Authors Note - Hello all. My name is Raisuke and I thank you for reading my story. This story has been in the works for a while and I thought I would begin to release it before RWBY volume 2 began airing. The entire story came from the observation of Yang having blond hair and purple eyes, traits that could have been found in a female Naruto. Blond hair from Minato and purple eyes from Kushina. This is an AU, meaning it will differ from canon and I hope you're okay with that. Pairings have been decided but will not become serious for a good long while.
Disclaimer - I do not own RWBY or Naruto. They are owned by Rooster Teeth and Masashi Kishimoto respectively, please support the official releases
(Reformatted - 02/08/2014)
-Chapter One Start-
Naruto felt numb, she'd never felt so numb before in her life. It had been a week since the Sasuke retrieval mission, since Sasuke died. It was just before they set out for the mission, when Tsunade said the fatal words.
Flashback
"Shikamaru, Choji, Neji, Kiba... Naruto." Tsunade began, looking between the 5 team members. "If Sasuke is there of his own free will, refuses to return and if capturing him is too dangerous for you to take alive, kill him. We can't allow Orochimaru to gain the Sharingan and I will not allow you to lose your lives to return a traitor." She said to the shock of all the rookies present. They could only nod slightly, Neji being the one quickest to recover. "Now before Naruto can argue, this is only in the worst case scenario. Now go, quickly. Every second you wait is a second they get closer to Orochimaru." She finished before shunshining away.
The quiet group quickly turned and ran out of the gate towards Sasuke.
Time Skip
Kimimaro had run ahead with the coffin, Tayuya had engaged in combat with Shikamaru and Kiba and Sakon had gone over the cliff leaving Naruto as the only member of the retrieval team left to chase Kimimaro. As she moved after him she heard Shikamaru shout out. "Naru, remember Hokage-Sama's orders. No matter how much it hurts, remember her orders."
Time Skip
"Sasuke, come back to Konoha, please. We're begging you Sasuke, please. You'll only suffer and die if you go to Orochimaru." Naru pleaded, if only she could get him to listen.
"Don't waste your breath Dobe. I can feel the power that Orochimaru can give me. I can feel it flowing through my veins. He can only give me more power and by killing you I can gain the same eyes as Itachi, I will kill you on the next attack, Dobe." The mutated Sasuke yelled while charging up a chidori which quickly increased in power.
Naruto was choking up inside. Why? Why wouldn't he come back? He knew he was only going to his death, why couldn't he just let go of that hatred and come home to where people care for him. Now he was going to kill her, she could see it in his eyes, he was going to end her on his next attack. What should she do. Unbidden images came to her. '"If Sasuke is there of his own free will, refuses to return and if capturing him is too dangerous for you to take alive, kill him. We can't allow Orochimaru to gain the Sharingan and I will not allow you to lose your lives to return a traitor." Tsunade said to the shock of the rookies.'
'"Naru, remember Hokage-Sama's orders. No matter how much it hurts, remember her orders." Shikamaru shouted after her.'
'"You know... My greatest regret is that I let Orochimaru go. I let my feelings cloud my judgement, to my eternal regret." A drunken Jiraiya said to Naruto.'
'No matter how much this hurts, I must do it.' Naruto thought while charging up a rasengan in one hand, which quickly turned purple due to the demonic chakra. "Sasuke... For what its worth I'm sorry. You can't go to Orochimaru, I have my orders. I'm sorry but you will die on my next attack." Naruto yelled out to Sasuke as they ramped up the power of both their attacks.
"So this is it then? Two team-mates, one an avenger, one an idealist. One a genius, one a Dobe. A final clash, only one comes out alive." Sasuke cackled as his Chidori turned black. "Die Dobe." Sasuke yelled as he jumped towards her.
Leaping forward to meet him she begins to yell. "Sasuke."
"Naruto." Sasuke yelled as he flew through the air towards her.
"Rasengan/Chidori." They yelled in unison as the attacks collided. A black sphere of pure chakra was created around the pair, expanding until it began destroying the Cliffside. When the dome faded the outcome was decided.
