A/N Hello fellow FF Members and Visitors alike! This is 9taisfox2 with Chapter 6 of Escape! In this chapter, Hanabi and Naruto further develop their relationship. Italics mean environmental noise and bold means technique being used.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters, Kishimoto does... lucky.
Over the course of the next four and a half years, Hanabi and Naruto hung out as much as possible, without having Hiashi knowing anything about it. Now while Hanabi still had negative feeling towards her father, their relationship did get better although despite Hanabi being strong enough to take out low level chuunin by now, she doubted that Hiashi still thinks poorly of Naruto. There were times when the subject has been talked about but every time the boy was mentioned Hiashi would call him demon boy. It seems that Hiashi's desire to protect his own daughter from the crowds that always seem to chase Naruto has convinced him that Naruto was not a good person, a much different out look than what he had before the "accident". Kakashi saw nothing of interest concerning shady activity around Hanabi and Naruto but that didn't mean he still suspected something shady within Konoha going on and could not shake the feeling that it has to do something with them.
While Hiashi determined that Hanabi can protect herself and discharged Kakashi from duty, he could not help it but keep an eye on the two children, especially if he had to take pictures of the two to keep track of how they grew over the years. Hanabi has quickly progressed over the years as she went from the three and a half year old that could barely stand after a spar with her father to the eight year old that could hold her own in a spar with her father and Hiashi was Hiashi, best compliment she could get out of him was 'As suspected as being a Hyuuga. Yet the mental and emotional growth was not helped by her father but by her friend, Naruto. You see whenever they got the chance to meet which was long and often, they did various things such talk, train, eat ramen, train, go star gazing, train, play games, train, prank people, train, or simply have a day's rest with each other in their arms. Oh did I forget to mention that they trained? The way they trained continuously, Hanabi was unknowingly increasing her own chakra reserves dramatically, and actually had about the same amount as Naruto. Hanabi quickly noticed this and so continuously kept her chakra on the down low when near her clan. At some point Hanabi stopped and suspected that Naruto had his increased to the point where his reserves would increase no longer unless he changed his workout but too late for that now as tomorrow was the test day.
Hanabi was surprised at the intense training Naruto went through to build up his Taijutsu and Ninjutsu. As for Genjutsu, lets just say that Naruto actually put himself in a genjutsu. Naruto practiced the Bunshin No Jutsu (Clone), Henge No Jutsu (Transformation), and Kawamari No Jutsu (Replacement), as those seemed to be the ones used for graduation. Hanabi noticed that Naruto was average in Kawamari, but is still able to pass the test if used, Naruto's Henge was excellent as his Oiroke No Jutsu (Sexy Jutsu) transforms himself into a naked woman, which knocked men unconscious with bleeding noses, sometime pouring out like a faucet so hard that the nosebleed actually projects them across the street and to land on top of their heads. Neither knew why it happened but they knew one thing, the guys are perverts. Nonetheless it worked pretty effectively and it was pretty funny to watch. As for his Bunshin, if Naruto were to make a clone in a life or death battle right now the opponent would fall onto the ground mid attack and laugh his ass off so hard he might have an aneurism. He could barely make one clone that seemed to be barely physically alive let alone functional. Hanabi had just unlocked her Byakugan last night and decided to check on what Naruto was doing wrong when he tried to use Bunshin.
The twelve-year-old Naruto and eight year old Hanabi walked from the school quietly. They had agreed to spend the day resting, as tomorrow was the big day but Hanabi needed to check on Naruto's chakra control. Hanabi secretly practiced on other people's chakra control when they performed the simple techniques mostly the big three, so she could see how it was done properly and she could compare it to what Naruto was doing wrong. They got to the abandoned training field, which was where they usually went along with the park and the ramen stand. Hanabi had been to Naruto's house a couple times before and she felt rather sorry for him though he kept everything neat and tidy, the landlady blatantly ignored Naruto's water, heat and electricity has never been working in a long time. When she met the lady she had a few words with her, some of which included threatening to get her father to come here as she explained that he doesn't like getting brought across the village just to deal with such a trivial situation and would understandably be frustrated and he would need someone to take his frustration out on and who better than the one who was the cause of trouble.
