Chapter four: A longer Road:
The next day.
The Hyuga compound. Nearly 07:00.
Hiashi stood in his office and looked out the window at the courtyard below with two papers still in his hand. He had just read Tsume and Shibi's replies and was happy they had agreed to his request. Hiashi then heard the door open and someone enter his office, the Hyuga leader however knew who it was so he wasn't alarmed.
Ko opened the door and walked into the room and kneeled before the man he had sworn his loyalty to.
"Ko-san have the children and their parents been told what is to happen." Hiashi asked with his back still turned.
"Yes, Hiashi-sama as per your instructions they were awakened at precisely five o clock and Lady Hanako told them the news in the common room soon after that…The parents were understandably upset; even though they didn't show it like the true Hyuga they are…As for the children… They are taking the news well and are upholding the values of the Hyuga; despite being given such distressing news." Ko praised.
It was then that Hiashi turned around to face Ko, "That's good to hear Ko-san… How soon can they be sent to their new homes?" Hiashi asked.
"They can be sent right away Hiashi-sama, I will make sure that they arrive safely." Came Ko's response.
Hiashi nodded in reply," Take Hanako-chan with you just to be on the safe side Ko-san."
Ko nodded "I will take my leave then my Lord." Ko said as he stood up and walked to the door, but before he left the room he heard Hiashi speak again.
" Ko..." Hiashi said; surprising Ko with the lack of honorific. Ko turned to face Hiashi again as the Hyuga patriarch continued to speak, "If I don't get the chance to tell you later, I want to say thank you for all you have done for me and my family...Despite what we have done to your." Hiashi said with a slight bow.
Ko smiled a grim smile; easily being able to read between the lines, "You are welcome Lord Hiashi and for what it's worth, I do not agree with what the branch family...My family intends to do in seeking revenge. It's the main reason you have my loyal to the end Hiashi-sama." With that said Ko bowed and left the room to attend to his duties.
A small smile came to Hiashi lips as he watched Ko leave and the head of the Hyuga clan turned back to looking out the window and continued his vigil.
Uzumaki residence.
Naruto woke up and looked at his clock which said 10: 34. The blond boy smiled at the thought of having a loving mother and father as he got up and got dressed and raced down the stairs.
"BYE KAA CHAN, TOU CHAN, I'M GOING OUT TO MEET HINATA-CHAN...DATTEBAYO!" Naruto yelled as he ran out the door after he heard his mother and father say bye.
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Naruto ran full speed towards Kurenai's house and as he approached the house he saw Hinata come walking out the door; this brought a smile to his face.
"HEY HINATA-CHAN!" Naruto shouted with a wave.
Hinata looked up and smiled at seeing Naruto running toward her, and soon enough the blond bundle of energy stopped right in front of her.
"Hi Naruto-kun, I hope you're having a good morning." Hinata said.
"I'm having a great morning now that I'm with you Hinata-chan! I hope you're having a great morning as well!" Naruto responded loudly his megawatt smile still in place.
Hinata blushed a deep red and smiled a bit shyly," My morning is great now that you're here as well Naruto-kun."
"So what do you want to do Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked.
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Naruto and Hinata soon decided to just go for a walk together for starters. It was a nice sunny day and just a great day to be outside. So the young genin in training just walked hand in hand and enjoyed each other's company. After over three hours of walking around the village and spending and hour at the park, the duo came to one of the training grounds which gave Naruto an idea.
"Hey Hinata-chan, wanna spar for a bit since we're at one of the training areas? The blond boy asked loudly with a toothy smile on his face.
"Sure Naruto-kun, I'd like that." The girl replied with a grin.
Not long after Naruto and Hinata were in the middle of the training field facing each other twenty feet or so apart ready to do battle after their one hour warm up.
"So Naruto-kun what should the rules be?"
"Hmm... We'll both use anything we want, but the limitation is that we don't try to really hurt each other. How does that sound Hinata-chan?" Naruto questioned.
Hinata just nodded with a smile at how vague the rules were.
"Are you ready Hinata-chan!" The boy yelled as he formed the seal for the Kage Bushin technique.
"Byakugan!" The girl called out loudly in response and slid into a basic Juken stance. "I'm ready when you are Naruto-kun." The blue haired girl exclaimed enthusiastically.
Naruto smiled and shouted, "Kage Bushin no Jutsu!" And thirty clones appeared next to and behind Naruto is a staggered formation.
"Alright, CHARGE!" The blond boy shouted and twenty of his clones did just that and dashed at the blue haired girl, while the other ten hung back. They rushed the girl and jumped at her all that once with their fists raised ready to attack.
