Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto...
Enjoy the chapter. :D
Chapter 21 – Meetings…
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 on too 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…"
A chill ran down his spine when he heard the voice coming from the hallway. "Of me, Ebisu. I will be your special trainer Naruto. We will work on some special things that Kurenai and Guy are not equipped to train you in. How does that sound?"
"Why the hell would I want a closet perv like you training me?" Naruto yelled at Ebisu. This perked Kurenai's and Shino's interest, hearing that Ebisu was a closet pervert.
Quickly running up to Naruto and covering his mouth. "I will do whatever you want just don't tell anyone about that day."
Naruto giggles and grins like a fox. "Ok, but remember your promise."
Kurenai looks at Naruto. "You know Ebisu? When did you two meet?"
Naruto grins and says. "Well… I helped him out with Konohamaru. He was having problems with him and I was able to set him straight." A look of great relief came over Ebisu.
"Yes, Naruto was able to convince Konohamaru that there is no easy way to be Hokage. A lesson that I was not able to teach him myself. And for that help I am very grateful." Ebisu responded. "We will start tomorrow and meet for lunch Naruto. I will see you then." Ebisu left without another comment.
Shino's eyebrow rose above his glasses "closet pervert?"
Naruto shook his head. "Long story, I will tell you after the chunin exams. Well at least training might be entertaining." Naruto snickered.
"I hear you are moving today. Please do not let your anger at Neji get the best of you." Kurenai asked Naruto.
Naruto chuckled. "You know sensei you are the second sensei to tell me that. Kakashi was here earlier. You know my brother and sister also are being allowed to live there too?"
Kurenai smiled. "Did they share with Hiashi?" Naruto nodded. 'He is a better man than I thought.' "You know I am not pleased with either Hiashi or Neji. This whole affair is improving my opinion of Hiashi Hyuga though. Didn't you live with the Hyuga when you were younger Naruto?"
"Yes I did. But when Jasmine Hyuga died the clan council forced Hiashi to ask me to leave. And then began my decent into hell." Naruto showed a lot of pain recounting what happened when he left. "I was given place to live and a chunin to guard me. She was like a sister I never had."
"What happened to her?" Shino asked.
"She was killed in an assassination attempt on me by the Uchiha clan." Naruto laughed. "The funny thing was that she was an Uchiha. I just thought she was doing her job, I found out later that she actually did more than she was told to do… She cared." Naruto eyes burned at the memory.
Kurenai came up to Naruto and embraced him in a hug. "I know all about it. You have not led a charmed life. Most don't know all that you have gone through. I read the reports and there were a lot of them. The beatings, the broken bones, the attacks, the assassination attempts, the good thing is that you are not there anymore Naruto. Your team cares for you and you are safe from those nightmares. If you need anything let me know."
Naruto squeezed tighter as the tears flowed freely. "Thank you sensei." They stayed there for a long time. Naruto finally let go and Kurenai broke away. "Shino, can I have a moment alone with our sensei? Thank you for coming though." Shino nodded and he left the room.
"Ok Naruto what is it? I know something is troubling you. What is it?" Kurenai asked.
Naruto looked like he had several conflicting things going on in his head. "Sensei, what are the rules with intergroup relationships?" He was looking over at Hinata.
"Oh one of those questions." She smiled 'finally noticed huh?' "Well Naruto there are few rules. There are some dealing with sensei and students but other than that there are none." Looking at him with understanding eyes "you like her don't you?"
Naruto looked up at Kurenai with eyes ready to cry. "She has been my friend since before I can remember. I feel felt part of me die seeing her on the bed looking so pale and helpless. I think I would be lost without her." He swallows hard. "I know I care for her more than I would a close friend but I do not know…" He shakes his head as if confused. "I don't know what I feel."
Kurenai puts her hand on his shoulder. "As long as you do not let it affect the team you can have whatever relationship you wish with Hinata. As long as Hiashi approves I care not. I do not want you to take her safety above Shino's or mine." Naruto nodded at this. "So what changed?"
Naruto looked at Hinata then back at Kurenai. "The moment I knew that Neji wanted to kill Hinata… I just knew I could not let that happen and would be lost if I lost her. I could not let it happen I just had to make sure he did not succeed. I still can't figure it out. Does that make sense to you?"
