Naruto P.O.V

"JIRAIYA! Where the hell are we going?"

I was following the large man through a crowded street lined with various restaurants and clubs. His hair spiked out under his head band and continued to fall to his mid back. It's stark white color contrasted with the deep red of his hermit's vest. He was a strange looking man and was still just as weird as the day I had met him. Jiraiya seemed to ignore my question and pressed on through the crowd. I folded my arms over my head and casually walked in the same pace.

"When are we going to start training? You promised me we'd start practicing as soon as possible." I shouted louder hoping he would acknowledge my question. It had been a week since we'd arrived in the Commons. We spent the time looking for housing and purchasing pots, bedding, and other necessary furnishings for the small loft we were renting above a ramen shop. Within that week, I had used up all my patience. There was no more waiting and no more settling down. I needed to start training immediately.

Jiraiya halted abruptly in front of me. He was staring intently at a large billboard with a very scantily clad woman plastered on the front. Upon closer inspection, it read 'Watakane Day and Night Club'. Jiraiya turned quickly to face me.

"Look Naruto. I came here to gather intel for the state and research for … a side project." He put an arm around my shoulder and pointed to the club. "That is where I'm going to find the necessary information I need."

"You have got to be kidding me." I rolled my eyes and shrugged off his shoulder. "This isn't a fucking joke old man. We're going to the training grounds NOW."

A few people turned to look at me. I was ready to start a brawl with the geezer right there. He was starting to get on my last nerve. Annoyingly enough Jiraiya wasn't even looking at me. His eyes were glazed over as he looked wistfully towards the club. I waved my hands over his face.

"Hey! Right here! Hi, yeah, I'm Naruto. You know, the guy you promised to train. Yeah, see I need that training to bring back Sasuke, you know Uchiha Sasuke? Which is why we came here. To train. Not to fuel your PERVERTED HABITS!"

Jiraiya quickly turned back to me as a few more people continued to stare at the scene. He hastily pulled me aside.

"Look Naruto. I know you're really intent on this 'Let's go find Sasuke' crap but what I'm doing is more important than finding your boyfriend." He paused as he stole a glance back at the sign.

"Here's the new plan. I'm going to go on in and do some research. You take the rest of today to go explore the city and maybe finds some friends who are less intent on the whole revenge thing. In fact, why don't you go into the bazaars and find something really nice for that one pink haired friend of yours." He looked at me slyly. "Girls love trinkets."

I took a moment to think. It would be nice to get away from Jiraiya for a bit and a few hours to myself were well needed. Plus I had never been to Commons and exploring the place seemed worth the time.

"Sakura probably forgot about me by now though."

Jiraiya looked down at me and stared for a bit. He placed a large hand on top of my spiky hair and tousled it.

"I wouldn't worry about that. You're not one to be easily forgotten." He readjusted his satchel and began to walk toward the club. Before he entered he turned around to say one last thing.

"Buy her something nice. I'll see you at home." He then disappeared into the building.

I turned in the opposite direction and let myself get swept away in the crowd. I'd never been to such a place before. A whole other world was slowly unraveling in front of me. Everything was adorned in vibrant colors and the sun seemed to shine just a little bit brighter there. Not a single piece of rubbish could be found on the streets and the law enforcement was polite and approachable. The people were much happier and children played carelessly on the streets.

The streets were wide and paved smoothly with small flat stones. Sometimes the path would branch into small side roads where banners were hung at the entrance. They read 'Hamilton Bazaar' or 'Estrenbelle Bazaar' with bright colors and gold writing. Past the banners I could spot small kiosks and vendors selling sweet desserts or intricate shawls. Finally the path ended and a maze of colors and shops started. Above my head hung a sign reading 'The Great Nefera Bazaar'. Once I stepped past the large hanging, my body was transported to a completely different world. My sense of smell was attacked by different aromas all vying for my immediate attention. Spices wafted around me making my stomach rumble but soon after the scents of various flowers distracted my mind from the hunger. My mind fell into a daze as I absentmindedly strolled through the stalls allowing my eyes to feast on the unending spectacle. Vendors and customers haggled prices, street performers sang melodic tunes, and laughing. There was so much laughing that I found myself grinning without prompt. The entire experience was euphoric.

It wasn't until I noticed the reddest, plumpest, and most juiciest apples I had ever seen on this blessed earth that I realized the extent of my hunger.

Hinata P.O.V.

