The new year was a passing like a hurricane for young Naruto and Kō. The Hyūga Clan had 'encouraged' Kō to find a new apartment. The secretly lazy tutor grumbled and eventually found a quiet two bedroom apartment. It wasn't as nice as the last apartment. There was one really nice apartment t Kō had found, but he rejected it as soon as he discovered exactly where it was.

Naruto was bouncing on his bed when a tired Kō came in. "Do you like the apartment, Naruto?"

"Yep! I get my own bed!" The child sat still and hoped his big brother wouldn't take any points away for jumping on the bed. "Gotta question."

"Let me guess, why didn't I choose the other apartment?" Naruto grinned. Nii-san was really smart. "It was close to the Uchiha district. Our clans don't get along all the time."

Kō didn't mention that the Hokage had informed Hiashi-sama and Hizashi-sama that the Uchiha were watching Naruto. The clan head had informed Kō of what they had uncovered. The Hokage had not been pleased to learn that Kō was privy to Naruto's heritage but graciously allowed Naruto to remain with his adopted older brother. Hizashi had told Kō that the Hokage had begun stepping up his investigations into Danzō. The Chunin tutor was grateful. He truly feared what a warmonger like the Hokage's rival would transform the orphans into.

At least he isn't Orochimaru. The mere thought of the Snake Sanin sent shivers down Kō's spine.

"You don't want to get in fights with them or Jiji will get mad at us. I don't want Hiashi-sama, Hizashi-sama, Hinata-sama, Hiromi-sama, Hajime-sensei, Neji-niisan, or you to get in trouble."

Troublesome, he listed almost everyone in the compound. I really am related to the Nara. That's the fifteenth time I've thought or said troublesome today.

"Please refer to the Sandaime as Hokage-sama, Naruto."

Naruto pouted. "Jiji said it's ok."

"Fine, you may refer to the Hokage as Jiji, but only when you are with me or its just the Hokage around. Remember, you have to be on your best behavior. You don't want the Hyūga to get in trouble do you?"

Naruto's jaw dropped. "Why would you all get in trouble?"

"It's one of those complicated manners situations."

Naruto let out a long 'oh' before hopping off the bed. "What are we going to do today? We have time before we go to Hajime-sensei's lessons!"

"We just moved into a new apartment Naruto. I'm sory, but we won't be practicing anything serious before we go to the compound. If you really want to do something, you can practice reading. I'll give you two points for each scroll you read out loud."

The boy leapt off the bed and grabbed a scroll and started reading loudly. Naruto really wanted to make sure nii-san heard him. Kō took the opportunity to finish arranging things in his room.

"Great work, Naruto! That's four points. Let's go, you don't want to be late for Hajime-sensei's lesson do you?"

Naruto scrambled for the door. "If I do good today can I stay and play with Hinata-sama?"

Kō assured Naruto that he would be able to. The new neighborhood wasn't as crowded as the Hyūga district and was mostly civilian in makeup. A few shot Naruto unkind glances, but Kō's obvious Hyūga features and unmarked forehead wiped them away. The Hyūga couldn't drag people to jail like the Uchiha could, but they could ruin anyone they wanted financially if the Clan was crossed.

The walk was longer than usual, but Kō was actually thankful for it. Hopefully, this would eat away at some of Naruto's seemingly boundless and infinite energy. Hajime-sensei was swearing to anyone who would listen that he was retiring as soon as Naruto and Hinata entered the Academy. The blond was rubbing off on the heiress and she was asking almost as many questions as Naruto. Even the other Hyūga children were asking questions.

Naruto bolted away from Kō the second they arrived at the compound. Kō choked down a laugh as he heard Hinata 'eep' when Naruto shouted her name. Kō noticed that several branch and main family members were also struggling to hide their amusement. One of Kō's great fears had been that the Hyūga clan would reject or shun Naruto for his burden and emotional nature. That fear had been unfounded. The Hyūga children, most importantly Hinata and even Neji, accepted Naruto. The parents warmed to the child when they were confident their children weren't in danger and when Hiashi and Hizashi spoke highly of Naruto.

