Chapter 1
Disclaimer alert: Kishimoto Masashi-sensei originally owns the characters. I▓m just here to spice things up for readers like you┘
⌠ Sniff! Why do you have to die?■
┘ a voice of a young boy with red tousled hair and green forest eyes was encountered in a certain room in a village called Konohagakure.
The boy was kneeling; head faced down and covered his face with his pale petite hands. Now, his cries and sobs got louder the moment he took a short glimpse of a boy, about his age, with sunshine hair and sun-kissed skin lying on the cold floor, motionless.
⌠ You lied to me, Naruto! You told me you▓d never leave me! Sniff! Hic┘ You said┘ hic┘ sniff┘ you told me that you▓d be at my side! Hic┘ sniff┘ Why is this happening to you?■ he continued to sob.
⌠ Tch┘ who told you to sob in front of me?■
⌠Na- Naruto?■
⌠Gotcha! You little raccoon face!■
The boy with the sunshine hair stood up, patting his clothes, removing dirt and dust.
⌠ You▓re such a baby when it comes to games, Gaara! But, what you did back there was awfully cute┘ Hah! Next time, I▓ll make you cry even more so that your cheeks will turn red like ripe tomatoes! Ha, ha!■ laughed Naruto while pinching his left whiskered cheek.
⌠ Mm┘ That wasn▓t a joke! I▓ll-I▓ll show that I▓m no baby!■ fought back Gaara, rubbing his eyes with his forearm to remove the tears away.
Naruto did nothing but laugh.
⌠Don▓t worry, Gaara! A promise is a promise! What I said to you is remarkably true so, don▓t worry! Neh?■ replied Naruto, now pinching both sides of his whiskered cheeks.
⌠ N!■ nodded Gaara with a smile on his face.
⌠ Gaara-sama! It▓s almost dark! It▓s time for us to go home!■ a voice surfaced from downstairs.
⌠ H- Hai, Yashamaru! Anou┘ I think I have to go now┘■ Gaara said with his face down, revealing how crestfallen he is. Naruto saw how sad he is so, he placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling.
⌠ Don▓t worry, little raccoon face! Yashamaru-san▓s still gonna visit here together with you and we▓ll have all the time spending with each other.■
⌠ Really?■ brightened the sad Gaara.
⌠ Really, really!■ smiled Naruto.
⌠ Okay! I▓ll make sure we can visit here tomorrow noontime so, that we could play earlier!■ smiled Gaara while waving goodbye to Naruto.
⌠ Well, see you tomorrow then!■ Naruto exclaimed.
⌠ Yashamaru? Can we visit Naruto▓s home tomorrow at noontime? We promised to play earlier so that we could spend more time with each other!■ the red hair asked his uncle with a brightened up face while walking towards a little shack.
⌠ Of course you can, Gaara-sama. But, I can▓t go there during noontime cause I▓ve got things to buy for us┘ um┘ is it okay for you to go on ahead of me?■ Yashamaru smiled to his little nephew.
⌠ Really? You mean it?■ Gaara exclaimed in a very pleased voice.
⌠ Uh-huh! Just be careful on your way to his apartment.■ added Yashamaru.
⌠ Sugoi yo! This is the happiest moment of my life! Arigatou, Yashamaru!■ Gaara smiled intensely to him while entering their house.
As Gaara entered the main door, Yashamaru▓s face bent to a serious one and revealing a scornful look.
Since Gaara-sama arrived in this village three years ago and suddenly met this boy Naruto, he can▓t stop seeing him┘I must destroy this stupid bond they▓re creating┘ plus, that blonde freak kid has the nerve to poison Gaara-sama▓s mind. Oh, Gaara-sama┘ you▓ll see the last of this Uzumaki Naruto┘
And with those thoughts, he finally decided to go in the house.
Few hours had past┘
⌠ Gaara-sama┘ what▓s wrong? Something bothering you?■
Yashamaru entered Gaara▓s room holding a glass of milk.
⌠ Ah, Yashamaru┘ I▓m just wondering that if I could stay in this village awhile longer┘■ Gaara thought.
CRASH!
⌠ Uh┘ Yashamaru? What▓s the matter? Did I say something awful?■ questioned the younger nin while looking at him in a concerned way.
This can▓t be! This can▓t be happening! Gaara-sama┘ why are you doing this?
⌠ Oh, gomen neh┘ my hands were shaky┘ don▓t worry! I can clean this up┘ uh┘ did you mention about staying awhile longer in Konohagakure?■ smiled his uncle while picking up the broken glasses. ⌠ Why is that, Gaara-sama?■
⌠ Because, It feels like I▓m wanted here┘ especially when I▓m around with Naruto. He especially makes me smile everyday since I came here┘■ said the red hair, looking at a window.
⌠ Gaara-sama┘■
⌠ Hai, Yashamaru?■
⌠ What about me, Gaara-sama? Am I not like Naruto-kun?■
⌠ Heh, Yashamaru is a family and Naruto is a close friend┘■ Gaara exclaimed in an innocent voice.
