Kyuu- We'll just get right to the legal stuff and say!!!
RM- Angela Kyuuchi The FAllen now owns Naruto and will be making major changes to it.
(Kishimoto walks on with copyright paper and police. Waves paper at Randomness and Kyuu as police open handcuffs.)
Kyuu- Minor technicality!! She meant I do not own Naruto as of yet and wouldn't dream of making changes!!!
RM-That's exactly what I meant!!!
(Kishimoto nods head and walks off with police.)
RM- Cheapskate…Can't even share for a little while.
Kyuu- Anyway you should all be warned!!
RM- there will be violence, profanity, swearing, OOCness, maybe some spoilers, and blood.
Kyuu- We all hope you enjoy this chapter. Here's the info you need to know:
~Flashback~
=//= scene change
*//*//* time change
*** Character POV change or thought length
!!! spoiler alert
(…) A/N
"…"character talk
'…'character thought
Inside Naruto and Kyuubi
"…"Kyuubi and Naruto talking
'…' Kyuubi and Naruto thinking
'…'blah. Dream
Lost In Shadows
Chapter 8- Two Years
Naruto looked down at the one face he thought he would never see again after the past two years and stepped back. He looked over the woman's shoulder to see her father there with Sasuke and Sakura standing beside them. He couldn't believe this, he didn't want to believe this yet it was exactly as he feared. They were here…After keeping away from them and trying to separate himself from that part of his past it was all suddenly catching up with him. His eye flashed indigo as he felt a sweeping anger for a moment then he calmed and his eye went back to its regular blue. Taking a deep breath he asked again,
"Reiya…Ryu-san…What are both of you doing here?"
Reiya looked at him confused and on the verge of tears but Ryu answered and said,
"We had to come to tell you…About her…About your-"
"Don't!"
Naruto bit out painfully as his eyes automatically shut and the faces flashed across his mind and he took a shaky breath. As he fought back the pain and heart ache he had hoped to leave behind before he said,
"We all need to go to Tsunade to report this and I have a bone to pick with her…Team I want all of you to-"
"We're going with you sensei."
Naruto's eyes snapped open to meet the determined eyes of his team and he sighed heavily suddenly feeling too tired to fight with them and nodded his head. He looked at Sasuke and Sakura for a moment debating whether he should feel betrayed or relieved but then he just nodded before they all headed off for the Hokage tower. When they got there Naruto wasn't surprised to see the original rookie nine there and lightly glowered at Tsunade before he collapsed into a couch with Reiya and Ryu sitting on either side of him. Everyone was quiet as they waited for him to explain so he started where he should have a long time ago, when he should have. He looked at Shikamaru and took out the picture he had seen and passed it to him and the rest of the rookie nine, including Sasuke and Sakura. They all gasped as they looked at the picture but Sasuke and Sakura realized that in the house when he had acted like a family it was out of instinct. They felt a little hurt and betrayed that he hadn't shared this with them. The woman was beautiful and seemed to be Reiya's twin in everything except the eyes. The woman had a milky complexion, long waist length ebony hair and instead of brown hazel eyes, she had startling green hazel eyes. In the arms of the woman was a small five year old boy golden blonde hair and gleeful hazel eyes, he was Naruto's identical twin. In Naruto's arms was a little girl about six years old with the woman's ebony hair but Naruto's blue eyes that sparkled and crinkled when she smiled.
"That woman and the children are mine, She was Reiya's twin sister Freya and the girl was Yume, the boy Yuki. She's my wife and they're my biological children…They died not but two years ago by the man I was sent to hunt down. That was the last picture we took together the day before he killed them. That mission I took eight years ago was a mission that never existed until I asked for it. It was a revenge mission that was for me alone."
Naruto looked straight at Sasuke as he said his next words, his tone bitter and agonized as he said,
"I became an avenger…I wanted revenge against Uchiha Madara."
The room went deathly quiet save for a few shocked gasps from the female portion of the rookie nine. Sasuke's eyes went wide as two things registered in his mind, he remembered that man, his ancestor, from when he had killed Orochimaru and had seeked out his brother. He now knew why Toki had known his name, Madara sent him to kill them but he couldn't be surprised. The second thing he registered was that Naruto was warning him, showing him, practically saying, This is what happens when revenge consumes you and that's all you can think about. You loose those you grew to care for, you make mistakes, you do horrible things, and you become tainted. Sasuke couldn't process this and he couldn't understand what Naruto meant but he shivered as he contemplated what Naruto must have done to track Madara. Naruto didn't stop there though and he changed his gaze to Tsunade so he could continue on with what he had to say, his eye showing his steely resolve now that they backed him into a corner and forced him to spill everything.
"Madara Uchiha is the reason Kyuubi attacked the village, he's the reason I stand here today as the Kyuubi's container and soon to be apart of the Kyuubi no Kitsune. He's the reason I grew up unloved and parentless. He's the reason Itachi had to run, the reason the Uchiha family decided on a rebellion, the reason they had to die. He's the reason I sit here now with my father and sister-in-law without my wife and children. He's the reason my hands are tainted with innocent blood of my friends and children. Madara Uchiha is the reason I'm here making sure each and every one of you are alright and unharmed. He's the reason I won't stop until he. Is. Dead."
