Hehe, yet another new story. And this one I really like! ...So much that I've even written two chapters already. Hope you like it, though it may be confusing at first...?

DISCLAIMER FOR THE WHOLE STORY: I don't own Naruto, duh.

XXX

Jiraiya had an unsatisfied look upon his face as he stealthily left his contact in Tanzaku town. He had been following rumors for weeks now, trying to find out more about a newly developed group.

The only thing he knew was its name. The Seven Deathly Sins. Nothing else was known, but the fact that it was a mercenary group. Also, they apparently wore cloaks in their 'sin's color. Which meant that they couldn't be more than seven.

"Jiraiya-sama." A silent voice spoke, and he turned around with narrowed eyes to see a person with a light blue cloak. "What do you want?" He demanded calmly, his normally boisterous demeanor completely gone. The person in the cloak sighed heavily.

"You've been looking for us, have you not? Follow me." Jiraiya frowned as he realized that the voice sounded young, even though the person seemed as tall as him.

The blue-cloaked person turned and walked away, and Jiraiya followed hastily, yet silently. They walked through silent alleys, where there were no people.

The blue-cloaked person came to a stop in front of a wall, knocked on it twice and did a hidden hand sign. "It's Sloth. Jiraiya's with me." The cloaked person, now known as Sloth, said. A crack opened in the wall, and Jiraiya was surprised to see a door open.

"Come in. Pride's waiting." A green-cloaked person said, and Jiraiya felt as if the person was looking right through him. Sloth walked in, and the older man followed, subtly looking around in the hidden base.

"Don't bother to memorize which way we are going. Pride put seals everywhere, so even if you went this way, you'd end up somewhere else." Sloth drawled. Jiraiya understood why the person had ended up as that sin.

They arrived at a door, and Sloth knocked on it carefully. "Enter." A calm voice said, and they went in. Sloth bowed lazily to the person in a violet cloak. "You're dismissed." The violet-cloaked person commanded. Sloth nodded and left.

Jiraiya's eyes shifted around the room, still watching the violet-cloaked person. Though he was mostly unaware of the colors of the so-called sins, he knew of two. Violet for Pride, and Red for Wrath. Both were in the room.

"Jiraiya-sama. Why is it you seek to know of us?" Pride's smooth voice questioned calmly. Though he could see nothing of his face, Jiraiya noticed a blue glow about where he supposed the violet-clad person's right eye was.

"I must admit that I got curious when I heard of you in a rumor. There are many mercenary bands, and I know all of their intentions, even the elusive Akatsuki… but I don't know yours. And also, I wonder why you are all cloaked with an illusion?" The white-haired man explained.

"A rumor, is it? Hm. And the illusions? I am un-surprised you discovered them, but I am quite certain you already know the reason. An simple illusion doesn't change our voice, after all." Pride seemed amused, and Jiraiya noted that the violet-clad sin avoided his question about intentions.

"Yes, your voices are all quite…young. But I must press the question that I do wish to know your intentions." Jiraiya said calmly. Wrath, who stood by Pride, seemed to tilt his or her head slightly, and Pride nodded. "I am afraid that I will not indulge your curiosity about that. But we are most certainly not a threat against Konoha…for now."

"…I see. May I ask just who you are? Your voice seems faintly known to me." Jiraiya asked this simply out of curiosity. Wrath tensed, but Pride placed his hand on his or her red-clad shoulder. "Calm, Wrath. And I would not be surprised if you knew me. Everyone in Konoha does, after all." He replied, amused.

Jiraiya frowned. Pride was known by all of Konoha? It was a large village, and he knew few that were known to everyone. And none of them were young…except one.

"…You don't mean…?" He sounded bewildered, and Pride chuckled. "Indeed. I would have thought you to keep a better eye on me, godfather." He said as he pulled his hood down, disrupting the illusion at the same time.

Jiraiya gazed upon the effeminate face of Uzumaki Naruto. He had pale skin, three whisker marks on each cheek, golden-ish blonde hair that seemed somewhat faded, and cerulean blue eyes. His right eye seemed wrong, somehow, and he frowned.

"You do not look like the prankster boy everyone in Konoha knows." He stated carefully. Wrath seemed uncomfortable, but Naruto calmed him down with a slight touch.

"A façade. The roguish-cute boy that wishes to prove himself to everybody… does not exist. Now, I'm sure you know the value of secrets. Do not tell anyone of my identity…or all Seven of the sins will be after you. And though young, I assure you we are all quite strong."

