Making their way to the manor, Naruto made a way for the medical wing. If that man was indeed awake, then he had to ask him some questions. There was no way that he would let this guy get away without answering any kind of his questions. It had him curious, how did he know him? He had seemed shocked to see him there but at the same time relieved. Though, what also confused him was why did he come out here of all places?

"Naruto wait up please!" Hinata said as she ran to keep up with the speeding man. Naruto sighed softly before stopping and turned to stare at Hinata. "I know you are excited about learning of your past but please… don't get your hopes up Naruto. He was beaten pretty badly, the trauma could have wiped his memories out."

"But he seemed like he knew me." Naruto pointed out.

"True, but they could have been wiped out when he passed out. We don't know what will happen or if he'll remember you." Hinata countered with a frown of concern.

Okay, she had a point in this. Yet, could anyone really blame him? He had gone his whole life not knowing who his family was. Not knowing if Naruto is even his name or if these abilities that he seem to be appearing are part of his clan traits. Not to mention, information about the markings on his hand and stomach. "I just want to know who I am." Naruto whispered softly.

"You're Naruto, my guard and my friend." Hinata said with a small smile on her face as she gently grabbed a hold of his hand.

He couldn't help but stare at her. Honestly, he wanted to be more than that. Though, the young man knew that he could never be more than that. Not with Hinata. Yet, he also couldn't see himself with anyone other than Hinata. She was the only one for him, but she didn't see him that way. That much was clear and for the most part he has come to accept it.

"I am your friend yes, and I do go by Naruto but… who was I before? Who were my parents, my home and what do these marks mean?" Naruto whispered softly before running a hand over his face. Honestly, he just felt exhausted from all of this. It just seemed, no it felt like something would always throw itself in his life. More so when something good was happening but then he'd have to remember his place and try not to slip into that living fantasy he'd be in again. Such as when he was dancing with Hinata.

Hinata sighed softly. He couldn't tell if she was annoyed with him wanting to know about his past or if it was because she was concerned. Either way, he felt like he was going to get an ear full. "Naruto, what will knowing do? It won't change the life you have lived to now. It'll just let you know what it was that bothered you for so long. Knowing your past doesn't change who you are now but, what you do now, is how you shape your life."

"You wouldn't understand Hinata. You have known your entire life. You know where you are from, who your parents are and your home. I don't!" Naruto looked at her for a brief moment before looking away. "I never knew my home, my parents, nor my name! I don't know a thing about my past and I feel like I have a hole in my heart that can never be filled until I know what is missing."

Okay, she wouldn't know what it was that he was going through. But, why did it hurt him so much to know that she wouldn't support him? No, she didn't have to do anything to support him. She was the princess, and a princess shouldn't sully their hands with helping someone like him. 'Who am I kidding, Hinata has a heart too pure to want to stand around and do nothing if someone needed help.' thought Naruto with a soft sigh. Turning to her for a moment, he couldn't help but stare deeply into her lavender pools.

Her eyes, windows to her pure white soul made him know that she was the only one for him. Though sadly for him she was so far out of his reach. An eternal love that would never be.

Just like his memories.

"Hinata, I just want to know where I came from. Who my parents were and what happened to them. Are they still alive? Are they looking for me? Did they… did they not want me?" The last one hurt him more than he thought it would in all honesty. If that was the case, why did they not want him anymore in the first place? Was it because he had these abilities that were starting to form? Did they just not love him?

If that was the case, why hadn't they tried to get rid of him while he was still in the womb? So many questions that he felt like they were spinning on him and it bothered him. Tightly shutting his eyes, the young man tried to take a deep breath, hoping to calm his nerves before they would consume him from his own darkness of his emotions as they tried to overpower him.

Soon, he felt something grab a hold of his hand, causing the young man to turn and stare at Hinata. Her own eyes filled with worry and concern for him. And… did he see understanding?

"Naruto. I know that this will hurt you without knowing but, I'm also scared that you won't like what you hear. I just want to shield you from anything that would hurt your heart." Hinata whispered before reaching up and carefully wiping away tears that had pooled out of his eyes. "See, even now you're hurting from what the answers could possibly be."

Okay, she had a point but… he will know what his answers and he will find out no matter what!

