Chapter 5 Nothing Has Changed.

Hey everybody!

I think I've run out of good chapter titles but I'll keep trying.

I know the training seemed rushed but I don't think canon Hinata is a stranger to meditation and Naruto is well, Naruto, the harder it should be the sooner he learns how to do it.

For those wondering when Hinata will use a Mu variant of the Jyuken but it will take a while. She is assimilating the techniques, but Naruto has to create them first.

Again, I thank everyone for their reviews and their input. Particularly enigma1995 and Ryuujin96, your ideas have been particularly helpful.

Anyway on with the chapter!

It had been a few days since the monks departed from Konoha. Naruto may not have taken this development well but he knew he had to power through it. Hinata had accepted that the monks had to leave better than Naruto, so she did her best to console her crush. The two now trained together regularly with most of their time being devoted to development and incorporation of Mu techniques. Naruto had discovered that he could create invisible barriers in addition to using the Ethereal Blades which he had decided to call Interdiction. Hinata had helped him come up with that name after it was discovered that once someone was struck with one of the blades their chakra network and nerve impulses were disrupted for a short time. After just a tap Hinata could not use her arm or mold chakra for 5 minutes. Currently, the two were trying to increase the duration of the disruption and incorporate the effects into the Jyuken style taijutsu. Trying being the operative word as Naruto's thoughts were elsewhere.

I need to tell her but I'm scared, Naruto thought. For the past week Naruto had attempted to tell Hinata about his status as a jinchūriki, unfortunately one friend had left for Iron Country for an indeterminate amount of time and Naruto was in no hurry to lose another.

"I don't see why you're worried; the elder monk took it pretty well," the Kyubi pointed out.

I guess, but he said Hokage-jiji told him beforehand, Naruto thought back. Ichiro had explained that he had asked the Hokage about Naruto's treatment within the Village. S-class secret my ass! Naruto thought indignantly.

"Indeed, Shinobi Villages are surprisingly bad at keeping secrets," Kyubi observed, continuing he said, "But your little mate over there deserves to know."

I know, maybe it would be easier if she could meet you, Naruto thought. Remembering the other part of the Kyubi's statement he responded, And Hinata-chan isn't my mate, she isn't even my girlfriend. Maybe someday though… Naruto finished while trailing off at the end.

"What was that last part?" Kyubi asked, hoping to get a rise out of his jinchūriki.

Me getting my hopes up, Naruto lamented, I feel something for Hinata-chan, but I don't know what it is, no one has taught me about this stuff.

"At least you're not pining after the pink-haired girl," Kyubi said, happy that Naruto was headed in the right direction. "You should remember every bit of pain she caused you though, to hold over her head when the day comes that she needs your help," Kyubi suggested.

I can't, I need to be an adult about this, especially considering I lectured you about grudges, Naruto responded. Also my memory isn't 'that' good, Naruto admitted.

"I could remember for you, we are partners after all," Kyubi suggested.

I'll get back to you on that, right now I have something to do, Naruto responded finally finding his resolve.

"Hinata-chan, there's something I need to tell you if we're going to stay training partners," Naruto said suddenly.

"What is it Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked worriedly, she hoped Naruto wasn't disappointed in her lack of progress.

"It's er, well I'm, ugh this would be so much easier if the two of you could meet." Naruto finally got out.

"What do you mean?" Hinata questioned.

"I want to try something, could you hold out your hands Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked.

"Okay," Hinata said as Naruto reached out and grabbed her hands.

"I don't appreciate you showing me off to others, Naruto", Hinata heard in her head.

"Who is that?" Hinata asked surprise evident on her face and in her voice.

"That was the Kyubi no Kitsune," Naruto said. "I'm sorry Hinata-chan this was the only way to explain that I thought would make sense," Naruto apologized.

"I don't understand," Hinata admitted.

"You can just think girl, I can hear your thoughts as long as you and your little boyfriend make physical contact," Kyubi told the confused kunoichi hopeful. "Naruto is a jinchūriki, a human with a biju sealed inside him, the people of this village can't tell the difference between a human child and a fox that is the size of a mountain," the fox went on.

"I'll handle the rest, thanks Kyubi," Naruto said. "The night of October 10th, twelve years ago The Kyubi was released from his previous jinchūriki. The Yondaime in order to save the village re-sealed the Kyubi inside of me," Naruto explained.

