The Truth in the Lie
Summary: Konoha was dying, and nothing short of dramatic reform could save the village from itself however the solution doesn't always justify the means and soon the village finds itself thrown into chaos, with its fate resting on the small shoulders of the next generation of Konoha ninja. Love, Loss and self discovery await in a tale of epic proportion.
Author's Note: After being inspired by "Hakumei" by Pryotra I decided to write a story the soon became far to complicated for me to write by myself. So for the first time ever I will co-write a fan fiction between me and my older sister (Alex J) The writing style as you will soon find out has been re-vamped and will hopefully now exceed all your expectations!
Disclaimer: Don't Own Naruto
Konoha was dying; of that much Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen was positive.
Sitting there protected inside Hokage Tower didn't make the reality of the villages poverty and overpopulation any less crippling. But for the life of him Sarutobi couldn't discern the villages sudden and fast paced decline into calamity.
Sadly this didn't make his advisors any less inclined to push for a solution; no matter how drastic. A soft rap at the door followed by the almost silent cadence of steps found the Hokage face to face with Mizuki.
"Mizuki it's mid-day surely you have classes to teach."
The shinobi in question merely turned up his nose at his passive aggressive reprimand.
"I was called to summon you by order of the council." Mizuki began
Sarutobi's eye's narrowed and he guessed that whatever new plans his so called "council" had, he wouldn't like them.
So in the most diplomatic tone he could muster under the circumstances, the Hokage began "Mizuki please inform the council that although they can request a summons no order can be given unless…"
"…unless it's a emergency."
Sarutobi turned quickly to the newest admittance to the conversation and was immediately put on edge when he found Danzo standing in doorway flanked by the small and wise elders.
'Why wasn't I able to sense his chakra?'
Koharu the only female elder stepped forward, positioning her small body between that of Sarutobi and the remaining elders.
"We are quite aware of these rules." Koharu stated; and soon her husband and council member Homura joined her "being that it was us that both created and perfected said rules."
From behind the elders Sarutobi shrank back in his chair at the sight of Danzo's now steely eyed gaze, making him more then glad that Mizuki had taken the hint and exited at their new visitors approach.
'That distrustful chunnin didn't need any more fuel for his small rebellions.'
Inclining his head to both Danzo and the elders Sarutobi sat back with a air of false relaxation and politely waited for them to continue.
"Sarutobi" Koharu began "Our economy is practically non-existent at this rate the village will undoubtedly destroy itself if we continue on this path."
Homura; who had been silently nodding in agreement was quick to take this opportunity to speak.
"The few resources that this village does posses have been poured into both unproductive and dangerous avenues like that of Naruto Uzumaki."
"Council please," the Hokage interjected, his protectiveness for the boy rising in protest. "Surely you cant think…"
"Don't play us for fools Sarutobi." Homura spat "Your weakness for the boy has been brought to our attention by more then one source."
"Council" Danzo soothed stepping forward. "I'm sure our Hokage understands our great concern for the villages current state."
At this the steely eyed look returned.
"Which is why we should have no problem when it comes to his cooperation with this new solution."
The mention of escape from the general poverty and despair the Hokage turned all this attention to Danzo.
"Of course Konoha comes first I under stand that."
With this sign of agreement the elders smiled nodding to themselves and turned to take their leave, when Danzo slowly began to follow suit, Sarutobi's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Danzo what have I just agreed to."
A small smile began to etch its way on Danzo's tight lipped face.
"Why mans attempt at Natural Selection." Danzo stated and Sarutobi felt his stomach sink "Think of it as a shinobi's take on ethnic cleansing."
Sarutobi recoiled visibly jumping up from his chair in outrage; voice booming.
"Surely you know I cant allow this!"
Danzo who had already began his walk to the exit, stopped and a false air of innocence coated his malicious form.
With one eye glinting in the low lighting of Kage's office Danzo began.
"But Hokage-sama….you already have."
(Later at the Hyuga Estate)
Neji Hyuga sat perched on the deck of the dojo that heiress Hinata Hyuga currently occupied.
With steely determination he traced his newly laid bandages covering his forehead. Even at the tender age of 9 he grudgingly resigned himself to suffer his destiny.
The Caged Bird Seal
Standing Neji activated his Byakugan wincing slightly as the still tender muscles were flexed. Making sure to keep Hinata in his sights Neji began the long walk towards the southern most edge of the main branches sprawling estate.
'The perfect vantage point to keep an eye on my cousin without having to be next to her'
Slouching against the wall in a pose most people would stamp as relaxed Neji once again fanned his senses. And was soon delighted to find that both his cousin and her father Hiashi had retried for the afternoon.
Neji allowed a small gratified smirk to cross his features; now he was finally alone.
"Psst! Neji!"
