Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto like so many others that would like too.
Well on to the chapter enjoy...
Chapter 20 – New home
Naruto is in the hospital the next morning watching Hinata who is still hooked up to a respirator. He had a sad look on his face as he watched her slowly breathe. He did notice that her skin has gotten back most of its color. Breakfast came with his favorite nurse delivering the food.
"I know you are not happy to be here but from what I hear she will make a full recovery. You needn't worry. I know you like her. And care deeply for her. I also heard about what you did and how you rescued her. Again you are a hero. Just do me a favor." She said with a concerned look on her face.
Naruto looked up at the nurse as she continued. "You can protect her but do not shield her from harm. That will hurt her and you." She puts show him a big grin. "You will make a very nice couple when you are older."
Naruto was still looking sad but now a little confused too. "You will understand later when you accept that she is important to you. Now eat up and regain your strength you will need it. I hear that the other winner is also here in the hospital a one Sasuke Uchiha. Do you know him?"
Naruto's face grew very dark. "I see you know him. Well then I will not keep you from your friend and I hear you have family visitors. Now eat up and they will be here in about twenty minutes." She leans down and kisses him on the cheek. "You really are a special boy Naruto. May your life change for the better." She then walks out of the room.
Naruto eats with only the quiet beeping of Hinata's life support in the background. As usual the food is not very appetizing but he eats it anyways. He continues to keep an eye on Hinata hoping that she will wake up. After twenty minutes he pushes aside the tray with the plate.
The door opens and Yugito runs in and jumps on Naruto hugging him with a worried look on her face. "Naruto onii-san I was so worried about you. Are you ok? Must not you are here in the hospital. Did you really save her? I remember her. She is pretty. When are you getting out? We need to talk about your apartment." Yugito rambles as fast as she can say the words, brining a smile to Naruto's face.
"Slow down Yugito. I am fine. Well I am better now. I should be discharged later today. What happened now with my apartment? Another break in?" Both Shinbo and Yugito nodded yes to the question. "Great, not again. " Not noticing the next person to enter Hiashi. "Well I guess it can't be helped that they keep breaking in. Did they steal anything?" Shinbo and Yugito shook their heads. "Well at least that is good. How is the academy going? Have you made any new friends?"
"Yes we have made a few. Apparently you have made a name for the Uzumaki. We are supposed to be the ultimate in pranksters. Well that is ok with Yugito, but I do not like it." Shinbo replied as Hiashi laughed. Everyone turned to see Hiashi laughing.
"I am sorry for listening in on your conversation. But you have to admit that you are quite the prankster Naruto. I am glad to hear that you again helped my daughter. You have my thanks." Hiashi bowed deeply. "I see your small clan has come to see to your health. Yugito and Shinbo you are always welcome to visit the Hyuga compound. I am sure Jinzu and others would enjoy you visiting."
Hiashi's look got serious. "What is this I hear about your home being vandalized? This has happened too many times. Do they also do this to your apartment Shinbo?"
Shinbo nodded that it was so. "I see. As an ally, the Uzumaki will come under the protection of the Hyuga. Go pack your things we will find a place for you and your family Naruto. They will be welcome guests."
Hiashi looked as if he was thinking then spoke. "Yes I know there will be some problems with the elders but with this Neji incident they will accept you and your kin or they will not be happy."
Hiashi smiled at the small group. "Well Naruto, I must visit with my daughter then I will see to the arrangements about you and your family coming to live in the Hyuga compound." With a stern look but a gleam in his eyes "I will make sure you end up happy. Now if you will excuse me." He heads over to his daughter and begins talking softly to her.
Yugito's eyes light up. "Wow no more break ins. That would be great. Also Jinzu is sort of cute."
Shinbo rolled his eyes. "So Naruto is it true that you did a replacement jutsu with Hinata when she was about to be hit by Neji?" Naruto nodded, causing Shinbo to grin. This was unusual as Shinbo did not grin often. "You must like her very much to put your life in jeopardy."
Shinbo continued to smile and noticed Naruto's glance towards the sleeping Hinata. "Do not worry, give it time and you will figure it out." Naruto looked up at Shinbo with a slightly confused look on his face then turned to Hinata. Tears came streaming down from Naruto's eyes.
