..::..

So here we are for another of my crazy ideas. I'm still working on recreating the chapters for several stories after the demise of my laptop and all my data, but my enthusiasm is practically non-existent.

Please be patient. That said, please do me a courtesy by not demanding that I update. I have received several PMs demanding that I do so. I won't name the peeps that have done it, for you know who you are, but I won't encourage you to continue.

I don't care for your threats at this point. With all my data gone, I have no problems in leaving it that way and walking away from Fan Fiction all together.

This idea, believe it or not, came from re-watching movies that I've enjoyed. The only reference is a weapon and skills surrounding that weapon, but that's all. The movie in question is … Troy. I loved the books the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer, and I loved the movie.

So I'm going with the usual 16 years old graduation point, with the Clan Heirs being 15 years old. You'll read that Naruto failed his second attempt at the Graduation Exam, but I'm going to explain the age skip in the story in the next chapter - if I update.

Please enjoy the chapter.

..::..

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR TROY.

..::..

"Ramen" – Speech

'Ramen' – Thoughts

"Ramen" – Bijuu/Summon Speech

'Ramen' – Bijuu/Summon Thoughts

"Ramen" – God/Deity Speech

'Ramen' – God/Deity Thoughts

..::..

Naruto Uzumaki grumbled as he walked down the dusty road to his small apartment in the Red Light District in Konoha. He'd just failed in his second attempt to pass the Genin Exam, and he was starting to feel a feeling that he hadn't ever felt before: defeat. In Naruto's life, he'd never once felt the desire to give up or surrender to the hand that Kami seemed to have laid out for him, but that resistance was now all but gone. The sheer negativity that he tried so strongly to ignore had finally worn him down and he was at a loss on how to continue.

'Does this mean I have no future as a Shinobi?' he thought – his depression at an all-time high. 'I mean, I know that they're sabotaging my education, but even so …'

He was starting to delve deeper into his despair when a familiar, but bored voice brought him back to reality.

"Everything on the table is 90% off," the entirely too bored voice called. "Get a great bargain today, courtesy of the Emporium."

Looking towards the source of the voice – Naruto came face to face with a plain, but still beautiful young lady with deep brown eyes ad equally dark hair styled into twin buns.

"T-Tenten?" he croaked. Tenten had been one of two students to ever associate with him in the Ninja Academy, and the only girl that had ever been nice to him – he could safely say that she was his first ever crush. Though with time, Naruto came to feel something akin to familial love to the brown eyed girl.

"N-Naruto?" she responded in shock – before surprising the blonde haired boy by hugging him tightly – earning a blush from the boy. "I haven't seen you since the Academy Exam. It's completely unfair that Mizuki-sensei failed you on the Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Jutsu) again. You have entirely too much Chakra for it."

"Yeah," Naruto replied quietly – his cheeks still pink from the warm feeling in his stomach. "But they don't teach other Bunshin techniques at the Academy."

Tenten winced at the reminder. "Yeah, maybe my dad can help you though?"

"I doubt your father can help," Naruto muttered bitterly. At Tenten's slight glare, he reiterated. "I mean, it's illegal outside of Clan Training to educate an Orphan unless determined by a Clan or by Apprenticeship."

Tenten sighed in thought. "That's only Jutsu training though, Naruto. I'm sure my dad can point you in the right direction, at least."

Naruto's eyes brightened slightly. "You really think so?"

"Yup, I know so," Tenten responded with a resolute nod. With that, Naruto and Tenten spent the next half hour discussing Naruto's problems with Jutsu and his apparent lack of control – despite the Chakra Control Techniques that the Academy educated them with. The entirety of Naruto's problems had Tenten frowning about the whole predicament.

"This is totally unfair to you," Tenten declared hotly – earning another warm feeling in Naruto's chest at the defensive nature that Tenten displayed on his behalf.

Her enraged declaration drew the attention of her father, Han. He'd heard some of their discussion, but after a complete retelling from his daughter – Han's frown proved the two related.

"Well there's nothing you can do but to appeal to the Sandaime (Third) Hokage for assistance," Han commented as he analysed the Jinchūriki (Power of Human Sacrifice) before him. The boy was thin – too thin his paternal instincts told him, and his long, wild blonde hair was only in its state to lack of care – likely due to no one properly educating the boy. The boy's thin, scrawny body also explained his short stature, as the lack of nutrition his body was suffering from.

