Naruto suddenly felt very self-conscious, sitting within the small living room that was very much a traditional layout, with tatami mats and a small shin high table that he currently knelt at. Tenchi had led them here, which he explained was his living area in the private area of the shrine. Naruto sat perfectly still and tried to keep his posture perfect, feeling an overwhelming want to impress the man he found was his grandfather. He knew that he had no proof what Tenchi claimed was true, but Naruto wanted to believe it so badly. But, Tenchi knew his mother, there was no way he could just guess that easily, it would be near impossible. Naruto felt his back sag some, as he was pulled into his thoughts, but he quickly corrected himself with a worried glance towards the old man's back, who was visible within a small kitchen where he was boiling some water for tea. Naruto let out a small breath, relieved that he hadn't been seen with a slack seated position. Looking over, he saw Jiraiya was of no similar mind, seated with his legs and arms crossed, his face speaking of his displeasure of the whole situation. Naruto frowned some, wondering what the old sage's problem was, but then remembered who he was trying to figure out, an old man that hated him from the start of the trip. It was no wonder he would act like this when he met someone new.
Jiraiya snapped his eyes towards Naruto, catching the frown and gaze the boy tried to quickly avert. He grumbled in his head, wanting to tell Naruto how incredibly foolish this was. There was just no way that this old man had just been surviving out here for so long, not to mention that he never decided to leave and go find another place to live. But even as much as he wanted to just grab Naruto and run out of here with him, Jiraiya found himself hard-pressed to. The look that Naruto had when he heard Tenchi claim he was his living relative. . . it was something that made the old sage reel. The boy had lived without any family his entire life, something that Jiraiya himself was at fault for, it was no wonder Naruto would easily accept the idea of finding a blood relative. Jiraiya's mood soured more, but his thoughts were focused now more on himself, rather than Tenchi. He knew that if he had been there for Naruto more, maybe the blond would be looking at him as he did his supposed grandfather.
A loud whistling sound broke the silence of the room, which signaled the water had begun to boil. The sound was cut short as soon as it was birthed, and the gentle sound of pouring water was heard after. Naruto hung on the sounds coming from the kitchen, watching the old man move the necessary things onto a tray which he carried out into the living room. "Apologies for the wait." Tenchi spoke in the same pleasant tone he seemed to always speak in.
"There's nothing to apologize for!" Naruto replied hastily, giving a small bow, which he instantly kicked himself for. His grandfather probably thought he was weird now or something.
Tenchi laughed, as he set out the cups and put the tea pot in the center of the table. "You can relax Naruto. Please make yourself comfortable, you are family, my home is yours."
Naruto stared at the old man, once again getting the same overwhelming feeling he felt outside. The words were so foreign to him, but so very welcomed. Not trusting himself to speak, Naruto only nodded, and allowed himself to sit a bit more relaxed, which made Tenchi smile and nod.
"About that." Jiraiya spoke from across Naruto, making the other two men look towards him. "You mind explaining to me why it is you're still here?"
"Jiraiya!" Naruto shot at him in a hard whisper, already pissed that the old bastard was trying to ruin his day. But before he could say anything further, he saw Tenchi raise a calm hand towards Naruto.
The old man met with Jiraiya's scornful look with a collected gaze. "I can perfectly understand your concern. I am also glad that such a devoted protector is keeping watch on my grandson. I thank you for that." Tenchi gave a small half bow, lowering his head.
Jiraiya didn't hide his scoff, as he leaned forward onto the table. "Skip the pleasant talk old man. Answer my question." Jiraiya started to feel a very strong aura coming from Naruto, it screamed shut-your-mouth-or-I'll-do-it-for-you. But Jiraiya ignored him.
If Tenchi was offended by the crass reply, he made no outward notion of it. "I am a guardian of sorts." Tenchi spoke, then turned towards Naruto. "When I was about your age, your great Uncle was the head of the Uzumaki clan, and he appointed me as guardian of our clan." Tenchi couldn't suppress his smile seeing how Naruto clearly wanted to ask questions about his clan, but was holding it in. "The appointed guardian of the Uzumaki is entrusted with the duty of keeping the secrets of our clan, and so it was that I was trained and groomed to become the next guardian."
"Secrets? What kind?" Naruto asked, his voice just above a whisper, his mind already conjuring up fantastical ideas.
