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As a standard, I always point out that I don't own Naruto. But that doesn't matter. I thank Stalker of Stories for her marvelous beta work. The stories wouldn't be the same without her.
Prologue: The House of Fallen Leaves
(Konoha, 2 years ago)
The sound of wood splintering could be heard on the other side of the door. Cracks spiderwebbed from the point of impact. The door would not last another hit. Sarutobi stood, awaiting the arrival of his guests, interested in who his counterpart had sent to do the task. No doubt, it would be a number of Uchiha, along with some of his pet Root forces. Itachi stood to the side, seemingly impassive as he strode up next to his leader. The hour would be upon them shortly. For the briefest moment, sadness flickered across his face. However, it was gone in an instant.
Outside the window, several buildings and trees were ablaze. Metal scraped against metal as ninja and civilian fought against one another. No one was sure how it began, but the results were clear, as Danzo's Root had come out of hiding and laid siege to the whole village. Sarutobi's forces had held them at bay, but it was only a matter of time. There just weren't enough ninja left over after the Kyuubi attack to prevent an all out uprising.
The door was blown off its hinges, along with a fireball technique following in its footsteps. The Hokage didn't even blink as the attack came to consume him. However, Itachi stepped in the way and formed a water jutsu out of the air, blocking the attack. Several Root ninja and Shisui of the Uchiha police force walked through those doors, their sharingan activated.
Sarutobi smiled at the men as he began his last lesson as the Professor and god of ninja, "So, the Root thinks he has become greater than the leaves. Well, let me tell you this, the leaves may fall from the tree, but over time they wait. When the time comes, those leaves will burst into flame, and the root will be consumed. Then new life will spring up from the remains, and like the phoenix, the new leaf will rise from the ashes once again."
The old man smiled and closed his eyes. Following the speech, a massive battle began between the old man and Danzo's Root forces. A battle which would consume the entire Hokage Tower and end with the greatest betrayal of all. It was the night of Fallen Leaves.
(Present, Fukuoka town, on the border of Konoha)
The piano played a soothing melody that drifted through the room. The brown haired man with a scar across his nose walked through the sliding doors and sighed. Here it was, the restaurant recommended to him by a number of locals around Konoha. The walls were painted a dark red with purple curtains that draped around the wall towards the main stage. The restaurant and hotel was one of the largest in the land of fire.
A young woman with pink hair approached him and said, "Valued customer, would you be seeking a place to stay for the night? Or perhaps some of the cook's fine cuisine?"
The girl gave a wide smile to him, which seemed to reassure him. Well, as much as a ten year old could reassure any customer. He smiled and said in a calming tone, "No thank you little miss. My name is Iruka Umino, and I seek part time employment."
The girl's eyes seemed to widen a bit, but Iruka blinked and she looked calm again. The pink haired girl looked around and said, "I see. Are you alone, or is there another with you?"
Iruka looked at the door. Another, larger man entered after him and gave a big thumbs up and a smile which sparkled. He muttered, "No. The guy over there is also seeking employment."
The pink hair nodded and replied with unwavering smile, "You should have no trouble finding a seat. The old man will be out in a minute, so please relax. The bella will be out in a minute."
She hesitated, and then said in a low tone with a sweet smile that sent shivers up Iruka's spine, "Oh, and if you ever call me little miss again, I'll gut you."
The chuunin resisted flinching away. Whoever that girl was, she was serious. There was even a small amount of killer intent accompanying the threat. He shook it off and approached an empty booth in the corner away from the front of the room. Surely, this couldn't be the place. The surviving resistance couldn't have taken up shelter here, could they? His traveling companion came and took up a seat next to him. The companion had a shiny black bowl cut hair. Iruka sighed at his companion's insanity. He was the opposite of discretion, wearing a green fully body suit. Without his old vest, he looked even gayer than before. Well, it couldn't really be helped. Might Gai was an extravagant person, both now and when he was a jounin in Konoha.
True to the girl's word, a woman came out from the front with purple hair. She wore a tan dress which went down to her knees. She began singing a beautiful jazz melody which enraptured the entire audience. Her and Iruka's eyes met for the second. Iruka began sweating a bit, but pushed his excitement down. He was there to meet with some people, not to meet a nice woman. After a couple minutes, that song ended, which the entire audience began applauding loudly.
The 'old man' came out moments later and, after a loud declaration that the next round of sake was on the house (which turned the cheering into an uproar for a few seconds), walked straight towards the two former ninja of Konoha. One of the waiters, Raidou, brought over a bottle of their finest Konoha Sake and set it down on the center of the wooden table.
