Revelations
"Ready?" Iruka asked and when Naruto nodded he released the teen's arm from the hook. Tsunade slowly lowered it to the bed.
Naruto groaned. "Do it!" He gritted his teeth and nodded to Iruka who then released his leg and lowered it. "Mama T!" He turned his face into her bosom looking for relief.
"I got you Naruto. I got you. I can give you something mild for the pain." She felt him shake his head and just held him.
After being in one position for so very long, his muscles weren't accustomed to movement. They twitched and cramped uncontrollably plus having the blood moving in a different direction all served to torture him. They waited tense moments as his arm and leg moved on their own for several minutes. Naruto did his best not to cry out but nothing could disguise his heavy breathing.
It was just the three of them this morning. Hinata and his friends were all back to training and working so when he next saw them, he'd have this surprise for them. At last his limbs calmed down and Naruto relaxed fully into Tsunade's embrace. She stroked his head gently until he finally pulled away to collapse onto his pillows. "Sorry about that." He said wiping away a few tears.
Naruto was pale and sweaty and obviously still in pain. Tsunade got him a glass of water and slipped in something that would take the edge off. "Don't apologize. Here drink some more."
Iruka was used to worrying about Naruto but seeing him in pain was so damn hard. He got a towel and wiped Naruto's face. "So how long before he begins to heal? He's been up for over a week now."
Tsunade opened Naruto's shirt and placed a hand on his flat abs. The seal became visible. "He is healing but slowly. It seems the fox maybe realized what happened and this time is taking things slow so as not to mess up again." She patted his stomach and closed the shirt again. "I wouldn't be surprised to find that his bones will have mended by the end of the week."
"Really? I can leave the hospital?" Naruto brightened at the prospect. In the short time he'd woken up, he'd already grown tired of the hospital.
"No!" Iruka and Tsunade both yelled.
"Okay! Dang." He mumbled and looked crossly out the window much to their amusement.
"I know you Naruto. You won't be still and try to do too much. You're just going have to put up with this a while longer." Iruka sat down. "If you're a good boy, I'll take you outside after lunch."
Naruto squinted at him. "I think I got away with more when you were my sensei. This dad business is going to your head!"
Iruka laughed and laughed. Naruto was back. "So I just needed to be a dad to get you under control? If only I'd known!"
"Not just a dad but my dad." Naruto said softly then looked to Tsunade. "Of course you're just awful as my Hokage and my mother!" He laughed.
"Oh really? And here I was going to get some of Ichiraku's ramen for you and you call me awful!" One hand on hip and finger pointed in his face, Tsunade taunted him with his favorite food.
"Oh Lady Hokage, Lovely adoring mother – Please, please, please may I have the ramen?!" Naruto bowed his head but turned on the sweet puppy dog eyes as he begged.
"Too easy!" She laughed and playfully smacked him on the head. The good mood lasted for a few moments more before Naruto changed the subject.
"I want to tell them – today. No reason to keep it a secret anymore, especially after what they saw me do." Naruto looked at his still bandaged hand. "They know something's going on. Even though the fox couldn't heal me properly – it tried. I've seen them look at me dying to ask but holding back 'cause I'm in the hospital." He caught Tsunade's eye. "Tell their sensei to go ahead and tell them. Hinata, Sasuke and Sakura – I'll tell them today." Fear and resolve caused his chest to expand and fall.
"Okay but next week." Tsunade said.
"No today. I want it over with Mama T." Naruto answered back.
"I know but not today. You're in pain still. Give yourself time to rest and heal some more before taking on anything else. I won't have you suffering a relapse." She moved to stand next to Iruka.
Iruka searched her face and knew she was truly worried for his health and not trying to delay the truth. "She's right. Let those bones heal and get your strength back first before having to deal with Sasuke. He…probably won't take the news well." Iruka leaned forward. "We'll be with you for it all Naruto. Maybe it won't be as hard as you think but still why not wait until you're feeling a little better first?"
It had come back to him in pieces. He'd remembered the mission and what would be the result if they'd succeeded when Ibiki had congratulated him on becoming a Chunin but the rest of it had been a blur. A late night talk with Iruka and Kakashi explained what he'd done after Hinata was hurt. Naruto had been depressed for a day or two following that talk knowing that his friends already thought there was something wrong with him. As always, to survive he'd put aside the worry the fox caused and concentrated on Hinata, Iruka and Tsunade. They'd all looked tired and worn after being at his side constantly so he tried his best not to worry them anymore but the Nine-Tailed was there and needed to be introduced to his friends.
"I'd rather do it now but I'll wait – for you. Sunday morning, first thing. Okay?" Naruto set a time and day so he himself wouldn't weasel out of it later.
"Sure, Sunday." Tsunade nodded and Iruka as well. "How about you sleep for a little while. I'll be back at noon with the ramen."
"Pork please and two bowls." Naruto yawned as his eyes drooped.
Tsunade laughed and was glad the sedative was working. "Okay pork but one bowl." She got a sleepy smile and he then he was snoring.
"Did you give him something?" He guessed she would and her nod confirmed it. "Thought so. I know he didn't want it but there's no reason for him to suffer either." He walked to the window and saw a perfect day. "Are we ready for this? Everybody held off telling the truth because of his injuries but what comes next. Like Lord Hiashi, I believe Hinata will stay with him but everyone else? Well, we know Shikamaru's still on his side and I couldn't be more proud of the way he's handled this. Maybe he can be Naruto's advocate with everyone else. He's going to take some flack too for keep the secret all this time."