Only a few members of the Clan were openly critical of Naruto. Hajime-sensei, for all his rancor, didn't count because he was going to retire in a few years anyway. A few highly conservative clan councilmen opposed the boy because he was 'a living assault on traditional Hyūga values'. The councilmen, however, didn't go very far in their criticism. Naruto was clearly going to mature into a powerful Ninja even before considering the Kyūbi sealed within his stomach. The shrinking minority saw Naruto as a weapon and tried to push Hiashi into training Naruto as one.

The Clan head refused and reacted strongly to any suggestion that Naruto be treated as less than human. The most telling example of the severe change that had overtaken Hiashi was his removal of Hideo from the council. Hideo had been vocal in his demands that Naruto be transformed into a weapon of the clan and be marked with the Caged Bird Seal. Hiashi exploded and demanded his immediate resignation from the council. Hideo refused and foolishly challenged Hiashi for leadership.

Kō learned last Tuesday that his least favorite second cousin had awoken from his medically induced coma and should be able to eat solid food at the end of the week. Hideo was a symptom of a changing Hyūga clan. The young and former councilmember was zealous in his use of the Cursed Seal. There was no backlash against Hiashi for Hideo's demolishing. Hiashi and Hizashi's public reconciliation was also thawing relations between the branches.

"A ryo for your thoughts, Kō-kun?" Hiromi's voice snapped Kō from his thoughts.

"I was thinking of how our clan has changed in the past few months, Hiromi-sama."

The matriarch of the clan smiled warmly. "Hiashi-kun has embraced the belief that we should be a family in addition to being a Clan."

"I mean no disrespect, Hiromi-sama, but that belief will anger some of the more… conservative elements of the clan council." Kō truly meant his words. The council could be underhanded at times. They had forced Hisao-sama had been forced aside after his disastrous attempt to secure more power on the Konoha council. The 'Old Man' had only avoided being stripped of all influence because his sons respected him.

"The Clan Council will not move against Hiashi-kun. Hizashi-kun and the Branch House have given my husband their full support. I can't tell you how happy it has made me to see those two acting like brothers again."

Kō nodded and left the compound as soon as Hiromi-sama returned to her garden. He practically raced across Konoha. Kō was going to visit an old friend and ask for a favor.

"You want me to do what?" Suzu looked at her former teammate's reflection in the mirror. She was changing her nephew's diaper because the boy's father was on a mission to the Land of Tea.

Kō smiled weakly. "I was wondering if you and Yuji could help me train Naruto in taijutsu and genjutsu."

Suzu washed her hands and picked up her nephew. After she put the sleeping infant in his crib, the two Chunin left the room.

"He's four."

Kō sighed in defeat. "I know. I don't want to do this either! The council is threatening to take Naruto's education out of my hands! They want him to be on the same level as Neji. I like the little fireball and don't want to lose him."

The former Kuruma clan member leaned against the wall. "They can't do that can they? I mean, Hiashi-sama appointed you. Besides, from what you've told me and Yuji, Neji is a prodigy."

"The council agreed with the appointment, but they have ultimate authority over Naruto's teachers. It was one of the concessions Hiashi-sama and Hizashi-sama had to make in order to get some swing votes in favor of Patronage. And yes, Neji is beyond brilliant."

"Yuji is going to be back from reporting his mission soon. You know, I never expected such responsibility from you. First you become a Hyūga tutor, then you start helping with the heiress and finally you practically adopt a kid."

Kō chuckled. Suzu, Yuji and now Naruto were the only people the Hyūga Chunin freely showed his emotions around. "I had to grow up sometime, I guess."

"Yep! I mean, you were responsible for the Land of Noodles incident."

Yuji wrapped his arms around his wife's waist and grinned. The Jonin managed to sneak into the house completely unnoticed. "You know, neither of you have ever told me that story."

"NEVER!" Kō yelled in panic.

"Ok, ok. So, what brings you to our humble home, Kō? I hope it's to ask us to go drinking." The Jonin smirked.

"If that's what it takes to get you to agree to teach Naruto the basics once a week."

"Naruto?" Kō shook his head as Suzu snickered. He launched into the events of the last few months starting with the attempt by Kumo to kidnap Hinata.

Yuji whistled as Kō's story wound to a conclusion. "The little bastard attacked a Jonin with a trashcan's lid?"