Jiraiya frowned, and many emotions ran through his eyes. "…I… won't. Unless I have to. But I do wish to know one thing…what is wrong with your eye?" He wondered. Naruto palmed his right eye, and with a strange sound, Jiraiya was looking at an artificial eye that seemed somewhat mechanic.

"How did you lose your eye? And who made this?" He wondered. Naruto smiled, his lips stretching to uncover sharp teeth. "The villagers. And I'd say Lust and Gluttony are quite the mechanics." He said, and with a smooth move, his eye was in his eye socket again, rolling around to fit back in place.

Wrath nudged Naruto, and he raised an eyebrow. "Ah, yes. If there is nothing more, I'm afraid you must leave, Jiraiya-sama." He gestured towards the door. Jiraiya hesitated. "…No, there's nothing. Is there anyway I can contact you? And…how old are you?" He wondered.

"Speak our name, and we'll be there, Jiraiya-sama. Don't bother to figure out how. And my age? I'm turning eight today." Jiraiya nodded, and smiled slightly, handing Naruto a small package from his pouch. "Sorry I haven't been around, Naruto. Happy birthday." He said, and went out, being led to the outside world once more by Sloth.

"Hm…" Naruto tryingly shook the package, before opening it. Wrath looked curiously, though wary on it. Inside the package was a small silver chain, a necklace. Naruto sniffed it. "Almost pure silver. Must've cost a lot." He observed, before tying it around his neck.

"Do you not hate him, for not being there for you?" Wrath questioned, his illusion fading as well as he took off his hood, revealing a boy with blood-red hair and turquoise eyes with black rims around. On his forehead was a red tattoo, the kanji for love.

Naruto shook his head. "He's a ninja. He has duties. Besides, he remembered to give me a gift. I love gifts." He smiled widely, and Wrath couldn't help but smile slightly as well.

"You're strange, Naruto." He informed the blonde boy, who nodded. "I am. But so are we all, aren't we? Now go get some sleep, Gaara. I've put up a new ward for you."

"Thank you."

XXX

Naruto, once more with his hood up, strolled leisurely towards a room where the sound of mechanics rang through the door. He knocked once, and entered.

Inside, there were two girls working at something, and Naruto had to pause to look admiringly at the finished projects hanging around the room. Both girls had their cloaks hanged away, but they wore a small, thin scarf in their color around their neck.

The oldest-looking girl had waist-long, light blonde hair tied into a thin braid. Her skin was pale, and her eyes slightly tilted and dark grey. Both she and the other girl wore only black pants, black close-toed shinobi sandals and a sports bra, though they didn't really need the upper-garment, considering their lack of being filled out yet. Her scarf was blue.

The other girl had short, blue-tinted black hair with lighter highlights. She also had pale skin, though somewhat paler than both the older girl and Naruto. Her eyes were white, with sheen of lavender and no pupils. Her scarf was orange.

"Pride. Is there something you need?" The one with the blue scarf, Lust, wondered. Naruto nodded. "My hand is somewhat difficult to move. Would you please take a look?" He wondered, holding forth his right arm. The orange-scarfed one, Gluttony, rolled her eyes.

"You're our leader, you know. You can just order us to do it." She pointed out, while putting away their newest project and gesturing for the violet-clad boy to put his hand on the table.

"But that wouldn't be no fun, would it? Besides, you're my friends. I won't order you in this setting." Naruto smiled, pulling off his black glove and pulling his sleeve over his elbow.

"Yeah, yeah. Where's Wrath? He's usually with you." Gluttony wondered. Naruto smiled fondly, and shrugged. "I sent him to bed. God knows he needs it." He said, and winced slightly as Lust hit his mechanical arm with a hammer.

"Hm, you can still feel through it, at least." She smirked at his annoyed look.

"Just get on with it, you pesky cat."

"You're so impatient, lil fox."

XXX

Jiraiya had a thoughtful look as he entered the Hokage's office. His teacher beamed at him, until he saw the younger, though old, man's face.

"What did you find out?" He wondered. Jiraiya looked at him calmly. "They're no threat, yet, as their leader, Pride, said. Apparently there are seven of them. I met Sloth, a green-clad one, Pride and Wrath." He explained.

The Hokage narrowed his eyes. "Four out of seven…what of their power levels, and do you perhaps have any knowledge of who they are?" He asked. Jiraiya twitched internally, but he wasn't a master of spying and lies for nothing.

"Those that I met all seemed considerably strong. Perhaps B-rank. And they all wear large cloaks covering their whole body. I could not even see whether they were men or women, and their voices were clearly faked, and they knew I knew it. Pride was the only one I could see anything of, and that was a shining red light where his right eye would be."

