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Ever since the attack of the Kyuubi, Naruto was shunned as 'Konoha's Demon' when he was born with the Kyuubi sealed in him. His life was miserable beyond grief. Time passed by and he has slowly proven himself as its jailer instead of its incarnate. But despite this, love never truly touched the young jinchuuriki's heart until death came over him.
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A/N: I do not own Naruto, Bleach or any other canonical characters. If I did, I wouldn't be here in FF now would I?
A/N: Thank you all for the reviews. I really appreciate all your comments and it brings much fire to my heart as a writer. This chapter will have fluff but don't expect immediate romance. They're six years old for crying out loud! Well, Hinata is at least. Sorry for the huge delay. I was watching Ai Yori Aoshi for some ideas on how to do this chapter. Fluff without much romance involved can be hard to do. But it's a challenge that I took to heart as I wrote this chapter. Hope you enjoy my work.
Talking
'thinking/flashback'
Kyuubi Talking/Jutsu
'Kyuubi Thinking'
Chapter 12
Shadow of a Fox
As the dawn raised its head…
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A faint cold, and crisp air lightly swept over Konohagakure as the universe shifted from the blackened sky of the night towards the sunny morning that was soon arising. The blanket of sleep that encased the village in its clutches kept the residents from awakening to the sounds of morning until the first light pierced through and kindled the fire in their bodies to awaken from a long night of peace and tranquility.
As the azure sky took warmly greeted the residents to start their new day, some residents resisted the light of morning as dawn was too troublesome for them to attend to despite some of which had great responsibilities to accomplish. One such person was our white mane kitsune still cuddled closely to his love. The young kitsune had stayed all night long with the Hyuga heiress to listen and comfort the young girl in anyway he could without losing his cover.
The young kitsune could feel the warm sensations of morning stream down from the window in Hinata's room. Unknowingly to him, he reflexively curled up to the young girl's chest in resistance to the awakening sensation of daylight.
'Not now sun, I want to spend more time like this with Hinata-chan.'
However, the daylight of dawn forbade him from returning to his peaceful rest as a new day awakened the blonde from his quiet slumber. The white mane kitsune opened his flaming azure eyes and saw the gleaming figure of his sleeping maiden curled up in her bed as the sun danced along her pale skin and dark blue hair.
'She's beautiful…I really am lucky to have her. All this time she actually had feelings for me. I really am an idiot to have not noticed this. I just hope I can return her love.'
The young kitsune thought as he gazed upon her slumbering form. Even now, he could see her body maturing rather quickly for her age. Most likely, it is the fruits of her training and her lifestyle in general. But despite how irresistibly beautiful she is, he needed to leave. It was difficult to escape since she had a firm grip upon one of his three tails. He struggled and comically managed to evade being gripped once more as he made a Kawarimi with the pillow next to him.
'So I can do Kawarimi with this form. I wonder what else I can pull off…'
Like a thief in the night, with graceful agility, he leaped through the very window in her room and exited the Hyuga mansion. Luckily for him it was dawn so not many would notice the white kitsune that roamed the streets of Konoha. He was fascinated with seeing from a kitsune's point of view of the world. It was far better seeing with these eyes than his human ones since now he could see as sharp as an eagle and in perfect detail as well. From the street behind the Hyuga mansion, he leaped upon the wooden walls and upon the telephone lines.
'I thought this would be hard without chakra but it's a lot easier than it looks!'
Naruto happily strolled through as he walked upon the telephone lines and leaped from rooftop to rooftop. It was rather easy for him to perform these feats of agility since his new form was built for such things. As he wondered how he was capable of performing these feats, his tenant, Kyuubi, decided to intrude his mind.
So, do you like the new body?
The young blonde then answered.
'I never imagined how to live as a kitsune and see things from your point of view. It's really fascinating.'
His tenant then chuckled and replied.
As a kitsune, your senses become sharpened and your body fits to a more agile form. Your brain capacity and intelligence enlarges. At first you were not able to use your chakra or reiatsu because of the new form as well as the fact that this form continually uses chakra and reiatsu. The amount of usage is not much, but it is a hindrance at first. Over time you will get used to the constant use that it becomes second nature to you. Right now that's not possible but eventually, your control over your chakra and reiatsu reserves will come back allowing you to perform your jutsus or kido even in this form.
The young blonde thought hard as he pondered upon his tenant's words. True enough, he could feel his chakra and reiatsu flow through his veins as it began to slowly build up in his system. When he finally understood his tenant's words, he then asked,
'So how long do I stay in this form?'
Since you did things the right way, it's easy to switch between your soul's affinity and your regular body. If you wish to return to your regular body shape, then stop the flow of chakra and reiatsu in your body.
The white kitsune nodded as he leaped upon the building just in front of his apartment window. He then sniffed the air and sighed as he smelled the scent of ash and soot seep out from his apartment. He didn't bother to go back and salvage what remained since he knew that the intense smell of burnt rubble coupled with last night's uproar meant that he had no place to rest his head.
'It looks like changing the past costs something in exchange. No matter. But now that the black notebook is all I have left, I'm out of options. Is there any other place I can live where I can train in peace and never be found out at least by the villagers?'
The white mane kitsune was right though. If he needed to train uninterrupted, he needed a place far from prying eyes so he can save his future. As he scoured through his memories of past and future, he was struck like a lightning bolt with an idea as the memory that spawned it played in his mind. He then turned around from his position and dashed along the streets as the burning daylight of sunrise pierced through the sky.
'Just a little bit further and I'll get there. I never thought that I could end up living in such a place. But what choice do I have? Besides, living off the land is part of training as well.'
The young blonde's thoughts were all directed towards the very place where he would go through in several years after. As he ended his nostalgia of the memory, he arrived at the very area he would enter to take the dreaded chunnin exams, the forest of death.
