Chapter 2-Lessons of Life
Word soon got out of the "demon boy" being adopted and the rumor also spread of what they considered to be worse being that the child was taken in by yet another Demon Lord that had entered the village. The people within the Leaf had protested this of course and demanded that the Shinobi that protected them do their jobs to cast out the horrible beast along with its newly adopted demon son. The Sandaime of course had come to address the largely displeased crowd stating that the new Demon Lord, who was only known as Sesshomaru was an official citizen of Konoha whether they liked it or not. That he, as the Hokage could not infringe upon Sesshomaru's right to be in Konoha anymore then he had on the people of the village as a whole, and to deny the Demon Lord his rights to be a Leaf citizen would most likely prove to be...fatal.
The Third Hokage then told the people of Konoha of how the Yondaime's wife died and immediately everyone demanded some form of funeral service to the 4th Hokage's love. The Sandaime however, declined the demand stating that the last known relative of the Namikaze line that was the Yondaime's son did not want a funeral for the woman for private reasons, and that no one was allowed to do have one without him giving them permission. When asked who the last member of the Namikaze Clan was the Sandaime just said one single word to them.
Naruto.
The look on the people's faces were priceless, as some people protested stating it was a lie for the demon to gain favor with them, the ones that had not hurt the boy at all were relieved that they hadn't dishonored the Yondaime's last wish, and the others realizing what they had done a terrible wrong when it came to the boy. Though it didn't matter to the Sandaime, as he told them that Sesshomaru was Naruto's legal guardian now, and/or all indiscretions against the boy would NOT be tolerated.
As for Naruto, he had spent the entire week since his adoption focusing on practicing the molding of his chakra after reading several scrolls left in his Father's library related to that matter. Sesshomaru found such readings interesting as well since he had never heard of such things and the more that he learned with Naruto the better. Upon trying to mold his chakra however, Sesshomaru saw that the amount the boy was generating was much higher then a child was supposed to create at his age from what he understood. After he spoke to the Sandaime, the aged Fire Shadow told the Demon Lord (when the man came to visit throughout the week) that there were some rare occasions where too much chakra did generate in kids just as young as Naruto.
The best possible way for Naruto to deal with that was a lot of chakra control exercises to focus on harnessing such massive amounts of chakra in his system. The energetic blonde demon vessel was a little upset by this since Naruto really wanted to learn all of the clan Jutsu's that were available to him right away. However, after his new Father instructed him that control over one's own inner power before learning anything always came first no matter what the boy decided to listen to the man. Considering the experience that the Demon Lord had, Naruto decided to follow Sesshomaru's advice, and as a result by the end the week Naruto had started getting the hang of it, if only slightly.
Naruto had also learned that Sesshomaru was good in keeping his word when it came to training Naruto he was going to be merciless in training the boy to become strong. When Naruto wasn't doing chakra control exercises, he was working hard on his Taijutsu with training posts, and working on his aim with kunai or shuriken in the back. At night, the boy studied up on Konoha's History, and all the legendary Shinobi of the other Elemental Countries to fill his head with information.
Still, even with all that training, the boy seemed to be struggling heavily with the large amount of chakra he had, and because of the large amount he couldn't perform a simple clone. To Sesshomaru, this was not helpful to Naruto's development even if the Clone Jutsu was merely for someone with little strength to fool an overconfident one, and the Demon Lord felt further studying the necessary information concerning all the forms of clones ever created was needed. He eventually came upon the notes left by the Yondaime for the Shadow Clone Jutsu and the notes stating that this particular Jutsu required a very large if not an enormous amount of chakra to make even just a few of them. It also stated that whatever the Shadow Clone learned the original would receive that information after it was dispelled.
So Sesshomaru had Naruto learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu instead and within no time the boy had the Jutsu down like a fish did swimming in water. Now that Naruto had learned this very powerful skill, Sesshomaru could increase the training regiment of his son several times over, and have the original learn from him when it came mastering the powers of the demon sealed inside his body.
From what the Sandaime knew of the seal left by the Yondaime in his notes, the seal in general containing the Kyuubi also transferred the demons power into Naruto's chakra network, and if called upon could be manipulated over time. However, Sesshomaru knew that the Kyuubi would feel the extra pull, and would try to use it to its advantage. Not too surprising given the demon sealed inside Naruto was a fox, and therefore considered to be very crafty when getting out of cages. If Kyuubi ever did get out, it would kill the boy from the inside via an explosion of demonic energy before manifesting itself into it fox like form, and most likely continue what it started 5 years ago.
Sesshomaru needed to have a talk with the Kyuubi face to face.
(Hokage's Office)
The Sandaime didn't blink, didn't smoke his pipe, and didn't even breathe for a good 2 minutes before what Sesshomaru told him sunk into his head. Sesshomaru wanted to talk to the Kyuubi and convince the strongest of the Nine Demon Lords to work with the boy in getting stronger.
Was the man insane?
"Do you think it's wise to talk to the Kyuubi? For all we know it could be asleep within Naruto," said the Sandaime not wanting to awaken the sleeping beast or provoke it into trying to break the seal from the inside.
"He will listen to a fellow Demon Lord. I may not be from these lands, but I am Demon Lord by blood, and the Kyuubi will sense this when I speak to him. Dogs and foxes do not always get along, but we are essentially cousins in that sense, and if this benefits the Kyuubi in its survival, it will listen to reason," said Sesshomaru with Naruto sleeping in a chair next to him having been placed into exhaustion from Sesshomaru's tests concerning Naruto's manipulation of the Kyuubi's demonic chakra.
"Very well. Though I suppose you were just being courteous in telling me this since you could have done it without my permission from the start," said the Third Hokage since there really wasn't anything that he could do to stop Sesshomaru from doing what he wanted.
The fact that Sesshomaru came here to tell him, only told the Third that the Demon Lord wanted his trust in the matter, and for the most part...he had it!
"Before I go, what do you know of the Hyuuga Clan?" said Sesshomaru having recalled the Clan Head's stare during the final moments of that meeting.
"They are a very noble and strict clan filled with many traditions. They pride themselves on have a very powerful bloodline limit that can see into and through almost anything or anyone. However, one such tradition I am not fond of is the Cage Bird Seal to separate the Main Family from the Branch Families," said the Third remembering how Hizashi was used to get Kumo off their back 2 years ago.
"Aside from the sound of this seal causing enslavement, what is the secondary purpose of the Cage Bird Seal?" said Sesshomaru, as this seal reminded him of the rosary that once was around his younger brother's neck.
