I hate conversations like this.
I'm completely out on display,
Like the moon all out in the open.
I feel all gray.
I'll plaster on a grin
To hopefully keep you from prying.
It would hurt to tell you of that sin,
And to see you distraught and crying.

••••••
"Oh... uh, hello."

"Yeah. Hi."

"Um. Funny seeing you here."

"Is it?"

"No... No I guess not..."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Besides that one?"

"..."

"Uh Yeah sure. Go ahead."

Naruto burst through the door, Hinata and Bolt still in his hands, "Be careful, Naruto-kun!"

"What?"

"You kicked the door in. What if you break it?"

"My hands were full-ttebayo!" Hinata rolled her eyes, "Besides, I can just make a new one," she rolled her eyes again.

"I guess," Naruto plopped her on the couch, "But you should try to not have to do that. Where are you going?"

Naruto put his hands on front of him, "I'm just going to the bathroom."

"Make sure you shut the door," Naruto gave her a salute and obliged.

"You know I'm still not used to being so proper in my own house-ttebayo."

"Are you peeing right now?"

"Uhh... Yeah?"

"Ewww. Don't talk to me while you're peeing that's so gross."

"It's not that gross-ttebayo," Naruto said as he walked out.

"You didn't even wash your hands!" She pointed at him.

Naruto jumped and turned around, turning the faucet on, "I'm not used to it-ttebayo," he mumbled as he washed.

After the cleanliness ritual was complete, Naruto lie down next to Hinata, placing his head on her butt, "Mmm, so soft."

"I'm glad you like it. I made it myself."

Naruto lifted his head in confusion, "Huh?"

"The moon is beautiful tonight."

"So are you," she giggled, "I used to be afraid of the moon-ttebayo." Why did he always bring that up. Whenever he did, people would ask why.

"Yeah you told me before. Why was that?" Case in point.

"Ehhhh... I'd rather not talk about it."

"That's what you said before," she looked down, "Will you ever tell me?"

"Maybe. I don't really know, I don't if you could handle it."

She sighed, "I'm not so weak, you know."

"I wasn't saying that-"

"Well then what were you saying?"

"It's just- it's just a lot. It made granny Tsunade cry."

"Yeah, so? You should be able to tell me." What was with her? This was very not Hinata.

"Hinata it's not that simple-"

"You're just afraid of making me feel sad. If you could tell Tsunade-sama, then you can tell me. I'm strong. I wouldn't take it that hard."

She saw a doubtful look in his eyes, "Hinata I don't-"

"Whatever. I I'm going to sleep at home tonight. Come find me when you want to tell me."

"Hinata," she stormed out, slamming the door. It swung the other way, "Talk about being careful of the door."

Hinata was very confused. 'Why the hell did I do that?' She didn't really want to know what it was if it made Naruto so scared. On the other hand, she wanted to help the boy heal. But on the other other hand, who was she to say that the boy needed help. He had managed to get this far. Maybe she should ask Tsunade if it was really that bad. Maybe it would be good to talk to Sakura too. Come to think of it, there were a lot of people she thought it would be good to talk to. She hadn't really kept in touch with her friends as much. Ino, Kurenai, Kiba, Shino, etc. That was to be expected as they got older. Especially with her being around Naruto in her free time. She would go and see who was home. Ask for some advice maybe.

Hinata knocked on the door of the apartment complex. She heard a rustling and silence. She knocked again, only to be met with more silence, "Kurenai?" She asked.

From inside the room, Kurenai heard the voice and gestured for Asuma to scurry off. He nodded and slipped off the couch with a loud crash. Kurenai sighed, "No reason to hide now," she got up and turned the light on. She opened the door to come face to face with an obviously upset Hinata.

"What is it? Make it quick," Asuma said bluntly getting a sharp glare from Kurenai. 'Damn it.'

"Don't mind him," Kurenai spoke as she gestured to the couch, "What is it?"

