The Strength of Blood
Chapter One: Year 1
Alexander sat alone in the empty classroom. The classroom was quite large with the outside wall lined with windows. It was built to seat Twenty-Seven not including the teacher, who would stand behind or to the side of a podium that was in front of the large Blackboard that covered the wall behind it. The students were grouped Three to a desk, the desks were set up Three across and Three up. The floor was slopped see the people in back could clearly see the Blackboard as wells as the instructor easily. He had chosen the seat in the back by a window, so he would be furthest from the door. He had his feet propped on the desk with his fingers interlocked behind his head, as he listened with half an ear to the ceremony going on outside through the open window. Some might ask why he wasn't outside with the rest of his year mates, in truth he had listened to these ceremonies for the past Three years, and they were all basically the same. It was to welcome the new Academy students and to wish them luck on the path to becoming Ninja.
He was only listening now incase anything new was said. After all a lot of clan heirs were beginning their time at the academy, even though Alex was sure they all have had private teachings since they could hold a kunai. Well that and it never hurt to be cautious. The only difference was that it seemed to be caring on longer than usual, or maybe that was just him. On the outside he may appear calm and relaxed, but on the inside he was restless. He wanted the class to start, or at least a good book to pass the time. Not for the first time he asked himself if he was Ninja material. The only reason he was here was because he had been told that had good instincts, and would make a good Ninja and Alex believed that if you were good at something you didn't shun that skill, you cultivated it. Thinking back, he could still remember the night he was told he would make a good Ninja. After all when you kill someone it's not something you forget easily.
Three Years Ago:
Alex knew he shouldn't be out this late. So he was taking back alleys and side roads to get to the Orphanage faster. The head lady at the Orphanage would likely give him a stern talking to when he got there, but his mind was elsewhere. He was thinking about the book that the nice, but weird frog man had given him. "The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi" so deep in thought was he, that he never noticed the man until he collided with him. Dazed Alex looked at the man that he'd run into, and immediately he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. The man wore all black, and his face was shrouded but what drew Alex's eye was the Kumogakure headband that had fallen out of presumably the man's pocket. This man was a Ninja from the Village Hidden by Clouds, and judging from the bag over his shoulder he was stealing something, Alex was so screwed.
The Masked man gave a short chuckle, "I manage to sneak in and out of the Hyuga compound, a clan renowned for their sight, only to get caught by a kid out past his bedtime" then he sighed, taking out a Kunai. "Nothing personal kid but I can't leave you alive."
The man seemed to disappear before Alex's eyes. Something flared in the back of his mind, and Alex kicked off from the ground propelling him backwards. Right into the Kumo Ninja who was about stab him in the back, catching him off guard. They tumbled to the floor, still following the feeling in the back of his mind Alex rolled to the right avoiding a blur hitting were his heart use to be. That same heart was threatening to beat right out of his chest, instead of continuing to roll away, Alex changed direction rolling back. Using his momentum Alex threw everything he had into his left elbow as he stuck the man's temple. As the man fell over from the blow Alex followed him, his right hand catching the object the man had tried to ram into his heart 'a Kunai' using his left hand to add extra strength Alex drove the blade into the man's chest hitting his heart dead center, and just like that it was over.
For a few minutes Alex was deafened by the rush of blood in his ears. He stared like he was in a trance at the man's eyes which were widened in surprise, before slowly draining of life. Abruptly he came back to the world, his brain just realizing what he had just done. Pushing himself off the dead man, Alex Scrambled away until his back met the side of a building. Still staring he became aware that his hands were wet, raising them so he could see in the moonlight, they were covered in blood. Quickly wiping them off on his pants, Alex became aware that he wasn't alone anymore. A figure was now crouched over where the Kumo Ninja had dropped his burden during the scuffle. Getting a closer look Alex realized it was an Anbu though he didn't recognize the Weasel Mask. Finished with what he was doing the Anbu turned to Alex. "That was well done, without your interference this man might have made it outside the Village with his stolen charge." He stood aside letting Alex see the young girl sleeping peacefully, unaware of the events transpiring around her. She couldn't have been more than three or four years old.
Slowly getting to his feet Alex scoffed, "You and I both now you would have caught him before he even reached the wall. You couldn't have been far behind him with how fast you got here."