Looking ahead, he saw that they had arrived to the healing ward. Well, it was now or never! Opening the door, Naruto calmly said "Sir, I would like to have a few answers to… my… questions…?" Naruto had begun strong, only to start to trail off as he saw the scene before him starting to unfold in front of his eyes.

"Naruto what's wrong?" asked Hinata as she walked up to stand next to the blonde. Only for said blonde to reach his hand over and cover her eyes.

The scene in front of them, was indeed the masked man, though it seemed he was holding a certain brown haired, scarred faced man to his chest and kissing him very hotly it seemed.

Iruka pulled back as he looked up at his students, his face a very deep shade of crimson as he looked between the grinning silver haired man and the two shocked adults at the door. "It isn't what it looks like! He woke up and pulled me down and… and…."

"I kissed him, honestly I thought he was a woman with having such beautiful hair." The man said with a chuckle before pulling his mask back up onto his face. Iruka glared before marching out of the room, wanting to get as far as possible. This was… rather an interesting scene but not one that Naruto thought would have been possible. Or at least, something that he never knew could ever truly happen in the first place.

"So, what brings you by?" asked the silver haired man with a big grin still on his face.

Well… this was just odd. Wasn't this man phased at all by what Naruto and Hinata had walked in on? Whatever that was in the first place!

Naruto and Hinata looked at the masked man as he sat before them. Still resting on the bed though, at closer inspection, at least from where he stood he had no injuries on him anymore. Had that all been an illusion or just dirt? The blood though, was that his blood or the blood of whatever attacked him? Shaking his head, trying to clear his thoughts as Naruto gazed at the silver haired man. "I have questions for you." Naruto calmly said.

"I see, and what may they be? Are they 'why am I here?' or even 'Am I going to hurt the princess or those on this land?' Because if they are, I've heard them many times before in my life." He calmly pointed out with a sigh.

"No, far from that." Naruto growled out. The man seemed to stare at him, his expression was rather emotionless. He wasn't fazed by the growling that Naruto had just done? Odd. "You seemed to know me. The look on your face when Princess Hinata called out to me said everything. You know me, how is that?"

He just stared at him, a flash of fear seemed to flash through his one lone eye before he looked away. "I know you yes." Naruto felt hope flutter in his heart hearing that. "But I can't tell you much about your past, I'm sorry." His hope crumbled into dust hearing that. "You aren't ready to hear everything about your past, but I can share small things with you for now."

"Is Naruto my real name?" asked Naruto.

"Yes. Your mother was craving ramen a lot and had read a book about a noble hero and she decided should you be a boy, you'd be named Naruto." He answered calmly.

Naruto blinked in shock. Honestly, he didn't think that he would be able to get that kind of answer but now he knew that… 'Naruto' really is his name. Not just a name that he had floating around in his head. He wanted to cry, the one thing that he had known his whole life, or at least had thought he knew, was true. "What about my parents? Who are they?"

"You want their names?" asked the man.

"Yes, please!" Naruto pleaded.

"Your father's name was Minato, and your mother was Kushina." He answered.

"Minato… Kushina… What clan were they from? Where are they? Did you get separated from them?" asked Naruto, taking a step with each question he asked, getting closer to the man.

Though, he froze when the man looked away. Why was he looking away? What was wrong with him? Did they get separated or lost? Or even, were they on their way here to see him after all this time? The man sighed softly before he closed his eye before staring at Naruto. "I'm sorry Naruto, but I can't tell you. You aren't emotionally ready to know what happened to them."

Naruto frowned as he lowered his head. His hair covering his eyes in shadow as he tried to calm himself. He wasn't ready to hear this in the first place? Taking a deep breath, hoping to calm his voice as he asked his one last question. His body was trembling, damn it all. When he had pictured this happening he didn't think his body would betray him like this! Biting his lip, the young man took a deep breath as he asked "Did… did they want me?" His voice sounded so broken, hurt and emotional.

The young of feet padding toward him, Naruto didn't bother to lift his eyes to see who it was. The feel of someone's hand on his shoulder had caused him to turn his gaze over to see the hand. It wasn't pale as Hinata's, and not small enough to be hers. Frowning a little, Naruto looked up and saw the serious look on the man's face. "Listen to me Naruto." Naruto could only blink as he stared at him. "Your parents wanted you more than anything in the world. They had tried to have a child years and when they found out that your mother was expecting you, they were thrilled. Over the moon and back really."

