Chapter II
Naruto sat in his new apartment eating a small breakfast, last night Danzō had just wanted to let him know he was being watched not that Naruto cared. He had no use of ratting Danzō out, it wouldn't help him in anyway so he let the old man threaten him before leaving.
He took another bite of his energy bar watching his sand slide around on the floor, his goggle covered eyes went blank as he entered his mind scape "Kāsan, are you awake?"
Rustling from behind the bars caught his attention before the blonde Kyūbi stepped near the bars "Kit what do you need?"
"I wanted to see you" he said quietly.
Kyūbi bit back an annoyed comment and just sighed softly "come in here kit."
Naruto obeyed with out question, he saw her naked form before him as her tails wrapped around them pushing them together. The boys face was pressed to her chest "Don't worry kit, you'll save me, then we'll be together again."
Naruto nodded and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, her arms went over his shoulders and began petting his head "keep studying your Fūinjutsu eventually we'll find a way to get me out."
"Kāsan?"
"Hmm?" she responded resting her head on his.
"do I love you?" he asked.
The Kyūbi wasn't expecting that but rebounded quickly "of course you love me, I'm your okāsan."
"Then you love me?" he said looking up into her blue eyes.
The Kyūbi felt anger rising at having to reassure the pesky ningen (Human) in her arms but breathed slowly and smiled "of course I love you kit, we are the only ones we can trust, it's just me and you versus' the world."
What little emotions Naruto had let leak through were bottled up quickly "I have to go, my team is meeting soon."
He zoned back into reality and took the last bite of his breakfast and put his mask up before using his Satetsu Shunshin.
XXX
When he arrived at seven sharp he saw Sakura already there reading a book "Ohayou gozaimasu (formal Good Morning), Haruno-dono."
"Oh hi Satetsu-san!" she said smiling slightly.
He was standing in his normal stiff, arms crossed fashion, when Sasuke arrived and the two boys nodded at each other "Uchiha-dono" was all he said.
Sakura perked up and looked back at Sasuke "Ohayou Sasuke-kun!"
Sasuke sat on top of a log and Sakura had her book away and was at his side in an instant, the blonde watched the interaction trying to learn how to act as a friend. However, he saw Sasuke wasn't responding to their pink team mate and it confused him to an extent.
Time passed slowly and their sensei had yet to arrive, much to Sakura's chagrin Sasuke seemed to ignore her and still seem cool in her mind. Even more annoying to her though, was the fact Naruto had stood as still as a statue the entire time.
Naruto remained in that position for the last for two hours before Kakashi finally arrive, his head turned slightly "Hatake-sensei."
"You're late!" screamed Sakura as she jumped up and jabbed her finger at him.
Kakashi eye-smiled at them "I was on my way here when a black cat crossed my path, so I had to take the long way around."
Sakura blanched at him while the other two team mates remained stoic, Kakashi put an alarm clock on top of the log next to Sasuke "You have until noon to get these bells" he said holding them up.
"if you fail to retrieve a bell you will be tied to one of the posts and watch the others eat" he said as Sakura's stomach growled, Kakashi then eye-smiled again "also if you don't get a bell you'll be sent back to the academy."
Sasuke clenched his fist but left the talking to the pinkette, her eyes were wide with shock "what do you mean back!? We already passed the Genin exams."
"That was to see if you were ready for the true exam" he said walking to the middle of the training field "ready begin!"
Sasuke took off to hide and Sakura regained her composure before disappearing, while Naruto ran straight for Kakashi.
The Jōnin was about to reach for his favorite book only to realize Naruto seemed to be pretty fast "His reports said he was mostly a defensive fighter..."
He leaned away from the first punch and pushed another to the side getting behind the young blonde, Naruto dropped to his hands and his legs kicked backwards with his arms pushing him towards his opponent.
Kakashi blocked the kick with both arms only to slide back from the power and weight behind it "what the hell was that it felt like I got hit by a wall!" he thought shaking the pain from his arms "looks like I'll have to take you seriously."
Naruto didn't say anything only stood back up and ran forward again, the Jōnin dropped into a taijutsu stance and blocked a left hook before stepping in thrusting his fist forward as hard as he could.