'Minato was taller at this boy's age,' Han thought – oh yes, he knew about the boy's true identity as he could see the plain resemblance of his ex-teammate and secret wife Kushina Uzumaki-Namikaze in the boy.

"I have appealed to Oji-san," Naruto replied in a small voice – intimidated by the large man's intense gaze. "He doesn't believe me and mutters about me being lazy."

Han instantly relaxed his gaze at Naruto's reaction, but kept them narrowed as both he and his daughter hummed in thought. Han then suggested something that would forever change Naruto's life.

"Then pick a weapon," Han proposed.

"Oh – great idea, dad," Tenten exclaimed. "Then we can train with Naruto and since it's not Jutsu – it won't be illegal to do so."

Naruto hesitated – something that both father and daughter noticed. Tenten smiled encouragingly at Naruto – she had always felt that he deserved more than the way he was treated, and she often found her thoughts drifting to the boy – always wondering if he was eating properly or getting enough sleep. Tenten wondered if that was what it was like to have a younger brother.

"Y-You're serious, aren't you?" Naruto questioned in shock.

"Absolutely," Tenten beamed. "I'm always serious when it comes to weapons and training!"

That had Naruto chuckling softly. 'Yep, same old Tenten – please don't ever change.'

..::..

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Sandaime Hokage frowned into his Crystal Ball. He'd been watching Naruto closely since he failed the Exam, as he genuinely worried for his surrogate grandson's mental health. The boy had been on the receiving end of so much negativity that it was a miracle from Kami that he hadn't snapped already!

His frown became a soft smile as he interacted freely with his Academy friend Tenten – a young girl that he'd forever be thankful for, for befriending Naruto. His frown returned when they discussed his problems and it left the Hokage wondering.

'I know that Naruto is hiding an incredible intelligence under his façade,' Hiruzen hummed. 'But to pinpoint every flaw in his education is something I have not seen since Minato attempted to overhaul the Academy's Shinobi Program.'

Hiruzen continued to watch and felt an intense guilt ripple through him as Naruto pointed out that he had appealed to him. 'I thought he was just being lazy, but now that I know what an amazing intelligence he's hiding … I know he's not. I should have seen it sooner with his Uzumaki DNA.'

The Sandaime vowed to teach him a more extensive technique.

His eyes sparkled when Han and Tenten suggested a weapon and Hiruzen nodded in approval – it was an excellent idea as all prominent Uzumaki and Namikaze Warriors had learned to use a weapon or two.

'I wonder what weapon he will choose,' Hiruzen pondered.

He felt his eyes widen before panic set in at as his surrogate grandson became mesmerised by the weapon of his choice. He instantly leapt to his feet and alerted the nearby ANBU as they all suddenly felt Naruto's unmistakably dense chakra skyrocket – mere moments later, they were speeding towards the source of the Chakra.

'How in Kami's name did one of those weapons get into Konoha?' he feared the answer to his silent question.

..::..

Naruto's nervous gaze shifted from Han to Tenten, and then to the offered weapons on the table. There were weapons of all shapes and sizes, and Tenten wasted no time at all in describing them in great detail, along with explaining their various uses, positives and negatives. Her voice became distorted and eventually faded as his blue eyes landed on a single, large object that leaned against the table, wrapped in an aged, dirty cloth. He felt a soft tug on his Chakra and mind and his eyes became glassy and then, without even thinking about the consequences – he picked the object up.

Naruto marvelled at the feel of the object, and removed the cloth from said item. The form of a blackened shield that held a golden tint shone in the evening light as it was revealed. On the back of the shield, where one would hold the shield, was a sheath attached with a blade sheathed inside. The shield was light, but something told Naruto that it was far from delicate. The shield was circular, but not an exact circle as there were two graceful curves cut out from either side – something that revealed the sheathed sword on one side. Ironically, the beautifully formed curves were also circular in design. Mesmerised by the odd design, Naruto caressed the light material. It felt like hardened leather, but the golden tint on the blackened surface indicated chakra metal augmentation, whilst the intricate designs that depicted warriors in strange armour battling hid multitudes of master level Fūinjutsu (Sealing Techniques). [AN1]

'Wait, how did I know that?' Naruto clenched his eyes shut as the feeling of intense pain suddenly attacked his mind.

