Chapter 1: Menma Uzumaki
Swoosh! In an instant the surrounding vegetation became nothing more than dust. More small men advanced towards him, but they posed no threat. Eventually one of the men emerged on what appeared to be a giant amphibian...and then there was a bright white flash of light.
Menma's eyes popped open, reacting to the sunlight that filled the room, he quickly shut them. After a bit of adjustment, he fully opened them. On the bed opposite his twin was still fast asleep and drooling, Menma smiled, erasing all negative emotions generated by the nightmare. He noticed that his brother had slept on top of the sheets and in full clothing. I'm sure I can let him sleep in; he's been working really hard. Menma got out of bed and quietly crept into the bathroom, after relieving himself, he studied his reflection. His short straight fiery red hair hung like a mop on his head and his violet eyes had a glint of exhaustion. He scratched the whisker marks on his face that matched his brother's. He went on to take a shower, brush his teeth and comb his hair down, before putting on a long sleeved armour mesh and a black and red track suit, which was dominantly black with red wrists, zipper and a wide red line going down on each side of the pant legs and topped it all off with black shinobi sandals.
After preparing breakfast for himself and his brother, eating his and leaving his twin's covered and ready, he created a clone of himself to examine his appearance one last time and eventually wake up his brother. With a final sweep of the house, he left for school.
Menma finally got to school after the usual chattering about how "It's him..." and "Stay away sweetie...", nothing he had not heard before or cared about, though like most kids his age, he could not help but wonder why both him and his twin were treated in such a way. Oh well. He shrugged off the thought as he entered the classroom. As usual, he was the first one there, Sasuke Uchiha next and then everyone else would trickle in after. Menma felt no need and had no interest in conversing with Sasuke, all the guy did was sit alone and shut down anyone who tried to get close, girls included. Class finally started, although there was no sign of his brother or Iruka Sensei, their teacher. "Oh no." Menma mumbled to himself as a sudden rush of events he did not experience flooded his mind. My clone has disappeared. That's when Iruka Sensei stomped into the classroom dragging a tied up Naruto. "I'm at the end of my rope Naruto. You failed the graduation test last time, and the time before that." Menma and gently face palmed. What's he doing, Naruto thrives on attention, and he's giving him exactly what he wants.
Menma loved his brother, but also respected authority, even going as far as reprimanding Naruto for his pranks. "Why can't you be more like your twin brother? A well behaved student and top of the class." The mischievous blond was visibly wounded by this comment, but quickly hid it behind a scoff, causing Iruka Sensei to snap. "Fine!" the angry teacher turned to his students. "Because Naruto here was late, you'll all have to review the transformation jutsu!" the class groaned in chorus.
Just like Iruka Sensei had said, one by one, each student stepped forward and performed the transformation jutsu, the first being Sakura Haruno, who became Iruka Sensei, followed by Sasuke who did the same and then Menma who took it a step further by changing into the third Hokage. "Very impressive Menma, especially considering that you've hardly had the chance to observe the Hokage-sama that much." He transformed back and returned to his spot in the line. Then came Naruto's turn, as he stepped forward Menma heard Shikamaru Nara and Ino Yamanaka complaining to Naruto for always getting the class into trouble. "Like I care." He took on a tough demeanour as he got ready and into position. "You've got this brother!" Menma cheered him on, but his brother did nothing more than stare back at him coldly. "Transform!" and in a large cloud of smoke, Naruto was replaced by a tall, attractive woman with blue eyes, blonde hair styled into ponytails and whisker marks on her face. All was fair and fine, except for one small problem... She was naked. Upon gazing at her, Iruka Sensei turned deadly pale and threw back his head with a massive nosebleed.
"Gotcha. That was my Sexy Jutsu." Naruto laughed as he changed back. "Cut the stupid tricks! This is your last warning!" Iruka Sensei's head almost seemed to enlarge as he said this.
