First of all, sorry for the Word Wall that was the previous Chapter. I kinda... Get crazy sometimes, but I'll be attempting to average 4k or more Words per Chapter. I'll set a max of 6k, just barely double the first 3 chapters individually, afterwards I will start cutting and prepping the extra work I did into separate but still uploaded at once Chapters. If that happens, sorry for the Inboxing to my followers but its better than straining your attention spans (I know mine tends to be fairly short lol)

That's all I wanted to address, so on to the next Chapter. It is a mix of what I was wanting to do with this Chapter. It is broken into three pieces. The Chapter as a whole is Memorialis, a Latin term for Memorial and Remembrance.

Chapter Five: Memorialas

Kakashi Hatake - Memory Lane

(Four Years Ago...)

Kakashi stood with his Sharingan revealed before the Sandaime Hokage, having perched on a table with his left hand clenching the Tanto he had sheathed at his back. He watched the old man, the left eye keeping accurate and careful examination of the reinducted Hokage.

"Kakashi-san." Sarutobi stated with surprise, intrigued but wary nonetheless. "What brings you here?" He tried to ask amiably.

Kakashi gripped his weapon tighter, remaining silent as he held the scroll in his right hand. The Kanji for 'Wood', and the title 'Recreation Project – Wood Release Research' visible to even the man before him.

"Ah, I see. All you needed to do was ask Kakashi." Sarutobi moved without looking away from Kakashi, staring him in the eyes the whole time before he sat at the desk to his private study in his home. He removed the hat, placing it on a stand to hang.

"You... Would?" Kakashi asked in surprise. The Sharingan revealed to him that Sarutobi was indeed telling the truth, being able to easily decipher what is a lie.

Sarutobi lift his shoulders in a shrug, spreading his arms. "It isn't actually a secret. All the Clan Heads, and the Elders of the Council know of the Wood Release Recreation Project." He lit his pipe, and began to lightly smoke. "You see, when Hashirama-sensei passed, and Tobirama became the Second Hokage. He began a series of research investigations to see if it was possible to recreate his brother's Mokuton Bloodline. None of Hashirama's children inherited it, nor his grandchildren. Since it was believed lost, the research turned towards using Hashirama's genetic material to... Induce children in utero in order to encourage the resurgence of the powerful Bloodline."

As the Third spoke, Kakashi started to relax and slowly moved off of the table he was crouched upon, moving into the chair across from the desk who he thought would oppose his investigation.

"However, each of the results was a failure that caused needless deaths... None of the children survived, nor the mothers." Sarutobi added with a pained expression. "The project was scrapped in order to prevent the further losses that could have happened."

Kakashi frowned behind his mask, his eye expressions almost reflecting the movement of his lips. "I... I see. But... I have encountered..."

"Oh? What is it?"

"I met someone able to use the Mokuton sir."

Sarutobi's eyes widened. "You have?" He asked with shock.

"Yes..." Kakashi hesitated, before nodding. "His code name is Kinoe. A member of ROOT."

"ROOT was disbanded." Sarutobi reasoned. "That cannot be possible. And how would you know about that branch of ANBU?"

"I am part of it... Danzō ordered me to spy on you."

If Sarutobi was surprised, he didn't show it. However he took several more pulls from the pipe as he thought. "Interesting. I had a feeling Danzō didn't listen to me about that, but I hadn't thought he would recruit you of all people Kakashi. He has a history of only using those who could be controlled. The fact you told me tells me he is using you, since you have no real loyalty to him you will be removed after completing your mission to spy on me."

Kakashi looked down.

"But... It is a good thing you did tell me. Now why did you agree to serve him, if I may ask?"

Kakashi continued to look down. "The Kyuubi attack."

"Go on Kakashi, I am your friend here."

"You ordered all of the children to not help battle the Fox. I could... I could have saved Minato-sensei!" Kakashi snapped. "But we had to be on the sidelines, unable to do anything. Too many people died Lord Third, and if you let us participate we could have saved so much more."

Sarutobi hummed quietly.

"And Sensei's wife... And child... Both dead." Kakashi trembled. "I have nothing... I am called Friend-Killer Kakashi... And only Minato understood."