Snapping to attention Neji only allowed himself to relax when the intruder revealed herself to be Ten Ten. She had the most uncanny ability to get under his most powerful of guards.
Watching amused as Ten Ten scaled the vine exterior that was the Hyuga manor; Neji smiled.
"No chakra Ten Ten" he questioned
The girl in question jumped down from her perch and puffed out her cheeks, planting small hands at the base of her narrow hips.
"Don't you make fun of me Neji Hyuga, we both know chakra control hasn't even been covered at the academy yet!"
"Maybe the should"
Ten Ten who had been occupying herself with pulling the few stray leaves out of her bun styled hair was quick to glare at the Hyuga her anger rising; only to have it soften when her perceptive 9 year old self picked up on the almost hidden teasing glint.
"Your lucky I'm so good at reading all your hidden signals Neji." she giggled "Otherwise you'd have no friends."
Brow furrowing Neji took in Ten Tens mocking words, only to be kicked out of his stupor by a light and friendly punch on the arm.
"Don't be so serious." the now exasperated girl said "it was a joke."
"Hn"
With a small sigh Ten Ten gave up the avenue of verbal communication settling instead on just grabbing her monosyllabic friend by the arm.
"Come on I have something to show you."
Neji opened his mouth a protest forming on his lips.
"No excuses!" Ten Ten said "I know for a fact that Hinata's busy getting ready for classes at the academy."
Shrugging Neji allowed himself to be pulled forward, Ten Ten was right his cousin wouldn't be in need of his presence for at least a ½ hour.
As the exited the compound Neji allowed his mind to wander, trying to guess where Ten Ten would stop.
'Knowing her it will be another weapons shop.' at this Neji grumbled inwardly, he did not relish the idea of looking at another Kantana with the already weapons crazed Kunoichi in training.
Suddenly his musings were cut short as his pale eyes were caught by the red tag at Ten Tens waist.
'I've never seen that before? I wonder what's with the sudden change?'
"Ten Ten what…" Neji began before snapping his mouth shut as he caught site of the 2 men standing in front of his now frozen friend.
Root Ninja's
Fear slowly rolled in Neji's belly as he noticed the emotionless gazes of the Ninja were fixed solely on his friend.
"Ten Ten you have been summoned, please come with us."
Neji was quick to react, grabbing Ten Ten's hand tighter his Byakugan activating in what was purely a defense gesture.
"Come with us now."
One of the Ninja began to step forward, hand outstretched.
Panicking Neji began to take small steps back in retreat, who ever these Ninja were they weren't up to any good.
Suddenly before even his eyes could track Neji found himself staring helplessly at the remaining Root Nin. Watching frozen as Ten Ten was lead away into a mass of children that were also being escorted down the street.
A small split second hand gesture was all the warning Neji was afforded before being cast into the chasm of darkness that was genjutsu, the last thought to cross his mind before succumbing was one irrefutable fact
'All the kids were wearing red tags…'
An 8 year old Naruto slowly descended the creaky wooden steps, making a quick beeline for the kitchen where his current caretaker Iruka Umino had busied himself by making a much appreciated bowl of ramen.
"Hurry up Naruto!" Iruka yelled startling the blonde boy who was still rubbing the remnants of sleep from his eyes. "We have to get to the academy, class starts in 10 minutes."
"But Iruka-sensei you're the teacher cant we be just a minute late!" Naruto whined, time constraints were not conducive to a leisurely breakfast of ramen.
"No buts Naruto!" Iruka yelled as he walked to retrieve both their coats from the hall closet, smiling to himself as he caught Naruto's grumbles from the kitchen.
"Fine fine, I get it no more being late…" Stomping his feet in half-hearted protest Naruto met up with his sensei at the front door almost wishing that he was back with his old set of foster parents the ones who had let him sleep in…
'That's only because they didn't want to deal with you.' a cold voice whispered and Naruto just shook his head and snatched the coat from Iruka barely even noticing the presence of a small red tag.
Iruka however wasn't so oblivious, and his heart sank a little at the sight of the newly placed tag, feelings of dread worming their way into his stomach.
Running to catch up to his charge, who was already half-sprinting down the block Iruka let the panic settle before shoving it to the back of his mind.
'It's probably nothing' he reasoned, not believing himself.
(At the Academy)
Sakura Haruno stood at the looming doorstep that was the entrance to the Ninja Academy, nervously fiddling with the red tag that she had found attached to her coat this morning. Standing there she felt like an imposter.
Both her parents were nothing more then simple civilians, good people who busied themselves by dabbling in the arts of farming and pottery, being a ninja wasn't even in the cards, that was until their newest addition had shown a surprising and unexpected gift of chakra.
Yet even with her surprising new gifts Sakura just couldn't picture herself as a Ninja; that was until she caught sight of her best friend being signed up for classes.
