Chapter Eleven: Depressed and Christmas eve.

Naruto sat on his bed, which was at the fourths house; he had been sitting there looking out the closed window for what seemed like forever. There on the night stand lay a small Ocarina, which bore a huge crack going threw it. He had managed to retrieve it from his home, he had tried to play it a few times…he managed to get some what of a tune out of it…but not as good as Menma. Even though it had been quite a long time, Naruto still thought about that boy…Naruto did miss him quite a lot. He still smiled about the day they became friends, and the day they where to never see each other again. And the memory of him sitting down with a bowl of Ramen and the Ocarina. He had been sitting there since he awoke, it was only a few hours away from Christmas day, it was the 24th, and it currently was 12:29pm. He hadn't done much, but beat the crap out of the Hokage's, and the perv….while Kakashi was no where to be found…oddly. He hadn't really seen the light of day for a week or so…since he spoke with Hinata.

Flash Back

Naruto had arrived to the place Hinata told him about, he looked around till he noticed her sitting there by herself…looking out the window. When he came, she didn't look at him right away…and didn't smile or blush either. Naruto found this odd. As he sat down she looked at him, and said nothing the food came, and Naruto finally had to ask.

"Oi….Hinata why did you ask me to meet you here?"

"Huh? Oh…..Naruto, you wish to become Hokage still right?" Asked Hinata.

"Huh? Yeah….why?"

"Well, maybe we should take a brake?"

"A brake? What do you mean?"

",…..I mean from our relationship"

"Huh?"

"….Naruto…it's just…that…I don't want to…believe me there's no one else, but…"

"But what?" Said Naruto a little OCC and looking at her sternly.

"…um, you know Akatsuki is after you right? Well…"

"…."

"The thing is Naruto, Is that I like you very much but I don't want to be in the way of you becoming Hokage"

"How would you?"

"….Naruto…if Akatsuki found out we were together, what would happen if they got a hold of me to get to you?"

"They wouldn't I wouldn't let them" said Naruto smiling at her.

"Naruto, you can not always protect me….what if I where on a mission, and you went to get me? And they captured you…and….took the demon from within you?"

"Hinata….I wouldn't"

"You don't know that…Naruto please…you would not be as lucky as the Kazekage, No offence but the only people that know that Jutsu are the fifth and the dead old lady that saved Garaa and even then, she wouldn't be able to save you, all I am saying is…just hold it off for now…maybe one day you know…we can be together" said Hinata looking downward.

"In other words, your dumping me cold, hard and flat?"

"I…"

"Hinata, Now is the future…and if you want to end it now, there is no guaranty for the future" Said Naruto.

"You mean?"

"Yes, if you wish to end this, then there may or never will be an us again" said Naruto" "so do you?"

"I…"

"Hinata?"

"….yes"

"I see, then good bye" Said Naruto as he stood up from the table leaving a teary eyed girl sitting there, and he just walked out. He had been walking for wa while the night, when Shikamaru came by and looked at him for a few moments, then asked.

"Your single?"

"Yeah…"

"She dump you, or you dump her?"

"Why? Does it really matter?"

"Not to me, but I am sure some others might want to know" Said Shikamaru as he placed his hands behind his head and looked at the sky.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, go to Kakashi's, and you will find out"

"Huh?"

"….your to troublesome… there placing bets on you, to see how your relation ship would turn out. There's Kakashi, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and…Arashi…" said Shikamaru leaving his name out.

"WHAT!"

"…"

Naruto was off to go kick some ass by then, when he got there Arashi, Tsunade and Jiraiya where placing more money in the hat, while Kakashi was no where to be found. Naruto then had yelled, screamed, hit, punched…and in the end, his frustration was gone, and people where hurt, and Shikamaru was 500 dollars richer.

End Flash back
Naruto just sat there, Arashi had brought him food, but he never took it…Sakura came by to make sure he would eat, and had brought news that Sasuke was in sound again, she heard it from the perv. And they where going to leave around sometime in January when they where supposed to be there. Naruto hadn't moved he stayed still, depressed or in a state of shock. Arashi finally had to come and see the boy.
He walked into Naruto's room to find everything the same, as it hand been 5 days ago. Naruto just sat there, in a vegetative state. The blonde Hokage sat down on his bed, and sat cross legged just like the boy, and where quite for about an hour till the Hokage spoke.

"Naruto, there will be other women"

"I know"

"He speaks!"

"…"

"Or not, don't sit here and pout, it's not good for you…what if I told you more about your mom? how does that sound?"

"You told me everything about her already"

"Oh….hmmmm, Well just come out…your starting to stink up the house, go take a shower, and I will tell you something about your father"

"No, that's alright"

"Really?"

"Yes"

"Your sure you don't want to know anything at all? No matter what? Nothing…"

"That's what I said"

"…"

"Hokage"

"Yes, Naruto"

"Why did you want to become Hokage?"

"Why?"

