KG: We back! I got some time since all we've been doing is Christmas shopping.
Wifey: I'm not falling for that mistletoe trick again!
KG: What mistletoe trick?!
Wifey: Don't play dumb with me! The last time I got under that damn thing with you, I got into a white wedding dress saying "I DO."
KG: You weren't complaining!
Wifey: Oh I was. You just didn't hear it.
Music of the Week: Heart of Darkness by Greg Dombrowski.
Quote: "What makes a heart black? It is the choice to not feel. To not feel the suffering that your actions create. To not feel your own greed. To not feel the needs of the many. To not feel your lack of compassion. To not feel that you got in bed...with evil." by Suzanne Wagner.
"Why were you late getting home? I specifically told you to be back before the sunsets. The moon is in the sky right now. Do you know what that means?" Hanabi's father, Hiashi asked. The young Hyuga tried to not cower before her father's powerful gaze. She hadn't meant to stay out as long as she had, but...dare she say it? She actually had...a lot of fun today.
"Apologies, Otou-sama. I spent my time in the Konoha library. There was a tale of successful leaders that I found compelling, and I lost track of the time. To better serve the Hyuga clan, I looked to it for reference. I...lost track of the time. If you would like, I have the bag with the book the library loaned me," Hanabi said, holding the bag out to him.
Despite how calm her words flowed, her mind was anything but. Until this day, Hanabi had not once lied to her father. However, she would be daft to tell him that she spent her day with a commoner such as Uzumaki Naruto. She would be daft to tell him that the older boy took her to many interesting places around the village. Not one of them was something she deemed dangerous. Every activity they did, she found some measure of entertainment in. From scooping fish, to shoot prizes off stands, to even playing the store lottery, it was a fun time for her.
Her father looked at her for a moment before returning to his work. "There is no need for that. It is good to be enthusiastic about your role as the next clan head, Hanabi. However, make sure this doesn't happen again. Understood?" he asked, his voice as stern as she remembered.
"Hai, Otou-sama," Hanabi said. She then bowed to him and dismissed herself. Her walk back to her room was rather silent. She closed her room door, and threw her bag on the bed. She then sat on her bed as well. The young Hyuga exhaled. She grabbed the bag and out of it came a slew of books that had nothing to do with what she had just spoke about. Perhaps the gods were watching over her since her father hadn't called her bluff.
Hanabi turned over on her bed. Why was today so much fun? She had seen children play many times like that and she thought it was ridiculous. But, the sense of freedom that her day with Naruto had brought her was enough to reevaluate her previous views. Truth be told, she wished she could have stayed out for longer. In fact, she tried to, but Naruto was the one who adamantly refused.
"No way, Firecracker! I can't let my best friend get hurt by any….unsavory night time beasts! I'll take you home,"
And take her home, he did. Naruto walked Hanabi back until they were around the corner from her clan's compound. No doubt she knew why he had done this, and she was rather thankful for the consideration, but...when she was about to go the next words surprised even her.
"Will...we do that again?"
Naruto never answered her. He merely smiled and waved her goodbye. Hanabi wished she could have told him something else, but...she did not do so. Instead, she was here, in her room, wondering where the pleasant time had gone. Tomorrow, her life would continue as it always did...out of her control.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Hanabi opened her eyes and stilled when she saw Uzumaki Naruto smiling at her from behind her window. She widened her eyes and resisted the urge to scream. She grabbed her window and opened it.
"What are you doing here? Are you crazy?! Do you know what my father's going to do to you, and me, if he finds you!" Hanabi hissed out. Wait, barring any of that, how did he even sneak into the Hyuuga compound? The compound was not some trivial store that could be infiltrated! Yet, here he was in his goofy fashion.
"Heh, sorry. I'm not staying long. I just...wanted to see my best buddy one more time! Also, I didn't answer your question. You better believe we're gonna do that again!" Naruto replied.
Hanabi fought hard to keep the smile from her face. "I-I'm not your buddy. I just hung out with you because there was nothing better to do," she replied in that haughty way that some children tend to be. However, Naruto merely chuckled.
"Yeah, I bet. Oh, I also came because I didn't get to give my not best buddy something from the festival party!" the blonde replied. Hanabi blinked when she found a stuffed animal in the shape of a bear in front of her.
