Chapter Four: Taste the Freedom

Kurenai smiled as her group sat down in the tea house she'd reserved weeks in advance,

She made sure all of her students ordered, and that they knew it was all on her,

The atmosphere was rather tense, due to the blonde who sat across from her,

Kurenai knew of course that Hinata had a crush on the blonde ex-con, she even encouraged it during private lessons she had with the young heiress in the hopes that it would drive her to train harder, The fact that Kiki also seemed to like him, was a complete shock to her,

Then there was of course her own grudge against him, Naruto Uzumaki, Pariah of the Hidden Leaf, broke out of prison, travelled across the leaf village (Assaulting several villagers as he went) all to terrorise a young girl, and in doing so managed to save her better then Kurenai ever could,

The words echoed through her head over and over 'You think after everything you've done to me an apology is going to help? that it's going to fix everything?' every word her old apprentice said was a dagger in Kurenai's heart,

Each time she closed her eyes Kurenai saw the gaunt figure of Yakumo Kurama glaring down at her,

'You left me here alone to rot, so tell me Kurenai what life did you leave for me, while you on the other hand had the time of your life,'

Kurenai gritted her teeth, 'Cause she was right,' The Jonin concluded, 'I left her alone, for years, she was barely able to walk, abandoned by everyone she knew, and what did I do? I dated, partied, loved and laughed while a little girl went through hell,'

Nothing could atone for what Kurenai had put Yakumo through, but she did agree with her old student, right now Kurenai needed to suffer,

"You okay teach?" The words were cold, but they shocked her out of her mind, Kurenai looked up and saw Naruto giving her a bored expression,

'Those eyes...' she thought, they were cold, much colder then his tone, if the eyes were a window to the soul then Kurenai worried for Naruto,

"Something wrong blondie?" Kiki asked having looked up from Akamaru,

When Naruto took his eyes off Kurenai she saw his eyes change, they were warm, if not for the colour they'd be a perfect replica of his father's eyes, but Kurenai was glad that he got something that showed his Uzumaki heritage,

As he and Kiki talked/threatened to kick the hell out of each other during training, Kurenai noticed Hinata frowning and slightly clasping her hands together and her protective instinct kicked in, "Shouldn't you two train with Hinata?" she asked, "The Hyuga Clan are famous for their Gentle Fist fighting style,"

"Right," Kiki grinned at Hinata, "We should spar as well," then she grinned and hit Naruto's shoulder, "I'll bet you're happy perv, two clan heirs to spar with and they're both cute girls,"

"Three," Naruto corrected, "Now that Yakumo is officially/unofficially out of prison she'll likely try sparing with me too,"

Kurenai forced her face to remain neutral, but the idea of Yakumo training terrified her,

"She's out!" Hinata asked standing up and hitting the table, making the tea place silent and drawing all attention to her, Hinata blushed a deep red and made herself as small as possible, "S-sorry," she said,

Naruto stood up, he drew his pipe out of the back of his shirt, "What are you all staring at?" he asked, and quickly the people stopped looking less they incur the violent teen's wrath, Naruto hid his pipe again and sat down, he sipped his tea and said, "yes, she is," he put it down and said, "And she's very sorry for what she did to you Hinata," okay well he didn't know if she was, he had been a little distracted before he could ask, but he'd talk to her about it soon enough,

Hinata sat up nervously and said, "I-it's n-n-not that," she said looking at her drink, "I just... she was... concerned? for me," Hinata said, "I know she was angry, and w-when she hit me with her arrow... I, I... felt her anger, her need for revenge," she timidly looked up at Naruto, "I-is she gonna be okay?"