Kurenai smiled "You are lucky Naruto. Most of us go through our entire lives to find someone we are willing to die for. I will not tell you what the answer is. You will have to figure it out yourself. My only advice is to follow your heart. It may break or it may find something wondrous. None of us know. I wish you luck on the journey."
Naruto smiled meekly, "Hiashi said I could ask her to date when she turns thirteen." Kurenai looked shocked. "Yah, I was shocked too. I figured he would beat me for even asking."
Kurenai chuckled "You have guts I'll give you that. Asking the head of the Hyuga clan to date his daughter, now that takes guts. Guess Neji is in big trouble if he thinks he will have an easy victory. Strike that, I am sure you are going to teach him a lesson." They both laughed.
Naruto was checked out around one in the afternoon. He spent the rest of the day watching over Hinata trying to figure out why he felt what he felt about her. He was not sure how he was going to deal with being under the same roof as Neji, but he figured he would cross that bridge when he came to it.
At the Hyuga compound in council chambers Hiashi was grilling Neji in front of the whole clan council. "What part of being her personal guard do you not understand?" He raised his hand to forestall Neji from answering. "I understand you were in the Chunin exams. But that does not give you the right to attempt to kill, even possibly murder my daughter."
Hiashi was yelling just centimeters from Neji's face. "She is the heir, you were her guard. The match was over. By all accounts you should have been disqualified. You are here by ordered to not confront Naruto Uzumaki until your match. You are also ordered to act civil and not provoke him. I will pull you out of the Chunin exams if you do. You are dismissed." Neji left the room. 'Now for the big fish.'
"We are now going to accept the Uzumaki into the compound and offer them sanctuary. Are there any objections?" Hiashi coldly asked.
One council member Mancha rose to his feat. "I object on the grounds that the demon will have undue influence upon the heir and your other daughter. Isn't enough that we put up with him being on the same team as Lady Hinata?" A couple other council members agreed with Mancha's logic. Most saw what was coming, Mancha apparently did not, while the others did and did not want to be in the way when Hiashi exploded.
"I see. And why do you call Uzumaki-san a demon? Is it because he is a jinchuuriki?" He waited a moment for an answer, when none came, he then spoke. "How many of you would lay down you lives for Lady Hinata?"
He knew this was a trick question, as all raised their hands. "How many of you have risked your lives for her?" None raised their hands. "How many of you oppose the Uzumaki from staying here?" He saw five of the fifteen members raise their hands. "How many of you oppose just Uzumaki-san?" There were only three hands. "Given this small minority, why would the council oppose adding a strong genin, and two strong academy students to this household?"
"Because he IS the demon, and he and his circus group would disrupt the order of the Hyuga. He also could not be trusted to leave Neji alone for a day let alone a month. And your daughter would be corrupted by his influence."
"So my daughter has been and will be corrupted by Uzumaki-san?" There were five nods. "So continued exposure will cause irrefutable harm?" Again the five same nods.
He walks over to the five but does not look at them. "Have you met with and talked to Uzumaki-san?" All five shook their heads no. "So you are basing your opinion of a shinobi of the leaf without even having met him?" All five nodded their heads."Has he wronged you since becoming a shinobi?"
They shook their heads. "So you base your opinion on him having been selected by fate to be the container of the Kyubi? By his life before becoming a shinobi? By his actions after being forced out of this compound by this very council, against my wishes I might add? For finding a creative outlet for what was done to him?" He pauses for a minute. "Do any of you know what happened a few nights he moved out?"
"I heard he was attacked and sent to the hospital." A lone council member stated.
"Yes, he was attacked beaten, and nearly killed. ANBU caught all but one of the attackers. The report stated that including cuts, bruises, and broken bones he suffered chakra burns. As if he received them from a juken strike from a Hyuga. Care to explain Mancha?" The council all looked at Mancha.
"How should I know? What are you talking about?" Mancha questioned looked visibly nervous.
"Your brother died seven years ago. From what did he die from if you would please inform the council?" Hiashi asked.
Mancha was visibly sweating. "A heart attack, yes. It was a heart attack. Why do you ask?"
"Well, you came to the council as the one who succeeded your brother didn't you?" Mancha nodded. "Did you know that ANBU investigate all deaths of shinobi, even natural causes?"
Mancha was starting to fidget. 'I have you now you evil man. You attacked Naruto that night and your brother found out and then blackmailed you and you killed him. I have to play this right and they will fall like a house of cards.' Hiashi thought with satisfaction.