"We'll be ready. It's time. The secret's been with him for far too long. We can only hope they'll take the news as well as Shikamaru but there's years of bad adult behavior in this village. They've seen the hate directed at Naruto. It will be natural to follow the majority but this class of Genin – no Chunin has made history several times in their young lives. They'll be the ones to make lasting changes in this village. Let's hope one of those changes is accepting Naruto and the fox within him."
Tsunade had joined him at the window. Both of them didn't see it as it was now but as they hoped it would be in the near future - a place where Naruto could walk and smile at his neighbors and receive a smile in return.
Lord Hiashi looked up at Naruto's window. Earlier, he'd received a note from him saying that he would tell Hinata the truth and asking that he be near if she needed him. Tsunade and Iruka didn't know – Naruto had made the decision to tell her first before everyone else. So he'd come with Hinata and spent a few minutes with the couple before leaving them alone. Now down in the garden looking up at Naruto's room, he prayed Hinata would show her true strength as a Hyuga.
Naruto watched as Hinata arranged the flowers she'd brought and talk humorously about an argument Hanabi and Neji had. She'd taken to wearing casual clothes when she visited him, trying to cheer him up. Today she wore his colors – blue and orange in a skirt and blouse. They weren't as bright as his but it did make him smile. He wondered if he'd ever see her in those colors again. His heavy sigh got her attention.
"Naruto? What's wrong? You're awfully quiet. More pain?" She left the flowers to sit next to him on the bed.
"No, no more than usual anyway." Naruto took her hand and linked their fingers wanting her touch for perhaps the last time. Dammit don't get all bent up before you even say a word, idiot! Blinking Naruto looked up at her. "I need to tell you something important – about me."
Hinata clutched his hand. "But Lady Tsunade said you were going to be fine! What's wrong? Aren't you healing well?" She looked his body up and down searching for what was wrong with him.
"I am! I'll be fine! It's not my health. Calm down, okay?" He leaned forward and kissed her gently. They enjoyed the feelings that the kiss brought and lingered in it for several minutes.
"So you're okay?" Hinata lay against him and stroked his chest then sat up to gently run her hand down his bandaged arm.
"Yeah, promise. This is something different." Naruto waited until her eyes met his. "I need to tell you why I'm…feared by the villagers." He withdrew from her emotionally. He didn't mean to but it was a way to protect his heart should she come to fear him as well.
"The villagers? You mean why Father was wary of letting us date?" Hinata let out a relieved sigh. "I don't need to know! I decided that a while ago!" Again she leaned forward and tried to kiss him but he pulled back from her. Hinata frowned. "I don't care about the damned secret Naruto! Those people don't know you – never bothered to get to know you! I love you! I see you and nothing you have to tell me will change that so leave it alone!"
Naruto had to smile. She was just so adorable all indignant on his behalf. It felt good to hear but he had to tell her whether she wanted to know or not. "And I love you too but I have to tell you. Yes, I do!" He said when she shook her head. "Tomorrow everyone will know – all of our friends. Their sensei will tell them and I'll tell Sasuke and Sakura but I wanted you to know first."
Hinata was frowning. "I don't understand, why is everybody being told? You've had this secret forever, why reveal it now?" She was totally confused.
Taking a deep breath, "Because all new Chunin are told. It's something they have to know in case it falls on them to protect the village from…me." Naruto watched her eyes. They stared at him blankly at first then confused then finally humor shone in them.
"You? Like you would ever attack this village! Stop teasing me Naruto!" Hinata even laughed until he took her arm and pulled her forward.
"Dammit Hinata listen to me! I'm not kidding here! Most of the people here – all the shinobi have damn good reasons to fear me!" Naruto yelled then released her when she gasped. "I'm sorry Hinata but I need you to listen to me…please sweetheart. I've got to tell you! You must know this!" Naruto was breathing hard as he begged her to listen and hopefully understand. His arm and leg were responding to the ache in his heart causing enough pain to make his eyes water.
Hinata held her arm against her chest. He really hadn't hurt her just startled her. Naruto could be intense sometimes but she'd never seen him like this before. He was leaning toward her, intent on telling this secret that could make a village and its shinobi fear him? She took a deep breath and said quietly, "I'm listening Naruto." Nothing else. She folded her legs to one side, propped herself up on one arm and prepared to listen to what her lover had to say.
He gasped this time. Such quiet acceptance to his demand was unexpected. From the way he'd behaved, he thought he'd scared her away and he wouldn't get the chance to tell her the truth. Feeling suddenly very tired, Naruto fell back onto his pillows and looked out the window.
"Well I guess I'll start with the obvious. The Fourth Hokage saved this village from destruction from the Nine-Tailed Fox. You know this right?" Naruto glanced at her and saw her nod. "But you were never told how, were you?"
Hinata frowned because it was true. The Fourth fought the Nine-Tailed all alone, defeated it then died from the effort. "Some powerful jutsu so right? He killed the fox. What does this have to do with you Naruto? Were you even born? Or you were just a baby when this all happened – we both were! I don't understand." Hinata's hair swung back and forth.
