Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Twilight and this work is non-profitable.
Chapter 1
Uzumaki Naruto sighed as he sealed his belongings into a few scrolls before stuffing the scrolls into a backpack. It was time for him to move, again. After the battle with the Akatsuki, which had been nicknamed 'The Red Dawn's Demise', Tsunade had named Naruto as her successor – the Rokudaime. However, despite the fact that he had attained his childhood dream, Naruto felt strangely detached as he accepted the Hokage hat and robes from a proud Tsunade. Naruto worked hard and completed his Hokage duties perfectly, but he lacked the enthusiasm and passion he once had for the job. On top of that, Naruto had also noticed that while his peers all started to age, he looked exactly the same as he did when he had just turned 17. After consulting Kyuubi and discussing his condition with the demon fox, the two came to the conclusion that when Naruto fused with Kyuubi to attain the nine-tailed state, Naruto had essentially turned himself into a hanyou. With the merger, Naruto and Kyuubi were now a single entity, though their consciousnesses were still separate. As a hanyou, Naruto would not age a day and he had an almost infinite amount of chakra at his disposal. It had taken Naruto a few weeks after the merger to relearn his chakra control as he now had significantly larger chakra stores. Naruto was now virtually indestructible, with his healing factor boosted by the fusion, allowing Naruto to heal from any wound in seconds.
Naruto had become too strong. No ninja was meant to become invincible. It upset the balance and only led to chaos. Great ninjas were destined to rise and fall, not remain forever at the top of their prime. As such, after learning of his near immortality, Naruto decided that he had to leave the ninja world. Being the Rokudaime, he couldn't simply abandon the village. Besides, his friends would not rest until they got him back if he tried to do so. Instead, Naruto faked his death. Knowing that noone would believe it if he fell to simple assassination attempts, Naruto had staged a battle against 2 tailed demons. He had secretly raided the Akatsuki hideout and found the statue in which 8 out of the 9 tailed demons were sealed. He then made a deal with the Gobi and the Nanabi in exchange for their freedom. After gaining their agreement, Naruto unsealed the five- and seven-tailed demons before destroying the statue and the rest of the tailed demons.
One month later, two tailed beasts attacked Konoha. However, they did not make it past the village gates before they were confronted by the Rokudaime Hokage. Naruto fought bravely to protect his village and his determination allowed him victory over the two demons. Defeated and severely wounded, the demons fled the area. However, the Rokudaime had incurred fatal injuries in the battle, and succumbed to the cold clutches of death soon after the Gobi and Nanabi retreated. Stories of the courageous and heroic Uzumaki Naruto would continue circulating the ninja world in centuries to come. Unknown to everyone, was that the body the ANBU retrieved after the battle was not Naruto's true body, but a Kage Bushin with a blood seal that made it into a permanent body that would decompose just like any human body. Naruto had created the seal himself. To ensure that noone would find the seal, Naruto had cut open his clone and drew the seal on the inside of its skin. He then healed the cut with a burst of Kyuubi's chakra. And so, while the village mourned the death of the greatest Hokage in history, Uzumaki Naruto made his way out of Fire country.
Kyuubi had informed Naruto that there was a world outside of the Elemental Nations. Apparently, a few thousand years ago, the first ninja – the Sage of the Six Paths had left the outside world to reside in the Elemental Nations. He had cast a strong genjutsu on the entire continent so that no one from the outside world would ever stumble into his lands. The genjutsu also worked to keep those from the Elemental Nations within her borders. The Sage of the Six Paths had passed a law forbidding anyone to talk of the outside world and over time, the knowledge that such a world existed was lost to the ninja world. Kyuubi was an exception, seeing as how he was the oldest of the bijuu and was around at the time, Kyuubi naturally knew about the outside world. Under the kyuubi's guidance, Naruto was able to successfully leave the Elemental Nations and enter the world beyond it.
