Chapter Six

Disclaimer

I don't own Naruto nor any character connected. Someone else does.

A/N

I want to thank "clockright" for we are collaborated on many ideas for this story.

In this chapter the girls at the academy get into the mix. What will their reactions be? I wonder …

It's a cloudy day that Tuesday morning as Tenten made it into her home room. She was looking forward to this day for she was going to tell Neji of her feelings for him. Ever sense she met him she had a secret crush on him. She was concerned when Hinata did not show up for her classes yesterday until she found out she was on a special assignment for the Hokage. The heiress seems to get all the breaks.

Her home room teacher, Asuma Sarutobi, was taking the roll call. When he finished, Tenten was shocked. Neji was absent. He was never absent. "Excuse me, Asuma-sensei?"

"Yes, Tenten-chan"

"Do you perhaps know why Neji is not here? He is never absent and I heard nothing being one of his closest friends."

Asuma sighed with the question. He had hoped not have to go into it for it was embarrassing for the Hyuga clan. "He was checked into the hospital late last night and has to be there for a few days. That's all I can say on the matter. Now get out your text books on advanced mathematical theories and turn to page…"

Tenten toned him out with that. She already knew this stuff backwards and forwards already thanks to Neji. It was clear Asuma was holding back some information. Of what she did not know but maybe she could find out from Hinata if she was back in school from her 'special' assignment.

Hinata, in her homeroom at the moment was remembering what happened at the Hyuga clan main house when she got home last night.

- Flashback -

Hinata just had a grueling day shopping for her ex-love/new best friend. When she got back she was greeted with a site she rather not have seen. Her father was training Neji who has shown to be the strongest of the Hyuga children. She tried to leave them in peace but unfortunately "Hinata! Come my child and tell me of the assignment our Hokage had you doing all day."

She looked dead into her father's eyes and knew the truth. He knew about Kaiko and suspected the assignment had something to do with him. She also knew this impromptu training with Neji was a set up to test her reaction. 'Oh well I was going to do this anyways so might as well enjoy it' thought Hinata.

"Father, I will answer your questions but first I like to spare with Neji myself."

Neji was surprised by her request for Hinata never wanted to spare with him in the past however he knew better than to refuse the heiress of the Hyuga clan. Once Hinata got into her stance he knew this was not going to be a normal spare. He was proven correct by the ferociousness of her attack.

Normally Neji would have the upper hand since he had a score to settle with the head household but somehow he knew he deserved this beating Hinata was determined to give him. In his heart he knew Hinata now knows the truth of what he did to Naruto and what he did not do for Naruto.

Lord Hiashi could not believe this was his Hinata. She had never shown such skill. As Hinata struck Neji's chakra pathways one after another all he could think about was there was not a fiercer protector than a lioness protecting her hurt cub.

After Hinata successfully blocked every one of Neji's chakra pathways she spoke angrily, "I can see it in your eyes Neji so I will admit it. I know exactly what happened Saturday night. Kaiko and Kushina told me all about it. I wanted to puke knowing my clan played a part in it. I could not apologize to them enough for your misconduct but do you know what the worse part of all this Neji? Do you have any idea?"

Neji was now cowering away now or trying to. He was in pretty much bad shape right then. "No!" he replied meekly.

"I WAS IN LOVE WITH NARUTO YOU JERK!" When Hinata screamed that last part she activated the one jutsu she swore she would never activate – the caged bird jutsu. Neji was sent flying screaming as his brain was being ripped apart by that jutsu. Hinata did not let up until her tears freely fell from her eyes clouding her vision.

As she ran from the room to her own bedroom she cried out, "Pack your bags and leave. I don't ever want to see you ever again." She cried herself to sleep that night.

Lord Hiashi was proud of her daughter that evening even as he cradled Neji in his arms as he rushed to the hospital.

-End of Flashback -

At lunchtime, Hinata was enjoying her lunch when "Excuse me Hinata-san."

Hinata gazed up at a girl about a year or two older than her that she recognized, "Yes, It's Tenten is it not?" Tenten nodded. "So senpei, usually our grades never interact with each other so why are you here?"

"It's about Neji-kun. I was wondering why he is in the hospital."

Hinata bit her lower lip. She did not want to answer that particular question however she knew of Tenten's feelings toward Neji. "I put him there, I activated the caged bird jutsu late last night," she admitted almost in a whisper.

"But Hinata, Neji told me you of all people would never activate that dreaded jutsu. Why would you do that to Neji?"

