Disclaimer: I make no profit off this story. I just like the satisfaction
of writing stories.
Author Disclaimer: Chapter Four . . . I'm on a roll!
Chapter Four: A Guiding Little Spark
Naruto sat in the gardens of the Uzumaki Estates. With him sat his great- aunt, the sister of his grandfather and the current Hokage of Hidden Leaf, Tsunade. "Naruto, what caused that fight?" Tsunade inquired. Though her love for her grand-nephew ran deep since discovering his identity through Naruto's father's journals, she was still worried about who started the fight. As heir to two powerful Clans . . . well, let's just say that it would complicate matters.
"Kiba knew that I was Jiraiya's Pupil and challenged me" Naruto replied, casually. Naruto shook his head, leaning against Inari, The faithful fox was laying behind the small blonde. "They did not know who I was until the beginning of the fight".
"So it was Inuzuka who challenged and you accepted?" Tsunade replied. Naruto nodded, relieving his aunt of the burden. "That makes things better. You are after all Heir to not only the Imahitotsu Clan but to the Uzumaki Clan. Tell me, Naruto . . . What do you know of your father's Clan?"
"We are of Grass and Water Origin" Naruto began. "Because of this unique Origin we are able to wield Water and Fire Jutsus easily because are Chakra Coils are designed for them. The Shodaime, Uzumaki Aokusa and his brother, Ryu, were the ones that founded the Village of the Hidden Leaf. I do know that I bear a unique bloodline that are tied to Fire Jutsus. That was all Ojiisan would teach me, besides the Family Taijutsu . . . The Dance of the Fire Spin."
"Do you know the Three Stages?"
"Yes" Naruto replied. "The First stage is the Circular Fire Star. . . After that is the Fire Pillar Twist and then the finally and most deadly one is the Fire Spin Dance". Tsunade nodded.
"Do you know how we of the Uzumaki Clan pull off this Taijutsu while others who have tried it would fail?" Tsunade inquired. Naruto shook his head, this was something that his grandfather did not go over. Naruto had suspected that his grandfather knew that Tsunade was his great-aunt and did not indulge Naruto in the aspects of this side of his heritage. "Very well. The Dance of the Fire Spin . . Or the Odori no Hi Kaiten is a mixture of Taijutsu and Ninjutsu. You are able to summon Fire Jutsus more easily when performing the Odori because of the fact that you are naturally drawing upon the Chakra used for Fire Jutsus. Because of our unique bloodline, we have stronger Chakra coils then many others that allows us to use Fire Jutsus."
"Obasan, I have a question" Naruto said. "This has something to due with my position as Heir to both the Uzuamki and Imahitotsu Clans. I know that old Clans, such as the Hyuga or the Uchiha often chose the spouse of their Heir. What is the standing of the Uzumaki Clan upon this?"
His blue-silver-violet eyes studied his aunt as she looked thoughtful. "What does your mother's relatives say on this matter?" Tsunade inquired.
"The Elders of the Clan do not interfere with the Heir's chosing of a spouse" Naruto said. "It is believed within the Clan that there is a person out there that has a similar spirit to the a Clan member. And with that person you feel complete. Mind, Body and Soul. I guess that is why the Clan's motto is just that. Kokoro, Bodii, Kon".
Tsunade nodded, smiling half-heartedly. "Truth is, Naruto" Tsunade began. "Though the Uzumaki is a powerful Clan, we are pretty much individuals. We as the individual pick out who we want as our spouse but because we are a clan, the chosen spouse must undergo a test to prove that they truly belong to that person".
"Did Mama have to do that?" Naruto inquired.
"I don't believe so" Tsunade replied. "I was too busy as a Sennin that I never knew much of my brother's child or his wife". Tsunade looked away, feeling hurt about that part of her life. It was after that she learned of Nagisa's and Arashi's death that she finally gave into the battling gambling addiction. She was so immersed in that side of her life, she never knew she had a grand-nephew.
"Stop that, Obasan" Naruto said. "That part of my life is over. I have you now and I know you love me and that's all that really matters. The past is the past".
"The past is who makes us who we are" Tsunade replied.
"Yes, but if we let it dominate us then it can over-power us" Naruto said, solemnly, "and we find ourselves making the mistakes that we cannot rectify". Tsunade looked at Naruto, who was staring up at the multi-colored sky. Tsunade shifted herself so she was beside him.
Her arm wrapped around his small frame. "When did you get so wise?" Tsunade inquired, quietly. Naruto looked up.
