They say that the world was made by myths and legends. And that they are a way for a person to understand something that is beyond them. Legends like how the nine most destructive things in the world were animals that became demons. The Nine Bijuu were born by the devil giving them their power for the purpose to hunt the souls that are owed to him, regardless of who or what gets in the way.
Minato looked at the Kyuubi as it tore through the forest for Konoha. Everyone knew that the Bijuu weren't mindless beast. So why was it here? "Forgive me, Naruto." Holding his son, he summoned Gamabunta and and all three charged the Nine Tailed Fox.
Then one day, all nine beast vanished. Few knew what actually became of them and they once again became legends. Ones everyone knew was real but no longer cared.
Three year old Naruto flipped from branch to branch, fully enjoying his increased reflexes. Though he was young, he knew a lot about the world. He didn't know why but he much preferred the forest to the city. First thought that came to mind though was how no one cared for him there as well as the drunks that called him names. And always being forced to hide on his birthday. He remembered everything just about in his life and it kind of disturbed him as no one else his age could.
But the devil's work isn't done, and with his bounty hunters sealed away, he needed a new one. A much different legend, far older than even the Bijuu talk about a rider. How he faced down all those that had sins against them and turned them on them. A being that though he walked in the world of light, fought with all the powers of Darkness.
Naruto dropped back to the ground, his breath coming in pants from his work out. "...Inu-san, how much longer," he asked his ANBU guard. That was another thing he didn't understand or like even. Always having a guard.
The silver haired ANBU replied, "You can play out here for another ten minutes, Naruto. Then we have to head back."
The three year old sighed before running at a tree and up it, hopping from branch to branch. He continued up until he reached the top and looked out over the sea of trees. He really wished he could just stay out here. With the animals instead of humans, everything was so much simpler. No one hated you, no one cared except family. You are just another living being to them. If you were weaker and lower in the food chain, they killed you only to eat. If you tried to take their territory, they defended themselves. But they don't go out of their way to hurt you. Well, except house cats. Naruto smiled, 'and me and chickens. Kami, I love how they taste.' He shook his head, getting away from the taste of their blood...
"I just wish I can stay here. Or that things were better in Konoha."
Over time, the sins of man will build up without those to remind them the penalty casting their shadow on the world. And it will only be a matter of time until both the Devil and Kami wants something done about it.
"I think I can help you with that," a voice said behind Naruto, making the hairs on his neck stand on end.
Naruto turned and saw an old man with a cane leaning against the trunk of the tree. "Where did you come from?"
He smiled as Naruto. "Ah, you are a very special boy, Naruto, very special. The enhanced senses of animals are yours. Total recall. Even a bit of a sixth sense. But as special as you are, you are still only a boy. That is how I got close to you without you noticing."
"How did you know my name," Naruto asked him.
"Ah, that matters not. What matters is what you want."
"And that is?"
He chuckled a little. "You want things better, like you just said. But what you want most, what you would even sell your soul for, it to just be held and protected by the mother you never knew."
Naruto nearly fell of the branch when he said that. "Who are you, how do you know so much about me?"
"Now that is a secret, Naruto. But I will tell you something. Why you are not liked in your home and are like you are. You are possessed, of sorts, by the spirit of a fox. A very special fox. And his natural abilities are extended onto you. As well as some of his likes and dislikes. Now, I purpose a deal."
"What happened to my mom?"
"She was taken by a criminal name Orochimaru the night the Kyuubi attacked Konoha. Just hours after you were born."
"How do I get her back!?"
"Oh, I can take care of that, Naruto. It will be like she never left and you were never hated. For a price."
"Anything, just get her back."
"Alright, I thing I will take...you." Naruto looked confused. "I will return your mother to you and remove the hatred your village feels for you in exchange for your soul."
"My...soul?"
"That's right. All things have a price, Naruto, this is your's. There will be a time when I come for you and you will pay me back."
Naruto thought about it. He could only figure that he meant that anything he asked for in the future, Naruto was to do or give. "...I could care less about being like or hated so long as my mom is free of him."
The man smiled again, "Done. Just sign this," he said, giving Naruto a contract. He checked his pockets for a pen or pencil but didn't find one. So Naruto bit his thumb with his canine until it bled and signed his name in blood at the bottom. "Well done, Naruto, well done," he said, taking it back. He lifted his cane and hit the end of it against the branch, gaining a spark from it. He stepped forward and rested his hand on Naruto's shoulder. It hurt a little as he felt something go into him. "Just a little gift," he said before letting go.
Naruto blinked as his body relaxed, not believing it, he had vanished. He looked around the tree and at others but didn't see him. "Naruto," Inu called from below. "We need to head back."
"...Okay." He dropped, catching branches as he went to control his descent before landing on Inu's shoulders. "Lets go!" The ANBU captain chuckled before he started running at top speed back to Konoha and Naruto's home. A few blocks from it, they stopped and Naruto got down and walked. After several minutes, he noticed no one glared at him. He was so amazed that he didn't watch where he was going and bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry," Naruto said, moving back and waiting for the insults.
His eyes went wide when the woman patted him on the head and said, "It is quite alright, Naruto. Just be careful from now on." She then continued on her way. "Oh, and tell your mom I said hello."
Naruto's eyes could have fallen out of his head. He turned to Inu, who was walking beside him, grabbed his hand, and said, "Hurry up, I want to get home!"
Inu shook his head and said, "Naruto, it's not like it won't be there unless you hurry."
"I want to go, I want to go!"
"Oh alright," he said with another chuckle. "Since you are in a hurry, I'll use a shushin." Still holding onto Naruto's hand, they disappeared in a swirl of leaves to reappear at a two story home three blocks away. "Now go on it there, you little imp!"
Naruto needed no encouraging. He ran in, "Mom!? Mom!?" He looked around but didn't see her. His shoulder's slumped and he felt broken hearted before two gentle hands wrapped around him.
"What's wrong, Naruto," Kushina asked, hugging her son.
He spun around in her grasp and hugged her for all he was worth. "MOM! I missed you!" He knew it was her by one of his first memories, being held by a red hair woman, just once.