The rest of the school day was normal...Well as normal as a shinobi's day could get. Hinata Hyuga arrived home as soon as possible, where she had a small lunch before changing into her training clothes and heading to the dojo. Neji Hyuga was punctual as usual; he mediated on the floor in full training attire. "Sorry I'm late." She put her hands together and bowed. "Please be more punctual next time." Neji scolded as he opened his eyes and stood up, wasting no time bowing and assuming a fighting stance. "Yes, I understand." She also bowed and got into a similar stance. The two began to spar, with Neji sending a flurry of palm attacks and Hinata doing her best to evade and block, whilst trying to find any openings in his seemingly invincible fighting style. "64 palm." He hit her directly in the chest, which sent her crashing to the floor. "Get up!" he got into the fighting stance he had taken at the beginning. "Yes Neji." She promptly picked herself up, mimicking Neji's stance once more.
This exchange repeated itself for a while, until Neji finally decided that it was enough. "B-but...I... Can..." Hinata was on all fours breathing heavily. "I said we're done for the day, and that's final." He walked out of the room without another word. Hinata felt like crying, but then thought of her sister, her father, her clan and Naruto, remembering that she had to be strong for all of them. Wait, Naruto. Hinata looked outside, taking note of the time of day. He's probably still training right now. Without another moment's notice, she was out and off to the training grounds.
As Hinata got closer to the clearing, she could make out three figures locked in combat. HM...I remember Naruto practicing the clone technique the other day, so does it mean he's already mastered. She got to her usual hiding spot at the end of the tree line, where she could see clearly now. Menma? She was surprised to see the red head instead of the usual blonde. He seemed to be sparring with his clones; one of them threw a punch at the other, which was dodged and replied with an uppercut. Poof. The Menma disappeared whilst the one who had taken down the other was being charged; Hinata was now pretty sure that the one who was being charged was the real Menma, but she activated her byakugan for good measure and found her assumption to be correct before witnessing him take out his clone with a clean and swift leg sweep. Poof. The clones were gone and Menma now stood alone in the clearing. Wow... No wonder he's top of the class.
Menma was panting for breath with his hands on his knees and out of nowhere he did a hand sign Hinata had never seen before and vanished, leaving nothing more than a block of wood. Is that transformation jutsu...? But why wood? Confused by what she was looking at, Hinata took a step forward, only to be stopped by a poke on the back. On instinct; she jumped back, got into her usual fighting stance. "Calm down, it's just me Hinata." Menma had his hands up, to which Hinata responded to by lowering her stance and adjusting her eyes. "S-sorry you just surprised me." He scratched the back of his head. "No need to apologize, it's my fault for sneaking up on you." She looked back where Menma had been mere moments ago. "So if that's not you... What's the jutsu you just used?" She was now pointing at the log on the ground. "Oh, that... It's a technique used by jonin level shinobi, we're not supposed to learn until a bit later, but I figured; why not practice ahead. It's called the substitution jutsu; basically, I replace my body with an object in the nearby vicinity, for example, that log over there." He gestured to the object in question.
Wow... His so determined, just like Naruto. Hinata had not even realised how much she was gawking at him. "Um... Hinata, are you okay?" Menma was blushing furiously; Hinata noticed and began to blush as well. "So what brings you here?" the redhead did his best to get rid of the awkward silence and stop his blushing as well. Embarrassed by the answer to that question, the blue haired girl looked away shyly.
I can't tell him that I'd come to watch Naruto train. Then she thought fast and formulated the best lie she could on the spot. "I came looking for a sparring partner... Neji told me that I'd trained enough for the day and now I understand why, I'm exhausted and it's getting late." And... The blush was gone; Menma had gotten his hopes up, but was clearly out of luck. "So maybe tomorrow." He smiled nervously whilst he sweat dropped. "W-well, tomorrow is the genin exam a-and if...I-I mean when we pass, wouldn't you rather celebrate with Naruto." Menma hated losing the chance to be alone with Hinata, but she was right. When... Yes I mean when Naruto passes the genin exam, I plan to be there for him. "You're right; maybe another time then." The byakugan user smiled before saying her goodbye and heading home. The violet eyed boy watched her disappear into the brush before waiting for a bit and then doing the same.