"Why, the only kind of secrets worth keeping in the ninja world. But I'm afraid that I could not tell you," he saw Naruto's face turn almost hurt and apologetic, but Tenchi quickly added, "in front of those who are not Uzumaki."
Jiraiya scowled, "How convenient. Especially considering that you were left alive after the allied nations wiped Uzushiogakure out. You would clearly be the most valuable kill target."
"You are correct, I would be the most valuable person they would want to kill – if they had been aware of my existence. It wouldn't do to advertise that instead of scrolls and books, the knowledge of the Uzumaki is stored within one man."
Jiraiya felt his temper rise at getting his point countered so flawlessly. He felt like the other man was mocking him. "That still doesn't explain why you were spared and why you never left these ruins."
"I never left due to the fact that this is my home, along with that should any of the Uzumaki had survived, they would have known to come seek me here. As to why I survived," Tenchi trailed off for a moment before shrugging, "It's bad luck to burn a shrine and kill it's priests."
Jiraiya growled, then slammed his foot down on the tatami mat, breaking the woven mat with his geta as he stood. "Come on Naruto, we're leaving."
Naruto had been on edge the whole conversation, wanting to interject in the conversation by planting his fist straight into Jiraiya's face, but now he was ready to kill him. "No." Naruto replied through his clenched teeth, tightening his hands into balls.
"No?" Jiraiya replied, sounding like he didn't quite believe what he was hearing. "Too bad, I'm your escort and that means you're coming with me." Jiraiya started walking towards Naruto with firm steps, but saw that the blonde shot straight up, craning his neck to glare at Jiraiya.
"Why are you doing this?!" Naruto shouted, no longer keeping check on his rage. "You've been an ass to me since we left Konoha and now you're trying to take me away from my only family!" Naruto's mind presented to him the fact that if he didn't reign in his temper the Kyuubi might wake up but the evil spirit was quiet for the moment.
"Idiot! You're so desperate to have family you're ignoring your common sense! Now just stop being such a pain in the ass and let's go!" Jiraiya was beginning to see red, angry beyond measure that he was having to go through this.
"No! Why the hell should I listen to anything you say?!"
"Because I'm your goddamn Godfather you idiot! Now -" Jiraiya stopped dead in mid-yell, and his body tensed, and felt like a bucket of ice cold water was dumped on him as the stark realization of what he just said hit him.
Naruto was dead still, but the troubled face that he now wore said loud and clear he had heard Jiraiya. "What. . . what was that just now?" He moved a step closer to Jiraiya.
Jiraiya cursed a storm up in his head, wanting to punch himself. "Nothing, now come on." he quickly lied, turning his head from Naruto.
"You just said," Naruto's mind was in chaos, but one single thing did remain in clear view of the chaos. A single title. "You said you were my Godfather?But that means that . . ." the chaos inside Naruto's mind quieted as the small realization that presented itself to him stepped to the forefront of his mind.
"Never mind about that, let's just go." Jiraiya replied, his voice no more than a whisper. The secret was out, and he was caught in the worse way possible. But before he could further speak, Jiraiya barely was able to catch an insanely fast right hook that was aimed at his chin.
"Bastard!" Naruto roared as he tore free his hand from Jiraiya's grip. He quickly followed it up with another wild punch that the older ninja dodged. "All this time –!" Naruto spoke again, lashing out with his leg to try and kick Jiraiya in his side, again he missed. "All this time!" Naruto repeated again as he jumped towards Jiraiya, this time succeeding and latching onto the older man. "You son of a bitch!" Visions of cold, hard nights spent alone as a child came to him in rapid succession, too fast to understand them, but he was immersed in the feelings he had those nights nonetheless.
Jiraiya grunted out as Naruto headbutted him without holding a single thing back. Jiraiya struggled against the youth's grip, surprised at how strong the kid had made himself, but Jiraiya still had the advantage of an adults body. Breaking free, he jumped away from Naruto. "Naruto, calm down!"
