Chapter 2:

It could have been worse!

"Three hours. Three fucking hours. Those teachers at that academy, oh they are so going to get it, mark my words Hinata, they will pay for this insolence, and the currency will be blood red…" Naru ranted and scorned the earth the academy had been blessed on.

She knew it seemed petty, but hey, she had too sit for three hours and listen to people complain on how to be a shinobi. It didn't help that whenever she wanted to contribute to the conversation she was ignored and was forced to occupy her own mind. It was slowly turning into the worst day of her week, and to top it all off, Hinata wasn't talking to her or anyone else for that matter and it was starting to worry Naru.

Both she and Hinata had been going to the academy for two months now and in all that time Hinata seemed to curl inside herself-metaphorically speaking, of course.

Naru sighed as she watched, said girl shift on the seat closest to the window. She looked awful to say the least, her once silky hair was flat and limp and her skin was no longer a pretty ivory, but rather a pasty white. Blank eyes no longer shined, but simply stared and watched, never truly taking in what they were seeing.

It was finally starting to piss Naru off.

Here she was ranting about academy and Hinata had yet to rebuke her for her crass language and poor tack. Hell, if Hinata didn't speak soon she was going to go insane and disembowel a fan girl or something. At least that would give her something to do.

She finally snapped.

"Hinata! For the love of Kami-sama and all who serve under him, I want you to talk and tell me what the hell is wrong with you. Please talk to me Hinata, we're friends and friends have to talk and hash things out. I've been here for you, but as things are going maybe we can't be friends for much longer until you tell me what the fuck is going on and why did it make you this way?" Naru yelled out at the lavender favored girl walking out in front of her. All Naru wanted was for her best friend to confide in her.

Nevertheless, as things were going maybe, they shouldn't be friends.

As soon as that thought entered her mind, Naru instantly dismissed it. She was going to keep this friendship alive and well, hell she was stubborn so maybe it would work in her favor. All she had to do was get Hinata to talk and then they would go from there.

Naru wasn't as dumb as most people thought, in fact she could be called a genius to some if only she showed of what she knew, granted it wasn't a lot as people refused to teach her and now they had started to include Hinata into their brand of bullshit.

So Naru finally understood when Hinata had started to turn towards her, she would only listen until the end. This wasn't her story to tell, and Naru knew Hinata was lost, and so very ready to get what ever was bothering her off her chest. And Naru knew she would be there for her friend every step of the way.

Besides what were friends for any ways.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Hinata felt as though her world was crumbling. She wanted to talk to Naru, but every time she tried the words became locked into her throat and refused to come out. She felt frustrated and a deeply acute sense of sadness. Her thoughts only amplified these as she wallowed in self-pity.

She wanted too scream out that her father was a bastard with an icicle for a heart or cry because she knew that she had nowhere to go or call home anymore.

Yep that's right, Hyuuga Hinata, was no longer a part of the clan Hyuuga nor was she their heiress. It was the day she came home from her first day of academy that her life took the plunge of the metaphorical cliff.

Flash back, Hinata style:

It was the finale call of Iruka-sensei that woke Hinata up from the lovely nap, four hours and counting. She rubbed her eyes as Naru yawned, both chuckled a little as the other blearily looked around. The room was almost empty, save for a few students also waking up from their naps.

Hinata walked out towards the entrance and looked around after getting a promise from Naru to meet up at the academy the next day. Parents and guardians lined the courtyard and none of them had the special look or eyes of the Hyuuga clan.

Feeling slightly put out that her father hadn't come to see her, Hinata had walked home alone.

Walking into her house, Hinata felt cautious and unsure. Something was telling her to get out of the house and run, but feeling curious she walked into the interior and stopped dead when she saw the clan elders and her father waiting for her.

She had never liked the elders, always to pompous and rude for them to change their ways. Her father just plain scared her.

"sit, Hinata! We have matters to discuss, matters that involve you." her father was brutally trying not to bark out the commands.

Hinata had never sat down so fast.

She waited and watched and then wished she had run when the opportunity presented itself.

The elders smiled and said several words that chilled her already fragile heart. "Hyuuga Hinata, as from this moment on, you are no longer a member of the Hyuuga clan and will therefore be stripped of your title and removed from the clan premises. Though as is the way of the clan you would normally be branded with the 'cadged bird seal', but your father assured us that you would never be strong enough to fully utilize Byakugan and all its power."