"They found traces of chakra near the heart, enough to sever a couple of the main veins. This appeared to be done over time as there was scar tissue around the heart. I always remember that you liked to pat your brother on the chest, didn't you?"
Mancha looking around "What are you talking about Hiashi? The medical examiner declared it death by natural causes. Why are you accusing me of murdering my brother?"
"I have not accused you of it, but I have evidence that you were complicit in the attack on Naruto Uzumaki that night and on several other occasions. You have just fixed my founded fears that you are the monster here and are complicit in both of the cases. ANBU asked that I hand you over to them for questioning. I was never given the order. Why do you ask?"
He pointed at the five that had opposed him tonight. "All five of you conspired to cover up an investigation and forged documents in my name to cover up your involvement in murder for power and attempted murder of a citizen of Konoha. I am sure Ibiki will enjoy your company."
Hiashi smiled and snapped his fingers and ten jonin of the Hyuga appeared around the five men. "Take them to Ibiki for questioning involving the death of Yami Hyuga, attempted murder of Naruto Uzumaki, and conspiring to circumvent the head of the family with forgery."
The five men were taken away in a flash. Hiashi turned his back and asked his question again. "Are there any opposed to the Uzumaki moving into the compound?"
No one dared move the wrong way. "Good we will expect our guests later this afternoon, I am sure that Yugito and Shinbo will be here a little while after the academy. I will personally bring Naruto back from the hospital. I will personally select the cadet branch member who will be working with them both. And next time the council wants to countermand the head of the family they should talk to it first. If I find that any of you are complicit in this I will personally kill you myself. Good day." With that Hiashi left the council chambers.
Back at the apartments Yugito and Shinbo were finishing up the packing. "Shinbo did we get everything?" Yugito asked.
"No not quite. I know Naruto has some hiding places for stuff. And we need to make sure we get his plants." Shinbo replied. There was a knock on the door which Shinbo answered. "Greetings, how may I help you?"
Standing outside the door were four Hyuga. "We are here to help you move. Just show us what needs to be moved and we will take care of it." One of the Hyuga answered.
"We are almost finished we just need to find where Naruto hid his stash. Could you take a look and we will get it for him and then we will be ready to be head out." Shinbo replied.
The Hyuga activated his Byakugan and found all three of his stashes of comics and valuables. They packed these in a special box and started to move the boxes back to the compound. They were able to move all the boxes without incident. The landlord was very happy to not have the Uzumaki under his roof any more. They find spacious rooms when they were assigned too. They also found out that they were to be housed in with the branch family.
Back at the hospital Naruto is finally kicked out of the hospital late that evening as he continued to watch over Hinata. Hiashi meet him outside of the hospital. "I am glad to see that you are worried about my daughter Naruto. Would you please walk with me?"
Naruto with a sad look on his face he turned and looked up at Hiashi and just nods while following him. "You know Naruto I am impressed with your performance." He pauses and notices Naruto just nod. "Come with me back to the estate, you can rest and we will talk in the morning." Naruto just nods and follows.
Naruto and Hiashi notice that one of the guards shows his animosity towards Naruto when he approaches with Hiashi. "You what is your name?" Hiashi asks.
"Shinta, my lord" the angry guard answers.
"Well Shinta, is this how you greet the head of the household?" Hiashi inquires.
"No my lord, but we have orders from the council to not let the demon into the compound."
"You would deny entry to an honored guest in front of me?"
"No my lord of course not" Shinta wearily answered.
"You will put yourself on report. And after that you will work on hiding your emotions or change your opinion of a person who has saved the heir more time than I care to think. You will either treat my guest with respect or you will be punished. Do I make myself clear?" Hiashi angrily stated.
He turned to Naruto not even worrying about the guard's response. "I am sorry Naruto, I know you are tired. Let us go and prepare your room and then we can discuss things in the morning at breakfast. Naruto just nodded and followed along.
Naruto looked around and things became familiar as they stopped in front of door. "My old room?" Naruto asked. Hiashi nodded. "You are giving me back my old room Hiashi-sama?"
"Yes Naruto, it has always been yours. Your stuff has been put in the room. I hear they even found your stashes and they are there too. Your room as always has privacy seals so the Byakugan will not see in unless it is deemed and emergency." Naruto nodded at this.
Hiashi continued. "Breakfast is at nine, and lunch is at noon. Based on the clothes we got we purchased some clothes for you to wear around the compound." Hiashi bowed deeply to Naruto. "Welcome home. You are a guest and you are family."
