A/N: I just want to say mission accomplished. The last chapter was a set up for this one, where Rise finally learns her past, and why she is being watched. This chapter will be a big story one, so I hope you all enjoy it. Let's begin.

Chapter Six: The Shinobi of Legend

Rise, Syao, Lyn and Kaze sat in the living room with Naruto, Hinata and Kushina. There was a tense silence in the air. No one spoke for several minutes, until Rise looked at her father.

"So, what do you mean by the truth?"

Naruto looked at Hinata.

"We had agreed not to tell you this until you were fifteen Rise. I'm still not sure you're ready to know this. But if you know that name, your mother and I don't have a choice. You were conceived near Valentine's day almost thirteen years ago, shortly after Syao and Lyn were born. Syao and Lyn were both born with the power of the Kyuubi, as were you. For some reason though, your power is nearly triple theirs. Before you were even born, people have been talking about you, referring to you as the Shinobi of Destiny. One man thought your power will either save us all or dig us an early grave. That was Kenshu."

Syao and Lyn looked at one another and then at their parents.

"Kenshu Ichijo?"

Hinata nodded, and she looked down.

"He was working alongside Madara. We've been trying to track Kenshu down for eleven years, but we haven't had any luck. He's very hard to capture. Naruto defeated him shortly after Rise was born, but he let Kenshu live. In return, Kenshu implanted the Creeper into his body. If it were not for Ino and Sakura, he wouldn't be here now."

Naruto knew that was a memory that Hinata could forget. He held her hand as she sat next to him, laying her head on his shoulder. Naruto continued his story.

"Anyway, Kenshu Ichijo was my father's best friend, and was almost my godfather. He deserted the village about two years before I was born, and he became a missing-nin. He had a plan to extract Rise's Kyuubi power so he could kill Madara. However, Rise would have died in the process, and no one in this village was willing to pay that price. Rise, you are a very special child. Your natural power is your weapon, but you were raised as an Uzumaki and a Hyuga. Kaze too has similar power. Syao and Lyn have that power too, but its not as strong as yours for whatever reason. Rise, you have a long life ahead of you, and we want the best for you. That is why we have ANBU watching you at all times. We want you to survive and live a life of your own choosing."

Naruto finished his story and he sighed. Rise had buried her face in her hands, trying to fight back tears.

"Why didn't you tell me? That I was being hunted. That the monster inside of me is so strong. There's so much I deserved... no. So much I had the right to know! How can you expect me to be normal, knowing this thing is inside of me! Syao, Lyn, how do you feel about this?"

Syao said nothing, but Lyn cupped her stomach.

"It bothers me, knowing my younger sister has been hunted every day of her life. But our parents are right. If it keeps you safe, that should be all that matters."

Rise sighed dejectedly and she looked at Naruto.

"Shinobi of Destiny? That's what people call me? Why?"

Naruto shrugged and he hugged his youngest daughter gently.

"Rise, you make your own destiny. You can do whatever you want. Your mother and I just wanted to protect you, because you're a part of us. So are Lyn, Syao and Kaze. We love all of you."

Rise's lavender eyes flooded with tears as the four children moved in for a hug. Naruto and Hinata hugged their children tightly. When they let go, Rise smiled for the first time that day.

"What does this have to do with Nanjo though? He doesn't seem to be bad."

Hinata nodded and she smiled.

"We know. Just be very careful around him Rise. Don't go anywhere with him alone. Always have Kaze, Serah or someone else with you."

Rise nodded and she yawned. She was tired from the day. Kaze stood up and he looked at the clock.

"I think I'm going to go take a hot bath. And then go to bed. Good night, Naruto, Hinata, Rise."

Kaze started to walk away, and Rise followed him to the hallway, each of them going to their respective rooms. Rise closed the door to her bathroom and she drew the bathwater. She stripped off her clothes, stepping into the hot bath.

"Much better."

She whispered to no one in particular. Rise laid in her bath for a long time, thinking of her conversation just a few moments before. I've been hunted for twelve years for this thing inside of me. I've never used the Kyuubi's power, although I do know how to draw on it, thanks to my father. He taught Lyn, Syao and I early, in case we need to defend ourselves. But known as the Shinobi of Destiny? I just want to be a Shinobi. How could I have the power to save the world?

"I just don't get it. How could I save the world? I'm not even a Genin yet. And my power isn't nearly as strong as Syao, Lyn and Daddy's."

Rise said that last part out loud, and she kicked the wall gently. She was frustrated that this was kept from her for so long. She knew that her parents had a valid reason for keeping this, but it still made her angry. Rise eventually drained the bathwater and she dressed in her usual nightgown. She laid down in her warm bed and she fell into a deep sleep.

Rise awoke the following morning to a knock on her door. Kaze's voice came from the other side, sounding worried.

"Rise, are you awake? We have to get to the Academy."

Rise looked at her clock with her sleepy eyes Upon seeing the time, she swore loudly.

"Damnation! I'm going to be late! Come on in Kaze. I'm going to pull on some clothes and we'll go. Just keep your eyes closed."

Rise dug into her drawer and she pulled out a red shirt and red pants. She pulled her hair into a ponytail as she heard the door open. She drew her nightgown off and she quickly dressed. She turned around to see Kaze sitting on her bed, eyes averted. Rise smiled inwardly. He really is different from other boys. I'm sure most other boys would have taken that chance to see me naked. Rise crept up and she hugged him from behind.