It wasn't the coziest of places, but at the very least, he could live in peace and harmony with nature. It wasn't unusual for strange animals to be living there, so it was perfect for him to hide out in if ever he is discovered in his kitsune form. Another good reason for living here would be that he could train himself and no one would dare bother him while he was here because of the many dangerous residents that thrived in this vast vegetation of treacherous land and trees.
Until we find the keys to your father's house, this will be our home?!
The Kyuubi growled at his master at the sight and smell of the deathly silent forest. Naruto understood where his tenant was getting at and responded to the fiery kitsune's protest.
'Get used to it because we'll need a place that is perfect for all our training needs. No one will dare enter here without extra precaution because of the dangerous plants and animals that live here. Either we live here or end up bleeding near a dumpster every single day.'
His tenant agreed since it would give him too much problems having to heal his bruised and battered body all the time. Of course, it was highly unlikely since Naruto was smart and strong enough to evade those events of his life. The white mane kitsune made his way through the blanket of grass and the colossal trees towering over the many animals that lived within the forest. Naruto dashed onward whilst evading the many man-eating plants and predators that hid within the bushes and tree branches waiting to lay waste upon their helpless victims. The white mane kitsune took note of everything he passed by with his senses on overdrive to process all the sensations that came across the blonde.
He dashed along for some time until he finally halted at a large tree by the tower in the center of the forest. It was an old tree that stood taller than the tower itself. As the tree stood in attention, Naruto noticed that it wasn't far away from a riverside that ran straight through the middle. Another thing about the tree was the way the roots grew. It was intriguing the way the tree formed and the way the roots sprouted out. One of the roots was spread out in a way for a small hole for Naruto in his human form to crawl underneath. The white mane kitsune entered the mini cave and was surprised to see what was inside.
The center of the tree was hollow as the light of the sun beamed down the center. The center however wasn't completely bright because of the several outcroppings that webbed around and through the center of the tree. It was then that it hit the young kitsune. It wasn't a tree in itself but a bunch of trees that merged together as one whole tree. The amazed kitsune walked through the architectural marvel of nature and was satisfied with the way the trees merged together. It was perfect.
"Looks like this will be our new home for now. We better get started eh Kyuubi?"
The kitsune said to his tenant as he transformed back into the young six year old blonde. Naruto then stretched his limbs feeling great to be back in his old body. After getting himself warmed up from the stretching exercises, he then began the chakra and reiatsu control exercises that his father and mother have taught him.
The young blonde had accomplished a major part in the past but he still needed to get his body used to his chakra and reiatsu in time for him to make it to the chuunin exams. If the seal on Byakko fades, then who knows what he would have to face as the aftermath. Naruto was determined to create a future worth living and dying for.
The entire morning through afternoon, he practiced tree walking first with chakra, then with reiatsu. It was tiring, but he had six years to perfect it until he got a full grip upon his chakra and reiatsu flow. By the time he was twelve, he would have all of his abilities back and more because of his future self and Kyuubi's future self merging with their past selves. It would be hard to for him to completely have control, but at the very least, he would be more capable at doing his techniques than during his past life.
Gaki, your control is getting better rather quickly. If you keep this up, we may be able to begin fusion techniques once more after three years.
The amused fox said to the young blonde as Naruto lay in the middle of the hollow tree, sweating profusely from the heat of the sun that began to fade in the afternoon. He was tired, but relieved knowing that his control was slowing returning to his grip because of the intense training he received from his family and his self-disciplined attitude towards it. If what his tenant said was true, then he would be able to better prepare for any attack upon Konoha and have at least a fighting chance against the elemental gods.
The young blonde's heart returned to its normal pace after a few minutes of rest. Though he was physically exhausted from the endeavor, his stamina was still as high as ever.
Naruto then sat back up and looked at his sweat stained clothing. He frowned at the only remaining clothes left from the fire. It was the only set left and it would be long before he would be able to buy a whole wardrobe of clothing for him to wear. The young blonde then pouted as he crossed his two arms in contempt.
"This is just great! Now what do I do about clothing. Although oji-san is kind enough to provide me with money every now and then, it would take a long time before I can gain enough to buy myself a good set that they won't overprice me for."
The dilemma set in until his tenant grinned and said,
You know gaki, the outskirts of Konoha have many bandits who carry stolen goods. As well as enemy shinobi who wish to enter Konoha.
The young blonde made a foxy grin as he delighted at the answer of his tenant.
"So if some unlucky bandit or enemy shinobi somehow gets 'lost' in the forest, who knows what could happen to him because of the various wildlife that thrives in it?"
The young blonde said as he agreed with his devious partner in crime. It was the only way he could gain the extra money he needed to buy himself a good pair of clothing or at the very least, scavenge the remains of the 'unfortunate soul'.
The young blonde then crawled out the way he came, and headed back for the village.
When it came to food and living space, the forest was plentiful with those resources so he didn't need to visit the village every so often. But when it came to jutsus and information, Konoha and enemy shinobi were plentiful in those terms. Naruto knew very well that his mission was all based upon information from the future and so he needed to plan ahead for Konoha's defense against the invasion plot by Otogakure and Sunagakure. Currently, he needed to assess Konoha's overall strength to see why and how the village succumbed to its near defeat. Another thing he needed to do was make sure that Sasuke was on the right path. Though he saved his parents at the very least, it won't be enough since he still lost many friends and family members to his brother which makes another dilemma—Akatsuki.
Though he knew not what the criminal organizations intentions were, he understood that they were after the lives of many jinchuurikis all for the sake of their cause. As a fellow jinchuuriki himself, he needed to put an end to their cause. All this however were just but mere shadows that pale in comparison to the haunting darkness of the release of the elemental gods.
