Steve: Hey! I actually got the newest chapter out in about... three weeks. I think. And it's a big one!
Yui: You really have got to practice telling time. This is actually kind of sad.
Steve: Hey! I can tell time!
Pen-pen: Wark, waar war rkk waa?(Okay, then how old are you?)
Steve:Er... One sec! (Turns around and starts mumbling) Ok, carry the one... add two... bring down the three... (turns back around) Okay, I am 21 years old. (starts sweatdropping as he notices everyone staring at him) What?
Yui: You just proved our point.
Steve: (mumbles) Oh, shut up. (Looks at Hinata) Anyways, if you would thank the reviewers Hinata? Please?
Hinata: Hai! Oh, and they're right you know. (Steve face faults while mumbling: You too?) Anyways, thank you:
Michael01
AshK
CrimsonMoon2009
yumi2482
jackel
The PhantomHokage
Morbious20
Maloran
Damian Azrael
godzillahomer
Dark-Magician-41
Steve: I swear everyones poking fun at me. Anyways, Pen-pen, if you would?
Pen-Pen: (Wark Wa WAAK arrk waark)
Hinata: Translation is "The author doesn't own Harry Potter or Naruto". He just owns this story, the plot and his insane plot-bunnies.
Why me?Shinigami/Demon/Inner-Sakura
'Who?' Thoughts
-YO!- Animal speech
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Warning: Mentions of child abuse
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Having finally finished the exercise to Kakashi's standards, Harry's walking towards the bridge with Hana and Sakura by his side. Her curiosity having reached a higher level, Hana looks at him. "Hey, Harry-kun? I got a question I need answered." Giving her a weird look, he shrugs.
"Sure, what do you want to know?" Hana gives him a sheepish look for asking what she's about to.
"I was just wondering why you created so many Kage Bushin earlier. You learning something new?" Harry starts chuckling.
"I can tell you that, yes, I'm learning how to do something. But I won't tell you what that something is, only that it would be slightly dangerous for me to learn it without some very specific precautions." Harry shrugs at Hana's and Sakura's looks of surprise. "In fact, the more experience I have for it the better. But that's all I'm going to say on the subject." Hana nods understanding that Harry likes to keep some things secret until it's time to reveal it. Meanwhile Sakura bites her lip before nodding to herself.
"Um, Hana-san?" Hana looks towards her before motioning her to continue. "I was wondering, what was that jutsu you did earlier on Harry?" Hana actually finds herself surprised at the question.
"It was a simple scanning jutsu." She gives Sakura a wink while holding one finger and smiling. "You probably don't know this but I'm a vet-nin and despite differences between us and true medic-nin most of the most basic jutsu are in fact the same for both. The one I used just happened to be one of those." Seeing Sakura's interested look, she smirks. "Why? You want to learn?" Sakura looks startled for a moment before looking down and nodding.
"Hai… It's just that…" Taking a deep breath she looks at Hana before bowing. "I just no longer want to be useless and if I'm able to do more then the most basic of first aid then I won't be." Unseen by Sakura is the amused look on Hana's face while Harry shakes his head and lays a hand on her shoulder.
"Sakura-nee-san, you not useless. Never have been in fact." Sakura shakes her head violently.
"Yes I am." She gives Harry a serious look. "Tell me exactly what good I am in combat? We both know that I'm more of a support type, so this would be perfect for me." She jerks as Hana starts laughing. Seeing the look given to her by Sakura, Hana holds up a hand.
"I'm not laughing at you in particular Sakura. Rather I'm laughing at the fact that Harry-kun's and Naruto's description of you is dead on." She laughs again as Sakura glares at Harry. "Don't worry, it was nothing bad. Anyways, I need to know: Are you truly serious about this? I only ask since I'll teach you what I can while we're here, but once we get back to Konoha you'll have to see the Medic-nin in the hospital for farther training. Understood?" Sakura looks at her in shock before once again having her eyes harden in determination and nodding.
"Hai! I'll do whatever I can so that I won't be a burden anymore." Beside her Harry throws up his hands in mock despair.
"I try and I try to convince her that she's not a burden, but nooo! She just won't listen!" Sakura's reply is to hit him in the back of the head. Hana just shakes her head at this with a small smirk on her lips.
"Heh! Well, first thing you've got to is head back to the house and get your swimsuit…"Giving her an odd look, Sakura is about to run back when a sighing Harry raises his hands.
"Accio Sakura's swimsuit! Accio Harry's swimsuit!" A few seconds pass before both articles of clothing appear. Handing the pink one piece in his hands to Sakura, he smirks. "Well? Isn't that easier then what you thought?" Sakura just bashes him in the skull with a scowl before walking off, leaving Hana there laughing at poor Harry. Getting up, he grumbles to himself. Upon reaching the bridge, they all stop with Hana and Sakura just staring in surprise while Harry simply raises an eyebrow at the sight before them. For there is Row, Hedwig and Sal attempting the tree walking exercise in their animal forms. Hana looks at Harry while pointing at them.
