*This was edited

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Chapter 1: JINCHUURIKI-The Not so Usual Routine

"Fame is the thirst for youth" –Lord George Gordon Byron, "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage"

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PROULOUGE

His heart raced as he held the crimson stained kunai to his godfather's throat. Recently soaked by the blood of some Kekkei Genkai ninja, the kunai dripped. The red drop ran down Jiraiya's neck which Menma had his arm wrapped around from behind. Running back to Konoha, Jiraiya had not even seen Menma coming or had time to defend himself. Once pinned, they both knew their chase was over. Jiraiya was ready to accept his defeat knowing he at least succeeded in one thing: protecting the Crimson Moon Scroll that would stop the man in the mask.

"If you take me to the scroll, I just might let you live," Menma growled forcing his voice to sound low. The sound came off to him as unnatural but it would do. He had thrown his old identity away: his looks, his old personality-everything he could and he would do the same to anything that reminded him of the past. The Old Menma was dead. This was his new him, his new path and he would not let anyone stop him. Even if it was someone the Old Menma had cared about.

"Go ahead and kill me. I won't let you touch that scroll. Konoha will stop you," Jiraiya croaked confidently. Something about the way he had said it infuriated Menma and the beast within him. Konoha was full of stuck up ninjas who were far weaker than Menma. Jiraiya's faith in them nagged at his heart. He could just hear his father's voice echoing inside the old man and he squeezed the kunai tighter.

'Kill him. He is in our way, Boy,' the booming dark voice residing inside him hissed. Unlike his parent's guidance, the voice of the Black Nine-Tails had given him true encouragement to get this strong. He'd never had gotten this far if he had stayed in the village.

"I'm going to give you till the count of three to change your mind before I slit your throat. One…"

In the Ninja World, a ninja's life was nothing but an expendable tool to use then throw away…The Old Menma would have said this was beyond low. Menma Namikaze would never do something like this. But he was gone now. So what was stopping Menma now? Why was he even counting? All he had to do was cut…Easy as that. Menma had killed once today already so this kill should be no different.

"Two…" He warned. Why didn't Jiraiya just submit already? He was an old stubborn fool playing the part of a good little ninja from Konoha. Menma should have known he wouldn't talk. 'Just do it. It's no big deal…We all die someday, I'm just ending his misery early,' Menma tried persuading himself as he pressed the kunai harder.

Jiraiya smiled. "Good to know my final mission was accomplished. A fitting end to my life's story. I just wish I could have spent more time with my godson. He made me more proud then anything….Who knows? Maybe you'll meet him and that Crimson Moon Scroll soon. Tell him I love him."

Menma felt something inside him crack and he swung the kunai.

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Minato Namikaze skimmed through the pages of the blue photo album as he plopped down on the soft couch in his family room. The proud father stopped at a picture of his young son curled up on the couch…Minato began to lose himself to the memory as he thought about his son in his younger days...

The young boy curled up in a ball and whimpered. His daddy seeing him chuckled.

"Menma," He cooed, "What's wrong?"

The blonde sat up and looked up to his father, his blue eyes wet. "Mommy hit me."

Minato smiled to himself then sat next to his young son. "Were you doing something you weren't supposed to be doing?"

Menma made a pouting face and nodded, "I just wanted some more candy…"

"Menma, you need to listen to us. What happens when you don't listen?"

"But daddy," The young boy protested. "I'm not hurt. It's just when Mommy's mad she looks scary! Especially when she says she's on her peri-"

Minato stopped him and laughed real hard. "Your mom can be scary. Did you know while in the Academy she was nick-named 'The Red-Blooded Habanero'?"

The boy shook his head. "That does sound scary. Hey daddy, how'd ya meet her?"

Minato sighed as he continued to flip through the family album. He wouldn't have missed those days for anything and looking at his son now…

Menma had sure gotten older since that time. The young child born with his dad's hair and mom's face grew to a teen. Sixteen years old now his body had matured, and he'd gotten taller. He was still a little on the short side compared to other boys his age but his insisting to drink milk everyday on his quest to grow tall when he was younger had served him well. He had also worked out a lot and grew strong muscles alongside a quick mind; he hated being second best to anyone. Even so, he was well behaved and didn't wander into trouble. He was, as many parents in Konoha would say, the perfect son. Although….

