The True Meaning of Teamwork
Hello people out there in fanfiction world! I am the wonderful Kataro-kun!!! Ok, so what if this is my first fanfiction and I have no claim to being wonderful I believe that I am! Any who this is an idea that has been sitting in my head for quite some time and I have a pretty good idea where I want this story to go!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, things from BLEACH and Kingdom Hearts but I do own my car I named Naomi!!!
Warning: If you do not like the idea of a smart Naruto then you should like totally not read this story. Yes he will actually have a brain and not need everyone to explain things to him!!! Oh yeah this fic will contain yaoi because I like it. It might be Naruto it might not you will have to read and see if that offends you then get the hell off this page thanks!
Summary: What if Naruto had decided long ago that acting out was not the best way to get attention, what if Naruto actually had a friend, how would the story change…..for better or for worse?
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To be a shinobi takes a lot of time and dedication. It takes strength, courage, intelligence, and a powerful will to achieve the goals set out before them. It was always said the shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village had these attributes in spades along with true honor and the value of life. It was said that the shinobi of this hidden village were among the most brilliant in the world. It all turned out to be a lie in the end.
5 years ago the nine tailed fox had made its way toward the legendary village and seemed intent on destroying the most notable and notorious of the hidden villages. The Yondaime Hokage who had been widely known as the most powerful shinobi of his time had rode out to face the great beast himself. That battle would forever burn into the eyes of all who bore witness to the sight of the great Kyuubi no Kitsune being defeated and the young Hokage falling to the earth dead.
Then it was revealed during the tear soaked memorial that the Fourth had given his life to seal the demon inside of a newborn child in order to save his village from destruction. The proud village where shinobi of high caliber were produced, where shinobi and civilians all valued life had all turned dark and cold. Before them no longer stood an innocent child but now a vessel forever tainted by evil, a reminder of all they had lost, for some the Kyuubi in flesh form. In what seemed to be a unanimous uproar the people began to call for the child's death. They all leered and jeered for an end to what the Fourth had started.
The newly re-instated Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen could only stare in abject horror at the people he had grown to love and care for just as his children. The people he had sworn to protect and always were now calling for the death of another that he had promised to look out for no matter what. It was the dying wish of a man he had grown to respect, a man that had given his life to save the village, and a man that cursed a child to this fate. He knew that he had to stop this before things got to out of hand. Letting loose the power that belied his frail body he shell shocked the crowd into submission. Here was the power that had made him a worthy candidate and successor for the title of Hokage.
The old man knew that he would not be able to arrest anyone for the things said or the hateful glares and intentions. He then made the law that forbid anyone of speaking of the young child's status as the jailer for the Kyuubi, and made it punishable by death to all those who felt the need to do otherwise. It was the only solution he was able to see, to protect the child and give him a chance with those growing up with him and to qualm the people before a riot broke out.
It saddened the aged Hokage to think that the people he had known all his life and grown to respect would do this to a child, a child who about 8 hours ago had become an orphan, a ward of the village. He had thought himself so smart; he had thought he knew those people and how they would react. The one thing he had never took into account was that humans were often fickle in nature and most would see the boy as a scapegoat for the real Kyuubi, especially once they found out that it wasn't dead just jailed inside the little infant.
Sarutobi himself had to go into his office without the aid of most of his ANBU, whom he had sensed a great deal of Killer Intent from aimed at the young boy. He knew that he couldn't adopt the boy, for one since he had no next to kin he had to become a ward of the village and in order for him to be adopted into any shinobi clan it had to be approved through the council and he knew that was a battle he would lose. The best he could do is hope that the boy would be placed in a good orphanage and treated well.
Sarutobi gazed down at the little bundle in his arms and wept. Wept at the fact so many had died, wept for the young Hokage who had died sealing the Kyuubi, and cried for the little baby in his arms. He had no doubt that the babe would have a difficult life; a life of hardship, of trials, of pain.
'Naruto, a strong name you have their little one. I hope you can do it proud.' Sarutobi thought to himself as the young blonde bundle opened sleepy aqua blue eyes at him and put a smile upon his little face.
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Today was one of the most pleasant days that Konoha had ever had. A group of the mothers from the strong shinobi clans and other important families all gathered at the park letting their kids play and get to know each other while the mothers sat and watched. There were several little kids all running around and seemingly getting to know each other pretty well. There was the younger heir to the Uchiha family already with a gathering of girls trailing behind him giggling. The little boy wore a red shirt with his clan symbol on the collar and black shorts with little shinobi sandals. He tried to glare at them the way his brother taught him but it only seemed to make them worse. His mother caught sight of this and could only laugh at him as he started to run with the little girls not too far behind. The kids were all having an exceptional time all except one little boy. He sat in the farthest corner of the park, in the sandbox all by himself. A tiny little thing that looked a bit younger than all the other kids there. He was shorter than all the rest, with striking blonde hair and amazing azure eyes. He wore a white shirt with an orange swirl in the middle and orange shorts with white striped on the side. This little boy had a golden fox plush held in one hand and a bucket and a small shovel in the other. He was looking longingly at the other kids that were playing, and wondered if this time he would be able to join in their fun. Usually when Naruto went to go play with other kids the parents would all take their children away.
But one who had known Naruto for any amount of time knew that he never gave up. He squeezed his plush one good time and went forward towards the other kids. Sasuke was too busy running from the girls chasing him that he didn't see the little blonde boy walking. A grunt and a crash later the two boys were entangled in one another. Sasuke got up and glared at the kid pushing himself up and gathering his things. Naruto got up and shook himself off as he went to pick up Kurama-kun and his toys. He picked up his stuff and looked at the kid that had run into him.
"I'm sorry…." The blonde said as he looked into those black eyes that were glittering in anger. Naruto knew if he wanted to make friends he had to start somewhere and this boy seemed as good as any. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto would you like to be my friend?" he said quickly as the raven continued to look at him, now with a weird expression on his face. Sasuke looked at the boy, this Uzumaki Naruto with a raised brow. Sasuke considered what the boy had just asked and pondered on it. Before he could truly give the little boy time to answer he heard the girls again and pushed him out the way and kept going.