Naruto's eye looked at each one of them before saying,
"I'll start from all the way in the beginning…A few months after I left the village for my revenge mission all those years ago…I had change completely…I was sharper, faster, smarter, my stealth was excellent…And I had no qualms about killing anyone who got in my way…I think that's when things actually started…"
Naruto was slightly caught off guard when he felt weight on his legs and his vision was obscured by long black hair. On his lap sat Lera, her eyes shining with sympathy and unshed tears, leaning against his legs were Okami and Itsuka. Naruto took a shaky breath and started talking, remembering every single moment of his and Kyuubi's accursed life from then on.
*//*//*//* Time Change*//*//*//*
A golden yellow flash blurred through the forest as Uzumaki Naruto traced his fifth lead to a country he had heard about only in rumors, a land called the Land Of Shadows. Supposedly from the rumors the land has been at war for two years and surprisingly it's not at war with other countries but with itself. He had heard that a man with a mask that had a swirl design had been seen in one of the villages talking to the kage of it. Naruto had no doubt that Madara was trying to start another war, a worse war now that he had lost Sasuke. Naruto was only two days away from the Land Of Shadows and already everything around him was getting dimmer, darker. For months now he had been following lead to lead trying to figure out where Madara had disappeared to and here he was in plain sight trying to create a huge war out of an already small started battle. Naruto cursed himself silently as he should've known to looks for those things first when he started his search. Over the course of the months Naruto had changed and grown immensely in many ways. His hair was slightly longer as well as straighter, his face was loosing its baby fat but he covered up his now angular face with a mask similar to his old sensei, he was getting taller, he had traded in his bright color outfit for darker clothing but most of all, his mind and skills had sharpened greatly. But all of this would not have happened if it wasn't for his one traveling companion. As though knowing what he was thinking a gruff rumbling voice said from deep in his mind,
"Soon kit, soon. We shall have him…Then he'll pay. Dearly he'll pay."
Naruto's eyes narrowed and he nodded his head in silent agreement as he thought,
'Oh yes. Pay he will…For everything.'
*//*//*//*Time Change*//*//*//*
A day later Naruto entered the Land Of Shadows and cautiously entered its main village, The Village Hidden In The Shadows. Naruto kept the face mask and bandanna he now wore, on tightly so it wouldn't come off as he quickly scanned the seemingly deserted village. Suddenly, three ninja landed infront of him, one Jounin and two chuunin, the Jounin asked,
"What is your business here?"
Thinking quickly Naruto said,
"My village back home has nothing more to offer me. I wish to train here and work under your Hikage**. I will protect this land with my life alongside all of you."
Naruto assumed the Jounin approved of his answer as the Jounin gave him an appraising look and nodded his head as he motioned for Naruto to follow him. The other two that had come fell into step on either side of Naruto while the Jounin staid infront of him. Naruto immediately realized this was not for his protection but to trap him of he tried to run away or attack. Naruto smirked inwardly for they would not be able to catch him if he did decide to run. But no, he wouldn't run from this place as it served as the best cover and it would give him reason to stick around to get information. When they arrived at the Kage's office the Jounin knocked and waited till the Hikage said it was alright to come in. Finally, they entered after a faint 'come in' and in a chair in the middle of the room sat a man in his late twenties if not early thirties, with a black Kage hat on his head. He looked from his Jounin to Naruto questioningly and waited for the Jounin to explain.
"This boy-"
Naruto bristled slightly but bit his lip to keep from making a snide comment at the Jounin who was only saying what he saw. The Hikage smiled, his eyes dancing with laughter and the Jounin continued on though more carefully this time.
"…Wants to join our village Hikage-sama."
The Hikage was silent for a while as he studied Naruto before he asked in a musical voice,
"What is your name? What village do you come from?"
Naruto's brain went into high gear as the answering lies left his lips with ease as though they were truths.
"My name's Naku Namikaze. My village has no more to offer me…It is destroyed and in shambles…An avalanche destroyed it in the snowy region."
The Hikage frowned sympathetically and shook his head sadly before he asked,
"Are you the only survivor?"
Naruto's lips formed a grim line and he looked down at the floor as he played victim before saying,
"Yes, Hikage-sama."
The Kage seemed to think about this before he asked,
"Why did you choose here to come to?"
Naruto looked at the Kage's eyes; his own filled with resolve and seriousness as he said,
"Because out of all the villages it seemed as though you need extra help."
The Kage sighed tiredly and nodded his head in agreement before he looked at Naruto again and said,
"You may come into our ranks but I warn you now!!! You will continuously need to prove your loyalty until I am satisfied. Yumei will need to test you to see what rank you are. After that…Stay in the village until we figure out what to do with you."
Naruto felt one weight lift off his chest only for another to be put on as he bowed to the man and said,
"Of course, Hikage-sama. Thank you so much for your kindness as well as generosity."
The man smiled kindly and nodded his head toward Naruto before the Jounin, Yumei, turned to leave the office. Naruto followed behind and waited awhile before asking,
"What are we going to do now?"
Yumei glanced at him from over his shoulder then said still walking,
"I'm going to test how strong you are so your rank will be decided."
