A/N: Hello and welcome back to One Year Early's latest chapter. Nothing much to say here, except for that Naruto gets to learn some uneasy secrets. Let's see how a 11-12 year old Naruto deals with them as he also prepares to take on Tsunade to fulfill the bet he and Gaara had made with her. And without further ado, lets get on with the chapter. Happy reading, everyone!
CHAPTER 12: SOME UNEASY TRUTHS
A day had passed since Naruto and Tsunade had made a bet on his dream of becoming Hokage.
Hinata was very concerned that night. She believed in Naruto's strength, but he was still just a newly minted genin, jinchuuriki or not and he was about to face a member of the legendary Sannin no less, a veteran of two great ninja wars and one of the strongest shinobi ever made( skill and prowess wise) and quite literally the strongest Kunoichi. She didn't want her Naruto-kun to be injured. The night following the making of the bet, she begged her boyfriend to walk out of the bet, that she could be okay with prosthetics, but the blonde was adamant.
'Hime, you are willing to go to any extent for my sake and how do you expect me not do the same for you!?' This question stopped Hinata from arguing any more. She also realized that with him heading into a fight, the worst thing she could do was to keep discouraging him. So, she promised to support him and cheer for him, much to his relief.
The next day, he was standing in a field close to the hotel they were staying at with Baki, to perfect the wind blade jutsu. Naruto had made twenty clones of himself to practice the jutsu.
The blonde had to begrudgingly accept that it wasn't easy to make the blade, let alone keep it stabilized in his hand to attack his opponent with it. It was going to be difficult and Naruto knew it, but what's the fun if there is no challenge to overcome.
And so, it went on.
"Still not stable enough!" Baki cautioned as Naruto tried hitting an unsuspecting tree with the wind blade, his blade being not stable enough, backfired making several cuts.
"Gaah, it's difficult…really difficult." Naruto grunted in between gasps. He had been at it since the last three hours.
"You are training to master a B-rank technique, it is natural that it will be difficult. It will be quite a feat for a genin to master such a technique." Baki said trying to sound as encouraging as possible, his stoic and serious personality not helping anything at all.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata called out from her wheelchair. She had been watching him train ever since he had started. "It's time for breakfast." She ordered.
Naruto looked back. "B-but Hinata-chan…I can still go on for another hour…" He said in a childish voice (that's the best he can come up with when trying to argue with his Hime…)
"Breakfast first, Naruto-kun." Hinata responded. "You can't keep training on an empty stomach." She ordered, calmly. And Naruto knew he had no way of protesting any further.
"Alright Hinata-chan. I'm coming."
"Yup, you are." Hinata responded with a sweet smile.
'I haven't seen a man that wrapped around a woman's finger since before the Daimyo started cutting Suna's funding 14 years ago.' Baki thought to himself with a sweatdrop as Naruto left the field to have some breakfast.
Meanwhile, the blonde also remembered something. His tenant…the Kyuubi…'No Kurama…he said his name's Kurama!' He never got the time to talk to him some more.
So once the light breakfast was done, Naruto closed his eyes in concentration, trying to find his way back to the cage where he had met the Kyuubi. And with a little effort he got there again.
*In the mindscape*
"Umm…so you in there…Kurama?" Naruto asked, a little bit unsure. And then from within the darkness behind the bars of the cage, a huge eye opened up.
"So…you're back now, little brat?" The legendary Kyuubi no Kitsune asked in a grumpy tone as his figure gradually became visible to the blonde.
"Umm yeah…we were talking about Gaara and all but then things went to shit…I am sorry but with Hinata-chan hurt like that, I kinda…sorta… completelyly forgot everything else…my bad. Hehehe…hope you don't mind." Naruto said somewhat embarrassed, rubbing the back of his head. One of Kurama's eyes widened in confusion…
A human…that too a jinchuriki…apologizing!? This was new, but once again, Kurama was fully able to sense the sincerity in his host's words. It was confusing, well after being treated like a monster by most humans and a puppet by those two with red eyes… (Yeah, during the second time that Kurama was forced under a Mangekyou Sharingan genjutsu, that damned Uchiha claimed himself to be Madara, but Kurama of course knew better, a century spent hidden from the world would never be able to wipe away the aura that the true Madara exuded. The masked man was either a fake who didn't understand the inner workings that were at work in Madara that made everything about him work or an apprentice gone rogue and stolen his master's name) this new humble behavior was quite unprecedented for Kurama, it was confusing but the sincerity might have urged him to give this kid a chance. Despite all his anger at humanity, he could feel that this boy was different.