"Er… I am seeing that, right?" Harry shrugs and then winces seeing Sal fall and hit her head before she starts to curse.
"Yeah, you're seeing it. They decided last night to try and learn it, so I let them. Why?" Hana just shakes her head.
"Just unusual, that's all." Looking at her watch she notices that it's now ten o'clock. Spying Iruka, she waves at him. "OY! IRUKA! OVER HERE!" Several people near her are nearly deafened by her shout (with Harry mumbling about loud, annoying people… which Hana promptly ignores). Sighing, Iruka walks over.
"What is it, Hana?" Hana gives him a grin.
"I'm just asking about wither I could teach them water walking since they've both completed the tree-climbing exercise." Thinking it over, he nods.
"Sounds good Hana. Just make sure they spend some time guarding, ok?" Hana nods with a shrug, a massive grin on her face.
"Sure. Once they get tired I'll send them to you." Iruka rolls his eyes knowing that the only one to be sent to him will be Sakura. Seeing this, Hana winks at him causing him to sigh and wave her on. Making their way down to the shore, they walk along it until they reach an area blocked off by some rocks making a small cove. Nodding to herself, Hana looks at Harry. "Harry-kun, could you do something to give me and Sakura here some privacy?" Rolling his eyes, Harry conjures a small booth. "Er… not quite what I meant, but it'll do." Sakura walks in first and, after several minutes walks out in her swimsuit (a pink one piece). Harry gives her a smirk before disappearing into the booth himself, but not before getting a shot in.
"Good thing nii-san isn't here Sakura-nee-san. Otherwise he might have fainted." Despite blushing, Sakura does a double take once Harry comes back out.
'WOW! Who would have thought that Harry would have a body like that?' Inner-Sakura shrugs her shoulders before answering.
'Seems kind of obvious with the amount that him and Naruto work out.' A perverted leer comes over her face as she continues. 'Now there's a thought: Naruto in a swimsuit. Just think, if Harry looks like that…' Sending an image of a soaking wet Naruto in swim trunks she giggles as Sakura's hand flies up to her nose. 'You like?' Sakura just goes red.
'GAH! Stop being so perverted! Naruto's my friend! Nothing else, got it!? JUST. MY. FRIEND. Understood?' Inner-Sakura just rolls her eyes before commenting sarcastically.
'Sure… He's just your friend.' Inner-Sakura starts grinning. 'Of course, you know what they say: Best friends make GREAT husbands…' Shaking her head, she notices Harry waving his hand in front of her face.
"Um, nee-san? I know I look okay, but… do you mind not staring? It's really making me uncomfortable." Seeing the embarrassed look on her face, Harry starts to chuckle. Looking around, Sakura notices Hana's no where in sight.
"Um, Harry? Where's Hana-san?" Harry gives her an amused look before answering.
"She's in the booth. Apparently she already brought her swim suit…" Harry gives her an dry look before continuing. "Which makes me suspect she already had this all planned out." Sakura just giggles.
"You think?" She becomes thoughtful as she decides to have one of the questions that's been bugging her answered. "Harry, I got a question for you." Seeing as she gotten his attention, she continues. "What is going on between you and Hana-san? I thought that you and your familiars were dating but now I find out that you're also dating Hana-san as well as Ichiraku Ayame. What kind of man are you?" Harry stares at her before answering.
"That's actually two questions, but I'll still answer them with one of my own: Sakura-nee-san, do you know what the CRA is?" Confused, she shakes her head. "The CRA is better known as the 'Clan Revival Act'. It's one of the more sexist laws in my and nii-san's opinion." Sighing, Harry shakes his head. "At it's most basic it's purpose is supposedly to promote the growth of a clan wielding a blood line by allowing male members to marry multiple women in order to raise the numbers. And before you ask, the Uchiha clan isn't covered by it." Sakura starts blinking.
"They aren't? Why not?" Harry gives her an amused look.
"Two reasons, First: When it was first made they stated they wanted nothing to do with it because they would never need it. And second: Sasuke was offered it but turned it down." Nodding, Sakura suddenly narrows her eyes as she looks at Harry.
"Then why didn't you?" Hana's voice jumps into the conversation.
"Because he wasn't given a choice." Both turn and Harry's jaw drops seeing Hana in her swim suit (a red two piece with paw prints on the top). Seeing Harry's look she smirks. 'Oh yeah! You defiantly got it Inuzuka Hana!' Turning to look Sakura in the eye, she continues in her explanation. "When they gave it to Harry and Naruto, they wouldn't give them the choice of turning it down." Blinking, Sakura gives Harry a questioning look.
