Surprise Meeting

The first three weeks at the academy went well. Naruto found nothing hard in either Iruka's lessons or in Mizuki-sensei's. He excelled in all the subjects with relative ease. The truth was there was nothing he was being taught that his mother had not already covered and gone far beyond. His mom had given him a crash course on girls and taught him how to be polite to them without encouraging them too much. Ultimately he had decided not to get a girlfriend and simply endure the attention of most of his female classmates. At least the stalking had come to a stop after a couple days. His mom had taken out her sword and swung it around her head while unleashing a high pitched and ungulating battle cry. After that the girls settled for showing him attention in the classroom. Ino maintained her flirtatious ways and Naruto put up with it more or less with good humor. Throughout Hinata was always the one at his side. She had begun to train with him and his mom more. Hinata remained his absolute best friend but he also began to make another close friend.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Checkmate." A lazy boy said.

Naruto sat back and studied the board for a moment. "You surprised me. Want to play again?"

Shikamaru nodded. "You know Naruto I have to give you credit you're the only one besides my dad who will play with me on a regular basis. You're also the only person besides him to ever beat me." He began to set the board up again.

Naruto shrugged. "I like playing with you Shika, it's a challenge and the games help me develop my strategic thinking." He looked at him suspiciously. "You know you are a lot smarter than you like to let on. Why don't you try harder? Or even try a little. I mean you're the dead last in the class!"

Shikamaru sent him a disinterested look. "So?"

Naruto frowned at him. "So? So don't you want to be as good as you possibly can? Don't you want to be great?"

"Too troublesome, I just want to be average. Why do you want to excel so much?"

"Because I want to be the greatest Hokage Konoha has ever seen." He said almost automatically.

Shikamaru smiled. "Greatest? Wouldn't just being Hokage be enough for you?"

"No," Naruto said seriously. "My father was the hero who saved this village from the Kyuubi. He gave everything to save Konoha. I want to be like him and even greater. I love Konoha and its people and I want to protect them and keep them safe. And I want to be better than any who came before otherwise what's the point?"

"That won't leave you very much time for watching clouds or playing shogi." Shikamaru pointed out.

"No, but if I can keep Konoha safe I'll gladly make that sacrifice."

Shikamaru smiled "Spoken like a real Hokage."

"Would you boys like some cookies?" She entered the game room with a tray. "They're still hot."

"Thanks mom." Naruto said.

"Thank you."

She smiled at the two boys. This was the first time he'd brought over a male friend. She chuckled thinking about the first time he'd brought over a female.

XXXXXXXXX

"Ten miles?" Ino paled.

Naruto smiled at her. "It's a really good warm up, once you're done your body is warm and loose and you can hit the obstacle course."

"Obstacle course?"

"Come on I'll show you." He led her to the other side of the mansion and pointed out its features. "You wade through the mud pit, go through the monkey bars, swim across the pond, chakra walk up the one hundred foot tower, and then down the zip line." Ino looked at him uncomfortably and wondered what he would think if she told him she couldn't swim or chakra walk and really wasn't eager to go waist deep in mud. "So we'll normally do the course five times. Then we'll start on the taijutsu sparing, just so you know my mom knows a few medical jutsus so don't worry when you spar with her."

She thought her heart stopped. "Whoa! Hold it! I'm going to spar your mother? I was sort of hoping to spar with you Naruto-kun."

"Well I'm sure you were dear." Kushina said to her with a smile. "But I want to see what you're made of. Don't worry I probably won't break any bones and if I do I'll get you the hospital very quickly."

Naruto frowned at his mother. "Mom you said you would take it easy on her."

Kushina shrugged. "I said I wouldn't break any bones."

"Anyway after that we usually break for an hour to eat lunch. After lunch we'll do basic exercises to build up strength and endurance. A thousand pushups, a thousand sit ups, a thousand crunches, fifteen hundred jumping jacks and five hundred pull ups."

Ino stared at him and his mom praying that they would burst out into laughter and tell her they were kidding.

"Then after that it's time for weapons training. My mom and I will work on sword work but you're free to work on shuriken and kunai. Then we finish off with a relaxing five mile run."

Ino stared at him. "And this is your regular work out?"

He nodded. "On days when I'm not in school. On school days I have a three hour workout." He frowned at his mother. "I'd do more but she doesn't want me to exhaust myself. So any way you ready to go?"

She grinned weakly. "Sure."

"You ready Hinata-chan?"

