Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Mokushita Hyuuga ❯ Chapter 5
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Moghedian 
Disclaimer: Naruto and all related characters belong to Kishimoto, not me.
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 10.15.2006 | Updated On: 02.11.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 868 | Status: Completed
Disclaimer: Naruto and all related characters belong to Kishimoto, not me.
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 10.15.2006 | Updated On: 02.11.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 868 | Status: Completed
Chapter 5
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"Ni-channn! Wake up! Ka-chan said sooooo~!" the shrill voice of Aiko cut through Kouden's blanket of sleep.
"Nnn..rrgnnnggg." Kouden grumbled. He rolled over, and onto the cold wood floor of the room he was staying in.
Kouden sat up and reached for his nightstand. When his hand hit air, Kouden groaned again. He wasn't at home. But his grumble soon turned into a grin as he remembered his first meeting with the Hokage.
"Now, you say you want to be a shinobi, boy?" Kouden nodded, impressed by the bust size of the Hokage, he didn't trust his voice. Neji stood at his left and had his arms crossed. He was grinning madly.
"Hmm, well, Since you are over the age of seven, which is when we usually start academy training here, I suppose that I'll have to give you an asessment test." Tsunade glanced at Neji.
"You did teach him a few jutsu, I hope?" Neji nodded.
"I also taught him the basic stances of Juuken, he picked up very fast. It helped when we ran into that Grass team." Neji scowled.
"Juuken? Really. Juuken is usually just bastardized if you dont have the byakugan." She put her hand to chin and barked out orders for her guards to come in, causing Kouden to jump.
"Yes, Hokage-sama?" The two ANBU said in unison.
"Fetch me Iruka. If he is busy, then fetch me Kakashi." Kouden perked.
"Sensei?" Kouden asked no one in particular. Tsunade looked at Neji.
"What? We stopped at the refuge village to see if Sakura-san could heal his arm. We saw alot of people. Would you like a list?" Neji said. Tsunade waved her hand.
"Dont be cheeky. Naruto was lucky with all I let him get away with." Tsunade turned away and missed Kouden start at his father's name. Neji put his hand on Kouden's shoulder, but when Kouden glance up at Neji, he was still staring at the Hokage's back.
"Kid, how old did you say you were?" Tsunade said, her back still turned as she stared out of the Hokage Tower window, at the vast Village below.
"Eight, Hokage-sama. Im almost nine." Kouden said shyly. Tsunade looked kind, but she still intimidated him.
"Hmm. Any one ever tell you the tale of Naruto?" Neji rolled his eyes. Tsunade loved this story.
"Iie, Hokage-sama. Neji-ni-san mentioned it, but he said that you would tell it to me, because you lo---" Neji's hand cut of Kouden's words and gave a nervous grin to Tsunade when she turned to see Neji's hand covering Kouden's mouth. Tsunade raised her eyebrow.
"He means that you would tell it better because Naruto-san told it to you first, and bragged to us later." Tsunade sighed and turned back to the window. Neji let go of Kouden, and recieved a glare from the small blonde child.
"Has anyone ever told you how much you look like him?" Tsunade said.
"Hai, both Sakura-ne-chan, and Neji-ni-san said so. I think Kakashi sensei might have, but I couldn't understand anything he said. He was always reading." Tsunade gave a dry chuckle.
"Maybe he's been reborn amoung us." Tsunade said softly, Kouden almost missed it.
A puff of smoke and a loud pop startled Kouden so much that he turned and half hid behind Neji, who was unphazed.
"Yo." The intruder, Kakashi, said, still reading his book.
Kakashi leaned against the Hokage's desk, his back to Tsunade, and flipped to the next page.
"Kakashi. Put that book away. I will not have ANYTHING written by that old fool in my office! NOW KAKASHI!" Tsunade yelled, when Kakashi didnt move. Once his book was stashed away in one of his pockets, and Tsunade's calmed down, Kakashi spoke.
"You called? ANBU said Iruka was busy, and that I was second best. How rude." He looked over his shoulder at Kouden. "Hey kid, Neji been his horrid self yet?" Neji narrowed his white eyes while Kouden widened his and turned to Kakashi.
"Year three is a full year. I've had 4 new Academies from out of the village join. There is another one that is Kouden's age as well. You might have to take another Jounin team when that year graduates." Kakashi sighed, his shoulders slumping. Tsunade laughed.
"Enjoy your freedom for another 2 and a half years, my friend. Now get out of my office. I have work to do."
