The Legend of A Master
DISCLAIMER – I DO NOT OWN POKEMON OR NARUTO, THEY BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
Chapter 3 - New feelings, New friends.
KONOHAGAKURE NO SATO
"Kakashi, why did you request an audience with me?" Hiruzen asked.
"Hokage-sama, I saw a rather interesting child a while ago, he caught my eye"
"Hmm how long ago and why is that?" Hiruzen asked, mildly interested in the conversation. It is after all not every day that the legendary copy ninja found and called somebody interesting.
"Four months ago. He was fast enough to disappear from sight the moment he sensed me" Kakashi said softly.
Hiruzen was stunned; very few Jonin could evade Kakashi's senses much less a child. This was interesting indeed; he would have to meet this child.
"I shall send somebody to find him, where did you see this child?" Hiruzen asked.
"Pallet town".
"Very well, you can leave Kakashi" Hiruzen stated. With a nod, Kakashi disappeared in a swirl of leaves. Hiruzen pressed a button underneath his desk and said…
"Shika, I need you to do something for me".
A DAY LATER
Shika was on the outskirts of Pallet town. His intelligent eyes swept through the city as he tried to locate the elusive child.
"Ugh this is so troublesome, this better be worth it," Shika said in his head. The only lead he had was very vague. The wind changed. He barely felt it but it was there, as he looked around in his peripheral vision he spotted a black blur jumping from tree to tree, whoever it was they were going fast alright.
"Damn" Shika whistled picking up the pace to keep up with the blur. The kid had black hair and red eyes like was the profile he was given and his face was masked.
"This is definitely the kid," He thought. Now for a little test.
"Ninpō: Kagemane no Jutsu" [Ninja Art: Shadow Possession technique]. His shadow shot towards the unsuspecting boy.
Arion had sensed someone powerful nearby. Jonin or ANBU level perhaps. They didn't feel hostile so he ignored them. A spike in chakra made him frown. He had to stop and leap out of the way, his eyes followed as the shadow moved accordingly.
The forests were a bad place to continue this considering how sunny it was. He needed an open field. If the opponent had resources, he had the lay of the land by his side. Immediately turning tale he needed to get to the clear streams on the border with a bit more open room. The shadows would then be restricted to chakra and he had plenty of that. He made it safely to the other side, his senses open to new information. He turned abruptly.
Paper bomb.
He leapt up escaping a huge explosion, created a dark cloud.
"Tch" he knew what was coming.
"Ninpō: Kage Nui no Jutsu [Ninja Art: Shadow Stitching Technique]".
"Light it is" he decided as his hands weaved the necessary seals.
"Katon: Gōkakyu no Jutsu [Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique]"
The burning hot sprays of fire neatly enveloped the shadowy spikes as the ANBU backed away slowly. As a Nara, Shika was pretty lazy, but he was oddly enjoying this fight.
"What do you want from me?" the boy was tense, ready to strike at any moment.
"My deepest apologies, but by order of the Hokage, I was assigned the task of bringing you back to Konohagakure," Shika said calmly standing to his full height.
The grip on his Chokuto loosened as he rolled his eyes.
"Whatever happened to people asking nicely, is this some sort of new thing people do? Do words not work any more?!" the boy rattled off sarcastically. Shika had the decency to look a little sheepish, he scratched his cheek, the effect lessened by the mask on his face.
"Uhh sorry about that" the boy just made a dismissive sound as he closed his eyes.
"Guys I won't be back for a few weeks, so you can train with whatever you want, Sundays are your recuperation days, apart from this you can do as you please, your food is in the cabinets up top"
He got back responses within a few seconds…
"Sure thing Arion!" that was definitely Raijin.
"Alright" That was Variaries.
"Sure" Forrest's gravelly voice echoes in his head.
"Be back safe boss!" and that must be Poseidon's two cents.
"I will"
"C'mon ANBU-san let's get this over with" as they once again leapt into the forests.
HOKAGE'S OFFICE
Hiruzen was looking at the boy. He was standing with a blank look on his face. He gave a small bow and asked…
"Hokage-sama why did you call me here?" he inquired politely.