"You were only gone for two hours," she told him. "...I missed you too, Naruto." She didn't know why her son was acting like this but she didn't care. If he missed her, then he did. And there was no way she would tell him not to. Something inside her told her never to do that. "Did you enjoy your time outside?"
Naruto nodded into her leg, wiping a few tears on her dress. "It was the best ever," he told her. "But I really missed you, mommy."
"Well, you don't have to worry, I am right here and I'm never going anywhere." That just got him crying harder for some reason. He refused to let go of her until he fell asleep, not even for dinner.
—oo000oo—
Naruto grinned as he ran with a chain in his hand. He had found it while running around today and had used it to trip a bully. He really had a reason to run after that. The bully decided to chase him, so Naruto ran him ragged all over Konoha. He looked behind him and saw the bully huffy and puffing and he leaned against a building. "Ah, don't give up yet, you almost got me!"
"I swear... I am going... to beat the... daylights out of... you," he said to Naruto as he tried to chase him again. Naruto sidestepped him and tripped him with his foot. "No one makes a fool out of me!"
"But you," Naruto stated. He wrapped the chain around his chest, over his right shoulder. "Nener nener," he said, giving him a raspberry. He ran off laughing after that. Several minutes later, Naruto came across some kind of parade. "Hey, what's going on?"
"The ambassador from Kumo has arrived," a man told Naruto. "He is here to sign a treaty with us."
"Oh," Naruto said before looking around. He saw a tree and ran over to it. When he couldn't reach the branch, he swung his chain around a little and threw it. It caught a lower branch and Naruto gave a cry of victory as he climbed up and sat on it. Naruto saw a man on a horse. He had his headband over his right eye and a goatee on his chin. He was waving and smiling. But Naruto didn't notice what he looked like for long, he suddenly felt very cold and needed to get away from there. He ran all the way home, trying to get that chill from his body.
—oo000oo—
Naruto woke up the next day, his head hurting and shaking from the worst nightmare he ever had. Last night, he became a monster. He remembered it so vividly that it scared him.
Naruto got out of his bed, struggling to stay there. His body was moving on its own. He opened the window and jumped out of it. As he hit the ground, he started running. As he ran, his skin felt like it was on fire. The scary thing is he kept moving faster than he ever thought he could. When he came to the district he used to live in before he made the deal, he slowed down. He was still struggling to stop but he kept moving. Suddenly, that fire in his skin became fire on it as his footsteps turned to fire. His pain increased near a hundred fold as he watched the flesh from his hand melt away. In moments, where he once stood, a flaming skeleton was now.
Naruto watched somewhat distantly as he saw his burning hand point at a masked ninja that was standing only feet away, scared beyond belief. "You," Naruto's voice sounded much deeper, it scared him even more than he already was with the underlying darkness. "Guilty."
He snapped out of it and his hands started going through handsigns. He spun around in place, becoming first a ball of lightning, then a lightning dragon. It hit Naruto and sent him through the wall of an abandoned building. "Guess that demon was all talk," Naruto heard him say. Naruto grabbed the chain he had around his chest and snapped it taunt. Fire erupted around it as Naruto then wrapped it around his hand and made a fist. He ran forward and punched him in the face. The ninja flew into the wall and fell to the ground. He shook his head, knowing that punch should have killed him. He looked at Naruto and said, "What do you want?"
"I am here for your contract. I am here for the blood of the innocent that stains your soul!" Naruto reached a hand out and stabbed him in the chest. The man screamed soundlessly as he felt something get drawn from all around his body to Naruto's hand. It turned solid and Naruto grabbed it and pulled it out, revealing a scroll. He unrolled it and read the words at the top. "For power and position, I, Kazama Samo, ninja of the Hidden Cloud Village, sell my soul to the devil. To be collected in ten years on the date of December twenty seventh." Today's date and the birthday of the heiress of the Hyuuga clan. "Thanks for coming to me, saved me the trouble of hunting you down." Naruto turned around, knowing what the man's latest sin was. He came here to kidnap the heir of the Hyuuga clan, Hyuuga Hinata. He paused and decided that it would be better for the man not to leave a corpse. Turning around, he created a ball of fire in his hands and threw it at the body. It burned, leaving a horrible smell but Naruto didn't care. He ran away from there and went to the grave yard.
"It is done," he said to the shadows. He held out the contract and someone grabbed it. It was the man that made the deal with Naruto.
"My, this is a surprise. Your abilities weren't supposed to wake up for years," he said as he looked at it and then him. "It must be that fox inside you." He walked around Naruto, looking at the chibi nightmare. "Kind of funny, really."
"I have no patience for this."
"No, I guess you don't. Naruto, I know you are in there and listening to this, if distantly. This is my price, you are now my rider, my Ghostrider. Humanity has become complacent in thinking that their actions can just go unpunished. People steal, cheat, and murder with no restraint. In time, I will come for you to be my rider and for you to collect souls like the one you just did. Or to fight my enemies on this plane. Do you still think the it was worth it?"
"Yes."
He smiled at Naruto. "Then I have another gift for you. The fox inside you will make it so that you can use these powers when you need to. I am making it so you can use them at will and with your will instead of the Ghostrider. Grow familiar with these powers, Naruto, but never tell where you got them. Call them... a special ability that you can't explain. If anyone press about it, just say a fox in your dreams gave them to you, that he wanted you stronger. I have high hopes for you, Naruto. Very high hopes."
He walked around him a few more times. "You will of course need something to ride if you are to be the Ghostrider. So call this a late birthday gift." He hit the ground with his cane and fire gathered there. It took on the shape of a cat made of fire. The fire went away but a tiger kitten was still there. The man then reached a hand out to Naruto's forehead and flicked him.
After that, the dream ended. As all of the details fully came back, he wondered if it really was a dream. Looking, he saw his chain, neatly coiled up where he left it last night before he went to sleep. His window was closed. His skin was there. He was about to walk out of the room when he heard a meow. He slowly looked around and he saw this cute little black with gray stripes tiger kitten lying on his bed. His eye twitched a few times as it hit him. That was no dream. He rubbed the back of his head as he thought about it. "This is going to be hard to explain to mom." The kitten nodded before his tummy growled. Naruto groaned before his stomach growled even louder.