There was a sad smile on Naruto's face. "Yep he used some really powerful jutsu, he was the Hokage. And yes, I was a baby, a newborn." For a moment Naruto paused reflecting on that night. A baby so new to the world and look what he'd gotten for a birthday present! "A spirit that powerful can't be killed – not even by a Hokage. That demon still lives Hinata – it's just sealed away." Naruto looked back at her beautiful eyes wondering if she'd understand.
"It's alive? The Nine-Tailed Fox spirit is alive? That thing that almost destroyed the village is still alive?!" It must be somewhere in the village! Something that dangerous must be watched over at all times! But why is Naruto telling me this? What does it have to do with…him?! Hinata covered her mouth and looked at Naruto in horror.
The laugh that escaped Naruto was the most horribly sad sound anyone had ever heard. He looked away from Hinata. That one look was enough; he couldn't bear to look at her any longer. "You got it. The demon lives inside of me. So you see, the villagers actually have a good reason to hate me. I'm a danger to the world!" If there was any time he ever wanted to die they all paled in comparison to this time. The pain was so - was so, he didn't have words for the pain he felt. Hinata feared him. To her he was demon. His happiness was over. "Could you – could you please leave now?" His voice was thick with tears. "You're dad's downstairs waiting on you. He can explain the rest." Naruto couldn't turn his body away from her because of his injuries so he just lay back and closed his eyes. "Thanks Hinata…thanks for l-loving me…at least for a little while…" Naruto brought up his right hand to cover his face trying to hide his tears and waited for her to leave him.
Hinata stared at him. Long body lying prone in the hospital bed. Bandages covering his left arm up to the shoulder. Face turned away from her covered with his large right hand. Tears escaped from beneath his palm. His shoulders shook with the effort to hide his crying. Naruto looked so lost and alone. His pain pulled at her. Hinata was finally able to move.
Naruto felt her shifting and bit his lip. He wanted to ask her to stay! No he wanted to beg her to stay but then he saw her horror again behind his lids. Horror for what he was and knew he wouldn't say a word. When he felt her settle down next to him, wrap an arm around his waist and hold him tight, Naruto jerked in surprise.
"What are you doing?! I asked you to leave Hinata!" If she was feeling pity, he didn't want it! He'd had her love and pity was a poor substitute. "Go! I know you don't want this! I saw – I saw what you feel! It was written all over your face! Get the hell away from me! Now!" Using his right arm he pushed at her but the angle was awkward and he couldn't force her to move.
"I won't go. You just told me the biggest secret of your life and you expect me to leave? No way! I'm going to wait right here until you calm down, then we can talk!" Hinata's wet face pressed close to his rapidly beating heart. They needed to talk but he was too upset right now, she would wait.
"Dammit no! I said get out Hinata! I told you what you needed to know! I know that scared the hell out of you! I don't want you here anymore! Go! Please go!" Naruto was yelling at the top of his lungs.
"What's going on in here?!" Shizune burst in the room surprised to see Naruto crying, his face in such pain that it rivaled how he looked when he'd come in injured.
Hinata sat up all of her Hyuga nobility showing. "Leave us alone. This has nothing to do you. We have something important to talk about." When Shizune just stood there with her mouth hanging open Hinata got off the bed and slowly approached her. "I said leave!" The girl shoved Shizune out the door then closed it with enough force to rattle it. She turned abruptly to face Naruto. "Now you listen to me! You're upset, scared that I don't love you but I do still love you Naruto! So calm the fuck down and talk to me!" Hinata stomped back to the bed pulled Naruto up by his shirt then slammed him back down onto the bed.
Naruto blinked at her. His mouth hung open in shock then he let out a laugh. He couldn't help it. Hinata was so mad that she'd cursed at him! She'd pushed Shizune out of the room and slammed the door in her face! He laughed for a moment before she snatched him up again. "H-Hinata? Mmm…" She kissed him. It was a punishing kiss – hard and completely controlled by her. He took it and enjoyed it but then she bit him! "Hey!"
Hinata dropped him again. "Have I got your attention now?" She wiped her mouth and saw blood on her finger tip. Hinata licked it. She sat down once more her hip next to his.
"You bit me." Naruto said quietly staring at her. This Hinata was new to him. She was fierce. He wiped away tears and licked his bleeding lip. "Why are you still here Hinata?" Naruto said on a long breath.
"So now you've gone deaf?" She reached out and took his hand in hers. "I love Uzumaki Naruto who amazingly carries a demon inside his body!" Her voice was hushed as she stared at him with new eyes. "You don't look like a demon. The Naruto I know is wild and sometimes crazy but not a demon." Hinata tilted her head and stared at him. "How do you know there's a demon inside of you? Maybe once upon a time you had one did but it could be gone now couldn't it?" It was hard to believe such a thing was possible!
They fought for a moment as he pulled on his hand. Finally free, Naruto opened his shirt for her. He closed his eyes and concentrated his chakra. Hinata watched confused then gasped yet again to see a seal appear around his navel.
"The Nine-Tailed lives in me. It's trapped by this seal. Our lives are connected. If I die it dies. It's why I heal so quickly from injures. It's why I bounce back quicker after a fight." Naruto looked down at his stomach as he spoke. "Many fear the demon will break free and take over me to once again kill and destroy." Naruto glanced up at her. "You had to know, everyone has to know – just in case, just in case they have to kill me. That includes you too Hinata."