"Of course Naruto-kun."

"All right! Let's have a really great work out!" Naruto said excitedly and led the four of them along the trail that ran around the estates.

After about one hundred yards.

"OW! Oh ow, ow! It hurts." Ino collapsed to the ground and grabbed at her ankle.

Naruto was quickly kneeling at her side with Kushina and Hinata standing a bit behind him.

"What happened?" Naruto asked.

"Oh Naruto-kun I am sooo sorry! But I twisted my ankle!" Ino said bravely.

"Oh that's too bad Ino! Are you all right?" Naruto sympathized.

"What incredible bad luck." Kushina said. "It really is unbelievable." Hinata giggled.

"Naruto-kun I hate to do this but I won't be able to work out with you. Would you mind carrying me home?" She asked pleadingly.

"You know Ino my mom could probably heal you." Naruto said.

"No! Uh, I mean, I don't want to trouble her. I think it would be best if you could just get me home."

"Well o.k. Ino." Naruto made to pick her up but his mom put her hand on his shoulder.

"Actually Naruto-kun as the adult it's my responsibility to get her safely home." Kushina said.

"I would really prefer if Naruto-kun carried me." Ino pleaded.

"I am sure you would dear." Kushina picked her up. "You two continue on I'll be back I a few minutes." She leapt away without even giving Ino a chance to say anything more.

Naruto looked over to Hinata. "Hinata-chan why are you laughing?"

"Oh no reason Naruto-kun." She tried but couldn't stop laughing.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Listen Naruto, I'm having a birthday next week. And even though it's troublesome my parents are throwing me a party. You want to come?" Both Naruto and his mom were taken by surprise and stared at him. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Shikamaru," Kushina said carefully. "Do your parents know you wish to invite Naruto?"

"Of course," he answered without concern. "I wouldn't have asked him without being sure my mom wouldn't be troublesome. My folks say that if I want you to come you're welcome."

Naruto looked excitedly at his mom. "Mom can I?"

Kushina smiled and nodded. "Of course son." She looked to Shikamaru and actually gave him a slight bow. "Shikamaru, thank you for extending this invitation to my son."

XXXXXXXXXX

"Are you coming in with us mom?" Naruto asked.

Kushina smiled. She had of course escorted her son and Hinata to the Nara residence. "No Naruto-kun, you and Hinata go in and have a good time I'll be here when you're ready to return." With that she leapt away. They had each brought a gift and as they approached the front door they could hear the sound of music and the high pitched laughter of children. As they stood ready to ring the bell Hinata noticed something.

"Naruto-kun you look nervous."

"I am Hinata-chan. This is the first time I've ever been invited to a friend's house. I mean except for all the times I stayed at Hyuga."

Hinata smiled easily. She found it to be an odd role reversal to be the confident one for a change. "I have been to many formal dinners and functions; it'll be fine Naruto-kun. You have been invited and I know your manners are excellent."

"I guess you're right." He reached out and rang the door bell. The door was opened a moment later by a man who looked like an older version of Shikamaru with some facial scars. Naruto and Hinata both bowed. "Thank you for welcoming to your home Shikaku-san" His mother had been sure to inform him of the names of both of Shika's parents.

"Yes," Hinata added. "We are both very happy to have been extended invitations to your son's birthday party."

Shikaku gave them both an easy grin. "No need to be so formal, you can call me Shikaku. Come on in you are both welcome."

They entered hand in hand. Most of their classmates were already there. The girls who were there immediately noticed him entering with his usual Hokage cloak. As the girls swarmed towards him he tightened his grip on Hinata's hand. "Please don't leave me Hinata-chan." He whispered to her not wanting to be trapped by a pack of them.

Hearing him say those words she blushed a bit and smiled. "I wo… won't leave you Naruto-kun."

XXXXXXXXXX

"Wow." Dellona said dreamily.

"Beautiful." Another girl cooed.

"Sooo graceful." Ino sighed.

"Oh he's not that good!" An annoyed Sakura said. "Sasuke is a much better dancer.

"Oh yeah?" Ino smirked. "How would you even know forehead, I haven't seen him dance."

"He said he might dance with me later." Sakura said defensively.

"Don't hold your breath." Ino said flatly.

Stung Sakura shot back. "Oh yeah Ino-pig well I haven't seen him dance with you yet. The only one he has danced with is Hinata."

"I know." Ino frowned. She really, really wanted to dance with him.