Standing up, Sarutobi walked around the desk to place his hand gently on Kakashi's shoulder. He watched as Kakashi looked up at him, and gave a small sad smile. "You're wrong Kakashi... His son didn't die."

Kakashi's eyes widened. Even the strain of his Sharingan couldn't hide his emotions, hope filled his expression. "Who?"

"He is a blond orphan right now. A no-name among most of the village. Naruto Uzumaki."

"Can... Can I see him?"

"I am afraid not Kakashi, not yet." Sarutobi gave a gentle smile. "And before you ask," He started, cutting off Kakashi's beginning protest. "It isn't up to me right now whether or not you can see him. Currently Itachi Uchiha has taken him in and is training him before his entry into the Academy. He and Shisui came up with the training they are using on the boy together, and I will promise you this Kakashi. When the boy becomes a Genin, you will be his Jonin Instructor."

Kakashi's breath hitched, before he moved off of the chair and bowed before the Hokage. "Thank you... Thank you..."

"Enough of that Kakashi. I have a favor to ask of you."

"Anything Hokage-sama."

"Feed false information to Danzō for now, and report to me if he is plotting anything."

Kakashi gave a small eye-smile, before bowing once again.

(Three Years Ago)

"Yo, Itachi-san." Kakashi greeted the Uchiha as they passed on the street. "Do you have a moment to talk?"

Itachi hummed as he stopped, turning to face the masked Jonin who he remembered bore the eye of Obito. "What is it Kakashi-san?"

"I heard from Lord Hokage that you have taken Naruto under your guidance. I was wondering if I could meet him?"

Itachi looked directly at Kakashi silently, before waving his hand. "Not right now. I am afraid that he isn't ready for getting involved with anyone else right now." He started walking, knowing Kakashi would follow with the signal he gave to encourage it.

"But why not?" Asked Kakashi.

"He is training, and unless you feel like getting past Shisui to get to him I will be perfectly glad to allow the visitation."

Kakashi frowned, before asking his question. "Why does him training qualify as a reason not to allow me to visit him?"

Itachi looked sideways, smirking at the confused Jonin. "Because... With how scary you look he might not immediately warm up to you."

Kakashi blinked his exposed eye, before nodding slowly.

"But don't worry too much. I know about your connections to him." Itachi continued. "I promise, when I have him enrolled into the Academy I will personally come get you in order to meet him."

With a nod, Kakashi agreed. "If that is what it takes... What is a year of patience?"

"Three actually." Itachi corrected, smirking at Kakashi's sudden double take. "We decided to wait until he was ten instead of eight. He has a lot of work to do to be true Shinobi material."

"Very well... I can wait three years."

Kakashi stood before Danzō, his head bowed as he wore the ANBU mask for ROOT.

"Report Hatake."

"The Sandaime has been planning to restore the Uchiha Compound. He went to the Clan and Civilian Councilors in order to make his proposition."

Danzō's expression hardened, but he nodded. "I see... Anything else?"

"He has been making complaints about his joints becoming stiff."

Danzō blinked before humming as a thought came to mind. "Very well... You are to take nine of our best and begin the task to assassinate the Sandaime."

Kakashi was glad the mask covered most of his face, both the facial one and the full ROOT mask. He grimaced. I have to inform the Hokage, and stop the attempt. He thought. "As you wish Danzō-sama. I will gather the team."

"You have until the end of the day to complete the mission. I expect a successful report."

With a nod, Kakashi vanished in a shunshin.

"You did well Kakashi. This should set Danzō's plans back greatly."

Kakashi inclined his head. "I did what you commanded Sandaime-sama."

"Yet you spared one of them. Why?"

"I have... Formed a friendship with Kinoe. However I believe that we both are done with Danzō's scheming."

Looking at the silent man standing nearby, his short brown hair and black almond shaped eyes the most noticeable features of his face. He otherwise looked bland and could blend into a crowd if there was one.

"This is what you want, 'Kinoe'?"

"Yes, I wish to be... Free." Kinoe stated with calm demeanor, projecting a stoic and serious attitude.

"Very well. From now on you shall be known as Tenzō."

(Present time...)