In the trees Sasuke hid his shock as Kakashi's arm rammed through his teammates chest, Sakura from her hiding spot gasped loudly "Oh No!"
Sasuke heard Naruto next to him "Satetsu Kyū" Sasuke looked back to see Naruto holding his hand out towards the battle field "Satetsu Sōsō (Iron Sand Waterfall Funeral)!"
As the sand compressed the arm it held at bay Kakashi suddenly went up in a puff, the real Kakashi was now across the field behind the bunshin "so he used his Satetsu Bunshin to fight me, brilliant trying to wear me down, plus it can reform..."
The hole in the clones chest closed as it turned to Kakashi only to see him racing towards him, the chirping sound came to late as the clone saw a hand encased in electricity tear through him and cut him in half.
Kakashi slid to a stop and saw the clone fall in two pieces, lighting still crackled around the clone and Kakashi saw that most of it was now melted metal "Hmm seems to melt and fuse together from the intense heat of Chidori (One Thousand Birds)..."
He pulled his Hitai-ite (Forehead Protector) back down over his Sharingan (Copy Wheel Eye) quickly before anyone could notice his hidden eye.
Naruto grimaced "I didn't have time to ground my bunshin properly. Not that it matters, with that speed and power of attack my clone will take damage even if grounded" he sighed "and now it will take a decent amount of chakra to convert the metal back to iron sand."
Sakura breathed a sigh of relief as she saw it was a clone but that didn't last long when she realized Kakashi wasn't out in the open anymore.
Sasuke was glaring at the spot Kakashi and the clone had been "at least he's powerful, he won't hold me back... Sakura on the other hand... if Satetsu and I work together we can get those two bells..."
Sasuke wouldn't ask for help though, his pride wouldn't allow it. A feminine scream interrupted his thoughts "Seems Haruno-dono is out" Naruto said softly "perhaps if we work together we can get the bells from Hatake-sensei."
Sasuke was relieved that Naruto had brought up them working together but wouldn't admit it "Hn... fine."
Kakashi shook his head as he walked away from Sakura, pulling out his copy of Icha Icha Paradaisu (Icha Icha Paradise) and scanned the tree line as he made his way out into the open again. Noticing Sasuke had moved his position he let his senses try to find Naruto.
He jumped back suddenly as a black spike erupted from beneath his feet, in mid air he saw a hail of shuriken and kunai flying at him "good they're beginning to understand the meaning of this test."
Sasuke was racing onto the field but he nearly stopped when Kakashi turned into a log, quickly ducking and spinning he kicked his leg in a sweeping motion. Kakashi jumped back but had to jump again as he saw a small wall of sand lunge at him from the ground, when he landed Sasuke came in with a series of kicks and punches.
He kicked Sasuke back only to see him flash through some hand seals Horse, Tiger, Ram,Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger Kakashi's eye widened "that move! A Genin shouldn't have enough chakra!"
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)" said Sasuke blowing a giant fireball out towards his sensei.
Kakashi strafed to the right around the ball and headed for Sasuke only to feel a weird sensation pull parts of his body back, only to turn as it stopped and saw Naruto holding the two bells. The Jōnin blinked as he realized what that force was "magnetism... he pulled the bells to him while I was distracted... that is an interesting Kekkei Genkai."
"Very good you two your team work was very good" he caught the bells that Naruto tossed to him "but it seems you forgot that this was a three man team, and you left Sakura to fend for herself instead of helping... this was a test of teamwork... you all fail."
XXX
Kakashi had passed them, of course he would. He picked the first opportunity of the three showing teamwork and jumped at it. Sure all they did was share their food with Sakura but he would have passed them anyway, because after lunch they would have worked together... well maybe not, but still the council had given him a mission.
He was to pass the Uchiha and Naruto no matter what, they both were strong and had Kekkei Genkai that the council lusted after.
Kakashi needed a reason to remain a ninja, after so many failures he felt that he couldn't go on. But now the chance to train two prodigies was enough to inspire him to at least try, and he would try because he couldn't handle another failure.
He stopped his silent musings as he appeared in the Hokage's office, only an hour late.
"Ah Kakashi-san" Hiruzen said smiling "The Jōnins were just giving me their reports."
He motioned to a Jōnin that was standing at attention "continue."