"Sorry Naruto-kun, but I won't be taken out by such methods." Hinata yelled," Hakke Shou Kaiten!" Hinata yelled again and then she began to spin in place as she expelled a wall of chakra that formed a dome. The clones slammed in the chakra wall as it expanded five meters outwards; sending them flying and dispelling them before they even hit the ground.
"Nice one Hinata-chan!" Naruto exclaimed before nodded to eight of his clones and they sped toward Hinata, three coming from the front, one from each flank while two clones using the front assault clones as a boost and pole vaulted of their clone brethren's shoulders. The clones somersaulted over Hinata's head; twisting in midair they landed facing the Yuhi girl's back. The three in front threw haymakers; the one to the right threw a side kick, the left clone came with a flying knee and the two behind came in with punches.
Hinata darted forward and delivered three quick Juken palm strikes that took out the three clones in the front of her. The blue haired girl saw with her Byakugan that the five remain clones were regrouping so she spun around to face them; while keeping Naruto and the two remain clones in her field of vision.
The remaining clones scrambled to avoid crashing into each other and succeeded (narrowly.) Upon seeing they have lost the advantage of flanking their prey the five clones just recklessly charged.
Hinata smirked as she just held her stance. The Yuhi girl then flowed gracefully in and out as the Naruto clones attacked her and she struck all five down with ease; hitting them with palm strikes to the heart or brain.
Naruto smiled and was about to make more clones, but Hinata had other ideas as she blurred forward. The next thing Naruto saw was a palm, blazing with chakra as it sped towards his face…Only to stop a millimeter from his nose and he hadn't even had the time to form the seal for his jutsu.
"I win Naruto-kun." Hinata said sweetly with a smile on her face.
Naruto smiled nervously and sweated a little, "Yeah you win…Again." Naruto then smiled happily as the Yuhi girl pulled back her hand,"But that was seriously awesome Hinata-chan I wish I was that fast. Naruto gushed.
Hinata smiled but then a thoughtful look came to her face, "By the way, Naruto kun why didn't you use more shadow clones in the beginning?" Hinata asked and she was going to continue, but stopped when she saw Naruto look down sadly, 'Did I say something wrong?' Hinata thought in worry.
Naruto sighed as he looked down sadly; Hinata's innocent question had reminded him of what he had learned from old man, that he held the Kyuubi. The blond boy knew he had to tell Hinata because they had promised there'd be no secret between them, that and she deserved to know. So steeling himself Naruto plopped down onto the ground and beckoned Hinata to do the same.
Hinata, was both confused and very concerned that Naruto now looked sad all of a sudden and due to something she had said no less.
"What's wrong Naruto-kun? Was it something I said? If it was then I'm sorry." Hinata said sadly.
Naruto shook his head and felt guilty that she would take the blame for something she didn't do.
"It's not your fault you didn't know. So don't go blaming yourself." Naruto said as he took hold of both Hinata's hand into his own and memorized the feeling; just in case his princess were to abandon him.
'Princess?' Where the hell did that come from?' Naruto thought in confusion.
The Yuhi girl for her part blushed when she felt Naruto take her hands into his own.
"Naruto kun?" Hinata questioned as she looked up and into his eyes, only to see sadness swim in his deep blue eyes.
"Hinata-chan, I have something I need to tell you; something that may make you not want to see me anymore." Naruto grimaced in pain at that last part as if physically hurt.
Hinata seeing Naruto in pain put her hand gently on the blond boy's face.
"There is nothing that would make me abandon you Naruto kun. The very thought is unthinkable to me." Hinata reassured.
"Don't be too sure of that Hinata-chan." Naruto opened his mouth to try to speak, but he hesitated and closed his mouth and he could feel himself start sweating. After two more attempts to speak Naruto was broken out of his inner turmoil by Hinata.
Hinata seeing the turmoil the blond boy was going through and the fact that he was sweating spoke suddenly," Naruto kun if what you're going to tell me is causing you this much pain I can wait until you're ready."
"NO! "Naruto yelled shrilly, his voice a higher pitch than he meant it to be, the blond boy winced at the sound of his own voice and Hinata was startled by it, "I mean no Hinata I want to tell you, but it's just very difficult for me. After all I just learned of this not too long ago." Naruto sighed as he closed his eyes and after a few moments of silence, Naruto spoke, "I finally found out why the villagers never liked me Hinata-chan." Naruto said sadly.
"Why don't they like you Naruto kun"? Hinata asked gently.
