The Earl of the Yamanaka court cleared his throat to catch the attention of the audience—the crown prince, the other earls of the other courts, and the Hidden Leaf Starlets. He was about to begin his privilege speech regarding the rumors that the Sound Kingdom and the Sand Kingdom were beginning to amass weapons and men to wage a war against the Hidden Leaf kingdom.

He hadn't read Shikamaru's work thoroughly yet—he reasoned that he could trust his speechwriter anyway.

Nara Shikamaru, one of his daughter's childhood playmates, was not an ordinary boy—he had noticed that long ago. While all boys were hyperactive at a young age, Shika was contented to lie down the grass and sleep his youth away. When asked why, the lad said that he didn't want to run and run and get tired afterwards. He would rather watch the clouds do the running for him.

He liked the boy's candidness, insight, and way with words. So when Shikamaru reached the age when he could write, he made the boy his official speechwriter. Since then, the boy had penned down nine of the most successful political speeches in the court.

He cleared his throat once more to signal that he was about to start. His eyes glanced down at the paper casually to conceal the fact that he was just reading the piece.

"Hey you, the one on the front seat!" he said out loud, not yet looking up even if he heard the audience gasp. It was his way of making his image look mysterious and cool, just like the young ruler of the palace. "Yes you! Your fly is open!"

More gasps.

He smiled. Now he was sure he got everyone's attention. He continued after calculating the right pause. "Oh, it isn't? Good. That's all I need to know to check whether you're listening to me or not." He looked back at his audience with what he hoped was an endearing, fatherly smile, but it didn't last long.

Prince Sasuke was still looking at his trousers, a dark aura surrounding him.

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Chapter Five

This chapter is dedicated to those who could finish MS Minesweeper's Expert game below 205 seconds (the record that I'm staying up all night for lately just to break -.-;;)

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"What the—" Naruto's eyes widened when he saw that the hut where he, Sir Iruka, and Sir Ebisu had lived in for nearly his entire life was suddenly empty.

Hinata looked around, puzzled. "Is this where you live, Froggy?"

"Yep," he replied, scanning the interior of the house for any sign that would clue them into where his two mentors were now. "They've disappeared. How could that have happened? I was gone for only one night!"

She sat down on the floor, gazing at him. "What are you planning to do now?"

"I have to find them!" The two were the only ones who knew his identity as Uzumaki Naruto, the orphan who was dreamed to be the legendary hero, like the Hokage legends of Kingdom Leaf.

"Then let me help," she offered. "It was my fault, after all. If only I accompanied you home last night, then we could have still caught up with them."

The frog was immediately bothered by the guilt evident on his friend's face. "Hinata, it's alright. You were only being practical by not letting me go off in the dark. Don't stress yourself out, okay?"

"B-But…"

"Let's go back to the palace. We'll think of something," he said.

She nodded.

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"…The troops of Sound kingdom are starting to move. They had been sending spies everywhere. There are foot soldiers in the borderlines of our kingdoms," reported the Earl Yamanaka. "Yet they constantly deny this, making lame excuses such as foot soldiers just being guards against those who trespass their forests and steal their herds. We have lived together for centuries in undisturbed peace. Do you think anyone would dare think of destroying this fragile co-existence just for livestock?"

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"Look there, Froggy." Hinata pointed at the other side of the hanging bridge built on top of a rapid river separating the two cliffs. "When you set your foot there, you are already in the Sound Kingdom." She placed her hand down. "I heard that the fighters there are very good in stealth. On the other hand, the Sand Kingdom, which is on the other side of the territory, is known for creating revolutionary techniques out of the most ordinary things, like puppets or fans."

"And what is Hidden Leaf famous for?" he asked.

"Prince Sasuke, I think." She giggled. "That's all everyone talks about."

"Oh no, don't tell me you like him?" he demanded. First, Haruno Sakura. Now even his first friend?

