Naruto: Music of the Soul

by gorutovssageta

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but this story, so don't sue me!

Uzumaki Naruto was a strange child; this statement was not one that was argued amongst those who resided in the village of Konohagakure. He was the retainer of the mighty Kyuubi no Yoko, a terrible demon that laid waste to all that came in its path. It was sealed by the Yondaime, the leader of the Konohagakure Village. In the selfless act, the Yondaime died, leaving the village to its former leader, the Sandaime. The boy grew up as an outcast, despised by the villagers due to the beast sealed inside his hide. But the boy grew up pure, not allowing the negativity that surrounded him to affect his spirit…

"Heh, this will get the old man good!" Uzumaki Naruto whispered as he glanced up at the Sandaime's office window. He placed a balloon filled with blue paint on a small slingshot device, winding it up quietly as he scanned the area. He knew that this late at night, the ANBU (Elite Shinobi of the Konohagakure Village) was bound to come take a shift in protecting the Sandaime from any attack that could come on his life. Right now, there was a few jonin watching the front of the building, Naruto sneaking around the side when they weren't paying attention. The only problem was once the balloon hit the window, it was going to cause some noise, which would bring the jonin or even the ANBU to the scene. Plus Naruto's machine was still in the location, so it was going to be a mess. But Naruto knew this would be a hilarious joke, and all artists must suffer for their work. So he continued ahead with his plans, not worried of the repercussions that were bound to follow. Naruto placed three more balloons on the slingshot, filling it to its maximum. Naruto scanned the area one more time, launching the balloons at the window, which hit the window with a loud crack. The light in the Sandaime's office flickered on, Naruto giggling as he pushed his slingshot into a corner; the shadowing curtaining the device as Naruto took off, running full speed toward his apartment.

"Hey Naruto, where do you think you're going?" a voice hissed as Naruto sweat dropped at the sound of the voice, turning around to face his sensei, Umino Iruka.

"Uh, hey Iruka-sensei, what's going on?" Naruto asked nervously as he scratched the back of his head, trying to look as innocent as possible.

"You tell me, I was woken up by some loud noise, then when we go to investigate, we find the Sandaime's window covered in blue paint," Iruka answered as he gave Naruto his intimidating look. "Do you got any idea how that got there Naruto?"

"Uh… nope, I was just headed to bed!" Naruto lied as he tried to avoid Iruka's expression. "I was training, I ran over here to see what that noise was too!"

"Let's go Naruto; we're going to go have a little talk to the Sandaime about that!" Iruka shouted as he grasped Naruto's arm, dragging him toward the Sandaime's office.

"Aw come on Iruka-sensei, Gramps is just gonna give me a long lecture like he usually does, can't we just skip it and get to the punishment?" Naruto grumbled as Iruka sighed, speeding up as the Sandaime's mansion came into view.

"Naruto… why did you paint my window blue?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked as he took a puff of his wooden pipe.

"Look Gramps, I just thought it would be funny, I mean wasn't it?" Naruto answered, Hiruzen sighing as he took another big puff of his pipe.

"No, it was childish and not the behavior of an Academy student that is going to be a shinobi," Hiruzen reprimanded. "You need to get some type of hobby, something. These pranks need to stop; I'm too tired to do this every night Naruto."

"Come on Gramps, what am I supposed to do?" Naruto complained as he folded his arms across his chest. "No one wants to play with me; I can't even train without getting told I'll never become anything!" Hiruzen looked at Naruto sympathetically, knowing this was the truth. The villagers ridiculed Naruto for being the container of the Kyuubi no Yoko, considering him the demon fox reincarnate.

"How about this, I think I've got something that will maybe help your problem," the old man responded as he stood up from his desk, going into the back to search for something. Naruto sat impatiently in his seat, squirming slightly as he wondered what the Sandaime was going to give him. Maybe it was some type of forbidden jutsu that could make him an ultra-powerful ninja! Naruto imagined Hiruzen giving him a huge scroll, Naruto using the scroll to become the new leader of the village, the Godaime. As Naruto was daydreaming, Hiruzen returned to his desk, holding a small, long skinny object.

"Wow Gramps, is that some type of new ninja weapon that will make me become the Godaime?" Naruto asked excitedly as Hiruzen chuckled good-naturedly.

"No Naruto, this is a flute," Hiruzen answered as he handed Naruto the musical instrument. Naruto reluctantly took the flute, looking at it with a surprised expression.

"So I can attack someone with this right?" Naruto asked seriously, Hiruzen laughing out loud as he placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"Naruto, I know why you do these pranks, it's because deep inside you feel lonely, you feel hurt," Hiruzen told the boy, who gripped on the flute tightly, a tear rolling down his face. "It's understandable, but you need a more healthy way to express your feelings other than these pranks you pull. I know you're not doing them to be mean, but you need to control yourself. I want you, I commanding you as the Sandaime to play this flute, try to learn how to play it. Music comes from the soul, if it sounds right to you, no one can tell you it sounds wrong. Play with your heart Naruto; you will always play a beautiful tune."

