Naruto crouches at the foot of a giant tree in the center of the Forest of Death. His tears were spent and he was exhausted. His eyes went to the little black book in his hands. It had seemed so normal when he had snuck into the library to steal a few reference texts for his upcoming test. He had reached the end in the very back of the library and was reaching to grab the last book when his hand bumped a hidden switch and a trapdoor popped open.
Naruto, being a curious eight year old, was immediately excited that he had discovered something no one else had. He reached then suddenly stopped as he suddenly remembered Hokage Jiji's words, "look before you leap, sometimes you may not have time to look but in general try to start thinking things through my boy." So Naruto carefully looked inside the opening and was relieved that there were no traps inside.
At least none he could see. As his hand reached inside his fingers suddenly felt cool then his entire arm started to be downright cold.
Deep inside Naruto's belly stood an enormous cage, ominous shadows swirled in the darkness as a single red eye opened and regarded the shadowy figure approaching its cage. The figure halted as if surprised by the enormous gate it discovered. The figure moved again walking straight up to the cage.
The Nine-tailed demon Kyuubi no Yoko, gazed on the figure as it paused then knelt with one leg behind him and another in front. Hi hand extended and lightning crackled in its palm. Kyuubi's eye widened as the lightning drained the life force of its vessel. Immediately Kyuubi began pumping chakra into its vessels system.
The lightning abruptly stopped and the figure rose with a ghost of a smile, "So it was you I sensed oh great one, ruler of hell, the almighty Kyuubi no Yoko."
Kyuubi regarded the strange being; its scent was that of a rotten corpse as if this strange thing had walked out of a grave. "And who might you be that seeks the life of my vessel."
The strangers hands moved slowly and removed the broad brimmed hat that hid its eyes at first Kyuubi could see only white then the eyes rolled back into focus. They were solid black, the white was still there bit the pupil looked as if it had taken over the entire central eye.
"My name is the Undertaker," the figure would have smirked as now both of Kyuubi's eyes widened in recognition.
"So," Kyuubi said slowly its gravelly voice reduced to a more conversational tone, "what does a servant of the Shinigami wish with my vessel, and you greatest of all the servants who wield his power on earth."
The Undertaker's breath hissed as he regarded the great demon before him, "Your vessel has disturbed the resting place of my memory in written form; I had set a trap invisible to all eyes so I could probe the soul of any who dared to touch the book of the Order of Death."
"I see," Kyuubi responded.
The Undertaker seemed to withdraw into his own thoughts and Kyuubi into its own as well. The Taker was considering this new turn of events. The book the vessel had discovered held great power and a summoning contract for him and the other demonic legions including his brother Kane. The Undertaker grimaced at the thought of his pyromaniac brother. It would be good for him to get out and stretch those massive arms of his. He also wouldn't mind breaking a few necks once again. In addition the vessel could eventually come to wield at least a portion of the power of the Kyuubi, a plot formed in the clever brain of the Undertaker.
Meanwhile Kyuubi contemplated this new situation. It had no doubt that it could force this servant of the Nether from its vessels mind but the repercussions when its vessel finally died might not be pleasant. For contrary to popular belief there was a difference between the Nether and Hell. The Nether was twisting swirling madness that even Kyuubi rarely visited when it returned to the realms of darkness. The Nether contained the souls of those called upon to aid the Shinigami. And the Shinigami was the one being in the entire universe that Kyuubi well and truly feared.
This being in front of it was the most powerful; though its own powers were considerable Kyuubi and the Undertaker had never met in battle although. If they had Kyuubi was unsure of the outcome, it was still contemplating how it might induce the dark being to destroy the accursed seal that kept it trapped when the Undertaker spoke.
"If I were to offer you a deal Lord Kyuubi what would you say," The Kyuubi settled into a contemplative stare, "I would ask the stakes what would I have to accomplish and more importantly what's in it for me."
The Undertaker grinned, "How would immediate release from the realms of Hades back into the world of the living suit you instead of trying for centuries to win free."
The Kyuubi's eyes widened briefly then settled back into their cold stare, "A tempting offer, but what would I have to do."
The Undertaker grinned and the snakes on his shoulders hissed there approval.
"Listen well then Demon Lord."
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Naruto had come back to his senses on the floor of the Library; he immediately shot up and looked at the secret cupboard he had opened the book now rested on the top of all the others he had set down. It was the only one he had managed to grab when the angry mob had torched his home.
(Back in the Forest of Death)
Naruto carefully studied the book on his lap and since the moon had out and it had stopped raining he reached for the lock that held the book closed and turned the symbol of a T with spikes forming X through it and turned.
The book seemed to vibrate as Naruto opened the first page to see…nothing, then as if an invisible hand was writing words started to appear on the first page.
This is the Journal of the man who became a legend, a reaper of wayward souls, a terror to all his enemies, the man who became the Undertaker. I write this book in the hope though I am entitled to none that someday someone will find it and learn the ways of the Order of Death.
Naruto's eyes were glued to the pages as he read of all the exploits of the Undertaker. Then he turned another page and was totally shocked when he read the next words.
And you Uzumaki Naruto will the greatest of all the Order of Death but now there is a choice. Turn the next page and begin training as the next Undertaker or close this book and return it to where you found it. Make your choice.
The words stopped but a fierce look a determination came over Naruto's face. Taking a deep breath he turned the page…
