Sapphire09: I'm reposting the original version of Scattered Fragments since I remembered someone requested me to, but I did not edit anything. So, I'm terribly sorry for the grammar.

"Human talks"

'Human thinking'/ flashback/memories/ dreams

'Telepathic conversation between humans'

Letters/ notes

"Demon/other inhuman things talks"

'Demon/another inhuman things thought'

'Telepathic conversation between demons/other inhuman things'

CHAPTER VI
Tree Climbing Exercise

When they get back, they're just in time for room picking. There are three rooms available in Tazuna's house. Tazuna and his family will be sleeping in the same room, located on the first floor. Naruto was in the same room with Kiba and Sasuke, in the room located on the second floor, Kakashi with Shino in the living room, and the girls in the other room. For Naruto, that was quite a problem.

"I'll just sleep on the roof," Naruto said as he walking to the second floor. "Do you have a problem with your roommates?" Kakashi asked. "Duh! I'm not going to sleep with a bastard and dog-breath!" he said as he disappeared from sight. "Who're you calling dog-breath, idiot!" Kiba yelled in rage as he run to second floor. Sasuke followed behind, but he walked calmly.

Kakashi sighed. "Oh well. Good night," he said not caringly. He then walked to living room, followed by Shino. Kurenai then walked to the second floor, followed by Sakura and Hinata. On the way to their room, the girls all talking about something like 'having a girl's time', except Hinata that just smiling shyly.

Naruto jumped from their room's window to the roof. He still hearing Kiba's scream of rage and that just plain annoying. When Kiba has arrived, Naruto is just about to jump onto the roof. Kiba then run to the window and look up, to see Naruto about to sit on the roof and began stargazing. Sasuke then arrived shortly. He then walks towards the bed. Kiba then decides just to go to sleep, and care about Naruto later.

After Naruto sure that they all asleep, Naruto then begun stargazing again. 'The moon is beautiful tonight,' he thinks. He then thought about his childhood, which so painful. 'True strength are something that comes from your heart, isn't it? Dad, I wish you to be here. Am I doing the right thing, if I destroy Konoha? Or should I protect it, like you once do?' Naruto thinks to himself. He then pulls out a scroll and unseal it to reveal a violin. He then began to play it. It was beautiful, yet sad.

(Insert Song : Sad Romance Violin Version.)

Sasuke wakes up and heard a faint noise. He then walks to the window and looks up to the roof. He sees Naruto stargazing, and playing a violin. He then joined by Kiba, that have an amazing hearing. He heard Naruto's play too.

Kiba and Sasuke were… quite impressed seeing their blonde friend playing a violin. Added to that, the wind and leaves were seemed like dancing along as he played. They have to admit, he have quite a hand, even if it sounds quite saddening. They then continue on listening.

..-

Naruto suddenly stops playing (A/n: if you have it in your computer, the timer should show around 1:20). Kiba and Sasuke see it as their cue to see their blonde friend. They jumped to the roof and see Naruto face his face towards the sky while his violin nowhere in sight. They come over to him then.

"Whaddaya want, bastard? And dog-breath?" Naruto said as he sees them. He actually feels their presence when he was playing, that's why he stops. But, he has to keep on act, right?

"We heard noises," Sasuke started. Naruto then sat up and put on an innocent questioned face. "What noise?" he asked innocently. "What the hell! Since when you can play the Violin?!" Kiba asked bluntly.

"You heard me playing? Man, that's embarrassing! Don't tell anyone, please?" he then in pleading stance. "Why?" Kiba asked back.

"Come on, man! It's embarrassing! Please?" Naruto put on his puppy-dog eyes no jutsu. "Alright then, if you want it like that," Kiba agrees, falling for that cute eyes. "What the hell ?!" he thinks when he realized that. Sasuke just mutters something under his breath.

"What?" Naruto asked when he heard Sasuke's muttering. "Nothing. By the way, what are you doing?" Sasuke said, turning off the conversation. "I'm stargazing. I'm about to sleep until you guys shows up," Naruto said as he lay down again. This time he also closed his eyes.

"Are you sure you wanna sleep here? There's still enough room down there," Kiba asked. Naruto shakes his head. "Thanks, but no. I like the stars tonight, and I don't want to miss it," he answered as he lay on his back

"Just go away, you bastards. I'm desperate to go to the slumber land," Naruto shooed. Sasuke just look at him emotionlessly, and followed Kiba, then went to bed.

