Solemn Allure

Prolog: mindless ponderings of a new day.

Had things been normal, had I not lost everything, maybe then it could have been different. Yet as things stand I can't condone what happened. The whole reason I was given a second chance is beyond me. I had died in the field, so why exactly am I a 12 year old again? At least now, this time, I can save you Kakashi.

Chapter One: Back again, is he really an idiot?

A blaring alarm sounded throughout a mostly desolate apartment building. The sole occupant being the ever infamous Uzumaki Naruto. Now why am I narrating my own morning is a good question, so is the question of why I am back in my 12 year old body starring at my apartment which had been destroyed. Looking at the annoying green frog of an alarm, I distractedly shut it off. Maybe I was dreaming, ya and any moment I'm going to wake up to Sakura berating me for going alone. Yet this doesn't feel like a dream.

Glancing at the calendar realization struck, today I was the day I first met my Koi. Smiling beside myself I jumped off my bed and yanked open the miniature closet, only to be blindsided by an overly noticeable orange jumpsuit. Sighing I pushed past it and began searching for something more 'ninja' appropriate. With all the luck Kami~sama has given me I found a black pair of pants with a matching shirt and a sleeveless jacket. Not wanting to give a bad impression my habit of taking an early morning shower won out, even if the water was ice cold. Having dressed I gave a satisfactory nod. The black shirt was a bit small so it hugged my muscles nicely, thank god I got to keep those, the overlaid jacket went down to my knees which were wrapped up in some spare bandages I had found in the bathroom. To complete my new outfit I added my kunai holster to my right leg and allowed my headband to hang around my neck. Glancing in the mirror I became finicky for any finishing touches. Gladly I found none and proceeded out the door.

The short stroll was impressive to say the least, perhaps that isn't the best term though. Each person I passed seemed to look mildly curious about my appearance, that is before their gaze turned hostile. I'd forgotten how ridiculed I was, being the main scapegoat for the entire village. This would not end well.

Soon enough the academy doors came into view, as well as a rather large group of parents and children, curious. Not wanting to be hindered I glanced around for another entrance. Eyes finally settling on the open window of Iruka~sensei's classroom I meandered over to the wall. Taking a quick glance around I jumped up and into the classroom, which to my surprise was empty, perhaps I was early. Settling down in the back of the class I waited for the others to arrive.

I didn't have to wait long until a familiar figure entered the room. Simply smiling to myself I waited as the other students sat down and awaited for Iruka to take roll. Glancing around the room at the ghosts I could feel the unwanted memories of battle coming to the front of my mind. Shaking my head I dislodged those memories as Iruka called out my name.

"Naruto… Naruto?… has anyone seen him this morning?" seeing his face fall at his belief that I was absent I made my move, hopefully it would prove interesting.

"What do you want Iruka~sensei? I'm slightly ashamed you didn't recognize me." watching his reaction was odd. He really couldn't find me among his students.

"Naruto? Seriously where are you?" He seemed a bit nervous now. sighing I stood and made my way to the front of the room.

"Honestly Iruka do I really fade into the background that much when I'm not wearing that hideous orange jumpsuit. Gees, cant you even sense my chakra?" smirking I went back to my seat. Complete silence followed in my wake.

"ahem… well then lets get on with the team placements shall we. Team one…" ignoring him I watched the coulds outside the window. "Team Seven are Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto."

"ugh an emo avenger and a screeching banshee… what more could I ask for." I grumbled while burying my face in my hands. Sadly my mumblings did not go unnoticed.

"what the hell are you talking about BAKA. As if you could ever understand what Sasuke wants." here we go she's already blowing out my eardrums.

"What he wants? I believe I know better than you Haruno~san. He wants to kill his brother Itachi as well as repopulate his clan. Its not that hard to figure out his story. You on the other hand I am severely concerned with. Are you really only becoming a ninja because of your," insert dramatic swooning acting here "oh so affectionate love for the last Uchiha? Honestly grow up, you wouldn't last an hour in any ninja battle. Tch can't wait to meet our sensei either." to say Iruka was shocked is an understatement, to say he was pissed is also an understatement, it was more of a mixture of both.

