A/N: Not even a month and this story has received massive critical acclaim and favorites. This is what I like to see, is the fans loving my story. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing it. I must ask one thing however, Please read Lavender Love all the way through before this story, because it will not make sense other wise. I did not plan Those Chosen by Fate as a standalone story. That being said, let's begin the chapter.
Chapter Five: Fierce Rivalry
November had arrived in Konoha, complete with the first snow of the year. Kaze awoke in his bed as Syao opened the window. He opened his emerald eyes and he sat up slowly.
"What time is it?"
He asked as he flipped his red hair out of his eyes. Syao was already heading out, dressed in heavy clothes.
"You still have an hour. I'm going out somewhere with Lyn. We need to do something for Mom and Dad."
Syao exited the room with those words and Kaze gave a light sigh as he dropped off the top bunk. He opened his drawer and he drew out his warm clothes, heading into the bath. He turned the water on and he stripped his clothes off, settling into the hot water. Kaze had been living in the Uzumaki household for a month or so now, and he liked it. He loved being around Rise, Lyn and Syao. He enjoyed learning from Naruto and Hinata. He did miss his parents, however. Kaze was a very strong young boy, but he was still a child of twelve. He pushed the thoughts in his head aside and he washed and dried, pulling a wool robe around his day clothes. He made his way into the kitchen and he sat at the table, his gaze focused on the snow falling outside. Rise had yet to awaken.
"Kaze? You're up early. Is everything ok?"
Kaze had let his attention drift momentarily. Hinata had emerged from her room with Naruto behind her. Kaze put on his best smile and he nodded.
"I am fine. Syao woke me up."
Hinata looked at Naruto and the two of them sat at the table with the young boy.
"Where are Syao and Lyn anyway?"
Hinata had asked her husband. Naruto shrugged and he turned his head to see Rise emerge from her room. She had a very cheerful expression on her face, as was usual for her. She smiled at Kaze and they ate a breakfast of cereal and cinnamon buns, which pleased Rise greatly. Rise and Kaze left for the Academy in high spirits.
Rise and Kaze walked through the streets of Konoha with a great deal of talk, most of which was nonsensical. It was not until Rise brought up the subject of Nanjo Inaba that the conversation became animated.
"What do you think of Nanjo, Kaze?"
Kaze looked up at the sky before answering, snatching a snowflake out of the air before answering.
"I'm not sure what to think of him. I personally don't enjoy his presence and they way he looks at you, Serah and Yukiko."
Rise beamed and she spoke again.
"I hate him. I thought he was nice at first, but after the pool, he's just another pervert. I don't know why boys can't be like you Kaze."
Kaze looked down and he sighed.
"What do you mean, like me?"
Rise chuckled, seeing his crestfallen face.
"I don't know why you got like that all of sudden. I didn't mean that in a bad way, Kaze. You're a really sweet guy. You're not like Nanjo, always thinking about my body. You're not like most boys Kaze."
Kaze shook his head and he looked at Rise gently.
"I may be sweet, but I am a boy. I just repress those feelings because I care about you and Yukiko and Serah. Rise. You give me far too much credit Rise."
Rise chuckled again and she stopped walking. Kaze stopped with her and Rise turned to him.
"I'm really glad you're my friend Kaze. You're the only person besides Syao and Lyn who know what its like to have a monster inside of you."
Kaze smiled and he moved a little closer to Rise.
"Thank you Rise. You're the most precious person to me besides Mother and Father."
Rise smiled and she hugged him close as the snow started to fall harder. Kaze's face flushed red and the two separated.
"We should be going to the Academy."
Kaze whispered to her, and they started to run through the snowy streets. Upon reaching the Academy, Rise separated to find Serah. Kaze walked through the hallways and he stopped in front of his classroom. He leaned his back against the wall and closed his eyes. Rise thinks I'm so great, just because I'm not a skirtchaser. Nanjo may be a typical male, but so am I. He thought. Kaze felt a sharp blow to his face, and he collapsed to the floor. He opened his eyes to see Nanjo standing over him, two boys on either side of him.
"You're not even close to being my rival, Sabaku no Kaze."
Nanjo snickered down at Kaze. Kaze stood up and dusted himself off, walking away. Nanjo put his hand on the other's shoulder. Kaze stopped and he looked at Nanjo.
"What do you want from me?"
Kaze said in his cool and collected voice. Nanjo stepped forward and he put his face close to Kaze's.
"I want you to tell me why Rise hates me. I'm just trying to be her friend."
Kaze put his face nearer to Nanjo's and he whispered.