Kouden pulled his black pants on, and was tugging his blue shirt over his head when slid the screen to his room open and stuck her head in.
"Ka-chan has breakfast ready, and she's not gonna wait! Hurry up ni-chan!" Kouden sighed. Aiko, who didn't know that Kouden was actually her older cousin, stuck to Kouden's side and adopted him as an older brother.
Kouden learned the annoyances of a younger sibling within three days.
Quickly folding, more stuffing than folding, his pallet, he shoved it in the corner. He picked up his kunai pouch up, empty, becasue he wasn't alowed kunai at the academy, and tied it around his leg while walking down the hall of small house.
Neji lived in a small house near the entrance of Konoha. It was a two story house with a more traditional sense. All of the doors, except the bathrooms were shoji screens, and the downstairs was all one room. The kitchen, and the sitting room, where Kouden was currently missing an excellent breakfast cooked by Tenten. Upstairs, where Kouden had just tripped, trying to close his screen and tie is kunai pouch on, had 4 small rooms, and a bathroom at the very end. His room was across from Aiko's, and Aiko's was beside Tenten and Neji's. The last room was used for storage.
"Kouden-chan! I swear! If you dont get down here right now, I wont cook breakfast for you for a week!" Kouden winced. That was Tenten, or as she wanted to be called, Oka-chan.
Kouden jumped down the stairs, and barely landed on the landing.
He scrambled to the small table and joined Tenten and Aiko, who were both already eating. Neji had left for ANBU headquarters already. Staring down at his food, he mouth watered as he picked up his chopsticks.
"Itadekimasu!" He said, and shoveled the food into his face. Tenten smiled. Kouden saw the smile and stopped eating for a second. Tenten looked away, and Kouden started to eat slower.
He had seen that smile on Sakura's face. It was a sad smile.
"Tenten! I brought home a gift." Kouden looked up at Neji and tried to hide behind him. Tenten appeared on the stairs and smiled warmly at Neji.
"What'd you get me, Diamondes? Roses? Kunai?" she licked her lips after she said the last one, and Kouden shuddered.
"Better. I brought you a son." Tenten blinked, and looked behind Neji. She gasped.
"His name is Kouden. Found him on a village by the border. He was trying to imitate a passing nin and managed to pull off a jutsu. I was impressed, so I brought him back. He says he has no parents, and no surname. Can he stay here? We have room, and more than enough money." Neji said. Tenten kneeled down so that her eyes were just below Kouden's. She turned to Neji and said,
"Are you sure you didn't just steal a Haruno...or...an Uzumaki?" She said the last part in an almost whisper. Kouden stiffened. Tenten, who had her hand on his arm looked at him, and smiled. A sad smile.
"You, little boy, remind me very much of a childhood friend." Tenten said.
"Naruto, right? Neji-ni-san, Skika-ni-chan, and Sakura-ne-chan said so too. Why is Naruto so famous? How did he die?" Kouden blurted out. After Tenten sorted his words outs, she said, carefully,
"Well, I suppose I could tell you something...He was an orphan just like you, and he killed Orochimaru, who was an evil sannin, and sucessfully rescued Uchiha Sasuke." Kouden's eyes were wide and Tenten laughed.
"I think I will leave you at that. I'll show you your room, and then have a talk with Neji-love." she glanced at Neji and he started to walk up the stairs laughing nervously.
"See you tomorrow Kouden, we need to see the Hokage-sama and get you instated."
After Kouden finished his meal, he said his thanks and picked up his shoulder bag. Today was his first day in the academy. Tenten handed him a lunch, and Aiko her bag.
Kouden walked out the front, holding Aiko's hand, and waved at Tenten (who was waving as well).
Along the way to the school, Kouden half listened to Aiko prattle on about the best shops, what school was like, and all of her friends. The other half of his attention was on Konoha itself. In the past week, Neji's family had taken it on as their job to show him around Konoha, but it was just so big!
Kouden had been along this route a few times already, so he started to notice that some of the villagers, particularily the older ones, stared at him. Kouden shyly lowered his head, but not before noticing the expressions on their faces. Surprise, and sometimes even hate.
Kouden's head swam. Hate? Why would they hate him? He'd never been here before! Kouden had a sneaking suspicion the hate, now that he was concentrating on it, Kouden could feel it coming off in waves from some of the other villagers, might have been the reason Hinata didn't live here. He'd once heard her curse Konoha when she thought he wasn't around.