Yugito looked at Naruto then at Hinata. "Oniisan?" She then looked at Shinbo "you mean?" Shinbo nodded. "Oh oniisan. I am so happy for you." She then gave Naruto a big hug.
"I will tell you when you figure it out. But I am so happy for you." Hiashi smirked at what he heard but continued to talk quietly to Hinata. Shinbo noticed the smirk but said nothing. "Naruto we'll go and pack up the apartments. And have the stuff ready for when you are out so we can move it. There isn't a lot of it so it shouldn't take too long."
Naruto looked back at his family and tears were still coming from his eyes. He wiped them away to little avail. "You know Yugito there are rules at the Hyuga compound. They like calmness and serenity. So your being loud might offend some."
He started to smile. "It might also make some happy as it did when I was there before. Those of the branch family are very nice." His face went to being very stern. "But watch out for the elders. I do not trust them as they were the ones. Who caused me to be thrown out to begin with."
He then got very quiet almost a whisper. "I would tell Hiashi about your secret. He is trustworthy and knows about Hinata's and mine. If we are going to live there it would be a good idea to inform him."
Putting up a hand to stop their complaints, "I am not telling you to tell him but it would be a good idea. He understands what we are going through. As it stands now I would avoid Hanabi and the elders. He is a nice guy if a little stuffy at times. Guess it comes with the Hyuga name. If you have a problem with it I will not tell him. It is up to you."
Shinbo got up from his chair and walked over to Hiashi. "Excuse me sir."
Hiashi looked at him "how may I help you young man?"
"Sir I must first give you my condolences at your daughter's injuries. Second I would like to thank you for the offer of giving us refuge in the Hyuga compound. Naruto has accepted for himself, Yugito I am sure will accept, as will I."
Hiashi nodded upon hearing this. Shinbo looked at Yugito with a questioning look, she looked back and nodded. "We wish to first let you know something about ourselves that you may not be aware of."
Hiashi raised an eyebrow but did not say anything. Bowing "Hiashi-sama we know about Naruto and Hinata and there are few things you should know about us before you agree to house us."
Hiashi nodded and pointed to a chair by them. "Please sit and we shall discuss what you think I should know. First what do you know about Hinata and Naruto?"
Shinbo sat down and smiled lightly. "First we know that Naruto cares deeply for Hinata. Second we know that they both are containers for demons."
Hiashi was surprised but did not show it and nodded to continue. "We found this out when we came here." There was no reaction from Hiashi. "Naruto and Hinata told us this." He paused looking very nervous. "Because both Yugito and I both contain demons. I am sorry." He stood and bowed deeply.
"It is ok young man. I was wondering why Naruto would allow people to take his family name who did not appear to have any of his lineage. I can tell that you are either a child of Orochimaru or your burden is a lizard type."
Shinbo nodded. "She moves with the grace of a cat. Would you be the container for a demon cat?" Yugito nodded with a very surprised look on her face. "I actually had Jinzu meet you and try to make friends with you to find out information about you. I am sorry to deceive you like that but I was looking out for Naruto. He can at times be too trusting. Jinzu was surprised that both of you are very nice people in your own ways. I will admit that Naruto chooses his close friends well."
Taking a deep breath "I understand the burden you carry. I did when I brought Naruto into my house twelve years ago and when Hinata was sealed with a demon nine years ago."
Hiashi stood then bowed deeply. "I am grateful for the service all four of you do for us. You contain beasts that would be ravaging the human world otherwise. For that you have my eternal thanks. I would advise that you not let most people know about your respective friends too often. As you have found that most people will not like those who are containers."
He again sat down on the chair next to Hinata's bed. "I do not know the full burden or what you have gone through getting here. It is your choice in letting me know of this information. I will not force you. Yes I know that Naruto does care deeply for my daughter. He is an incredible young man." Naruto put on a huge foxy grin with that statement.
Shinbo waited for a moment to see if Hiashi would speak more, when he did not Shinbo spoke up. "We are also refugees from Kumo. The Raikage is the one who did this to us."