Naruto fell to the ground with a thud and was about to get up when the girls ran and pushed him some more like he was nothing. He picked himself up and went about looking to find his toys that had fell from his grasp when he collided with the dark haired boy from before. He had found his beloved Kurama-kun but was at a loss when it came to his pail and shovel. He was about to call it quits and just go home when a tap on his shoulder had him spinning around and looking into a set of emerald eyes that shone with brilliance much like his own. He backed up a bit a found himself looking at a very cute girl about the same height as him. She had long black hair with streaks of midnight blue hidden in the strands. Her pretty eyes were large and soulful and coupled with her delicate features made her seem ethereal. She wore an elegant but slightly masculine kimono. It fit her though, it was a deep black with white lotus blossoms on it, the front was a bit more open in the front than normal and it was tied with an emerald obi the same color of her eyes. She smiled prettily at him and held out his pail and shovel. Naruto being the brash young boy he was took it and let his thoughts run out his mouth.
"You're really pretty…..uh I meant thanks a lot! My name is Uzumaki Naruto what's yours?" he asked smoothly but on the inside he was shaking, this was his second attempt at trying to make a friend and he didn't know if he could take another rejection. Surprisingly the girl nodded her head enthusiastically before introducing herself and giving Naruto the shock of his life.
"I'm Kasabana Kagetsu!!! It's nice to meet you!' Oh yeah and I am a boy not a girl, don't get it confused or I might have to beat you up!" the boy chirped happily before dragging Naruto towards the sand box and started building a castle. Naruto smiled, at least the guy was up front and honest, though it was still hard to believe he was a guy in the first place. The two little boys quickly became engrossed in their own little game. Naruto was happy that he had made his first real friend!
The two little boys were soon in their own little world oblivious to the other kids and parents that were in the park. Naruto soon forgot about his failed attempt with the first boy he had met and the girls that had trampled over him and subsequently his feelings. Naruto and Kagetsu soon moved from the sandbox, to the swings, and then they began to play ninja. Soon enough the sun was beginning to set and the parents began to take their children home. Naruto looked at Kagetsu who didn't seem to be worrying about going anywhere. Naruto didn't want his new friend to get into trouble and not be able to come play with him later.
"Say, Shadow don't you think you should be going home its getting pretty dark, your parents will probably freak out!" the little blonde said as Kagetsu jumped up and looked at his watch and sighed. "You're right Naru-Naru, but it is my brother who is going to pitch a fit, seeing as how my parents died during the Kyuubi attack. But I should be on my way home, you want me to walk with you?" he asked straightening his clothes. They had already spoken about Naruto and his living alone, so Kagetsu wouldn't bother asking if Naruto had to be in at a certain time. The blonde shook his head no and was picking up his stuff when they heard someone yell.
"KAGETSU-CHAN!!!!!" was the bellowed shout heard throughout the park and the boy in question face drained of all color. He would recognize that voice anywhere, besides being the voice that comforted him when needed it also served as the voice of constant annoyance. Naruto and Kagetsu both turned to see an older boy jumping from the roofs onto the ground in front of them and scooping up Kagetsu in a bone crushing hug.
"Oh Kagetsu-chan I was so worried about you! I had gotten home from my mission early and wasn't able to find you anywhere!!! I had thought someone had taken you away from me!!!" the older boy wailed as he crushed his little brother even more. Eventually Kagetsu managed to escape his brothers Hug of Death and stepped back towards his new friend.
"Naruto this is my older brother Ryu, Ryu this is my best friend….well only friend Uzumaki Naruto!" he said as Ryu immediately swooped down on the helpless little blonde circling him and eyeing him. Naruto was becoming unnerved by the intense looks he was getting from Ryu. It was like he was being inspected for something. Suddenly a bright smile sprouted from the boys face seemingly have made up his mind about something. Before Kagetsu could warn his friend, Naruto was being squeezed to death by the hug Ryu was giving him.
"Thank you so much Whiskers!!! I knew for awhile that Kagetsu-chan was getting lonely with me going on missions and rarely getting home to spend time with him he was getting lonely! I am truly happy that you befriended him! Please accompany us home and dine with us!" the older boy said. Naruto happily nodded his head, happy to spend more time with his new friend and his big brother.
In about 30 minutes Naruto found himself gaping at the house that the two boys lived in. The house was deep in the woods and it was huge. They walked through the gates into what Naruto considered one of the most beautiful places he had ever been. Their front lawn was gorgeous and big. There were cherry blossom and fruit trees all over the yard that mixed with the scents from the many flowers to create an aroma that he had never experienced before but relaxed him.
There was a stone path that led all the way to the front of the house which was done in a beautiful and elegant classic Japanese style. They opened the doors and let him in and once again Naruto was blown away with his surroundings. The house was beautifully and artistically done in an array of colors that took his breath. It was like every wall told a story. He felt Ryu move up on the side of him.
"The walls on the first floor all tell the story of the Hidden Leaf Village. You see our family was known for generations as the historians for the village of Konoha. Our family was charged by the First Hokage himself to do so. Now all that remains of our once plentiful clan is I and my brother. Let's go see the rest of the house why don't we?" he said as Kagetsu grabbed the little blonde's hand and lead him through the house. Naruto was amazed at the things he had seen the weapons room, the training room, the bedrooms, and they even had a room inside that was like a little forest that served as the meditation room. Then finally he was lead outside into the backyard and through some trees. What he saw past the trees was something he didn't immediately grasp onto.
In front of him lay what looked like a wasteland; nothing was growing there at all. There was nothing but dirt and all kinds of debris scattered upon the ground. He looked back to see Kagetsu standing right behind him looking so sad. Ryu walked past him a little and stopped and stared out at the open wasteland that lay before them.
"This is where our family perished Whiskers. Here is the path that the great Kyuubi no Kitsune took to get toward the Leaf Village. Our family was the first to fight the great beast and from what was written our family was the main reason that the Fourth was able to defeat it. Our family bought him time, time that he needed to make his plan work. So whiskers now that you know so much about us and our family how about over dinner you tell us about you?" the older boy said bringing them all out of a little funk and smiling as they all went inside.
