-1WOW! That was a TON of reviews! Thank you! Its really, really enjoyable to see the points and emphasis I was trying to get across were reaching everyone! THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR THE REVIEWS!

K warning time: I'm trying my hardest to avoid OOC. But I'm running out of room lol. My own storyline is drifting farther and farther from the original. So my apologies but I'd expect some more OOC encounters. I write what I feel to be right by my story. I desperately hope you'll all understand and bear with me. Lol if I was a better writer I'd probably be able to avoid it for longer but hey, if I was a better writer I might also have a series of my own! Lol. Thanks for understanding.

Now for you're next chapter.

Chapter 6: Waves.. .. ..

"Time to get up my Kit."

Naruto could faintly hear a soft voice calling to him. In a tone he had longed to hear all his life. Someone was calling for him to wake up, not to go fight someone or accomplish some mission. But just to wake up. As the fog of dreams and sleep slowly began to recede from his mind the previous night's actions washed over him. He instantly turned red. Not from anger, or pain.

He was embarrassed.

He was supposed to be a man. A man on a mission to save his friends. Why did he have to give into his childish desires? He felt Kyuubi shift almost painfully within him. A clear signal saying she wanted out. Still groggy, he complied. When the smoke cleared she stood, smiling, in that same simple brown kimono. Her hair this time though was arranged to spill over her shoulder down her front. It reminded him of a cascading waterfall.

"Good morning my Kit." She smiled sweetly. "Did you have pleasant dreams?"

Naruto looked up at her quickly. That smile, that tone, the way she tilted her head slightly in question awaiting his answer. 'Maybe.. Maybe this time.. Even I can be happy?' He let his fox grin spread across his face. "Morning Kaa-chan! Plenty of good dreams for me! What's for breakfast?" Naruto's feelings were solidified when Kyuubi sighed ever so softly in happiness. 'We're here to fix the past.. For everyone.'

"Don't you worry about that my Kit." Kyuubi's smile spread a little further. "You go get ready and I'll have something ready for you."

"Hai Kaa-chan." Naruto beamed back at her as she left him to his morning routine. Naruto took his time savoring this new feeling. Someone important was in his house, caring for his needs. Not because they were supposed to. Or they felt he was owed it to make up for his past. But because they genuinely loved.. .. At this thought his toothbrush clattered into the sink.

"Kit?" Kyuubi called from the kitchen, when no answer came she poked her head slowly in the bathroom. "You ok my Kit? You'll be late if you dawdle too much."

"It's nothing Kaa-chan." Naruto replied quickly as he retrieved his toothbrush. "Just a stray thought distracted me." He reassured her with his fox grin, toothpaste foam spilling from the edge of his mouth and all. To which she only giggled and returned to the kitchen. 'Arigato Kyuubi, I'll be sure I'm the kit you deserve. I'll make sure this timeline is good to you as well.' He silently vowed to himself.

A simple breakfast of veggies and rice awaited Naruto when he emerged dressed. "Arigato Kaa-chan. This looks great!" He ate quickly as Kyuubi looked on with a content smile on her face. "Oou Khnof." Naruto started mouth full.

"Manners, my Kit." Kyuubi reminded Naruto. "It's not polite to talk with your mouth full."

Naruto simply stuck his rice covered tongue out at her before chewing and clearing his mouth of food. "As I was saying." Naruto began again. "We should alter the seal again. To let you Magnify yourself. So you can be on the outside without me having to do it for you." He eagerly returned to chomping on the veggies. They weren't ramen but the older part of his mind had become a believer in a somewhat more balanced diet. Besides; he could have Ichiraku Ramen for lunch!

"What?" Kyuubi was surprised. Allowing her to Magnify herself without him being conscious would mean that he'd do the one thing she always thought him unwilling to do. Let her take full control of his body. "Are you sure you're willing to do that?"

"Just as sure as you were about becoming my Kaa-chan!" Naruto grinned happily in response. He knew what he had said and all that it meant. He chuckled to himself. The original seal was nearly gone. The two of them had altered it enough, mixing in both Jirayia's knowledge of seals as well as Kyuubi's demonic ones. Naruto doubted that even Orochimaru's Five Point Serpent seal that had messed him up so much during his first Chunin exams would have much of an affect now. A fact Naruto was quietly proud of.

Kyuubi could only stare at her Kit. He was willing to do what was once unthinkable to him. "Arigato my Kit." she said finally. The pair continued to enjoy the comfortable silence as Naruto finished his meal. After he finished she began to attend to the dishes as Naruto knelt down and pulled a small box from underneath his refrigerator. Inside this box were things that he had considered precious and didn't want damaged when some villagers got bold enough to trash his house. It had been several years since that had occurred but old habits die hard as they say.

