Last Memories
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Disclaimer: Like I said, Naruto is created by Kishimoto-san! I'm just creating a wierdo version
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Eleven years ago...
A lone figure sat on the tip of the sculptured hair of the Yondaime Hokage, the savior of this village that could've been destroyed by the great Youko Kyuubi. His small body was covered up by a long, tattered and bloody gray cloak and a katana strapped to his back. On his face was a white and red mask that was shadowed beneath a large hood that covered his head. Through the two holes of the mask, narrowed and glowing scarlet eyes were peering down at the enormous village. The wind blew gently, but the person never stirred, only looking down at the warmly lit windows of the villagers.
It was a year since the Kyuubi had been killed and the Yondaime sacrificed himself to save the village. Human life was so quick... but so meaningful... but what was he doing? Why was he alive? Why was he here and what was his objective in life? Another festival had opened to the Yondaime's honor and joyful laughter as well as mourning for those who had lost their lives in the fierce battle. The eyes narrowed further and his hands created two small fists. Happy laughter flowed around him, teasing him, taunting him, torturing him...
The figure was Uchiha Sairuchi, now seven years old, and currently a chuunin and ANBU. A small hand reached up to touch his mask, but didn't remove it. He liked it there. It kept him in a world of his own, a world where no one knew him and a world where he could forget everything, anything he wanted to. It was as if seeing everything through another's eyes. Whenever he killed, he could blame it on the Aka-Neko (Red Cat). Sairuchi could hide behind the mask and it would be the Aka-Neko's fault... the damn cat's fault that someone else died... its fault that there was another family sad and grieving... a life in this world was gone...
The Aka-Neko and he were totally different. The Cat was a killer... and he... he...
'What am I again...?'
Sairuchi slowly pulled out his katana from its sheathe and stared at its sheen as the moonlight reflected off the polished and well-cared metal. The silver light flashed in his eyes once and he slowly, but surly angled it behind his back.
"Sharp as ever... ne, Neko-chan," a voice teased his ear.
"Aka-Neko," he automatically corrected. "Gin-Ino Buchou." (Silver-Dog Leader)
"Heh..."
The person standing over him was at least sixteen, without the white cloak, he just had the ANBU armor and a red and white dog-mask and a mop of silver hair poking out from above. Hatake Kakashi, also known as the infamous Copy-nin, was standing behind him with a katana carefully placed right between his legs. One slight movement would take all of Kakashi's abilities to produce any heirs or even start his life of depression – since he lost to a kid way younger than himself. Sairuchi said no apologies as he removed the dangerous weapon from the offending area while a small tick formed on Kakashi's left eye.
"Nice to see you have a sense of humor..." Kakashi muttered under his breath. "Though it's rather offensive and..."
"Hello to you, Buchou," the young Uchiha murmured. "Why are you here?"
"The Hokage-sama has called for you, Neko-chan. He says that it is of important matter."
"It's Aka-Neko and every time the Hokage calls anyone personally, it is supposed to be important, Buchou... you should know that..." Sairuchi looked up at the white moon and then back down at the celebration below. "Why aren't you down there with the others? I'm sure that you don't have any missions today."
"Hn... don't feel like it," Kakashi answered lazily. "You?"
"Like you said... the Hokage-sama calls..."
He looked at the enormous fire in the middle of the village and allowed himself to lose his attention even slightly in its gentle movement.
"Thank you for the message," Sairuchi rose to his feet smoothly and bowed mockingly at the ANBU-Captain. "Enjoy the festival."
With that, he leapt back, into the empty space below him. Kakashi's eyes widened, tearing the mask off his face as he rushed to the tip of his ex-sensei's hair. He stared at Sairuchi, who was still falling and going faster, and made to throw a wire to catch his fall, but suddenly, the young boy's fall slowed and slowed until he seemed to be flying?
'What...!' he gasped.
Sairuchi barely touched the roof of a house before he bounded towards the Hokage Tower at a speed that was only achieved by a few people. Kakashi raised a hand to where his own one-Sharingan was resting.
'Sairuchi's last mission had something to do with eliminating a Tenkuu-nin(Air-ninja)... the Sharingan...' he smiled wryly. "That boy is crazy..."
He shook his head and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
---
Sairuchi deliberately took the long way to the Hokage Tower, which he could reach in a minute. While doing so, he saw the Uchiha Compound, also celebrating with several young Uchihas laughing as they chased one another wearing fake-ANBU masks and one who was wearing the mask as the Kyuubi. He chuckled, sounding way older than a seven year old. He saw the Uchiha Mansion and managed to see his mother leaving the house with a one-year-old Sasuke...
"Kaa-san... Sasuke..." he whispered, the voice was muffled by the mask. Then he saw another small figure following close behind. "Itachi...nii-san..."
He heard that Itachi had already had graduated the academy as top student this year. He smiled sadly, knowing how much pressure their father was placing on him as Sairuchi didn't have any more titles to get as a ninja. The Hokage-sama had rejected Hiko's attempts to allow Sairuchi to enter the Jounin-exams, so he was free from any S-class missions. The Sharingan had appeared on the older Uchiha, but he had yet to fully master it. Itachi held himself proudly and Sairuchi's eyes narrowed to see who had attacked himself to his older brother's side.
"Shisui-nii-san...?" he breathed.
Last time he had seen, the two were total enemies, but at the moment, they were stuck to each other like... like...
Brothers.
Sairuchi jumped at the sound of sharp whistling and quickly rose from his crouching position and leapt away. Several kunais embedded on the area he was just sitting on a second ago, and he twisted his body around in time to see his enemy.
"Otou...sama..." he said, rising and took off his mask. It was etiquette that they do so for family. "Kombawa..."
His father barely changed. His hard, unsmiling features were still there and he was standing with his arms crossed with an emotionless look on his face as he looked down at his second son.
