back and started killing them off a few at a time with both his mighty tails, and his massive claws.

The scene changes and now the fox is being held down by massive chains. He lunges forward with his claw when the chains loosen for an unknown reason. As the claws approach the scene goes red.

The Hyuuga main house is woken by the scared screams of two children. Hinata and Naruto both awoke from their nightmare in a cold sweat, crying at the horrible scene that had invaded the children's dreams. Hiashi and Hitomi awoke from the scream and, hearing the crying, rushed to the children's rooms. Hiashi went to Hinata and Hitomi went to Naruto.

With Hitomi and Naruto

A pregnant Hitomi rushed in and saw Naruto huddled on his bed with his blanked wrapped around him, tears streaming down his face. His choked up sobs causing him to nearly hyperventilate. Hitomi walked over and climbed onto his bed, embracing him in a hug.

"There there," she said. "It was just a bad dream. Everything will be alright. It's okay. I'm here." She continued to comfort him as he gradually calmed down.

Finally, when he was no longer crying and just hugged her for comfort she asked, "Naruto-kun? Are you okay now?"

"Uh-huh," he mumbled.

She bent over and kissed him on the forehead asking, "Do you want to talk about it? It might make you feel better."

As Naruto began to describe his nightmare, Hiashi and Hinata were in a similar situation.

With Hiashi and Hinata

Hiashi walked into his daughter's room and moved over to her bed where she was crying heavily under her blanket. Hiashi gently pulled the blanket from over her head. When she saw him, she lunged forward and embraced him in the tightest hug she could manage.

"What is wrong, my daughter?" Hiashi wondered what could have happened that could upset her so much, and was equally puzzled as to why Naruto across the hall was crying at the exact same moment.

"It was so scary!" Hinata sobbed her words into Hiashi's shoulder as she started to shake at the memory of her dream.

"It's okay Hinata, it's okay. Daddy's here. Everything will be alright." He embraced her back warmly and her shaking started to die down.

"It felt so real," she mumbled. "There was this big fox with nine tails, and it started attacking everything."

This startled Hiashi as she started describing exactly what had happened in the Kyuubi attack three years ago in explicit detail. Meanwhile, Naruto was giving the exact same description to Hitomi.

After both children had been calmed down and fell back into a calm slumber, Hiashi and Hitomi left the children's rooms and headed back to their own room where they began to discuss what they had heard.

Realizing that both children had the exact same nightmare, they grew concerned.

"Hiashi-kun, what do you think this means? Do you think the fox is trying to take over the children?" Hitomi was concerned, very concerned. Hiashi was too, though he hid it well, using the usual Hyuuga mask of indifference as he debated what to do.

"I don't know dear," he finally said. "Tomorrow I will consult with the Hokage, he may have some idea of what to do." He doubted this, but what else could he do? 'I may have to talk to Inoichi-san if Hiruzen doesn't know what to do.'

"I'm worried. We can't even help our children when they have nightmares. This is so frustrating." A single tear fell from Hitomi's eyes. "Perhaps we should tell them the truth. They will need to know eventually."

Hiashi thought for a minute. "They will need to know eventually, but I believe it is too soon for them. I don't know if they could handle the burden at this age."

"No, you're right. Perhaps when they enroll in the academy." After a long period of silence with both of them deep in thought, Hitomi spoke again. "No, I don't think we should wait for them to enroll in the academy after all. The longer we wait, the more likely that they will learn from someone else. The kindest thing we can do for them is have them hear it from us first. Ask Hokage-sama tomorrow what he thinks. Until then, lets try to get a little sleep."

The Next Day

Hiruzen woke up from a knock on his door. Realizing he had fallen asleep at his desk in the Hokage's Tower, he stood up and stretched. He then straightened his paperwork and said, "Yes? Come in."

Hiashi walked in the office and bowed before his leader. "Good morning Hokage-sama."

"Hiashi-san," Hiruzen said. "What can I do for you this morning?"

"I need your advice. You see..." Hiashi began to explain what had happened last night. After his explanation was finished both men were silent for a few minutes. "My wife and I believe we should tell them before they learn from someone else. However we also feel it's too early to tell them. This is so new to us and we simply don't know how best to proceed."