He slowly opened the box and removed a small item. Even in the other timeline he'd never given it to anyone else. For all he knew it still remained hidden under the refrigerator as parts of Konoha were abandoned during the Sound War. He gripped it tightly before placing it carefully within one of his zippered pockets. If everything went well today, he would finally be able to use it.

"Look at the time my Kit. You'd better get the rest of your things and be on your way. We can alter the seal when you return home. You've got a lot of things to do today." She winced as she noticed Naruto's expression falter for a moment as he remembered his promise to Hinata. Naruto suddenly felt Kyuubi's lips press against his forehead while she pressed his Hitai-ate into his hand. "You'll do fine my Kit. Just be honest and trust Hinata."

Naruto looked up smiling and said words he never thought he'd ever get to say. "Arigato Kaa-chan! I love you, see you when I get home!" Although he knew that her Magnifyed body would disappear when the distance between them grew too great. It still felt really, really good to say those words. It was still somewhat awkward between them. But it just somehow felt so right. To both of them.

"Do your best today my Kit. And always remember that I love you." She smiled at him as he grinned back over his shoulder before he disappeared out the door. Kyuubi wiped a small tear of happiness from her eye. 'This feels so good to do again.' The memories of the two kits she had adopted floated through her mind. When their fate started to surface she pushed that part of the memory away. 'They would've loved Naruto.' She thought as she quickly finished tidying the kitchen.

Naruto could only remember feeling this good a couple times in his life as he raced towards Team 7s meeting bridge. Acknowledgement for being who you were made such a difference. It was a comforting thought that maybe Hinata was starting to feel this way with Team 8 and himself behind her. His mood dropped slightly when his promise crossed his mind but Naruto quickly turned it away. 'Hinata will understand.' He ignored the fact that he gulped in worry.

Kyuubi returned to their mindscape just after that moment. The feeling was so quick she almost missed it. 'He's still so worried. Hopefully today's missions will distract him. Such awful scars of the mind are so hard.'

Soon Naruto reached the bridge, stunned for once that he was the first to arrive. His question to his normally extremely punctual teammates absence was answered soon though as Sasuke and Sakura appeared together from around the bend.

'Wait!.' Naruto jerked his head back to the pair. 'Together? But they live on opposite directions!' He continued to stare in disbelief as the two genins joined him on the bridge.

"Stop staring dope." Sasuke muttered. "We're not going to do a trick."

When Naruto's stare didn't stop Sakura spoke. "What's wrong Naruto?" Normally she would have agreed with Sasuke but she wasn't going to break her vow from the previous night. Sakura was going to be sure that she treated them both for who they were. Inner Sakura still had both plushies of her male teammates clutched protectively to her side.

Naruto answered in his Naruto way. "Don't you two live in separate directions? Why'd you show up together?" The confused look on his face made even Sasuke snort in laughter.

"I happened to be up early to train." Sasuke started. "I happened to run across Sakura doing the same thing. So we trained together."

Sakura turned a questioning look to Sasuke but quickly returned her visage to normal. 'I wonder why he didn't tell Naruto that we also had breakfast together?' Inner Sakura provided an answer 'Maybe he wants to keep it as a special secret!'

Naruto shook his head in an attempt to clear it. "Oh ok." He answered as he turned to his normal spot of dangling his feet over the edge to practice his kunai chakra control. He still wasn't as good as Hinata, she had moved up to controlling two kunai on each foot; but he was catching up. 'Maybe Sakura is finally reaching Sasuke.' The light of that thought brightened his face noticeably.

"What are you doing anyway dope?" Sasuke suddenly asked as an hour passed of waiting for Kakashi.

"Huh?" Naruto looked up, normally they'd all chat lightly about training or how annoying the previous mission was. They'd never mentioned Naruto's actions before.

"You're using chakra to do something and I want to know what." Sasuke demanded. "You do what ever it is every morning." He moved to stand over Naruto.

Sakura joined Sasuke her own curiosity had been burning about the chakra she had sensed, but her previous self wasn't concerned with Naruto. "Yeah Naruto spill it!" Sakura was startled by her own outburst, wasn't Inner Sakura supposed to say things like that?

Naruto grinned widely at the actions of his teammates. "I'm training!" He nearly shouted as he lifted his feet showing them the two kunai on his right foot and single on his left. All were neatly pointed at his foot and spinning slowly. "Wanna try it?" After the explanation all of Team 7 was seated on the edge of the bridge. New training methods always interested Sasuke and Sakura knew any training would be helpful.

Not surprisingly the kunoichi was easily able to get the kunai into position quickly. As the next hour passed she was already up with Naruto, although she was beginning to feel somewhat drained. Sasuke was glowering at his one per foot, points towards his feet but the kunai were shaking. Sasuke's face lightened when Naruto said it took him a week to get to that far.