That explains what Ko-san meant, Hinata thought. She then said, "Oh Naruto-kun I'm sorry your life has been so hard because of something you can't control."

"Kyubi isn't the problem, not really," Naruto explained to his friend. "I wish you could see my memories because there is a lot more to this story, and it would take a long time to explain," Naruto said.

"Me too," Hinata said. Just then something happened, "Naruto-kun, you're disappearing," Hinata almost screamed.

"What?" Naruto said looking down at himself. It was true, his body had become transparent. "What's going on?" Naruto asked fearfully.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata yelled as she reached out to embrace Naruto as though it would stop what was happening. Unfortunately she passed right through him.

"Ah!" both kids shouted in shock as both received a massive rush of memories that were not their own.

"Are you alright Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked, while wondering what it was that he saw.

"Yes I'm fine, and you're solid again," Hinata responded. She then asked, "Naruto-kun was all of that real, your father was the Yondaime?"

"Wait, what else did you see?" Naruto asked hoping to confirm his suspicions.

"You talking to the Kyubi, people glaring, something about a soul of ice to stop the pain…" Hinata started to list.

"My memories, then that means…" Naruto trailed off. He then said, "Oh Hinata-chan, I'm sorry I didn't know you had such a hard life."

"You saw my memories?" Hinata asked, fearful that Naruto knew her secret.

"Yeah, I can't feel the emotions that go with them though, but that's probably for the best, I don't know if that would qualify as sensory overload but it would definitely be too much to handle."

"Oh," Hinata said after letting out a sigh of relief.

"Also, I need to thank you."

"For what Naruto-kun?"

"For always being there, even when I didn't know it."

"You're welcome Naruto-kun, I'll always be there to support you."

"Thank you, Hinata-chan, but I'm afraid I have to ask to invade your privacy again."

"You want to try to perfect that technique."

"You understand me so well, Hinata-chan. Yes, it could be useful to gather intel, among other things, but not if my opponent sees my memories."

"Other things?"

"Fears, weaknesses, things of that nature. Don't worry, my lips are sealed."

"Alright, I trust you Naruto-kun."

"Thank you Hinata-chan, but first I need to know how I did it."

"What was on your mind before you turned transparent?"

"I thought it would help everything make sense if you could see my memories."

"Is that all?"

"I wanted to know more about you but was afraid to pry."

"That explains the memories but not the transparency."

"Let me try something."

With that Naruto started to focus and soon he started to fade.

"Naruto-kun, you're doing it but how?" Hinata asked her crush.

"The first time I think I wished I was more transparent, thinking it would be easier to tell you about Kyubi, apparently my body and my chakra took it literally. With that in mind I tried to do it consciously," Naruto explained. He then asked, "Shall we?"

"Ready when you are Naruto-kun," Hinata said.

"Don't worry, I'll try not to dive to deeply into your memories," Naruto said. With that, the two tried until sunset to perfect Naruto's new technique. They managed to succeed on the fourth try with when Hinata admitted she was no longer seeing any of Naruto's memories.

"Thanks Hinata-chan," Naruto said when it was over.

"You're very welcome, Naruto-kun," Hinata responded.

"Now I need find a way to use this transparency thing in combat, but one thing at a time," Naruto said.

"Yes, it is getting late and I need to get home for dinner," Hinata added.

"Let me walk you home, Hinata-chan."

"You don't have to do that, Naruto-kun."

"I know, but I want to." With that the two set off towards the Hyuga Compound. There was, however, something else Naruto wanted to talk about.

"Hinata-chan?" he asked.

"Hmm?"

"I've been thinking a lot and I know that we've only gotten close just recently, but…" Naruto trailed off.

What? What? Hinata asked in her mind.

"I don't have much experience with these kinds of things, like reading emotions but lately I've been wondering if you wanted and I wanted… What I'm asking is, do you think we could ever be more than friends?"

'Thump'

Naruto turned his head and noted that Hinata had fainted. "You know, what you're right, we have time, we can always talk about this later," Naruto said as he chuckled at his own joke. Picking her up bridal style, Naruto carried Hinata the rest of the way to the Hyuga Compound.