He looked out the window again. Her face was unreadable now. "I shouldn't have gotten involved with you but…how could I resist being loved? It was great, really great. I had you and Iruka and Tsunade. I even got closer to Sasuke." Another sad laugh. "Today I lose you; tomorrow I lose him and everyone else! Well almost, I've got Mama and Dad, a few others and yeah, Shikamaru too. He's known all this time; I never did get the chance to ask him about that." Naruto scratched his head. "It's weird you know, Mama T and Dad, they love me so much but still, if I change – they'll have to kill me and I'm okay with that 'cause at least it will be done out of love." He looked thoughtful as he watched a pair of birds play.
Hinata was angry again. He was talking about her in the past tense but she held off on those feelings and decided to figure stuff out. "Why? Why you? You were still a baby! You didn't get the chance to say yes or no or to live before everything was turned upside down! Surely they gave you some explanation!" As the seal disappeared she closed his shirt for him to keep him from getting a chill.
Naruto wished she'd stop touching him but savored it anyway. "Don't know why he chose me specifically but I guess an adult couldn't handle the power. At some point, the fox's chakra will be mine. I'll grow into it or something like that. For now it allows me access to its power when I need it, like in my battle with Neji and Gaara and this time against the San-ken. Although I didn't really need it this time – I took the power because I was out of my mind that you were hurt."
Hinata silently digested this information. So he was chosen as a human prison for the fox and would eventually take or absorb its powers. The Fourth Hokage saved the village by sealing the fox inside Naruto and at the same time gave the village a hero! He's already strong but with the kind of power the fox has – Naruto will be the most powerful shinobi ever! She smiled at this knowledge but when she looked at Naruto he still looked lost. They'd settled nothing yet.
"You're a real ass Naruto." At his look of surprise she had to giggle. "It's true you are! You tell me this really shocking secret and when I react in a way you don't like – you decide I don't love you. I've told you several times since then that I do yet you don't believe my love to be as strong as Lady Tsunade's or Iruka-sensei's. That hurts Naruto but I'm going to forgive you because sometimes you really are the idiot Sasuke talks about. I was horrified by what you told me, not of you! Horrified that you were made the vessel for a demon. I'm not scared of you Naruto. This," She touched his stomach. "This does not scare me. I guess I can understand the villagers' fears but it's the same thing as always – they don't know you!" Hinata smiled sweetly at him. "Lady Tsunade, Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, your Pervy Sage and many others treat you like family. They know your secret and they still care for you. It's the same for me Naruto. No it's much more because I don't just love you – I'm in love with you!" She looked deeply into his wide blue eyes.
Hinata leaned over him. "Let me ask you something Naruto. You've never lost control to it have you? Each time the fox's chakra was released, you never lost control. You protected what was important to you – your friends, this village and me. You used its power for me! That's supposed to scare me, frighten me away?" Hinata laughed. "Father worried for little while – guess I know why now but Naruto, but he accepts you! He cares for you so much Naruto! You've impressed him with your maturity, your dedication and loyalty. He's told me that he couldn't have picked a better man for me to fall in love with. Naruto! Hey!" On her knees now she wiped at his tears. "Does this mean you finally believe that I love you?"
Naruto scanned her open face, her love there for him to see. He shook his head. What she said was so damned wonderful! It took him a moment to speak. "I believe you but -."
"No buts!" Hinata leaned forward to kiss his lips. "I'm not leaving you – ever Naruto. You've got a mother, a father and me! And none of us will ever hurt you for you will always be Naruto!" She backed away and got close to his stomach. "Do you hear that fox?! He's ours now and forever! You'll never take him from us so just settle in there and be happy because you're going to make my man the strongest shinobi this village has ever seen!" Hinata looked back up at him. "You'll be Hokage without a doubt and I'll be at your side. Naruto, your arm!"
Naruto didn't care about the pain. He used both arms to pull her close to him. He drew up his legs so that she was trapped between them. He wanted to hold onto her forever and never let her go. "I don't know if I deserve you and this feeling inside of me but thank you Hinata! I love you. Love you. Oh God how I love you!"
Hinata made comforting sounds and held him just as tightly. They stayed locked in that embrace until Naruto's strength gave out and he had to let go of her. She chastised him when she saw how his limbs trembled but Hinata couldn't be mad. Hinata did what she could to make him comfortable then watched as he fell asleep.
She cried a little bit more for the young Naruto. His childhood had been awful – burdened with a secret and judged for it. The unfairness of it had her wanting to curse the Fourth for doing this to him and not just the Fourth but all those people who'd been around him. There had to be someone there to feed and dress him. They should have also cared about him! Those people who'd just watched and waited and did absolutely nothing to steer Naruto into the right direction or to make his life a little better! But that was his past, Naruto was happy now and they were together. She was tired; their talk had worn her out too. All Hinata wanted was her own nap. She stood and made to leave but found that she was unable to leave him. Joining Naruto on the bed, Hinata lay down beside him and slept.
Quietly Tsunade, Iruka and Lord Hiashi entered the room. Shizune had called Tsunade and Iruka after Hinata had forced her away. Lord Hiashi had to stop them when they'd come running. He'd convinced them to let the teens talk it out since this was truly about them and their future so they'd eavesdropped on the couple.
"Sorry to keep this from you but it's what Naruto wanted. He didn't think you would let him if he told you." Lord Hiashi said as he went to his daughter and traced the tear stains on her cheek. "I did get a little worried myself when I heard Naruto yelling at her."
