15Disclaimer: Nothing's mine. Just Bun and whatever stupidities I make.
A/N: Yay, new chapter! Thanks for the positive reviews, guys! You all rock. But not as hard as The Rock. Nothing beat him. Except for paper, that is, like a restraining order or an overdue book receipt.
Chapter 3: What's in a Name?
Hiruzen looked at the bunshin. "Now let us settle some matters." The three youngsters looked at him expectantly, eyes wide with curiosity. The Third felt nostalgia creep into him. Memories of his genin team came unbidden, to a time before his students realized just how cruel the shinobi life was.
"I believe it is prudent to give clone-san a name." He smiled as the redhead's eyes doubled in size, mouth falling open slightly. "It's unreasonable to keep calling you 'clone-san' as we know not how long you will be staying with us."
"S-So I really can't d-dispel, Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen nodded, "I'm afraid so."
The boy bit his lip thoughtfully. What did this mean? Was he going…to live? A sudden rush of happiness followed by an inkling of uncertainty filled him. He didn't know the first thing about living. He's been created for sole purpose of being useful, whether it be in combat or helping Naruto with some menial task like fetching a bowl of ramen or pulling weeds for a D-rank mission. He hadn't been summoned to live. Only to serve.
Hinata looked at the Hokage and then at the clone. "What should w-we call you?"
"Ramen!" Naruto said loudly. The bunshin sighed in tandem with the Sandaime. Hinata giggled.
Hiruzen rubbed his forehead tiredly. The boy was going to give him an aneurysm at this rate.
"No, we're not naming him ramen, Naruto." He looked at the older boy. "What would you like to be called, clone-san?"
The shadow clone blinked. Him choose? He wouldn't even know how to approach the problem. Does he just pick the first thing that comes to mind like Naruto? Or does it have to have meaning, a story to go along with it? He shrugged and stopped, remembering just whose presence he was in.
"I don't know. Anything is fine, Hokage-sama."
"Maybe Akatsuya?" Hiruzen suggested. "It means red glow." The elderly man motioned to the boy's bright red hair.
The bunshin thought for a moment and shook his head. No, it...doesn't feel right...? Does it have to have a feeling? Would he feel anything? The clone took in a deep breath and focused on what was going on in front of him. No need to lose his mind to his own thoughts.
"Oh! What about Ryuu? Dragons are awesome, 'ttebayo!" Naruto said, fist-pumping the air. "You can be like those guys in that show with all the colorful suits 'n stuff!" His clone smiled in amusement along with Hinata.
"I don't believe Ryuu suits him." The greying shinobi said apologetically. Ryuu was a strong name meaning dragon and the clone didn't exactly fit the bill. He reminded Hiruzen very much of Hinata; timid and soft-spoken. Hard to believe this was a clone of Naruto considering how…boisterous the boy tended to be.
The kage bunshin shuffled and picked at his clothes. All this attention was making his face warm.
Hinata tentatively rose her hand.
The blonde boy looked at her curiously. "What's up, Hinata? You got something?" The girl blushed and poked her fingers together timidly.
"Yes, I-I was thinking…maybe we could call you," she looked up at the taller of the three, "Bun?"
Naruto nodded sagely, eyes closed, looking for all the world like a small old man.
"I get it. Short for Bunny because you," the clone blinked, "kinda act like one- all jumpy and fuffy."
"How am I fluffy?" the unnamed teen whispered just loud enough for only the Hyuuga to hear. Hinata giggled again, hiding it behind her hand politely.
The Sandaime reached over with a speed that shocked the former two and ruffled the jinchuuriki's spiky hair.
"Quit it, old man!" Naruto playfully slapped at his hands.
"Bun is short for bunshin, Naruto-kun. Is this right, Hinata-san?" The Hokage looked away from the fuming genin and smiled at Hinata.