"Fuck you!" Naruto roared out as he again charged at Jiraiya and speared the older man, sending them both flying out of the open door that led into the main shrine area, which was a large open room that was easily the size of two or three dojos, with the exception of the large Buddha statue sitting against the wall opposite the main doors. Both tumbled onto the floor, with Naruto catching himself with a feral speed and quickness that was fed by his rage. He charged towards Jiraiya again who had already righted himself and was in a defensive stance, not wanting to dodge around anymore. Blocking another wild punch, he tried to speak but Naruto beat him to it. "All those years," Naruto punched again. "Why –?!" Lashing out with a sweeping kick, he yelled in frustration as Jiraiya jumped his leg. "You were supposed to be there for me!" He roared out in anger once more, as he remembered the desperate prayers to any deity that would listen on those night, wanting to be loved. Throwing as hard of a straight punch he could muster, he was surprised when it connected straight into Jiraiya's stomach.
Jiraiya stood still, still feeling the explosion of pain from the punch into his gut. But he didn't make any outward appearance of it affecting him. Looking down towards the enraged, unmoving teen, Jiraiya nodded solemnly. "You're right Naruto. I should have been there."
Naruto's anger faded some, to the point where he could think again, but he was nowhere near calm. He slowly retracted his fist, though it still shook. "Why." Naruto repeated again, it wasn't a question, it was a demand.
Jiraiya was silent for a moment, trying to decide on the appropriate response, then he spoke. "You wouldn't understand, it -"
"Try me." Naruto replied with a harsh tone, cutting off the sannin.
Jiraiya's mouth pursed, as he sighed a quick grunt. He knew that he would have to tell the blond the truth, but as he tried to conjure the reason why, it suddenly sounded like the most horrible excuse for abandoning a baby to the cruel lonely world. But he saw Naruto was quickly losing his patience for his answer. Running a hand over his head, Jiraiya let out a long breath. He explained in some detail about Tsunade, and how he had been searching for her, and why. As he explained, he watched Naruto carefully, and saw the boy never once blinked, or even changed his posture. When he finished his tale, he saw Naruto remain still a moment more before closing his eyes and take a long breath through his nostrils.
"So, instead of taking care of me as my father wanted, you went searching for the woman you love, this Tsunade?" Naruto asked, making sure he had his facts right. Jiraiya nodded in reply, though it was slow and spoke of regret. Naruto covered his face with his hand for a moment, and drew it down slowly, exhaling as he did so. He was still angry. Beyond angry, though he couldn't put it into words just how he felt. Only images of what could have been and what was is what he saw. But even with how unspeakably outraged he felt, a strange understanding accompanied it, though he refused to accept it. It told him that if he had been in Jiraiya's position, and if he had thought Hinata was still alive, regardless of how slim the chance, he might be just as foolish. After balling his fist tight enough to make his muscles scream for mercy Naruto trusted himself to speak again. "I can't forgive you." he spoke, staring into the face of his godfather. "And to be honest, I fucking hate you right now. So many things could have been if you just –!" Naruto let out another breath, trying not to go down that path at the moment. "I am not going back with you right now. We still haven't found anything about the Kyuubi and my grandfather might know more. If you want to leave, fine. I'll be fine by my own."
Jiraiya felt a pain akin to being stabbed in his heart, though he couldn't understand why. He grimaced, as the words his godson spoke echoed in his head, but he knew he deserved them. Before he could speak more though, a wrinkled hand was placed onto his shoulder. Looking over he saw Tenchi with the same peaceful look he seemed to forever maintain. He stood just beside Naruto and he, a hand on each. "Now then," Tenchi spoke, his voice calming Naruto down some more, "That was quite the episode. There seems to be much to talk about. But first, our tea is getting cold."
Jiraiya regarded the old man for a moment, before exhaling out of his nostrils harshly in a grunt. He still didn't trust the old man, but he wasn't about to leave Naruto alone with him either. He turned towards the living area wordlessly, making Tenchi smile. Looking down towards Naruto, Tenchi motioned towards the living area. "Come grandson, let's drink our tea."
Naruto looked up towards his grandfather, and forgot for a moment about Jiraiya. The comforting hand against his back and the warm smile he looked at was stirring something within him again. He wondered what it was, but started to think it might have been what people felt when they were with their family.
XXXX
"It's quite beautiful isn't it?" Tenchi asked, looking towards Naruto with an amused smile.
Naruto sat next to his grandfather on the temple's back porch, sitting cross-legged. The area behind the temple only went on for a few feet before it began a sharp decline towards the coast below. Before him as far as he could see left or right was the ocean, and it was currently colored a bright orange from the setting sun on the other end of the ocean. It was beyond quiet on the island, with only the sounds of the animal inhabitants going about their daily routines to get ready for the night, and the gentle movements of the waves many feet below. A seagull that passed over head cried out in joy, which made Naruto snap out of staring at the beautiful ocean he had never seen before. "Y-Yeah."