"That true?" Seeing him nod she starts to think. 'Man, how unlucky for those two. I've known them for several years and I can say that they would turn it down given half the chance.' Shaking her head free of her thoughts, Sakura cocks her head to the side. "So what are we going to be learning now Hana-san… Or is it Hana-sensei?" Hana just starts laughing.
"OH! I really needed that!" Wiping a tear from her eye, she gives Sakura a smile. "Hana or Hana-san will do. I'm not, after all, your actual sensei. Anyways," she starts to walk towards the water before stopping at the edge. "I'm going to teach you two an advanced form of chakra control. In other words, water walking." Taking a step, she walks out onto the water as if it was solid ground and within a moment is fully out onto the water. "The trick here is quite different. There's two ways of doing this. One is to spread out a thin film of chakra to increase the area of surface tension. Another is to send two 'pillars' of chakra to the bottom. The first would be good for Sakura to start with, while you Harry-kun can do the second." Nodding, Sakura steps out and tries it herself… and promptly falls though the surface. Groaning, she gets out of the water.
'I will do this!' Seeing the determine look on her face, Hana smirks.
'Good. She's actually going to see this through to the end.' She sweat drops as Harry also falls through the surface and comes up as well, only cursing and swearing. 'And it's probably going to take as while for Harry…' About an hour later, an exhausted Sakura (once again fully dressed) walks back to the bridge to help Iruka while recovering. Harry, on the other hand, has only managed to keep his upper body above the water's surface.
'Damn it! There must be a secret for this!' Seeing Hana standing there a idea crosses his mind causing him to mentally smirk. On the outside, He makes his way to where Hana is before giving her his version of the puppy-dog-eyes no jutsu. "Hana-chan? Will you please help me? Or, at least give me some tips?" Looking at him, she sweat-drops.
'Oookay… I thought the GIRL was supposed to give the GUY those things.' Smirking, she nods. "Sure, but on one condition… You cook me a steak dinner when we get home, understood?" Chuckling, Harry nods. Walking over to him (well, more like sauntering over) she grins. "Okay, first things first: Which method are you using?" Harry thinks it over.
"Well I'm using the pillar method. I figured that with my amount of chakra that it would be best, why?" Hana smiles at him before answering.
"Well, actually you're right, it is the best method for you right now. Now step out on the water so I can actually see what you're doing." Doing so, Hana bends kneels down the water observing what Harry's chakra's doing. Noticing how tense he's being, she looks up at him with a grin. "Now Harry-kun, your supposed to be doing the exercise, not staring at my smoking hot body kneeling before you." Going red, Harry starts mumbling about perverted female dogs making Hana laugh. "Ok, enough fun, now your problem is that you're…" After having it explained to him, Harry starts getting better and better. All things must end however, and so they head back once Tazuna decides that the bridge has had enough work for one day.
00000000000000 Next Morning 00000000000000000
After having heard the story behind "The Hero of Wave", both Harry and Naruto had headed off into the woods. And that is why we open with the sight of a young girl humming to herself while picking herbs. Smiling at a bird that's landed on her shoulder, she watches as it flies away only for it to join a small group around two boys. Walking towards them, she frowns as her eyes narrow recognizing them. 'It's them. The two who fought Zabuza-sama…' Reaching towards Naruto's neck, she stops before grabbing his shoulder and lightly shaking him. "You'll catch a cold sleeping outside like this." Opening his eyes, Naruto mumbles a bit.
"Huh?" Spying the girl, Naruto's eyes widen some. "Huh? Who're you nee-san?" The girl giggles some before answering.
"Oh! Pardon my manners!" Bowing a bit, she introduces herself. "My name is Haku. What's your's?" Naruto's eyes light up at her question.
"I'm Uzumaki-Potter Naruto!" And beside him Harry's eyes open before looking at him in annoyance.
"And I'm this loud idiots nii-san, Uzumaki-Potter Harry." Deciding to get some more info, Haku cocks her head to the side.
"Oh? Hmm, Potter? Harry? Such strange names…" Naruto chuckles a bit.
"Maybe. But they come from nii-san's homeland England. They're common there." Haku looks at Naruto a little startled.
"Your nii-san's homeland? Does that mean that you're not related?" Now it's Harry's turn to chuckle as his mind races.
'Who does she think she's fooling exactly with that disguise?' Giving her a smile, he shakes his head. "We are related, but we're cousins through our Okaa-sans." Haku decides to try and stroke their egos to get them to give up some info.
'Hopefully I'll get more info for Zabuza-sama… Even though I dislike having to act like this…' Giggling slightly, she gives them a questioning look. "Are you two shinobi?" At Naruto's question of how she knew, she giggles before pointing at their Hitai-ate.
