Hi all! Please don't kill me! I have an excuse! I, uh, wait, um. No actually I don't have an excuse. But wait! If you kill me, you won't get any more stories! Be happy I got this out!
Key:
"I am a spoken word! Mwa ha ha!"
'I am a thought. Hear me roar!'
"I am a written, coded or sign language word!"
"I am Kyuubi talking in Naruto's mind."
I am Kyuubi talking to Naruto outside of his mind.
I am Kyuubi's thoughts.
"I am Naruto talking in his mind."
I am Naruto talking to the Kyuubi outside of his mind and flashbacks.
(-)
Scroll IV:
Year III.
(-)
Anko laughed, watching Hinata play with Naruto was always a cute sight, and she enjoyed every minute of it.
"So, anything interesting happen?" asked a voice behind her.
Anko spun around to see the laughing face of Hiashi.
"Don't... Don't do that!" she spluttered, holding a hand to her heart as if trying to control its rapid beating. The Hyuuga just laughed.
A lot had change in the once stoic Hyuuga in the three years that they had had Naruto. He was no longer as cold hearted or cruel as before, instead, he could now laugh and show affection openly. At least he could with his friends. With his enemies he was as cold as ever.
She had changed too, no longer a sadistic, she could enjoy the little things in life instead of basing herself on revenge and the pain of others. Though she still did like a good torture session or two.
Kurenai hadn't change as much as they had, but she was no longer such a stickler for the rules. She still wanted to stay by them, but she could enjoy a good trick.
Naruto had also changed. He was much better at protecting himself, and he had even started to learn some other forms of communication besides talking. They had found that he was a fast learner, and he was a genius at a lot things. They had learned that because Naruto couldn't see, his other senses had developed like crazy to make up for it, so he had exceptional hearing and sense of smell, almost as good as the Inuzuka's. Also he was more open with the people around him, but he still tended to shy away from people. A strange thing that had happened that they still had no explanation for was that Naruto's hair started to turn green.
They had taught Naruto some Taijutsu and ways of sensing the things around him, but he was still clumsy at it and still often ran into things. After a scare awhile ago with his and the Kyuubi's chakra getting out of control they had been forced to teach him chakra control earlier than they had planned, as they didn't want it to happen again, so now a lot of his time was taken up by practicing his control as whenever he got used to the amount of chakra he had he got more because of the Kyuubi. One of the good things that had come of that (as he often practiced in the park) was that he had made some friends from the other clans.
Hinata and Neji, Hiashi's daughter and nephew, the shy timid girl who was almost a sister to Naruto, and the quiet solemn boy who was almost a brother to him, were his first friends.
FLASHBACK
"Come on Hinata, Neji, I want you two to come meet Naruto." Hiashi said, carrying his daughter down the street, Neji walking beside him.
"Tou-san, what Nawuto like?" asked Hinata in her small childish voice.
Hiashi looked down at his daughter, smiling. "Oh, he's a nice kid, just like you, and he's also a little shy. But he can't speak or see, so you'll be patient with him, won't you?"
"Hai Tou-san!" Hinata giggled.
"Hai Hiashi-sama." echoed Neji.
"Ah, here we are." they were at the door of a modest little apartment, and with out ringing the door bell, Hiashi waltzed in.
"We're here!"
"Hiashi-baka! What took you so long?" Anko called from farther in.
"Well," he answered, "It's a long walk form the compound to here." Hinata giggled at their antics, while Neji smiled.
"Humph."
"Calm down guys, this is not the time for arguing," scolded Kurenai, walking in carrying Naruto, "This is a play date for Naru-chan, Ne-chan and Hi-chan."
Anko 'humphed' again, walking in from the kitchen with a dango stick in hand.
Hiashi mock sighed, "Still eating those Anko, why you'll get fat!" he teased.
Anko glared and threw the stick at Hiashi, who ducked just in time.
"Well," he said laughing nervously, "Let's get going."
They walked to the park, Kurenai carrying Naruto, Anko carrying Hinata and Hiashi carrying Neji. Once there, they put the three children down in the sand box, and walked to a nearby bench.
"Kon-ne-chi-wa, Nawu-chan." greeted Hinata timidly, looking down.
"Konechiwa Naru-chan." Neji greeted.
"Konechiwa Hi-chan, Ne-chan!" he clicked at her, "Want to build a castle?"
Hinata smiled, her nervousness gone, "Suwe Nawu-chan!" Neji smiled and joined in.
END FLASHBACK
Shikamaru, of the Nara clan, the lazy genius that was also Naruto's best friend translator to the others as he was the only one who knew any Morse code (the alternate language that Naruto was most proficient at) had been the first one he met.
FLASHBACK
"Hey!" called a boy with black hair in a pineapple like pony tail, annoyed. He had just been sitting under a tree lazing about and watching the clouds when an acorn had fallen right on his head. He looked up when he heard an odd tapping sound against the tree bark. The boys eye's widened at what he saw. It was a little boy, about his age with yellow green hair and blank eyes, crouching on the tree branch above his head, gazing in his general direction. But what surprised the pineapple haired boy the most was all the scars that crisscrossed over his face.