"Uzumaki Naruto here to drop off Hyuga Hinata," Naruto said to the nearest Hyuga he could find who just so happened to be a little girl.

"You have five seconds to explain why my Nee-chan is unconscious before I get my father after you," the little girl said.

"She fainted, that's all I swear," Naruto hastily defended. Perusing the information he got from Hinata's memories he then asked, "You name is Hanabi right?"

"So what if I am, and how do you even know that?" the now identified Hanabi asked.

"Hinata and I talk, we've been training together for a while now," Naruto said hoping he came up with an acceptable cover. Attempting to be more convincing, or to change the subject, he didn't care which, he said, "I can tell just by the way she talks about you that she loves you very much."

"Too much," Hanabi whispered, thinking of all the times she and Hinata sparred. Hanabi was young but she was not naïve. She knew that Hinata let her emotions prevent her from excelling.

"What?" Naruto asked.

"Nothing," Hanabi quickly answered. She then asked a question of your own, "You said your name is Uzumaki Naruto?"

"Yes?" Naruto asked trying to coax more out of the little Hyuga.

"Nee-chan said something about you creating the Mu release," Hanabi stated simply.

"Yeah, but I'm still just getting started," Naruto admitted.

"Hanabi is there any sign of your sister?" A familiar voice asked.

"Yes, Otou-sama, Uzumaki-san has her," Hanabi told the slowly approaching Hyuga Hiashi.

"Did something happen," Hiashi said darkly, promising pain if the answer was not one he wanted to hear.

"She just fainted Hyuga-sama, but she'll be fine she wasn't injured," Naruto said as fast as he could. He knew he could use his barrier but if he wanted to see if there was anything between Hinata and himself he would need Hiashi to like him.

"I see, I will take her Uzumaki-san, and I thank you for bringing her home," Hiashi said. "I trust you two had a productive day off from class?" Hiashi asked.

"We hit a bit of a snag in the beginning but we got past that," Naruto explained.

"I see, well I bid you good evening Uzumaki-san," Hiashi said.

"Good night Hyuga-sama, Hanabi-chan," Naruto said.

"Good night Uzumaki-san," Hanabi said.

With that Naruto made his way home to get ready for class tomorrow.

Ugh, what time is it? Naruto thought as he looked at his clock. 4:00 am great another early morning, he mentally grumbled as he turned off his alarm. Now, Naruto knew that ninja were often required to work off little to no sleep but he wanted to enjoy his current schedule as much as possible. Waking up before sunrise had become a regular occurrence however, and while he functioned normally it had become quite irritating.

"May as well squeeze some training in," Kyubi suggested.

Alright, let's do this, Naruto said as he got up to do his morning routine. After 15 minutes he locked up and set out for one of the training grounds.

As Naruto made his way through the village his thoughts turned to what he said to Hinata last night, I hope things don't get awkward between us; at least Hinata-chan isn't the kind of girl to end a friendship over something like that. He was soon pulled from his thoughts by two loud voices.

"Lee, this morning we are going to focus on your form until Neji and Tenten get here!" a loud voice stated.

"Hai, Gai-sensei, if I cannot perfect the Goken before this morning is up I will run five hundred laps around the village!" a younger, but equally loud voice responded.

What the hell? Naruto thought as he made his way toward the voices. He reached an unfamiliar training ground with two occupants, and it was no exaggeration that they were two of the strangest people Naruto had ever seen. Both had bowl cuts; wore full body green spandex suits; orange leg warmers; wore Konoha hitai-ate around their wastes; and strangest of all, both had extremely thick eyebrows.

"Lee it seems we have company," the one called Gai told his student.

"The Flames of Youth must have called out to him Gai-sensei," the one named Lee mused.

"Uh, ohayo," Naruto greeted hoping the master and student duo were friendly.

"Greetings, youthful visitor I am Maito Gai and this is my youthful student Rock Lee," Gai said.

"Good morning, I am always happy to meet those who wish to make the most of their Springtime of Youth," Lee greeted.

"I'm Uzumaki Naruto and I'm sorry if I interrupted anything, I was just looking for a place to train and was surprised that anyone else besides the ANBU were up this early," Naruto said.

"We always begin training this early, it's important to enjoy your youth," Gai explained.