Naruto was almost ready to groan in childish annoyance but fought the groan back. Instead he sighed heavily and muttered darkly under his breath,
"Figures."
He caught the slight twitch upward of Yumei's lip and had the feeling they were going to become good friends after this.
*//*//*//*Time Change*//*//*//*
Two weeks later on August tenth Naruto officially became a Kagegakure shinobi and his neck adorned the hitai-ate with the character for 'shadows' around his neck and he had on an elite Jounin vest. As he had predicted after the fight he and Yumei became best friends though Naruto was a level higher than him. It was now August seventeenth and that same day of August tenth he had been introduced to his very own team of skilled elite Jounin so that they could get used to him. Today, 8/17 was the day everything changed for Naruto and he believed it was to be for the best. Naruto was looking around the village trying to map out everything in his mind and store it to memory when he noticed someone walking out a store with one too many grocery bags in her hands. She was staggering dangerously as she tried to balance the bags without dropping them. She suddenly, tripped on a loose rock in the ground and was about to fall when Naruto rushed over, steadying her and grabbing a few bags to reveal long ebony hair in a high ponytail and startling green hazel eyes. As soon as their eyes locked Naruto immediately recognized her but to his amusement she didn't recognize him. Laughing embarrassedly she said,
"Thanks you saved me. Guess you've become a life saver, huh?"
Naruto smiled lightly and shook his head before saying,
"No prob. Need help?"
She seemed to look relieved but said quickly putting her hands up and waving furiously,
"I don't want to-"
"It won't be a problem at all. Trust me."
At those two last words she seemed to relax as she smiled at him and gratefully took his help as he headed to her house that wasn't too far from his own. When they got there he put the groceries on the floor and was about to leave when she yelled,
"Hold on!! Can we do this right?"
Naruto turned around and looked at the woman thoroughly puzzled when she suddenly stuck out her hand and said,
"Hi, I'm Freya Sakichi.
Naruto chuckled and shook her hand while he said,
"I know…I'm Naku Namikaze."
He let go of her hand, turning away just when Freya's eyes went wide as she realized that this was her squad leader that had just helped her out and seen her clumsy. However, before she could say anything else he was already walking away, leaving toward his house chuckling softly. The next day as the squad came to meet together Naku was the last there and he noticed Freya's embarrassed glances at him and couldn't help but grin under his mask at her obvious discomfort. To put her at easy he stated out loud to his squad,
"You should all know that when we are together we are a family…We help each other and get our job done. We protect our home and our loved ones. When we are outside this family we can do whatever and it will not be said when we meet as a family once again unless it goes against this family or our home. So in other words when you are outside of this group you can get dumb drunk and kiss your friends wife and it will never be said or judged inside this group. That clear to everyone?"
It was quiet for a while before they all cheered at his speech and agreed whole heartedly causing him to roll his eyes playfully. He loved over to Freya who was looking at him stunned and winked playfully at her. Immediately a warm smile touched her lips and she laughed lightly mouthing a silent thank you to him but he just waved it off and bowed dramatically gaining another light laugh from her that raised his spirits. More and more meeting were spent with all of them undergoing training and bonding with one another, testing and raising working together skills as well as getting to know Freya and Yumei more and more. Little by little they all grew closer but at the same time Naruto began to hate himself for lying more and more. He hated himself for the things he began to do to save his own skin and keep the cover he had adorned. He hated himself as he killed innocent people and took lives even if they were bad. As October came and past making him seventeen years of age his skills grew quickly and he reached Anbu then raised another rank to Anbu Captain. His first year there almost over as it was November now the Hikage said that he was becoming a prodigy and would most likely be fit to run as a Hikage Candidate. Two days later of that day on November fourteenth Yumei and Freya were ecstatic to hear their friend was doing so well but it only served to remind Naruto what he had left behind and why he had originally come there. As though sensing his depression Freya came over to his house that day with his favorite ramen bowl, miso soup. Naruto had come to realize not long ago that he was falling for the ebony haired woman and at first it had worried him and so he pulled away for a while just as he did when he began to realize how close he was getting to Yumei and she. However, it didn't last long and Yumei as well as Freya had soon barged right back into his life. Naruto looked up when he heard a knock at his door and felt a familiar chakra that brought a smile to his face. Getting up from his statue like place in the kitchen as he had sat on the chair in there he made his way to the front door. Opening the door he gave the ramen holding Freya an amused look and said,
"You know the door is always open, on top of that I gave both you and Yumei keys to this place."
Freya blushed scarlet and replied,
"Yes well…I brought some miso ramen!!"