I woke up earlier than usual that particular morning. At 5 o'clock promptly I opened my eyes and laid awake under the pale lavender covers for 10 minutes. I took the time to review my plans for the day. From 5:15 to 6:00, I would take care of showering and personal grooming. At 6 o'clock I would prepare my father's morning tea which I would deliver by hand to his personal chambers at 6:15. I then spend the next hour and a half studying my learning materials while overseeing Hanabi's training. Once Hanabi is done with her lesson, it is my turn to practice sparring with her which was always a daunting task.

It would not be until 11 that I was allowed to go about my day in peace. Today was especially important because it was the first time in a few weeks that I was able to see my closest friend Tenten. She had left the country for some time on mission leaving me to myself for the first time in many years. It was startling how reliant on her company I was but it should not have come as much surprise.

You can and will get through this morning. You have done it for years and you can do it today. For some reason I needed the extra motivation to keep myself sane. The anxiety from staying in the compound for so long was taking an exaggerated effect on me. I knew I needed to leave the compound at the earliest possible convenience.

I went through the motions of the day without much thought. Shower. Get dressed. Say goodmorning to the elders. Pour hot water. Filter tea leaves. Walk to Father's room. Greet him appropriately. Fill the cup. Excuse myself. Stare at the same page for an hour. Dodge Hanabi's kick. Fall.

Finally I picked myself up from the floor for the umpteenth time that morning. Hanabi waved her hand in a motion that meant 'I'm done'. She picked up her towel and water and left the sparring arena without even saying a word. As I dusted off my uniform, I spotted a familiar face from the corner of my eye. Neji had been watching the end of our session and from the smirk on his face, I could tell he enjoyed the final blow.

Neji was my cousin, my father's brother's son, who belong to the branch house of Hyuuga. Though he was older, he had no legitimate right to the Hyuuga main household and having been orphaned at a young age he was subject to the authoritarian rule of my Father. Even though he was more skilled and a better candidate for future head of household, Neji was denied the position because of his birth. Instead that seat falls to me or more likely to Hanabi.

He approached slowly taking his time to greet me. He looked over the tattered state of the uniform and knew that this morning, like every morning before, was another win for Hanabi.

"Good morning Hinata-sama."

"Good morning Neji-san"

"I understand you have plans to meet Tenten-san today." He didn't look at me when he asked the question but instead took to examining a nearby flowering tree.

"That is correct."

"If it would not cause you any trouble, would you please inform Tenten-san that I will be requiring her services this evening at golden hour."

"Of course."

Without another word he turned away from the tree, gave a small bow, and left the room. Once I had seen his long hair swish around the corner, I breathed a sigh of relief. All my encounters with Neji gave me great anxiety.

I picked up my books and remaining material and went to drop them off in my bedroom. In the cavernous room, I donned on casual but elevated common street wear. The outfit of a relaxed kimono and long skirt was one of my favorites. It allowed me to blend in with the civilians when I left the compound but was still elegant enough that if I were to ever bump into another member of the royal family, I would not disgrace my father. Completely.

Before anyone else had a chance to steal away my time, I hurried out of the compounds. My feet rushed through the main gates then stealthily made my way to the Great Nefera Bazaar.

I walked the same paths I usually took to get to the stall where I first met up with Tenten. We were originally introduced through Neji. They had both graduated from military academy and were placed in the same unit. She came around the compound one day and took the time to introduce herself and get to know me. It was the first time that someone had engaged in an honest and sincere conversation with me. Tenten proposed that we meet at a particularly favorite stall of hers, one owned by a trusted weapons merchant. Our friendship blossomed into the mature flower it is today from that one initial meeting. To think that Neji gave me the first meaningful relationship in my life.

As I walked past familiar stalls something unusual caught my eye. A boy roughly my age with bright yellow hair was crouched over a barrel of apples. Many people were also staring at him though he didn't seem to notice. 'Yellow hair?' they all whispered. It was an unusual feature to have around this area. Gray, black, brown, red, even purple was more common. No one had seen yellow hair since the Fourth Hokage.

He stared intently at the apples and then looked up to speak to the merchant. In this moment my heart stopped. His eyes were crystal blue, the color of lapus lazali, the same shade as the oceans. He grinned and pouted through pink soft lips. Without even realizing it, I was making my way towards the young man. The closer I approached, I could hear him say 'I don't have money for that'. The words came out of my mouth before I could really think about what I was doing.

