By Silver Dragonfly
Chapter 01 - Memories Warnings
eyes. He glanced quickly to his teammates, but both were still sound asleep. He let
out a breath of relief and buried his face in his hands. The images had been haunting
him every night since his fight with Haku. Images of Sasuke shielding him... of Sasuke
falling dead... feelings of rage at the loss of someone precious to him... and then
there was the voice. His voice. Kyuubi.
Ever since that fight, ever since he had first taped Kyuubi's power, Kyuubi had
spoken to him. At first Naruto had thought it was merely a dream, a figment of his
imagination, but his voice was too real. Naruto's breathing calmed as warmth slowly
filled him from the memory of what Kyuubi had told him. He was not a demon, he did
not carry a demon within him, no their bond meant much more then the simple sealing
of a demon. He had been right, and he would prove himself to everyone else back
in Konoha as well. He was not a demon, and tomorrow when they arrived back in
Konoha he would work to prove it to everyone.
His resolve to continue on his chosen path and way to being a ninja strengthened, he
relaxed and soon drifted back to sleep to await the dawn in pleasant slumber.
Across the room, in the shadows, leaning against the wall the silver haired Jounin
smiled as he watched his often loud and hyperactive student. To be honest, he had
been worried about the boy. Worried that the burst of power from the nine-tails may
have hurt him in some unseen way, but all appeared well. Naruto was strong in heart,
mind, and soul, and he was a survivor. With his worries eased Kakashi settled back
to sleep the rest of the night away.
**********
Sandaime Hokage stood staring at the Hokage monument, particularly the face of the
Fourth. He had come here to think ever since he'd heard the full detailed report of
Genin Team Seven's C-turned-A rank mission in the Wave Country. A mission that
had resulted in the near death of Uchiha Sasuke, and the true awakening of the
nine-tails power within Naruto. There had been something in the Jounin's report that
had stuck out though.
"... it didn't feel evil-- just furious, and even though Naruto had thought Sauske was
dead, he still had control," Kakashi told him, his voice taking an odd quality.
The Third had no doubts that Kakashi suspected the truth of Naruto's parentage, and
thus kept a slightly closer eye on the boy then he might have otherwise. It was only
natural that he'd begin to notice certain similarities between his old friends and his
student. That was fine, after all Hatake Kakashi had been close to the Fourth and
his wife, if circumstances had been different... Sandaime sighed. No keeping the boy's
family history secret was still crucial, though not his biggest concern at the moment.
The truth about the nine-tails sealed within Naruto was much more prominent, and
there were definite signs that something big was going on. Something that Team
Seven would no doubt be caught in the very center of. He had better send for
Jiraiya. As much as Kakashi may want to protect and guide Naruto and the rest of his
team, he would have enough on his hands with Sauske alone. Especially now that the
boy's Sharingan had been awakened.
The Third studied the monument for a few moments more. You may have been
right Yondaime. There may have been much more to the appearance of the nine-tails
then we knew. His eyes stared off in the distance as he recalled the events that
had lead to the Fourth's death just over twelve years ago...
"Are you sure this is the only way? It won't be easy on him at all..." Sandaime told the
Fourth as he prepared himself to face the nine-tails.
"I know, but it's the only option right now. Besides, the life of a shinobi is never easy,
even for the young," the Fourth responded as he finished. "Uzumaki, that's the family
name I want him to use..."
"Your mother's family name? But..."
"It's for his own safety. This way at least he'll be protected from anyone trying to get
back at me through him. He'll have enough to face with the nine-tails sealed in him,
let alone what an enemy may try to do if they knew who his parents were. No, it's
for the best that he doesn't carry my name, until he's able to protect himself that is."
Sandaime sighed. The Fourth was right; "I'll do my best to keep him safe without
giving his heritage away."
"I know you will. Don't tell Jiraiya, Tsunade, or even Kakashi. They'll want to protect
him, and that will only draw further attention to him. I don't want Orochimaru or a
similar enemy to find out the truth and use him against the village. He'll have to learn
how to defend himself and control the nine-tails power."
The Third nodded. It would be hard, but he would manage it.
Yondaime gazed down at the blond-haired, blue-eyed baby boy, smiled, and then
turned for the door and was gone.
Within an hour, it was over and Sandaime was faced with the duties of announcing the
Fourth's sacrifice and the sealing of the nine-tails within a newborn. He would also be
announcing the death of the Fourth's wife and their newborn during childbirth. The
news would crush many, but it would protect Uzumaki Naruto and give him a chance
at life.
Sandaime shook himself out of the memory and turned away from the monument to
return to his office. That had been one of the hardest things he'd ever done, but he
wouldn't change it. Both he and the Fourth had done what they felt best for the good
of Konoha, but now he'd best get a messenger sent off to find Jiraiya. A simple one
phrased note would do... and then perhaps a chat with Enma was in order as well. If
anyone knew much about the lore and legend of the animal spirits, it would be one of
the clan or tribe leaders, and it was crucial that he find out if there truly was more to
the nine-tails appearance.