It had been a few years since Naruto had arrived to Hinata's home. Ever since then, he had been training day in and day out with her. It was tough, though he had quickly adapted, quicker than Hinata had. Hiashi had mentioned that maybe, Naruto belonged to some kind of Warrior Clan that had been wiped out a little while ago. Maybe a year or so before he had been taken in by the Lord.
Why that was though, he still wasn't sure. There were still many things that he didn't understand. Why was his name, his first name anyway, the only thing that he could remember? He had no idea, though he knew that he had to be careful around here with what he did, and what he said. After all, sometimes he had a habit of saying something that made no sense, even to him.
Such as when he had mentioned that Demon's, normally don't attack people. Yet now that he had heard about all the attacks, he didn't know what to think. Sadly though, he was still too young to fight a demon, all he could do was to train for when the time came for him to fight to protect his new home.
Yawning softly, the small boy pushed himself up from his bed and made his way over to a chest that had some of his clothes. He knew that he didn't have much, but it'd have to do until he could get himself true fitting clothes so to speak. Yawning against the back of his hand, the young boy pulled out an orange shirt, and a pair of black pants. They were a little loose on him when they first gave it to him, though since Hiashi only had daughters, he never thought of getting boy clothes.
Even his nephew's clothes were too big on him.
Tying the shirt in place at the sides, Naruto pulled out a pair of black fingerless gloves, more so to hide the mark on the back of his left hand. He didn't know why, but Hiashi had asked him to keep the mark covered, thinking that if anyone knew of the mark, of the clan that he belonged too that they may want him dead. Since he didn't have the strength to protect himself, it wouldn't be safe for him right now.
Running a hand through his blonde hair, the young boy made his way out of his room and went down the hall. He wondered what they were to do, there had to be something that he could do, anything really. Maybe there would be a new training method that he could learn today. Thinking about it, it excited him! Though, when they had asked him if he wanted a weapon to learn how to use, he wasn't really sure as to what it was that he could, or would want to learn. There had to be something, but nothing came to mind. At least, not yet.
Looking up at the sliding door, Naruto frowned when he saw a note. Looks like his teacher couldn't teach today, having been called out to battle. Well, wasn't that fantastic. Sighing softly, he scratched the back of his head wondering what it was that he could do instead. What could he do that would help him pass the time in the first place?
"Naruto!" called a happy voice, a voice that brought sunshine in his life. Turning, he saw Hinata rushing to him, it looked like she was ready for training as well. She wore something similar to himself, though her shirt was a little longer and the pants were a little tighter on her legs. "I went to your room to let you know that Iruka couldn't come and teach us today. He was-"
"I know, I saw the note." Naruto said with a shrug of his shoulders. "So, what does that mean for us now?" he asked with a frown on his face.
"Well, father needs some things in the village, so I thought we could go and help. He had also mentioned that you needed more clothes anyway so, may as well. Maybe we can get you a weapon to start training with." Hinata said, her smile still as bright and radiant as it was when he first laid eyes on her. How was it that she could be so, so radiant to him? Oh well.
"That sounds great to be honest." Naruto said with a big grin on his face. All Hinata could do was smile at him. He knew that ever since he came here, that she had been more cheerful. Or, at least that was what the others in the mansion had said. He was happy that Hinata was cheerful, more so than she ever has been before in the past. Blinking a bit, he wondered if there was any kind of weapon that he would be able to use. Sure, he wasn't very keen on killing demons, he hated the idea of killing demons but, if there was a way for him not to kill them, but to just knock them out then well, there had to be something.
"Naruto?" came Hinata's voice, shocking him out of his train of thought.
"Uh, yes Hina-chan?" Naruto looked away, blushing faintly knowing that she had to have been worried about him for a while.
"You okay? You seemed out of it, what were you thinking about?" asked Hinata.
"Oh, nothing important." Naruto answered with a big grin on his face. Not wanting to worry the princess any more than she already was. Though, he couldn't help but think. What could he do? What was he to do with his free time right now? Letting out a soft sigh, the young boy folded his arms behind his back as he asked "So, when do we leave?" Honestly, he just wanted to get out of the mansion. He had yet to see the village, even when he first arrived he had never left the mansion. Today, would be his first time being in the village at long last.
