Hey y'all! It's Aurora here. So, I haven't written any Naruto fanfics in quite some time. Why? Because I needed some time to breathe and heal. I'm still trying to heal from the trauma I have been given due to the harassment of some foolish individuals. This is the longfic I'll be working on, but I might try to update some of my other ongoing stories. It's uncertain as of yet because I want to go slow getting back into the swing of things. Thanks y'all for your patience and continued support.

This is an AU like all of my other fanfiction stories. Everyone writes the characters differently. Please remember to favorite, follow, etc. along with leaving some nice comments.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters.

Pairing: KakaNaru. Any others will be implied and/or added like usual.

Risen Nights

Chapter 1: Pendulum

Gazing into the mirror, a blonde haired man of about nineteen years of age stares into it. Multiple thoughts whirl in the recesses of his mind. Where will he go now that he's of age to take over the throne? His parents died when he was born. One came to pass during childbirth which had been his mother while his father perished in the process of sealing a powerful demon inside of him. Those memories aren't pleasant ones, not wanting to dwell on them any longer than necessary. At least with Kurama it hasn't been too bad. The two of them have been able to get along after a while even though the start was a little bumpy to say the least. In a formal black kimono, he puts on his zori after turning his back to the reflective surface. Throughout the years he's given into Kurama to a certain extent. It's to the point that he has more vulpine features such as ears, six out of nine tails, and his whiskers are more prominent on him. The rule is that he won't allow to be given all nine, knowing if he does then that'll release her from her imprisonment. The last thing he wants to do is set her free. The only time that'll happen is whenever he'll meet death, but that won't happen anytime soon.

Leaving his quarters in the sapphire constructed palace with spires extending towards the cloudy skies, he goes to where the meeting will take place. There's suppose to be something big brewing it seems. At least that's what his senses have been able to pick up along with what Kurama has let him know about. So far they remain under the radar, not wanting anyone against them to find out what Kurama is letting him know. The information given to him is restricted for no one to know outside of the highest individuals within the depths where the tailed beasts and other creatures are from. It worries both of them at knowing that there probably will be people seeking them out for this point along with some other things. Bracing himself, Naruto walks through the door to take his seat at the long oak table. There are other officials including the princes of other castles, keeps, and the like throughout the Five Nations that have come to his home. Before he took the reins here it had been his parents duty to conduct the meetings. Being the one to do it now feels like a weight is on his shoulders, causing him some anxiety to bubble up at worrying about whether or not he'll live up to their memory. Glancing around, he notices that everyone has come. It must be important for all to be here instead of only the most imperative individuals.

"We can begin now," says the oceanic-eyed male, bringing any prior discussions to silence for all to turn their attention to him. "What do we need to talk about this time?"

"There's something amiss in Konoha," says one of the people here, knowing that majority of these people are those that Kurama will know instead of himself.

"Oh, well, I assume you want me to deal with it," shrugs the blonde, thinking it might be fun to return to his homelands with the castle here being put in a dimension between the depths and the mortal world more or less.

"Indeed," confirms one of the officials. "We have faith that you'll see it put to rest. You know that the Elders as well as I require you to go through some testing before ascertaining weather or not you can uphold the title of what resides here to our standards."

Inwardly, he grimaces at being let know of this. It's not something he likes to be privy to when it puts more pressure on him. Giving a slight nod, he listens to the rest of the talk during the meeting time there. In the morning he'll need to set out for there, knowing that the guards will keep this place safe during his absence. It does worry him if those after him might track him down to there. If that's the case then he'll do his best to protect everyone. Going back to his room, he goes to prepare for the journey tomorrow. Without warning, he stiffens at sensing a presence nearby. Instantly, he relaxes at feeling the maternal aura radiating off of the individual that has come into existence. Kurama is capable of having a humanoid form, but she remains with the seal that he has on her own body. The vixen has long flowing dark red hair that falls to the middle of her back, having it in a high ponytail. Those ruby coals glimmer with interest at knowing the mission her charge has. What she has on when in battle is ceremonial armor. The armor is put in her pocket dimension where she can take and stow things away as she sees fit. What she wears is a tunic and leggings along with a pair of leather boots. Down her arms are gold bands along with her ankles. The coloring of her tunic is dark blue while the leggings are black. Eyeing him expectantly, she crosses her arms over her chest.

"So? What's the verdict, kit?" Asks the feminine individual, narrowing her eyes ever so slightly at noticing him hesitate.

"I agreed to their request," he sighs, looking down at his feet. "I see no point in going back on my word now."