"Well, I am curious about your abilities. It caught the attention of one of our best Jonin" Hiruzen replied evenly.
"I am assuming you mean Kakashi-san, well I don't remember doing anything that should catch his interest," he said bored.
"Evading his senses is no small feat" As the aged leader flicked his wrist and his ANBU threw two shurikens and the boy didn't even flinch, rather he followed the movement from the corner of his eye and caught them by the figure loop, the shuriken now resting comfortably on his fingers.
"Do you throw shuriken at all your guests, Hokage-sama?" his tone had changed. There was a hint of anger there. The Fire-shadow's eyebrow twitched.
"Well, for now, I want to know what your name is, your full name," the old man said firmly.
"Am I obligated to answer that?"
The question was innocent enough, and normally Sarutobi would forgive it, after all, he was just a child. However, the defiance in his eyes was what made the aged man sit up a little straighter and his eyes a little sharper. The two Chunin at his side, however, were outraged…
"Brat that's the Hokage! Show some respect" Izumo said.
"Respect is earned not obligated. Besides your village is the one that is offering me a position in your village. I can just as easily refuse, you do realize." The boy retorted sharply.
There it was. No hesitation, no fear. He knew his place and his power and control over the current situation. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Shikaku stiffen slightly. But the boy wasn't done.
"Every single one of you! just demand after demand! What did I do to deserve to get attacked in the woods? huh?! Do you even seem to realize just how absurd you're being"
The adults kept quiet. The boy wasn't wrong. They had simply thought about the interests of the Leaf and had brought him here. They had tested him without his consent and might have injured him.
"...My apologies, maybe we truly have started off on the wrong foot." Hiruzen acknowledged, taking a deep drag from his pipe.
The boy closed his eyes again, his hand clenched around the pendant he wore. Giving it a quick squeeze, he exhaled loudly.
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke"
"What?!" Everyone in the office roared out in surprise. Even some of the ANBU had to stifle gasps of surprise.
"You're an Uchiha and Senju?" Hiruzen questioned fiercely. Itachi and Izumi had been found dead two years ago. They were only discovered when they didn't respond to mission summons, on a deserted island. The council was in an uproar due to losing the last Sharingan user and one of their best medical ninja in the village.
"Well, have you considered rejoining the village?" The leader asked eagerly. Maybe the Sharingan wasn't lost to them after all.
That was a mistake on his part. The boy's eyes narrowed, a hint of anger shading the red hues. Hiruzen was swift to try to rectify his mistake but he was cut off...
"So have you unlocked your Sharingan?" a new voice asked.
All heads were turned and his eyes narrowed.
"Danzo, what do you want?" Hiruzen hissed out.
"Oh, this doesn't concern you Hiruzen, I was merely asking whether this boy who claims to be an Uchiha has unlocked his Sharingan or not," Danzo said in a voice feigning innocence.
The boy took in the decrepit looking man. He felt a very familiar chakra behind those bandages.
"So this is Danzo Shimura, Father's intel on him was vast. I have to kill him and take back Shisui Ojisan's eye, no question."
He stood and started walking towards the bandaged man, as he did so he subtly applied a physical Genjutsu that manifested into a dragon. Danzo's eyes widened as he took a step back. Walking out of the room and opening the window just opposite to it...
"That" Sasuke started jumping on the open window sill "is none of your concern" he finished and then jumped out of the window.
Though he was still slightly shaken by that aura...
"Foolish boy," Danzo thought and smirked.
The Professor slapped his forehead and pressed the intercom on his desk…
"A council meeting call the clan heads and the civilian council".
"Do they really think just because I'm a child I'll spill information that easily? If they do, they have another thing coming for them…" He had gotten quite far out nearing the training grounds. Shuriken interrupted his train of thought as he unsheathed his Chokuto and deflected.
"Danzo-sama has asked you to come peacefully. If you do not I am permitted to use force," he said in a monotone voice that all ROOT ANBU were known for. The boy just tightened the grip around his sword and smirked.
"I have a choice in that matter, if you cannot accept 'No' for an answer, do your worst" he stated just as monotonously as the ANBU.
