Sorry it's late, been busy with work and my sisters birthday, I suppose I can make this a birthday present.
Okay so I rewrote this chapter twice before returning to this one, it just worked better I think.
Again it's different. I hope you find it enjoyable, and let me know what you think.
Please enjoy it, lol.
Thank you for the alerts and reviews.
Naruto = flash back
'Naruto' is thoughts/thinking
"Naruto" signing/sign language
"Naruto" speaking.
"Naruto" Demon
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just some DVDs and games.
Chapter 35
Naruto looked up as he felt that he was being watched it was the day after Konohamaru found him, he was used to being constantly watched but he had the strangest feeling that it wasn't someone from the village, he pulled his scarf up to his nose before shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked through the crowd towards the Hokage tower. He blended into crowd seamlessly his head bent down as he walked, he felt grit by his neck and realised that Gaara was the one watching him. His hand absently went to his stomach, he needed to get his seal fixed before he began training, and with Takeru Sensei no less. He smiled and jumped up the side of the building, and slipping in through the window, he sat on the window ledge, his legs dangling down as he readjusted himself in the frame.
Hikaru smiled pulling out the cat mask that Naruto had lent him, he walked around the desk and held the mask out to him, Naruto looked up a smile tugging at his lips, as he hugged the mask close. He bowed his head running his hand through Naruto's hair before walking back to his place behind the Hokage and fading out of sight.
"Naruto," the Hokage called, watching the interaction. "Why didn't you say you were handicapped?"
Naruto shrugged rolling off the ledge and bouncing to his feet gracefully. "I don't actually say a lot of things, to be honest. Besides I figured it would be nice to be normal for a while." Naruto shrugged. "Do you know anyone who can fix this though, I think I'm going to need everything I have at my disposal to knock some sense into Neji." Naruto rubbed the back of his head nervously.
"No one in the village has that level of knowledge about seals, the only person I would trust anywhere near your seal would be Jiraiya but he hasn't been in the village for quite some time, and I'm unsure of his whereabouts." The Hokage sighed.
"If you're referring to my godfather, why don't you check the bath houses?" Naruto tilted his head, "He's a known pervert being the author of those smutty books everyone loves so much. That and there was a white haired man giggling to himself walking near there when I walked past and Kakashi doesn't strike me as one to giggle." Naruto shrugged looking at the open mouthed shock on the Hokage's face. "I've never been very normal grandpa, I'm more observant than people give me credit for." Naruto smiled.
"I know you're observant, it's because you're so quiet, you sneak up on people, but you're very surprising too. Have you really never heard Kakashi giggling while walking around reading that book?" the Hokage finally snapped his jaw shut. "And would someone go and collect Jiraiya before the bath house gets demolished again because he got caught peeking." The Hokage sighed, looking in the corner as one of his ANBU left to collect Jiraiya.
"I don't tend to go walking round the village with Kakashi sensei, now do I? Besides we have a way to go to fix that particular relationship. You know I'm pretty sure I've got a book by Jiraiya." Naruto smiled watching the Hokage's face lose colour. "Its olive coloured not orange." Naruto laughed.
"Yes well not funny Naruto, Jiraiya's books contain material you are far too young to understand."
"So does the forbidden scroll but I've still read that," Naruto muttered under his breath.
"Yes well I forgot you were there; if you weren't so quiet and enjoyed books, which reminds me when did you learn about seals? It's quite a feat to seal a bear but to create a seal which acts as a lantern is very impressive."
"You heard about the bear?" Naruto asked in disbelief.
"I'm Hokage it's my job to know these things. Now when did you learn about seals?" the Hokage chuckled becoming more serious.
"Well seals are covered in the academy at the basic level but there are books which talk about seals, and I've got one of the most complex seals on my body so it was only natural that I would become curious and look them up." Naruto shrugged. "Creating them is really fun, the Lantern one was a stroke of luck really, I'd love to learn more about them, but I don't know anyone to ask." Naruto shrugged.
"Well if you're right we're about to meet an expert in seals I'm sure he'd be willing to teach you. Also I would like to pattern your lantern so that it becomes part of the shinobi tools." The Hokage asked his eyes travelling to the corner where the ANBU had returned to.
"Really? That would be- thank you." Naruto blushed.
A knock sounded at the door drawing everyone's attention. Naruto turned round to finally get a look at the man that was his godfather. He was a tall man the top of his white hair easily ruffled the doorframe as he walked into the room. He was quite broad as well his shoulders almost touching the sides of the frame. His white hair was very long with two thick bangs reaching his shoulders. He had two red lines that ran down his face that began from underneath his eyes, and instead of a normal forehead protector like most ninja wore his was horned with the kanji for oil instead of the leaf symbol in the centre. The only other thing noticeable about his face was the wart on the left side of his nose. He was wearing a green shirt like kimono with matching pants with mesh armour sticking out from underneath, with a black belt hand guards, instead of ninja sandals he wore the traditional wooden sandals (geta) a red haori and a scroll sticking over his shoulder finished the appearance.
His mouth which was a grim faced straight line morphed quickly into a leering smile as he noticed the Hokage sat behind his desk waiting for him.
"Hey old-man, long time no see. So what's so important that you had to drag me away from my research?" Jiraiya asked leaning against the back of the second chair.
"Still writing I see," the Hokage got drawn in.
"Of course got a new book out soon, got to find the perfect material." Jiraiya started to leer.
"Enough!"
Both older men blinked looking down at the blond figure scowling at them. Jiraiya moved into the chair, while the Hokage sat up straighter, both foolishness draining quickly from their faces. Jiraiya glanced at the figure in the chair next to him, he hadn't noticed him when he came in, but now he got a good look at him. Blonde spiky hair flying in all directs with bangs hanging down, the length of which almost met his jaw, blue eyes set into an annoyed glare, and whisker marks on his cheeks. It was like looking at a miniature version of Minato.