"It seals off the bloodline of the Hyuuga, who bares its mark on his or her forehead. It causes pain to them when a Main Family member creates a hand sign and pushes charka into it. If it is applied long enough and the Hyuuga baring the mark doesn't pass out form the pain, the bloodline will be sealed off leaving the Branch member useless to the clan," said the Sandaime trying to gauge Sesshomaru's reaction to this information, but he felt as if he was talking to a statue.
"What can you tell me of the Hyuuga Clan's current status in terms of clan unity?" said Sesshomaru his curiosity peeked by this information.
The Sandaime didn't know why Sesshomaru wanted to know about the Hyuuga Clan, but since he had done no harm to Naruto (so far at least), he decided to go on a leap of faith, and explained the bad blood stirring within the clan itself. He even told the Demon Lord about what happened 2 years ago concerning Kumo's ambassador kidnapping attempt of the Hyuuga Heiress and how Hiashi's twin brother Hizashi paid the ultimate price that the current Clan Head was supposed to pay. How Hizashi's son Neji now hated the Main Family with a passion, how Neji became so cold towards the traumatized as well as shy Hyuuga Hinata, and how the old traditions of the Hyuuga Clan were slowly killing it.
'So that's why he wants to talk with me. He's hoping I can help him in some way with this problem with my powers...or is it something else?' thought Sesshomaru, but before his mind could ponder further, his son was stirring awake, and now was slowly becoming aware of his surroundings.
"Hey dad, um...what are we doing in the old man's office?" said Naruto curiously while Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at how his son addressed the Hokage while the Hokage himself just smiled at the boy.
"We were discussing something concerning your 'guest' inside of you, as well as one of the clans in Konoha," said Sesshomaru knowing that mentioning the demon's name had always bothered Naruto for obvious reasons.
"Oh. Well as long as it's not those freaky red eyes jerks then its cool," said Naruto giving a fox like grin that reminded Sesshomaru of the fox demon Shippo.
"Naruto, have the Uchiha Clan members ever hurt you outside of the Orphanage?" said the Sandaime looking at Naruto tense up slightly before nodding his head with a sad look on his face.
"They would try from time to time when I was let out. I would get away most of the time, but I think because of their freaky eyes I couldn't use the same escape route twice," said Naruto finding that in order to lose the Uchiha Clan attackers, he had to be unpredictable like the wind, and even wilder then one would be during a sandstorm in Suna.
"Did anyone other then the Neko's ANBU team help you at all?" said the Sandaime since he knew many Shinobi were out during the day throughout the village.
"Neko? Oh you mean the nice cat masked lady. She helped from time to time when she and her friends were on duty to protect me sure! There was this pretty lady wearing a vest and had sparkly red eyes almost like the Uchiha's, but they weren't too freaky looking," said Naruto putting on a thinking face while trying to remember what she looked like.
'He must mean Yuhi Kurenai. Only she would have red eyes that resemble an Uchiha, if one were looking at her from a distance that is, and not her chest area,' thought Sarutobi knowing many a perverted men had been sent to Inoichi for mental health reasons as well as therapy for the Genjutsus that lady put them through for looking past her jaw line.
"Anyone else?" said the Sandaime knowing that the more Shinobi he could trust with Naruto the better should Sesshomaru unable to be around him.
"There was this purple haired lady, but she seemed to be hurt by some of the comments people say around her, and I see she's just like me almost," said Naruto remembering how the lady saved him from one mob when she unleashed several large snakes at them.
He had tried to thank her, but she took off every time without even saying so much as a "you're welcome" back to him.
'That sounds like Anko to me since she's really the only one outside of Orochimaru, who has the power to summon snakes, which means I now have two people outside of Yuuago that I can trust, and have them watch over Naruto should I need to enlist Sesshomaru for something of extreme importance that I cannot trust to anyone else among the Shinobi ranks,' thought Third Hokage knowing that there were various individuals on both of the Councils, who would want Sesshomaru's demonic powers put to use to further show the might of the Leaf.
"If there is nothing else to discuss, we need to go to see the Inuzuka Clan later today. The Clan Head Inuzuka Tsume has invited us to dinner and we must both become presentable for such an occasion," said Sesshomaru putting Naruto on his shoulder and walked out of the room with the boy waving bye to the old man.
'And things keep getting more interesting,' thought the Sandaime sighing at the sight of the paperwork in front of him wondering if he was ever going to get this done.
(Inuzuka Clan-Several Hours Later)
Inuzuka Tsume had never been more afraid in terms of having over a guest in her entire life. Sure she had faced enemy Shinobi, dealt with two crazy pregnancies, and the Kyuubi itself knocking on Konoha's front door. However, this man had made all those things just seem like shadows compared to who she had invited over to her clan home. When she got back from the meeting, Tsume instantly held a Clan Meeting with all the members of the Inuzuka Clan, and told them what she knew.
They had instantly become floored with this news and wanted to know more about this man, who was a Demon Lord of dog lineage. To them, Sesshomaru was the Alpha to end all Alpha's in terms of the Inuzuka Clan, and if he so wished could impose himself as the new Clan Head. Though that would most likely not happen on account of the man having adopted the Son of the Yondaime, it was still a good thing to get to know him, and see if there was anything he could teach them to further advance the clan to new heights.
Now the entire Inuzuka Clan both human and dog partner were awaiting the arrival of the Demon Lord and his adopted son that was the Heir to the Namikaze Clan. They were not disappointed as Sesshomaru appeared in a glowing ball of energy having teleported from the Namikaze Estate after assisting Naruto getting change for the event. The boy didn't like taking a bath just like most animals since the idea of being covered in water wasn't a pleasant feeling. However, Naruto didn't want people to see him as a dirty child so he took his bath without complaint while Sesshomaru waited outside of the room waiting for the boy to finish after giving him the essential bathing essentials.
Some of which the Demon Lord didn't understand, but believed that Naruto could figure it out on his own, and using what methods he had acquired in raising Rin helped too.
"Greetings Sesshomaru-sama, it is good to see you again since the large meeting with the two Councils, and the Hokage had with you concerning your adopted son," said Tsume approaching the regal as ever Demon Lord, who nodded with his son on his shoulders doing the same.
Sesshomaru looked at the Clan Head before looking past her to the see the rest of the clan that like name suggested, had a very special connection to dogs, and that was something he had never experienced before. Maybe that was the reason he agreed to the invitation after shortly receiving it? Sesshomaru himself didn't know, but as long as he was here, he might as well satisfy his curiosity, and learn more about Konoha's many clans.
"It is good to see you as well Inuzuka-san. I thank you for the invitation to join your clan and family for dinner tonight," said Sesshomaru giving his head a small bow with Naruto mimicking him, as the Demon Lord had drilled manners into the boy, and made sure to be polite in someone else's home.