"It is even more so in the morning when the sun is rising. It used to be a past time that your grandmother and I would embark upon when we were much younger. We would wake up early to watch the sunrise behind the temple, then run to the other end of the island to spend our day and then watch the sunset over the ocean. It's one of the nice things about living on the island." Tenchi spoke, his voice reflecting how tender the memory actually was for him.
Naruto listened, once more feeling enraptured as he always did when heard stories from his grandfather. "Who was she?" he asked, his thirst for wanting to know more about his family unquenchable.
"Her name was Izayoi, and she was beautiful beyond words. To be honest, I've no idea to this day why she ever agreed to date me when I first asked." Tenchi laughed, as he recalled the day. "Her hair was the color of the sun, it's the only way I can explain it, depending on the light it could seem yellow, red or any color between the two. I can only imagine your mother must have grown to be the spitting image of her."
Naruto seemed as if he suddenly remembered something and quickly began rummaging in his pocket, pulling out his wallet. Retrieving it, he reached inside and pulled out a folded photograph, the same one Sarutobi had given him. "Here." he spoke, handing it to Tenchi.
The old man took the photo gracefully, unfolding it. He let out a small, surprised, breath, his face lighting up with a bright and wide smile. "My word." A single bony finger gently traced the outline of Kushina's face. "That's her, my little girl, though she is quite grown." Tenchi chuckled some, though his voice was chock full of emotion. Staring at it for a few moments more, Tenchi let out a long breath. "I haven't seen her since she was but a child." He was silent for a moment before handing the photo back to Naruto. "Thank you, Naruto. Truly, you have made an old man happy beyond words. Two of my wishes have been granted in the same day." As Naruto took the photo back, Tenchi seemed to lose some of his mirth. After Jiraiya and Naruto had calmed down, they had told him the reason to why they came here, and Tenchi knew his daughter was no longer among the living.
Naruto seemed a bit touched that he had been able to bring such a joy to his grandfather. He looked back down at the photo with a smile, wishing that he could be with his entire family at once, no matter how greedy the wish seemed. Looking back towards his grandfather, he felt this may be a bad time, but he wanted to ask, as it hadn't be discussed at length at the table. "So, about the Kyuubi. . ."
Tenchi nodded, understanding that it was time to talk about this subject. Turning where he sat, he now faced Naruto. "Show me your seal, and focus some chakra into it." Naruto complied, pulling off his shirt and focused on pooling chakra at his stomach. He looked up towards his grandfather, but almost wished he hadn't. Gone was the gentle smile and countenance, it was instead replaced by a hard set brow, knitted together, with his blue eyes a color now more akin to steel. Tenchi let out a small sound of contemplation, before stroking his beard once. "I see now what occurred." he spoke, as he seemed to trace the visible seal with his eyes. "Keep focusing chakra into the seal and remain still. This will hurt for a moment."
Before Naruto had time to ask why, the elder Uzumaki flew through a set of hand seals too fast for Naruto to register and caused his right hand to glow green. With a small yell, Tenchi thrust his hand forward, his fingers erect at the second joint. Naruto let out a small grunt, as he felt his skin being torn apart and repaired all at the same time as his grandfather plunged his fingertips into his stomach. Then, with the same speed, Tenchi's left hand formed a set of one handed seals and then with five quick jabs with an outstretched green chakra tipped finger, he pierced areas around his still embedded hand. Then, with another yell from both, Tenchi twisted his wrist, in a half-circle.
Naruto's mind exploded into pain, but at the same time he felt an immense relief that he could barely describe. Feeling Tenchi withdraw his hand, Naruto stopped channeling chakra and dropped his arms, breathing heavily. "G-Grandpa. . . what?"
"Uzumaki style, secret sealing technique: Pillar of Heaven and Earth." Tenchi spoke, his face reverting to the more comforting one Naruto had grown to enjoy. "It is good you came when you did my grandson. Had you waited perhaps a week more, the confrontation between you and the Kyuubi would have happened."