The girl nodded shyly and looked at the teen at her side worriedly. He was looking down, his red hair covering his face and his shoulders were shaking. Had she upset him? Perhaps the name was insensitive in some manner? Or weird, like calling a person, Per, or a human, Hu. Hinata tapped her fingers together. Had he wanted to choose his own name? Although the clone hadn't objected earlier, not really, instead he'd encouraged them.
Hinata opened her mouth to apologize when suddenly the clone's head shot up, a familiar grin spreading across his whiskered cheeks.
"I love it, 'ttebaru!" Bun yelled, eyes sparkling and a happy blush covering his cheeks. Hiruzen sweat-dropped. Maybe the two boys weren't so different after all.
Naruto turned to Bun and pointed at him. "Hey! You sound just like me, 'ttebayo!" The teen clamped his hands to his mouth in shock. Had he really just blurted that out loud? Hinata couldn't help it. A happy laugh burst out of the normally reserved girl, startling Naruto. The three males looked at the Hyuuga with surprise. Once Hinata noticed they were all staring at her, she stopped, mouth shut tight and a mortified look contorting her face.
"Hey, that's the first time I've heard you laugh," Naruto said quietly. A grin bunched up his whicker marks cutely. "You should do it more. You have a nice laugh, Hinata."
Hinata felt heat spread down her neck. She stammered a quiet thank you.
"Ah, young love. "Hiruzen muttered wistfully, smoking on his pipe. The trio turned to him, two of the three slightly redder than the other. "Now, what to do with Bun-san?"
Before anyone could put in their two cents, Bun stepped forward. He bowed low, his lean frame quivering slightly.
"I have an r-request, jiji-sama." The boy looked up, his eyes hardening with a look of determination the Sandaime had only witnessed in his more experienced ninja. "I-I would like the opportunity to join Konohagakure' ranks as a shinobi so I can protect the boss."
Hiruzen nodded slowly, "Request granted. I'll make the proper arrangements."
Naruto looked at Bun with surprised. Bun simply smiled at him. The blonde felt something warm settle in his chest. Naruto smiled back, not the usual Cheshire-like grin he gave everybody else, but a real one this time. He liked this feeling. It felt nice.
Hinata stepped forward addressed the Hokage, albeit with less familiarity than the two whiskered boys.
"Hokage-sama, won't people b-be suspicious of Bun-san?…ano, he d-did come from nowhere...?" She questioned, losing her confidence and falling silent under the older man's gaze.
Hiruzen hummed. He looked at Bun, his softening when he looked at his red hair. Maybe it was time he honored their forsaken allies with another son- on more homage to the spunky whirlpool ninja who'd given up everything to carry a burden for a foreign village.
The council was going to have his head for this, though. Hiruzen let a ghost of a smirk cross his face for a split second. Oh, well, this office was much too boring. He didn't to do something exciting every now and then, lest he die of boredom. Besides, the boy looked more and more like Minato every day. It was a wonder no one had figured out Naruto's lineage. Hiruzen frowned. He should probably address that problem. What else was passing by his shinobi's eyes?
"Yes, they will." The Third faced the teenager. "From now on you will be known as Uzumaki Bun, lost kin of the Uzumaki Clan, and a citizen of Konohagakure. You will stay with Uzumaki Naruto from now on and you will have the chance to take the genin exam as you've requested."
Naruto felt a flurry of emotion rush through him. Kin? As in family? Wait a second… Was he going crazy or was he just missing something because…Uzumaki Clan?!
Before Naruto could question the old man, Hinata spoke.
"E-Excuse me but what do y-you mean by Uzumaki Clan, Hokage-sama?" The bluenette asked.
"Yeah!" Naruto piped in, body buzzing uncontrolled energy that quickly turned into anxiety. Could he dare to hope? He'd wanted a family for so long and now here it, a few questions away from him
"I thought my last name was Uzumaki to honor some lady or something because I was an orphan?" Naruto looked, hands fisting tightly. "If there's an Uzumaki clan then that must mean there-" Hiruzen held his hand up, effectively silencing the loud blonde. The trio looked at him with mixed looks of hope and expectancy.