Fighting through the pain, he was still unable to tear his eyes away from the mysterious sword and shield. Naruto unknowingly shifted the shield with expert ease with his left arm and moved to grip the sword's hilt with his right hand. He was so entranced by the sudden humming in mis mind that he could no longer hear anything else … so it came to no surprise that he couldn't hear Han desperately calling for him to stop from removing the sword from its sheath.

Oblivious to the outside world – Naruto pulled the blade free with a smooth, fluid motion that caused the blade to hiss … proving its lethal nature.

Almost immediately following the blade's release, it grew hot in his grip but try as he might, Naruto was unable to let go. Something began to probe his mind and chakra – he felt it deep in his mind and body – painfully analysing his thoughts, memories, fears, aspirations and chakra.

It was judging him.

With a pained scream, Naruto's chakra retaliated against the intruder and skyrocketed in power – blowing back the table covered in weapons. Tenten, Han and several unfortunate onlookers that were too close to the blonde haired boy, were caught in it as Naruto tore his vocal chords apart by screaming loudly in fear and pain. Tears of blood escaped his eyes, nose and ears as he bared his teeth – screaming to the heavens. His long, dirty hair whipped wildly around his head as the very earth surrounding him was torn apart. The earth cracked and began to rise around his form.

Dark, angry seals became prominent in the light of an impossible sight … his chakra had become so dense that it had become visible to everyone watching the scene in morbid, horrified fascination. Naruto's screams grew louder as blood escaped his mouth – showing those watching that the blonde was indeed tearing his throat apart by the scene in front of them.

The dark, angry seals shattered, sending another wave of chakra outward.

But then … Naruto's screams died and his usually carefree gaze shifted to the Sandaime Hokage as he appeared on the scene. Those that truly knew Naruto instantly noticed that his eyes had narrowed and now shone with a deadly glint. The chakra surrounding Naruto stopped spiralling out of control and seeped back into the boy's body – thus causing the earth to return to the cracked and destroyed earth surrounding him. The calm had everyone sighing in relief as the ambience of the village was restored.

Then it went south as a Chūnin decided that it was the perfect time to put the Jinchūriki down once and for all.

The Chūnin moved without his Hokage's orders with a kunai raised to kill. Tenten screamed for Naruto to move, but it was the Chūnin that was totally unprepared for what happened next. In a single and entirely too fluid a motion, the Chūnin found his throat sliced open by the blade in Naruto's hand. Now completely visible to those watching, they noticed that the blade was an incredible golden colour that now dripped with the dead Chūnin's blood. The blade, like the shield curved gracefully on itself and was intricately decorated. [AN2]

..::..

Han almost laughed when Naruto's gaze landed on the old sword and shield that had somehow evaded purchase since his great, great grandfather brought the bloody things home to Konoha. His ancestor had become obsessed with studying and learning everything to do with the sword and shield … well the shield anyway, as no one could remove the blade from its sheath.

'Come to think of it,' Han thought with confusion. 'No one knew just where he got them, and he never told the family how he got it either.'

Han was ripped from his thoughts as an incredible dense chakra descended upon the immediate area. Han shuddered violently under the pressure. 'W-What is happening?'

Han instantly narrowed his gaze and honed in on the only possible source: Naruto. Said boy had been frozen for several minutes now with a blank stare aimed at the sword and shield. Tenten then shrieked in fear of Naruto's health and safety as they bore witness to the blood escaping his eyes, nose and ears. Han was instantly on guard as he spotted at least half of the Village's Shinobi and Kunoichi were now on edge – watching Naruto's smaller form

"What is happening, Han?" Hiruzen's voice shouted over Naruto's screaming.

Han jumped and turned a fearful gaze to meet the hardened glare of his leader, the Sandaime Hokage.

"Han," Hiruzen growled. "Would you care to explain to me how my surrogate grandson got a hold of a Namikaze Relic?"

That revelation earned several sharp intakes of breath from those watching on … none more so than a blonde haired woman watching more in fascination than the fear displayed by the civilian populace. Her glare landed on the Sandaime, who instantly winced when he noticed her murderous look.

