I DON'T OWN NARUTO

It was the next day and what appeared to be a habit Kakashi had shown up on time.

"Naruto, I have six months to get you into shape and this will be the hardest thing you've ever done. We've got some areas we have to focus on; conditioning, taijutsu, and kenjutsu mainly. I already know you're ninjutsu is good so we likely won't be expanding it just yet, more refining it so you've mastered the ones you know. We'll also be developing your tactical thinking, any questions?"

"Well, I'm trying to develop a new style of combat fuinjutsu with a friend will I have time to do that?"

"Yes, that shouldn't be a problem but for now I want you to run around the village wall and then get back here. Also, don't use chakra. Once I get a sense of your baseline I may add resistance seals to your training. Now get going."

Several hours later we find an exhausted and pained chunin on the ground getting an eye smile from his sensei. "You know, sensei, you don't have to look like you enjoy my misery so much."

"But I do, I love breaking new recruits. It was my favorite activity in ANBU. Anyway, I'm impressed with what I've seen and we have a good place to start building. I'll see you tomorrow bright and early." Kakashi says before leaving in a swirl of leaves.

Cursing his "bastard" sensei Naruto picks himself up and starts home. On his way he gets an alert from a security seal, someone had breached his apartment. Close enough to his place when he got his alert, Naruto extends his senses and while not familiar with the chakra signature he can tell they are likely jounin level. Not wanting to foolish rush in he tries and successfully locates Kakashi and makes his way there.

An unsuspected knocked interrupted Kakashi and his reading time. He opens the door to see his student, confused as he's never revealed where he lives to his students.

"Sorry for bothering you sensei, I got an alert from a security seal that someone is in my apartment and I sensed it was someone of jounin level. Oh, and that's how I found you if you're wondering. I'm a sensor, I sense things. Anyhoo, I'd normally handle it myself but I've yet to recover from your assessment and was wondering if I could get a bit of help."

Kakashi's single eye darkens before he gives Naruto his eye smile, "We're going to discuss this sensor ability you failed to mention. As far as the intruder, I'll check it out, why don't you go get something to eat and I'll find you when it's over."

"No problem, thanks sensei."

Kakashi only nods before he shunshins away.

Inoichi Yamanaka is not an unreasonable man. He understands that he might not be Naruto's favorite person, while following orders he's earned the blonde's ire. However, coming between a man and his only daughter is crossing a bit of a major line. Doing so while boxing him in with S-class secrets is just downright dickish, in this veteran shinobi's estimation. So, yes, Inoichi is a little hot right now. Enough so to invite himself in as to guarantee an audience? It appears so. It's just going to be a civilized chat so there's no issue. Just a calm exchanging of ideas between two rational adu…

"You know, he keeps some really good tea in his cupboard. A nice, soothing blend. You'd never expect the knucklehead to have such good taste and yet, there it is. May I make you some tea, Inoichi-san, I doubt Naruto would mind."

Hiding his surprise that Kakashi managed to sneak up on him Inoichi declines the tea. "Where is Naruto?"

"Mah mah, Inoichi-san, that's not important right now. I'm much more interested in where you are and why? What business could you have with my cute little chunin?"

"I believe that's best left between Naruto and I, Kakashi."

"And yet that's not going to happen. I think it'd be better to accept your current reality instead of clinging to what you'd prefer."

"Fine, Kakashi. Naruto revealed something to my daughter that is driving a wedge between us, I wanted to discuss this with him and advise he be more mindful of his words in the future."

"You know, Inoichi, that sounds uncomfortably close to a threat. I'd really really hate for you to threaten my student. It'd upset me ever so."

"And your emotional state would be my problem?"

"No, see if you're threatening Naruto you won't have anymore problems. Your clan will. Like, what happened to Inoichi. Who is going to be clan head. Who will comfort poor Ino. You know, things of that nature. But since you aren't threatening my student this is all rather moot, wouldn't you agree?" Kakashi said as if rather bored by the topic.

"I believe I would." said with a sneer.

"Good. Oh, and Inoichi?"

"Yes, Kakashi?"

"We won't have this discussion again. Take that however you like. Ja ne"

3 Months Later

Three months as a chunin, three months of intensive training and Naruto's progress was satisfactory according to Kakashi who only say satisfactory to get on Naruto's nerves. Anyone else would be extremely impressed with how far Naruto has come in solidifying is basics and expanding upon them, not to mention his conditioning even if Naruto promised to, "send a hundred exploding kunai up your bastard ass" should Kakashi make him climb up the cliff of a mountain singlehandedly again. In the middle of the second month Asuma joined to help Naruto develop his wind enabled kenjutsu, especially helpful as Naruto decided to go with dual kodachi.

Things are going are also going well in his personal life. Naruto interacts with his friends in public and has yet to have a single incident with the villagers. He has also been able to help them in their training for the upcoming chunin exams in Suna. He's even resolved his issues with Kurenai, figuring that while she was in the wrong he took out previously held frustrations on her. Now the two are perfectly cordial to each other which just fine for him.