'So this was Naruto the container of the kyuubi. Amazing how much he sounded like his dad just then spitting image of him too.' Jiraiya assessed.
"Stop that," Naruto glared at the sannin, "I know what you're thinking, unless you want to look like a porcupine I would pay attention to what the Hokage has to say." Naruto huffed.
'Inherited his mother's temper though.' Jiraiya added in his mind. Receiving a glare from Naruto again before he moved his attention back to the Hokage.
"Ahem yes well, umm, sorry about that. I pulled you away from your research because you have the most knowledge about seals, and are the only person I trust to check Naruto's seal." The Hokage interlocked his fingers together.
"What happened to the seal?"
"Orochimaru counteracted it or something; please can you fix it so I can start training for the next part of the chuunin exam." Naruto asked politely catching Jiraiya off guard.
"Err sure kid; take your shirt off so I can take a look." Naruto crossed his arms and looked stubbornly at Jiraiya. "I'm not going to do anything, I'm not like, stop looking at me like that." Jiraiya started to moan, before releasing a sigh, he'd been guilt tripped by a ten year old.
"I'm eleven, my birthday is next month after the exam is over, then I'll be twelve." Naruto spoke catching Jiraiya off guard again; he nodded leaning forwards towards Naruto.
Jiraiya tapped the boy's arms that were crossed over his chest and pulled his shirt up pushing it so that the kid was holding his shirt up; Naruto huffed and pushed chakra around his body so that his seal was showing. The Hokage and Jiraiya watched as slowly the five elements seal Orochimaru had used on Naruto became visible. Both admired the work before Jiraiya pulled chakra into his hand and slammed his fingertips into Naruto's seal, knocking the boy back and off his chair. They watched as Naruto turned the fall into a roll and stood on his feet, he placed a hand over his stomach glaring at the Sannin, he held his other hand out and summoned chakra to dance in his hand, they watched as the blue chakra took the form of a fox's head before turning into a bird, then returned back into his hand. Naruto bowed in thanks and turned walking out the door.
"What happened to the kid he seems so grown up?" Jiraiya turned his arm resting on the back of the chair addressing the Hokage.
"There's a lot you don't know about Naruto, he's a very surprising individual, I'm constantly learning new things about him." the Hokage shrugged a forlorn smile on his face.
"Looks like I'm in for a long haul then," Jiraiya turned back a frown settling over his features.
The Hokage waved in his assistant as she set down a tea pot and two cups on a tray on the only clear space of desk that wasn't covered in paperwork, she moved a saucer of milk to the edge of the tray as a very clean and blonde Nami jumped up onto the desk lapping at the milk, she left the room shutting the door behind her. The Hokage and Jiraiya eyed the cat.
"That cat's still alive?" Jiraiya exclaimed.
Nami's blue eyed stare was directed at Jiraiya before returning to the content purring as it lapped up the milk.
(Line)
Naruto darted across rooftops as he left the Hokage tower, he felt the grit return and the tug in his stomach, he paused balanced on a power line, he shivered as three clones separated from his form, he nodded to each in turn and continued on his way as the clones all split into different directions one heading to the hospital another towards the academy and the third off in search of a certain bun wearing kunoichi.
Naruto landed in a clearing he sighed typical she was with Neji; he shrugged walking over to the pair catching their breath. He stopped at Neji's glare, which made Tenten turn round.
"Oh hey," she smiled, her eyes darting back to Neji as she walked over to Naruto. "What's up?"
"I was wondering if when you had a spare moment you might be willing to teach me how to use a Bo staff?"
"Sure but why?"
"My little brother Konohamaru wants to learn how to use one, he's just started in the academy but, I figured you could teach me the basics then for his birthday I could show him and we could practice together." Naruto shrugged.
"Umm sure, okay, how about I meet you at training ground eight tomorrow afternoon." Tenten babbled excited to find someone just as interested in weapons as she was.
"Thank you Tenten." Naruto bowed his head in thanks, "Oh and we can discuss seals, then too, see you." Naruto disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
"You shouldn't be nice to that idiot; he is a fool that cannot change."
"I really wish you would lighten up sometimes Neji, besides he's just as interested in weapons and seals as me, its nice being able to enthuse with someone over something we share. That doesn't mean that he can beat you though." She smiled at her scowling team mate.
"Try not to get sucked into his foolishness." Neji stated standing up and returning to his stance.
Tenten sighed, but pulled her scrolls out none the less.
(Line)
Takeru was waiting in training ground nine for Naruto to arrive; he turned to look at his other two students, Ume, and Riku as they lounged by the tree line Tsubasa perched on the tree above them.
"I swear Tsubasa is worse than me when it comes to being at places on time." Naruto spoke up from next to Takeru.
"I really need to learn how you do that," Takeru shook his head.
"You and everybody else, so what are we doing today?" Naruto laughed.
"Well I'm pretty sure you don't actually need my help to defeat Neji, so I was thinking we could improve your abilities, learn to hit harder and faster, think how to outsmart an opponent."
"Sounds good, how are you on genjutsu, cause I suck, I know if one's there or I'm pretty sure of it but I can't manage to break it."
"We can work on that too, now, come at me with the intent to kill." Takeru moved into a stance as Naruto's eyes narrowed.
"You know Tsubasa you are getting awfully big I thought you were a sparrow at first but the rate you're growing you can't be." Ume smiled at the bird.
"Yeah but that's what Naruto was like to, all small and scrawny now look at him, he's getting taller and losing his baby fat, soon he'll fill out into his frame and then every female in Konoha will be chasing him around the village." Riku laughed, and rolled out of the way of a kunai that was sent flying at him. "Well its true people are going to stop being blind about you soon enough." He shouted at the blonde blur dancing around Takeru.
(Line)
Iruka looked up as his door opened, a smile settling on his face, which the class quickly noticed; they had all been working in silence till they spotted the figure at the door.
