Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Equality Naruto ❯ A Small Setback with Benefits ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: Naruto is a manga by Masashi Kishimoto…that I in no way own or take credit for.

 

 

 

A Small Setback with Benefits

 

 

Sarutobi sat in his office listening to the ANBU that'd been sent to retrieve Naruto.

 

“We've failed to locate any trail of Uzumaki, Naruto. I'm sorry Hakage-sama.”

 

The Hokage laughed lightly, which confused the ANBU team.

 

`Has the old guy finally cracked' Wondered Kakashi, as his team mates had similar thoughts.

 

“Do forgive me, but it's to be expected from Konoha's number one surprising ninja.” Stated Sarutobi with amusement. “It hurts me to say that a, child, has informed me of our own villages security weaknesses. So from now on all security will be up graded. Kakashi deliver these to all the guards at the gate.” Kakashi took the papers before speaking.

 

“Hokage-sama what are we going to do about Naruto?”

 

“What can I do? Send hunter-nin after him? I'm sorry to say, Naruto never finished his schooling therefore he's only considered a citizen. Considering he avoided being found by an ANBU team such as yourselves, he should have no trouble surviving out there. Naruto is on his own, I can do no more.” Kakashi nodded before disappearing with the rest of his team.

 

~*~

 

Haku woke feeling warm all over, for the first time in a long while she smiled happily. The smile quickly faded when she tried to move and was gently pulled into another body. Turning her head slightly she found the white haired boy from yesterday spooning her. It was obvious he was still asleep by his even breathing and their close proximity. Struggling to keep calm as she slowly worked her way out of the embrace, which seemed to tighten every time she would try to move. Eventually she was free and scooted away from the strange boy. Haku smiled slightly as he continued to sleep let a couple of thoughts enter her mind. `He's so kind to share his blanket with me. I wonder if he's all alone like me, maybe he'll let me stay with him. I'm so tired of being alone. Just maybe if I...' She froze when she noticed what she was doing. `Maybe, maybe, maybe, it's always maybe. She concluded sadly. Taking a quick look out side she notice that the sun she be coming over the horizon any moment. She smiled slightly. Taking a quick look at her guest she made her way outside, to the only thing she loved more than life itself.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*

 

Naruto stood on top of the Hokage monument waving at the villager. He'd finally done it, he'd become the Hokage and every body respected and loved him. No more, was he the little kid that was picked on, beat on, or yelled at, he was a man that everybody would gladly fight and die for. He remained standing as the villager went back to their daily lives after a small speech. The warm sun beat down on his prone figure as he laid down to enjoy the day.

 

`Nothing was going to go wrong, because he was the Hokage.' A cool breeze passed over him as he watched the clouds float by. `Yes.' He thought. `Everything's perfect.'

 

Suddenly the cool breeze turned to a death shattering cold and the sky turned dark. `What's going on?' Quickly he jumped to his feet looking for the cause of the sudden drop in temperature.

 

The villages were suddenly surrounding him smiling with. One of them suddenly started to talk. “You thought we would ever respect or love a demon like you?” There was a chorus of laughter that followed behind that statement.

 

“You should have never come back.” Suddenly all the villages had blood shot eyes and were all holding pointed object ready to strike him down.

 

“Now Die Demon!” Shouted the villagers. Naruto tried to use the replacement jutsu, but nothing happened. He screamed as the pointed objects descended on him.

 

~*~

 

Naruto shot up from his make shift bed completely terrified. Shaking and breathing heavily he tried to get a grip on reality. Checking his surrounding he quickly remembered the events from the other day. Letting out a deep breath he spoke aloud. “Thank God it was only a dream.” Regrouping his thoughts and pushing the nightmare to the side he looked around for his new friend. Wonder were she went. Slowly he stood and looked down at the wound on his leg. It didn't hurt all that much any more. Yawning he stretched where he body would permit him to do so and decided to look for the girl from yesterday.

 

It didn't take long. In fact he'd found her the second he'd walked outside. He gawked as he looked upon the girl. Naruto had never seen anything so amazing. The girl was gliding across the ice like it was normal and every now and again she'd jump and do a little twirl. Naruto was entranced. `That's so cool! It's like she's moving on air.' He gasped as she suddenly stopped and kicked a thing sheet of ice into the air. Before she started spinning in one spot. Naruto watched in amazement as she spun around and around getting lower each time before coming up in a finishing pose. He watched as she bowed and blew kisses at the empty stands.

 

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Haku smiled as the wind whipped past her hair. She laughed after pulling off a simple toe loop. Before moving into a layback spin. Leaning back spinning on one foot with her arms lifted to the side. Smiling she came to a stop. Laughing lightly she bowed to the imaginary crowed.

