Author Note: Hey guys it's me, and I'm back for second chapter. I hope you all like it so far, but I wanted to ask you guys to leave a comment. Even if it's just 'you suck go die'. I will be updating whenever i can, life gets in the way sometimes. Not that i have one. Anyway enjoy the second installment of CDD.
The Two chuunin guards sat at their post quietly chatting, but keeping an eye out for trouble. This was only hours from shift change and both nins were getting anxious. Sure those gate 'watchers' during the day were well known and liked but in a world of shinobi, night is deadly. They lost count of the number of enemy ninja they spotted trying to sneak in on the night watch. Usually ANBU were quick to respond but a few times they had to put up the first line of defense.
As any well seasoned ninja knows; when you see an unfamiliar man who radiates power, you call for backup. So when these two protectors of Konoha saw such a man carrying what looked to be a fairly injured village object of hate, why sent up the signal. A short bird call and three ANBU appeared and silently assessed the situation.
Fortunately these ANBU knew that was Naruto, unfortunately they despised the little 'Hokage killer'. Since most ninja won't look a gift horse in the mouth they saw the chance to get rid of the brat and his new sympathizer. One of Konoha's elite leaned over and whispered in the gate guards ear.
A look of contemplation turned into one of surprise, and when the guard looked at the ANBU for confirmation he received only a nod before the three left. He simply shrugged his shoulders and went over to the seals controlling the gate. After a few hand signs the man placed his hand on the array and the gates began to close.
"What are you doing? We aren't supposed to close the gates unless it's an emergency!" The other guard got up and was preparing to reopen the gate when the first one stopped him short.
"I was given the order to close this gate due to
'suspicious persons with unknown intent'. I am simply following orders, and you are too." He said as he pointed to his friend.
"But won't this cause a scene with the brat? And someone's gonna start asking questions, this may be one of the smaller and less used gates but still..." the rest was left in the air as he didn't really want to think of the repercussions of neglecting duty or abusing authority.
"They said that all would be taken care of, relax no one cares." The two guards then began arguing over the importance of duty, and neither paid any mind to the disappearance of the two figures.
Looking down at the orange bundle he carried Shepard couldn't help but give a small smirk. The kid had pestered him for three out of the four hours it had taken to walk into town. Naruto had asked about everything he could, and he was left with more questions than answers. It didn't help he was giving the kid the runaround, he was just unsure how to explain his life without getting depressing and bumming out the bundle of energy. As far as he knew there would be ample time to tell the kid how shitty life could get. His may have been a little worse than normal but he was certain this kid had it just as bad but from a young age.
In-between questions of his own life, the dimensional wanderer asked a few of his own. According to the kid he has always been alone, his parents were apparently killed when a giant demon tried to lay waste to the town and almost succeeded. A demon, he was amazed at how often he heard that term. It was on Naruto's date of birth that the creature attacked so he assumed That's why he was the scapegoat. He would have loved to say those villagers were monsters, but he knew fear could make good people lash out.
He was also bombarded with stories of the 'Fourth Hokage', so much so that if he hadn't known any better he may have called it a crush or hero worship. Still, the man intrigued him. Shepard would have to learn more of this man, if not to double check Naruto's claims then maybe out of curiosity. He still didn't fully understand this ninja based world but then again where he came from people were commonly gifted with 'super powers' and other above average abilities. So it can't be too bad, at least he understood some of the basics thanks to his new little buddy.
He was broke out of his musings when he heard a loud creaking noise. Looking in the direction of the disturbance he noticed those large gates had begun to close themselves. 'Not very inviting are they? Guess I'll go around and over...' Shepard figured it was because he carried their burden and payed it no mind, he had learned to ignore fools.
Deciding to take to the woods he cut off the path and made his way towards the wall. He made up his mind to go over the wall and as such needed to get up into the trees. Using barriers as steps he slowly ascended to the tops of the trees. After a few minutes of walking on his invisible bridge he made it to the wall and saw the top was still higher up.
Shepard made a sloping pathway up and over his obstacle and started to run it. He figured that if he were to move quick enough he might get Naruto to the hospital before being caught. Although the kid was nearing the verge of death just a few hours ago, he was already looking to be in better condition than the man carrying him to town. After peaking above the wall he looked around for a hospital. He saw a building that might fit the bill and took off towards it.
First he made a slide down to an alleyway and decided to simply walk thru the streets. He realized that might not be the best idea. The glares alone from all the villagers was enough to unsettle the man, but the acts taken against him and the kid nearly floored him. There was loud muttering about the 'demon child' this and the 'kyubbi brat that'. Some dared to spit at the two and Even a few threw rocks. If not for the barrier he has covering himself constantly he would have received a stone to the back of the head more than a few times.
