-Bakagaijin does not own Naruto
Hello all. Sorry to take so long; writer's block. I know, I know. It's a lame excuse, but it is true. I can only hope that you are pleased with all the hard work I put into this chapter. I tried very hard to make this one worth the wait. Please read and review. Thank you.
-bakagaijin
Chapter 3-
Hinata opened the door to her room and walked in. She quickly and softly shut the door behind her. She unzipped her jacket, and tossed it lightly on her coat-rack. Soaked in her own sweat, and exhausted, she began to peel away the rest of her clothing. As the damp black fabric was pried away from her soft milky skin, she shivered from the chilled air. First her upper body, and then her lower body followed. She was completely revealed to the world, and yet cloistered within her room.
Then with all the weight of a feather, she landed on her futon with her face in her pillow. She heaved a deep sigh into the pocket of linen and fluff. The red of her face deeply contrasted with the white of the cloth. The scent of clean sheets adding to all the comforts she had felt this day.
"Naruto-kun held my hand!" She was practically squealing with glee on the inside.
She rolled over and stared at her ceiling. Those off-white eyes were half-closed in dreamy state. Hinata was almost an entire world away, and with good reason.
"Aaaah. A whole day with Naruto-kun. Morning training, and an after training meal alone."
Flashback
They walked home together, in the pouring rain. Hinata couldn't tell, but she didn't think he cared about being soaked anymore than she did; but she knew it would not be for the same reasons. Still this did not demean a single moment of her time with the maverick-nin. Being her usual shy self, she could do little to offer any conversation. Fortunately that was not a problem. Naruto was a talker, and Hinata did the best thing in the world for him; the thing she herself did best- she listened.
Not only did she listen, but she never wanted to stop. One-sided, Naruto could be an excellent conversationalist. He could and would talk about almost anything. From training, to ramen, to practical jokes, to dreams, to hopes, to casual observations; and oddly enough every subject he spoke of seemed to center around her in a way. It was about her training with him. The types of ramen she might like. Her interpretations to dreams he'd had, his optimism for both her hopes and his, and all the casual observations he could make about her and her teammates or her family.
She felt as though she was the new axis around which Naruto revolved, and she would not give up that feeling just yet. So when Naruto started to turn around the corner, she finally spoke up.
"A-Ano, Naruto-kun? Would you like some ramen for lunch? My treat?"
Naruto stopped in his tracks. He slowly turned around and it almost looked like he was fighting off tears. Not an unexpected reaction from the boy, but all the same it was too cute for words in Hinata's opinion. She blushed a little more deeply, and barely managed to contain a small squeal.
"No, Hinata I don't think I can." He smiled closing his eyes with a shrug.
Hinata was dumbfounded. Naruto was refusing ramen? HER Naruto?
"I think I should be the one to treat you." He said, startling her out of her shock, and into euphoria. No sooner had he finished his sentence did he take her soft hand and led the way back to Ichiraku's. He did not let go, and she did not protest; though she did drag her feet somewhat due to the fact that most of her concentration was spent on the fight to keep from losing consciousness once again.
End Flashback
She sighed again, her heavy bosom rising and falling with each heated breath. Hinata bit her lip. It was thoughts like these that could get her going, and she fought them with every fiber of her being. She intended to be truly pure for Naruto. Loving him as she did, she knew more than anyone else in the village the hardships her love had faced. She felt he deserved that at the least. Yet it was always difficult for the lovesick kunoichi; especially on good, Naruto-filled days. And for Hinata, today was a very good day; but it wasn't over just yet.
A knock came at her window. She covered herself with her pillow, and looked outside. Floating around her window was a cloud of buzzing, black, beetles (say that three times fast ). They swirled and weaved in and out in a pattern, waiting for the window to open. Seeing no sign of their host, Hinata rose and at the last opened her window
It was far below Konoha in a deep dark room where Sasuke Uchiha lay. His chamber was one of concrete and bars. He was shackled to the wall, and did not even have the luxury of a bed or even a patch of straw. Those cold hard shackles were covered in seals that drained away one's chakra. By all accounts Sasuke should not have been breathing for the amount of time he spent in them; yet he was not only able to breathe, but to walk around and perform mild calisthenics.
The dark pit of a room was one among many cells in a network of underground tunnels. This particular area of the network was used to detain and interrogate prisoners that may have information that could keep Konohagakure safe from harm. At this point, however it was empty save for the former traitor, hoping to repatriate.
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" thought the current man on the watch. Inoshishi Kanaye, apprentice to Morino Ibiki.