It seemed the older he got the less he depended on his parents. That thought saddened Minato. Sure that was a part of growing up but Menma's distance from them seemed to be growing a little too great. He closed the album and put it back in its place on the shelf. Now that he thought about it the photo albums seemed to be getting dusty. He frowned remembering the days when he had to keep reminding his son over and over again to put the photo albums back where they belonged. Now they sat collecting dust.

He sighed as he leaned his head back on the couch's cushions. His son was probably out training now. When Menma was younger he had loved training with his "daddy" and his "grandpa 'Raiya" (what he used to call them when he was younger) in the Training Caves but the more he aged the less he trained with them alongside him. He just went off by himself. It seemed like that was all he ever did anymore.

Then again, with his "girlfriend", Minato didn't blame him. That girl was constantly clinging to him like he was her property. Training in the caves far away was probably the best place for him to stay while she roamed the streets. Minato cringed just thinking about that girl. Her attitude and the way she carried and dressed herself while ignoring her high class family wishes concerned Minato. She was a bad influence and he preferred his son away from her….

Of course her father, the head of the Hyūga clan, probably thought the same of the Namikaze family. Sure Minato was known as the Yellow Flash but his family just wasn't that reputable or high up on society's ladder. He certainly hadn't made it to a recognizable position such as a Hokage like his old friend Haruno had in the past. Menma hated that. That was probably the only reason he allowed Hinata Hyūga to deem him as her boyfriend. When he did occasionally let her cling to his arm it made other village boys fume with jealously and sometimes Minato caught his son eyeing them with a cocky look as they strolled together.

The more he thought about Menma the more he wanted to talk to him. His thoughts were interrupted as he heard Kushina call from the kitchen where she was cooking, "Hey baby, is Menma home yet?"

Minato got up and stretched. "Nope. He should be getting home soon though." He tiptoed to the stove where a pot of ramen was steaming. He made sure Kushina wasn't looking before he tried to sample.

"MINATO!" She yelled. "I HATE it when people stick their fingers in the food! You can do the dishes for that!"

He gulped. Uh-oh. Busted. Though he didn't mind doing dishes, (better that then to face her furry) by the time dinner was served his wife was usually spent. Every night he'd usually end up doing the dishes and rubbing her shoulders as she sat at the table exhausted. Man, how he loved her. He couldn't imagine life any other way.

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His fist sailed into the contraption breaking it, sending wood everywhere. He wiped the blood off his bruised knuckles and sighed. Another hard day at training and he was still only making small progress. He just wasn't good enough yet…He wanted to surpass his father and become greater. He wanted people to look up to him. He was sick and tired of people holding him back, he was sick of his Namikaze name. Life in this small village felt like such a cage at times.

It seemed such thoughts increased with each passing day, especially lately. Menma didn't really know when he started thinking like this. Maybe it was when he started going out on missions and seeing other shinobi lands and all their ninjas with their own unique Kekkei Genkai…

How lucky they must be to have such ability. Even his playboy teammate Sasuke Uchiha. His older brother was allowed to leave the village to join the powerful Akatsuki's mercenary group. It had made Menma jealous when he had found that out. Shinobi weren't usually allowed to live outside their villages. And to join the Akatsuki…The Uchiha's were lucky to have such a powerful Kekkei Genkai like the Sharingan. And Sasuke just wasted his name on girls. Why he would obsess about girls when he had the Sharingan was beyond Menma.

Meanwhile all Menma had were his hands, feet, and Spiraling Ring…But if he could have more...He could only imagine. He pulled his T-shirt on and packed up his things. It would be dinner time soon and his mother hated when he wasn't home on time. He always tried making his parents happy but anymore…it just wasn't enough. Now the same daily routines he had tried so hard to follow tired him. He couldn't put his finger on what he was feeling really; maybe he was just going through that "rebellious phase". He laughed at the thought of that. "Whatever."

It was a hard journey back. Menma was dead tired. Unlike other people, when he felt himself grow tired while training-he didn't stop. He kept at it till he couldn't move anymore. He had learned to push himself past his limit. It was the fastest way to get stronger, he thought. Doing this made him faint and dizzy at first but he made his body get used to it. This was one of the reasons he didn't like training with his father anymore. His father would constantly call for breaks, even if it was to just drink water. Breaks wouldn't make one stronger.

The streets of Konoha were bathed in the twilight lighting as the sun was getting ready to set. The air was warm but not a stifling heat as must tourist assumed because the name 'the Land of Fire'. It was a peaceful village and both pedestrians and tourist walked past him by without even a glance at him as if he was invisible. Nothing special…He was halfway home when he ran into the Hokage's assistant, Shizune. "Menma Namikaze! I'm glad I found you!"

