Hello all, this is my first Naruto story, so be easy on me. I had this idea for awhile now and it's pretty sound. The main pairing will be Naru/Hina and Naruto will be different. There will be a lesbian relationship, but who is a secret for next chapter. If you're not into that, no prob; just hit the back button. There will also be swearing, thought I ought to warn you. I'll be adding extra notes at the end of the chapter.

But first, the disclaimer:

Carnacki: *puffs on a cigarillo* Ok, I'm only going to go through this once. You've seen it before so I'll go through the major details. Naruto, its characters and concepts are created and owned by Kishimoto and published by Shonen Jump. The Metal Gear Solid series, its characters and concepts are created and owned by Hideo Kojima and published by Konami. Ghost in the Shell, its characters and concepts are created and owned by Masamune Shirow. All music used in this story is intellectual property of the artists who wrote, played and recorded included music. All original characters, unless said otherwise, belong to me and mine. This work of fiction was written for entertainment only; no profit is to be made off of this work. There! Done! You will hear no more!

A little extra note:

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Bijuu, Summons and Jutsus

*Radio Chatter*

Music: (Play/Stop {"Song"}, {Artist})

Places and Time

And now the story!

[xXx]

Naruto: FOXHOUND

Chapter 1: Build Voice

[xXx]

Forest Outside Konoha, 5:46 AM

*Ah ha! See, what did I tell ya? The kids's a perfect candidate!* An unknown voice communicated triumphantly into his radio, observing a 16-year-old boy with blond hair, blue eyes and six scars on his cheeks, wearing an all orange jumpsuit defeat an older man with pale blue hair that ran down to his shoulders by pummeling him to a pulp.

*Alright I'll give you the fact that being able to perform the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique) and make that many without breaking a sweat then beating a chunin is rather impressive,* an older man said over the frequency. *But look at him, Zato. His grades in the academy along with his Taijutsu are atrocious. He's loud and obnoxious and what the hell is he wearing? Is he trying to get killed?*

A 16-year-old sighed quietly from his vantage point up in the trees. 'Why can't anyone just listen to me for once? Do I have a face that no one listens to,' the boy, named Zato, asked himself in frustration?

*OK, look Batou-taicho. First of all, grades aren't everything. Do you learn more in the classroom or out in the field?*

*You know my answer.*

*Exactly! Besides, isn't deception a ninja's greatest weapon? And so what Naruto has crappy Taijutsu skills; all the more easy for him to molded by the Old Man. Haven't you ever heard the expression "empty your cup"?*

*And what does a Kensei know about being a ninja?*

*I know some things! Mostly the stuff ninja seem to ignore and forget. Morons think being a ninja is shitting out flashy jutsu on a big battlefield in a lust for glory.*

*Isn't that what you do, Kensei Zato?*

*Zato-san, Batou-Taicho-,* a third voice, a deep baritone but still that of a teenage boy, chimed into the conversation.

*Oi! Check yourself before you wreck yourself, Batou!*

*Why don't you make me, gaki,* you could hear the smirk in Batou's voice as if he was staring you in the face.

*Guys!* A forth voice interrupted them; a girl this time.

*What!* They both whispered-shouted.

*The traitor, Mizuki is conscious. He's pulling out vial of that drug we found at that base in Kusa no Kuni (The Land of Grass),* the girl answered.

*Bollocks! I thought we destroy it all,* Zato exclaimed quietly. *Enkei, did we miss a room or something?*

*More likely Orochimaru created another batch at another base,* Enkei, the third voice, deduced. *But which one would be difficult to determine until Ryoushi returns from his fact-finding mission.*

Batou huffed then made a plan. *We'll worry about that later. Enkei, I want you to get the other chunin, Iruka I think is his name, to the hospital. Kin, you cover him. Try to flag down some friendlies. I'll take the scroll back to the Hokage.*

*Wait, what about me,* asked Zato?