Turning sick to his stomach he decided to take back to the roofs for the rest of the trip. It didn't take long moving at top speed especially since not many glares found their way to the tops of buildings. Upon reaching his destination he hopped to the ground and put a field around his charge, just until he was certain he was safe.
Shepard walked into the building and to his relief it was in fact a hospital. He walked up to the counter and before he could speak the lady pointed him down the hall and spoke in a disinterested tone.
"Go ahead and place him in the room marked 'Uzumaki' and a doctor will be there soon." She then looked up and saw who carried the kid in. "Oh my, well aren't you a big one! Are you gonna need medical attention or anything else? I'd be more than happy to assist..." She spoke now with a more sultry tone. This both amused and annoyed Shepard. He did like being flirted with but while she wasn't bad looking he wasn't interested. If it weren't for the kid in his arms needing a doctor maybe, but that wasn't the case.
"No, just send a doctor." He turned and quickly walked down the hall, and after a few doors he found the room. As far as hospital rooms go this one was kinda dirty, it looked like no one had been in here for weeks. The equipment looked abused and worn with age. The bed, although made, looked like the sheets were old and lightly stained. This was getting to be a theme in Naruto's life and it was pissing the newcomer off.
'This kid is treated like shit everywhere he goes. I'd be surprised if this was the first time he been beaten nearly to death. If I find the fucker's responsible I swear I'm gonna...' he was pulled from his thoughts when a nurse cleared their throat directly behind him.
"If you're done standing around either put him in a gown or set him down and leave so I can do it. And also what is your relationship to the injured?" Asked the lady, her voice dripping with annoyance.
"Ok I can help, and I have no relation to the boy. I just...happened... upon him in the woods and decided to help." He was trying to get a read on her feelings for Naruto, he'd be better off in the woods if everyone hated him. He was pleasantly surprised when a look of concern crossed her face.
"Yeah, it's a shame how many times he ends up here. In fact these machines were new when he was first brought in. Most of the doctors refuse to use them on anyone else for fear of 'contamination'. I wish people could leave him alone for a while.." she had a look of regret on her face. He thought maybe she felt bad that she couldn't really help.
"I'm glad to see that not everyone hates the little brat. Do you know why he is treated so poorly?" He asked while getting the gown ready to put on.
"I heard rumors that he is the reincarnation of the kyubbi, but that's absurd. He is such a good hearted kid and has a huge smile whenever I see him awake... I don't see how he can do it though. " What started as a small whisper grew to a normal volume. She was afraid to spread those rumors, but not to speak her mind.
Shepard gave his normal small smirk and was glad to hear the nurse's opinion ran close to his. By this time Naruto was dressed in his gown and laid down on the bed. It didn't take long to get his vitals and do a quick exam. She told him that they wouldn't need a doctor, just some bandages and rest. Shepard nodded and thanked the woman before crossing the room to the window and opening it.
"Your not leaving are you? First off he needs someone to watch him and second you could use some medical attention yourself." She said with a no nonsense tone that would stop most men in their tracks. All it did to him was make him look back at the woman with a critical eye. She did have a point he wouldn't argue that, but why would he use the window? Then it hit him, ninjas are goofy.
"No I wasn't leaving and I'll be fine after a few hours and a good drink or five. And some smokes I guess..." as he spoke he jumped up a little bit to land sitting in the window. He then looked in his pockets and silently cursed when he finally realized he had emptied his flask before the portal and had lost his smokes since. The woman had a half puzzled half angry look on her face.
"So you're saying you weren't gonna leave, but instead you were gonna drink and smoke IN A HOSPITAL!" She bellowed loud enough that Naruto squirmed a bit in his sleep.
"I opened the window! Besides it's the only thing that works to take the edge off." He stated rather displeased he was out of his vices. He took his hat off to run his hand through his hair when he saw a couple smokes tucked on the inside. Overjoyed to have his smokes he put one in his mouth and had the other one in his hand. With his free hand he looked with renewed vigor to find a lighter when the nurse marched over and snatched them away in the blink of an eye.
"Hey what was that for those are my last ones, come on I need something for the pain that won't make me a vegetable... " He had a pout on his face hopping to get some sympathy.
No such luck.
"Now listen here..." the nurse then began a half an hour lecture on the dangers of smoking. Both inside and outside of a hospital. When she was finally done she was getting nothing but glares from the deprived man.
"Ok ok I get it, no smoking or drinking on hospital grounds." she shot him a look that told him to continue. "and I understand the repercussions of my carefree attitude on the subject. You have my word I will cut back on my bad habits." his fingers crossed behind his back the whole time. Good thing the nurse didn't catch him...