'Hinata, you already forgave her didn't you?' Kurenai thought, she couldn't stop the smile from forming on her face,

'Hinata was shot?' Kiki thought confused, she took a whiff in the air but she couldn't smell any blood from Hinata, 'Weird,'

Not as reserved as Kurenai or as confused as Kiki Naruto simply laughed, wiped his tears and grinned, "Hinata you are something else," he stated, "but trust me, she's being raised by the momma lion who trained me," he said, "Yakumo will get help, and she will apologise in person to you,"

Hinata let out a breath of relief, "Thank goodness," she said, "I was so worried she'd just get worse, stewing in that much hate can't be healthy,"

Kiki leaned back in her chair, "Sounds like you two had an adventure," she said, "Speaking of which, teach when are we getting our ninja missions? Akamaru and I wanna get to the fun stuff," she grinned with Akamaru yipping in agreement,

Kurenai sighed, "Well I brought us here so we could all introduce ourselves to each other, start building bonds as a team and get to know each other,"

Kiki's eyes widened, "Oh," then she smirked, "like I'm Kiki Inuzuka, my hobbies are training myself and my best pal Akamaru, I like cute ravenettes, handsome blondes, and sexy teachers, my dislikes are strong bad smells, and my mum, and my dream is for me and a certain handsome blonde to get married soonish," she she said leaning on her arms aiming dreamy eyes at Naruto,

Hinata's face was a mix of surprise, shock, and embarrassment, she covered her face,

Kurenai just held her head in her hand, "You really just had to hit on us all didn't you?"

"Won't apologise for liking what I see teach," Kiki stated, "Hey blondie, you up next?"

Naruto rolled his eyes, "Fine," he groaned, "I'm Naruto, ex-prisoner 450, I like fighting and reading, I don't... really like anything else?" he said with a yawn, "My hobby is... huh, guess I need to go find some I guess, my dream for the future is... eh" he shrugged and leaned back in his chair, "Whatever,"

"I can think of a few hobbies for ya blondie," Kiki grinned,

"Kiki It's Hinata's turn," Kurenai stated, she turned to Hinata and fixed her with a supportive smile,

Hinata's face was still flushed as she eyed her two teammates, "I..." she shrank into her seat, "H-Hinata..."

Both Naruto and Kiki turned their gaze to the ravenette who squeaked and tried hiding more,

"Gotta speak up Hinata," Kiki said, "You could always try imagining people in their underwear,"

"I don't think that'd actually help her," Naruto advised,

'It doesn't,' Hinata thought, in her mind's eye her two teammates were scantily clad in a speedo and a string bikini, both of their musculature was slathered in a thick layer of oil making every part of their physique glisten wonderfully, as they both stared at her with inviting eyes, 'just Naruto was bad enough,' the shy Hyuga thought, as she turned her gaze to Kiki's bikini clad self, 'but Kiki thinks I'm c-cute?' her eyes flashed to Kiki's part of the table as Hinata bit her lip, 'I wonder what she's got down there?' the thought itself made her mouth feel dry, she tried shaking her head of the thoughts that came naturally to her, suffice to say, the two in their underwear only made her cheeks reader, and of course it became much harder for her to speak,

"Try taking a deep breath Hinata," Kurenai advised, Hinata nodded and took a deep breath, she closed her eyes and tried to block her mind from all the perverse thoughts that always seemed to crowd her mind,

But when she opened her eyes again Naruto was back in his orange prison clothes, and Kiki was back in her large fuzzy hoodie,

"I a-am Hinata Hyuga," she said slowly, "My h-hobbies are making m-medicine well not really m-medicine it's more of a salve my mum taught me how to make, I also read a lot,"

"Salves eh?" Naruto asked leaning back in his chair, "They any good? I might have to call you for some if I get too scraped up,"

"I'd be happy to help you put some on anytime, anywhere," Hinata said,

"Anywhere eh?" Naruto asked, "well if I ever need you that bad I'll try to come to you,"

Hinata's mouth felt dry at the blondes words, 'Need me? come to me?' she swallowed nervously as she fought off the thoughts of how she'd rather he ''come'' regarding herself,

"What about me Hinata?" Kiki asked, "Can I bother you for salves too?"