Batou grinned. *You deal with Mizuki. You can have a reunion with your old buddy. Or is mister Kensei afraid of a little chunin?*

Zato's mouth pulled into a grimace but it disappeared and grew into an eager smile. *Can do!*

*Alright! Move out!*

[xXx]

Meanwhile

Mizuki gained consciousness. He heard voices. That weakling Iruka and the Demon Brat. What the hell happened? The plan was foolproof! Rig the test so the brat would fail, give him a "make-up test" to take the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing, accuse him of stealing it, find him and kill the demon and give the Scroll to Orochimaru's courier. He didn't expect Iruka to show, much less for the dobe to be able to actually do a jutsu from the Scroll.

Rage washed over him. Mizuki had to kill them! It was then he felt around in his pocket. Ah! The drug! It was supposed to make him unbeatable. The secret was out now that he was a traitor, but not to who. 'Like they would know' Mizuki huffed out internally. That was it, he would do it. He jumped to his feet with a warcry of rage.

"YOU DAMN DEMON BRAT! I'M GONNA KILL YOU AND THAT PATHETIC WEAKLING!"

Naruto and Iruka jumped and turned around to see Mizuki conscious and spilling some dark, viscous liquid down his throat. When he finished it, Mizuki smashed the vial on the forest floor with a murderous look in his eyes and a demented smile.

"Mizuki, what the hell do you think you're doing," Iruka shouted at the traitor with some apprehension! He had a bad feeling about this.

"What does it look like? Thanks to that drug I just drank I'm going to become invincible!"

As he said this, he began to transform and become bigger. He began to grow fur like that of a tiger's and gained feline features.

"So much power," Mizuki shouted, reveling in his new found power. "Now to kill you!"

Mizuki lunged at Naruto and Iruka. Iruka couldn't do anything thanks to his injuries, even if he was at full strength, he doubt that he would win on his own. He had to protect Naruto, but he couldn't move. Naruto was scared. He already beat Mizuki thanks to the element of surprise, but now he wasn't so sure. He couldn't move, he was too scared. Naruto and Iruka could only close their eyes. Mizuki was happy. He was going to win! Victory was—

CLANG!

At that sound, Naruto slowly open his eyes to see Mizuki stopped mid-pounce by a boy his age blocking and deflecting the traitor with a sword; a simple but elegant katana wielded in his left hand. From what Naruto could tell, the boy was wearing a black leather biker jacket, blue jeans and black sneakers. On his left wrist was a forest-green rosary. On his head was a black ball cap.

"Batou! Enkei! Kin! You're good to go," the boy shouted out.

Iruka now saw a white haired man, a Hyuuga, if his eyes were any clue, in his late 30s take the Forbidden Scroll and sling it over his back. He was poked on the shoulder by a tall, bald, muscular boy wearing armor over monk's robes. Slung over his back was a Jumonji-yari (cross-shaped spear). With him was a girl the same age as the boys. She had long black hair and black eyes. She also wore green clothing, as if she was meant to blend in, with a brown vest. She had a Yumi (longbow) fastened to her back, along with a quiver of arrows. The larger boy then began to speak.

"Chunin-san, I am here to take you to the hospital," the tall boy explained politely. "Kin here will cover us in case of an ambush from friends of the traitor. I am Enkei, please to meet you."

"But what about the Scroll," asked Iruka? "And Naruto? You're just going to leave him here?"

"Batou-taicho will take the Scroll to the Hokage Tower. And as for Naruto, he and Zato are going to have their long-awaited reunion."

"What do you mean," Iruka asked, confusion formed on his face?

"That's for a later time," replied Enkei as he picked up Iruka. He then looked to Kin. "Kin, let's go."

Kin gave the affirmative then nodded to Batou. Batou nodded back and the four nin exited the area, leaving Mizuki, Naruto, and the mysterious Zato.