The younger sister of Hinata Hyuga looked at the offering before she folded her arms and huffed. "I don't need childish things like that. Give it to somebody else," she replied. Honestly, what would make him think that she wanted a toy?
Naruto looked at the bear before he gently pushed it into Hanabi's hands. "I'd...appreciate it if you did. In fact, I think you want it more than you realize," he responded back to her. Hanabi stared at him. Her mind felt hazy, and Naruto's words tickled the back of her head. They sounded so nice, and so mesmerizing. Also, when did his clear, blue eyes turn red? They looked like spectacular ruby jewels.
"If...If you insist," Hanabi said. She took the bear from him. She moved its soft fur between her fingers for a moment. Once she looked back, the blonde was gone. Absolutely no trace of his presence remained. Hanabi looked left and right. It was as if he were a mere ghost. The young girl closed her window and sat on her bed. Was it alright for her to keep this?
A knock on the door started the young heiress from her thought. "Hanabi-sama, it's Natsu. I'm here to prepare you for bed," a rather feminine voice spoke. The small girl exhaled before allowing her caretaker inside her room. The caretaker opened the door and Hanabi's eyes were filled with a sea of green hair over top Natsu's head. The woman's friendly smile slowly calmed Hanabi from any further thoughts in the evening. Yet, a single question lingered in her mind. How long would it be...before she could see Naruto again?
From outside the compound, on top of a roof, Naruto stared at the interaction between Hanabi and her caretaker, Natsu. "Oh don't worry, Hanabi-chan. We'll spend more time together. I didn't think you'd have such a beautiful caretaker. Hmm, Natsu Hyuga, you might not think I don't remember you, but I do. I'll have fun times with you as well," Naruto said to himself. He then jumped off the rooftop and headed home. It would be a busy day for him come tomorrow.
-x-
"Sasuke-kun, why have you been hanging around Naruto recently? You shouldn't do that! His bad habits are going to run off on you!"
Naruto did not sympathize with Sasuke. He probably never would, but...if this was the Uchiha's life then perhaps the blonde would stand to be a bit nicer...nah. In any case, the reason the blonde was thinking this was because right now Sakura Haruno, his former crush back when he was a naive fool. Now, going by the average school girl's standards, Sakura very pretty. She was also rather smart academically...when she wasn't striving to drop her panties for the Uchiha heir. Then again, perhaps most girls and boys are like that in the stages of adolescence.
One reason she annoyed him was that, at least when he was around, she would stick to whispering her disdain for him. However, whenever she seemed to try to butter up to him, or rather the Sasuke the blood clone was morphed into, she wasted no time defaming the blonde. True, he and Sasuke never hung out together and this sudden friendship the two blood clones had created for the sake of their assignments would appear strange to some, but it should not have garnered this much attention. Then again, before his...enlightenment, Naruto was sure he wouldn't be making friends with Sasuke either.
"And why should it matter to you who I spend my time with? Worry about your own business instead of interfering mine. The dobe has his uses," 'Sasuke' replied with a fold of his arms. Yup, definitely movies somewhere down the line.
"I...I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun. I just don't get why someone as talented as you would hang out with someone like Naruto. What could someone like him have that someone like you would need?" Sakura asked.
Oh Sakura, dear. Why would you ever open yourself up like that? Sometimes, Naruto thought they made it too easy. "Hn, why are you so curious about what I do? You don't even know the dobe like I do," 'Sasuke' said. Behind the look of disinterest on his face, Sakura did not notice the gleam in the clone Uchiha's eyes. He could already tell her next thoughts.
"What is there to even know about someone like him? He's a troublemaker. That's all," Sakura said. It was then that the cloned Uchiha wordlessly smirked to him. It was a good thing Sakura was focused on her own thoughts. If she were not, then she would have seen a grin on the Uchiha that would have made blood run cold.
'Sasuke' returned to his lax attitude and snorted. "Fine. Since you see to know the dobe so well, then do whatever he says for two months. If he's really as much of a troublemaker as you say, then that'll give me the incentive to stop wasting my time with him. In return, I'll take you wherever you want to go for one week," 'Sasuke' said. The clone rolled its eyes when it saw the blush that appeared on the pink-haired girl's face.