Naruto was left standing, while Sasuke lay dying on the floor of the Valley of the End. She was numb, she had won, but at the cost of Sasuke's life. She collapsed onto her knees crying her eyes out.
"Why Sasuke? Why? Why'd you do it Sasuke? Why, why did I have to kill you? Why?" She sobbed out of her purple eyes as she cradled Sasukes body against her. "Why wouldn't you come back to us?" She said in a small whisper.
"Naruto." A soft voice came from Sasuke. "Thank you, my mind is my own. I'm sorry Naru, I'm sorry for being so weak."
"No, Sasuke I'm sorry for not being strong enough to save you." Naru whispered as Sasuke coughed up some blood.
"S-shut up Dobe. It's my fault, I gave into my hate too easily. I gave into Orochimaru too easily, I let Itachi get to me, I let my jealousy of you get the best of me. I let them get to me and overtake the most important things to me." Sasuke whispered through bloody lips. "I have to thank you. You, Sakura and Kakashi have made the past 6 months the best times I've had since the massacre. I only wish it didn't have to end, that we could be together forever."
"I wish that as well Sasuke, why did Orochimaru have to fuck up our lives 'ttbane." Naruto said, spitting out the last sentence.
"I'll never get to revive my clan now, I guess the Uchiha clan fully dies out. The Uchiha curse of hatred wiped us out." Sasuke said in melancholy. "You know Naru, you were actually at the top of my list for who to revive my clan with. You above any of the fan girls, I wanted someone who was nice but wouldn't take any shit off of me."
"Sorry Sasuke. There was a reason I always asked Sakura out. You sure dream big." Naru choked out.
"A man can dream." Naruto began sobbing harder as she listened to the last words of her friend. "From the first day in academy through to right now, you would do your own thing. Without heed of who wanted what. I always liked that about you. Don't tell Sakura but I always did like long hair like yours." He continued despite the blood dribbling out of his mouth. "Naru... It feels cold, it feels so cold." Sasuke shivered in her grip.
"It's almost over now Sasuke, you'll see your family in a moment." Naru whispered to him.
"I know that Naru, live long, live well, get strong... Become the strongest in the world. Maybe we'll be reunited someday." Sasuke said in a quiet voice. "But it had better not be for several more decades."
"I know Sasuke. I'll see you around." Naru whispered to him.
"I'm warm now... I can see a light. Guess this is it. Goodbye Dobe."
"Goodbye Teme." Naru sobbed out as Sasuke went limp, his eyes glassy. Naruto just cradled him to her chest and started wailing, she cried and wailed until Kakashi burst into the Valley.
Flashback End
Konoha was divided in their opinions of her, the Chunin, Jonin and ANBU were full of respect for her. She had stamped down on her emotions to finish her mission, no matter how much it hurt her. The retrieval team still liked her, as did their unofficial team member in Rock Lee.
Tenten didn't know Sasuke so she didn't care all that much that he was dead.
Kakashi... He was spending all his time at the memorial stone, muttering something about Rin when he saw her.
Sakura... Sakura was avoiding her. She didn't know what to think, her one team-mate was killed by her other team-mate as they clashed in a life or death battle.
Shino and Hinata were only able to impart a few words, that she wasn't to blame, to not blame herself.
Surprisingly the leader of the elders, Danzo congratulated her on completing her mission and killing her emotions to complete her duty.
Unfortunately the majority of the civilians were calling for her death, as were the Sasuke fan club. To her credit Ino was only sending hate-filled glares that even after a week was beginning to lessen.
It had been a week of both the respect she craved and constant death threats and assassination attempts. She had been called to Tsunade's office for what she had been told was an important reason.
"Hey Baa-chan." Naruto said in an unusually quiet voice. As she entered the room, it was quite funny that one of the ANBU started looking for ragnorok.