True to his name, the young aspiring ANBU set forth in all of his tasks with great rigor. His current duty was no exception. In fact he was doubly motivated. This buff, hot-breathed, shinobi was fiercely loyal to Konoha. It was paradise to him, and he would stop at nothing to keep it safe. So, naturally guarding a prisoner was a fine and virtuous task to the black haired youth; and therein lay the second motivation- Sasuke himself.
To Kanaye, Sasuke was the imbodiment of an insult to Konoha, and even more to Kanaye himself. This snake-tainted excuse for a shinobi, was a proven traitor. He had turned his back on the village and all who were loyal to it. He had even been involved in several attacks on his own home nation. And now here was. Caught, chained, and at the mercy of the Village of Fire Hidden in the Leaves.
And why was all of this so? Because he had finally been caught and convinced to repatriate. Not by the Godaime. Not by Hatake Kakashi, or his associate Yamato. Not even by the ever capable Ibiki, but by the only thing in the world more dangerous than Sasuke; Uzumaki Naruto- The container of the Kyubi no Kitsune.
Kanaye had no personal grudge against the slightly younger shinobi. He even had a grudging respect for Naruto's fervor, which was much like his own. But, as much as Naruto had proven himself an asset to Konoha, he had also proven himself equally volatile. Naruto was prone to what the Godaime had called "outbursts." Kanaye would have called them "eruptions."
It was like watching a volcano. A volcano of rage and hate ignite and flow forth its molten fires. The demon jailer was virtually a demon himself. He was a threat to the village. And Kanaye did not stand for threats. It infuriated him to see two harbingers of doom to continually draw the same breath as he. He would not tolerate it.
'The safety of my home is at stake. It is clearly up to me!' Kanaye mentally declared.
He glared down at the young Uchiha, who glared back just as menacingly. Sasuke knew Kanaye's opinion of him. He had made sure of it. He could not directly abuse his captive, but he could make his life unpleasant in many other ways. Spilling his dinner, giving him filthy water, moving him to a cell without light or if he felt like it, too much light. Kanaye used to frequently hold inspections on Sasuke and his cell, until the ex-traitor made some accusations which Kanaye would not allow to be repeated again; even if that meant allowing someone else to make the inspections at more reasonable intervals.
All of it was calculated. All of it was done with a single intention. To drive the younger man into a rage, and prove that he was indeed a threat to the village. At that point action could and would be taken.
Sasuke knew of the hatred from his most frequent of guards. For some reason the "wart-hog" felt that he had a personal vendetta against Sasuke. Well fine, let him have his little tantrums. Sasuke had dealt with far worse than this nuisance, and he would do so again.
'I might be more aggravated, if I did not have my little pleasures every now and then.'
Sasuke was not without friends. Neither of the two people he wanted to see could visit him; Naruto and Sakura were forbidden to do so. What's more his actual location was hidden to all but a select group. Even the elders did not know where he was being held. Sasuke didn't quite know where he was either.
Yet that didn't mean his friends could not write, or send word. And that is exactly what they did. Naruto sent a small letter every week, and Sakura sent a letter every day- sometimes twice a day. These letters were always delivered. Tsunade made certain of that by giving them to Sasuke herself.
She would often come at the end of her day, making this her last official chore for the day. Usually she would come with a little treat that Sakura had made for him, and she would feed it to Sasuke. Of course, she would claim half of the confection for herself as a "payment." Now was about the time that she would come into holding area, and sit down with Sasuke for "another one of their little chats." Only, this is not what would happen. Fate had something else in store for Uchiha Sasuke this day.
My, my, my, Kit. You're quite the lady's man now, aren't you?
'What the hell are you babbling about now, stupid fox?'
Don't play coy with me, Naruto. You're not smart enough for that. I live inside of you remember? I see what you see, hear what you hear, and feel what you feel.
'Oh, no shit! Any other breaking news, or can I go back pretending like you don't exist.'
I saw the way you looked at that young girl. You're starting to have feelings for her. Plan to mate any time soon?
Naruto nearly stumbled as he walked home.
'Shut that hole in your face! Yeesh! Perverts around me, perverts inside of me, perverts young and old! It's a wonder I'm not chasing down naked women.'
That would be a welcome change of pace for you.
'Why are you so interested in who I like or dislike?'
She'd be a good catch. Think of the little kits you could have together. Just one little romp into her room at night while she's asleep and…
'Not another word! Just keep things like that to yourself!'