She watched in a daze as the elders left to inform the clan. Not noticing her father move in front of her, but she did hear his voice." you have two months to collect your things and leave." and with that said he was gone as well.

And Hinata finally cried.

Flash back end!

Turning towards her first and only friend. And cried into her arms. She told Naru everything and to her own credit Naru hugged her back and comforted her.

At the end of the emotional moment Naru voiced some concerns to her. "Hinata, two months are up today, do you have a place to stay and where are your things?"

Hinata looked into stormy blue eyes and sighed. No she hadn't found a place to stay nor live in yet and doubted she would. And all her stuff was in several scrolls in her pack.

"n-no I don't h-have a p-place t-to stay yet, and I-I have all o-of my belongings are in my p-pack." god Hinata hated her stutter, but she knew that she was slowly overcoming it, maybe it also helped that now Naru wouldn't judge her for it.

She somehow knew that this was a turning point for their friendship and that whatever happened now would either make or break that fragile trust.

She felt that it was time to see what they would become and this was the first step out of many that would begin their journey.

0-0-0-0-0

Naru didn't know what to feel when Hinata told her story.

Anger seemed the most prominent as well as concern. How could someone's own father and clan kick out a Girl as sweet and caring as Hinata was. She did feel concerned because Hinata had nowhere to stay.

And then an idea of the most epic proportions hit her like a chakra infused fist.

She smiled at her friend and said, "oi, Hinata, lets go talk to the Hokage, maybe he can help us with you problem?" Naru watched as Hinata thought it over and started to jog away towards the Hokage tower, comforted by the slap of sandals behind her.

Running up the stairs, taking two at a time, Naru and Hinata both burst into the room and looked into the calm face of the Sandaime Hokage.

Two chairs were place before his desk, symbolizing that he knew they had been coming to see him. The thought warmed their hearts to see that he wasn't going to kick them out.

The old Hokage watched as they sat down and Naru, not one for wasting time, launched straight into their tale and outlined the problems both were having.

"so you see, Hinata needs a place to live and my apartment is much too small for me, let alone someone else too. So I was wondering if you could help us out, I have no clue on what to do hear." Naru felt a little comforted when the 'old man', as she called him nodded and started to concentrate.

He snapped his eyes back on the two girls and both jumped at that sudden move, but neither did show any fear and met his eyes fully. And both were rewarded a smile and a soft chuckle.

Lighting his pipe Naru could see he was getting ready to start business and she nudged Hinata to get ready.

In an aged voice, the Hokage began to speak. "Naru and Hinata, both of you did the right thing in coming to me for help, this problem is quite complicated. Hmm, I would suggest that you both get a new place to stay, but knowing how little you both have I am willing to help you out, but you both need to do something in return okay."

Both girls looked at each other and realized they really didn't have a choice and turned back to nod at the aged leader. Who smiled and beckoned them a little closer.

"good, now what I'm going to do is give you both a nice house. Its inside of an old compound that has been abandoned for many years, this will have all the things you both need to train and survive, so don't misuse it. You both will get a copy of the key and will be keyed into the gate to let you both in." the Hokage looked at them like them both with the eyes of someone who was talking at a adult level.

Naru nodded at Hinata and being the most talkative out of the two decided to ask what the Hokage wanted in exchange for this rather nice gift. "Hokage-sama, what exactly do you get out of this deal. And further more how are we going to keep up with the necessities it will take to keep us both living there?"

"that is where the deal is going to benefit me and you both. Now girls you both started to attend the academy around two months ago, correct?", at seeing both their nods he continued, "then here is what I want both of you to do. I want both of you to graduate early, the end of this year actually and join in on anbu and T&I training okay."

Naru was stunned, the old man wanted her and Hinata to train among the elites of their village. Turning in her seat, Naru found that Hinata had the same look in her eyes. why would the Hokage want us to graduate early and for what purpose does this benefit anyone?

Clearing her throat, Naru asked him that very question.

"you will learn in due time, Naru, Hinata. Now how about we go and take a look at you new home."