Then the ANBU started going through hand seals,
"Doton - Ishi no Yari [Earth Release: Stone Spear Technique]"
Immediately many spikes of earth rose out from behind him. Sasuke made no visible motions but seemingly disappeared into thin air. By the time he reappeared he was already through the hand seals for a counter
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu [Fire Release: Great Fireball technique]" The spikes were destroyed, overwhelmed by the heat. With another quick step, he was gone again.
"Where did he go?" The ROOT agent's eyes darted around trying to find his target.
"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu [Fire Release: Phoenix Immortal Fire Technique]" the ROOT ANBU suffered burns unable to get away in time. He laid prone on the ground.
"Doton: Kekkai Doroudomu [Earth Release: Clay Barrier Prison]" The earth rose effectively trapping the ROOT operative in a stone prison.
"Now then, Why don't you tell me a little bit more about your 'Danzo-sama'" The ROOT agent growled hatefully.
"Do you really think I would betray my master!"
"Oh, I don't need you to talk" the ROOT agent blinked behind his mask. Sasuke made a half Tiger seal.
"I just needed a way in" He opened both his eyes, now with the signature tomoe swirling in them.
"Sharingan"
Even with his Sharingan, it had taken a while to get everything he needed. This shinobi obviously wasn't an elite of the ROOT force, though he knew the basics, like where his base was. Unfortunately, safeguards ejected Sasuke from the man's mind far too quickly as the operative writhed and fell dead in seconds.
He sealed the body into a Stasis scroll and pocketed it. There was still work to be done.
"Now then let's see here" He sent out a chakra pulse to find, hopefully, a new friend.
Naruto hadn't lived a long life, so he only really knew how to do a few things. Running was one of those things. He had to learn to run and run fast.
"Leave me alone, I didn't do anything," the foxy boy said terrified. Shuriken sailed through the air, finding its mark on his shoulder. With a cry of pain, he fell and curled up into a fetal position protecting his head the best he could. It was the posture of a young child who had been beaten so many times, they knew it was inevitable.
"And now I finish what the Yondaime started" a cocky Chunin rushed through hand seals.
"Raiton - Hōden gijutsu [Lightning release: Electrical Discharge Technique]"
Naruto closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable pain, but over the sound of electric crackling, he heard soft footsteps land in front of him.
"Doton: Doroku Gaeshi [Earth Release: Rock Shield]" the whiskered child opened his blue eyes and saw that he was enclosed within a protective layer of earth.
When the Jutsu ended he saw a figure standing in front of him. He didn't look much older than Naruto himself but his aura was incredible. The boy turned to him and Naruto saw his eyes. They were genuinely warm like the way Naruto had always wanted someone to look at him.
"Are you okay?" a hint of concern shone through the newcomer's voice. Naruto was too stunned to speak so he nodded.
"Why are you protecting the demon?!" the Chunin roared out interrupting the conversation. He drew a kunai in a throwing motion as it whizzed towards the duo. The whiskered child feared for his protector's safety for a second. Raising his hand, Sasuke closed it just enough to catch it by the handle completely missing the blade part, he calmly brought it up to his face and then placed it in his own blade holster.
He unsheathed his Chokuto once more as the blade shone even in the dim alley.
"What did you just call him?" his voice sent shivers down the villagers' spines.
"We called him a demon, that's what he is" one foolish villager called out even though he was shaking with fear.
Killer intent started leaking from Sasuke as he turned his blade once more, its shiny surface reflecting the fear in their eyes.
"Care to say that again" his voice was much deeper now.
Many of the villagers just passed out from the sheer killer intent. The Chunin, however, was just struck with fear but he still held his ground slowly inching forward for another weapon. A shuriken flew past pinning his sleeve firmly to the ground.
"I don't think that's a good idea" lightning chakra enveloped the blade, the whistling sound it made was almost deafening.
"If you ever try to hurt him again, a sleeve isn't all I'm going to cut" the Chunin passed out in fright.
"So are you okay?" he asked in that same concerned tone.
"Why did you help me?"
