Last chapter was met with a large response and it was very exciting. Let's continue from where we left of shall we? I wish I owned Naruto, sadly I do not.
Deep inside a great beast stirred, restless and impatient. The gates that held him at bay seemed to let even less light in than before, while still staying the same size. Naruto entered the chamber and walked straight in that direction. Coming to a stop just before the bars, he peered inside looking for it's contents. The Kyuubi lumbered forward and came to rest in hi front of the boy, laying down out of boredom and waited. "So do you know any way we can get out of here, maybe a super awesome technique"? Craning his neck Naruto looked up expectantly towards the Kyuubi.
"What makes you think you can preform any jutsu I show you hmmm?" Closing both eyes he began to run through everything he knew that could be useful in this situation. A thousands years worth of memories rushed by as he picked out only the most important ones. Picking one memory from his previous container, the Kyuubi inwardly sighed knowing this should be easy even for Naruto. "I may have something useful, just do as I say and you'll get yourself and that vixen out safely". Nodding Naruto listened intently as the Kyuubi spoke on how he could use his own chakra nature for himself and the jutsu he would need to use.
Outside the mind-scape, Naruto opened his eyes and looked down to the ropes keeping him bound. Having rope around your torso made it difficult to move your hands, but what made it doubly difficult was the rope binding his wrists together as well. Struggling with each hand sign required for the jutsu Kyuubi had shown, Naruto finally hit the final one and belched out a cluster of smile embers that landed directly on the main rope. He coughed a little for having never breathed any type of fire before and not knowing he shouldn't inhale directly after-wards. Despite the rope was extra thick, the flames ate away until there was nothing left surrounding the two children while leaving them unharmed. Now moving closer he preformed the same jutsu over his and Hinata's bindings, burning them away leaving bruised skin underneath. Hinata had sat through the entire process wide eyed and amazed Naruto could do something like this. A blush donned her face as she let her mind wander and imagine many other things.
Naruto reached over and shook Hinata's shoulder to wake her out her daydreams believing she was just in awe of how awesome he was, not realizing that he was completely wrong. Inside her head were images of a much older Naruto and herself having an evening alone and the he used that jutsu too... 'No bad, I can't think like that here. I have to help Naruto-kun get us home'. Regaining her senses Hinata stood and stretched her aching muscles. "Ano.. Naruto-kun, w..what was that you just did, Iruka sensei never taught us anything like that b..before now." Shaking his head Naruto took a step back and looked at her with a smile.
'Kit I hate to Interrupt your little moment but someones coming this way, hide quickly.' Taking hold of Hinata's hand, Naruto pulled both of them behind a pile of crates over in a corner of the room. Signaling to stay quiet, Naruto crouched next to a corner and watched the door. A few seconds passed until a light began pouring in through the doorway as it opened. A man came striding in on a drunken stupor, with the door open wide, Naruto could barely make out a few men sitting around a table. Before Naruto or Hinata could make a move the drunkard made way to the crates that hid them. From Naruto's perspective it seemed as if he immediately knew they were hiding there, although he stopped just before the crate hiding them and reached inside another pulling out bottles. Then he turned his head to look back to the others, "Ou Mizu, you want one? We've got plenty left over from last night!"
From the other room came a gruff voice, "Why just one, bring as much as you can carry. Tomorrow is the day we can all lay back and retire, after selling off the brats that is. Now hurry up, we're all thirsty". After hearing the command he hastily stuffed his arms full of booze and scurried back through the doorway, sloppily closing the door on the way. Naruto relaxed as he watched him leave, taking note of the small gap left in the doorway. Soon after, the sounds of gambling and partying came radiating from the outside, signifying that their captors would be preoccupied for quite a while. Naruto relaxed a little as he listened to the noise increase, covering any sound they would make.
Hinata looked on nervously, she felt like there wasn't anything that she could do to help. "Ano... Naruto-Kun, what are we going to do now"? She unconsciously moved closer out of curiosity as to what Naruto was thinking.
Naruto spun around to face her with a gleaming smile. "Now we can get out of here". Standing up, he moved over to where the man grabbed the bottles. Reaching inside he pulled out and showing Hinata with a grin.
Hinata not knowing exactly what Naruto was thinking, blushes a little as in any other situation would imply other thoughts. "Naruto-kun... How is that going to h..help us escape"? She moved over to watch as Naruto ripped a piece of his pants leg off and stuff it into the mouthpiece.
Looking back up to Hinata with a foxy smile, Naruto presented the bottle. "I learned a trick with these bottles. The liquid inside likes to burn for a long time. 'It would be better if you didn't tell her how you learned that, it may cause some concern. The fox added, earning a nod of agreement. "We can cause some confusion, then run outside and hide". This earned a smile from Hinata as the plan sounded good to her as well.