Naruto was confused. 'Da hell's going on?' he asked, more than a little agitated. First he stole a scroll for a fake make-up test, he beat up Mizuki-teme and finally became a ninja. Then the teme becomes a tiger monster, attacker him and Iruka-sensei, only to be blocked off by guy in the ball cap. The ball cap guy turned around, revealing more of his features.

Under the biker jacket was a white T-shirt with a graphic of a house in front of a sunrise; in the red sun was the kanji translating into 'The House of the Rising Sun'. The front of his cap had a white torii gate stitched into it. Under his cap was short brown hair and he had grey eyes. He was also wearing a smile as he looked at Naruto.

"Yo, Naruto! Long time, no see, eh," the boy said, greeting Naruto, shouldering his sword. All Naruto could give him was a blank stare, to which Zato raised an eyebrow. 'Wow, I didn't think I was that forgettable… I know!'

"You still have that tanto I forged ya," Zato asked? Naruto's eyes widened.

"Zato," Naruto exclaimed in revelation!

"That's right. I'm back like 8-Track, boyo."

'Yep, that's definitely Zato,' Naruto thought to himself, looking amused. Only Zato could make up such strange expressions. He'd been saying them since they were six years old and that's obviously grown since he left when they were age eight, eight years ago. Zato left to continue his apprenticeship under some sort of kenjutsu and bladesmithing master whose name eluded Naruto. The master had a special title, too. But Naruto was curious now. "What are you back in Konoha for?"

"Questions later, Mannish Boy. I gotta deal with this guy first," Zato answered, moving his sword from his shoulder to point at Mizuki, who looked very angry. Obviously, he hated being ignored.

"Who the hell are you to believe that you can defeat me! You're nothing but a punk kid! I'm a near god!" Mizuki was mad with power. Zato's right eyebrow twitched, he was pretty mad.

"Who am I," asked Zato? "Who the hell am I? Let me lay it down for ya, you ornery sonovabitch! My name's Kawarimono Zato! I'm a Kensei, a master of the sword! I forge and I use nearly every sword I own! I trained under Hattori Hanzo since I was six! And I'm gonna kick your ass!"

Zato rolled up his left sleeve of his jacket up to his elbow, revealing tattoos going all the way up past his elbow; seals, Naruto figured. He cut his right thumb then swiped the blood flowing from the cut across one of the tattoos. He then slammed his chakra-powered hand onto his arm. A huge plume of smoke exploded out around Zato for a few seconds. The smoke then was blown away by Zato, revealing a second sword. The blade looked like a steel paddle. The "blade" if you can call it that was as long as Zato was tall and also just as wide. The hilt was long, with the butt of it acting as a cross-hilt; possibly used for leverage to assist in a thrusting or back-handed attack. The phrase 'None Shall Pass!' was etched along the length of the steel slab that was the sword's blade, embossed with red dye.

Mizuki snorted at the Kensei. "You gotta a deathwish or something," he asked arrogantly?

"Hell no," Zato said answered back, determined. "I just hate assholes who give tigers a bad name!" A sweatdrop rolled down Naruto's head in reaction to his old friend's reply. Brandishing both swords, the boy Kensei charged forward.

(Play "T.O.R.N.A.D.O.", The Go! Team)

Mizuki barely had time to dodge as Zato stuck the spot the traitor was standing, clumps of dirt exploding upward from the force of the attack. Mizuki pounced at his enemy only to be blocked by the steel paddle at the last minute. The blade's etchings flashed red and the attacker was thrown back, smashing into two trees before stopping. Mizuki grew frustrated.

"Like that," Zato asked? "Rejection seals pack one hell of a punch, don't they? Looks like Orochimaru's super soldier serum ain't worth piss, doesn't it? "

Mizuki's eyes widened in shock. 'How did he know,' he thought in a panic? Zato read his mind.

"My associates and I raided one of his labs before we came here sometime ago," the Kensei answered. "We already know your strengths and weaknesses, shit heel." Mizuki grew enraged and charged forward to attack again.