The young blonde pondered upon all these things as he made his reconnaissance of the village from the top of the Hokage monument, to the lowliest of rats that lingered in the streets. His stealth was on ANBU level as he managed to completely mask his presence from shinobi of all ages and ranks. He came in like a wisp and left no trace as he exited. He leaped from building to building as he moved back and forth throughout the entire village.
As his exploration was near completion, he smacked his face when he remembered that the Hokage had a map of the entire village of Konoha. Naruto then grumpily made his way towards the Hokage's office. When the young blonde landed near a dark alleyway, he hid as he peeked from the corner of his right eye at the entrance to the Hokage tower. It was packed this time with many rioters from last night's fiasco as he recognized several of them from that night.
"Kuso, they just won't let up! They're probably here to complain about the Uchiha massacre and 'my' involvement."
The young blonde said to himself as he sharpened his gaze for a possible opening for him to slip in unnoticed. He searched hard as the crowd jeered angrily for Sarutobi to listen to their cries while several jounins and chuunins were struggling to hold the crowd from tearing down the giant doors of the tower. Naruto waited patiently as he gazed hard at the rioting background. He attained this skill with his countless battles during the war with Aizen and his sparring matches with his father. It was no easy feat for the stubborn blonde, but he pulled through and gained that skill. The young blonde stood firm with his body leaned on the shadow of the wooden alleyway until he spotted the opening he was waiting for. He then transformed into his kitsune form and shunpo'd all the way into the open air vent that was being cleaned by the exhausted cleaning crew just a few meters away from the double doors of the Hokage tower. He took advantage of the short two second gaze the unsuspecting crew made upon the crowd at the front door and traveled up the air vent as he made his way towards the office of his old benefactor. When the ventilation shaft grew wide enough for his body to fit, he then reverted back to his old form and crawled the rest of the way through.
The young blonde masked his presence as he neared the office. He could feel the familiar chakra and reiatsu signature of his old friend as he peered through the slit opening of the vent and scanned the room for his target.
'Good thing oji-san hasn't noticed yet. That paperwork is going to be the death of him if Orochimaru fails to kill him.'
The young blonde mentally spoke as he scanned the room with a predatory glare in search of the map until he found the paper parchment stuck across the wall. Unfortunately, he couldn't enter just yet since his benefactor was still busy inside the office doing what all Hokages dread most, paperwork. And just like divine intervention, a knock on the door snapped the focused Hokage out of his meditative state.
"Come in."
The guard outside then opened the thick double doors for a bruised jounin to stumble in. The panting jounin's form raised an eyebrow on the old hokage. When the jounin had managed to catch his breath, he then made a hasty reply.
"Hokage-sama! The crowd is getting out of hand! We may need to subdue them. What are your orders sir?"
The old warrior then rubbed the bridge of his nose and stood up.
"I'll deal with it personally. Damage control is my responsibility as well."
The young blonde inwardly smirked at his luck. The moment the old warrior and panicked jounin along with the Hokage's guards left the building, Naruto quietly, but quickly took the map and rolled it up and placed it in his pocket.
"Yosh, I finally have the map. Better make sure no one notices it's missing."
The young blonde then took out an empty paper parchment from his other pocket and pinned it to the wall where the map used to be and made a Henge over it so it looks like the real thing. He then took out his black notebook and turned to a certain passage and pumped reiatsu on an inscription until a small patch of paper puffed out in existence.
His foxy tenant made a grin of delight as he said,
Using the chakra storage sheets as a battery for the jutsu. Not bad gaki. The last time you used this was when you made a leave of absence from the shinigami academy for your father's birthday. Which reminds me, how do we go about the next six years?
The blonde then responded while he attached the small sheet of paper behind the 'map'.
"Well aside from chakra and reiatsu control, I need to practice the jutsus and kido. I need to be able to master my kitsune form as well as find the energy balance between chakra and reiatsu. And be able to have more control over your chakra when I revert to the fox cloak or even partial transformation. I hope by the time of the genin exams I'd be able to master these things."
When the young blonde finished his trap, he then crawled back in the vent where he came and placed the lid back on making it appear that he was never there. Little did the young blonde know that his old benefactor was just outside the door and listened to every word the blonde had spoken during his false sense of security in that office.
Sarutobi was curious as to what the blonde had been up to since his involvement in the Uchiha massacre. And what was reiatsu and kido that the young blonde had been talking about? A lot of explanations would soon arrive at the sandaime's doorstep from Naruto's lips the moment the old warrior got the chance. As he entered the office and looked at the fake map, he then dispelled the paper's illusion and took the sheet of paper stuck behind it and analyzed its properties as he sat down to his desk. He was shocked at the intricacy of the seal written on the paper.
"The only one who ever made seals like this was the yondaime himself! Naruto, what are you hiding?"
The old warrior said in shock as he quickly took his crystal ball and poured chakra into it until he could see the young blonde dashing away from the Hokage Tower and back into his lair.
----------o)0(o----------
Naruto then pinned the map into the walls of his new home and made ten Kage Bunshins and ordered them to their chores.
"You six will practice tree walking and water walking with chakra and reiatsu. The two of you will hunt for dinner and the remaining two will redraw the map on paper."
The clones then took two their duties as Naruto dashed out of the forest and into the streets of Konoha. He needed new clothes and equipment badly so he took to the shopping district and searched through the stores. Most of which did not allow him entry and some tried to demoralize him into leaving because he couldn't afford the items there. He then left the stores and strolled back into the streets without a care to the several glares of death that he received. The young blonde countered those glares by sending a short pulse of killing intent at them to shake them out of their wits as he made his way to Ichiraku Ramen for a bowl of his favorite meal.
