A New Nindo
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto I would be rich, I don't. If I did own it I wouldn't be counting my pennies like the pauper I am. In the future some of my jutsus may be borrowed from other authors; if they are I will hopefully remember to point them out in my author's notes. This story does not reflect the ability of those authors I borrowed from. In other words if my story sucks it's not their fault, it's mine. However I haven't borrowed any yet so I don't worry about it. This version of the Naruto story belongs to me; most of the characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
Summary: What if you died? What if it was a mistake? What if you were given a chance to step out of your normal everyday life and become hero? I'd grab the chance. This is my story.
Mercva: Thanks for your support. Well I won't be able to get too many techniques off without hand seals at first. Also to defeat the Sharingan I'll point out its faults. Plus I've already developed ways to possibly counter the Byakugan and Mangekyo Sharingan but they will depend on Naruto's power and skill. In other words it's not a sure thing.
Wolvesmon: Here's another chapter for you. Two in one day, enjoy.
BlackWindKaze: That's okay. I'm just glad to know people are reading it. Thanks for just saying hi.
Bunch-o-nuts: I'm gonna try to make it different but it will follow the main story line such as there will be a chuunin exam. Anything else is up in the air.
ArrowofHikaru: Thanks a lot. I'm glad people think so highly of my first fanfic.
Author's Note: I've started to put in the thoughts of other people besides myself. It may be difficult but not impossible to tell who's thinking what.
Chapter 3: Crying Child of the Bloody Mist
My training was going along smoothly. Now that I was old enough I was able to help Shizune with simple tasks when she went to work. Which is more than she can say for her mentor. Shizune was grateful for the welcome help.
Naruto's going to grow up into a fine boy. He's already very polite and conscientious.
Surprisingly Tsunade started to win at gambling but only with me around. Tsunade would joke saying that I was her lucky charm as he sat on her lap. On the other hand Shizune advised against it saying that I would get addicted like my Kaasan. Tsunade waved it off.
"I hope he does, this luck of his never seems to end," Tsunade said.
I guess Naruto was pretty lucky in the series. He earned all that money from a simple lotto ticket.
It took a few months but I had begun to grasp the basics of Hirameku, but I nowhere near mastering it. After all it was a technique the Yondaime developed. Still it frustrated me to no end.
We had been in Wave country for a couple of months and I could see that the economy was starting to decline. People were saying that things would change for the better when the Gatou company came in and took over. As soon as I heard that the gears in my young mind started turning. I was taking out the garbage when I thought about what I should do.
Tsunade and Shizune are here so they should be able to handle anything that Gatou can dish out. I hope Zabusa isn't here yet. Then again Tsunade's a Sannin and Shizune's at Jounin level they can kick his ass easy. What about Haku?
I tossed the garbage bag into the dumpster when I heard something. I looked around the dumpster and saw a dirty child. It looked like the child was starving. I couldn't exactly see the child's bone structure but they were shivering. The arms I could see were very thin.
"What are you doing there?" I asked softly.
Where the fuck did that come from? I must have that anime angel somewhere on my shoulder.
The child seemed scared of me when it took notice. Upon closer inspection it seemed to be about my age, maybe a little older.
"Would you like to come in?"
The child flinched and I could tell it was afraid of me.
What am I ugly or something? I remember Kaasan and Neechan telling me I was cute but this child made me think they were being kind.
"Something on my face?"
No answer.
Arghhh!
I thought about dragging the child in or slapping it across the face but didn't feel like it. While I was thinking about ways to get it inside it spoke.
"I'm a little hungry…" it mumbled while looking at its bare feet.
Don't you mean famished? Poor kid.