"Just, try not to wander off." Hinata said with a small smile. Causing Naruto to pout a little. "You know what I mean Naru-kun, you get excited about things and you would wander off the first moment you had a chance too." Okay, she had a point, sometimes when they were moving their training to a new area, Naruto would not want to wait for their teacher and take off the first moment he had and went to find the new area himself. Getting himself lost in the process.
Even though he knew the mansion pretty well, he still had issues where he got lost here and there. Letting out a soft sigh, the young boy nodded to her. It wasn't a verbal promise that he wouldn't wander off, but it was as best as he could do. Soon, his hands lowered to his sides, though he couldn't help but stare at the back of his gloved left hand. The only thing that could lead him to his past and yet he had to keep it covered.
"Naruto, we'll figure out one day where you came from." Hinata said, gently grabbing a hold of his hand, causing him to look up in shock before he gave her a gentle smile. Yeah, he'll find out. Maybe when they were better equipped to protect himself from harm, maybe he'll stop himself from killing a demon, or anyone for that matter. Yes, he won't kill anyone, maybe he could find a weapon that would help him with that.
"Yeah, I'm sure we will." Naruto said with a smile before he went with Hinata to get to the carriage. Since the village was a ways away, they wouldn't be able to walk. Okay, they could walk, but with so many dangers around there was no way that they would be able to walk without being attacked.
Hinata just smiled as she walked with him to where they would wait for the carriage and, for the guards. There was no way that they could leave without the guards. Though, Naruto couldn't help but wonder what would be in town waiting for him. He hoped that it would be something worthwhile.
Naruto couldn't help but gaze out the carriage as they rode by. IT was amazing really, the fields were being tended too by the farmers. They were cutting the wheat, and some were picking the cobs of corm off of their stalks. His blue eyes were wide and filled with wander as he stared at the farmers. They seemed rather focused on their work. "They must be hard at work today for the winter coming in." Hinata said, causing Naruto to turn to stare at her. His eyes confused by her statement. "The farmers gather the food, either to store some of it for themselves for the winter since crops can't grow in the cold, or they sell some of it for some ryō and have more food if they need it."
That was how they earned money? Interesting. It made things a little more interesting to learn more about how people lived in this village. Even though he's never left, he's never ever bothered to ask questions. The only thing he knew about anyone nearby was that they lived in the village, never knew what they did really…
"What else do they do?" asked Naruto with curiosity in his eyes.
"They make their own clothes, make swords or any other kind of weapons or anything with steel anyway." Hinata said with a smile on her face.
Naruto could only stare with wide curious eyes. He found it rather amazing that people could do such things. It made him curious as to why he's never bothered to ask before. 'Ah right, because I was busy training so I could protect myself and Hinata.' thought Naruto with a grin on his face before he went back to gazing out the carriage. It was amazing, the sun was bright, the clouds floated by in the sky and it made him wonder what he could do.
It had him curious, what would he be able to do. What would he find in the village that would allow him to be able to bring back home with him. Sniffing the air, the young boy could smell some of the wonderful scents that wafted from the village. Maybe a lot of people were cooking something, it was faint but he could still smell it.
"We're close now Naruto, soon we can get out of this carriage and get some clothes and maybe a new weapon for you." Hinata said with a smile on her face.
The young boy could only grin happily. There was no way that he wouldn't enjoy this trip now!
Once the carriage stopped, the two children stepped out and Naruto couldn't help but stare in awe. The village had many huts. Some smaller than others though still smaller than the mansion by a great deal. Many people were walking around, chatting among themselves. Either about work, farming, or tools they'd need for what they do in their trade but, Naruto still found it rather fascinating.
"Let's go get you some clothes Naruto." Hinata said before grabbing a hold of Naruto's hand, causing the boy to blush softly. Why did he feel happy when she held his hand? He wanted to pull his hand away, the sound of the guards chuckling at him caused him to blush more yet, and he didn't pull his hand away. Instead, he just curled his fingers around Hinata's hand, not wanting to be separated from her.
As they walked, Naruto just looked back and forth at the people who would walk by them. The few that would notice Naruto and Hinata, they would smile and bow at the princess though, they would just stare at him with confusion. Sure, he knew that there were rumors of him staying at the mansion, though were people that confused by it in the first place? He had no idea, though he knew that shouldn't let it bother him. There was no way that he would allow them to irritate him.
"Hinata, where are we going?" asked Naruto.
