Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
"Speech"
Thought
Jutsu
Naruto and the Tornado of Konoha
By: Sealed-Dragon
Naruto was in shock. He'd never expected he sensei to have such a large mansion. The place was huge! Naruto was starting to get dizzy. He'd never been in a place that was almost as large as the Hokage's tower. And he was going to live here.
Kurogane noticed his surprise. He wasn't that surprised at his reaction. It was pretty normal for most people who entered into his, humble abode. He couldn't understand why people reacted like that, but then he had been living there since he became a Jonin.
Naruto couldn't help himself. For nearly an hour, he fan around, checking every room until he knew the basic design of the house. What really drew him away from his enthusiastic searching, was the heavenly smell of ramen.
After downing eight bowls and letting out a large belch, he turned to his sensei with a smile. Kurogane gave a small grin. "Now Naruto, there might actually be more to my training than you think. Are you sure your ready for it?"
Naruto put a fist in the air. "Ya, you better believe it! I can take anything you throw at me!"
Kurogane felt a small bubble of pleasure at what he was going to do next. "Well then, one of the household training that we do will be, table manners and food."
Naruto face-vaulted. He so didn't see that coming. "But sensei, can't we do something, I don't know, productive to me becoming Hokage?"
Kurogane sighed, what he did to get his laughs. "Well Naruto, as Hokage, you will be expected to attend formal dinners. Having inappropriate manners could get you into a sticky situation. And if you only eat ramen, you'll not only stunt your growth, but you might not like some of the new tastes that they serve."
Realization suddenly began to dawn on him. "Wait, s-sensei you don't mean-"
"You are going to have to give up on ramen and eat other foods." He smiled as Naruto let out a yell that could be heard all throughout Konoha. It was so worth it. Kurogane thought as he waited for Naruto to calm down from the rant and profanity that he was screaming at him.
xX Next Day: At training ground one Xx
Ryuu was feeling a little bit worried. He'd heard Naruto's yell and he didn't know what to make of it. Had he gotten himself into some sort of trouble?
He looked up. Hinata was usually early, and there was at least four minutes left till their first training session, and she wasn't there. He was feeling torn, both of his teammates seemed to be in some sort of situation, but he had no idea how he could get around it.
His suffering was ended when he saw Naruto and Kurogane walking up. "Hey Naruto! What happened last night?"
He watched as Naruto turned his head and mumbled something. Kurogane smiled. "I had to take away his ramen privileges."
Ryuu immediately understood. Naruto would see it as a national crisis if he couldn't have his ramen. He sighed, he wasn't sure what it was that drew Naruto to ramen, but all he knew was that it was an unstoppable force of nature.
He looked around. There was still no signs of Hinata. For some reason, he could feel himself getting really worried. "Hey, sensei? Is it all right if I go get Hinata?"
Kurogane raised an eyebrow. This might be considered future blackmail material. he thought to himself, grinning slightly. "Why not? I'm just going to teach Naruto a few tricks, is that all right?"
"Sure sensei, go ahead." Ryuu's voice carried just how much he didn't care, and just how worried he really was. As turned and ran off, Kurogane's grin only widened. This was definitely going to be good to tease him about. But he would have to find out what happened later, he still had to train Naruto.
"Hey sensei! Are you going to teach me some ultra cool jutsu?" Naruto was bouncing around. All sorts of different jutsu ideas flew through his mind.
"Naruto, what is your weakest aspect."
Naruto stopped bouncing. "I don't know, my knowledge of jutsu's?"
Kurogane snorted. "Remember this, even if you know a thousand jutsu's if you don't have control of you chakra, or the element, you'll never be able to use them right. That's why, we're going to be walking up and down trees."
Naruto screwed up his face in confusion. "What do you mean, walking up and down trees?"
Kurogane just grinned evilly.
xX Outside the Hyuuga compound Xx
Hinata was stumbling along. She was feeling pain, as was usual after a long practice. But she was also confused. Every now and then her father would extend their training sessions for a little bit longer than normal. Last night it had gone till midnight.
She knew she was going to be late for her teams training, but felt it might be better to think of how she'd gotten into such a mess in the first place.
- -Flashback- -
Hinata had just gotten back from the Hokage tower. She'd felt relief that Naruto wasn't in trouble or anything, but she was still worried. Their sensei seemed to be hiding something important.
She walked through the compound, hoping to slip by her father. As it was, Kami really hated her.
"Hinata." She tried not to squeak as she slowly turned around. Her father was standing there, as impassive as ever.
"H-hello f-father." She bowed to him, knowing that something was wrong. The only problem was, she couldn't think of what else she could've done wrong.
"Hinata, who are your teammates?"
Hinata looked up, and quickly wished she hadn't. His cold eyes met hers, and she suddenly felt like something was forcing her to do so.
"M-my teammates?"
"Yes Hinata, your teammates, the councel wants to know who they are."