When Kakashi finally arrived he was greeted with "YOU'RE LATE!" but the outburst was followed by absolute silence. Normally Sakura would always shout at him, Naruto would lose control of himself at times and would join her. But this time something completely outrageous had happened.

Sasuke had shouted too.

All eyes were on Sasuke, who looked surprised at his own actions. Kakashi was the first to recover. "Uh.. Sorry." All the previous excuses were thrown from his mind as it tried to grasp the Uchiha heir joining in the shout. But he was the Copy-Ninja Kakashi so he just moved onto the days plans to cover himself. "No missions today." All three genin looked at their sensei sharply, Sasuke's shout forgotten, anger slowly coming to their faces. "We're going to do some training." The anger left and was replaced by shock once again. Kakashi rarely, if ever, had them do training.

'Is the world coming to an end!' Inner Sakura shouted as she hid under an umbrella with the words "Fire Proof" written across it. The end of the world usually involved rains of fire so she was going to be prepared.

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Who are you and what have you done with Kakashi-sensei?" suspicion laced his voice.

Kakashi sweat dropped at that. "What? Can't a sensei train his students?" The suspicious glare didn't abate. "Just follow me. Its almost noon, you've all wasted most of the day already." Three veins on three different foreheads sprung to life at that and an unhealthy twitch formed in three different eyes. But at least they knew it really was Kakashi.

They arrived back at the training ground near the Memorial Stone. Something akin to fear settled into the genin, coming to this area usually meant Kakashi had something up his sleeve. Whatever is was, it was never pleasant for them.

"Today we're going to relive an old memory." Kakashi started receiving a shudder from his team. "We're going to be using these again!" Kakashi grinned as he pulled out two small bells from his pocket.

"Oh no.." Naruto grumbled. "Not this again."

"Ah but Naruto." Kakashi's grin turned maniacal. "You didn't let me finish. I'm not the one who's going to be holding the bells." With that he tossed one bell to Sasuke and one bell to Naruto. "I want to see how long it takes for you to get the bells from each other." Kakashi leaned against one of the large posts. "Sakura will go against the winner." Sakura walked over and stood next to their sensei.

Naruto could only grin as he faced Sasuke. 'Time to see exactly how far I've come.' Sasuke returned his grin with a smirk.

"Oh! Taijutsu only by the way." When Naruto glanced at Kakashi his nearly choked as Kakashi was already reading his book. "I'll stop it if it gets too serious, so please remove all your restrictions." Naruto didn't miss the pointed glare from Kakashi.

"Kuso." Naruto muttered. 'When did he figure out I was wearing weights?' Naruto's thoughts turned to how much Kakashi actually knew. Without warning Naruto suddenly shouted, "Give me a sec! Gotta pee!" And he took off into the trees. Leaving a face planted Team 7 behind him.

'Kuso!' Naruto was angry. He didn't want to fight Sasuke without his weights. He knew he could more then likely beat Sasuke without them on. Having the completely unfair advantage of knowing exactly how strong Sasuke was at this time.

"This could be a good thing my Kit." Kyuubi interjected into Naruto's thoughts.

'What do you mean Kaa-chan?' Naruto still got a pleasant buzz when he said that word.

"Sasuke left originally because he thought he couldn't get enough power in Konoha." Naruto felt a chilling grin come across Kyuubi's features. "Perhaps its time to show him otherwise." As she divulged her plan Naruto's fox grin grew very wide indeed.

"Ok ready now!" Naruto called as he jogged back to face of against Sasuke. "Ready to lose Sasuke?" Naruto grinned as he took his ready stance.

"Hmph." Sasuke smirked. "Like the dead last could beat me."

"Alright you two." Kakashi looked up from his book. "Remember that you have to get the bells from each other. So there is more then one way to lose." He watched the two genin tense, obviously waiting for the begin signal. And who was Kakashi to keep them waiting? He turned back to reading his book.

He was Kakashi after all.

As the minutes passed the intensity they had felt towards each other slowly turned to killer intent towards their sensei. Sakura gulped as she edged away from Kakashi. 'Those two need to work on their aim!' Inner Sakura shook her fist at her two plushies. "Uh.. Kakashi-sensei? I think they're ready."

"Hmm?" Kakashi looked up. "Oh sorry, interesting part of the story." Seemingly oblivious to the massive amounts of killer intent towards him. "You can start now." With that the pair turned their attention back to one another.