"Sairuchi," Hiko frowned. "Your chakra went out of control for a moment. If you were in enemy territory, you would've been attacked much fiercely than I have done."
"G...Gomen-nasai, Otou-sama," he bowed his head.
"Are you returning home, or just visiting the festival in your armor?"
"I have a call from the Hokage-sama," Sairuchi answered. "I will be going now."
"...then go."
"Hai." He placed his mask back into position and turned to leave until...
"Sairuchi, don't be lazy with your training."
"Hai, Otou-sama."
And he leapt away, getting as far as he can from the painful gaze of his father.
---
Sairuchi looked at the Hokage through the two tiny holes of his white ANBU mask that looked a lot more like a cat than anything else. It was a mixture of white and red, giving the cat three whiskers on both sides and the right ear red. The nose protruded out lightly, and its face seemed to be smiling lazily. Through the small holes, the sight of blood red eyes was eminent and a stony, cold face was hidden from behind.
The Sandaime watched him carefully and gave him a small smile. "Sairuchi-kun."
"Hokage-sama," Sairuchi whispered, bowing his head slightly.
"Today your father has given me permission to allow you any mission that I would like to send you on, but it has to be B-rank or higher," he said. "Are you okay with that, Sairuchi-kun?"
"Hai," he replied.
The Hokage looked at the tiny figure that was hidden behind the black ANBU cloak and mask. He knew that Sairuchi was no mere boy. He may grow to become even more powerful than Hatake Kakashi, who was known all throughout the Ninja World for his strength. Sairuchi was already capable of jounin – something any seven year old would only be dreaming of, but he was still growing... and still so young...
"I will give you a B-rank mission. You will have to protect someone for me," the Hokage said seriously. "This is something that no chuunin would know, Sairuchi-kun, but I am only allowing this for you and your partner for this mission."
Sairuchi's expression had lightened after the Hokage's announcement and now a curious look appeared on his face. The Sandaime turned as soon as the scroll was taken from his hands and looked outside the window where fireworks were now blooming in the skies. The young Uchiha pulled it open with experienced hands. His eyes widened at the scripture written within.
"Kyuubi..." he whispered. "So he wasn't killed after all..."
"You knew about this, Sairuchi-kun?" the Sandaime asked sharply, turning to face the seven-year old.
"Iie," he shook his head. "I had some suspicions. The Yondaime-sama was powerful, maybe the most powerful shinobi of his time, but still the Youko was stronger. It would be impossible for the most powerful Youko to be killed or even destroyed by a mere shinobi, even the strongest."
"Hai, Sairuchi-kun..." Sarutobi nodded and gave him a small pained smile. "What do you think of the boy?"
Sairuchi looked down at the scroll and slowly, the Sharingan started to disappear – something that had never happened during an entire year after he had killed... no... he wouldn't think about that. But he could already feel his chakra boosting up from the release of the accursed eye. Sairuchi looked down at the baby picture of a tiny blonde with shocking yellow hair and bright blue eyes. He was smiling at the picture, his arms spread open as if someone was about to hug him...
"He's... adorable," he flushed. Not even Sasuke was this cute when he was a baby.
The Hokage saw his reaction and nodded. This was acceptable. "Sairuchi, follow me."
The prodigy quickly made his way through the many corridors of the Hokage Tower until they were in the Medical Hall, which was only for the most critically injured were allowed to stay in. He looked around curiously and found that nearly all of the rooms were empty, save for one or two. However, the Hokage led him deeper into the Hall until they reached a room that was isolated from the others and protected by two ANBUs and – to Sairuchi's shock – Hatake Kakashi.
"Yo," he raised a hand in greeting for him. "Hokage-sama," he bowed towards the older man.
"Kakashi, how is he?"
"He's still alive and breathing and the more serious injuries are healing pretty quick too," he answered attentively. "Is the Neko the one to take care of him?"
"We'll see..."
The ANBUs opened the door, which was sealed and protected by many traps, and allowed the trio inside. The room was large, but it only had one bed which had a very, very tiny person in it. Sairuchi stared at the bed, but in the dim light, he couldn't see very clearly. The Sandaime slowly walked towards it and with small steps, the young Uchiha followed and his eyes widened behind the mask.
"Aka-Neko, your to-be-client had been attacked late this night when he was in the orphanage," Kakashi said, not even batting an eye at the scene in front of him. "He has received several injuries that would've killed him, but the Kyuubi has seen to that he was protected. The convict or convicts were gone before we found him and after an hour of treatment, he is still in a stage of danger."
"Ah..."
Sairuchi's dark eyes reverted back into the blood-red color. The wheels spinning wildly as he looked down at the tiny blonde on the bed. Uzumaki Naruto, the Kyuubi's container and nothing but a small one-year old, was nearly killed. To the young Uchiha's eyes, the boy barely seemed any different from his own younger sibling, Sasuke. His smiling, laughing brother, who came from his house, hand in hand with his mother... Small, fragile, and so innocent... but this boy already seemed to have an entire village against him. And the injuries...
'How could they!'
"We know... please calm down, Sairuchi-kun," the Hokage-sama placed his hands on his shoulders.
'I went out of control! Again!' he thought in shock.
"We were lucky to have found him for the seal was about to crack from the Kyuubi's frantic attempts to heal Naruto. The chakra bursts had alerted everyone within a mile and they have found him," Kakashi explained. "I don't think Kyuubi is willing to die just yet with his container like this..."
'How did I not feel it?'
"We need someone to protect Naruto before he is truly killed," Sarutobi continued, sighing forlornly as he watched the tiny blonde's pale face. "I fear for his life if he remains in the village without any extra protection and sadly, there was no one who seemed to accept him as a real person except for any of the ANBUs, but they are needed for other missions... I needed someone young, someone compassionate and someone who can handle a little ball of energy." He chuckled and patted Sairuchi's head. "Since you already had Sasuke to take care of, you might be even more skilled than Kakashi-kun at taking care of kids."