"Maybe I was always like this" Naruto said. "But no one ever gave it any attention. Besides, I hide pretty well behind my mask". Tsunade nodded, leaning back against Inari. The two relatives stared up into the sky.
A loud crashing and shouting could be heard from the usually quiet Umino Residence. It had become quite the common place since three years ago so the Neighbors hardly blinked an eye as a furious Umino Iruka stormed out of the small home and up the street. Iruka stalked the familiar path toward the Uzumaki Estates, knowing that Naruto would welcome him into his home. And too right he was. When he arrived at the Estates door, one look at his face and Naruto ushered him inside toward the dining room. The tired Chunnin sat at the table opposite of Tsunade and to the right of Naruto. "Another one, Iruka?" Tsunade inquired.
"Unfortunately" Iruka murmured, softly. Jiraiya looked at Tsunade, curiously but one glare from his former teammate, made the Hermit Sennin look the other way. Naruto paid no mind to the conversation between his adopted big brother and great-aunt. He handed Iruka a plate of dinner and sat down himself. The rest of dinner was silent except for the occasional 'More please . . . Thank you'.
Naruto and Iruka sat in the family room, playing a gave of Shogi. The latter was winning while the former was attending to save his remaining pieces. "Aniki? What is it between you and Kakashi-san?" Naruto questioned, studying the board. Iruka looked at the blonde, who now looked at the dark- haired Chunnin. "There is obiviously something between you two. I have noticed when I was still apart of Kakashi-san's team".
Iruka leaned back and looked out of the opened down where he saw Tsunade in the garden and Jiraiya sitting on the deck. "Truthfully?" Iruka countered. "I really don't know".
"You do not know?"
"We were once, I guess, Lovers" Iruka replied. "We were friends at first, I was actually an assignment for Kakashi and his gennin team. We met and began friends instantly, no surprise. But as we grew older, our feelings for each other changed and we fell in love".
"So, why is it so different? Do you not still love each other?" Naruto inquired.
"I don't believe so" Iruka replied. "Not since two years ago, a year after you left with Jiraiya that time. Kakashi had changed after coming back a mission that he didn't want to discuss. I tried to get Kakashi to open up and talk about what he felt but he never did and whenever I tried to bring you up in conversation, everything hits rock bottom. All we ever do is fight".
"You never did tell me about Kakashi-san any further then he lost the spark that may Life enjoyable" Naruto stated.
"Shortly after Team Seven was promoted to Chunnin rank" Iruka began, "Kakashi gave up begin a Jonin Instructor and became what he use to be. An Anbu . . . Recently he was promoted to Captain. Where he use to be carefree and full of life, he now cold and distant. I can't break through, I don't understand what happened".
"Did he go on any missions?" Naruto questioned. "Any missions that he feels the need to keep to himself and away from you, maybe he believes he is trying to protect you".
"From What?" Iruka inquired. "I've seen as much as he has, even though I am a Chunnin."
"Maybe he has seen something you have not" Naruto replied. "I believe I win, Aniki". Iruka looked at the board and groaned. "Another game?"
"No . . . What makes you think he has seen something that I haven't?"
"Kakashi-san is a ninja prodigy, even more so then Uchiha Itachi" Naruto replied. "There has to be some trauma in his life that causes him to hid behind the mask, real or psychologically". Naruto's explanation did help ease some things in Iruka's mind but somethings still bothered him. Kakashi really changed after a mission to Grass Country, he came back cold and distant. "Aniki, will you be staying the night?"
"Yes, I believe so" Iruka said. "It would be best that Kakashi and I stay apart for a while". Naruto nodded, understanding.
"Very well, there is already a room prepared" Naruto said. "Obasan took the liberty of preparing one earlier. It's is the guest quarters near my quarters". Iruka nodded, that was always the one that Tsunade prepared for him. The dark-haired Chunnin stood, he gave Naruto a gentle smile and left the room. Naruto waited for a few minutes before disappearing in a poof.
Hatake Kakashi sat on the head of the Fourth Hokage's carving. He was in deep thought, very deep thought. He was replaying the fight that he and Iruka had, he was trying to see where he had gone wrong. It started out normally, Iruka talking about his day at the academy and he about his work. He left out the gory parts just for Iruka's sake. Where had it all gone wrong?
"I thought I would find you here, Kakashi-san" came a quiet voice. Kakashi looked up to see whom he now knew as Naruto. The Blonde moved to Kakashi's side and sat down. Kakashi took the time to look over his former student. The boy's blonde hair was currently tied into a ponytail and he wore clothes from Hidden Air. He wore shoes upon his feet instead of the usual sandals. Naruto looked at his former sensei, truly noticing how much he had changed from the man that he used to know so well three years ago.
