Disclaimer: I don't own 'em. Gimpy and Sora are mine… hehe
Summary: Takes place four years after the rescue for Sasuke. Of course he gets rescued. Everyone is at least Chuunin and Anbu rank/training. Naruto is sent to the future with a jutsu mess up… Created by Kabuto and Orochimaru. Rated PG-13 to R. And soon to be rated M for later chapters, but I will get to that later. Pairings: Hinata/Naruto, Sasuke/Sakura…. Everyone will be a little OC… Sorry.
' ' Are inner thoughts" " Spoken
Bold is KyuubiThank you for those who reviewed. And yes, I take constructive criticism. It's been years since I wrote so forgive me if I am a little rusty in the beginning.
I plan on making this a very lengthy story. More to come!
Krow: Not much conversation in the first Chapter because I'm setting the story. More conversations to come with more characters.
Jays Arravan: I think Tenten would be better off with Lee than Mr. Ice Queen Neji. But I may change my mind, pairings are not permanent except for the listed above. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Neji. Hehe
Le1: I gave Chouji a fan club cause big guys need some love and admiration too.
On with it!
Chapter 2: Of Hospitals and Foxes!
Naruto looked up at Kakashi's smiling masked face.
With a shaky voice, Naruto asked "Is this true, Kakashi-sensei?" Nodding at the blonde shinobi, Kakashi put his arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer. He leaned down and whispered, "This is still classified information, Naruto, and I trust you to keep it to yourself and tell whom you think is worthy." Shaking his head, Naruto rolled the scroll back up carefully and put it in his side pants pocket thinking he would study it tomorrow when training. Naruto glanced to the side to see what his ex-sensei was doing; his brow twitched seeing as Kakashi took out that perverted novel and started to read it again. The silver haired shinobi looked up from his book with a slight blush on his face and glanced at Naruto's disgusted face. The Copy Nin put his book away and turned to face his ex-student.
"If you need help with this jutsu, I'll be more than happy to assist." With saying that, he stood up and begun reaching for his trashy novel when Naruto nod is head silently. Pulling it out and finding the place he left off; turning on his heel, Kakashi began to walk back to his apartment. Calling over his shoulder and waving his hand in greeting, "Night Naruto." The fox container stared at his retreating back until he stood up shakily, still recovering from the shock, he began to walk slowly towards his residence in the opposite direction.
Going over in his head what he just learned Naruto was in quite a shock. Never in his wildest dreams would be son of a Hokage! Why that is preposterous! Ever since he could remember this village has hated him because of his demon resident. In the end this is his home, and he will protect it with his very last breath, because of his precious people. Maybe he was destined for great things? Being a son of a Hokage, it has to have some perks. A sly grin appeared on his face, laughing softly to himself. Naruto wondered if he should tell Sakura and Sasuke the good news. They would shit themselves, laughing and picturing the hilarious but grossed out scene.
While his mind was engulfed with his thoughts, Naruto doesn't pay attention where he's stepping, or rather what he's stepped on. A large piercing yip echoed the streets along with some hurt noises. Shaken from his thoughts he peered down and saw a small red fox. The little guy appeared to be injured, in doing so, Naruto squatted down to take a better look at the critter. The little fox struggled with his injured leg and looked up with a frightened look in its eyes. The blonde kitsune's face fell with a sympathetic look and reached for the fox. The little kit reared back a bit, but stopped resisting and let Naruto pet his head. He smiled as he saw the fox wasn't afraid of him anymore. The fox began purring and curled into the shinobi's touch. Laughing at the little critter's actions, Naruto proceeded to pick up the creature and cradle it against his chest. Smiling widely, Naruto walked the rest of the way home with the fox kit purring.
Arriving at a very poorly managed but moderately styled Apartment Complex; Naruto climbed the stairs and arrived at his humble abode. Rummaging through his many pockets, finding his key, Naruto albeit clumsily put the key in the knob and turned quickly. Unlocking his door, he turned on the light in his modest apartment. It wasn't large and it wasn't that small, just enough room for him. Slipping off his shoes roughly, Naruto walked to the left side of his home into the kitchen, and sat the injured fox on the counter carefully.
The kitchen looked very rustic and old, complete with all the amenities he would ever need. Considering he didn't cook that often, so his kitchen was quite clean, except for the occasional Ramen cup lying about. On the right was his living room, consisting of an old couch and recliner. In the middle of the two pieces of furniture was a small coffee table with assorted scrolls lying in a messy pile. Straight back from the front door was another room. Consisting of a bed, nightstand, dresser and a bathroom on the left as you walked in. His bedroom was a disaster area, and yes-old habits die-hard. Clean and dirty clothes littered the floor along with assorted weapons. A large framed picture of Team 7 was seen on top of the dresser. Next to it was a picture of himself and Iruka taken a year ago at the Sakura Festival. (A/N: don't know if it exists, just made it up)? Both dressed in a formal yukata, Naruto in cobalt blue that brought out his eyes and Iruka in black. Of course, Sakura had a hand in that one.