The dinner itself was a nice formal affair for the two guests, as the adults with their dog companions sat at the main table, and the kids with their puppy like companions sitting at the kids table. Sesshomaru of course was the center of attention at the main table while Naruto was the center of attention at the kids table though unlike Sesshomaru, Naruto was receiving some hostile looks from Tsume youngest child Kiba, and quite frankly the blonde haired boy didn't like it.
"So your Father fell in love with a human woman and sired a half-demon with her?" said Inuzuka Tsume having heard stories of demons mating with humans, but never with the latter being the willing partner.
"That is correct. However, after my Father died fighting a demon far stronger then him, my brother Inuyasha was exiled from our home along with his Mother, and when she died while he was still a child he had to fend for himself. He was not well liked by either human or demon kind since half-demons are considered blasphemy between the two," said Sesshomaru wishing he could have taken back the pain he caused his brother over the years.
While this was going on tension between Naruto and Kiba seemed to grow at the kids table with Inuzuka Hana, Kiba's older sister having to break it with stern look to make her brother knock it off. The older sibling of the Inuzuka Clan Head didn't mind the blonde Namikaze at all and wouldn't mind calling him her friend in the future.
"What do you think of Konoha so far Sesshomaru-sama?" said an Inuzuka Clan member wondering what the Demon Lord thought of the Leaf despite the few bad apples it may contain.
"While I have only been in your village a short time, I am only slightly impressed at how your race has evolved from what it once was," said Sesshomaru finding that his meal was quite satisfying to his canine appetite though given the clan he was visiting it wasn't to be unexpected.
"Only slightly?" said Tsume curious as to what he meant.
Sesshomaru's answer came with the turning of his head towards the kids table, where one Inuzuka Kiba had finally lost all form of restraint by grabbing Naruto's shirt, and tried to slug the blonde boy in the face. Fortunately, Naruto brought his hand up to catch the hand turned fist, and held it firmly in his hand while glaring defiantly at his attacker. Naruto didn't want to start a fight with this angry Inuzuka kid, who for some reason looked like he wanted to break every bone in the demon vessel's body, and get in trouble with either his Father or their hosts for the evening.
"What is your problem Kiba?" said Naruto keeping his hand tight on the Inuzuka boy's fist while the boy struggled to get his fist out of Naruto's hand.
"I don't like foxes," said Kiba growling at Naruto whose eyes had widen in shock at that remark, which allowed Kiba to break his fist free of Naruto grip, and get a second shot in on the blonde.
That is if Hana hadn't caught his hand at the wrist.
"Kiba stop it! You're insulting the Namikaze Heir and his Father," said Hana trying to get the clearly angry boy away from Naruto.
"As I said, I am only slightly impressed. While your race has evolved physically and even more so in terms of technology that was once beyond your usual boundaries, you still act on reckless compulsions like that arrogant, and very stupid little boy," said Sesshomaru, who slowly got up from the table, and walked over to the struggling child wondering why he would hate Naruto so much.
He knew Naruto wouldn't dare try anything and the fact his son had simply caught the punch rather then returned it showed remarkable restraint. It was clear that Kiba, as the boy had been called was in fact the guilty party, and the boy needed to be taught a lesson in humility.
Which was why Sesshomaru, Tsume, Hana, Naruto, and Kiba were away from the others at the moment in order to avoid this conversation from being overheard.
"Why did you attack my son?" said Sesshomaru with his presence shadowing the two kids with Inuzuka Hana giving a small squeak at the sight of him so close up before she let go of her brother, and bowed submissively to him.
"Because he's your son that's why. I heard what the villagers always call him when they think we aren't around to hear them. He smells of foxes and dogs and foxes can't coexist with each other," said Kiba, who was much more defiant looking then his sister cowering before the Demon Lord.
"Kiba!" said Tsume wishing her boy hadn't gotten a mix of her and husband's damnable pride making him more gutsy then anything.
"What? I know what's inside him. I remember how you told me how dad died fighting the Kyuubi and since this kid holds the demon, I figured that I can get my fair share of licks in to avenge my Father," said Kiba looking at his Mother before glaring at Naruto, who ignored it, and focused on his Father awaiting any possible punishment on his end.
"Is this true mom?" said Hana looking back and forth between Naruto and her Mother not believing that this boy the demonic fox inside of him.
"We'll talk about this in private at a later time Hana, as with you Kiba, but for now I do not want you to jump to any conclusions, and keep an open mind," said Tsume looking at Kiba with a glare while giving Hana an apologetic smile that told the older of the two children that all would be explained.
"Were my actions appropriate Father?" said Naruto, as a sense of fear towards the man crept up his spine, which didn't go unnoticed by the Demon Lord.
"Yes. You held yourself with a great deal of restraint and patience I would not expect in many boys, who had just turning 5 year olds. You are progressing better then I had hoped under my tutelage Naruto," said Sesshomaru patting the boy several times on his blonde head approvingly making Naruto sigh in relief.
"As for you Kiba, you are in serious trouble! Not once did I hate Naruto for the demon sealed inside of him and neither should you," said Tsume scowling at her son, who was slightly shocked by this, but didn't lose his sense of hate for Naruto.
For now, Kiba would keep his anger in check.
"Dad you're not going to ask the old man to punish them are you?" said Naruto looking at his Father not wanting to get the whole clan punished for just one of its members.
"No. Making such noise over a single incident like this would be premature and pointless at this time. I will leave the boy's Mother the task of punishing her son for his stupidity as well as explaining the situation fully to her daughter," said Sesshomaru before looking at Tsume, who nodded to the Demon Lord, and then gave a fierce glare to Kiba.
Shortly after the incident, the two guests decided it was time to leave, and bid the Inuzuka Clan members goodbye before heading home. As they walked, Sesshomaru noticed that several Shinobi were on the rooftops observing them, and had a taint about them that told the Demon Lord they were hardly friendly. Sesshomaru also had the scent of the man in the room with one arm and eye meaning these Shinobi were under that man's command, not the Hokage. It was clear these Shinobi were waiting for the right moment to strike at him, but they had no idea that he knew they were there.
"Naruto, I want you to close your eyes from here on out until we arrive back home or I say otherwise. Understood?" said Sesshomaru, who got a brief nod from the boy, who had apparently sensed them too.