"Opps." Noticing the basket in her arms he smiles. "So gathering herbs nee-san?" Blinking in shock, Haku looks down at the basket herself before blushing.
"Um, why yes. A… friend of mine is sick and I gathering herbs to help him get better. Would you like to help?" Both nod and start scouring the clearing for herbs. As they do so they continue chatting with Haku, slowly but surly they start to get to know each other. Eventually, Haku asks something that she would like answered. "I was wondering, why are you training? You already look really strong to me." Naruto gives her a foxy grin.
"I'm training so that I can become Hokage and protect everyone in my village." Haku's eyes widen at this and widens again at Harry's answer.
"And I'm training too so that I can protect my precious people and help my nii-san reach his dream." Hearing this, Haku's eyes become slightly misty.
'They're like me… They want to protect their precious people.' Gathering up her basket she gives them both a smile. "Then you are going to be truly strong. For it is only when you protect what is precious to you that you can know true strength. Oh, and I'm a boy." She starts to walk away only to as stop as Harry starts chuckling.
"Nice. Those are definitely words to live by… surprising coming from Zabuza's apprentice." Noticing her stiffen and start to reach for something, he laughs again. "Don't worry, we're not going to do anything so you don't have to be so tense." Seeing as she still tense, he sighs before glaring at her. "Look, if we had wanted to do something to you, don't you think that we would have." Harry starts smiling as he watches her relax. "Good… Oh, and we know you're a girl not a boy." Startled, Haku stares at him.
"Wha… What? What are you talking about? I'm a boy. Sure I may look like a girl, but I'm a guy!" Seeing them just stare at her with disbelieving looks, she sweat drops. "No. Really, I'm a guy." Stare. Stare.
"You really don't expect us to buy that do you? You have 'I'm a girl' written all over you." Hearing that come from Naruto, she sighs frustrated and flustered.
'How did they know…?' Glaring at them, she pouts. "What gave it away? I wear baggy clothes, wash with scent destroying soap… It was my lack of a Adam's apple, wasn't it? Kuso!" She blushes slightly as Harry starts laughing. "What!? Why are you laughing!?" Harry just waves her off, before clearing his throat.
"Actually, no. You don't get called on that bluff often, do you?" Slightly dazed, she shakes her head. "Ah! So that explains why you admitted it so easily. Anyways, it was two things that gave you away. One was the way you walk and move-" He gets cut off as Haku interrupts while Naruto just sits to the side in enjoyment.
"Wait! My movements gave me away? How?" Harry rolls his eyes at her interruption.
"If you would just let me finish, please?" Blushing at her rudeness, Haku nods. "Thank you. Anyways, your movements gave you away since girls have a slightly different center of gravity then boys. Also… well, you won't believe this but the comparative length of your fingers gave you away." He waits for a few minutes with a grin on his face for the explosion… Needless to say he isn't disappointed.
"NANI! MY FINGERS!" Harry starts laughing at the shocked, disbelieving look she's giving him. Winking, he holds up a finger.
"Yup, your fingers." Holding up his hand he points at his ring and index fingers. "You see Haku-chan, males have longer ring fingers then index fingers while for females it's the opposite with the ring finger being shorter then the index… As is the case for you." She looks back and forth between her hand and Harry's before a completive look comes over her.
'Huh. He's right.' Looking him in the eye, her face becomes serious. "Okay, so if you're not going to do anything, then what do you want? And it better not be Intel on Zabuza-sama because I won't tell you anything." Harry shakes his head in amusement.
"Actually, we just want to talk. About what, you can decide. Anyways, you should probably get going since some members of our team should be by soon. How're about we meet tomorrow at about the same time?" Hesitantly, she nods before disappearing in a swirl of leaves. Smiling at it for a moment his face becomes thoughtful as Naruto starts getting up from where he had been observing. "Well? Aren't you going to start berating me for letting he go?" A small smile on his lips, Naruto chuckles a bit while shaking his head.
"Nah nii-san. I learned a long time ago to trust you in situations like this. I sure you had a very good reason to do so… Besides the tracking charm you put on her of course." A smile makes it's way onto Harry's face as well.
"So you noticed? Never mind, dumb question. Anyways, I let her go because there's something about her… I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's there. Something… familiar, tragic." Shrugging, he turns to Naruto. "Probably just my imagination of course, but still…" Nodding, Naruto sighs.
"No, you're probably right. I got much the same vibe myself." Sniffing the wind, he perks up. "Heh! We got company." At just that moment Sasuke walks into the clearing with them staring at him causing him to glare.
"What?" Their grins widening, they look at each other.
"Nothing."