Naruto is still trying to crack his new combat fuinjutsu but hasn't quite gotten it, though Tenten is hoping as it'd help augment her style. Naruto had the idea soon after he managed to graft the explosive array on a kunai. Naruto theorizes that he can get elemental barrier seals with kunai operating as the points of creation. If he can get the array right, he won't need specific kunai for each element, instead he could use hand signs and the equivalent chakra for a D or C rank jutsu to erect the barriers. If he can get the barriers to work then other arrays should work as well. This would mean being able to prepare the battlefield on the spot if ever ambushed and the liability of writing seals during combat is removed. Naruto has also been learning to write seals with his chakra but that has been slow going. Not just because of the difficulty; it requires the seal to be perfectly memorized instead of Naruto's process of "feeling" how the seal is made and above average chakra control. Never one to quit, he is having his close work on both those issues getting some insight about sealing from his parents, he has managed to upgrade Minato from prick to bastard, and has gotten some chakra control exercises from Tsunade. Speaking of which…

"Tsunade-sama, why are you here?"

"Oh, that's hurtful Naruto, not happy to see me?"

"Of course I am, I was just expecting Kakashi-sensei but he seems to be running late."

"Well, that's why I'm here. Kakashi was just assigned a last minute mission and I agreed to handle your taijutsu lesson for the day."

Naruto doesn't have the words for how much he really doesn't want to do this. Tsunade isn't know for restraint, he's seen her break Jiraiya's ribs and say what you want about his failure of a godfather but the man isn't exactly weak. However, he has no way to get out of this so his only hope is to minimize the damage.

One hour later

"You could have hit me less, you know."

Grinning from ear to ear, "But then how would you have learned?"

"Learn what, Tsunade-sama?"

"One, I have a long memory. Two," she says narrowing her eyes at Naruto, "Don't. Ever. Call. Me. Baa-chan. Again."

Naruto takes a minute to think, "THAT WAS MONTHS AGO! Also, I didn't even mean it."

"I couldn't take the risk." She says laughing as they separate.

When she is comfortably out of earshot Naruto starts to mutter, "Don't call you baa-chan, I'll call you baa-chan if I want. Abusive Hokage's attacking loyal shinobi."

"You shouldn't talk to yourself, it makes you seem crazy."

"Crazy is attractive, gives the impression of hidden depths."

"Who told you that?"

"I told it to myself."

"I need a new best friend. I wonder if Ino or Tenten are free."

"So cruel, Hinata-chan, so very cruel. Besides, I'm irreplaceable."

"Well, I won't know until I try."

"You wound me. I had something to ask you and now I'm not sure if you'd just ruthlessly cast me aside."

"I could just beat it out of you."

"Nah, not your style."

"I could tell everyone you're afraid of ghosts."

"Everyone should be, they shouldn't exist."

Both walk quietly for a moment until Naruto notices a devious smile on Hinata's face which makes him feel hot and cold simultaneously.

"P-please, tell m-me, Naruto-kun" she says in a meek voice with a bit of blush.

Feeling flustered and not knowing why Naruto can only stare at his friend before managing to get out, "You can do that on command?"

"Yep. Why, like it?"

"I reserve comment. Anyway," he looks away and Hinata notices his seemingly forced lack of eye contact, "I was wondering, if you're free or whatever, if you'd like to go on a date with me."

"I suppose I could do that" she answered neutrally while internally freaking out. "Of course you'll have to speak with Hiashi because kami forbid I not be treated like property."

"Yea, I know. When do you think I could get into see him?"

"He can make time now, no point in delaying."

"There actually is, I've just been dodging mountain crushing fists and need a shower and a change of clothes."

"That didn't matter when you asked me."

"Because you already like me. Hell, you've probably seen me naked."

To this Hinata can only blush, "Just come to the compound in two hours, ok?"

"Sure, Hinata-chan, see you then."

The two head to their respective residences, Hinata grateful he didn't acknowledge her lack of denial.

Arriving to the compound wearing a semiformal outfit of black slacks, a dark blue long sleeve shirt and black loafers, Naruto greets the guards who promptly retrieve Hinata, who has also changed into a lavender kimono.

"You nervous?" she asks.

"No" he lies.

"Liar." She knows.

"I prefer artistic interpretation of real time events." He replies with a smile

"Most liars would." She offers with a smile to match

"As if most liars could be as great as me." Both snicker but stop when they arrive to the study of Hiashi, awaiting permission to enter. Once received, Hinata enters first followed by Naruto.

Good evening Otou-sama/Hiashi-sama they greet the clan head.

"Daughter, Uzumaki, why have you requested to speak with me today" he says without a hint of emotion.

"Thank you for your time, Hiashi-sama, I am here today to request permission to date your daughter."

"I see." He says and then leaves the room quiet.

"I will allow it on the condition Hinata relinquishes her title as heiress of the clan."

Both are shocked even if a small part of each teen realizes they shouldn't be.

"May I ask why she'd have to give up being clan head to date me?"

"First, because to be a leader one must be able to sacrifice for their ambitions and Hinata's quest to uproot generations of Hyuuga tradition is quite ambitious. That cannot be achieved without cost, she should learn that now. In exchange for breaking off all nonprofessional contact, however, she will get my full backing to remove the cage bird seal when I transition to the elder council. Secondly, she is an heiress, you offer nothing that benefits the clan."

