DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE IDEAS OR CHARACTERS FROM NARUTO
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(A/N): Hey, everyone! Thanks for reading… Hope you've enjoyed the story thus far…
On another note, CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM is welcome. Please, do not be cruel without giving a reason and at least have the decency to tell me what I did wrong & how to fix it.
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Thought
"Memories of what other people said"
"Speech"
Written
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Time was a confusing thing to deal with. Moments of joy were fleeting, seeming to lasting only mere seconds before vanishing completely. On the other hand, periods of anguish, sorrow, and even boredom seemed stretch an eternity. This unusual rule seemed to apply to the dead as well.
Having long since given up on wandering around in the endless void beyond his death, Uchiha Obito had taken to reflecting on his past life and on what his future might hold. Fond memories, old regrets, and new concerns surfaced with nothing to distract the deceased boy. Floating about in nothing but pure darkness, he couldn't tell how long he'd been waiting to move on.
"Mortal child, Obito," The chilling, yet familiar voice of shinigami resonated around him, "The body forming in Namikaze Kushina's womb has developed enough. The time has come for your soul to inhabit a new vessel."
Obito gasped at the sudden wave of nausea that hit him. The dark void seemed to spin as a whirl of light seeped through. Closing his eyes, the Konoha gennin could feel himself fading away, the former emptiness being replaced by a comforting warmth unlike any that he'd felt before.
"This is your second chance. Do not waste it," Shinigami's distant voice commanded before murmuring, Change is coming. I will expect great things from you, child.
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It was a bright, sunny day in Konoha. The laughter of children echoed in the warm, breezy afternoon, adding to the happy atmosphere. This great cheeriness was lost on the silent, grieving figure standing in front of the great memorial stone.
A thin, callused hand gently brushed against the stone, sliding down each and every marking before resting on one, particular, engraving.
"Please, before you go… promise…"
You have no idea how painful it was to hear you like that…
"M-my baby… cousin… t-take care… of him… for me."
"I swear to, on my life and honor…"
How could I refuse when it should have been me under that boulder…?
"Obito," The young man whispered, "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"
"Kakashi," A hand rested itself upon the boy's shoulder as a gentle voice broke through, "It wasn't your fault. Please stop blaming yourself. Obito wouldn't have wanted that."
Without turning around, the younger man answered quietly, "I know, Minato-sensei, I know…"
"Yet, you're still doing it." The tall blonde stated.
"I…I still can't believe he's gone," Kakashi admitted, "I keep expecting to hear his loud, annoying voice yelling apologies for being late to our meetings… I guess I'm still waiting for him to jump out of nowhere and yell at me for being an idiot…"
"Kakashi, you need to move on. It's already been a few months…" Minato trailed off uncertainly.
"Sensei, I promised Uchiha Fugaku-san and Uchiha Mikoto-san I'd baby sit Sasuke for them. I'll see you at the meeting tomorrow." The silver haired boy cut the other man off, turning and walking away.
Obito, I'm taking care of little Sasuke for you… Just like I promised…
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The office was in the now in a lull, which was the usual considering Konoha had just entered a period of peace.
Sitting at his desk, Namikaze Minato sighed as he finished up the last of the recent stack of paper work. Leaning back, his mind wandered back to his now disbanded gennin cell. Rin's taken a medical apprenticeship and Kakashi's taken to the Anbu. Things are so different now… Kakashi… He's still blaming himself for Obito's death, although, it's strange… His sudden interest in Fugaku's younger son… How confusing…
His contemplation was broken by a sudden, violent tremor and the sound of footsteps rushing to his door. "Hokage-sama! A-A Demon! It's heading this way! We've tried to stop it but, it's too powerful." A member of the Anbu exclaimed, panting.
"I'm going out, inform Sarutobi-sensei!" Yondaime ordered as he and the anbu rushed out of the tower.
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Carnage was the only way to describe the demon's attack on Konoha. Countless shinobi had rushed into the fight, desperately trying to defeat the creature only to meet their death. It was a battle that went on for days on end as squad after ninja squad worked to delay Kyuubi so that the Yondaime could think of a solution in the midst of the chaos and destruction.
Minato's mind was racing as he rushed back to the battle-field. I don't understand, what's caused this attack? How can I stop this? I've created a seal, but… How could I possibly ask someone to sacrifice their own child?
"Sensei! It's Kushina-san, she's gone into labor! Sandaime-sama has taken her to the hospital, but their having complications! You must hurry!" An anbu, Kakashi, reported frantically.
