Greetings! This is my first venture into the wonderful world of Naruto.
Pairings: NaruHina, the others are undecided at the moment.
Summary: What if not all was as it seemed? The village is in chaos as the great Kyuubi attacks, but not everything is as it looks!
AU, Rated M for graphic detail and possible lemon in later chapters.
Darkness….
That was all that surrounded the Konohagakure Village, pale wisps of cloud teasing in the skies. Three figures, shadowed in the twilight, stood looking out towards the horizon, a faint red glow permeating through that fateful darkness that surrounded them.
"So it comes down to this. I never thought I'd see this day." One shadow shifted, as if uncomfortable with the words it just spoke, before it sighed, "What do you plan on doing now Hokage-sama? If the reports are true….." He trailed off, gazing out at the red light as it seemed to glow ominously on the horizon.
"Hai, but I will do what I can. We cannot let it reach the village. Have the ANBU stationed in the forest begin preparations for the assault. We MUST not let it reach past the front lines," The first figure spoke, a faint whisper of cloth as the coat covering him shifted in the late night breeze, " I will begin my own preparations." Turning, he disappeared from sight, a telltale yellow flash being left in his wake. The two other figures gazed at each other for a brief moment, before turning to look outwards. Soon, very soon, it would all come to a head…
A flash illuminated the small room, before he stepped out, worry in his blue gaze as he moved over towards the motionless body on the bed before him. Turning towards the med-nin standing by, he nodded towards the still form of his wife.
"I…I'm sorry Hokage-sama. Her injuries, they just….,"The med-nin broke down, sobbing quietly into her hands. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes as he moved towards the side of the bed, leaning down to tenderly grasp her hands, once so warm in life, now slowly seeping into the cold ache of death. A whimper teased the bed-ridden woman's lips, soft green eyes gazing up into the glistening blue of her beloved husband, a wane smile crossing her face, red hair fanned out beneath her.
"Mah mah mah Kushi-chan, you look…well." A tear slowly slid down his cheek as he clasped her hands, crouching down beside her. "Neh teishu, y-you don't have to lie to me," The woman's soft words broke what little control he had, the tears coming freely down his cheek. She smiled, shakily reaching up with one hand to brush the wet trails from his cheek. "J-just promise me, that you'll take care of our boys, please." Those last words spoken such a soft pleading tone broke his heart, watching as the one he loved for so long laid back…a soft exhalation of breath marking the quiet passing of his beloved.
He stayed silent for a moment, before getting to his feet and looking towards the med-nin. "Boys? I thought there was only one?" Blue gaze furrowed. That might complicate things.
"Iie, there was two. I'm so sorry Hokage-sama, I should have come and got you as soon as…" The words died, a hand quieting her as he walked over towards the two swathed bundles, gazing down into the sleepily blinking faces. "It's ok Rin, you didn't know." Smiling, he reached down, gently picking them up…before a quiet sob broke through his calm façade. "Forgive me for what must be done. I will pay for my sin for all eternity, but know this little ones…I will be watching you, now and forever."
Her brow furrowing at the whispered words, Rin opened her mouth to speak, cut off as a bright yellow flash marked where the man once stood. Sighing, she turned towards the motionless body on the bed, eyes closed in peaceful repose. "Oh Minato-sama, please don't do anything too rash.
"Hold the line! We can't let the beast through!"
"Iie! It's no use! Any jutsu we use doesn't seem to have an effect. Where's Hokage-sama?"
"Silence! He'll get here when he can." The ninja stopped, turning to gaze at the man behind them, flinching at the suppressed anger in his pale white eyes. "What's the status of the beast?"
"Hiashi-sama, it broke through the first ANBU lines and started to make its way here. We couldn't do anything... no matter what we threw at it, it still came back!" said a bear-masked ANBU, shaking his head wearily.
"It doesn't matter, we need to hold the beast off as long as possible until Hokage-sama gets he-…" Hiashi was jerked back, his words cut off at the loud explosion nearby. Turning, the ANBU gaped at the monstrous fox towering above them, the dark laughter drifting through the air as nine glowing tails wafted on the air behind it.
"Worthless insects!" It laughed again, one tail flicking out towards an encroaching ANBU squad. Wind whistled as a tornado whisked across the forest, trees tossed aside like kindling before slamming into the fleeing ANBU. Screams of pain echoed through the forest, while all throughout the dark laughter rang, shrinking hearts and devouring courage.