"Uh... No, actually, on second thought-"

"Whaaa?" Asuma groaned as he stood back up, "You came all this way to not tell us? See, now even I'm going to be worried if you do."

That guilt tripped Hinata, "Okay, sorry. Do you mind if I sit down?" Asuma motioned to the couch as well, "Thank you both. Kurenai, Asuma, if you would, I need your advice on something."

"Okay... out with it," Asuma got another glare.

"Well it's something with Naruto..."

Asuma thought he figured out the issue, "Uh, well... it's natural for you two to want to explore and-" Kurenai flicked him.

"Maybe just relax," she suggested. Asuma gladly obliged.

"Right," Hinata continued, "Naruto has always talked to me about a particular fear that used to have. I've always figured there was some reason behind it, but whenever I ask him what it is, he won't tell me."

"Okay, sooo..."

"I just feel like now that we're in a relationship, he should be able to tell me." Why was she saying this stuff? Hinata was asking herself the same thing. Why did she feel the need, all of a sudden, to probe into Naruto's life? It was like her mind separated from her body every once and a while when she talked about it.

"Well, in a relationship, the two people share stuff with each other. Maybe he just doesn't feel like you've told him enough about you for him to talk about it." That didn't seem likely. Naruto wasn't vindictive like that. But it wouldn't hurt to try to make him more comfortable.

"Thank you both," Hinata got up and bowed before making her way to the door.

"Hinata," Asuma spoke, "Do you mind if I say something?" She shook her head, "Naruto can usually joke about his past. He usually only lets the positives in his life affect him. If he can't talk about this at all, maybe it's just because it hurts a lot to think about," he paused, "I've seen some shit, but I can't imagine what that kid's been through, nine-tailed fox and all."

She nodded back before exiting. The only thing she took with her was confusion.

"Well I think we helped, don't you think?" Kurenai asked.

"Ehh, I'm not so sure," Kurenai tilted her head, "We have her too many options. You know better than I that Hinata isn't the most decisive person. I also have a feeling we're not the only people she'll ask," he popped a cigarette in his mouth, only for it to be flicked by Kurenai, "Right, not inside." He walked out onto her balcony, and Kurenai followed, giving him a smack on his butt. Asuma lit the cigarette as they watched Hinata walk by on the road back to town. "You know, she's a whole lot stronger than before."

"Yeah, she grew up, it makes sense," Kurenai leaned on the man's shoulder, "She's still figuring out boys, I guess specifically Naruto."

"She's got it. Eventually. If you could figure me out, then she can figure out Naruto."

Kurenai scoffed, "Don't flatter yourself so much. You're like a two-piece puzzle, you weren't that hard to figure out."

"What does that mean?"

She held up two fingers, "You like two things, smoking and screwing. I'm pretty sure you only like the second because it gives you an excuse to do the first," she turned and walked back inside. Asuma flicked his cig into the ashtray.

"That's not true," he said as he followed her back in, "And I like plenty of other things too."

Naruto was walking around beneath the gaze of the Hokage statues. He should have been thinking about what to do, but his mind was kinda flooded. He took Bolt for a walk in an attempt to try and find some answers. He was met with a question, "Excuse me, do you know who this is?" Naruto looked up to see a very large orange haired man pointing to the faces, "The one on the far left."

"Uh, who are you?"

"I am Jūgo. I knew pain, or, I believe his name was Nagato."

Naruto reached for a kunai, "How, exactly?"

"Well I was a former member of his group, Akatsuki. It has since disbanded and I've been wandering around, searching for a certain place. I didn't agree with the group's ideas, if that's what has you so tense," Naruto eased, "Are you Naruto Uzumaki?"

"Y-yeah. How did you know?"

"I was supposed to hunt you."

There was a long silence as Naruto grasped the situation, "Hashirama Senju. The first Hokage. That's who's face that is."

"What did he mean to this village?"

Naruto was very confused, "Uh, he built it. I think that's what you were asking."

Jūgo smiled, "Then I've found my home, if that's okay with you."