"What do you want?" Kakashi inquired, tiredly. He didn't want Naruto lecturing him about Iruka and how much a pervert he was.
"To talk" Naruto replied. He looked up at the sky, watching the twinkling stars that shone down on them. "Everything is so different, people and places. Did something happen when I was gone?"
"No" Kakashi answered. Naruto raised an eyebrow but said nothing except stand. Kakashi watched blonde moved to the carving's face. He watched as Naruto gazed over the edge, staring intently at the village.
"Ne, Kakashi-san . . . You know what in Grass, two years ago" Naruto stated. "I discovered that Anbu squad had a mission there. Is that why you changed?" Naruto looked back at the silver haired Jonin, who stared at him shocked. "I take that as a yes. But why?"
Naruto walked over and knelt before his former teacher. Before Naruto could do anything, he drawn up against Kakashi, as the Jonin hugged the blonde tight his chest. Kakashi buried his face in the blonde's hair. Naruto hugged the Jonin back. "I lost you three years ago, but I knew that it was better if Jiraiya trained you. He could teach you all about your Father and mother" Kakashi said. "Then the incident in Grass, I knew that I truly lost you". Kakashi pulled back and gazed at Naruto, who blinked innocently back. "I suppose Iruka told you that I lost a certain spark for life? Well, that spark was you".
"But Kakashi-san, I have not changed that much" Naruto replied, smiling. "In fact, I believe I have become who I am suppose to be". Naruto pulled away Kakashi's mask and Hitai-ate and stared at the usually hidden face of his former sensei. "Now, why do you not become who you are suppose to be? The person that Aniki fell in love with and the sensei that I use to know". Kakashi gave his former student a smile, causing Naruto to smile back.
"I think I just needed a certain little spark to come back into my life" Kakashi said. "You always made life more enjoyable". He hugged Naruto to him again, this time Naruto hugging back. "It's good to have you home, Naruto".
"It's good to be home, Kakashi-sensei" Naruto replied.
The stars twinkled above them, happily. But they knew that danger and misfortune would soon befall the peaceful village of Hidden Leaf. An evil was rising in the West and had its sights set upon the young Ninja of two Worlds.
TBC.
Author Disclaimer: Chapter Four . . . I'm on a roll!
Chapter Four: A Guiding Little Spark
Naruto sat in the gardens of the Uzumaki Estates. With him sat his great- aunt, the sister of his grandfather and the current Hokage of Hidden Leaf, Tsunade. "Naruto, what caused that fight?" Tsunade inquired. Though her love for her grand-nephew ran deep since discovering his identity through Naruto's father's journals, she was still worried about who started the fight. As heir to two powerful Clans . . . well, let's just say that it would complicate matters.
"Kiba knew that I was Jiraiya's Pupil and challenged me" Naruto replied, casually. Naruto shook his head, leaning against Inari, The faithful fox was laying behind the small blonde. "They did not know who I was until the beginning of the fight".
"So it was Inuzuka who challenged and you accepted?" Tsunade replied. Naruto nodded, relieving his aunt of the burden. "That makes things better. You are after all Heir to not only the Imahitotsu Clan but to the Uzumaki Clan. Tell me, Naruto . . . What do you know of your father's Clan?"
"We are of Grass and Water Origin" Naruto began. "Because of this unique Origin we are able to wield Water and Fire Jutsus easily because are Chakra Coils are designed for them. The Shodaime, Uzumaki Aokusa and his brother, Ryu, were the ones that founded the Village of the Hidden Leaf. I do know that I bear a unique bloodline that are tied to Fire Jutsus. That was all Ojiisan would teach me, besides the Family Taijutsu . . . The Dance of the Fire Spin."
"Do you know the Three Stages?"
"Yes" Naruto replied. "The First stage is the Circular Fire Star. . . After that is the Fire Pillar Twist and then the finally and most deadly one is the Fire Spin Dance". Tsunade nodded.
"Do you know how we of the Uzumaki Clan pull off this Taijutsu while others who have tried it would fail?" Tsunade inquired. Naruto shook his head, this was something that his grandfather did not go over. Naruto had suspected that his grandfather knew that Tsunade was his great-aunt and did not indulge Naruto in the aspects of this side of his heritage. "Very well. The Dance of the Fire Spin . . Or the Odori no Hi Kaiten is a mixture of Taijutsu and Ninjutsu. You are able to summon Fire Jutsus more easily when performing the Odori because of the fact that you are naturally drawing upon the Chakra used for Fire Jutsus. Because of our unique bloodline, we have stronger Chakra coils then many others that allows us to use Fire Jutsus."