Kō nodded numbly. He hadn't known Naruto then, but the possibilities of what could have been scared him horribly.

Suzu and Yuji whispered to each other for a moment. The couple returned their attention to their old friend. "Alright, we'll help him out. Nothing serious, mostly taijutsu and maybe a bit of ninjutsu. The little guy isn't a Kurama so it is too early for him to start genjutsu."

"So, what will I have to do in exchange?" Something was screaming at him to reject the offer. The veteran's sense that things were going to shit was blaring in his mind.

"You're going to have to tell Yuji the story about what happened in the Land of Noodles."

Kō wept.

Naruto was running for his life. He ran across the courtyard laughing despite his desperate situation.

"You aren't getting away, Naruto!" Neji yelled as he chased his chosen target.

"SAFE!" Hinata yelled as she reached the statue of the Hyūga clan's founder. Naruto called on every bit of energy he had and reached out for the statue and safety. Unfortunately, Neji managed to tag his shoulder.

"You got me Neji-niisan!" Naruto tried to sound disappointed but was having too much fun to complain.

Neji flopped onto a bench next to his cousin and Naruto. "You're pretty fast, Naruto."

"Thanks, Neji-niisan. I may be fast, but Hinata-sama is sneaky. She's the only one who got to the statue."

A pair of winded retainers entered the courtyard followed shortly by a relaxed Kō. "I told you too, it'd be too troublesome to chase them like that."

The children laughed at the tired old people. "Hinata-sama and Neiji-san, it is time for dinner."

Naruto looked at Kō. "We have to go don't we?"

"I'm afraid so, Naruto. You can tell me about your lesson on the way back."

"Kay. I heard Hiromi-sama say you visited some of your friends today."

Kō couldn't help but smile around Naruto. "I did. I talked to them about you."

"Huh?" Naruto stopped and looked really confused.

"I did. They are really good ninja and they are going to teach you some taijutsu and ninjutsu."

Naruto's jaw hit the floor. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Really?" Naruto was bouncing on his feet now.

"Yes, Naruto. They are really going to train you."

The blond leapt into the air and cheered. There was a moment where Kō swore he saw Hiashi or Hizashi laughing in the courtyard.

The first day of Naruto's training with Kō's former teammate and her husband finally came. The excitable blond rushed ahead of his caretaker. Naruto had to stop and wait for Kō on a street corner. The outgoing boy saw another kid his age waiting for someone on the same corner.

"Hi! You waiting for your nii-san too?"

The dark haired boy turned and stared at his overly loud counterpart. "Hn. I am."

"I'm Naruto! What's your name?"

"Uchiha Sasuke."

"Nice to meet Sasuke-san!"

A Military policeman rushed over. "Is this… boy harassing you, Sasuke-kun?"

Naruto looked confused, but saw Kō moving through the crowd. "There's nii-san! Nice meeting you, Sasuke-san and Police-san!"

Naruto rushed over to Kō and didn't see the angry glares exchanged between Kō and the Uchiha.

Sasuke looked up at his clansmen. "You don't like that Naruto. Why?"

The policeman looked uncomfortable. "Sasuke-kun, you will have to talk to your father."

The officer left as Itachi arrived. Sasuke quickly pushed thoughts of the obnoxiously loud Naruto from his head. He was going to train with his older brother today! Maybe when he got home, he'd ask his father about Naruto. If his father thought Naruto was an enemy of the clan, Sasuke would become strong enough to beat him and earn his father's recognition!

Naruto's long range planning was nonexistent compared to Sasuke's. The most pressing concern on the young Uzumaki's mind was starting his new training today with nii-san's friends and then going to the Hyūga compound to see Hinata-sama and Neji-niisan tomorrow.

"We're here, Naruto." Kō smiled his little brother. Did I just think that? I guess I did.

Yuji and Suzu were sitting on the front porch of a small home. Yuji was carving an apple with a knife and Suzu was relaxing with a strange tropical drink.

Oh no. It can't be. She's taunting me.

Yuji looked up. "So, this is the tyke who bashed a Cloud Jonin with a trashcan top."

Naruto scratched the back of his head. "It was something big to hit the bad ninja with."

