Hey, this is my first entry ever after reading fanfiction for several years. I'd like to think that this is a good start, and that my writing is competent, but one's own writing always looks good on paper. I've read amazing works and crappy ones, and I still can't tell if mine is any better. Be as ruthless as you want. Flame me even. I started this because I thought I had a good idea, not because I wanted some stranger's approval. Still, it would be preferable if you honestly enjoyed my writing. Here's hoping. By the way, if anyone wants to proofread my submissions, preferably someone who knows Japanese. I'd be most grateful. Also, any names or techniques I make up, I'll try to have in Japanese, since it's a turn-off for me when English is mashed with Japanese, like, "Super special awesome no jutsu!" or "Naruto called his friend Dave over." However, I don't actually know Japanese, but I can use the Internet. Oh, and one last thing. Please do not ask for certain pairings. This is my first try at this, and I'd like it to flow, not bend to one group's interests. Thanks.
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I don't know who does, but good for them.
Ch. 1: Vanishing
"What are we going to do?"
The shinobi beside the woman who spoke just shook his head. "Hell if I know. Hogake-sama is dead. It would have been his decision." He pulled out a cigarette from one of his vest pockets.
"Well, we got to do something. We can't just leave him here."
"I'll take him to Sandaime-sama." The two shinobi turned around, catching sight of a brown-haired woman limping towards them. "He'll know what to do."
"Rin, you need to help to others. This boy can wait," replied the ninja as he lit his cigarette. "Besides, Tou-san has his hands busy with organizing the village."
"But the kid-"
"Is just fine, unlike our comrades. You would be doing more healing than running errands."
Rin seemed like she was going to argue, but to Asuma's relief, she dropped the subject. "Fine, but make sure he's taken to Sandaime-sama or Jiraiya…ugh, -sama."
"Heh, yeah sure," nodded the ninja as his compatriot left for those in need of her expertise.
"All well and good, but what about the boy?" asked the first kunoichi. "A baby in the middle of nowhere is going to be suspicious."
"I guess that the ANBU will deal with him." As if responding to the statement, a masked nin appeared beside the boy.
"I will be taking the boy." The two didn't even bother with a reply. After all, he had standard ANBU attire. Besides, a chunnin and a genin wouldn't be able to stand up to one of the elite.
"Help your comrades," was the last sentence from the shinobi as he disappeared from view.
"Who was he?" inquired the kunoichi.
"Doesn't matter, we have our own jobs to do. Let's go."
------
Despite popular belief of the other shinobi nations, Konohagakure in itself was not damaged in the attack. For all its power and intellect, the Kyuubi no Youko had no sense of stealth. For this reason, the battle between the Konoha-nin and the demon took place in a clearing south of the village. As the ANBU carrying the infant raced towards his home, he couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief at this fact. Not because he cared about the civilians, no, but for that appearances dictate most of the opinions of outsiders, especially clients. Joined with the news that Konoha just defeated the most powerful demon ever seen, the clientele should skyrocket, and that meant more money for elite ninja like himself. He shook his head. Now was not the time for wandering thoughts. He had a job to do, he had to focus. He spotted his destination a hundred meters from his position. No, it wasn't the towering building of the Hokage's office, as one might think an ANBU would head with such an important package. No, this structure was quite rickety in appearance. When he landed on the ground in front of the building, house really, he pulled out a senbon needle and began carving into the ground.
Only with strong Roots does the Tree weather the Storm.
When he finished, the words immediately began to enlarge, forming a hole in front of the structure. The nin jumped in, and the hole closed. A little boy, a toddler really watched from his window, wide-eyed, and then screamed to his mommy that a man was eaten by a monster in the ground.
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"Did you succeed?"
"Of course, Sarutobi-sensei, since when have I ever failed?" The former Hokage just smiled at his student. If one thing could be said about Jiraiya, besides his perverted tendencies, was that he had confidence. Rarely did he ever back down from any challenge, whether it be a mission or 'research' for his new book.
"Sorry, I misspoke. I know you succeeded in designing the seal, but was Arashi able to complete it?"
"Yeah, but I kinda wish he hadn't." Sarutobi's eyes softened at that statement. "Or that he'd let me do it."
"You would have failed." There was no point in sugarcoating the truth. The Toad Sannin simply did not have the fine control required for that technique.
"I know." Silence enveloped the office, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.
"What about the boy? Where is he?"
"I…I don't know. Nobody has reported finding him. He might have been taken along with the Kyuubi."
The Sandaime's eyes widen. "But the jutsu-"
"Was never perfect," interrupted Jiraiya. "How could we know what would happen? It was a lucky thing it worked in the first place."