"UZUMAKI NARUTO!" glancing in Iruka's direction I delicately caught the chalk he had aimed for my head.

"Yes Iruka~sensei? Is something wrong?" Innocently twirling the chalk between my fingers I awaited his reaction. All I got was a sigh.

"never mind… Team 8..."

And soon enough we were alone waiting for our jounin sensei. Picking myself up I glanced at the clock.

"great another two hours… well see you guys later." I announced before jumping out the open window. "Let's see where can I grab something to eat. Ah! I know! Henge" I whispered. Having changed from my normal 12 year old self into my more natural 21 year old figure, trading in my once blond hair for that of a brunette. My dress style had changed having now donned a black jounin vest with the regular jounin outfit, excluding my fathers tri~pronged kunai which rested against my left leg. Nodding to myself I made my way to get some takeout ramen.

Slurping the last bit of the delicacy down I tossed the bowl into a nearby dumpster. What else could I do, I still had an hour and a half till Kakashi would show up at the academy. Sighing I figured I should pay my respects to my fallen comrades, even if this was just a dream it would be nice. Pausing to glance about the buildings I stalled my way to the memorial stone. When would I wake up from this nightmare.

My slow steady steps led me to a very familiar path. Its well worn into the dirt and is used constantly. This wretched path of mourning leading to the memorial stone. With each step I reviled myself in my memories. Why couldn't I save them. Why hadn't I been there when he needed me most. I never noticed when my feet stopped at the foot of the stone. I didn't see the other flash of silver hair as someone else left. I was oblivious. Pulling away form my memories I looked at the empty spaces where my closest friends names had been. Slowly I reached out my fingers running them over the names I did know. Namikaze Minato, Uchiha Obito, happily enough those were the only ones I recognized. Yet my fingers kept running down over the stone ghosting over where their names used to be.

'You know this is not a dream right kit?' shocked I felt my eyes widen.

'kyuubi? Is that really you? What do you mean this isn't a dream? What else could it be?'

' well kit it could be reality for one. You've been given a rare chance, one that almost never happens. When you and that accursed Uchiha clashed we got absorbed in the attack. It sent us here. You can still change what's going to happen kit.'

'I can change it?' pausing I attempted to take it all in. 'you mean they don't have to die?'

'that's exactly what I'm saying kit. Also you still have the fox contract so you can still summon us. We will know that this is the past of course but it gives you some reprieve for this situation.'

'thanks Kyuu… it means a lot honestly.' what else could I say? I wasn't alone here.

'No problem kit. So when are you going to confess to your sensei? I'm sure the sooner the better. Oh and you don't want to be late with meeting him for the first time now do you?'

'kuso… and you shut up about that! Maybe if you can help me get my original 21 year old body back then maybe I will confess… baka fox.' I chuckled before using the Hiraishin no Jutsu to get back to class. Of course I arrived just as Sensei was opening the door nearly forgetting to cancel my henge.

Heaving a sigh of relief I watched my Koi enter the academy room. Holding my breath I waited for the moment my memories would attempt to override me. First his silver hair peeked through the door followed by his Icha Icha Paradise book. Soon enough nothing was being hidden from the doorway and I couldn't breath.

Flashback no jutsu

Waiting with anticipation outside Konoha I felt the chill breaching my thin clothes. It didn't matter though, he was coming home today, he promised. Heaving a sigh I saw a small puff of fog hover before dissipating. How long was this going to take. Crouching down I wrapped my arms around my legs.

'what are you so nervous about kit? Its not like you're never going to see him again.'

'don't even joke about that Kyuu…'

'sorry sorry…'

Taking a deep breath I froze. Sniffing at the air I felt fear sinking in my stomach. The delicate smell of blood that had been my near constant companion for the past four years was covering the area. Jerking up from my crouched position I began a steady run foreword, following the scent. It was getting closer, at least it was until I came out into a clearing and saw the source.

My Koi, my sweet Koi was bleeding out in the middle of nowhere. Feeling my fear escalate I stumbled foreword. What had happened, things weren't supposed to go wrong on the return trip. That was where the least danger came from, yet here I am kneeling next to Kakashi with his head in my lap.

