The Fox and The Swords
Disclaimer: I do not own either Naruto or Fate/Stay Night
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Chapter 2: A family... of sorts.
Uzumaki Naruto woke to an unfamiliar sensation, his home was filled with the smell of cooking food. It smelled... good, really good. Glancing at his alarm clock he notes that it is approaching midday, so he tries to get up and with a shout of mixed pain and alarm collapses down on to his bed as he finds that his leg still hurts and is incapable of taking his weight.
"Naruto!" Two voices respond by bursting into his room, one is the old man and the other is the stranger who showed up in his apartment.
"Are you all right Naruto?" Sarutobi asks his concern apparent on his face.
"My leg still hurts, oji-san." Is Narutos response, as he manoeuvres himself into a sitting position.
"It must have been hurt pretty badly Naruto." Explained Sarutobi with a sad expression on his face. "I'm sure it will be better soon." While outwardly calm Sarutobi's mind was a storm of activity. 'This is worrying.' He silently mused. 'Usually Naruto can heal most things within a nights sleep has the summoning Zelretch made him perform done something to the seal? I doubt it, that bastard is many things but stupid isn't one of them. Either way I will have to keep an eye out, and get Jiraya to have a look when he is next in the area.'
"Oji-san, who is this?" Narutos suspicious and slightly scared tone having focused on the stranger in his home.
"This Naruto is Emiya Shirou, he's here with me and is the one currently cooking your breakfast." Hurriedly explains Sarutobi, it always pained him to hear such a tone of voice coming from a 5 year old, shaking his head slightly to clear his thoughts he continues. "And lets get you dressed and seated at the table while Emiya-san finishes preparing everything ok?"
"It shouldn't be too long now." Remarked Emiya as he left the room.
"But oji-san I'm not a kid any more, I can dress myself you know." Said a pouting Naruto.
"I'm sure you can Naruto." Replied the Hokage with a placating tone of voice. "But we best make sure that injured leg of yours doesn't get any worse ok?"
"Haiii." Responded Naruto still pouting in an adorable manner.
After Naruto was changed and seated at the dining table. While Emiya was adding the finishing touches to the food he had prepared, Naruto turned to the Hokage and eagerly asked: "It was my birthday yesterday, have you got anything awesome for me old man?"
"I may well do." The old man replied cryptically.
"Oji-san... tell me, tell me." Naruto pouted as he badgered Sarutobi. Who merely laughed, it always amazed him how infectious Narutos cheer can be.
"Ah Emiya-san is it ready?" Sarutobi asked, Naruto quickly looked round and his eyes widened at the sight of Emiya who was carrying a number of loaded dishes towards the table, once he had finished setting the table, he takes a seat opposite the Hokage.
"I hope you enjoy my cooking, Hokage-sama, Naruto-kun." Emiya announced.
As Sarutobi was trying various dishes he was quietly amazed the food tasted even better than it smells. He turned to Naruto and noticed that he wasn't eating just eyeing the food on the table with mild suspicion. "What's the matter Naruto?" Sarutobi gently asked Naruto. "Not hungry?"
The loud rumbling of Narutos stomach was an adequate response.
"Well then." Remarked Sarutobi, as though the matter was settled. "Eat up Naruto I assure you its delicious."
Gingerly as though he expected the food to explode or bite him Naruto tries a mouthful of one of the dishes, as he does so his eyes go wide open with surprise. The food is good, REALLY good, almost as good as ramen. If anyone was looking at Emiya they would see something akin to pride on his face, but for Naruto the dam seems to have been broken as he loads up his plate with a bit of everything and starts shovelling as much as he can into his mouth and trying to swallow it all whole. 'It seems manners are something to be worked on.' Emiya thought to himself with a small smirk adorning his face.
Once the food had been finished and the dishes cleared away. Sarutobi pulls out a couple of scrolls, he then looks at Naruto with a serious and solemn expression as he begins to explain his reasons for being there: "As you are no doubt aware Naruto you are scheduled to enrol in the ninja academy in the coming year, to aid you in your studies I am giving you these two scrolls." Sarutobi pauses to hand the scrolls over to Naruto, who takes them with an eager expression on his face but before he can say anything Sarutobi is continuing "the first is a scroll detailing the recent history of the elemental nations, information like the current kages and the main alliances, information that most enrollees should be aware of and as such will not be covered in detail at the academy." Sarutobi has to restrain a grin at the crestfallen expression on Narutos face before he presses on. "And the second scroll covers how to awaken your chakra and a few basic manipulation exercises. Consider it your first step on the long road to becoming a great ninja." Sarutobi can't help grinning at the joyful smile on Narutos face.