"Good," giving a small smile, she places a hand on his shoulder. "Look, I know none of this has been easy on you, but your mother and father would be proud of you. We'll meet some new people when we're in Konoha. It's the place where your mother and father met. I'm sure you'll like it there."

"I hope your'e right," mutters Naruto, feeling comfort by her gesture and encouragement given to him.

"Of course I am," scowling, Kurama takes her hand away from him to keep some distance. "You overthink everything too much. It's going to be fine. True, there are people after us, but we're strong enough to deal with them. Well, you still have a ways to go, but you're progressing better than I might of previously thought."

"Heh, thanks," giving a grin, Naruto feels a new sense of energy flowing in his veins as if ther'es more of a skip to his step as he finishes up packing all of his things that he thinks he'll need. "Are you packing anything or not?"

"Nah, everything I need is in the pocket dimension. It'll be there when I need it," she reassures, having all nine tails versus the six that Naruto has, feeling her ears twitch every once in a while. "Do you have any questions before we part for sleep?"

"Do we have to hide our true natures around people there?" Asks the blonde curiously, genuinely wanting to know.

"Maybe at first," shrugs Kurama, having no definite idea about it though. "At least until we can see if other people there are different too."

"Damn, I wish we don't have to," sighing in resignation, he guesses that it's a small price to pay in order to blend in.

"I know. Oh, also, while we're there….address me as your older sister. It's best to keep up appearances there," suggests Kurama, thinking this plan will work out well enough.

"Sounds good to me," nods Naruto, thinking this will be fine.

The two part their separate ways after they finish up their talk. Kurama disappears back into her place behind the cell in her place. Going to his bed, he changes out of his clothes down to his boxers before slipping under the covers. For some reason he feels a knot begin to form in the pit of his stomach. It's something to expect with the worries running around in his mind, knowing that tomorrow will be a long and busy day. At least they'll be able to get to Konoha shortly with little to no complications. It takes a while before sleep greets him, sweeping him away into the veil of unconsciousness. The hope for dreams isn't one that he wishes for considering most nights he doesn't have any. Only time will tell how tomorrow and the rest of his days and nights will go.

I hope I can make you all proud…. I want to be seen as an equal, but I know that I need to work for it to make my hopes and dreams a reality.

()()()()()

The next morning, Naruto rises an hour or two after dawn. Getting out of bed, he goes to shower quickly and change into a clean kimono. The one he has on is a dark blue one with a gold trim. Putting on his zori, he attaches his pouch to his belt that contains his wallet, weapons, scrolls, and the like. When he feels he's good enough to head out, he exits his room to walk down the hallway. Kurama shortly joins him, leading the way out of here to the human world. It takes a couple of hours going throughout the intricate passageways after leaving the castle. When they leave the dimension for the one that the humans dwell in, they both hide their kitsune features to leave only the angular facial features to stay along with their slender forms with an ample amount of muscle on them. On Kurama's back are a pair of katana blades in their sheaths in a crisscrossing fashion. It doesn't surprise him that she feels it necessary to be on guard. There's no telling what they might encounter out there. It takes a few more hours until they reach outside of the front gates of the village in question they've been given the request to investigate. Looking up, Naruto gawks in awe at seeing the village from this vantage point even though it only reveals a small portion of it. The further they walk in will have more to be seen.

"So, this is it," states the blonde as they still stand outside of the gates for a few moments to get the hang of their surroundings although Kurama seems fine while Naruto is still adjusting to the difference.

"Yep," confirms the woman, guessing to others she'll seem like a kunoichi although that doesn't bother her in the slightest. "Well, let's not stand here forever. We need to go to the Hokage Tower first I think."

"Oh, right. We need to speak with their leader before anything else," heat rushes to his cheeks at forgetting such an important initial part before doing anything else, following after Kurama past the front gates to at last be in the village itself.

The two walk side by side through the streets. None of the bustle in there comes to a halt although they do receive imploring glances from time to time. It's something they both expect to happen. Naruto and Kurama seem like significant individuals due to their dress and the strong chakra signatures the two have. Continuing to move, they reach the doors leading into the Hokage's Tower. Looking up, he examines the structure, finding it interesting what humans can create. It doesn't take long after this slight pause before they go inside, being give neprmission after stating their business to speak with Tsunade herself. Going into the office, Naruto and Kurama take their seats across from the blonde woman behind the desk. Shizune has let her know about the two people that require a meeting with her. It's not something she wants right now, but being the leader of this village means she has to conduct various types of business to uphold the peace here. Lifting her gaze from the scattering of papers on her desk, the topaz-eyed woman notices the two there across from her.