Hinata looked dejected for a second. She took out her phone and made a phone call. Tenten heard the entire conversation. She told the person over the phone what she done to Neji last night and about her questions as to why she did it. "Kaiko, I know Tenten won't be satisfied with any answer I can give. She needs to hear your story so she can understand but I can't and won't tell her even if I had your permission. May we come by after school so you can tell her yourself?"

There was a short pause and then, "Oh come on Kaiko, you told me and I can vouch you can tell her and she won't judge you. If you plan to come back to school you need to start telling others what happened. You know how the rumor mill can destroy people's reputations before they are even made. Look at the torture they put Lee thru … thanks and we will see you then."

After she hung up Tenten had to ask, "Who is Kaiko and why do we need to see her after school?"

Hinata looked at Tenten with authority, "You just have to trust me that you need to hear her story and agree to come with me to see her this afternoon."

Tenten gulped. Hinata seemed somewhat changed after yesterday. "OK I come this afternoon." Just then the bell rang signaling the end of the lunch break.

After school, Tenten was somewhat nervous as she walked the streets of Konoha behind the Hyuga clan heiress. Hinata had proven she was dangerous and she did not wish to be on her bad side. Besides she did not know who this Kaiko was and what she had to do with Hinata hurting Neji.

Suddenly she knew the direction they were walking, "Hinata-san, isn't this the general direction of the Namikaze mansion? I heard Naruto been absent for the last few days."

Hinata visibly sighed. "The person we are to meet resides in the Namikaze mansion. We are not meeting up with Naruto if that is your question. I really wish I can tell you more but it's just not my story to tell. For now you have to trust me," said the Hyuga heiress sternly.

Hinata said it so sternly that Tenten gulped. From what she heard about Hinata the woman next to Tenten was not acting like her usual self. It's more like she was talking to a severely agitated Neji so much so that Tenten remained silent the rest of the way to the Namikaze mansion.

When they reached the Namikaze mansion they were surprised to be ushered in by what appeared to be a maid, "Hinata-san, Kaiko-san said you be coming over with a guest and you should wait for her in the garden's stone patio."

Hinata bowed to the maid and answered, "Domo arigatou!" Hinata and Tenten followed the maid through the house to the back deck overlooking the garden. Tenten had never seen the Namikaze Estate Garden before. She had heard rumors that it was one of the most beautiful gardens in Konoha but what she saw before her took her breath away.

Wooden deck path went thru it and created a natural border for the garden. On one side of the wooden passageway was a huge and carefully maintained rock garden. On the other side of the wooden pathway way a good-sized Koi pond with fish of many different colors and sizes.

One edge of the Koi pond follows along the wooden pathway. A railing is provided along the wooden pathway to make sure no one accidentally falls into the pond. Two huge beautifully manicured cherry blossom trees are on either side of the pond and white gravel stones surround the area.

The wooden pathway ends at the stone patio. Wooden fencing surround the patio and a huge wooden bench sits at the middle. Planter boxes runs along the wooden fences from which meticulously manicured bushes grow.

Tenten was awestruck at the overall beauty of the garden. Hinata chuckled as she saw her new friend sit on the long smooth shiny wooden bench. "You look rather impressed," noted Hinata.

"Wow I mean WOW! Neji showed me the Hyuga's gardens but this puts them to shame. I never knew this existed inside Konoha."

A new voice was heard from behind them. "The Hokage gets many dignified visitors and he entertains them here so it has to be extraordinary."

Both girls turned around to see a girl with long blonde hair. She had on what appeared to be a mini skirt Yukata. It was very light pink with light purple flowery pattern mixed with small yellow butterflies. The trim was all in muted light blue. Her hair cascade over her shoulders and a small setting of purple flowers was inlaid in her hair opposite and parallel to her part. They could tell she felt very awkward wearing the outfit.

Hinata got up, "Tenten, it is my honor to introduce you to Kaiko Uzumaki. She is currently staying here at the Namikaze Mansion and the person we are here to see."

Although Tenten had never seen the sexy-no-jutsu she heard all about the infamous jutsu plenty of times. However when she heard the tales of the infamous jutsu Naruto always appears as a NAKED girl and not in any kind of clothes nevertheless a Yukata so she had to ask, "You're Naruto, are you not?"

Kaiko did not dismiss her outright but instead chosen to sit on a mat, traditional style, across from the bench. Then very calmly she stated, "It is true I used to be Naruto." Before Tenten could say anything Kaiko told her tragic tale of how she came to be Kaiko. By the time she was done she could tell Tenten was both pissed and hurt.

