Chapter 3 – Tenth Birthday
-Three Years Later-
Naruto sat at his usual spot by the lake. He practiced his techniques but was still frustrated that Kyuubi hadn't taught him anything new. 'When will you teach me new techniques? Damn kitsune!'
'I already told you that I wouldn't teach you until after school.' Kyuubi growled. 'I do have a new exercise for you to practice. I want you to practice the demon, fox, raccoon, bear, tiger, falcon, wolf, badger, otter, and horse seals with particular emphasis on the fox and demon seals. Focus on me and you can see the different seals.'
Naruto focused and sure enough the seals all ran through his head. He practiced the seals for about and hour before he decided to get back to what he was good at, whining. 'Kyuubi, these are boring. I want to learn cool stuff. Besides I can do the seals good enough.'
Apparently Naruto had forgotten who he had just whined to as Kyuubi growled furiously. 'You damn lazy human! Those seals are so slow that if you were fighting any decent fighter he would kick your ass before you completed any technique! I want you to practice doing the seals as fast as you can! If you can't get them to my approval your ass will be floating on the waterfall all night!'
Naruto groaned. 'Mental note, whining doesn't work on him.' This was going to be a long night for Naruto.
It was lunch time and the group was eating their lunches under the usual tree. Naruto was tired from the night before. As expected Kyuubi was not impressed by the speed of Naruto's seals and he had spent all night, save for three hours, floating on the waterfall. It was only when he almost fell to his doom on a bunch of rocks that Kyuubi had ended his punishment. Hinata kept fidgeting though as if she was having a battle with herself on if to do something. Naruto, while still very tired, noticed this and asked, "Hinata-chan what's wrong?"
"Well…next week is my tenth birthday and I was wondering if you would like to come over." Hinata answered. "My family is having a huge gathering with all my relatives and I'd really like…"
"Of course Hinata-chan." Naruto interrupted, in no mood for a long ramble. "When should I come over?"
"Right after school, Naruto-kun." Hinata answered. "What about you Sasuke?"
"I'll come." Sasuke answered.
"You will, that's awesome." Hinata said giving them both a hug. "This is great. I'll have my two best friends over for my birthday." Just then the bell rang and they went inside for class.
After class Naruto was wandering around Konoha thinking to himself about the party. He knew it was customary to give a gift but he had no ideas about what to give her.
'Human women tend to like jewelry a lot, kit.' Kyuubi stated with a hint of laughter at his vessel's problem.
'Shut up.' Naruto replied angrily. He had to admit Kyuubi was right though. Then he noticed he didn't know where a jewelry store was. 'Damn I'll ask Iruka-sensei tomorrow.'
The next day Naruto was at school waiting for the lunch bell. Finally it rang and he saw Hinata and Sasuke come over to him. "I'm not going to be eating lunch with you guys today." He said.
"Why not?" Hinata asked a little tearfully. "Are you eating with someone else?"
"No. I need to talk with Iruka-sensei." He replied.
"Okay. We'll see you later." Sasuke replied as they walked out of class.
Naruto walked up to Iruka's desk and said, "Iruka-sensei, I was wondering if you could answer a question for me."
"Sure, what is your question?" Iruka asked.
"Well Hinata-chan invited me to her tenth birthday party and I didn't know what to get her. I figured jewelry but I don't know where a jewelry shop is." Naruto explained. "I was hoping you could tell me."
"Okay. I'll take you there after school and then maybe we can go out for Ramen." Iruka laughed seeing Naruto's face brighten instantly.
"Thanks Iruka-sensei. I'll see you after class." He said running outside.
After class Iruka took Naruto out and led him to the jewelry store. Naruto was looking at them and deciding which one to buy. 'Damn I won't be able to eat at Ichiraku for about five months' Naruto thought as he looked at the prices. Suddenly a beautiful necklace caught his eye. He ran over and asked to see it. The man wouldn't let him hold it but he could examine it in his hands. It was a necklace with a silver chain and a heart-shaped pendant. The pendant was silver with a small heart-shaped sapphire in the middle. "I'll take it." He said pulling out his wallet. "How much is it?"
The man just showed him the price tag. Naruto's eyes went wide as he saw the cost. He could pay it but he'd have no spending money for practically the rest of his life. Suddenly Iruka came up behind him and looked at the necklace and asked, "Is this the one you want to buy?"
"Yes but I wont have spending money for the rest of my life and I'll have to catch my food until I graduate." Naruto replied getting out his frog wallet. "But Hinata-chan is worth it."
"How about we split the cost, Naruto-kun." Iruka replied.
"You mean it Iruka-sensei." Naruto screamed hugging him.
"Only if you stop choking me." Iruka answered, his face turning blue. Naruto jumped away and Iruka pulled out his wallet. After they paid the man Naruto took the necklace which was now gift wrapped and they headed towards Ichiraku.
The week flew by and soon it was time for Hinata's party. He and Sasuke both dressed nicely walked over to the gate at her house. They were welcomed in and made their way to the back of her house. There they saw the whole Hyuuga clan talking and having fun. They both walked over to where Hinata was and gave her the presents they brought. She opened Sasuke's gift first which was a beautiful blue kimono. She immediately ran up and hugged him, and then she opened Naruto's gift. She let out a sigh at the amazing gift Naruto had given her. Then she hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks you so much both of you." She said as she put on the necklace and started pulling them towards the area where her family was. "I want you to meet my family." She said. "Even though they look down on me sometimes they are still my family."