Jiraiya finished his tale of intricate white lies and half-truths without as much as a single move to indicate he was lying. The Hokage nodded thoughtfully. "Keep an eye on them." He ordered, and Jiraiya vanished from the office just as a blonde boy with a tan, boyish face and six whisker marks burst into it.

XXX

"Jiraiya didn't tell. He can be trusted, for the moment, at least." Naruto said in satisfaction, looking at the green-clad Envy. "Hn. We better be careful still. Any news about Akatsuki?" His dispassionate voice wondered.

"Hm, not yet. Our spy has been accepted, but he haven't been a member for enough time yet." Naruto mused, flexing his fixed hand. "Did your arm go nuts again?" Envy asked. Naruto smiled slightly.

"Only a few issues with the calibrating. Lust and Gluttony fixed it quickly. Speaking of Gluttony, have you talked to her lately? She seems to miss you."

Envy started. "I was unaware. May I ask when we will return to Konoha?" He wondered. Naruto rolled his eyes calmly. "Yes you may. Don't be so formal. We will return in about a week. Lust, Greed and Wrath will be staying in case anything comes up before I can set up my clone." He explained.

Envy tilted his head. "Your clones are strange. They're all different." He mused. Naruto laughed. "Of course. I like it that way. My female clone will be put to work here, while my male clone can be dismissed until the next time I have to come."

"…Yes, you're rather androgynous yourself." Envy nodded. Naruto laughed again. "That's a nice way of saying it. I'm a bishie, to be short. It's nothing wrong with that. If not for your masculine voice and jaw line, you could be mistaken for a girl yourself."

"I suppose. I will take my leave now." The green-clad sin bowed, and walked towards the door.

"Please send in Sloth, while on your way."

"Of course."

XXX

Jiraiya was on his way out from Konoha, and was nearing Otafuku town, when he to his surprise saw Tsunade and her apprentice Shizune come towards him.

"It seems Pride likes you." The blonde woman said blandly with a slight smile. Jiraiya blinked. "He does? That's surprising. I'd have thought he'd hate me." He admitted. Shizune smiled. "I don't think Pride hates anyone. He's too cute to." She said.

Jiraiya chuckled as they neared a bar. "Cute…yes, but he's dangerous too. Don't forget that." He warned. "He knows how to reign in the dangerousness. He's much smarter than the usual kids his age. He turned eight today, you know." Tsunade said.

"I know. I think he liked the gift I gave him." Jiraiya smiled. Tsunade blinked. "You gave him a gift? What kind of gift?" She asked. Jiraiya shrugged. "A silver chain necklace. It cost me quite a lot, but he deserves it." He explained. Tsunade's eyes softened somewhat.

"He knows you're his godfather, doesn't he? He always seems to know everything." She said. The white-haired sannin nodded. "He knows. And yet he isn't angry with me for not being there for him. When did you meet him?"

"…He is quite understanding. He probably means that your duties were more important than him. And me? I met him in Tanzaku. I was running from my creditors when he appeared out of nowhere and offered to hide me. Of course, I was still my bitter, antagonistic self at the time, and blew him off." Tsunade grimaced.

Jiraiya nodded, and so she continued. "He just laughed at me, his false eye shining underneath that violet hood. Then he dragged Shizune with him, and I, of course, followed him to get my apprentice back. He conveniently did so I lost the creditors, dragging Shizune with him to their hideout, where I was surprised to see him letting go of her as soon as we arrived."

"He then bowed, and Shizune took the chance to knock his hood off. He just laughed at our shocked faces when we saw just who he was. 'I apologize for the abrupt kidnapping of your apprentice, but I am quite certain the creditors will not find you here.' He said." Tsunade smiled fondly.

"We met some of the other members as well, and in the end we ended up being kind-of members. I'm sure you won't tell Sensei, right?" The blonde ended with a threatening tone, and Jiraiya flailed comically. "I won't! …So, are you any sins? And the other members, do you know who they are? …Of course, I suppose Pride have told you not to tell."

"Me and Shizune aren't sins, but virtues, actually. Shizune is Humility, while I am the opposite of Greed, based on the fact that I am a medic, not my gambling." Tsunade eyed him carefully. Shizune nodded.

"Pride actually did allow us to tell you, if we deem you okay. As long as you don't tell, we can tell you." The black-haired apprentice informed him. Jiraiya nodded. "I've already lied to Sensei, and I will do it again if needed…as long as Konoha isn't in danger." He explained.