Kyubi let go a loud and maniacal laugh that eventually faded into silence. Apparently he had finished taunting Naruto for the moment. Normally Naruto wouldn't be so bothered by it, but this time the fox had struck a nerve. Naruto couldn't deny it. Hinata was cute.
This fact caused a great stir of emotions within him, but he wasn't afforded the time to sort it out. At that moment when turning the next corner, he saw Hinata's teammate. Aburame Shino was sitting on the stairs to his apartment. When Naruto came into view, he stood up and gave a silent wave. Naruto returned the wave and walked up to him.
"Need something, Shino?"
"Hai. I am the one responsible for sending messages today. This one is for you." Shino handed a yellow envelope to Naruto.
"Good luck with your training, my friend. If you would like any help, you know how to find me."
Shino turned on his heels. He took off his glasses, and then placed his ANBU mask on his face. He turned around again and placed his glasses over the mask. He gave a polite bow before walking away on a receding stair of beetles. Naruto opened the envelope and looked at its contents.
Far away from the lands of Konoha, atop the mountain that withstood a barrage of lightning for two days, stood naked a tall man with disheveled hair. He let flow his constant tears. This man eyed his four accomplices rising up the side of the mountain he had been steadfastly observing. He let the showers of the ending storm whip and wash away all of his stains; all of his physical stains.
He stepped down from his perch on the summit, and then turned to look at his young companion, still sobbing quietly. Her gag was not in place, her ties were mostly undone, but she was not physically able to move away from this wicked being. She merely cried at her ruination.
This monster of a man stepped forward and stood over her. Watching as she made what little movements she could. She looked up at him, with fear and defeat in her eyes. She couldn't look away. The monster had her fully within his clutches.
He leaned over and smiled down at her, with tears running down over that evil grin. He reached out and lightly stroked her inner thigh. She began to cry again, but her throat was now too raw to make any cries for help.
"You poor little thing." He began to sob. "You have truly suffered. What little happiness you once had is now a distant memory. It will never return. I truly do weep for you."
At last she looked away, and continued to cry. Her chest heaving with heavy breaths of pain.
"You needn't worry. I shall keep my promise to you."
The man let go of her thigh, and stood. With a small needle, he pierced his thumb, and wiped a line of blood across his opposite palm. Then he held that palm under his chin, to let a single teardrop fall and mix with that crimson line. He turned around, and placed his hand on a nearby boulder before walking away. For a moment lines and Kanji spread out across the surface of this boulder, and then there was a great puff of smoke before an even greater shadow loomed over the young woman.
"As promised, I now put an end to all your suffering."
The man retrieved his single yukata, and dressed himself as he approached the newcomers to the scene.
"Osoru. Gekido. Itami. Zōo. You are late. I have been very sad without having at least one of you in my company."
Osoru answered him first. "I am afraid you are quite mistaken, Setsuna. We are not late."
"No. Indeed, we are right on time. It pains me to say this, but you are early." The purple covered man raised his straw hat, and looked across to Setsuna with a wince in his expression.
Setsuna once again began to cry, and he hugged the man in purple. "Forgive me, my friends. I must have received the message early. I should never have made such accusations against you. Especially you Itami."
At last the man in red spoke up. "Shut up, all of you! All three of you are really pissing me off!"
"Enough Gekido. You all know I hate it when you start to bicker. It causes delays." The man dressed in black stood before them. They all fell silent. He then turned his back to them. "Have you finished cleaning up your mess, Setsuna?"
"Yes, Zōo. I have put away my toy. Though I am sad I cannot play with her anymore."
"Worry not. Soon enough, you will have more than you could ever play with." The dark man then began to walk back down the mountainside.
"And then that will make me sad." Setsuna whispered, following after him, with the rest of the group.
Naruto walked into the office. He stood before the Hokage, who over the years, had grown into the position quite well. She had all the regality of a great ninja, and leader of thousands. Of course that was always dispelled the moment Naruto opened his mouth.
"Yo, Baa-chan!"
"NARUTO! I've told you time and time again, never to call me that!"
"Yeah, yeah." He smiled looking at her loom over the desk. Once again he had succeeded and gotten under her skin. "I'm here to report for training."
"I know that. Have you read your training syllabus?" She sat back down, and closed her eyes, letting her eyebrows knit together.
"Yeah. Looks like fun. When does my instructor get here?"
"He is already here, Naruto."
Naruto jumped ten feet in the air when that slender hand touched his shoulder. No one ever got the drop on Naruto. EVER. He had always been at least slightly aware of a person's presence if not their location or their intentions. Yet this man did exactly that. Naruto's intuitions were confirmed. His instructor could literally disappear.