"I'LL KILL THE BOTH OF YOU! THEN NO ONE WILL WHO I SERVE!" The traitor unleashed a flurry of attacks that forced Zato onto the defensive.

The Kensei kept blocking. 'Wait for it,' he told himself. 'Almost… There!' Mizuki's punch went too far, giving Zato an opening. The slab smashed into the tiger traitor's face, throwing his giant body back from Zato's well executed thrust.

Zato buried the tip of his steel slab weapon into the ground and sheathed his katana, moving his body into a ready stance. 'Time to finish this,' Zato thought with finality.

Naruto was surprised with his newly reunited friend. Where did he go? What happened to Hanzo, Zato's master? How did his friend get so strong? Who were those people he was with? So many questions flooded the newly minted Genin's mind. But those questions would take a backseat to what Naruto was thinking now: 'What is he doing now?'

Mizuki was finally released from his stunned and disoriented stupor, even angrier than before. He scanned the area for the pest that was, clearly, kicking his ass. When he found the boy, in front of him, it was too late.

The Kensei sprinted at such a speed, that an after-image was present; his target: Mizuki. As soon as Zato got in hair's length of the traitor, he leapt over, slid under and side-stepped around Mizuki in all directions, all at the same time! Mizuki turned around to stop the boy from doing whatever attack he was trying to attempt, only to find his foe had disappeared. He froze; paralyzed by pain and fear.

"Sunshine Underground," Zato intoned from the spot he started from, sheathing his sword and confusing his opponent and their spectator. *CLANG!* The Kensei completely sheathed his sword and Mizuki shouted out in pain the skin on his back was sliced open by four simultaneous slashes from Zato's lightning fast strikes. The traitor fell to his knees as Orochimaru's drug wore off, becoming human once again. On his bare back was a large scar in the shape of an eight-pointed star. Finally, the traitor fell unconscious in defeat.

(Stop "T.O.R.N.A.D.O.", The Go! Team)

"Thank Buddha," Zato said in relief as his slab like weapon turned to smoke and disappeared back into its seal on the Kensei's arm. Zato looked over at his old friend, who looked like he was going to explode from excitement.

"THATWASAMAZING!HOWDIDYOUDOTHAT!WHEREHAVEYOUBEEN?" Naruto was shouting a thousand questions at speeds that were beyond physically impossible as he sprinted over to his friend. Zato was overwhelmed.

"Whoa-Whoa-Whoa! Chill, guy, chill," Zato said, placating his friend. "Let's first get the premadona secure. I'll answer your questions as best as I can on the way back to the village, alright?"

Naruto sighed, then nodded at his friend. Zato thanked him then moved over to Mizuki. From inside his jacket, Zato pulled out charka-sealing cuffs, a slip of paper marked with the kanji for 'still', a stasis seal, and a blank storage scroll. He cuffed Mizuki behind his back, adhered the seal to the traitor's forehead and sealed him into the storage scroll. The two boys began their trek back to Konoha, telling their stories from their time apart.

Hokage's Office, Same Time

Unknown to Naruto, at least, the two friends were being watched since Naruto stole the Forbidden Scroll earlier that evening. They were observed by five individuals in a crystal ball on a desk. The desk's owner was an old man wearing white and red robes and a hat marked with the kanji for 'fire'. This was Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime Hokage, leader of Konohagakure. Flanking him was his advisors and former teammates, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. The three of them were taught by the Senju brothers, Hashirama and Tobirama, the first and second Hokages, respectively. Where Hiruzen became the Hokage, his teammates became his most trusted advisors.

"Hanzo taught him well," the Hokage commented to the visitors on the other side of his desk. Sitting down in front of the trio was a man their age with wild white hair and a bald scalp. His face was stern as he nodded to the old Hokage.

"I have to agree," the visitor said. "But what amazed me the most was young Naruto. Wouldn't you say, Boss?"