"You...You'll go out with me for one month, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked. The Uchiha snorted, but he agreed. He then went back to what he was doing. Brooding expression? Check. Scowl on face? Check. Staring at the outside world with contempt? Check. There, perfect Sasuke persona.
"CHA! In your face, Ino-pig! I'm gonna be on dates with Sasuke-kun for one whole month! All I have to do...listen to...Naruto...for two months," Sakura said slowly. She quickly came to the realization of just what her crush had been asking of her. However, she couldn't turn back now. If she turned back now, then Sasuke might think that she was a coward. This was her best chance to prove that they were meant to be together. This was her best chance to prove that she was better than all the other girls. Especially Ino. If Ino found out she had let such a golden opportunity slip away, then Sakura would never hear the end of it!
"Who has to listen to me for two months?"
Sakura jumped with a startled scream when she turned around to see Naruto standing behind her. "Don't do that you BAKA!" Sakura growled. She clenched her fist and swung it for the blonde's face. Yet, her swing never made it full into its target because she found her hand gently caught into Naruto's. He then placed her fist down. If the pink-haired academy student was shocked before, then she was absolutely stunned now.
"Sorry about that, Sakura-chan. Didn't mean to sneak up on you. Yo Teme, ready for lunch?" the blonde then asked.
"Hn, fine, but Sakura told me a rather interesting story. Apparently, she likes you, dobe. She said she's willing to give you a shot for two months," 'Sasuke' replied. Sakura looked at him as if he were crazy, but...how else were they supposed to explain what they had been betting on? Now she would have to deal with Naruto's stupid attempts to woo her for two whole months.
"Not interested. Now come on you ass or I'm eating without you," Naruto said to the raven-haired boy. Sasuke gave a sound that seemed to be between a snort and a chuckle. Nevertheless, the Uchiha stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked out of the classroom. As he and Naruto walked out of the classroom, he turned to Sakura.
"Looks like you rejected the dobe one time too many. You better find some way to make it up to him," 'Sasuke' said as he left. Sakura stayed behind in the classroom as she watched the door close behind her. This...was not a good start to her to the rest of her day.
Meanwhile, the Naruto and Sasuke clones that had been left in Konoha found themselves seated on a park bench. "Haruno Sakura. How I would have loved to hear those words you said to me if I were not this way. I probably would have been suckered just as fast too," Naruto said as he opened his lunch.
"Well, I am you after all. Though she is a gullible idiot for this Uchiha body, she's still an intellectual kunoichi. We would look forward to breaking her just like all the others. Plus, you know as well as I that becoming close to her benefits our plans further," Sasuke said as he ate. The blonde clone snorted. He took a sip of the drink he had bought for his lunch.
"...We're still going to eliminate her."
"Naturally. However, I currently have no thoughts...on our other problem," Sasuke said as he ate a piece of his food from his boxed lunch. Now, given that the two clones were from the same being, it did not take Naruto long to understand what Sasuke was talking about.
"Hmph, her little sister is more interesting than she is, but there is room to guide her as well. You know what they say, it's always the quiet ones," the Kyuubi jinchuuriki answered which made the raven-haired clone roll his eyes, Both slowly settled into silence as they ate their lunch. Unfortunately, this would not happen for very long.
"Naruto?" Both academy students turned their heads and noticed Sakura standing a few feet away from them. They say old habits die hard, and perhaps there was truth to that since Naruto had to fight the sneer off his face. He held up a smile.
"Yo, Sakura-chan. What's up?" He asked. Sakura did not immediately answer him. She seemed to be taking some time to gather her thoughts. Thankfully, she did it in enough time because the longer she stood there the more tempted both clones were to forgo their plan, and drop the female student's body in a place that no one would find her.
She cleared her throat. "I...I realize I was pretty mean to you. I'd like the chance to make it up. P-Please go out with me for just two months. I can prove I've changed. I'll do anything you want, at any time when my parents let me. Just...give me a chance," Sakura pleaded.
Naruto's mouth thinned. The countless memories he had cultivated were shared between the original in Kusagakure and the clones in Konoha. What this meant was that, Naruto had an astute perception to people lying to before. It was how he survived for so long. This perception was only strengthened by the numerous memories of backstabbing, corrupting, lying, and distrusting business dealings from those whom he had cultivated through his ability. Basically, he could tell when someone was half-assing him. Hell, he could tell Sakura was actually quarter-assing him at the moment.