"Gin-Inu Buchou...?" Sairuchi stared at the silver-haired ninja.
"He will be joining you in the mission, if you accept, of course. But there is a drawback, for you will have to remain with Naruto-kun all throughout the day and the entire year. I don't think I can trust anyone else other than the two of you of Naruto's welfare. Kakashi-kun has agreed, but what about you, Sairuchi?"
"..."
He stared at the tiny blonde. Naruto's entire body was covered in white bandages with red blotches here and there. There were small scratches and bruises still showing through the cloths and suddenly, his thoughts reverted to the happily smiling picture.
"Naruto..." His Sharingan flashed and his nodded, his hands fisting. "I will do it."
The Hokage smiled and nodded. "Arigatou, Sairuchi-kun. You are promoted as Tokubetsu-jounin (Special jounin) under the words of the Hokage, and you are put off duty for a long-term mission of taking care of Naruto. Of course, everything will be secured with the money and even the information about your mission. You will be released from the ANBU and from now, will work with Hatake Kakashi in Mission: Babysitting."
Kakashi laughed weakly and sweatdropped. 'The Hokage's horrible with words...'
The mask fell onto the ground with a small clatter and a small crack was formed on the bridge of the snout. For the first time in a long while, the Sandaime was looking into teary black eyes and an innocent, beautiful, pale face of a young seven year old.
"I wish you the best of luck... Sairuchi-kun."
---
Itachi rose from his desk when he heard the front door sliding open. Immediately, the soft steps of his younger brother were heard as well as the soft one of his father. He rolled his eyes and turned to his studies. A small cry of joy was heard from his mother and a delighted chuckle from his father.
"...You're a jounin!"
His ears perked up, and the pencil in his hands snapped in two. 'Jounin...?'
"I am taken off on a B-rank long-term mission, Otou-sama, Okaa-sama," Sairuchi's voice flitted through the door. "I won't be coming here for a while."
"How long do you think it will take, Sairuchi-kun?" his mother asked worry etched in her voice.
"What mission is this?" Father
"It is ANBU classified, only between the Hokage-sama and I." Sairuchi
"You could tell us, can't you, Sairuchi-kun?" Mother
"No, I cannot, Okaa-sama."
"Why not? I have the right to know." Mother
"ANBU classified, Okaa-sama."
"Hai, hai," his mother sighed and clothes shifted. She had stood up. "Would you like a bento to go?"
"Hai. Arigatou gozaimasu, Okaa-sama. I have to pack some stuff anyways."
"Don't worry, I'll be done quickly." Footsteps fading and Itachi knew that she was gone.
"Let's wait in the kitchen," his father's voice came. "Itachi. Your brother is here."
'Damn...' he swore and walked out of his room.
Sairuchi was just taking off his sandals when he came out and they faced each other, both of them were so alike that even their father would get confused if it weren't for the flak jacket Sairuchi was wearing. Also, Itachi had his hitai-ate around his forehead when Sairuchi had his around his arm.
"Welcome home, Sairuchi," he nodded.
"Arigatou, Itachi-nii-sama," Sairuchi smiled, but it disappeared after seeing Itachi's own emotionless face.
They walked to the kitchen and sat down on the desk, each of them taking a side on the rectangular table.
"How are things in the ANBU?" his father asked.
"It's fine," Sairuchi answered with a small smile. "But this is my last mission in the ANBU. The Hokage-sama wants me out and to work as a Tokubetsu Jounin under him. Don't worry, I am still getting paid my regular price, or even more."
"Maa, maa," Mikoto chuckled. "Sairuchi-kun, do you think we need any more money than we have now? Don't worry about payments."
"I heard from the Hokage-sama that you have learnt new jutsus from the Tenkuu-nins," Hiko said.
'Tenkuu-nins?' Itachi thought, frowning and he turned to face his younger brother.
"Hai, they were powerful ninjas," Sairuchi nodded. "I managed to get a few jutsus from them, most of them can't really be called jutsus for they control their chakra in the strangest way to control the air around them so that they have a similar movement to 'flying'."
"Ah... I have heard of that but never really saw," Hiko smiled. "You are lucky to have fought them."
"Hai..." the younger Uchiha smiled.
"Sairuchi, how about packing your things now? This bento has to be really special for you, dear," Mikoto smiled at her second son. "Hmm?"
"Hai, Okaa-sama," he nodded and rose. "Excuse me, Otou-sama, Nii-sama."
Hiko nodded while drinking another sip of his tea, however Itachi followed him to his room.
Sairuchi's room was clean, void of near-no life because he barely slept here. He took all of his weapons and some of his scrolls, packing them into his bag and took some of his clothes as well. Itachi stared around, it was a long time since he had been to his brother's room and he never noticed how empty it was, unlike his, which was cluttered with books and scrolls.
"I... congratulate you for your graduation, nii-sama," Sairuchi said quietly, while tying his pack string with a knot. "The Hokage-sama has told me."
"...Are you taunting me, otouto?" Itachi's eyes narrowed.
"...Gomen-nasai..."
"...What mission is it?"
"I cannot answer. It is ANBU classified," Sairuchi said, standing.
"Or are you just saying that?" Itachi growled. He didn't know why he was so mad, but every word Sairuchi said, angered him.
"It is ANBU classified," he repeated. "I cannot-"
He quickly caught the kunai and raised his hand to catch the kick sent towards him. Sairuchi stared at Itachi's own Sharingan and felt his eyes act up before stopping. He pushed Itachi back and threw the kunai into the floor.
"I do not want to hurt you, Itachi-nii-sama," Sairuchi stated, his eyes flickering from black to red in seconds. "I do not harm family, especially, my precious people."