However, he wasn't the only one headed in that direction as a head of bluish black midnight hair followed him from a safe distance swerving in and out of the crowd but staying hidden from view. Naruto was able to sense her from a mile away and just smiled at her antics. Her stalker tendencies were very amusing to the blonde and felt flattered that she would stalk him like a fan girl even though she wasn't one. He was happy and more thankful that he had chosen her instead of his old crush Sakura.
The young blonde then happily sat down to his usual seat and hollered at old man Teuchi.
"Oji-san! Six bowls of pork ramen and keep them coming!"
The old man and his daughter Ayame were pleased to see their favorite customer once again. The old man then hollered back,
"Oi! Naruto! I haven't seen you since this morning. I was worried where my number one customer had been. If you hadn't shown up today, I might not be able to pay for Ayame's tution fee for college."
Naruto just grinned and said,
"Well, lots of things happened and I slept in today. So how's business Nee-chan?"
The brown haired woman then smiled as she placed his ready bowl for him and said,
"Nothing much Naruto-kun. Business isn't the same without your stomach here. Actually, it's the only stomach that can keep us here in business. Oh yeah! Iruka came over and was looking for you this morning. You haven't been skipping school lately again have you?"
The young blonde grinned once more and replied,
"Well I did sleep in so I did skip school today. Next time I plan to skip school, I'll make sure that my reason is because I ate here in your stand and was too full to go back!"
Old man Teuchi frowned and then said,
"But if you eat till you're full I might go broke!"
"Then I'll just order food for Iruka-sensei so that he can excuse me from school. Better that he pigs out than me!"
They all just laughed at the young boy's reply. After finally calming down, Teuchi then said to the blonde,
"You'd better eat your food before it gets cold. I wouldn't want you not to enjoy your re-heated meal from this morning."
It was like this ever since Naruto had been eating in Ichiraku Ramen. Teuchi and his daughter always prepared several bowls for him in the morning before they opened shop which by the time they did, Naruto would enter for his morning meal.
The young blonde however didn't want to eat his meal right away. He had something, or should I say, someone, he loved more than ramen who he wanted to be with to dine with him. Naruto turned his head towards a lamp post and waved his hand towards it.
"Hinata-chan! Why don't you join me! You must be hungry at this time of night."
The Hyuga heiress hid behind the lamp post once more as she turned red as a tomato.
'Naruto-kun saw me! What do I do? What else silly! Go over there and join him! This is your chance! Go for it!'
Hinata timidly walked over as she twiddled her fingers. She then sat one chair apart from Naruto and desperately tried to control her blush as she stared into the ground in embarrassment. The young blonde noticed her actions and politely asked her.
"So what will you have Hinata-chan?"
The Hyuga heiress glanced at the young blonde and blushed as she looked away. Ayame and Teuchi just chuckled lightly in an attempt to control their laughter at the shyness of the lavender eyed girl yet her obviousness in her affections for Naruto.
"I-I'd l-like m-miso ramen please."
Ayame couldn't hold it much longer and laughed much louder. This made Hinata blush even further if there was any other deeper color than crimson. The old man began working with Hinata's order as Naruto slurped his last bowl of ramen before receiving his next serving.
Normally, the young blonde would have placed his hand over her forehead to check if she was doing fine. But the Naruto in this timeline knew she was blushing because she was with her long time crush eating a meal alone with him in his favorite restaurant. All in all, the odds were in her favor and he was willing to accept any advances she could make without worry because he was in love with her as well.
The young blonde seized the opportunity and began talking with her before her order arrived.
"So how was school today Hinata-chan?"
The well placed question snapped the shy Hyuga out of her trance as she twiddled her fingers.
"A-ano, school w-was fine. B-but you w-weren't there Naruto-kun. Iruka-sensei w-was l-looking for you. C-come to think of it, S-Sasuke-kun was l-looking for you as well."
The young girl said as Naruto listened with intent never leaving his gaze from her. This of course made the lavender eyed girl blush once more and twiddle her finger nervously as her order arrived with a chuckling Ayame to boot. Hinata then mustered up her courage once more to speak.
'Hinata! Calm down…this is your chance with Naruto-kun! Make your move!'
"N-na-Naruto-kun, a-ano—"
Before she could utter the next word, Ayame, who couldn't stand not teasing the blonde, then interrupted.
"Naruto, you never introduced me to your girlfriend! How could you hide your relationships from a long time friend?"
Both Naruto and Hinata blushed beet red at the comment. They fell for her trap as she grinned in victory when she saw their priceless expressions as many more devious thoughts entered her mind. Hinata on the other hand was having other thoughts.
'N-Na-Na-Naruto-kun's g-g-girlfriend?! Oh Kami, I think I'm going to faint…'
And that she did as she fell to the floor dazed at the sudden comment. Naruto panicked and said to Ayame as he kneeled by Hinata.
"AHH! Ayame nee-san, now look what you did!"
Teuchi and his daughter just laughed as Naruto got out a bottle of ammonium and waved the scent to her nose to wake her dazed form. This time, Naruto was prepared for something like this because he made sure that if ever this happens again, he would be able to wake her at a moments notice. Hinata managed to awaken and blushed again at the closeness of their faces.
"Are you alright Hinata-chan? You scared me back there."
Hinata quickly got up and turned her back to him to hide her beet red blush as she twiddled her fingers and said,
"I-I'm fine Naruto-kun. P-please don't worry about me."
Naruto just smiled lovingly as a faint blush formed on his face before he grinned once more and said,
"That's good to hear! How about we eat our ramen before they get cold? Ramen doesn't taste good when cold."
The young blonde urged her as he sat down and pats the seat next to him. Ayame and Teuchi got the hint rather quickly and moved her dish so that it was next to his. Hinata slowly made her way to her seat and ate the ramen while not looking directly at her azure eyed crush. Though she liked other foods more, she had a taste for ramen as well. As she ate her fill, Naruto then asked her again.
