Of Ninjas and Shadows: Chapter I
XXX
I wandered in search of warmth for salvation
Yet I found it was fire that set my damnation
Scars set upon my skin and my soul
However, melting my inhibitions held below
The tinder within my heart was stoked
Embers cast cold shadows untamed
"Reformation through flame
And after the cremation is a new age
Time's quill is quick to spill its ink onto a new page"
Four years later…
XXX
I remember the aftermath of that day. Jiji was horrified when I stumbled into his office the next morning. Not because of the burn mark set permanently across my left eye. Not because I had insight into the Uchiha's plans to lay siege on the village leaders. Not because I had killed the monster.
Not because I broke down into tears after telling him what had happened.
No.
Jiji was horrified because I hadn't.
Instead, I told him everything that happened with a blank face and eyes still wide, but… Not in fear for potential repercussions, nor regret, nor shock. Just in reluctant acceptance of what I was.
I never told Jiji that part of course. He still thought I was an innocent child. In fact, he insisted on it as he explained what had happened on the day of my birth. He told me there were others like me. That the villages needed someone to hold the deadly beasts at bay, and infants happened to be the only ones capable. While he elaborated on the Uchiha coup, I suspected he was excluding as much sensitive information as possible. He went on to stress the importance that nobody found out. He knew I was mature and intelligent beyond my age and that I could handle keeping a secret.
It wasn't as if I had anyone to tell anyway.
Jiji had taken me to the hospital immediately after our conversation. The doctor Jiji assigned to me theorized that whatever the Shinobi did to suppress the Nine Tails chakra was the reason his Jutsu left a scar. Despite the burst of chakra I had managed to pull out, it's presence was still suppressed. So the scar set before I regained my healing factor.
As I reflect on that day I realize now what it taught me. I now know what my purpose is. I will not allow myself to be used as a tool for my village. I will not allow monsters like the Uchiha to start conflict and disrupt the peace. There are more monsters out there. A monster living inside me. Monsters living around me. I know what I must do now…
Survive
XXX
I trudged my way through the classroom, passing by each seat, following my set routine. I always went to the upper corner of the classroom, opposite the windows. There were shadows there.
Only one other student sat in the back across from me, staring out the window. Satsuki Uchiha. I always hated her name. I hated how she would sneer whenever I failed to perform the basic chakra control exercises. I hated how she would beat me in every competition we had. Most of all I hated how she reminded me of myself.
Both alone, hurt, and angry with no way to fix it. I think she feels the same way. We always sat at the same lake together. Opposite ends of course, refusing to make eye contact. But, despite this I think it still helps just having someone to relate to, sitting nearby. It helped with the loneliness.
Even if just a little.
I think she resents the fact that I was alone despite still having my clan. She had no idea why I had no family or friends to walk home with. She probably feels I'm squandering my chance to have loved ones while they're still here.
If only she knew...
If only she knew what I had been through. If only she knew what she had been through.
She had no idea that her clan was planning mutiny of the highest caliber. She hated her brother for slaughtering her clan in cold blood.
Maybe he had. Maybe what he did was totally unrelated to what his family planned.
I doubt it. Jiji never said, but I think he did it to stop the coup and protect the village. Was it justified? Who was I to tell? I was a murderer too after all.
"Good morning class!" My thoughts were interrupted as Iruka-Sensei entered with a binder full of notes. "Today we're continuing our study of the five great villages, moving on to Kirigakure. Can anyone tell me who the current Mizukage is?"
The timid girl with indigo hair and pale eyes raised her hand. "Ah, yes Hinata." Right, that was her name. "The Mizukage is Tobi H-hatsume, and the current Jonin commander i-is Mei Terumi."
"Well done Hinata. Correct on both accounts." Iruka replied. "The Mizukage is credited for turning the tide during in the Great Kiri Civil war…" I zoned him out. I know enough to pass the test anyway.
The Mizukage was a mystery. I remember Shikaku-ji- and Jiji discussing where he could have come from based on his appearance and abilities. Jiji probably knew I was eavesdropping but he didn't care. If a Fireball Jutsu to the face didn't teach me a lesson, then nothing would.