'Oh dear,' Hiruzen groaned. 'Of all the people to hear that … it had to be Minato's secret sister.'

"N-Now that you mention it," a civilian could be heard. "Doesn't he look eerily similar to the Yondaime (Fourth) Hokage?"

"You're right!" another declared. "It's scary how identical they look … how did we not know this?"

Several more conversations broke out and all of them revolved around the child.

'They've all noticed,' Hiruzen swallowed. 'By tomorrow the rest of the Elemental Nations will know.'

The Chakra dispersed and all it left was a deadly gaze that had everyone shivering … it was exactly the same as Minato's 'Hokage Face' … making the boy look even more like his father. Then a Chūnin moved to kill the boy, and everyone tensed. However, before anyone could intercept the idiot Chūnin, Naruto moved with such deadly grace that it put some ANBU to shame by slicing the man's throat open. The blade in his hand actually sang as it sliced through the air and then the Chūnin's throat.

Silence then ensued the area as Naruto warily eyed the various Shinobi and Kunoichi in the immediate vicinity – prepared for any further retaliation. Tenten carefully approached the blonde – all the while making soothing noises.

"Naruto," Tenten soothed. "Please come back to us. You know that I wouldn't lie to you … no one will try to hurt you … just please come back."

Naruto eyed Tenten but moved sluggishly by sheathing the sword and dropping his guard. Tenten smiled and carefully hugged the boy – who huffed tiredly but cautiously returned the embrace. Tenten felt her heart melt when Naruto whispered: "Onee-chan."

Naruto fell asleep in her arms.

..::..

Mebuki Haruno was furious. Minato's last will and testament clearly stated that if Jiraiya: The Gama (Toad) Sage was unable to care for Minato's then unnamed son, then she would assume the responsibility of raising the boy. On that fateful night when her dearest brother and his wife surrendered their souls to the Shinigami (Death God) to seal the Kyūbi no Kitsune (Nine-Tailed Fox) – she went to check on her nephew, only to be told that he perished.

Foolishly she believed them, and went about her way to raise her precious daughter Sakura. When Sakura told her that she had befriended the Jinchūriki, she was proud – as she had complete faith in her brother's Fūinjutsu. That pride didn't last as Sakura ruthlessly crushed the boy's heart when she joined the crowd to publically persecute the boy. Mebuki never saw the boy's face, but he remembered his cries when she overheard her daughter berating him one day. She wanted to calm the boy, but he'd fled. Sakura had been grounded for months after that, but she still continued to follow the crowds for a while longer. Then one day, Sakura stopped but the damage was done, and Naruto stayed as far away from Sakura as he could.

And only now did she discover the depths of the lies against her Family and Clan – she demanded answers.

Upon arriving at the hospital, as they'd taken Naruto there, she sent a single raised brow in Hiruzen's direction … the man caved.

"Mebuki," Hiruzen sighed. "Please understand that we couldn't allow anyone to adopt him for fear of shifting the power of Konoha."

"Bullshit," Mebuki hissed. "The Namikaze were never a Konoha Clan and the Haruno Family is a First Generation Clan by honour only … therefore your arguments are null and void."

Hiruzen paused at the rebuttal … Mebuki was right – not to mention Minato's will.

"Your bloody council can go screw themselves, as I will be taking guardianship over my nephew," Mebuki declared. "If you can't control your own council, then perhaps Minato made a mistake in reinstating you."

Hiruzen glared at Mebuki but didn't argue. "I admit to making several mistakes in regards to Naruto-kun, Mebuki, but I can't just let you take guardianship of him."

"Then I'm sorry, Hokage-sama," Mebuki bowed sarcastically. "But I shall be taking my claim to the Daimyo, who I'm sure will be most interested in Konoha's treatment of not only the Namikaze Heir – Clan or not … but the last of the Royal Family of Uzu."

Hiruzen instantly gasped. "H-How do you know about his ties to the Royal Family?"

"Kushina told me, Sarutobi-sama," Mebuki replied. "So here are your options … grow a bloody pair and take control of your Village … or I shall take my claims to the Fire Daimyo's Court and supersede your authority."

The Sandaime gaped at Mebuki before he sighed – trust a Namikaze to call him out. 'Still, if it wasn't going to be a Namikaze – then it would've been an Uzumaki if they still lived.'