"So how have you been Hinata-chan? And what were you going to ask awhile ago?"
Hinata blushed once more as her thoughts kept ringing.
'Naruto-kun I...I...I...No No No No No NO! Bad thoughts Hinata!'
"Ano…I-I was wondering, w-what have you b-been doing today?"
The Hyuga heiress stuttered as she finished her bowl. She tried hard to stop herself from fainting at their closeness.
"I've been training hard so that I can be Hokage someday!"
The energetic blonde said to her while pumping his fist in the air. The brown haired woman took advantage of the situation and made another embarrassing comment.
"Hokage eh? Being the Hokage is a big responsibility. It's like being the king of the country. So if you're going to be the king, who's going to be your queen?"
She said as she smiled suggestively at Hinata who blushed furiously in embarrassment. Naruto then yelled,
"Ayame nee-san! I'm too young to think about something like that!"
Naruto was flustered by the antics of his long time friend. Ayame laughed along with Teuchi who added to the comment.
"But someday you WILL think about that Naruto. What kind of girl would you wish to be your wife when you become Hokage?"
Naruto blushed again but smiled happily knowing full well his answer. Hinata on the other hand could feel her tiny heart beat faster and faster as she pondered upon the question herself.
'Of course he would say someone like Sakura-san who is bold, beautiful and confident. She's the one he likes after all…'
"Actually…"
The blonde said as his flaming azure eyes grew dreamier and mesmerizing with every second he was blushing. He was like a sunflower in bloom as his blonde locks of hair contrasted the midnight blue ones of Hinata and his face bloomed with a blush. Hinata then turned her head to listen more intently to the blonde's answer even though she knows his answer…or at least she thinks.
"If I were to choose a wife, I would like someone who is kind, timid, elegant and pure at heart…Someone who is proper and caring so that our children never become lonely and unloved but also disciplined and responsible…though she may be shy and possessive, deep down inside, she is a strong willed woman who is capable beyond her own understanding and very accepting of me despite my own flaws. To me, a woman like that is one in a million. And I would never leave her for another. Not even ramen would replace her."
Shock was not even a word to describe the trio's response to the deep wisdom that the blonde portrayed to the other three in that restaurant. Even his taste in women was nothing like any ordinary child. Most male children and teens would look for the prettiest girl as their mate and look inward afterwards but Naruto was the complete opposite as his choice was more inward and no outward description was said.
Hinata grew wide eyed at his remark. The lavender eyed girl had expected his description to be about Sakura yet it was as if he was describing the Hyuga heiress herself and that she was his type of woman. Her heart was near to explosion as she held her breath and her pale colored face bloomed.
Naruto paused to drink the soup of his bowl sophisticatedly and the moment he placed it back down, he continued.
"To me, if I had a woman like that by my side I would be the luckiest man in the world. Because if a woman as beautiful as that found that it was worth loving me to her…"
The young blonde then made a charming smile that made even Ayame blush.
"Then it is worth loving her to me."
Dumbfounded were they at the statement of the blonde. Shock and speechlessness were combined in their hearts as they struggled to understand if Konoha's number one most unpredictable knuckleheaded ninja was really seated in that stand as Ayame placed her hand upon his forehead to check if he has a fever. The young blonde frowned and said,
"I'm fine Ayame nee-san! I just don't look for women who hit me all the time and belittle me. Sheesh!"
"But I thought you're not interested in that yet?"
The playful Ayame teased. Naruto then replied in annoyance.
"I said I'm too young for that not that I'm not interested! Besides, I want to play more pranks and see the faces of my victims. If I become Hokage, I won't be able to do that no more."
Ayame then replied,
"But even if you were Hokage you'd still pull more pranks. They'll just be more scandalous than painting the Hokage Monument were everyone can see the faces of your victims."
The young blonde crossed his arms and pouted displaying his discomfort. Teuchi and his daughter both laughed adding more to his discomfort. Much to their surprise, Hinata laughed as well.
They all turned their heads towards the chuckling Hyuga. She had never laughed like this before. It was only Naruto that had caused her to make such a genuine laugh in her entire lifetime. It was a laugh so genuine that they were caught speechless. Naruto smiled when he saw the true beauty of Hinata and her laughter filled him with joy.
When the young Hyuga finally caught her breath she noticed their smiling expressions and blushed deep red once again. She then realized how late it was and promptly laid the payment near her empty bowl and said,
"A-arigato gozaimashta."
She then turned on her heel and ran towards the direction of her home.
"Oi! Hinata-chan! Wait a minute!"
The young blonde said as he attempted to reach out to her all to no avail as she had ran further than his hand could reach. He then raised his left hand close to his chest and made a one-handed seal of the Kage Bunshin and sent his clone to go after her. The old man and his daughter were impressed by his skill but still curious as to why he didn't run after her. Teuchi then broke the silence.
"Naruto, I think you should personally go after her."
The young blonde then stared into his dish as a blush formed on his face and his dreamy eyes gazed upon it blankly. He then replied to their curious suggestion.
"No, I shouldn't."
"How come? "
Ayame then replied.
Naruto closed his eyes for a second as he looked deep in thought. He then took a deep breath, and exhaled his answer as his flaming azure eyes opened revealing its mesmerizing form.
"Because I don't want us to get into that kind of relationship yet."
The old ramen vendor and his daughter listened intently to the young blonde. This was definitely an interesting development for the usually hyperactive blonde.
"I care about her just as much as she cares about me. She was the very girl I described. But we are still too young for the relationship we desire. I want us to be good friends first before we can be more than just friends. If I go after her personally at the moment, I might end up getting caught up with my feelings and it would be hard for us to reach our goals because our relationship would choke that."