"Naruto, shouldn't you be training?" Iruka smiled.
"I am, but if I want to past the chuunin instructor exam who better to learn from, than you." Naruto smiled shyly, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Does this mean we get to keep Naruto Sensei?" Kaede the little blue haired girl Naruto remembered asked.
"Just for now," Naruto smiled, as he was instantly swamped in a mass class hug.
"Your brother is the best Konohamaru." A girl sighed.
"We'll be the best class ever, now." A loud mouthed boy shouted.
"Not that we weren't going to be amazing before." His friend spotted Iruka's annoyed look.
"Hey, hey, Iruka sensei taught me without help, he's the best person to teach you guys, just remember that." Naruto sobered moving out of the hug.
"Back to your seats!" Iruka shouted making all the students run, "Thanks Naruto," he bumped shoulders with him.
"I may be just a clone of the original but, he'd do anything for you Iruka sensei." Naruto bumped his shoulder back.
(Line)
Takeru looked over Naruto's shoulder and stepped back which caused Naruto, to pull his punch and look over his shoulder, there waiting at the edge of the training ground was Kakashi. Naruto looked back up to Takeru who stepped back.
"He's trying Naruto, give him a chance. Even if you have to give loads of chances he's trying, don't shut him out." Takeru patted Naruto on the shoulder walking over to his other students.
Naruto let out a breath as he turned walking over to Kakashi; he slowed down as he neared.
"Hi," Kakashi started.
"Hi, I see you came yourself rather than sending a clone this time that's a good start." Naruto shrugged, pulling his white jumper out from his pouch and slipping it over his head. Kakashi stepped forwards and tugged his scarf up so that it sat over the collar of the jumper. "Thanks." Naruto smiled.
"I don't know how to begin Naruto, but I'm going to try." Kakashi looked away, his hands clenching into fists before relaxing. His hand then slipped into his pocket pulling out the little scarecrow toy. "I understand this is from you. Thank you, I carry it around with me whenever I'm in the village, it means a lot to me." Kakashi smiled, not that Naruto could tell because of his mask. Kakashi paused and moved his hand up to his mask ready to pull it down but Naruto stopped him.
"You shouldn't show me your face because you're trying to earn my trust, I don't want to force you into revealing your face till your ready to, and that would involve us having a much better and deeper relationship. So don't show me your face, I don't feel ready for that yet." Naruto smiled and turned walking away; he stopped and turned back briefly. "It was a good way to start though, the scarecrow. I was about five of six when I got that for you. Seemed fitting," Naruto shrugged returning to his team.
Kakashi nodded clutching the doll tightly in his hands as he turned and left the training ground.
"Well?" Riku asked.
"He's on the right track I hope." Naruto smiled, "Ready to go again Takeru Sensei?" Naruto smiled.
Takeru stood to his feet and followed Naruto over to the middle of the grounds. Neither of the two saw Ume whisper to Tsubasa who hopped readily down to her palm and waited as she wrote a scroll out for the little bird to take, Riku watched over her shoulder, and tried to stifle a smile. They both watched as the bird flew off back towards the village.
Tsubasa flew low racing over rooftops, the tips of his wings brushing against ninja's faces as he flew past, he spread his wings out further and lifted high up into the air startling a ninja and his dog chasing a cat along rooftops, he soared in the sky before folding his wings in elegantly and diving down towards a well worn track. Swooping over the heads of the elder Ino-Shika-Cho trio as they made their way to the bar, the trio on seeing the bird quickened their pace, as the bird curled round before flying in the open window of the bar.
The trio opened the door to see Tsubasa, stood on a perch behind the bar as the barkeep looked over the scroll.
"What's the new bet Gorou?" Inoichi asked practically running up to the bar.
Gorou as the bar keep was now known, continued reading from the scroll while writing out a new betting sheet, when he was finished and satisfied he rolled the scroll up dipping it in a strong alcohol before setting it a light in his hand, he pushed the sheet across the bar so Inoichi and the crowd of people gathered could read it;
'How many attempts before Kakashi fixes his relationship with Naruto?'
The group shared a look before all digging into their pockets and waving money at Gorou, wanting to place bets. Tsubasa trilled happily from his perch on the bar.
Inoichi walked towards the booth where his two conspirators were sat.
"How did Naruto's bird get involved in this again?" he asked running through his ticket stubs.
"Not a clue but Nami normally brings things in, that cat must know everything in the village by now." Shikaku leant back in his seat, sipping from his drink slowly watching as the bird flew out the open window above the door.
(Line)
Kurenai looked up as the door opened behind her, she was still sat besides Hinata who was resting, her fight with Neji had done a lot of damage, and they didn't know if they could repair it all. She let a smile grace her lips as she saw Naruto move past her chair to the other side of the bed, sitting in the other chair.
Naruto settled closer, glancing up at Kurenai, he watched him. Since the combined training session she had learned a lot about the boy in front of her, he generally cared for Hinata, but not in the way that the girl would like, he had come straight here after getting the flower for her though, so that had to mean something.
"So how long have you been with Uncle 'Suma?" Naruto pulled her from her musings.
"What - no we're not together," she blushed.
"I don't mind you know, it's nice, but if you say so. Has he made you a meal from scratch yet?" Naruto asked.
"Yes he has it was amazing and..." She stopped seeing Naruto smiling.
"It's fine, I'm not going to say anything, but he's family remember, Konohamaru and I spend some nights at his house as well as in the tower, I hope you don't mind that he sees me as family." Naruto asked shyly.
"I think it's amazing how close you two are to him, I also think it's the bravest thing anyone's ever done. That the Sarutobi family put everything on the line for you, and that you've turned out to be such an amazing person Naruto, if it wasn't for Asuma I don't think I would have seen it."