After staring at the boy for almost a minute, Kurama spoke again.
"Hmmm…let's skip the formalities shall we. What do you want to talk about?"
"Well, there are a lot of things I want to talk about!" Naruto almost exclaimed. "About Gaara! About the other Biju! About why you attacked the village! And why you are so grumpy towards humans in general?!" Naruto said oh so loud and fast, making Kurama sweatdrop, all the while reminding him of the kid that old man Hagoromo's younger son was when the fox had first seen him. The same enthusiasm, the same curiosity, the same hotheadedness, impatience and all that…the resemblance was all there and Kurama began seeing it clearer and clearer.
"One by one, Dammit! I can't answer so many questions at the same!" Kurama growled in irritation.
"Hai hai! Well…so why not start with why you attacked the village and why you are so angry with humans?" Naruto asked in a somewhat low voice.
This was not the question Kurama had expected. He again had to make sure with his negative emotions sensing if the boy was trying to trap him by trying to make him open up…but at usual, he came up empty. Perhaps the boy could be told some things. How to go about him there on, Kurama would decide from observing his reaction.
"I am a very powerful being, the most powerful on this planet with the monstrosity that was once known as the Jyuubi was now gone. People fear my power, they fear that I will show up and devour or destroy or torment their existences whenever I feel like it. The very same reason people loathe you in that shithole that you call your village. And when that feeling persists for a few hundred years, it gradually becomes mutual. After a millennium of hate, it becomes so deeply ingrained that both sides hate each other deeply without remembering the why to it all. They hated me and I hated them. It should be quite obvious why." Kurama explained, trying to sound a bit intimidating.
Naruto listened to this, with his mouth slightly open.
"I…see, but that's not enough for you to attack our village. You don't seem like someone who would attack others unprovoked!" Naruto questioned again.
'This kid…he's much smarter than those fools in that shithole of a village give him credit for.' Kurama thought to himself.
"Smart." The gigantic fox commented. Naruto grinned.
"Of course, I am smart! Dattebayo!"
"And childish at the same time!" Kurama chided, making Naruto pout.
"And you are grumpy!" The blonde fired back immediately.
"And you act so foolish and loudmouthed all the time that it becomes really gets on my nerves!" Kurama retorted.
And for the next few moments, the mightiest Biju and his jinchuuriki kept on bickering with each other.
"Alright enough bickering. You really are a handful." Kurama said with a sigh. "Also, regarding your question, I don't really feel like talking about it right now. Anything else you want to ask?"
Now Naruto was a bit frustrated that his tenant wasn't going to talk about that night immediately. But he could always try later at night.
"Well in that case, can you suggest anything as to how to help Shukaku and Gaara?"
"Hmm…as I said earlier, the reason the reason for that stupid Tanuki to act insane is that abomination, and I mean it when I say this, the absolute abomination of a seal he is placed in. That Tanuki had always acted…let us just say crazy rather than sugar coat it and had something of an inferiority complex towards the rest of us, especially me, with him being the weakest of us and me being the strongest(Kurama's ego refused to stop puffing up even when he was being somewhat nice). But that seal robbed him of his sleep and when you can't sleep for a single moment for twelve years, you will definitely go insane. And in his insanity, Shukaku doesn't let Gaara sleep either. As far as I can determine with limited insight into the exact situation, that abomination of a seal just keeps Shukaku sealed in while robbing him of his sleep, doesn't stop his consciousness from being in contact with Gaara's, and that both of those together drives both of them insane." Kurama explained.
"And…is there anything that can be done for Shukaku?"