Kakashi stood before the memorial stone, hands in his pockets as he looked at the names carved into the black surface. Time wasn't noticed, even as the sun rose into the sky and began its climb towards noon. All that mattered right now, was he couldn't move from the spot he was at without the motivation or being summoned for a mission.

Fox of the Thousand Seals

Memorialis Interim – Tenma Tatsujin

Tenma Tatsujin thought himself a simple man, if not one of the members of the small but powerful Tatsujin Clan he belonged to. Renowned in the local province, the Daimyo overseeing Nazogakure after its founding by Muteki Sentenchou. He didn't know the man personally, but he was alive during the reign of the First Hokage and garnered the unwavering support of the Leaf through directly aiding and providing trade with Konohagakure. Ever since, Nazo had a near permanent influx of cash since they could receive the aid of the stronger Village along with whatever missions they couldn't themselves complete.

Meeting Hiruzen Sarutobi was what caused Tenma to firmly believe in a Will of Fire, the concept of Konoha that believed in peace and prosperity. It took him years to achieve the mantle of Kurokage, becoming the Fourth to bear that title. The position was much harder to acquire, because while there have been many leaders of the Enigmatic Village in its long past. Only Konohagakure's current Hokage could provide such a title officially. Which had the added effect of making the other major villages wary to even consider attacking let alone crossing them.

Tenma leaned back in his chair, his purple eyes unfocused as he reflected in introspection. He smiled wistfully, remembering the day he fought the Yondaime Hokage. That blond genius sure handed my ass to me, but he admitted I should have what was required to be recognized. I respected that man... However if my son's report of his first day in the Academy there is anything to go by, he might have met his child without realizing it. He then blinked when he heard a knock at the door, and snapped out of his introspective reverie of remembrance that was Minato Namikaze.

"You may enter." Tenma said in a deep resonating timbre, sitting up straighter in his seat and putting his hat back on his head.

The door opened, and he relaxed somewhat as Akumori walked into the room.

"Good morning Kurokage-sama." Akumori moved into a deep bow.

Tenma rolled his eyes, before chuckling. "You know how much that irks me Aku-kun."

"That's the point father." Akumori looked up with a feral grin. "I hear the messenger hawk arrived with a letter from Ryouken. How is dear brother doing?"

Tenma didn't notice the scathing tone to the question, smiling. "He's doing well over in the new village it seems. He hasn't completely adjusted, but that is to be expected." He then frowned slightly. "However... It seems the Elders of my own Council are not pleased with my decision to send your brother to a 'foreign shinobi village' and risk losing our Bijuu."

Akumori snorted as he stood up fully. "The councilors don't know anything. If anything tries to take Ryouken from us, we will reclaim him."

"I know you will. The Tracker Seal was placed on the Amatsukyoujin Kensei Kakuho correct?"

"Yes. The Lead Scientist applied it himself, and is confident it won't be removed in any way."

Tenma breathed a soft sigh. "Good. I don't know what I would do if I lost either of you boys, losing Hayame..." He took a breath before shaking his head, missing the way his son's eyes hardened with the mention of the name. "I cannot lose any more of my family. Promise me, you will watch over Ryouken?"

Akumori inclined his head in order to hide the scowl he had. "I will watch over him."

Tenma nodded before turning to look at the scroll his youngest son sent him, running his palm along the binding seal since he reapplied it shortly before his introspection. "Thank you. I do have a mission for you however." He reached down, opening a filing cabinet to pull out a folder. "This man has been embezzling funds from our treasury, hunt him down and find out why."

The Tastujin heir took the folder, opening it to scan the documents within. "Very well Kurokage-sama. Timeframe?"

"As long as it takes. Catch him in the act before you arrest him."

With a nod, Akumori turned and strode out of the room, disguising his snarl. When will you step down?!

Fox of the Thousand Seals

Memorialis Finitis – Ryouken Tastujin

Ryouken opened the door to his apartment after leaving in order when Naruto left in order to send a message to his father. Dropping the bag his Academy notes were in unceremoniously to the ground, he set to locking the door and strode towards the bathroom where he began to shed his clothes. His body, toned and muscled in ways most children his age would never have, revealed a physical strength he carried with his frame. Stepping before the mirror, the Jinchuriki stared into the reflective surface with a deceptively calm look.