'I have to show Ino that I'm not just a cry-baby anymore.' steeling herself Sakura dredged up the courage and walked inside 'Cha! I can do this!'
However her newly found confidence quickly waned as she caught sight of the classroom full of bustling young ninja.
"Hey Sakura! Over here you made it!"
Turning quickly the petrified girl practically ran to her best-friends side, relieved to find that they were in the same class.
"Wow! Don't run me over!" Ino huffed straightening out her now wrinkled new t-shirt. "I bought this just to impress Sasuke-kun"
'Who?' Sakura questioned feeling ashamed that she had yet to memorize all of Ino's friends names
'H-hello Ino who's your f-friend" the shy Hyuga asked strolling to the desk's which both girls were currently sitting on.
"Oh hey Hinata, this is Sakura." Ino began half-heartedly still looking around the room for Sasuke. "She just started today."
"Hey." Sakura said smiling at the girl while trying not to stare at her unusual colored eyes.
'She must be one of those Hyuga's' Sakura turned her head around her green eyes scanning the crowds of children, looking for any familiar faces.
"Uh Oh." Ino drawled "Here comes Shikamaru, lets hope he doesn't stay to long, I wouldn't want Sasuke getting jealous!" she finished with a snicker.
"Yo Ino, you seen Chouji?" the pineapple hair boy asked as he approached. The girl in question just brushed him off with a quick and snotty No.
Taking a hint Shikamaru focused his attention on the Hyuga heiress.
"Hinata, you walk by his house every morning with Neji did you catch him, he borrowed some of my shouji pieces…troublesome."
"U-umm no-o sor-ry."
Ino who had gone back to talking to Sakura turned around displeased to find Shikamaru still there.
"Maybes he's just late! Ever think of that I mean that weird Lee kid isn't here either but who don't seem me going around and given everyone the Spanish inquisition."
"Whatever." Shikamaru mumbled walking off.
"T-that's unusual." Hinata observed. "I d-don't think Le-e would be l-late."
'Neji's also been acting w-weird since his walk w-with T-ten Ten.'
A group of kids passing by took note of the girls conversation and were quick to interrupt, smirks on their faces.
"Don't you know anything?" One boy snidely remarked "Those ninja already came and rounded those losers up."
"Ya! And you know what else they all had those weird red tags to." A snotty nosed boy laughed then he caught sight of Sakura coat. "Kinda like that one your wearing there, pinky." He laughed "You know what that means! Your next!"
A small bout of laughter sounded and before any one else even got a word in the group of boys were gone, walking together with crude smiles on their faces.
Ino, Sakura and Hinata were unanimous thought
'What ninja? Where'd they take them?'
After an awkward silence Ino coughed grabbing the other girls attention.
"Oh look there's Sasuke-kun" Ino half yelled excited for both the change of conversation and the presence of her future husband to be. "See you guy's later I'm going to grab a seat next to him!"
Sakura who was still reeling over the boys harsh comments was taken aback when she finally laid eyes on the boy Ino had been blabbing about all day.
'Wow, so that's Sasuke'
Hinata just sighed before taking a seat near the back next to Kiba and Shino, questioning that why at 8 years old Ino was so dedicated to Sasuke..then Naruto Uzumaki walked through the door, accompanied by Iruka-sensei.
'Oh that's why.' blushing Hinata buried her face into the text book before her.
Sakura who had been left standing awkwardly beside a row of desks, floundered as she quickly scanned the room for an empty desk.
A red tag caught her eye, and she was immediately drawn to the loud blonde haired boy, who had just entered.
'At least we have something in common.' she sighed, slinking into the desk beside him, noticing the way Ino was snickering, obviously she had picked the wrong seat.
Hanging her head Sakura sat waiting for class to begin trying to ignore her new desk mate, who had taken up staring at her eyes filled with an emotion that she could only describe as awe.
'Yeah I definitely picked the wrong seat.'
(Later on that evening)
A patrol of root ninja could been seen leading a small group of children on what appeared to be a harmless relocation. A few miles away however a different patrol of the same ninja were busying themselves with burying that last remaining bodies from this morning's shift.
Packing the earth until nothing remained amiss, and no more red tagged bodies could be seen.
The first day of an unimaginable nightmare.
Safe in root headquarters a man sat receiving updates about the days festivities from behind a plush desk and lavishly decorated office space, a smirk etched onto his cold features as ninja after ninja came to report the same news.
'They have been disposed of sir."
The beginning of Konoha biggest and most dramatic reform was unfolding perfectly.
So there it is! The first chapter, of what should be a crazy long story. (ugh) And for all curious readers out there the pairings will be revieled in time...theres just to many to list in the summary!
~Hinata's Last Thought!~
*sighs* Sakura's so lucky!
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