"Naru-chan." Tsunade said almost pained at Naruto's tone of voice. "Thank you for coming. I have to tell you some distressing news. Last night someone broke into the morgue and stole Sasuke's body." She said to Naru's shock. "The symbol of Akasuna no Sasori was found so we believe Akatsuki was the group that took him." At that Naru looked down, clenching her fists in anger while trying to not pull on the Kyuubi's power.
"We also just got word from Jiraiya, Akatsuki is going to be lying low for at least 3 years." Tsunade continued. "As such we have to prepare, 3 years until Akatsuki move. On top of that we've had a complication." She said as she pulled out a bingo book and flipping it open. "Orochimaru is very angry." Taking the book from Tsunade she was shocked by what she read. Wanted Dead 15000000 Ryo by Oto was Uzumaki Naruto. It even noted that she was the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi.
"Due to all this and your eligibility for it you are going to be sent on a long term mission." Tsunade continued, shushing Naruto before she could even begin to protest. "Naru, while I do think this would help you it's also because you are the only person who can do this mission, potential political ties hinge on this mission. The mission starts officially in 1 year but it will require you to spend the year familiarising yourself with the area and the new family you will be living with. Naruto, please consider this, it will be a good thing for you." Tsunade said, almost begging at the end.
Naruto was getting angry until she heard her Baa-chan's tone of voice. Sighing to herself she looked up at Tsunade before motioning for her to continue.
Smiling slightly she started her spiel. "Now, as you know the Elemental Nations are but one continent on this wide world. We are generally a closed border continent but we have recently been in contact with a kingdom known as Vale. They are willing to make a treaty with us, a trade treaty. We get the technology we need from them and they get several high quality minerals that the Elemental Nations have in abundance." She began while making sure Naruto understood.
"Now the kingdom, despite being called a Kingdom is a democracy. They would need to democratically choose to become an ally of Konoha, that is where you come in. Currently visiting Konoha is the ambassador from Vale, he was showing us some of the equipment that could be open to us, it's how we knew what was happening in the retrieval mission, their spy camera's are amazing. Anyway, he came up with a plan to help the democrats make their decision." She briefly paused to take a swig of Sake.
"As such this is where you come in. The other continents are all inhabited by a group of creatures known as the Grimm, soulless creatures of darkness that try to kill all they come across. The various kingdoms train people to become Hunters and Huntress's to kill the Grimm and protect people. The mission should you choose to accept it is to become a Huntress." Tsunade paused to let the pin drop. "You will be adopted by the ambassador and his family. His name is Xiao Long Shen or in their customs, Shen Xiao Long, his wife is Rose Summer or Summer Rose. They also have a 10 year old adopted daughter called Rose Ruby or Ruby Rose. You will start at Signal Academy where you will attend for 4 years, after which you will go to Beacon Academy for another 4 years, after which you will be a Huntress. This is a mark of goodwill between our countries and essential in the creation of the treaty. You will start at Signal in 1 year time, the year up to that is time for you to prepare. Learn the culture, the customs, the geography and the technology."
Looking Naruto dead in the eye she finished. "The ambassador doesn't want to adopt you because of the mission, he wants to adopt you because they want a second daughter, its just this way everybody wins. They get a new daughter, you get a family, Vale & Konoha get their treaty." Sighing slightly Tsunade rubbed her head. "Please consider this Naru, you need it, in 6 months you've lost Sarutobi-Sensei & Sasuke, you've lived through an invasion and a Kage level battle, you've nearly died too many times to count. You need a break, I can see you cracking and it hurts me. Please Naru, I know you want this, please, do what's best for yourself for once."
Naru was quiet, her head down in thought, a family. She could have a family at the same time as doing her duty. But she felt like she was running away, running away from her troubles and that didn't sit right with her. After a few minutes she spoke up. "Can I think about this for a while?"
Tsunade nodded slowly. "You have until 9PM to make your decision." She said before dismissing Naru, who Shunshined away to the top of the Hokage monument, more specifically the Yondaime's head.
