The warm light streamed through my open window causing an irritated sigh to escape my mouth as I slid down into the comfort of pillows. The warmth was addicting as it surrounded my lithe body, enveloping me in its evil plot of making me late. Yet it was so warm and soft; I really liked my new pure black silk sheets that I had bought three weeks ago. It felt like I was sleeping on air or perhaps a gentle cloud flouting in the sky. Not only were the sheets absolutely delicious, but the bed itself was the right of amount of squishy and hard that I had spent nearly half my paycheck on to get. Why did I have to get up so early? Because the Third Hokage demanded I see him at nine in the morning.
With a grunt I swung my body from the comfort and immediately landed on the rough ground. The wooden floor's scratchy surface didn't offer any protection for my calloused hands from the sharp splinters that dug into my flesh. With another grunt I pushed myself up and went down once more repeating the cycle until a new sheen of sweat covered my tan skin. I switched quickly to my next exercise by lying down and lifting my upper body off the ground so I was once more sitting. I repeated the exercise until I accomplished about fifty before switching to stretching my now heated body. I fell into the splits and moved to stretch both my sides and arms. With a sigh I stood straight and walked over to the large, white sliding door made of paper and wood.
I walked down the barren hallway, void of all noise, in my pajamas: a pair of holy sweats and grey tank-top that showed the smallest extension of skin. My long, pale blonde hair swirled around my body in a mess of knots as my hips swished. I reached the end of the hall and slide the door open to reveal a simple bathroom with white counters, a bath and shower combo, toilet, and multicolor towels hanging off their rods.
I reached for the shower and flipped the water on causing a cascade of frigid liquid to rain down on my semi-warm being. Yelping, I leaped from the water and began to curse the cold that I despised so much. As I waited for my shower to warm up I stretched my sides and legs again so not be sore from my routine workout. Soon steam was fogging the mirror and I leaped happily into the warm shower. I scrubbed my body harshly until the once tan skin turned a rosy pink before continuing .After I rinsed my hair of any remaining of the refreshing scent of cucumbers and shaved both my legs I leaped from the water to dress myself in a hurry. Quickly I turned around to examine myself.
My pale blonde hair was pulled out of my face, although a few pestering strands fell into my multicolor eyes. My right eye was a shocking violet while my left was completely white from the fact that I was blind. Across the exposed skin and white surface ran three scars that went from my hairline to chin. At first I tried to hide them like Kakashi did, but soon found it was pointless. My face was simple and devoid from blemishes while body lean and muscular. I knew that when I moved I made no noise as I prowled about like a giant cat. Even my old team members agreed that no one was as silent as I.
I wore my standard outfit: blue pants that ended halfway down my calf, a light grey tank-top with white bandages underneath, one black gloves that ended at my wrist and exposed my fingers, another black glove that went to my upper shoulder and held in place by more bandages, a light grey ninja pouch wrapped around my right thigh, no shoes just bandages wrapped around my calf to center of my foot, and a dark blue scarf that slightly hid my lips. My ninja fore-head protector was wrapped around one of my legs with black cloth.
Almost ready to leave I walked back to my room to grab my clean and neatly kept katana leaning next to my black silk bed. The hilt was a dark scarlet color mixed with snow white in a criss cross pattern along with summoning signs etched in and a long black chain attached to the end. Strapping it onto my back I began to arm myself to the teeth. A dagger hidden in my right glove, senbon needles hidden in my feet bandages, more needles hidden in my hair, and summoning wrist bands. Along with the new weapons I slapped on some simple makeup so to hide the ANBU marking on my arm.
"Alright I'm ready for anything that old man throws at me." I grumbled to myself and marched for the exit in my small home. It was built on the outer edge of The Hidden of Leaf Village, surrounded by trees and the peaceful sound of birds chirping. The house itself looked plain yet had a small garden of both vegetables and fruit that I usually ate fresh. A couple of herbs also grew in the barley tamed garden that I used along with my minimum healing Jutsu to heal my wounds I suffered from missions.