The old man had wild long white hair which grew down to his legs. He wore a grey robes and a white long vest. His eyes had a mischievous twinkle within them as a gave them a victorious grin. He said pleasantly, "Well gentlemen, Sakura, one of my finest waiters, tells me that you seek employment here. Do you have what it takes to work here?"
It was the first part of the code. He and Gai whispered, "The Will of Fire still burns on within us."
The old man's eyes widened slightly, but then started laughing as he rose to his feet. He called on them, gesturing the two former ninja to follow after him. The three walked across the floor and through a doorway with the sign overhead that read, "Employees only."
The corridor turned to the left and began to descend. They descended 2 stories into the earth and through another door. Beyond that door, there were three doors to the left and three to the right. They managed to catch a glimpse of Sakura walking into one of them.
They heard the sounds of dull thumps coming from each room. The two wondered what was going on beyond those doors, but decided they would find out sooner or later. The old man issued them into the room at the furthest point.
Iruka was caught off guard as he entered the blackened room. Something was held to his throat. Gai, while properly on guard, found himself with the old man's kunai to his back. Both of them were ushered into the room and the door slammed shut behind them. A blinding light assaulted their vision, illuminating the two ninja, the old man and a new face, scarred unlike any they had ever seen before. He glared at them and asked, "Who sent you? Was it Danzo? How did he find out about us? And how did you know the code?"
Iruka spoke quickly with a small amount of fear, "You're wrong. Danzo didn't send us. We were forced into exile after we did something he didn't like. As for knowing the code, one of your contacts gave it to us."
Gai nodded slowly, He knew better than to speak back, because who knew how many other people were inside, how big the room was and how well trained they were. Iruka was more the diplomat than him anyway.
The scarred man asked, "What did you do?"
"Gai was forced out after sheltering me for several months. I taught some children that Danzo's coup d'état was bad for Konoha, bad for the country. One of the children said he wanted to be Hokage like Danzo someday, and I told him what I thought about that. My student told his parents, who were big supporters of Danzo. Next thing I knew, his Root were showing up at my door and I'm slipping out the back with Gai here leading the way."
There was a little more to it than that; someone had informed Gai that Iruka was about to be taken. Gai showed up and knocked out a number of the Root before they sensed his presence.
The scarred man looked into Iruka's eyes, not seeing any deception in them. A dossier was handed to the man from the shadows, which he took and began reading through. There was a snap of the fingers and all the lights came on in the room. Iruka looked surprised. A ninja with an ANBU mask backed away from Iruka. Two other ninja rested against the wall, giving them a look. One of them was chewing on a toothpick and the other put on black sunglasses. The scarred man wore a black trenchcoat and looked solemnly at the two. He said, "Gama Shishio, he is telling the truth."
Gama Shishio frowned at him and whined, "Oy, don't call me that. I am the legendary toad Sage, Jiraiya. Ibiki-san, you need to relax more. Join us for a drink upstairs!"
Ibiki shook his head, "Code names are important. We can't let it get out that you are here. As for me, I'm more well known that most people who work here. I was with Gato, after all for a year."
"You worry too much, Ibiki-san. Danzo isn't looking for you, but for me or Tsunade-hime. He wants her to return to support his coup, but for my head on a platter. However, I'm still up there, having a good time."
Jiraiya, the legendary Sannin and the owner of the House, turned to his two newest resistance fighters and shook their hands. He gave a bright smile and said, "You both are welcome to stay in this town as long as you want. Welcome, both of you, to the House of Fallen Leaves."
(Fukuoka town)
Asuma Sarutobi rested on the couch and looked out to where the children were running around. His mouth twisted into a small grin as he watched the most beautiful woman to ever walk the face of the earth bend over and hug their daughter after slipping and scraping her knee. It was a small girl, Fu Sarutobi, whom he had adopted after his departure from Konoha. The girl was an orphan. The Root were going about, gathering some of the orphans in the street who had been running around, trying to find family members that had died in the revolt.
(flashback Konoha, 2 years ago)
Asuma himself had been hiding in the alleyways in the aftermath of the downfall of his father. Danzo's followers were just starting to let off the pressure. Originally, they were hunting down the Loyalists. Asuma, being one such ninja, had hidden himself in an abandoned apartment next to where Naruto Uzumaki, the Kyuubi's Jinchuuriki, had lived. The boy had been among the first taken by the Root. Rumor has it, he was given to the Third's murderer as an apprentice. An utter disgrace, after all the boy was a living reminder of the Yondaime Hokage's sacrifice. Some of those closer to the Yondaime Hokage suspected the boy was related to him.
The survivor of the Sarutobi clan watched the streets, observing the root operative pulling on the arm of a little girl. Asuma tried to look away, afraid if he did anything the Root would descend on him like the rest of the Sarutobi clan. Supposedly, there were no survivors, but Asuma knew the truth. He had seen his nephew carried away.