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"WOW!!! Shadow you sure can cook!" Naruto exclaimed as he had his third serving of the food that the little boy had cooked up. Naruto and Ryu sat on the stools inside the massive kitchen while Kagetsu got down to cooking. There in the kitchen Naruto had told them all about his life, as well as he could. He told them how he had never known his parents, how he use to live in an orphanage and there is where things got hairy. Naruto was never one to tell everyone his problems and burden them so he tried to skip over anything bad. Kagetsu seemed to know that and made him tell it all.
In the two hours it took for dinner to be made, Naruto had let go of all the demons in his past and had shared them with the two brothers that were quickly attaching themselves to the blonde. Kagetsu had stopped and held the blonde while Naruto let it all out. He was only five and the things that he had been through were horrible at the least. Ryu was upset; nobody should be treated that way no matter what, especially not a child!
After that emotional moment everything was back to full swing. Kagetsu had put the finishing touches on the food while Ryu and Naruto attempted to set the table like he had asked. Soon enough all three were eating and sharing more things about their lives with the blonde and the blonde was doing the same with them. Ryu sat back while the two new friends began to talk more and more about the Academy. Kagetsu had NEVER been so forthcoming with anyone he had ever met, but this blonde brought out something in Kagetsu that made Ryu feel a lot better about his brother going off to the academy. The two had just met today but if you didn't know that you would think they had been friends since diapers.
Ryu escaped upstairs to take a bath and get ready for bed. When he came back down both of them were curled up together on the sofa knocked out. Ryu smiled at the sight before grinning evilly when he saw them both putting their thumbs in their mouths. It was never too early to start working on blackmail material!!!
After getting a few snaps of the kids, damn if that didn't sound like he was a pedophile; he had put Kagetsu in his bed and tucked him in while he put Naruto in the room right across the hall. He made sure to flare his chakra as ancient family seals activated locking the home up and keeping anyone else out. He yawned tiredly as he made his way to his bed and laid down. Tomorrow was another day and more missions to complete he wondered briefly what the boys were going to get into tomorrow before letting sleep claim him.
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Kagetsu followed his friend easily through the village wondering where the blonde was taking him. Early this morning after breakfast the little blonde started grumbling about rent and the some old man. He wondered what that could mean; he snapped out his little one way world and focused on what had been bothering him in the first place. He knew that Naruto said he was hated but to such a degree?! Everywhere Kagetsu looked more and more people seemed to give his friend glares. The effeminate little boy caught up with his friend and started walking next to him. He punched him lightly in the arm and the fake smile on the little boys face faded into a real one. They both bumped fist, their little sign of friendship and resumed walking to wherever Naruto was taking them.
It became quite apparent where they were heading once they rounded another corner and the Hokage's Tower came into view. He was going ask the blonde what they were doing here but Naruto just kept grumbling as they entered the building. Kagetsu noticed that no one really glared or insulted Naruto here; sure there was the lady at the desk that had sneered at Naruto before they were both allowed to enter. Kagetsu didn't know what to think as they were shown into the Hokage's office and Naruto jumped at the old man who caught him easily. It was plain to see that the aging Fire Shadow and Naruto were on really good terms with one another as the older man hugged the little boy and Naruto began to talk all about what had been going on since the last time they had seen one another.
Sarutobi listened to all Naruto had to say and was very surprised. He looked up and saw the pretty little boy that had become Naruto's first and best friend. He smiled to himself; the young Kasabana would make an excellent friend for the little blonde. As he watched the two boys interact, after being coerced into buying them lunch, he couldn't help but to see that they acted like they had known one another for years and not just a scant few days.
After his talk with the old Hokage Naruto and Kagetsu went about their day. The two boys went exploring around the village, visiting the few monuments, and playing. Kagetsu brought Naruto to the library not to long after their last game of tag. Naruto had never seen so many books in his life. Heck, he could hardly read, especially since there was no one with time to teach him. The librarian wasn't like most of the adults the young blonde had met. She had smiled and even helped him out, getting him a card and beginning to help him learn how to read and do basic things that other five year olds were taught. Naruto was soaking up everything that she was saying and in no time he had the basics of early education down. He checked out as many books as possible as did Kagetsu and they both were on their way out the door.
The two boys had separated saying that they were going to go home and drop off their books and then meet back up to play some more. As they both turned away from each other Kagetsu seemed to get a feeling of dread in the very pit of his stomach. A feeling that he had never felt before but he felt that with them going their separate ways that something bad was going to happen. It was a decision that would carry a lot of weight down the road when he turned around and ran to catch up with his friend. Naruto gave him a puzzling look as Kagetsu stopped at his side and started to walk with him to his apartment.
"I didn't want to go home by myself, so I thought that it would be better if I went with you to drop your books off, then you could get some clothes and spend the night with us again!" Kagetsu said smiling brightly only for his foreboding feeling to lessen just a little bit. Naruto just grinned in response. The two boys made their way down the street never noticing the pair of eyes that watched them.
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The original plan was for Naruto to grab some things and be out the door quickly just so that Kagetsu could get home and feel safe. The feeling in the pit of his gut seemed to worsen little by little as the time ticked on. At first he had ignored it for the first three hours as he helped Naruto understand the things that he was having trouble with. Kagetsu was all together to happy to help. Then Kagetsu stilled, the feeling in his stomach doubled, he looked around as he heard noises from outside of his friends door. He turned to see all the color drain out of Naruto's face. The little blonde didn't waste a second as he threw the books down to the floor and grabbed Kagetsu by the hand.
Before either of them could make a move the door was blasted off of its hinges. The two little boys turned fearful eyes upward until they saw three figures standing in their doorway. Naruto pushed Kagetsu behind him glaring up at the guys who had broken down his door. He was no stranger to people coming in and hurting him but Kagetsu was here and he was sure they wouldn't let him leave without a bruising.