0000000000000000000 Next day 000000000000000000000
Leaning against a tree, Harry opens his eyes as he hears footsteps heading towards him. "So you came. That's good, I thought for a while there that you weren't coming." Haku just sighs and shrugs.
"I… thought about not coming, but I decided to do so. Mainly because you're… Interesting I guess." Giving her a smile, Harry looks up while chuckling.
"Merlin, I've been called many things in my life, but interesting…? Nope." Looking back at her, he jerks his head deeper into the woods. "Well? You coming? We should probably get out of sight before anyone comes." Nodding, Haku follows him. As they're walking, she looks at him quizzically.
"You do realize that we all alone here, right? I could kill you now and no one would know for a long time what happened." She gets weirded out as Harry just laughs. "What? You think that's funny?" Harry shakes his head.
"No, it's just that I'm never truly alone." He looks at her causing a slight blush. "Besides the same thing could be said for you. So why did you take up my offer?" Thinking it over, Haku smiles before turning to Harry.
"There's something about you that seems familiar. Like you could understand me I guess… Or at least that's the best I can come up with." Harry nods at this.
"It's the same for me too." Looking at him in shock for a moment, Haku then becomes thoughtful.
'So he can feel it too, huh? Interesting…' Shaking her head free of her thoughts she gives him a smile. "So it's the same for you?" Harry nods. "Don't you think that's a little odd?" Harry just chuckles.
"Actually no." Looking at her confused look he laughs again. "Just trust me on this, weird things just don't bother me." Still confused, she nods slowly. Since the ice is now broken they start chatting. Not about anything in particular, just stuff. Finally, Harry tells Haku the story of Kaiza. Haku's silent for a few moments before she looks at Harry, the story having obviously effected her.
"Why…? Why have you told me this? You trying to get me to stop?" Harry looks up before sighing.
"As a matter of fact, yes." He turns to look at her with a pleading look on his face. "I get the distinct feeling that you're not quite as cold hearted as you act. Hearing this, do you really want to continue to work for Gato? He's the type to betray you at the best possible moment... For him anyways." Haku looks away from him, unable to look him in the face.
"Wither I want to or not doesn't matter. If Zabuza-sama tells me to I'll do it. I'm sorry." She goes to leave when Harry grabs her wrist with a stormy look on his face.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Why are you following Zabuza with such loyalty?! He's a evi-" Harry gets cut off as Haku slaps him before talking to him in a tone so icy that the air could freeze solid.
"Don't you dare say such things about Zabuza-sama. I will NOT allow you to say such things about him." Looking away, she continues in quieter voice. "You wouldn't understand." Harry looks at with an inscrutable expression.
"You're right, I don't understand. Why don't you explain it to me?" Slightly surprised, Haku tells him of her past. Once she's done, they lapse into silence until Harry breaks it. "We're a lot alike, you and I. We've both been betrayed by family members…" Shocked, Haku looks at him.
"Wha… What do you mean?" Harry looks at her with a sigh causing her to jerk back from the dead look in his eyes. For some reason unknown to him, Harry feels the need to tell her about the Dursleys, which he does. As his tale continues, Haku becomes more and more horrified, and angry. 'How… How dare they! I cannot believe that…' Tears in her eyes, she embraces Harry. "I'm sorry… You do understand, I know that now." Harry returns the embrace before looking her in the eye.
"I suppose that you'll still attack us? There's nothing I can do?" Shaking her head, Haku sighs.
"I'm afraid not Harry-kun, I'm afraid not." Stepping away, she wraps her arms around herself as if to ward off the cold. "Me and Zabuza-sama are missing-nin. Jobs like these are the only ones available for people like us unfortunately. Add to the fact that Gato is keeping the hunter-nin off our backs for the time being… I'm afraid we have no other choice." Thinking it over, Harry starts smiling as a thought occurs to him.
"What if you did? What if there WAS another way? Would that change his position? 'Cause you two have got to realize that Gato will betray you in the end, if for no other reason then to claim the bounty on your heads." Startled Haku looks at him wide-eyed in shock.
"Well… Yes. Yes, that would change things, but what option are you talking about? As far as I can see there is no other option then to fight." Harry looks over at her with a grin.
"Oh, but there is: You could join Konoha. I know for a fact that by you doing so it would strengthen the village as well as give you a refuge from the hunter-nin." Seeing as she's about to protest, Harry holds up his hand to stall. "Listen, I can make this happen. First, because I'm in good with the Hokage. Second, let's just say that I have some pull with the village council. And three… Well, it's not like there's no precedent for a missing-nin to join a village." Blinking some, Haku starts feeling something she thought had died a long time ago: hope.
"You… you can do this? For us?" Harry gives her a nod. "I… I don't know what to say. Is there any requirements for this?" Once again Harry nods.