Both Ayame and Teuchi were awed once more with the hidden wisdom and maturity that the young blonde displayed. Teuchi then smiled and ruffled the blonde locks of hair on the blonde's head as he said,
"But if it's meant to be, I don't think it will choke your dreams. Besides, she looks like a nice girl. I doubt a girl like that would kill any dream the both of you have. But I'll give you credit for waiting for the right time. Here, take this one. It's on the house."
He ended as he gave Naruto the extra bowl of miso ramen. Naruto happily dug in as he enjoyed his meal and payed his bill afterwards before turning tail homebound.
Teuchi and Ayame were still dumbfounded by the young blonde that was Naruto. They knew he had a pure heart and stong mind, but they were never expecting him to have wisdom beyond his years. Ayame looked worried as she saw the fleeting form of their number one customer. Her father placed his hand upon her shoulder in reassurance as he said,
"Don't worry. Whatever's going on with him is just part of growing up. Besides, he said he wants to become Hokage someday right? He'll make a fine one with his maturity. After all, he is Konoha's number one most unpredictable knuckleheaded ninja."
Ayame smiled once again knowing that Naruto was just himself...a complete enigma. Both Teuchi and Ayame came to accept his unpredictable ways a long time ago. They were even more glad seeing how much he is growing both inward and out as he walked away from the stand.
While the original was busy heading home, the clone was sent to bodyguard the running Hyuga heiress to make sure she got home safely.
Hinata ran as her short bluish black hair flowed in the direction of the wind. She was so surprised and embarrassed by the recent turn of events that occurred that night. Thought they didn't talk much, she felt like she was in paradise just being with him and seeing how intently he listened to her. Though the conversation didn't last long and she wasn't able to fill her belly for the night, she felt more than satisfied by just being with Naruto.
As Hinata slowed down seeing her home in the distance, Naruto's clone followed closely behind. As if the roles were reversed, Naruto's clone was busy stalking her. The clone then grinned as he saw the moonlight play upon her skin. If he was the sun in the bright day, she was the moon of the dark night. Contrast in personality yet had similar strengths and weaknesses. Both were perfect for each other as one complimented the other and supported each other. It was a match made by Kami himself. Despite his overflowing love for the girl, he needed to set aside his emotions for the next six years so that he can establish a strong friendship that they never had during his past life.
Hinata then entered the complex as a guard greeted her goodnight. There was no need anymore for the young blonde to watch over her in the pale moonlight. So the clone telepathically relayed the knowledge to the original that had just arrived back in his lair where he dispersed the remaining clones and rested on a newly crafted bed made by his clones during their spare time.
"So he accomplished his mission."
The blonde said as he lay in his bed. His tenant however was not satisfied with his half-hearted reply.
So that's it? You're just going leave it at that? Don't you want to know her feelings this night?
As much as he hated to completely agree with his tenant, Kyuubi had a point. Naruto really wanted to get to know her every single day and didn't want to let up on such an opportunity. Naruto sighed and telepathically sent his remaining clone a message.
In an instant, the clone ran around to the back of the street and transformed himself into the kitsune form. The three tailed fox then dashed towards the window he once entered and leaped in the gap once again. And just like before, he had the devil's own luck and entered when everyone was asleep. The white mane kitsune peered through the darkened room known as the Hyuga kitchen.
'Yosh. No one's around. Now to head to Hinata-chan's room.'
The white mane kitsune crept and slinked among the shadows lest the moonlight showering the rooms and hallways reflect from his pearl white fur that shone bright in the darkness. When the white mane kitsune managed to slip by, he noticed that the door to Hinata's room wasn't completely shut indicating she carelessly entered straight from outside. He then crouched low and gazed his flaming azure eyes through the room and blushed as he saw the dripping form of his love. She had just come out of the shower and was busy wiping her soaked form with her lavender towel. The kitsune was shocked by the glistening form of the girl as the moonlight shone on her pale skinned body. His mind raged as certain thoughts came creeping in.
'AHHH! BAKA! She's six years old right now! You are not Ero-sennin, Baka Naruto! BAKA BAKA BAKA!'
Naruto mentally slapped himself for thinking of such things. However, the Hyuga heiress felt a presence creep into the room. She immediately grabbed her kunai by the dresser, used the towel to cover her naked form and with weapon drawn she scanned the room, Byakugan ablaze.
The battle ready Hinata then dropped her guard when she noticed the kitsune that slept with her the night before. Naruto was flustered even more that he saw her battle ready attitude towards intruders.
'I think I got the wrong house. Hinata-chan was never this battle ready. Could she have gotten over her dragging self-esteem?'
Naruto thought as he sweat dropped while wagging his three white tails.
"Mr. Fox! F-for a second there I thought you were another kidnapper. You r-really scared me."
She said as she dropped her kunai and ran over to pick up the white three-tailed kitsune and lovably cuddled him much to his dismay as a blush formed on his face.
'Then again, I could be wrong. She still has a long way to go just like I have.'
Hinata then set down the blushing kitsune on her futon as she changed into her yukata. The young blonde placed his tails over his eyes making the changing Hinata chuckle at the human like display of emotions of her furry friend. When she finished changing into the white yukata, she then said,
"You really are strange Mr. Fox. I prepared some papers and a pen over there so we can talk better."
She then pointed to the stack of papers beside her other dresser by the wall and a pen on top. The white mane kitsune took the pen and paper with his tail and laid it down beside him as he listened to his woman speak her heart out.
"It's been a wonderful day today Mr. Fox even though didn't start out well. Otou-san has been training me really hard ever since our mommy died last year. I don't mind the training, but he gets mad at me every time I fail to do a move in Juuken. But it doesn't matter since I found out something really wonderful tonight. You know what it is Mr. Fox?"