"Yeah"

"I guess, well…to be the best, change the village for the good. But I didn't have much time to do so"

"I guess, they say you where the best one right?"

"Yes, that's correct"

"That means I have to learn that Jutsu in order to surpass you right?"

"…Naruto first you need to control the fox's power…or god only knows what could happen…the first time you tried you almost killed Jiraiya, and the second time, your friend."

"…"

"Naruto lets work on that first ok? Then I will let you learn the other one"

"…."

"You feel, different don't you…that Garaa became Hokage so fast, while you.."

"Didn't"

"Yes, well you need to understand, everyone is different…some people can easily do things…while others can't.

"I saved him twice"

"Twice? I thought once?"

"No, The first time was at the Chunin exams…and I defeated him, when no one else really could."

"How is that"

"I changed the way he thought about life, the way he felt…the second time was the time I got him from that group…and everyone came to get him, you should have seen him, it was the same way I felt when someone reached out to me…and I reached out to him…and I think that was the happiest day of his life."

"And I would believe that"

"Hokage…"

"Yes?"

"Did you want to die?"

"I would be lying if I said yes. But the truth is, I wanted to see everyone, wanted to be with everyone. And even though I died I do not regret a single thing I did"

"You don't?"

"No, the saw what doesn't kill us make's us stronger…but the people that where to write that, where diluted…because that just makes us weaker, then what we really are."

"…Really?"

"Yes, that's what I believe anyways. When I died, it made the village grow, and become more stronger then ever, because the thought and story of one made saving a whole village is in the hearts of them all. And if I hadn't died…then people wouldn't have tried as hard to become stronger."

"I guess"

"What's with the ocarina?"

"Menma gave it to me"

"Oh.." said Arashi. He had just recently heard about that boy, the one who also saved a village, in the hopes to restore what he had taken away.

"….people are not born evil"

"What?"

"…People are not born evil, they become evil…with the hatred and loathing…and what other else they grew up with like Garaa and Sasuke, and his brother. They where once all good people…but just went bad along the way…"

"Yes, but bad people can become good"

"I know…but I wonder if Sasuke will ever"

"Naruto. Your lucky"

"I am?"

"Yes, your lucky you never turned out like Garaa"

"I know"

"Do you know why I told the village to keep what was inside of you secret?"

"Not really?"

"…..It was…to save you, I thought they would treat you like a hero…but I now know I was wrong. But if I had told them to let you know from the beginning then you would have known why they hated you, then you would have hated them more, and grew cold and shallow like Garaa, and become empty. And without you around Garaa could have taken over the leaf…and the world would be a mess, you are the balance to what is good, and what is evil"

"…Thanks" Smiled Naruto.

"Now, take a shower…a long one, come and eat. And then…I'll tell you about a cool new move" Smiled Arashi.

"Ok" Smiled Naruto as he sat up quick and went to the bathroom down the hall. And Arashi slowly stood up and walked down the hall, unlocked a door and walked in. This room was full of books and what not…he pulled out a certain hand written book, and flipped threw it. He smiled to himself as he put it in his pocket and left. As he was opening the door, he turned around for a moment and noticed a small picture on the floor. He slowly picked it up and looked at it. It was old. It had been a picture of Him and Aumi, he smiled slightly. It was taken when they where twelve. And she was laughing at him. He looked so much like Naruto with a pout. Then behind it another fell. It was a single picture of her, and the child. Smiling. Arashi's smile grew as he looked at it. He had gotten Naruto a present already but this one would be make it a little better. She had been holding the small blonde boy, He remembered he told Naruto that was the last picture taken of her before…but he forgot this one. It had been taken only minutes before Arashi had taken the child. Her long hair was in a mess, she had no make-up on…but to his point of view. It was the prettiest she ever looked. He slowly placed it in his pocket next to the book and finally left the room. When he had actually left he noticed Naruto walking to his room with a towel around his waist. His hair was down still quite spiky but no head protector. Arashi looked at the boy, and then said.

"You know Naruto…if you dressed like that more girls would look at you more."

"In a towel?"

"Well, I, mean where you head protector not around your head…but around your neck, and just your netted shirt and a hair of black pants and a back shirt"

"…no orange?"

"Try it for one day?"

"Do I have to?"

"Yes"

"….fine"

"Good, then since we need food for tomorrow you can come with me to market"

"……"

"I'll buy Ramen?"

"…..you pay?"

"Yes Naruto"

"HAHAHAH! YEAH!" Smiled Naruto as he ran into the room.

"Naruto…it's been ten minutes"

"I look like I am going to a funeral"

"Come on…wow….doesn't that look better?" Smiled Arashi.

"I feel stupid"

"…Wow…I thought the orange did that"

"If no girls take any notice to me I get to where your white coat thing" Smiled Naruto as he looked at the Hokage who was wearing his normal outfit.

"Alright deal…for how long?"

"….week"

"One day"

"Week"

"Day.."