 

She was in her own world. People were clapping, throwing flowers, chanting her name it was amazing. Her dream world was suddenly interrupted by real clapping. Nearly jumping out of her skin she spun around trying to locate her spectator, only to slip and fall. She quickly sat up to find the white haired boy from yesterday attempting to stand. She watched for a moment before getting to her feet and gliding over to him.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*

 

Naruto sighed and decided to stay down for a little while. Groaning at the pain in his butt, he stared into the thick clouds that covered the sun. Naruto wrinkled his nose as a snowflake landed on its tip, and slimed as he became aware, just how close to snow country he must be getting, as more snow started fall. He mesmerized by the snow fall.

 

“It's so pretty.” Naruto stated softly. Naruto froze as Haku's face was suddenly hovering directly above his. “Hi.” Was the only thing Naruto could manage at the moment.

 

Haku was having similar problems with her speech patterns. “Hi…Are you alright?” She was a little worried, because he wasn't moving.

 

Naruto sighed. “Yeah I feel just great, but I think I'll just stay her for a little while.”

 

Haku frowned. “Why's that?”

 

“…”

 

“You hurt yourself didn't you?” She asked.

 

“I'm just a little sore from yesterday and…”

 

“And you slipped and hurt yourself more, right?”

 

“Why do all girls have to be so smart?” He mumbled.

 

Haku giggled slightly before lightly blushing. “Here.” She mumbled while reaching out her hand.

 

Naruto sighed and she helped him stand. “You know, the whole reason I came on the ice was to help you.” her blush returned.

 

“You were worried… about me?” Surprise was evident in her voice.

 

“Of course, you fell because of me. I always screw everything up.”

 

“Oh, not at all. I was being careless an-”

 

“It's ok I'm use to screwing up, so don't worry about it. I want to thank you again for helping me yesterday and for now.”

 

“Um…” She shifted uncomfortably accepting that apology would mean accepting her father was right in labeling her a monster. She was suddenly hit with the memories she'd tried so had to forget.

 

(Flash Back)

 

Her breathing was uneven as she backed herself into the wall facing the front door. She was petrified of the people that stood before her, but more so of the man that lead them. `No? No?! No…' She heard her own thoughts whispered continuously. She watched as the tears fell from her father's eyes as he lifted a rusty katana over his head preparing to bring down on her.

 

“Monsters…” was the only word he said before beginning the swing.

 

(Cut Flash)

 

~*~

 

Naruto looked at her and saw how troubled she'd become. “I'm sorry if I said something to upset you.” Naruto said hastily. `Maybe the villagers weren't too far off when they called me a monster, if I can make someone look like that with only a few words.' He thought bitterly. “I really am a screw up. I'll just leave, thanks for everything.”

 

Haku was violently ripped from her memories as Naruto disappeared into her bleacher home. `Leave! No he can't! I don't want to be alone again!' She was running for the bleachers, before the thought finished.

 

Naruto decided to leave the blanket for Haku as he strapped on his backpack. He was about to step outside when Haku barreled into him sending them both onto the floor. Haku landed on top of Naruto knocking the air out of his lungs, and forcing him to hit his head rather hard on the floor.

 

(Flash Back)

 

Naruto, been at a training field all day improving his marksmanship and bushin making. He was proud, for this time he'd been able to make a perfect bushin and hit the bulls' eye eight out of ten times. He'd practiced till he couldn't move.

 

It was dark and the rain had really starting to come down by the time he found the energy to head home. The rain was coming down hard by the time Naruto had made it back to the orphanage, only to find the gate locked. He kicked the gate and used some colorful words to describe his annoyance. He jumped as clashed of thunder in the sky, and ran to find a temporary place of residence. Naruto fallen multiple times looking for shelter and was covered in mud. This only made what happened next all the worse as he tripped, and bumped into a man outside a Kohan bar. Naruto tended to stay away from places like this, for people seemed more willing to attack him, and tonight turned out to be one of those nights as the man recognized Naruto for his unique qualities.

 

“Demon Scum!” The kick was swift and accurate for a drunk and Naruto had stood still too long in the rain, as his feet had sunken into the mud. The kick hit his stomach knocking the air from his lungs, and forced him to his knees in pain. It hadn't ended there as the man had pinned him to the ground and beat him till he passed out.

 

The next two days hadn't been much better as the kids in hid class laughed as his bruised and cut up face.

 

(End Flash)

 

Naruto wasn't sure what had happened as his senses came back. He looked up read to fight. `HAKU!'

 

~*~

 

Haku had recovered a little quicker than Naruto, and was now sitting on his stomach trying to think of something to say, only to open and close her mouth several times. “I-I…”

 

“Haku?” Naruto said confused. He'd finally shaken the fear off, but now that the fear was gone confusion had taken over, and now anger was boiling to the top. She had scared him, and made him remember one of his more painful memories. He watched as she started to say something only to stop before she got three words out.

 

`She saved my life.' That was the thought that kept Naruto from screaming out in fear and anger. He started to head out from under the bleachers when Haku finally found her voice, and a little power.

 

“DON'T LEAVE ME!” With her plea sheets of ice shot up to cover the openings under the bleaches.

 

 

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