"You're right, Mebuki," Hiruzen finally spoke – breaking the silence. "Naruto-kun deserves to be raised by his Kin. Besides, since he's bonded with a Namikaze Clan Relic – it's imperative that he learns to communicate with someone other than his friend, Tenten."

"Why is it imperative?" she asked.

"Because once bonded," Hiruzen licked his lips before continuing. "Once bonded, the Namikaze Warrior can become closed off from everything around him or her. In our case, Naruto would become a mindless killer and would need to be put down … permanently."

Mebuki gasped at the revelation, but Hiruzen continued. "Furthermore … after an extensive analysis, we have discovered that the Kyūbi is no longer within Naruto. The beast's chakra has … fused with Naruto's own core."

"Kami," Mebuki gasped. "That means that his Chakra will be almost impossible to control!"

"Then we have his awakening," the Sandaime spoke. "His Namikaze side has been forced awake by the Relic … and that means – like your daughter, Sakura – he will have near perfect control of his Chakra."

"But that combined with his Uzumaki DNA," Mebuki hummed in thought. "Would mean that he's going to need specialist training."

They were interrupted by a nurse, who looked pale. "M-My Lord, Namikaze-san has already awoken."

'It's already spread,' Hiruzen pondered. 'The people of Konoha know Naruto-kun's lineage.'

"I was under the impression that it'd take days for him to awaken," Mebuki responded with a raised eyebrow.

"As did we, My Lady," the Nurse returned. "But …"

"But what, Nurse-san?" Hiruzen demanded.

"I-I overheard the D-Doctor, Lord Hokage," the Nurse quickly replied. "They say that Namikaze-san regenerated almost immediately. They're calling his healing factor … Godlike."

Hiruzen snapped his gaze to Mebuki. "This must be a side-effect of the Kyūbi's demise."

They talked quietly, but neither noticed that the Nurse had heard the Hokage's first statement … the Kyūbi was dead!

"Perhaps I should return to calm the populace," Hiruzen grimaced at the thought, but bid the blonde goodbye.

Mebuki swallowed nervously as she eyed the hospital room that her nephew was occupying. All she had to do was knock and meet him, but what would she say? 'Hi, I'm your Aunt that never looked for you'?

Gathering her courage, Mebuki knocked. To her surprise it was the brown haired girl that opened the door – and her scowl said enough.

"Hi," Mebuki spoke. "I-I'm Naruto's … oh Kami this is difficult. My name is Mebuki Haruno … formally Mebuki Namikaze."

Tenten's eyes widened at the name. "I'm Tenten Higurashi, Haruno-sama. Forgive my bluntness, but if you're Naruto-kun's family, then WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?"

Mebuki grimaced and explained the events surrounding the Kyūbi attack and the aftermath.

"I-I see," Tenten muttered. "Then you thought Naruto-kun was dead?"

"Yes," Mebuki merely replied.

"It's okay, Onee-chan," Naruto's voice spoke. "Let her in, I've heard everything."

..::..

Mebuki beamed as she left the Hospital with Naruto following along. Naruto accepted her … even after everything that he'd gone through, he still accepted her. True, he was still wary of her, but she hoped that he'd open up to her soon.

She had already been home and explained everything to Sakura – who was appalled to learn of the way she had treated her cousin. For some time now, Sakura had regretted breaking off her ties of friendship to Naruto, but she was teased enough without being his friend at the time. She felt sick as she remembered the things that she'd said to Naruto. Hopefully she could make it up to Naruto and earn his trust back easier now that he was family and would be staying with them.

"So, Naruto-kun," Mebuki prompted. "Where is your home?"

"I live in the public quarter of the Red Light District," Naruto easily responded without a care in the world – as if he was talking about the weather.

It took all of Mebuki's self-control to remain outwardly calm. "I-I see, well don't worry – I can get a Shinobi to collect your things."

"No need," Naruto returned. "I'm currently wearing everything I own. My apartment has no furniture that's worth salvaging, Haruno-san."

'Oh Kami,' Mebuki growled mentally. "Then we can get you some new things tomorrow."

"Don't feel like you have to provide me with anything, Haruno-san," Naruto replied – cutting off her thoughts. "I am quite used to salvaging what I need from Training Ground #44."