"I might have, but then again I might not, either way you still helped. Even if you had no choice in the matter" he paused for a moment and seemed to listen. "We're about to have company. You should go; this isn't something you want to be caught up in at your age." He was right Alex remembered the man saying he'd managed to sneak into the Hyuga Clan Compound which meant this girl was someone of importance; she could be the clan Heiress. But no, the Clan Heiress was Seven the same age as himself. Maybe it was her little sister, the age was about right. Regardless the fallout was not going to be pretty. As Alex turned to leave however the Anbu spoke one last time. "You might consider becoming a Ninja when you're older. The Village could always use people with your instincts."
Not another word was said as Alex made his way back to the Orphanage in a daze, try as he might he just couldn't get his head out of a daze, even the Head lady's scolding barely reached him as he made his way to his room before collapsing on his bed.
Present time.
He had refused to come out of his room over the next few days, the death of the Kumo Ninja still fresh in his mind. Eventually he came to terms with what happened, though when he came out of that room he was a different person. The old him hadn't killed a man, watching as the life drained from his eyes. He had never thought of becoming a Ninja, but he was told he had a talent and you don't waist talent.
The sound of a door opening brought Alex out of his reminiscing. Glancing at the door he saw a man walk in, he was of average height and build with brown hair pulled into a ponytail and a scar across his nose. He wore the standard Konoha Shinobi outfit complete with sandals, forehead protector and flak jacket.
The man didn't notice him until he was sorting the papers on the podium, at which point he gave a slight start clearly not expecting anyone to be in the room. They stared at one another for a time before Alex went back to looking outside, he could hear the instructor begin organizing his papers once more and there was a moment of silence before the door opened once more as students started arriving. He removed his feet from the desk instead choosing rest his elbow on the desk and using it as a prop for his chin as he leaned forward. He barely spared a glance at the kids who joined him at his desk.
The whole classroom was buzzing with noise as the kids talked excitedly to their friends. The Instructor cleared his throat, but nobody heard him besides Alex. He tried once more to the same affect, he took a deep breath and Alex put his fingers in his ears. Good thing to or else he might have gone deaf from the volume of the man's voice.
"SHUT UP!" the classroom quieted instantly. Seeing he had everyone attention the instructor cleared his throat again and Alex felt it as safe to unplug his ears. "Welcome to the Academy, my name is Umino Iruka and I will be your instructor for the next Four years, now when I call your names please raise your hand" he brought up a clipboard and began sounding off names.
Alex ignored most of it only really paying attentions when the clans Heirs were announced. "Aburame Shino" a boy with bushy brown hair and sporting sunglass with most of his face hidden by the upturned collar of his sea-green coat, raised his hand. "Akimichi Choji" a heavy set boy with spiky brown hair, Swirls marks on his cheeks, wearing a scarf while eating a bag of chips, raised his hand briefly before going back to his snack. Hyuga Hinata" a girl with short dark blue, with chin length strands framing her face, wearing a cream-colored hooded-jacket with a fire symbol on the left and right sleeves and fur around the cuffs and hem. She bashfully raised her hand. "Inuzuka Kiba" the boy with messy brown hair, sharp black eyes with vertical slit-like pupils, pronounced canine teeth, and the distinctive red fang marking of the Inuzuka clan on his cheeks, with a dog atop his head, raised his hand. "Nara Shikamaru" the boy had shoulder length black hair tied up into a ponytail which kind of looked like a pineapple, he raised his hand only halfway before letting it fall. "Uchiha Sasuke" ever girl in the room besides Hinata ooohhed and awed as a boy with blackish blue hair that stuck up in the back and bangs chin length bangs that framed his face, he raised his hand. Alex felt like slamming his forehead into the desk, he felt that this would be a common occurrence around the boy. "Uchiha Satsuki" she was clearly Sasuke's twin the only difference being that while she had the same bangs, it didn't sick up in the back, she instead had it pulled into a ponytail that fell to her shoulders. She too raised her hand. "Yamanaka Ino" a girl with her long blond pulled into a high ponytail, except her bangs which covered the right side of her face, raised her hand. This until his name was called, which just happened to be last. "Alexander?" Alex raised his hand; Iruka looked at him before glancing at his clipboard. "I'm sorry, but I don't have your last name written here"
"I don't have a last name" that got him a few strange looks from his peers. Iruka nodded his head in understanding before launching into a speech about how they were beginning their journey to becoming Ninja today and that they would have to work hard from here on out. When he finally finished his speech he gave a loud clap startling everyone who had begun to doze.
