Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

"DEMON TALKING"

"Character Talking"

'Character Thoughts and Inner Self'

Chapter 4: The Gathering of Storm Clouds

"What is it now," Hiruzen said wearily, rubbing his forehead. Bad things seemed to be happening; one after another. Just when he felt like things were calming down, Jiraiya returned, announcing an approaching storm; so to speak. Hiruzen suspected it would be awhile before things would start to calm down again. But, for now, he watched nervously, as Jiraiya spread seals all over the office.

He hadn't seen his former student this worried since the 3rd Great Shinobi War. And the way he was sealing everything he could lay his hands on; it was not comforting in the least.

He deftly cleared his desk of paperwork, and clasped his hands together, with his elbows on his desk; watching as his student sealed the window shut. He turned at stared at Hiruzen, as if sizing him up.

"Dismiss your ANBU," he said finally.

"Oh, of course, I nearly forgot," Hiruzen said absentmindedly. He waved his hand, and instantly, there were several swishing sounds as Jiraiya temporarily unsealed a barrier to allow the ANBU to exit the Hokage's office.

Jiraiya bowed his head, as he fought to form words. He held up a hand.

"First of all, a question," he said. Hiruzen nodded slowly, knowing exactly what Jiraiya was going to ask. "Is Minato..."

"Yes, Jiraiya," Hiruzen said solemnly. "I am sorry."

"Don't be," Jiraiya whispered, back turned. "He got his wishes fulfilled in life. He became a powerful Hokage. He married Kushina. He has a wonderful son."

Hiruzen's eyes shot open in alarm. "How do you know about that!" he nearly shouted, rising from his chair. Jiraiya did not answer him.

Hiruzen was shaking. "How could you know that?" he said, shocked. "How did you know that Naruto survived?"

Jiraiya closed his eyes, and turned to face his old Sensei. Hiruzen's eyes widened as he watched a tear escape from Jiraiya's closed eye. "We have a leak in our Village, Sensei." Jiraiya said mournfully. "If my spy network was able to discover Naruto's identity, that means someone else knows as well, and the secret is out. Naruto will never have a normal life now."

Hiruzen snarled as he thought of anyone who would dishonor the Yondaime so much as to reveal his only son. "Who could have done this," he roared angrily, smashing his fist into the wall. Jiraiya did not answer. Hiruzen whirled on him.

"And how can you say that he will not have a normal life now. We can still protect him, and if the rest of the Villager are still unaware, then the person who knows the secret of Naruto's parentage is keeping it to himself. All hope is not lost,-"

"You don't get it, do you Sensei?" Jiraiya shouted. Hiruzen blinked. "Even if only one person knows of the last Namikaze in existence, there is a reason he would keep it to himself." Hiruzen leaned forward curiously. "To keep Naruto for himself." Hiruzen's eyes widened in surprise.

"You know who is responsible?" he breathed. "Who?" he said again sharply.

After a moments hesitation, Jiraiya answered. "One who will not hesitate to use Naruto as his own experiment."

Hiruzen gasped audibly, then whipped around to face to window. 'My student, you really have fallen far, haven't you... Orochimaru.'

"Don't you see it now?" Jiraiya snapped. "Orochimaru is crafty. If revealing Naruto means to his advantage, he will undoubtedly do so."

Hiruzen's eyes widened in alarm. "He could reveal Naruto to Kumo or Iwa if it meant an alliance," he realized.

Jiraiya nodded sadly. "But, that's not all Sensei."

"What else is there?" Hiruzen asked worriedly.

"Have you ever heard of a group called the Akatsuki?"

"Akatsuki?" Hiruzen muttered stroking his chin thoughtfully. "No, I don't believe I have."

Jiraiya swallowed nervously. "They are a newly formed group in the Hidden Rain Village that are dedicated to keeping the peace. To end war and suffering."

Hiruzen smiled softly. "That sounds like a noble and worthy cause." He looked to Jiraiya and frowned when he say Jiraiya shaking his head.

"They are also after the Bijuu," he whispered fearfully. "I fear for Naruto's safety."

Hiruzen rubbed his head. One problem after another; that's what was happening right now.

