Memories of the Future

A/N: here's the other chapter i promised!! i really like this one, personally, and i hope you all enjoy it too!!

same tags apply


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Memories of the Future: Chapter 7 - Hinata
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Naruto stood before a full-length mirror, admiring the deep blue of the silk kimono he’d chosen to wear out with Kakashi. It reminded him of his wedding attire, only without the Uchiha crest. He smoothed his hands down the front of the material, smiling softly as he imagined another time, when his stomach had been rounded with child.

Naruto scowled at the sudden thought that he may never have children again and occupied his hands with the task of dealing with his hair. He didn’t know what to do with it. Braiding it seemed so blah and boring, and his pigtails just wouldn’t do with the kimono. So Naruto just ran a brush through it and let it hang down his back.

‘No. I should do something with my hair. If the wind blows, it’ll tangle my hair.’

Naruto reached up and parted his hair, shifting the two sections over each shoulder. He then braided each and tied them off at the end. Then he looped them up and tied the tails to the top of the braids. Naruto looked at himself in the mirror, rather pleased with his unique hairstyle. Well, it was unique to him, and Sasuke would probably…

Naruto sighed. The walk home with the Hokage had been strained and silent. Sasuke was still upset with ‘Yuki’ for prying into his business, and Naruto didn’t want to say anything more to the Uchiha until he got some answers from Kakashi.

Naruto sighed again and moved to the door. Temari would be by to deliver his groceries, and then Naruto had to make the Uchiha dinner before he met Kakashi in town. As he came down the stairs, he could hear some people at the door and hurried to the hallway. Kei and Touya were grabbing bags from Temari.

The Sand ninja had certainly changed over the years. A long kimono not unlike Yuki’s had replaced her mesh shirts and short kimono, though hers was rounded by what looked to be another child on the way. Her hair was pulled back in a bun, a few tendrils falling about her face. Naruto almost didn’t recognize the woman. It made him wonder how much Gaara had changed in sixteen years.

“Ah, Yuki-chan, just in time. These two lovely boys are going to put the groceries away for you, right, boys?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Kei was grinning, and Touya was smirking slightly. It was no wonder that they moved to do her bidding; Naruto knew how scary Temari could really be.

“Here, Yuki-chan, I also picked up some take-out so you won’t have to cook right before your date.”

Naruto blushed and turned when something hit the floor behind him. Kei and Touya were both in the kitchen doorway, looking in surprise at him. “You have a date tonight, Yuki-chan?” Kei asked.

Naruto turned to take the food from Temari. “I appreciate everything you’ve done, Nara-san.” Then he leaned in to whisper, “Who in the world told you that I had a d-date tonight?”

Temari leaned back and smiled. “Shinsuke.”

Naruto stared as she waved and turned away. He had to assume Kakashi had opened his big mouth about dinner, and Shinsuke had told his mother, and Temari had jumped to conclusions. That had to be it. But that would also mean that Rei had heard. What if he had told his parents? Who were his parents? Were they the type of people to spread gossip? Neither Neji nor Hinata would do that, but what if they hadn’t married each other?

Naruto swallowed audibly. Clutching the food to his chest, he closed the door and turned around to head to the kitchen. Kei and Touya were still staring at him, and he slipped by them, making sure to keep his head down so they couldn’t see his blushing face. This thing with Kakashi was not a date.

“Please call your father and sister for dinner.”

The boys muttered an agreement, and as they went upstairs, Naruto set the table in the adjoining dining room. As the whole Uchiha troupe started down the stairs, Ayame happily chatting away about her day, Naruto started to distribute the food to the plates. He stood back as they moved to their seats and sat down. They gave thanks and grabbed their chopsticks, and Naruto turned to leave.

“Are you not going to join us, Yuki-san?” Naruto turned back to see Sasuke staring straight ahead, but it was clear he’d been addressing Naruto.

“Uh, I… that is… uh…” Naruto didn’t quite know how to put his answer.

“She has a date tonight,” Kei said gloomily as he stared at his food.

“Really?” Ayame shrieked, looking at Yuki in awed wonder. Touya had a slight scowl on his face, but didn’t say anything. Sasuke just blinked, but he finally turned his attention to Naruto.

“You have a date?”

“It’s not a-”

“Temari said she had a date tonight, and that’s why we’re eating take-out.” Naruto looked at Kei in despair. Why was the boy digging his grave?

“I see. Have a wonderful time then, Yuki-san. Ayame, you will do the cleaning tonight.” His tone was cold, dismissing, while still being indifferent. Sasuke had always had that particular talent, Naruto thought.

“Yes, Oto-sama.”

“But, Hokage-sama, I am not-”

“Yo, Uchiha clan.” Naruto turned to stare at their visitor along with the Uchiha. Kakashi had a mischievous light in his eyes that told Naruto that he had included ‘Yuki’ in that clan. He glared at the jounin in return.