"We have to do something! We won't last much longer like this." called the bear-masked ANBU, slowly crawling out of the wreckage of an overturned tree. Hiashi said nothing, gazing upwards at the massive fox, the glint of shuriken and kunai flitting through the air catching on the fiery red glow of its fur. A massive roar shattered the air, the steel instruments being flung back and away, whistling through the trees like deadly sparrows before slapping into trees and ninja alike…wails of pain echoing in the dark forest. "KAITEN!" echoed throughout the trees, a bright blue glow illuminating the forest floor before disappearing as soon as it began, the deadly steel repelled away from the remaining ANBU…a winded Hiashi standing in the circular depression.
"You've done well old friend." whispered a quiet voice behind him, causing him to spin before slowly relaxing. Sighing softly, he walked towards them, gazing momentarily at the twin white bundles held in his arms. "Is that--?" He stopped, a sharp intake of breath as he gazed into the glistening eyes of his friend, the white coat whipping about him…red flames almost seeming real in the unholy glow of the beast above them.
"Hiashi, my old friend. I have one last favor to ask of you." The words, spoken softly so as to avoid the suspicion of the ANBU flitting about in the darkness, conveyed more sadness and sorrow then Hiashi ever through possible in one man.
"Hai Minato, what is it?"
"I want you to watch over my boys," he said, tears still glistening in the red light falling down his cheeks. "Please make sure nothing happens to them. Their lives will be…." He halted, unable to continue, eyes slowly squeezed shut.
"Hai Hokage-sama, I understand." Yet to be truthful he didn't. In fact he was confused. What had happened? And more importantly why was he worried about his children. Realization slowly dawned on him, pale eyes opening wide as he spun around towards his friend, his leader. "NO! Minato, there must be some oth--," he flinched, a yellow flash cutting off his words before he quietly continued, "…way."
He turned towards the mighty kitsune before him, a loud poof following the enormous cloud of smoke off to the beasts' right. Shaking, he fell to his knees, hands coming up to cover his face. For the first time in his life, Hiashi cried…
"Oy Minato! What the hell did you summon m--," the rough words were cut off as the massive body of the fox slowly turned towards the source, glittering red gaze glowing in the darkness of the night.
"What's this now, frog legs! Mmmm, a side of human too. I could use an aperitif." A loud roar echoed after its words, teeth glinting in the evil grin splitting across its face as it faced the two figures in front of it.
"Kyuubi…," the massive toad rumbled, one great eye rolling upwards to glance at the man atop his head. "So this is why you called me out." Nodding down towards the toad boss he crouched, gently setting the two white bundles down on the knobby forehead. "Help me out boss, I think I'm going to need it with this one," he murmured, before standing and looking out towards Kyuubi.
Gazing into the dark glittering eyes of the Kyuubi, he slowly started forming hand seals. Tears slowly started to reform as images flashed through his mind. Him, in the Great Ninja War. The cheering crowds of the village as he stood out on the tower waving. His love, Kushina, gazing out onto the stars with him. The still body of his beloved beneath the stark white covers of the hospital bed.
Blue eyes radiated with sadness as he gazed down at the twin pairs of blue eyes blinking sleepily up at him. "I'm sorry my sons." Anguish, grief, so raw that the mighty toad beneath him flinched in sympathy. All he had wanted was a quiet life, or rather as quiet as a ninja could get. Ironic then, that it would be snatched out of his hands by the tempestuous nature of fate, and sacrificed.
"KYUUBI! NO MORE!" Tears glistening in the bright depths, his hands blurred as he picked up the pace, a faint blue outline of chakra wafting about his body.
Snorting, the great beast turned and laughed at the two before it. "You?! A pathetic human seeks to destroy ME?!" It laughed again, splitting for a moment almost as if two voices shared the same throat. "Come mortal, and once you die I will feast on your village!" The ground shook as the great beast, Kyuubi no Kitsune, sprinted towards the unmoving toad and its master.
"SHIKI FUJIN!" His voice rang out. Time seemed to stop for the ninja on the ground, a cold wind whispering through the trees. Hiashi stiffened, running towards the group of ANBU nearby and gazing up through the clearing towards the massive toad above them. "No, he couldn't! He wouldn't!" He took a step backwards, before he hung his head with a quiet sigh. "Now I see Minato." The battle clad old man behind him shook his head, sighing as well.