He shook him self out of his trance when he heard that odd tapping sound again, but this time he realized it for what it was. Morse code.
"Sorry." the boy was saying, "I didn't mean it."
The black haired boy nodded, dazed. Then, when the boy looked like he was still waiting, he spoke. "It's okay." the boy bowed his head once again in apology, then started to go back up the tree. "Wait!" the pineapple haired boy called, "I'm Shikamaru, who are you?"
The other boy smiled brightly, and despite his scars, it lit up his whole face. "I'm Naruto." he said.
Shikamaru smiled himself, though he didn't know why, and asked the seven words that changed Naruto's life forever. "Would you like to play with me?"
END FLASHBACK
Shikamaru had then introduced Naruto to another friend of his, Chouji of the Akimichi clan, the joyful kid who was 'Big Boned' and not fat.
FLASHBACK
"Hey Chouji, there's someone that I want you to meet." said Shikamaru, looking at the Akimichi.
"Really?" Chouji asked, looking up but still stuffing his face with potato chips. "Who?" Then he made a face. "This person isn't like Ino, right?" Shikamaru shivered. Introducing Ino to Chouji had been a bad idea. She had immediately told Chouji that he was fat and she was going to give him a makeover. Bad idea. That had turned into a huge fight.
"No," said Shikamaru, "Naruto's much less, er ... eccentric." Yup, that would describe Ino, eccentric. "So, will you come?"
"Sure." Chouji answered, getting up., still munching on his chips.
(-)
"Naruto, this is Chouji, Chouji, this is Naruto." Shikamaru said, gesturing to each in turn.
Chouji stared at Naruto, a little unnerved that some one his age could have so many scars. "H-hey." he squeaked, franticly stuffing his mouth.
Naruto smiled, and Chouji relaxed some. "It's nice to meet you Chouji!" he said.
Chouji was at a loss, he had said hi, and then the strange scared boy had tapped something, ignoring him.
Seeing his confusion, Shikamaru quickly whispered in Chouji's ear. "He's blind and mute, what he just did was Morse code." Chouji nodded, and Shikamaru drew back, saying, "Naruto said that it's nice to meet you." Naruto nodded, smiling in Chouji's direction.
Then Chouji said the five words sure to get a smile out of Naruto. "Want to be my friend?"
END FLASHBACK
After that, Naruto had made his next friend in Shino, the quiet boy of the Aburame clan.
FLASHBACK
"Eeeeeeekkkkkkkkkk!" a girl screamed, running away from a little boy with black hair that was wearing a long trench coat and sunglasses. Another little boy, this one with yellow green hair and wearing a white shirt and green shorts, listened curiously from the other side of the street. The black haired boy bowed his head and sniffed sadly, starting to walk away. Though it was quiet, the boy across the street still heard, and frowning, he followed after the other boy.
With his head down and his attention else where, the black haired boy was startled when the yellow and green haired one tapped him on the shoulder.
"Yes?" he asked, trying to hide his sniffles.
The other boy only smiled at him, grabbed his wrist and started running.
"What are you doooooiiiiinnnnnggggg!" it started as a question but ended as a shriek when the yellow and green haired boy speed up. The boy ignored him, instead he started clicking loudly with his tongue, like a dolphin.
The yellow and green haired boy turned a corner, black haired boy in tow, and came to an abrupt stop in front of a boy with his hair in pony tail and shaped like a pinapple.
The boy who had dragged him here let go of his wrist and started clicking rapidly at the new boy. Said boy sighed, "Naruto, slow down, I can't understand you when your going so fast!" Naruto obliged.
After a minute or so of listening to Naruto, the pineapple haired boy turned towards the black haired one. "Naruto here," he jerked a finger in the grinning boys direction, "Says that you need a friend. Is that right?" he looked at the boy, then added, "I'm Shikamaru, who are you?"
"Shino." said the boy in the trench coat, "And I don't understand what you mean."
"Well, Naruto said that some girl ran screaming from you and that you started sniffling, so, idiot that he is," Naruto clucked indignantly at that, but Shikamaru ignored him, "He dragged you to me, as you seemed like you needed a friend."
"Oh." said Shino, feeling warm inside. A stranger cared about him. Him! The weird bug kid! "Thanks." Naruto clicked at Shikamaru again, smiling.
"He said your welcome."
END FLASHBACK
After that Naruto met Ino, the bright cheerful girl of the Yamanaka clan. That was an interesting meeting.
FLASHBACK
"Hey kid, don't ignore me when I'm talking to you!" Ino shouted at Naruto. He had just bumped into her, and hadn't even looked at her or apologized.
Naruto turned, then bowed, then turned again and walked away.
Ino was steamed, so this kid thought he was so much better than her, did he? Well, she would show him! "Hey! Come back here and apologize properly!" she yelled at his back, shaking her fist at him.
He ignored her and speed up. "Hey!" she shouted, running after him, "Stop!"