Menma stopped in his tracks and faced her. The sleazy assistant was out of breath from running.

"What is it? Lady Tsunade wants me or something?"

The assistant nodded. "You need to come with me at once."

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"Before I hear your answer, please talk it over with your parents."

Why? Was he some two year old who had to get parent permission slips to do anything?! It was his body! He ignored the frustration and got ready for dinner. He could only hope when he talked it over with them they'd see eye to eye. Menma ran down stairs and sat in his spot at the table where Minato and Kushina were waiting for him

"Menma, I made your favorite dish," His mother said smiling. The blonde sighed. Smiling faces as usual. He loved them but he just wasn't that kid anymore. He's sixteen-almost an adult.

"The Hokage saw me today about a special…request." Menma said diving right on in. Small talk bored the crap out of him, not to mention it was repetitive. This matter, though, was something different all together. Urgent.

"Oh isn't this unusual. What request?" Minato asked calmly making his bowl of ramen. He found it strange for Menma to be the first one to talk at the dinner table, usually he and Kushina were the ones to speak first and keeping a conversation up with the boy was a difficult feat.

"The current Jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tails, Mito, being as old as she is has one foot in the grave," Menma stated pausing for a moment. "They need a new host before she passes."

Minato dropped his chopsticks and his mother gasped, "What does this have to do with you?"

"With my chakra and stamina I'm the most able body," He said in a matter of fact way.

"No." Minato's answer was firm. It was his Final Answer voice but this time, Menma wouldn't accept it. Menma growled, "What's the problem?"

Kushina shook her head. "Menma, sweetie, Mito's a dear relative of mine and watching her bear that burden…well I couldn't stand to see my only child go through the same ordeal too."

Minato nodded. "Your mother's right. Also, of all the Tailed-Beast the Nine-Tails is the most malevolent one who's a mass of pure hatred. It will eat you up and take over. Controlling its power is beyond normal shinobi."

Menma's face burned. What was so wrong with taking the Nine-Tails? This was the one time he was picked over others and acknowledged for his strength and this is what his parents thought…They didn't have faith in him.

"I train my ass off EVERYDAY and I'm STILL not GOOD ENOUGH!" He yelled slamming his fist down.

Minato stood up, "Watch your tone! And this isn't about being good enough, Menma! This is about your safety! We're only looking out for our only son. Someone else can take care of the Nine-Tails." Minato sat back down. "I'm sorry for yelling but it's because we love you that we want to protect you. We're very prou-"

"Screw your measly pride! What's it amount to?!" Menma folded his arms.

His mother sniffed. "Please Menma, can we just drop the subject and eat." She didn't understand what was the matter with him. She had never seen her boy act like this before.

Menma moaned. He didn't need to make them upset, especially his mother. When she got mad…He didn't even like thinking about it. He usually always obeyed them and would always accept their answers. They've never argued like this before. It's just…their overprotection annoyed him. This is the one time he wanted something so bad.

Tsunade had talked to him earlier about the different options and seals, either a seal to completely keep the beast locked up or one to let him have access to it…If he could have access to that power, he'd never worry about being on the bottom or getting hurt. He could make the Namikaze name actually amount to something. He knew he was strong enough to tame the beast and it was an honor to protect the village…Why couldn't his parents see that? He looked down at his ramen.

"I loathe naruto." He complained as he stood up and left the table.

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'Dear Menma,

Your father and I had to leave for an urgent mission last night; we should be back in a few days. I'm sorry I got your favorite ramen ingredient mixed up last night. I left some ramen with menma in the fridge for you. And I'm sorry things got so loud last night…As Minato said, we're just looking out for our only son. Sometimes we gotta say no, ya know. You usually don't ask us for anything and it pleases me you requesting something from us but the Nine-Tails is an absolute no. Okay, baby?

-Kisses

PS No one is allowed in the house while we're gone. ESPECIALLY that HINATA!

I've already had a talk with you before about her and I trust you but I don't trust her. Really young ladies should not act like-whoops, running out of paper room. Seeya!'

Menma crumbled the paper up and tossed it to the floor. "She thinks I'm a five year old," he groaned. When he had woken up this morning he had found the lined paper tapped to his door and parents gone. This would happen once in a while. They would have to leave off in a rush for a mission and trust the house to his care. He yawned and lay down on the couch. He didn't feel like training today. The previous night still vexed at him.