Suddenly Sasuke charged with a punch aimed directly for Naruto's face. 'One shot at this, don't mess up.' Naruto reminded himself as he readied his and Kyuubi's plan. As Sasuke's approached Naruto moved. Everything seemed to happened in painfully slow motion. Naruto ducked the blow just enough that he felt Sasuke's fist move his hair. Wrapping his hands around Sasuke's arm he pulled the Uchiha forward as the blonde pushed his foot towards Sasuke. Sasuke's eyes showed his surprise as he felt himself being tripped, but before he could react Naruto twisted Sasuke's arm around his back painfully. Naruto quickly moved his own body behind Sasuke's and slammed the taller boy into the ground. Using his free hand Naruto snapped the bell off Sasuke's belt loop.

Sakura was dumbfounded, even Inner Sakura was dumbfounded. Naruto, the dead last, had beaten Sasuke, The Uchiha Prodigy, in less then ten seconds. Inner Sakura's fire proof umbrella reappeared. Kakashi only grinned from behind his book. "Winner Naruto."

With that Naruto released Sasuke and jumped into the air. "Yatta! I win! I win!"

Sasuke lay there on the ground motionless as Naruto danced about. 'I.. I.. Lost? To Naruto?' This wasn't supposed to happen. He was an Uchiha, Naruto was a nobody! Uchiha's don't lose to nobodies! His shock soon turned to rage as he jumped up and lunged at the offending blonde. "I'll show you!" Sasuke shouted. Unfortunately for Sasuke Kyuubi had predicted this outcome perfectly, so Naruto was ready. And again Sasuke found himself on the ground with Naruto sitting on top of him.

"That's enough." Kakashi put his book away and walked up to the pair. "You lose Sasuke, twice even. Accept it. You underestimated Naruto. Something that gets ninja killed in real situations." Naruto released Sasuke and the pair stood. Sasuke's fists were clenched tightly at his sides as he glared at Naruto.

"Need something Sasuke?" Naruto let his fox grin out, this was going exactly as Kyuubi predicted, save for some of what Kakashi said but it was helping.

"How did you get so strong!" Sasuke shouted. "You're supposed to be the dead last! How did you suddenly get strong enough to beat me!" Confusion was evident along with the anger in Sasuke's face.

"You want to know Sasuke?" Naruto shouted back, "Fine I'll tell you. There's a few reasons. Let me go get one of them!" With that Naruto ran to the trees and grabbed his weights. "For one I wear these ALL the time!" Naruto tossed one of the weights to Sasuke. Sasuke half-heartedly grabbed at it, something he immediately regretted as his fingers were strained and dropped the weight, directly onto his foot. Naruto continued even as his inner self, and Kyuubi, laughed at Sasuke's little dance of pain. "Another is because I was the dead last! I'm not a 'genius' like you! I'm not foolish enough to believe that I'll win every fight just because of my name! You lost so quick because you underestimated me while I didn't hold anything back!" It was Naruto's turn to clench his fists in anger at his side.

"You're a brat you know that Sasuke?" Naruto's voice had gone to a quiet tone, but still remained sharp as a kunai. "You think you're special because of your life and who you are. But guess what? You're not the only one to live through pain."

"What would you know!" Sasuke shouted back. "You don't know what its like to have your own brother destroy everything you hold dear!"

"I might not." Naruto conceded. "But there are plenty in this village who do. Just think about it teme!" Naruto motioned towards Kakashi. "Ask him! He's lost his precious people! Think about Iruka-sensei! He lost his entire family to Kyuubi's attack!" Naruto hated to remind anyone of Kyuubi's actions, especially since he could feel Kyuubi shift uncomfortably anytime it was mentioned, but he also saw Sasuke flinch at that. Naruto wasn't the only one that Iruka was important too. "And yet they both continue on! You don't want to get attached to anyone or admit that anyone could be better then you because your scared!"

Sasuke eyes widened in anger again but Naruto didn't let him interrupt. "You're scared you won't be strong enough to kill Itachi if you get beat by anyone!" A silence fell over the group as everything Naruto said sunk in.

"You want to get stronger?" Naruto's voice was deadly quiet, his eyes downcast. "Then drop that stupid Uchiha avenger garbage. Its not going to get you power." Naruto slowly raised his eyes to meet Sasuke's. Sasuke choked slightly, it must have been a trick of the light but Naruto's eyes seemed to flash red for a moment. "Konoha is considered the strongest hidden village. Want to know why? I'll tell you since you seem to have forgotten. We're strong because we defend each other. We work together to get stronger then any other ninja out there."

Sasuke's countenance had lost his rage, confusion flowed from him. "But.."

"But nothing!" Naruto returned to shouting. "You aren't given power! You earn it! You're an Uchiha! But even the great Uchiha's don't all get the sharingan! They all have to work for it! Stop waiting for power and start earning it!" Naruto let his voice fall to a normal level. "We're your friends, let us help you."

Sasuke fidgeted nervously as all that Naruto said seemed to connect with the ideas that were eating away at his mind. 'Could the dope be right? Can I get the power I need to kill Itachi with them?' Sasuke shook his head.