Suddenly, the girl gave a loud scream, which was sharply cut off with a slap to the cheek. Asuma burned with anger as he raced out the doorway and opposite the Root ninja. The ninja didn't seem surprised; no wonder as he had no emotions. His trench knives were out in a second, and digging into the emotionless ninja's neck. A second later, the knife severed the head from the body completely. The remains fell to his knees, and then collapsed.
The girl started crying. He quietly asked for forgiveness, and then knocked the poor girl out to stop her bawling. Asuma picked her up and carried her to his other safehouse. The one next to Naruto's would no longer be safe. Root would investigate the area and no doubt find evidence that someone had been squatting in that apartment.
However, as he approached the safehouse, he sensed danger. He entered the dark alleyway and watched the house for about five minutes. Then, the entire building exploded. He began moving to escape, but several Root appeared on all sides. He set the girl down and prepared for his final stand. It was not to be. Two ninja appeared on either side of Asuma and sprung at the ANBU. They struck at each of their chests and within a couple minutes, the entire forces were dead.
The two turned to him, revealing it was the Head of the Hyuuga clan, Hiashi and his brother that had defended them. In the weeks to come, Asuma took shelter in the Hyuuga household, along with a number of exiles as well. Times were good, as Danzo didn't interfere with the Hyuuga for a long time. However, every good thing would come to an end. The Hyuuga were caught attempting to help a ninja escape from Konoha. The ninja was executed while Danzo's gaze turned towards the Hyuuga.
Hizashi Hyuuga, Asuma Sarutobi himself, and another ninja family were tasked with getting as many members of Konoha to safety. Hiashi and the remainder of his clan rose up against Danzo's Konoha, attacking his headquarters and drawing his attention from the main gates as Asuma led a number of children and loyal ninja out the gates. Hiashi told him that they would be met by a contact of his, who would lead them to a new place to live.
As for Hiashi, the rebellion made history, however it was still violently crushed. Asuma led them onwards towards the remains of Whirlpool country, the last remains of an ancient alliance that dated back to the Shodiame Hokage. On the way there, however, they met with an old ally, Jiraiya the Sannin. Apparently, he had built a safehaven to the northwest, in Fukuoka town where they would be free from the hunter ninja.
(End flashback)
(Fukuoka)
Asuma put away his trench knives and began a new civilian life. He fell in love with a tokubetsu jounin named Kurenai Yuuhi, whom he had married a couple months ago. Kurenai had made several trips between Konoha and Fukuoka to find orphans from the war and bring them to their orphanage.
Sometimes, other families sought her out, asking them to take their kids for fear of Danzo's Root indoctrination program. It was frightening. The world became a much darker place after Sarutobi died. Ibiki, the former master of Torture & Interrogations, heard many stories about Danzo's dark dealings working under Gato for a year.
Former chuunin and jounin once loyal to the Hokage disappearing in the middle of the night, children being kidnapped off the street in broad daylight, shady foreign missing ninja being accepted into Konoha as replacement for the newly missing ninja.
Rumor was that the Demon of the Mist had been one of the first to be hired, and he was the most feared jounin outside the Uchiha.
(Konoha)
"Welcome back, Zabuza-san!"
Zabuza cursed under his breath. He gave a small glance in the direction where the voice came from and, sure enough, it was the brat again. Damn it how he hated him. For some reason, he always knew when he was just returning from a mission. Shortly after Danzo hired them, that damn kid had found them out and became fast friends with his underling. Haku should just tell him to go away.
After a second, he shook his head, ridding himself of that thought. Haku deserved some form of happiness, even if it was just to be friends with him. Zabuza muttered, "Haku, get that brat out of my hair. You're dismissed for the day."
Haku smiled and ran ahead to the blond boy his age, "Come on, Naruto-kun. Zabuza-sama had a long day. We can go eat some ramen and I'll tell you all about it."
Naruto gave a small smirk and nodded, "Sure thing. See you later, Zabuza-san!"
Zabuza nodded, but inwardly smirked, Not if I can help it, you stupid brat.
The former Mist jounin departed for the Rokudaime's office, carrying the unconscious and bloody form of a former chuunin of Konoha. The old man would want to know that Hayate Gekkou had been successfully captured. He, along with his lover Yuugao, had been causing nothing but trouble for him and his entire team. Already, three Root chuunin and a tokubetsu jounin were killed by the couple. Yuugao had been captured two weeks ago. Another bloody mission and waste of good resources.