At bed, Sasuke is lying down, but he can't get himself to sleep. Before he heard Naruto's singing, he was having a dream. It was exactly the same one with the one he was having when he falls asleep on top of the Hokage Mountain.

'That dream is bugging me. Who is that girl? Minami, is it? I think I'd have met her before, but it stills a blur. I've never seen her, even in academy! Is… Itachi killed her?' Sasuke's eyes closed. With his blurred memories, he tries to go to sleep, which is succeeded.

Sasuke's dream

"Nii-san, can I see her again today?" a 6 years old Sasuke asked to the 12 years old Itachi. He had fun playing with the current girl that he just met yesterday. It's rare for him to plays with a girl his age that is not drooling over him, like some fangirls he just met in the streets.

"Sure, Sasuke. But, I can't come with you. I have a mission to do. You remember the way, right?" Itachi said in concerning look. "Of course I have! I remember it perfectly!" Sasuke said. Itachi just smiled.

"But, don't tell father that you're going to meet her, okay?" Itachi tells Sasuke in worried look. Sasuke looked Itachi in questioning look. Itachi sighed.

"Father didn't like her. If you tell him, you'll be forbidden to see her again. You didn't want you and her to be punished by father, right?" Itachi said in whispering voice. Sasuke nodded in understanding.

"Okay then. I'm off!" Sasuke said as he saying good bye to Itachi, and his mom, without telling her that he's going to see Minami, except to Itachi. His father is currently out, thankfully.

When Sasuke arrived in the stream, he finds a blonde girl with shoulder length hair that tied in low ponytail. She was sitting near the stream banks.

"Hi, Minami-chan!" Sasuke greeted. Minami look to his direction and smiled. But, her bangs are covering her eyes, and shadows cover up her face.

"Hi, Sasuke-kun. I'm glad that you're here," Minami greeted back as Sasuke walk closer up to her. "Did you always hanging out here? Yesterday, you were also here," Sasuke ask. He is curious. Usually, kids around their age play in the play ground or in the park.

"You could say it like that. But, at least that cut you the time needed to find me. Everyday, I'm just hanging out here! I didn't suspect that you'll come by today, thou. By the way, did you need something?" she asked.

"Well, I just think that can I hang out with you? Nii-san said he has a mission to do, so I'm pretty bored."

"Sure! Let's play!" she grins. Don't know why, Sasuke thinks that her grin were like a fox grin.

They played, until they notice that the sun is begun to set. Sasuke then tell Minami he has to go home. He didn't want his father to ask where he has been. He said farewell to Minami and prepare to left, but he then notice that Minami's smile is isn't cheerful as usual. It's a little bit sad.

"What's wrong, Minami?" Sasuke asked in concern. "Ah! Nothing. Nothing at all," Minami said as she looks at Sasuke's eyes. She had beautiful blue eyes, as if it wanted to rival the skies. It's the last thing he sees, and the pictures begun to blurred out.

End of Sasuke's dream

Sasuke's eyes snapped open. 'Again? But, at least this time somewhat different. But, still no clue about who Minami is,' he thinks inwardly. Sasuke is not really a morning person, but he feels like having morning training for a bit. He then walked to the window, and to face the cold temperature. From the clock that hanging on the wall of the room, Sasuke sees that it's only 06.23 a.m.

"I'll see if anyone has woken up yet," he mutters. He then suddenly remembered that Naruto is sleeping on the roof. He then went up and checked, but he's already gone. Passing Kiba that still asleep, he walks out from the room and heads toward downstairs. He sees Kakashi and Shino just about to eat their breakfast.

"Where are the others?" Sasuke asked. "Kiba, you already know. The girls except Hinata are helping Tsunami-san, and Naruto left with Hinata. They said they will be going for a walk. They'll be back around 07.00 a.m. or so Naruto said," Kakashi said as he eats his breakfast. Sasuke then eat breakfast too, and walk outside.

"Where are you going?" Kakashi asked. "Warm-ups. I'll be back around 7 or later." Sasuke said as he disappears from sights.

Sasuke then went into the nearby forest. There, he finds someone with indigo hair which is freakingly very similar to Hinata, only longer and reached her waist, sparring with someone that have long blonde hair and ridiculous orange jumpsuit, the perfect imitate of Naruto's jumpsuit. He then tries to walk toward them, to get a better view, but it seems that it's a wrong move to do. They seem to notice his presence and disappeared from Sasuke's sight.