"...Uh, food first, then figure it out!" He picked the kitten up and ran to the kitchen. When he got there, he had a sudden flash of brilliance. "Mom, can I keep him!?"
"Keep who... Naruto, put down that tiger!"
"But he needs me!"
She walked over to him, keeping a careful eye on the cat and took him from Naruto. It began to whine about being taken away. "He does not need you," she told Naruto. "Where did you even find him!?"
"He was on my bed this morning. Give him back!"
"Naruto, no! You sit down at the table and eat your breakfast! I am going to deal with this 'kitty'."
"His name is Tora," Naruto said to his mother. "Can't I keep him, please!?"
"No, and that is final! I am calling the Inuzuka right now and they can keep him!" She went to the window and called the ANBU that would watch her son today. "I need someone to get one of the Inuzuka over here now. Someone left a tiger kitten on Naruto's bed."
"His name is Tora," Naruto called from the kitchen.
"You are not keeping him, young man," Kushina called back. "Please, this tiger is causing far too much trouble for this early in the morning." She held the kitten by the scruff of the neck.
The ANBU with the tiger mask scratched his head, wondering where someone would get a tiger around here. And why they would just give it to a three year old boy. "I will go get one right now." He shushined and arrived at the Inuzuka compound. "Good morning, Hana-chan."
"Good morning, Tora," she said to him as she played with her puppies. "Mom is in the kitchen, feeding Kiba."
"Thank you." He went inside and found her there, trying to feed a baby stained carrot baby food. Trying the key word as she was failing the feeding part but was nicely decorating his face with it.
"Tora, what are you doing here, I thought you had guard duty."
"I do, but someone left an animal for Naruto on his bed. And Kushina won't let him keep it."
"Ah," she said, wiping her hands as she stood up. She grabbed a wipe and cleaned her baby's face clean. "Never changes," she muttered, having to go through the same thing with Hana. In fact, she did it as well. They just preferred meat to veggies. "Hana, can you come here?"
Hana ran inside with her three dogs following. "Yes mom?"
"I need you to go get your uncle and tell him there is a wild animal pup at the Uzumaki home. He needs to go get it."
"Really," Hana asked. "What kind?"
"A tiger."
"COOL!"
"Kushina doesn't think so," Tora muttered, already liking the little tiger.
"I'm sure it is just the thought of fleas," Hana said, patting Tora's arm in comfort. She ran off to get her uncle and go with him.
"Thank you, Tsume-san," Tora told her.
"No problem," she said with a wave. "But where did it come from?"
"Don't know, because of the ambassador going missing early last night, there was no one watching Naruto."
"So someone snuck in and gave him a tiger? Where is the sense in that?"
"I don't know," he said before he shushined back. When he did, he saw Kushina slightly scratched up, Naruto holding the tiger, and feeding him torn up bits of bacon. "Wha..."
"Don't ask," she said forcefully. "Just don't. Is one coming?"
"Yes, Tsume's brother."
"Good."
Actually, it wasn't. First, Naruto refused to let the tiger go. Then the cat started whining about being forced from him. And as he was about to be taken from the house, the kitten got mad. "OW! OUCH! STOP THAT! MY NOSE! AH! AAAGH!" It was finished when the kitten swiped his hand, making him drop him. He hit the ground on all four legs, running, and jumped back into Naruto's arms.
"Naruto, that cat is dangerous!"
"Is not," Naruto insisted. Kushina pointed at the bleeding Inuzuka. "...He started it! And who is going to force him to leave!?"
Kushina froze at that one. She looked from at her bleeding hands to Inuzuka Ranmaru as he pressed his hands over the worst of the wounds and glared at the cat, and then at Tora. "Not me," Tora said. "Don't give me that look, I'm not touching that cat!"
"He's so cute," Hana said. Kushina turned around and saw her rubbing the cats stomach. "What did you name him," she asked Naruto.
"Tora," he replied.
"You are not keeping him," Kushina told him again.
"Mom," Naruto groaned. "Can't we keep him, please! I promise I'll take real good care of him!"
"Naruto, do you know how big a tiger gets!?"
"Over eight feet long, around six hundred pounds," he replied matter of factly.
"Do you know how much they eat!?"
"...Uh, no?"
"We are not keeping him."
"Please?"
"NO! Don't you dare, Naruto. Don't you dare!" He stuck out his lower lip in a pout while his eyes started to water a little. It got even worst when Tora, the tiger, did it as well. "RAGH! You take care of him! You feed him, bath him, clean up after him!"
"I will!" He looked down at Tora sternly and shook his finger at him. "Now you have to behave, Tora. No, clawing, no making...a mess." Tora was batting at the moving finger. Naruto stopped talking and hugged the cat.
Tora, the ANBU, watched it all and realized something. Kushina ruled the house. Naruto had Kushina like putty in his hands. And Tora had Naruto like putty in his paws. This house was going to work solely for the comfort and well being of the cat. "Well, since you have him, we better go get him his shots. I'll take care of them, Kushina-san. You and Ranmaru should go get those looked at. Naruto, Hana, we're going."
—oo000oo—
Naruto woke up this morning not being able to breath. "Tora," he wheezed. "Tora! Get off me you over grown house cat!" His only reply was purring from the two hundred pound cat. Naruto started pushing Tora up and was finally able to breath again. Before Tora rolled over and onto Naruto's stomach. The air was pushed out of him when he landed. "I told you before stay on your side of the bed!" Naruto sat up a little and grabbed Tora around his chest. He heaved and was able to pull him off. He laid back down and caught his breath. To realize Tora was now on his arm. "Tora?" The cat opened his eyes and licked Naruto's face. "I love you too. Now get off my arm." Tora sat on his haunches, making the steel reinforced bed groan. "Thank you."