The kid speed up again, seemingly turning corners at random, Ino followed after him.
After what seemed like a long time, but was really only 5 minutes, the kid she was chasing ran up to a boy she vaguely recognized, hiding behind him. Then he started clicking rapidly.
Ino slowed, taking a closer look at the new boy. "Shikamaru?" she asked, surprised.
"Uh, hey Ino." he said smiling nervously, "What a surprise!"
The boy behind him clicked nervously, bringing their attention back to him.
"Let me at him!" Ino shouted, remembering why she was there. "He ran into me and didn't apologize!"
Shikamaru sweated nervously, putting his hands up in a weak defense. "That's 'cause he can't!"
"Wha?" asked Ino, puzzled.
"Naruto's mute and blind Ino, he probably bowed to you or something." answered Shikamaru.
"Oh," said Ino dumbly. That's what he had done. "Sorry!"
Naruto clicked, and Shikamaru smiled. "He say that's okay and that he's sorry for running into you."
END FLASHBACK
After that, Ino had introduced Naruto to Sakura, a shy girl from the Haruno clan.
FLASHBACK
"Hey, Sakura, come meet my friends!"
"Sure Ino!" said Sakura, coming up to her.
"Sakura, this is Shikamaru," she pointed to a boy with black hair that was in a pony tail and looked like a pineapple, he waved lazily, "And this is Naruto!" she pointed to another boy who also waved. Sakura found herself staring at him. It wasn't his hair (she had pink, so green and yellow wasn't that much of a stretch) nor the blank look in his purple eyes, but the scars that covered his face like an abstract artist word cover his canvas.
"-Ura. Sakura!" she snapped out of her daze when she heard Ino calling her name.
"Yes?" she asked, taking a side long glance at Naruto.
"As I was saying, Naruto's blind and mute, so if he doesn't seem to be looking at you, don't worry. Also, he knows Morse code, so that's how he'll talk to us. Shikamaru knows it too, so he'll translate."
"Troublesome." muttered Shikamaru. Sakura giggled.
"Let's be great friends!"
END FLASHBACK
Then, one day when Naruto was training, he ran across Tenten, of the Darkye clan, an out going girl and a budding weapons mistress.
FLASHBACK
"Come out!" called Tenten, "I know your there!" A tree behind her shook, and a boy about a year younger than her dropped out. "Who are you, and why were you watching me?" she asked him.
He lifted his head up and she gasped. His eyes didn't look at her, they looked through her. He cocked his head at her, and clicked his tongue. It took her a few seconds to realize that it was Morse code, and then a few more seconds to translate it to japanese. The boy had said "I'm Naruto! Who are you?"
Tenten stared at him for a moment, taking in his green and yellow hair, his blank purple eyes, his large canines, his pointed ears, and his scars. So many scars, more than she'd seen on any one else. "I-I'm Te-Tenten." she stuttered out, then more confident, "Why are you talking in Morse code, and why were you watching me?"
"I wasn't. Watching you that is. And I'm talking in Morse code because it's one of the only ways I can talk." he answered, "Would you rather I talk in sign language?"
"No, that's okay, but what do you mean you weren't watching me, you were hiding in the tree weren't you?" she answered.
"Even if I wanted to, I can't watch you, I'm blind you see." He snickered at his own joke. "No, I was just practicing my chakra control by climbing trees when you came by, and I stayed to see what you were doing." Naruto answered her. Then suddenly, he asked, "Do you want to be friends?"
Tenten smiled. No one had ever wanted to be her friend before, they had just wanted to be friends with her so that they could get a discount at her father's weapon shop. "Sure." she said.
END FLASHBACK
Tenten and Neji had then introduced him to Lee, a friend (if Neji could have friends) of theirs from the academy. Lee was an orphan like himself, with the last name of Rock, his last remnants of his parents. Lee had been taken in by Maito Gai, a Jonin, and had the disadvantage of not being able to use chakra. He was also a bit, er ... exuberant.
FLASHBACK
"Come on Lee, you gotta meet Naruto,you'll love him!" said Tenten, pulling on the stubborn Shinobi.
"Yosh! This Naruto must be filled with the burning flames of youth! On ward youthful friend, we must meet this burning pool of youthfulness!" shouted Lee, dashing off. Tenten and Neji blink-blinked and then sweatdropped as Lee came running back looking sheepish. "Er, where is this Naruto?"
Tenten sighed. "Come on Lee, we'll show you the way." she said, grabbing his arm and leading him in the opposite direction of which he had run. "Remember Lee, because Naru-kun's blind and mute, his hearing is very acute, so you can't yell as loudly as you normally do."
"Yosh!" Lee shouted again, "I shall endeavor to not yell, and if I can not do that, then I shall run around Kohona 100 times, and if I can not do that, then I shall do 100 push ups, and if I can not...!" Now do you see what a bad influence it is to grow up with a 'Shinning Example of Youth!'?
"We're here." Neji announced quietly, stopping Lee in the middle of his rant. And indeed they were. At the same time, Neji and Tenten spied Naruto sitting under a tree, and started towards him, Tenten calling out his name.