"Fine, I will do it Gramps," Naruto grumbled as he shoved the flute inside his pocket. "But you better remember Gramps, when you retire I'm gonna be the Godaime! So all the torture you put me through, I'm going to be sending you to a retirement home! Dattebayo!"

Hiruzen smiled as he motioned for Naruto to approach him, wrapping the young boy in a hug.

"Don't worry; I'll always be there for you Naruto…" Hiruzen promised as Naruto hugged the old man back, silently thanking the Sandaime. The old man was always there for him, no matter what he did. Though he was still young, he knew this was something he would appreciate this for the rest of his life…

"Well, now what?" Naruto announced as he walked inside his apartment, draping his orange and blue jacket on the back of his doorknob. He jumped on his bed, looking up at the ceiling with his arms behind his head. He looked over at his small kitchen, thinking he could make himself a little midnight snack, but didn't feel like doing it. He then glanced back at his doorknob, the flute sticking out his jacket pocket. Naruto rose up from the bed, retrieving the flute from his jacket. Could this object really project his feelings just by playing it? Naruto put it up to his mouth, blowing into it slightly. The sound was rich and soothing that came out the flute, filling Naruto's heart with comfort. Naruto looked back at the flute again, blowing into it once again. The sound was slightly different, but still just as beautiful and comforting. Naruto began to play, experimenting with all the sounds until he felt a rhythm in his heart. This was the melody he wanted to play; this is what he wanted to learn. Every day after that night, Naruto went to school, did his training, and immediately returned home to practice on his flute. Every day he came closer to perfecting the sound, but it wasn't as perfect as he wished it to be just yet. It happened one night, after an exhausting day of training, Naruto waited until it was the brink of night to take a stroll outside with his flute. Going deep into the Forest of Death, Naruto played his tune, the complete version. The tune rang through the forest, seeming to fill it with life. It was beautiful, Naruto looking up at the starry night sky with joy as he closed his eyes, continuing to play. The music seemed to flow through him, coming directly from his heart. Naruto finished the song, looking up with a peaceful smile covering his face.

"Please, don't stop playing," a voice insisted as Naruto looked back quickly, the voice slightly scaring him. It was a soothing, kind voice, so it did not scare him as much as it would a burly, unkind voice. A red headed woman stood behind him, a look of serenity on her beautiful face. She was a beautiful specimen of woman, with long, beautiful fierce red hair that went past her shoulders. She was very well endowed, her body figure enough to be the body of a goddess. She was wearing a red top, which was able to clearly show her bosoms. She had crisp, light brown eyes that seemed to have a shine to them, as if their was a light in her eyes that could never be extinguished. Naruto looked up at her, unsure what to say to such a woman. He tried to speak, but a small cough was all that the boy could muster.

"Please, don't stop playing your beautiful song, could you please play it for me one more time?" the woman asked politely, Naruto nodding as he put the flute up to his mouth once again. He begun to play, the woman glowing a red aura as Naruto played, her eyes closed with a peaceful smile on her face as the boy played his song. When Naruto finished, the woman opened her eyes, holding both her hands to her chest as she let out a peaceful sigh.

"I have not heard such a beautiful melody like that is so long…" the woman remarked as she looked at Naruto. "May I have it? Will you give me that song, and in exchange I will give you my power?"

"Your… power?" Naruto choked out as the woman took Naruto's free hand.

"Yes, all of my power, I give you me," the woman answered as Naruto blushed furiously. "We will make a contract, me and you. Will you accept this?"

"Uh… sure I'll agree to it," Naruto agreed as the woman smiled brightly. "What's the terms of it?"

"You must play that song for me, and only me," the woman answered, Naruto thinking for a moment, then nodding. "Then me and you are now in a contract… what is your name?"

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto answered. "What's yours?"

"My name is Corticarte Apa Lagranges," the woman replied as the entire area was draped in a red light. "Remember to play it… just for me…" Naruto looked away, the glow becoming too bright. He passed out, in the middle of the forest…

Four years later

"Wow, it's good to be back!" Naruto exclaimed as he stepped foot inside the Konohagakure Village after going away for three years on a training trip with the legendary Sannin Jiraiya. A lot had changed in that four years, Naruto had become a respected shinobi in the Konohagakure Village, focusing only on becoming stronger so he could save his friend Uchiha Sasuke from the grasp of Orochimaru, another of the legendary Sannin. He had also not played his flute since that night, dismissing what occurred as just a crazy dream.

