Dreams & Hopes
Book I - Stitch By stitch
Chapter 1 - Through Fire and Smoke
Naruto wanted to cry, he wanted to scream… By all means, the blonde youth should be doing just that, but in the end… What would that change?
The arm that he had lost wouldn't return, his eye, forever blind, would not gain back sight… the ability to walk wouldn't suddenly reappear for him to escape…
And most of all that has struck him… his parents, miserable idiots, wouldn't suddenly pop back into his life after having abandoned him with all of the hate the village could muster and put forth.
Naruto finally knew the truth, and the damn thing hadn't set him free like he had heard that it would…
No…
The damn thing had now wrought upon him quite the opposite effect, as the truth now held him in a painful snare, choking out the last remnants of hope that resided within his cracked shell of a heart.
"I just wish I had died there…"
It was said calmly by the unfortunate blonde child, before his dulled eyes shifted, and the too small six year old grinned as an idea struck his mind, maybe he would indeed, be free.
(I/am/a/man/that/walks/alone/and/when/I'm/walking/a/dark/road… Iron Maiden - Fear of the dark)
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Sandaime (Third) Hokage of Konohagakure No Sato and the legendary 'Professor' of the shinobi world, was sitting there, starring gob smacked at his surrogate grandson, the blonde looking back, unflinching.
"Naruto…" The blonde youth cut him off, voice stern and serious on the matter, there would be no debate.
"No! Uzumaki Naruto laid down his life yesterday, and is no more! I am Kagetora Menma, and my life is, just now, starting."
The aged Kage remained silent for a moment, then gave a deep sigh in defeat, nodding reluctantly.
"I understand… Menma-kun." Menma grinned happily, then focused on more important matters, as he spoke again, voice sharp in honesty.
"I need to change my appearance, so that I can put my past completely behind me, is there any way for me to do that?" The aged Kage wanted, as badly as anything in his life, to say no to that request…
This child of heroes shouldn't disappear from this world, were the aged Kage's thoughts, but he knew that would be wrong, he had failed and Naruto would never return to be seen for whom he really is, and he would have to live with that fact, in this life and the next…
"There is a way, Menma-kun."
Menma smiled happily at that, and the Hokage told him how, and got him ready for the procedure.
That night, the jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi no Kitsune, Uzumaki Naruto, drew his final breath, and just as he did, last of his clan, Kagetora Menma, drew his first.
(To your grave I spoke, holding a red/red rose, cause the freezing cold air, whispers to me, that you are gone… Broken Iris - A new hope)
Menma sat in the small room, grin on his face, as he eyed his reflection, so new and exciting…
So not linked to all the pain and suffering.
His once blue eyes, now only one eye, was changed into a rich golden color, and his blonde hair, once so wild, stood tamed and was changed into a simple white with an odd purple tint to it, his whisker marks were also gone, and replacing them were two large scars, to look believable and realistic, as he had suffered from severe burns, after all.
'I'm finally free, no more being the Kyuubi brat, that is all gone, I am now the last of the Shadow Tiger's! I am Kagetora Menma.'
Now to move to the next issue… while he was being positive, he had lost both of his legs and an arm… one of his eyes was lost as well… but eye transplants were done quite often in Konoha, but now he had to actually figure out how to regain the ability of walking and replace his arm for fighting!
"I will become a great ninja, and Konoha will hail me in greatness and respect!"
He turned to face the call button, calling forth the nurse to his lone room.
"Yes, Menma-san?"
The young boy gave the charming nurse a blinding smile, and asked in an adorable fashion only a child could hope to muster and use… even if Menma had long since lost that innocence of being a child.
"Could I bother you to get me some books, nurse-chan?"
The nurse smiled warmly at the poor child, left without his legs and an arm lost, as well as his right eye…
The nurse, without hesitation, immediately accepted the paper that had all the books that he required, she skimmed through it, surprised by the number of advanced materials of medicine and anatomy, as well as the chakra theory and some other subjects… was this child truly so incredibly talented and gifted?
"Are you sure about this, Menma-san?" The expression on the small child's face changed suddenly into a visage of determination as he replied to her question, eye ablaze with his unyielding spirit.
"One day, I will walk again, I promise that on my honor as Kagetora Menma."
The woman sighed, before giving the young child a nod.
Yamanaka Ino, heiress to the Yamanaka clan and only child of the interrogation specialist and honored Konoha shinobi, Yamanaka Inoichi, member of the Ino-Shika-Cho, was making her way to the room of Kagetora Menma, Konoha's apparent wonder child, and jack of all trades…
'Only he is also master in many of them, as well.' The young heiress reminded herself.
Ino didn't know a lot about the aforementioned person, except what everyone knew… That he was young, actually he was just slightly older than her, and was severely wounded in the orphanage fire, that had happened almost a year ago now, and that he was a polite and adorable young boy.
Many spoke of him as a genius in many of the civilian and shinobi arts… and spoke of his incredible kindness and masterful eloquence, highly.