Five minutes later smoke could be seen rising up from a densely wooded area of the forest. This gave the search party exactly what they needed. All three raced through the trees toward the source, arriving a few moments later in a clearing behind the burning shelter. "You two go and clear the inside, I'll go search the area for anyone that may be fleeing". The scarred man gave orders to his associates then ran off towards the front.
Both men burst through a broken window and took up a defensive stance. The inside was an inferno, and flames came up from under the floorboards. "Guy lets do this quick before the whole place comes down on top of us." Motioning toward door across from them, Kakashi took the lead and began approaching with Guy close behind. As the pair came closer, the door suddenly swung open revealing a very charred Naruto and distressed Hinata.
Naruto looked up to see the two leaf ninja and immediately smiled wide. " Finally someone to help us out. All it took was me setting an entire building on fire to get your attention". Then he looked back to where they were before and sighed. "Hinata, are you ok? You didn't get burnt did you?"
Shaking her head Hinata blushed a little at his concern. "No I'm alright t..thanks to y..you Naruto-kun. If you hadn't shielded me from the flames I... I might not be here". She then gave him a light hug, " Thank y..you Naruto-kun."
Naruto froze, never before had he been hugged by anyone other than the Hokage. Now here was Hinata giving him the same kind of affection, he didn't know how to respond. Naruto hugged back, only out of reflex at first but then a comforting warmth washed over him. He sighed as he time slowed, Naruto's vision began fade as he fell into unconiocness.
~~~Naruto's Mindscape~~~
"In the time I've spent sealed, only once have I seen my container be so reckless. Do you realize you could have killed yourself, myself, and the girl?" The Kyubbi snorted in disgust as the blond just smiled and scratched his head. Mulling over his opinions, either he let Naruto continue to be a hazard to himself, or teach basic survival skills and hope they would end the constant danger. On one hand, the boy was obnoxious and hardly ever listened so training would be nothing short of a headache. Although on the other hand, this would bring himself closer to his own goal. A strong container means less work for himself later on down the road. "Alright starting tomorrow your going to learn how to survive from me, and you'll train yourself into the ground. From now on you'll listen to my instruction, are we clear?" Sitting on his haunches, the Crimson eyes bore straight into Naruto's.
Naruto stood frozen, the Kyubbi's eyes piercing his own. He could only nod as a response, knowing full well that he may have made a mistake. "What would we be starting with then?"
"That will be decided by tomorrow, for now rest. By the way, stop thinking of me as the Kyubbi, the name is Kurama so don't forget".After he finished the Kurama turned and left leaving Naruto alone in the darkness of his own mind.
~~~ Kahona Hospital ~~~
Three men stood in front of Naruto's bed, each with a grim expression plastered on their faces. Kakashi broke the silence first," Hokage-Sama if I may. Whe Naruto leaves the academy I'd like to have him placed on my own team. Seeing as his father trained me, I feel this is what I can do for sensei.
The old Sarutobi nodded in agreement," very well then. I shall place Naruto on your squad when the time comes. For the time being I want your report, what happened out there?" He looked on intently at the Ambu captain.
"Sir, there were a total of five ninja present. Each fled the scene as their hideout was biting to the ground, no thanks to the blond menace. You can find those five with Ibiki as they are being interrogated as we speak. We should be receiving that Intel shortly." Motioning to the door as if on cue a knock came.
"Tiacho I have the report you've requested earlier." The voice then entered revealing it to be one of the many masked Ambu under his own command. Walking over he turned over the document and bowed to both the Hokage and Kakashi. "If that is all then I will take my leave." Holding up a ram sign they disappeared into a plume of smoke.
"It seems we have a problem Hokage-Sama." This redirected everyone's attention back upon himself. "There seems to be a missing body. When I engaged the five we have, there were no signs of any more lurking about, although it seems there is a sixth." This surprised Hiruzen, Kakashi had reported they had not seen anyone on the way there. If that were true then how did they miss one. "The one in question is said to have left earlier but their route has yet to be disclosed. The report says that none of the men caught were in charge of the operation. So we can safely assume their leader is the one who eluded us."
"Torzu... You must find this person and bring them to justice, failure is not an option." Hiruzen tuned and motioned toward the door. For now just watch over these children, I feel they may be the key to this mystery. I leave you in charge of this case Torzu, do not fail me." The Ambu Captain nodded, knowing full well what entailed if he failed.
This would be the beginning of something bigger than anything the three older ninja had ever seen, but none knew on what scale.
-And that's a wrap, sorry for a shorter chapter than usual but I felt this would be a nice place to stop to lead into a bigger section. Hope you all enjoyed and with the final chapter of the manga out, NaruHina is cannon so shout out loud in joy. Tell me what you think, R&R.