I began to run using an intense pace to match that of even Gai to speed up my travels until it only took my three minutes to reach the Hokage's office. Even as I ran I was nothing more than I blur and as far as I knew the only one faster than me was perhaps the Fourth Hokage. Like always I was as silent as a hunting cat ready to pounce on my prey. I passed dozen of villagers laughing and joking while bargaining food and clothing. Shinobi would turn at the sudden gust of wind I caused making them jump and spin around looking for the source.
I reached the Hokage with ease and stopped right below the window that was only a few stories higher. I sent chakra to my feet and hands causing a soft blue light to form on my finger tips. With ease I began to scale the wall moving up the rough patch of painted wood and stone.
I landed on the top window and winked at the ANBU guard watching me with curiosity. His eyes beyond the mask widened when he realized with shock who I was. He quickly began to bow, but I had already turned my attention inward. I looked through the window to the old man talking to a young boy in the center of the room. He looked the same as always: his graying hair spiky with a matching goatee, slightly rumpled Kage uniform, a few liver spots dotted his wrinkling face and dark eyes filled with heartbroken emotion. The Hokage was at eye leaving with the boy blocking my view as he spoke softly to the terrified child.
"You called me Lord Hokage." I called out causing the boy to stiffen and the old man to turn around and give me a small smile. As he turned I saw the small, sniveling boy trying to hide his tears. He was a small child with golden locks falling around his chubby cheeks which each had three whiskers like markings etched into his slightly tan skin. His large blue eyes were as bright as sapphires yet were rimmed with red. What caused to gap was the long list of wounds covering his slight body. He has cuts with dried blood covering his arms, legs, and torso while splotches of burns from what looked like a hot poker. His right eye was swelling with a bruise while his lip seemed to be split from a hard punch. What the hell had happened to the child?
"Kiyoshi, it's good to see you again." The old man said with a gentle smile while standing protectively in front of the child though I could tell he didn't deem me as a threat. The small boy was trying to hide himself behind the elder while at the same time trying to hide the streaks of liquid that cascaded down his cheeks. I watched with curiosity as the boy glared at me through the red-rimmed eyes obviously untrusting and determine though with what I had no idea. "Can you go wait outside for a second while if finish up with Naruto."
I nodded and stepped out the door this time and plopped my bottom to the ground. I tried to listen to what they were saying, but it was impossible with the amount of sealing Jutsu laced into the stone surrounding the office. Slowly I lost myself as I hummed random rhythms that came to mind until the door opened and the old man peeked his head out to look at me. I looked up and lazily rose from the ground while pondering on what took so long.
"You can come in now. The boy is asleep." I nodded and followed the older man into the office. Naruto was curled up on the Hokage's chair his cheek slightly pushed up as a near silent snore erupted from his mouth. I couldn't help, but aw in my head at the adorable sight he made. The Hokage smiled fondly before turning to toward me.
"Do you know who Naruto is?" he question causing a puzzled look to form on my face. I shook my head no and he sighed in relief. I frowned at his reaction although it wasn't surprising I didn't having only have been in this village for about seven years. "Naruto is the holder of the nine-tailed fox spirit."
I froze; everything seemed to click together like a perfect puzzle piece. I knew the tale well. Around ten years ago an angered demon attacked the village causing mayhem and death. To save the village the Fourth Hokage sacrificed his life to seal the demon inside a person probably a child. This child happened to be Naruto. The boy looked so innocent curled up against the chair. Yet everything made sense from his haunted look to his beat up appearance. The cuts and bruises on his body were probably from angered villagers both Shinobi and pedestrian. Foolish people to take their sadness and anger on a poor boy who hadn't even had the chance to protect himself from the attack. They should worship the boy not attack him. The sad almost haunted look in his eyes was also able to be explained due to his lack of human interaction. And why I was called here: to watch over the nine-tailed fox with my secret Jutsu.
"I see. You're going to put him under my care? Correct?" I asked although I already knew the answer. The old man gave me a playful smirk and nodded his head in agreement. I ruffled my hair by threading my clean hands through them causing knots to be ripped clean. My two front teeth caught my bottom lip and bit down without my notice as I contemplated the problems of watching over a ten year old kid.