"Well she was right about one thing – my son can be an ass from time to time." Iruka said. "But luckily she was strong enough to stand up to him. It hurt though to hear some of the things he'd said. He thinks we could kill him and I don't know that I could." Iruka was also at the bed standing next to Naruto.
"There's more to it Iruka. If he doesn't know that then we'll have to tell him. The only way we could kill him was if it wasn't him anymore. Our Naruto would have to be totally lost before we could even think about harming him. I guess we'll have to take a page from Hinata's book – make him listen and understand." Tsunade said joining the men at the bed.
Tsunade checked Naruto's body careful not to wake the sleeping couple but they were too wiped out to notice any of them. "He's strained these muscles, that's going to set him back some and he's still got to tell his team tomorrow." She took his injured hand. "I understand why you needed to tell her alone Naruto but I'll be here tomorrow. If I can, I won't let you be hurt anymore." Naruto moved his head until it rested on top of Hinata's and the girl in her sleep tightened her arm over his stomach. Tsunade smiled, "And I suspect, neither will she." She got close. "We love you Naruto. Hold on to this woman – you'll never find another like her." Tsunade blew him a kiss. "Come guys, we've intruded on them long enough. Let's give them their privacy." She hooked an arm through each man's and walked them out of the room.
Sasuke walked slowly to the hospital. Kakashi-sensei had told him yesterday that Naruto wanted to talk them. He'd been waiting for this for almost a month now. Hinata or Lady Tsunade or Iruka-sensei were always with him. Since Naruto had been in some serious pain, he'd left him alone. The questions hadn't gone anywhere but he'd put them away and let Naruto heal.
"I wonder what he'll say. Was it some jutsu he'd learned from the Sannin Jiraiya or Lady Tsunade?" Sasuke muttered to himself. That would explain a lot but when would he have had time to learn it? Both Sannin hadn't been back long enough to teach something like that. Sasuke thought back to Naruto's last fight. He's strength was phenomenal. When we tried to pull him back – it was like trying to move a wall! And the healing – had he been doing that all along? Not that it had helped him much against that forbidden jutsu. Sasuke shook his head. The time for speculation was over. Today he would find out what the hell had happened out there. Plus there was what had been bothering Naruto before the mission started.
"Sasuke!" Sakura was coming from the opposite direction and waved to him. "Hey! Naruto's doing much better isn't he? He's worked hard with his exercises to get his arm and leg working properly again. When I was here the other day, Lady Tsunade said that the bandages could come off next week! Isn't that great?" She laughed and took his arm.
Kakashi was waiting for them at the hospital entrance. He slipped his book in his pocket and waited for them to join him. Sakura was holding onto Sasuke's arm and talking happily while the boy listened with a tolerant smile. He had to wonder what they would look like when they left the hospital. The three of them rode up in the elevator quietly then walked down the hall to Naruto's room. The door was closed so Kakashi knocked once then entered. One eyebrow rose to see who there.
On the bed sat Naruto and Hinata. At the table by the window sat Iruka and Lady Tsunade. It looked as if none of them were leaving and were going to be Naruto's support system. Probably a good idea. "Hey." Kakashi said to everyone.
"Morning. Come on in and close the door please." Lady Tsunade spoke. "Have a seat." She gestured to the chairs close to the bed.
Sakura looked confused but went to greet Naruto. She gave him a light hug then took Hinata's hand for moment before sitting. Kakashi didn't sit at all but moved to lean against the far wall. Frowning at the Hokage and his old sensei, Sasuke just nodded and took a seat.
"I'll start if that's okay Naruto?" Kakashi said. At the boy's nod, he began. "You should know that the ceremony to officially announce your new status as Chunin will be held in two weeks. That should give as many shinobi as possible enough time to finish their missions and be here. It's a special occasion – like a festival and everybody likes to attend."
"That's great! And you'll be able to go too right Naruto?" Sakura asked looking from him to Lady Tsunade who nodded. "Yes, we can go as a team!" The girl was all but bouncing at the thought of being acknowledged by the ninjas of her village.
"After that we'll be taking on missions of higher import. Of course the village takes all manner of missions but now you'll be trusted with more difficult tasks." Kakashi looked at Naruto. "There's one more thing you need to be aware of – something all new Chunins are told."
"Wait a minute," Sasuke interrupted. "I thought we were here to have Naruto explain what happened to him out there on that battlefield. Also you told me that after that was over you'd tell me what was bothering you. Whatever was going on during training, I'm guessing that has something to do with what's got you laid up in here! Okay so we know about the stupid ceremony, I don't care! I came here to hear what you have to say Naruto – not all this other stuff!" He pointed at the teen then looked at Hinata, Iruka and Lady Tsunade.
"And why are they here? Shouldn't you be with your own team getting this news?" Sasuke's black eyes moved over Hinata. "And you guys, can't he do anything without you hanging around? I came to talk to Naruto and Naruto only." He crossed his arms and legs and stared impatiently at Naruto.
"You little brat! If you can't show the proper respect - I can and I will keep you a Genin forever!" Tsunade gripped the arms of her chair and leaned forward.
"Mama T! It's okay!" Naruto quickly said. He should have realized just how impatient Sasuke was. "Sasuke I am going to tell you everything but they wanted to be here – insisted on being here so if you want hear what I've got to say then you'll just have to deal. They're not leaving." Naruto said quietly.