"Let's go. Today when we get back, let's train together."

Kaze felt the heat rise to his face. Instinctively, he laid his hands on Rise's. Rise giggled and she jumped over him, landing in front of him.

"You sure blush easily Kaze. Let's get going."

Kaze stood up and collected himself and he followed his dearest friend out into the village. They walked and talked about many things. Nanjo met them at the entrance to the Academy, and the three friends took their seats in the classroom. Hanabi entered the room carrying a small stack of envelopes.

"I have your first month's reports. When I call your name, come up and take your envelope. Kaze, you're first."

Kaze stood up and he walked forward to Hanabi, who handed him his envelope. Kaze took his seat once he had his grades. He opened it under his desk and he smiled inwardly. He had received high marks in everything except for Taijutsu. It didn't surprise Kaze, because of his unique Ninjutsu and fighting style. He was much like his father. Rise smiled at him and she whispered under her breath.

"Very nice. Don't let the Taijutsu part worry you too much."

Kaze smiled and he closed the envelope. Rise was called up next. She walked down the aisle and she took her report from her aunt. Hanabi flashed a grin at her niece, and Rise knew what it meant. Hanabi was coming for dinner again. Rise took her seat and she examined her grades. She had scored the top three of everything in her class save for Genjutsu, where she was ranked fourth. Rise was pleased with herself, but she wanted to be number one, like her aunt. Serah was called up next, and when she came back, she was beaming. She unfolded her report for her friends to see. Serah had scored the highest in every subject. Rise chuckled.

"No surprises here, considering who your father is."

Serah smiled and she nodded, sitting down. Nanjo was the last to receive his report. He came back to his seat and he unfolded the paper. He was second in every subject except for Ninjutsu. Rise was ahead of him there. Hanabi then spoke.

"You can compare grades later. I want to congratulate all of you. You're all doing extremely well. Don't let the numbers sway you. Continue to devote yourselves to your education and you will accomplish great things."

The class applauded their teacher. Rise had noticed one thing about her aunt: She was very charismatic. She knew how to keep a crowd interested. Hanabi then sat on her desk.

"Today, we're going to be doing sparring. No actual fights, but this will prepare you for missions and the Chuunin Exam. Let's go out into the training grounds."

Hanabi led the way into the outdoor training grounds. She paired her students up, and Rise ended up with Yukiko. Yukiko smiled at her cousin.

"This could be fun. Don't hold back on me Rise."

Rise grinned and she nodded.

"You too. One of us could get hurt if we're both not serious."

Rise and Yukiko laughed together as Hanabi brought Kaze and Nanjo up front. Rise remembered the events of yesterday, and her smiled faded. This could get really bad. Hanabi gave them their instructions.

"You will fighting each other, only to restrain or disarm. There will be no real blows. If anyone hurts another, they will be given a severe punishment. Kaze, Nanjo, do you two understand?"

Kaze and Nanjo nodded and they bowed to one another upon Hanabi's request. Rise was already worried, but the two boys seemed to be on better terms now. Nanjo and Kaze circled, with neither striking. Nanjo hopped backwards and he started to weave seals. Kaze thrust his hand out at the same time. A trail of sand crept along the ground and encircled around Nanjo's legs. Nanjo completed his Jutsu before he started to lose his balance. Plants erupted from behind Kaze, binding his hands and legs as if he was bound in irons. Both of the young men collapsed to the ground at the same time, laughing. The class cheered and Rise helped them both up.

"I'm glad you're both friends now."

She whispered to them both. Rise had two male friends now. From that point on, Rise, Nanjo and Kaze were inseparable. Rise watched as her classmates sparred. Finally it was Rise's turn. She stepped forward with Yukiko, and the cousins bowed to each other. Kaze was watching them intently, as he had never seen a Hyuga fight. Rise and Yukiko both activated their Byakugan and assumed their battle stances. Rise lunged forward and struck at Yukiko's left leg. Yukiko blocked the blow with her palm and she countered with a leg sweep that Rise countered by twisting on her heel. Kaze and Nanjo were cheering them both on.

"You're pretty good Yukiko."

Yukiko smiled at her cousin and she struck again, landing a blow on Rise's arm.

"So are you cousin. Why don't we take the gloves off though and go all out?"

They cousins looked at their instructor and Hanabi gave a slight shake of the head.

"Not yet. You'll get your chance to fight for real in your second quarter. This is just practice."

A sigh of disapproval erupted from the class, and Hanabi chuckled.

"If these two went all out, there wouldn't be a training grounds left. Think who their parents are."

Rise smiled and she hopped backwards as did Yukiko. Rise formed seals and she whispered.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Rise split into four clones and Yukiko's lavender eyes widened.

"Where did you learn that?"

Rise grinned as two of the clones rushed forward and diverted Yukiko's attention. The real Rise struck with an attack, her face stopping just centimeters from Yukiko's neck. Hanabi called the match there with Rise as the victor. The cousins hugged and Yukiko whispered to Rise.

"You really are incredible. You're going to be strong Rise."

Rise grinned and she whispered back.

"You will too."

Hanabi then dismissed the class. Kaze and Rise decided to go home early and train. They said their goodbyes to Nanjo and they walked through the streets to their home. Training together was just what Naruto and Gaara wanted them to do. Naruto and Gaara both wanted their children to be as strong as they could be.

TO BE CONTINUED...