Naruto just stared with wide eyes. "They did everything in their power to make sure that you would come into this world happy and safe. Making sure that you would want for nothing, which you'd have everything you could have ever wanted in your entire life." All the blonde could do was stare with wide eyes. "Before you ever became… 'lost' to us, all they could think about was you. To make sure that you were safe and loved no matter where you ended up after you were taken away to safety."

"Taken to safety?" Naruto said with a frown.

"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you what I meant about that. But just know that you were the only thing that was on their mind. You and your safety. The only thing that they ever wanted from you was to grow up safe, sound and to be a noble person. Which, from what I can see you are. A personal guard for a princess no doubt." He said with a smile under his mask before he let out a chuckle.

"Thank you… um…?" Naruto wanted to curse. He never even bothered to ask the man for his damn name!

"Ah yes, my name is Kakashi Hatake." Answered the man with a chuckle. "Don't worry, I figured you'd ask once you wanted to ask a few of your questions." He chuckled a little more as he asked "Though, I am a little curious as to where I'll be sleeping since I don't think this will be my new room."

"New room?" asked Naruto with a frown.

"Yes, I was in search of you and now that I found you I want to stick around to help you Naruto and maybe, help the lovely Princess as well." Naruto wanted to snarl when Kakashi called Hinata 'lovely'. Okay, that was true, very true but he didn't want anyone else to know that about her. Even though he held back a vicious snarl, only a small growl escaped his lips. Though, it seemed that Kakashi was either unaware, or he didn't hear it.

"Well, I would love to have some help around the manor. Maybe you could learn some fighting moves with Iruka and he will be in charge of you." Hinata said before seeing Naruto's confused look. As well as Kakashi's. "Kakashi, you may have known Naruto before he came into my care but… we can't fully trust you and I'm sorry. Just until we know where your loyalty lies. Once we are positive that you are on our side, then you will be given freedom to do as you please in the manor for the most part."

"Of course Princess Hinata. I understand." Kakashi said with a smile under his mask, yet his smile almost seemed pleased at the same time. Why that was, he had no idea, though Naruto was just happy to have the link to his past in the first place. He'll try to ask more later on. Right now he needed some kind of rest, his mind was in tatters at the moment.

"Alright, I'll arrange for Iruka to come back into the room and you are to obey his orders so long as you remain by his side. You are not to be out of his sight unless you are returning to your room and you will have a guard outside to make sure you don't try anything. Am I understood?" Hinata didn't sound angry per say, but was just trying to be cautious.

"Very." Kakashi said with a grin on his face. It was amazing that he seemed almost giddy to be watched by someone. Why that was, Naruto didn't know but he knew that he had to be careful at the same time. Shaking his head, Naruto turned to Hinata as he was about to speak, until Kakashi beat him to the punch. "Where is he anyway? May I have an escort just so you know I have gone to see him?"

"Yes, just wait here and I'll arrange for someone to take you to him." Hinata said with a smile before walking out of the room. "Naruto, are you coming?" Hinata said sweetly.

"Yes." Naruto bowed to Kakashi before following Hinata out of the room. Though, he couldn't help but wonder what he could or should do at this point. The link to his past was here, but refused to share anything big. There had to be something, anything? Though it didn't seem to be coming true. Letting out a soft sigh, the young man just followed his princess while she did her duties. Though, as he walked he couldn't help but have his hand on his stomach, wondering what was happening with that mark on his flesh as it seemed to have two cracks already but… what more could be done right now? About jack shit at the moment.


Kakashi knew that he made the right choice coming here. He knew that he would find Naruto here, though he just couldn't be sure if the boy would even believe him. Then again what was he to expect anyway? The boy was just that, a boy when he had left him there all those years ago. But, it was the only way to keep him safe. Kakashi knew that Naruto would be in good hands when he had seen Hinata's carriage coming to return the young princess home.

Sure, Naruto wasn't really that hurt, but he was mostly exhausted from the journey, and had slept for days before being found by Hinata. It was his parents wish for him to grow up, to live… to live a normal life. "Or at least as normal as he can live." Kakashi whispered to himself, low enough that the guards didn't hear him. It seemed that their hearing wasn't as in tuned as they should be, though then again… he was a special case.

