Chapter 1: Black Night
Naruto was on his way back from delivering a scroll to Kanon, the leader of Amegakure. He had enjoyed his visit- the villagers being friendly, and Kanon giving him a few tips to help with his techniques. He kind f missed Amegakure, but was eager to return to Konoha.
So, while walking along the path, he decided to rest a bit since he was ahead of schedule. He veered off the path and headed towards a large tree.
"Man, this must be an old tree," Naruto said to himself. It was in fact, a very large tree. Its roots spread out all around, it towered above many of the trees, and its branches were long, intertwining with ither branches.
Naruto sait himself between two large roots. He gazed around before putting his hands behind his head and leaning against the tree. 'Its so peaceful here...' Naruto thought to himself before he fell asleep.
When Naruto woke up, he noticed that it was much darker outside ant the forest was quiet. He became alert as he stood up.
Naruto was about to head back towards the trail when a glowing light cauhgt his attention. He stared as it came out of the tree. 'That's impossible.' He thought to himself. 'Uless it was sealed in the tree...' Naruto watched as the object came out of the tree. He slowly walked towards it. He grabbed the sealed item, and the light began to fade, soon disappearing altogether.
When the light did disappear, Naruto noticed it was a scroll. He slowly opened the scroll and observed what was inside. It looked similar to the one he had.
But as he kept on staring at t, he began to lose consciousness. Soon, everything was dark.
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When Naruto came back to his senses, he wa in the hallway where Kyuu was. 'Why am I here?' He wondered to himself. He was about to go ask Kyuu what this was about when he felt another presence that wasn't his own or Kyuu's.
He turned to face who it was. It was a boy, abbout his age. His skin was plae, his hair long and black, gong to his shoulders, and golden eyes.
"Who are you?" He asked the boy.
"I am Nagatsu Kei. Also referred to as...Black" The boy replied.
"What are you doing here?" Naruto asked, still suspicious.
"I'm here because you picked up the scroll." The boy stated.
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "The scroll?? He asked. "What do you know about the scroll?"
"I was sealed within the scroll." Kei said in a monotonous tone. Naruto blinked. "The villagers in my village belieed I was too 'dangerous' so they sealed me within this scroll, which was sealed within the tree. The tree is over a hundred years old, and I was selaed when it was first planted."
Naruto looked at the boy. Though his expression was blank, Naruto could see the pain and betrayal in the boy's eyes.
"Well, we're just going to have to find you a way out, aren't we?" Naruto said to Kei, grinning. Kei looked at Naruto a bit shocked. But soon, a small smile cracked onto his face.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, by the way," Naruto said to Kei. "Nice to meet you." Kei nodded his head. "Let's go see Kyuu, then. I bet he'll know what to do." Naruto started walking down the hallway.
"Naruto, who's Kyuu?" Kei asked.
"Ah, Kyuu's the nine-tailed fox." Narutp explained. He saw Kei's eyes grow wider. He chuckled. "Don't worry, Kyuu's great once you get to know him." Kei nodded, but he still looked uncertain.
When they arried at Kyuu's cage, Naruto had managed to convince Kei that Kyuu was good, not bad. "Oi, Kyuu!" Naruto called. "Are you in there?"
There was a low chuckle. "Of course I'm in here kit; I can't leave, remeber?" Naruto just smiled.
"This is Nagatsu Kei." He said, pulling Kei forward. Kyuu studied Kei.
"Hmm," Kyuu said. "So this was the cause of disturbance a while back. He's why you're here, isn't he?"
Naruto nodded. "He was sealed in the scroll, and I unsealed him. But now he's stuck in my mind. Do you know what to do, Kyuu?" He asked Kyuu.
"As of right now, I don't know." Kyuu replied. "But, one thing you're going to have to do on a regular basis is let him out."
Kei and Naruto were both confused. "What do you mean by that, Kyuu?" Naruto asked.
"Kei has an enormous amount of chakra. If you don't let it out occasionally, its going to tear your insides to shreds." Kyuu explained. Naruto paled a bit.
"Oh," Naruto said. "Do you know how to do that, then? I mean, let him out every now and then?" He asked Kyuu.
Kyuu nodded. "Yes, I do. But he would have to agree with it." Kyuu looked towards Kei.
"I'm fine with it," Kei answered.
Kyuu nodded. "Very well, here's how you do it." Kyuu switched to his human form. He replayed the hand-signs for Naruto and Kei.
"Try it out now," Kyuu instructed. "You will both need time to get used to this arrnagement." The two nodded. "I'll guide you from your mind, Kit." Kyuu said to Naruto, who nodded his agreement.
Naruto opened his eyes. 'Are you ready Kit?' Kyuu asked. Naruto mentally nodded. 'Good, now do the handsigns.' Naruto did the handsigns, and he felt Kei take over.
Once the transfer was complete, Kei contacted Naruto and Kyuu. 'The transformation was successful.'
Naruto grinned. 'This is awesome!' Kyuu chuckled.
'Alright, while you get used to using the body, we must come up with a way to let you be a part of Konoha.' Kyuu stated. Kei started towards the path, and was soon back on it, heading for Konoha.
'I think I may have an idea.' Naruto said to Kyuu. Kyuu nodded for Naruto to continue. 'Well, I figured that he could be mysterious. He would leave a letter for Granny Tsunade on her desk, along with a flute.'
'A flute?' Kei asked. 'How does a flute work with this?'
'You have good hearing, don't you?' Naruto asked Kei. Kei nodded. 'Well, if Granny Tsunade needs a spare ninja, she can play a melody on the flute. And, when you hear it, we can change. That way, you'll be a part of Konoha.' Naruto exlpained.
'Not a bad idea kit,' Kyuu said approvingly. 'I didn't think you had it in you.' Naruto frowned, adn Kei and Kyuu chuckled.
'But I agree with the plan,' Kei said. 'I believe it would work out. We just need to obtain a flute.'
'I think I have one somewhere in my room,' Naruto said.
'Good, this'll work out well then,' Kyuu said. 'But for now, you msut switch back; we're about to reach the gates of the village.'
'Right.' Naruto and Kei agreed. Kei stopped and did the hand signs. Naruto felt himself transforming back into his own body. When it was over, he continued on to the village, chatting happily with Kei and Kyuu.
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