Yuji let a long rumbling laugh. "A good strategy!"

Suzu sat her drink down. "Hello, Kō."

"Suzu, Yuji. Thank you again for agreeing to help with Naruto."

"Nii-san, why aren't you using honorifics?" Naruto was confused. Nii-san always stressed the need for honorifics when talking to people.

Kō told Naruto he'd explain later. Yuji and Suzu looked down from the porch. "We'll take good care of him."

Naruto nervously waved goodbye to Kō. Nii-san had told Naruto a million times that Suzu and Yuji were his friends and that Naruto could trust them.

"Bye Nii-san!"

"I will see you in a few hours Naruto!" Kō waved and left.

"Naruto-kun are you ready to begin learning how to be a ninja?" Yuji asked with a broad grin on his face.

"Kun? Everyone calls me chan. But, yeah! I'm ready!"

"Well, anyone starting training is a big boy right? So, that means they get kun instead of chan!" Suzu watched the exchange between her husband and the child. It warmed her heart.

"Thanks, Yuji-sensei!" Naruto pumped his fist. Yuji held out his hand for a five and Naruto slapped his new teacher's hand.

"Good one, Naruto-kun. So, you're friends are all Hyūga, eh?" The jonin asked as he led his young student to the back yard.

"You're my friend, Yuji-sensei and so is Suzu-sensei and you two aren't a Hyūga."

This kid is a breath of fresh air. "Thank you. Well, most of your friends are Hyūga. They use Gentle Fist. It is very short range. So, we're going to teach you a style that helps out a lot."

Naruto's face lit up at the thought of helping Hinata-sama, Kō-niisan and Neiji-niisan.

"Alright Naruto. I want you to copy my stance." Yuji slid into a stance and Naruto tried his best to copy it. The jonin got out of his stance. "Hold it. I'm going to make sure you are getting it right."

Naruto almost moved, but listened to his teacher. "Not bad, but here is what you need to do…"

Time passed quickly for Naruto and his narrow, childish focus blinded him to the profound changes his presence was bringing to his world. His training with Yuji and Suzu had lasted only a few months before Suzu-sensei's pregnancy was too far along to continue. One day, Naruto overheard Kō and his teachers talking. Suzu was laughing and telling nii-san that 'it was all cute little Naruto's and your fault for this!' Naruto had panicked that night and wanted to go and apologize to his teachers, but Kō explained that Suzu and Yuji were actually very happy. They even wanted Naruto to be the child's big brother when the baby was born. All of Naruto's melancholy disappeared at that declaration.

Unfortunately, that momentary worry had later been replaced by the first true tragedy of Naruto's life. The situation actually began with a joy. Hiromi gave birth to her second daughter, Hanabi. Naruto, Hinata and Neiji had all been really excited. Then, Hiromi had started getting really sick and then passed away. The day Naruto found out Hinata's mother had died was the worst day of his life. He cried for a full hour while Kō hugged him and tried his best to explain why Hiromi-sama was gone. Naruto often had trouble remembering what was in front of him, but he never forgot important parts of his past. The blond could recite Kō, Neji and Hinata's birthay's from memory. He would always remember what Kō had said to chase away the tears.

"Hinata-sama will need you as a friend more than ever. You will have to be strong for her."

The month that followed had been hard. Naruto and Hinata had cried throughout the funeral. Uzumaki found himself taking double notes in Hajime-sensei's lessons. He couldn't let Hinata fall behind! Neji and Naruto were also trying everything in their power to make Hinata smile again. Hiashi was maintaining his façade of the stoic clan leader and burying himself in his work. However, Hiashi was treated his daughters with a softer touch. His brother had convinced him to hold his daughters close as they were the living embodiment of Hiashi and Hiromi's love for each other. Hiashi never spoke openly, but he knew that if he didn't have Hizashi, Hiashi would have closed himself off completely.

Today, Naruto was going to try again to bring Hinata out of her shell. "Hinata-sama!"

The girl had quickly left the classroom and was far ahead of the group. She 'eeped' and turned around. Naruto always wondered why she did that whenever he called out to her.

"Yes… Naruto-kun?"

Naruto put every bit of hope and good cheer into his smile that he could. "Kō-niisan is taking me to the park. Do you want to come with us?"

