Maiden- So, in light of the success of my fic 'Fighting Dreamers', I decided to try out a new story line before I proceed with it's sequel. This is more or less an experiment. One that I'm hoping will go well. Anyway, the experiment will be portraying Naruto's childhood a little differently than what the manga and anime suggest. Although it was never clearly mentioned, we all assume Naruto lived on his own from a very very young age. I'm curious to see how my readers will react to my version. I'm gonna try to stick close to what Kishimoto suggested Naruto's childhood was like; but with a twist. So, if you like where this is going, please let me know!
Those Who Endure
Chapter 1- Change
Autumn was in full swing throughout the Land of Fire. Leaves changing colors, the air getting crisper, and the sweet scent of ripe apples floating through the air. All these things promising that change was coming. The citizens of Konohagakure embraced the changing seasons. All except one. A small raven haired girl sporting a navy and gold kimono style ninja dress wore a slight scowl as she maneuvered through the sea of people. The girl, however small, was swift enough to push through the crowds and to the Hokage tower. The guards letting her pass through the doors without question. They knew who she was, and why she was here. One Anbu wearing a crow's mask escorted her silently to the heavy oak doors of the Hokage's office. She bowed to the Anbu before opening the door.
"Ah, come in!" Lord Third smiled, sliding the papers he was working on to the side. The old man was certainly a bright change from the stoic and silent Anbu.
"You summoned me, Hokage-sama?" the girl asked, her voice like a bell, but emotionless.
"Indeed." Lord Third chuckled. "I wanted to see how your training was going."
"It's progressing." she answered curtly.
"Ah, still as 'straight to the point' as always." Hiruzen sighed. "Well, in that case...I wanted to congratulate you on becoming a Genin."
"Genin?" she asked, her thin eyebrow cocked in confusion. "But the exams aren't until next week?"
"Yes, but I have taken a particular interest in you. Your abilities far exceed those of a normal Genin. Just what I have been looking for."
"Why is that?"
"I want to test out a new squad formation. One that would transcend the boundaries of just our little village."
"You mean forming an international team?"
"Exactly. The Kazekage and the Hoshikage have agreed to a trail run. They have chosen an uprising Genin from both villages. Each having rare and unique abilities. We're hoping you three will become a team like no other. And our ultimate goal is to assemble the first international Anbu team."
"This has to do with the Uchiha massacre, doesn't it?"
"You certainly see right through everything!" Hiruzen laughed. "Yes, my dear. As I'm sure you're aware, the Uchiha clan is...well, dismantled. Only young Sasuke and his estranged brother remain. But this is only one reason. Itachi has joined the Akatsuki. An international band of rouge nin from all over the world. Just one of them is powerful enough to defeat a small army. However, I have hopes that this experimental team will grow strong enough to hold the Akatsuki off if they try to invade the land of fire."
"So you want me to help defeat the Akatsuki, but spare Itachi? I'm sorry, Lord Hokage, but I find that very contradictory."
"Normally, I would agree. But what I'm about to tell you is strictly confidential, my dear. Since I am taking a big wager with you, I'm willing to let you in on this little secret. As long as you never discuss it with anybody."
The girl nodded.
"Itachi had been hustled into his current situation. Danzo purposely went behind me and persuaded Itachi to commit genocide against his own clan. Danzo had the warped idea that if the Uchiha clan were wiped out, he would use the unbalance in the village to his advantage, and become Hokage. However, thanks to some of your clan, we learned the truth before it was too late. Unfortunately, the information didn't arrive in time to spare the Uchihas. Now, Itachi is on the run from our Anbu because he fears he will be put to death for his actions. Typically, a mass genocide is means for immediate execution, I hold no bad blood towards him. He was simply manipulated by someone of higher power. He did what he thought would help his village. Proving his loyalty."
"Does Sasuke know of this?"
"No, he doesn't. And I want to keep it that way. If he gets wind of any of this, he might become a traitor to the village as well. A great power resides in him, and I would prefer to have him as an ally rather than an enemy."
"I see."