"You do anything I say?" he asked. Sakura shivered. Whether from the tone he asked his question, or whether she truly didn't want to be around him, she wasn't sure. However, she found herself nodding all the same. It would be fine. All she had to do was survive for two months, and then...Sasuke would be hers!
"Y-Yes," She said.
Naruto leaned back in his park bench. A quick glance at Sasuke showed that the Uchiha was content to eat his own food. Thus, the blonde exhaled and leaned forward. "Alright, Sakura. I'll give you a chance to show me you've changed, dattebayo. However, you've been very disrespectful and mean to me a lot of times. So...I think I deserve some respect, don'tcha think?" he asked.
Sakura swallowed for a moment, but she found herself nodding her head dumbly again. "Then, for these two months, when we're alone...you're going to call me 'Sir',"
Sakura would not say why the smile Naruto gave her freaked her out, but it was more than just a freaky feeling one gets when they are shocked by something. No, this was a feeling that made her fear for her very own life.
-x-
Meanwhile, within Kusagakure, the real Naruto exhaled. He had continued his cultivation for nearly two days and no one had disturbed him since. So many memories were now studied by him. It had taken so long, but so many secrets were obtained. With those secrets also came a greater sense of control for himself and his powers. Perhaps during this mission with the lovely Ryuzetsu, he would find the time to study the other offensive capabilities that he could come up with.
The blonde opened his eyes and he noticed the emptiness of his hotel room. Most likely Uzumei was training Sasuke, and Yugao was completing the other assignments Naruto had tasked for her. Ryuzetsu would not be coming until later. Lastly, dear sweet Akari was setting up the Fruit Group per Naruto's instructions. With time the Flower group and the Fruit group would become one under him. Then, with more time, he would connect the underworld empire that Takamura Shingen had crafted with the unification of these groups. Naruto would create one of the greatest organizations of this time. However, that was only a small piece of what else he had planned.
Nevertheless, now...he had nothing to do. He contemplated what he should do with the free time that suddenly came into his lap, but luckily he didn't have to think for very long. Soon, there came a knock on the door. He could already tell from the steady heartbeat who was behind that door.
A twist of the knob came, and Naruto noticed Akari come through the door. Her black hair looked just as lovely as it was when he had slaughtered her teammates. Just the thought made him smile. Yet, nothing made him smile more than her betrayal. Such a sensible woman.
"So, you're the boy that I'll be taking to the prison. Name's Akari. I'm the chunin who will be leading you and Ryuzetsu. I heard you were recommended. I already met with the girl. Are you sure you can hold your own?" She asked.
Naruto chuckled. "You'll find I'm quite capable, Akari-san. I'd be shocked if you found someone as strong as me dattebayo," he boasted. A rush of air came through his face and he saw Akari standing in front of him. A kunai rested as his throat.
"Overconfidence can get you killed," She said. Naruto, in response, held up his hand and grabbed Akari's arm. For a woman who was keeping her head bowed to the floor from an almost traumatic experience, this Kusagakure chunin was the rather playful individual. Perhaps it was her way of coping. Perhaps it was just part of her...various forms of entertainment. Who could say?
The Kyuubi jinchuuriki then pulled the chunin until she straddled him. "It's hardly overconfidence when it's the truth, ya know. Besides, you should be ashamed of yourself, seducing a pre-adolescent teen like this. Especially one whose not even from your village," Naruto replied.
Akari withdrew the kunai. "I'm not seducing anyone. You're merely corrupting an innocent chunin to your power. Besides, I'm preparing you for your sexual education classes. All chunin-rank shinobi must take them," she replied. Forgive Naruto if he said his ego raised itself just a moment from those words.
"So you admit that my powers of corruption are formidable. Looks like I can take care of myself," he replied to her. His corrupted chunin stared at him with a deep gaze before swiftly kissing him as she had done many times during his stay here. And, dare Naruto say, he earnestly felt like she was trying to get him to break his silent vow as well. Though a young male, he could tell his body was not ready just yet. Perhaps in the future, but...she wasn't making it very easy. In fact, from the way her tongue was trying to dominate his own, he wondered if she wanted this even more.