Naruto chuckled at her sudden change of topic but gratefully took the ramen and turned to walk towards the kitchen. In truth the only reason he gave Yumei the key to his home was because it would have looked strange to only give it to Freya and it would have caused talk. He did not want to become a problem for Freya even if he was potentially dangerous to her, she didn't know that though no one did. In truth Yumei was two years older than him and Freya was a year younger but only by a month. He shook his head to remove those thoughts and listened around his home and outside, feeling for anyone else. He caught the sound of the door closing with a soft click and the barely audible sound of feet walking from years of ninja training and found a strange comfort in it along with the feel of the warm homemade ramen in his hands. As he sat down at the table once again he broke apart a pair of chopsticks and slowly ate, savoring the taste of Freya's cooking as always. Freya watched from the door way from the moment not realizing Naruto was watching her too from the corner of his eyes. Finally, she made her way over to the table and sat across from him, her hands folded neatly on the table and her looking down at them. Naruto stopped eating immediately and looked at her questioningly, he had learned that when she did this she wanted to talk about something. Last time he had not headed these signs he had found out that her sister had come down with a terrible cold and she had no one to talk to save for her father. Naruto already felt the guilt from that time eating at his guilt and he took another gulp of the ramen before putting the chopsticks down and waiting patiently. She glanced at him before taking a deep breath and asking bluntly,
"What's wrong? Why are you suddenly so depressed?"
Naruto flinched away from her, startling her into looking up at him sharply her eyes wide and searching as he quickly looked away. She looked at him for a moment confused and said his name questioningly when he still wouldn't look at her. Biting his lip he said,
"It's nothing…Just…memories…Promises I made…Vows I made…things that I won't be able to do…"
Freya looked at him for a moment and nodded her head understandingly, believing it to mean that he was talking about his village in the 'snow'. He had told all his friends and squad members the same story making sure to keep the details straight and they had all believed him full heartedly. But at that moment when he had told Freya that, he wanted to shake her and yell, tell her that he was not talking about that lie but his true life in the leaf village. Tell her anything to have some of this weight and guilt lifted, to have someone to confide in, to tell that he never wanted to kill all those people, never wanted to lie and most of all that he never wanted to be born in the first place. He wanted to be selfish for once in his life and not care about the consequences or anyone else's feelings but his conscious wouldn't let him do that so he staid quiet and gave her a sad small smile. Freya must have sensed something behind that smile but Naruto didn't allow her to say anything now that he realized she wanted to talk about him. He quickly got up and headed for the door, Freya following closely behind him and when he got to the door he whirled around while opening the door and said,
"Thank you for your visit Freya-san. I'm fine as you can see and I think it's time for you to go home."
Freya was taken aback by the finality in his voice and honorific he placed at the end of her name. Freya bit her lips and hesitated before nodding her head and taking a step out the door but before she left she said,
"You can always talk to me you know…You don't have to hide anything…Like you said that day…We're a family…"
Naruto felt a pang of guilt in his heart as he heard the tears in her voice but said nothing and let her walk away while he slowly closed the door. It was three weeks after that, that Yumei's and his teams were selected this time to go on the battle felid. Naruto had remembered in the middle of the battle that Tsunade had wanted mission updates so he had separated himself from the rest of the battle to write a report on how he had decided to go undercover to get information on Madara. The minute he had let the hawk go with the report that was when everything changed for him and the times changed completely. The battle ended with a temporary win for them but when they went back to the village he, Yumei, Freya and a few other ninja's were taken into an interrogation room and met with an interrogator. Everything was quiet for a while until the interrogator said,
"We found out today that there might be a spy among our ranks…We were unable to catch the hawk that seemed to contain a message but you will tell us who it is or else each and every one of you will wish you were never born."
Naruto felt his heart skip a beat and he was slightly aware of Freya pressed against his side trembling but no one spoke. The man grinned happily and Naruto realized that this man was much scarier than Ibiki was as the man said,
"This is no problem with me."
He took a step toward Freya and Naruto's body acted as he stepped infront of her and his mouth opened automatically opened as he said in a steady emotionless voice,
"Don't. It's not her."
Everyone looked at him and he gulped before glaring at the man who resembled nothing like Ibiki who, though was scary, could be warm and kind at times. Closing his eyes he did the one thing that would make him hate himself for the rest of his existence. He lied and sentenced his best friend to death just like he did previously with other, with members of other squads and even children. Looking the interrogator straight in the eyes he lied and said,
"The traitor stands in this room and he stands by my side."
At first it didn't register, even when Naruto turned to look at Yumei but then his eyes went wide with horror and he yelled,
"No! I swear it wasn't me! Naku tell them the truth!! Tell them it wasn't me! Tell them!!"
But Naruto's eyes went dead as he watched them grab Yumei then kneel him infront of the interrogator. Suddenly, he stepped forward in-between them and asked,
"May I have the honor? So the Hikage could be sure of my allegiance."
The man seemed to hesitate before nodding and backing away but Naruto glowered and said loudly,
"Alone!"
The man frowned and huffed telling the others to tie Yumei up before the left. As soon as they left Naruto's eyes filled with tears and he fell infront of his dear friend. They looked at each other, one with confusion and the other with guilt before Naruto said tearfully,
"Forgive me! Please, please forgive me my dear friend!! However, this must be done! I cannot die yet…"
Yumei's eyes widened with understanding and shock but Naruto continued,
"I'm not a spy but I am looking for information on a man. This is the only way to get my revenge. Please! Understand me!!"
They looked at each other quietly for a moment before Yumei seemed to calm down and close his eyes. A small sad smile touched his lips as he said,
"Don't let the revenge consume you…I grow tired of the bloodshed, Naku…Please my friend…Make it quick… will never blame you for this…This is my release."
