Misery Loves Company

wrong side of the bed

Kitsune Foxfire here to explain a few things before we get this story going. Like the whole idea and all that. OK. First off, this story is about Naruto (duh) but it's not in the regular Naruto universe. That is to say, This one branches off that universe before the tv show begins. So, everything about the history of the leaf village is the same, unless I put it down differently.

Now for the basic idea. Have you ever wondered what would have happened if Orochimaru had decided to use Naruto's body, or even his power? Well, I have, and I'm doing this story to see what happens...but as we all know, Naruto wouldn't go with tall dark and snake-y as a teen...so this story starts quite a way back...

I don't own Naruto, or anything there in. But I claim rights to any random OC I might add, though I'm not planning on it. Watch Naruto, read Naruto, love Naruto

Enjoy!

5 years after the Kyuubi attack. The Hidden Leaf Villagehas recovered, though things are still a little tight with the higher ninja's doing many missions to keep up the appearance of strength.

"Hokage-sama! The intruders have made it past the gate. The Jounin are doing all that they can, but it just doesn't seem to be working." The Ninja paused, holding his wounded arm, "Could it be Orochimaru, sir?"

"It is possible, though I hope not." The third tied on his forehead protector, "Come on, let us clean up this mess." He grumbled as the two headed for the front line.

Meanwhile

"Orochimaru-sama, your plan is working perfectly." Kabuto whispered as he and his master made their way through the village. Their goal was a small apartment, where a little boy lived alone. True, it was a gamble. With the village under attack, the children would be moved to a secure bunker to prevent them from being in danger. Even at this late hour, parents had quickly whisked their children from nice warm beds and deposited them in the care of non-combatants. So there was no reason to think the boy in question would still be there. Orochimaru was risking a lot on a gamble. But as he and Kabuto knew, it was unlikely that anyone would think to check on their target...that is, until after the boy was secure in Orochimaru's grasp.

"The next building should be the one we are looking for. There!" Kabuto pointed to a rather forlorn looking building, so far untouched by the battle raging on in the village. Within seconds the pair were at the door.

"Now to collect my prize..." Orochimaru grinned wickedly, ringing the doorbell. He had to ring it quite a few times, actually. Just when it seemed possible that the boy had in fact been moved with the other children, and thus out of his reach, a sleepy "Hii Hii...I'm yawn coming..." came from within. Ever so slowly the lock turned and the door opened.

A blond little boy stood rubbing the sleep from his blue eyes as he looked up at the strangers on his doorstep. For a few seconds the boy just stared at the odd pair. One with silver-gray hair and glasses, the other with gray skin and black hair. To a child, they looked awfully odd together, like a doctor and a cadaver together. If only the child had known what was to come, he might have had a chance of escape. As it was he didn't know what to do no one ever visited him, "What is it?" he yawned.

Kabuto crouched down to be more at level with the boy, "Hello there. Would you like to come with us?"

"Why?"

"We're here to..." Kabuto never got to finish his answer. An exploding tag went off a few blocks away, startling the boy. Suddenly he was aware of the smoke, and the danger. In a moment of panic, he slammed the door shut.

With a look of frustration, Orochimaru knocked down the door and glared at the child on the floor at his feet. "Enough of this, child. You're coming with me."

"NO!" The boy scrambled backwards in an attempt to get away. Kabuto quickly move in to grab the child. The 'rescue' wasn't going quite according to plan. As Kabuto reached down for the child, a kick in the face sent his glasses askew. The blond saw his moment and went running to the other room, whether to hide or to escape even he wasn't sure. The poor boy didn't even make it to the doorway before Kabuto was on him. After a brief, if ineffective, struggle Kabuto returned to his master's side carrying the now limp child.

"Good. We can leave now. I've got what I came for," Orochimaru laughed, "a new pet. And what a feisty puppy he is!" He grinned, rubbing the mop of blond hair as he turned to leave. "Oh, and Kabuto? Your glasses are cracked."to which the younger ninja just frowned.