He paused with a look of pain upon his face. "I was put in jail soon after birth and raised by a man who I call father. He trained me in sealing and then his death helped me escape. Yugito was adopted by the Raikage but spurned as a defective child. I met her as I was making my escape and we joined up and then left Kumo to find Naruto. The reason he did not like either of us was that we would not become unthinking weapons for him."
He again bowed. "I just thought you should know these things so that you know what you might be getting yourself into with us living in your home."
Hiashi smiled. "There is no love lost between the Hyuga and the land of lighting. They are the ones who sealed a demon into Hinata in the first place. While I curse them I will never curse my daughter. She has a destiny."
Looking directly at Naruto "as do you son." He then grinned almost like Naruto as if he knew something.
This grin sent shivers down Naruto's spine. "But I will not tell you yet." This look disturbed Naruto to no end. He had never seen Hiashi smile like that. He had seen him happy but not as if he was up to something. This sent more chills up Naruto's spine.
Hiashi looked back at Shinbo. "I will send some of my men over later to help you move your stuff into the compound. I would like to thank you for being frank with me about your situation. You will be treated as honored guests, and hopefully eventually family." All three of the containers looked confused but nodded and smiled.
"Thank you Hiashi-sama. Yugito and I will go pack up our apartment and Naruto's also. We should be done in a couple hours after class at the academy. Again thank you for your gracious offer. We will try not to offend you or your clan. Shall we go Yugito?" Shinbo said as he got up and started to leave the room.
Yugito nodded and then hugged Naruto. "I will see you later onii-san." She quickly got up and ran to the door.
Hiashi kissed his daughter on the forehead and walked over to Naruto and sat beside him. They sat looking at each other for a couple minutes. Naruto started to sweat and then swallowed hard. Hiashi spoke first. "Naruto, what is Yugito to you?"
Naruto cocked his head and looked questioningly. "She is my little sister of course. And Shinbo is my younger brother. They know the pain of being a jinchuuriki. Of all of us Hinata has been the luckiest."
Hiashi looked at Naruto questioningly as Naruto continued. "She had Jasmine, her mother, and you. I know you have been hard on her recently but I understand why. You see her strength but are not sure how to get to come out."
Hiashi nodded impressed by Naruto's accurate insight. "She is my dearest friend and I thought the time I spent at the Hyuga compound was the best time in my life."
Naruto a very sad look came over his face. "When you told me I had to leave, it broke my heart. I had to leave you and Hinata. I knew you were hurting as much or more than either Hinata or me with the death of Jasmine. I figured it out a couple years later. She was wonderful, she would take us, Hinata and I, places all the time. Spend time with us. She would even chase off the occasional jerk who would call me demon. I loved her like a mother. I felt like you were the father I never had. Hinata was my friend but never my sister." Hiashi smirked at that. "I am kind of glad that she was friend not a sister."
Hiashi raised an eyebrow. "How is that Naruto?"
A blush came over Naruto and he was not sure why. "Not to be insulting or anything but." Naruto was wracking his brain on how to say it without insulting Hiashi or angering him. "I… I… think I like her more than a friend. If that is alright sir. I know that I am not liked by most. And if it is a problem I will not do anything that will cause you any problems." He cringed to wait for Hiashi to blow up.
Hiashi got a stern look on his face. "Are you asking me permission to date my daughter?"
Naruto shrinking into the bed "Well... Maybe…"
Hiashi had to suppress a smirk. "You may not at this time." Naruto was hurt but was surprised that Hiashi was not yelling about him asking to date his daughter. "You will have to wait until she is thirteen before you may ask her. After you ask her you will come before me and tell me what she has decided. At that time I will decide if you are worthy of this honor."
Naruto bowed in his bed. "Thank you Hiashi-dono. I will endeavor to be worthy of Hinata-chan. I know she deserves better than me. But I would like to see where this feeling I have will take me." Naruto then scratched his head. "Heck I am not even sure she will accept me asking."
"Do not sell yourself short Naruto. You have brought the Leaf a couple new potential shinobi of good talent. You have protected my daughter on numerous occasions. And you are a hero for keeping the demon at bay."