Naruto's eyes watered and he took up a katana from a nearby wall he stood over Yumei the tears falling but his eyes cold and emotionless. The only sound that was made was the sound of the Katana slicing through the air then flesh. Then all that was left was Naruto…broken. As promised Yumei died painlessly and quickly but Naruto felt pain and loss left behind. He wandered aimlessly not even realizing it was raining where he was going until he was infront of a door step and Freya was infront of him looking worried. His blank eyes met with her watery ones and he felt another wave of pain hit him and he collapsed into her but she caught him a little awkwardly. She half dragged him half carried him into her kitchen and he vaguely remembered her telling him that her sister and father were out of town. He could see and hear her rushing around but it was like he wasn't there and he was just an observer. He felt so disconnected from his body and it was only when he felt warmth envelope him that he realized he was crying, sobbing and that Freya was hugging him and shushing him soothingly. Slowly, as the sobs racked his body he felt himself connect with the agony and his arms wrapped around her small body pulling her closer. He suddenly felt something wet on his head and realized she too was crying as she stroked his hair. A few more hiccups and shuddering breaths then Naruto was partially back in composure but when he tried to pull away Freya pulled him in closer and whispered in his ear,
"Aishiteru."
Naruto's eyes widened and he froze as those words fought their way into his brain to be processed. Naruto lifted his head until his eyes met hers and held them, the feelings whirling around in them as he asked,
"What did you say?"
Freya blushed but said with a look of determination on her face,
"I love you…I wanted to say that before…If…"
Freya choked on a sob and this time it was Naruto's turn to comfort her as he understood what she meant. 'Before one of them died… If one of them were accused of being spies…' Naruto clenched his eyes shut as he remembered Yumei's face and he pulled her close and whispered hoarsely,
"I…I-I love you…too."
He heard her shuddering gasp before she fell to her knees and cried into his chest. He buried his face in her hair before remembering he was covered in blood… She was most likely covered in blood also. Finally, she calmed down but they stayed like that for a while until Naruto's impulse took over and he tilted her head up to his and brought her mouth to his. At first he kiss was gentle, similar to a butterflies wings but soon urgency took over and they bit and kissed fiercely. All the pent up feelings and hidden passion released and urgent to have the objects of those feelings. That night as Naruto led her into the bedroom he couldn't have felt more guiltier or more happier.
*//*//*//*Time Change*//*//*//*
Little wisps of hair tickled Naruto's face as he lay on the grass with eyes closed but soon one eyes cracked open to meet green hazel eyes. His eyes closed again and a small smile graced his lips as Freya sat beside him and turned her gaze toward the sky. It had been two months since Yumei's execution and year one of his stay was almost over. He and Freya had become lovers and the Hikage had fully approved of the matching even letting them stay on the same team together. He had yet to tell Freya his true identity and at times he had a wave of guilt hit him but most often he had nightmares about Yumei and it tortured him constantly. Only when he was with his team or with Freya did everything cease and he was content or his mind was off of it. He felt a soft hand trace the features of his face and leaned into Freya's hand finding it comforting as he could smell her faint scent of lilacs. His eyes fluttered open when her lips brushed against his and he followed her lips deepening the kiss that she immediately sighed and leaned into. He chuckled throatily before pulling away and sighing contently then asking,
"Has your father taken to hating me now that you told him?"
Freya laughed lightly and it brought a smile to his face then she said,
"No…He actually had a feeling it was going to happen…He said it was a father's instincts but that he gives us his blessings."
As she said the last part she blushed and Naruto sputtered turning a dark scarlet color then saying,
"We're not marrying yet!!"
Freya blushed a brighter shade of pink but her eyebrow arched and she asked,
"Yet?"
Naruto blushed scarlet once more before looking away and muttering quietly,
"Yes yet…I want to spend my life with you but if-"
"I would like to spend my life with you too, love."
She interrupted him seeing where the sentence was going and not wanting to hear it or let him think that way. She was instantly rewarded with a brilliant smile from him and a soft kiss relaying his love and gratitude. But it was also that day that things were going to change once again for Naruto but most of all it would be when his revenge would be put aside and he would find happiness once again.
=//=//= Scene Change =//=//=
Naruto kicked the door to his house closed and sighed as his shirt dropped to the floor and walked heavily to his bathroom. He could still hear the girl's screams from when she saw him coming at her with a katana but he couldn't get the image of her wide eyes and open mouth as the katana swung down. It was another mission to test his loyalty to the Hikage and the village, it seemed that the people there were planning on betraying him and he wanted them all exterminated, even the children so the children would not grow up to want revenge. The Hikage said it was a mercy killing so to kill the children quick but Naruto just couldn't see how killing innocent children was merciful in anyway. Naruto had pushed away all the comfort that the Kyuubi was trying to give him and ignored the words that were echoing in his head from the demon fox. He leaned against the wall as he stepped into the shower and let the water run over him washing the blood and dirt off of him. His eyes were blank and unseeing as he stared at the wall the water running over his face from his hair, the water stained a brownish pink from the dirt and blood. Finally, Naruto got out of the shower and looked into the mirror over the sink and gazed as himself, shocked by the person who he saw looking back at him. Instead of the hyper bright ninja he remembered he saw blue eyes dulled to a dim light blue instead of sparkling sapphire, blonde haired dulled to a wheat blonde instead of gold tresses and tanned skin was pale and almost sick looking. He had been taking mission after mission trying to both do his job as a ninja and gather information on Madara Uchiha. His original mission was going well and he had decent tabs on the masked rebel ninja. But his missions that he took for Kagegakure were beginning to take a toll on him both physically and mentally. He could hardly sleep without his guilt ridden nightmares waking him up in the middle of the night screaming and in a cold sweat. He washed his mouth and face while he thought about what he was going to do but when he lifted his face he let out a startled yell as he saw Yumei's face in the mirror for a moment instead of his own. He stumbled backward out of the bathroom and into the hallway but as he turned his hand flew out to strike when he saw someone behind him. But it was blocked and a familiar feminine voice yelled out,
"Naku! It's me, relax!!"