Naruto felt a cold chill run down his back, feeling as though he had just dodged a literal bullet. At the same time, an overcoming joy filled him. "So does that mean I'm cured?!" Finally! He could go back to Konoha, and he could see Hinata again! He swore he was going to grab her and kiss her as hard as he could when he saw her next, he missed her beyond anything he could possibly comprehend.
"I'm afraid not."
Naruto's joy slowly cracked, as the words cut into his mind like a jagged knife. He looked towards his grandfather with his mouth slightly agape. The serious look on Tenchi's face fully shattered his hopes, and he fell back into reality. "But, why?" was all he could ask.
Tenchi took a slow breath. "Naruto," he started, "what the Kyuubi has done to your seal is something I had not thought it capable of. It clearly must have learned how to manipulate seals in the long years it has spent from an Uzumaki to the next. The very foundation of the seal was tampered with, which could only be possible when the seal is still fresh, as when your father first placed it upon you, or when the jailer is on the very edge of death. To rework the foundation of the seal would require you to return to the state you were in with your fight against Zabuza, and if that succeeded, no longer having the accelerated healing that you now benefit from a more predominant demonic chakra, you would surely die."
Naruto's jaw tightened, as he looked down towards the wooden deck. He suddenly felt very tired, and very much defeated. "So, what does that mean?" He asked quietly, as he imagined in his mind Hinata, though the vivid image he had of her was beginning to dim.
"It means that you must still fight the Kyuubi, though now it can be at the time of our choosing."
Naruto looked back up with an inquisitive glance, with a glimmer of hope behind it. He had also caught the implication that his grandfather was going to help him. "How can I beat something like a tailed beast?"
Tenchi smiled, "As you are now, you cannot hope to defeat the Kyuubi, this is true. But I can teach you what you need in order to find the strength necessary to defeat the demon." Naruto's look of amazement, mixed with bewilderment was enough of a response that he wanted more explanation. "The Uzumaki have been the keepers of the Kyuubi since his separation, Naruto, not just because fate chose it so, but because long ago, before the Sage of the Six Paths defeated the Jyuubi, our ancestors were powerful demon-slayers. Much of our written history has been lost, but the legends have remained from those days. Before knowledge of chakra, man sought miracles from divine beings and fought smaller demons that at one time were said to be rampant. The Uzumaki were the ones who fought and slew them to near extinction. It is because of this, that our forefathers were very interested in using chakra to fight the demons, and the mastery we attained in sealing techniques spawned from the desire to combat beings comprised of pure chakra. So it was, that we of the clans that fought demonkin, were chosen to watch over the strongest of the demons. So in those days, we relocated to this island, where the Sage of the Six Paths preformed the ritual that separated the Jyuubi into the nine parts we are now familiar with. It is holy ground, which has the strength to pacify even the Kyuubi to the point where he can no longer attempt to further corrupt you."
Something clicked inside Naruto's mind, after hearing the explanation that left him wanting to know everything about his clan now, and he asked, "Does that mean, if I left this island the Kyuubi could try and take me over?"
Tenchi nodded. "It wouldn't be immediate, but even after the fix I applied to your seal, all it would really do is just prolong the inevitable confrontation you would have with the Kyuubi. But so long as you remain here, the seal won't weaken and the Kyuubi shall remain as he is until the battle begins."
Naruto looked down for a moment, rolling the new information about in his mind. According to his grandfather, he was more or less stuck here now. Though he could leave, it meant putting everyone in danger. Until he was able to conquer the Kyuubi, he would have to remain here, in the ruins of his clan's village. Looking back up towards his grandfather with a determined look, he asked, "How long will it take?"
"As long as it requires. You will have to learn the most advanced of the Uzumaki techniques to stand a fighting chance, and that took even the most skilled of our ninja years of training."
Naruto felt his gut twist for a moment, and his determination took a hard blow. The weight of having to remain here for years was not one he wanted to carry on his mind, but he took a deep breath, and reminded himself of what the consequences for not doing so would bring. Naruto nodded, "All right. As long as it takes."
Tenchi gave a small smile, understanding the emotions the boy must be feeling. Naruto had spoken of the girl who waited for him back in Konoha briefly, and Tenchi knew that having to accept he wouldn't see her for some time wasn't an easy thing to accept. As the light from the fading evening continued to dim, Tenchi caught a shimmer of light reflected off of Naruto's chest. Looking towards the flash, Tenchi saw the lion necklace that Naruto had inherited from his fallen sensei. "Naruto, that necklace," Tenchi spoke, feeling a strange sensation from staring at it, "Might I see it for a moment?"