"I agree that it would be best to learn it from you, but are you sure there is no way you could wait until they begin the academy in a few years? After all, they are both heroes and deserve as much happiness in their childhood as they can get before they learn of the heavy burden they bear. Once they learn, their lives will never be the same."

"We are well aware of this, Hokage-sama, but in all truth, they do not have normal childhood's anyways. It is unfortunate, but given their circumstances, they are rarely let outside the Hyuuga compound. Despite the threat I hold over this village, I fear there may be many who do not care, or who are foolish enough to believe that they will not be caught." Hiashi voiced his concern, but at the same time wished to do as Hiruzen suggested. For the firsts time since that council meeting three years ago, Hiashi's Hyuuga mask fell away in front of his leader and his concern and fear were very much apparent on his face.

Hiruzen saw this and remarked, "I understand your concern, Hiashi-san, I really do. But at the same time, I believe that they can still have a happy childhood. This village has recovered well from the wars and Kyuubi attack. Perhaps you can try to have a bit more faith in your village."

Hiruzen spoke gently, not wanting to sound condescending or insulting to the Hyuuga clan head, but at the same time wanting to instill a bit more faith into Hiashi. So Hiruzen spoke again, "I believe that there are a number of them who still have a strong Will of Fire and would protect young Hinata and Naruto if given the chance."

Hiashi thought on this for a moment before giving his reply. "Perhaps you are right," he said reluctantly. "Perhaps I do need to put more faith in the people of my village. Thank you for hearing me out Hokage-sama." Hiashi bowed again before turning to leave.

As he was walking out, Hiruzen had one last thing to say. "Hiashi-san, in regards to this dream they both shared, perhaps it is a byproduct of the seal they both possess. It does slowly convert the fox's chakra into their own. It may be a sign that the seal is working properly as well."

Hiashi turned around to look at Hiruzen and nodded before turning back and walking out of the Hokage's office to return home. Hiruzen looked back down at his desk. 'Well, this day is already looking to be a long one. Damn this paperwork. Bane of my existence. Why did you have to leave so soon Minato? There are just so many people who miss you. You and Kushina both.'

An hour later at the Hyuuga compound

Hiashi had told Hitomi what the Hokage had said. She had reluctantly agreed to not tell the children the truth yet. "I know it's hard," Hiashi said. "But, I don't think they are old enough to really understand yet. They need all the happiness they can get if they are to weather the storm that is to come. They will face many hardships in the years to come, and we will be there for them throughout it all."

"It just doesn't sit well with me Hiashi-kun." Hitomi again had a tear run down from her eyes. Hiashi saw this and in an attempt to comfort his wife, pulled her into a kiss. A moment later, she pulled away in a gasp of pain. Hiashi, startled by this immediately stood in front of her asking, "What's wrong?"

"I think it's time," she said. "Our youngest is ready to meet us."

Hiashi called out to one of the many branch family members who were always within earshot in case they were needed. "Quick! Get a doctor here immediately!"

The branch member ran off to the hospital to get help as Hiashi called to another branch family member to get their midwife. As he ran off as well, Hiashi helped Hitomi to a room within the main household. Hinata's personal guard and caretaker when her parents were unavailable, a man named Ko Hyuuga, ushered both Hinata and Naruto to the gardens to keep them out of the house.

Hours Later

Hinata and Naruto were brought from the garden into the room where Hitomi had given birth to the newest member of the family after the room had been cleaned up. When they entered, they rushed over to Hitomi's bed where she was laying with a little pink bundle and little energy. "Hinata-chan, Naruto-kun, please come here." Hitomi's voice was barely a whisper.

They climbed onto the bed to see better. Hitomi was very pale as she said, "This is your new little sister. Her name is Hanabi. Please, take care of her for me. Always know that I love you all."

Needless to say, Naruto and Hinata were both very confused as to what was going on. Hinata was the first to voice her concern. "Mommy, what's wrong?"

In a corner of the room, Hiashi stepped forward. Having been silent up until now, his presence startled the children slightly. Looking up, they could see his eyes were puffy and tinted slightly red from the tears he had shed. "I'm sorry," he whispered almost too low for anyone to hear. "Hinata... Naruto... your mother is dying. There were complications with Hanabi's birth." He was barely able to choke out the words as Hinata and Naruto both began crying into Hitomi.

