Chapter 1-Darkness Descends
The large starship marked with the seals of the Sith Empire hovered in orbit around a planet that its Master had sensed was in the outer rim and needed exploring. The Sith Lord was one of many within the Empire, as his whole ship was filled with an army of Sith Knights, and soldiers ready to die for their Master. He contacted the Sith Emperor about his find, sensing something was happening through the powers of the Force, which required some investigating, and had requested permission to do so.
The Sith Emperor did not respond right away, no doubt checking for himself, as it was custom for the high ranked Sith Masters to lie, and deceive each other for more power. Some had even tried to lie to the Sith Emperor, but those that did had been punished by torture, or death for their actions. The Sith Emperor gave his approval, but on the single condition the find was brought back to the Sith Empire, and before him to examine.
Along with a reminder that failure in any way was punishable by death!
"My Lord, our transport is ready to descend with you, and your recon force," said a Sith Officer saluting the Sith Lord before the man turned to face him.
"Good. Something is down there Captain. I will know what it is and if it has any value to the Sith Empire," said the Sith Lord wearing a dark helmet with crimson lighting streaks painted on it pointing down while his armor was the same with special cortosis gauntlets to prevent Lightsabers from cutting off his hands.
Yes my Lord. We have coordinates to land in a specific area near where you indicated the disturbance you felt, and the pilots have already been instructed to land there," said the Captain seeing the Sith Lord nod his head in approval.
"Good. We have little time Captain. I now sense that whatever power is down there...is in grave danger of being destroyed. We cannot let that happen," said the Sith Lord, as he wanted that power to be used for the Sith Empire, and wasn't about to have it crushed by the local populace.
"Yes my Lord. Your men should have finished boarding and are now awaiting you," said the Captain seeing the robed Sith Lord nod and headed straight for the hangar.
(Planet Surface-Konoha)
Uzumaki Kushina ran quickly with both children in her arms, hurriedly trying to escape the ANBU now in pursuit her, and stop the woman from leaving the village. It had been roughly 7 long years since the Kyuubi attacked Konoha, which the Yondaime Hokage defeated, and sealed into his son Naruto with the boy's Mother Uzumaki Kushina barely surviving.
Though given what was happening, she sometimes wished she had died, and only after stopping her husband from sealing the fox into their only child. After the announcement of Kyuubi being sealed into Naruto, which Kushina had told the Sandaime not to do even before the sealing took place, the Councils with some Clan Heads went into an major uproar, demanding the child be killed, or turned into a mindless weapon to use when they saw fit. Kushina was almost lied to about Naruto dying during the sealing had she not been secretly holding the boy in her arms and they didn't think the child was with her.
Even Jiraiya and Tsunade had abandoned their duties. Each one wishing to embrace their own vices rather then the responsibility of being a Godparent. The look on Jiraiya's face when talking to him with Naruto in her arms was one of loathing and disgust. Like he was actually questioning the parentage of the boy being Minato's son and Tsunade had drunkenly stated she'd want nothing to do with the "baby monster" in Kushina's arms.
It was like they felt with Minato dead, any form of restraint, or honor they had had died with him. That they could do whatever they wanted to dishonor Minato's memory and get away with it like children running rampant without their parents their to keep them all in line.
It was at that point Kushina knew this village had betrayed Minato and herself. At first, the Sandaime appeared to be on their side, providing support when needed once back in office, but recently she learned it was all a lie, and that it was a means to an end in order to gain her trust just before the preverbal knife of betrayal was plunged into her back.
By none other then Kakashi. Minato's own student Hatake Kakashi and on the orders of the Sandaime Hokage himself!
The only real friend Kushina had trusted was the Hyuuga Clan Head's wife, who had a little girl a Month after Naruto was born, and had done their best to raise their children well despite everything. It was only recently after the Hyuuga woman's death, did the redheaded woman suspect fowl play, and was right when overhearing Hyuuga Hiashi speaking with the Sandaime about the woman's death being a blessing with the possible capture of Naruto being closer at hand with Hinata being "reeducated" shortly after being marked with the Cage Bird Seal now that his second child was born.