"So, what is it like to live here?" asked Kakashi with a smile.

"It's peaceful for the most part. More so since Hinata found Naruto with how well he has trained to protect her. It seems that demons are almost afraid to fight him. At least the ones that know of him." It was almost odd that they would share that much with him, though who was he to judge? It seemed that Naruto was indeed growing up to be an honorable person. That was what they wanted for him, and it made Kakashi smile softly in thought.

"So, you claim to know where Naruto is from…" One of the guards spoke up, causing Kakashi to look over at them. "How can we be sure that is true though?"

"You're right, there is no sure way of knowing if I speak the truth. But, what is also up to the princess to decide on if I do indeed speak the truth of Naruto and his heritage when I deem ready to speak about it to him." Kakashi calmly said with a deep sigh. He knew that this would happen, that they wouldn't trust him right away. Even if he was hurt when he arrived, they wouldn't know where he is from. That much is true but, what more could he do? He was in danger at the time not to mention, so was Naruto.

If Kakashi had stayed where he was, there was no telling what would happen if they had kept his body. The dead keep secrets yes, but given the right methods, those secrets will be revealed. Kakashi shuddered at the thought of what they would do to him.

His mission though, it was still far from being over. Right now, he had to make sure that he did everything within his power to make sure that Naruto stayed alive, away from his birthplace just a little longer. Just… a little while longer and everything should be fine right?

"Here we are, this is the Dojo that Iruka trains everyone at. He should be here." One of the guards said before sliding the door open. "Iruka, your charge is here and he is to start immediately. Princess Hinata's orders."

A soft sigh escaped the brown haired man as he soon came into Kakashi's line of sight. He had to admit, the man was attractive, and he did have some soft features but still keeping the masculinity of a man. The hair though well, Kakashi really did think it was a woman who was helping him since his vision was still blurred at the time. Though, if he was honest with himself he had no idea why he found himself so attracted to him in the first place since he has been with many women in the past, but none of them just felt right to him.

Hm, this was making things rather interesting.

"Wait, Princess Hinata wants me to look after this guy? Even after what he did to me?!"

"Uh, what did he do?" asked one of the guards. Kakashi wanted to smirk at this. Would he confess that he himself, had killed the brown haired man?

"Never mind. Fine, just bring him in then leave. If he tries anything I'll stop him." Iruka grumbled before moving aside as the silver haired man walked in.

Oh, if only he knew that Kakashi's power was far greater than any normal man's much like Naruto's. Though, that was something he couldn't really share. Not yet anyway, it was too risky to really share with anyone. People would want to hunt him down, and of course Naruto since he knew the kid before he lost his memories.

Taking a look around, Kakashi couldn't help but look on rather impressed. It was far from what he had seen back home but, this wasn't bad for a set up here for a kingdom that was meant to be peaceful. This was rather interesting, though he wondered what it was that they teach here. The voices had stopped, telling Kakashi that the guards had left so it was just the two of them most likely.

He couldn't help but shake his head. In a way, he regretted from taking that potion but at the same time he knew that it had to be done. Though, at least it didn't dull anything but merely changed his appearance for the most part.

Lifting his head, Kakashi sensed that something was rushing at him. Acting quickly, he spun around on his heel and grabbed Iruka's wrist, his own eye narrowed into a slit while Iruka stared on in shock. Twisting his wrists around on the confused man's arm, Kakashi threw Iruka over his shoulder and onto the ground. Not enough to seriously hurt him but enough to at the very least stun him.

Placing a hand on the man's shoulder, he just stared down at him with a calm yet cold gaze. The gaze he would always give to those who he had defeated, and was about to kill. Iruka's eyes were wide, partly with fear and panic but, also with shock that he was defeated by a man that had just gotten out of the medical room. "How did… I mean you just…" Kakashi calmed down before removing his foot and helped Iruka up onto his feet. "How were you able to do that after just getting out of the medical room?" asked Iruka with confusion.

"I'm stronger than I look. I've fought my whole life. In order to live, and make sure that others live." That seemed to shock Iruka right down to his core from the expression on his face told him. "Where Naruto and I hail from, if you aren't in a good clan within your kingdom, then you are going to die. I've lived that life as a child until Naruto's parents found me and asked me to join them." Kakashi looked away in sadness. The memory was a happy one yes, but thinking about his parents still hurt him a great deal.

