Disclaimer: I don't own "Naruto" or its characters because if I did Kakashi and Iruka would've been a lovey-dovey couple a long time ago. And there would be a lot more Iruka eye-candy in the manga/anime. But I do own this story and some of the extra characters I made up in my story.
1st Warning: My story/writing might or completely suck. So I'm just going to do this for fun and to express my crazy and bizarre fan-girl imagination. Enter at your own risk!
2nd Warning: This story is shounen-ai/romance/drama/action/adventure. It will also contain some fantasy, mpreg, (maybe) gender bender, and the usual cliché 'happily ever after' ending. Even though some of you may not like it, my story will contain some OC/dark-Iruka further into the story. My story might contain some sexual content, but I don't do actual lemons. My story is rated M just in case, but it could also be a T. I DO apologize in advance for any mistakes, any confusion throughout my story, constant cliffhangers, and if the original characters seem OC once in a while.
3rd Warning: I'm a HUGE Iruka Umino fan-girl. So whatever crazy story (or stories) I may write based on the "Naruto" manga/anime, Iruka Umino is GOD in all my stories! (^_~)
Naruto Uzumaki: I adore
Kakashi Hatake: I love
Iruka Umino: I WORSHIP the pencil and paper that were used to create him. And every manga page and anime episode he makes an appearance on. Yes, it's true! I am obsessed with the cute scarred Dolphin. \(^o^)/
Now on with the story!
~o0o~
An ANBU jumps down from a tree, landing on the ground with the steady grace of a feline. He kept crouched down on the ground looking to his right and left, his sword in hand. He could hear and see nothing, but that didn't guarantee anything. He expands his chakra to sense anything in the surrounding area. Still nothing.
The ANBU stands and straightens, "You can come out now. It's safe."
Something squirms behind the ANBU's back underneath his cloak. "Are you sure?" a soft and muffled voice questioned.
The ANBU chuckles, "Yes, I'm sure." He expertly slides his sword in its sheath that is strapped to his back without injuring the one on his back. He unbuttons his cloak letting it drop to the ground. The ANBU turns his masked head around to see a child hanging off his back.
The small child is dressed in a dark gray cloak and has their own white mask hiding their identity.
The ANBU smiles behind his mask, "You ready?" Little hands squeeze his broad shoulders and he sees the child shake his head slowly. "Come on…" the ANBU takes hold of the child from his cloak and lifts him off his back. He sets the child on the ground but soon has the little one latching onto his leg instead. The ANBU chuckled, "Now, now… There's no reason for you to be scared." The ANBU pulls the child off his leg to kneel and keeps the child at arm's length. "Have more confidence in yourself. You've worked hard to get where you are now. Your parents and I couldn't be prouder. You're really going to become the perfect ally to one lucky person one day. Just like your mother, I'm sure of it."
The child shakes his head again, "It's not that, uncle Jaguar…"
The ANBU smiles hearing his codename like that.
The child slumps, "I'm not confident I'll be able to protect you, uncle Jaguar. I mean, it's you. And we are going up against Tiger and his Blackshadow."
"Oh, so that's what's worrying you," Jaguar scratches the back of his head. "Well, I must admit, even I don't have confidence there. Blackshadow is a formidable opponent."
Both the child and Jaguar slump further and equally exhale deeply.
"Look on the bright side," Jaguar ruffles the child's hair while trying to sound optimistic. "Let's just be grateful we're not really the enemies and this is just another one of Blackshadow's training test."
"You're right, uncle Jaguar!" the child sounded more enthusiastic now.
A frightening howl rips through the air.
The child gasps and quickly clings to Jaguar. The ANBU wraps his arms around the little one. Jaguar unsheathes his sword once again, "They're coming…" He looks down at the child hiding his masked face in his chest. "We can do this… You can do this." He pulls the child back to hold up that little chin. "If anyone has a chance against Blackshadow, it's you. Only you. After all, you are your clans, Darkwater."