"Oh and Sasuke?" Naruto wasn't finished it seemed. "Get a sparring partner. And not just a passing one. A real one."

"What do you mean dope?" Sasuke's voice was laden with confusion.

Kakashi took this to enter the conversation. He wanted to make sure that it wasn't only Naruto that Sasuke thought was on this train of thought. "He means someone who suits you. Someone that can see through your weaknesses and is more then willing to use them against you." Kakashi considered his next statement very carefully, if word got out about it then his reputation would be ruined. 'Oh well, if it helps Sasuke I guess its worth the risk.' Kakashi lowered his book to make sure Sasuke knew he was serious. "Even I have an 'eternal rival' in the village that has found a way to counter my special abilities." Kakashi grinned slightly. 'Hopefully they won't figure out who for awhile."

Sasuke's eyes widened. 'Counter Kakashi?' His mind moved over what little he had seen of Kakashi. "Fine then." He turned back to Naruto. "You'll be my sparring partner then Naruto."

"That won't work Sasuke." Kakashi once again interjected. "You see, Naruto already has one."

Naruto looked sharply towards Kakashi. 'He knows about me and Hinata!'

"He's better then I thought." Kyuubi conceded. "I thought your senses would have been good enough to detect him by now if he followed. Guess I have more work to do."

"Who is it?" Sakura finally built the nerve to enter what had been a very deadly conversation.

Kakashi's eye crinkled in a grin. "I think they both prefer not to let people know." Kakashi turned back to Sasuke. "Besides Naruto wouldn't be a good sparring partner anyways. You two are to similar."

Inner Sakura held up her two plushies. 'I guess they kinda are, aren't they?' Sakura simply asked. "What do you mean sensei?"

"Sasuke is quite skilled at Taijutsu, is above average at Ninjutsu, but lacking in Genjutsu." Kakashi explained. "Now Naruto is also lacking in Genjutsu, above average at Ninjutsu, and his extreme stamina makes his Taijutsu quite effective. And they both have issues with Chakra control. They'd gain about as much from each other as fighting a wooden post."

"Then who would be a good partner for me? You?" Sasuke spat, being beaten and then compared as an equal to Naruto wasn't pleasant. Although the throbbing pain in his shoulder reminded him that Naruto may not be exactly what he seemed.

Kakashi chuckled. "I'd beat you down so easy it'd be comical." Kakashi ignored the death glare Sasuke sent him. "You're missing the obvious answer anyways. So much for all the underneath the underneath that Iruka taught you. At least try to figure it out before I have to spell it out for you." It must have been 'Unofficial insult Sasuke Day' for all that was being thrown at the boy.

Sasuke growled as he thought over all the people he knew and what Kakashi said. 'Someone who can help me with my weaknesses.' Another part of his mind suddenly threw in another thought, 'and me with theirs.' Suddenly he looked up as the answer came to him. "Sakura."

"Bingo." Kakashi grinned while Sakura looked dumbfounded. "Now all you have to is ask her. I have no intention of letting you demand it of her. A sparring partner is all about trust, so start trusting." With that he looked expectantly at Sasuke.

Sakura was in overload as everything that was happening washed over her. Naruto had beaten Sasuke and called him stupid with logical reasons to back up his claim. Kakashi had just said that she was the perfect partner for Sasuke. Inner Sakura wasn't being helpful either, being too busy jumping around with joy to contribute anything useful. Although she had been training hard for the past few weeks, Sakura didn't think she was anywhere near Sasuke's level.

Sasuke turned to her and Sakura was surprised when she thought she saw a slight tinge of color in his face. 'He's probably still just angry.' Utter shock overtook her when he finally spoke.

"Will you be my partner Sakura?" Sasuke asked in, to those who knew him, his sincerest voice. Although it didn't sound much different then the normal one.

"Uhh.. S-sure Sasuke." She answered.

'I guess all girls stutter when they get nervous.' Naruto grinned to himself. He was surprised when Kyuubi didn't respond to his slight jab at girls, but brushed it off as Kyuubi being inattentive.

"Alright, now that that's settled lets discuss exactly what I expect from your sparring sessions." Kakashi felt he was being unusually talkative today, but he just chalked it up to someone finally knocking that Uchiha pride down a few notches. "I want real sparring. No point in it if your holding back or worried about hurting the others feelings." Kakashi could only laugh as his students looked at him with something akin to complete bewilderment. It wasn't often he fell into the sensei role. "If I don't see some results quickly then I'll pay a 'survival training' visit on you both personally." They all caught the implications of that. He was willing to retract their genin status should they not take their sparring seriously.

"So when will we have this sparring?" Sakura broke the silence that had formed. She was sick of all the time it had descended on the group that day.