"He can be released! But then your kind will just seek him out and seal him into some other human. They won't let a Biju roam free. So, the best thing that can be done right now is to change the seal that holds Shukaku. But for that you have to become a seal master first. And mind it, fuinjutsu is one of if not the hardest of the shinobi arts. So don't just go on exclaiming that you'll master it in no time. The level of expertise that you need to modify Gaara's seal, you'll need at least 3 to 4 years, if you start now and that's including using shadow clones for training."
Naruto was indeed about to loudly declare that he would master fuinjutsu in no time, but now he slumped forward. At least the Kyuubi didn't say that he could never master fuinjutsu. It would be difficult, but Naruto decided that he would do it. That could help Gaara and Shukaku as well. He understood what it felt like, to be hated and feared for the power you hold. In that regard the Biju and their jinchuuriki were all on the same boat after all. So, the blonde genuinely felt that the Biju should be tried to be reasoned with at first, they were smart and obviously not the monsters that people made them out to be. Helping Shukaku out would be the first step in that direction.
"Well then if you don't mind me asking, can you also give me some tips for my training?" The blonde asked rubbing his palms and making an innocent baby face.
"Hmm…well, you can use more shadow clones. And put some shadow clones to cut stones the same way they cut leaves. Your control over wind chakra will improve that way." Kurama advised.
"Alright, I'll get on it, thanks Kurama, I'll be off now." Naruto said and left the mindscape to continue his training.
And just as Kurama had advised, the blonde increased the number of his shadow clones. Instead of 20, he began training with 50 and made 50 more to try cutting up rocks."
*Meanwhile at a bar not so far away*
Tsunade as usual was busy getting drunk with bottle after bottle of sake. Shikaku had also gone to the bar, more like he just strolled into it, lost in his thoughts and he met up with Shizune inside it.
Shizune humbly asked if the Nara wanted a drink, Shikaku declined, he was on a mission after all.
"I am extremely sorry, Shikaku-sama. I never could imagine that Shisho would demand something as cruel as giving up on his dream from Naruto to treat Hinata-chan, I don't understand what's gotten into her. But I can't help feel guilty about it. Please forgive me." The dark-haired medic stated bowing down.
Shikaku sighed. Holding things against people was too much troublesome for him anyways. "Shizune, there is nothing in it for you to apologize for. And regarding her reasons for making such a demand..." Shikaku responded with a smug tone, as he glanced at the drunk Sannin member. "It's honestly not too difficult to figure out. I knew Dan-san well. And her younger brother Nawaki-san too. Both had the same dream Naruto has today and both perished in wars. Maybe she thinks that the dream was the reason for their deaths and hence wants to keep Naruto safe by having him give up on being Hokage. In my own humble opinion, the dream has little to do with it. It's their own personalities that makes them keep fighting stubbornly and never give up. Sure, Dan-san, Nawaki-san, my late friends Minato and Kushina all dreamed to be Hokage, but then you have people like Gai, Jiraiya-sama and Hinata too, who have no particular interest in being Hokage, but are just stubborn if not more, when it comes to protecting their loved ones. Tsunade-sama's logic, in my opinion, is a bit off… no offence." The Nara clan head explained.
"You're right, just as usual, Shikaku-sama. I sincerely hope, shisho sees this too." Shizune said humbly. "But I am really worried about the bet."
"Me too. People can be troublesome…well…too troublesome at times. But it's a given, if Naruto loses it, Hinata will refuse treatment. She won't allow Naruto's dream to be destroyed. She's even more stubborn than him, especially when it's about him and I don't think I will be able to do anything about it. So, the best I can do is to make sure that Naruto and Gaara are able to fulfil the conditions." Shikaku explained.
Shizune's eyes widened at the Nara's deduction of the Hyuuga girl's reaction to an outcome where her boyfriend loses the bet. And it didn't take long for see the sense in it. "In that case, I'll pray that Naruto-kun wins it. And I don't want his dream to be taken away from him in such an unjust way."
Shikaku nodded.
"Well, I need to oversee Naruto's training. Please excuse me." The head Jonin said getting up.
"Hai, Shikaku-sama. It was nice talking to you." Shizune stated sincerely.