Jaguar jolts awake, but before he can cry out from the shooting pain in his arm a little hand covers his mouth. Jaguar raises a sweaty brow when he sees the masked child sitting beside him and silently indicating him not to make any loud noises. Jaguar nods in response and Darkwater removes his hand.
Jaguar leans back against the stone wall. He looks around himself and noticed they are inside a small cave. He looks to the opening of the cave; it's still dark out. "How long have I been unconscious?" He looks to the child and holds back a wince when Darkwater removes the armguard from his left arm. He can see the large open wound dissecting half his bicep. It's a wonder he still has his arm attach.
"Not long," Darkwater answers, "maybe a good hour."
Jaguar watches with fascination as something magically appears behind Darkwater's lower half and uncoils to reveal a thick fur tail. The tail has black fur with a blue sheen to it and a white tip. A pair of smooth furry triangle ears slips out of Darkwater's hair to stand straight up above his head. The ears are also black in color with the same blue sheen. The ears are outlined with white smooth fur that ends at the white tips. Wisps of white and black fur cover the inside of those ears.
Darkwater removes his white mask to reveal the adorable face of a little boy. He has soft bronze skin, silky ebony hair, a pair of round dark chocolate eyes smudge with amber, and a distinctive scar running across the bridge of his nose. He would've looked like your average child if it weren't for the animal ears and tail.
Darkwater scoots closer to Jaguar's left arm. He holds up the large arm with his two little hands and begins to lap at the wound and blood.
Jaguar hisses with pain. When the warm licking stops Jaguar looks at Darkwater. Large puppy eyes are looking up at him with concern. The child whimpers with his ears drooping. Jaguar chuckles and pats the child's head, "I'm fine, really. It just stings a bit. Please, continue…" Darkwater nods and does so.
Jaguar is feeling lightheaded from all the blood loss. He takes notice of his other healed lacerations where his bloody clothes had been sliced through, 'Hm, not even a scar left behind.' He looks back to Darkwater licking up his last wound. The saliva would glow for a second before it dried and vanished into his skin. He watches as Darkwater's saliva slowly but surely begins to close up his wound. "Your healing powers are growing stronger," he complimented.
Darkwater pulls back and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. "But not strong enough. You've already lost a lot of blood. I'm completely useless." Darkwater bows his head feeling ashamed, "If my healing abilities were as good as mama's you wouldn't be suffering so much."
Jaguar, "Hmphs" before he flicks at one of Darkwater's adorable ears.
Darkwater yelps and covers his sensitive ears.
"You know I don't like it when you speak badly of yourself," Jaguar scolded, "Especially your parents!" Jaguar grabs the pouting child and sat him on his lap. "You cannot compare yourself to your mother right now. It's obvious you're both in different levels of power and strength. Your mother has trained for many years with the guidance of your father. You've only just started training the moment you've learned to speak and walk. And even though you are not at the same level as your mother, you should still be proud of your accomplishments. I mean, look at my arm and my other wounds…"
Darkwater looks at his uncle's closed wounds. Even the one on his arm is almost completely healed. All that is left is a bright red scar that is slowly fading away.
"Sure I lost some blood. And it may have taken longer to heal, but you did a wonderful job nonetheless," Jaguar said proudly. "I'm positive when you grow up you're going to be as powerful and strong as Blackshadow. But you know?" Jaguar smirks, "There is one thing you have better against your mother."
Darkwater looks up at Jaguar with large hopeful eyes, "What is it?"
"Unlike your mother; you're cunning, devious, and mischievous with your t ricks and traps." Jaguar laughs, "You're definitely an elite prankster, Darkwater. I couldn't stop laughing when you managed to trap her and Tiger and attack them with stink bombs."
Darkwater laughs along, "Mama is a very silent hunter. I needed some way to smell them coming since I couldn't see them or sense them." His laughter slowly comes to a stop. His ears droop once again as he idly runs his small hand over his uncle's healed wound. "But mama and papa still managed to catch us… and you got hurt because of me…"
Jaguar sighed before he takes the small hand in his large one. "Your mother is very serious about your training," he squeezes the little hand gently and reassuringly, "Even so, Blackshadow knows her limits and mine. If I were in any real danger she would have stopped. You know that, right?"