"Oh let me think." Kakashi absently pulled his book back out. "I'd say everyday at about six. You two can use the training ground near Sasuke's home. Since this one is occupied at that time." Naruto flinched at the obvious jab at exactly how much Kakashi knew. "That's it for today on official training." He handed them all another Ichiraku meal ticket. "Get something to eat then meet your sparring partners at your designated training grounds." Kakashi eyed Sasuke and Sakura, "You two might want to have Naruto show you where to get those weights." With that he poofed away in a cloud of smoke.

Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "That was a weird training session eh?" After the small chuckle Team 7 headed out to do as their sensei instructed.

Naruto trudged towards his meeting with Hinata. The afternoon had gone better then expected. Kakashi had jumped in so perfectly. Sasuke seemed to actually listen and the sparring partner angle had paid off perfectly. Especially with the veiled threat from Kakashi. And yet Naruto still trudged. They'd gotten both Sasuke and Sakura appropriate weight sets. Sasuke had even been lucky to find special ones that resembled his current armguards. Instead of small plates sliding into slots, these ones allows stripes of heavier metal to be added inside the already thick leather. Effectively creating small shields from what used to be simply cloth decoration. They'd probably be able to deflect small projectiles. And yet Naruto continued to trudge when his spirits should have been high.

"You can do this Naruto." Kyuubi tried to comfort him. "Hinata will understand." Although Kyuubi had faith in the girl even she had doubts about Hinata's reaction. Human's could be unpredictable when their image of history and their precious people was shattered. Being told that she'd been lied to by everyone in the village including Naruto would be preposterous to most. Kyuubi believed that Hinata was in that small minority that would overcome it. "Believe in her as she believes in you." That thought finally lifted Naruto's spirits as he entered the training ground. Hinata was already there as usual.

Hinata was excitedly scared. Excited for the fact that Naruto was going to confide in her, scared at what he was going to confide in her. What could it be? Could it be the reason why the villagers hated Naruto? Or perhaps the reason for the red chakra? Or perhaps how he was able to grow so much stronger so quickly? Her mind was reeling from all the possibilities and scenarios running through it. So when the object of her contemplation finally appeared she smiled in relief. 'Its time.' Their eye met and they both froze.

Unbeknownst to the pair another was watching with interest at the scene starting to unfold. This person had hidden a microphone near the post to allow observation of their conversation. So enthralled with what might be happening this person didn't notice another come up beside them.

"Isn't spying on students against some code?" Kakashi asked quietly as he knelt down. Kurenai nearly fell off the tree branch. "Oh don't worry I won't tell if you won't." Kurenai looked up at him, her red eyes blazing. Kakashi gulped, "So uh.. You took an interest in these two as well?"

The anger dissipated as Kurenai returned her attention back to the genin, Naruto was slowly walking up to Hinata. Neither had yet to say anything. "I've been watching them off and on. Hinata has progressed well because of this. She still has confidence problems but they aren't nearly as bad as I first thought they would be." Her eyes took on a deadly glint as she suppressed the rage rising within her. "Considering her upbringing."

"Naruto has benefited as well." Kakashi answered quickly, trying to get Kurenai's thoughts off the Hyuuga's way. "I do wonder what was troubling him so much though. He seemed off the whole day."

"Hinata as well." Kurenai agreed. "I think something big is going to happen today."

"I believe so as well." A new voice suddenly joined them, this time both Kurenai and Kakashi nearly fell from the branch. They looked up to meet the grinning face of the Third Hokage.

"Hokage-sama." Kurenai bowed her head in respect.

"Yo." Kakashi grinned. "What brings you out here on such a fine afternoon?"

A knowing look came across the Third's face. "Just checking up on someone who I owe a great deal to." Sarutobi suddenly looked over at the pair of genin. "Now turn that speaker up a bit, I don't want to miss anything."

The pair in question quietly greeted each other, unaware they were the focus of so much attention. Naruto ran a hand through his hair as he straightened his thoughts. "Mind if we sit down Hinata-chan?" Hinata quietly nodded as they sat with their backs to the post, placing them perfectly so the microphone wouldn't miss anything. Fate does have a sense of humor after all. Time seemed to drag as they both remained silent. Naruto trying to get his thoughts to words.

Hinata watched emotions play over Naruto's face. He was in turmoil. Whatever it was he was going to tell her was causing him almost physical pain. "Ano.." Hinata began. "You don't have to tell me N-Naruto-kun. I u-understand if you need to keep this secret."

Naruto looked sharply at her words. A small smile adorned his features. 'Even now, she's let me out of my promise. You really are special.' He shook his head slowly. "No Hinata-chan. I can't and I don't want to. Its our Nindo after all." He took a deep breath. "Tell me though. What do you know of the Kyuubi no Kitsune attack?" The three observers choked at this. The same thought of 'Is he going to tell Hinata?' ran through their minds.

