Yūgure
Naruto came home to the relatively small apartment that his Godfather rented in the middle of the leaf village his first day at the academy was not what he had hoped he had received odd looks from the teachers all day and a few even asked if he was lost some of the children he wanted to play with didn't want to and the few who did stopped when their mothers screamed at him to stay away. 'Was blond spikey hair that uncommon?'
"Hey Ero-Sanin! I'm home!" the sage was a grandfather figure he had white spikey hair that was pulled into a pony tail he also had red lines reaching from the corner of his eyes down to his chin aside from being in his 40's the man was muscular and had a look of experience in his eyes. He wore an off green battle kimono shirt with matching pants with a red vest over the ensemble. Jiraiya sat at the small desk in the apartment with an ancient typewriter and a pen in his mouth aggravated with his godsons disrespectful moniker. He was mad that Naruto found one of his icha icha books while he was out of the house which spurred the nickname. It didn't bother him as it did a few years ago and he took it as a term of endearment like when he met with 'Ojisan' the Hokage.
Naruto stood there in the front hall way with a black t-shirt and jean shorts with blue shinobi sandals he also had a pair of goggles that were perched on his forehead like his godfathers horned forehead protector with the kanji for 'Oil' "Hey Gaki! How was your first day at school? Make any girlfriends that swoon over your every word?" Naruto knew this game that his Godfather and he would take turns insulting each other to see who would give up first. "It was really fun I finally found out how to make chakra and throw shuriken and kunai but all of my teachers asked if I was lost or something…" Naruto looked a bit down "some of the kids didn't want to play and one of the parents screamed at me when I was near the only few that wanted to play with me. Is spiky blonde hair that weird Ero-Sanin?"
Jiraiya paled he had expected a few parents to be nervous at the most but did not know that they would react in such a fashion. If more people couldn't restrain themselves and word got around that what the villagers called the Kyuubi was attending the ninja academy there could be a mass riot. "It's ok Naruto. Tell you what we'll have some ramen to celebrate your first day at the academy then I'll read you another chapter of the Gutsy Ninja ok?"
Naruto loved that book almost as much as ramen it was filled with action and cool speeches about never giving up on your dreams. "Yay Ero-Sanin you're the best!" Naruto happily cartwheeled around the room.
After dinner was over and Naruto was asleep for the night Jiraiya started to pack all he could into sealing scrolls his instincts told him to get Naruto out of Konoha that night. He sent a messenger toad to summon Sarutobi listing the note as a class 5 emergency requesting Sarutobi to make a special trip to the little apartment. The third Hokage arrived within 10 minutes of the message being sent and Jiraiya explained the situation and his gut feeling. "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this… *sigh this is no way to treat a hero let alone the fourths legacy… I will sign these papers giving you a month off in order to travel with Naruto. If there is an attack made within that time I want you to take him out of the land of fire until he is strong enough to protect himself. I had to sneak away from my own ANBU save for Kakashi and Tenzō so go on there are no time for goodbyes."
Jiraiya grabbed his scrolls and notepad and packed them away. Grabbing Naruto cradling the small child in his arms Jiraiya hopped through one of the windows as stealthily as one would expect out of the Sanin. The Hokage sighed once again as Kakashi and Tenzō seemingly melted from the shadows in the tiny apartment they too were aware of the situations and you could see pity regret sadness and rage in the eyes of the two ANBU operatives. They both knew what it was like to feel the pain of loneliness and of being despised by others for actions not their own. They sat in the darkness having transformed into Jiraiya and placed a doll that looked like Naruto in their respective beds. They sat for only two hours when they heard it the sound of torches flickering and footsteps they heard what sounded like a hundred people marching towards the tiny apartment. The Hokage had pain in his eyes he looked to the toad that Jiraiya had left behind and sealed the scroll informing Jiraiya to not return until the Sanin felt the boy was well trained enough to come back but no sooner than 5 years from then. With a deep puff on his pipe the Sandaime Hokage sealed the scroll with the sage's orders and reverse summoned him to Jiraiya's location. With a flick of his wrist the Hokages robes were replaced with his battle armor as his two guards unsheathed their swords they knew a lot of blood would be spilt for disobeying a direct order not only from the civilian and clan counsels but also from two separate Hokages.