Kushina knew she couldn't let either Naruto or Hinata for that matter become the twisted pawns in the schemes for a bunch of corrupted old fools with even more corrupted and twisted delusions of grandeur. Not for a village having no qualms in destroying the souls of those they use to make it happen. So Kushina quickly took the children while the fools were scheming, knowing she had one chance to get them away from the Leaf, and find a safe haven for them to grow properly to their full potential before it was too late.
Unfortunately, the kunai that struck her in the back proved that it was too late, but not for the children crying in her arms, and knew there was little time to lose.
"Run children! Hurry!" said Kushina seeing the two were frightened and didn't want to leave her.
"Why Mom?" said Naruto looking around fearfully and seemed to sense evil people were coming.
"No time. Hide. Quickly! Mask your chakra like I taught you," said Kushina knowing she could stall the Leaf Shinobi long enough for the two to escape.
"What about you?" said Hinata, as she was always told to trust Kushina by her Mother, and didn't want to lose such a kind woman.
"I'll be fine. Run sweetie before the bad men get here," said Kushina trying to calm the two, but Naruto always seemed to know when she was lying, and had strong intuitive powers.
"Hurry Hinata-chan. We'll hide over there like Mom wants," said Naruto, as he grabbed the girl's hand, and hid in a hole in a large tree that was barely seeable behind a thick bush that barely allowed them to squeeze through.
Sure enough, within mere minutes of them hiding in their unseen spot a now extremely serious Sandaime Hokage appeared, and his ANBU surrounding Kushina with weapons drawn.
"Where are they Kushina? Tell me now!" said the Sandaime seeing Kushina turn over to face him with a grin on her face.
"Why should you know Hiruzen-teme? Why do you even care? You're just going to turn one into a mindless monster and the other into a submissive mare for political power. To think, you blame my son out of spite for the loss of your wife, and Hinata simply because her Mother wouldn't let you get away with your backdoor deal," said Kushina laughing slightly at the scowling Sandaime Hokage.
"One last chance Kushina. Tell me where they are...or you die!" said the Sandaime before being handed a katana by the ANBU Captain next to him.
"You'll never find them old baka. Those two will never be your pawns. They will rise up against you and make the village pay for its betrayals. Tell me old baka, do you see your wife scowling at you? I bet the Shodaime and Nidaime are. I bet they're looking on from above, calling you a betrayer, and a mistake for the position of Hokage. When I die, I'll be up there with them, laughing at you, and cursing your name on high for every dark deed you do knowing what will befall your soul upon dying," said Kushina seeing the old Sandaime become infuriated and stabbed the woman in the stomach with the blade before twisting it.
"Then I'll make it my personal mission to make sure your son and the Hyuuga girl suffer greatly under my rule before I die," said the Sandaime before motioning for the ANBU to fan out and find the two children while leaving Kushina to die a slow agonizing death.
When everything was all clear, Naruto snuck out while telling Hinata to stay put should anything go wrong, and he be caught by the old man. After not sensing with what little training he had of others around him, despite his own good instincts, Naruto motioned for Hinata to come out, and the two were instantly by the dying woman's side.
"Mom?" said Naruto worriedly, as he saw his Mother smiling at him with blood leaking out of her mouth, and she cupped his face with her hand.
"You have to run. Get far away from here. Take Hinata-chan with you. Look after each other," said Kushina knowing it wouldn't be long now.
"Its not fair. I hate the old man. He use to be so nice to us and now...now he's like them," said Naruto, as he saw his Mother's life fading, and it was bringing so many emotions to the surface.
"I know. Which is why before I leave this world, you make a promise to me, and keep it no matter what. Understand?" said Kushina seeing Naruto nod and surprisingly Hinata did too.
"What's the promise?" said Naruto while slowly feeling the hairs on the back of his head stand on end.
"Promise me you'll kill them. All of them. Burn the village to the ground. Turn it into a crater!" said Kushina with her voice becoming icy, dangerous, and to anyone else would be considered frightening.
Not to Naruto.
"I promise Mom," said Naruto knowing what his Mother told him about her side of the family keeping promises no matter what.
"Me too!" said Hinata being bold for once and got the attention of the two.