"So you are excused from the exams next week. When the rest of the upcoming Genin have been placed into squads, you will receive your team as well. Until then, I have a special mission for you."
The young girl listened carefully to the old man.
"There is a young boy I would like you to look after. Be his mentor and protector."
"You want me to babysit some brat?"
"This is not just any child, Luna." Hiruzen stared hard at her. "This is the child of the Fourth. Naruto is an orphan. He has no other family, and needs to be protected at all costs."
"You mean the Kyuubi Jinjuuriki?!" Luna squeaked, showing a glimpse of fear in her eyes.
"Yes. But please, don't be confused. Naruto is NOT the Kyuubi. Only it's jailor. He doesn't even know what is sealed inside him. The boy is only seven and needs to be integrated into society. Some of the Anbu in charge of his care have only seen Naruto as the Kyuubi, and not the Fourth's son. So, sadly, Naruto has been ostracized and abused both mentally and physically. I need you to use your status as the of heiress of the Avalon to bring forth a better opinion of him. I assure you, Naruto is not a threat."
"Do you realize what you're asking of me?" Luna asked, her voice dripping in hatred. "You are asking me to care for the child who contains the very creature that killed my mother all those years ago!"
"I know it's difficult for you, Luna-sama. But I implore you to look beyond your anger and fright to give this boy a better life. If you refuse this position, Naruto will have no one to look after him. He might become a threat if he gives in to the Kyuubi's hatred. Something that feeds off the insecurities and anger the villagers show him."
"But why me? There are hundreds more shinobi that..."
"It has to be you." Hirzuen interrupted, surprising Luna. "Your skills and level head not even most Jonin possess. You are the first child in history to wield both your clan's dojutsu. Naruto will become very strong as he grows. He will need a powerful mentor to help him ward off the Kyuubi's influence. Not only this, but we have reason to believe the Akatsuki are looking into collecting the bijuu. Each nation with a Jinjuuriki are in danger. But especially us. Since Naruto is still a child, he is a prime target. If the Kyuubi falls into the Atatsuki's hands, then the world as we know it will end."
"It seems I have little choice in the matter... As a shinobi of Konoha, I will honor your request, Lord Third."
It seems as soon as Luna uttered these words, she was whisked away by the Anbu and escorted to Konoha's orphanage. The building showed it's age well. Sadly, many children of the ninja world become orphans. The children live at the orphanage until they're old enough to become Genin. The Anbu wearing a crow's mask pointed Luna in the direction of a seven year old boy that had a mop of bright blonde hair that stood out like a sore thumb. The Avalon heiress watched the boy try to play with the other children; all of which backed away from him as if he were a poisonous snake. She could instantly see the hurt behind his big blue eyes, causing her heart to tug painfully. Luna had never been a child that wore her emotions on her sleeve. She thought feelings were a weakness and unnecessary. The sight of this child stirred emotions in Luna she had never felt in all her 12 years.
"Naruto?" she called, alerting the boy. He turned towards the sound of his name, large eyes inspecting Luna curiously. "Come with me." she held her hand out to him, but he made no move.
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice as tiny as he was.
"My name is Luna, and I will be your protector from this day on." The sincere look in her cerulean eyes told Naruto he had nothing to fear of her. With a shaky hand, he reached out to her.
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Many villagers stared at Luna as she and Naruto walked through town. Some whispered to each other, and others called out vile names towards the blonde. One particularly drunk man tripped the seven year old, causing Naruto to scrape his knee. With dizzying speed, Luna punched the drunken man in his stomach. He doubled over in pain, bringing him eye level with the girl. However, instead of her normal cerulean blue eyes, he stared straight into blood red. The veins around her eyes stood out drastically. The small black dots around her now red eyes began to spin, locking the man into a genjutsu. He dropped at her feet, unmoving.
"Let this be a lesson to all of you." she spoke loudly to the rest of the onlookers. "Harm one hair on Naruto Uzumaki's head, and you will be much worse off than this man." she emphasized her words with a swift kick to the man's back side.