XXXXXXXXXX

Hinata had never enjoyed herself so much at a party. The formal functions she went to as part of her responsibility as the Hyuga heir were always dry, boring, and lifeless. The only parties she had ever attended that she had really enjoyed were Naruto's birthday parties. And this was better because they had never danced before. Dancing had never been a part of those celebrations. But here a space had been cleared in the living room and music was playing loudly. All the girls wanted to dance with him. But he did not really feel comfortable with anyone but her and so the two of them danced exclusively. And she had discovered he was a marvelous dancer. She knew why of course. She had watched him train with his sword many, many times. Unlike using kunai or shuriken, a large part of using a sword effectively was proper footwork. The fighting styles were actually called 'dances' and he had mastered one of them; the dance of the camellia. Watching the way he could move and flow with his sword was beautiful, and those movements transferred well to the dance floor. She had never danced with him before and just loved the shared movement and the feel of all his attention focused solely on her. As they danced the song they were listening to ended. The next song was a slow one. The two of them stopped for a moment and looked around. There were six other couples dancing when the song came on four of them decided to leave the dance floor. The other two danced close with the boy holding the girl around her back just above her hips. Hinata expected he would want to take a break from dancing. But instead Naruto grabbed her around her hips and pulled her close.

"Eek!" The sound came out of her before she could stop it.

Naruto gave her a look of surprise. "Is something wrong Hinata-chan?"

"N… no Naruto-kun." He shrugged and pulled her close like the other two couples who were dancing. It took her just a moment to settle down being so close to him, but she slowly did and put her head down on his shoulder. Once she did manage to calm down she sort of regretted having her big beige coat on. She shut her eyes and just relaxed as they slowly moved in rhythm to the music. She let out a contented sigh. Naruto-kun.

XXXXXXXXXX

Sakura saw the way Ino was looking at the two of them. "Jealous much Ino-pig?"

Ino gave her a nasty grin. "Isn't it time for you to go up to Sasuke and get ignored again?"

Ino looked back at the two of them. Well aren't they cute but it won't last. She is not his type.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Why are you smiling like that?" Naruto asked suspiciously.

"Like what Naruto-kun?" His mother asked innocently. They had dropped off Hinata and were going up the walkway to the front door.

"Like you know something." Naruto accused.

"Like what?"

"I don't know."

Kushina patted her son's shoulder. "Naruto-kun really, are you suspicious of your own mother?"

He looked a bit embarrassed. "No, of course not, I'm sorry mom."

"That's all right son I forgive you." She opened the front door and they both entered the mansion. "By the way son, you and Hinata made the cutest couple on the dance floor." His mom gave him a huge smile.

"Mom! You were spying on me!" Naruto accused.

"I prefer to call it protective surveillance."

XXXXXXXXXX

They were gathered in the dojo. After making certain all the students at least knew the basics Mizuki had told them it was time for them to begin sparring one another. The academy was designed to foster competition. The students were encouraged to develop their individual excellence. Teamwork was also important of course and there were team building exercises as well. But the atmosphere was deliberately kept competitive.

"All right everyone, to begin with we will have the boys fight the boys and then the girls will fight each other." Mizuki announced. "Once we have a pecking order of the strongest and weakest in each group we will begin having the boys and girls fight each other as well. Now I want all of you to fight as hard as you can. Keep in mind that someday you will have to fight for your lives. Do not get into the habit of holding back. I want all of you to do your absolute best!" He smiled at all of them. "With that in mind we are not here to deliberately hurt anyone. If someone is hurt during the match no one will find any fault with that. But please do not strike a fallen or unconscious opponent. If I tell you to stop do so immediately and take a couple steps back. Also, if you see blood please halt." As he'd known it would the last comment got their attention. Most looked just a little bit uncomfortable. Mizuki knew that was good. Up until now most of them had only sparred with family or friends who held back from hurting them. It was time for them to fight with the understanding that they could be hurt. Time to toughen them up a little bit. Some of them didn't seem at all bothered or worried. Kiba was grinning and looked eager to scrap. Sasuke just smirked, probably thinking no one here was good enough to touch him. Naruto didn't change at all; he had the usual confident look about him. All right demon let's test you. "Naruto and Kiba please come forward." The two boys did so and took positions across from one another on the mat. "Bow to one another." The boys gave each other respectful bows. "Assume a fighting stance."

Kiba took up a normal taijutsu stance. Naruto put one foot a bit in front and the other a little behind and out to the side. One hand he held out in front of his face and the other behind his head near his ear.