The landlady of course knew that Hiashi did not like the boy so she ignored the girl, who decided to attempt to take her down and was stopped by Naruto as she laughed and told her that she would tell Hiashi that Hanabi was hanging out with the 'Demon Boy of Konoha' and then decided to attack an innocent lady. Needless to say the made Hanabi even angrier but was smart enough to back off and not to attack a civilian. The landlady smirked and victory and walked off. The rest of the times Hanabi tried her best not to cry for Naruto's poor living condition and even offered to buy an apartment and be the landlady for Naruto, but he refused knowing full well that Hanabi may know how to do bills and all that not fun stuff but he knew that she needed to be a kid.
Naruto was confused why Hanabi wanted to bring him to the old training grounds. When they reached the tree they sat down. "Nabi-Chan, why did you decide to take me here instead of the playground?" Hanabi smiled "I have something to show you. Byakugan!" (Yeah I know I've been spelling it wrong just haven't noticed my finger went to the y until now and I know that Hyuuga is spelled with one u just don't know how to get the line on top of letters using the Mac.) Naruto stared at his long time first and best friend in astonishment. "Nabi-Chan…when did you?" Hanabi's smile grew even wider "Last night while training with father I was exhausted and he was about to hit me with a strike to the lungs and all of a sudden my eyes activated and I was able to dodge last second and I hit him in his chakra points and for the first time I was able to win against father in a spar." Naruto smiled "That's amazing Nabi-Cha! You must be so proud of yourself what did your father say?"
Hanabi's smile faltered and fell into a frown and she deactivated her Byakugan. Tears began to well up in the corners of her eyes. "He said that I was late in getting my eyes. Even later than Hinata-Chan. She got hers when she was six, which is still late for a Hyuuga heiress. Hell! Neji got his when he was 4 years old! The heirs or heiresses are supposed to get theirs at the age of 3! Father doesn't say but I could see it! Neji would make a better Clan Head! I mean it's not like I want the Clan Head Title but my father doesn't believe in me! I mean if I wasn't improving from that damned training of his I would have ran away and live with you!" At the end Hanabi began crying hard and Naruto began hugging her. She hasn't cried this hard since four and a half years ago. Yes she let her frustration out and tears fell at times, which wasn't too often but she hasn't truly cried like when they first met. Naruto began whispering comforting words in her ear and began stroking her back like he did when he snuck into her hospital 4 and half years ago. He stroked her back like this every time he held her, crying or no crying she seemed to like it and seemed to make her feel better. He loved to make her happy and hated to see her sad, especially like this.
When her crying was reduced to sobs she looked up to Naruto and smiled. "Thank you Ruto-Kun." Naruto smiled back "No problem Nabi-Chan." Hanabi sighed, "It's just that my father doesn't praise me for what I did and he doesn't give me rest in training. The only reason I managed to survive without going insane was because of you. Plus the training actually helped me improve. I have spared with Neji before, yes my father holds back but I'm suspecting that Neji holds back more than father does and he beats me into the ground. I over heard the council at some point saying that maybe it would be a good idea to put Neji as the Clan Head, being the 'prodigy' and all. I overheard that the match to decide who becomes Clan Head comes up in four years when I turn twelve. I'm just so scared because if I win I get a job I don't want and won't be happy with if I lose I get the Cursed Seal, putting me into slavery." Naruto nodded. Just four and half years ago there was a similar situation and Hinata wounded up dead. Naruto wondered how this could possibly twist around to destroy his or Hanabi's life and it seems that the world is just determined to destroy their lives in one form or another.