I knew that I was powerful enough to protect him and not prejudice enough to care about the demon that rested inside his body. My forbidden Jutsu was a good way to suppress his demon inside. Plus with I was a skilled Jounin that could train the boy to gain power.
"He has neither family nor any one to watch out for him. He needs someone, Kiyoshi." The Hokage all, but whispered to me and I sighed again which I seemed to be making a habit of. I knew that the kid needed someone, but why did I have to be the obvious candidate. I really didn't want the responsibility.
"What about money and missions?" The two main reasons I couldn't take a child into my care. They were easy excuses, but I had a feeling the Hokage had already come up with an excuse. Even if I took care of Naruto I had my own missions and he could be attacked especially if any of the Jounin were against the boy.
"You will be paid an allowance for taking care of him every month that you will choose to do with. It's the same money we give him to live off of. Your mission will to train Naruto and when you deem him powerful enough you will take him along with you. Plus in two years he will be part of ninja team with a Jounin to help look after him." The Third Hokage stood with his arms crossed softly in front of his body. The fond look that gleamed in his eyes made my heart lurch when I thought of all the times he had helped my twin sister and I. He was trying to give the same chance to Naruto that he had given to us.
"Fine, I'll do it." I snapped and began to grumble under my breath about manipulative old men. A soft snort awoke me from my day dream of giving the Hokage a piece of my mind. I turned only to see the small boy curling up in a small boy on that comfortable chair. He looked peaceful even though his eyes were still puffy from crying and small hands that were fisted. It was the expression on his face that made him look like just a harmless little kid. A hurting little kid.
"When do I pick him up?" I sighed and gave an exasperated look to the Hokage. He looked almost shocked that I had agreed and let the smallest of proud smiles display on his lips. "Oh, don't give me that look Hokage. You and I both now that I couldn't let that kid suffer especially since I could give him a chance to survive. After all you did the same for me."
"I see what you mean. I should of guessed that why you would do it. I guess I have the same feeling I had with you when I first realized the attacks the villagers were causing. I saddens me what people can do to children just because of fear." He whispered as his words brought back memories best left untouched.
The smell of blood intoxicated the room. It smelled of rust and rotting corpses causing a small gag to escape my throat. The scent flooded over me causing me to choke and gasp as I searched for clean air not the coppery tinted gas that surrounded me. It chocked me like hands gripping my throat trying to suck the life from my slight body. I tried to muffle my gasps for clean air for I knew I had to remain quiet so that I wasn't beaten again or that my sister was taken away. I couldn't bare it if she was to leave again. Yet the smell was so strong it nearly made me gag once more.
It was my fault the blood had splattered the ground, coating the once black rocks in a mix of decomposing flesh and bones. The small white shards of bone just able to be seen through the mess of muscles and liquid that had come from the young man who had died. I remember the look he had given to me as he pleaded for his life. His bright green eyes shining with disappear and tears. I wanted to let him go so he could return to his family, but I had been ordered to kill and I refused she would be taken away once more.
I began to sniffle as the warped thoughts filled my head like a disease as I slowly began to crumple onto my knees. My head was held between my palms with fingers threading through the strands nearly ripping the grungy locks from my scalp. It would make the memories leave and the pounding of voices stop. They always stop when I'm in pain. I sniffled again and let out a small sob.
Slap!
I heard it first and felt nothing, but numbness on my cheek. I knew under all the grim it was turning an angry shade of red and then the pain started. It spread from the center like a stone falling into a pound causing a ripple effect. The tears stopped and sadness echoed through my body because I knew when we got back that my sister would be gone
The pain so much pain. It was like someone had shoved a hot pocker through my body coated in a thick layer of poison. It filled me causing it to explode out of me in giant boom killing anything that go to close. The ninja's screamed as they were slowly torn apart. Their skin went first followed by the muscles and bones and then the blood would freeze, suspended in small drops and then it would turn to ash. Everything even the plants and animals could not and would not be able to escape. They could not escape the power that surrounded me.