At the back of the office, the four occupants heard a snort. Leaning against the wall was another old man. Under his hood, one could see that he wore a strange eye-patch over his left eye; his hair, styled in a mullet, was grey with age, the same with his mustache. He was muscular and had reflexes of a man forty or fifty years younger; like a soldier. He wore a poncho over some sort of advance armor. In his hand was a cigarette, which he smoked religiously.

"Damn it, Aramaki," the man swore exasperatedly. "I told you not to call me that." Aramaki smirked from his spot in front of the desk.

"Deal with it, Snake," the now named Aramaki told his colleague, using his codename. "But back on topic, it appears Zato's evaluation of young Uzumaki was accurate concerning that he would be perfect for what my colleague and I have in mind."

"Daisuke, you understand that is the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, don't you," Koharu questioned with apprehension? "The civilian council and Danzo have been vying for control of the boy; each for their own agendas. It was hard enough to allow the boy to become a ninja. What will happen if they found out about you're involvement in his career?"

"It's a risk we'll have to take," Snake replied. "Besides, I made a promise to his mother." The occupants became more withdrawn, reminiscing about the woman who gave birth to Uzumaki Naruto. Hiruzen sighed in defeat.

"Fine, he's yours," the Hokage relented. "How is this going to work?" Aramaki answered this time.

"Naruto will work and train with us in secret while being part of the genin team," he answered. "Which team will he be a part of?"

"Team 7," answered Homura this time. "His teammates will be Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke; their jonin leader is Hatake Kakashi."

"Selections are still based off academic standing," Koharu explained; Aramaki huffed at that. "Because Naruto was the 'dead-last', he was placed with the top male and female students. In all honesty, Team 7 appears to be doomed to failure."

"Seriously," Snake asked with a raised eyebrow?

"Indeed," Homura answered. "Uzumaki has a crush on the girl, Haruno; she is obsessed with the Uchiha, a fan-girl, if you will. She wouldn't have passed the first genin exam if it weren't for her intelligence."

"Of course, there's the Uchiha," Koharu added, her and fellow advisor looking to the floor in shame.

"Don't worry, Koharu," Aramaki interjected. "It wasn't your fault. Danzo did something. If there's blood on anyone's hands, it's his. He'll get his." Shimura Danzo: Konoha elder and "former" head of ANBU faction ROOT, the power-hungry warhawk responsible for the Uchiha Massacre and the hiatus of Aramaki and Snake's organization. Using a Genjutsu, he manipulated Koharu and Homura to sign the Uchiha's death warrant, destroying the clan. Fugaku Uchiha, the clan head, was organizing a coup de tat against the village. What Hiruzen's spy and Aramaki's operative, Uchiha Itachi, could gather, it was mostly men in the military. Itachi was ordered to eliminate his clan. He killed all but one, his younger brother.

With this fiasco, it was agreed that the organization should go dark for awhile to regroup. Aramaki transferred to Hi no Kuni's capital to act as liaison between the Daimyo and Konoha. Hyuuga Batou, Aramaki's subordinate, became his bodyguard. Snake wandered the lands, roaming from battlefield to tired battlefield.

Koharu looked up at Aramaki with determination in her eyes. "You damn well better, Daisuke," she said with a stony tone. Homura brought the elders back to the business at hand.

"Uchiha Sasuke," he began. "Good grades and top of the class; the graduating class' Rookie of the Year. The instructors sing nothing but praises for the boy."

"I hear a 'but' coming," Snake interjected as Homura ended. Koharu nodded and began to speak.

"Correct," she answered the chain-smoker at the back of the room. "The boy never had a psych-eval; at the Civilian Council's insistence, might I add. They said the ordeal was entirely too traumatic for him to go through. In reality, it was so he could become a ninja. The village has spoiled him and inflated his ego quite a bit; it's sickening. He's been on a revenge craving for quite some time; Itachi might have something to do with that."