As the door to the tiny apartment burst in the several villagers burst through the door and began shouting their eyes slowly adjusting to the low light in the room. The Hokage was unmoved as his features took on a look that had not been seen since the second shinobi war a look of unprecedented rage. As the villagers moved closer to the unknown figure their eyes final grew accustomed to the light and their eyes widened in horror as they saw that they were in the presence of the Hokage and his ANBU.
Before the poor fool could even bow their heads and plead for forgiveness a massive amount of killing intent burst from the tiny home effectively waking up every shinobi in the village. By the time Danzō Shimura, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, the active members of the shinobi council, and high ranking officials came to the site of the massive amount of KI the three men were drenched in blood and gore sending a message to the entire village to never disobey a S-class order backed by so many high ranking officials ever again.
The next day on the border of Hi no Kuni and Mizu no Kuni
"Come on Naruto wake up. You're gonna sleep all day at this rate." Jiraiya was nudging the boy in his arms who had slept soundly though the night as Jiraiya sped at breakneck speeds to get out of the country. "huh? Ero-Sanin why are we outside? This doesn't look like the village…"
"Well you should be exited I asked the old man and he said I could take you on an adventure with me outside of the village. How does training with me sound hm?" Jiraiya had set Naruto down on a rock by the road and Naruto was sleepily rubbing his eyes when it hit him 'training?'
"WOW THAT SOUNDS AWESOME ERO SANIN!" Jiraiya had one eye closed and a finger in his ear 'how can this kid have so much energy when he first wakes up sheesh' "yeah first well have some breakfast then well work on your control of chakra… do you like tree climbing?"
Narutos eyes widened with joy he loved climbing trees it was easier to pull pranks from up there.
That night on the border of Kirigakure
"Tonight's the night Haku tonight we cast of the land of water" Zabuza Momochi the proclaimed 'Demon of the mist' had failed in trying to change his village for the better. Chigiri no Sato was a town that was actively trying to eliminate all bloodlines in the country. Zabuza stood at six feet tall and his body was lean enough for his muscles to be clearly seen from a distance on his back was the massive cleaver Kubikiribōchō. He wore a black long sleeve shirt with a belt crisscrossing over his chest. He had baggy pants that were light blue and pinstriped, his head was now covered in wrappings over his forehead and lower portion his face. His headband was in his right hand signifying his affiliation with Kirigakure, with a toss the headband was launched into a lake that fed the mist in the village never to be seen again. With a turn he motioned to his companion to start moving.
Haku was a small child standing next to the demon was wearing a short blue kimono with light blue edges and pair of baggy dark grey pants. The child's hair was unkempt and was shoulder length. While walking with Zabuza Haku was carrying a snow rabbit. "Whatever you wish Zabuza as long as you need me I will stay by your side." With a smile Haku followed Zabuza away from the mist and into the unknown.
About a year later filled with grueling training by the toad sage.
"Hey Naruto get up I have a surprise for you come on wake up" the toad sage was still having difficulty waking Naruto before 9am. "Hm? A surprise? Is it ramen?"
"Really Naruto is ramen all you think about. Honestly… no it's a present surely you didn't forget what day it is did you?" Jiraiya was sitting in the lotus position by the boy who was coming to and putting his thoughts in the proper order "A gift for me how positively delightful may I inquire as to the contents therein?" *WHACK "Ow what was that for ERO-SANIN"
"There that's better Naruto now that your thoughts are coherent we can get some breakfast here I decided to splurge and got some cereal and some milk." Jiraiya had to knock some sense into the boy every once in a while but today was a special day indeed it was October 10 Narutos birthday.
"Hey kiddo I decided to teach you a technique that will be perfect for you ok?" Jiraiya handed a small scroll wrapped as a present. After finishing the cereal Naruto ripped open the package and opened the scroll "[Kage Bunshin no Jutsu] GEE THANKS ERO-SANIN THIS SOUNDS AWESOME" Naruto began cartwheeling and skipping along the clearing the two were camped in. "ok ok Naruto calm down I want to get back near the border before night fall there's a small inn with a hot spring and I would like to go resear- I mean relax ok?"
