I do not own Naruto! Such an obvious fact!
"A journey of ten thousand miles begins with one step."
Chapter 3
The day he killed the local boy, Oni Kyuubi 'Kit' Naruto came over the cliff hill path whistling a tune. The hill path was part of the Oni Estate located at the Caribbean. In the bare patches scoured by wind, mounds of freshly turned earth showed where the rabbits were and the smaller, finely dug hills of moles.
A shuddering squeal, thin and alone as a penny whistle, sent the black and white Alaskan malamute bolting and Naruto called him back. Another snare. The fine silver loop of wire was carefully concealed and staked at the burrow and closed tighter with every jerk. Following the squeals he came upon the rabbit, its snowy coat thickly matted with blood, and silenced it with a blow on the head.
The locals had set snares for a mile-often going against the law for trespassing on the Estate-around along with their strings of mole traps. They kept the moles in a chicken-wire cage. When he came upon them, he opened it and let the animals go, creating a bad name on him. Demon, they call him. And thinking that it had only been a month since he and his father are here, bad news really travels fast.
The rabbit had chewed part of its leg away to get at the wire that had closed relentlessly to the bone. He walked towards the cliff back to the pathway with the lifeless carcass dangling from his hand by its back of the legs flopping like a broken doll. The dog named Damon ran behind sniffing the dark spots of its blood trail.
Oni Naruto spent most of his time, when he is not needed by his father, on the cliff hill path, alone except for Damon, the dog that his father had given him for his 3rd birthday. This May morning he had looked at his father's massive mansion a few feet away from the cliff. Its wide white doors ornamented by fool's gold in an ancient carvings gleaming in the light. There were no maids shouting his name, calling him for his daily private tutorial and piano lessons.
He had been too late often; his knuckles were still grooved by white bandage, and bruises that wouldn't heal from Leslie George's broken front tooth. 'Demon. Demon. Your father's a drunk.' Leslie's lip had split like a grape before he could say it again and Naruto hadn't been at the town since.
It was things like this and the fact that Leslie is trice his size that gave Naruto a bad name among the village mothers despite of his father's social station. Any ordinary child of his age would have turned and run. But Oni Naruto was no ordinary child, everybody knew that.
He was the child of one of the most powerful men in the world.
His hair was the blond lock of uncombed hair. It was his eyes that were most peculiar, the dazzling color of azure eyes, deeply contrasting his father's blood red ones. For those few who saw him laugh a real laugh they were peaceful and summery, in anger they flashed like splinters of uncut sapphire. Whatever their mood or colour, what most people of the village saw in them was challenge and contempt. So the round-eyed, brown-eyed kids named him 'Demon'. Leslie George would be the last.
The cliff hill path was the short cut to the Oni boatyard, so far out the village that it served as another world for Naruto. It was Kyuubi's gift to his son who always loved the azure depths of the ocean, the same colour as his eyes.
Kyuubi always had money; the two of them never had to worry about it. It was a clear and undisputed fact. His father would always buy the best things for him. 'Because I love you,' his father would always say. But Naruto knew better, yes there was love, hasn't he always see to it that Naruto always had the best of things? But it was more of obligation, the same kind of obligation a boss would give to his subordinate.
It was a blustering bully of a day. The kind that snatched Naruto's breath away and flung it out to the sea which he so, oh loved. Clean, white puffs of cumulus cloud sailed in swift, shifting patches in a sky so blue it made him blink.
Clouds were the most beautiful things in the world, Kyuubi said, and the only thing worth chasing: 'Chase a cloud and you never know where it will lead you.'(1)
In days like this, Oni Kyuubi 'Kit' Naruto knew that he belonged to the sea.
He didn't see the local boy until he spoke.
"That is my rabbit, little one."
He was a young man of perhaps seventeen; his skin was tanned by the merciless sun. His nose and cheeks were covered by freckles that dusted like nutmeg. He knows this boy, Demon they call him.
"Give it to me"
He hesitated.
"Give it to me, Demon."
With in a blink, Naruto threw the rabbit in to the sea, the boy ran forward to catch it. Naruto used the momentum to punch the boy hard on the face like a stone.
Knocked sideways, the boy took a few unsteady stride steps and disappeared toward the edge. Naruto heard a shrill cry, as death flew unto the boy's wide-open arms.
