A/N: Right guys here's my story.

I dont own Naruto

"Speech"

'Thought'

Chapter 1: Introductions

A crescent moon hung in a clear night sky, a stark contrast against the velvety black of space. A vast swathe of stars flickered and burned, their pale light combined with that of the moon illuminating the forests below. The light bleached the normal colours of the forest turning it monochrome, no greens or earthy browns remained just greys, whites and shadows.

One shadow was moving though.

It crept between the huge trees, its pace purposeful, steadily treking through the forest. It moved with a surprising stealth that did not seem possible for something of its size. Moving from oak to ash, from low lying hedges and shadowy roots the shadow made its way. It made slight sniffing sounds pausing at certain points to run a huge hand over tracks.

Suddenly breaking from the trees into a clearing bathed in colourless moonlight the shadow was revealed as a young man. He was in his early twenties and a giant. He stood easily at 6 and half feet, the man was reminiscent of a bear with a thick mess of brown hair on his head.

His clothes were humble; homespun tunic of yellowing cream, simple black trousers and heavy leather boots. A moss green cloak had been thrown hastily over the top of all this, the entire outfit would have made anyone else unremarkable but three things made this man stand out.

His sheer size, he would have stood head and shoulders over the average man as well as being twice as broad too. Secondly; the sword across his back, it was a great sword off epic proportions. It was six feet in length, broad as two oak leaves with a wicked edge. Other than its size it was simplistic, a tool made beautiful by its efficiency not its decoration. It hung in a battered old scabbard, which was criss-crossed with thousands of silver scratch marks that shone out against the dull grey.

The final thing that marked him as a man of significance was the look of steely determination that sat on his heavy features. A strong jaw set grimly and dark green eyes devoid of any emotion. His name was Iax.

Swinging the sheathed sword from his back to rest it against a nearby tree, he tilted his head back, looked up into the inky night sky and inhaled the cool air deeply through his nose. He released the breath in a heavy sigh that reavealed a hint of frustration; before he leaned against a tree and slowly sank down it into a sitting position, closing his eyes slowly. Iax's face was flinty, apparently whatever he'd been looking for was proving to be elusive. His eyelids opened up slowly, he couldn't rest yet. The emotionless gaze stared right ahead and he sat in silence, a silence that pervaded the clearing.

'He was definitely heading east. I know it.' Hairs rose on his bare arms as a breeze shifted through the trees, it would be autumn soon and the summer's heat was already fading, but that was the only reaction Iax showed to the falling temperature. He sat still as a stone. The serious green eyes were distant, whilst empty of emotion they had a haunted look to them. With a grunt he pushed himelf back to his feet before slinging the strap of his sheathed sword effortlessly over his shoulder.

The giant swordsman delved into his chakra reserves sending out a pulse of energy. It quickly spread though the surrounding area making him aware of all life forms within a 100m radius, they appeared on the backs of his eyelids as flickers of heat, it was a very rudimentary sensory jutsu. To short range to track but was pretty useful when he wanteed to make camp. Grunting at the apparent safety of the surrounding area he looked up into the branches of the tree above him, they sprang out from the trunk at irregular angles and he noticed a few near the top that knitted together to form a decent sized platform.

Shifting his feet slightly in the loamy soil of the forest Iax squatted in preparation before leaping up in the branches, his movements had slowed now as the fatigue of travel set in. He'd been following the trail for the last week this was the first time he'd been forced to stop. He hadn't eaten and he hadn't slept but he'd plowed on regardless, there had been clues, hints that he was gaining ground so he would not let his body's weaknesses stop him. A lesser man would have collapsed; this thought brought an arrogant smirk to Iax's face. He rolled his neck and continued to leap up the branches of the great tree 'It'll do' He smoothly landed on the the thick boough he'd spotted from the ground below.

He crouched down on the suitable limb and began fishing out a spool of ninja wire from a concealed pocket in his cloak before weaving a complex web of wire around his resting place to act as an early warning system. You really couldn't be too careful, not these days. Iax stood and checked the tension of his security system with his finger, it made a satisfying twang and with that he sat down pulling his cloak tight around his broad shoulders. It would be an uncomfortable night but he was used to hardships, he'd been on the hunt for years now.

'Shinji…'

Iax eyes snapped open before he was even fully awake he instantly took stock of his surroundings. Whilst his ninja wire alarm system was still in place he could feel people nearby. 'Four? No Five…' Climbing further up the tree he spotted them nearly instantly.

A group of five ninja were walking past his clearing, they too were heading east. It appeared that they were looking for a place to sleep as well, judging by their heavy limbs and dragging feet. Iax carefully shifted to another branch making sure he had a clear escape route should he need it. The group of wandering ninja settled in the clearing below then noisily started setting up camp. Iax stilled his breathing and watched them silently. His bulk concealed within the boughs of the huge tree.

