Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Won and Lost ❯ Chapter 1

 

The excited sounds of a village stirring reached the ears of a man sitting entrenched behind his desk. Uzumaki Naruto would normally be working way into the night because of the constant load of paperwork that came with the job of Hokage but tonight was a special night. The cheerful voices of those passing by made him remember that today was the Star festival, a night filled with fun and… The opening of his door brought him to stare at the glowing face of a lovely woman.

 

At the age of twenty Uzumaki Naruto seemed to have everything he dreamed of, recognition, people that were precious to him, and a beautiful girl. Hanaguchi Izume gave a pleasant smile as she closed the door behind her, brushing away a loose strand of silver hair. “Naruto-kun… are you ready to go?”

 

Naruto gave her a loving smile, walking over and holding out his hand like he saw all those gentlemen do. “You look beautiful Izume-chan.” The slender woman blushed as Naruto let his eyes wander up and down her Yukata, admiring the slight show of skin in the more suggestive of places. The two made their way out of the building and onto the street below, Izume leaning against Naruto's shoulder with a pleasant smile on her face.

 

How long had it been since he had found that wonderful woman beside him? Four? Five years ago? It didn't really matter to him because he knew he would spend his life with her and no matter how much time passed it would seem too short. He could see it clear as day, that time when he was suddenly approached by her.

 

It wasn't the best of times, people still looked at him as though he was going to explode, and everything that he thought would fix the problem didn't. He had been so down that not even a bowl of his favorite Ichiraku ramen could lift his spirits. “Why me?” He had thought solemnly, “Why? I beat that snake bastard but the people still stare at me… they're scared of me.”

 

Thinking back he knew the answer was because the people thought he was unstable, they thought he would unleash the power that was able to fell Orochimaru upon them, but he did not hold a grudge. A small smile set on his face as he thought back, with the greatest lows come the highest highs.

 

That night at Ichiraku's, Naruto had met the one that he held most dear to him. She had simply walked in as though from some alternate dimension and sat next to him, saying only three words, “How are you?” but his heart was captivated in that time. He could see the sincerity in those radiant red eyes, the concern that welled from her heart and not the pity that he had seen so many display. He did not know who the woman was at the time but he was determined to make her his, to have this woman love her and it just so happened that she did love him.

 

It didn't take long for the two to become inseparable and both men and women were jealous of the couple; women because by the time they realized Naruto was gentle and that he would die protecting the village, he was taken by another, and men because of the beauty Naruto had found seemingly out of nowhere.

 

The years seemed to slip by like wine in a sieve and eventually Naruto's friends had started asking him when he was going to pop the question, oblivious to the fact that in Naruto's mind he was panicking at such a thought. The sound of laughter brought his mind back to the present, a smile playing lightly on his face as he thought of such a thing as a family, Soon he thought. Soon.

 

Villagers parted as Naruto and Izume made their way through the village, bowing and giving their gratitude as they passed. An impressive array of booths lined the streets, all differing in what they offered, from catching gold fish to eating them. “Naruto-kun. Let's go try that one.” Izume pointed to a rather small booth that held all sorts of prizes for throwing a ball at a bunch of cans.

 

“Can you get me that bear Naruto-kun?” she asked tenderly. Naruto smiled at her and picked up a ball, knocking down all the cans in one precise shot.

 

“Naruto-sama! Here! There are many more prizes do you-” Naruto held up a hand as the old man working the booth began to shove prizes at them.

 

“We're just any normal villagers tonight. There should be any special treatment.” Naruto gave him a big smile and walked away with a single bear in hand, although the man was protesting profusely. The two spent the night going to many of the booths and enjoying the life that most normal villagers would have, except everywhere they went they were greeted with profuse kindness and generosity.

 

Soon, however, Izume wished to be alone with her one and only Naruto. The couple walked away from the festival to a quiet little bridge crossing over one of the small arteries of the Konoha river. Fireworks began to go off over the village, lighting the night sky with an abundance of colors and Naruto smiled as Izume laid her head against his chest taking full advantage of the absence of others to show her affection for him.

