Starting Over

Chapter 4: The Uchiha Massacre

After all of the time spent with his new friends and family, Naruto also started to make friends with the others in his classroom. He started to get Sasuke to open up to him and became his friend, he was not going to let things turn out worse than they did in the original timeline. He knew the massacre would be coming soon, he just didn't know when. He also made friends with Hinata and got here to come out of her shell more. The fact that he helped save her was a major factor to him being friends with the head Hyuuga family and Neji's family as well.

Over the year, Naruto had been back inside the training house four more times, each time with a different one of the jounins. Gai had been the first since his physical training methods allowed him to gain more of the physical aspects of chi and fully merge his growing mana and chi into the standard chakra. He still remembered the time back in the original year that Gai and decided to make his bet with Kakashi over who would learn the chi techniques the fastest.

-- Flashback --

Inside the training room, Naruto with the help of Hikaru set the training field to a forest with boulders and set up the swing and boulders for the breaking point technique training. Shortly there after, Asuma, Kurenai, Gai, and Kakashi arrived to see the set up for the training. "OK I have finished the primary set up, we are going to do this in two parts, Gai and Asuma will partner and Kakashi and Kurenai will partner up. Now that you are partnered, one set yourself in the harness and the other follow me up into the trees." Naruto started walking up the tree like Kakashi had taught him last week. When he made it to the top, he created a Kage Bushin and allowed Hikaru to take over.

"Sorry for the late introductions, but my name is Hikaru. I know that the Hokage has informed you of the deal we have made and now we are going to be starting the process of full release and training. Kyuubi will not be coming out for a little while since Naruto's bushins cannot handle the power that would come with the Kyuubi. The first stage is going to be easy to a degree, Naruto go ahead and set yourself in the harness while I prepare for the other two for their tasks."

Naruto went over and took his place by Kakashi for the training. Kakashi had decided that this training would be easy so once he was in his harness that had only one figure free for motion, used his skills to set up a book holder for his latest copy of Ichi Ichi Paradise. Kurenai took one look at the book and started to see red. Gai on the other hand scoffed and told Kakashi.

"You will not learn this technique if you are not paying attention. I will learn this technique before you or I will do 1000 squats in 5 times gravity, failing that I will do 2000 hand standing push-ups in 5 times gravity with my weights. . ." He continued on for a while before Kakashi looked over at him.

"What, did you say something?"

"Kakashi, you and your 'hip' ways will not allow you to beat me this time."

By now the three on the other side of the trees were ready. "This si going to be a painful experience for all of you before this is over. The three of us are going to release these boulders at you. Gai, Kakashi, and Naruto, your job is to find the central breaking point and send a small amount of straight chi into the boulders to destroy them. If you don't get it right, you will get hit, it is as simple as that. Ready?"

Getting a nod from the three, Asuma, Hikaru and Kurenai released the boulders. A few seconds before the boulders hit the three of them, Kurenai sent a rock flying at high speeds right at Kakashi, unfortunately for him, so was so engrossed in his book that he didn't see it in time and took the rock straight to the family jewels right before the boulder hit him causing him even more pain. None of the three that were hit with the boulders performed the technique the first time. Kakashi had it worse though since his pain was triple what the others had. Asuma and even Gai felt pity for Kakashi, but there were other things that needed to be done so training commenced again.

It took another three weeks of this intense training before all of them mastered the technique. What really made things worse of everyone to speed up the training, Hikaru upped the gravity once a week until they mastered the technique at three times normal gravity. The results paid off when a nasty argument over language and volume occurred between Gai and Kurenai. While Naruto and Asuma were playing go, Kakashi was reading his book for the hundredth time, giggling and blushing like a school girl, Gai was talking about training with Kurenai for the coming month.

"We need more gravity training and harder course to increase the effects of training for the chi techniques."

"No, we need to do more meditation for the mana growth and spells, we need them more than the stupid chi techniques."

Asuma placed his next stone while talking softly to Naruto, "I have a bad feeling about where that conversation is going to go."

"I know how you feel, but there is nothing we can do about it. With the training at a higher level than Hikaru is used to, there should be some interesting side effects."

"Hum?"

"Just watch."

The conversation between the two got louder and louder before Kakashi decided that they were loud enough and started to throw his own two cents. "Why can't you two just use both and shut up for once, I can't even enjoy this book with you two yelling!"