"Aa! Noneko-chan! Over here!" Aiko's shrill shout peirced Kouden's thoughts. He looked in the direction that his cousin was shouting, and saw that a light brunette girl with thin red stripes on her cheeks waved and started towards them.
"Aiko-chan! Ohayou! Who are you walking with?" She said, hoisting her cat shaped shoulder bag. The sleeve of her shirt raised slightly and Kouden saw that she had blue stripes encircling her wrists as well.
"Ah! This is Ni-chan! He's living with me." Aiko said, tightening her grip on Kouden's sleeve. Noneko put her hands on her hips. Kouden wasn't sure how old she was, she was taller than Aiko, but still looked her age. She had shoulder length, straight brown hair, and black eyes. When she smiled, Kouden saw that she had longer and sharper than usual canines.
Noneko eyed Kouden up and down. Kouden shifted on his feet.
"Does this 'Nii-chan' have a name?" Noneko said, with a bit of sarcasm. Aiko nodded and pulled his arm even closer to her.
"Kouden! His name is Kouden. He's just starting academy, year three! To think! he's only a year older than me!" Aiko had started to walk down the street.
Noneko held out her hand and Kouden hesitated before he took it. She shook it and let go, snapping her hand back to her bag.
"Hi, my name is Inuzuka Machiko, but I prefer Noneko." She inclined her head slightly. Kouden grinned.
"Im Kouden, I dont have a family name, because I'm an orphan, but Neji-ni-san told me to say that my family name was Hyuuga. I suppose he sort of adopted me. May I ask a question?" Kouden said, lowering the hand that had climbed to the back of his head.
"Sure, shoot." Noneko said.
"Un, why do you prefer to be called, 'Stray Cat'?" Noneko laughed, and Aiko joined her.
"Aha, well you see, Chichi-ue is from the famous Inuzuka clan, we raise and work with nin-dogs, but Chichi-ue said that my mother was from Sunagakure. She was the youngest daughter of the Sand's biggest clan, and they, like my clan, worked with animals, nin-cats*. As a result, I can talk to both species." Kouden's eyes widened.
"You can talk to dogs and cats?" Noneko nodded. "But you didn't answer my question."
"Ahh. Well, when I was playing in Aiko-chan's yard when we were little, I talked a stray kitten to come and play with us. That was when I first found out that I could chat to them, as well as dogs."
"Speaking of which, Noneko-chan, where is Ao-chan anyway?" Aiko said, looking behind Noneko.
Noneko shrugged.
"She'll get here, she's probably hunting a mouse." Kouden looked around, ignoring the hating stares. They were almost at the Academy. He could see it around the corner. His hands started to shake, he was nervous. Aiko, still latched onto his arm noticed and looked up at Kouden.
"Dont be nervous, Ni-chan, everyone here is really nice! You'll see."
Just as the three walked into the school ground, a tone sounded and the other children who had been climbing trees, and practicing taijutsu on logs started to file into the entrance.
Once the three got into the building, Aiko let go of Kouden's arm and said,
"Noneko-chan and I have to go this way," she indicated to her left with her thumb. "I'll meet you by the gates we came in at lunch, ok?" Kouden nodded, and plodded to the room number he was assigned too.
Looking up at the door, he noted the number. 204. Walking into the classroom, he headed to the back of the room, and got a seat on the farthest row, in the corner.
He glanced around. In the very front row was a girl with long dark brown hair. She wore a thick fur rimmed jacket despite the spring weather. Another girl, also with brown hair joined her after a minute. She turned to look at the new arrival and Kouden got a look at her profile. She had black eyes, and red stripes on her cheeks. Kouden noted that she must be from the Inuzuka clan as well, she looked like she could be Noneko's sister.
The girl who sat beside her was nondescript. Brown hair, brown eyes, but the way the new girl twiddled her pencil in her fingers made Kouden nervous.
Glancing around again, Kouden saw more people stream into the class. He noted that most of the front row was occupied by girls, where the boys in the class clammered to get as far back as possible.
"Excuse me, can I sit here?" Kouden lifted his head from him arm to look at the speaker, and when he caught a glimpse of pale pink hair, he jolted straight.
"Sasami-chan?" His fake green eyes widened as she took a doubletake at Kouden's face.
"Kouden-kun?" She sat down, dropping her small shoulder bag behind her. Her mouth was agape.
"What are you doing here?" They both said at the same time. Sasami blushed and turned her head, while Kouden was graced with just a slight dusting of rose on his cheeks. Kouden then broke the silence.