With that the Hokage performed a transport justu and both girls ended up at a large gate surrounded by pure black granite walls that were so high both girls couldn't even see what was over them. The gate looked to be rusty and slightly mangled, but still in working condition, even if just.

The Hokage beckoned the two girls over and Naru could see he had a ornate pin with weird writing over it. He told them that the pin was used to prick their fingers hard enough to draw blood. He then showed them that there was a hand sign used for opening the gate.

Naru grabbed the pin first and brought it down on her thumb until she drew about four drops worth of the scarlet liquid and then handed it over to Hinata, who did the same thing. Both gave each other a stare trying to reassure themselves and made the rat hand sign.

The old gate made a horrible screeching sound. It was like the sound you heard an animal make in its last moment of life. The rebound of the noise had probably reached the Hokage tower by now.

Finally after several seconds the sound died off, and the gate started to lower into the ground. If Naru had been a little more alert she would have been deeply impressed, but she was busy trying to stop her ears from bleeding.

The Hokage walked in through the gate first, telling them that the gate would always let them in now as long as the made the rat sign.

The first thing that both girls saw was a hefty sum of buildings that were scattered around the compound, giving it the air of peaceful un-organization. All the buildings were made with a pretty dark wood and granite. They had a traditional look to them with paper doors and roofs that curls outward at the ends.

The largest building was one story tall and was styled like all the others. The Hokage explained that that was where they were going to live and was the main house of the compound.

Several moments later the Hokage left, saying that he needed to finish some paper work and that when they got settled in, to visit him to know more about what they were going to do in the coming months.

Naru looked up at the building and smiled. This was where she and Hinata would be living and felt happy knowing that she would have a best friend staying with her and that she would not have to return to that run-down apartment she had always called home.

Walking up to the front door, which was made of a heavy wood-mahogany, that's what the Hokage had called it, Naru found that it opened very easily and was equipped with some very high grade locks and bolts.

The inside was even better then the outside though.

The entry way had a place where you could put shoes and exchange them for a soft slipper or walk barefoot. Connecting the living room was a hallway with a washi paper door. Depicting a red crane standing in a tranquil pond filled with reeds.

The living room had two couches and was colored a reddish-brown, large vases, most likely made of jade, guarded the entrance to the room. Looking around, Naru noticed that there was no TV, but the walls had a few book shelves. A small stone coffee table was right between the two couches and strategically placed in a way that it showed a conversation atmosphere.

A small waterfall, built into the wall, led into a small pool of water and held some plump looking koi fish. There were three in all.

Another washi door, led into a kitchen with several high grade cook ware and cutlery. Dutiful tea cups and tea pots in porcelain and brass work were set on a shelve. Through a window, Naru could see part of the backyard and noticed that there was two gardens-one for herbs and the other for vegetables. A small orchard was filled with trees ready to blossom.

Turning left Naru saw a wood door with the kanji for pantry on it and saw that there was already food in it. All was in non-perishable goods but that was okay-and there was even ramen. Naru smiled at the gesture.

Walking out through a washi door with a picturing of a peaceful forest on it, and came to a long hallway, with several doors in it. All were closed and yet there was a feeling that they were open for all to see. Walking up to one at random Naru chose one and gasped when she saw what it was.

A library and it was filled with books and scrolls and large comfy chairs. Several lamps were in the room and there was even a fireplace. The room was huge and took up all the walls with book shelves and scroll cubbies. All the scrolls were in a bamboo case to protect them. Large murals covered the walls depicting peaceful places and strange symbols. A large coffee table had been placed next to the chairs. A layer of dust covered everything and needed to be cleaned for fear of mold and decay.

Walking out and closing the door Naru found a bathroom with conjoining doors on either end. There was no bathtub and no shower. A medicine cabinet hung over the stone sink. Small murals covered the walls here too, but these depicted large jungle cats sleeping on large mossy branches or tigers moving through the jungle floor.

Through one of the doors Naru found a moderate supply of toilet paper and other such necessities that she could think of.

The other door led to small basement like place that Naru instantly knew was a dojo. Tatami mats covered the floors and felt soft under her feet. A deep pool of water was at the farthest wall from the door and threw of a shimmering blue light. One wall was covered in weapon racks-all were filled. The other held a covered closet like place and was filled with outfit racks. This place was covered with a strange glass like door with the same strange symbols drawn all over it.

