Author's Note:I don't know whether to breathe a sigh of relief or to burst out crying. What is it that you want? Is it a 'Yah' or a 'nah' to the serious Neji courtship? I seem to be receiving very polar opinions in regards to this, so // I'm just going to stick with my original plan, which is to make this a humorous, cliché story with as little maturity interlaced as possible. That and the fact that there's a strong dosage of seriousness later in the story really make me disincline to turn this into a melodramatic 'soap opera'. I will still insert Neji, but only as one of Naruto's many deranged suitors. There will be no serious love triangle involved here. Hope you guys aren't disappointed. (*_~)

Addition Note:I am literally clueless when it comes to Japanese names, so if you encounter any strange, non-existing names in this fic just ignore them. I created these names based only on one requirement: that they sound good to my ears.

Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto.

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The // is equivalent to three consecutive periods. In other words, a pause or an interruption.

Chapter 10: Meeting the Hokage

Kakashi hadn't lied, the Hokage realized. Naruto had become // beautiful. However, that wasn't exactly the right word. Naruto could not be described as thus. In fact, the Hokage didn't think there existed a word that could properly describe the haunting youth before him.

Yes perhaps that was the very word: haunting. The child was not beautiful in the classical sense. Although his figure did match the description, it was his face that did not fit the portrayal. It was transparent and yet substantial all at the same time. The boy/girl was both real and yet surreal, if such a thing were possible.

The Hokage had to constantly remind himself that this was the same Naruto who'd attacked him a dozen times before with his Sexy No Jutsu. Except this time, he didn't have to resort to such tricks. The Hokage had been awe-stricken, but surprisingly not disgusted as he normally was with Naruto's sultry transformation. The only emotion he experienced now looking at the kneeling youth before him was a deep sense of serenity.

Naruto was currently very annoyed: 1) at his sensei for rudely interrupting his much needed sleep and 2) at the Hokage for staring at him with that silly smile on his face. No doubt he was here to be scolded and likely even punished, but did they have to stretch out the moment like this? It was insane that he should be penalized for being a victim. Life was so unfair.

"Naruto," the Hokage finally said. "How do you feel?"

"Fine," Naruto replied curtly and received a smack to the head from his sensei.

"I mean, I feel fine. Thanks for your concern," Naruto grudgingly corrected.

The Hokage chuckled. Whatever the change to his body was, Naruto would always be Naruto.

"Kakashi-sensei told me all that he knew, however, I still want to hear the story from you. Tell me what happened."

Naruto frowned and began fingering the hem of his hospital gown.

"I // I don't really know," he began. "It happened so suddenly."

This was a lie. He had started to paste together certain events long ago and had realized that the subtle changes had began shortly after his spar with Sakura. But he couldn't possibly tell the Hokage that without betraying Sakura.

"Then describe to me what it felt like."

"It felt like // death," Naruto slowly said, "like I was breaking up inside, but // healing all at once too. I'm sorry. It's so hard to explain."

"Take your time."

Breathing in deeply Naruto continued.

"Initially it was so hot. Fire was ripping through me, burning me alive. Then // then I was so cold, submerged in ice. I was breathing ice, I was swallowing ice. It was freezing me from the inside out. I didn't want to breathe, but I was afraid // I didn't want to die either, so I let the pain go on. I kept inhaling in these shards of ice one after the other // "

Kakashi placed a restraining hand on Naruto's shaking shoulder.

"Naruto, stop. It's enough."

Naruto shook his head furiously. He wanted // no // he had to continue. If he didn't he would explode.

"Then the pain stopped. I couldn't feel anything anymore. But that was actually the scariest part of all. I was 'liberated', free from the confines of my body. I was floating aloft a crescent wave seeing and hearing, but not feeling. The poor child was dying below me, but I could only watch and cry, my tears blending with the waves, engulfing my essence, devouring my heart until // until the reverie ended, the contortion stopped and like gentle breeze caressing ailing limbs I descended the clouds and revived my child, holding her and promising that she would heal // "

Naruto abruptly stopped and hastily looked up at the bewildered and awe-struck faces of the two older men. Touching his own cheeks he realized that he was crying.

"I // I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I'm going crazy. I know I am!" he cried and shook violently.

Kakashi once again placed his hand on the blonde's shoulder and he immediately drifted off into slumber. Once Naruto was gently placed on the floor, Kakashi quickly removed his heavy outer vest and draped it over the sleeping form. Then the Hokage motioned Kakashi outside. The two left, but not before tossing a sad glance at the still figure they were leaving behind.

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The Protector of Fate, Hinmuru

"Hokage, you heard what Naruto said // what // what's wrong with him?" Kakashi urged gently as they slowly made their way down the hall. "Is he possessed?"

The Hokage sighed. "Yes and no," he finally replied and led Kakashi down a set of stairs to his personal chamber.

Opening the door he indicated for Kakashi to enter. Once inside, the Hokage strolled to a large bookcase that stretched the entire length of one wall. Pulling free an ancient scroll he placed it on his table and eased it open. With Kakashi looking over his shoulders, the Hokage gently blew at the thin layer of dust, revealing beneath an ancient scripture.