"Obasan, I have a question" Naruto said. "This has something to due with my position as Heir to both the Uzuamki and Imahitotsu Clans. I know that old Clans, such as the Hyuga or the Uchiha often chose the spouse of their Heir. What is the standing of the Uzumaki Clan upon this?"
His blue-silver-violet eyes studied his aunt as she looked thoughtful. "What does your mother's relatives say on this matter?" Tsunade inquired.
"The Elders of the Clan do not interfere with the Heir's chosing of a spouse" Naruto said. "It is believed within the Clan that there is a person out there that has a similar spirit to the a Clan member. And with that person you feel complete. Mind, Body and Soul. I guess that is why the Clan's motto is just that. Kokoro, Bodii, Kon".
Tsunade nodded, smiling half-heartedly. "Truth is, Naruto" Tsunade began. "Though the Uzumaki is a powerful Clan, we are pretty much individuals. We as the individual pick out who we want as our spouse but because we are a clan, the chosen spouse must undergo a test to prove that they truly belong to that person".
"Did Mama have to do that?" Naruto inquired.
"I don't believe so" Tsunade replied. "I was too busy as a Sennin that I never knew much of my brother's child or his wife". Tsunade looked away, feeling hurt about that part of her life. It was after that she learned of Nagisa's and Arashi's death that she finally gave into the battling gambling addiction. She was so immersed in that side of her life, she never knew she had a grand-nephew.
"Stop that, Obasan" Naruto said. "That part of my life is over. I have you now and I know you love me and that's all that really matters. The past is the past".
"The past is who makes us who we are" Tsunade replied.
"Yes, but if we let it dominate us then it can over-power us" Naruto said, solemnly, "and we find ourselves making the mistakes that we cannot rectify". Tsunade looked at Naruto, who was staring up at the multi-colored sky. Tsunade shifted herself so she was beside him.
Her arm wrapped around his small frame. "When did you get so wise?" Tsunade inquired, quietly. Naruto looked up.
"Maybe I was always like this" Naruto said. "But no one ever gave it any attention. Besides, I hide pretty well behind my mask". Tsunade nodded, leaning back against Inari. The two relatives stared up into the sky.
A loud crashing and shouting could be heard from the usually quiet Umino Residence. It had become quite the common place since three years ago so the Neighbors hardly blinked an eye as a furious Umino Iruka stormed out of the small home and up the street. Iruka stalked the familiar path toward the Uzumaki Estates, knowing that Naruto would welcome him into his home. And too right he was. When he arrived at the Estates door, one look at his face and Naruto ushered him inside toward the dining room. The tired Chunnin sat at the table opposite of Tsunade and to the right of Naruto. "Another one, Iruka?" Tsunade inquired.
"Unfortunately" Iruka murmured, softly. Jiraiya looked at Tsunade, curiously but one glare from his former teammate, made the Hermit Sennin look the other way. Naruto paid no mind to the conversation between his adopted big brother and great-aunt. He handed Iruka a plate of dinner and sat down himself. The rest of dinner was silent except for the occasional 'More please . . . Thank you'.
Naruto and Iruka sat in the family room, playing a gave of Shogi. The latter was winning while the former was attending to save his remaining pieces. "Aniki? What is it between you and Kakashi-san?" Naruto questioned, studying the board. Iruka looked at the blonde, who now looked at the dark- haired Chunnin. "There is obiviously something between you two. I have noticed when I was still apart of Kakashi-san's team".
Iruka leaned back and looked out of the opened down where he saw Tsunade in the garden and Jiraiya sitting on the deck. "Truthfully?" Iruka countered. "I really don't know".
"You do not know?"
"We were once, I guess, Lovers" Iruka replied. "We were friends at first, I was actually an assignment for Kakashi and his gennin team. We met and began friends instantly, no surprise. But as we grew older, our feelings for each other changed and we fell in love".
"So, why is it so different? Do you not still love each other?" Naruto inquired.
"I don't believe so" Iruka replied. "Not since two years ago, a year after you left with Jiraiya that time. Kakashi had changed after coming back a mission that he didn't want to discuss. I tried to get Kakashi to open up and talk about what he felt but he never did and whenever I tried to bring you up in conversation, everything hits rock bottom. All we ever do is fight".
"You never did tell me about Kakashi-san any further then he lost the spark that may Life enjoyable" Naruto stated.