Hinata's face took on a confused look. "The Kyuubi no Kitsune attacked Konoha for some unknown reason. Many Leaf Ninja were lost in the battle until the Fourth Hokage arrived and defeated the demon at the cost of his own life." Hinata clearly remembered the lessons on it from the academy.

Naruto chuckled slightly. "That's mostly right.. Save for one part." Naruto took another deep breath as Hinata looked on in confusion. Slowly Naruto took Hinata's hand for his own comfort. 'Just in case she does run away. I can at least remember this feeling.' He chuckled slightly as a blush grew over Hinata's cheeks at their contact.

"What do you mean N-Naruto-kun?" Hinata's eyes turned pleading as she drew herself to her knees in front of Naruto.

"The Fourth couldn't kill the Kyuubi no Kitsune." Naruto paused as he took a few deep breaths.

"Is he actually going to tell her!?" Kurenai looked between the two with her. "Is it a good idea to let him?"

Sarutobi's face was nearly shining. "I don't think we have to worry. This is good for Naruto. He's been alienated for all his life. If Hinata accepts him for everything he is, then he'll have accomplished his life goal." It seemed as if some weight was about to be lifted off of the Third's shoulders as they all turned their attention back to the speaker.

Naruto gulped before turning his eyes to the sky. "The Fourth sealed the demon away." Naruto closed his eyes as he spoke. "Into a newly born human vessel." The three observers leaned towards the pair as they awaited what happened next, all their nerves on end, this could be potentially destructive to both of the genins.

Hinata's mind went into overdrive at those words. The villager's stares, the red chakra, his quick advancement, overwhelming stamina, and his birthday was October 10th. Everything seemed to click into place in her mind as she softly spoke one single word.

"You."

The world seemed to stop for Naruto. All he could hear was the slight echo of that word in his mind and the warmth of her hand. As the world finally started moving again he still hadn't opened his eyes. His heart nearly broke when that warmth in his hand started to fade. 'Oh no..' his worst nightmares were coming true. She was scared of him.

That thought was immediately banished when the warmth encircled his body. And the sound of sobbing came to his ears. He opened his eye to the visage of Hinata leaning into him, her tears beginning to soak into his jacket. "I'm sorry.." The words shocked him.

"Hinata-chan?" Was all his throat could strangle out.

"I'm sorry N-Naruto-kun." Hinata continued to cry as she looked up into his face. "If I'd been s-stronger you wouldn't have been so alone. I'm sorry." A collective breath was released from the observers. She'd done it, she saw Naruto for Naruto, not the demon within him.

Naruto slowly wrapped his arms around her shaking body. "No Hinata-chan. Don't be sorry. I don't care about the past." An odd statement considering he was from the future. "I'm just happy you aren't scared of me, or hate me."

"I could never hate you N-Naruto-kun." Hinata shook her head. "You're Naruto-kun. Someone who always tries his best and helps others." Hinata almost said her next thought out loud. 'You're my inspiration for continuing on.'

"Arigato Hinata-chan." Naruto whispered as he rested his forehead against hers, tears of his own threatening to fall. "Arigato." The two stayed like that as they both dealt with the emotions running through them.

Kurenai wiped a single tear from her cheek. Kakashi's exposed eye seemed to have a mist of its own. Even Sarutobi brought his hand to his eyes to remove the unshed tears. Finally, someone who didn't already know about Naruto had figured it out and accepted Naruto. And no less it was the Hyuuga heir. Her own insecurities shouldn't have allowed her to deal with it and yet she had overcome them to be near Naruto.

Suddenly the entire situation fell upon Hinata. And Naruto almost laughed as her face went beet red and she fainted into him. "You never change Hinata-chan." Naruto gently moved her to her back with her head resting in his lap. "And I'm glad." Naruto whispered as he ever so gently let his hand stroke her hair. "You're perfect." The three observers waited patiently along with Naruto for Hinata to awaken. They had do know if he was going to tell her of the law concerning his prisoner.

Hinata remain quietly asleep for the next fifteen minutes or so. Naruto was too content with the situation to try to awaken her. She slowly opened her eyes to be greeted by a smiling Naruto. "Welcome back Hinata-chan!" She took in the situation. She sat up so quick her head spun for a moment. When the dizziness passed she turned so she was kneeling in front of Naruto.

"Ano.." Hinata started. "Y-You really have a d-demon inside of you N-Naruto-kun?" Her fingers had found themselves as she spoke quietly.

"Hai." Naruto stated clearly. He noticed that the tears were threatening to return to Hinata's eyes. "Please don't cry Hinata-chan. You shouldn't cry for me." He scratched the back of his head, "I did enough of that for myself already!" Hinata almost let the tears flow until she finally looked up into Naruto's smiling face. Somehow drawing courage from within her she forced the tears back down and nodded with a smile. "Now I've got to tell you the rest Hinata-chan."