"Damn straight!" Tsunade chimed in then crossed her own legs.
Sakura was really curious now – she was missing something and had no idea what. "Sasuke just let them talk okay? Umm, so what's going on?"
"It's like Kakashi-sensei said, now that we're Chunin there's something you need to know." Naruto looked away from his friends and reached for Hinata's hand.
"How come you already know what we're supposed to be told Naruto? Inside information?" He looked over at the Hokage managing just barely to keep from scowling at her.
"Why you…" She started to stand when Iruka grabbed her wrist.
"Sasuke…I know because it has to do with me." Naruto silently implored his friend to listen.
"With you? Why would new Chunins have to learn about you? We went to school together and have worked together these last few years. There's something about you we don't know?" Sakura was getting a weird feeling in her stomach.
Sasuke stood suddenly. "It's about your power – your chakra, isn't it? You changed out there Naruto! Your chakra could be seen!" He was more animated now, thinking hard. "Wait a minute…are you – are you like Gaara? You've got some kind of spirit in you?" There were several gasps and Sasuke smiled grimly knowing he'd guessed right. "You do, don't you? But why you Naruto? Are there others? Why wasn't I chosen?" He turned from Naruto to look at Lady Tsunade.
"Is it true? You have something inside you to give you extra power? Something that will boost your chakra?" Sakura blinked. Do we really do such things? Put spirits into our ninjas to make them stronger? Would I want it like Sasuke obviously does? What are the requirements?
"Yes it's true and no, not all of what you say is true. Sit down Sasuke and let Naruto finish." Kakashi said pushing away from the wall and moving towards the bed.
Sasuke had been lost in his own thoughts thinking that if he could get a strong spirit then defeating Itachi would be no problem! "Huh? Okay." Still kind of out of it he sat quickly.
Naruto felt a new foreboding. This was different from how he'd felt telling Hinata. His greatest fear was that she'd be afraid and leave him but now with Sasuke and Sakura it could turn out to be jealousy and hatred for something he'd had no control over receiving. The thought that all his friends could feel something different finally occurred to him. Some might actually think of him as a kind of circus freak with a good trick, they could demand that he take on every dangerous threat or like Sasuke – envy his power. It caused Naruto to squeeze Hinata's hand and seek eye contact with his parents. What was going to happen here?
"Sasuke, Sakura, do you remember the Fourth Hokage?" Naruto finally asked watching them.
The girl and boy looked at each other and nodded. "Of course Naruto, I'm surprised you do though!" Sakura teased. Naruto was always a bad student but she sobered when no one smiled.
"Yeah, well he did something really brave that cost him his life – he saved the village from the Nine-Tailed Fox." He waited but they didn't seem to get it. "As strong as he was, the Fourth was unable to kill the fox but he could seal it away –inside a human." Naruto had barely gotten the last word out before Sasuke was on his feet again.
"You have the Nine-Tailed Fox inside you? That much power?!" Sasuke stared hard at Naruto's middle. "That fox almost destroyed Konoha." He was whispering now. "You have the power to destroy everything!" He took a few steps back from Naruto knocking over his chair.
Sakura sat frozen staring at Naruto. Who is he? Who is he to be able to hold the spirit of a demon? A new thought had her standing and backing away too. Is that really Naruto?! Is he really human?!
"Stop it! Stop it right now!" Hinata yelled at them. She saw in them what Naruto must have seen in her yesterday. Her heart broke at the pain she must have caused and now witnessing this… "NARUTO IS NOT THE FOX SPIRIT! HE IS THE SAME BOY, THE SAME FRIEND YOU'VE ALWAYS KNOWN! STOP LOOKING AT HIM THAT WAY! STOP IT! Please…" She quit yelling when Naruto stroked her face. "I'm sorry Naruto. I'm so sorry for yesterday. I –."
"Its okay, it's okay. I guess I've got to get used to reactions like this and no more apologies – we're past that right? You know who I am, don't you?" He let out a watery laugh as she hugged him.
"Yes, you're the man I love. Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto." She kissed him lightly then cupped his cheek seeing the tears he wouldn't let fall and wiped away her own.
"I expected more of you Sakura." Kakashi said reaching for Naruto's shoulder. "I can almost hear your thoughts! Do you think that I would let you be around someone who wasn't human?! Do you think my Sharingan or Sasuke's or Hinata's Byakugan could be fooled so easily?!" Kakashi was getting a whole other perspective by being here. He'd always known what Naruto was and what he'd had to endure from the people in this village but this…he was more proud of Naruto than he ever thought he could be. That the boy had the strength to deal with this all his life and still turn out normal.
Again Sakura froze but this time from shame. Kakashi-sensei sounded so angry and disappointed in her reaction. "F-forgive, it's just so…unexpected…" She finished lamely then started when Naruto laughed sadly.
"It is, isn't it? I didn't take it well either, did I Dad?" Naruto looked around Hinata at Iruka who was holding hands tightly with Lady Tsunade. Both wanting to stand and smack some sense into those kids but resisting for Naruto's sake.
Iruka had to clear his throat several times before speaking. "No son not at first but you dealt with it like a man and saved my life in the process." Pride sounded in the man's voice.
"You didn't always know?" Both girls asked suddenly.