Kurenai got a nasty look in her eye before pulling out a kunai and throwing it at Kakashi were it would do the most damage, mainly his family jewels. When the blade hit since it was too close to dodge, everyone but Naruto got a shock when the blade simply tore threw the jounin's clothes and then bounced off his skin before cracking on the floor.

"That wasn't supposed to happen. I guess additional gravity had a different effect than you thought Hikaru." said Naruto out loud before looking into himself.

"Well I knew that it would work better, but I didn't think it would work on toughening quite that much."

"Well now we know not to do that again."

"Hey Kit, how about we leave the adults and go work on the other techniques that you still have to learn form me?"

"Sounds good to me."

With that he left and missed a very unusual sight of Kurenai chasing Kakashi around until Gai made mention of the 'Passions of Youth' continuing to burn even into the adults like him. Unfortunately, the training in the breaking technique also improved strength and the strength went right threw the addition physical conditioning of the training. Gai was belted across the house by and irate Kurenai before turning her attention back to Kakashi. Asuma just sat there and wondered if getting Kurenai laid would clam here down.

-- End Flashback--

Unfortunately without the constant effects of gravity upon them like in the training house, they lost the over powering effects of the breaking point training, but kept the standard toughening that allowed them to take hits that would make a stone nin cry out in pain. Getting the new house and his guess on the other hand took a little extra doing.

-- Flashback --

It was a month after the training house had been used and Naruto was going to Ichiraku Ramen for his dinner. That is where he meet his soon to be teacher, Umino Iruka. Looking at the newly appointed chunnin academy teacher, Naruto decided to start a conversation with him. After a few hours talking to him and getting to know the chunnin he decided to go for the gusto.

"I have had a good time talking with you umm, sorry I forgot to ask your name."

"Iruka, Umino Iruka, and yours?"

"Uzumaki Naruto!"

The look on the chunnin's face said that he knew exactly who Naruto was and couldn't believe that the person he was talking to was the 'demon' that had killed his family.

"Would you like to come and meet my other friends?" asked Naruto while starting to use the dreaded Puppy Eyes no Jutsu. Iruka didn't stand a chance and decided to follow him. After a long walk, they finally arrived at he house that had been completed two days ago. There in front of the house starting to move boxes in was Kakashi and the Hokage was there talking to him.

"Hey Kakashi-niichan, Hokage-sama!"

"Hello Naruto-kun, how are you doing today, and who do you have with you?"

"This is Iruka-sensei. He is teaching at the academy and I meet him while having dinner tonight."

"I see, so how are you doing tonight Iruka?"

"Fine Hokage-sama, what is going on?"

"A few things that would be better discussed inside I believe, since Naruto obviously trusts you with where he is living now." They walking inside the house and began a five hour conversation over tea with the Hokage, Kakashi, Iruka, Naruto, Hikaru (Kage Bushin), and Kyuubi (Kage Bushin). The year in the training house has paid off allowing Naruto to create a Kage Bushin with more mana than chi in the chakra to support Kyuubi. Once a lot of the explanations were over, Naruto began telling them about what he remembered from his original time and what things they could do to stop it. After telling Iruka about his other self, the man starting opening up more and began to seriously believe what he was being told. The fact that the Hokage and another jounin were backing up his story also added a lot of credit to the child. After the conversation, they cam to an understanding that Iruka would help with a lot of things like the times he would have to be away from the academy, and Hikaru would help teach the chunnin the arts of mana and chi. Just when they thought everything was said and done, Iruka surprised everyone by saying.

"Hokage-sama, is Kakashi going to be living here permanently with Naruto?"

"Yes, is there a problem with that?"

Iruka looked at the Hokage as if he had grown a second head before speaking, "You can't be serious! If Naruto is left in the hands of Kakashi for too long, he is going to become a late, lazy pervert reading the same things that Kakashi does. I won't stand for someone I see as a little brother be corrupted by him."

"And what, prey tell, are you going to do about it and when did you start seeing Naruto-kun as a little brother?" asked Kakashi putting down his book and looking a the chunnin.

"That is simple, I will just have to move in as well to help safe guard Naruto, as well as keeping an eye on you. And as for when I started seeing him as a little brother, that would be at Ichiraku's this evening. He wormed his way into my heart then, and only buried deeper after the talks we have been having tonight."

"That is good to know that some things won't change from one time to another, maybe some of the girls will actually give Naruto the time of day this time around." said Kyuubi before nodding to Naruto who had passed out on the couch some time ago.

"I will take him to bed before these bushins were out and we leave." said Hikaru, gather Naruto up and taking him to his room."