She sat there alone for hours just staring at Konoha while lost in her thoughts. It had reached 8PM and she still had no idea what to do, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a cane on the stone. Turning around she caught sight of Shimura Danzo. She turned back towards the Konoha Skyline, they stayed like that for a minute before Danzo spoke. "Konoha is a beautiful place, is it not? A peaceful, beautiful gem." He began. "A gem that needs everyone to do its part. Everyone must pitch in, even if they hurt themselves to do it, but you know that, don't you Uzumaki. The ability to weigh the pro's and con's and avoid making a selfish, emotion based decision is the most valuable ability in my opinion, an ability you have proven you have."
"Sarutobi was an old friend, did you know. I was even his rival for the position of Hokage, we were two sides of the same coin. In my opinion Sarutobi was too soft, too hesitant on the hard decisions, too emotional in his actions." He continued. "Now by admission I have been described as too hard-line. I am too hard in my decisions, to my detriment. But there was one thing we agreed upon, all for the good of Konoha. I know of the decision of which you must now make, you are currently trying to decide whether to go or not. You are wondering whether the best thing for Konoha is to stay or to go, if you stay will you do more good or if you go will you do more good." He said while staring at her with his only eye.
"You are a unique case, you have enemies, enemies that can cause a lot of damage. You need to take that into account. If you stay out in the open they will come, you need to disappear and gain strength. You know this, do you not? But you feel that it is cowardly, to go into hiding, that you are running away. I used to feel like that as well, until I learnt that discretion is the better part of valour, a Kage must be able to do what's best for their village, even if it seems to be under handed or cowardly. All for the good of Konoha."
Sighing Naruto thought over the entire speech. After hearing that their was only one decision that could be made. Standing up she looked out over Konoha one last time. Sighing she said. "Konoha, I guess I won't be seeing you for a while."
Turning back she wasn't surprised to see that Danzo had vanished, but was surprised to find a scroll on the ground. A scroll containing various wind techniques. 'That was surprisingly nice of him.' Naru thought before shunshining back to the Hokage tower in time to catch Shizune beginning to leave the tower.
"Shizune-nee-chan. I need to talk to Baa-chan, to give her my decision." Naru said in a small voice.
"Sure Naru-chan, she's doing paperwork at the moment, just go on in." Shizune said in a cheery voice.
Walking up the stairs she continued until the big doors to the Hokage's office were in front of her. Taking a deep breath to compose herself she pushed the doors open before walking inside to see Tsunade attempting to hide a Sake bottle, at least until she saw it was Naru. "Hey Baa-chan." Naru said in her quiet tone.
"Hey Gaki, how are you doing?" A slightly buzzed Tsunade asked. "Have you made your decision?"
"Yeah I did, how long until I leave?" Naru asked, answering her.
"You leave at dawn, from the East Gate. That's why it was so urgent for you to make your decision. You have until then to say your goodbyes." Reaching for a pen Tsunade quickly wrote a note before signing and stamping it. "Here, you can use this to visit Kiba and Neji. Everyone else, you're on your own. I'll be there to see you off."
After saying goodbye she began to walk to the hospital, ignoring the glares of the civilians. Getting inside she quickly gave the note to the nurse to be allowed inside to visit, since Choji was still in observation she could only visit Kiba and Neji, who were in the same room.
"Hey guys." Naru said as she entered the room. "How you guys doing?"
"Naruto-san/Dobe." The pair said in unison.
"Why are you here Naruto-san? It is outside of the visiting hours." Neji said in his usual formal tone.
"I got permission to come and say goodbye to you guys. I will be leaving tomorrow for a long term mission, I probably won't see you for a long time. Its for a minimum of 10 years." Naruto said to their shock. "I also need to tell you something before people tell you a twisted version."
"What do you mean you have a mission? We only just finished one!" Kiba yelled. "And what do you mean 10 years, what the hell kind of mission takes 10 years."
"I'm being adopted Kiba, my mission is to attend their monster slaying academies as the adopted daughter of the ambassador to help speed up treaty negotiations. Schooling lasts until age 22 for those who go into monster hunting." Naruto said, cutting off Kiba. "They needed a girl who was 12 years old for the mission, preferably an orphan, and with my circumstances I was the best person for the job."