"I'm sorry to say Hokage that team six has failed" the man bowed and Hiruzen just motioned to Kakashi.
"Team seven has passed" everyone turned to the one eyed man in surprise.
Hiruzen just smirked "very well give me an overview of your team."
"Uchiha Sasuke is very proficient in taijutsu and ninjutsu, I haven't seen any use of genjutsu from him. I first thought from the academy reports that he would be hard pressed to work with others, but he and Naruto performed like they had been on a team for years."
The Hokage nodded and Kakashi crossed his arms as he continued "Satetsu no Naruto was most surprising, his lack of academy training left very little in his file for me to go on. He seems to rely heavily on his Kekkei Genkai and defensive fighting, he is also very quick and cunning."
Kakashi smirked "when we first fought it took me almost a full minute to realize I was fighting a bunshin, luckily I realized it in time to create my own clone or I would have a broken arm. Anyway, I have found one weakness so far with his sand but it would only slow him down depending on how much sand he has with him."
Hokage nodded his smirk growing "and the third member?"
"Haruno Sakura is smart but she needs more practical and physical training, from her file it seems her chakra control is excellent. If I could get her some medic training my team would be a force to be reckoned with. Sasuke could be a ninjutsu specialist as soon as his Sharingan awakens, Naruto has the ability to defend his whole team, and Sakura would make a great medic/strategist."
Hiruzen smiled "very good Kakashi-san, next."
Kurenai shook out of her shocked state from Kakashi's report "Yes team eight passes..."
Thirty minutes later the Hokage stood "so only three teams passed this year" he smiled "they sound like they will make exceptional shinobi, why don't you all take your teams out to eat together and let the new rookies learn about who they may be working with in the future, dismissed."
"Hai Hokage-sama" they said in unison.
XXX
"you called Danzō-sama?"
The old man looked up "ah Naruto sit, I wanted to talk to you again."
Naruto sat in the seat in front of a large mahogany desk "I thought we talked enough last night."
Danzō smirked "I know my threats mean nothing to you, but you understand my position, I can't have my plans be known yet... but that's not why I called you here."
Naruto uncrossed his arms and accepted a file Danzō held out "Danzō-sama is this?"
"Hai, that's all the information I could get for you with out drawing attention to myself, it seems as if you are incredibly lucky. The girl you tried to befriend is the Hyūga heiress, and her cousin has the seal on him."
Naruto flipped through the file "so it seems" he said in a monotone voice which Danzō had gotten used to "her cousin Neji is a Genin also, if I can get him to show me the seal..."
Danzō interrupted him "that is all very well and good, but I still expect you to complete some 'personal' missions form me."
"Hai Danzō-sama" the blonde said.
"Danzō-sama?" a voice came from outside his office door before poking a masked head in.
"Yes?"
"It seems Hatake-san is looking for Naruto-sama at the moment" the Ne member said bowing.
"Very well, Naruto I'll contact you when I need your skills, dismissed" he said waving his hand in a shooing manner.
XXX
Kakashi was walking towards the designated restaurant with his team in tow. Sasuke was brooding at having to cut off his training for this 'mandatory' meeting of the teams. Sakura was just happy to be out with Sasuke even though they wouldn't be alone. Naruto remained quiet and stoic, arms crossed on his chest, not caring either way as he had his mind elsewhere.
"...so do I still need to be friends with the Hyūga girl? Couldn't I befriend her cousin?"
"Even if you did that and somehow got to examine the seal on his head you wouldn't get the full scope of things, it would be interesting to get a look at it but we need to get into the main house archives to get the details" Kyūbi said.
"How am I to interact with the girl then, to get into the archives, won't it seem strange that I want to see such a thing?" he said to her "I don't know how to interact with these humans correctly..."
"You're doing fine so far, study the girl and weasel your way into her life in any way you can. These things take time and if you want to be with me in the real world you'll need to do whatever possible"the fox said although her mind was demanding for him to destroy everything and bathe in blood she knew if things went wrong her years of work on her container would be wasted.
"Besides if it doesn't work we can at least learn the inner workings of the branch house and find a way to kidnap one of them. We'll have to be incredibly careful about it though, no one can know our true motives."