"Shortly after Team Seven was promoted to Chunnin rank" Iruka began, "Kakashi gave up begin a Jonin Instructor and became what he use to be. An Anbu . . . Recently he was promoted to Captain. Where he use to be carefree and full of life, he now cold and distant. I can't break through, I don't understand what happened".
"Did he go on any missions?" Naruto questioned. "Any missions that he feels the need to keep to himself and away from you, maybe he believes he is trying to protect you".
"From What?" Iruka inquired. "I've seen as much as he has, even though I am a Chunnin."
"Maybe he has seen something you have not" Naruto replied. "I believe I win, Aniki". Iruka looked at the board and groaned. "Another game?"
"No . . . What makes you think he has seen something that I haven't?"
"Kakashi-san is a ninja prodigy, even more so then Uchiha Itachi" Naruto replied. "There has to be some trauma in his life that causes him to hid behind the mask, real or psychologically". Naruto's explanation did help ease some things in Iruka's mind but somethings still bothered him. Kakashi really changed after a mission to Grass Country, he came back cold and distant. "Aniki, will you be staying the night?"
"Yes, I believe so" Iruka said. "It would be best that Kakashi and I stay apart for a while". Naruto nodded, understanding.
"Very well, there is already a room prepared" Naruto said. "Obasan took the liberty of preparing one earlier. It's is the guest quarters near my quarters". Iruka nodded, that was always the one that Tsunade prepared for him. The dark-haired Chunnin stood, he gave Naruto a gentle smile and left the room. Naruto waited for a few minutes before disappearing in a poof.
Hatake Kakashi sat on the head of the Fourth Hokage's carving. He was in deep thought, very deep thought. He was replaying the fight that he and Iruka had, he was trying to see where he had gone wrong. It started out normally, Iruka talking about his day at the academy and he about his work. He left out the gory parts just for Iruka's sake. Where had it all gone wrong?
"I thought I would find you here, Kakashi-san" came a quiet voice. Kakashi looked up to see whom he now knew as Naruto. The Blonde moved to Kakashi's side and sat down. Kakashi took the time to look over his former student. The boy's blonde hair was currently tied into a ponytail and he wore clothes from Hidden Air. He wore shoes upon his feet instead of the usual sandals. Naruto looked at his former sensei, truly noticing how much he had changed from the man that he used to know so well three years ago.
"What do you want?" Kakashi inquired, tiredly. He didn't want Naruto lecturing him about Iruka and how much a pervert he was.
"To talk" Naruto replied. He looked up at the sky, watching the twinkling stars that shone down on them. "Everything is so different, people and places. Did something happen when I was gone?"
"No" Kakashi answered. Naruto raised an eyebrow but said nothing except stand. Kakashi watched blonde moved to the carving's face. He watched as Naruto gazed over the edge, staring intently at the village.
"Ne, Kakashi-san . . . You know what in Grass, two years ago" Naruto stated. "I discovered that Anbu squad had a mission there. Is that why you changed?" Naruto looked back at the silver haired Jonin, who stared at him shocked. "I take that as a yes. But why?"
Naruto walked over and knelt before his former teacher. Before Naruto could do anything, he drawn up against Kakashi, as the Jonin hugged the blonde tight his chest. Kakashi buried his face in the blonde's hair. Naruto hugged the Jonin back. "I lost you three years ago, but I knew that it was better if Jiraiya trained you. He could teach you all about your Father and mother" Kakashi said. "Then the incident in Grass, I knew that I truly lost you". Kakashi pulled back and gazed at Naruto, who blinked innocently back. "I suppose Iruka told you that I lost a certain spark for life? Well, that spark was you".
"But Kakashi-san, I have not changed that much" Naruto replied, smiling. "In fact, I believe I have become who I am suppose to be". Naruto pulled away Kakashi's mask and Hitai-ate and stared at the usually hidden face of his former sensei. "Now, why do you not become who you are suppose to be? The person that Aniki fell in love with and the sensei that I use to know". Kakashi gave his former student a smile, causing Naruto to smile back.
"I think I just needed a certain little spark to come back into my life" Kakashi said. "You always made life more enjoyable". He hugged Naruto to him again, this time Naruto hugging back. "It's good to have you home, Naruto".
"It's good to be home, Kakashi-sensei" Naruto replied.
The stars twinkled above them, happily. But they knew that danger and misfortune would soon befall the peaceful village of Hidden Leaf. An evil was rising in the West and had its sights set upon the young Ninja of two Worlds.
TBC.