Naruto squinted, "It's not really up to me if you can stay. We'll have to go see the Hokage about it." The man nodded and stepped into line with Naruto, who began walking the opposite direction.

The streets of Konoha were uncharacteristically loud today. Naruto could tell that his new guest, among drawing dirty looks, was very uncomfortable. He waved him to follow him through an alley, "Food district's pretty loud this time of night. We'll-" he was interrupted when he bumped into another man in the same alley.

The man let out an awkward chuckle and rubbed his neck, "Oh... uh, hello."

"Yeah. Hi." Naruto didn't make eye contact. He didn't need to to know who it was.

"Um. Funny seeing you here."

"Is it?"

"No... No I guess not..."

"Can I ask you a question?" He looked up at the man now.

"Besides that one?" Naruto answered by not answering, "Uh Yeah sure. Go ahead."

"Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Did you forget? The damn," Naruto sighed as he forced the next words out of his windpipe, "fire poker," was all he could say.

The man sighed, "I didn't really want to talk about this..."

"Right. Like I did," The man looked down before he looked into the boy's eyes again. Every time he did, that haunting image of his empty eye sockets plagued him, "You don't have to look into my eyes. If that's uncomfortable for you."

"Yeah," he looked away, "I don't really know why. After Minato was killed, I turned to drinking, so I don't really have any idea," it was a lie, but it was a hell of a lot easier than the truth.

"You called lord fourth Minato. Were you two close?"

The man let out a sigh, "Sadly, yeah," Naruto looked down, "He was my old teammate, under Jiraiya. He was one of my best friends. After a while of being a genin, I told him that I didn't really enjoy shinobihood. He convinced me that I didn't have to be a shinobi. After I saved most of my mission money, I retired and purchased some land to start a farm. I had found my calling, and I was happy. All thanks to Minato," the man looked up and wistfully smiled, before realizing where he was and plastering on a straight face.

"Can I ask you another question?"

"Shoot."

"Did you know that Minato had a child? With Kushina Uzumaki?"

"Yes. Why?"

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki," the man looked at him for a moment. Naruto pointed to his hair and eyes, "Uzumaki. Like Kushina. Minato was my father."

The man gasped and held out a finger. He quickly turned and dashed away, "What was that about? Jūgo asked.

"Forget about it."

Hinata was stumped. She had asked most of her friends she could find for advice. Every single suggestion seemed to contradict another. She started to stress out even more when she realized how complicated she had made things for herself. The hot springs were relatively barren, so she decided to try and ease her nerves by relaxing. Haku noticed her walking and tagged along.

The two had finished rinsing the suds from their bodies and dipped into the bath. As they slowly lowered in, a head popped up from the water, startling Hinata. It was Anko, who had been floating around for a while on her own. She raised an eyebrow and Hinata before swimming to her side, "Okay, what's going on?"

Hinata pulled back from the woman, who kept creeping closer, "Wha? It's nothing- I mean, nothing is wrong."

"Come on. I don't have to be part of the intel team to know that something's got you down."

"She's right, Hinata-chan," Haku said as she wriggled her toes above the water as she relaxed, "you seem very tense."

Hinata's eyes darted around for a moment, before she settled down and smiled, "Haku, what color is that," Hinata pointed to her painted toenails, "I think it's beautiful."

Anko nodded, "Yeah, you know, I'm not usually one for blue nails, but- HEY! Don't think you're slick, Hinata. What's got you so upset."

Hinata sunk deeper into the water, blowing a couple bubbles as she submerged. Haku looked at Anko from the corner of her eye, and a devious grin spanned her face, "You know, Anko, I bet it's about Naruto," Hinata froze in place.

"Yeah probably. He's probably disappointing in the-"

"HE'S NOT! I mean- I don't know what you're talking about. How would I know about that."

"So it is about Naruto, Huh?" Anko asked, getting a nod in reply, "So what's the deal then, kiddo?"

"I don't really feel comfortable talking about it."

"So then it is about his-"

Anko was interrupted by Haku, "Hinata, we might be able to help."