"Well, it seemed like you need the help," he said with a laugh. For a person who he just saw wielding a deadly blade and expertly gathering up lightning in it, his stance was relaxed and friendly.
"...I think I'm fine. Just a little bruised and a flesh wound" Naruto said frowning.
'I can heal that -"
"Who are you?" Naruto also blurted out.
"Me?" he asked giving an eye smile. The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki nodded in confirmation and he just smiled again.
"I'm Uchiha Sasuke, What's your name?" he inquired pleasantly.
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto " the whiskered boy whispered.
"Well Naruto, Do you want me to take a look at that?" he asked. The blonde boy nodded gratefully.
"First let's get away from here," One quick Shunshin later they were in the forests near the academy.
He then faced Naruto and gave the younger boy an eye smile that made him feel at complete ease. Performing some hand seals, his hands glowed green. Bringing it close, Naruto felt his wounds closing and he sighed in content.
"You can come out" Naruto just looked around in confusion, who was he talking to? There was no one here.
There was a slight shuffling sound as if someone was making up their mind before a rather timid looking girl came out clutching a small container in her hands and held it out to Naruto.
"F-F-For y-y-y-you." Naruto looked stupefied. He could count the times someone had given him something on one hand and still have fingers left to count on.
As Naruto looked at the girl, his eyes roamed her delicate features. Pale lavender eyes, dark hair that was cut short, alabaster skin and a rising blush dotting those features. The blue-eyed child felt a warm feeling spread across his face when he accepted the container and said a quick thank you.
"What's your name?" he asked softly.
She blushed madly and tried to run away but she tripped and almost fell until Sasuke caught her.
"You don't have to be scared we won't hurt you," Sasuke said as he settled himself on a rock.
Once the group had settled down, Naruto still intently looking at the new girl while she kept her eyes firmly on the ground.
"Why don't we introduce ourselves?" The Uchiha heir proposed. The girl nodded rather meekly and Arion gave her an eye smile.
"Well you can start first," he said warmly to the newcomer.
"A-ano, M-my name i-is H-Hyuuga Hinata and I l-like flower pressing and C-cinnamon buns, my dream is to be acknowledged b-b-by my f-f-father."
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto and I'm going to be Hokage, Dattebayo!"
"Well, it seems that I'm the only one left, very well…
My name is Uchiha Sasuke and I like training and bonding with my pokemon."
"U-Uchiha?" Hinata asked shocked.
"Yes, I'm the last of my clan and the heir to the Uchiha clan"
"That's so cool"
"Okay, now I have a serious question for you Naruto" Naruto just blinked.
"Why do you want to be Hokage?" the prodigy asked softly.
"Well, if I become Hokage everyone will stop disrespect me and treat me like somebody, somebody important. So I'm gonna become strong, stronger than anyone else till nobody can question my right to be Hokage".
Hinata opened her mouth at that but she closed it right after not having the courage to say anything that might hurt Naruto's feelings. Arion just sighed…
"If that's your reason, you will never become Hokage" Sasuke explained as calm as ever. He wasn't belittling Naruto nor was he blindly following. He was giving him the facts, plain and simple.
"What!? What do you mean?" Naruto was puzzled.
"If you become the Hokage, do you really think everyone will respect you? Not everyone respects the Hokage, and everyone will not respect you just because you're strong. You can't get along with everyone in this world... You can't choose to get hurt in this world but you do have a say in who hurts you" Sasuke replied evenly.
Hinata was staring at him, she was obviously taken aback by his attitude.
"Selfish motivation?" Naruto whispered, and the Uchiha knew he had struck a chord with him.
"So Hinata, why is the Hyuuga heiress out here?" Arion asked.
The girl in question started tearing up.
"What is it?" Sasuke asked frantically. He may be a prodigy but he hadn't the slightest clue how to deal with crying girls.
"F-F-Father a-and I w-were s-s-sparring a-and h-he c-called me w-weak b-because I-I l-lost t-to a b-branch h-h-house m-member, If o-only I w-wasn't s-such a failure…" she said choking through tears.
