Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Demon's of Konoha ❯ Choices ( Chapter 3 )

Choices

 

Hinata had begun to stir earlier then normal for her after sleeping soundly for the first time since Gaara had left. Waking up and stretching in bed before moving Hinata remembered the conversation from the night before, and then began to blush when she thought about how cute Naruto had gotten. Knowing she was up earlier then she had to she decided to make some breakfast and pack everyone a lunch for school.

 

Getting some rice cooking for breakfast and lunch, Hinata looked through the fridge to see what they had in the way for food. Finding tofu, fish, potatoes, mushrooms and carrots Hinata quickly decided to make miso soup. It wasn't long until the house smelt the wonderful fragrance of Hinata's cooking. Swiftly making some rice balls and wrapping them in seaweed, Hinata set them side as she made heated water for tea. Finding some lunch boxes for lunch Hinata quickly packed each of them one and a thermos full of green tea.

 

Gaara was the first to rise and make his way to the kitchen where he silently watched his sister cook breakfast. A lot had happened last night for him also and he was glad to see Hinata back. He had missed her like crazy, not that Naruto wasn't a great friend, and mind you he really was. It just wasn't the same. The house seemed empty without Hinata and with her happily humming in the kitchen it just seemed complete in Gaara's book.

 

Naruto had awoken to the wonderful smell of food, but thinking it was a dream he kept trying to roll over and go back to bed. He ended up tossing and turning five times before his stomach growled in protest, telling its owner it needed food. Sitting up and wiping the sleep from his eyes, Naruto realized the smell of food did not disappear as his dream ended. `That's weird. I can still smell food. Gaara never cooks breakfast, its always fend for yourself here.' Naruto thought. `But then again I don't cook either, maybe I should learn.'

 

Putting on a black pair of ninja pants and a dark orange shirt with the Uzumaki spiral on the back, Naruto headed into the kitchen to see Gaara sitting peacefully at the table, looking at something. Walking closer Naruto noticed what had maintained his roommate's interest. Hinata was in the kitchen producing the wonderful smells. Sitting at the table next to Gaara, Naruto couldn't help but notice how calm and almost happy she looked.

 

When she had shown up on their doorstep the night before, Naruto knew something had happened. What exactly he wasn't entirely sure, but it couldn't have been good if Hinata was moving in with them. He didn't have a problem with Hinata living with them, hell she was one of his best friends. They had been friends since they were five, and been inseparable since then. It was just the conditions that he was unsure of.

 

He knew that the Hyuuga family had kicked Gaara out a couple of years ago and they had bought this apartment together with the money Gaara had. He was surprised when Gaara told him he was moving in with him, but it didn't matter anyways he was just kicked out of the orphanage anyways. The manager was already to sell to Gaara until he realized that Naruto was moving in also. When the Hokage Sarutobi stepped in, the manager couldn't back out of the agreement and even lowered the price for them, knowing he couldn't swindle them with the Hokage right there. Sarutobi never asked why Gaara moved out of the Hyuuga house or even where he had gotten the money from, but Naruto was pretty sure the old man knew Gaara wasn't from around there.

 

It wasn't until last year that Gaara informed him about what had happened that night at the Hyuuga's. Naruto knew about the kidnapping, everyone did, but he didn't know Gaara's and Hinata's part in it. For a while there Gaara blamed himself for the death of Yuki Hyuuga, but then realized it was out of his control.

 

Later that year Gaara had informed Naruto about the demon sealed inside of him and the voice he would occasionally hear in his head, making it hard to sleep. It wasn't all the time now, so Gaara only suffered from insomnia roughly once every six month. That was the time that Naruto told Gaara about his sealed demon. He had known officially since he was ten but he suspected it years ago. You don't get chased by angry mobs and not suspect something like this, especially with all the names they called him.

 

“I hope you guys are hungry” Hinata told the two. “I made a lot for breakfast.” Hearing Hinata's soft melodic voice broke both boys out of their train of thoughts.