"I, well uh-" He paused to the see the teacher come in to the class room and place his papers on the small desk at the front. Kouden whispered back to Sasami, "I'll tell you after class." Sasami nodded and folded her hands on their desk.
The teacher, with brown hair spiked in a high ponytail and a scar that ran aross the bridge of his nose, raised his hand, and the classroom became quiet immediatly, save for the door sliding open again to reveal a late student who promptly apologized and took a seat.
"Now then." the scarred man said, "Welcome back to term 2. We have some new students joining us, so when I call your name on the rolecall, please raise your hand so that the newer students can identify you." the teacher picked up a small scroll and opened it.
"Azuyama Ame," A girl in front row raised her hand, and the teacher ticked her name off. "Byuuno Ranji, Byuuno Renji, Danbatte Suguru..." Kouden watched his teacher go through the list and noted the hands that had raised.
"Hyuuga Kouden?" He said, his voice raising slightly to indicate that it was a question. Kouden raised his hand. As the Teacher's gaze ran over him, he visably flinched. Kouden sighed and gave a slight wince. The Teacher slowly nodded, ticked his name off and went back to roll calling. Sasami leaned over and whispered,
"What was that about? I saw that flinch from here." Kouden shrugged and whispered back,
"Some of the older shinobi here have told me that I look like someone that they were friends with as a genin, or something. I'm getting used to the looks I get." Really, he still didn't know what to make of the glares and killer intent he felt on the way to the Academy that morning.
Sasami just nodded, but she looked like she was brimming with unasked questions. Her folded hands gave one very subtle twitch before her full attention was back on their Teacher.
"Now students, I have no intention of taking it easy on you just because we have new students. Right here," The teacher placed his hand on a rather large stack of paper. "is your first assignment of term 2. It's due next monday." The class groaned.
"Iruka-sensei, be fair! It's first day back and you're giving us homework already!?" some kid yelled from the middle row. Iruka's eyebrow twitched.
"Hmm. The project is to be a biography on one of your parent's clan history. Include bloodlines if any, passed down jutsus, and if you come from a civilian family, include family acomplishments in citizenship, and any other tidbits you can scrape up. The full requirements are on the sheet that is being passed around.
A few people groaned, and Kouden saw a few sag to their desks.
"If you have any questions, I'll be here a few minutes after class, feel free to approach me then. So then, does anyone remember who the Sandaime of Suna was? Can anyone remember how he died....?"
The rest of the class passed by rather quickly, but at one point Sasami nudged Kouden when his attention started to waver and he started to fidget.
The bell rang and the scraping of chairs across the floor was heard as all the student stood up and bowed in unison while saying good bye to Iruka.
After a few minutes, when all of the students save three had cleared out, Kouden approached Iruka, but a black haired boy with bright blue eyes and a slightly taller stature got to him first. Kouden made a small face, and the boy just stared at Kouden's eyes for a second.
"Iruka-sensei, does the academy library have information on clans in Kirigakure?" the boy said, his tone was level and cool.
"Ah, Shiro-kun. Im sure it does. If it doesnt, go check out the library at the Hokage tower. If you are still having trouble, ask Tsunade-sama for help. She would love to do anything that didn't involve paperwork." Iruka rolled his eyes and Shiro bowed and murmured a thanks. He spared Kouden one last glance before he disapeared through the door.
"Ah yes, you. Being new, you must have alot of questions." Iruka said, bringing Kouden's attention to him.
"Uhn, just one, actually...I dont have parents, and I dont know who they were." Sasami looked at Kouden with a look of alarm on her face.
"Do you live at the orphanage or on your own?" Iruka asked.
"I was sort of unofficially adopted by Hyuuga Neji." Kouden said, drawing his words out slowly.
"Ho ho. That explains your last name." Iruka said, his grin making his scar crinkle. Kouden shifted his feet, and Iruka raised a finger.
"Well, ask Neji-kun about his history, or better yet, get him to take you to the Hyuuga mansion and check out their library. You landed yourself a very old and intresting family. I look forward to your report." Iruka looked down on his page for a second, and sighed.
"I haven't had a Hyuuga in my class since Hinata-chan. Poor girl, such a tragic ending for the Hyuuga princess." Iruka shook his head and failed to notice the sharp jerk of Kouden's head, and the smaller jolt of Sasami's.
"So, you there, Ditama Sasami, right? What was your question?" Sasami just raised her hands and said,
"Ah, no. I'm just waiting for Kouden-kun." Iruka nodded and gave the two children another grin as they left.