Hiruzen sighed, "I'm sorry to tell you this now, Naruto, but the Uzumaki clan and their homeland, Uzushiogakure, perished during the Second Shinobi World War. If there they were any survivors they've either been collected for their bounty or are in hiding; forgotten to all the world." Naruto looked crestfallen and the other two teens looked on sympathetically.
The old man continued, "Naruto, you are right. You're name was not just given to you to honor a fallen shinobi but because you are the last surviving Uzumaki that we have any knowledge of."
Naruto looked at the elderly Hokage with pain and unexplainable grief.
He'd just found out he had a family; a whole clan of Uzumakis only to be told they'd all been killed or were forced to flee and hide like cockroaches. Naruto looked down, laughing bitterly. "So I am alone, after all." Hinata frowned, clutching her hands to her chest as she watched Naruto mourn his fallen clan. She opened her mouth but no words came. What could she say? What could she say to console the one she admired so much? Her words held no power, they never have so why would they here?
Bun suddenly stood up straight and pulled Naruto in a tight hug.
"Gah! What the hell, Bun?!" Naruto shouted, pushing the other's face away from his. The redhead simply held on tighter, tears flowing down his whiskered cheeks.
"You're w-wrong, Boss. You're not alone because you have me now: Uzumaki Bun, 'ttebaru!"
Hiruzen nodded, looking pleased. "Yes, the similarities between Bun and Naruto are too much to hide or simply dismiss. This way there is no doubt and perhaps someday the Uzumaki's name can rise once again."
Hinata smiled softly as Naruto looked at up at Bun with watery eyes. The redhead felt his boss's, no, his family's gaze on him and offered him a gentle smile, not unlike Hinata's own.
"I guess I'm your new cousin, B-Boss."
Naruto grinned, "And your mine so you can drop the 'Boss' crap, okay?"
"Hai," the redhead murmured. The boys smiled at each other happily for a moment before Bun turned to the Hokage with a raised hand.
"Yes, Bun-kun?" The change in honorific gave the clone a warm feeling.
"Jiji-sama? I-I was wondering about m-my shinobi status…" he trailed off, looking at the aging ninja unsurely. He might be a clone, but he had emotions like any other person. His home was Konoha. It was his duty to serve his village in any form he could. And in order to do that he had to understand how it worked. His jumbled memories helped him a little. Naruto wasn't very book smart but luckily Hinata was. And then there was stuff floating around that had no business being there- black lines of delicately drawn kanji writhe restlessly, the blood in the ink shining the candlelight- but it wasn't his.
Hiruzen took his pipe out and inspected it, subtly noticing the fire and determination flickering in the redhead's eyes.
"Yes?" The Hokage prompted.
Bun swallowed and stepped forward a little.
"If it's alright with you, jiji-sama, I'd like t-to attend the academy before taking the genin exams."
"I will see what I can do," His gaze landed on the boy in front of him. Bun held his gaze evenly. Despite his timid countenance, there was something powerful beneath the surface. He glanced a Hinata, who was listening quietly. They both possessed a silent strength, one that would only grow stronger if given the proper care. "As there are no records of any kind for you, I believe it would be wise for you attend the academy if only to appease the council's suspicions and your wishes"
Bun blinked. He was actually going to the academy? Yatta! Excitement bubbled inside his chest.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Bun bowed with a grin. The Third returned it with an amused smile.
Naruto frowned, "Wait, wait. Isn't Bun too old to go to the academy, jiji?" Hinata looked at the Hokage, curious about his response.
"Technically, there are no age restrictions as to how old you must be to attend. Only that the attendee be of five years of age or older. However, it's rare we get someone of Bun's age attending this late." Hiruzen answered patiently. "I'll be personally enrolling Bun-kun into the academy and he'll be able to attend by," he looked at a clock on the wall, "tomorrow. I suggest you two head home before it gets dark." Hinata looked out the window. The sun was slowly setting, the dying rays painting the village a lovely of orange and yellow.