"Don't you see, Sensei," Jiraiya said, clenching his fists. "He must begin his training early if he has any chance of surviving all of these threats. This is what I meant when I said that he will never have a normal life. And, it's all my fault. The life of a Shinobi is not meant for a child. I don't even know if he will be able to handle it"

Hiruzen blinked confusedly. Then he turned around and looked sadly out the window. It was true then. Hiruzen sighed helplessly. Naruto's life was not going to be easy, but he swore that he would do everything in his power to make the boy live life to it's fullest.

Jiraiya had a solemn look on his face as he stared mournfully at the Hokage monument. 'If only I had been there,' he thought angrily, digging his fingernails into his palm. 'If only I had been there, so Minato could live, and Naruto would not bear this burden of being Konoha's sacrifice, Konoha's weapon; Konoha's Jinchuuriki.'

"When, Jiraiya?" Hiruzen asked seriously, breaking Jiraiya away from his thoughts. "What can we do? How many are there? When will the Akatsuki strike?"

Jiraiya shook his head dejectedly. "I have no idea Sensei," he admitted frustratedly. "Hanzo of the Salamander has sealed the Hidden Rain's borders. Even my spy network cannot pierce it. And, worst of all, I cannot infiltrate the Rain now without triggering another War. In our weakened state, Hanzo would wipe us out in a matter of minutes. Plus, he is much too powerful for me to handle without the backup of Tsunade or..." he stopped, and breathed raggedly.

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. "Naruto's enemies are slowly rising," he said, sitting back down on his chair. "All of them, much too soon, or fast, for us to deal with them all at the same time. We mus focus on the here and now. We must find out what enemy is currently in out view... and end him."

Jiraiya nodded in agreement.

Hiruzen got up from his chair again and stared at Jiraiya hard. "The Akatsuki are a problem we must extinguish later. For now, we must set our sights on... Orochimaru," he finished difficultly. "If we let him go, he will reveal Naruto to the Hidden Stone, and be in danger once more. For now, Orochimaru, must be captured, alive... or dead.

Jiraiya jutted out his jaw, his resolve strengthened, as he closed his eyes. "Okay," he agreed. "What's the plan?"

Hiruzen lowered his head sadly. This was his duty; the eliminate his former student. 'Orochimaru, Why?'

Five Hours Later, Sunset, Top of Hokage Monument...

Jiraiya sat atop the head of his old student as he dangled his legs over the side of the Hokage monument. He looked towards the setting sun, smiling slightly as he watched it. Suddenly, he gasped, and whipped out his long-ranged telescope at the direction of the Hot Springs at the far end of the Village, giggling at what he saw.

"You will never change, will you Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya pouted childishly and removed his eye from his telescope to see his former Sensei with an identical telescope, giggling perversely.

"Neither will you Sarutobi-sensei." Jiraiya said lightly, placing his elbows on his knees.

They both sighed as they looked at the darkening clouds above. Orochimaru's betrayal had hit them quite hard, but they were not the only ones. Elsewhere, a small, six year old girl with purple hair was sobbing quietly under her blanket. Both Jiraiya and Hiruzen acted nonchalantly, but truthfully, they were both hurting inside. They could not believe how far their former comrade had fallen over the years.

Jiraiya recalled what his former team mate had said to them before he escaped along with his new group. A young, white haired boy with pale skin. A dark haired girl with a tough attitude, and a burly man with huge muscles and a huge club.

'This foolish Village will fall, mark my words. Your little Jinchuuriki will never have another peaceful moment in his life. Minato Namikaze will rue the day he ever had a child. I will burn this wretched Village to the ground, mark my words, Hokage.'

"So, where is Naruto going to go now?" Jiraiya wondered.

"I am planning to send him to Konoha's Orphanage for the time being," Hiruzen replied taking out his pipe.

Jiraiya made a face, but nodded reluctantly, understanding that little Naruto did not need any more attention drawn to himself than necessary.

"You watch him Sensei," Jiraiya warned. "Now that the damn Kurama has revealed Naruto's status as a jinchuuriki, I have no doubt in my mind that they will try to break him as much as they possibly can under the radar."