""I know, but…" This shouldn't have happened. After all that was sacrificed, why this one? Looking at his former pupil, the old man could see that the toad hermit was taking it even worse. He must think he failed Arashi, and in more ways than one. Sarutobi wanted to say something, anything to comfort his student, but he couldn't bring himself to do so. They all failed, by not being strong enough. Sure, the Hokage was the pillar holding up the village, but conversely the village is the foundation, supporting the pillar. When the foundation is weak, the pillar crumbles. Not only did the village fail its pillar, but his son as well.
------
The ANBU peered into the shadows. "I've brought him."
In response, a woman dressed in a chuunin flak jacket and a purple dress stepped out of the darkness. "Well done. Danzo-sama will be pleased. Now, hand over the child."
"Not so fast. I did this for the money, not to make that old fart happy." The lady's eyes narrowed fractionally. The ninja watched suspiciously. She doesn't seem to like that description. Well, too fucking bad. His body tensed, ready to repel any attack she attempted.
"You are quite right," replied the kunoichi cheerfully. "Please, accept this in exchange for the boy." And with that, the woman placed a box on the ground. The ninja, excited at the size of the container, wasted no time giving the child to the shadowy figure, then rushing to the box. Flipping over the lid, he counted what was agreed upon.
"Our business is done," the traitorous ANBU told the woman.
"Correct again. Goodbye," and so the woman, along with the boy disappeared into the darkness whence she came.
The ninja waited, still wary of betrayal. After several seconds, he decided he was in the clear. Time to go…wait, how do I get out of here?
------
The trees of Konoha blazed with a savage intensity, as if they were a reminder of the Kyuubi's hatred, burn its memory forever into the heart of Konoha..But it wasnot completely detrimental. The illumination from the burning forests was something that Anko was grateful for; it made it easier to search and tend to the wounded.
This tree's still warm. Fuck, is it from the fire or the blood?
"Anko, stop daydreaming, I found another one."
She snapped out of her reverie and stared at Asuma. He was standing on a tree branch, gently lifting a Leaf-nin onto his back, and carried him carefully to the forest floor. She cleared the distance between them to assist with the wounded man
"Is he alright?"
"Asuma! Anko!" The two ninja did not turn from their task to look at the newcomer, as he had not even attempted to hide his approach.
"What, Kakashi? We're busy."
"Rin told me you found a kid. Sandaime-sama is looking for him."
They glanced at each other. Asuma gave a nod to his partner and continued to bandage the wounds of the ninja on the forest floor. Anko turned her gaze to Kakashi. "He doesn't have him already?"
The newly arrived ninja just glared at the duo. "No jokes, where's the boy. It's very important you tell me where he is.
Asuma finished wrapping the last gash on the shinobi's body. Wiping his blood-stained hands down the sides of his pants, he rose and turned to face the genius. "The ANBU already took him last night. Tou-san should already have him."
"Are you positive?"
"No, I just like wasting time. Of course I'm positive. Back me up here, Anko."
"Yeah. Kakashi, it was the ANBU. He said, 'I'll take him to Hokage-sama,' or something." Kakashi closed his visible eye and crossed his arms, giving off the impression. Asuma and Anko waited for his reaction.
"No." No? What the hell does he mean by that?
Anko seemed to have guessed however. "Uh, yes, Kakashi. It was an ANBU."
Kashashi didn't even return her glanced as he replied, "No, because no ANBU ever came to the tower with a child. One of you come with me. You need to explain the situation." 'Cause I sure as hell won't. Jiraiya's gonna be pissed.
"Alright," answered Asuma. "Anko take that guy back to the medical tent once he's stabilized. Let's go, Kakashi." And with that, the two shinobi leapt in the direction of the village, leaving the genin with the wounded ninja.
"Man, why do I get stuck with all the hard stuff. Come on old man, let's get you to the medics…old guy? Oh shit, the bandages are bleeding through!"
------
The underground headquarters of the ANBU 'Root' forces was, by necessity, a secret. Not because the enemies of Konoha wanted to attack it, but for the fact that it wasn't supposed to even exist. Had the Sandaime known about it, he would immediately have shut it down, and incarcerated those involved. But the 'Ne' forces were not large by any stretch of the imagination. Compromising of only a few dozen individuals, each being rigorously screened and tutored, well, brainwashed really, by its leader. With such a small number of fanatically devoted followers, it's not hard to see why the populace and governing body was not aware of this organization. In fact, the only ones who knew of the existence of this group were either loyal to it, or dead.
"Open up, it's me."
The door to a closed restaurant slowly creaked open. There was no one inside as the kunoichi with the small bundle walked into the unlit foyer area. There, in the center of the floor, was an intricate design made of marble and other materials. She stood just to the right of the center of the tile and wrote on the floor;
As long as the Roots survive, the Tree will thrive.