Naruto was taken off guard by the comment, and nodded without really thinking about it. "Uh, sure." he replied as he pull the necklace off, handing it his grandfather, who thanked him. Naruto watched as Tenchi brought the lion head portion of the necklace close to his face, turning it about slowly. The old man studied it, as if he was a jeweler appraising a gem. After what seemed like too long, he spoke, "There's a seal on this necklace. It's an ancient seal at that." Seeing Naruto's worried expression he smiled and shook his head. "It's nothing bad, in fact I feel as though this necklace is very, very important. Though I couldn't say why." Handing the necklace back to Naruto, he added, "Your sensei was wise in giving this to you, it's something that should be well safeguarded."
Naruto looked down at the necklace with a raised eyebrow, he had no idea he had been carrying something like this around with him the whole time, it made him look at the piece of jewelery in a new light. When he placed it back upon his neck, he did so with care.
"Now then, it's getting late and we've all had an eventful day." Tenchi spoke, as the last rays of light had dipped below the western sky and the ocean was now dark. "Perhaps it's a good time for us to get settled in for the night? Starting tomorrow we shall be quite busy with training."
At the word training, Naruto felt a spark of energy kick in him, which caused him to pump his fist and nod. "Alright! Just you wait grandpa!" Naruto felt a renewed wave of hope and a furious determination take him. "I'm gonna learn our clan's techniques faster than anyone has before! Just watch!"
Tenchi gave a small laugh as he began to stand. "My grandson, I do believe that you may live up to that claim."
XXXX
Hinata collapsed hard onto the dirt field that marked Team Gai's training ground. Her body was wracked with pain, and she did her best to breath as best she could to try and appease her lungs that felt like they were going to explode at any moment. Her leg muscles were tight and burning with an unholy fire that promised to hurt for a long time coming. Her clothes were completely soaked from her sweat, and she was very, very glad she had opted for a pair of shorts and tank top for her first training session with Gai and Lee.
"Hinata-san!" She heard Lee call out her name, as he knelt next to her, his large eyebrows knitted in worry as he laid a gentle hand on the girls bare shoulder. She managed to pick her head off the ground, showing off her now sweat drenched face, clumps of dirt sticking to areas on her face from where the sweat had made the loose dust muddy. "I-I'm . . okay, L-Lee-san." She tried to smile as she spoke, but it was hard, as trying anything other than breathing at the moment required monumental concentration.
"Hinata! That was a splendid showing of prideful youth!" Gai called out, as he walked towards the two, only lightly sweating himself. "There aren't many in the village that can say they stayed on our heels during our rigorous training!"
Hinata tried to feel pride in Gai's compliment, but at the moment the pain she was feeling told her nothing was worth this torture. Hinata shook her head however, determined to not stay in such a shameful position on the floor as she was. She knew that Naruto trained just as hard every day with his own routines, and she had to match if not exceed him if she was ever going to catch up with the boy she loved. Managing to push herself up high enough to sit on her butt, Hinata finally started to feel as if her breath was returning to her. "Thank you, Gai-sensei." she finally managed to respond.
She had just finished with what Gai had described as "light" training. It began simple enough, some light warm ups and a few laps around the training ground. But then that's when he said they were going to run around the edge of Konoha ten times. It took at least two just to walk along the entirety of the village's wall, But to run around it ten times? If this was how they trained normally, no wonder Gai was considered to be the Taijutsu expert, he clearly was the most physically fit. And this was just light training to them!
"Take another ten minutes to rest up you two, then it's going to be strike drills!" Gai announced, clapping his hands.
Hinata suppressed a small groan, hearing a voice in her mind saying that she was far too spent to do anything beyond collapsing into a hot tub and just soak, but she again reminded herself she had to destroy that voice in her mind. She had to become strong, and this was the only way how! Nodding to Gai, she laid down on her back, staring up into the partly cloudy sky. She felt herself begin to relax some more, as she started thinking on how the color of the sky always reminded her of Naruto's eyes. Though, in truth, anything blue could do that to her, she admitted with a small giggle. But the sky, it always made her think of him. The sky was boundless and looking into could bring quite a sense of joy and wonder, as one could get lost staring into it, just as she felt looking into her love's eyes.
