6

DON'T OWN NARUTO OR ITS CHARACTERS

CHAPTER 6: Pale Eyes

Seeing that the man was refusing to answer him, Enma tightens his grip on the man's neck than growled out. "Tell me Kumo! Why are you out here in the middle of the night?

Seeing the ninja was not going to answer him, he slams him into the tree one more time. Than knocks him out with a chop to the neck.

Turning around to Enma's shock he sees Naruto attempting to untie a knot that held a brown burlap sack closed. Red lights suddenly going off in Enma's head realizing that if Naruto got hurt, Ma would skin him alive

Immediately Enma yells to him.

"NARUTO WHAT ARE YOU DOING, GET AWAY FROM THAT, IT MIGHT BE DANGEROUS."

Naruto without stopping his attempts to untie the bag, says to Enma.

"Enma-sama I saw this bag fall when you kicked that man, and when I approached it I saw it was shaking and I heard whimpering from it."

Seeing that the boy had good intentions, Enma was still worried that it might be a trap. Quickly moving his way toward Naruto with the Kumo-nin slung over his shoulder he says in a worried tone.

"Regardless Naruto, this could be a trap set by this ma …."

Before he could finish Enma is cut off by a scared voice coming from the bag.

"Please sniff sniff… is somebody out there? Please help me sniff sniff."

Naruto getting infuriated with the knot and by the sounds of the person inside the bag crying, takes out a kunai given to him by Pa and cuts the knot off carefully. Opening the bag to reveal who it is, Enma's eyes widen in shock when he sees a young girl around Naruto's age with short dark blue hair pale eyes and in a light purple kimino. Which by the tear stains running down her face was clear proof that she had been crying for a while.

The moment she was free she launched herself and latched onto Naruto, instantly she began crying again into Naruto's chest. All Naruto could make out was her saying.

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you." Between her sobs,

Naruto only knowing one way to sooth the poor girl placed his arms around her in a hug, while gently whispering soft words of comfort into her ear.

Emna on the other hand was seething with rage, clenching his fists in anger he mutters out to himself

"A child! She's just a child! And by the look of her eyes a Hyuga no less."

Dropping the Kumo-nin to the floor unceremoniously, he picks up Naruto's forgotten kunai readying himself to kill the man.

Pa seeing the rage in Enma's eyes quickly hops onto his shoulders and says to him.

"Calm down Enma, clearly this man is here in Konoha for reasons other than kidnapping the girl."

Enma in too much rage to see the reasoning behind Pa's words snarls at him.

"What in the world are you talking about Pa, He attempted to kidnap this girl." Pointing toward the still sobbing girl than continuing, "and for what most likely to bring to Kumo to be a breeder so they can use her abilities." All but spitting out the last line.

Pa realizing that he doesn't have much time, before Enma further loses himself to his rage quickly states.

"I understand if he was just a spy than you have every right to kill him, but do you really think Konoha's security is so lax that they allow a Kumo-nin to parade through the city. Walk through the Hyuga compound and somehow kidnap a girl than escape, if my memory is correct than she is also a main branch Hyuga judging by her unmarked forehead. To kidnap one of them is no easy feat.

Seeing Enma visibly calm down, Pa eases a little before continuing.

"I'm going on a limb and take a guess that this man is possibly a diplomat of some sorts, or that is what he wants us to believe at the very least, and if you kill him than you would definitely cause all sorts of international issues for the Hokage."

Growling Enma says, "So they have him pose under the guise as a diplomat, thus granting him immunity. And more than likely if he was killed than Kumo would deny everything, and possibly would even attempt to gain some sort of compensation for his death. That is low even for Kumo standards."

Grinning slight Pa says to Enma, "but now we have the upper hand with him alive and captured, you could than have that clan in your village the Yamanaka's I believe, read into his mind to discover who gave him the orders to perform the kidnapping ."

Emna lets out a sadistic smirk that says malevolently, "Heh, I think sending him straight to the Yamanaka's is too easy for him. I would think sending him off to Ibiki first would be more suitable, don't you think Pa?"

Scratching his chin slightly Pa answers, "If Ibiki is that boy whom has those special skills to make others sing, than sure why not he most definitely deserves it." Pa finished with a grin.

Hearing the knocked out man mumble a little Enma says Pa.

"Hmm maybe you should get back to Mount Myoboku Pa, Ma is most likely wondering what's taking you so long, Also I should bring our prisoner back to Konoha and get the girl back to her family. No doubt they are turning Konoha inside out searching for her."

Pa than giving Enma a quick nod and disappears in a puff of smoke.

Enma then turns to the two children the girl seemingly asleep in Naruto's arms. Seeing no point in waking her after that traumatic incident Enma says to Naruto in a quiet voice.