"Ko wants to be just like him when we're older; he's pretty cool for an uncle. I want to make him proud; he's practically our father figure after all. I think I'd quite like to follow in his footsteps and become a fire guardian, before coming back to the village and helping Konohamaru become Hokage. Is that silly?" Naruto laughed embarrassedly.
"No, it's not silly at all Naruto. He's proud of you, everything you do. He told me you're a better cook than him, and that you're the one that told him about Shikamaru, I love walking into the tower and hearing you or Konohamaru playing on the piano, it was incredible the first time I heard you, I thought it was the Hokage playing, Asuma corrected me. You've done wonders for Hinata, you're amazing and I look forward to learning more about you." She smiled at him over the bed.
"What do you want to know? All you have to do is ask." Naruto shrugged looking down at Hinata.
"Whatever I can. Let's start from the beginning, hi I'm Kurenai Yuuhi, Jounin instructor of team eight, I enjoy an evening of drinks, my favourite foods include shochu, vodka and takowasa I dislike cake."
Naruto laughed, "That's a lot of alcohol. Nice to meet you I'm Naruto Uzumaki, I was taken in by Lady Sarutobi, so you might see my name with the extra Sarutobi part, I'm a genin formerly of team seven and currently of team Takeru, I enjoy reading, and plants, my favourite foods don't include ramen actually, uncle 'Suma makes this amazing dish I can't pronounce it properly, that's my favourite dish, my least favourite is probably parsnips." Naruto nodded, crossing his arms.
"Why parsnips?" she asked laughing.
"I think grandpa tried to force me to eat them one time, they were disgusting." Naruto laughed.
"I'm glad you're here Naruto, I'm glad you're a part of Asuma's life, you just bring out the best in everyone." She smiled, looking down at Hinata.
"Some people already show the best qualities," Naruto looked down at Hinata his eyes switching to the doorway, "I'll try to rein Konohamaru in when you're around, but we get free reign on Asuma right?" Naruto asked impishly.
"Naturally." Kurenai laughed.
Asuma hesitated outside the hospital room, the bag of food he'd freshly prepared dangling in his hand as he listened to his pseudo nephew, no his nephew, talk to the woman he was falling in love with, he smiled as he listened in, glad that the two got along together, he didn't know what he'd do if she hadn't got to know Naruto more before making a judgement on him.
Naruto laughed from inside the room, pulling Asuma back to himself there was enough in the bag for four people and he knew Konohamaru was at the academy so he wouldn't be crashing in anytime soon, he smiled and opened the door.
"Hey Uncle 'Suma," Naruto smiled.
"It's called tororo, which I tend to use in my cooking, you get stuck on all the ororos, and I haven't made it in ages." Asuma laughed stepping into the room. "And he made a beautiful garden for Sayuri," He pulled up a chair next to Kurenai. "There's plenty for four," he held up the bag as Hinata slowly woke up.
"Good food always, brings people round." Naruto laughed, taking two plates from Asuma, as Kurenai helped Hinata to sit up.
(Line)
Naruto walked slowly to the top of the Hokage monument, his hand absently running over his stomach. The trees were getting ready to drop their leaves his favourite orange colour, as the ground began to litter with their presence the wind became colder too, which didn't actually bother Naruto too much as he always had a warm temperature, he wondered ideally if it was because of the fox inhabiting his body. He settled down on the Second's head feeling a pull towards the Fourth's head. He sat down leaning back on his hands, casting his head up.
"You know I prefer Spring to Autumn but I can still appreciate the beauty, when you come up here you can see the entire village, it really is beautiful." Naruto glanced over to the Fourth's head where Gaara was stood.
"It is meaningless. What does it matter?"
"Well you have to have something to fight for." Naruto asked.
"I fight to prove my existence."
"I don't understand," Naruto sighed letting his head fall back again. "You have a real family why do you fight them so much; it's not to do with your demon is it?"
"My demon? I am a demon."
"No you're not! You're just as human as I am! Yeah we have a demon sealed inside of us but that doesn't make us a demon!" Naruto snapped, "I used to get nightmares, from the night the Kyuubi was sealed inside me, he was destroying everything, killing people, this village was crumbling. He used to send me those images, and it always scared me, I knew the stories and why people hated me and treated me so badly but I never understood, until I meet him. What does yours do to you?" Naruto asked. "I've never met someone else like me; I want to know how different or similar our lives have been." Naruto shrugged.
"I do not sleep; Shukaku will take over my body if I do. He is full of rage and blood lust, which I must fulfil in order to prove myself. Mother understands this." Gaara touched the mark on his forehead, as he mentioned mother.
"So our demons are full of rage, and something tells me they dislike one another. But at least yours told you its name, mine won't, sometimes I wonder if my existence would be better if we got along but I dunno. Do you ever feel an allure to the full moon? I find it strangely beautiful yet terrifying at the same time like something's drawing me in."
"Yes. The full moon is when his presence is strongest. There is a full moon tonight." Gaara looked up at the orange sky. "I do not understand you Naruto Uzumaki."
"Not many people do to be honest, at first people only see the demon, and sometimes they see my father, but they don't see me. They think I am a monster, a demon to be feared and scorned, that I should be hated and die. It was hard when I was little being surrounded by all that hate."
"What changed?" Gaara asked hoping to understand.
"Mother. Lady Sarutobi, she always used to check up on me, then when she was having Konohamaru, I wanted to get him a present, that's when Cat came into the picture, he helped me get the toy and took me back to meet the new baby and she let me hold him and made me part of the family. Nami is her cat, it was her pet but when she died, it hurt because she knew she was dying and tried to hide it from us because she loved us so much, she didn't want us to get hurt, even by her death, that's what mother's do, they love you and protect you, they give you the foundations of life, to which you can decide to follow or make your own path."
"My mother never loved me."
"Nonsense, every mother loves their child no matter what, my mother died the night the Fourth sealed the demon inside me, I know she loved me even if I can't remember her saying it. You're mother probably did too."