The Mizukage was supposedly well versed in Genjutsu and Ninjutsu, and wore a mask at all times. Few have seen his face, but the ones that have claimed he had a terrible scar streaking across the right side of his face.
Since his arrival, Kirigakure has been ascending it's way to better places. Even threatening Konoha's position as the strongest village.
They weren't the only ones hard at work though. Amegakure has also been treading it's way up, some saying in a few years it may rival the big five.
But none of it matters to me. When the political climate gets rough, bring an umbrella. A shield to protect me from the endless bickering. It all bored me to tears.
It doesn't matter where the monsters come from. I'll be ready.
XXX
After school that day Naruto was surprised to be approached by his cousin Shikamaru. He supposed Shikamaru was the closest thing to a friend he had. They didn't talk much, but sometimes Yoshino would invite Naruto over for dinner.
Shikamaru was smart, unusually so. He was the only one to consistently outwit both Naruto and Satsuki. He was smart enough to know Naruto wasn't normal. He had only seen pictures and heard stories of Koari-Oba. And nobody knew who his father was, not even him. Shikamaru doubted his clan would hold a grudge against him for something his father had done, so he was still in the dark in regards to Naruto's abnormity.
"It's a drag but Father wants you to come over today, he said he was going to teach us some clan Jutsu."
Naruto just stared for a second before slowly nodding. He was already working on controlling his shadows and was the only one his age to ever physically manifest them. Shadow Stitching Jutsu isn't typically taught till one becomes Chunin and even then you couldn't release them at your whim like he could.
Naruto followed Shikamaru regardless, perhaps he would gain some more control over his shadows? When they arrived at the house, Shikamaru walked them around back, pushing open the gate to his family's training ground. For the Clan Head's house, it was fairly modest but still nice.
There were several training dummies set out amongst the grassy field on the left and target boards on the right. At the rear, there was no fence, just trees that lead into the Nara clan's forest, where the deer roamed. Turned out not even they liked Naruto.
Shikaku grudgingly got up from where he was sitting on their patio. "Good afternoon Naruto, Shikamaru." Shikamaru responded with a nonchalant "Hey Dad." whilst Naruto gave his usual nod.
"You two are now old enough to learn the Shadow Paralysis or Possession Jutsu." Shikaku began. "Depending on how well you do we may move on to the Shadow Imitation Jutsu." He then motioned for them to follow him to the dummies.
"In order to perform the Shadow Possession Jutsu you need to make a rat sign with your hands, then push chakra into your shadow. As Naras you should have a natural instinct that allows your chakra and shadow to merge. After you feel you've gained control of your shadow extend it by pushing more chakra into it and focusing on the shadow you wish to latch on to. The metal poles that attach the training dummies to the ground are made from chakra metal in order to mimic a person's chakra system."
He paused a moment to let that sink in. "Once you feel the opening into the chakra system seize control by pushing your chakra into it. Too little or too much and you won't gain control. These are designed to mimic a Genin's chakra system, once you're able to fill them with your chakra for thirty seconds we will move onto to the Chunin level dummies."
Both boys went into position. Shikamaru held up the correct hand sign, and his shadow extended and grabbed control perfectly on his first try. "Good," Shikaku said. "Hold that for as long as you can."
Naruto rolled his eyes, this was too easy. He didn't even bother with the hand sign. His shadow extended grabbing onto the dummy.
The dummy promptly exploded into an array of metal and hay splinters. Shikamaru lost control and moved his arms to cover his face.
"What happened!?" Naruto demanded. "You pushed way too much chakra into it," Shikaku responded with a sigh, pinching his nose. "Shikamaru continue, Naruto let's move over to the Jonin level dummies and we'll work our way down while Shikamaru works his way up."
"And this time Naruto..."
"Yes?"
"Use the damn hand sign."
XXX
It was almost sunset in Konoha, the sky was painted in different hues. Oranges, pinks, purples and everything in between. With thin stringy clouds sewn into the canvas.
The water at the ex-Uchiha compounds lake was nearly still, allowing for barley distorted reflections. Satsuki sat on the dock dangling her feet over the edge. She was dressed in black shorts with a black top dawning the Uchiha symbol, along with blue sandals.
She glanced over at Naruto, as he sat underneath a tree's shadow. Naruto, and his dumb food based name, with his weird whisker marks and distinctive burn scar over his left eye.