 

“You didn't have to make us breakfast” Gaara started to say when Naruto finished “not that we mind.” Naruto wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially where food was involved.

 

“I know I didn't have to. I couldn't sleep and I wanted to.” Hinata said as she set the food on the table only have Naruto and Gaara jump up to help set the table.

 

“Why couldn't you sleep Hinata” was what Naruto was trying to ask but with his mouth full of food it didn't quite sound that way. Thankfully Hinata was fluent in `Naruto-ese' and after years of knowing him she could understand what he was trying to ask with a mouth full of food.

 

“Nervous I guess” Hinata said pulling a strand of hair behind her ear. “I mean I've never been to a public school before. Besides you two I won't know anyone.”

 

“Don't worry Hinata they will love you” Naruto said again with his mouth full of food. He was really shoveling it in, after all it's not everyday that he has breakfast when he gets up.

 

“Naruto, either eat or talk” Gaara said giving a look of disgust to his blonde friend. He was slightly embarrassed for his friend eating like he hasn't eaten before. Seeing the hurt look on Naruto's face Gaara said “I know you want to talk, but at least wait until the food is out of your mouth.”

 

Gaara then turned to Hinata and said “It's alright, Hinata. If they don't like you then that is fine. No matter what you will still have Naruto and I and we will never leave you.” Gaara turned back to his food. While he may not have ate as enthusiastically at Naruto he was enjoying his meal greatly. Naruto and Gaara had sadly not learned to cook and when they did it consisted of the microwave, and usually hot water. If it said instant they were the masters of cooking it. Home cooked meals were not exactly their forte.

 

“What type of school uniform do you have to wear?” Hinata asked hoping it wasn't like the sailor outfit she had to wear at her old school. While it wasn't bad per say, the skirt was a lot shorter then what Hinata was comfortable wearing.

 

“No school uniform.” Gaara said. “Naruto and I are already dressed for school.” Taking in Hinata's black shirt that he had gotten her a couple of years ago with a light blue Konoha Leaf symbol on it and khaki capri's Gaara said. “What you are wearing is fine.” Considering that the shirt he got Hinata still fit, he figured Hinata hasn't had much of a growth spurt yet. She still only reached his and Naruto's shoulders.

 

“I can get away with wearing house clothes?” Hinata asked in shock.

 

“House clothes?” Naruto asked confused, finally finishing breakfast.

 

“In the Hyuuga house hold you have certain clothes that are considered acceptable for girls. There are the clothes that you wear in public, the standard blue or black capri's, black shinobi shirt and huge jacket with the Hyuuga symbol. Then there are your training clothes, which consists of the standard shinobi black or mesh top and blank pants. House clothes are things that I guess you would consider what `normal' kids wear. This would be considered house clothes, alright to wear at home unless company is present, but not alright to go out into public with.” Hinata explained to the blonde pre-teen.

 

“Way too complicated Hinata-chan” Naruto said feeling a headache coming on from thinking of all the rules, Hinata went by. If those were only the choice of clothing she could wear then he hated to see what other rules there was to live by. Naruto was happy he could wear what he wanted, anytime he wanted.

 

“If this conversation is over” Gaara said standing up and placing the bowls in the sink. “We should get going school starts soon and Hinata has to register yet.” They quickly agreed but couldn't help but smile as Hinata handed each of the boys a bento.

 

Registration was pretty easy for Hinata although she did end up with a few complications. Filling out the paperwork with Gaara sitting in the office with her Hinata was soon able to answer the many questions.

 

Name: Hinata

 

Age: 12

 

Address: 343 Hokage Lane Apt 3

 

Reason for transfer: to be closer to family

 

Giving the form to the lady sitting at the desk who was getting Hinata's classes from her former school gave a quick glance over the paper.

 

“You forgot your name” the lady said with a steel glance, as she began typing into the computer the rest of the information.