Uncurling him, the little fox kit looked around at his surroundings and gave a cheerful yip and purred even louder alerting Naruto of its satisfaction. Chuckling to himself, Naruto strolled into the bathroom and rummaged in one of the cabinets for some bandages. After sorting through his unorganized cabinet, he found some. Padding back to the kitchen to attend to the hurt creature. Examining the fox a little closer, he found a large bite wound on his front right leg. Frowning, he took out some antiseptic and began applying it to the fox's leg liberally. The little guy hissed from the pain and attempted to pull his leg away, but Naruto had a firm grip on it. Instead, he took his free hand and reached for some dried beef he kept in his pack and fed some to the fox. Yipping happily, the fox inhaled the dried beef licking his chops, settled back down to let him finish his Doctoring. Naruto took out the bandages and wrapped up his leg and stepped back to admire his work; only to have the fox get up and jump onto his shoulders.
The fox container smiled widely and scratched it behind the ears earning him another yip from the red fox.
"It looks like I have a new roommate for awhile," stated Naruto smiling. "Yip, yip!" was the fox's response.
"You'll need a name… Hmmm." "How about Gimpy?" asked the shinobi. The fox snorted then yipped again.
Laughing hysterically then nodded again. "That will be your name." Gimpy climbed onto his head and curled into a ball while his tail was twitching down the side of Naruto's head. The blonde shinobi padded into his bedroom and carefully lifted the fox off his head and placed him on to one of his pillows.
Turning on his heel, Naruto made his way to his dresser and started to empty the contents of his pockets. Pulling off the pack, and the kunai holster; and throwing them haphazardly onto the dresser. Then reaching into his side pocket he fingered the scroll. Pausing for a second and remembering what happened earlier that night, he pulled out the scroll slowly and placed it on top of the dresser gently. Looking into the mirror, he untied his hiti-ate and placed it next to the scroll.
Turning on his heel, Naruto shucked off his shirt and pants leaving a trail of clothes to the bathroom. Turning on the light, Naruto made his way to his shower and twisted the handles to his desired temperature. Stepping into the shower and pulling the curtain shut, Naruto put his head under the faucet letting the water wash over his tired body. Grabbing the soap and working up a good lather, he went to work on his body. Going back to his thoughts Naruto mentally went over everything that happened today. You'd think he'd have a celebration after all that has happened. Finding out that he really was, getting his Father's legacy jutsu and of course making a new friend.
'I really need to talk to Sasuke and Sakura-Chan tomorrow maybe even go see Hinata and see what her and Tsunade-baba are up to. Maybe even have them look at Gimpy's leg. I only did what little I could about his injury. I wonder if I should ask Hinata out? He thought to himself.'
Finishing rinsing his hair out, he turned off the water and stepped out of the shower to towel him off. Walking quietly into his room, he picked up his green pajama pants and slipped them on. Turning off the lights he padded into his room and stood next to the bed and lifted the blanket so he could get in. Gimpy stirred a bit and looked at the green clad shinobi and yipped. Smiling, he lay down and got comfortable. Gimpy limped over to the pillow next to Naruto's head and lay down again. Dreaming of all the things to come, the blonde kit fell asleep peacefully.
Next DayFaintly hearing the alarm buzzer, Naruto blearily opened one eye to look at the time.
"Oomph!" Naruto bellowed out as something pounced on his gut. "Yip, yip!" That was Naruto's wake up call from Gimpy. The little booger bounced on his stomach yipping gleefully. Blinking rapidly, Naruto caught the hyperactive fox and scratched behind his ears earning him a well-deserved purr.
Yawning and rubbing his eyes, he sat up and swung his legs over the bed. Standing up and stretching, he waked stiffly into the bathroom to do his morning ritual. Ten minutes later emerged a more refreshed Naruto. Going to his closet to pull out some clothes for the day, he chose a pair of his khaki cargo pants and his black shirt with the Uzumaki insignia in silver writing. Same clothes each day. Looping his belt on, and walking over to the dresser to where Gimpy was perched looking at his hiti-ate. He picked up the leaf insignia and tied it to its usual place and as he was doing so, he accidentally knocked the scroll onto the floor. Peering downward he looked at the scroll furrowing his brow. Leaning over, he picked it up carefully and shoved it into his side pants pocket. Gimpy gave Naruto a puzzled look then yipped loudly then bounded onto his new owner's head and lay down. Naruto smiles at the rambunctious chibi fox and turn to leave his apartment.