I was proven correct as it scarfed down its fourth bowl of pork ramen. Recently I had discovered the reason for Naruto's huge stomach was because of Kyuubi. Since I was eating for two I didn't have to worry as much about getting fat. However I had one little problem. Growing up in the U.S. I wasn't used to Japanese food. As soon as I could I purchased a western cooking book. I tried cooking for myself but ended up needed Kaasan or Neechan to cook for me. I intended to learn how to cook in the near future. I know it's not exactly manly but what can you do when you're thrust into a culture with a diet completely different from your own. No burgers, pizza, or beer (not that I really drank that much anyway).
While it was eating I grabbed a cloth and tried to wipe its face. Seeing as how it was more presentable I took a wiff and discovered that it needed a bath, a long one. I left it alone and turned on the bath. As soon as I was done I left a towel and a change of my clothes-a baggy shirt and shorts. Even though we were the same age the kid seemed a little taller than me.
"Are you full yet?" I asked.
The kid seemed to be from the way it held its stomach.
"Thank you very much…" it mumbled. "I don't have any way to repay you."
"That's okay," I replied. "I don't do things and expect something in return."
The kid looked at me like I was crazy or some kind of saint. I knew I wasn't a saint but I don't know about crazy. Four years ago I had agree to be Naruto, that meant going against psychos like Itachi, Kisame, the rest of Akatsuki, Gaara, and Orochimaru. That probably wasn't a smart decision. Although I can't really complain. These four years with Tsunade and Shizune were like heaven to me. Tsunade was always bragging about me in her letters to the Hokage, and Shizune seemed surprised by my maturity. I guess on Tsunade's part that's what being a mom is all about, being able to brag about your kids. As for Shizune well I am twenty year old in four year old's body.
"Don't worry I'm not a bad guy," I said. "Well not yet."
The kid seemed frightened and I hit myself with a mallet mentally.
"You seem a little dirty."
That's understatement.
"So I ran a bath for you, there's a towel and some fresh clothes for you."
"Thank you…" it said again.
It was still looking down at its feet so I raised its chin with my hand. As I stared into those chocolate brown eyes I saw a depth of unimaginable sadness but also something familiar.
It's probably an orphan like me. Should I ask Kaasan and Neechan to take it in?
"It's no problem."
As it walked towards the bathroom I called out.
"By the way what's your name, I'm Naruto."
"Haku," it said before closing the bathroom door.
Outside the bathroom I was having a seizure.
Wait a sec, Haku's suppose to be a boy right? Why did she say "atashi (female form of I)" earlier? No wait Haku's in my bathroom right now I need to think. If Haku's here then I can save her from Zabusa and a life of killing. She's not even a ninja yet so she won't be hunted by hunter-nins or even labled as a missing-nin.
Shit, if she's in the alley then that means her parents are dead. That explains why she's so withdrawn. It reminds me of myself and the other kids at the orphanage. Sure back at the orphanage we smiled and played together but few really opened up. I need to tread carefully with her and Kaasan. I need Kaasan to adopt her.
When the bath began to drain I realized how long I had been thinking when I looked up at the clock.
Twenty minutes.
As I sat in a chair in the kitchen I heard the bathroom open and I turned around. Haku looked extremely cute in my pants and shorts. It probably had to do with the fact that she was so thin. Another was her long wet hair, it seemed shiny. Her skin was white like snow. Maybe I'm exaggerating a little because the Hyuugas are the most pale.
"Hey Haku?" I asked.
She looked up hesitantly.
"You're a girl right?"
"Yes…"
Okay I don't have a hearing problem. Now the next step.
"Do you want to stay here?"
I could see shock written all over her face.
"I'm not joking."
Still frozen.
How can he be so nice? He's given a warm meal, a bath, and clean clothes. He doesn't even know anything about me.
"It's not gonna be easy I mean my Kaasan's got her gambling problem so we don't have time for anything extravagant. Neechan's a real push over but nice. I'm… not really sure what to say about myself but I guess…"
All of sudden she tackled me. On any normal day I would have been alert like a hawk. Today I was feeling sluggish must be the clouds in the sky. They foretell an approaching storm. I noticed Haku was still on top of me but now she was crying. I could tell those were tears of happiness. I had the same reaction a year ago when I felt the warm aura around the dinner table.
