Disclaimer—Don't own Naruto, but I do own the main character of this fanfic.
This story takes place in the Naruto universe, but with my character as the main character.
Chapter 1: Prologue
To those who see life as a pleasure, something that begins with a fair purpose and ends with happy memories and an accomplished goal, rejoice. Because some people simply can't have that prospect on life. They are too busy… making up for what was taken from them. Constantly searching, to find what was once theirs. A never-ending search… to gain that peace of mind…
--
It rained that night…
The bright and smiling faces of the children, all lined up behind the podium, had just been inducted into the academy. The stage, located in the Academy's play yard, overlooked an audience of doting mothers and proud fathers. But more importantly, these children were to start a new, dangerous life of imminent danger, teamwork, and independence.
Everyone was very proud of their own children, but in some cases, the parents were more expectant, each knew that their child would graduate this academy top-in-class, and expected no less. Three renowned clans in the village, were nothing short of nobility, and their children were to be the strongest generation yet. These clans were Hyuuga, bearer of Jyuuken style, and eye technique Byakugan, or "white eyes", which allowed them to see in an almost 360 degree radius, and control the flow of chakra. Then there was Uchiha, which was known for their prominent fire-style ninjutsu, and perhaps even more famous for the Sharingan, or red eyes. This ability allows its user to read their opponent's move with ease, and copy hand signs, which in turn allows them to copy jutsu, and gain a vast array of new techniques.
But perhaps the most up-and-coming child was that of the Asukai Clan, which adopted the technique Raiken, who users bore eyes more menacing than nature's fury itself. Raiken allows free control of airflow and lightning around the user, and even incorporates unique lightning and wind techniques to boot. It was feared, as would that young boy on stage would be someday...
--
But all this was for the future. 7-year-old Asukai Shuichi, the child of great expectations, of the feared Asukai clan, stood waving at his parents, who smiled and nodded their heads in approval. His best friend, Uchiha Sasuke, of the respective clan, high-fived Shuichi and did a thumbs up to his mother, Uchiha Mikoto, who in turn gave a lovely smile his way. Each child walked across stage, were commended, and each given a scroll noting their accomplishments. As the procession ended, parents and children went home. However, Shuichi was taken to the Asukai shrine, about half a mile from their mansion. As they approached, the Asukai crest gleamed in the sunlight, and his father rested his hand on Shuichi's shoulder.
"My son, this clan has a glorious name, and you are next in line to uphold that pride. Your mother and I are so very proud of you, but remember, in order to succeed as an ultimate ninja, you must practice the fundamentals and the basics first. I want you to promise me, you keep up with your studies, and be the best for me. IF you do promise, I have something very special to give you."
"Really!? What is it? I promise to be the best! Promise! What's the special gift!?"
"I'm so glad, son, but that gift will have to wait for tomorrow… For now, I want you to go back home and clean up for dinner. I will be here a while longer, and your mother should already be preparing the food. Run along now!"
"Awwww, but dad! I want those things now!"
"Later, my son! Just go eat and get your rest, you have a long and exciting day ahead of you tomorrow!"
"Ugh… fine….."
--
The free-spirited child ran the short distance home, and leapt through the open front door. He kicked his blue sandals off, and ran to the bathroom.
After a hot, steamy shower, Shuichi ran into the kitchen, and was scolded by his mother.
"Don't run, or you'll end up like laaasst tiiiiime……"
Shuichi couldn't bear to remember, with a cut up knee and a few splinters in his palms. It sent shivers up his spine...
As he consumed his miso pork ramen, he began thinking about the academy, about it's peaceful green play yard, practice shuriken posts, obstacle courses, and the best part, the ninjutsu training field. Boy, he couldn't wait to be able to do all those awesome things his elders could do…...
-...Shuichi stands in an open field, with his awe-struck classmates behind him, as Shuichi extends his hand towards an old oak, and shoots a gaping hole in its bulky trunk with a peircing white shot of lightning. Confetti falls all around Shuichi, and the instructors give Shuichi a large, silver trophy, inscribed- "Asukai Shuichi - Best ninja ever"...-
This glorious daydream was interrupted by Shuichi's father tapping him, sending Shuichi's glazed mind back to reality.
"Time for bed, big day tomorrow!!"