The air seemed to ripple behind him as he thrust out his hands towards the Kyuubi, who skidded to a halt. "FOOL! Don't you know what you've done!?" Silence answered it as the form of the great shinigami slowly took form behind it. Kyuubi watched, transfixed, as the great God of Death slid its hands above the quivering form of the Yondaime…hands once more blurring into another set of seals. "Hakke no Fuin Shiki: Shishio Fuin! " Closing his outthrust hands, he made a jerking motion, a massive white light flashing in the night sky….
Shielding their eyes from the blinding flash of light, Hiashi and his aged companion gazed upwards, the only sign of anything that had taken place being the large column of smoke before it too disappeared, the chill wind dispersing it into the sky.
"No, why did he do it. Damnit it should have been ME!" the old man cried out, before hanging his head in resignation. "The young perish before the old. Why is it always so?" Hiashi shook himself and turned towards him, shaking his head slowly. They both ignored the shouted cries, the exclamations of the Kyuubis demise filling the air as the weary ninja flitted past them towards the village. Only the squad of ANBU remained with the two figures.
"Hiashi-sama, Sandaime-sama…what shall we do?"
Their words were cut off by a yellow flash, signaling the return of their beloved Yondaime. He walked over towards them, before stumbling, falling to his knees and bowing his head…a low rumble echoing in the sky as rain started to slowly pelt downwards. The yellow crowned head slowly raised, a weak smile flitting across the lips, handing the two crying bundles to the nearest ANBU. "It's done. The Kyuubi will no longer threaten the village." Those soft-spoken words snapped the two out of their reverie, dashing over towards him just as he collapsed backwards into the arms of the Sandaime. Weakly opening his eyes, he gazed upwards at the two faces of his dearest friends, shivering into the warm water of the rain.
"Hiashi…remember…y-your promise." With a great sigh, the piercing blue eyes closed before settling back into the outstretched arms of the Sandaime.
"And so passes the greatest Hokage." Hiashi bowed his head, before twin cries echoed in the night. The ANBU, startled, shifted uneasily before looking towards the two figures in front of them. "You two, make for the Hokage tower immediately. We'll be there shortly."
"HAI!" Twin figures blurred with speed as they disappeared, the rest of the ANBU forming a litter and gently placing the still body of the Yondaime on top. Turning, they made the slow trek back to the village, unbeknownst to the glint of yellow eyes in the distance gazing on the village of Konoha
Cheers echoed in the streets of Konoha, but not as many as one would think. Wives and husbands, daughters and sons, all were touched in some way by the bitterness of victory. Hundreds of shinobi had died in the attack, though the great Kyuubi had never gone within a kunai throwing distance from the walls….
Oblivious to the cheers and cries outside, the quiet murmur of people inside the office of the Hokage stilled as Sarutobi once more sat heavily into the seat. Tears shifted down his cheek. The Yondaime had been like a son to him, but did not show his tears. He had died as he would have wanted, in defense of his village. Raising his gaze, he looked out at the gathered people before him. Shinobi, elders, clan heads…all waiting for some sort of news as to their beloved Hokage. And the two squirming bundles before him.
"The Yondaime is dead, having died to protect that which he loved so much," The words sounded hollow in his ears, lifeless, "It is with heavy heart that I once more take up the office of Hokage." He looked down upon the two open bundles before him, the soft crying of two babies echoing in the office to the wonderment of all gathered. "Hokage-sama, are those…?" said a dog-masked ANBU, gazing down at the golden haired children on the desk. "Hai, these are the children of the late Yondaime."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, whispers of what they should do before they stopped…an elder stepping forward. "And what are those designs on their stomach? Surely they weren't born with it." More murmurs followed his words, whispers of "seal" permeating through the crowd.
"Yes, you are correct. These are seals, used by the late Yondaime to seal the Kyuubi no Kitsune within his own two children. From this moment on, no word shall leave this office of the events which had transpired. I'm branding this an S-Class secret, punishable by death." Sarutobi sighed, eyes closing before loud yells erupted through the crowd.
"Kill them then! KILL THE DEMONS!"
"Look at that one!"
"Hai, don't let them live Hokage-sama! The Kyuubi should be destroyed while we have the chance!"