She was going to miss dinner!
Hinata gasped and bowed to the third Hokage. "I a-apologize, but I must go back home. Thank you f-for your time, Hokage-sama." Her father was going to be furious if he found out she spent the whole day watching with Naruto and not utilizing her time in a 'meaningful manner'. She was happy, despite her father's potential ire. She did spend the whole day with her crush, even if he was unaware of her presence most of the time.
Hiruzen nodded, "Alright, but until further notice Bun's origins are classified as an A-rank secret. This kind of jutsu, until studied properly, can be very dangerous. Please refrain from using it again, Naruto. Is that understood?" He asked sternly. The three teens nodded, although Naruto did so grudgingly, muttering something about 'teme' and 'show off'. "Good. You're dismissed."
The three bid the Hokage farewell and left. Once they were out of the tower, Hinata began nervously fiddling with her fingers.
"Um, well, uh I guess this is… g-goodbye, N-Naruto-kun, Bun-san." She stuttered, looking anywhere but at the blonde in front of her. Bun smiled softly. He knew how she felt. The feeling of butterflies flapping around his stomach resurfaced in his mind.
Naruto opened his mouth to say goodbye, but was beaten to it by a cough from Bun.
"Why don't we w-walk Hinata-sama home, Naruto?" He looked around the darkening street warily. "It's kinda d-dark." Naruto shrugged.
"Why?" Naruto asked bluntly. Hinata's face fell. Bun, upon seeing her expression was quick to explain himself.
"B-Becuase, although Hinata-sama is strong, she's a lady and it's our duty as gentlemen and s-shinobi of Konoha to ensure her safe travel."
Naruto blinked.
Bun sighed, "Hinata-sama is your friend and I'm s-sure it would make her happy to spend more time with her friend."
"Oh!" Naruto crowed. "Why didn't you just say it like that the first time? Lead the way, Hinata!" He smiled brightly in her direction. Hinata felt her face redden and quickly turned around. Bun sighed again. The walk to the Hyuuga compound was quiet but not uncomfortably so. Hinata shyly peeked up at Bun was busy admiring the buildings and then at Naruto who was walking with his hands behind his head and whistling absently. The jinchuuriki caught her looking and smiled at her, eyes closing happily.
"What's up, Hinata?"
"Ah, n-nothing!" Hinata squeaked and ducked her head, hiding her blush behind her bangs. It was a miracle she hadn't fainted. She'd never been so close to Naruto without feeling like the floor was going to be ripped out from under her.
Naruto shrugged, "Uh, okay." He faced forward and continued the aimless tune.
The blonde's blissful ignorance of Hinata's feeling and Bun's calming presence helped ease Hinata's frayed nerves. Talking with the Hokage always left a bundle of fried nerves. After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the large compound doors. The guards outside the gates spared hem a glance, eyes lingering on the boys a second longer, especially Bun. The older looking of the three shivered uneasily.
Hinata bowed politely, "T-Thank you for escorting me home, N-Naruto-kun, Bun-san." Naruto gave her a thumbs up.
"No problem, Hinata." The jinchuriki waved. "Have a good night!" He turned and started walking in the direction of his apartment. Bun faced Hinata and politely bowed.
"G-Goodnight, Hinata-sama." Hinata smiled gently and watched the two boys walk away. Mustering up her courage she raised her voice, "G-Goodnight, N-Naruto-kun, Bun-san!" Naruto turned around and waved excitedly at her.
"See ya tomorrow!" He hollered. His volume caused a few angry shouts from nearby homes.
"Keep it down, you ruffian! Some people are actually trying to sleep here!"
Hinata giggled as Bun apologized for his cousin. She walked into the compound, feeling lighter than she ever had before. She smiled softly to herself and turned her face around to watch the two small retreating figures.
"See you tomorrow, Naruto-kun." The shy heiress whispered, turning around and entering the Hyuuga compound.