Naruto had caught the research part and rolled his eyes knowing he would have to beg the inn keeper not to kick them out. "Ok I'll try to learn this as quickly as possible so we can relax today Ero-Sanin"
That night at the hot springs
"Man the [Kage Bunshin no Jutsu] is crazy I think Ero-Sanin is crazy but at least I got it down. But its pretty cool maybe I can use the information sharing aspect to increase my training the scroll said a ninja should be able to make five at the most but I made five hundred and I wasn't winded at all. Hm?" as Naruto thought aloud a man opened the door and made his way into the bath he was really strong looking but his face was wrapped in bandages.
"What kind of moron wears a mask in a hot spring"
In Konoha Kakashi was informing the Hokage that his first Gennin team failed his test and was sent back to the academy when he sneezed "Kakashi do you feel ok?"
"Hmph it happens to be a habit Gaki." Zabuza was pissed that Haku had dragged him to the hot spring Zabuza thought it drew too much attention to them.
"Oh COOL do you have scars or something or maybe you're a ninja?! I'm a ninja I'm traveling with my godfather now were on an extended vacation from our village!" Naruto was exited to meet up with someone he loved hearing different stories about the ninjas they bumped into on their road trip.
'Heh he's like Haku always bright… Gaki.' Zabuza deadpanned he had to make the kid think he was alone just in case "I'm travelling too just doing… odd jobs until I can find suitable arrangements."
"That's cool my Godfather has been teaching me for a whole year now I can do all sorts of neat tricks." Naruto was happy. this person was aggravated but it didn't seem that he was the cause. 'Well my nindo is to help people who need it so I'll try to cheer this guy up well swap adventure stories.'
Before Naruto could speak a kid about his age burst through the door wearing a bathrobe provided by the hot spring with a shocked expression and a twinge of fear in the kids eyes. "Zabuza-sama…. Why do you wear a mask in the hot spring it doesn't make any sense and I can't believe anyone else would do such a thing in their right mind."
In Konoha Kakashi was patiently waiting when he sneezed again "Kakashi are you coming down with a cold or something?"
"Anyways there is someone looking in the hot springs though the wall!" Zabuza was shocked had they been found out were the hunter Nin after them?
Naruto deadpanned "hang on a second" Narutos voice shown annoyance over some task he had to take care of again. As Naruto got out of the bath and walked by the kid he grabbed one of the robes off of the rack. Not seeing the blush on the kids cheek as he walked by Naruto proceeded to sneak out of the bathhouse and Zabuza made ready to summon his blade when they both heard "ERO-SANIN [Sennen Goroshi]" the next thing they saw was Jiraiya flying over the bathhouse fence holding his ass and comical tears were streaming down his face. With a loud splash Zabuza and Haku looked at each other with quizzical stares 'Ero-Sanin?'
As Naruto made his way back inside he put the robe back and got back in the water to relieve the tension from the hard day's work. "Sorry about that guys I can't keep my godfather under control" as Jiraiya sputtered when he broke the surface of the water he shouted at his godson "Hey Gaki you can't do that to me I'm a sage for crying out loud."
"Yeah a Pervy sage is more like it" Naruto sighed
"I am not a pervert… I'm a super pervert!"
This time Haku and Zabuza deadpanned were these two actually ninja? They acted like a couple of idiots.
"Don't sweat it kid we've seen our fair share of idiosyncrasies while we've traveled on the road." As Zabuza saw Jiraiya turn around to look sheepish both the sage and the swordsman's eyes widened in realization "yo- you're the Demon of the mist/legendary Sanin… Zabuza/Jiraiya."
"Why… are you wearing a mask in a hot spring? You have emotional issues or something?" Zabuza got a tic mark on his forehead
"Achoo"
"ok kakashi I know that the new Icha Icha book is out but you can forget about me sending you home on the account of you being 'sick' now here is a mission for you."
