Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!
Warning: If after reading this you see there are spelling errors or mistakes please feel free to let me know.
'Thought'
"Speak"
'Kyuubi thought'
"Kyuubi speech, Inner Sakura or Izzy(AN: they are the same person to lazy to type inner Sakura all the time.)"
The next morning the Hokage had escorted Naruto to the Hokage's office so he can report on what happened last night. "Well Naruto-kun, what happened last night? The events leading up to that as well." The Hokage asked.
Naruto fidgeted slightly in his chair. "Well I wanted to talk to you but the secretary kicked me out and wouldn't let me in so I waited outside with Neko-chan and Inu-nii-chan until you would come out but you never came. When the next guard shift came I left cause the new Anbu were some of the mean ones. By that time it was dinner time and so I went to Ichiraku's and after that I went back to the orphanage. But when I got there the meanie orphanage lady wouldn't let me back in. It was night time now and so I went to Neko-chan's place but the Anbu Itachi said she was on guard duty on the wall and to come back in 3 hours and he gave me a box of pocky." Naruto smiled at the memory.
The Hokage seemed surprised because it was well known that Itachi was extremely obsessive of his pocky but shook himself as Naruto continued. "So I went and walked around for a while. About 3 hours later I went back but the guards at the gate were mean and kicked me saying they weren't going to let me in and laughed. So I headed towards a nice spot I had found while I was walking to get some sleep. And that was when I found that guy holding the two girls. He ran into me and knocked me over. I yelled at him and he said something about being quiet and getting caught. I was confused at first but then I heard a noise and looked over his shoulder at the sack and saw movement. That was when he kicked me and nii-chan showed up with his big friend and Neko-chan helped me up. Nii-chan ordered the guy to do something and that was when Neko-chan disappeared. I didn't pay attention after that because I went to check what was in the bag and found those two girls. Then nii-chan came over and those other guys showed up. After that nii-chan told them what happened and then you showed and you know the rest."
The Hokage stroked his beard. "Well then your stories match up. Well done Naruto-kun, well done indeed. I'll add your first ever mission payment to your bank account that you can get when you become a genin." Naruto nodded his head.
There was a knock at the door and the secretary came in. "Hiashi-sama and Fugaku-sama are here to see you sir."
"Alright send them in." The secretary nodded and left the office. Hiashi and Fugaku came in moments later. "Give me a moment to finish up with Naruto and I'll speak with you." They both nodded their heads. "Now Naruto I have to get back to work so I'll send you with Inu and he'll hang out with you for the day." Nodding his head Naruto stood from his chair and moved towards the door. "Inu should be at the door let him know what I told you." The door shut quietly behind Naruto. "Alright what can I help you two with?"
"I…well we would like to know what is going to happen to Naruto now as I assume he isn't welcomed back at the orphanage. Will you put him back in there or will you put him under someone's care?" Hiashi asked. Fugaku nodded; both intent on finding out what was going to happen to the savior of their daughters.
*sigh* "I'm not sure. This will be about the 10th time I would have to put him back in the program this month alone. I don't think that would be good for him anyways. But the council blocks all my advances on trying to get him put under my clan and any adoption advances by those who aren't biased to him." The Hokage answered truthfully. He was utterly at a loss at what to do in regards to a place Naruto could stay.
"I mean no offence by this but has Naruto really had that hard of a life as short as it's been?" Fugaku asked.
"Well for all intents and purposes we would not see it as so bad but to a young child it is the equivalent of torture. There are very little civilians that see Naruto as Naruto and it doesn't help matters that the adults tell their children not to go near him. Thus he has little to no friends and is very lonely. The only good thing is that about 95% of the ninjas actually know Naruto is not the Kyuubi and just a normal boy. They do everything they can for him, but it still isn't enough." The third stated shaking his head. The two clan heads looked at each other. They had never seen their leader so distraught over anything. The two had a silent conversation with each other before turning back to their leader.
"We would like to take Naruto under our wing and train him and make him our apprentice." They said at the same time. The Hokage snapped his head in their direction completely surprised and his eyes wide. "Sir if the case is the council not wanting him adopted then making him our apprentice would put him under our protection and make him our responsibility. That way he has a place to stay and an unbiased person to train him. He will learn what he needs to and have a place to turn to when he needs help." Hiashi stated
Fugaku picked it up, "Especially when you or any of the other ninjas are busy. And if the council should try to oppose this it's out of their jurisdiction. So they can't say anything about it. And we can put him under clan protection laws and then they really can't touch him." Tears sprang into the Hokage's eyes as he smiled.