Naruto looked down at Freya for a minute processing that it was her and letting it register before he took a shuddering breath and closed his eyes. He opened them again when he felt a hand ghost over his forehead and saw a worried Freya looking him over and he grabbed her hand before she realized he captured her lips in a soft kiss then her eyes slowly closed allowing it to happen. Naruto's eyes clenched as the images flashed into his head and he pulled away laying his head against hers and whispering softly,
"I can't…I need to tell you the truth…I need to…It's the only way."
Freya looked at him confused at what he meant and he took a deep breath before he pulled her behind him and led her to his bedroom. He sat her down on his bed and began to pace the room unsure of where to start and if he really should but when he looked back at her and saw her open excepting expression he couldn't hold it in anymore and he fell to his knees infront of her and said his eyes pleading with her,
"You have to understand. You have to let me finish before you say anything. Do you promise? Promise me, please!!"
Freya looked at his eyes and saw his urgency and guilt so she nodded her head slowly, only then noticing that this was the only time she saw him with his mask and bandanna off, when he was at home with her or her family other wise it was always up. He nodded his head and got up from infront of her to pace the room again and he began,
"Re-Remember…Remember when…When Yumei died for…Do you remember? Do you remember why?"
Freya stiffened but nodded her head slowly unsure of where he was going with this when he had tried so hard to avoid the topic in other conversations. Naruto glanced at her and nodded but continued and said quietly,
"It was a lie…He wasn't the spy…There never was a real spy…At least not for this village…the spy was looking for information on a man…Yumei knew who the spy was in the end because the spy told him…The spy asked for his forgiveness and like a good friend…Yumei gave it to the spy…The spy granted Yumei's last wish and freed him from the blood battles, killing him quickly and painlessly…"
Freya's eyes went wider with every word he spoke as understanding dawned on her and a look of horror took place on her face. Naruto stood stock still and looked out the window while his hands clenched and unclenched but he wasn't done talking and spilling everything quite yet.
"The spies name is Naruto Uzumaki and he's the Jinchuuriki for the Kyuubi no Kitsune. He comes from the village hidden in the leaves from the land of fire and his mission is a revenge mission and he's looking for a man named Madara Uchiha to kill him."
Freya stood up slowly and watched him unsure if she should run and tell or hug the boy she saw ready to break infront. Naruto closed his eyes and was prepared for either the running feet or the angry yell of 'traitor'. Instead he had Freya's soft voice asking him,
"Did Yumei really know you were a spy in the end?"
Naruto looked at her straight in her face letting her see the falling tears and pain in his eyes then said steadily,
"He told me I shouldn't let my revenge consume me…That he would never blame me for killing him…that it was his release from this…I don't believe him…"
Freya stepped up to him and wiped the tears away before saying,
"You should…Because I know I forgive you…And I'm sure he knows how much you actually cared for him…Just as you care for me…Just like you care for everyone even if you don't know them."
Naruto bit his lip and shook his head, closing his eyes shut tightly, a small keening noise escaped as he tried to hold back the sobs. Freya held him against her and looked up at the ceiling silently asking their god why life was so cruel to Naruto and why he carried so much pain. Turning her face to his hair she said,
"You are too kind…You hold so much pain because you take on everyone's burdens. You're such a nice person…You need to think about your self for once…Stop trying to get revenge for a little while…Stay…Love me…Stay with me…in this village…please…"
Freya prayed that he would, that he wouldn't disappear when this was all over and the sun rose high in the sky. She prayed that he would still love her, still trust her, and open up to her like he was now. But somehow she felt that something's wouldn't stay like this forever. A few minutes later he calmed down and they were laying on the bed side by side, Freya in Naruto's arms curled against his side. Their breaths in sync as they relaxed on the bed with their eyes closed and listening to the noises around them when suddenly Freya raised her head and looked at Naruto questioningly and asked,
"So Naku's not your real name?"
Naruto hesitated but opened his eyes, his meeting hers and shook his head replying cautiously,
"No…Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto."
Freya just smiled and snuggled closer to him before suddenly saying loudly,
"Naru!"
She giggled and he looked at her slightly confused before she clarified it with another giggle saying,
"Your pet name is Naru! Mine, mine, mine! Only mine…Naruto is only mine…Naru, Naru, Naru…Never leave me, Naru."