"Please don't cry Naruto. I made it back… just like I promised…" he took a few shuddering breaths as I felt my tears flow.

"How… How c-can I n-not Koi… y-you're all I h-have l-left here." it was getting harder to breathe, for both of us but for two very different reasons. He attempted a chuckle before a small groan escaped his lips. There was nothing I could do.

"Can you… do something for… me Koi?" not trusting my voice I nodded. " I… I want you to… take care of my ninken… they already agreed… you just have to sign the… c-contract… I-I love y-you Koi…" I couldn't hold it back anymore. As he pressed the summon contract into my hand and left me by myself.

Flashback KAI

"My first impression of you… you're boring. Meet me on the roof." how was I going to survive this…

"But… Naruto isn't here Sensei." of course the banshee wouldn't notice me, what was I thinking.

"What are you talking about Sakura? He's right there. Now meet me on the roof." Then he was gone and the spell was broken. Looking at my two teammates I chuckled when they walked out the door to get to the roof.

'why not use some class here…' I thought to myself while vanishing without a puff of smoke or swirl of leaves. Arriving in in much the same way I stuck to the shadows, wondering if he had noticed me yet, perhaps not. It didn't take long to hear the arrival of Sakura and Sasuke.

"How long is that Baka going to take." hearing her low growl made me chuckle to myself. Honestly why had I ever liked her in the first place is beyond me. At least now I know better. Sasuke just replied with the Uchiha famous 'hn' while Kakashi just kept reading his book.

'Kit? How long are you going to stay standing here?'

'As long as it takes for one of them to notice Kyuu. I mean it's not like I am even trying to hide.' leaning against the shadowed wall I shifted for the long wait.

'yes yes I know that Kit but you've been at war for the past four years. They haven't. and believe it or not but your hide and seek skills rival most kage level ninja.'

'That's… actually quite a good point Kyuu. Can we wait till Kakashi does something?'

'AGH fine… just don't use those stupid baby blues on me.' chuckling I turned my attention back to the gathered trio.

'do you think you can suppress my memories for a while Kyuu? I don't want to have a mishap.'

'ah… I can do that Kit…'

"I swear if he isn't up here in five minutes… AGH" The banshee screeches again.

"Maa maa Sakura maybe he got lost ya?"

"well then don't you think you should go find him sensei?" watching from my openly visible spot I smirked as Kakashi slowly put his book away.

"Fine fine let me get Paakun to find him then." oh… now this would be interesting. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu"

"yo. What do you need Kakashi?" fingering the dog summoning contract in my pocket I wondered if Paakun would remember me like the foxes would.

"Can you find Naruto for me? He's running a bit late." suppressing a snicker I crouched down low to the ground while pulling out a special treat.

"Naruto?" seeing his ear twitch as he glanced over his shoulder at me I waved and signed secrecy to him. Surprisingly he nodded

"yes yes Paakun Naruto. Here, I pulled this from his place earlier." well that's convenient I thought as he pulled out the old jumpsuit.

"Sorry Kakashi but I can't help you here. But how about I let you in on a secret ya? He's been here the whole time. I'm surprised you haven't noticed. Now excuse me he has a treat for me. See ya."

'oh sweet kami… the look on his face… ahaha…'

' Kit that's just pushing it… turning his own ninken on him… you even have me chuckling in here.'

"here you go Paakun. Thanks for not ratting me out." smiling at the small dog I held out the homemade cookie. "so does that mean you remember me? And everything that happened?"

"ya Naruto we do remember. We can change it this time to."

"alright then." I said grinning beside myself. "Tell the others I say hi."

"Will do!" and in a poof of smoke he was gone along with the treat.

"well now Kakashi~sensei whatever shall I do about your dulled skills? I wasn't even trying to hide." stepping away from the shadows I couldn't keep the smirk from my lips. After all how often do you get to see Kakashi with his mouth hanging open.

"Ahem… well then why don't we get started. Introductions first." sitting down in front of him I ignored the glares being sent my way and studied my Koi.

"um well why don't you go first sensei." of course this would go the same and we wouldn't learn anything so why not enlighten my fellow teammates.

