" So where was I? Oh yes, First off I'd like to announce I'm going to be promoting Uzumaki Naruto from Genin to Chuunin for his defeat of Akatsuki and Orochimaru." Tsunade started
Naruto friends started cheering and Hinata was even bold enough to go over and hug Naruto who was now in shock with his jaw-dropped. It was even more of a surprise to the others when the ninjas in the stands started cheering for the boy too.
So this is what she meant by there are other ways to be promoted. Naruto thought
" Also, recently I have discovered Sarutobi's journal that shed some light on a number of things." Tsunade continued
" Shed some light of what things Hokage-sama?" Izuma a Chuunin examiner asked as the cheering died down
" Info on Naruto's parents. Specifically who they were to be precise." Tsunade replied
Talking broke out in the ninja crowd. Though the only ones who knew were Naruto's friends and their family.
" So who were they then?" another ninja asked
" Can't you guess?" Jiraiya asked, " Look at Gaki's Jutsu's, his appearance. Hell today even the outfit he's wearing today. He's almost looks like his Otou-san."
" HE CAN'T BE!" the ninja said, " HE CAN'T BE THE YODAIME'S MUSUKO!"
The ninja's were now talking loudly amongst themselves. How, how could the Jinchuuriki be the Yondaime's son? He never had a wife, that they knew of and even if he did, who was she? Tsunade looked up into the sky and could tell they had been there longer than she had anticipated. She signed wanting to go and deal with the ninja's that attacked Naruto and to check on Sasuke's progress.
" It's getting late. I want each of you to come in your team groups tomorrow to the Mission Room. I'll give each team a scroll that explains all the information I'm sure you want to know. Any questioned and you can come to my office later and talk to either Jiraiya or me. If you can find the sukebe." Tsunade said noticing Jiraiya had snuck out of the arena
Tsunade then looked over at Naruto, " Gomen Otouto I slightly let the kitsune out of the bag, so to speak. You might have a few questions arise after today's meeting. Especially from Konohamaru-kun's group."
Naruto nodded, " It's Ok Oba-chan if they ask I'll tell them what you meant, but only if they ask me." Naruto said and then turned to the Suna sib's, " So where are you staying at?"
" At the Godaime's house for now." Temari said
" Great then you can help me get my stuff from my old apartment because I'm going to be living with Oba-chan from now on." Naruto said
" Naruto question? Why are you calling the Hokage Oba-chan now, when a couple of days ago you were calling her Obaa-chan." Ino asked
" Because his Otou-san was the Godaime's nephew." Shikamaru said
" And how would you know that Shikamaru?" Ino questioned
" Mendokuse, all of our parents know that." Shikamaru said
Hinata looked over at her father and he nodded that what Shikamaru had said was correct.
" We'll help too Naruto since we don't have any missions for the next couple of days." Choji said
" Yeah." The group responded
Naruto smiled, " Arigato guys, well follow me and we'll head to my old apartment."
With that Naruto, the rest of the Chuunin 12 and the Suna Sib's headed over to his apartment. The other ninjas cleared out of the Chuunin Arena and went to contemplate on all the information they had just received, and see. They were also questioning themselves about the information they'd receive on the scroll tomorrow. As Naruto and the group reached his apartment most couldn't believe the place he lived at, it was run down and looked like it was in major need of repairs from the outside. As Naruto unlocked his door and they entered the group was again surprised at is apartment. It was so small even for one person. It consisted of four rooms. The two smallest rooms were his bathroom and shower rooms, which there was only enough room to turn around in and that's all. There was another room off to the side, but the door was shut and they couldn't tell how big it was, but from the layout of the apartment they guessed it was a long thin room, probable storage. The main room, which they were currently standing in consisted of a sink with small stove attached to it, a fridge, a small table in the middle of the room and his bed that was off to the far left corner. He had a number of scrolls and weapons thrown on the floor and different areas. As the last person entered Naruto turned to face them.
" Gomen, it's such a mess, but I normally don't have company." Naruto said
Everyone looked at him sadly, but this news hit Hinata hard.
" We'll start here and then work our way to the others. The room over there I can get myself." Naruto said pointing to the room with the door shut
He then turned and started gathering scrolls and other thing off the floor. Everyone else followed suit and soon Naruto could get underneath his bed, where he stored boxes. He pulled them out and fixed then back up and started placing his stuff inside. Ino went over and unplugged the TV, but Naruto stopped her.
" Ino just leave it there." Naruto said
" But Naruto?" Ino questioned
" It hasn't worked since before I left there's no point in taking it with me." Naruto explained
" Why didn't you buy a new one then?" Kankurou asked
" A lot of the shops aren't too keen in me be being a customer with them. So, I just never got a new one." Naruto said going back to work
The teens frowned at Naruto's news and looked at each other. Hinata was now on the verge of tears. She hadn't know it was this bad. Sakura seeing Hinata upset came over to her.