Naruto sighed, "Well you will always have me and if I need to I will take you away from that place, help you escape." Hanabi smiled sadly, "Thank you Ruto-Kun, but I don't think you can out run the entire Hyuuga Clan. We'll worry about that later though for now lets worry about the graduation." Naruto shook his head "I thought we were going to relax today." "We are, I just want to look at your chakra control when you do your Bunshin, the other two are fine I just want to see what you are doing wrong just in case it is Bunshin tomorrow. Byakugan!" Naruto sighed, "Alright, Ram! Snake! Tiger! Bunshin No Jutsu!" At this point Hanabi concentrated on how Naruto put his chakra into his clone. Hanabi was surprised it was going good so far until… something interrupted his control and caused his chakra output and usage to spike and wane radically and the result was his usual crappy looking clone.
Hanabi deactivated her Byakugan and sighed. "Nabi-Chan what is it? Do you know what the problem is?" Hanabi nodded "Ruto-Kun, it seems that something is interrupting your ability to control your chakra properly. I want to check on the Henge and the Kawamari and see what happens. First up the Kawamari. Byakugan!" Naruto nodded as Hanabi threw a Kunai at Naruto. "Hai! Ram! Boar! Ox! Dog! Snake! Kawamari No Jutsu!" Right before the Kunai hit Naruto, a log replaced Naruto as the kunai was imbedded into the log. Hanabi checked out his chakra control and it was perfect until the same thing happened the thing that interrupted Naruto's chakra control but this time it didn't do as well as a job. Hanabi thought it was because of the chakra output of the technique was more than the Bunshin and whatever was tripping up Naruto's chakra control could only do so much and so ninjutsu with high level chakra output requirements will not affect his control. She just needed to see Naruto's Henge. She deactivated her Byakugan, as she cannot hold it on for too long.
"Ok Ruto-Kun, I think I might see what is going on I just need to see your Henge and do not do your Oiroke just transform into someone else." Naruto whined. "But Nabi-Chan, who can I transform into though?" Hanabi sighed in irritation. Although she liked Naruto as her best friend he can sometimes be irritating and stubborn, but it would not be Naruto if he wasn't and she liked everything about him. "Anyone! I don't care whom, just not that Oiroke no Jutsu!" Naruto grumbled. "Fine… hmm I know who I will transform into!" Hanabi looked a t Naruto suspicion. "Naruto, who are you going to transform into?" Naruto smirked. "It's a secret, just know that it's not my Oiroke technique." Hanabi sighed in irritation. "Fine lets just get this over with. Byakugan!" Naruto smiled in anticipation. "Dattebayo! Dog! Boar! Ram! Henge No Jutsu!" Hanabi looked at how Naruto was controlling the chakra and like last time, the output was messed with but there was so much output of chakra that whatever was trying to mess up his control was making it as if it was not happening, it was there but there was a zero percent effect on his output control and deactivated her Byakugan for the last time. Then Hanabi noticed whom Naruto was transformed into and blushed.
Is that how he really sees me? "I'm so… pretty." Naruto suddenly canceled is transformation and laughed. "Wow Nabi-Chan you haven't looked into a mirror in a long time have you?" Hanabi blushed even redder, if that was possible. Oh Kami, I said that out loud? What does he mean I haven't looked into a mirror! "Ruto-Kun, what do you mean by that?" Naruto shook his head. "What I mean is that you seemed so shocked at how you looked from what you said, I assumed that you haven't actually seen your image in a while." Hanabi sighed. "I have looked in a mirror this morning and I do so every morning and night. What I see is a failure, a failure that has failed to gain father's acceptance. A failure who failed to save her sister a failure to uphold the Hyuuga's expectations for being such an emotional wreck and a failure in keeping up with my beauty." Hanabi's face was full of tears at this point and Naruto once again wrapped his arms around Hanabi and stroked her head and back as she cried.