Koga stood in the middle of the clearing; he had lead his hastily assembelled team eastward at a break neck pace, they'd only stopped because he was getting sick and tired of their near constant whinging. He didn't need to be anywhere quick, he just enjoyed having someone to boss around. The feeling of control and importance was exhilirating. Though as the sun had set, the moon slowly revealing itself in the night sky he had noticed the teams pace had dropped, a resting place became a priority. They found a clearing and dumped their gear, they were too tired to bother with watches immediately setting about making a fire.

Koga was about eighteen or nineteen years old. His hair had been shaved away until only a non descripit stubble remained, he had an annoying habit of nervously chewing the inside of his cheek when he thought no one was looking. He stood at an average height and was quite swarthy, a deep red scar that ran along his right cheekbone, it was definitely his most stand out feature. He liked it, thought it made him look dramatic, it was probably his best kept secret that he'd given it to himself.

He watched the young team of genin set up the camp, he'd promised them excitement and glory. In return they had agreed to follow him.

Koga had always thirsted for adventure, the cool forest air was incredible to him, it promised a world of opportunity he'd never even considered. The village had become stifling but now... he was free. The village elders had always been adamant that he (as the strongest ninja produced in his generation) stay and protect the village. That Koga had potential but needed to exercise patience... They had constantly bored him with long speeches of respect and how that now Koga had reached manhood; it was his responsibility to care for the village that had raised him. He owed his allegiance to the village.

Koga smirked.

Koga had promptly solved that problem by burning the village to the ground. He owed no one his loyalty, he would not have his potential wasted in a backwater village. He would not rot in obscurity.

*Flashback*

The collection of small wooden huts that had formed the village blazed merrily. Koga stood in the centre of it all; the inferno that had spread from the village hall was now destroying the ramshackle homes nearby. He chuckled to himself, taking perverse pleasure in the destruction of the place that had protected him through his childhood.

Koga sniffed the smoked that roiled from the burning huts, it churned upward into the sky staining the clear evening. He started to walk down the main street, heading towards the world. He had no ties now, no responsibilties. It was finally time to live for himself. A gleeful cackle bubble out of his mouth, he felt like skipping...

A groaning made him turn to face the raging flames that had engulfed a home behind him. A wizened man staggered from the blaze with a young child gathered in his arms. He made it to the relative safety of the streets before dropping to his knees and coughing in an alarming fashion.

Koga recognised him instantly, his mentor and the chief elder of the village. The man who had dared to oppress the might and greatness of Koga! The young arrogant ninja smirked at this twist of fortune. "Maybe I have one more responsibilty"

The gravel crunched beneath his feet as he walked over to the man who had raised him. The elder was bowed on his knees, heat exhaustion had nearly overwhelmed him but the child was safe now. He heard the footsteps approaching and instantaneously knew his fate.

"This is the end old man." Koga's high pitched voice whined over the roar of the fire. The elder raised his head and stared into the eyes of his protégée.

"Koga… What have you done?"

*Flashback ends*

Koga had left the village immediately after dealing with the old man, a lonely looking child in rags had watched him leave with tears in its eyes.

The camp was set up quickly, the team set about cooking dinner in a frenzy like manner. Whilst they hurried to sate their hunger they maintained a safe distance from their leader. It was best to stay out of Koga's way, he was the worst kind of ninja. Quick tempered, irrational and with something to prove.

Iax carefully gauged the ninja team from his perch, they certainly seemed sure of themselves. They reminded him of a new genin team, all unfounded confidences and brash naivety. A campfire… They were asking for trouble, rogue ninja prayed for opportunities like that. 'Amateurs...' Iax weighed his options, the trail had been lost weeks ago now. He'd just been relentlessly marching east in hope of finding it, reassuring himself that he'd find it again.

'They could have information…' Iax sighed; carefully he leapt away from the clearing, dropped to the leaf littered floor approaching the clearing from the shadows of the tree line. His stealth was incredible, despite the dry leafs on the earth he moved forward silently, not a single rustle betrayed his presence. He didn't want to startle the ninjas in the clearing and leaping directly into the camp would start a fight, he'd needed them alive.

Having circled the clearing once he picked an area to make his entrance where the campfire was between him and the ninja. It gave him enough space to make it clear he wasn't a threat but should they attack he would have more than enough time to strolled into their camp like he would a bar. It was an exaggeratedly casual walk, with an arrogant smirk on his face. As their heads turned in unison, he placed his hands on his hips before letting the smirk grow into a menacing smile. There was nothing quite like informing inexperienced ninja of their insignificance.