With Naruto's eyes now shut, Sesshomaru quickly went to work on the six masked ninja around him, as he easily killed them all without the slightest difficulty, and afterwards he took the only undamaged mask with head attached to take to the Third Hokage so the old leader could explain what the meaning of what this was. The Demon Lord had no doubt the old man was sincere in letting him stay in the village to raise Naruto, but there were others with not so pure intentions, and this "Root" ANBU were clearly apart of it.
(Hyuuga Compound)
Hiashi was getting worried. His wife Hitomi was having some complications with the pregnancy of their second child and the doctors had stated there was a chance she would not survive giving birth. It devastated the Clan Head to no end and the elders were getting more aggressive in wanting to push Hinata further then she already was with her Gentle Fist training. The girl was still shy after what happened 2 years ago and the loss of his brother due to one of the elder's suggestions. Now Neji hated Hinata, hated him, hated the entire Main Family, and the one real thing he could give the boy to clear this whole situation up was in his office never to be opened until a "to be determined" date set by the Hyuuga Elders.
What a stupid game those old fools are playing. They know that Hinata is too much like her sweet Mother and will want to remove the Cage Bird Seal forever from the Hyuuga Clan. Yet, they want the families to stay divided like some scattered jigsaw puzzle to piece only pockets of the family together rather then unite the whole clan. Now those same Hyuuga Elders would continue have a chance to further their control over the clan, which he had spent so many years with the Yondaime loosening, and it would soon all be thanks to the inevitable birth of his second child.
Hyuuga Hiashi needed a miracle.
He needed an act of Kami.
Or perhaps...an act of a Demon Lord?
It was at that moment, Hiashi remembered something he had long since forgotten during the meeting concerning Sesshomaru, and his adopted son that was the Yondaime's child. When the Hyuuga Clan Head used his Byakugan to see Sesshomaru's charka points he noticed that the two swords at his waist gave off very different chakra signatures. One was pure demonic while the other was celestial, almost heavily in a sense, and almost at once Hiashi believed that in that sword through Sesshomaru that his wife could be saved.
Walking past his sleeping wife's room he peeked in to see her sweating up a storm in her sleep with that large mountain, which was her stomach (though he would never say it like that), and holding their fragile child in the balance. She was slowly getting worse with the date of the baby's birth drawing closer and closer to becoming any day now. He doubted that without her around to keep his temper in check, Hiashi would become a cruel Father to one or both his children, and the Clan Head knew that his soul could not handle that at all.
Finding a Branch Family member, Hiashi ordered a verbal message to be delivered to the Demon Lord to request the man's presence at the Hyuuga Compound the next day. If his brother Hizashi could fight Fate, then by Kami Hiashi was going to do the same, and win just like his twin.
(Hokage's Office)
When Sesshomaru appeared before the Hokage via teleporting and saw Naruto covered slightly in blood splatters the old man nearly had a stroke. The last thing the old formerly retired Hokage needed was an angry Demon Lord on his back about hostile villagers and possibly Shinobi too. However, when Sesshomaru showed him the Root ANBU masked head he had acquired, Sarutobi knew who was to blame for this, and after talking further on the matter understood everything.
"This was once a division established years ago when such forces were needed to fight the enemies that surrounded us amongst the Elemental Nations. However, after the last Shinobi war people were tired of all the fighting, including one of my students, who lost the ones she cares about the most. People wanted peace to return in order for things to become stabilized around them and that was exactly what they were given by their village Kage. Danzo however, refuses to embrace peace in any sense of the word, and wants to further militarize the Leaf Village to become an unequal power among the other Shinobi villages," said Sarutobi letting out a heavy sigh finding it was actually refreshing to let out all this information to someone he felt he could trust with it.
It was not like Sesshomaru could use it in any way right?
"I suggest you keep tabs on this human filth known as Danzo. It's clear that his division is not as disbanded as you believe it to be," said Sesshomaru, who got a nod from the old man, and looked to Naruto, who seemed to be getting sleepy after all the excitement that had been happening around him.
"I'll do just that I assure you Sesshomaru-sama," said Sarutobi before the Demon Lord before him teleported out of his office having completed their conversation.
'Did Sesshomaru have to dump the bloody head onto the large pile of paperwork that I finished?' thought an irritated Sandaime now having to get the blood covered pieces of paperwork redone all over again.
Sometimes the Sandaime wished he was in the belly of the Shinigami right now instead of the Yondaime.
(Namikaze Estate)
Sesshomaru appeared outside of the massive home to see a man that had the same eyes as Hiashi and assumed he was from the Hyuuga Clan. The said Hyuuga Clan member now bowed before the great Demon Lord knowing that showing anything, but respect to this man would mean his death.
"Hyuuga Hiashi has asked you to give me a message I assume," said Sesshomaru having figured that out from the fact that the messenger had no scroll of or message in his hand to deliver a written message.
'Yes Sesshomaru-sama. Hyuuga Hiashi humbly requests your presence at the Hyuuga Compound tomorrow at your earliest conveyance. It is a matter of great importance to him that he speaks to you about a personal matter. He also welcomes your son into his home and under his protection if needed," said the Hyuuga Branch member hoping the Demon Lord would agree to come see the Clan Head tomorrow.
"Tell Hiashi-san I will see him some time tomorrow morning and expect me no later then that," said Sesshomaru, who got a quick nod from the Hyuuga messenger before the man left quickly to report the good news.
"Another interesting day gone by," said Naruto sleepily before yawning in a very fox like manner before scratching an itch on the side of his head.
"Yes son it certainly has been and I can sense there are more days like this to come," said Sesshomaru walking into the house before putting Naruto to bed.
(Secret Root HQ)
Danzo was angry. No, the Root Leader was infuriated! The report before him came from his Root scout that he had sent after the agents he ordered to secretly attack the powerful dog Demon Lord Sesshomaru failed to report in. His scout informed him that all the Root ANBU had been massacred and one of them had his head missing, which Danzo knew didn't bode well for him.
"Should we attack him in greater numbers Danzo-sama?" said a pale faced boy sitting in a chair working on an ink painting.
"No. He most likely went to that old fool Sarutobi about who those ANBU were that tried to attack him. This means the Hokage knows about Root still being in existence, but he won't dare bring it up, or charge me with anything since I've gotten support from several key influential parties in Konoha. If he does bring it up I can use my position to move for Root to be reactivated in order to further protect Konoha from future threats," said Danzo knowing that the time to strike the Demon Lord was too soon in the planning stages.
(Hyuuga Compound-The Next Morning)
"Are you sure he will come?" said Hiashi, who had been glad at hearing the good news from the Branch Family member last night and now could only wait almost painfully for the man that could possibly save his wife.
"He said he would Hiashi-sama. I dare not lie to you about such a thing," said the Branch Family member hoping that the Demon Lord would show up so the man before him did not use the Cage Bird Seal as an act of punishment.
