Chapter 8: The Leak, Plugged

Naruto was flitting from roof to roof, unseen and unheard, carefully avoiding detection by the ANBU on duty. He had yet to leave the Clans' District of the Village, because his gut was telling him his problem was there. He was currently just inside the Hyuga compound wall, and was sneaking along, keeping an ear cocked and his senses peeled for one of the Byakugan users. He was stopped short as he passed over the Main House Manor.

"A-ano, f-father? W-what w-would happen if a J-jounin b-became an A-academy s-student?" Naruto nearly, very nearly slipped as he heard the shy, stuttering voice of his classmate, Hyuga Hinata; the Hyuga Heiress.

"Why do you ask, Hinata?"

"I w-was j-just curious..." Naruto could all but see her poking her index fingers together as her voice trailed off. Hiashi, the clan head, spoke again, in a voice so smug Naruto knew he was seen by the man.

"Well, for arguments sake, let us say that a high-level Shinobi WAS stripped of his rank and sent back to the Academy. He or she would have to be Academy age,"

"H-hai..." Hinata said slowly.

"Then the Shinobi would have to most likely put on a very convincing act so as to divert attention from themselves, likely using a public persona already in place." Hinata made a small, confirming noise. "And if it so happened that this person was found out by accident, they would need to tie up loose ends to ensure their own safety." a small eep of fear ensued, followed by sounds of scurrying away. Hiashi stepped out onto the grass and breathed deeply.

"You shrewd son-of-a-bitch. How long did you know?"

"Young man, I knew from a young age you would be exceptional. To put two and two together, that a very deadly ANBU disappears the same year you begin academy and fully enter the public eye? An idiot could figure it out."

"Obviously not, considering damn near the whole village, the other ANBU included, didn't notice that little coincidence," Naruto remarked dryly as he dropped down next to the man. Hiashi grunted slightly, still staring at the stars.

"I wish to thank you for watching over us all these times. You saved my daughters on more than one occasion. I am indebted to you."

"Nonsense, I just wanted your family to remain as whole as it currently is. Neither of them should go through what I did. But I must say, it still confuses me why you're so strict with Hinata in public, but act like a father in private. Just let the world know you love your daughter."

Hiashi grimaced. "Would that I could. I treat Hanabi the same way in public, so that I cannot be accused of favoritism. In any case, I suspect you must continue your search. Rest assured, your secret will not be spilled by any lips here."

With a quick bow, Naruto vanished, to continue his quest. Surely only Hinata could have somehow seen? Right? Even his abysmal luck outside of gambling and cons couldn't screw him this time?

Please, Kami. Please let it just be Hinata... but his pleas fell on deaf ears as he passed silently over the path between the Akimichi and Yamanaka compounds.

"Daddy, what do you know about that boy in my class? Naruto?" this time, Naruto really did slip, right off a tree branch, down to the Akimichi compound wall, in the most unfortunate position possible. He groaned and fell to the side, landing in the walkway, cupping his groin and trying not to squeal like a pig... or a fangirl.

"I know he's been very lonely most of...his...life... Naruto-san, what are you doing here at this hour?" Inoichi asked as he stared in confusion at the young blond curled into a ball, holding his balls.

"Writhing in pain," Naruto wheezed out. Inoichi flinched in sympathy and moved to help Naruto up. Once the younger blond was on his feet, one hand still gingerly protecting his bits, Ino spoke up.

"That's so weird! We were just talking about you! What happened the other day, in class?"

"I fell asleep long enough to have night terrors. Contrary to popular belief, night terrors do not set in as soon as the victim is asleep. Instead, they replace dreams and REM sleep, very violently, as you observed."

"I meant when the Hokage and that Jounin busted in," Ino said, her eyes narrowing to a squint as she appraised her fellow blond.

"That was my Jiji and my Tou-san. They were worried when I screamed."

"As was most of the T&I Department," Inoichi muttered under his breath.

"What was that, Daddy?"

"Nothing, Princess."

"Anyway, I was just on my way back to the Sarutobi compound, so if you'll excuse me..." but before he could scamper away, Ino grabbed his arm and flashed a sickeningly sweet smile that made both men in the immediate area shiver in terror.

"Oh, but I wanted to talk to you! Please don't make me wait..." she said with a pout, sticking her bottom lip out and making her eyes watery, on command, which is what scared Naruto.

Now I see why Inoichi-sama is wrapped around her little finger! This girl is almost as devious and manipulative as me!

In the T&I Department- Main office

Morino Ibiki felt a frighteningly cold chill run up his spine, the same he felt when he faced that little blond monster several years ago. He liked Naruto, but the boy scared him. Which in itself was a feat.

Why do I get the feeling in a few years I'll be so outdated that he will replace me? Ibiki thought uncomfortably. And Inoichi's daughter? He shivered again, then resumed his paperwork.

Back with Naruto

"Uh... no, I guess Oba-chan wouldn't mind if I was a little late to dinner..." he never managed to finish his thought, because Ino bolted off, dragging him behind her. He, of course could go much faster, but she didn't need to know that... if she didn't already.

They got out of the Clans' district and stopped in a park, where Ino planted him onto a bench, then glared at him.

"How did you move so fast the other day?" Naruto immediately threw up an emotionless mask that Itachi had taught him.

"I have no idea what you mean," he said calmly, already thinking of multiple ways of removing her ability to talk should the need arise.