" Hey, you all right?" Sakura whispered
Hinata sniffed nodded smiling at her. Sakura could figure out why the girl was upset, but why Naruto wasn't she still couldn't believe.
Has this been going on since before we graduated? Was this how he was always treated? Sakura questioned herself
I should give those shopkeepers a piece of my mind! Inner Sakura said
Once they were done in the main room, Naruto started on the bathrooms and shower area.
" You guys can just chill now. I'll finish the rest and we'll be out of here in a hour." Naruto said
Everyone looked at him questioning his words.
" He still has the other room to clean." Tenten commented
" Well since he's cleaning the bathroom, why don't we go and clean that room. " Temari said
" I don't think that's a good idea." Gaara said
" Why?" Temari asked
" It seems like he doesn't want us in that room, so I will stay right here." Gaara said, " If you wish to go, go."
Temari and the others shrugged and all but Gaara went over to the room. Hinata was the last to leave him reluctant to follow the others when Naruto had told them he'd get the room himself. Sakura turned the knob and opened the door and was shocked by the inside. It was like a mini-training room. On one wall was a bulls-eye with a number of kunais and shurikens sticking out of the center. There were marks on the wall showing where he had missed. A dummy hung in another corner and I looked familiar to her.
" Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura questioned
" Nani Sakura?" Kiba asked
" The practice dummy looks like Kakashi-sensei." Sakura said
Shikamaru picked up one of the scrolls that lay on the desk, " Jounin Katon Jutsu's." He read out loud
As they went looking through the room Neji saw a number of notebooks lying in a pile together. As he picked up one he saw they were numbered.
" Nine?" Neji questioned and opened the book
Again like the scroll the notebook had high-level jutsu in them, but these were all hand written. Neji then decided to look at the cover of the notebook.
" Naruto Ninja Book Number 9." Neji read he then noticed the dates were when Naruto had left the village to train with Jiraiya. Neji raised one eyebrow and now slowly flipped through the pages.
" Kitsune Jutsu 1: Shi O Sakkaku no Jutsu - A Kitsune Jutsu when used properly gives the illusion that a person is dead, when actually their breathing is so shallow it isn't seen by the naked eye. Warning: Anyone that possess a Kekkei Genkai of the eyes will be able to see through this jutsu." Neji read, " Is this the attack he did today?"
The others looked around and Lee saw something interesting hanging on the wall by the dummy.
" Training Menu?" Lee asked
As he read the list her couldn't believe it, " YOSH! NARUTO-KUN HAS A REGULAR WORKOUT SCHEDULE. THE DILIGANCE OF HARD WORK!" Lee shouted
Everyone shushed him because they weren't suppose to be in there. They continued to look around not noticing the appearance of a very unhappy blond in the doorway.
" So how long do you think it'll take them to notice me standing here Hinata-chan?" Naruto whispered to her
This startled Hinata who hadn't moved from the doorframe since the others had enters. She looked up into his eyes and then looked at the floor. She had seen how hurt he was that they hadn't listened to him.
" You know it's not nice to go into a room you were told not to go into." Naruto said raising his voice
The others gasped in shock that they hadn't senses Naruto's presence.
" Gomen Naruto, but we thought we pack this room up since you were working on the bathroom and shower." Sakura said
" Iie, I wouldn't be mad if that was what you were doing, but I don't think looking through my personal jutsu notes and scrolls is considered packing." Naruto said walking away
He grabbed one his orange and black jacket that was hanging by the door and left the apartment. The others were shocked that Naruto had gotten upset and left them. Sakura sighed knowing what they had done was wrong.
" Common guys lets finish up packing and take this stuff to Tsunade-sensei's house. Don't anybody look into anything else of his either." Sakura said
The others nodded and quietly gathered the room's belongings. Once everything was packed they had the boys carry the boxes to Tsunade's house. Sakura knocked in the door and Tsunade answered.
" Tsunade-sensei we brought Naruto his stuff." Sakura said
The boys placed the boxes down and the Suna Sib's went to their rooms.
" Arigatou, Otouto came back a while ago. Why didn't he stay with you?" Tsunade questioned
" I believe we upset him." Shino said
" What did you do?" Tsunade asked
" We went into a room to pack it, but started looking through his stuff." Tenten said
Tsunade shook her head, " I can't believe you all did that. Those are Otouto's personal notes of his Nin-jutsu's he was taught." Tsunade said upset at what the teens had done, "Go on and I'll tell him his stuff is here. I think for now it's best to just let him be."
" Hai." Everyone said and started to leave
Neji noticed Hinata hadn't moved and turned, " Hinata-sama?"