"Yes. All I ask is that if you do still attack that you don't kill any bystanders such as the bridge workers. I don't care if Zabuza goes after us, but I don't want any collateral damage. Is that okay?" Thinking it over she smiles.
"Yes, I do believe that will be fine." Sighing, she shakes her head. "I doubt Zabuza-sama will go for it, but I'll try to convince him." Harry just smiles at her.
"That'll do, that'll do." Remembering something, Haku looks at him with a demure smile.
"Harry-kun?" Harry just looks at her with a raised eyebrow before motioning her to continue. "I was wondering how you froze Zabuza-sama's jutsu. You did mention that you didn't use any chakra, so how did you?" Harry looks at her for a moment before smiling.
"I sorry Haku-chan, but all questions must be asked by writing them in the form of an answer." Stopping, she turns to ask what he's talking about, only to find he's disappeared on her. Frustrated, she stomps the ground.
'Ohhh! Just wait till I get my hands on him… I can already tell that he'll be frustrating to no end and somehow I get the feeling that this is normal for him.' Giving one last look around, she starts to snarl. "Just you wait… I'll show exactly how sadistic I can be… yeeesss."
0000000000000000000 Later that night 000000000000000000
Having finished for the day, the group of ninja are gathered around the dinning table laughing and joking as they have their dinner. Inari just continues to glare at them until he finally explodes. "What the hell do you guys think you're doing?! Why don't you go away?! After all, you're just going to die otherwise!" Naruto and Harry just glance at him before shrugging.
"Because we're not like you. We don't give up." Putting some more food in his mouth, Harry jerks his thumb at Naruto while hastily swallowing.
"What he said." Inari, however, decides to show that like a dog he just can't let go.
"What gives you the right?! Do you have any idea how much we suffer?! Do you?! OF COURSE NOT! Look at you, laughing and joking around! You have no idea what true suffering is like!" Suddenly, Inari feels a massive amount of KI from the two genin in front of him while next to him a glass shatters. When Naruto and Harry look up, they do so with a snarl as Naruto strikes first.
"You think… that WE have no idea of what true suffering is… You think that?" The laugh that rips it way out from Naruto's throat is not joyful in the least. Rather, it's pure savagery. "Now THAT is funny that you would actually think that… Tell me something Inari… Did you ever have to scavenge for food from a dumpster because otherwise you would have worry about it being poisoned? Were you ever charged triple or even quadruple the price for something that wasn't that good in the first place? Have you ever had to fear for your life on your birthday because your village hated you so much that they might try to kill you on the day of your birth? Have you? TELL ME HAVE YOU!?" Inari shrinks back as with a scowl Harry takes his turn.
"Look around you Inari and look good. You have a wonderful mother and grandfather who love and care for you. Do you know what I had? DO YOU?!" Getting his voice under control with a visible effort, he continues. "I only wish I had what you do. You see Inari, when I was little more then a year old my parents were murdered in cold blood and I was sent to my Oba-chan's and Oji-san's house. Do you know what happened there? Care to take a guess?" Inari shakes his head no realizing that maybe he had pushed a little too far. In an effort to calm him down, Hana lays a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Now Harry-kun… He's just a little kid and-" Harry shrugs off her hand before looking at her.
"You think I don't know that Hana-chan? I do and he asked for this." Holding up her hands in surrender, she watches in order to interfere if Harry goes to far though she doubts he'd let himself do so. "Let me tell you. They hated me with a passion them and my fat whale of a cousin. Let me give you an example shall I? When I was only three I accidentally called my Oba-chan Oka-san. Do you know what she did? She slapped me across the face and told me that freaks like myself didn't deserve an Okaa-san and that was why I didn't have one. When I was four my arm was broke by my cousin during one of his and his friends games of 'Harry hunting'… Oh, I forgot to mention that, didn't I? That his Okaa-san and Tou-san encouraged him and his friends to hunt me down and beat me, didn't I? Well, anyways my arm was broke and I had to go t the hospital. Once I got back my Oji-san shoved me into my cupboard, yes cupboard not bedroom, and kept me there without food for a week. This is besides the fact that they only gave me the bare minimum to live on anyways. These are just a few things in my past Inari, so before you spout off, SHUT THE HELL UP AND THINK!" And with a final growl Harry and Naruto get up and leave. For a few minutes all is quiet as Tsunami holds a tearful Inari before turning to Kakashi.
"Is… Is that all true? What they said?" Kakashi sighs, ashamed of his village, before answering.
"In Naruto's case… Yes, and it was worse. In Harry's… I actually don't know as there's little known about his past." At this point Hana speaks up in a soft voice.