Once leaving the dojo, Naru found a small bath house ready to be used, a study filled with two desks and supplies, a room with blankets, sheets and several washers and dryers.

But the best thing Naru found was the rooms she and Hinata would be staying in. both the same size and had queen sized beds, a desk each, more book shelves and scroll cubbies, walk-in closets and large fluffy chairs.

Oh she could get used to living here and she was sure Hinata would too.

0-0-0-0-0

Hinata listened to Naru ramble on about what she had seen when she toured the house, and from her stories Hinata instantly fell in love with the obviously old home. She felt herself nodding when Naru suggested the by some paint so they could spruce up the place.

She and Naru had been walking away from the compound and were currently heading to Naru's apartment so she could collect her things. Both were planning on moving in tonight and that caused them to nearly jog across the village.

Hinata had never been allowed to play outside of the Hyuuga compound and was surprisingly enjoying her new found freedom.

After collecting Naru's things and telling her off for having a slightly messy house, they were on their way home. The sky was darkening and small stars had started to appear when the finally made it back to the compound and into the house. Both went to the newly dubbed laundry room and chose some blankets and sheets- orange for Naru and lavender for Hinata, and got ready for bed.

They both agreed that since academy was out for the weekend, they would start cleaning the house and compound and then train before they visited the Hokage.

With that both girls went to bed and smiled as they realized they were home.

The next day!

Hinata woke to the sounds of a bird whistling from outside her window and smiled. Today was the first day in her getting stronger along with Naru.

Getting dressed in a tee-shirt and black shinobi pants along with her trade mark lavender jacket Hinata ran to the kitchen and was surprised to see Naru already up and cooking breakfast-blueberry waffles and bacon, with green tea with honey to wash it all down with.

After breakfast both sat down and outlined a plan- Hinata was going to clean out all the houses and general up keep from inside, while Naru volunteered to work on the stuff from outside. After that was done both she and Naru would make some lunch and then train in the dojo for a few hours. After that the would go and talk with the Hokage on what the need to do to pass.

The work was hard but in its own way fulfilling. The day seemed to fly on invisible wings and soon Naru had come in to make some ramen for lunch. They ate in silence both lost in thoughts, and before Hinata knew it they were both heading to the dojo.

Hinata started to teach Naru meditation and in return Hinata was taught how to throw a solid punch. They read a few scrolls on certain justu and worked on the academy style kata and the three justu-kawarimi, henge, and the bushin. With this Hinata learned she could do all of them but they were weak and lacked a strong backing, while Naru could not do the bushin to save her life. It came out looking dead or very sickly.

They both resolved to get this checked out by the Hokage and soon left to talk with him.

0-0-0-0-0

Sarutobi Hirozun had been Hokage for a long, long time and as such was granted certain perks. He was rewarded though with paper work, and most of it civilian paper work too-complaints, and offers, and oh look more complaints.

He could do all of it without really looking at it and turned his thoughts on two small academy students that were currently making their way to the tower too see him.

Now being old, Hirozun was kind of hoping Naru would graduate soon and take over his work. That would be a nice return to retirement gift. But first she had to graduate and Hirozun was smart enough to know that if she was there for all four years, she would make friends but she would not graduate.

The Hyuuga girl was loyal to Naru and vise versa which made it easier to allow them to live together. But even he was disturbed that one of the clans of Konoha would stoop so low.

He shook his head and sighed. All shinobi had their coping mechanisms, some drink, some are perverted and others such as himself became best friends with tobacco. He could already see what those girls' copes would be. Hinata would write and garden, these were calming things. Naru would be bold and she would have the penchant for gambling.

Both were two sides to the same coin, one would be the attack while the other defended. This made him feel every year to his name. he would make sure they passed. they only had seven more months before they would be genin, and in the shinobi world that was as much time for several lifetimes.

He watched as the girls outlined the plan with him, Hinata would need to become stronger with her Kata and techniques, while Naru just needed to have the Bushin jutsu down. Already knowing Naru would never complete the original jutsu, he handed her a different one: Kage bushin.

She thanked him and both Hinata and Naru left him to his work, that already had doubled since he last looked at it.

If only they had stayed and helped him. He then chuckled, they would learn and got to configuration numbers. Oh the wok of a Kage was never done.