"Hinata-chan?" said Naruto with a raised eyebrow while Kushina laughed though it hurt to do so given her injuries.
"A girl after my own heart. It's a shame I'm about to die. I really wanted to live enough to be a Grandmother," said Kushina seeing the two not understand the meaning behind that particular statement.
They would eventually when they got older. She hoped anyway.
"We have to go. I think...they're coming back," said Naruto sensing something and it was not something he would consider in their best interest to stick around for.
"Then go. Quietly. I'll use what little of my life I have left to keep them away from you," said Kushina before kissing them both on their forehead and watched them run off.
"Hokage-sama! They were just here," said the ANBU Captain, who Kushina knew was really Kakashi, and the redhead scowled at the traitor of her husband's memory.
"So the other traitor speaks. Rin must be rolling over in her grave for what you're doing. Not surprising since she chose to side with me about Naruto and you killed her on the Hokage's orders," said Kushina seeing the masked man glaring even if she couldn't see the actual glare.
"She defied the will of the Hokage just as you did. The only reason I didn't kill you was out of respect for Minato-sensei," said Kakashi seeing Kushina now smile a hollow smile like his words were a big joke.
"If you really cared about my husband, then you would be honoring his dying wish, and seen our son as a hero. Instead, here you are hunting him like he was an animal, and then letting the people of the village tear into him like hungry wolves. You disgust me!" said Kushina knowing it was best to keep Kakashi and the Sandaime focused on her.
"That boy lost all right to be Minato-sensei's son when Kyuubi was sealed inside of him," said Kakashi seeing Kushina once more laugh like he just told another joke.
"And what about me. I was the Kyuubi's previous Jinchuriki. So was the Shodaime's own wife. Does that make us monsters too? Or does it make people like you and the old baka next to you the real monsters?" said Kushina before she closed her eyes and let death take her at last knowing that as long as those two wonderful children escaped the clutches of the Leaf village then the vengeance she made them promise to unleash upon the village was secured.
"Track them! Hurry! Once you have them contained, have Inoichi dive into their heads, and alter their memories," said the Sandaime knowing this chase for the two children had gone on long enough.
"Yes Hokage-sama," said Kakashi while keeping Kushina's last words out of his head.
(With Naruto and Hinata)
"We have to keep running Hinata-chan!" said Naruto, as he held onto Hinata's hand, and running through the forest while trying to make sure he doesn't run too fast for the girl.
"I'm trying Naruto-kun. I don't have your energy," said Hinata, as she tried to keep up, and not trip while trying.
"They're this way!" said a Leaf Shinobi moving swiftly to catch up to the two children.
"Oh no," said Naruto looking back and seeing the group of Leaf Shinobi catching up to them.
"They're gaining on us," said Hinata worriedly knowing they'll be caught any second now.
"Stay behind me," said Naruto knowing running and escaping them was impossible at this point.
"I've found them!" said the ANBU chasing the two and was soon joined by several others now having the children surrounded.
"Going somewhere demon brat!" said the second Leaf ANBU glaring behind his mask at Naruto.
"Your bitch of a Mother won't save you this time monster," said the third Leaf ANBU.
"Monster? This boy? Now that's interesting," said a deep and clearly sinister voice now echoing around the group of people.
"Who's there? Identify yourself!" said the first of the Leaf ANBU.
"Someone, who will not let these two fall at the hands of the arrogant, and stupid people of your world," said the armored Sith Lord activating his Lightsaber with the crimson blade casting a demonic light over the area.
"What kind of Shinobi are you? What village are you from?" said the second Leaf ANBU frowning behind his mask at the sight of the Sith Lord.
"Shinobi? You are mistaken. I'm not a Shinobi much less from this world. Not that you will live long enough to know why," said the Sith Lord, as he snapped his fingers, and all around them Lightsabers with crimson blades covered the area in a red glow.
"Oh Kami!" said the third Leaf ANBU realizing his team was currently outnumbered.
"Don't worry Hinata-chan. I'll protect you," said Naruto not knowing if these other people were friend or foe.
"You won't get away with killing us. We have dozens of our comrades out here and they will sense what is going on," said the second Leaf ANBU while the Sith Lord chuckled.
