[FFML] [fic][Naruto] An American Contractor in Konoha Ch 3

[outlawone1 at aol.com]

Sorry for the delay.  This chapter features my first fight scene.  Be gentle...  
 
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An American Contractor in Konoha
 
Disclaimer:  I do not own Naruto or any associated intellectual properties.  If I did I would probably be able to draw something other than stick figures.
 
Warning:  I don’t pull any punches with my language or how the world really works.  I have been places most Americans have never heard of and some of the things I have seen people do to each other, socially and psychologically as well as violence, would make your skin crawl.  It is a really ugly world and some of that is going to reflect in my writing, especially a story like this.  Oh yeah it is also a self insert, maybe you should just stop reading now…
 
Chapter Three
 
 
Time:  0530 hrs Location:  The streets of Konoha  4 years before the start of the Naruto series
 
Normally I’m not an early riser.  In fact unless there is money involved I am pretty adamant getting up at the crack of noon.  However I wasn’t wearing my original body.  Seeing as how it had been reduced to bloody meat chunks and thanks to my new job as a contractor working for Heaven’s Army I was currently wearing the body of one Uchiha Sasuke age 8, like a hand me down halloween costume.
 
Now Sasuke is apparently one of those annoying people that can wake up well before dawn and can be happy about it.  Personally I think the kid had some sort of chemical imbalance and as soon as Tsunade shows up I am going to ask her about it.  I am just hoping there are no more surprises like lactose intolerance or bedwetting in store.
 
Given that I was able to wake up at around 0400 hrs I got ready for the day, packed the leftovers from dinner in a rather plain looking bento I found in the kitchen and headed out to try and find some breakfast before going to the Ninja Academy.  I was looking forward to my first day of Ninja school.  I had picked up some tricks from the original inhabitant of this body, but I still didn’t feel like I was anywhere near competent to run around killing people with sharp objects.  Guns sure, no problem.  I even have some idea how to use a sword thanks to learning a little Aikido in my previous life.  You want me to throw knives at people while they try to kill me by shooting fireballs back?!?!  Yeah I was gonna need some more schooling.  
 
Not to mention Naruto is in the same class in the academy and he is the primary focus of my mission here.
 
All of that is unimportant back story though.  At the moment food was the all consuming thought on my mind.
 
Now Konoha is a military town.  And every military organization that has existed has had a night shift.  Militaries are a 24 hour endeavor and one thing about people on the night shift is they have to eat (so do day shifters, but it is easier for them to get chow).  That generally means that there is going to be some sort of 24 hour eatery.  Probably reasonably close to where ever the command post is.  This meant I was wondering around near the Hokage tower trying to find the local equivalent of an all night diner/breakfast shop.  I was hoping for something greasy and fried, but was trying to keep an open mind since I don’t know all that much about Japanese breakfast food.  Teriyaki and sushi are what come to mind when I think Japanese food.  Yeah I ain’t that cultured, but Konoha is the only place I have been to that doesn’t have a McDonalds or a Burger King.  Heck even Macedonia had Mickey D’s.  (A/N It is in the middle of Skopje not too far from the old castle, they charge for ketchup packets, but after going 6 months without a Big Mac I didn’t mind.)
 
I found one of those little stands serving food and was able to talk the owner into frying me an egg in his wok and toasting up some slices of bread.  He seemed a little put out that I didn’t want any rice with my breakfast though.  In fact for a minute I thought he was going to cry.
 
Having broken my fast I headed towards the Ninja Academy.  So far the voices in my head had left me alone this morning.  Hitomi isn’t a morning person either apparently and Sasuke contented himself to the occasional “Hn”.  Monosyllabic little shit that he is.
 
I was a little early as I walked in the classroom.  Only a smattering of kids were in their seats.  Hinata was the only other member of the rookie 9 npresent all ready in her seat in the top far corner.  Frankly given her home life it didn’t surprise me that she would be early to class just to get away.  I would have thought that she would be following Naruto to school, but I guess she hasn’t gotten to that stage of stalkerdom yet.  I walked up to the seat I vaguely remembered as Sasuke’s.  As I was about to sit down Hitomi made herself known for the first time that day.
 