"Eh? Where are they…" he asked himself. He then feels someone tap on his shoulder. Sasuke then startled a little.

"What are you doing at this early, bastard?" It was Naruto. Sasuke then notice that Hinata is also behind him, blushing and playing her finger, like usual.

"Try to find a place to train. And what are you two doing here?" Sasuke asked back. "Oh, well, I do my usual morning training, and Hinata decides to join me. When I see you pass by, we decide to follow you. Then, suddenly you just stopped. What happened? Or did you saw something?" Naruto asked, looking past Sasuke's shoulder and try to find whatever Sasuke was may just saw. Sasuke didn't know, whether should he nor shouldn't he tell him.

"I… see… someone… that dressed very similar to you both," Sasuke said at last, glancing towards the clearing where he saw them. "Huh?" Naruto and Hinata see him like he's crazy. "Forget what I've said. I think it's because of the mist, so I see things. Just forget it," Sasuke then said. He completely unaware that both of his companions are sighed in relieve, silently.

Seconds later, Kakashi and the others come to their place. "Well, good thing that you're already here. We're going to train you something," Kakashi said. "Train? What are you going to train us? What? What?" Naruto asked cheerfully, while in his mind, 'If this going to be a stupid tree-climbing training, I'll kill him.'

"Tree climbing." Naruto frowned. "Tree climbing? We already know how to climb trees!" Naruto said. "Yes, I know. But, this time, you'll going to climb without using your hands. Watch," Kakashi said as he walks to a large tree. He then put his right leg to the tree and put another one. He keeps walking and standing upside down on a tree branch. The genins look at him in awe.

"Sorry, sensei. But, me and Hinata already know how to do that," Naruto said. The others look at him in shock. "When did you learn this? Hinata, I can understand. Since her family must've taught her," Kurenai asked before Kakashi can. "Remember, sensei? In the first week after we managed to do your bell test, we didn't do anything, neither mission nor training. That's why I train myself. In the middle of my training, I saw Hinata do that tree climbing thing, so I ask her to teach me because I think it was cool. I learn it, I try it, and then I can do it," Naruto give his explanation.

"A-ano, th-that's t-true," Hinata stutter. "Then, why didn't you teach your teammate, Hinata?" Kurenai asked. Hinata's face look faulted. "A-ano, it was b-because I d-didn't think t-that this w-was i-important. I don't w-want t-to interrupt t-their p-practice, so I d-didn't a-ask e-either of t-them. I'm s-sorry," she stutters again. 'That was good,' Naruto thinks.

"It's okay. But, next time, try to ask them first. Then, can you do water walking?" Kurenai asked then. Kakashi already get down from the tree and stand beside Kurenai. Hinata nodded. 'That was predicted. Hyuuga moves need an absolute control of chakra. It's not a surprise,' Kakashi thinks. Kurenai also have the same thought. She then moves her sight to Naruto. "You, Naruto?" Kurenai asked again in uncertain tone.

"I can, believe it!" Naruto grinned. Kakashi blinked for a few times. "Eh?" Kakashi said. 'That was unexpected,' Kakashi thinks. "I. Can. Do. Water. Walking," Naruto said slowly. "Because we both can do those things already, can we train something else?" Naruto asked impatiently.

"A-ano, Kurenai-sensei, err… I-we… umm," Hinata blushed. 'I really need to thank whoever made this make-up. The color is just perfect! Just combine it with ninja arts, and walla! A shy girl is born,' Hinata thinks inwardly.

"May we train something else? Can we-….we'll just train over there; call us if you need anything. Okay? Fine? Yes! Bye!" Naruto rushed towards the near clearing, grabs Hinata's right hand and pull her along with him. The others just sweat dropped at the scene, even more when they see that Hinata fainted (or pretending to faint) when Naruto grab her arm. The sensei then back to their sense and give their current pupils a hint on how to do tree-walking. Sakura, being a bitch she is, decides to ask something that is not important.

"Why is Naruto getting such a special treatment?" she asked curiously and with a slight tone of jealousy. "What do you mean?" Kakashi asked back. "Well, why is he not training here with us? Shouldn't he be training like us too?" She repeats her question with longer words. "He is not getting special treatment, Sakura," Kakashi explained.

"He already mastered this tree climbing training. What's the point of training someone that already mastering it?" Kakashi explains with a slight tone of annoyance, that go unnoticed by Sakura and the others that heard it.