"The Kyuubi!" Naruto suddenly blurted out with his eyes still closed, "The Yondaime sealed the freaking Kyuubi inside of me." Naruto said finally; with tears now coming down his face
Once he said that Naruto expected Hinata to pull away frantically, but that didn't happen. In fact the opposite happened as the girl pushed herself closer and hugged the blond boy while crying herself and Naruto broke down into a sobbing mess of relief. As he buried his head into Hinata's deep blue hair and clung to her like his life depended on it; to which Hinata happily hugged him tighter in response. After a good ten minutes of the young couple crying as they held each other Hinata finally spoke.
"You don't have to worry Naruto kun, I've said it before and I will say it again I will not abandon you." Hinata finally said with strength in her tone.
"But aren't you afraid of me?" Naruto asked his voice muffled by Hinata's hair.
"Afraid of you? Of course not Naruto kun…You are its container, not the Kyuubi's itself; if you asked me if I'm afraid of the Kyubi? If it was unsealed and destroying Konoha right now then yes I would be terrified, but that's not the case because it's sealed within and I can't think of a better person to be its jailer.
"I...Thank you, Hinata-chan." A relieved Naruto cheered. Feeling much happier that he had got this off his chest and that Hinata accepted him. Acceptance was the best feeling in the world in Naruto's opinion.
Hinata gave the blond boy a beautiful smile which caused him to blush "Um, Naruto kun why don't we work on throwing practice now... I seem to remember that your aim could use some work." Hinata said.
"Ok, Hinata-chan." Naruto happily replied.
Time flew by as Naruto and Hinata practiced their aim; Hinata would help Naruto improve his throwing method. Naruto was proud as he felt that his aim was improving.
Two Hours later.
"I must say Naruto-kun you're getting better at this." Hinata praise as she looked at Naruto's target and saw that a good deal of his hits were in areas that could at least put a person down for the count.
"Thanks… Hey, Hinata-chan we've been out for a long time, so do let's go get some ramen like we usually do? My treat." The boy asked.
"Sure Naruto-kun I would love to." The blue haired girl replied with a smile. Naruto smiled as well and then grabbed Hinata's hand and ran off towards the ramen stand.
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Naruto burst into the ramen stand, "HEY OLD MAN, HEY AYAME NEE-CHAN I'LL HAVE THREE EXTRA LARGE MISO RAMEN TO START…DATTEBAYO!" The blond boy shouted excitedly as he pulled a smiling Hinata in with him.
Teuchi and Ayame perked up at seeing their favorite customer.
"Hi Naruto otouto, Hi Hinata-chan." Ayame returned.
"Hey Naruto, your order will be ready in a few minutes and a large Vegetable ramen for the young lady?" Teuchi asked knowingly with a smile on his face.
"Hi, Teuchi san, Hi, Ayame-san and yes I will have one large vegetable Ramen please." Hinata replied; her smile still on display.
After Naruto finished his fifteenth bowl of ramen the blond boy looked out at the sky to see that the sun was beginning to wane.
"Wow, it must be like six or seven by now Hinata-chan. I think it's time we should head home.
Hinata nodded, having only finished two bowls of ramen, "Yes I think that'd be for the best Naruto-kun, we don't want our families to become worried." Hinata responded softly with a smile.
Naruto smiled back," Don't worry I will walk you home Hinata-chan!"
"Thank you Naruto-kun, "was all the girl could say as she knew that Naruto would not be dissuaded. And truthfully she didn't want to try and dissuade him anyways.
Hey, Ayame nee-chan, Teuchi oji-san could you give me the bill please!" Naruto shouted.
Once Naruto paid for their meal he and Hinata were out the door after a quick goodbye to ramen chef and his daughter.
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The walk back to Kurenai's house was a quiet one and something the young couple wish would last, but as they say all good things must come to end and soon enough Naruto and Hinata were standing just outside Kurenai's house.
"I had a great time to today Naruto kun." Hinata said with a smile.
"Yeah, I had a great time as well... Every day I get to hang out with you is a day well spent." Naruto replied with a huge smile on his face.
Hinata blushed and summoning up her courage, she kissed Naruto on the cheek, causing the blond boy to blush massively. The Yuhi girl smiled again and now had a blush equally as massive as the blond boy, "Good night Naruto kun." Hinata said cheerfully.
"Good night Hinata-chan." Naruto said as he turned to walk away, the blush from the kiss still clear on his face as it was with Hinata's.
After walking some distance from Hinata's house Naruto stopped, "YATTA." Naruto screamed out in sheer happiness at what just happened.