Naruto sighed silently, he learned not to question his mother. He had asked once before who his father was and why she was locked inside of him. Kyūbi, although he didn't know that was her name, had told him to never question his 'mother', be he continued. His curiousness had caused Kyūbi to ignore him for a week, he had cried outside her cell the entire time asking forgiveness; only at the end of the week did she reappear and ask if he would disobey her again.
Naruto had been so happy to hear her voice and see her that he did as she asked and never questioned her if she asked him to do something or if she asked him to not ask a certain question again.
His musings were cut short when he saw his team turn into a restaurant ducking under the door flaps, he looked to see two tables near each other with the other teams already there talking.
Kiba glared when he saw Naruto but held his tongue as his new sensei would slap him upside his head ever time he mouthed off. Shino only nodded at them to show his greeting, while Hinata blushed deeply and averted her gaze.
"Hinata-dono" said Naruto moving to the chair that was open next to her ignoring Kiba on the other side "do you mind if I sit here."
"O-ok N-Naruto-kun" she said quietly.
"Sasuke-kun!" cried a girl with long blonde hair as she attached herself to his arm.
"Let go of Sasuke-kun, Ino-pig!" shouted Sakura.
The two began to bicker while the three Jōnin sighed and went to the bar, Shikamaru just mumbled something before laying his head on the table.
Naruto was trying to think up how to talk to Hinata or how to act towards her at all, he knew the kindness he doled out in his monotone voice wasn't always accepted well. Plus he had no physical contact outside of training, and his Satetsu no Yoroi kept him from actually feeling anything if he did touch something.
"A-ano... I-I'm glad to s-see that you p-passed" Hinata said quietly "th-they d-didn't tell us who p-passed."
Naruto looked to her and nodded "It's good to see you passed to Hinata-dono... perhaps... we could train together sometime?" he finished unsure if the question was too forward for friends.
Hinata felt her blush deepen as a few others turned to see the interaction with the new guy, Kiba growled lowly "she doesn't need to train with you, she's got me!"
Naruto looked above Hinata's lowered head at Kiba next to her "Arigato Inuzuka-dono, I wasn't aware we couldn't train outside the teams."
He hadn't meant to make it sound rude and some of the other rookie nine saw this but Kiba just stood up and pointed at him "just stay away from her!"
Naruto tilted his head to the side "why?"
Kiba growled again only to feel his head move forward from a slap to the back of his head "Kiba what have I told you."
The boy swallowed "Kurenai-sensei... uh I was..."
"quit starting fights, if Hinata want's to spend time with someone outside the team then she can" the red eyed woman glared at him "don't interfere with her personal life."
Hinata looked at Kiba and then to Naruto "A-ano... N-Naruto-kun..."
Kurenai smirked at the blushing girl and looked at the blonde boy "she'd love to train with you, Isn't that right Hinata-chan?"
Hinata nodded but then Kurenai kept going "besides you make a cute couple, training with her boyfriend will be good."
Hinata started feeling faint and couldn't look to Naruto expecting him to deny such an interest in her.
Naruto not understanding that a boyfriend was different from a friend, since he was a boy and her friend, just nodded "Hai, how is tomorrow afternoon Hinata-dono?"
Kiba was red from anger. Ino and Sakura squealed.
Hinata fainted.
Kurenai stopped chuckling and helped the girl up fanning her off "Hinata-chan are you ok?"
"KONOHA NO KEDAKAKI AOI MOJU (Konoha's Sublime Green Beast of Prey) HAS ARRIVED. LET THE SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH EXPLODE!"
The rest of the occupant's minus an unconscious Hinata and stoic Naruto sweat dropped, Kurenai sighed "Gai tone it down!"
The tall spandex clad Jōnin stopped his 'nice guy' pose "Kakashi my eternal rival I heard you accepted a Genin team!"
"Huh did you say something" Kakashi replied from his seat at the bar.
"ARGH!" Gai cried "your darn your hip attitude."
He quickly recovered and looked at the Genin "so which of these youthful Genin are your team?"
Kakashi was reading his book but waved a hand towards the table "Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura and Satetsu no Naruto."
Gai smiled "I have brought my team to intermingle amongst the teams! The springtime of youth... ack!"
Kurenai had smacked the back of his head "calm down."