"Well, well, well looks like the little demon bastard has himself a little friend. A pretty little friend by the looks of it." One leered disgustingly while licking his lips obscenely. The other two just glared at him and he reined his sickening perverse desires back. Naruto wasn't sure what to do. Any other time this had happened he had been alone and just endured it until he was able to pass out. The one who seemed to be the leader just nodded his head and the other two struck fast. One hit Naruto in the jaw sending the little blonde tumbling and crashing sickeningly into the wall. Naruto got up and yelled while charging at the surprised shinobi who took both little fists to his face. The other was busy toying with Kagetsu, the little boy was trying his best to get the big man off of him, biting, kicking, and punching all to no effect.
The shinobi was pissed as he threw himself at the little blonde that had tackled the other shinobi on top of his friend. Putting a good bit of strength and chakra he kicked the little demon and sent him headfirst into a wall where his body sagged like a rag doll. The leader quickly tied the boy up and walked out the door, the other was walking behind him when he heard the sound of cloth being ripped. Seeing as how their leader didn't forbid him from it the second time their third companion was busy stripping the other kid down. He felt sickened at the sight of the little boy crying while the large man on top of him licked over him and touched him.
He snorted before walking out the door to take care of the real problem. The kid should have picked his friends better then he wouldn't have gotten in the situation he was in now. He closed the door just as a scream pierced the silence. The little boy would learn his lesson now, but he would at least be alive the same could not be said for the little demon brat. They were going to finish the parasite once and for all.
Kagetsu screamed as the man violated his small body. He screamed for his brother, for Naruto, for anyone to come and put an end to the pain. And yet, in the pit of his stomach he knew he was getting off easier. He knew that at least the man would finish and leave him lying there broken but alive. Naruto, his one friend, his best friend, would not be able to say the same. He let more tears seep out his eyes, not for the pain that he was enduring but for the life that would surely be taken tonight. He could feel the man's body tense and he cried even more at the taint he thought was being stained upon his soul. Then the man was whispering things to him, how he had enjoyed it. How he was going to take him home and keep him for himself. Suddenly a fire was lit into Kagetsu as he struggled once again in earnest knowing that the man wasn't bluffing.
Suddenly there was a crash, like the sound of breaking glass and then the weight was pulled off of him. All he could see was flashes and hear screams of agony and pain from his torturer. Kagetsu raised his head a little to see Ryu standing in front of him hair flying upwards and lightning crackling around him. His brother was a master of lightning and its jutsu and he was using that knowledge to get revenge on his behalf.
"People like you sicken me, you are worse than filth, worse than scum, you sick twisted BASTARD!!!!" he roared as his chakra flared dangerously. The man was in serious pain and the pressure he felt from the chakra was too immense the killer intent had him frozen on the spot. He recognized this boy; he had climbed the shinobi ranks quickly like another genius. A master of lightning and taijutsu, one of the last of the Kasabana Clan. Then he realized why the boy was so angry, the little boy had to have been his brother.
"Death would be too kind for you" he hissed in a deadly whisper that spoke of horrible things to come. For all his bravado before the man couldn't get his body to work at all. He knew that he was in deep shit and that he was not going to be able to get out of this mess without his friends. Before he could even contemplate what was going on Ryu had moved Kagetsu into Naruto's bedroom and had jammed his blade, charged with lightning chakra, up the man's anus and began to twist it sickeningly as the man screamed and hollered for mercy which would never come. A few whispered words and he tapped the guy's spine and withdrew the blade.
"The special thing about lightning chakra is that it can leave and impression on your nerves for the rest of your life if strong enough. All I did was give you a taste of the pain you just put my brother through. No worries though, I made sure you would remember this encounter for the rest of your life! I left permanent scarring so that every step that you take the wounds will rip open and cause you insurmountable pain. You deserve nothing less, and wait till the Hokage gets to you, you'll wish for death when he is done" he spoke as he used a killer blow to the head to knock the man unconscious and break several important bones at the same time. He quickly picked up his now bleeding brother and ran full speed towards the hospital.
"No please nii-san help Naruto……..two of them………going to die" was all the little boy could say before he passed out. Ryu cursed to himself before nodding to himself. Naruto was important to his little brother and he would do all he could to make sure that the boy stayed alive. After making sure that his brother was stabilized and was going to be okay he ran to the Hokage Tower praying that he wouldn't be too late.
Sarutobi was in the middle of one of the best parts of his new book when the door to his office burst open, using speed no man his age should have he threw the little orange book back into its drawer with the others, took out a pipe, lit it and blew out some smoke. He looked up to see Ryu standing there looking distraught and worried and knew that something bad had happen, and it had involved the two little boys he had just seen today.
In no time the whole story of what Ryu knew had been told and the old Hokage was almost ill at the thought that one his shinobi were so cruel and sick. He had sent out a squad of ANBU to gather the man at the apartment and sent him straight to a one on one session with Ibiki. He had several more squads out searching for Naruto and the other two while Ryu went with an Inuzuka hoping to catch a trail of sorts. He hoped that the boy was all right but he knew if Kagetsu had suffered that bad what was in store for the little blonde.
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Naruto awoke to pain, he didn't know where the pain was coming from he just knew it hurt and it hurt badly. So of course he cried and screamed as it felt like he was on fire. Naruto struggled to open his weary blue eyes as the pain was that unbearable. He looked to find himself staring at two of the men that had broken into his apartment while he was there with Kagetsu. He tried to move his head but he couldn't to look and see where his friend was and then he noticed he wasn't in his apartment he was somewhere else.
The blonde screamed loudly as pain raced across all his nerves and caused his little body to shake with horrible force. He realized then that his hands and feet had been impaled with kunai and other objects. A few of those objects were tinted a bit green, green with poison. His clothes were ripped and he had cuts and bruises all over. He just knew a few of his bones were broken by the way his body was positioned unnaturally and the pain he received every time he thought he could try.
"So the little demon is awake is he? You passed out so quickly after the first session! You thought that we were going to let you get away with the things you've done, you little monster?!" he roared as he slammed a fire jutsu down on one of the little boys hands. Naruto screamed as he felt the flames on his skin, then his muscles and the bone. He thrashed about trying to find a release from the torture that he was undergoing. The other just smirked at the little boy before pulling out blunt kunai.
"Be still you little demon the fun is just beginning!" he said before he started making cuts and more screams filled the air.