"Hm. You know who Pride is. I only know of Wrath, Gluttony and Lust, as Wrath always follows Pride, and Gluttony and Lust fixed his arm when we were there. Oh, you might not have known this, but his right arm from elbow down is mechanical. It's why he wears whole gloves. Anyway, Wrath's name is Sabaku no Gaara, from Suna. Gluttony might come as a surprise, as she, yes she, is Hinata Hyuuga from Konoha. Lastly, Lust is Yugito Nii from Kumo."

Jiraiya's eyes got wide. "Three jinchuuriki in one organization! And the Hyuuga heir even…Naruto's more powerful than I thought." He said.

Tsunade shrugged. "He is VERY powerful. He just doesn't admit it. He likes being seen as a friend, rather than their leader, and so they all listens to him. Also, all of the members except two are eight years old. Yugito is ten, and I think it is Envy who is nine."

"Tsunade-sama. Jiraiya-sama." A voice drawled and they both, including Shizune turned to see Sloth standing behind them.

"Sloth?" Tsunade wondered. He nodded. "It haven't been long, but Pride requests you both…you too, Shizune." He looked at the black-haired girl. Jiraiya raised one eyebrow. "How did you come here so fast?" He wondered. Sloth seemed to radiate amusement.

"I travel by shadows. Literally. Take these tags, and you'll be able to travel with me. You might get dizzy though." He warned, handing them a small piece of paper with an unknown seal.

Tsunade, Jiraiya and Shizune held the tags tight, and they all started when everything turned black and then into shadows and lights, before they were suddenly into the alley where the secret door was located.

Tsunade was leaning on Shizune, while Jiraiya looked somewhat green. Sloth chuckled and knocked on the wall. Envy opened the door and tilted his head.

"You know that only you and Pride can travel through your shadows without turning MY color." He sounded amused, and Jiraiya glared. "Why are you at the door all the time? I'd have thought you all had tasks to do." He pointed out.

Envy shrugged. "Until Greed comes back, I'm here. We spin it around." He gestured for them to come in, and closed the door behind them.

XXX

"Ah, there you are…again." Naruto smiled amiably with his hood down. Wrath had kept his up. "You didn't tell, and I'm thankful, truly. Oh, and I liked the gift, thank you." The blonde nodded to Jiraiya who smiled.

"So…why are we here?" Shizune wondered. "Ah, dear Humility, always so curious. I wondered if you and your master would come to Konoha next week, as I will have returned within that time." Naruto explained.

"Does not Tsunade-sama hate Konoha?" Wrath questioned, his somewhat hoarse voice curious. "Ah, she does, but mainly because of her loss." Naruto replied, looking directly at the blonde woman who frowned.

"Fine, we'll come by, but we won't stay for long." She allowed. Naruto nodded and turned to Jiraiya. "As for you, I merely hoped you would inform us if you find any information about Akatsuki. You see, I would be quite sad if Lust, Wrath or I myself were to be taken by them."

Jiraiya blinked, surprised that they knew the other organizations goal, and nodded. "I will. Wouldn't want to lose my godson, after all. Tell me if there is anything you need any other time." He said, and walked out together with Tsunade and Shizune.

"Was it smart to allow him to know that there are three jinchuuriki in the Seven?" Wrath wondered. Naruto tilted his head. "…He would probably have found it out on his own later, and that could've been troublesome. And as long as we don't threaten Konoha, he will be on our side. He feels that he owes it to me." He explained.

Wrath nodded slowly. "Do you have any intention of threatening Konoha, then?" He asked. Naruto shrugged. "Not at the moment. For all I care, Konoha could just turn into rubble on its own. But our goal requires trouble. It'll take a long time to realize it though." He smiled widely and stretched.

"Where's Greed, by the way?" Wrath wondered. Naruto blinked. "He's in Suna. I sent him to check on your siblings. He's scheduled to return tomorrow." He said.

Wrath tilted his head. "…Why?" He finally asked. Naruto blinked again. "Why what?" He wondered. "Why did you help me, why do you continue to help me, Lust, Greed, Sloth, Gluttony and Envy?" The red-clad boy wondered. Naruto smiled calmingly.

"I've told you this before, Gaara. I wanted to. That you're all strong is only a bonus. You're my brother. Just as Envy, Sloth and Greed are my brothers, and Lust and Gluttony are my sisters. If you need another reason than that, I'd say I didn't want other like me to suffer."

"…Thank you."

"You're welcome, little brother. Always."

XXX

I suppose you know, or have ideas for who everyone are? If not, it will all be revealed in the next chapter...click the button, click it! ...And please do review too! ^.^