'My benefit to your clan is not kill most of the man branch, asshole' Naruto thought but dared not let it show on his face.

"Finally," said asshole continued, "the Sandaime does not trust you. He has considered you a possible threat and I have no reason to question his judgment and as such, I will not trust you with my daughter."

"Why do I have to break off all contact? We have been friends for years." Hinata said, refusing to cry in front of him.

"Yes, you have and it benefitted you but I think it has long since stopped aiding in your development, as such there is no real reason to continue seeing this boy. The choice, however, is yours."

Both leave the study, shocked at what has just happened. Making their way to the front gate, Hinata hugs Naruto and starts to weep as he hugs her back.

"I'm sorry." she whispers.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Because, he's making me be like them, making it a choice of your happiness or the general welfare of others. It's not fair."

"It's not but I couldn't ask you to give up on your goal, nor risk getting sealed for me."

"I need you to do something for me."

"Anything just name it."

"Move on. If I accept this, he's likely going to start accepting offers to court me and I don't want you to miss out on being with someone else. So please, promise me."

Hesitating initially, Naruto relents, "I promise."

Neither of them had the courage to say goodbye so they separate at his promise. She heads to her room, he off the compound. It would be three days before Naruto revealed what happened to anyone, finally opening up to Kakashi after he saw his pupil seeming distraught. While he had no advice for his student, he did express sympathy, knowing that the boy rarely seems to catch a break and the Sandaime's misguided notions have once again negatively affected Naruto.

Six Weeks Later

As he watched his apartment burn his thoughts go to his history there. The day the, then, kind old man showed him his own space. The day his first friend gave him practice kunai because he complained the ones at the academy felt wrong. The day the second most quiet person in class came to check on him after a particular rough day of bullying, how he stayed for dinner and the two just talked… about everything. Hobbies, dreams, what his clan was like just anything. The feeling of going to sleep knowing he'd made another friend, someone else who cared. But mostly his thoughts certain around a certain girl.

So shy, so outwardly delicate and yet she made the first step, likely summoning every ounce of courage she had and came to his door on his birthday. She came into herself in that apartment, it became a safe space for both of them and sometimes Naruto thought of it as their place, their sanctuary from all those that doubted and dismissed them. More thoughts about the meals shared, the stupid jokes. How she helped him study and how just by talking with her she came out of her shell and lost her stutter, something it took her bastard father months to notice. He was and to some extent likely will always be hyperactive but she always invoked a sense of calm within him.

He remembers the exact day he knew he had fallen in love with her. It scared him like nothing else but excited him all the same. A thrill like no other and while the emotion was so unfamiliar to him he knew he'd never wish to give it up, even if she never felt the same he'd cherish it, the ability to feel this way about someone else was… so many things. He'd happily give himself over to it, so overwhelming it was somehow innately realizing the freedom in submitting to it. That last thought caused Naruto to do something he hadn't done in years, something he promised himself he'd never do again.

As he watched the flames dance in the apartment complex and give an ethereal glow to the night's sky Naruto started to let his tears fall. First a single, followed up a second and soon a steady stream. He couldn't even focus on how his body was betraying his will, he couldn't muster the fight to cut the tears as he watched, almost in a trance. Naruto's tears were not for the apartment as such, he had money and could find a new place to live. It wasn't for the momentos as he had his most precious items protected in a fireproof storage seal. No any physical item lost could be replaced. It wasn't even the memories, those had become so essential to him that he didn't need physical cues to spur them, they were always readily accessible. No, Naruto's tears signified his loss of hope.

He had hoped that there was a way around Hiashi's pronouncement, his irrational stipulation. The burning of the apartment felt like he was losing her again only this time it was final. There would be no clever last minute ploy and she would never agree to an undercover affair at the risk of her oppressed family; he couldn't be that selfish to even tempt her with the offer. No, this is just one of the many things this village has taken from him. His parents, his development, at times even his sanity but he had always had to back down, to put those fights off, understanding that he'd have to survive the injustices done to him before he could start to fight back but no longer. No, this is the last thing they take from him without losing something in return he thought, trying to hold onto his rage as it was the only thing keeping the all consuming despair at bay… until it failed completely. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't help it, help but think of all he had lost.

Never would they share a quiet dinner together again, just happy in each other's presence. Never would he get to take her on a romantic date for her birthday as he'd debate whether the pink in her cheeks were due to the chill in the air or her reaction to him. Never would they share a first kiss, a first dance… a first time. Never would his dream come true, a dream that many nights had been a source of comfort; not that he expected the dream to stop but now the meaning would change. The warmth of optimism would now be replaced by the cold rebuke, a cosmic punishment for his hubris. How dare he think he'd be allowed to be the least bit happy, to even have the simplest of wishes for his future? Weapons shouldn't dream, demons shouldn't hope. But there are things weapons and demons can do and they are things he's been becoming increasingly adept at. Whoever levied this most grievous insult would be dealt with in the harshest of ways, that's a promise of a lifetime, believe it.