The sun had already set by the time Menma got home and found the door still locked. Naruto isn't home yet? He probably went out for some ramen, but I'll make dinner for him just in case and if he's full, it'll just be tomorrow's breakfast. Menma got into the house; he took a shower, put on a plain black shirt and black pants before preparing a meal for him and his brother, enjoying his half alone, brushing his teeth and going to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a good day for Naruto, I just know it. With hope in his heart, Menma drifted off to Dreamland.
"We will now start the final exam. When your name is called, proceed to the testing room. The final test will be on... The Clone Jutsu." Menma could see the frustration written all over Naruto's face. I've tried to teach him that jutsu so many times, but it just won't stick. I really hope he can pull it off. Everyone got called in one at a time and when it was Menma's turn, he took went above and beyond by creating five clones instead of just three, allowing him to pass the exam with flying colours. The redhead collected his headband and used a different door from the one he used when entering, which led him outside, where he sat on a swing and waited for his brother. You're going to pass Naruto. "He's going to fail." Menma looked up searching for the person who had just contradicted his thoughts and saw that it was none other than Sasuke. "Why do you say so?" Menma chose not to feed his anger, but at least find out if the second best student in their class knew something he did not and maybe get a few words of wisdom from Uchiha boy.
"Because he's a loser." Menma sighed in surprise, not due to Sasuke calling his brother a loser, but by the fact that he had been expecting it. "Thanks for the words of wisdom Sasuke." He sounded so grateful that all the Uchiha boy did was scoff and leave. What a jerk. Right after, Naruto shuffled out of the testing room looking crestfallen. Menma took this as his cue to remove his headband and stash it out of the blonde's sight before standing up and going towards his brother.
"So how'd it go?" Menma smiled at Naruto, who did not even give him a glance as he walked past and took a seat on the now vacant swing. The redhead assumed that his twin was probably the last person to take the exam, because Iruka Sensei stepped out of the testing room, along with Mizuki Sensei, who glanced sympathetically at the blonde, before flashing Menma a reassuring smile and approaching the blue eyed boy. Mizuki Sensei seemed to invite Naruto somewhere, to which he gladly followed. Menma did not care where the two were off too and was just satisfied by seeing that his brother was still responsive. Menma began to make his way home, but could've have sworn that behind the crowd of people in front of the school building, he saw the Third Hokage next to Iruka Sensei. It's probably nothing. He ignored it and was on his way; whilst walking though town, he passed by Naruto's favourite ramen place, where he got an idea.
That's right, Naruto loves ramen. I'll grab a few containers and make him a special ramen recipe tonight. "Afternoon sir, could I get five of your finest cups of ramen..." after the purchase of a few more ingredients, Menma arrived home and got to cooking. By sunset all was ready and all he needed was for Naruto to show up.
After hours of waiting, Menma heard a knock at the door which snapped him out of his drowsiness. Naruto! He perked up and quickly made his way to the door, but then stopped right before grabbing the door knob. Wait. Why would Naruto knock, he has a key. The redhead stepped back from the door and created a clone whilst he unlocked and opened the door, revealing the clone as he hid behind the door in case of an attack. "Menma, I'm glad you're still awake. It's your brother; he's stolen the sacred scroll." Recognizing the voice, the violet eyed boy came out from behind his hiding place and undid the Clone Jutsu. "Are you sure, why would he steal the Sacred Scroll; I know that he likes to prank a lot, but this seems too extreme, even for him." Mizuki Sensei was in awe at Menma's analytical skills. "I don't know the full story, but we Jonin are needed at the Hokage's place and I figured since you're his brother and know him best you could help us search for him or at least point is in the right direction."
Without another word or thought, Menma put on his track suit and left for the Hokage's place with Mizuki Sensei, but once they got there, things were not looking too pleasant. Most of the village's Elite Jonin were assembled and each of them wanted a piece of Naruto; if anything, the redhead's presence only seemed to make it worse and fire them up even more.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice Menma." Iruka Sensei smiled at the young boy, who nodded back before letting the Third Hokage address the populous. "Okay I'm sure you all know the gravity of the situation. Naruto has taken the Sacred Scroll, which holds the secrets of past and future Hokages alike. If this scroll finds its way into the wrong hands, the entirety of the Village Hidden in the Leaves will be at risk. Your mission is to find Naruto and the scroll, as well as bring them back as soon as possible. Menma here will tell you the best places to look." All eyes were on him, and he became extremely self-conscious before regaining his composure and giving them a breakdown of all his brothers' favourite places. "Now go!" the Third Hokage lifted his hand and all shinobi dispersed in unison, Menma included. The redhead wasted no time, unlike everyone else, he knew the most likely place his twin would be and this was the one location he did not disclose.