That brings us to where Naruto is now, packing his bags (or sealing them) and preparing to leave Great Britain. He had been living in Britain for slightly over two decades, while he assimilated himself into this new world. Naruto had not idled his time away and was now fluent in English, French, German and Chinese. He has graduated from high school 3 times having taken different subject combinations each time. In fact, he had just graduated from Findel High a week ago and was now preparing to enter another high school and start all over again. Sometimes not being able to age sucked. Naruto was tired of hopping from state to state though, and had decided to travel to a whole new country – the United States. But before he left for his next destination – a small out of the way town called Forks, Naruto had to go for an interview.
Uzumaki Naruto had an alias with the name Namikaze Minato. Naruto had fallen in love with music when he first encountered it during his first week in this world. He had immediately signed up for lessons, and he was now proficient in quite a number of instruments – piano, guitar (both electric and classical), base, flute and drums. He favored his classical guitar the most though, and could often be found strumming random tunes on his guitar. One day, while he was relaxing in a park and casually playing a few songs he had composed himself, he was approached by a man wearing a business suit. The man introduced himself as Johnathan Silvers, the manager of Britain's number 1 record company – Blue-Jay Records. He then offered Naruto a job at his records company as a singer. Intrigued, Naruto agreed, glad that he had the foresight to put on a henge before leaving the house. While Uzumaki Naruto was a small teenager with golden hair and sapphire blue eyes, Namikaze Minato was a young man in his early twenties, with blood red hair and sparkling green eyes. His henge was actually inspired by Gaara and basically looked like an older Gaara without the love tattoo and the dark circles around his eyes. Minato had been in the record business for slightly over a decade now, and Naruto had been careful to let his henge age a little whenever he appeared on television, which was not often. Minato had cultured a reclusive image as he rarely accepted interviews, and preferred to stay out of the limelight. He had released 8 albums so far, naming them after the one to eight tailed demons. He planned to release his 9th and final album – Kyuubi – sometime next week, before retiring from the music industry.
A man who looked to be in his late thirties casually strolled into Blue-Jay Records as he flashed a smile at the receptionist who recognised him instantly. "Minato! You're here! Just in time too. Mr Silvers is waiting for you in Media Room B, the talk show host is with him."
"Thank you, Miss Sherry. I'll be on my way then." Naruto nodded his farewell before he turned and entered the lift, pressing the button with a number '5' on it. With a 'ding', the elevator stopped on the fifth floor and Naruto quickly walked down the hallway before stopping at a door labelled 'M.R. B'. Knocking on the door, he entered the room when he heard the soft 'come in' from his employer.
"There you are, Minato. We're about to start filming. This is Katie Rook. She is the host of the talk show you will be on – Sensational Stories." Johnathan introduced as he gestured towards a young woman seated on the couch in the middle of the set. "Now go and get ready backstage. We will send someone to call you out when it's time for you to make your appearance." With that, Johnathan quickly ushered him into the make-up room as he signalled for the cameras to start rolling. This was going to be a live feed.
Naruto sat still as a few crew members hastily arranged his clothes and applied a light make-up on his face while he waited for his cue. He didn't have to wait long, as soon, an assistant rushed in and told him it was time. Naruto stood confidently as he entered the room. Katie Rook, the talk-show host, was addressing the audience through the cameras. "Welcome to Sensational Stories. Today, we have with us a very special guest. Let us all welcome Britain's No. 1 solo artist – Namikaze Minato!"
Naruto strode confidently on to the set, smiling disarmingly at the cameras as he walked towards the couch in the center of the set. Seeing the young woman from before, Naruto greeted her politely.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rook. I'm afraid you'll have to bear with me today." Naruto said as he smiled charmingly and extended at hand to the woman. She smiled prettily at him and shook his hand.
"The pleasure's all mine, Mr Namikaze. It's not often that one gets to meet the mysterious and ever reclusive Namikaze Minato after all."
Naruto laughed lightly at that, his green eyes sparkling. "Please, call me Minato. And what can I say, I am a private guy."
Katie giggled as well, "That you are, Minato. I don't think I've seen anyone as reclusive as you in the music industry. But let us move on to our topic for today. There are rumours that you are retiring soon. Are they true?"
Naruto leaned back in his seat as he shifted so as to face both Katie and the cameras. "Yes, I'm afraid they are. I am releasing my 9th and final album – Kyuubi – next week. After which, I'll be retiring from the music business." He replied.