The white mane kitsune shook his head acting as if he didn't know as he played along
"I'm Naruto-kun's type Mr. Fox!"
She said excitedly as she hugged him in enthusiasm. Naruto felt so warm and happy inside seeing her joyful and glad knowing that she was the very girl that her crush was looking for.
"Isn't that wonderful Mr. Fox? That I'm the girl he's looking for? I really don't know what to do Mr. Fox. Do you think I should go out with him? No, what am I saying. We can't do that until were older."
She said as she twiddled her fingers and flustered into a deep crimson at the thought of being with the young blonde she adored. Naruto mentally chuckled seeing how cute she was acting towards his earlier statement at Ichiraku Ramen.
'I just can't stop thinking how cute and loveable she looks right now with her shy attitude. I really out to tell her that. But it might make things worse right now. Best just keep calm.'
The white kitsune thought as he began to write once more in a new sheet of paper and showed her after its completion.
Instead of asking him out, why not be really good friends first so that the both of you won't find it awkward that the two of you are going out together.
Hinata was shocked once more by the kitsune's words. It was hard enough to get near him, but become close friends? That was almost impossible to do.
"I'm sorry Mr. Fox. But I still don't feel confident just yet. Though I am improving and Iruka-sensei said that I might just be able to exceed Sakura's grades both in the tests and the activites if I keep up the good work, I still have problems doing just that. It's hard to imagine me doing all those amazing things. Imagine, someone like me being the strong and brave head of the Hyuga clan? It's still a far away dream."
She said as she chuckled in disbelief at the dream of being someone so strong like the one she admired. Naruto understood completely as he nodded at her. She was still the shy and timid Hinata of this timeline and not the strong willed one of the future. Yet despite this, he loved both her past and future self as he saw the woman in her instead of the girl she is. The white kitsune then turned the paper around and wrote on the back. The shy Hinata looked over his work once more and smiled at the message that read,
But you are already confident and strong. The fact you are a shinobi who's trying her best is more than enough proof. You just need to take things one step at a time and you'll get there. Just become better than yourself every single day.
Hinata then rubbed the tear from her left eye as she replied,
"Arigato Naruto-kun."
The white mane kitsune suddenly froze at the reply. He didn't know how she knew but felt suddenly embarrassed knowing he screwed up. Hinata on the other hand, had no idea what she just said and laughed at the very reply she uttered.
"I'm sorry Mr. Fox. It just slipped out. I have no idea why I said that."
She said as she scratched behind his ears to comfort him. The white mane kitsune sighed in relief and enjoyed the feel of her soft palm rubbing his coat and head. He especially loved it when she scratched behind his ears and rubbed his belly that it made him squirm in delight. Hinata chuckled at the purr that the kitsune uttered as she cuddled him.
"But it would make me really happy if it was Naruto-kun who said that though."
She said as the white mane kitsune curled up on her lap. Naruto could only do so much in this form and at this time but just listen.
"I do like Naruto-kun but I'm not sure how he feels about me. I want to know more about him just as much as I want him to know about me. But he's so different now and I'm worried about him. If there is anything I can do to help him I will...Even if it means...getting him together with Sakura-chan I will."
The lavender eyed girl dropped her head in defeat. She had a fierce will but at the same time an affectionate and understanding heart. She was pure and strong but at the same time she was fueled by her feelings and her desires. It was her greatest strength and her greatest weakness. She was a leader in the making who just needed to get out of her shell. She was the same as Naruto, though contrastingly different. Naruto's aching heart sharply struck his mind as he mentally said,
'Hinata-chan…the Will of Fire flows through your heart. I would do anything to hug you right now even if it means blowing my cover. But if I do that, you might not love me for me. I'm just as scared as you right now. That's why I'm doing things the right way so that I can show you how much of a great person you are. You're stronger than you believe to be Hinata-chan. I will show you how beautiful you are. Just wait for me Hinata-chan…just wait…'
Hinata then felt another tug in her heart as she saw Naruto in her mind lending her a hand. She smiled at the image as she closed her eyes and said,
"Naruto-kun…I won't give up…I'll be someone for you…so that I can be by your side…because…I…I…I lo—"
Her words were cut short as she fell asleep on her bed. The clone transformed back into his regular shape and fixed her slumbering body in her bed as he pulled the sheets on her body. His face blushed as he gazed his flaming azure eyes upon her white skinned face and midnight blue hair. The moonlight truly was her personal spotlight as it enhanced her features and gave her an elegant glow. Naruto smiled lovingly as he ran his hand gently on her short locks of hair. He slowly crept to her side and sniffed her breath as he faced her just inches before their lips met. He enjoyed her scent and every part of her as he lightly kissed her on the lips and withdrew quickly and whispered to her ear.
"By the time these short locks of hair reach your shoulders, you will be the most beautiful woman in all of Konoha…and also, my woman…that I will love for all eternity….and even in death we will not part. That's a promise…Hina-hime…"
Hinata unconsciously moved to face him. Naruto just smiled as he turned around before dispersing himself for the original to receive all the information and feelings that had been presented that night in her room. Unknowingly to him, she was still half-asleep and half opened her eyes for her to see him before he disappeared into smoke.
"Naruto-kun…"
She faintly said as her eyes returned to slumber. Naruto on the other hand still could not sleep as he received the last bits of data from his last clone and reflected on everything that happened today.
"Looks like I did quite a lot today."
The young blonde said as he gazed directly at the moonlight from his prone position on his homemade bed of feathers and animal skin along with pillows and blankets of matching design.
"I managed to get the hang of tree walking and water walking with chakra again. But when it comes to reiatsu, I still need some work. I managed to catch some wild game and fish for dinner which was very good for a meal off the land. And Hinata-chan…looks like I'm a real hypocrite."