He turned towards them, smiling, and Lee froze. His fellow Shinobi had told him about the scars on his face, but he had not imagined that they would be this severe. Lee swallowed, then called out a greeting.
"Hello Naruto-kun! It is nice to see another with such burning flames of youth!" When Naruto flinched, Tenten kicked him in the shin and Neji hissed "Be quiet baka!"
"It's nice to meet you, but it seems that I am at a disadvantage, you know my name, but I don't know yours." Naruto said.
"Ah, Gomen, I am LEE!" he struck a good guy pose, his teeth a blinding brilliance, and a setting sun in the background. "Let's be good friends!"
Naruto smiled, "Sure Lee."
END FLASHBACK
The last person that Naruto had met had been Kiba, of the Inuzuka clan, a proud boy with an equally proud dog.
FLASHBACK
"What is it Akamaru? You smell someone?" asked Kiba to the dog sitting on his head, sniffing the air himself. "Yeah, I smell someone too." then raising his voice, he called out, "It's no use hiding, we can smell you!"
A kid a little older than him dropped out of the trees right in front of him, landing on his feet and crouching like a cat. When he looked up, Kiba gasped. He had scars all over his face, crisscrossing over each other, and twining around and under the boys collar. Kiba gulped, then musted up his courage and asked "Wh-who are y-you?" The boy looked at him, then turned and fled. Surprised, it took a moment, but then Kiba took up the chase, calling out "Wait!"
The boy ignored him and continued running, but whenever Kiba felt like he was falling behind, he would turn a corner and the boy would be there. Soon, as he was running out of breath, he turned a corner and almost ran into another boy. Kiba saw that he had been conversing with the boy who he had been following, and stood there listening.
"Naruto!" yelled the new boy, "You can't keep doing this, I'm not you translator!" Naruto clicked, and then the other boy sighed. He turned around and looked at Kiba, who was surprised, he hadn't thought that the other boy had noticed him. "So, your another of Naruto's strays I'm Shikamaru. Who are you and how did you meet this baka?"
Kiba looked at the clicking boy strangely, before answering the other boy. "I'm Kiba, this is Akamaru," he said pointing to the dog on his head, "And Naruto was following us."
"Nah," disagreed Shikamaru, "You were probably on his ground, and he wanted to know what you were doing there."
"'His ground?'" repeated Kiba, "It's not his ground!"
"Well, it was his fathers, so now it's his." replied Shikamaru easily.
Kiba huffed. "Well, he was rude, when I asked him who he was he ran away!"
Shikamaru sighed. "Naruto's blind and mute, he ran to me so I could tell you."
Kiba's mouth opened in an O of surprise. "Oh, sorry." he said. Naruto smiled at him. Then clucked at Shikamaru.
"He wants to know what you were doing in here, as would I." relayed Shikamaru.
Kiba's mood dropped. "I was just taking a walk to get away from my mom and my sister."
"Ah... I can understand that." Shikamaru said, nodding.
Naruto then clicked at Shikamaru, and nodding, Shikamaru turned to Kiba and relayed the message. "He says that you can come here when ever you want, as long as you don't hurt anything."
Kiba smiled. "Thanks."
END FLASHBACK
After all of the friends had met, they had decided to surprise Naruto by all learning Morse code, and as they went to Hiashi, Kurenai and Anko for help, they knew that they were all doing very well.
Kurenai came up as Hiashi and Anko were in the middle of another argument, looking serious. "Hey guys, stop fighting, Hokage-sama's got a mission for us."
Anko turned and stared at her, "What! Is he crazy! What'll happen to Naruto!?!"
Hiashi frowned, waiting to hear her answer as well.
"Apparently the Hokage got some Chunin named Mizuki to take him on for however long it'll take." she said. She didn't like it any more than they did, but one did not refuse the Hokage.
Hiashi's frown deepened. "How can we be sure he's trust worthy?"
"Apparently this guy checks out clean, and he hasn't once joined in on the badmouthing of Naruto, instead, he's defended him." Hiashi frowned, but said nothing more. Anko had no such notions.
"I still don't like it, why do we all have to go?"
"The note said that he needed Jonins with exceptional teamwork, and we were the only ones that fit the bill."
Anko sighed. She'd do it, but she didn't have to like it. "So, when is it?"
"Tonight we have a meeting with Hokage-sama, then we leave first thing in the morning."
(-)
"Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"Good."
(-)
"Hokage-sama, are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Anko the minute they were alone.
"No." he answered, sighing. "But this is a high paying mission and your the only one's who can do it."
"Fine." she grumbled. "Let's get on with it."
(-)
"Bye Naruto, we'll be back soon! Be good to Mizuki-san." Kurenai hugged him good bye.
"Bye Kaa-san! Come back soon!" He hugged her back.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do Naru-chan, see you soon!" Anko winked at him and he grinned. Hiashi snorted.
"Theres nothing you wouldn't do Nee-chan! Bye!" He winked back.
"We'll be back before you know it. Take care." Naruto and Hiashi shook hand, both grinning.