"I know there's probably a reason why you were alone in that alley, but you don't need to tell me until you're ready. You don't need to do anything…"
She cried even harder into my chest. At some point I drifted off to sleep because I heard giggling and that woke me up. I looked towards the source to find that it was Kaasan and Neechan. I wanted to dig myself into a hole because I knew they would be teasing me about it later.
"Naruto may have turned out a little too mature, Tsunade-sama," said Shizune.
"I didn't think I'd have to teach him about the birds and the bees this soon," said Tsunade.
I could practically hear their smirks stretch. I decided things couldn't get any worse so I just held Haku closer to me.
"Naruto-sama," she mumbled.
I was wrong…
Tsunade and Shizune went into full blown laughs that woke Haku. She got up and looked down at me then back the other two. She scrambled away with a blush.
Yeah she's really cute.
I smiled at her and she smiled back but her face was now a deep crimson.
"So what's your girlfriend's name?" Tsunade asked.
"Her name's Haku… no wait a sec," I said but it was too late.
Tsunade and Shizune's laughter rose above my futile protests.
"Haku-chan would you like to help me with dinner?" asked Shizune.
Haku simply nodded and the two left me alone with Tsunade. From the look on her face I could see she was oozing with amusement at my expense. She seemed especially relaxed in her reclining chair.
"So where did you pick her up?" she asked.
Even though she was laughing I could tell she was serious.
"In the back alley," I replied.
Her smile didn't fade but I couldn't tell if it was just a façade.
"And you want to adopt her?"
"Can we?"
I'm pretty sure to any onlookers I appeared to be some kind of puppy anxiously awaiting a treat from its master. I knew I was wagging my imaginary tail for all it was worth.
"I understand why you want to adopt her."
No you don't, at least I hope not.
"Why do you think that Kaasan?"
"It's because you can't stand to see children so sad and I know you're lonely when Shizune and I are out."
Close that's about 25 the other 75 has to do with saving her from an eyebrow-less homicidal freak. Plus stuff that won't happen for another eight years. But yeah you're right Kaasan I'm not heartless.
"Um," was the only thing I could choke out.
"Okay," she smiled.
I repeated Haku's earlier actions and dove at her, wrapping my arms tightly around her waist.
After dinner we all got ready for bed. Tsunade had broken the good news to the other two and Haku hugged me again. Apparently Tsunade thought everything was a nice joke when she decided Haku could sleep with me. I could tell it was going to be a long night.
I awoke to the comforting feeling of Haku next to me. Don't get me wrong I'm not a perv. It felt like waking up next to your pet puppy. Then I realized Haku was a very cute girl and I began sporting a blush.
Yeah I'm definitely a perv. I wonder if this will be a problem. I mean I was getting enough when I was alive but now… Shit I'll have to wait years before I can get laid.
Pushing that idea and the covers aside I went and prepared breakfast. Unfortunately my small four year old body was only capable of preparing cereal. Haku didn't seem to mind and I didn't mind that Haku wouldn't go anywhere without me.
Shit, am I getting a crush this early in life?
"Hey Haku I was thinking that maybe we should go shopping for clothes later," I said. "Because you can't keep wearing my clothes and because you're a girl you need your stuff…"
I know my face is beet red right now dammit.
Haku seemed to share my predicament.
"Sure Naruto-sama."
"Hold on a second."
"Yes?"
"Please drop the –sama. I'm not your master I'm your family. Okay."
"But…"
"How about this you can call me Naruto-kun and in return I get to call you Haku-chan."
"Okay."
She seemed to agree almost too quickly. I guess she was happier about someone addressing her so familiarly than about formalities. I was glad. I didn't think I could take much more of Naruto-sama.
God how many times did she call me that during dinner last night. Probably about as many times as Tsunade and Shizune laughed.