"…fine"

"Come on the, lets go" Smiled Arashi as him and Naruto left. They had been walking threw the streets to the small market place where they normally sell foods, and other goods. Naruto had gone off some where, seeing one of his friends leaving the Hokage alone. He had picked up most of his things, and what ever else. Then he noticed Sakura walking by, it looked like she had been shopping for her mother by the food. He slowly made his way over to her and smiled. She noticed this and stopped to wait for the Hokage. As they walked she was the first to speak.

"How is Naruto?"

"Hmm, fine he's doing better…I…well go see he's over there talking to Jiraiya" said Arashi.

"Hmm?" Mumbled Sakura as she turned her gaze towards the old man and the blonde boy. Her mouth almost fell open. There was Naruto standing there smiling and laughing. And she had to admit this new look suited him quite well. She was amazed,. She had tried to get Naruto to wear different colours but, he never would. She looked at the Hokage who was smiling and wondered how this boy could have changed so fast in a short amount of time. As she looked at the Hokage she actually realized they looked a lot the same. It was weird…she thought a little too weird. She then grabbed the Hokage's hand and he looked at her confused then she said.

"Tell me…who is Naruto's father?"

"…what? Sakura why would you want to know that?" Smiled Arashi.

"Just tell me?"

"…Ask Naruto…wait…Sakura why?"

"Are you his father?" said Sakura bluntly and looked at him. His eyes where wide and he started to cough and look at her with a strange face.

"Sorry….wasn't my place…I guess not" said Sakura as she gave a low sigh and walked over to Naruto.

"Weird…what and odd thing to suddenly ask?" Said Arashi as he followed and walked over to the three.

"Oi! Sakura! What are you doing out here? I thought you told me last week you did all your shopping?"

"Idiot! This is food for my mom"

"Oh.."

"I like your new look. It makes you look a bit older"

"Oh! It does? that's what ero-Sannin was just saying"

"I told you Naruto, that people would notice"

"Does this mean I don't get to wear your coat/cape thing?"

"Here…" said Arashi as he pulled it off and placed it on the boys shoulders"

"…gosh" said Sakura all of a sudden her eyes where wide. Along with the older mans. As the two looked at the two blondes…there mouths where open.

"What?…is something on me?" Asked a freaked out Naruto as he spun around a few times.

"No…its just that…" But before she could finish Jiraiya had his hand over her mouth and said.

"Well look at the time…we must be off"

"Already? Bye Sakura! By ero-Sannin!" Smiled Naruto as he walked along with the Hokage and headed towards the Ramen stand.

"…What's the matter?" Asked Sakura as they turned a corner.

"…Sakura, please…don't mention that he looks like the Arashi"

"How come…"

"Just don't…promise?"

"I"

"Sakura"

"Yes…but I don't see the problem...Naruto likes that sort of complement"

",….I know"

"What's going on…are you saying Arashi…or the Yondaime…has a problem with that?

"Uhh"

"…..?"

"I need to go" Said Jiraiya as he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"…what's going on?"

----

Naruto and Arashi were now sitting at the counter at the famous Ramen stand. (Hahaha) Anyways they had both had a war to see who could eat the most. Naruto started to get full after 20. While Arashi had just finished bowl number 29. Naruto then fell over and lay on the ground padding his stomach. While Arashi just smiled. And left money on the counter and singled Naruto to follow. The sky was alright filled with stars Naruto looked around to see people in there homes all happy. Celebrating the season with people. He looked down at his feet and gave a sigh. He hated being alone… at this time of year. Arashi noticed the blonde boys behavior after they went behind the heads. And where walking towards the water fall.

"Naruto, I am sorry…you do know that…" Naruto looked at him and gave a week smile.

"I know…it's just that this time of year…I used to hate it so much because everyone was at there happiest while I was alone. But then when I was in a team…I was so happy…but"

"It still wasn't the same?"

"No.."

"I understand that completely"

"Huh?"

"I was alone most of the time to till I met Jiraiya…"

"Well…im glad I am alone today"

"Why Is that?"

"Because I can be alone with you, on Christmas…we can be alone together. In stead of apart…" Smiled Naruto as they walked to the lawn.

"Naruto you're a good kid, you know that…you always think of others. Before yourself…I admire you" Smiled Arashi as they walked into the house.

Naruto was beaming the whole night. Sure Arashi had complemented him before. But to be admired by a Hokage…even the best one…the greatest leaf had ever had. Was just an honor…but all he did was smile. They had stayed up and watched a few Christmas shows. Helped the Hokage try and find the decorations for the tree but ended up putting weapons on it instead. They had found the star….and that's about it…and some lights. Arashi had guessed the third had taken them to put on the town tree. Arashi and Naruto each placed each others gifts under the tree before going to bed. Arashi had gone off before the boy. He stayed down and looked at the tree. He liked this feeling. To have a tree not just to himself but to share it. He knew once his home was fixed after the holidays he would truly be sad to go back. And with that he turned off the lights, and went to bed.

Canadain-Girl