"Yes, oh mighty Kami, yes! Thank you! I had no idea what I was going to do. I feared I would be forced to put him in an apartment by himself." The Hokage said in glee, as he pulled out the proper paperwork and immediately filled them out. Hiashi and Fugaku looked surprised at the eagerness on their leader's face.
"I shall go and let Naruto know immediately. Where would he be at this time?" Fugaku asked.
"Hmm I would try the park by the academy he likes the swings there. If he's not there I would go to Ichiraku's. You could also ask Neko on your way out to see where they went." The Hokage stated eager to have Naruto taken care of as soon as possible. "But first which house will he be staying at?"
"Fugaku's would be best. Our house would be too strict on him as far as rules go." Hiashi said, with both men nodding in assent. And with that Fugaku left in search of Naruto.
About 30 minutes later Naruto and Fugaku returned with Inu and Neko with him wanting to know what this all had to do with Naruto. Naruto was fidgety and stayed close to Inu and Neko hoping he wasn't in trouble. Recognizing the stance the Hokage rushed to reassure him and the two Anbu closest to him.
"Don't worry Naruto-kun you're not in any trouble. It's quite the opposite actually. These two men would like to make you their apprentice. It would mean they help you with your training when you're old enough and all the bad people trying to hurt you will be taken care of."
The two Anbu were extremely surprised. They had expected a formal thank-you but to apprentice him was amazing. "If I may, would you mind telling me why you want him to be your apprentice?" Inu asked looking out for any treachery.
Hiashi smiled glad that the person Naruto thought of as a brother was so concerned about him. "Well what he said about the orphanage kicking him out got us thinking about what his life was really like. We know he's not genuinely liked but we didn't think it was that bad. But talking with the Hokage opened our eyes to his predicament, and would like to do something about it."
"Making him our apprentice is the best thing we can do without openly opposing the council in any way. We haven't adopted him and he's not under the Sarutobi clan so it works out for him and we can thank him for saving our daughters." Fugaku finished up.
Naruto wanted in on the conversation to. "So does that mean I don't have to go back to the smelly orphanage anymore?" Everyone laughed at that.
"Yes Naruto that means you don't have to go back to the smelly orphanage anymore." The Hokage smiled already knowing Naruto's response.
"YAY! Finally I can get out of that stinking place, away from all the bullies." Naruto said excited. "So when do I move?"
"Right now. You'll be living at the Uchiha compound now with me. I'm Fugaku and this is Hiashi. We will be your senseis." Fugaku stated. Naruto nodded and moved next to the two men. "Come let's go meet the people you'll be living with." And with that they all left the Hokage to his work.
Naruto walked with Hiashi and Fugaku and saw that no one was raising a hand to him or doing anything but glaring his way, but swift glares from the men he was with quickly demolished any resistance. 'Wow jiji wasn't kidding when he said the bad people were taken care of.' Naruto realized that they were coming past the clan compounds.
"Naruto this is the Hyuuga compound. This is where you will train when with me when we start." Hiashi stated. Naruto nodded his head in confirmation. "I must go now. My daughter is still slightly traumatized from last night and must help my wife comfort her."
"Goodbye Hiashi-san" Naruto called out.
"Come Naruto, let's get going. Lunch should be ready soon." Fugaku said. Just then Naruto's stomach growled. He blushed in embarrassment. "Well then let us hurry since you are so hungry." Fugaku bent down and picked Naruto up. He took to the roof tops heading for the Uchiha compound.
Fugaku and Naruto reached the Uchiha compound in a span of 10 minutes, and Naruto was getting hungrier by the minute. Fugaku, with Naruto on his back, headed towards his house. A few minutes later they reached it and Naruto could smell the delicious food wafting through the air. "Hmm smells delicious. What is it?" Naruto asked his mouth watering and eager to eat.