"S-sure, though I-it wouldn't r-really be a bother," Hinata smiled, 'I've never thought about it until now, but applying a salve to a well toned muscular girl would probably feel amazing,' she thought, and subtly decided to expand her book collection, 'It seems I need a few stories about girls too,'

"And what kinda books do you read Hinata?" Naruto asked,

'Porn' she thought, "W-well I d-don't really stick to one genre," she stated,

"We're getting off topic, what about your dislikes, and dreams for the future?" Kurenai asked,

'Clothes, and at first I thought marrying Naruto was my dream, but I'm starting to like the idea of being the middle of a very fun sandwich,' she thought, "Uh w-well, I d-don't r-really dislike anything, and uh maybe doctor?"

Kurenai nodded supportively "There, was that so hard?" she asked, then she made to finish her drink, "Well I have to go set something up for tomorrow morning, remember everyone come to training ground 5 at 6:32 am on the dot, I'll be waiting for our first team assignment," she said standing up,

She started to walk away but stopped, "I almost forgot," she handed a piece of paper to Naruto, "Here's the place you'll be living, Lord Third was very insistent you have a place to go so you don't sleep outside,"

"I take it he's got somebody there to keep an eye on me?" Naruto asked,

Kurenai nodded, "He was also insistent on that,"

"Great," Naruto said sarcastically as he took the paper, "this is gonna be a shit show,"

"Well I'm off, enjoy your day," Kurenai said as she burst turning into flowers,

The teens and dog finished their drinks and then stood up, and Kiki instantly pulled her team towards her, "So what's next team?" she asked, "We gotta make the few hours we got left special since it's Naruto's first day outta prison officially,"

"Really we're hanging out for the rest of the day?" Naruto asked, "Don't you two have shit to do?"

"Nothing I can't do with two fine piece of arm candy at my side," Kiki joked,

Meanwhile Hinata tried to subtly melt into Kiki, 'I can feel her arms through her jacket,' she thought, suddenly she started to want a fight to break out as an excuse to get Kiki's hoodie off so she could see the results of Kiki's training, 'god it feels like she could pick me up and fucking bench me,'

"You're in too right Hinata?" Kiki asked lightly shaking the Horny Hyuga,

"S-sure, uh wh-what's your work out routine Kiki?" she asked,

"Well I do- or rather I used to do a lotta things, like some weight lifting, squats, and I also-" Hinata couldn't hear Kiki as the thought of Kiki squatting in tight pants quickly took over her mind, though it was certainly a welcome image to Hinata's brain, over the knowledge of the actual workout Kiki likely did,

"Well Hinata's in so come on blondie you've been out voted," Kiki said, Akamaru barked at her and she nodded, "Oh yeah, hey Naruto would you mind if Akamaru rode on your head? I can't let him on mine for a while, still need to recover from my surgery," she said, "Apparently getting your entire skeletal structure re-shaped and your body changed takes a long ass amount of recovery time,"

Naruto wordlessly picked up the dog and dropped him onto his head, "Doubt he'll find it as comfy as yours,"

"Thanks dude," Kiki said pulling him closer, "The second my recuperation time is over we'll have a big fight,"

"After you've resumed your workouts you mean?" Naruto asked,

"Workouts and maybe I'll ask my sis to help me with my training,"

Naruto sighed, "You need to forgive your mum Kiki,"

Kiki's eyes narrowed, and the sounds that passed her lips were much closer to a growl then actual words, "After what she did? not a chance,"

"She got us on a team didn't she?" Naruto asked,

"A half assed attempt to try and make it up to me after what she did to you," Kiki said,

Hinata having heard the growl and now back in reality swallowed nervously as Kiki bitterly glared ahead, She gave Naruto a questioning look, but the blonde shook his head and she nodded, "Wh-why don't we st-tart at a bookstore?" she asked, "after all you're gonna need s-some new books right?"