"Establishing a cover, more like," Snake interrupted. The room's other occupants nodded. Because of the Massacre, Itachi was forced to become an S-ranked Missing-nin. Currently, he's made contact with another S-rank Missing-nin, Hoshigaki Kisame from Mizugakure, a ninja village in the southwest island cluster that is in the middle of a civil war; Kisame fights for the rebels there. The two of them are spying a terrorist group called Akatsuki for Konoha and the rebel faction in Mizu. Koharu nodded in agreement.

"Must be," she added. "But this means that as soon as he feels he's gained enough power from the village, he'll leave to find power elsewhere; one of our enemies or worse." Everyone nodded gravely at the implication of Orochimaru.

"But what of their sensei, Kakashi," Aramaki asked? Hiruzen sighed.

"Kakashi will be problematic," he said as he rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. "He hasn't changed since you left, if that's what you're asking. Chronically late, reads porn in public, highly vague; he has too much baggage."

"We all have too much baggage, Sarutobi," Snake commented with equal frustration with the jonin as Hiruzen had. "His problem is he doesn't know when to let go, we all have to." The Hokage agreed with the haggard soldier.

"Good point," he quipped. "The principle reason Kakashi's leading Team 7 is because of his Sharingan. Eventually, Sasuke will gain his and Kakashi will teach him how to use it. Unfortunately, Naruto and Sakura's training will fall to the way side. Even before that he'll just bulk the team up on missions so Sasuke can make chunin, turning his other two students into cannon fodder, cheerleaders or practice dummies; maybe all three." Snake grew angry at this.

"Asshole," he bit out with disgust. Aramaki decided to cut in before things got too ugly.

"So now we have a lay of the land," he began. "Naruto will stay on the team to watch the Uchiha. If Sasuke defects, we'll tell the truth and bring Itachi in from the cold. I know it's risky, but what else can we do?" The Hokage and his advisors looked at each other with worry, but discovered they had no other choice.

"Fine," Koharu spoke for the three of them. "But who will train Naruto?"

"I will," Snake answered, walking up to the desk. Hiruzen and the elders were surprised, Snake rarely took students. "As I said before, I made a promise." Hiruzen accepted his reasons.

"Then it is agreed," he said finally and looked to Aramaki. "You'll need to rename your unit. The former name will bring too much attention."

"We gathered," replied Aramaki. "Snake and I already had a title in mind: Kaku Kaisha." Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.

"'Ghost Company'," he questioned, giving it a whirl in his head. "Perfect. We'll go over details before the new genin cells are activated." Aramaki nodded. It was time for the ghosts to rise from shallow graves.

[xXx]

Behold the first chapter! This took me a while to write but I began my first Naruto story. I know the battle between Mizuki and my OC was short. I'm looking for a Beta to help me with my fight scenes. If anyone's interested, PM me or leave a note in your review.

I must warn people, though, Team 7 will be bashed. Kakashi isn't that bad of a character, but some things about him just piss me off, so he'll be redeemed by Part II. Sakura is a bitch, straight up. If she didn't become a medic in Part II of the manga, she would have been a complete waste of space. And because she becomes a medic and grows up eventually, she will also be redeemed. Sasuke sucks, nuff said. He's boned for the entire fic. Hate the guy with a passion. Sorry Sasuke fans.

For anyone who is interested, the chapter's title, "Build Voice", is a song by some crazy dude from Baltimore named Dan Deacon. I love his music! So wild and fun! "Build Voice" is the first track off his 2009 record Bromst. Look it up!

Also, if you like Harry Potter, I have a story up called Harry Potter and the Shaman. It's AU and Harry eventually gets into a relationship with Susan Bones. I got cool OCs and the magical world is written like a whole other animal. Remember to look it up!

Remember to review! Tell me what you think of characters, story, music choices, whatevs! Just don't flame; makes you look like a douche. Thanks!

NINJA VANISH!

I'M GONE LIKE MEGATRON!