"That's the thing, I've already asked a bunch of people for help. Nobody had any great advice."

"Well let me just say one thing: it's all about trust."

"I know, Shisui already told me to trust Naruto."

"No you misunderstand," Hinata tilted her head, "I mean trust in yourself. What do you think is the best choice?"

Hinata let out a laugh of frustration, "I don't know. That's why I was asking people."

Haku's forehead went purple, 'Yeesh. I thought that was good advice.'

"Just figure it out yourself, ugh," Anko said as she swam to the other side, "You're stressing yourself and everyone out."

Hinata looked down in embarrassment after the blunt honesty. The entire day that was the best, most easily understandable advice she had received. More than that, Anko's honesty also made her think about how she wasn't being honest with herself and Naruto. She really did care about him. She was really worried. But it also seemed like he didn't need help coping. It wasn't like he constantly talked about his fear. It wasn't crippling him in any way, so why should she force her way into his mind? But it also felt wrong to just leave it alone. She looked down at her purple necklace. It meant a lot. She was like Naruto's family. They were both so important to each other. Hinata sunk deeper and deeper into the water, thanks to the weight she had put on her shoulders today.

"So why did you say that this was your home?"

Naruto and Jūgo walked side by side towards the Hokage tower, "There was a man who built my village, founded my clan. His name was Hashirama. I had heard tell that he ruled over this land," Naruto was confused about that, but understood he was in no situation to pry.

"Here let's walk this way," Naruto suddenly jerked the man to his right.

"What? What is the matter?"

"Nothing. Just didn't wanna walk that way-ttebayo," Naruto glanced over to their original path. Around 50 yards away, Jūgo spotted a dark haired girl walking alone. She seemed sad.

"Were you trying to avoid that girl?" No response, "How long have we been walking? Are we close to the tower?"

"You sure do ask a lot of questions, especially for someone who has so little answers," Naruto muttered coldly, causing Jūgo to grow quiet. Naruto sighed, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you. The past couple days have been exhausting and now that I'm home I'm even more stressed out. The Hokage tower is right there," he pointed to the red building. Jūgo nodded and the two entered the building, "Hey... Tonton?" The pig was sitting at the front desk, where the secretary usually was. Tonton sensed the boy's disbelief and growled.

"Um, excuse me. Why is there a pig here?"

The pig growled more and soon began oinking angrily, "She's the Hokage's. Sometimes she likes to get out and help out, so I guess that's what she's doing now," Tonton nodded with a Hmph, "Anyway, we need to see Danzō or Tsunade. Are either in there?" The pig nodded once again and gestured towards a neon sign that read: 'Lord Danzō.'

Naruto knocked on the door, "Come in," Danzō stated. Naruto and his newfound accomplice stepped in, "Ah, hello, hema. What do you need?"

"Hey, old man, I found this guy walking around town. His name is Jūgo and he said this was his home-ttebayo."

Danzō recognized his name. He thought for a moment before realizing he knew it from Orochimaru's north hideout, "Naruto, would you mind leaving the two of us here? You must be exhausted from the five Kage summit. I heard old man Ōnoki was being quite difficult."

Naruto nodded and took his leave. He was now standing outside the tower, thinking what to do now. He didn't think Hinata would want to talk, which really sucked. He kinda needed her, and being away from her for so long, even though it had only been about an hour, slashed at his heart. Maybe it would be a good idea to look out at the village atop the Hokage. It had been a while since he had gone there, and maybe looking out at all of his work would help him forget about his day. He was surprised to find another man scribbling furiously on some sort of paper, "Um," the man jumped and turned around. Naruto recognized him as the fire poker man. He seemed to panic when he saw Naruto, and he dropped the paper. Naruto caught it before it could fall. As he read through, his jaw dropped, "Is this... a suicide note?" The man began to stammer and made a move towards the ledge. Naruto grabbed his shoulder, "What is your name?"