After staring quietly for several minutes, Ryouken's fists clenched before he crashed the right into the mirror. The glass cracked, and fine spiderwebs began to spread across its surface in a rapid rippling spread in slow motion. Ryouken watched, his Meiangan active as the veins near his eyes began to bulge with the excess circulation of chakra as he pumped more than was strictly necessary to maintain the Dojutsu. Then it felt as if time stopped. Small shards of crystalline mirror floated without being held down by gravity, flying everywhere yet perfectly still while the fist that caused the damage remained relatively unharmed in that fraction of time.

However, eventually his chakra ran out. Ryouken collapsed to one knee panting as he stared at his bleeding hand, the power of the Meiangan no longer allowing him to slow his own perception of time while keeping his own mind completely normal. Damn it... He growled to himself, clenching the fist again. Blood still flowed, and his Dojutsu was inactive once again.

Let me heal you.

"Not yet." Ryouken rasped, opening his hand to clench it again. The sting he felt made him hiss, however the pain was something to help him divert his attention slightly. Scars, white and starkly contrasted with the color of his skin, covered his back and chest. Most were thin, however they were permanent willing reminders. "The pain helps..." He whispered, tears falling down his cheeks before he slowly sank to sit on the tile floor. Shards of the broken mirror surrounded the sink, reflecting his appearance as he stared at nothing.

I know your pain. That won't replace it.

"But it lets me forget it." Was Ryouken's stubborn response. "For a little while..."

The Bijuu within, the Seal it dwelled within was close to and surrounding the Heart Chakra Point, let out an exasperated sigh. Its tails were incredibly thin appendages, each only a third as fluffy as the tails of the Kyuubi despite being more numerous. Sleek black fur with delicate white streaks marked the fluffy appendages, eleven in total swaying behind the creature. What looked like bones surrounded its back and forelegs, natural armor grown from evolution. The face of the canine, eyes black with blue rings, stared down at Ryouken as he appeared within his Mindscape. There was no cage, no sewer. They stood in a white realm, devoid of details.

"Why call me here?"

"Because your stubbornness is infuriating me puppy."

Ryouken snorted, turning to pace restlessly, the floor rippling with a thin layer of water as it was starting to change into the view of a hospital floor. "I didn't ask you for your opinion Banrai!" He snapped, clenching his right fist which was injured still. The young boy was actively resisting his healing factor, preventing the spread of the Bijuu's chakra throughout his body in order to purposely extend his own self suffering. However this added further to the strain on his chakra system, requiring Banrai's in order to prevent its complete exhaustion.

The Juichibi's tails flicked as it watched Ryouken's pacing, silent.

"You didn't watch... You didn't..." Ryouken kept pacing. The image forming below him continuing to form. An alleyway.

"Pup... Ryouken." Banrai's tone was ineffectually soft.

However Ryouken didn't hear it, having stopped and stared down at the scene that had formed. Tears continued to descend down his cheeks, no longer being held back as his face became sad and despondent.

A frozen image. A younger boy, with purplish black hair, stood before a woman with a defiant expression on his face. He had his arms spread, to put himself between her and a man with a dark and obscured image. A single red cloud was seen upon the only visible part of the cloak they wore.

Having enough, Banrai slammed his paw down on the ground. The water rippled, and then waved with finality as the floor became the standard endless white. "Enough pup. It was years ago."

Ryouken didn't bother to respond, rubbing his eyes. "Still... Doesn't change anything."

"That boy, who is the Kyuubi container. Talking with him for so long brought this attitude didn't he?" Banrai asked calmly. When he received a nod, he continued. "You're scared of forming a connection. Emotionally detached, willfully floating in an endless void of what was once a paradise." The Bijuu stood up to his full height, and as a grassland of lush fertile ground flowed from his feet, daffodils and dandilions growing rapidly as a new scene formed from the will of the creature. It quickly turned to showing a still image of Ryouken when he was younger in mid laugh, hugging the same woman he was protecting before. Akumori sat nearby, also smiling as he reached into a picnic basket, the sandwich he was grabbing held in stasis. And finally Tenma was in the image as well, the tall purple-haired shinobi ruffling the hair on top of Ryouken's head while mid laugh himself. "You're scared of hurting again. Yourself and anyone else."