The Forest. He knew that if he let one of the Jonin find his brother, they would not bring him back alive, because everyone in Konoha hated them, he picked up his pace, going from tree to tree. And I'm sure that someone would just love the chance to off us and brand it as an 'accident' but if that were the case; who? As if answering his question, Menma head a whizzing sound coming from behind him and he turned around, only to be met by a barrage of Kunai Knives, which sent him crashing to the ground.
"Mizuki Sensei." Menma groaned as he sat up and looked at his assailant standing on a tree branch. "You don't sound very surprised." He smiled down at the redhead. "That's because I'd just figured out that this was all a ploy to try and off Naruto and I, but my only question is; why?" Mizuki Sensei laughed. "Since you really want to know, I'll grant you this as a parting gift." Menma really did not care for whatever the man had to say, but knew this would be a good way to stall for time. "I'm sure you've heard of the demon fox that once ravaged Konoha. Well the reason that both you and your brother have been treated like outcasts for such a long time is because both of you are one half of the demon fox itself." Whatever the redhead heard was not supposed to get to him, but then he began to think back to that dream he had the other day. Could I really be the Demon Fox, did I really kill all of those people? It all makes sense now, why Naruto and I were cast aside, and why we don't have pare... Oh no our parents, did we kill them too? So many questions ran through the violet eyed boy's head; and they made him angry.
Mizuki Sensei pulled out a Giant Shuriken and threw it directly at Menma, who just stood there with his head hung low. "Goodbye Demon Fox!" he was practically cackling now, and just when the Shuriken was about to pierce the redhead... He caught it. Now Menma stood up straight with his head still hung low, the Shuriken in his right hand and steam coming from all of his wounds. A red aura swirled around his body, Mizuki Sensei began to tremble as he witnessed what was going on.
The aura finally died down to a point were it now wrapped around Menma's body, he finally stood straight, lifting his head and showing Mizuki Sensei all of his features. His hair had grown slightly longer, becoming more defined, the whisker marks on his face had become thicker, his teeth had grown into fangs and his fingernails were now claws. Most of all, his eyes were slit and crimson red and all they screamed was I hate you. "Y-you liar. I'm going to make you pay for trying to kill my brother and me!" He threw the weapon, which the man barely dodged before getting caught off guard by a punch to the face, which sent him crashing through several trees. Menma launched himself off the branch and towards the Jonin ready to deliver another devastating blow, which Mizuki Sensei managed to dodge, but not before getting his leg grabbed and getting slammed into the remaining vegetation and finally, the ground. This is it isn't it; I'm going to die here at the hands of the demon fox. He witnessed boy shoot up and begin to come down, preparing another powerful punch. The man closed his eyes, making his peace and preparing to die.
He felt Menma land on top of him, followed by the sound of a thunderous impact. Am I dead? His eyes fluttered open and took in the scene. "You don't deserve to die." The redhead's fist was buried in the ground next to Mizuki Sensei's head and his body was back to normal. Even if he was in worse shape for wear, the man smiled, happy to be alive and passed out.
Later on, Naruto and Iruka Sensei got to the scene, where they found an unconscious Mizuki Sensei and a downcast Menma. Iruka Sensei had an idea of what had transpired, but Naruto on the other hand was lost as usual. "Menma, what happened?" The boy only looked at his brother with sadness, agonizing over what he has just found out.
"Naruto, there's something I need to tell you..."
Hey guys! Thanks a lot for reading my story. It's a new one I plan to do for a long time, so please like, review, comment, follow and all that. I usually ask this at the beginning of all my stories; do you guys think I should shorten my chapters or is this okay. PM me with any ideas you might have, I'm open to suggestions and would just love to hear from you guys. See you next chapter.