Train, train, train. Missions, train, mission. He sighed "If I don't…." He didn't finish.

What was his purpose here? What was the point? He could just feel himself rotting away…He…didn't know what to think. He stared up at the ceiling till his thoughts were interrupted by a banging on the door. He knew who it was. There was only one person who banged on the door like that instead of knocking. He could have just pretended he wasn't home but he was bored.

"In," he yelled.

The door flew open and in stepped Hinata. "You're actually home for once. Why are you always gone anyway?" She sat on the couch next to him.

"What do you want?"

She hummed, "You're my boyfriend yet I never see you. I came to check up on you, I hope you've not been hanging around that flat-chested pink haired wuss."

Menma hated girls, they were such jealous animals. For some reason she thought just because Sakura Haruno was chosen to be on the same team as him they were madly in love which was the farthest thing from the truth. Why did Hinata cling to him so much anyway? She, like Sasuke, also had a Kekkei Genkai and was quite strong. She could have anyone but she had chosen him.

He stared at her. As always she was wearing revealing clothing. Usually he ignored it but he had to admit-she looked good. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction by telling her that though. She was lucky once in awhile he would even hang out with her even though he didn't care to. She would only drag him down.

"Menma, where'd your harping parents go?" She asked leaning in to him.

Menma was very close to slapping her but with her body pressed into his he held off on that thought.

"No one's home. And they have names."

She rolled her eyes. "Well I don't care and I like it better when they're aren't around…" When she realized that Menma wasn't pushing her away like usual she pressed her lips to his cheeks and moved towards his lips. She was getting bold.

"You're always out training and studying. There's more to life then that. One day, Menma," she breathed. "Just let go for one day and enjoy yourself with me."

He wanted nothing more than to push her into a kunai but on the other hand he was curious. If his life continued the way it was going now in this small village and never changed he'd most likely end up with this girl. She would see to that even if it killed him. What would his future be like? He wanted to know now where this was going. If it was worth it. What his life was amounting to. He kissed her back not feeling anything. Blank. Nothing. Why wasn't he feeling anything? Maybe he wasn't trying hard enough.

She kissed him again and wrapped her arms around his neck. Why wasn't he pushing her away? Where would this take him? Curiosity, he mused, truly is a dangerous thing.

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Ten minutes later after pushing her out ("I knew it! It's that Sakura! She's stealing you away from me!") He sat at the kitchen table his head buried in his arms, disgusted with himself. He was going to use her…and she was going to let him….

Things couldn't stay like this. He didn't want to grow up in this dull village for nothing and be in her hands. His parent's too. He had to get stronger and overcome them. They were all holding him back. He wanted more. There had to be more. The same old life wasn't worth living if this was all it amounted to.

Tsunade's words about the Nine-Tails echoed in his head. A mass of chakra…This had to be it! And his father wasn't home to stop him.

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"Jealousy is a bitter root that we keep to gnaw on secretly" –Josh Billings

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Shax's Note: Um, I hope I did good. I ain't good with wording but I wanted to write a story about Menma. (From the ninth Naruto movie 'Road to Ninja') There are a lot of holes, and I wanted to try filling them in, like why would he run from home when he had good parents? Why's he's so powerful? His Taijutsu is wicked enough to overpower Naruto's Sage Mode. O.O Anyway he must have ran away while his parents were gone because his parents and everyone else wasn't aware of his absence. So…um review but be gentle-even I say my writing ain't worded good.

I'd be happy for reviews and even help with this story. And I plan on covering Menma's entire time from home, his reaction to seeing his old self (Naruto), their fight and a little beyond that as he faces the consequences of his rouge actions and copes with his family :)

Um feedback would be so great, I'm trying my best to fill the holes the movie left behind and also…I wasn't sure about even covering Hinata but…Menma is a sixteen year old boy. I wanted to capture that. Oh that "rebellious phase". By watching the movie Hinata seemed predatory to me as his parents protective. Also Menma did run from home and commit multiple murders, what drove him to that point in so short a time?

Maybe his parents never saw his discontent grow as he aged and he played the part of the 'good boy' for them.

Maybe I read too much Kare Kano XD (actually inspiration for this story probably came from reading and watching it. Menma is partially inspired by the character Soichiro.)

Mmmm, this part ain't as good, next part should improve :P Thanks for reading!