"We are going to get you some new clothes first. Nothing fancy of course since you'll be training and I don't think you'd want fancy clothes ruined." Well, that made sense. What was the point in having anything really fancy if he was just going to have it ruined because of his training. "Though, you would need at least one thing fancy to wear for parties at least." Hinata said before giggling softly.
"What's funny?" asked Naruto.
"It'd just be rather interesting to see you in something rather, fancy or formal." Hinata giggled gently before she stopped with Naruto just outside of the seamstress. "Hello?" called out Hinata, letting go of Naruto's hand for a moment. He almost wanted to whine from the loss of warmth in her hand but refrained himself from doing so.
Soon, a woman with long brown hair, pulled back in a ponytail. Her bangs framing her face perfectly giving her a youthful look to her. Her eyes, the colour so dark that it made Naruto think of onyx. Hm, now that he got a better look he saw a mole under her right eye. Though, within her eyes held nothing but warmth and kindness as she stared at the children. She wore a simple yellow kimono that was designed in floral petals that reminded him of sakura blossoms as they danced in the breeze.
"Ah, Princess Hinata, how can I help you today?" asked the woman.
"Well, I was wondering if you had anything in my friend's size, or even his favourite colour. Do you have anything Izumi?" asked Hinata.
The woman, Izumi frowned a little as she stared at Naruto for a moment. Tilting her head from side to side, her dark eyes wandering around him as if measuring him with her eyes rather than with a measuring tape. "Yes, I should have a couple for him. Though I may have to make a few others that he may need. What kind of clothes do you want?" asked Izumi, her smile kind.
Hinata smiled as she made her way over to the counter of Izumi's shop and spoke to her about the kinds of clothes that Naruto would need. Naruto didn't really want to just stand around and do nothing all day but, he didn't really know where he would go if he was honest with himself. It wasn't like he knew his way around the village or anything nor did he really know anyone here.
Though as he gazed outside, he saw an old man wandering by. His clothes, ragged at best, almost seemed far too big for him. He just seemed to be mumbling to himself, yet he couldn't make out the words that he was speaking. Behind him, he saw a punch of people, teens most likely, laughing and snickering to themselves as they followed him. That couldn't be good. 'I wonder…' thought Naruto as he followed them.
The older man just kept on walking, it was as if he didn't sense the teens. Maybe he didn't, maybe he wasn't aware that he was being followed. Hm, that was one thing to think about. The man just walked, his strides were long, as if he was trying to get away from something, and maybe he could sense them to a certain point? That was one thing to think about at least. Yet, he still felt like there was something that was still out of sorts. What was he doing? Why was he dressed up like this in the first place?
It was rather odd that he walked the teens to the alley way, was he going to attack them? No, if that was the case, why would he hear the muttering of the teens about how this 'old man needs a good beating'. Why that was, he had no idea, there was really no reason to fight someone who couldn't fight back to protect themselves.
Soon, Naruto saw that the older man stopped in his tracks before turning around. "Alright boys, I think that's far enough." He said with a calmness in his voice. Had he, had he known that he was being followed the whole time? Amazing.
"Look old man, we're tired of seeing you around here. Ever since you came to this village, you've been nothing but an eye sore!" shouted one of the teens.
"Yeah, and we're gonna make sure you get the hint that no one wants you here!" said another.
Naruto frowned at this. They just wanted him gone because they thought he was an eye sore? Shaking his head, he rushed forward and stood before the older man and spread his arms. "Leave him alone! You can't beat him up because you don't like him!" said Naruto, hoping that would be enough to get them to leave.
The teens stared at the small boy before they smirked. Naruto was starting to fear for his own safety, though he stood his ground, there was no way that he would allow anyone to hurt some poor defenseless old man from jerks like them! "Take him out boys." Said one of the teens, most likely the leader.
Naruto knew that he should have ran from a fight that he knew that he couldn't win, but at the same time it would have been wrong to leave someone like this old guy behind to fend for himself. He just couldn't allow it to happen. Before he knew what was happening to him, he could feel the punches and the kicks hitting him. Sure, he managed to block a few blows here and there, but it still wasn't enough for him to fight them all off at once. He was just a kid, and he was still very inexperienced when it comes to battles.
Crying out from the pain, the young boy tried to throw his own punch, though the teen was quickly able to catch it before smirking at the small boy. Naruto just stared with wide eyes for a brief moment before the teen threw him into the wall behind the old man. Yelping from the pain as it shot through his head, the young boy fell onto the ground and groaned as he looked up. Blinking slowly, he saw the old man walking on ahead.