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Ryu was working with the Head of the Inuzuka family in hopes of catching the scent of those who had taken Naruto and where they had taken him to. He knew that whoever took him was no amateurs, they had mingled their scents by retracing places and going in circles but Tsume and her partner were nothing if not persistent. When they got off the trail they just hopped back on and continued. He knew that whoever took the little blonde was probably torturing him right now and that thought he abhorred. He had seen his own brother broken he didn't wish to see another child the same way.
Suddenly Tsume and her partner shot downwards from the trees and into a clearing where the dog started to circle and pace the ground seemingly searching for something before he barked once and slammed his paws on the ground revealing what looked like a door. Ryu didn't waste any time running through the door with Tsume and her partner on his heels. Their presence hidden through suppression of their chakra as they made their way down the winding paths that the dog would direct them through.
Soon enough they reached what looked like a cave of sorts and the smell of freshly spilled blood was overwhelming. When they got deeper inside what the two humans and dog saw would stay with them for the rest of their lives. There was Naruto pinned to a table that was standing vertically off the ground, a massive pool of blood at its base. His chest was carved up; his stomach had a large gash at his stomach with what looked like his intestines hanging out. There were bruises and electrical wires connected to him that were causing him to scream, with every breath he took large spots of blood would gush out. They both knew the only reason he was alive was because of the burden he carried. As they moved forward they finally saw the two men responsible for the pain that boy was going through. Tsume was pissed, she had a child that age and she knew that no child should have to suffer like that! Her and her partner descended upon the two shinobi before they could even blink leaving Ryu to get Naruto stabilized enough to take to the hospital.
Ha gently took the boy off the table, paying attention to all the wounds that were bleeding profusely and began working as best he could. He was just happy he had taken that crash course in medical jutsu. After he made sure that the boy was ok he looked to see the two shinobi bleeding and broken but alive and tied up. Tsume nodded and he took off towards the hospital, he sent a clone up ahead to inform the Hokage to meet them at the hospital. He knew that Naruto would need medical attention immediately and didn't want to have to wait. He just hoped that he had done enough for the little blonde to have a fighting chance.
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Naruto didn't know where he was as he tried to open his eyes and the pain swamped him. He knew that he and Kagetsu were in his house when those people had burst through the door. He shot up in the bed, grimacing as sharp pains flew through his body. The boy knew that his friend was in trouble, anyone that was caught with him always suffered. He got up and tried his best to get out of the bed when a cough caught his attention.
Naruto turned to see the Hokage sitting in a chair next to his bed. He looked at the old man and broke down and cried. Like every time before the aging fire shadow held him close and let the tears fall. The feeling of failure and guilt crashed into the old Hokage as he watched the little boy weep. The times before this had always been a lot less brutal but this time took the cake. If Ryu hadn't done all he could Naruto would have died and the Kyuubi would have escaped. He truly wanted to try and do things better for the boy, but the little blonde was not a shinobi he was still at the mercy of the council.
"Jiji……why? Why do they always do this to me?!" he wailed as he cried even harder. Naruto wasn't just crying for himself, he was also crying for Kagetsu who he knew had gotten hurt also. He didn't have to be there to know that there was 'punishment' for his friend. He cried because he was sure that Kagetsu wouldn't want to be his friend anymore. Still, he wanted to see his friend.
"I want to see Kagetsu old man. Even if he doesn't want to see me anymore I want to at least apologize for what he went through. Even if he hates me for the rest of my life I want to say I'm sorry." He said as he didn't raise his head from his robes. The Hokage sighed as he pulled the little boy up and into his arms to make his way down the hall to Kagetsu's room. He hadn't gotten to know the boy or his brother but he hoped that they wouldn't hold Naruto responsible and shun him.
As he pushed open the door he could see that the two brothers were up. Kagetsu was still in his bed and Ryu was bust arguing with a doctor that was there. The Hokage made sure that none would know that they were in the room. As the two men whispered furiously at each other he caught wind of what they were discussing and decided that things had gone far enough.
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"How dare you refuse my brother and Naruto treatment? They are citizens here also, why are you deliberately hindering their healing!" Ryu hissed at the doctor whom he had found was giving the boys the bare minimum to stay alive and recover. He had checked in on Naruto earlier and had seen that the boy had healed despite the bad and negligent care that he had gotten. His brother on the other hand was not as lucky, seeing as how there was no monster sealed in him!
"Why should we waste our time on a demon and his little friend? The little bastard got what was coming to him and so did your brother, the little whore got what he deserved for hanging out with that demon! I just wished they had finished the job and killed them both! Your little brother was tainted by that demon, death would have been good for him!" he hissed back heatedly. Ryu's face lit up in a horrible rage as he prepared to kill the man that had dared to say anything bad about those two little boys. Before he could go through with his intentions a severe pressure descended upon the room. Ryu was able to tell that it wasn't directed at anyone else besides the doctor who looked like he wanted to piss, shit, and faint all at one time. Ryu turned to see the Hokage standing in the corner with Naruto held in his arms and a look of pure disgust on his face.
"So that is why Naruto doesn't like coming here. Its people like you that make me sick. You say that you are here to give help to all who needs it but you wouldn't lift a finger in real effort to try and help this boy and his friend, and why?! All because you are too stupid to see that this boy is NOT a demon, he has NEVER done anyone anything, but I have had enough! ANBU arrest this man and send him to Ibiki NOW!" he roared as the hidden shinobi appeared and dragged the now struggling doctor out of the window. A sharp tug on his robe had him looking down to the teary blue eyes of Naruto. He put the boy down and watched as the little boy made his way up to Kagetsu's bed.
Ryu was saddened at the way Naruto had become so wary of him and Kagetsu. He knew that the boy was probably thinking that Kagetsu and he were going to hate him. He knew the little blonde feared that his first real friend would leave him and he would be alone again. Ryu just stood there and watched as Naruto got to the side of his brothers bed with tears in his eyes and began to speak.
"Kagetsu, I……I know you hate me now but I just wanted to say that I am so sorry you had to go through that stuff those bad guys did to you. I'm sorry that the doctor didn't want to help you gets better too. I know it's my entire fault and I know you probably just want me to leave so I'll leave now." He said lowly and began to back away only for slim arms to wrap around his neck. He looked to see Kagetsu resting his head on his shoulder and a wet sensation on his shoulder and he knew then that Kagetsu was crying.