Team nine entered and Naruto looked away from the now awake but still blushing Hinata, he almost wanted to laugh with glee as he saw Neji. He couldn't believe how lucky he was, now all he had to do was find a way to approach the older Hyūga.
Sadly his luck didn't seem to hold out as after they introduced themselves Gai and Lee began yelling about something and were forced to leave, the other two members followed their team.
Naruto wasn't deterred he was a patient man, he would do whatever his mother needed. No matter how long it took.
Hinata was poking her fingers together deep in thought "H-he didn't say he wasn't my boyfriend... so are we dating now? Or did he say it after I fainted? What should I do, I don't think I can train with him without fainting... but what if I say no and he doesn't like me anymore?"
She swallowed a lump in her throat "but what if I say yes and after he gets to know me he doesn't like me? Oh no what do I do!? What if he want's to kiss... I've never done that before, or if he wants to touch me..."
Naruto noticing Hinata begin to blush and sway slightly spoke up "Hinata-dono are you alright?"
She stopped herself from fainting and used all her willpower to nod.
"About our training, I never received your answer" he said.
She chanced a glance at him "I-I... A-ano... I... O-ok."
Kiba stood up angrily and walked out of the restaurant, Sakura and Ino had forgotten about Sasuke and were giggling while whispering to each other. Sasuke ignored everyone and Shino seemed to be talking to an insect quietly.
The rest of the time there passed in relative ease, but Naruto remained pretty quiet after that not knowing what else to talk about and Hinata was to shy to start up a conversation.
XXX
Kyūbi was deep in thought going through mental manifestations of scrolls on seals and seal theory. She ground her teeth hating every moment she was cooped up within this boy. She was just waiting to be released and if Naruto survived her escape she might let him live just to watch him wallow in despair from her betrayal.
As soon as she was out she would destroy Konoha before hunting down the Uchiha that controlled her twelve years ago.
Unrolling another scroll that she had studied many times before she looked it over again, it was the one Naruto had copied of the seal on his stomach.
They had broken down parts of it to only find seals within the seals, it was incredibly complex and so far they had found seventy-four seals and only knew what eight of them did.
One restricted the flow of demonic chakra. One filtered it, while another was changing Naruto's chakra coils to grow and evolve. One slowed the chakra Kyūbi could generate.
Two were obvious creating a barrier she couldn't escape and force around the inner seal to make it hard for Naruto to remove. One was a defense mechanism that triggered if Naruto ever got strong enough to pull the seal off.
And the last one was a suicide seal that would activate if Kyūbi took full control of Naruto's mind.
She growled angrily wishing she could strangle the Yondaime.
Flipping open the scroll theory book she began reading again, she was trying to help Naruto come up with a seal of their own that could counteract some of the more harmful seals. If she could do that then Naruto could remove the inner seal and she would be free.
But so far none of them worked no matter how good they sounded in theory, and she wouldn't allow Naruto to try the unknown ones on himself because if he died she did.
"Damn it!" she muttered throwing the book down.
XXX
After Naruto had given Hinata the place to meet for tomorrow, he had made his way home and being the security conscious person he was, he was in his bathroom with sand blocking the window and door. Once he felt reasonably certain no one would get in he let his sand armor slide to the ground.
The reason he was so cautions was because Danzō had not taken him turning down the seal when they first met kindly, so Naruto was occasionally attacked by his Ne brethren in an attempt to place said seal on him.
Of course after enough deaths Danzō had stopped but it was now ingrained into Naruto to be cautious.
Letting the water cascade over his dirty skin he watched as the water turn brown before going down the drain, because he only let himself have the pleasure of a shower every so often.
Running his fingers through his hair, he hummed softly and then opened his mind link "Kāsan?"
"Hmm?"
"How long do I have to be friends to ask to see the Hyūga archives?" he asked.
Kyūbi sighed quietly pushing her agitation down "Kit there is no set time line, from what I can tell she's shy and looking for recognition... but even if you get her to agree we still have the problem of being on a compound with people who can see through walls."
"So what do I do?" asked the boy grabbing the soap beginning to wash himself.
"You are not an idiot, stop asking questions you can figure out for yourself" she said trying to hold in her growing anger "but this one I'll answer for you, get her to do it for you, have her grab the scroll and bring it outside the compound."