"Okay Hinata-chan." Naruto exclaimed as he started running with her.
Sasuke just let out a little, "Hmph" and followed them.
They soon came up to a man who Naruto recognized as Hiashi Hyuuga. "Father," Hinata started. "These are my friends. Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke."
"It is nice to meet you." Hiashi replied. 'So these are the kids who have prompted the confidence boost in Hinata. Interesting. The last Uchiha and the kid who carries the Kyuubi."
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well." Naruto replied. He then saw a boy in the backyard. Unlike everyone else he was not celebrating the birthday. 'Neji…' Naruto thought as he recognized the boy. Then he turned to Hinata and said, "I'll be right back Hinata-chan." With that said he ran over to the boy and said, "Hi my name is Uzumaki Naruto. What's yours and why aren't you celebrating Hinata-chan's birthday?"
Neji pretended he didn't hear him, obviously hoping he would go away. After he realized Naruto wasn't going away he answered, "My name is Neji and I don't like Hinata-sama."
"Why is that Neji?" Naruto asked. 'Maybe I can get him to be less bitter towards Hinata-chan.'
'Good luck, kit. That kid has a strong grudge against her family.' Kyuubi stated without much emotion.
"I don't want to talk about it." Neji answered. 'Damn this kid is so annoying.'
"How about if you agree to talk to me for five minutes and answer my questions I will leave." Naruto stated. 'I'll milk these five minutes for all their worth.'
"Fine. But only five minutes." Neji answered. 'He can't ask things that are too bad.'
Naruto decided to cut straight to the chase and asked, "Why don't you like Hinata-chan?"
"Because she is from the main family and I am from the branch family." Neji answered.
"Why do you hate the main family?" Naruto asked. 'Almost there.'
'Damn he is digging too deep and I can't get out of it now.' Neji thought. "I hate them because my father was killed to protect Hyuuga-sama."
"That's a stupid reason to hate Hinata-chan." Naruto stated.
"Why is that?" Neji screamed. "You can't understand."
"I know what it is like to be lonely and have no parents." Naruto replied. "I have never had parents. I was treated as an outcast. I've never had friends before Hinata-chan and Sasuke. But even I realize it is stupid to hate someone just because of something someone related to them did. You hate Hinata-chan for something she did not cause or have any say in." He spat. "People like you disgust me."
"You can't understand…Hinata-sama…" Neji started.
Naruto had had enough. Standing up he glared at Neji and asked, "Has Hinata-chan EVER done ANYTHING to hurt you. Not her family but Hinata-chan."
Neji thought for a moment before saying, "No, but her family…
"I've had enough of you and your stupid hatred of Hinata-chan because of her family." He yelled before he got up and walked back to the party.
The rest of the party had gone well. Naruto had hoped that he had gotten to Neji. 'Maybe I did help him realize his problem.'
'Who knows kit. It will be hard for him to change but after hearing what you said I think he will think about it a lot' Kyuubi explained.
'I hope so.' Naruto thought.
AN - This seems to be going well. The chapters are still short and I ahve to get out of the time frame but that's ok. Next chapter we catch up with the beginning of the series. There are a few things to point out before that happens incase you skip the first couple chapters.
1. Naruto was reborn with new abilities and insigh into what will happen (he knows the future, or so he thinks)
2. Hinata and Sasuke are Naruto's friends. Hinata has gained confidence and doesn't stutter as much. Sasuke is just nicer to Naruto and maybe more than respect for Hinata...
3. Naruto has affected Neji already and while it won't make a big difference to the future I thought it was good to put in. I felt the need to emphasize the hatred (maybe for someone other than the main family too) that might play a larger part later...
4. Kyuubi has been training Naruto hard but hasn't taught any demon techniques yet. They will come soon and Naruto will kick ass.
5. I plan to add a few OCs. I'll give you a hint. There are eight of them...
I like to give spoilers to make people read as well as reward people who read the authors notes so have fun. Most of you should be able tom figure out these but not in detail. Anyway as I said this is the last filler chapter before the series starts. The length will most likely jump as well. Please no flames. I already dunked myself in water to be flame free.
ColdCypher / ninofchaos / JohnnyG / insanechildfanfic / Stonebridge / Thalian /DeAtHaNgEL-LaVeNdA- Thank you very much!
Dragon Man 180 - You hit that one on the head. Sorry if it doesn't fit very well with the rest of the chapter but I needed to put it somewhere.
Firedude328 - My sentiments exactly except for one twist...
Black Knife - But I didn't want to stop it.
crazy-antman - I like pinky promises too and I love the way Kyuubi drives Naruto. Grins
Toki Mirage - Wow and I'm staying up late to post this.
HikaruOfDreams - Maybe...Tsunade may get a few more students too and Nartuo may get a few more bashings.
Dan Inverse - Sorry but no. The Uchiha massacre happens.
Jewelclaw Lady of Wind – The teams will be different because of one character that never thinks but ends up doing the smart thing in this chapter…
Kwisatz Haderach – Chapters will get longer. I promise. If in 3 more chapters it is the same please tell me.