Hiashi believed the Branch Family member and trusted that Sesshomaru would show up to explain the situation to the man despite the Hyuuga Elders had protested this originally on the ground that what was happening to Hitomi was "Hyuuga Clan business". Hiashi wanted to strike them all down claiming that such a thing was happening to his wife was "Hyuuga Clan business". It was not. It was the cold hand of death seeking to take another family member from him and the only one that could stop it was not here yet.
"Hiashi-sama! Hiashi-sama! Sesshomaru-sama has just arrived along with his son!" said another Hyuuga Branch member running up to the Clan Head practically gripping the wall for support.
"Did you invite the Demon Lord in?" said Hiashi sternly knowing that one did not keep a Demon Lord waiting for long.
"Of course! Sesshomaru-sama's son is currently with Hinata-sama in the garden and is being watched by Neji-san," said the Hyuuga Branch member since everyone had been told to NOT to lay hand on the boy whether they were from the Main or Branch family.
"Thank you both for your help. I must speak to Sesshomaru-sama at once," said Hiashi walking at a quick pace to see his guest.
(With Naruto)
The blonde haired boy had seen the Namikaze Estate gardens and the boy had been awed by them greatly when he saw the beauty they held. He had started feeling something of a caring nature when it came to plants or rather in this case large, the garden like area that stood around him.
That wasn't the only thing though that caught his eye.
What he saw was a pretty girl his age tending to some flowers, completely unaware of his existence, and was working her small gentle hands on the current flower that needed her merciful touch. He didn't know why, but Naruto felt compelled to walk over to her, and greet her since his Father would probably be some time with whoever he was meeting in this place. Walking over to her, Naruto gently tapped her on the shoulder making the girl give off a tiny squeak noise, as she blushed in surprise at the sight of him before her, and put her fingers together.
"Hi! My name is Namikaze Naruto. What's yours?" said Naruto not knowing why she was blushing or why she was putting her fingers together in such a manner.
Though Naruto thought it kind of made her look prettier.
"My name is Hyuuga Hinata. It is a pleasure to meet you Namikaze-san," said Hinata, as she had heard the boy was coming over to the house, and had no idea that he would run into her.
She quickly gave a bow with Naruto returning it before they both sat down on a nearby bench so they could talk more.
"You're welcome Hinata-san, though if you don't mind, I would like it if you called me Naruto. It makes things easier for you that way," said Naruto since he didn't want to be called that until he felt it was appropriate.
"Of course Naruto-san. My apologies," said Hinata hoping she had not offended this boy before her, who made her feel so much energy inside.
"You didn't know Hinata-san so there is no need to apologize," said Naruto, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
"I agree," said the stern voice of a Hyuuga male a few years older then the two making Naruto turn around his body going slightly tense since his Father told him to always keep his guard up no matter what.
"And you are...?" said Naruto wondering why this kid reminded him so much of Kiba with that scowl on his face.
"Hyuuga Neji. I am Hinata-sama's bodyguard right now and I would appreciate it if you did not have such close contact with her," said Neji having been briefed of the situation and had witnessed the interaction between them
"It's all right Neji-Nii-san; I was caught off guard momentarily when I was tending to the flowers so it was my fault that I wasn't paying attention," said Hinata, who wished her cousin whom she thought of as a brother would stop scowling all the time.
"You don't have to apologize for that Hinata-san. You were just so deep in thought with your work on the garden that you blocked everything out. I do it all the time at my house when I'm working on my garden or training with dad," said Naruto giving her a foxy grin that made the shy girl sport a blush on her cheeks for reasons that eluded her.
"Nonetheless I must ask that you leave Hinata-sama alone," said Neji hinting his words to suggest that if Naruto didn't back off, the boy was going to feel first hand the power behind the Gentle Fist, and while Neji didn't want to do that given his orders with boy in particular, it would get the point across.
"What if Hinata-chan doesn't want me to leave her alone? What if Hinata-chan likes to be around me? I say let her decide," said Naruto frowning at the older kid not seeing the girl's face turning slightly pink at the choice of suffix used.
Neji returned the frown given to him, wishing that this Namikaze, as he was claimed to be would just leave, and not bother him or the one he was charged with protecting. He didn't know all of the things concerning Naruto, his adopted Father, and/or what they were here in the Hyuuga Compound for, except that they deserved to be retreated with respect. Neji knew that if he didn't do as ordered, Hiashi or some other Main Family member would use this as an excuse, and activate the accursed Cage Bird Seal on his head.
'Just like when Uncle Hiashi activated the seal on my Father 2 years ago during that one training session I had with Hinata,' thought Neji bitterly with his killer intent rising and was aim at Hinata, who shivered at the feel of it before Naruto punch Neji in the face to make him stop.
"You jerk! Can't you see that you're making Hinata-chan feel uneasy with all that anger you were aiming at her?" said Naruto raising his voice slightly while Neji just wiped the blood from the side of his mouth slightly surprised the boy could hit him so hard.
Without even talking back, Neji activated his Byakugan while calling out its name, and now slipped into the Hyuuga Clan's Gentle Fist stance while Naruto gently motioned for Hinata to move back so she wouldn't get hurt. Neji almost smirked at the delight he was feeling at fighting this so called Namikaze, having heard the stories of the Yondaime, and decided to see who of the two clans were stronger.
Surely if the Namikaze lost to a Hyuuga Branch Family member, what hope did this boy stand against the Hyuuga Main Family?
"Naruto-kun please be careful. Neji-Nii-san is very skilled in our clan's fighting style," said a worried Hinata, who blushed at the suffix she used, though apart of her didn't mind it.
"Don't worry Hinata-chan I'll be careful. I promise," said Naruto looking back her with a gentle smile that made Hinata blush even deeper while the said boy turned to face Neji with a fierce glare.
"I was originally told not to do anything physically hostile to you, but since you drew the first punch regardless of the reason, I can now strike back out of self-defense, and for the dignity of the Hyuuga Clan Branch Family that I am apart of," said Neji while Naruto got into his fighting stance as well.
"The only reason I gave you that punch was to make you stop making Hinata feel so bad inside with all the hate and anger you were giving off. As for your dignity? I say you lost that the moment you started being mean to Hinata-chan. So bring it on you totally stupid and arrogant jerk!" said Naruto, as he was going to show this kid what he did wrong.
(With Sesshomaru and Hiashi)
"I see. You're wife is in labor and will most likely die giving birth to your child," said Sesshomaru, who had been speaking to the Hyuuga Clan Head about several things upon his arrival.