Sasuke feels jealous. Naruto, the dead last in class that failed in the genin exam, already mastered a technique that he himself just sees today! Well, not actually today. He had seen it when he saw his brother training, but it is still annoy him. He then determinate to surpass Naruto and will try to master it with the amount of time that faster than Naruto's amount of time he needs to master it.

As for team 8, they asked lesser question, but Kiba really is pissed because Naruto, the dead-last in class, can do it already and he also feel a little bit jealousy, while Shino is stoic as ever.

They then try to walk over the tree, starting in almost at the same time. After they do the hand seal to help them to concentrate their chakra, they rushed to the tree that their sensei already chose whish turns out to be rather tall and big. They use the kunai that their sensei had thrown to mark their progress.

After a few hours, Sakura was the first one that managed to get in halfway, with Shino catching up to her, followed by Sasuke and followed by Kiba closely. Their senseis aren't surprised by that. Kakashi knew why Sakura can do it fast. It's all due her small amount of chakra that gives her a perfect chakra control in advantage. While Shino, it's probably by his clan's training.

Kakashi then decides to check on Naruto and Hinata. "Where are you going, Kakashi?" Kurenai asked, seeing the masked cyclops ninja walking off. "I'm going to check on the love birds. I'll be back soon. Just watch them here," Kakashi said, not looking back. Kurenai nodded in understanding, then watch over the genins.

"Yes, that's right. Concentrate the chakra in your body to your fingertip, and then by using your flexibility, make that chakra like a thick group of thin strings that swirl around your body," Naruto instructed.

"Like this?" Hinata then do what she was told. The chakra that concentrated on the tip of her fingertip began to making some kind of thin chakra strings. Using her flexibility and speed of the spin, she makes the strings swirling around her, making a perfect barrier.

"Yes, that's right! Now, try to use my kage bunshin as a target," he then points on a kage bunshin that on her right.

"To attack, point on your finger on target," Naruto instructed. Hinata then point her index finger to Naruto's kage bunshin. The chakra strings that come from her index finger then change its direction. It then swirls around to where her index finger targeting, one of Naruto's kage bunshin. It then swirls around and tied the kage bunshin in its grip. When she moves her finger slightly, the grip then tightened and crushes the kage bunshin.

"That's how you attack. But, it require a great amount of concentration, since you have to move your arms to all direction to make a barrier, and then point whichever finger you see the easiest to the target. There's a possibility there will be a chance of your barrier to slip when you attack. You have to use your Byakuugan to see any hole on your barrier," he explains.

"Just how did you come up with this jutsu, Naruto?" Hinata asked. "I got it by combining Kugutsu no Jutsu and the Hyuuga's Juken. Interesting, isn't it?"

"Yeah, you're brilliant!!... But, maybe we'll call it a day. Kakashi is heading here," Hinata said as she feels Kakashi's chakra presence getting closer towards their current place.

"Hiya, all. What are you intended to do?" he greets as he walk closer to them. "Hi, Kakashi-sensei! I'm just asked Hinata to teach me this one cool jutsu! She said that it called…. Uhmm…" he then thinks hard. 'What should I say?'

"A-ano, Na-Naruto… It's Water Release: Water Shots," Hinata spoke with red face. "Ah, yeah! That's the name," Naruto grinned sheepishly. "Water Shots? Who taught you that, Hinata?" Kakashi asked. It is a technique that is rare for most of the genin, so it's normal for him to ask.

"A-ano… i-it w-was s-someone I m-met f-from one o-of m-my mission, I t-think."

"Who?" Kakashi asked again. "I… d-didn't have c-chance t-to a-ask t-the p-person n-name. I-I'm s-sorry," Hinata answered as she hung her head. "Oh, well. It's okay. By the way, can you watch over your teammates? Me and Kurenai will go with Tazuna to guard him while he's building his bridge," Kakashi asked.

"Hai, Kakashi-sensei! C'mon, Hinata!" he then drag her away, fainted again (which we all know that it was an act). Kakashi then go with Kurenai. Both of them then go back towards Tazuna's house. Unknown by any of them, a child with a green fishing cap watch then and leave before any of them notice.

