A/N: Thank you everybody for your support on book one (Witch Hunt). I am eager to continue this series and am having so much fun writing it. Please keep reminding me that you love it as well, lol. You are all amazing and I appreciate your support.

Naruto Uzumaki

Childhood

Every night, I dream of a blue and black spirit floating around me as I float aimlessly within a black void.

I'm not scared of the spirit. Not at all. If anything, they are my friend! They hug me, leaving trails of tingles on my skin.

I ask the spirit...

"What is your name? Mine is Naruto Uzumaki! Will you still be with me when I wake? Do you want to be my friend?"

But they do not respond. So I stay with them until the morning light, and the remnants of my dream slip away.

…

…

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…

My chamber door creaks open. I refuse to open my eyes at first...but then I remember.

"It's my twelfth birthday!"

I jump up on my butt and clap as my mother, Kushina, and Queen of Konohagakure, opens the blinds. Outside, our stunning kingdom twinkles with golden light.

"That's right, you little rascal! It's your birthday. And we have a very special surprise for you!"

Mom scoops me up in her arms and I play with her long red hair.

"Momma'"

I say while she ruffles my own blonde, scruffy locks.

"What if the scary witches attack? I heard dad talking to the royal guard last night. He said...that they have pushed past the border of Kumogakure no sato."

"Oh Naruto-" mother kisses my forehead and explains while dressing me in my princely gowns. "-sounds like you need to be reminded of our history. As always."

"What does that mean? Dattebayo…"

Kushina simply chuckles and buttons up my bright orange shirt.

"Long ago, this country was unified as one nation. Only two tribes hunted the plentiful lands. One, was called the Senjus...the other, Uchiha's. They remained at peace for many years, sharing food and familiarity."

"But then...it happened! Oo! Scary!"

I wiggle my fingers in the air and Kushina laughs.

"Yes. That's right, the Great Divide! An Uchiha known as Madara appeared from nowhere with a group of no-good Uchiha's. They sought the Crystal Of Life, which was thought to be buried deep in the center of the Earth. They dug, son. Yes. For many months. Until they found it...the Crystal Of Life!"

"But the Senju's didn't want to give up that power?"

"That's right, Naruto. The Senjus' and Uchiha's waged a bloody war over the crystal. When all was said and done...the crystal was split into seven parts and scattered across the country. Madara stole a shard and escaped to the east with his evil clan."

She pauses for dramatic effect.

"That fragment Madara stole contained infinite darkness. Thus, turning the Uchiha clan into mindless, wicked witches!"

"T- that's kinda' scary mom!"

"But, let me tell you why you shouldn't be afraid…"

Mother lifts me in her arms and carries me down the corridor. Servants dressed in white gowns bow before us as we pass. She goes to the nearest patio and points into the horizon.

Atop a large stone cliff is a bright shard of emerald light. It is like a stunning beacon lighting Konohgakure with it's loving hue.

"That, my son, is the second shard from the Crystal Of Life. Within it, is the power of Light. It keeps Konohagakure lit even within the darkest of nights."

She sets me down on a cobblestone bench. I stare up at her in awe.

"So, you see...even if those evil witches with their dark magic come to attack us. You will always be protected by light...and love. My handsome, dorky, son."

"Hey! I'm not dorky!"

We laugh in unison.

"But, mom. If we have one shard of the Crystal Of Life. Where are the others? What do they do?"

"Well. It's said that each shard contains a different type of magic that pertains to the necessities of human life. Like rainfall, love, earth, air, and hope! But heck if I know where they are now. Probably, buried in the dirt."

"What shard do the Uchiha's possess, ma'?"

"They possess the only one that reflects the darkness of humanity. The seventh shard of Darkness. Along with sadness, and revenge. One day, we will destroy it along with the Uchiha's cursed magic…and nothing will be left in this world but love."

She kisses my forehead.

"Now, time for a celebration!"

Most kids would have a regular birthday party, where the guests are close friends and they have a single slice of birthday cake. But not me! I'm the son of the king, and I get only the best for my birthday!

We enter the mess hall. A feast has been prepared for me and the entire kingdom. Everybody is laughing and dancing, showering me in gifts beyond my wildest dreams. I'm laughing and dancing. Taking a moment to hang out with my best friends, Choji and Shikamaru.

Choji is the son of the local tavern owner, and Shikamaru is the son of the local blacksmith! They may not be royalty, but they are the best friends a prince could have.

Shikamaru nudges me on the shoulder.

"Hey, Naruto. You wanna' go outside and stare at the sky?"

"Eh? Why the heck would I do that Shikamaru. Man, you sure are lazy."

He shrugs. Choji joins us with a mouth full of rice and fish.

"I don't wanna' go outside yet! Too much good food to eat!"

Shikamaru gives us. He follows Choji and I as we ransack every table for as many delectable goodies as we can find.

In the corner of my eye...I see a Konohagakure guard stumble into the mess hall. His eyes are wide and full of panic. He collapses to his knees...spilling blood on the tiles.

"Wait. What in the world? Guys, look at that!"

Shikamaru, Choji and I only start to realize what is happening mere seconds before the walls collapse.

BOOM!

A series of explosions send me to my knees. Rays of darkness penetrate the room and cut out the morning light. People are screaming and crying as they are crushed by various hunks of falling debris. A woman on my left, in particular, gets crushed into a brutal paste as a fifteen foot tall chunk of wall crushes her to death.