The gravity of the situation must have destroyed the man's brain, because for a moment he couldn't remember his own name, "It's... I'm Hitsuyōna Tobiishi." Naruto nodded and sat down on his father's stone head. He gestured Hitsuyōna to do the same. "Naruto, I-"

"It's okay. Just be quiet. I'm looking at the village," the man obliged and looked out with him. Although the world seemed to stop on that ledge for the both of them, the constant bustling of the townsfolk below brought them back to earth, "Hitsuyōna, I forgive you."

The man's jaw dropped and his eyes began to water, "Why? Bu-But why?"

"On that day, after you left, I promised myself I would bring love to everyone. That means you too."

"But I- I don't deserve that. I tortured you, I g-g-gouged-"

"Hitsuyōna. Look into my eyes," Naruto looked at the man, who continued to look at the village, mouth agape, "Look into my eyes dammit!" The man snapped his head around and their eyes met, "Can you see my eyes, Hitsu?" The man nodded, "Then they were never gone," Naruto stood up and shoved his hands in his pockets, "Please, do whatever you need to move on. If you have to deny it to yourself that it never happened, then do it. I forgive you, for real. I just don't you to hurt anymore. I don't want you to go what I went through-ttebayo." Naruto turned and began to walk away.

"I won't ever deny it," Hitsuyōna stood up, "It serves, even today, as a constant reminder of how I've grown and changed. I'm no longer the drunk, deadbeat who tortured children. I am ashamed to have ever called that person myself. I'm sorry Naruto. I'm sorry for the turmoil, the trouble, the pain, and everything that I and the village have caused. I know it's too late but-" he was interrupted by a hug. A rather aggressive hug. He looked to his left and saw Naruto latched onto him, holding him tight.

After a few moments, Naruto released the hug, "Thank you," he began to walk again, "Hitsuyōna, one thing: Just because I forgive you does not mean we are friends," the man nodded, and held his head down.

"I'm afraid I expected that. Naruto, one more thing," the boy turned and waited for a response, "I lied to you earlier. I didn't earn the money for my farm through ninja missions," Naruto raised an eyebrow, "A man paid me off. To... you know."

"Yeah. I got it. Huh. Do you know why?" Hitsu shrugged, "Well, thank you for the information, do you have anything else?"

Shisui arrived at the Uchiha residence and made his way upstairs. Itachi had asked him to tell him about the meeting when he got back, so that's what he was going to do. He dragged his feet up the stairs, and threw Itachi's door open, "Hey, loser, just got ba- what? AW COME ON," Shisui had just barged into a conversation between Ino and Itachi, "You talk to more girls than me? I really am hopeless, huh?" He stomped out and slammed the door.

"Goodnight Shisui," Ino giggled at Itachi's remark.

Shisui, now pissed, trudged to his room. Sasuke poked his head out, "Shisui, keep it down. Sakura is asleep."

Shisui shook his head and arms around, "OH MY GOD OKAY OKAY FINE OKAY I WILL AGH," he said as he slammed his door shut. He walked over to the bed and fell down face first on top of it. He let out a sigh as he collected himself, climbing to a more comfortable position. He fiddled around with something on his jacket to occupy his mind.

"Shisui," a voice came from the window.

"Oh what do you want Tsunade? Came to taunt me about my lady skills?"

"Um, no."

"What is it then?"

"Do you, um, when we're both free... no, never mind."

"What? Come on can't you just spit it out?"

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, "Shisui, do you want to get a drink with me?"

He scoffed, "Yeah, I could use a drink right about now," Tsunade eased up and smiled, "So what's the occasion?"

"Um... like a date?"

"You got a date?! That's awesome! Just everyone but me gets one nowadays."

Tsunade rolled her eyes and looked up, "Oh kami- Shisui I meant with you! A date with you!" She pointed a finger at him, and she almost touched his face.

He moved the finger aside, "Well there's no need to pity me. Just because I'm lonely, ya' know."

"That's not why I'm doing it Shisui."