"I'm not sure I understand, but did you say that your name was Maito Gai?" Naruto asked.

"Yes indeed," Gai answered.

"The taijutsu expert of Konoha? You're him?" Naruto asked.

"I've never claimed to be an expert, but I'm the only Maito Gai that I know of," Gai replied humbly.

"Gai-sensei is just being modest; I doubt there is anything about taijutsu he does not know!" Lee proclaimed.

"Lee your praise has stoked my Flames of Youth, but I would never claim to know everything about taijutsu," Gai corrected his student. Turning to the young blonde he asked, "Why do you want to know young Naruto?"

"I was wondering if you could help me with something?" Naruto asked. He then added, "I'm sure you are very busy with your own students but I need some advice about taijutsu and weapons."

"While it is true that I have a responsibility to my team, I am always willing to help those in need, what is it that you would like to know?" Gai asked the blonde.

Naruto then explained his Mu release to Gai and Lee: from what Ichiro taught him, to the Ethereal Blades, to his search for a compatible taijutsu style. "All I know is that I can use them as blades and for bludgeoning but I just know enough about taijutsu to know that they won't work with the Academy style," Naruto finished.

"Maybe if I could see these Ethereal Blades, as you call them," Gai suggested.

"I would like to see them as well," Lee added.

"Alright," Naruto said as he summoned his blades. "I call them Interdiction, because they disrupt a person's chakra network and nerve impulses."

"Fascinating, but I don't see an edge on these, how would they cut anything?" Gai asked.

"I can make them vibrate at almost any speed, listen," Naruto explained as the blades started to hum at different frequencies.

"Vibrate? Yes that could work," Gai said, more to himself than Naruto.

"What could work Sensei?" Lee asked.

"Snake style, Lee, our youthful friend should use snake style," Gai answered his student.

"Snake style, Gai-sensei?" Naruto questioned.

"Snake style is based on whipping or rattling power which travels up the spine to the fingers, or in the case of the rattler, the body shake which travels down the spine to the tip of the tailbone. The ability to sinuously move, essentially by compressing one's stomach/abdominal muscles, is very important. Footing is quite grounded. The stance work is fluid in order to maximize the whipping potential of any movement. This necessitates building a strong spine to contain the power and strong fingers to convey the strike. Since breath is important to any movement of the spine and ribs, snake style is considered one of the main styles which eventually led to internal training. Snake style is also known as an approach to weapons training. There are even specialty varieties of sword blades and spear points that curve back and forth down the length of the blade in imitation of the snake's body known as snake sword and snake spear. It's a style that focuses on attacking weak points like joints and the throat among other places," Gai explained. Gai continued, saying, "In this village there have only been two people who have practiced this style."

"Who are they?" Naruto asked.

"The Snake Sannin Orochimaru and Mitarashi Anko," Gai answered.

"Well Orochimaru is out, but I think I know who Mitarashi Anko is," Naruto said.

"Yes, I believe that she is involved with Umino Iruka," Gai explained.

"Iruka-sensei? That helps, I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask to meet her," Naruto said. Then Naruto turned to the two and said, "Thank you very much."

"You are very welcome Naruto," Gai replied.

"I don't mean to impose but would it be alright if I trained with you both before class starts?" Naruto asked, hoping the two would let him stay.

"I don't mind if Gai-sensei says it is alright," Lee answered.

"Those who embrace hard work are always welcome to join us," Gai responded.

Two hours later Naruto was thanking any and all higher powers that he could create barriers and make himself intangible, Lee hit hard and he hit fast. That is not to say that Naruto blocked everything, knowing nothing about Lee's speed left him vulnerable in the beginning.

"With all the respect that's due, you guys are insane, I am so glad we're on the same side," Naruto said.

"I thank you Naruto-kun, now one last time, Konoha Reppu," Lee said as he charged his new sparring partner.

Oh shit! Naruto though as he jumped to avoid Lee's sweeping kick. He clenched his eyes shut, anticipating the impact of Lee's follow up attack but it never came. Upon opening his eyes he noticed that he didn't return to the ground either. All he saw was himself standing in mid-air with Gai and Lee staring at him.

"I think I'm standing on one of my barriers, I never thought to try that before, hehe," he chuckled as dismissed the barrier and dropped back down.

