Chapter 3: Naruto's Talent

Iruka was glad that he listened to Ibiki-sensei and stopped thinking of Naruto as a demon. He found that he really liked him, and even thought of him as a little brother in the short time he knew him.

Ibiki-sensei told him many times that treating Naruto like a demon would eventually turn him into a true demon. Iruka also realized that Naruto was just like him. He had no parents, and was completely alone in the world. Iruka felt it was his duty to take Naruto under his wing and teach him all that he knew.

The first thing he taught Naruto was how to pull pranks.

However, Naruto ended up being the one teaching him. Soon enough people began to call Naruto the most notorious prankster that Konoha had ever seen, and people forgot that Iruka was ever a prankster. Iruka was more amused than angry that his title was stolen. Naruto's pranks were so original that he gained a group of devoted followers from outside the village who came long distances just to see the results of Naruto's pranks.

Konoha's most highly annoying and downright snotty people tended to turn into some sort of harmless animal when they were around Naruto. Iruka could never figure out how he did it, but it was always amusing nonetheless.

Naruto was roaming the village at the dead of night, making preparations for his next big prank. He knew this one would definitely impress Iruka.

Most of Naruto's pranks were inspired by Harry's memories of Fred and George, and from stories about Harry's father. Harry also found that pranks were the best way to teach Naruto magic.

Naruto was getting out some bottles of vinegar when he spotted a foreign ninja armed with weapons walking around. Naruto knew from being himself that anyone walking around in the dead of night should be regarded with suspicion.

The strange man was walking over to the Hyuuga sector. Iruka that Hyuuga's side of the village was off-limits after Naruto pulled a prank on one of the snotty Hyuuga elders, even though he probably deserved it.

However, Naruto was curious enough to disobey Iruka's orders.

The Hyuuga estate was a series of houses. The man walked into the largest house, which had a young guard sleeping against the wall. Naruto was about to follow, but Harry stopped him, telling him to stand back and watch him at a distance.

There was a ninja coming out of the house with a small girl. His hand was over the girl's mouth to keep her from screaming. The tiny girl looked absolutely terrified.

"What are we going to do?" Naruto asked Harry.

"Do something to alert the family of the intruder." Harry told Naruto. Naruto thought carefully for his plan. Then he walked closer to the moving ninja, but not close enough to alert the man of his presence.

Naruto produced a patronus in the form of a nine-tailed fox.

"AHHHHhhhhhhh!! The Kyuubi's ghost!!" The man had shouted loud enough the entire village to hear. The Patronus chased the ninja back into the Hyuuga house where a group of people with white eyes came running out.

A tall grabbed the small girl out of the ninja's arms and held onto her protectively along with another boy. The girl was crying now. The other man said something that Naruto couldn't quite catch, and saw veins appear on his forehead. The nameless ninja was still running around and screaming.

Naruto made his appearance and ordered the Patronus to corner the ninja so that the Hyuuga could capture him. There was no need to do that though. As soon as the Patronus edged closer, the ninja fainted. Naruto laughed. Everyone turned their gazes from the Patronus, and towards him instead.

Naruto looked around nervously. He noticed a face shyly peaking out from behind the man who held the small girl. The man looked kinder than the man with veins, so Naruto edged closer to him and the children. The man put the girl down and kneeled so that he was eye-level with Naruto.

"You are Naruto, correct?" Friendly Hyuuga man spoke gently, kneeling down in front of him. Naruto nodded.

"Hello, Naruto. My name is Hizashi. This girl is my niece, Hinata. The boy behind me is my son Neji. That ugly man over there is my brother Hiashi." The other man, who was staring at the Patronus, looking confused, glared at the other man. Naruto giggled.

"Is this yours?" The Hiashi asked. Hinata tried to touch the Patronus. It faded away. She scuttled behind her father.

"He's mine. There was something weird about that man over there." Naruto pointed to the unconscious ninja. "So I followed him."

"That wasn't the real Kyuubi." Hiashi said.

"Of course not. I heard the real one was much bigger and way more uglier." Naruto said. Kyuubi snored and rolled over.

"It's alright." Naruto assured them. "The giant furball had nothing to do with this. The power is my own."

"Well, as this strange power of yours is, it did just save the life of my daughter. For that, I thank you." A smile graced his stern features. Then walked towards Naruto and ruffled his blonde hair. He looked down at Naruto. "You are quite talented for someone so young. And that prank was very entertaining." Hiashi said the last part quietly.

Naruto beamed.

The ninja woke up. He tried to get away.

"Levicorpus." Naruto shouted in his mind. The Cloud ninja was dangling in the air as if an invisible force was holding him by the ankle. Hinata and Neji giggled. "Just as said, very talented." Hiashi said again.

"We'll take from here. Neji, take Naruto to your room. He'll be sleeping in there with you tonight."

The sleepy children began leaving the room.

"Oh, and Naruto." Hiashi said. "What were you doing out so late?"

"Well, this is my room." Neji indicated to the large room.

"It's huge!" Naruto said in amazement. Naruto never knew that people could have such large bedrooms.

"You should see Hinata's room. It's much bigger. But my bed is way softer than hers. Come on, we can both sleep in it."

"Thank you for helping my cousin." Neji said as they got into bed. Naruto fell asleep and Harry took over.

"It was my pleasure." Harry said.

"Will you be my friend?" Neji asked.

"Gladly." Harry said, as Naruto.

"Good, because I like you, and you have to be my friend no matter what and ..." Neji kept on talking. Harry guessed Naruto was Neji's first friend as well.

Hizashi walked in to check on the boys. He smiled as he saw Neji talking to Naruto like he never talked before while Naruto was barely listening. Hizashi was already becoming fond of Naruto.

Hiashi gave the Cloud ninja to Ibiki for interrogating. There was no forehead protector on the man, but he knew he was from Cloud. That made it the third time that a Cloud ninja tried to take Hinata. He was only glad that Naruto was there to stop the man.

Hiashi was not exaggerating when he said that he was impressed by Naruto. Not even the children of his own clan was as advanced as Naruto. Hiashi was even thinking of adopting Naruto. Unofficially, of course. The clan elders would never allow Naruto to take the Hyuuga name. They gave him a difficult time with every decision he made lately.

Having an outspoken brother who didn't even care if died, as long as his son lived a better life, humbled Hiashi a bit. It made him look past the prejudice most people had toward Naruto. Instead, he saw him as an innocent boy who just wanted to be treated like a normal person.

Besides, Naruto pranked that snooty old clan elder. Last he heard the man was still bright orange. Anyone who could knock the meddling old man a peg or two would always become a favorite person of his.

With that thought, Hiashi decided he would become Naruto's unofficial guardian.