"Looks like we have another Naruto, but this one seems to have a head on his shoulders. Kami-sama help us all." and with that, he straighted his papers, tucked them under his arm, and left his classroom with a grin stretched from ear to ear.
End Chapter 5
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"Ni-channn! Wake up! Ka-chan said sooooo~!" the shrill voice of Aiko cut through Kouden's blanket of sleep.
"Nnn..rrgnnnggg." Kouden grumbled. He rolled over, and onto the cold wood floor of the room he was staying in.
Kouden sat up and reached for his nightstand. When his hand hit air, Kouden groaned again. He wasn't at home. But his grumble soon turned into a grin as he remembered his first meeting with the Hokage.
"Now, you say you want to be a shinobi, boy?" Kouden nodded, impressed by the bust size of the Hokage, he didn't trust his voice. Neji stood at his left and had his arms crossed. He was grinning madly.
"Hmm, well, Since you are over the age of seven, which is when we usually start academy training here, I suppose that I'll have to give you an asessment test." Tsunade glanced at Neji.
"You did teach him a few jutsu, I hope?" Neji nodded.
"I also taught him the basic stances of Juuken, he picked up very fast. It helped when we ran into that Grass team." Neji scowled.
"Juuken? Really. Juuken is usually just bastardized if you dont have the byakugan." She put her hand to chin and barked out orders for her guards to come in, causing Kouden to jump.
"Yes, Hokage-sama?" The two ANBU said in unison.
"Fetch me Iruka. If he is busy, then fetch me Kakashi." Kouden perked.
"Sensei?" Kouden asked no one in particular. Tsunade looked at Neji.
"What? We stopped at the refuge village to see if Sakura-san could heal his arm. We saw alot of people. Would you like a list?" Neji said. Tsunade waved her hand.
"Dont be cheeky. Naruto was lucky with all I let him get away with." Tsunade turned away and missed Kouden start at his father's name. Neji put his hand on Kouden's shoulder, but when Kouden glance up at Neji, he was still staring at the Hokage's back.
"Kid, how old did you say you were?" Tsunade said, her back still turned as she stared out of the Hokage Tower window, at the vast Village below.
"Eight, Hokage-sama. Im almost nine." Kouden said shyly. Tsunade looked kind, but she still intimidated him.
"Hmm. Any one ever tell you the tale of Naruto?" Neji rolled his eyes. Tsunade loved this story.
"Iie, Hokage-sama. Neji-ni-san mentioned it, but he said that you would tell it to me, because you lo---" Neji's hand cut of Kouden's words and gave a nervous grin to Tsunade when she turned to see Neji's hand covering Kouden's mouth. Tsunade raised her eyebrow.
"He means that you would tell it better because Naruto-san told it to you first, and bragged to us later." Tsunade sighed and turned back to the window. Neji let go of Kouden, and recieved a glare from the small blonde child.
"Has anyone ever told you how much you look like him?" Tsunade said.
"Hai, both Sakura-ne-chan, and Neji-ni-san said so. I think Kakashi sensei might have, but I couldn't understand anything he said. He was always reading." Tsunade gave a dry chuckle.
"Maybe he's been reborn amoung us." Tsunade said softly, Kouden almost missed it.
A puff of smoke and a loud pop startled Kouden so much that he turned and half hid behind Neji, who was unphazed.
"Yo." The intruder, Kakashi, said, still reading his book.
Kakashi leaned against the Hokage's desk, his back to Tsunade, and flipped to the next page.
"Kakashi. Put that book away. I will not have ANYTHING written by that old fool in my office! NOW KAKASHI!" Tsunade yelled, when Kakashi didnt move. Once his book was stashed away in one of his pockets, and Tsunade's calmed down, Kakashi spoke.
"You called? ANBU said Iruka was busy, and that I was second best. How rude." He looked over his shoulder at Kouden. "Hey kid, Neji been his horrid self yet?" Neji narrowed his white eyes while Kouden widened his and turned to Kakashi.
"Year three is a full year. I've had 4 new Academies from out of the village join. There is another one that is Kouden's age as well. You might have to take another Jounin team when that year graduates." Kakashi sighed, his shoulders slumping. Tsunade laughed.
"Enjoy your freedom for another 2 and a half years, my friend. Now get out of my office. I have work to do."
Kouden pulled his black pants on, and was tugging his blue shirt over his head when slid the screen to his room open and stuck her head in.