Naruto got up and stumbled over to his closet. He was twelve and today was his genin test. He remembered being told by the Hokage before the deal that he would be entered early as he didn't have a family. Now that he did, he went at the same time as others. He reached into his closest and grabbed a black shirt. He then reached for his black leather coat, pants, and boots. He wasn't an emo, like Sasuke. No, the black was to hide better. The leather was to provide some protection. If you listened really carefully, you could hear chain mail inside the coat. He went to the bathroom, showered and came back into his room, dressed for class. He grabbed him gloves, also black leather, and his chain. This one was much different from the one he picked up when he was three. It was made of a chakra conductive alloy so he could control where it went with just his chakra. He wrapped it around his chest and headed downstairs. He then grabbed his other weapon, it looked like the blade of a scythe with a sword handle at the end, and put it between his chain and coat.
"Good morning mom," he said as he walked over and gave her a kiss.
"Good morning Naruto. Good morning Tora," she scratched the tiger behind the ears, getting a purr for it. "You two going to pass today?"
"Of course," Naruto said as he began to cook his breakfast and Tora's. "Do you have a mission today, mom?"
"No, none of the academy student's parents have one. Feeling well?"
"I am. Oh, and thanks for getting him to lay on me."
"I would never do that," Kushina said with a smile that shouted that she did. She stood up from the table and gave him a hug. "Hey, no matter if you pass or not, I am proud of you."
"I know mom... But since we are doing it anyway, might as well not only pass but take the whole thing!"
Kushina laughed and gave him a kiss on the head. "Go get them, tiger." Her son reminded her of his father so much. 'Minato, you would have been proud of him.' Behind them, Tora poked his head over the table and ate Kushina's sausage.
After Naruto ate breakfast, he and Tora walked outside. He set Tora's saddle on him and got on. "YAH!" The tiger started running. "Incoming!" This was daily routine, Tora would come running, he would shout, they would start to part even before he did. "Hey..." Naruto said, seeing a snack for later. As he passed a pear stand, he grabbed two and left a few ryu for them. "Thank you!" Tora turned on a dime before jumping up onto a building. He jumped across a street and then back down to it. "Good morning, Ino," he shouted as he headed for her. "Want a ride!?" As he ran by, he grabbed her arm and swung her behind him.
"Good morning Naruto," she said to him. "Ready for the test?"
"You know it! Jump," he warned her. Tora jumped over a cart and a few students. "What about you?"
"Of course," she boasted. She saw Naruto lean down so she did as well. A branch went over their head. "Anything new going on?"
"No, same shit, different day. Although I've really gotten stronger with fire now." He raised a hand and snapped his fingers. A flame was on the end of his index finger. "Hey, Kiba," he said as they ran pass him.
"Yo, Naruto," he called.
Tora jumped a final time and slid through the academy yard to the door. They got off and Naruto scratched Tora's ears. "Good luck with the test. I know you don't need it but still."
"You too, Naruto." As they went inside the class room, Naruto tossed the second pear to Iruka-sensei who caught it without looking.
"Morning," Iruka said to him.
"...Good morning Mizuki-sensei."
"Good morning Naruto," Mizuki said to him. Naruto knew he was on his way to being evil but he neither was evil enough nor had a contract. Unlike Rokusho Aoi. That brought a smile to his face as he remembered it. And bringing back the sword of the Nindaime had paid Naruto enough money to feed Tora for a year if he ate like a normal tiger. Plus, he enjoyed giving that asshole the Penance Stare.
"Uchiha," he said with a slight nod.
"Uzumaki," he replied, seething. It was no small fact that Sasuke didn't like that he was second in the class. So he, naturally, didn't like who was first.
"...Think you will take my place today?"
"Damn right I will," Sasuke shouted. "I don't care what I have to do, I will not be second to you!"
"Maybe you should try selling your soul to the devil. That would work...for the short time until your contract is claimed."
"No," Sasuke growled. Naruto raised him up a peg at that. "I would though if it helped me get revenge." And he has sunk to a new low. Naruto shook his head as he headed to his seat. His chain snaked off him, pulled his chair out, and returned to its position. Naruto sat down and put his feet on his desk.
"Naruto," Iruka said, still not looking.
Naruto smiled and sat back down. "I know, Iruka-sensei. Just wondering how you do that."
"I am a chunin sensei, Naruto. I see all, I know all."
That made Naruto laugh. 'If only he did.' There was a thump as Tora laid down behind him. He began to scratch his ear while he waited for the test to start. Once it did though, he wish it would finish. There was no challenge to it! Now, he would be the first to admit he was not perfect. But his mother was Uzumaki Kushina for Kami's sake! There was no way that the Crimson Blade of Uzu would let her son not study and know the basics. And this test barely covered those. He much more enjoyed the physical portion of it. Although accuracy was plain out boring with his chains.
"Bored," Sasuke asked him while they waited.
"Aren't you?"
"Yeah I am." He sat down and stared at Naruto. "How?"
"How what?"
"How are you so strong?"
"Because I train, and I have a mom that loves me so much, she refuses to let me be weak."
"Your mother?"
"Yeah," Naruto said with a smile. "She was a ninja from the Hidden Whirlpool before she came here."
"I think I heard my father say something about that before what happened to him and the others." Naruto winced at that. He honestly didn't want to do it that night. But with that much evil gathered all in one place, it overrode him. At least not his whole family is dead. His brother, mother, and cousins along with a few older men and woman were alive. They had been having a secret meeting when Naruto rode close by. Turns out that most of the clan had been planning on betraying Konoha to cripple it. Took days to get the blood out of his jacket.
"Look, Sasuke, I am sorry about what happened. Maybe you should ask your brother to help more."
"No," Sasuke growled. "He doesn't even care that they were murdered. I will never ask him."
Naruto sighed but nodded. He didn't know who did. No one did. Naruto wished that he could tell some one but what would he say? 'I was out riding one night when I turned into a flaming killing machine of retribution.' Oh yeah, that would pardon him. Just what he needed, glares for almost killing off the Uchiha clan. He sold his soul to get rid of them the first time, he didn't have a spare to sell this time.
Naruto yawned and said, "What's the next part?"
"Jutsu," Sasuke replied, relieved that it was coming to an end. "And I am going to beat you."
"Tell you what, Rookie of the Year gets my chains."
"Glad to take them off your hands," Sasuke told him before standing up and leaving.
Tora groaned and Naruto replied, "Well, I never said I would show him how to get them to move."