Aeaeae
The inside of Oni Mansion was the dazzling resemblance of an eighteenth century palace. Its walls were carved with curved and counter curved design, while the uncovered ones where painted in pastel colours its motifs were derived from ancient Chinese designs portraying nature.
So why would Kyuubi's room be any different?
Its walls were painted with light brown ornaments of nature. Its ceilings were painted to represent the sky and clouds. There in the middle of the room was a bed large enough to fit four men together. Its bed sheet made from silk and linen of light red. Above the mantel was a richly carved and painted over with a trumeau (mirror). Lighting fixtures, fireplace accessories, and hardware were of finely chased, often gilded metalwork. The floors were of wood arranged in geometric parquet designs. Special kinds of furniture were created to fill the needs of intimate social life. And on that same room was a huge window that when opened reveals an azure sea, the same colour of his beloved son's eyes.
Kyuubi thought that he'll forget that zero hour. The same hour when he lost something and found everything.
He told himself countless of times that it was not his fault. He tried so hard. He wasn't expecting it. And yet his heart cannot be summed to that one reason. He was taught by his father not to trust anyone, not to let anyone know what lies behind the great façade. And yet he had been careless, he let someone to see pass through him. He let someone to pass through the high gates of his heart. He had been careless. So everything was taken away from him.
And yet, that same hour gave him everything.
It gave him, a new reason to live. It had broken him away from the clutches of hate, solitude and uncertainty. It gave him someone to live for. He was needed so he will continue to live. Live and take care of him. For he only live because of him.
He only lives for his son. For his Naruto, yes Naruto! For his Naruto!
Kyuubi was busy looking at the clouds forming at the sky when Naruto came, running and breathless. He didn't look up when Naruto told his story. He only turned when Naruto came to the part when the boy fell to the sea.
"Are there any one around?"
Naruto still breathless answered. "I don't think so."
"Are you sure he's dead?"
"The tide was low and the bottom was full of sharp rocks. No one could ever survive that."
Kyuubi looked closely to his son, tilted his chin with a hand and looked closely to the azure eyes he nearly worshiped. "You must leave."
Kyuubi was surprised to hear that his voice was calm even on this situation.
"Pack your things. You're going somewhere."
"Where?" Naruto asked. Kyuubi knew that his son is afraid. Ever since the baptism the two of them were never apart. "I wanted to stay with you." The tone was almost pleading.
Kyuubi smiled. "You have to go. Things will start to be back to normal even before you knew."
That same night, Oni Kyuubi Naruto sailed at a small boat together with his father's trusted servant and his dog Damon. They were heading to Vegas.
Aeaeae
He was ten -at that time he was already studying in England- exactly 4 years after the accident, when he was called on the office of his guardian Jaraiya. He hasn't seen his father since. When he would ask about his father, Jaraiya was quick to evade it. It was as if he was hiding something from him.
"Hello Naruto." Jaraiya greeted. "How do you find your school?"
They talked. They simply talked. The same kind of talk one gets from a teacher toward his student or the sickingly devotion of a guardian toward his charge.
"Why do you ask for me Jaraiya-san?"
Jaraiya simply sighed. He had told the kid hundred of times to never call him –san or –sama, besides it has been 4 years and they shall be acquitted enough right?
"I have something that will interest you. I have something from your father" Jairaiya reached for his drawer and from it produced a neatly wrapped package sealed with wax.
Naruto quickly reached for it, like a child would reach for a candy his mother has for him. He quickly opened it with eager hands as Jaraiya watched closely.
"Your father wishes for me to be with you the time you read the letter."
Naruto paid no heed. He opened the letter and soon recognized his father's liquid-like handwriting.
The next thing he knew, his eyes started to fill and felt Jaraiya's strong arms hugging him. The same hug his father would give him as a child to those scary nights filled with thunder and lightning.
(AN: Please read the edited version of chapter 1)
It was in the middle of spring that faithful day when Sasuke was finally able enough to recover and heal any injuries whatsoever. It was also that day when the group decided to enjoy their free time together.
"Hey let's eat! I'm hungry!" A familiar fat boy said with reddish hair and porcelain skin. Dressed in colourful shirt with flowers and black shorts you could mistake him for a foreigner instead for a high ranking official of a deadly clan.