"I can answer that Kakashi, and unfortunately the answer is yes." Tears gathering in her eyes, she looks at all the people. "Most of you don't know this, but I was one of the first people to meet Harry-kun when he first came to Konoha. After a… Incident, Harry had to go to the Hospital. There it was found that he had several scars on his body as well as a extremely bad case of malnutrition. It was so bad that even to this day his body hasn't fully recovered." Shaking her head, she looks first at Row and then at Hinata who both nod before leaving in the same direction as Harry and Naruto. Seeing this, Sakura looks at Hana with a inquisitive look.
"Um, Hana-san, why are they heading after Harry and Naruto? And why aren't you?" Hana looks at her with sadness in her eyes before hanging her head and sighing.
"They're heading after them because they're the only ones who can deal with those two when they get like this, I can't." Reading the looks around her, she chuckles. "No, no. I wouldn't be in any kind of danger. What I mean is that Harry and Naruto need someone who's calmer then me. Someone… who's understanding, who's gentle… Like Row and Hinata. I'm not one of those people." Kakashi sighs while looking up.
"Just when I think it can't get any more complicated, it does." Looking at Inari, he sighs again. 'And of course they leave me to deal with the aftermath.' He starts thinking about what he's going to say to Inari…
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Pounding a tree with his bare hands, Naruto continues to try and reign in his anger. 'Stupid, stupid, STUPID! I cannot believe I exploded like that! At a kid no less! I mean, sure the gaki deserved something, but what I did was STILL far out of line.' With a shout, his fist hit's the tree causing it to shatter at the point of impact. As the tree falls, Naruto glances at the splinters in his hand which are causing it to bleed. While doing so, he doesn't notice someone enter the clearing until two slender arms wrap around him while the scent of lavender surrounds him, calming him down. "Hey." The girl behind him presses her face into his back.
"Hey yourself Naruto-kun." Turning him around, she cups his cheek in her hand. "How are you feeling? And tell me the truth, I can tell if you lie after all." With a sigh, Naruto looks at her with eyes full of regret and sadness… and not a small amount of disgust.
"Truefully? I feel horrible. I can honestly say that I feel disgusted with myself for acting the way I did. True, the gaki needed a wake up call, but still…" Shaking himself as if he was a big dog trying to get dry, he goes on with a sigh. "I'm furious with myself for going off like that, he didn't deserve it. It was disrespectful to both him and myself." Hinata just shakes her head while giving him a soft smile that makes him feel slightly better about himself.
"Silly Naruto-kun." Looking at his hands, she tuts. "Look what you did to your poor hands… and that tree. What ever did it do to you?" Ignoring her teasing, Naruto glances at the felled tree before making a gesture causing the tree to move back up into it's previous position. And with that he disengages from Hinata and moves to the tree and lays a hand on the break.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have took my anger out on you my friend." Closing his eyes, a glow surrounds the break and after a few minutes he moves away revealing that the tree is fully healed. Bowing to the tree, he asks forgiveness before looking back at Hinata who's watching him. "What?" She shakes her head with a few chuckles.
"It's nothing Naruto-kun. Who would have thought that the kitsune ancestor of your's would be the infamous plant using Yoko Kurama? And that through him that you're a relative of the Shodaime and Nidaime?" Seeing him start, she giggles while waving his fears away. "Don't worry, I already set up those privacy talismans you gave me.?" A slightly mischievous smirk comes over her face as an idea comes to her. "Why don't you bring out Kyubi-anesan?" Naruto sweat drops while rubbing the back of his head with a wince.
"Well… She's currently busy tearing a strip off me so…" Hinata just giggles causing Naruto to smile. 'Kami, I love her laugh.' Of course, this doesn't go unnoticed by a certain fox.
'ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME!? ARE YOU!?' After a few minutes, Kyubi finally lets up. 'There, I'm done. Now, are you going to let me out for a bit? I don't mean to sound rude but it's getting kind of cramped in here.' Catching a stray thought, she starts growling causing Naruto to wince. 'And no, I'm not going to start on you again once I'm out.' Blushing at being caught, Naruto brings out her Shikigami body. Once out she takes a deep breath of fresh air. "Aww. Much better." Looking at Naruto, she sighs. "Look, I'm not really angry at you Naruto-kun. Okay?" Naruto nods while being wrapped up in a hug from both of his most precious people.
"Hai. Thanks." Closing his eyes, he sighs some feeling the last of his anger and frustration slip away like so many grains of sand in an hourglass. 'This is truly one of my favourite things to do.' Opening his eyes, he looks at the two girls holding him. "Would you mind telling me how you two can make all my problems melt away?" Both of them turn to the other and smile before looking back at Naruto.