"Mom! Dad!"

I scream.

"Help us!"

Right on time. A royal guard pulls us to our feet. The large man manages to scoop me and my friends up into his arms. He turns to face the other end of the corridor. My father, Minato Uzumaki is dressed in his golden robes and a crown is placed atop his head. He ushers us out of the room as it collapses into dust.

I tilt my head just in time to see three sets of shadowy figures blanket the entrance way.

"They have come for us…"

My father whispers.

"The Witches! They launched a surprise attack using the underground tunnels."

"But, your majesty, those have been closed off for years!"

"They must have traversed them somehow…"

My father growls. His bright blue eyes become a light with rage.

"Fugaku...are you more evil than I thought you were? Damn it!"

The royal guard stammers.

"Your majesty, I do not think we have time for this! We need to meet your wife in the evacuation chamber."

With that. We run down the staircase into a dark, murky, cobblestone corridor that is below ground. We twist and turn past closed cell doors, finally arriving at a door with the Uzumaki sigil engraved in its surface.

My father opens the door. Within, are the royal members of my fathers council and my mom. Kushina runs towards father and I, planting huge kisses on our foreheads.

"My loves, I am so glad you are safe."

They lock the door behind us. Shikamaru, Choji and I huddle together in fear.

That's when mom looks down at me. A huge smile planted on her face.

"Don't be scared...Naruto, remember, the light of the crystal protects you."

That's when the door explodes.

A tall man with medium long black hair strides into the room. He has bright red eyes and a wicked grin. His garb is ratty and torn. Around his neck is a braided mess of animal hair and skulls.

"My name is Fugaku Uchiha."

He waves behind him to introduce his companions as the royal guard and my father brandish their swords.

"And, this, is my loving family."

They all look the same. With black hair, and red eyes. My heart skips a beat...behind him, huddled next to another Uchiha witch is a boy around my age.

Suddenly. My world is calm and steady. My crystal blue eyes are locked onto his cunning red ones. And he pauses. He has pale skin and black spiky hair. He examines me up and down before furrowing his brows and taking a step back.

Minato cuts into the conversation.

"The rest of my royal guard will be here any moment to save us, and I do not see the crystal of light in your hand. Why have you bothered with such a useless attack?!"

"This is not an attack, Minato. It is a threat. My armies may not be able to kill you now, but we will be able to, in the future."

Fugaku laughs.

"This is my son, Sasuke Uchiha. He will be the future ruler of the Uchiha clan."

He grabs the young witch by the throat and pushes him to the front of the crowd.

"I wanted to bring him here so we could show you something, and set an example for you light loving fucks."

Minato roars in defiance.

"Keep children out of this!"

"Oh?"

Fugaku shakes his head.

"We have been waging war one one another for years. Do you really think children, the age of my son, have not already died in the process? Do not be so naïve."

A series of shouts echo behind us at the end of the hall. The Royal Guard is coming to save us!

Fugaku growls.

"But you are correct, King Minato, we do not have much time…"

He leans down and whispers in Sasuke's ear.

"My dutiful son...why don't you show them what you can do?"

Sasuke hesitates...before responding in a hushed voice.

"Yes. Father."

We tense. Preparing for the worst. But nothing can predict what happens next...Mom shields me with her body right before the blast hits.

Sasuke curls his fingers and traces a shape in the air. Between his digits and fingers erupts a swarm of black and blue light. It cracks like electricity yet also burns like fire. He pauses only for a moment, before firing five rows of dark magic into the air. They are ten times larger than any magic blast I have ever seen, and they coat the entire room with darkness.

Everybody screams and cries as their skin is scorched and electrified all at once. Some of the dark rays of magic pierce my skin. I yelp as tears stream down my face. I look down at my arm, where the attack landed it's mark…

My skin is turning black. My heart jams in my throat and I fall to my knees. As does everybody else. When I look up at my mother and father, who' took the brunt of the damage. They look fifty years old...wrinkled...with black skin and failing hearts.

Shikamaru is weeping next to me. He holds my arm and points at Sasuke.

"Impossible. You...you can suck the life out of people! You're a monster!"

"That's right little boy"

Fugaku laughs.

"My son, Sasuke, was born with the helpful ability of life-consumption. Anything his magic touches, dies in a mere instant. That is why. When he grows up and takes my place as the leader of the Uchihas. You will all perish...but as for right now. We will settle with killing the King and Queen!"

He shoves Sasuke on the back.

"Do it. You fool! Finish the job. Kill them."

But Sasuke is still as a statue.

"Y- you brat!"

Fugaku slaps Sasuke across the face and he falls to the floor bleeding from his nose.

Just then, the Royal army appears at the end of the corridor. The Uchiha leader is flushed with anger.

"We are out of time."

He grabs his son by the arms and throws him out of the room. He turns back to usher one more warning to my almost dead family.

"Do not forget this moment. One day, we will kill you. My son will drain the life from your bodies, and I will enjoy watching."

The adult's red gaze pierces my own. He smiles, as if he knows one day, this war will be mine to carry on my back.

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All-in-all, there are three things I will never forget from that terrible night.

One.

Witches are evil.

Two.

Fugaku Uchiha needs to die for threatening my family, and ruining my birthday party.

Third…

Sasuke Uchiha hesitated to kill us.