"Ah… his name is Kakashi Hatake, he loves his ninken and porn, which he openly reads in public and is quiet good once you get past all the sex scenes. His favorite color is green despite what he might tell you. He doesn't have any dreams for the future mainly because he has confidence issues as well as a chronic problem of being late. Personally I blame it on his friend Ob…" and there is the gloved hand to stop me from spilling his secrets. Inhaling I sigh as his familiar scent assaulted my nose.

"We will have words later Naruto." ohh I'm so scared haha.

"of course Kakashi~Sensei." maybe I can let him know.

"okay Pinky you go first, name, likes, dislikes, hobbies and dreams. Go." his voice seemed clipped. Maybe I went to far with Obito. Oh well can't take it back now. What should I tell him?

'hey Kyuu what do you think? I mean he's going to ask anyway.' speaking to Kyuu seemed so much better than listening to the banshee and emo.

'well you can go ahead I guess. However I'm close to getting you your real body back. Just something for you to chew on there.'

'ah! Really Kyuu?! When will I be 21 again?! What do you have to do anyway?'

' now see that's the hard part. You can be 21 right now if you wanted. However in order to get it your body will undergo several chakra induced growth spurts. Trust me when I say its going to hurt.'

'hurt… I can handle that. Do you think you can make me taller then I was before? I want to catch up to Koi.'

'of course Kit when do you want to start?'

'how about after I get home. No one's ever there anyway.'

'works for me now pay attention its your turn to reveal your deepest darkest secrets.'

"Tch baka fox." looking up I noticed the stares of my future teammates. "what's everyone looking at?"

"It's your turn Baka!"

"Hn, idiot."

"oh right, introductions. Well my name is Uzumaki Naruto and I don't know what else any of you deserve to know about me." smiling at them I stood brushing invisible dust from my pants. "Now when are we meeting tomorrow cause I need to go home. Things to do, secrets to keep."

"Maa maa Naruto not so fast we still need to talk. As for you two we will be meeting tomorrow at 5am training ground seven."

"Thanks Kaka~sensei. See ya tomorrow!" I was out of there before anyone could tell me different.

At Naruto's house

'Home sweet home right Kyuu? We can get started as soon as I set up some seals.'

'whenever you're ready kit.' finishing off the silencing seals I placed them around me in a ten foot circle.

'perfect Kyuu go ahead.'

'alright Kit it'll be over soon… I think.' and that's when it started. A searing pain beginning in my joints and spreading through my limbs. I felt rather than heard the scream that tore through my throat.

I don't know how long it lasted all I knew was the tearing pain in my muscles. Eventually when the pain slowed and I could think properly I found I wasn't alone anymore.

"What do you want know Kakashi Hatake?" slowly, still testing my newly acquired height, I made to go to bed. Only casually glancing at my unexpected visitor.

"What happened to you Naruto?"

"What happened? I fell in love and then I died and now here I am Kakashi. Now if you want to talk to me you best follow otherwise go home and we can talk tomorrow after you're done visiting Obito."

"I'd rather prefer we talk now Naruto. Or would you prefer I go get the hokage?"

"Look Kakashi I wont lie to you, ever, but I'm telling the truth. I could summon Paakun and he could clear things up ok? Kuchiyose no Jutsu."

"Ah about time you summoned me Naruto. Oh… yo Kakashi! Didn't think you'd be here."

"and why wouldn't I be here Paakun?"

"well I figured Naruto would want to talk first."

"just tell him everything Paakun. I don't feel like dealing with it right now, actually if you need me I'll be in the bathroom." altering my course I couldn't help but speed to the bathroom.

'is this part of it Kyuu? Everything still feels like its on fire.'

'hang on kit I'm still trying to fix everything. You kind of ripped some internal organs with your sudden growth spurt.'

"ugh fucking fantastic." I groaned out over the toilet.

"what's fantastic kid? You ok there?" apparently Paakun had followed me. Taking a quick glance at the small dog I felt my stomach heave. Retching into the toilet I tasted iron. Great internal bleeding.