"Banrai... Enough." Ryouken whispered. "Just... Enough... Please."

"You won't change the past by not making new connections. But very well." With a swish of his tails, the image he conjured shattered as they returned to the endless void. "I won't keep you here, knowing how useless it is to try and talk to you when you are in this kind of mood." Before he even finished his first sentence, Ryouken had left the mindscape, prompting the wolf to curl up and close his eyes as he floated in the void.

Ryouken's eyes refocused as he stared at his hand, the last bits of steam rising from the wound that closed upon his knuckles. A small pool of blood covered the tile floor he rested on still. With a shaky breath, the boy stood up and stepping on the glass without a care, moved into the shower and blasted the water on full heat to stand under it with his head hanging down. His left hand supported his weight against the wall. "I hate you..." He whispered to no one in particular. "You're weak... You failed... You cannot fail what you don't care for."

(Present Time)

Ryouken began walking down the street the next morning, locking the door to the apartment behind him when he paused. A tall ANBU with purple hair pulled into a ponytail was in his path. "Can I help you Neko-san?" He inquired after noting the design on the mask.

"Tatsujin-san," The female Black Ops member nodded. "The Hokage would like to speak with you if you have the time before classes."

"I see no reason to deny the Hokage."

"Would you object to an assisted Shunshin?" Neko inquired.

"I would not." He held out his hand, and when the ANBU member took it. He felt the pull as he was moved at extremely high speeds.

And was deposited into the office of the Hokage, where he ended up flopping down onto his ass while holding his head.

"First time through the Shunshin?" Sarutobi asked, refraining from chuckling. "Don't worry, it takes a little time to get used to moving that way, and it is much easier on your vertigo to do it yourself."

Ryouken nodded, biting his tongue as he held back an urge to gag.

Sarutobi chuckled a bit and leaned back to relax in his seat. "I saw the results of your Advanced Placement."

"It... Was nothing really." Ryouken stood up, and moved to sit across from the desk in a respectful pose. "I mean, two others also passed with the same markings Hokage-sama."

This prompted an actual laugh from Hiruzen, who offered Ryouken a small bowl with which wrapped sweets were contained. "Take one, it'll help with the dizziness." He waited patiently, and smiled when Ryouken slowly grabbed one of the sweets to unwrap it and pop it into his mouth.

"Thank you..." Ryouken barely whispered.

"Not a problem young man. Have you made yourself at home among the village since our last talk when you arrived two years ago?"

Ryouken frowned, and continued to lightly suck on the treat in his mouth as he remained silent.

Sarutobi didn't react beyond a crease in his brow, the only outward sign. Is he not feeling welcome? "Well I told you, as old-time allies of Konoha you were more than welcome in this Village so please, while you are here this is another home for you to reside in should you choose."

"What is the point of this?" Ryouken finally asked. He clenched his right hand again, and the old Kage noticed.

"There isn't a point to be made, I was hoping you felt welcome and were enjoying your time here."

Ryouken inhaled slowly, before nodding. "I feel... Welcome. But this isn't my home."

The Hokage smiled slightly. "I still welcome you to make this your home if you wish."

The boy let out an exhale, and stood up. "Is there anything else you would want to speak about with me, Hokage-sama?"

"There is one thing. Do you have that scroll you promised me on the Meiangan?"

Ryouken frowned, before shaking his head. "I do not... I haven't put it together yet."

"Clan Secrets you're trying to keep to the Clan?"

"Mostly..."

Beginning a series of hand seals, Sarutobi repeated the process to put the room into protective silence. "If you want, you can tell me. I believe your issue was the tangible evidence that could be stolen?"

Ryouken's frown remained, but he nodded curtly. "Well... Hokage-sama. I shall have to inform you two things that I am comfortable informing you, as the leader of this hidden village. The rest has to remain secret for now." He paused for a moment, getting a nod of affirmation from Sarutobi. With a sigh, Ryouken moved to sit back down. "The Meiangan gives me two major abilities. The first, allows us an innate knowledge of both Dark and Light natured Chakra. It is still a difficult aspect for even us to control, but that is the first ability of the Meiangan. The second..." He paused, looking away.