Naruto P.O.V.

"T-Take an a-apple. I'll p-p-pay for it."

I broke away from my intense conversation with a particularly strict merchant who wasn't going to sell me an apple for free. As I glanced to see who spoke, my eyes laid upon a girl with long dark blue hair. From what I could tell her face was bright red but it was hard to see since she was staring straight at the ground. I looked around to make sure she wasn't talking to someone else.

"Oh. I'm s-sorry. I w-w-was talking to y-you. P-Please take a-an apple." She stuttered and stumbled over her words.

"Wait really? Thanks!" I grabbed an apple and took a healthy bite out of it. I glanced at her again. She had pale skin that was currently flushed from what I assumed was a sunburn though it didn't seem like she got out much. Her hair was braided back but some strands escaped their binds and fell gently on the sides of her face. The girl refused to make eye contact but with the angle at which she looked to the floor I could see long wispy lashes that framed her eyes. From what I could tell she was a very beautiful girl.

As I went to take another bite of the apple the vendor approached me for money. I turned to her. The girl quickly dug into her pockets and after a few seconds she froze. Finally looking up, she turned to the merchant.

"S-Sir." She started hesitantly. He was a big macho guy with hair up the wazoo. He reminded me of a mobster, the type of guys you really shouldn't be messing with.

"Yeah what?" He asked her in an uncaring tone.

"I s-seemed to h-have f-forgotten my m-money at the m-m-moment. C-Could I p-possibly p-pay you back t-tomorrow." She stuttered with a very worried look. I glanced at the man. He looked as though she asked in him to dance on the streets. He turned to me then back to the girl.

"Listen girly. He already bit the apple. So either pay or do work. Hard work!" He emphasized and grabbed the girl's wrists to intimidate her. I had to step in between them.

"Hey let her go!" I yelled at the man. He turned to glare at me.

"She has to pay." He objected though still letting go of the girl's wrists. He took a step in front of me. I tried to casually stand on my toes to try to look down on him. He raised an eyebrow.

"But she can't" I pointed to her.

"Then?" He asked.

"Well I was the one who bit the apple."

"Then you pay."

"I can't."

"Then I take the girl." His voice sounded frustrated.

"You can't." I stared hard at him to try to assert some level of dominance. The scene wasn't looking too good. A few people had stopped and circled around. If he initiated a fight I wasn't going to engage in combat. It's not in my nature to hurt a civilian.

"That's way too many 'cant's ain't it?" He started swinging his arm back and forth as if preparing to swing a punch. Judging from his muscle structure I knew it was going to hurt like hell but I was going to take it like a man. I couldn't hit him back and I had to stand up for this girl.

He was ready to swing and I closed my eyes.

Hinata P.O.V.

The man was about to land a punch on the boy who had so quickly stepped into help me when I got him into trouble in the first place. In one sweeping motion I spun around, grabbed the man's wrist, pushed him off in the opposite direction, and maintained a safe space between him and the boy.

I felt a pulse in my eyes and I knew I had activated the Byakugan. It was unintentional and must have awoken due to the adrenaline. The effects of my actions were immediate. I watched as the man's anger washed into a frightened look as he stared into my eyes.

The boy opened his eyes in confusion but quickly noticed the man on the ground and me placed in between them. He glanced over the man to look at me and I knew what he saw. Pearly light eyes were now a deep lavender with veins popping around the orbital sockets.

The man jumped back.

"Hyuuga-sama. Please. If you had told me who you were I would have let you go. I need the money you know? I can't just let people take my products. You understand right?" He asked very nervously. The man clearly understood the ramifications of harassing someone of noble lineage. If I told my father of his behavior, the merchant would be out of the country before sunset. The crowd gathered around us grew larger and I could hear faint whispers. I needed to remove myself from the scene before someone realized who I was and questioned what I was doing outside of the compound without an escort.

"I p-p-promise to p-pay you generously t-t-tomorrow. N-Now if you'll excuse m-me." I gave a slight bow to the man before racing off through the crowd of people. I must have past 30 stalls before stopping behind a well covered tent to catch my breath. My heart was racing and my mind went into panic mode. Before I had time to completely process the event, someone's hand grabbed the back of my arm and turned me around.

"Hey! You just ran off before I could properly thank you!" Replied the blue eyed boy.

A/N: You should totally leave a review because that would be PHENOMENAL