"I really hope things will turn out better for the kit." said Kyuubi before dispelling himself.

Things got into a routine after the first week. Naruto week to the academy and when needed Naruto took off for the Hokage Tower for his assignments from the Hokage while Iruka gave him the excuses he needed.

-- End Flashback --

Now the time had come for the next phase of helping hands to come into play. It would be another two weeks before the Uchiha Massacre was to happen and it was time to put the beginnings of his plan into play. He knew from the Hokage that Itachi was not the evil person that would destroy his clan, the only problem was that he needed to find out how it was going to go down, and for that he he would need to talk to Itachi in person.

Naruto made his way to the ANBU Headquarters to find Itachi. He wore the robes and face mask that identified him as the Hokage's 'little demon' and walked into the headquarters looking for his man. It was not long after entering that he found the ANBU wearing the weasel mask in a gray cloak. That could only be Itachi. Walking over, he motioned for permission to join the man at the cafeteria table he was sitting at.

"What can I do for you little demon? I assume the Hokage has asked you to do him a favor that would require some secrecy since he is not asking me directly."

"Actually what I have to discuss is on the secretive side, but this is personal curiosity and nothing having to do with the Hokage yet. I would prefer going somewhere a little more private for this conversation though if you don't mind."

"Lead the way," Itachi responded before getting up and motioning for Naruto to lead the way. After a good deal of walking through the town and deep into the forest, they finally stopped at the cave that Naruto and the Kyuubi used for a second home for practicing things that are better left not known to Konoha. Here they entered and both made themselves comfortable.

"I think it would be better if we were completely honest with each other and to show that I suggest we remove our masks and let everything out into the open."

"I agree, I have always wanted to know who it was that is the 'little demon' of the Hokage."

Itachi removed his mask and hood and then waited for Naruto to do the same. When Naruto removed his hood, the spiky blonde hair all but gave away who was under the mask. After he removed the mask, Itachi didn't know what to think, there was no way thins child, younger than him could be an ABNU. Itachi had broken Kakashi's record of advancement and become an ANBU captain at age 14, but this child was only six at the most.

"I know what you are thinking, how can a six year old be an ANBU that serves only the Hokage, and why would the Hokage trust the Kyuubi vessel to be his left hand. The answer is simple, if you don't mind some company. Kage Bushin no Jutsu." Two perfect shadow clones appeared and the clones were slightly different. While Naruto had amazing blue eyes, one of the clones had piercing red eyes, and the other had jade green eyes. "I would like to introduce you to Kyuubi, mister red eyes, and Hikaru, mister green eyes. They won't harm you and they are both quite friendly, once you get past Kyuubi's arrogance and Hikaru's riddles."

Itachi didn't know what to think. He was sitting in a cave lair out in the middle of the Konoha forest with someone half his age that the Hokage trusted his A class assassination mission, a shadow clone of the great of the Youkai and another shadow clone of someone he didn't even know. To day that he was getting nervous on the inside was an understatement. The fact that he didn't show any signs of it on the outside is the only due to his extensive training as a shinobi of the Leaf.

"Now, to prove that we are not a threat to you and that I merely wish to have a conversation about your family and the things to come in the future, Kyuubi is going to do nothing but play shogi with Hikaru while the two of them throw their two cents into the conversations that we are going to have, any problem with that?"

"We shall see."

"Good, Kyuubi-sama would you be kind enough to get the shogi board for us?" asked Hikaru while stretching out.

"But if course, and if you cheat this time, I will personally rip off what you have for a head when we get back inside the kit's head."

"Wonderful aren't they?" asked Naruto with sarcasm just dripping off his every word. Itachi thought he was losing his mind. How can this be happening. "I know that his is a little hard to take in, so we are going to give this some time to adjust. Is there anything you would like to drink?"

"Water is fine if you have any in this cave."

"Coming right up." Naruto went to the back of the cave and came out with a couple glasses and a pitcher of water that looked to be made of clay. "This is fresh from the well in the back of the cave, completely clean and a lot more refreshing than the purified water in Konoha. It takes a little getting used to the earthy taste, but it is really good. Now comes the important questions. How about this, we play it twenty questions style with you asking a question and me giving a completely honest response and then I ask you a question and you response completely honestly as well. How about that?"

"OK, first question. How did you become the left hand of the Hokage, if you are only six years old?"