"You had one of that Jounin's trench knives up under his chin before any of us could blink. No Academy student could do that. Explain."

Naaruto smirked haughtily and leveled his cold gaze at the young blond before him. She soon began to fidget uncomfortably.

"You might have your father twisted around your whim, but it will take a lot longer before you can manipulate me, Miss Yamanka. Try again at a later date," he said as he rose and began walking away. He got all of ten steps before he sensed a presence that he knew wasn't supposed to be there, because he'd felt it when he escorted the Hokage to the Kage summit two years ago. It was a Kiri ANBU. He stopped and turned to the girl.

"Would you like me to walk you home, Ino? No young lady should walk around at night alone. Something untoward might happen."

Ino looked suspicious, but seemed to catch on to at least some of what he was saying, so she faked a giggle and accepted, wrapping her arms around Naruto's offered one. They walked silently for about a block before Naruto said something to her, leaning in an whispering to seem as though he was making a move, despite them being eleven years old. They both were going through puberty anyway, so Naruto wasn't scared. Oh the wonders of having an advanced nose, like knowing when a girl is going through puberty sooner than she should.

"I'll tell you this, I'm much more than I seem, and letting that become common knowledge would be very bad. There is a Kiri Nin following us, but I'm not sure which of us is the target. I'll walk you home to your father, then leave. Now act like I said something flattering."

Ino, to her credit, took it all in stride and began tittering and fluttering her eyelashes in a very girlish manner.

This girl can act well. Should Shinobi life not work out for her, she has a promising future in theatre.

Focus, Kit. Get her home, then fawn over her. Naruto frowned to himself, but ignored the jab. He made small talk with Ino for the few blocks to her house, keeping his Chakra Sense open for any sudden moves by the ANBU tailing them.

He managed to get Ino to her door before the Shinobi struck, aiming at both of them. Evidently, someone wanted Naruto dead, and the Yamanaka Clan crippled. Two kunai knives flew from a tree several yards back, but Naruto whirled quicker than the eye could follow and caught them, launching them back before the assailant could react. A feminine cry of pain resounded and the Mist Nin fell out of the tree, clutching on arm and on leg. Naruto was on her in an instant, disabling the other two appendages quickly.

"Ino, get your father!" he said sternly without looking back. He could feel the dumbstruck look on her face as she dumbly backed into the house and called for Inoichi. The man came running, his long blonde hair disheveled. He zeroes in on Naruto crouching threateningly over the foreign Shinobi. He strode up next to his fellow blonde and stared down at the captive. Naruto was in the process of removing her mask. The fact that she had not crunched a poison capsule yet, showed either she was too valuable to be equipped with one, or was confident she could escape.

Naruto removed her mask, after several moments of struggling, and cold-cocked her across the jaw, throwing her head to the side. A hollow tooth danced out across the pavement, filled with a small purple pill.

"First rule of ANBU," the boy whispered menacingly to the brunette. "You get caught or incapacitated, crunch the damn pill. Even if there's a chance you can escape. You are one cocky, stupid bitch." her eyes grew wide, before he slammed his fist into her cheek, knocking her out. He then stood and turned to the Yamanaka Patriarch.

"Inoichi-sama," he said with a low bow. "I hereby surrender this Kunoichi into your custody as Lieutenant Commander of the Torture and Interrogation Department. Have a nice evening, and please give my regards and sincerest apologies to Ino-san." he turned on his heel, leaving the gobsmacked man where he stood, and strode quickly away, heading straight home. He entered through the front door to hear the sounds of dinner plates being placed, Asuma and Hiruzen discussing something quietly, and Konohamaru talking excitedly to his mother.

Naruto strode in and sat in his seat without a word, just watching his family. No-one noticed him, which was not an odd occurrence. Suddenly, Boar Shunshin'd in and bowed to the Hokage, though the man was not wearing his hat or robes.

"Hokage-sama," he said in a fairly deep voice. "Several moments ago, a Kiri ANBU was captured attempting to take the life of one Ino Yamanka and one other undisclosed person. Yamanaka-sama is escorting her unconscious form to the T&I Department, under guard."

Hiruzen looked stunned, then saw the faint smile on the face of his elder grandson. He sighed and nodded.

"Very good, I'll expect a report on my desk tomorrow. But for now, I am about to enjoy dinner with my family. Good evening Boar-san." Boar saluted and Shunshin'd out, leaving the room silent for a moment.

"So, Naru," Asuma said with a great level of mirth poorly hidden in his voice. "How'd your walk go?" Naruto shrugged.

"Same old, Tou-chan. Did a brief workout between the Yamanaka and Akimichi compunds. You know, limber up. But I did slip in a loose twig and injure my groin," he added with a wince. Everyone in the room winced in sympathy, except Konohamaru, who looked lost. "Other than that, nothing out of the ordinary. I certainly didn't hear anything like what Boar-san mentioned." he held a straight face while his Aunt ferried food out of the kitchen. When she sat and the Thanks were said, he maintained a totally blank face, even though both his Dad, and Grandpa were trying their absolute best to not laugh. Even Shinobi can't control themselves all the time, as was evidenced by both men suddenly howling in laughter, slamming the table with their fists.

Even Kasi, the one who usually remained passive and calm, was near hysterics with mirth. Naruto smiled, and Konohamaru was looking at everyone like they'd gone mad.

Naruto just continued smiling while his family devolved further into laughter.

His identity was assuredly safe.

His family was safe.

His friends were alive.

It was a good evening.