Fugaku smiled. "Don't know. Let's find out, but I can assure you it will be delicious. And my wife makes enough to feed a small army." He set Naruto down and headed in. They both kicked off their shoes and headed towards the kitchen. Once there Naruto noticed 4 people already in the kitchen. Fugaku coughed, getting everyone's attention. "Listen everyone, this is Naruto. He will be staying with us from now on. And he will also be training with you, Sasuke and Suzuri, when the time is right. Also Hiashi-san will be training him as well." They all nodded at him understanding the situation. "Naruto meet my family. The beautiful lady at the stove is my lovely wife Mikoto. The one next to her is my eldest son, Itachi. And the two at the table are my twins Sasuke and Suzuri. But you already met Suzuri haven't you?"
Naruto shook his head. "No not really. I saw her but I never met her." Suzuri looked closely at Naruto and realized he was the kid that had stalled the meanie long enough for her father to find her. She stood up from her seat at the table and walked over to him.
"Thank-you for helping save me last night. I appreciate it." She told him. Naruto was shocked. Very rarely did he ever have someone thank him for something, let alone someone his age. It had always been when a kid wanted to thank him the parents would call them over or snatch them away before they tried.
"You're welcome." He answered shyly. Suzuri smiled, happy about Naruto joining the family in a way.
Taking his hand she began to drag him towards the table. "C'mon Naruto it's lunch time. Hope you have a big stomach cause mommy always makes extra all the time, but it's ok mom is an amazing cook." She said speaking a mile a minute. Naruto stumbled slightly as he was pulled towards the table. Fugaku and Mikoto smiled at the spectacle, glad Suzuri made another friend.
Naruto looked up at Itachi as he came to the table. "Are you in the Anbu?" Itachi nodded his head. "Are you Itachi in the Anbu?" Another nod. Naruto smiled. "Thank-you for the pocky. It was nice of you to give it to me."
Itachi smiled at him. "Glad you think so. You didn't it eat too fast, did you? It was one of my favorite flavors." Naruto shook his head.
"I still have the box. I had like two sticks and decided to save the rest of it." Itachi smiled and nodded. Naruto turned to Sasuke and looked him over. "Hi. I've seen you around with older people."
Nodding his head he answered him, "Yeah that's my aunt and uncle, they're really nice. They take me out for my favorite food. And the village is really nice; I find it pretty in its own right." Naruto nodded in agreement.
After lunch Fugaku took Naruto upstairs to get him settled in his new room. "Mikoto is getting you some of Itachi's old clothes. We'll take you shopping tomorrow." Fugaku told Naruto. Naruto nodded as he looked around the room. 'Kami this room is big.' Naruto thought. Mikoto came in moments later with some old PJ's and some extra clothes. She smiled at him while she put the clothes on the bed. "The kids are out back playing. Get changed and you can go outside to play with them." Mikoto said smiling at him. "They're playing hide and seek with Itachi." Naruto nodded and Mikoto and Fugaku left the room closing the door behind them so he could change.
Naruto looked at the clothes Mikoto placed on the bed. There was a pair of black cargo shorts and a navy blue t-shirt that said 'I love POCKY'. 'Wow Itachi really likes pocky. Wonder how his obsession started.' Naruto stripped down and changed into the new clothes. He went to the bathroom and noticed everything he needed was already there. 'They move fast. I didn't expect them to have all this ready for me.'
Little did Naruto know, Mikoto and Fugaku had often had arguments about him with Mikoto being on Naruto's side. She had wanted to do so much more for him than Fugaku was but Fugaku had held firm, stating Naruto's life wasn't that bad and the Hokage was taking care of everything concerning him. It wasn't until last night when he had heard that Naruto had been kicked out of the orphanage at 4. He told his wife what he was thinking and she immediately got the room ready, glad her husband finally saw things her way.
Naruto wet his hair, having to use the shower because he was too short for the sink. He dried it so that it was damp and brushed out his hair. He had found having his hair wet worked better when grandma had told him so. His hair flopped down. It was still spiky but not as wild. Shaking his head to get his bangs out of his face, he walked out of the bathroom and out the door of his room. He walked down stairs and had to find Mikoto to find out how to get to the backyard. She led him to the yard and told the kids Naruto was going to join them. Suzuri's grin could have lit the village at the prospect. She dragged him towards the center of the yard, spouting off the rules a mile a minute. Naruto had trouble keeping up but got the gist of it. Sasuke clarified on anything he didn't get. Itachi started counting and the kids were gone so fast Gai would be jealous. Mikoto and Fugaku smiled as they watched the kids playing with Itachi. And so Naruto's new fate began.