"Is there any reason in particular for your retirement?" Katie asked curiously.
Naruto stroked his chin in thought as he answered. "Well, I guess I'm just getting lazy. Besides, when I made my first album, I had already decided to stop at my 9th. It goes along with the theme, see. According to legend, there are 9 great demons, ranked according to the number of tails they have. The Kyuubi is the mythical nine-tailed fox, the demon king. I think it's fitting that I end off my career with the Kyuubi and go out with a bang." Naruto slammed his right fist into his left palm as he finished, emphasising on the 'bang'.
Katie giggled at his antics before continuing with the interview, "So have you completed your last album? Could you give us a sneak peak?"
Naruto chuckled at that. "Yes, I have completed 'Kyuubi'. And I guess I could give you guys a little preview. An appetiser for what's in store for you. Just let me get my guitar." He said as he got up from his seat, walking off the set to take his guitar from one of the stage crew members before walking back to the couch. "I'm going to play a song called 'On My Own'."
Naruto started strumming his guitar and humming along before he started to sing.
"I walk alone
Think of home
Memories of long ago
No one knows I lost
My soul long ago"
Naruto closed his eyes as he immersed himself in his memories. He allowed his emotions to colour his voice as he sang.
"Lied too much
She said that she's had enough
Am I too much
She said that she's had enough"
"Naruto-kun why do you always keep everything to yourself? I want to share your burden. Please, Naruto-kun, let me in."
Pleading eyes, shining with love.
"Don't worry about me, Hinata-chan. I'm fine."
Fake smiles and forced cheerfulness.
"Standing on my own
Remembering the one I left at home
Forget about the life I used to know
Forget about the one I left at home"
"Naruto-kun. Why do you always come back so late?"
Eyes full of hurt and pain.
"I have a lot of work, Hinata-chan. I'm sorry, I'll try to be earlier."
Avoiding her gaze. Drowning in guilt.
"I need to run far away
Can't go back to that place
Like she told me
I'm just a big disgrace"
Pounding music and lots of sake.
"You need to stop doing this to yourself, Naruto-kun. You're like this every year on this day."
September 21st. The day Itachi died.
"Lied too much
She said that she's had enough
Am I too much
She said that she's had enough"
"Naruto-kun, please, tell me the truth. Are you still in love with Itachi-san?"
Pearl-white eyes Naruto couldn't bring himself to lie to.
"I won't lie to you, Hinata-chan. I won't stop loving him."
The cold facts. The bitter truth.
"Standing on my own
Remembering the one I left at home
Forget about the life I used to know
Forget about the one I left at home
So now I'm standing here alone
I'm learning how to live life on my own"
"I can't do this anymore, Naruto-kun. You said you'd try to love me. But you can't let go of Itachi-san. I can't compete with a dead man."
She was packing her things. She was leaving.
"I'm sorry, Hinata-chan. Please don't go! I'll change. I'll do whatever you want. Please don't leave me."
Desperation. Fear of being alone again.
"Lied too much
I think that I've had enough
Am I too much
She said that she's had enough"
She had left. Naruto was alone again.
Neji hated him for hurting Hinata.
Sakura-chan and Sasuke-teme were disappointed.
They didn't understand.
"I'm standing on my own
Remembering the one I left at home
Forget about the life I used to know
Forget about the one I left at home
So now I'm standing here alone
I'm learning how to live life on my own
Forget about the past I'll never know
Forget about the one I left at home"
"I'm sorry, Naruto-kun. I thought I would be strong enough to stick by you, but I'm not. You'll always be my first love and I'll never forget the memories I have with you, but I couldn't stay."
Apologetic glances. But there was no regret.
"No. I'm the one who should be sorry. I understand, Hinata-chan. For what it's worth, I really think you're a wonderful woman. If things were different, I could have loved you."
Naruto strummed the last few notes softly, allowing the music to fade as he pulled himself from his memories.
"Wow. That's a great song. Can you tell us more about it?" Katie asked as Naruto stopped strumming his guitar.
"This song dedicated to a childhood friend of mine. She is a wonderful and kind woman." Naruto replied honestly.