—oo000oo—
Iruka had a headache. Both Sasuke and Naruto had perfect scores so far. And while Naruto was relaxed through all of it, Sasuke growled and went at it with a vendetta. He wanted first but Naruto held to firmly. At this rate, he would have to announce Naruto as Rookie of the Year. He didn't have a problem with Naruto and he thought he deserved it. He only regretted the even bigger headache he was going to get because of Sasuke being second. His only saving grace about the whole thing was that those two were not going to be on the same team.
"Alright, Naruto, perform the Bunshin."
"Too boring," Naruto said as he made the handsigns but ended on tiger. In a burst a fire, several perfect clones appeared around Naruto. "Sorry, Iruka-sensei, I couldn't resist."
"...Fire bunshin," Mizuki asked. "He knows the fire bunshin!? Why is he even in the academy!?" Both Iruka and Naruto shrugged.
Iruka picked up a headband and tossed it to Naruto. "You pass. Even if Sasuke gets it perfect, you are the Rookie of the Year."
"I told mom I would take the whole thing," Naruto said with a smile as he tied it in place. He headed back in and sat down. Life was good.
"Naru-kun passed," one of his fan-girls cheered, making him groan. It had been good. He honestly, if for no other reason, wish Sasuke was Rookie of the Year now. Let him have all of them instead of just the Uchiha fan-girls. A half dozen girls mobbed him, say congratulation, asking if he was rookie of the year, how they wish they get on his team.
"Back, you blood suckers," Ino shouted as she pushed them away.
"Thanks Ino," he said as she sat down.
"No problem," she replied. They had been friends since he started helping her back in the second year. "Let me guess, you are?"
"Yeah."
"So, any thoughts on who you want as your team?"
"Hmm. No one really came in dead last beside Shikamaru so I think I will be stuck with him unless your parents, as well as the Nara and Akimichi pull a few strings. I won't be with Sasuke." He shivered at this thought. "I hope it isn't Sakura."
"She isn't that bad," Ino told him.
"Except that she is a pink hair banshee. Honestly, she could make an opera singer grab her ears at times." He held his hands up at her disapproving glare. "Okay, I get it, I'll stop."
"Thank you." They relaxed, ignoring the glares from the fan-girls, until the others were finished.
"Maybe I'll get Remi." He looked over across the room at the trench coat wearing boy with red eyes. He was a Yuuhi Remi, the little brother of Yuuhi Kurenai. He made high marks on taijutsu and accuracy. The odd part is that he used playing cards for distance weapons. The boy was currently rolling a coin along his knuckles before flipping it into the air, catching it, and calling the side that landed up.
"Everyone, I am proud to say that each of you graduated," Iruka said after he came out with the last student. "Mizuki, would you like to announce that Rookie of the Year?"
"I would," the silver haired ninja told him. "This year's rookie of the year is...Uzumaki Naruto." Two things were heard after he said that. Naruto's fangirls cheered while Sasuke's, Sasuke himself, and Naruto groaned. Naruto was glad he got it. But announcing it like that... Nothing but a headache.
"Looks like I won the bet," Naruto told Sasuke who only responded with a growl.
"Now, I will announce in three days your team, use this time to relax some as well as get a good picture for your profile."
"Hai, sensei," they all said before leaving. Save Naruto...who stopped Sasuke.
"Wait."
"My mother is waiting outside," Sasuke told him.
"Just wait... We are going to make one hell of an exit. Plus, I feel a killer intent waiting for us, outside. Several predators are there, trying to ambush us."
"Fan-girls," Sasuke said in understanding. "Well, what is the exit?"
He growled down at Tora who stretched and got up. "The window." He opened it and paced away from it. He called Tora down to him and got on.
"I am not going out like that," Sasuke told him.
Naruto reached into his pocket and took out a small bag. "That is too bad," he stated.
"...I don't think they are coming out," Sakura shouted in the hall. Several running foot steps were heard.
"But, in the end, better you than me." With a snap of his fingers, he lit the fuse. "A toy I made for pranking." He tossed it behind him and kicked Tora's flanks. The door behind them was thrown open and over a dozen fan-girls stood there.
Iruka had a terrified look on his face. "Sasuke, get on Tora!"
There was a bright flash and a loud bang as the pouch exploded. Naruto and Tora raced forward in the light, grabbing Sasuke as they did, and jumping out the window. It must have been quite a sight, a brilliant bright flash and then a tiger with two genin riding atop it falling from the sky. One the unconscious fan-girls back in the room would never see...or anything else for the next few minutes. Tora landed on all four, using his tail to guide himself to a spot clear of people. Naruto clucked his tongue and let go of Sasuke. "All off the Tora express."
He got off and walked over to his mom, who was shaking her head. "You had to make a scene?"
"I did," Naruto replied. "Told you I would take it all, mom."
"That you did," she said, rubbing his wild mane. She then scratched Tora's mane, "I still can't believe I didn't want a dear like you to watch over my son."
"Mom, I watch over him, not the other way around." Both Kushina and Tora leveled a disbelieving stare on him. "Sometimes."
"Come on, lets go get some dinner." While they were walking, Kushina and Naruto became aware of a square rock following them. "Your otouto is following us."
"Yeah. Tora, someone is following us," he said, slightly louder than needed. "Go sit on that rock and try to find them." The cat growled and headed over.
Konohamaru threw the box off and said, "STOP! Heh, I see you truly deserve your headband if you saw through my disguise." Naruto and Kushina shook their heads like they always did when Sarutobi's grandson started bragging about his 'great' ninja skills. "Hey, don't give me that, you know I am improving!"
"Yeah, you are," Naruto agreed slowly. "But you are still as obvious as a bright orange jumpsuit in the shadows." That made Kushina laugh, though she felt bad for Konohamaru. "How do you know his family again," Naruto asked her.
She tensed before saying, "Your father knew Sarutobi before he died. I was introduced after I became pregnant. Come on Konohamaru, we're heading home for a good meal and you are welcome to join us."
"Cool!" He ran and jumped on Tora's back. "Go! ...Giddiup? Yeagh? Naruto, he's broke."
Naruto dropped his head into his hand. "Please tell me I wasn't like that when I was younger."