"There there," Hitomi whispered. "Don't cry. Everything will be alright. I need you both to be brave for me now. Can you do that?" As she spoke, her words continued to get softer and softer until they were barely a breath. Both children just nodded, unable to speak. "Good, take care of each other, and take care of Hanabi. Remember, I will always be with you in your hearts. I love... you... all..." And with her final words of love, her body went limp and her eyes lost their light as life left her. Hinata and Naruto began to cry uncontrollably, waking up the sleeping newborn who also joined in crying. Hiashi could no longer keep silent as he bent over his late wife and their children as he too cried out in anguish.

Two Days Later

The funeral was held at the heroes monument before a procession bearing her coffin carried it to the Hyuuga clan's private section of the graveyard for the final rights. It was one of the rare cases in which the emotionless mask of the Hyuuga was allowed to be lifted as there was not a single dry eye in the clan that day. Sorrow was the only thing felt from the normally emotionless clan as they mourned the loss of their mother figure. She was the kindest of them all, and not a single person, not even the elders had a negative thing to say about her over the years.

Three Years Later (Age 6)

Over the years, the dream about the Kyuubi attack has become recurring. Each time, the dream would be a little longer and more of the attack would be revealed. Some times the dream would be an out of body experience, sometimes it would be first person from the point of a blonde man they later recognized as the Yondaime Hokage. And in the scariest version of the dream it would be from the point of the Kyuubi itself. By this point they also recognized exactly what the giant fox was. After the first few months of the dream, Naruto and Hinata still woke up in a cold sweat, but they no longer woke up crying. For this reason, Hiashi was unaware of the dream lasting longer than a few months.

This was one such day when the dream came back. Both Naruto and Hinata had woken up in a cold sweat once again. Looking at their clocks they saw that is was almost six in the morning. Almost time to get up anyways, so they shut off their alarms and got dressed before stepping out of their rooms and meeting up in the hallway as they had been doing for nearly two years now.

"The dream again," Naruto asked solemnly.

"Yes," Hinata said. "There was more this time. Did you see all the people who were there when Yondaime-sama summoned that awful spirit thing?" She had no clue that it was the Shinigami himself that the Yondaime had summoned.

"Yeah. It looked like a lot of important people were there. I saw Sandaime-jiji (old man/grandfather) and Hiashi-Tosan (father)." He was really confused. They had both come to the conclusion a little while ago that this was not just a dream. That these events had actually happened. But they could not figure out why they were having them.

"I saw them too. I also saw..." Hinata trailed off. It was still hard for her to mention her mother.

"I know, I saw her too Hinata-chan." Naruto looked down, unable to find anything else to say.

"Naruto-kun..." Hinata started to cry a little. "I don't like this dream. It keeps getting worse and worse every time. I don't understand."

"I know, Hinata-chan. But we'll figure this out. We'll go to the library again today and see if we can find out anything about that red-haired woman who was with Yondaime-sama." Naruto and Hinata had seen a red haired woman get stabbed by the foxes claw with the former Hokage for the first time in their shared dream, and she confused them. She seemed familiar and unknown at the same time.

"We'll have to ask To-san first." Hinata reminded him.

"Oh yeah, well I guess we can ask him at breakfast. Maybe we should go ahead and head to the dining room?" Naruto suggested.

Hinata nodded and the two of them headed to the dining room where the branch family servants were already getting everything ready. Shortly after they arrived Hiashi and Hanabi also arrived and sat in their usual spots.

"Good morning everyone," Hiashi said formally.

"Good morning Oto-san (father)," Hinata and Hanabi said.

"Good morning Hiashi-Tosan," Naruto said.

Breakfast was brought to the table and they all ate in silence as they always did. This annoyed Naruto to no end, as it always did. He didn't like formal environments. But until the servants all left, he had to be formal. As the last branch member left, they all let out a sigh. Finally able to drop the formal atmosphere, Hiashi spoke again.

"So how are you all this morning?" Hiashi said with a smile, signaling the children that they could relax.

"I had the most WONDERFUL dream!" Hanabi said. "It was so colorful and fun! What about you, Onē-san (big sister)?"

Hinata shifted in her seat a bit, which didn't go unnoticed by Hiashi. She spoke up after only a moments hesitation. "Well, I don't really remember what I was dreaming about. Sorry Hanabi-chan." Hiashi noticed the lie, but didn't press for details.