"Okay, I think you've had enough fun here. I can tolerate you tormenting me, but a child, not so much." If that was the case, then why didn't he jump in sooner?! "I'll have to teach you three a lesson." Said the old man before letting out a soft sigh and pulled out a wooden sword.
"Oh, what are you gonna do about that old man?"
"Why don't you attack and find out?" he said calmly, confidant in his abilities. Whatever they were.
The first teen rushed forward, causing the older man to quickly side stepped and whacked the teen with the sword in his hand. The teen fell onto the ground, groaning in pain. Turning back to the other two, the older man lifted his free hand and waved his fingers in a 'come and get me' gesture. The other two looked at each other before turning back to the old man. It seemed like he was taunting them, mocking them really. They figured that he had been lucky with that hit, and knew that if two attacked at once, there was less of a chance of them being beaten.
Both teens soon started to rush at the old man. They had taken to different direction as if hoping to catch the old man off guard. Naruto didn't know how he would be able to fight them, sure he had taken out one of them, but to take on two? He was going to get his butt handed to him! Though, it seemed that the old man had seen what they were going to do right now.
One had gone to the right of the man, while the other went for the left. He turned his head slightly, turning to the one on the left before he whipped out his sword into the other teen's stomach, stopping him dead in his tracks before kicking the other teen. After that, he twisted his body around until he was behind the bent over teen and shoved him to the ground. It wasn't much of a fight but, what was to be expected from some teens that didn't seem to know how to fight someone with a weapon?
"Damn you!" shouted one of the teens.
The first teen that had gone down rushed to attack the old man once again. This time he had picked up a stick and went to attack. Though it seemed that the older man had seen this as well, for he held up the sword with one hand blocking the strike. "Have you ever learned how to use a sword?" he asked blandly before shaking his head at the teen. "Because if you have, your form is terrible."
"What makes you such an expert?!" shouted the teen.
"The fact that I have already won." With that said, he twisted his arm, moving the sword as he knocked the stick out of the teen's hand and kicked him in the stomach. Sending him into a wall and most likely blacking out. Putting the wooden sword away, the old man walked over to Naruto before helping him up onto his feet. "You okay kid?" he asked calmly.
"Yeah, thanks." Naruto said with a grin before saying "That was amazing! How did you do that?!" The man seemed rather surprised about Naruto's words before looking away. "Can you teach me?!" Asked Naruto with awe in his voice.
"No."
"But why?!"
"Because I do not want to teach some snot nosed kid who thinks he can beat up anyone he wants." He said with a roll of his eyes. The only thing that he could make out of the man.
"I don't want to beat up anyone. I want to protect my friend, I'm her personal guard!" Naruto exclaimed before he glared at the man. "I am the future personal protector of Princess Hinata, she is my friend and I will protect her!"
The man just stared at Naruto for a moment. As if thinking carefully as to what he was about to say. Or, what he should say to the boy. Shaking his head, the old man turned away as he said "Sorry, but I gave up the sword long ago. I am nothing more than a hermit. I am only in town to gather supplies."
No, Naruto wouldn't take that as his answer. He wanted to learn how to use the sword, a sword seemed like the best kind of weapon to master. It would be enough to protect Hinata, or at least be enough to be the first weapon to learn but, something about a sword just seemed to call out to him. He had to do this, he had to learn how to use a sword and he would get what he wanted from this man.
After that, Naruto spent the better sixty minutes, or at least he assumed it was an hour anyway, could have been longer, anyway… He had spent all that time following the man, following him and bugging him to teach him how to use a sword. How he wanted to use the sword so he could protect his friend. Someone that he wanted to protect with his life no matter what the cost would be. He just, felt the need, the desire to protect her at all costs and the sword was the best weapon.
The old man of course, tried everything that he could do to escape Naruto. No matter if it was through sharp turns, jumping onto buildings hoping to get away from him. Yet, Naruto always seemed to have been able to find him without any kind of issue. How that was, he had no idea though the old man knew that he had to keep trying.
Naruto was determined though. He would make sure that he had someone to teach him how to use a sword, he had to make sure that he could do all he could to make sure that he could do all he could. He had no idea how he was finding the old man, but there was something that he just seemed to have been following. It was like some kind of trail though he wasn't sure what it was but just shrugged it off for now as nothing. There wasn't anything that really mattered to him other than his pure desire to protect Hinata.