Hiashi looked on in shock. Shinobi and council alike calling for the deaths of two helpless infants? He turned, pale eyes wide as he gazed upon one child. It was odd. Almost like there were…ears…on top of the head. Gasps were heard in the crowd, the crying child picked up by Sandaime and shushed, slowly rocking back and forth…the tip of a tail waving in view.
"IT'S THE DEMON! KILL IT NOW!"
The crowd roared, attempting to move towards the desk. ANBU pushed through the crowd, shocked as fellow shinobi and even ANBU attempted to get towards the two babies laying on the desk. "ENOUGH!" The crowd stopped, stunned, as faces turned towards the Hyuuga Clan leader. "Hai, you are correct esteemed elders." The council nodded, grins dispersed throughout the crowd as Hiashi adopted the traditional Jyuuken stance. It was short lived however, as he turned towards the crowd, the pronounced veins of the Byakugan around his eyes. "No one shall touch these children, as long as the Hyuuga Clan exists. IS THIS UNDERSTOOD?!" Faces blanched as they gazed at the livid face of the Hyuuga Head, before murmuring and stepping back…muted "Hai"s whispered throughout the crowd.
"You are dismissed. Return to your stations." Sarutobi waved a hand, still holding the whimpering child in his hands as they filed out, hate filled glares flitting towards the children before only the Hokage, Hiashi and one ANBU remained inside. With a sigh, he gently set the child down, shaking his head. "This has just taken a turn for the worst I'm afraid. At least this one will have to leave the village. I'm afraid of what may happen if he stayed." He glanced down at the giggling one, twin fox ears twitching on top of its head. Leaning down, he examined the inside of the swath. Namikaze Arashi. He gathered up the other, gazing down at the sleepy face before smiling softly. Namikaze Naruto.
"Hokage-sama, is it wise to let them keep their fathers name? We all know how many enemies he had." Hiashi glanced up towards the dog-masked ANBU who spoke, before looking back down to the two in the Sandaime's arms. "That is true Kakashi-san, though I doubt that the one leaving the village will need it. What of Naruto?" Sarutobi nodded, before gazing over towards the ANBU, the mask now hanging off to the side to show the face beneath. Kakashi, turned and walked towards the desk, a smile barely seen behind his customary mask. "I will watch over the boy Hokage-sama. It may be better however, if he adopted his mother's maiden name." Hiashi nodded, gazing at little Arashi before he sighed.
"And what of this one? He would not survive long in the village with ears and a tail. It will be hard enough for Naruto to live, as it is with his whisker marks." Muttering as he picked up his pipe, Sarutobi gazed down at desk, before sighing. "It can't be helped. He will need to be removed from the village for the time being. Hiashi, I know of a place where you can take him. If I am of the right mind, I know both boys will soon be following their father's footsteps into the shinobi world." Nodding, Hiashi smiled and gently picked up the boy…gazing with his usual stoic expression at the two. "Very well, I will come tomorrow before I leave. Until then, it might be best if I took them to watch over until the time the one leaves. Both shall receive the full protection of the Hyuuga clan."
"Hai, and I will watch over the boys as much as I can between missions. I have a feeling they'll be needing it soon enough," Kakashi blew out a long breath, before turning towards the door. "I will return to my patrol Hokage-sama. Hiashi-sama, if you need me you know where to look." With a bow, he poofed out of sight.
"I will take my leave now Sarutobi-sama, my wife is due any minute and I'm sure she'll be overjoyed to watch over these two until then." Bowing as he gently took the two, he turned and walked out the door…a bodyguard outside opening an umbrella for the trip back.
Sarutobi slowly turned in his seat, gazing out through the rain-swept glass at the rumbling skies, unshed tears staining his cheeks once more…
And there you have it! My first venture into the Narutoverse. It's been awhile since I started planning this, so I figured I'd venture away from TM! And OS and try and Naruto fic.
I have everything planned up till beyond the Chuunin exam, so hopefully new chapters will come up fast.
R&R! The only truly official pairing I have is NaruHina. If you have any ideas or votes on what the others should be, by all means let me know! Ja ne!
Hakke no Fuin Shiki: Shishio Fuin - Eight Trigrams Sealing Style: Four Symbols Seal
Shiki Fujin – Dead Demon Seal