"I'm going to her, continue to hold off the Kyuubi! I'll be back as soon as I can!" Minato yelled as he rushed off to the hospital. Kami-sama! Why now of all times?! Kushina, please hold on…
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"N-no… Kushina… Please, tell me it's not true!" Minato pleaded.
"Hokage-sama, I'm sorry. The stress of the attack and her labor… It was just too much… " the doctor sighed, shaking his head.
"T-the baby… what happened to the baby?!" Minato asked, desperately. Please, at least let my child live…
"Your son's alive, but… He's just come out of critical condition," The doctor informed the grief stricken man, "Our nurses are tending to him right now. If you like, I can take you to see him."
"Yes, please," Minato replied.
"Follow me," the doctor said as he led the Yondaime down the hall, "Most of our medics are actually on the field to help the shinobi that are fighting the Kyuubi, so we're considerably understaffed right now. Hokage-sama, I know this must be a difficult time for you, but please take care of the demon soon. Our hospital is directly on its path…"
"I-I know. I have a solution, I just need time to p-prepare." Minato answered. Kushina… I'm sorry I wasn't here on time… and… I'm sorry for what I'm about to do…
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Standing upon Gamabunta's head, Minato couldn't do anything to quell the great sense of dread filling his heart as he completed the final seal of the shikifuujin. So many lives lost to this monster… Kushina, please forgive me for what I'm about to do to our child… Yuichi, my son, I'm sorry… You did nothing to deserve such a burden… Grow up strong and make me proud…
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Hatake Kakashi was in a perpetual state of mourning over the loss of all of his comrades. First Rin, who'd been killed trying to heal the Anbu squad near the hospital. Then his sensei, who had died just hours ago sealing the demon away. Why?! Why is it like this?! Rin… Minato-sensei… I have to tell Kushina-san…
Trudging to the hospital, Kakashi was stunned to see over half of it completely destroyed. Rushing in, he was relieved to find several medics working tirelessly to help the injured.
"Excuse me, where can I find Namikaze Kushina? She went into labor yesterday," Kakashi asked the head of the hospital.
"Hatake-san," the elderly doctor acknowledged, "I'm sorry, but Namikaze-sama passed away giving birth. Hokage-sama was informed upon his arrival to the hospital this morning."
"W-what?! That can't be," Kakashi whispered in shock, "She can't be gone… W-what about the child? Is it alive?!" It'll be an orphan… Unless… Maybe I can… take care of it…
Shakily pointing to the rubble that was half of the hospital, the head doctor spoke solemnly, "I led Yondaime-sama to the his son's room in the morning and that was the last I saw of the child. Kyuubi's rampage destroyed that wing of the hospital a few hours ago and some of the chemicals in storage caught fire. Even if the child survived the destruction of the building, the fire would have killed it. I'm sorry."
Shaking in grief, Kakashi finally broke down and could only nod as the doctor rushed off to take care of the other injured shinobi. Even his son… A new-born… Kami-sama, why?!
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It was an endless void, so much like the one he had experienced in death. The warmth that had enveloped him was long since gone and now he was once again, floating in the void.
"Mortal child," A familiar voice greeted, "Do not panic for your infant body is simply asleep. We are communicating in your mind through dreams."
"W-why am I here?!" Obito asked.
"I've come, simply to inform you of your new situation." The death god stated.
"New situation?! What do you mean?" Obito asked, "What happened?"
"A mortal has invoked the wrath of Akihiko. The forest spirit has been corrupted by hatred and in its rage, attacked Konoha. Your sensei, the village leader, has sealed the spirit, now a demon, away with a forbidden jutsu." Shinigami answered, "The jutsu sealed the demon within a new-born child at the cost of his life."
"Sensei is dead! B-but…" Obito trailed off in shock.
"Yes, he was willing to condemn his soul to an eternity of torture and anguish to seal Akihiko." Shinigami replied, "However, I have freed his soul from my servant's belly. His fate is yet to be decided, although he is most likely to spend time in what you mortals call heaven until his designated time of reincarnation. His wife, Kushina-san, she died from the stress of the attack during her labor, will also await reincarnation with him."
"Then, Minato-sensei and Kushina –san are alright." Obito sighed in relief, before inquiring, "What happened to the baby?"
"You are the baby in which he sealed the demon," Shinigami answered, "That man couldn't bring himself to place such a burden on another family."