His tenant then snarled at him.
Baka. You need to lighten up. I know that you feel bad that you're not completely sticking to the book awhile ago, but you need to understand that you have emotions. Don't take them for granted especially since you're trying to create a relationship that you never experienced even in your past life. That's the real challenge here gaki.
Naruto sighed as he replied with a shiver in his voice.
"Kyuubi, can I really make Hinata-chan happy? Can I really protect her and everyone else? I'm really scared that she might reject me if she finds out. Eventually I have to tell her. I just hope by then she would be able to love me completely for me and trust me. But what if she doesn't and betrays me like everyone else? It really scares me more than dying…"
Naruto was losing his grip once more as the death scene that he pioneered during that battle in Suzaku's seal, played once more in his mind. He saw her face losing color fast as the blood seeped out of the wound in her spine and heart as well as the crimson stains on his hands and the dripping blood trickling down her mouth. He remembered feeling her hand on his cheek during his partial feral state as she gazed into his crimson slit eyes and overgrown fangs that slightly protruded from his lips. He saw it all again as she grabbed him by the cheeks and kissed him before uttering her last words of endearment to him.
Never has he ever experienced such fear of rejection and loss as he approached the idea of letting her know about his tenant and his past life. It was ironic as the blonde continued.
"I guess the reason I'm like this now is because I love her too. This must be what she feels everyday whenever I approach her or she thinks about me and how hard it must be to face rejection from the one you love. It's painful just thinking about it. Have you ever felt this way Kyuubi?"
The young blonde said hoping to get a reply. Instead he got another growl from his tenant.
No I didn't. I loved someone, went out with her, asked her to marry me and we had kids. End of story. I don't beat around the bush or wait for the right time. I did what you did before and got my mate.
Naruto frowned at the anti-climactic reply of his tenant.
"Guess you luckily found the right one when you did that. I had to go through one lifetime to do so and it wasn't easy since I wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed at the time."
His tenant sighed once more and replied,
Gaki, look at the moon once more.
Naruto did just that. He gazed upon the moon and the memory instantly replayed in his mind.
Flashback
Gaki…Look at the moon. Tell me, why does the moon have light when only the sun emanates light?
The young blonde gazed upon the moon. He then closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again, allowing his now cyan eyes glow upon the vast darkness. He then responded to the fiery kitsune's question.
"It has light kyuubi, because the sun provided light for it. No one is perfect. Everyone is just like the moon, looking for light that only the sun provides. Everyone has his or her own pains that show their weaknesses and the darkness in them. But when they do find that light that can change them and set them free, they become just like the bright full moon out here…a light for others to follow. It was the same for me. It was the same for Gaara. And it was the same for Hinata. We all looked for light. When I found that spark, she got that spark too from me. Just like everyone who I've met and protected. Even Sasuke got that light. But it's our choice from then on what to do with that light. We can either reject it like Sasuke did, or let it change us and light us up the way Gaara did…and the way Hinata tried to."
The fox then looked into the bright pale light that the moon shone on the whole face of Sereitei. He then asked once more of his master with full understanding and maturity.
Gaki…you've grown so much for a moon. Your just like this moon here. Though it can only reflect light, yet its reflection is almost as bright as the sun. Even the stars are twinkling like firelies in comparison to the light of the moon.
The young blonde just blushed and scratched his head as he bashfully replied,
"I can only be this bright because of everyone's help."
The fox then replied,
I don't think so. They were there to help, but like you said, you have to make the choice. All that will and determination over the past eighteen years hasen't burned out. In fact I think it's grown stronger. Kami has something big planned for you gaki. I can feel it in every tail I got. As the moonlight of this world, you will shine brighter than the stars. Not because you'respecial, but because of the power of your soul.
End of Flashback
"I remember now."
The young blonde said as his eyes ignited once more into the flaming cyan color. It was so clear as day to him. It really didn't matter if he was loved or not because many people could not accept the light given to them because they were scared of it. Naruto wasn't and he took that light in open arms and became a reflector of it like the full moon that shone in the night.
Kyuubi could feel the elation and determination of his master ignite in their souls. It was a symbiotic relationship, but a good one. Kyuubi then told his master,
Gaki, now that your resolve is renewed, I'll drill you on how to control my chakra and the fox cloak tommorrow. Also, you will train to become your inner kitsune without excuses.
Naruto just nodded as he closed his eyes and slumbered into the dreamworld where he stood on top of the Hokage Monument first in his shinobi clothing, then in his shingami form and finally transforming into his kitsune form as the full moon shone upon the village of Konoha. This was how he would be to the people of Konoha. He was a shinobi of the leaf, a shinigami captain of Sereitei, and the fox that will protect them instead of the fox that attacked them. True his shadow loomed over their village, but it was the shadow of their guardian angel that would protect them from the wiles of Orochimaru, the betrayal of Sasuke, the attack of the sound and sand, Akatsuki's pilgrimage for power through the biju and finally the elemental gods wrath in spite of all the hate directed at him.
Despite all these pressures that have burdened his soul, he needed to strive onward whether he will be hated for his decisions or not. As the self proclaimed shadow of the village, as its guardian, he would do everything in his power to protect it. In his shadow, the village will be saved. But all the village would see as they look upon his opaque form would be the shadow of a fox.
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I'm really sorry about the delay. I had a hard time doing this chapter because I was starting from scratch here and I had writer's block. The next chapter will be about the genin exam and how he tackles it. At least there I have some resources to pull from this time. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm exhausted. I might do a fanfic for Ai Yori Ayoshi later on after this one. But I'll focus on this one first so that I can better do the next one. Anyway, Ja ne!