"Naru-Naru doesn't need to be silly. I could never be mad at you, you're my first friend outside of Ryu and I don't care what people say about you I know you're not what they say you are. They hurt me but I know they did worse to you so please don't feel like it's your fault. They are the bad people not you, they hurt us when we didn't do anything to them. So it's not your fault Naru-Naru and I'm not going anywhere remember! I promised you that we would be friends forever and I meant it." He said as a few more tears leaked out his eyes and he eased back in his bed with Naruto climbing in alongside him. Before long the two boys had turned towards each other and fell asleep. The Hokage looked at Ryu and nodded for the young man to follow him outside.
Sarutobi wanted to talk to young Ryu without disturbing the two little ones sleep. So he decided to stand outside the door and talk to him, not trusting anyone else to watch them right now. He barely knew much about the boy Kagetsu and his older brother Ryu; he hadn't really kept up with that clan after the Kyuubi incident. He had the other major clans to deal with and the only thing he had known was that there were only two people left. He had always told himself that he would check in on the two and try and help like he did with the other clans. He regretted that now, the people he had overlooked were the ones who had become the ones to help the boy he couldn't help but was dying to help. He watched as the young man walked out behind him and closed the door. He couldn't help but stare at the young man in awe. He was only about 15 and was already a jounin, how he had missed the development of such a shinobi from what was once a very prominent clan he didn't know but he intended to get some knowing on him now.
"I would first like to thank you for looking beyond the veil of the Kyuubi and seeing Naruto for who he is and not what he holds inside of him. I must say that I judged you wrong from when I first remembered what clan you're from. I wrongly judged you; I thought that because of how your clan had gotten so small you would hate him more than anyone else you proved this old fool wrong. Also I would like to apologize to you and your brother, I had kept telling myself that I would help you boys out but it seemed I had made another error. I know that there was no excuse, your family was once a big part of the village and I'm sorry for not helping you two. I should have been able to help you and watch you grow into the powerful ninja you are today." Sarutobi said as the young man just nodded his head.
There was once a time not too long ago when he would just lay awake holding Kagetsu as the kid, cried his eyes out wanting to have his mommy and daddy that he would curse the old man. He would curse him often for not helping them despite his grandfather telling them that the old Hokage would take care and see to their needs should anything happen. He had thought the old man had abandoned him and Kagetsu because their clan had shrunk into two people. So he trained hard and long until he had become a jounin and then did he get a good look at the old man. He seen how busy and weary the man was, how the other big clans took up such of his time and he changed his anger to pity. He truly did pity the man because his job was a lot harder than it was for anyone to truly believe.
"I know Lord Hokage, I saw firsthand with the things and the people you have to put up with. I will not lie to you, for awhile I was angry and frustrated because our grandfather spoke so highly of you and then you never came. My goal then was to become as strong as possible and show you what you missed but when I achieved jounin and went to see you my anger fizzled away. I started to feel for you, I mean the clans and the council never agree and the council is too power hungry. Everyone fights, fights, fights, and try to undermine you. Its stressing and I can see as to how you never came to see us. What I saw was just the normal days, I could only imagine how it was like after the Kyuubi." He said trailing off slightly before he checking in on the boys again. "To be honest even after I heard Naruto had the beast that had killed my parents inside him I didn't want to hurt him. I wanted to tell him thank you for all the good he is doing for the village."
Sarutobi looked at Ryu with rare pride in his eyes. He truly regretted he had missed out on seeing the development of this young man. Here, standing before him is what he had always wanted to see in his people. Someone with brain and a heart that wouldn't hurt Naruto but help him. It was just sad to see that only two people so far had gotten past the past and could see that Naruto was not a curse but was a hero. He just hoped that others would come to see Naruto in such a light. It wasn't fair that the boy had to grow up alone and without anyone to truly care for him. Hopefully these boys would be able to help Naruto out and keep him from sinking into a depression. The Hokage was pulled out of his thoughts by Ryu who was now speaking to him.
"Lord Hokage I was wondering if it would be okay if Naruto came and lived with us?" Ryu asked knowing that the little blonde wasn't safe at his apartment. When Ryu had broken into the door he noticed that there were a ton of locks on the door. The inside was dilapidated and in need of repair and there wasn't anything that had stopped those people from attacking before and he was sure that if the little blonde went back it would be worse since this time his captors were in jail and/or permanently maimed.
The Hokage stopped and looked at the boy with a devious smile on his face. It was a smile that only meant that someone somewhere was going to get mad and or upset and there would be nothing that they would be able to do about it. The Hokage was more than happy to say yes as they both made their way back into the room with the two sleeping little boys.
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In no time Kagetsu and Naruto were completely healed and discharged to go home. Naruto was dragging things on for as long as possible because he knew in a few hours he would probably be right back at the hospital if he was alive. He was grateful for Ryu coming to save him but he knew that after what had been done to the men who hurt him and Kagetsu that the people would be ready for some retaliation. Kagetsu knew that his friend was stalling because he didn't want to go home and he was about to suggest it when Ryu stopped both him and Naruto. Both boys stared into Ryu's amber eyes waiting to hear what the older man had to say.
"Naruto the Hokage and I both had a good long talk about things today. We talked about the bad things that happened to you and Kagetsu and we talked about why the people hate you so much. He didn't want to tell you why but I told him that the longer he didn't tell you and you went along not knowing why would drive you to become someone different, maybe you would become an idiot that tried to please everyone and die for any kind of attention or you would become someone who would hate the village and try to destroy it." He said while both little boys could only gape in horror. Naruto knew that there was a good chance he would end up like that. Before he met Kagetsu he had pulled several pranks which didn't garner him good attention but it proved to get some kind of attention. He knew that at times he would sit at home and cry in sadness and in anger at the people who ignored him and hated him. Naruto could only look up into Ryu's eyes and nodded.