As she said this her voice got softer and softer until she was asleep and Naruto was looking down at her with a small soft smile. Kissing her lightly on the head he closed his eyes and began to drift off also as he let her soft breathing lull him into a dreamless sleep for the first time in months. When Freya woke she almost went into a panic as she felt the space next to her empty but as she heard the shower running she allowed herself to calm down when she suddenly heard the shower stop. She looked up and waited until she saw a half dressed Naruto walk into the room and she immediately saw the difference. His step was bouncier and livelier but also his skin was less sick looking and his eyes were a brighter shade of blue, his hair a shinier blonde and his smile when he saw her seemed to brighten up the whole room. It was so contagious that she also smiled to him finding that this was the person who she had fallen in love with that day that he had helped her with her bags. Chuckling he said in a lively voice,
"Well good morning sleepyhead. Finally, decided to wake up and join the living people?"
Freya chuckled and said,
"Oh shush! I'm not that much of a deep sleeper!!"
He bowed low, his damp hair falling over his face and said,
"Of course your majesty!! How could I even dare say something so untrue! It's outrageous!!"
Freya threw a pillow at his laughing gleefully and was rewarded with Naruto jumping into bed with her and a little wrestling match between the two. Little squeals and deep chuckles erupted from the bed as they played until Naruto finally pinned her and kissed her lightly on the noise getting a small giggle from the ebony haired woman. They stayed like that for a while, just looking at each other and storing this feeling to memory before he got up and said,
"Come one, up from the bed. A messenger came to collect us saying we had a mission that the Hikage had for us and the team."
Freya sighed unsurprised that Naruto had yet another mission when suddenly everything clicked into place and she looked at him slowly to see Naruto watching her carefully. He saw the realization in her eyes and nodded his head slowly knowing what he had been suspecting for months. The Hikage was making him do the dirty work since he wasn't a true ninja of this village and he didn't want to taint any of his ninja. He saw the anger flash in Freya's eyes and she said heatedly,
"He shouldn't be doing that…It's not right. Is he planning to just throw you away after you have no more dirty work to do?"
Naruto shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and said carelessly,
"All we ninja's know we are simply tools for our leaders. Why should your Kage be any different? I have only ever met two and heard of one who was different or at least tried to be different."
Freya frowned and asked,
"Who? What Kage?"
Naruto smiled warmly reminiscing and said warmly,
"My home…Konohagakure…Old man Sarutobi was the third Hokage and he was always really kind and cared about his ninja. My father too…Minato Namikaze…the Fourth Hokage…he gave his life to protect the village…Then…Tsunade-neechan…"
Freya got up slowly and hugged him tightly replying quietly,
"I wish I could see where you grew up…It sounds like a great place with good people…There are barely any good people left here and our kind Hikage is being corrupted by all this war…"
Naruto rested his cheek against her head and breathed heavily before saying softly,
"Maybe…One day…I'll take you to my home…My real home…"
"I would like that very much."
Freya replied happily as they stayed in each others arms, Naruto looking out the window feeling slightly homesick.
*//*//*//* Time Change *//*//*//*
Naruto gingerly touched the eyepatch over his eye and winced at the pain that flashed through it. A low growl escaped his lips when he heard a deep rumbling laugh from deep inside his mind and snapped annoyed,
"Shut up! This crap hurts!!"
There was another deep chuckle before the Kyuubi said, making his presence known in his mind by the clicking of claws.
"Sorry kit. However, I find this to be highly amusing though a bit discomforting…We're merging…Fast…"
Naruto quieted and stared straight ahead unseeingly as he spoke with the Kyuubi in his mind.
"My eye…will it go back to normal?"
"Normal? That is normal for it now…It replace your no good eye for my eye…We're going to be fully merged quicker than we expected if you keep getting injured so severely…At least your skills haven't diminished because you can't open the eye…At least not around anyone that would suspect and these people would definitely suspect…"
"You're right…As usual…How annoying…Don't you ever get tired of being right?"
The Kyuubi laughed good naturedly and in an almost fatherly way said,
"As much as I would love to say yes, I'm afraid I love to tease you about it too much. But to change the topic completely. Are you really going to give it to her today? It's been a year already and on top of it it's your birthday today…Eighteen yare, yare you've gotten old."
"Hey! I'm not that old!! And like you should talk, you're at least five thousand years old!!"
"Hmm...So I am…How interesting…that means I'm your elder and you should respect me."
Naruto rolled his eyes and snorted highly amused by this and said,
"Yeah, right. Whatever you say furball. Yes I am planning on giving it to her today…I'm a little nervous though…"
"You'll do fine Kit…She's going to have a nice surprise for you by the way…Oh wait, I told you that already."
Naruto growled now highly annoyed, for the past few days the fox had been hinting at something that Freya had for him. He was completely baffled by what the Kyuubi was talking about and since he had told Freya all about him and the Kyuubi he told her what he said. However, when he asked Freya if she had anything to tell him she would complain about the fox being nosey then deftly change the topic and his question would never get answered. It had been bugging him for a while now and having the damn fox teasing him about it didn't help at all. Just when he was about to snap at the fox when Kyuubi began to retreat into his mind and left an echoing message,
"Bye, Kit. She's coming!"