"Does it look like I'm ok Paakun? If so I certainly don't feel ok. It's nothing to worry about though a few broken organs and internal bleeding, Kyuu is fixing it all as we speak. Now please excuse me, I personally don't like puking in front of people." closing the door I waited for the pain to die down more before exiting the bathroom. This was turning out to be such a lovely day. Stepping out of the bathroom I came face to face, with Kakashi. Am I not allowed a moments peace.

"so you're trying to tell me, or rather Paakun is trying to, is that you're from the future? And lets just leave out all that other stuff for now."

"Obviously. How else would I know about Obito? You were the one who told me about him in the first place." moving around his slim frame I went back to the bedroom and proceeded to flop onto the bed.

"okay then can you explain why you suddenly grew up into a, what, 23 year old body? That one has me curious. After all I did find you screaming and writhing on the floor." oh yes that.

"that was Kyuu's doing. We made an agreement that I would confess sooner to the one I love before he dies. It didn't work out to well last time after all."

"Ah."

"So are you going to tattle on me to the hokage? If not I think I'm going to sleep." not bothering to wait for an answer I slipped off into unconsciousness.

With Paakun and Kakashi in Naruto's apartment

"You know he was talking about you right Kakashi." came a quiet yip.

"What are you talking about Paakun?" reaching over he brushed a few strands of blond hair out of Naruto's face.

"When he mentioned why he chose to age his body like he did. The agreement he made with Kyuu~chan about confessing. He loves you." the small dog seemingly became quieter with each word.

"Ah… why would that be Paakun? I don't even know him besides what I learned today, even then it was only his name."

"Perhaps you can get him to share his memories with you. I believe that would make things easier. I've got to go now Kakashi, please keep an eye on him. He tends to have nightmares. I don't know who wouldn't after the war." a poof of smoke and the small dog was gone leaving Kakashi alone with a sleeping blond.

Dreamscape

It was happening again. The war had started and I'm sent to the front lines. No longer do I recognize my comrades. Smoke filled my vision blocking out most of the visible carnage, yet I could still hear everything. The cries of the wounded, the sound of bones shattering, explosions somewhere in the distance. Struggling to move foreword on the up heaved and misshapen earth I saw him. The one who started everything. Red eyes spun, mocking me as we fought a losing battle.

"It's your fault you know Naruto. The deaths of your friends. Where were you when everything started? Oh, yes, that's right, you were out parading around trying to make me come home. Even when I nearly killed you you couldn't understand. The place I have taken from you, the people I have killed, that was your home but not mine. I hope you enjoy being alone." Then everything seemed to flicker.

Kakashi was there on the ground in front of me, begging me to save him. A flash and there was Tsunade and Jiraya asking me why I couldn't have helped them. Another flash another person. Covering my ears I screamed for it to stop. I had done nothing wrong, I had tried to save them but I was always to late. Then he was back, his red eyes still mocking me.

"You chose this Naruto now you get to live with what you gave up."

Dreamscape KAI

A scream, muted slightly by my hands, tore from my lungs. Everything was wrong. I'm here, alive, everyone was still alive. None of that had to happen. Yet still knowing that I couldn't stop the tears that fell.

"Naruto?… Hey Naruto?… You ok? Hello?" a pair of snapping fingers brought me back to reality. I was still in my apartment where I'd fallen asleep after talking with Kakashi and Paakun. Taking a few gulps of air I regulated my panic induced breaths.

"Ya Koi I'm ok now."

"What?" freezing I went back over what I'd just said. Shit.

"ah…"

"oh… Paakun told me about that. But I don't know you at all Naruto so don't expect anything."

"ya. I can show you if you want. I mean, I can show you everything that happened that way you can know me. If you want." feeling my sanity slowly slipping away I gave in.

'Kit? It's possible I think to unlock his memories with seals.' Perking up physically I felt a sliver of hope.

'Really Kyuu? Tell me how, please! I cant survive without at least someone by my side.'