 

“I love you Naruto-kun…” she let the words hang as her crimson eyes gazed into his. The wind kicked up her silky silver hair and as the colors of the sky danced off her face she seemed to radiate a great beauty. The smell of lilacs filled his nostrils as he drew a deep breath, taking her all in.

 

“You're so beautiful Izume-chan.” The slender woman turned, blushing from his compliments.

 

“I-I'm not. Naruto-kun…”

 

Naruto gently grabbed her arms, turning her. “Yes you are Izume-chan.” His lips met hers in a soft embrace. Everything seemed so right. Everything seemed so perfect. But why was he so worried about the glance that she gave him?

 

Naruto let Izume break from him, a puzzling look on his face. She just smiled at him seductively, pulling him into a tight hug. “Naruto-kun…” her voice just above a whisper, “Have I… Have I ever told you that I had another lover?” Naruto looked down at her, astounded, a knot forming in the pit of his stomach.

 

Quickly she snuggled against his chest, feeling his warmth wash over her. “Yes… he was my fiancé. He was a very brave man, and very devoted as well. He would never leave the side of whomever he swore himself to. And then… and then one day… one day before he was going to give up the life of a shinobi and settle down with me he was killed. He was killed…” She looked up at Naruto with a mix of emotion in her tear-filled eyes; fear, anger, pity, sadness, they were all there. Those lovely scarlet eyes that he had associated with his love no longer looked at him with warmth, but instead with a burning intensity. “Do you know what Naruto-kun?”

 

The Hokage stared at her in disbelief, why was she telling him? Why was this important now? “Did you know… that the person who killed his is standing right in front of me?” Naruto couldn't help but feel shock running through him as a wicked grin appeared on Izume's face. The knot in his stomach seemed to become a ten ton brick as he stared into Izume's eyes.

 

“Yes. Yes you killed him. My dear Kabuto.” Images of the rouge nin passed through the Hokage's head like they were memories of just yesterday. Memories of how the ex-leaf nin was decimated by a direct attack by the Rasengan, memories of how he had died for Orochimaru, only to be a useless sacrifice, memories of how only days later he was taken with the kindness that Izume showed him. Naruto's eyes widened in shock as Izume pulled a knife from her sleeve, anger and remorse filling her eyes.

 

“It ends here great Hokage. You killed my precious one… I'll rid the leaf of their precious leader.”

 

Izume went to strike only to give a menacing laugh as Naruto tried to dodge the attack, plunging the knife between his ribs. “Do you believe I am stupid enough to attack the Hokage head on? No, no, no. That is too dangerous and I probably wouldn't be able to kill you. No. Instead I used poison. Something that would numb you body while I skin you alive.” She brought out a small vile and licked her lips, indicating when she had poisoned him. “I'll make your death so painful you'll wish you had never killed Kabuto.” Izume brought the knife back again, preparing to strike only to be knocked into the small river below.

 

A very angry looking woman stood where Izume had just been. “I-I will not allow you to harm Naruto-ku-Naruto-sama!” The woman jump from the bridge, landing gracefully on top of the water as she prepared to fight Izume.

 

“Oh… Hyuuga Hinata.” Izume gave her a smirk. “You had better leave now while you can. You couldn't possibly beat a Jounin you dead beat.”

 

Hinata held her ground, standing between the bridge and Izume. “I won't let you near him.”

 

A small chuckle emitted from the silver-haired woman. “What has he ever done for you? Why would you possibly wish to protect him? He's a demon isn't he?”

 

Hinata lowered herself into the Hyuuga stance, staring with utter concentration at her opponent. Naruto's life depended on her, she couldn't let him down, she couldn't, no she wouldn't fail him.

 

“Ready are we? Well…” Izume disappeared, coming behind Hinata and whispering in her ear, “You forget that you are too far below me.” Hinata turned around, striking with her gentle fist style only to have Izume appear where she stood, smirking.