"Aw do we have to start with lame ass books?" Kiki whined,

"Sorry Kiki, but Hinata and I agree that books are cool," Naruto said, "Maybe you can pick up some comics or something? might help you not have to read complicated words,"

"Did you just call me dumb?" Kiki growled,

"Sorry," Naruto said, "It's a habit at this poi-,"

Kiki bared her teeth at him, "The second I'm strong again blondie I'm gonna whoop your ass up and down the training field,"

"That's fair," Naruto said, before Kiki dragged him to a local bookstore,

She bust open the door, "Yo pops where's the comics?" she asked, "Oh and whatever these guys are looking for?" she said gesturing to both Naruto and Hinata,

The old man looked up, "Oh miss Hyuga!" he smiled, "your orders are here,"

Hinata used the façade she'd kept up around the Hyuga clan Elders, to keep her blush off her face, "Thank you sir, I have some new ones to order anyway,"

"You do?" Kiki asked, as she poked through books on the shelf, "Man just what kinda books do you re-,"

"Oh I think I see the comics Kiki," Hinata said pointing to the corner she already knew where the comics were, "Over there,"

Kiki turned, "Shit, you're right," she said as she walked over to take a look,

"And look Naruto I think I see the curious case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde," She said pointing to a different corner she already knew where the book was,

"Mmm?" he turned, "Hey, so it is," he said walking over,

The shopkeeper gave Hinata an odd stare as she leaned over, "Thanks for ordering those for me but do you have anything in the uh girl on girl category?" she whispered,

He nodded, "Yeah, but your friends would notice me fetching most of them," he whispered back, "though there are a few under my desk, can't say much for their quality though,"

"They'll be fine," she said, when he gave her an odd stare she gestured back to Naruto who'd started reading from the shelves and seemed totally engrossed in the book he was reading, and then to Kiki who was totally engrossed in the graphic novel she'd found, "I'll take the others when I next pop in, add the others to my bill,"

He nodded and started adding books to a small bag labelled 'Hinata's Orders,' as she walked over, "What ever you guys want in here is on me," she offered,

"Mmm," Naruto nodded, then he snapped the book close, "Wait I can't actually-,"

"Sure Hinata," Kiki said, "And I'll get dinner afterwards,"

Naruto tried slipping the book he was reading back onto the shelf but Akamaru jumped onto his hand making it impossible to put it away, and Hinata snatched it away from him, "Kiki has he touched anything else?" The normally shy Hyuga asked,

Kiki walked over and sniffed the air, "Can't tell with him over here,"

"We'll have to move him then," Hinata stated,

Naruto sighed, and picked up two other books, "I liked these ones," he stated as he handed them to Hinata,

She smiled at him, "Thanks Naruto," then she turned to Kiki, "Anything you want?"

Kiki held up the comic she was reading, "Just this thanks,"

Quickly Hinata took everything and paid for it, handing everyone's things to them and carrying her books herself,

As they left Kiki punched Naruto in the arm,

"For earlier?" he asked,

She nodded, "Just because I got a comic because long books bore me doesn't make me dumb,"

"I'm sorry for what I said," Naruto said sincerely, "I'm not used to actually talking to people without trying to pick a fight with someone,"

"Still don't forgive you," she huffed,

"Is this cause you want to pay for dinner?"

Kiki smirked, "That's right, get guilt tripped jerk,"

Naruto rubbed his head, "That... Kiki guilt tripping people doesn't work if you tell people you're trying to guilt trip them,"

"Then do it cause my mum almost smashed your head once," Kiki said cracking her knuckles, "or I'll whoop your ass,"

"I... can't tell what angle you're going for," he said,

"That's cause I'm trying to confuse you while Hinata runs ahead of us to pay for the meal," Kiki grinned, "You got outsmarted by a dummy," she laughed before she grabbed onto his arm,

"How'd I miss her running off?" he asked himself, "Or you handing her the money?"

"Oh I gave her my money with the comic I wanted to buy," she grinned, "how does it feel being the dumb one?"