He had intervened as a mediator to many clan arguments, helping make just decisions, as well as helping cure the Kurama heiress of her sickness, inflicted by having a demon forcibly sealed into her.
Something that had all of Konoha, nervous.
Ino grinned as she had also heard, on a lighter note, that despite his scars and wounds, the boy still seemed to be quite the heartthrob, and had many women blushing with his calm elegance and eloquence, that had even surprised, pleasantly, the Daimiyo's wife…
Finally the Yamanaka heiress arrived at the last Kagetora's door, and knocked, checking the bouquet for possible damage or mussing on her short trip.
"Yes?" She couldn't suppress the shiver at the soft, gentle voice, and immediately entered the young boys room, slightly surprised at the many paintings on the walls, and frozen by meeting, in person, Kagetora Menma.
It was a sad, and yet incredible sight. She saw a boy her age, surrounded by many books and papers filled with scribbles only he could understand, but he was visibly lacking something, as the pant legs of his pajama bottoms were sewn shut, same with one of his silk pajama sleeves.
Menma gazed warmly at the guest to his room, his eye capturing hers easily. Menma wore a simple eye patch to hide his missing eye, but the other one, a beautiful golden orb, remained to gaze at her, burning into her very soul. "How may I aid a beautiful princess, such as yourself?"
The poor Yamanaka heiress felt her cheeks redden at the handsome boys compliment, as she felt captivated by his golden eye and white hair with its odd purplish tint.
"I-I am of the Yamanaka flower house. These flowers were sent through it, as a gift to you, Kagetora-sama." Menma smiled softly as he eyed the flowers the blushing Yamanaka held in her arms.
"Appreciation and undying loyalty. Must be sent as additional thanks by the Kurama clan." Ino was pleasantly surprised by the boys knowledge of flowers and mentioning of a prestigious clan such as the Kurama, so easily.
Menma gave a chuckle at her surprised expression. "Acquiring knowledge to overcome issues is my hobby, beautiful Yamanaka Ino." Ino seemed startled by his knowing her name. "Knowledge is power, my dear, and even rumours bring forth a soft hint of knowledge." Ino blushed deeper at being read so expertly by Menma, who smiled knowingly.
"You can place them there, upon the window. And would you have some time to spare… It has been a while since I last had any guests, it gets lonely quite easily here." Ino nodded, happy that he seemed so interested in her, and placed the flowers on the window quickly.
Menma smiled softly as he eyed the young girl and heiress, though her hair reminded him of who he once was, a bitter remembrance.
"I am Kagetora Menma, but I presume that much is already known by you. I am the last of my clan and I am seven years old."
Ino smiled at his soft expression and demeanor, while saddened at his comment of being the last…
"I'm Yamanaka Ino, daughter of the Yamanaka clan head, and I am also seven years old."
Menma nodded at her introduction, before smiling slyly, then he started speaking in a way a teacher would to a student. "Yamanaka Inoichi, interrogation specialist and current clan head, age 25, member of the legendary Ino-Shika-Cho and known by the nickname 'The mind scrambler' in the bingo book, threat level assessment A-rank. Lifted to S-rank when he is with the other members of the Ino-Shika-Cho."
Ino starred at Menma in shock, and was about to speak, only to be brought to a stupor by the young Kagetora… again!
"Yamanaka Keko, currently retired, jounin rank kunoichi, known as the 'Lightning braid sister' when still a member of the 'Elemental sisterhood', threat assessment A-rank when alone, S-rank when with the other members of the sisterhood. Weapon she enjoyed using? A lance she used to fire lighting from. When she was first seen by the Sandaime Raikage, he believed her to be a goddess walking upon earth, and had confessed his undying love and loyalty for her. A love he pursued until the day of his dying breath."
Ino was shocked, she had never known that her mother was such a legendary kunoichi, and it finally explained why her mother kept a battle armor in their home! That thing must have once been her very own!
Naruto chuckled at Ino's expression of shock and awe. "You're very welcome, and please do visit me again." Exactly at that moment, a nurse came into the room, telling the platinum blonde girl that visiting hours were over.
As Ino was lead out of the hospital, she could only think of one thing, as she recalled the entire conversation with the white haired boy. 'That sneaky one! I was so shocked by all that he said, I didn't get to ask him anything!'
The platinum blonde Yamanaka huffed in aggravation at that, before making her way home to quiz her mother on her, seemingly, incredible past.
(Who took you from me was neither your brothers, neither gypsies or foes. But your unfaithful heart, who after a stranger made part. Miroslav Skoro - Jeleno Lijepa (Beautiful Helena))
A soft melody filled the hospital, causing many to perk up as they knew who it was, and making Hiruzen smile warmly, his surrogate grandson was happy, living as Menma, he was so much happier than before as Naruto… it almost made what he had to tell to the young genius, become bearable… well, almost.
Menma carefully observed the Sandaime Hokage, as the man entered his room… Something wasn't right with the mans posture.
"Hokage-sama, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" The Sandaime shifted uncomfortably, something Menma immediately caught on, and it didn't raise his spirit that the matter to be discussed was pleasant.