Hiruzen nodded tired, then furrowed his brow. "You mean, you won't be staying then?"

"No," Jiraiya announced, standing up. "I have to keep my sights on Orochimaru and the Akatsuki as much as I possibly can. I also have to check up on the other Villages to make sure they won't try anything."

Hiruzen nodded sadly. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot. 'Will you return?" he asked blowing smoke from his pipe.

Jiraiya shrugged, then turned to sling his large scroll over his shoulder.

"Remember Jiraiya," Hiruzen called out to Jiraiya's retreating form. "He will need you."

Jiraiya froze, and his shoulders stooped at little. Then he turned around and nodded at Hiruzen, smiling sadly, knowing that the road ahead for Naruto, was not going to be easy.

Hiruzen grinned at the giggling infant in his hands as he knocked on the door of Konoha's Orphanage. "I'll be right there," a muffled voice called from inside.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and a large plump woman moved herself sideways through the door. "Ah, Good day, Lord Hokage," she bubbled uselessly, as she caught herself before nearly tripping over her own feet.

"Good day, Cho," Hiruzen said warmly. Cho was an old friend of his from back in the academy days, but she was now retired. "I have a new addition," he said happily, holding out the baby to her. She grinned playfully, exposing her buck teeth, as the baby squirmed from her stare.

"I will be happy to take in this little one, Lord Hokage," she said joyously. He pushed the baby into her arms. "What is his name?"

Hiruzen smiled. "Naruto Uzumaki," he replied. She smiled again as she handed the baby to one of the nurses and led Hiruzen into her office for him to sign the paperwork.

Hiruzen looked around, grinning a little. 'This is it,' he mused. 'This is Naruto's lucky break. The one place I can be sure he will be safe.' He smiled at Cho as he signed the last of the papers.

He faced the looming orphanage proudly. 'Naruto, you are in good hands. Good luck to you, my boy.'

With that, he turned and walked away slowly. Cho watched him go from the window, a menacing sneer on her pudgy face.

"That old fool, Hiruzen," she muttered ferociously. "My son is gone because of this Demon he has forced to me to care for," she sobbed slowly.

Suddenly, she froze and glared at the newborn wailing in the corner. She slowly walked over to him, her hands clenched in fists. Naruto began to wail louder as she approached, sensing her hostility.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi," she murmured, as she raised a kunai above the baby's face. "YOU HAVE JUST MADE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF YOUR LIFE."

Two Years Later, Konoha Orphanage...

"Boy!" a nurse spat venomously. "Clear this up. NOW!"

The boy turned around. He was small, as two year olds usually are, with spiky blonde hair that was filled with dirt, and deep icy blue eyes. He wore a dirtied orange sweater that seemed several sizes too big, and a pair of jeans that barely reached his ankles. His gentle face was smudged with grime, covering the three whisker marks on his face, and his small hands were black with soot. He had been working all day, and nearly all night, since the day he could walk.

This boy, was Naruto.

He had never known love or friendship of any kind. Though he was a two year old, his eyes spoke his true age, as though he had lived longer. He had suffered from hunger, wounds, and severe isolation from the rest of the children. Even if he tried to talk to any of them, they turned away from him. Naruto had already guessed that the nurses told them to not play with him at all. He had no idea why.

"Well, did you hear me boy?" the nurse demanded. "Clean it up!"

Naruto gave her an icy stare, but his face remained emotionless as he obeyed her without a word, a small smile suddenly gracing his features. This confused the nurses a great deal. They had absolutely no idea why he smiled. Eventually, they came to the conclusion that the 'Demon' was trying to get them to lower their guard.

The Hokage had visited Naruto from time to time, and during that time, the entire orphanage treated him like he was a prince. They constantly thew off the ANBU watching him with with support from the Kurama Clan.

Naruto swept the floor as he wordlessly observed to other children watching him. None of them were doing work, but he did not complain. 'There must be a reason they hate me so much,' he thought sadly. 'Whatever I did, I hope I can make them like me.' Suddenly, he glanced at the calender, and gasped. The nurse heard and turned to look at hat he was looking at.