Now the two stood in the same room as the woman, who did not look up at the Demon Lord in fear, and instead held her husband's hand with her own while fighting the pain the child was putting her through. Hiashi had explained that giving birth to his first born Hinata was born without complications, but this child was the exact opposite of her, and could devastate the family as a whole. Hiashi explained to Sesshomaru what happened that night when Kumo tried to take his daughter 2 years ago and his daughter had started acting timid or shy towards others. How Hinata needed her Mother in order to keep his daughter from being trapped within a shell of fear of things that came her way.
"When I tried to see your chakra network through my eyes, I saw that both of your two swords were different, and the one that was sheathed I saw had mystical energy coming from it that is related to healing," said Hiashi seeing Sesshomaru raise an eyebrow at this information of the Hyuuga's bloodline seeing so extensively of what he held.
"You are referring to Tenseiga then. This is a very powerful living sword of incredible healing power that was forged from my Father's own fang. It has saved me on several occasions, as well as others that fell upon deaths grasp. When the time comes with your wife dying, I will use my sword to save her life, and ensure that your first born does not become the weak girl these Clan Elders of yours wish her to become," said Sesshomaru seeing the happy couple together reminded him somewhat of his Father and how he had saved Inuyasha's Mother from dying when she was pregnant with him.
"Thank you Sesshomaru-sama," said Hitomi weakly, as she would forever be in debt to the Demon Lord for saving her.
"You are welcome Hitomi-san. Hiashi will send for me once the time has come for you to give birth to your child," said Sesshomaru bowing his head slightly before he quietly left the room to give the two some time together while he sought out his son.
It wasn't until he heard a little girl scream that he felt something close to dread worm its way into his heart and he suddenly moved at a quicker pace to investigate the matter. When Sesshomaru appeared at the spot Naruto was suppose to be what he saw surprised him slightly, as he saw Naruto was down on the ground in pain, next to the boy was one crying little girl and surprised boy.
"Please get up Naruto-kun! Please get up!" said Hinata rolling Naruto over onto his back seeing the drop of blood on the side of his lips and his eyes closed.
"What is going on here?" said Sesshomaru looking quite upset at the moment though he kept his face calm at the moment since there was no point in killing anyone...yet.
The two Hyuuga children remained silent one out of care for the demon vessel, the other out of fear, and with Hiashi now entering the gardens seeing Naruto on the ground didn't help either. Hiashi immediately asked the same question that Sesshomaru did with Neji frowning slightly as if to contemplate on whether or not to tell his Uncle. Sesshomaru walked towards his son and the crying girl, who the Demon Lord knew couldn't have put Naruto in this state simply out of how she was reacting to his fallen form. From the way the other boy was frowning in thought, it was clear to Sesshomaru that the boy was the one responsible for this, and while he didn't know the full story behind it, he was certain it was not Naruto's fault.
Fortunately, the Demon Lord had sensed the boy was not dead, just badly injured from the attack delivered, and given enough time Naruto would be back on his feet to continue his training.
"Hinata, what happened?" said Hiashi seeing how Neji was still in thought and decided to go the path of least resistance.
Hinata looked at her Father with tears and told her everything about how she met Naruto to the point where the boy defended her against Neji. How Neji had been letting out killer intent that was aimed at her and how Naruto punched Neji in the face to make him stop. Thus leading to the fight between the two, but it was there that Hinata's defender fell at Neji's hands because of her desire to step into the fight.
(Flashback)
Naruto threw out a punch that Neji dodged slightly due to his Byakugan active and struck back with a palm to his opponent shoulder. Naruto spun to avoid the attack successfully before delivering a kick to Neji's side, which the boy grabbed, and was prepared to strike back at when his opponent used his other leg jump slightly into the air to land a kick to the Hyuuga boy's temple.
Neji stumbled back slightly surprised at the unforeseen move done by Naruto before he cracked his neck slightly before he charged at his opponent. The two engaged in a fierce Taijutsu match with Naruto, who was not moving as fast as he would have liked since his Father was making him wear weights this morning. It was after Naruto found a scroll that talked about how Shinobi sometimes wore weights to become stronger that Sesshomaru wanted him to do the same starting today.
That was the main reason why he and Sesshomaru didn't show up earlier at the Hyuuga Compound until late into the morning. Such heavy weights had made it difficult to walk around and right now it was taking all of Naruto's energy to move at the speed he was moving at right now. Neji scored a crucial blow to Naruto's left arm making the boy spin around using his now limp arm like a blunt object, hitting Neji hard while knocking out at least two baby teeth, and giving the Hyuuga boy a blood nose in the process.
The said Hyuuga, who was not missing a beat, did a spin of his own only he used his foot to connect with Naruto's face, and struck several chakra points in Naruto's right arm. As the two stopped for a moment to breath and survey their handy work, Hinata looked on with worry at the two knowing that this was getting out of hand, and before the two could continue she got between them.
"Please stop it! I don't want you fighting anymore," said Hinata looking at both Neji and then at Naruto, who got out of his weakened fighting stance while Neji did too.
"Out of respect for you Hinata-chan I will. Umm...you think you could somehow help me with my arms please?" said Naruto grinning at Hinata, who blushed though before she had even realized what she was doing, she called out her bloodline limit, and activated it to assist the boy in reopening his chakra points.
Meanwhile, Neji had become startled by Hinata's use of her Byakugan at such a young age, and all because of this boy she was helping had requested it of her. It was insulting to his pride as the Heir to the Head Branch Family that someone so shy, so timid, and so weak had done something he didn't think would happen for at least a few more years that would help give him the edge when the time came for her Gentle Fist training. Why was it that the Main Family got all the breaks while the Branch Family suffered for even the slightest thing they wanted in life?
Neji couldn't see straight anymore. All he saw was red. He saw the now happy children in front of him talking while he, a kid like them having been marked to serve the Main Family being forced to be the loyal servant that was a slave in all, but name, and with most of people like them currently treating his side of the family no better then that of a mere household pets! Reactivating his bloodline, Neji charged forward intending to end the life of one of the two not unsuspecting targets not caring who he hit since one's end, would mean another's suffering, and thus make Neji's mind ease the haunting demons of his Father's agony that would one day be his.
To spend your days as a servant for lazy old Hyuuga Main Family members.
To pay for your failures at the hands of the arrogant Hyuuga Main Family members via Cage Bird Seal on ones forehead.
To be humiliated by their mocking, the pointing, and at the laughter when being punished when the Cage Bird Seal was activated.