His tone of voice was singsong just adding to his annoyance at the fox and the whole situation. Taking a deep breath to calm himself he caught the opening and closing of the front door before he heard Freya call to him hesitantly. He frowned when he heard the hesitance wondering what was wrong so he peeked his head in the living room and saw her pacing infront of his small fireplace but she quickly stopped when she sensed him entering the room and looked at him straight in the eyes. In her eyes there was a mix of excitement and worry while his held confusion, wonder and slight nervousness. He felt his pocket and could make out a bulging shape in them and mentally nodded his head checking it off his list. He waited, wanting her to get what ever she needed to talk about out and he didn't have to wait long because she sat and looked at him imploringly. Reaching in his pocket as he sat he began to take out what he had to give her when she suddenly blurted out,
"I'm pregnant!"
Naruto's mouth fell open and a small velvet box fell to the floor as he looked at her unable to express his feelings. However, once he saw the fear and worry cross her eyes a slow excited grin grew on his face and at seeing his excitement she started grinning too. Naruto hurriedly picked up the box and held it out to her she looked at it confused until he opened it. Laying inside was a ring that held a moderate size diamond and Freya's eyes grew wide when Naruto asked,
"Would you marry me, Sakichi Freya and become Uzumaki-san?"
Freya looked at him, tears in her eyes and biting her lip while nodding her head furiously before throwing herself at him. They laughed and cried happily rejoicing in the news of both getting married and having a child. He found out the baby was conceived in August and that she had been looking for the right time to tell him and she had hoped this would be the best time. The only thing he heard from the fox was a faint message,
"Good job, Kit, Good job. I'm happy for you."
*//*//*//* Time Change *//*//*//*
Naruto looked down at the baby girl in his wife's arms and felt his heart skip a beat and tears well up in his eyes. Freya looked up at him tiredly and said,
"Look isn't she beautiful?"
Naruto smiled down at them and nodded his head before whispering as not to wake the sleeping baby girl from her sound rest.
"What shall we name her?"
Freya thought about it long and hard, her lips in a small pout as she thought as usual. She looked at him her eyes alight as she said,
"Yume…A gift for Yumei."
Naruto looked at her for a moment before resting his forehead against hers and nodding his head replying quietly,
"It's perfect…I'm sure he'd be happy as well as honored knowing him…"
"Hmmm…Welcome to the world little Yume…I hope you have sweet dreams…"
Freya whispered tiredly as she rested her head against Naruto's chest as he fitted himself behind her so she could rest on him and he could have them both in his arms. He stayed away even after they both fell asleep but would always get up easily once he saw the baby begin to squirm around and he would rock her back to sleep unless she was hungry then he would wake Freya up and she would feed the baby. Naruto always felt entranced by the baby when her looks revealed and he saw her ebony hair like her mother and his sapphire eyes when she opened her eyelids. Naruto prayed he would be a good enough father as he never had one of his own and that he'd be able to protect and take care of his family even if he had to give his life for them. He stored the fact that his daughter's birthday was in April deep into his mind so that he would never forget and cherish this day for as long as he could.
*//*//*//* Time Change *//*//*//*
Freya looked at Naruto highly amused while he looked at her in total shock and disbelief before he growled out,
"That is the last time we have sex!!!"
Freya laughed out right at him as she touched her belly and said,
"Aww!! But I thought you wanted another baby!!"
Naruto growled and just about pounced on her but thought better of it when he remembered about the baby and as though sensing that she stuck out her tongue earning her another growl but this one more playful. It had been two years since Naruto came to the village to stay and Yume, their daughter was one and Naruto found out that he had another child on the way. He couldn't believe that at the age of eighteen he already had two children on the way, he wondered silently what his real father must have felt when he heard he was having a child. Naruto slowly started smiling as he looked over to his one year old little girl and found that he didn't care and that he was happy with his daughter and would definitely be happy with another child.
"You are one lucky woman Freya…"
Freya laughed and asked teasingly,
"Oh am I now? And please share why that is?"
Naruto grinned and lightly kissed her on the nose as he wrapped his arms around her, reeling her closer to him and said,
"Because we are having to beautiful children but a beautiful woman and a ninja father."
Freya looked at him and hummed in agreement before leaning in and capturing his lips with hers but he pulled away after a while and said,
"You're going to be sexually deprived for a long time after this kid."
Freya pouted and complained loudly,
"Aww!! Why!? It's not my fault I love you so much!!"
Naruto snorted but they both smiled when Yume let out a high pitched giggle as she looked at them. Naruto grinned wider and scooped her up in his arms twirling her around and pretending to be an airplane. Freya watched happily as they played had found that no matter what Naruto worried about he was a wonderful man and great with kids. She had to admit she was a lucky woman to have such a man and to have such a family.
~Owari~
Kyuu-
RM- Stay on track please!!! You should all know that this is only filler and about half of the next chapter is going to be filler.
Kyuu- Don't worry all you Yaoi fans!! There will definitely be yaoi but I'm just working it up to there. ^^ I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and sorry it took so long!!
RM-Any Japanese words will be listed below. We hope to see you next time, Ja ne!!
Kawaii- cute, adorable
Yare, yare- well, well
Kyuubi no Kitsune- literal translation 'Nine tailed Fox'
Hikage- Shade
Aishiteru- I love you