"So that is the reason you activated the cage bird jutsu on Neji?" Tenten asked Hinata in an angry but barely audible tone. Hinata could only nod affirmative. Truthfully, Hinata was starting to regret what she did to Neji even though she cannot forgive him yet.

Kaiko was starting to panic with Tenten's reaction to the news. If all the girls reacted like this then she rather switch schools but no other schools besides those residing in a hidden village offered the necessary ninja curriculum she desperately still wanted.

Tenten noticed how tense Kaiko was. Immediately she realized her volatile reaction was distressing to Kaiko making her apprehensive to telling other. She walked over to Kaiko slowly and disarmingly. Tenten drew her into a hug and said, "I am sorry Kaiko. I should have been more sensitive to your needs. I will be there if and when you need me."

Kaiko calmed down quickly and said, "Thanks Tenten. Hinata was right when she said I could count on you."

The next morning at the academy Iruka-sensei made an announcement. "Class, Today I wish to introduce to you Kaiko Uzumaki. She just arrived here and will be staying with the Namikazes for the foreseeable future."

Up in front of the class, Kaiko stood waiting to take her proper place in class. A certain pink hair girl named Sakura Haruno bang on her desk extremely hard with her fist. "With respect, Iruka-sensei, we all know that is really Naruto pulling one of his sexy-no-jutsu pranks again."

After that outburst all eyes was glaring at Naruto except for the Shikamaru, Choji, and Sasuke. It was Sasuke who spoke next. "Sit down and shut up, Sakura. Something happened over the weekend that caused this jutsu to be permanent."

"That's enough Sasuke Uchiha. Sakura, Sit down now!" ordered Iruka.

Kaiko had enough feeling sorry for herself and wanted to make a fresh start but to do that she needed to make everything known. She turned towards Iruka-sensei, "May I address the class for a few minutes?"

Iruka had a feeling what she intend to do. "I don't think that is wise. Parts of what happened is meant to be a secret."

"Iruka-sensei, if I don't say it then the rumor mill will make up whatever it wants to be the truth. Whatever IT decides is the truth will stay there even if the real truth comes out. Do you really think I will have much of a future with what might be said in rumors?"

Iruka carefully mulled over what Kaiko had said. "What you say maybe true but still it is a secret and only the Hokag …" Iruka never completed what he was about to say for Minato Namikaze along with Kushina suddenly appeared in front him thanks to Minato's Hiraishin.

"Iruka-sensei, I …" Minato started before looking at Kushina, "WE will allow it." Kaiko flashed her parents a questionable look. "You didn't honestly think you won't be allowed back here so soon without an Anbu team looking after you did you Kaiko. I got word of what might happen seconds ago."

Kaiko's expression softened, "Thanks Dad." Everyone heard that. Kaiko looked at Iruka-sensei who merely nodded. Kaiko started addressing the class directly. "You all heard me correctly. Minato and Kushina Namikaze are my parents and I called him Dad. Sakura is correct – I used to be Naruto however Sasuke is correct in that something very tragic happened to me this weekend that made this jutsu permanent. I abused it and let myself be caught in a situation beyond my control." Kaiko then told her tale to the entire class.

Sakura stood up yet again, "Hold on here. You were going to have sex with Kiba while in that ridiculous jutsu just so you will know how it felt to better understand how I feel. Sounds like you were pretty willing the…"

-Slap-

Sakura never got to complete what she was about to say for she slapped hard by Hinata. She was about to yell at her when Shikamaru jumped ahead of her, "You think she asked for that. You forget I was there that night. True I orchestrated it but I heard her say 'NO' clearly from the other side of that big strong door. I pounded and pounded till past the point of my fist bleeding trying to get in as I heard Kiba hitting her over and over again until she gave in just to stop the onslaught. I walked with her to the hospital that night after we woke up in that alley tossed there as if we were garbage needing disposing of. You have no idea the horrors she suffered only for you to say she was a willing participant." Shikamaru was in tears when he finished. Everyone looked at his still bandaged hands and knew without a doubt that every word he spoke was the truth.

Kaiko walked over to him. "I said that evening and I meant it then just as I mean it now – I forgive you Shikamaru. Now please forgive yourself."

A/N

I had a huge scene planned out for Sakura to ambush Kaiko in the bathroom. She and Ino would verbally attack her until Hinata came in with Tenten to rescue her. I'm told girls can be really cruel towards each more so than boys. However I often said that the story writes itself well it told me Pinkette would make an immediately outburst against Naruto instead of playing ambush tactics so I had to change things a little. I even dropped a part but I won't say which part for I might include it in the next chapter.

Till then Chow!