She shook her head truthfully. "I admire his calmness, but the Prince does not need another admirer, considering all of the ladies in the court like Lady Sakura and Lady Ino are ready to be his wife at his mere command."

"So what kind of boys do you like?" he asked, a little curious.

"Let's see." She tipped her chin to thin. "I think... someone who never gives up, and who never goes back on his word... that's a person I would really like!" A second later, she realized she sounded a bit too enthusiastic, causing her to blush. "A-Anyway, let's go home. It's going to be lunchtime soon."

Naruto's eyes lit up. "Oh yeah, that reminds me. I'm hungry!" He looked around, and then he grinned. "Let's eat apples!"

"Apples?" She blinked when she saw where the frog was going. "Froggy, wait!" She followed him as he excitedly hopped towards the other end of the hanging bridge, where fruit-bearing trees stood.

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"…And so to conclude, we must be more vigilant. The balance of the kingdoms must stay untouched. Let us guard our liberty for our grandchildren. This is the only inheritance that they could keep and in turn, give to their own grandchildren." With that, the earl looked up, exhausted. "Thank you and good afternoon." He stepped down from the stand and walked down from the platform.

Sasuke got up, his mind filled with the information the earl gave. Even when the other earls tried to talk to him, he gave no answers. He needed to be alone in his room to ponder on the seemingly grave situation. He knew that the kingdom was already in danger because of the sudden appearance of Orochimaru, and the news that the kingdom was on the verge of war with two other kingdoms.

Things were looking grim at the moment.

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"Froggy!" At last, Hinata caught up with the amphibian—both of them were already on the other side of the bridge. She hurriedly scooped him up. "It is forbidden to go this place without permission."

"But we're just going to ask for two measly apples!" complained the frog who still had a long way to learn with regards to inter-kingdom policies and diplomacy acts.

Suddenly, two apples rolled towards Hinata's feet. The two turned to the right and saw a boy tossing an apple on his palm. The bandanna containing a music note symbol was worn proudly over his head.

It's a Sound kingdom guard! Hinata stepped back carefully.

Unfortunately, the animal was still oblivious. "For us?" he asked, wanting to make sure.

The boy nodded. "Take it. It's my gift to both of you." His eyes glinted maliciously when his gaze fell upon the hidden leaf bandanna around the maid's neck.

"Why, thank you!" Naruto excitedly hopped towards the apple.

Hinata gasped. "You can hear Froggy talk!"

He pointed to his seal. "That is the specialty of our kingdom, remember? We not only hear the unspoken thoughts of humans; we can also hear the animals and the plants." He crossed his arms. "Now I can hear your thoughts, woman. You're wondering who I am. My name is Zaku."

She took more steps backward. Despite his friendliness, she could still sense a malevolent aura in him. It wasn't just because of her Byakugan; it was plain instinct.

"And now you're thinking why I gave you those apples." He laughed maliciously. "Just like what I said awhile ago, those are my gifts…for your funerals." He aimed his arm towards them. "One hand will be good enough for both of you."

A blast of air shot out of his the tubes on his arms and aimed for them. Quickly, Hinata scooped the startled Froggy in her arms and turned her back on the blast to protect the tiny frog. She cried out in great pain when she felt the airwaves seemingly slice and crush her body.

Naruto felt his heart drop. "HINATA!"

The Sound soldier immediately appeared beside Hinata and delivered a quick succession of blows, pushing her towards the cliff.

"HINATA!" yelled Naruto when he realized what was about to happen.

But it was too late. The two plummeted down the cliff as the wicked cackles of the Sound foot soldier echoed all throughout the forest.

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The leering gazes from the people surrounding him. The buzzes and angry whispers of the people whenever he walks past by.

"Yes, that boy holds a demon."

"The ghost of nine tails, they say, which is the most wicked among the spirits."

"That should explain the recent fire in the northern part of the town!"

"And the drought!"

"The death of our crops!"

"He is an omen!"

He looked down. He had heard this from the community so many times that there were moments that he was on the verge of believing them.