Kiba sent him a look. "What's with the weird stance?"

"It's the starting position for crane style." He replied simply.

"All right, begin!"

Eager Kiba ran straight in trying to launch a strong if slightly clumsy attack. Naruto took a quick sidestep reached out and punched the back of his head. Kiba stumbled forward and fell dace down on the mat unconscious. The match was ended in less than ten seconds.

"Very well done Naruto! Really impressive!" Mizuki gave the boy a big encouraging smile. Naruto rubbed the back of his head and returned the smile. He liked Mizuki-sensei.

XXXXXXXXXX

The girls were standing in a group a bit separate from the boys. They all watched as Naruto walked triumphantly off the mat.

Ino sighed. "He is sooo amazing, I sooo love him."

"No you don't Ino." The girl next to her said.

She instantly turned and glared at the girl. "What did you say Hinata-chan?"

Hinata calmly faced the irate blonde. "I said you don't love him." She felt strangely comfortable and did not stutter or stumble over her words. "You don't even really know him. To you he's just some ideal."

The other girls all quieted down and listened to the two of them. "Oh so I suppose you know him better?" Ino demanded.

"I've known Naruto-kun my whole life." She said simply. "And I can't remember a time when I didn't love him."

Ino sneered. "Too bad you two are just friends."

Hinata's eyes went to the floor. "Maybe that'll change one day."

Sensing an advantage she pushed it. "Yeah right! You are sooo not his type. I mean seriously do you think he'll end up with a quiet little mouse like you?"

Hinata's eyes came back up and she sent Ino a hard look she had never suspected the quiet girl even capable of. "I'm not a mouse! I'm a kunoichi and heir to one of the strongest clans in Konoha. And even if I am a little shy Ino never think that means I'm scared."

"Oh yeah? You really think you'll end up with him?"

"I don't know." She said honestly. "I don't know if I'll ever be strong enough to deserve someone like Naruto-kun. But I've decided that I want to be someone who would be worthy of his love. I've started working hard to become such a person and I'll continue to work towards that goal. Because to me Naruto-kun is worth that sacrifice; he is the one I love and the one who gives me courage."

"Well I'm going to get stronger too! And there's no way I'll lose Naruto-kun to you!"

Hinata shook her head "This isn't a competition."

"Hah! That just shows what you know when it comes to getting the boy you want it's always a competition and I intend to win."

Hinata frowned at her. "Is that all Naruto-kun is to you? The prize in a contest? Are you really that shallow?"

"WHAT?!" She began shaking her fist. "What did you just call me you little mouse?!"

"Is there a problem?" Mizuki asked.

"Mizuki-sensei I want to fight her right NOW!"

Mizuki looked at her in surprise. Usually it was the boys who developed grudges and demanded to settle them in a spar. He had planned to finish with the boys first but if Ino was this adamant it would be better to get this out of the way. "Do you have an objection Hinata?"

She shook her head. "No Mizuki-sensei."

He shrugged. "Very well both of you come forward and take your positions." Hinata took a step and halted. She thought for a moment and came to a decision. She unzipped her beige jacket and left it on the floor.

XXXXXXXXXX

The boys were all watching as Ino and Hinata took their positions on the mat. This was the very first time any of them had seen her without a jacket. Even Naruto had not seen her without that jacket since she started wearing it about half a year ago.

"Hey!" Kiba shouted. "Hinata's got ta tas!" Almost immediately Kiba was grabbed around the collar and was yanked forward until he was nose to nose with a very angry Naruto.

"What did you just say dog boy?" Naruto growled.

Kiba gulped and felt the urge to whimper and turn up his belly. "Nothing."

Naruto let him loose and turned back to the girls. Wow! Hinata-chan has ta tas

XXXXXXXXXX

Having bowed to one another Ino smiled. "Naruto's watching us."

"I know."

"Assume a fighting stance." Mizuki commanded.

Ino snapped into a standard Goken stance.

"Byakugan" activating her blood line the veins near her eyes popped up giving her a suddenly fearsome look. She dropped into a jyuken fighting stance.

Ino suddenly looked to Mizuki. "Hey! Is that allowed?"

"Is there a problem Ino? I told all of you to fight to the best of your ability and gentle fist is the fighting style of the Hyuga."

"But I didn't think she could actually use it." Ino felt just a little worried she'd heard of gentle fist and it was one of Konoha's strongest fighting styles.