Hanabi spoke up once again, "What about you Naruto-Niisan? Did you have a good dream?" Naruto also shifted a bit uncomfortably, but didn't hesitate to answer.

"Not really Hanabi-chan. It was a really confusing dream actually." Naruto was honest, but didn't give any details. Hiashi noticed this too, but thought nothing of it. Until Naruto and Hinata glanced each others direction before sharing a worried look. This had Hiashi concerned, as it brought back memories of the few months following his late wife's death and Hanabi's birth.

"Oh, that's too bad." Hanabi was a little disappointed but quickly got over it like most kids do. Hiashi then spoke to Naruto.

"Well, maybe I can help you understand. Would you like to talk about it Naruto?" Hiashi asked. He noticed Naruto shift a bit uncomfortably in his seat. "If not, it's okay. You don't have to tell me until you are ready."

"It's not that..." Naruto thought to himself for a moment. "Hiashi-Tosan, do you remember those dreams me and Hinata-chan had when we were younger?"

Hiashi was both nervous and surprised, but his years as clan head helped him hide it well. "Yes, Naruto, I do. Did you have it again?"

"Actually, I never stopped having it..." Naruto admitted in a low voice, as if he were afraid.

This did break Hiashi's mask and he had a startled look clearly on his face. He quickly recovered and asked Naruto, "Really? I thought you stopped having that dream years ago?"

"No, sir. We have been having the dream a lot. And it keeps getting longer and longer." Naruto admitted.

Hinata shifted uncomfortably. Hiashi now understood and spoke. "I see. But what do you mean it's getting longer?" He thought he knew the answer but he needed to be sure.

Before he could speak, Hinata interupted timidly, "Actually To-san, we were hoping you would let us go back into the clan library so we could look up a few things about the dream." Hinata was a bit timid, though not as bad as she could have been. Not by a long shot.

Hiashi thought for a moment before answering. "Actually, before you go digging in the archives, please explain what it is you saw and at least let me try to answer any questions I can." He saw them contemplating their decision while glancing at Hanabi, who was confused as to what was going on. He decided to help them make their decision by excusing Hanabi, who had finished eating. "Hanabi, why don't you go outside and play while we talk."

"Yes Oto-san," Hanabi said in a disappointed tone before she got up and headed outside.

Hinata thanked her father for that and, with help from Naruto, she explained what they had seen and heard. She also explained that each time they had the dream, more and more of it was clearing up. She also explained that the two of them had decided a while back that it was not just a dream, but some how was actually past events. Though they did not understand how, Hiashi knew instantly that the time had come to tell them the truth.

"Hinata, Naruto, listen for a moment. I have something very important to tell you both that will clear up everything about your dreams. Please do not interrupt me while I explain and save any questions until the end. I will answer everything then."

He then proceeded to explain everything. The attack, the fox, the seal, Naruto's real parents—who he had always asked to know who they were—and the circumstances behind why his father had done what he had done. He then explained what the Shinigami had said that night and how Hinata was chosen to contain the other half of the Kyuubi. He explained it all and was not interrupted a single time, much to his surprise.

After his explanation was complete he waited a few moments while the two children digested everything. Naruto was the first to speak. "So, my real father was the Yondaime Hokage, and my mother was the previous host of the Kyuubi?"

Hiashi's heart broke a little at the words 'real father' but hid it well before answering. "Yes, and they were both great people and amazingly loyal friends."

Naruto smiled a little bit before saying, "Thank you, Hiashi-Tosan. Thank you for finally telling me." Hiashi was relieved that Naruto still looked to him as a father figure.

Hinata spoke up then, "So that's why Naruto-kun lives with us? Because we both have the fox in us?"

"No, Hinata, that is not the only reason why. You see, your mother was also Naruto's godmother. That means that in the event that something happened to his mother and father, that your mother would take him in and care for him as her own son. And that is exactly what we did. We came to love him as our own son. Which brings me to my next topic. Unless... you have more questions?" The did, in fact, have more questions. But they decided to wait until later to ask them. They wanted to think on it for a little while and see how they felt about everything first.

Shaking their heads no, Hinata said, "No, I don't think we have anymore questions right now. But if we do later, can we still come and ask, Oto-san?"