He was a boy demon. He was an omen. He did nothing but bring misfortunes to the people that surround him.

Was he falling? Yes, he could feel that his body's gravity was slowly depleting. Perhaps, if he crashes on the ground then he would have to endure just some seconds of pain, then everything would be still. Perfectly still.

Calmness seemed to coax him to give in and surrender to the peaceful darkness that wanted to take him in. That felt like a nice thought- the painlessness that the abyss offered.

But out of the blue, a voice spoke to him with utmost gentleness.

"Someone who never gives up, and who never goes back on his word... that's a person I would really like!"

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Naruto's eyes flapped open. "Hinata!" Instinctively, he placed his arms around her and changed their position so he would be the one to hit the water first. A second later, they both hit the water, and he nearly gasped in pain as his body absorbed the cruel impact of the shattered surface tension of the river.

They crashed to the bottom of the water, but he made sure he didn't lose grip of the girl. Using his legs, he sprang up when his toes reached the pebbled floor. He swam quickly, eyes aiming for the surface. After what seemed like eternity, he managed to pull their heads out of the currents long enough so they could catch their breath. To his immense relief, he spotted a nearby log that got washed up into the stream. He pulled her limp body towards it and lifted her onto it. "Hinata! Hinata, wake up!"

She was not responding, but he noted that she was breathing. That was good enough for him. Quickly, he gathered all his chakra and paddled with his arm and legs towards the riverbed, pushing the log to the side. The tree was able to lodge itself into the muddy edge of the ground, and he was finally able to pull his friend towards safe dry ground.

He dropped down the earth on his knees, panting heavily. I did it! His eyes, blurred by water droplets, focused on his trembling hands. He couldn't imagine how he was able to swim against the currents with only his tiny pair of legs.

Wait a minute…

His eyes darted back to his hands again. Indeed, there was his body part with five fingers attached to each. And they were the color of muddy skin. Not red, not green. Flesh-like.

He inspected his body. His legs were back. His stomach was there. And they too, were the tone of human skin. He quickly scrambled towards the river to check his reflection. It took him a minute to finally realize what happened.

I'm back to my true form!

He didn't know how, and especially not why, but he had somehow managed to return to his human body.

Just then, he heard Hinata's soft moans. "Help... help us, please."

"Hinata!" He hurried to her side. "Hinata, it's alright. We're safe! See-" Then dilemma hit him. When she wakes up, she would surely look for her friend—the frog, that is. He gazed at her, wondering what to do.

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"I have warned you to step back already. I hold no obligations to dig a burial place for you," said Aburame Shino coolly as he gazed at the red ants feasting on the fallen body of Zaku.

"Damn you…" the Sound ninja hissed. His whole body was stinging with the insect bites, but he was too badly beaten to move.

"Touching the girl was a big mistake." He snapped his fingers. Instantly, the insects retreated. "Be grateful that I am in a hurry, or you would have been disposed of immediately." With that, he disappeared.

Zaku's fists clenched. "DAMN YOU! YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST KILLED ME!" His yell rose into a sob. "DAMN YOU!"

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"Hinata..." Naruto's fists clenched as he debated on what to do next.

"Are you not afraid of the autumn chill?" asked someone from behind.

Naruto whirled around and found the Kingdom Leaf gardener watching them from the treetop.

"You!" he cried, astonished. "What are you doing here?"

His gaze turned towards the girl's direction. "I told you not to leave the safety of the Hidden Leaf kingdom, didn't I? But you ignored what I said."

"You know, if you came here to nag me, then I think you should stop. I nearly died—" His words were interrupted when the boy threw him a cloak.

"I got this from the Sound soldier. Make do with this."

He hurriedly put it on. "Gee, thanks! So does that mean you fought with that guy-"

"Sshh!" He pointed towards the girl, who was slowly coming around. "It's best that she doesn't see you."

Naruto nodded quietly.