At dawn, Sakura and Shino managed to master it, while Sasuke in 4/7, followed closely by Kiba. Sakura and Shino then back to Tazuna's house, leaving Kiba, Hinata, Sasuke and Naruto there. Hinata tries to help out Kiba, and Naruto tries to help Sasuke. Kiba is no problem, since he accept Hinata's offer to help him, but Sasuke is too big headed. He doesn't accept to be trained by a-the way he see it- dobe. Kiba then managed to master it, so he then leaves with Hinata, leaving Sasuke with Naruto, alone.

"Hey, bastard! Do you really don't want help?!" it's the 40th time Naruto asked. "NO!" and it's the 34th Sasuke's same answer (the first 6 were ignored). "You sure?" with that asked, Sasuke then falls again. He was tired, dead tired.

"You can continue it tomorrow morning, you know?" Naruto said matter-of-factly. Sasuke then just stare at the marks that he made. He then growled. He sits there and lay on his back. "DAMN IT!" he shouted to the sky. "HOW COME ITS SO DAMN HARD JUST TO CLIMB THIS STUPID TREE?!" he yelled, completely forgot about Naruto. When he realize, he quickly sat up and glare at him. Naruto notice it, and he sighed.

"You know, just because you take longer time to master this art, doesn't mean you weak," Naruto said as he sits down beside him. Sasuke just glare at him.

"It is probably because you have much more chakra than the others, so you have a hard time to control it. Sakura can master it in a little amount of time probably because she has a little amount of chakra, even maybe next to none," Naruto explained.

"And you know this how?" Sasuke asked back. "Hey, that's what Hinata told me when I practice this with her," Naruto answered. It then silence for awhile. Naruto then sighed and stand back. "If you don't need my help, I'll just go back to the house." He then prepares to leave.

"Hey, dobe," Sasuke called. Managed to get Naruto's attention, he then asked, but don't have the guts to see him straight on the face. "C-can you t-teach me?" he asked, a little tint of pink visible on his cheek. Naruto is a little bit startled by his question, but then he just showing off his foxy grin.

"What taking them so long?" Sakura asked herself. They are now in the middle of eating dinner. Tsunami has made extra food, so they'll still get some spare for Naruto and Sasuke. The one that done eating, namely Kiba and Shino, are just leaned on the wall while Kiba petting Akamaru. Kurenai and Kakashi also have done eating and they also lean on the wall. The only one that is still eating is Hinata, Tazuna, Sakura, Tsunami and Inari.

"Don't worry. They'll be here," Kakashi answered his worried pupil. The door then opens, reveal Sasuke and Naruto that is look so beaten out. Naruto and Sasuke are leaned on each other. "Sorry that we're late. You all still spare us some food, right?" Naruto asked as he grinned. Kakashi nodded.

They then took the empty seat and eat their dinner. Naruto cheerfully eat his meal in an incredible speed.

Unknown to him, Inari watched the blonde from underneath his hat, his hands clenching at the happy, relaxed look on Naruto's face. 'Why is he so……content?' Inari wondered in frustration. 'He has no right to be happy! He should be depressed! Gatou is too strong!'

"Why are you so cheerful-looking!" he spat out towards Naruto, making the blonde's head whip up to face him. The others also turn their attention to him. "You'll never beat Gatou! No matter how hard you train, or what glorious claims you make – when facing the strong, the weak always end up getting killed!"

"Whatever, gaki. What's your problem, anyway?" he replied and resumes eating his dinner. "You're the problem is!" Inari yelled out, standing up and slapping his hands on the table. "You with your cheerful looks and happy smile – what do you know about me?! You have no idea how rough life can be! You have no idea what pain is!" The room was silent except for Inari's heavy breathing.

Naruto stops eating and put his food on the table. "Do you think that this is some kind of melodrama?" he replies, with colder tone. Slowly Naruto turned to the kid, and Inari flinched at the cold look in the normally happy blue eyes. Everyone, save for Hinata, also shivered in the cold stare on Naruto's eyes, including Sasuke. For one that knew Naruto, they also shocked at the cold stare. Not only shivered, but also shocked. Hinata then just stare blankly. She suddenly didn't like the situation now.

"Do you think that just because your life is a bit miserable, you're the most miserable person on earth?" Naruto then leaned forward. "Well, let me tell you something. I also have suffered, no, we all did. We all have our own loss, burden, grief, or problems. But, did we just give in? No! Did we just let it be? No! We still stand tall and keep moving! We're not crying it like some crybaby!" Naruto's voce is getting higher and higher.

"What do you know?! What do you know about pain?!" Inari yelled back. Naruto then stood up, hardly. His chair falls into the ground when he stands up.