The voices had returned they told me to kill and shred anything including the man who brought my sister. They warned me that one day she would be gone and that if didn't kill the man soon she would be gone forever. But I couldn't do it. Not if it meant not seeing her again or hearing her kind and gentle words, or soft hand help me take off the blood and grim. I couldn't bare it so I didn't listen. I reached for the small shards of glass that surrounded my frail body bringing one up and slashing the pale skin of my wrist. The warm, blackish liquid slowly rose up and spilled from the laceration as pain crippled my muscles, but the voices disappeared. They all left.
The blood so much blood. Usually didn't care, but it was her blood. My dear, precious sister's. She lay on the ground gasping as the man laughed. I wanted blood I wanted his bloo-
No I refused to remember at least right now because of where I was and the need for tears had long since past.
"You're right." I sighed and slid my hand through my silky tresses causing most to fall free. "So when will I be introduced to Naruto." My voice was thick from trying to hold back the memories and tears that accompanied them.
"How about now?" The Hokage said and turned to see two sleepy sapphire blue eyes widening. They were still slightly blood shot, but looked much better than before. At least he didn't have streaks of water running down his cheeks. His small mouth opened in a yawn and to my shock I noticed that his canine teeth were as sharp as fangs. I nearly gapped at them, but managed to ignore the need.
"Hey old man who the ninja." The boy asked in a hyperactive tone which nearly caused me to stumble and fall flat on my ass. How could he be so happy after he was nearly beaten to death by angry villager? How could that bright smile form and laughter erupt from his mouth? How could he be so strong?
"I'll introduce myself. My name is Kiyoshi Matsu. I am a Jounin level ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village and an ex-leader of ANBU team." I gave him a level look as he mouth slowly became unhinged. I guess beside the Hokage he had never met someone of strength and to him the Hokage would only ever be an old man. On the outside I knew I appeared cold and distant almost, but really I wasn't that bad.
"I am Naruto Uzumaki." He said with a cheerful grin, but I could see the distant look hidden in his eyes. Even the smile he gave me seemed slightly too large to be natural and not forced. My eyes saddened when I realized the mask he had placed over himself. "One day I am going to become Hokage. Believe it."I looked toward the Hokage who was had the playful grin once more set in place. I hated that smile because it usually was something I loathed doing that brought fun to his paperwork filled life.
"The Hokage has informed me that your house was burn down in the last attack on your life." The boy cast his eyes down to the floor as his small hands began to twist in turn in worry. "So the Hokage asked me if it would be alright if you were to stay with me until you deemed it time to move out."
"What?" he shouted and pointed an accusing finger at me as I frowned. "Why would you agree don't you hate me to." He shouted with conviction causing a worried frown to mar my face as I tried to come up with a reason I was agreeing this madness.
"Naruto there is a reason I am doing this." I told him and was going to continue, but was once more interrupted by an angry glare.
"I knew it you just doing this because the old man ordered you to. You don't care for me or anyone else. You're just like the others, pretending to be nice so you can gain my trust and then crush it." He screamed as he took a deep breath to continue his rant. Before he could even open his mouth my hand neatly smacked him on the back of his head so that his surprisingly soft, but tangled hair brushed my hand and he nearly fell to the floor.
"Shut it Kid. Respect your elders and you will get respect back and no back talking until you let me finish. Is that understood." I growled as a now scarred Naruto lamely nodded his head up and down in shock. "Good, now I will tell you why and if you respect my reasons you can come live and train with me.
I was born in the Hidden Village of the Moon along with my twin sister Ayama. We were born into a dying clan whose power was weakening over the years. The clan's ability to force decomposition was fading. However, both me and my sister were born with amazing talent that surpassed even the most skilled of are clan. Even as children no older than three both my sister and I were shock to our fact are clan became terrified of us for are power was becoming too strong to handle, especially mine. No one beside my sister could touch me or my chakra would immediately attack theirs. It got so bad that one time I through a tantrum and the entire building was destroyed by my chakra. My sisters was strong although not nearly as strong as mine for my power was evolving. I had the ability to take chakra from my opponents causing them to either be killed my lack of chakra or be immobilized.