Satisfied that she had avoided a problem she quickly left the room to continue her work. Inside the room Shepard was still a little upset but understood the rules well enough to know he really shouldn'tsmoke here, didn't mean he had to like it. Wondering how long the little kid was gonna be out he got off his seat and proceeded across the room ready to lift the boy's eyelids and wake him.
As the Hokage he was a busy man, but that usually didn't stop him from checking on Naruto whenever he was in the hospital. It saddened the old man to only be able to get away from work when his unofficial grandson was hurt. He was contacted by the hospital the second he was admitted, as per his orders. The elder Sarutobi made the trek to Naruto with only two ANBU guards, hoping to draw less attention. He made his way to Naruto's room and opened the door. He froze when he saw what was going on.
He saw a ragged looking man leap down from the window and he was heading straight for Naruto with his hand poised to strike. He wasn't told that Naruto had a visitor, only that he had been attacked. So he reacted to this situation in the way he saw fit, he moved to defend his 'grandson'. He flashed through some hand signs before unleashed his jutsu.
Earth Style: Mud Bullet Jutsu
Three globs of mud the size of basketballs came rocketing out of the Hokage's mouth with a direct path at the man hovering over Naruto. The man threw up his hands when he heard an attack being called out. The first two globs hit something solid in front of Naruto, the first making a solid thunk and the second caused a cracking sound and the third went through unimpeded. The man pulled his arms into a quick guard and the shot impacted much like the first one. He was rocked back by the force of the impact and was very confused by this whole situation.
Seeing the Hokage in a battle the two hidden ANBU made their presence known and sushinned beside him. When the man saw these two his eyes narrowed and he quickly reassessed his predicament. Deciding on a course of action he waved his arm in front of him and a heavily clouded translucent wall appeared. He then grabbed Naruto, jerking him free of the equipment, lept out the window, and swung his arm out again this time making a bride across the gap to the nearest building. Not satisfied with just escape he motioned behind him as he ran leaving completely invisible walls to block his pursuers.
Once the wall had formed in the hospital room the Hokage was taken back by this man's sealess jutsu. It might be a kekkei genkai he was unaware of, all the more reason to give chase. He ordered his guards to circle around and follow as he sent a shadow clone to use the crystal ball and find this man's location. He would need to be ready to move the second he knew where to go. So he made a few signs and body flickered away to the roof.
"That was nuts, first that old man attacks me with mud then his damn lapdogs fucking teleport to his side!" Shepard was fuming mad, he was just minding his own business when he was attacked. He feared what may have happened to the kid if he wasn't there to stop them. To attack him in the middle of the woods is one thing, but at the hospital. Something didn't add up and he was gonna find out what. Those two lackeys of his looked a lot like the two would be assassins and he wouldn't give them a chance to correct the mistake.
Setting down Naruto, he attempted to get his breath. His run for freedom had brought him all the way to a small lake on the inside of the wall. Shepard thanked his stars that neither of them needed medical assistance, because he was sure it would be one hell of a bill for that mess they made. He decided to just camp here and tomorrow he would go find the Hokage and ask him what was up. How could a leader let this happen to anyone right under his nose. He wasn't pondering for long when the old man who attacked him came into view not fifty yards ahead of him.
"What were you doing in Naruto's room?" the old man spoke before Shepard got the chance. The elderly ninja was wearing a black battle outfit and had a helmet on, and he looked ready for a fight.
"ME? What the fuck were you doing you old bastard! Do you make it a point to shoot mud at people just hanging around the hospital!" Shepard moved in front of his unconscious young friend, and place a barrier around him just in case more killers showed up.
"Don't try and worm your way out of this! Give Naruto to me so I can take him back to the hospital for treatment. We can talk this out." Both men cast hardened glares towards each other, neither wanting to back down. They began to posture themselves into attack positions.
"The time for talking ended when you shot dirt at us old man!" Shepherd pounced before Hiruzen could respond and he was forced on the defensive.
For someone not boosting his speed with chakra he was impressive, but the elderly Sarutobi could. The first swing was blocked and he realized the power behind it was about one third Tsunade strength, and it hurt. Switching to dodgeing, he waited for an oppertunity and when it came he capitalized. Or atleast he tried to, his punch struck true on a pressure point meant to disable; when he hit however nothing happened. Seeing the puzzled look on the old man's face made Shepard bark with laughter.