As both of the older men tensed Naruto looked to Haku who was still standing there. "Hey I'm Naruto since our friends know each other why don't we get acquainted?"
Haku blushed as Naruto made his way inside again to get changed turning around Haku said "hello Naruto my name is Haku." As Naruto finished dressing he grabbed Haku by the arm and led his new freind away from the staring competition and into the lobby of the hotel.
"Hey Haku why don't you get changed and well chill in here till our sensei calm down a bit ok?" Haku nodded and went down the hallway to the changing rooms.
Naruto didn't have to wait long when Haku came back in the short blue kimono and pair of baggy dark grey pants only with a year's growth they didn't fit well anymore. Narutos Black t-shirt and jean shorts didn't it very well either. "Haha looks like your sensei is about as stingy as mine."
"Yes Zabuza sama tends to be a bit frugal with our money."
As the two sat in the lounge area of the lobby getting acquainted Jiraiya and Zabuza had broken the silence after Zabuza got changed and went to the roof of the establishment.
"Zabuza Momochi I never expected to see you in a quaint little in like this the word on the street is you died in a coup d'état against the Mizukage there." Jiraiya crossed his arms and had a confident smirk on his face
"Jiraiya the Toad sage I thought you gave up travelling the world to stay in Konoha. Who's the Gaki?" Zabuza had summoned his blade his one hand pointed over his shoulder.
"I thought it would be obvious that Gaki is my godson Uzumaki Naruto." Jiraiya sensing they had no quarrel "I bet our students are being friendly how about we go downstairs for a few drinks eh?"
Smirking through his mask Zabuza agreed and they both headed down to the bar area of the lobby.
"So how old are you Haku?" Naruto had asked about all of the adventures Haku had been on with Zabuza and this was the first time he saw a traveler about his age.
"I will be 8 during the new year." Haku explained to the young boy that seemed to love the stories that conveniently left out the blood in it.
"Really? I'm 7 today is my birthday!" Naruto had explained that his godfather and he were on a trip around the nations helping people who needed it and collecting D and C-rank bounties whenever his teacher wasn't 'researching'
"You said your godfather is travelling with you what about your parent why aren't they traveling with you?" Haku asked maybe they were in another town or something thinking they would meet up in a few days. But then Haku noticed Narutos expression change into one of sadness and loneliness.
"I never knew my parents Ero-Sanin said they died when I was born in an attack on my village." When Naruto said this Hakus face fell to one of familiarity and pain. "I see I lost my parents when I was very young as well"
Naruto actually perked up at this 'we're the same. We were both alone till our masters came and helped us.' "I guess were a lot more alike than we first thought it's good to know someone shares the same pain you know?"
Haku brightened at this fact as well. "Yeah I guess we can understand what we're going through even though we grew up in different places."
Both Kids were smiling at each other when Zabuza and Jiraiya staggered over.
"He-*hic Gakis it's past your be*hic-time so say goodnight to your new *hic boyfriend and lets go to ou-*hic room." Haku was shocked in a moment of drunkenness Zabuza hinted at her secret. "That's not funny Zabuza-sama you need to learn to hold your liquor better."
"Aw I think *hic you make a cute cou*hicple remember I saw *hic someone run out of the midst of those *hic beauties in the female si*hicde of the bath and she *hic looked a lot like you." Jiraiya nudged Zabuza and they walked together towards their rooms on the second floor singing in an off key tone "Narut*hic and Haku sitting in a *hic tree K-I-S-*hic S-I-*hic N-G." by that time they were out of site and Naruto was a bright shade of pink and so was Haku. Naruto was no good at talking to females because he was raised by a perv so when he realized that she was a girl he knew he would have to learn how to speak without getting knocked into the next county.
Haku was blushing because she had seen Narutos Wang twice and had successfully blocked the memory out while talking to him earlier and she knew the next few lines of the song.
"I so don't want to deal with them like this what say we let them pass out in my room and well crash in your room sound like a plan?" Naruto was consistently acting like Haku was a guy so he wouldn't stutter or say anything other than the basics.