Darkwater nods but still pouts.
"We should get going," Jaguar removes the child from his lap. He grabs his mask and stands up. He sways from dizziness but holds himself up with Darkwater's help.
"You should still rest, uncle Jaguar!" Darkwater exclaimed. "You've lost too much blood."
Jaguar shakes his head, "No… If this were a real battle there would be no time for rest." He looks down at the little boy, "Be grateful your mother is giving me a chance to heal. I'm certain she has already figured out where we're hiding. If it were anybody else your father would've ordered their deaths in a heartbeat. Now, get your mask and let's get going."
Darkwater picks up his mask from the ground and slips it back on. "I'm ready."
Jaguar and Darkwater are back to back. They are both out of breath and sweating. They are both injured and tired. This time they don't have the luxury or Blackshadow's compassion to rest and heal. Their eyes follow every sound and movement surrounding them. They are both on edge, but it's Darkwater's behavior that is most concerning to Jaguar.
Jaguar takes a quick glance behind him. The child is breathing heavily and trembling. The little one doesn't have his ears and tail at the moment. "Darkwater, are you alright?"
The child doesn't say anything but nods once.
Jaguar knows he's not alright. If Darkwater is pushed any further then even his own life will be at risk. The talisman he received from Blackshadow to command control over Darkwater is starting to lose its power over the child. They need to stop this battle.
"Tiger!" Jaguar yelled out.
There is a moment of silence before someone answers, "Yes?"
Jaguar looks up at a tall tree to see a dark figure perched on a branch and looking intimidating. He wears the ANBU attire along with the white mask. His mask has the animalistic representation of a tiger. His dark auburn hair sticking out from behind his mask looks almost a black-red under the moon's glow. This is Darkwater's father.
"Tiger, we need to stop," Jaguar tells him. "Darkwater isn't doing so good. He's going to lose control if I keep pushing him."
Tiger crosses his arms over his chest and tilts his head, "But it's not sunrise and nobody has won yet."
"This is going too far, Tiger," Jaguar scolds. "If we keep going Darkwater might even attack me."
"Hmm…" Tiger scratches the top of his head contemplating, "True. What do you think, Honey?"
A large body surrounded by darkness itself steps into the moonlit clearing. A beast the size of a horse, with black fur, bright amber eyes, long sharp canines, paws wider than a large bear, a long thick tail, and pointy ears. She's a wolf in appearance, but unnaturally possesses a pair of black glossy wings that are folded to her sides. Not a single speck of color is on her, besides her eyes – just black on black. Her darkness made her one with the night. Her size and black beauty would put even the Inuzuka dogs to shame. She is a fearsome-looking monster. She is the child's mother and Tiger's mate. She is the Winged Beast, Blackshadow.
Blackshadow speaks in a deep but feminine tone, "Sorry, Jaguar, but we cannot stop. That pup is growing up fast and becoming more dangerous – to us and anyone else who might encounter him. I need to understand him better and know his limit before he truly snaps."
"With all due respect, Blackshadow, you're crazy!" Jaguar exclaims. "Look at him! Darkwater is already at his limit. Any further and-"
"He is my child!" Blackshadow growls possessively and expands her large black wings. With her wings spread open and fangs bared, Blackshadow looks more bigger and frightening than usual. "I will decide his limit!"
Jaguar stands stiffly and says nothing.
Tiger jumps down the tree next to the black beast. He scratches behind a large black ear to help relax the female, "Calm down, Honey. Jaguar is just concern."
Blackshadow scoffs and looks away, "Then there is nothing more to discuss. Let's continue."
Tiger and Jaguar deflate disappointedly, but nod in agreement.
"Defense, Jaguar," Blackshadow instructs.
"Understood," Jaguar responds.