 

Hinata looked at the paper and saw her name there. “No I didn't” she replied.

 

“There is no last name listed” the woman said snidely as she was beginning to loose her patients. “I need a last name to register you in the system. Who do you want to be known as?”

 

“Um” Hinata said before dieing off. She had been a Hyuuga but she wasn't any longer. Her father already told her old school that Hinata will not be returning and to not accept a Hinata Hyuuga into the school. Luckily he did allow her classes and grades to transfer, as long as she had a different last name.

 

“no Sabaku” Gaara said finishing off for Hinata.

 

The woman stopped typing and stared at Gaara. She was shocked that Gaara gave Hinata his last name. Wanting to ask the young man why she would have his last name, but having seen the cold look in his eyes that threatened retribution if she did. She decided to stay quite. She quickly began typing but began listening when Hinata turned to Gaara and asked. “Gaara, why did you do that?”

 

“Hinata you are my sister so it's only logical we have the same last name.” Gaara explained logically.

 

The lady had soon finished typing and began to print out a syllabus for Hinata for classes. “Here you go” she said handing the paper to the young girl. “Enjoy the rest of the school year” she said still rather coldly knowing that school was in session for only two months. After that they were no longer her responsibility.

 

School wasn't that different then many other schools around. It wasn't until the end of this year that our trio has a choice to either enter to prestigious Leaf High, the only schooling to become ninja's. Or to enter Konoha High which is a public high school where people went who didn't want to be ninjas but needed to further there education and learn life skills, or rather what they wanted to be when they grew up.

 

Things quickly went into a routine in the apartment. Hinata cooked the meals, while Gaara and Naruto took turns at clean up. They thought it was a fair price to pay considering, they no longer had to do with instant meals. Every Sunday they would put slips of paper into a hat and took turns drawing one out. What was on the slip was your area to clean. Each was responsible for their bedrooms, meaning Naruto's was rarely clean. Laundry was considered community property. Each week they took turns at who did the laundry. Grocery shopping was a group event, which made Naruto happy because afterwards they went to Ichiraku's for some ramen.

 

One month before the end of school Gaara, Hinata and Naruto took a different path home and soon seen two boys standing in a field. The tall dark haired one had his hair in a low pony-tail at the nape of his neck. He was wearing a black shirt with the infamous Uchiha fan symbol on the back. In front of him was a boy the same age as our trio with shorter hair that stuck out in back. He was wearing a blue shirt with a matching symbol on the back.

 

Hinata got a big smile on her face as she recognized the two boys and began running towards them. Jumping, Hinata landed on the back of Itachi and said with a smile. “I found you”.

 

“Hi Hinata” Itachi said in a slightly warmer than normal voice.

 

“Hey Hinata, where have you been” Sasuke asked the girl on his brothers back. “You no longer go to school with us. What's going on?” Sasuke had missed seeing his friend, and even more at school. Now he had no one to keep the fan girls away.

 

Letting go of Itachi, Hinata hopped down and gave Sasuke a hug also. “I got kicked out of the Hyuuga clan and disowned. Started going to public schools, finding my brother. Nothing major.”

 

“WHAT” said Itachi and Sasuke at the same time? Even though Itachi was in ANBU he stayed out of any and all clan business that he could, but that didn't stop the rumors.

 

“It appears she knows them” Gaara said to Naruto walking towards where his sister was.

 

“Looks like it” Naruto said sadly catching the sight of Hinata hugging Sasuke. For some reason the act brought a slight pain to his chest.

 

Hey Hinata” Gaara said with Naruto standing next to him. “Who are your friends?”

 

“This is Itachi” Hinata said pointing to the older boy “and Sasuke Uchiha” she said pointing to the younger boy. “Itachi, Sasuke, this is my nii-san Gaara no Sabaku and our oldest friend Naruto Uzumaki.”