Hinata quickly looked to the ground and began twiddling her fingers. "I… I guess. I will have to ask Father."

"Yatta!" Naruto had finally learned not to jump and shout at the top of his lungs in the compound. He was still more emotional than any Hyūga and Hinata was grateful for it.

Hiashi was taking care of paper work when Hinata and Naruto found him. "Hinata, Uzumaki-san, is there something you need?"

"Ano, father… Can I go to the park with Naruto-kun and Kō-san?"

Hiashi looked up for the first time. "Did you pay attention to Hajime-sensei's lesson?"

"Yes, father." Hinata struggled to meet her father's gaze.

Naruto saw Hiashi's mask soften for the first time since the funeral. "Of course. Enjoy yourself. Remember to be back in time to get ready for Neji's dinner. You know he starts the Academy tomorrow."

"Thank you father." Hinata bowed before leaving.

"Thank you, Hiashi-sama!" Naruto didn't quite shout as he bowed as well.

The park was full of children and Naruto's heart leapt as Hinata really smiled when they arrived.

Kō pulled Naruto aside. "Naruto, remember to keep your eye on Hinata-sama. You are her friend and her protector. But never forget you are both children. Have fun and for god's sake stay out of trouble."

Naruto grabbed Hinata's hand and the two ran off. Kō chuckled and decided to get lunch. The heiress and the orphan finally got a chance to act their age. Naruto pushed Hinata on a swing and they played tag with a group of civilian children. Hinata had to politely avoid several questions about her Byakugan, but she was having the most fun since her mother died. It still hurt to think about, but Hinata knew her mother would want her to be happy. The Hyūga found herself laughing at Naruto's antics on the slide.

She was enjoying almost everything about the park. Her only fervent wish was that Naruto would stop calling her Hinata-sama and call her Hinata-chan. She took comfort in the fact that her best friend put more emphasis on the 'Hinata' instead of the 'sama'.

Eventually, the pair wandered away from the slides and to the other side of the park. A small pack of girls stomped past and completely ignored Naruto's greeting. Hinata felt flustered again as Naruto grabbed her hand and pulled her in the direction the girls came from.

"I want to see what got them so mad, Hinata-sama."

He was so enthusiastic. Naruto never hid his feelings like her clan. Instead, he merely calmed down for a period. The blond would have made a terrible Hyūga and Hinata wouldn't trade his friendship for anything. He had saved her from loneliness after her mother's death. Hinata would never forget that. The pair eventually found the source of the commotion. A blond girl they had never met before was sitting next to a crying pink haired girl. The blond, named Ino, explained what had happened. She quickly pushed Naruto away and grabbed Hinata.

Naruto started to protest but Ino smiled. "It's girl stuff. I'm only borrowing Hinata-chan for a minute!"

The blond flopped to the ground and rested his chin on his hand. He grumbled the entire time.

"Sakura-chan! I found someone who'll back me up." Ino shouted so loud, Naruto couldn't hear his own grumbling.

Sakura looked up between sobs. "Do I really have a freaky big forehead?"

Hinata had no idea what to say. She had spent almost her entire life in the Hyūga compound but when she left she was always with Naruto, her father, Kō or Neiji. Thus, she never had any experience with being bullied. Hinata looked at Sakura's forehead. Was it big?

She didn't know, but she couldn't stand to see anyone cry. Hinata had seen enough tears over the last month to last a lifetime. "No, Sakura-chan, you don't have a big forehead."

"Really?" The tears were slowing down.

"I promise as a Hyūga that you don't have a big forehead." Ino sat down next to Sakura.

"She promised on her clan name. That's a big deal so you know she's telling the truth!" Ino didn't hear Naruto mumble about how anyone could be so loud.

"Thank you." Sakura said as she wiped her eyes.

Hinata bowed. "You are welcome."

Ino smiled broadly at Hinata. "Thanks, I think you need to check on your friend. It's like if he's still for more than a minute he starts to go crazy."

Naruto was glad that the wait was finally over. "What kind of stuff were you talking about?"

Naruto wasn't trying to be nosy, but he was so naturally curious he couldn't help himself. "Girl Stuff."

