Updated: 10/10/2015 ((I didn't actually have to change that much. Just a few more details and some spelling errors.))

Hey everyone, and welcome to my very first story! I have been trying to get a story out there for a long time and finally started writing one that I think is gonna be pretty fun and enjoyable. So what are we waiting for? Let's get this show on the road! Sorry about the formatting issues.

"Talking"
"Bijuu
"Talking"
'Thinking'
'Bijuu Thinking'
"Writing"

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Trust me. Neither of us would want that.

Naruto: The Jinchuuriki Mercenary

Chapter 1: A Surprise Birthday Revelation

October 9th, Hokage's Office

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime Hokage, stood by the large window in his office as he took a break before he started to defeat the ever growing mountain of paperwork upon his desk. He stared out his window across the village of Konohagakure. He could see the village had been decorated for the upcoming festivities. The elderly village leader brought his favorite pipe to his lips and inhaled deeply, letting the smoke fill his lungs as he thought about the fateful and tragic night that they were commemorating.

'Five years. Five years since that terrible day.'

That was when the great demon known as the Kyuubi no Kitsune attacked the village, bringing chaos and death in its wake. The great beast destroyed a large section of the city in a tragedy unlike the village had ever experienced before. Many lost their lives, including his own wife. In order to stop the beast and save the village, the Yondaime had to make two of the greatest sacrifices. Not only did he sacrifice his own life to defeat the beast, but he was forced to seal the demon into a newborn baby.

'Sometimes I wish you had let that beast run loose Minato. It certainly would have spared him so much pain.' The Hokage thought to himself with a heavy hearted sigh as he wondered where the child was at this very moment.

The boy in question was one Uzumaki Naruto. By all outward appearances he was just a normal 4, almost 5 year old boy. He seemed to have a smile on his face nearly 24/7 and he played many pranks on people. However, behind closed doors it was a very different story, especially around his birthday. For where most children would have a celebration with their friends and loved ones around, his were filled with loneliness and heartache. It was only last year on his 4th birthday that he was ejected from the orphanage he had called home his whole life. The Hokage quickly found him a place where he could live on his own, with constant supervision of course, he was still only a child. Naruto was sitting in his minuscule apartment talking to one of his caretakers, and one of the few people he trusted in the entire world. Sitting in his kitchen was a tall man dressed in the standard ANBU uniform with a red mark on his left arm to signify that he was Captain Status. On his face was a white mask in the shape of a dog

"Say, Inu-nii, is there any chance that I could spend my birthday with you?"

Hatake Kakashi smiled sadly underneath his mask. He loved Naruto like a little brother. He'd tried so hard to adopt the boy when he was a baby, but as the boy was an orphan with no known parents, Naruto's guardianship was controlled by the civilian council, who time and again denied him from adopting the young blonde. So the young ANBU captain had to settle for being his protector and older brother figure.

"I'm sorry Otouto. But that's not up to me."

Naruto stared at his older brother with a confused look. "Why not? Do you live with someone who doesn't like company?"

Kakashi chuckled at the young boy's innocence.

"No Naruto. It's because I'm part of the ANBU and our identities are supposed to stay secret."

The ANBU suddenly felt his young friend's arms wrap around his waist as he looked down into Naruto's cerulean eyes. Kakashi's heart sank as he could see the tears welling up in Naruto's eyes.

"Please don't leave me alone Inu-nii. I'm scared of what they're going to do to me."

Kakashi knelt and hugged him tightly as he cried into his shoulder.

"Naruto, I'm not going to leave you alone. Don't worry, I've got someone to watch over you tomorrow. He's one of our best new recruits. I promise he'll keep you safe."

"Why do they hate me so much Aniki? What did I do to make them so angry at me?"

Kakashi felt his own tears starting to form beneath his mask. It was insane that the village that his sensei and the woman he saw like a mother both loved so much that he gave their lives for how the village would treat his surrogate little brother so cruelly. He sometimes wondered who the real monster was in the world, the Kyuubi or the villagers.

"Naruto, you've done nothing wrong. You are a great kid and my otouto. There is nothing wrong with you. Say, you know what? I think you might be able to stay with me tomorrow night."

"Really?" Naruto's eyes lit up and his face filled with joy. Kakashi smiled under his mask.

"Really. We just need to tell Hokage-sama about it first, okay?"

Naruto jumped to his feet and smiled a genuine smile at the prospect of staying with his surrogate big brother during the most dangerous, at least for him, time of the year.