Hinata looked at him and smiled. He nodded and headed home.
" Hinata I think you should to home too." Tsunade said
" If it's alright I'd like to tell Naruto-kun his stuff is here." Hinata said
Tsunade nodded, Hopefully Hinata will be able to cheer him up. He seems overly emotional lately, especially with Hinata. Tsunade thought
" I'll show you to his room." Tsunade said
Hinata nodded and followed Tsunade to Naruto's room. Tsunade knocked on the door, but got no reply. She frowned at this
" Otouto you have a visitor." Tsunade said
" Go away Oba-chan and take Hinata-chan with you." Naruto was heard saying sadly through the door
" Na-Naruto-kun please let me come it." Hinata begged
Inside Naruto was lying on his bed with his back to the door. He sighed hearing Hinata's voice.
I just can't say no to her. If it was anyone else I wouldn't be having this problem, but with her I just can't say it. Naruto thought
Kyubi sighed knowing what was wrong with his Kit, but he was going to let him figure it out for himself.
" Alright come in Hinata-chan." Naruto said
Tsunade slid open the door for Hinata, which caused the room to brighten up considerable. Naruto had all the light off and the only light in the room was coming from the side of the blinds where the sun was shining through. Tsunade went to turn the light on, but Naruto stopped her.
" I can see perfectly fine with them off Oba-chan and I know Hinata-chan can see ok too." Naruto said turning his boy to face her
Both gasped seeing his eyes shining in the dark.
His eyes reflect the light like those of a kitsune. Tsunade thought
Hinata thought his eyes looked even more beautiful than before. Tsunade closed the door and Hinata slowly walked over to Naruto, who sat up in bed. Hinata noticed he hadn't taken his jacket off either.
" So did the others send you?" Naruto asked as Hinata sat on his bed
She shook her head at his question, " I-I thought you just needed some company." Hinata said
Naruto smiled at her, " But you were in the room too, remember?" Naruto questioned
" Hai, I am sorry about that, but we did just want to help you. Though in the end I think they were just surprised at what you had in the room. To be honest I think we all believe it was a Ramen storage room." Hinata said smiling
" You know that's not a bad idea. I'll have to ask Oba-chan about that one, since we have so many room." Naruto said
" I don't think she'll approve Naruto-kun." Hinata said laughing
Naruto smiled at her, " Nani?" Hinata questioned
" You're pretty when you laugh." Naruto said and the covered his mouth afterwards
Hinata just blushed, I didn't just imagining him saying I'm pretty, did I? Hinata thought
" Naruto-kun why didn't you want us in that room anyways?" Hinata now questioned
Naruto sighed and rubbed his head, " I don't know, I guess everyone had thought I'm a baka for so long that room sort of proves them all wrong. And since they think that no one takes me seriously and I get the upper hand on ninjas before they know what happened. It just helps me be a better ninja." Naruto said
Hinata nodded understanding his answer, " You're stuff is out in the living room."
" I'll get it later. Hey! You want to see photo's of Okaa-san and Otou-san?" Naruto asked
" Sure, but can we turn the light on. I think we'll see a whole lot better." Hinata said
Naruto laughed, " Yeah turn on the lights Hinata-chan, just warn me so I can close my eyes to refocus them." Naruto said
Hinata nodded and headed over to the light switch, " Ok Naruto-kun." Hinata said,
Both of them closed their eyes and Hinata turned on the lights. They opened their eyes and blinked a couple of times.
" Common and sit back down I won't bite." Naruto said smiling at her
Hinata giggled and sat beside of Naruto. He opened the album and placed it over their laps. He opened it to the page he had marked, which was Arashi's 18th birthday party.
" You know you do look like him. Especially if you look at this photo." Hinata said
She turned to look at him, but saw his was frowning.
" Ne Hinata-chan, what's it like to have a birthday party?" Naruto asked
She looked at him questioningly now.
" I mean I know it's probably fun, but what did you do at yours?" Naruto asked not looking up from the photo.
Realization hit Hinata " Naruto-kun have you ever had a birthday party?" she asked and Naruto shook his head, " Why?"
Naruto laughed sadly, " Isn't it obvious. Who would come to a birthday party for a Bakemono?" Naruto asked with tears in his eyes
Hinata heart felt like it was being squeezed at his words, " Oh Naruto-kun."
And without thinking Hinata embraced the boy in a loving hug, " I would of come even if Otou-san had forbidden me I still would have come. You never were alone and you will never be a Bakemono. It's the villagers who are the true bakemono because they have caused you so much pain in your life, they don't know you like I know you. The kind, brave, selfless person that would give up his own life to help a ninja in need." Hinata said
Naruto smiled at her words and then blushed realizing she was hugging him. Hinata finally realized what she was doing and let go of Naruto and turned her head blushing madly.