"The Kazekage had Shukaku sealed inside me when I was still inside my mother's womb, I killed my mother."
Naruto paused unable to think what to say to that reply, they sat in silence for a while as Naruto gathered his thoughts.
"Seems we really are too alike, both our fathers sealed a demon inside us. You still have two siblings who care about you Gaara; you just have to figure out how to let them in." Naruto stood up walking over to Gaara, "It's getting late, don't stay out too late Gaara." Naruto smiled and leant forwards wrapping Gaara in a hug, before pulling away. "It's called a hug and it's a great starting point, stop listening to your demon and decide what's worthwhile. I don't fight to prove my existence I fight to protect my brother, he's my precious person." Naruto waved and ran jumping off the head's of the monument, his arms outstretched as he fell, he closed his eyes as the wind rushed past him, he hadn't done this for years, he flipped in mid air and landed in his usual cat like crouch before turning and waving up at Gaara who had moved over to the edge of the monument.
Gaara held his head in his hand as he was even more confused now, Naruto was strange, but he seemed to understand him. He stayed on the monument till the darkness had fallen disappearing in a swirl of sand and returning to the hotel room they were staying at, he walked out onto the balcony and jumped up settling on the roof as the allure of the moon called out to him.
(Line)
Jiraiya watched as Naruto was everywhere, he was at the academy, at the hospital, he was talking to Kakashi, he was conversing with a girl with twin buns in her hair, the kid really used the shadow clone jutsu to its full advantage. Since talking with the Hokage and finding out Naruto wasn't exactly what he expected he'd decided to follow him, rather than gaining more material for his research. What surprised him was the fact that the boy that should have been a loud mouth idiot wasn't, his file was all wrong, like the Hokage had explained, which is probably why Kakashi was grovelling at him, which made Jiraiya laugh that the great sharigan Kakashi was grovelling to a twelve year old, wait he wasn't twelve yet was he?
Jiraiya had been surprised when Naruto had actively sought out Gaara, the red head from sand; it wasn't surprising after he figured out that Gaara was the container of the Ichibi, what was though, was that Naruto said it was nice that the demon had given its name out. Demons didn't have names did they?
He watched as Naruto interacted with Konohamaru outside of the academy, how they really did act like brothers, how the children from Konohamaru's class adored Naruto. How that academy instructor always got a hug from Naruto when they left each other's company. He'd interacted with Asuma and the Hyuuga heiress the same way, even allowing the red eyed, big breasted kunoichi to see him as he was most comfortable. He was startled out of his revere suddenly.
"You've been following me Lord Jiraiya." Naruto said moving out from the shadows of the building across from the Hokage residence. Jiraiya looked back to see Naruto and Konohamaru conversing quietly.
"How the hell do you do that?" Jiraiya shouted. "And I can't believe you noticed me."
"It's not that hard you're a big white haired pervert, you're kinda not hard to miss." Naruto shrugged. "So did you find what you were looking for?" Naruto asked moving to the edge of the building and sitting down.
"Not exactly." Jiraiya shrugged.
"You could always ask you know?" Naruto shrugged.
"Fine why aren't you a loud mouthed idiot like your file suggests?"
"My file's wrong."
"I noticed."
"Why do you play up being a pervert and not the great man that I'm sure you are?"
"I don't play up being a pervert, I'm a super pervert. And I'm not that great."
"You trained the man who went on to become Hokage; you're one of the legendary sannin. You wrote this amazing book which I always carry around with me then those stupid pervy books Kakashi sensei always reads. You're a master of seals, and were trained by the third Hokage besides the perverseness what's not great about you. I bet you have some cool jutsu as well."
"that's not who I am kid."
"Well I'm not my father, or the fox or a loud mouthed idiot." Naruto snapped. "Would you just take the compliment and stop wallowing in self pity you're as bad as Kakashi."
"I don't like my first novel it was idiotic and useless compared to my other works of art."
Naruto reached into his back pouch and pulled out a dog eared and very well read olive coloured book, "This is my favourite book, not because the lead character gave me my name, but because I love the story and the character, I want to bring peace to the world just like this Naruto, I don't want any more wars or fighting, plus this book seems to have more plot then your later works, a bit more effort on your part and they'd be amazing."
"You actually read that? You carry it round with you? Why?" Jiraiya spluttered.
"Mum read it to me when I was little then it was one of the first books I every read. I like it, I know I'm old enough to read your other books either but this will still be my favourite book, whether you like it or not."
"Your dad liked the book too, that's why he named you after the character in the book, he hoped you'd grow up to be just like the character in the book." Jiraiya smiled.
"That's the first time someone's mentioned my dad without comparing me to him. That's what I hate about my dad, he was such a great person and shinobi that it's like I'm never given a chance to step out of his shadow. No one ever tells me about my mum either, what did she think of the book?"
Jiraiya looked shocked at Naruto he certainly hadn't expected for Naruto to be aware of just who his parents were, but he did wonder about this mum that read him stories. He decided to indulge Naruto, "You know she agreed with your dad, she said it was a beautiful name."
"Thanks Lord Jiraiya, no one really wants to talk about my parents when I ask so I just don't ask anymore, I don't know why I asked you, I suppose it's the moon, it just has a certain allure to it now."
"Why do you call me Lord Jiraiya?"
"What else should I call you? Pervy sage?"
"What no you little..." he took a breath, "You could just call me Jiraiya."
"Will you teach me about seals, I want to learn more about them?"
Jiraiya noticed the change in subject but let it slide. "Your mum was the best at seals, part of being from her family I suppose. You'd have to spend a lot of time reading."
"I don't mind reading, I've read nearly everything in the Konoha library anyway," Naruto smiled.
"I do have a question for you actually," He waited to see Naruto look at him. "who's your mother that read you stories?"