 

Hinata was too slow to dodge the vicious kick Izume landed on her and as a result Hinata skidded atop the water, a few ribs cracking when she finally came to a halt. The Hyuuga woman swayed uncertainly as she got to her feet, clutching her chest.

 

“I warned you Hyuuga-san. Now you'll just have to pay with your life.” Izume ran at Hinata, throwing her full weight behind a single blow. Hinata was barely able to dodge the blow and she was not given any time to recover as Izume launched into a full out assault. The two became a blur of movements, entering into a frantic taijutsu dance. It was obvious from the start that Izume had the upper hand and soon Hinata was sent sprawling yet again.

 

Hinata's vision began to blur and darkness began to creep on her. `I'm just not strong enough. I can't beat her. Gomen… Naruto-kun.' Everything began to fade away and Hinata could feel her consciousness slipping away. The glowing face of a blond-haired man appeared in the darkness, a bright smile on his face. “It's ok Hinata-chan…. Just do your best…. Even though your strange… I like you… I'll never give up…” his words rung throughout her mind and her vision became sharper. `I-I can't give up… I can't just fall. If I do… Naruto-kun.'

 

The world around her began to brighten as she regained consciousness. `I can't give up, I need to save Naruto-kun.' Hinata pulled herself to the top of the water, panting heavily at such an exertion but she had no time to rest.

 

Izume stood towering over Naruto, a knife in hand. “Goodbye my dear Naruto-kun.” She swung the blade, aiming to put him in a world of pain when a voice behind her called out.

 

“You are within my field of Hakke!” Izume turned but she was too late as the hands of the famous Hyuuga struck her. “Two Strikes… Four strikes… Eight Strikes…. Sixteen Strikes… Thirty-two Strikes…. Sixty-Four Hands of Hakke!”

 

Hinata panted heavily as Izume swayed unsteadily, her eyes losing focus. “Why… how…” The words came out in a fading voice.

 

Hinata straightened herself, her eyes glaring at the woman. “I'll do anything… to protect those precious to me!” Hinata quickly went to Naruto's side as Izume collapsed in a senseless heap.

 

“Hi-Hinata-chan.” His voice was barely above a whisper as he looked up at her. Hinata sat down beside him, quickly analyzing his blood. She bit her lip the complex toxins coursing through his veins. `There's no other way…. Naruto-kun will understand…. It's just to save him.' Hinata willed herself to think that as she put her hand to his head caressing it unknowingly.

 

“Nar-Naruto-kun. I need you to close your eyes.” She turned away instinctively, unable to bare the sight of him.

 

“Why Hinata-chan. What's-” Naruto clenched his hands together, forming fists as pain wracked his entire being.

 

“Naruto-kun! There's no time… please!” Naruto did as he was told, seeing the blackness around him as he waited for something to occur. The slight ruffle of cloth and the slight pressure of a hand to his chest was all the warning Naruto had before a softness touched his lips. He wanted to fight back, he wanted to push it all away but he couldn't, or maybe it was that he didn't want to.

 

He could feel her tongue being hesitantly pushed into his mouth, running along the inside of his cheeks. Naruto felt something inside of him moving, shifting inside of his very veins and his eyes shot open against the instruction of the Hyuuga woman.

 

Hinata buried herself in the warmth of Naruto, running her tongue throughout his mouth as to draw the poison from him. Gently her hand drew the toxin rushing upward from his lower body, while her other took care of the more lethal venom that was going to the brain. Hinata took the chance to stare at Naruto, his calm and delicate face. She longed to be the one to hold it and reassure him when times were tough. She longed to see those… those eyes!

 

Those brilliant blue orbs gazed at her intently, his emotion beaming through like a beacon of light. Hinata could see her own reflection in those delicate eyes as well as the soft twinkling of the stars high above them, how they looked so kind and peaceful yet so full of emotion. Realization hit her like a bullet and she leapt away from Naruto as though he was a diseased corpse.

 

Her face was flushed in red as Naruto began to stir, getting into a sitting position. `Naruto-kun… Naruto-kun was staring at me… when I was…' A feeling of dread washed over her as Hinata stood, thinking of what she had just done. `Naruto-kun… Naruto-kun… He…' Hinata rushed to get away, panic coating her eyes but a firm hand grabbed hers.