"M-my teammates are, R-Ryuu F-Fuuin, and N-Naruto Uzumaki." She noticed that his eyes seemed to flinch at Naruto's name, even if he himself didn't.
"I see, and who might your sensei be?"
"H-he is K-Kurogane K-Kamikaze." This time his body completely froze. He'd heard that name before, how could he not? The Hyuuga's would forever despise him for what he apperently did to a part of their clan.
"You're not talking about Konoha's Black Tornado, are you?"
"I d-don't know f-father. H-he's never mentioned himself by t-that n-name." Hinata's mind was working as quickly as she could. She'd heard that name from a bingo book she'd once read for fun. She finally put a picture to the name. She wasn't entirely certain, but…
"Hinata, come with me." Her father turned and walked towards the dojo. Hinata followed, feeling her heart quicken.
As they entered, they both saw Hanabi practicing. She stopped when she saw them. "Hello father." She bowed to him, not even bothering to acknowledge her sister.
"Hinata, I am going to teach both you and Hanabi some of the more advanced Gentle Fist techniques. You will be expected to get at least most of the basics."
"B-but f-father, I h-have training with my team t-tomorrow." She was feeling flustered. He was trying to force her to learn more advanced techniques? But, why?
"I'm sorry Hinata, but if I'm not sure when I'll be able to teach you these things again. The council has been deciding if they should put the Branch Seal on you. I believe that if they hear that you managed to learn these techniques, or at least the basics, they might reconsider. I feel that Hanabi should learn these techniques as well, otherwise she to may be in consideration for the seal. And that is a fate that I do not wish upon either of you."
Hinata felt her head swim with sudden emotions. Her father, was trying to protect her? But, why would the council place the seal on her? She still held the position of clan heir, right? Or had that position been passed on already?
She looked over at her sister. She was looking at her with some, apathy in her eyes. She would never have wished the cursed seal on anyone, not even her sister. But she also didn't want it on herself. She felt the pain of such a decision. She was beginning to feel greatly confused, like she'd never felt before.
Hinata noticed a vacant expression on her sisters face. She could tell what was on her mind, and knew that if there was anything she could do for her sister to keep her away from the seal, she'd do it. A thought struck her. "Hanabi, if it ever comes down to a decision between me and you, I would rather take the seal, for your sake."
Hanabi looked at her sister in shock. Not only had she just said she would take the seal for her, but she hadn't stuttered once while saying it. That was practically unheard of for her. Hanabi knew that her opinion of her sister would never be quite the same because of this one desision that she'd made.
They slipped into the basic stance and Hinata braced herself.
- -Now- -
She hadn't managed to master the techniques, but she pretty sure that since she'd gotten some of the basics, she would not have the seal placed on her. She shuddered and rubbed her forehead. If she ever have that seal, she wasn't sure how she'd be able to deal with it.
She could feel tears running down her cheeks. She tried to reprimand herself. She knew that if anyone saw her, she would have her status as the weakest Hyuuga set in stone. She didn't want that to happen, otherwise she would greatly disappoint her father. And after what he'd just done for her, she knew that she really didn't want that. But otherwise, she wasn't sure what she could do. She tried to wipe away the quickly escaping tears.
She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped and quickly turned around. "R-Ryuu-san, w-what are you-"
Ryuu didn't bother to answer. He looked both ways to see if the way was clear. Then he pulled her into the alleyway. Hinata was feeling a little scared. She couldn't tell what he was doing.
He suddenly stopped, and turned towards her. "It's all right, you can cry freely now. There's no one to see you but me, so go ahead."
Hinata confused. It was the almost the same kind of confusion that she'd felt when her father had made that protective move for her. And now, her teammate had not only seen her in her weakness, but was understanding, and helped her to protect that weakness from eyes of people passing by. It was more than she could take.
Ryuu wasn't shocked when she started to cry. What he was shocked by was when she grabbed onto him, clinging as though he was her last hope. He'd never been told what to do in this situation, and he hadn't ever been placed into such a, different, situation before. He quickly reached for whatever instinct governed this sort of moment and reacted with it. He patted her on the back and gave her a quick hug. He rocked her slowly, so as to calm her down.
After several minutes, she finally had calmed down. Ryuu looked at her. "Hinata, why are you crying? What could possibly put you into this state?"
Hinata looked at him. He was an outsider, someone who should never be told family secrets. A sudden thought crossed her mind. Hadn't her sensei said that secrets would tear families apart and that he didn't care what sort of secret they were?
"I-I'm scared. M-my f-family h-has a p-powerful s-seal. It is m-meant to b-be p-placed on b-branch members. B-but ever n-now and t-then, t-they will p-put it on a m-main H-Hyuuga who h-has d-dishonored t-them. I-I'm afraid t-that i-it w-will happen t-to m-m-me.
"But I-I'm still glad. M-my f-f-f-father w-w-was t-t-trying t-to h-help m-me s-so t-that I w-wouldn't g-get the c-c-c-curse s-s-s-seal." Her tears and sob grew as she said this, making it impossible for her to continue from there. She desperately hoped that in some way's, he wouldn't see her in a different way.