"Shut up Chouji! You're always hungry!" The blond girl with blue eyes said. Dressed in jeans and light blue tube with black arm warmers she linked her arm with her boyfriend beside her.
The boy named Nara Shikamaru could only sigh as his best friend and girlfriend went on their usual childish bickering. He unconsciously fidgeted his grey shirt and black pants to keep him occupied.
The man with untamed hair who was usually loud and obnoxious was unnervingly silent as he was forced by Shikamaru and the 'authorities' to 'surrender' Akamaru as dogs were not allowed in the mall. He pocketed his hands on his pant's deep pocket and grey shirt. Completely unaware to his surrounding and to the worrying woman next to him.
The woman with bluish black hair looked concernedly on the two men next to him, the first one his loyal suitor the other his overprotective cousin, she sighed as she adjust her ribbon on her long silky hair then moved her hands to straighten the creases on her lavender colored dress.
Hyuuga Neji watched unconsciously at the delicate features of his cousin. He mentally cursed himself for thinking like that. Goddamn it! He gave a shrug and looked closely at the girl next to him dressed in green shorts and Chinese shirt. Why can't he love this girl instead of his innocent cousin? But, what the hell! It seems that Neji is so absorbed on his musings that he is completely oblivious to the fact that his white sweatshirt and black baggy pants is closely drawing attention to the girls around him.
Lee looked around at the pink haired girl beside him. He sighed, when will he draw attention to this girl? He mentally adjusted himself and so is his green colored shirt and black pants. Well, everybody can dream right?
The pink haired girl sighed. Damn! Will she ask him or will she not? Will she do it or will she not? Damn! It is easier to choose her red dress than to decide! Inner Sakura is practically tearing her hair to do it. Go! Go! Go! You can do it! It's now or never!
"Um... Ano, Sasuke-kun."
The stoic man dressed in sleeveless blue shirt looked at her. His face obscured by a cap.
"Sasuke-kun…… Are you…… Are you hungry?"
"Hn."
To Sakura's surprise, Sasuke went to the nearest Japanese restaurant to be followed by the rest of the gang and blonde man dressed in black sweatshirt with flame-like designs on the sleeves and dark blue pants, his right ear pierced with a diamond stud earring, his azure eyes concealed with a dark shade and his feet with black shoes with the familiar flaming designs. The man followed Sasuke, only to enter their lives and haunt their dreams for eternity.
Aeaeae
Jairaiya sighed as he looked at the blonde woman beside him. The same blonde woman he used to love and still loved for all this years, the same woman that he would betray this very hour as he made love to her as if nothing happened. As if the tragic Uchiha war was a mere product of some insane god with an odd sense of fun. As if someone that could possibly destroy the Konoha clan was not cared and beloved by Jairaiya. As if. As if. As if, everything was completely normal.
"Jairaiya," Tsunade softly said as she reached out to touch the man's bronzed chest and planted a light kiss there. "You seemed a bit spaced out lately."
"I just miss you."
"Liar!" Tsunade said as she softly slapped his face. "I know you don't. You lived in Vegas; women are at your feet going at particular lengths just to be with your bed. You're famous for your sexual escapades you know. And of course for your perverted books."
Jairaiya snorted. "You mean for my billion dollar hotel and for my so-" Damn it! He almost said the forbidden word.
"Son?" Tsunade asked as she lifted herself from the bed with an elbow. "There have been rumours you know, about your son. Is it true?"
"What is true?"
"About him; is he really your son?"
"What do you think?"
"I used to think that it is true, but…" she hesitated.
"But what?" Jairaiya was confused, this doesn't sound like the loud and self-absorbed woman he knew on his childhood. Tsunade never hesitated, didn't she knew what to do about everything, every time?
"But when …… but when you made love to me …… it feels like as if nothing changed and everything was forgiven." Tsunade said embarrassed at herself.
Jairaiya laughed.
"Shut up you idiot! I never should have told you about that!" Tsunade said angry at Jairaiya but mostly to herself.
"Let's put that aside should we? I don't want to waste this night with you. Tell me how is sensei Sarutobi?"
Tsunade sighed, thankful to leave the subject behind. "He's fine. His grandson and Asuma are particularly taking care of him."
"It's good to have someone to care for you when you get old huh?"