"Lady Sarutobi, she took me in when Ko was born, I think if Cat and mum hadn't have noticed me I would have ended up like Gaara. I should go it's getting late and I don't sleep well on nights with a full moon." Naruto sighed. "Tell Hikaru I'm sorry please, I miss his company." Naruto smiled before dispersing into a cloud of smoke.
"Wish I could talk to him too." A turtle masked ANBU stepped out of the shadows.
"Why do I have to pass that message on and why is that ANBU explaining why you can't be there?" Jiraiya asked pointing to the Fox masked ANBU that was talking to Naruto.
"Because Jiraiya sama I broke all the rules, I risked my life and the safety of this village to protect Naruto, I'm not allowed near him or my subordinates until the Hokage sees fit."
"Hikaru, Fox has finally convinced Naruto to try asleep," Ibiki appeared next to the Turtle masked man.
"Tell him to stay with him, he's in for a rough night, Nami should come in and curl up on Konohamaru's chest to give the boys comfort. Thanks Ibiki." The turtle masked ANBU tilted his head in acknowledgement of the scarred man.
"That kid went through a whirlwind of emotion it's about time that he lost his cool and calm collected manner." Ibiki nodded, before returning to the Hokage tower.
"Hikaru? Not the little blonde boy that was this big last time I saw him." Jiraiya held a hand up to his knee, a smile creeping across his face.
Hikaru took his mask off, frowning as his hair fell into his face as he did so. "I wasn't that small," He pouted.
"And in ANBU to boot, you must be what seventeen now, who's leadership we're you under? Got control of your abilities yet?"
"I'm eighteen soon, I have a long way to go when it comes to my abilities and it was Cat, he was Naruto's ANBU, who taught Itachi and I, he was sent out on a mission and died, his body was brought back so Naruto could say goodbye, try not to upset Naruto remember I'm not as powerful as he was but I can still suffocate you." Hikaru smirked, a sphere of water starting to appear under Jiraiya's feet, swirling up before splashing down into a puddle as Hikaru returned his mask to its rightful place and stepped back into the shadows.
Jiraiya looked back at the Hokage tower, he obviously had a lot to learn about Naruto, a lot more than he'd be able to get from the Hokage or Hikaru, it put a smile on his face that little Hikaru was growing up into a fine Shinobi, maybe that academy teacher could shed some light on Naruto.
(Line)
Naruto woke from an uneasy sleep, he turned to look at Konohamaru to see the blonde fur curled up on his chest, he walked over running his hand along the cat's spine, one blue eye opened to look at him.
"Nice to see Nami has returned, and with its original colours, no more playing in mud, I take it." the Hokage chuckled from the doorway.
"Grandpa," Naruto smiled.
"Let them sleep, I want to have a word with you." Naruto followed the Hokage down the hallway to the kitchen area.
Naruto smiled when the Hokage pulled out plates and pans, it wasn't often that the Hokage cooked with his grandsons there was normally a chef that prepared it all for them. Naruto walked over to the fridge and pulled out eggs, peppers, cheese and mushrooms, perfect for an omelette.
The Hokage started to light his pipe only to have it tugged form his lips by Naruto as he slipped past getting the milk. "you've had quite an emotional time Naruto are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine, can you keep an eye on this," he pointed at the frying pan to gather glasses for the table.
"So did you ask Jiraiya, to teach you something?"
"Yeah I did but I'm really busy and it's doubtful he'd want to teach me, I mean he's got all that research to do hasn't he? Thanks." Naruto returned to the frying pan.
"I'm sure he wants to spend time with you Naruto, he is your godfather, give the man a chance, you forget he spent all day following you rather than doing research yesterday. Good morning Konohamaru," the Hokage turned round just as his other grandson entered the kitchen with a blonde shadow following him.
"Morning, it's rare for you to make breakfast grandpa, did you leave it all up to Naruto again?" Konohamaru asked sitting at the table.
"When does he ever lift a finger in the kitchen, he knows it's our domain." Naruto laughed ruffling his brother's hair, as he set a plate down in front of him. "I suppose you're right." He turned to look at his grandfather, as he placed the final two plates on the table.
"Let's eat." Konohamaru laughed.
(Line)
Jiraiya found Naruto once again training with Takeru; he waited on the edge of the grounds as Naruto flew at Takeru his chakra blade in hand. He recognised the style that Naruto utilised as the one Minato most often favoured, he wondered idly when Naruto picked that style up. His eyes almost jumped out of his head when the chakra blade was knocked out of his hand and he collected chakra into his hand almost as though it was swirling. He stepped forwards as the chakra exploded out knocking Naruto back he turned his attention to his hand as did Takeru.
"That's not the first time you've done that, you had better control last time though." Takeru walked over, slowly as Naruto caught his breath, it was the first time Naruto had used up a lot of his chakra. "We should take as break your controls slipped."
"I'm fine just had a bad night's sleep, my routines a little off, is all." Naruto sighed dropping into a sitting position, with Tsubasa flying over to land on his shoulder as he was slightly too big to sit in Naruto's scarf now. "You know maybe I should ask grandpa about putting you through messenger training, you're getting bigger and could probably fly larger distances now." The bird chirped happily bouncing on his shoulder.
"He's done that before?" Jiraiya whispered to Takeru.
"Yeah, in the middle of a fight when we were heavily outnumbered." Takeru nodded. "Are you stealing my student?" He asked slyly.
"Maybe. Wait why is he your student? Did Kakashi flog him off onto you?"
"No Naruto's a member of my team. And Naruto asked Kakashi to find him another teacher. I'm just letting him show off a bit and figuring out what he needs to work on, chakra control got added to the list." He said the last part at Naruto whose calm facade vanished when a frown appeared on his face.
"I have great chakra control you know that, I just slipped."
"And that slip up could have cost you your life if we had been in battle."
"I know. What exercises do you have in mind, and Lord Jiraiya is going to teach me about seals hopefully." Naruto said walking over and sending a clone off to the tower along with Tsubasa.