"The powers of the Dark Side masks our presence here. Your fellow Shinobi and your Hokage can no more sense us much less see what is about to befall you," said the Sith Lord having covered the entire area in the Dark Side of the Force and blinding anyone of the events taking place.
"Impossible!" said the first Leaf ANBU Shinobi feeling his fear rise to the top with his voice expressing it clearly when speaking.
"Kill these fools, but bring me the two children," said the Sith Lord while his Knights attacked without mercy and slaughtered the ANBU here.
It was all too surreal for Naruto, as one moment he was crouched down, trying to protect Hinata, and the next a pair of hands are bring them both before a tall imposing figure with his intimidating glowing red blade. It was clear to Naruto and Hinata that showing any kind of disrespect would lead to painful consequences for them.
"Thank you for saving us sir," said Naruto trying to be polite as possible while bowing his head and Hinata doing the same.
The Sith Lord looked down at the two in front of him for a moment, gauging their Force sensitive level of each child, and finding them to surprisingly high. The boy's more then the girl, but the bond between them was clear as if he could see it with his own eyes, and knew removing one would only ruin the other in their development.
"I do not require thanks child. I require soldiers. I require those willing to serve me and the Sith Empire that I serve in return," said the Sith Lord seeing Naruto look back at him with those blue eyes that shined with the Force in them.
"I wish to join you. Both of us!" said Naruto seeing Hinata looking at him in surprise while wondering if this was indeed for the best.
"Are you sure? Once you join the Sith Empire, there is no turning back once you join, and you must serve the Sith Emperor like I do without question. To fail the Sith in any way is to bring about your death," said the Sith Lord looking at the boy.
"I'm not afraid. All I ask is that you let me and Hinata-chan keep our promise we made to my Mother before she died," said Naruto sensing the Sith Lord had raised an eyebrow behind the helmeted head.
How Naruto knew this, the boy couldn't understand yet, and just...knew!
"And what promise would that be child?" said the Sith Lord sensing the boy's anger rise and saw the memory of what just happened recently to the red haired woman laughing at her enemy even in the face of death.
"For us to gain our revenge on the Leaf village. They betrayed my Father. My Mother. They all deserve to die. All of them! I want to one day come back to the village and burn it to the ground along with all the people in it!" said Naruto feeling his blood boiling with rage and felt powerful all of a sudden.
The Sith Lord in front of him, as well as the Sith Knights around Naruto could tell he was strong in the Dark Side of the Force, and with the right amount of nurturing would be a powerful Sith Lord himself one day. Still, the girl next to him seemed more hesitant in the embracement of the Dark Side, but the anger at the people, who wronged her, and the boy was there.
It just needed a little push in the right direction.
"And what of you little girl? The boy has spoken up for you, but I have yet to hear your voice in this matter, and openly speak out in wanting to join the Sith Empire," said the Sith Lord seeing the girl looking up afraid to speak on account of fearing she would upset the man.
But looking over at Naruto, the Hyuuga girl remembered how Kushina had been good to her, and the woman's dying wish to fulfill the promise they made earlier that night now echoing in her mind. Naruto was fully prepared to do anything to reach his goal so why should she? Hadn't she made the same promise? Swore to do whatever it took to get the revenge for the injustice the Leaf committed against them?
Yes. Yes she did.
"I will join. We made a promise and I will do what I must to keep it. I will join the Sith Empire. I too made the same promise as Naruto-kun and I will do what I must to see it kept," said Hinata at last.
"I see. Follow me to my ship. I will take you to the heart of the Sith Empire where your training in the ways of the Dark Side of the Force will begin," said the Sith Lord seeing the two nod without question while he deactivated his Lightsaber along with the others.
"May I ask what your name is sir?" said Naruto wanting to know the Sith Lord's name.
"You may call me Shadocus Cruelty: Dark Lord of the Sith," said Shadocus Cruelty, as he motioned for them to follow, and the two children obeyed.
By the time the Hokage arrived on the scene with his ANBU, all that remained was the pieces of the ANBU there that the Sith Knights had killed, and the cruel cold shiver that crawled up the old man's spine. Kushina's words from earlier that evening echoing now throughout his mind, the woman's cruel smile showing in his mind, and was mocking him for going against her family.