"You-"
"Itachi!" Sasuke's voice came.
Itachi stopped and turned in time to lift Sasuke from the floor. "S-Sasuke..."
The young boy stared at Sairuchi and smiled even wider. "Yay! Two Itachis!"
The older Uchiha just managed to see a pained expression pass across Sairuchi's face before he smiled.
"Hai, hai, Sasuke-chan," Sairuchi smiled, just like he used to Sasuke. "You be good okay?"
"Hai!" Sasuke sang.
Sairuchi got out of the room, and to the kitchen where Mikoto gave him the bento.
"Here Sairuchi-kun! Good luck!" she hugged him.
"Don't be lazy with your training," Hiko said.
"Arigatou and... good bye."
The door slid closed and Itachi managed to hear one word from his father's lips.
"There's something going on..."
---
As soon as Naruto was well enough to stand, he was taken into the apartment. Of course, there was a fair amount of scuffles as the blonde fought against the ANBUs and even the Hokage when he learnt that he and Kakashi would be taking care of him. The blonde had made several attempts to get away while walking towards the apartment, but he couldn't go against the Copy-nin and himself. Sairuchi sighed and stared at the one year old who was sitting on a chair across the table from him and Kakashi, who was leaning on the wall behind him. The bright blue eyes that had once shone in the pictures were now dark and wary as he watched the two ninjas. He sighed again, understanding Naruto's fear, yet slightly annoyed by it.
He was wearing a navy t-shirt as well as white shorts with the jounin flak-jacket on top as well as the hitai-ate. Kakashi was still in his jounin clothes and was staring at Naruto and him with one lazy eye.
'My... this is awkward...' he thought, clearing his throat. "Naruto..."
"Iie."
He sighed. It had been like this for the past hour and the stubborn boy didn't seem to want to let his guard down.
'Though I don't blame him... he's been half-killed...' Sairuchi thought wryly. "Hatake-san, can you please stop looking at us like that and make something for dinner?"
"Hai!" the silver-haired jounin sang as he disappeared into the kitchen. "What do you want?"
Sairuchi looked at Naruto and gave him a smile. "Naruto-kun, what would you like?"
"...Ramen." The answer was hesitant, but it was a start. Sairuchi's smile grew. The blonde was hungry. "M-miso ramen..."
He nodded. "Hatake-san."
"Hai! Three miso ramens coming up!"
They found the number one weakness: miso ramen.
However, that was the two jounins' number one terror as well. The blonde devoured ramen like a black hole.
---
Three years had passed and the blonde accepted the two ninjas in his life. He didn't jump whenever they touched him or crawl into the shadows or wedge himself into tight corners to get away from them - though that was a painful experience for all three of them. However, Kakashi soon had to return to his work, because Konoha needed more ninjas and the copy-nin would be a very nice addition. Sairuchi remained, becoming forgotten by nearly everyone except for the Uchiha Clan and those who went on missions with him, enjoying the hyperactive blonde that shone some light on his life. This could be the reason why he was born; to protect this sunlight from being tainted and clouded, to keep this young boy's life at its best. The Uchiha finally knew why the reason was at least a B-rank mission after an attack on the apartment where he and Naruto lived. Luckily, the blonde was still sleeping and the attack was done to his room, or else he'd need a lot of help from the Hokage to help him back to his normal state.
His family still tried to pry into his mission, but Sairuchi was careful. He knew that a child's mind was fragile and Naruto's especially because he had the experience already when he was one. If the Uchiha Clan knew that he was living and protecting the Kyuubi's vessel, they would attack both him and the blonde. He sometimes took Naruto to other villages and remained there for a month or two, or hung around in the forest.
Naruto's obsession with ramen sometimes went uncontrollable, but he managed to get him sated with one special 'Ramen Day' a week. Of course, the other days were full of nutritious food and never forget one cup of milk in the morning to keep him growing. However much Naruto ate, he still was a scrawny boy. Who knows? He, himself, was like that too when he was young.
Naruto called him 'Sairuchi'. He was no one else in his life, but a brother – not by blood, but a brother he could trust his life on. For Sairuchi, Naruto was a part of his life that he never wanted – or will – lose. He would protect him until he became a ninja and like a younger brother he never had. Naruto wasn't the Kyuubi, nor the Kyuubi's vessel - he was Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sairuchi's younger sibling...
---
"Aniki!" Naruto called happily. As he ran towards him. "I caught a frog! Look! look!"
The frog squirmed unhappily and managed to hop out of the five-year-old's hands and onto Sairuchi's head. Naruto laughed until he dropped down to the grass and Sairuchi grinned as he stooped down and ticked the little boy.
"Ah! HAHAHAHA! Yamette! YAMETTE ANIKI! HAHA!"
"This is what you get for laughing at me, Naruto!" Sairuchi was relentless with his tickling and continued, laughing a little as well.
However, Naruto's laughter was too loud or Sairuchi's lack of training had truly taken its toll, because he didn't noticed one powerful figure standing in the bushes until he actually talked.
"My, my, my, hello Sairuchi-kun..."
The boy froze and quickly pulled Naruto behind him to see a tall, dark-haired man with glowing golden eyes...
"O-Orochimaru," he scowled.
Orochimaru, one of the legendary sannins who had a snake summon and was once the Sandaime's best student and a powerful shinobi of Konoha. However, he had disappeared ever since the appearance of Kyuubi and was named nukenin (missing-ninja) ever since that day. To make matters worse, he was S-ranked... Sairuchi didn't know if he was able to win against him, but he always trained at least a few times each week...
"Pleasure to see that you know my name... a prodigy even higher than the well-known Uchiha Itachi or maybe even more so than Hatake Kakashi himself..." Orochimaru chuckled. "A body I must have..."