Naruto was shampooing his hair with scentless shampoo, he cut off the mind link and began thinking to himself.
"Get her to bring it to me... I'll have to look through my scrolls, there has to be something about turning enemies against each other" he stepped out and started drying off "so I just have to come up with a way to obey me above her family... but would that work? If she is as loyal to her family as I am to mine she will see through my act when I ask for the scroll..."
His sand shield slid up his skin and covered him before changing color to look like his skin, then he put his mask and a yukata to sleep in on, while grabbing a few books on interrogation, espionage and psychology.
XXX
Team seven were on their first mission. Two of the three were angry the other showed no emotion as they painted the fence.
Although the Naruto painting was just another sand clone, while the real Naruto was leaning against a wall across from them and reading a small black book.
Naruto turned the page and began reading to himself "Informality... Manipulate the situation into one of informality and then, when their guard is down, pop in the key question. Make it appear that they are not being interrogated. Appear relaxed. Or if they know they are being interrogated let them think that the interrogation is over and that they are being released. Then ask the question on the way out. Let them think that they have already given you all the information you need."
Naruto sighed not knowing if the situation he was in called for this but kept reading "Done well, the person will not even know that they have given you the information you are seeking. Another point that could help creating informality is by appearing casual and incompetent. When the other person has discounted you as a non-threat, you can then ask the key question that will get you the information you want."
Naruto shook his head it sounded fine in theory but he wasn't sure if he could apply it, or what questions to ask if he even followed this route. Turning the page he began reading again "Show sympathy for the other person and their situation. Legitimize what they may have done or said by showing how you understand them. Offer them mitigating arguments that they can use to excuse themselves."
"Interrogators will often play the concerned friend in order to get the other person to confess. It is fairly well known that soft and sympathetic approaches are often more effective at getting confessions and other information. Sympathy may also be alternated with extreme pressure, perhaps with different people taking different roles. If the person being interrogated has been trained in counter-interrogation, then sympathy will be very unlikely to work. Minimization theme: reducing the person's perceived responsibility for the action. Justification theme: Giving moral justification for the action."
Naruto still didn't see anything overtly useful, at least not for what he was trying to do, skimming the page on empathy he closed the book and looked to his teammates. As he watched them interact he realized they weren't a good example to start basing his practices on and put away his book only to pull out a white and blue book 'Techniques for Changing Minds'
"This is the main 'how to' section. Below it are generalized principles of changing minds and the psychological details of explanations and theories. In this section we cover specific techniques by which people change minds and otherwise persuade.
Assertiveness: Being neither passive nor aggressive.
Body language: A large part of communication is non-verbal.
Change techniques: Ways to make change happen.
Closing techniques: From the discipline of sales, a myriad of ways to gain closure.
Confidence tricks: Ways people get tricked out of their money.
Conversation: How to hold down a conversation with others.
Conversion: Converting and retaining people in different beliefs.
General persuasion techniques: Approaches and things that don't fit elsewhere.
Happiness: How to be happy.
Hypnotism: How people are hypnotized.
Interrogation: Getting answers to questions.
Negotiation tactics: Getting what you want.
Language: Much about subtle use of words.
Listening: Hear the person as well as what they say.
Objection-handling: Ways of handling objections to the sale.
Propaganda: covert persuasion of populations.
Questioning: Using questions to get the results you want.
Resisting persuasion: A big list of ways to avoid being persuaded.
Stress Management: Keeping it down, building it up.
Using humor: Changing minds can be (and use) fun.
Caveat
Just a note of gentle caution: the word 'technique' sometimes implies some kind of magic, with the implicit promise that 'if you do this you will get that'. There is no magic and the techniques here are things that if you do, you may get something of what you want. Life is a numbers game: there are no guarantees. Life is also about practice -- the more you try, the better you will get, so if things do not work for you this time, then keep trying and keep trying different things."
Naruto began reading carefully ignoring everything around him.
Kakashi watched from his tree branch over his team, he couldn't tell what the blonde was reading from his position but it seemed to keep the boy captivated. The Jōnin looked to the other two and almost laughed at the scowl on the Uchiha's face, it made him look constipated. Sakura on the other hand seemed to think this made the brooding boy even cuter and began gushing over him ignoring the fact she stopped painting.
