Welp, here's chapter two. Hope you guys like it. I'm trying to keep each story different as possible while still being true to how I feel Naruto should be. That's why I do future fics. They leave a lot of openess to interpretation. No matter how someone acts in the past doesn't mean they won't change in the future. That's where I come in. That's why my Narutos all end up being semi-smart at least. And if they can't be smart, they can at least have common sense. Readers, reviewers, thank you. Keep on doing your thang. Peace.

CHAPTER TWO

Naruto strode through town, wondering who his soul mate could be. He knew her obviously, but who could it be? He knew a lot of people and a lot of them were good with kenjutsu. Deciding to worry about it later, he made his way to the training grounds and began to swing the hammer around wildly, not knowing anything about grace. It just wasn't his style and he still lamented the fact that he was given a hammer instead of a sword. A sword was sharp and pointy, able to do massive damage. What could this thing possibly do that a sword couldn't? It was so…plain…and dull. Naruto sat down in the middle of the field cross-legged with his elbow on one knee and his chin in his hand, the other hand holding onto the massive hammer. He looked out of the corner of his eyes at it and took it in one more time. The handle was a good four feet long and seemed to flow into the head. The head of the hammer was massive, roughly two feet by two feet square and about three feet long. It was no wonder he kept getting odd looks in town.

He closed his eyes and thought about his situation now. He already had so much on his plate what with saving Sasuke and now he was expected to locate a renegade soul. He let go of the hammer and held his head in his hands. He was sixteen years old. He held a demon that could destroy civilizations in his navel. He had just been informed by Kami herself that Sakura was not meant for him. It hurt, but he'd have to get over her and move on. He still had to save Sasuke for her, he'd made a promise and he never went back on those. He had to find his soul mate and learn the art of the sword so that he would be able to wield his hammer properly. Why did it always feel like the weight of the world was on his shoulders? Sighing heavily, he opened his eyes to find the world pitch black, it was night. He had been thinking so hard he hadn't noticed that night had fell. It was time to go home. Perhaps tonight his hammer would change. He swung the hammer to his shoulder and walked off toward his apartment.

Naruto set the weapon down outside of his building with a loud thud and walked up the stairs. As he opened the door he felt a presence and whipped two kunai at the shadowy figure. He heard the audible thump of the knives hitting home, flicked on the light, and found Sanosuke there with the kunai in his chest and a scowl on his face. Naruto grinned sheepishly as the angel removed the knives and bemoaned the ruination of his shirt.

"I just had this thing cleaned Naruto. Can you be anymore problematic?"

"Well I'm sorry, but you surprised me. I couldn't help it. What are you here for anyway?"

"I want to know why your hammer hasn't changed yet. It should have made its first change and…where is your hammer?"

"Oh I left it downstairs. I don't want it falling through the floor…"

"YOU IDIOT!!! That's why it isn't changing. You have to sleep with it in your hand. What in the hell made you think it could change if it wasn't by you? You may be connected at the soul with it but you still have to have contact with it to make the change. And you wonder why everyone calls you an idiot."

"I'm not stupid! I just…"

"You don't think before you do things. Sigh…Naruto, just get the hammer and sleep at the training grounds tonight. Sleep with the hammer in your hand and don't let go. If you prove yourself worthy by changing the hammer, I'll give you the other gift a little early."

"Is it another cool weapon?"

"No it isn't cool but it is a weapon, perhaps more important than the hammer. I won't tell you what it is though until you change the hammer. Now get going. Oh Kami, why do you make me deal with these idiots?"

The angel disappeared into thin air and Naruto grumbled while retrieving his hammer. He had just come from the training grounds and he didn't really want to sleep outside tonight. A shower and his bed sounded so much better, but he had to change the hammer. He trudged back to the training grounds and stopped at the first one he came to. He didn't care whose it was, they could wake him in the morning if he was in the way. He flopped down on the ground and stared at the stars. He held the hammer at his side and hummed while he twirled it in his hand. After a short time he began to yawn and eventually nodded off, his hand wrapped tightly around the hilt. It wasn't long before a weird dream started.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

In the dream Naruto was all alone and everything was black. Then came a bright light and the world was white and it reminded him of his soul when he spoke to Kami. Then came the people and there were crowds of them, but no matter how much he tried to get their attention, they ignored him and kept walking. He noticed that they all stared down and behind him as they walked by, before turning their noses up and continuing onward. Curious, he looked behind him to find that his shadow was that of a fox and no matter where he ran it followed, its nine tails billowing behind it. Out of the crowd stepped an old man with a kind face, smoking a pipe with a funny hat on his head and he was kind to Naruto, offering him encouragement. Naruto smiled at the old man and felt his heart lighten. He turned to his shadow and if it wasn't just his imagination, the fox had shrunk slightly.