Akari pulled away from him and smirked. "Hmph, I guess you're better than most, brat. Do you go around kissing and corrupting everyone you meet?" she asked.
"Kissing? No. Corrupting? Perhaps," Naruto answered. A laugh expelled from Akari's lips before she removed herself from him and stood to her feet. A brief moment to calm herself was all she needed before her face turned serious.
"Is there any special time you would like us to depart, Naruto-sama? We both know that it wasn't a coincidence that I was chosen to undertake this assignment. What would you have me do?" the traitorous Kusagakure kunoichi asked of her newest master.
In response, Naruto stood to his feet and straightened his ruined shirt. He then cleared his throat. "We will leave during the night. This Box of Ultimate Bliss, I find myself interested in it dattebayo. Oh, and make sure to give me some time with Ryuzetsu as we travel. If you do, I'll make sure you're rewarded," he said. A shimmer of his red eyes made Akari go weak.
The Kusagakure chunin was not sure what her newest master found in the white-haired genin, and she couldn't stop herself from asking. "Sir, I am aware that it's not my place, but...I'm curious, why do you fancy Ryuzetsu?" Akari asked.
In response to this question, Naruto looked at the ceiling and he started laughing. This action only seemed to confuse Akari, but the black-haired woman did not speak until he had decided to answer her. "Because Akari-chan, what I see inside Ryuzetsu is perhaps even darker than what I see in myself. Ryuzetsu already had a day like me. All she needs...is one. More. Push!" the blonde jinchuuriki said, a dark aura surrounding his body.
"And you're going to be that push, Naruto-sama?" Akari asked. His smile deepened.
"No, my dear, sweet, Kusagakure Raven. You're going to be that push. You might ask yourself why. When all the chips are down, when everyone expects so much from you, when death creeps upon you, when you face the full weight of inevitability, you know what must be done to ensure that you survive. It took some time, but I finally figured it out. It wasn't just because of your various forms of entertainment that I let you live. It's because, in the end, you will embody the world that I seek to create. You, more than anyone else I have met, hold my dream inside you," He claimed.
Akari did not know what she said next or even what happened after Naruto dismissed her. All she remembered was that she was back in her home, preparing her supplies for their journey. Yet, what she did not realize was the rather calm, yet unusual twisted smile that came upon her face.
-x-
The ring of the academy school bell filled the ears of joyous children. Iruka Umino heard the same sound and exhaled. "You brats better study! This will be on the next exam! I'm talking to you, Naruto!" the academy instructor shouted.
The blonde clone raised snorted, but otherwise ignored the teacher's attempt at receiving a response from him. "Yeah, whatever, Iruka-sensei. Come on, Sasuke, Sakura, let's get out of here," the blood clone said.
"Hn,"
"Yes Naruto-kun," Sakura said. Those two words stunned the entire classroom. Most of the civilian children gawked in utter surprise, but none of them was more shocked than that generation's clan heirs.
It was no surprise to anyone that Sakura Haruno did not like Naruto very much. This was no more obvious than to the pink-haired girl former best friend, Ino Yamanaka. This had to be some kind of ploy to get Sasuke's attention, but...what benefit would it be for Sakura to be nice or even respectful to Naruto of all people?!
"What? Since when is Sakura nice to Naruto?" Kiba asked whispered to someone else in his class. Unfortunately, no one was capable of making an answer to the Inuzuka heir's question.
For Iruka Umino, shock was across his face as well, but...he cleared his throat quickly. "Ah, sorry Naruto. Could you stay behind? There is something I must discuss with you," Iruka stated.
Both clones narrowed their eyes, but Naruto was the only one to exhale. "Fine. Can Sasuke at least stay with me then? I need him for later," Naruto said.
Iruka turned to the Uchiha for a moment before agreeing. He then dismissed the other students. "Sakura, you can go home. We'll get some time to know each other better later this week," the clone said. His voice sent a shiver down the young female's spine. She quickly grabbed her books and gave them her goodbyes before leaving.