"They're dead aren't they?" Iruka whispered in conclusion.

"Just… don't tell him. I didn't have the heart to tell him." Kakashi whispered softly.

"How did they… when did they?"

"I can't you 'how' they died. I don't want to relive that nightmare. But, they died when he was young. Before the princess found him." Kakashi whispered. Damn it, why was he telling this man anything?! He shouldn't but, a part of him wanted to share his pain with someone, even if it wasn't much. "I left Naruto there, wanting him to have a normal life. A life away from the death and I made sure that his memories were for the most part erased. The only thing I left behind was his name."

Iruka frowned a little at that. It seemed like he could understand the reason why Kakashi did what he did, but felt like there was more to it. Though he wasn't going to push the man, it seemed that he was still hurt by this emotional pain even after all these years having passed. Though… "Did you really kiss me because you thought I was a woman?" Iruka grumbled.

"My vision was blurred and all I could make out was beautiful long hair. I thought you were a woman upon that and when Naruto and the princess came in and well, vision cleared and heard you speak then I knew you were a man. I am sorry for that." Kakashi calmly said with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as he had a bit of a bashful look to him. Looking up, he added "Just know though, I didn't hate that kiss either." He chuckled seeing Iruka's face turn crimson. It was cute, that was for sure.

"Shut up. Anyway, why are you here?" asked Iruka.

"Like what the guard said, you are to keep an eye on me to make sure that I am, indeed trust worthy. I'd rather prove myself." Kakashi said with a smile on his face.

Iruka shook his head, what else could he have meant in the first place? There was no way that he could think of any other reason for him to be there other than what the princess had told the guards to tell Iruka upon his arrival. Kakashi just tilted his head a little at the thought but just blinked in confusion. Though it was a little weird to see him blink since it just looked like he was winking.

"No, I mean the real reason for you to be here after all this time. If you knew that Naruto was here and safe, what reason could you have for being here in the first place and now of all times?" Iruka calmly pointed out as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Kakashi couldn't help but stare with wide eyes as he heard what it was that Iruka had said. Did he already clue in that there was something wrong with Naruto before he even had a chance to arrive here? Damn it, he hated this. He wanted to arrive a lot sooner but he was badly wounded from when he tried to get away. Spending all that time healing until he could make his stop and then arrive here. The wounds though had slowed down in their healing thanks to that venom that he had been hit with.

Could he tell Iruka this truth?

Would he even believe him?

Damn it, his body was starting to tremble right now and he was scared of what would happen if he even said anything in the first place! Maybe it was because he had so much on his mind… as if the world was placed upon his shoulders that he just couldn't keep it all bottled up anymore. That he had to talk to someone, but why Iruka of all people. Someone he didn't even really know, why did he trust him with all of this in the first place?

Looking at Iruka for a moment, the young man knew that he had to say something but… it was how he could word it that would be the tough part. Looking away, the young man ran a hand through his hair as he took a deep breath, god why did this have to be so damn hard right now? "Well, you see…" Kakashi began, once again trying to think on the right words to speak to Iruka about when it came to Naruto.

"Before I brought Naruto here, I had him taken to someone to place a seal on him. It was to hide away his… abilities that would right away identify him of who is he to the one that killed his parents. But, it was a rush job so to speak and the seal wasn't permanent. I feared for his safety and knew that it would break at some point in time. I saw the battle he was in with the Monkey Demon and knew that I had to come and help him through this ordeal." Kakashi explained as he tried to take a calming breath. "The seal is breaking and I fear for his mentality right now… and for his memories that could destroy him."

Iruka stared with wide eyes, and that was when Iruka saw what was going on. Naruto trusted this man enough to show him what he was talking about. All this time, he wasn't sure if Naruto would have trusted someone with something like this in his entire life.

But, Kakashi was happy to hear see that but he just hoped that this wouldn't bite him in the ass later. "You know don't you? You've noticed the cracks in his seal? The seal on his stomach is what separates him from people and his fellow clan members."

"How long does he have?" asked Iruka.

"That I don't know, but the seal could break fully at any time. There is no fore sure way of knowing when or how it'll happen. But it will and that is why I came all this way. To help him through this…"