"Thanks oji-san." Naruto gives the ageing Hokage a hug, wincing slightly as he moves his injured leg, before he continues. "I'll get these done in no time, just you wait old man!"
"Less of the old brat." Sarutobi makes a half hearted glare at Naruto who just flashes another huge smile at the Hokage. "But Naruto." Announces Sarutobi a serious expression once more on his face. "The scrolls weren't the only thing I arranged for you."
"Eh? Really oji-san?" Exclaims Naruto, the eager look on his face again. "Are gonna teach me some awesome jutsu?"
"It would be for the best if I explained this Hokage-sama." Cut in Emiya.
"Indeed it would Emiya-san since it concerns you." Agrees Sarutobi before he continues. "However, Naruto I give you my word as Hokage that everything Emiya-san is about to tell you is the truth as far as I am aware."
"Okay then. Where best to begin..." Muses Emiya before coming to some sort of a decision and beginning to speak. "Firstly Naruto-kun I am not from this world, in fa-"
"What!" Interrupted Naruto. "What do you mean another world? Is that some place REALLY far away?" Naruto expanded on his statement by stretching his arms out as though to try and indicate a great distance.
"Something like that." Replies Emiya offhandedly. "But I would appreciate if you let me finish before asking any questions. Okay?"
"Okay." Agreed Naruto with a bright smile on his face.
"As I was saying." Continued Emiya. "I am from another world, but due to circumstances I am stuck here. So I met up with the Hokage and he said I could stay but on the condition that I take care of and train up a promising young ninja in training, I agreed and I wanted to meet this ninja to evaluate him before deciding on a training regimen."
"Ah! So where is this awesome ninja in training." Naruto looks around eagerly to try and spot this awesome ninja in his home. Sarutobi is hiding a grin at Narutos antics.
"I'm looking at him." Deadpans Emiya as he stares at Naruto.
It takes Naruto about 15 seconds to make the connection, during which time Emiya has thought: 'Not to bright but that should be easy to change with some encouragement.'
"Wait, do you mean me?" Exclaims Naruto shock apparent on his young face.
"Indeed he does Naruto." Chipped in Sarutobi. "He will be teaching you ninja arts as well as whatever else he sees fit to aid you on the path to becoming a ninja." The old man finishes with a smile on his face.
"AWESOME." Shouts Naruto. "OWWWW." Shouts Naruto in a more subdued tone of voice as he tries to jump for joy but his injured leg inhibits his movement.
"Its best if you don't try and move around on that leg until its healed Naruto." Explains Sarutobi. "Unnecessary movement can make injuries worse."
"Haiii~" Replies Naruto, who is still floating on a cloud of euphoria at having his own sensei.
"But for your training to be most effective." Begins Sarutobi, who at the word training has Narutos attention. "I would like you to move in with Emiya-san."
"What do you mean by 'move in with' oji-san?" Questions Naruto, tilting his head to the side in a quizzical manner.
"Ah right sorry." Apologises Sarutobi. "What I mean is you are going to go live in the same house as Emiya. That way he can oversee your training better."
"Eh? Really? I get to live with my sensei so he can teach me better? COOL!" Naruto has a huge grin on his face as he takes in all the information he has been given.
"Indeed Naruto, Emiya-san and myself have been talking and we have agreed that it would be for the best if Emiya-san adopted you." Sarutobi is watching Naruto like a hawk. Emiya is looking at Sarutobi with shock, he never mentioned this, but before he can voice his concerns Naruto is speaking.
"What does adopted mean oji-san? The grown-ups at the orphanage said only good kids get adopted so I didn't need too know about it since I'm not a good kid." Naruto explained with a downcast expression.
Sarutobi made a mental note to have 'words' with the staff at the orphanage. Emiya made a mental note to introduce the staff at the orphanage to Kanshou and Bakuya.
"Adopted." Sarutobi began to explain as he put his most reassuring smile on his face before he continues. "Means the orphaned child gets substitute parents." Sarutobi looks at Naruto to see he eyes wide open in shock.
A good thirty seconds pass before Naruto can gather his wits to say anything. He opens his mouth to speak several times before closing it again without saying a word. Eventually he gathers himself enough to look at Emiya before he begins speaking.
"D-does that m-mean." Naruto stutters. "I-I can c-call you o...o-otou-san?" Naruto looks up at Emiya with eyes shining with hope, an emotion that Sarutobi, to his shame, cannot recall ever seeing in Narutos eyes before.