"...I see"
Hiashi was not a cruel father by any stretch of the imagination, his willingness to protect Naruto was a testament to this fact. It was likely that he was more used to the concept of tough love. Sasuke closed his eyes as he did a quick scan. The roaring fire that answered back had his eyes snapping open.
"Train both of them child" Ryuu's voice echoed in his head suddenly.
"Why?" he asked back.
"Don't deny it, you feel a sense of belonging with both of them don't you?" Ryuu teased slyly. The boy kept silent knowing he was right.
"The boy in front of you is the Jinchuuriki of the Nine-tailed fox as you know but Kurama is not able to reach the boy effectively until as I would guess a life or death situation.
The girl, on the other hand, is a much more interesting case. Her Byakugan is not yet unlocked but her eyes are more gifted than anyone in her own clan"
"Very well then, I shall do as instructed" he acknowledged the Juubi.
He opened his eyes and said…
"I have a question for both of you and give me your honest answers" They both blinked but nodded in acceptance.
"If given the chance to gain more strength what would you use it for?" Arion questioned.
They both looked puzzled and frowned in thought. To his surprise, it was Hinata who answered first.
"If I c-could become strong t-then I would protect those who are precious to me, especially m-my family. No matter how they t-treat me I still love them a-and I will always p-protect them" she replied softly.
It amazed him that when she was talking about her family she hardly stuttered. It showed him just how much she cared for them to have some sort of confidence in this subject. Her gentle nature could be something that made her strong.
"Me too, I guess" Naruto followed.
"I want to find the precious people that I will protect will all my strength and heart, people who genuinely care and love me for me. I-I want to make friends."
"...I will train you" Sasuke declared softly.
"WHAT!?" both of them exclaimed looked at each other, blushed and looked away from each other. Sasuke chuckled at their antics.
"I said I will help you with your desire to become strong, but you can't tell anyone of this training. I lost the dearest people in my life and I don't want others to suffer like me"
They both nodded in understanding.
"A-Ano, Who d-d-did y-you l-lose Sasuke k-kun?" she asked softly.
He closed his eyes and looked up,
"I lost my parents" he replied quietly.
Both of them winced and frowned in sympathy.
"Listen up, let's lay down some rules. When I tell you to do something, no matter how crazy or how pointless it seems you will do it. If you have complaints I'll just stop training you."
Both of them had no complaints at that.
"Naruto let me tell you what I think about you, your strengths and weaknesses" Sasuke continued bluntly.
"You have a warm personality, overshadowed by a mischievous nature. You have ridiculous stamina and endurance but that's it. Your physical and mental strength is abysmal and you're reckless. You don't have enough self-control"
Naruto looked ready to retort but in his heart, he knew it was true, but he was slightly confused at the last part...
"But you also have an incredible charisma to you that could do very well with some training".
"Hinata," he said startling the unsuspecting girl.
"Hai!"
"You have a kind nature, and excel at analyzing the situation..."
"How do yo-ou know that?" Hinata stuttered out.
"I've been to the Hyuuga clan before. How do you think I recognized your chakra signature?" he smirked as her eyes widened.
"But you are too soft and are unable to bring yourself to hurt others. You have to learn that others will not show you the same mercy. You have to strengthen your spirit and know that if you let them live they will kill you".
"Well I'm going to discuss Hinata's Kekkie Genkai now" he declared.
"Wait, wait," Naruto said out.
"Hmm, What is it Naruto?"
"You said we are weak right now right?"
"Yeah, what of it?"
"Then how do we become strong?" Sasuke simply laughed at that.
"It's because you both are weak and that's why you can be truly strong."
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.
"I ask you this... if you did not know what it feels like to struggle and persevere, would you sympathize with those who do?" Both children frowned at the question.
"Take it this way, if you have never been hungry before would you truly understand someone who is starving?" Naruto could relate to such an example. There were many times when he had been truly ravenous, but unable to feed himself. But when he saw starving animals, he couldn't help but feed them whatever he could scrounge up.
"The truly strong have one thing that you will find time and time again... empathy. They will put themselves in your shoes and will try to understand you and help in any way they know how."