"Oink!" Said TonTon. (Oh, almost forgot about the pig)
The Nara clan head then left the bar. He had decided to help his blonde student and Gaara formulate a strategy, once he saw at what level they were after allowing them to train for three days. So, for now, making strategies could wait.
*Back with Naruto*
The blonde was back with his training. At the back of his mind there was this lingering doubt as to why Kurama had decided that it was not the right time to talk about the events of 11 years ago. But at the moment, the training was the priority. If he could master the wind blade within three or four days, he might just be able to learn something new to use against Tsunade.
He glanced at his Hime, who was watching him train. 'You'll walk on your legs Hime. And then you'll train, then you'll surpass all of your clan. And you will be known as the greatest kunoichi ever…surpassing granny Tsunade.' The blonde thought to himself in determination.
Focusing back to the task at hand, Naruto focused chakra on his hand and soon the chakra went on to take the shape of a sword. This time, the shape was much more stable than before.
And so, the practice went on. The blonde's job was to cut off three trees with the blade. So far, he had only been able to cut 40% of the trunk.
"Wind Style: Wind Blade!" And Naruto slashed his blade made up of wind on the trunk again.
"Oh, come on!" He exclaimed as the blade cut deep, went almost 60% of the trunk before getting dispelled. And now with each strike, the recoil effect was getting weaker and weaker. This time, there was no strong recoil at all.
"Hmm, good going." Baki said stoically, while nodding.
"Thanks, Baki-sensei. And I've only just begun. Just you watch!" Naruto declared with a trademark foxy grin and a thumbs up.
At the end of that day, the cut reached 75% of the tree trunk. Perhaps on the next day or the day after at the latest, Naruto will have the wind blade jutsu down.
Now after dinner, Naruto and Hinata were in their bedroom, changed into their night dresses, ready to sleep off for the day.
"Hime…?" Naruto asked in a subdued tone as he lay on her stretched arm.
"Yes Naru-kun…" The Hyuuga responded with an affectionate smile.
"I will never leave you behind, you know that right?" He asked turning to her. Hinata didn't really have to think to understand where her boyfriend was coming from. He was simply worried that she might be beating herself up mentally for not being able to train or progress. She wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled him closer into an embrace.
"My darling…I know you won't and I won't ever give you the chance to. I'll catch up. Trust me and you will never need to slow your training down for my sake. Ever since I have known you, I have always wanted to catch up to you and walk by your side. Now I am already walking…and I will never fall behind…no matter what." She reassured. "Keep going as far as you can Naruto-kun, I promise you that I will always have your back." She added before planting kisses on his forehead and lips as she pulled him into the crook of her neck and let him doze off.
"Good night, Hina-chan." Naruto whispered.
"Good night love."
A couple of minutes later, Naruto decided to visit his mindscape and have a chat with Kurama to try his luck on finding out about the events surrounding his birth. Hopefully the fox would be willing to talk this time.
Focusing on his seal and on the appearance of the Kyuubi, Naruto soon found himself standing before the gigantic cage.
"Umm…Kurama?" He asked out.
A couple of minutes later, Kurama showed up yawning.
"*Yawn* I was having such a comfortable nap. *Yawn* what do you want brat?" Kurama asked as he blinked a few times.
"Umm…I was kinda wondering if it's okay to talk about the kyu…I mean, your attack on the village on the night of my birth. Is that okay with you?" Naruto asked, somewhat unsure and in a humble and innocent way.
Kurama yawned again. He had to hand it to his jinchuuriki, the kid was really a stubborn one.
However, he also had to agree that the kid deserved the truth. And as much as Kurama was pissed at the two Hokages who had sealed him into jinchuurikis, he didn't want to turn this pure kid on a dark path. There was a chance that this world of cruelty, treachery and darkness could push this boy on a dark path, but there was a sun shining brightly on him, in the form of his girlfriend, who was ensuring that Naruto never fell to darkness. So, Kurama would leave that responsibility to his container's vixen and would give the boy a neutral description of all the events…well as neutrally as possible for him, despite his grudges of course. That's what the legendary Kyuubi decided.
"Hmm…so you want to learn my story huh? But let me remind you, it's not a tale for the faint of heart. Are you sure you want to listen to this?"