Closing and locking the door, he secures Gimpy to his head; Naruto takes to the rooftops bounding one to the other at a great speed. Sailing through the air, Gimpy raised his head to sniff the air. Giving a snort, he blinked a couple of times and closed his eyes. All you could see was a yellow and red blur from the rooftops. Heading towards the Hokage tower where the hospital lies next to it. Jumping off the neighboring roof and onto the ground, Naruto steadies himself as he lands. Walking at a fast pace to the entrance of the hospital, the blonde shinobi hears some familiar shouting. Perking his ears, Gimpy raised his head and yipped at his owner. Following the noise, Naruto jogged inside the building to witness a ghastly scene.
"Lee, how many times do I have to tell you?" Screamed an enraged pink-haired kunoichi. "Just once more my blossom," the heavy eye browed shinobi responded dreamily. Two veins appeared on Sakura's temple as her brow furrowed making a low grunting noise.
'Naruto thought, she sure is scary when she's mad.' This time Naruto thought he would step in and prevent someone from going to the hospital.'
"Ehem, Sakura-Chan?" Asked the blonde shinobi timidly. Sakura looked up at the khaki clad shinobi and gave her sweetest smile. "Naruto! So good to see you, how are you doing?" Sakura noticed something red and with a tail sitting on top of Naruto's head.
"Naruto, what is that on your head?" As on cue, Gimpy perked his ears and glanced at Sakura with wide eyes looking so cute. Squealing like banshee, Sakura tried to snatch the cute little fox off his head. Gimpy reared back and hissed at Sakura.
The Medic Nin jumped back a little and furrowed her brow. Tail twitching, Gimpy jumped onto Naruto's shoulder and yipped. Lee glanced back and forth between Naruto's new pet and Sakura with his brow raised.
"Sakura-Chan, this is Gimpy, I found him on my way home last night from training." The pink-haired kunoichi raised her brow at Naruto.
"Gimpy!" Blurted Sakura. "Why that is the stupidest name I've ever heard, and coming from you that sounds pretty normal!"
The blonde shinobi gave Sakura the dirtiest look he could muster. "For your information, Gimpy likes his name." Turning his head to the side, Gimpy yipped as agreeing with Naruto. Sakura sighed heavily and nodded.
"Fine, fine name your new "pet" what you will, Naruto." Naruto gave his signature foxy grin and turned toward Lee. Still giving Sakura the oogly eyes, Lee sighed while his shoulders slumping. Of course she wasn't paying any mind to Lee.
Naruto cleared his throat to get his attention, twice, before Lee would pay him any mind. "Lee, how's training?" Asked the fox container. Lee looked over to Naruto and gave him the nice guy pose. "Ah, the power of youth! Naruto my training is wonderful thanks to Gai-sensei." Exclaimed the Gai double. Naruto and Gimpy sweat dropped. 'Naruto thought he'd never grow out of it. Being the epitome of Gai-sensei is not a good thing.'
"That's great Lee, but I have to be going now. Got to have Gimpy looked at by Tsunade-baba." Stated Naruto. Trying his best to get away from the green clad shinobi before he started going on about more of "The Power of Youth!"
Before he left, Naruto grabbed Sakura's arm and pulled her off to the side. The blonde kit leaned over to Sakura's ear and whispered, "I need to talk to you later and will you meet me for lunch?" Brow raised, Sakura nodded silently. "Thanks Sakura-Chan." Turning on his heel, he began to run down the end of the hall to Tsunade-baba's office.
Not looking where he was going, Blondie ran right smack into someone, toppling over whoever it was; Gimpy leaped onto the other person's head and yipped. Pulling himself onto his hands, Naruto peered down at large pearl orbs staring back at him. A blush crept onto Hinata's face as she stared at the object of her affection. Blinking a few times, it took a minute to register that he ran into. Long blue-black hair splayed across the hospital floor, the site mesmerized Naruto. 'Thinking to himself, man, her hair would look nice splayed across my pillow. No, No, No…. I'm not a pervert!'
Shaking himself from his thoughts, Naruto pulled up to his knees and said, "I'm so sorry Hinata, I was in such a hurry I didn't see you there." The blonde smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "Here, let me help you up."
Hinata could only stare at him until he spoke shaking her from her reverie. "I-Its okay Naruto-kun," Hinata replied shakily. Taking the hand offered her; he pulled her up to her knees. They were only a few inches apart, blushes appeared on both their faces. So close…
"Yip, yip," responded Gimpy, startling Hinata. The little fox kit leaned over in front of Hinata's face, licking her forehead, yipping again. Chuckling softly, Naruto reached for Gimpy. The chibi fox bounded into his owner's arms and turned to look at Hinata.