She grinned menacingly at him as the arm holding to broom began to shake lightly. He began to breathe to calm his nerves. It was his birthday. The worst day of his life. He began to remember things from an early age, Only two other times this had happened and both times, were days he nearly died.

'You can do it Naruto,' he told himself firmly, steadying his trembling body. 'Be strong. There is a good reason they are doing this. I just wish I knew what it is though. Who am I, and what did I do to make them hate me this way?'

Naruto closed his eyes, wondering when they would finally accept him. With a low sigh, he swept up the remaining vomit on the ground in front of him.

"Why did you stop? Filth," a deep voice boomed. Naruto's eyes widened in slight fear as he turned to see a fat, manlike woman looming over him like a huge mammoth.

"I'm sorry, Cho-sama," he whispered bowing. She sneered at him with her rounded teeth and grabbed his head with one hand, fiercely pushing it down, and digging her long filthy nails into his head.

"Bow lower you dog. And don't talk. You are not worthy to speak my name, much less to speak any other words." Naruto winced as he felt one of her nails pierce his head, drawing blood. She grinned as she felt him flinch. She flung him backwards with one hand, watching with satisfaction as his small body slammed into the wall, where he lay limply, trying to ignore his aching head and body.

"Take him to the bath," she said, wrinkling her nose. "God knows he needs one. Prepare him for the Hokage's arrival. We cannot mess this up, understand?" The nurses nodded frantically. Naruto did not smell, but he had to be presentable for the Hokage. It was the drill for Naruto's birthday. "After the Hokage has his fun, then our real fun, will begin," she said grinning at him. Naruto closed his eyes as he willed himself not to shudder

'Well,' he though. 'At least, the old man doesn't hate me. He's probably the only one who doesn't. But, I wish I knew why.'

Hiruzen hummed happily, unaware of Naruto's peril as he stacked and filed the last of his paperwork for the day. He looked out the window to the shining sun, smiling happily. He was going to see Naruto today. The boy was a joy. He was so kind, so respectful, and very happy, from what Hiruzen could tell. He felt had made the right decision to hand him over to Cho. For once, he felt he had done something right.

The Village had recovered from the Kyuubi's attack, though parts of Konoha still carried deep scars. There was no word from Jiraiya, but Hiruzen wasn't worried. If Jiraiya hadn't returned, it probably meant that their enemies had yet to make their move. Things were looking up. Suddenly, Hiruzen frowned as he remembered what Jiraiya had told him before he left. Naruto could not remain a child forever. It was a shame to begin to boy's training when he was so young. Though he supposed it would still be a few years until that happened.

In fact, Hiruzen had a feeling, that very soon, Naruto would need to begin his training, and this saddened him. He wanted to shield the boy from harm forever, but he knew he could not do that. He knew that sooner or later, he would have to drag Naruto out of the protective shell he had created for the boy. It was only a matter of time...

Little did Hiruzen know, that Naruto had already broken out of that shell; the day he was born.

Naruto stared at himself in the mirror, shocked. He did not look one bit like himself. His clothes were all fresh and clean, white and blue. His face was almost shining. He looked more like a noble than a peasant.

"Don't enjoy this generously bestowed gift too much DEMON," Cho bellowed from behind him. "And remember; act like you are happy, and you love it here, or you'll get such a beating.."

He nodded slowly. Even if he told the old man, what could he do about it. It wasn't like he had the power to stop it. Or so Naruto thought.

Cho snarled at him for good measure and slipped sideways through the door. Naruto took a deep breath and stepped outside after her. As the sunlight shone on him, he saw the old man, pushing his way through the orphanage gate. He felt a smile on his face. A real smile. He loved the old man more than anyone

Hiruzen grinned when he say Cho with her arm wrapped around little soon-to-be three Naruto.

"Hello, my boy," he said grinning warmly.

"Hey old man," Naruto whispered, smiling softly.

Hiruzen nodded at Cho as he offered a hand to Naruto, who quickly took it.

Naruto looked behind him to see Cho giving him a threatening stare. He closed his eyes, as he realized that there was no way to avoid what was going to happen after this was all over...

What is going to happen to Naruto now? Will Hiruzen finally realize the truth?

Next Up: Naruto's birthday takes a drastic turn in two directions