"T-The Forest of Death?" the blonde woman squeaked. "That is no place for someone of your age to be around, Naruto-kun."

"It has provided me with shelter and equipment," Naruto retorted. "That is far more than the Village has."

Mebuki hissed mentally … it was going to take a lot of work to prevent Naruto from closing his heart to the outside world.

"Be that as it may, Naruto-kun," Mebuki spoke gently. "We are family – Kin … and I would gladly provide for you."

Naruto stayed silent, but Mebuki did spot the twitch of a smile.

..::..

Shopping was … tedious and Mebuki received a taste of what Naruto had to deal with on a daily basis. She did notice that there were more people whispering about him than normal, not to mention the paling faces of the shopkeepers of the stores that turned them away as they were then told about who Naruto was. It wasn't until moments later that Mebuki realised that Naruto was directing her to the Emporium – seeing that it was common place for Naruto to be turned away, he instinctively knew where he needed to go to get any semblance of assistance.

Mebuki followed Naruto into the store and nodded to Han, who was behind the counter. Han nodded back with a pleased smile – he was very happy to see Naruto with someone who would care for him.

Moving to the clothing section, Naruto frowned as she gestured to the more expensive clothing. Sure they were great quality, but they were also too flashy – like the hideous orange jumpsuit that he found in the trash of one of the other stores. He explained that to Mebuki, and she smiled at his answer. He looked at the various clothing and found what he was looking for – simple black shorts that he could grow into as he got older, and a green armoured t-shirt. A new pair of black Ninja sandals went with them and that was it … all in all, it was simple gear that he could grow into a train with until his graduation – where he could get more customised gear.

Mebuki purchased 5 of each of the shirts and shorts for Naruto and gestured to the various holsters and packs. "Are you right or left handed, Naruto-kun?"

"Neither," Naruto replied. "I'm ambidextrous, Haruno-san."

Mebuki grinned – just like his father. She purchased two holsters – one for each leg and a pouch for his medical supplies. "Is there anything else that you want, Naruto-kun – more weapons?"

Naruto took a glance around but shook his head negatively. "No, with my sword and shield, I need no more equipment or weapons."

"Well, it is going to be getting into winter soon, Naruto-kun," Mebuki reasoned. "Why don't you select a jacket or jumper to wear … consider this a request."

Naruto tilted his head in thought but nodded in acceptance. He moved and picked a simple black, sleeveless hoodie with no discerning features, save for the armoured mesh woven into the fabric. Mebuki moved to object at it being sleeveless, but Naruto interrupted. "I don't get sick or feel the cold, Haruno-san. I'm making a compromise in getting the hoodie in the first place."

Mebuki sighed but nodded, she purchased a few more as spares and paid the acceptable price asked by Han. As they moved to leave, Han called. "Naruto-san!"

Naruto turned and caught the items thrown to him by Han. "Leather braces to support your wrists with your sword and shield, along with a care kit for your gear."

Naruto surprised them by smiling at Han. "Thank you Han-san … please tell Tenten that I'll see her soon – she did promise to train with me, after all."

"Of course, Naruto-san," Han replied with a smile. "I'm sure she's eager to train with you."

Naruto bowed with thanks and left with Mebuki – their direction: the Haruno Household.

..::..

Sakura stood nervously at the entrance the Haruno home. She took deep breaths in an attempt to stop wringing her hands from nerves. Would Naruto accept her, or her – their family? Sakura took another shaky breath as the door handle wriggled – indicating the return of her mother and their newest family member.

"Ah, Sakura-chan," Mebuki beamed as she walked into the entrance. "You remember Naruto-kun, don't you?"

Mebuki stepped aside and led Naruto inside, where she then stopped him and told him that he needed to remove his sandals. Naruto was confused – both Sakura and her mother could sense it, but he obeyed and removed his sandals.

"Dinner will be ready in about an hour, Naruto-kun," Mebuki informed the boy. "Why don't you show Naruto to his new room, Sakura?"

"Okay Kaa-chan," Sakura nodded with a smile to Naruto. "Follow me … uh … Naruto-kun."

Naruto made no protest as he followed Sakura down a hallway and to the room furthest from the main entrance. "Here we are, Naruto-kun. Kaa-chan said that if you want to decorate your room, then all you need to do is ask."