Shaking his head he looked back to Naruto, he knew of Danzō's training methods and although Ne was supposedly disbanded, not everyone believed it. He could tell from Naruto's reactions to people and situations that he was trained to be polite and sociable but his lack of emotion showed that the boy didn't understand the difference in emotions or vocal tones.
As his and Kiba's interaction's had proved.
Although Kakashi was glad that Naruto seemed to be making an effort in making friends and he also saw how Hinata interacted with him making him smile under his mask.
"I think if we can get him to understand emotions and how to interact with people, he could be a great ninja..."
XXX
Hinata fidgeted nervously at training ground three, she was early and was now fighting the urge to run away and hide. She wasn't ever sure how Naruto wanted to 'train', all she knew was Jūken (Gentle Fist) and the academy basics. They could spar but she never did like physical confrontations and practicing ninjutsu wouldn't do them much good with her limited knowledge.
Her self-confidence spiraled lower as everything she thought of would probably be bellow Naruto's expectations.
Hinata let her head hang low and wrung her hands together.
"I hope you were not waiting long Hinata-dono" said the now familiar monotone voice.
Her head shot up and she blushed when she saw him looking at her "Ano... N-Naruto-kun... I wasn't w-waiting to l-long..."
The dark clad boy nodded then began to think of the books he had read "I should open a simple conversation with something that she can answer simply, once she begins to open up I should then ask slightly more personal questions."
He looked up "Such nice weather today, is it not?"
Hinata was shocked by the question, she had never really had normal conversations, plus she never looked at the sky. She spent most her time looking at the ground and avoiding others gazes; swallowing she looked to the blonde and saw him looking up and she allowed her self to do the same.
It was beautiful, and she found that strange, she had always known the sky was there but she never just stopped and held her held up high to look at it.
The soft blue was calming and the bright sun was hidden behind some tree branches giving off lazy warm rays of light. The few clouds above them drifted slowly as if asleep, and Hinata found herself lost in its simplistic beauty.
Naruto looked back down and to the girl after receiving no answer, but when he saw her face he was confused at the pleasant smile and admiring eyes gazing upward. Certainly something as simple as the sky wasn't that great, he looked back up and then back to her "Hinata-dono?"
She was brought back to earth and her blush returned as she saw Naruto looking at her "A-ano... g-gomen (I'm Sorry)..."
Naruto just tilted his head before trying another question "Have you done any missions today?"
Hinata began to stutter her way through talking about her first D-rank mission where her team had to catch some cat named Tora, Naruto nodded at the appropriate moments and never pressured her or finished her sentences. Hinata felt glad that Naruto let her work through her shyness and came to respect him more as it seemed he listened to every word she said.
They talked for a little while longer and after Naruto thought it was the right time he started turning it personal "so do you have any siblings Hinata-dono?"
At first he thought he overstepped his boundaries as he saw a few emotions cross her face and she looked down again, he was about to apologize when she just sighed "I... I have a l-little s-sister..."
Naruto was trying to process her emotions and find the right way to ask her more questions when they were suddenly interrupted "Hinata-sama."
They looked at the edge of the training grounds to see a female Hyūga, a branch member by the looks of it, was coming towards them "Hinata-sama, Hiashi-sama has requested your presence."
Naruto saw the fear and sadness flash through her eyes and filed it away for later, she looked at him and bowed "ar-arigato N-Naruto-kun I have t-to go..."
Naruto nodded "Have a good day Hinata-dono" he turned to the branch member and bowed "Hyūga-dono."
Once they were gone Naruto sat against a tree and began thinking of what he would need to do with his new information.
A/N- I want to thank you all for last chapters reviews. You have all been incredibly helpful, especially the ones who left constructive criticism. Without you guys I wouldn't know what I was doing wrong and what to fix. Sorry that this one is slightly short and rushed but i'll be busy for the next few days so I wanted to get this to you.
Also thanks to those who pointed out somethings that I felt stupid for over looking (like lightning and metal lol). I don't actually watch Naruto so if I get something wrong please tell me, and I hope this chapter has fixed the few errors of my last one.
Till next time ~ Amon Kashino