"You were worst," Kushina told him. You were trying to figure out how to get me to say you could keep Tora so you just shouted, 'mom, can I keep him'."
Naruto sighed before turning to Tora. "No, you can't eat him, go straight home." He smacked Tora's behind, causing him to run home as fast as he could, and making Konohamaru scream all the way there.
"That was not nice, Naruto," Kushina scolded.
"But it was funny," he countered.
—oo000oo—
Just looking at the moon tonight, he knew that it was one of those nights. "Tora, time to head to work." He opened his window and the two jumped out it. He got on Tora as he ran as they headed for the wall. That was where the feeling was coming from. Reins made of fire spread from his hands to Tora's head. "Let's ride," Naruto said before turning into the Ghostrider. A few ninja saw him run by only as a flaming blur. Soon, they were beyond the wall and racing into the forest to the home of a kunoichi he knew lived out here. As the Ghostrider ran, his mind went over a saying. 'And I heard a voice in the mist of the four beast. And I looked and behold, a pale horse, and his name that sat on him is Death. And hell followed with him."
"I swear, Iruka, come near me or try to prevent me from leaving and I will kill her," Mizuki shouted. He had his fiancée by the back of the neck with one of his giant shuriken at her throat.
"Mizuki, think about what you are doing," Iruka tried to reason. "I am going to guarantee something right here and now, Mizuki. She is coming out of this alive. If I ever think you're about to kill her, I will kill you without a moment's hesitation."
"Iruka, don't," Tsubaki told him. "I... I still love Mizuki. Please don't hurt him."
"A mistake, love," Mizuki told her. "I may have love you before but now, you are just a means to an end."
"Let the girl go," came a voice that chilled all of them to the bone. Looking at where it came from, they saw a figure covered in fire, riding a giant cat that was also on fire. He growled as he stepped off the burning cat. "There are two things I hate more than anything else, a person that takes love so carelessly and unfaithfully. And witnesses to my work." As he got off, they noticed he had a chain around his chest.
"Naruto," Iruka asked.
"Can't be," Mizuki said. "Even he doesn't give off this kind of killing intent."
The skeleton listened for a moment before laughing. "You couldn't be more wrong, I am not this 'Naruto', I am the Ghostrider! And I hunt this world for souls! Souls like yours, Mizuki."
"What are you going to do to him," Tsubaki demanded, even as Mizuki moved her between him and this new threat.
Naruto was walking forward while the chain ends behind his back came to life and attached themselves to his blade. He grabbed the chain and pulled it off. "What will I do with him? The same thing with all the guilty, send them to hell." The handle had come off and became a weight on one end while the blade became a melee weapon on the other. Naruto pointed his hand at him and said it again. "Let the girl go. Save yourself from her blood at least."
Iruka looked between the demon and Mizuki. A traitor or this evil creature. "Damn! I can't let you have him," Iruka yelled. "He is my problem!"
"...No." Iruka ran up to him and punched him in the jaw. Naruto turned back to him, his jaw hanging by one side. He set it back in place and glared at Iruka. "Don't do that again." He started spinning the weighted end around and threw it. It twisted around Iruka and hit Mizuki's hand, breaking the bones there, making him drop the shuriken. "RUN!" He pushed Iruka out of the way, throwing him several feet, and ran at Mizuki. He flipped his wrist, wrapping the chain end around Mizuki's throat. He pulled, tearing him away from Tsubaki and over to him.
"Please, have mercy..." Mizuki begged as he pulled the chain from his neck.
"Mercy? Isn't that what that girl you killed asked for? Your soul is stained, and it is time to pay for the sins that made it." He grabbed Mizuki by the collar. "Look into my eyes..."
Mizuki and Naruto were both tackled to the ground. Tsubaki then pulled him away from Naruto. "You can't have him, Death or Ghostrider or whatever the hell you are! I love him and refuse to give up on him no matter what!" She stood between Mizuki and Naruto, brandishing a kunai she had hidden in her sleeve the whole time.
Naruto looked from her to him. "You heard what he did. He killed a woman to gain favor with a traitor, and you are willing to forgive that?"
"...What he did is unforgivable... But if I don't at least try, I swear I will follow him into death!"
"You are dumb, girl. You would be willing to go to hell for him!? He is not worthy of your affections. He is willing to betray his home, his friends, and his love for power. He should be killed in the most painful way possible. By turning all he had done against him. Every sin until his soul has been burnt from his body." He pointed the blade end at Mizuki, ready to use his chakra to stab him with it.
"You may work for the devil," Iruka said as he got back up. "It sounds like you do, either him or Kami. But no man is not redeemable."
Naruto looked at each of them in turn. He saw all of the things they had done wrong in their lives. While Mizuki was the worst, he knew that they all had done things no one would want to. But he also felt that they had been forgiven for those. "Be that as it may, until his name is removed from my list, I must hunt him. But I am just a flaming bastard, not a heartless one. You may have..." He pulled a watch out of his coat pocket and looked at it. "Five minutes before I kill him. Say your goodbyes."
As one the gulped and faced Mizuki. Behind him was the cat, waiting for them to move. "If he isn't Naruto, he is so damn close it isn't funny," Iruka said. "What can we do?"
"We are looking at an agent of the devil and you think there is something we can do," Mizuki asked. He was not a religious man, having seen things even before he ever met Orochimaru that made him stop believing. "The only thing there is to do is say our goodbyes like he said and you two leave before he decides to kill you as well."
"Honorable of you," Tsubaki said, looking at Naruto. "But I am not leaving you, not now."
Mizuki looked at the kunai in her hand and said, "You could have gotten free whenever you wanted. Why didn't you?"
Tsubaki knelt by him, wrapped her arms around his shoulder, and rested her head on his shoulder. "I told you, I love you Mizuki. And nothing you do or did is going to change that." His eyes widened when he realized she was crying for him. "I can't live without you now and it is unfair that I am going to have to."
"...Despite this, you are my friend," Iruka told him. "I can't hate you. Sad, I know that is Naruto. He must have been waiting for that one thing that would tip the scale. Four years and he never once made a move against you. You steal a scroll, and because of that, make some threats to get free and now, you are evil enough to be judged guilty."