Hitomi:  “Not that one.  Sasuke always sits in the last chair in the row.”
 
Sasuke:  “It means I only have to sit next to one fangirl.”
 
I shuddered at the thought of sitting in between a young Sakura and Ino and moved to the last chair in the row.
 
As I did Kiba, with a very young Akamaru on his head came trudging in along with a couple other students I didn’t remember from the anime.  I hoped I wasn’t supposed to know any of them. 
 
I got some friendly waves from the new group, but seeing as I didn’t know them and I was supposed to be imitating Mr Super Emo I just stared straight ahead at the chalk board and pretended to be cool.
 
Time dragged on as more and more kids trickled in.  Ino and Sakura made their appearance.  Apparently they started fighting to be first in the class room early today as they both were a bit winded and disheveled.
 
Ino made it through the door first by tripping Sakura at the last second and claimed her “prize” of the seat next to me while Sakura glared daggers at her.  
 
“Good morning, Sasuke-kun.”  She said with much fluttering of eye lashes.  “Aren’t you happy you won’t have to squint against the glare of light off a big forehead to see the board today?”  I heard Sakura grinding her teeth in the back ground.  Honestly that kid was going to make her dentist rich if she kept going.
 
I contented myself with a very Sasuke like “Hn” and tried to ignore the two fangirls as they sniped at each other.  Honestly, Sakura had a lot of good pig related material for an eight year old.
 
A couple minutes later, and right before the bell Naruto appeared.  Looking like he had run a mile to get to class on time.  He made some kind of lame announcement as he took his seat.  Something about the class could finally start now that he had arrived.  Hinata started blushing and pressing her fingers together as he sat down.  I think she was staring at the kid’s ass, actually.  
 
Ino turned in her seat to face Naruto, “Honestly Naruto quit the theatrics.  You are bothering Sasuke and me.”   She then turned back to me and latched onto my arm.  “Isn’t that right Sasuke-kun.”
 
As I started prying the prepubescent vamp off me I snorted.  “At least he is funny.  Now, let go of me.”
 
Hitomi:  “Aw, but you are so cute together.  Of course you and Sakura make a good couple too.”
 
I just growled under my breath at that and wished I had a crow bar.  At this point Sakura had veins bulging out on her forehead and I was sure she was going to start throwing knives at Ino whether she was still attached to me or not.
 
“Let go of him Ino-pig” she snarled as she started balling up her fists.  
 
Ino thinking fast pulled me between Sakura and herself.  “Save me from the evil giant forehead, Sasuke!”  She yelled overdramatically.  
 
With a cry of “Shanaro!”  Sakura launched herself over her desk, over me and on top of Ino.  
 
Thankfully the blond idiot let go of me so she could dodge the punch the pink haired idiot through at her.
 
Not being a total idiot I moved to the other side of the class room as the catfight went into full swing.  For a couple of kids the girls were really putting on a show.  After dodging Sakura’s punch Ino retaliated with a right cross aimed to finish the fight early.  Sakura must not have been as enraged as I thought, because she saw it coming a mile away and slipped to her left before grabbing on to Ino and delivering a powerful knee strike to her gut.  
 
Ino doubled over, but grabbed Sakura’s leg as it was going back down.  She then drove forward and tackled Sakura into the desk I had been sitting a moment before.  They went flying in a spray of classroom impedimenta ending up in a fucked up tangle on the floor while somehow wrapped up with my chair.
 
It looked like the fight was going to get even worse since somehow in the all the mess Ino grabbed a pencil and was trying to stab Sakura in the throat while Sakura held her wrist with one hand while using the other to bash her opponent in the head with a history book.
 
It was at this moment that Iruka and Mizuki walked into the classroom and started yelling at the girls to break it up.  Of course they ignored the two adults and continued trying to kill each other while the Chunin ran over and started trying to pry them apart.  They were having a hell of a time getting them untangled from the chair, but I was going to have to ask Mizuki about the move he used to take the pencil away from Ino.    
 
While I was trying to watch the show the voices in my head started up again.
 
Hitomi:  “Wow, they are really going at it.  That doesn’t look nearly as funny as it does in the anime. “
 
Sasuke:  “They do that kind of stuff all the time.  You will get used to it, eventually.”
 