Gaara-sama┘ why are you doing this? Why? Why? WHY?
⌠ Gaara-sama┘■ said the older nin in a low voice.
⌠ Doshita, Yashamaru?■ replied Gaara, innocently.
Yashamaru suddenly knelt down in front of Gaara in a very sad expression. Gaara wondered.
⌠ Gaara-sama┘ we can▓t stay here. We belong in our village. Your father needs you and your other two siblings. Please understand, Gaara-sama┘■
⌠ No! I- I don▓t want to go back! N- Naruto needs me here! I can▓t leave him here!■ exclaimed the sand master, revealing his stunned watery green forest eyes.
⌠ Gaara-sama┘■ exclaimed Yashamaru while holding Gaara▓s shoulders. ⌠ I know how you feel. Being unwanted in your own village is something unbearable. But, remember this, Gaara-sama, that Yashamaru will always be at your side┘ no matter what┘ even though you▓re unwanted, I▓ll be always there by your side.■ he added, now embracing his little nephew tightly.
⌠ Yashamaru┘ ⌠ Gaara said in a stunned voice.
⌠ Please, Gaara-sama┘ please┘■ pleaded his uncle.
⌠ Yashamaru, please don▓t be sad.■ Gaara whispered, embracing back Yashamaru.
⌠ Does that mean you▓ll come back in our village?■ asked the older nin to his nephew.
Gaara didn▓t answer his question instead giving him a saddened face, then looked away from his uncle▓s eyes.
⌠ Gomen, Yashamaru┘ Gomen for hurting you.■ All was Gaara▓s reply.
⌠ Gaara-sama┘■
⌠ Onegai, I want to be alone┘■
Yashamaru didn▓t have any choice but to leave Gaara in his room who▓s now sulking.
Gaara-sama┘ no┘Gaara! You can▓t do this to me! It▓s- It▓s that Naruto▓s fault! If Gaara hadn▓t found that pestering kid few years ago, he wouldn▓t be like this! It▓s your entire fault, Uzumaki Naruto! You▓ll pay for taking away my Gaara-sama! -- Late that night┘
⌠ Gaara-sama┘ I▓m going out for awhile┘ if you need something in the kitchen, it▓s in the fridge.■ whispered Yashamaru on his nephew▓s door enough for Gaara to hear him.
⌠ Hai┘■ exclaimed Gaara in a faint voice.
I▓ll do everything just for Gaara-sama┘ I must make him go back to our village┘ to the place where he truly belongs! Together with me, my sweet Gaara-sama┘no one but me┘no one else but me!
-
⌠ ARGH! Making a list is tiresome!■
Uzumaki Naruto is now sitting on his bedroom floor crumpling pieces of papers.
⌠ Sheesh! If I▓m gonna make this stupid list for tomorrow, Gaara will lead to boredom! No doubt! Argh! Scratch that idea!■ the blonde boy exclaimed in a very irritated tone.
⌠ Huh? It▓s getting late┘ I better sleep or Gaara cries again. That cute little raccoon boy┘ always cry when I joke around.■ sneered Naruto. ⌠ ┘that cute little┘ yawn┘ raccoon faced boy┘ that Gaara┘■ he added with a small giggle.
But before he could cuddle his favorite pillow and snuggle on his soft bed, he heard a knock on his apartment door. Upon hearing this unexpected event, he started wondering.
⌠ Now, who could that be at this time of hour?■
He went down his apartment stairs hastily that he almost stumbled down. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see Yashamaru looking serious.
⌠ Yashamaru-san, it▓s awfully late. Did you forget something?■ questioned the younger nin.
⌠ Well, Naruto-kun┘ I do have something that I forget┘■
Before Naruto could wonder, a punch was shot at the younger nin▓s face and blew him away in a very strong force. Naruto groaned in pain, touching his now aching chin gently.
⌠ How dare you stole Gaara-sama away from me, you son of a-⌠
⌠ Yashamaru-san! What▓s the meaning of this? What have I done?■
⌠ Don▓t play dumb with me! It▓s your entire fault! It▓s you who▓s to blame!■ said the angered Yashamaru while striking a hard blow on his stomach. ⌠ And now, Gaara-sama decided not to go back in our precious village! It▓s you who▓s to blame! YOU!■ added the older nin striking him another punch on Naruto▓s whiskered cheek.
⌠ Argh! Yashamaru-san┘■ said Naruto in a gentle weak voice.
⌠ I▓m sorry, but you won▓t be seeing Gaara-sama tomorrow┘ because your precious life will tragically ends here┘ right now!■ exclaimed the suna nin to the poor stiffened Naruto while slipping a sharp kunai from his side pocket. ⌠ Say you▓re little prayers, Uzumaki Naruto!■
Yashamaru raised his right hand, ready to strike at the sunshine haired boy in front of him. Naruto looked at Yashamaru in a very shaken expression, thinking of what to do┘ thinking of what will happen to him┘ thinking that this▓ll be the end of him and his treasured dream of becoming a great ninja in the near future┘ thinking of not seeing his very close friend Gaara, the only person who made him feel wanted and loved┘
┘ no┘ no┘ NO! I won▓t lose to someone like him! To become a great ninja is to fight! Not fight for yourself but to fight for everything! I won▓t let him kill me! I won▓t let him take my dreams and ambitions away! I won▓t let him!