Hinata winked as she spoke and started walking off. "Oh come on, Hinata-sama! That's not an answer."

"Yes it is!"

"Nah-uh!"

Hinata whirled around and faked-glared at Naruto. He froze for a second when the horrifying image of an angry Neji, Hiashi and Kō flashed in his mind.

"You're it!" Hinata pushed a bit on Naruto's shoulder and took off running.

"No fair!" He shouted as Hinata ran into the woods surrounding the park. Hinata was much better at hiding than Naruto. It was going to be tough to find her.

"I told you I was sorry!" That was Hinata! Naruto heard the distress in her voice and sprinted in the direction of her voice.

"Not good enough, hime! You better promise not to tell anyone we're skipping!"

"I… I'm sorry. Just leave me alone, please."

Naruto jumped over a stump and saw the three punks harassing Hinata.

"Oi! She asked nicely! Leave her alone!" Naruto practically growled at the three older boys.

Each of the bullies were first year academy students and much bigger than Hinata or Naruto. The leader, a boy wearing a blue pocketed jacket and a red cap, took a step forward and pointed his finger at the interloper.

"Look kid! She's going to rat us out for skipping class! So, you run away and let us deal with this!"

"The answer is no to everything you said! Come on, Hinata-sama, let's go, home." Naruto spat at the boys, but his tone was warm when he spoke to Hinata.

Hinata slowly started to move towards Naruto, but the tallest boy pushed her. "Don't even think!"

Naruto was growing angrier and angrier. "Apologize!"

The three boys all turned towards Naruto. "What?"

"I told you jackasses to apologize!" Naruto didn't know what a jackass was but he had heard that Yuji-sensei called an enemy ninja one once.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" The fat bully with a bandana shouted.

"Her best friend, now apologize!" Naruto shouted right back.

The leader had heard enough and threw a punch at Naruto. "Shut up you guard dog!"

Naruto had trained with Neji and a jonin for months before meeting these kids. The punch seemed to move in slow motion. The blond blocked the punch and punched the jacketed boy right back. Naruto got tunnel vision and didn't react in time to Bandana's punch.

"Leave Naruto-kun alone!" Hinata yelled and activated her Byakugan. The lanky boy that pushed her took a surprised step back when he saw the active Dojustsu. He recovered quickly and attacked. Hinata yelped as she dodged the first clumsy strike.

The leader and Bandana were about to attack Naruto again when they were distracted by Hinata's shouting. Bandana focused his attention on the Hyūga heiress. He paid for it when Naruto kicked out with his left foot while still on the ground. The heavy-set boy squealed as Naruto's kick hit him square in the groin. Leader shouted a string of curses and entered into an academy taijutsu stance.

Hinata blocked another strike by the lanky boy. His entire chakra network was laid bare before her all seeing eyes. She had to fight back! She was the Hyūga heiress and she couldn't disappoint her father by being beaten! Hinata's most important reason for her to fight back was less than three feet away. Naruto-kun needed her help. She had not lied to herself when she declared that Naruto had saved her after mother's death.

Hinata cried out and struck the boy's shoulder and thigh with a decisive Gentle Fist combination. The lanky boy screamed in pain as he collapsed. Hinata hoped she hadn't really hurt him. She rushed to Naruto's aid without a second glance.

The lead bully charged Naruto and lashed out with a series of punches. Yuji-sensei would have chewed Naruto out for being so sloppy. Naruto ducked under a hook punch that went far too wide and kicked the academy student hard in the gut. He stumbled backwards and straight into Hinata's Jukken strike to both his arms.

"Hinata-sama! Naruto!" The blond didn't turn to face the voice, he kept his focus on the bully. His arms were limp and he was kneeling over in pain but Naruto wasn't going to give him an opportunity to even glare at Hinata.

"Naruto-kun! It's Kō-san and some other adults!"

Kō had his Byakugan active and was leading a first year Academy instructor named Iruka, a Uchiha policewoman and a Yamanaka teenager.

Hinata was nervous. She and Naruto had just been in a fight and probably hurt their attackers badly. The Uchiha's glares in Hinata's direction were making her feel even more self-conscious. Suddenly, Hinata realized the glare wasn't directed at her at all. The Uchiha was directing her hateful eyes at Naruto.

