Disclaimer: Kishimoto owns Naruto and all characters/places associated with the series. I do own the OCs and the characterization of the minor characters. I am making no money by doing this, but if anyone is looking for a writer…
Prologue
It was unfair. He was too young for this. Too young to understand what he was, much less be punished for it. But then, when was life ever fair?
Sarutobi, Third Hokage of Konoha, watched as Uzumaki Naruto raced ahead of him. The six-year-old chattered eagerly for the last few hours of their journey, excited to be seeing the world outside their village for the first time. Everything was new to him and therefore held a kind of mysterious wonder, as it did for many young children. Everyone that they had met on the road smiled at the hyper blond boy and then smiled at him, waiting for the proud beam of a grandfather. They were met with a blank stare that soon looked away and could only catch a glimpse of an abrupt grimace of regret.
It isn't right. Sarutobi told himself, as he had for the past few days. The boy has done nothing wrong. This is madness.
No matter how insane or unfair it was, there was nothing he could possibly do about it. The other Kages had already agreed and to refuse all of them at once was to risk Konoha's very existence. At least now peace between the Hidden Villages could finally be assured. Yes, his conscience whispered condescendingly, let that be your blood money. Peace for the village and torment for the son of its savior!
At last they came to a large cliff which overlooked a peaceful valley and a small lake which shone like a mirror in the midday sun. They were the first ones there, judging by the empty boulders that made a small circle in the center of the cliff. Sarutobi wearily sank onto a smooth boulder and took out a small, wrapped package from his robes.
"Naruto, come!" he called to the child, "Time for lunch."
"Hai, Hokage-sama!" The blond boy eagerly raced to the old man and leapt onto the rock beside his. He sat with a child's impatience, furiously swinging his legs as he waited for his lunch.
"Itadakimasu!" Naruto sang as he bit into his onigiri. Sarutobi had no appetite and even the sight of food made him feel sick to his stomach. He bent down his wide-brimmed hat, now grateful for the privacy it provided, and hid his tears from the oblivious boy who ate his lunch without a care in the world.
"Hokage-sama, who're they?" Figures dressed in robes almost identical to his, save for the different coloring and the different characters on their hats were now arriving. With them were silent figures, all with different headbands.
"So," whispered the Raikage, "You came after all. Good. We were worried."
"Hokage-sama?" Naruto asked nervously, "What's going on?"
"That's what we'd all like to know." A lanky ninja grunted, arms crossed in contempt.
There were eight of them in all. They ranged from young children to nearing elderly. All were silent now, even Naruto. They all watched nervously as the Kages began to circle them, knowing that something was wrong but too conditioned to protest.
At last all the Kages were in position around them. Sarutobi only had eyes for Naruto, who stared at him in confusion. Forgive me, his heart whispered as his hands flew in sync with the other Kages to perform the hand seals.
Ox-Dragon-Rat-Dragon-Snake-…
The ground began to glow in a complete circle around the Jinchuuriki. One of them furiously leapt at the ring around them, only to be shot back by an invisible force. Some began to shout, others begged, most just glared in helpless rage at the Kages sealing them. One of them cried. Even as tears streamed down Sarutobi's cheeks and blurred the sight of the sobbing blond boy, his hands and voice remained steady and finally, mercifully, the deed was done.
The Jinchuuriki would be sealed for the remainder of their lives in this rocky prison. Their Biju would die with them and there would remain no reminder of the terrible sacrifices the Hidden Villages had made during the wars so long ago. Soon the Biju themselves would sink into legend and people would forget the brave, tragic children who were sacrificed in an attempt to control them.
Sarutobi turned away regretfully as a single tear traced down his worn cheek.
"Naruto," he whispered as the wind died down around them, leaving the faint echoes of the children screaming behind.
Translations:
itadakimasu: said before eating, could be translated to "time to eat"
-sama: formal way to address those above you
hai: yes
Note: yes, yes, I know that it hasn't been officially proven that Naruto is the Yondaime's son, but as far as fanon is concerned, it works. So, this fic is now open to criticisms of all and any kind, provided there's some thought to the reviews. Thank you and have a nice day!