The woman, along with her mission objective, faded from view.
------
"Who was this ninja you saw? Describe him."
The air in the office was thick with tension. Asuma stared back at his father. Did I do something wrong?
"This is import-"
"Alright. Male, about my height, and if I had to guess, one-hundred and fifty pounds. Standard ANBU attire, so I have no idea what he looked like." The tall, white-haired man next to his father spoke.
"Anything else? Think, boy, anything he said or looked at or reacted to? This is more important than you can imagine."
"I told you everything I know. What's so important about the boy anyway?" Asuma didn't miss the reflexive glance that passed between his father and the other old guy. "Go ahead, you can tell me. Who knows, it might jog my memory."
In a flash, the white-haired hermit slammed him against the wall, his forearm against his throat. "Don't you dare hide anything from me, boy! Tell me what you know, now"
"Jiraiya, please, keep calm! Let him go now!"
With one last withering glare, the old man withdrew his arm, causing the chuunin to slide to the floor. Taking some deep breaths, he slowly rose to his feet. "Sorry, sorry. Bad sense of humor…"
"Mixed with terrible timing, yes. But that is irrelevant. Now, one more time. You are absolutely sure you cannot remember anything distinctive about this man? Anything at all?"
Asuma repressed the urge to sigh. He liked breathing after all, despite his nicotine addiction. "Yes, Tou-san, I'm positive. I wish I had more information."
The other old guy, who he now recognized as the Toad Sannin, slumped against the wall. "No leads then."
His father tried to comfort the hermit. "We'll keep looking. You know, it isn't like you to give up so easily."
"It's harder to keep it up when you fail repeatedly." Asuma knew that there was more to that statement than the current situation, but he also was aware that it was none of his business.
"Am I dismissed?"
"Yes. Go back to the medical tents." Asuma nodded and left the office. As he traveled the corridors of the Hokage tower, his thoughts wandered to the boy in question. I hope you're okay kid…
------
From the eyes of the infant, had he been awake, he would have been surrounded by bright lights and people dressed in white uniforms. He would have been curious as to why they kept prodding and poking him. He would have cried, in a vain attempt to communicate, not knowing it would fall upon deaf ears. One of the men in the room stiffened, as he sense the presence of another entering the area. Swiftly turning, he greeted the newcomer.
"Danzo-sama, welcome." The man in question gave a slight acknowledgement, his attention focused on the child before him.
"Please, inform me as to the boy's condition."
Despite being a loyal follower, the uniformed man could not help but shiver at the undertones of his leader's voice. This was one man who did not take bad news well…
"He is quite a healthy boy, considering what he has gone through. Blood work and physical examinations show he is free of any illness or mental defects."
Danzo continued to stare at the individual, who began to feel sweat dripping down his forehead. He cursed silently. Of course he wouldn't be able to fool his leader. This man could read him like a book. Anyone, really. It was his greatest strength.
"Forgive me for my omission, Danzo-sama."
"Forgiveness…that will depend on how grave the problem is."
He felt as if he was going to relieve himself right there, but he steeled himself and took a deep breath. "It seems…it seems that the sealing of the Nine-tails had…unforeseen consequences."
"Go on."
"According to our agents, the seal attempt by the Yondaime was, in fact, just a trade-off. A deal with the Shinigami. Had it been another human, a container would not have been needed. Both souls would have been devoured. However-"
"A demon requires more."
"Correct, Danzo-sama. In this case the Hokage attempted to lessen the cost by just sealing it within the boy, in exchange for his life."
"Obviously, he miscalculated."
"Yes. The Kyuubi is the most powerful of the tail beasts, requiring even more than the Yondaime could have anticipated. The Shinigami could not extract anything else from the man, as he was already dead. So he recompensed from the only living thing connected to the sealing. The boy."
The man could have sworn he saw the eyes of his leader widen…or was it his own imagination?
"What did he lose?"
"…His eyes…he's blind, Danzo-sama."
This time there was no mistaking it, Danzo cursed loudly. "Are you telling that he is worthless to our plans?"
"I…I'm afraid so."
Quicker than he ever saw anyone move, Danzo was heading straight for him. Oh shit, I'm so fucked. However, to his surprise and immense relief, his superior whipped right past him towards…the boy? He was going to kill the boy?
A pity, but weak roots only hamper the Tree, thought Danzo as he plunged the kunai in his hand towards the baby's neck. Also, it wouldn't do to leave evidence. The knife sliced the air, falling towards its target. The infant open its blank eyes, and a brilliant flash filled the room.
Blood splattered against the wall.
------
Wow, I have a new appreciation for the work that goes into this stuff. To all those authors whose stories I enjoyed but never bothered to review, I shall punish myself for my ignorance. Until next time.