Emiya lets out a tiny almost unnoticeable sigh, he wasn't expecting this turn of events but he knows if he says no, he will be utterly crushing the boy in front of him. Cynical and sarcastic he may be but he isn't heartless. So with his best reassuring smile on his face he answers. "Yes Naruto-kun you can call me otou-san." Emiya wasn't prepared for what happens next, as ignoring his injured leg entirely Naruto has leapt over the table grabbed Emiya in a hug and is crying his eyes out murmuring 'otou-san' over and over again. Tentatively returning the child's hug, no his son he supposes as he mentally corrects himself. 'That is going to take some getting used to.' He muses before turning to regard Sarutobi his look plainly conveying 'we are going to have words about this.' Sarutobi returning the look with one of his own that plainly states 'I regret nothing.'
It took a while for Naruto to stop crying, but neither Sarutobi nor Emiya made any attempt to stop him, when he had eventually composed himself and sat himself down this time next to Emiya, did the conversation resume.
"Well then Naruto, before you can be officially adopted by Emiya-san and move in with him, there are a couple of matters that we need to sort out first, okay?" Sarutobi reached over the table and ruffled Narutos messy blonde hair as he spoke.
"Haiii~" Naruto dutifully responded.
"Shall we depart then Emiya-san?" Asked Sarutobi.
"Indeed, Hokage-sama." Replied Emiya. "But first." He turns to Naruto before continuing "I need you to stay still and rest that injured leg of yours, moving it about will make it worse, and that means your training to become an awesome ninja will have to be delayed and we don't want that right?"
"Okay otou-san." Naruto has a small smile on his face as he replies.
"Well then since Naruto can't move about too much, you can take this chance to start studying those scrolls I gave you." Sarutobi suggested with a smile at Naruto.
"Okay oji-san, I'll start right now." Said Naruto a determined look on his as he went to grab the scroll on the basics of chakra manipulation.
"Instead of chakra manipulation Naruto, why don't you start with history instead. That way you won't feel the need to try out what you've read and we won't risk that leg of yours okay?" Sarutobi explains as he prevents Naruto from grabbing the chakra scroll and hands him the history one instead.
Naruto's response is to pout but he takes the scroll and unrolls it regardless, after studying it for a moment with an intense look of concentration, he looks up at Sarutobi who smiles at him before he asks. "Oji-san, do you have a copy of this which is simpler to read?"
Sarutobi's smile doesn't leave his face but Emiya can tell its become a bit more forced as he gently replies. "By any chance do you not know the basics of reading Naruto?"
"They were supposed to teach at the orphanage but they didn't invite me to the class." Naruto has a downcast look on his face as he responds.
Sarutobi forms a hand seal before saying. "Kage Bunshin no jutsu." A cloud of chakra smoke forms but clears almost instantly revealing two identical Sarutobi's sitting.
"AWESOME!" Shouts Naruto. Before shooting the puppy eyes at Sarutobi. "Can you teach me that jutsu oji-san, pleeeeeaaaasssseee."
"Sorry Naruto, maybe when you're a bit older and more experienced." Replies Sarutobi, managing to resist the face Naruto is pulling.
"Awww..." Says a pouting Naruto.
"Well then." Remarks one of them. "It would be for the best if I help Naruto with his reading."
"While I go sort out the paperwork with Emiya-san." Finishes the other.
"Indeed Hokage-sama." Emiya replies. "Well then Naruto-kun, is there anything in particular you would like me to make you for dinner?"
"RAMEN." Is the instant and to the Hokage predictable reply.
"Well then." Remarks Emiya as he gives Naruto a reassuring smile. "Ramen it is."
After leaving Naruto and Sarutobi's kage bunshin to study, Sarutobi and Emiya were walking in silence back to the office, eventually Sarutobi broke the silence by asking: "What is on your mind?"
"Something that can wait." Emiya is giving Sarutobi a pointed look that says 'not where we can be overheard' as he replies, Sarutobi gets the message, the silence stretches on for a couple more minutes before Emiya asks. "Actually could you give me the address of the orphanage? I would like to register a complaint of sorts."
Sarutobi has a small smile on his face as he answers. "I'm afraid you will have to leave that matter in my capable hands Emiya-san."
'Yeah, because that's worked out so well so far.' Runs through Emiya's head, but he remains silent until the pair are inside the office. After both taking a seat, Sarutobi dismisses the ANBU guards and then runs through a set of hand seals. "There." Sarutobi declared. "We can talk without being overheard now."
