Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the associated characters, locations, jutsu, etc. The only thing I own is the plot of the story. If there is any plagiarism of any form it was completely unintentional.

Konohagakure, 4 years in the past.

Hiashi Hyuuga was known throughout the whole shinobi world for being the ruthless leader of the Hyuuga. He always based his personal decisions on his clan's ancient traditions. So it was no shock to anyone when the word got out that he was planning to marry of one of his two daughters. And it would be decided in a duel. Within hours people started putting bets on who would win the fight. Some sided with Hanabi and the rest with Hinata. It was one of the largest scandals of the village since the invasion of Orochimaru. So, naturally, Naruto found out the last moment on the day that they were fighting.

"NANI! Hinata-chan will be fighting with her sister to see who gets married!" He started screaming all around the village, sprinting top speed towards the Hyuuga compound. But he was stopped in the front door.

"HALT! Under orders of Hiashi-sama we are not to let you in!" Several guards were stationed along the entrance.

"I'm sorry but I have to go in!" He said with a determined smile. Then he charged towards the door. Some of the guards were shocked at his reckless outburst, but it was to be expected from him. So they all braced themselves for his advancement. He started to scream as he closed in on them. But before he could reach them he jumped, high into the air. He then grasped two strings that hung from his waist and screamed in a mocking voice.

"DATTEBAYO IDIOTS!" When he pulled the strings he exploded in a large puff of orange smoke and confetti. The small battalion of guards stood there dumbfounded, refusing to believe that they had fallen for such a ridiculous trick. When they regained their composture their commander yelled.

"He couldn't have gone far. Spread out and find him! Lord Hiashi made it very clear that no one should interrupt them today!" As they spread out no once seemed to notice a single orange piece of paper that flew over to the main building. When it touched the ground it transformed back into a tall and loud shinobi. He smirked and swiftly made his way through the compound. When the faint sound of loud chatter reached his ears he was startled.

"Huh?" He ran to where he thought the sound originated. It was the Hyuuda's personal humiliating ring, their dojo. In it Hinata was bowing down to her father, he looked seriously pissed. At first glance he thought that, maybe she had lost. But she had not a single scratch on her. Her hair was still tidy and in place. Her sleeves were rolled up both other than that her clothes still were in perfect condition. Hanabi on the other hand had some dirt in her clothes and a scrape in her knee, but she didn't look ashamed or angry, she was worried.

"How dare you go against my word?" Hiashi looked angry, he was sternly looking down on his elder daughter. The entire Hyuuga council was standing around them, murmuring inaudible whispers that could only be harsh judgment.

"W-with all due respect father, I will not hurt my sister." She said as calmly as she could, but her voice and expression were starting to break.

"You are weak, a weak fool. This is not the time to show your petty compassion. You had to fight!" He screamed even louder. Naruto was looking at the scene in front of him, doubting wether he should act or not.

"I won't hurt my family." Hinata answered weakly, some tears were threatening to come out.

"Why you!" He raised his hand and brought it down for a painful slap. Hinata had closed her eyes to brace herself for the pain. But it never came. When she looked up Naruto was standing between her and her father. Holding his hand with his own and an angry look upon his face.

"What the hell are you doing? Trying to hurt your own daughter like that!" Hiashi pulled back his hand and looked at him.

"It seems my guards were unable to stop you, I should have expected it. You being the son of the Fourth and all." He said with fake cordiality. "May I ask what is it you are doing here, this does not concern you."

"Damn right it concerns me, who do you think you are? Making your daughter fight to see who won't get married. Hanabi is still a kid and Hinata deserves to have some freedom in that matter."

"Step aside, you have no idea what you are talking about..." If Naruto didn't know better he would have thought that Hiashi was trying to tell him something else. But it was impossible...

"Naruto-kun." He heard a soft voice calling out to him. When he turned around he saw Hinata smiling at him. "Don't worry about me. Just please, calm down." Naruto looked at her and then at Hiashi. He sighed and relaxed himself. He walked over to Hinata and leaned his face close to her ear.

"You better tell me what's going on." She felt his hot breath and her heart started racing, a small blush appeared on her face. When he was done talking he walked out, slowly and looking at the ground. He walked aimlessly through the village. All around him people were looking at him and whispering, but when he turned to look at them they quickly turned around and pretended they didn't do anything.

Being a Jinchuriki and the son of the Hokage at the same time causes that effect on people. Most would avoid him and bow down, wether out of fear or respect. Some few brave ones took their time to actually talk to him. Most of those people were shinobi like himself, civilians tended to be more on the afraid side. He didn't know what would be worse, seeing people treat him like a complete outcast or have them show a hollow and fake respect. He needed to clear his mind, and there was but one place in which to do that.

"One large bowl of pork ramen!" He yelled enthusiastically. Ayame and Teuchi smiled immediately when they recognized him.

"Hey Naruto-kun! Coming right up!" He sat down on his usual stool and waited for his food while reminiscing about the Hyuugas. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't realize his food was already in front of him.

"Naruto, eat up or it's going to get cold." Teuchi said with a small laugh. Naruto snapped back to reality and sheepishly grinned.

"Itadakimasu!" He then started to gobble down the bowl at record breaking speed. When he was done he ordered another, and another, and another. By the third bowl he had completely forgotten about the scene he had witnessed at the Hyuuga compound, until.

"N-Naruto-kun." He turned around with a small noodle popping out of the corner of his mouth. Hinata was standing there and when she saw the small noodle she giggled. When he realized it he quickly slurped the noodle and turned completely towards her.

"Hey Hinata-chan! What brings you by?" She seemed to be a little shock by his question, since he had seem very upset a couple of hours ago. But she quickly deducted that his love for ramen must have erased all other thoughts.

"I wanted to talk to you about what you saw at the compound." This seemed to spark something in his head, his face turned serious and he tossed some money on the counter.

"Come on let's go for a walk." He turned towards Ichiraku. "Arigato, Ayame-chan, Teuchi-san!" He waved them goodbye and started to walk with Hinata towards the park.

"Okay, spill it. I want to know what happened." He blurted out. She once again giggled at his antics. She then sighed and looked up at the sky.

"Where to begin..."