Hitomi:  “Hey dummy.”
 
I guessed she meant me so I made a non committal grunt that anyone watching would assume was a reaction to watching Sakura kick Iruka in the shin when he got his leg between her foot and Ino’s head.
 
Hitomi:  “This is a good chance to try talking to Naruto.  You remember that whole trying to save the world thing right?  Or would you rather keep watching girls gone wild, ninja edition?”
 
“Pushy hippy.”  I muttered as I turned away the cat fight had progressed to the hair pulling stage anyway, and walked over to Naruto’s seat.
 
“I think my desk is a casualty of war over there.  You mind if I sit here?”  I asked a scowling Naruto as he noticed my approach.
 
“Go ahead.” He muttered suspiciously as he turned back to the fight.  “Sakura-chan.”  He winced as Ino pulled her hand back with a fist full of pink hair attached.
 
“Why you like her?”  I asked companionably as a couple more teachers ran in the room to help, apparently hearing the commotion from their class rooms.
 
Naruto looked at me like I was an idiot.  “Because she is pretty, smells good, and she’s really nice.”  He said just as Sakura kicked a teacher that was holding her between the legs before twisting away to jump after Ino.
 
“Right, nice.” I said while I was wincing in sympathy for the poor guy holding his nuts.
 
“You know kid; none of those traits takes away from the fact that both of those girls are bughouse nuts.”  I said as Ino threw the history book Sakura had been hitting her with earlier into her opponents face, stopping her charge and giving Ino the chance to land a one two combination to her midsection.
 
Naruto turned back to me.  “So what?  Having a girl with spirit just makes them more interesting.”
 
I glanced back at Hinata who had an odd look on her face.  “Listen kid,” I said, pitching my voice so the Hyuuga heiress would hear too.  “Never stick your dick in crazy.  Those relationships never last and always end badly for both parties.  You want a relationship that will last; you need to find a girl that isn’t totally insane.”
 
I could tell by the blush on Hinata’s face that she had gotten my message.  She was also staring at me, probably trying to figure out why Uchiha Sasuke would be giving relationship advice to her and her blonde crush.
 
Said blonde on the other hand, did not understand what I was trying to say at all.  “What would you know about it?”  He challenged.  “Just because all the girls in the class want to go out with you, you think you are cool!  Just you wait and see, I will get Sakura to go out on a date with me!”
 
It was like I could almost hear Hinata’s heart breaking.  “It is something I heard someone say sometime.  It is good advice, you can take it or not, I am just trying to help you out.”  As I said this I looked back at Hinata and mouthed the words “Don’t worry, he will come around.”  Hinata’s blush deepened and she started to look like she was going to pass out.
 
Naruto just snorted and turned back to the front of the class.  The fight was winding down as the teachers, mainly through sheer numbers, had separated the two unruly combatants and were duct taping them to chairs at the opposite end of the class room.  I think we all breathed a sigh of relief when Iruka put tape over their mouths.
 
The academy progressed normally for the rest of the day.  I had fun in history class, learning information about the various Kages and great Konoha Ninja from before that the Anime and Manga hadn’t really touched on.  Geography was similarly interesting.  Math was about as boring as the last time I went through it.  I also got to practice the kawarimi technique some more and even got taken aside by Mizuki for some private pointers in how to more efficiently accomplish the technique.  Naruto on the other hand was working off to the side alone without any help.  Surprisingly he seemed to be progressing without any help.  This was a good thing, because it didn’t look like anyone was interested in helping the poor kid.  Hinata just kind of watched this sadly.  Ino and Sakura were still taped to their chairs, but we had dutifully carried them outside, after being told to by Iruka-sensei, when we started our ninjutsu practice so they could get the benefit of watching.
 
At lunch Naruto disappeared while I hid myself since they had released the two idiot girls to eat under the stern injunction that they would go right back in the chairs if they misbehaved again that day.
 
After lunch was taijutsu and weapons practice.  It was announced that we would do some sparring the next day.
 
Once the final bell rang all of the kids scattered to the four winds except for Ino and Sakura who began arguing over who should walk me home.
 
