Naruto expounded on how his friendship with Hinata started and gradually grew into love as they grew and trained together. He also explained his ties with Hanabi, and how Hiashi has his own subtle way of showing that he's actually fond of him. Naruto then enlightened Honoka about his grandson-grandfather relationship with Hiruzen, and how it's currently strained from what he discovered recently about his heritage and status as a Jinchuuriki. He told her about the lies he was told, and how nobody in Konoha seems to remember Uzu no Kuni. He also mentioned the other Genin and the teams they're on, along with their Jounin-sensei.
When he got to his team, he made it clear how dysfunctional his team is, and told her of his sensei's and teammates' personality traits. Naruto told her about Sakura's obsessed fangirl behavior over Sasuke, which disgusts him. He also told her how he continuously had to deal with Sasuke trying to steal his girlfriend despite the fact that Hinata made it clear that she doesn't like him at all.
"Now I understand why Kushina left for Konoha. Both she and Mito were the chosen vessels to imprison Kyuubi, and only those of our Uzumaki bloodline can hold it anyway," Honoka acknowledged. "I wouldn't have ever thought that life as a Jinchuuriki would have been that harsh and indescribably brutal. It astounds me that you didn't turn into the very demon they reviled you as over the years."
"To be honest, part of me really wanted to, just to show them some of my hate for them for their sins against me, my family, and all of our fallen Uzumaki brethren. It's because of Hinata-chan that I didn't become the monster that lives inside me. I owe her more than I can repay."
"I can tell that you really love this girl, though you're still a shameless pervert," Honoka remarked.
Naruto snorted, "Hinata-chan knows that, but she doesn't mind. I'm a guy who admires and appreciates exquisite and exotic beauty, but my Moon's Eye Spring Rabbit will always be number one in my book. Everyone in Konoha knows me as the perverted, trouble-making village clown, and my graduating class's dead last who peeps in women's bathhouses and reads Icha-Icha Paradise in the open. That's my mask and the illusion cast over everyone's eyes, which only Hinata's ever seen under. Kakashi-sensei, Iruka-sensei, and Sandaime-jiisan know about my mask, but they have a really good idea what I can really do since they were victimized by me before. I trust that you won't expose my mask to anyone and that you'll accept me as your fun-seeking troubling-making kid brother."
"So long you don't act perverted or flirt with me. It would just look awkward being perversely flirted with by my own little brother, Naruto-otouto," Honoka requested.
"Now that's disturbing, and that says a lot coming from me Honoka-neechan," Naruto remarked. Honoka leaned down and kissed Naruto on the cheek. Despite what he said, Naruto couldn't help but blush, seeing as Honoka was the second female in his entire life to ever kiss him on his cheek.
"You said that you don't have a home to go back to, right? You can come and stay with me back in Konoha. I can explain everything to Jiisan and we can work things out. I have my own place, and I can make it bigger, even though I'll have to break a few walls down to extent my apartment, but everything can be set right. That way we won't be alone anymore! What do you say?"
Honoka thought for a moment, then stood up and sealed the photo album into the scroll and placed it back into her kimono blouse. When that was done, she extended her hand to Naruto.
"I say lead me to your team, and introduce me to them as your long-lost Uzumaki-neechan," Honoka suggested. Smiling brightly, Naruto stood up and took Honoka's hand before started on their way back to Tazuna's house. As they were walking through the forest, Naruto took note of the animals following them. Two small colorful birds flew down and landed down on Honoha's shoulders, and a few other animals gathered around her.
"Honoka-neechan, you mind telling me what's going on? Why are these animals gravitating to you," Naruto requested.
Honoka smiled and explained, "You see several weeks ago I discovered that I have a special kind of chakra that can attract animals, insects and arachnids of all sorts and tame their behavior towards me and whomever I choose. I've been practicing controlling this special chakra of mine but I still need a lot of work before I can master it."
"Every female Uzumaki seem to be gifted with some form of special chakra. What about us male Uzumaki?" Naruto remarked.
Honoka giggled, "Maybe it'll manifest someday, if it's there. Like I said, I didn't know about mine until recently."
"If you say so," Naruto said with a shrug.
(Later that afternoon, elsewhere)
"How do you feel, Zabuza-sama?" Haku asked as she sat at Zabuza's bedside dressed in complete hunter ninja garbs.
"A lot better. In a few hours I should be more than ready to move again. Go make certain the others are ready to move out early by morning. The blood of my enemies will pour over this country and their bridge of optimism," said Zabuza as he reached and grabbed his giant sword.
"I'll inform the others right away," Haku replied, bowing her head before taking her mask with her to do what she was told to do.
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