Finally, the old man had been trapped in a corner this time. He groaned before turning around only to be stopped by Naruto once more. "Train me." Naruto demanded with a glare of his blue eyes.
"Why?!" spat the old man.
"Like I said before, I want to protect Hinata." Said Naruto.
"Just get one of your parents to protect her than. It should be left to an adult anyway." He said with a glare.
"I don't have any parents." Naruto answered.
That seemed to cause the man to pause and stare in confusion. "You don't have a mother or father? What happened to them?" He asked with curiosity. It wasn't uncommon for a child to lose their parents during these times, more so with the increase of demon attacks. Yet, for this child to want to protect someone else, maybe hearing his story would give him an idea of the kind of person this kid was, and why he was so determined to protect someone.
"I don't know, I have no idea who I was before Hinata found me." Naruto answered softly before looking away. "I woke up after I was brought to her mansion, I had no idea who I was but a name. I don't even know if it is my name or anything but, I want to repay her." Smiling softly, Naruto added "She is my first friend, as I am hers. I want to keep her smiling, I want her to keep smiling all the time because seeing her happy, makes me happy."
The man just looked at him for a moment. As if processing what it was that he had been told. The kid had no memory of who he was before being found, or that the name he was going by was even his own name in the first place? Shaking his head, the old man asked "What if you regained your memories and you didn't like what you saw. What would you do then?"
"I don't really know, but, I would try to deal with it. Hinata is the only person I care about right now." Naruto answered softly.
"Hm… alright kid. I'll train you."
Naruto blinked in shock before grinning widely. "Really?!" He couldn't believe it, he was going to learn how to use a sword at long last! There was no way that this could be ruined at all! "Thanks old man!"
"That isn't my name. Anyway, what's your name kid?"
"Naruto."
"After the fish cakes? Interesting…" mumbled the man before shaking his head. He removed the hood that hid his face causing his long white hair to fall out. He wore a simple metal headband with two locks of spikey white hair framing his face. His long ponytail draped over his back and nearly touched the ground below him. The man's dark eyes looked at him with a calmness within his gaze though his face, his expression was that of a smirk. Now that Naruto got a better look, he saw that he had two red marks under his eyes, as if he was crying tears of blood.
"What about you?" asked Naruto with a frown.
"Name is Jiraiya." Answered the man, only to smirk a little. "Though be warned, you will not be having easy training sessions with me. You will need to learn how to handle a sword, need to be strong and fast while using a sword. Nothing will be easy with me kid." Jiraiya said with a chuckle before taking a deep breath. "Okay, meet me in the clearing within the forest near the Hyuuga mansion."
"How did-"
"You said Princess Hinata, the only one with that name, and title for that matter, is Hinata Hyuuga. Anyway, meet me there tomorrow and we'll start your training." With that, Jiraiya disappeared from Naruto's sight without a trace.
Naruto had no idea how that was possible, though what he did know was that he was able to get a teacher in the way of the sword. Though, now that he thought about it he had been gone for a while now, following Jiraiya as he hoped to get the man to teach him how to use a sword. Yet, he had also lost track of time and he had taken off from Hinata-
"Hinata?!" shouted Naruto before he started to high tail it back to the seamstress. There was no way that she would forgive him this easily. Sure, he knew that he had tried to do the right thing but damn it, he didn't think that it would take such a long time to do said right thing, and of course trying get the man to teach him and now, well… "Hinata is going to kill me!" Shouted Naruto as he ran back to the shop. Hoping that Hinata wouldn't really kill him but, he had a feeling that she would punish him in some way.
That was something that he was not going to look forward too. Maybe if he begged for her forgiveness than, she'd go easy on him.
at long last, I can get to posting more for this story, now, I already have chapter three written up as well but I'll wait to post that one later. I almost had a heart attack though with this one, I went to my flash drive to get the chapter and it wasn't there, searching through my whole damn laptop, when I knew the folder was on my flashdrive only for the folder, to be found in my pictures folder. How it got there, I have no damn clue. Now, I should let you all know that Izumi, was in the anime, she was a filler character, she was a girl that was in love with Itachi, anyway she'll play a bit of a role in this story, now, until the next update later everyone!