"I'm sure Tou-san!"
Then they left.
"Hey Naruto," Mizuki said, gaining the boys attention, "There's something I want to show you." he shivered at the curious expression on the boy's face. 'Demon.' he thought.
"What is it Mizuki-san?" Naruto clicked.
"That's a secret!" He grabbed the boys hand and repressed a shiver, "I'll show you!"
(-)
"Shika-kun, I'm getting worried," said Hinata, "Naru-kun said he'd be here an hour ago!"
Shikamaru frowned, he was worried as well. "Let's wait for ten more minutes Hi-chan, if he isn't here by then, then we'll go visit his haunts to see if he's there. 'K?"
Ten minutes later, Naruto still hadn't shown up.
They first stopped at Shino's house, the closest to Naruto's own.
Shino himself answered the door. When they explained why they were there, he frowned. "That's not like Naru-kun, he always keeps his promises. Wait for a moment and I'll help you look."
They next stopped at Chouji's house, where they found him and Kiba.
"That's really strange. He's never been late like that with out a note before. I'll help too." said Kiba, Akamaru yipping in agreement.
"Me as well." announced Chouji.
They then stopped by the park on the way to Ino's, but they didn't see him there, so they moved on.
Ino hadn't seen him either, and she joined them as well, saying that when she found him, she'd beat him up for worrying Hi-chan.
They arrived at Tenten's house next and found her studding with Neji and Lee. When informed of the problem, they joined in the search too, Lee spouting out some nonsense about finding his youthful counterpart.
Lastly they arrived at Sakura's, and she joined in the search as well. With the whole group but Naruto together, Shikamaru made a search plan. Though it may seem like they were taking this a bit drastic, Naruto had never missed a meeting. Ever.
"Sak-chan, Ino-chan, you have the best social skills, so you can ask around. Shino-kun, Kiba-kun, you can look in a wide spread area the easiest, you look for him in his forest. Ne-kun, Lee-kun, your the fastest, so you can look for him on the Hokage monument. Ten-chan, Hi-chan, your the most familiar with them, so you'll look for him at Ichiraku Ramen Stand. Chou-kun, you and I will look for him in the parks, since we know them best. Meet back here in one hour. Every one got it?"
They nodded and left.
One hour later, they met up again to report.
Ino and Sakura went first.
"No ones seen him since yesterday, and the morning at that." that was Sakura.
"Someone did say that they saw him going somewhere with a white haired Chunin." and that was Ino.
Kiba and Shino were next.
"His smell is at least tree days old." said Kiba.
"My Bugs didn't see anyone." Shino put in, looking distraught.
Hinata and Tenten reported after them.
"The Old man said he hadn't seen Naru-kun since last week." Tenten said, using Naruto's nickname for the owner of the ramen store.
"Ayame-san said that she hasn't seen him in two days." Hinata put in quietly.
Neji and Lee went next.
"Yosh! The youthful Naruto-kun wasn't at the Hokage monument!" shouted Lee.
"My Byakugan shows that he hasn't been there in three days." Neji reported.
Shikamaru and Chouji went last.
"He wasn't there." said Shikamaru simply.
They were all silent for a moment.
"So what now?" asked Ino and Lee at the same time.
Shikamaru frowned. There wasn't much more they could do, but... "We go to see the Hokage."
(-)
"Let us in! This is important!"
"Not important enough for the Hokage, little girl." the receptionist sneered.
Ino sneered right back at the man, frustrated. They had been trying to get in to see the Hokage for the last ten minutes, and the stubborn man wouldn't let them threw.
Shikamaru frowned, then leaning over to Hinata, whispered in her ear. "Tell Ino-chan to keep distracting him, I've got a plan." Then he leaned in the other direction and whispered in Shino's ear. "Cover me, I've got a plan."
Frowning in concentration, Shikamaru faded slowly back into the shadows as Shino moved in front of him, looking for all the world as if he was just shifting his feet. Slowly, ever so slowly, he creeped towards the Hokage's door. After about five minutes, he was there. Darting forward, he opened it, just as the receptionist looked his way.
"Stop!" he shouted, standing up, but he was to late.
"Hokage-sama!" Shikamaru shouted, running in before the receptionist could reach him. Behind him, his friends jumped on the receptionist, dragging him to the ground.
"Naruto's missing!"
(-)
Naruto woke up slowly, and as was usual, to darkness. What was unusual was waking up in pain. That had not happened for a while.
Naruto's sluggish mind tried to find the reason why he was waking up to pain, as it hadn't happened in the longest time. It had been at least two months! Slowly he remembered.
FLASHBACK
Mizuki had lead Naruto through more twists and turns then he could remember, and very soon he was lost. Abruptly, he stopped.
"Mizuki-san? What's going on?" Naruto asked.
Suddenly Naruto could feel the menace rolling off Mizuki in waves. "What's going on demon, is retribution." he spat.
"Wha-what? Wh-what do you mean?" he stuttered.
"Oh, that's right, you don't know, do you?" he laughed cruelly. "Theres a law about you, you know."