The crowd was visibly afraid, and so was Naruto. He cowered in fear of his new protector, hugging his injured knee to his chest as if trying to curl himself into a ball. He flinched when Luna's hand touched him, fearing for his life. Instead of pain, he felt a soothing coolness. Her hand faintly glowing green, allowing Naruto's knee to heal itself.
"Does your knee hurt anymore?" she asked, her voice emotionless and her eyes shifted back to their normal blue. Naruto shook his head, allowing Luna to help him up. She grasped his small hand in hers, leading him through town and towards the housing districts.
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"Lord Third purchased this apartment for you, Naruto." Luna spoke, opening the door to a one bedroom flat.
"This is mine?" the boy asked, carefully walking inside.
"You can stay here however long you wish. No one will bother you. I've assigned several Anbu to keep watch over this place when I'm not around. And don't worry, none of them will harm you."
"Are you gonna live here with me?" Naruto asked, turning his innocent eyes towards his caretaker. Something about these eyes made a motherly instinct spark to life in Luna Avalon. The thought of living here with her new protege didn't seem like a bad idea.
"I'm sorry, but no. I'm an heiress to my clan, and I have to live at the family compound. It's not too far away from here, though."
"What's an 'heiress'?"
"It means I am next in line to become clan head. When I become of age, I will take over the responsibilities my father has now. Making sure the clan stays safe and supports each other and the village."
"Sounds like being Hokage!" Naruto laughed. A ghost of a smile graced Luna's porcelain complexion. The more time she spent with this kid, the more she seemed to soften. "I'm gonna be Hokage one day! Then everyone will have to respect me!"
"That's a good goal to have, Naruto."
Luna took the boy's backpack and placed it on his new bed. Naruto didn't own much. Only one clean outfit and a stuffed frog was packed into it. Luna made a mental note to buy him more clothes.
"Um, Luna?" Naruto called, nervously shifted from one foot to the other. "What happened to your eyes earlier?"
"I was hoping you didn't notice that..." Luna sighed, having no choice but to explain herself. "It's a special technique that only I can use. You may have heard of the Byankugan and Sharingan?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Well, the Byankugan is a dojutsu of the Hyuga clan. It allows them nearly 360 degree vision and the ability to see chakra networks. The Sharingan was the dojutsu of the Uchiha. It's primary function is to see what your enemy will do before they do it, and the ability to copy nearly any jutsu. There is a lot more the Sharingan can do, but only if the user is able to unlock the different forms of it. I'm the only one to ever wield both."
"But how? I thought a ninja could only have one or the other?"
"This is true. But somehow, my genes mutated before I was born. I'm not exactly sure of the whole story myself."
"Wow! So you've got to be like, crazy strong!"
Luna could feel her lips pulling into a small smile. All the fear and worry Naruto had a few moments ago had truly melted. He wasn't afraid of her. Something most kids were. They saw her as different, dangerous, and weird. As strong as she was, it hurt deeply to know someone was afraid of her for simply being who she was. As different as she and Naruto was, she was staring to see many similarities between them.
"I have to go now, Naruto. But I will be back tomorrow to see how you're doing."
"Do you have to go?" he asked, his lip pouting.
"Yes. But remember, you're safe here. And if you need me, my compound is three blocks away. Just look for my family's crest." she pointed to the golden A embossed on her dress. It formed into a five pointed star, but you could clearly see the A standing out. Little did Luna know, that this symbol just became Naruto's light in the dark.
Maiden- Just a little note; Luna Avalon is my personal character and her background is a rather complicated one. The Avalon clan had evolved from the Otsutsuki clan. The first ninja to ever use chakra. It is believed that the Hyuga and Uchiha inherit both their dojutsu from the Otsutsuki bloodline due to the fact Kaguya Otsutsuki (the mother of all chakra) had both the Rennigan and Tensegan. Evolutions of the Sharingan and Byankugan, respectively. Luna's clan can wield either the Sharingan or Byankugan. Depending on genetics. Luna is the only child to ever have inherited both.
If you'd like to read more about her, you can check out my completed 'Fighting Dreamers' story located on my profile.