"What is it?" Sarutobi asked gently.

"It is... Different than what your famed Uchiha's are able to manage with their Sharingan. But... Whenever I activate my Meiangan I can alter my perception of time, slowing everything including myself to a crawl. Unlike the Uchiha, we cannot use this in combat to provide a tactical advantage. Our eyes burn too much chakra in order to mess with the wheel of fate in any manner."

Sarutobi's eyes widened. "You can..."

"Predict the future, yes." Ryouken sighed. "But it is... Flawed. However one other thing." He looked at Hiruzen fully. "I might have... Stumbled upon something my Clan probably doesn't know about. I can... Diverge myself of my body in the state of actively slowing time in order to move around and enter the minds of others." He watched as Sarutobi's expression changed to one of absolute shock.

"You can... Do such a thing?"

"Technically yes... It is part of the Meiton we are able to use. I stumbled upon it... Before leaving Nazogakure." He paused, humming. "You didn't tell me there was... Another like myself."

Sarutobi blinked, before inclining his head. "So you have met Naruto?"

"More than." This made Sarutobi raise his brows in surprise. "I used my Astral projection to enter his Seal, and he was arguing with his Bijuu. I had to put a stop to it... Before any attention was brought to him and the leaking Youki from their confrontation became noticed."

This made Sarutobi look startled. "This is... Incredibly farfetched." Ryouken shrugged, a lifting and falling of his left shoulder. "However I believe you. You found out about Naruto's burden..." Sarutobi sighed. "Please do not tell the boy."

Ryouken didn't react, but he did sigh. Too late for that... "I won't tell him anything. However... I suggest you inform him of his Jinchuriki status soon." He started to turn and leave. "Before something happens." A tear was just barely seen on the boy's cheek as he left the room, the opening of the door breaking the Seal that isolated the room.

Sarutobi watched as the boy left, before letting out a soft humming sound. That boy has had a life of pain for one so young. He realized, seeing a similarity to Kakashi after the mission after he killed Rin Nohara.

To those who read this Chapter, it is a way to portray some the things I needed to address in the previous Chapters before I felt it was too much, which it was XD. Firstly, the Kakashi thing I mentioned with Danzō having him be a Spy. That is similar to the Anime filler events, but I'm not going to address the whole Arc. Then there was Tenma's reflection on why Nazogakure was allied to Konohagakure. It isn't the whole story again, just enough to provide why they are allies and to show that the Kurokage Title isn't something that is passed down, but granted by the Hokage.

And finally... The insight to Ryouken as a character. His past was touched upon, as was the surface of the depths that is the Meiangan. Meiton (Shade Style - Parasitising a movie) and Hiton (Light Style) are the Chakra natures afforded to the Eye, but they are incredibly complex to even the original users of the Dojutsu. Ryouken wouldn't have learned them from his Clan before leaving Nazo, however he could learn them later. But definitely not right away. The Meiangan Origin will have to wait, it is not the time to learn that after all.

Novrier: I took the chapter length to heart, as we have conversed in our PMs to each other. Thanks a ton for being so great with the Reviews, I enjoy your opinions and will be working hard to keep this story to a level that you enjoy.

KakeruPB: I am glad you remember the old story! I however do not because my computer I wrote it on is a brick slab with a melted hard drive (literally, my trailer got very hot during the summer it happened.) We'll see where Akane takes us, won't we?

Unwanted Writer: Again, as I mentioned in a PM, I should be maintaining activity this time. I got a new PC, and despite being constantly busy at work I will be focusing when I am not unbelievably tired from said job to continuing this Story. So here's the deal, keep following this and if you think its been a while since my last update (longer than a month), shoot me a PM lol.

AkashimaUchiha: I sent you a PM as well, so you've gotten some of the things I was willing to address about your Review. But here is your public acknowledge so you don't feel left out. I do have my own Plot however, and as we get deeper into it the more changes that could be noticed.

Alright, that is enough bloating a chapter again with Author Notes. I feel great being so active again. Peace,

~Veloran-Darkfyre