"Naruto, let's go see Tsunade so we can tell her you've come back," Jiraiya announced as Naruto happily followed his godfather to see the Godaime.

Hiruzen had died in a battle against Orochimaru, giving the title of leader to one of his students, Senju Tsunade. Tsunade was also the granddaughter of the Shodai Hokage and the niece of the Nidaime. She was not only a powerhouse on the battlefield, but one of the most profound medical ninjas of her time.

"Hey Baa-chan, it's been a while!" Naruto greeted as a tick appeared on Tsunade's forehead from being called "Baa-chan" a nickname Naruto gave her when he first met her.

"You obviously haven't changed much, have you?" Tsunade observed as a knock on the door prevented her from continuing. "Enter!" A pink haired girl entered the room, bowing as she entered. She closed the door behind her, glancing at the tall boy standing next to Jiraiya with a shock look.

"Naruto? Is that you?" the girl asked as Naruto gave her a big grin.

"Sakura-chan, it is you!" Naruto shouted as he wrapped Sakura in a hug. "It's been a while hasn't it?"

"It really has! You look so much older Naruto!" Sakura gushed as she looked down, blushing slightly. "Do I look a little older Naruto?"

"Nah, you look the same Sakura!" Naruto responded, Sakura looking back at Naruto angrily. "What's wrong? Uh-oh…" Naruto screamed as he was knocked out the Godaime's window, Sakura walking out the door to go finish the job outside.

"Wow, you made a little you huh Tsunade?" Jiraiya remarked, Tsunade looking up with a dark glance. "Uh, never mind. Tsunade, we need to figure out what we're going to do with Naruto. I mean, yes he's stronger, and yes he could stand a chance against the Akatsuki, but is it right to place him in harm's way?"

"I don't know what to do honestly…" Tsunade admitted as she sighed. "I don't know if I should send him out the village or keep him here… it's a tough decision. It would probably be best for the village if we sent him out, but would that truly be best for Naruto?"

"Exactly, and knowing him he would completely overreact as usual," Jiraiya added. "This is a hard one…"

"Well, we'll figure out something in the next few days, for now let's let him be at his home," Tsunade said as she poured a cup of sake. "Shizune, I'm going to need more sake!"

Naruto walked inside his small apartment, seeming even smaller since he left. The place was quite dusty, looking as if it hadn't been cleaned in well… three years. On his desk, he spotted a familiar item as he blew all the dust away.

"Wow, it's my old flute," Naruto said with a nostalgic smile as he put it up to his mouth, trying to remember how his song used to go. "It's been so long, I can't remember it like I used to… wait, I've got it!" Naruto closed his eyes, visualizing the melody as he played, the music filling the room. As he played, something surfaced next to him, looking like someone's body. It then began to fly around the room uncontrollably, Naruto stopping as he saw the thing going out of control.

"What's going on here?" Naruto shouted as the thing tore up his apartment, crashing into everything. Naruto ducked as it flew past him, continuing on a rampage.

"Naruto, what's going on?" Sakura asked as she banged on the door. Naruto opened the door pulling Sakura in quickly before closing the door quickly.

"What's going on here?" Sakura asked as Naruto pulled her to the ground, both shinobi looking up at the flying creature. "I came to bring you some sweets to apologize for hitting you earlier… but what happen?"

"I don't know, I started playing my flute and all of a sudden this thing started to act crazy!" Naruto exclaimed as he picked up his flute. "We need to find a way to stop this thing!"

"How about you play the song again?" Sakura suggested as she kept her head down. "Maybe that will sooth it or something. I'd hate to hurt it, it sounds like it's in pain or something. Just listen to it's wailing…" Naruto listened, it did sound like it was in pain. Naruto began to play again, Sakura's eyes widening in surprise as she listened to the beautiful melody that Naruto played. It was like seeing another side of the boy she had never saw, the sound so calming and beautiful. The thing began to calm itself, coming to the ground as Naruto continued to play. As it calmed itself, it began to form, into a short girl looking figure. It finished, a short red haired girl laying on Naruto's floor butt naked now.

"What the hell?" Sakura asked Naruto, who was completely befuddled, Sakura wrenching her arm back to slug Naruto.

"It's about time Naruto, look how much power I lost because you kept me locked inside you for so long!" the red haired girl complained as she looked up at Naruto, who looked slightly at her, trying to cover his eyes.

"What are you talking about, what did this idiot do to you?" Sakura asked as the girl covered herself with Naruto's blanket.

"You do look familiar..." Naruto murmured as his mind went back to the night in the forest, the woman… "You couldn't be…"

"I am, you idiot!" the red haired girl barked at him as Naruto screamed out loud. "It's me, Corthicarte!"

The song has begun! Naruto has been given a partner, but will she stay like this forever? Find out next chapter!

gorutovssageta