"Naruto we should get going back to Konoha do you mind carrying her since she is in shape to so herself, seeing I have to carry this trash over here." Pointing toward the unconscious Kumo-nin on the floor.

Naruto nods than watches as Enma lifts up the Kumo-nin and slings him once again over his shoulder then beginning their short journey toward one of the side gates in Konoha, with Naruto carrying the Hyuga girl bridal style behind Enma.

Upon approaching the gate Enma could see the Hokage standing at the gate waiting for them, Enma assumed that the Hokage had gotten worried when they didn't show up on time. But he was surprised when the Hokage made a hand signal towards them and two Anbu immediately appeared, and approached Enma taking the Kumo-nin from him.

By the time Enma had reached the Hokage, The Hokage had noticed the confused look on Enma's face and said, "I'm glad you listened to Pa when he told you not to kill the Kumo-nin."

Enma suddenly realized that Sarutobi must have been watching through his crystal ball retorted, "Well Sarutobi if you were watching this whole time, you could have sent some help you know?"

Sarutobi gave him a mischievous smile than answered, "I trust in your ability to make the proper decision, at least I trust Pa's ability at the very least." Then he turned his head to look at Naruto and the girl in his arms quirking his head a little Sarutobi remarked.

"And that must be the missing Hyuga in your arms, isn't it Naruto-kun?"

Naruto recogonizing the Hokage's hat and robes from the pictures he had seen, tilts his head slightly in a show of respect, knowing he couldn't bow with the girl in his arms.

"Yes Hokage-sama, I discovered her in a burlap bag after Enma-sama had incapacitated the man that was responsible for kidnapping her."

Smiling the Hokage says to him a joyful tone, "Ah, Naruto-kun no need to be so formal with me you could just call me Hokage-jiji or just Jiji for short if you please."

Cocking his head a bit Naruto asks in a confused tone, "Jiji? As in Grandpa but you are not my Grandpa, and even if you were you are the Hokage the strongest ninja in the entire Konoha I am required to show you my respect."

Still smiling Sarutobi answers him, "Well it is true that you aren't my grandson, but from what Jiraiya tells me you call him Grandpa and he isn't your real Grandpa either, so why don't you just humor this old man and cut the formality's."

Naruto is slightly taken back by the Hokage's easy going attitude nods his head than says,

"Understood Hokage-sam…. I mean Hokage-jiji ….. But I have a question do you allow all your subordinates to show you such disrespect?"

Chuckling a bit Sarutobi shakes his head, "No Naruto-kun not all of them, just the ones I hold close to my heart. But I think we have more urgent matters at hand…. More specifically in your hands." He points to the sleeping Hyuga girl in Naruto's hands and continues saying. "I really think you should bring her back home, before her father or mother goes mad. We can continue our discussion later if you like, but for now I have to deal with our guest."

Then Sarutobi turns his head back toward Enma and says.

"And I trust that Enma you will watch over the boy till then?"

Seeing Enma nod his head, Sarutobi gives Naruto once more a small smile than turns and leaves towards the Hokage tower.

Enma turning to Naruto motions him toward the main street and says,

"Let's go Naruto, I'll show you the way toward the Hyuga compound"

Five Minutes later

In front of the Hyuga compound gates, with the Hyuga matriarch Hitomi Hyuga guarded by 2 branch member guards. She is pacing back and forth deep in thought, hoping for news of her missing daughter. When she is broken out of her musings by another Hyuga landing near her, She immediately questions him in a stern tone.

"Ko! Is there any news on Hinata's whereabouts?"

Ko on one knee bowing to Hitomi responds, "I'm sorry Hitomi-sama I have checked all of Hinata-sama's favorite places, including the pond near the park and the bakery where she buys her cinnamon buns from. But I could find no sign of her anywhere.

Hitomi shakes her head, wanting to desperately cry for her lost daughter but she knows she has to stands firm to uphold the clans honor. She then tells Ko.

"Thank you Ko for all your help, why don't you go back inside a take a break you have been searching for the whole night."

Ko immediately bows on both his knees and places his forehead on the ground and says

"Please Hitomi-sama allow me to keep searching, as Hinata-sama's assigned protector it would be to my eternal shame if I were to stop looking before she is found."

Hitomi walks over and crouches down to place a hand on Ko's shoulder knowing how much Ko cared for Hinata than says to him.

"She wouldn't want to see you like this Ko, please just listen to me and go back inside you look worn out."

Before Ko go respond to Hitomi a Rabbit masked Anbu lands beside her and states

"Hyuga-sama they found her"

Hitomi leaps up toward the Anbu grabbing her by the shoulders and asks.

"Hitori please tell me where, and who!"

The rabbit masked Anbu takes a step back than says

"Please Hitomi-sama."

