Hey people!

Let's go ahead with the backstory. Just a few more chapters to be done with it.

Before that, here. I'm don't any of the characters, they belong to Masashi Kishimoto; just this single plot going on is from my imagination.

On to the story.

Chapter 12: Neji and Hanabi learn Naruto's secret

Konohakure no Sato

Before Neji could answer, Kakashi decided to give an introduction to the topic.

"When Naruto left to train to become a Sennin, it was in a hurry as we knew that Pein would attack soon but we didn't know when. So we sent Naruto saying that we would form a plan to protect Ume-chan and Kaede-kun. But all of our hands were tied and we were limited as the council would have questioned us if any of us, Jōnin disappeared without a word in such a serious time. So, we had to find some way to hide them here itself with protection. We tried to find someone who could stay with them for protection and not alert the council or the villagers."

"Since Neji had only recently been promoted to Jōnin, Gai suggested we ask him to protect them. Since he is a Hyuuga, they had their independence to first follow Hiashi's orders and then the village. Hence, Tsunade-sama approached Hiashi-san with a need for Neji for emergency work. Once it was approved, we decided on not up-front informing Neji of anything. But simply tell him the importance and placing him along with Iruka and the kids away from the village for their safety. Shikaku-san provided a cave in the Nara forest, that was far enough to provide them secrecy and protection and we put them there in secret. We knew that he might get suspicious. But we had to insist on the importance of the secret and that it shouldn't be revealed at any cost".

"Yes", agreed Neji who took over to tell his perspective. "Gai-sensei, Kakashi-san and Tsunade-sama just told me that I was on protection detail of high importance and that I needed to protect Iruka-san and two others with my life until only one of them, Iruka-san or one of those three said other-wise," Neji answered. "I wasn't even told about the secret or who they were. But one look at those two aroused my suspicions. I didn't ask any questions though 'cause I knew that if they were in any way related to her, it was better for me to not know".

"Then how did you get to know about their relation to Naruto? How did you learn about Naruto's past, Neji?", asked Lee.

"The four of us were moved with the help of Anko-san, Genma-san and Shikaku-san to a cave inside the Nara clan forest. We remained there for a week, until after Pein's attack. Even during the attack, all we could do was remain inside without knowing anything that had happened as their safety came first", Neji continued. "Then soon after the attack was over, Konohamaru, Meogi, Udon and Hanabi came into the cave. Iruka had allowed them to enter. As they played with Ume-chan and Kaede-kun, Konohamaru forgot I was there and revealed their revelation to Naruto. But I didn't get any explanation until later when Naruto arrived. Naruto came over with Gai-sensei and Kakashi-san a few hours later. They took turns and told me the truth and asked not to tell anyone else until she herself wanted to. So I just kept my word and my mouth shut." Then he again glared at Sasuke and spat, "You don't know how much you broke her, Uchiha. I don't care if you considered her your sister. You threw away all your relation with her the moment you put the Chidori through her chest."

"You broke every promise you made to her. You weren't the one to see her shatter. You didn't pick up the pieces. They all did", he pointed at all the other Jōnin. "Hope you are satisfied with your achievements. 'Cause Naruto will forgive you, she already has. That's her nature. But, I doubt the rest of us, at least those who have seen that side of her, could ever forgive you."

Then he turned to Tsunade and spoke, "Please excuse me, Hokage-sama, but I need to get release some stress and get some fresh air. I will return in some time." With that, he strode out of the room and left the others to their own thoughts.

Everyone's emotions were in turmoil. Most wanted to do the same as Neji and leave. But they knew that Naruto would want her friends to know the whole truth and let them decide. But they let the silence reign the room.

"H-Hanabi-chan, how did you g-get to know about t-this?", questioned Hinata after a couple of minutes.

"Hinata-Nēchan", Hanabi looked at Hinata before she answered, "I got to know just before Neji-Nīsan. Even I didn't know until Naruto-Nēchan came back from the training trip. It was a sheer coincidence actually. I was searching for Konohamaru-kun, Meogi and Udon the day the three of them arrived with Jiraya-sama. When I found them at the West gate, Konohamaru tried to send me away with stupid reason. But I got curious and acted like I left and hid near-by. So when they arrived, Naruto-Nēchan realised I was there. Instead of asking for my memory to be erased or something, she gave Konohamaru a choice on if he wanted me to know or not and left Ume-chan and Kaede-chan with them and hurried off to meet Hokage-sama. Later, Konohamaru, Meogi and Udon told me somethings. Even I didn't know the whole story until today."

"And you both", Sakura looked at Meogi and Udon. "When did you both and Konohamaru get to know about it?", she asked softly.

"Naruto-Nēchan, herself told Udon and me", answered Meogi. "It was right before the start of the Chūnin exams, the day Kazekage-sama and his siblings arrived to the village. After you and those three left, she took us to Ichiraku's and told us the truth. Konohamaru already knew for a long time before that as he knew Nēchan for years."

Asuma chuckled and added, "Konohamaru knew her for as long as he can remember. He was nearing two when we had to take Naruto into hiding. Before that as well he had seen and met her as she would come over to Tōsan's office. Since my sister-in-law passed away a few weeks after Kono-kun was born and Nīsan went MIA a year later on a mission, Tōsan and I looked over him. But once Naruto came into his life, he followed her everywhere. She became the lead female figure in his life, more so than Kurenai. So he was around Naruto and Sasuke from the start. He almost lived with them", he chuckled again. "So, he learnt everything as he grew up. He asked her if she could tell his best friends and she did it for him. Then, when Sasuke left, he took a stand and claimed that he would be there to protect Ume-chan and Kaede-kun."

"It was as if she had two kids from the start", said Sasuke, startling everyone. "I used to tease her that she was his mother as well. She practically raised them both." He gave a soft chuckle as if remembering those days. "Kono-kun was always around and lived with us on most days unless he wanted to stay with Sarutobi-san once in a while. Also, Imōto always mothered over him. More than she sometimes did that with Ume-chan. Ume-chan even calls him, Nī-chan. I wouldn't have been surprised if she had asked her Jiji to give her the adoption papers".

Everyone smiled remembering how close Konohamaru and Naruto seemed.

"What happened after Pein's invasion?", asked Shikamaru bringing back the serious tone into the atmosphere.

Hmmm... Next what happens?

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See you in the next chapter!