"A leader doesn't just have to be strong, they have to know how it was to be weak so that they can protect their people with their full strength."
"..."
"As I was saying Hinata is from the Hyuuga clan, a clan renowned for its visual prowess and Dojutsu – The Byakugan [Pure White eye] is a power that resides in the eye, it grants the user almost 360 degrees of vision and a proficient user of this technique is said to accurately be able to see the Tenkutsu or Chakra points located all over one's body…" he started
As Arion started to slowly start to explain how to activate Dojutsus to Hinata, it was the moment of truth, he slowly made Chakra focusing seals and instructing her at the same time to copy the hand seals he was making.
"Byakugan"
After a few more tries the veins around her eyes bulged out as she displayed the eyes that all Hyuuga were known for.
"You're diverting the chakra to the sides of your eyes, try to focus the chakra into the pupil, you get better results that way," He said using his own Dojutsu to guide her properly. She nodded and focused more towards the centre of her eye.
Naruto just gawked in open-mouthed awe at the new eyes that Hinata and Sasuke had.
"Keep activating and deactivating them until you can do so without the use of the hand seals. Doing this gradually increases the power of the Dojutsus with time, but be careful not to overuse them, it can lead to blindness."
Hinata was just overjoyed with the fact that she had activated her eyes.
Naruto, on the other hand, was getting used to the fact that both of his friends seem to have cool powers in their eyes.
"Now Hinata you can go home your bodyguard is near here anyway so I think he will escort you home, Naruto we have to talk so stay here," The prodigy said calmly.
Hinata checked with her Byakugan and indeed Ko Hyuuga was near and was searching for the Hyuuga heiress. So she bid goodbye to her new friends and ran to her guard.
Sasuke discreetly made a shadow clone when Naruto was waving to Hinata and gave the clone a list of things to buy and instructed him to disperse himself and report back after buying what was on the list.
"We have to go somewhere we cannot be seen, will your apartment be fine?"
"Y-Yeah, I'll lead the way," Naruto said eager to show his new friend his house.
In the end, they stood in front of an apartment that had graffiti on its walls things like "demon, scum, and freak" were spray-painted harshly all over. He narrowed his eyes at it before glancing over to the blonde chibi of a boy. The blonde didn't seem to care or he was probably used to it by now, Sasuke sighed rubbing his temples.
They went inside when he saw that the complete place was a disaster area so he treads carefully into it and then with a quick wind Jutsu pushed all the trash away from him. Naruto just stood there, awe written all over his face.
"How did you do that? Will you teach me how to do that" Naruto was bouncing on the spot with excitement.
"So Naruto, I want you to pay attention for the next hour or so listen closely, okay?"
"Awwww, do I really have to?" Naruto whined.
"I was going to tell you about your parents if you really do not prefer it, we can move on…" he was cut off by Naruto.
"MY PARENTS? You know who my parents are tell me, tell me!" His eyes pleaded with red ones and the Uchiha's heart broke a little.
"What I'm about to tell you is strictly confidential and an S class secret in the village Naruto, Your family was a remarkable one and your father loved your mother and you a lot. Your father Naruto… was the Yondaime"
Naruto looked dumbstruck. A pin dropping would have made a sound akin to an explosion right now.
"THE YONDAIME WAS MY FA… umph" Sasuke quickly slapped his hand over his mouth and waited for him to calm down.
"Yes Naruto, your father was the Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato. Your mother was The Crimson Streak of Konoha; her name was Uzumaki Kushina from who you got your last name from"
"But then why did Jiji never tell me? I'm the son of the Yondaime Hokage! If the others knew that they would stop hitting and hurting me" Naruto's voice strained, tears threatening to fall.
"It was wrong of the Hokage to keep this from you Naruto, I agree, but it was done for your own protection against foreign ninja especially Iwa, your father had many enemies and trust me, fame is not worth your life Naruto".
Sasuke pulled out the scroll his father had never managed to give Naruto. "Minato was my father's sensei. My father was his first student, he looked up to Minato just like how a son looks up to his father, Naruto," the prodigy said softly.