As we exited the apartment, I suppose we looked like an odd pair. A guy with a girl wearing his smaller, tighter clothes. I found the closest shop I could and guided Haku inside. I ran outside when I discovered it was an explicitly females only kind of store. She dragged me back in and put on a little fashion show for me. We settled for a pink kimono with yellow flowers on it and yellow sash. A lot like the one she wore in the anime.
Why is Naruto-kun staring at me? I don't think I look that pretty? Do I?
We also picked up a simple, plain black one with a white trim on the edges. We got a blue sash to go with that one. Haku put them both in her bag saying that she didn't want to get them dirty on the way home.
I wish I could have bought her more but those kimonos were a little expensive and I didn't have that much. Plus she had to buy her girl stuff. I cried inwardly as I waved a starving Gama-chan (Naruto's frog wallet). I had to excuse myself for a moment as I used their bathroom but I didn't really need to. As I thought the girl's bathroom was much cleaner than the guys almost high-class in some strange way. I exited and walked Haku through the streets. By now the vendors had already set up. I slipped my hand into my back pocket and pulled out… Kaasan's wallet. Shizune usually hid it so Tsunade wouldn't loose all her money but I knew where it was. Besides how else was I gonna pay for a date with Haku.
Wait, did I just say a date…? Aren't I little young for that. That's right we're just hanging out.
I bought us some takoyaki and we played a few games, you know the ones see at carnivals that you're not supposed to win. My god-like luck allowed me to score some humble victories with Haku cheering behind me. As we made our way home I could tell we were still being trailed.
I had noticed them ever since we had left the apartment. They were waiting for us. From their sloppy movements I could tell they were common thugs but why were they trailing us? As fate would have it they surrounded us in a wide, empty street on the way home. I heard thunder in the distance and felt Haku grab my arm. I was a little scared since it would be my first real fight. The way Tsunade dominated me or the gentle punches Shizune threw couldn't have prepared me for this.
There were three of them, they were all ugly. From the dirty looks they were shooting Haku I thought they were gonna rape her.
Not a chance in hell.
I stood with Haku as they approached. I didn't drop down into a stance because I didn't want to give anything away. From the way they carried themselves I knew they weren't ninja. They were only a few yards away when I felt Haku shake.
"Don't worry I won't let them touch you," I whispered.
Haku flashed me a sad smile, I could tell she didn't really believe me. Instead it looked like she was conveying her thanks one final time. They were a few feet away. Well everyone was surprised when I moved. With surprising speed I punched the first guy square in the gut, without Tsunade's training I would have broken my fist. Instead I saw the guy throw up as I channeled by chakra into his body. He fell over on his knees and buried his head in the muddy road while clutching his stomach
I wasted no time in stepping back and elbowing the second man in the face. I had never channeled chakra through my elbow before, only my hands and feet. I was truly the God of Luck because it seemed like it worked. Normally a person's broken nose shifts on a person's face this guy's nose was inverted inward. When I hit him I felt the disgusting feeling of his nose breaking. He fell backwards hands gripping his face as he screamed out and tried not to choke on his own blood.
Using the momentum from the step back I jumped up and twisted my body the kick the third man in the neck. I had been aiming for his head but I missed because he was in my blind spot. This time there wasn't any sickening cracking sounds but I saw his eyes roll back as he made an imprint in a nearby wall.
I smiled to myself and I was glad I took off my weights at the clothing store. With them off of me I felt light as a feather. I mentally groaned when I thought it was time to increase the weights. I turned around to see a smiling Haku. She was about to cry again but I didn't mind. I was happy too. That is until a man with a gray flak vest stood between me and Haku. As my eyes trailed upwards I saw the scratch through his Mist-headband and one thought came to mind.
"Shit," I said.
Tsuzuku…
Author's Note: Naruto vs. a missing-nin chuunin. Who will be the victor. Will I ever see Haku again or will the story end here? Find out next time if my Nindo prevails.
Thank you for your reviews.