As I was tip toeing away from what I was certain was going to turn into another catfight I ran into a determined looking Hinata.  Well determined in a scared to death, incredibly self conscious way.  Honestly what did the Hyuuga do to her?  
 
“Wh-wh-what was that all a-a-a-bout, this m-m-morning with N-n-na-naruto-k-kun?”  She stammered.
 
“Walk with me.”  I said as I continued making myself scarce from the upcoming warzone that the two idiots were about to create.  She fell in step while pushing her two index fingers together and staring at the ground.
 
“Look kid,”  I said as I heard the sound of fists impacting flesh behind us, “You and Naruto both have problems.”  She started and looked up at me.  “You are so self conscious and shy, that I am afraid you are going to die of blood loss from all the blushing.”  She dropped her head back to the ground and her shoulder slumped.  “Naruto on the other hand is so brash and in your face that most people hate being in the same room with him.  Add to that all the adults hate him for some unfathomable reason and you get a kid with major issues.”  Hinata straightened her back and looked up with some real fire in her eyes ready to defend the absent prankster, but I cut her off.  “You know it’s true.  That kid needs some taming and you need to get a little wild.  I figure if you hang out together you might rub off on each other.”  Hinata blushed at the way I phrased it, which was honestly a mistake, I hadn’t meant to make it sound dirty.  “That kid is all alone in this world.” I continued, “He doesn’t have anyone his own age to talk to and no real parental figure.  You should try to make friends with him, I think he could really use a friend.”
 
Hinata just looked depressed.  “I-I c-c-could never d-do that.”  She said softly.
 
“Then you are one of the cruelest people I have ever met.” I shot back at her.
 
She cringed.  “Y-y-y-y-you d-don-don’t un-understand.” She said, “I am nothing a dis-disappointment to my clan.  Wha-what w-w-would Nar-Naruto-k-kun want w-with something l-like me?” she sobbed.
 
Hitomi:  “Good Lord this kid is messed up.  What could do this to a child so young?”
 
Sasuke:  “Did you notice she didn’t stutter at all when she said she was nothing ?”
 
Hitomi:  “You have to help her idiot, if you don’t, I will never forgive you.”
 
While the peanut gallery was adding to my mission parameters, with my full consent in this case, Hinata was continuing.
 
“Besides, he w-wants S-s-s-Sakura-san, not me.  W-why would h-he ever t-t-t-t-take something like m-me when he could h-h-h-h-h-have some-someone like S-s-Sakura-San.
 
Just listening to her I was starting to get an ugly picture of Hinata’s home life.  A very ugly picture.  Unfortunately there was nothing I could do about it now, but I made myself a promise to find a way to help the poor girl.
 
“Fuck” I muttered under my breath, getting another flinch out of Hinata. And yes I mentally kicked myself for that one.  “Naruto is only eight years old.  He has never had any parents and has lived on his own his whole life.”  I stated.  “He doesn’t even know why girls are different from boys let alone what the differences are for.  Why don’t you just try saying hello to him when he comes in the class room.  He would like that more than anything, if someone would just acknowledge him as a human being.”
 
Hinata looked at me for a minute.  “Y-You are sure N-Naruto-kun wants a greeting from s-someone like m-me?”  She asked.  
 
“I’m certain of it.”  I replied.  “In fact, I think he would be thrilled to have someone smile and say hello to him every morning.”  I continued with conviction.
 
Hinata drew herself up.  “All-all r-right.” She said.  “I-I-I’ll d-do it.”
“Thanks, Hinata-san.”  I said as I started walking away.  “You really are a good person to help him like that.”
 
She blushed and turned around without another word.  It seems we both had a lot to think about.
 
Time:  1730 hrs Location:  The streets of Konoha  4 years before the start of the Naruto series
 
I had left the academy grounds as was heading towards the market district to find some food for my apartment.  I was taking the back alleys with the real Sasuke providing directions.  He knew the backstreets of his neighborhood pretty well.  He said it was to help avoid the fangirls.
 
Since the alleyways were deserted it gave me a chance to have an uninterrupted conversation with the voices in my head.
 
Hitomi:  “What is wrong with Hinata?  I always thought she was just shy, but the way she was acting is just strange.”
 