"I don't even have a single completed test," Naruto said shrugging, "technically I'm already the dumb one,"

Kiki's smile grew wider, "Great we agree," she said climbing onto his back, "Now giddy-up," she said kicking him in the waist,

Naruto sighed and walked forward as Kiki pointed in the direction she wanted to go in, eventually Kiki had led him to a restaurant owned by the Akimichi,

"Really?" Naruto asked with a sigh,

"That's right now keep marching," Kiki said,

As they entered they were quickly ushered to a large table, Naruto recoiled back when Hinata, Choji, H-...Hinata's sister, Hinata's cousin, Ponytail, Hana, and Shikamaru all sprung from hiding spots and tossed confetti everywhere, "Surprise!" they all cheered, "Happy release from Prison Naruto!"

Naruto's eye twitched, "What?" he asked,

Quickly Choji got up and pulled him setting him on the bench,

"Man never seen you so surprised before," Hana said,

"Didn't expect anything to be planned for the day I got out," Naruto said,

"The Hokage pulled us all into his office last night and told us you were getting out today," Shikamaru said, "well everyone but Ino," he said gesturing to Ponytail,

"I figured I'd help set up, since Shikamaru and Choji were already coming here afterwards," Ino said,

"Set up?" Naruto asked, "Everything looks like normal,"

Just then banners, tinsel, a disco ball, and party music all appeared, "How-,"

"Genjutsu," Hana said, "Originally there were supposed to be three more people but they left a while ago when two of them entered a coughing fit,"

Naruto sighed as the waiter appeared with a large cake, "Complements of the Hyuga clan," he said placing it onto the table,

The cake was three layers of white frosting and on top stood many tiny people, most wore white and had dark hair colours, one wore orange and had blonde hair, 'For what you've lost you shall always have our Gratitude," was written on it,

Shikamaru patted him on the back as he read it,

Naruto... knew the party was for him, but he still felt like an outsider as they talked, sung, and ate, little did Naruto know the cake was for desert, and all of his meals had been chosen and paid for, as he ate feeling the pit in his stomach growing as he did,

The people around talked to and about him as if he were someone to be admired, they had cheers in his name, told him how things had changed while he was gone, even after so many escapes Naruto never knew that things had changed so much,

He spent hours at the party before it started dying down, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji left first, saying that their teacher wanted them in top form tomorrow, he reluctantly hugged each of them, well, Ino and Shikamaru, Choji had pulled him into the hug first, he was honestly still surprised that Ino wanted a hug,

Next were Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi, Neji shook Naruto's hand and told him they be leaving,

Hanabi hugged him quickly before they both shoved Hinata over to him, her eyes were wide as plates as she realised how close they were... then she passed out, and her cousin took her from him,

That left just Kiki and Hana, the older sider gave her younger sister a wink before she left to the bathroom,

Kiki and Naruto sat there for a few minutes making small talk as she slowly moved closer to him, "Did you enjoy the party?" she asked,

He nodded, "Yeah," he said, he noticed his tone made her frown,

"You didn't did you?" she asked,

"I... have no idea," he said rubbing his head, "It was all such a blur,"

She frowned, "Sorry," she said, "We were all so happy to have you back, legally I mean,"

"I just don't get why," he stated,

She opened her mouth and then closed it, "Naruto... you have no idea the positive impact you've had on people," she said, "Last night when I heard you were being released I sobbed into my pillow," she said tearing up, "I'd never felt so happy,"

"Because I never got to thank you for everything you did for me," she said as Akamaru jumped off Naruto's head,

Naruto turned to see where the dog was going but his head was turned back by Kiki and his lips were caught by her own,

Nervously he and Kiki looked into each others eyes as their lips were pressed together, her cheeks were red, her eyes were filled with fear, but she leaned closer anyway before breaking the kiss,

"S-sorry if I wasn't who you were expecting to kiss first," she said getting up from the table, "N-now if you'll excuse me," and she ran away from him, Akamaru quickly followed after and Hana left the bathroom laughing,