" Ne Hinata-chan, why are you so nice to me?" Naruto asked
" Because I know you have a true inner strength only few ever possess and even with all that has happened to you it had only made you stronger." Hinata said
" Hinata-chan Arigatou." Naruto said hugging the girl
Hinata smiled and nodded in his embrace.
" Alright so how about I finish showing you these picture then?" Naruto asked
The rest of the day Naruto showed Hinata all the picture of his parents at one point they had to stop for dinner and even thought Hinata protested Tsunade had her join them. Once it started getting dark Naruto knew it was time for him to take Hinata home, there was only one problem. Hinata had fallen asleep.
" Well I'm not going to wake her when she looks so cute when she's asleep. I'll just carry her home" Naruto said
As he walked out of his room with Hinata on his back Tsunade saw the two.
" Oba-chan I'm going to take her home. I'll be back in a little bit." Naruto said
" Yeah right." Tsunade said
" What was that?" Naruto asked
" Nothing I'll see you tomorrow. Don't cause any trouble." Tsunade said
What is she talking about I'll be right back? Naruto questioned, but shrugged it off
After Naruto had left Tsunade got up and picked up the phone. She was smiling as she dialed the Hyuuga residence.Upon reaching the gates the guard let Naruto in without any questions this time. Hiashi came out to meet Naruto.
" Naruto-sama." Hiashi said
" Gomen Hiashi, we were looking at old photo's Oba-chan had and she fell asleep on me. I didn't have the heart to wake her." Naruto said looking back at her
Hiashi nodded, " I'll take her to her room."
As he reached to remove her from Naruto's back, but Hinata's grip tightened on his jacket.
" It seems you'll have to take her to her room." Hiashi said, This could be interesting. He thought
Naruto nodded and followed Hiashi into the mansion and to Hinata's room. Sliding the door open Naruto saw Hinata's room had a number of medical charts hanging on the wall along with medical jutsu books and scrolls in a corner. Her bed was double the size of Naruto's old bed and had a lavender comforter on it with cream-colored sheets. She also had a number of pictures hanging and in frames. All of the pictures Naruto recognized, but one he hadn't seen before. It was of him looking up into the sky.
" I don't remember that one." Naruto said
" I believe she said she took it the same day as the Genin group picture." Hiashi said
" Her room is as big as my old apartment." Naruto said
" So I take it you'll be living with the Hokage-sama from now on?" Hiashi questioned
" Hai, as long as it's ok with Oba-chan. It's definitely better than living on my own. I just hope the others don't give her problem because of it." Naruto said
" I'm sure if they do she can deal with them. But I know Arashi and Raimei would be happy knowing that you are living with her." Hiashi said
Naruto moved over to Hinata's bed and was able to get her to release him by taking off his jacket, which Hinata clutched like a lifeline. Naruto smiled at this.
" Tell her she can keep it if she likes. I have tons more." Naruto said
" Why don't you tell her in the morning. I'll show you to your room." Hiashi said
" My room? I can't stay here I need to get back to Oba-chan's house." Naruto said
" She called earlier and told me you were coming with Hinata. She said since it was so late it was all right for you to spend the night. Her house is on the other said of Konoha after all." Hiashi said
" Demo…" Naruto started to protest, but a yawn came out, " I am tired."
" Then follow me and I'll show you to one of our guest rooms. If you like you, Hinata, and Neji can spar together in the morning." Hiashi said
" That sounds good." Naruto said
Hiashi slid open the door to the guest room and Naruto entered.
" Oyasuminasai Naruto-sama." Hiashi said and slid the door shut
Naruto walked over to the bed and pulled the covers down. The sheets were cream colored again, but the comforter was a dark blue. As he lay there he thought of the talk he and Hinata had had earlier and how he felt every time she smiled or laughed at something he had said. He thought of her blushing and how he would do the same thing to. As he was on the brink of sleep he sat strait up fully awake.
" The last time I felt like that was when I had that crush on Sakura, but she never returned it. I can't be… I can't be falling for Hinata-chan." Naruto said
About damn time you figured it out. Kyubi said
" You knew?" Naruto questioned
Kit that girl had liked you for forever; you've just been too dense or busy to tell.Kyubi replied
Naruto laid back down digesting this new information.
" So what now?" Naruto asked
Well 1. You tell her how you feel or 2. You keep it to yourself and wait for her to tell you. Kyubi said
" I don't know what to do." Naruto said
Kit, sleep for now and think about it more tomorrow. If you still don't know what to do I believe it's best to follow your heart. That's what I did with my former mate and she chose me in a second. Kyubi said
" Hai." Naruto said sleepily and fell into a deep sleep for Hinata filled memories.
Shi o Sakkaku no Jutsu – Illusion of Death Technique