"I WAS RAISED BY NO ONE! I HAVE BEEN AN ORPHAN FOR MY ENTIRE LIVE! I FACE MY HARDSHIP OF LIFE WITHOUT ANY PARENTS TO ENCOURAGE ME WHILE YOU STILL HAVE YOUR MOTHER TO ENCOURAGE YOU! BUT, DID YOU SEE ME CRYING LIKE A CRYBABY LIKE YOU DO?! DID YOU?!" Naruto yelled. He then pinned Inari to the nearest wall.

"Now if whatever made you into the angsty brat that's standing in front of me can ever top that, then you can preach to me about the hardships of life. But right now all I see is a little boy throwing his own fucking pity party," he said in a cold tone and like a whisper, but the others still can hear that.

To be honest, everyone save for Hinata, are quite shocked, no, beyond shocked when they hear Naruto's sudden outburst. Every pair of eyes in the room is widened, except for Hinata. She just stares at the dining table blankly.

Naruto then put Inari down and storming out of the room. All was silent until Inari, with tears streaming down his face, ran out of the room as well. From everyone that is in that room, Hinata is the calmest. Her face is just emotionless.

"Is… Is that really happened to him?" Tazuna asked. No one can answer that question, since no one knows him like that. The jounin sensei knows the truth, but it's too saddened to be said.

"That is what exactly h-happened to him," Hinata answered at last. She uses a little stutter, just to not make it suspicious. Tsunami and Tazuna now put their attention to her, also with the ninjas. "He's a-always been an orphan for h-his entire life. He doesn't know p-parent's l-love like we all do," Hinata said, still in an emotionless face. She then turned her face to look at them.

"But, he still s-smiles, even when h-he's hurt. He n-never cries," Hinata said while she's smiling. She then stood up and walks upstairs. But, before she's disappearing from sights, she gives them one final glance. "If only y-you care enough to try to s-see underneath him, you will see that every smile he g-gives to us is all far from a real t-thing," she said as she disappear from view.

Silence fills up the room. Tazuna is the one that break it. "I……apologize for Inari's behavior," Tazuna said sadly. "When Naruto and Hinata come back, I'll tell you his story. I want them to hear this as well."

They then resume to eat again, but most of then had lost their appetite. Most of the ninjas are deep in thoughts.

'I… Have never knew him like that. He always smiles, always and always. Even after we all caught up doing bad things when we still in academy days, he still smiles. So, I think that his life is just normal. Well, looks like it's not as normal as I think it is,' Kiba thought. His dog is look at him with concern. "I'm a bastard, aren't I Akamaru?" Kiba whispered to Akamaru, low enough that only his dog that heard it. "I am not quite surprised that Hinata knows about him. She was always spying on him, anyway."

Shino have no idea what to think. He doesn't really know Uzumaki Naruto, but he does always see that he always smiles. With all his pranks and joke, he seems like someone that doesn't have any problems. So, he never thought that he have such a live.

Sakura didn't know how to react. She feels sorry for Naruto, yes. But she doesn't really care much. She then felt that she was such an evil person. Naruto is her teammate, but why is that she doesn't really seemed care? She doesn't know why.

'He… always appears to be a happy-go-lucky guy. He always appears to be a carefree kind of a boy. Never even once, a single thought that his life would be like that,' Sasuke thought deeply. He too, knows what it meant to live without parents. But, he still knows the love from parents, unlike him that already alone from the beginning.

The jounins instructors are already knew about it. They also knew why he had such a life.

"Minami, I think you should get down now," Hinata said to Naruto. She found him on the roof, staring at the night sky.

"You tell them too much, Hinata," he scowled. "Sorry, Nami-chan. But, I just think they should knew," Hinata replied.

"…The Red Sun will arise from the horizon, turning the day's blue sky into red bloody color. When the day's replaced by night, the Red Moon will replace the Red Sun and give the night's pitch black sky a hint of it red light…" Naruto mumbles.

"Are you still thinking about that, Nami-chan?" Hinata asked. "It is what my father wrote on his journal. Looks like that he's talking about the Akatsuki Organization and the Red Sun Organization. Akatsuki was made by him, while the Red Sun made by his enemy. I still have no idea what it means, though," Naruto said.

Gale then suddenly appeared beside them in a creamy brown blurs. "Here's a message from Tobi-san and Rhien-san," the wolf said as he gives the scroll to Naruto.