Satsuki always wanted to ask how he got that scar but knew better. She wouldn't want kids in their year pestering her about her past. Not because it wasn't public information, but because she knew better than anyone how painful it is to relive the same moment over and over. To be defined by your scars.
Every time people looked at them, they only thought of their baggage and not the person behind them. She supposed that made him tolerable. He was quiet enough as well. Except for when she kicked him into the dirt.
Wasn't her fault he couldn't focus. He was too busy trying to stop his shadows from protecting him so he could spar. Really his mind wasn't fully there. He was too slow regardless.
Whatever, it was getting late. She should go home. She lifted herself off the old wooden planks and turned to leave, however right as she took her first step, she froze.
XXX
Naruto was bored again. The ducks always went to the opposite side of the lake from him, so he never got to feed them. They never seemed to mind Satsuki.
Ugh, what an awful name. He was tired of hearing it, but people seemed to have no shortage of praise for the young prodigy. Sure she was good at Taijutsu, and Ninjutsu, and weapons training, and academics…
Damnit. She wasn't perfect. She had that weird beauty mark on her right cheek. Sure, it was in a perfect spot and only made her look more unique. But she also did that weird nose crinkle thing whenever someone was annoying her. I mean, I guess it's kinda cute and endearing but…
Agh! She was so frustrating. She bothered him to no end. She demonstrated she knew some Fire Jutsu at school today while he was still stuck on the shadow imitation.
He had been working on it for a couple weeks now. And he had already gained enough control to hold a Chunin level chakra system, and Shikaku-ji let Naruto control him and make him walk around.
He was pretty sure he could handle a Genin level chakra system, at least for a few seconds. But he still messed up on the leaf sticking exercise. There was no way he was getting that one done anytime soon.
Suddenly an idea popped into his head. He was never one for jokes, especially not pranks and the such. Yet still, for some reason, he felt he couldn't pass this opportunity up. According to Yoshino-Oba, he gets it from his Mother.
He glanced over at Satsuki. She seemed to be deep in thought. He made the rat sign and started slowly extending his shadow towards her.
Sure he hadn't mastered the technique but Satsuki was strong right? She probably had Genin level reserves. She stood up right as his shadow snaked around the underside of the dock.
His shadow latched onto hers.
Wait, she wasn't going to blow up, right?
Thankfully she didn't. "Yes!" Naruto stood up in triumph. Satsuki strained her neck until he was visible. "Naruto, what did you do to me?"
He walked up to her with a rare grin on his face. Naruto glanced down at where there shadows connected making sure he had control. He nodded in approval before looking up. Eventually, their eyes met, and being the genius he was, Naruto deduced that she was not happy.
"It's a new Jutsu I learned. Here watch this." He raised his hands above his head and she did the same. "Naruto, I'm not your toy. Let. Me. Go."
He set their arms down. "Hey if it's any consolation I'm glad you didn't blow up." "Wh-what!?" Satsuki said wide eyed and bewildered.
"Now, now." He said putting both their hands up in a placating manner. "Let's turn that frown upside down." While it's difficult to tickle oneself, it still works effectively when you're not the one in control of your body.
"Haha, Naruto! St-stop he, it. I hehe ha I mean it!" Naruto gave her a rare chuckle of amusement. "Alright, alright, sorry." He released the Jutsu only to immediately be shoved into the lake. "Ah!" Was all he managed to get out before being submerged.
Satsuki stormed off with a huff, not bothering to look back. Despite the angry front she put up, she couldn't help the rise of the corner of her lips. Being treated like a normal kid every once in a while felt good.
To forget about her ambition and her purpose. To forget what he was and his standing.
For just a moment the world was a brighter place.
They knew it wouldn't last.
XXX
Beta'd by: VeldtRevengeance
AN: For Naruto's Burn mark, look up Shouto Todoroki, it's based on his scar. Did you guys prefer the third person or first person? I can do first person more often in that case, but not always. The quoted part of this chapter's poem is from Dan Bull, it's my favorite line of all time, but it didn't work standing alone, so I added to it. Also be sure to let me know if I went into too much detail about how Jutsu works and their training. I know I get bored to tears if someone goes on too long.