"Naruto-kun, what a cute little fox, is he your new pet," asked the shy Hyuuga?
Grinning like a madman, Naruto replied, "I don't know if he's my new "pet", but I found him injured on my way home. So I doctored him as best as I could until I found someone to look at him. I thought I'd have Tsunade-baba look at him to make sure he's okay. His name is Gimpy."
Hinata cocked her head sideways and responded, "Let me take a look at him, Tsunade-sensei is in surgery at the moment." Naruto nodded silently and stood up. Offering his had to Hinata to help her to her feet, Hinata blushed slightly. Walking side by side, Hinata stole glances at Naruto before arriving at the next available room. Opening the door, Hinata strolled in first preparing the table. The blonde shinobi shuffled into the room setting his little kit on the examining table. Gimpy shaking slightly, laid down curling his tail around himself. Naruto stroked his fur earning him another purr.
"H-He seems like a good little fox." Stuttered Hinata. Looking up, Naruto smiled warmly and replied, "Yeah, he has quite a rambunctious personality, but he didn't take to Sakura-Chan too well."
'Hinata sighed he still calls her Sakura-Chan. But I know he doesn't feel that way about her anymore. Maybe he'll open up to me more? I hope he asks me out one day.'
Turning on the light above the table, Hinata leans closer and hovers over Gimpy. "N-Naruto-kun, we don't usually examine animals at the regular hospital, but Kiba-kun's sister is the resident veterinarian. I learned all about the physical attributes of dogs/animals from being on Kiba-kun's team," squeaked Hinata.
Slapping his forehead, "That's right. I'm sorry Hinata-Chan, could you still take a look at him for me?" Blushing profusely, Hinata nodded and replied, "It's no trouble for you Naruto-kun, and I'd love to."
Hinata berated herself 'for you?" He's really going to know now. He called me Hinata-Chan. She sighs happily inwardly.'
Naruto watched Hinata turn 3 shades redder than her normal blush. 'Did I do that? Thought Naruto. She is cute when she blushes, I wonder if she blushes all over like that? No, no, no… no perverted thoughts! Damn you Ero-sennin! Maybe I should ask her out now?'
Going through some seals Hinata activated her Byuukagan, taking Gimpy's leg in her had, she examined his leg. Whimpering softly, Gimpy stared up at Hinata all cute and wide-eyed. With her free hand, she scratched behind his ears earning her a purr. Smiling softly, she looked around the area where the bandage was.
"There doesn't seem to be a break or any infection. I'll just speed the healing up a bit," stated Hinata. Executing a number of seals, the familiar green chakra surrounded Hinata's hand. Extending her arm over the injured area, she began to repair the torn tissues and skin.
Naruto watched intently as Hinata healed his little critter. He could never get enough of watching anyone heal. It was fascinating, but he could never do it himself. Being his chakra control wasn't all that bad, but he wanted to be out on the field instead of in a sterile hospital all day. Hyper activeness was a bad trait he inherited. From whom, he didn't know, but he had a good idea which parent he might have gotten it from. Being his Father's son, he figured his signature jutsu "Shunshin no Jutsu", was a product of boredom.
Laughing softly to himself, he looked up at Hinata to see her face drawn in concentrating heavily on the task at hand. At that moment, Hinata jerked her head upwards and was caught in Naruto's cobalt blue eyes. Quickly averting her eyes, a slight blush crept onto her face. Removing her hand from Gimpy's leg the green chakra ceased.
"H-He's all healed, but make sure he doesn't use that leg for at least a day," Hinata stated softly. Deactivating her Byuukagan, she reached up to turn off the overhead light.
Yipping ecstatically, Gimpy leaped onto Hinata's shoulders and licked the side of her cheek. "Looks like he likes you, Hinata-Chan," whispered Naruto. Smiling widely, Hinata replied, "It seems so, he is so cute and tame. Something you wouldn't expect from a supposed wild animal." Gimpy snorted at the comment. The Hyuuga heiress laughed softly and scratched behind his ears. After his well-deserved scratch, yipping happily, Gimpy jumped back onto Naruto's shoulders and lay down.
Looking over his shoulder at his fox, Naruto turned his head and faced Hinata who was staring at him again. He gave his signature foxy grin and said, "Thanks so much Hinata-Chan, I don't know how to thank you." 'Thinking to herself maybe you should take me out as a thank you Naruto-kun.'
Naruto thought this was the perfect opportunity to ask out Hinata-Chan to thank her for helping Gimpy and maybe get to know her more. Deciding on this, he began to speak.
"Hinata-Chan, would you like to go with me for din—" Crash!
Naruto looked over at the door to see Lee's head smashed through it. Peering through the new peephole, he saw a very angry Sakura. 'What happened now?'
End Chapter 2
Read & Review please!
Crimsonails