Soon word spread about my abilities and people deemed me as a threat and monster. Soon the only person who would talk to me was Ayama while everyone else would run in fear. When I turned six years old an attack on my village was made and the hidden moon village was massacred. Ayama and I were able to run away, but were captured soon after. The man who caught thought to use my blood limit to make him more powerful and used me for many years to kill his enemy and all that opposed him. He was cruel and a tyrant.
To put a stop to him the leaf dispatched a unit to kill him for he was now an S class criminal. They killed him with ease much to their surprise and found me. They planned to kill me, but my sister stopped them telling them that it was just because I had no prior training that I was out of control. In fact after few chakra practice it was easy to control.
We were both taken to the Leaf Village and taken in by the Hokage. This is why I want to let you live with me. I want to give you the same chance I got to start over and be free from your past." Naruto just looked stunned by reasoning and slowly nodded in agreement.
"I accept your invitation to go live with you." Naruto said in a surprisingly proper way. He gave me a timid smile and I stood stretching my back to release myself of any tension. "Kiy-senpai you said train me also. Did you mean it?"
"Huh." I said and looked down at the kid whose eyes were bright with hope. I sighed which I noted that I needed to stop making it a habit of. "Sure kid. I love to train you, but I will not go easy on you just because you're only seven years old. Plus I except you still to go to the academy and stay with my training. If you can do both then yes I will train you." He sat for a second and nodded in excitement.
"Well it seems you both have sorted out any problems." The third Hokage said with a glimmer of a smile before taking on a more serious approach. "Naruto's belongings were destroyed in the explosion so he will need a new wardrobe. The money needed will be supplied. Good luck to the both of you."
TIME SKIP
I walked down the street with a very pleased looking Naruto prancing next to me. His messy blonde locks swayed in the hand as he smirked to wide it caused his eyes to shut. His boy was leaning backwards with his hands stacked behind his head as he asked random questions that came to mind. I myself was sighing in the inside. I couldn't believe I had taken this hyper active kid under my wind. I must be going crazy.
"What's your favorite color?" Naruto asked while trying to look indifferent although I could tell just by the way he peaked at me when he thought I wasn't looking that he was absorbing every ounce of information I gave him. So far he had managed to ask about all my favorite food, clothing, dances, and dreams.
"Umm, let's see. I like black, green, and silver." I said while continuing the slow pace. He was just a kid who obviously a trouble maker in the making the way his eyes would glint at certain things like a thief making its way from a shop or kids playing pranks. In fact I knew I he had a slight record of being obnoxious a habit I was bent on breaking. That and his bright clothing.
"What boring colors. Mine are orange and blue! Do you have any family?" He asked while turning for the first time in his game of twenty questions to look up at me. I smiled in my evil and sadistic way causing a sweat drop to fall from his forehead.
"I told you earlier that I had a twin sister." I said while exhaling rather loudly. My hands lightly played with the pockets on my pants as I came up with a way to describe her. "She is very kind and gentle. In fact if anything she is one of the kindest people you will ever meet. She is a ninja healer down at the hospital. Ayama is one of the head doctors and takes care of extreme medical conditions. Unlike me she uses are Kekkei Genki to help people."
"What is your Kekkei Genki?" Naruto asked surprising me with the depth of the knowledge the kid was asking for.
"Seru no sōsa is the name of our Kekkei Genki. It is a simple ability unless you don't know how to control it. The purpose is to manipulate the cells in your body or something else. It can be used to decompose or recompose depending on the user. I don't have the ability to recompose at all because my decomposing ability is strong. My ability allows me to decompose both objects and chakra with ease. Although my power is strong I do not use it very often for the fact that it is purely for killing nothing else. Ayama's is mostly recomposing which allows her to heal people instead of kill." I said while Naruto just tried to look smart by nodding his head in agreement. "You didn't understand most of it."
"Nope," he exclaimed while popping the p in the word. His bright smile and laughter were enough to cause a bright smirk to form across my face. "Hey, Kiy-senpei where are we going again?"