The room was simple in design. It had pale blue walls and a sturdy wooden floor. The roof was high and Naruto realised that it had an elevated roof to maximise space as there was a wall dedicated to scrolls and books – though it was empty aside from the Academy Course Books. Naruto raised a brow at that since he'd never even had a chance to read a complete set before. Aside from the basic appearance and the bookcase, the room held a double bed along the wall, along with a desk and chair on the opposite side, whilst an inbuilt wardrobe sat beside the desk. The room's window allowed just the right amount of light to land on the bed.

"Thank you, Sakura-san," Naruto merely responded. He ignored her stare as he placed his new clothes in the wardrobe and put his equipment on the desk. Sakura frowned at the rather emotionless response from a boy that used to be so full of life. She raised a brow as he took out a scroll and unsealed a large sword and shield, before reverently placing them on the bed. The matching pale blue bedcover caused the shield to stand out, and Sakura felt herself mesmerised by the beautiful shield.

"Is there a training ground?" Naruto asked.

"Uh, yes," Sakura replied sheepishly – having being caught staring at the shield. "I'll show you, if you want?"

Naruto nodded and Sakura smiled as she led him outside his room and to the left. Sakura gestured to the door at the end of the short hallway. "That door leads to our small training ground. It's small, but it's large enough to complete the mandatory educational training."

"I see," Naruto hummed. "Thank you, I'll likely be spending the majority of my time in the room given to me or the training ground. Are there any other books or scrolls that I may borrow?"

"Yes," Sakura beamed. "Tou-san has a large collection of scrolls and books in the living room, and since you're family – you've got permission to use them."

"Thank you, Sakura-san," Naruto nodded.

Sakura grinned and then showed Naruto any other rooms of importance, such as the bathroom, kitchen, and living room and where to find the other bedrooms. Naruto memorized the routes to each and excused himself to his room. Sakura sighed and looked to her mother with a disheartened look.

"Please give him time, Sakura-chan" Mebuki smiled encouragingly. "He's only just discovered that he has family. He's lived on his own since he was four years old."

Sakura gaped at her mother and then asked in a small voice. "He lived alone?"

"Yes," Mebuki affirmed.

Sakura suddenly felt even guiltier about how she had treated the once happy boy. Both heard the door to the training ground open and Sakura gained a resolved glint in her eye. She moved and took a scroll from the shelf and turned to her mother.

"It seems like a good day to read outside," she pondered out loud.

"A very good day indeed," Mebuki grinned – instantly seeing through her daughter's plan. "Silent support would be an excellent way to show that we're here, hmm?"

Sakura nodded and silently made the trek out to the training ground. The sight Sakura came outside to was not what she expected. For there was a Dog Masked ANBU there giving Naruto a scroll and speaking with him.

"This is a Bunshin Jutsu that's very special," the ANBU spoke in a carefree tone. "It was designed by the Uzumaki Clan and offered to Konoha since Uzu and Konoha were allies. Since you now know that you are an Uzumaki, it is yours to learn."

Naruto narrowed his gaze at the ANBU and then spoke in a chilling tone. "Please ask Hokage-sama to provide me with all the Uzumaki Jutsu and scrolls that Konoha has. As you've said, ANBU-san … I am of the Uzumaki Clan, and I'd prefer it if my rightful heritage wasn't at the mercy of an allied village."

"I'm sure the Sandaime will assist you with your request," the ANBU returned.

"And yet," Naruto spoke coldly. "Hokage-sama ignored my last several appeals for assistance. If this Village is unable to adhere to my request then I'll be more than happy to dissolve the alliance and appeal to the Daimyo for what is owed to me and mine."

The ANBU sucked in a breath but nodded. "You have been heard, Uzumaki-san."

The ANBU instantly left to tell the Hokage Naruto's answer. Naruto growled and stormed back into the house and locked himself in his room.

"Well, so much for silent support," Sakura sighed. Sakura sadly moved back into the living room and sighed once more as she sat on one of the chairs. Mebuki remained silent but sent her daughter a reassuring look. They remained in silence, with Mebuki cooking and Sakura reading for another hour before Mebuki announced that dinner was ready.

"Can you please get Naruto-kun, Sakura-chan?" Mebuki called from the kitchen.