Naruto and Sasuke sat back down. Both waited in the classroom for about twenty minutes before they heard the door behind them open. "Ah Naruto-kun, I see Iruka has given you the message. I'm sorry to keep you after school hours, but I must speak with you," The two academy student clones turned around and noticed the Sandaime Hokage come through the door. Along with him came a tall white-haired man, and...Kakashi Hatake.
"Hmmm, it's different seeing Kakashi Hatake in person instead of in memories and stories from what Yugao gave me. He truly is a powerful shinobi, dattebayo. I wonder what I would learn if I managed to drain him as well. Then, there is this one next to him. He's stronger. He's probably even stronger than that old, decrepit Hokage. Tch, even with so many years of memories, combat experience, and knowledge, I did not feel confident in taking a battle against this massive wall of chakra in front of me. So...this is what I will have to contend with later?" Naruto thought to himself. He sent a quick glance to Sasuke. It was obvious the Uchiha clone held its own thoughts as well.
"Jiraiya-sama, what are you doing back in the village?!" Iruka asked in shock. This made both blood clones' eyes gleam. So...this massive source of power was called Jiraiya. From the many memories that Naruto scanned, this was one of the Legendary Sannin. Not someone to be so easily trifled with.
"Well, I was looking for more inspiration for my next book. Konoha's got some of the greatest onsens around, if you know what I mean!" Jiraiya claimed, a boorish laughing quickly followed which made the adults around him sigh.
Hiruzen cleared his throat. "Naruto-kun, I see you have allowed Sasuke-kun to remain here. You are not in trouble, but why I have asked you to stay behind is very delicate and sensitive. Perhaps it would be best if your friend waited outside," The Hokage said.
"Teme's my buddy! Anything you want to say to me, you can say to him too!" Naruto exclaimed. Both clones grimaced inwardly from this act. Heh, the only thing Sasuke was for Naruto was a pathetic toy to entertain him when he was bored. The Uchiha would never be anything more, but he could always be so much less.
The adults gave each other a look that told Naruto something was going on here that he wasn't aware of. Of course, given the memories that he had accumulated, he had known that it was an Uchiha who had caused the Kyuubi to run rampant through Konoha. It was why the village had isolated the Uchiha clan for so many years which, in turn, led to the coup. Hmph, in the end, Konoha lost one of its most powerful clans...to fear and paranoia while the Uchiha clan lost their lives due to their own greed. How apt for them both.
"I see. Well, it's good to have strong friends by your side, Naruto-kun. If this is what you wish, then I shall permit it. Tell me, Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun, what do you know...about the Kyuubi no Yoko?" Hiruzen asked.
It was fairly obvious where this question was going and what this meeting was about. So...the year long respite for Naruto to live his 'normal' life was over, and now would begin the time of his training. Oh Jiji, if only you had been two years earlier...before October 10th.
"Hn, what's there to not know? The Kyuubi no Yoko attacked the village 11 years ago. It was the Yondaime Hokage that killed it. Though, it was always weird that history never went into specifics on how he killed it. All we know is that he gave his life for it," Sasuke said.
The adults silently applauded Sasuke for the brief summary. "Very good, Sasuke-kun. Yes, that is what the history of our academy teaches. However, sometimes...even history can be rewritten. First allow me to introduce the two men next to me," Hiruzen said. Unfortunately, the one next to him quickly decided to do so on his own.
"Heh, you brats should be lucky! The great me is about to shock and awe you with my identity! I am the man who has no enemies in the North, South, East, and West! Even Kami himself dares not mock me. I am one of the Sannin...the white-haired toad tamer. Ladies swoon when they see me, men are jealous to be me. The Great Sage, Jiraiya-sama, stands before you today!" the toad sage said, his introduction as extravagant as his dance poses.
The room fell into silence, but the Naruto clone couldn't resist giving a small smile. "It's a shame, Jiraiya of the Sannin. Before I became who I am now, I might have actually liked you. Unfortunately, you're just another piece I need to topple over," Both clones thought to themselves.
"That's why Tsunade-sama doesn't give you the time of day, Jiraiya-sama. Anyway, I'm Kakashi Hatake. I've heard many things about you two," the jonin claimed, a smile beneath his mask.
"Not that this isn't great, Jiji, but what's the point of this? Teme and I really have to go," Naruto claimed. He tilted his head to dodge an eraser that flew by. No doubt this throw was courtesy of his academy teacher.