"Alright! Let's go! Can I piggy back with you this time? The lady at the front desk always gives me mean looks."

Kakashi chuckled. About 3 months ago they'd devised a system of letting Naruto travel without having people glare at him all the time. Kakashi would cast a genjutsu over the boy and give him a piggy back ride. The genjustu would give the illusion to all who saw the silver haired ANBU Captain, that he was merely wearing a supply backpack, a normal sight in a village full of ninja coming and going from missions out of the village.

"Sure thing Naruto." Kakashi did several hand signs and picked up Naruto onto his back as he headed out the window and towards the Hokage Tower. Naruto held on tightly as his older brother headed at high speeds toward the office of the man he considered a grandfather.

Kakashi made his way to the Hokage's office where he was stopped by the secretary.

"I'm sorry the Hokage's not in right now. There was a council meeting he had to attend."

"That's fine. I'll just wait inside."

Kakashi didn't wait for her to respond as he went inside and set Naruto down on the couch in Hiruzen's office as he dispelled the genjutsu. Naurto smiled as he sat on the couch.

"I'm really excited! I can't believe that I'm going to be spending my birthday with you, Inu-nii! It's going to be great!" Kakashi couldn't help but chuckle, he had to admit, he was kind of excited too. He'd never really been invited to anyone's birthday growing up and he and his father always celebrated his with a special trip out of the village. So this would be a first for the both of them.

"Yeah, but remember Naruto, the Hokage has to give you permission to stay with me first. Who knows, he might have something planned for your birthday and wants to keep it a surprise."

Kakashi raised a brow as Naruto's eyes filled with excitement as he started to wander around the office with a determined look on his face.

"What are you doing Naruto?"

"I'm looking for my birthday present! Like you said, Jiji might have something planned for my birthday and he probably hid the present in his office foe safe keeping! I'm sure if it!"

The silver haired ANBU snickered at his little brother's innocence. "Well, I think he has a secret safe behind one of the Kage portraits."

Naruto's eyes lit up as he pulled one of the chairs over and stood on it so he could reach the portrait of the Yondaime. When he tried to pull it off the wall, he cut his finger on one the sides of the frame.

"Otouto, I was just kidding. Hokage-sama doesn't really have-"

He was cut off as Naruto's blood activated a hidden seal on the portrait. The picture began to glow and dozens of kanji and seals appeared before the picture swung open to reveal a secret indent in the wall that held two scrolls. Both of them bore the same name on the seal. "For Naruto"

"I told you he had my present around here nii-san!"

"Naruto I don't think that's -"

The young boy was so excited he grabbed one of them and opened it and began to read it aloud. However it shortly became clear to both Naruto and Kakashi that Naruto wasn't meant to find these scrolls, at least not yet. The first scroll read:

"Dear Naruto,

If you're reading this either one of two things has happened. Either you have reached the rank of Jounin as planned, in which case congratulations! Or, and let's be honest given me and Kushi-chan's history is the more likely, you were just messing around in the office and happened to activate the blood seal on my picture. But that isn't important now. What is important is you, Naruto. I wish I could have been there for you and taught you all of this myself, but unfortunately life can be cruel to us. Sometimes we have to make decisions that hurt us and those we love most. I had to make that decision tonight and I forced this fate on you. Given how most people in your situation are treated, I pray that the old man will keep what has happened a secret. However, I don't feel like he will. I'm so sorry, Naruto. I'm sorry for everything that, through my actions, has happened to you. But despite all the pain and heartache, please know that your mother and I love you with all of our hearts. Inside this scroll are sealed the tools and knowledge on how to learn and master two of my own original jutsu, the Rasengan and the Hiraishin, as well as my signature taijutsu style, Hummingbird Style. Be strong for us Naruto, and become the great man we know you were born to be.

Love Your Father,
Namikaze Minato, Yondaime Hokage"

The young jinchuuriki's eyes were full of tears as he read his father's words. He looked at Kakashi and managed to say in between sniffs and tears.

"Why didn't anyone tell me about this Inu-nii? And what was he talking about? What did he do that Jiji was supposed to keep a secret?"

Kakashi was in shock from hearing that his little brother was in fact his sensei's son. However his heart sank as he heard Naruto's question. He didn't have the heart to tell him, so he said the only thing he could.

"Naruto… I think you may want to read the other scroll first. It may have the answers you want."