"I was entrusted to give you this scroll, this is the last thing your father and mother left you Naruto, here" Sasuke handed him the scroll.
With a trembling hand, Naruto bit his thumb, and when the blood fell on the seal a small mountain of more storage scrolls fell out along with two letters.
Naruto opened the first envelope and pulled out the letter but kept frowning at it and then burst out crying. Sasuke looked on in alarm.
"What's wrong, Naruto? What is it?" he asked frantically.
...
...
...
...
"I can't read this" Naruto said seemingly depressed. Sasuke couldn't help it, he fell down anime style.
"You could have just told me, I would have read it for you," he said gently with a sweatdrop.
Taking the letter from him, the boy read out the Japanese script for him.
[Dear Son,
I'm running out of time and the Kyuubi is attacking our village, I'm sorry but it seems that your mother and I won't be there for you as you grow up Naruto. This is my message to you, make friends, you don't need too many, just ones you can really trust. I have to seal the Kyuubi within you Naruto. It seems I'm not going to be the father of the year any time soon. I hope you can forgive me his son. Within this scroll, there is the key to the Namikaze family fortune. This is your inheritance. No matter what people around you say Naruto, I will always love you, my son.
Namikaze Minato ,
Your Father.]
The second letter was also addressed to Naruto. The handwriting was shaky and teardrop stains littered the paper
[My Naruto-Kun,
I have so much to tell you, yet no time to do so at all. I wanted to raise you with all the love I have within me but it seems that this will be impossible. I'm so sorry my son. Your father and I were so excited when we learned we were going to have a child. We were going to spoil you and scold you but raise you with tender kindness and love. But now I'm afraid the worst has come to pass, the Kyuubi has escaped and I'm almost at my limit, please son become a strong shinobi so you can succeed where I failed. Your burden will be a unique one that not many will understand but as long as you fill yourself with love you can find beauty even in this cruel world Naruto. Find friends who you can entrust your life to, who wouldn't hesitate to die for you as well. Protect those who are precious to you my son. I'm so sorry, but it seems I have run out of time. I love you, my dear Naruto-kun.
Your mother,
Namikaze Uzumaki Kushina.]
By the time Sasuke had finished, the Jinchuuriki was on the verge of tears he was hugging himself softly and rocking himself back and forth as if to reassure himself that...
His parents loved him…
He has a demon sealed in him…
He has the Kyuubi inside him…
He is a demon child.
What the villagers said to him suddenly makes sense. The insults, beatings... all because of responsibility thrust upon him, something he had no control over.
The blonde child started to wail really loudly and he expected that now Sasuke knew what was inside him he would laugh and then leave after hitting him. Instead, he felt a hand on his shoulder and blue eyes looked up to see Sasuke. Even with his face hidden with shadows the child could tell he was looking sympathetically at him when he spoke...
"It hurts, doesn't it? To be blamed for something you have no control over?"
His surprised look must have been enough for him to know his question.
"Why am I not running away you ask?" He started and then gave me an eye smile. "It's because I understand the difference between the kunai and the scroll, I am in a way... a Jinchuuriki like you"
"Jinchuuriki?" Naruto asked uncertainly.
"Yes, Naruto, Jinchuuriki or demon container. They are the ones that keep the Bijuu within themselves from destroying the lands, They are the jailers of the beasts"
"But remember this Naruto, the demon within you is not who you are, but under the right circumstances both of you can be friends"
"You have a demon in you too?" Naruto questioned shocked.
A single nod answered as confirmation.
"But I have the Kyuubi within me, what if he takes over and destroys the village through my body?" he screamed out tears streaked his face.
"Naruto, your father was one of the best Fuinjutsu master in all of the fire country and possibly the entire world, his seal will not fail. Even so... The Kyuubi isn't evil, not in the way you think anyway" Sasuke replied.
The blonde child whimpered and settled down at last.
"Now Naruto, come closer and sit down," Sasuke told me and he obliged scooting closer to him in the lotus position as he sat down in a similar position and took his hands in his.
"Now close your eyes" It was the last thing he heard and did before his world went black.
Signing Off,
The Aura Phoenix.