'I know Kit. First you're going to need a design, sort of like a tattoo to hold everything in place, then you're going to proceed to put the mark on each other while channeling your chakra into it. He's going to have to try and pull out your chakra while painting yours on. When that's finished you're going to need to enter his mind and use the chakra he absorbed to unlock his future self. The chakra alone could unlock a few memories, since you aren't from this time, but to get the full affect you have to channel that chakra. That should about do it and he'll remember as soon as the process is finished, though he'll probably have a major headache.'

'Ah! Thanks so much Kyuu~chan!'

"Kakashi~Koi Kyuu gave me an idea of how to bring back, er give you, your memories from before, er from the future. That is if you want them." fidgeting on the bed I waited for a, hopefully positive, response.

"Maa maa explain it to me first and we shall see Naruto." I guess that's as positive as one can get with Kakashi. So giving him the details to the sealing he pondered over it. "I see no harm that could come from it, besides you already know of my track record for being late so shall we get started? What kind of mark do we want, er need?"

"Well it has to be matching, so… how about…" pausing, or rather stalling for time, I attempted to think of a design he might like. "Oh! How about this!" reaching for a blank paper I sketched out a design with a spiral in the center with flames reaching up as water seemed to trickle downwards, both with a slight curve going counter clockwise.

"It looks ok I guess. I'm not used to getting tattoos or picking out design so it doesn't matter to me."

"Okay then where do you want it? And in what color?" I said grabbing a shabby ink set from under my bed. "I have blue, red, orange, purple, and green."

"Why don't you pick the color as for the place, how about right here." he said placing his hand in a general area right under his collar bone. Blushing slightly I nodded and grabbed the orange ink container while giving him the green.

"Do you need to practice the stroke movements at all? You can copy mine with your Sharingan if you want." I whispered while peeling off my shirt.

"That would work, it would be more exact that way as well." flipping the paper over for a blank slate, I dipped the brush into the black ink and easily redrew the mark.

" Did you get it?" I asked keeping my eyes away from his now bare chest, and handing him a clean brush.

"Ya lets get started shall we." Moving so I sat directly in front of him, I dipped my brush into the orange ink.

"On the count of three. Remember to draw out my chakra as you paint Kakashi. One… Two… Three…" lifting the brush I pushed my chakra into the ink as it transferred to his pale complexion and into his system. I felt the cool touch of ink before a steady pull on my chakra became slightly evident.

"You need to pull out more chakra Kakashi you're not extracting enough." I whispered moving past the spiral and into the flame decal. Feeling the discomfort as my chakra was drained I smiled. "Much better." Soon enough the tattoo was finished and I was feeling woozy.

"N-Naruto… I-I… Oh my god…" his memories were being unlocked already apparently. Moving I pressed my hand to his forehead and with my other hand in the ram seal I entered his mind.

Mindscape

His mind was significantly different than mine. Where as I held walls and sewage his seemed to be like a forest. Walls made from clumps of trees which seemed endless. Sitting down on the lush greenery I concentrated on the chakra he had absorbed. Feeling it moving as though alive I pushed it to the memory portion of his brain. Flashes of memory flickered in my own mind.

The time we ate ramen at Ichiraku's. The day Pein attacked. When Jiraya died. The day Konoha became a moving battalion. Several funerals for the Rookie 12. The Rokudiame ceremony. Winter in the mountains. His Promise to return. Then finally his dying words.

Having unlocked the memories I exited his mind.

Mindscape KAI

Breathing hard I felt myself teeter. Perhaps doing this now wasn't such a good idea. Sitting back I stabilized myself against the frame of my bed and watched Kakashi through hooded eyes.

"Ugh… well its all there that's for sure… including this massive headache. Couldn't you have fixed that? So mean Koi, giving me a headache." attempting a chuckle all I got was a slight huff of air. My vision soon became blurry as exhaustion set in. yup it was nap time now.

"Naruto? You ok there?"

"Mmm I be ok…" I managed to mumble. Before my head lolled to the side and I was in the realms of sleep again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~A/N~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well this is my first Naruto fanfic! Yay! Haha and if you can't tell already its going to be a kakanaru so don't complain about it! I absolutely love this paring =] (hint hint what's your favorite Akamaru story thus far? I really want to know c: ) I hope you like this story! And I'll try and have the next chapter up soon =]