"Actually I do have something for you but it requires a lot of chakra control, think you're up for it?" Jiraiya smirked.
"Word to the wise don't bet against him ever!" Takeru advised as a fox like grin spread across Naruto's face.
"You bet Pervy Sage what is it?"
"Didn't I tell you not to call me that?" Jiraiya shouted. "Maybe I won't teach you it then." He mused.
"That's okay me and Takeru sensei can get back to some real training," Naruto's head turned towards the Hokage's private training ground.
"You can sense chakra well, that's interesting."
"It's Hikaru, he's training with grandpa, there's one other person with them but it's not an ANBU it's more like a root? Now it's gone, I wish I could see Hikaru training." Naruto pouted.
"That is actually really impressive, can you find anyone?"
"If I've met them before I can find them, and if it's a strange chakra I automatically trace so yeah, now are you going to train me or not?"
"Yeah right come here," Jiraiya beckoned Naruto away from Takeru, Ume and Riku who had just arrived into the clearing.
"Now you have to understand you have two different chakras,"
"No I have my chakra and then there's the fox's chakra and I'm not using the fox's chakra, besides I don't know how to I've used it before, it's fuzzy and I don't remember anything afterwards, it's too dangerous. I won't use it." Naruto stated firmly.
"Listen kid, this technique I want to teach you requires more chakra than you possess, besides the Kyuubi's chakra can be a great weapon for you."
"No, it doesn't matter what the technique is I'm not using Kyuubi's chakra." Naruto crossed his arms stubbornly."
"But it's the summoning technique; everybody wants to be able to summon a creature, especially a creature as majestic as the toad."
"Toads aren't majestic." Naruto snorted. "Majestic brings to mind a cat or a bird in flight, not a toad."
"Shut up brat what do you know, Toads are incredible creatures!" Jiraiya snapped. "you are privileged if they agree to be your summons!"
"it's also another way to be compared to my father!" Naruto shouted. "He could summon them too," Naruto whispered turning away from Jiraiya.
Jiraiya blinked and sighed, Naruto had big father issues apparently, "Look I didn't mean for it to come out like that, it's just well I'm the toad sage, what can I teach you if not how to summon toads? I know you want to learn more about seals and I will teach you that I swear, but you have a huge power source inside of you that's just waiting to be tapped, I want to help you learn to use the Kyuubi's power but I also want to past on my knowledge to you, I know you're not your father, it's hard but I'm starting to see that glimmer of the person you are, eventually I expect that your father will become the glimmer and I'll see you for you, so will you let me teach you this?" Jiraiya asked solemnly.
"Okay Lord Jiraiya, but show me how to summon first if I can't do it by the end of the day I'll consider using the fox's chakra." Naruto nodded.
"That's all I ask. Now watch closely." Jiraiya bit his thumb smearing blood across his opposite palm and slamming it on the ground where it spread out into an intricate seal with a shout Jiraiya was stood on a large orange toad with blue markings holding a scroll in its mouth.
It extended its tongue so that the scroll was being held it to Naruto, who took it carefully. He laid it out on the grass and unravelled it slowly revealing five previous names signed on the scroll. Naruto looked over his shoulder finding Riku bent at the waist leaning over him and Ume hovering over his shoulder with Takeru stood behind them, they all looked up as Jiraiya walked over explaining what Naruto had to do to fulfil the contract.
"You write your name in blood and then press your finger prints in blood too." He watched as Naruto slowly traced the name in between his and the blank space where Naruto's name would be, Minato's space, he doubted the boy had ever seen something that belonged to his father before.
"It's mainly left handed people," Ume noticed.
"Good thing you're left handed then," Riku chuckled.
"This doesn't make you any less you, Naruto, I'm sure you'll find your own way of using them." Takeru smiled warmly at him.
"Thanks Sensei," Naruto smiled shyly back, biting the thumb on his left hand and writing eloquently his name and pressing the pad of his thumb to each finger pressed his hand underneath the where his name was. He sat back on his heels as his team quickly scuttled back, he turned, quickly running through the hand signs; boar, dog, bird, monkey and sheep, pulling his chakra out and slamming his hand down, shouting "summoning jutsu".
They all gasped in awe as the smoke cleared to find Naruto atop a giant dull rusty red toad, wearing a blue happi vest with a massive dosu blade at his hip, and a pipe in his mouth. Naruto smirked as he looked down from the top of the toads head.
"Told you I didn't need the Kyuubi's chakra, Naruto smirked.
"I finally get some fresh air and what the hell is this?" the giant toad yelled. "Hey Punk where's Jiraiya? Why'd he summon me and plank some blonde midget on my head?"
"Jiraiya didn't summon you; I'm sorry what's your name? I'm Naruto Uzumaki I just recently signed the toad summoning contract, it's nice to meet you." Naruto moved so that he was in the toad's eye line and bowed.
"A polite liar, there's no way a punk kid like you could summon me."
"What is it with giant creatures and never giving their names," Naruto muttered. "Another person who's going to underestimate me, Sir, I really did summon you."
"What did you say your name was again?" the toad asked.
"Naruto Uzumaki Sarutobi."
"I'm the boss toad Gamabunta," the toad looked around to see the toad contract on the ground to his left, "It doesn't say Sarutobi on the contract."
"I'm not a real Sarutobi, I was taken in by them when I was little, to be fair my name isn't really Uzumaki either but there we go, I'm sorry for summoning you, you can return back to where ever it was you came from." Naruto shrugged.
"Wait you summoned me and now you're getting rid of me so quickly." The toad back peddled quickly.
"Well you don't seem to want to be here so I'd thought I'd let you leave if you wanted to." Naruto shrugged again.
"And you're not bossing e around either, are you sure you're Naruto Uzumaki who signed the contract?" the toad questioned.
"Yes sir, I'm the only Naruto Uzumaki I know of."