"To get you some new clothing since most of your stuff was destroyed in the fire." I noted what he was wearing at the moment and I couldn't help, but clench my teeth at the shocking orange color his jumpsuit was. It was absolutely horrific and would cause any girl in her right mind to back away from the literally walking orange. How the heck can he wear something so bright?
"Really. That's awesome. Thanks Kiy-senpei." He said happily and began to skip next to me as we watched the pedestrians walk by. Most ignored the boy, but some sent nasty glares which Naruto seemed oblivious to, but I had the feeling he was ignoring them. We reached the shop I was looking for and I could help, but smile happily.
The shop was a ninja store I visited often. They sold weapons of all shapes and sizes along with ninja clothing. There clothing was special because woven into the threads was metal that could be used to deflect blades that could cause harmful wounds. Last, but not least, they didn't carry any orange jumpsuits.
"Hello, welcome to Suota how may I help you." Called out a high pitched voice of the gennin who worked the shop on the weekends. She was a small, mousy girl with high voice that drove me insane, but her father did supply great weapons and clothing so I ignored the annoyance.
"Were fine thank-you." I called out and walked to the clothing section. There were basic tops, pants, gloves, hats, and jackets all in normal colors. I myself grabbed a few shirts and pants I would need to replace the one I destroyed in my last mission. "Pick what you want kid." He wandered around for a little bit before returning with frown on his face.
"There is no orange." He pouted haughtily and I couldn't help, but laugh at his expression. "What?"
"Naruto, orange is not a very good color for ninjas. It just isn't particle. It stands out and doesn't blend in with your surroundings." He all, but growled at my words as he glared from under his bangs. "How about we make a deal?"
"What is it?"
"You get normal clothing and I will get you some things that are orange like a scarf or jacket to wear over it. Okay." He thought about my proposition for a moment before nodding in acceptance at my idea. So we spent the next half hour finding a bunch of black, blue, and grey t-shirts that were both skin-tight and baggy along with baggy pants similar to the ones I wear and black gloves that were fingerless. Last I grabbed some more kunai and shrukien along with a couple of herbs for healing before we went up to pay.
"Is this all?" The girl said with an almost timid smile on her face.
"No I want to put two special orders in." She peeked up in surprise since it wasn't often that they got requests. "I want an orange scarf with the Uzumaki sign on both ends along with it being fire proof and very durable. The scarf should offer protection against both kunai and shruiken. My second order will be an orange jacket that is both loose and comfortable with blue accents." Her nimble fingers quickly scribbled down the order as I reached into my wallet to pay for everything.
"That will be $123.25." She told us and I paid the amount before scoping up the bags and handing a couple to Naruto. We walked for about thirty minutes in silence much to my enjoyment.
"Were are we going." He asked with a frown on his face when he saw use approaching a large forest filled with trees and shrubs with the bright red wall in the distance. He seemed slightly disturbed when I didn't answer and entered the trees. As we moved quickly through the semi-dense woods we came a across a clearing were my house laid. Surrounding my house was a training grounds made up of a small lake, wooded area, grass, and herb garden.
"You live here?" he asked in amazement I just nodded before heading inside. My hair swirling around my back as I whipped open the door and marched inside only to dump the bags of the kitchen table.
"Alright kid this is my home and training area. If you are going to stay here we are going to have to establish some rules." Naruto nodded dumbly. "First rule: always listen to what I tell you no matter what. If I say do two hundred pushups than I expect you to do every single one of them. Second rule: never wake me up unless it is an emergency which includes an attack on the village, a fire, you're dying, someone who is important, the Hokage or another Jounin, is at the door with a message, or my sister is there. Your ramen burned or you got a splinter are not valid excuses. Third rule: I don't like people who complain so try not to. Follow these three rules and we should be good." I grumbled and rubbed the back of my neck as Naruto gave another nod.
"What happens if I break these rules?" He wore a cheeky smile as he asked this question so I decided it would be best to freak him out a bit.
"I will take your ramen away for an entire month." His eyes widened and a silent no made its way onto his lips. I laughed and Naruto soon joined in. "Don't worry kid I am not too harsh." He nodded in agreement and we both left to fix up his room and put the new clothing away.