He didn't know what they did with Yuugao, but rumors were circulating. Some people said she was used as training material for new root ninja, while others she was simply executed. Zabuza snorted at both ideas. Danzo wouldn't send his own ninja against fully trained ninja of Konoha. And if she were executed, Danzo would have announced it as a major victory. No, Zabuza suspected the old man was far more ruthless than that. They, as in Danzo's root and mercenary ninja, had a standing order to capture the Konoha missing ninja, with the exception of Orochimaru.
He kept his suspicions to himself. Besides, the former mist Jounin wasn't paid to question his benefactor, especially considering the alternative was a piece of slime named Gato.
(House of Fallen Leaves)
The piano beat out a mournful jazz tone. It was an appropriate song for the situation, so Jiraiya sat down at the bar stool and ordered a round of Sake. The barkeep, a young man with red hair so dark that some confused it for black, gave a small grin as he wiped down the counter. He said pleasantly, "Valued customer, we are lucky to have your presence here today."
Jiraiya waved him off, "You can dispense with the pleasantries, Daigo-san. Please get me the Tsunade special. I need it after what we just learned. "
Daigo frowned as he pulled out a white vase. That particular Sake was only served during moments when something really bad happened. Only two customers were allowed it: the owner and Tsunade Senju. As he pulled it out he shouted, "Alright, everyone, the bar needs to close for awhile. Don't worry about the tabs, the owner is covering for it."
The customers gave each other a grin as they stood up and walked away...well most of them did anyway. One tried to buy another round, while a couple were so wasted that they couldn't see two feet in front of them. The bouncer was called in and asked to escort those ones to the entrance. Daigo then set the drink down in front of the old man. Jiraiya contemplated the black marble table in front of him. It was polished so that the barkeeper could easily wipe up any spills.
The piano changed its tune to an uplifting solo. It wasn't appropriate for this moment, but the rest of the customers were enjoying it. Jiraiya began, "I just got a message from our spy. Another chuunin had been caught."
Daigo began organizing the cabinet and looked unshaken. The barkeeper's job was to keep the customers relaxed, so he had to remain calm under all circumstances. This news wasn't as bad as two weeks ago, when one of Jiraiya's ANBU was caught. He said, "Which one was it this time?"
"Hayate Gekou."
"Is there anything your spy can do? He was one of Tsunade's-"
"Not likely. Danzo trusts him, but that trust is hard-built and easily removed. It cost a lot for him to gain that trust. To exhaust it on one chuunin... not worth it. No, Hayate is gone, and there is nothing we can do about it, not right now anyway."
The Sannin took a small sip of the drink. He grimaced as it went down. The Tsunade special was named so for a reason. It was the most bitter of drinks. However, it was also the most alcoholic. After it burned its way down the throat, a warm sensation filled his gut. His head began spinning. Truly, it was worth its name. Like Tsunade, it was like a kick to the gut, and then healed all wounds after it was done. The first time he had it was shortly after his near death experience with the medic.
Over several minutes, Jiraiya drank it all and then set it back down. Daigo picked up the vase-like bottle and put it away for later cleaning. He said, "Well, is there anything we can do? What exactly is our plan of action?"
Jiraiya waved his finger as he whispered, "We must... do what we can... Danzo has a team... that will be heading for the Iwa border. We will... take them down, capture them."
Daigo pulled out something from a pocket and set his hand down in front of his leader. He gave a kind smirk, "Sounds like a plan. We'll have to intercept them somewhere away from Fukuoka, obviously. We can't lead them back here if we can help it."
He removed his hand, leaving what he pulled out in front of Jiraiya. It was a kunai. Jiraiya looked down at the kunai, and then back up into his bartender's face. Daigo's eyes burned with excitement, and the Sharingan. The sannin chuckled, "Yeah... I'll leave it up to you then, Daigo Uchiha."
(Read and Review)
My wonderful readers, It is time to introduce my newest story, the House of Fallen Leaves. It has been hanging around in my head for a number of weeks now. I've been excited to write it for a while now. In the fall, the leaves fall and scatter around the trees. During the winter, the leaves become dry hidden under the snow. Then at the end of winter, the snow melts and the leaves catch fire, burning up the entire tree. However, new seeds are scattered. In the spring, the seeds sprout, making new trees and finally summer the tree reaches maturity.
Much in the same way, the ninja are scattered to the wind, however they will rise up to bring about the creation of a new leaf. Not to say they will have an easy fight. There will be many victories, and many defeats. People will kill and be killed. However, they must fight on, for the sake of the future, and the next generation.
Daigo Uchiha is not an official canon character. In the canon, he was just another nameless Uchiha that died to Itachi and Madara's murder of the Uchiha clan. In this universe, however, he has a much larger role than kunai target practice. I know some people do not like OCs, but I'm hoping this is one you all might like.