"Read out loud the last line," he ordered and Kakashi obediently did. (All right, I'm making Kakashi scholarly in this fic on top of everything else, so don't even question his sudden ability to read ancient calligraphy!)

"Having watched the child die, she descended from the clouds and held her daughter in her arms, promising her that she would heal // Hokage, what is the meaning of this?"

"The ashes Naruto swallowed were, indeed, a gender-switching brew as Sakura had informed you. However, within it there seems to be some remnants of the sacred Hinmuru, the Protector of Fate."

"Protector of Fate?"

"Many centuries ago Konoha was the spiritual shrine to the ancient scrolls of knowledge, believed to be guarded by the Protector of Fate," explained the Hokage as he slowly sat down.

"She alone was responsible for its safekeeping, because only she was pure enough to hold the scrolls and yet not be tempted to learn their secrets. You see, legend claims that the scrolls held both the power to heal, as well as, the power to destroy. Thus, only the purest of hearts and the truest of scholars could embrace their gift."

"It was the Protector's primary duty to find a person worthy of their power and the daunting responsibilities they entailed. But, alas, there was never one good enough to acquire them, the human race being too tainted with greed and hate. Thus, as time elapsed, the scrolls were eventually forgotten, becoming no more than a mere myth // which, perhaps, was best for everyone."

"Where are the scrolls now? Why have I never heard of them?"

"The scrolls have long since crumpled into dust, the magical powers shielding them from time fading with their Protector. Once the scrolls' powers are unleashed, the Protector loses all her magic, including the ones that kept her and the scrolls eternal. This spell was cast many years ago by the creator of the scrolls, so as to ensure that only the Chosen One alone would know of their secrets."

"In other words, the scrolls have found a new owner? They were passed on to someone after all?"

"Not literally passed on, Kakashi, although they did fall into another's hands."

"What of this Protector? Is she currently inside Naruto?"

"I wouldn't exactly say that. Rather her memories, hopes and dreams are currently residing in the boy."

"But what does she want from him? Naruto's only a child!"

"The Protector is not a beast like the Nine-Tails, Kakashi. She would never harm anyone, much less a suffering child like Naruto. Then again, it seems his very nature has endeared him to her. It seems she believes he is her daughter."

"Her daughter??"

The Hokage sighed once again and rubbed at his temples lightly.

"I suppose for you to understand this I must start at the beginning," he murmured softly before lapsing into silence, as if taking this moment to organize his thoughts.

After a short pause, the Hokage resumed in a calm voice: "There are two things a Protector is forbidden to do: 1) defy fate, which is the very source of her powers and 2) fall in love. Unfortunately, the Protector committed the latter. She fell in love with a great noble named Eritsu. Although she knew the man was not perfect, she naively believed him good of heart and together they had a daughter. But upon the child's thirteenth birthday when the Protector dutifully passed unto her the powers of her ancestors, Eritsu arrived and attacked them in their most vulnerable state. He banished the Protector's spirit into limbo and proceeded to kill their daughter right in front of her very eyes."

"Why would he do such a thing?!"

"To possess the power of the Protector, of course, and, thereby, the very scrolls themselves. Do not forget that only the Protector can come near the sacred scrolls and not be scarred by their magic."

"That explains what Naruto was saying back there."

"Yes, it does. When Naruto's spirit exited his body it was as if the Protector was seeing her daughter die all over again. The small, little child suffering below her and she // completely unable to protect her."

"But the witch, she predicted the breaking of the seal. Why is it still in tack? Did she lie to Sakura?"

"No, the old hag may be infamous for many things, but lying isn't one of them. The seal should have weakened and dissipated by now. The only reason why it hasn't is because of the Protector."

"But if her spirit is stranded in limbo, how could she possibly control the Nine-Tails?"

"Have you not figured it out yet, my dear Kakashi? It does not require great power to tame the Nine-Tails, it simply requires the right person."

"What do you mean?"

"Although the Nine-Tails appears to be a monster without emotions, the reason for this is as much attributed to its origin as it is to its nature. It // or rather he wasn't always like this."

"What? You're saying the Nine-Tails was once a man?"

"Not just any man, Kakashi, but that very same murderous man of so long ago. The Nine-Tails was the Protector's husband, Eritsu."

"What?!"

"Once he absorbed his daughter's power, Eritsu proceeded to learn the secrets of the scrolls. But, alas, his evil heart blinded him to their goodness and the only power he acquired was their wickedness. Needless to say, he quickly became imbalanced, like a lopsided yin-yang, lacking his better half.

It wasn't long before he transcended into madness and lost all control of the power raging through his body. In such a state, he was completely defenseless and the black shadows of the scrolls merged with his soul and transformed him into the worst monster imaginable: the Nine-Tails Demon Fox."

"But why // why would he be subdued by the mere memories of the Protector?"

"The reason is very simple, Kakashi. He loved her and a part of that love transfixed itself into the fox, reminding the creature that it, too, can love."

"You're talking as if that beast can feel like we do!"

The Hokage smiled sadly. "Nothing is ever pure evil, Kakashi. Never forget that."

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Argh! I can't believe I actually updated! I'm too easily persuaded. Must learn to have more self-mastery and not succumb to the dark force. J/K. (*_~)

Hope you guys liked this chapter. I promise the next one will not be so dreary.