"How did you do that, Naruto-kun?" Lee asked.

"I just wanted to avoid your attack, I guess I put up a Mu barrier without realizing it," Naruto said. In order to test this theory he did another jump and landed on another barrier, "Okay, I can work with this; I wonder what else I can do with these barriers?" Naruto wondered out loud.

"You'll have to find out later Naruto, you have to get to class," Gai informed the young man.

"Oh yeah, thanks for everything Gai-sensei, you too Lee," Naruto said as he dropped down and made his way to leave the training ground.

"Feel free to come back anytime Naruto," Gai said.

"Yes, I want to see more of your Mu release," Lee said.

As Naruto left Gai's other students, Tenten and Hyuga Neji arrived at the training ground for the day's tasks. Tenten was a girl with brown hair and steel-grey eyes, and Neji was a Hyuga with long brown hair. The two found it odd that Lee and Gai were not training but were staring in the direction of the Ninja Academy. Tenten was the first to voice her confusion.

"Is everything alright Sensei?" she asked.

"Yes indeed my youthful student, just Lee and I have just made a new friend," Gai explained.

"I hope he trains with us again Sensei," Lee said.

"As do I Lee but I don't think that will be for some time," Gai told his student.

"Who are you talking about," Neji asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Uzumaki Naruto, I think we'll be hearing a lot about him in the future," Gai said.

As Naruto made his way to the Academy his thoughts turned to how he would ask Iruka if he could meet the man's girlfriend. That's going to be awkward, "Hey Sensei, I heard you were dating someone named Mitarashi Anko, can I meet her?" I feel stupid just thinking about it. He was so immersed in his thoughts that he didn't notice someone in front of him until he bumped into them.

"Naruto, you should really watch where you're going," a familiar voice said.

"Sensei, is that you?" Naruto asked just now noticing who it was he bumped into.

"Naruto remember, a ninja must always be aware of their surroundings, got it memorized?" Iruka lectured.

"Sorry Sensei, I just have something on my mind," Naruto told his teacher.

"Anything I can help with?" the scarred chunin asked.

"It's kind of awkward, but I was told you're dating a woman named Mitarashi Anko?" It was more of a question then a statement.

"I am," Iruka confirmed.

"Well, it's just I met Maito Gai and asked him about taijutsu, he recommended that I study snake style and he said Anko-san practiced it," Naruto told his instructor.

"She does indeed, but she won't teach just anybody, if she'll even teach it," Iruka warned.

"What exactly do you mean?" Naruto asked.

"When Anko-chan isn't on missions she works in the Torture and Interrogations Unit, but her being busy isn't the only problem," Iruka said. He then continued, "She's never really expressed any desire to teach, or at least she never mentioned it to me."

"Does this have to do with Orochimaru?" Naruto asked.

"I don't try to psychoanalyze people Naruto, especially if I'm dating them," Iruka said. He then added, "If you want to learn snake style you should ask her yourself, she usually stops by after class."

"Sensei, children use that room almost daily!" Naruto said in mock outrage.

"Not for that, usually," Iruka said whispering the last part.

"Well, it can't hurt to ask," Naruto said.

"No it couldn't, now you go on ahead, I have something to take care of," Iruka told his student.

"Okay, see you in class Sensei," Naruto said.

As soon as his favorite student was out of sight Iruka asked, "I take it you heard all of that?"

"Most of it, I thank you for not making promises for me," Anko said. As it turned out the whole conversation occurred in front of Anko's favorite dango shop.

"I know better than to do that," Iruka said. He went on to ask, "So what do you think?"

"I think I want to see what he can do first."

"Alright, I think I can arrange that."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, today looks like a perfect day for practical exams, wouldn't you say?"

"Oh, Iruka-kun, I love the way you think," Anko said as she and Iruka made their way towards the Academy but not before they heard a voice shout:

"Oi, Iruka-sensei, Anko-san, stop making out and hurry up!"

"NARUTO!" both shouted, red-faced.

And scene. I know it's going slowly but don't worry it should pick up in a chapter or two. I'm not overly pleased with this chapter, I think things are coming along nicely.

For those wondering the monks will be back either after Naruto becomes a genin or after the Wave Mission, I haven't decided yet.

As always read and review.