"We discussed that it wouldn't be safe for you to go back home anytime soon or at all. Things went bad last night during one of the investigations one of the men decided to try and attack the Hokage himself and died. The thing was he came from a pretty important clan. So both of us decided that in order for you to at least be safe was for you to move in with Kagetsu and I, what do you say to that?" he asked as Kagetsu jumped in the air and grabbed a hold onto Naruto and looked the blonde in the eyes. Naruto knew that he really wanted to stay with his best friend and his brother but he didn't want to cause them trouble. As if Kagetsu had read his thoughts his best friend shot his refusal down.
"Please say you will stay with us Naru-Naru! We have more than enough rooms on the compound that is for sure. And it's not like anyone would be able to hurt us if you were to stay with us! The compound is protected by an ancient jutsu that our ancestor infused with his life force on his last breath. It only reveals itself to family members and those trusted. So please Naru-Naru won't you come stay with us?"Kagetsu said as tears formed in Naruto's eyes. For once someone wanted to keep him safe, to have him around. He cried as he nodded his head furiously. Ryu smiled as he picked the two boys up and headed to their home, he was just happy the kid agreed. It was hell moving all his crap and fixing the room next to Kagetsu's for the little blonde. It would surely be a bit more lively in the house with the blonde addition and for once he wouldn't have to worry about his little brother being alone when he was on a mission.
Meanwhile
The council was not pleased in the least when they were summoned to a meeting by the Hokage. Even the clan heads were pissed to have been called into attendance. This was not something that they had grown accustomed to over the years. It wasn't unknown that the council and the clans were the ones who called the most meetings and used their power to make the decisions they felt was best. The Hokage was usually powerless to stop them in most matters except the ones that dealt with the shinobi and related things. They all entered into the room feeling an on edge immediately. They knew that something big was going to happen and the feeling in the room said it would not be to their favor. Even Sarutobi's old teammates had no clue what was going on and that spoke volumes. Then Sarutobi entered into the room and all heads swiveled to see the aged Hokage. Danzo was on edge immediately, something had happened and Sarutobi was in rare form. The man that stood before them was the man known and feared as the Professor, the Third Hokage of the Leaf Village, and the teacher to the powerful and brilliant Sannin. He strode with confidence and grace that they thought had died when he had stepped down.
He sat in his seat and began to look at all those who had come to his impromptu little meeting. He knew they were already on edge and he knew that the shinobi could feel the difference in him. He knew that giving the council so much power had been a bad thing but he didn't have a choice at the time. They had taken advantage of him but he was not having any more of that. He would fight them tooth and nail and a few ancient laws would see to put them back on even ground. Danzo saw that look and grit his teeth in anger that was the look of a man ready to fight tooth and nail and he knew that Sarutobi wouldn't fight unless he had a good chance at winning.
"Sarutobi I for one feel…." Was all Kotaru was able to say before a pressure fell across the room. One that hadn't been felt in a long time and it was coming from the Hokage.
"Silence, I called this meeting not you, therefore it will be me who has the first say and opening in this meeting understood!" he said sharply but low. Kotaru nodded quickly before shutting up. Danzo was worried now; Sarutobi seemed to have ceased heeding to his teammates suggestions if that was anything to go by. Now no one truly knew what was going on. Sarutobi continued to stare down at all those present especially the person whose family had been a part of the attack.
"Now to start this meeting off everyone should now be aware of the situation that took place with Naruto!"He said as a great many began to grumble before a blast of intense killer intent washed over them shutting their mouths. "As I was saying, I know that you all are informed of this happening but I do not care for your input or your opinion. The only thing to know is that the boy has been adopted into a clan and no longer falls under anyone's affairs! In short he is no longer a ward of the council." He said with a smirk as an utter uproar was had. Danzo just sat in quiet anger at the thought of the Kyuubi kid getting out of his grasp. In one more year the boy would have been six and able for him to take into his home and into his organization. Sarutobi had to have known that and cut off his chance to obtain the boy as a weapon. He just couldn't fathom who in the hell would adopt the boy!
"Who adopted him?" came the voice of Fugaku Uchiha. The man was the one who had lost three family members because of their actions against Naruto. Sarutobi was giddy on the inside; he could feel the anger from Danzo and Fugaku both because they both had plans for Naruto. He knew that they were looking at each one of the clan heads in attendance and was trying to see which had the audacity to take the boy in. Here is where things got interesting for the rest of the night.
"Ryu Kasabana of the Kasabana Clan." He said enjoying the silence and sharp intakes of air that was prominent throughout the room. No one had expected that, no one thought there were any of the survivors of that clan. Fugaku looked pale and Danzo was an ugly purple in the face. Everyone here knew that the Kasabana clan was a fiercely secretive clan, not even the Sharingan or the Byakugan was able to find the compound. Danzo knew that the boy was too far out of his grasp now. Sarutobi had played them all this day, but he would regret it in the coming days or so he thought.
"That also brings me to the second reason that you all were called here. When I signed over a good portion of power to this council I truly didn't know what I was doing but obviously someone didn't know what they were putting into the contract also. It reads that in the case after four years IF we were still in war would the civilians on the council be allowed to remain and the power of negotiation and commerce would still fall to the two elders. Since that date has long since passed, especially seeing as to how I had to send out a search party for this the agreement has been voided." He said watching as color drained out of several people faces, without the civilians on the council the majority rule was no longer in those who controlled them. No longer could they hold the treaties and contracts for commerce over the Hokage. Danzo roared before leaving in a huff, things had completely turned on their heads. Sarutobi had stopped playing the fool and was hitting back now.
Sarutobi watched as the others left one after another and back home. He knew that he had taken them by surprise and that the real fight was going to start after today, he just knew that this time he would fight not just for Naruto but for the sake of the village. He had put them on edge now, he was no longer just old man Sarutobi he was the Sandaime again.
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Naruto awoke the next morning while yawning and stretching. He looked down to see Kagetsu still lying halfway under the blankets and the pillows. Naruto was having a nightmare and Kagetsu had walked in and gotten into bed with him. Naruto looked around his new room and couldn't help but blush. His room was done in the same amazing blue as his eyes and with a deep orange color, his favorite. The bed was at the furthest end from the door and close to the window. He also had two closets filled with clothes and shoes and dressers filled with underwear and other things. He could finally say he felt at home here, he didn't have to worry and be alert at all times at night in case someone tried to get him then.