Tsunade nodded. "That's why I don't blame you for having a child. That is if you have any."
Jairaiya sighed once again. Why do they have to go back to that topic they have just left a few seconds ago?
"You know Tsunade one of the worst mistakes I committed in life aside from leaving you, is not having a child. As much as I want to I didn't, because my 'son' is not really mine but a friend of mine." He explained.
"Promise?" Tsunade said.
"Promise." Jairaiya answered.
"Then whose child was it. Do I know him?"
"Yes you do. But its better if you don't."
Aeaeae
"Ahh, I'm full." Chouji said as he patted his full stomach.
"Yeah, you should be! That's your 15th dish for Kami's sake!" Ino said as she crossed her arm.
"Shut up you two!"
"Let's go." Neji said, rising at his seat.
"Hn"
As the group prepared to leave, the blonde man takes this as a cue as he intentionally bumped Sasuke putting the said star on the floor. Grinning, the blonde extended his arm. Sasuke looked at it, lifted himself alone and sent the man a deadly glare.
To the group's surprise, the man laughed and sneered at him. "Gee, is that the new way you actors thank someone?"
"And what do you expect! Do you want Sasuke-kun to bow and thank you?" Sakura said enraged that someone can talk to her Sasuke like that.
"Sakura let's go! People are starting to look at us!" Ino said as she restrained Sakura from scratching the man's face.
The man laughed again, a laugh that unconsciously brought tingles to Sasuke's spine. Sasuke looked at the man and noticed his angelic features, his perfect tanned face scared by whisker like marks that somehow managed to frame his features, his blonde hair framing his face in such a way only top models could do, and Sasuke took a sharp breath as the last detail is revealed. The man removed his glasses and he stared at azure eyes. The same eyes he dreamt of every night, the same eyes of his angel.
Then the man noticed that Sasuke is staring at him and his smile deepened. He moved to where Sasuke stood, and went on his tiptoes to whisper on his ear. "It's okay."
Sasuke involuntarily stiffened up.
The man noticed it and smiled. "Meet me at the Imperial Hotel, 3:00 p.m., the day after tomorrow."
And with that the man left before leaving a small peck at Sasuke's cheek and grinning more which only made Sakura more enraged.
Unconsciously, Sasuke touched his cheek, and smiled. "It's a deal then," he whispered.
"Let's go," he said as he walked out of the restaurant leaving stunned persons behind.
Aeaeae
It was dark in there. A perpetual darkness. An endless darkness.
"Naruto"
"Naruto"
A voice calls him, silently, urgently. Wanting to be heard, wanting to be known.
"Who are you?"
"Naruto"
"Naruto"
The voice calls once again, urgently, silently. Wanting to tell the secrets been kept on the darkness for years, for centuries, for lifetimes, a secret that slowly destroyed the lives of his ancestors for years, ever since that day.
That faithful day when Kyo and Kyoshiro broke all the laws of man and nature, the day when they created the two of the most powerful clans; The Oni and the Uchiha.
"Who are you? Why don't you show yourself?"
In front of Naruto's very eyes, darkness seems to disappear and an orange flame appeared in front of his very eyes.
The flame started to grew brighter and brighter until it divided to form 9 tail like flames that scattered around him. It enveloped him, and for a filtering second, Naruto was afraid to touch it for fear of scalding himself. But he noticed that the fire was cold. The mere thought of it brought shivers to Naruto's spine.
He had to get out of here. But how? The fire has already bound him. On his legs, on his arms, on his neck, on his torso while the others waited patiently. Waiting and waiting.
"What the fuck do you want!" Naruto shouted. His echo resounded on the whole room.
Silence.
Suddenly Naruto became acutely aware of his toe nails growing, the hair on the back of his neck rising to an end, and the sound of resounding footsteps, getting louder and louder.
Naruto adjusted his eyes to see a shadow getting clearer and clearer. It was moving in the darkness with the gracefulness of a cat and the arrogance of a lion. Still it grew louder and louder….
And then, it stopped… Naruto hung his head down.
"It's been a long time, my friend," it said in a calm voice. "It's been a long time, Kyo."
Naruto looked up and stared at a pair of bright crimson eyes.
And after that…
He already awoke…
(1) 'A phrase from a long ago book' as my father always says to me. I never had the chance to find the book though, but my father is very fond of this phrase.