"Now, Taijutsu, Ninjutsu and Genjutsu." He wrote on the blackboard. "These classes are accentual to every Ninja. You will have other classes but these are your main Three. "He then went about explaining what they were. "Taijutsu class will focus mainly on training you body, the life of a Ninja is hard and you must train your body for it, when your body is sufficiently trained we will begin teaching you the Academy Taijutsu style. However this style is not mandatory some of you have clan styles to master, but for those who aren't part of a clan it will be a stepping stone for you to improve on. Next is Ninjutsu class where we will be teaching you how to mold your chakra, use hand seals and later down the road we will begin teaching you Jutsu's. And lastly you have Genjutsu here we will be teaching you how illusions work also to determine if you are tapped in a Genjutsu as well as how to get out of one. Of course these aren't the only things you will be learning here, Weapon Handling, Shinobi History, Stealth, Trap Making and Basic Survival Training, are all subjects you will be taught. Now, any questions?"
Alex was the only one to raise his hand. Iruka gestured for him to continue. "What about Fùinjustsu and Elemental Affinities?"
"That's a good question; Elemental Affinities and Fuinjustsu are not taught at this academy. You're Affinities you will likely learn once you become Chunin maybe Genin if you lucky. Fùinjustsu however is another story. Fùinjutsu is by far one of the hardest and most Dangerous Arts out there. From what I know there are twelve levels and only a hand full of people make it past level Five, fewer still make his past level Six not only because how hard it is, but because they died. In Fùinjutsu making the smallest mistake will kill you and that is why few people have even considered learning it" Iruka let this news sink in before continuing will the class.
The lecture continued until lunch at which point the bell rang. "When you get back we will begin some history" the classroom groaned as they left the room.
Alex waited for the crowd to die down around the door and hallway outside before leaving himself, being in a crowd of people always made him uneasy. When he finally made it outside, he immediately sat under the tree that was furthest away from everyone else. He didn't have to go far though; everyone seemed to be gathered around the Uchiha Twins. A fact which they looked rather annoyed about. Forgetting everyone else for a time, Alex pulled a boxed lunch from his bag. It was a simple lunch of Beef, Broccoli and Rice. Even before Alex had left the Orphanage to live on his own, not an easy feat at his age mind you. He had always cooked for himself, Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner, it didn't matter.
Alex was just about to lift the first piece to his mouth, when he heard a stomach grumble. Looking up he noticed a girl under a nearby tree, she was hugging her knees to her chest. It was kind of hard not to see her. She wore a kill me now Orange jumpsuit. He'd seen her before at the Orphanage before she was kicked out for some reason. Her name was Natsumi Uzumaki; she had blue eyes, peach color skin with three whisker marks on each cheek and long blond hair that she had put in to two pigtails. She looked thin a lot thinner then she should have been. Alex looked down at his lunch before looking back at her. He was hungry but she looked hungrier, sighing he stood up and walked over to her. She didn't notice him approach she was too busy watching the other kids with a look of longing.
He set the box and chopsticks down softly beside her. She didn't even seem to notice him. He made his way back to the classroom stopping briefly to look back. He saw her digging to his lunch with gusto. He may have been hungry but she looked starving.
The rest of the day past quickly and before he knew it he was back in his Apartment in the red light district. It wasn't the best district, but the housing was cheap and that was he wanted. It was kind of funny he shared an entire apartment complex with Natsumi. She had an apartment somewhere near the middle floor of the building. You'd think with him being on the top floor they'd meet on the stairs or something, but they never did. If the property owner hadn't mentioned she was there when he signed the lease for a room, he'd never have known she was even there.
The apartment was a simple one bedroom apartment was simple. The front door led into a Kitchen slash dining room; from there it led into a living room with a door leading to a bedroom, which had a small bathroom attached. Alex took a shower and brushed his teeth before going to sleep.
That set the pace for the next week. Every day he would wake up early go for a run, come back have breakfast then head to the Academy. After a few weeks Iruka went from desk to desk handing out a set of Kunai with holster and Shuriken he said that they would be graded at random to make sure they took proper care of their equipment. Afterward he'd do some light fitness training as was recommended by Iruka. He'd then make his way home make dinner do any homework he had, then he'd take a shower and go to bed. Then wake up and repeat. Any free time in the day that came up he filled with training, whether it was more fitness training or practicing with the set of Kunai and Shuriken that Iruka had provide. Nothing changed until the weekend marking his first month at the academy.