"Sorry, trade secret. Very hush-hush. If we told you we would have to kill you." Kyubi smiles as Naruto chuckles. "But anyways Naruto-kun, you shouldn't be angry with yourself. You are going through puberty and trust me, mood swings are a normal part of that. And the fact that your slowly transforming into a kitsune with the demonic version as well… Let's just say that I'm surprised that something like this didn't happen sooner." Gesturing to him, she guides him to a tree before making him sit. Feeling something, he turns to see Hinata cuddling his arm.
"Enjoying yourself?" Hinata just nods.
"Yes. You make a very nice pillow." She giggles at the wry look he gives her as Kyubi slides up and cuddles his other arm, winking at her.
"Oh, yes. He makes an awesome pillow. Take it from me, I've been using him as such for years." As the girls giggle, Naruto gains a mock serious look on his face as he (after freeing the arm) shoots one of his fists into the air.
"Yes, I've personally made it my goal in this life to be the perfect pillow to girls everywhere." As the giggles die down, he gives both girls waists a squeeze. "Whatever did I do to deserve such great girls as you two?" Kyubi gives him a grin before kissing him.
"Does that really matter?" Thinking it over, Naruto nods before giving them both a soft look.
"No, it doesn't, I guess." Leaning back with the two girls in his arms, all three continue to enjoy the evening before they drift off to sleep, encircled by the warmth generated by their love for each other.
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Calmly walking through the woods, Row finally comes upon Harry who's just standing there with his sword in his hand. With a moment almost to quick to catch, Harry pulls his sword from it's sheath before placing it back in with a soft click. Row whistles as the stump in front of Harry falls to the ground having been cut diagonally. "Nice." Jumping a bit, Harry gives her a slight glare.
"Must you always sneak up on me like that? You're going to give me a heart attack one of these days." Row shrugs as she walks up to him. Upon reaching him her face softens and she places a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you okay Harry?" With a sigh, he looks away with an ashamed look on his face until Row grabs it and makes him look her in the eye. "Look at me Harry." Her face saddens as she sees the myriad emotions running through his eyes: Sadness, shame, regret, anger, and not a small amount of self-pity.
"I screwed up Row. Badly." Row's response is to simply pull him into a loving embrace and start singing, washing away the worst of his feelings and taking away the edge off what's left. As she stops, she hears Harry mumble a thank you. At that she nods with a slightly misty look in her eyes as she lays her head on his.
"There's nothing to thank me for Harry. I love you and I hate to see you hurting like this." Harry just sighs into the embrace as a wraps his arms around her waist.
"Doesn't mean that I'm off the hook. I shouldn't have exploded like that… And now they're going to pity me… I hate pity." Row just shakes her head at him before giving him a small smack on the back of the head. "OW! What was that for." Harry starts sweat dropping at how Row's glaring at him with her hands on her hips.
"Listen to me and listen good Harry Uzumaki-Potter, there will be a test later. None of us pity you. Feel sad you had to go through such things, yes. Feel angry about your past, yes. Hate those fucking idiots because of what they did, oh hell yes." Harry starts a little at Row swearing since she NEVER swears. "But feel pity? No, never." Embracing him again, she nuzzles his hair. "To do so would be disrespectful to you. So I wouldn't worry about it. As to your past… Well, it had to come out at some point. Perhaps it's better it did now." Shaking his head, Harry looks back up at her.
"What are you talking about? How would coming out about it now help?" Row looks at him with her soulful eyes before answering.
"Because, now you don't have to hide it." Row reaches up and cradles his head to her chest. "Child abuse is an insidious evil because victims like you feel ashamed that it happened and try to hide it. And now that they know, you can talk about it to them, to let it out." She feels wetness on her shirt as Harry starts crying. "Oh, Harry. Let it out, just let it all out." Harry just tightens his grip as he finally releases the poison that's been corroding his soul for so long. As he does so, Row just stands there allowing herself to be his anchor, crying like she never has before as she sings and uses all the abilities granted to her as a phoenix to help close the wound in his soul. Finally, Harry's sobs slow as she continues to hold him until he goes silent. "Harry?" Looking down, she notices that Harry's fallen asleep. She smiles as she notices the worry free look on his face before flapping up into a nearby tree while carrying Harry. Once there, she wraps her wings around them both and then joins Harry in slumber.
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Steve: And there we go! Another chapter complete!
Yui: And it was a good one. It's actually nice to see Harry slowly leting go of his past.
Pen-pen: Waaarr.(Indeed.)
Hinata: Yes! Another fluff scene with me and Naruto-kun!
Steve: Trust me when I say it's the first of many. And just to let you all know now, with the next chapter the story will be upgraded to M due to the various battle scenes. Just think of what happened in the manga at various times. OH! Before I forget, I got a special way to take care of Gato that's different (I hope) then anything you've seen yet. Till next time!
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