"Ka-chan has breakfast ready, and she's not gonna wait! Hurry up ni-chan!" Kouden sighed. Aiko, who didn't know that Kouden was actually her older cousin, stuck to Kouden's side and adopted him as an older brother.
Kouden learned the annoyances of a younger sibling within three days.
Quickly folding, more stuffing than folding, his pallet, he shoved it in the corner. He picked up his kunai pouch up, empty, becasue he wasn't alowed kunai at the academy, and tied it around his leg while walking down the hall of small house.
Neji lived in a small house near the entrance of Konoha. It was a two story house with a more traditional sense. All of the doors, except the bathrooms were shoji screens, and the downstairs was all one room. The kitchen, and the sitting room, where Kouden was currently missing an excellent breakfast cooked by Tenten. Upstairs, where Kouden had just tripped, trying to close his screen and tie is kunai pouch on, had 4 small rooms, and a bathroom at the very end. His room was across from Aiko's, and Aiko's was beside Tenten and Neji's. The last room was used for storage.
"Kouden-chan! I swear! If you dont get down here right now, I wont cook breakfast for you for a week!" Kouden winced. That was Tenten, or as she wanted to be called, Oka-chan.
Kouden jumped down the stairs, and barely landed on the landing.
He scrambled to the small table and joined Tenten and Aiko, who were both already eating. Neji had left for ANBU headquarters already. Staring down at his food, he mouth watered as he picked up his chopsticks.
"Itadekimasu!" He said, and shoveled the food into his face. Tenten smiled. Kouden saw the smile and stopped eating for a second. Tenten looked away, and Kouden started to eat slower.
He had seen that smile on Sakura's face. It was a sad smile.
"Tenten! I brought home a gift." Kouden looked up at Neji and tried to hide behind him. Tenten appeared on the stairs and smiled warmly at Neji.
"What'd you get me, Diamondes? Roses? Kunai?" she licked her lips after she said the last one, and Kouden shuddered.
"Better. I brought you a son." Tenten blinked, and looked behind Neji. She gasped.
"His name is Kouden. Found him on a village by the border. He was trying to imitate a passing nin and managed to pull off a jutsu. I was impressed, so I brought him back. He says he has no parents, and no surname. Can he stay here? We have room, and more than enough money." Neji said. Tenten kneeled down so that her eyes were just below Kouden's. She turned to Neji and said,
"Are you sure you didn't just steal a Haruno...or...an Uzumaki?" She said the last part in an almost whisper. Kouden stiffened. Tenten, who had her hand on his arm looked at him, and smiled. A sad smile.
"You, little boy, remind me very much of a childhood friend." Tenten said.
"Naruto, right? Neji-ni-san, Skika-ni-chan, and Sakura-ne-chan said so too. Why is Naruto so famous? How did he die?" Kouden blurted out. After Tenten sorted his words outs, she said, carefully,
"Well, I suppose I could tell you something...He was an orphan just like you, and he killed Orochimaru, who was an evil sannin, and sucessfully rescued Uchiha Sasuke." Kouden's eyes were wide and Tenten laughed.
"I think I will leave you at that. I'll show you your room, and then have a talk with Neji-love." she glanced at Neji and he started to walk up the stairs laughing nervously.
"See you tomorrow Kouden, we need to see the Hokage-sama and get you instated."
After Kouden finished his meal, he said his thanks and picked up his shoulder bag. Today was his first day in the academy. Tenten handed him a lunch, and Aiko her bag.
Kouden walked out the front, holding Aiko's hand, and waved at Tenten (who was waving as well).
Along the way to the school, Kouden half listened to Aiko prattle on about the best shops, what school was like, and all of her friends. The other half of his attention was on Konoha itself. In the past week, Neji's family had taken it on as their job to show him around Konoha, but it was just so big!
Kouden had been along this route a few times already, so he started to notice that some of the villagers, particularily the older ones, stared at him. Kouden shyly lowered his head, but not before noticing the expressions on their faces. Surprise, and sometimes even hate.
Kouden's head swam. Hate? Why would they hate him? He'd never been here before! Kouden had a sneaking suspicion the hate, now that he was concentrating on it, Kouden could feel it coming off in waves from some of the other villagers, might have been the reason Hinata didn't live here. He'd once heard her curse Konoha when she thought he wasn't around.
"Aa! Noneko-chan! Over here!" Aiko's shrill shout peirced Kouden's thoughts. He looked in the direction that his cousin was shouting, and saw that a light brunette girl with thin red stripes on her cheeks waved and started towards them.