Naruto looked at Hinata in surprise. "I'm sorry; I guess we didn't get around to talking about that yesterday. No I didn't. I had no clue why I was treated differently until –."
"You became a Genin! You changed. You'd always talked big but you started to work hard, really hard like you had something to prove!" Sasuke interrupted. "But what did you have to prove Naruto? You have great power within you." He blinked. "Do you even have to train? Have you been faking all this time?! Pretending to need help just to fit in?!" Sasuke rushed the bed only to find Kakashi before him.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Did you suddenly lose all common sense?" He pushed heavily on Sasuke's shoulders.
"Sasuke – think about it." Sakura was finally using her logical brain. "He just said he found out about this about three years ago." She looked at Naruto. "What about after you found out?"
Naruto looked at Sakura but he didn't hope for any real understanding. Just a second ago, if Kakashi-sensei hadn't stopped him, Sasuke would have attacked him. "No or not until just before the Chunin exams. The Pervy Sage taught me how to access the power…but I've used it a couple of times before that." He wouldn't look at anyone now.
Sasuke's smile was hard and knowing. "I thought so! You can use it whenever you want! Stop lying Naruto!"
Kakashi shoved him again. "Yes he used the power but he didn't even realize it because he was trying to save your life! When he thought you were dead back in the Land of Waves, the chakra was released as he tried to avenge your death and in the Forest of Death he protected you from Orochimaru! Those times of intense emotion – the fox's chakra allowed Naruto to fight for and protect his friends Sasuke!"
Sakura looked from Naruto who was shaking and clutching Hinata's hand to Sasuke whose eyes looked wild and intense. Sasuke's breathing was a bit ragged as well. "Okay but now you can use it anytime right? So why don't you? You feel pity for the rest of us? You don't want to show off in front of us? What about your jutsu? Does all that come from the great fox too?" Sasuke didn't know what he was doing but he wanted to tear Naruto down. Naruto who had the power he needed. Naruto who'd kept this secret and let him think they were equals! Damn him!
Naruto's head snapped up. "My jutsu is mine! I trained hard and learned it on my own! All of it!" He would not be denied his accomplishments.
"The clone jutsu? Doing so damn many? That comes from you?" Sasuke laughed. "And the Rasengan – where'd the hell did that come from? The fox!" He answered his own question.
"No dammit! I learned Multi-Shadow clones on my own with nobody's damn help! Pervy Sage taught me the Rasengan! That jutsu was the Fourth's! I practically killed myself to learn it! You can shout all kinds of shit Sasuke but both those jutsu are Mine!" Naruto's blue eyes flashed and his body tensed as if he wanted to get out of the bed to knock the crap out of Sasuke.
"You learned a jutsu of the Fourth Hokage?" Sakura blinked. The man was famous for many different – hard to master jutsu. To think Naruto learned one of them! She smiled, "Good job Naruto."
He blinked at Sakura and again. "Yeah, thanks Sakura." Naruto didn't know what to expect anymore but she'd deflated him and he lay back onto his pillows waiting for Sasuke's next attack.
Sasuke stared daggers at Sakura and spun away from Kakashi-sensei. "Okay then answer me this Naruto, why did he pick you? Why give all this power to a parentless child? You've been alone in the world since birth! Why you? Why not me? I've got a kekkei genkai! Do you know what I could do with that kind of power?! You'll waste it! You with no one!" His black eyes and tone conveyed his contempt for Naruto.
"Shut the hell up Sasuke. Just shut your damn mouth!" Iruka stood up and walked towards him. "No one knows why he chose Naruto and Naruto didn't have a choice whether or not to accept the fox in his body. Let me remind you of something – before he ever knew about what's inside him, Naruto vowed to become Hokage. This parentless child took everything the villagers had to give and more and he still wants to protect this village! And you with your kekkei genkai – it didn't save your family did it?!" Iruka stopped inches in front of Sasuke.
"Waste the power he was given? Are you saying he should have let you die? You're so damned selfish Uchiha Sasuke! All you can think about is you! You who were wronged by your brother and getting revenge upon him! Naruto has always identified with you, cared about you and thought of you like he would a brother! This village has gone out of its way to respect you – you who cares so little! This boy, Naruto, my son had none of what you had but he turned out to be the better person!" Iruka looked Sasuke up and down in disgust. "Why don't you grow up and learn that power isn't what will make you happy but friends and people who care about you! Until then, you'll never be half the man he is!" Iruka stabbed a finger in Naruto's direction. He started turn away then saw Sakura.
"Wasn't it you who were trying to get Sakura to be a better friend? Telling her to really show some interest in Naruto's life? Looks like you can't follow your own advice!" Iruka moved to the bed this time and sat down next to Naruto putting an arm around him as if to protect him from Sasuke.
It was silent in the room for several long minutes. Naruto felt the love from those next to him and nothing at all from Sasuke. Sakura he felt was just confused but she didn't seem to fear him anymore, that was something.
Lady Tsunade sat watching the dark haired boy. He was very important to Naruto because Naruto saw them as similar persons and they had a healthy dose of competition between them. She figured that Sasuke truly thought he was better, more skilled and more powerful than Naruto but all that had been changed with just a few words and he didn't know how to handle it except to strike out and try to make Naruto feel inferior. Well whatever the reason, she'd had enough and Naruto had had more than enough. Tsunade stood up.