"Easy, I am not truthfully six, I am more likely around 17. I lived for 14 years and then due to an unfortunate turn of events, I was nearly killed. I was given the choice of dying and taking the Kyuubi with me, or going back in time and helping to create a better future without screwing up the timelines too badly, I choose to come back and the Kami that sent me back gave me some help in the form of Hikaru being sealed inside me as well as the Kyuubi. With his help I have been able to set things up to get trained faster than any other ninja in the village with the help of the Hokage and four jounins who know everything that you now know. My knowledge of certain future events and the powers I have been giving the jounins who help train me allow me to fulfill the more tactical side of being the left hand of the Hokage. Kyuubi and Hikaru teaching me more strategy games and practices with Asuma-sensei have helped a lot as well. Now for my question. How well do you know and trust your family, and not just your immediate family?"

"Interesting question, and I assume you are going to elaborate on that later. My father is completely trustworthy for the most part. He like all ANBU and former ANBU are loyal to a fault, as you already know. My mother is kind and doesn't like to get into the politics of the family. Sasuke is a normal little brother, always wanting to be just like me. I love him, but I don't want him to have the same life I have right now. Father is pushing him to be as good as me and that is starting to take it's toll on him. I know that he is learning the basics of the Katon techniques and he is starting to get better with them looking for fathers approval. Other than that, I don't really like most of the family since they believe that we need a more powerful leader than the Sandaime since he is already to old and already passed the leadership over once. I believe they may be planning something, but I don't have a clue as to what. Now for my next question. Why is this a concern for you?"

"I already told you I am from the future. During my original timeline, in two weeks time, you are going to slaughter your entire family, leaving only Sasuke behind and even then, you kill your father and mother in front of Sasuke and then make him live it over and over again with the Tsukuyomi, a technique you acquire with the Mangekyou Sharingan, after you slaughter your best friend in a duel. I believe that the act of having to kill your best friend is what started you on a darker path. The trauma was too much for your mind to handle at the time, and after you accepted it, you turned cold and left Sasuke alive to kill you for penance. But I also believe that something else will come into play before this is all over. Question: Would you be willing to help me get to the bottom of all of this if I can save you and your family from being slaughtered, but the rest being taken care of."

"If they are setting something like this up, then I believe that it is my duty to help Konoha any way I can. I would be very appreciative of any help you can give me in this endeavor."

"Very well. Help me do some digging and I will see if I can't get you and your family to safety. Plus, if you will give me a hand in training in the standard shinobi techniques, I will teach you a few things that even the Sharingan can't copy. Interested?"

"Let's see how this turns out and then go from there."

"That is another 50,000 ryou you owe me Kyuubi." said Hikaru who just finished his game with the Kyuubi.

"How do you figure that?"

"One, that is 25,000 ryou for the game and you said double or nothing that Itachi would be a heartless freak who would not go for any of the deals."

"Fine mister know-it-all, you'll get your money once we get free of the kit and then we can all go our separate ways."

Three people just laughed while Itachi just sat there and wondered if he had done the right things coming here and getting involved with the 'little demon'.

To be continued. . .

Author's notes:

To be honest, I had to cut this chapter in half, too much going on for one chapter in my tastes. I have gotten a couple of reviews about the slayers aspect of it and can say for certain, anything originally Lina's will not be in it. That includes Yum! and Giga Slave. Things that other magic users can ready and translate like the Dragon Slave and some of the others will be in it. Mostly more of the white and shamanic spells, and basic sorcery spells. I know that Ragna Blade is out since Lina had to go to the true Claire Bible to get that spell.

By the way, some of you may be wondering about the set up of the training house. The house itself is set up similar to many traditional legacy houses. The house is in a square fashion with a training yard and garden in the center. This is the training yard that the six seals control. The front of the house with the main door contains a common room, dining room and library. The left side of the house from the front door is the living quarters with five bed rooms on each side of the hallway and two furos at the end of the hall. The right side of the house form the front door, contains rooms with a few chemical labs for medical research and a small infirmary. The back of the house is where the kitchen and laundry rooms are located. If you have any questions I can answer without giving anything away of the story, drop me a line. Also, I am going to let you decide who gets who. Vote for your favorite pairing till I get to the Chunnin Exam. Pairings are as follows:

Naruto/Sakura

Naruto/Hinata

Naruto/Ino

Naruto/Tenten

Naruto/Temari

Naruto/Haku (female only)

Naruto/multi

I am not going into pairings other than these so don't ask. The other couplings are going to be jounin and I already have them planned. If I have time and it doesn't affect the story then I might add a few other supporting character interactions.

Dark Knight: The LightHawk