"What circumstances Naruto-san?" Neji asked.
Well, being blunt has always worked out for me in the past. "I'm a Jinchuuriki." She blurted out, causing Neji to break his composure and Kiba to look confused. At Kiba's asking look she elaborated. "My body is a prison, a prison for a Biju. More specifically the Kyuubi no Yoko."
"But..." Kiba began before Naruto cut him off.
"You see, a Biju can't be killed, they're a living mass of Chakra, they can only be sealed away. The Kyuubi is too powerful to be sealed away in an object and a normal human would die from poisoning within 3 days, only a child whose Chakra coils have yet to form can survive." She continued, beginning to ramble. "It doesn't effect me and can't talk to me unless I go to him and even then he's kind of an asshole..." She was cut off by a dog treat hitting her in the head, turning she saw an annoyed Kiba and an exasperated Neji.
"Naruto-san... You're rambling." Neji said. "Are you worried that we'll turn against you?" A slow nod from Narumi confirmed his suspicions. "Why? We can tell you're not the fox, why are you worried?"
"Past experience..." Naru said weakly. "Just about all adults know about it and I've had a few mobs attack me."
"I don't care, all I know is that it explains the red chakra." Neji stated.
"It explains why you smell like a fox." Kiba said with a shrug before grinning. "It would also explain why you're so foxy." He said with a perverted grin.
There was a short silence before Naru responded. "Sorry Kibble, grow a pair of tits, then we'll talk about that." Neji and Kiba both face faulted from that before Kiba was knocked unconscious by a nose bleed. Even Neji was pinching his nose. "Well guys, I gotta go, see you around." Naruto said as she began to leave the room.
"One second Naruto-san." Neji said as he quickly wrote in a scroll before sealing it shut and throwing it to her. "Those are some advanced chakra control exercises and... Something I could get in trouble for giving you. Try not to read it until you are on your mission."
"Goodbye Neji." She said gratefully.
"Goodbye Naruto-san."
So far she had visited the Nara and the Hyuga clans. Shikamaru proclaimed her mission was troublesome and that he already knew of the Kyuubi but it was 'too troublesome to matter.' Hinata gave a stuttered, teary goodbye which ended with Hinata giving her a large pot of her herbal balm. She actually already knew about the Kyuubi, the bingo book was almost required reading to the Hyuga clan. She visited Kono-chan who ended up crying while proclaiming that he would be strong enough to defeat her by the time she came back. Iruka just nodded sadly before sharing a late dinner with her.
Now all she had left was to visit Sakura. Kakashi-sensei would find her and for Lee she only had to wait until dawn and listen for the screams about youth. Now here she was standing outside of Sakura's families apartment at midnight. She was sure the Haruno Patriarch and Matriarch wouldn't appreciate the wake up call so that left her one option.
Slowly she walked up the wall and began looking through the windows until she found Sakura's room. An annoyed groan could be heard on the other side the moment Naru knocked shuffling could be heard within the room until the window was pulled open. Poking her head out Sakura hissed out through gritted teeth. "Naruto-baka, its midnight, what are you doing here."
"Sorry Sakura but I need to talk to you." Naruto answered back.
"Why can't it wait until morning?" Sakura asked in annoyance. Naruto muttered something incomprehensible causing Sakura to quickly hiss, "Speak up."
"I won't be here in the morning Sakura. I have a long term mission, I'm leaving and won't be fully back for 10 years." Naruto explained slowly while waiting for Sakura's explosion. Surprised when instead of pain she was pulled inside the room and hugged by a crying Sakura, who broke down rather quickly.
"W-w-why is everyone leaving me?" She sobbed out while gripping onto Naruto. "First Sasuke dies, now you're leaving. Why?" Tears were streaming down her face as she began crying on Naruto's shoulder.
They ended up staying like that for a while, Naruto just comforting her, it continued like that until Naruto finally spoke up.