He nodded yes and continued on. "Naruto, there is something I have been meaning to ask you for a while now. How would you like to become a real Hyuuga?"

To say that Naruto was shocked would be an understatement. He was speechless to the point of not even knowing his own name at the moment. After a moment, he collected his thoughts and took a moment to understand what Hiashi meant, but he couldn't figure it out. "What do you mean?"

Smiling, Hiashi explained. "Well, there is a ritual passed down from generation to generation, from clan head to clan head. This ritual, called the Blood Rite, will imbue the blood of a Hyuuga in you, making you an official part of the family, as well as granting you the Byakugan. You will learn our ways, traditions, fighting style, and the secrets of the Byakugan. You will become a member of whichever branch sponsors you to become a full Hyuuga. Which since it is me offering, you would become part of the Main Family of the Main Branch of the Hyuuga clan. In other words, you would become my son completely."

Naruto could only stare at Hiashi smiling down at him. Naruto then smiled in what would become his trademark fox-like smile before leaping at Hiashi and embracing him in a hug. Hiashi then explained further, "You will become a Hyuuga in blood, though at the same time, you will still be Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze. That is your true last name, by the way. And as such, you will be both my son, and the son of Minato and Kushina. You will still have their DNA and your father's bloodline, as well as the Hyuuga bloodline." What Hiashi didn't explain was that since his DNA wouldn't change, he could pursue a relationship with Hinata later down the road if he chose to. They were too young to understand that, so he didn't bother to explain it.

"Uzumaki-Namikaze... and also Hyuuga... Wait, my father had a bloodline?" Naruto asked.

"Yes, Naruto, but I do not know how it works. All I know is that once it awakens, you will be able to use your father's signature jutsu. It is called Haraishin, and it is probably the most deadly jutsu in Konoha."

"That is so COOOOOOOL!" Naruto shouted as he jumped up and down.

Hinata could only smile at this. She was so happy for Naruto. "Um, Oto-san, what does Naruto-kun have to do for this ritual?" Hinata asked.

"Well, I will have to perform a very complicated jutsu and sacrifice a bit of my blood, almost like a summoning jutsu. Then Naruto will go into a deep sleep for about a day. When he wakes up, he will have the Byakugan and be a full member of our family." He then turned to Naruto and added one more thing. "Naruto, you need to know that the ritual will involve some pain and discomfort in your eyes while they change. Your eyes will still be blue like they are now, but when you activate the Byakugan, your eyes will become like ours. They will be pale-white and pupil-less. You are the clan heir of both the Uzumaki clan and the Namikaze clan, as well as a member of the main family of the Hyuuga. This is something that has never been done. I am both glad, and proud, that you have chosen to do this."

Naruto just smiled at Hiashi saying, "Well, I'm very happy to be part of this family. Now I get to make it official. I'll be a real part of the family now."

"Once you recover from the ritual, you will be taught how to activate the Byakugan and you will both begin training under me. Naruto, your training will be on the laws and traditions of the clan that Hinata already knows. Hinata, you will be training on the duties of the clan head in preperation for the day you take over for me. You will both be trained on the gentle fist and the secrets of the Byakugan. We will do the ritual tomorrow. Until then, I have duties I must take care of with the clan. Enjoy your day, both of you." And with that, Hiashi left the two of them in the dining room talking excitedly about starting their training.

A/N: Thank you for reading. I hope you have all enjoyed this story so far. If you have any suggestions, please leave a review, weather good or bad. I really hope I am continuing to write this right. I'm excited to see what you all think of the story.

The recurring dream is important, more so that just what has happened in this chapter. It will come up in the future. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Who knows, maybe one of your suggestions will thrill me so much that I'll change the story to put it in. No promises though.

I have many other things in mind for this story that will make it veer off from where you may or may not think it is going. It's going to explain many things that were left unanswered in the cannon story, as well as changing more than what it already has. I truly hope you enjoy. I know I am enjoying writing it. I don't know how often I'll be able to update chapters, but I'm going to try to get at least two chapters a month minimum. This is going to be a very long story, as I am planning on taking it all the way into the Boruto series. Though I don't know if I'll take it farther into that one. Depends on what I think of the series as it continues. Again, I hope you enjoy it so far.