"Say you wouldn't be able to help me out would you?" Judging by the stiffness of their postures and the way their hands had subtly disappeared from view Iax knew the team was on the verge of attacking. He lifted his hands from his hips showing the ninja that his palms open and not concealing any weapons. "Let me phrase that better. You will help me whether you like it or not" Despite his peaceful stance Iax's casual tone had disappeared along with the smirk. The grim set jaw had returned. His eyes burned with a hunger.

Koga was intimidated. The man had appeared without warning, stood nearly a foot taller than all of them. The sword on his back was easily two metres long and looked well used. The man had stepped into their camp so confidently then proceeded to silence them with a single sentence He'd done it all with a smile on his face as well. But, Koga was a real ninja now. He'd sacked his own village, he had built a team of followers, he couldn't afford to look weak. A moments hesitation could lose him all everything he'd just earned! These team mates could turn on him in an instant. After all they were rogue now, honour had been left burning in the ruins of their village.

The stranger had lowered on of his hands, placing the other on the pommel of his sword, then took a measured step towards them. Koga had never know fear like this, it was just his fucking luck to be a few miles out his childhood village before he bumped into a monster. The giant swordsman abruptly stopped, turning his head to view the forest behind him.

Koga seized his chance. With a feral scream he leapt at the giant stranger a kunai in each hand and slashed viciously at the intruder's throat…

He dropped to the ground with a cluster of shruiken in his chest.

The teams jaw dropped collectively, they hadn't seen the man move… How on earth were they going to survive?

Iax stood sword drawn, his eyes scanned the tree line.

He hadn't thrown those shruiken…

He suddenly ducked, rolling to the left as a ninja burst free from the ground slashing kunai through his previous position.

Spinning quickly and using the momentum to power a backhand slash, Iax smashed the offending knife from the ninjas hand before letting the impetus carry him into a savage roundhouse that broke his opponents jaw. The ninja slumped to the ground unconscious. Behind him Iax heard a shriek that broke suddenly into a wet gurgling.

Iax turned and saw that Koga's team were already dead, a new team stood over the corpses, wiping the blood from their blades.

'Rogue ninja…fucking campfire' Iax settled into an Ox Ward. He evaluated his new enemies, there were four of them, all were tall and lean. Their clothes were dirtied from battle; mud covered, scorch marked and blood stained. Each stood with a lithe elegance that informed Iax they were experienced killers. One in the middle even had a headband hanging from his belt, it bore the crest of Konoha 'He must have survived The Downfall' It was disconcerting.

'They look pretty battle-hardened. Made short work of those guys...'

His analysis was cut short as three of them charged forward, two running opposing support lines on the left and right while one with a sword launched a full frontal assault. The last lingered behind watching the coordinated attack from safety. This worried Iax more than they well drilled assualt, 'What is he up to?'

Iax glared at the oncoming attack through his guard, thinking quickly he thrust his sword point first into the soil. Racing through a combination of ten seal before finishing on snake. "Doton: Embossing Stalagmite Jutsu!" A thick pillar of rock burst from the ground smashing into right hand support ninja, throwing him back. It didn't kill him but it gave Iax space to deal with the other two. Snatching up his sword he focussed on the ninja leading the charge, adrenaline coursed through his veins. The fight didn't slow down, it was like his mind sped up, he could process the entire situation almost instantly. A smile appeared momentarily.

'This is the best feeling in the world.'

Iax reached out quickly catching the attacking ninja's downward strike with a single hand, it cut deep but he simply laughed in surprised ninja's face as he twisted the sword free from his opponents grasp. Ducking as the left-hand support ninja dived at him with an extended kunai; Iax strafed behind the newly disarmed ninja and caved his skull in with the flat of his great sword. The man dropped lifelessy into a messy pile of uncoordinated limbs.

Seizing the corpse by its collar Iax heaved it up from the ground with a single hand letting it block a volley of shruiken. Dropping it quickly he used the blind spot it momentarily created. Dashing forward in a blur of motion. The giant blade pierced the right hand supports chest. 'Two down.' Iax ripped his sword free and turned to block the left hand support… He wasn't there.

Iax was fleetingly caught off guard, casting his head around he quickly found the support ninja. He was standing next to the last member of his team, the one who had hung back. With a flourish Iax sank back into the Ox ward staring down the remaining enemies. They hadn't expected this, he could see it in their shocked eyes. Their surprise brought a bloodthirsty grin to his face, but it didn't bring any life to his face which had become a cold bloodthirsty mask.

The ninja who had held back watching the fight, the ex-Konoha shinobi, seemed to be the leader. His hair was black, tied back in a ponytail. His eyes were quick and clever; Iax could see them formulating a plan. Iax continued to watch him; these characteristics rang a few bells.