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Hinata was still smiling as she walked inside her new home, "Kaa-san, Imouto chan I'm home." Hinata called out.
It was then that Hinata heard feet pounding across the hardwood floor and soon saw her little sister racing towards her.
"NEE-CHAN!" Hanabi exclaimed excitedly as she leaped into her big sister's arms to which Hinata easily caught her. The siblings hugged one another tightly; with Hanabi burying her face into Hinata's chest. After a few moments Hanabi spoke," I missed you Nee-chan."
"And I missed you Hanabi imouto chan," Hinata said as she smiled down at her little sister.
"So how was your date with Naruto nii-chan." The little girl asked with an impish smile on her face.
"It wasn't a date Hanabi-chan." Hinata refuted with a crimson red blush on her face.
"Sure it wasn't Nee-chan, you're in denial." Hanabi said in a sing-song voice. And it was to this that Kurenai came walking in.
"So did you have fun on your date with Naruto kun… Did you make sure to kiss him good night?" Kurenai asked nearly parroting the question the youngest member of the family just asked; with a smile on her face as she came into the hall.
"Not you to Kaa-san." Hinata whined, her blushed deepening due to her mother hitting the nail on the head.
This caused Kurenai and Hanabi to chuckle and giggle respectively.
"I will take that as a yes...Me and Hanabi-chan have already eaten since I knew you would eat out with Naruto-kun. However I still left you some if you get hungry again." Kurenai said with a smile.
"Thank you Kaa-san." Hinata thanked.
"So let's go and watch some TV before we turn in for the night." Kurenai suggested.
"Yeah!" Hanabi cheered as she ran into the living room.
Kurenai and Hinata smiled at as they watched her go and soon followed.
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Naruto ran all the way home and ran inside, open and shutting the door with a bang.
"Kaa-chan, Tou-chan I home!" Naruto yelled.
"We're in the living room!" His father yelled back.
Naruto smiled and walked into the living and sat down next to his father, who was sitting next to his mother on the couch watching TV.
So how was your day with Hinata-chan." Hanae asked as she looked over and smiled at her son.
"It wasn't a date Kaa-chan." Naruto denied as he blushed red in embarrassment.
"I didn't say anything about it being a date Naruto-kun," Hanae giggled.
Iruka also laughed and Naruto blushed an even deeper red due to his slip up.
"She got you there, son." Iruka said once his laughter died down.
"Umm... Kaa-chan, Tou-chan can we just drop it." Naruto asked pleadingly with a puppy-eyed look.
Iruka smiled, "Sure thing kiddo you're off the hook... This time at least." Iruka said as he ruffled his son hair with his hand.
Naruto sighed in relief and smiled at his family.
By the way Naruto-kun we've already eaten, but I saved you some food. It's in the fridge if you're hungry." Hanae said.
"Thanks, Kaa-chan."
" So Naruto-kun do you think you're ready to start your new training? Iruka suddenly asked," I should warn you that it's going to be way more difficult." His father added in a serious tone; which was reflected by the serious look on the scarred man's face as he looked his son dead in the eyes...Searching for something Naruto knew not what.
"Don't worry Tou-chan I'll be fine." The blond said with his trademark goofy smile...But deep down he was nervous.
'It feels great to have family that cared about your well-being.' The blond thought to himself as he tried to believe in what he had told his parents.
Iruka sighed, "It's good to have confidence, but please don't take this lightly Naruto."
Naruto opened his mouth to say something but closed it. But In the end Naruto just nodded in acceptance and took his father warning to heart.
"Good I see you understand Musuko." Iruka said with a smile and Hanae smiled at her son as well.
So after watching a program on TV and eating the leftovers, Naruto felt that he should go to bed since he had to get up very early in the morning so he could get used to it for his new training.
"Uuh..." Naruto groans as he stood up and stretched. "Kaa-chan, Tou-chan, I'm going to head to bed now ok. So goodnight and I love you both." Naruto said as he hugged both his mother and his father.
"Good night Naruto... I love you too." Iruka said as he looked at his son and smiled.
"Good night and sweet dreams Sochi kun... I love you too." Hanae returned as she also smiling at her son.
With that Naruto raced upstairs and into his room. Once there he got undressed and jump into his bed. Not five minutes later he was fast asleep.
Chapter end.
Author note. First off I want to say thank you for all the reviews. In all honesty, I would have taken a review that said this story is crap as a compliment.
I don't own the Naruto series. It is owned by Kishimoto and Studio Pierrot.
'Regular' Thoughts
"Regular." speech.
"Bold." speech. / Bijuu/Summons/second personality /Possession.
Italics flashback