Than taps her mask with her finger a few times, Hitomi seeing her mistake blushes, realizing the names of the Anbu members are supposed to be confidential. Composing herself she asks again this time in a more professional tone.

"My apologies Rabbit-san, You are too inform me that you have located my daughter?"

Giggling slightly behind her mask the Anbu answers her.

"Yes Hyuga-sama the Hokage has notified us that Enma-sama has located your daughter, and is now escorting her back to the compound."

Hitomi tilts her head to the side slightly with a confused look, "Enma-sama as in the Sandaime's personal summon Enma?"

The Anbu nods than say, "Correct, Enma-sama was able to rescue Hinata-sama due to the circumstance of being in the right place at the right time. It so happen that Enma-sama was on business out in that area of Konoha tonight, and it was either bad luck or fate that he ran across the man who kidnapped Hinata-sama.

Hitomi lets out a sigh of relief while smiling for the first time since Hinata went missing turning to Ko she ordered.

"Ko since you were so ecstatic about continuing to searching for Hinata, would you please go and find my husband to informing him that our daughter has been found and she is being escorted home now."

Ko stood up wiping the tears from his eyes than said.

"Yes Hitomi-sama I will go immediately." With renewed vigor Ko leapt off into the night searching for the Hyuga clan head.

After a few more minutes of waiting Hitomi was able to spot 2 figures walking from down the street toward them. Turning on her Byakugan Hitomi instantly turned into full mother mode, dashing down the street toward the two figures, worried about her daughter health due to the fact she was being carried home, instead of being on her own two feet.

Before she was able to reach them, Enma stepped in front of her quickly shifting into a battle stance than he stated.

"I'm sorry ninja-san but it has been a long night and I cannot risk the child's safety, as per Hokage's orders. So please state your business with these two."

Hitomi instantly deactivated her Byakugan and took a few steps back, to show she meant no harm than she stated loudly and clearly to the monkey king.

"Enma-sama I am Hitomi Hyuga matriarch of the Hyuga clan, and the girl currently in that boy's arms is my daughter Hinata."

Enma shifted out of his fighting stance but still kept his guard up just in case he was being deceived.

"Be that as it may I rather we officially make it too the Hyuga compound before I hand the girl over, you should understand my concerns."

Hitomi nods her head than steps aside to allow Enma and the boy to continue toward the compound. By the time they reached the compound they noticed the crowd by the gate had grew to include Hiashi and his brother Hizashi.

Hiashi seeing Hinata in the boy's arms squints his eyes and says to Hitomi.

"Hitomi what is the meaning of this." Making a hand motion toward where Hinata was.

Hitomi shrugs her shoulders at him and responds, "I don't know, but Enma-sama said he would explain when he reached the gates." Turning she smile sat Enma hoping he would explain what happened.

Suddenly another voice comes from the shadows, "There's no need for Enma to explain, I can provide all the answers."

The figured stepped into the lighting showing it was the Sandaime again. Causing all the Hyugas in the vicinity to bow toward the man, after the Hokage waved them off Hiashi stepped forward to ask the Hokage.

"Hokage-sama judging by the fact that you are here, Then the kidnapper has been subdued and is currently under interrogation?"

The Hokage takes out his pipe and lights it before answering Hiashi.

"The moment the man awoke he pleaded to me that all he was doing was taking a quiet stroll, through the forests of Konoha when he was attacked by Enma here, even though he had no ill intentions toward him."

Hearing this Hizashi lets out an loud audible gasp and comments.

"What is this nonsense, surely you do not believe him Hokage-sama?"

Chuckling slightly the Hokage shook his head and replied

"Now, now Hizashi I might be old but I'm not senile yet. There's no need to fret I've already had a Yamanaka share his memories with me, So we have all the proof we need to win against them if Kumo decides to press charges."

Taking a puff of his pipe Sarutobi watches as the Hyuga's slowly start to visibly relax, taking the pipe out of his mouth he says to Hiashi"

"If you want a full report of everything that transpired tonight, you can come request one from me tomorrow morning, now I understand it's been a long night for everybody, but shouldn't you deal with the matter at hand?"

Hiashi responded to the Hokage with a half confused half stoic face.

"What do you mean Hokage-sama?"

Sarutobi points to Naruto than says.

"I do believe that young Naruto Uzumaki has something that belongs to you, and I'm sure he is quite tired from carrying it for you all night."

Both the Hyuga brothers were shocked when they heard the boy's name and Hitomi just blushed lightly than walked over to Naruto and attempted to take Hinata from his arms which was easier said than done,

While Hinata was sleeping she had grabbed a fistful of Naruto's shirt and now prying her off of him was out of the option, every time Hitomi attempted to pry one of her hands off Naruto, Hinata unconsciously launched a deadly juken strike in her direction, the first time she attempted it. Hinata had nearly gouged her eyes out and only because of years of battle experience did Hitomi barely dodge it.