"Naruto! Show your respect to Lord Hokage!" Iruka chastised.
"It's alright, Iruka. This is a delicate matter, and I would like it if Naruto was as comfortable as he wished to be. Now then, Naruto-kun, I asked you about the Kyuubi no Yoko because...what you and Sasuke were taught in the academy has been a deviation from the true story. It is true, that the village was saved due to the actions of the Yondaime Hokage. It is why the village holds a celebration every October 10th in honor of his sacrifice…,"
"Yeah, it must be nice. I wish I could join in sometimes…," Naruto interrupted, a deep growl slipping from his throat. He glanced up at the adults. Sure enough the sight made him inwardly laugh when he saw the disappointed, sad, and guilty looks on their faces. Ha, fools! For experienced shinobi, you sure do allow your emotions to be worn on your sleeves.
"...Yes, I am aware that this is also your birthday, Naruto-kun. I remember I always asked you to forgive the members of this village because they were still grieving. I don't know how long you've been satisfied with that answer, but...now is the time that you must know. You see, on the night of the Kyuubi attack, you were born by your mother and father. The Kyuubi is essentially a great body of chakra. It can be sealed, stored, or contained, but it can never be truly destroyed. It will reform one day or another. It could be in 10 years, 100 years, or even 1000 years, but it will come back some day," Hiruzen began. He took a breath for a moment before continuing.
"The Yondaime Hokage was running out of options. The Nine-tailed Fox had already devastated most of the village. He had to do something quickly. It pained his heart because...Konoha was his family. Like you, he was an orphan, so he saw the people around him as a place where he belonged. Nevertheless, he had the responsibility of keeping the village safe. So...he asked your mother and father if he could use you...to seal the Kyuubi inside your body. Your parents...agreed, and you have held this incredible burden for so many years. The Kyuubi did not die, Naruto-kun. It is inside of you," Hiruzen said.
Silence reigned through the room. The Sasuke cloned feigned shock with wide eyes before it turned to its fellow clone. The Naruto clone said nothing...for five minutes. However, once those five minutes were over, a chill ran through the classroom.
"Heh...hehehehe...hahahahahahaha," Naruto started laughing. His head thrown back, his mouth open wide, the blonde's laughter filled the room. However, there was nothing joyous about this laugh. If nothing else, it worried Hiruzen and those present. It sounded like the laugh of a very troubled child.
"Hahaha, you hear that Teme? I've got the Kyuubi inside me. No wonder everyone hated me! Let me guess, you knew too didn't you? You were all in on it! I was the last one to know! YOU WERE IN ON IT WEREN'T YOU SASUKE?!" Naruto asked as he grabbed the Uchiha back the collar.
Kakashi quickly moved and grabbed Naruto's arms. "No Naruto, Sasuke didn't know. The adults know, but the Hokage passed a law that no one could discuss it openly. It was to try and give you a normal childhood," he said.
Suddenly, the clone fell silent. The Sasuke clone fell silent as well. Normal? Normal childhood? NoRmAl?! nOrMaL?! Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal? Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! Normal?! NORMAL?!
The Naruto clone released its fellow clone's shoulder. It stopped its act. Yes, the laughter was supposed to be an act. The anger was all an act. Just an act that any normal 11-year old boy might give. However, within the clone, because it was a part of Naruto, something snapped. Something cracked. Something...broke to pieces.
"Someone like you shouldn't even exist!"
"Hold him down! The way beasts will learn anything...is through discipline!"
"Go away! Why does Hokage-sama even keep you alive?!"
"You were a mistake! You should never have been born!"
"Don't ever show your face around here again!"
"HA?! Someone like you become Hokage? It was the Yondaime Hokage who fought to keep brats like you away from everyone else! Don't disrespect the position and authority of the Hokage with your stupid words!"
"Someone like you should just DIE!"
The clone stood up to its feet. Its chest felt tight. It could feel the mass of blood swelling inside of it. It then took a step back from the group. This action released a wave of panic through Hiruzen. "No Naruto-kun, you're not the Kyuubi. You're a hero! You're this village's hero! Without you, everyone would be dead!" the Hokage tried to speak, but his words were lost in the sea of memories that the clone had experienced from its creator.