He turned around to face the old man and found another man there, this one younger with his hair pulled back into a strange ponytail. He also was kind to Naruto, but he was stern, demanding better from him than he offered. The rest of the crowd walked on by, but Naruto was content for the moment, he was at least noticed. Out of the crowd stepped another man, a young girl, and a young boy and while they wouldn't talk to Naruto, they acknowledged his existence and stood staring at him. A little boy walked up and Naruto felt what was awe and admiration coming from him and the fox shrank a little more.

Next came a figure whose silhouette Naruto would never forget as long as he lived. It was that of an effeminate young man and though he could not see the eyes, the sad smile told him everything he needed to know. Naruto's heart ached and he nearly cried. This had been the closest thing he had ever had to a friend, someone who could understand him, but as quickly as the boy appeared, he vanished, leaving a saddened Naruto and the fox grew a little again.

Out of the constantly surging crowd stepped six figures, kids his age, and they all acknowledged him. Three more emerged and one held for him a respect that only those who have bled and fought for acknowledgement could hold. This one was a friend he would treasure forever. The other boy held contempt for him while the girl was neutral, she felt nothing, but she noticed him. Behind the nine children appeared three more adults and they stared at him with kindness. And the fox shrank more.

Then came three familiar figures, two more boys and a girl, but one boy strode forward and faced him with a maniacal grin, the shadow of a tanuki behind him. The two stood and their shadows fought for a moment, the fox and tanuki shades becoming more and more massive, before they both receded and the two boys looked at each other and smiled, knowing they had found someone who shared their pain. It was at this time that Naruto felt a pain in his heart and he saw the old man fade away, a sad smile on his face. In his place stepped another figure, a tall, broad shouldered man with long hair. From behind him came two more women and they looked at him and he was happy. These three saw him for who he was. And the fox shrank further.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the first boy begin to fade until he was little more than an apparition, there in spirit but gone from his life. His shadow still remained though, letting Naruto know that he could be saved, but the effort and cost would more than likely be great. The girl standing beside the boy saddened and looked about to cry. Naruto could do nothing but look on and feel helpless. And the fox grew a tiny bit.

Then all the figures disappeared except the tall, long haired man and he and Naruto began to walk through the crowd. They walked and walked for what seemed like forever and Naruto felt himself grow, the ground seeming to get further and further from his eyes, and the shadow of the fox grew as he did.

The figures all came back, except now they were bigger, more mature and they all looked on him kindly. He had made strides and now had more friends. The apparition of the boy had grown as well, but it had darkened as if tainted by evil. This confused Naruto and he wanted to save the boy. Before he could think the boy with the tanuki shadow blinked out of existence and Naruto rushed to where he was, his heart heavy. As fast as he disappeared though, he reappeared, this time without the shadow of the tanuki and Naruto was happy for his friend. He was a survivor. Out of all the figures though, he noticed that one seemed to be brighter or perhaps more defined than the others. The bun haired girl that reminded him of a panda smiled at him and he felt his heart lighten. Things shifted again however and another person showed up.

This person was kind and patient with him and had a strange forehead protector. Along with him came a figure that reminded him of the apparition but he had no personality and seemed to be fixated on Naruto's penis. While annoying, Naruto could see that all he needed was a friend to show him the way and so he made his peace with the strange figure. Then one of the adults blinked out of existence and didn't return, and three of the figures his age were saddened deeply. One of the adult women, who was with child now, was also saddened by this. And the fox grew a bit more.

The scene changed again and Naruto found himself, the first girl, and the first boy together again, but under dire circumstances. The shadow of the boy was dark and radiated evil and in the shadow stood a completely dark figure, its soul so tainted with evil that the figure itself could not be seen, but it was identified by the way it held itself and its indistinguishable outline. The fox grew and grew until it threatened to overtake Naruto, but the man with the strange headgear saved him and the girl wept for him, and the fox receded.

The scene changed one last time and Naruto found himself once again in front of the first boy. They fought and fought, neither having the advantage until Naruto, in his pity, didn't finish his blow and the boy once again tried to kill him. He remembered his meeting with Kami and meeting Sanosuke and getting his hammer. The outline of the one who was to be his soul mate flashed before him one last time before everything went dark again. And the fox was smaller than ever.

In the blackness, Naruto floated, thinking over what he had seen. He knew only one thing and it was undeniable. 'I love you all and yet, I am strong without you. People come and people go and though my heart is heavy when you leave, it repairs itself and I too continue on. Forgive me everyone but I can no longer continue to play the fool for you. My soul and others depends on me succeeding in whatever Kami puts before me and I cannot fail. I make a solemn vow to you, my friends. Uzumaki Naruto will never abandon you, though some of you may abandon me. Whatever kindness you have given me in my short life will be returned tenfold and I shall hold you forever in my thoughts. But those who have ran to the darkness will no longer receive my mercy. My compassion, yes, my pity, yes, but no longer my mercy. Kami have mercy on your soul Sasuke, Orochimaru, because I surely will not.'