"Ha, nice try you old goat! It'll be a little harder than that to win!" Shepard made the next move, he swung his left fist wildly in an attept to make his opponet duck. When the old man did this; a knee was brought up to take advantage of his positon. When Hiruzen tried to stand back up to avoid it he bumped into something solid. With no room left to maneuver he took the full bone cracking force of the knee to his chest and when the barrier preventing his movement fades he is sent back and is forced to right himself midair.
"I guess you will give an old man no quarter will you?" He wiped some blood that had spilled from the corner of his mouth off as Shepard shook his head. "Then i guess i shall give you none in return..." As he finished his statment he ran through a series of handsigns and called his combo.
Earth Style: Rock Coffin Jutsu
Ninpo: Poison Fog Jutsu
This caught Shepard by complete suprise and he was unable to move before the very rock around him crawled up his body and held him steadfast. Then a mist of dark purple came rolling from Hiruzen's mouth and quickly enveloped him.
"Screw you old man, i wont just let you take the kid. I'll do all in my power to stop you!" With his strength waining and his body failing he put the rest of his power in the barrier surrounding Naruto. Dumping all his power into one last move cost Shepard and he vomited some blood and bellowed in pain before succumbing to the gas. The dome surrounding the kid grew bright and clouded over like privacy glass.
'I seem to be making more and more rash mistakes in my old age, i need a successor...' The aged Hokage shook his head, he knew he had just jumped the gun and was being overzeolous. He made a bird whistle and three ANBU gathered in front of him. Without a word the old leader motioned towards the kid and the man caught in the rocks. They nodded and carried out the orders given previously. The man goes to the T&I department and the kid goes to the Hokage's office.
Shepard's last thought was of nothing but the soul rending pain he found himself in. When he woke he found that he felt nothing, no pain, no grogginess, nothing. He felt at peace; it was a sobering feeling and he couldnt help but laugh. All these years of reckless acts and stupid heroics. The hundreds of times he should have died, and he died for a futile reason. His barrier held for no more than half an hour, he knew that, but he had little hope that Naruto had woken and got to safety or was spared. He opened his eyes to nothing but blackness and let out a emotionless chuckle.
"Hn... I guess i finaly kicked it. I never knew hell would be so empty. Can't really complain, it is better than burning flames, gnashing teeth, and flaying skin..." His monologe was cut off abrubtly when the hood covering his head was ripped from him. It was a large, dark circular room with about five people he could see. The one in front of him caught his attention though, he was a tall man, almost his height and build. He wore a long trench coat and a bandana with a metal plate with a leaf mark stamped into it. His face had two distinguesed scars and a look that held only one thing, apathy.
"A bit dramatic aren't we... You were captured by the ANBU shortly after your defet at the hands of the Hokage. And.." The large man was interuppted by his prisoner.
"THAT WAS THE FUCKING HOKAGE?" This incredulous reply that flew from his lips before his common sence could stop him. 'How could that be the old man Hokage that Naruto spoke such good things about?' "if that was the Hokage then why did he attack the kid? I swear if he hurt that boy i will raze this town to the ground!" he struggled in vain against his bonds. He found each arm was shackled to an opposite wall and he was sitting in a chair that his legs were bound to. The restraints he didnt notice were the seals on each of the cuffs suppresing and sealing his chakra.
"Calm down, you were placed here because you are unknown man who threatens the security of this village. If you wish for your freedom all you need do is answer some questions. Who are you? Where are you from? Why are you here? And lastly what do you plan to do if released? You may take as long to answer as you would like, but you are only to be given water twice a day. You will only eat..."
"When i allow it, blah blah blah...I get it you'll get your answeres after you give me one of my own. Deal?"
"Hmpf i see you're very impulsive and rash, very well what do you want to know?"
"What the fuck did you guys do to me, i feel...drained. I also dont feel like every nerve in my body is on fire, and trust me thats a feeling i've become accustomed to over the past twenty years..."
"We placed the standard chakra seals given to all shinobi who are to be interigated or tortured. As for the pain i dont really get what you mean, we've done nothing to heal your pain." At the word 'chakra' Shepard's face contorted to a very puzzled look, he had heard that term somewhere but didn't know it's meaning.
"What the hell is chakra?"
"Chakra is the combination of your spiritual and physical energies. I had assumed you knew of chakra since, according to the reports, you had 'preformed many sealess jutsu which resulted in solid wall of chakra that was used in numerous fashions' does that sound familar?" The man was looking over the report he had recieved prior to entering the room.
"I guess so, but it leaves a couple questions. But i did say i'd answer yours and i'm a man of my word. I'll start at the turning point in my life, and ill have to tell you more than you may want. But I figure the more you guys know the better, i rarely get such a wonderful audience. It all started about thirty years ago..."