"What law?" Naruto asked.
"That no one can ever tell the truth about what happened that night on October Tenth when the Kyuubi attacked." he laughed evilly again.
"What truth?" Naruto wasn't sure he wanted to know.
"That your the Kyuubi-no-Kitsune, the demon that attacked Kohona 3 years ago. Didn't you ever wonder why there were so many assassination attempts against you? Why everyone hates you?"
"That's not true! Kaa-san and Tou-san and Nee-chan and my friends care for me!" he cried, angry at Mizuki for implying that they didn't.
"Oh, you didn't know did you? Your precious 'family' takes care of you because it's what there paid to do, and your friends only pity you. If they knew they'd hate you!" Mizuki screamed crazily.
"You- you lie!" Naruto clicked, crying blood tears, because his heart cried out that it was true. Because if it was a lie, wouldn't they be here by now?
"Enough talk. DIE DEMON!" screamed Mizuki, running at him with a giant windmill shruiken.
END FLASHBACK
The tears started again as he remembered, but with a savage force of will, he pushed them back, focusing his senses around him, trying to find out where he was. After a moment of sensing, he found that the area felt like a wear house, and that he could sense nobody near by. Finishing his sensing of the building, he tried to stand up, but found himself chained down.
Knowing that he couldn't get out of this by himself, he cried out in his mind for help.
'Help me please, if any one still cares, help me! Please help! Help! HELP ME!'
Exhausted but not knowing why, Naruto fell back unconscious.
(-)
Across Fire Country, thirteen people heard Naruto's cry for help.
(-)
Help me please, if any one still cares, help me! Please help! Help! HELP ME!'
Hiashi, Anko and Kurenai's heads snapped around towards Kohona in unison. They glanced at each other, sharing the same thought 'Naruto.' They quickly finished their kills, then turned and ran full tilt towards Kohona, once again sharing the same though. 'We're coming Naruto, as fast as we can, hold on!'
(-)
"What!?!"
"Missing!"
"Naruto?"
"Are you certain?" there it was, the calm in the storm.
"Hai, Hokage-sama." said Shikamaru.
"How certain?"
"100. He promised to meet up with me and Hi-chan, I mean Hinata, and when he didn't show up, we got worried. We visited all his friends looking for him. They came with us to help. We then searched all the places he could be. we couldn't find him anywhere." said Shikamaru.
"Why would you be worried if he was late?" Sarutobi asked.
"Naruto is never late, and if he can't make it he always sends a message. Always. Somethings wrong, we know it." surprisingly it was Kiba who answered that.
Suddenly, all ten children went stiff.
Help me please, if any one still cares, help me! Please help! Help! HELP ME!'
"Did you hear that?" asked Ino, looking around.
The children nodded, but the adults looked as confused as the children felt.
"Was that..." Neji started.
"...Naruto?" Shino finished.
Sarutobi coughed, and the children looked at him. "What are you talking about?" he asked.
"Didn't you hear it?" asked Tenten.
"Hear what?" Sarutobi looked confused.
The ten children looked between themselves, then at the Hokage. Finally, Shikamaru said, "You mean you didn't hear that cry for help?"
The Hokage shook his head. Then he folded his hands and put them on his desk, resting his head on top. "What did it say?" he asked.
"It said, Help me please, if any one still cares, help me! Please help! Help! HELP ME!'" Sakura repeated dutifully.
"Your certain it's Naruto?" he asked.
"Yosh! I would recognize Naruto-kun's feel any where, it is so youthful!" Lee was partially ignored.
"Ino," the Hokage directed his question at the mind user, "Could it have been a mental cry for help?"
Ino thought about it, then shook her head. "Naru-kun's not in our clan, so he wouldn't have been able to call using his mind."
Sarutobi nodded, "But what if he was desperate, and infused the thought with chakra?"
By now, half the children were confused, but Ino was nodding. "That... that might work." she said.
"Good." Sarutobi sighed. "We now know that he needs help, but do any of you know what he meant when he said 'if any one still cares'?"
The children all shook their heads. "Oh, well. We'll figure it out later. Any ideas of how we could find him?" he asked.
"Ano ..." Hinata started, "Could we follow the cry to the source?"
Before she could answer, three people burst into the room.
"Where is he?" Anko asked, talking before any one else could speak.
"Who?" Sarutobi tried to play innocent.
"Naruto." It didn't work.
"Well... you see... Naruto's ... um..." Sarutobi really didn't want to see what their reactions would be to him losing Naruto.
"Missing." finished Chouji.
All three adults shot the Hokage a piercing glare, as if to say, 'I told you so.' The Hokage started to sweat.
Then Kurenai turned to the children and said, "Tell us everything you know."
(-)
When Naruto woke up again, he could tell he was in a different place. For one thing, he could hear water splashing against the walls, and for another, there was no restricting feel of chains.
Naruto listened intently, but all he could hear was the water and a distant noise. Shrugging to himself, he reached a hand out to touch the wall and started walking forward.