"Aiko-chan! Ohayou! Who are you walking with?" She said, hoisting her cat shaped shoulder bag. The sleeve of her shirt raised slightly and Kouden saw that she had blue stripes encircling her wrists as well.
"Ah! This is Ni-chan! He's living with me." Aiko said, tightening her grip on Kouden's sleeve. Noneko put her hands on her hips. Kouden wasn't sure how old she was, she was taller than Aiko, but still looked her age. She had shoulder length, straight brown hair, and black eyes. When she smiled, Kouden saw that she had longer and sharper than usual canines.
Noneko eyed Kouden up and down. Kouden shifted on his feet.
"Does this 'Nii-chan' have a name?" Noneko said, with a bit of sarcasm. Aiko nodded and pulled his arm even closer to her.
"Kouden! His name is Kouden. He's just starting academy, year three! To think! he's only a year older than me!" Aiko had started to walk down the street.
Noneko held out her hand and Kouden hesitated before he took it. She shook it and let go, snapping her hand back to her bag.
"Hi, my name is Inuzuka Machiko, but I prefer Noneko." She inclined her head slightly. Kouden grinned.
"Im Kouden, I dont have a family name, because I'm an orphan, but Neji-ni-san told me to say that my family name was Hyuuga. I suppose he sort of adopted me. May I ask a question?" Kouden said, lowering the hand that had climbed to the back of his head.
"Sure, shoot." Noneko said.
"Un, why do you prefer to be called, 'Stray Cat'?" Noneko laughed, and Aiko joined her.
"Aha, well you see, Chichi-ue is from the famous Inuzuka clan, we raise and work with nin-dogs, but Chichi-ue said that my mother was from Sunagakure. She was the youngest daughter of the Sand's biggest clan, and they, like my clan, worked with animals, nin-cats*. As a result, I can talk to both species." Kouden's eyes widened.
"You can talk to dogs and cats?" Noneko nodded. "But you didn't answer my question."
"Ahh. Well, when I was playing in Aiko-chan's yard when we were little, I talked a stray kitten to come and play with us. That was when I first found out that I could chat to them, as well as dogs."
"Speaking of which, Noneko-chan, where is Ao-chan anyway?" Aiko said, looking behind Noneko.
Noneko shrugged.
"She'll get here, she's probably hunting a mouse." Kouden looked around, ignoring the hating stares. They were almost at the Academy. He could see it around the corner. His hands started to shake, he was nervous. Aiko, still latched onto his arm noticed and looked up at Kouden.
"Dont be nervous, Ni-chan, everyone here is really nice! You'll see."
Just as the three walked into the school ground, a tone sounded and the other children who had been climbing trees, and practicing taijutsu on logs started to file into the entrance.
Once the three got into the building, Aiko let go of Kouden's arm and said,
"Noneko-chan and I have to go this way," she indicated to her left with her thumb. "I'll meet you by the gates we came in at lunch, ok?" Kouden nodded, and plodded to the room number he was assigned too.
Looking up at the door, he noted the number. 204. Walking into the classroom, he headed to the back of the room, and got a seat on the farthest row, in the corner.
He glanced around. In the very front row was a girl with long dark brown hair. She wore a thick fur rimmed jacket despite the spring weather. Another girl, also with brown hair joined her after a minute. She turned to look at the new arrival and Kouden got a look at her profile. She had black eyes, and red stripes on her cheeks. Kouden noted that she must be from the Inuzuka clan as well, she looked like she could be Noneko's sister.
The girl who sat beside her was nondescript. Brown hair, brown eyes, but the way the new girl twiddled her pencil in her fingers made Kouden nervous.
Glancing around again, Kouden saw more people stream into the class. He noted that most of the front row was occupied by girls, where the boys in the class clammered to get as far back as possible.
"Excuse me, can I sit here?" Kouden lifted his head from him arm to look at the speaker, and when he caught a glimpse of pale pink hair, he jolted straight.
"Sasami-chan?" His fake green eyes widened as she took a doubletake at Kouden's face.
"Kouden-kun?" She sat down, dropping her small shoulder bag behind her. Her mouth was agape.
"What are you doing here?" They both said at the same time. Sasami blushed and turned her head, while Kouden was graced with just a slight dusting of rose on his cheeks. Kouden then broke the silence.
"I, well uh-" He paused to the see the teacher come in to the class room and place his papers on the small desk at the front. Kouden whispered back to Sasami, "I'll tell you after class." Sasami nodded and folded her hands on their desk.