"Do you feel it old man? Do you feel death nipping at your heels? Death will come for you in the form of my son. He'll rip out your soul as if he was the Shinigami himself. This village will burn and no power you possess will save you!" said Kushina in the Hokage's mind and it caused more fear and dread to rise up within the man.
(Dromund Kaas-Kaas City-Days Later)
"So these two children are the ones you sensed through the Force Shadocus? Interesting," said the Sith Emperor looking from his throne at the two children, who were looking at the Sith Empire's Capital with wonder when they came here, and then himself upon their arrival into the throne room.
"Yes my Emperor. They were apparently being chased by Shinobi on their world, which is a form of assassin, and the boy himself is hated for the dark creature sealed inside of him by his Father. Ironically, the act itself was done for noble reasons, and the boy's own Mother tried to save him from a life of abuse while trying to save the girl from a similar life in terms of abuse," said Shadocus seeing the Emperor nod slightly while examining the two children under his gaze.
"You made some sort of deal with them," said the Emperor and saw Shadocus stiffened slightly at his words.
"Yes my Emperor. They wish to fulfill a promise they made to the boy's Mother," said Shadocus sensing the Emperor was curious about the reason behind them joining.
"And what of this promise. What did they promise this woman they would do?" said the Sith Emperor seeing Shadocus look at the two children before gazing back at the leader of the Sith Empire.
"They wish to one day get their revenge on those that wronged them. They promised the woman to crush the village that betrayed them. Ironically, it's the very village, which has betrayed the boy's Mother, and Father for the noble act he performed in saving the village from destruction," said Shadocus seeing the Emperor focusing on the boy and looked back at Naruto to see the blonde wincing before rubbing his head like someone hit him.
"Why stop at the village? This planet is in a region key to our Empire. No one knows of it just yet and that's the way I want it to be for now. Those two will be trained in the Sith Arts at once and when they are ready...they will return to their home planet and crush the people their into submission. Starting with their little village they were born in to further influence their minds to the task," said the Sith Emperor letting his probe of the boy's mind go and saw all he needed to see.
The Kyuubi was more then willing to secretly help Naruto now in exchange for the taste of revenge and having a strong host.
"I will get them instructors and teachers at once my Emperor. I would also like to request that they both be given the proper genetic enhancements when they reach their proper age of their training," said Shadocus now sensing the Emperor's brief surprise.
"Many do not survive them Shadocus. If they did, then our army would have crushed the Republic, and the Jedi years ago. What makes you think either child could handle such a thing?" said the Sith Emperor seeing the kneeling Sith Lord before him pause before he spoke with conviction.
"I do not know if the girl can handle the genetic enhancement program, but the Force tells me there is a strong chance they will survive when at a proper age, and...I sense there is something about the boy that eludes me. Even through the Force, I sense this strange boy is gifted in bending the ways of Fate to his will, and should be explored in possibly using such a power against the Jedi," said Shadocus seeing the Sith Emperor consider his words carefully before nodding slowly in agreement.
"Very well. For now, you are their guardian Shadocus, and everything they do will reflect upon your person along with that of being a Sith. If they do something disgraceful...the blame will be placed squarely on your shoulders," said the Sith Emperor seeing Shadocus nod before rising from his kneeling position.
"Yes my Emperor," said Shadocus before walking out of the throne room wit the two children following while the Sith Emperor sat back and looked into the Dark Side of the Force for guidance.
Seeing into their future, the Sith Emperor smiled, and let out a cruel laughter that echoed throughout the Sith Capital.
'Those two will do great things for the Sith Empire. They will have more then earned their chance at revenge against their primitive planet,' thought the Sith Emperor while he continued to laugh.
The enemies of the Sith wouldn't know what hit them.
(A/N: YAY! Here's something I was inspired to write after seeing the Star Wars: Old Republic trailer on Youtube and thought 'I have to mix this in with Naruto somehow. This will be short so don't worry for those of you, who are waiting for my updates with other fics, and wish me to focus on them. Until next time...PEACE!)