Awhile later (with nothing changing, he couldn't really tell how long) he came across a huge door. Curious, he pushed it open and walked inside.
"Who dares enter here?"
Suddenly, there was an over bearing pressure of heat. Unwillingly, Naruto let out a squeak. Then he gasped. 'I made a sound!' he thought. Because he was mute, whenever he had gasped or squeaked or something before, it had always been silent. Now it wasn't.
Drawing in a deep breath, he said, "I do." or, at least, he tried to. It came out more as a squeak.
"Who are you?" the other voice growled menacingly.
"I am Naruto." Good, his voice wasn't as squeakish this time.
"Ah, the kit that Arashi sealed me inside." the voice was less menacing this time.
Naruto froze. It couldn't be, could it? Mizuki had said he was the Kyuubi, not that it was sealed inside him... "Sealed...? Kyuubi ...?" he squeaked.
"You did not know?" the Kyuubi asked, surprised, "Arashi sealed me inside you, his son, because he didn't want to kill me, and he didn't want to destroy his village."
"But, but, Mizuki said that I was the Kyuubi!"
"Nonsense, you are no more me then I am you." he paused. "Wait, bad example." he shook his head, though Naruto couldn't see it. "None the less, you are not the Kyuubi. Humans fear what they can't understand, so they fear you."
Naruto nodded. "Why would my father not want to kill you?"he asked, curious. "And where are we? Why can I talk? And if I can talk, why can't I see? Why am I here? Why-"
"One question at a time Kit," he said, chuckling, "Your father did not want to kill me because I was his friend. I was-" Naruto interrupted him.
"Then why were you destroying the village?" he asked.
"I was getting to that." the Kyuubi growled, "I was destroying the village because I wanted revenge. Some one had killed my mate and kits, and they wore the Kohona symbol. I have only recently learned that this was a trick done by one of the missing nin from your village, as they wanted revenge. As I was the guardian of Kohona, I could not attack the village with out going crazy, so when I did, I went insane. I only regained my senses after I was sealed in you." he sighed. "As for your other questions, we are in your mind, you can talk because I was sealed in you before you lost your voice, you can't see because you lost your sight because I was sealed inside you, and you are here because your subconscious brought you here."he then looked sardonically at Naruto. "Any more questions?" he asked.
"Yeah, how did I lose my voice?"
"Your current Hokage tried to kill you by slashing your throat, as he believed you were a threat to the village. As I was just regaining my senses, I wasn't able to heal it before it did irreparable damage to your vocal cords."
"The Old man tried to kill me!"
"Yes, but remember, he was trying to protect his village. And when he realized what he had done, he did every thing he could to make up for it."
There was a moment of silence. Then Naruto mused aloud, "Why is it that my only friend it the one that made my life a living hell?"
"Do not listen to that Mizuki, he lied. Yes, your guardians may have started out taking care of you as a mission, but they have grown to love you very much. And your friends are forever great full to you for bringing them all together. The love you as much as your guardians do." replied Kyuubi, growling.
"Then why haven't they rescued me yet?" asked Naruto sadly.
"They're looking for you, but they can't just instantly find you."
There was another moment of silence. Then Naruto asked, "Are you the reason why I look so weird?" His friends had told him about his appearance.
Kyuubi coughed. "Er, yes, that would be me." he coughed again. "When I was sealed inside you, it made you a hanyou, and you appearance is changing to match that. Before you are five, you will have grown at least one tail, and may have started on another one. Your hair will be completely green, and your eyes completely red. Your incisors will be about as big as an Inuzuka's, and you ears will have changed to fox ears."
Naruto sighed. "Why green?"
"Probably because your element is earth. Now, it is time for you to go, I'll be seeing you soon."
"What?!" was all Naruto got to say as he started to fade out.
With the room empty, Kyuubi snickered.
(-)
While Naruto was waking up in an abandoned ware house on the west side of town to unbearable heat, in the east side of town, Shikamaru had just finished telling Naruto's guardians all he knew.
They all digested it in silence for a moment, when a Chunin burst in.
"Hokage-sama! The old ware house is burning!" she shouted.
"What!"
"And someones inside!" at that, every one in the room turned their attention to her.
"Take us there." snapped Anko, already in motion.
(-)
They reached the ware house in record time, and motioning for the children to stay put, the three Jonin brushed past the Shinobi trying to put out the fire.
Running inside, they called for Naruto.
"NARUTO!"
"NARU-KUN!"
"NARUTO!"
In the distance, they heard a tapping. Without hesitating, they all rushed towards it. Seconds later, they saw Naruto. They stopped short.
The fire hadn't reached him yet, but it was almost there, he also had several new scars and was coughing silently. Kurenai rushed forward and cut the chains keeping him there, catching him as he fell. She turned and the three Jonins and one child rushed back out of the building.
Once out side, the ten children shouted as one.
"NARUTO!"
Rushing past the Hokage, they reached the nearest Medic in less than seconds. Putting Naruto down on the pallet, the stood back to let them do their work.