 

“Hinata-chan.” his voice was a little louder now, but still weak, still frail. Hinata chanced a look at the one who held her hand and what she saw was different from that boy years ago. Gone was the childish grin or aura around him, instead it was replaced by a more tranquil feel, something so foreign to Naruto. Hinata understood now, she understood that this was his raw self, this was his true being. How could she have been so stupid, he was hurting, he must have been after his love betrayed him, after that-that #$@(% betrayed him.

 

“Why Hinata-chan?” He said, his eyes looking desperately into hers.

 

Panic flooded the girl yet again, what was she to say? “It-It was the only way- I had to Naruto-kun-I- the poison had-” the man cut her off with a finger to her lips, a small smile on his face.

 

“Not that Hinata-chan…” he gave a shudder of pain, a minute amount of poison still inside of him. “Hinata-chan… Why were you here?”

 

Her insides seemed to twirl around, squirming under the pressure Naruto put her under. She finally began to steel herself against her impending fate. She couldn't run anymore, she couldn't lie to herself… she just had to do it. The two calming breaths she took before she spoke didn't help with her nerves at all.

 

“It-I-ILIKEYOUNARUTO-KUN!” The words came out so quickly that Naruto needed a few seconds to register what the woman had actually said and when he did his head was sent spinning.

 

“Hi-Hinata-chan… you like me?” Hinata wanted to leave, she wanted to hide away and not show that embarrassing red face of hers but Naruto wouldn't allow it, he held onto her as though she were an escaping animal.

 

Hinata's heart worked like it was in the seventh gear, racing along like there was no end, and whatever she tried to do now she knew there was no way to calm herself. Slowly she turned to look into his eyes, those brilliant blue eyes that captivated her. “Y-Yes Naruto-kun…” she spoke while her head pounded and her heart fluttered.

 

His grasp lightened a little and his eyes became soft and distant. He looked so frail now, a word that was never used to describe Naruto but he was just that right now. He had been through so much, endured it all and it now seemed as though the weight of everything was now falling on him and with a single touch he would shatter under it all. What was he to do; his mind was going just as crazy as Hinata's beating heart. In a span of just a few moments he had felt the greatest betrayal and then he learned that someone he had know since his academy days cared for him.

 

He wished he could have just retuned back in time and avoided everything but he had no such luxury, he wasn't a god after all. Slowly, as though a child opening its eyes for the first time, he began to come back into reality and saw the blue-haired girl-- no, woman for what seemed to be the first time. Why hadn't he noticed it before, all those acts of kindness he had received from her; a jar of special healing ointment, some special bandages or even a basket of food, food that she prepared herself. Was he so blind that he didn't see her? Naruto resisted the urge to vomit at the thought of that.

 

Naruto let his arm fall to his side, releasing the woman who only stood there in shock, the thought of running not crossing her mind any longer. Hinata chanced a glance at her long time crush and in that instant Naruto's sapphire eyes held onto hers, not willing to let go. A soft smile graced his lips and Naruto drew her into a hug. The two fell onto the bridge because Naruto's still weakened state could not even support her light weight. His warmth washed over her and being this close to him it was a wonder that the shy woman did not faint.

 

Once again their eyes locked and this time a warmth that was not present before filled Naruto's eyes. “Thank you Hinata-chan.” She desperately tried to say something but the words simply stuck onto her tongue. Naruto gave her a soft smile, pulling her tighter while Hinata unknowingly returned his hug, resting her head against him.

 

The world around her seemed to spin on end and it seemed just a fantasy that this was actually occurring. The sounds of the moving village brought Hinata to realize what a provocative position she was in with the Hokage. She quickly tried to stand and orient her self and found her round eyes staring into his. “Shooting star… make a wish Hinata-chan.”

 

A streak of light passed across his eyes and a smile slipped onto her face, something she was usually too afraid to do. `It's already come true Naruto-kun…'