Charging forward, Neji stuck out his palm while holding a large portion or rather it was a large for someone of his age into his hands, and aimed it at the shocked Hyuuga Heiress. The move had come at a surprise for both Naruto and Hinata that neither of them had any real time to move at all to prevent both of them from being hurt.
Naruto however, didn't want his new found friend to be hurt by this attack, and without any further hesitation pushed Hinata out of the way taking the hit for her in the chest area.
"Looks like you got your family's dignity back…you cowardly baka!" said Naruto, who was now smiling slightly at Neji's shocked face before falling to the ground both down and out while Hinata's scream pierced the air.
(End Flashback)
Hiashi couldn't believe it and to make sure the boy was all right or at least be alive to live another day, he activated his Byakugan to check on the damage. What he saw next made him frown in disbelief! Naruto's charka network though hit hard were no longer damaged and the internal injuries while still there, were healing at an incredible rate.
'It has to be the Kyuubi's doing. Anyone else his age would have succumb to death by now,' thought Hiashi, who was now looking directly at Neji, and the Hyuuga Clan Head could only imagine what Sesshomaru was going to do to his nephew.
"Will Naruto-kun be all right Father?" said Hinata worriedly, as she didn't even know how to properly thank him for preventing her demise.
"Yes Hinata, but I have to take him over to the Hospital just to be safe," said Hiashi, as he gently picking up the boy and headed for the Hospital to give Naruto a proper check up.
"As for you boy, I will deal with you in my own way right after Naruto is declared safe from harm, and when I done with you, I will see to it that you beg for that seal on your forehead to be activated," said Sesshomaru before walking out of the room taking Hinata with him since he did not trust the Hyuuga male to watch over Hiashi's daughter.
It was at this moment that Neji feared for his life with the source of impending doom for once NOT being a Hyuuga.
(Konoha Hospital)
Sesshomaru had never visited the Hospital and from the smell of everything he would rather not anytime soon with the wave of scents that hit his nose. The nauseating smells of various anti-bacterial sterilizers, the deaths of past as well as present, and other far more horrible smells filled his senses making him stay still to focus on suppressing the horrible stenches around him. The Hyuuga girl on his shoulders climbed off his body before sitting down on a nearby Hospital bench to wait for further instructions.
The doctors and nurses looked at Hiashi carrying in Naruto only to give the boy an angry glare not really caring if the boy was the Yondaime's son or being carried in by Hyuuga Hiashi himself. Frankly, they still believed that the boy was the Kyuubi reborn inside the Yondaime's son, and that the child should die so the lost soul of the Namikaze offspring would be able to rest in peace.
"You are a healer of this place are you not? Why do you not attempt heal him?" said an annoyed Sesshomaru having regained his control and grabbed the nearest doctor.
"Because like you, he is a demon, and unlike the Hokage we do not tolerate your kind at all," said the doctor, who knew the Hokage needed doctors, and believed that his position due to its importance as one gave him immunity from such actions that would get normal people killed.
The people around the Hospital backed away moments later when the confident doctor or rather what was left of him fell to the ground white coat, glasses, and decaying skeleton in all. Sesshomaru did not care for the man's foolish belief of immunity from harm due to his position as a healer nor was he aware of it, though the Demon Lord suspected the man was hiding behind something along those lines when he declined to help Naruto.
"Heal my son right now or you will all share the same Fate as this dead fool before you," said Sesshomaru cracking his hand ready to cover this place in blood and death.
Almost instantly, five doctors and 4 nurses took Naruto from Hiashi and rushed him to a room to do test on him to check on his condition. Hiashi decided to go with the doctors since they needed to know what was wrong with the boy in the first place before they could even treat him.
As for Sesshomaru, he saw that Hinata had become slightly frightened of him, but she fought to be calm like any Hyuuga would in her place, and was able to contain most of the shiver that ran through her body. Motioning her to come forward, Hinata dare not disobey the Demon Lord, and the two headed down the corridor to where Hiashi was watching the doctors take care of Naruto.
"How is his condition?" said Sesshomaru since Hiashi would know more about what his nephew had done to Naruto then him.
"Good. The strike Neji hit Naruto with would have killed a lesser child, but due to the boy's unique condition, he will recover within a few days, and will be cleared from the Hospital," said Hiashi his Byakugan active to keep an eye on the doctors while knowing he was going to have to punish Neji for this even if the Hyuuga Elders may hold back on such a punishment using the excuse of the Main and Branch Family being strained as it was.
"I will stay with Naruto for a little while longer. Escort your daughter back home before informing the Hokage of this," said Sesshomaru knowing that the old village leader was going to wish to know why Naruto was in the Hospital.
"If it's all right with Sesshomaru-sama, could I stay a little while with Naruto-kun?" said Hinata looking at her Father, who looked at the Demon Lord, only for him to gaze down at her with analytical eyes before nodding to the child, and let her be the first to walk into the boy's room once the doctors left.
Putting his index and middle finger together, Sesshomaru placed them on Naruto's head before closing his own eyes in concentration while the two Hyuuga just watched.
"It's as I suspected," said Sesshomaru before opening his eyes and putting his fingers away from Naruto.
"What is?" said Hiashi frowning slightly at the Demon Lord while Hinata just poked a finger at Naruto experimentally to see if he would awaken.
"He's speaking...to him," said Sesshomaru knowing that Hiashi would get the meaning while Hinata looked at the two of them curiously wondering what or rather who they were talking about.
"Who?" said Hinata since she wanted to know what the two adults were talking about.
"Its best if you tell her in private Hiashi-san," said Sesshomaru getting a nod from the Hyuuga Head, who took his daughter outside to discuss this matter in private.
Both men were well aware of the law concerning Naruto, but they were sure the old man would let it slide given the circumstances of it being broken.
"Tell me what Father?" said Hinata seeing the slightly worried yet still serious expression that now appeared on the man's face as the two walked out of the room into the private corridor.
Before Hiashi spoke, he shut the door behind him leaving Sesshomaru alone with his son.
"Now to pay a visit to Kyuubi inside Naruto's mind," said Sesshomaru placing his index and middle fingers yet again on Naruto's forehead before concentrating his own mind to allow him access to the boy's own.
(Naruto's Mindscape)
"Ow! When I get my hands on that baka I'm going to beat him to a bloody pulp!" said Naruto waking up to find he was not in the Hyuuga Compound with Hinata or Neji.
"You humans are too noisy. KEEP IT DOWN!" said a demonic voice sounding quite irritated at the moment like it had just been woken up.
"Who said that?" said Naruto looking around wondering, who or what spoke within this place.
"Do you really want to know? Follow the path before you," said the demonic in a calm voice though there was a sense of mischievousness about it.
