A/N: Right. I know I have like three other stories to work on but I really wanted to get this up. I hope that I will get Foresight and One Step Back updated by the end of June, the latest. But honestly, no promises. This is just a new plot bunny I wanted to play with.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, Sakura would be cooler, less preppy and for kicks, a guy and Sasuke would be a girl, and Tobi would be Obito. So yeah. I don't own Naruto.
Thunder Beast:
Uzumaki Naruto is drawn into the protection of an ancient family by the actions of their clan heir after a mob run-in. And this family isn't a normal one either. They are a family who've been bonded with beasts during birth, powerful lightning creatures that helped shape the Five Nations.
Powerful Naruto! Brotherlike Kakashi! Alive Hatake Sakumo! AU with a splash of Fantasy.
Prologue:
The Hatake Clan is rather widely known for two people, Hatake Sakumo, Konoha's White Fang and his only, living son, Hatake Kakashi, the Copy Nin. What isn't known about the family is the size. With members numbering over 100, the Hatake is the single largest clan in the history of Konohagakure and no one knows it; everyone assumes the family only had two, Sakumo, who had died and Kakashi. Only the Hokage and a select few, including a few select family heads know the sheer size of the Hatake.
The Hatake don't have a known bloodline limit but there are speculations of it but none have been proved. In fact, only the Hatake themselves and the Hokage know of their bloodline limit. While the Inuzuka Clan has a contract with dogs and the Aburame, a contract with bugs, the Hatake has a connection with the youkai. Because of the peculiar make up of their genes, when a Hatake is born or initiated into the family by means of Blood Ritual or Blood Seals, a lightning youkai is placed into their bodies.
He hated this feeling, the feeling of being useless. He hated it so much. He hated that he was so useless that he couldn't protect a small child. He hated that he couldn't move, hated that his village was going to kill the boy for something he didn't do but most of all, he hated that he couldn't protect his sensei's legacy. He hated that he had to use his last resort.
"Come forth," his voice was quiet and everyone stopped. Frightened blue eyes set in a cherubic face looked up at him from under his arm and he smirked faintly. Small hands clutched his arm and the jonin gently pushed the child backwards before looking up at the villagers. They shifted; his resolve had changed. He looked at the villagers, the shinobi, the civilians and his eyes flashed, a golden amber color bleeding into the original black of his eyes. His voice rose and blue chakra sounding like crackling lightning surrounded him. "RAIJOU!"
His breath hitched and whatever was holding him standing fled in a surge of power, sending him crashing to his knees as his old friend fled from his soul. There was an explosion of lightning and chakra and the villagers reeled in shock. There was a small, frightened cry and he instinctively reached back to pull the child towards him as the large, magnificent creature landed protectively in front of him.
"You finally decided you need my help now boy?" the low rumble made him laugh and the jonin stood on wobbly legs, holding the child in his arms. Golden eyes looked back at him and the wolf prowled forward, much like a predator would and gently nuzzled the small blonde child. He whimpered and a gentle, gloved hand settled on his head. Blue eyes looked up at him and he nodded gently. The canine snorted and turned his attention back to the petrified watchers. "If you wish, I'll help you protect this child,"
"Thank you Raijou," was the relieved reply and the wolf snorted.
"You owe me brat," and the canine lowered himself into an attacking position. The villagers stepped back in fear and lips drew back, baring sharp fangs. Lightning crackled around the wolf's dark pelt, surging and sparking with energy. His haunches tensed and he began to lunge.
"Stop! That's enough!" the voice was sharp and heads whirled around to see an old man wearing robes walk through, flanked by ANBU. The wolf hissed, snarling but did as told, slowly relaxing but not once leaving the jonin's side, recognizing the man as Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime. "Tora-san, please bring everyone here in for questioning. Kakashi-kun, please bring Naruto-kun and follow me,"
The jonin hesitated for a moment before limping forward and he followed the Hokage, the small form of Uzumaki Naruto held protectively in his arms. Behind him, the wolf trailed obediently with being told, snapping his jaws at people when they sneered at the jonin. The walk was tense and quiet as the trio and one canine headed towards the Hokage Tower.
The Sandaime sighed softly as he settled his old bones into the chair behind his desk. In front of him were jonin Hatake Kakashi, 4 year-old Uzumaki Naruto and a wolf. When was being Hokage this complicated? With a signal, he dismissed the ANBU situated in his office and put up a privacy jutsu. He crossed his hands and leaned forward, resting his chin on his interlaced knuckles.
"You do know what you've done yes?" Hiruzen asked simply. Kakashi winced and just clutched the child closer. The wolf snorted and Naruto's blue eyes flickered between his grandfather figure and the man who had just saved him, confused. "You should know that your position has been slightly compromised yes? By calling upon Raijou, you've declared that Uzumaki Naruto is under the protection of the Hatake Clan, "
"My deepest apologies sir," was Kakashi's quiet reply. "I will take full responsibility for my actions,"
"Which means you will take care of him yes?" at the words, Kakashi's head shot up, locking dark eyes on the Sandaime; the wolf, Raijou, was staring too. The Hokage was completely serious. "Those who know your true heritage are far and few but with your protection, no one would dare harm Naruto,"
"But," Kakashi began to protest the same time Raijou opened his mouth and Hiruzen smiled at the both of them.
"Do not worry so much Kakashi-kun," the Sandaime reassured when he saw uncertainty flicker across the jonin's face. "You need not worry about the village. Your family and your rank hold quite a lot of power Kakashi-kun,"
Kakashi sighed and answered, "I know Hokage-sama. I know."
The Hatake numbers grow with each year, not because of reproduction but due to the number of strays the Clan Heir seems to pick up. It's a habit that the Clan Head has never been able to break. Of course, the "stray" may take the Hatake surname but most usually don't, since surprises are a good weapon to use on enemies. The fact that no one seems to know of the bloodline is good too.
The most recent of strays in the last few years that the Clan Head had to initiate into the clan were a newly minted chunin named Hagane Kotetsu, who kept his original surname, and of course, Hatake Sakumo's favorite stray, a 4 year-old child named Uzumaki Naruto. Of the good dozen strays that had entered the Clan in the last 17-18 years, only Naruto changed his surname.
On the eve of his 4th birthday, the day Clan Heir Kakashi had saved him and had, by saving him, inadvertently taken him into his family, Uzumaki Naruto became Hatake Naruto.
End Prologue
A/N: I just had to get this up. It seems like a fun plot bunny that my muse threw at my face this morning. To clear up a something real quick, Hatake Sakumo is not dead. The village thinks that he's dead but really, he isn't and has just left being an active shinobi to manage his clan for a while. If you like, review, if you have questions, ask them and if you don't like…well I can't make you like it but leave suggestions or a reason why you don't like or just leave nothing at all. This story is still in a planning stage and will hopefully get better as time goes on. Be patient kay?