"Yes, I do, Kurama. I have to know." Naruto responded, determined.
"Fine, don't complain afterwards that I didn't warn you. And until I am done, don't ask any questions. Be patient and listen. I'll answer your doubts after I am done. Is that clear?"
"Crystal clear, Dattebayo!" Naruto responded flashing a thumbs up.
"Alright then. So, let's start. And I am reminding you and you are not to interrupt before I finish. So, a thousand years ago, the Sage of the Six Paths, the man I consider to be my father, Hagoromo Otsutsuki and his brother Hamura fought with their mother Kaguya as well as the Jyuubi. I don't know the details of the battle, but my old man and Hamura won. Then my old man sealed the Jyuubi into himself and using the powers of his Rinnegan, divided the Jyuubi into the nine Biju, me and my siblings. But it wasn't a uniform division. The number of our tails signified our power, starting from Shukaku, all the way to me. You with me so far?"
Naruto nodded.
"Okay, so later when the old man's time came, he released us and distributed us throughout the world to watch over humanity. But as usual, things didn't go according to his plans. After the death of the old man and his younger son and successor, Ashura, the humans began growing wary of our power and began acting hostile towards us and that hostility only went up as the time passed. Soon people attacking the Biju, seeking to kill them and then we retaliated. And finally fed up of those attacks and the continued hostility from the humans, we all retreated to reclusive places, as far away from humanity as possible to live in peace. Years passed and Konoha was founded, led by the Senju clan and the Uchiha clan. Hashirama Senju was chosen to be the first Hokage, however his methods and ideals didn't sit well with Madara, the Uchiha leader and co-founder, so he left the village and then one day came across me. Then that asshole had the audacity to tell me that we the biju are meant to be the slaves of the Uchiha and their Sharingan. It enraged me to no end, all those years of open hostility and now a puny human dare to walk up to me and say that I, the legendary Kyuubi-no-Kitsune, am supposed to be his slave!" Kurama growled and grit his teeth.
"Obviously I attacked him. But he had an eternal Mangekyou Sharingan."
"An Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan?" Naruto mumbled. "Sharingan…the dojutsu of the Uchiha clan, a kekkei genkai like my Hime's Byakugan."
"Hmm…you paid more attention to the lessons at the academy than people would normally give you credit for. Yes, Sharingan is a dojutsu of the Uchiha. It originates from my own father, the Rikudo Sennin, who was the very first Sharingan wielder. The Uchiha are his descendants, so are the Senju and another clan, which we will talk about soon. So, back to the tale, Madara had an Eternal Mangekyou, it's power which although is less than Rinnegan of the old man, is enough to put us Biju under control, if the user is strong and skilled enough. As much as I hate to admit it, he won over me and made me his puppet and then used me to attack Konoha."
Naruto's eyes widened. His birthday wasn't the first time, the Kyuubi attacked Konoha?
Kurama continued.
"I know what you're thinking. Yes, the night of your birth is not the first time, I attacked, or let's say I was made to attack your village. But that time when Madara used me, Hashirama confronted him outside the village and the two fought. Hashirama with the wood release and sage mode, gifts that also comes from my father, and Madara using me and the Susanoo, a chakra armour granted to those using the Mangekyou Sharingan. In the end, Hashirama won and I was freed from that red eyed bastard's control. However, Hashirama decided that I was too powerful and dangerous to be allowed to roam free, for the sake of the safety of humanity. And therefore, he captured me and sealed me into his wife, Mito Senju, originally Mito Uzumaki."
Naruto's eyes widened in shock again. "U-U-Uzumaki!"
"Surprising and shocking, isn't it?" Kurama said with a smirk. "To think that there was another Uzumaki, that too the wife of the First Hokage. But just wait, there is even more. This is just the beginning."
Naruto was already too surprised to respond to that. But Kurama carried on.
"Hmm…so Hashirama sealed me into his wife Mito who was my first jinchuuriki. I stayed within her for years and years and then finally when her time came, I was transferred to another Jinchuuriki, another Uzumaki. Your mother."
"M-Mom!" Naruto stuttered out as his breathing became uneasy and his eyes began tearing up. This was the very first time someone was willing to talk about his parents, something he so desperately wanted to know about.