"Good luck," Tiger says to his friend with a thumb's up. Tiger jumps on Blackshadow's back and soundlessly, like ghost, they disappear into the dark shadows of the forest.
Jaguar can sense and sometimes see swift movements in the dark forest. It's hard to pinpoint where exactly Blackshadow is. Darkwater was right to call his mother a 'silent hunter'. She may be a large beast, but she possesses the capacity to hide and move like a deadly black shadow; hence her codename. Jaguar can faintly make out Tiger's signature chakra, but just barely. Blackshadow must be using her magic to keep her husband hidden.
And Blackshadow? Jaguar wouldn't sense anything from her even if he tried. She doesn't possess chakra like humans or even demons. What is she? Jaguar, Tiger, nor even Blackshadow herself know that answer. She is not completely human nor demon. She isn't a deity or a mythical creature. She is an entity all of her own.
Suddenly Blackshadow appears out of nowhere. With a horrifying growl, she pounces after Jaguar.
"Darkwater! Barrier!" Jaguar orders and his talisman glows softly.
Darkwater's mind is in a trance the moment he hears the command. His brown/amber eyes dilate. His ears and tail pop out again. Darkwater swiftly moves in front of Jaguar and raises his hands midair. His little hands glow with a black-blue light and a black-blue barrier surrounds Darkwater and Jaguar.
Blackshadow bounces off the barrier and lands a few feet away. She snarls at the strong defense.
Tiger points at his opponents and commands, "Firestorm!"
Blackshadow growls, opening her mouth and releases a torrent of black-red fire at the barrier. The fire roars with power.
Jaguar huddles down close to Darkwater. They are surrounded by black-red flames but protected by the barrier. Jaguar then gasps noticing the barrier slowly melting away. He looks to the child and sees Darkwater's arms trembling and the glow of his powers dimming. "Don't give up, Darkwater! Hold your ground!"
Darkwater accepts the command and continues to hold the barrier up. But his breathing is becoming more strained and his body is shaking more violently.
"Hit them with your Water-blade!" Jaguar commands. Unbeknownst to Jaguar, the talisman hanging from his neck is beginning to show small cracks.
Darkwater gasps painfully at the command but does as told. His arms swiftly move apart from each other and black-blue water explodes out of the ground. It takes down the barrier and puts out the flames. Darkwater swings his arms rhythmically one after the other. Each swing releases a gushing blade of sharp black-blue water.
Blackshadow skillfully dodges the water, but the water blades slice right through the forest cutting anything in its path before the water disappears into a burst of sprinkles. Blackshadow growls and attacks. Her black wings spread open making her look enormous. She snarls exposing her pearly white fangs.
"Block! Block!" Jaguar commands. The talisman stops glowing before it shatters into pieces.
Something within Darkwater snaps and a surge of power explodes around him. Blackshadow felt it before she saw it and had quickly flapped her wings to withdraw. The unexpected recoil causes Tiger to fall off her back and land on the dirt ground. Tiger opens his mouth to protest, but Blackshadow hastily stands over Tiger's sprawled body protectively. Her large wings prepared for flight in case she needs to get her mate out of there.
Tiger notices Blackshadow's tense posture and bristle fur, "Honey, what's wrong?"
Blackshadow's answer is a protective growl.
Tiger looks behind his wife's broad leg and his eyes widen.
Hunch over is Darkwater, shaking and hyperventilating. His trembling hands are clenching his head. His black-blue power is twirling and whipping around him uncontrollably like a cyclone. He no longer has his wolf ears and tail. What is really concerning is seeing a pair of small wings on Darkwater's back.
Jaguar remains motionless. Fear kept him in place staring at the back of those little wings.
Tiger gulps, 'This is bad…' he thought, too scared to utter a sound. But he needs to get Jaguar out of there, preferably in one piece. Tiger taps at Blackshadow's paw. One of her ears flicks indicating he has her attention, but her amber eyes remain focus on her pup. "Honey," Tiger whispers as low as he can, "don't let anything happen to Jaguar."