"You are not a failure Nabi-Chan. Your father probably sees himself as a failure for failing to produce an heir suitable for being Clan Head and from what I hear how the spar goes and what he says during the spars I think he's probably still upset over his wife's, his brother's, and Hinata's death and using that frustration along with being Clan Head and taking it out on you. If you ask me he's a terrible father for doing that even though he still might love you. Your sister protected you so you can live your life to its fullest, she loves you very much. You have had an abnormally hard life for most of your life, one friends when you have a lot more, your father is cruel during your sparring, he doesn't praise you, your sister died when you were three and yet you remained strong through it all and let out all your frustrations on your own time and from what I see, you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen." Hanabi sniffled as she looked up to Naruto's smiling face. "D-do you r-really mean th-that?" Naruto nodded. "Yes Nab-Chan." Hanabi dug her face between his shoulder and his neck and continued crying. "Thank you Ruto-Kun" "No problem Nabi-Chan."
The Henge, if done properly transform the person not into the exact copy image of the person, but into the image that the user sees the person as. So even if the looks are exactly the same, the user unconsciously puts something into the transformation that tells something about how the user feels about the person the user transformed into, even if they are in denial. Naruto you might have feelings for Hanabi that might be more than being your best friend even if you don't know it. Kakashi then jumped away with his next set of pictures in hand. After changing his cameras he's off to the park, to compile his album of course. If no one else is going to do it, he must do it himself as children must have pictures of their memories, at least that was what he was trying to convince himself has the stalker jumped away to change up cameras.
Hanabi pulled away from Naruto and wiped her eyes. "Alright what I think the problem is that something in your chakra system is making your chakra work against itself, messing up your chakra output. But when compared to your other two techniques, it seems that if you have high enough chakra output with your technique you can overcome that resistance." Naruto nodded. "So if I use more chakra with my Bunshin Technique, I will be all set." Hanabi sadly shook her head. "Unfortunately until you can figure out what is tripping up you chakra output you cannot perform the Bunshin at all. You see how much chakra you put into a technique is your chakra input, but how much chakra the technique uses to activate is your chakra output. Unfortunately for you the Bunshin uses a set amount of output chakra and then it uses the rest of the chakra input to sustain itself. But that is not the case with other techniques such as Katon: Goukakyuu No Jutsu, where the initial chakra input is the chakra output, which controls the size of the fireball and the rest of the input sustains the technique itself. As for the Kawamari, the output is just large enough and for the Henge, it takes a good amount of chakra to cover the body so the output is fairly large enough to over come this chakra resistance." Naruto saddened at the thought. Hanabi shook her head "Don't worry about tomorrow, for now lets relax and enjoy the day."
That is what they exactly did as they went to the park, enjoyed the slides and the swings and come sundown, the two of them laid down in the grass to watch the stars appear one by one while holding each other with Naruto stroking her back as they fell asleep into a peaceful slumber. Kakashi sighed and made a Kage Bunshin (Shadow Clone) to tell Hiashi that Hanabi was having one final school outing and was so exhausted the she fell asleep at a friends house as he picked them up and went to Naruto's house and put them into Naruto's bed, brought out an alarm of his own and replaced it with Naruto's broken alarm clock, which just happened to look the same, and set it to wake them up at a decent hour so they could still make it to the graduation test and yet still have a good night's sleep. Kakashi smiled as he took one final picture before securing Naruto's apartment and going to his own abode to get his own sleep.
Hanabi unconsciously smiled and held Naruto even tighter as Naruto did the same as they were having similar dreams of them still stargazing and playing in the park some more. Kakashi was right they were going to need their sleep, as tomorrow is the big day.
A/N Once again, we have a great chapter! I was hoping of getting into graduation day but I got into to long of a necessary explanation but I am not upset as this had character development and went into some explanation on how some of the techniques in my version of the Narutoverse, not that I claim that I own the Narutoverse. It is very close to how techniques work in the original, I just decided to add my own twist to it, well my muse did at least. So here is the low down on my college professors, long ass intermediate algebra homework professor, fun ass spanish professor I don't know what to think of my chemistry professor, and possibly my good typography professor, I will have to continue going to know. So yeah like I said life takes precedence over this fic but I will NOT give up on it. I'm too immersed in it to give up on it although the updates might become inconsistent. Like always R&R and this 9tailsfox2 signing off!