"Sorry about her," she said, "My little sis is so naïve as to think you'd rather not have kissed her,"

"She's right," Naruto said before walked out, Hana rolled her eyes at him,

"Seems she's not the only one," Hana said, "trust me, you're perfect for her, she likes you, you like her, where's the problem?" she asked,

Naruto looked up to the eldest daughter of Hana and said, "Those girls may like me, but they deserve better," he picked up the cakes remaining slices that were already bagged up for him and left,

Hana watched him go, she gave a small smile as she watched him walk away, "Poor boy," she muttered with a frown, "How many times must the scoundrel prove he's a hero before he starts to believe it?" she asked,

Naruto used the paper he had to guide him to his new home, the sun was starting to go down as found it,

It was a nice house with a nice picket fence, the green grass looked like it had just been cut, Naruto folded up the note and placed it under a rock, then he turned around, and started walking away,

He stopped as the door behind him opened,

"Just tell the old man I never showed up," he said, "This isn't my home, and I won't stay,"

"Why not?" the voice made Naruto turn, he turned back to a woman he'd known his entire life, yet upon an unfamiliar face, she left the house and stepped closer to him, "Why won't you stay?" she asked, "Why do you look so unhappy?"

He gritted his teeth, "Everyone was there at the party, I don't get why they even bothered showing up,"

"Because they're your friends," Yugao answered gently, "they came because they were happy you were out,"

"They shouldn't be," He said, "there's nothing I've touched that I haven't ruined,"

"You saved Hinata from being kidnapped and used by Kumo," she stated,

"The Hyuga clan showed up right after I pummelled him, they'd have stopped him,"

"And then faced the consequences of murdering an envoy," she reminded him, "Something you gave up your dream to stop from happening,"

He just frowned at her, but she knew she wasn't getting through to him, thus she sighed, "Come in," she said, "I'll show you where your room is,"

Naruto sighed and followed her,

She shut the door after he entered,

The End,

Review corner: VVV

deniswanheda: As of right now I'm not really sure if it's a harem story or not, I go back and forth on myself at how this story should play out, I think that's just cause there's a lot of options, though I will tell you one thing, until I wrote the team placement scene Naruto was on team seven with Sasuke and Sakura, I even had him leaving after five minutes of Kakashi not showing up, but now Naruto's on team eight, So anything could happen,

Also question, can you read English or do you translate this story to your native language before you read it? if it's the first option then congrats dude, I can barely remember how my own language goes, you can read in two of them,

yeaaaahhhh I read's first comment: It really does doesn't it, I mean how else will you explain all the dust he kicks up?

Really? huh so cannon Naruto does have more training in chakra nature's then just wind? I thought he had wind till he became the next sage of six paths and then he just magically mastered them all,

I'll remember that though Naruto mastered earth second, actually wouldn't it be hard for him to master earth after wind? aren't they opposites? they are in Avatar so they might not in Naruto with lighting being it's own element,

yeaaaahhhh I read's second comment: Oh yeah I love this story and the potential love triangle that's going on and seems to be being handle way better than the main story.

You mean I'm doing better with the love triangle then cannon? thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying the character's interactions so far,

Funny enough I was actually going to do that with Haku already,

Alright, short chapter today (I think), wanted to touch more on a side we haven't really seen this guy actually show many others,

Originally I wanted Naruto to come to the house where he was greeted by Neko, Hayate, and Yakumo, and then they'd play a board game, but I felt it'd take from the sombre mood we ended on here, so it was just Yugao, who originally I had planned for her to never show Naruto her face for a long time,

Next chapter should be a little more exciting though,

Sorry for taking so long, originally I had Kiki as flirty and Hinata as shy but I felt they both needed more to work with, then I learned that the stereotype of trans people is that they're sex maniacs and decided to lean away from that, therefore now Hinata's a closet pervert,

Anyway hope you've all enjoyed, now I have to go do something I've been putting off for a while.