"Well? What do you want?" Asks tsunade, having a good amount of patience, realizing that these must be what the messenger has let her know about.

"The council of ashes has given me the request to put an end to what's amiss here," replies Naruto, doing as he's been given a rehearsal about before on the way here. "So, uh, is there something going on here?"

"Indeed there is," confirms tsunade, weighing her options of how to explain this before she continues. "There have been a few disappearances of our shinobi and kunoichi here. We suspect it's the work of the organization known as the Akatsuki."

"What?" Blurts out Kurama angrily at the mention of that name. "Why?"

"There's no telling," shrugs Tsunade, taking a gulp from her cup of sake she keeps at her desk at all times. "But if the council has sent someone like you then it can mean something to you. Stay here in Konoha for a few days before you try heading outside to search for a lead."

"Is there someone I can talk to that might have one?" Presses Naruto to know. "C'mon, Granny, I'm sure you'll have something to throw at me to go off on…."

Narrowing her eyes ever so slightly has Kurama sighing in annoyance at his impulsiveness, surveying the scene as Tsunade replies, "Yes, I suppose I can. Go meet with someone at the Uchiha compound. He'll be able to lead you onto a trail that might get you started."

"Thanks," grins Naruto before getting up to head out of there.

Kurama gives a bow to the Hokage as she says, "I apologize for my little brother's behavior. He can be a little…..brash at times."

"It's fine," waving it off, Tsunade pays no mind to them as the two depart from the Tower to return to the streets.

Being outside again, Kurama easily catches up with Naruto. The two find their way to figure out where the compound is that they need to head over to shortly. Once they do, they take in some of the sights along the way. The place here is definitely vastly different from the lands they come from. It's a nice change of pace at least for her charge although she doesn't really find it all that interesting. All it is can be seen a world where the humans live where they have their wars and all. It doesn't seem to her that this place encounters peace all that often. When they reach their destination, Naruto hesitates as if unsure what to do from here. They stand outside of the front door to the Uchiha estate. Raising a hand, he knocks a few times, figuring this might be the way to get the attention of anyone that lives there. He and Kurama stand outside waiting until the door opens to reveal a pale male with raven hair, onyx eyes, and wearing relatively comfortable clothing. It consists of a pair of cargo pants, a white flowy shirt, and a pair of zori. On his hip is where a masterpiece of a katana lies in its sheath while on his belt is where his pouch remains. Studying the two individuals at his doorstep, he steps aside to allow them entrance into his home.

"Lady Tsunade has sent you," states the smooth voice of the man they're meeting with at the moment.

"Yep," nods Naruto, keeping his distance while Kurama remains on guard in case this might be some sort of trap.

"You're looking for the people that have gone missing then. One of them is my older brother," he tells them, eyeing them speculatively as if unsure if he can exactly trust them. "I'm Sasuke Uchiha. I'm the second in line for the throne of our clan even though it was massacred several years ago. Itachi and I are the only ones left that we know of."

"Are you like us?" His curiosity gets the better of him, wanting to know if maybe there are people they can trust on the other plains of existence.

"If you count being leeches then yeah," shrugs Sasuke, not sure how else to describe it. "So, are you going to accept me on your team or not?"

"Wait, what?" Narrowing her eyes ever so slightly at him, Kurama isn't entirely sure if she wants other people to accompany them.

"I don't need to repeat myself," bristles Sasuke, reining in his slight annoyance to remain patient.

"what do you have to offer then?" Says Kurama, being protective over her charge which means she won't let just anyone be with them on their mission.

"I'm skilled in combat with weaponry and chakra. I have a bloodline that only my clan wields. If you have me on your side then I'll be a valuable asset," explains Sasuke, not skimping on any details because he clearly wants to win her favor.

"What do you think, kit?" Turning to the blonde, Kurama looks at him though seems kind of unimpressed by Sasuke's explanation.

"he wants to help out. I don't see why not," shrugs Naruto, turning his attention away from her to the male in question. "It's good to meet you. I'm Naruto Uzumaki and this is my….sister, Kurama."

"Hey," greets the redheaded woman, deciding to stand by whatever decision he might make even if she might not like it.

"There's someone else I'm looking for too," says Sasuke, giving a slight nod to them in acknowledgment of their introductions. "he was my former sensei, but he's…..well, I suppose your kind might say it as mate though for us it's like how the humans work with being called a fiance."

"We'll get them both back," reassures Naruto, hoping that this will work considering he knows the greater the numbers and power then the better they'll be against any foes that might try to stop them. "We know that it's the Akatsuki who have taken them."