Mizuki heard them and lowered his head. "If we get out of this, I swear I will change. I'm...sorry. I've can't ever even begin to make up for it but I am sorry." They remained silent, there was nothing else to say.
Naruto snapped the watch shut. "Time is up, have you said your farewells?"
"I have, Naruto," Mizuki told him. "I know you won't already but don't hurt them. They had nothing to do with my betrayal."
"They will remain unharmed. May Kami have mercy on your soul because I won't." Naruto grabbed his collar and lifted him up until their faces were inches away from each other.
"That won't be necessary," a girl said behind them. They all spun around to see a girl around eleven with blue hair in two buns, pointed ears, a Chinese dress as blue as her hair, and a pair of white feathered wings sitting on a branch. "Hello, Rider."
"What is Kami's messenger doing here?"
She smiled at him, "Because, you are only to hunt the evil, the contracts, and the non repentant. Kami may be harsh, but she isn't without mercy. He is willing to try to make up for his crimes so she has cleaned the scale for him."
Tsubaki gaped at the girl. "You... You mean he won't die!?"
"Not tonight," she said with a giggle. "Oh, where are my manners. I am Dota, the messenger of Kami. And I am here to make sure Naruto doesn't do anything truly evil." She looked at Naruto who was 'frowning' at her. "Don't give me that look, they already figured out who you are."
"You didn't need to confirm it."
"Naruto," Iruka said, looking at him, "how did you get like this?"
Slowly, the fires started to go away until the twelve year old ninja once again stood there. "There are some things, Iruka-sensei, that you just can't let be. Mom was taken by the same man that Mizuki works for, Orochimaru, and I was alone and hated. So Mephistopheles offered me the two things I could want most. Mom and to not be hated. I couldn't have cared about the second, I only cared that mom would be free of that bastard."
Dota dropped down, "Which is why Kami is not mad about the deal between them. And Naruto only goes after the evil ones so it all works out in the end. Tora." The cat came over to her and she rubbed his head. "If you would please." He nodded and turned to the three. His eyes glowed red and they all fell to the ground.
"What did you do to them," Naruto asked.
"Kami gave Tora something when he was born, something she knew he would need. He can erase peoples memories."
"...But then, Mizuki won't remember what he did."
"His mind won't, his heart will," she told him. "Tomorrow, he will regret all he had done, Rider. He will regret, and that is the first step to repent." She waved her hand and they vanished to reappeared in their beds. She picked up the forbidden scroll that laid forgotten not far away. "Ahem, I really am sorry, mister ninja. I just heard that the Leaf was the best and I wanted to join."
"...Dota, what are you doing?"
"I am sorry for stealing it, I just thought it was a scroll. Something just important enough to get your attention."
"...Oh. There are better ways to try to become a ninja than to steal from the Hokage tower."
"I know," she said, regretfully. "You're not going to hurt me, are you?"
"If you hand over the scroll now, you won't be. I'll even put in the word for you to start training to become a ninja if you really want to."
"Oh, thank you!" She handed the scroll over to him just as several ANBU and the Hokage landed in the clearing. "Uh... Hiya?"
"Naruto," Sarutobi said to him. "Is what we heard true?" Naruto began to sweat something fierce. "She just stole it to show she was good enough to become a ninja?"
"Yes, sir," Naruto told him, relieved. "Jiji, she calls herself Dota." Naruto leaned the scroll against his leg before he removed his blade from his chain and replaced them on his body. "I swear to you she did not mean to cause trouble."
Inu shook his head before he began to laugh. "An eleven year old, no ninja training with the only thing going for her is two wings snuck unto the Hokage Tower and stole the Scroll of Seals. We really have become too relaxed."
"Hey, I have more going for me than my wings," Dota pouted while stomping her foot.
The Hokage chuckled at the display. "Tora," both the ANBU and the tiger looked at him. "I meant the ninja. Go inform everyone to stand down from battle formations. So young lady, how about you, Naruto, and I go somewhere to talk and have some tea."
"I would love to," she said excitedly.
As a chain came out, wrapped around the scroll, and bound it to his back, Naruto whispered, "How long are you going to stay?"
"As long as you need me," she said with another giggle.
—oo000oo—
It made no sense to Sarutobi. Yeah, she had said she had more than her wings going for her but she had nearly passed the genin test with a perfect. She knew everything. Now, normally, this would shout a spy. But two things, she had yet to show signs of chakra use and that no one in the world would send a spy in that would score as well as she did on purpose. And he found no sign of her anywhere. There was not a ninja village that had a Kekkei Genkai that gave a person workable wings. So where did she learn it? She wasn't from a village nor had she trained at one. "How did you do so well," the Hokage asked her.
Dota giggled, "I cheated. That is what a ninja is supposed to do, right?"
Sarutobi laughed, "Can't argue that point! But the jutsu portion, how did you cheat that?"
"Oh, those are easy. I watched former ninja while I was growing up and eventually learned to draw out my chakra and how to shape it. By copying their moves, I learned several jutsu."
"So you watched and learned."
"I did."
Sarutobi leaned back in his chair and looked at her. Naruto was in the back of the room, having stayed to watch. "...You are too advanced to go to the academy. But not there yet to be a full fledged ninja."
"Maybe an apprenticeship," Naruto offered. "I know the teams were only just being decided. Maybe she should be put on a team and be told to watch the others and learn."
"But that would take time."
"And so will getting through all those damn D rank missions before the team would have been ready for a C rank anyway."
Sarutobi sighed, "You are right..." He grinned wickedly. "I have just the team in mind! Dota, as you were not part of the class that just graduated and have no records nor anyone to vouch for your training, I have no choice to put you as the thirtieth out of thirty to graduate." She groaned. "As such, you will be paired with the Rookie of the Year and the fifteenth out of thirty for a team."
"...Wait a minute," Naruto stated, what the Hokage said taking a moment to register in his tired mind. "I'm Rookie of the Year!"
"Really," Sarutobi asked in false surprise. "I honestly didn't know. Well Naruto, I am trusting you to take care of her." He grinned again, "You have a spare bedroom in your home, right?"