The teacher, with brown hair spiked in a high ponytail and a scar that ran aross the bridge of his nose, raised his hand, and the classroom became quiet immediatly, save for the door sliding open again to reveal a late student who promptly apologized and took a seat.
"Now then." the scarred man said, "Welcome back to term 2. We have some new students joining us, so when I call your name on the rolecall, please raise your hand so that the newer students can identify you." the teacher picked up a small scroll and opened it.
"Azuyama Ame," A girl in front row raised her hand, and the teacher ticked her name off. "Byuuno Ranji, Byuuno Renji, Danbatte Suguru..." Kouden watched his teacher go through the list and noted the hands that had raised.
"Hyuuga Kouden?" He said, his voice raising slightly to indicate that it was a question. Kouden raised his hand. As the Teacher's gaze ran over him, he visably flinched. Kouden sighed and gave a slight wince. The Teacher slowly nodded, ticked his name off and went back to roll calling. Sasami leaned over and whispered,
"What was that about? I saw that flinch from here." Kouden shrugged and whispered back,
"Some of the older shinobi here have told me that I look like someone that they were friends with as a genin, or something. I'm getting used to the looks I get." Really, he still didn't know what to make of the glares and killer intent he felt on the way to the Academy that morning.
Sasami just nodded, but she looked like she was brimming with unasked questions. Her folded hands gave one very subtle twitch before her full attention was back on their Teacher.
"Now students, I have no intention of taking it easy on you just because we have new students. Right here," The teacher placed his hand on a rather large stack of paper. "is your first assignment of term 2. It's due next monday." The class groaned.
"Iruka-sensei, be fair! It's first day back and you're giving us homework already!?" some kid yelled from the middle row. Iruka's eyebrow twitched.
"Hmm. The project is to be a biography on one of your parent's clan history. Include bloodlines if any, passed down jutsus, and if you come from a civilian family, include family acomplishments in citizenship, and any other tidbits you can scrape up. The full requirements are on the sheet that is being passed around.
A few people groaned, and Kouden saw a few sag to their desks.
"If you have any questions, I'll be here a few minutes after class, feel free to approach me then. So then, does anyone remember who the Sandaime of Suna was? Can anyone remember how he died....?"
The rest of the class passed by rather quickly, but at one point Sasami nudged Kouden when his attention started to waver and he started to fidget.
The bell rang and the scraping of chairs across the floor was heard as all the student stood up and bowed in unison while saying good bye to Iruka.
After a few minutes, when all of the students save three had cleared out, Kouden approached Iruka, but a black haired boy with bright blue eyes and a slightly taller stature got to him first. Kouden made a small face, and the boy just stared at Kouden's eyes for a second.
"Iruka-sensei, does the academy library have information on clans in Kirigakure?" the boy said, his tone was level and cool.
"Ah, Shiro-kun. Im sure it does. If it doesnt, go check out the library at the Hokage tower. If you are still having trouble, ask Tsunade-sama for help. She would love to do anything that didn't involve paperwork." Iruka rolled his eyes and Shiro bowed and murmured a thanks. He spared Kouden one last glance before he disapeared through the door.
"Ah yes, you. Being new, you must have alot of questions." Iruka said, bringing Kouden's attention to him.
"Uhn, just one, actually...I dont have parents, and I dont know who they were." Sasami looked at Kouden with a look of alarm on her face.
"Do you live at the orphanage or on your own?" Iruka asked.
"I was sort of unofficially adopted by Hyuuga Neji." Kouden said, drawing his words out slowly.
"Ho ho. That explains your last name." Iruka said, his grin making his scar crinkle. Kouden shifted his feet, and Iruka raised a finger.
"Well, ask Neji-kun about his history, or better yet, get him to take you to the Hyuuga mansion and check out their library. You landed yourself a very old and intresting family. I look forward to your report." Iruka looked down on his page for a second, and sighed.
"I haven't had a Hyuuga in my class since Hinata-chan. Poor girl, such a tragic ending for the Hyuuga princess." Iruka shook his head and failed to notice the sharp jerk of Kouden's head, and the smaller jolt of Sasami's.
"So, you there, Ditama Sasami, right? What was your question?" Sasami just raised her hands and said,
"Ah, no. I'm just waiting for Kouden-kun." Iruka nodded and gave the two children another grin as they left.
"Looks like we have another Naruto, but this one seems to have a head on his shoulders. Kami-sama help us all." and with that, he straighted his papers, tucked them under his arm, and left his classroom with a grin stretched from ear to ear.
End Chapter 5