(-)
The Medic came towards them, wiping off his hands. After they had gotten Naruto stabilized, they had moved him to the hospital. Naruto's friends and family followed.
"He's going to be fine," the doctor said, "He's sleeping now, but you can't see him yet. When he next wakes up, you can."
They groaned. No amount of wheedling would get the doctors to let them see Naruto sooner. Doctors were like that.
A Nurse came running down the hall. "Doctor," she said, out of breath, "He's up."
The Doctor looked surprised. "That's impossible, we gave him enough sedatives for at least a week!"
The Nurse nodded, "I know, but he's up. And he's asking for his family."
The doctor sighed. "Let them see him."
Every one started to move. "But only his family." The Jonins continued on.
"Naru-kun!" cried Anko as soon as they entered the room, leaving Hiashi to close the door.
Naruto raised his head. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.
The Jonin got sinking feelings. "Tell you what?" Kurenai finally asked.
"That the Kyuubi was sealed inside me and that you were taking care of me because of a mission?"
Hiashi sighed. "We couldn't tell you that the Kyuubi was sealed inside you because if we did, then we would be kill. It was against the law. And we didn't tell you that we were taking care of you because it was a mission, because it's not anymore. We do it because we want to now, it stopped being a mission once you were old enough to take care of your self." he sighed again. "How did you know?"
"Mizuki told me."
"I'll kill him!" snarled Anko, clenching her fists.
Naruto smiled. "I love you."
His family smiled back.
"So do I, Squirt." said Anko gruffly.
"Your my little boy, of course I love you." Kurenai told him seriously.
"Your the son I never had. I love you too." Hiashi said.
(-)
1/25/06- 11:45: In case your wondering, Naruto could always find Shikamaru because he followed his chakra signature. He always went to him because he could tell the people what he was saying. Also, Shikamaru Neji, Lee, Hinata and Tenten can understand him because is Tenten and Lee are in the ninja academy, Hinata, Neji and Shikamaru's dads taught it to them. Also, all of these children are very precocious.
Anyway, if you want to thank someone for this chapter, thank PhoenixAngel11. I updated this because I saw my username on their favorites list. So, thanks PhoenixAngel11.
I decided that I want to change the pairing, but I don't know what to do, so please give me your votes.
Vote:
Naruto/Harem-I like this one.
Naruto/Chouji-I can't see it.
Naruto/Gaara-Hey, it could happen!
Naruto/Haku-Male or Female. I'd make her female if I put her in the Harem.
Naruto/Hinata-Maybe, but it's been done a lot.
Naruto/Hinabi-She hasn't even been born yet!
Naruto/Ino-Kinda cool.
Naruto/Kankuro-Hmm. Can't see it.
Naruto/Kiba-Not seeing it.
Naruto/Lee-Gah! Get it out of my head!
Naruto/Neji-Can't really see it.
Naruto/Sakura-Maybe.
Naruto/Shikamaru-Very possible.
Naruto/Shino-I can see it.
Naruto/Temari-Temari's cool.
Naruto/Tenten-I like this one.
Naruto/OC-Probably not.
If their not with Naruto, who should they be with?
Certain:
Hiashi/Anko
Kurenai/Asuma
(-)
Thanks for the reviews: Anonymous; Catwarrior (I know, poor Naruto!); Buttongirl; Vandrad-a3; ONCE; DragonLady of Nerkila (I hate the villagers too!); Kyree; scienceboy; Katzztar (Thanks!); itachi'smaniac (Maybe...); Crystal Inferno (I like that idea, I just might do it.); John Perry; Kai Dragon (Thats a very good point, thanks!); San child of the wolves; yared; silver windflame; sasukeandkibalover; friend; kittyclaw (I'm not so sure about Sasuke, but a lot of people seem to want Hinata on his team...); Rei , but to lazy to sign in; PhoenixAngel11 (I'm not a dude, and thanks.); sick (I have no idea what your review meant.); Jimbo Jones (Good point.); Master Sanosa (Yes I did mean to write that last post backwards.); The-Known-Unknown (Thats just a warning that it might happen because I hate Sasuke.); TheStrifeofChaos; Koharu Kage; animelover; prismdragon (Thanks!); Lady Haku (Thanks, love your username!); 678yui-julie-and-kiki-kitten; Chuni Luni; reikage-sama -lord spirit shadow- aka eight-winged chimera aka shimera riku -chimera master-; Greg; K Phusion; narsaksas; causeiambetta; tagg; Akira Stridder; Angel-eyed-Princess (Thanks!); neko-in-tears; random gaara fan; Andrew; Turok1; Cloud1239999 (No it wasn't excessive, I like tourturing people!); VenomLord; Dr Gero; Sabaku no Zak; galerian57; LINKed up; kinky-kitsune (I can tell.); kaja1234; grim500; Coheed 16 the man in the diary. (Most likley.); lady booklover (Hi sis! Stop with the insane threats. -glare-); dracakage (No, I meant that he could nod and shake his head.); kitsune-wind; Firehedgehog; Itallia (I'm getting to that.); Mr.Shooter.