Kurama continued.
"And so, I was made the prisoner of your mother, Kushina Uzumaki. Let me just go on and say that you take a lot after her, loudmouthed, shouting all the time about being Hokage, genuinely helpful and concerned about others. Sucking in studies and an idealistic fool, so much like you."
'I-I am l-like my mom!' Naruto thought to himself as he looked at his tenant wide eyed and in disbelief.
"I know this is a lot to take in, but there's more. And it's you who wanted to know."
"Tell me…I want to know! Tell me Kurama!" Naruto half demanded/ half begged. Nodding, Kurama continued.
"Several years after she was made a jinchuuriki, Kushina became pregnant with you and the time of your birth came. That night, another Uchiha decided that it was time to use me as a puppet again and attacked your parents. He struck them almost as soon as you were born. He took you hostage and when your father fought him to get you back, he threw you into the air, attaching explosive tags to your body and while your father protected you, he snuck up on your weakened and helpless mother, teleported her to another distant place, using a special Sharingan ability and ripped me out of her. He then put me on a genjutsu and made me attack the village as your father rescued both you and your mother. Using a genjutsu, he made me attack and destroy the village. But before he could succeed, your father came back, fought him, gave that bastard a good beating, which made him runaway like a coward that he was. But when the genjutsu on me waned off, I was already too angry for having been enslaved again and the shinobi of your village were attacking me from all sides. I went into a rage as I fought back. But then, having taken care of that kami damned Uchiha, your father came back, knocked me down using his toad summons, took me away from the village, to one of his safehouses, where he had kept you and your mother. He knew, he wouldn't be able to hold me down much longer. Your mother, by that time was already on her deathbed, for when a jinchuuriki is robbed of their biju, they inevitably die. She offered to take me back into her and die. But your father refused. He wanted you to have as much time with your mother as possible. And he knew that the Uchiha, who had attacked them still wanted me. Had I died with your mother, I would have reformed in some other place after some years and the Uchiha would have gotten me easily. So, your father decided to seal me into you instead for among humans, only an Uzumaki can be jinchuuriki, apart from my own father or someone who has his whole chakra. So: your father, that idealistic fool Minato Namikaze, sealed me…or let's say half of me, first into himself at the cost of his own life. But then your mother's bindings that were holding me loosened as half of me was pulled into your father and then into the Shinigami's stomach. I realized that your parents intended to seal me into you. I wanted freedom! So, I attacked you but your parents threw themselves between me and you. In his dying moments, your father sealed me into you. His final hope….me and you would be able to work together and join forces to take that Uchiha, who attacked them down, for good."
Naruto collapsed onto his knees. It was too much to take in….
His idol, his hero, the Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato was his own father. He didn't understand what to feel…he felt so many emotions at the same time that he began losing himself…sadness, anger, frustration, confusion, Naruto's mind got overwhelmed with all of these at the same time.
But before things got too worse, Kurama felt that he needed to give some more clarification. He didn't want to be the one to drive this pure child into darkness.
"Listen Naruto…I know…I know it's a lot to take in. But I want to add something. Your father never wished for you to become a jinchuuriki. But at that moment, he had no choice. Had he not sealed you into me, either I would have gotten free and killed all three of you in rage and then laid waste to your village or that kami damned Uchiha who is the true reason of their deaths would have found me and then used me as his puppet to destroy villages and nations. So, your father sealed me into you to keep you safe. It's true, I am still a bit pissed with him, but I am the son of Hagoromo Otsutsuki. I know a truly good human when I see one. Kushina and Minato, even if I am angry with them, were good people. I believe my old man would agree. So was the other idealistic fool, Hashirama. He wished to co-exist with us, but the other humans were waging wars for our power. As angry as I am with him for capturing me and the other biju and sealing us into the jinchuuriki, I know why he did it. To stop the wars waged for the sake of our power. He didn't want to capture us, he just did it because, perhaps at that time that was the best he could do. Same with your father, he did all he could do and died praying for you to have a happy life. Kushina in her dying breaths wished for you to live healthy, bath regularly, make friends, friends you can trust, have a dream and do everything to achieve and find a woman who would love you like she does. Regarding that last part, I would just say that you found the correct vixen for yourself. Kushina would have been proud of her and would have adored her. Your vixen is a lot like how your father was, while you are a splitting image of Kushina. I hope that would give you some satisfaction and solace. And for what it's worth…I do regret killing them in rage. I did it, blinded by my anger and hatred, but it's something that a son of the Rikudo Sennin should not have done. I am sorry." And with that Kurama concluded.