"Right. Well now you owe me, two large barrels of sake for summoning me." Gamabunta grunted crossing his arms.
"Of course, Boss Toad Gamabunta but I'm afraid you're too big for this training ground and I would prefer that I didn't get in trouble for demolishing it. Thank you for letting me stand on your head." Naruto smiled turning and running off the toads head, he smiled spreading his arms out and laughing as the wind blew past him at the last second he opened his eyes and flipped landing gracefully next to the summoning contract looking up at the giant toad boss.
"You are an intriguing kid, Naruto, it'll take a while till you have my full respect, and you," he turned his gaze onto Jiraiya who had tried to sneak away. "What the hell do you think you're playing at getting a little kid to summon? How he managed to do that without passing out is beyond me? You could have killed the kid!"
"He was the one that summoned you not me why am I getting shouted at?"
"Because I like the kid! He's polite and hasn't tried to boss me around once unlike you. The kid's got potential and you tried to get him killed, you owe me twenty barrels of sake!" the toad bellowed before disappearing into a cloud of smoke.
"that was so impressive Naruto!" Riku gushed. "Scary but impressive."
"Are you crazy you could have been killed?"
"I'm fine anyway I've got a test to practice for I'll see you tomorrow." Naruto smiled, waving and stumbling away.
"He summoned him just to prove a point," Takeru huffed. Naruto's two team mates rounded on Jiraiya.
"You never compare him to his biological family, or mention Cat unless you want a very angry Naruto on your hands, and you will get no help from anyone if you have an angry Naruto after you, people have learnt from experience." Ume lectured.
"The Hokage still winches and ducks when Naruto gets angry or knows you're comparing him to his father, that's bad form."
"We don't care if you're this all great and powerful ninja. You mess with Naruto you have us to deal with." Ume threatened.
"He wasn't in any real danger, and why does everyone feel like threatening me lately."
"Because you may be the great Toad sage Jiraiya, but they are loyal to Naruto, world be damned. He'd make an amazing Hokage if that's what he wanted to do." Takeru said as he watched his two students run after their friend. "Naruto doesn't like the fox; it's made his life troublesome to steal a phrase from the Nara's. Even if he is legally an adult he's still very much a child, it will take some convincing to make him see otherwise." Takeru shrugged.
"How long have you been teaching him?"
"About five mouths, my team wouldn't shut up about him, then I got to meet him and work with him and I don't see the fox anymore I see this amazing boy who'd push himself to the brink just prove that he isn't what we think he is. He hid in the shadow of a persona we'd all placed on him for years.
"You're pretty wise for a kid," Jiraiya nodded.
"No I just know Naruto, get him curious that's how you'll get him to try the fox again. He's met the fox you see, and he understands why everyone hates and fears it now, he doesn't want his accomplishments to be because he used the fox, he wants to be himself first."
"But if he was hiding all this time how is he going to do that?"
"The ANBU, most of the jounin, and chuunin along with some of his friends will follow him to hell and back, he's just got the village to win over and that will be his hardest task, they forgive as readily as we do, because they don't understand like us that Naruto's like a scroll with a kunai sealed inside, these chuunin exams are the perfect time for Naruto to get noticed by the village, without using the fox, when he makes chuunin he'll probably start thinking about it. Right Hikaru?"
"Probably, when he becomes a chuunin his priorities will change. He's studying for the chuunin instructor exam at the moment as well as helping out in the class, training with you both, visiting his friend in the hospital and sneaking into the ANBU headquarters at the moment." Hikaru laughed.
"Don't forget he's behind you, and helping his building out with sorting out their lives." Naruto chuckled. "Can we hang out yet?" Naruto pouted.
"Not yet, besides I'm supposed to be training. You'll exhaust yourself if you don't slow down." Hikaru shook his head.
"That's what I'm doing, going home to sleep. I've been running round since yesterday, with clones everywhere plus not sleeping well last night has thrown me for a loop and summoning the boss toad has pretty much taken out my energy for the day, so when I pop it's really going to hurt." Naruto sighed but nodded in acceptance.
"How many clones do you have running around?" Jiraiya interrupted quickly.
"Hmm, normally two or three but since you fixed my seal about four or five, I get so much more done, this way, what with gaining the knowledge of all the clones, they pop at different intervals so I don't get over loaded. But yeah, I've been doing this for years." Naruto shrugged, before popping before anyone could say anything.
"Where do you think I got the trick from?" Hikaru laughed seeing Jiraiya's and Takeru's faces, and popping out of existence.
"No wonder his chakra control's so good." Takeru muttered.
"Never mind that, if he's been using clones for years then he's increased his chakra capacity loads substantively, he could have even more chakra than me without the help of the kyuubi!" Jiraiya shouted. "That kid really is surprising." He muttered.
(Line)
Kakashi stood by the memorial stone deep in thought, hands shoved in his pockets he seemed unaware of the world around him, so much so that when Naruto walked up to him worry in his eyes he didn't expect him to start talking.
"You know everybody I care about is on this stone, it's why I come here so often. My father isn't on here, I often wonder if in the same situation I'd do the same thing." Kakashi glanced up at the sky.
"I would. That's why I couldn't be Hokage, I couldn't send people away to die, I'd much rather people came back then a mission be completed but with so much loss of life." Naruto answered.
"That's something I'm still learning about you Naruto, you care too much, about everything, everyone." Kakashi looked down at Naruto. "I used to look up to my father when I was a child," Kakashi began.
Hikaru stood up in the branches of a tree lining the edge of the grounds; he smiled as Kakashi finally found the right thing to repair their relationship. He watched a little longer as Kakashi finally let out his feelings about his father he hoped Naruto would be able to help him see that Sakumo Hatake was a great man, as much as the fourth was and that both could be forgiven for their past transgressions.
There was going to be a lot of angry Naruto here but I felt it just didn't work.
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