"I see." Replied Emiya as he structurally analysed the room. "A chakra powered bounded field that stops sound waves leaving but not entering as well as jamming most listening devices, how would I go about getting such a field constructed?"
Slightly caught off guard by the seemingly innocuous question Sarutobi takes a moment to ponder an answer. "You would need a master of fuinjustu. I would recommend Jiraya."
"And this Jiraya is?" Emiya questions.
"(Full name) one of my students. He is also Naruto's godfather." Sarutobi didn't miss the look that came over Emiyas face at the mention of Naruto's godfather.
"Well then, when you arrange a meeting between the two of us." Began Emiya, Sarutobi noting that he said 'when' not 'if'. "After I have explained to him what the responsibilities of a godparent are, I will bring the topic up afterwards. Now then." Sarutobi felt a bead of sweat roll down the back of his neck as the air in the room seems to become much heavier as the eyes of Emiya focused onto him with that laser-like intensity. "What is you're reasoning for getting me to adopt Naruto-kun? I'm listening." With that Emiya crosses his arms over his chest and waits.
"Come now Emiya-san you're not trying to get out of this now are you? Naruto would be crushed." Sarutobi said as he attempted to divert Emiyas anger.
"I didn't say I wouldn't do it old man, I'm asking why you thought it would be for the best to not ask me beforehand, did you not consider that I may have reasons why I didn't want to adopt him?" Emiya is managing to keep his tone level as he glares at Sarutobi.
"If you feel that strongly about it, why didn't you refuse?" Questioned Sarutobi.
"I'm not blind, I saw the look on Naruto-kun's face when you explained, I may be many things old man but I'm not heartless and I'm not parent material either." Explained Emiya with a sigh. "Regardless, what's done is done, now let's get the adoption papers signed and out of the way."
Once the papers are dealt with and filed away. Sarutobi looks up at Emiya who seems to be deep in contemplation and asks him: "Was there anything else Emiya-san?"
"Yes there are a few matters I need to discuss with you Hokage-sama." Replied Emiya before pressing on. "First, since I am going to be raising and training Naruto-kun, I need you to not interfere with his training unless you have my expressed permission. I will not prevent you from seeing him, just that you cannot assist him with any tasks I will set him." Sarutobi looks like he wishes to object but Emiya raises a finger to stop him before continuing. "Second, once Naruto-kun starts receiving training in Thaumatagy, you will not press him for details on the techniques behind it. Third and finally when I judge his skills to be at an adequate level, I will be taking Naruto-kun on a few low ranked missions." Having finished Emiya gestures for Sarutobi to ask his questions.
"For the first condition as long as I can check on Naruto's well-being and progress I will not object, for the third I will only allow Naruto on missions if his skills place him at at least the rank of genin and any potential missions have to be cleared with me. In regards to magecraft, is it possible for Naruto to train others in it?" Asks Sarutobi.
"As far as I am aware Naruto-kun is the only individual in this world who has the capacity to use magecraft. No one else has the circuits necessary to channel prana." Clarifies Emiya.
"Then how is it that Naruto has these 'circuits'?" Questions Sarutobi.
"It is in part to do with the summoning array Zelretch used to summon me here." Emiya begins to explain. "You can create an artificial circuit using your nerves, not that I would recommend doing so." He has a small smile on his face as he says this.
"Why?" Asks Sarutobi seeking clarification.
"Because, frankly, its insane you feel like you have a red hot rod of iron being inserted directly into your spine and you make the slightest error and you die in agony." Remarks Emiya. "Fortunately for Naruto-kun he has 7 artificial circuits, and these are permanent."
"How did such a thing happen." Declared Sarutobi his face dead serious.
"I have 2 theories about how such a thing occurred." Replied Emiya the closing of his eyes signifying that he is deep in thought. "The first depends upon the nature of Naruto-kuns healing ability."
"What do you mean?" Says Sarutobi, who is becoming more confused as the conversation is progressing.
"Is his healing just that healing or is it regeneration?" Asks Emiya.
"Is there a difference?" Responds Sarutobi.
Emiya sighs before he begins to explain. "Healing is returning something to its previous state, regeneration is restoring something lost." Seeing Sarutobi is still mystified he continues. "If when Naruto-kun summoned me, portions of his nervous system were converted into artificial circuits, if he were to heal the damage to his nervous system those artificial circuits would return to his nervous system, whereas if he was to regenerate the damage the circuits would remain and his nerves would be restored."
