Chapter IV

Haunting Past II

"W-What did you just say, K? Repeat that for me… I must be crazy…"

"Nah, you heard me right. We're supposed to be sworn enemies by blood, since I'm half Uchiha and you're Uzumaki. What's the issue with that, Keiko?"

Keiko was surprised, as he had never actually seen an Uchiha in person. All he knew from the Anbu member was that they were all full of hatred, always plotting to kill those that stood in their path. This worried him a bit, but he tried to act natural with him still, since he believed that K was different from that description.

"Well, it's not too much of an issue, since I can tell you're not filled with hate like other Uchiha he told me about. Why are you acting different, though? Are you trying to scare me?"

"Nah, not really, I just wanted to make sure that you were someone that I could trust. I can tell that you're a pure kid, and I know that you won't share things about me like that Anbu dude… You just never know with those guys..." Tears began to form in Ks eyes, though he made sure to hide them from Keiko. Deep down, he was quite happy that he finally found someone that he could consider to be a friend.

"I've known him for three years! There is no way that he would suddenly betray any of us. He seems to be quite attached to both of us, so he wouldn't do us like that. Chill out a bit!" Keiko tried comforting K, reassuring him that they were in safe hands.

The house was finally in sight, but there was an issue: the lights in the house were on when they weren't supposed to be. Keiko raised his arm to stop K, pointing to a nearby bush. K ran over and jumped into the bush, concealing himself. Slowly and carefully, Keiko began to walk towards the door, trying not to alert his parents that he was home. He'd rather not have to face them then have them question him about his day. What he would witness in these next few minutes, though, would engrain what K said earlier right into his brain.

"M-my parents… blood… W-what's going on here… W-WAKE UP! MOM! DAD!"

Looking to the side, he noticed someone standing in the corner, staring directly at him with their sharingan active. Behind him, K was having some of his own troubles…

"Wait, wait, wait, don't hurt me! Stop! Please! NO! I HAVE TO HELP MY-"

K screamed at another ninja outside with him, alarming Keiko and making him turn around. As he turned around, he witnessed the ninja slash at K with his sword, causing blood to run from his neck and his body to go limp. The ninja grabbed him from the neck, reaching for his eyes. Keiko wanted to close his eyes and look away, but the sight of his new friend being slaughtered and plundered was something he just couldn't ignore. Keiko screamed the loudest and most painful scream he could make, falling to his knees and crying uncontrollably. Nothing would make him understand why these ninjas would do such a thing, even when they began talking to him.

"You want to die too, kid? Sorry to break it to ya, but you're too precious for that to happen. Someone further up the line told us that we needed to keep the Uzumaki boy alive. Don't really know why, but hey, I'd be happy if I were you. You're no match for us anyways!"

Out of pure rage, Keiko casted the shadow clone jutsu, accidentally infusing his many clones with lightning. This caught the ninja off guard, who attempted to attack a few of the clones, which resulted in his electrocution and temporary paralysis. In the short amount of time that he couldn't move, Keiko infused his body with lightning, rushed towards the ninja, and took him out for good.

"One down. One more." Keiko used the most monotone voice he could ever emit, as he was keeping all emotion in until he felt that revenge had been obtained. He walked back into his home, looking away from the limp bodies of his parents, and found the Uchiha in the same place, this time writing into his pocket-sized notebook.

"Hey you… Did you plan all this? Why couldn't you do me a favor and have me killed too? Why do I have to take in everything and live with this weight? Do you even understand me?"

The Uchiha looked up at Keiko, studying his face for a solid 30 seconds before looking back down to his notebook as he began speaking with a peaceful sounding voice.

"I'm sorry, Keiko, I really am… You can't and won't understand the motive behind this attack right now, but one day, the truth will be revealed by you… Don't die, don't get lost. This world is going to need you if it is to survive what is coming for it. What I can tell you is that the road ahead will be worse than any level of hell you could possibly be sent to. I know you're strong, though. That's why I left you with Kurayami, because I knew you would surpass the clan differences, though I didn't count on him dying so quickly… You're strong, Keiko, strong enough to beat anyone if you try hard enough. Train hard!"

"W-wha…" Keiko had so many thoughts going through his head that he passed out due to the sheer amount of stress caused by them. During this period, he was abducted by the Uchiha and taken to a remote location, since Uzushiogakure was set to be destroyed in war by multiple villages due to the sheer power of Uzumaki clan members.

"Come on now, don't be too scared. Think of me as another resident of the Hidden Leaf. I promise I'm not going to try anything with you, Keiko." When Fugaku said his name, he finally began obeying, sliding his hood off, standing himself up straight, and following, anxious for what the future held for him.