"I do not understand what you're talking about." Luckily, Naruto knew that the situation was bad and remained silent.
"Of course, it's a new jutsus I developed to help me complete my goal... and to complete my goal, there is another thing I need," a long purple tongue snaked out to lick his lips.
"Your goal: to learn all jutsus in the world," Sairuchi muttered under his breath. "...Sharingan..."
"Ah, a prodigy indeed."
Sairuchi jumped to hear the voice behind him and immediately felt the area behind him empty.
"Naruto," he whispered and twisted around to face the sannin. Naruto was struggling weakly in Orochimaru's arms and for the first time in a long time, Sairuchi saw the fear in his clear blue eyes. "Release him! Now!" His Sharingan activated and Naruto stared at him with wide transfixed eyes.
"I think we have to have a deal. I can see that you're worried for this child's safety, but I want your body. How about an exchange for this child's safety for your body, Sairuchi-kun?" the sannin asked, a smirk on his face. "It would be a shame to put any injuries on that beautiful body of yours."
Sairuchi bit his lips and his eyes narrowed. "Naruto... close you eyes and ears, okay?"
The blonde shook his head. "Aniki... no..."
"Just do it!" Sairuchi shouted.
Naruto squeezed his eyes shut and felt himself in mid air. And there was one word he heard before landing into a bush.
"Mangekyou Sharingan!"
"Tsukiyomi." (Illusionary Underworld Moon)
Sairuchi's eyes snapped open to show the shuriken-shaped pupils and Orochimaru's smile faltered before he collapsed. However, there wasn't any time for celebration as a pained scream in Naruto's part was heard and Sairuchi turned to see another Orochimaru standing behind the blonde, who had a limp arm in a strange angle...
"Naruto," he choked. "Then..."
A small pop was heard and suddenly Sairuchi was surrounded by clones. He scowled and slowly, his face grew emotionless and empty. They didn't notice it, but they did notice the change of his chakra movement.
"What-?"
In a matter of seconds, the clones popped out of nowhere and the Orochimaru holding Naruto was attacked by five clones and were hit on the wrist, effectively losing his grip on Naruto. Five clones appeared and took the blonde, rushing towards the Hokage Tower with the fainted boy in their hands.
The clones disappeared and Sairuchi appeared with a kick send straight at the older man's stomach. The sannin chocked before he was sent flying towards the tree behind him. Sairuchi's Sharingan was whirling so fast it was like there was a circle around his pupil. However, before Orochimaru could reach the tree, he was already there and another kick was sent towards his back and Sairuchi leapt with him, attacking mercilessly until he found it enough to stop. He drew in a deep breath and watched as Orochimaru fell lifelessly to the ground.
"You were a fool to anger me," he whispered.
"Kukuku..."
Sairuchi stared with wide eyes to see the missing nin rise, not smoothly, but still rise to his feet.
'What?' he thought, his mind already calculating quickly as his Sharingan watched him closely. 'I hit all the pressure points and...' he remembered the feeling of hitting him and scowled. 'No... it wasn't like I hit him at all...like hitting...'
"Yes... this is the power I need," he chuckled. "The power of the Uchiha..." Golden eyes flashed towards him and suddenly Sairuchi froze on the spot. "The body I need..."
'This is... Kanashibari no Jutsu,' he scowled. 'Damn he has a lot of chakra...'
Sairuchi quickly dodged an attack and raised his own chakra. Orochimaru froze on his tracks and he managed a small smile as he stared at the small young eleven year old. No, not young. He had enough experience to rival Hatake Kakashi, and maybe have even more power...
He didn't have anymore time to think as Sairuchi disappeared from his spot.
'What...?'
Several kunais flew towards him and he quickly tried to dodge, however, several more came, clashing with the ones near the ground and the number doubled, all rushing to the direction where he was still in the air. Orochimaru grunted, and a sword came out of his mouth, slicing through the kunais and he landed on the ground.
'Pitiful... thinking that I have to use Kusanagi against a mere eleven year old...' he took the sword into his hand and licked his lips. "Where are you, Sairuchi-kun? Hiding?"
Sairuchi pulled out a weapon scroll he always carried around with him and stopped. The Kusanagi would cut through anything, even metal, for it wasn't the usual sword he saw every day. From what he read from the Bingo Book, Genjutsu wasn't much against this sannin either.
'Damn...' he thought. 'What kind of a jutsu would let him take control over my body? I hope Naruto's okay...'
He pulled out four kunais from his pouch and felt the pouch weight dropping exceedingly.
'Weapons... how could I forget about weapons...?' he berated himself angrily.
"Here you are."
'Shit.'
Sairuchi raised his kunai to block the sword, but it sliced through like butter and he was barely able to get out of his position. Orochimaru smirked, rushing forwards and not giving the young boy enough time to recover as he attacked. The young Uchiha threw away his weapons and quickly dodged the sword, his Sharingan flaring as he looked for a bare area he could get out from. Orochimaru laughed, pushing forwards and forward until Sairuchi found himself becoming cornered.
"You have nowhere to run, Sairuchi..." he whispered, licking his lips. "You can't escape..."
"-Beep- you, Orochimaru..." he growled, his eyes flashing the Mangekyou before returning.
"Tsk, tsk... a dirty mouth for a child..." Orochimaru chuckled. "But you won't have any control over it soon..."
Sairuchi suddenly felt like a film was over himself and Orochimaru and a voice whispered in his mind and his hands moved out of control.
'Am I already in his control?' he thought, struggling against the pressure.
Don't fight! Let me have control if you want to live!
Sairuchi felt the seals and the movement of the chakra as his hands moved and his body reacted to the seals. And then he heard the words...
"...Amaterasu no Jutsu..."
"What!"