Rapidly the Konoha ninja snapped his hands together in the rat seal, Iax's eyes widened.

The giant swordsman leapt from the ground and into the surrounding trees, moving so fast he blurred out of sight. He only narrowly avoided the shadow that had extended from the ex Konoha shinobi's feet. 'A Nara! I knew he was trouble.'

The Nara adjusted his seal slightly and his shadow contorted, shifting until was a series of thrashing tentacles that formed a ring around him and his remaining teammate. They had both lost sight of the giant swordsman when he'd dashed away, it was incredible how fast he could move and how fluidly. But judging from his strength they guessed he hadn't fled. The Nara's brain worked furiously.

'Whilst I have my Shadow Guard jutsu activated I doubt he will attack head on… He'll look to remove my ally so he can close me down when he spots an opening.' The prognosis was good, judging by what the Nara had seen whilst the swordsman was fighting his ex teammates the man was a monster in taijutsu and kenjutsu but he'd shown no aptitude for long range techniques. The jutsu the swordsman had used was mid range and easy to dodge if you knew it was coming. In fact the level of his skill was so high in the hand to hand combat it insinuated that he'd over developed them and left the other ninja skills on the back burner…

'Wouldn't do to get complacent though…' Considering that thought the Nara nodded to his teammate. His subordinate understood then started forming a series of hand seals before finishing on tiger.

"Katon: Phoenix Flame Jutsu" The ninja spat five medium sized fire balls into the section of woods in front of them. Turning he started forming the seals again. Another section of the woods soon sprang up in flame. Then another and another, soon the clearing was surrounded by a ring of burning trees. The Nara smirked 'Two rings of defence and the light from the fire will only amplify my shadows powers. He'd be smart to flee now.'

As if he'd read the Nara's mind and seemed desperate to disprove him, the giant swordsman dropped from the sky. The Nara smirked.

Iax leapt over the circle of fire and dropped towards the ring of shadows. Wind whipped past his face and he aimed the point of his sword directly at the Nara's head, he was fed up with this fight. It had ruined the first sleep he'd had in days.

The ring of spectral tentacles twitched and swiftly shot towards him. Each had a razor sharp spike on the end that punched into his body. Iax's looked shocked; he hadn't expected them to be so fast…

"Shadow Stitch Jutsu" The Nara announced conceitedly. Iax hung in the air, his lower jaw dropped open and a desperate breath rattled out.

'Phase 1 executed. Phase 2 beginning.'

Iax burst free from the earth at the two rogue ninja's feet. He swung his sword in an upward arc that sliced into the fire style ninja's stomach, the blade continued to rip up before it ground to a halt at the ninjas collar bone. The fire style ninja's eyes bulged as he opened up like an unzipped bag, his organs splattered noisily onto the forest floor.

Tugging his sword free Iax placed it on the Nara's shoulder before he could react. They both watched as the earth clone caught in the Shadow Stitch jutsu crumbled into dust.

"So…" Iax spoke softly into the Nara's ear "I thought you guys were supposed to be smart?" He smirked at the frown on the Nara's face then pressed the edge of his great sword into the man's neck.

"What do you want?" There was no hint of fear in the Nara's voice. Iax was impressed with his composure, considering the mess he'd just made of the man's team. 'Impressed, but it doesn't really change anything…' Iax kicked the Nara's leg forcing him to his knees.

"What I want is information, information you almost definitely do not have…" Iax mused "why east? Everyone seems to be heading that way…" He said in a distracted manner.

The Nara laughed and then suddenly coughed as the blade pushed harder against his neck. "You haven't heard?" he drawled lazily "There's an army forming in the east."

"So, armies are formed all the time, if you haven't realised, this world is pretty fucked up" Iax retorted.

"No, not just any army. A ninja army. the rumour i heard is they are trying to form a Hidden Village…"

Iax cocked his head and looked at the Nara thoughtfully.

"Yeah like I said, not the information I want."

The Nara's eyes widened as he realised he'd outlived his usefulness. His head sailed into the nearby shrubbery and his truncated body slumped heavily to the ground.

Iax flicked the blood from his sword and sauntered thoughtfully through the carnage. 'A hidden village… Maybe that's where he's headed…' He stopped by the crumpled body of the ninja he'd roundhoused. The man was just starting to regain consciousness, he was mumbling through his shattered jaw. The great sword hovered briefly above his prone body before plunging through his neck.

'Yeah sounds like a plan.'

A crescent moon hung in a clear night sky, a stark contrast against the velvety black of space. A vast swathe of stars flickered and burned, their pale light combined with that of the moon illuminated the forests below. The light bleached the normal colours of the forest turning it monochrome, no greens or earthy browns remained just greys, whites and shadows.

One shadow was moving though.

'Revenge…'