When they had gotten here yesterday Naruto had been signed into the family book as an honorary Kasabana by adoption. He knew he would never be able to use the family jutsu or techniques, the vault wouldn't let him in. But Ryu did promise that he would teach him just about anything else he wanted to know when he got old enough and got into the academy.
At first he was dreading it but with Ryu and Kagetsu both helping him to where he needed to be he wouldn't have to worry about looking foolish. He gently nudged his 'brother' and watched as sleepy emerald eyes fluttered open. Naruto stared at the sleeping boy for a little still trying to decide if his friend was really a boy, sometimes he just had to wonder….
"Nii-san is cooking breakfast already?" Kagetsu asked looking at the time his brother had woke him. Naruto just shook his head a little with a look of confusion on his face. Kagetsu gave him a light glare that had Naruto backing up a bit. Ryu had told Naruto that he was actually a girl but was trying to be a boy so she wouldn't seem weak and Naruto believed him off bat and would not shut up about it. Sometimes he wanted to strangle his brother.
"No, I was just waking you up you know in case you wanted to go back to your room…' the blonde said shyly feeling awkward at having to be comforted by Kagetsu for having a nightmare like a baby. Kagetsu answered by lying back down and pulling the pillow back over his head. Naruto just giggled at the boy before lying back down too.
"Ne, are you sure you're a boy Shadow-chan?" he asked before getting a solid smack to his head with the other pillow. Naruto just lay there laughing at the affronted face Kagetsu had, only it looked like he was pouting instead of being angry. Kagetsu just scowled and vowed to get even with Ryu for starting this chan stuff.
In about another hour both boys were running down the halls chasing the smell of food down into the kitchen. Ryu stood at the counter drinking a cup of coffee and reading what was no doubt a mission briefing. The two boys climbed up to the tables and Naruto began devouring the food in front of him in seconds before holding out his plate for more. Kagetsu on the other hand was as prim and proper as ever. Naruto just gave him a look and nodded to himself which earned him a smack upside the head from Kagetsu who knew what he had been thinking. Ryu just laughed knowing that Naruto would bother Kagetsu about his looks and mannerisms for the rest of his life.
Once the two boys were done eating Ryu made sure that they had taken baths and were clothed and as usual with Kagetsu and new with Naruto had given the two strict instructions to not leave the house today. Ryu knew that people would be watching those two closely if they made an appearance and some might do something to them in revenge or worse. So he wanted them to lay low for awhile while he went out on his mission today. The first thing he had to do though was have a little chat with some people who assumed they still had the power.
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Ryu arrived easily at the training ground where the note had told him to go. He knew that this was more than likely an ambush but he was more than sure that they didn't know what he was actually capable of when he wanted to fight. He just knew that bringing in Naruto had spoiled somebody's plan and he didn't care. Soon enough he saw a figure walk out from behind the trees. He would recognize that face anywhere, the war-hawk Danzo was just too memorable too forget.
"So this is the one who thought to defy what others had known not to do and adopt the Kyuubi brat! Why would you do that huh, you who have lost more family to that beast than anything, what would your parents say? What would they say to know that you were hosting the demon that slaughtered them and the rest of their family?" he said before having to dodge a kunai that was aimed for his head. He looked into those furious amber eyes and shivered a little the boy was powerful too bad he hadn't gotten him into Root also.
"Be quiet please, your nonsense makes me nauseous. The boy is no demon its idiots like you that would believe that. There is no way that I would listen to you, someone who just wants to use the boy for his own goals. If you came here to try and get me to return him to being a ward of the council well you're wasting your breath. He's happy with us and he makes us happy also so who cares about his furry friend that he's keeping under lock, we don't! If that is all I have to be on my way." He said at the now purple man. Danzo knew that since manipulating him didn't work he would just have to kill him and take the Kyuubi and his little brother. He snapped his fingers and ten of his Root agents surrounded the boy.
Before Danzo could even bark out for them to attack his men was nothing but little shreds of meat that fell to the ground. Danzo was shocked he hadn't even seen the boy move but he knew now that he had to let it go for now. He had tried his hand and knew that he had lost the battle. He withdrew quickly while Ryu just snorted at the man; he knew that Danzo was going to show his hand sooner or later the Hokage had told him so. With a sigh he quickly made his way to the Tower to get his mission.
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Naruto was having a blast, when Kagetsu had showed him around the massive compound he had thought that it was going to be so boring but he was having a lot of fun. There weren't just regular rooms in the house like bedrooms, baths, studies, and even a huge library but there were also a lot of really cool rooms. Rooms like the upside down room and a room with a mirror maze in it. Then Kagetsu showed him his favorite place on the compound to which Naruto said was another thing that said he wasn't a boy, which earned him another knot on the head. The garden was more than any garden Naruto had seen. If anyone was to have asked him what it was he would have said it was a miniature forest of sorts. The whole backyard was Kagetsu's garden; his family on his Father's side was thought to have planted this garden with the blessing of the Shodaime. Kagetsu showed him all his favorite spots and his pets which lived inside the garden also. Naruto's favorite spot was without a doubt the training and weapons room. Naruto had always dreamt of becoming a ninja and this room was what a shinobi was all about; it even had jutsu scrolls in the next room. All he could hear from Kagetsu was a muttered 'typical' as the boy dragged him from the room, Naruto still blabbing about all the awesome stuff he saw.
Later on during the day Naruto and Kagetsu had both decided that it wouldn't hurt to read up on stuff for the Academy they did start in two years anyway. Naruto almost immediately shot off towards the jutsu scrolls in the training room before Kagetsu pulled him away and led him to the library. Naruto groaned knowing that Kagetsu didn't have jutsu in mind at all anytime soon. In no time at all both boys were sitting in chairs reading up on things when they heard the door burst open and a menacing and foreboding aura filled the room.
"Well, well, well what do we have here?" a chilling voice said as they looked up and their eyes widened.
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Well that ends chapter one and before anyone says something no those two are not getting together. But please give me some feedback and tell me what you think and drop some opinions who you think those two would get with and there is NO HAREM!!!!! Thanks!!!