"I see." Sarutobi nods in understanding. "And the fact that he has to fix his nervous system as well as the broken leg would explain why it seemed to heal slowly-"
"Wait, he heals a broken leg over a couple of days and that's slowly?" Emiya asks with an incredulous expression on his face.
"Yes." Clarifies Sarutobi. "Normally he would heal overnight. But to answer your earlier question I am unsure if Naruto heals or regenerates."
"I see." Muses Emiya. "Well that leaves theory number two then: Somehow the artificial circuits come from the nervous system of the Kyuubi."
"Is that even possible?" Sarutobi asks with wide eyes. "Can you really transfer circuits from person to person like that?"
"Normally only via a family crest." Admits Emiya. "And that requires being a blood relation or young enough to adapt to it. But the seal holding the Kyuubi uses the energy of a god to power it, and gods are capable of using mysteries beyond what humans are capable of, so as unlikely as it seems, a god is involved so we can't rule it out. And again if portions of the Kyuubi's nervous system was converted into circuits then that would explain why it was slow to heal its host."
"Indeed." Sarutobi takes a few moments to collect his thoughts. "This is a lot to take in Emiya-san, do you have any other important pieces of information or can it wait for a few days."
"The only remaining matter is for me to see the house I will be staying at Hokage-sama." Requests Emiya with a polite bow. "Then I will leave you to digest the information I have given you."
"Very well then Emiya-san." Says Sarutobi as he stands. Walks over to a storage cupboard, takes a file inserts the adoption papers in before sealing the cupboard shut. "Let us depart."
The walk to the house is taken at a slow pace, after arriving Emiya notes that the home is in a remote location. It is a large-sized two storey building in good condition. A small smile appears on his face as he takes in the building, so far it seems to be just what he needs, a bit big maybe but that isn't a problem.
"Like what you see?" Asks Sarutobi having noticed the smile on Emiyas face.
"It's not bad." Admits Emiya.
"You should reserve you're judgement until I have finished showing you around." Replies Sarutobi with a small smile on his face.
Once inside Emiya has to check the most important room in the house first, he is more than satisfied by the size and condition of the kitchen. He then proceeds to see the condition of the rest of the house, his only complaint was that they wouldn't need the 6 bedrooms the house had. 'Well.' He thought. 'I suppose we could use them for storage space.'
"Only the basement and the bathing room remain Emiya-san." Remarked Sarutobi.
"I would like to see the basement next please Hokage-sama." Replied Emiya.
"This way then." Said Sarutobi as he walked to a door located at the far end of the hall.
As he descended down the steps into the basement he couldn't stop a pleased smile covering his face. The basement was of a decent size and once he got this Jiraya to place some of those chakra based bounded fields around the place Naruto should be able to set himself up a workshop in here. "Well then Hokage-sama." He said turning to face him. "Lets see if the bathing room is up to standard."
With a small smile of his own Sarutobi showed Emiya the large communal bath, it was larger than he was expecting but thinking about it this house has 6 bedrooms it stands to reason that the bath would be large.
"I'm honestly impressed Hokage-sama, although I must admit I'm confused as to the fact that this house isn't owned by anyone." Stated Emiya as he gave his honest opinion.
"Most civilians find it is too far away from the market district and most ninja that could afford it already live in clan homes." Explained Sarutobi. "However, Emiya-san there is one last thing you should see. Follow me."
Emiya follows Sarutobi out the door and round the house's modest sized grounds to reveal a training area.
"Training ground #73." Declared Sarutobi. "And since no-one comes out this way you can train Naruto here in peace."
"I have to admit Hokage-sama. Zelretch really knew what he was doing when he picked this place out for us." Honest Admiration is in Emiyas tone as he speaks.
"Well then Emiya-san, all that is left is for you to start moving yourself some furniture in." Remarked Sarutobi.
"Indeed." Replied Emiya. "But first I need to go shopping for Ramen ingredients, and to see how Naruto-kun's reading is coming along.
"I hope you don't mind if I leave you to it Emiya-san. I have." Sarutobi releases a massive sigh as he speaks. "Paperwork waiting for me, if you require my assistance ask my kage bunshin."
"Thank you for all your help in this matter Hokage-sama." Emiya is giving Sarutobi another bow as he speaks to him.
The two head off in different directions, Sarutobi to the Hokage tower and Emiya to the market district.
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Authors note: So finally got this done. Sorry that its nothing but talking but its all stuff I needed to get done. Hopefully next chapter training will actually start happening.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed.
Once again keep any criticisms constructive, enjoy and review.