To Namikaze Uzumaki Minami, Leader of Akatsuki and
Hyuuga Hinata, Right Hand of the Leader of Akatsuki

We already in Nami and we are currently spying on Gatou. We already managed to convince Kao to join us. About Nekota Karasu, I have found out that he will attack at the bridge in five days. Kao already agreed to help and backstabs Gatou, since he does not like him anyway. However, Karasu's pupil is nothing to laugh at. Koharu Shima is a master in close-ranged and long-ranged combat. Chigaumi Hachiro is a brilliant in ninjutsu and kenjutsu. Rikumo Gen is also a master in genjutsu and taijutsu.

But, we will stay near the bridge when the fight is happening. We will help if it is necessary. Zabuza's wound is also healed by Rin, so he will be in his full health.

Sincerely with best of regards

Uchiha Obito, the Main Member of Akatsuki and
Hayama Rin, the Main Member of Akatsuki

"I think we'll just talk about this later, Hinata. We should be back now," Naruto said as he heading back. Hinata then follows him.

In his way towards the dining room, he passes Inari's room. He heard sobbing comes from his room. He then takes a peek in it. There, he saw Inari holding a picture of a man that smile. It looks like that the picture was ripped on the head part and he keeps the picture of the head in a small frame. He then leaves absently, not wanting to disturb him. Hinata just says nothing and just follows Naruto to the dining room.

In the dining room, the girls are helping Tsunami to wash up the dishes. The boys are sitting on the dining chairs. They are still waiting for Naruto to come back. Footsteps can be heard coming down the stairs.

"Sorry about all those things, guys. I don't know what came over me!" he grinned weakly. He then takes a seat beside Sasuke again. Hinata followed and take a seat beside Kiba.

The old man sighed; "Naruto-kun and Hinata-san are already here, so I'll begin. Inari has had a hard time of it ever since……" he trailed off, looking troubled.

"What happened to Inari-kun?" Sakura questioned softly.

"……Before I tell you about that, I have to explain about a person who was called 'hero' by this island," Tazuna said firmly.

"Hero……?" Kiba echoed dumbly.

Tazuna sighed, "It was about 3 years ago Inari met that man. A couple of local boys had stolen his dog, Pochi. They threw him into the lake. Pochi was a puppy – he would have never survived. Inari wanted to go save him, but he couldn't swim – he was a little kid, and I had never had the time to teach him." Tazuna sounded sad.

"Sorry……Pochi……I can't swim."

"The kids pushed him into the water after his dog. However soon after that, Pochi remembered that he could dog paddle and made his way to shore. Inari blacked out soon after that."

"You finally awake kid?"

"When he woke he was with a man in the forests nearby the lake. He told Inari that he had punished the kids for picking on him. Inari was wallowing in self-pity because he didn't have the courage to go after his dog, even though he couldn't swim. The man comforted him."

"Yeah……Any kid your age would be afraid."

"His name was Kaiza, and he was a fisherman who came here to follow his dreams. After that incident he and Inari became very close. Inari's father died early on, and it may have been because of that that they became so inseparable. It was only a matter of time until Kaiza became a part of our family. And……" Tazuna sounded sad, "he was a man that the city needed."

"Don't worry……Your dad is invincible. Because he loves this city where you are from."

"Kaiza was the hero of our city. Everyone loved him. But then……" Tazuna trailed off. "Gatou came to the city."

"And then this incident happened?" Kakashi questioned. When Tazuna shuddered violently and didn't answer Kurenai asked more forcefully, "What actually happened then?"

Tazuna looked up and there was darkness in his eyes, "Kaiza was put to death publicly by Gatou."

Sakura and Kiba gasped. Sasuke, Kurenai and Kakashi looked surprised. Naruto and Hinata held sadness in their eyes, and Shino look stoic, but inside he also shocked.

"He said that Kaiza had been committing crimes against his company – terrorist activities, disrupting the peace, and things like that. He was to be beheaded. The problem was that Inari had come to the execution."

Sakura covered her mouth in horror and Naruto grimaced, his blue eyes sad as they watched Tazuna tell the most painful part of his story. Kakashi, Kurenai, Kiba and Sasuke all looked sickened. Hinata's eyes saddened and Shino still looks stoic.

"He was killed in front of Inari's eyes. After that Inari changed, Tsunami changed……The entire city changed. Kaiza was their hero and to see him killed so easily destroyed any hope of getting away from Gatou."