And the shadow of the fox grew smaller still…

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Outside of Naruto's mind, in the waking world, his hammer was reacting to its wielder's dream. It seemed to hum happily, ecstatic that its owner had come to a conclusion that was to its liking. Starting by the hand that held it, the hammer began to change. Its leather thong became thicker and plusher, more defined and had intricate designs seemingly burned into it. The magical transformation crept up the handle, turning the dull gray steel a dark black, with a white flame design licking up the side all the way to the head.

The gold bands widened until they encompassed the head of the hammer like a cocoon. Slowly, cracks began to show until it burst, revealing the newly transformed war hammer. The body of the hammer was a pure white with intricate gold designs snaking around it, making it look like the holy weapon it was. The bands were gone, nowhere to be seen. On top of the hammer sat a large spike, as black as night, that reflected no light. The ends of the hammer remained flat, but around the edge of the ends was a sort of powder substance that shimmered in the light of the dawn. On either side of the hammer was the yin yang symbol with the fox's shape instead of the dot. It was upon this scene that TenTen stumbled.

She had seen Naruto around town with the massive hunk of metal but hadn't had the time to ask him about it. She loved all weaponry and seeing someone with such a rare weapon as a warhammer was a treat. Surely Naruto wasn't taking up the use of such a weapon, especially one so massive. She wasn't sure if he could even swing it. She had come early that morning to get started on her training and found a knocked out Naruto. She had meant to wake him up but instead became entranced by the show his hammer put on. Surely, this was an enchanted weapon, the likes of which she had never seen and may never see again. He wouldn't notice, she'd just sneak up real quick and examine it, before waking him up and sending him on his way. She looked over the hammer and was enthralled by its design. The coloring of it was too mystical to be manmade and the shimmering around its edges was unnatural as well. She slid her finger over the powder looking surface and felt her finger cut open. She pulled the digit back and looked at it in the dawning light. Blood? She inspected the powder closer and nearly gasped. It was diamond dust, with bits of diamond jutting here and there. If he connected with this hammer it would shred whatever it touched, if they got over being hit with the juggernaut of a weapon. Through examining the momentary object of her interest, she turned her gaze to Naruto, intent on waking him up.

She couldn't do it. She just sat there, drinking up his looks. He had grown so much and had seen so much battle, and yet as he lay there, she thought she had never seen anyone look more innocent. She took in everything from how his hair blew barely in the small breeze to how his whisker marks had deepened over the years. She smiled when she saw his mouth slightly open and could see the elongated fangs whenever his nose twitched, lifting his upper lip. He looked so animalistic and yet so…tame. She nearly giggled to herself, thinking about how such a formidable ninja could be such a teddy bear outside of battle. He could take down S-class nin without blinking an eye and yet Sakura could pound his ass into the ground without trying. He simply refused to hurt anyone he considered a friend. She scowled, thinking of the Uchiha. 'That's probably why they've never caught him. Naruto simply can't bring himself to harm the bastard.'

She leaned over him to wake him and found herself staring into his deep blue eyes. Her breath hitched and she nearly gasped. She had never really noticed how blue and beautiful they were. Coupled with that smile of his, she nearly melted in her shoes. She damn near overheated blushing, however, when he looked at her with half lidded eyes and gave her a small grin.

"Wow Kami is so good to me. I get a hammer and a pretty angel as gifts. I'm truly blessed."

TenTen passed out from a blood rush to the head, with a smile on her face.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

'Ah, to be treated so romantically by my own imagination.' Thought TenTen. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. She was always viewed as a tomboy. Too bad the blonde angel in her dream hadn't been real. If he was she'd give anything to get to know him better. Somewhere, far away, she heard her name being called and she didn't want to answer the call. She wanted to stay with the blonde angel. 'No, don't make me get up yet.'

"…Ten? Hey TenTen! I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend or anything. Please wake up."

TenTen opened her eyes slowly, letting the light filter in as slowly as possible. She still had the image of the blonde angel on her eyelids and as her brown eyes blossomed open ward, that image was becoming more and more solid until she was staring him in the face. She blinked and rubbed her eyes and he was still there. Not thinking before she said anything, she said the first thing to come to mind.

"Seems Kami answered my prayer. The blonde angel is still here."

Now it was Naruto's turn to blush but he didn't faint. He had far too much will power for that. He instead opted to change the subject.

"So…umm…what are you doing here so early TenTen?"