Alex still got up early and went for a run before breakfast. But instead of more training like he usually did, he decided he would take the day off since he'd been doing nothing but training for the past month. He got dressed in his usual attire consisting of black Anbu pants, standard Shinobi sandals, a simple black shirt and black fingerless gloves. He chose black mostly because it was harder to see most stains on black. On his way out the door he strapped a Kunai Holster around each thigh and around his waist went a belt with three Ninja pouches, one on either side and one on the back. The ones on the sides were filled with shuriken. The one on the back was larger and filled with Ninja wire and other odds and ends; he locked the door behind him.
Alex decided since he still had some leftover Ryo after the month's rent and his cupboards were already well stocked. He decided to buy something for himself, and so it was off to the bookstore. Some people would ask why a bookstore, the answer was simple Alex licked to read. He already had everything else he needed so he would indulge in something and buy a new set of books. He wasn't going to his normal bookstore, he'd heard about a small out of the way bookstore that had a collection of old books. And they weren't kidding when they said out of the way. It took him an hour just to find it, squished in-between a Ninja supply shop and a grocery store. It was an old bookstore called Momo's books. As he opened the door a small bell rang somewhere in the back. What surprised Alex was how clean it was inside. From the outside it looks old and dusty, but now that he was inside he was surprised to find relatively clean. It was a very cramped store, with books stacked anywhere they could fit, be it bookshelf table or floor. That was another thing, for such a small store just from one glance told him there were hundreds of book. To a lot of people it might just be a mess, but to Alex it was like Candy land.
Alex's attention was drawn to the old man slowly making his way towards him, trying to avoid the stacks of books. He had long white hair that fell to his shoulders with a beard that continued down to mid-chest. His face was heavily wrinkled and his eyes were a dark blue. He wore a Civilian Kimono and relied heavily on a cane. "Hello there youngster, come to browse me collection or just make fun of an old man?" his voice was soft, but firm.
"Of course not, I remembered hearing about this shop and thought I would take a look." Alex said. "So can I take a look around?"
A glint seemed to appear in the old man's eyes. "Eager look around I see, go ahead. Who am I to stop a fellow book lover?"
Alex began moving around the store, scanning the shelves and going through piles. "Perhaps not a love of books specifically, more of the knowledge and the skill that can come with it" he picked up a random book from a stack, before tossing it back. "Though I'm not opposed to the occasional pleasure reading …" his voice trailed off as he noticed a blue and black book in the middle of a pile. It looked out of place amongst the older books. Uncovering it Alex traced a finger along the cover. It was an Ocean Blue book with Black writing and Swirl above the title. 'Understanding the Art of Fùinjutsu'. By Ashina Uzumaki, Written by Mito Uzumaki. The name Uzumaki jumped out at him. They were masters in the art of Fùinjutsu. He only recognized one of the names however. Mito Uzumaki was the wife of the first Hokage and a Specialist in Fùinjutsu. He was curious why it was by Ashina, but written be Mito.
Opening the book Alex found a note on the first page.
I write this book in memory of my late teacher, Ashina Uzumaki. Who will forever be known to me as Sensei, for even I could never surpass him in the Art of Fùinjutsu. These are his teachings. Every word engraved into me from day after day of his teachings. My life slowly comes to an end but I can't let his teaching die with me. So to whoever finds these books I will both congratulate you and warn you. I congratulate you because you have managed to see through the powerful Genjutsu I have placed on these books, and I warn you. The path of a Fùinjutsu Artist is long and dangerous, and should you choose to walk it I wish you luck, Mito Uzumaki.
Alex frowned. There wasn't a Genjutsu on this book. Maybe it had worn off over the years. He was told it could happen. "Find what you looking for?" the old man's voice just about had Alex jumping out of his skin. Whirling around Alex saw the man standing there with both hands clasped on his cane.
"Ya, can I buy this book?" Fùinjutsu had always interested him and even if it didn't there was no way he was going to leave a book of this value to rot in a store.
The man grabbed the book from his hands and looked it over, before giving it back. "I don't see why not, that's what it's here for. Do you want just the one book? I have the whole series around here somewhere." He cast a glance around the shop. "All though, it might take me awhile to find them"
Alex set the book on the only clear space he could find which was a counter by the door with a stack of magazine and a stool behind it. "Do you mind if I look for them, I mean I'm already here and who knows I might find something of equal interest along the way."
The man gave a sweeping gesture. "Go right ahead and the names Momo if you need anything." He then proceeded to sit on the stool behind the counter and start reading one of the magazines.