Naruto wiped the tears from his eyes as he opened the scroll with shaky hands and began to read.

"To my sweet boy,

I love you so much Naruto. Words cannot describe how much it hurts not to hold you in my arms and shower you with all the love you deserve and that I know deep in my heart that you have not gotten. I know that you had to carry my burden because I was too weak to hold it when it mattered most. I'm sure Minato-kun didn't introduce himself to you properly, so I might as well. My name is Kushina Namikaze-Uzumaki, and as you may have guessed, I am your mother. Now I have the unfortunate task of telling you what is going to be painful but has to be told to you.

You are a jinchuuriki, Naruto. Today on the day of your birth, a day that was supposed to be the happiest in our lives, the Kyuubi was released from its prison and wreaked havoc on our village. Minato-kun is now preparing to do something that unfortunately has caused you the pain you have experienced your whole life. In order to save the village, your father sealed the Kyuubi into you. No, this does not mean you are the Kyuubi. You are merely its jailer. As for why he couldn't seal it back into its old prison. The answer is simple. I'm dying. Yes, I was the Kyuubi's previous jinchuuriki. It is a burden that was passed onto me and now, has been thrust upon you. Fortunately for me, my status as a jinchuuriki was kept a secret from everyone and I was able to live a normal life.

You on the other hand, I fear may not be so lucky. Perhaps Oji-san's intentions were good. But if he did let the knowledge of your jinchuuriki status known, then your life has been filled with unnecessary pain and hatred. I can't even begin to make up for all of this. But I hope that one day you can forgive us. However there is only one thing I ask you to do. Grow strong Naruto. Train hard, grow strong and leave. Leave and find the love you truly deserve. However, this is still your home as much as it is mine and your father's. So I ask you not to hold any ill will towards toward those who are too stupid to realize the difference between a sword and the scroll it's sealed in.

I've sealed inside this scroll my sword, Arekuruu Uzu no Ha, and the katas to learn the style that made me famous to my enemies as Konoha's Red Death. It is a difficult style to master on your own. So seek out a master swordsman on your journey to help you learn. Show them my sword and they'll know you're my son. I also sealed in the scroll the key to the Namikaze-Uzumaki vault in our clan compound. Take your inheritance with you. I'm sure Minato-kun gave you his signature techniques as well. So find either Minato's sensei Jaraiya of the Sannin, and please do your mother a favor, make his life hell for me. Be sure to call him Ero-Sennin and kick his ass for peeping on me in the hot springs. Or your father's student Hatake Kakashi. Kakashi will be easier to find. Show either of them this scroll and they will help you in your mission. They owe you at least that much.

Go my dear Naruto. Become stronger that either of your parents and always remember, no matter what happens, we love you and are proud to call you our son.

Your Mother,

Namikaze-Uzumaki Kushina, Konoha's Red-Hot Habanero"

As Naruto set the scroll down, the damn holding his tears in broke as he began to sob. Kakashi went to his little brother and hugged him as he cried. After several long minutes Naruto looked up at the ANBU he'd come to call brother.

"Inu-nii… Will you please help me look for my father's student Kakashi? I want to make my parents proud."

Kakashi smiled sadly. "That won't be necessary Naruto." Naruto got angry at that.

"Why not?! Didn't you hear what my kaa-san wanted? I need to find him!"

"Naruto calm down. You don't need to go looking for Kakashi." The silver haired man removed his ANBU mask to reveal his face. Or at least what wasn't covered by his other mask. He gave Naruto his patented eye smile.

"Because I'm right here, Otouto."

Well everyone, there it is. What will Kakashi do? Will he train our young Jinchuuriki? Will Naruto take his mother's advice? Will he leave and become his own man? Find out next time on Naruto, the Jinchuuriki Mercenary!

I put this first chapter out completely on my own. So if anyone likes this so far and would like to Beta Read for the rest of this story and/or other stories I plan on unleashing onto the unsuspecting populace!

So leave a review telling me what you thought. I appreciate any feedback you guys give me. If you really liked this chapter Follow and/or Favorite!

See you all next chapter!

Especially you.

No, not you. The pretty one reading over your shoulder.

((Oh by the way, I got my first Flamer(s) yesterday. *sobs* Oh the mean spirited words, the missing words, the lack of punctuation! Oh it hurt me not at all. Seriously, I'm still gonna keep writing. Your flames do nothing. See you all next chapter!))