Deciding to give up for her safety and well-being Hitomi smiled down at Naruto and said

"Well Naruto-kun it seems like she doesn't want to let you go. So it would seem you two will need to share a bed tonight doesn't it?"

Naruto blushing slightly at the idea of sleeping in the same bed as Hinata replied.

"I don't mind sleeping in the same bed as somebody. As long as you don't mind that Hyuga-sama." Turing his head over toward the Hyuga clan head Hiashi looking for his response.

Seeing an opportunity to deal with an issue of who was going to watch over Naruto, Sarutobi immediately agreed for Hiashi

"I'm sure the Hyuga clan would love that, wouldn't they Hiashi?"

Hiashi breaking out of his thoughts replied.

"Huh what look after him…. Sure we have plenty of rooms." all the while trying to regain his composure.

Sarutobi gave Hiashi a grin than said, "Perfect than, Naruto-kun will stay with the Hyuga clan till he is scheduled to return to Mount Myoboku in a week. While he is staying with you I will send over the funds that I was going to provide for him to acquired lodgings, if nobody has any problems with that? Then I will take my leave.

Taking a quick scan over the three Hyugas, Sarutobi noticed that both Hiashi and Hizashi were deep in thought while Hitomi was smiling at the sight of Hinata in Naruto's arms, Sensing no disagreement from them he turned and began his trek back to the Hokage tower once again signaling Enma to come along.

Noticing the Hokage was gone and her husband and his brother still in a state of shock she shook her head at them, she motioned Naruto into the compound.

After they were gone Hiashi and Hizashi turned to each other than together they said in unison.

"Uzumaki?"

Hizashi than said, "Could he really be their son."

Hiashi responding, "I don't know for sure but the resemblance between those two is uncanny."

Than a grin of realization broke over Hizashi's normally stoic face, "You know if your daughter plays her cards right and if he really is who we think he is, Than Ibelieve fate is about to shrine very brightly on the Hyuga clan.

Hiashi returns Hizashi's grin with a light smirk. "Yes it is brother… Yes it is." Hiashi turning he heads back inside the compound cackling inwardly the whole way.

Inside Hinata's room, Hitomi leads Naruto over to Hinata's bed and sits down patting a spot next to her she motions him to have a seat. Rather reluctantly Naruto sits down next to her still nervous about being in Hinata's room without her permission.

Looking over at the Hitomi Naruto notices a few tears rolling down her cheeks, confused Naruto asks

"Lady Hyuga is there something wrong why are you crying?"

Hitomi shakes her head then wipes the tears away, "no there's nothing wrong Naruto-kun, it's just you remind me of somebody I used to know."

Naruto looks into her eyes than asks, "My father?"

Hitomi gasps and immediately covers her mouth with her hand, "You know?"

Naruto chuckles a bit then looks away from her an says, "You would have to be blind not to notice the resemblance, I found out one day when I was going through books in my grandpa's room. There was a picture of him being used as a page marker for one of his books on sealing."

Hitomi leans over and hugs him, whispering into Naruto's ear. "We all miss him so much, he meant and did so much for us when we were younger. And when he died my husband changed he became so distant, but now you're here maybe you can change him back.

Sitting back up she ruffles Naruto hair lightly, Suddenly a knock is heard from the other side of the door then a voice asks

"Hitomi-sama are you in there?"

Hitomi stands up and strides over to the door and opens it revealing a young Hyuga female with a cup of tea on a tray in her hands"

The female Hyuga bows slighty "Hitomi-sama I bought you your tea for tonight"

Smiling Hitomi takes the tray from her hand thanks her and closes the door than walks back over to Naruto. Placing the tray on top of a nightstand Hitomi picks up the cup of tea and hands it to Naruto.

"I haven't officially thanked you for saving my daughter yet have I Naruto-kun?"

Naruto takes the cup of tea and stares at it than back up at Hitomi and says sarcastically with a grin.

"One of the richest clans in the entirety of Konoha and all I get for saving their precious daughter is a cup of tea." He laughs than continues, "you're very lucky I'm not a materialistic person Lady Hyuga but all in all this cup of tea will suffice."

Naruto taking a quick sip of tea exclaims.

"Oh my! Forget what I said Lady Hyuga, this tea is absolutely marvelous. I do believe this is a fine compensation for your daughters return."

Hitomi giggles at the show Naruto is putting on once again leaning over she ruffles his hair and says, "A prankster just like your father."

Standing back up she turns and leaves the room before closing the door she pokes her head in and says. "You two behave tonight, As much as I enjoy your company Naruto-kun. I would not appreciate having grandchildren this early." Giggling once more at Naruto's blush she wishes him a good night and closes the door."