And thus Alex began his search. Skimming through shelves, digging in piles, going through boxes, he did it all. Hours past but he kept on searching and slowly, one by one he managed to track them down. Every time he found one he would set it on the counter with the others, before going back to his search. He found the Seventh book first, then Three, then Nine, then Eleven and so on. The last book he found was Ironically Book One. As he set the last book on the counter Momo put down his magazine and stared at the Thirteen books now stacked in front of him in amazement. "You know when I said go right ahead, I didn't think you would manage to find all of them."
It actually wasn't too hard, just time consuming. All the books were the same color Ocean Blue with Black writing, and that stuck out like a sore thumb. So all he had to do was look at the color before moving on. If he had to read the title on every single book he had gone through, he would still be looking. Alex scratched the back of his head. "When I focus on something I get it done, no matter how long it takes."
"I can see that." Momo said dryly. "You know after watching you work hours on end to find these books. I just wouldn't feel right charging you. So here, from one Bookworm to another." He sealed them all into a scroll and handed it to Alex. "I know you'll take good care of these books." Alex Accepted the scroll thanked him and left. As the door closed behind his latest costumer, a smile spread across Momo's face. "Good luck young man, you're going to need it. It's a very dangerous road you about to walk."
As the door closed behind Alex he looked at t the sky to see the sun already setting. He had spent all day inside that bookstore, but it was a day well spent in Alex's opinion. His stomach chose that moment to grumble. Using the money he was going to spend on books, he instead used it to buy a quick bowl of Ramen at, Ichiraku's Ramen before he went home. It wasn't till he got home the Academy the next day, did he have enough time to start reading.
Alex unrolled the scroll on his bedside table and pressed a finger to the seal releasing the books inside. He made himself comfortable on his bed before grabbing, 'Understanding Fùinjutsu' and started reading. Just a few Pages in when hit a wall. It seemed using Fùinjutsu Required Chakra, something he hadn't unlocked yet and wasn't supposed to learn how to do until next year at the Academy. Sighing he started putting the books away, when he frowned. He only got Thirteen books, so why did he have Fourteen? Picking up the extra book he read the Black and White cover. 'Chakra from Beginning to End' as he opened the book a small note fell out. "You are going to need this. Good luck, Momo."
It looked like he was going to have to pay Momo another visit in the near future. Storing the Fùinjutsu books away in the book shelf near his bed, Alex hopped back on the bed and started to read about Chakra.
Chakra is created when two other forms of energy, known collectively as one's "stamina", are molded together. Physical energy is collected from each and every one of the body's cells and can be increased through training, stimulants, and exercise. Spiritual energy us derived from the mind's consciousness and can be increased through studying, meditation, and experience. These two energies becoming more powerful will in turn make the created chakra more powerful. Therefore, practicing a technique repeatedly will build up experience, increasing one's spiritual energy, and thus allowing more chakra to be created. As a result, the ninja is able to do the same technique with more power. This same cycle applies for physical energy, except the ninja needs to increase their endurance instead.
At any given time, a ninja will have a "maximum" amount of chakra that they can for and use before it runs out and the need to rest to replenish it. With practice this maximum can be increased, but to a certain extent they are limited to the quantity and strength of chakra that their genetics grants them.
Each person's chakra is different and as such gives off a unique signature, which sensor type ninja are able to detect. Chakra signatures are passed genetically, allowing a person's clan to be identified by their chakra; over time, entire populations can have perceptibly different chakra. Ones chakra signature can be altered be absorbing DNA from multiple people, mixing various chakra signatures to become a whole new one. Each person's chakra also has a unique "color" that can be seen by those with dòjutsu. Chakra signatures that ore similar to each other will resonate when near each other. Even if they are separated, changes made to the chakra signature of the original will result in the separated chakra mimicking those changes.
Alex continued to read until he reached the part on how you unlock you chakra. It appeared to be Farley simple, you just had to meditate and feel for your chakra which was located in the stomach. Crossing his legs, Alex rested his hands in his lap and closed his eyes. Breathing slowly he tried to find his chakra. After a few minutes he felt warmth, he followed it to its source. Griping his chakra he gave it a tug… nothing happened, so he tried again. Still nothing, growing a little impatient he gave it a hard jerk and was not prepared for the outcome. The force that his chakra spread through his pathways knocked him unconscious. He never noticed the Purple chakra engulf his body.
A/N hello again, hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please R&R and have yourself a wonderful day. P.S. I own nothing from the Naruto Universe.