"Hn, I figure as much," sighs Sasuke in annoyance, wondering why such an infamous organization might want to take them.

"We'll figure it out," assures Naruto, giving it some thought before he asks. "do you think there's someone else that might be worthy enough to join us? I mean I don't mind adding another person or two to our group as long as Kurama is ok with it."

"Do what you want. I don't mind," pipes up the kitsune, finding it intriguing to say the least as to how humans are here.

"There's Kakashi Hatake. He's a jounin here," suggests Sasuke after giving it some thought.

"Where can I find him?" Questions the blonde, feeling a spark of recognition at hearing the name though isn't sure why.

"Probably around somewhere. I'll be here when you're ready to set off," says the raven haired man, guessing that this might take a while even though he's a little impatient to head out to find those he needs to recover.

"Ok, I'll be back," grins Naruto before disappearing in a poof of smoke, causing Kurama to sigh before turning her attention to the Uchiha.

"He better be safe here or you'll pay dearly," she warns, giving a light glare to the one he sends her way.

"Hn, he is. No one here will even desire to spike a war between us and your kin. The kitsune are the most powerful demons in existence after all. So, don't get your whiskers in a twist. We'll stay here until the dobe comes back."

()()()()()()

Meanwhile, at Ichiraiku's ramen shop, sits a silver haired man at a table in the furthest corner. An orange book can be seen in one hand, turning the pages from time to time. A half eaten bowl of miso and beef ramen sits nearby on the table. There's a sound nearby of smoke before Naruto appears in there. Smelling the delicious aroma has his senses watering, deciding to order him some to try it out. Obviously he finds it to be a favorite, recalling having had some of this a long time ago. It's nice to know he still enjoys it. Peeking out of the corner of his vision, he spots the man in question he's suppose to find here. Gulping down his third bowl, he finishes up and pays before heading over to where Kakashi is still sitting. Tapping on the table, Naruto receives his attention easily enough it seems. Raising a brow, he wonders what this beautiful male wants with someone like him. By the looks of it seems to be a talk at first, but as to what he has no idea.

"Yes?" Asks Kakashi, studying the blonde in front of him carefully, sensing something powerful coming off of his signature. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah," nods Naruto, unsure why he feels kind of nervous talking to him though tries to disperse it as he continues. "Sasuke told me I might find you here."

"Oh?" frowning, he wonders what this might be about. "You have my curiosity. What do you want with me then?"

"Is there somewhere more private we can talk?" Asks the blonde, darting his gaze around to notice there's a lot of people here, not wanting anyone to eavesdrop.

"We can go outside," putting his book away on his person, he puts some yen on the table before getting up to head out of there to be outside, going a ways away from there until they go to an alleyway out of earshot of anyone. "So, what's this about?'

"My sister and I are given task by the Council of Ashes to find missing people from here. We've been told that it's the Akatsuki. Sasuke has agreed to come with us because he has some personal stuff. He suggested that you might want to come with us too," explains Naruto in a quiet tone, still being on the air of caution even though they probably won't get anyone eavesdropping where they are.

"Huh, interesting," taking this all in, Kakashi finds this something to probably dispel the boredom he's been feeling as of late. 'I don't have anyone I need to find. But if it's someone you want to add to your team then I think I'll be able to help you."

"Great," grins Naruto, holding out a hand. "Oh, um, I forgot to tell you who I am. That's probably important, right?"

Chuckling lightly, he shakes his head, reaching out to grab his hand in one of his own, causing jolts of electricity to pass through their fingertips, "Sasuke most likely already told you who I am, but I'll tell you anyway. I'm Kakashi Hatake. I'll do what I can."

"Naruto Uzumaki," taking his hand back, he feels heat rush to his cheeks to coat them in a light brush of pastel pink, wondering what these new feelings spurring up inside of him might mean. "I'm glad to meet you. C'mon, let's head back to the Uchiha compound. Kurama and Sasuke will be waiting for us."

What's his story? This one seems different from everyone here…. Well, in his company, I'll find it out eventually. It'll be interesting how I'll get lost on the path of life this time.

Oks, that's the end of chappie one. This is going to be a fun one to work on I think. Besides, I'm using my OTP's after all. So, that helps a lot in the long run. It'll be interesting with what y'all think as this progresses. Obviously I have many plans for this. *innocent look* Hehes

Anyway, the next chappie will be out shortly whenever I have it finished being written up. Hopefully that won't be too long of a wait for it though. Until then, please remember to review, darlings!