"I was alone for so long Sakura, for so many years I only had myself. I was kicked out of the orphanage age 4, I had to fend for myself on the streets until I was 6 years old." Said to the shock of Sakura. "That was when the old man found me." She said with a soft sad smile. "He took me to go get Ramen at Ichiraku Ramen. It was the first cooked meal I had ever had, before that I only every had the refuse from the creation of meals or what I could scrounge from the trash. Hokage-jiji, Teuchi, Ayami-nee. They became my first precious people." Naruto continued while stroking Sakura's hair. "After that I was given an apartment and enrolled in the academy. I was so scared, I thought I would be hated by everyone there and for the most part I was. All the civilians had told their children to stay away from me, the clan children just followed the crowd." She said sadly to the sound of Sakura's sniffing.
"Then I saw you, you were avoided and made fun of by the other children because of your forehead. I wanted to become your friend but by the time I had gained enough courage to speak to you Ino had already snatched you up." Naruto sat there for a few minutes just thinking. "I ended up watching you for a long while, in the same way you watched Sasuke... Well how you watched him until you gained your confidence."
"I always wanted to be your friend and eventually those feelings magnified." She said with a small smile. "Well you know what happened after that, until the Genin exam. I failed it and when I was upset Mizuki came and told me that there was a make up test, like an idiot I believed him. I had to break into the Hokage's tower and steal a scroll marked forbidden. He told me that it was a test based around a mission, so I stole the scroll."
"I was able to steal it using my Oiroke no Jutsu to knock out Jiji. Afterwards I travelled to the forest clearing where Mizuki told me to meet him, Its where I learnt the Kage Bunshin."
"Anyway, it turned out that he had turned traitor, he wanted to steal the scroll for himself and blame me for it. Fortunately Iruka-sensei found me first and helped fight Mizuki and help me with the revelations of the night."
"Mizuki... Mizuki told me why I was hated. Why for my entire life I had to put up with the glares, the sneers, the loneliness... The beatings." Naru choked out to Sakura's shock. "I found out the truth behind the events of the day of my birth. I was born on the 10th of October 12 years ago, in the middle of the Kyuubi attack. The Yondaime couldn't kill the Kyuubi, nobody can kill a Biju, they're nothing but a solid mass of chakra and emotions, even if you dispersed it, it would reform after a few years."
Sakura nodded, that fit what she had read despite the Kyuubi story contradicting it. "Where is this going Naruto?" Sakura said after a protracted silence.
"A Biju can only be sealed, and a beast of the Kyuubi's level would escape an inanimate object within the day, so they sealed it in the only place they could, a newborn child less than 3 hours old. It had to be done before the chakra coils were formed to allow for the body to adjust to the Yokai to prevent chakra poisoning." Lifting her shirt slightly while channelling chakra to reveal the seal. "For some reason the Yondaime chose me, he chose me to become a Jinchuuriki. Within my body lies the Kyuubi no Kitsune."
To say that Sakura was shocked was an understatement but as the silence stretched on her thoughts turned to her memories. Her parents telling her to stay away from Naruto, whispers of demon when Naruto passed by, the red chakra, the foul feeling on the bridge, Orochimaru's words in the Forest of death.
The silence stretched onwards with Naruto looking more depressed as the minutes passed by. Tears started to fall as she began fidgeting in the dark room. "I'll leave now, Sakura, I'll never darken your door again." Naru sobbed out, believing the worst, until she was pulled back down by a crying Sakura.
"Please don't leave me, I won't be able to take it. I'm losing everyone, Sasuke, you, even Kakashi-sensei, he only ever had eyes for Sasuke, not even caring what happened to me and you." Sakura almost screamed out. "I am in nearly daily arguments with my family and I'm not close to anyone else. I don't think I could survive you leaving." She sobbed out crushing Naruto in her desperate hug. "Please... I don't care about the Kyuubi, I don't care that you killed Sasuke, I wouldn't care if you were the Kyuubi. Just please don't leave me."