As they headed out of the village it became obvious that their side had lost. Which was fine with Orochimaru of course, as the attack had just been a front. Clearing the village was easy. The two had made it all the way to the gate with their prize before anyone noticed them. Just as Orochimaru was about to cross into wilderness a voice rang out.

"Orochimaru! I should have known you'd be here. And I see you've got yourself a new lackey. How nice," growled the third Hokage.

"Ah Sarutobi, how nice it is to see you again. I'm afraid I can't stay and reminisce, however. I have much to do."

"I'm sure you do..." Sarutobi spat, setting himself for battle. He was tired, but he couldn't allow his former student, his mistake, to leave. Orochimaru however was not inclined to fight. He had risked much that night and was not going to chance it all on a fight with his old sensi. He knew, however, that Sarutobi was not just going to let him go...a truely evil smile crossed his face.

"I'd love to fight you, Sarutobi, but I fear we might wake up my new pet. It is past his bedtime you know..."

"New pet?" the Hokage asked, a slow, sickly sinking feeling overcoming him.

Orochimaru lifted his prize out of Kabuto's arm's "He was a bit of a bad little puppy before, wasn't he Kabuto?" He held up the child by the back of the neck, making sure Sarutobi could see his prize as he gloated.

It felt like Orochimaru had punched him in the gut. Though the rest of the child was a blur, Sarutobi knew that blond hair. Very few people in the village were blond, and only one was a child...it couldn't be he cried in his mind, he's supposed to be with the other children! "What sort of trick is this! You expect me to fall for that!" He shouted, charging Orochimaru.

"I wouldn't if I were you," Smiled Orochimaru, pulling a Kunai and holding it to the boy's throat.

"You wouldn't dare!" The Hokage was close enough now to see the boy clearly now. Though the child wasn't rushing about as usual or giving him that reproachful stare, there was no doubt who it was. "If you hurt Naruto..."

"Oh I'd rather kill him then have my new pet taken away. Besides, I'm sure when he wakes up, he'll like staying with me." The two intruding ninja slowly headed out of the village. Once they were out of site, the Hokage made as if to follow, only to be taunted by his former student's voice, "If you try to follow, I will kill Naruto-kun."

Later

"Hokage-sama! We've been looking everywhere for you!" the ANBU Kakashi said, appearing at his leader's side. "The intruders are gone. All of them. We are currently seeing who is hurt or dead...Hokage-sama, are you ok?" He paused as the Hokage suddenly turned and raced into the village. With a shrug, he gave chase, after all, there must be a reason for the Hokage's strange behavior. Before long, they reached a building that showed very little damage when compared to it's neighbors. In fact, the only thing wrong with it was a broken door. Knowing what he'd find, but needing to believe that Orochimaru had lied, the Hokage went in, followed but a stunned Kakashi. The place was a mess, chairs knocked over, the bed sheets halfway out into the hall, and the door was knocked in. Kakashi whistled, "Must have been some party. What happened here I wonder? Hokage-sama, any ideas?"

Feeling ill, the Hokage answered in a whisper, "a kidnaping...Oh Yondaime, I've failed you again." the old man wept.

Ok, that was the first chap. I know it was obvious who the boy was, but so what? I like how the chapter came out. Ok, notes on the chapter. Orochimaru and Kabuto were planning on convincing Naruto that they were rescuing him from persecution in the village. They didn't get the chance, and that is actually going to play a part later. (Kinda hard to think you were rescued when two guys like 4 times bigger then you have to break down your door and remove you by force.) Kakashi spent some time as a ANBU, and I decided that I'd work with that. For those of you who still hold on to the hope that this story will turn all roses (everyone lives happily...yada yada yada) don't hold your breath. It's kinda down hill from here for a while. Anyway, don't let that keep you from reading, and I hope you liked the first chapter. R&R either way people. Ask questions if you got 'um, or ideas to share... I'll respond if I can...