The horror on Orochimaru's face as a sudden black fire rushed out from his mouth and struck him on the clothes. A quickly water jutsu was called, but it didn't put out the black flames that seemed to continue forever. Sairuchi felt his face twist into a smirk, which he never did in his entire eleven years, and watch the sannin struggle with the flames.
"Feel lucky that none got on the sword, for that fire continues until the caller of the jutsu dies."
Orochimaru sent him an angry look and snarled as he sunk into the ground.
Sairuchi was once again in control and immediately, felt weak.
You're still too weak for this jutsu... pathetic...
He squeezed his eyes shut, yelling in pain when he felt his stomach contract at the sudden lack of chakra. He clutched the grass, screaming as another flare of pain rushed through his entire nervous system.
"Uchiha! Uchiha Sairuchi!"
"AAAAAAAAUGH!"
He thought he saw Itachi, but why would he be here?
...and why was he crying?
---
"Naruto!"
The Sandaime quickly pressed the young Uchiha down.
"It's okay, it's okay Sairuchi," he whispered. "Naruto's fine."
"H...Hokage-sama..." Sairuchi sighed. "Is his arm okay?"
"Hai, it's all cured right now and he's with Kakashi. I'm sorry we took so long tracking you. Orochimaru had some minions and placed several genjutsus around the area where the two of you were. When we got to you, Orochimaru was gone..." he sighed.
Sairuchi smiled weakly, remember the fight and held his aching head for a moment.
"How long was I asleep?" he asked.
"A week," the Sandaime answered with a tired smile. "You worried us, Sairuchi-kun."
"..." 'Crud...'
He didn't want to think what Naruto had been doing during the time... by the look of the deep shadows underneath the Hokage's eyes, he couldn't help but feel sorrier...
---
Sairuchi was able to get out of the hospital in another week. He had used way too much chakra for that jutsu his body had done for him and Naruto was once again in his arms. However... there wasn't any time for playing...
"Hey Sairuchi!"
The young Uchiha froze at the familiar voice and saw Shisui and Itachi standing behind him. Naruto quickly hid behind the young jounin and only peeked out for a moment before hiding once more. Shisui, who was five years older than them, as a jounin and feared for his mastering of the Shunshin no jutsu. Of course, Sairuchi could use it just as easily, but that didn't mean that Shisui wasn't much of a threat. Itachi was here too...
"Shisui-sempai," he nodded. "Itachi-nii-sama..."
"Sairuchi-aniki?" Naruto squeaked.
Shisui stared at the blonde for a moment and Sairuchi didn't miss the look of contempt. Since he knew that all jounins got to know that Naruto was the vessel for the Kyuubi, he knew that Shisui also knew it also.
"So, is this your long-term mission?" Itachi asked, a small smirk appearing on his face. "Baby-sitting?"
"..."
Sairuchi placed took Naruto's hand and squeezed it gently.
"Well, I guess our work here is done then..." Shisui grinned. "Let's go Itachi-kun."
"Sure, Shisui-nii-san," Itachi gave Naruto one last look before walking away.
"A...aniki?" Naruto's voice trembled and he tugged on Sairuchi's pale, cold hand.
"Naruto-kun," Sairuchi smiled. "I think you should stay with the Hokage-sama today."
---
Naruto didn't listen. Nor did anyone have the heart to separate them when he was crying like them. Kakashi might've done it, but he was out in a mission. Sairuchi sighed, staring at the little figure in his bed. The blonde insisted that they sleep together and the young Uchiha allowed it after a few tantrums. He knew that it was dangerous. Shisui and Itachi would surly tell this to the others and no one, not even his father would allow this without a fight.
The eleven year old sighed and placed a hand in the wild golden hair and smiled. The blonde had been the sun in his shadowed life. A reason for him to live and he would help this little ball of light to survive anything while he was alive. No, he will make sure this ball of light will survive even if he were dead.
...swish...
Sairuchi's ears perked and a grim look came over his face. He returned to his ANBU armor, pulled out his katana, and had all his weaponry full. Naruto was sleeping peacefully behind him and he was ready. Sairuchi pushed his ANBU mask in position and wrapped Naruto up in the blanket tightly and pulled him closer to him.
"Mmm... Aniki..." Naruto mumbled in his sleep.
"Hai, Naruto-kun," Sairuchi smiled sadly. "Be the strongest ninja for me, ne?"
To his surprise, an answer came:
"...hai..."
Sairuchi's eyes widened and he stared at the blonde, who still seemed to be asleep.
"Don't... don't every go back on your word, Uzumaki Naruto... I'll be watching you..."
Naruto mumbed something else that he couldn't hear, but Sairuchi had said everything he wanted to say.
Then he heard it. The clash of weapons of the ANBUs standing guard outside and the Uchiha team that infiltrated the apartment. Naruto only budged a little and said something under his breath. Sairuchi closed his eyes, listening to the silent battles outside and the soft gasps as ninjas fell, the soft thumps...
"Sairuchi-kun..."
"Ohayo... Shisui-sempai," Sairuchi's black eyes opened and stared into Shisui's own. "And... Itachi-nii-sama..."
Itachi appeared from behind Shisui, his eyes grave and his face paler than usual.
"...Sairuchi..." he whispered.
The youngest Uchiha smiled weakly and stood in front of Naruto. "I'm not letting you harm him."
"Thought that you'd do that," Shisui grinned. "Naruto-kun is really precious to you, isn't he? More than Itachi... or even Sasuke..."
Sairuchi laughed lowly and looked at Itachi. "I already told you what I really mean the day I started this mission. The decision of believing me or not is whatever you believe. And I have to say, that Uzumaki Naruto gave me a reason to live and so, I will not lose him. Not even to my precious people."
"..." Itachi said nothing and looked away.
Shisui saw this and scowled. "You will not weaken me, Sairuchi."