When Haku nodded they both trudged up the stairs to find their sensei looking at their keys like it was their first time seeing one. Sighing Naruto and Haku grabbed Zabuza and walked him into Naruto and Jiraiya's room after snatching his key. After letting their respective sensei collapse on the two beds in the room Haku and Naruto locked the door and moved to the room 'conveniently' across the hallway. "Huh that sure is convenient" as Naruto slipped inside of the room his eyes widened in shock once again "… uh there's only one bed." Naruto looked over at Haku who had just finished icing the door so no hunter Nin could break in on them. "That's ok I shall sleep on the floor." Naruto raised a brow even though he was raised by a perv he had his chivalrous side "nah its ok ill grab the floor" Haku sighed and resigned herself. "If you don't mind we could share the bed I mean it is big enough for two adults it should have enough space for two children."
"Huh you uh have a point ok let me grab my stuff from the other room" Naruto was gone about 2 minutes when he came back in his blue pajamas and his walrus cap Haku was already in bed with her pajamas that were so light blue they were almost white. As Naruto crawled in on the other side of the bed he glanced over and said goodnight Haku hopefully well get to hang out some tomorrow and possibly train too."
"Goodnight Naruto I wish you have pleasant dreams"
With that both of the young shinobi drifted off to sleep.
It was around 8:30 in the morning when Naruto began to wake up a bit the first sensation he noticed was something cool was on his chest. He opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling then he noticed his had was on something soft when he looked down he saw Hakus head laying across his chest and his hand was on top of her head in a comforting way 'huh that's odd when we fell asleep I tough we were on opposite sides of the bed.' He looked to the left and saw the sun shining through the window in the room. Yawning Naruto looked to his right and saw 2 pairs of eyes inches from his face.
After Naruto stopped screaming like a girl Zabuza and Jiraiya grinned at their apprentices.
Haku looked disheveled having been woken up from a dream which strangely had her trapped in an ice castle and Naruto was wearing a shining set of samurai armor when he had broken through the defenses of countless ice demons Naruto had picked her up bridal style and rode off into the sunset. Naruto lifted his face to within inches of her own and she bushed as she raised her own head to kiss her rescuer when he screamed at the top of his lungs making her jump about four feet of the bed.
"See Zabuza I told you they liked each other. You owe me 10 ryo." Jiraiya grinned at the swordsman who begrudgingly paid up.
"What the hell can't you guys wake us up any other way? Why do I have to wake up to see 4 eyeballs looking at me from 3 inches away?" Naruto was still panting trying to get his bearings and Haku had started to glare at the older men for ruining her dream.
"Now now before you get mad we have some good news for you two love birds." Zabuza's statements caused the two to focus their glares on him.
"Now me and Zabuza have talked it over while you were in your love nest this morning and we've decided to form a little gang while we were drinking we got a good idea of each other's stories and we decided were gonna train you two together. We're also gonna up the ante as it were and once you're ready well sit back and watch you take a bounty for yourselves how's that sound?" Narutos eyes started to light up in the prospect of serious training and a bounty he wouldn't have to split 95 to 5 with his stingy godfather.
Haku looked a bit brighter she was a chunin hunter Nin when she left kiri with Zabuza so she could train with her new friend and they could try to take down C-class bounty's maybe even B-class
"Well then I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship what are we waiting for lets train!" Naruto ran out of the room so fast dust kicked up in the room and Zabuza mumbled "What have I gotten myself into."
Knowing his godsons pensions for pranks and hyperactivity he chuckled "you'll see soon enough Zabuza you'll see."
Well here's the first chapter of a new series I'm writing there will be a little bit if the initial training with Haku and Zabuza then I'll time skip to an important juncture to add some more wanderers to the team. My stories tend to go far I have both of them in my head going way past shippuden into the future dreams will be fulfilled peace may reign but the chaos of Naruto will remain long after we thought it would end =]. Take care everyone and please let me know what kind of weird scenarios you suggest I got this idea after reading frozen fox by Hakureisaiga I may do something similar but I'll ask for permission before I do anything definitive. Thanks again I look forward to your reviews and follows.