Ryuu only shook his head, and snorted in disgust. The Hyuuga were supposedly the most honored and revered of all Konoha, and yet they practiced something as gruesome and horrible as that? Just to protect their, precious, eye abilities? He looked at Hinata, and suddenly realized that she might want some sort of conformation that he wouldn't think differently of her. He looked her, dead in the eyes. "Hinata, I promise you, that no matter what branch you are in, I will continue to respect you for who you are. And if you get that damned seal, I will either find a way to break it, or make sure that it can't hurt you. I promise."
Hinata stared at him for a moment, surprised that he was promising to do something that had never been done before. But then, Naruto's stubbornness seemed to have rubbed off a little, because she could see he wasn't going to give up without a fight. She gave him a small nod. He smiled. "Let's get back to the training grounds, before Naruto get to board of being alone. Or someone sees us and thinks badly of us."
Hinata nodded and they hurried off.
XxxX
Several moments after they disappeared, a man materialized from the wall. He still had no idea why he was being told to follow two such children, but his report would help the Hyuuga clan sort out its weakest link. He hurried off to his master, hoping that his information would be satisfactory. If it was, he might get a higher rank. If not, only a painful death would await.
I wonder why he would want me to trail the demons teammates, what does he want of them? He thought as he sped across the roofs. What am I thinking, it isn't for me to question what Danzo-sama wishes, I simply must do it. But he still had some confusion hanging in the back of his mind, slowly eating at him.
XxxX
xX Arriving at the training grounds Xx
Ryuu was trying to hide his confusion. Kurogane and Naruto were working out, doing sit-ups. And they were doing it while hanging upside down with chakra attaching them to the tree. He just couldn't figure out why they were doing it.
"Hey Ryuu! You found Hinata, hi Hinata-san!" Naruto yelled out, completely oblivious of the sudden blush that crossed her face. "Hey Ryuu, why don't you try this out?"
Ryuu shrugged. Forming the ram seal he focused his chakra to his feet. Then, casually walking forward, he slowly walked up the tree. Naruto was so shocked by this, he lost his concentration and fell out of the tree.
Kurogane looked a little disappointed. He'd expected for him to have some difficulty with it so that he could mock him like he had Naruto, but he'd gotten it on the first try. But something didn't add up. "This isn't your first time doing this exercise, is it?"
Ryuu shrugged. "I've kept nothing from you, you simply never asked." He walked down the tree to revive the concussed Naruto.
Damn, the kid is smart about keeping infromation secret. Kurogane couldn't help but be impressed by this, until another thought came to mind. "All right then, we've seen you do the tree climbing excersise, but can you do the water walking exercise too?" He was still somewhat surprised to see him nod. Inwardly he pouted, Ryuu was being so difficult to tease. "Well, I've gotta say, you're further than these two so far. But don't get to comfortable, I'll get Naruto to fighting shape yet."
Ryuu looked up at him with a smile. "Sensei, if you didn't, I would have to do it myself. I don't really want to be stronger than the Hokage."
Naruto, who'd just started to wake up, heard this. Doing what he would later find to be a very good impression of Gai, he began to spout tears. "You would do such a good thing for me? I, I don't know what to say. Thank you!" But unlike the weird sunsets that Gai was known for, Naruto settled with a flying tackle.
"Naruto, get off me." Naruto jumped off, scratching the back of his head, clearly embarrassed.
"Now, let's get to training. Ryuu, you will teach Hinata the tree climbing exercise, and if she gets that, teach her the water walking exercise. Naruto, our special training program begins…we will run around Konoha 100 times, do 1000 push-ups, 1000 sit-ups, 500 pull-ups, practice your taijutsu form, and have you hit some wooden dummies 5000 times with each leg and both arms! And after you do that a few times, I'll call in a favor or two to get you some, specially speal weights. I might even give the rest of your team some!"
Ryuu and Hinata sweat dropped, while Naruto looked a little nervous. After thinking it over for a couple of moments, he grinned and took off. Kurogane turned to Ryuu. "I'm trusting you two, so don't do anything I wouldn't do." With a perverted grin, he took off after Naruto, pulling out several kunai he planned on chucking at Naruto as he ran.
He mentally counted down. Three…Two…One…Now. "Wait, damn you sensei!"
He laughed out loud. He couldn't help it, he'd finally found Ryuu's sore spot and he would continue to poke at it until he drove him insane.
Author's Note:
Hello everyone! Chapter 4, completed! I'm surprised that I managed to make it this far posting one a day, oh well, I'll survive somehow.
I would like to thank my beta, Seimika, for all the ideas. His influence has greatly helped finalize several difficult decision I was making for some of the future chapters!
I'm sorry to all those who believe that I'm spending to much time with Ryuu and Hinata, but this might just be important for later! Don't get your hopes up though.
Oh! And for all those who want more action, don't worry. There will be action later, just not right now.