"I came to train early but I found you lying here instead. I watched your hammer change, is it enchanted?"

"No, it's a holy hammer. It will change over time to suit my soul I've been told. A man named Sanosuke gave it to me and told me to use it for Kami's will."

"Wow that's cool. Do you know how to use it?"

"Ummm…no. I'm supposed to find a certain someone to teach me how to use it but I haven't found her yet."

"Her? You're getting a woman to teach you? I don't think there are too many people besides Tsunade-sama who could pick up that thing and even then none use hammers. I'm the weapons mistress of Konoha and I don't even know how to wield hammers properly."

"Well…I'm actually supposed to get a certain someone to teach me kenjutsu and Sanosuke said it would help me use the hammer correctly. I just have to find someone."

"I could teach you. I'm one of the best swordsmen in the village."

"Oh no I couldn't impose on you." 'No matter how much my heart tells me yes…wait, tells me yes?'

"Oh its no problem. I don't mind at all. Its no trouble." 'Please say yes, please say yes.'

"I would suggest you say yes Naruto. The young lady looks like she can become quite insistent and…persuasive."

"Yeah you're probably right Sano…Sanosuke? What are you doing here?"

Sanosuke smirked and folded his arms. The boy's soul mate sat in front of him and he had yet to realize it. Oh well, that was a teasing for another day. Right now he had to inspect the boy's new hammer. He picked it up and spun it this way and that. Very impressive. The boy's soul was indeed a wondrous thing. No telling how far this hammer would evolve. He'd never seen a holy weapon take on such a look or form. This was, after all, the first holy hammer he'd ever seen.

"Very good Naruto. You've unlocked the first of many forms for your hammer. I applaud you for the way your soul reflects on it. Beautiful and yet deadly. Judging from the diamond dust around the edge, it signifies your 'diamond in the rough' status. You are a rare gem waiting to be discovered and shown to the world. I commend you yet again."

'Wow' thought both Naruto and TenTen 'that was poetic.'

"Now then Naruto, I need to give you your second gift. Come, stand before me and clear your mind."

Naruto stepped forward cautiously and did his best to clear his mind, thinking of nothing. Sanosuke put his hands to Naruto's temples and began his task of giving the boy his gift. He watched as Naruto gritted his teeth and bit back a scream, his facial features contorting and his whisker marks and teeth, flicking back and forth between demonic and normal. After several moments Naruto fell back onto the ground panting and Sanosuke stood as if nothing passed. TenTen looked back and forth from one man to the other.

"What did you do to him?"

Sanosuke smiled at his young charge's unacknowledged soul mate and tapped his forehead.

"I just gave him his second gift from Kami. Call it a jumpstart of his cognitive abilities. Now he shouldn't be so likely to jump into things without thinking. And maybe, just maybe, he'll see the pretty girl in front of him for what she really is. Make sure he stays out of trouble when he wakes up ok? Bye bye."

Without a sound Sanosuke vanished from this world. TenTen stood in awe as the man had gone without a swirl of leaves or a poof of smoke. He just…vanished and it wasn't speed. She looked back down at Naruto and blushed again. Damn him for looking so handsome. Deciding to get this over with, she shook his shoulders and for the second time that day watched as his eyes opened. She gasped and held him by the shoulders, looking deeply into his eyes, while he blinked and looked at her like she was crazy.

"Ummm…TenTen? Not that I mind being held down by a pretty girl, but can you let me up? What do you find so interesting in my eyes anyway?"

TenTen reached over to her pack and pulled out a mirror and held it up to his eyes. He inspected his eyes for all of two seconds and dropped the mirror before picking it up again.

"What the hell did he do to my eyes?"

"I don't know but they're more beautiful than ever…"

Naruto stared at her with wide eyes. He had been told before that he had nice eyes but he thought the people were just being that…nice. Now here was a pretty, no, a beautiful kunoichi telling him that his eyes were beautiful. He looked into the mirror one last time and was dumbstruck by the reflection. His eyes were still blue but now they had four silver stars around the iris that seemed to shine with an ethereal glow. He handed the mirror back to TenTen and felt the tightness in his chest again when her hand brushed his. He remembered Sanosuke's words from days earlier and gave her a small smile.

"You know what TenTen? If that offer to teach me kenjutsu still stands, I'll take you up on it."

TenTen merely nodded her head, but on the inside she was doing a victory dance. A chance to train someone in a new weapon and ogle them at the same time. Life was good…

If there is anyone out there who would like to draw Naruto like I have depicted here, with his new gi and pants and the transformed hammer, PLEASE do so and send me either a pic or a link to it. If you prefer the other Narutos in the other two fics, I'll take that too. I'm begging you folks, I have no artistic talent. I need someone else to do it for me. Thanks in advance.