Tears

It was winter once more. Now both the twins turned 8. Naruto and Kaito were moving around in the snow to get to Ichiraku's.

"Brr, its so cold. I dont like winter at all - believe it."

Kaito looked upward against the sky and saw the snow slowly dropping and leaving its beatiful mantle on earth.

"I find it calming. I prefer it over sweating all day long in the summer."

Then he looked back at Naruto. "Why are you wearing those aviator goggels right now? Doesnt it freeze your head more in this cold?"

"Heh, not at all.", grinned Naruto back.

"And stop grinning so sheepishly. I know you brought them because you want to prepare yourself for wearing the real headband. But that is still some time off, you know?"

"Nah, I will apply for a early graduation."

Kaito was a little bit surprised. He still planned to do that. "...You better forget that idea."

"Huh? Why? You dont want to beat everyone else? I will show them that I am ready!" Naruto was extremely motivated to try his exam after the winter.

"Is it because of Sasuke again? You sure are fixating yourself a lot on him. Anyway, I will just tell you right now before you come home crying... Your Bunshin is still crappy. I doubt they will let you pass at all. That your grades improved doesnt mean everything. You still need those fundamentals."

"Urgh, really? Hmm. Then next year!"

While Naruto fantazied more about becoming a ninja Kaito noticed a group of other kids close by. It was at the park they usually went rhrough when going to Ichiraku's.

"Hey, isnt that Hinata-chan?", asked Kaito.

Naruto looked as well. "Right, thats her. Looks like she is playing with some friends?"

"Want to go over and say hi?"

"Sure, lets go."

After deciding to approached the group and moving, they soon started to pick up the conversation they had.

Both Kaito and Naruto frowned hearing the words that were said.

"Look at those creepy eyes. I bet she is a monster.", said one of the five kids that stood in front of Hinata.

"Yeah. The Hyuga monster.", comfirmed the next.

At those words Hinata got teary eyes and started to cry.

Seeing that really pissed the twins off. They started running at the trio.

"Hey you assholes!", shouted Kaito.

"Huh? What do you two want?", asked what seemed to be the leader of the five. "Who the hell are you anyway."

Kaito and Naruto were standing in front of Hinata now after arriving.

"I am Naruto Uzumaki! Me and my brother Kaito will become the future Hokage!"

'Since when did he change that?', thought Kaito while glancing over to his brother.

"But right now we are here to beat you up!", added Kaito and refocused on the trio.

"Oh, you against us 5? Dont make me laugh."

"Hey, I think I heard of them. They are the monster twins."

"Really? That makes sense. Monsters protecting each other."

Both Naruto and Kaito got a cold expression on their faces.

Naruto actually wanted to intimidate them and used his clone-jutsu. But he failed - like always.

Two little chibi Naruto appeared in front of him. "I will beat you up. Believe it." - "Me too.", said each one in a high voice.

"Ahahaha! The future Hokage my ass!", laughed the group.

"Take this!" Then the leader punched Naruto while he was flabbergasted by his clones.

Kaito at that moment just charged at them as well. With his Taijutsu he made easy game with them.

From time to time he did received some hits because he was outnumbered, but he made sure to beat them black and blue.

"Urgh! You bastards. We wont forget that. I will tell my parents!"

"Lets go! We cant win against monsters!"

With those last famous words the group ran away.

"Damn it! Wait!", shouted Naruto. Then he looked at his brother and scratched his head. He saw him having a swallon left cheek. "Sorry that I messed up."

"You distracted them. That was already enough.", smiled Kaito at him.

Hinata came over to them. "Are you both alright?", she asked.

Naruto flinched and stood up pretty fast. He was still sitting in the snow after he got that punch to the face.

He seemed to be somewhat embarrased about showing such weakness in front of a girl. But he just smiled.

"We are fine, right?", he asked Kaito.

Kaito smiled after seeing his brother behave like that. Then he came closer to Hinata.

"Yep, we are fine. So cheer up Hinata-chan.", grinned Kaito and wiped away the little teardrops that were still on her face.

Feeling his touch Hinata started to blush.

"Huh? Are you alright. Do you have a fewer?", asked Naruto and placed his hand on her forehead to feel her temperature.

Hinata became even redder and avoided them with a litle swift move backward. Then she instantly bowed lightly. "Thank you very much!", she said a little bit hasty.

"No problem! You are welcome. By the way, Hinata-chan. We tried to visit you but someone from your home always said you are busy. Can we ask when you got free time? ", asked Kaito back now.

"Right, at the academy you seem so quiet and we rarely speak.", added Naruto.

"That..." Hinata didnt know how to answer. She didnt know about them being send away when they tried to visit her. "...I am currently very busy."

In the end she still avoided that topic. Kaito noticed that and accepted it as is. "I see. Well, if you need our help some time. Just tell us, alright?"

Hinata thought about it and nodded. "Mm, I will."

"Alright, see ya Hinata!" said Naruto and ran off. Looks like he was eager to finally eat something.

Kaito nodded at her and also disappeared after waving her goodbye and following his brother.

Hinata looked at them leave and smiled. Then she noticed Naruto his scarf still lying on the ground.

She picked it up and made her decision to give it back to him when they meet at school.

A shadow was watching this and was very intrigued by the outcome of the event. Then it just disappeared when Hinata started to walk away.

----

At Ichiraku's the twins were eating their usual bowls of ramen.

Kaito was thinking about Hinata at this moment.

'I wonder what is going on at her place. But she sure became happier'

Suddenly something happened to Kaito and tears appeared in his eyes. They welled up and shortly after rolled down his face.

"Huh! Whats wrong, brother? If its about stealing your meat. I am sorry. Here"

Kaito just looked at what he was doing and smiled wrily again.

"I am alright. There was just something in my eyes.", he said and wiped away his own tears with his sleeve.

Naruto still looked at him and frowned. He never really saw his brother with a teary face. This was the first. Even he himself probably cried more than he did.

This event happened because Kaito suddenly remembered something that was gone all those past years. He finally remembered his old memories.

But at the same time the heartache that assaulted him was so bad that he couldnt hold back his emotions and instantly he started to shed tears.

He was even close to crying out loud if Naruto didnt notice it and tried to cheer him up.

That was the cue he needed to swallow it inside and harden up. But he still felt sad and empty.

The memories about Kushina and Minato surfaced. Their deaths clearly depicted in his mind. His parents deaths in the night of the attack.

'Mother....Father....You collosal idiots....', he thought about it.

But then again he was happy to know who they were now. In the mind of his alter ego, this information was the most precious thing he could ever ask for.

"Is everything really alright? Should Onee-san give you a shoulder to cry?", smiled Ayame.

Kaito snorted lightly. "So the devil is still trying to seduce me. Nah, I am fine, Onee- san~", grinned Kaito.

That actually surprised Ayame. But she just kept going. "So that is how you feel? Onee-san is very hurt and sad now."

Kaito just smiled and continued to eat. The ramen was warm. It mended his sorrow a little bit.