"Alright fine, I'll humor you. At least I have an excuse to go out drinking, even if it's a pity date," as he got up Tsunade frowned and looked down.

"If you don't want to come, then don't come."

"Yeah. You would like that, wouldn't you."

Naruto lie on his bed, looking up at the ceiling, absentmindedly playing with Bolt's ears. He would pick them up, then let them flop down, pick them up, then...

He kept thinking about what Hitsuyōna had told him about the man who paid him off. It just felt weird. The more he was away from Hinata, the more he thought, and subsequently worried. What if she did go spend the night at her house? Naruto hadn't slept alone in forever. Yes he had done things that were considered impossible: he had halted coups, assassinated one of the world's most influential and corrupt tyrants, and sewed so many coasters. In a way, that's why it made sleeping alone the hardest thing of all. He gained peace of mind by keeping his tables clean of cup marks, but that was often rattled by his many past experiences. Somebody left alone with their thoughts is a danger to themself, even without deep seeded trauma. Adding onto it that Naruto just learned something that completely creeped him out. He felt like getting some ice cream. He shot up and jogged to the door. He threw the door open and somebody on the other side yelped and fell. He looked to see Hinata mid-fall with her hand out. He caught her by the arm and pulled her up to face him. She looked down and her lip quivered. She opened her mouth to speak, but instead just buried her head in his chest. Naruto giggled. In the short time she had arrived, he had already forgot mostly everything about today, "That tickles-ttebayo."

"Get over it," she mumbled as she wrapped her arms around him and rocked side to side.

"Ice cream?" Naruto asked as he returned the hug. The girl moved her head up and down along his chest, a sort of nod. Naruto let out another giggle, "That tickles, AHhhH, STOP."

"I don't know much about him, Naruto, but I do remember one thing, " Naruto stared at Hitsuyōna expectantly, "His final letter said something along the lines of: The eyes of rebirth will be found after the namesake rebirth occurs. Make sure the boy is dead, my true power may only be gained if he reverses death. The something shall be mine. I don't remember what it was called, but it started with an S."

"Do you remember his name?"

"No. But his letters always came at exactly midnight. They just fluttered down from the sky. I don't know if any of that's useful at all, but it's all I got."

Naruto nodded and turned back around, "Goodnight, Hitsu."

Who's true power will be gained? What did they want from Naruto? He was just way more confused now. And worried. If somebody was after him, what if they went after someone close to him? What if they tried to get Naruto to come to them by attacking the people he loved. It was a truly troubling thought, one that distracted him from pretty much anything. He took a deep breath and calmed down, 'Both me and Hinata are strong enough to fight off anyone. We'll be fine.'

Sasuke sat in his windowsill, staring out at the field in front of him. At the regulation of the Uchiha, the new compound remained in its previous spot, and was completely restored. Sasuke glances down and spotted a foreign, imposing figure standing below. "Sasuke Uchiha, there is something I need to tell you."

"Who are you?"

"Hiashi Hyūga, the head of the Hyūga clan."

Sasuke leapt down from the ledge and faced the man, "What is it?"

"A story, of sorts," he turned and gestured for him to follow, "Let's take a walk." Sasuke was a bit nervous. He had never talked to Hiashi before. What could be so urgent that he came to him? As the two walked a considerable distance from the Uchiha residence, Hiashi cleared his throat, "A long while ago, Fugaku Uchiha, your father, had an affair," Sasuke gasped, "I'm sure you've guessed where this is going by now, but would you like me to continue?" Sasuke closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded, "Your father, on the day of the Uchiha coup d'état, met up with his mistress, and conceived another Uchiha, your and Itachi's half brother."

"How do you know all of this?"

Hiashi sighed, "His affair was with a woman of the Hyūga clan. The matter was kept internal to not tarnish either clans reputation. When he was born, he was given to root. From there, he eventually fled the base, and his whereabouts are unknown."

'Shit.' Was the only thing running through Sasuke's mind. He turned and left without another word, receiving a sigh from Hiashi.