Naruto after some moments only could say the following words.
"Kurama…thank you…for telling me all this…I…need some time…" And with that he exited the mindscape, with Kurama hoping that his vixen would be able to help him deal with it.
Meanwhile in the outside world, Hinata had felt Naruto's body stiffen and then begin trembling as his embrace became tighter and more desperate, he lowered his head into her chest.
"Naruto-kun…Naruto-kun…dear…what's troubling you?" Hinata said in concern as she rubbed his back. After a few moments of rubbing his backs and kissing his head did he finally look up to match her gaze, with eyes full of tears, confusion and sadness written all over them.
"Naruto-kun…I am here, everything will be alright. I am here. I am here, I won't go anywhere…you are with me, nobody can do anything to you." Hinata said as she rubbed his back and caressed his face.
"Hina-chan…I-I talked to Kurama…you know…the Kyuubi…and he told me some…things…some truths…" Naruto said as tears began flowing from his eyes and while crying, he told her everything that Kurama had told him, without missing a single detail. By the time he was done, Hinata had been driven to tears as well. She tightened her embrace and kissed her boyfriend all over his face.
"I am…I am so sorry…my love…I am so sorry…but I am here for you…I am here for you…you aren't alone, your burden is my burden…I am here…I won't ever let anything happen to you." Hinata reassured as she slid Naruto back into her chest and caressed his spiky hair.
'And Minato tou-san and Kushina-kaa-san, I promise…I promise to love Naruto-kun always and forever, in every birth, like you love him and give him the love you would have wanted him to have. It's my promise, Naruto-kun will have me by his side, always and forever. Please lend me your strength.' The Hyuuga made a quick prayer.
A gentle breeze began flowing through the open window to their bedroom and touched Hinata's head, the Hyuuga felt as if two gentle and loving hands had touched her, then she felt the same touch on her forehead and cheeks. And then she felt like the hearing in a very…very low tone… "Thank you Hinata-chan. Our blessings will always be with you."
Hinata's eyes widened as she felt the gentle breeze slowly travel onto her lover's head and blow over it oh so gently as if caressing his hair, before it changed direction and became the usual wind. Tears began flowing from the Hyuuga girl's eyes.
'I understand, mother, father. I will do my best.' She thought to herself as she tightened her embrace and placed a kiss on Naruto's head.
"Rest now, my love…I am here…forever and always." She whispered into Naruto's ear as she felt him gradually falling asleep.
'We need to talk to sensei about this. I have to know why they kept Naruto-kun from learning his parents' identities. Why they let him suffer peoples' scorn with nothing to hold on to. If he had known that his parents loved him, it would have given him hope and strength…why? Naru-kun deserves an explanation.' Hinata thought to herself as sleep gradually over took her.
A/N: And done! So, Naruto now knows about his parentage. And it seems that with Hinata's assistance, he was able to take the surprise rather calmly. Well, I needed to do away with this. Also, this reveal is kind of a test by Kurama to see how strong Naruto remains committed to the ideals he stands for. Whether the revelation that people he knew and trusted (Hiruzen, Shikaku) have kept from him such a vital truth would make him take a darker path or not and that would also be a definitive answer to Kurama regarding Naruto's worthiness to be the successor of Hagoromo. This response of his alone won't of course be enough for Kurama to wholeheartedly accept Naruto as a friend and someone to trust. He will put Naruto's resolve into test, or observe the strength of his resolve in the face of situations.
The next chapter is of course about Naruto and Gaara facing off Tsunade. Whether they win or not, we'll know in the next one. And with that, let's close this chapter here. See ya all in the next chapter. Cheers and peace. RaNK001 out.