“Kakashi? Is something wrong?” Naruto turned to see Sasuke standing from his seat, concern creasing his brow.

“Nothing’s wrong, Hokage-sama. I’ve just come to pick up Yuki. My, what an interesting hairstyle, Yuki. It’s quite surprising.”

“Pick her up?” Sasuke’s concern turned to confusion, and Naruto could see his children sharing that same sentiment. “You are her date?”

Naruto turned scarlet, which probably caused him to glow since his skin was so pale.

“Date? Ha, well, I wouldn’t say-”

“I think we should be going, Kakashi.” Naruto tried to usher the man out of the dining room, but Kakashi stubbornly dug his heels in.

“What’s the rush, Yuki?”

“I. Said. Let’s. Go.” Naruto smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Kakashi just laughed and threw an arm about his shoulders before agreeing and walking toward the door.

He threw a goodbye over his shoulder, and when the door closed behind them, decked Kakashi upside the head. The man looked at him in askance. “Why did you do that, Naruto?”

“Do I really need to put up with your shit just because I’m in someone else’s body? Now, let’s hurry up. I have a lot of questions, and I’m sure you have a lot of answers.”

“Indeed.” Kakashi’s tone was solemn, and Naruto figured tonight was going to be a long one.

~*~

“I remember seeing the enemy as they charged me. Then something flashed in the sky and hit my body. My mind felt like it was on fire. I couldn’t move. Something ripped through my gut. I remember being held by Sasuke, and then I woke up inside Yuki’s body.”

Kakashi sighed. “The enemy sliced you open, and for some reason, Kyuubi didn’t heal you. I never understood why.”

“Well, that flash was Kyuubi coming from the future. So, for a small moment, I had two Kyuubi in me. Do you think that had something to do with it?”

Naruto watched as Kakashi closed his eye in thought. “There is some merit in the theory. Kyuubi’s chakra fought impurities in your body, whatever they were. It’s possible that Kyuubi entering your mind forced your Kyuubi to concentrate on that instead of healing you, ending with both of you dying and Kyuubi bringing your soul into the future. But I must admit this is very confusing.”

“You have no idea, Kakashi-sensei. But what confuses me is what happened to the village? Why is no one happy? And what about Yuki? Why does the village hate her?”

“Believe it or not, but no one is happy because you died.”

“What?” Naruto stared at the jounin incredulously.

“You were turning more hearts than you realized, Naruto. The village was really warming up to you. Some were even hoping you’d make Hokage. Your death was sudden and unexpected, and after you had brought this village the one thing they’d wanted for decades – a new Uchiha clan. Many admired you for that alone.”

“I had no idea.”

“I would assume not. You’d spent so many years drowning out the voices of the village, you didn’t seem to hear their whispers of awe and gratefulness.” Naruto ducked his head. “Don’t feel bad, Naruto. No one blames you for doing that.” Kakashi trailed off, and Naruto looked up. The man was staring off into the distance.

“What about Yuki, Kakashi?”

The man turned a sad eye back to Naruto and sighed. “This isn’t going to be easy for you to hear, Naruto.” Naruto nodded his head for Kakashi to go on. “After you died, your body was held in state while we fought off the remaining enemies that sought to also kill Touya, Kei, and Ayame.” Naruto’s eyes widened. “I’ll tell you about that later. When they were finally gone, we buried you. Everyone was taken aback by your death. Our defenses were down. Akatsuki attacked.

“Sasuke was so enraged at his brother’s audacity that he savagely killed every member that dared come near him. Meanwhile, one of them raped one of our kunoichi before he was killed. That would be Yuki’s mother, and she refused to abort the pregnancy. Nine months later, the men that killed you injured both mother and child in yet another attack. She died just before giving birth, and Tsunade was afraid that the baby would be dead before they could cut it out.

“But the baby was still alive, and now, knowing what I do, I guess it was thanks to Kyuubi. The village saw the child as the thing that had killed her beloved mother, and it didn’t help that she was the daughter of an Akatsuki member. They wanted to kill her, but Tsunade wouldn’t allow it, saying that she hadn’t been able to protect you, but she would die protecting that child. She was named Yuki for the snow that had fallen that night, and sixteen years later, only a select few that had befriended you in your youth stick by her. It’s rather strange and interesting.”

“Kakashi, who was her mother?”

The jounin’s eye closed in pain before he whispered, “Hinata.”

Naruto breathed too quickly and choked, setting off a chain of coughs that caused his eyes to water, though they watered in sadness as well. Kakashi was by his side, patting his back and handing him some water. As his coughs subsided, Naruto turned into Kakashi’s chest and cried for everything he had learned that night. It was almost painful enough for him to regret ever asking, but he couldn’t bring himself to feel bad enough to wish that. He had needed to know, no matter how soul shattering.

“Come on, Naruto. We’ll visit her grave, if you like.” Naruto nodded his head, and Kakashi helped him to stand. Kakashi spared him a depressing walk and transported them to the Hyuuga family burial grounds. Her grave was immaculate, adorned with fresh flowers and a water sprite monument, symbolizing her beauty and ability to make anyone feel happy in her presence.