Shuichi's mother hugged him, and held him tight. His father patted his back, picked him up, and carried Shuichi over his head to Shuichi's room (which, by the way, was ninja-weapon themed, with kunai wallpaper, and bed spread with shuriken patterns all over), and plopped Shuichi on his bed.
"Dad, are you proud of me?"
"Son, you will grow up to be even stronger than I, and I can feel that deep within my heart, I couldn't be even prouder of you… Now remember, if you get up early and be ready for your first day, I'll give you that gift. It's reaaally nice, and it's in our room, so don't even think about stealing it!", he said, chuckling.
"Okay, dad, I won't let ya down!"
"I know you won't, you are my son... Goodnight, ninja."
-click-
The light was shut off, and Shuichi curled up with his pillow, nightlight glowing in the corner. Thunder began roaring outside, and as Shuichi began drifting, he heard a light patter of rain on the roof above…
--
The rain poured from the sky above… almost as if God was crying for what was to come…
-CRASH-
The largest strike of lightning and boom of thunder that could be comprehended awoke Shuichi in a flash, and soon after, pounding could be heard on the floor, on the story below his. His parent's room was on that story, and no way were they awake at this hour. Perplexed, Shuichi grabbed a kunai under his mattress, and ran down the stairs, almost falling and breaking his neck.
It fell all the heavier…
As he halted at his parent's bedroom, he found that their door had been kicked down, so Shuichi leaped out of their broken window, and landed on the cold, wet ground outside, instantly being soaked by the sky's tears. He frantically shifted his head, searching for his missing parents. He spotted a gleam near a tree about 50 yards away, and as Shuichi blindly navigated through a blanket of cold rain, he began to see two figures tied to a tree.
But, even more outstanding, was a dark, lurching figure over them, and a forehead protector that gleamed with every flash of lightning. The lightning also helped uncover the identity of the two tied-up figures. His parents...
Shuichi shrieked with terror, and the mysterious figure turned his gaze upon Shuichi. Lighting struck the tree that his parents were tied to, and it was set ablaze. One figure groaned and warned Shuichi to run, the other hung their head, and pleaded that Shuichi be spared. The dark captor brought his hands down, apparently having been formed a hand sign, and smacked his parents in the face.
"NOOOOO!"
Shuichi, in furious reaction, threw his kunai quite inexpertly, which whirled and hit the man with the blunt handle, and the man in a flash appeared behind Shuichi, and elbowed Shuichi into the wall. As Shuichi's vision began fading, and he began losing grip of reality, he saw a figure, apparently his mom, get stabbed with a shuriken in the forehead, and a burning timber fell on his father. The assassin peered over at Shuichi, with yellow glowing eyes, and the assassin leaped into the void of forestry, and continued out of sight.
Shuichi was thrown into darkness of mind, and he was out cold….
--
Shuichi awoke in a hospital bed, with his stomach badly bruised, and his head bandaged, as he lay in bed, a nurse came into his room with breakfast.
"Little one, what did you do to yourself? You should really be more careful, now eat up, and get some rest, your parents must be worried about you!"
She smiled, and left the room, and Shuichi gazed out the window, wet with cold, harsh rain that made the windows fog.
He struggled to remember what had ended up putting him in the hospital. All that shone in his memory was lightning and yellow eyes. Lightning didn't do much for him, sense his life revolved around it. But those eyes. Those menacing, hateful yellow eyes. They reflected in his mind like a house of mirrors. He lay back down, back facing the door, the steamy hot chocolate and warm toast still on the plate next to Shuichi's cot.
Yellow eyes? Dad says we get yellow eyes when we feel an overwhelming passion to kill or protect, they make us dangerous. It warns others of the pain we can cause. But yellow eyes shouldn't cause pain to the ones... who have them. Can others have eyes like an Asukai does?
Shuichi sat up in bed, crying, as his memory began returning…He was alone. No one but him and the elders were left. His two greatest heroes... were gone. This was academy day #1, and Shuichi couldn't leave bed yet…
No more thunder could be heard, but the sky still furiously poured its contents...
... Does the sky cry for me?
Expect later installments, so please R&R, don't kill me! Once again, I'll have another chapter soon! That is, if this story appeals to enough people. Comments and criticism, everyone!