Hiashi inwardly smirked. "While I cannot talk about my daughter's feelings, you are special. That is all I will say until I see you later to bring you back home. I must inform the council that there are going to be guests at the compound." With that he left a stunned Naruto.
A couple hours later there was a knock on the door. "Hey brat can we come in?" Naruto immediately recognized the voice, it was Zabuza.
"Sure come in but keep it down." Naruto answered.
Zabuza and Haku entered both sporting new headbands with the leaf symbol on them. "Good morning Naruto. I am pleased to see you are ok. When I heard you had a collapsed lung I was worried." Haku stated politely.
Zabuza laughed gently. "I see they already have you shaking up with a female. Good for you." Zabuza laughed even harder when Naruto blushed a very bright red.
"We just wanted to come by and say thank you for what you did for us and talking to the Hokage. You saved us from having to run any more. Or possibly ending up dead. They have put us on probation for six months. I am jonin, and Haku is genin. That should change soon but we shall see."
Zabuza moved closer. "Do you know where Kakashi keeps his books? I want a copy of that Icha book." Naruto rolled his eyes. While he did know he was not going to tell Zabuza. Just what Konoha needed another pervert. "Oh well if not that is fine. If you need a sparring partner for your Chunin exam training let Haku and I know we will gladly hurt… I mean spar with you." Zabuza chuckled as his verbal misstep.
Haku smiled at her friend's being made to be uncomfortable. "Good bye Naruto-kun we shall see you around. And good luck on the Chunin exams. Also if you get a chance let Lady Hinata knows we are wishing her a quick recovery and good health." With that statement Haku and Zabuza left the room. The next to enter the room were the members of team 7 minus Sasuke.
"Hey idiot." Kiba started into Naruto who they saw was watching Hinata. "Sorry, Naruto. You did a good thing for Hinata." Kiba looked at his friend who he could see was hurting. "I hear you are getting out later today. Got any plans for training? If you need me I will try to help you."
"You mean you don't want to help Sasuke?" Sakura asked.
"Sure I would. Like he would ever ask either of us to help him. Ow!" Kiba retorted as Sakura hit him.
"So how are you Naruto? I know this is a lot to take in." Kakashi asked.
"Fine I guess. I just wish there was more I could do for Hinata. They say she will wake up tomorrow." Looking angry "I just can't believe that Neji would try to kill her. Her of all people, she is so kind." Naruto started to cry, not able to stem the flow of tears.
"I know you are hurting Naruto. But your little stunt saved her life. Also I hear you are going to be living at the Hyuga compound." Kakashi commented.
Naruto tears lessened as he looked at Kakashi. "How do you know that? He only told me that earlier today."
Both Sakura and Kiba looked at Kakashi for an answer. "Well being your guardian makes me privy to this. Also the Hokage and I have to approve of it. I am just wondering if the Hyuga council will be in one piece after your return. I am not sure if they will have the balls to say no to Hiashi after what happened at the exams."
Naruto cheered up at that statement. "I also advise you avoid Neji until you have your match." Looking directly at Naruto, "if he does anything to bother you just walk away. You can settle your differences in the ring. Not at the compound. Do I make myself clear?" Naruto nodded. "Well we just wanted to see you and see how you were doing. We also wanted to check up on Hinata also. You know to make sure you did not take advantage of her." Kakashi left with a smile on his face.
Around noon Shino and Kurenai entered the room. "Naruto, I have some news for you." Kurenai explained. "I have found you a trainer that will help you for the exam. And before you complain, I am not the best for you to try to train you. I am a genjutsu expert, thus I can train neither you nor Shino properly in what would be truly best for you. I can give you training during our daily training but I am not an expert on either of your specialties." Naruto just nodded. "I have gotten the services…"
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A/N: Who did she get to train Naruto? And yes she is much nicer than Kakashi in how she deals with it. She does not favor either student like Kakashi did in cannon. Also be happy for now as the Uzumaki clan is moving. But is all fine in the Hyuga compound? See next chapter. And thanks for the help Chewee cookies.