“Here lies Hyuuga Hinata, beloved daughter and loyal kunoichi,” Naruto read. He noticed that it didn’t say ‘wife’ on the stone, and he turned to Kakashi. “She never got married?”

“Kiba wanted to marry her, but the Inuzuka clan refused to give the union its blessing, due to her… condition. He asked Hinata to elope with him, under the protection of both the Hokage and Kazekage, but Hinata wanted that blessing so much. It took months to convince them, but the Inuzuka clan finally relented with the death of the patriarch. However, the attack happened, and she died.”

Naruto shook his head and looked at the snow over her grave. “Dammit.” Naruto sank down to his knees, heedless of the snow and dirt. Kakashi squatted down next to him and placed a hand on his back. “Is Kiba married now?”

“Yeah, just recently. The one to console him over Hinata’s death was Hinabi, and they grew closer over the years. Even Neji grew closer to him.”

“Neji? Gods, how did Neji take her death?”

“He was devastated. It’s my personal opinion that if he hadn’t have had a family that loved him, he wouldn’t have survived her.”

“You mean his wife and Rei, huh? Who is his mother, anyway?”

“That would be Ino.”

Naruto just stared. “How the hell did I miss that?”

“Heh, it was right before the Akatsuki attacked and everyone was drinking way too much in your memory. That led to a drunken night of passion between several couples, and theirs just happened to end with a pregnancy. Even though it was a marriage of morals, they’ve grown to love each other.”

Naruto was silent a moment trying to take in how his friends’ lives had changed. And somehow, he got the impression it was his fault, or rather, Kyuubi’s fault. He finally brought up the courage to ask what he really wanted to know. “Kakashi, what’s wrong with Sasuke?”

“I knew that question was coming. His case is a lot like Neji’s, or rather, Neji’s case is a lot like Sasuke’s. But I’ll tell you the story, if you really want to hear it right now.”

“Tell me, Kakashi.”

“You died in Sasuke’s arms. Tsunade couldn’t do anything, and she cried. Sasuke cried, as well. His tears trailed silently down his face as he carried you back to the village.”

“Kakashi, this is not a novel.”

“Of course, sorry. Well, we were all sure Sasuke would lose it after you died, but your children and friends held him together. One night, he confided in me that he would never love anyone else and has held to that for sixteen years. He’s become cold and distant to almost everyone besides his children, but he is very dependable.”

“Really?” Naruto smiled sadly.

“Yeah. He told Tsunade that you had entrusted the title of Rokudaime to him, and Tsunade damn near dared the elders to deny his application. He’s protected this village valiantly over the years, more dedicated to it than he’s ever been because it was your dream.”

“Then why is he so against speaking of me?”

“Oh, Naruto… You should understand better than anyone how he’s feeling. Everyone he loved left him when he was a young boy, and he loved no one else until you. Don’t you remember how you felt when Sasuke left for Sound? You had the option to fight and bring him back, but since you’re dead, imagine how helpless and alone he must feel. Don’t take his attitude personally. He was hurt beyond repair sixteen years ago, and the pain has only grown more acute. He still loves you so much.”

“And I love him. Gods, Kakashi, how will I get through this? I miss him so much! And my children…! Do you know how painful it is to see them, how they’ve grown, and know I had nothing to do with it?”

“Naruto, I can’t begin to imagine how you must feel, but I ask that you see this through to the end.” Naruto looked at him through teary eyes. “You told me Kyuubi is trying to fix everything, to save you in the past…”

“Kakashi, what’s wrong?” Naruto began to get nervous at Kakashi’s silence.

“It’s just… If Kyuubi was unable to heal you because female Kyuubi entered your body, then that means that had she not, you’d still be alive.”

“Are you saying that… Kyuubi killed me?”

“For whatever reason, it’s looking that way.”

Naruto couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but it made sense. Kyuubi would have been able to heal him had the she-fox not interfered with his abilities. He called up the conversation he’d had with her when he’d first woken, trying to find any clues. But he didn’t know what to look for, and he soon grew frustrated with his own thought process. He turned to Kakashi.

“I have to skip training tomorrow. I have a fox to question.”

Kakashi nodded. They needed answers, and the fox had them. And if Naruto didn’t like what he heard, he swore that fox would get the ass kicking of a lifetime, pregnant female form or no.


TBC


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omg, you hate me now, huh? sorry. oh, and before you jump to conclusions, 1) there will not be anything going on between yuki and kakashi, and 2) itachi is not yuki's father (the father, unless i find it good for the story line, will remian nameless - just someone from akatsuki, take your pick besides itachi... or kisame, i mean come on, would his children be like mutants or something?)

in the next chapter, naruto gets some answers!! what the hell was kyuubi thinking? did she do it on purpose? if i can remember my original plot, then you'll know soon!!