"I hope all of you can explain yourselves." The policewoman's eyes never stopped boring into Naruto.

Kō was not amused by the accusations the Uchiha woman was throwing at Naruto. "I'm sure that Naruto and Hinata-sama were merely defending themselves."

Iruka saw the boiling argument. "We can continue this discussion at the Academy. Besides, I can take my students to the infirmary."

Naruto fell in beside Hinata as they walked towards the Ninja academy. It was obvious to everyone that Naruto was making sure he was always between his friend and the Academy students. Kō was proud of Naruto and scared for him at the same time. Hiashi was going to chew all of them out. It was not going to be pretty.

The Uchiha questioned the Academy students first. After she was satisfied with their answer, she tried to interrogate Naruto alone. Kō would have none of it. He demanded as Naruto's guardian to be present and brought Hinata with him. The questioning was infuriating. Officer Sachiko was clearly aimed at angering Naruto. Kō managed to keep Naruto calm and did everything he could to keep Hinata confident.

Iruka was the last to be questioned. He clearly stated that the three boys were troublemakers. Their accusations that the Hyūga heiress and her 'thug' jumped them lost all credibility when Sachiko was reminded the boys were skipping.

Uchiha Sachiko was clearly disappointed she couldn't charge Naruto with anything and let them go. Iruka apologized to the Hyūga and promised he'd move for expulsion for the boys.

Kō led Hinata and Naruto back to the Hyūga compound. He was going to ask the Clan to commend Instructor Iruka and file a complaint against that horrid Uchiha woman. He was glad for his anger because it distracted him from the firestorm to come.

Hizashi stood behind his brother as they listened to Kō's report on what had happened in the park. The Clan head leaned forward.

"Hinata, before the hooligans accosted you what exactly happened?"

Hinata focused on keeping her posture perfect. "Naruto-kun and I were playing tag. I was running from Naruto-kun because he was it. I ran into the woods and tripped over one of the Academy students. They started yelling about how I was going to get them caught."

"Continue." Naruto squirmed at Hiashi's tone. Hinata hadn't done anything wrong!

"I told them I didn't know what they were talking about and tried to leave."

Hiashi nodded. "Uzumaki-san, explain what you saw."

Naruto's mouth was suddenly dry. "I found Hinata-sama trying to walk away from the jerks. They were disrespectful and I told them to leave her alone. The Leader told me to leave so they could 'deal' with her. Hinata and I tried to leave again. They pushed Hinata and I demanded they apologize. They refused and we fought."

Hizashi spoke for the first time. "The Uchiha said you used harsh language, Naruto. Your actions reflect upon this clan. What did you call the attackers?"

"Jackasses…" Oh man, Hiashi-sama and nii-san are going to chew me out.

"Why?" Hizashi asked in a cold tone.

"Because I was angry that they were mean to my best friend!" Naruto never responded like a Hyūga. "What did you want me to do? Let them talk to Hinata-sama like that?"

Kō was about to chastise Naruto when Hiashi spoke. "Your loyalty to my daughter is commendable. In the future, I ask you watch your language, Uzumaki-san. Now, I want both of you to recount the fight."

Hinata was quiet in her telling of the fight. She focused mostly on her mistakes. Naruto was the opposite. He gestured with his hands and obviously embellished Hinata's actions and his own. Hiashi dismissed the children.

Hinata and Naruto walked quietly through the halls. Hinata kept glancing over at Naruto. He had protected her! And he did it because she was his best friend not just because she was the heiress. Her head was swimming.

"Ano… Naruto-kun…"

Naruto smiled. "What is it Hinata-sama?"

She tugged at the bottom of her shirt and looked away. "I was wondering… You don't have to call me Hinata-sama all the time."

"But Kō-niisan says I should be respectful."

You respect me more than anyone! She wanted to scream that thought, but couldn't bring herself to do so. "Ano… How about you call me Hinata-sama when adults are around? You could call me Hinata-chan when it's just us or other kids."

Naruto cocked his head to the side as he thought about it. Hinata felt her hopes sink. He's going to say no…

"Ok!" Naruto looked around quickly. "Hinata-chan!"

She smiled the rest of the night.