Sairuchi's sharingan flared and he gave Shisui a small smirk. "Shisui, I didn't like you from the beginning, so I doubt I will hesitate to kill you..."
He pulled out the gleaming katana from its sheath. It glinted in the moonlight and Sairuchi raised it horizontal to the floor.
"Yo, Neko-chan," a soft voice came.
The two Uchihas stared at Hatake Kakashi in fear and horror.
"It's Aka-Neko, Gin-Inu Buchou," Sairuchi replied. "The package is fast asleep."
"Hmm... better deliver it then," Kakashi picked up the tightly wrapped Naruto easily. "Ja... mata, ne?"
"Mochi lon, Kakashi-sempai..."
The Copy-nin stared at the young ninja with wide eyes before leaving.
"Don't go back on your word, Sairuchi," he said seriously.
"I never go back on my word, sempai," Sairuchi continued with his back still turned on him. "Say goodbye to Naruto-kun for me."
Kakashi nodded, though he knew that the boy couldn't see, and left through the window. Shisui glared at the window and turned to Itachi, who didn't seem to have the mind to fight, and glowered at the young shinobi in front of him.
"Don't believe that Naruto is still safe from the Uchiha Clan, Sairuchi," he growled. "A kid like him has no other fate than to die."
CLASH!
Itachi jumped at the sudden sound and stared with wide eyes at his younger twin right in front of Shisui, his sword dangerously close to the other Uchiha's neck. Shisui barely had the attack blocked with his kunai, cold sweat pouring down his face as he saw the sharp end of the sword. He couldn't see Sairuchi's face because of the ANBU mask, but he could feel the other's anger pouring out of him by his chakra.
'Since when did he have so much chakra...!' he stared, frozen.
"You're the only person here who's going to die, Shisui," Sairuchi snarled. "I'll see to that!"
"...try... your... best..." Shisui's Sharingan flared. "...TRAITOR! AARGH!"
With a great cry, Shisui pushed back Sairuchi's sword and disappeared into the shadows. Itachi blinked and stared at Sairuchi, who stood alone with his sword still in the same poise, and didn't even bother looking for Shisui.
CLANK!
The two metals clashed once more, creating red fireworks and Shisui disappeared again. Sairuchi smirked under his mask and closed his eyes. He didn't need the Sharingan for this battle. The Tenkuu-nins were way stronger than this.
"I know your pattern Shisui," Sairuchi taunted. "Guess who helped you around with your Shunshin no Jutsu. It was me."
He raised the sword to his back, and Shisui glowered at the sword angrily. Sairuchi smirked and quickly twisted his body around, almost too fast for the two other Uchihas to see and swiped his sword around horizontally.
THWACK!
Blood sprayed, but Shisui wasn't killed. Sairuchi didn't bother to step forward as he stared at the gasping Uchiha.
"You... you..." Shisui grunted, his eyes opening to show the Sharingan at the last moment.
Sairuchi stared down at him coldly and raised his sword, only to meet another.
"!"
He twisted around to see the familiar face of Hiko, his father. Sairuchi leapt away a good distance in the apartment and stared at the older Uchiha.
"...otou-sama..." he said emotionlessly.
"I knew Shisui wouldn't be much of a match to you... So... this is what you were hiding from us for four years, Sairuchi," he spat. "Taking care of the Kyuubi's Vessel... To protect it from harm, when it needs to be killed..."
"Kyuubi's Vessel?" Itachi gasped. "I thought Kyuubi was dead!"
"We will talk about this later, Itachi," Hiko said sharply. "Sairuchi, you are a traitor of the Uchiha Clan and Rule 231, Section 34 (always wanted to try that, lol), all traitors are to be annihilated - even if you were my son."
"..." Sairuchi remained silent, only raising his sword up higher.
"You are no longer my son..." Hiko whispered.
"Good," Sairuchi said, his eyes never straying from his father. "I never wanted to be the son of a man, who cared about nothing but his own pride. I know I was nothing but another prize to your life, another thing to show off. I'd rather die, than become your son."
Itachi's eyes widened, but before he could even blink, Sairuchi was dashing out of the room. Hiko followed just as fast, his Sharingan flaring.
'Is he running?' he thought and made to chase after them, the Shisui came to his eyes. "Shisui..."
He lifted his best friend carefully, making sure that the wound on his chest wouldn't open any further. Shisui's usually pale skin was even paler, his breathing harsh and Itachi could already feel a fever.
"Hang on..." And he quickly rushed to the hospital.
Outside was chaos, with corpses of both Uchihas and ANBUs strewn around everywhere. It seemed that the battle outside was done, but father and son were still rushing through them, never keeping an eye off one another. They stopped in the middle of a large training field, neither of their breathing were any harsher than they had started and Hiko also pulled out his sword.
"..."
"..."
They started at each other, not making a move, just studying for any unprotected parts of their body, but both their stances were perfect. The wind blew, but they still remained in their positions. When Itachi returned after seeing to that Shisui was being taken care of, they shifted, and leapt.
It was a whirl of flashing metals and black bodies. Both were relentless, but Hiko still had the upper hand with even more experience and a larger body. Sairuchi gritted his teeth whenever their swords met and already felt his arms numbing. To match the Leader of the Uchiha Clan, Hiko was powerful and his Sharingan seemed to show much more than his own as he blocked every attack and pounced in for his own deadly ones.
Itachi's own Sharingan activated, memorizing each move of both people, his mouth slightly open at the sight.
Sairuchi felt his strength failed, but his arms still moved, blocking, attacking and his legs still shifted, moving in a motion he was so used to. Hiko had taught him the sword, but the ANBU members and the swordsmen outside gave him more information.