"There's more?" Hinata's jaw dropped ever so slightly in shock.

Naruto barely held in the laughter at the look on Hinata's face. "Hai. But nothing as big as what we've already talked about." Naruto returned to the post and leaned against it, patting the ground next to him. Hinata blushed and obliged his silent request. She sat next to him, letting one of her hands fall to the ground between them. Her blush doubled when he gently took it in his own. "The reason you didn't know was because of Old Man Hokage. He made a law that anyone who didn't know wasn't allowed to be told. Except for me of course I can tell anyone after I found out about it."

"I don't understand." Hinata's faced scrunched up slightly as she pondered the law. In a very cute way according to both Naruto and Kyuubi. "Why would he do that? Isn't the truth better?"

Naruto sighed. "He wanted me to have a normal life. If nobody our age knew of the demon within me I'd was supposed to be treated like any other kid." Naruto brushed his hair back with his free hand. "Too bad the villagers who knew only saw me as the reminder of their loss and pain. But that's why I'm going to be Hokage! Then they'll know me for me! Uzumaki Naruto!" His voice had risen to a near shout by the time he finished.

Hinata giggled at his actions. 'You're so strong Naruto-kun. Even though they treated you so badly, you still want to earn their respect.' Hinata looked to the sky as she slowly compared herself to Naruto. They both sought to be recognized for who they were, even in the face of everyone telling them they were failures. 'I'll be as strong as you one day Naruto-kun.'

The three observers finally left as the pair descended into a comfortable silence as the evening breeze dusted through the trees. Each was content with what had occurred. Things were finally looking up for Naruto and Hinata.

Naruto's stomach suddenly let out a vicious growl, reminding them both of the time. "Let's have dinner N-Naruto-kun." Hinata giggled in response. Serving them both a filling meal of steamed rice and vegetables they silently enjoyed each others company. Hinata was ecstatic that Naruto trusted her with such a secret about his life. Naruto was beyond happy that Hinata hadn't become like the other villagers.

When they completed their meal Naruto spoke up as Hinata carefully repacked the utensils. "I've got one last thing to talk about Hinata-chan." Hinata looked up as Naruto rummaged through his pockets. "I know I grabbed it this morning.." Naruto grumbled before he smiled and pulled out a small object from his pocket, keeping it concealed in his hand. "I want you to have this Hinata-chan." The smallest blush graced his cheeks as he opened his fingers to reveal a small, common looking key. "This is my spare key to my apartment. If you ever need it for anything. My home is your home." Naruto's face broke out in a huge grin. "Just don't have too wild of parties while I'm away on missions. The neighbors already don't like me much." He chuckled.

Hinata gingerly took the key from his hand, blushing furiously the entire time. "A-Arigato N-Naruto-kun." she whispered as she held the key to her chest.

"No problem Hinata-chan!" Naruto replied as he squinted his eyes to smile wider. "Let me walk you home?" Hinata smiled and nodded as she took her place next to Naruto. Although her mind was full of different thoughts, she was content for now. Someone trusted her this much. Confiding a village secret to her as well as giving her a key to his home. Her heart was full of thanks as they walked back to the Hyuuga estate.

They quietly bid each other good night and parted ways. Hinata carefully slipped through the complex. Careful to avoid both her Father's and Neji's normal haunts. She had been through enough that afternoon, she'd rather not have it clouded by her family's disdainful looks. Soon she was in her room and laying on her bed. The small key still held tightly to her chest. 'Arigato Naruto-kun.'

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto called quietly as he approached his home. He let the clone run ahead and enter his apartment. When he stood outside it he spoke softly again, "Demonic Jutsu: Magnify!" He felt Kyuubi's mind leave him and waited a few moments before opening the door. "I'm home!"

"Welcome home, my Kit." Kyuubi said with open arms, ones that Naruto ran into. "I'm so proud of you my Kit." She said as they ended the small embrace. "So very proud."

K real end of chapter. That one still comes off as weird to me. I've rewrote it 3 times and still can't get that feeling out of me. Probably due to the fact that OOC occurs throughout it. Ah well, guess I really do have to accept that its my story now. Thought I'd it'd stay normal till the Chunin exams but I guess if its going to go the way I want it I gotta start changing things now.

Next chapter is gonna be interesting. Wave country here we come! Will Naruto be able to save Haku and Zabuza? And we can forget that Gideon said he'd meet them there with Tsunade and Jiraiya! How exactly is he going to gather them anyways? Thanks again for all the reviews! The next few weeks are looking to be pretty hectic for me so the next chapter will probably be awhile, sorry bout that.