Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

A Son's Path: The Last Namikaze

Chapter One: Saying Goodbye

The wind blew through Konoha making the leaves dance. It was sunset and the bustle from the shop owners could be heard as they were closing for the day. Unknown to the villagers there was a silent observer. He was not trying to hide his presence, it was something that occurred everyday since he was born. He was invisible, but not by choice.

As he sat in his favorite spot atop the Hokages, he silently pondered. Both his brain and his heart were trying to absorb what he had just learned. To say that it was an overload was the understatement of the year.

The Godaime Hokage, Lady Tsunade herself, just dropped a bomb on Naruto. She had just explained to him about his heritage. She told him everything he had always wanted to know.

He had known for sometime now what was sealed away in his belly. He also knew that it was the Legendary Fourth Hokage who had sealed away the Kyuubi. Naruto also knew why it was done. Secretly, he was proud that he could protect his village and all those who were precious to him. But he was sad because no one saw him for what he was meant to be, a hero.

Not that it really matter to Naruto, personally he was used to being ignored and hated. It saddened him because it dishonored the Fourth's wishes. His father's wishes.

Naruto had lived his life thus far thinking that he never had any family who loved him. But now he knew that he was loved very much. He knew that his mother and father had wanted their son. They had not abandoned him like he had always feared.

He was only twelve, still to young to claim his father's title as the last Namikaze. Not that the council would let him near that title until he proved himself to them. Naruto indeed had a lot to think about. His future was unclear right now. He had to make some important choices to make at a young age.

He sighed and thought to himself, "I don't know why this bothers me; I'm use to being on my own."

Earlier that day, Tsunade had not only revealed who his parents were, but she also told him about her meeting with the council. Naruto, along with Kiba Inuzuka, Neji Hyuga, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Rock Lee had returned from their mission to retrieve Sasuke Uchiha the day before. The mission had been a failure.

When the council had been informed about the fight that had taken place between Naruto and Sasuke, they had been furious to say the least. As always, the blame was cast on Naruto and Naruto only. Even with the protest of the others, nothing could shake the council. They saw it as a direct attack against their last precious Uchiha. They seemed to ignore the fact that he was now a missing-nin. They were more concerned about his bloodline limit and nothing else.

Lady Tsunade had done her best to try and protect Minato's boy. A boy she loved as her own. But the best she could do was let Naruto choose his fate. He could either be forced out by ANBU, in exile or leave with honor and remain on "friendly" terms with the Leaf, and be allowed back from time to time. However small it was, he wanted his honor.

Word spread like wildfire through the streets of Konoha. The "demon brat" was leaving. Naruto was given three days to collect his belongings and leave the village quietly.

- - xXxXx - -

There wasn't much that he wanted to bring with him. There were a few pictures, some scrolls, clothes, whatever ninja gear he had left and a few cups of instant ramen. With his few modest belongings packed in to his travel bag, he exited his tiny apartment that the Third Hokage had helped him get, and made his way to the front gates.

Naruto didn't tell his friends when he was leaving. He didn't know if he could handle the goodbyes of the few precious people he had. But as the gates came into view, he saw a crowd of people waiting for him. In the crowd stood Neji, TenTen, Lee, Kiba, Ino, Hinata, Choji, Shikamaru, Shino, Guy, Tsunade, Shizune, Iruka, Kakashi and a very sad looking Sakura. Naruto was a little shocked when he didn't see Jiraiya as well. An overwhelming sense of sadness was in the air as Naruto approached the group.

"As glad as I am that you all have come to see me off, I wish you wouldn't have," Naruto sighed. "This makes leaving so much harder."

"Like we wouldn't come to see you Naruto, we will all miss you." Tsunade said as she stepped forward and embraced him in a massive hug.

"Oi! Baa-chan, I can't breathe!" Naruto managed to yelp out.

"You keep calling me that and you won't be able to walk brat." She said in a playful tone as she released him so he could continue on down the line.

"Keep in touch Naruto. When you come back I will treat you to some ramen." Iruka said.

"Thanks Iruka-sensei." Naruto replied with a small smile.

"Man I can't believe this." Kiba said. He stuck his hand out and shook Naruto's.

"Me either Kiba." Naruto replied as he moved on.

Ino hugged him. "Behave yourself."

"I'll try." He somehow managed to force out one of his famous foxy grins.

Shino shook his hand and nodded his head in true Shino fashion. After all, he was a ninja of few words and Naruto had accepted this. He was grateful for the bug ninja's presence.

Hinata, who could usually not speak in front of him in happy times, could only sob on his shoulder. Which was very bold for the shy kunoichi, but she couldn't contain her sorrow.

"I am sorry Naruto, this is a sad day for the Leaf, whether they know it or not." Neji said as he bowed in respect.

Knowing the Hyuga, he bowed back, "Thank you, Neji."

Not knowing exactly what to say, TenTen hugged Naruto and gave him a package. "I thought you could use them. My dad just made them. So, they are nice and sharp."

Naruto opened the package to see a dozen new kunai. He smiled gratefully, "Ah, the best in the Leaf. Thank you TenTen." He stowed them in his kunai pouch behind him.

When he reached Lee and Guy, it wasn't much of a shocker to see the two embraced with tears streaming from their eyes. Everyone at the gates sweat-dropped at the sight. Naruto sighed, "Some things just won't change." He quietly side stepped the two who were mumbling about the flames of youth.

Shikamaru just sighed and shook his head. "Troublesome." He extended his hand to Naruto.

"For once, I completely agree Shikamaru." Naruto smiled as he accepted the shadow ninja's hand.

Choji was steady munching on some chips when Naruto approached. He looked at the bag he was eating and sighed. "I'm sorry Naruto; I brought these here for you. But we were waiting for so long and…"

"Don't worry man. I understand. It's the thought that counts." Naruto shrugged it off.

Kakashi and Sakura were last. As always Kakashi was reading his orange book. He sighed and put it away. "Naruto, I know you will be alright. And even though you aren't a Leaf Shinobi, don't forget you are one never the less."

Naruto looked his old sensei in his eye, "Thank you sensei."

Kakashi crinkled his eye. He thought to himself, "Ah, sensei, what would you think about this if you knew…"

Finally he reached Sakura. The both looked at the ground. Naruto spoke first. "Sakura, I'm sorry that I couldn't bring him home to you… I…"

Sakura launched herself at Naruto and flung her arms around his neck and started to sob. Naruto stood there dumbfounded. He thought she hated him.

"Sakura?" he questioned.

"It's not fair." She cried, "First I lose Sasuke-kun, now you too. What will I do without my team?"

Naruto squeezed her in return and said softly to her, "You'll survive. You have too. And I know you will. Train hard and bring him back."

With that, he let go of her and walked out the gate. He forced himself not to look back.

-End-