Sairuchi quickly slashed down, but like he predicted, Hiko blocked it and swiped horizontally. He leapt, getting footing on the fast-approaching sword before leaping into the forest trees. His arms needed rest for a moment. Even a few seconds would do... he winced as they throbbed painfully and found himself in front of a river surrounded by two roads with a small curved bridge connecting the two sides. He leapt on the bridge and twisted just in time to block the attack. Sairuchi's Sharingan was flaring and straining to move to the Mangekyou, but he fought against it strongly, knowing that it was no use against another Uchiha with the Sharingan.
They leapt back and fell into their next stances. Sairuchi was panting slightly and he threw aside his sword. Hiko noticed this and sheathed his sword and tossed it to Itachi, who quickly caught it. The two Uchihas stared at one another, their Sharingans spinning wildly while their hands moved in a speed that was almost invisible. Itachi fought to keep up, frowning as he read and memorized every sign Sairuchi was making. He already knew what his father was about to do, however Sairuchi was...
"Katon: Karyuu Endan!"
"Suiton: Suiryuudan!"
He gasped as an enormous water dragon was created from the river, while a fire dragon exploded from his father's mouth. Sairuchi's dragon intercepted the attack before it could reach its master and a great hiss was heard as the two opposite elements struck one another. Itachi's eyes widened as he saw Sairuchi's dragon slowly, but surely, pushing his father's jutsu back.
Sairuchi's eyes narrowed and he fought against the raging voice in his head, the overwhelming chakra of his father and lastly, the tears that were gathering in his eyes.
"...otou-san!"
Hiko's eyes widened and during that fraction of a moment, his jutsu faltered and the water dragon rushed at him, swallowing him whole. He barely had time to yell in pain as he was slammed into the tree behind him and fainted.
Sairuchi blinked against the tears and stared at his older twin.
'Itachi...' His hands trembled horribly as he kept them in the air. 'I can't do this anymore...'
'Sairuchi...' Itachi stared at the small form on the opposite side of the bridge.
"Itachi!" Sairuchi shouted. "Let's finish this!"
The older twin hardened himself and nodded. He pulled out a kunai, rushing at his twin and...
TWACK!
Blood sprayed and Itachi gaped at the enormous wound, nearly identical to the one Sairuchi gave Shisui, on his chest. Blood sprayed and the eleven-year-old's body slumped forwards. Sairuchi's eyes remained in their Sharingan form and a small smile vaguely formed on his face.
"S-Sairuchi..." he whispered.
"Itachi...nii-san..." Sairuchi choked, ignoring the blood dripping down his lips. "...aishiteru..."
Itachi froze as Sairuchi threw himself from the bridge and landed with a great splash into the river.
"Sairuchi!" he shouted, rushing to the side. The water was red, mixing with the blood from Sairuchi's body and there was no sign of his body anywhere. "Sairuchi! You idiot! Sairuchi! Sai- AH!"
He clutched his head in pain, screaming as he felt something invade his mind, and his eyes burning...
It was hours later when he woke and he saw himself in the mirror of the hospital, where he was taken for any treatment he needed. He activated his Sharingan, staring at himself for a long moment before closing his eyes and brushing against something in his mind that he never felt before. When he opened his eyes he stared at himself dumbly.
'The Mangekyou...' he thought in joy and horror. 'Because... because...
'I killed Sairuchi... my... otouto...'
Later that night, when Itachi walked into the apartment where Naruto and Sairuchi used to live, he saw a small scroll on the kitchen counter that wasn't taken when the ANBU came to clear up the house. He lifted it and his eyes widened to read the letter written inside.
'Itachi-nii-san, kombawa? I don't know if this is night, but to everything I calculated, I think it would be, ne?' Itachi chuckled lowly. 'Well, if my calculations are also correct, I have defeated my father on a one-on-one battle when I yell "Tou-san" or something similar to that. Of course, he is alive and well... like I have said, I will never hurt my precious people.
'I know it is horrible of me writing this to you, but I placed a jutsu on this scroll so that no other person with the most similar blood connection to mind would see or touch it. Amazing eh? I made it myself! Suichi-san said that it was the dumbest jutsu ever, but I didn't really care, this is specially made for you.
'If I had defeated father, then you'd be the only one left, and killed me too. Also, you would've gotten the Mangekyou! Don't feel bad about killing me because I meant it to happen. Who knows, maybe you just got a heart for me and gave me a good enough wound or something. Well, this is a jutsu Suichi-san taught me a few days ago. I think you might like it... it's called...'
"Amaterasu no jutsu..." he rolled the name with his tongue.
Next, it showed him all the hand-seals and any warnings about this jutsu he had to know about.
'Memorize this for me, ne? And please don't harm Naruto-kun... he is a sweet boy. Love you, nii-san! You were an amazing brother!
Uchiha Sairuchi.'
'Sairuchi...'
He cried himself to sleep in the torn up room, dreaming of a world where there was no one between them, and they had no special powers at once.
---
"I will become the strongest ninja - the Hokage! And I will never go back on my word!"
Were the words from Uzumaki Naruto's mouth when he woke. And to the Hokage's surprise, he had no idea who Sairuchi was... but the words just popped out. The cry of the blonde rang out in the entire village, and no one believed him except for one.
'Yes, Naruto... become the most powerful ninja, for my brother... and your brother...' Itachi smiled and looked at Sasuke. 'You will help him too, won't you, Sasuke?'
"Nii-san?" the small dark-haried boy cocked his head.
"Nothing, let's get you home..." he nodded.
"Hai!"
-------------
Well... I'm REALLY sorry about this late one... (GAH! Put that rock down!)
I just got a BLANK after writing that prologue! (I MEAN IT! PUT THAT STUPID ROCK DOWN! I don't wanna be stoned!)
I'll try to write more often! WAH!
BELIEVE ME!
T.T
Kay then, this one's over, and onto the next one!
PS, I was thinking about pairs.
What would you want?
Thx for reading! XD