Sasuke:  “The Hyuuga clan has always been a little weird.  There were some rumors about them, my-my family would never tell me what they were.  Only that they were bad and that I should stay away from them.”
 
“You sure it wasn’t just some sort of Sharingan vs. Byakugan thing?”  I asked, as I stepped over a piece of garbage.
 
Sasuke:  “That could have been it.  All I can really tell you is my father told me to never go anywhere alone with any of the Hyuuga clan elders.  He was actually really insistent about it.  Do you know what he meant by that?”
 
I sighed internally.  The kid may be the last scion of some great ninja clan, but he was still just a very young kid.
 
Hitomi, I was convinced, was just an idiot.
 
Hitomi:  “I don’t get it.  Did they think the Hyuuga were going to try and steal his eyes?”
 
I crossed a main street and went into another alley.  “Sasuke, I want you to leave the communications room.”  I ordered.  “Hitomi, make sure he does it.”
 
Hitomi:  “What!? Why?”
 
“He doesn’t need to hear what we are about to discuss.”
 
Sasuke:  “What is it?  Does it have anything to do with my clan?”
“No.”  I reassured him.  “This is just some grownup stuff kid.  You don’t need to know this.”
 
Sasuke:  “Who do you think you are to tell me what I can and can’t hear?”
 
“Just do it kid!  Hitomi make sure he is gone then we will talk, if what I think is going on is actually happening it is bad, and we may have to figure out a way to let the Hokage know about it.”
 
Hitomi:  “What?  That could blow the whole mission.”
 
“I know.” I replied as I jumped a fence.  “It is a risk we may have to take.”
 
I heard some shuffling and muffled voices, and then Hitomi came back.
 
Hitomi:  He’s gone, now what is so important, that you are thinking of ruining this mission?  Is Hinata in trouble?
 
I paused a second.  This sort of stuff is ugly and I hated even thinking about it.  “I think she’s been a victim of ongoing sexual abuse.”  I stated in a level cold voice.
 
I heard a gasp over the com link.
 
Hitomi:  What?!  That’s awful!  Why do you think that?
 
“At first I just thought she was being physically and mentally abused,”  I said in a flat tone, “but some of what she said just now makes me think there is a sexual element to it as well. “  She is 8 years old and when I suggested she get close to Naruto her first reaction was to think I was suggesting a sexual relationship.  That is just not normal for a child.”
 
“Her other responses were all messed up too.  I don’t know what happened to that kid, but I know it was really bad, and if I had to guess it is an ongoing problem.”  I said.
 
Hitomi:  “You have to help her.”
 
“Yeah, your right.  I am going to help her, the problem is I don’t know how to do it and still save Konoha, and keep from blowing my cover.”  I mused.  “I want you and the real Sasuke start brain storming together and see if you can come up with a plan to help that girl while I keep working at keeping the Kyuubi from breaking out.  If you can contact Michael and see if you can get some help or info from up above on this one, I have a feeling we may not be able to do anything about this without divine intervention.”
 
Hitomi:  “They won’t like that, giving the Kyuubi any hints of what we are up to is dangerous.
 
Aww how cute she was learning about OPSEC.
 
“I know, I replied.  You let me worry about the demon and keeping it from taking over poor Naruto, just ask them if they can give any assistance at all since there is no way I can let a child go through something like that with doing something.”
 
Hitomi:  “Right!”
 
After that I didn’t hear anything more from my partners, but I easily found the market by the recognizable sounds and smells all street markets have once I was close enough.
 
I never noticed the shadowy figure watching me from the roof tops after overhearing my conversation with myself. 
 
 
 
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Author's notes:  I should have gotten this out months ago.  In my defense work has been busy as hell, I got engaged, traveled halfway around the world and back again, visited the Philipines, and passed through Japan (only the airport, wish I could have gone out and visited, but I guess the Japanese don't need tourists right now).  
 
Oddly enough it was as I was dealing with an IED attack and the ensuing gun battle (I wasn't involved, I was just reporting it) this monring that my muse took the time to resurface and tell in no uncertain terms that it was time to finish and post chapter 3.  
 
Sorry for the wait.  I will be posting the first two chapters to fanfiction.net right after I send this out.

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