"Ooh, is she your girlfriend?" Katie teased.
Naruto chuckled in response. "Well, we did try dating for awhile, but it didn't work out. I was not able to get over the death of my previous lover."
Katie's eyes widened. "I'm sorry to hear that." She said sincerely.
Naruto shook his head, "Don't be. It was a long time ago."
"So, if you don't mind me asking, what was your previous lover like? Do you think you can ever get over her death?" Katie asked carefully, not wanting to offend Naruto. Fortunately, Naruto didn't take offense.
"Well, he was everything to me. I'm not sure if I can ever get over his death, but I know that I will never forget him." He answered.
Katie was surprised for the second time. "He?" Naruto grinned roguishly at her, the solemn air around him disappearing immediately. "Yep. I'm one of those lucky few who can appreciate beauty in both forms."
Katie blushed lightly at that. "That's interesting. Well, it seems our time today is up. Thank you for your time, Minato." She said as she stood up from her seat.
"It's nothing. I had fun today; you're really easy to talk with." Naruto replied as he, too, stood up.
"You're making me blush, Minato." Katie said jokingly, before turning to the cameras. "Thank you for watching Sensational Stories. We hope to see you again next week." The cameras stopped rolling after that concluding statement.
Emmett whistled appreciatively as the song ended. "Woah. That guy sure is talented. I think he can give you a run for your money, little bro." He said teasingly as he looked over to his younger – by appearances only – brother. Edward merely rolled his eyes in response, ignoring the jab, before his attention returned to the television set before them. The 'children' of the Cullen family were all crowded around in the living room, watching television. Jasper had lazily flicked through the channels before Alice told him that there would be something interesting on channel 73. Jasper had wordlessly switched to the said channel, already used to Alice's seemingly random comments. Alice was a seer, and the Cullen family had quickly learned to listen to her suggestions, knowing that they would probably turn out to be very helpful in the end. That was how the five vampires ended up watching a talk-show called Sensational Stories. It was a British talk-show and often involved British celebrities. Today, the talk-show host was interviewing a red-headed man with shocking green eyes. Edward had recognised him at once. Namikaze Minato was an extremely talented musician who composed wonderful songs. In fact, Edward had collected all of his previous 8 albums and was looking forward to buying his latest one that would be coming out in approximately a month's time, seeing as it took some time for the albums to be released in America.
Edward was shaken out of his thoughts by a surprised whistle from Emmett. "That guy has guts! I can't believe he just admitted his sexuality over national TV! And he managed to turn the oh-so-casual admission into a joke too! I like him!" Emmett chattered excitedly, impressed by this mortal. Jasper chuckled at his brother's exuberance while Rosalie merely swatted Emmett in the head.
"There's no need to be so worked up. He's just a human." Rosalie drawled arrogantly.
"Are you jealous, Rosie? Don't worry, I only have eyes for you, my darling." Emmett declared as he wrapped his large arms around his mate, earning another swat to the head. But despite her apparent annoyance, Rosalie's lips were twitching in amusement, while the other siblings either giggled or rolled their eyes at the couple's antics.
"I must say that he is rather attractive, and has good fashion sense, for a mortal." Rosalie said as she turning her attention back to the television just as the show ended. Coming from the beautiful vampire, that was high praise indeed.
"And he has a lovely voice. It's really too bad that he's retiring already. Oh well. At least we'll have something to look forward to." Alice added with a mysterious gleam in her eyes.
Edward glanced at the pixie-like girl suspiciously as he concentrated on her mind, only to groan and massage his temples when she started singing the Powerpuff Girls song loudly in her head. "Must you do that? The last time, I had the Barney song stuck in my head for the whole day!" Edward grumbled while Alice merely stuck out her tongue at him.
"If you want to know, you'll just have to ask like everybody else, Edward." Alice shot back.
Edward growled lowly before giving in to his curiosity. "Fine, what did you see?" He grounded out, shooting a glare at Jasper when he felt soothing calmness envelope him.
Alice giggled. "We're going to have two new transfer students next week! Isn't that exciting?"
Author's Note: The song is On my own, by Three Days Grace.