Mizuki frowned at her. "Surprises and false assumptions are a part of ninja life. Consider this a valuable lesson for the future."

"Maybe you should twist your ankle." Hinata said sweetly. Ino glared at the girl.

"Woo hoo! Kick her ass Hinata-chan!" Naruto shouted.

Hinata smiled happily. Watch me Naruto-kun.

"All right," Mizuki spoke. "Begin!"

XXXXXXXXXX

"She did ib on burbose!" Ino got out as she pressed the bloodied cloth to her nose.

Hinata bowed. "I apologize Ino, I did not intend to break your nose." Ino glared at her clearly not believing it.

Mizuki shook his head. "Hinata you have nothing to apologize for. Bloodshed is inevitable when there is conflict." He looked at all the boys and girls. "Take a good look and get used to the sight. If you become ninja you will see it often. Ino go to the medic nin's office you are dismissed from the remainder of this session." Mizuki got back to the spars.

About twenty minutes later another Chunin instructor arrived and spoke quietly to Mizuki. Mizuki listened and then called out. "Naruto! The academy administrator wishes to speak with you. Please go with Larme."

Naruto nodded. "Yes Mizuki-sensei."

XXXXXXXXXX

He followed the Chunin instructor out of the dojo and down one of the halls. Naruto quickly noticed something. "I beg pardon, Larme-sensei but isn't the administration office the other way?"

Larme shot Naruto a hard look. "The administrator wished to speak with you somewhere else."

"Why?" Naruto asked curiously.

"I don't know, I'm simply following orders now come along and don't ask questions" Naruto didn't appreciate the tone but nevertheless followed. They went up to the third floor where the fourth year students were being taught. As they went down the hall Naruto noted all the classrooms seemed to be empty. The senior students were all outside doing their physical training.

Larme came to a stop and so did Naruto. The Chunin pointed to room 315. "The administrator is in there waiting for you." Naruto remained exactly where he was. "Well what are you waiting for?"

Naruto had a hand on his belt. With one finger he pressed a button there activating his radio communicator. The microphone was in the collar of his body suit so anything he said would go out so long as the communicator was in the send position. "Pardon me but just why are we here on the third floor standing in front of room 315 again?" He asked casually.

Larme frowned at him. "I've already told you the administrator wishes to speak with you."

"Yes, but you haven't said why."

"You are being insolent! Do not keep the administrator waiting!"

"Actually would you mind asking him to come out and talk to me in the hall?"

"Don't be ridiculous! Now get in that room right now or you will be in a great deal of trouble!"

Naruto looked at the man's eyes. He saw fear and a mounting panic there. He saw a bead of sweat run down the side of his face. His eyes twitched nervously toward the door.

"You're lying." Naruto said quietly. In an instant he was dodging and pulling his sword out as Larme threw a pair of kunai at him and cried out. The door to the room opened and four men came out all of them holding knives.

Larme launched himself forward with a kunai in each hand. Naruto was on his feet and began the dance of the camellia. He took advantage of his height; he slid forward underneath his opponent's kunai strike. He drove his sword up and in with all his might aiming for the zipper that was in his Chunin vest. The sword struck and with savage might he drove the blade all the way through.

Larme cried out as he was skewered. Naruto yanked his sword back out again and took a couple steps back as the Chunin pitched forward dead or soon to be dead. His blood was spreading away from him. The four men who had come storming out of the room all came to a sudden halt at the sight they were confronted by. Their Chunin ally lying still on the floor in a pool of his own blood. Meanwhile their intended target was standing there with a bloodied sword eying them with a frightening calm.

"Is something wrong?" He asked pleasantly. "It's a little late for second thoughts." The men all looked at each other clearly frightened and unsure of what they should do. "Well if you really want we can just stand here and wait another minute and a half for my mom to arrive." As he'd known it would that settled them. They rushed at him with a shout waving their knives about. He waited for them like a wolf waiting for some rabbits. It took four sword strokes and two steps to deal with them.

"It's over mom." He switched the communicator to receive.

"Naruto are you all right?!" His mother's panic stricken voice came over the link.

"I'm fine mom." He assured her.

"Are you still near room 315?"

"Yes mom."

"Stay there! I'll be with you in just a minute."

"O.k. mom." He switched off the radio. Now he could try and slow down his heart beat. He looked down at the bodies of the five men he had slaughtered. As he took out a rag and started leaning his sword he wondered why they hated him so much.