"Stay away from her. I'm only going to warn you once. She's not looking for boys. She has a dream, so leave her alone, ok?"
Nanjo snickered and he shook his head.
"No, I won't. You're not her father."
Kaze couldn't hold back anymore. He pushed Nanjo back and he extended his arm. From his hand sprang a string of sand, which coiled around Nanjo's waist.
"I'm not her father, but I DO know he father. She's the daughter of Naruto Uzumaki, and he just so happens to be one of Tsunade's favorite Shinobi. He defeated many Shinobi to protect Rise eleven years ago, and he can easily have you banished from Konoha."
Nanjo looked genuinely scared, but he brought his hands up to form seals. He whispered and Kaze was ensnared by plants, which effectively rendered him immobile.
"How do you like my Jutsu Kaze? I call it Plant Restraint."
Kaze clenched his fist and Nanjo cried out in pain as the sand started to crush the young boy. A woman's voice was heard screaming at them both.
"Kaze! Let him go! Nanjo, why did you attack him?"
Kaze let Nanjo go reluctantly. Hanabi rushed over to Kaze and she cut him free from Nanjo's plant-based Jutsu. Hanabi didn't seem to be angry at Kaze. Nanjo spoke, trying to cover his tracks.
"He started it. He said something bad about Rise."
Rise, who had been watching, moved forward.
"You're not only a pervert, but a liar as well! I know you wanted to be my friend, but if you're going to be like this to Kaze, you can go screw yourself Nanjo!"
Rise slapped him hard across the face and she ran out of the hallway and into the snow. Kaze moved to follow her and he ran out into the snow.
"Rise!"
Kaze eventually found her at Ichiraku, crying into a bowl of ramen. Kaze moved in next to her and he sat down, ordering a bowl of ramen. Teuchi, now in his 50s, smiled at the pair, knowing exactly who they were.
"Rise, you ok?"
Rise looked into his emerald green eyes with her own lavender and she shook her head.
"I hate him Kaze. He's horrible. I know you'd never say anything bad about me. I know you wouldn't."
Kaze's ramen arrived and he looked down at the bowl, not eating yet.
"Rise, I don't want to say this, but he genuinely seems to want to be your friend. At least give him a chance, for me, please?"
Rise looked over at him and she smiled weakly.
"You're too sweet Kaze. He punches you and ties you up and you forgive him so easily. I'll try and be friendly, but don't expect too much, ok?"
Rise held her hand out and Kaze took it in his. They held hands for a brief moment, and they ate their ramen.
"We should go back to Academy. Hanabi will be mad if we cut class."
Rise nodded at Kaze and they walked through the driving snow to the Academy. Rise and Kaze made it just in time for class. Rise whispered to Kaze and she smiled.
"I'm going to hang out with Nanjo after class, ok?"
Kaze nodded and he smiled at her. They sat through their lesson on D Rank Ninjutsu, until Hanabi dismissed them. Rise walked to Nanjo and she smiled.
"Sorry about earlier. Want to go out to dinner with me?"
Nanjo smiled and he nodded, rising with her. Kaze smiled inwardly, seeing that she was making an effort. Serah slid to Kaze's side and she smiled.
"Rise told me to tell you that she'll be home soon. Would you like to go get ramen with me?"
Kaze nodded and the two of them headed to Ichiraku.
Nanjo had taken Rise to the barbeque restaurant in town. They were talking and laughing. Rise smiled, seeing that, despite being perverted, he was a fun boy to be around. She then asked him a serious question.
"Why are you so interested in me Nanjo?"
Nanjo smiled and he looked out the window.
"Its not that I'm interested. I just admire your father for what he did to my uncle. My uncle Kenshu fought your father once, eleven years ago, and it was my uncle's first loss."
Rise had never heard of Kenshu before. She made a mental note to ask her father later. They finished their meal and Nanjo walked Rise home.
"I'll see you at the Academy tomorrow Rise. Thanks for today."
Rise smiled at Nanjo and she hugged him gently. She walked into the house and she smiled at Kaze, who had arrived a few minutes prior. She hugged her father and she sat him down.
"Daddy, who was Kenshu?"
Hinata had heard this and she turned on her heel.
"What did you just say Rise? Where did you hear that name?"
Naruto's usual cheery expression had darkened.
"Where did you hear that name?"
Rise explained that Nanjo was his nephew. Naruto and Hinata looked at one another and they nodded.
"Rise, Kaze, get Lyn and Syao. Its time we told you all the truth."
TO BE CONTINUED...