The break passed faster than Hinata would have liked, but she got up as fast as she could when Gai clapped his hands once more. She stumbled for a moment, when she first tried to stand, her legs heavily protesting the movement, but she snapped a curse at them in her mind and forced them to her will as she moved to a wooden log next to one that Lee had begun to strike without any direction from Gai.
"Alright Hinata, today I'll teach you the basic movements of the Iron Fist style, it's a very solid foundation that you can build on however you like. But first," Gai walked to the side of Hinata, just a bit forward of her. "You must learn the proper stance. The key to delivering powerful strikes is all in how you move your body. The power in your punch comes not only from the arm, but much of it is also delivered from how you move your waist and hips, observe." Gai moved his feet shoulder width apart, and then moved his right foot back just a few inches, bending his knees slightly. Raising his arms up, keeping them in a very strict position, yet relaxed, Gai spoke again. "I stress, learning the proper form is key, something I'm sure your aware of from Jyuken, but it bears repeating. Now try to emulate this."
Hinata nodded, all martial arts would follow the same principle of having a strong foundation, that being the stance one stood in. Taking a moment more to study Gai's stance, Hinata began to move her body into the same position; making small adjustments as she glanced back to him.
After seeing her find the spot she believed to be right, Gai smiled as he stood back up straight. "Almost perfect Hinata! You've certainly taken your Taijutsu seriously." Gai walked forward and gently moved Hinata's arms a few degrees, and noted her footwork was impeccable. "There, now it's perfect. Try to re-enter the stance."
Hinata smiled, nodding her head, and did as asked, moving into a standing position, and then falling back into the stance Gai had shown. Gai nodded with a bright smile. "Perfect! Now repeat that one hundred times, while I watch to ensure you have it down." Hinata nodded, her face becoming determined as she stood, and reformed her stance. Again and again, she entered the Iron Fist stance, and never once did she fail to perfectly emulate it, much to Gai's surprise and joy.
"Good Hinata, good!" Gai spoke, as he counted the hundreth pose. Hinata was sweating slightly from the constant movement, but she barely noticed from how proud she was with herself for executing the exercise perfectly her first time. "Now, we go onto striking!" Gai moved over to the log and fell into a stance. "Watch!" Gai roared as he threw out a right punch, the sound of his fist echoing through the forest, the sure strike leaving a solid depression where it hit. Removing his fist, Gai looked towards Hinata. "Remember, move your entire body, lean into the punch and put your weight behind it!" Gai hit the post again, once more creating the large sound.
Hinata nodded, staring at the post, and ran the motions through her head twice before she let out a small yell and thrust her hand out. She winced, feeling the stinging pain of her hand hitting the hard surface. She knew that she was going to have to develop strong hands if she was going to continue down this path, the Jyuken didn't exactly toughen one's hands due to the very nature of the style.
Gai nodded once, his hand on his chin. "Not bad, but the movement you did wasn't correct: Here." Gai moved in front of her, showing her his side. "When you move your fist," he began to move his arm forward, "Twist your waist and move your hip into it." he very slowly moved, showing how he moved his leg forward, not quite stepping, but rather sliding it, and how he shifted his weight forward. He repeated this a few times, and then stood again. "Now you try."
Hinata took a deep breath, nodding. She closed her eyes for a moment, recalling how she saw Gai move, and trying to visualize herself doing the same movements. Opening her eyes, she let out another yell and moved, striking the log. To her surprise, it hurt a lot less that when she had done it last time, but it still felt as if the power behind the strike had increased.
"Excellent! That's how to do it!" Gai exclaimed, giving Hinata a thumbs up. "Now, time to really fan the flames of youth! Strike the log one-thousand times! Five hundred with each fist to be precise!"
Hinata grit her teeth, nodding again in response. She would embrace this training. With a loud yell, she thrust her right fist out again, and ignoring the pain, followed up with her left. She was going to become strong! Strong enough so that she could stand on equal ground with Naruto!
Gai smiled as he watched the young girl blossom into the full vision of youth, as she attacked the log with everything she had. He couldn't help but feel quite lucky to now have two pupils who were so focused, it made a teacher proud.