"NO! I pushed my luck with Tora! I remember just how bad that hurt fiasco went! Just imagine me going up to mom, holding Dota, going 'Can I keep her?' No, it will never happen!"
—oo000oo—
"Mom, she has no where else to go," Naruto said to Kushina in the kitchen while Dota sat in the living room. "I know it is the totally wrong situation for this but 'can we keep her'?"
Sarutobi was there with them and he began to laugh. He actually said it. "Is this your idea," Kushina asked.
"Only a little."
"Under dictionary, a lot," Naruto stated.
"Kushina," Sarutobi said, all serious now. "I need you to do this. None of this makes sense, she says she cheated but how did she know how to? I need someone to watch her and I trust you and Naruto to do that. Just to make sure that she isn't a spy. Of course you both will be paid extra as well as given a dividend to cover feeding another mouth."
When Kushina didn't answer, she just looked at the girl, Naruto said, "She would love to. Mom always said she wanted a daughter as well." His mother bopped him upside the head.
"Don't answer for me, Naruto."
"Like you were going to say no," Naruto stated. "We always had a weakness for those that need help."
"You still have no right to answer for me... Even if you are right."
"Of course I am right," Naruto replied. "Dota, can you come here."
The winged girl walked into the kitchen. "Heya, Naruto, what's up?"
"You are staying here," Kushina told her. "Who are your parents and where do they live? I will send them a message and regular updates on how well you are adjusting to being a ninja."
"I don't have any parents," she said sadly.
"Then you will definitely live here," Kushina about shouted. "No way on earth will I leave anyone alone in this world." Naruto almost wanted to say his mother was being hypocritical. He knew what she had done in her life. Not all of it of course, but he knew she had cut down several men and women in her life. Which would lead to a mother, father, son, daughter, and any number of others without a loved one. That really sucked, him knowing things like that.
"...You would really take in a stray like me," Dota asked, surprised. Before she became Kami's messenger, she had been an orphan that no one cared for.
"Of course," Kushina said as she hugged the girl. "No way am I letting someone as cute as you get away." Naruto rolled his eyes and mouthed what she said next. "Kawaii."
Sarutobi looked over at him. "The wings, it has to be the wings."
—oo000oo—
Noon the next day found Naruto doing hand push ups. "One forty five...forty six...forty seven...forty eight...forty nine... One hundred fifty." He leaned his legs forward and pushed off with his arms, landing back on his feet. "Hello Hizashi-san, how is Neji today?"
"He is fine, Naruto," the Jonin said to him. "Just a few more days and you won't need guards anymore."
"Thank Kami for that," he said as he stretched his arms. "Don't get me wrong, some of the ANBU are my friends. But I am tired of always going with someone. And never being told why!"
"Actually, I can tell you that now that you are a genin. But your mom has reserved that right," the Hyuuga said with a smile.
"Damn," Naruto said, dropping his head. "Well, time for lunch. Ja ne."
"Actually, I'm your guard today so I will be joining you." The two walked to Icharuka Ramen and had a 'few' bowls. "By the way, nice work, getting the scroll back so fast. At first, we had thought it was a chunin. A witness said the thief was dressed as one."
"Dota is talented," Naruto replied. "The Hokage gave her the Genin test that night and made her one with this class."
"Wow, impressive. Did he say where she scored?"
"Up at the top," Naruto replied. "But as she had no past grades, she is the last passing."
"So she will most likely be placed with you," Hizashi thought logically.
"Jiji already said so. Ayame-chan, can I have another miso, three chicken, and beef?"
"Coming right up, hero," she said with a smile to him.
"Hero? All I did was bring back the scroll."
"Actually, you have done far more than that," Hizashi told him. "Your mom will explain tonight." He got up and and put enough ryu down for his bowl and all that Naruto had so far.
"Where are you going without me?"
"Without you, Naruto," Hizashi asked, looking away from where he was standing. "Why I see you running straight for the hills right now." He took off after his imaginary Naruto, giving Naruto the day free from prying eyes.
Naruto looked after him amazed, before turning to Teuchi and Ayame. "...Okay, what I miss? Whatever it is, I want to know."
Teuchi laughed, "You always want to know. So I will tell you this, you have a secret that old people like me and some of the younger ones know. Something that makes you very special and has you the thanks of everyone in this village."
Naruto must have looked dumbfounded because Ayame giggled at him. "Now, shouldn't you be enjoying your day off?" She set his bowl on the counter. When all of it finally registered to Naruto, he quickly finished his ramen, thanked them, and ran off with Tora following.
"YES!" He shouted as he reached the wall, jumped from ledge to ledge on the buildings before landing on the walkway. He looked out over the Sea of trees and grinned. There was a thump as Tora landed besides him. Naruto put his nose to the wind and waited for several minutes. The Chunin manning the wall just walked by him, knowing that he was in the mood for hunting something. "THERE!" He jumped off, pulled his chain off, swung it, catching a branch to break his fall, and hit the ground running. Beside him, Tora was running, also excited. They hadn't been able to do this in a long time. After several minutes, they heard a sound that made Naruto's heart race. Clucking. A flock of wild chickens to be precise. Now, anyone that hunted a fox knows that it is a very cunning creature. It hunted only enough to survive and was known to even store leftovers for later. But if there was one thing a fox could not resist, it is chicken blood. When a fox eats one, he will go on to eat all others around. Now, when that fox is almost five feet tall, wielding a slightly large blade, and metal chains he can make come to life, you know it will get a little messy. Especially when a tiger gets involved as well.
—oo000oo—
Author's notes: The idea of the chain able to split off and become others as well as Naruto moving it came from Spawn. While the black and gray tiger is actually my nightsaber on World of Warcraft, yeah I play it. I chose it as a mount because it can also fight. The scythe blade that attaches to the chain is just a reference to the fourth horseman, Death. When it is on, it is just a kunai and chain. It is covered in fire when Naruto uses it. Being the Ghostrider, Naruto also has the Fire affinity along with Wind. Now, I have been giving this some thought as to what it create to combine them and I realized it. Alchemy 101: Super condensed air plus fire equals B.A.B. Big Ass Boom.
I just did this as something to do while I try to figure out what comes next in the next chapters of my stories. I might continue it or give it to someone else.