"Blood tests have shown that while you aren't a bloodline holder… Any bloodline carrying woman you have an offspring with will find her offsprings bloodline severely enhanced… Non bloodline women who have an offspring with you, now have a strong chance of their offspring having a possible bloodline, so don't be surprised by a sudden increase of visitors of all ages and kinds."
Menma growled threateningly at the Hokage, managing to, despite his physically damaged body, make the ANBU flinch and take defensive positions around the aged fire shadow.
"That wouldn't have you so on edge! There's something you aren't telling me, what?!"
Managing to lift himself with only one arm, a quite shocking feat given he was still recovering from his wounds, he released quite a bit of killing intent at the elderly Kage, who flinched slightly at the menacing aura of the, seemingly helpless, boy.
"The civilian and clan councils have petitioned and voted in favor of the CRA, meaning that is to be immediately enacted upon yourself, Menma-kun." Menma growled harshly in despair, at first, before grinning menacingly, again making the Sandaime flinch, and feel some heavy trepidation for what is to come.
"Guess I will have to delve into some politics if I want to take care of this issue, Hokage-sama." Hiruzen felt an incredible cold shiver run down his spine at that statement, and felt it prudent to leave from the boys sight, least he become an additional target, and he would need to leave quickly!
Menma had to chuckle at the Hokage's hasty retreat and soft spoken goodbye.
It hadn't been his intention to scare the old man, but he wouldn't complain, it had its benefits.
"I guess a couple of books on psychological warfare are in order as well, they will prove excellently useful." He said, before releasing a hearty laugh, causing the patients that were disturbed by his previous yelling, to relax again.
(Who's your daddy? Who's your daddy, who puts you in your place? Lordi - Who's your daddy?)
It was silent in the council chambers, as Kagetora Menma, an unparalleled genius in many shinobi and civilian crafts, who had been helping Konoha with many ideas and projects that were enhancing its shinobi forces, was wheeled in.
"Esteemed members of the Konoha council." Menma's voice was as soft and smooth as always, but this time it held a firm undertone of steel in its depth.
"You all, hopefully, know who I am?"
Both of the councils gave nods in confirmation of that, and the young Kagetora continued in his soft, pleasing voice.
"I am here because it would seem that this council sees me, and wishes to use me, like some kind of cattle… and that is despite all that I have done for this village, civilian and shinobi alike." His voice had grown cold at the end of his speech, ice almost physically lacing his words and being.
Danzo carefully eyed the new and dangerous individual that had now presented himself…
It was easy for Danzo to see that the youth was a master of mind games and a lord of manipulation, that he could never truly match.
The reason for that, was quite simple, no matter how much he attempted to manipulate, he was only a ninja, and assassination was in his eyes the highest form of manipulation… but this child was a lord first and foremost, and a lord makes even death have one true and seven false meanings!
"I am neither cattle, nor am I a helpless child, despite what my condition and appearance might suggest to your eyes. There is more than one way to skin a cat."
With those words, he let loose some of his chakra pressure laced with KI, causing some of the more weak willed councillors to break out in cold sweat, and somewhat hyperventilate.
'Meeting you this way… I pity the cat!' Tsume, head of the Inuzuka clan, thought as she looked at the disabled child.
"I accept the CRA… but every single one of my wives will be chosen by me and me only, and no one else."
This had been growled almost demonically at the council, surprising many there at how intimidating he could sound, until he seemed to grow smug.
"Or have you forgotten who supplies you with the incredible new healing and trap seal tags that have reduced death rates by 78%? Just for reference, I'm still improving those beauties of medical knowledge. And my trap tags are barely in the infancy of its potential."
Everyone immediately understood the threat, as well as going wide eyed at what he implied with it, and were about to call him out on that, when he spoke again, voice even colder.
"It isn't like you can do anything to me, that would be worse than what is already done." He stated calmly, and made a motion to the ANBU to wheel him out, not even remaining to listen to their response.
The council was shocked and flabbergasted as they gazed at each other, before Nara Shikaku took the lead, and lifted his hand, with a big grin.
"All for accepting Kagetora-sama's proposal?"
There would be quite a rarity of times, where all three councils of Konoha would agree so completely and swiftly on any matter, from past to future.
(Stitch by stitch, you're going blind. Gonna cross you out, one stitch at a time. Emphatic - Stitches)
Menma carefully eyed the massive amount of information that stood now before him, his golden eye set ablaze as he let all that he was reading settle into his carefully catalogued, and well organized brain.
"This solution still isn't even remotely close to permanent… but it's a good first step to start off with." He softly whispered as he delved even deeper into the mechanics of one handed hand seals.
"Let's see how far we can take it, and break the roof of expectations by the world around me."
And with those whispered words, he delved deeper.
-AN-
Hello, hmm, how do I start this? Well, name is Nicholai Black, your friendly neighborhood writer. This Fanfic was written with no intent for profit, if you have paid for this, you have been scammed, and all rights to the Naruto franchise belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, so read and review.