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"So, you're staying here and not leaving until you've learned from him?" Jiraiya asked, standing across from Naruto. Jiraiya had spent the night outside, away from the temple. Even this took quite a bit of effort after what had happened the day before. It was now that he truly felt terrible for what he had done to Naruto, especially after having to be confronted with his own mistakes. He still didn't like the idea of leaving Naruto with Tenchi, but knew he had no say in the matter, unless he dragged Naruto kicking and screaming.
Naruto nodded, his face betraying that he still held a grudge towards Jiraiya. "I have to. I'm going to learn what I need to in order to defeat the Kyuubi and then I'll return when I can. If I do it any sooner I'll be putting everyone in danger. Tell the Hokage that for me."
Jiraiya clicked his tonuge, knowing that the kid had a good point. "I will. But Naruto, are you sure that -" Jiraiya started, wanting to bring up the subject of Tenchi once more, but Naruto cut him off with a glare that told him to shove that discussion. Both sat in silence for a moment, and as Jiraiya began to decide to just hurry and leave, Naruto stopped him.
"Will you do a favor for me?" The question was spoken with some awkwardness, as Naruto felt strange for asking that when he made no secret of the grudge he was holding towards Jiraiya.
Jiraiya nodded, hoping he could do what he could to start making up to Naruto the damage he had caused, but knew that it was a shallow hope at best.
Naruto reached into his pocket, and produced a folded paper, with his lion necklace wrapped around it. "Will you deliver this to Hinata?" Naruto asked, holding the folded paper out. "It's a letter."
"Naruto -" Jiraiya began,
"It doesn't have anything related to the mission, you don't have to worry." Naruto cut off Jiraiya, expecting the complaint. "It's just. . . It's just something explaining why I won't be able to see her for a while." Naruto's voice trailed off, speaking of a deep sadness the boy was doing his best to stave off.
Jiraiya looked at the outstretched letter for a moment before nodding and taking it. "I will."
Naruto nodded with a smile, the first one he had given the sannin since he had found out about Jiraiya's relation to him. The two sat in silence for a moment longer, neither knowing exactly what to say to each other. After some awkward shifting and gaze averting, Jiraiya finally spoke. "I'll be on my way then." Jiraiya turned and began to walk towards the large arch that marked where the stairs began, when he stopped. Turning his head Jiraiya looked towards Naruto. "I can't. . . I can never make up what I put you through, Naruto. If I hadn't gone after Tsunade, you might have had an actual childhood and I could have provided you a warm home. For the next to nothing it's worth, I am sorry. I can understand why you hate me."
Naruto regarded the man with a neutral expression, hearing the heartfelt confession. Scratching the back of his head for a moment, Naruto spoke. "What's done is done. But," Naruto dropped his hand. "I . . . I can't really hate you that much, because if I put myself in your shoes, it's scary how much I understand why you did it. I resent what happened, and I wish that something else had, but that's pining for what-if's and things that can never be. For now though," Naruto walked closer towards Jiraiya, his face looking a bit embarrassed, "Maybe we can start over?"
Jiraiya's jaw slackened some, and his face reflected his shock. Turning in place, Jiraiya smiled, feeling a very strong emotion take him. "Naruto. . ." Jiraiya whispered, feeling a stinging tear start to well up in his eye, looking down at the eyepatched youth. Minato, Jiraiya thought, I truly was a fool to leave your son. He's a man that could make any father beyond proud. With a nod, Jiraiya spoke. "I would want nothing more."
Naruto smiled some, and returned the nod. "Well, it's time then. I have to get to gramps, he's waiting to start my training."
Jiraiya smiled, reaching out and ruffling Naruto's hair gently. "Alright, make sure you pay attention and grow into a strong ass-kicker alright? When you get back I'm going to have to teach you some tricks too."
Naruto grumbled for a moment under the affectionate touch, but laughed. "You got it!"
Jiraiya nodded once more, before taking a step backwards, then fully turning to leap away towards the trees, deciding he wanted to leave before Naruto could see him start to cry. Holding Naruto's letter tight, Jiraiya smiled, there was hope for him to redeem himself after all.
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Damn it feels good to work myself out of that rut I was in. Get ready ladies and gents, for this story isn't done yet and our heroes still have much to do and see before this tale is over! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, as somewhat uneventful as it was, and look forward to the next~!
I'd say more but then ~~~ MRPH!
Sorry, this is Shinobi's smarter side speaking. You wanna find out what happens next chapter? Gotta wait and see!
Till next time!
Shinobi no Ryu