 

“So the rumors were true” Itachi said softly looking at the trio in front of him. He had heard a vague rumor about Gaara and Hinata saving Naruto when he was younger, but didn't put much stock in rumors.

 

“So then if you don't live with the Hyuuga's anymore Hinata, where do you live?” Sasuke asked all concerned for his closest friend.

 

“I live and Gaara and Naruto of course.” Hinata said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “What are you two doing here?”

 

“First a question, Hinata, Gaara, Naruto” Itachi started. “Are you planning on going to Leaf High in the fall?”

 

Looking at the other two and seeing a nod Hinata turned to answer Itachi “we were planning on it.”

 

Curling the ends of his lips into a small smile Itachi had thought of the perfect plan. He was going to make the Hyuuga's regret kicking Hinata out. For all that he knew of her, she was always a sweet, shy girl, but she was good for Sasuke. She even had him laughing occasionally. “I have an idea” Itachi started “Sasuke has decided to go to Leaf High in the fall also, so I was teaching him some chakra techniques. How about for now on we train together on my days off. That way the four of you will be evenly matched and prepared for the four years.”

 

“Itachi” Gaara asked “why is it a four year school? If you excel are you able to skip grades?”

 

The eighteen year old Uchiha prodigy said “No, they are there for a reason. When the Shinobi Wars started, ninjas advanced in rank rapidly and soon they were dying fast. The Hokage and council decided that they didn't want the younger generation dieing, before growing up. They wanted the laws different.”

 

“You know how the drinking age is eighteen. It's because that's when you can become a Chounin. To make the laws fair between the villagers and ninja's, no one can drink until they are eighteen. The Hokage said it was stupid that ninja's were old enough to die for their country but still not be old enough to drink, and refused service while villagers demanded the younger ninjas to protect them. Since then the laws have changed to what we have now. I passed under the new laws by a year.” Itachi explained. “I had to do the four years of Leaf High and wear the uniforms, just like you four will.”

 

“Makes sense” Naruto said adding to the conversation. “So when do you want us to start?” Inside Naruto was jumping up and down; he was going to be taught ninja skills by an actual ninja. He could wait.

 

“I have to leave for a mission tonight for the Hokage. I should return in a few days. We can start then.” Itachi said before getting an idea. “Mom and Dad are gone for the night and I don't want to leave Sasuke alone. Can he stay the night with you three?”

 

“A friend of Hinata's is a friend of ours” Gaara said to the older Uchiha. “Sasuke can stay the night we can get to know each other better, especially since we will be training together.”

 

Hinata grabbed Sasuke's hand and began to pull him along. “Come on Sasuke, you'll have fun.”

 

“I will drop his clothes off later. Do not tell anyone I am training you. Not even Mom and Dad, Sasuke” Itachi said before disappearing into a whirl of leaves.

 

Naruto's fist tightened at the sight of Hinata holding Sasuke's hand. When she held Gaara's like that he was fine, but for some reason Sasuke was a different reason. `Maybe she likes him.' thought Naruto. `Don't be silly she's just being nice. But if he hurts her I will kill him'.

 

The Uzumaki, no Sabaku, apartment wasn't quite what Sasuke thought it would be. For one it was very clean for not having any parents live there. For another it was warm and inviting. Plants were growing on the window seal, and pictures were up showing the trio doing different things.

 

Itachi showed up after dinner and dropped off some clothes and a few scrolls that he wanted the group to study and also two Shogi boards. He explained he wanted the scrolls read and to find out who won how many games of Shogi.

 

The scrolls contained different exercises in chakra control like tree and water walking. There was also a few that didn't make any sense to the kids. It wasn't long though before the group was fast friends, although it seemed like a small rivalry was forming between Naruto and Sasuke. Sasuke thought Naruto was a loud idiot, and Naruto thought Sasuke was a stupid bastard. It didn't help they worked well together though once past their differences.

 

This was the night Neji's father died, causing Neji to get branded with the caged seal.