⌠ AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!■
⌠ What- What is this- this great chakra?!■
⌠ I WON▓T LET YOU!■
What▓s happening to my body? Why does it feel so hot? So┘ hot┘! It feels like I▓m stronger than before? What▓s happened?
⌠ AAAAAHHHHH! YOU TRY ME NOW, YASHAMARU-SAN!■ challenged Naruto to his opponent revealing his eyes that, apparently, changed to scarlet red with thin slits at the center and his whisker-like lines on his cheeks multiplied massively in its place.
Yashamaru perspired for some unexplainable reasons. Maybe, is it because of Naruto▓s horrifying form he just saw? Or the strong energy that he just emitted? No one really knew.
⌠ Tch! I think this▓ll be fun┘ who would of think that you, Uzumaki Naruto, will fight a full-pledge shinobi such as I┘ let▓s just see who▓s going to win this fight┘■ smirked Yashamaru in a malicious state.
Naruto is now formulating invisible questions in his head┘ wondering why Yashamaru▓s attacking him┘ why Yashamaru▓s telling him it▓s all his fault┘
⌠ DIE, UZUMAKI NARUTO!■
-
Hokage-sama▓s office┘
⌠ Sir, it▓s an honor to come into your office. You asked for my presence?■ a man with dark hair tied up like a bundled bush and a horizontal scar on his nose exclaimed to an old man wearing a white ceremonial robe that seemed to look like the head of the village.
⌠ Iruka. Good evening to you┘ I▓m so sorry for the sudden summon at this time at night.■ apologized the old man.
⌠ No worries, Hokage-sama.■ answered Iruka with great respect. ⌠ Anything that you wish to ask from me, Hokage-sama? I can tell it▓s something important.■ he added.
⌠ Ah, yes┘ Iruka, I know you▓ve known this certain person┘ which the fourth Hokage managed to sealed up the demon fox in. The only son of the fourth Hokage┘ the jinchuuriki┘■ stated the Hokage calmly.
⌠ The jinchuuriki┘ you mean, that blonde boy named Uzumaki Naruto? Yes, I do know him┘■ answered Iruka revealing a very serious expression.
⌠ Ha, ha! Iruka, you▓re giving me that face again. I know how it hurts. I know you▓re blaming that damned nine-tailed kitsune for killing your parents but you can▓t blame the kid. The fourth Hokage did everything to save the village from this devastating monster that▓s why he sacrificed his own child. Demo, don▓t blame the child for he is innocent. It▓s not his fault.■ smiled the third Hokage.
⌠ Hokage-sama┘■ replied Iruka in a crestfallen tone.
⌠ Now, what I need you to do is to take care of this Uzumaki Naruto. I▓m giving this as a mission and a friendly favor┘ for the sake of the fourth Hokage.■ smiled the Hokage to Iruka, intently.
⌠ For the sake of others, I▓ll do it. When will I start, Hokage-sama?■
⌠ Right now, Iruka-sensei┘■
⌠ As you wish, Hokage-sama┘■
⌠ He▓s actually living near that mahogany tree over there, Iruka-sansei.■ said the third Hokage to the young shinobi while pointing his clammy finger to where the tree can be found.
⌠ Right away, Hokage-sama┘■
-
Hokage-sama▓s right┘it▓s not that kid▓s fault but that damned monster in him┘ Oh, mother┘ father┘ please help me not to do something stupid when I▓m on this mission┘ I might avenge your death by killing that Naruto┘ oh, I just pray that everything▓s gonna be alright┘Help me┘ Guide me┘
⌠ AAAAHHH! FIRE! HELP! THERE▓S FIRE!■
⌠ Wha-⌠
Iruka was just meters away from Naruto▓s apartment building when he heard a female screamed of fire.
⌠ AND THERE▓S A BOY INSIDE! WE MUST LET HIM OUT!■ added the lady.
⌠ A boy┘ what!■
The teacher now saw a big patch of dark smoke just above and realized that the fire is near a Mahogany tree.
⌠ I- I know that┘ NARUTO! NARUTO!■ cried Iruka, now running towards the apartment▓s destroyed opening.
But before he could enter the flaring lair, he saw a man, about the same age as his, stood at the top of one of the houses, staring down at the now almost burned building with eyes of an assassin▓s. But, before he could identify the person's face, he saw a symbol. A symbol so familiar even a konoha-nin dummy could identify.
"That-That guy! He's from... Sunagakure..."
"Oh... a teacher? A Jounin? Haha... That's a very wonderful sight... Hey you! Are you here to save that annoying fag in that flairing hell pit?" called out the unknown suna-nin.
"What have you done to Naruto? Where is he?"
"Probably you won't see him alive with those arising flames by now." Yashamaru idly said in a sarcastic like tone.