Naruto softly returned the hug, before kissing the top of Sakura's head. "Sakura, its not that I want to leave, rather that I need to. Orochimaru has a bounty out on my head now, there's also a group known as Akatsuki, made up of S-ranked criminals after me for the Kyuubi and they've already shown that they will enter Konoha to get me. I'm leaving for everyone's safety, as long as I'm hidden they won't attack Konoha and it will give me enough time to get strong enough to beat them." She said gaining fire in her voice towards the end. "I don't want to leave you, but I must. This is for everyone, so everyone can live in peace within Konoha, including you."
"But I don't want you to go." Sakura said in a whisper.
"Sakura-chan. I'll return as often as I can, I'll write to you as much as possible and I will do anything I can to see you and Konoha as much as possible." Naruto said. "Sasuke's dead now Sakura. We owe it to him to carry out his will. His goal in life was to kill Uchiha Itachi, the man who massacred his entire clan. The same Itachi that is a member of Akatsuki. We all also carry the old mans will, the will of fire. We owe it to him to protect Konoha just as he did and Akatsuki is a threat to Konoha. That is what we will live for, carrying out those wills, to protect Konoha and to kill Itachi. So we must get stronger, much stronger. We have 3 years before Akatsuki moves and we must be strong enough by then." Looking down at Sakura's wide eyes she finished. "Sad feelings are not worth the tears, save them for the happy moments. We have things to do and accomplish which we can't do if we sit there crying. While it may hurt, being apart, we must persevere knowing we are doing our duty and that that will only make our reunion all the sweeter."
Letting out a small snort, Sakura relaxed into the hug. "When did you get so smart, Naruto-baka?"
"Me? Smart? I must correct this injustice with the holy power of ramen." Naruto declared before both broke down into giggles. Falling backwards onto her bed, quietly talking into the night.
It was 5am before Naruto stood back up, stretching skywards to rid herself of any kinks in her back. Looking at the clock on Sakura's wall she saw that she had 2 hours left until dawn, plenty of time to pack and restock. "I have to go get ready Sakura, I'll see you around." Naruto said to the pinkette.
"I'll be there to see you off Naruto." She quietly said mournfully.
Slipping out of the window into the darkness she quickly began hopping along the roofs until she reached her apartment. Stepping inside she walked slowly inside, looking her home over one last time. The threadbare couch, the stains on the walls, the old fridge, the cracked floorboards, the kunai ridden picture of Mizuki, all holding memories, good and bad.
Walking into her room she pulled out her mission bag and began placing various items from around the room into it. Clothing, weapons, books, manga, her money, her night cap, her photo's and her various memento's from her past missions, the autograph from Koyuki, a shattered hunter nin mask, a set of white cat ears, a broken lightning barrel and a red bowtie the size of an ostrich's neck.
Smiling at each she stopped and sadly looked at a blue clothed forehead protector. It was scratched and dented and slightly bloody with an Uchiwa on the inside, Sasuke's headband. Her eyes began watering before she forcibly stopped them from releasing the tears, she could almost hear Sasuke's voice. 'What are you blubbering about, cry-baby.' Looking downwards morosely she turned the headband around before tying it around her neck as a choker. 'Sasuke... I'll fulfil your goal. May this choker remind me of my promise. I failed in one promise, never again.' Pulling her headband off she attached it to her belt as a buckle.
Looking around the empty room she repressed a sigh. 'I'll miss this place... So many memories.' Pulling her pack onto her back she walked out the door. Looking at the horizon she could see the sky beginning to turn pink.
'I guess its time to go.' Naruto thought sadly as she began to walk towards the East Gate. Her walk was stopped by a flash of green and a yell of youth. 'Might as well get this over and done with.'