Yosei took off his mask and smiled. This green haired, slender man smiled his otherworldly smile. Enjoying the little joke he and Tsunade had decided to play, he made his introductions.
"My name is Yosei. Just Yosei. I like trimming banzai, and sleeping outdoors. I dislike people who mar nature for no reason. I have no hopes or dreams."
Naruto, having been through this before recognized this introduction. Kakashi made Team Seven go through this when they first met. Apparently this "Yosei" knew his former sensei and teammate.
'Alright, then. I suppose I can play along.'
"I am Uzumaki Naruto. I like Ramen, playing pranks, training, and being with my friends. I dislike the three minute wait for the water to boil, stuck up snobs, and people who mess with my friends. I WILL become the next Hokage…"
Both Yosei and Tsunade smiled at this introduction. Naruto had most definitely matured over the years, and yet not much about him had changed. Then they heard the next words of the young ANBU-to-be.
"...and the successor to the Frog-Sage, Jiraiya."
Their eyes widened slightly, and their smiles followed suit half a second later.
"Uchiha Sasuke…" began the stern looking Kunoichi. "...after undergoing multiple intense examinations and evaluation you are hereby released from internment…"
Sasuke's own eyes had inadvertently changed to the sharingan in his surprise. A jolt of pain automatically shut them off. The woman continued.
"You are now on parole and are reinstated as a ninja of Konoha under a probationary period."
Sasuke forced himself to stand up. Despite his most frequent host's lack of courtesy he could still stand tall without passing out, if he willed it. "The terms?"
She cleared her throat. "Ahem. The terms for your probation are as follows: You will be under the watch of an appointed Konoha ninja, to be appointed upon you release. You will be restricted to certain areas of Konoha. You will not be allowed to leave Konoha, save on a mission. And lastly, you must wear CFI's at all times, until it is ruled otherwise."
"CFI's?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
" 'Chakra Flow Inhibitors' they absorb and neutralize a specific amount of chakra that your body produces to lower your overall strength in jutsus; thus making you easier for us to subdue should the need arise."
"I see." Sasuke turned to look at the wall.
"If you accept these terms, and then violate them you will be immediately re-confined and face possible execution. Do you agree?"
Though Sasuke's reply came casually, and with no emotional undertones; but there wasn't even enough time to blink before he spoke.
It was only through sheer force of will that Kanaye did not fall to the floor the moment he heard the written orders of the Godaime. In his opinion, this was sheer madness. Not even a year had gone by and the traitor, whose sins could only be exceeded by those of Orochimaru and Akatsuki, was to be set free and re-instated. Kanaye was grateful to be in the shadows where the puce coloring of his face could not be seen. Eventually he calmed down; all was not lost.
'What to do? What to do?' he thought to himself. 'This certainly ruins my original plans. I had hoped to tread lightly, but now my actions will require more boldness.'
His face back to normal, he grunted after hearing Sasuke's reply and stepped into the light.
Hiashi sat silently in the secret Hyuga training grounds. These grounds were well hidden within the village, and were far away from the compound. No one but the heads of the main branch and their successors knew of this place; not even the Hokage. There was a reason for that. One Hiashi would soon reveal to his daughter.
Hinata entered the field, slightly wide-eyed from the secret passage that took to this place of beauty. Hiashi smiled warmly at her, and stood up gesturing around equally warmly. It was quite unusual for him, and Hinata was somewhat confused by it. The aging man understood this perfectly. He had been through a similar situation himself. He smiled wider and walked forward, meeting his daughter halfway across the field.
"This is the Hyuga ground of secrets, Hinata. Here there are no formalities, no observances. We have no witnesses or judging eyes. Here is where we are truly free to be who we are. In this case, father and daughter."
"It's beautiful, father. Why have I never seen it before?"
Hiashi hugged his daughter, which was a shock to Hinata. "Because you had not been officially declared my successor, until today."
Hinata looked up. Her eyes were literally bugging out of her head.
"This place is as I said- a secret. When your grandfather died only two people knew about it. When your mother passed, it became one. Now that you know, you may not tell anyone; not even Hanabi. Understand?"
Hinata nodded.
"Good. It is here that I will begin to train you personally."
"You are going to teach me, father?"
"Hai. You have learned all the techniques of the main branch from your cousin Neji; except one. This one is something reserved only for Clan Heads and their successors. Do you think you can master this final jutsu, Hinata?"
"Hai, father! I will pass this final test. I shall prove myself worthy of your trust in me." Hinata was glowing with an excitement, barely contained.
"Excellent! We will begin at once."