"You're Chunin now. You've been told the secret of this village and learned why Naruto is feared and hated by many. The Nine-Tailed fox is sealed within his body. Naruto can use its power. It heals Naruto when he's hurt – most of the time correctly. As he grows the fox's power will belong to Naruto. You were told these facts because there is always a chance that the fox could escape the seal and use Naruto to attack us – but it is a slim chance! In which case we…we would have to…have to kill Naruto." Tsunade knew the words needed to be said but her heart denied them. "And of course, if any enemies show up looking for the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox, they would try to kidnap and kill Naruto to gain that power. It would be our job to protect him and keep that power out of reach of people who would use it for evil." She looked at her son between his woman and his father.
"I think we were damned lucky that the Fourth chose Naruto to seal the spirit in." She smiled at him. "He'll be Hokage one day and will protect this village and those he loves with that power." Tsunade now walked to Sasuke to let him know that she was talking about him too. She laid a hand on his shoulder but the boy wouldn't look at her.
"Naruto's tired now. I think you should go. Think about what you've learned and the boy you grew up with. Naruto is not a monster nor is he a charlatan playing with your emotions. He's a fifteen year old carrying a great burden. It would be nice if he had friends to share that burden with."
Sakura held a fist just under her chin as she looked from Naruto to Sasuke. "Naruto?" She stepped forward until he looked at her. "I'm sorry for how I acted earlier, really. I was shocked – still am really. Can you, can you give me a little time to deal with this? Just some time to think about it all? I'll come back later and we can talk, okay?"
He looked into Sakura's eyes. She was shy and hesitant but not fearful. It seemed that she saw him – Naruto and not the fox. "Yeah sure, Sakura. I'll look forward to it. Thanks." He said with meaning.
Sakura could see the hope in his eyes though he tried to hide it and she knew she would try her best to fulfill that hope for him. Carefully she walked to him and gently took his bandaged hand and squeezed it.
"Oh please!" Sasuke muttered. "I assume that since all Chunin are told – the others are being told too?"
"Yeah, by the end of today everyone will know." Kakashi answered. He'd retreated to the wall near the door. "Why?"
"So they'll all know what you are? And you hope to keep them all as friends?" He laughed harshly. "Most people don't reward betrayal Naruto! You're on your own – again! These people are the only ones you can count on! God only knows why they want you either!" Anger flowed through him and his only thought was to hurt the one who'd become his closest friend.
"Damn you!" Hinata tried to jump over the bed to reach him but Naruto held her back grimacing with the effort.
"Ha, it must be love if she can't see what you really are! And quit pretending to be in pain dammit!" Before anyone could stop him, Sasuke raced forward with a kunai in hand. He slit Naruto's bandaged arm from shoulder to wrist.
Naruto's cry echoed in the room and down the hall. Blood spurted all over the boys. Naruto clutched at his arm, wide blue eyes looking at Sasuke in shock. Sasuke looked at Naruto's arm, the blood on his knife and felt the sort of horror he'd felt once before a long time ago when he'd found his parents dead only this time, he was the one causing pain. "I – I…Naruto!" Panic seized him and Sasuke jumped the bed and escaped through the window.
"Sasuke!" Kakashi and Sakura called after him. Sakura muttered and apology then followed Sasuke.
"Naruto – I'm sorry! I never thought he'd act this badly! I'll go get him and make him apologize!" Kakashi said quickly as he stayed out of Lady Tsunade and Hinata's way as they tried to stop the bleeding.
"No! No – don't! Sasuke – Sasuke can't do it. He can't be – he can't be my," A sob. "My friend anymore." Naruto whispered. "He doesn't have to apologize – I know how he feels now and there's nothing – nothing I can do to change that." Naruto breathed heavily still clutching his arm.
Kakashi wanted to hit something. Sasuke was impossible! He'd seen the regret in the teen's eyes after he saw what he'd done but he would probably never admit to it. Still Kakashi couldn't let the attack go. He would find him and punish him and Lady Tsunade's looked only confirmed that she would settle for nothing less.
"Naruto? Is it healing?" Hinata asked in a hushed voice. Just a second ago, she'd been feeling equal parts anger at Sasuke and worry for Naruto but lost both emotions because of what she was seeing. Hinata had been wiping up blood when it just stopped.
"What? Give me your arm?" Lady Tsunade gently took his arm and held it out. Whatever bandages were left, fell off and there starting at his shoulder exactly where Sasuke had, the blood stopped and the skin closed itself. She laughed with tears in her eyes. "Well it looks like I can thank that vengeful boy for one thing! He woke up that damned fox! Look baby, it's healed! Can you move your arm?" Tsunade looked at Naruto's face but he didn't return the smile.
Naruto stared at his arm. He smeared the blood on his right hand down his left. He flexed his left hand and rotated the shoulder. It was healed. "I'm good." He said quietly. Trying his leg he shook his head. "Just the arm. My arm for my friend. I guess that's even trade." He lay back on the bed covered in his own blood and stared out the window. "Goodbye Sasuke."
Nothing was said as Naruto lay there looking defeated. They'd all known this was going to be hard but actually living through it had been harder. His own team mates didn't know how to act around him. One had attacked him.
The sun had been shining outside but now several clouds rolled in threatening rain. It seemed to Naruto that was an exact description of his life. He closed his eyes truly tired of being Uzumaki Naruto.