Naruto did just that and followed the path before him that eventually led him to a large room with an equally large cage. The massive cage itself was golden colored, which it seemed like something that of royalty if someone of royalty was imprisoned in would reside, and holding the gate together was a slip of paper with the word "SEAL" in big letters. Behind the bars was the sound of heavy breathing, but not in the way someone was gasping for breath after running so much, and it was deep like the voice that spoke to him.
"Are you in there?" said Naruto having a feeling that this was, who he thought it was, as a pair of red slit eyes glowed behind the cage bars, and large white teeth soon followed afterwards.
"What do you think runt?" said the demonic voice behind the cage peering at Naruto with fiery eyes.
"I think you are the Kyuubi. The Demon Lord that killed my real Father and made just about everyone in the village hate me. Including my own Mother!" said Naruto scowling at the fox, who cocked its head to the side, as if this should be important to him in some manner.
"Are you trying to make some kind of point? You make it seem like it goes against the natural order of things for a parent to abandon a child. You humans are such inferior creatures that the only reason Kami forgives you for all that you destroy is simply due to him pitying you. Not love. Now had you been born a demon, you would know the comfort of at least one parent since full grown demons do not abandon their young unless there were other kin available for the task of raising the child, and even then its not considered abandonment," said Kyuubi moving its head lower to get a closer look at jailor of his demonic being.
"Indeed," said Sesshomaru appearing before the two shocking both the living prison and the prisoner at the same time.
"Dad! How did you get here?" said Naruto running over to his adopted Father and gave him a hug along the leg area.
"A Demon Lord such as me has ways," said Sesshomaru before looking at Kyuubi and giving the large fox an analyzing gaze to measure its power.
"So you are the demon I sensed recently. You are indeed a Demon Lord, yet you are not from this dimension," said Kyuubi smelling the scent dog demon on the man and the power that was wielded behind his form.
"Correct. However, my coming to this Shinobi village is irrelevant at the moment. What is relevant at the moment is the reason behind your attack on the Leaf village 5 years ago that caused you to be sealed inside of Naruto," said Sesshomaru gazing at the fox, who snarled at that agonizing memory of defeat.
"I'll tell you, but not now. I'm not in the mood to tell you since I was forcibly woken up from my sleep after someone took a hit to the chest delivered by that hairless ape speck of a Hyuuga! Because of this Shinigami Seal, if this boy dies, then I will die with him, and I will NOT have my life ended simply because Mr. Hero wanted to play the noble Knight to save the damsel in distress. Be gone from my sight, the both of you now, and know that this piece of information concerning my sudden arrival is crucial to learning the truth. The hidden truth you will be looking for lies in the secrets of the Sharingan and the one dirty little secret that the Uchiha Clan doesn't want the Hokage to know about," said Kyuubi letting out a sinister chuckle before forcing Naruto conscious and Sesshomaru out of Naruto's mind.
(Hospital Room)
Naruto had been awakened to the sight of a white tiled sealing with Sesshomaru standing over him along with the Hokage, who smiled at him like any Grandfather would. Naruto knew that the old man had always had his best interest at heart, but the fact remained that not everyone had as big a heart as the Hokage, and not nearly as caring either.
"How do you feel Naruto?" said Sarutobi having gotten the full story from Hiashi, who had to take home a slightly crying Hinata after she had been told the truth concerning Naruto.
"Fine. Though my chest feels like someone put weight on it," said Naruto, as he squirmed a little at the feeling of such an invisible weight on his body.
"That's to be expected after taking a Gentle Fist strike from a Hyuuga Prodigy and living to tell the tale. Hiashi-san has told me that he told Hinata your secret," said the Sandaime, who inwardly winced at seeing Naruto's form stiffen since the child was clearly afraid of losing a possible friend in the girl.
"I guess this means I'm no longer welcome back at the Hyuuga Clan anymore. I'm sorry Father," said Naruto looking away from Sesshomaru in shame at himself.
"On the contrary Naruto, from what I saw was Hinata understanding that you are not the demon, but rather its jailor, and I believe she still wants to be your friend," said the Third Hokage seeing Hinata nodding to her Father in understanding of what the Yondaime had wanted for Naruto and that the boy was not the demon itself.
"Really?" said Naruto hopefully since friendship to him was worth more then the gold and jewels people tried to buy everyday.
"Of course. The fact that you saved Hinata from her own cousin didn't hurt either in that regard," said the Sandaime knowing that both parents to the little girl would be forever in the boy's debt.
"I'm going to kick that baka's butt when I get out of here. I don' think he's a very good influence on her," said Naruto getting a sad smile from the Third and a barely noticeable nod from Sesshomaru.
"Your Father will have to talk to Hiashi about proper punishment for Neji's actions, but for now, let's focus on you, and what happened while you were out," said the Sandaime wondering how Naruto could deal with everything he had so far.
"Well, for one thing, I met the Kyuubi, and he wasn't exactly happy given the fact he was inside a giant cage while healing me for being noble in saving Hinata. He also said to ask you about the 'hidden truth' behind the Sharingan and something about investigating the 'dirty little secret' behind the Sharingan that the Uchiha Clan doesn't want you to know. I think it's related to how he suddenly appeared and attacked Konoha," said Naruto seeing the deathly pale look on Sarutobi's face when he heard this.
"I see. Fortunately, I have a member of the Uchiha Clan that I know is loyal to me, who I can have investigate this matter in secret, and until I say otherwise or until we learn more from the Kyuubi, neither of you can tell anyone about this," said the Sandaime knowing that while Sesshomaru would keep this a secret whether ordered to or not, Naruto was a different matter since he was still a kid, and was still too young to be trusted to keep a secret willingly.
"Don't worry old man, I can keep a secret if I really have to," said Naruto giving a fox like grin before receiving a chuckle in return from the Hokage knowing that what the boy said was true.
As long as no one bribed the boy with bowl after bowl of free ramen that is.
(A/N: YAY! I updated. Man this one was a mind blower. I hope you'll understand that Naruto is going to be really strong for a 12 year old when he gets out of the Academy. It would be insulting to Sesshomaru if he wasn't the strongest or the "Alpha" of his class. So I'm sorry if you don't like strong at a young age Naruto. As for choosing between NarutoxHinata and NarutoxHarem it's a close race since I've go so many mixed reviews concerning how this will go. The romance between Naruto and Hinata will get underway slightly either in the next chapter or the one after that. It depends on my muse and the other romances for Naruto will probably pop up around the Chuunin Exams. As for good old Sesshomaru I was thinking he would get attached to either Anko or Kurenai. What do you think? Unit next time...PEACE!!)