"HANG HIM! Hang him high! Hahahahaha! Take this! And this! TAKE THIS TOO!"
The clone watched, and felt, the cold sting of a harsh whip on its back. The laughter, the jeers, and the sneers, it remembered all of them. Then it remembered...dying. It remembered the light slowly fading from its eyes. All...for...one...chance. All for them. He...was a hero.
Naruto dashed out of the classroom before anyone could stop him. The Sasuke clone quickly ran after him. The adults were left alone. "Hokage-sama, was this wise?" Kakashi asked.
"I don't know, Kakashi, but let's see if Sasuke can calm Naruto-kun down. We'll...continue this later. It's a lot to take in," Hiruzen said. Jiraiya and Iruka agreed without even needing to speak.
Meanwhile, the Naruto clone kept running and running. It could feel the rage beginning to take over it. It had to dispel. If it released all of its rage now, then the current planning would all be for nothing. It could feel the blood pressure threatening to burst from its body. It could feel the uncontrollable rage to lash out. It was...some kind of sick, cruel joke.
Whether from sweat, or from exhaustion, the clone touched its face. Once it looked at its hand, it could see that it was covered in the color of rich life essence. It could feel the rage inside of it boiling. Villager after villager that it passed, it could feel the desire to wring them all to death. It felt the desire to hang them high or hang them low. This peace that was established at his own expense, where did he fit in all of it?
The clone quickly opened the door. The Sasuke clone quickly came through and locked it. In a blood-curdling scream that shocked those denizens of the apartment complex, the two clones shouted as spikes of blood ripped through their bodies. So great was their rage that their owner's cultivation came undone. They could feel the heat of their rage dissolve their bodies until there was nothing left.
Meanwhile, far back in Kusagakure, Naruto clutched his head and screamed as he felt his anger rise. "Normal?! NORMAL?!" A red aura exploded from Naruto's body. So great, so intense, so powerful was it that it cracked the ground beneath his feet. Never before was he more thankful to be away from Kusagakure than now.
His hair, once yellow like the sun, took in the red aura like a fine drink. As Naruto shouted towards the heavens, the red aura wrapped around his body. Spikes of blood exploded from his back and stabbed themselves into the ground. His blue eyes turned into the orbs of a rabig monster. The aura trailed up and down his skin leaving markings by which none could ascertain the origin. His short blonde hair turned into a long mane of spiky, red hair.
Adrenaline rushed through the blonde's body. He, Uzumaki Naruto, a hero? No. He, Uzumaki Naruto, could live a normal childhood? NO! No, Konoha! You would not win! Naruto would not rest, Naruto would not sleep, Naruto...would not die until The Village Hidden in the Leaves became a smoldering crater in the ground where no life would dare tread. The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki would make you suffer. Everything that you held dear, Naruto would take it. Everything that you loved, Naruto would destroy it. Everything that you hated, Naruto would become.
The red aura that was surrounding Naruto suddenly turned back. It quickly circled around his body like a cocoon of darkness. As the blonde rested there, drowning in the sea of his rage, surrounded by absolute blackness, his mind crafted an image that made him smile. A burning city of eternal fire, a street of flowing red, hot blood, the weeping and gnashing of teeth of sorrowful civilians, the complete and utter subjugation of one village, then two, then three, then four. In place of water, trees would feast on blood. Rotting corpses fit for the buzzards would be laid bare, and he, Uzumaki Naruto, would stand before all of it, laughing as those under him pledged their allegiance to this dark whims in his head.
From on high, looking down, would be Hiruzen Sarutobi watching all he had worked for, dying by the Hero of Konoha. "How is that for normal, Jiji? I look forward to the hope disappearing from your eyes. Just like your village did to me," Naruto thought to himself.
Inside that dark cocoon, far away from Kusagakure, Naruto released a twisted chuckle as the aura continued to surround his body. The cocoon he had placed himself in hardened.
KG: Well, this took longer than I thought. I'll try not to take so long this time, but IT'S MY BOY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS!
Wifey: You, pack mule! Carry these bags!
KG: No.
Wifey: Don't make me hit you.
KG: You already do that!
Wifey: I'll do it harder!
KG: Sigh, fine. Merry Christmas!