Hiashi then look at Naruto with a stern look. "As I said before you and my daughter may not date until she is thirteen. That is if she will accept you. You are teammates, comrades, and close friends. When Hinata is up to it we will work on your manners I am sure that they have fallen since you were here last."
Naruto looking very sheepishly "Well I would agree. Thank you for the warm welcome. I am tired and need some rest as I have to meet my new sensei tomorrow morning." Bowing deeply "Thank you very much Hiashi-sama. I will see you in the morning."
He headed into the room. He found several boxes stacked on the side of the room and found the bed already made. He stripped down to his boxers and curled up under the covers and went to sleep thinking of Hinata.
He woke up no longer in his bed but in the same sewer setting as before when he met the fox. He was of course dressed only in his boxers. He walked towards the area where the fox was sealed. When he entered the room he was assaulted by loud sinister laugher. "You amuse me to no ends kit." The fox spoke to him in a condescending manner.
"Okay fox why did you call me here?" Naruto asked. "I hope not to just embarrass me."
The fox grinned behind its bars. "You are developing nicely. Just remember if you die I die." The look on the fox became serious. "As I said you amuse me kit. And I am gracious to you. I now am indebted to you kit. I will give you my chakra when you request it."
The fox continued, "Now you must understand that my chakra will cause some problems with you. Also do not ask for too much at once. It will destroy your body. You are tough for a human but you are still fragile. And I can only help you so much." Naruto nodded understanding.
"I will let you know why I owe you later but when you get a chance to go near that female you are starting to like, ask her to bring her demon chakra up and bring up mine also. Then clasp hands while you have both summoned these chakras. You both will find out something interesting. Good night kit."
Hinata wakes up in front of a small white mansion. It is surrounded by lavender flowers. The smell of the flowers fills the air. Hinata walks to the front gates but there is piece of paper on the gates with the word seal on it. She looks through and sees a large mass of light purple fur. She looks at the mass of fur as it rises and falls. A deep melodic voice calls to her. "Come here kittling. I will not harm you. For I am here with you all the time. I am so tired, but we will survive. I need more time but I need to talk to you."
Hinata approached the gates. "Who are you? Why am I here?"
The voice laughs. "So many questions, but I have only time for a few answers. Kittling you nearly died, if not for me and that boy, your cousin would have killed you." A look of shock came over Hinata's face.
"I can heal you but I had only just started to wake when you were able to tap into my powers. This has drained me. Now I am healing you. You will be fully healed in a about a month and a half. Do not do anything strenuous. Also do not call upon me until then as it will hurt us both. "
"But who are you? And why am I not afraid of you?" Hinata asked.
"You are not afraid of me because I have been with you for over nine years." Hinata's face showed shock. "Yes kittling, I am the demon that is sealed within you. I am the mate of the Kyubi. He is my master and my mate. You may address me as Hime."
Hinata nodded to the mass of fur. "I cannot stay awake long as I am tending our wounds. As you grow our connection will grow stronger. Get close to your friend Naruto as he is the vessel for my mate. When you do summon my chakra and tell him to do the same while clasping hands. But do not do this until we are healed."
Hime continued. "I must tell you to avoid your cousin as he did mean to kill you. Avoid him as much as you can. Farewell for now, we will talk again kittling." The world went black and pain came back to her body.
A muffled moan is heard. "She is waking up. Make sure she has enough pain killers." A voice was heard and she felt hands touching her arms. "Move brat, we need to make sure she is ok." She feels a hand pulled away from hers. She begins to smell the antiseptic smell of a hospital room. She begins to open her eyes as the pain lessens. The light is bright almost blinding.
"Take it easy young lady. Do not rush it you will be sent home later today. Get that demon brat out of here!" two orderlies grabbed Naruto and pulled towards the door.
"No! She is my friend! I will not leave!" She heard then saw Naruto being pushed out the door.
Her throat hurt as she reached out for him and tried to speak. All she could do is croak out something unintelligible. "Take it easy he will not bother you. You are safe. Relax your father will be here soon to take you home for more care. All you need now is rest." The doctor told Hinata as tears started to stream from her eyes. She could hear Naruto screaming out in the hallway.
--
A/N: Ah the suspense... what is going on? I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Lots of things happen now what is going to happen? I as overlord am the only one who knows.