"Yes, Kaa-chan," Sakura called back. Sakura stood and traversed the small way to Naruto's room.

"Naruto-kun," Sakura called as she knocked on the door. "Dinner is ready, can you please join us?"

The door opened and Sakura blinked at all the Academy Books on the floor – spread out in a circle. Naruto tilted his head and followed Sakura as they both made their way back to the dining room table.

Naruto looked baffled by the amount of food, and waited to watch Mebuki eat a dish before he copied the action. It dawned on the two Haruno women that Naruto didn't know how to eat with such tools like chopsticks and must've eaten simple dishes in his apartment. Sakura did send a worried look to her mother when she saw how quickly Naruto was eating – as if he was getting as much as he could before it was taken away. Mebuki's lips became a thin line as she too noticed the quick – almost desperate eating.

"Now normally, I'd have Sakura help me with the dishes," Mebuki informed their new family member. "And seeing as it's your first night – I'll do the dishes tonight and you can have an early night … you must be tired after everything that's happened today, so go have a nice bath and then sleep."

Naruto nodded his thanks and moved to leave when he halted at her suggestion. "What is a bath, Haruno-san?"

Mebuki froze at the question. 'Oh dear.'

After an embarrassing talk with Naruto over how to use the bath and use the products, she ushered him off towards the bathroom. Naruto made sure to follow her instructions to the letter and for the first time he could remember – he felt clean … even his hair felt softer and less heavy on his head. Naruto changed into an identical set of clothes from the store and laid back on his new bed. He awkwardly shuffled to another position, but that lasted even less than the previous position and shifted once more. Naruto continued to shift – trying to get comfortable and after an hour of doing so – he gave up. He wasn't used to beds and pillows or being clean for that matter … so Naruto left his bed, made it and then laid under his desk. It was small, confined, hard and dark … just what he was used to, so there Naruto slept.

..::..

Mebuki was up early to prepare breakfast for Sakura, herself and now Naruto. Once everything was almost complete, she woke Sakura and then moved to wake Naruto up as well. She panicked at first once she noticed the empty, poorly made bed, but then she heard Naruto's soft breathing coming from under the desk in the corner. A ripple of pain shot through her at the sight … a boy that should've been raised with a loving family, was huddled and snoring softly as if he was in a comfortable bed and not on a cold, hard floor without a pillow or blanket.

"N-Naruto-kun," Mebuki softly woke him. "It's time for breakfast, and your friend Tenten's father has said that Tenten has the whole day off to spend with you."

Naruto groggily woke up and looked around the room in confusion … this wasn't his apartment – where was he? It took him a minute to process the events of the previous day, before he sat quietly … too quietly, Mebuki noted. Naruto nodded mutely to Mebuki and crawled out from under the desk.

"Why were you under the desk, Naruto-kun?" Mebuki asked.

"I … I'm not used to a bed," Naruto admitted tiredly. "The floor here is comfortable compared to my old apartment's floor."

Mebuki felt that ripple once more, but remained silent as she made her way back to finish cooking the breakfast.

"Good morning, Naruto-kun," beamed Sakura.

"Good morning, Sakura-san," Naruto returned.

He looked to the new meal with confusion once more and Mebuki belatedly realised that he probably wasn't used to eating three meals a day. They watched him repeat his actions of watching and then copying how to eat certain dishes. Naruto only managed to get through half of his meal before feeling sick.

"It's okay to not finish it, Naruto-kun," Mebuki soothed. "Give it time to get used to eating properly, okay?"

Naruto blinked at her, but nodded. "I'll be going to see Tenten now, if that's okay?"

"Of course," Mebuki agreed. "Please be home by seven for dinner, but take that lunch box with you for when you get hungry later."

Naruto directed his gaze to where Mebuki pointed to a prepared lunch, and nodded in acceptance to her rule and request. He bid goodbye to the two Haruno women and left with his sword and shield strapped to his arm.

..::..

And there we are for chapter one of this idea. Please tell me what you think, and please review constructively. There's no need to be rude.

[AN1] – Achilles' Shield.

[AN2] – Achilles' Sword.

I shall now return to my reconstruction of Red Eyed Master's next chapter.

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AS ALWAYS: PLEASE READ AND REVIEW.

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\^o^/