Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto…If I did then Naruto would be with Hinata and they would have like 5 kids already… but enough about what I want, let's get on with the show… err story

Chapter 2: Living up to a Name

Naruto wasn't exactly thrilled with his name, nor was he disappointed either. To be named after a fictional but brave ninja was alright he guessed. He had done a little research by sneaking into the library, a deceptively easy feat considering that this is a ninja village, and had found that the name meant maelstrom, so he was rather happy to have a name that had something to do with a natural disaster. However his mood was soured when he heard some humans referring to some strange spiral shaped food thingies as naruto so he wasn't exactly happy about that little fact.

His life quickly fell into a fairly regular routine. He would get up and leave quickly before any of the white eyed ones found him, because apparently they weren't allowed to keep pets and he didn't want to be caught just yet. Then he would go hunt down some unsuspecting little critter. Then he would go and scout out the village, taking note of any place where he could cause some havoc… and maybe have a little fun while he was at it. He would then go deep into the woods so he could practice using his chakra without worrying about any humans finding him. This was a lesson that he learned fairly quickly, 'cause when he tried using chakra while in the village, ninja's swarmed to his position like the pathetic insects that they were to honey. After he was done training he would sneak back into the white eyed one's den and slip into his Hime's room where she would usually have some sort of food for him.

Yes, he calls Hinata his Hime so what of it. Naruto had gotten into the habit of referring to some of the more important humans by little pet names that he had come up with. They should be honored that a being such as him took the time to even think of names for them. Anyways, the reason why he calls Hinata, 'his Hime' is because even though he despises the thought of actually liking a human, he had grown rather fond of her and her gentle nature. Thus leading him to call her Hime.

Next up is Hime's mother, Hana, whom he had dubbed Angel. This was because not only was she beautiful but she was also sickly, resulting in her being even paler than the rest of the white eyed ones.

Then there's Clone One, or Hiashi Hyuuga, Hime's father. At first he was thinking along the lines of ice cube or something like that, but when he saw Clone Two, Hiashi's twin brother, Hizashi he just HAD to call them Clone One and Clone Two. Also he couldn't forget Chibi-clone, Clone Two's son Neji.

Anyways, Naruto was rather spoiled considering how his Hime would regularly sneak him some sort of rather expensive delicacies from her dinner, a fact he wasn't all too happy about. He was a demon, not some begging little puppy dog. But, he lived with it considering the fact that while he ate she would pet him and brush his fur with a hair brush that she had found somewhere. While Hime petted him she would recall all the events that happened during the day, how Clone One would mercilessly beat her into the ground, which her growled at, and how Angel was expecting another child, which her purred at (Naruto has long gotten over the fact that he now purrs). It would be nice to have another Hime around, that way he could have double the pampering that he usually gets.

Anyways, the day was swiftly approaching when both Naruto's and Hinata's lives would change; the day of Hinata's fourth birthday was swiftly approaching.

---

It was sunny out, and Naruto was in a foul mood. Why was he in such a foul mood you may ask? Well the fact that there were more humans out and about than usual may have something to with it. Now normally he would lay low on days like this but he was on a mission. To find the perfect gift for his Hime.

He had come to the conclusion that the day of birth was rather important for humans. He had yet to figure out why however. Anyways, he wanted to at least get a little something for his Hime because apparently it was custom to give gifts and other such things on these days. So, he thought he might as well do something for her, considering how much she had already done for him. He blushed at this thought, as he remembered how this one time he had gotten his head stuck in a bucket and couldn't for the love of life get the stupid thing off. Thankfully Hime came along and got him free. He hated to admit it but humans did have their uses… darn them and their accursed opposable thumbs.

Shaking his head to rid his mind of the embarrassing memory, he continued on his trek through the woods, as he searched for something that would make a suitable gift. Eventually he spotted a beautiful flower, a flower unlike any other. He searched his memory for the time when he had read this human book on rare plants and other fauna, and eventually came up with a single name. The Fire Lily, a flower with petals that almost seemed to almost glow with inner flame of its very own. It was so rare because not only was it highly sought out for its beauty but when pressed and ground up into a fine powder, then seeped in water for exactly 32 hours and 47 minutes, it made a strong healing agent that rivaled most healing herbs and plants. To find one here was just his luck. It was the perfect thing for his Hime.

He picked the flower carefully with his tail, a feat that after many long hours of painful practice he managed to accomplish, he didn't want a repeat of the bucket incident. He then swiftly dashed back towards the white eyed ones den, eager to present Hime with the Fire Lily. When he reached the wall of the estate, he stopped abruptly, as he smelt something. Fear… with a slight hint of cinnamon buns.

Now, Naruto knew only one person who smelt of cinnamon buns, and that was his Hime. He quickly dropped the flower as he ran towards the smell. Turning the corner he came upon a horrific sight. There before him was his Hime, bound and gagged while being held in rather indignant fashion by what appeared to be a ninja.

Naruto's fur stood on end as he growled viciously. His normally sapphire blue eyes turned a deep crimson as his anger grew to untold levels. THIS HUMAN WAS TRYING TO TAKE HIS HIME!!!

He lept at the ninja, teeth barred and with a mighty cry, sank his teeth into the ninja's leg. The ninja let out a cry of pain as he dropped Hinata with a thud. He looked down at Naruto and tried shaking him off, with little success. Naruto was determined to make this man pay. Eventually the ninja took out a sharp, pointy looking object; a kunai Naruto believed it was called, and prepared to drive it deep into Naruto's flesh. Panicked, Naruto did the only thing he could think of. He let his chakra flare.

The effect was almost instantaneous. All around them, lights flared to life as civilians and ninja's alike felt the chakra. There was a great commotion as people clamored to find the source of the disturbance. The ninja had dropped his kunai in shock at feeling the overwhelming power coming from the small fox, and then he suddenly found himself flying. Clone One had arrived on the scene.

Crashing into the wall, the ninja and Naruto were instantly knocked unconscious.

---

The next day, there was a big fuss both within and outside the Hyuuga estate. Outside they were trying to figure out what to do with the traitorous ninja that had tried to kidnap the Hyuuga heiress. While inside they Hiashi was verbally berating poor Hinata for keeping an animal for several weeks without anyone knowing.

Hinata just sniffled and looked at her father with big, tear filled, puppy dog eyes. "But father, if it wasn't for Naruto, that mean ninja would have kidnapped me," she said softly.

Hiashi sighed, he just couldn't say no to his daughter when she got like this. She was too much like her mother for her own good. "Fine," he finally said, "you may keep the fox, but I want you to take care of him, understood? I won't have that… thing messing up our house."

Instantly Hinata smiled and ran and hugged her father. Sighing once more Hiashi thought to himself, 'What have I gotten myself into?'