Author's Notes: First of all I really do not want to take credit for the mainframe and idea of this story. The idea is NOT mine. It was at an RP website that I happened upon this idea, if I'm not mistaken, my RP partner at that time was named "redletalis" I can't remember clearly anymore, but credit for the idea all goes to her. I loved the idea so much that I based the story around it. Partner, wherever you are, hope that you know that I still think of that RP from time to time! Hahahaha! It was THE best, and this is my tribute to those times.
Note about the AU, to simplify things, I'm gunna start off by saying that the Uchiha clan was not wiped out. If you don't like that idea, turn around now. Hahaha. Please let me know what you think in the reviews!
A shinobi's life is not an easy one. The constant battles that tear their skin, cuts their soul as well. Trauma, pain, betrayal, deceit. These have become so normal in a shinobi's life that it had left a real problem in their shadows. Anxiety-ridden nights and days, nightmares, panic attacks and sometimes, loss of control are common.
For years no one did anything. Shinobis suffered by themselves. Some fortunate ones surrounded by friends. Others by family. But there was always a shinobi who walked the path alone.
A great many years ago the medic-nins of ancient time had found a subtle connection between a male shinobi named Kurama and a female civilian named Yui. The two didn't know each other and had no close connections.
Kurama was an undefeatable shinobi. Often sent out on missions, sometimes coming back clean, sometimes coming back bloody and bruised.
It was one particular night after an A-rank mission that he was sent to the hospital. He was injured and sedated. His team members recounted the story to the medic-nins that even after the fight was over, Kurama was still in a frenzied state of mind, attacking his teammates as well. He was knocked out cold after several attempts.
Thinking that the shinobi would not wake, the medic-nins worked on his wounds. Halfway through the procedure Kurama woke with a start, trapping all the medic-nins in a horrifying genjutsu.
Only one medic-nin was able to break the genjutsu. This medic-nin would come to be known as The Wise One. The Wise One was a special man. He was able to see special chakra links between people.
The invisible chakra link was a single string attached to a person.
It was only here that The Wise One chose to follow Kurama's chakra link, it led him out of the hospital amidst the chaos. The chakra link lead him to a house. When he knocked, a woman answered the door and there right at the centre of the woman's chest, was where the chakra link ended.
The Wise One took the woman—now known as Yui—to the hospital. The Wise One led her to Kurama's room, where the killing intent was strong. But Kurama started to falter, the waves of genjutsu weakening, several medic-nin able to break through it one by one, sweating profusely as they came back to the real world.
In a matter of minutes, all was at peace. Kurama came back from his trance, placed a look at Yui for merely a second, and fell back on his bed, asleep.
It was then that The Wise One realized, they were at the brink of something remarkable. The link between Yui and Kurama strengthened and no longer was the strong shinobi bothered with nightmares and painful memories of the past. He had someone to confide to. Their relationship as strangers grew into a special friendship. Much different from the other friendships that Kurama had.
Kurama flourished in his time as a shinobi and Yui was known as the first Touchstone.
The Wise One passed down his knowledge to those who had the talent for it. Little by little more medic-nins were able to see chakra links between people. Everyone thought that the idea was flawless.
Until Yui, was killed by none other than Kurama himself.
Legend says that the two had a quarrel. No one really knows what happened that night, but one could only assume that Kurama had lost control. A shinobi could break a civilian faster than lightning could strike.
Kurama crumbled. The link had been severed and the fact that he was the reason, had eaten his mind. Just a moment later, Kurama killed himself.
The two were found in the same room. Lying in a heap of blood, facing each other.
Thus, the Touchstone Training Initiative was born and the very first thing that Touchstone trainees learned about, was the legend of Kurama and Yui.