Blackshadow nods at the command.
Tiger waves his hand getting Jaguar's attention. When he's certain Jaguar is looking at him, Tiger hand signals him to get out of there as quickly as possible.
Jaguar cautiously begins to crawl away. His eyes remain on Darkwater, watching out for any sudden movement. If anything were to go wrong Jaguar would only have but seconds to teleport out of there.
One more crawl back and the sound of a twig snapping underneath Jaguar's hand echoes louder than thunder. Jaguar freezes when Darkwater swiftly turns to look at him. Darkwater growls dementedly and his black-blue power lashes out more savagely.
"Nooo!" Tiger and Blackshadow scream.
Jaguar tries to teleport away but isn't fast enough. Jaguar is suddenly encased in a black crystal sphere filled with black-blue water. Jaguar holds his breath, but the tight pressure inside the sphere is slowly and painfully crushing his lungs. In a few minutes, he will be dead.
Blackshadow pounces "Stop!"
The Winged Beast's blackness melts and disappears away to reveal a young woman. She has long wavy ebony hair, ivory skin, and a pair of amber eyes. She possesses a beauty that is both unfathomable and inhuman. This young woman also wears the ANBU uniform, minus the mask, but wears the Leaf's hitai-ate on her forehead.
She pins the child to the ground, her skin burns against Darkwater's savage powers. She rips off the small mask; her child's eyes are devoid of emotions. Her heart throbs painfully seeing her child's expressionless eyes. "Stop! Please, stop!" she shakes her child, but the little one remains in a dark trance. She looks to her side to see Jaguar fighting for the remainder of his life inside the sphere. "Iruka! Wake up, Iruka!" she cries taking her child within her arms. "Listen to mama, precious! Be a good boy for mama," she rocks her child back n' forth. "Please wake up! Iruka, wake up!" she desperately calls to her child.
A deep gasping inhale and the child's wild powers calm like flowing water, "M-mama…?"
Blackshadow gasps and looks down at her child. Iruka's little wings fall apart and the feathers disappear before they touch the ground. Deep brown eyes flutter open to look into his mother's amber eyes.
"Mama…" Iruka smiles with a sigh before he closes his eyes tiredly and falls into a deep sleep.
With a pop and a splash, the sphere is released. Soaking wet, Jaguar gasps and chokes for air.
Tiger is soon by his friend's side helping him up. "You're ok, man. Come on, shake it off. Slow easy breaths now." Tiger looks down at his wife and child, "How's Iruka?"
Blackshadow cradles her child in her arms hugging him tightly, "He's ok, just tired… He's ok…"
"Are you ok?" Tiger questioned his wife.
Tears stream down her cheeks, but she nods, "He didn't listen to me, Tora…" she sniffles. She looks up at her mate with sad eyes, "Iruka didn't hear my voice…"
Tora sighs and kneels before his wife. He knew this day would be inevitable, but his wife always remained in stubborn denial. Tora leans in to give her a comforting kiss on her cheek, "Let's face it, Usagi…" Tora looks at his little boy and pets his hair, "Though little and our child, Ruka's emotional and mental state is quickly unbinding from us. He's reached his limit with you, Usagi. From this point on it's going to be harder for him to hear your voice…"
"It's time," Jaguar intervenes with a cough. Usagi and Tora look up at the masked ANBU. "For Iruka's sake, you cannot put this off any longer, Usagi-sama. Follow Iruka's red thread of destiny and find his Master."
If anyone liked it; that's awesome! If you didn't like it; that's cool too.
Whether positive or negative, any reviews are much obliged, but easy on the flames. Even I know my story is mediocre compared to some of the awesome "Naruto" stories I've read.
Hopefully, my storyline isn't going too fast or slow for you guys. I still don't know how long this story might be. So it could either be a few or a lot of chapters. Then again, I hope I do finish it till the very end, 'cuz I usually have a short attention span with long projects.
Thank you for reading! (^_^)/