-CUE-THE-FLAMES-OF-YOUTH-
'Oh dear Kami. I think my eyes are bleeding.' Naruto internally screamed having just got a full blast viewing of the sunset of youth genjutsu. She had been ran into by Lee and Guy-sensei on her way to the East Gate, she was able to say goodbye but... *Shiver*
The sun was just peeking over the horizon as she arrived at the gate, Izumo and Kotetsu were manning the gate, lazily reclined in the booth. A brown haired man with icy blue eyes, wearing a grey suit with a black cane topped with a rose in his hand, stood off to the side talking with Tsunade. Who raised her head and ushered Naruto over. "Naru-chan, you're right on time, unlike that sensei of yours." She said, mumbling the last part. Waving her hand at the brown haired man she continued. "This is Xiao Long Shen, he's the ambassador from Vale and the person who is adopting you."
"Hello I'm Uzumaki Naruto. It's nice to meet you." Naruto said in a sad tone of voice. Causing the man to raise his eyebrow.
"You're very chipper today, aren't you?" He said slightly amused. "Being adopted by me can't be that bad, can it?"
Taking a breath she rubbed the left side of her face with her hand before sighing. "Sorry... Long night, saying goodbye's, preparing to leave." She carefully touched the headband around her neck. "Reliving memories of team-mates lost." She said whispering the last sentence, but it was still heard by everyone. Causing Shen to gain a grim look on his face.
"That's the thing about life, Gaki. No one gets out alive." Came a voice from behind Naruto. Turning she was able to see Jiraiya leaning against the wall. "Are you trying to leave without saying goodbye?"
"Ero-Sennin, I thought you were away for another month." Naruto said in confusion.
"I couldn't not be here to see my cute little apprentice off." He said while messing up her hair. "But don't despair because I'll visit every few months to check on you and give you some training."
"Yeah, yeah Ero-Sennin." Naruto said, before giving Jiraiya a small hug. "Try not to peep too much, Ero-Sennin. See you in a few months."
"See you then Gaki and don't hold your breath." Jiraiya said while chuckling. "Well have to get back, see you Gaki." He finished, vanishing in a puff of smoke.
Turning back around she faced Tsunade who had a scroll in hand. Giving it to Naruto she said. "This is a gift from me and Shizune. Its some medical knowledge that can also be used in combat." Looking her up and down Tsunade continued. "And change your outfit for the love of Kami. Actually, I order you to change your clothing. That jumpsuit stands out too much and will only lead people to you."
"But..." Naruto tried to weakly argue.
"Hokage's orders." Tsunade said with a smug smirk.
"But orange is awesome, 'ttbane." Naruto grumbled. A moment passed before both started laughing, fully dispelling the depressing atmosphere.
"But seriously I order you to change your outfit." Tsunade said, pulling a bag from behind her back, she threw it at Naruto. "Put those on, no more orange jumpsuits. I order you to get a new wardrobe." Naruto looked like she was going to cry, which turned to mock annoyance upon seeing the amusement upon Shen's face. "Go change now Gaki!" Tsunade loudly said while pointing at the Chunin Station. "There's a changing room in the back, go use it."
Grumbling to herself she went and changed into the outfit leaving her jumpsuit in the bag. Looking herself over she nodded. She was wearing a yellow halter top with a stylized symbol for fire, over that was a tan vest with puffed up shoulders that was surprisingly easy to move in. She had a tiny pair of black shorts on with a belt that acted like a skirt... At least around the back half and brown calf length platform boots. (Yang's outfit except with Sasuke's headband instead of the scarf.)
'Bit revealing isn't it?' Walking outside she looked at a smirking Tsunade who was looking at her outfit. "Oi Baa-chan, did Ero-Sennin or the Crazy Snake Lady pick this?" Naruto said incredulously, causing Tsunade to burst out laughing.
"But I think you look good in it, its far better than the orange eyesore." Tsunade said with mirth before getting serious. "There's one last thing you must know about you mission. To further throw anyone else you will be changing your name. Shen and I spent the entire night coming up with a new name for you. Your name, in their conventions, shall be Yang... Yang Xiao Long."
-Chapter End-
Thanks for reading the first chapter of The Rose and the Maelstrom. Please leave any criticism in the comments but non constructive reviews will be ignored... If you don't like something tell me why, don't just tell me you hate it without the why.