The reborn gennin's eyes widened as he exclaimed, "M-me?! Then, that makes me…"
"The vessel of Akihiko," shinigami finished before speaking, "There is a task I wish you to take on. Will you be willing?"
"Before I agree, what in particular, is this task, shinigami-sama?" Obito asked as his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"The man responsible for the Akihiko's rage and in turn the destruction of Konoha and your sensei's death goes by the name Orochimaru. He is on the road to defy the gods. I want you to stop him." Shinigami answered.
"Orochimaru! That guy... I see," Obito growled, "How is he going to defy the gods?"
"That mortal is seeking immortality. He will destroy the balance of the universe and throw the ningen world into chaos. You must understand that even the kami are bound by laws. This is to protect the balance of the universe and maintain its existence. As one of the kami, my powers are to govern death and the fate of mortal souls. There is only so much I can interfere with in the living, mortal world. " Shinigami stated.
"That is where I come in, right?" Obito said, "You can't interfere too much in my world, so you need to hire me to do something. That's your task, isn't it? You want me to stop Orochimaru!"
"I want you to kill him." Shinigami answered, "But first, you must purify Akihiko of the hatred that has consumed him. However, the spirit is in a deep slumber. He won't be awakening any time soon, so I suggest you spend your time getting reacquainted with living. You can begin training for your task in a few years. For now, just stay alive. When your unique powers emerge, I will return to instruct you in them. Until then, fare well, Namikaze Yuichi."
Then, the void-like dream world began to fade, along with it, shinigami's disembodied voice.
Namikaze Yuichi… That's… My new name… Namikaze Yuichi…
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Waking up, Yuichi was surprised to hear the irritating sound of a piercing wail. Where is that coming from? Wait, is that… Me?!
The crying continued and try as he might, Yuichi couldn't control his wayward body. Why can't I turn my head?! Forget that! Why can't I stop crying?! Shinigami-sama! Is this what it means to be a baby again?!
The sound of rustling caught Yuichi's attention, although it did nothing to end the wailing. It was difficult for him to see, with the infants eyes screwed tightly shut as the crying continued.
"There, there, Naruto," A rough, elderly voice comforted as something was inserted into Yuichi's mouth, "No need to cry any longer. Here's your food, child."
Is that Sandaime-sama?! And a bottle?! Yuichi thought in embarrassment as the wailing subsided for his body to eat.
"Now to change your diaper," Sarutobi murmured to the stunned spirit as he began undoing the sides of the nappy, "Hold still, Naruto-kun."
Yuichi was horrified.
Please, please, please tell me this isn't what it's gonna be like for the first few years of my life! Kami-sama, what have I gotten myself into?!
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(A/N): Just to clear things up:
1. When Obito made Kakashi promise to take care of his "Baby cousin" he meant Itachi. Unfortunately, Sasuke was recently born and Kakashi assumed "baby cousin" meant the youngest cousin Obito has. So, Kakashi is watching after the wrong Uchiha… It's not his fault though…
2. None of the doctors noticed Yondaime taking his son from the hospital, so they assumed the child was still inside when the building was destroyed & caught fire. So everyone thinks Yondaime's son is dead, even though Naruto (Yuichi) is actually alive. Not even Sandaime knows this fact because he assumed "Naruto-kun" is simply some random child, an orphan, Minato picked up for the seal… Naruto was a name he randomly picked for the kid… Although he did use Kushina's maiden name, Uzumaki… Still, poor Yuichi…
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(A/N): I just want to apologize for the long wait. Real life's been very straining with all of my A.P. classes, projects, and exams. I barely got time to answer to the fic requests I've received from a couple of friends and fellow writers. Any way, I was hoping for a little help on this story, that is if you don't mind.
A. Does any one have ideas for Yuichi's childhood experiences? As in friends, school life, living situation? This will give me something to write about for the next chapter, seeing as I poured almost all of my imagination and into this one.
B. I need ideas for training exercises, if it's not too much trouble.
C. How should I make Iruka like him? Remember, Iruka originally despised Naruto before until he realized Naruto was just like him (Orphan seeking attention via pranking & goofing off).
D. I'm stuck on what to do with the Uchiha situation (meaning Itachi, Kakashi, Sasuke, and the possibilities of the massacre). Ideas would be nice.
I'll try to update sooner next time, but it'll be difficult with everything I have going on right now.
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Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed. Your input is greatly appreciated!