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"Froggy?" Hinata got up, still a bit dizzy. The impact of the air blast had subsided, but she was still in pain. "Froggy?" Her eyes turned to the rapids. She swore she heard his voice calling her name.

"Hinata."

She turned around. It was the gardener again, hovering by the riverbed, hands inside his pocket. She found a glimmer of hope as to the whereabouts of Froggy. "D-Did you see my friend? H-He is a red and green frog, a-and believe it or not, h-he talks—"

"Y-You were alone when I found you. Maybe your friend drowned."

"N-No…" she whispered. "I-It can't be…" But she was unconscious. And with the power of the currents, it was possible that he did get carried away by the merciless river. "Froggy…" she whispered, now aware of the tears cascading down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry…for not being strong enough…"

"I-It was just a frog," he told the mourning girl coolly.

"He was my friend…" She hugged herself, trembling. "All he wanted was to go home…"

Naruto, who was watching the scene from behind the bushes, tightened his grip on the cloak. He didn't know what he should do now. If only he could tell her right now his true identity…

It was complicated, but if it would erase the sadness on her face…

But he couldn't. At least not yet. He would have to first find out the secret of his transformations. As of now, the only thing he understood was when he was touched by males, he would transform into a girl, and when he would be thrown hot water, he would become a frog.

There was still one side he had to uncover—how he managed to return to his original form.

Sir Iruka once said that the curse on him would enable him to turn back into his true form when touched by the opposite sex, and yet, no matter how often Hinata would touch him, he still wouldn't transform.

So what happened awhile ago? How was he able to revert to his true form?

"S-Sorry." She wiped her tears quietly. "I know it is silly crying for an animal, but he was already dear to me."

Naruto looked down, wondering why she was feeling that way. He was a nobody to begin with, just a frog that talks. This was his first time to see someone openly care for him this much.

Yet he couldn't deny that he was touched by the extent of her affection for his frog form. She was his first real friend, and he was lucky enough to find one whose heart loved with no pretensions and doubts. It went beyond guilt, he knew, that was why she was crying; she was truly sad for him.

"Let's go back," said the gardener quietly.

Her gray eyes went to the river one last time, as if hoping that her Froggy-san would surface. It was impossible though.

"Let's go back," she agreed quietly. However, on the first step she took, her strength deserted her. She collapsed on the gardener's chest, unconscious once again..

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"Hah! It was your father's fault anyway! Why are you blaming me?" Shika snapped after Ino barged into his room and narrated what happened. "And it was the prince's fault too. Why did he check his fly?"

"IDIOT!" She punched his shoulder. "That's not the point. Papa was so embarrassed!"

He groaned. "I thought you liked the introduction?"

"Well, not anymore. Lord Sasuke was so humiliated!"

"Look, Lady Ino, what happened there can't be undone anymore. Now please, PLEASE leave me alone," he said, rolling his eyes. He opened one of his desk cabinets.

"Don't count on that bonus anymore—" Her eyes widened when he threw her a brown box of her favorite morning cereals. A toy figurine was attached to the box.

"I went downtown," he said simply.

She was astounded. One, he actually summoned enough energy to actually kick himself out of bed and walk. The other one was: "B-But where did you get the money?"

"From my savings. I was expecting it to be returned when your father does pay me, but it doesn't matter," he shrugged.

She got up. "Then I'll pay for it—"

"Do that and I'll hide the toy figure," he warned. "Now go munch on that. You need to calm down, you know."

"But your savings—"

"It's mine, not yours, so I'll spend it the way I want to." Even if it's for a box of ridiculously expensive breakfast cereals to bribe a troublesome girl, he added silently.

She pursed her lips. "Alright. But I'm getting two spoons. You have to share this with me, Shikamaru. I hate the thought of being indebted to you."

"As expected of the only child of the proud Yamanaka family." He rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I suppose that would compensate for my trip."

She beamed. When they talk like this, it seemed that they never really grew up from the time they played Snow White or threw snowballs at each other.

To be continued