Naruto closed his eyes and silent. He can understand how it feels. He-no, She also have a similar experience. She knew how it feels to lose someone that you hold dear, right in front of your own eyes. The person that she dears for is already also have died. 'Kiriya-nii san….'

Hinata also close her eyes. Shin Kiriya was one of her and Minami's precious people. He was a civilian in Konohagakure and two years older than Itachi, but he was different then the other villager. He accepted Minami for who she is, even when he knew that Minami held a demon inside her. His death was something that makes Minami and Hinata held grudge towards Konoha. Not because that he was dead in the village, but because of something that caused his death.

"We'll… be going to bed. See you in the morning," Sasuke and Kiba then left, followed by Kurenai and Sakura. Kakashi and Shino then go to the living room. Hinata then also go to her room. Naruto was the last one to leave. Looks like that Tsunami and Tazuna wanting to give Inari a moment to be alone, so they slept in other room.

Naruto then go to Inari's room, and see him still sobbing. He then come in and pats him on the shoulder. "Hey," he called. "What do you want?" Inari asked harshly. His eyes are red due to the crying. Naruto then release the henge and turns back to Minami.

"Huh?" Inari said in shocked. 'Oh, well. Tazuna already knows, he's just a kid, and I think this family can keep a secret,' she thinks after she sees his shocked expression. "My real name is Minami, but you can still call me Naruto," she smiled softly. She then leaned closer to Inari. "I also knew how it feels to lose people that we care about. It is… very sad," Minami started.

"But, I still believe that they still live," she then put her palm to the boy's chest. "In here." Inari stares at her weirdly. Minami then smiles. "They still live in our heart. The people that we care about, even if they leave this world, they still live in our heart. If he have something that he really wanted to do before he dies, or his dreams before he left, we can make it happens. That way, his presence will be always in us," he explained softly.

"But, I don't want to remember him! Remembering him makes my heart ache… I don't want to remember him… No…," Inari begun to cry again. Minami then hug him, try to comfort him. "Listen, if you forget him, then his trail in this world will be lost. Then, he will be truly died from this world. Memories, is the only trail and proof that he was lived in this world, along with us. If you forget him, then it will be the same as you said that he never exists," she said.

"… Why? If it were you, how you keep going?" he asks between sobs. "How you will handle all the memories?"

"… I'll live with all the memories I have. Even if it was sad memories, even if it was the memories that make my heart ache, even if for other people these memories too painful, to make them wish that they can forget it forever, as long as I'm not run away and keep going. As long as I keep going, someday… Someday I'm sure I can appreciate these memories and thankful because I still have them," she answered. Sad smile decorate her lips. She then continues on, "Because I… I wanted to believe that I can do it. I want to think that no memories that is not important enough. No memories that deserve to be forgotten…. No one wants to be forgotten," Inari then cries even harder.

Minami then tightened her hug. Her soft voice then filled the room. She then sings the song that she learned from Itachi. It's a slow one, and Itachi said he managed to get his upset little brother to go to sleep with this song.

Come stop your crying,

It'll be all right.

Just take my hand,

Hold it tight.

Sasuke walked outside the room. He wants to drink a glass of water. When he passes Inari's room, he heard a soft noise. Curious, he then tries to listen to it from outside the door. He can't open the door since it closed do tightly.

I will protect you

From all around you.

I will be here,

Don't you cry.

Sasuke's eyes widened. He knew this song, but he can't remember where he heard it from.

For one so small,

You seem so strong.

My arms will hold you,

Keep you safe and warm.

This bond between us

Can't be broken.

I will be here,

Don't you cry.

Later, he remembers. It was a song that Itachi sing for him one night. Slowly, he remembers why his memory disappearing…

'Cause you'll be in my heart.

Yes, you'll be in my heart.

From this day on,

Now and forever more.

His heart aches when he remembers. He couldn't believe it. He just couldn't. He then run back to the room, jump to the roof. He then cupped his left hand on his head and tries to think clearly. He was too startled by his sudden memories to notice whose voice is it.

You'll be in my heart,

No matter what they say.

You'll be here

In my heart, always.

Inari then fall asleep. Minami then henge-ed back to Naruto. After he put Inari to his bed, he unlock the door and out from Inari's window. He then closes it and just stargazing there. He didn't realize that Sasuke is just in the opposite direction from him. Sasuke also didn't realize Naruto's presence, since he was too lost in his thought.